EYE WITNESS TO INVASION OF KUWAIT - Part II.

EYE WITNESS TO INVASION OF KUWAIT ON 2ND AUGUST 1990.

PART - II.

(This is one of the chapters of my forthcoming book ‘GOA-KUWAIT SOLIDARITY CENTER”. Since 02.08.09 is the 19th anniversary of the invasion of Kuwait, I am publishing this chapter in goa-kranti for its readers to read. AVF.)

Ordinary Iraqis according to my information were wrongly fed with wrong stories that Kuwait City and certain surrounding parts belonged to Iraq. Some Iraqis were under the impression that Kuwait was a part of Iraq. During their halt in Kuwait City on their onward journey via Kuwait to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia, many Iraqis whom I encountered 30 years back were boldly telling that this area belonged to them. Further they said this place was theirs and one day they will put their claim for same. As a matter of fact, according to historical accounts when Ottoman Empire took control of many parts in this region, it encompassed in its fold even some areas of Iraq but never a single inch of Kuwait. Kuwait always remained independent of any external power. It was never colonized by any foreign power.

1st of August 1990 was Wednesday and on this day Shia Muslims marked the day as “Moharram”. Normally, even on late night on this date celebration of this festive day goes on. Early in the morning on 2nd August 1990, while I was still on my bed was dreaming to build castles in the air with the power of few Dinars that I earned but without knowing what has already taken place outside my Flat in Kuwait City. Hearing some gun shots, I thought may be some young boys were still celebrating their festival of Moharram by firing cracker shots in the air outside near my Flat. I never thought these were the shots fired by the Iraqi soldiers from their ageing guns to frighten the residents in Kuwait city where I was dwelling.

As usual, I got up and dressed-up for my going to work at about 6.00 in the morning. Usually I leave my home at 6.30 but on that fateful Thursday morning, 2nd of August 1990, I left my house half an hour earlier because every Thursday the local daily “Kuwait Times” was bringing a nice Magazine section as a Supplement carrying very interesting articles. Since I was curious to read this, I left my residence a little earlier. When I reached the ground floor of my building I saw to my total surprise the entire vehicular traffic on the road halted. Public Transport buses stopped in the middle of the road like any other vehicle but their engines still on. It was very difficult to ascertain the real cause of this abrupt traffic halt on the middle of the road. May be I said to myself that the motorcade of the Amir of Kuwait is coming and to make way the entire traffic in Kuwait city is temporarily halted. But from minute look at these vehicles, there were no drivers on the drivers seats. This confused me more. Later on I realized that these drivers were forced out of their seats and vehicles and with the help of the barrel of their guns the Iraqi soldiers pushed them out of their vehicles leaving their vehicles on there only, on the middle of the roads. What a brutality of Iraqi soldiers!! When I walked a little further to purchase my copy of Kuwait Times from the nearby “Bakala” (Shop), I saw on the road military personnel with craggy faces, carrying ageing guns, wearing worn out Helmets and also carrying Wireless Sets of World War II type with tall and lengthy Antennas manning the roads and preventing the passers-by moving from one side of the street to the other. I was more puzzled by seeing this unusual scene. Then suddenly I noticed two soldiers approximately 30 metres away from me, entering Kuwait City Police Station , opposite to GPO. One soldier opening one part of the main door by kicking it and the other soldier the other part of the main door by the barrel of his gun.

Still I could not fathom what is actually happening. Terrified by this terrific scene, one soldier from close by on the main road pointed his gun towards me thinking I am a Kuwaiti Policeman since I was wearing full brown dress, trousers brown and long sleeves shirt brown too with fashionable stripes on one shoulder. When I saw that soldier pointing his gun towards me, I managed to hide near one of the pillars of the building and came home quickly. Fortunately for me, at that particular moment one Arab lady looked like Iraqi or Palestinian while passing that side, interrupted the Iraqi solider who was aiming his gun at me, asking the soldier why there are no buses plying today, of course unaware of what has already happened and also unaware that the soldier whom she was questioning was an Iraqi. Secondly, I think the soldier pointing his gun towards me noticed that I am not a Kuwaiti Police but an expatriate, probably from India and hence he mellowed down on me. Otherwise, may be he would shoot me dead? God alone knows!!

While returning home all trembling and terrified knowing not what has happened actually, I noticed at the entrance of my building some male expatriates from different nationalities watching the soldiers on the road as if it was a Cricket Match or a big show of admiration. One of them said, with happy tone, “they are Iraqi soldiers, they have entered Kuwait and captured Kuwait. Now they will teach a good lesson to Kuwaitis who are harassing the expatriates unnecessarily”. Then I realized what exactly has happened and the soldiers that I saw on the road and at Police Station were none other than the Iraqi soldiers. Now I realized that unthinkable has become thinkable. With deep sorrow and chagrin I had to accept that this country Kuwait from where I was earning my sustenance was invaded by its own Arab and Muslim neighbour Iraq having same language, same culture and same tradition. Thru this unwarranted, unjust and vicious invasion Saddam Hussein of Iraq cheated and robbed Kuwait of its trust. Thru this invasion, Saddam Hussein of Iraq betrayed the trust of the world. Oh!! What a mighty fall of Kuwait. Within a minute so to say, a dazzling and magnificent country, one of the richest in the world having highest per capita income collapsed like a pack of cards in front of the mighty military power of Iraq. With the fall of Kuwait the might of GCC, Arab League, OIC, NAM and UN also collapsed like a pack of cards. Later on I realized none of these organizations withstood the fury of one nation Iraq under its dictator Saddam Hussein who made fool of all these organizations including UN but later on UN alone proved its worth of its existence. Besides UN, the rest of the organizations proved to be like any other NGO’s or Lions and Jaycee Clubs.

Communist Chinese leader Mao-Tse-Tung once said “Power flows thru the barrel of the gun”. Saddam’s mighty power flew thru the barrel of his gun. This mighty power of Saddam Hussein’s gun was too strong for the feeble power of Kuwait’s gun. Kuwait had military prowess but surely not to face Iraq. Saddam claimed to have had one of the powerful armies in the world to subdue only his Arab neighbour Kuwait, and nothing else. If his army was so powerful enough then it would give him victory in his 8 years war with Iran. Why Iraq only? None of the Arab Armies and their military arsenals was powerful enough to withstand the military might even of tiny Israel which was implanted in the Middle East by the Zionist lobby in collaboration with the crook British by uprooting innocent Palestinians from their rightful homes and homeland.

Concluded.

A. Veronica Fernandes,

Kuwait.

EYE WITNESS TO INVASION OF KUWAIT ON 2ND AUGUST 1990. .

Seen in the above photos are different scenes of the Public Rally and Public Meeting Goans organised at Panjim, in Goa, India, on 12th November 1990, to protest over Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.

Photo 1, seen Goans coming from distant places in special buses to participate in the Rally.Photo 2, seen Goans gathered at Azad Maidan Panjim, in Sit-In Protest.
Photo 3, seen Goans in the Public Rally on the streets of capital city of Goa, Panjim. Photo 4, Public Address about to begin.
Photo 5, seen High Ranking Kuwaiti Officer from the Interior Ministry of Kuwait, Col Jumma Al-Kholifi, kissing the Kuwaiti Flag before addressing the huge Goan gathering at Azad Maidan, Panjim. He also along with other Kuwaitis participated in the Public Rally.
Photo 6, seen A. Veronica Fernandes - initiator and Convenor of Goa-Kuwait Solidarity Center addressing the Public Meeting.

EYEWITNESS TO INVASION OF KUWAIT
PART - I.

(This is one of the chapters of my forthcoming book ‘GOA-KUWAIT SOLIDARITY CENTER”. Since 02.08.09 is the 19th anniversary of the invasion of Kuwait, I am publishing this chapter in goa-kranti for its readers to read. AVF.)

2nd of August 1990 will be remembered in the history of this planet as one of the worst days, as the day of betrayal because on this day the President of Iraq, Saddam Hussein betrayed Kuwait with a Judas Kiss. On this date Iraq a brotherly Islamic country betrayed another Islamic country Kuwait by invading it thru force against the sanctified principle of Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) which forbids the use of force to settle bilateral disputes between the member countries. Since Kuwait and Iraq are also the members of OIC, Iraq should not have breached the sanctified principle of OIC. On this date, 2nd of August 1990, Iraq a brotherly Arab country betrayed another Arab country Kuwait by invading it thru force thereby trampling under its feet the principle of Arab League which forbids the use of force by the member countries against the other member countries to settle the bilateral disputes. On this date, 2nd of August 1990, Iraq with its mighty military power against the principles of Non Aligned Movement and also of United Nations, annexed Kuwait and converted Kuwait into its 19th Province naming it as "Khadeema". The naming of Khadeema was done when Xavier Perez De Cuellar the then Secretary General of UN was on his way, on behalf of World Body of which Iraq too was a member, to Iraq to meet Saddam Hussein to request him to withdraw his troops from Iraq and leave Kuwait into the hands of its original leadership. But Saddam Hussein even after accepting De Cuellar’s visit to Baghdad and its purpose made mockery of De Cuellar and also of UN by converting Kuwait into its 19th province on 8th August 1990.

