May 25, 2007

OPEN LETTER TO TIATRISTS.

OPEN LETTER TO TIATRISTS.

Hello Tiatrists,

History salutes you because many of the yesteryears Tiatrists have done wonderful job in our Goan society. Since the inception of Tiatro over a hundred years back, Tiatro and Tiatrists played a leading role in our society to change the thinking and acting of society for the betterment of Goans. If Goan society has made such a vast development it is partly if not mainly due to the tremendous efforts made by the Tiatrists to change our society from bad to good in different fields. The “dadagiri” of “Bamonshahi” and “Bhattkarshahi” was shattered by the Tiatrists. One example: Alexinho de Candolim in one of his Tiatros “Amchea Xetachi Panvddi” in one of the statements said referring to Bamon Bhattkar: “Adim Ami Tumkam Mhonttalet Bab Pun Atam Tumkam Ami Mhonttat Dukor”.Through such inflammatory statement Alexinho de Candolim inculcates a sense of fearlessness into the minds and hearts of ordinary Mundkars because during those days Bhattkar means worst than a Hitler or a “Devchar”.

Minguel Rod for example destroyed the curses of Dowry and Caste System and its implications on our society. Being himself a victim of Caste system due to which he was denied the privilege of getting married to a beautiful and nice girl from Saipem – Candolim who was a very good friend of my mother, Minguel Rod composed and rendered many songs against the promotion of Caste system and also he wrote many Tiatros which depicted the curse of Caste system in our society. The early Tiatrists especially those who acted in Tiatros before the liberation of Goa worked extremely well in support of egalitarian society in Goa and eradication of caste system.

The Tiatrists of post liberation Goa educated the Goan society of the political defects in our political system and how Bharati Raj has spoiled the beauty, peace and serenity of Goa. Tiatrists from the stage disclosed how due to the introduction of Bharati Raj in Goa corruption has penetrated in each and every segment of our society. Because of the heavy campaign from the stage in support of Goa for Goans and Konkani for Goa and not Marathi, Tiatrists from 1962 helped save Goa from the clutches of Maharastra and Marathi. For any issue of public interest for the benefit of Goan and Konkani causes, Tiatrists always rose to the occasion and helped Goa in right direction. Though every Tiatrists was not a party to this campaign but overwhelming majority were and are.

Now it is a turn of Tiatrists once again to change their style of campaign for the cause of Goa and Konkani not from the stage but beyond the stage. Tiatrists are celebrities and they have mass following. Taking advantage of this, they must now go to every meeting, either in groups or individually, of the election where local candidates of any political party is to address the meeting. During the meeting they must first pose this question to the candidate: “WILL YOU SUPPORT THE CAUSE OF ROMI KONKANI ONCE YOU ARE ELECTED OR NOT? IF THE ANSWER IS NO, then tell the candidate then and there that WE WILL NOT VOTE FOR YOU. Let us see how strong the candidate is to say NO. We don’t want to listen from the candidate simple “Xemaicheo Kannio” that “yes, I will see to this topic after I am elected”. Don’t listen to this lie. After the election they will not even bother to look at our faces because they are “ROSTAD” POLITICIANS and these Rostad politicians will rule Goa during the next five years and convert Goa into a ROSTAD place.

The above questions should be posed more strongly and more openly to Luizin Faleiro who during the last full tenure never did anything for the cause of Romi Konkani. They are fit only to talk and make money for their personal benefits. This pertinent question also should be posed forcefully to Mickey Pacheco by the Benaulim Tiatrists. Benaulim has the unique distinction of producing more Tiatrists in Goa. They are all supporters and promoters of Romi Konkani. It is now their turn to get a firm assurance from Mickey Pacheco that he will definitely work for the cause of the elevation of Romi Konkani on par with Nagri script once he is elected. In the same manner Sardinha should be attacked because he is become hardened politician now like Luizin Faleiro. In Cortalim F.X. Pereira and other prominent Tiatrists should pose this same question to Mauwin Godinho and get his assurance that he will support the cause of Romi Konkani once he is elected. Similarly this question should go to Mathanay Saldanha and Raymond D'Sa who are also aspiring for the seat in Cortalim. F. X. Pereira is a great Tiatrists and in this capacity he has helped a lot for the Konkani cause from Kuwait during his so many years of work in Kuwait. I have tasted his taste and love for Konkani. I hope he will play a dominant role in Cortalim in this direction.

Come on Goan Tiatrists, wake up now because this is the only opportunity for you to get your and our demands fulfilled. Don’t be the victim of bribes and lollipops if your candidates dole you to silence your mouths. This is the last chance for us to make our wish for Romi Konkani fulfilled.

Oh Romi Konkani promoters in Goa, you have your organization and Tomazinho Cardoso and Cyriaco Dias both the residents of Calangute constituency must be told strongly to get similar assurance from all the candidates contesting the election from Calangute constituency. Can Tomazinho Cardoso take up this challenge and question the Calangute candidates on this topic? Or Tomazinho Cardoso feel backward because his own contribution as a MLA and Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly is Nil on this topic? Romi Konkani.lovers and promoters and supporters must take this as the only opportunity to get our demands fulfilled. Otherwise there is no point in having meetings for the cause of Romi Konkani at TB Cunha Hall in Panjim and promote Tomazinho Cardoso as a hero of Romi Konkani. Otherwise it is no use for Tiatrists to shout from the stage and at right time that is now, do nothing.


Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.

SUPPORT FOR ROMI KONKANI.

SUPPORT FOR ROMI KONKANI.

