EARTH HOUR: GOENKARS DON'T CARE!
By Valmiki Faleiro.
Goans don’t care. About themselves, the community, or the world around them. Ninety-nine percent Margao households, as seen by my wife, two nieces and myself (fleetingly, from the wheel) between 8.30 to 9.30 p.m., March 28 – Earth Hour – were shining brightly! Margao was always Goa’s significant town. It would be hazardous to guess what percentage of its citizenry today was even aware of the voluntary protest against environmental degradation – and humanity’s own future, with climate changes on at ailspin. The symbolic ‘Earth Hour’ protest began in Sydney-Australia two years ago. People switch off home electricity for just that one hour and live by candlelight … as our forefathers did, in an age when the world was a better place to live in. During that hour, I covered as much of Margao as four wheels made possible. I set westwards, to Mungul, bordering village Seraulim. Turned back into Madel, ‘grande’and ‘pequeno’, before proceeding to the northern extremity of Davondem, bordering Nuvem. Then parts of Ambajim, Fatorda, Gogol (bordering Raia.) Thence to Aquem, downtown Margao, Comba, and finally, close to the closing minutes, the area around Holy Spirit church. Ninety-nine percent darkness, meaning electric power, blissfully on.
In the ocean of darkness, there were some ‘bright’ spots, though. Permit me to recount some such from as much as I could see from the main streets, with three pairs of eyes for help. Mungul had not a single isle of concern, including in my own creation of 32 house sites called ‘Antonio Vicente Falleiro Bagh.’ In Madel, even as the chapel cross across the road shone brightly, my former colleague-Municipal Councillor, Maurilio Dias’ house was in pitch darkness. Around Fatorda, Luisa Coutinho’s house was the only place showing concern. While ‘Canape’ was alive with manmade light, my friend, Jyoti Konkar’s house was an abode of natural solace. On the way to Aquem, only incomplete building complexes involuntarily observed the‘Earth Hour.’ Irony is boundless. Aquem’s newly opened St. Sebastiao church had not just lights, but a stage/music performance in full bloom. Chief Minister Digambar Kamat’s apartment was indarkness – but the helpful police sentry confessed that even wife Asha wasn’t home! My office building, ‘Fatima Chambers,’ at Dando, was in absolute darkness – I reckon more because of the string of holidays.
Comba, upper and lower, was disgrace …shining more than Mondays when Lord Damodar nocturnally visits on horseback on are turn trip from Zambaulim. Datta Damodar Naik’s house, though, was in darkness, even if the verandah lights shone brightly. ‘Bush’ Miranda’s house at Boxetollem was in darkness, as was another Municipal colleague, Ajit Hegde’s and his widowed sister-in-law, Radha’s. Around my home turf, the only people aware seemed to be Dr. Filipe Nery Correia, Eurico Silva,Jacinto Barreto Miranda, Pilar Society (at the former Pacheco Figueredo mansion), and my next-door neighbour, Elino Colaco. As regards the rest, Margaoites perhaps think like Herald’s daily pocket cartoonist, Idhar-Uddhar, who said, March 29, “In Goa, we don’t need to switch off the lights for‘Earth Hour.’ The Electricity Dept does it for us on a regular basis!” (ENDS.)
March 31, 2009
AGNELO GOMES FROM USA ON "can you help?"
Posted by: "AAssoc4994@aol.com" AAssoc4994@aol.com goancauses
Fri Mar 27, 2009 3:54 am (PDT)
Dear Veronica,
You're doing an excellent job by exposing inhuman Arabs in your articles. This is the only way we can enlighten the readers to take up the matter to the world human rights organization. We got to protect Goans in Kuwait from the harassment of inhuman Arabs. Goan maids come to Kuwait make their living because they cannot make a decent living in Goa. It appears the Kuwaitis who are maltreating their servants are uncivilized people, they're lucky their Alla Blessed them with oil dollars. Kuwaitis should set up a good example to the world in securing and respecting human rights.
When Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait on 2nd August 1990 and trampled under his feet human rights of Kuwaitis, we the entire world condemned it and fought against Saddam Hussein. We oppose human rights abuses in any form anywhere in the world.
Agnelo Gomes,
The Goancauses,
Goa's number one Internet world wide organization to promote human rights,
USA
March 30, 2009
GOA SWAYS ...'SMP' STYLE by Valmiki Faleiro.
GOA SWAYS … 'SMP' STYLE!
By Valmiki Faleiro.
Remember SMP? Acronym of a Konknni expression about whistles and pubic hair, used here last week? If Goa’s last-lap colonial rule was ‘Salazar-shahi,’ this democratic era is‘SMP-shahi.’ Ministers are not bothered about people. Officials care lesser about people. And people do not care about their own common good. SMP-shahi! Let’s view this SMP mindset from another perspective. Even if the story about water contamination in Margao, played up as Page One lead by the local edition of a national daily this Feb 27 was exaggerated, Margao doubtlessly sits on a ticking time bomb.
A word on Margao. Down history, Margao was not just Salcete’s capital but Goa’s principal town. Salcete (including today’s Mormugao, bifurcated in Dec-1880) was the biggest taluka of the Old Conquests. Biggest in area, population, state revenues and foremost in political and cultural trends. “The most noble,” said ‘Oriente Conquistado.’“Athens of Goa,” was how Portuguese surveyor Antonio Lopes Mendes described Margao in ‘A India Portuguesa.’ Margao is going to dogs. Despite Digambar Kamat – a Minister most of the time, and now the Chief Minister – representing it since 1994. At least some Margao residents unwittingly drink government-supplied water laced with mutants of human excreta (my words.)
Let’s recap the newspaper report. A 1.5 litre sample of ‘potable’ tap water collected at Gogol-Margao was tested at the Goa State Pollution Control Board laboratory. Among the results: Coliform organisms – 540(maximum permissible limit: 10.) Faecal coliform – 240 (max. limit: zero.) In 100 ml of water! These bacteria can cause fatal gastric and liver illnesses. Years ago, warnings were sounded that Selaulim water was contaminated with deadly Trihalomethanes (THMs), linked to cancer. Not that there are no quality controls. At least on paper, treated water is tested at various points, from the post-treatment at Selaulim to the point of local reservoirs, before it is pumped into distribution lines. Let us assume the Public Health Engineering (PHE) guys are doing their job pumping only safe water into distribution. But then, everybody knows that Margao’s sub-soil is saturated with raw sewage. How does one prevent soil contaminants from seeping into the porous distribution pipe joints? This appears to be at the heart of the problem.
The age-old, under-capacity, ill-suitedseptic tank/soak pit system that has slowly but surely contaminated even ground water.The supreme irony is that crores have been – and are being – spent, since 1985/86, on Margao’s sewage system. Less than 10 percent households in the covered area have connected to the sewers – despite incentives, like almost free connections. I have an ancient, perennial, drinking water well in my compound. When a cluster of buildings rose in the adjoining property, I randomly tested its water over the last quarter century. E-coli and other bacteriological levels gradually increased. I am not suggesting that only Rohini Apts. was the cause, but despite being a Co-operative Housing Society, it has not connected to the sewage system. There won’t be a single uncontaminated water well in Margao, as I’ve said before. Who’s to blame? PHE guys, who work under Ministers? Who in turn are elected by us? The buck stops with us, the people. At least like those in Margao who have the sewage facility at their doorstep but have chosen not to connect.
Officials indeed have already suggested that water supply to errant households be cut.There was ministerial inertia. Except in the current controversy over Digambar Kamat reportedly reversing water disconnections to some buildings at Colmorod. Granted, the area is not under the sewage network. But what prevented the buildings, now receiving the Chief Minister’s benign sympathies, from using night soil tankers to regularly empty their septic tanks – instead of diverting their raw sewage into municipal drains? When elected leaders are irresponsible, officials wouldn’t lag far behind. I blame neither.
In today’s ‘Goa Meri Hai’, the all-pervasive mantra among elected men and bureaucrats belongs solely to us, the people. SMP!
P.S.: Last week’s column on Candolim’s beached ‘River Princess’ evoked an interesting response from Mumbai-based friend, Nikhil Purov. Says he: "From dust you rise, in dust you settle - a full circle. The Princess was possibly made from iron smelted out of Goa'siron ore (dust). Like salmon, it could have come full circle to return to its shores of origin.‘Rusting In Peace’ (RIP) I think could be a good epitaph.” (ENDS.)
The Valmiki Faleiro weekly.
By Valmiki Faleiro.
Remember SMP? Acronym of a Konknni expression about whistles and pubic hair, used here last week? If Goa’s last-lap colonial rule was ‘Salazar-shahi,’ this democratic era is‘SMP-shahi.’ Ministers are not bothered about people. Officials care lesser about people. And people do not care about their own common good. SMP-shahi! Let’s view this SMP mindset from another perspective. Even if the story about water contamination in Margao, played up as Page One lead by the local edition of a national daily this Feb 27 was exaggerated, Margao doubtlessly sits on a ticking time bomb.
A word on Margao. Down history, Margao was not just Salcete’s capital but Goa’s principal town. Salcete (including today’s Mormugao, bifurcated in Dec-1880) was the biggest taluka of the Old Conquests. Biggest in area, population, state revenues and foremost in political and cultural trends. “The most noble,” said ‘Oriente Conquistado.’“Athens of Goa,” was how Portuguese surveyor Antonio Lopes Mendes described Margao in ‘A India Portuguesa.’ Margao is going to dogs. Despite Digambar Kamat – a Minister most of the time, and now the Chief Minister – representing it since 1994. At least some Margao residents unwittingly drink government-supplied water laced with mutants of human excreta (my words.)
Let’s recap the newspaper report. A 1.5 litre sample of ‘potable’ tap water collected at Gogol-Margao was tested at the Goa State Pollution Control Board laboratory. Among the results: Coliform organisms – 540(maximum permissible limit: 10.) Faecal coliform – 240 (max. limit: zero.) In 100 ml of water! These bacteria can cause fatal gastric and liver illnesses. Years ago, warnings were sounded that Selaulim water was contaminated with deadly Trihalomethanes (THMs), linked to cancer. Not that there are no quality controls. At least on paper, treated water is tested at various points, from the post-treatment at Selaulim to the point of local reservoirs, before it is pumped into distribution lines. Let us assume the Public Health Engineering (PHE) guys are doing their job pumping only safe water into distribution. But then, everybody knows that Margao’s sub-soil is saturated with raw sewage. How does one prevent soil contaminants from seeping into the porous distribution pipe joints? This appears to be at the heart of the problem.
The age-old, under-capacity, ill-suitedseptic tank/soak pit system that has slowly but surely contaminated even ground water.The supreme irony is that crores have been – and are being – spent, since 1985/86, on Margao’s sewage system. Less than 10 percent households in the covered area have connected to the sewers – despite incentives, like almost free connections. I have an ancient, perennial, drinking water well in my compound. When a cluster of buildings rose in the adjoining property, I randomly tested its water over the last quarter century. E-coli and other bacteriological levels gradually increased. I am not suggesting that only Rohini Apts. was the cause, but despite being a Co-operative Housing Society, it has not connected to the sewage system. There won’t be a single uncontaminated water well in Margao, as I’ve said before. Who’s to blame? PHE guys, who work under Ministers? Who in turn are elected by us? The buck stops with us, the people. At least like those in Margao who have the sewage facility at their doorstep but have chosen not to connect.
Officials indeed have already suggested that water supply to errant households be cut.There was ministerial inertia. Except in the current controversy over Digambar Kamat reportedly reversing water disconnections to some buildings at Colmorod. Granted, the area is not under the sewage network. But what prevented the buildings, now receiving the Chief Minister’s benign sympathies, from using night soil tankers to regularly empty their septic tanks – instead of diverting their raw sewage into municipal drains? When elected leaders are irresponsible, officials wouldn’t lag far behind. I blame neither.
In today’s ‘Goa Meri Hai’, the all-pervasive mantra among elected men and bureaucrats belongs solely to us, the people. SMP!
P.S.: Last week’s column on Candolim’s beached ‘River Princess’ evoked an interesting response from Mumbai-based friend, Nikhil Purov. Says he: "From dust you rise, in dust you settle - a full circle. The Princess was possibly made from iron smelted out of Goa'siron ore (dust). Like salmon, it could have come full circle to return to its shores of origin.‘Rusting In Peace’ (RIP) I think could be a good epitaph.” (ENDS.)
The Valmiki Faleiro weekly.
March 29, 2009
JASPER DIAS ON "CAN WE HELP?"
Jasper Dias has left a new comment on your post "CAN YOU HELP?":
Bab Veronica, I just want to comment on the write - up under the reference
" CAN YOU HELP ".
It's a very sad and spine chilling article by Rev Andy Thompson of St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Ahmadi – Kuwait. It is also a very Blood Boiling article to know that this type of things still exists in the world and that too very much in the Gulf areas. I don't say that it is not happening in other parts of the world, I am sure they are but I salute Rev. Andy Thompson for opening the Lid of what is happening in Kuwait. If i am not mistaken there was also an article on the ill treatment of Maids from you sometime back. I salute you both for being a Voice of the downtroden. God gives you both health and courage to bring this type of news to the world thru your GOA KRANTI forum to educate and enlighten people especially the job aspiring MAIDS on the dangers they should expect.
I am sure people have read the article and their 1st reaction would be OMG ( Oh My God ) or Saiba Bogos what is happening? See in both of them God name is there in English and Konkani. We Goans have God in our minds for everything and I hope God gives the courage to the Nepali maid to overcome the trauma she went thru and she will go thru till she dies. My earnest prayer and I hope like minded people will also do the same. Question arises : So, where are the Laws in Kuwait ? Are there different sets of laws in Kuwait for the native and the expatriats?? Are there any Human Rights organisations who can take the issue to the higher authority??? I am sure that the devine punishment will come for the missdeeds they did on innocent people's lives. I am sure lots of our Goan maids also must be going through that hell but are just silent cause if they spill the bean out they will loose their livehood and all family in Goa will suffer as the saying goes " DANTTUI AMCHE ANI VONTTUI AMCHE" so might as well suffer. It is not a right attitude but they have no other choice than be a silent spectator. You two keep on writing and exposing the missdeeds of people and hope something positive comes out of it.
People around the world after reading the article must be saying how bad the Kuwaitis are but let me tell those people that we Goans are also in the same boat but not to that extent. We mostly in Goa the so called ELITE eg: Landlords / Ministers / Builders in one word " The Rich and powerful people" also have maids in their houses. Most of the maids are from Outside Goa or the downtroden village people. They are also ill treated , they have no set of hours to work, they are awake till the BAB is come home and seen all his needs are met cause the madam is fast a sleep. They are paid very low salary, they dont get off day and they cannot complain. The worst thing is that they are mostly UNDERAGE. So are there Laws in GOA to protect the underage workforce??? Even if there are, no one gives a Damm. One thing is that I am not aware of any RAPES in Goa where the maids are concerned as like Kuwait and probaly because this so called Elite Group of people in GOA hire our beautiful looking girls to be their PA so rapes do not play part. They can make Kids outside wedlock and look after them without their legal Wife knowing.
Money and power talks same as in Kuwait but in Goa it is in a systematic way. As long as package is good I guess everyone is happy and no complaints. SO you can see the difference. We Goans also have a share in our Maids agony in our life and that is part of life if you are in that Elite Group. I condemm the Rapes of innocent people and ask God to punish them if the law does not. I also condemm the ill treatment of the maids in Kuwait which only people like you bring it out openly to the world. I think HUMAN RIGHTS organisation headquaters should investigate thEse crimes and pressure the respective govt to punish the culprits as I am sure the Kuwaiti Govt is a signatory to the ILO ( International Labour Organisation ). In Goa the Govt or the NGO should wake up and BAN the hiring of underage Maid thus depriving their childhood nessecities which only kids can appreciate and not slog for hours working. I am glad that the subject came out in print and I had an opportunity to shed my knowledge of what I am aware of where Maids are concerned in Goa. We should ask ourself what can we do to eradicate the hiring of underage Maids menace in Goa. People may think by hiring underage Kids as maids they are doing a favour to their parents moneytarily but I say they are depriving their rights to live as Kids.
Thank you, Kranti. Let Veronica create Kranti thru goa-kranti. Other than you Bab Veronica, there is nobody among us to create a real kranti.
Jasper.
Bab Veronica, I just want to comment on the write - up under the reference
" CAN YOU HELP ".
It's a very sad and spine chilling article by Rev Andy Thompson of St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Ahmadi – Kuwait. It is also a very Blood Boiling article to know that this type of things still exists in the world and that too very much in the Gulf areas. I don't say that it is not happening in other parts of the world, I am sure they are but I salute Rev. Andy Thompson for opening the Lid of what is happening in Kuwait. If i am not mistaken there was also an article on the ill treatment of Maids from you sometime back. I salute you both for being a Voice of the downtroden. God gives you both health and courage to bring this type of news to the world thru your GOA KRANTI forum to educate and enlighten people especially the job aspiring MAIDS on the dangers they should expect.
