OPHELIA CABRAL GOOFED? OR KALA ACADEMY?

OPHELIA CABRAL GOOFED? OR KALA ACADEMY?

On Tuesday, 17th April 2007, at 6.00 p.m., Kala Academy Goa, organized TIATR DAY CELEBRATION at Dinananth Mangeshkar Kala Mandir, Campal, Panji, Goa. Since 1996 Kala Academy celebrates Tiatr Day annually with pomp and during this celebration Kala Academy felicitates few selected Tiatrists for their lifetime contribution in the field of Tiatr. This year on 17th April, The Kala Academy felicitated 7 senior Tiatrists for their outstanding contribution to the development of Tiatro.

The seven Tiatrists are Pascoal A. Fernandes from Morjim, John Gomes (Kokoy) from Cuncolim, Julio Rod (Jr. Rod) from Cortalim, Ophelia Cabral D’Souza from Porvorim, Cyriaco Dias from Ambora, Brazinho Soares from Kalapura and Rico Rod from Chinchinnim.

My point of writing these few lines is to straighten something on Ophelia which is either intentionally bent by Kala Academy or by Ophelia herself though I have my conviction that Ophelia will not commit such a goof. During the felicitation celebration one small booklet was published by Kala Academy where brief descriptions of all the seven artistes were given. While describing Ophelia’s contribution, it is written there that she toured Bahrain, Beirut and Dubai and received felicitations and awards from different organisations. Unfortunately the name of Kuwait where she was felicitated by Kuwait Goans was found totally missing while describing her accolades. Was it done intentionally by Kala Academy? Or was it done on the advice of Ophelia Cabral because she wanted to keep clouded the felicitation of Kuwaitkars? I cannot believe that Ophelia was responsible for omitting Kuwait’s name but then she should have raised her voice loudly and forcefully against the decision of omitting the name of Kuwait and Kuwaitkars and if necessary as a mark of protest she should have rejected the felicitation given to her by Kala Academy as a mark of protest. By accepting the felicitation minus mentioning the name of Kuwait and Kuwaitkars’ felicitation in her brief in the leaflet issued by Kala Academy she proved that she was also a party to the wrong decision taken by Kala Academy on omitting the name of Kuwait and Kuwaitkars from where and from whom she received Honours and felicitation and above all, in her own words, enermous love and affection as never received anywhere before in her entire lifetime.

Ophelia was brought to Kuwait by Kuwaitkars last year and was felicitated in a specially organized function by Goan and Konkani Association – “Konkani Heritage Kuwait”. It was a grand felicitation organized in one of the City Hotels attended by prominent Goan and other Konkani people residing in Kuwait. Her actress daughter Babli was also present there at that time, so too one of the renowned senior Tiatrists H. Briton. During her thanking speech after receiving the Commemorative Plaque – A Memento – she said with loud voice and with pride that “this is the greatest moment for me in my lifetime because what Goa Government and others could not do my Kuwaitkars “bhav” have done for me and I feel proud of them”. The video recording of this special function done in her honour was spread all over the world and the news briefing of this event was highlighted not only in the Kuwaiti newspapers but also in Goa. Besides, thru internet the news of this felicitation was spread all around the Goan world.

When this is the case, why it was missed to highlight in Kala Academy’s Booklet? It must also be noted that much before Ophelia could tour Bahrain and Dubai, she was brought to Kuwait along with her late husband Bab Peter and the then their tiny daughter Babli about 20 years back too to participate in the same director’s - Rosary Ferns’ – Tiatro.

As a mark of protest I am sending copies of this write up to Kala Academy and to Ophelia Cabral too by using their email addresses.

Also, as a mark of protest against Kala Academy for omitting the name of Kuwait and Kuwaitkars’ felicitation in its booklet, if Ophelia Cabral is innocent on this issue, Ophelia Cabral must reject this felicitation and return to Kala Academy what has been awarded to her on that day, as a mark of protest. To do this is not something big thing because what she got from Kala Academy is not a Nobel Prize nor a Knighthood. Even Knighthood was rejected and returned back by Rabindranath Tagore on the advice of Mahatmah Gandhi when British goofed against Indians.

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.

STATUS OF PRESIDENT OF INDIA.

STATUS OF PRESIDENT OF INDIA.


