Visiting Tiatrists in "KUWAIT SODDUN VETANA".

SEEN IN THE PICTURE ARE: ROSARY FERNS IN THE CENTRE SURROUNDED BY ALL THE VISITING ARTISTES FROM GOA, NAMELY: (CLOCOWISE): MARCUS VAZ, COMEDIAN SELVY, CHARMING AND YOUTHFUL BHUSKA, FR. NEVEL, COMEDIAN JOHN D'SILVA, FRANCIS DE TUEM AND LAWRY TRAVASSO.

All the above named artistes will be seen in the forthcoming Tiatro 'KUWAIT SODDUN VETANA" on 16th January 2009 at Hawally A/C Hall, starting at 3.30 pm. This Tiatro is written and directed by the well-known director Rosary Ferns.

In addition to the above named visiting artistes, the best selected local artistes will also participate in this Tiatro.

For Gate Passes, kindly contact Tony's GoldenShop at Maliya, Kuwait City. Tel. No. 99581491.

Also contact the organisers on tels: 99778995, 97193605, 66533229, 97643017, 97543017, 99531863 & 99745291.

IN REPLY TO- 47 YEARS OF BHARATI RULE IN GOA.

Re: 47 YEARS OF BHARATI RULE IN GOA.

Posted by: "AAssoc4994@aol.com" AAssoc4994@aol.com goancauses

Sat Dec 27, 2008 6:32 pm (PST)

Very informative and truthful article by Veronica.

We the Goans realize that Goa is our motherland, we must join hands in the unity to liberate from the slavery. We should afraid of indian police and military, India is falling apart into pieces, but before that we the Goans must take control before the islamic militants take it.The Goan politicians are corrupt, we must boycott the indian corrupt election process, peacefully we must surrender the corrupt Goan politician and recover all the loot. We must order indians who settled in Goa to leave. Our hopes, spirits and faith must be kept high, because this is your homeland that has to be freed from indian slavery. We must built a mandatory army of young soldiers to maintain law and order in Goa. We must work at international level to stop the diversion of madei river, that will otherwise go dry and kill our habatite.

Agnelo Gomes'
The Goancauses.

47 YEARS OF BHARATI RULE IN GOA._ (http://goa-kranti.blogspot.com/2008/12/47-years-of-bharati-rule-in-goa.html)

47 YEARS OF BHARATI RULE IN GOA.

On 19th of this month Goa marked the 47th anniversary of its liberation. The word liberation is a misnomer. The correct word should be the “CONQUEST” because according to the landmark judgment delivered by the highest court of India – The Supreme Court – on 19th December 1961 Goa was not liberated from the Portuguese but “Conquered” by Bharat from the Portuguese. Still to go one step further, a highly intellectual son of Goa, Fr. Philip Neri Mendonca, the then Principal of St. Joseph’s High School Arpora, Bardez, in his capacity as a layman and not as a Chief Justice of Supreme Court of India, stated that “on 19th December 1961, Goa was invaded by Bharat and was not liberated”. Bangladesh was liberated by Bharat and given to the sons and daughters of Bangladesh while Goa was not. Instead Goa was conquered and annexed to Bharat just as what Saddam Hussein did for Kuwait on 2nd August 1990 and annexed it to Iraq. Some Goan elders 47 years back said that Goa was “Robbed” from Goans by Nehru’s Bharat. Even some freedom fighters in Goa felt that Bharat should not have annexed Goa to it. And when I queried one of them further, he said that “WE AS FREEDOM FIGHTERS FROM GOA, ONLY WANTED ASSISTANCE FROM BHARAT TO GET RID OF PORTUGUESE FROM GOA INCLUDING INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN AGAINST PORTUGUESE RULE IN GOA BUT NEVER TO LEGALISE GOA ILLEGALLY AS PART OF INDIA”.

TIATRIST - CAJETAN DE SANVORDEM

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Cajetan de Sanvordem's first appearance on Kuwait's stage was in P. Jose de Colva's drama "Aiz Maka Faleam Tuka" in Keefan Hall in 1977, followed by Konkani dramas directed by Jenifer Rod, etc. Cajetan is also the president of Kuwait-Goa Tiatristanchi Sonvstha (KGTS).

CHALLENGE TO CHURCHILL ALEMAO.

Dear Mr. Churchill,

All the goans including myself will be very happy if you make your demands very clear and strong with the CM. Tell CM Kamat that you will resign from the cabinet as a MLA and as a Minister if CM Kamat don't give official status to KONKANI in ROMAN Script. This will prove that you really love our mother tongue KONKANI in ROMAN SCRIPT,GOA and GOANS.

Compliments of the seasons.

Carmo Santos


PWD Minister Churchill Alemao on Monday again made a strong demand for according official status for Konkani in Roman script on par with Konkani in Devnagiri script.He was speaking at the 2nd award ceremony organised by Konkani Songit Somajik Kala Kendr in memory of the Father of the Opinion Poll, Late Dr Jack de Sequeira for Goan Tiatrists and other personalities at the Gomant Vidya Niketan hall. Alemao said that Goan identity will be wiped out from Goa in the next 50 years if Konkani in Roman script is not given official status. Referring to the recent announcement by Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat that the government would provide Rs 15 lakh financial assistance to the Dalgado Konkani Akademi, Alemao said the CMʼs gesture is welcomed by the Romi script lovers, but reiterated that Konkani in Roman script should get its due officially status. Making a fervent appeal to the tiatrists to remain united and support the cause of Romi script, the PWD Minister said the tiatrists are responsible for preserving and protecting Konkani in Romi script in the State. Alemao also paid rich tributes to late Jack de Sequeira, for leading the movement to save Goa from the merger with Maharashtra. Leading personalities from the Konkani tiatr and footballers were felicitated at the hands of the PWD Minister

Celebration of Christmas

The writer Benyjane with her husband Anthony, and daughters Charlene and Darlene

BY BENYJANE FERNANDES KUWAIT / BENAULIM, GOA

How do we celebrate Christmas?

Christmas is not only decorating the house, making sweets, buying new dresses / shoes, going for parties, but the celebration of coming of Jesus Christ the Lord our Saviour in the world as an Infant to save us from sins / other evil things. We have to turn away from the sins, pride, Jealousy and other evils to welcome him in our hearts and home. This is the true celebration of Christmas.

