Goan Memories of 2nd August...!
Goan Memories of 2nd August...!
Goan Memories of 2nd August...!
Goan Memories of 2nd August...!
Goan Memories of 2nd August...!
Part I2nd 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 were also caught unaware.
Goan community is one of the expatriate communities in Kuwait that gained so much from Kuwait. As a gratitude it was our duty to stand by Kuwait during its critical time. Hence, after returning back in October 1990 from invaded Kuwait, when all others failed to accept the responsibility inspite of holding responsible positions in Kuwait to lead Kuwait Goan evacuees, I came forward. And with the usual co-operation of my close associates I took an initiative to form Goa-Kuwait Solidairity Center to raise Goan voice by organising Public Meetings and Rallies against the invasion of Kuwait and in support of the liberation of Kuwait. By forming Goa-Kuwait Solidarity Center movement we again proved that we were capable of rising to any intellectual height.
I am a Konknnivadi and that too a proud Romivadi. My contribution for the cause of Konkani is second to none amongst the expatriate Goans spread all around the globe. Why amongst Goans only? I feel most probably none in the expatriate Konkani world has done what I have done. Amongst the expatriates, the biggest initiatives for the greater good of Goan World and Konkani World have been taken by me. Why biggest initiatives only? I have also supported biggest causes for the good of Goa, Goans and Konkani. Why I was successful in such decisions? Because my colleagues and supporters were very strong and they stood by me thru thick and thin till success was achieved. I feel proud that a Konknnivadi like me with the backing of all our Konknni supporters could move ahead and at a faster pace.
When I first came to Kuwait the semi literate, the intellectually bankrupt, the socially backward and all who suffered inferiority complex in life because of their intellectually poor family background were having poor opinion of Konknni and Konknnivadis. In me, in my colleagues and in my supporters they all found their opinions wrong and we proved to all of them that they were nothing in front of our intellectual might, knowledge, sincerity and dedication. We the genuine Konknnivadis proved our poor opponents that we are capable of doing wonders and in fact we did for the cause of our community. If at all Konknnivadis were looked down by some it was and it is because of the shabby nature of some of our Konknnivadis who are bringing Konknni into disrepute. We do not fall into their category.
One of the major achievements of our initiatives was the establishment of GOA - KUWAIT SOLIDARITY CENTER in Goa during the invasion of Kuwait. G-KSC was established in Goa on 3rd November 1990 to raise our voice against the invasion of Kuwait by the brutal Iraqi regime under the leadership of its dictator Saddam Hussein. The invasion of Kuwait was a big blow to all of us. It took place on 2nd August 1990. I was caught by the Iraqi soldiers early in the morning on that fateful Thursday below my building at 6.30 A.M. when I was going to work. I never knew Iraqi Military has already occupied Kuwait city.I could not believe my eyes when I saw the soliders manning the Kuwait city streets were really Iraqis. I could not accept the reality when I saw two Iraqi soldiers entering the Maliya Police Station by kicking the main door. On the road the entire vehicular traffic came to an abrupt halt. The Iraqi soldiers with gunpoint were pulling the drivers of the cars, buses and other vehicles out of their seats living the engines on only.
Till previous night everything seemed to be moving in right direction for Kuwait and suddenly in the next morning one comes to know that Kuwait was invaded by Iraq? Rubbish!! Unbelievable!! How can this be possible especially when Kuwait is a brotherly country, brotherly in race, religion, culture and tradition? Even though I noticed fully the invading troops of Iraq yet my mind was not admitting that Iraq has invaded Kuwait because in normal circumstances it is not possible to happen since both Iraq and Kuwait are members of UNO, Arab League and NAM which all forbid settling of bilateral disputes through the use of force. But Saddam Hussein and his Cabinet made mockery of all these great organizations established to prevent invasion of one country by the other.
Saddam Hussein, it looked, said to these organizations which came into being after the II World War, go to hell with your strictures and constitutions, I will do what I want. And in fact he did what he wanted to do. He did not even pay little respect for Organisation of Islamic Conference that prohibits use of force by a member country against another Muslim member country. Kuwait and Iraq are members of OIC. By invading Kuwait, Iraq a Muslim country hurt the sanctity of the edicts of OIC.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
To be concluded. ...