Within a month the greatest democracy in the world, India will elect its President. This post is not only a ceremonial but also a very crucial for the country. The President of India if he wants he can change the entire outlook of India and convert India to his own choice ignoring all advices and counter advices of the Cabinet because his approval signature is all that matters. Though he can challenge the Prime Minister and his Cabinet and even Musharrafise the country if he acts arrogant, yet no President in the short history of India allowed power to corrupt him though earlier one or two Presidents came closer to wield their authority by not easily yielding to the Cabinet decisions. Being the first citizen of the country, the President of India enjoys highest respect and topmost dignity. For this reason, the person who occupies this position should be of highest stature in the country. It is not only the stature of the President that makes his position dignified but even his Palace, that is, Rastrapati Bhavan that he resides is of highest stature not only in India but anywhere in the World. It is the biggest residence of any President anywhere in the world. It was built in such a way that no steel was used in its construction. With more than 300 Rooms it is staffed by around 10000 persons. It was built 75 years back with an expenditure of 1.4 Crores of Indian Rupees but ironically now it costs the Exchequer more than that amount every month itself for its maintainance.

The first Indian to occupy this huge and luxurious edifice was C. Rajagopalchari as the first and last Indian Governor General and having found this monumental building too rich and too big for the newly independent poor country India, he volunteered to live in it with lot of austerity measures including the discarding of very luxurious Ashoka Suit which was very majestically occupied by the British Viceroys during the colonial rule. Because of its too rich décor, too luxurious and too expensive to maintain Gandhiji suggested to convert this Rastrapati Bhavan into a Museum and instead let Indian President live in a modest residence befitting the normal living standard of an average Indian. But feudal Nehru and his henchmen refused to surrender. For this reason as a dejected man, before his death, Gandhiji uttered this statement “Now this old man - referring to himself - has no value for his views”.

India is a great country since time immemorial and its greatness sustained even after its independence. Its greatness lies not only in its sheer size but also in its great history, culture, tradition and above all unity in the midst of diversity. It has given to this planet great religions namely Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikkism and Jainism. It has produced the great game of Chess and great Epics in Ramayana and Mahabharata. It has given birth to two great men of this world namely Rabindranath Tagore and Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi who later on became Mahatma.

After its independence, India gave to its land successively three great educationists and philosopher presidents, all having Doctorates to their credit. No nation in the world had such a great privilege in having such stalwart presidents. One of them, Dr. Radakrishnan was one of the greatest philosophers of this planet and till his death, as informed, was the second greatest philosopher of last century after Betrand Russel. In 1964 Pope Paul VI visited Bombay for Eucharistic Congress and when the President of India Dr. Radhakrishnan went to welcome him first along with Goan Cardinal Valerian Gracias at St. Cruz Airport, His Holiness with all joy on his smiling face said “It was my biggest ambition to meet you. I am happy finally to fulfill my ambition. You are a great Philosopher of this great ancient philosophical country, India”.

In the initial stages the highest status of India’s Presidency was maintained by electing men of highest stature for this position. Even when Dr. Zakir Hussein, the first Muslim President of India was elected there was hue and cry before his election from pro-Hindu lobby against Dr. Zakir Hussein but the then secular Congress Party stood firm and got him elected not only because of Secular attitude of Congress but also because of the high stature of Dr. Zakir Hussein. Later on Indira Gandhi brought disrepute to the position of President of India by inducting on to this chair people with no stature at all. Tin pot politicians like Zail Singh, Fakruddin Ali Ahmed and Sanjivaya Reddy were too small men and too corrupt politicians to occupy the chairs once occupied by their predecessors of highest stature. The greatness of this post lies in those apolitical and upright Indians whose leanings are not on any particular political party. Those persons having involved in political games earlier in their life will surely bring disrepute to the presidency of India, as Zail Singh and Fakruddin Ali Ahmed have done by simply saying “Yes” to Madam Indira Gandhi. If Zail Singh was not a Yes man of Indira Gandhi he would have stopped Indira Gandhi from sending troops to storm the Golden Temple in Amristar to liquidate Bindranwale and of his ilk there leading to the chaos in India in general and amidst Sikh community all over the world in particular. Storming of Golden Temple was an unwarranted act. It was purely a political mischief played by Indira Gandhi for which she had to pay a very heavy price. It was not her blood alone that was shed but the whole India bled profusely leading to chaotic situation all over India.

