The Red Light Area of Baina

Human trafficking a cause of concern

The Red Light Area of Baina
-by Armstrong Vaz - Qatar

Prostitution is illegal in India but the trade survives despite the threat of the HIV virus and the perils of the trade. The trade goes on in some of the areas that are unofficially designated as red light districts. A recent United Nations' report expresses alarming concern over HIV infections in India. With 5.7 million infections, India has become the most-afflicted HIV/AIDS nation of the world, surpassing South Africa's 5.5 million.

In the western state of Goa, one such area had been unofficially classified as a red light district until the state government demolished it in 2004. Figures collected in 2005 indicted that around 40 percent of the sex workers in the state were HIV-positive. The report revealed that Goa has the highest level of trafficking of women and children compared to other states.

Michael, his wife Shanti and their 3-year-old son Krishna enjoy the sun and surf on the beaches of Goa. They have returned after a five-year stay away. Michael and his family have come back to their roots where the offshoots of their small family sprouted.

Michael is a Belgium citizen. Shanti traces her roots to the southern state of Karnataka and was until five years ago a sex worker in the red light district of Baina in the port town of Vasco in the state of Goa. But her life took a new twist when her last customer in the course of time became her husband.

Shanti has been fortunate. Others have been less fortunate. Many of Shanti's former colleagues continue to be exploited and to lead a life of misery.

Human trafficking has been a cause of concern throughout the world. India figures among the 39 countries placed on a special watch list that demands attention from the concerned countries under a 2003 U.S. law.

Goa was one of the beneficiaries of a two-year, U.S.-government-funded program by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Similar programs took place in the states of Maharashtra, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh.

The program sensitizes the police and the other law enforcement agencies in dealing with the problem of human trafficking.

Five years earlier, Shanti used to earn anything between 100 and 500 Indian rupees a day as a commercial sex worker. She endured and wishes to reach out to some of her old friends. She was on a visit to her old place of business.

A host of changes had taken place in the city. In 2004, the state government had demolished the illegal cubicles where Shanti and her colleagues operated on Baina Beach.

Some of her colleagues had been deported back to their home states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Others have eluded the police and continue to operate in the port town. Some have even been successfully rehabilitated back into society. There are those who have died due to aids. And there are those who are carrying the HIV virus.

During her visit she met Gauri. Gauri, like many others in the trade, has no choice about whether her customer must use a condom. Numerous workshops have passed the message to the sex workers in the state, but they are in precarious situation. If they insist that the customer use a condom they run the risk of losing the business.

A 2004 behavioral surveillance survey at Baina found out that only 69 percent of the customers used condoms regularly while having sex with commercial sex workers. Educating the commercial sex workers has focused on free condom distribution and creating awareness of the dangers of having unprotected sex with customers.

They know they are at risk when a customer does not use a condom but that is a peril of the trade. Gauri's plight started when she was dedicated to the Goddess Yellama in the southern state of Karnataka; having attained puberty, she was trafficked to Baina for prostitution.

Prakash Kanekar, project director for the Goa State AIDS Control Society (GSACS) is a concerned man. With the demolition of the Baina cubicles his task has been rendered more difficult.

The commercial sex workers have moved all over the state and are not just confined to one area. He admits that the trade has gone where tourists arrive in large numbers.

"It is now extremely difficult to identify a commercial sex worker," Kanekar said.

That explains the plight of the state. Girls are constantly trafficked to meet the demand created by a flourishing tourism industry and the numerous ships that anchor in the port city of Baina.

The 2004 Goa Children's Act set up a children's court in response to an increase in child abuse. The law underwent an amendment in 2005 to categorize sexual abuses -- grave sexual assault, sexual assault and incest.

Grave sexual assault includes offenses such as making children pose for pornographic films, making children have sex with each other and deliberately causing injury to the sexual organs of a child.

Since the court was set up, the state has registered 140 cases -- 132 involved sexual abuse.