CONGRESS has released its election manifesto, so also BJP. In Congress manifesto there was no mention of any help for the official recognition of Romi Konkani. Neither in BJP manifesto there is any sop for Romi Konkani. Moreover, BJP has not mentioned anything about their decision that they will not harass Christians in Goa. Hence, it is to be concluded that BJP will pursue its same old communal policy, that is, hatred for Christians very vigorously under the leadership of Parrikar irrespective of positive assurance given by its big man Advani to the special Catholic delegation that met him in Goa recently. Parrikar is such a hard core communal, an anti-Christian man that people in Goa should not trust him any more nor his fake smile. Once elected to power he will do what he feels the best irrespective of what Advani said. And by the way, how one can trust Advani when he himself was the core communal involved even in the demolition of Babri Masjid? What Advani said in Goa in favour of Catholics is just a trick to win the election. People in Goa must question BJP now only that they will not accept Parrikar as the next Chief Minister of Goa IN ANY EVENT. To say this one need not be the follower of BJP only, it is enough one to be a just voter in Goa.

Being an offshoot of Maharastrawadi Gomantak Party in Goa, BJP will never support the cause of Konkani, moreover, MGP laid its foundation on the basis of hatred for Konkani especially for Romi Konkani because it is followed by Christians in Goa. MGP came into being to liquidate Christians and Christian influence in Goa. Since BJP swallowed MGP in its stomach acquiring all the past attributes of MGP, how then can BJP support Romi Konkani? Hence, it is a clue for all the Romi Konkani supporters to reject each and every candidate of BJP. Our present hot issue dearest to our hearts is recognition for Romi script Konkani also on par with Nagri script. Since BJP is silent over this issue, there is no point in affiliating with BJP. Treat BJP as anti-Romi.

What about Congress manifesto on Romi Konkani? Like BJP, Congress manifesto also silent on the elevation of Romi Konkani on par with Nagri Konkani. So how we can elect Congress candidates and Congress party to power? Saxttikar and Ilhaskar have done tremendous sacrifices for the cause of Konkani and amongst them overwhelming majority are the followers of Romi script Konkani. So why now they remain silent? Speak out loudly my friends and colleagues. Ask openly and loudly your candidates namely Luizin Faleiro in Navelim, Francisco Sardinha in Cortalim, Digambar Kamat in Margao, Mickey Pacheco in Beanulim, Philipe Neri in Velim, Alexio in Loutolim and Karl Vaz and all other Congress candidates from wherever they may be contesting the election, this question especially when they come for campaigning in your localities and constituencies: “WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON RAISING THE STATUS OF ROMI KONKANI? IF ELECTED, WILL YOU SUPPORT IN THE ASSEMBLY THE CAUSE OF ROMI KONKANI OR YOU WILL REMAIN DUMB IN THE ASSEMBLY ON THIS TOPIC? IF ELECTED, WILL YOU INTRODUCE THE BILL IN THE ASSEMBLY ON THIS TOPIC OR SUPPORT BLINDLY FOR THIS BILL IF INTRODUCED BY ANY OTHER MEMBER? OR YOU WILL BE AFRAID OF THE HIGH COMMAND AND LOCAL PRO MARATHI COMMAND WHIP? Based on their answers, voters must make their decision. Do not be afraid of your candidates. Make them bow down to your wishes and not vice-versa and if you voters remain firm in your stance, they will surely bend to your wishes because they want to get themselves elected which can come only thru your precious votes.

The issue of Romi Konkani elevation is NOW OR NEVER. Tiatrists in Goa who are now shouting so loudly must move fast, take up this issue and follow their candidates wherever they go for election campaign and openly ask them what will be their decisions once they are elected. I know Tiatrists can do lot but many of them can do only on the Stage. Hence, Wilmix Mazarello, Prince Jacob and others must now gear up their campaign and prowl on every Congress candidate especially in Salcette and get sure assurance from them that they will support the issue of Romi Konkani in the Assembly irrespective of their party manifestoes. Democracy is now coming into the lap of every voter. It is the golden opportunity for every voter to show his or her power now. DEMOS KRATIA – Peoples Power – must rule supreme. Come on tiatrists mainly from Salcette. Take up your guts and wisdom and question your candidates on this topic loudly and openly otherwise dump them all into the gutter.

MEANTIME, ASK FR. CONCEICAO WHO IS A STRONG SUPPORTER OF ROMI KONKANI THIS QUESTION: HELLO FR. CONCEICAO!! YOU ASK PEOPLE TO SUPPORT MAUWIN GODINHO IN THE COMING ELECTION. WILL YOUR MAUWIN GODINHO IF ELECTED, SUPPORT THE CAUSE OF ROMI KONKANI IN THE ASSEMBLY IRRESPECTIVE OF WHAT HIS OTHER COLLEAGUES AND HIGH COMMAND AND LOW COMMAND OF CONGRESS TELLS HIM? Hello Fr. Conceicao!! YOU ARE TELLING THE VOTERS TO ELECT CONGRESS TO POWER. IF ELECTED, WILL YOUR CONGRESS OF CHORS, BAMTTE, CHIKANER, RAPIST AND LOOTERS SUPPORT THE ISSUE OF ROMI KONKANI? Otherwise, Fr. Conceicao, tum ani tuzo Retir gelo dobean BECAUSE YOUR SUPPORT FOR MORALLY CORRUPT PEOPLE WILL BE AN ACT OF ANTI-CHRSITIANITY. CHRSITIANITY DOES NOT PREACH THE GOSPEL OF SUPPORTING CHEATS AND IMMORAL. IF YOU DO THAT THEN YOUR "PADRIPON GAL DOBEAN". BY USING YOUR "PADRIPON" DONT MISGUIDE THE INNOCENT CHRISTIANS.

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.

A.