Does this government lack legal eagles to interpret law?

By Nisser Dias
26th May 2011

The government specially some of the Congress legislators, members of the adhoc committee of FORCE and parents are optimistic that their demand for English as one of the medium of instructions (MOI) would be a reality very soon. And rightly so it should be as the demand for it from parents of school going children is genuine.

As we are on the threshold of a new academic year, parents who had beat the scorching sun to show solidarity with the church backed movement of parents irrespective of caste, creed, religion and region are expectantly awaiting the final approval from the Union government. Even though chief minister and his cabinet colleagues have dropped enough hints that centre will grant the demands of the parents, would it not be imperative to ask whether the state government is set to print text books in English or is the ploy of the government to wait at the eleventh hour to carry out the exercise or is it a ploy by the government to postpone inclusion of English as medium of instruction by another year which means buying time till the next assembly elections.

Parents must be reminded that chief minister Digambar Kamat comes from the RSS cadre who in turn strongly advocate instruction at the primary level in mother tongue. One should not forget that as a politician the chief minister might be with the parents for the votes but his heart and soul and ideology is with the RSS. Secondly he has made his thoughts very clear that he does not depend upon the Goan voters for his victory at the election. So can we trust this man to do any positive for the Goa and Goans?

Then there is PWD minister Churchill Alemao who was instrumental in forcing the change from English to Konkani and Marathi way back in 1991 through his splinter group which formed the Progress Democratic Front (PDF) government. Today he is singing a different tune not because he realises the difference between instruction in English or mother tongue but because he has too much at stake. He has to first get himself elected at the same time he has to oversee that the victory of his daughter, his brother and nephew.

This is a clear indication that a opportunist politician like Churchill has not extended his support for English for the love of students or parents but for his own sustenance as he has made politics his livelihood. He does not only earn his butter and jam and more from politics, he earns his daily bread from it. Thus Churchill Alemao had no other option but to support the stand taken by parents. Basically his support for the cause was more for personal reasons then the genuine cause, so a turncoat like him simply cannot take the credit, if at all English is included as MOI.

Be that as it may, the CM taking a delegation of the interested parties to Delhi is not at all accepted. Members of the adhoc committee of FORCE who have been severely criticized for repeatedly extending the deadlines, in its wisdom went to Delhi, maybe in a bid to stop parents spilling on the road. They may have returned empty handed or rather with assurances and hope from the Union government that their wishes will be granted.

But the fact that the government of Goa had to take a delegation to Delhi to find solution to the issue does not speak very well of the Digambar Kamat led government. It is a known fact that the chief minister along with his entourage of ministers and interested parties had to wait on the Human Resources Development minister Kapil Sibal only to interpret the Right To Education Act speaks volume of lack of administration capabilities and political acumen of Digambar Kamat.

Chief minister along with the Education minister Babush Monserrate should have first consulted lawyers here to interpret and explain the RTE Act to them. Our chief minister should not have made a mockery of Goans by waiting on Union HRD minister Kapil Sibal to throw light on the RTE Act. In the words of chief minister himself it is stated that HRD minister told him that RTE does not speak about any language as compulsory medium of instruction. Does state that boast of have 98 percent literacy rate needs the Union minister to interpret the Act. Has our government lost faith in the legal advisers appointed in the departments, has it lost confidence in the law department or has it lost all the trust in the capabilities of the of the office of the controversial advocate general of Goa? The chief minister is morally responsible to give answers to these questions.

After said and done, after dragging the reputation of Goa and Goans through muck the chief minister still awaits the decision of the centre. Atleast at this stage we needed chief minister Digambar Kamat to display some leadership qualitites but he failed us throughout. If Goa is set an example as a model state to the rest of the country, we need able and bold leadership not some weaklings or sissies to run our state, to take decisions on vexed issues in the state and not run to Delhi to decide every matter or issue or controversy, which our chief minister has indicated so often that he is incapable of doing.

If at all English becomes one of the MOI languages, the credits and dues should not go to any politician but to each and every parent including members of the FORCE for being adamant in their demand.

Send your comments/reactions to nisserdias@gmail.com or SMS 9422437029)
(Nisser Dias writes a regular column in GT on Thursday).

Is Life In Goa Cheaper Than Liquor ?

“Women are cheaper than liquor in Goa” was what irked a good number of Goans, with respect to the Bollywood movie “Dum Maro Dum” and with some stiff local opposition the director was forced to instill some changes in the derogatory remarks about our Goan women, but now another serious problem has cropped up with regards to the value of life in Goa and it makes me wonder if in fact, life is even cheaper than liquor in Goa.

Roads in Goa have been major contributors to premature deaths and loss of valuable lives through the negligence and apathy of our Miners and Authorities, more often than not the victims are found to be budding youngsters, a few days ago another youngster’s budding life and dreams where shattered by the negligence of the power department, this was not the only incident where the negligence of the authorities
resulted in precious life being wasted prematurely, not too long ago a father son duo were electrocuted and the list could go on and on. Life lost, is lost forever and no matter what is done to compensate the dead person will not come back to life.

Of late the money bags, our Miners have started putting a value to the life of the victim of mining prosperity, I often wonder if they would value their own lives the same. I am not at all shocked to note that a high ranking officer of the law and his deputy performed their dual role of also being the “call on boys” for the mining barons, to perfection. With all their prosperity, it’s sort of becoming a norm to
flash money infront of the poor victim’s dependents in the name of compensation. The speed with which the Miners and their foot soldiers, inspector Tony and his deputy reacted is really amazing, as the lethargy and the apathy of our civil servants for effective action, is well known.

