KIDNAPPING OF SCHOOL GIRLS BY BOKO HARAM IS "HARAM".

It is almost 8 weeks now that the young school girls in Nigeria while answering their exams were on gun point kidnapped by the Islamic extremists group called Boko Haram and regretfully still not freed.  This is a shocking incident and also un-Islamic which is shamelessly committed by the Islam promoter extremists group and it deserves highest condemnation.

The first word in the holy book of Islam, i.e. Koran, is “Ikra” which means “Read”.  Reading requires education and because of which Islam gives highest importance to education and to get it, as it is said in Islam that “to obtain education one can even go to the farthest place like China”.

Though Islam gives topmost priority for education yet some of the Islamic extremist groups like Boko Haram are going against this principle and because of this they go against the promotion of education mainly for the girls.  We have seen earlier how a young Pakistani girl Malala was shot by the Muslim extremists who are preventing education for girls.

Boko Haram by kidnapping over 200 young girls while answering their exams have prevented these girls comprising Muslims and Christians from getting educated. In this way Boko Haram by taking these girls as hostages committed not only a great  sin but a great sacrilege against the doctrine of Islam.  In one way they claim to be the promoters of Islam but on the other side they are doing a great injustice to their own religion Islam.

It is time now for the Muslim leaders all around the Islamic world to raise their voice in unison against this barbaric act of Boko Haram who are bringing a very bad name for Islam by soiling the good image of great religion Islam.  It is time now for the Mullas, Imams and Khomeinis to air their voice against this brutal kidnapping and demanding their release unharmed and without any precondition.

According to the latest information, Boko Haram has threatened to convert all the Christians girls among  the kidnapped ones into Islam. This is another sin the group is going to commit by forcibly converting the Christian girls into Islam. Islam forbids forcible conversion and forcible conversion is as good as no conversion.

In this whole scenario of Boko Haram’s kidnapping the image of Islam is affected.  For this reason the Isalmic leaders must come out in the open to demand in the name of Islam the release of these young innocent school girls. It would be nice at this hour if the Islamic organization, Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) had to step in to put pressure on the kidnappers to release the kidnapped girls.

 

A.     Veronica Fernandes,
Candolim, Goa.
Tel: 7507394349.

  

G.O.A. ROLLING TROPHY FINAL (kuwait).

 

DON BOSCO ORATORY CHAMPIONS

Nikhil and Agnelo score hat-tricks

 

Don Bosco Oratory were crowned proud champions of the  G.O.A. Rolling Trophy when they beat AVC Sports & Cultural Association 7-1 in a largely one sided match in the finals of this  prestigious tournament organized by Goan Overseas Association (Kuwait) and played at the MOH grounds under the auspices of KIFF.

 

Don Bosco Oratory who had only the previous week lost narrowly to AVC in the semi finals of the KIFF League, showed just why they are one of the most feared teams among the Indian Community when they took complete control of the match right from the start.  Man of the match and the tournament’s highest scorer young Nikhil D’souza opened Don Bosco’s account when he found himself in the right place to slot home from close range in a goalmouth melee.  He soon added to his tally and Don Bosco Oratory went into the lemon break comfortably leading 2-0.

 

Hard working Sidney of AVC however gave a tiny glimmer of hope to his team and supporters when he scored off  a direct free kick from just outside the penalty area and it seemed that AVC could still make a game of it.  Nikhil however had other ideas and completed his hat-trick after going past two AVC defenders.  Agnelo another young and talented Don Bosco lad than took control and ably supported by Loyed, Michael and Steven scored three more past the hapless AVC defense.  Nikhil though had the final say when in the dying moments he scored his fourth to completely whitewash the opponents.  The match was ably officiated by IFRA officials Sarto Baptista in the centre with support of Jan Rodrigues and Pascoal Fernandes on the lines.

 

In his welcome address after the final whistle, G.O.A President Raymond D’Sa welcomed the chief guest Mr. Ajay Sinha the Country Manager of Air India in Kuwait and thanked Air-India for sponsoring a Kuwait-Goa return air ticket for the tournament.  He also thanked KIFF President Mr. Fidelis Fernandes and his Managing Committee, IFRA, and all the participating teams for their support in making the tournament a grand success.  He had a special word of appreciation for Mr. Gasper Almeida of Goa Word.com, IndiansinKuwait and the print media including Mr. Francis Fernandes of Arab Times for the press publicity.

 

Mr. Ajay Sinha in his brief speech thanked the organizers for inviting him and said he would always support the community in the best way he could.  A special service award was presented to Mr. Leo Fernandes, a long serving member of Goan Overseas Association for his contribution to the Association.

