WORLD CUP 2010 - IV.

Seen in the picture is Pele - a 17 year kid playing for Brazil in 1958 World Cup.

The third footballer who is expected to create ripples in this World Cup will be England's Rooney who is compared with Kevin Keegan. I disagree here too because after his retirement from first class soccer, British soccer is yet to produce another Keegan who was great all round footballer, great shooter, great runner and great cool tempered on the field while Rooney lacks all these attributes to become another Keegan though Rooney is good footballer shining only on British soccer arena.


Seen in the picture is final match of the inaugural tournament in 1930 at Uruguay.

Kaka of Brazil is another footballer to create a name and fame for him in this World Cup tournament and according to soccer pundits he will emulate the feat of Pele. Let me be clear now that there is no one on this planet to emulate Pele and will not be too, either, easily. Persons like Pele comes to this planet only once in centuries. Pele is Pele. After 1966 World Cup everyone equated Portugal's Eusebio with Pele but Eusebio himself in his autobiography written in Portuguese “Meu Nome e Eusebio” confessed that “Pele is Pele, he is great, I cannot emulate him even though Pele himself has said that I am now Pele”. Kaka is a great ball player but in front of Pele he is like a tip of an iceberg. Why in front of Pele only? Kaka is much lower in his standard than many of the former great players of Brazil.

According to me, in the current Brazil team there is not a single individual player whom I can really rate as ‘titanic footballer’ who will change the tide in favour of his team. This time Brazil will rely on team work where individual skill will not come to the fore. And if Brazil wins the Cup in South Africa it will be only because of collective team work and if they lose it will be only because of absence in their team of individual star players normally Brazil is known to field. To win the Championship you also need to have a Star player in your team. Currently there are no great star players in any of the qualified teams. Earlier Brasil alone was having in its squad not only one star but a constellation which helped Brazil to win the World Cups 5 times with confidence


Seen in the picture above is one of the top French players Platini.

Inspite of what I said above, who then will be the players who will steal the limelight during this World Cup? Will he be Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo or Rooney or somebody else? And who will then win this World Cup tournament in South Africa? Time alone will give the testimony to these questions. Till then, all the best to all the 32 teams.

Before concluding let us all as lovers of soccer pray sincerely to God to keep away all the terrorists from creating any act of terrorism during the entire period of World Cup. Let us pray to God to avoid another Munich Olympic type of disaster created by the Palestinian terrorists. First time hosting of World Cup in African continent is a big honour for the Black Africa and to get this honour Nelson Mandela personally worked very hard. May God Bless and protect all from any disaster during the World Cup 2010 in South Africa. Let us all lovers of soccer consider this World Cup is not only of FIFA and South Africa but also of all of us.

CONCLUDED.

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.

WORLD CUP 2010 - III.

Seen in the picture is Ronaldo of Brazil during peak of his form playing for Brazil.

Preparation period for World Cup tournament is very short now compared to what it was earlier. After the final Draw in January every qualified team used to go for its preparation rigorously for about 4 months continuously, some of the teams even going underground in order to fully concentrate physically and mentally as West Germany did for 1974 World Cup which they finally won by defeating Holland. Now it is really agonizing to see some players of the qualified teams have been just released by their foreign Clubs while few are still not released by their Clubs. In such a situation how can we have a homogenous team to play and fare well? In 1970 at Mexico World Cup tournament England as reigning champions went to Mexico as full squad one month before the start of the tournament after undergoing rigorous training for about 4 months before that just to acclimatize with the climatic conditions of Mexico. World Cup tournament is very demanding and challenging competition in which every player must reach to his highest peak physically and mentally and each player must know his other colleague on the field, how he plays and what are his weak and strong points. Co-ordination with every player is very essential and to attain it one must spend long time with his team mates thru regular training together. In this World Cup this attribute is lacking in many of the national teams and as such according to me the standard of this World Cup will not be as high as it is expected. Selected players are devoting more time for their foreign clubs rather than for their national teams because of lack of patriotism and craze for more money coming from foreign clubs for the players. Surely in view of this the standard of soccer in this World Cup tournament will be lower than the previous ones. Many of the selected top players for their national teams are already over used and also misused by their overseas top Clubs. These top players need some compulsory relaxation for their minds and bodies which they were not given before the World Cup tournament because there is no time. Hence, to expect miracles from them in the coming World Cup is asking Heaven from them.


Seen in the picture is Roger Milla of Cameroon after scoring a goal for his team.

Which players will make a dent into this World Cup and which players will receive more attention? Everybody says Argentinian Lionel Messi will be the player to watch since he is dubbed as second Maradona. Lionel Messi is no doubt a great player currently but to dub him as Maradona is not only lowering the greatness of Maradona but it is an insult to Maradona and his magnificent form of those days. Footballers like Maradona appears on the soccer field only once in ages. Maradona could single leggedly and single handedly win the match while Messi cannot, Messi has to depend on others to make his moves. Maradona was not only playing but more than that he was making others to play by accurately feeding his colleagues while Messi lacks this aspect. Maradona was using his brain better than his feet while Messi is erratic not only in his brain but also in his kicking the ball. Maradona had superb accuracy while Messi not. Maradona had magnet to his left foot while Messi not, not only for his left foot but not even to his right foot. Maradona's direct free kick from outside the box means sure goal while Messi's not. Maradona was playing the game of two men while Messi is all alone. After their defeat from Argentina in 1986 World Cup tournament Bobby Charlton was asked “why and how England lost?” For this Bobby Charlton an ex England player and the member of England World Cup winning team in 1966 replied thus “Because Argentina played with 12players, meaning, one Maradona is equal to 2 players”. Can Messi come to this level?


Seen in the picture is French skipper Zidane disgracing not only France but also football with the headbutt on Italian defender.

The other footballer who will create a mark in this World Cup will be Portuguese Ronaldo who being the highest paid footballer in the world will equal the feat of former Portuguese great Eusebio. Again I say that Ronaldo is nothing compared to Eusebio who could single handedly win the match while Ronaldo not. Eusebio was giving his life for Portuguese National team inspite of being a Mocambiqan Negro while Ronaldo inspite of being genuine White Portuguese is giving his life for money and not for Portuguese National team. Compared to Eusebio, Ronaldo is still a kid on the field while Eusebio was like a gigantic Panther. Eusebio had killing instinct while Ronaldo lacks this aspect. Eusebio had equal power in his both legs while Ronaldo is feeble in one leg.

TO BE CONCLUDED.

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.

WORLD CUP 2010 - II.

WORLD CUP 2010 SOCCER TOURNAMENT.

Again another Poll was conducted a few years back to select the best footballer of last century and the result was Joint Winners Pele and Maradona. If I was given to make my choice, I would surely rate Pele above Maradona because though Maradona was the best during his era yet definitely not as best as Pele. Pele was a full and perfect player using both his legs with equal ease, he was perfect in heading the ball in aerial duel, his brain worked faster than the spark of an electricity and his running speed like that of an Olympian sprinter – in fact when he retired from National Soccer Team, Pele could run 100 Meters in 11 seconds. When I ran 100 Metres in 11 seconds I was just a 17 year old kid while Pele was 35 year old father and still at that ripe age he was doing 100 Metres in 11 seconds means he was a sporting genius. Now coming back to Maradona, he was not a perfect footballer as he was lacking in some major required attributes namely he was only one legged footballer using his left foot only; Maradona was not heading the ball, hence in the aerial duel he was handicapped; Maradona was not a sprinter like Pele to create upheavals with his speed in the citadels of his opponents and unlike Pele, Maradona was hot tempered on the field even receiving a Red Card against Brazil in 1982 World Cup.


Seen in the picture an encounter between Kuwait and England in 1982 World Cup.

When Alfredo de Stifano and Ferenz Puskas played at the peak of their form, their exposure to the world was very limited and TV coverage was almost not existing either, they reached their playing crescendo in fifties reaching their zenith in mid fifties and lasting till the beginning of sixties. They both played more for their Club Real Madrid in their adopted countries where they were gifted with Spanish citizenship thru naturalization. They were scoring goals like anything from any angle and from any distance; they were a big headache for their opponents’ defenders. One writer said that while on the playing field they were communicating with each other not thru their tongues and not by sign languages but thru waves without even looking at each other. They were beneficiaries of science of Telepathy. Both reached their pinnacle together and both faded also together. Their records and their games one can know only by reading their histories


Seen in the picture above is Portugal's mighty Black Panther Eusebio in 1966 World Cup.

Best of the footballing nations are from South America where in their soccer one will find lot of skills and also geometry in their passing. The ianugural World Cup tournament in 1930 at Uruguay where only 13 teams participated thru invitations, according to some experts was the most skilful. Though South American countries are poor economically compared to Western European countries yet for soccer they do anything. Just like Cricket is life and death for many in India so too soccer to these South American Countries. Brazilian soccer is the most entertaining and most artistic among all in the World. Like Brazil no other country in the world plays soccer as skillful as Brazil do. It is not their coaches only who impart skillful soccer in the blood of their footballers at an early age but more than that it is in the genes of Brazilians to play skilful soccer. It is very natural for them to play geometrical soccer and because such soccer liked by the spectators, world love Brasilian soccer very much. And hence Brazil is become the darling of soccer lovers.
Brazil gained love, affection and goodwill from all around the globe only because of its entertaining and skillful soccer. This helps Brazil even to increase its political and financial clout all around the globe.

Brazil won World Cup 5 times but only twice they played most exciting and entertaining soccer. What Globe Trotters did for the ball with their magical hands in Basketball so Brazilian footballers did for the soccer ball with their magicial feet in 1970 and 1982 World Cup soccer tournaments. In 1970 World Cup just with his right foot Pele made the ball to do what he wanted to, except talk, so also the then prized bachelor Eder in 1982 World Cup with his left foot made the ball to take any turn near the opponent’s goal mouth and even into the net. In 1970 World Cup tournament some soccer analysts said that all time great players have played for Brazil in this edition, namely skipper Carlos Alberto Pereira, midfielders Gerson and Clodoaldo, attackers Rivelino, Dr. Tostao, Pele and Zairzinho who had the unique distinction of scoring a goal in every match he played in that edition. Soccer experts say such a dream team will never come again, later part it was coached by their ex national player and their World Cup winning member in 1958, Mario Zagallo.