How would the miners and their police friends feel, if someone had to kill their next of kin and pay a compensation of 5 lakhs ? Would it be okay ? With the cost of living hitting the roof, for how long can a family survive and suffice on that amount ? The social status of the victim is irrelevant, what must be made relevant is the fact that life has been wrongfully terminated, all because of the casual attitude of the Miners, Politicians and the Police, if laws were enforced and
enacted the situation would not been appalling, as it is today. Today every politician irrespective of the party has supported illegal and rampant mining which has destroyed our ecology and our environment and brought us to the verge of a catastrophe, all this merely for money and riches.

What action has been taken against the erring miners and the Authorities ? Is it not their responsibility ? The offending Authorities, miners and their henchmen have been let off, without as much as a scratch in the past, which has resulted in a massive movement against mining atrocities on Goans living in hinterland, especially against the tribal community. Now as the mines affected people are gathering enormous and overwhelming support in their fight for survival, the mining barons are pushed against the wall and hence the 5 lakhs compensation at supersonic speed to the victims family and that to through the high ranking civil servants who are forever ready to be of service to the rich and affluent miners.

If a normal Goan is faced with problems the men in uniform will distance themselves as much as possible and infact if the rich and the affluent are involved, more often than not, the victim ends being treated as a criminal, this has been the way of life in Goa for a long time and getting worse by the day. Now with the people’s movement
against rampant and illegal mining activities, the police and the miners think it prudent to outrun and outgun the activists and the agitators with money and muscles power making life in Goa cheaper than liquor.

How many more lives will have to be lost to the erring negligence of our Authorities and miners before we Goans wakeup to find, the one who just lost his budding life, is our very own and accept the check that values the precious life at 5 lakhs, wouldn’t we then feel, that life is cheaper than liquor in Goa ?

Wakeup Goans, our lives are precious and valuable and we have to make sure that the people responsible for negligence, who ever they are, are taken to task and pay dearly so that justice is served.

Freddy Agnelo Fernandes

IN APPRECIATION OF VERONICA'S ARTICLE.

Dear Veronica,

Enjoyed reading your version of events! It makes much sense, but we may wait for Godot to know the truth.

Dr. Teotónio D'Souza.


2011/5/19 A. Veronica Fernandes



G O A
--No plans in this revolution are written for retreat--

May 19, 2011.

BIN LADEN KILLED OR TAKEN ALIVE TO USA?

In the history of humanity the first person to die and buried was the second son of Adam & Eve. His name was Abel and he was killed by his elder brother Cain. After killing Able, Cain was totally confused not knowing what to do with the dead body of his younger brother Abel. At that moment he saw two crowy type of birds known as Ravens fighting to kill each other. When one of them killed the other, the alive one in its own claws excavated the mud and made a hole, pulled the dead Raven into the excavated hole and buried the dead bird there and covered it with the mud. Seeing this, Cain was enlightened and did exactly for Abel’s dead body as the alive bird Raven did for the dead Raven. Hence, this system of burial came into existence which till today Muslims and Christians are following.....

BIN LADEN KILLED OR TAKEN ALIVE TO USA?

In the history of humanity the first person to die and buried was the second son of Adam & Eve. His name was Abel and he was killed by his elder brother Cain. After killing Able, Cain was totally confused not knowing what to do with the dead body of his younger brother Abel. At that moment he saw two crowy type of birds known as Ravens fighting to kill each other. When one of them killed the other, the alive one in its own claws excavated the mud and made a hole, pulled the dead Raven into the excavated hole and buried the dead bird there and covered it with the mud. Seeing this, Cain was enlightened and did exactly for Abel’s dead body as the alive bird Raven did for the dead Raven. Hence, this system of burial came into existence which till today Muslims and Christians are following.


However, there are some exceptions to be followed for the dead persons when they die on board the ship but these exceptions are to be followed only when the person dies on board the ship where there is no possibility for the dead body to be buried on the land. In such a case the dead body can be given the watery burial in the ocean. But was it right on the part of Americans to give watery burial to Bin Laden with the excuses suited to their policy when he was killed on the land in Pakistan? This is the big question to answer and from the events followed the killing of Bin Laden everything seems to be shrouded in mystery. The real secret looks to be kept hidden by the American administration. And where are the bodies of those killed in the compound of Bin Laden and in his house? Where they also consigned to the watery grave or buried on the land and if yes, at what place?


Americans are saying all the religious rites were performed prior to the putting the body of Bin Laden into the sea. Was it filmed to make it transparent for the world? Who were the persons who witnessed this burial and were they neutral persons to give unbiased testimony? It took me a few days just to get over it and my feeling says differently than what the Americans are saying. I for fact knows that America never tells the truth to the world. One example is Afghanistan. Why are they there? They say to get rid of Taliban but the real fact is not that, the real fact is that they are there for their benefit and what is their benefit? It is none other than the MINERALS which exist in AFGHANISTAN and it's worth is $$$ TRILLIONS and they do not want Taliban's hand to reach there. So the real excuse is Taliban for America to be holding up in Afghanistan.


Now coming back to Bin Ladin. It looks to me Americans have not killed Bin Laden but kept him alive since he offered no resistance nor he was armed himself at the time of his alleged killing. When he offered no resistance there was no need to kill him. Alive Bin Laden was more needed for Americans than the dead one. Analysing the whole scenario it looks that the Americans have enacted a nice drama of Bin Laden’s death. I have a strong feeling that Bin Laden was not killed but captured alive and kept in Americans' secret custody where they are extracting all the necessary information from him in the name of captured CD’s and Cassettes. What information Americans get from Bin Laden is falsely said to be from the illusionary CD’s which Americans claimed to have found in Bin Laden’s house. Americans are experts in doctoring the CD’s and creating anything out of nothing to suit and justify their needs.


