ON TAJ HOTEL & MUMBAI TERRORISM.

ON TAJ HOTEL & MUMBAI TERRORISM


As per the historical information, over a century back when the founder of Tata Busines Empire went to London and tried to check in one of the posh hotels there, he was refused entry because he was an Indian and not a white skinned man. In Britain some die-hard British were still believing in and practicing apartheid if not officially then at least in a disguise manner. When Tata asked the real reason for this negative answer, the Hotel management said Indians are not fit to stay in such a luxurious hotel. In an ensuing heated argument, Tata banged his hand on the Counter Table and demanded from the hotel management to quote him then and there the price of that hotel to purchase it outright. Annoyed by Tata’s demand and financial might, the hotel management to humiliate Tata in particular and Indians and blacks in general, put a board at the entrance of their hotel saying “Indians and Dogs Are Not Allowed”

Humiliated by this insult, Tata after returning to India, decided to retaliate and towards this direction constructed a beautiful and most luxurious Hotel in Bombay and named it as Taj Mahal. Then exactly in a retaliatory manner put a big name plate at the entrance of his new hotel saying “Dogs and British are Not Allowed”. The colonialists British irked by this move by the owner of Bombay Taj tried to bring pressure on Tata to change his attitude even approaching Nehru to impress upon Tata to change his mind but Tata remained firm even by suffering heavy losses due to the absence of British and Western clientele.

Bombay Taj was like a home for many of the Goan employees whom Taj management had unique affection for their dedication to hard work faithfully and diligently. Many of the high and low grade employees of Bombay Taj since its inception were Goans and it was they who put a strong base to Bombay Taj a century back. Best of the Goan musicians who played beautiful music were engaged by the Taj. Chef Mascharenhas from Anjuna and Pastry Chef Pasku from Sangolda were the two pillars of Taj and they both worked for a longer period there inspite of attaining the retirement age. It is these two finest Chefs who helped Taj to attain the highest standard that finally made Taj what it was. As a matter of fact, Chef Mascharenhas was never retired, instead he was retained till his last days not only as an employee with all the facilities but kept as a guest of Taj. Both these two stalwarts were not graduates of any Cateering College but they were graduates of the cooking skills they inherited from their parents. They were the real geniuses in their professions and both good hearted persons having lot of compassion befitting the tradition of Tatas.

The love for Goans by the Tatas can be well described in the following paragraph:

Sinquerim Taj in the jurisdiction of Candolim Panchayat was the first 5 Star Hotel of Goa. When it was made operational in early seventies, Sinquerimg Taj management contrary to the assurances given to the locals and Goans for preferential treatment in the matter of employment, gave preference for outsiders. I as a young revolutionary of my locality and still reading for Post Graduation at Panaji, and along with my colleague, during his maiden visit to Goa to step his foot on his Goa Taj, stopped JRD Tata’s Mercedes at Sinquerimg and disclosed to him how Goans were denied jobs in his newly opened Sinquerim Taj by his unGoan and anti-local management. Knowing this, JRD Tata the Chairman of Taj Hotels Co. was infuriated and shocked to know that Goans were denied jobs and immediately on the same night called an emergency meeting of his top personnel and set the things right for Goans in employment. And as a mark of protest against his lop sided management, abruptly left for Bombay instead of spending his holiday in Goa for a few days. This was the love and affection Taj shown to Goans. In appreciation of my boldness to fight for justice for the locals, I was offered a good job at Taj Sinquerim but I politely turned down this offer.

During those days, employing at Taj means a great honour. Many of my friends were engaged at Taj and I always used to make a point to go and meet them during their working hours. In this way, I was familiar with Taj not only with its delicious food but also many of its staff. According to information available at least 3 Goan employees of Taj were killed by the bullets of the terrorists in the current hijacking of Taj Hotel Mumbai. All of them were Christians. Besides them there must have been some more Christians who laid down their precious lives in this war on terror and still more must have been involved in one way or the other in helping to overcome the current trauma faced in Mumbai. I am proud of their sacrifices and efforts they put in for the sake of Mumbai and India. Once again they proved to everyone that for the sake of India they are ready to do supreme sacrifices. Those Indians who were killing Christians and doubting their patriotism should know that Christians are also as great patriots of India as any other greatest patriot.

By the way, when this war was going on against terrorists, I was surprised to see total silence from Thackerys and their Shiv Senas. Where have the Siv Sainiks gone during this crisis in Mumbai? Why the Thackarys and their armies of Sainiks could not come out openly and face the bullets of the terrorists? Why could they not challenge the brute might of the Pakistani Muslim terrorists? They know to challenge only the Indian Muslims, like cowards. It is the North Indians, South Indians and Christians who faced the bullets of the terrorists and became martyrs for the sake of India. Where are the fanatic Hindus who were telling Christians that they are an-tiindians? The patriotism of Shiv Senas and their Sainiks and that of those who were killing Christians proved to be nothing but bogus patriotism.

With this terrorist attack, will such incidents come to an end? Never! As long as our political administration is in the hands of politicians with dubious character nothing will change in India for the good of the people. I will not be surprised to know at a later date that the recent terrorists who came from Pakistan were supported by some of our own politicians who do not care for India and Indians. The security of India will always remain vulnerable as long as crook politicians are at the helm of affairs. The biggest anti-nationals are some of the Indian politicians. What a shame it is for the Indian political system to allow politicians who were earlier convicted for crimes, anti-social activities and other illegal activities such as killings, smuggling, looting and robbing to contest the elections? How can these rogues give upright and judicious governance? Unless there is a change in this system thru constitutional amendment, if required, India will be ruled by rascals only who will remain hand in gloves with the terrorists.

Blaming Pakistan for these terrorist acts is not enough. Even though we have diplomatic relations with Pakistan at governmental level but still innumerable common Pakistanis are not friends of India. These Pakistanis will always love to damage India and Indians. They have hurt feelings. They still remember the trauma Pakistanis and Muslims in the Indian sub-continent were made to suffer during the partition of India in 1947. The wound was healed but mark will never. They still remember the humiliation they suffered because India dismembered Pakistan and created Bangladesh from East Pakistan. Pakistani Muslims feel that their Muslim brothers and sisters in India are persecuted. Babri Masjid incident is very fresh in their minds. Gujarat torturing of Muslim under Modi is yet another incident that hurt the ego of Muslims. These and many more such incidents create hatred into the minds of many Pakistanis for India and Indians. The result of this hatred is what we saw in Mumbai where we nor those Hindu fanatics who harass Muslims could do nothing to prevent. Those who were responsible for demolishing Babri Masjid and harassing Indian Muslims were turned silent spectators and remained hidden under the petticoats of their wives when Pakistani terrorist attacked Mumbai where none of the Hindu Shiv Sainiks nor BJP’s prominent personnel was killed. On the contrary Goan Christians were killed when they were innocent in order to save Thackerys “amchi” Mumbai.

The Pakistani Muslim terrorists do not care for dying. They made total mockery of Indian intelligence system. They are brain washed to die in the name of their religion by their false religious gurus. Islam does not accept killing of innocent people. Homicide and suicide are not accepted, they are both against the will of God. But militants are made to believe that their religion accept these cruelties. By committing such anti religious acts my Muslim brothers are creating a bad image of their Muslim religion which is otherwise really a great and compassionate religion. Islam has its greatness and beauty. Those Muslims who are upright in their belief must in unison condemn such barbaric acts of terrorists and declare such acts of terrorism are the sinful acts and against Islam.