Seen in the picture above is Maradona scoring his first goal against England with his head but with the Hand of God.

However, according to me the all time great Brazilian World Cup squad was that of 1982 coached by their soccer Maestro Tele Santana. This team consisted of all the dream boys in their forward line namely skipper Dr. Socrates, Zico, Serginho and Eder while the midfield was orchestrated by their maestro Junior singularly running throughout nonstoppingly like a horse and the defense was manned by all the defenders who could even move upfront and score goals. The ball control of these defenders was such that it was as good as that of their forwards. While leaving Brazil for Spain in 1982 World Cup tournament, at their Airport in Brazil they were hailed in advance only as World Champions but after losing against Paulo Rossi’s Brazil in an anti-climax manner they were still called as world champions while welcoming back, not for winning the World Cup but for playing the most entertaining and most skillful soccer as never seen in the past in any of the earlier World Cup Tournaments. Will such a dream team we ever get to see again? And what type of soccer Brazil will dish out in the forthcoming World Cup in South Africa starting on 11th June 2010? Will it be entertaining and skilful or will it be like European soccer – hit and run since many of the Brazilian players are Europe based playing for the European Clubs and used to play un-artistic European soccer? Brazil plays real soccer on the soccer field while Europe plays money on the soccer field. That is the difference between the European and South American soccer while African soccer resembles Brasilian but Asian soccer is still 25 years behind European.


Dr. Socrates - Medical Doctor - Skipper of Brazilian mighty squad of 1982 World Cup.

TO BE CONCLUDED.

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.

WORLD CUP 2010 - I.

WORLD CUP 2010 SOCCER TOURNAMENT.

On 11th June this year, 19th World Cup tournament will be held in South Africa, first time in the African continent. Earlier it used to be held in rotation in Europe and in South America except in 2002 when it was jointly hosted by Japan and South Korea. To participate in World Cup tournament every participating nation has to undergo a very rigorous qualifying process lasting over a year but only in the first tournament in 1930 when Uruguay hosted this tournament the participating teams were invited, some even at the last moment; India was also invited but last minute had to refrain from participating because Indian players were not accustomed to play wearing soccer boots, Indians then were known to play barefooted. The first ever World Cup tournament was won by the host country Uruguay by defeating their rival and neighbour Argentina and the next day as a mark of joy, Uruguay declared a national holiday. FIFA is the governing body under which World Cup tournaments are supervised. To organize World Cup is not a joke, the organising country must provide many and best of facilities in number of fields including best of world class soccer stadia with all the necessary facilities. Japan and Korea being industrial giants in Asia could not individually organize this tournament in 2002 and to make this edition a success FIFA had to allot this World Cup jointly to two countries, to Japan and Korea.


Seen in the picture above is World Cup winning Italian captain Fabio Cannavaro in 2006.

Currently 32 national teams participate in the World Cup but earlier in the beginning and till 1978 only 16 national teams were allowed and from 1982 the number of participating teams increased to 24 which number lasted till 1994 and finally it brought to the current level of 32 teams in France in 1998.

Brazil is the only country in the world to participate in every World Cup tournament since the inception time in 1930 at Uruguay and Brazil is the only country having a distinction of winning the World Cup Tournament 5 times, followed by Italy 4 times, Germany 3 times, Uruguay & Argentina twice each and England and France once each.
Almost every World Cup produces a great player and prominent among them in 1958 was Brazilian Pele and in 1962 again a Brazilian, Garincha; in 1966 Portugal’s Eusebio; in 1970 West Germany’s Gerd Mueller; in 1974 Netherland’s Johan Cruyff; in 1978 Argentinian Mario Kempes; in 1982 Italian Paulo Rossi; in 1986 Argentinian Diego Armando Maradona; in 1990 Italy’s Salvatore Schillaci; in 1994 Brazil’s Romario; in 1998 Zinedine Zidane; in 2002 Brazil’s Ronaldo and in 2006 Italy’s Fabio Cannavaro.

The highest number of goals scored in a single W. Cup tournament was 13 in 1958 at Sweden by Frenchman Just Fontaine and till now none of the later on highest scorers managed to break this record of Just Fontaine. When Fontaine created this record of 13 goals the number of participating teams was only 16 but later on it increased to 24 and then 32. Inspite of being bigger competitions having bigger number of players from around the world, none managed either to equal Frenchman’s record or surpassed that record.

Every World Cup tournament produces a surprise team like in earlier tournaments produced, namely Cameron, Algeria, Israel, Tunisia, North Korea, Croatia etc. These surprise teams came from the third world and they created upsets for the gigantic teams as North Korea an Asian minnows in soccer sent mighty Italy packing its bags back to Rome Airport without even reaching to the quarter final in 1966 in England. Which will be the surprise team in this year’s edition in South Africa? Will it be from African continent or Asian? Only the time will answer this question.


Seen in the picture Brazilian skipper Dunga receiving World Cup in 1994.

Being the biggest soccer sporting event, World Cup tournaments give best of footballers to the soccer world and with their super talent and sheer artistry they delight the spectators all around the world. Some of the footballers whose memory from the minds of the people will never erase are Brasilians Pele nicknamed Black Pearl, Garincha nicknamed Small Bird, Carlos Alberto Pereira, Dr. Tostao, Rivelino, Zairzinho, Gerson, Dr. Socrates, Romario, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho; from Portugal Eusebio nicknamed Black Panther; from Hungary Ferenz Puskas; from France Just Fontaine, Platini and Zidane; from Germany Uwe Scheler, Backenbeur, Sep Meier, Gerd Mueller nicknamed Bomber and Rummenigge; from England Gordon Banks, Bobby Moore, Bobby Charlton and Kevin Keegan; from Argentina Alfredo di Stefano, Daniel Passarela, Osvy Ardilles, Mario Kempes and Maradona; from Mexico Mario Campos and Hugo Sanchez; from Cameroon’s Roger Milla.

Among the best footballers in the world as per my observation in their rankings are (1) Argentianian and later on Spanish Alfredo de Stefano; (2) Hungarian Ferenz Puskas; (3) Brazilian Pele; (4) Argentinian Maradona; (5) Portuguese Eusebio; (6) German Backenbeur; (7) German Gerd Mueller; (8) England’s Bobby Charlton; (9) England’s Bobby Moore; (10) German Karl Heinz Rummenige; (11) Russian Lev Yaschin; (12) Dutch Johan Cruyf; (13) Dutch Ruud Gullit and (14) Brazilian Roberto Carlos.
In the later part of last century, approximately in early eighties, France Soccer Magazine known all around the globe as very interesting organized a Poll of experts to select 3 best sportsmen of this planet of past century. The result was Footballer Pele first; Olympian Athlete Runner Jesse Owens second and on third place came World Champion Boxer Mohammed Ali (Cassius Clay).


Seen in the picture above is West Germany's skipprt Franz Backenbeur joyfully holding the World Cup in 1974.


A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.

TO BE CONCLUDED.

N.B. All the pictures seen in this article are provided by the well-known Kuwait based Goan scribe Gasper Crasto from Navelim. Mr. Crasto was a well known national footballer from Goa representing Salgaocars Sports Club, Goa.

UNGRATEFUL GOAN POLITICIANS.

Ungrateful Goan Politicians

“Monxeak sondanch denk asonk zaiyo” is an old Konkanni adage, in English it means, we have to be grateful to our benefactors. It is indeed only prudent to be grateful, and in most cases this is accepted and religiously followed, as it is only ethical and supposed to reflect a good upbringing. This particular trait is not just evident in most average humans, but also prevalent in most animals too, which they adhere to with due diligence, the dog being the epitome of this congenial virtue, alas, it would have been so wonderful if only, some more of our humans species, particularly the present breed of politicians had indeed taken a lesson from the dogs and showed some sense of appreciation and gratitude towards the electorate for electing and bringing them to power, even though the choice of the electorate is certainly questionable.

Last couple of years we the people of Goa have borne the blunt for the excessive voracity and gluttony of our politicians, who in their quest for plethora of wealth and affluence have subjected our peaceful lives to depravity and degeneration. The peaceful, fun loving days of Goans have all but vanished and with all that’s prevailing in Goa, we Goans have become a peeved lot and our corrupt politicians unflinching in their mission, undistracted by the surge in agitations, continue to pour down disparity and melancholy over the already aggrieved Goans, adding fuel to the already burning fire within.

Even though it is of utmost importance for politicians, while holding public office, to conduct themselves with probity and a certain amount decorum, our politicians certainly do lack in ethics and morals and from what has transpired in Goa during the last few days, it’s obvious that our CM is also suffering from what appears to be a terminal case of a particularly virulent form of the foot-in-mouth disease.

Our CM says that he does not need our votes, which also means, stick up your votes, you know where, showing us the middle finger and then in all sincerity tells women, that politics is not for them, which means politics is macho, which makes him a blatant sexist and his inflammable concoction of ego and libido is certainly on display. It’s not at all difficult to assume why the senior member of the Congress and the only lady in the Vidhan Sabha has not been included in the ministry. He just does not believe in the capabilities of women. If one goes through history, women leaders of the world have had far fewer scandals, if not minimal compared to their male counterparts.

Whatever said and done we should not forget these two axioms of the CM, come what may and give a fitting riposte during the next assembly elections. We all know that the Congress in Goa has survived only on account of the Catholics and the migrant vote bank, Catholics have surely not benefited from this unfortunate amalgamation but now it’s time to show just how valuable our votes are, the CM may not need our votes as he has already made arrangements, courtesy Monti Dongor, Kahrebandh, Dovorlim and of course Gandhi market, the new fish and vegetable market and the wholesale market, but a good ethical and competent candidate will surely need our votes.

In the last few days the arrogance of our elected representatives has come to the fore, with the CM doing a commendable job and the PWD Minister following suit, supporting a Bombay builder against the local populace. Now is the right time that we Goans showed the corrupt lot the door. As people are united, they should continue this agitation with vigour, especially our women should show our CM, that they mean business, as about 50% if not more, voters are women. I think it’s time to bring down the Ali Baba government. We do not need ungrateful people to govern us, “denk naslole monis amkam nakai”, Digambar Kamat Hai Hai ! Down with Digambar Kamat !

Freddy Agnelo Fernandes
Dubai - UAE.

GOANS IN INDIA'S DEFENCE SERVICE. By Valmiki Faleiro.

