Power of Sports & Sportspersons.
Well done Australia for calling off its forthcoming ODI cricket series in Zimbabwe against the high handedness and dictatorial regime of Robert Mugabe who was even accused of human rights abuses which are more intolerable. Sports are one of the major weapons that can be used to expose and to punish the misdeeds of any leader and country for acting arrogant against his people or neighbours. The apartheid regime of South Africa would still be surviving if it was not for the stringent sporting weapons applied against the white regime of South Africa. To raise his objection against the arrogant Brasilian regime, the 1982 World Cup skipper of Brazilian national team Dr. Socrates wore a head-band declaring his slogan for democracy which brought the attention of billions of people around the globe on what was happening in Brazil that time. Socrates was the great admirer and follower of the teachings of the great French democratic writer Voltaire.
The great world heavy weight boxing genius Cassius Clay turned Mohammed Ali by defying to fight for the US in Vietnam war not only opposed American involvement in Vietnam but thru his defiance and opposition even to the extent of forfeiting his World heavyweight Boxing title, he exposed the folly of US involvement in Vietnam. It is he as a sportsman more than anyone else who exposed US blunders in Vietnam war. When great nations, great leaders and even great human celebrities and personalities like the great Philosopher cum Mathematician Bertrand Russell failed to expose misdeeds of US in Vietnam and stop its involvement there, finally it was left to sportsman and boxer Mohd. Ali to expose US and make this issue more laud. Prof. B. Russell along with peers like him even conducted a Nuremburg type of trial of American involvement in Vietnam and they came to the conclusion that this war was the most horrible in the history of humanity where US was using and testing weapons of most inhuman in nature and hence it has to be stopped. But who listened to these great scientists and intellectuals?
However, when Mohd. Ali made a noise, the world listened to him more clearly and hence the phone call to Mohd. Ali from the other side of the continent by B. Russell which reads as detailed by Mohd. Ali in his masterpiece “The Greatest” as: “I picked up the Telephone Receiver and said hello. Immediately a totally different voice appeared on the phone saying I am Bertrand Russell speaking from the other side of the continent. When I heard this name, I jumped into joy because I know the magnitude of this man. Then I said, yes Professor, what can I do? Then Professor replied – I support your campaign against US and its involvement in Vietnam. In the history of humanity there was not a single war which was more barbaric than this Vietnam War. Please carry on with your fight. I support you”. When Mohd. Ali raised his voice against this war the whole world came to know the mischief US was doing in Vietnam and then the public opinion raised not only in US but also all around the world against American involvement in Vietna and then the history.
When Russia entered Afghanistan, it was again sportsman Mohd Ali who campaigned hard against Russia to force them to withdraw from Afghanistan. Jimmy Carter as president was ruling US at that time. Mohd. Ali was in Bombay attending a reception at Braboune Stadium where he was doing live exhibition of his punches in front of hundreds of attendees. Suddenly his aid comes and informs him that a call is come from US president to solicit your help. Jimmy Carter wants you to return back immediately and go on tour to all the Islamic countries on behalf of US Government to explain the folly of Soviet Russia in entering Afghanistan. Why Jimmy Carter utilised the services of a sportsman Mohd. Ali? It was because his celebrity status can attract better attention than that of any political or Foreign Service figure. Besides, to reprimand further to force Soviets to withdraw from Afghanistan, US led Olympic boycott was conducted against Olympic Games organized in Moscow that year and made mockery of this Olympic Games. Because of these factors the image of Soviet Russia was totally got tarnished and world has isolated Soviet Russia from the comity of civilized nations. This is the power of Sports and sportspersons which is unique in nature.
The next Olympic Games are going to be held in China at Beijing. Because of its crude human rights abuses the world is making a big noise but Chinese dictators are giving a deaf hearing to the world claims. China has committed yet another big blunder by stripping Dalai Lama and his people of the privilege of their homeland. To deny one of the right to have his own homeland is denying one of his birth rights. Dalai Lama is a great spiritual and political figure and also a Nobel Prize winner for Peace. He deserves all the privileges and facilities along with his peaceful people to have his homeland which China denied by using its brute might and political clout in the comity of nations.
