RESPONSIBILITIES OF CONGRESS COMMITTEES IN THE GULF.

According to the news appearing from here and there, NRI’s may get the voting rights starting from the next general election.  Possibly having its eyes on the next election in 2017, Congress Party from Goa has gone into campaign trail  for the next Goa Legislative Assembly by appointing a committee of Gulf based Goans to represent Congress Party in the Gulf.  Additionally one Kuwait based Goan committee is also formed.

Now the question is: On what basis these committee members were appointed?  Were they appointed with the consent of the people residing there or they were appointed as per the whims and fancies of the Congress leadership in Goa?  To represent Goans in the Gulf, what was their contribution for the cause of Goans there?  The Goans in the Gulf must first ascertain the real credentials of these men to represent them.  Congress has one dirty habit of hoisting its Chamchas on the people without consulting the people properly. As it is according to my information some committee members from Kuwait are appointed without their consent, one of them is already a BJP member.

Congress in India as a whole is gone into hibernation and to bring it back to its earlier level there is no Indira Gandhi’s charisma now.  Sonia Gandhi is not Indira Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi with her immature son Rahul is not capable to revive the hopes of Congress victory in the next election. With Rahul Gandhi at the helm of affairs of Congress Party, Congress will never regain its earlier glory.

In Goa the Congress Party is a devided house and no Congress stalwart in Goa is a true Congressman, they are prostituted Congressmen.  The chief of Congress in Goa Luizinho Faleiro himself was a defector earlier donning the colours of Goa Congress while the Opposition Leader Rane was a MGP product just like Khalap and Ravi Naik and Tomazinho Cardoso, Babush Monsurate and Digambar Kamat are equally guilty of wearing the robes of non-Congress parties.  In view of this they are not sincere to the Congress Party, instead they are sincere only to their personal interests and to fulfill these interests they will jump into any other party that satisfies their wants of political power.  That such a mighty Congress Party is acting like a Cockroach in front of Babush Monsurate while Mauwin Godinho is  making a fool of Congress Party is a matter of shame.

If  the newly Congress committee members in the Gulf and others also are really interested to see the revival of Congress Party in Goa then they must demand from Congress Party in Goa to keep the Old Guards and defeated candidates out of election fray because it is these persons who because of their corrupt practices destroyed Congress chances in the last election.  The genuine Congress supporters are refusing to vote for them anymore and as such their chances for re-election is Zero though they may say anything. Last election BJP won in Goa with less money power but with more personal credibility of their candidates supported by the negative feelings against Congress candidates, example Calangute Constituency.

Since Luizin Faleiro took over the Congress reign from John Fernades things are not moving in right direction though in the beginning it looked he would create wonders but these wonders are yet to materialized.  Unless Faleiro keeps out all the defeated and corrupt candidates and also the Old guards, Congress will never come up. Hence, it is the responsibility of all the Congress supporters to insist upon Congress Party to act sensible by listening to the voice of its supporters.  Congress Party is not the monopoly of High and Low Commands only, even the ordinary Congress supporters deserve hearing otherwise Luizin Faleiro will make a fool of himself.  

Meantime, I am requesting anyone to provide me the email addresses of Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Chief of Goa Desk in Delhi.

 A.    Veronica Fernandes,

Candolim, Goa.
Tel: 7507394349

MANDDO, MANDDO FESTIVAL AND ME - ll.

 

“Congottchim Lahram”  an elite prize winning group of Manddo from Calangute under the leadership of one elite Mandoist Mr. Fausto Andrade, a landlord from Khobravaddo Calangute was a regular participating Manddo group in the Manddo Festivals.  Most of the participants in this group were from outside of Calangute village including few girls from Candolim but except my wife Fatima, Souza Giao and few others who were from Calangute.  On one fine evening while we were in a group discussing topics of village importance, I asked the elder respectable man from Candolim, Dr. Gustavo Monteiro,”how about forming our Manddo group from Candolim”? He said “who will compose and who will lead?  We don’t have  acknowledged Mandoist in our village”. Then I uttered the name of Tomazinho Cardoso for which he replied saying “he is just a Tiatrist”.  But ultimately, he turned out to be much better than many of the recognized Mandoists.