Goans in India's Defence Services



==========

VALMIKI FALEIRO delves deeper into Goa’s contribution to the officer ranks of the

three wings of India’s defence services.

==========




Goans, and Goan Catholics in particular, always had this fascination for adventure.

Right from the General in a Deccani army in the 17th century, to Manuel Antonio de

Souza (1835-1904), of Mapusa, who created and reigned over his own country with

an army of 30,000 men, by the right bank of the Zambezi, in far away Mozambique!

Down to dozens of officers in the armed forces of Portugal, Britain and any nation of

domicile, even … hold your breath … now Australia-settled Wg Cdr Zuzarte of the

Pakistan Air Force!




The number of Goans in independent India’s defence services is a matter of pride.

The tiny community produced one Chief and two Vice Chiefs of Army Staff, one Vice

Chief of Naval Staff and one Chief of Air Staff. And at least 42 Generals (from

three-to one-star), one VAdm, one RAdm and four Commodores, three Air Marshals, two

Vice Marshals and five Air Commodores – and a legion of other officer ranks in the

three services.




The Chief of Army Staff, as all know, is Gen Sunith F Rodrigues of Curtorim. The

Vice Chiefs are Lt Gen Kevin L D'Souza of Mapusa and Lt Gen Stanley L Menezes of

Sangolda. The Vice Chief of Naval Staff is Vice Adm John C DeSilva of Navelim. The

Chief of Air Staff is Air Chief Marshal Hrishikesh Shamrao Moolgavkar of Mulgao-

Bicholim. A bit on him:




One of the earliest IAF Goans (slightly junior to AVM Erlic Pinto), he was among the

first four Indian IAF officers to earn a MVrC for bravery in J&K ops (and one of only

three IAF Goans to be so decorated, the others being Gp Capt Sidney Noronha and

Gr Capt Allan D’Costa.) A versatile fighter pilot, he flew 56 types of aircraft

including helicopters, from pre WW-II vintage to “planes without propellers” (jets)

like Gnats and MiGs. He was the first Indian to fly faster than sound (in a Mystere-

II.) Awarded the US Congress’ Legion of Merit at the Pentagon in 1978.




Goa missed counting three more Chiefs of Staff, one each of the Army, Navy and Air

Force. Maj Gen Eustace W Fernandes stood, as AVM Erlic W Pinto did in the IAF, a

chance for the top job. He died in 1994, like AVM Pinto in 1963, together with

several senior army officers. He was inspecting weapons and explosives seized from

J&K terrorists when the dump exploded. Both AVM Pinto and Maj Gen Fernandes died in

J&K – and both, rather uncannily, shared the same initials, EW! (Maj Gen Fernandes’

younger brother, Air Cmde Kevin Fernandes was, creepily again, killed in a helicopter

crash in the 1950s – in J&K!) The appointment of then RAdm John C DeSilva to

Chief of Naval Staff was a near miss.




Several times since 1947, Goans held operational commands in the three services.

Lt Gen Walter AG Pinto from Santa Cruz-Calapur was GOC-in-C, Central Command,

Lucknow. Vice Adm John DeSilva commanded the Eastern Fleet of the Indian Navy.

Air Marshal Terence J de Sa from Sangolda was Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief,

Southern Air Command, like AVM Erlic Pinto, AOC-in-C, Western Air Command

before. Lt Gen Francis T Dias from Velcao was Chief of Staff, Southern Command.




Or get the import from another angle. In the Indo-Pak 1965 war, three vital High

Altitude Passes were under Lt Gen Stanley L Menezes in Ladakh, Maj Gen Sidney

Pinto at Jelep La and Maj Gen Eustace F D'Souza at Natu La. Lt Gen Eric A Vaz

commanded an operational Brigade in Punjab.




During the 1971 war, Goans commanded three operational Infantry Divisions: Lt Gen

Walter AG Pinto in Punjab, Maj Gen Benjamin F Gonsalves in Bangladesh and Maj

Gen Eustace D’Souza in the Kashmir valley. (Lt Gen Stanley Menezes was a leading

light in the 1971 ops., while Maj Gen Antonio C da Silva commanded the Artillery

Regiment that thrust on Dacca.) Yes, the Army part of the 1971 war – on all three

fronts – was led by Goans!




Goans held key positions in strategy, in all three services, at various points of

time. Among the latest instances was Gp Capt Sunil J Nanodkar, Director-Ops

(Offensive/Tactical) at Air HQ in 2003



Brig Joseph V Pinto, a telecom expert, oversaw the transition to computer-based

telecom in all the three services in the 1970s. Lt Cdr John E Gomes was Asst

Director-Ops at Naval HQ. Sqn Ldr Raul Silva Rodrigues was Asst Director-Ops at

Air HQ.




Lt Gen Walter AG Pinto, known as “The Legend” after the 1971 war, commanded the

famous Battle of Basantar, the last in that war, inside (West) Pakistan. His tactics

were soon part of the curriculum for army commanders. He is writing a book on the

story of Basantar.




Cmde Gilbert Menezes from Raia and Lt Joseph DeSilva from Navelim (brother of

VAdm DeSilva, who left service early) were among the Navy’s pioneer submariners.

They were trained in Russia in 1967. Cmde Menezes commanded the foxtrot class

submarine Kalvari, also the frigate Taragiri, and retired as Director of Submarine

Operations at Naval HQ.




Air Cmde Walter J Fernandes, com. 1943 in the Flying Br, was a no-nonsense Flying

Instructor, CO, Systems Analyst (possibly the first in the IAF), who made a name for

himself with his strength of character, formidable personality, quick logical

thinking,booming voice, and clear English diction – that he was nicknamed “Bull

Fernandes!”




Air Cmde Sandesh P Wagle, com. 1984, himself a distinguished attack heli pilot,

brought up his 104-HU squadron to exacting standards to fly one of the most lethal

helicopters in the world, declared the “Best Combat Helicopter Squadron of the IAF”

– thanks to his in-house innovations and leadership. Amongst the youngest (at 43)

Air Commodores in IAF. Originally from Margao (his ancestral house was behind the

Grace Church, last occupied by Adv. Kantak, where a high-rise stands today.)




Gp Capt Emanuel R Fernandes (“Fighter Fernandes”) wrote the virtual IAF bible on

maneuvering Gnats in dogfights. Commanding a SQN at Adampur-Punjab in the

1965 war, he acquitted himself well despite being allotted just 7 or 8 Mystere-IV

aircraft as against the normal 16 aircraft of a full-fledged fighter squadron.




Lt Col Amrut R Nageshkar from Nagueshi, com. 1961 in the RVC, is the only Goan

army veterinary surgeon I have come across. He served 31 years when the highest

achievable rank was Brigadier (later raised to Lt Gen.) He took part in 1965 and 1971

wars, and on retirement, worked 10 years at Mumbai’s SPCA hospital, Asia’s largest.

Then returned to Goa and passed away in 2005.




Lt Col John (“Jack”) Desmond Dias successfully led an Army expedition to Mt.

Everest – with his team’s medical officer, Col Manuel Soares.




Cdr Sharad V Varik from Canacona, a Masters in Naval Architecture, helped design

and innovate the craft in the Navy.




Wg Cdr Shreepad M Prabhudesai from Margao, com. 4/4/55, was perhaps the

earliest Goan IAF engineers on the radar. He took early retirement some years after

the 1971 war, during which he served in a frontier area near Wagah.




Sqn Ldr Owen J D'Sena from Verna was a decorated fighter pilot, an expert on flight

trials of new aircraft, esp. the Sukhoi-7 – in which he died in a tech failure

crash, on his wife Brenda’s birthday.




Among the earliest (British-time) Goan females to join the army was Maj Magdalene

T D’Souza from Vaddem-Bardez. She was with IAMC (later Army Medical Corps.)

Many others followed her example, like Maj Rose Fonseca from Assagao, cousin-

sister of the current Goa Archbishop.




The large number of Goan officers in India’s armed forces should hardly surprise.

We have seen how the spirit of adventure was ingrained in the Goan. Martial

traditions continued from father to son and to his sons. More than one sibling opted

for the services in a given generation. Then there were teachers and schools that

fostered love for defence of the nation’s honour.




A case in point is the hoary Jesuit institution of Bandra-Mumbai, St. Stanislaus High

School. It groomed several Goan lads who joined the defence services. From Lt Gen

Francis T Dias, Air Marshal Terrence J D’Sa, Maj Gen Eustace F D'Souza, Brig

Ransom F Lobo, Wg Cdr Oscelyn Faria, Maj Leon G Fonseca, among others.




A sharper case is four batch mates from that school who joined the IAF, all fighter

pilots, all heroes in the 1971 war: Flt Lt Lawrence F Pereira was martyred in FAC

strafing, Wg Cdr David J de Figueiredo saw the fiercest fighting on all three fronts

and safely brought back his severely damaged Hunter to base, Wg Cdr Sunith F

Soares helped draw the first Pakistani blood before the actual start of the Dec-1971

hostilities, and Gp Capt Ashley M Rodrigues still carries part of an ack-ack bullet

in his left leg since Dec-1971!




Sadly, there’s little awareness on service life in Goa today. Few know commissioned

officers start on a salary of Rs.35,000/month, forget the myriad perks. Motivated kids

are discouraged by parents – who are oblivious of the fact that life is riskier on

Goa’s roads than in the forces. Fortunately, Goa has dozens of Retd defence

officers, ready and willing to motivate youth. Hope my friend, Maj Venugopal Nair,

Secretary of the Goa Rajya Sainik Board will utilise their honorary services. But

please start with Parents-Teachers at PTA meets, before trying to reach the

students! The last knownGoan to join the services is Pilot Offr Rahul Verenkar, com.

2010, from Ponda.




Let’s move over for a quick glance at Goa’s Hall of Fame. Names are listed by rank

alphabetically (save in IAF, where they are by rank and seniority.) A word of

caution:this list is far from complete – but I’m putting it out in the hope that

knowledgeablereaders will fill me in with names not appearing below:




Army





GENERAL: Sunith F Rodrigues.




LT. GENERAL: Christopher A Barretto, Eric A Vaz, Francis T Dias, Kevin L D'Souza,

Stanley L Menezes, SJ Menezes and Walter AG Pinto.