Meantime, Hindu fanatics must stop acting like dadas of India and stop harassing Indian Muslims and other minorities and also stop retaliating against Muslims though Indian Muslims are not always right. Indian Muslims feel insecure under the brute majority of fanatic Hindus where Hindu fanatics like Thackerys and BJP feel India belongs to Hindus only. However, in the process of defending Indian Mumbai from the hands of Pakistani terrorists, along with others, Indian Christians, Sikhs, Muslims and other minorities too fought bravely. It is proved now thru this process that Indian minorities are also great patriots.


A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.


.

ON FIRST DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF MRS. FELIX MENDES.

According to Tiatrologists especially the elders with whom I came in contact very often, Anthony Mendes was considered as the best comedian of Konkani Stage, of all time. Those who have seen him acting on the Stage will surely admit this fact as I have admitted after watching him and comparing him with others of his time and those after him. When he died about 44 years back the Konkani world in general and Tiatro world in particular fell into total silence. All his three sons were young then doing their schooling, so too his two daughters. The onus for their upbringing naturally fell on Mrs. Anthony Mendes who with the help of God did her duty towards her five children excellently. With the exception of his yongest daughter, all the other four children of Anthony Mendes turned out to be excellent Tiatrists. If Chris Perry attained major success in his second Tiatro again with Lorna on the forefront, it was mainly because of all the Mendeses, namely Felix – Xavier – Derrrick & Theresa. Soon after the death of Anthony Mendes who was scripting his Tiatro and due to his sudden death left it unfinished, his three sons took the mantle of his late father and they themselves completed the unfinished Tiatro of their father and staged it in Bombay and all over Goa. In this Tiatro all the three youthful and baby faced sons of the late comedy wizard wearing black pants and bluish shirts rendered such a sorrowful trio on their beloved late father that many in audience moisted their eyes with tears while listening to this trio. As a young boy I was one of them too in th e audience. Some of the members of the audience were heard even murmuring thus “sarke paichech baxen tondan, chodd korun modlo ani daktto. Churchure poranche, burgeponniruch pai melo, Devan tankam voir kaddche”. No doubt, they enjoyed enormous sympathy for them because of their father yet I can rightly say that they have inherited lot of excellent qualities of their father and put these qualities into practice they have worked tremendously. It was due to their sterling hard work they reached to the top on Konkani Stage. When they left India for Kuwait they were darlings of the crowd. The vacuum they have created on Konkani Stage in Goa and Bombay has still remained unfilled and as a matter of fact it will never be filled.

As per the information available during those days, their mother was very instrumental in encouraging and supporting her sons in climbing the ladder of Tiatro though the late Anthony Mendes was heavily opposing his sons to enter the Konkani Stage. So much so, as per yet another source, he did not even want his sons to watch him acting nor watch any other Tiatro. For over a decade after the death of their beloved father, Mendes brothers ruled supremely over Konkani Stage. Their trio entry on the Stage would turn the packed Hall and “Mattou” into thunderous applause. This was the rare gift from God any Tiatrists could enjoy and Mendes brothers surely come into this rare gift. Tiatro business is like an industry now and it is a very much money making profession unlike w hat it was during those days, thirty years back. Money is the need of the hour for all and taking this need into consideration Mendes Brothers migrated to Kuwait one after the other in mid seventies, first came the younger Derrick somewhere in 1976 followed by him immediately the middle one Xavier and the eldest Felix who is respected by all in the family as a fatherly figure. They all brothers first time acted together on Kuwait Konkani Stage in 1977 at Keefan Hall where they captured the hearts of every attendee by their sheer stage genius.

When I formed in Kuwait “Novem Goem Pratishthan Kuwait Somiti” in 1978 to raise funds for the establishment of People’s Konkani Daily Newspaper “Novem Goem”, my rapport with Mendes Bros. enhanced tremendously because they as great lovers of Konkani, Goan culture, tradition and also as topmost Tiatrists in Kuwait having tremendous respect in Society, had great influence on Novem Goem move in a positive direction. Before the establishment of Novem Goem move, they all assured me in one of our meetings of their full support for the establishment of People's Konkani Daily. In view of this they all three brothers acted free of charge for two Tiatros we organized in Kuwait during that time to raise funds for Novem Goem. Their contribution f or the cause of Konkani will remain in the history of Kuwait Goans as excellent. I needed them for the promotion of our activities and Konkani Mae needed them to raise funds for Konkani Daily. They fulfilled their obligation towards Konkani which gave them so much of name and fame.

While they were actually and practically helping and cooperating with us, their wives namely of Felix “Pia Mendes” and that of Derrick were the great source of inspiration for them. Xavier was still a prized bachelor then. Purely on Goan tradition they were all staying together as a well knit homogenous family entity. Their family unity was worth admiring and emulating. My first contact with Felix wife the late Pia Mendes started during this period since I was regularly frequenting their place to discuss the issue of Tiatros for Novem Goem and since Mendes Bros. were playing a major role, my meeting with them at their place was imperative. Whenever I entered their house, along with her husband she used to welcome me with broad smile and purely in Goan tradition would offer me soft drink with sweets and other eatables and leave me and Mendes Bros. to discuss our topic without interfering in our discussion. This was yet another excellent attribute of pristine Goan tradition. As I know her she was very affectionate but a reserve woman. A soft spoken woman she would like to listen to my talk whenever it was possible. She always showed her love for Goa, Konkani and Tiatro. Her amicable approach to me as a guest always made me at ease with Mendes Bros and because of this attitude in her I managed to play my role for the betterment of Konkani and Tiatro along with Mendes Bros. She was the woman with superlative qualities first as a wife to Felix with total reverence to him and secondly as a caring loving mother to her children. With her majestic physical stature and attractive characteristics she made Mendes family more majestic and more attractive. In her death last year, Mendes Brothers lost one of the p illars of their family. May God give courage to Felix, his children, his brothers and sisters and everyone in their family to bear this colossal loss at an young age. I have no more words to express except to say “Thank You Pia” for always affording me nice treatment at your place like your own brother. May Her Soul Rest In Peace.

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.

PIA MATILDE MENDES
Born: 11 October 1952
Died: 01 December 2007

There will be a holy mass on Monday, 1st December 2008, 6.30 pm, at Holy Family Cathedral Church - Kuwait City for the soul of late PIA (PIEDADE) MATILDE MENDES, belowed wife of Felix Mendes, mother of Anthony, Melisa, Vanesa & Savio; Grand-Mother of KATLYN; Mother-in-law of Lizelle and Christopher. Sister - in - law of Xavier/Thresa Mendes, Derreck/Adeline Mendes, Thresa/David Fernandes and Emilia/Zachria Rodrigues.

The bereaved family requests all their relatives and friends to kindly accept this as the only intimation.

TIATRO "KUWAIT SODDUN VETANA"

TIATRO

ROSARY FERNS PRESENTS HIS NEW KONKANI TIATRO

"KUWAIT SODDUN VETANA"

On 16th January 2009 at Hawally Hall, starting at 3.30 pm

One of the visiting artistes who till recently was a resident artiste in Kuwait will be Marcus Vaz. Well known for his excellent songs such as solos and trios and also a noted playwright, Marcus Vaz will play a major role in this Tiatro and render solos and trios with his visiting artistes namely Lawry Travasso and Francis de Tuem and also a trio with ??? to satisfy the tastes of his fans.