During his stop-over in one of the Gulf countries before landing in Baghdad, when De Cuellar heard Saddam’s decision of converting Kuwait into Iraq’s 19th province, a disillusioned De Cuellar remarked “two minuses make one plus in Algebra but not in the case of Saddam Hussein when he made two minuses, one by invading Kuwait and the other by converting it into 19th province”. Both these two negatives do not make one positive for Iraq. Hence, it was wrong on the part of Saddam Hussein to magnetise Kuwait to Iraq. This was the view point of De Cuellar. As a member of NAM and UNO too, Iraq should have avoided use of force to settle its dispute with Kuwait. But, no, Iraq under Saddam Hussein by using its mighty military power trampled under its feet the principles of all the organizations namely of OIC, AL, NAM & UNO and invaded Kuwait.

A week prior to 2nd August 1990, on observing minutely atmosphere all around Kuwait, some gloomy situation was noticed. Stories started pouring in that Iraq has massed its troops near its border with Kuwait. But the threat was not magnified, even on the eve of invasion the magnitude of the Iraqi threat of invasion was played down as if nothing was happening. Though inner circle of Kuwaitis was tense as per trickling of the news thru the domestic servants who had very good access to all the secret informations from their top Kuwaiti bosses yet expatriates in general were unperturbed because they were not well informed of the real gravity of the events going on. Everything looked normal for an ordinary expatriate, at least expatriates were made to feel the same. My Goan friend Alfred D’Cruz ex Times of India, Bombay, working as Desk Editor for one of the local English Dailies, The Kuwait Times, said as usual he was working on his pages to complete the 2nd August issue. He was alerted only at about 11.00 p.m., when Kuwait Times office received a call from outside Kuwait from a media agency asking everything is o.k., in Kuwait? This made D’Cruz a little tense but as usual, after finishing his page he returned home late at night. While returning home, he noticed less flow of traffic on the roads.

Linda Martins, a young and pretty looking daughter of Alex Martins one of the senior Kuwait Goans, a well known Fine Artist, a renowned actor, director, producer and playwright who had unique distinction of producing from Kuwait the first Konkani Video Film “Guirestkai”, was traveling to Bombay by late night Kuwait Airways Flight on 1st August 1990 at about 11.00 p.m. When she went to the Airport, she found everything tense, the crowd thinned, the staff at the counter were making hurry for the passengers to finish their procedure fast and get inside, so too the Police Officers at the Emigration Counters. Linda did not sense the happenings outside but at the Airport the security officers and other police personnel gauged the situation. For this reason they were making hurry to allow the flight to take off without delay before anything untoward can happen to prevent the flight to take off.

On the eve of the invasion during the meeting between Iraq and Kuwait organized by Saudi King in Saudi Arabia to cement their differences on the prevailing situation between Iraq and Kuwait, nothing serious was disclosed to the residents in Kuwait though the said meeting ended in sour tone when Iraq delegation furiously walked out of the talks there. The Iraqi delegation for this meet was headed by Iraqi Deputy Premier Tareq Aziz who was the only Christian in Saddam Hussein’s Cabinet and was very close to his boss. I on my part thought nothing would happen for Kuwait. I myself thought that Iraq would never enter into Kuwait and for that matter why should Iraq invade Kuwait when Iraq is a brotherly country in race and religion? And moreover, Iraq has already recognized Kuwait as an independent State by establishing diplomatic ties with Kuwait even having opened its Embassy in Kuwait at a place called Shara Istiklal. Even though Iraq had created a very bad history in late fifties under its the then leader Abdul Kareem Qasim to invade Kuwait but all its sinister attempts were firmly thwarted by Kuwait with the help of British troops from Bahrain which came to the rescue of Kuwait then.

To be concluded.

A. Veronica Fernandes,

Kuwait.

IN REPLY TO VERONICA'S WRITING ON MAID.

Thanks for your input Veronica.

Appreciate all the warnings you have given to the maids who intend to work in Kuwait. This issue has been going on for so many years now and still these Kuwaitis along with their wives seems to be so brutal to their timid maids. They do not have shame as once upon a time they were the ones who were crying on the street of Dubai for having lost their country into the hands of the Iraqis. Would they like others torturing them in the same way they torture their maids? My blood keeps boiling when I read these issues about them. THey are not humans when they create such brutality. They pray in the mosque like saints but behind the back act like devils in disguise. May God bring them back to their senses.

These days in Goa, they are showing a 10 year old girl, working as a maid, from Karnataka whose body is burnt by a Hindu engineer and his wife and her sister. If you see the picture you will weep. SHe has lost her father and was with her grandmother and to her bad luck she was taken to work for these cruel people. The news of this girl and the photos were seen by the ministers and discussions were going in the cabinet meeting to punish these culprits. Wife and sister are absconding and husband was caught but now released on bail. Digambar has rewarded the girl 25000 as compensation and utmost care is being taken of her in the GMC with the best services as possible. Hope God takes care of these down trodden.

Thanks once again for courageously taking up these issues on our behalf. It takes a lot of courage to write like this on the open forum as threats to life is always there. Keep up the good work.

Veronica, being an ex Kuwaitkar myself, I can rightly say that you are a lone person and an expatriate in Kuwait who is gifted by God to fight against the injustice committed on humanity in Kuwait. I know you and all your activities in Kuwait since I was in Kuwait much before you came. You are the only Goykar who worked for Goan causes sincerely. You are the unique individual who has got the capacity to unite Goans. None before you in Kuwait united Goans for Goan causes the way you did. First you united Goans for Konkani movement, then for Direct Flight from Kuwait to Goa, then for Goan soccer thru your writings, then for Tiatros and other Goan traditional Folk Songs festivals like Mando Festival, then under Goa-Kuwait Solidarity Movement, then for the issue of the release of Kuwait's POW's etc. These are the living examples of your contributions for the cause of Goans and their gathering together in a decent and disciplined manner. No Goan can do what you did. I support you in your campaign for the good of downtrodden.

Annie,
Goa.

MANILA MAID'S WOES IN KUWAIT.

First of all let me applaud Arab Times, Kuwait for publishing in its daily dated 19th inst. full report of the maltreatment meted out to the Manila “maid” by her Kuwaiti female employer. This is a very good exposure penned down by the writer Michelle Fe Santiago who deserves highest kudos for being courageous in writing this piece. By disclosing this sad story of the Manila maid, Arab Times once again proved how it is hell-bent in exposing the barbaric behaviour of barbaric maid employers in Kuwait.

Mahatmah Gandhi once said “the greatness of a society lies in the treatment it metes out to its weaker section”. To call Kuwaiti society great, what treatment it metes out to its weaker section? Is it magnanimous? Is it benevolent? Is it kind? Almost every now and then thru press reports and thru mouth to mouth propaganda we hear maids are treated very brutally in Kuwait. What is shocking is this that overwhelming majority of the members of this society is keeping silence over the harsh behaviour of the cruel Kuwaitis towards their treatment to their maids. This type of barbaric treatment to maids in Kuwait is become an accepted norm for many. After reading this news in Arab Times, members of Kuwaiti society must put their head down in shame. I cannot understand what ails this society. Inspite of such a loud noise scripted by Arab Times unfortunately there is no echo of this noise heard in Kuwait’s Parliament. Kuwait’s MP’s must raise this issue forcefully in the Parliament to eradicate such dastardly acts committed on innocent maids by the Kuwaiti employers and thereby create a fair image of Kuwait.

Very few expatriates in Kuwait have worked for the good cause of Kuwait and Kuwaitis as I have done along with my Goan brothers and sisters in Goa and in Kuwait as well during and after the invasion and liberation of Kuwait. I feel disappointed when I hear the cruelties committed by Kuwaitis on the weaker expatriates in Kuwait. I feel ashamed in front of Kuwait's enemies when I am already on record to declare openly and publicly that Kuwaitis are good people. In fact Kuwaitis as a whole are good but only the few among them are cruel who treat the expatriates badly and it is they who damage the good reputation of Kuwait and Kuwaitis.

Because of atrocities on maids, the good image of Kuwait and Kuwaitis is getting tarnished beyond reparation. The way the Kuwaiti lady sadistically ill treated her Manila maid it looked to me that she was having Devine Right over her maid to treat her the way she wanted. I don’t know what these hard hearted Kuwaitis think of themselves once they employ maids in their household!! All these disastrous happenings take place in Kuwait for the poor domestics because there is no strong official backing for the maids from the Labour Department. Generally speaking maids in Kuwait are not living a life of human beings but they just exist as tools to use by their employers. On Sundays I see many Kuwaiti security personnel sprinting aggressively this side and that side to arrest maids having no residence permits but with the same speed and with the same aggressiveness the law enforcers are not going about to catch those Kuwaiti employers who maltreat their maids.