How we prepared for this Christmas?

At the beginning of the Advent, we cleaned ourselves spiritually by going for confessions and prepared mentally and spiritually for the coming of our Saviour Lord Jesus Christ.

Two weeks ago we started decorating the house. Its takes a lot of time atleast 2 to 3 days to put the things in its place. One can feel the real joy specially the children while putting the colourful ornaments on the Christmas tree and other decorations too. You can see a complete change in the hall. O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree! Your decorations are of history. It is a tree of knowledge and each decoration has a deep meaning.
A week later we started preparing the Christmas sweets as we do in Goa . These Goan sweets are not available in Kuwait as it takes a lot of time and hardwork, as we are normally busy with our day to day routine work. Goan Christmas sweets are unique and quite different from other Indian states and other countries too. In Goa the main Christmas sweets are neurios, vodde, kulkuls, marzipan, bebinca (the queen of Goan sweets), dodol (made out of coconut juice, rice & coconut jaggery), bathe, doce de grão (gram dal sweet), bolinhos de coco, gons (cobwebs in English), perada, mandare (Pumpkin & Rice sweet). It is a tradition; in each and every Christian house in Goa do not celebrate the Christmas season without these sweets. During Christmas season Christian folks in Goa distribute these sweets “kunswar” with their neighbours, relatives and friends as a token of love for each others.

As I said above, it is very difficult to prepare the above sweets in Kuwait , but still I find time and make an attempt at every Christmas, to prepare these sweets as I feel Christmas is not enjoyable without these sweets. Besides these sweets I also make some unique and special cookies of all sort of Christmas symbols such as Christmas trees, Wreaths, Snowman, Stockings, bells, stars, rocking horse & musical notes which you can see in the below pictures. Children like to eat these colourful cookies. I also make the smallest and unique neurios which measures only 1and ½ inch which our relatives and friends love to eat. It consumes lot of time to prepare these types of neurios. You can see these neurios in the below pictures.

My Grandmother used to tell me that in olden days how they were celebrating the Christmas. They used to prepare the above sweets well in advance except the neurios. After the midnight Christmas Mass, they used to come home and prepare the neurios and eat it hot with a cup of hot black tea. There was no electricity in Goan villages then. People used to make star of bamboo sticks and with different colourful fine papers and hang the stars on a tree infront of their houses with a small kerosene / oil lamp inside the star. There were no ready made stars available in the market in those days. In the evening, the Elders used to tell Children different stories of Christmas by sitting under the dim light of the hanging star in the courtyard. This used to go throughout the Christmas season.

Definitely, there is a lot of difference of celebrating of the Christmas during the olden times and now.

Photo Courtesy: Simon Dias thelensmen@yahoo.com

RANADE & KHASAB.

RANADE & KHASAB.

One captured alive Pakistani surviving terrorist Khasab by name in Mumbai is like a prize catch. He was one of the 10 terrorists terrorized Mumbai a month back. It is thru his arrest only so many secrets have been exposed. That he was caught alive is a miracle. According to information he is now under heavy police custody in Mumbai with best of medical treatment to keep him alive. Normally such terrorists instead of falling into the hands of enemy hands and suffer torture and exposure of their secrets, prefer to die. In Sri Lanka, Tamil Tigers carry around their necks hanging “Cyanide” capsules which they swallow immediately when they fall into the hands of their enemies. Some Palestinian terrorists told me how they take their lives instead of falling into the hands of Israeli security.

Mohan Ranade was a non-Goan Ghantti, a Marathi teacher teaching at Verem Bardez in Marathi Xalla. He was anti-Portuguese and working clandestinely against Portuguese interest in Goa. Being a "Ghantti" he had no right to interfere in our affairs yet he did. He wanted to drive Portuguese out from Goa and hand over on silver platter our Goa to Bharat. With the help of few of his supporters, somewhere in 1957 Ranade carried out an armed attack on Betim Police Station in which one or two Police personnel were shot dead, I think one of them was a Portuguese Paklo. There was casualty on the other side too. But Mohan Ranade was caught alive inspite of suffering from the gun shot wounds from one of the Goan Hindu Policemen from Betim Police Station. When he was caught alive by Goan and Portuguese policemen, Ranade was about to breathe his last but to prevent him from dying, immediately he was rushed to Panjim Medical College Hospital where he was given VIP treatment to save his life and finally his life was saved. His life was very precious for Portuguese Government of Goa to get all the necessary information of the working of Ranade and his group and also to know where it was originated. After getting important clues and information, many such persons in the garb of freedom fighters were arrested. Mohan Ranade was finally sentenced for long term prison and deported to Portugal to serve his sentence in Portugal.

Coming back to Pakistani terrorist Khasab, by keeping him alive Government of India got lot of information of the origin of the attack in Mumbai a month back and who was behind this attack. If Khasab was also caught dead the situation would be different. Government of India to keep him healthy, physically and mentally alert and alive after his arrest must have done so much. And then only Government of India got so much of important and decisive information as Portuguese Government of Goa got from Mohan Ranade.

Pakistani Government is refusing to acknowledge the statements of Khasab and asking for more transparency in this matter. I feel Indian Government should agree to it and conduct a joint proceedings of the testimony of Khasab so that both the sides are convinced, mainly the Pakistani side. In this matter India does not stand to lose anything, on the contrary India stands to gain. Pakistani side feels Indian statements are not correct and they are forcibly and thru artificial means extorted from the mouth of Khasab. To make it transparent, India must accede to the demands of Pakistan and conduct joint investigation of Khasab confession and his identity as Pakistani national which Pakistan is denying.