 

Then I spoke to Tomazinho Cardoso who when showed his little ignorance of Manddos and Manddo Festival, I encouraged him to take up the challenge of composing Manddos, however, before this I advised him to first go to see that year’s Manddo Festival and learn from that Manddo Festival  certain finer points.  Besides I have also paved the way for him to join the Congottchim Lahram group where my wife was participating and get some knowledge  of Mandos from Fausto Andrade the leader of that group.  I had full confidence  in him that he will do the justice to his new job and ultimately he did not only win just prizes in his first attempt but won first prizes  in original segment as well as in other segments. It was a defeat for those who were under the impression that Manddo culture is an inborn ingredient only of elite class of Goans. 

  

Both photos in Kuwait. 1st Photo of children Manddo.  Many of them are already married now and become mothers. 2nd Photo of Adults  winning second prize. 

 

Then I came to Kuwait in March 1975 and embarked on promoting Goan culture thru holding Mandos enactments and Mando Festivals on behalf of Kuwait Konknni Kendr which was established by me with the support of my friends.  We had the unique distinction to organize Manddos and Manddo Festivals  first time in Kuwait and that  too in the Five Star Hotels.  Thus Manddo culture was first time introduced in Kuwait and it was warmly embraced by the Goans, Mangaloreans and other Konkani people residing in Kuwait.  Besides, we under KKK started sponsoring and financing Manddo Festivals in Goa.

First Prize winning Manddo group in Kuwait.

 

The first Manddo Festival we organized in Kuwait was on 26^th May 1989 at the prestigious Five Star Hotel, Hotel Meridien with the attendance of elite attendees.  It was not an easy task to organize such a gigantic function in Kuwait but ultimately we succeeded in organsing it with the participation of 7 groups one of them was of Children

 

                    Cover Page of the Souvenir released for Manddo Festival organized in Kuwait.


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

MANDDO, MANDDO FESTIVAL AND ME.- I.

It was somewhere in 1956/57 when I was a small boy,  I saw first time in my life the Manddo sung and danced at the palatial  residence of a Pinto family popularly known as Serva Bhattkar,  situated next to the Candolim Tinto.  History tells one of the persons involved in Pinto’s Revolt against the Portuguese rule was the son of this house. The occasion was the celebration of the Wedding of one of the young family members of Pinto family.  I was at that very young age deeply impressed  by the way they sang the Manddos and Dulpods and simultaneously danced with perfect geometrical type of steps and also with rhythmic timing backed by the rich costumes of males and females, the latter wearing  maxi dress and matching Hats.  From their looks, presentation and accent of the language one could easily notice that they belonged to the upper segment of Goan society – feudality.  Incidentally, one the musicians  playing Violin for this item was my maternal uncle Dioginho Vaz a proletarian who was very close relative of the great Mandoist the late  Cruz Noronha.  Both of them had vast experience of Manddo who on some occasions shared this knowledge with me later on.

The word “Manddo” was derived from the Konkani word “Mandd”  which means a group of persons. Manddo song is always associated with a “Dulpod” which actually is the “Dor-re-pod” in Konkani but  it was ignorantly converted into the “Dulpod” from the Dor-re-pod which is on  fast  pace while Manddo is on slow pace.

The first Manddo Festival in Goa was held immediately after the invasion of Goa by Bharat under the Nehru’s Congress government against the wishes of Goans.  For this reason Congress was kicked out by Goans in the first general election and similarly Congress will be kicked out in 2017 election if old guards and defeatead candidates are not denied election tickets.

During the early stages of Mando festivals held in Panjim, Dr. Willie and Bernardo Fernandes (father of Remo Fernandes) played a pivotal role in the promotion of Manddos in Goa.  I started going to watch this festival from 1970 when I was a College student and when the ticket charges were Rupees Seven, rather a big amount at that time and from my village if I am not mistaken, I was the only person from the proletarian segment to attend this grand festival which otherwise was the firm monopoly of higher echelon of Goan society. During those days for most of the attendees of this festival means a sort of honour while for many it was a display of their social status since Manddo was considered as the monopoly of the elite Goan community and for persons like me it was just to quench our thirst of watching something richness of our folklore.  

The attendees during those days used to wear rich dress like men either Suit or at least a Neck Tie.  Early Manddos were composed by high caste Brahmins Bhattkars as well as by the non-Brahmins Bhttkars which can be easily noticed by the terminology used in such Manddos and Dulpods against Brahmin Bhattkars.  One closer example to justify this statement is of my Uncle Mr. Vaz who was an expert in Manddos and Cruz Noronha but they were proletarian Munddkars.

