Sub: Million thanks and praises to Konkani Kullvar members for honoring & awarding Bab A.Veronica in Kuwait.
A.Veronica is a unique person with mighty strength and has faced the world without turning back as a writer. In Kuwait there is no greater person than A.Veronica who has shaken the world with his writings for the cause of Goa. His sincere and dedicated work for the cause of Goans in Kuwait and Goa, has been awarded by Konkani Kullvar. I am proud of him.
If only A.Veronica would have been awarded much before, by now he would have reached to unlimited heights. Anyway, its never to late.
Once again very special thanks to Fr.Teo Fernandes, Mr.Lancy Pinto Nayak & KonKani Kullvar members.
Olavo Joao olavocjoao@hotmail.com
Pathsha
Kuwait
August 29, 2007
August 27, 2007
A. VERONICA FERNANDES HONORED IN KUWAIT
Fr. Teo Fernandes presenting a commemorative plaque to Veronica watched by Mr. Lancy Pinto Nayak
Kuwait, 26 Aug: If any expatriate Goan or a Konkanivadi is to be awarded and honored for the promotion, propagation and development of Konkani, it is possibly none other than Mr. A. Veronica Fernandes from Kuwait.
There is perhaps no one in the expatriate Konkani world and Goan communities who has worked for Konkani as much as Mr. Veronica -- starting from Goan Konkani dailies like Novem Goem, Konkani Porjecho Avaz to renowned associations like Kuwait Konknni Kendr, Konkani Heritage Kuwait and many other projects of Konkani importance.
A renowned critic and a Konkani writer of immense caliber using his pen for writings on different topics starting from world football, Goan Football, Goan politics, Goan socials and many other topics in Goycho Mog, Novem Goem, V. Ixtt, Gulab, Goan Review, The Goa Times, Cine Times and other publications. His writings in Konkani publications have surely enriched the greatness of Konkani.
If Konkani journalism is to gain substance, we will surely need more of A. Veronica in Konkani. His writings create worldwide ripples and awakening debates. No writer produces heavy effects as A. Veronica.
Bab Veronica’s distinction lies in the fact that he gathered and collected innumerable Goans from Kuwait to support the Konkani movement in Goa in the late 80’s. He supposedly lighted the spark of Konkani movement in Kuwait about 30 years ago and the flame is still brightly giving its light. He was instrumental in the formation of Novem Goem Pratishtan (NGP) Kuwait Somithi for raising funds for NGP in lakhs of rupees; in the formation of Kuwait Konknni Kendr (KKK), Konkani Heritage Kuwait (KHK) and many other activities in support and promotion of Konkani.
If Konkani has gained so much of limelight in Kuwait then the credit should surely go to Bab Veronica alone. Besides being a high-quality Konkani writer, he is a very good Konkani orator. Bab Veronica is also a strong fighter and has labored over the years for the cause of Konkani. During the language agitation in Goa in the 80’s, he was in Goa on special leave and participated in demonstrations at Panjim in support of Konkani and even participated in hunger strikes at Azad Maidan and received lathis from Rane Government’s police.
In appreciation of his excellent contribution and daring fight in support of Konkani, in a specially organized function, Bab Anthony Veronica Fernandes was honored by KONKANI KULLVAR – KUWAIT, a well known Mangalorean Konkani Writers’ Forum to mark Konkani's inclusion in the 8th schedule of Indian Constitution at its Konkani Day on 24th August 2007 at Indian Community Girls School, Salmiya Kuwait in the midst of a packed audience from Mangalore, Goa, Karwar, Mumbai and other places.
‘Kullvarchem Dirvem,’ a collection of short stories and poems written by Kullvar members dedicated to late Johny Suratkal was released by Henry D’Paula. ‘Jhoap’, a collection of small stories by Shaan Bondel was released by Veronica Fernandes.
August 26, 2007
Re: FW: [Gulf Goans] My apologies for criticizing "BLACK
Dear Readers,
On 17th of this month when I published my observation on the newly released Konkani movie "BLACK" under the title "My View of BLACK Nhesop Atanchem Fashion", the following email in my name from an unknown author but known forwarders started circulating in Kuwait and eleshwere too.
The email ID of this fake person is written as "averonicaf809@hotmail.com which is not mine.
My email ID is averonicaf806@hotmail.com . Hence, I disown this fake email apology and state here that I have nothing to do with any apology.
I stand firm by all my views expressed in my original write-up on 17th of this month.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: gulf-goans@yahoogroups.com [mailto: gulf-goans@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Ulysses Menezes
Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2007 8:38 AM
To: Gulf Goans
Subject: [Gulf Goans] My apologies for criticizing "BLACK
From: A. Veronica Fernandes averonicaf809@hotmail.com
Date: Aug 22, 2007 2:05 AM
Subject: My apologies for criticizing "BLACK
To: uly334@gmail.com
My apologies for criticizing "BLACK Nhesop Atanchem Fashion" the truth is "BLACK is Beautiful" so are the cast, supporters & well wishers. As usual, without giving a second thought I posted my views about "BLACK" to entertain my readers.
I am sorry about all this therefore please forward this message to all.
A. Veronica Fernandes.
On 17th of this month when I published my observation on the newly released Konkani movie "BLACK" under the title "My View of BLACK Nhesop Atanchem Fashion", the following email in my name from an unknown author but known forwarders started circulating in Kuwait and eleshwere too.
The email ID of this fake person is written as "averonicaf809@hotmail.com which is not mine.
My email ID is averonicaf806@hotmail.com . Hence, I disown this fake email apology and state here that I have nothing to do with any apology.
I stand firm by all my views expressed in my original write-up on 17th of this month.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
===================x===================
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: gulf-goans@yahoogroups.com [mailto: gulf-goans@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Ulysses Menezes
Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2007 8:38 AM
To: Gulf Goans
Subject: [Gulf Goans] My apologies for criticizing "BLACK
From: A. Veronica Fernandes averonicaf809@hotmail.com
Date: Aug 22, 2007 2:05 AM
Subject: My apologies for criticizing "BLACK
To: uly334@gmail.com
My apologies for criticizing "BLACK Nhesop Atanchem Fashion" the truth is "BLACK is Beautiful" so are the cast, supporters & well wishers. As usual, without giving a second thought I posted my views about "BLACK" to entertain my readers.
I am sorry about all this therefore please forward this message to all.
A. Veronica Fernandes.
===================x===================
August 20, 2007
August 17, 2007
MY VIEW OF “BLACK NHESOP ATANCHEM FASHION”
MY VIEW OF “BLACK NHESOP ATANCHEM FASHION” As announced through the print media campaign, handbills and cyberspace, the much publicized movie “BLACK Nhesop Atanchem Fashion” was finally released on 10th of this month at Hawally A/C Hall.
There were two shows, one premiere show at 4.00 p.m. while the second at 8.15 p.m. The premiere show was house full with dignitaries including the Ambassador of India attending the event.
On behalf of myself, my like minded colleagues and friends I congratulate the producer T-Bush for taking so much of pain and efforts finally to produce the first Konkani E-Cinema. To produce a Konkani Film is not a joke, it requires lot of hard work, dedication and finance. Thank God according to reliable sources, the producer was successful financially with two shows. I was afraid the producer would suffer a loss which would upset him and hamper his future plans, if he is having any.
Being an unknown amongst the major portion of the community in Kuwait especially on Konkani arena, I thought his film would receive the negative reaction from the public especially when he has not shown any of his skills to the Kuwait public in Konkani musical art. But exhaustive and sustained press campaign carried by his well wishers finally clicked the right chord and saved the producer from financial disaster.
Earlier because of financial disaster, Albert de Britona who produced the Konkani Film “Kortubancho Sounsar” with Rico Rod as his co-producer in 1970 finally died out of shock. Praise God, T-Bush at least got thru nicely, thanks to all the persons who supported him. He took lot of risks in investing lot of money in this venture. It was very nice on the part of his supporters and the sponsors to stand by him to make this film a success financially.
Though T-Bush the producer of this e-film deserves compliments in producing this film yet qualitatively this film did not live up to the high expectations. I myself had lot of expectations that it would be extremely well, from the press campaign preceding the premier show but it lacked many of the attributes to be a class by itself.
The story in the first part is very confusing and does not show much of the chord with the later part which is to be appreciated especially the ending. The story lacked the necessary ingredients to make it attractive. Script wise it was poor.
In the beginning it was chaotic, the artistes, males and females looked nervous, their talk was lapping and overlapping, one could not really understand and could not follow what they spoke.
The first song, a duet was lacking in clarity especially the female voice while the other songs along with the first duet did not reach up to the required level. The songs composer goofed in all respects, this was not expected from the producer.
When Fank Fernand readied himself to produce “Amchem Noxib” and “Nirmon”, he approached A. Salam for producing and for the necessary help. Writing script may be an art of one person but producing it is a different art. One person cannot be an expert in everything. Then for songs Frank Fernand approached C. Alvares, M. Boyer, Alfred Rose, Robin Vas and others because composing of songs was not an art of Frank, it was an art of seasoned and well known composers as indicated above. For this reason all the songs of those films are still remained evergreen. These songs gave an extra boost to those films. If Frank Fernand had to approach any Ladru Perdu type of composer much of the shine of his Films would get spoiled. T–Bush has failed on this count and he failed very miserably inspite of having abundant talents in Kuwait in the renowned songsters and composers. Best of song composers in Konkani are presently located in Kuwait. Why their service was not utilized? Is it because of the arrogance and pride of the producer? Or was he misguided by Altu Faltu advisers whose knowledge of films is zero? Songsters like Marcus Vaz, Jose Rod and Rosary Ferns could give wonderful songs but they were ignored by the producer and because of this the Film suffered a lot.T-Bush has done good job on Videography and Technical aspects but on other counts he was not successful. Even the artistes whom he introduced were like “kormot”. Many of them were afraid to face the Camera. Acting on the stage is totally different from acting in the Film. Singing in the Choir is different from acting in a movie.
The comedy role played by the ace comedian Philip was not up to the mark. Normally when comedian Philip comes on to the stage, his every entry is applauded but in this film his comedy was without life and push and this was noticed when there was no clapping for any of his actions and statements. He bored the audience for being too long on the screen.
One artiste told me that he accepted his role in this Film as a tip to the waiter. When I further queried, he said by giving a chance to act in this film, the producer gifted many of us like customers in the hotels gift the waiters with tips. And when I asked why did you accept these tips shamelessly when you are not a waiter, he had no answer.
I was surprised to see so many artistes inspite of being incompetent to act still opted for acting instead of simply declining saying “sorry T-Bush, this is not my art and not my especiality, I don’t deserve it. You better give this chance to any deserving artiste who will brighten the image of your movie. My acting in your movie will make mockery of me and you too”. It is this type of artistes who spoiled the image of the film. There is a saying in Konkani “Har nachta mhontlear Gainddoi nachear zaina. Har to Haruch and Kanvllo to Kanvlloch”. Yet there is one more saying “Kanvllean Morachim Pakam lailear Mor zaina, Mor to Moruch ani Kanvllo to Kanvlloch”.
Konkani Film should carry Konkani traditional attributes as it was done in the past. Introducing Hindi Filmi style roles killed our tradition. Introducing non-Konkani background music also affected the credibility of this film.
Displaying female artistes with vulgarity is unGoan and unKonkani and unChristian too. This does not suit our culture and our tradition. Once in one Konkani Film, “Jivit Amchem Oxem”, one Miss Filomena from Marra, Pilerne played the role of a Cabaret Dancer with her revealing dress code. It was condemned by all saying such vulgarity does not fit in our culture. What is good for Hindi culture is not good for our Konkani culture. Only Filomena agreed to do the Cabaret in that Film because all other dignified and disciplined Goan female artistes coming from disciplined family background refused saying it was below their dignity to show their half breasts and tighs above knees. Just to attract the attention of sexually perverted viewers any un-Goan scenes should not have been introduced.
Konkani is not my monopoly only to pass comments. In the past Konkani Films have enhanced the credibility of Konkani language, Konkani tradition and Konkani culture. Because of Nirmon Film, the image of Konkani reached to great height. Even at the time of presenting National Award to C. Alvares for being the best actor in that film, the then Premier of India Mrs. Indira Gandhi was surprised to know the richness and greatness of Konkani. Till such time she was ignorant of the greatness and richness of Konkani.
In future those who venture into Konkani Films production must make a point to consult appropriate persons and not any Ladru Pedru whose knowledge on this subject is limited. Alex Martins when he produced his first ever Konkani Video Film consulted so many and comedians Mendes Bros who gave some very good tips. Mendes Bros. were professional and knowledgeable comedians and not rubbish from the streets. Secondly all the characters in Alex Martins Film had dignity and good moral character for people to accept them while in Black some of the artistes had questionable characters, males and females.
While watching the movie people saw them for their moral character first and then made judgement of their acting. Introducing any Gorilla type of female artiste with grumpy face just because she has helped in collecting Adverts for the Souvenir will not enhance the credibility of the film.
The film has mixed feelings although many find the film to be unique. If the producer has any intention to distribute this Film elsewhere, I feel he should do some revising, if it is possible. Since he is possessing lot of knowledge in Film making, he should do some revising so that the film is EASILY accepted elsewhere at international level. My wish is to see our Films are accepted by the people who crave for good films with good story, good dialoguess, good music and good songs. Even the DVD Films regularly coming from Goa every Friday and sold in Maliya, Kuwait are having better quality script wise, acting wise and song wise.