The current President of India Dr. Abdul Kalam is a great Atomic Scientist and also a great scholar. During his current tenure he brought respect, dignity and honour to India befitting his position. His highest credentials automatically bestow great stature on to his Presidency. Being a Muslim, his elevation to the Presidency of India for the second permissible term should have been facilitated by the Congress Party. The precedent for going for the second term was already created earlier by Dr. Rajendra Prasad even against the wishes of Nehru but Congress Party then had stalwarts in its ranks to over rule Nehru’s brute might. Now the Congress Party under the leadership of naturalized citizen of India, Sonia Gandhi, an Italian daughter-in-law of Indira Gandhi, who is ignorant of Indian culture, history, tradition and ethos is opposing the re-election of Muslim Dr. Kalam. By opposing his re-election, she is hurting the sentiments of Muslim community. By supporting him, Sonia and her Congress Party would have gained much sympathies and goodwill not only of Muslims but also of all the minorities in India and men of goodwill all around the world. Along with her a few other smaller parties are also opposing Dr. Kalam including the shame of Indian politics Laloo Prasad Yadav. The Congress backed nominee Mrs. Prathibha Patil who is an unknown entity at all India level is a minnow to occupy the great chair of Indian President. Dr. Kalam is a world renowned personality while Mrs. Patil is like an ant in front of an Elephant. Such ants will, if elected, not only lower the position of Indian President but also lower the stature of India especially in the 21st century when India needs great leaders to tackle and discuss great issues with great world leaders.

I take no pleasure in having a female Mrs. Patil as President of India who is not meant for this post. Empowering women is a good decision but not at the cost of quality. The “pallu” of Prabhitha’s Silk Saree is too modest, it has no stature of Indira Gandhi’s pallu. Under the pallu of Indira Gandhi’s Saree there was something visible in greatness while nobody knows “Mrs. Patil’s Pallu ke piche kya hai”.

On behalf of all the like minded Indians inside and outside India I protest the decision of Congress Party and its backers to oppose re-election of Dr. Abdul Kalam who being a very decent man sensing dirty politics in his re-election opted out of Presidential race thereby succumbing to the desires of Sonia Gandhi. He should have challenged his detractors irrespective of the outcome. But decent people are always shy of giving challenge. For this reason they are not meant for dirty Indian political games.

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.

KUMAR - The First Man Hanged in Goa

KUMAR – THE FIRST MAN HANGED IN GOA

The first person to be hanged in Goa was criminal Kumar whose real name was Peter. He was from Kerala. Soon after the exit of Portuguese from Goa most of the people who came to Goa from Kerala, Maharastra, Karnaka and other places of India were “chors”, rapists and criminals. They landed in Goa only to rob Goans even by killing Goans. During Portuguese time the discipline of Goans was very good. The Goans of those days were simple, docile and “susegad”.

Generally speaking harshness and militancy was not existing amongst those days' Goans. There were no crimes with the exception of few here and there and that too with big intervals. In one of his songs during the Silver Jubilee year of Goa’s liberation, Tiatrist M. Boyer rendered a beautiful and very philosophical song comparing the high degree of discipline of Goa from Portuguese time to lowest ebb during Bharati regime. In this song he said “the number of crimes committed in Goa during the last 25 years surpassed even those that committed during the 450 years of Portuguese rule in Goa.

Kumar came from Kerala and worked as domestic helper at Taleigao with one family comprising a husband, wife and their young daughter. The husband of the woman had gone for a business trip to outside Goa. This was somewhere in early seventies. During his absence Kumar was decided to rob the house of his master and in view of this he first killed both the wife and her young and tiny daughter. After killing them he cut their bodies into pieces and stacked them into a Trunk/Box. After returning from his business trip the husband of the wife found his daughter and wife missing. Investigation began and finally the criminal Kumar was caught who confessed to his crimes.

When news of these crimes spread all over Goa the entire Goan population was shocked. Some even called for the return of Portuguese “Serkar” to straighten the law and order situation in Goa bended by the deputationist administrators brought in by MGP from outside Goa and also Ghantti Mama Police force from Maharastra. During those days such crimes in Goa means a big thing but for outsiders, non-Goan Ghantti Police, non-Goan Government employees it was nothing big, for them it was a normal situation because in their states such crimes are routine. But for us Goans it was something abnormal and unacceptable.

In one of his Sermons, Fr. George D’Sa the bearded Rector of Bom Jesus Basilica, in my village Church preached the congregation thus “God has given you two hands to work nicely and earn your daily bread. God has given you hands not to kill human beings and cut them into pieces and pack them into the box” referring to these crimes and criminal Kumar. In many places in Goa priests started highlighting on these crimes in their sermons to educate the people. Top Tiatrists composed and rendered beautiful songs on these crimes. For example, the trio of Rom-Rem-Rod was the first to sing a trio on this topic that created chills into the veins of the audience while listening to this song. In Kuwait, the then well–known Tiatrist the late Tony Call after getting full information from me on this subject, rendered a nice and interesting solo at Keefan Hall which stunned the entire hall. Here below I give the text of this song.