TO BE CONCLUDED.

 

A.Veronica Fernandes,

Candolim, Goa.

Tel: 7507394349.

TIATRO "GRANDPA" BY COMEDIAN SALLY.

 

TIATRO "GRANDPA"

 

 

Charminng Antonette de Maina

 

 

On 26^th of this month in Panjim at Kala Academy A/C Hall, at 10.30 in the morning, I saw the Tiatro “GRANDPA” written and directed by Comedian Sally.  Though it was a nice Tiatro, story wise as well as comedy yet it was very sad to see only a small number of attendees attending it. 

 

Com. Joana in the centre and Com. Agostiho to her left

 

The main story was good related to the revenge and envy in the family in which three well-known directors namely Mario Menezes, Pascoal Rodrigues and Comedian Agostinho played major roles in addition to the important role played by the director of this Tiatro, Comedian Sally.

 

Marcus Vaz singing his solo 

 

Tari as usual was the centre of attraction in his role as the abroad based son who was ably assisted in his role by pretty looking Antonette de Maina as his wife.  The role played by a small boy as their son was fantastic.  Very accurately and admirably seasoned artiste Pascoal Rodriges played the role of Grandpa.  He was very nicely depicted as a prisoner in the Prison Cell. Again, as usual Roma did justice to her role by very appropriately playing the role of a Nun.

 

 

 Mario Menezes and Sally

In the comedy part, Comedian Agostinho put his input well by being witty and sarcastic and he was ably supported by other comedians well especially by comedian Joana.

 

 Rosario de Benaulim sings his solo

 

In the Side Show part, Marcus Vaz’s solo in his recent trip to USA along with Samy Tavares troupe was very interesting.  Saby de Divar’s solo was applauded the most where he tears the government into pieces. He also rendered a trio along with his partners on FC Goa football team. Mario Menezes’ trio with his partners was very informative, so also the solos of Rosario de Benaulim and Pascoal Rodrigues.

 

Saby de Divar singing his political solo 

 

Congratulations to the director and his entire troupe for staging a nice Tiatro.

 

 Antonette-Tari-Young boy-Pascoal Rodrigues

 

 

                                             Seen are Antonette - Roma - Mario Menezes


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

CHRIS PERRY & LORNA CORDEIRO..

One of the main reasons for the popularity of the ongoing Konkani movie “Nachum-ia Kumpasar” is the songs rendered with her golden voice by the golden girl Lorna Cordeiro and all but one or two of these songs were composed by the golden mind of the golden composer Chris Perry with the golden musical score provided by his own genius only.  I heard Lorna’s first time recorded Konkani Album and also I saw her live singing on the Stage when she first time appeared on Konkani Stage at Mapusa in the Tiatro “Nouro Mozo Devchar” written and directed by her guide and mentor Chris Perry. During that time it was like a wave of Lorna when her voice appeared in Konkani Album.

Would Chris Perry attain such a name and fame without Lorna? And would Lorna attain such a majestic popularity without Chris Perry?  My both the answers are: I doubt. 

Chris Perry was an excellent musician, an excellent Trumpeter and an excellent Solfist but by core he was an excellent Tiatrist.  Only after finding of Lorna his Tiatro self came to the fore aggressively and came it to the fore not with crawling but with sprinting surprising everyone and silencing all other Tiatrists of that time. That he was such a magnificent composer of songs with appropriate tunes and with appropriate musical score was proved without any doubt by listening to all his songs rendered thru the angelic voice of one and only one Lorna. I don’t think these songs would create such a mighty effect if they were rendered by some other singer.

In this musical activity their chemistry worked very well and because of their perfect fusion there was revolution not only on Konkani Stage but also on Konkani movement as a whole.  Lorna’s voice even captured the minds, hearts and tongues of MG lobby and Marathi supporters in Goa thereby giving precedence for Konkani over Marathi which was very imperative during that time when the language issue was playing into the minds of Goans.