Was the last month Pakistani terrorists attack in Mumbai the last such attack in India? I doubt very much. India’s vulnerability for such terrorists attacks from outside India is exposed beyond any doubt. Internally India is too divisive and weak because our enemies are within ourselves only. We are devided on the basis of religion, region, caste and many other factors. By enacting new laws and revamping the old laws nothing will happen in India and no change will come unless the entire ruling and administrative system is overhauled. To change this administrative system we must have patriotic people in our Parliament and State Assemblies. On the contrary we have in these august law enacting Houses “Chors”, criminals, smugglers and anti-social elements whose greed for money and power supersede their patriotism towards India. There must be some rigid laws to disfranchise anti-social elements and those who are convicted by the court not only from voting but mainly from contesting elections. Without the help of Indian elements from top ladder no terrorists can come all the way from Pakistan to India and create havoc in Mumbai. Where were our Coast Guards and Coastal Intelligence when Pakistani terrorists were coming to Mumbai? Were they sleeping? The important tips provided even by the USA for our Intelligence Service was ignored by Indian authorities. The personnel of these Indian authorities should be punished for being part of terrorists’ gang from Pakistan.

The Gun wielding Policemen at Railway Station should be punished severely for not using their Guns at the right time when terrorists were firing at innocent commuters. There must be thorough investigation on this issue. Our Police system should be changed first. Our Police system is prone to receiving “Apta”. Our Policemen wearing “Chappals” and wielding “Danda” are not meant to guard and protect our citizens. These big bellied “Sakarams” are not matched to confront the blood thirsty athletically built Pakistani terrorists. These Indian Sakarams are unfit to guard India and Indians. Sacking of the Chief Minister of Maharastra and Home Minister of India will never solve the problem. The Government of Maharastra should have been sacked by the Governor and the entire Cabinet in Delhi should have been forced to resign including Premier for dereliction of their duty towards the nation. What 10 Pakistani terrorists did in Mumbai in the last month was not an act of ordinary terrorism but a “War Against India” and the rulers of the nation should be held responsible for this war.

Only 10 terrorists humiliated such a big, populous and mighty atomic power India. As tax payers we have all the rights to demand justice from our leaders and rulers. To do their duties properly they are financially supported from A – Z by the taxpayers’ money. They proved to be unfit to rule India. They cannot shift the blame on our enemies and blame them. Our enemies will never give us peace. Our enemy came into being to punish us and since 1947 our enemy is punishing us directly and indirectly and yet we are still pleasing our enemy in one way or the other. After Mumbai attack our enemy is laughing and mocking at us and our security apparatus. Our enemy has made a big joke of our security apparatus. To please and pacify our enemy we are still retaining a part of Kashmir under our control not as full-fledged part of India but with the surrender of many of Indian powers to that place. Our enemy thru remote control is punishing us in Kashmir, so also in Mumbai, Delhi and other parts of India. Are we blind to this fact? If not, then why are we sleeping and why are we not alert? Can we expect a kiss from our enemy? Surely no. Omly KICK we can accept from our enemy otherwise our enemy is not our enemy.

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.

In Kuwait New Tiatro "KUWAIT SODDUN VETANA"

TIATRO: "KUWAIT SODDUN VETANA"

Seen in the picture: Left: Laurente Pereira.

Middle: Writer & Director of the Tiatro - Rosary Ferns.

Right: Cajetan de Sanvordem.

Laurente Pereira came into limelight on Konkani Stage at an early age in Goa. First time in Kuwait he was seen in the Church Hall about 25 years back when he acted in Mestiri Epa de Utorda's Non-Stop show where Laurente a handsome young man dis extremely well his role of a hero. Thru this role he gained lot of fame for him. Later on he acted in many of the Tiatros and also staged his own with lot of success. In "Kuwait Soddun Vetana" he will surely dazzle the audience with his superlative performance.

Cajetan de Sanvordem is one of the prominent seniormost Tiatrists in Kuwait amongst Goans. Over 3 decades working in Kuwait he has acted in many of the Tiatros performing different roles to the satisfaction of the audience. His first appearance in Kuwait was at Keefan Hall where he rendered a beautiful solo which was very much liked by the hall packed audience and he was called twice. Later on he joined hands with Marcus Vaz & Xavier Gomes to form their trio which created lot of ripples in the tiatro circle. Both Marcus Vaz and Xavier retired from Kuwait, Cajetan de Sanvordem is the lone surviving member of that famed trio still going strong individually in Tiatro circle in Kuwait. During his earlier days he was a natural choice to play the role of a hero which he used to perform perfectly well. In "Kuwait Soddun Vetana" he will play one of the major roles and sing a quintet along with Marcus Vaz, Francis de Tuem, John D'Silva and Selvy.

Script writer and director of this Tiatro "Kuwait Soddun Vetana" Rosary Ferns a youthful in looks but seasoned in maturity in Tiatro business vowed to give the audience total satisfaction in delivering a good story based on genuine happenings amongst us and also in good direction. Those who have witnessed Rosary Ferns' earlier Tiatros will surely accept this fact and will throng at Hawally A/C Hall on 16th January 2009 at 3.30 to watch the season's first and season's best Tiatro "KUWAIT SODDUN VETANA".

Musical score will be provided by famed musician Shahu and his troupe.

Gate Passes are available with Tony's Golden Goa Shop at Maliya, Kuwait City, Tel. No. 99581491 or from the organisers on Tels: 99778995 (Ahmadi), 97193605, 66533229 (Benny Vaz), 97643017, 97543017, 99531863 & 99745291.

GOAN SURNAMES: By Valmiki Faleiro.

GOAN SURNAMES
By Valmiki Faleiro

Let’s take the topic in two parts: Catholic and Hindu surnames. Catholic surnames
are rooted in the Iberian Peninsula. Because they came from European priests, who
baptized Goa’s first converts.

Iberian surnames are, among other things, after animals, birds, fruits and trees. Like
Cordeiro (lamb), Coelho (rabbit), Leitao (suckling pig), Lobato/Lobo/Lopes (wolf),
Raposo (fox), Aguiar (eagle), Melo (blackbird), Peregrino (vulture), Pinto (chick),
Castanha (chestnut), Figueira (fig), Moreira (mulberry), Nogueira (walnut), Oliveira
(olive), Albuquerque (white oak), Carvalho (oak), Lemos (elm), Pinheiro/Pinho (pine),
Silvano (wood), Silva/Silveira (one from the woods.)

Freedom fighter PP Shirodkar (Sr.) derided such foreign surnames. Prompt was a
riposte from Jose Fernandes of Siolim: "What’s wrong with Carvalho, Pinho, etc. in a
land that has Mensenkai (chilli), Iruli (onion), Zirulli (cockroach) as surnames? These
plants/insects are not Indian either. Is a Bhandari without ‘bhanddar’ (wealth) or a
Jagirdar (landlord) without land any more relevant than a Pinto in the casuarinas?"