The referee awards were given away by James Figuera, and the runners trophies by Tony Correia.  Mrs. Zinia Cardoso gave away the Runners Up trophy to Kevin Vaz the captain of AVC, while Raymond D’Sa and Ajay Sinha gave the winners individual trophies and the winners’ cup to Godfrey Aguiar the captain of Don Bosco.   KIFF President Fidelis Fernandes gave away the Man of the Match award to Nikhil D’souza who also won the tournament’s highest scorer award which was handed over to him by Leo Fernandes.  Julio Cardoso who hosted the presentation ceremony proposed the vote of thanks.

 

Report by : Julio Cardoso

Pics credit: Sasha D’Souza / Julio Cardoso

ALL THE BEST MODI GOVERNMENT.

Came the demolition of Babri Masjid by the BJP and other Hindu fanatics and later on there appeared a change in thinking of BJP for the betterment.  It looked the demolishers of the Babri Masjid have realized their folly.

Came the ruling from Parrikar government for cancelling of Christian holidays in Goa and later on there came a change not only in Parrikar but also in BJP, Goa.

Similarly, I feel there is a change in Modi’s attitude towards current India.  It looks he is going to be a changed Modi from what he was in 2002 Gujarat riots Modi. I am sure he must have realized the folly of being parochial and narrow minded in his thinking and actions and precisely because of this change in him he gets the great credit for inviting Nawaj Sharief for his oath taking ceremony.

It was a great step on Modi’s part because thru this invitation Modi succeeded in eradicating the psychological barrier existing between the two great neighbours since last one decade.  When the late Anwar Sadat, the then president of Egypt visited Israel in late seventies, he said his visit was to pave the way for eradicating the psychological barrier existing between Egypt and Israel and thru this visit everything good will follow, added Sadat.  I find lot of similarities between the two visits and feel everything good will follow now for India and Pakistan provided India and Indians will play the role of  accommodating Pakistani views and proposals, of course without surrendering national interest.

Pakistan is a hurt country thru the defeats in all the wars it fought with India but the greatest defeat it suffered was in the liberation of Bangladesh war. This was not only a defeat but it was the greatest humiliation about which even after 4 decades every Pakistani feels hurt and as a result think of revenge. With this revenge in mind Pakistan went for producing an Islamic Atom Bomb when Pakistan was ruled by the late Zulficar Ali Bhutto who said “there is a Christian Atom Bomb, Jewish Atom Bomb and Hindu Atom Bomb.  Then why not Islamic Atom Bomb?” Further Bhutto said, this Atomb Bomb for Pakistan is very imperative to save the remaining part of Pakistan otherwise India’s hegemonistic ambition will swallow Pakistan. To avoid this Pakistan must possess its own  Atom Bomb and to produce it he said “we will have to make all the sacrifices even to the extent if necessary, we will eat grass and save money to finance the production of Atomb Bomb”.

Pakistan and its citizens are living in fear of India, they have no trust in India. This trust must be built by the Modi government by showing non-belligerent attitude towards Pakistan and by accommodating Pakistani views. One thing is certain that because of the fear complex Pakistan will never give peace to India because Pakistan is governed by dual governments and the second government ruling Pakistan from behind the curtain is more powerful and more dangerous to India. The more powerful government wants to weaken India in every way and to achieve this goal it will create all the boulders on the path of friendship between the two nations. It is not democratically elected government of Nawaj Sharief that rules Pakistan alone.

However, the bold step taken now by Modi must be carried forward even if India has to be submissive to a certain extent. Only BJP could bring the reconciliation between the two neighbours since BJP as rulers are in a better position to do this otherwise out of power they were more vociferous against reconciliation just like Shiv Sena who are now surprisingly remained silent on Nawaz Sharif visit to Delhi. If this invitation was sent by Congress Party I am sure BJP and Shiv Sena would be making more noise against inviting Sharief to India. Hence, BJP under Modi is in a better position to carry forward the friendship between India and Pakistan.  Not only to carry forward but also to build it on a strong base for the good of posterity in both the countries.

While concluding, I wish Modi government all the best.

 

A.    Veronica Fernandes,

Candolim, Goa.

Tel:7507394349.

PRIDE & FALL OF ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES.

Recently in my village I, first time in my life, attended the village Gram Sabah Meeting where to my surprise everyone interested in the progress of the village attended the Meet except some of the former village leaders and former elected representatives of the  village Panchayat. 