While concluding I congratulate T-Bush for coming out with 'BLACK'. Of course with some deficiencies which could be eradicated in future ventures, I am sure the young director will be BACK with more.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait
A blessed time for Sri Lankan pilgrims at Sancoale - Goa
This news report was published on the front page of Gomantak Times dated 15-7-2007 with one photo
A blessed time for Sri Lankan pilgrims at Sancoale - Goa
-By Daniel F. de Souza.
“Blessed Joseph Vaz was fired by the word of the Lord and with this burning spiritual fire within him; he went about preaching God’s word to the faithful in all humility, in the distant land of Sri Lanka. He had a special love and concern for the poor and the down trodden. Blessed Joseph Vaz, set foot in Sri Lanka in the garb of a coolie and went about with his Ministry, preaching faith to the people there” said the Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao in his touching homily at the special Eucharistic celebration held for the 35 visiting pilgrims from Sri Lanka at the Sanctuary of Blessed Joseph Vaz, at Sancoale, on Tuesday morning. Rev. Fr. Eremito Rebello, Rector, Blessed Joseph Vaz Sanctuary, Sancoale, and Rev. Fr. Roque D’Costa Parish Priest, of Sancoale church, con-celebrated at the mass. The Bishop laid special emphasis on the theme of the mass; “Enlightened by God’s word, Blessed Joseph Vaz radiated Jesus to all”. He further said that we should firmly focus our aim on God and with faith lead our lives step by step. He also reminded the faithful and pilgrims that there is a special bond existing, a super natural bond of faith between the church in Sri Lanka, India and Goa. He exhorted the people present at the Eucharist to pray for the canonization of Blessed Joseph Vaz so that the church may soon declare him a Saint. This he said would be a great rejoicing for the people and the church in Sri Lanka, India and Goa.
The special mass held at the Blessed Joseph Vaz Sanctuary coincided with the day observed by the Roman Catholic church in memory of the Polish missionary Fr. Maxmillian Kolbe, who died as martyr in the German concentration camps and was later beatified in October 1871, and declared a saint after canonization on 10th October 1982 by Pope John Paul II. The special mass service was well attended by the parishioners of Sancoale and devotees of Blessed Joseph Vaz. The parishioners of Sancoale organized a fellowship lunch for the visiting pilgrims at the Sanctuary. All the visiting pilgrims were presented with a memento at the hands of the Arch Bishop.
The 35 men and women pilgrims including one child arrived in Goa on 13th Aug 2007 on a five day visit. Presently they are residing at the Pilar Seminary hostel. The pilgrims are hailing from the North Western Province of Sri Lanka, which comprise places like Candy, Colombo, Mathare, and Putlem. This pilgrim visit to Goa has been organized by the Blessed Joseph Vaz, National Secretariat, of Candy headed by Bishop Vianni Fernando. The pilgrim is headed by Mr. Shelton who is the President and Mr. Rogy Corera, Secretary, of the Blessed Joseph Vaz, National Secretariat in the Diocese of Chillow, in the North Western Province. This is incidentally not their first visit here, and both have been regular visitors to the Sanctuary of Blessed Vaz, at Sancoale for last several years. The North Western province has a population of around 2.5 million Catholics, and the Catholic faith is vibrant and freely practiced there besides Buddhism. Regular devotion, mass, novenas and prayers to Blessed Joseph Vaz are held there every Friday.
Speaking to this writer, Mr. Rogy Corera stated that the town of Candy is situated about 117 kms from the Capital city of Colombo, a distance of around 4 hours by road, and is at a higher altitude of around 500 meters above sea level. There is also a rail link from the capital city of Colombo to Candy he informed. Candy is the old capital of Sri Lanka before the British set their foot on this Island country and later changed it to the present Colombo.
It is pertinent to note that ever since, Air Sri Lanka has started their direct flight service from Sri Lanka to Goa and back, there is a regular inter-change of pilgrims from Sri Lanka and Goa to Candy in Sri Lanka where Blessed Vaz conducted his missionary work as well as to Sancoale in Goa, India, where he grew up as a child. Blessed Joseph died on 16th January 1711 at Candy and was buried there in the island country of Sri Lanka. He conducted his missionary work building the faith among the people, with trying conditions and under a hostile Dutch regime.
**********************************************
Daniel F. de Souza
Konkani Writer & Freelance Journalist
C/3, IInd Floor, Elvira Apts.
Near St. Andrew's Church
Vasco - Goa 403 802
INDIA. Tel: + 91-832-2510714
Mob: 9822163329
e-mail :dannyboy04@rediffmail.com
:danielf@sancharnet.in
"GOD DID NOT MAKE MEN PERFECT, HE MADE THEM PILGRIMS AFTER PERFECTION."
***********************************************
A blessed time for Sri Lankan pilgrims at Sancoale - Goa
-By Daniel F. de Souza.
“Blessed Joseph Vaz was fired by the word of the Lord and with this burning spiritual fire within him; he went about preaching God’s word to the faithful in all humility, in the distant land of Sri Lanka. He had a special love and concern for the poor and the down trodden. Blessed Joseph Vaz, set foot in Sri Lanka in the garb of a coolie and went about with his Ministry, preaching faith to the people there” said the Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao in his touching homily at the special Eucharistic celebration held for the 35 visiting pilgrims from Sri Lanka at the Sanctuary of Blessed Joseph Vaz, at Sancoale, on Tuesday morning. Rev. Fr. Eremito Rebello, Rector, Blessed Joseph Vaz Sanctuary, Sancoale, and Rev. Fr. Roque D’Costa Parish Priest, of Sancoale church, con-celebrated at the mass. The Bishop laid special emphasis on the theme of the mass; “Enlightened by God’s word, Blessed Joseph Vaz radiated Jesus to all”. He further said that we should firmly focus our aim on God and with faith lead our lives step by step. He also reminded the faithful and pilgrims that there is a special bond existing, a super natural bond of faith between the church in Sri Lanka, India and Goa. He exhorted the people present at the Eucharist to pray for the canonization of Blessed Joseph Vaz so that the church may soon declare him a Saint. This he said would be a great rejoicing for the people and the church in Sri Lanka, India and Goa.
The special mass held at the Blessed Joseph Vaz Sanctuary coincided with the day observed by the Roman Catholic church in memory of the Polish missionary Fr. Maxmillian Kolbe, who died as martyr in the German concentration camps and was later beatified in October 1871, and declared a saint after canonization on 10th October 1982 by Pope John Paul II. The special mass service was well attended by the parishioners of Sancoale and devotees of Blessed Joseph Vaz. The parishioners of Sancoale organized a fellowship lunch for the visiting pilgrims at the Sanctuary. All the visiting pilgrims were presented with a memento at the hands of the Arch Bishop.
The 35 men and women pilgrims including one child arrived in Goa on 13th Aug 2007 on a five day visit. Presently they are residing at the Pilar Seminary hostel. The pilgrims are hailing from the North Western Province of Sri Lanka, which comprise places like Candy, Colombo, Mathare, and Putlem. This pilgrim visit to Goa has been organized by the Blessed Joseph Vaz, National Secretariat, of Candy headed by Bishop Vianni Fernando. The pilgrim is headed by Mr. Shelton who is the President and Mr. Rogy Corera, Secretary, of the Blessed Joseph Vaz, National Secretariat in the Diocese of Chillow, in the North Western Province. This is incidentally not their first visit here, and both have been regular visitors to the Sanctuary of Blessed Vaz, at Sancoale for last several years. The North Western province has a population of around 2.5 million Catholics, and the Catholic faith is vibrant and freely practiced there besides Buddhism. Regular devotion, mass, novenas and prayers to Blessed Joseph Vaz are held there every Friday.
Speaking to this writer, Mr. Rogy Corera stated that the town of Candy is situated about 117 kms from the Capital city of Colombo, a distance of around 4 hours by road, and is at a higher altitude of around 500 meters above sea level. There is also a rail link from the capital city of Colombo to Candy he informed. Candy is the old capital of Sri Lanka before the British set their foot on this Island country and later changed it to the present Colombo.
It is pertinent to note that ever since, Air Sri Lanka has started their direct flight service from Sri Lanka to Goa and back, there is a regular inter-change of pilgrims from Sri Lanka and Goa to Candy in Sri Lanka where Blessed Vaz conducted his missionary work as well as to Sancoale in Goa, India, where he grew up as a child. Blessed Joseph died on 16th January 1711 at Candy and was buried there in the island country of Sri Lanka. He conducted his missionary work building the faith among the people, with trying conditions and under a hostile Dutch regime.
**********************************************
Daniel F. de Souza
Konkani Writer & Freelance Journalist
C/3, IInd Floor, Elvira Apts.
Near St. Andrew's Church
Vasco - Goa 403 802
INDIA. Tel: + 91-832-2510714
Mob: 9822163329
e-mail :dannyboy04@rediffmail.com
:danielf@sancharnet.in
"GOD DID NOT MAKE MEN PERFECT, HE MADE THEM PILGRIMS AFTER PERFECTION."
***********************************************
AN INDIAN COOK MERCILESSLY BRANDED IN KUWAIT
The following article is appeared in today's - 16.08.07 local Arab Times. I am reproducing it for the information of many of our people especially back at home to know what type tortures some of our people are facing in Kuwait. It is my wish that our people back at home spread the contents of this article to anyone whom they can so that all are alerted rightly.
The writer of this article Mr. Al Ahmad Al-Baghli was a former Oil Minister of Kuwait. He is a lawyer and involved in highlighting the harassment of domestics by the Kuwaitis, Human Right Abuses by the Kuwaitis and many such humanitarian issues. He is a great lover of lower strata of society especially of maids and domestics. He is also a great lover of expatriates especially from the sub-continent who are exposed more to the harassment in Kuwait by the Kuwaitis.
I hope our priests and other social workers will also spread this news thru their sermons and thus educate the people of the ills in Kuwait.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
===
"A COOK, a ‘slave’ ….. burnt hopes.
By Ali Ahmad Al-Baghli.
Former Oil Minister of Kuwait.
THE following is a true story which happened in Kuwait some days ago. This is a good reply to those who defend Kuwait against accusations of inhuman treatment meted out to domestic maids and human trafficking. This happened in a society which we like to say is generous and has good faith.
An Indian cook works for a Kuwaiti family, which is known for organizing Hajj caravans every year. The cook managed to bring his son, who looks like his father and has a nice smile on his face all the time, to work as a domestic helper for another Kuwaiti family.
But within a few days the happy face of the son turned gloomy. He told his father that his master beats him regularly and gives instructions in Arabic, which he doesn’t understand. As he could not follow his master’s instructions correctly, the master thought the domestic helper was stubborn and making mistakes deliberately. This miscommunication happens all the time in the country.
As this inhuman treatment went on, the father advised his son to go the recruiting office to find another sponsor. When he came to know of this the master became hysterical and went to the office to claim the “slave” he had bought. He took the helper to his home, tied him up, locked him in a room, and branded the poor boy with a heated iron, like shepherds brand their camels. Such incidents used to happen in ancient times when masters branded their slaves to prove their ownership.
The poor boy managed to escape from this prison and went to his father and asked him to find a lawyer to file a case against the slave master of the 21st century. At this point the Kuwait Human Rights Society got into the act and filed a case against the sponsor. However, soon they found out that the sponsor had already filed a case against the domestic claiming he was absconding. Maybe the master was safe in the knowledge that the unfair laws of Kuwait implemented by the book by the Interior Ministry would stand on his side.
In this scenario we want to pose a direct question to Acting Minister of Interior Sheikh Mohammed Al-Khalid Al-Sabah, who is concerned with Kuwait’s poor track record on human rights: what do you expect this boy to do after being beaten and burned by his sponsor? How much more suffering and torture should he put up with to ensure no case is filed against him? Where are the shelter homes which you promised international organizations to build soon, for such cases?
Such questions and information on similar cases are not grabbing the attention of any government department or religious activists, who work day and night urging people to abide by high moral principles.
May be this case doesn’t belong to their high ethics because according to their traditions and culture slaves are to be treated with a stick".
The writer of this article Mr. Al Ahmad Al-Baghli was a former Oil Minister of Kuwait. He is a lawyer and involved in highlighting the harassment of domestics by the Kuwaitis, Human Right Abuses by the Kuwaitis and many such humanitarian issues. He is a great lover of lower strata of society especially of maids and domestics. He is also a great lover of expatriates especially from the sub-continent who are exposed more to the harassment in Kuwait by the Kuwaitis.
I hope our priests and other social workers will also spread this news thru their sermons and thus educate the people of the ills in Kuwait.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
===
"A COOK, a ‘slave’ ….. burnt hopes.
By Ali Ahmad Al-Baghli.
Former Oil Minister of Kuwait.
THE following is a true story which happened in Kuwait some days ago. This is a good reply to those who defend Kuwait against accusations of inhuman treatment meted out to domestic maids and human trafficking. This happened in a society which we like to say is generous and has good faith.