By signing a long term contract with her and later on denying her freedom to move her on her own way by citing her contractual obligation, did Chris Perry do good for Konkani musical art and serve the Konkani cause?  To promote Konkani cause especially at that critical juncture when we were fighting for Konkani recognition to get separate Statehood for Goa, Lorna’s presence on musical platform was very imperative to sway the tide in our favour. She thru her songs had the capacity to attract Marathivadis towards Konkani. But Chris Perry failed to recognize this important fact and remained adamant by sticking to the contract.  Heaven would not fall if he had to bend  down his rigid principle.

By being lenient he could have allowed Lorna to move on her own way separately at least for the sake of Konkani. But no, on the contrary he remained rigid to his contract only as if Konkani cause was secondary and Konkani cause was not his priority.  It looked Konkani cause did not exist for him because even by working in Dubai his financial contribution for Konkani movement was nothing, at least to my knowledge while UAE Goans have contributed so fabulously.  His participation in Konkani movement in Goa was as observed Zero, he did not receive any Lathi beatings from Rane’s Ghantti Police at Panjim Azad Maidan for demonstrating in support of Konkani, his participation in the Rallies in Panjim in support of Konkani was Nil.  He never participated in Hunger Strike at Azad Maidan for Konkani cause either.  If he was a part of Konkani movement he would surely tone down his rigidity towards Lorna’s contractual obligation and allow her own freedom in which case Lorna would enrich Konkani movement further by aligning with another Chris. In this way she would attain success but without her I doubt Chris would.

By being closer to each other for a short period Chris-Lorna duo attained so much and if it was not for their split, we would get so much more.  But unfortunately we were not destined to get more contribution of Chris Perry and Lorna Cordeiro. That is our tragedy.

 A.    Veronica Fernandes,

Candolim, Goa.
Tel: 7507394349.

NEW KONKANI FILM "NACHOM-IA KUMPASAR".

On 22^nd of this month I had the opportunity to see the much appreciated Konkani Movie “NACHOM-IA KUMPASAR” at ESG Theatre – Maquinez Palace, Panjim. The attendance was full and the ticket price was Rs. 200/-

It is a worth see this movie by spending 2.5 hours and Rs.200/- as it contained a very good entertainment of  original recorded songs of Lorna and a very sorrowful tale of a young innocent school going girl named Dona played by Paloni Gosh.  She played very appropriately and excellently the role of a Crooner.  Being a non-Goan, her Konkani language and Konkani accent were perfectly Goan. In her pretty looks she resembled  a Goan as well but with her elegant party dress code as a Crooner she displayed all the ingredients of any posh looking Bollywood actress.  Her looks, presentation and excellence brought an extra colour to this film.  Her depiction of every action looked very genuine and the romantic part she innocently played with her new found man is worth admiring for its sheer genuineness. Kudos to the excellent direction.

While the role of her boyfriend named Lawry played by another non-Goan Vijay Maurya as a Music director was appropriate. 

The main story is explained and expressed more in the form of an Operetta thru all but one or two songs earlier rendered by Lorna thru her Konkani Albums starting from early seventies. Listening to these songs it looks the entire Movie is dominated by Lorna’s voice only but once only Lorna’s resemblance is depicted when Meena Leitao appeared on the screen.

When I watched this Film I saw it in its originality only without referring to any unnamed characters of course contrary to the noise that is made saying this story refers to so and so persons.

The three prominent comedians of Konkani Stage, namely John D’Silva, Prince Jacob and Neto gave an extra booster for this movie.

The director of this film Bardroy Barreto deserves highest compliments for producing such a nice movie.

 

A.    Veronica Fernandes,

Candolim, Goa.

Tel: 7507394349.

 

ROBBING AND PLAGIARISING OF TIATRO SCRIPTS & SONGS.

During these days lot of stories are circulated around saying Mr. So and so staged a Tiatro written by somebody else whose name the director has intentionally kept hidden and undisclosed.  Somebody else said another Mr. so and so robbed the script while yet one more Mr. so and so plagiarized somebody’s song.

Plagiarizing and robbing of script of Tiatros and songs is not something new.  As per the elders the great Tiatrist, the late Alexinho de Candolim borrowed best of Tiatro scripts from one Mr. Emidio from Khobravaddo, Calangute and staged as his own in Goa during those days, about 80 years back,  without mentioning Emidio’s name as script writer.  Emidio during those good old days was known to compose very good songs and script very good Tiatros. At that time Alexinho de Candolim was just in his infancy on the Konkani Stage and seasoned Emidio’s scripts had helped Alexinho de Candolim enormously to get knowledge and a push to promote his natural Stage art.  Once on move, Alexiho de Candolim became a genius in composing beautiful songs of which type, of high moral and of great wisdom nobody can compose now.