Aren’t our homegrown surnames like Ambe (mango), Bhende (ladyfinger), Kande
(onion), Kelekar (bananas), Kunde (bran), Maad (coconut), Sakhardande (sugarcane),
Ghode (horse), Kir (parrot), Kolo (fox), Wagh (tiger) just as endearing? These are in
Konknni. Catholic ones are in Portuguese. Naturally, because they arrived only after
the Portuguese did.

Catholic surnames, from Fernandes to Souza, are – touchstone – egalitarian. Across
social divides. A Fernandes or Souza could be a converted Hindu Brahmin or one from
the lowest in the social pecking order. Regardless of undercurrents below the veneer.
Hindu ones, on the other hand, are based on caste/occupation. Naturally again,
because the caste system is a Hindu phenomenon.

Another feature in many Catholic family names is double (even triple) surnames ...
Barreto Xavier, Correia Afonso, Peres da Costa, Peres da Silva, Santana Silva. There
are several explanations. The ‘Santana,’ for instance, is after the presiding deity of the
Tiswadi village where the family originated. Some families in Margao use ‘Piedade’ as
a twin surname. In honour of Our Lady of Piety, whose chapel stands atop the Monte.
The commonest cause of double surnames, though, was when a live-in son-in-law
(‘ghor-zanvuim’) was brought into a household with no male heir.

Take the Correia Afonso case. In one generation, there were only two ‘Correia’ girls.
The elder, Adelia, married a Mesquita from Cortalim (whence I maternally descend.)
The other, Propercia, married an ‘Afonso’ from Divar – a resident son-in-law of the
Correias of Benaulim. ‘Correia’ became ‘Correia Afonso.’

Chandor’s Braganca family, with that huge mansion at the church square, had three
daughters. One married Dr. Ligorio Cunha from Cuelim-Cansaulim. The surname
mutated to ‘Braganza da Cunha,’ to which was born Tristao Braganza da Cunha.
Suitors were found for the other two daughters. As the house was easily divisible into
two units, both suitors would be resident sons-in-law.

One, a Menezes, must have been a docile man. He agreed to a combined surname
with precedence to the wife’s surname... ‘Menezes de Braganza.’ To this family was
born the great Luis Menezes de Braganza. The second suitor, from Utorda, was no
pushover. He agreed to an adjunct of surnames, but with his own taking precedence…
‘Braganza Pereira.’ To this was born the equally famous A.B. Braganza Pereira –
whose early 20th century work has been recently translated and re-published.
If 16th/17th century European missionaries gave their own surnames to converts,
converted Goan landlords, in turn, thrust their surnames on caretakers of their crops
and orchards. That is how Iberian surnames completed the circle of Goan Catholic
family names across social divides … with a delightful mélange of animals, birds,
fruits, insects, trees!

A bit more on my own surname. My learned Lisbon friend, Antonio Palinha Machado
thinks ‘Faleiro’ smacks of an occupation (related to grain grinding/windmills?) The first
Faleiros in Portuguese history were brothers Rui and Francisco, born in Covilha, in
Portugal's hinterland, circa the XV century. They served kings Joao-II and Manuel-I.
They were leading cosmographers and mathematicians.

Rui Faleiro cracked major breakthroughs with the Arab sextant. Latitude could finally
be measured accurately and longitude could be estimated. Rui was the man behind
Fernao de Magalhaes’ circumnavigation trip, but developed cold feet at eleventh hour,
was convicted of high treason (sailing know-how was top secret), and exiled to Spain.
He died in Seville. Some of his family migrated overseas.

Locally, three clans from Benaulim’s original 12 ‘Vangors’ were Faleiros (‘Zeitol’ in the
local ‘gampny bhaxa.’) Could these, with some Clementes (who definitely comprise the
ninth extant ‘Vangor’ of Benaulim), Coutinhos and Moraes (from the eleventh ‘Vangor’
of Margao Comunidade) have shifted from Benaulim to Margao in ancient times? One
will never know. What one knows is that one Margao ‘gavnkar,’ Moraes, resettled in
Benaulim during the Portuguese era. Coincidence? (ENDS.)

The Valmiki Faleiro weekly column.