An Indian cook works for a Kuwaiti family, which is known for organizing Hajj caravans every year. The cook managed to bring his son, who looks like his father and has a nice smile on his face all the time, to work as a domestic helper for another Kuwaiti family.
But within a few days the happy face of the son turned gloomy. He told his father that his master beats him regularly and gives instructions in Arabic, which he doesn’t understand. As he could not follow his master’s instructions correctly, the master thought the domestic helper was stubborn and making mistakes deliberately. This miscommunication happens all the time in the country.
As this inhuman treatment went on, the father advised his son to go the recruiting office to find another sponsor. When he came to know of this the master became hysterical and went to the office to claim the “slave” he had bought. He took the helper to his home, tied him up, locked him in a room, and branded the poor boy with a heated iron, like shepherds brand their camels. Such incidents used to happen in ancient times when masters branded their slaves to prove their ownership.
The poor boy managed to escape from this prison and went to his father and asked him to find a lawyer to file a case against the slave master of the 21st century. At this point the Kuwait Human Rights Society got into the act and filed a case against the sponsor. However, soon they found out that the sponsor had already filed a case against the domestic claiming he was absconding. Maybe the master was safe in the knowledge that the unfair laws of Kuwait implemented by the book by the Interior Ministry would stand on his side.
In this scenario we want to pose a direct question to Acting Minister of Interior Sheikh Mohammed Al-Khalid Al-Sabah, who is concerned with Kuwait’s poor track record on human rights: what do you expect this boy to do after being beaten and burned by his sponsor? How much more suffering and torture should he put up with to ensure no case is filed against him? Where are the shelter homes which you promised international organizations to build soon, for such cases?
Such questions and information on similar cases are not grabbing the attention of any government department or religious activists, who work day and night urging people to abide by high moral principles.
May be this case doesn’t belong to their high ethics because according to their traditions and culture slaves are to be treated with a stick".
August 15, 2007
CHURCH & GOAN POLITICS.
CHURCH & GOAN POLITICS.
Goa was rightly called the Rome of East. Catholicism played a major role in influencing Goans either Catholics or Hindus or Muslims. Because of the influence of Christian values on Goans thru Catholicism, though Christians were in minority in Goa, irrespective of their religious affiliations, Goans were considered as good people, good at heart, good at mind, good in actions, sincere, truthful and faithful compared to anyone in India. When I first entered in Kuwait, I went for an interview at a place called Ahmadi where the Boss was a Muslim Arab. Along with me there were others mainly from Kerala and Muslims too. Inspite of my weak performance during an interview, I was selected . The reason? As mentioned by him, because I am a Goan having all the best attributes as indicated above. Surprise! Even Arabs knew of our high caliber character and discipline as against that of Malyalis who in general are disliked not only in Kuwait but anywhere in the world. Normally they are rude, ungratefuls and cunning number one. The survival of many of them depends only on being cunning. While coming they come as slaves but while going they go as masters. They are on the verge of gaining upper hand in Goa because of their cunning attributes. After the exit of Portuguese from Goa, they came to Goa as slaves and by capitalizing on the softness and kindness of innocent Goans of those days, are becoming masters of Goa now.
While on his death bed, the great son of Goa and an intellectual of highest degree Monsg. Philiph Neri Mendonca, popularly known as Fr. Mendonca who was the Principal of First Goan English High School Arpora under whom during those days major part of Goan youth got educated either as boarders or day scholars, told his Vice Principal Fr. Peter D’Souza at Remanso Hospital Mapusa, in August 1966 that he was not afraid to die but he was afraid to see the Goan youth going stray. He knew Goa and Goan youth would be simply gulped by the corrupt non-Goans entering Goa in the name of liberation and due to this influx of corrupt non-Goans into Goa, Goan youth would be influenced by the corrupt attributes of the non-Goans. During those days Church instructions and Diocesan Schools used to frame the minds of the Goan youth in right direction. This was happening because the Church leaders mainly the priests had very high caliber and moral character inherited from their morally upright family background.
During those days priesthood was the vocation and a gift of God but nowadays in many cases it is a status symbol, business venture and also road to perform corruption. In my School there was a boy who used to tell me confidentially that he wants to join Seminary and become a priest because he wants to gain maximum benefits in life. When I asked him how? His answer was that “Priesthood is the road to attain all the worldly pleasures”. Then he went on, “when you become a priest, you externally show that you are a holy man but internally you gain whatever you want”. When I further insisted to elaborate the worldly benefits, he said, “(1) Illict money from the Weekly Church collection (2) Illicit Sex because all the “chalu” ladies will come to you to confess their illicit sex from where you can come to know who is “chalu” and accordingly you prowl on sexually weak ladies without even having the services of pimps (3) Wielding of enormous influence over the locals (4) Create any project for the locals and get donations from inside and outside and pocket half of it for your personal luxuries such as Luxurious Cars, Expensive Drinks, keeping innumerable concubines, supporting “goonda” force etc.
What is happening now in Goa about our politicians? Digambar Kamat is not a genuine secular. I admit it. His Congress Government is not clean either and his Cabinet colleagues are also spurious as proved by their actions in the past. The biggest Sex maniac, once the biggest defector from Shashikala’s MGP and the biggest seller of Government services is in his Cabinet. This is to prove that I am not blindly supporting Digambar Kamat Ministry. I dislike Kamat’s Ministry also because it showed its negative attitude towards Romi Konkani and being a staunch supporter of Romi Konkani, how can I like Digambar Kamat Ministry? Both the tribes of Digambar and Parrikar are equally corrupt with a little difference here and there. Congress Ministry under Digambar Kamat is at least having secular credentials but Parrikar tribe under his leadership is purely a communal and anti Christian in Goa. I have no trust that Parrikar would do justice to Christians in Goa. He has already shown his communal colours during his earlier stint and also safronised Government jobs especially Police force. Secondly those who are trying to destabilize Digambar Kamat’s Ministry are liars, crooks and money extortionists. It is not that Digambar Kamat and his colleagues are any better but Parrikar’s tribe would be worst if got a chance to form the next Ministry. Such liars, such traitors, such crooks should never be allowed to come to power. If they come to power they will exploit the common Goan to their maximum benefits. These traitors and defectors will put everything on sale in Goa for a price and common Goan will have no choice but to surrender to their greed for money and more money. Even sexual exploitation will go high and may be Goa may replace Bangkok and fair image of Goan females will get tarnished. I cannot understand how Churchill, Parrikar, Babush and Co. passed their verdict against the performance of Digambar Kamat’s Ministry when this Ministry has not even completed 2 months in the office?
The only salvation for saving Goa and Goans from their destruction and extinction is for the Church in Goa to come down heavily and rightly in the name of Truth and Fairness to all as preached in Christianity. About 50 years back in one South American country there was one Priest, named Fr. Torres. He was taking care of abandoned youth. His was the missionary work. When thieves and rascals started harassing his good work, after trying all the means he removed his Cassock (Wearing of Cassock was compulsory at that time), carried a Gun and started pointing towards the rascal thieves. When higher authority and even Vatican questioned his prerogative of using Gun against his detractors, Fr. Torres said “this is the last alternative I have to silence those rascals otherwise they will silence my missionary work thereby destroying the lives of so many innocent youth who may turn into immoral citizens which I don’t want”. Immorality leads to sins and sins lead to the road to Hell. To avoid this road to Hell is the mission of Church and its leaders.
The late President of Philippines, Dictator Ferdinand Marcus was ruling his country with iron fist for 20 years. He was backed by the Americans. His beautiful wife and once Beauty Queen was doing all the immoral work to promote the rule of her husband by giving “Lollipops” to the Americans and other world leaders (exactly some of the top Congressmen do by sending thru their wives Suitcases filled with Millions to High Command to protect their Chairs). Because of his arrogance and dictatorship Ferdinand Marcus regime created corruption and thru it immorality in Philippines. In order to support and promote his rule, Ferdinand Marcus and his Cabinet colleagues spread all round corruption in Philippines. Because of this corruption immorality gained momentum degrading the true Christian values in the only and predominantly Catholic Country in Asia. Having no other choice to cure the politicians, finally Cardinal Sin of Philippine came forward and gave a call to the people in Philippines to revolt and to oppose the rule of Ferdinand Marcus. All the Churches in Philippines started preaching on the corruption created by politicians there thereby educating the people from the Pulpits the ills created by the politicians there. The late Pope Paul VI in Vatican got alerted and He visited Manila, listened to Cardinal Sin’s view points and came to the conclusion that what Cardinal Sin decided was right to save Philipinos and Philipinas from the clutches of corruption and immorality which go against Christianity. Hence, revolt against the Government of Ferdinand Marcus which came to total success only because of the fearless Church campaign in the name of Christianity.
Now what is happening in Goa is the road to corruption and thru corruption immorality by Parrikar, Churchill, Babush and their colleagues. Church may not have power and authority to dictate its terms to non-Christians but surely Church and its leaders can reprimand Churchill Alemao, Reginald, Babush and others from indulging in dirty politics. By their indulging in dirty politics of defections and supporting communal forces Church leaders can openly reprimand the Catholic MLA’s. Church has all the rights to reprimand those MLA’s who have betrayed the trust of the voters. Betrayal is the biggest form of sin, thru this type of sin Judas sold Jesus Christ to the Jews for a bribe of Thirty Coins. By betraying their voters, the Catholic MLA’s will sell Goa not for Thirty Coins but for Crores of rupees. Judas did not survive to enjoy the benefits of Thirty Coins. Will our MLA’s survive to enjoy the benefits of ill-gotten Crores? Will their family members enjoy good life? All the Churches in the constituencies of the MLA’s who betrayed the trust of their voters by associating with communal Parrikar must raise this issue very strongly in their daily or weekly preaching. Church leaders, Priests and even Laymen like me got all the rights to speak against this betrayal by our Catholic MLA’s. Church leaders at this critical hour cannot remain as silent spectators unless they are hand in gloves with these crook MLA’s. In the past, during the regime of Patriarch Rahul Gonsalves, Parrikar’s BJP received silent booster, for this reason we are suffering now. Our sufferings are partly the creation of our Church, its leaders and Priests who blindly supported Parrikar earlier.
If Church in Goa cares for the good of Catholics and Goan society in general then Patriarch Neri must issue a notification condemning political opportunism played by the Catholic MLA’s by associating with communal Parrikar and his tribe. He must also instruct his Priests in all the concerned constituencies to speak regularly on the ills of defections by our MLA’s. Political instructions should be a part of preaching in our Churches. Priests may not be allowed to take active part in politics but they have all the rights to guide, advise and direct the politicians in the right path. Priest must educate the masses that defection is not only a moral shame but it is a big sin like a sacrilege. Church is the last salvation for us to save our Goa from the rogue and defector MLA’s who are all out to destroy Goa and Goans. If Cardinal Sin in Philippine can use Church forum to destabilize President Marcus’ Government thru civilized means then why not our Church in Goa? If Fr. Torres can use violent means to challenge the enemies of his missionary work then why not our Priests and Church in Goa? Church should not be afraid of our politicians because our Church and Priests are not living on them but thru the direct contribution and support of the people who are craving for good governance in Goa.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
Goa was rightly called the Rome of East. Catholicism played a major role in influencing Goans either Catholics or Hindus or Muslims. Because of the influence of Christian values on Goans thru Catholicism, though Christians were in minority in Goa, irrespective of their religious affiliations, Goans were considered as good people, good at heart, good at mind, good in actions, sincere, truthful and faithful compared to anyone in India. When I first entered in Kuwait, I went for an interview at a place called Ahmadi where the Boss was a Muslim Arab. Along with me there were others mainly from Kerala and Muslims too. Inspite of my weak performance during an interview, I was selected . The reason? As mentioned by him, because I am a Goan having all the best attributes as indicated above. Surprise! Even Arabs knew of our high caliber character and discipline as against that of Malyalis who in general are disliked not only in Kuwait but anywhere in the world. Normally they are rude, ungratefuls and cunning number one. The survival of many of them depends only on being cunning. While coming they come as slaves but while going they go as masters. They are on the verge of gaining upper hand in Goa because of their cunning attributes. After the exit of Portuguese from Goa, they came to Goa as slaves and by capitalizing on the softness and kindness of innocent Goans of those days, are becoming masters of Goa now.
While on his death bed, the great son of Goa and an intellectual of highest degree Monsg. Philiph Neri Mendonca, popularly known as Fr. Mendonca who was the Principal of First Goan English High School Arpora under whom during those days major part of Goan youth got educated either as boarders or day scholars, told his Vice Principal Fr. Peter D’Souza at Remanso Hospital Mapusa, in August 1966 that he was not afraid to die but he was afraid to see the Goan youth going stray. He knew Goa and Goan youth would be simply gulped by the corrupt non-Goans entering Goa in the name of liberation and due to this influx of corrupt non-Goans into Goa, Goan youth would be influenced by the corrupt attributes of the non-Goans. During those days Church instructions and Diocesan Schools used to frame the minds of the Goan youth in right direction. This was happening because the Church leaders mainly the priests had very high caliber and moral character inherited from their morally upright family background.