The late M. Dod de Verna and the late M.Boyer were close friends in Bombay, both were Tiatrists but Boyer was more popular.  In mid fifties M. Dod de Verna left Bombay and settled down in Goa and while in Goa he started acting in Tiatros where because of some beautiful songs he rendered, he became an instant success on Konkani Stage.  One fine evening at Mapusa when one Tiatro was in progress where M. Boyer was participating, Boyer started telling the audience that “M. Dod de Verna has robbed my songs and now singing the same in Goa”.  Many in the audience refused to believe Boyer’s statement and one of the members of the audience even told Boyer openly that “I will rather believe you robbing M. Dod’s songs but never Dod robbing yours”.

Recently there was a controversy over the Tiatro “Akantvadi Goyant Naka” by Tausif de Navelim.  When it reached to its zenith with regards to its popularity, news started pouring in that it was not Tausif who scripted this Tiatro.  I personally called Tausif to get the proper information on this topic and Tausif clearly told me that he and he alone is the author of this Tiatro and he only scripted this Tiatro.

A short while ago there was a Tiatro “Goy Goenkaranchem”, its first Show was staged at Mapusa where I attended.  After its second Show at Panjim, somebody said it was scripted by Michael Jude Gracias who otherwise is known to script best of Tiatros. For about 10 days there was total silence on this issue but suddenly after a lengthy suspicious silence, Gracias came with the clarification saying that he was not the author of the script of this Tiatro.  

In this same Tiatro,  at Mapusa, Marcus Vaz rendered one old solo of the late M. Dod de Verna who sang it on the Stage somewhere in 1959.  Due credit to M. Dod was not given by Marcos Vaz by disclosing the name of M. Dod.

Prince Jacob and his artistes also rendered in Goa songs composed by the late Kuwait based Rosary Ferns which were earlier rendered in Kuwait but never mentioned the name of the composer.

Immediately after his death, as it was given to understand then, some rogue Tiatrists robbed the scripts of some new and old Tiatros of Minguel Rod and later on staged them as their own creations.  This was openly disclosed in his song, by Jr. Rod, he rendered at Mapusa in his father’s Tiatro “Open To Close” which was staged by Jacinto Vaz and Anthony D’Sa following the death of Minguel Rod.   Anthony D’Sa had especially come down to Goa only because of this Tiatro and rendered 2 powerful solos, one of them was “Atanche Bhurge Sigretti voddat ani Pai-Maechea Tondan Dhunvor ghaltat”.

When Prem Kumar was at his nadir, he inducted in his Tiatro one Young singer from Bardez and gave one song composed by him to that Young singer to sing in his Tiatro.  This Young singer also started singing this same song in another Tiatro. Knowing this, Prem Kumar became wild, went to see that Tiatro and while the Young singer was singing, slowly  entered the Stage and gave a powerful slap on the face of that Young singer. Everyone seeing this scene was stunned.  Then Prem Kumar turned towards the audience and told,  “Hem anvem thapott marlam kiteak hem cantar mojem ani moji porvangi nastana tanem hem cantar dusreachea Tiatran mhontlem mhonn”.

In fact there is nothing wrong if you stage the Tiatro scripted by someone else and also sing a song composed by somebody else but to avoid controversy later on, it is always better to disclose the identity of the writers and thus remain neat and clean. After all, it is said, “give the devil its due”.

I have helped many Tiatrists to compose songs and script Tiatros but never demanded any reciprocal reward, either financial or otherwise, nor expected any gratitude.  On the contrary I thanked them for allowing me an opportunity to impart my knowledge, ideology and philosophy to them to educate the Tiatro fans.  That was my best reward, best gratitude, best remuneration and best victory. If any script writer or song composer wants anything in return for his job he must tell in the beginning itself instead of creating furore and uproar later on.

A.    Veronica Fernandes,

Candolim, Goa.

Tel: 7507394349.

 

PRAYER BEADS MUSEUM AT BIG FOOT, LOUTOLIM

By Special Correspondent.