It was surprising to see these local leaders showing no interest in the village affairs while once when they were ruling the village they were acting like local Maharajas and feudal lords as if the village affairs belonged to them only.  When they were legislating the village affairs from the village Panchayat, they were giving an impression that they were having monopoly and devine right to think and act for and on behalf of the village and villagers. 

But once they were sidelined from ruling the village legislature they forgot their responsibilities towards their village. These are not genuine village leaders having genuine love for the development of their village but they are fake leaders. Such fake leaders are mushrooming all over Goa and because of their step motherly love for their villages there is not much development in our villages except that many of them made development of their own Bank balance by looting the village exchequers and the villagers by extorting bribe. Otherwise how they amassed huge wealth after their entry into the local bodies and Legislative Assembly?

Many of them before entering into public life had no Cycle but later on they purchased posh cars including foreign brand cars. Some of them built  Bungalows and Hotels costing crores of rupees. From where they got the money?  What is their income as legislators? Is there any need to know that their wealth is looted wealth? And on top of it they are shamelessly moving in society with their heads high. Most of these rascals coming from the Catholic faith are flirting with the village Pe. Vigars who got no marbles to preach from the Altar against these elected robbers. The village Pe. Vigars are keeping their silence on these Catholic political leaders because these leaders share a part of their loot with the Pe. Vigars who for the sake of money will even sell the Church. Don’t we know that Jesus was sold for 30 Coins by his own disciple, Judas?

There was a time when these village leaders while ruling our village were acting as owners of the village but now being out of power they are become non entities in our village. They have lost their sense of identity though some of them have money which is not everything in life. When they were in power they were acting in the village with the villagers very proud and arrogant as if the power will remain with them permanently. They never realized that the power will come like gypsy and also disappear like gypsy. Because of their earlier pride and arrogance villagers hate them and precisely because of this hatred they are shying away from public life in the village. They have no courage to interact with the villagers as they used to do earlier because they are afraid that villagers may spit on them for the sins they committed on common people.

It is a pity now to see the defeated  representatives roaming around as non entities without any adoration by the public. Now not even a “KUDDO MUS” is looking at them, so pathetetic state of affairs they are facing as far as public life is concerned. Some of them have lot of looted money but who cares for their money? Their money is their monopoly.

I hope all the current elected representatives will learn some lessons from their defeated predecessors and act accordingly. Pride has its fall. If they act proud, arrogant and harass the people then their turn will also come very fast for the disgraceful life.

 

A. Veronica Fernandes,

Candolim,

Goa.

 

 

INVITATION FOR KIFF (KUWAIT) LEAGUE SOCCER FINAL.

WAS IT A MODI WAVE OR AN ANTI-CONGRESS WAVE?

 

The victory of BJP in the just concluded election according to many was due to Modi wave but according to me this victory was due to anti-Congress wave similar to anti-Indira wave following the emergency rule in India.  The way Emergency rule excesses hurt the people of India  in the same way during the last decade the Congress rule of corruption, arrogance and pride has hurt the common folks of India. What a grand “Dadagiri” Congress rule has not displayed!! During the last one decade of Congress rule in India the Congress rulers looted India thru Scams and Corruption at all levels.  The worst part of it was that they did not care for anyone and for anything. The sentiments of the people of India were totally ignored by the Congressmen who were immune to the feelings of the poor in India. They treated India as their monopoly to act the way they deemed it right without caring for the sentiments and requirements of the masses.

The late Indira Gandhi and her family members have misused the name of Gandhi giving an impression that they are related to Mahatma Gandhi. In fact Mahatma Gandhi and Indira’s husband Feroze Gandhi are two distinct entities having no relationship whatsoever. It was just a coincidence that one Parsee gentleman Feroze Gandhi got married to a Brahmin Hindu Indira Nehru; hence Indira inherited the family name Gandhi from her husband. If Gandhiji was alive during the emergency rule he would be ashamed to be called Gandhi because by introducing emergency rule in India in 1975, Indira Gandhi has disgraced even the fair name called Gandhi.

Following  the independence of India, Gandiji recommended disbanding of Congress party but the selfish Congressmen headed by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru refused to accept this proposal because they wanted to wear the robes of Monarchs by being Congressmen.  Congress party never cared to give clean government, it was never corruption-free, always tainted and Monarchical type.  Winston Churchill once warned Clemente Atlee not to hand over power of India into the hands of Congress because as he said the Congressmen will wear the robes of Monarchs in India by exploiting the poor masses.