During those days priesthood was the vocation and a gift of God but nowadays in many cases it is a status symbol, business venture and also road to perform corruption. In my School there was a boy who used to tell me confidentially that he wants to join Seminary and become a priest because he wants to gain maximum benefits in life. When I asked him how? His answer was that “Priesthood is the road to attain all the worldly pleasures”. Then he went on, “when you become a priest, you externally show that you are a holy man but internally you gain whatever you want”. When I further insisted to elaborate the worldly benefits, he said, “(1) Illict money from the Weekly Church collection (2) Illicit Sex because all the “chalu” ladies will come to you to confess their illicit sex from where you can come to know who is “chalu” and accordingly you prowl on sexually weak ladies without even having the services of pimps (3) Wielding of enormous influence over the locals (4) Create any project for the locals and get donations from inside and outside and pocket half of it for your personal luxuries such as Luxurious Cars, Expensive Drinks, keeping innumerable concubines, supporting “goonda” force etc.
What is happening now in Goa about our politicians? Digambar Kamat is not a genuine secular. I admit it. His Congress Government is not clean either and his Cabinet colleagues are also spurious as proved by their actions in the past. The biggest Sex maniac, once the biggest defector from Shashikala’s MGP and the biggest seller of Government services is in his Cabinet. This is to prove that I am not blindly supporting Digambar Kamat Ministry. I dislike Kamat’s Ministry also because it showed its negative attitude towards Romi Konkani and being a staunch supporter of Romi Konkani, how can I like Digambar Kamat Ministry? Both the tribes of Digambar and Parrikar are equally corrupt with a little difference here and there. Congress Ministry under Digambar Kamat is at least having secular credentials but Parrikar tribe under his leadership is purely a communal and anti Christian in Goa. I have no trust that Parrikar would do justice to Christians in Goa. He has already shown his communal colours during his earlier stint and also safronised Government jobs especially Police force. Secondly those who are trying to destabilize Digambar Kamat’s Ministry are liars, crooks and money extortionists. It is not that Digambar Kamat and his colleagues are any better but Parrikar’s tribe would be worst if got a chance to form the next Ministry. Such liars, such traitors, such crooks should never be allowed to come to power. If they come to power they will exploit the common Goan to their maximum benefits. These traitors and defectors will put everything on sale in Goa for a price and common Goan will have no choice but to surrender to their greed for money and more money. Even sexual exploitation will go high and may be Goa may replace Bangkok and fair image of Goan females will get tarnished. I cannot understand how Churchill, Parrikar, Babush and Co. passed their verdict against the performance of Digambar Kamat’s Ministry when this Ministry has not even completed 2 months in the office?
The only salvation for saving Goa and Goans from their destruction and extinction is for the Church in Goa to come down heavily and rightly in the name of Truth and Fairness to all as preached in Christianity. About 50 years back in one South American country there was one Priest, named Fr. Torres. He was taking care of abandoned youth. His was the missionary work. When thieves and rascals started harassing his good work, after trying all the means he removed his Cassock (Wearing of Cassock was compulsory at that time), carried a Gun and started pointing towards the rascal thieves. When higher authority and even Vatican questioned his prerogative of using Gun against his detractors, Fr. Torres said “this is the last alternative I have to silence those rascals otherwise they will silence my missionary work thereby destroying the lives of so many innocent youth who may turn into immoral citizens which I don’t want”. Immorality leads to sins and sins lead to the road to Hell. To avoid this road to Hell is the mission of Church and its leaders.
The late President of Philippines, Dictator Ferdinand Marcus was ruling his country with iron fist for 20 years. He was backed by the Americans. His beautiful wife and once Beauty Queen was doing all the immoral work to promote the rule of her husband by giving “Lollipops” to the Americans and other world leaders (exactly some of the top Congressmen do by sending thru their wives Suitcases filled with Millions to High Command to protect their Chairs). Because of his arrogance and dictatorship Ferdinand Marcus regime created corruption and thru it immorality in Philippines. In order to support and promote his rule, Ferdinand Marcus and his Cabinet colleagues spread all round corruption in Philippines. Because of this corruption immorality gained momentum degrading the true Christian values in the only and predominantly Catholic Country in Asia. Having no other choice to cure the politicians, finally Cardinal Sin of Philippine came forward and gave a call to the people in Philippines to revolt and to oppose the rule of Ferdinand Marcus. All the Churches in Philippines started preaching on the corruption created by politicians there thereby educating the people from the Pulpits the ills created by the politicians there. The late Pope Paul VI in Vatican got alerted and He visited Manila, listened to Cardinal Sin’s view points and came to the conclusion that what Cardinal Sin decided was right to save Philipinos and Philipinas from the clutches of corruption and immorality which go against Christianity. Hence, revolt against the Government of Ferdinand Marcus which came to total success only because of the fearless Church campaign in the name of Christianity.
Now what is happening in Goa is the road to corruption and thru corruption immorality by Parrikar, Churchill, Babush and their colleagues. Church may not have power and authority to dictate its terms to non-Christians but surely Church and its leaders can reprimand Churchill Alemao, Reginald, Babush and others from indulging in dirty politics. By their indulging in dirty politics of defections and supporting communal forces Church leaders can openly reprimand the Catholic MLA’s. Church has all the rights to reprimand those MLA’s who have betrayed the trust of the voters. Betrayal is the biggest form of sin, thru this type of sin Judas sold Jesus Christ to the Jews for a bribe of Thirty Coins. By betraying their voters, the Catholic MLA’s will sell Goa not for Thirty Coins but for Crores of rupees. Judas did not survive to enjoy the benefits of Thirty Coins. Will our MLA’s survive to enjoy the benefits of ill-gotten Crores? Will their family members enjoy good life? All the Churches in the constituencies of the MLA’s who betrayed the trust of their voters by associating with communal Parrikar must raise this issue very strongly in their daily or weekly preaching. Church leaders, Priests and even Laymen like me got all the rights to speak against this betrayal by our Catholic MLA’s. Church leaders at this critical hour cannot remain as silent spectators unless they are hand in gloves with these crook MLA’s. In the past, during the regime of Patriarch Rahul Gonsalves, Parrikar’s BJP received silent booster, for this reason we are suffering now. Our sufferings are partly the creation of our Church, its leaders and Priests who blindly supported Parrikar earlier.
If Church in Goa cares for the good of Catholics and Goan society in general then Patriarch Neri must issue a notification condemning political opportunism played by the Catholic MLA’s by associating with communal Parrikar and his tribe. He must also instruct his Priests in all the concerned constituencies to speak regularly on the ills of defections by our MLA’s. Political instructions should be a part of preaching in our Churches. Priests may not be allowed to take active part in politics but they have all the rights to guide, advise and direct the politicians in the right path. Priest must educate the masses that defection is not only a moral shame but it is a big sin like a sacrilege. Church is the last salvation for us to save our Goa from the rogue and defector MLA’s who are all out to destroy Goa and Goans. If Cardinal Sin in Philippine can use Church forum to destabilize President Marcus’ Government thru civilized means then why not our Church in Goa? If Fr. Torres can use violent means to challenge the enemies of his missionary work then why not our Priests and Church in Goa? Church should not be afraid of our politicians because our Church and Priests are not living on them but thru the direct contribution and support of the people who are craving for good governance in Goa.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
August 9, 2007
BLACK - NEW KONKANI MOVIE IN KUWAIT
“BLACK Nhesop Atanchem Fashion” the movie produced by Kuwait based producer T-Bush will be released on Friday 10th of this month at Hawally, A/C Hall. It is produced in Kuwait with all the local artistes -- Goans and Mangaloreans.
On behalf of myself, all my like minded friends and colleagues I congratulate the producer for taking so much of efforts to produce this movie in Kuwait. It is not an easy task especially for a Goan to venture into such projects in Kuwait.
In the musical art Goans in Kuwait have done wonders creating many of the firsts like T-Bush’s BLACK. Twenty Two years back, well known tiatrist having mastery over Film Art, a noted Fine Artist from JJ School of Art, Bombay, Mr. Alex Martins working for Kuwait Airways and hailing from Taleigao Bardez produced the first ever Konkani Video Film. It was scripted and produced in Kuwait by Alex Martins only with the renowned cast including Mendes Bros., Genevieve, Tony Call and even Alfred Rose and his wife Rita Rose. It was of one hour and half duration and people found it interesting especially the songs of Alfred Rose and Rita. The comedy roles played by Mendes Bros. were fantastic. Even Alfred Rose while watching this movie with me had hearty laugh to see Mendes Bros. performing their comedy roles.
Alex Martins played the lead role along with Genevieve who was an ace and beautiful Mangalorean artiste of that time. Though this movie “BHOGLANTT” was the first Video Film in Konkani yet it circulated in Kuwait only and to some Gulf States. Due to lack of proper marketing strategy, its circulation was confined to limited places only.
Though the first Konkani Audio Cassette was produced by Alfred Rose in India but the credit for producing the first ever Konkani CD goes to Kuwait based Goan artiste Rosary Ferns. It was released some years back at Hotel Plaza in Kuwait City during the Mando Festival organized by Kuwait Konknni Kendr (KKK), through the hands of Goan Overseas Association President Raymond D'Sa.
Tony Call carries the highest distinction for being the first Goan and first Konkani singer to sing Konkani song on Kuwait TV about 38 years back. This was yet another first a Goan created in Kuwait. Second time a Konkani song played by Kuwait TV was of Alfred Rose and Rita Rose, it was a duet, about 25 years back.
Goans in Kuwait are known to create wonders in Konkani musical art and T-Bush’s “BLACK” is one of the wonders about which all Goans and Konkani people should be proud of.
It is not enough to produce a movie but its marketing should be done with meticulous precision. Well known Goan writer and former Salgaocar and Goa State footballer Gasper Crasto from Navelim deserves highest compliments for giving deeper and wider coverage as never seen before in the local Arab Times for this movie. Gasper Crasto has also given enormous coverage for this movie through Internet including through http://goa.kranti.blogspot.com/ .
According to the latest information, all the tickets are sold for the premiere show. The publicity campaign carried by Gasper Crasto achieved the much needed booster and it should be like this only. I don’t think even in Goa the local media would give such an enormous coverage for the promotion of Konkani Films. The facility given by Arab Times for this publicity should be highly appreciated.
Once again I congratulate the producer T. Bush for producing “BLACK” and wish him total success. Through this movie the image and strength of Konkani will surely go high and it should go.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
On behalf of myself, all my like minded friends and colleagues I congratulate the producer for taking so much of efforts to produce this movie in Kuwait. It is not an easy task especially for a Goan to venture into such projects in Kuwait.
In the musical art Goans in Kuwait have done wonders creating many of the firsts like T-Bush’s BLACK. Twenty Two years back, well known tiatrist having mastery over Film Art, a noted Fine Artist from JJ School of Art, Bombay, Mr. Alex Martins working for Kuwait Airways and hailing from Taleigao Bardez produced the first ever Konkani Video Film. It was scripted and produced in Kuwait by Alex Martins only with the renowned cast including Mendes Bros., Genevieve, Tony Call and even Alfred Rose and his wife Rita Rose. It was of one hour and half duration and people found it interesting especially the songs of Alfred Rose and Rita. The comedy roles played by Mendes Bros. were fantastic. Even Alfred Rose while watching this movie with me had hearty laugh to see Mendes Bros. performing their comedy roles.
Alex Martins played the lead role along with Genevieve who was an ace and beautiful Mangalorean artiste of that time. Though this movie “BHOGLANTT” was the first Video Film in Konkani yet it circulated in Kuwait only and to some Gulf States. Due to lack of proper marketing strategy, its circulation was confined to limited places only.
Though the first Konkani Audio Cassette was produced by Alfred Rose in India but the credit for producing the first ever Konkani CD goes to Kuwait based Goan artiste Rosary Ferns. It was released some years back at Hotel Plaza in Kuwait City during the Mando Festival organized by Kuwait Konknni Kendr (KKK), through the hands of Goan Overseas Association President Raymond D'Sa.
Tony Call carries the highest distinction for being the first Goan and first Konkani singer to sing Konkani song on Kuwait TV about 38 years back. This was yet another first a Goan created in Kuwait. Second time a Konkani song played by Kuwait TV was of Alfred Rose and Rita Rose, it was a duet, about 25 years back.
Goans in Kuwait are known to create wonders in Konkani musical art and T-Bush’s “BLACK” is one of the wonders about which all Goans and Konkani people should be proud of.
It is not enough to produce a movie but its marketing should be done with meticulous precision. Well known Goan writer and former Salgaocar and Goa State footballer Gasper Crasto from Navelim deserves highest compliments for giving deeper and wider coverage as never seen before in the local Arab Times for this movie. Gasper Crasto has also given enormous coverage for this movie through Internet including through http://goa.kranti.blogspot.com/ .
According to the latest information, all the tickets are sold for the premiere show. The publicity campaign carried by Gasper Crasto achieved the much needed booster and it should be like this only. I don’t think even in Goa the local media would give such an enormous coverage for the promotion of Konkani Films. The facility given by Arab Times for this publicity should be highly appreciated.
Once again I congratulate the producer T. Bush for producing “BLACK” and wish him total success. Through this movie the image and strength of Konkani will surely go high and it should go.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
RE: I have failed myself.
Dear Veronica,
I read all your articles on - Kranti with much interest. I really appreciate your articles. Its not you alone who have failed but the people of Goa and the Goans who vote them and make them reach to these level where they betray the voters and the trust.