I am sure people have read the article and their 1st reaction would be OMG ( Oh My God ) or Saiba Bogos what is happening? See in both of them God name is there in English and Konkani. We Goans have God in our minds for everything and I hope God gives the courage to the Nepali maid to overcome the trauma she went thru and she will go thru till she dies. My earnest prayer and I hope like minded people will also do the same. Question arises : So, where are the Laws in Kuwait ? Are there different sets of laws in Kuwait for the native and the expatriats?? Are there any Human Rights organisations who can take the issue to the higher authority??? I am sure that the devine punishment will come for the missdeeds they did on innocent people's lives. I am sure lots of our Goan maids also must be going through that hell but are just silent cause if they spill the bean out they will loose their livehood and all family in Goa will suffer as the saying goes " DANTTUI AMCHE ANI VONTTUI AMCHE" so might as well suffer. It is not a right attitude but they have no other choice than be a silent spectator. You two keep on writing and exposing the missdeeds of people and hope something positive comes out of it.
People around the world after reading the article must be saying how bad the Kuwaitis are but let me tell those people that we Goans are also in the same boat but not to that extent. We mostly in Goa the so called ELITE eg: Landlords / Ministers / Builders in one word " The Rich and powerful people" also have maids in their houses. Most of the maids are from Outside Goa or the downtroden village people. They are also ill treated , they have no set of hours to work, they are awake till the BAB is come home and seen all his needs are met cause the madam is fast a sleep. They are paid very low salary, they dont get off day and they cannot complain. The worst thing is that they are mostly UNDERAGE. So are there Laws in GOA to protect the underage workforce??? Even if there are, no one gives a Damm. One thing is that I am not aware of any RAPES in Goa where the maids are concerned as like Kuwait and probaly because this so called Elite Group of people in GOA hire our beautiful looking girls to be their PA so rapes do not play part. They can make Kids outside wedlock and look after them without their legal Wife knowing.
Money and power talks same as in Kuwait but in Goa it is in a systematic way. As long as package is good I guess everyone is happy and no complaints. SO you can see the difference. We Goans also have a share in our Maids agony in our life and that is part of life if you are in that Elite Group. I condemm the Rapes of innocent people and ask God to punish them if the law does not. I also condemm the ill treatment of the maids in Kuwait which only people like you bring it out openly to the world. I think HUMAN RIGHTS organisation headquaters should investigate thEse crimes and pressure the respective govt to punish the culprits as I am sure the Kuwaiti Govt is a signatory to the ILO ( International Labour Organisation ). In Goa the Govt or the NGO should wake up and BAN the hiring of underage Maid thus depriving their childhood nessecities which only kids can appreciate and not slog for hours working. I am glad that the subject came out in print and I had an opportunity to shed my knowledge of what I am aware of where Maids are concerned in Goa. We should ask ourself what can we do to eradicate the hiring of underage Maids menace in Goa. People may think by hiring underage Kids as maids they are doing a favour to their parents moneytarily but I say they are depriving their rights to live as Kids.
Thank you, Kranti. Let Veronica create Kranti thru goa-kranti. Other than you Bab Veronica, there is nobody among us to create a real kranti.
Jasper.
March 28, 2009
DEATH OF DRUMMER MAX FERNANDES.
MAX FERNANDESIt is with deep regret and sorrow we learnt of the sad and sudden death of our friend Musician and Drummer Max Fernandes on 25th of this month in Goa. He was an ex Kuwait Goan. Before coming to Kuwait he even played for Chris Perry's Band. In Kuwait he played for various Bands. He was a regular sight with his Drums Set for Tiatros and Weddings. He was a member of Albino's Holy Family Choir at Kuwait City Church. A very generous man, he loved Goa, he loved Konkani and he loved Goan culture. For many of the good causes he played free of charge.
His memory will always remain alive in the minds of all those who associated with him in the promotion of music. May his soul rest in peace.
Goa-Kranti.
March 27, 2009
MORE ON RIVER PRINCESS & Tomazinho Cardoso.
Francis has left a new comment on your post "JASPER ON "RIVER PRINCESS".":
Dear Veronica,
Bang Bang !!!!!
I call it Candolim Hiroshoma Bomb! I should thank Goa Kranti for the opportunities given to people to bring the misdeeds of our so called elected representatives to the world. Kranti is the only Goan forum which has the courage to open up the hidden treasures of most of the people so Kranti i say thank you for enlightning the World of never ever known facts of people around the globe. Your knowledge of past ( any subject ) is something no one has in this world among our Goa brethern .
Jasper I say bravo too you and say at least there is someone who can write the real facts of the real happenings in Candolim. I would 99% agree with Jasper's article. What he said are facts and they are true to my knowledge. Salgoankar's Bunglow within 200 mtrs from Sea level, who allowed him to build? The answer is our MLA. How much he got for that along with the delaying tactics of River Princess removal and where is all the money gone? In Offshore Properties and that is a very open talk in Candolim.
I am surprised Veronica that you are silent on the subject being a real native of Candolim and can I ask you why ??? Is your silence more stronger than your Pen for the Candolim Mafia's then so be it. Our village is taken over by the outsiders. Jasper has opened the Bottle and now the world is aware of the happeings in Candolim. Most of the youths are paid to harrass the opposition but when the time comes for payment there will be no saviour to save them. Time is running out for all the Mafias in Candolim / Calangute.
For the last decade Candolim has been robbed and now what is left are the Hills and the Fields. Fields are already with Saline water and the only virgin are the hills. They too will be robbed and by the time they eat the fruit of robbery their grave will pull them in and it is my earnest prayers that God should start punishing them now, " no slow death " as that is how he gives his punishment. MLA's children are already afflicted with incurable sickness and many things will follow. We have only one person who have Guts to fights the crooks and he is fighting them in his sweet time and he is none other than John Baptist "Joan Baptist" as he is known in Candolim / Calangute. Wake up Candolim Natives. Money is not everything in this world. Honesty is also powerful and so God's silent doses. Candolim people around the Globe and in Candolim village it is wake time now to bring back our village on the right track.
Men like Tomazinho Cardoso will never involve in this venture because he is not an "asli" Candoikar. He is a "baddeacho" Candoikar. He got no leadership qualities. He got chance to get elected once from Calangute constituency only because there was no suitable opposition in Candolim. And as a doll, he was given the portfolio of Speakership and he chewed that lolipol for 5 years. He has not done any extra ordinary job when he was MLA. He never supported Tiatrits cause nor Konkani cause and now shamelessly he is flirting with these two issues and those who got him there are also shameless. If he was genuine leader having leadership qualities he would have involved in village affairs for the good of Candolim. But by the way, who cares for him in his adopted village Candolim? People dont even hallow him now though they were polishing his shoes when he was Sabapoti. His contribution during his tenure in the Assembly was minus ZERO.
Viva Goa -Viva Candolim !!
Francis.
Dear Veronica,
Bang Bang !!!!!
I call it Candolim Hiroshoma Bomb! I should thank Goa Kranti for the opportunities given to people to bring the misdeeds of our so called elected representatives to the world. Kranti is the only Goan forum which has the courage to open up the hidden treasures of most of the people so Kranti i say thank you for enlightning the World of never ever known facts of people around the globe. Your knowledge of past ( any subject ) is something no one has in this world among our Goa brethern .
Jasper I say bravo too you and say at least there is someone who can write the real facts of the real happenings in Candolim. I would 99% agree with Jasper's article. What he said are facts and they are true to my knowledge. Salgoankar's Bunglow within 200 mtrs from Sea level, who allowed him to build? The answer is our MLA. How much he got for that along with the delaying tactics of River Princess removal and where is all the money gone? In Offshore Properties and that is a very open talk in Candolim.
I am surprised Veronica that you are silent on the subject being a real native of Candolim and can I ask you why ??? Is your silence more stronger than your Pen for the Candolim Mafia's then so be it. Our village is taken over by the outsiders. Jasper has opened the Bottle and now the world is aware of the happeings in Candolim. Most of the youths are paid to harrass the opposition but when the time comes for payment there will be no saviour to save them. Time is running out for all the Mafias in Candolim / Calangute.
For the last decade Candolim has been robbed and now what is left are the Hills and the Fields. Fields are already with Saline water and the only virgin are the hills. They too will be robbed and by the time they eat the fruit of robbery their grave will pull them in and it is my earnest prayers that God should start punishing them now, " no slow death " as that is how he gives his punishment. MLA's children are already afflicted with incurable sickness and many things will follow. We have only one person who have Guts to fights the crooks and he is fighting them in his sweet time and he is none other than John Baptist "Joan Baptist" as he is known in Candolim / Calangute. Wake up Candolim Natives. Money is not everything in this world. Honesty is also powerful and so God's silent doses. Candolim people around the Globe and in Candolim village it is wake time now to bring back our village on the right track.
Men like Tomazinho Cardoso will never involve in this venture because he is not an "asli" Candoikar. He is a "baddeacho" Candoikar. He got no leadership qualities. He got chance to get elected once from Calangute constituency only because there was no suitable opposition in Candolim. And as a doll, he was given the portfolio of Speakership and he chewed that lolipol for 5 years. He has not done any extra ordinary job when he was MLA. He never supported Tiatrits cause nor Konkani cause and now shamelessly he is flirting with these two issues and those who got him there are also shameless. If he was genuine leader having leadership qualities he would have involved in village affairs for the good of Candolim. But by the way, who cares for him in his adopted village Candolim? People dont even hallow him now though they were polishing his shoes when he was Sabapoti. His contribution during his tenure in the Assembly was minus ZERO.
Viva Goa -Viva Candolim !!
Francis.
A. VERONICA REPLIES TO "CAN WE HELP?"
The harassment of maids in Kuwait is an unending agony. In the absence of proper laws to protect them they are unfortunately left to the mercy of their employers some of them are worst than wild beasts while many rightly are humane and kind. For the last so many years I have been writing on the illtreatment of maids in Kuwait, in the cyber world as well as in both the local dailies in Kuwait, namely Kuwait Times and Arab Times. There is lot of awakening done in Kuwait and it is very gratifying that many of the kind hearted local citizens are also raising their voices against this desease which creates a very bad image of Kuwait. A few years back after the liberation of Kuwait, after reading what I wrote on this topic, Time Magazine sent its orrespondent from Scotland to Kuwait to find out more on this subject. He met me and interviewed me for about 45 minutes at Hotel Sheraton where he was putting up. He personally went to Dasma Police Station, interviewed so many maids on Sunday near the Church to ascertain true facts.
When I came on the forefront to organise a movement in the former Portuguese colony Goa (India) in support of Kuwait during the invasion of Kuwait, many people including Iraqi Muslim Arabs asked me "why you are supporting Kuwait when Kuwaitis are on record to maltreat your Goan maids like beating them, harassing them, molesting them, raping them and even maiming their bodies?" My answer to them was that though this maid harassment issue is condemnable and I strongly condemn it and tell others also to condemn it yet invasion of Kuwait by Iraq is wrong and as such it should be condemned and we must fight for the liberation of Kuwait from where we earned our sustenance and for which we are grateful.
Pastor Andy Thompson's write up is very interesting and I support him in his campaign against the menace of maid harassment in Kuwait. He in his write up said "the Nepali maid was five months pregnant". This statement is horrible and chilling marrow in my bones. Who made the poor and helpless Nepali maid pregnant? There is no investigation and punishment for the guilty person? Was it her employer? There is no justice for this unjust act? After landing in Nepal, this poor girl will deliver the baby and whose care of she will give as the father of the child? It is disgraceful to face such a crime and perpetrator of this crime must be punished.
After the liberation of Kuwait, the cresendo of maid harassment in Kuwait reached to such height that when its news spread worldwide, one American Senator challenged everyone saying "if this maid harassment does not come to an end, I will come to Kuwait in a charterted plane, pick up all the harassed maids housed in the Safe Houses of their embassies and take them back to their countries". This turned out to be a stern warning to Kuwait.
I always symphatised with their plight. About 15 years back along with Fr. Gabriel Dias one of the Carmelite Priests of Kuwait Catholic Church, formed an organisation with the backing of the then Bishop of Kuwait and also with the silent nod of Indian Embassy, to help the suffering maids coming from Konkani speaking areas. We organised functions and collected funds to help the suffering maids in Kuwaiti Houses and those taking shelter in Indian Embassy Safe House. With the help of our funds we repatriated innumerable maids back to India of course with the total and legal assistance from the Indian Embassy. After Fr. Gabriel left from Kuwait, our movement slowed down a bit though other members of our organisation tried their best to keep going our charitable work but when Indian Embassy closed the Safe House, our work came to an abrupt halt.
As Pastor Andy Thompson said such work is not for faint hearted persons. To do such work you require guts to face the might of mighty and naughty and one must be prepared to face any eventuality even to leave Kuwait. I was ready for such an eventuality then as I am now because fighting for justice is like my religious duty. Because of this attitude I fought so much for the cause of Kuwait and made others also including the Government of India to fight for getting justice to Kuwait.
When injsutice is done to others we cannot remain as silent spectators. Fighting for justice should be our duty and in this context I cite a beautiful statement of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). When Prophet was asked when there will bejustice in this world, came the reply within a split of a second "when everyone of us will gather courage to fight against the injustice committed on to others as if that injustice is committed on to us only, then only there will be justice in this world".
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
CAN YOU HELP?
By Rev Andy Thompson.
St. Paul’s Anglican Church,
Ahmadi – Kuwait.
“CAN YOU HELP?” is a question lot of people ask when they hear the news of another unfortunate soul who has slipped between the cracks of society. Here is a story of what happened when some friends of mine did try to help. They reached out to a Nepali lady who was injured after jumping out of a third floor window in order to escape from her abusive employers.
This maid had surgery on her pelvis and spine, was five months pregnant and to add insult to injury was serving a sentence in deportation jail on an absconding charge. (Why they don’t arrest the abusive employers?)The authorities finally agreed to let my friends buy an airline ticket to allow her to go home. But when it came to processing the paperwork, the officials claimed to have lost the Nepali girl’s passport (it was found in the same drawer where it was originally deposited). Finally on the day that the ticket would have expired, out of desperation, the friends turned up the jail ready to take her themselves to the airport.
The deportation staff reluctantly escorted the Nepali maid to the airport, and made sure that their annoyance was expressed by denying the poor girl use of a wheel chair and insisted that she walked the whole way through the airport and immigration in order to punish her. The abuse of this girl continued right up to the moment she boarded the plane.She was the lucky one! She got out. Others receiving help are still stuck at the deportation centre. Tickets have been bought to allow them to go home but they have expired because someone, somewhere will not process their paperwork. Hundreds of Dinars from those who wish to help have been wasted. Prisoners are losing their minds because they have been stranded in the deportation centre for months. The tragedy is that often their tickets people who have shown acts of charity – but bureaucratic apathy has reduced their efforts of kindness to naught. The tickets expire and dreams of going home are reduced to despair.
Please note, we are not talking about convicted criminals here. We are talking about people who chose to leave their employers under dire circumstances and who want to home.Can you help? Of course you can. But you need to be committed to see it through. Helping people in Kuwait is not for the faint hearted, but there will be reward and God sees what we do. “The King will reply ‘Whatever you did for the least of these’, you did for me”. (Mathew 25:40).
Posted by KRANTI at Thursday, March 26, 2009.
When I came on the forefront to organise a movement in the former Portuguese colony Goa (India) in support of Kuwait during the invasion of Kuwait, many people including Iraqi Muslim Arabs asked me "why you are supporting Kuwait when Kuwaitis are on record to maltreat your Goan maids like beating them, harassing them, molesting them, raping them and even maiming their bodies?" My answer to them was that though this maid harassment issue is condemnable and I strongly condemn it and tell others also to condemn it yet invasion of Kuwait by Iraq is wrong and as such it should be condemned and we must fight for the liberation of Kuwait from where we earned our sustenance and for which we are grateful.
Pastor Andy Thompson's write up is very interesting and I support him in his campaign against the menace of maid harassment in Kuwait. He in his write up said "the Nepali maid was five months pregnant". This statement is horrible and chilling marrow in my bones. Who made the poor and helpless Nepali maid pregnant? There is no investigation and punishment for the guilty person? Was it her employer? There is no justice for this unjust act? After landing in Nepal, this poor girl will deliver the baby and whose care of she will give as the father of the child? It is disgraceful to face such a crime and perpetrator of this crime must be punished.
That the deportation staff at Kuwait International Airport denied the facility of a Wheel Chair to the deportee Nepali maid is yet another cruelty this society made her to suffer. Was there no compassion in the heart of that deportation staff? Why such an inhuman treatment to a poor woman even during her last jouney to her country? I only pray to God to change the minds and hearts of the cruel people who treat poor expatriate maids badly.
After the liberation of Kuwait, the cresendo of maid harassment in Kuwait reached to such height that when its news spread worldwide, one American Senator challenged everyone saying "if this maid harassment does not come to an end, I will come to Kuwait in a charterted plane, pick up all the harassed maids housed in the Safe Houses of their embassies and take them back to their countries". This turned out to be a stern warning to Kuwait.
I always symphatised with their plight. About 15 years back along with Fr. Gabriel Dias one of the Carmelite Priests of Kuwait Catholic Church, formed an organisation with the backing of the then Bishop of Kuwait and also with the silent nod of Indian Embassy, to help the suffering maids coming from Konkani speaking areas. We organised functions and collected funds to help the suffering maids in Kuwaiti Houses and those taking shelter in Indian Embassy Safe House. With the help of our funds we repatriated innumerable maids back to India of course with the total and legal assistance from the Indian Embassy. After Fr. Gabriel left from Kuwait, our movement slowed down a bit though other members of our organisation tried their best to keep going our charitable work but when Indian Embassy closed the Safe House, our work came to an abrupt halt.