Besides Marcus Vaz, other top visiting artistes who will delight the audience will be Political singer Francis de Tuem, New Melody King Lawry Travasso, top comedians Selvy & John D'Silva and charming and youthful Bushka.

The local artistes are Irene, Raina, Clara, Cajitan de Sanvordem, Sylvester Vaz, Xavier Furtado, Laurente Pereira, Joseph Rodrigues, Bernardo, Katty de Navelim, Clifford Pereira, Salu Faleiro, Bab Agnelo and Rosary Ferns.

Musical score will be provided by Shahu.

GOAN MUTATIONS - 5.

GOAN MUTATIONS-5.
By Valmiki Faleiro.

The computer age is upon us. For about two decades, computers have made life easierand simpler for users. But, in the case of Goa’s government, results have been opposite.Insofar as computerized land records and mutations go. As I said before, now it is morelike jets being flown by bullock-cart drivers. In the business of making plots from 1984, I added an USP by getting mutation andpartition of survey records done for my clients, almost free. Because individually, clientsfaced a lot of harassment even in those pre-computer days. As it involved a single sub-divided property with a common survey number, I moved asingle application of behalf of my clients.

If a property was sub-divided into 50 plots, nowowned by 50 people, a joint application got the mutation done in about one month’s time.The longer process of partition took about four months. Both done manually. Then came computerization. (I’ve written here about the mess of digitized survey maps,Jan 29-Feb 12, 2006.) Computerization, Goa government style, made mutations neitherfaster nor easier, but achieved the contrary. What could previously be done with a single application (for 50 plot owners) was no longer possible. Thanks to flawed software, privately sourced at substantial public cost, by someone in a hurry. The software rejects a common mutation Case No. for multiple applicants, even whenthe Survey No. is common. One must now move 50 separate applications. Fifty timesthe paperwork, 50 different cases, 50 times the time taken to do what previously wasdone manually. Or computers in reverse gear. Much like replacing the good old bullswith jet engines – to drive the same bullock cart, retrogressively.

I wrote to the Revenue Secretary. He forwarded my letter to the Collector. Who in turnforwarded it to the Dy. Collector. You’d have heard the adage, “Dhonian sanglemchakrak, chakran sanglem sunneak, sunnean sanglem xempdek.” Need is the mother of invention. I carefully re-read the Land Revenue Code and rules.And discovered that partition could be done u/Sec.59(c) once the sub-division was fullyapproved. It meant that each plot would have its own survey number and Form I & XIV.All the purchaser would need to do is transfer the plot to his name – with just one notice,to the Vendor (me.) I applied to the Director of Settlement & Land Records. Explained how this single actwould save time and money both for government and plot purchasers. How it would entirely avoid 50 separate partition cases at four different public offices – Dy. Collector,Mamlatdar, Talathi and his own – and save mountains of paper, files and processes.

The incumbent was the same corrupt bloke from Andhra Pradesh, who messed up thesurvey map digitization. Despite powers clearly vested in him under law, he wanted meto cite a case where this was done before. I asked him to set the precedent. He refused.Because doing that would forestall a multiplicity of future partition cases. More thepartition cases, more the bribes! The man, back in the old post, proposes to set up an “Integrated Land Records” system.Laudable, albeit diametrically opposite to his known actions (as in the case above.) Henow wants software to be developed and hardware to be procured – all of which (markmy words!) will come from Hyderabad, as botched as the digitized survey maps. Hishare-brained minister will be satisfied with crumbs. All this tall talk when existing procedures in his department are woeful.

Take just one instance. Original PT Sheets are retained at HQ in Panjim. Partitions at Taluka level arecarried out on copies – that are not transcribed in the originals at HQ. What the limbs dothe head does not know. But can one blame only officials? They reflect their masters, our elected ‘honourables.’Are these better? Could the Revenue Minister be expected to be even interested in theproblems, much less learn and understand them and come up with some solutions?Then again, can we blame the MLAs/Ministers? Who elects them, time and time again?(Concludes.)

PS: Dr. Antonio Mascarenhas, a senior scientist, relates how his mutation hangs for 17months before the Salcete Mamlatdar. Despite death certificates, “notices” were sent tohis long-deceased uncle and three aunts … ask not where the notices were served! PPS: Nikhil Purov, a friend from Mumbai, said this to my comment on the TOI ad line,'Bum Fodo Inam Jeetho' (Nov 9): “The new Reliance DTH slogan says, ‘Ho tho Big Ho.’A Marathi TV ad says ‘Asava ter Motha Asava.’ Both mean, if you have it, it must be big.Neither elucidates what must be big.” (ENDS.)

The Valmiki Faleiro weekly column at:

Holy Family Choir Annual Parents' Day on 28 Nov 08

The Holy Family Choir will celebrate their Annual Parents' Day 2008 with a Musical Programme entitled 'THE WISE FOOLS' on Friday, 28th November 2008 at the Holy Family Cathedral's Sacred Heart Hall - Kuwait City @ 7:00 p.m.

A variety of programs in English and Konkani including rib- tickling comedy skits will be staged during the event.

All parishioners are cordially invited..!

WHERE IS GOA GOING? OR IS IT ALREADY GONE?!

WHERE IS GOA GOING?
OR IS IT ALREADY GONE?!

I am not referring to the territory of GOA which, it is said, Parasuram got it from the gods by getting the Ocean to recede from the Ghats up to the line where his arrow "bann" would fall, presently known as Bannaule (Port:Benaulim), I am referring not to the territory but to the culture which is known as the Goan Culture and
which actually stands for Goa.

People from all over the world flock to Goa not so much for the sake of its land and shores as the agents and some writers portray on the papers but specially foreign people and outsiders flock to Goa rather because of its culture which makes Goa different and attractive in comparison to other parts of India.

There is warm sun shine and healthy air and white sand not only in Goa. For example Chennai has got one of the beautiful white sand beaches one would admire, the Marina Beach, but one cannot go for a stroll on it neither may one sit quietly anywhere on it. Why? Because of the culture of the people who do not keep it clean and usable. There is a beautiful white sand beach just outside Goa in Karwar with lots of tube lights to illumine it but no one may take a walk nor go and sit on it. Why? Because the culture of the people there does not allow it to be used for walks, games or leisure. At Benares or Varanasi where the River Ganga gives a vast turn, in the evening the sunset is really beautiful but one cannot go to the river bank for a stroll for one is unable to walk on the bank and why? Because the culture of the people there do not keep it clean for use.

This is a serious affair and we, all genuine Goans ought to reflect seriously on it, the precious Goan culture we have inherited. When we were born in Goa the land where we were born did not make much difference. What did make the difference is the culture we absorbed from our parents, in the midst of our families. When we were born our minds were blank, we did not know a thing, we could not recognize even our mother and father, but the way we perceived the touch that cared for us, and the one who cared for and fed us and embraced us lovingly, the sounds we heard, the ways of dealing with one another we imbibed the values which were imbued into us, formed the world view and the resulting culture of Goa which finally made us to be what we are in later life.