MAJ. GENERAL: Antonio C da Silva, Benjamin F Gonsalves, Eustace D'Souza,

Eustace W Fernandez, Ian Cardoso, Ivan D’Cunha, Sidney Pinto and (?) Raikar.




BRIGADIER (26 one-star Generals): Alfredo IG Monteiro, Anthony RM Rebello,

Arnold Rodrigues, Ashley Gomes, Christopher E Fernandes, Donald Viegas, Edward

D’Sa, Edward Rodrigues, Eustace da Costa, F Reginald Campos, Frederick G Rose,

George F D’Souza, George W Pinto, Gokuldas R Bhangui, Ian D'Costa, Joseph V

Pinto, Kevin B Mendonca, Leo S Vaz, Michael PS Mendonca, Nevis H Braganza,

Noel Barretto, Ransom F Lobo, Rui S Lobo, Stephen P Gracias, Terence Barretto

and Wilfred Lobo.




COLONEL (34): Anthony L Sequeira, Apolinario XRP Ferrao, Carlos IP Gracias, Clifton

Marquis, Edwin D’Souza, Emidio de Sa, Gerard Lobo, Herman J Fernandes, Irwin Extross,

Joseph T Gomes, John JJ Faleiro, Joseph R Falleiro, Kevin DeSouza, MB Sawardekar, MAJ

Fernandez, Manuel Soares, Mario J DSouza, Melville de Souza, Mervyn C Saldanha, Neil

Martins, Neville Dias, Neville H Gracias, Noel D’Lima, G Oscar Rebelo, Ryan Lobo,

Steven J Gracias, Sumer D'Cunha, Sunith A Cardozo, Teotonio Fernandes, Winston

DeSouza, Xavier Pereira, (?) Colaco, (?) Saldanha and B (?)




(In addition, there are 39 Lt Colonels, 22 Majors, 10 Captains, 3 Lieutenants and 3

others whose ranks are not known.)




Navy



ADMIRAL: None.




VICE ADMIRAL: John C de Silva.




REAR ADMIRAL: DRF Pinto (Faust Pinto do Rosario).




COMMODORE: Emile da Costa-Joshi, Gilbert Menezes, Henry Menezes and

John Carneiro.




CAPTAIN: Aniceto Pereira, Edwin Pinto and Socrates Furtado.




(In addition, there are 14 Commanders, 6 Lt Cdrs, 4 Lieutenants and 3 others whose

ranks are not known.)



Air Force (by Rank & Seniority)



AIR CHIEF MARSHAL: Hrishikesh S Moolgavkar.




AIR MARSHAL: Terence J de Sa, Dinanath R Nadkarni and Gordon P D'Souza.




AIR VICE MARSHAL: Erlic W Pinto and Loretto P Pereira.




AIR COMMODORE: Walter J Fernandes, Angelo R Lobo, Kevin Fernandes and

Sandesh P Wagle. Seniority of Giles Gomez not known.




GROUP CAPTAIN (19): Sidney B Noronha, Emanuel R Fernandes, Allan A D'Costa,

Trevor J Fernandes, Norbert J Misquitta, Kevin Braganza, Deryck Fernandes, Ashley

M Rodrigues, Leyland Fernandes, Peter D’Souza, Christopher Fernandes, Conrad A

Dalton, Sunil J Nanodkar and Tony D’Cruz. Seniority of Colville de Souza, EJF

D’Silva, PV Karapurkar, SC Fernandes, Vinita Valerie Gomez not known.




(In addition, there are 32 Wg Cdrs, 23 Sqn Ldrs, 12 Flt Lts, 6 Fg & Pilot Offrs, and

8others whose ranks are not known.



A total of 300 officer ranks, and still counting!




I’ll sign off with the incredible story of Air Cmde Angelo Reginald Lobo. Hailing

from Bodiem-Bardez, the man peers describe as “sweet-natured” flew Packet transport

aircraft as a young Sqn Ldr. Unmarried, he was on his first dance-date with the

pretty Anglo-Indian who’d be his wife, when, after dropping her home on his

motorcycle

near midnight, he was hit by a truck that ran over his leg. Bleeding profusely, he

was found at daybreak, still alive, leg almost severed, hanging by its tendons.




After seven months in hospitals, the IAF, at the instance of then Air Chief Marshal

Subroto Mukherji, shifted him to London. There too, doctors tried their best and

finally decided to amputate his leg. His wife was a woman of immense faith. Gwen

asked the docs to let her take her husband out for a few days before the amputation.

Shetook him to the shrine at Lourdes in France. Despite his wails, she pleaded of

him to dip his hope-less leg in the waters. Then they returned to London.




Preparations began for the amputation. Then something inexplicable happened.

Doctors asked the wife where she had taken their patient. She told them where.

Tissue culture tests, preparatory to the amputation, revealed that body tissue at the

affected part had suddenly begun regenerating – when modern therapies had failed

to induce just that, for months together, in India and the UK!




Sqn Ldr Lobo and Gwen returned to India. He resumed flying, was Commander of

IAF’s Paratroopers Training School, in time promoted to Wg Cdr, Gp Capt, Air Cmde

and was cleared for promotion to AVM, when he decided to quit and join Civil

Defence as its Dy Director General. He was in the thick of flying during the Bhopal

Gas Tragedy. Despite risks of radiation, he flew in to get victims airlifted to

hospitals across India. He died of cancer before the age of superannuation.




This is just one poignant story of the quintessential Goan courage and compassion,

which often went together. There are more. We shall visit some in the concluding part

of this series next Sunday.



(To conclude…)

The author can be contacted at: valmikif@gmail.com

===================================================================

The above article appeared in the HERALD(Goa) edition of May 23, 2010

ON CHURCHILL'S SUPPORT TO NON-GOANS.

Francis Fernandes has left a new comment on your post "CHURCHILL SUPPORTS NON-GOANS TO DESTROY GOA & GOAN...":

Freddy,

Great article as usual, love reading them as they are on the point. AVF must have found another one of his character and I m sure lots of people likes your write-ups so keep it up at least you keep the blood in real Goans sons and daughters in check.

What a disgrace Churchill saying Goans will get a job as watchman in that project shame on you Churchill, give that job to your Son who you have sent to Dubai to learn to fly may be the next smuggling activity will be via AIR. If you want to lower us Goans in front of those outsiders builders start with your family members and than we will see. Churchill you and your family members have many fishing Trawlers can you tell how many Goans are working on it?

It is now become a known fact that our famous Margoa Circuit House is become 10 % brothel and run by a politician daughter. The Carmona project must have been one those passed from circuit house who knows?

Lately on the football front ref Churchill Bros team, press has said that he may even take the team off in reagrds to poor refreeing decisions which went against CB. I feel that MUSLI POWER must be getting out of the sponsorship deal after the Air Hostess fiasco and if they get out who will CB lean on? Raheja Builders must have promissed to sponsor the team if he supports the projest and that is why he is barking.

Some time back one Congress MLA has said that Churchill like to be in limelight and this is one the limelights we see him in what a DISGRACE!!

We Goans need honest politicians to run Goa and not the Crooks who will loot us so elections are approaching, its high time we open a third front of real Goans Sons.

We Goans have to decide our fate and not blame anyone else.

Francis Fernandes.

MANGALORE PLANE CRASH - CONDOLENCE FROM GOAN CULTURAL CENTER, KUWAIT.

CONDOLENCES

The Mangalorean, Goan, Keralite and the entire Indian community in Kuwait, U.A.E. and the Gulf region is in total shock on hearing this morning's tragedy - a disaster of immense proportion in the history of the Indian aviation industry.

Our prayers go to the bereaved families, the aged parents of the passengers who perished in the crash and the innocent infants and children, as well as to the colleagues and friends of those working in the U.A.E..

May the Almighty God rest the souls of the dear departed in peace and give the bereaved families the courage and strength to bear this irreparable loss. Let us also pray for the survivors for their quick recovery as well as those Mangaloreans who have and are assisting in the rescue operations.

With heartfelt sympathies and our deepest condolences.

Carmo Santos & Managing Committee and Members of:
Goan Cultural Centre - Kuwait
goanculturalcentreKuwait@gmail.com
22 May 2010

Helpline numbers for Air India flight IX-812
Mumbai, May 22 (IANSS) Air India has set up the following helpline numbers for queries on its IX-812 Flight that crashed Saturday morning killing at least 158 people.

"To assist us in continuing to help those most affected by this accident, we request that relatives and close friends only contact our following telephone numbers so that communication lines are open to those who need it the most," the airline said in a statement.

Bangalore Helpline: +91-080-66785172 and 080-22273310
Mumbai Helpline: +91-022-2279 6161
Dubai Airport: +00971-4-2165828/29

"Air India is extending all its support to the emergency services and other agencies that are associated with this emergency. A team has been rushed to Mangalore," the airline said. "Air India shall provide all assistance and cooperation to the regulatory authorities that will investigate the accident."
The following is the list of passengers as published by www.mangalorean.com
http://www.mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=181213