I want this story published in Arab Times to spread all around the globe especially in the countries from where the maids are recruited. In India, Goa is one such a place from where very many maids are recruited and many of them due to their docile nature have meekly suffered untold misseries from the hands of their brute Kuwaiti employers. Taking liberty of Arab Times, I have already reproduced this story in “goa-kranti.blogspot.com” for Goans not only from Goa but also to those who are spread all around the globe and to other Indians as well to read the cruel side of Kuwaitis towards their maids. I hope others will also follow my idea to alert their women thinking to come to Kuwait to work as maids. Let the world know that Kuwait is no more a safe place for maids to work. For many it is like a Hell to work in Kuwait under the develish Kuwaiti employers who profess their religion which clearly forbids maltreatment to the weaker section of the society.

For my Goan females intending to come to Kuwait to work as Ayas, I have a piece of advice:

Avoid coming to Kuwait thru Maid recruting Agencies. These Agencies are irresponsible. Their only motto is to make money and maximise their profits. Example: See how the Manila Maid was rejected by the Agency when she asked for help.

Secondly, do not come to Kuwait to work as maids without knowing the background of your Kuwaiti employers. Find out thru your contact the credibility of your sponsor first and then only take your decision. Otherwise you may be a victim of humiliation and slavery.

Thirdly, when you come to Kuwait, see that you keep in contact thru telephone with your nearest and dearest in Kuwait so that during any difficulty you can atleast communicate outside.

Finally, in case you find your employer a barbaric in his treatment, communicate thru your Kuwait contact to NRI Commissioner in Goa or to Indian Embassy, Kuwait. Do not wait long to face the Hell from your employer in your work place. Manila maid unnecessarily waited for 2 long years to escape from the Lucifer in Hell to her Embassy.

While concluding, let me quote Prophet Mohammed (PBUH): When Prophet was asked when there will be justice in this world, came the reply within a split of a second saying "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".

Innumerable Maids in Kuwait are suffering injustice. It is not my obligation alone to raise my voice against this inustice. Everyone of us must gather courage to raise our voice as indicated in the quote above.

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.

TORTURING OF MAIDS IN KUWAIT.

The following article appeared in the local Kuwait's daily, “ARAB TIMES” dated 19.07.09. It shows how badly maids in Kuwait are maltreated by their employers. By reproducing it in goa.kranti, I am alerting our Goans of the dangers of working in Kuwait as Maids since innumerable of them have worked in Kuwait and many of them due to their natural docile nature silently suffered cruelties from their cruel employers including beatings, torturings and rapings and enermous number of them are still working in Kuwait. Though recently their number is decreased and that from Philippines is increased. Social workers and Church leaders in Goa I hope will alert our Goan women going to Kuwait to work as Ayas of the dangers they may likely face while working in Kuwait.

Also, I request our people in Goa to pray for the safety and security of our maids working in Kuwait because at moments it looks that they are not only bodily under the clutches of their employers but even soully. God alone can protect them.

Innumerable Goan maids were the strong and active supporters and backbone of our movement in Goa under GOA-KUWAIT SOLIDARITY CENTER in support of Kuwait against the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq. Many of them even though were victims of Kuwaiti employers' brutalities and attrocities yet they joined us in unison in support of Kuwait's cause by forgetting in a pure Goan Christian way the maltreatment they unnecessarily and mercilessly received from their Kuwaiti employers.

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Convenor: GOA-KUWAIT SOLIDARITY CENTER,
Kuwait.

“MANILA MAID ‘SURVIVES’ TO TELL SADIST EMPLOYER’S TORTURE SAGA.

By Michelle Fe Santiago.

KUWAIT CITY, July 18: A Filipina household service worker employed by a Kuwaiti family sought refuge at the Philippine Embassy this weekend after allegedly suffering severe maltreatment for about two years at the hands of her lady employer. Jenny, 41, single and a native of Alabang, Manila was sobbing in pain as she narrated to the Arab Times on Saturday the ‘burning’ torture that her employer allegedly did on her.

“There was no single day that she did not hurt me. She loved hurting me,” cried Jenny as she showed all the scars and fresh wounds dotting her body. She recounted that her lady employer would usually time her whenever a household task is to be done. ‘She wants me to finish everything fast, but I am the only housemaid at home and she has two small kids. We’re staying in a flat with four rooms and with four bathrooms. I do all the household chores, cook, clean, baby-sit and laundry. Sometimes, due to extreme fatigue, I tend to work slowly and she would be very mad at me and the torture begins,” she stated. She narrated that her lady employer had fun torturing her by heating a knife on the stove and once it is hot, she would place the hot knife on any part of the latter’s body leaving burns and blisters.

“I kept on begging not to do it, I said enough, enough madam, but she won’t stop until my skin is burnt and blistered. It was horrible. She looked like a devil hitting me with the hot knife. How can a normal person do that?” sobbed Jenny whose wrists, arms, left foot and back were covered with bandage to prevent burnt infection after coming from Mubarak Al-Khaber Hospital for treatment.

Her ears resembled like a crunchy chicharron after her lady employer burnt them with a knife. “She burnt my ears, because there was a time when she called me and I wasn’t able to go to her immediately because I was doing something at the kitchen so she got angry and burned my ears for not replying her quickly,” she stated as tears welled in her eyes.

The lady employer also burned her hands and arms with the hot knife for not washing the dishes quickly. “She burned my legs and foot for walking slowly, she burned my nape too and she boxed me on my eye so that I cannot see things clearly,” outlined Jenny.

The lady employer also did not spare Jenny’s lips. As she narrated her harrowing experience, she pointed to her blistered, flaking and discoloured burnt lips. “She also hit my back using a water hose and lashed me with the ‘oqal’ of her husband,” she stated, showing her scarred back with newly bandaged burn wounds. The ‘oqal’ is the doubled black goat-hair and sheep’s wool that is used to secure the ‘Ghutra’ or head of Arab man in place.

The lady employer also cut the shoulder-length hair of Jenny leaving her almost bald. “I want to fight back but I was scared because she’s six months pregnant and I might harm her baby so I endured all the beatings” she pointed out.

After inflicting pain on her, the lady employer would usually give her some cream to treat the burns in various parts of her body. “I really can’t understand why she’s doing that. She would even ask me to wear gloves while washing the dishes to protect my hands and give me hand moisturizers,” she stated.

Last week, the lady employer allegedly threatened to burn Jenny’s eyes and face, prompting the latter to run to the embassy for help. “I finally decided to run to the embassy for help because only God knows, I may not be able to control myself and I might be forced to fight back and I might harm her and the baby in her womb,” she stated. She called first the local manpower agency that recruited her and asked for help but the man from the agency refused to help her. “I told him, please help me, take me out of this hell, but the guy at the agency even scolded me and told me not to go to the agency or he will kick me out of the agency. I called them five times. So I decided to sneak out of the house and go to the embassy” she claimed.

Meanwhile, Philippine Ambassador Ricardo Endaya disclosed that the embassy has already hired a Kuwaiti lawyer for Jenny to appropriate charges will be filed against her lady employer. “I am still at a loss how a human being can do this to her fellow human being. I hope the Kuwaiti authorities will not close their eyes on this so that justice will be served and the employer should be castigated for committing such inhumane acts,” she stressed.

I want her to be in jail. She should pay for what she has done to me,” cried Jenny as she hopes to go to the Philippines after getting the justice that she wants.

CONDOLENCES FROM KIFF-KUWAIT.

CONDOLENCES FROM KIFF.

From: bmviegas26@yahoo.com <bmviegas26@yahoo.com>

Subject: CONDOLENCES FROM KIFF.

Date: Sunday, July 26, 2009, 3:24 AM

KUWAIT INDIAN FOOTBALL FEDERATION (KIFF), KUWAIT, DEEPLY MOURN THE SAD DEMISE OF THEIR EX-VICE PRESIDENT MR. JOE FERNANDES AND CONVEY SYMPATHIES TO THE BEREAVED FAMILY.

B. M. VIEGAS,
PRESIDENT KUWAIT INDIAN FOOTBALL FEDERATION,
KUWAIT.

CONDOLENCES from UFC - On late Joe Fernandes.

CONDOLENCES.

The President and Members of United Friends Club (UFC) deeply mourn the sudden death of our friend JOE FERNANDES, (President of United Goans Centre-Kuwait). We convey our heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family.

The managing Committee & Members of United Friends Club (UFC),
Kuwait.

G'BYE GOA: GOAN EMIGRATION-2. By Valmiki Faleiro.