For me in Bin Ladin scenario America is now sitting on top of the Mount Everest and laughing at the world below. America will get every detail out of Bin Laden, like who was giving him Financial backing and which country? Which leader? Every detail will come out and when it is out most of the countries' leaders will be cursing themselves for supporting Bin Laden monetarily. No organization can run without Funds and here is no exceptions of AL QAEDA, so can you see what I am saying? I have a feeling that Bin Laden was supported financially by most of the heads of states in the Arab Peninsula just to be safe from attacks from AL QAEDA. It is now with Americans how to play with those leaders once the CAT IS OUT FROM THE BAG so here the fun begins and we will watch it. As of now it looks America will give slow death to Al Qaeda organizations and they will hunt them whereever they are, so we might as well see more operations than what they did in Pakistan where during the operation at Bin Laden's place it looks that the Americans drugged the Pakistani Intelligence Service. Otherwise Pakistani Government must have been partner in the crime, of course for a price.


To conclude this article, what we need is a PEACEFUL WORLD TO LIVE IN AND NO KILLINGS.


A. Veronica Fernandes.
Kuwait.

" TARVOTTI "

SHIP S.S. SLAMAT

Goa since a long time now is known to be the land of Tarvotti. During those good old days Tarvotti were recruited to work on board the ship directly from Bombay, PNO was the most sought after shipping company by Goan Tarvotti to work. During those days to work on PNO owned ship means a great honour and even a girl would immediately show her preference for marriage with a boy working for PNO ship. Very rarely Goan Tarvotti held top posts there but majority of them in the Catering Line and other menial jobs.


Tarvotti during those days were the source information for many of the Goans who were ignorant of the World places and other world countries, their peoples, their customs and traditions since by virtue of being Tarvotti they were travelling all over the world thus gathering lot of information. During those days in my village lot of priests, Teachers and Tiatrists were collecting information of the world thru our Tarvotti. The renowned Tiatrist the late Alexinho de Candolim used to come running to our neighbour Tarvotti Poklo Titiv when he arrived from his “Tarvar Viaz”, to collect information of the world affairs. Alexinho de Candolim was hungry for knowledge like other Tiatrists of his era. Those Tiatrists of that great era were full of knowledge and full of wisdom. For this reason their Tiatros and songs are become immortal. Which Tiatrists from the current ones can replace Alexinho de Candolim, Minguel Rod, A.M.B. Rose, J.P. Souzalin, and many others?


Some Tarvotti were giving proper information while others nothing but lies and pure “Bonddolam”. For this reason legendary Tiatrist Minguel Rod in one of his songs criticizes Tarvotti very much. So much so, while singing this song in Bombay, some Tarvotti attending this Tiatro where Minguel Rod was singing this piercing “Zupatti” were felt so much humiliated that after finishing this song, all the humiliated Tarvotti rushed to assault Minguel Rod but by the grace of God Miguel Rod was saved by his Tiatrist colleagues. This song runs like this:


“TARVOTTEANCHEM AIKONK GHODDNA,
TANKAM THUIMSOR KONN BORIM MENDNA,
MEDTTA TIM FOKOT PAIMXIM MADDANCHIM SONDDNAM.


BORIM CHEDDVAM MUNNONA TANKAM ‘COME HERE SIT DOWN’,
TE TUMKAM SANGOT BABA VHODDLIM BONDDOLAM LAUN,
TE PONCH CHEDDVANCHI ETAT LIPISTIK KHAUN,
HEM SOGLEM TANCHEM POILAM ANVEM TARVOTTI ZAUN”.


Minguel Rod in his song criticized Tarvotti while another renowned Tiatrist of yesteryears known as Star of Aroxim highly appreciated Tarvotti's work and the sacrifices that they made of their precious lives during the last World War II. Few precious lines of this song summarize the greatness of this song and the greatness of the sacrifices of our Tarvotti “Bhau”. These few lines run as follows:


ASTOCH AGBOTT SOMDIRACHEA POTTAR KHEUTAT LAHRAM.
VORSAM MHOINE SORONANT FOKOT MEZTAT VORAM,
GHAUM GHORA SINTIMENT KADDTAT MAI PAI BAIL BHOIN ANI LAHN PORAM,
DEVACHE KURPEN SUKHI ASSAT TARVOTTEANCHIM GHORA.


During those days to work as Tarvotti was not a tension free job because of the storm in the sea leading to the sinking of the ships and also because of the wars due to which many of the ships were bombed or torpedoed by the enemies. It was during the Second World War, tension was very high in the Sea as Hitler’s Submarines were targeting the Ships of Allied nations. In one such tragic incident, the ship “S.S. SLAMAT” a Dutch Passenger Ship was taken over by the British to transport troops on 27th April 1941. This was an evacuation mission of British and New Zealand Troops from Greece. While in its mission in the sea this ship was attacked by the Hitler’s TG 77 Bomber sinking the ship S.S. Slamat with the loss of 193 Tarvotti while 700 Troops on board the S.S. Slamat were rescued by the allied destroyers HMS Diamond and HMS Wryneck. However, both these two were later on bombed and sunk by the Germans and most of the survivals from S.S. Slamat were killed while only 10 crew members survived among whom 6 were Goans.