 

 

The title itself is explanatory; however the Prayer Beads Museum is not a collection of exotic Rosaries or Chaplets, made of gold or silver beads. Nor is it a display of colourful beads ground from rubies, diamonds or jade. Neither is it a pageant of beads, crafted from expensive woods, like Sandal wood, Olive wood or Olive seeds.

 

Many are likely to presume that it is an ensemble of Rosaries with some ancient myth, fantasy, fable or historical narrative attributed to them. We also lay no claims, to establish the original countries, of their inception.

 

“Rosaries” and “Chaplets”, almost every religion uses beads for counting the times, one has recited a certain prayer, mantra or “nam jappa.”  So, praying beads are not the monopoly of any given faith. In themselves they have no claim to sacredness. They are just aids used to count.  Many religions use knots on a chord instead of beads.

 

Roman Catholics are generally accustomed to the Rosary of St. Domnic, O.P, made up of a crucifix followed by an Our Father bead and three Hail Mary beads and another Our Father Bead. These are followed by a circlet of five decades of beads, distinctly separated by a single, Our Father bead.

 

This is perhaps the only catholic Rosary, many of us are aware of. It would be very interesting to learn that there are very many variations to this Rosary.

 

There are Rosaries with mysteries different from the twenty, we are accustomed to. There are Rosaries to the virtues, joys and sufferings of Mary and Joseph.

 

There are numerous Rosaries, actually Chaplets, for invoking the intersession of the plethora of saints.

 

At the Prayer Beads Museum there are about two hundred and ten, variations of the Rosary/Chaplets. These are made up of the usual Five decades, Seven decades, Nine groups of nine, Thirteen groups of thirteen and the usual chaplets of Seven plus one bead.

 

The longest Rosary on display has Eighteen decades called The Mexican wedding Rosary, while the shortest is of just six beads.

 

The beauty of these Rosaries and Chaplets is that each of them has a very unique set of prayers to go with the beads. These prayers are displayed in their original texts, alongside the beads.

 

We also have on display one set of counting beads each, used by the Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Bahais, Muslims, Jews and Jains. We are yet to ascertain and acquire, a Parsi, or Zoroastran, set of praying beads.

 

In a casual conversation with Fr. Nascimento Mascarenhas, of the Holy Spirit Church, Margao, the author was made aware of the fact that there were Rosaries recited and even sung, to saints Anna, Sebastian, Roque and Anthony, around the village, ward/‘vaddo,’  crosses and chapels. This was what triggered off the enthusiasm, to try and re-discover these long forgotten devotions prevalent in every Goan village.

 

These prayers are a treasure trove for catechises. Genuine devotions can be cultivated, through the understanding of these prayers.

 

This not an effort to promote rituals or pious devotions, but to help the faith-seeker find, understand and practice the spirituality enshrined in these theologically and Biblically sound devotions.

 

Learn more about your religious convictions, your faith, your devotions and finally even, your so called ‘religious’ rituals.

 

A collection by Fr. Savio Rodrigues s.j., Mob: 9890708892

 

Prayer Beads Museum Inaugurated at the Big Foot

 

The Prayer Beads Museum was inaugurated by the Arch. Bishop Patriarch of Goa and Daman Filipe Neri Ferrao on 16 January 2015, the FIRST ever Feast Day of Saint Jose Vaz, at the Big Foot in Lotoulim. Speaking at the occasion, the curator of the collection Fr. Savio Rodrigues s. j. said that praying beads are not the monopoly of one single faith; they have no claim to sacredness as they exist merely as counting aids. He further added that the Praying Beads Museum aims to help the faith seeker find, understand and practice spirituality and to learn more about faith, devotion and ‘religious’ rituals. This collection, started in 2012, was begun as a means to document devotions practiced in the different villages of Goa. Today the collection stands at over 250. When asked to address the gathering His Grace spoke about the devotion of St. Joseph Vaz to the Virgin Mother, stating that we should emulate his humility. He then proceeded to bless the museum and opened it for public viewing. Maureen Alvares proposed the vote of thanks; she compared the beads of a mala, rosary to citizens of society - bound by one string, working in unity towards the betterment of the society/ nation. The Prayer Beads Museum is a whole new unique collection forming part of the Big Foot, furthering the aim to conserve and promote Goan culture and traditions for posterity.