G’bye Goa: Goan Emigration-2
By Valmiki Faleiro

If Afonso de Albuquerque turned Portugal’s quest for oriental spices into an aspiration
for an Eastern Empire, his dream began to crystallize during the tenure of the greatest
administrator after him, Nuno da Cunha (1529-38.) Hormuz had been captured in 1515
and Malacca in 1519. Cunha consolidated Portuguese presence all over India. In his
time, Portugal’s capital city in Africa-Asia was shifted from Cochin to Goa, in 1530.

In 1534, his 21-ship armada forced the Sultan of Gujarat to surrender the seven islands
of “Bom Baiya” (Bombay) to the Portuguese. These, clubbed with nearby possessions,
were called “Praças de Norte.” In 1536, Cunha intervened for the Nawab of Bengal,
Muhammad Shah-III, against Sher Shah, and gained fort-factories in Chittagong, then
Bengal’s principal city. Satgaon followed. He also secured trading rights in Hooghly,
Bandel, Calcutta and several riverine areas in Bengal.

Cunha helped the Gujarat ruler and obtained Diu on the coast of Kathiawar. He died on
board while sailing home in 1538, near the Portuguese island of Azores in the Atlantic.
He was, by his wish, accorded a sea funeral.

The seeds sown by Nuno da Cunha would yield rich dividends. By 1555, the dominion
around Bombay covered a much larger area, including the island of Salcete near Thane.
The Portuguese had a dozen fort-factories in the Bombay area (Fort-Bombay, Sewri,
Mahim, Worli, Bandra, Sion, Vasai, Arnala, Mahim Kelvi, Chaul, Morro de Chaul and
Caranja.) Further north there were five forts, at Moti Daman, Nani Daman (Daman was
captured in 1558), Diu and two at sea, “Fortim do Mar” and St. Antonio at Simbor – the
last place in India to be freed in 1961. Bombay, as we know, would be one of the largest
destinations of Goan émigrés, when under the British.

To the south of Goa, the Portuguese were entrenched in ten fort-factories: two in
Cochin, one each in Calicut/Kozhikode, Quilon, Chaliyam, Cananore, Cranganore/
Kodungalur, all in Kerala, and in Mangalore, Barcelor/Basrur and Onor/Honavar.

The Portuguese spread in India opened new economic opportunities to Goans. Home
fires burning dim, they out-migrated to these places in large numbers. Hundreds of
Goans did well in Bengal and the Gujarat, Malabar and Coromandel coasts.

Outside India, the Portuguese captured Ceylon (it was they who gave the island nation
that name) and ventured far into the East. Other than Spice Islands, Malacca and others
in the Malay Archipelago, they took Pacem in Sumatra and places in the Indonesian and
South China seas, including Macao and Timor. Goans were in Macao by the 17th
century. Goan soldiers actually helped defend it in 1784.

With complete control of the African coasts, Bahrain and Oman in the Persian Gulf,
India, Sri Lanka, right down to the South China Sea and the Celebes, Portugal became
the undisputed master of Asian trade with Europe. And Goa, the capital city of its
Eastern Empire, was referred to as "Goa Dourada," among other sobriquets. It was said,
"Quem viu Goa, dispensa de ver Lisboa" (he who has seen Goa need not see Lisbon.)
The city’s cosmopolitan population was variously estimated from 2,00,000 to half-million.

Though Goan seafarers had links with East Africa in the 10th Century AD as traders,
Portugal’s expansion in Africa from the point of view of emigration, assumes relevance.
The first known Goan in Mozambique was Calisto, assistant to a missionary. Both were
killed there in 1560. Goans helped the Portuguese colonialise Mozambique, and in 1594,
to capture Mombassa.

Portugal’s empire blossomed in Africa, extending over large areas, from Guinea in the
north, to Sudan, Congo, Angola, Benguela, Nigeria, Ghana (the Gold Coast), Dahomy,
and Mombassa, to the islands of Pemba and Zanzibar.

As Portugal’s empire expanded in Africa, Goans in significant numbers emigrated to
Portuguese Africa. There were adventurers, mercenaries, entrepreneurs, educated,
skilled and otherwise. Many made it big in business, some even enthroned themselves
as local fiefs and kings. I named a few in ‘Goan Businessmen-4’ (‘Herald,’ 16-Dec-2007.)

Today I’ll mention only the academic, Dr. Rosendo Ayres Ribeiro, who held several
world patents, including one for malaria cure: quinine. He returned from Africa to his
homestead in Porvorim, a zebra in tow that he rode like a horse. Flummoxed locals
called it a ‘Pattancho Ghodo’ (striped horse.) (ENDS)
================================
The above article appeared in the HERALD (Goa) in the edition of July 26, 2009

PHOTOS FROM TIATRO "POLICE 2" IN KUWAIT.

This Tiatro was staged in Kuwait on 19th of last month at Hawally A/C Hall.
All the below mentioned artistes played their roles well especially Mathew Araujo as Police Officer. He really looked like a Police Officer.

Seen in the picture Mathew Araujo as Police Officer.

Seen in above picture Roma rendering her solo.

Seen in this picture Jessica as Lawyer confronting Dola as Police Officer.

ST. ANTHONY COLVA WINS ONE DAY SOCCER IN KUWAIT.

Seen in the pictures winners St. Anthony Colva.

In the recently concluded one day soccer festival held in Kuwait, Goan team St. Anthony, Colva
won the final and emerged champions by defeating Suprise team by a margin of 2 - 0. The goals were scored by Hemant and Sedwin. Earlier in the preliminary rounds, the winners defeated Jotun and Dom Bosco via tie breakers.

The tournament was held at opposite to Dom Bosco ground and was sponsored by Dubop Events & Agility.

CONDOLENCE ON JOE FERNANDES DEATH.

Seen in the photo is the late Joe Fernandes

I, Fidelis Fernandes from Colva along with my wife and children express my deep regret over the sudden and shocking death of our friend and colleague Joe Fernades yesterday at Mangalore while undergoing an operation for Bypass surgery.

Joe Fernandes and myself we together shared best of moments during many of our activities for the cause of Goa, Goan community, cultural and sporting programmes and also during the fund collection campaign for the construction of Colva Church Hall in Goa. Joe Fernandes was sincere and dedicated in his decisions to help social and charitable causes especially for the causes of Colva villagers in Kuwait and in Goa since a long time now. In his sudden death we lost a good colleague and a friend, Goan community lost a dedicated lover of Goan causes, sports world lost a great sports lover especially the soccer and Colvakars in Kuwait and in Goa lost one of the strong activists.

May the soul of Joe Fernades Rest In Peace and may the Heavenly God give courage to his wife and both the daughters to bear this colossal loss.

FIDELIS FERNANDES & FLY,

KUWAIT.

DEATH OF JOE FERNANDES (KUWAIT).

THE UNITED GOANS CENTER DEEPLY MOURNS THE SAD AND SUDDEN DEMISE OF THEIR PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER MEMBER JOE FERNANDES DURING THE OPERATION OF BYPASS SURGERY IN MANGALORE HOSPITAL.

UGC CONVEYS ITS DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO ALL THE FAMILY MEMBERS OF JOE FERNADES.

MAY HEAVENLY GOD GIVE JOE FERNANDES ETERNAL REST.

UNITED GOANS CENTER.

JOE FERNANDES (KUWAIT) NO MORE.

It is with deep regret United Goans Center announced the sad death of their President and founder member Joe Fernandes today 22nd July 2009 at Mangalore Fr. Mulla Hospital while undergoing Bypass surgery.

Joe Fernandes a resident of Kuwait during the last 36 years was very active in community service especially in the promotion of sports and cultural activities in genral and soccer in particular. As a member of UG since its inception and himself an ace player once, Joe was one of the initiators of our soccer actitivties at Sour Grounds in 1979. He has undergone lot of sacrifices and spent lot of money from his personal pocket to spread and promote soccer among Goans in particular and Indians in general. He was also a good supporter of Konkani Tiatros in Kuwait.

Hailing from Colva, Primeiro Vaddo, Behind Church, Salcette, he after landing in Kuwait got employment at Kuwait Insurance Co. from where he joined Behbehani Motors Co., Shuwaikh and later on at Al Rai. He was currently with Behbehanis.

His body will be brought back to Goa from Mangalore for funeral scheduled on Friday 24th of this month.

He leaves behind his wife Maggie and two daughters Alrina and Azelia.

In his death, Kuwait Goans lost a very encouraging member of the community who was over eager to patronise and support any good cause for the benefit og Goa and Goans.

May his soul rest in peace.

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.