How about boycotting Beijing Olympics against Chinese autocratic rule and human rights abuses? Can US lead a movement the way it did against Soviet Russia? Or can Kuwait come forward or least intellectual Kuwaitis can raise their voices in unified tone because they know better the misery of having no homeland because they themselves were subjected to the stripping them of their homeland when Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait?
Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
N.B. The above article of mine appeared in yesterday's Arab Times, Kuwait.
For the benefit of kranti readers, I am reproducing it here. AVF.
May 20, 2007
May 19, 2007
RUTH FERNANDES CROWNED SUMMER QUEEN 2007
Ruth Fernandes won the the Summer Queen 2007 event held at Ramada Hotel Kuwait on May 3, 2007 and was crowned by Qatar-based Goan WelfareAssociation President, Simon D’Silva, who was amongthe host of invited guests and patrons specially flown in for the event. The first runner’s up spot was claimed by Fiona Noronha while the second runners-up position went to Joyce Fernandes of NBK.
The judges for the contest were: Sandra Dastani, Sharmila Diaz, AgnelloFernandes, and Muriel Alphonso. The Guest of honour: Man Mohan Singh, Head of Consular Section, Embassy ofIndia-Kuwait, specially deputed by The Ambassador, enjoyed the evening with his spouse.
Goa’s premiere musicband “Forefront” and Mumbai’s dynamic music group“SHYlite” rocked the evening with non-stop music. True to the Goan spirit and hospitality, the organizers, Goan Cultural Centre-Kuwait with its chief coordinator Carmo Santos took the crowd to glorious heights.
The event was sponsored by Mughal Mahal and co-sponsored by PayalGold & Diamonds.
Kuwait's own Conchita Cardozo ably assisted the host Sonia Shirsat.
Bollywood celebrity and well known established TV actor and anchor Aman Verma (co-host of Indian Idol on Sony Entertainment Television and host of Zee TV’s Zee Cinestars) graced the occasion.
- Forwarded by gaspercrasto@hotmail.com / http://gaspersworld.tripod.com/
May 18, 2007
BEWARE OF UGDP & BABUSH
Beware of UGDP & Babush.
Finally all the candidates for the forthcoming election have filed their nomination papers. They will now promise to the voters not only sky but even Heaven. Dump them all into the Hell and let them burn there till eternity. The most complicated candidate is Babush Monsurate from Taleigao. He is now a wounded Lion and if he is allowed to get re-elected he will come out with fury and vengence and reintroduce his earlier projects for his personal gains. Babush will reintroduce his much opposed projects by the public, namely Town and Country Planning Ordinance and Regional Plan for Goa. Both these plans are destruction for Goa. T & C Planning ordinance was opposed by the public thru the leadership of Mummy Victoria Fernandes from St. Cruz and Regional Plan was vehemently opposed under the leadership of Dr. Rebello.
When the entire public was opposing these two projects of Babush, the Congress Government of Goa under Rane was showing less interest in the opposition of the entire public. This shows the power and might of Babush. He has shown his real nature that when he decides to do something, he is at it arrogantly, come what may, he will not care for any opposition. His ways are Salazarist. It is a pity that even after so many years of the exit of Portuguese from Goa, Salazarist blood is still flowing in Goa. And for that matter who said Goa is liberated from Salazarist regime? Taleigao Church and priests must try to convert him to a better path so that he uses his power for the good of the people. By side tracking very intelligently Somnath Zuwarkar from contesting on Congress Symbol, Babush made his way clear to get re-elected because there is no opposition for him that can shake him. And once he is elected from UGDP, like last time he will make mockery of UGDP by jumping into any party that gives him better dividends.