Mangalore, May 22, 2010
Following is the list of passengers who travelled on the Air India Express plane
that crashed Saturday in Mangalore city.
1. Harshini Poonja
2. Aaron Joel Fernandes
3. Niha Imthiaz
4. Bhaskaran T.V.
5. Komalavally Alinkeel
6. Narayana Kanthav Rao
7. Vani Narayana Rao
8. Vaishnavi Narayana Rao
9. Mohammad Ishaque Rafique Ahmed
10 Hasanabba Abubakkar
11. Hiba Azeena (child)
12. Mushina (child)
13. Haifa Hasha (infant)
14. Joyanrichard Saldanha
15. Ummer Farook Mohammed
16. Shahida Nushrathar
17 Zeshan Abdul Rehman (child)
18. Kannur Zulekha Banu
19. Nazeema Muhammad Ashraf
20. Satyanarayana Ballakuraya
21. Sujatha Rao
22. Fathimamehzan Shafqat
23. Rashaad Shafqatmahmood (infant)
24. Khader Ammangod Mohammed Shafy
25. Suhaib Mohammed Naseer (child)
26. Bibi Sara (child)
27. Nabeeha Mohammed Nasir (child)
28. Mohammad Asraf
29. Maimoona Asraf
30. Ashaz Abdulla (child)
31. Ayesha Afsheen (child)
32. Plaviashakunthala Lobo
33. Venishanikola Lobo
34. Vishalfloid Lobo (child)
35. Abdullah K.M.
36. Rosly Shibu
37. Godwina Thomas (child)
38. Gloria Thomas (child)
39. Bhagali Prabhakar
40. Kammadam Kunhabdulla
41. Shashikanth Punja
42. Manirekha Punja
43. Abdulbarr Damudi (child)
44. Mahesh Shetty
45. Mohamed Naser
46. Anwar Sadiq
47. Hassan Kutty
48. JoelPratap DSouza
49. Arunkumar Shetty
50. Abdul Samad
51. Prasadand Manjrekar
52. Krishnan Koolikunnu
53. Mullachery Balakrishnan
54. Shanthi Olivera
55. Chethana Mukeshkumar
56. Ahmednaushad Abbu
57. Rajan Pulikodan
58. Jayaprakasha Devadiga
59. Jayaram Kotian
60. Chitra Jayaram
61. Rahul Jayaram (child)
62. Prabhavati Karkera
63. Ashitha Bolar
64. Akshay Bolar
65. Suresh Kunder
66. Soman Narayani
67. Pradeep G.K.
68. Kallingalabullah
69. Thalangara Ebrahimkhaleel
70. Naziya Afarin
71. Mohammed Abaanruknuddin (child)
72. MohammedRafi Beliyapura
73. Abdullah Mohammed
74. Ibrahim Saheb
75. Sameena Saheb
76. Issam Ibrahim
77. Rida Ibrahim (child)
78. Perumbalamohammed
79. Shivakumar Nagaraj
80. Meenu Gupta
81. Shetty K.K.
82. Gangadharan Nair
83. Prabathkumar Attavar
84. Sathisha Shetty
85. Irshad Ahmed
86. Neha Parveen
87. Affan Ahmed (infant)
88. Sameerbeerran Moideen
89. Abdunnazir Avinja
90. Riju John
91. Sabrina Nasrinhuq
92. Mahammooda Abdulla Kanyana
93. Althafahmed Moolana
94. Lokeshasadananda Belchada
95. Hameed Pookayam
96. Mayankutty K.P.
97. Vipin Kattoor
98. Kishorekumar Kudpapoojary
99. Chandukutty Nair K.
100. NM Bharatham
101. Abdulazeez Anchikatta
102. Umashan Vijayan
103. Cavin Sequuiera
104. Reshmasanthosh Rai
105. Nalandshaunsantosh Rai (child)
106. Vihasantosh Rai (infant)
107. Vamana Prabhu
108. Ganesh Prabhu
109. Qazi Abdulsalam
110. Qazizulekah Khuddus
111. Jackson Periera
112. Mahammed Ismail
113. Naveen Kumar
114. Sanjaykumar Mahabal
115. Mahendra Kodkany
116. Indumathi Nayak
117. Vijesh Kovval
118. Ramakrishna Nayak
119. Ajesh Mottathil
120. Navid Ibrahim
121. Ignatius DSouza
122. Sukumara Kuzhiyamkottuchal
123. Abdul Basheer KM
124. Mohiddin Farasusman
125. Mahim Mohammedpalli
126. Mohammedashraf KA
127. Mohamed Usman
128. Naveenwalter Fernandes
129. Saritaphilomena Dsouza
130. Ullas Dsilva
131. Mannapadupuashraf Abdul
132. Safdharali Sheik
133. Mahesh Shetty
134. Abdulharish Koppalamhouse
135. Abdul Jebran
136. Parambathkunhi Krishnan
137. Prabhakaran Pachikaran
138. Nekkareibrahim Ismail
139. Melwynkiran Menezes
140. Siddeeque Choorisulaiman
141. Putturismail Abdulla
142. Somashekhar Potyalsrinivasa
143. Lokesh Narayanan
144. Lolitta Dias
145. Lilly Dias
146. Praveena Sundar
147. Hilda Dsouza
148. Pradeep Deepanivas
149. Denis Saldanha
150. Ashton Saldanha (child)
151. Manthur Hassainar
152. Rama Satish
153. Mohammed Basheer
154. Aboobacker Siddeeq
155. Mohammed Usman
156. Shaileshrao Brahmavara
157. Mohammed Ziad
158. Sameena Abdul Karim
159. Zainab Mohammedziad (child)
160. Mohammed Subairzaid (child

HITLERIAN CM OF GOA - DIGAMBAR KAMAT.

According to Mr. Floriano Lobo of Suraj Party in his report on 17th of this month, QUOTE “ There were approx a hundred people gathered at Blue Berry, Verna, mostly village groups who are fighting filling of agricultural fields, sewage spilling into fields, mega projects, mining and its woes etc. etc.

After a while the crowd tracked it out to the Secretariat at Porvorim to hand a memorandum of demands to the Chief Minister, especially as today (Monday 17th) was the day of CM listening to the grievances of the people at his office at the secretariat.

Permission was refused for the people to see and submit the memorandum to the CM and the police bandobost was quickly arranged. After much arguments with the police (Inspector Devendra Gad) a five member delegation of women were allowed to see the CM. The purpose of this delegation was to request the CM to come out and meet/address the people at the front gate of the Minister's complex. It is believed that the CM was rude to the women delegation even to the extent of telling them that he does not need their votes when told that he has been elected by the people - when he refused point blank to meet and hear the grievances of the people. "I will not see the rowdy people - You can do what you want" is believed to be his answer to the delegation’ “.UNQUOTE.

Now, let me narrate you one incident that took place in Goa at Panaji somewhere in 1959 when civilized, decent and judicious rule was going on in Goa under the colonialist Portuguese. Portuguese Governador Vassalo e Silva was the head of Goa’s administration. There were some grievances of Taxi Drivers from Panjim, during those days even Mercedes were turned into Taxis with original colour or of the Driver’s choice and not like what we have now Bharati “jigrifis” of black and yellow colour. To identify Taxi as Taxi, on the outside of the front door, in circled in a triangle there was a small capital (A) which means “Aluguer” meaning Taxi or Public Transport.

By gathering their courage and wisdom, overwhelming majority of Hindu Bahujan Samaz Taxi Drivers from Panjim, joined together and went in a “Morcha” to Governador’s Official Residence. From distant, Governador saw a procession coming shouting slogan demanding better facilities to park their Taxis, meaning “Praca” or Taxistand. Governador immediately sent his Secretary with an interpreter to ask the processionists what they want and why they had to resort to this way of airing their grievances. Then Governador called one representative of the processionists who could speak fluent Portuguese as he passed his Segundograu in Portuguese. When the ever eager Portuguese Governador to listen to the people’s grievances gave his hearing to the demand of the Taxi Drivers, there and then Governador agreed to solve the problem of Taxi Drivers who then dispersed off peacefully and happily giving slogans in favour of Portuguese Government and Governador Vassalo e Silva saying “Portugez Serkar Zindabad – Governador Vassalo Saib Zindabad” while earlier the same Taxi Drivers when leading their Rally to Governador’s Official residence were giving slogans like “Portuguez Serkar Murdabad – Governador Vassalo e Silva Murdabad”.

Did our CM Digambar acted like colonialist Portuguese Governador Vassalo e Silva or the CM acted like Hitler or Indira Gandhi of Emergency era? Which Serkar helpful for Goans? Portguese or Bharati Goan headed by Digu? During Portuguese time, only the “Bastardised” officers acted arrogant with Goans and those Bastardised Officials were Goans only BUT they were non-Goan products fathered by the third class Portuguese soldiers. Genuine Goans fathered by true Goan fathers never acted rude and arrogant with Goan people. It is a pity that even after so many years of Portuguese ouster from Goa we still have as our rulers bastardised Goans running in their veins blood of bastardised Portuguese soldiers. And their skin colour many times resembles their Portuguese parentage. The story of Dayananda Bandodkar’s parentage was heard enough during those days.

The Goa CM insulted Goans saying he does not need their votes. It is a big insult for all the Goans. The voters from Margao who elected Digambar Kamat must take note of this since it is they who dumped on Goa and Goans such an arrogant, rude and Hitlerian type of man on us. Because of the sin of electing Digu we all Goans have to do the remission and penance. Voters from Margao made the mistake of electing Digambar and the entire Goa had to bear the consequence. At least in the coming election Margao constituents must be careful. And what about our Church reaction on Digu’s insult to Goans? Didn’t Church support Digu in Margao? Where is Diocesan Society and where is Bishop House now? Selling Confraria’s land to non-Goans like Palestinian land selling to the Jews by the Palestinian Church?


Then the report from Floriano Lobo goes further thus, QUOTE “There were bad scene of scuffles between the police and the people when police forced the people to disperse. Diana Pinto suffered a minor head injury when she was pushed by the inspector of police Mr. Gad to load her into the police bus to be transported to the Porvorim Police station. Also inspector Gad had a scuffle with Olinda Pereira trying to pull her into the police bus with Olinda's blouse having been torn and in the bargain Olinda de-commissioning the inspector of both his shoulder stripes and chain in one jerk” UNQUOTE.

Touching the hair of the skin of a female by Portuguese Policeman during Portuguese regime in Goa was considered as an offence and law took especial note of this offence. In the hands of Police and into the Police custody women were given maximum respect and protection with due respect to their womanhood. One woman from Candolim in late fifties when Agente Monteiro was terrorizing Goa from Mapuca Police Station, was called to Mapusa Police Station by Agente Monteiro to give testimony of the physical fight she saw in her neighbourhood. When Agente Monteiro was not satisfied with her testimony, he took a big wooden Ruler and beat her on both her Palms turning her hands into red. Immediately when her lady friend from Aldona, Anu by name and sister of Portuguese Government Official Ferreira saw the red hands, Anu immediately went to Agente Monteiro, scolded him with all the filthy language even threathening him with dire consequence for touching the skin of a woman when he was not supposed to. Anu even put her hand to the Stars of Agente Monteiro creating terror at Mapuca Police Station. Then Agente Monteiro weepingly apolohised to Anu and the Candolim lady.

From here, what we notice? Were the colonialist better for Goans treating Goans decently or like animals as it was indicated by Floriano Lobo above in his report on the brutalities inflicted on Goan ladies by the Ghantti Policemen? Do we really want these Ghantti Police in Goa? If such incidents had to take place for Palestinians in Israel, the Houses of such Policemen would have been razed to the ground and their wives and other womenfolk would have been treated in a worst manner as a lesson for those Ghantti Policemen terrorizing Goans.