Goa first made headlines in 1991 when the first case of a pedophile racket was cracked by the police. Freddy Peats, a 71-year-old Eurasian, was arrested and subsequently sentenced for his role -- he ran a racket under the guise of a home for destitute children.

Goan Football. Reply to Agnelo Gomes.

Mogall Agnelo Gomes Bab,

Thank you for the extremely informative email as indicated below. Lot of readers at least in Kuwait told me that they take lot of interests in your emails which they like me find informative and interesting. The link you send for the photographs of yesteryear footballers is very very interesting, informative and treasurous. I will preserve it. Many of the readers of your below mentioned email said they are very fortunate to get these precious photos. Thank you once again for the same.

I know you are very informative but never knew you are so rich in having richness of Goa preserved in your system. Share sometimes something with me and Goans like me who will always be grateful to you.

I will send these photos to my brother Cheddo to Goa because he rubbed his shoulder with almost everyone of them while playing in Goa during Portuguese era and also later on. He played for a long time for Goa Police starting from Portuguese time in 1958 as a tender boy. Fenelon was his companion for Goa Police Team and he was also our neighbour Nerul Bardez, very often he used to visit our place to meet my brother. I was very young at that time.

During those days Nerul annually used to hold All Goa Inter Village soccer tournament and teams from Chinchinnim, Carmona, Cuncolim, St. Inez, Taleigao having gigantic players used to participate. During this tournament, Goa used to congregate in Nerul. It was here first time in my life I saw Candu Abreu playing for his local team Taleigao (?). What a beautiful display of superb ball control, what a beautiful display of heading, what an abundant stamina. He was a perfect player. Unfortunately he was born in Goa. If he was in Portugal or any other European country, he would be surely a World Cupper.

I am sorry that Vasu Raiturkar has died already. I am sure he went as unsung and unnoticed as many great heroes of that era. Goa does not know to respect and adore their once heroes. When a person is on top form we adore him with bouquets of fresh flowers but when he is finished we ignore him, we taunt him and we pelt him with stones. Ingratitude is our hallmark. For this reason we do not produce great stalwarts.

Calcutta produce and create great footballers because they adore them them during and after their retirement. Rahman was my coach at Sesa. Earlier he played in Calcutta for Mohun Bhagan for about 8 years and won 3 Rovers Cup finals for Mohun Baghan. In 1952 he played for India at Melbourne Olympics along with our Goan soccer wizard Neville D'Souza. 15 years after his retirement from Calcutta soccer, he revisited Calcutta from Bangalore. When he stepped down on the Platform from the Railway though aged yet he was spotted immediately by the Tea Boy on the Railway Platform Tea Stall. This Tea Boy earlier was a small boy but now he became a man. Recognising Rahman, that Tea Boy jumped in joy exclaiming loudly Rahman Sahab, Rahman Sahab. Listening to his shouts everyone there got alerted and all rushed to Rahman hugging him and kissing, first was tea boy. Some people showered Rahman with currency notes. Rahman could not control his emotions, finally he cried like a baby and said: "I am overwhelmed by your welcome to me. I never expected it even after so many years you will show me the same love. Calcutta is a great place for footballers. I dont need your money, your love and affection is more than currency notes for me".

Do we adore our ex heroes like what they do in Calcutta. Even for our great yesteryears Tiatrists we leave them to rot and suffer. Even their own family members sometimes do not take care of our old heroes. It is a tragedy.

I heard that Keshav also faced lot of difficulties in his retiured life. If it is true then it is very painful. The recent hero of Goa Bernardo of Vasco who even represented India a number of times finally had to live a very backward life, to cure his cancer affected son special fund had to be raised. Once mighty Bernard finally had to cry bitterly at Vasco football ground when Vasco Sports Club presented a special Cheque for his son. Rosary Ferns from Kuwait rendered a very beautiful song on his son and on Bernard.

I feel Agnelo Bab, we have to do something for our ex heroes. My brother Cheddo because of his Government Job after his retirement is become an "honrad pensaumkar" while those who played for Salgaokars, Vasco, Independente, Sesa, who gives them pension for their old age? For our Tiatrists who give them pension during their old age sustenance?