Awards to Indian Students in Kuwait

Awards to Indian Students in Kuwait

I take this opportunity to congratulate the Indian students and their parents in Kuwait who have been bestowed with the highest recognition by way of cash awards, gold, silver and bronze medals given the Association of Indian Profressionals (AIP)-Kuwait Times. On behalf of the Goan community I thank AIP and Kuwait Times for their contribution and support to Indian students studying/who have studied in Kuwait. The list of awardees was indeed impressive and include the following: Class XII Science Stream Gold/Silver Medals: Gold : Coral Winona Pais – Carmel School, Silver : Shreedhar Anant Hardikar – Carmel School. Class XII Commerce Stream Gold/Silver Medals: Gold : Ajay Abraham – UIS, Silver: Fatema Salehhussain – UIS, Class X Hindi Stream Gold/Silver Medals: Gold : Esha Uboweja – FAIPS (DPS), Silver : Maria Antony K – ICS, Class X French Stream Gold/Silver Medals: Gold : Arifa Alam – FAIPS (DPS), Silver : Akilla Srikrishna – FAIPS (DPS) and Revati Suresh - FAIPS (DPS), 100% marks (class XII) Silver Medals: Sultana Mahfuz – Computer Science – FAIPS(DPS), 100% marks (class X) Silver Medals: Suresh Muthukumar – (Maths) – Carmel, Akilla Srikrishna – (maths) – FAIPS(DPS), Pritha Hait – (Maths) – FAIPS (DPS), Deepak Dhanavel Kumar - (Maths) – FAIPS (DPS), Ankit Agarwal - (Maths) – FAIPS (DPS), Arundhuti Mahato - (Maths) – FAIPS (DPS), Prashanth Krishnan - (Maths) – FAIPS (DPS), Madhavapeddi Siddharth - (Maths) – FAIPS (DPS), Esha Uboweja – (Soc. St.) – FAIPS(DPS), Jaimee Jacob Palakeel – (Maths) – ICSK, Emil Joseph - (Maths) – Indian English Academy (Don Bosco), Angela Maria Pallickal – (Maths) – GIS, Evelyn Paulose – (Maths) – GIS, Ashwathi V. Anil – (Maths) – GIS, Anjali Anna Thomas – (Maths) – UIS, Thomas Jebi – (Maths) – UIS, Rajagopalan Chadramouli – (Maths) – UIS, Sakina Hasan – (Maths) - IPS, Maria Antony K – (Maths) – ICS, Muhammed Jezin – (Maths) – ICS, Shyama Aziz – (Maths) - ICS, 90% Aggregate or Above( Class XII ) - Bronze Medals: FAIPS (DPS) - Radha Kura (92.4), Sultana Mahfuz (90.8), Tulika Gupta (90.0), GIS - Mekha Kadavileveetil Mathew (92.0), Sana Sabir Damani (90.2), Carmel School - Muriel Belinda Mascarenhas (93.4), Christabelle Careen Santos (93.2), Varghese Rosh Pyyampallil (93.2), Juby Joseph Ninan (91.8), Shobek Sam Attupurath (90), Devyani Upadhyay (90), ICSK - Rasika Sanjay Jangle (92.4), Pinto Sonal (92), Challawal Abdulqadir (91.4), Feba Thomas (90.8), Narayan Parasuram (90.4), Juhi Elizabeth Cyriac (90), Vasist Nikita (90.8), Gemita Thankam George (90.4) - ICS: Annie Verghese (91.8), UIS: Vilma John Thomas (91), 90% Aggregate or Above( Class X) Bronze Medals: FAIPS (DPS) - Arifa Alam (95.6), Mahjabeen Ahmed Khan (95), Anita Narayana Bhat (94.6), Deepak Dhanavel Kumar (94.4), Sara Mathew (92.6), Tasneem Ashraf (92.6), Ankit Agarwal (92.6), Arubdhuti Mahato (92.2), Sanjana Veerarajan (91.6), Prashanth Krishnan (91.2), Pranay Mehta (90.6), Dipika Dinesh (90.4), Divya Susan Thomas (90), Sana Ahmad (90), Krit Dwivedi (90); GIS - Angela Maria Pallickal (95.2), Shilpa Rajeev (95), Shilpa Susan Mathew (94.2), Evelyn Paulose (93), Sharanya Ramakrishnan (92.6), Anusha Sevgoor Kamath (91), Akash Goel (90.4), Ashwanthi V.Anil (90.4), Joel Mathew Thomas (90.4), Sagar Sabir Damani (90.2), Indian English Academy School: Kriti Gupta (92), Fawad Shafik Dalwal (91.8), Dev Agarwal (91), Carmel School - Aishwaraya Ramesh (92.6), Eleanore Evelyn Dias (92.2), Fancine Enrica Mascarenhas (92.2), Murtaza Saifuddin Kagzi (92), Dylon Bosco Fernandes (91.8), Suresh Muthukumar (91.8), Tishana Elizabeth John (91.2), Nandita Mariam Jacob (91), Ramola Helena lewis (91), Rachel Romana Silveira (90.4), ICSK: Khadija Mustaq Dalvi (92), Alina Helen (91.4), Fatema Jiwaali (90.2), Abdul Hussain (90.2), Andaleeb Fazal Girkar (90), Marin Mariyam Mathew (95.2), Sharon Grace Philip (92.6), Jaimee Jacob Palakeel (92), Afdal Mohd. Basheer (91.8), Lakshmi Velayudhan Nair (91.6), Sabrina George Thomas (91.2), Paul Verghese Perumatthil (91.2), Deepthy Mariyam George (90.8), Edoly Kandy Amina Abdurazak (90.6), Neeba T. Abraham (90.4), UIS - Akhil Thomas Jacob (92.6), Anjali Anna Thomas (92), Nivedita George (91.2), Sherin Anna Kurian (90.2), Sherin Rose Francis (90), IPS - Sahsha D'melo (91), Sakina (90.6), Indian Central School - Sifat Billah Chowdhery (91.8), Amal Mahmood (91.4), Shyama Aziz (91), Tasneem (90.4)

Among the Goans students who excelled and were bestowed with the highest recognition in the midst of hundreds of attendees at the well organized 'Award Nite' on last Friday is Miss. Christabelle Careen Santos (who scored 93.2% marks) and who is the only Goan to achieve this position from the Carmel School, Kheitan. Knowing her parents, Carmo & Carrie Santos, I do have this great honour to congratulate both of them.

The ceremony held to honor Class XII and Class X Indian students at the Indian Community School in Salmiya and scores of students, parents, principals from various Indian schools attended the event at the Indian Community School premises was well organized.

Incidentally a not-so-much advertised Awards ceremony of less than 5 minutes was organized by Kala Mogui Kuwait on behalf of Goan Welfare Society (GWS) during the Gulab Carol Singing Competition and hardly a few heads were present. To say the least not a single student was present and only the GWS committee members except for one parent received the awards! GWS has collected so much funds and it is hard to believe that they cannot even organize a Christmas Tree, Goa Day or a Awards ceremony on their own. The so-called committee members are just all talk and cannot do the 'walk' for anything worthy of calling a community activity. I question the mindset of the committee and also the award donors, Mr. & Mrs. Sam Alphonso, why was the topmost Goan student left out of the awards and that too the daughter of GWS ex-president, Carmo Santos?

Is it the usual crab mentality of the GWS committee members? Goans in Kuwait and members of GWS, think about this fiasco! Is this a way to celebrate the joyous occasion of Christmas by organizing such a disastrous 5 minute award ceremony? Is this the Goan hospitality that the committee members of GWS wish to portray to the Indians and residents of Kuwait. What is the use of the funds that have been accumulated through the hard work of the past members which runs into thousands of Kuwaiti Dinars. By the way, what about the money collected in the past 3 years in the name of GWS awards from the donors? Why is it not announced yet? Who pocketed the funds? Goans wish to have some answers and corrective measures to be taken immediately before the situation gets out of hand and the money collected going down the drain?

Once again congratulations to the AIP and my favourite Kuwait Times publication and its publisher and editor and to the students and parents and the school adminstrators. In the name of the Goan community, I wish each and everyone a happy new year 2009.