As Pastor Andy Thompson said such work is not for faint hearted persons. To do such work you require guts to face the might of mighty and naughty and one must be prepared to face any eventuality even to leave Kuwait. I was ready for such an eventuality then as I am now because fighting for justice is like my religious duty. Because of this attitude I fought so much for the cause of Kuwait and made others also including the Government of India to fight for getting justice to Kuwait.
When injsutice is done to others we cannot remain as silent spectators. Fighting for justice should be our duty and in this context I cite a beautiful statement of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). When Prophet was asked when there will bejustice in this world, came the reply within a split of a second "when everyone of us will gather courage to fight against the injustice committed on to others as if that injustice is committed on to us only, then only there will be justice in this world".
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
CAN YOU HELP?
By Rev Andy Thompson.
St. Paul’s Anglican Church,
Ahmadi – Kuwait.
“CAN YOU HELP?” is a question lot of people ask when they hear the news of another unfortunate soul who has slipped between the cracks of society. Here is a story of what happened when some friends of mine did try to help. They reached out to a Nepali lady who was injured after jumping out of a third floor window in order to escape from her abusive employers.
This maid had surgery on her pelvis and spine, was five months pregnant and to add insult to injury was serving a sentence in deportation jail on an absconding charge. (Why they don’t arrest the abusive employers?)The authorities finally agreed to let my friends buy an airline ticket to allow her to go home. But when it came to processing the paperwork, the officials claimed to have lost the Nepali girl’s passport (it was found in the same drawer where it was originally deposited). Finally on the day that the ticket would have expired, out of desperation, the friends turned up the jail ready to take her themselves to the airport.
The deportation staff reluctantly escorted the Nepali maid to the airport, and made sure that their annoyance was expressed by denying the poor girl use of a wheel chair and insisted that she walked the whole way through the airport and immigration in order to punish her. The abuse of this girl continued right up to the moment she boarded the plane.She was the lucky one! She got out. Others receiving help are still stuck at the deportation centre. Tickets have been bought to allow them to go home but they have expired because someone, somewhere will not process their paperwork. Hundreds of Dinars from those who wish to help have been wasted. Prisoners are losing their minds because they have been stranded in the deportation centre for months. The tragedy is that often their tickets people who have shown acts of charity – but bureaucratic apathy has reduced their efforts of kindness to naught. The tickets expire and dreams of going home are reduced to despair.
Please note, we are not talking about convicted criminals here. We are talking about people who chose to leave their employers under dire circumstances and who want to home.Can you help? Of course you can. But you need to be committed to see it through. Helping people in Kuwait is not for the faint hearted, but there will be reward and God sees what we do. “The King will reply ‘Whatever you did for the least of these’, you did for me”. (Mathew 25:40).
Posted by KRANTI at Thursday, March 26, 2009.
March 26, 2009
CAN YOU HELP?
The following article appeared in the local daily Arab Times (Kuwait) dated March 21, 2009.
It was written by the Pastor of St. Paul's Anglican Church. I am reproducing it ad verbatim for the readers of goa.kranti spread all around the globe advising them to advice our maids to be careful while working in this part of the world as maids. It looks there is no compassion in the employers who brutalise the maids in Kuwait. They think they not only own the maids physically but also soully. It looks nothing but a total slavery of modern era. I hope by reading this article, people at least will pray for the employers of the maids to treat them humanely. Prayer alone is the last resort left in us now since prayer only can bring a change in those cruel employers attitudes towards their servants. And also, prayer can encourage the fellow citizens of cruel employers to fight against the inustice committed on to the poor expatriate maids from the poor countries.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
CAN YOU HELP?
By Rev Andy Thompson.
St. Paul’s Anglican Church,
Ahmadi – Kuwait.
“CAN we help?” is a question lot of people ask when they hear the news of another unfortunate soul who has slipped between the cracks of society.
Here is a story of what happened when some friends of mine did try to help. They reached out to a Nepali lady who was injured after jumping out of a third floor window in order to escape from her abusive employers. This maid had surgery on her pelvis and spine, was five months pregnant and to add insult to injury was serving a sentence in deportation jail on an absconding charge. (Why they don’t arrest the abusive employers?)
The authorities finally agreed to let my friends buy an airline ticket to allow her to go home. But when it came to processing the paperwork, the officials claimed to have lost the Nepali girl’s passport (it was found in the same drawer where it was originally deposited). Finally on the day that the ticket would have expired, out of desperation, the friends turned up the jail ready to take her themselves to the airport.
The deportation staff reluctantly escorted the Nepali maid to the airport, and made sure that their annoyance was expressed by denying the poor girl use of a wheel chair and insisted that she walked the whole way through the airport and immigration in order to punish her. The abuse of this girl continued right up to the moment she boarded the plane.
She was the lucky one! She got out. Others receiving help are still stuck at the deportation centre. Tickets have been bought to allow them to go home but they have expired because someone, somewhere will not process their paperwork. Hundreds of Dinars from those who wish to help have been wasted. Prisoners are losing their minds because they have been stranded in the deportation centre for months. The tragedy is that often their tickets people who have shown acts of charity – but bureaucratic apathy has reduced their efforts of kindness to naught. The tickets expire and dreams of going home are reduced to despair. Please note, we are not talking about convicted criminals here. We are talking about people who chose to leave their employers under dire circumstances and who want to home.
Can you help? Of course you can. But you need to be committed to see it through. Helping people in Kuwait is not for the faint hearted, but there will be reward and God sees what we do. “The King will reply ‘Whatever you did for the least of these’, you did for me”. (Mathew 25:40).
It was written by the Pastor of St. Paul's Anglican Church. I am reproducing it ad verbatim for the readers of goa.kranti spread all around the globe advising them to advice our maids to be careful while working in this part of the world as maids. It looks there is no compassion in the employers who brutalise the maids in Kuwait. They think they not only own the maids physically but also soully. It looks nothing but a total slavery of modern era. I hope by reading this article, people at least will pray for the employers of the maids to treat them humanely. Prayer alone is the last resort left in us now since prayer only can bring a change in those cruel employers attitudes towards their servants. And also, prayer can encourage the fellow citizens of cruel employers to fight against the inustice committed on to the poor expatriate maids from the poor countries.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
CAN YOU HELP?
By Rev Andy Thompson.
St. Paul’s Anglican Church,
Ahmadi – Kuwait.
“CAN we help?” is a question lot of people ask when they hear the news of another unfortunate soul who has slipped between the cracks of society.
Here is a story of what happened when some friends of mine did try to help. They reached out to a Nepali lady who was injured after jumping out of a third floor window in order to escape from her abusive employers. This maid had surgery on her pelvis and spine, was five months pregnant and to add insult to injury was serving a sentence in deportation jail on an absconding charge. (Why they don’t arrest the abusive employers?)
The authorities finally agreed to let my friends buy an airline ticket to allow her to go home. But when it came to processing the paperwork, the officials claimed to have lost the Nepali girl’s passport (it was found in the same drawer where it was originally deposited). Finally on the day that the ticket would have expired, out of desperation, the friends turned up the jail ready to take her themselves to the airport.
The deportation staff reluctantly escorted the Nepali maid to the airport, and made sure that their annoyance was expressed by denying the poor girl use of a wheel chair and insisted that she walked the whole way through the airport and immigration in order to punish her. The abuse of this girl continued right up to the moment she boarded the plane.
She was the lucky one! She got out. Others receiving help are still stuck at the deportation centre. Tickets have been bought to allow them to go home but they have expired because someone, somewhere will not process their paperwork. Hundreds of Dinars from those who wish to help have been wasted. Prisoners are losing their minds because they have been stranded in the deportation centre for months. The tragedy is that often their tickets people who have shown acts of charity – but bureaucratic apathy has reduced their efforts of kindness to naught. The tickets expire and dreams of going home are reduced to despair. Please note, we are not talking about convicted criminals here. We are talking about people who chose to leave their employers under dire circumstances and who want to home.
Can you help? Of course you can. But you need to be committed to see it through. Helping people in Kuwait is not for the faint hearted, but there will be reward and God sees what we do. “The King will reply ‘Whatever you did for the least of these’, you did for me”. (Mathew 25:40).
GOA DEPORTO CLUB.
GOA DEPORTO CLUB.
Goa Deporto Club is one of the Indian Soccer Clubs in Kuwait registered with Kuwait Indian Football Federation. Recently, it held its meeting and elected a new committe under the presidency of Clive D'Costa.
The other members of the newly elected committee are Domnick D'Souza - Gen. Secretary; Ignatius Martins - Sports Secretary; William Stromach - Team Manager; Simon Bernard - Asst. Coach.
All the named committee members are seen in the above picture along with their footballers.
Konkani Feature Film 'DOLLA' Shot in Kuwait
By Gaspar AlmeidaGood news for all the Konkani lovers. Yet another Kuwait-based Goan has envisaged to carry on the Goan tradition of keeping the Goan culture alive and this time, it's another Konkani full feature film tilted "DOLLA", written and directed by Ignatius D. Fernandes. The entire shoot of this film has been done in Kuwait. Alluring music has been composed and meticulously selected for "DOLLA" keeping the Goan taste of melody, music and rhyme in mind. Ignatius hails from the picturesque village of Sancoale, Goa-India and proudly says: "I have great expectation from this film. I’ve tried my best to do justice to the script".
A brief intro about the Producer-Director:
After obtaining his Degree in Computer Engineering (APTECH), he successfully undertook the IATA Diploma courses. Cinema was something out of his thoughts as a career or profession option, then. Ignatius fondly remembers during his childhood days, when his dad, John C. Fernandes, who worked in Kuwait used to get Konkani Video Cassettes, along with all the goodies and presents. He still vividly remembers the names of some like “Hanv Vatt Chuklo”, “Kitem Hanvem Kellem”, “Doth ani Dennem”, among scores of other Konkani dramas which his mother Succorina Fernandes used to treasure, keeping them immaculately cleaned and packed. He confesses though that he was not too much fond of them during that time. Ignatius recalls "I guess it was due to the attitude of insignificance of our mother tongue we felt around us"! When he stepped into adolescence, a likeness towards Konkani grew within him. "I used to hear all the Konkani audio cassettes. I even to the extend to clean the fungus on the VHS cassettes and watch the same dramas once I shunned to view", he shyly recalls.Around 2004 when Konkani home-made and amateur videos started to bloom, a desire to make his own Konkani songs album VCD was felt by him. He fondly adds, "I learnt the techniques and ideas used in film creations, production as well as the finer aspects of filming. I met some professionals, exchange lots of thoughts and views and with their help planned out my first Konkani VCD project. After 3-4 songs were filmed, fate had something else in store for me. "I landed in Kuwait on a work visa and had to depart from this field". The wish of fulfilling his 'maiden' project was sacrificed as his job and other priorities came in the fore.
It was during the same period that his brother, Joywin, also a die-hard Konkani lover, established himself and set up his own banner “Home Video Production” in Goa. Today, Ignatius deeply feel proud of Joywin's success as he has scripted his mark for having the largest number of Konkani VCD and Konkani telefilms photographed, filmed and edited single handedly. A rare achievement, indeed, at a very young age! Joywin has some pleasant creative films to his name and credit. Among these include “Chint Munxea Vogot Astanam”, “Chintnam Nuin Sopnam”, “Ek Full Don Kannte”, etc.
The latest released film “Friends” in which the beautifully conceptualized romance between youngsters is well presented. 'It's happening for the first time in Konkani films', Ignatius prouldy states. Termed as a youthful joyride, the entertaining film is written, directed, photographed and edited by Joywin. Yet another new film titled “Family” is also slated for release soon. It's a film about relationships.
Coming back to "DOLLA" his cherished subject, Ignatius gives a little insight cheefully, "I intended to create a film long back, but due to reasons beyond my control and other commitments, the idea and script were set aside untouched. Now after an impatient wait of over 5 years, finally I have ventured out for this film. The trailor of this film is already out on a few Konkani Video CDs and also on youtube, goa-world.com and http://goamag.net/ web portals.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWHOGW2RSIY
Now at the post-production stages, the 29 year old Ignatius feels great that his dream film has come true! It's been a truly a blissful experience to see my work on screen! “My wife Joyce has been my genuine support throughout the making of "DOLLA". She was instrumental in re-writing/modifying the script as the film progressed and accompanied me on the shoot locations. She did the part of an Assistant Director with a genuine eye for details. Without her love and support I couldn’t have brightened up my film", he candidly acknowledges. "My special thanks to all the cast who have tirelessly put in their best performances so also the technicians and support crew".
"The film has turned out in excellent form and to my liking. I have treated each and every element of the movie accurately keeping in mind the audience in and around the Konkan region. I have attempted to craft something different in the genre of Konkani films."
"DOLLA" features Sheryl Gomes, Sylvester Vaz, Irene Vaz, Marina D’Souza, Riana Azavedo, Simon Dias, and a host of other actors including Ignatius and Joyce in a small cameo appearance.
The production and marketing will be handled by "Home Video Productions". The other related aspects of the film are set for final touches. "I plan to release this movie on big screen soon. A few more shoots and that's all is awaited..... I am positive the Konkani audiences will like it".
As Ignatius confidently puts it, "DOLLA" is surely gonna be an all out entertainer and a collector's item for Konkani film enthusiasts.
The producer-director can be contacted via Email: ignatius_kuwait@yahoo.com or ifilmstudios@yahoo.com or Tel/Mob: (+965) 99208421.
Further details about the cast, music and above all, the novel approach in production, direction and storyline is all that the Konkani film lovers await for to watch.
Pictures courtesy: www.goa-world.com
March 25, 2009
JASPER ON "RIVER PRINCESS".
Bab Veronica,
I wrote an article to OHERALD after reading the news which is down below but somehow it did not go thru to the newspaper, it bounced back and hence herebelow I reproduce it to the goa- Kranti readers. Hope it will be published. KNOWING THE TASTE AND HIGH QUALITY READERSHIP OF KRANTI, I AM SURE MY WRITE UP WILL APPEAR IN KRANTI.
Thanks. Jasper.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Dear Editor, Herald,
Referring to the below mentioned report, it is disgusting to note that the issue has emerged after years of those on the top filling their pockets and now crying at the mercy of the people! Does it take eight years to solve an issue caused by this grounded vessel? Tongues wag the wrong way and those in power chose to ignore issues as long as they are fatted. Why didn't the media investigate the issue at the helm? Any answer for this tongue tied or hands in pocket attitude? Word-of-mouth is that the Mine Owner has subdued the then hip issue must have been a life long pay-off as it has caught the eyes of the down-trodden how those in power have widened=their horizons ! It seems not only those in power but also the Candolim Church turned a blind eye? Where were the priests then???Why are they appearing now in meetings???? Guess they need DONATION. PADRIS ask yourself " ARE WE IN THE RIGHT TRACK AT THIS TIME" ?? I am also glad that NON CANDOLIM NATIVES are also involved in the BLANKET and the Candolim people are fast a sleep???. Why Nerul elected panch / ex panch involved in the issue, what is in there for you'll ?? Do you want to get your TAXIS in Candolim Hotels which is now BARRED???
I m sure CANDOLIM is sitting on a GOLD MINE. Was the M.V. River Princess a gift to Candolim Village by the Salgoankar Mine Owners Fly ? They already got a BANGLOW in the 200 mtrs zone from the sea level, who allowed it to be built???? Why was there a challenge to Dr.Wilfred De Souza to tow out the ship when he wanted to?? why did'nt the Calangute MLA not do it from the time he is a MLA and show to the people what he could do? As the saying goes: Challengers are cowards and doers are fools! Questions arise!!!!Are people of Candolim fools??? Answer is::: No !!!No way !!!! they are more smart than the PANCHVI PASS KIDS.Where was the Candolim Church for the last 8 years ???Why is Calangute Sarpanch BARKING now??? Did he also get his pocket filled thru the mine owner then or is it the MLA Congress ticket issue makes him BARK???? Where is the ex MLA OF CANLAGUTE, EX GOA SPEAKER Mr.Tomazinho Cardozo? Guess he got fed up of talking in the assembly that he is not part of the issue and Well why should he join the gang if he is not a Real Son of Candolim!! He is from Ecoxim after Britona and by the way how many real sons did join the gang ???.
It looks like the Candolim Coastal Belt is of non-Candolim residents???. Reliable sources have mentioned that Blaise Fernandes is not a NATIVE from Candolim but he is fighting for Candolim issue which Candolim natives should be ashamed off. It is also come to know that the MLA is also not A Native of Candolim ( how true? ) so its looks like non native people in Candolim are more interested in Candolim affairs than the NATIVES " SHAME ON YOU ALL CANDOLIM PEOPLE WAKE UP BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE" I wonder Why is the MLA talking against the Ruling Party Lastly, PEOPLE OF CANDOLIM BE AWARE IT IS A GIMMICK OF YOUR MLA TO FOOL YOU AS I HEARD THAT THE CONGRESS HIGH COMMAND IS AWARE THAT THE MLA HAVE SOLD CALANGUTE / CANDOLIM AND THE SORROUNDING AREAS TO NON GOANS ( LEFT, RIGHT & AND CENTRE ) AND THAT THE ASSEMBLY ELECTION TICKET FOR CALANGUTE CONSTITUENCY FOR HIM IS IN DOUBT AND THAT IS WHY IT IS A OPEN CHALLENGE TO CONGRESS PARTY.