Agnelo Bab, you are a very charitable man. You have your charity Trust. Earlier on my suggestion you donated lakhs of rupees for organising Mando Festival in Goa. Cant you do something for our old heroes so that they can get some sort of pension monthly during their old and difficult days? In Goa nobody will care such people. Fovernment awards are only pieces of paper and Mementoes, these are not fetching them any monetary benefits. In Punjab ex Olympians out of povery even sold their Olympic Gold Medals which they won in Hocckey.

I request and appeal you Agnelo Gomes Bab to apply your mind on this very critical subject. You are blessed by God and knowing your heart very well I am appealing you to come forward and do something. I am not in position as you are. However, if you feel I am taking liberty of your kindness, then with my profound apology, please disregard my appeal

Mog assundi.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.


K R A N T I
--No plans in this revolution are written for retreat--
June 30, 2007

Re: Goan Football
From: AAssoc4994@aol.com
To: goancauses@yahoogroups.com
CC: averonicaf806@hotmail.com

Veronica:

My memory tells me, fllodlight game was also played in Margao and Independente has seven pacles from Tropa Rawanfond, Margao. I used to catch hand of paclo to make my way in without bilhete.

Clube Independente de Margao was financed by Goan Hindu shop keepers. Then, I was a young boy, we'were all young then, I grew up in Magao. In konkani, we used to say "Independi club" located behind Cine Lata Margao. All shops shutters went down at 3PM, when "Independi club" played in Margao.

Vimson(Salgaoncar), Velha de Goa, Ferroviarios( Benjamin goalie), Academica, Independente, Policia de Goa, Santa Ines, were great clubs, great standards.

All credit goes to Goa Portuguesa.Go to goancauses.com paste this http://www.goancauses.com/gallery/2.html

you will see pictures of following players of Independente courtesy of Menino Figueredo de Carmona, not Cuncolim:Fenelon D' Souza, Jackson, Francis, Rock Cruz, Menino Figueredo, Vetto, Amrut Verenkar, Mendes, Basto, Alisab Sadekar, Ravi, etc.

I've no idea where all these players are gone. I know poor Vasu Raiturcar passed away.

Menino Figueredo is still living, once he was very sick, in that sickness he lost his hearing, last I saw Menino in 2003 in Carmona at Jules Alberto wedding, I made efforts to see Menino in person, because Menino could not make for Jules wedding.

You're a great asset for Goan Portuguesa football.

Thanks.
Mog AssomAgnelo Gomes
USA
Posted by KRANTI at

GOAN FOOTBALL - GOA & KUWAIT. III

GOAN FOOTBALL - GOA & KUWAIT. III

The first ever soccer tournament in 1979 was held at Sour Grounds using both the grounds, big and small. The small ground was situated at a place where now newMasjid is built. My first game at Sour was on this ground when our team Salmiya Youth defeated Goan Sporting by 2 – 0 goals. The current 2 big grounds at this level were done by Mercedes Boys with their Wasta and influence. Before it was only one big ground but due to the efforts of Mercedes Boys in 1982 the whole area was converted into two big grounds. Mercedes Boys under Joseph (Daktullo) organized their knock-out tournament known as Mercedes Cup in 1982-83 when there was a confusion in Goan football fraternity. This confusion happened because UG unwarrantedly, mischievously, maliciously under the pushing of both the Tonys to take their unwanted personal revenge suspended G.O.A. Maroons. It was UG and UG alone under both the Tonys that laid the foundation of discord amongst Goans at Sour grounds by using their soccer power to settle their personal score with their personal opponents in Maroons. This type of incidents happen only when "Rostad" are given the task of running the organizations. Only the Rostad make use of public office to take their personal revenge. They fail to realize that public office is meant to serve the public cause and not to take personal revenge. This is exactly what our Rostad politicians also do in Goa.