Prominent Goans Honored

Bahrain: The social group Bahrain Goans promoting football and Konkani programmes among the Goan community of Bahrain staged Comedian Janet and Filipe Almeida's tiatr 'Soglim Khuxeal' at the Baan Saeng Thai Restaurant Auditorium in Bahrain recently.   Bahrain Goans used the interval break of the show to present mementoes and honor a few prominent personalities.   Francis Correia - The eminent Goan in Bahrain, currently President of the Young Goans Club was honored by Goan community members for his selfless service among Indians and in particular with the Goans of Bahrain. Mr. Correia, who has won laurels for his social, charitable and humanitarian works from the Ministry of Social Affairs, Bahrain was also bestowed with the Community Service Leadership Award by Govt. of Goa,  NRI Affairs in 2008. On behalf of the Goan Community of Bahrain, he was presented with a memento by Maxie Fernandes, the Marketing and Sales Manager of Al Shariff Group. Maxie Fernandes presenting a memento to Francis Correia Hilary Sanches presenting a memento to Filipe Almeida & Janet Vincent D'Costa presenting a memento to Shruti C.D. Silva & Tony being presented with mementoes Shruthi Digambar Naik who is visiting Bahrain for the second time with a tiatr group was presented with a memento for her contribution to the konkani stage since her early childhood days. She received the memento from Vincent D'Costa of Bahrain Goans.   C.D.Silva -  renowned tiatrist of yesteryears who has subscribed to the konkani stage in a variety of roles and known as 'man of thousand faces' of the Konkani stage was bestowed with a shawl by the President of the Young Goans Club, Francis Correia.   Tony Gonsalves (Divar/U.K.) - of Wembley Goans, who toured the Gulf States with the 'Soglim Khuxeal' group was also presented with a memento for his endeavours to keep the Konkani language affluent with the Goans in England by organizing tiatrs and Konkani programmes. Mr. Ahmed Zayani of the Folk Theatre presented the memento to him.   Comedian Janet/Felipe Almeida - the directors of 'Soglim Khuxeal' who are visiting Bahrain for the first time were also presented with a memento as a remembrance of staging their show in Bahrain. Hilary Sanches of Bahrain Goans did the presentation.   Present, also on stage during this short ceremony were Francis Vaz of FFR Production and Felix Rodrigues of Bahrain Goans. G.R.Crasto compered the proceedings.   :::This email is brougbt to you by www.goa-world.com/ :::

Lorna bonds with Bond:

By Daniel F. De Souza
dannyboy04@rediffmail.com

Mapusa based tiatrist and businessman Bond Braganza is all set to hit the headlines with his latest Konkani audio album ‘Tuzo Mog’ featuring the nightingale of the Konkani stage Lorna. Incidentally ‘Tuzo Mog’ is the title of one of Lorna’s hit song she sang earlier in Chris Perry Album. We will have to wait and watch what Bond has to offer in his latest audio album with a similar name. Whatever it is, it should surely be good!

The album I am told has 10 tracks all rendered by Lorna including two duets wherein she teams up with Jr. Bond (Mother-son duet) and Anicetto (A romantic duet). In the past Bond has produced 3 audio albums viz. ‘Mhaka Jieunk di, Mhozo Hero and Johnny Johnny’ which featured his singer daughter Veeam whose singing style and voice resembles closely to Lorna’s and were quiet a ht with the music lovers.

All the songs in the album have lyrics by Bond and the musical score is composed by Goa State Awardee Maestro Josinho D’Souza. Bond claims that the music in the album is specially scored keeping in mind the singer’s versatility and intensity of voice. Some of the tracks in the album he stated will surely remind listeners of the legend Chris Perry and his music. The tracks to be looked forward are viz., ‘Dudhsagar, Lollipop, Rengtte-teng, Bob Marley and Goenchem Sorpotel’ The album is recorded at Audio Master with Aurville Rodrigues.

‘Tuzo Mog’ is scheduled for release in Goa on 25th July at Mapusa followed by an international release at UK on 9th August 2009. The audio Album is produced and marketed by Music House Productions, Mapusa Goa.

Review of Tiatro "KAL - AIZ - FALEAM".

Review of Mario Menezes' show: Kal Aiz Faleam

‘Kal Aiz Faleam’ an educative family drama

By: Daniel F de Souza

A near houseful audience at the Ravindra Bhavan on Sunday evening went home a satisfied lot after witnessing Mario Menezes’ latest show ‘Kal Aiz Faleam’. The three hour show is well balanced in every department of the presentation. The story, the direction, the presentation, the comedy, the overall performance, and stage sets including the impressive light effects, take this play to a polished finish.

The story is weighing heavily on the mother-in-law – daughter-in-law spat, with a troubleshooting married daughter thrown in the ring. But, the playwright has handled the script in a different manner bringing forth a very sensitive issue prevalent in society today with a fair amount of decent comedy. The playwright has focused the story on the discrimination meted out to the girl child, the ill treatment of the daughter-in-laws, the dominance and stubborn nature of the mother-in-law. The playwright has also projected the married daughter (Agnes) in a major role who comes and takes shelter in her mother’s home for almost a decade. The married daughter is so evil that she influences negatively the behaviour of her mother towards her helpless daughter-in-laws. The mother and the daughter team up together for selfish motives to belittle the daughter-in-laws at every opportunity.

The only saving grace in this entire episode is the presence of the second daughter-in-law (Joanna) who is no-nonsense type and the only one who can standup to the dominance of her bull headed mother-in-law. Her two sons (Lawry Travasso and Sally) are also the ones who play a very balancing act to snub the mother every time she does something wrong and at the same time expose the misdeeds and mis-behaviour of their married sister.

I do not wish to spell out the storyline in detail, but would like to emphasise that the story is as though handpicked from any Goan household where similar issues are common, disrupting and messing up the lives of many innocent victims, specially the helpless daughter-in-laws. The case of married daughters abandoning the husband’s house and coming and taking shelter in their mother’s house is also a common feature in many Goan families. Besides taking shelter, they also try to play a dominant role in exercising their right in the maternal homes. ‘Kal Aiz Faleam’ makes a bold attempt to bring such a misdemeanor to light which many a times is the major cause for discord within happy families.

‘Kal Aiz Faleam’ also projects the dominant behaviour of the traditional mother-in-laws who live in a make believe world that they are an law unto themselves, and that they do no evil, are always right, and that no one can challenge their authority in the house. But, it is time they realize that their time is up and the modern society does not tolerate such injustice.

‘Kal Aiz Faleam’ also highlights how after having achieved their motives, and when things go badly wrong even blood relations try to wriggle out of the problem and move away to a safe distance leaving others to fend for themselves. It projects how mother-in-laws finally relent their Hitler type behaviour, but, after a substantial damage has already been done.

Kal Aiz Faleam, is a running commentary on the three roles a girl plays in her life time, i.e. as a young lady, a mother and finally a mother-in-law. All the three are well presented on stage.

State Award winner Sabina plays the domineering role of the strict mother-in-law to the hilt, Rosy Alvares as the elder daughter in law and Joanna as the younger daughter-in-law are doing justice to their respective roles. It is Joanna however together with her husband comedian Sally who brings the house down with their electrifying performance in a comedy role. Mario Menezes plays a much subdued role of the son-in-law. The two child artist Rioma and the little boy (could not get his name) show tremendous talent and do justice to their roles.

Among the many songs in the play, solos by Joanna (a tribute to M. Boyer), Lawry Travasso, Xavier Gomes, Rioma, Francis de Tuem (On serial killer Mahanand), duets by Lawry Travaso and Mario Menezes (Adlim Festam), Rioma and Maythan, are really good. But the trio by Xavier Gomes, Francis de Tuem and Lawry Travasso impersonating the stalwarts of the Konkani stage late Kid-Young-Rod, is the pick of the lot and comes in the category of ‘worth going miles to see’. The solo sung by young Rioma on the subject of ‘music’ was rendered well and she keeps good timings, the lighting was also appealing, but the drum solo by the drummer failed to impress.

‘Kal Aiz Faleam’ is a show that is relevant to the present situations prevailing in Goan society and should not be missed specially by stubborn and dominating mother-in-laws as well as by the harassed daughter-in-laws.


*************************************************

Daniel F. de Souza

Konknni Writer,Columnist & Freelance Journalist

G'BYE GOA:GOAN EMIGRATION by Valmiki Faleiro,

G’BYE GOA: GOAN EMIGRATION.

By Valmiki Faleiro.

Goan paradoxes will never cease to fascinate. If she got populated through a series of waves of in-migrations at different points of time in her history, beginning from about 4,000-3,000 BC, Goa also got depopulated through an almost equal and reverse process of out-migrations. The idea that emigration was largely forced and occurred only during the Portuguese era is, as I wrote last Sunday, entirely erroneous. Goan émigrés are almost as old as Goa herself.