The crew of S.S. Slamat consisted of mixed nationalities namely 74 Dutch, 24 Chinese, 10 Australians, 1 Norwegian and 84 Goans, all the Goans were the holders of Portuguese Passports. Tey were called as Goanese Portuguese.


On 27th of last month, the great S.S.Slamat commemoration was held in honour of the victims. For this commemoration abundant praises were showered on founder and Chairman of Royal Rotterdam Mr. Eduard Van Lierde. During the commemoration ceremony special mention was made of all the Goans who lost their lives and in particular for their sincerity and dedicated hard work. There is a hunt now from the concerned authorities to get some information of the families of these dead Goans. If anyone is aware and wants to know more on this subject, kindly contact on email “aggynelo@yahoo.com".


A.Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.

COWARDLY ATTACK ON NILESH GAOKAR.

Cowardly Attack On Nilesh Gaonkar

The attack on anti-mining activist Nilesh Gaonkar is a cowardly act
and a blow to the democratic norms of the Country. I do strongly
condemn this atrocious act of inhumanity against a law abiding citizen
who has put his life on line for the welfare of the people of Cavrem,
who have been subjected and forced to live in harmful and detrimental
conditions perpetuated by the mining fraternity.

This is not the first time that the mining barons have used anti
social elements to try to subdue and silence the opposition in to
submission, all credit must be given to this young lad who single
handedly led the people of Cavrem and forced the government to shut
down the illegal mine in operation and is still fighting against the
ills of mining in and around his village and there is absolutely no
doubt as to who is behind this attack on young Nilesh Gaonkar. The
illegal mine has been shut but why is the culprit who operated the
mine not taken to task ?

Not so long ago there was another incident when an eighty year old
lady and her grand daughter were assaulted by the police for fighting
against the mining menace. Seby another anti-mining activist was
labeled a naxalite by our elected members. Goans living in hinterland
have been subjected to inhuman living conditions and atrocities and
more often than not money and muscle power has been used to unleash
terror through both goons and the police against those opposing the
mining fraternity and now young Nilesh Goankar has become the latest
casualty.

This barbarous act has in no way deemed the spirit of Nilesh Gaonkar
and the other activists on the contrary they have claimed that this
attack has given them the additional impetus and have courageously
vowed to carry on their fight for justice for the mines affected
people of Goa.

Today’s news papers carries a headline “Goa Mineral Ore Exporters
Association (GMOEA) has condemned attack on tribal leader Nilesh
Gaonkar”. It exposes the duplicitous mining fraternity as they try to
pull wool over the people’s eyes to misguide them to hide their own
inhuman and heartless act.

The IGP of Goa has promised to apprehend the culprits, but like all
other promises will we ever get to know who was behind this attack on
Nilesh Gaonkar ? History has never been in favour of the innocent
victims, victimized by the rich, powerful and the affluent and it seem
in all probability that history is going to repeat itself.

The law and order situation is getting worse by the day in Goa and the
Aam Aadmi is feeling more and more insecure with each passing day and
any assertions by the IGP and our politicians will not change this
fact and if things do not change for the better I wont be surprised if
some Goans start taking the law into their own hands and when it
happens the law and order machinery will be solely responsible for any
such unhealthy situation.

Freddy Agnelo Fernandes.

A. VERONICA REPLIES .

Further to the following questions to me, kindly note that as far as I know, NONE of the three persons named in the question contributed in the promotion of the movement organised by Kuwait Goan evcuees under Goa-Kuwait Solidarity Center in Goa during the invasion of Kuwait, in support of the liberation of Kuwait.

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.



May 13, 2011
VERY IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO VERONICA.

Dear Veronic Bab,

I have following questions to ask you regarding Goans support to Kuwait when Kuwait was invaded by Iraq. Kuwait Goan evacuees under your ledership at that time in Goa conducted lot of activities under Goa - Kuwait Solidrity Center in support of Kuwait.

1: What was the contribution of Churchill Alemao in this movement? He was the
Minister under defection oriented Goa Government of PDF in Goa. Some of my Kuwiti
friends are asking me what role Churchill Alemao played in supporting Kuwait at
that time. They have seen the DVD of this Goan movement now circulating in Kuwait
and they are surprised that Churchill Alemao is not seen in this DVD
participating in this Goan movement organised in support of Kuwait.

2: Was Salvador Dias the president of Kuwait Goan Association in any way supported
Kuwait by associating in your movement?

3: Was Agnelo the president of Navelim Youth Center, Kuwait, joined Navelkars in
supporting Goan movement in Goa under Goa-Kuwait Solidarity Center in support of
Kuwait?


Veronic Bab, these are very important questions required for very important purpose.

Thanks.

NAME WITHELD ON REQUEST.


Posted by

VERY IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO VERONICA.

Dear Veronic Bab,

I have following questions to ask you regarding Goans support to Kuwait when Kuwait was invaded by Iraq. Kuwait Goan evacuees under your ledership at that time in Goa conducted lot of activities under Goa - Kuwait Solidrity Center in support of Kuwait.

1: What was the contribution of Churchill Alemao in this movement? He was the
Minister under defection oriented Goa Government of PDF in Goa. Some of my Kuwiti
friends are asking me what role Churchill Alemao played in supporting Kuwait at
that time. They have seen the DVD of this Goan movement now circulating in Kuwait
and they are surprised that Churchill Alemao is not seen in this DVD
participating in this Goan movement organised in support of Kuwait.

2: Was Salvador Dias the president of Kuwait Goan Association in any way supported
Kuwait by associating in your movement?

3: Was Agnelo the president of Navelim Youth Center, Kuwait, joined Navelkars in
supporting Goan movement in Goa under Goa-Kuwait Solidarity Center in support of
Kuwait?