For any intelligent observer this Goan culture is based on the Ten Commandments of God which are encapsulated in the two Commandments of love of God above all things and love of neighbour as God wants it. This is the culture, really Goan culture which is so powerful and effective that it embraced and influenced all Goans whether Hindu, Muslim or Christian. This is the culture that made the difference between the behaviour of Goans, no matter what faith they belonged to, and the non Goans living elsewhere in India. This is the culture which made us trust one another even to keep our windows open though we had no grills at the time and the doors unlocked. This is the culture which made parents who had no male siblings in the house, entrust their delicate and beautiful daughters to the care of a chaperon who took them to functions, even to dances and brought them back safe and unmolested. And this is the Goan culture which became known throughout the world for example in San Paolo,Brazil, Brazilians pointed that difference to me referring to the Goans settled there, and this is the Goan culture which made or led the foreign mothers from highly developed Nations to entrust their precious daughters to goans without any qualms of conscience. But oh shame and misery I never dreamt of! to find these mothers instead of being thanked and honoured for making us aware of what our Goan culture really was and what it is turning out today, shame and misery I say and repeat it, to find among us individuals who instead of thanking them, judge and condemn them! to the point of saying publicly that a woman is 'after all only a chunk of flesh"! How could we go so low in our standards!

If we need even more evident proof of what our Goan Culture is, we can take our 'Manddo'. Manddo is both a song and dance. We all love it. But did we ever reflect on the way the dance of Manddo takes place? How respectfully the lady is invited by the gent to the floor. The way they dance without ever coming in close contact with one another. How the lady is dressed, with a long colourful dress known as the 'pano bajoo' Compare this way of dancing to both Indian dance and the western dance and one who is a serious, unbiased observer will readily acknowledge that there are some precious values behind or rather which led the Goan people to invent this type of dancing, an evident symbol of the typical Goan culture.

Today many of us who feel unbearable revulsion from our guts upwards and are revolting and feeling really disgusted by the way our typical culture is being ruined and how Goa is being disgraced in the eyes of the whole world, instead of burying our heads in the sand or instead of trying to run away from the miserable situation, we got to get together, we are bound to gather our wits and enforce regional parties formed of genuine Goans who care, barring all others though Goans and opulent but who do not care for our culture. It is hard for me to say, but yes, fact cannot be denied that all this misery has been spawning during the last few decades when the National Parties, have been ruling Goa. Time has come to foster our own regional ones. The National Parties which have been ruling Goa for some decades now, have only promoted one way or another the decadence of our culture for apparently such Parties rule Goa from outside ignoring what Pandit Nehru had said that our Goan identity was to be preserved. Are we to close our eyes and ears when for example, the law about the Casinos is being openly flaunted: aren't these to be off shore? Are these now off shore? Instead of enforcing the law, a dock has been built to keep Casinos very near the shore. What a shame! So many Villages of Goa are being plundered by those in power, taking bribes to allow mega-projects despite genuine villagers' objections. For allowing mega-projects bribes are taken but there are no bribes to improve the infrastructure so nothing is done about improving the infrastructure for there is no one to give bribe there! What a shame! The paddy fields which are going to be most needed today specially due to the universal economic meltdown and the resulting in un- employment are not cared for. Surely just as in foreign lands, many of our educated individuals wearing their hats and boots can use a tractor and make those fields yield plenty of precious food which is becoming scarce and costly. Lawyers are being bought. Those who stand and protest the wrongs, these are being prosecuted. What a travesty of justice. All injustice is being covered up, Justice being compromised, use of drugs and free sex being promoted all because there is an inflow of hard cash. Vote-Banks are fostered. By shouting out that in Politics there are no permanent friends and foes loyalty goes unrewarded and is replaced with disloyalty. In this miserable situation I appeal to all genuine Goans who care to come forward and promote honest and straight individuals who will not bend to the allure of corruption, and reinforce the Regional Parties. Providentially we got two Regional Parties now, the Su-Raj mostly in the North and the UGDP mostly in the South and thus get ourselves ready to heal the bleeding wounds of the honest Goans and generate the force needed to bring about the needed change. Here is where gifted man Dr.Oscar Rebello with the powerful GBA movement he spearheaded can and should discover, encourage the right individuals, genuine and dedicated Goans, men and women of integrity, who will definitely bring about this change.



FR. ANTONIO RODRIGUES C.Ss.R.
ALTO PORVORIM.GOA.403 521
dasyagoa@yahoo.co.in

Introduction:
Fr. Antonio Rodrigues is a member of the Redemptorist Congregation. He lives at the Redemptorist House, Alto Porvorim. He has founded DASYA which is a Registered Society to empower women who want to work to spred God's Kingdom.It is run by dedicated women. It is a Holistic Counselling Centre where people flock in their needs. Though he is a Priest and a Ph.D. first of all he is a genuine son of Goa and the days' situation in Goa makes him cry and one result of it is the above write up. Fr. Rodrigues may be contacted at 2417586

floriano
www.goasu-raj.org
9890470896

Courtesey: Florian Lobo - Goa Su-Raj Party.

GOAN MANDO RENDERED IN KUWAIT.

One of the items performed on 23rd October 2008 for Colva Nite was a much sought after Mando “Menino Jesun Ekttaim Kelim”. Composed and directed by Rosary Ferns and rendered by Bab Agnelo, Clara Rodrigues, Xavier Lobo, Dabbie Lobo, Rosary Ferns and Maria Rodrigues. Richard Rodrigues provided the musical score. It was an original Mando rendered in different voices with all round Goan touches.

First Death Anniversary - Pia Mendes

PIA MATILDE MENDES

Born: 11 October 1952

Died: 01 December 2007

There will be a holy mass on Monday, 1st December 2008, 6.30 pm, at Holy Family Cathedral Church - Kuwait City for the soul of late PIA (PIEDADE) MATILDE MENDES, belowed wife of Felix Mendes, mother of Anthony, Melisa, Vanesa & Savio; Grand-Mother of KATLYN; Mother-in-law of Lizelle and Christopher. Sister - in - law of Xavier/Thresa Mendes, Derreck/Adeline Mendes, Thresa/David Fernandes and Emilia/Zachria Rodrigues.

The bereaved family requests all their relatives and friends to kindly accept this as the only intimation.

GOAN MUTATIONS-4. By Valmiki Faleiro.

GOAN MUTATIONS-4.

By Valmiki Faleiro.

Mutation, in law, is meant to be a simple process. But, your saga with a mutation application has been neither simple nor short. You’ve crossed the first two major hurdles: of getting your application entered in the Mamlatdar’s office and serving notices on the respondents. Don’t be euphoric about being close to the finishing line! There’s more in store. Enter the Circle Inspector. In babudom, he is one step higher than the Talathi and one rung lower than the Mamlatdar, even if he fancies himself to be more important than Digambar Kamat. You can’t blame the poor chap: his Mamlatdar regards himself as the President of the Republic.

By now, you’ve finished bribing everyone from peon, clerks, Talathi to Mamlatdar –but you haven’t yet “met” the Circle Inspector. Once all Form-X notices are served, and the Talathi finds the time to ‘put up’ your file, he is the bloke who checks your papers. He could come up with “objections” that are limited only by his imagination. Putting civil-law advocates to shame, he could solemnly pronounce that your Sale Deed is“defective.” How does one argue with a man who might have never heard about a Transfer of Property Act and would be as alien to the conventions of conveyance?