Panna, a Goan Saraswat from Ambaulim-Quepem, migrated to Sopara, traded in things like sandalwood and areca,with as distant places as Mudguiri and Tibet, then turned into a disciple of Buddha,returned to Goa to spread the faith, and died at age 80 – all in the pre-Christian(forget Portuguese!) era. Panna is the first famous Goan expatriate. There could have been others before. Down history, Goans – Saraswats and Vanis in particular – moved outside Goa for better economic opportunity. Save during the Kadamba and Portuguese epochs, Goa witnessed political vicissitudes. New rulers or kingdoms generally brought with them new economic opportunity. And fresh waves of out-migration.

The Shenvis of Cortalim, rated intellectually the most ‘superior’ of Salcete Saraswats,were known across ages to have migrated to neighbouring kingdoms. They worked as teachers and accountants, may have depleted treasuries at their workplace, but dutifully returned to hearth-‘n’-home, built new temples or added to existing ones, or bought properties and bequeathed them to temples, to perpetuate their memory! All these, remember, were voluntary – not forced – emigrations. Down the wavers of history, finally arrived the Muslims. Many Goans fled during the invasions of Mallik Kafur and Ghazni Mohammed. Then came the Portuguese. And,soon, a mass Goan exodus. One arose from socio-religious bigotry. The other, from fresh economic opportunity outside Goa (and later, the lack of any within Goa.) The former was not restricted to Hindus alone, as wrongly believed, but covered Catholics as well – who, running the risk of being reported to the ‘Holy Office’ of the Inquisition, fled to coastal Karnataka and elsewhere.

New economic opportunities took Goans to places as afar as Cochin, San Thome(Chennai), Bassein (Vasai), Gujarat, and Chittagong/Ungolim (Hoogly) in Bengal. Many prospered – as did Sir Roger Faria, from Panjim, who dumped opium on Chinaby the shipload, from his bases in Calcutta, Bombay and Macau, but in latter times. Colonialism was a drain on the Goan economy. Locals were taxed to fund colonial wars with neighbouring kingdoms and missionary activities in India. Bulk of Goa’s land was owned by a few ‘ganvkars.’

For the common Goan, subsistence farming was the only way to keep body and soul together. In this grim scenario came the decline of the Portuguese in the East. Goa, by the last quarter of the 16th century, was engulfed in all round Portuguese profligacy, venality and corruption. Lassitude reigned supreme, and the Dutch struck. With their frequent naval blockades from 1603 to 1644, the Dutch starved an already languishing Goa. Economic decline led to the per force emigration. This time largely of Goan Catholics,by now the vast majority of Goa’s populace (then comprising of only the three Old Conquest talukas of Bardez, Tiswadi and Salcete.) This wave of ‘per force’ migration gradually began from the 17th century. It arose purely from economic realities, and survives to this day, encompassing the wider boundaries of modern Goa – despite the fact that we have held our destiny in our hands now close to fifty years.

By the early 1700s, Portuguese historian Vitorino Magalhaes Godinho estimated that Bengal alone had between 20,000 to 34,000 Goan emigrants. Things got worse locally with Portugal’s new found interest in sugarcane-rich Brazil. Vitorino summed it succinctly: the Luso Empire thrived on West African gold in the 15th century, on Oriental pepper in the 16th and on Brazilian sugar in the 17th century. By the 18th century, helpless Goans had to fend for themselves – beyond Goa.

PS: Internet trivia: the total solar eclipse July 22, at 6.26-6.30am, will be the last in our lifetime. It’ll next occur over India on June 3, 2114! (ENDS.)

The Valmiki Faleiro weekly.

ADEUS IXTTA THOMAS.

ADEUS IXTTA THOMAS.

Almost after 40 years of working in Kuwait, my friend and once colleague Thomas Martinho Fernades finally bade adieu to Kuwait last week. A very active member of Goan community hailing from Navelim the village that gave two great sons to Goa and India, namely Portuguese Parliamentarian who represented Goa in Portuguese Parliament Dr. Francis Luis Gomes and Cardinal Gracias – the first Goan Cardinal. I first met Thomas in 1975 when I joined Behbehani Motors Company where he was already working successfully. When he came to know of my credentials in Goa in sporting fields in athletics and in soccer thru mouth to mouth propaganda and also thru media, he hugged me with admiration saying “Are you the same Anthony Veronica the champion athlete of Goa, fastest runner of Goa and defender of Sesa Goa soccer team?” When I replied affirmatively, he became very good friend of mine guiding and helping me on the job. He was good in his job and liked by our superiors. Because of his smartness on the job, he was seconded to company’s Bahrain branch for one year to help develop Bahrain branch. He was very young and youthful then and still he looks youthful.

Being a member of yesteryears Goan community, he showed great love for all Goan causes and truly supported every Goan cause that we initiated from Kuwait for the cause of Goa and community. When Goans initiated competitive soccer activities for Indians, he was on forefront with United Goans Football Center to promote our soccer. Day and night one could see him at Sour Grounds during those hectic days. In 1980 -81 season when UGFC vindictively suspended G.O.A. Maroons from the League tourney and thereby created foul athmosphere all around, Thomas opposed this suspension and tried as a peace maker to bring reconciliation between the two warring clubs but in vain. He loved peace and friendship.

When I took the initiative to form KUWAIT KONKNNI KENDR with the help of another prominent Navelkar, Mr. Elvino Rodrigues, Thomas was one of the first to support me with his active participation but due to his difficult job schedule he failed to become active Executive Body Member. Otherwise he helped all our activities since he was a great lover of Konkani.

When I formed Novem Goem Pratishthan Kuwait Somithi with Alexandre M. Fernandes and others for the starting of people’s Daily “NOVEM GOEM” in Goa, though Thomas was not our Kuwait committee member yet he supported this move very strongly. During those days he was the only Navelkar displaying prominently the flag of Navelim in support of Goa, Goan culture and tradition.

As a lover of Tiatro, he always supported me in organising Tiatros for the cause of Konkani and to raise funds for the cause of Direct Flight from Kuwait to Goa. It always gave him pleasure to work for the cause of Goa and community. He was not a sectarian Navelkar confining his activities for the cause of Navelim only and looking around Navelim only but he was also a metropolitan Goan looking beyond Navelim and as a matter of fact, he had acceptance from Goan community beyond Navelim residents in Kuwait. Even though he was so popular in Goan community yet he never allowed to make publicity of his social work thru Press writings. He did not like cheap publicity to gain cheap prominence, neither in the Goan community nor among Navelkars. He was not a cheap Navelkar,he was a thorough humble gentleman and was very much responsible for creating a good image of Navelim Youth Center.

His greatest contribution for the cause of Goan community was his strong support for the promotion of GOA-KUWAIT SOLIDARITY CENTER activities during the invasion of Kuwait. Along with Elvino Rodrigues, Thomas made heavy awakening in Navelim to mobilize strong force of Kuwait evacuee Navelkars to join in our Rallies at Panjim in support of the liberation of Kuwait. Kuwait evacuee Navelkars came in special Buses with big banners displayed on the hood of the Buses. Unfortunately those who claim to be the leaders of Navelim abstained from participating in this movement thereby showing their opposition to the liberation movement of Kuwait. Such people should be thrown out not only from the Club circle but also from Kuwait.

Thomas Martinho Fernades made Navelim proud. Thomas was great for dishing out great efforts for the cause of Goa. I salute him and wish him best of retired life in Goa and hope, if possible, given a chance he would take active part in the local affairs of Navelim. Under the current corrupt political bigwigs, Navlim lost its pristine greatness. Parliamentarian Francis Luis Gomes brought political honour for Navelim while the current Navelim politicians brought corruption in all fields. This trend has to be arrested. I hope our Thomas will play his role well to bring political discipline in his locality.


A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.

Warm Farewell extended to Founder Member

By Gasper Crasto

Kuwait: Thomas Martinho Fernandes, founder member of Navelim Youth Centre(NYC) was felicitated at a warm farewell party organized by the club at Village Inn Hotel on Monday, 13th June 2009.

The evening was set in motion by live music by young talented musicians of Navelim, Lentini and Platini Luis.

Thomas was honored with a memento for being the founder member of the club and in recognition for his immense contribution towards the club and community. Speaking on the occasion, NYC Vice-President Luis D’Silva said, “Thomas was an architect and one of the pillars of the club who always stood for unity among its members.”

Thomas, who first came to Kuwait in 1970, was employed by Morad Yousuf Behbehani Group for whom he worked for a year in Bahrain as well. Later he worked with Al Nisf, Boodai Group and Atlas Copco.

Thomas was one of the foremost persons instrumental in establishing Navelim Youth Centre in Kuwait. He was highly active in social, cultural, sports and charitable works of the club since its inception in 1987. He has served NYC for several years in different capacities. Keeping the youth and senior members of the club united has been one his forte. His creative and dynamic ideas have gained applauds from many members of the club and community.