Veronic Bab, these are very important questions required for very important purpose.

Thanks.

NAME WITHELD ON REQUEST.

ON THE DEATH OF GEORGINA JAQUES.

With deep regret and shock I pen down this obituary on the recent death in Goa of Georgina Jacques on 4th of this month. When she was young she was the Jewel of Emisora de Goa during Portuguese time. After the exit of Portuguese rule in Goa, Emissora de Goa was changed to All India Radio Panjim, Goa.

As a young school boy of Primary level at Escola Primaria de Abade Faria, Candolim, I was the great admirer of Georgina Jaques’ beautiful and melodious voice. She was also a very good Tiatro artiste at Emisora de Goa. Every week during those golden days, Emisora de Goa used to air three Tiatros a week, each Tiato of 30 minutes duration. As an enthusiastic boy I was very much longing to see her in person but was finding next to impossible because during those days to go from my home village to Panjim Altinho at Emisora de Goa was like going to China. That was the beautiful era of beautiful ‘Caminhao’ travelling. Finally my wishes thru the practice of telepathy at an early age worked very well and I got the golden opportunity to see her in person at Emisora de Goa.

Besides schooling at Portuguese school in my village in the morning, I was also doing my schooling at Escola Parochial in our village Church where I was a member of our Church Choir. Being the youngest boy of our Choir with males and females, my vocal chords were helping me to sing beautifully. I was at my best in singing Motets and because of this distinction I was selected by our Choir Mestiri, Santan Desouza as a member of our Choir to record 3 Motets and one solo ‘Veronica’ song – "Ecce Vidimus", all in Latin. This recording programme was done at Emisora de Goa , Altinho Panjim somewhere in 1959 under the leadership of our Mestiri. Our local Pe. Cur from Chinchinnim Pe. Marcos Menezes supervised the whole programme.

After finishing our recording few of us had an opportunity to witness the recording of Konkani songs by Emisora troupe where I saw Georgina Jacques singing as the lead singer the Konkani version of 'Marina – Marina – Marina'. Along with her for chorus were Jacinto Vaz, Alen D'Costa, Johny Sylvester, Baldino Araujo, Young Menezes, Dioginho D’Mello, Ansu Rodrigues and others. Antoninho (Anthony) D'Souza the music director of Emisora De Goa was conducting the whole affairs and to see him directing by moving in opposite directions both his hands with meticulous precision and maestro’s rigidity was superb. This song was very beautiful, earlier I heard from Sinquerim Aguada Pakles the Portuguese version of this song. This song in Konkani goes like this:

Marina – Marina – Marina, sobit tuje dolle gharxe.
Marina – Marina – Marina, sogllech tujea mogan zaleat pixe.

Tontte kudde tirse, nodor martat palxe,
Pun tum anxe sodttai oxe, oh Na – Na –Na –Na – Na.

Soglech tujea mogan, tum polletai ragan,
Ani zabab ditai lagan, oh Na - Na - Na - Na - Na.


The other song I saw Georgina reording on that day was the "Dulpod" along with Izmenia D’Mello, Dioginho D’Mello, Jacinto Vaz, M. Dod de Verna, Baldinho Araujo and others. The Dulpod was in the form of "Duologue", lead singer being bother and sister Izmenia and Dioginho D’Mello and conductor was again Antoninho D’Souza. He was strict in his job. It goes thus:

Sodanch eun zonelar bostalem,
Kon go tem, kon go tem

Tuvem taka choilam go,
Na
Choilam go,
Na
Noureak apoitana .......

It was a great opportunity at that young age for me to see those great musical giants and Herculean singers. They are now gone forever from our midst either thru death or thru old age and thru their going All India Radio, Panjim is become rubbish compared to what it was as Emisora de Goa.

Now coming back to Georgina Jaques singing prowess, she was one of the female singers and Radio artistes along with her other female colleague Ansu Rodrigues, brightened the image of Emisora de Goa which was sought by Goans of all walks of life not only in Goa but also in other parts. Georgina Jaques was not only a beautiful singer but more than that she was beauteous spot among the young girls of her era. Beauty had in her voice, beauty had in her body. She must be a young school going girl during that time and yet performing as a regular artiste at Emisora de Goa means something extra ordinary and that too in the company of Goa’s giganatic Konkani Stage artistes namely Baldino Araujo, Dioginho D'Mello, Jacinto Vaz, Young Menezes, M. Dod de Verna and Kid Boxer. Goa and Konkani Stage is yet to produce such Himalayan artistes. The weekly schedule for her was very tight and at that young age she was coping up means really great.

Government of India owes her 3 months salary which was not paid to any of those Goan artistes employed at Emisora de Goa by the Portuguese Government, from October to December 1961. In view of the forcible annexation of Goa by Bharat, all the financial obligations of the invaded land falls on invaders, that is Bharat of "Fotting" Nehru of "Fotting" Congress Party.

In 1959 the great Goan Mandoist Cruz Noronha from Siolim came down to Goa from Bombay for his vacation. While on holiday he met his "ghaum bhau" Antoninho D’Souza who encouraged Cruz Noronha to record some of his precious Mandos and Dulpod at Emisora De Goa. Cruz first declined citing non availability of a good female singing partner in Goa of his choice. Antoninho immediately recommended the name of Georgina Jaques and when Cruz Noronha gave her audition test, Cruz Noronha was highly impressed by Georgina’s superlative singing talent. Finally with Georgina Jaques during his short vacation in Goa at that time, Cruz Noronha recorded 10 Mandos with Dulpods, all most beautiful, all most charming and all most excellent. For these 10 Mandos Cruz Noronha was paid Rupees One thousand by the Emisora de Goa. This was the highest amount paid to any artiste in Goa during that time by the Emisora de Goa.