Permit me to share my personal experience at the Quepem Mamlatdar’s office. I am not easy with demands for bribe. I was told that sale deeds executed by me conveying title to my clients (on whose behalf I filed the bunch of identical mutation applications) were “defective.” When asked how, he pointed out to the first recital in the deeds, which described the entire property under its two Survey numbers. “How do I know which plot pertains to which Survey number?” he asked, a wee bit triumphantly. I took him to the annexed schedule that fully identified the plot sold to each mutation applicant by its specific survey number. “This must be mentioned in the main deed,” he said. So I took him to the first operative clause of the sale deed, which mentioned the plot’s survey number. He mumbled something under his breath. I smilingly said, “You are well conversant with conveyancing.” He smiled back. Both smiles were as spurious. Mine, because he knew crap about drafting sale deeds. His, for failure to browbeat a bribe from me. After some weeks, I was told that copies of my wife’s Power of Attorney were not attached.

Revenue officials are concerned only with names appearing in Form I &XIV, not with wives. In this case, only my name appeared. My wife was co-Vendor in the deeds by virtue of ‘communion’ of assets of husband and wife under the Portuguese Civil Code. Even if two of my plot purchasers had earlier got their mutations done without attaching copies of my wife’s Power of Attorney, I complied with this legal absurdity.They must have realised I was a hard nut. No further “objections” surfaced. Forget ministers, its pointless asking even senior bureaucrats to rectify the procedural mutation mess. I tried. I wrote to the state’s Revenue Secretary (an IAS officer, no less.) Forget action, there was not even a reply.

(More in the concluding part next Sunday.) Instead of simplifying, methods have been devised to herd people towards Talathis and Mamlatdars. The authority that promulgated the Record of Rights in F. I&XIV, the district collector, himself has held (in a quasi-judicial order) that the value of F. I&XIV is presumptive and not a proof of title. Evidence of ownership lies elsewhere, as in a Sale Deed. Yet,in a recent fad, municipalities and panchayats have begun insisting that the owner of a plot produce the F. I&XIV showing his/her name before applying for construction licence – even when an attested copy of the Sale Deed (based on which F. I &XIV ismutated) is attached. Don’t ask me who frames such new ‘rules’. Only their purpose is clear. (“Zor roddtta pejek,” if you understand the old Konknni adage.) Harass and milk the common man. If Goa and her public treasury are milking cows for politicos, it is the ‘aam aadmi’ for officials down the line. The law, they say, is an ass. A reflection on the guys who make such laws … the same ones you and I elect, election after election. (Only don’t forget that when we compare laws, legislators and donkeys, we’re being patently unfair to donkeys.) The ‘aam aadmi’ has a way to escape bureaucratic mutation harassment. He must“meet” a minister. Only that, unless he is closely related by blood or by politics, he will end up paying more than what he would have paid to all in the Mamlatdar’shierarchy. (To conclude.) (ENDS.)

The Valmiki Faleiro weekly column.

FAKE FREEDOM FIGHTERS.

A Liberation From Lies: By Prabhakar Sinari.

06 November, 2003.

A systematic campaign is underway to distort and rewrite the history of Goa’s freedom movement. The RSS is trying to take belated credit for a struggle in which its role was, at best, marginal. This is being done with the patronage of the BJP-led governments in Delhi and Panaji. This ‘‘spin’’ cannot go unchallenged.

The campaign began in 2001, with the Centre flouting rules to bring 115 RSS men under the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension scheme. They were said to have liberated Dadra and Nagar Haveli, when historical records show underground groups from Goa and locals did so. Yet Home Minister L.K. Advani and Petroleum Minister Ram Naik presided over a function at Pune on December 10, 2001, where it was projected that the 115 RSS beneficiaries were the only liberators of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. The fighters from Goa and Daman who captured larger Portuguese forces were ignored.

The honouring of these RSS workers contradicted the Indian government’s affidavit in the International Court of Justice, the Hague, that no ‘‘Indian nationals’’ were involved in the Dadra and Nagar Haveli operation and that it was entirely an internal uprising against the Portuguese.
As a direct participant, I can say that Goans and Damanians, under the banner of the United Front of Goans, Azad Gomantak Dal (AGD) and Goan People’s Party accomplished the mission.
Dadra was liberated on the night of July 21, 1954, by a group led by Francis Mascarenhas, Woman Sardesai and 10 others (none from the RSS). Thereafter, the process of liberating Nagar Haveli began, under the aegis of the Azad Gomantak Dal. I was part of that team. We attacked the police post and the taluka headquarter on the night of July 28. We had 10 RSS volunteers with us. The AGD had worked out a clear understanding that the volunteers were participating as individuals and not RSS members.

We captured Naroli, Pimparia Post and then Silvassa. We learnt the administrator, Captain Virgilio Fidalgo and Lieutenant Falcao and Chefe Pegao had moved to Khandvel, on the southern side of Nagar Haveli, with a force of 150. While retreating to Khandvel, they were forced to halt at Rakholi for the night of August 2, since the Damanganga river was in spate. When the rains did not subside the next morning, they crossed all the same. The Portuguese set up rearguard defences on the other bank, while we were faced with the flooded Damanganga. I formed a unit of eight Goan volunteers and two from Daman. Early on August 10, with the help of a local ferryman, we crossed the furiously swirling waters, two at a time.

By noon we arrived at the outskirts of Khandvel. Though moving under cover of bushes, we knew we were being monitored. So we were not surprised when a hail of bullets greeted us. One group under the leadership of Prabhakar Vaidya charged the enemy positions on the left flank. I headed for the police post. When I saw Sub-Chefe Pereira firing at us, I took cover. At the appropriate moment, I pounced on him and snatched his stengun. He begged for his life. I stuck the stengun in Pereira’s back and got him to order his soldiers to lay down their arms. It took us two hours to disarm around 80 members of the Portuguese force. Most of them were drunk, demoralised and mortally afraid.

Sub-Chefe Pereira was holding up the rear, while his seniors led by Captain Fidalgo, Lieutenant Falcao and Chefe Pegao were on the run, hoping to sneak into Daman. When they learnt of Khandvel’s fall, they preferred to surrender to Indian authorities. Thus Dadra and Nagar Haveli were liberated.

There was not a single RSS volunteer with the United Front of Goans or the Goan People’s Party. It’s only the AGD that used their services. The number of such RSS volunteers would have been 40-45. Of these about 15, mostly from Talegaon arrived at Silvassa on August 3, 1954, after its liberation. They dragged out the priest of Silvassa church, disgracing the movement.

Morarji Desai, then chief minister of Bombay state, sent John Lobo, then deputy commissioner of police, to Silvassa. On his report, most of the RSS volunteers were removed from Nagar Haveli. Now it’s Goa’s turn to face the RSS spin. It is learnt the Centre has decided to sanction the Samman Pension 4,000 persons from Maharashtra and another 6,000 from other states. The logic: they had offered satyagraha in Goa, 1954-55. The reality is these 10,000 people were never actually able to participate in satyagraha in Goa. A few who could, like N.G. Gore and Shirubhau Limaye, are already recipients of pensions. The bulk of the satyagrahis could not even reach Goa’s borders because of a Bombay government ban.

The Centre can at best give these people a special certificate, not push them into the lifelong Swatantrata Samman Scheme. That would bring a bad name to the entire liberation movement. Some 1,500 local Goan freedom fighters are being equated with 10,000 or even more from outside.

(The author took part in the liberation of Goa. He later joined the IPS)

Courtesy: Mr. Florian Lobo of Goa Su-Raj Party.

AWARD INSTITUTED FOR FEMALE TIATRIST.