No elected MLA's care for their voters and fulfil the aspirations which they give them before the elections. Once they get elected they show them 'KONKO'.
I have also participated during the Konkani struggle and even lost my cycle which was very dearer to me during that time. I also participated in the rally organized under your leadership at Panjim to show solidarity towards Kuwait during the Iraq's invasion by Sadam Hussein.
Keep on the good work and God bless you.
Norman Noronha
Kuwait/Navelim
I read all your articles on - Kranti with much interest. I really appreciate your articles. Its not you alone who have failed but the people of Goa and the Goans who vote them and make them reach to these level where they betray the voters and the trust.
No elected MLA's care for their voters and fulfil the aspirations which they give them before the elections. Once they get elected they show them 'KONKO'.
I have also participated during the Konkani struggle and even lost my cycle which was very dearer to me during that time. I also participated in the rally organized under your leadership at Panjim to show solidarity towards Kuwait during the Iraq's invasion by Sadam Hussein.
Keep on the good work and God bless you.
Norman Noronha
Kuwait/Navelim
August 8, 2007
Re: I HAVE FAILED MYSELF
Great !! Veronica bab,
Well said. I feel it is not at all late for Churchill to still reconsider his stand.
And get back to the good cause.
OR only time will tell the fate of our great friend Churchill !!
- Bond Braganza.
Mapusa.
"sarabond" sarabond123@sancharnet.in
Well said. I feel it is not at all late for Churchill to still reconsider his stand.
And get back to the good cause.
OR only time will tell the fate of our great friend Churchill !!
- Bond Braganza.
Mapusa.
"sarabond" sarabond123@sancharnet.in
August 6, 2007
I HAVE FAILED MYSELF
I HAVE FAILED MYSELF.
The great Russian writer Leo Tolstoy said “when devil comes in you, it comes like a slave but when it goes, it goes like a master”. This was what has happened to my friend Churchill Alemao. I was the main person responsible to promote him in Kuwait which helped him in his promotion in Goa as well. When he was not much popular and was nobody in the Goa Legislative Assembly we brought him to Kuwait as a Chief Guest for the Tiatro of Rex de Bardez. I worked so hard to promote him that time that we organized in his honour so many meetings and functions. The first meeting and reception was hosted in his honour in Kuwait City at Caesars by our Kuwait Konknni Kendr. Then the next day in the morning we organized a special soccer match where we made him the Chief Guest and exposed him to the bigger crowd. Then in the same afternoon we made him the Chief Guest for Rex de Bardez Tiatro where the hall packed audience applauded him. Within the next 48 hours we organized a public meeting in his honour near the Church. This meeting was originally scheduled in the Church Hall but at the last minute when all the arrangements were done the then Maltese Bishop of Kuwait refused us to hold that meeting even though first he agreed, citing an excuse that Churchill was a terrorist. I challengd the Bishop to prove it but he had no guts to prove. He used his veto power by listening to his "chamcha" advisers who were enemies of Goa and Goan causes. Because of this last minute betrayal I had openly disgraced the Bishop calling him a traitor for inconveniencing Churchill and us too. Additionally some more private and smaller functions we organized in his honour and for his promotion. I was very much instrumental in organizing most of those functions where he received wider exposure and I was the one who introduced him to the audience saying “this is our Churchill Alemao, hero of Konkani movement who did so much for the cause of Konkani. He is the future and saviour of Goa”. Besides, I was the only person who gave him a big coverage for his visit to Kuwait in the local media.
Why I in particular and we Kuwaitkars in general gave him such a big welcome? Because we wanted somebody to fight for the cause of Goa and Goans and in him we found an appropriate man. I thought he would be the right choice and right candidate to take up our issues. At that time he was a very humble man having genuine self of genuine Churchill Alemao. When he got the taste of my pen in Kuwait, on the eve of his departure back to Goa, he pleaded with me to take leave of half day from my job and write a full review on his trip to Kuwait. Though I was very tight on my job because of my company’s strict rules and regulations yet to satisfy our future, to be leader Churchill Alemao, I obliged and sitting in his Hotel room in Kuwait City I wrote the whole review which he got published in Goa immediately after returning to Goa. The effect of his trip to Kuwait was resounding and thunderous. It helped him a lot in his promotion and we too were very happy that he got positive effect from our support.
But did he live up to our expectations? Definitely not. He came like a slave and gone back like a master. He betrayed us with a Judas Kiss by joining MGP under PDF Government and then changing parties like changing “underwear” after having bath. We supported him not to see him taking law into his own hands and to do what he wants against the wishes of his supporters. Thru his arrogance and defiance of public support he has made himself the most hated politician in Goa even though he may feel that he is liked by all in Goa. According to the latest observation, even his own voters in Navelim constituency dislike him and if fresh election is held in Goa now, I am sure he will lose miserably. By creating political circus in Goa with the help of BJP’s Parrikar and UGDP’s Babush he has received negative feelings from the people. Goans have now realized his greed for power and thru power his greed for money and abundant money in crores. I only hope he survives to enjoy these crores.
When I first came in contact with him at Luizin Faleiro’s place during the language agitation time in Goa I found in him a very sincere and dedicated man for the cause of Konkani, Goa and Goans. That time I realized it was worth to support him and accordingly I campaigned hard for his promotion in Kuwait and also from Kuwait. But gradually I realized my fault when he started showing his selfishness for his selfish glorification. A man of Churchill calibre aligning with MGP means disgrace on Goa and disgrace on us too especially on those like me who supported him and promoted him so much. We supported and promoted him when he was in imperative need of it. We were the people who laid a strong base for his promotion and this we did only to see him standing by our causes. But, no, the Churchill Alemao we promoted did not remain the same. Churchill Alemao let us down; he let us the genuine Goans and genuine Konkani lovers down by playing the game of defections. Defection is a game of selfish persons. We are not with selfish Churchill Alemao and we don’t want selfish Churchill Alemao. We promoted upright Churchill Alemao, we supported genuine Churchill Alemao and not the corrupt Churchill Alemao who is flirting today with Congress, tomorrow with UGDP, the day after tomorrow with MGP and again today with BJP. And yet he expects us to tolerate his dirty political games as if we are his Mundkars and he is our Bhattkar. He is acting as if he is having devine right to be the boss of Goa and to do what he wants. He is not Goa's boss and he cannot and people now must not allow him to take upper hand in Goa because he is selfish and very unstable. His relatives and family members must advise him before the law of nature takes its own course. The fury of nature is like that of Sunami. It can eradicate and liquidate any earthly object having arrogance, betrayal and pride.
By associating with BJP which is a communal and an anti-Christian party, Churchill Alemao made mockery of his fake secularism. By associating with Parrikar, Churchill Alemao insulted and disgraced his Christianity. If he is a true Christian believing in our Lady of Vailankani and teachings of Christ, Churchill Alemao will never associate with BJP’s Parrikar having anti-Christian, anti-Christ and anti-Vailankani Saibinn feelings. By associating with Parrikar, Churchill Alemao proved that how feeble minded Christian he is. Many people in Kuwait are spitting on my face saying “you were the person who used to sing hosannas in praise of Churchill Alemao”. Yes, I did and for doing so I regret but for singing hosannas in his praise I never received his “chiri-miri” neither I asked for it. I sang hosannas in his praise only because of his original genuine self which is already expired. His original genuine upright self is already R.I.P.
Hello my friend Churchill Alemao. You have let me down by killing your original self which was wonderful. You have let me down in front of my adversaries who are making mockery of me for promoting and supporting you earlier. Churchill Bab, you have robbed me and robbed all your supporters and promoters of the trust we had in you. Please slow down. You are going too fast. “Devachea Marank Avaz Na”, anything can happen tomorrow, know this very well. Tommorrow is uncertain. Giants have fallen, you are nothing. I am not asking bad for you but you yourself is inviting bad for you. You have hurt the feelings of your supporters enough. Think of tomorrow which is not in your hands. Don’t be arrogant and don’t go against the wishes of the people by hurting them further. 17 years back people in Kuwait used to put their children to sleep by uttering the name of Saddam Hussein who was so powerful and ruthless then and who thought he was an omnipotent but his omnipotence did not last long because he was punished by the hand of justice in last December. Dayananda Bandodkar even defied Indira Gandhi, when she came to Goa once and at that time he even refused to receive her at the Dabolim Airport. Once he told me and my friend that “Zannai mure, anvem Saddiekanichi (meaning=Indira Gandhi) porva korunk na”. That was his political might but it disappeared within a split of a second at about 7.00 pm at Panjim Gymkhana while playing Table Tennis. That was the fury of nature when you defy nature. I don’t want anything bad happening to you and even if it happens I will feel sorry because I know your genuine former self which was upright. Try to amend your ways and come to the proper path when Goans will treat you as a real saviour of Goa. Otherwise posterity will treat you as Traitor. And in the history books you will be recorded as the man who harmed the interest of Goa and Goans.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
The great Russian writer Leo Tolstoy said “when devil comes in you, it comes like a slave but when it goes, it goes like a master”. This was what has happened to my friend Churchill Alemao. I was the main person responsible to promote him in Kuwait which helped him in his promotion in Goa as well. When he was not much popular and was nobody in the Goa Legislative Assembly we brought him to Kuwait as a Chief Guest for the Tiatro of Rex de Bardez. I worked so hard to promote him that time that we organized in his honour so many meetings and functions. The first meeting and reception was hosted in his honour in Kuwait City at Caesars by our Kuwait Konknni Kendr. Then the next day in the morning we organized a special soccer match where we made him the Chief Guest and exposed him to the bigger crowd. Then in the same afternoon we made him the Chief Guest for Rex de Bardez Tiatro where the hall packed audience applauded him. Within the next 48 hours we organized a public meeting in his honour near the Church. This meeting was originally scheduled in the Church Hall but at the last minute when all the arrangements were done the then Maltese Bishop of Kuwait refused us to hold that meeting even though first he agreed, citing an excuse that Churchill was a terrorist. I challengd the Bishop to prove it but he had no guts to prove. He used his veto power by listening to his "chamcha" advisers who were enemies of Goa and Goan causes. Because of this last minute betrayal I had openly disgraced the Bishop calling him a traitor for inconveniencing Churchill and us too. Additionally some more private and smaller functions we organized in his honour and for his promotion. I was very much instrumental in organizing most of those functions where he received wider exposure and I was the one who introduced him to the audience saying “this is our Churchill Alemao, hero of Konkani movement who did so much for the cause of Konkani. He is the future and saviour of Goa”. Besides, I was the only person who gave him a big coverage for his visit to Kuwait in the local media.
Why I in particular and we Kuwaitkars in general gave him such a big welcome? Because we wanted somebody to fight for the cause of Goa and Goans and in him we found an appropriate man. I thought he would be the right choice and right candidate to take up our issues. At that time he was a very humble man having genuine self of genuine Churchill Alemao. When he got the taste of my pen in Kuwait, on the eve of his departure back to Goa, he pleaded with me to take leave of half day from my job and write a full review on his trip to Kuwait. Though I was very tight on my job because of my company’s strict rules and regulations yet to satisfy our future, to be leader Churchill Alemao, I obliged and sitting in his Hotel room in Kuwait City I wrote the whole review which he got published in Goa immediately after returning to Goa. The effect of his trip to Kuwait was resounding and thunderous. It helped him a lot in his promotion and we too were very happy that he got positive effect from our support.
But did he live up to our expectations? Definitely not. He came like a slave and gone back like a master. He betrayed us with a Judas Kiss by joining MGP under PDF Government and then changing parties like changing “underwear” after having bath. We supported him not to see him taking law into his own hands and to do what he wants against the wishes of his supporters. Thru his arrogance and defiance of public support he has made himself the most hated politician in Goa even though he may feel that he is liked by all in Goa. According to the latest observation, even his own voters in Navelim constituency dislike him and if fresh election is held in Goa now, I am sure he will lose miserably. By creating political circus in Goa with the help of BJP’s Parrikar and UGDP’s Babush he has received negative feelings from the people. Goans have now realized his greed for power and thru power his greed for money and abundant money in crores. I only hope he survives to enjoy these crores.
When I first came in contact with him at Luizin Faleiro’s place during the language agitation time in Goa I found in him a very sincere and dedicated man for the cause of Konkani, Goa and Goans. That time I realized it was worth to support him and accordingly I campaigned hard for his promotion in Kuwait and also from Kuwait. But gradually I realized my fault when he started showing his selfishness for his selfish glorification. A man of Churchill calibre aligning with MGP means disgrace on Goa and disgrace on us too especially on those like me who supported him and promoted him so much. We supported and promoted him when he was in imperative need of it. We were the people who laid a strong base for his promotion and this we did only to see him standing by our causes. But, no, the Churchill Alemao we promoted did not remain the same. Churchill Alemao let us down; he let us the genuine Goans and genuine Konkani lovers down by playing the game of defections. Defection is a game of selfish persons. We are not with selfish Churchill Alemao and we don’t want selfish Churchill Alemao. We promoted upright Churchill Alemao, we supported genuine Churchill Alemao and not the corrupt Churchill Alemao who is flirting today with Congress, tomorrow with UGDP, the day after tomorrow with MGP and again today with BJP. And yet he expects us to tolerate his dirty political games as if we are his Mundkars and he is our Bhattkar. He is acting as if he is having devine right to be the boss of Goa and to do what he wants. He is not Goa's boss and he cannot and people now must not allow him to take upper hand in Goa because he is selfish and very unstable. His relatives and family members must advise him before the law of nature takes its own course. The fury of nature is like that of Sunami. It can eradicate and liquidate any earthly object having arrogance, betrayal and pride.