(Name withheld on request)

47 YEARS OF BHARATI RULE IN GOA.

47 YEARS OF BHARATI RULE IN GOA.

On 19th of this month Goa marked the 47th anniversary of its liberation. The word liberation is a misnomer. The correct word should be the “CONQUEST” because according to the landmark judgment delivered by the highest court of India – The Supreme Court – on 19th December 1961 Goa was not liberated from the Portuguese but “Conquered” by Bharat from the Portuguese. Still to go one step further, a highly intellectual son of Goa, Fr. Philip Neri Mendonca, the then Principal of St. Joseph’s High School Arpora, Bardez, in his capacity as a layman and not as a Chief Justice of Supreme Court of India, stated that “on 19th December 1961, Goa was invaded by Bharat and was not liberated”. Bangladesh was liberated by Bharat and given to the sons and daughters of Bangladesh while Goa was not. Instead Goa was conquered and annexed to Bharat just as what Saddam Hussein did for Kuwait on 2nd August 1990 and annexed it to Iraq. Some Goan elders 47 years back said that Goa was “Robbed” from Goans by Nehru’s Bharat. Even some freedom fighters in Goa felt that Bharat should not have annexed Goa to it. And when I queried one of them further, he said that “WE AS FREEDOM FIGHTERS FROM GOA, ONLY WANTED ASSISTANCE FROM BHARAT TO GET RID OF PORTUGUESE FROM GOA INCLUDING INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN AGAINST PORTUGUESE RULE IN GOA BUT NEVER TO LEGALISE GOA ILLEGALLY AS PART OF INDIA”.

What would be the fate of Goa if Bharat on 19th December 1961 had not to intervene millitarily in Goa leaving it as it was? Heaven would not fall. On the contrary it would have been a big blessing and booster for Goa and real Goans. A decade after Goa was annexed to Bharat by force, Slazarist regime lost power in Portugal and all its African colonies got independence on silver platter. In the same manner Goa would also get independence for Goans to decide their fate and future for the good of Goans and Goa. Goa had great sons and daughters then to guide and decide its destiny and they would rule Goa in a best possible way of course to the satisfaction of all Goans and not to the satisfaction of all the “Chor” and “Crimidor Ghanttis” and Ghanttised Goans.

The last Governador of Goa, Vassalo e Silva was a special appointee for Goa by Salazar who had great love for Goa and Goans. Salazar and his advisers thought in late fifties that something should be done for Goa so that all categories of Goans can become self sufficient and they can rely upon themselves for the development of their Goa. In view of this Salazar appropriately selected Governador Vassalo e Silva for this job in Goa. As a matter of fact, internally Governador Vassalo e Silva was anti-Salazar and anti-Dictator. As a step in right direction, Vassalo e Silva introduced a law in Goa in the late fifties to make Portuguese education compulsory for all Goan children attaining the age of 6 and it was to be imparted Free Of Charge. Till this time I and my other sisters were in English School studying English but because of this law, we were forced out from English School and inducted into Portuguese School otherwise there was a fine (multo) to pay to the tune of hundreds of Escudos (Portugese currency). This law was introduced by Portuguese Government to elevate the educational standard of Goans because it is thru education that makes a person advanced.

Agriculture was given a top priority. In my village saline water entered into our fields and spoiled the whole crop. Governador Silva himself came to check it near our Church, entered the field assisted by my father who was the “de facto” leader of “Xetkar & Zotkar” and walking personally checked the broken “Bandh” which led the saline water from the Sea to enter into the fields. Governador at times talked to my father asking some questions about this saline water and my father being fluent in Portuguese as none among his "Xetkar" tribe answered him well. Then the Governador spoke to the village elders and members of the Communidade and arranged to put things into order with a promise that “I will see to it that no crop is spoiled and wasted”. Similar exercise he did elsewhere in Goa to give a fillip to agriculture and Goan agriculturists. Then later on Governador came to our Communidade Hall and impressed upon the elders to give top priority for the development of Caju Plantation. We had behind the Church Caju plantation on the big mountainous land of Communidade and as a booster we got free of charge small Caju plants to develop there. This resulted in a big yield for us in our Caju fruits and Caju Nuts. Similar exercise was done elsewhere in Goa too to boost the Caju plantation in Goa, so also for other crops.

Then the same Governador seeing the potential of mining industry in Goa and its improvement issued a Circular to Goans settled outside Goa to come back and get employment in Goa only and in this direction he assured them jobs in mining industry for English educated Goans and in Government sectors for Portuguese educated. Some Goans working in Qatar and Bahrain even left their lucrative jobs in the Oil sectors and returned to Goa where they were absorbed by the Chowgules, Dempo-Souza, Sesa Goa and other companies.

Governador Vassalo e Silva made his office accessible to any Goan for any of their needs. He started to mix up with commoners like a common man himself. This was resented by many of the Goan Bamonn aristocrats and Bhattkars but Governador Silva never cared for them. In 1960 while returning from Aguada, he came to our Portuguese School and directly entered in our class and fortunately approached me as if he knew me that I am a commoner and asked me in Portuguese: “Tem Sacola?” I said, “Nao Senhor Governador”. For this he gave me one School Bag. Likewise he did for others also in Marathi Xalla. He was so simple, once I was going to Panjim with my eldest brother for the soccer match. My brother known as “Cheddo” was an ace footballer of Goa Police Soccer Team being the top Goan footballer among the Portuguese “Pakles and Khapris”. When we entered into Ferryboat at Betim, suddenly Governador’s civilian Jeep also entered without any hassle.and external pomp. No battalion of armed guards nor police escort. Simple Governador with one simple driver and one simple guard. He did not even avail of the especial facility for him alone to be in the Ferryboat. During those days only Governador and Patriarch had the privilege for especial Ferryboat service to cross the rivers. When his Jeep parked in the Ferryboat, he immediately got down from his rear seat and gave a very loving and affectionate smile to all. Then again fortunately for me he smilingly approached me and lovingly touched my cheek and said “Senhor Rapaz, come esta?” Then he saw one elderly Hindu woman carrying a Basket full of vegetable to sell it in Panjim, stood in front of her and affectionately said something in Portuguese to her. She was all smiles and happy like me for encountering Governador in this manner.