In the last election Congress in a disguised manner projected Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Ministerial candidate when he is unfit to rule India.  And on top of it all the Congressmen nodded their heads in approval.  Why this servility for Rahul Gandhi?  What was his superlative record in the past that qualified him to rule India?  Was he an author of New Deal Economy like American President Roosevelt?  He showed no caliber to rule India, he was foisted on the Congress Party by force against his wishes and finally he made a big joke of himself. He is unfit politician in India and unfit orator to capture the ears of the voters unlike Modi. He and his mother are responsible for the debacle of Congress in this election. They must be made aware that they are not indispensable.  It is a pity that even among them the Congressmen give hero worship to Sonia and Rahul who consider themselves not as equal with others but more equal. 

Congressmen are under the impression that only the members of Nehru family can do the role of a Hinge to keep the party united. Because of this feeling the Congress Party is enslaved to Nehru family members and this factor finally let down the Congress in the last election.  Even in this defeat they still have a feeling that they are born to rule only as Indian Monarchs.

 A.      Veronica Fernandes,

Candolim, Goa.

Tel:7507394349.

                                                                             

 

 

 

 

 

12TH DAY REMEMBERANCE OF LATE MS SUCHITA SONU PARSEKAR.

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Candolim,
Goa.

TIATRO "MHAKA TUJI GOROZ NA" By Jenny de Germany.

 

 

“MHAKA  TUJI  GOROZ  NAAM” Tiatro written and directed by Jenny de Germany was staged on 18^th of this month at Kala Academy A/C Hall, Panjim, starting at 10.30 AM.  It was thinly attended by the audience.  Musical score was nicely provided by Anthony de Velim and his troupe.    

Jenny de Germany singing opening solo

 

The story was very meaningful related to the very many current happenings in our community where unfaithful husbands leaving their wedded wives and go after their concubines thereby destroying their own  married life as well as that of theirs concubines.  This is what exactly shown in this Tiatro by Jenny de Germany. It is a double sin and a double curse where the God’s punishment is the most severe though it may not be immediately but surely ultimately.

The other aspect shown in this Tiatro was the mistake many Gulf employed Goans make by surrendering their wealth into the hands of their wives who finally desert their husbands and leave them on the streets.

Bushan seen at extreme left

 

The play was enacted by all the competent artistes males and females though they all were not well known professionals nor heavyweights, most of them were new faces and being so they deserve highest compliments for performing their roles so well.  Jenny’s selection of these artistes was excellent and all of them will be a good asset to the Konkani Stage. 

As per the available information, a year back Jenny de Germany  booked the well-known artistes for this Tiatro but to her surprise at the eleventh hour they refused to honour their promise and as a challenge she got a new group which proved to be  a talented and successful.  Inspite of being a woman, Jenny de Germany spared no stone unturned to make this Tiatro a success.  Currently it is being staged all over Goa and of course to the delight of the audience.  This Tiiatro gives a very good lesson to those unfaithful husbands who by leaving their real wives are keeping concubines and yet shamelessly moving in society.

 

Ron singing his solo

Since this Tiatro  conveys a very good moral lesson, the Church in Goa must make a point to stage it all over Goa thru the local Pe. Vigars because what Church cannot preach Jenny  de Germany preached thru this Tiatro. But will our Pe. Vigars come forward for this?  I doubt very much because many of our Pe. Vigars themselves are guilty of the sin called Concubinage as they are having Concubines not only in ones and in twos but in dozens because easy money flowing in their hands without any hard work.

                                                        Ortencio - Jenny - Jalu

 In the comedy roles, Jenny de Germany excelled very well and she was ably supported by Ortencio and Jalu while in the main Play Anjela, Bushan and Antonette played their roles extremely well. Even though she resides in Germany yet Jenny de Germany showed lot of maturity by acting like a seasoned artiste. She is as good as any of the seasoned Goa based professional artistes. Like a captain in the Cricket team, she played her captain's  inning very well.  

 

Regarding the side show songs, in the absence of topmost singers this part of the Show did not rise to the expected level and because of this there was not much thrill in the hall.

 

A. Veronica Fernandes,

Candolim, Goa.

Tel:7507394349.

 

PAL SOARES' NEW TIATRO IN GOA.

 NEW TIATRO "ATAM TORI MHAKA SONDHI DHIAT".

Writer and Director: Pal Soares.

Inaugural Show on 4th June in Margao.

 

 

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Candolim,
Goa.
Tel:7507394349.

ON ELECTION RESULT.

Congratulations to BJP not only for winning the election but winning it more handsomely with clear majority and thereby lending a strong credibility to the prediction made by the Exit Polls. Congress Party in its defeat was decimated not only from the Parliament but also from the Indian political scene. Only Indira Gandhi must come out from the dead to revive it. Otherwise it looks R.I.P. Congress Party at the Centre.  Unless Congress Party is liquidated completely from the Indian political scene there will never be cleanliness in Indian politics. This time people’s mandate in favour of BJP was not for the love of BJP but more for the hatred for Congress because Congress Party government was filled with scams and corruptions at all levels during the last one full decade.