For this reason, everyone interested in Goa must now only warn Congress, MGP, BJP, Save Goa Front and others to take note of this danger of Babush. No party forming the next ministry in Goa should allow Babush to dictate his terms. Babush has destroyed the peace of Goa by introducing T & C Country Planning ordinance and Regional Plan for Goa. It is Babush who made people of Goa to come on to the streets in agitation for scrapping his two projects. If he is re-elected, he will do the same thing again because he does not care for anything. It is the responsibility of Taleigao voters now to save Goa and Goans from the sword of Babush. If Taleigao voters act sensibly then God will bless them otherwise they will be punished by the curse of innocent Goans who will have to suffer because of the sins of Babush.
No single party in Goa is capable to get the majority in the coming election because every party is sailing in the same boat. They are all birds of the same feathers, untrustworthy and impotents to rule Goa constructively. UGDP is the most unreliable party; they are fit only to issue Press Releases. It is this party that is making joke of its candidates first by allowing them to get elected and then by allowing the same candidates to go in the market of defection for a price. UGDP is like a Bazar of selling its MLA’s. Their past record is justifying my statement. It is better that the voters should boycott their candidates because the leadership of UGDP has no control over its MLA’s. Adv. Radharao Gracias is a big joke, his statements are nothing but full of jokes though he is very intelligent but not a serious man. His other colleagues in the party are not of any good.
UGDP is a disgrace on former United Goans Party. Goans should be careful while voting the candidates of UGDP otherwise voters must take a firm undertaking even thru legal means that once elected its MLA’s will not join nor defect to any other party. Is Radharao Gracias having marbles in his pants to vouch for his MLA’s? Is UGDP leadership got guts to assure the voters that none of its MLA’s will defect? Will all the candidates fighting the coming election on UGDP symbol give an undertaking that they will not defect to communal BJP like Babush and Mathanay Saldanha did last time and brought disgrace on their religion when Parrikar tried to defame and humiliate Christians? Oh Christian voters from Taleigao! Beware of Babush. He may join even the Lucifer to bring Jesus Christ from Heaven and spoil the gracefulness and holiness of Heaven. Goan voters and especially voters from Taleigao help Goa and Goans by taking care of Babush. Oh voters from Taleigao! Don’t become purchasable commodities. Money will come and money will go but thru this money received as bribes for votes will surely do heavy damage not only for Taleigao but for the entire Goa and for this posterity will hold you Taleigao voters responsible. You voters from Taleigao, you are now the saviours of Goa. Beware of Babush and beware of UGDP.
Just because we are away from our Goa it does not mean that we are careless for the cause of Goa. We are as careful for the well being of Goa as any of our resident Goan. Physically we may be away but our hearts and minds are totally in Goa. Bodily we may be in Kuwait but soully we are in Goa. We love Goa and Goan causes as no expatriate does anywhere in the world. Our past records and contributions for the cause of Goa will surely justify my point. We Kuwaitkars are much closer to Goa in mind and heart than any of the Goans settled anywhere in the world. Hence, on coming Thursday 23rd of this month we have decided to organize a meeting of like minded Goans to ascertain their views on the coming election in Goa and make our views open to Goa and Goans in Goa. At this crucial time for Goa we cannot be silent spectators. Surely this is going to be the last election of Goa where genuine Goans will have an upper hand but later on Goa’s fate will be decided in the elections to come by the non-Goans who will increase their number with the help of the MLA’s in the next Vidhan Sabah.
Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
Finally all the candidates for the forthcoming election have filed their nomination papers. They will now promise to the voters not only sky but even Heaven. Dump them all into the Hell and let them burn there till eternity. The most complicated candidate is Babush Monsurate from Taleigao. He is now a wounded Lion and if he is allowed to get re-elected he will come out with fury and vengence and reintroduce his earlier projects for his personal gains. Babush will reintroduce his much opposed projects by the public, namely Town and Country Planning Ordinance and Regional Plan for Goa. Both these plans are destruction for Goa. T & C Planning ordinance was opposed by the public thru the leadership of Mummy Victoria Fernandes from St. Cruz and Regional Plan was vehemently opposed under the leadership of Dr. Rebello.