Jasper.
Article appeared in
>HERALD REPORTER<> PANJIM, MARCH 15 :The presence of M V River Princess off Candolim coast could=0A cost the Congress dearly. The Candolim villagers today threatened to boycott the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections if the ship which has been beached for nearly nine years, is not=0A towed away soon. The decision comes after a meeting by the River Princess Hatao Manch, a pressure group formed by the villagers of Candolim, to force the Government to move the cargo ship which had run aground on Candolim beach in 2000. Agnelo Fernandes, the Congress MLA from Calangute, of which Candolim is part, said he was ashamed to face the people because the coalition Government led by his party was not taking any measures to tow away the ship. The people of Candolim will not cooperate in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections=0A this time. They have a right not to cooperate. The Government is doing nothing about River Princess and the bureaucracy too is refusing to budge said Fernandes, who is part of theManch. Candolim falls in the North Goa parliamentary constituency. Fermino Fernandes, convenor of the Manch, said we want to warn them that=0A historically the voters of Candolim have been sympathetic to the Congress. We will deprive the Congress candidates of these votes, if they do nothing about the ship Spokesperson of the Manch, Blaise Fernandes said the ship should at least be=0A notified as a State disaster as tourist traffic to Candolim had decreased due to the presence of the ship. The place is unsafe for swimming. A large portion of the beach has been=0A washed away. Last week a couple of shacks built on sand dunes collapsed because of sand erosion, Blaise said. The National Institute of Oceanography in a report had said that nearly km of the Candolim beach had already eroded as the presence of the ship had changed the wave patterns. The deputy collector has urged the Ministry of=0A Tourism to remove River Princess at the earliest to avoid loss of life and property the Water Resources Department too has warned of steady erosion of thecoastline if there is further delay in towing away the vessel
I wrote an article to OHERALD after reading the news which is down below but somehow it did not go thru to the newspaper, it bounced back and hence herebelow I reproduce it to the goa- Kranti readers. Hope it will be published. KNOWING THE TASTE AND HIGH QUALITY READERSHIP OF KRANTI, I AM SURE MY WRITE UP WILL APPEAR IN KRANTI.
Thanks. Jasper.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Dear Editor, Herald,
Referring to the below mentioned report, it is disgusting to note that the issue has emerged after years of those on the top filling their pockets and now crying at the mercy of the people! Does it take eight years to solve an issue caused by this grounded vessel? Tongues wag the wrong way and those in power chose to ignore issues as long as they are fatted. Why didn't the media investigate the issue at the helm? Any answer for this tongue tied or hands in pocket attitude? Word-of-mouth is that the Mine Owner has subdued the then hip issue must have been a life long pay-off as it has caught the eyes of the down-trodden how those in power have widened=their horizons ! It seems not only those in power but also the Candolim Church turned a blind eye? Where were the priests then???Why are they appearing now in meetings???? Guess they need DONATION. PADRIS ask yourself " ARE WE IN THE RIGHT TRACK AT THIS TIME" ?? I am also glad that NON CANDOLIM NATIVES are also involved in the BLANKET and the Candolim people are fast a sleep???. Why Nerul elected panch / ex panch involved in the issue, what is in there for you'll ?? Do you want to get your TAXIS in Candolim Hotels which is now BARRED???
I m sure CANDOLIM is sitting on a GOLD MINE. Was the M.V. River Princess a gift to Candolim Village by the Salgoankar Mine Owners Fly ? They already got a BANGLOW in the 200 mtrs zone from the sea level, who allowed it to be built???? Why was there a challenge to Dr.Wilfred De Souza to tow out the ship when he wanted to?? why did'nt the Calangute MLA not do it from the time he is a MLA and show to the people what he could do? As the saying goes: Challengers are cowards and doers are fools! Questions arise!!!!Are people of Candolim fools??? Answer is::: No !!!No way !!!! they are more smart than the PANCHVI PASS KIDS.Where was the Candolim Church for the last 8 years ???Why is Calangute Sarpanch BARKING now??? Did he also get his pocket filled thru the mine owner then or is it the MLA Congress ticket issue makes him BARK???? Where is the ex MLA OF CANLAGUTE, EX GOA SPEAKER Mr.Tomazinho Cardozo? Guess he got fed up of talking in the assembly that he is not part of the issue and Well why should he join the gang if he is not a Real Son of Candolim!! He is from Ecoxim after Britona and by the way how many real sons did join the gang ???.
It looks like the Candolim Coastal Belt is of non-Candolim residents???. Reliable sources have mentioned that Blaise Fernandes is not a NATIVE from Candolim but he is fighting for Candolim issue which Candolim natives should be ashamed off. It is also come to know that the MLA is also not A Native of Candolim ( how true? ) so its looks like non native people in Candolim are more interested in Candolim affairs than the NATIVES " SHAME ON YOU ALL CANDOLIM PEOPLE WAKE UP BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE" I wonder Why is the MLA talking against the Ruling Party Lastly, PEOPLE OF CANDOLIM BE AWARE IT IS A GIMMICK OF YOUR MLA TO FOOL YOU AS I HEARD THAT THE CONGRESS HIGH COMMAND IS AWARE THAT THE MLA HAVE SOLD CALANGUTE / CANDOLIM AND THE SORROUNDING AREAS TO NON GOANS ( LEFT, RIGHT & AND CENTRE ) AND THAT THE ASSEMBLY ELECTION TICKET FOR CALANGUTE CONSTITUENCY FOR HIM IS IN DOUBT AND THAT IS WHY IT IS A OPEN CHALLENGE TO CONGRESS PARTY.
Jasper.
Article appeared in
>HERALD REPORTER<> PANJIM, MARCH 15 :The presence of M V River Princess off Candolim coast could=0A cost the Congress dearly. The Candolim villagers today threatened to boycott the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections if the ship which has been beached for nearly nine years, is not=0A towed away soon. The decision comes after a meeting by the River Princess Hatao Manch, a pressure group formed by the villagers of Candolim, to force the Government to move the cargo ship which had run aground on Candolim beach in 2000. Agnelo Fernandes, the Congress MLA from Calangute, of which Candolim is part, said he was ashamed to face the people because the coalition Government led by his party was not taking any measures to tow away the ship. The people of Candolim will not cooperate in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections=0A this time. They have a right not to cooperate. The Government is doing nothing about River Princess and the bureaucracy too is refusing to budge said Fernandes, who is part of theManch. Candolim falls in the North Goa parliamentary constituency. Fermino Fernandes, convenor of the Manch, said we want to warn them that=0A historically the voters of Candolim have been sympathetic to the Congress. We will deprive the Congress candidates of these votes, if they do nothing about the ship Spokesperson of the Manch, Blaise Fernandes said the ship should at least be=0A notified as a State disaster as tourist traffic to Candolim had decreased due to the presence of the ship. The place is unsafe for swimming. A large portion of the beach has been=0A washed away. Last week a couple of shacks built on sand dunes collapsed because of sand erosion, Blaise said. The National Institute of Oceanography in a report had said that nearly km of the Candolim beach had already eroded as the presence of the ship had changed the wave patterns. The deputy collector has urged the Ministry of=0A Tourism to remove River Princess at the earliest to avoid loss of life and property the Water Resources Department too has warned of steady erosion of thecoastline if there is further delay in towing away the vessel
VALMIKI FALEIRO REPLIES TO JASPER DIAS.
Valmiki Faleiro (valmikif@gmail.com)
Sent:Wednesday, March 25, 2009 3:08:59 PM
To: A. Veronica Fernandes (averonicaf806@hotmail.com)
Dear Veronicabab,
Please post my response to Jasperbab below and oblige.
Thanks!
Rgds, v
==============================================
Dear Jasperbab,
Thank you for the kind words. No, I'm not afraid to name names.
People who have followed my column regularly know that. In any
case, every one and the other in Goa (to whom the column is
primarily targeted) knows it is Anil Salgaocar. Why should I make
him more famous -- when he's already so infamous? :-)
Truth is, it didn't even strike me that I had not named him even once...
until you opened my eyes. Thank you for doing that, must be more
careful in future.
Rgds, v
=============================================
----- Original Message -----
From: A. Veronica Fernandes
To: valmiki goa
Sent: Wednesday, March 25, 2009 12:23 AM
Subject: In praise of "Valiki Faleiro's" article.
G O A
--No plans in this revolution are written for retreat--
March 24, 2009
IN PRAISE OF "VALMIKI FALEIRO'S" ARTICLE.
Jasper Dias has left a new comment on Valmiki Faleiro's post "GOA SWAYS ..........TO A PRINCE."
Dear Bab Valmiki Faleiro,
First of all let me salute you for yor excellent article on the GOAN DISASTER M/V RIVER PRINCESS or GOAN ATTRACTION ? For a layman to understand the article without mentioning the NAMES of the main person openly is hard to understand. Valmiki it's not a criticism but facts are facts. My question is are you afraid to name the PRINCE ???. I would honestly like if you could be more specific and mention the prince to the WORLD as you have mentioned the names of the TOURISM MINISTERS.
Thanks.
Jasper.
Posted by KRANTI at Tuesday, March 24, 2009
=== A frequent, chronological publication – exclusive, unpublished and hybrid personal thoughts of A. Veronica Fernandes -- can now be read at http://goa-kranti.blogspot.com/
Sent:Wednesday, March 25, 2009 3:08:59 PM
To: A. Veronica Fernandes (averonicaf806@hotmail.com)
Dear Veronicabab,
Please post my response to Jasperbab below and oblige.
Thanks!
Rgds, v
==============================================
Dear Jasperbab,
Thank you for the kind words. No, I'm not afraid to name names.
People who have followed my column regularly know that. In any
case, every one and the other in Goa (to whom the column is
primarily targeted) knows it is Anil Salgaocar. Why should I make
him more famous -- when he's already so infamous? :-)
Truth is, it didn't even strike me that I had not named him even once...
until you opened my eyes. Thank you for doing that, must be more
careful in future.
Rgds, v
=============================================
----- Original Message -----
From: A. Veronica Fernandes
To: valmiki goa
Sent: Wednesday, March 25, 2009 12:23 AM
Subject: In praise of "Valiki Faleiro's" article.
G O A
--No plans in this revolution are written for retreat--
March 24, 2009
IN PRAISE OF "VALMIKI FALEIRO'S" ARTICLE.
Jasper Dias has left a new comment on Valmiki Faleiro's post "GOA SWAYS ..........TO A PRINCE."
Dear Bab Valmiki Faleiro,
First of all let me salute you for yor excellent article on the GOAN DISASTER M/V RIVER PRINCESS or GOAN ATTRACTION ? For a layman to understand the article without mentioning the NAMES of the main person openly is hard to understand. Valmiki it's not a criticism but facts are facts. My question is are you afraid to name the PRINCE ???. I would honestly like if you could be more specific and mention the prince to the WORLD as you have mentioned the names of the TOURISM MINISTERS.
Thanks.
Jasper.
Posted by KRANTI at Tuesday, March 24, 2009
=== A frequent, chronological publication – exclusive, unpublished and hybrid personal thoughts of A. Veronica Fernandes -- can now be read at http://goa-kranti.blogspot.com/
March 24, 2009
IN PRAISE OF "VALMIKI FALEIRO'S" ARTICLE.
Jasper Dias has left a new comment on Valmiki Faleiro's post "GOA SWAYS ..........TO A PRINCE."
Dear Bab Valmiki Faleiro,
First of all let me salute you for yor excellent article on the GOAN DISASTER M/V RIVER PRINCESS or GOAN ATTRACTION ? For a layman to understand the article without mentioning the NAMES of the main person openly is hard to understand. Valmiki it's not a criticism but facts are facts. My question is are you afraid to name the PRINCE ???. I would honestly like if you could be more specific and mention the prince to the WORLD as you have mentioned the names of the TOURISM MINISTERS.
Thanks.
Jasper.
Dear Bab Valmiki Faleiro,
First of all let me salute you for yor excellent article on the GOAN DISASTER M/V RIVER PRINCESS or GOAN ATTRACTION ? For a layman to understand the article without mentioning the NAMES of the main person openly is hard to understand. Valmiki it's not a criticism but facts are facts. My question is are you afraid to name the PRINCE ???. I would honestly like if you could be more specific and mention the prince to the WORLD as you have mentioned the names of the TOURISM MINISTERS.
Thanks.
Jasper.
March 23, 2009
BRAVO ANTHONY VERONICA.
bravo.
From: joaquim dsouza (dudejacky1981@yahoo.com)
Sent: Sunday, March 22, 2009 2:07:55 PM
To: averonicaf806@hotmail.com
Bravo anthony veronica,
Your excellent article on "great goan footballers of the ast".
Im referring to the cool and calm goan great footballer who was playing as forward named ANDREW DSOUZA. For the Rovers Cup in Bombay at Cooperage Football Ground, all Bombay football lovers, Goans and all other communities used to adore and admire him for his cool and calm football playing tricks. He was very tricky and accurate shooter, when the ball reached in the goal mouth.
He was always a scorer in the tournament all around in India and in Goa.. He started his carrer of playing for Vasco Club and retired also from the same club. Still people are talking about him in Goa and elewhere. I salute him for his beautiful and tricky game plans.
I also thank you good man for reminding us by writing this article Great Goan Footballers of Goa. You make our reading very interesting. We in Dubai anxiously waiting for your postings in goa.kranti which is a force to reckon with. Keep up the excellent work of writing excellently on excellent topics of which type no other Goan writer does.
Regards Joaquim,
Dubai - UAE.
From: joaquim dsouza (dudejacky1981@yahoo.com)
Sent: Sunday, March 22, 2009 2:07:55 PM
To: averonicaf806@hotmail.com
Bravo anthony veronica,
Your excellent article on "great goan footballers of the ast".
Im referring to the cool and calm goan great footballer who was playing as forward named ANDREW DSOUZA. For the Rovers Cup in Bombay at Cooperage Football Ground, all Bombay football lovers, Goans and all other communities used to adore and admire him for his cool and calm football playing tricks. He was very tricky and accurate shooter, when the ball reached in the goal mouth.
He was always a scorer in the tournament all around in India and in Goa.. He started his carrer of playing for Vasco Club and retired also from the same club. Still people are talking about him in Goa and elewhere. I salute him for his beautiful and tricky game plans.
I also thank you good man for reminding us by writing this article Great Goan Footballers of Goa. You make our reading very interesting. We in Dubai anxiously waiting for your postings in goa.kranti which is a force to reckon with. Keep up the excellent work of writing excellently on excellent topics of which type no other Goan writer does.
Regards Joaquim,
Dubai - UAE.
Month’s Mind in Fond & Cherished Memory of John Henry Noronha
John Henry Noronha
(Kuwait/Bombay)
Born: February 2, 1965
Called to the Lord: March 2, 2009
(Kuwait/Bombay)
Born: February 2, 1965
Called to the Lord: March 2, 2009
Son of Late Alphonsa Noronha & Bridget Noronha
Brother of Celine (Kuwait) and Jessy (Bombay)
Uncle of Nelson and Newton (Kuwait), Roselyn and Zinia (Bombay).
Your death occurred so suddenly
We still can’t believe it’s true
But we try to live & accept
Such deaths are given to few.
A light from our household is gone
Your vacant place hurts us
With memories of you
It will take the rest of our lives
To forget the day we lost you
Requiem Mass for the soul of our beloved John Henry Noronha
will be offered at the Holy Family Cathedral, Kuwait City
on 30th March 2009 at 7.15pm.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.
And let Your Perpetual Light shine upon him.
May his soul rest in Peace.
Relatives, neighbours and friends kindly accept this as the only intimation
March 22, 2009
GOA SWAYS ..........TO A PRINCE.
GOA SWAYS … TO A PRINCE.
By Valmiki Faleiro.
Four state governments led by India’s major political parties: BJP and Congress. ThreeTourism Ministers, from a tailor-turned-politician, to a teacher-turned-politician, to even a surgeon-turned-politician: Mickky Pacheco, Mathany Saldanha, Dr. Wilfred de Souza. The combined strength of national parties, state governments and tourism ministers proved impotent before a Goan puppeteer twiddling the strings, for almost a decade. The puppeteer purchased a discarded freighter in London. For converting it into a trans-shipper, a ‘dumb’ (engineless) vessel tugged alongside ocean-going carriers anchored mid-sea. Trans-shippers mechanically reload mineral ore from river barges into carrier. His own experts were against the deal. The puppeteer must have liked the scrap ship’s rather bewitching name, ‘River Princess.’
A vessel that had outlived her utility. He had it docked in the Mormugao harbour area, violating every rule in the book. On a gusty June 6 in the last year of the last millennium – year 2000 – the ‘Princess’ tore off her anchors and rooted tantalizingly bang on Goa’s prime touristy beach district, at Candolim. BJP’s Manohar Parrikar was the Chief Minister. Parrikar is a politician, and an intelligent one at that, unlike the nincompoops in theCongress. He enacted smokescreens. Like a new law to handle such contingencies, as if the maritime laws of the world’s largest democracy were inadequate. His advocate publicly defended the State in legal battles initiated by the transgressor by day, and privately dictated court responses for the opponent by night.