 

©

48TH ANNIVERSARY OF OPINION POLL.

Dr. Jack de Sequeira's Statue

 

 

Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President Luizinho Faleiro offered floral tributes to the father of the Opinion Poll, the late Dr. Jack de Sequeira at Calangute and at Ponda on Friday, 16^th of this month.  It was Dr. Sequeira who in his face to face dialogue with Nehru impressed upon Nehru to grant Goa the previllege of Opinion Poll to decide the fate of Goa’s merger with Maharastra. Hence, Dr. Sequeira was rightly called the father of Goa’s Opinion Poll.   According to one source during that time, Nehru agreed for holding the Opinion Poll  with the expectation that mergerists will win  as he wanted and thus close the case of Goa's separate identity.  Indira Gandhi as premier of India after the demise of Nehru and Shastri just implemented the decision taken by her father. 

It is true fact as expressed by Faleiro in his speech  that BJP has the hidden agenda which it will implement and that agenda is to diminish the influence of minorities in India.  With its brute majority BJP will not develop India but it will only develop its communal arrogance thereby minorities will be treated as second class citizens of India.  Because of this hidden agenda of BJP the life security of minorities in India will be put into peril.  Under BJP with its partner RSS the survival of minorities is at risk.  In view of this minorities should be very careful when giving their allegiance to BJP.

Can Congress Party give an alternative solution?  Never with the rogue Congressmen around, never with the old guards as candidates to contest the next election, never ever with the defeated candidates re-contesting the next election. The major damage to Congress party was done by the defeated candidates and as such they should be discarded unless Faleiro wants total R.I.P. of Congress in Goa.  Most of the defeated candidates lost in the last election because of their arrogance, pride, revengeful nature and also because they were looting the public.

In my Calangute constituency if Luizin Faleiro and his Congress Low and High Commands want a victory then the Congress candidate should be upright, should not have past record of  arrogance, revenge, pride, bribe taking, womanizing and must not be known to behave like a Maharaja. We want a candidate who identifies himself with the common men and not the one who move in foreign brand car like a Maharaja.

The Calangute village has unique distinction of honouring Dr. Jack de Sequeira by erecting his full size monument without any support from the government.  In fact this job should have done long time back by the Congress only when Faleiro was ruling in Goa, by erecting this monument in Panjim itself.  But he and his Congress party failed Dr. Sequeira and now to fool the people releasing Crocodile tears.  Where Congress party failed Calangute village succeeded and the major credit for this success should go to Joseph Sequeira – current Panch member and ex Sarpanch of Calangute. 

                                  
                                                  Pedro Coutinho 

It would have been very appropriate if the late Pedro Coutinho had been posthumously honoured during the function at Calangute for being a very powerful activist during those critical days.  Pedro Coutinho played a very important role during those days in Calangute village and constituency as well to motivate the people to vote for TWO LEAVES.  I remember once he organized a big Cycle rally from Calangute to Mapusa and to participate in this rally I even remained absent from my school.  Not only this, on that particular day Bandodcar brought real Lions and sword wielding goondas at Mapusa to silence our voice.  But if it was not for our Pedro Coutinho’s daring support for our rally there would have been blood bath at Mapusa, the victims would be we and our people only. 

In Calangute, there is yet a Pedro Coutinho to be born again. He was the pride and support of the village.  While appreciating Dr.  Jack de Sequeira, I also commend the late Pedro Coutinho for playing a major role in Calangute in support of Goans to gain victory for Goa in the historic Opinion Poll.

 

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

 

 

  

CALANGUTE & CANDOLIM UNDER PDA NOW.

This is in reference to the news item in Herald dated 16.01.15 regarding officially bringing two villages Candolim and Calangute under the North Goa Planning and Development Authority. Though it was desired by many yet it was done not thru Indian democratic method but  thru Salazar’s “Zulumshahi” method as it was happening during the Portuguese regime in Goa. It looks even Salazar would not take this type of undemocratic step when the mandate was unanimous in both the villages against the formation of PDF during the emergency Gram Sabah meetings called in Candolim and Calangute.

With the formation of PDF in my locality the biggest losers will be the local Panchayats where some of the members are alleged to fleece the locals shamelessly while issuing the Licenses  for constructions of any sort from the point of One Room Dwellings to Star Hotels.  The bribe charged for permission was so enormous that the bribe takers are become crorepotis by looting the innocent locals.  They demand bribe as if it is their devine right and many of these rogues are given preferential treatment by the local religeous authorities thereby even lowering the sanctity of the religious places.