Goans during Portuguese time in Goa were treated much better by the Portuguese than by the Bharatis in Goa.

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.

CHURCHILL SUPPORTS NON-GOANS TO DESTROY GOA & GOANS.

Reference to the article “Churchill backs Raheja’s project” on Herald 20th May’10. It isn’t a surprise at all, it’s common knowledge that all our Ministers and MLA have been licking the boots of either the builders or the miners or both, depending upon the amount and the thickness of the polish cream applied on the boots, some of them have been licking even the dust and the soles as well, this is the analogy of our Goan politicians today.

Since when has Raheja’s started building low cost housing ? Does Churchill think that Goans are fools ? The low caliber intelligence of Churchill is very much evident when he says that mega projects are development. In fact mega-projects are detrimental to development without a proper infrastructure in place.

Churchill promises water in abundance with the completion of a pipeline, whereas in Margao itself with all it’s pipelines people are at the mercy of tankers. More than a year ago, this very same Churchill Alemao had promised the people of Porvorim, twenty four hours running water in three months, it’s been more then a year and the people of Porvorim are still fighting for survival. So much for Churchill’s promises !

How does Churchill plan to do away with the electricity woes of Goans, especially in rural and coastal Goa ? Who will take care of the garbage and the sewerage ? It is indeed very easy to say that people are objecting to everything, but it is indeed very very difficult if not impossible for our politicians to find solutions to the problems of the people and fulfill their promises.

Nobody is objecting to development, what we Goans need is a sustained constructive development and certainly not the destructive development that Churchill and his collogues are interested in and that too only for monetary gains, at the cost of destruction of our ecology and our environment.

Churchill also states that the Raheja’s mega-project will create employment in the form of watchmen, what a brilliant developmental policy, looks like in Goa there can be no alternative other than being a watchman. What will be the salary structure of the watchmen ? Would Churchill mind employing his son or his daughters as watchmen ? With the steep rise in prices of essential commodities and housing, does Churchill seriously think watchmen salaries will be enough to support our families ? Will the watchmen post alleviate our employment problems ?

Churchill also says that over a 1000 Goan builders will be jobless, are over 1000 Goan Builders involved in mega-projects ? It is indeed a very frightening aspect, that so much of our land, fields and hills are being eaten up and that too for people other than Goans, I am sure, with just an exception of a very few, none of the other Goans, would be able to afford the mega-housing units, so why all this destruction of our landscapes, and added pressure on our already overburdened and fragile infrastructure ? The two lakh people involved in construction work, can Churchill give the percentage of Goans in those two lakh ?

Churchill blames Orlando for instigating opposition against the Raheja’e project, Orlando has only highlighted the anomalies in the process, that the project has been fraudulently approved by the TPC with the support of Churchill. Why are the laws framed if men like Churchill can make anything and everything legal with just a note on one of his letterheads ? Are the laws only for the common men ? Orlando has all the right to object, especially when there are anomalies a galore. As for the support of the Panches and the Sarpanch, all these guys have been bought lock, stock and barrel by guys like Churchill by using political clout, money or muscle power. If Orlando is the right hand man of former MLA Luizinho Faleiro, what is Churchill of the Raheja’s ?

Churchill Alemao has been in the ruling front for nearly two decades and it is now that he talks about low cost housing requirements for the common man, where in Goa does he propose to do it, Kharebandh, Monti Dongor, Zuari Nagar or the Chimbel Hill ? Just yesterday, our esteemed CM said he does not need our votes, it’s very much true because when they have the builders, miners and of course the massive migrant labour force, the influx caused by the unwarranted mega-projects, why do they need our votes ? But Goans please make sure you’ll remember what the CM said at the time of the elections in two years, when they come around with a begging bowl.

Freddy Agnelo Fernandes
Dubai - UAE.

Goan stars from Kuwait to tour UK, Portugal, Germany & Canada

Cajetan de Sanvordem & Maestro Shahu in Mariano's new tiatr 'Soglleank Nomoskar'
Goan stars from Kuwait to tour Europe & Canada

By Gasper Crasto for www.goa-world.com/

 

:::Cajetan de Sanvordem & Maestro Shahu Almeida:::

Kuwait: Famous Goan stage artiste Cajetan de Sanvordem and musician Shahu Almeida based in Kuwait are selected to perform in Mariano Fernandes' latest Konkani tiatr 'Soglleank Nomoskar' going on tour to Portugal, Germany, England and Canada in the month of June 2010.

The drama which releases in Bombay will be staged at Portugal on 13th June, Germany on 15th, at Swindon's Wyvern Theatre (morning and evening shows) on 23rd June, and at Copland High School, Wembley High Road - Middlx - Wembley on 27th June.

 

 

Presented by Konkani Dramatic Association, and written & directed by Mariano, the drama involves Cajetan de Sanvordem in one of the leading roles with top artistes Aplon, Olga, Tracy, Joana, Francis De Tuem, Jr. Rod, Comedian Domnic, Comedian Luis Bachchan, Anil Pednekar, Marcus, Mini Mario, etc, making the star cast of the troupe.

The musical score for the tour will be provided by Maestro Shahu, alone.

:::Cajetan de Sanvordem – a versatile actor/singer:::

Kala Academy Award winner for Best Actor and Konkani Bhasha Mandal's Best Singer Award winner Cajetan Pereira is popularly known as Cajetan de Sanvordem.

Born to Jose Salvador and Maria Magdalena Pereira at Sanvordem-Goa, Cajetan first came into spotlight when he was just 8 years of age whilst singing in school and village dramas.

 

 

Cajetan de Sanvordem & Maestro Shahu (on Saxophone) live in KGTS show in Kuwait

 

Cajetan's first appearance on Kuwait's stage was in P. Jose de Colva's drama 'Aiz Maka Faleam Tuka' in Keefan Hall in 1977, followed by Konkani dramas directed by Jenifer Rod, Aleixinho de Maxem, Benny de Aldona, and the list goes on. Initially he used to sing solos in each and every drama in Kuwait as well as act, specially when the role was based on expatriate topics.

Together with Marcus Vaz and Xavier Gomes, the famous trio Cajetan-Marcus-Xavier was created waves which enjoyed tremendous popularity in Kuwait as well as other Gulf countries and Goa.

Cajetan has acted in countless dramas. Prominent among them are of Late Fr. Freddy J. Da Costa, M. Boyer, Remmie Colaco, Anthony San, H.Britton, Jose Rod, Roseferns, Jess Fernandes, Patrick Dourado, Vitorino Pereira, A. Morais, R. Morais, Rosario Dias, Chrismeena, Rosary Ferns, Marcus Vaz, Laurente Pereira, Mario de Majorda, Michael D'Silva, Xavier Gomes, Bonaventure D'Pietro, Jessy Dias, Jenifer Rod, Aleixinho de Maxem, Benny de Aldona, J.P. Parra, Tony Call, Mendes Bros., F.X.Pereira, F.Cardoz, Simon Gonsalves, Joe Ferrera, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cajetan has also played a lead role in the first Konkani E-Cinema 'Black Nhesop Atanchem Fashion' produced by T-Bush Films (yet to be released in cinemas in Goa).

Besides acting and singing Cajetan is a public figure in social activities. Time and again, he has been elected to several Indian organizations. He is the President of United Friends Club – a football association and Ex-President of Kuwait-Goa Tiatristanchi Sonstha (KGTS). He is also the President of Guardian Angel Club of Sanvordem (Kuwait), Head of Cultural Cell of Goan Welfare Society (GWS) since its inception, and an active member of Kuwait Indian Football Federation (KIFF).

Apart from being a flamboyant actor, Cajetan is also a versatile compere. His voice, diction, flair and linguistic abilities, especially with his mother-tongue Konkani makes his presence felt vibrantly at Goan cultural programs and social gatherings. He is also good in penning slogans in Konkani. Cajetan's cursive 'handwriting' skill should be seen to be believed and his sense of humor heard to understand the simplicity of life.

 

:::Shahu - a shining star across the shores:::

Shahu may be recognized more in the genre of dramas. But behind his simplicity, is the unmistakable halo of his talent as a star musician of Goan bands in Kuwait. Shahu shines amongst the stellar bracket of Goa's top-notch musicians with his indispensable contribution towards the art. With his penchant and passion for innovative, brilliant music, Shahu continues on what he loves to do best – hypnotize his listeners to a magical sway.
 
In his last performance in Kuwait, Shahu captivated the audience at the KGTS Konkani musical held at Hawally AC Auditorium. He led a group of musicians orchestrating on his favorite keyboards as well as on the saxophone. 

 

With his ability to play different instruments, Shahu leads a band in Kuwait called 2..S#arp with whom he has performed in other Middle-East countries like Qatar, Bahrain, etc.

With 2..S#arp, Shahu's music spans a broad range of harmonies, from Goan and foreign-inspired music to more modern trends with mixtures of Goan dulpods and ethnic elements. The group is quite popular among Goans in Kuwait. They have even played alongside Goa's topmost band Forefront and many other local bands.

Few however know that Shahu, a dynamic talent with his keyboard, began his tryst with music drumming his way into the hearts of his school-mates at his school's Annual Gatherings, propelling him into the musical horizon forever. He is the alumnus of St. Francis Xavier H. School Macazana and Guardian Angel College, Sanvordem.

Evolving into an ace drummer, he had the rare and splendid opportunity of honing his musical skills under the baton of Chris Perry, the eternal icon and consummate genius of Goan music and playing alongside his son Errol Perry who died recently. With music flowing in his veins, his drum beats reverberated in many well-known Goan bands of the nineties such as 'Ultimate', 'Magic Touch', 'The News', 'Human Status', 'Black Lace', etc, to name a few. Shahu disclosed that he played in over 1000 weddings as a drummer with these groups.

But it was his evolution into a keyboardist that shot him into instant fame. Interestingly, Shahu switched over to the keyboards not on his own volition but at the suggestion of Fr. Livio D'Mello under whose cudgel he played for the choir at St. Francis Xavier's church, Macasana. From then on there was no looking back.