Worse, the dreary ‘Princess’ was allowed to be shorn off her vitals of any immediate value, as Parrikar & party watched. Not even a namesake police enquiry to identify the criminals who also cut huge holes in her sides. The intent was clear: make re-floating and towing away the vessel prohibitively expensive, and let the South-West monsoons break the vessel at site, so that the scrap can be salvaged inexpensively. Scattered underwater shrapnel be damned – let the foolish tourists who venture near where the ‘Princess’ once was, be quartered. And Goa be damned!
Those who sustain themselves on the Bardez beach belt must bless the builders of the ship that that didn’thappen – yet. Who would give a damn if the dowdy distress drowned or disintegrated? Those in power might have only uttered those colourful but unprintable Konknni phrases, with acronyms like ST, SMP (in English, trichotillomania, here, about blowing whistles on pubic hair.) Pretty close to SMIPL, acronym of the Princess’ owner. The ‘Princess’ was the middle of three of his renegade vessels in love with Goan coasts.
When the Captain of the first vessel radioed a Ready-to-Load note, our hero was worried– he had no ready ore shipment. Demurrages were steep. That June 5, a cyclone hit the Goa coast and beached the vessel off Sinquerim. The ‘Prince’ sued the importer instead– his export consignment was ‘ready’ but no vessel was in sight! The mighty insurer, Lloyds of London, ought to know him well. What’s Goa’s feckless government to him?
The tailor-turned-Tourism Minister, at a media meet the day he first took office, vowed to have the ship “towed away” within seven days. His ready-witted mentor and my friend, Radharao Gracias, quickly prompted him to amend the bloomer to mean that he would “initiate action” within seven days (to tow the ship.)
Deadlines came and went. The teacher-turned-Tourism Minister set a new deadline and vowed he would go if the ship didn’t. He went anyway, the ‘Princess’ did not. The surgeon-turned-Tourism Minister bellowed as many deadlines as he should bellow hot air. The ‘Princess’ was not charmed. She stayed put, even if reduced to a mere metal carcass. Good heavens have waited nine monsoons for Goa’s morons to move the marooned disaster away. What does failure to remove a dangerously grounded vessel, in this age of modern technology, signify? Smartness of the prince, incompetence of officialdom, or corruption among ministers?
PS: A Goa PWD engineer friend, after discussing last week's column, suggested, "Instead of raking up scandals in specific Govt Depts, search for a Dept where such daylight dacoities do not occur. The conclusion would be quicker – such a Dept does note xist in Goa!" (ENDS.)
The Valmiki Faleiro weekly column.
By Valmiki Faleiro.
Four state governments led by India’s major political parties: BJP and Congress. ThreeTourism Ministers, from a tailor-turned-politician, to a teacher-turned-politician, to even a surgeon-turned-politician: Mickky Pacheco, Mathany Saldanha, Dr. Wilfred de Souza. The combined strength of national parties, state governments and tourism ministers proved impotent before a Goan puppeteer twiddling the strings, for almost a decade. The puppeteer purchased a discarded freighter in London. For converting it into a trans-shipper, a ‘dumb’ (engineless) vessel tugged alongside ocean-going carriers anchored mid-sea. Trans-shippers mechanically reload mineral ore from river barges into carrier. His own experts were against the deal. The puppeteer must have liked the scrap ship’s rather bewitching name, ‘River Princess.’
A vessel that had outlived her utility. He had it docked in the Mormugao harbour area, violating every rule in the book. On a gusty June 6 in the last year of the last millennium – year 2000 – the ‘Princess’ tore off her anchors and rooted tantalizingly bang on Goa’s prime touristy beach district, at Candolim. BJP’s Manohar Parrikar was the Chief Minister. Parrikar is a politician, and an intelligent one at that, unlike the nincompoops in theCongress. He enacted smokescreens. Like a new law to handle such contingencies, as if the maritime laws of the world’s largest democracy were inadequate. His advocate publicly defended the State in legal battles initiated by the transgressor by day, and privately dictated court responses for the opponent by night.
Worse, the dreary ‘Princess’ was allowed to be shorn off her vitals of any immediate value, as Parrikar & party watched. Not even a namesake police enquiry to identify the criminals who also cut huge holes in her sides. The intent was clear: make re-floating and towing away the vessel prohibitively expensive, and let the South-West monsoons break the vessel at site, so that the scrap can be salvaged inexpensively. Scattered underwater shrapnel be damned – let the foolish tourists who venture near where the ‘Princess’ once was, be quartered. And Goa be damned!
Those who sustain themselves on the Bardez beach belt must bless the builders of the ship that that didn’thappen – yet. Who would give a damn if the dowdy distress drowned or disintegrated? Those in power might have only uttered those colourful but unprintable Konknni phrases, with acronyms like ST, SMP (in English, trichotillomania, here, about blowing whistles on pubic hair.) Pretty close to SMIPL, acronym of the Princess’ owner. The ‘Princess’ was the middle of three of his renegade vessels in love with Goan coasts.
When the Captain of the first vessel radioed a Ready-to-Load note, our hero was worried– he had no ready ore shipment. Demurrages were steep. That June 5, a cyclone hit the Goa coast and beached the vessel off Sinquerim. The ‘Prince’ sued the importer instead– his export consignment was ‘ready’ but no vessel was in sight! The mighty insurer, Lloyds of London, ought to know him well. What’s Goa’s feckless government to him?
The tailor-turned-Tourism Minister, at a media meet the day he first took office, vowed to have the ship “towed away” within seven days. His ready-witted mentor and my friend, Radharao Gracias, quickly prompted him to amend the bloomer to mean that he would “initiate action” within seven days (to tow the ship.)
Deadlines came and went. The teacher-turned-Tourism Minister set a new deadline and vowed he would go if the ship didn’t. He went anyway, the ‘Princess’ did not. The surgeon-turned-Tourism Minister bellowed as many deadlines as he should bellow hot air. The ‘Princess’ was not charmed. She stayed put, even if reduced to a mere metal carcass. Good heavens have waited nine monsoons for Goa’s morons to move the marooned disaster away. What does failure to remove a dangerously grounded vessel, in this age of modern technology, signify? Smartness of the prince, incompetence of officialdom, or corruption among ministers?
PS: A Goa PWD engineer friend, after discussing last week's column, suggested, "Instead of raking up scandals in specific Govt Depts, search for a Dept where such daylight dacoities do not occur. The conclusion would be quicker – such a Dept does note xist in Goa!" (ENDS.)
The Valmiki Faleiro weekly column.
March 21, 2009
BJP VARUN GANDHI'S HATE SPEECH.
BJP VARUN GANDHI'S HATE SPEECH.
There is a saying in Konkani “Bim toxem bhath” ani “Pai tosso put”. This is what has happened to Varun Gandhi, the only son of Maneka and the late Sanjay Gandhi, the younger son of Indira Gandhi. Varun Gandhi recently while addressing a rally in Uttar Pradesh as a candidate of BJP told the audience as reported in the media that “when we win the election, we will liquidate the Muslims from India”. Siddartha Shanker Ray from Calcutta as a top leader of Indira Congress in 1975 election rally in Calcutta told the opposition that “let us get the power back in this Lokh Sabah Election, we will shoot you dead”. Unfortunately for him and for his Congress Party, Janata Party won that election and Indira’s Congress lost miserably. Later on like a coward Shiddartha Shanker Ray denied his earlier statement out of fear for his well being and for the prospect of Congress Party.
Varun Gandhi vomited his anger on Muslims as if Muslims are non-Indians. Indian Muslims are as Indians as any other Indian. Just because a few Muslim terrorists are creating disorder in India that does not mean the entire Muslim community in India should be dubbed as bad and given a threat to liquidate them. Varun Gandhi’s father during the emergency time liquidated so many unborn babies in the wombs of their mothers only by force abortions. Forced birth control on Indian women was introduced by that monster Sanjay Gandhi the rascal son of rascal Indira Gandhi who on the advice of her cruel son Sanjay Gandhi introduced draconian Emergency Rule in India keeping civil liberties under hostage for 19 long months. Like his father Sanjay, Varun Gandhi is also very stubborn and arrogant, still unapologetic for the unIndian speech he delivered in Uttar Pradesh against our Muslim brothers who are victimized just as Christians by the hard core fanatic Hindus like the 29 year old kid Varun Gandhi.
Varun Gandhi denies his statement saying some tricks have been done by his opponents to change the original text of his speech. It is not easy to doctor the tape like that. He claims to be a genuine Indian Hindu. As a matter of fact, for being non-genuine Indian Hindu, he along with his mother Maneka was thrown out of Indira Gandhi’s house after the death of Sanjay Gandhi. Varun Gandhi claims to be the true Gandhi but by being untrue to Gandhi family he was thrown out of Indira Gandhi’s house along with his mother Maneka by his own grandmother Indira Gandhi, uncle Rajiv Gandhi and Unty Sonia Gandhi. These Gandhis are like a curse on the sacred and immaculate name of Gandhiji. Though there is no relationship between Mahatma Gandhi and Indira Gandhi as far as the name Gandhi is concerned yet Indian idiots are still equating them with the family of Mahatma Gandhi. Indira Gandhi got married to one Feroze Gandhi who was a Parsi by religion while Mahatma Gandhi is a pure Hindu. The name of Gandhi is become a very lucrative for Indira Gandhi’s dependents to catch the votes of ignorant Indians. For this very reason Indira Gandhi’s family members are still embracing Hinduism and not following the religion of the Parsi Feroz Gandhi. Indian system is patriarchal and according to this system Indira Gandhi should have brought up both her sons and grand children on the pattern of Parsi religion. But politicians and prostitutes do not care for their religion. For them material benefits are more important.
While watching Varun Gandhi on TV delivering his speeches and statements I can still see a lot of similarities between him and his father Sanjay. Both are hard hearted and adamant. Sanjay Gandhi was so hard hearted that to force his mother to introduce Emergency in India in 1975 he even slapped her, slapped the then Prime Minister of India, according to Kuldip Nayar in his masterpiece “The Judgment” published after the end of Emergency. These Gandhis think India is their fathers’ property and they alone have the right to think what is good and what is bad for India. If Varun Gandhi is elected tomorrow he would vomit more anger on Muslims and other minority communities. He said we must send all the Muslims to Pakistan. Varun Gandhi should know that because of their faithfulness to India, following the partition of India all the Indian Muslims opted for India and still nobody wants to go to Pakistan but in Pakistan there are many Muslims who are still willing to come and settle in India if facilities are given to them. Varun Gandhi should know that the hatred for India from Pakistan was emanated from the anti-Pakistani actions taken by the Congress Party of his grand mother Indira Gandhi and great grand father Nehru.
If immediately after the partition of India Nehru and his Congress Party had to agree with Gandhiji’s advice to pacify Pakistan, Kashmir issue would never come to such an ugly level for India to control. If Congress Party under Indira Gandhi had not to wage a war for the liberation of Bangladesh, India would never have acquired such a hatred for India from Pakistan. In fact, Pakistan feels India has hurt her too much and this hatred will never die, it may diminish. Varun Gandhi’s family members are responsible for Pakistan’s hatred towards India. And as a matter of interest, Pakistan due to its hurt feelings will never give peace to India. See what has happened in Mumbai in 26/11 terrorists attack and still with the only one captured alive terrorist Khasab, Indian security apparatus are lighting midnight lamps to keep a vigil on him to prevent him from falling into the hands of Pakistani terrorists. Is India an Atomic Power? Where is India’s might gone? Is India afraid of “chuttecho sorop”?. India fought direct wars against Pakistan and won but Pakistanis are fighting wars against India thru remote control and yet India cannot win these wars and will never win unless Indian hard core fanatic Hindus show some soft corner for Indian Muslims and to Pakistan as per the wishes of the father of our nation Mahatma Gandhi.
Meantime, people in India especially the true Indians and also secular Indians should not fall prey to the fiery and anti-Indian speeches of Varun Gandhi. He is the member of communal BJP. Also, Goan voters in the coming Lokh Sabah election should be very careful of BJP that is supporting anti-Indian communal forces. Parrikar’s BJP and Varun Gandhi’s BJP are the same. Varun Gandhi’s BJP emits open hatred for Indian Muslims while Parrikar’s BJP releases total and open hatred for Goan Christians even by abolishing Good Friday Holiday. Goan Christians and Goan secular Hindus should not forget it.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
There is a saying in Konkani “Bim toxem bhath” ani “Pai tosso put”. This is what has happened to Varun Gandhi, the only son of Maneka and the late Sanjay Gandhi, the younger son of Indira Gandhi. Varun Gandhi recently while addressing a rally in Uttar Pradesh as a candidate of BJP told the audience as reported in the media that “when we win the election, we will liquidate the Muslims from India”. Siddartha Shanker Ray from Calcutta as a top leader of Indira Congress in 1975 election rally in Calcutta told the opposition that “let us get the power back in this Lokh Sabah Election, we will shoot you dead”. Unfortunately for him and for his Congress Party, Janata Party won that election and Indira’s Congress lost miserably. Later on like a coward Shiddartha Shanker Ray denied his earlier statement out of fear for his well being and for the prospect of Congress Party.
Varun Gandhi vomited his anger on Muslims as if Muslims are non-Indians. Indian Muslims are as Indians as any other Indian. Just because a few Muslim terrorists are creating disorder in India that does not mean the entire Muslim community in India should be dubbed as bad and given a threat to liquidate them. Varun Gandhi’s father during the emergency time liquidated so many unborn babies in the wombs of their mothers only by force abortions. Forced birth control on Indian women was introduced by that monster Sanjay Gandhi the rascal son of rascal Indira Gandhi who on the advice of her cruel son Sanjay Gandhi introduced draconian Emergency Rule in India keeping civil liberties under hostage for 19 long months. Like his father Sanjay, Varun Gandhi is also very stubborn and arrogant, still unapologetic for the unIndian speech he delivered in Uttar Pradesh against our Muslim brothers who are victimized just as Christians by the hard core fanatic Hindus like the 29 year old kid Varun Gandhi.
Varun Gandhi denies his statement saying some tricks have been done by his opponents to change the original text of his speech. It is not easy to doctor the tape like that. He claims to be a genuine Indian Hindu. As a matter of fact, for being non-genuine Indian Hindu, he along with his mother Maneka was thrown out of Indira Gandhi’s house after the death of Sanjay Gandhi. Varun Gandhi claims to be the true Gandhi but by being untrue to Gandhi family he was thrown out of Indira Gandhi’s house along with his mother Maneka by his own grandmother Indira Gandhi, uncle Rajiv Gandhi and Unty Sonia Gandhi. These Gandhis are like a curse on the sacred and immaculate name of Gandhiji. Though there is no relationship between Mahatma Gandhi and Indira Gandhi as far as the name Gandhi is concerned yet Indian idiots are still equating them with the family of Mahatma Gandhi. Indira Gandhi got married to one Feroze Gandhi who was a Parsi by religion while Mahatma Gandhi is a pure Hindu. The name of Gandhi is become a very lucrative for Indira Gandhi’s dependents to catch the votes of ignorant Indians. For this very reason Indira Gandhi’s family members are still embracing Hinduism and not following the religion of the Parsi Feroz Gandhi. Indian system is patriarchal and according to this system Indira Gandhi should have brought up both her sons and grand children on the pattern of Parsi religion. But politicians and prostitutes do not care for their religion. For them material benefits are more important.
While watching Varun Gandhi on TV delivering his speeches and statements I can still see a lot of similarities between him and his father Sanjay. Both are hard hearted and adamant. Sanjay Gandhi was so hard hearted that to force his mother to introduce Emergency in India in 1975 he even slapped her, slapped the then Prime Minister of India, according to Kuldip Nayar in his masterpiece “The Judgment” published after the end of Emergency. These Gandhis think India is their fathers’ property and they alone have the right to think what is good and what is bad for India. If Varun Gandhi is elected tomorrow he would vomit more anger on Muslims and other minority communities. He said we must send all the Muslims to Pakistan. Varun Gandhi should know that because of their faithfulness to India, following the partition of India all the Indian Muslims opted for India and still nobody wants to go to Pakistan but in Pakistan there are many Muslims who are still willing to come and settle in India if facilities are given to them. Varun Gandhi should know that the hatred for India from Pakistan was emanated from the anti-Pakistani actions taken by the Congress Party of his grand mother Indira Gandhi and great grand father Nehru.
If immediately after the partition of India Nehru and his Congress Party had to agree with Gandhiji’s advice to pacify Pakistan, Kashmir issue would never come to such an ugly level for India to control. If Congress Party under Indira Gandhi had not to wage a war for the liberation of Bangladesh, India would never have acquired such a hatred for India from Pakistan. In fact, Pakistan feels India has hurt her too much and this hatred will never die, it may diminish. Varun Gandhi’s family members are responsible for Pakistan’s hatred towards India. And as a matter of interest, Pakistan due to its hurt feelings will never give peace to India. See what has happened in Mumbai in 26/11 terrorists attack and still with the only one captured alive terrorist Khasab, Indian security apparatus are lighting midnight lamps to keep a vigil on him to prevent him from falling into the hands of Pakistani terrorists. Is India an Atomic Power? Where is India’s might gone? Is India afraid of “chuttecho sorop”?. India fought direct wars against Pakistan and won but Pakistanis are fighting wars against India thru remote control and yet India cannot win these wars and will never win unless Indian hard core fanatic Hindus show some soft corner for Indian Muslims and to Pakistan as per the wishes of the father of our nation Mahatma Gandhi.