I was one of the prominent players at Sour Grounds playing for Salmiya Youth of Peter D’Souza in the inception year. Peter D'Souza was my colleague at Arpora School, a scholarly student, a boarder, throughout his scholastic career. He was working at Bosch, Kuwait, as a General Manager. Due to his personal efforts and kindness he helped many young boys to get employment not only in his company but also elsewhere. He loved helping the needy. Nobody in Kuwait especially during that time helped as many young boys and footballers in getting employment as he has helped. The other person who helped many young boys especially footballers in getting employment was the late Willie Gomes of Tanagra and who unfortunately expired on 29.06.07 in Goa. May His Helpful Soul Rest In Peace. In Kuwait persons like Peter and Willie are very few. Very many other Goans inspite of being in position to help their less fortunate Goans they dont because they dont like to use their "wasta" for people other than their own relatives and family members. Here in Kuwait there are some lucrative sectors which are dominated by few families and persons from few localities and only people from these families and these localities are given chances in their lucrative sectors. For examples, in Banking sector, only few families are dominating and in Oil sector also a few families from Goa's particular locality is dominating.

Very few who started with me in 1979 on top form are still in Kuwait. Only Julio Cardoso and Cajetan Godinho who started with me in the inception year in 1979 are still surviving as yesteryear foot-ballers though not as full fledged. During their hey days both of them were terrific, Julio under the bar of Friends Club Salmiya diving to any length and punching the ball to safety from any angle with acrobatic agility. While Cajetan was a very decent attacking midfielder. He was a very brainy midfield maestro, his distribution was superb and accuracy was with mathemetical precision. He deserves lot of accolades for making our soccer more entertaining. I dont think there is anyone after him in his position to emulate his feat at Sour Grounds. The rest are either retired being oldies like me or returned back to Goa or elsewhere or died. But it is they and their efforts and love for this game that kept this soccer of ours at Sour Grounds still alive. Their efforts should be applauded because they put a strong base for our soccer at Sour grounds. They played not for the greed of money, nor for Air Tickets nor for Visas for their girlfriends, wives and mistresses. When I started in 1979 it was not only as a footballer but also as a captain and coach too of our team. Besides, I was supplying regularly reports of the matches to both the local newspapers, Arab Times and Kuwait Times, my friend John Felix D’Souza from Anjuna Bardez was helping me a lot in the preparation of our reports. Additionally I was sending reports of our matches to Goa for "Goa Today" Monthly and to Konkani Weekly "Goycho Mog". In view of this with all my humility I can rightly say that my efforts in promoting our Sour Grounds soccer from the time of inception year were very exhaustive, incomparible with any individual amongst us.

Once in 1984 the Sports Editor of Arab Times Mr. Porter a Britisher in appreciation of my writings on our soccer condescended and volunteered to come to Sour Ground and witness himself what I write is true or simply an exageration. Then while going back, he remarked and patted me on my back saying "you are doing an excellent job and rightly, keep it up". But that time the quality of our Goan players was excellent. However, the efforts of UG should take precedence over those of all others because they created a history. But which is that UG that deserve compliments? The current UG? Or the UG under founder members including Tony Fernandes (Antonio Lawrence) from Siolim who once donned the famed colours of Lube of Siolim and Bemfica of Mapusa in Goa during the Portuguese time? Tony Fernandes was the first president of UG when they initiated their tournament at Sour Grounds. He was inducted as UG president from nowhere because UG wanted somebody a senior Goan having soccer fame and soccer past. Hence, Tony Fernandes’ involvement in UG. Tony Fernandes was brought only as a fatherly figure but once inside he worked hard and tirelessly. His public relations in the beginning was also good but later on he too lost confidence because of the politics inducted into our Sour grounds soccer when UG suspended Maroons unnecessarily and undeservingly. UG under both the Tonys thought they would control the soccer at Sour Grounds but they failed and everybody made them fail. And later on they were also suspended by KIFF. There is a saying in Konkani "Kelem Tukam, Zalem Makam".

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.