By associating with BJP which is a communal and an anti-Christian party, Churchill Alemao made mockery of his fake secularism. By associating with Parrikar, Churchill Alemao insulted and disgraced his Christianity. If he is a true Christian believing in our Lady of Vailankani and teachings of Christ, Churchill Alemao will never associate with BJP’s Parrikar having anti-Christian, anti-Christ and anti-Vailankani Saibinn feelings. By associating with Parrikar, Churchill Alemao proved that how feeble minded Christian he is. Many people in Kuwait are spitting on my face saying “you were the person who used to sing hosannas in praise of Churchill Alemao”. Yes, I did and for doing so I regret but for singing hosannas in his praise I never received his “chiri-miri” neither I asked for it. I sang hosannas in his praise only because of his original genuine self which is already expired. His original genuine upright self is already R.I.P.
Hello my friend Churchill Alemao. You have let me down by killing your original self which was wonderful. You have let me down in front of my adversaries who are making mockery of me for promoting and supporting you earlier. Churchill Bab, you have robbed me and robbed all your supporters and promoters of the trust we had in you. Please slow down. You are going too fast. “Devachea Marank Avaz Na”, anything can happen tomorrow, know this very well. Tommorrow is uncertain. Giants have fallen, you are nothing. I am not asking bad for you but you yourself is inviting bad for you. You have hurt the feelings of your supporters enough. Think of tomorrow which is not in your hands. Don’t be arrogant and don’t go against the wishes of the people by hurting them further. 17 years back people in Kuwait used to put their children to sleep by uttering the name of Saddam Hussein who was so powerful and ruthless then and who thought he was an omnipotent but his omnipotence did not last long because he was punished by the hand of justice in last December. Dayananda Bandodkar even defied Indira Gandhi, when she came to Goa once and at that time he even refused to receive her at the Dabolim Airport. Once he told me and my friend that “Zannai mure, anvem Saddiekanichi (meaning=Indira Gandhi) porva korunk na”. That was his political might but it disappeared within a split of a second at about 7.00 pm at Panjim Gymkhana while playing Table Tennis. That was the fury of nature when you defy nature. I don’t want anything bad happening to you and even if it happens I will feel sorry because I know your genuine former self which was upright. Try to amend your ways and come to the proper path when Goans will treat you as a real saviour of Goa. Otherwise posterity will treat you as Traitor. And in the history books you will be recorded as the man who harmed the interest of Goa and Goans.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
August 5, 2007
Apa-lipa Gõychem Rajkaronn - by Fr. Teodosio Fernandes
Aile re aile,Bikhari amchea
dharant aile
Kott’tti gheun
bhikek lagle
Kott’ttent tanchea
motam ghalun
lokhani amchea
amkanch naddle...
Aile re aile,
Nivddun aile
Donuch disanim
Kele tannim hole
Lokhani dil’lim
votam visorle
Apa-lipa khell
Khellunk lagle...
Kelem re kelem
Rajkaronn Gõychem
Kelem girgirem
Rajkarnant bhorlam
Bhirem choranchem
Montreak laglam
Pixem chorpachem
Gõy amchem
Chorun pavlam
Ordhe vattechem...
Uttat Gõykara
Nidentle uttat
Vot ghatloleank
Korinakat fatt
Ho vell zaun asa
Dokounk tankam vatt
Nodor tancher marat
Tanchi fatt zalea datt
Gorom udok ghalun
Kaddat tanchi kat..
-Fr. Teodosio Fernandes
Kuwait
Note:
Fr. Teodosio Fernandes is a Goan Carmelite priest based at Our Lady of Arabia Church, Ahmadi, Kuwait. He did his priestly studies at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Mangalore.
This is his first poem and he has written it on the sorry state of Goan politics.
Forwarded by gaspercrasto@hotmail.com
August 2, 2007
GREATNESS OF BIBLE.
Today being the 17th anniversary of the Invasion of Kuwait, the local Arab Times published the following I wrote to mark the invasion day of Kuwait. I am reproducing it for the Kranti readers.
GREATNESS OF BIBLE.
2nd August is the most memorable date in my life, it will never erase from my sane memory. It was on this date 17 years back, in 1990 on that fateful Thursday, Kuwait was invaded by Saddam Hussein’s Iraq. I was caught in Kuwait City, at Maliya, next to the Police Station at 6.30 AM by the military personnel who had craggy faces, looked hungry for blood and used rough language. Though they looked foreign yet I could not believe that they were from Iraq and they have already occupied Kuwait. But unbelievable has finally became believable. Saddam Hussein’s Iraq has betrayed Kuwait by discarding all the norms of the civilized world and invaded Kuwait. Saddam Hussein’s Iraq by invading Kuwait went against the principles of UN, NAM, ARAB LEAGUE & OIC. All these organizations prohibit the use of force to settle bilateral disputes but Saddam Hussein did not care and took law into his own hands and did what in reality happened on 2nd August 1990. Kudos to Margaret Thatcher for awakening USA on the folly of this invasion and double kudos to USA under Baba Bush who got around him the entire world with the exception of few tin pot nations to fight against this invasion. The rest is history.
The residents residing in the heart of Kuwait City were the worst hit by the Iraqi soldiers' atrocities in one way or the other. Within 48 hours of the invasion poor Phillipinas went underground from Kuwait City. The invasion troop was stationed in Kuwait City for the first 4 days and during this period these soldiers armed with guns were forcibly coming to the flats of residents, not once a day but a number of times. And checking what? Nothing except ogling for females with lusty eyes. At my residence they were coming 6 times a day, thrice in the mornings and thrice in the afternoons, in threes, all equipped with guns. During these visits they were creating chills in my marrow especially when they were pulling me by my beard and making me stand in the Seating Room guarded by one soldier and the remaining two soldiers inside my bedroom checking all my books and other reading materials and sometimes asking some silly questions. Only once they showed softness when they came across on my table the latest issue of World Soccer Magazine from where they started seeing the latest pictures of the recently completed World Cup Italia 90, a month before the invasion.
Having no choice of averting this unwarranted mental torture, I tried to flee from my Flat but was afraid to leave because down on the ground floor of our building the Iraqi soldiers converted the area into a fortress. Hence, I surrendered to my fate. On 3rd Day in the afternoon, instead of me opening the door for their regular entry in my house, my colleague opened and I remained on the bed covering my face with a towel pretending to be fast asleep. When they entered, one of the three came straight in my room as if he knew my presence on the bed and also as if I am a sort of culprit, put the barrel of his gun towards my eyes and softly removed the towel. Seeing the barrel of the gun touching my eyes, I lost my sanity but at that particular moment before something worst could happen, next to my bed on the small table the same Iraqi soldier saw my Bible which I kept there and hid all other books under the bed in a box. Seeing this Bible the Iraqi soldier suddenly became pale and quietly withdrew back and along with him his other two colleagues left my residence and never returned back even on the remaining 4th day giving me the much needed peace.
Holy Book is the Holy Book. Bible is one of the Holy Books in which all the people of the Books believe and admit Its genuinness. It is a miraculous Book and it describes all the miracles and miraculous persons. In it not just written pages exist but in it the words of God exist. For this reason Bible and all other Holy Books help you in right direction and protect you from all evils. It protected me from the evil of Iraqi soldier. What would have been my fate if my Bible did not attract the attention of Iraqi soldier and prevented him from harming me bodily?
The greatness of Bible is so high that I have no words to express it yet I must confess that this is the only Book that is kept in the Moon. Bible is the only Book that is sold in bigger number than any other book in the world. Great French writer Voltaire tried his best to diminish the importance of Bible from this planet and he even went to the extent of issuing a statement saying that “one year after my death, nobody will read Bible turning it into dead stock”. Incidentally, and miraculously in 6 months only after the death of Voltaire the sale of Bible increased to such an extent, to such an extent, that to fulfill the needs of the increased Bible readers, Voltaire’s own house had to be converted into a Bible Printing and selling shop. This is the miracle of the Bible.
What was the most important lesson I learnt from the invasion of Kuwait? The first was to trust in God and He will guide and protect you. Rely on spiritualism. The second was never to rely on your brother though there may be some isolated incidents where one brother helped another but in most cases one brother after killing another brother replied to God "am I by brother's keeper?" During the invasion period I realised who is mine and who is not mine. During this period I also realised the real worth of Kuwait when almost all the expatriates left Kuwait saying "who wants Kuwait now?" During this period some of the very brothers of Kuwait who enjoyed benevolence of Kuwait instead of supporting Kuwait like Judas rejected Kuwait.It is during this time that Kuwait realised who was with Kuwait and who not. It was a lesson for all of us to know our brothers, sisters, husbands, friends and relatives.
Was invasion of Kuwait a punishment for our sins, arrogance and pride? Some accepted it openly while others silently. Why it had to happen to Kuwait only? Was there a God's hand into this? If yes, why did God punish Kuwait in this way? Was it because some of them treat expatriates rudely and badly in an inhuman way? Example: Powerless maids. Was it because many of the Kuwaitis boast of their money power without caring for God's commandments? In the invasion of Kuwait we expatriates lost materially while the loss of Kuwaitis was like the loss of a soul from human body. God forbid such incidents again. May God help Kuwait to keep its borders fortified from its enemies advances.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Safat, Kuwait
GREATNESS OF BIBLE.
2nd August is the most memorable date in my life, it will never erase from my sane memory. It was on this date 17 years back, in 1990 on that fateful Thursday, Kuwait was invaded by Saddam Hussein’s Iraq. I was caught in Kuwait City, at Maliya, next to the Police Station at 6.30 AM by the military personnel who had craggy faces, looked hungry for blood and used rough language. Though they looked foreign yet I could not believe that they were from Iraq and they have already occupied Kuwait. But unbelievable has finally became believable. Saddam Hussein’s Iraq has betrayed Kuwait by discarding all the norms of the civilized world and invaded Kuwait. Saddam Hussein’s Iraq by invading Kuwait went against the principles of UN, NAM, ARAB LEAGUE & OIC. All these organizations prohibit the use of force to settle bilateral disputes but Saddam Hussein did not care and took law into his own hands and did what in reality happened on 2nd August 1990. Kudos to Margaret Thatcher for awakening USA on the folly of this invasion and double kudos to USA under Baba Bush who got around him the entire world with the exception of few tin pot nations to fight against this invasion. The rest is history.
The residents residing in the heart of Kuwait City were the worst hit by the Iraqi soldiers' atrocities in one way or the other. Within 48 hours of the invasion poor Phillipinas went underground from Kuwait City. The invasion troop was stationed in Kuwait City for the first 4 days and during this period these soldiers armed with guns were forcibly coming to the flats of residents, not once a day but a number of times. And checking what? Nothing except ogling for females with lusty eyes. At my residence they were coming 6 times a day, thrice in the mornings and thrice in the afternoons, in threes, all equipped with guns. During these visits they were creating chills in my marrow especially when they were pulling me by my beard and making me stand in the Seating Room guarded by one soldier and the remaining two soldiers inside my bedroom checking all my books and other reading materials and sometimes asking some silly questions. Only once they showed softness when they came across on my table the latest issue of World Soccer Magazine from where they started seeing the latest pictures of the recently completed World Cup Italia 90, a month before the invasion.
Having no choice of averting this unwarranted mental torture, I tried to flee from my Flat but was afraid to leave because down on the ground floor of our building the Iraqi soldiers converted the area into a fortress. Hence, I surrendered to my fate. On 3rd Day in the afternoon, instead of me opening the door for their regular entry in my house, my colleague opened and I remained on the bed covering my face with a towel pretending to be fast asleep. When they entered, one of the three came straight in my room as if he knew my presence on the bed and also as if I am a sort of culprit, put the barrel of his gun towards my eyes and softly removed the towel. Seeing the barrel of the gun touching my eyes, I lost my sanity but at that particular moment before something worst could happen, next to my bed on the small table the same Iraqi soldier saw my Bible which I kept there and hid all other books under the bed in a box. Seeing this Bible the Iraqi soldier suddenly became pale and quietly withdrew back and along with him his other two colleagues left my residence and never returned back even on the remaining 4th day giving me the much needed peace.
Holy Book is the Holy Book. Bible is one of the Holy Books in which all the people of the Books believe and admit Its genuinness. It is a miraculous Book and it describes all the miracles and miraculous persons. In it not just written pages exist but in it the words of God exist. For this reason Bible and all other Holy Books help you in right direction and protect you from all evils. It protected me from the evil of Iraqi soldier. What would have been my fate if my Bible did not attract the attention of Iraqi soldier and prevented him from harming me bodily?