After finishing the recording at Emisora de Goa with Georgina Jaques, Cruz Noronha who was our close relative, told my father in my presence that "If I had to know earlier in Goa there is such a magnificent female singer, I would have come to Goa every year to record more Mandos and Dulpods". Such was the rich compliment given to Georgina Jacques by the great Goan musician, singer and Mandoist Cruz Noronha who was known then as Cruz Jajwala since he was playing Drums in his own band.in Bombay.

Georgina Jaques rightly deserves such a rich compliment from such a rich musician Cruz Noronha.

Georgina, "Bhoini Moje", in your death Goa lost one great female voice.

May your soul rest in peace.

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.

JUSTICE V/S LOVE.

According to historian Toynbee, the central idea of Islam is Justice and that of Christianity is Love. To fight for justice is right thing otherwise injustice will flourish in this world leading to the development of “Might is Right”. In the aftermath of the killing of Bin Laden in Pakistan by the USA there is a cry in some pockets in Islamic world to avenge the killing of Bind Laden. Will this help to bring about peace in the world? No doubt according to some knowledgeable persons in Islam consigning of the dead body of Bin Laden into the sea is not correct and as such the USA and its allies must pay the price for the offence USA made to the Muslim Bin Laden.


“Eye for an eye and tooth for tooth” is the law of Hammurabi the ancient king of ancient Mesopotamia. Will this Law help to bring about peace and reconciliation in this world? To fight for justice is the right decision but using violent methods to get justice is right? Violence will invite violence only and those who fight with violent methods will get liquidated with violent methods only.


It is over 60 years now that the Arab world is fighting for the cause of Arab Palestine against foreign intruders the Jews in Israel and yet there is no peace in the occupied land. Unimaginable damage has been done to this land and especially to Palestinians, both for Muslim and Christian Palestinians. One of the factors that failed Arabs in Palestine was the violent methods used by the Palestinians to regain their homeland illegally occupied by the Israeli Jews. Palestinians got very good reason to defeat the Israelis thru peaceful methods but instead they used violent methods to fight against their enemy thereby inviting ill-will from all around the globe. Even the Prime Minister of India, the late Indira Gandhi the strong supporter of Palestinian cause and a very good friend of the late Yasser Arafat the then chef of PLO, was terribly upset when she got the news of Munich Olympics terrorists operation conducted by the Palestinians in 1972 Olympics. Immediately following this operation by the Palestinian terrorists, opponents of Indira Ghandi demanded from her to downgrade India’s support to Palestine. Because of this operation the cause of Palestinians suffered a heavy blow for its goal.


The killing of Bin Laden and consigning of his body into the sea was not condemned by the entire Arab and Muslim world thereby giving an impression that Bin Laden is not the hero of all the Arabs and all the Muslims. There are Muslims in this world who believe that Bin Laden and his Al Qaeda group are lowering the image of Islam because Islam does not preach violence. At this hour of turmoil what is required is love to get justice for the hurt parties. Only thru love we can get peace and justice.


America got itself involved in Afghanistan not as invaders but as helpers to the Islamic Government of Hamid Kharzai who is the head of sovereign Islamic counry Afghanistan. USA will not stay in Afghanistan permanently but to leave them from Afghanistan the terrorists in Afghanistan must play a constructive role and not the destructive role that sheds the blood of innocent people. Nobody on this God created planet got authority to kill innocent children of God and those who are killing innocent people in the name of their religion and God are the enemies of God and their reward is devine punishment, either today or tomorrow.


According to my assessment the world will remain safe for the humanity only with the USA and its Western allies. USA is known in the past to protect the world from the clutches of Monster nations like Germany, Italy, Japan and Saddam Hussein’s Iraq. If USA now allows the world to fall into the hands of religious fanatics and etremists, not only the West and USA will get liquidated from this planet but also the entire civilisation. We have responsibility to protect our civilisation and those who work to protect our civilisation deserve our support. The great Philosopher Prof. Bertrand Russell during the second world war while at Oxford in UK told the students "to stop coming to classes and instead join the British Government in its war efforts to fight against that monster Hitler of Germany who is all out to liquidate the civilisation from this planet". If there is no brake on their moves, the fanatics in the name of their religion will finish the civilisation from this planet. Hence, the civilised world must fight to stop the fundamentalists and religious fanatics from liquidating our civilisation by using terrorism to justify their belief. If it was Twin Towers in USA yesterday then today it may be any tower in your country and tomorrow it can be anything in my country and the day after tomorrow it can be the destruction of the world. This world belongs to God and besides Him there is nobody having authority to finish this world by using terrorism.


After the 9/11 operation by Bin Laden’s Al Qaeda, one top aide of the President of USA warned Pakistan saying “ if Pakistan does not stop co-operating with Al Qaeda, we will bomb Pakistan to the Stone Age”. This was enough for Pakistan and its president Parvez Musherraf to toe the line of USA for the survival of Pakistan. After the killing of Bin Laden in Pakistan by the USA without the knowledge of Pakistan, the Chief of Pakistani Military Gen. Kayani warned USA saying, “if this is repeated again, Pakistan will retaliate”. Is Pakistan capable to do that? I doubt very much even though I fully disagree with the USA to intrude in the sovereign country Pakistan and conduct its operation of killing Bin Ladin. One of the reasons for Pakistan to lose its one wing the then East Pakistan was trusting USA and its President Richard Nixon. India relied on Soviet Russia who stood by India while USA betrayed Pakistan and its President Gen. Yaha Khan. USA has its own interest to protect and if Pakistan does not realise this fact, the remaining part of Pakistan may go the way its second wing has gone earlier leading Pakistan into pieces which many Pakistanis craving for.