The members in their speeches recalled Thomas’ humbleness, immense talent and his selfless contribution in helping NYC organize events of excellence in Kuwait and back home in Goa. Senior NYC member Elvino Rodrigues praised Thomas for his gallant efforts in spreading friendship within the community while popular member Junnifer Rod paid rich tributes for his role in serving Konkani dramas and contributing towards Indian Football in Kuwait. Incidentally, it should be noted that Thomas was one of the members of United Goans who were involved in initiating football activities in Kuwait way back in 1979. Thomas was also a strong supporter of Kuwait Konkani Kendr.

"I am leaving with fond memories of Kuwait and the friends that I have made over the years," said an emotional Thomas in his farewell speech.

Thomas leaves Kuwait for good to be with his wife Natalia and two children Kevin and Kimberley.

For more Photos: Play slideshow

G'BYE GOA: PAKLES ARRIVE.

G’BYE GOA: PAKLES ARRIVE.
By Valmiki Faleiro.

West Asian Muslims were in Goa circa the 8th/9th century, as traders at the prosperous port of Gopakapattana (from Dando-Agacaim to the foothills of Siridao.) As also were the St. Thomas Christians, descendants of 12 Brahmin families first converted in Muziris (Cranganore), Travancore and Cochin by Christ’s own ‘doubting’ Thomas. When Afonso de Albuquerque arrived as Governor of Cochin in 1506, he dreamt of an Eastern Empire. He captured Socotra to control shipping lines in the Red Sea, to crack the monopoly of oriental trade between Arabs and Italians in Alexandria and Venice. His next object was Hormuz, a strategic island between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, which would provide control over the major flow of Gulf trade.

Albuquerque was preparing for an attack on an Egyptian trade fleet in the Red Sea when the Vijayanagarinaval captain, Thimayya, came calling. Thimayya convinced Albuquerque it would be better to attack Goa first. Because the Sultan of Bijapur built ships in Goa, like his own ‘Caravela,’ for Egyptian/Turk traders. Albuquerque also knew that Goa, a trade entrepôt on the western seaboard of India, would get him closer to his dream eastern empire. When he conquered Goa, he promised to destroy the Muslims and protect the Hindus. Albuquerque had a pathological hatred of Muslims. Muslims had occupied Portugal, rather barbarically, for four and half centuries (check the coincidence with 1510-1961)! After 3,700 wars, Portugal finally emerged free in 1238/9.

Albuquerque lived by his word. During the 1510 battles, he ordered his soldiers not totraumatize Hindu locals, under the pain of death penalty. He proclaimed freedom of worship and slashed taxes to a third of what Bijapur collected. He assured Goans would be treated as Portuguese citizens. He abolished sati, set up a municipality and a court of law, styled on the lines of Lisbon. He built Goa’s first church, endowing it with revenue of confiscated mosque lands. He erected impressive public buildings, beautified the city, and started its first school.

Albuquerque’s success as a soldier/strategist/statesman was envied by his fellowmen, who intrigued and won over the king in Lisbon. Albuquerque was peremptorily deposed. He died of shock as his ship, after a successful mission in Hormuz, entered the Aguada Bay, where he was served the news. His body lay interred in Goa for 51 years, until itwas finally allowed – not by a royal order, but by a Papal Bull – into Portugal. His successors changed the policy towards Goa. Egged on by European missionaries,they decided to christianize Goa. Divar’s Ganesh temple was the first to be destroyed, in 1515. On June 30, 1541, the first order to demolish all Hindu temples was enforced.Then began a saga of persecution of Goan Hindus, and Christians under the Inquisition.The persecution continued until all missionary orders were banned by Portugal’s atheist Prime Minister, Sebastiao Jose de Carvalho e Melo, the Count of Oeiras (later, Marquis of Pombal), in 1761.

For 16th to 18th century Portuguese officials, Goa was a place of loot and fun. Best described by Portugal’s national poet, Luis de Camoens. He landed in Goa, and soon in the Margao jail – where the Old Market trial courts now are – for writing in highly critical terms of his compatriots in Goa. When in liberty, he ‘married’ a local girl named Barbara,who he described as “Aquela cativa que me tem cativo...” (that captive who holds me captive.) During those two dark centuries, a good part of Goa – then comprising of Bardez,Tiswadi and Salcete talukas – moved either to the New Conquest talukas or beyond. Many Salcetans settled in South Kanara. In my hometown of Margao, 99.99% of‘Mathagramasths’ (as Margaoites were known) relocated. Of the few ‘ganvkars’ who stayed back were two Faleiro families, one my own, the other of Adv. Lourencinho of Borda (and its two branches, one of late Arthur Faleiro, the other of Mario/late Narciso),and a Moraes family that shifted to Benaulim. Among Hindus, only the Ghodes count. This out-migration by Goans, both Hindu and Catholic, on account of persecution, was,though substantial, neither the first as generally – and wrongly – believed, nor the last.We will come to that story of Goan Emigration from next Sunday. (ENDS.)

The Valmiki Faleiro weekly column.

TIATRO "SOGLIM KHUXEAL" IN KUWAIT.

As announced in this forum earlier, "SOGLIM KHUXEAL" Tiatro by comedy queen Jannet and her script writer husband Filipe Almeida was staged in Kuwait on Friday 10th of this month at Hawally A/C Hall. Though it was announced that it will start at 3.30 pm but to the chagrin of the audience who already occupied their seats in time, the Tiatro finally started at 4.30.

The Tiatro was attended by a very good number of people. The cast included Jannet's troupe coming from Goa and locals as well.

The Chief Guest was Dr. Sunil M. Chavan - Chairman "KONARK MEDICARE KUWAIT" (Anti-Aging Medicine (A3MI) who gifted especial medical gits to all the participants in this Tiatro. Dr. Chavan is also a social worker and philantropist. In his brief speech he lauded Jannet and the organisers for staging "Soglim Khuxeal" in Kuwait.

The Guest of Honour Mr. Arif Khazi - Duo Director of Hindi Movie "Kahim Na Kahim Milenge" and also the Director of Fankar Arts in his speech appreciated the efforts of Goan community in staging such drams.

Seen below are some photos of artistes perfroming. Seen in last two photos Dr. Chavan addressing the audience and above these in 2 photos seen Arif Kazi addressing the audience.

A. Veronica Fernandes,

Kuwait.

PHOTO OF JANNET'S TROUPE ARRIVED IN KUWAIT.

PHOTO OF THE ARTISTES AT THE ARRIVAL AT KUWAIT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TODAY FRIDAY 10TH JULY AT 9.30 AM. ALL THESE ARTISTES WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE TIATRO "SOGLIM KHUXEAL" BY COMEDY QUEEN JANNET AND HER SCRIPT WRITER HUSBAND FILIPE ALMEIDA.

Extreme left seen is Manuel, one of the contractors; the other is Xavier who is not in the picture.

Besides the above artistes, local artistes will also participate in this Tiratro "Soglim Khuxeal".

A. Veronica Fernandes,

Kuwait.

JANNET & HER TROUPE ARRIVED IN KUWAIT.

HERE IS A FLASH.

TIATRO "SOGLIM KHUXEAL".

As per the information just received from the contractors Manuel & Xavier at Kuwait International Airport, Comedy Queen Jannet and her troupe have just arrived in Kuwait and are on their way to the Hotel where they will be staying. After a brief halt there, the entire troupe will proceed on to the Hall at Hawally for their final preparation to stage their Tiatro "SOGLIM KHUXEAL" starting at 3.30 pm today 10th July 2009.

A. Veronica Fernandes,

Kuwait.

TIATOR0'S HANDBILL "SOGLIM KHUXEAL"

" SOGLIM KHUXEAL " Tiatro by comedy queen Jannet and her husband Filipe along with their troupe especially coming from Goa will be staged tomorrow Friday, 10th of this month at Hawally A/C Hall, starting at 3.30 pm.

Additionally, local artistes will also participite in this Tiatro.

Entry Passes are available at Limra Cargo, Salhiya Tower, Basement, Shop No. 9, Kuwait City. Tel. Nos. 97643530/99581491 Mr. Tony or contact Xavier, tel. 66443767 or Manuel tel. 99423781 or Agnelo, tel. 66512602.

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.

"SOGLIM KHUXEAL "TIATRO IN KUWAIT".

TIATRO IN KUWAIT "SOGLIM KHUXEAL".

By comedy queen Jannet and her husband Filipe Almeida.

It will be staged on coming Friday, 10th of this month at Hawally A/C Hall.

Time: 3.30 pm.


The cast from Goa are: Comedy Queen Jannet and her husband Filipe, Miss Shruti, Miss Bushka, Pascoal Rodrigues, Comedian Ambe, Marcus Vaz, C. D'Silva, Satyavan Tari & Tony de Ribandar.


The local artistes are: Irene Vaz, Sylvester Vaz, Michael D'Silva, Comedian Philipe, Laurente Pereira, Christopher Coutinho and Lopes Bros.

Mike System by: John Furtado.