The greatness of Bible is so high that I have no words to express it yet I must confess that this is the only Book that is kept in the Moon. Bible is the only Book that is sold in bigger number than any other book in the world. Great French writer Voltaire tried his best to diminish the importance of Bible from this planet and he even went to the extent of issuing a statement saying that “one year after my death, nobody will read Bible turning it into dead stock”. Incidentally, and miraculously in 6 months only after the death of Voltaire the sale of Bible increased to such an extent, to such an extent, that to fulfill the needs of the increased Bible readers, Voltaire’s own house had to be converted into a Bible Printing and selling shop. This is the miracle of the Bible.
What was the most important lesson I learnt from the invasion of Kuwait? The first was to trust in God and He will guide and protect you. Rely on spiritualism. The second was never to rely on your brother though there may be some isolated incidents where one brother helped another but in most cases one brother after killing another brother replied to God "am I by brother's keeper?" During the invasion period I realised who is mine and who is not mine. During this period I also realised the real worth of Kuwait when almost all the expatriates left Kuwait saying "who wants Kuwait now?" During this period some of the very brothers of Kuwait who enjoyed benevolence of Kuwait instead of supporting Kuwait like Judas rejected Kuwait.It is during this time that Kuwait realised who was with Kuwait and who not. It was a lesson for all of us to know our brothers, sisters, husbands, friends and relatives.
Was invasion of Kuwait a punishment for our sins, arrogance and pride? Some accepted it openly while others silently. Why it had to happen to Kuwait only? Was there a God's hand into this? If yes, why did God punish Kuwait in this way? Was it because some of them treat expatriates rudely and badly in an inhuman way? Example: Powerless maids. Was it because many of the Kuwaitis boast of their money power without caring for God's commandments? In the invasion of Kuwait we expatriates lost materially while the loss of Kuwaitis was like the loss of a soul from human body. God forbid such incidents again. May God help Kuwait to keep its borders fortified from its enemies advances.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Safat, Kuwait
LIQUIDATE THE DEFECTORS.
LIQUIDATE THE DEFECTORS.
The first defection in Goa came during the second term of Dayananda Bandodkar ministry when 5 members of his ruling party MGP withdrew their support to Bandodkar Ministry. The revolt in MGP was initiated under the leadership of their stalwart Naik. As an opposition leader, Dr. Jack Sequeira immediately put his claim for the formation of his Ministry under UG. But Bandodkar was very sirud person, he already tasted power and would not lose it easily. To neutralize the rebel group under Naik, Bandodkar went with the begging bowl like a slave even thru his faithful MLA’s including Punaji Achrekar from Saligao with the promises of some benefits and facilities in their constituencies to some UG MLA’s and finally succeeded in acquiring to his side 5 UG MLA’s – 4 of them were Valente Sequeira from Calangute Constituency, Orlando Lobo Sequeira from Aldona, Elu Miranda from Benaulim and Abdul Razak from Vasco. At that time for defectors the bribe money was not in crores nor in lakhs but in thousands only plus development in their constituencies. Valente Sequeira though from Calangute constituency yet he got some developmental projects in his home village Candolim namely Electricity in the Village and also a Government Health Centre in Candolim. This Health Center was originally scheduled in Siolim but because of the defection of Valente Sequeira, Bandodkar gifted this Health Center to Candolim. Thru this defection, Bandodkar survived the vote of confidence in the Legislative Assembly.
The moment these five UG MLA’s defected to MGP, Dr. Jack Sequiera along with his other MLA’s organized public meetings in every constituency of the defectors of UG MLA’s to condemn and to explain to the voters the disgracefulness of their MLA’s. In Calangute while delivering his speech, Dr. Jack Sequeira even called the constituents to go to Valente’s house and catch him by his gotee beard and bring him out on the road and ask him why he defected to MG without people’s mandate. Here are the exact words of Dr. Sequeira in Konkani “ Kitem poitat re! Kiteak oguich assat re! Cholat re, Vochat re Valente hachea ghora and dhorat re tachea bokddeachea khaddak and haddat re taka bhair voddun ani vincharat taka konnache hukumen to MG partiek defect zalo tem”. While he was delivering his speech, Dr. Sequeira was constantly cheered by the huge crowd attending this meet at Calangute foot-ball ground. While this campaign was going on Valente Sequeira for the time being remained hiding out of fear for his life from the voters who voted him to power on UG symbol.
Now in Goa what we see is nothing but betrayal of voters trust by Churchill Alemao, Babush Monsurate, Reginald and others. Voters from Navelim, Taleigao and Curtorim must come on to the streets and hold public meetings to condemn openly the decision of Churchill, Reginaldo, Babush of joining hands with communal and anti-Christian party BJP. Churchill has no right to rob Navelim voters of their trust they reposed in him. Taking unilateral decision of supporting BJP is a political crime committed by Churchill and for this crime Navelim constituents must raise their voice very loudly and forcefully. Luizin Faleiro and Sardinha must now not see the things lying down. They must support the like minded voters and expose Churchill. Churchill is a restless man, to grab power he will do anything without any shame. He must not have the feelings that he is the godfather general of Goa to do what he wants. He is not fit to think what is good and what is bad for Goa and Goans. He may have gigantic physique and gigantic money power but surely he is having a mind of a pigmy. We cannot put the affairs of Goa into the hands of such cheap politicians. Navelkars and Curtorkars must come out openly and condemn the attitude of their MLA’s. Let Churchill, Reginaldo, Babush and others not think that we Goans are goats silently surrendering to the knives of the butchers. We Goans are capable of thinking what is good and what is bad for us. I am surprised how both Luizin and Sardinha are keeping their silence. It is their duty now to capitalize on the defects of Churchill and Reginaldo and make the constituents aware of the mischief their MLA’s are doing. Both these MLA’s were elected not to support communal and anti-Christian BJP. Earlier they were opposing Babush & Parrikar but now both are flirting with Babush and Parrikar without any shame. They must know that the mandate the people gave them is not to flirt with BJP and Babush to reintroduce the old Regional Plan.
I met a few Navelkars in Kuwait and discussed this topic with them. If they really love the greatness of their village and integrity of their constituency then they must call a meeting in Kuwait and condemn Churchill’s attitude. Navelim is a place of great parliamentarian Dr. Francis Luis Gomes who played clean political game and fought for the cause not only of Goa but also of India even from European soil. Churchill is a shame on Navelim and Dr. Gomes political integrity. Navelkars must know this. Because of Churchill’s greed for illicit power the entire Goa will go to dogs and Navelkars will be held responsible for this disaster of Goa. To save Goa from disaster, Navelkars must strongly condemn Churchill for duping the voters from Navelim. It is not enough to organize dance and soccer team in Kuwait on behalf of Navelim. I know many residents of Navelim in Kuwait are politically smart and because they are so they supported Goa-Kuwait Solidarity Center movement in support of Kuwait so nicely in 1990 except few who are fit for nothing in life. Now they must come forward and condemn Churchill’s attitude of betraying their constituency with a Judas kiss.
I also urge the global Goans to take note of what is happening in Goa and raise their protests over the nasty happenings in Goa. I also call upon the organisers of Goa Day to voice their protest over the ugly happenings in Goa, otherwise Goa Day "ghalat dobean". If we do not take interest in our Goa and Goan affairs then what is the use of organising Goa Day? For show or for Tamasha? While Goa is burning we the expatriate Goans cannot remain as silent spectators. When Goa is burning with political fire put in by Parrikar – Churchill – Babush and others we cannot keep on fiddling with our Sitar like Emperor Nero. We as genuine Goans must rise to the occasion and express our views loudly and forcefully against the dirty game our Goan politicians are playing in Goa of course to the detriment of Goas. In a separate mail, I am writing to the BJP High Command asking them to stop Parrikar to play the game of a prostitute. I always had a very good opinion of Parrikar that he is a man of principle. But now I realized that for his benefits he will even mortgage his marbles. This is the quality of these dirty Bamonn and corrupt anti-Christian communal BJP men.
While concluding I call upon the Church leaders in their constituencies in Navelim, Curtorim, Taleigao and elsewhere to openly educate the Catholics in the Churches in their preachings the follies of their elected representatives. The defections and aligning with communal parties will lead to moral degradation and sins. Church leaders’ duty is to show the right path to the faithful and not the path of sins which our above mentioned politicians are prmoting. At this moment Church leaders must be bold enough to raise this issue in their sermons in the Church and not to silently accept immorality and sinful attitudes of our elected representatives. Church leaders cannot say that they cannot involve in political cleansing. In fact Church leaders are duty bound to correct the politically erring MLA’s. Cardinal Sin used Church Pulpit to change the whole political system in Philippine by destroying Ferdinand Marcus. Will our Church leaders use their Pulpit and Church power to liquidate the sinful and immoral politicians before they convert Goa into a sinful and immoral place? Do our Church leaders want our golden Goa known as “Udentichem Roma” converted into a "Udentichem" Brothel for committing sinful acts by the Catholic MLA’s and Christian politicians? Goa Church must ponder over this without delay.
Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
The first defection in Goa came during the second term of Dayananda Bandodkar ministry when 5 members of his ruling party MGP withdrew their support to Bandodkar Ministry. The revolt in MGP was initiated under the leadership of their stalwart Naik. As an opposition leader, Dr. Jack Sequeira immediately put his claim for the formation of his Ministry under UG. But Bandodkar was very sirud person, he already tasted power and would not lose it easily. To neutralize the rebel group under Naik, Bandodkar went with the begging bowl like a slave even thru his faithful MLA’s including Punaji Achrekar from Saligao with the promises of some benefits and facilities in their constituencies to some UG MLA’s and finally succeeded in acquiring to his side 5 UG MLA’s – 4 of them were Valente Sequeira from Calangute Constituency, Orlando Lobo Sequeira from Aldona, Elu Miranda from Benaulim and Abdul Razak from Vasco. At that time for defectors the bribe money was not in crores nor in lakhs but in thousands only plus development in their constituencies. Valente Sequeira though from Calangute constituency yet he got some developmental projects in his home village Candolim namely Electricity in the Village and also a Government Health Centre in Candolim. This Health Center was originally scheduled in Siolim but because of the defection of Valente Sequeira, Bandodkar gifted this Health Center to Candolim. Thru this defection, Bandodkar survived the vote of confidence in the Legislative Assembly.
The moment these five UG MLA’s defected to MGP, Dr. Jack Sequiera along with his other MLA’s organized public meetings in every constituency of the defectors of UG MLA’s to condemn and to explain to the voters the disgracefulness of their MLA’s. In Calangute while delivering his speech, Dr. Jack Sequeira even called the constituents to go to Valente’s house and catch him by his gotee beard and bring him out on the road and ask him why he defected to MG without people’s mandate. Here are the exact words of Dr. Sequeira in Konkani “ Kitem poitat re! Kiteak oguich assat re! Cholat re, Vochat re Valente hachea ghora and dhorat re tachea bokddeachea khaddak and haddat re taka bhair voddun ani vincharat taka konnache hukumen to MG partiek defect zalo tem”. While he was delivering his speech, Dr. Sequeira was constantly cheered by the huge crowd attending this meet at Calangute foot-ball ground. While this campaign was going on Valente Sequeira for the time being remained hiding out of fear for his life from the voters who voted him to power on UG symbol.
Now in Goa what we see is nothing but betrayal of voters trust by Churchill Alemao, Babush Monsurate, Reginald and others. Voters from Navelim, Taleigao and Curtorim must come on to the streets and hold public meetings to condemn openly the decision of Churchill, Reginaldo, Babush of joining hands with communal and anti-Christian party BJP. Churchill has no right to rob Navelim voters of their trust they reposed in him. Taking unilateral decision of supporting BJP is a political crime committed by Churchill and for this crime Navelim constituents must raise their voice very loudly and forcefully. Luizin Faleiro and Sardinha must now not see the things lying down. They must support the like minded voters and expose Churchill. Churchill is a restless man, to grab power he will do anything without any shame. He must not have the feelings that he is the godfather general of Goa to do what he wants. He is not fit to think what is good and what is bad for Goa and Goans. He may have gigantic physique and gigantic money power but surely he is having a mind of a pigmy. We cannot put the affairs of Goa into the hands of such cheap politicians. Navelkars and Curtorkars must come out openly and condemn the attitude of their MLA’s. Let Churchill, Reginaldo, Babush and others not think that we Goans are goats silently surrendering to the knives of the butchers. We Goans are capable of thinking what is good and what is bad for us. I am surprised how both Luizin and Sardinha are keeping their silence. It is their duty now to capitalize on the defects of Churchill and Reginaldo and make the constituents aware of the mischief their MLA’s are doing. Both these MLA’s were elected not to support communal and anti-Christian BJP. Earlier they were opposing Babush & Parrikar but now both are flirting with Babush and Parrikar without any shame. They must know that the mandate the people gave them is not to flirt with BJP and Babush to reintroduce the old Regional Plan.
I met a few Navelkars in Kuwait and discussed this topic with them. If they really love the greatness of their village and integrity of their constituency then they must call a meeting in Kuwait and condemn Churchill’s attitude. Navelim is a place of great parliamentarian Dr. Francis Luis Gomes who played clean political game and fought for the cause not only of Goa but also of India even from European soil. Churchill is a shame on Navelim and Dr. Gomes political integrity. Navelkars must know this. Because of Churchill’s greed for illicit power the entire Goa will go to dogs and Navelkars will be held responsible for this disaster of Goa. To save Goa from disaster, Navelkars must strongly condemn Churchill for duping the voters from Navelim. It is not enough to organize dance and soccer team in Kuwait on behalf of Navelim. I know many residents of Navelim in Kuwait are politically smart and because they are so they supported Goa-Kuwait Solidarity Center movement in support of Kuwait so nicely in 1990 except few who are fit for nothing in life. Now they must come forward and condemn Churchill’s attitude of betraying their constituency with a Judas kiss.