Since independence Congress Party ruled India almost for 5 decades of which 3 decades uninterrupted and during this long period Congress could have done wonders for India and Indians but instead Congress promoted corruption, scams and bad governance with the help of corrupt Congressmen.  Congress Party converted Congressmen into Maharajas and Monarchs who led the life of feudal lords resulting in the revolt by the voters as witnessed in this election. Even minorities who were afraid of BJP voted against Congress. So much is the anger of the voters against Congress Party and of course deservingly.

No doubt I accept the verdict in favour of BJP yet I am more afraid of Modi now because in this victory he came out more powerful and with the help of this power he may turn into a monster with his RSS linkage and supported by RSS elements in BJP.  I only hope he maintains his balance well as per his victory speech. More than development in India we need life security for the minorities and Modi should give this life security to all the minorities.  He should follow the example of Morarjee Desai as premier and stop being revengeful against those whom he thinks his opponents. He should give a feeling that all Indians whether from the minorities or majority communities are equal. He must accept the fact that India belongs not only to the majority community only but also to the minorities.

In the defeat of both the Congress candidates in Goa, once again Goan voters indicated their hatred for the mismanaged Congress Party in Goa. The gain of BJP in the South Goa was the result of the big mistake of Congress Party of refusing the party ticket to the MP Sardinha. Congress High Command in Delhi must accept the blame for this goof.  John Fernandes has to do a lot to revamp the party in Goa by eliminating all the party rebels and corrupt. The loss of Congress in the North though expected was due to the very bad image of Ravi Naik associated with some corrupt elements accompanying in his campaign.

Finally, let us all pray to God to give wisdom to the BJP leadership to govern the country well to the satisfaction of all especially of the minorities.

A.    Veronica Fernandes,
Candolim,
Goa.
Tel: 7507394349.

         

TIATRO - NOURO.

 

On Sunday, 11^th of this month, starting at 10.30 AM,  I watched the new Tiatro “NOURO” staged at Hanuman Theater Hall, Mapusa, by Peter Roshan. It was nice to see this Tiatro starting exactly in time but it was thinly attended by the audience, of course unexpectedly.

Though the story in the  beginning is not very encouraging yet the last part especially the ending scene was very interesting revolving around Biblical term of forgiveness for the Nouro for his earlier mistake towards his first fiancée whose role was played by Roshan.

 

One of the scenes

 

 

Roshan’s role as a blind was more or less similar to the role played earlier in late sixties by the great Ophelia Cabral in genius C. Alvares’ excellent Tiatro “Kedna Udetelo To Dis” where C. Alvares was at his best with excellent script, excellent direction and excellent depiction.  For this reason Tiatro audience is still remembering C. Alvares and his excellent cast. Many of the current directors though they try to plagarise C. Alvares yet they remain very far from him. For this reason C. Alvares remained unique. He knew whom to entrust what role and at his disposal he had all the best artistes, such artistes are not in existence now. He knew what dress code an artiste to use for certain roles and precisely because of this Ophelia gained great limelight in her role as “Kuddem Anita” in his most memorable Tiatro “Kedna Udetolo To Dis”.  C. Alvares was a perfect and seasoned director. Today’s directors cannot emulate him, either in script or in direction.

 

Peter - Roshan singing a duet 

 

It is a pity that today we don’t have great script writers and directors for this reason this Tiatro art is gone into the hands of tin - pot writers and directors whose only motto is to gain commercial benefit.  For this reason without proper home work and research many of the present day directors come out with new – new Tiatros in new – new seasons. And by the way, how many among the present directors are real script writers?

Roshan & Clara sing on Antonette de Calangute

The Tiatro “Nouro” lacked serenity normally associated with the traditional Tiatro, it was more of chaotic where unnecessary screaming played a major role because of which it sounded disturbing to the ears and hence tasteless. The Band consisting of 6 instruments also played very loud music thereby preventing some in the audience to lose the track of the words rendered by the singers. The musical feeling played during the play was disturbing. The comedy part was handled by comedian Brian and his partner. It was nice to see him back on the Stage after his accident. May God help him to recover completely without any defect.

The Side Show songs failed to elevate the level of this Tiatro though one song on the late Antonette de Calangute rendered by Roshan and veteran Clara was superb and it is worth listening. Both the solos rendered by youngster Brandon were good, incidentally he is the son of Peter – Roshan. The political duet rendered by Peter and Roshan on election and Parrikar was beautiful.     