Shahu has indeed come a long way with his association with music spanning over a decade. His musical creativity was elevated further after his arrival in Kuwait in October 1999. He began with a bang in Kuwait-based director Jose Rod's unmatched Broadway hit 'Tujem Nanv Vhodd Zaum' which was staged all over the Middle East and back home in Goa.

Shahu has also played dramas in Muscat, Doha, Bahrain, Bangalore, Darjeeling, etc, and performed for top directors such as Prem Kumar, Roseferns, Jacob, Menino de Bandar, Pascoal Rodrigues, C.D. Silva, John D' Silva, Ben Evangelist, Rosario Rodrigues, etc, apart from all the directors in Kuwait.
He also did a short musical stint playing live music at Dubai's famous Viva Goa hotel.

Shahu's most challenging one-man performance was in Mini Mario's 'Kiteak Ho Bazar Cholta?' staged in Kuwait in 2007. "I had to pick-up the notes on the troupe's arrival on the morning of the show and I can proudly say that I played to perfection without suitable rehearsals," says Shahu, adding further, "with handy musical notes, I can play non stop music for over 8 hours.

The young maestro can be aptly described as a consummate artist with an alluring passion and drive for music. Undoubtedly his heart thumps 'musical' beats all the way through, for when it comes to music he is simply indefatigable, endowed with an amazing genius and coupled with a prodigious memory for music.

Shahu reached the highpoint of his career when he was roped in as the music composer by the doyen of Konkani stage, the legendary Rosario Rodrigues – Shakespeare of Konkani stage, wherein his captivating rhythm set aflame many of the unforgettable hits like 'Hanv Kallukant Sandlim' where Shahu pioneered the unique 'one man band' concept providing the entire spectrum of music on a single keyboard! Under the ace director's able tutelage Shahu had a free rein toying with refreshing, innovative ideas which enabled him to break new grounds pushing forward the frontiers of Goan music.

With sky being the limit, Shahu went on to produce innumerable chart busting scores for numerous hit dramas and musicals which gained him popularity.

Music apart, Shahu is an intensely endearing and an adorable human being who attaches great value to friendship and family ties. Blessed with a wonderful wife (Clemmie) and a cherubic son who is named Aerosmith, and daughter Acasia, Shahu is a devoted husband, a doting father and a dutiful son.

Sensitive and devout to the core, Shahu is a member of the Holy Family Cathedral Church choir (Kuwait). Time and experience have greatly enriched Shahu's remarkable musical abilities and today he continues to add increasing complexity and refinement to his astounding gift of music which is sure to hold the audience in Europe and Canada and Kuwait and Goa in a thrall for years to come!

:::Tickets for the show in England:::

There will be 2 shows at Swindon, one at 11.30am and the other at 6.30pm. Tickets may be purchased from Augustine: 07745773919, Francis: 07895522073, Tutush: 07854011148, Vintur: 07591028977 and Cipin: 07727617537

Tickets for the Wembley show can be purchased from Francis: 07908591759, Antonio: 0208 4529406 & 07988896904, Damacian: 02083761609 & 07940501196, Johny 0208 7693168 and Judy: 0208 7632606 & 07920443077.

 

OTHER LINKS:

A Tete-a-Tete with Cajetan Pereira

2#Sharp to miss this band...

---

The New Busy think 9 to 5 is a cute idea. Combine multiple calendars with Hotmail. Get busy.

HEY YOU GOAN PEOPLE WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?

Hey You Goan People Why Have You Forsaken Me ?

As some of the Activists in Goa were busy arranging the meeting at Blueberry, the electronic media was busy spreading the news about the meeting, hopes were high, it did not matter, who initiated the meeting, it did not matter who the speakers were, nor did their stature matter, the only thing that mattered was the unity of Goans in the face of adversity. It was indeed a good call but what turned out was much to be desired. out of over a million Goans, not even a few hundreds thought it was wise to attend the meeting, just a mere hundred odd people !! Is this the way to save Goa ? Mother Goa calls on each one of us “Hey, you Goan people, why have you forsaken me” ?

I am sure Digu bab and his contemporaries must have had a hearty laugh, as the expected roar of a lion turned into a mere meow of a cat. With just a hat full, did anyone think that Digu bab would be shaking in his pants ? I am sure our erstwhile crooks must have been celebrating thinking about the lack of support the movement had, they must be surely fancying their chances at the next election. I am sure that was the reason why Digu baba did not take the rally seriously. Mother Goa calls on each one of us “Hey, you Goan people why have you forsaken me” ?

In coastal Goa and the eastern border of Goa, Goans have been subjected to such ridicule that it’s become a do or die situation for survival, and still our activists could muster just a hundred odd supporters. How can just a hundred odd gather courage and strength to join the rally, when the whole of Goa is up in arms ? There is definitely something oddly wrong with the activism in Goa or the people have given up all hope. Mother Goa calls on each one of us “Hey you Goan people, why have you forsaken me” ?

For any movement to succeed, the movement has to attain a momentum and that momentum is attained by mass participation. What happened during the Opinion Poll ? What happened during the Konkanni movement ? Don’t we know, what was the cause of success of these movements ? Unity of Goans, was the key component to success, no matter what caste, creed or status we were, we fought as Goans, wanting to preserve our identity.

What do we see today ? Our Goan Identity is surely eroding away at a breakneck pace and what do we bleedy Goans do ? Why me ? Let someone else fight for our cause, and this attitude down the decades has brought us all the misery that we are mired in today. Even though we are armed with the knowledge of the enormity of the abhorrent state of affairs in Goa, we still fail to fathom the consequences that await us at our very doorstep. Inaction against the perpetrator would amount to an affront to our suffering Goan brothers and sisters. Mother Goa calls on each one of us “Hey, you Goan people, why have you forsaken me” ?

Are we Goans just by birth or are we Goans by blood ? It’s time to make ourselves counted in the fight to preserve Goa and our Goan Identity, the only way to achieve it, is either through a mass movement or by getting rid of this corrupt Government and replacing it with a competent one. It not just enough to say I love Goa or Save Goa, more than words deeds are important, participate in large numbers and support the Save Goa movement, so that, Mother Goa will not have to ever say, “Hey, you bleedy Goan people, why have you forsaken me” ?

Freddy Agnelo Fernandes
Dubai - UAE.

OF PORTUGUESE CROSSES, INDIAN SWORDS & GOANS.

Of Portuguese Crosses, Indian Swords & Goans…




=======================

VALMIKI FALEIRO examines some aspects of Goa’s contribution to the officer ranks

of India’s defence services, and unravels some offbeat patterns and snippets…

=======================





Many think the Portuguese came here with a sword in one hand and a cross in the

other. They came with neither. They came for oriental silks-n-spices, and a hatred of

Muslims who had occupied Portugal for five centuries, a bit barbarically at times, until 1238. Moors now controlled Asiatic trade with Europe.




Then came Afonso de Albuquerque. Based in Cochin, he dreamt of total control of

the sea-route between India and Europe. When Goan Hindus, repressed by Bijapur,

invoked Albuquerque via Thimayya for deliverance, he changed course from a

mission in West Asia and instead attacked the Bijapuri Muslims in Goa.




Save a ban on sati, he pledged full local religious freedom. Envious compatriots, by

intrigue at the royal court in Lisbon, had him deposed. The quest of control of Asian

trade soon yielded to imperial ambitions. Enter the sword. Decades later, an ardent

Guv won royal favour to the idea that faith of the king must be faith of his subjects. Enter the cross.




Centuries later, that unlikely combination of Sword and Cross shows in a different

Goan context. Such snippets surfaced when researching Goans in India’s defence

forces. But before that, a brief aside. No Goan Catholic my age would forget the

MGP’s mid- to late-1970s taunting tirade: “Catholics are unpatriotic, anti-national,

deport them to Portugal.” Mental constipation, verbal diarrhea. Which of Goa’s two

major communities helped defend India more?




My far-from-complete lists of Goan commissioned officers in India’s armed forces

feature 286 names – Army 144, Navy 36 and IAF 106. Of the 286 Goans who helped

defend the nation’s borders and honour, 263 (or 92%) are the MGP’s “unpatriotic,

anti-national” Goan Catholics, who comprise 30% of the population. 65% of Goa’s

Hindu population, in all, accounts for 23 defence officers…




Where then were those MGP’s impliedly patriotic, not-to-be-deported-to-Portugal

Goan Hindu Generals? Radharao Gracias once publicly explained that in his earthy

style: “Sitting under signboards like Naik General Stores!”




May I borrow US-based Marcos and Jean Gomes Catao’s little twist to Sir Winston

Churchill's famous words, "rarely in history has such a small community contributed

such a large bevy of heroes to a nation." In this and the two parts to follow, we shall see how.


Let’s revert to the point.


The story of two siblings – one serving in the defence forces, the other the Catholic

Church, both often with rare distinction – is not rare. Every Goan would have heard of Siolim-origin John Lobo, the former Director of India’s Intelligence Bureau and of the Central Bureau of Investigation. His much-revered brother was Bishop Ignatius Lobo,who passed away this February.




The adage springs to mind, “Ek put devak, dusro povak, tisro devcharak” (one son

for God, the 2nd for society/nation as a doctor, engineer, defence or police officer, the third, like my friend Radharao, possibly as a lawyer!)




Lt Gen Francis T Dias of Velcao, between holding several key Indian Army posts,

was the very first General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command. His

brother, Ivan Cardinal Dias, rose to the No.3 position in the Vatican hierarchy – after the Pope and the Secretary of State, as Prefect of the Congregation for the

Evangelization of Peoples, a position he still serves.




Brig George Francis DeSouza of Saligao similarly held important posts in the Army.

His brother was Archbishop Eugene D’Souza of Nagpur, later of Bhopal.


Brig F. Reginald Campos’ brother from Saligao was a Redemptorist priest, once a

Parish Priest in Ambala.




Maj Albert Francis Winington da Costa-Joshi, FRCS, from Saligao, was both in

military and civil medical services. Of his sons, one is Brig Ian da Costa, another is Cmde Emile da Costa-Joshi. The third is Fr. Albert da Costa-Joshi, SJ.


Col G Oscar Rebelo of Margao (ex-Curtorim) is brother of diocesan Vicar, Fr. Avinash

Rebelo.