PRESS NOTE

Late Mrs Regina Fernandes a Goan from Raia, the wife of late Joao

Agostinho Fernandes known as “Pai Tiatrist “ ( r/o H No 306 Behind Holy

Spirit Institute Modsai Margao in whose name the 1150 a/c indoor stadium

at Ravindra Bhawan at Margao has been named ) was the first woman

to act on Konkani stage on 22/11/1904 in her husband’s tiatr “Bhattkara

de Panzare-I “ in Mumbai at a time when no woman would dare venture

on stage for fear of social stigma then.

To keep her memory alive and to encourage young educated women on

the Konkani tiatr stage, commencing this year 2008 the family of “Pai

Tiatrist” has instituted an award consisting of a momento and cash prize

of Rs.1000/-.

The award will be given to any lady of Goan origin adjudged the best

upcoming actress on Konkani stage, in the age group of 18 to 30 years,

and with minimum educational qualifications of XII in any faculty. The

award will be given only once to such lady.

This time round for 2008 the family has decided to confer the award to

any such lady selected from among the participants in the X annual All

Goa Tiatr Competition cum Mahotsav being held at the Holy Spirit

Grounds from 17th November, 2008 to 22nd November, 2008 from 7.00 p.m.

onwards organized by Vandana Productions Borim in collaboration with

Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi & Directorate of Art & Culture Goa

CARMO SANTOS FROM KUWAIT WRITES.

From: Santos Carmo
Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 9:59 AM
To: goa.kranti@gmail.com

Dear Mr. Tony Rodrigues,

Please don't use our young innocent school children for your dirty games. It looks like you are landed in Pakistan.

All our Indian Schools / Institutions are used to teach only good things and not bad things. Here in this particular case you are using our small children for your selfish interests. Allow our sweet and tender children to study well and be good doctors, engineers, lawyers, professors, religious leaders, mayors and politicians.

In Pakistan and Afganistan the governments have set-up Madrasas (Schools ) to learn how to use the guns against their enemies and go in the Terorists-way. This is the reason behind Pakistan and Afganistan. So Mr.Tony, don't go in dirty way. You can have a nice and decent dialogue with the government to solve the garbage problem.

Carmo Santos,
Kuwait.


PANAJI - The city councillors, teachers from the educational institutions in Mala/ Fontainhas ward, the 6,600-odd students from these schools and the residents of Mala, led by the Mayor, Mr Tony Rodrigues will oppose the International Film Festival of India 2008, scheduled to open in the city on November 22, if the government is unable to find a solution to the city garbage disposal problem.

However, I hope that there is 90 per cent chance of the government reaching a solution before November 22, which is a deadline set by us, the Mayor told the media on Wednesday.
Earlier in the day, around 350 students of the five educational institutions located in the Mala/ Fontainhas ward as well as situated along the Rua de Ourem creek poured a bucketful of garbage in the office of the Mayor denouncing the failure of the CCP in preventing the stench emanating from its anaerobic digester plant, at Patto. The students belonging to the educational institutions namely Peoples High School, Mary Immaculate Girls High School, Mushtifund Middle and Primary School, Dr K B Hedgewar High School and Seventh Day Adventist Primary School were accompanied by their teachers, principals and headmasters. They also lighted candles and agarbattis at the entrance of the CCP headquarters.

Interestingly, Mr Dattatray Ghanekar, the president of Mother Earth, a city-based NGO concerned with environmental and health issues, which in association with the Goa People�s Forum, earlier guided a morcha of the students from Mala to the CCP headquarters, said that neither the organisers of the morcha wanted the students to pour garbage in the office of the Mayor, nor had they asked the students to give any slogans against the councillors.

Some interested person misled a group of 40 students to enter the office of the Mayor and pour the garbage on his chair and table, he stated. Few councillors like Ms Carolina Po and Ms Regina Almeida, however maintained that the entire incident was pre-planned and the students carried garbage with them right from the starting of the morcha.

The teachers from these schools, later in the evening attended a meeting convened by the Mayor and apologised to him for the action of the students. The teachers also agreed to join hands with the CCP to pressurise the government for reaching a solution to the city garbage problem by November 22.

It may be recalled that the students of these particular schools are facing serious health problems including stomachache, headache, nausea, throat infections and so on since past few months, due to the stink generated by the garbage at the Patto plant of the CCP.

Meanwhile, the deputy Mayor, Mr Yatin Parekh said that the anaerobic digester plant, at Patto was set up by a group of councillors without taking other councillors as well as the public into confidence. The futility of the decision can be understood from the extreme step taken by the students, he added.

In another development, the city MLA, Mr Manohar Parrikar and the 9 opposition councillors at the CCP on Wednesday complained to the chairman of the Goa State Pollution Control Board, Mr L U Joshi that the CCP is still dumping the city garbage at Patto, despite stop orders from the GSPCB.

We request you to instruct the Panaji town police to conduct a thorough inquiry and also immediately stop illegal dumping of garbage, which has been causing severe health hazard to residents of Mala and students studying in educational institutions located in close proximity to the garbage treatment site, the complaint stated.

PRESS RELEASE FROM GOA SU-RAJ PARTY.

November 12, 2008

From:
Goa Su-Raj Party
H.O.: 383A Pirazona,
Moira-Bardez-Goa.



To:

The Editor/Admin,
Goa.KRANTI.


Sir,


The Goa Su-Raj Party denounces the brutal police action on the villagers of Colamb in Quepem taluka today, yet one more time for peacefully protesting against illegal mining operations in the area resulting in the depletion of their natural green cover and vital fresh water resources, a preoccupation that is bringing the people on the roads.

The Goa Su-Raj Party believes that Goa's rich mineral resources is the Gift of God to Goa and Goans. If it's extraction does not benefit the people, but on the contrary, it's mining operations makes their lives miserable, let these mineral resources lie where it is undisturbed and untouched, irrespective of whether the Government of Goa or the Central government likes it or not.


In solidarity with the people of Colamb

Sd/-
Floriano C. Lobo
General Secretary/Spokesperson
GoaSu-Raj Party
9890470896

Tiatro "Kuwait Soddun Vetana"

Rosary Ferns

All set

To Present

A Message……..

"KUWAIT SODDUN VETANA"

On 16th January 2009 at 3.30pm,Hawally, Kuwait.


Cast - All the way from Goa: Bhuska, Lawry Travasso, Marcus Vaz, Francis de Tuem, Comedian John D'Silva and Comedian Selvy.

From Kuwait: Cajetan de Sanvordem, Sylvester Vaz, Laurente Pereira, Xavier Furtado, Katty de Navelim, Joseph, Irene Vaz, Raina Azavedo, Clara Rod, Bab Agnel, Salu Faleiro, Clifford Pereira, Bernard ani Rosary Ferns.


Music: Shahu. Sound: John.

Re: ''POLITICIANS DADAGIRI IN GOA''

Dear Anthony Veronica,

With deep interest I read your article titled 'POLITICIANS DADAGIRI IN GOA' in Goa Kranti and was shocked to know the state of Goa now. What was Goa before and what it is now and in future it will never be the same. There is too much of politics going on and it has given rise to "DADAGIRI, DUDDUGIRI AND GOONDAGARDI''.

The recent sexual harasment cases of German girl by the politicians' sons have taken Goa by strom. It is absoletely true that politcian fathers do not correct their erring sons because they want their sons to live a luxurious life and commit the same sexual crimes in their hidden private bungalows and hidden private residental houses.