I also urge the global Goans to take note of what is happening in Goa and raise their protests over the nasty happenings in Goa. I also call upon the organisers of Goa Day to voice their protest over the ugly happenings in Goa, otherwise Goa Day "ghalat dobean". If we do not take interest in our Goa and Goan affairs then what is the use of organising Goa Day? For show or for Tamasha? While Goa is burning we the expatriate Goans cannot remain as silent spectators. When Goa is burning with political fire put in by Parrikar – Churchill – Babush and others we cannot keep on fiddling with our Sitar like Emperor Nero. We as genuine Goans must rise to the occasion and express our views loudly and forcefully against the dirty game our Goan politicians are playing in Goa of course to the detriment of Goas. In a separate mail, I am writing to the BJP High Command asking them to stop Parrikar to play the game of a prostitute. I always had a very good opinion of Parrikar that he is a man of principle. But now I realized that for his benefits he will even mortgage his marbles. This is the quality of these dirty Bamonn and corrupt anti-Christian communal BJP men.
While concluding I call upon the Church leaders in their constituencies in Navelim, Curtorim, Taleigao and elsewhere to openly educate the Catholics in the Churches in their preachings the follies of their elected representatives. The defections and aligning with communal parties will lead to moral degradation and sins. Church leaders’ duty is to show the right path to the faithful and not the path of sins which our above mentioned politicians are prmoting. At this moment Church leaders must be bold enough to raise this issue in their sermons in the Church and not to silently accept immorality and sinful attitudes of our elected representatives. Church leaders cannot say that they cannot involve in political cleansing. In fact Church leaders are duty bound to correct the politically erring MLA’s. Cardinal Sin used Church Pulpit to change the whole political system in Philippine by destroying Ferdinand Marcus. Will our Church leaders use their Pulpit and Church power to liquidate the sinful and immoral politicians before they convert Goa into a sinful and immoral place? Do our Church leaders want our golden Goa known as “Udentichem Roma” converted into a "Udentichem" Brothel for committing sinful acts by the Catholic MLA’s and Christian politicians? Goa Church must ponder over this without delay.
Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
August 1, 2007
Goan Memories of 2nd August...--Part V
2nd of August this year will be 17th anniversary of the brutal invasion of Kuwait by Iraqi regime under its dictator Saddam Hussein. Along with all others residing in Kuwait in 1990, 2nd August, a huge Goan community comprising around 25 thousand was also caught unaware.
Goan Memories of 2nd August...--Part V
By organizing the movement in support of Kuwait under Goa-Kuwait Solidarity Center we have not done a favour on Kuwait. By organizing our movement in support of Kuwait I am not expecting any favour, any benefit leave aside the benefit of a citizenship, as some idots think. Kuwaiti citizenship is not cheap and I am not worthy of it. To get this I have not done something extraordinary for this country. By initiating our movement I have not liberated Kuwait. No Kuwaiti nor any external force told us to organize this movement. This movement was not my movement alone, it was the movement of all the like minded Goans who were involved in it. By organizing this movement we have undergone lot of difficulties because in such movements one has to face difficulties and confrontations and personally I faced this including physical threats on my life from Saddam's supporters. I spent lot of my personal money for the promotion of this movement. We did not receive financial aid from outside source and we never asked for it. All what we did was purely out of our own spontaneous wish, love and gratitude for Kuwait from where we earned and still earning our livelihood. May God Bless Kuwait and May God guide Kuwaiti leadership to take care of its citizens and expatriates alike.
By being the initiator of this movement I gained lot of limelight, in Kuwait more. After coming back to Kuwait I gained lot of importance in Kuwaiti society. Though I gained so much of importance yet I was brought back to Kuwait to work not because of this movement. I was recalled by my company like others and there was no favour involved because of G-KSC movement. Many top Kuwaitis after my coming in contact with them in Kuwait became very good friends of mine, some of them even offered me lucrative jobs in the Oil Sector, in the Ministry, in the Banking sector but I politely turned down their good offers. The reason is this. When many of my colleagues in our movement in Goa could not get back to Kuwait to work and earn their daily bread then what moral rights I have to accept for me the luixuries of more lucrative jobs? My moral obligation dictated me to remain where I was. Hence, I refused to laugh when my colleagues in Goa cried. But what could I do for them? I am a small man and my capacity to help them was totally nil. My regret was that I could not do anything for them but neither I promised any of our supporters that I will help you to get back to Kuwait once Kuwait was liberated. And how can I promise them when I have no authority?
In order to create a very good image of Goans and to receive goodwill for them, immediately after my coming to Kuwait I on my own initiative and thru my own personal money around KD 500/- +, I made over 100 Photographic Albums of our Rallies and Meetings in Goa and presented them to top Kuwaitis and prominent local organisations. Additionally, around 500 Video Cassettes of our Rallies were made and distributed to Kuwaitis thru right contacts. By seeing these many Kuwaitis became very happy and thru this happiness many of them volunteered to help many of our Goans especially in the matter of jobs. In this way many of our Goans received lot of assistance from Kuwaitis. It was at that point of time a very good initiative of mine of producing and distributing of Albums and Video Cassettes in Kuwait. Even Kuwait TV twice (once on 20.09.1991) showed in its programme Slides of our Rallies for about 7 minutes (we organised 2 Rallies) thereby creating big propaganda of what we Goans did in Goa for the cause of Kuwait.
What is the benefit of Kuwait employment of Goans and Gulf employment in general?Let me talk of Kuwait only. Since 1950 after the second World War, Goans started coming to Kuwait. The salary was then in Indian Rupees as Rupee was the currency of Kuwait. Though in the beginning the flow of Goans into Kuwait was thin but gradually it increased in sixties and in seventies after Arab – Israeli War in early seventies. Goa during Portuguese time was sustaining purely on agriculture meant for local consumption only and yet it was not sufficient enough to feed the entire Goan population even for a year. The other main industry was mining but it could not absorb in its fold all the available Goan manpower. The salary structure in Goa was not high so as to meet the desired goals of an average Goan.
Working in Goa at that time means like “Haddli pod, khalli pod”. But going to Kuwait and working in Kuwait has changed the total outlook of Goans and structure of Goa. By working in Kuwait and earning petrodollars Goans built their castles and empires. Which Goan benefited from Kuwait employment? Mainly the economically poor and average Goan, the Goan having less educational or no educational background, the Goan having poor professionalism of the job, the Goan who is socially rejected in Goa. In Goa one could not get into a Bank unless one is a graduate. But in Kuwait it is possible and many by the grace of God are employed in the Banks without graduation. A person working as Foreman in Kuwait was not knowing how to handle a Spanner and Screw Driver in Goa but today because of Kuwait he is something in his work area. Likewise there are innumerable examples to cite. Even in the marriageable market many of the duffers and idiots got well qualified, elegant and elite girls to marry only because they are in Kuwait. Till recently many of the houses in Goa had “Xennacho” floor and Roof of “Ganvtti Nolle” or “Sulche Nolle” and “Chuttancheo Khomptti”.
But after coming to Kuwait they have totally changed their living standard converting their ancestral old houses into moden luxurious Bungalows. The person who could not afford the previllege of a Cycle in Goa finally by working in Kuwait could easily purchase a Car for him and for his family. Because of his employment in Kuwait an otherwise poor Goan could afford his children qualitative education in posh institutes. The greatest advantage of being in Kuwait is gaining of the sense of identity for majority of Goans. It is Kuwait that made them somebody out of nobody.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
===
A frequent, chronological publication – exclusive, unpublished and hybrid personal thoughts of A. Veronica Fernandes -- can now be read at http://goa-kranti.blogspot.com/
Goan Memories of 2nd August...--Part V
By organizing the movement in support of Kuwait under Goa-Kuwait Solidarity Center we have not done a favour on Kuwait. By organizing our movement in support of Kuwait I am not expecting any favour, any benefit leave aside the benefit of a citizenship, as some idots think. Kuwaiti citizenship is not cheap and I am not worthy of it. To get this I have not done something extraordinary for this country. By initiating our movement I have not liberated Kuwait. No Kuwaiti nor any external force told us to organize this movement. This movement was not my movement alone, it was the movement of all the like minded Goans who were involved in it. By organizing this movement we have undergone lot of difficulties because in such movements one has to face difficulties and confrontations and personally I faced this including physical threats on my life from Saddam's supporters. I spent lot of my personal money for the promotion of this movement. We did not receive financial aid from outside source and we never asked for it. All what we did was purely out of our own spontaneous wish, love and gratitude for Kuwait from where we earned and still earning our livelihood. May God Bless Kuwait and May God guide Kuwaiti leadership to take care of its citizens and expatriates alike.
By being the initiator of this movement I gained lot of limelight, in Kuwait more. After coming back to Kuwait I gained lot of importance in Kuwaiti society. Though I gained so much of importance yet I was brought back to Kuwait to work not because of this movement. I was recalled by my company like others and there was no favour involved because of G-KSC movement. Many top Kuwaitis after my coming in contact with them in Kuwait became very good friends of mine, some of them even offered me lucrative jobs in the Oil Sector, in the Ministry, in the Banking sector but I politely turned down their good offers. The reason is this. When many of my colleagues in our movement in Goa could not get back to Kuwait to work and earn their daily bread then what moral rights I have to accept for me the luixuries of more lucrative jobs? My moral obligation dictated me to remain where I was. Hence, I refused to laugh when my colleagues in Goa cried. But what could I do for them? I am a small man and my capacity to help them was totally nil. My regret was that I could not do anything for them but neither I promised any of our supporters that I will help you to get back to Kuwait once Kuwait was liberated. And how can I promise them when I have no authority?
In order to create a very good image of Goans and to receive goodwill for them, immediately after my coming to Kuwait I on my own initiative and thru my own personal money around KD 500/- +, I made over 100 Photographic Albums of our Rallies and Meetings in Goa and presented them to top Kuwaitis and prominent local organisations. Additionally, around 500 Video Cassettes of our Rallies were made and distributed to Kuwaitis thru right contacts. By seeing these many Kuwaitis became very happy and thru this happiness many of them volunteered to help many of our Goans especially in the matter of jobs. In this way many of our Goans received lot of assistance from Kuwaitis. It was at that point of time a very good initiative of mine of producing and distributing of Albums and Video Cassettes in Kuwait. Even Kuwait TV twice (once on 20.09.1991) showed in its programme Slides of our Rallies for about 7 minutes (we organised 2 Rallies) thereby creating big propaganda of what we Goans did in Goa for the cause of Kuwait.
What is the benefit of Kuwait employment of Goans and Gulf employment in general?Let me talk of Kuwait only. Since 1950 after the second World War, Goans started coming to Kuwait. The salary was then in Indian Rupees as Rupee was the currency of Kuwait. Though in the beginning the flow of Goans into Kuwait was thin but gradually it increased in sixties and in seventies after Arab – Israeli War in early seventies. Goa during Portuguese time was sustaining purely on agriculture meant for local consumption only and yet it was not sufficient enough to feed the entire Goan population even for a year. The other main industry was mining but it could not absorb in its fold all the available Goan manpower. The salary structure in Goa was not high so as to meet the desired goals of an average Goan.
Working in Goa at that time means like “Haddli pod, khalli pod”. But going to Kuwait and working in Kuwait has changed the total outlook of Goans and structure of Goa. By working in Kuwait and earning petrodollars Goans built their castles and empires. Which Goan benefited from Kuwait employment? Mainly the economically poor and average Goan, the Goan having less educational or no educational background, the Goan having poor professionalism of the job, the Goan who is socially rejected in Goa. In Goa one could not get into a Bank unless one is a graduate. But in Kuwait it is possible and many by the grace of God are employed in the Banks without graduation. A person working as Foreman in Kuwait was not knowing how to handle a Spanner and Screw Driver in Goa but today because of Kuwait he is something in his work area. Likewise there are innumerable examples to cite. Even in the marriageable market many of the duffers and idiots got well qualified, elegant and elite girls to marry only because they are in Kuwait. Till recently many of the houses in Goa had “Xennacho” floor and Roof of “Ganvtti Nolle” or “Sulche Nolle” and “Chuttancheo Khomptti”.
But after coming to Kuwait they have totally changed their living standard converting their ancestral old houses into moden luxurious Bungalows. The person who could not afford the previllege of a Cycle in Goa finally by working in Kuwait could easily purchase a Car for him and for his family. Because of his employment in Kuwait an otherwise poor Goan could afford his children qualitative education in posh institutes. The greatest advantage of being in Kuwait is gaining of the sense of identity for majority of Goans. It is Kuwait that made them somebody out of nobody.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
===
A frequent, chronological publication – exclusive, unpublished and hybrid personal thoughts of A. Veronica Fernandes -- can now be read at http://goa-kranti.blogspot.com/
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