The Governador vouched that every Goan must have goods and commodities cheaply. Once in 1960 the prices of the goods in Goa mainly in Panjim shot up suddenly especially of eatable. Seeing this, one fine morning dressed as commoner, Governador himself personally went to the market in Panjim and found out how shopkeepers have abruptly increased the prices of the commodities. Then immediately he advised his subordinates to take stringent action against these shopkeepers and immediately the prices were brought down.

During his tenure, when he noticed struggle for the ouster of Portuguese from Goa, he even requested the genuine freedom fighters to come and meet him to discuss this subject but none approached him openly and directly. He disliked those freedom fighters for Goa coming from Ghanttar. He said they have no right and authority to talk for and on behalf of Goa and Goans. Even Morarjee Desai as a Chief Minister of Bombay and as a spokesman of Congress said that “only Goans should fight for their Goa and remove Portuguese from their soil”. In Goa there were 2 types of freedom fighters, one genuine & secular and the others “Chor-Krimidor & communal. The latter section were killing, robbing and troubling innocent Goans and wanted Goa to become a Hindu Raj, they were communal and had hatred for Christians Governador Vassalo e Silva refused to talk to them. Governador wanted to find some sort of peaceful solution for Goa and for this reason he was paving the way for Goans to be prepared for this day either today or tomorrow but surely that day was coming. What Portuguese Governador Antonio Spinola in his book “Portugal e Futuro” in Mocambique predicted in Seventies that Portuguese rule will come to an end in Africa, Governador Vassalo e Silva guessed in 1960 about Goa. For this reason he was preparing Goans to be self sufficient to take over Goa by themselves only. Governador Vassalo e Silva loved Goa and Goans very much irrespective of their caste and creed. In fact some of the Goans who were very close to him were Goan Hindus, including Dayananda Bandodkar. Sensing this, Nehru as a crook assisted by another Malyali double crook Krishna Menon – the then Defence Minister of India created a hostile situation for Portuguese Government in Goa and attacked Goa. The rest was a history which was created on 19th December 1961 without taking consent of Goa based Goans and from where can we genuine Goans do anything? By the way, even if genuine Goans want to do something, are they in position to do now? And as a matter of fact, are there any genuine Goans living in Goa now to think of the glorious days they spent in Goa?

During Portuguese days, life in Goa was safe and secure for Goans, living standard of Goans was fine, Goans were not sleeping and cooking under the shade of trees. Every Goan had a roof over his head. No Goan was producing children on the streets. There was system and discipline everywhere. Respect for law and order was very much existing and crime rate was very negligible. No Goan houses were fitted with iron grill doors and windows. Our houses were open round the clock, no fear of robbers coming to rob our houses. Most of the Portuguese Pakles were very friendly to Goans and they interacted with Goans very freely. Hindus, Christians and Muslims were living in a very friendly way. There was no communal hatred, all were living as one Goan homogeneous entity. Common Goan even from the lowest strata of casteist Goan society was given facility to occupy positions in Government and other private sectors. Goans were given high ranks in the Army and Police sectors. All members of Hindu, Christian and Muslim communities were treated equally. Hindus occupied some of the top positions in the Government sectors and they only controlled the commerce including mining industry besides other sectors including franchises to import foreign goods. Everybody looked happy in all fronts except the Portuguese domination which could have been easily eradicated if Bharat had not to send its around 20 thousand well equipped Army marching over my Goa outnumbering only around 5 thousand Portuguese millitary of Goa and finally destroying Goa beyond recognition of its original self. In 47 years Goa lost so much of its original self, in another 07 years Goa will be totally mutilated and destroyed unless we have Goan patriots in Goa Legislative Assembly as the last Portuguese Governador Vassalo e Silva. Goa and Goans were more protected, loved and supported by the European Portuguese than the Asian Bharatis. This is the tragedy of Goa we experienced during the last 47 years of Bharati rule in Goa.

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.

The 'Wise Fools' staged in Kuwait

The 'Wise Fools' staged in Kuwait

By Team Mangalorean
Photo Courtesy: Revon Gomes

Kuwait, December 22, 2008: The Holy Family Choir (H.F.C) celebrated their Annual Parents' Day with a grand musical - The Wise Fools, an English and Konkani production directed by its member and Goan star Sylvester Vaz - the 'Hitman of Konkani Stage'.  The musical held at the Holy Family Cathedral's Sacred Heart Hall was free of charge and had many a message for the audience to take home in an evening filled with fun, laughter, and a high-standard melodrama apart from various other traditional and cultural programs.

The choir group that has been into existence and singing at the 8:00 am Friday mass in Kuwait for over 28 years now, once again proved to everyone that they are vastly talented other than singing devotional songs in the church. Every member who took to the stage displayed an abundance of talent, friendly presence and enthusiasm which captured hearts and minds of the audience bringing applause after every item.

The evening sparked off with an especially composed English and Konkani Opening chorus which saw the entire choir group on stage led by the dynamic director Sylvester Vaz himself. The program continued with a variety of songs, dances, mando - dulpods, puppet-show, etc, etc. Earlier, a dazzling power point presentation done by Mr. Agnelo & Mrs. Carmen Rodrigues was used to introduce the choir members and other participants.

 

 

Release of Souvenir 

 

 

Saluzinho, Olinda, Sylvester, Simon 

 

Lawry, Irene and Magaret 

Lawry, Peter and Francis 

Peter and Vincent in the Wise Fools 

Julian, Vincent and Peter in the Wise Fools

Lawry F, Lawry M, Celine and Francisco in the Puppet show

The Dance Fiesta kids in action

 

The Wise Fools

The Wise Fools - a comedy skit was the main feature of the event. It is indeed another feather for Sylvester who has directed many mega plays and musicals back home in the State of Goa.  The members of H.F.C who excelled in the play were Laurie M, Irene Vaz, Francisco Fernandes, Margaret D'Cruz, Peter Franco, Mirelle Rodrigues, Vincent Dias, Julian Fernandes, Jeremiah Vaz, Lawrence Fernandes, etc.  All the participants played their parts with great passion and perfection.  Peter Franco, the main character of the play, gave a superb performance in the role of a  Film Director - so also Julian Fernandes who was very impressive.