This does not mean that being the son of a politician he can exploit children coming from decent family background and misusing their fathers political power. They are the sons of their fathers and mothers and they are learning all these bad habbits from their parents who instead of correcting them they leave them on their own. Hence, these erring sons take advantage of their fathers' politcal power and ill gotten financial power too. I am sorry to say that if this type of dadageri continues then Goa will no longer be a safe place to stay for goans.

Veronica, I know you from your early age as we studied at Arpora School both together in the same class. You were always a smart boy in and outside class, all our teachers including the then great principal of the School Rev. Monsg. Philip Neri Mendonca used to like you very much both for studies and for sports. In athletics you were the top in Goa unbeatable. Did your son receive any inheritance from you? I understand he is one of the best Indian football players in Kuwait.

Veronica, your article is very wisdomatic, very informative and very bold. There is lot of genuineness in your writings. Nobody amongst the expatriates writes the way you write on Goa and Goans. Thru your indepth writings you show that you are a seasoned man on Goan political affairs. Your showing openly that you are a well read man. Your article you made more beautiful by introducing beautiful Konkani Sayings. Veronica, you are the same intelligent and smart as you were at Arpora. You are the only writer currently from Apora ex-students group that create impact on society. We ex Arporites are proud of you. Because of your writings goa-kranti is become a major force and major attraction and no other goan websites or goan blogs can compete with kranti. Even goanet is gone to secondary rung since you stopped posting your articles in goanet.

My suggestion to you. It is long time you worked in Kuwait. Decide now to retire and we have our solid group in Goa and in Bardez especially. All our ex colleagues are waiting to do something for Goa and they need a good person to lead and guide them. I assure you of our total support if you decide to quit. I am also intending to quit with many of my friends and colleagues.

The other earlier article 'POWER OF CHRISTAINS' is equally powerful. God has given you power and wisdom and blessing to write such powerful articles which shakes the might of the brute. Keep on writing and be truthful and sincere and the rest leave into the hands of God who will protect you. You are the only expatriate who so ferociously fighting for the cause of Christians.May God Bless you.

Day by day your writings in goa kranti enhancing the knowledge of all kranti readers and you are coming to the level of great writers. So keep up the good work. We require good persons like you to keep Goa floating.

Hope by reading your articles on goa kranti, the people of goa becomes alert and try to make improvements ,thus saving goa from sinking.

Thanking you,
JERRYCAL
Abu Dhabi

NRIs Goa-related grievances on property and other issues

From: Joe Fernandes jfx62@yahoo.com
Date: Nov 5, 2008

Dear Sir/Madam

Greetings from Goa! This is Joaquim Fernandes, Sr Correspondent, Times of India, Goa edition.

We understand from sources in the local NRI department (headed by Mr Eduardo Faleiro) that the non-resident Indians of Goan origin, in Canada and other parts of the world, have various Goa-related grievances. These may relate to their landed properties in Goa or other issues.

We also understand that the Goa government was contemplating a bill to help NRIs sort out their property issues. This bill has reportedly been referred to a ʽselect committeeʼ which has never held a meeting.

We would like to agitate this issue by publishing an article (maybe more) on this issue of NRI grievances.
If you can provide us details about your grievances with the Goa government, either individually or collectively, it would provide us data for our article/s.
Naturally, if the matter is subjudice in court, we might not be able to write about it.

We would appreciate if you could send us your inputs in this regard. Kindly specify whether you are willing to be quoted or not. You may write back either to this address or to joaquim.fernandes@timesgroup.com

Please feel free to circulate my mail among your Goan friends.

Thanks and regards
Joaquim Fernandes
Goa

The American borrow and spend system - II

India, China and Japan are carrying out coordinated rate cuts. Every nation is pumping liquidity, and making sure no more banks collapse. Everybody realises the two blunders that enabled this crisis to spin out of control: the fall of Lehman Brothers, and the bankruptcy of Iceland. Since then, no other dominos have been allowed to fall. Pakistan is being bailed out by donor nations and the IMF, and now Washington has extended a $30 billion swap line to some central and eastern European nations with tight liquidity.

India was the most pro-active in making a public statement that it would vote for Pakistan at the IMF and there wasn’t even a whimper of protest in a country where Gandhi was assassinated for insisting that Pakistan be merely paid what was its share of the kitty being partitioned. Two weeks from now, heads of states and finance ministers of G-20 will gather in Washington to brainstorm a more durable solution, and to search for the lessons and correctives.

And once again, when these 40 most important people in the world meet, they will not be debating any second or third alternative. They will only be sharing their ideas on what went wrong with globalised capitalism, and how to fix it. Nobody is throwing the baby, or even the bath-water. Yes, many aspects of capitalism will be fine-tuned, modified and made less prone to shocks. One truth this crisis has brought home to the most ardent fundamentalists of market capitalism is that you cannot wish the state away even from a most pristine free market. In so many countries the state has had to step into the breach, ring-fencing its banks, buying troubled assets, even guaranteeing corporate debt. No entity other than the stable, sovereign state could have stepped in to rescue the markets — and thereby modern capitalism — like this. Even capitalist ideologues, therefore, have to now acknowledge the power and vital need of the state. Not a control-freak, interfering state, but a vigilant, paternalistic one that trusts the markets and is willing to protect them when they are threatened by their own aberrations or excesses.

All systems would have their crises. Those with in-built openness and the ability to self-correct will emerge stronger. Others, more dogmatic and closed, would go into terminal decline, and die. That is essentially what happened with socialism. Its economics died a long time back, but because socialist states owed their power to ideology, they sought answers in distortions ranging from “fixed” but mythical currency values to “dollar” shops where foreigners could buy “essential” goodies like decent coffee, cheese and cigarettes, and then use it to bribe local officials. When wet-behind-the-ears German pilot Mathias Rust landed his tiny plane at Red Square, beating the entire Soviet air defence system, the joke in Moscow was he did not have to do very much: he merely painted the logo of Marlboro on the belly of his plane and every radar controller just waved him on. The Soviet system collapsed under the weight of these contradictions.

The Chinese have done better. They were more practical, embracing pure capitalism in their economics, and retaining socialism of sorts to maintain the Communist Party’s hold over power. Inevitably, however, they have created their distortions too. For example, one-country, two-systems, when they absorbed Hong Kong, but didn’t quite do so fully, allowing it not only free economics but also politics. As they deal with Tibet in years to come, maybe it will become one-country-three-systems, and then four with Taiwan, and so on. It will get much too complicated to be sustainable. Free market without democracy is one oxymoron and if a nation embraces one and abhors the other, something will have to give. So you can see the Chinese leaders, who have enormous wisdom and foresight, beginning to democratize, make adjustments.
That is because in this world, nobody wants to rock the boat. If a bank fails in Iceland, interest rates go up in India. If a company goes bankrupt in the US, all of the world rush to their banks to pull money out and bury it under their pillows. That is why they have all got together in a global meeting of minds — and commonality of national interest — never seen before in human history.

Postscript: There has been much talk on the “exotic” financial instruments that the hot dudes of the global financial herd created and that ultimately led to this collapse. But if you look back, perhaps the most exotic financial instrument ever invented was the Soviet rouble. Officially, its supposed value in the bank was 1.6 dollars. Of course no bank in Moscow would give that to you. But in Arbat, the tony shopping street, you would get 150 roubles to a dollar. No wonder then that not even a restaurant waiter or taxi driver would accept tips in his own currency.

Mercifully, barring one or two islands of such currency curiosities now, the rest of the world has moved on.