Thru the formation of this PDA the brute power of some brute members of the local Panchayats will be drastically curtailed where these brute members are known to act like Saddam Hussein with the locals by being proud, arrogant and revengeful. Revenge for these people is become their forte and most of their victims were innocently weak persons.  These revengeful and corrupt members of the Panchayats forget that they are elected not to take revenge and harass the locals but to serve the locals nicely. They think they are omnipotent to do any damage to the locals with the little power they are wielding which is just a temporary and not permanently. 

Now when PDA starts functioning,  I  feel the same corrupt and brute policies will not be repeated by the PDA personnel otherwise Michael Lobo will jump from Frying Pan to the fire because the next general election is around.  Constituents in the locality have already fired a salvo against Congress and in view of this Michael Lobo who is going to head this PDA must make this PDA a Bribe Free and Revenge Free.  Pride and arrogance should never exist in this PDA personnel and they must serve the locals well.

 A.     Veronica Fernandes,

Candolim, Goa.

Tel: 7507394349.

 

NEW KONKANI MOVIE "HOME SWEET HOME".

HOME  SWEET  HOME.

Yesterday I had an opportunity to watch the Konkani movie “HOME SWEET HOME”. at Inox Panjim.  The hall was packed to capacity and the movie was very well done.  All those patriotic Goans who have love for Goa and Goans must not miss the opportunity to watch this movie, it will surely shake your Goan feelings if those feelings are still dormant.  Since it is based on expatriate Goan’s woes of losing his house to the chicanery of a Non-Goan Bharati builder, it is imperative that this movie to go to the eyes of every expatriate Goan as well especially to those Goans who are having their ancestral houses and properties in Goa but residing outside Goa for a lengthy period.

 

In this movie it is indicated how the Non-Goan Bharatis are looting Goa in connivance with the local rogue authorities.  I am  sure that this movie will create a strong impact on true Goans to protect their Goanness and their Goan assets. It is nice to see that awareness for Goan causes in Goa is gaining momentum though rather late but surely in right direction thru Tiatro and now thru movies.

 

Tiatrist comedian John D’Silva played the main heroic  role which is very laudable supported by his colleague who played the role of a Driver.  In fact the role played by this artiste of a Driver can be rated as the best, his role brings an extra colour to this colouful movie.

 

A.    Veronica Fernandes,

Candolim, Goa.

Tel: 7507394349.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ANCESTRAL GOA - BIG FOOT LOUTOLIM GOA.

 

Ancestral Goa is a place in Goa located at Loutolim, Salcette.  It is an open air  museum spread over 9 acres of land and it is only one of its kind in whole of Goa.  Such museums are existing in many parts of the world.  This place in Loutolim is very good tourists attraction that depicts the culture and tradition of Goa and  also trades Goans followed in ancient Goa.

 

A. Veronica with Alvares

 

On 13^th of this month along with my wife I visited this place for the second time, earlier visit was 20 years back.  During this trip there I found lot of changes and much improvement compared to our first visit.  Even I found the boss of this museum Mr. Maendra Jocelino Araujo Alvares though grown in age yet massively changed towards betterment just as the open air museum.  A very cool and charismatic personality, Alvares is doing his level best to make this Ancestral Goa as interesting as possible with the assistance of his son and daughter and about 50 employees working.

 

Interesting facts are written in above leaflets

 

It is my request to expatriate Goans from Kuwait,  other Gulf countries and also other parts of the world, during their vacation in Goa to visit this beautiful and historically important spot to know Goa of their past and of their ancestors.   

 

Because of its important historical background lot of Indian and foreign tourists are pouring there everyday in the midst of whom very few Goans are spotted. Goans must feel proud to have such a project existing on their soil as I and my wife feel.

 

Next to this open air museum, there is a palatial ancient house of Alvares, 251 years old where antiques and other  very interesting ancient household items are preserved.  The more you watch these items the more you are tempted to spend your time watching these items. The lucid explanation provided by the Guides there makes your visit to this ancient house a very memorable. 

                                                    A. Veronica and his wife Fatima



A.    Veronica Fernandes,
Candolim, Goa.