A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.

ENGLISH V/S KONANI IN GOA.

This issue is hotting up so much that any one writing in any way in support and in opposing and while opposing they show so much hate to Konkani indirectly only to glorify English.

Some say English is very useful to the children so that they study it well which will help and serve them to get jobs world wide. Some say learning Konkani will not support them internationally which is true and who said konkani is read, written and spoken internationally other than by Goans and who will give them Jobs overseas? only in Goa and surrounding they might get. So we go English way. So far we have been doing that, i mean we speak, read and write Konkani eitheir in Roman or perhaps in Devanagri, and who is that while learning this remained totally ignorant of English and how many of those who went abroad and flourished are different from what i said so that they could not get jobs?.


This tamasha is only an excuse to jump from one into another era. Many of us studied in Portuguese and now running our life in English. In fact nothing went missing and how can it go missing in future? Indirect hate is shown to Konkani just to glorify English is what we can see. English is essential llanguage and no one is opposing it. There is a choice and it is made since long to which medium one want to study. The present and past generationS baring some are not exclusively specialized in English only yet there is no problem and why only now to coming generation it will make a problem to those who want to go abroad for jobs? English is not being blacklisted! As is present there is none a problem so why we are afraid of an issue which should not been an issue at all?


Some say, there we can get no jobs in Goa, so we went abroad. some say the Jobs are being sold by Politicians for lakhs of Rupees so if we know English (better than English presently studied) we will get jobs abroad as all jobs in Goa are sold to non-Goans/outsiders for a price so at this time the English better than presently studied English will help fetch them job abroad! And will some one say what happened to presently studied English? Is it not helping fetch jobs overseas? How come there are so many thousands of Goans now abroad, aren't they working? Besides this, fine we all learn English to go abroad to work because there are no jobs found in Goa for Goans. And now how many of us are not hating Non Goans calling them ghanttis etc because they have occupied the vacancies which was supposed to be ours, How many of us not cursing them that they eat what was ours? and Now we want English better than what English we studied so that we go abroad for hunting the jobs and allow to fill the remaining jobs by the Ghanttis and non-Goans?


So we leave Goa now for them only to be occupied and take over our would be jobs, our lands and our Goykarponn too. One side we are cursing them, other side we are helping them to come over to Goa and take over our jobs and Goa while we go abroad to hunt for the jobs, then we say Goa is no longer same, Goa is gone taken over by ghanttis and so on. Look we are demanding English (better than the present English now) so that we go abroad and let the non-goans take over Goa.


The present FORCE look like they want all of their children to go abroad wholesale and then the naked truth is we ourselves making Goa vacant for non-Goans to enjoy Goa in all respects. We Goans are pretty smart actors complaining too much while we ourselves are like hypocrites. Cant we see clearly here we ourselves are to be blamed? Or we fail to see it clearly the creation of our own conspiracy?

Elvino Rodrigues.

BIN LADEN KILLED IN PAKISTAN BY THE USA.

It is said in the Holy Book Bible that “Sword begets Sword. Those who fight with sword will die with sword only”. This is what exactly has happened to Bin Laden because he fought with bullets and finally was killed with bullets only. When somebody dies his close relatives and associates feel hurt and sad, so it is but natural for the people close to Bin Laden thru blood and thru ideology to feel sad and hurt exactly the way it happened to the relatives of the people who were killed by Bin Laden, directly thru his own hands and thru his associates. America has finally killed Bin Laden the way Bin Laden has killed thousands of innocent people all around the globe. It looked justice has been done for all who were killed by Bin Laden.

It was impossible for me as a layman to admit that Pakistan was not aware of Bin Laden’s whereabouts when he resided for about a decade in the heart of Pakistan. He took shelter in Pakistan during the rule of Gen. Musharref and yet General remained silent,knowingly or unknowingly. If Pakistani Intelligence Agency showed its ignorance on this then something is wrong with Pakistan. Secondly showing its ignorance of the operation carried out by the US unilaterally without the notice of Pakistan proves how Pakistan is weak militarily. Helicopters intruding in the Airspace of Pakistan and still Pakistan does not know means something basically is wrong with Pakistani defence system. In this way any enemy country can send its bombers and bombard Pakistani Atomic Plant and destroy Pakistan. This proves how Pakistan is vulnerable for enemy attack.

According to one story America used highly sophisticated devices to jam the Pakistani Radar system. This means it shows the very high superiority of America to intrude in any country without getting detected. When Israeli commandos raided Entebbe Airport in Uganda 30 years back to rescue the Israeli hijacked plane there, the Israeli system used somewhat similar methods to land at Entebbe Airport clandestinely thereby making mockery of Idi Amin’s might. In a similar manner the US also made a total mockery of Pakistan and its atomic might. If what Pakistan said is right that it was not informed by the US of this operation on its soil then I salute America for acquiring such a highly sophisticated methods to immobilise detective devices of an Atomic Power Pakistan.