Sylvester along with Simon, Olinda & Saluzinho set the ball rolling singing praises to the Lord in English and Konkani with foot-tapping beats, inviting the crowd to join them in singing and thus receiving tremendous response.

Child artistes Elrich Miranda and Jeremiah Vaz (son of Sylvester Vaz and Irene Vaz) amazed the audience with their comedy duo 'Bhikun Martele'. The young stars were fittingly applauded for an encore. Konkani stage is sure to see some bright stars in future if the young lads continue with their good work.

Tribute to the Church

Esparansa Crasto and Gasper Crasto combined to sing a special 'Tribute to the Church', a song highlighting bishops and priests who have struggled over the years to strengthen the church. The song was adequately supported with transition slides in the backdrop. The couple's other song - a Hindi dance number 'Dil Kya Karen' was one of the highlights of the evening as the crowd was mesmerized by the powerful vocals and dancing capabilities of Gasper (who, by the way, was performing on stage for the very first time), but seemed on par with established professional artistes.  It is worth mentioning that Esparansa is a talented and dedicated member who has given outstanding performances in almost all of the Holy Family Choir presentations. 

Manddo  - dulpod for Goans is a sign of cultural inheritance and traditional heritage in the field of art and drama. No Goan function or event is complete without a dulpod. But lack of interest within the new generation towards these rich, traditional songs, and/or how is it transformed from the original 'Manddo' to an alienated 'Menddo' in recent times was displayed in a comedy sequence based on a manddo featuring Laurie M, Margaret, Simon - Irene, Rochelle, Mirelle, Sylvester and Celine. The song received tremendous applause from the audience for the way it was personated and presented.

Another  hit item of the show was the puppet-show presented on a well decorated setting on the yesteryears' famous song of Mendes Bros "Gheun Nachotam" featuring Celine, Francisco, Laurie M, Saluzinho, Lawrence F, Olinda, Simon, and Master Jeremiah.

Kuwait - a land of short dreams: A trio to remember

It is a proven fact that Kuwait is a land of short dreams for people working here. Everyone has to return back to their country of origin sooner or later, for some reason or another. But there are people who futilely think of making their life a 'permanent' haven here without a vision of the future. While others thank their stars for being in greener pastures, there are some who show no gratitude towards people who brought them to this land. Laurie M - Francisco Fernandes and Lawrence Fernandes rendered a trio based on this subject which was indeed a revelation. The song had an enlightening theme and lyrics.

When a person is in trouble, he either starts praying devoutly or attends church every so often. But there is little they do when it actually comes to helping the poor knocking at their doors. A thought provoking and exemplary song based on these religious values was enacted on a beautiful set amid ultra-violet lights and scenes by Julian, Margaret, Francisco, Laurie M, and Vincent in the role of Jesus with harmonious back-up singing by Sylvester, Saluzinho, Irene, Santurnino and Simon.

 

Sylvester and Celine with others in 'Menddo' 

Mirelle, Rochelle, Simon and Irene 

Gasper and Esparansa singing Tribute 

 

Elrich Miranda and Jeremiah Vaz 

Saluzinho, Simon, Celine, Rochelle, Peter in the manddo mix 

Sylvester, Margaret, Santolin, Irene in a manddo mix 

Francisco, Lawrie F and Lawry M in a trio 

Margaret and Peter in the Wise Fools 

Irene and Peter in the Wise Fools 

Simon and Olinda in a melodious Manddo 

Peter and Mirelle in the Wise Fools 

Esparansa and Gasper singing Dil Kya Karen 

 Vincent and Margaret in a Manddo mix 

 

 

 

Compere - Mario Fernandes 

Kallzachim Bhavnam: a super traditional song

Another item worthy of mention was the mellifluous rendition of the mando "Kallzachim Bhavnam" by Simon and Olinda Dias. Their blending of voices, expressions and the traditional costume added charm to the mando. "Your singing made us feel like being in Goa and reminded us of the mando festival" was one of many compliments heaped upon this wonderful couple. The mando was followed by dulpods of yesteryears performed by Saluzinho, Rochelle, Saturnino, Irene, Peter, Celine, Margaret, Vincent, Mirelle and Sylvester. The costumes and props for this item were well coordinated.

The Dance Fiesta perform to great applause

A Goan Group (from Salmiya) consisting of young children called "The Dance Fiesta" was specially invited to perform.  Their performance kept the audience glaring with amazement - these kids were highly appreciated not only for their wonderful performance but for their costumes and flair. The group has been performing their dance at many cultural programs and is quite popular among the audience.

Earlier, the show began with a prayer and blessing by Rev. Fr. Dominic Santamaria (the Spiritual Director of Holy Family Choir). A colorful souvenir was released at the hands of Rev. Fr. Melwyn D'Cunha, Vicar of Holy Family Cathedral and chief guest on the occasion.

The video coverage of the show was done by Joe Almeida while Rewon Gomes took credit for the still images. Sound and light for the show was provided by DJ Mario Fernandes.

A rare video clipping depicting beloved ex-Bishop of Kuwait Msgr. Francis Micallef was also on display that revived fond memories of the Bishop's acting talent during the Parents' Day 2005 celebration.

Shahu Almeida does the honors for music

Every member of the Holy Family Choir put in their hard efforts and helped to make the program vibrant, rich and successful. Shahu Almeida with his magical touch on the keyboards and Franco on the rhythms provided the entire music of the show. Master Jeremiah Vaz supported and accompanied Shahu and Franco to further titivate the evening.

The show was compered by none other than Mario Fernandes (popularly known as 'Mario de Majorda' on the Konkani Stage), choir in-charge and a key member of the Holy Family Choir who has kept the group going for past several years.  The Parents' Day program was staged under his coordination and direct supervision. At the introduction, Mario acknowledged the efforts of Nevis Mascarenhas, the Choir Master, and Jorge Gomes, both of whom were unable to be part of the presentation as they were in Goa but had done their share of contribution towards the success of the Parents' Day.  

:::Hearty congratulations to all the members of the Holy Family Choir for a wonderful presentation. Once again 'Wow' there is no better word than WOW - simply outstanding…! Your combined efforts are well received by all parishioners who attended the event!::

Santa "Pai Natal" - III