 A.    Veronica Fernandes,

Candolim,

Goa.

Tel: 7507394349.

CONDEMNING ABDUCTION OF SCHOOL GIRLS.

It is really disgusting to see the 200 + school children abducted by the Boro Islamist group in Nigeria are still not released even after 3 weeks. The Pope at Vatican has already indicated his concern, so also some Western leaders including President Obama and just 2 days back Mrs. Obama expressed her motherly sentiments and while condemning this incident pleaded for the release of these innocent students.

Islam is a great religion of justice and compassion but those Islamists who abducted the students in Nigeria are doing a great disservice to the Islamic doctrine of justice and compassion by doing injustice to these students and not showing compassion at this hour to them.

By abducting these students the Boro Islamist group is creating a very bad image of Islam thereby giving an opportunity to the enemies of Islam to create a distorted image of it.  If today the enemies of Islam are harping against Islam, it is only because of the Boro type of Islamists who are creating a bad image of this great religion.  The real enemies of Islam are not Jews as Muslims believe but  these Boro type of Islamists who instead of brightening the image of Islam are blackening it by taking young students as hostage. Islam does not say to commit such horrible acts in its name.  Such acts are forbidden in Islam and on top of it this Boro group is functioning in the name of Islam. Shame on them for putting the genuine Muslims into a shame.

Abducting the students is one sin but on top of it threatening to sell them to the terrorists is the worst sin. Are these students commodities to sell them in the market of terrorists? Are these abductors heartless people? Don’t they have children for them?   Why they don’t show compassion as indicated in Islam and release these students? Even Prophet Mohammed showed compassion to the captured Jewish soldiers and commanded to release them without doing any bodily harm to them.

It is surprising to note that there is not much campaign in the Islamic world for the release of these students. It looks the top Muslim leaders are silently watching this incident instead of condemning it and demanding immediate release of these young girls. Where Muslim world remained silent, Christian world under its Christian leaders made awakening by taking concrete steps to fight for justice for these young students. After all Justice is the central idea of Islam and ironically Christians are fighting for this Justice even though the central idea of Christianity is Love.

 

A.    Veronica Fernandes,
Candolim,
Goa.
Tel:7507394349.

 

SALA BANCHOT CULTURE.

After my interaction with different communities and nationalities, my conclusion is that we Goan community is the best culturally, traditionally and historically though due to the swallowing of Goa by Bharat in December 1961 Goa is changed a lot.  This change came because of the influx of non-Goans from Bharat into our Goa with their harsh and dirty cultural, traditional and historical habits.  This foreign culture is called “SALA BANCHOT” culture implanted on Goa on the very first day when uninvited Bharati troops without consulting us ousted Portuguese from Goa.  The first Bharatis who entered Goa came by uttering all the vulgar and rough words and harsh statements, main being “Sala Banchot”. When those Bharatis uttered this statement it created a chilling effect and negative energy all around Goa.

The early Bharati teachers in the post December 1961 period who came to Goa as teachers in English schools from other parts of Bharat brought this Sala Banchot culture in Goa and passed it on to Goan students.  When Fr. Mendonca the then principal of Arpora School noticed this from one Malyali Hindi teacher in 1963, he terminated his service and said Arpora school should not recruit any such teachers because they are spoiling our Goan students who are culturally very rich. Moreover, said Fr. Mendonca the accent of Malyalis being unEnglish our Goan students get confused to follow their teaching. If you carefully observe the discipline and character of the Goans born and brought up after 1961 December, you will see them having lot of vulgar and harsh Bharati habits which are foreign to Goa.

A few days back a small Goan boy who was a student of primary school while discussing something with his colleague when they were going to school, without any shame loudly uttered a  statement saying “You Sala Banchot”. This Goan boy is studying in the same school where “Ghantti” students outnumber Goans because in that locality there reside many Ghanttis and they enrolled their children in the Church run school in that locality.  These Ghantti students by virtue of being Ghanttis are known for their bad habits and rough terminology which our Goan students also learn and acquire from them to use as routine thereby prostituting decent Goan culture.

It is a pity that our children are become victims of the bad habits of Ghanttis.  Culturally compared to Goans, Ghanttis are very backward but unfortunately by acquiring their bad habits our Goan children also become bad and for this reason the Goan generation developed after the exit of Portuguese from Goa are totally different in character from those Goans developed earlier. 

