SHYlite - the smartest band in sound and looks

-by Goan Cultural Centre <goanculturalcentrekuwait@gmail.com>

There is nothing standard about SHYlite. How could there be a band named SHYlite when none of them seem shy at all, that includes Sharmilla the Band Leader/Vocalist who sang all her life - her Mum said she sang before she could even talk. Music was part of her and her talents showed at a tender age of her schooling career. She works with various artists, Keyboardists, programmers one such being Stephen, who set the pulse of SHYlite music to great heights, and Steve Daniels, vocalist, who made every show fun with their versatile ways. After finally making good on their promises to each other, SHYlite was formed in Mumbai by the aforementioned Sharmilla even known as Shy a versatile vocalist during the long summer of 2000, taking their cue from such influences as the Beatles, Bryan Adams, Abba, Stevie Wonder, Shakira, Lataji, Raffiji they convened in a number of basements, rehearsal spaces, bars, and legion halls to throw around musical ideas, expound conspiracy theories and share the odd drink. The band began to develop a sound that was distinctly at odds with the alt indo western (English and Hindi Pop) music that dominated the local music scene. Gigs were booked, shows were played, contracts with leading hotels were signed, some members left along the way, jingles recorded, music for documentary films, play back music, etc.

In November of 2003, despite positive reviews and a loyal following, SHYlite concluded that the time had come to leave Taj Lands End where they had being performing for about a year and decided to free-lance. Goodbyes were made and a rhythm section was left behind. Fortunately, just after their arrival into the open world they did a show in London which was a great success.

The produce of SHYlite continued to home its Steves timbre of voice, while they produced the most amazing program's enhanced sonic adventurousness. A showcase in the past year at the Intercontinental Hotel Marine Drive has brought them to the attention of being the smartest band in sound and looks and had a great following. In October 2006, Sharmilla performed in 2 major international cities, touching the souls of South Africa 's Sun City & Singapore, which has given her International Fame. In early 2007 she was off to Canada on her tour, and has been also invited to perform in Kuwait at the "SUMMER QUEEN 2007" to be held at Ramada Hotel on 3rd May 2007. Goa 's topmost band "FOREFRONT" will also be flown in for the event and the popular Goan fadista Sonia Shirsat will host the show.

Watch out for more details - contact goanculturalcentrekuwait@gmail.com

Iran - Great Britain conflict.

IRAN - GREAT BRITAIN CONFLICT.


With deep disgust as a citizen of the world and also as a member of the civilised society, I am expressing my concern in my individual capacity over the crisis going on now between Iran and Great Britain on the arrest of 15 British Marines by the Iranians. Iran justifies its stand saying the sailors have encroached upon their waters while British deny it. Who will arbitrate and give the judgment rightly? Some say Iranians have forcibly arrested the British sailors while others say they were kidnapped by the harsh regime of Iran. What is sickening and deplorable was the attitude of Irani Government of parading these sailors on the TV. It is not palatable to see them on TV in this manner and making so far three of them, one female and the other males, to express their regret over crossing into Irani waters.

Worst still was the statement of the female Marine where she expresses her regret over British Troops in Iraq where she said “Isn’t it time for us to start withdrawing our forces from Iraq and let them determine their own future?”. This statement is irrelevant in this context and I am sure this statement was not expressed from her own freewill but it was forced on her by the rude Irani authorities exactly the way Saddam’s regime did for two of the Western Pilots caught by the Iraqis during the Gulf War for the liberation of Kuwait from where I am earning my sustenance.

This type of TV footage is against all the civilized norms and I am sure it must be also against United Nations Charter which I suppose Iran must also be a signatory. Then the same captive British lady expresses in her statement that “the Iranian people are kind, considerate, warm, compassionate and very hospitable”. This is yet another lie Irani regime forced into her throat and poor young lady had no choice but to meekly surrender to whatever imposed on her by the Irani regime. Let me ask now: who are the compassionate Irani people? Those who forcibly take innocent British and Americans as hostages and shamelessly parade them on the TV? Who are the kind and considerate Irani people? Those who demand execution of the kidnapped 15 British Marines and convert prayer meetings into political assembly? Further she said “they have brought me no harm, but have looked after me well, I have been fed, clothed and well cared for”. If Irani regime and authorities are really believers and practioners of their professed religion then they should treat the hostages well without doing any harm. I don’t think their religion permit them to act so dastardly so as to treat them badly.

The male Marines who were also paraded on TV apologizing over the crossing into Irani waters is another lie. The kidnapped Marines have no business to apologize and issue statements unless they are forced with physical threats to do so by their captors. These statements of captives and hostages are irrelevant, they please only the Iranis.

It is time now for the entire world, as Tony Blair said to isolate Iran from the comity of nations otherwise Iran will create more problems for the civilized world. This row of capturing 15 Marines by the Iranis does not deserve such a monumental furore. It could have been solved and settled nicely without aggravating the situation but Iranian regime loves to express their anger on the West. West must stop any commercial dealing with Iran and if possible stop buying oil from Iran.

From this episode I and even a fool can rightly say that once Iran acquires nuclear weapon, it will create havoc to the world peace, it will terrorise its neighbours and extort maximum pound of flesh from the weaker nations especially its neighbours.

Meantime I deplore the sly attitude of Russia under Putin for forcing to tone down the resolution in the Security Council drafted to condemn hostage taking of 15 Marines by Iran. It is once again Putin’s Russia proved to be a bottleneck for bringing in order into the smooth functioning of world affairs by forcefully reprimanding Iran. Even earlier in nuclear episode Russia again proved to be a hurdle for the world body to silence Iran from going ahead nuclear when Russia knows very well the real intention of Iran. Russia has got one dirty habbit of siding with wrong doers. Putin has reverted Russia back to Soviet era when everything initiated by the USA and West was simply vetoed even if it is good for the world peace.

How can one trust a nation that refuses the reality of Holocaust? How can one rely on the nation that took diplomats as hostages instead of giving them all the protection as per the protocol? In view of this even the current stand-off over the arrest of 15 British Marines will not solve easily because Iran does not believe in decent and civilized manners in dealing with other nations. It is not only the Government of Iran that practices militancy but even the ordinary Iranis act militant. It is this type of theocratic nations that soils the good image of their religions. I am sure organizations like NAM and OIC besides UN should impress upon Iran to get rid of this problem nicely".

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.

38 Years of Priesthood.

Mabrook Bishop Belino of Kuwait.

Today 31st March 2007 I attended the 9.00 A.M. Mass at the Holy Family Cathedral in Kuwait City. The Bishop himself said the Mass but before that Fr. Melwyn the Parish priest announced that today is the 38th anniversary of the priesthood of Bishop Belino who is one year old in Kuwait.

On behalf of myself, my friends, my colleagues and all my Goan brothers and sisters who suscribe my views I wish our Bishop all the best and fruitful years to come to serve the Catholic community in Kuwait.

May God Bless You Bishop.

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.