Meantime, people in India especially the true Indians and also secular Indians should not fall prey to the fiery and anti-Indian speeches of Varun Gandhi. He is the member of communal BJP. Also, Goan voters in the coming Lokh Sabah election should be very careful of BJP that is supporting anti-Indian communal forces. Parrikar’s BJP and Varun Gandhi’s BJP are the same. Varun Gandhi’s BJP emits open hatred for Indian Muslims while Parrikar’s BJP releases total and open hatred for Goan Christians even by abolishing Good Friday Holiday. Goan Christians and Goan secular Hindus should not forget it.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
March 20, 2009
EX KIFF PRESIDENT MANUEL D'COSTA COMMENTS.
RE: On Great Goan Footballers of Past.
From:manuel d'costa (manueldcosta13@hotmail.com)
Sent: Thursday, March 19, 2009 6:18:42 PM
To: Veronica Fernandes (averonicaf806@hotmail.com)
Veronica hats off to u big boss.
U are truly a great and good man.
rdgs
manuel
Subject: On Great Goan Footballers of Past.Date: Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:44:54 +0000
REPLY TO "great goan footballers of the past"
Dear Anthony Veronica,
I have read your excellent article of "Great Goan Footballers Of The Past". You also reminded me of my younger days when I was between 10 - 15 when I used to go to see the football matches of those great Goan footballers at DULER GROUND MAPUSA. I espically mention the greatest Goan footballer Ainsao nick named GOBRO. When he was coming on the ground , all the spectators used to get excited and used to give big "XEBASKHI" for him saying "Come on GOBRO, Come on GOBRO". When he was playing he was using both his legs and both strong shoulders at the same time to keep away the oposiing players. When he used to get the ball in opponents backyard he was targeting 100% to shoot the goal and when he was taking the ball in penalty area he was making all "DULLHO".
I have not seen any player like GOBRO so energetic and so anthuhasitic that he played his game by giving all his energy and never used to care about his life. SALGAONCARS should not forget to organise in his name one sponsorship to entertain the ex players and players playing at present.When i heard AINSAO in one outstation tournament suffered a severe leg injury I was very sad that day as I used to like him too much, later on BOWMICK a MOHUN BHAGAN player used to follow the same style like GOBRO. I salute AINSAO COUTINHO and pray to god that his soul may rest in peace.
Also VASSU RAITURKAR was a SALGAONCAR player, I have seen him playing, he was very good speedy right outer, also K. ANTONY and JOS ROSEMOND, they were very experinced and proffesional players, they used to attract all the spectators and their style like JOSEMARIE who was playing for SESA GOA your late handsome brother who was expert in the heading especially to head goals from the corner kick. When he was schooling at Arpora, he was best in Cycle Race, he got double first in one year including in Cross Country. He was a thorough gentleman on and off the field. I salute him for his genorosity in employing so many boys in Sesa Goa and recruiting innumerables of them to Saudi Arabia for employment when he got the agency to recruit manpower from Goa.
Anthony Veronica, what you and me we have seen during those days vey few have seen. We both together seen best of soccer and best of footballers in Goa and Bombay. And what I saw of you I think none has seen. You were from the very early age a jewel of Arpora School. When you won the individual championship at All Goa level for the All Goa Interschool Athletics Meet at Anjuna Tembi ground I was present there to share in your joy. People from all over Goa who flooded the Tembi ground were just hugging and embracing you not only for winning the indivudal championship but also for creating a sensational record for Goa in 100 metres dash. Young and pretty girls were pulling you by your shirts, others were hugging you and kissing you. And if I am not mistaken included in that group must be your beautiful wife Fatima who was then schooling at Little Flower Convent at Calangute.
Anthony again I was present to see you in action for Sesa against Vasco when that match was abandoned. It all started when you beautifully and legally shoulder dashed Vasco's speedy forward Bernardo. There was chaos on and off the field. Spectators from Candolim, Calangute, Arpora, Parra, Gyrim, Mapusa consisting in thousands were totally with you. Besides, our total "loskor" from Calangute headed by your "Kumpar" Pedro was supporting you. Otherwise there would be riots on the ground because Bernardo also had strong following but your following outnumbered them all.
Anthony during those days you were adored like anything. I am proud of you for being your colleague and classmate till our SSC at Arpora. You are the only Goan now who remembers all the great personalities and player of past. Your have indepth knowledge of all and as rightly said by Valmiki Faleiro once, you are a walking encyclopadeia on any topic, on tiatro, politics, football etc. I dont think now Arpora School can produce persons like you. Your great writings on great subjects speka volumes of you.
There is none in cyber who can challenge your knowledge on Goa and Goans. I was always reading your writings in all the papers you used to write in English and in Konkani. konkani needs your writings again to elevate its standard. See if you can do something.Best of luck.
Through your excellent writings you made goa.kranti the best cyber forum among all the Goan fora. Kranti is the best.
Yours Best regards,
JERRY CAL
Abu Dhabi
Posted by KRANTI at Thursday, March 19, 2009.
From:manuel d'costa (manueldcosta13@hotmail.com)
Sent: Thursday, March 19, 2009 6:18:42 PM
To: Veronica Fernandes (averonicaf806@hotmail.com)
Veronica hats off to u big boss.
U are truly a great and good man.
rdgs
manuel
Subject: On Great Goan Footballers of Past.Date: Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:44:54 +0000
REPLY TO "great goan footballers of the past"
Dear Anthony Veronica,
I have read your excellent article of "Great Goan Footballers Of The Past". You also reminded me of my younger days when I was between 10 - 15 when I used to go to see the football matches of those great Goan footballers at DULER GROUND MAPUSA. I espically mention the greatest Goan footballer Ainsao nick named GOBRO. When he was coming on the ground , all the spectators used to get excited and used to give big "XEBASKHI" for him saying "Come on GOBRO, Come on GOBRO". When he was playing he was using both his legs and both strong shoulders at the same time to keep away the oposiing players. When he used to get the ball in opponents backyard he was targeting 100% to shoot the goal and when he was taking the ball in penalty area he was making all "DULLHO".
I have not seen any player like GOBRO so energetic and so anthuhasitic that he played his game by giving all his energy and never used to care about his life. SALGAONCARS should not forget to organise in his name one sponsorship to entertain the ex players and players playing at present.When i heard AINSAO in one outstation tournament suffered a severe leg injury I was very sad that day as I used to like him too much, later on BOWMICK a MOHUN BHAGAN player used to follow the same style like GOBRO. I salute AINSAO COUTINHO and pray to god that his soul may rest in peace.
Also VASSU RAITURKAR was a SALGAONCAR player, I have seen him playing, he was very good speedy right outer, also K. ANTONY and JOS ROSEMOND, they were very experinced and proffesional players, they used to attract all the spectators and their style like JOSEMARIE who was playing for SESA GOA your late handsome brother who was expert in the heading especially to head goals from the corner kick. When he was schooling at Arpora, he was best in Cycle Race, he got double first in one year including in Cross Country. He was a thorough gentleman on and off the field. I salute him for his genorosity in employing so many boys in Sesa Goa and recruiting innumerables of them to Saudi Arabia for employment when he got the agency to recruit manpower from Goa.
Anthony Veronica, what you and me we have seen during those days vey few have seen. We both together seen best of soccer and best of footballers in Goa and Bombay. And what I saw of you I think none has seen. You were from the very early age a jewel of Arpora School. When you won the individual championship at All Goa level for the All Goa Interschool Athletics Meet at Anjuna Tembi ground I was present there to share in your joy. People from all over Goa who flooded the Tembi ground were just hugging and embracing you not only for winning the indivudal championship but also for creating a sensational record for Goa in 100 metres dash. Young and pretty girls were pulling you by your shirts, others were hugging you and kissing you. And if I am not mistaken included in that group must be your beautiful wife Fatima who was then schooling at Little Flower Convent at Calangute.
Anthony again I was present to see you in action for Sesa against Vasco when that match was abandoned. It all started when you beautifully and legally shoulder dashed Vasco's speedy forward Bernardo. There was chaos on and off the field. Spectators from Candolim, Calangute, Arpora, Parra, Gyrim, Mapusa consisting in thousands were totally with you. Besides, our total "loskor" from Calangute headed by your "Kumpar" Pedro was supporting you. Otherwise there would be riots on the ground because Bernardo also had strong following but your following outnumbered them all.
Anthony during those days you were adored like anything. I am proud of you for being your colleague and classmate till our SSC at Arpora. You are the only Goan now who remembers all the great personalities and player of past. Your have indepth knowledge of all and as rightly said by Valmiki Faleiro once, you are a walking encyclopadeia on any topic, on tiatro, politics, football etc. I dont think now Arpora School can produce persons like you. Your great writings on great subjects speka volumes of you.
There is none in cyber who can challenge your knowledge on Goa and Goans. I was always reading your writings in all the papers you used to write in English and in Konkani. konkani needs your writings again to elevate its standard. See if you can do something.Best of luck.
Through your excellent writings you made goa.kranti the best cyber forum among all the Goan fora. Kranti is the best.
Yours Best regards,
JERRY CAL
Abu Dhabi
Posted by KRANTI at Thursday, March 19, 2009.
March 19, 2009
REPLY TO "great goan footballers of the past"
Dear Anthony Veronica,
I have read your excellent article of "Great Goan Footballers Of The Past". You also reminded me of my younger days when I was between 10 - 15 when I used to go to see the football matches of those great Goan footballers at DULER GROUND MAPUSA. I espically mention the greatest Goan footballer Ainsao nick named GOBRO. When he was coming on the ground , all the spectators used to get excited and used to give big "XEBASKHI" for him saying "Come on GOBRO, Come on GOBRO". When he was playing he was using both his legs and both strong shoulders at the same time to keep away the oposiing players. When he used to get the ball in opponents backyard he was targeting 100% to shoot the goal and when he was taking the ball in penalty area he was making all "DULLHO".
I have not seen any player like GOBRO so energetic and so anthuhasitic that he played his game by giving all his energy and never used to care about his life. SALGAONCARS should not forget to organise in his name one sponsorship to entertain the ex players and players playing at present.
When i heard AINSAO in one outstation tournament suffered a severe leg injury I was very sad that day as I used to like him too much, later on BOWMICK a MOHUN BHAGAN player used to follow the same style like GOBRO. I salute AINSAO COUTINHO and pray to god that his soul may rest in peace.
Also VASSU RAITURKAR was a SALGAONCAR player, I have seen him playing, he was very good speedy right outer, also K. ANTONY and JOS ROSEMOND, they were very experinced and proffesional players, they used to attract all the spectators and their style like JOSEMARIE who was playing for SESA GOA your late handsome brother who was expert in the heading especially to head goals from the corner kick. When he was schooling at Arpora, he was best in Cycle Race, he got double first in one year including in Cross Country. He was a thorough gentleman on and off the field. I salute him for his genorosity in employing so many boys in Sesa Goa and recruiting innumerables of them to Saudi Arabia for employment when he got the agency to recruit manpower from Goa.
Anthony Veronica, what you and me we have seen during those days vey few have seen. We both together seen best of soccer and best of footballers in Goa and Bombay. And what I saw of you I think none has seen. You were from the very early age a jewel of Arpora School. When you won the individual championship at All Goa level for the All Goa Interschool Athletics Meet at Anjuna Tembi ground I was present there to share in your joy. People from all over Goa who flooded the Tembi ground were just hugging and embracing you not only for winning the indivudal championship but also for creating a sensational record for Goa in 100 metres dash. Young and pretty girls were pulling you by your shirts, others were hugging you and kissing you. And if I am not mistaken included in that group must be your beautiful wife Fatima who was then schooling at Little Flower Convent at Calangute.
Anthony again I was present to see you in action for Sesa against Vasco when that match was abandoned. It all started when you beautifully and legally shoulder dashed Vasco's speedy forward Bernardo. There was chaos on and off the field. Spectators from Candolim, Calangute, Arpora, Parra, Gyrim, Mapusa consisting in thousands were totally with you. Besides, our total "loskor" from Calangute headed by your "Kumpar" Pedro was supporting you. Otherwise there would be riots on the ground because Bernardo also had strong following but your following outnumbered them all.
Anthony during those days you were adored like anything. I am proud of you for being your colleague and classmate till our SSC at Arpora. You are the only Goan now who remembers all the great personalities and player of past. Your have indepth knowledge of all and as rightly said by Valmiki Faleiro once, you are a walking encyclopadeia on any topic, on tiatro, politics, football etc. I dont think now Arpora School can produce persons like you. Your great writings on great subjects speka volumes of you. There is none in cyber who can challenge your knowledge on Goa and Goans. I was always reading your writings in all the papers you used to write in English and in Konkani. konkani needs your writings again to elevate its standard. See if you can do something.
Best of luck. Through your excellent writings you made goa.kranti the best cyber forum among all the Goan fora. Kranti is the best.
Yours
Best regards,
JERRY CAL
Abu Dhabi
I have read your excellent article of "Great Goan Footballers Of The Past". You also reminded me of my younger days when I was between 10 - 15 when I used to go to see the football matches of those great Goan footballers at DULER GROUND MAPUSA. I espically mention the greatest Goan footballer Ainsao nick named GOBRO. When he was coming on the ground , all the spectators used to get excited and used to give big "XEBASKHI" for him saying "Come on GOBRO, Come on GOBRO". When he was playing he was using both his legs and both strong shoulders at the same time to keep away the oposiing players. When he used to get the ball in opponents backyard he was targeting 100% to shoot the goal and when he was taking the ball in penalty area he was making all "DULLHO".
I have not seen any player like GOBRO so energetic and so anthuhasitic that he played his game by giving all his energy and never used to care about his life. SALGAONCARS should not forget to organise in his name one sponsorship to entertain the ex players and players playing at present.
When i heard AINSAO in one outstation tournament suffered a severe leg injury I was very sad that day as I used to like him too much, later on BOWMICK a MOHUN BHAGAN player used to follow the same style like GOBRO. I salute AINSAO COUTINHO and pray to god that his soul may rest in peace.
Also VASSU RAITURKAR was a SALGAONCAR player, I have seen him playing, he was very good speedy right outer, also K. ANTONY and JOS ROSEMOND, they were very experinced and proffesional players, they used to attract all the spectators and their style like JOSEMARIE who was playing for SESA GOA your late handsome brother who was expert in the heading especially to head goals from the corner kick. When he was schooling at Arpora, he was best in Cycle Race, he got double first in one year including in Cross Country. He was a thorough gentleman on and off the field. I salute him for his genorosity in employing so many boys in Sesa Goa and recruiting innumerables of them to Saudi Arabia for employment when he got the agency to recruit manpower from Goa.
Anthony Veronica, what you and me we have seen during those days vey few have seen. We both together seen best of soccer and best of footballers in Goa and Bombay. And what I saw of you I think none has seen. You were from the very early age a jewel of Arpora School. When you won the individual championship at All Goa level for the All Goa Interschool Athletics Meet at Anjuna Tembi ground I was present there to share in your joy. People from all over Goa who flooded the Tembi ground were just hugging and embracing you not only for winning the indivudal championship but also for creating a sensational record for Goa in 100 metres dash. Young and pretty girls were pulling you by your shirts, others were hugging you and kissing you. And if I am not mistaken included in that group must be your beautiful wife Fatima who was then schooling at Little Flower Convent at Calangute.
Anthony again I was present to see you in action for Sesa against Vasco when that match was abandoned. It all started when you beautifully and legally shoulder dashed Vasco's speedy forward Bernardo. There was chaos on and off the field. Spectators from Candolim, Calangute, Arpora, Parra, Gyrim, Mapusa consisting in thousands were totally with you. Besides, our total "loskor" from Calangute headed by your "Kumpar" Pedro was supporting you. Otherwise there would be riots on the ground because Bernardo also had strong following but your following outnumbered them all.
Anthony during those days you were adored like anything. I am proud of you for being your colleague and classmate till our SSC at Arpora. You are the only Goan now who remembers all the great personalities and player of past. Your have indepth knowledge of all and as rightly said by Valmiki Faleiro once, you are a walking encyclopadeia on any topic, on tiatro, politics, football etc. I dont think now Arpora School can produce persons like you. Your great writings on great subjects speka volumes of you. There is none in cyber who can challenge your knowledge on Goa and Goans. I was always reading your writings in all the papers you used to write in English and in Konkani. konkani needs your writings again to elevate its standard. See if you can do something.
Best of luck. Through your excellent writings you made goa.kranti the best cyber forum among all the Goan fora. Kranti is the best.
Yours
Best regards,
JERRY CAL
Abu Dhabi
March 18, 2009
Choosing People's Candidates.
Choosing People’s Candidates.
By: Pramod Zacharias
Forwarded by Florian Lobo.