Even many of the priests born and brought up after December 1961 are harsh and corrupt compared to those of earlier period.  Because they are so, they misuse their priestly facilities by indulging themselves in corruption and many times vomiting Serpentine venom from the Altar as if the holy Altar is the kingdom of Satan. They are Satanic priests.

Many of the Goan parents of school going children where Ghantti students are also studying,  are in a rude shock to see their children  acquiring all the bad habits of Ghantti children and a few of the parent  are even thinking to remove their children from the present schools and enroll them elsewhere.  But where else they will find Ghantti – free schools  in Goa?  Almost all the schools in the villages are filled with Ghantti children and their money power is greater than that of Goans. Not only Goan schools are filled with Ghantti students but also Goa is filled with Ghanttis.  Not only this, even the air Goans inhale in Goa is filled with Ghantti smell.  Goa is Ghantti-ised with a SALA BANCHOT CULTURE.

A.     Veronica Fernandes,

                                    Candolim,
                                        Goa.         

WILL OUR CHURCH HELP THE NEEDY FAITHFUL?

According to the observation, once a year Catholic clergy receives bounty in the form of money.  This is the Cash money clergy receive from the huge amount of Church collection done from Maundy Thursday till Easter Sunday. One of the “Sankistao” recently told me that he found the job of counting this money very tiresome because the amount was in lakhs. He was also frank in confessing that he keeps for himself at least 10 thousand rupees every year which he claims as his illegal annual bonus, of course clandestinely but with the silent nod of his equally guilty Pe. Vigar.  

In Kuwait a few of those who count this money are become rich in a similar manner as our Sankistao because such amount collected in Kuwait is too big. All those faithful who contribute their mite and tithes to the Church in the name of God must also know that their hard earned money many times goes into the pockets of Devils and sometime their contribution in such a manner create robbers out of holy  men because money tempts even the disciple of Christ. 

There are some Churches during this season look like minting money and finally where this money goes nobody knows because there is neither accountability nor transparency. This huge collection done in certain Churches indicates the financial affluence of the faithful from those villages and also the generosity of the faithful to contribute their mite. However, if the faithful think that the notes and coins they put in the Collection Box in their Churches go to the good use then they are sadly mistaken because the Church authorities are silent on this.  They neither clearly indicate where this money goes nor disclose after what this money is spent.  In view of this the doubting Thomasses strongly feel that the utility of this money collection is done for wrong purposes and this opinion of the Thomasses will never change until the Church authorities come out with clear answer.

There is a saying in Konkani “Piddeacho uzo ani Padrichi zodd kollona kaim”.

 According to one observation the luxurious purchases of some of the Pe. Vigars including new cars are done immediately following the Easter Sunday or at least planning for such luxuries are done after Easter based on the cash collection.  Also the money spent on conspicuous consumption by some Pe. Vigars starts after the Easter.  Even their foreign tours are decided after Easter.  Not only this, the expenditure done by their concubines after the Easter clearly point finger to this money.

The collection done during the last holy week till Easter Sunday was in lakhs of rupees in some coastal villages.  If this money either fully or partly used for Damao mission the faithful would have escaped from collecting extra money for Damao mission in which case the faithful would remain without taxing their purses further and as such they could utilize this money for their other necessities.  Our Church has got one very bad habit of taxing the faithful in the name of God and religion.  

Our Church and our Pe. Vigars in our localities could use their religious stature by collecting donations and thru separate collection in the Churches to raise funds to be utilized for the  good of the poor faithful when they fall in dire need of money for major operations such as Heart Surgery, Kidney Surgery, Kidney transplantation, Brain Tumor surgery and other such major surgeries where heavy sum of money is required. Also, Church can easily organize Tiatro shows to raise this fund. 

Will our Goa Church and our Pe. Vigars take initiative to come forward for this welfare and humanitarian activity for the cause of downtrodden faithful in a true Christian way?   

During my long years of stay in Kuwait I have helped many visiting priests to raise funds for their activities in Goa but never ever even once they came to me with a humanitarian proposal as indicated above.  They came with the proposals of collecting funds for the Church ventures only to enrich the Church coffers and their personal pockets.  Never ever they touched the humanitarian issues. One of them even tried to prevent me from collecting fund for Konkani Martyrs when we from Kuwait embarked on this mission, saying instead we should collect fund for his Church school in his village. Inspite of doing so much for them, some of them now in Goa don’t even hello me pretending to be strangers. Is ingratitude your hallmark oh Goan priests?  Believers and other such denominations are also taking care of the material needs of their followers for this reason more and more Catholics are leaving Catholicism and joining them. If Catholic Church and its priests do not change their attitude towards grabbing more and more wealth for them then very shortly Catholicism will thin down from our soil.  The mushrooming of non-Catholic denominations and other sects in Goa is the strong challenge to the arrogance and money greed of the Catholic Church.