When the entire public was opposing these two projects of Babush, the Congress Government of Goa under Rane was showing less interest in the opposition of the entire public. This shows the power and might of Babush. He has shown his real nature that when he decides to do something, he is at it arrogantly, come what may, he will not care for any opposition. His ways are Salazarist. It is a pity that even after so many years of the exit of Portuguese from Goa, Salazarist blood is still flowing in Goa. And for that matter who said Goa is liberated from Salazarist regime? Taleigao Church and priests must try to convert him to a better path so that he uses his power for the good of the people. By side tracking very intelligently Somnath Zuwarkar from contesting on Congress Symbol, Babush made his way clear to get re-elected because there is no opposition for him that can shake him. And once he is elected from UGDP, like last time he will make mockery of UGDP by jumping into any party that gives him better dividends.
For this reason, everyone interested in Goa must now only warn Congress, MGP, BJP, Save Goa Front and others to take note of this danger of Babush. No party forming the next ministry in Goa should allow Babush to dictate his terms. Babush has destroyed the peace of Goa by introducing T & C Country Planning ordinance and Regional Plan for Goa. It is Babush who made people of Goa to come on to the streets in agitation for scrapping his two projects. If he is re-elected, he will do the same thing again because he does not care for anything. It is the responsibility of Taleigao voters now to save Goa and Goans from the sword of Babush. If Taleigao voters act sensibly then God will bless them otherwise they will be punished by the curse of innocent Goans who will have to suffer because of the sins of Babush.
No single party in Goa is capable to get the majority in the coming election because every party is sailing in the same boat. They are all birds of the same feathers, untrustworthy and impotents to rule Goa constructively. UGDP is the most unreliable party; they are fit only to issue Press Releases. It is this party that is making joke of its candidates first by allowing them to get elected and then by allowing the same candidates to go in the market of defection for a price. UGDP is like a Bazar of selling its MLA’s. Their past record is justifying my statement. It is better that the voters should boycott their candidates because the leadership of UGDP has no control over its MLA’s. Adv. Radharao Gracias is a big joke, his statements are nothing but full of jokes though he is very intelligent but not a serious man. His other colleagues in the party are not of any good.
UGDP is a disgrace on former United Goans Party. Goans should be careful while voting the candidates of UGDP otherwise voters must take a firm undertaking even thru legal means that once elected its MLA’s will not join nor defect to any other party. Is Radharao Gracias having marbles in his pants to vouch for his MLA’s? Is UGDP leadership got guts to assure the voters that none of its MLA’s will defect? Will all the candidates fighting the coming election on UGDP symbol give an undertaking that they will not defect to communal BJP like Babush and Mathanay Saldanha did last time and brought disgrace on their religion when Parrikar tried to defame and humiliate Christians? Oh Christian voters from Taleigao! Beware of Babush. He may join even the Lucifer to bring Jesus Christ from Heaven and spoil the gracefulness and holiness of Heaven. Goan voters and especially voters from Taleigao help Goa and Goans by taking care of Babush. Oh voters from Taleigao! Don’t become purchasable commodities. Money will come and money will go but thru this money received as bribes for votes will surely do heavy damage not only for Taleigao but for the entire Goa and for this posterity will hold you Taleigao voters responsible. You voters from Taleigao, you are now the saviours of Goa. Beware of Babush and beware of UGDP.
Just because we are away from our Goa it does not mean that we are careless for the cause of Goa. We are as careful for the well being of Goa as any of our resident Goan. Physically we may be away but our hearts and minds are totally in Goa. Bodily we may be in Kuwait but soully we are in Goa. We love Goa and Goan causes as no expatriate does anywhere in the world. Our past records and contributions for the cause of Goa will surely justify my point. We Kuwaitkars are much closer to Goa in mind and heart than any of the Goans settled anywhere in the world. Hence, on coming Thursday 23rd of this month we have decided to organize a meeting of like minded Goans to ascertain their views on the coming election in Goa and make our views open to Goa and Goans in Goa. At this crucial time for Goa we cannot be silent spectators. Surely this is going to be the last election of Goa where genuine Goans will have an upper hand but later on Goa’s fate will be decided in the elections to come by the non-Goans who will increase their number with the help of the MLA’s in the next Vidhan Sabah.
Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)