S.G - Indian

The American borrow-and-spend system - I

We have seen many global crises in our times, ranging from SARS to 9/11 and the subsequent global war on terror. In each case, a global response was called for, and it was delivered, with varying degree of success. Yet, many of these challenges were limited in their scope, sometimes by geography (SARS), and sometimes by the already existing power balance (war on terror). The current financial crisis is different. It involves much more of the world and touches people directly. Not only is this our most serious global crisis ever, it is in fact our first crisis of globalisation.

Almost a decade after Thomas Friedman wrote The Lexus and the Olive Tree and presented his idea of the new, globalised world pushing all nations to be in the same “golden strait-jacket”, billions who benefited from that process now face the consequences of its most serious downside. The same “global herd” of investors and finance professionals that Friedman said were driving this global boom are now villains, inspiring so many nasty internet and SMS jokes.

But also see the stunning globalised response to this crisis. True, a very large majority of nations cooperated on the war against terror. But ideology, national interest and domestic public opinion were always thereabouts, influencing their actions. Europe, even members of NATO, had grave doubts over the invasion of Iraq. Even on the anti-Taliban operations in Afghanistan, there were varying opinions, with most Europeans contributing no more than a token military unit. Most of Asia and Africa stayed out of it altogether, and even America’s Arab client states kept quiet. But on the financial crisis, there wasn’t a different voice except, most predictably, Hugo Chavez’s.

For decades now, it’s been fashionable as well as convenient for governments around the world to blame America for their problems. And today, America is, indeed, responsible for this global turmoil that threatens banks and credit markets in more than a hundred countries, endangering the investments of the rich, savings and pensions of the middle classes and the social support for the poor.

And yet there has been no name-calling. No world leader, not even Chinese or French, has said that his country, or the rest of mankind, has been delivered such a mortal blow by the madness of the American borrow-and-spend system. They are, on the other hand, getting together to find a solution. Governments as far apart as the US, Europe,...

...to be concluded.

S.G - Indian

Manfa’s New Offering for Bab Peter’s Fans.

-by Daniel F. de Souza

With the release of ‘Bab Peter’s All Time Favorites - Vol 2’ an audio album with 13 Konkani tracks, Manfa Music Margao has once again served an ace for all the diehard fans of the late singer of the Konkani stage. There is no doubt whatsoever that the fans of Bab Peter must have rejoiced at this development.

This audio album has 13 selected tracks comprising of solos, duets, trios and a quartet too. The producer has taken good care in selecting the songs which are surely going to have a mass appeal. The audio album begins with Bab Peter’s passionate solo ‘Namdeo Phadte’ a solo that will find favour with all sports loving Goans. Ophelia, Bab Peter and Babli then combine to render a lively trio ‘Dish Antenna’. ‘Tarvotti Combo’ is the next duet with vintage value, in the voice of the delectable Mohana and Bab Peter. This single duet on the audio album with some beautiful lyrics and good music is the pick of the lot. It is very rarely one gets to hear the voice of versatile singer and beautiful stage artist the late Mohana.

‘Noxib Futtko’ a touching romantic solo by Bab Peter is a beautiful rendition, followed by a hilarious trio ‘Soda Lau’ by Bab Peter, Ophelia and Emilian. ‘B.P.M.P. zalo’ is once again another good track on the album sung by Babli, Ophelia and Bab Peter. ‘Veguim Kazar Kor’ a duet by Babli and Peter, as well as ‘Khuddar’ a trio by Bab Peter, Titta and Ophelia bear the true stamp of Bab Peter’s composing and singing skills. Meaningful lyrics by Bab Peter for all the tracks are well complimented by equally good musical scores by three different music directors.
Babli renders a thought provoking solo ‘Tourist Centre’ on the overall tourism situation and influx of non-Goans in Goa. Ophelia and Bab Peter both combine in a duet ‘G’.O.A.N.’. ‘Katkutleo zatat’ a duet by bab Peter Ophelia, P.W.D. a scathing solo on the height of corruption in the Government department by Bab Peter, and ‘Shortage’ a quartet by Bab Peter, Ophelia, Emilian, & Capucina complete the beautiful album.

The music for the original tracks have been scored by renowned musicians Babush, Josinho, and Alfred Rose. And the CD album has been re-mastered using digital technology at the Magic Touch Studios, Margao.

It is pertinent to note that the compilation of some of the top hits of this versatile singer into a single audio CD album is a real bonus to Konkani music lovers and undoubtedly a collector’s item. The audio album is nominally priced at Rs. 150/- and is available at all the leading music stores in Goa and Mumbai. Bab Peter’s fans should not miss this golden opportunity of adding this wonderful album to their music collection which in all probability could be the favourite of the entire family.
________________________________________

‘Mhaka Sangat’ a qualitative telefilm

‘Mhaka Sangat’ a video tele-film produced and marketed by Manfa Video is creating waves among Konkani film lovers together with the many Konkani taitrs that are being staged this monsoon season. The tele-film is written and directed by Samuel Carvalho and the screen play is by Fabian G. da Costa. Incidentally this is the video version of the hit tiatr staged some time ago by the same playwright, but it has been filmed and picturised outdoors at appropriate locations.

The specialty of the film is the quality of its production in the video segment like all the other earlier productions of Manfa such as ‘Nikita, Daddy, Ghat Apleak Sontos Peleak etc. Another noteworthy aspect of this film is that the actors have given natural performances in their respective roles. Some outstanding performances comes from Mathew Araujo as the Inspector, Sharon Mazarello as the Sub Inspector, Meena Leitao as the mother, Samuel Carvalho as the Salesman, Pascoal Rodrigues as the betrayed husband, Roma as the daughter and Avon as the ill fated daughter in law. Professional mujsician and drummer, Xavier de Moira popularly known as ‘Paklo’ doing a guest appearance in this film steals your heart with his excellent role of a senior citizen speaking Konkani with his infallible Bardex accent. The comedy by comedians Agostinho as a small time thief and Selvy as the constable is enjoyable and evokes good laughter. Selvy is outstanding as the constable and his inherent talents at creating natural comedy are fully on display in this film. The other actors are Wilson Mazarello, Joaquim Cabral, Avon, Joaquim who too have played their roles well.

The telefilm besides the kantos has 4 special songs sung by Mathew Araujo, Joaquim Cabral, Roma and one comedy solo by T. Briton. The major part of the film is picturised in a posh bungalow besides some other appealing outdoor locations and the final sequence taking the film to its climax is shot in a courtroom. There are several parts of the film including the comedy is picturised at outdoor locations. They are well picturised and locations are picturesque. However, a fair amount of the story unfolds at the police station and it is here that the director should have given a little more attention in selecting the appropriate location to give the film a better impact. The set up of the police station does not at all look like one giving the viewer the impression that is it is shot indoors in some flat. A little more attention here could have certainly given further impact to the film.

The photography by Yogesh Mandrekar is professional and the fact that a lot of attention is given to the technical aspects and usage of technical gadgetry is evident as you view the film. Even the lighting used for enhancing the scenes at different locations including the time factor, is very professional and the same gives a fillip to the overall quality of the telefilm.

The story of the film is based on a middle class family and empahises on love, trust and betrayal and has a deep suspense which is reveled only in the final sequence. The music and background music by Norman Cardozo is soothing and fairly good. Pick an original copy of the VCD/DVD bearing the hologram of Manfa Music and discourage the scourge of piracy in this film segment.