Wg Cdr Raul do Menino de Jesus Oliveira Silva Rodrigues of Cavelossim, who

retired much after flying Canberras in 5 SQN when in Agra in the late ‘60s, was

youngest of ten siblings (five pairs). Eldest was late Fr. Bernardo Silva Rodrigues.




Wg Cdr Aquinas (“Aqui”) Menezes from Pirna-Bardez is a serving officer. His eldest

brother is the Redemptorist priest, Fr. Frederick Menezes.




Jr. WO Noel Sequeira of Carmona served in the Army and later in the Goa Rajya

Sainik Board. His brother is the diocesan priest, Fr. Nelson Sequeira.




Lt John Fernandes of Candolim joined the Navy around 1939/40, served in WW-II,

and left in the early 50s to join the Ministry of Defence in a civilian capacity. He was among 7/8 officers sent from Bombay to set up the Naval HQ in New Delhi (four in

that group – including one Vasco Ferrao, a Gonsalves and a Rodrigues – were

Goans!) Lt Fernandes’ youngest brother, Frederick, became a Christian Brother, Bro.

Martin, currently in Calcutta. The middle brother, Cedric, joined the IAF, did two

terms on HT-2 and Harvard aircraft, then lost interest, and became Christian Brother

Gregory, currently in Nainital.




Col Apolinario (“Apollo”) Xavier do Rosario Pinto Ferrao hails from the principal

family of Aldona. His cousin-brother is the current Goa Archbishop.


Then there were families where more than one sibling joined the defence services.

Consider this classic case. Dr. Cristovam Filipe Eusebio Francisco Jose Ubaldino da

Gama Barreto (1889-1972), from Ganapoga-Raia, was a dentist based in Nagpur.

The distinguished man was personal dentist to Mahatma Gandhi (at the Wardha

Ashram) and was nicknamed “Father of the Nation’s Toothless.” He was married to

Maria Marta Julia de Sequeira and had a daughter and five sons.



The sons grew up as Brig Terence Barreto, (Dr) Vivian Barreto (Army Medical Corps)

who soon quit and went to the US, Wg Cdr (Dr.) Cecil Barreto, Brig Noel Barreto and

Lt Gen Christopher (“Bobby”) Barreto!


Brig Noel Barreto’s wife, Marie-Louise Pinto do Rosario, hails from equally illustrious stock. Her father was an Army doctor, Jose Luis Pinto do Rosario and his three sons joined each wing of India’s defence services: RAdm “DRF Pinto” (short for Fausto Pinto do Rosario), Capt (Dr.) Norman Pinto do Rosario and AVM Erlic Pinto.


Same with three brothers from Siolim, one in each service: Col Herman Joseph

Fernandes, Cdr Stanley Joseph Fernandes and Gp Capt Trevor Joseph Fernandes

(“Joseph” was not their dad’s name; it is the family Patron Saint!)


Brig Edward Rodrigues was among the first Goans to join the army in the officer

cadre. (It wasn’t easy getting there in British times. Indians could get in only via the Auxiliary Force, open only to Anglo-Indians. Brig Rodrigues’ father was an influential businessman – Mayor, MLA, granted the title of “Sardar Bahadur” – in Yavatmal, now in Maharashtra.) Trained at Sandhurst, the British Military Academy, Brig Rodrigues was com. into the Ordnance Corps and was its first Indian director. Both his brothers joined the Army. Maj Joe Rodrigues was taken PoW by the Japs in WW-II, joined Subhashchandra Bose's INA, and was inducted post-1947 into the Indian Police Service. He retired as DIG. Younger brother Brig Arnold was in Ordnance Corps.

Loutulim’s Pacheco-Gracias (the “Pacheco” coming from an extinct Margao family

whose house was where Presentation Convent School is today) and the Gracias-

Monteiro families, related as their surnames indicate, together gave India some 10

defence officers. They are (in random order): Pilot Offr Hugo Pacheco Gracias, Cdr

(Dr) Freddy Gracias, Brig Stephen Gracias, Col Carlos (“Charles”) Ismael Gracias,

whose two sons are Col Neville Hugo Gracias and Col Steven Jude Gracias, Flt Lt

Agostinho Monteiro, Brig Inocencio Monteiro and Capt (Dr) Renato Monteiro.




Likewise, Ucassaim’s Gomez family (incl close relatives), had: Brig Ashley Gomez,

Air Cmde Giles Gomez, Group Capt Vinita Gomez, Major Alex Gomez (who retired

as the Mint Master of Mumbai), Lt Cdr Valerian Mendanha (Salvador do Mundo) and

Lt Cdr (Surgeon) Annette Fernandes (Ucassaim).


Let’s briefly look at some more instances where multiple siblings opted for the

services: Gen Sunith Rodrigues’ brother was Flt Lt Vijay Rodrigues. Lt Gen Walter

Pinto’s brother is Maj Gen Sidney Pinto. VAdm John DeSilva’s brother was Lt Joseph

DeSilva. Maj Gen Eustace Fernandes’s brother was Air Cmde Kevin Fernandes.

Another brother of Brig George DSouza was Maj Valentine DSouza. Gp Capt Allan

D'Costa’s brother was Sqn Ldr Henry D’Costa. Gp Capt Colville de Souza’s brother

was Col Melville de Souza. Brothers Andrew and Victor Coutts were Lt Colonels,

much like Louis Fonseca and Ernest Fonseca. Lt Col Collin Louzado’s brother was

Wg Cdr Paul Louzado. Cdr Sharad Varik’s brother was Pilot Offr Vishwanath Varik.


There were husband-wife teams in the services. Air Cmde Giles Gomez and Gp Capt

Vinita Gomez are doctors in the IAF. Doctors Sunil and Camilla Rodrigues retired

from the Navy. Sdn Ldr Alvin Jesus Almeida and Sqn Ldr Mabel Benedict Castelino

are in Med Br.


There also were families where a lineage in each succeeding generation joined the

defence services. Must begin with Maj Gen Ian Cardoso: his eldest son, Sunith, is a

Colonel with the same regiment as his dad – the fifth member from every successive

generation in the Indian Army! Brig George DSouza’s only son was Sqn Ldr Charles

DSouza (died young in 1981), and sons-in-law are Maj HB D’Souza from Mapusa

and Cmde John Carneiro from Porvorim.



More father-son instances: Lt Gen Walter Pinto’s son is Cdr Kevin AJ Pinto. Brig

Anthony Rebello’s son is Wg Cdr Ajay Rebello. Gp Capt Emanuel Fernandes’

second son Rudy flew MiG-21s in the IAF while the youngest is Brig Christopher

Fernandes. Gp Capt Norbert Misquitta’s son is Wg Cdr Neville Misquitta. Gp Capt

Ashley Rodrigues’ son is Lt Cdr Michael Rodrigues. Lt Col Irwin W Extross’ son is

Col Irwin Extross (same first name.) Wg Cdr Vishwanath Sawardekar’s brother, Prof

RB Sawardekar taught Physics at the National Defence Academy-Pune; his son is Lt

Col Nitin Sawardekar and a cousin is Col MB Sawardekar. Wg Cdr Desmond

(“Dinky”) Fialho’s son is Sqn Ldr Rajnish Fialho. Wg Cdr R Paul’s son is Wg Cdr

Christopher Paul. Lt John Fernandes’ eldest son is Gp Capt Deryck Fernandes.

The son of Francisco Sequeira Vaz (EME, Army) is Brig Leo Sequeira Vaz.

Col Joseph Robert Falleiro’s son is Col John Joseph Jawaharlal Faleiro.



There might have been another Faleiro added there: me. My father, Jose Manoel

Falleiro studied medicine at Grant Medical College-Bombay, was registered with the

Bombay Medical Council and, after being licenced to practice by The College of

Physicians and Surgeons-Bombay vide diploma of 14 July 1930, served at King

Edwards Memorial (KEM) Hospital, Bombay. He joined the then Indian Army Medical

Corps (later AMC) as 2/Lt on 18 March 1944. (The Commission order bears quaint

English no longer in use, see box on this page.) On 02 Apr 1946, when at the

Combined Section Hospital at Bezwada, he got his “Parchment Commission” in the

rank of Captain. He quit early, to marry late in life.


His dream was to see me through the revered portals of the Indian Military Academy,

Dehradun. But towards the end of his life, he was convinced I would never clear high

school. He died a day before the Pune Divisional Board results of my SSC exams

were out. After graduation, I ended up a rolling stone that gathered a wee bit of

moss. It is perhaps that sub-conscious guilt of not having lived up to my father’s

dream that made me take an interest in the defence services. My little way of saying,

“Sorry, dad, I disappointed you.”



(To continue...)

The author can be contacted at: valmikif@gmail.com



============================= BOX ==============================

British English of another Era


GEORGE VI BY THE GRACE OF GOD, OF GREAT BRITAIN, IRELAND AND THE

BRITISH DOMINIONS BEYOND THE SEAS, KING, DEFENDER OF THE FAITH,

EMPEROR OF INDIA, & ETC.



To Our Trusty and well beloved (M-24529) Jose Manoel Falleiro, Greeting;


We, reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Loyalty, Courage and good

Conduct, do by these Presents Constitute and Appoint you to be an Officer in Our

Indian Land Forces from the eighteenth day of March One thousand nine hundred

and forty four. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge your Duty as

such in the Rank of 2nd Lieutenant or in such other Rank as We may from time to

time hereafter be pleased to promote or appoint you to, of which a notification will be made in the Gazette of India and you are in such manner and on such occasions as

may be prescribed by the Government of India to exercise and well discipline in Arms

both the inferior Officers and Men serving under you and use your best endeavours

to keep them in good Order and Discipline. And We do hereby Command them to

Obey you as their superior Officer, and you to observe and follow such Orders and

Directions from time to time you shall receive from Us or any your superior Officer,

according to the Rules and Discipline of War, in pursuance of the Trust hereby

reposed in you.


Given at Our City of Delhi this twenty fifth day of November in the Year of Our Lord

One thousand nine hundred and forty four and in the eighth Year of Our Reign.


In Witness Whereof Our Viceroy and Governor General in India hath hereunto set his

hand and Seal at New Delhi the day and year last above mentioned.



By His Excellency’s Command.

Sd/-

Secretary to the Govt. of India, War Department.

Registered No.15567

===========================END OF BOX=======================



The above article appeared in the HERALD, Goa, in edition of May 16, 2010