During the trial of Kumar at Panjim Court opposite Customs Jetty one could see a sea of humanity, all Goans very furious. They wanted to drag Kumar from the hands of Police and tear him into pieces. But Police “bondabost” was very tight. The Police sensed the fury of the public and provided top security so that nobody could know which side and thru which door Kumar was taken to the courtroom and brought back. Mob fury was gaining momentum, I was feeling the pulse of the public wrath against Kumar there. Kumar was defended by one Lawyer from Maharastra named Marathe who during the time of Portuguese rule studied in Goa and he had good knowledge of Portuguese laws in Goa.

Once during the trial, when people outside the court came to know Marathe was defending Kumar, they got so angry that all cordoned the road and area in front of the court and started demanding Kumar for them. There were slogans and shouts on the road below the court saying “Poilo Marathek dhorat re. Poilo Marathek hanga haddat re, taka xinkouya licao sarkem. Vollkott khuincho, Kumarak defend korunk zai? Haddat Marathek poilo amchesim”. Some in the crowd were holding sticks and soda bottles to kill Marathe for defending the criminal Kumar. Such was the ire of the Goans against Kumar and Marathe. But Marathe was never exposed to the public anger by the Police. He was given strong Police protection. Finally Marathe after this case died with a miserable sickness. When he died, people in Goa heaved a sigh of relief and said that he deserved this because he defended a criminal who killed innocent Goans. People used to remark that time thus “Goykaranchea xirapanim Marathe ken’neanim melo”.

When Kumar’s sentence was confirmed, our Patriarch Rahul Gonsalves appealed to the Government thru proper channel to spare the life of Kumar and spare the hanging in a sacred place of Goa since this would be the first time in the known history of Goa that a man was going to be hanged.

Shasikala of MGP was the Chief Minister of Goa as MGP Government was ruling in Goa at that time. She showed scorn at our Patriarch Rahul Gonsalves for pleading for mercy for Kumar saying “Goa’s Patriarch to get cheap publicity asked for mercy for Kumar”. This scorn was taken by the entire Catholic community of Goa as an insult to them and immediately Shashikala was kicked out not only from the ruling benches but also from the Legislative Assembly. She was the most communal and anti-Christian, worst than her father. Up to now nobody knows who killed her brother Siddarth Bandodkar. The entire case was hushed up because suspicious needle points out towards her and her late husband. In order to suppress this murder, she even joined Congress Party to get Congress Government backing. This is the quality of MGP politicians in particular and Goan politicians in general. To get their work done, they will join any party.

Since Goa did not have the facility of a gallows, special gallows was built at Aguada, down the Aguada Fort facing the sea where finally Kumar was hanged at 6.00 in the morning on 28th January 1978. When he was asked for his last wish, he donated his body for Goa Medical College to further the studies of the students there. He also requested his colleagues in the prison at Aguada not to follow his example and be calm in life because crime ultimately makes you suffer, like me.

I.
Jivit munxeachem jivit ek sopon,
Sopon, rokddench veta sompon,
Vaitt tujer etana, bhava kedinch eina re sangon,
Vaittak sodanch biye, ani chotraen jiye, borepon vompon.

Ch.
Don devan tukam payem dileat, cholonk borea rostean,
Tech porim don hath tuje vavronk boreponnan,
Torui astana, vhodd dharechi suri ghe-un hatan,
Jivim tankam marlint, katrun pettent bhorlint, mae dhuvek tea krimidoran.

II
Hi ghoddni ghodli Goyam, Taleigao 3 vorsam fattim,
Krimidorak ghollar markap, sikxea dili motti,
Advogad Marathe krimidoracho, Juizak sangon vhoddleo fotti,
Sikxea mudar korunk chinti, Juizan foddli na mitti, sangun hi sikxea mhonn chodd thoddi.

Ch.
Xekim poilech pavtt Goyam, krimidorak marlo gollar,
Attavisver Janerache Aguad sokallchea sou horar,
Amchea Bism Saiban Goyemchea, magnnem kelem sentens korunk mudar,
Serkaran aikolena, magnem kanar ghetlena, xekim choddoiloch fasar.

III
Krimidor Kumar, Peter khorem naum tachem,
Patok vollkon aplem, dukh porgottlem mottem,
Gollar choddchea adim tannem, roddon dukhachem kelem tollem,
Goa Medical Collegik, moddem tannem aplem, xekim bhettoilem

Ch.
Chint munxea korchea adim, maguir faido na korun,
Ragachea bharan chintinakaim dusreank uddounk marun,
Gath ani vingans pois dovor, sounsarant jivit sukhi sarun,
Ranvottponnan cholxi, Kumara porim morxi, gollar umkollun.

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.