 

 

 A.     Veronica Fernandes,

Candolim, Goa.

7507394349.

TIATRISTS REMEMBERED IN APRIL 2014.

 As announced,  the scheduled  monthly meeting  of Tiatr Academy of Goa was held in Panaji on 28.04.14 at 4.30 PM at the Conference Hall, Tiatr Academy of Goa, 2^nd Floor,  Campal Trade Centre, Campal – Panaji, Goa,  to remember the late Tiatro artistes and their contribution in the field of Tiatro who were born in April, namely Jacinto Vaz, A.S. Conception, Nelson Afonso, Thomas Coogan, Champion Alvares, William de Curtorim, Fidelis Fernandes, Souza Boy and Luciano.

 

In the absence of Prince Jacob the president of Tiatr Academy of Goa who was busy with his Tiatro, the meeting was chaired by the Vice President Jose Rose who along with his colleague in the Academy spoke on the said late Tiatrists indicating their contribution in the field Tiatro.

  

 

First & Second From Left: Son & Daughter of Champion Alvares.

 

 

Those who initiated this Academy deserved highest compliments because thru these monthly meetings the memories of the dead Tiatrists are kept alive and thus their contribution to the Konkani Stage is kept immortal. 

 

TAG according to my information is a government funded organization and those who speak on the subject are paid by the TAG and also travelling allowance is paid to the concerned persons participating in these meetings.

 

Since I returned to Goa 4 months back I had the opportunity to attend two such meetings and I found they were very interesting being very informative.  But my regret was that these meetings were thinly attended as seen in the picture, may be because of lack of adequate publicity.  Those who should attend these meetings in bigger number are keeping themselves absent either with  good reason or with laziness. In future the organizers of these meetings must make extra efforts to get more people so that the message is spread far and wide. And if any publicity is required thru this forum, it will be done voluntarily, of course free of charge.

 

Since Champion Alvares was one of the artistes remembered, his son and daughter were given an opportunity to render songs of their late father, of course to the delight of the audience dotted with relatives of the  artistes. Jacinto Vaz’s  son also rendered one verse and one chorus of his late father’s song “GOENCHO RADIO” which was very funny and witty making mockery of All India Radio, Goa. Because of this song which was so popular in Goa during those days, All India Radio, Goa slapped a ban on airing Jacinto Vaz’s songs. Luciano Dias’ wife was presented with a memento.

 

 

 

Rear row, 5th from left Mrs. Luciano Dias.

 

 

William de Curtorim and Luciano Dias were close to me since both of them stayed with me in Kuwait at my residence and because of this  I learnt more of them not only as Tiatrists but also as human beings beyond the Stage forum. Champion Alvares was my very good friend during my College days and I found him very informative on Konkani Stage and on Stage artistes of yesteryears. His one Mando “ISTIMOSAUM ROZACHEM” and one Dulpod “CHANFEA –CHANFEA TUJIM OUDUIM PANAM” indicate genius in him.  Conception was the best artiste whom I saw first time in my life in 1958 singing a solo called “DOL TOMOR” calling upon the locals for a meeting.  It was a comedy solo. During Portuguese time as per my knowledge he was banned from entering any Indian territory because of which he could not go to Bombay to participate in DOIA Tiatro. He came into greater limelight when he played excellent roles in Airestedes Dias’ Tiatro “DOIA” and “SOTH BAVARTACHEM” a few years before Goa was grabbed by Nehru’s Bahrat.

 

 

 

Son of Jacinto Vaz.

 

Nelson Afonso was a solid pillar of Young Stars of Goa which was formed in 1962 and where he was the part of the political trio Con-Nel-Ant.  Thru their Trio songs they terrified Bandodcar’s government and as a matter of interest, Bandodcar was not afraid of all the 12 gigantic UG MLA’s in the Goa Legislative Assembly but was afraid only of this Trio. During Portuguese time Nelson was a member of Stars of Goa Stage where he was singing duets with Anthony D’Souza and since he had female facial resemblance he opted to play the role of a female. Being innovative artiste he first time in Tiatro history introduced “Moving Stage” and later on “Sliding Stage”.  That was the history he made. He wrote many Tiatros but the best among all were NATIONALIST, SALAZAR, ALMAS DO OUTRO MUNDO, GHORABO and DOLOROSA.      

  

                                                            Poor attendance seen above.

A.    Veronica Fernandes,

Candolim, Goa.

Tel: 7507394349.