Entry Passes are available at Limra Cargo, Salhiya Tower, Basement, Shop No. 9, Kuwait City. Tel. Nos. 97643536/99581491 Mr. Tony or contact Xavier on Tel. 66443767 or Manuel on Tel. 99423781 or Agnelo on Tel. 66512602.

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.

G'BYE GOA:MORADORES' & MUSLIMS by Valmiki Faleiro.

G’BYE GOA: ‘MORADORES’ & MUSLIMS.

By Valmiki Faleiro.

The new Goan order, complete by the 13th century AD, was dominated by Indo-Aryans:Saraswats, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas. Original tribal settlers were totally subjugated. Goa settled into era of tranquillity. As civilization advanced and life improved, the benefits of labour specialization, and resultant economies of scale, dawned on Goa’s village republics, the ‘Ganvkaris.’ That’s when another, and a substantial, wave of in-migration gradually occurred.

Specialised labour in large numbers – Bogar/Valar/Kannknakar (glass bangle makers),Chambar (cobblers), Gawandi/Gonvddi (masons), Kansar (coppersmiths), Lohar/Kamar(ironsmiths), Nhavi/Nabhik/Mhale (barbers), Parit/Moddvoll (washermen), Shimpi/Shinvpi(tailors), Sonar/Shet (goldsmiths), Sthapatis/Shilpis (sculptors), Sutar/Chari (carpenters,ironsmiths), Teli (oil extractors) and the like – lest we forget, also Bhangis (sanitationworkers) – were imported into Goa’s villages. This migration drastically altered the demographic profile of Goa. In most villages, the new migrants outnumbered the dominant caste – either Saraswat or Kshatriya, rarely a combination of the two (in Salcete, Saraswats settled in Kshatriya villages, and viceversa, only during the Portuguese period.) Being ‘owners’ of the village, Saraswats/Kshatriyas maintained their dominant position.(There was no democracy and numbers didn’t count, except in war.)

While owners of the village were ‘Ganvkars,’ imported settlers were labelled as socially lower “Moradores.” In big villages like Margao, the new arrivals were ghettoed into localities known as‘Kamaranvaddo,’ ‘Moll’llanvaddo,’ ‘Mestavaddo,’ ‘Chao dos Alpalqueiros’ (cobbler’sland.) This cosy Goan society was at peace, but not for long, in the time-scale of history. Goa fell to the Muslims in 1312. Mallik Kafur, Bengal Sultan, Allauddin Khilji’s general, took the Deccan from the Yadavas, then marched into Goa’s capital, Govapuri. Then rulers,the Kadambas, fled to their old capital, Chandor. Various Muslim sultanates thereafter ruled over Goa – the worst being the Bahamani, Ghazni Mohammed, who was particularly cruel on Hindu Goa. He destroyed temples and generally wrought havoc. A digression. There’s a pattern in the destruction of places of religious worship in Goa.Best illustrated by the case of Bom Jesus Basilica in Old Goa. Originally, a Buddhist monastery stood on the site. Latter-day Hindus destroyed it and built a temple to Shivain its place. Ghazni Mohammed destroyed the temple between 1358 and 1366 and builta mosque. When the Portuguese arrived, they destroyed the mosque and built theBasilica.

Goans appealed against the repressive Muslims to the kingdom of Vijayanagar. In1366/7, it sent its general, Madhav Mantri, a Kashmiri Pandit by stock, who evicted the Muslims. Goa had peace for the next 103 years. In 1469, the Bahamani general, Kwaja Muhammad Gawan, attacked Goa from land and sea. With an armada of 120 ships and a huge marching force, Gawan easily took Goa. Goans were again subjugated. When the 13th and last Bahamani king died in 1482, his five generals dismembered the empire between themselves in 1489 and Goa cameunder Yusuf Adil Shah of Bijapur. (Though some put the year as 1498, Dr. Pandurang S.Pissurlenkar records that Adilshah occupied Goa in 1489 itself.) The rulers extracted confiscatory taxes but were tolerant of the Hindu faith. But, MuslimNavaiyats (Turks settled in Bhatkal, to conduct their lucrative trade in Persian/Arabianhorses to South Indian warlords), who fled to Goa after they were attacked in Bhatkal, were the root of harassment of Goans.

Hindu rulers of South India were cross with Navaiyats because while the latter profited at their cost, Navaiyats slyly gave the best horses to Muslim kings. Every time Vijayanagar’s four naval captains led by Thimayya Nayak of Honavar, commandeered Navaiyati horse laden ships to the Vijayanagari ports in south Konkan, Navaiyats retaliated by persecuting Goan Hindus – through Yusuf Gurgi, the Adilshahi governor in Goa, whose 200 fellow-Turks punished locals and protected Navaiyats.

Incensed locals, under Mhala (Mhada, Madhav?) Pai, the Sardesai (headman) of Verna, retaliated by capturing and imprisoning some Navaiyats. Gurgi’s 200 Turks rescued the Navaiyats and intensified the persecution of local Hindus. Mhala Pai sought deliverance from the Portuguese, then at the Malabar Coast, through Thimayya. A local yogi had prophesized that people from a foreign land would save Goa. Mhala Paiperhaps knew it had to be the Portuguese…

PS: Some internet trivia: July 8, at five minutes and six seconds past 4am, the time/datewill be 04:05:06 07/08/09. It will never again happen in our lifetime! (ENDS.)

The Valmiki Faleiro weekly column.

CHIEF GUEST DR. SUNIL M. CHAVAN FOR TIATRO "SOGLIM KHUXEAL", IN KUWAIT.

Seen in the picture is Dr. Sunil M. Chavan, Chairman "Konark Medicare Kuwait" Company.

A very good friend of Goans among whom many are involved in the promotion of his company "Konark Medicare Kuwait", he will be the chief guest for the Tiatro "Soglim Khuxeal" by Comedy Queen Jannet and her husband Filipe Almeida. This Tiatro will be staged on coming Friday 10th of this month at Hawally A/C Hall, starting at 3.30 pm.

Two shows of this Tiatro have already been staged successfully in UAE; one in Dubai and the other in Abu Dhabi last week. Third show will be held in Bahrain and fourth will be in Kuwait on coming Friday.

Gate Passes are available with Tony on Tel. Nos. 97643536/99581491 or Xavier on Tel. 66443767 or Manuel on Tel. 99423781 or Agnelo on Tel. 66512602.

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.

"Soglim Khuxeal" enthralls UAE Audience

Submitted by Wilfred Barboza and  Claude Fernandes..   Abu Dhabi July 5, 2009: After a stupendous success of  the Tiatr (drama) "Soglem Khuxeal" (Everyone is happy) in Dubai Al Nasr Leisurland on July 2nd 2009  the  main actors comedy queen Janet and Filipe Almeida together with Shruti, Bushka, Pascoal Rodrigues, Ambe, Marcus Vaz, C D'Silva, Satyavan Tari, Aldair, Tony De Ribandar once again  brought  alive on stage the same show live in Abu Dhabi. Performing at the Abu Dhabi Folklore and Theatre Society  on July  03, 2009  Friday evening, the actors entertained the audience  with their exhilarating skits, dances, songs and performances.                                     They displayed Goa's  rich cultural heritage with their lively dialogues, comedy, display of talents  and wholesome entertainment.   Lenoy Gomendes gave the background music and enhanced the outlook of this Goan Tiatr.   Filipe Almeida the writer and director of this Tiatr has carefully created a niche between the lives of  haves and have nots that exist in our society.   He weaved a story around these two different classes and clearly shown what happens when two people from these two different stratas  fall  in love with each other. Do not buy a house for it's paint, instead look at the structure is one dialogue and message conveyed to the audience.  The actors held the audience rapt with a mix of tragedy and humour with a happy ending - "Love finally conquers everything in its own mysterious way". Ivor D'Cunha a prominent personality among the Abu Dhabi Goan community compered the event  with his sonorous voice and style.  He conducted a game of "Bingo"  and gave away prizes to the winners.  Two well known personalities in Abu Dhabi Mr. and Mrs. Johnson and Sabina Fernandes were the main co-ordinators of this event. They were ably supported by Ready mix Abu Dhabi, Al Ansari Exchange, Shangai Surprise Chinese Restaurant (Capital Hotel), Haveli Restaurant, Al Sahil,  Mauvin D'Silva, Philomen Lewis, Bernard Dias, Conrad Dias, Augusitine Ferrao, Isidore Vaz, James Mascarenhas, Lawrence D'Silva, Josephine, Antabona, Joe Fernandes, Jerry De Ribandar, Benny D'Costa, Rebello de Chincimim, Lyner Cardoza, friends and wellwishers.  Raphael and  Antony had played a key role in bringing the artists to UAE.   The artists would now be performing in  Bahrain, Kuwait and U.K  in the forthcoming weeks.