West as a whole is Christian and the religion that Bin Laden practiced believed in Christianity. Inspite of this, Bin Laden and his followers dubbing the West as infidels and ‘Kafir’ means going against the religion of Bin Laden. And by the way who is Bin Laden to pass his verdict saying West is Kafir? And just because some one is Kafir it does not mean that he should be liquidated from this planet. God has not given power to anyone either to kill himself or to kill others. Entire human race is in the hands of God, He alone is the custodian of humanity and He alone can take the life away from human beings. For this reason even Euthanasia is forbidden. In fact much of the problems and many of the wars in Muslim world are averted by the Christian West. Much of the sufferings in the Muslim world are eradicated by the Christian world. No doubt West is also responsible for some mischief going on in this world but that does not mean the West is Kafir.

Will the world be a safer place to live in after Bin Laden? God alone knows but I have my own assessment, that is, Al Qaeda will come out now with greater fury as wounded Lion and pounce not only on its enemies but also on the sympathisers of the enemies. No doubt Bin Laden’s killing will be a big psychological setback for Al-Qaeda yet it will come back with greater fury to avenge the killing of its founder and leader. The Non-Extremist Muslims especially the Clerics must play their role well by preaching the peaceful and compassionate side of Islam to its followers more vigorously especially for the younger generation. Islam is a great religion that teaches love, peace and compassion and it is followed by the great followers in millions all around the globe. Its greatness should not be allowed to spoil by the few fanatics who think that their way alone is correct to go to heaven.

May God Bless this world and keep it free from terrorism perpetrated by the few in the name of their belief. Terrorism is a temporary phase which will never last for long. The earlier it comes to an end the better it is for all of us to live in peace.

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.

UNNECESSARY KILLING OF ARABS BY ARABS.

There was a time when Arabs were killed by the Jews and this killing was clearly displayed in TV local as well as international. One of the reasons for me to hate Israeli Jews was because of the killings of Arabs Muslims and Christians by the Jews in the occupied land of Palestine for fighting for their rights. When the Arab Muslim sovereign country Kuwait was invaded by another Arab Muslim country Iraq in 1990, it was the most shocking news of the post second world war era. The brutality that Iraqi Arabs committed on innocent Kuwaiti Arabs made me to ask a question, "Is my brother really my brother?" Iraqi Arab invaders instead of protecting Kuwaiti Arabs with respect and dignity, ignoring their solemn responsibility to treat the invaded citizens humanely, instead shamelessly asked the question thus: "Am I my brother’s keeper?" Being unable to bear the brutality and betrayal of Iraqi Arab invaders many Kuwaiti Arabs said to themselves, "it would have been better if we were invaded by our enemy Israeli Jews and treated us thus by them instead of by our so called Arab brothers from Iraq”.

There was a time Arabs joined together to fight against their common enemy the Jews who are enjoying the usurped land of Arab Palestinians. But to the enjoyment of Jews, Arabs are now killing their own Arabs and these killings in innumerable number we saw recently in Egypt, Yemen, Tunisia, Syria, Libya and elsewhere in the Arab world. What is wrong with the current Arab World so as to lose them their sanity? If they had not to lose their sanity they would not massacre their own citizens for asking more freedom and better facilities for them from their rulers. The rulers of the Arab nations now undergoing turmoil looks like imitating Marie Antoinette and telling their disgruntled citizens ‘Eat Cake if there is no Bread’.

When Marie Antoinette gave the above reply we know what the outcome was. Husni Mubarak of Egypt took the right decision by stepping down from the power otherwise his head would go the way that of Marie Antoinette. People now want freedom and more freedom. Human urge for freedom and more freedom will never die down. For the Arab leaders like Col. Mohammed Ghaddafi to rule Libya without democratic mandate from his people for over three decades means foolish thing. Only thru the suppression of human rights such leaders succeeded in ruling for such a long period and thereby acquiring the robes of self proclaimed Monarchs. Their long rule made them unconstitutional Monarchs. Such Monarchs will never last. As it is we have seen constitutional Monarchs are collapsing like pack of cards and what about the unconstitutional ones?

It is a hard fact that in the Arab World in general and Muslim world in particular the urge to fight for democracy and human rights is very low. What uprising taking place currently in the Arab World is just the beginning of the terrible events to come? NATO and big Western Powers are now directing the course of action in Libya where in NATO bombings one son of Col. Ghaddafi is already killed besides his three grandchildren. Like Saddam Hssein’s Sons, the second son of Ghaddafi may also go soon. NATO and Western Powers are doing what they are asked to do by the Arabs only. West has involved in Libya on the request of Libyans opposing Col. Ghaddafi and also by other Arabs only to save more Libyan lives from getting killed by Ghaddafi’s brute force. Col. Ghaddafi has no marbles in his underwear to face the might of West and NATO. In such case he should abdicate his throne and disappear from the scene like Husni Mubarak thereby saving further bloodbath of his own Libyans. The fight in Libya is not the fight between Arabs and Jews. It is a fight between Libyan Muslim Arabs only. Christian West is come there on the request of Muslim Arabs to save the lives of Muslim Libyan Arabs. What Muslim Arabs cannot do the Christian West is doing. This is a hard fact one has to admit, whether one likes it or not.

From the ongoing events in the world and upheavals in the Arab World, one can say that only the West headed by US can save the world from disaster. Only thru democratic process involving the masses and quenching the thirst of more rights of the masses the current turmoil in the Arab world can come to an end. Religious fanaticism will not solve the problem in the Arab and Muslim world. The new western educated generation will not accept discrimination based on religions and also suppression of their rights for more and better facilities. The earlier the Arab and Muslim leaders realise this the better for them and for their countries. ‘Demos’ have awakened now and youth are become conscious of their rights. To stop them from fighting for their rights is impossible. They are already on the move and they will go on moving further till their rights are granted.

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.