Recently there has been a lot of focus on civil administration and the quality of our politicians who are elected to office to serve the general public. There has also been lots of space devoted to the failings of the educated populace in preventing the wrong kind of politicians being elected. This has been the burning issue in Goa ever since the days of the ill-fated Regional Plan and now seen nationally in the aftermath of the recent terror attacks in Mumbai and the public remonstrations of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. However, it is important to note that last time in Goa, while there were numerous protests against the existing politicians (both ruling and in opposition), the voters finally elected the same crop again come election time, except for maybe a couple of defeats. The reasons given were the TINA (there is no other alternative) effect and that the educated voters are not casting their precious votes.
If in such a small and highly literate state like Goa we cannot see significant changes, especially after a tide of democratic uprisings across villages and cities overturned anti-people policies so intensely supported by the politicians, then it is difficult to envisage it anywhere else in the country. Which brings us to the question: “Do the majority of electorate actually prefer the current system and its politicians?” The immediate reaction most likely is, “Definitely not”. But then that does not explain the re-election of those who have been almost universally branded as villains. Why does the electorate persist with them rather than throwing them out. Is it as simple as buying votes? Or is it that a significant chunk of the electorate actually prefer this system that delivers on a case-to-case basis. Why are voters loyal? They could have simply taken the money and voted for someone else who is not a crook, or simply not voted at all. So then could it be that people would rather elect someone in whom they have the confidence to get their job done when they approach them for a particular requirement.
Let me put it this way. Imagine an aam aadmi approaching any of the government offices or civic bodies for some requirement, be it for a building permission, or water connection or any such request. First you will simply be buried in the paperwork required, and rest assured that you will not be given the complete list of requirements in the first visit. Just to know what is required to be submitted will require multiple visits to the concerned office. Even if you are willing to pay a bribe you will still fall short in your quest to get the required permission, given the levels and various offices you have to push through. So if there is an option wherein you can simply go to the local politician and request him or her to “look into the matter” and sit back and see the files moving as if on roller skates, then which do you think any rational person would choose?
Therefore it is my opinion that it is only a small percentage of the entire populace who are really concerned and unhappy at this situation, and since they are all partakers of the English media, it gets magnified beyond its actual size. The actual majority vote based upon issues and how they expect the candidates to solve them rather than on character.
However it could be argued that the TINA factor has not been addressed. If there were better candidates committed to fair and effective governance, then possibly the voters would have given them a chance. For example there is an argument that in Goa the majority of the Catholic voters are not too comfortable voting for the BJP and therefore re-elect the existing representative even if they aren’t too happy with his performance. But please bear in mind that the major political parties allocate tickets on ‘electibility’ and on how the common voter is expected to cast their votes. True, there have not been many candidates taking the independent route, possibly because of the lack of financial backing as also the expectation that voters prefer to vote for parties rather than candidates. However it is important to note that we are living with this supposed dissatisfaction with politicians for more than a decade, and market dynamics teach us that if there indeed was a market for strong individual candidates for so long, it would have definitely been snapped up by now.
Yet some sections of the society and especially the media persist in trying to convince us that the majority of voters are awaiting better candidates. Everyone who believes that the current political system is inadequate, and wants to have their say in the candidate to be put up for elections, should take a part in nominating the ‘people’s candidate’
We have 40 assembly seats in Goa, Let us try and find 40 names who are acceptable candidates for the voters of these 40 segments. It could be quite possible that the individual nominated will already be affiliated to a major political party. The major drawback and concern of the change agents, who would have otherwise entered politics, has been the lack of mass base. Now if we were to circulate a list of individuals whom we would like to see as rulers, be they academicians or professionals or doctors or musicians, and if the general voter indicated their preference for the same, then these candidates would be easier to convince to seek election.
For example, let us have a list comprising Dr. Oscar Rebello, Patricia Pinto, Dean D’Cruz, Remo Fernandes and other well-known and committed individuals and circulate it among the voters and get their feedback. Let us invite the voters to recommend other names. If the numbers are significantly favouring any single candidates, then it should be impressed upon that individual to run for office. Goa, being almost 100% literate, should be a wonderful laboratory for this exercise.
The exercise is difficult but not impossible. If all who speak (including business houses) are ready to act, then it shouldn’t be too difficult to set up and fund an operation for just 40 seats. Everybody who is dissatisfied with the current situation should donate for this exercise.
The imminent parliamentary elections provide us with a wonderful opportunity to test this theory. And I feel that a body like the Goa Bachao Andolan (GBA) can be a catalyst for this effort. All it requires is that there is desk manned by volunteers outside every polling station. Every voter who visits the voting booth is requested to suggest a name whom they would like to be seen elected from their assembly constituency. If required, a list of prominent and capable individuals may be put up for their reference, the whole exercise to be funded by individual or corporate or even institutional bodies. Once the names are collated and counted we should be able to arrive at a ‘people’s candidate’ for most of the constituencies, if not all of them.
COMMENTS:
Pramod Zacharias needs to be congratulated for this forward looking article which makes a lot of sense in these times of ‘free for all’. And it does not come to me as a surprise because only when maladies start taking the upper hand that appropriate remedies are sought for and pronto. Very recently, I have proposed that ‘CITIZENS’ [OF GOA] INITIATIVE should go in for selecting/choosing of people’s candidates, if this is a must, which seems to be the only possible challenge to the corrupt political establishments, by forming new fronts (not political parties) such as GSPEF [Goa State Parliamentary Election Front] and GSAEF [Goa State Assembly Election Front]. The route to be taken for the identification and short-listing of possible candidates appears to be the same as what Mr. Zacharias has suggested. But surprisingly, there has been no response for this call and rightly so. People are tired and fatigue has set in with the many fights on their hands, and, primarily because of the fear that one who initiates the process will be left holding the bag.
But I regret to say that my above proposal of the formation of GSPEF and GSAEF and/or the procedure that Mr. Zacharias has proposed will fail miserably and completely unless until the promoters who go about identifying possible candidates bring them under one roof, so to speak, on a common minimum programme, before letting them into the Elections fighting ring. Without bonding or binding them to the CMP, all of them would head in different directions once elected and that would be a catastrophe and even worse then the present anarchy in the governance.
Besides, by only choosing new faces and letting them go back to the rotten systems of the prevailing political parties would be equally disastrous. Because ultimately, after going through such a lot of trouble, the new faces would have to obey the respective, same, set High and Low commands where their individual voices would be stifled. For they would be getting into the established ‘do or die’ systems and not the other way round where many a courageous persons have ventured into these established arenas and have been disappointed. Example: George Menezes who had joined the BJP executive and left. The message is that one person or a handful or persons cannot change the establishment. They change you or you get out.
What is being sought to be done by Pramod Zacharias above was done years ago. Concerned citizens managed to get possible tailors that they could find, together in one room over eleven brainstorming sessions to stitch a SUIT that would fit all the possible future candidates, with the promoters having to sit back to keep an eye on whether the SUIT was overly stretched and/or giving-in, so that they could come in and rectify/fortify the weakened seams. This was how Goa Su-Raj Party was formed where chances for dissent once embarked on the exercise was drastically reduced if not totally eliminated. A system of governance was set in the mould and once that was done, the mould was destroyed. No body could modify the mould and recast the system again (NO AMMENDMENTS). And ten years down the line we are happy that the system so designed remains intact, irrespective of the pressures building up for it to move forward by diluting the system.
Pramod Zacharias has suggested names of Oscar Rebello, Patricia Pinto and others. I don’t want to malign anyone, more so these icons of social activism, but this exercise has been undertaken to speak to them on this issue, that they should come forward to lead, to show the right way how the governance of this tiny state is to be conducted. But unfortunately for Goa, both have shied away fearing the reputation of the politics in circulation. Hopefully, enough water has flowed down the Mandovi river that these icons may yet consider this option for Goa’s sake. As far as we are concerned (at Goa Su-Raj Party), we have no fear of the stinking reputation that politics in Goa has attained. We have designed the system of governance that cannot be waylaid and/or relapse into the same old stinking gutter because the new faces will be handled by system which has been rendered immune to the mechanics of the prevailing corrupt systems, and who know nothing about or have no previous experience of having been immersed in the stink. Besides, this new system does not rely on the expertise and ingenuity of the players but are expected to drive on the given Road Map, which map is a product of many a minds put to work for a durable end.
Goa needs to understand that the national parties have no love for Goa and for its uniqueness. They are here to further their own prospects of using Goa’s hospitality to the hilt and in the bargain to conveniently drain its resources. Politically, Goa is a burden for them with only 2 of its meager seats in the Parliament.
If Goa has to be wrenched from the clutches of the national parties, Goans will have to search their conscience for the answers. Goa needs to march forward as a role model of ‘good-effective-governance’ with Goans at the helm of things where Goa’s High Command remains undisputable and solidly planted in the sacred soil of Goa and not in the jester’s courts of New Delhi.
As to when Goans will wake up collectively, this is a million dollar question which can be answered by Goans themselves individually. But wake up they must, collectively, to sound the roar of Goa’s ultimate REVOLUTION.
Floriano Lobo
Gen. Secretary
Goa Su-Raj Party
383A, Pirazona
Moira-Bardez-Goa-403 507
Tel: (R) 2470223 (M) 9890470896
By: Pramod Zacharias
Forwarded by Florian Lobo.
Recently there has been a lot of focus on civil administration and the quality of our politicians who are elected to office to serve the general public. There has also been lots of space devoted to the failings of the educated populace in preventing the wrong kind of politicians being elected. This has been the burning issue in Goa ever since the days of the ill-fated Regional Plan and now seen nationally in the aftermath of the recent terror attacks in Mumbai and the public remonstrations of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. However, it is important to note that last time in Goa, while there were numerous protests against the existing politicians (both ruling and in opposition), the voters finally elected the same crop again come election time, except for maybe a couple of defeats. The reasons given were the TINA (there is no other alternative) effect and that the educated voters are not casting their precious votes.
If in such a small and highly literate state like Goa we cannot see significant changes, especially after a tide of democratic uprisings across villages and cities overturned anti-people policies so intensely supported by the politicians, then it is difficult to envisage it anywhere else in the country. Which brings us to the question: “Do the majority of electorate actually prefer the current system and its politicians?” The immediate reaction most likely is, “Definitely not”. But then that does not explain the re-election of those who have been almost universally branded as villains. Why does the electorate persist with them rather than throwing them out. Is it as simple as buying votes? Or is it that a significant chunk of the electorate actually prefer this system that delivers on a case-to-case basis. Why are voters loyal? They could have simply taken the money and voted for someone else who is not a crook, or simply not voted at all. So then could it be that people would rather elect someone in whom they have the confidence to get their job done when they approach them for a particular requirement.
Let me put it this way. Imagine an aam aadmi approaching any of the government offices or civic bodies for some requirement, be it for a building permission, or water connection or any such request. First you will simply be buried in the paperwork required, and rest assured that you will not be given the complete list of requirements in the first visit. Just to know what is required to be submitted will require multiple visits to the concerned office. Even if you are willing to pay a bribe you will still fall short in your quest to get the required permission, given the levels and various offices you have to push through. So if there is an option wherein you can simply go to the local politician and request him or her to “look into the matter” and sit back and see the files moving as if on roller skates, then which do you think any rational person would choose?
Therefore it is my opinion that it is only a small percentage of the entire populace who are really concerned and unhappy at this situation, and since they are all partakers of the English media, it gets magnified beyond its actual size. The actual majority vote based upon issues and how they expect the candidates to solve them rather than on character.
However it could be argued that the TINA factor has not been addressed. If there were better candidates committed to fair and effective governance, then possibly the voters would have given them a chance. For example there is an argument that in Goa the majority of the Catholic voters are not too comfortable voting for the BJP and therefore re-elect the existing representative even if they aren’t too happy with his performance. But please bear in mind that the major political parties allocate tickets on ‘electibility’ and on how the common voter is expected to cast their votes. True, there have not been many candidates taking the independent route, possibly because of the lack of financial backing as also the expectation that voters prefer to vote for parties rather than candidates. However it is important to note that we are living with this supposed dissatisfaction with politicians for more than a decade, and market dynamics teach us that if there indeed was a market for strong individual candidates for so long, it would have definitely been snapped up by now.
Yet some sections of the society and especially the media persist in trying to convince us that the majority of voters are awaiting better candidates. Everyone who believes that the current political system is inadequate, and wants to have their say in the candidate to be put up for elections, should take a part in nominating the ‘people’s candidate’
We have 40 assembly seats in Goa, Let us try and find 40 names who are acceptable candidates for the voters of these 40 segments. It could be quite possible that the individual nominated will already be affiliated to a major political party. The major drawback and concern of the change agents, who would have otherwise entered politics, has been the lack of mass base. Now if we were to circulate a list of individuals whom we would like to see as rulers, be they academicians or professionals or doctors or musicians, and if the general voter indicated their preference for the same, then these candidates would be easier to convince to seek election.
For example, let us have a list comprising Dr. Oscar Rebello, Patricia Pinto, Dean D’Cruz, Remo Fernandes and other well-known and committed individuals and circulate it among the voters and get their feedback. Let us invite the voters to recommend other names. If the numbers are significantly favouring any single candidates, then it should be impressed upon that individual to run for office. Goa, being almost 100% literate, should be a wonderful laboratory for this exercise.
The exercise is difficult but not impossible. If all who speak (including business houses) are ready to act, then it shouldn’t be too difficult to set up and fund an operation for just 40 seats. Everybody who is dissatisfied with the current situation should donate for this exercise.
The imminent parliamentary elections provide us with a wonderful opportunity to test this theory. And I feel that a body like the Goa Bachao Andolan (GBA) can be a catalyst for this effort. All it requires is that there is desk manned by volunteers outside every polling station. Every voter who visits the voting booth is requested to suggest a name whom they would like to be seen elected from their assembly constituency. If required, a list of prominent and capable individuals may be put up for their reference, the whole exercise to be funded by individual or corporate or even institutional bodies. Once the names are collated and counted we should be able to arrive at a ‘people’s candidate’ for most of the constituencies, if not all of them.
COMMENTS:
Pramod Zacharias needs to be congratulated for this forward looking article which makes a lot of sense in these times of ‘free for all’. And it does not come to me as a surprise because only when maladies start taking the upper hand that appropriate remedies are sought for and pronto. Very recently, I have proposed that ‘CITIZENS’ [OF GOA] INITIATIVE should go in for selecting/choosing of people’s candidates, if this is a must, which seems to be the only possible challenge to the corrupt political establishments, by forming new fronts (not political parties) such as GSPEF [Goa State Parliamentary Election Front] and GSAEF [Goa State Assembly Election Front]. The route to be taken for the identification and short-listing of possible candidates appears to be the same as what Mr. Zacharias has suggested. But surprisingly, there has been no response for this call and rightly so. People are tired and fatigue has set in with the many fights on their hands, and, primarily because of the fear that one who initiates the process will be left holding the bag.
But I regret to say that my above proposal of the formation of GSPEF and GSAEF and/or the procedure that Mr. Zacharias has proposed will fail miserably and completely unless until the promoters who go about identifying possible candidates bring them under one roof, so to speak, on a common minimum programme, before letting them into the Elections fighting ring. Without bonding or binding them to the CMP, all of them would head in different directions once elected and that would be a catastrophe and even worse then the present anarchy in the governance.
Besides, by only choosing new faces and letting them go back to the rotten systems of the prevailing political parties would be equally disastrous. Because ultimately, after going through such a lot of trouble, the new faces would have to obey the respective, same, set High and Low commands where their individual voices would be stifled. For they would be getting into the established ‘do or die’ systems and not the other way round where many a courageous persons have ventured into these established arenas and have been disappointed. Example: George Menezes who had joined the BJP executive and left. The message is that one person or a handful or persons cannot change the establishment. They change you or you get out.
What is being sought to be done by Pramod Zacharias above was done years ago. Concerned citizens managed to get possible tailors that they could find, together in one room over eleven brainstorming sessions to stitch a SUIT that would fit all the possible future candidates, with the promoters having to sit back to keep an eye on whether the SUIT was overly stretched and/or giving-in, so that they could come in and rectify/fortify the weakened seams. This was how Goa Su-Raj Party was formed where chances for dissent once embarked on the exercise was drastically reduced if not totally eliminated. A system of governance was set in the mould and once that was done, the mould was destroyed. No body could modify the mould and recast the system again (NO AMMENDMENTS). And ten years down the line we are happy that the system so designed remains intact, irrespective of the pressures building up for it to move forward by diluting the system.
Pramod Zacharias has suggested names of Oscar Rebello, Patricia Pinto and others. I don’t want to malign anyone, more so these icons of social activism, but this exercise has been undertaken to speak to them on this issue, that they should come forward to lead, to show the right way how the governance of this tiny state is to be conducted. But unfortunately for Goa, both have shied away fearing the reputation of the politics in circulation. Hopefully, enough water has flowed down the Mandovi river that these icons may yet consider this option for Goa’s sake. As far as we are concerned (at Goa Su-Raj Party), we have no fear of the stinking reputation that politics in Goa has attained. We have designed the system of governance that cannot be waylaid and/or relapse into the same old stinking gutter because the new faces will be handled by system which has been rendered immune to the mechanics of the prevailing corrupt systems, and who know nothing about or have no previous experience of having been immersed in the stink. Besides, this new system does not rely on the expertise and ingenuity of the players but are expected to drive on the given Road Map, which map is a product of many a minds put to work for a durable end.
Goa needs to understand that the national parties have no love for Goa and for its uniqueness. They are here to further their own prospects of using Goa’s hospitality to the hilt and in the bargain to conveniently drain its resources. Politically, Goa is a burden for them with only 2 of its meager seats in the Parliament.
If Goa has to be wrenched from the clutches of the national parties, Goans will have to search their conscience for the answers. Goa needs to march forward as a role model of ‘good-effective-governance’ with Goans at the helm of things where Goa’s High Command remains undisputable and solidly planted in the sacred soil of Goa and not in the jester’s courts of New Delhi.
As to when Goans will wake up collectively, this is a million dollar question which can be answered by Goans themselves individually. But wake up they must, collectively, to sound the roar of Goa’s ultimate REVOLUTION.
Floriano Lobo
Gen. Secretary
Goa Su-Raj Party
383A, Pirazona
Moira-Bardez-Goa-403 507
Tel: (R) 2470223 (M) 9890470896
March 16, 2009
Jasper Dias on "DADAGERI OF GOA GOVERNMENT.
Jasper Dias on A. Veronica Fernandes' post ""DADAGERI" OF GOA GOVERNMENT.":
Dear Bab Veronica,
A very straight talking article in honest Goans view. How many Honest Goans are left now and if there are why are they silent??? You / Me and He cannot root the Corrupt out cause nearly everyone over there are Corrupt.
Children born now are of Corrupt Blood. Corruption is the core for survival. Blood does not recognize blood. Can the people force their respective MLA to resign when something is not of ethics? My foot why would they do it, what is in there for them?. Goa Govt has made a MOCKERY of SUPREME COURT RULING.
Where are all the Goans BLACK COATS Guys and Gals it is a wake up call for you'll too cause a day may come that GOA GOVT will be the COURT and JUDGE for all in where you will not be able to make money and I hope that occurs. You all survive because of the INDIAN PENAL CODE which can be TURNED AND TWISTED.
I am wondering where the opposition parties are sleeping????? Parikar how much did you get KICKBACK from TIMBLO?? I see that now you are after the CASINO ships, you forget that there is also a CASINO in Cidade de Goa??? I m sure CASINO ship OWNERS kickback did not reach your pocket and that is why you are BARKING NOW. Keep barking and divert peoples mind. It looks like our CHORS MLA ( Opposition as well as ruling party ) are all Hand in Gloves to RAPE Goa. Let the Ruling party do what they can but the Final Judgement will be FATAL for playing with people sentiment and no money power will be able to save them, they may even get the fate of INDIRA GANDHI and I hope they Get it. I earnestly pray they get it.
Goan brothers and sisters BIKARIS will come to your houses for begging, be careful cause you are the ones who elect them and once elected their attitude is " KAM ZALEM - VOIZ MELO". Where are the NGO's, where is Mrs A. VIEGAS, looks like there is no monetary gain here where as where Sara's issue is concerned it is there????.
Bab Veronica, keep going you are a true Goan Son who speaks the heart out and I Salute your GUTS cause few people are born like you. Don't ever Bow down to the cowards. God Bless You.
Jasper Dias.
Dear Bab Veronica,
A very straight talking article in honest Goans view. How many Honest Goans are left now and if there are why are they silent??? You / Me and He cannot root the Corrupt out cause nearly everyone over there are Corrupt.
Children born now are of Corrupt Blood. Corruption is the core for survival. Blood does not recognize blood. Can the people force their respective MLA to resign when something is not of ethics? My foot why would they do it, what is in there for them?. Goa Govt has made a MOCKERY of SUPREME COURT RULING.
Where are all the Goans BLACK COATS Guys and Gals it is a wake up call for you'll too cause a day may come that GOA GOVT will be the COURT and JUDGE for all in where you will not be able to make money and I hope that occurs. You all survive because of the INDIAN PENAL CODE which can be TURNED AND TWISTED.
I am wondering where the opposition parties are sleeping????? Parikar how much did you get KICKBACK from TIMBLO?? I see that now you are after the CASINO ships, you forget that there is also a CASINO in Cidade de Goa??? I m sure CASINO ship OWNERS kickback did not reach your pocket and that is why you are BARKING NOW. Keep barking and divert peoples mind. It looks like our CHORS MLA ( Opposition as well as ruling party ) are all Hand in Gloves to RAPE Goa. Let the Ruling party do what they can but the Final Judgement will be FATAL for playing with people sentiment and no money power will be able to save them, they may even get the fate of INDIRA GANDHI and I hope they Get it. I earnestly pray they get it.
Goan brothers and sisters BIKARIS will come to your houses for begging, be careful cause you are the ones who elect them and once elected their attitude is " KAM ZALEM - VOIZ MELO". Where are the NGO's, where is Mrs A. VIEGAS, looks like there is no monetary gain here where as where Sara's issue is concerned it is there????.
Bab Veronica, keep going you are a true Goan Son who speaks the heart out and I Salute your GUTS cause few people are born like you. Don't ever Bow down to the cowards. God Bless You.
Thanks.
Jasper Dias.
GOA SWAYS - UNDER DAYLIGHT TRICKSTERS by Valmiki Faleiro.
GOA SWAYS … UNDER DAYLIGHT TRICKSTERS.
By Valmiki Faleiro.
Like the coconut trees that line her coast, Goa sways. Let me illustrate with a few instances. PWD Minister Churchill Alemao has all the money in the world to add three to the existing two road bridges across the Sal – some within two kms. of each other! But no money to repair pot-holed roads. His brother Joaquim, the Urban Development Minister, has millions to splurge on ‘high-tech’ road sweepers, compactors and in-vessel garbage treatment, none of which canwork in Goa. But not a few thousands to spare on new brooms, baskets and dustbins for the municipalities. Vishwajeet Rane, Health Minister, is a master at conceiving PPP (in theory, Public-Private Participation, in reality Public, for Private Profit) projects. He’s PPP-ing parts of the GMC and public health care. He has privatised public ambulance services, equipped with defibrillors, ventilators and oxygen – to carry patients to government hospitals that lack staff, beds and linen, forget life-saving medicines! Symptomatic of Goa’s governance. The flavour of the times is big – big budgets, bigtenders, big spending. Or big bucks, by way of underhand percentage commissions.
Nobody wants to waste time over spending small change on maintenance, like filling up potholes, buying brooms, or providing more hospital beds with clean linen. See how ministers, once inducted, squabble over departments with big budgets. They get to spend more and thereby pocket more. Don’t dare ask how they spend public money. So long as it is spent – and bigger the tranches, the better – it does their trick. Priorities are passé.
If you ask why dozens of private security guards have been hired at public hospitals when there is a pathetic shortage of medical, nursing and other staff, or if you ask why hundreds of crores are spent on building irrigation canals to areas where agriculture is long dead, your sanity will be doubted. There is no time for planning, for drawing priorities and spending wisely. Quite literally, no time, the money must be spent today, for tomorrow may never come. Governments may not survive until the morrow’s dawn. Midnight coups, unstable governments, and overall uncertainties heighten the urgency to spend as quickly as possible.
It is not as though the Health Minister can’t figure out that instead of spending a bomb outsourcing Goa’s public ambulance services to Hyderabad’s ‘Emergency Management and Research Institute’ (an affiliate, incidentally, of the now disgraced Ramalinga Raju’s Satyam group), he could have provided the same praiseworthy service departmentally ata fraction of the cost. It is also pointless asking that if the only job of ministers is to merely privatise public services and broker deals, then why need a government. We have reached well beyond that line of rationality.
A dozen mammoth SEZs in tiny Goa, half a dozen riverine casinos ‘trickishly’ termed ‘off-shore’ (with another half dozen waiting in the wings), dozens of biggie builders from metro India to ‘develop’ Goa… That is ‘development.’ That is governance. Governance reduced to brokering private deals. A government that has long since forgotten that its basic duty lies in the public domain, not selling government privileges and duties, left, right and centre. This is Goa. Thanks to us, Goemkars. You and I, who repeatedly vote and elect these honourables. To represent us and to spend our money.
It is not the ministers who need to learn. They know more than you and me. They know better than us what money power is all about. It is us, the people, who’re yet to learn the A, B, Cs…
PS: The EMRI dial-108 emergency ambulance service is supposed to have life-saving para medical staff on its 18 ambulances operating in Goa. 37-year old Sanjeev Aikar worked as driver of one of the ambulances. When waiting on duty at an ambulance post, poor Sanjeev suffered a heart attack. He died before he could be rushed to hospital. At least three other people died recently … in each case, the ambulance allegedly arrived hours late. (ENDS.)
The Valmiki Faleiro weekly column.
By Valmiki Faleiro.
Like the coconut trees that line her coast, Goa sways. Let me illustrate with a few instances. PWD Minister Churchill Alemao has all the money in the world to add three to the existing two road bridges across the Sal – some within two kms. of each other! But no money to repair pot-holed roads. His brother Joaquim, the Urban Development Minister, has millions to splurge on ‘high-tech’ road sweepers, compactors and in-vessel garbage treatment, none of which canwork in Goa. But not a few thousands to spare on new brooms, baskets and dustbins for the municipalities. Vishwajeet Rane, Health Minister, is a master at conceiving PPP (in theory, Public-Private Participation, in reality Public, for Private Profit) projects. He’s PPP-ing parts of the GMC and public health care. He has privatised public ambulance services, equipped with defibrillors, ventilators and oxygen – to carry patients to government hospitals that lack staff, beds and linen, forget life-saving medicines! Symptomatic of Goa’s governance. The flavour of the times is big – big budgets, bigtenders, big spending. Or big bucks, by way of underhand percentage commissions.
Nobody wants to waste time over spending small change on maintenance, like filling up potholes, buying brooms, or providing more hospital beds with clean linen. See how ministers, once inducted, squabble over departments with big budgets. They get to spend more and thereby pocket more. Don’t dare ask how they spend public money. So long as it is spent – and bigger the tranches, the better – it does their trick. Priorities are passé.
If you ask why dozens of private security guards have been hired at public hospitals when there is a pathetic shortage of medical, nursing and other staff, or if you ask why hundreds of crores are spent on building irrigation canals to areas where agriculture is long dead, your sanity will be doubted. There is no time for planning, for drawing priorities and spending wisely. Quite literally, no time, the money must be spent today, for tomorrow may never come. Governments may not survive until the morrow’s dawn. Midnight coups, unstable governments, and overall uncertainties heighten the urgency to spend as quickly as possible.
It is not as though the Health Minister can’t figure out that instead of spending a bomb outsourcing Goa’s public ambulance services to Hyderabad’s ‘Emergency Management and Research Institute’ (an affiliate, incidentally, of the now disgraced Ramalinga Raju’s Satyam group), he could have provided the same praiseworthy service departmentally ata fraction of the cost. It is also pointless asking that if the only job of ministers is to merely privatise public services and broker deals, then why need a government. We have reached well beyond that line of rationality.
A dozen mammoth SEZs in tiny Goa, half a dozen riverine casinos ‘trickishly’ termed ‘off-shore’ (with another half dozen waiting in the wings), dozens of biggie builders from metro India to ‘develop’ Goa… That is ‘development.’ That is governance. Governance reduced to brokering private deals. A government that has long since forgotten that its basic duty lies in the public domain, not selling government privileges and duties, left, right and centre. This is Goa. Thanks to us, Goemkars. You and I, who repeatedly vote and elect these honourables. To represent us and to spend our money.
It is not the ministers who need to learn. They know more than you and me. They know better than us what money power is all about. It is us, the people, who’re yet to learn the A, B, Cs…
PS: The EMRI dial-108 emergency ambulance service is supposed to have life-saving para medical staff on its 18 ambulances operating in Goa. 37-year old Sanjeev Aikar worked as driver of one of the ambulances. When waiting on duty at an ambulance post, poor Sanjeev suffered a heart attack. He died before he could be rushed to hospital. At least three other people died recently … in each case, the ambulance allegedly arrived hours late. (ENDS.)
The Valmiki Faleiro weekly column.
TODAY 16TH MARCH IS THE 19TH DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF NEVILLE D'SOUZA
NEVILLE D'SOUZA
Seen in the picture above is our Goan brother the late Neville D'Souza.
He was born in 1933 and sadly died on 16th March 1980 in Bombay out of heart attack.
Today being 16th March, I, A. Veronica Fernandes from Kuwait, on my behalf and on behalf of all my like minded friends, colleagues and football lovers remember him on his 19th death anniversary and pray to God to give his soul eternal rest in His Heavenly Kingdom. Neville D'Souza made us proud by being the best footballer among all Goans and Indians. After him we among Goans and Indians never produced another Neville and by the way will we ever produce another Neville D'Souza in future? I doubt, because such persons come into this world only once in centuries. May His Soul Rest In Peace.
March 15, 2009
JASPER DIAS APPRECIATES VERONICA'S ARTICLE ON "GREAT GOAN FOOTBALLERS OF PAST".
From: Jasper Dias.
Subj: "GREAT GOAN FOOTBALLERS OF PAST.":
Bab Veronica,
May I know if your Brain is a real Brain or a Comp Chip?????. How can you remember all that what you write???? U r AN EXTRAORDINARY HUMAN. For Goans, Football is in their BLOOD and it will remain so for Generations to come.
It is a great informative article and I am sure some one or the other in GOA will recognize the players in the picture and will be proud to know that there is only ONE Bab Veronica who remembers people AND HE BRINGS THEM IN PRINT.
Thanks again for giving an overview of our GOAN brother Neville D'Souza' career and his achivement in the 1956 Olympics. I can bet half of GOA must not be knowing that there was a Goan who scored a Hat Trick in the 1956 Olympic. I doubt even our GFA President knows about football more than you. You should be there sitting on that chair and guiding them where Goan Football should be because the new generation of GFA Presidents are there for name and fame and not for the betterment of Goan Football.
Would like to read more informative article from you which I doubt anybody can challenge you in facts and figures.
Jasper.
Subj: "GREAT GOAN FOOTBALLERS OF PAST.":
Bab Veronica,
May I know if your Brain is a real Brain or a Comp Chip?????. How can you remember all that what you write???? U r AN EXTRAORDINARY HUMAN. For Goans, Football is in their BLOOD and it will remain so for Generations to come.
It is a great informative article and I am sure some one or the other in GOA will recognize the players in the picture and will be proud to know that there is only ONE Bab Veronica who remembers people AND HE BRINGS THEM IN PRINT.
Thanks again for giving an overview of our GOAN brother Neville D'Souza' career and his achivement in the 1956 Olympics. I can bet half of GOA must not be knowing that there was a Goan who scored a Hat Trick in the 1956 Olympic. I doubt even our GFA President knows about football more than you. You should be there sitting on that chair and guiding them where Goan Football should be because the new generation of GFA Presidents are there for name and fame and not for the betterment of Goan Football.
Would like to read more informative article from you which I doubt anybody can challenge you in facts and figures.
Jasper.
Indian Women's Association Medical Seminar on 18th April 2009
Kuwait: The Indian Women’s Association (IWA) is a team of dedicated ladies with a mission to “Lend a Helping Hand”. As a part of humanitarian and community service IWA have crossed several goals and pledge to carry on their obligation to society in Kuwait. They have widened their range of community care and embarked upon health awareness campaign under the banner “Reach for Health”.
Earlier, they conducted a health awareness seminar for women at the Kuwait Medical Association (KMA) premises during the month of April 2007, where women were educated about breast cancer, birth control, menopause and cosmetic surgery.
To continue this campaign IWA are conducting another such seminar on women’s health issues for the public at the Kuwait Medical Association Hall, Jabriya at 5 pm. on 18th April 2009.
Topics for lecture are:
A D – elightful story
- by Dr. Nadia Al-Ali, Consultant Endocrinologist, Chairperson, Department of Medicine, Amiri Hospital
Heart Disease - Silent killer in women
- by Dr.Rajaa Dashti, Consultant Cardiologist, Amiri Hospital
Protection against Cervical Cancer
- by Dr Essam Abul Fotooh, Consultant Obs/Gynae, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Al Hadi Hospital
To know more details and to confirm your attendance you can email iwa_kuwait@hotmail.com or call either Surayya at 66554724 between 9 am – 2 pm or Jagga at 24920271/2 ext 116 or at 25623389.
Posted by gasper crasto
To continue this campaign IWA are conducting another such seminar on women’s health issues for the public at the Kuwait Medical Association Hall, Jabriya at 5 pm. on 18th April 2009.
Topics for lecture are:
A D – elightful story
- by Dr. Nadia Al-Ali, Consultant Endocrinologist, Chairperson, Department of Medicine, Amiri Hospital
Heart Disease - Silent killer in women
- by Dr.Rajaa Dashti, Consultant Cardiologist, Amiri Hospital
Protection against Cervical Cancer
- by Dr Essam Abul Fotooh, Consultant Obs/Gynae, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Al Hadi Hospital
To know more details and to confirm your attendance you can email iwa_kuwait@hotmail.com or call either Surayya at 66554724 between 9 am – 2 pm or Jagga at 24920271/2 ext 116 or at 25623389.
Posted by gasper crasto
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