Part II
2nd of August this year will be 17th anniversary of the brutal invasion of Kuwait by Iraqi regime under its dictator Saddam Hussein. Along with all others residing in Kuwait in 1990, 2nd August, a huge Goan community comprising around 25 thousand were also caught unaware.
2nd of August this year will be 17th anniversary of the brutal invasion of Kuwait by Iraqi regime under its dictator Saddam Hussein. Along with all others residing in Kuwait in 1990, 2nd August, a huge Goan community comprising around 25 thousand were also caught unaware.
The initiative for the formation of Goa-Kuwait Solidarity center was purely my brainwork, my means the brainchild of a Konknnivadi and that too a Romivadi and it was supported by all my Romi Konknnivadi colleagues who as usual backed me up to move ahead. My first proposal was to call a meeting of like minded Goans in Goa to inform them of this idea and accordingly a public meeting was called on 3rd November 1990 of Kuwait evacuees thru media announcement and it was held in Panjim at T.B. Cunha Hall where about 100 Goans only attended when there were thousands available in Goa. All supported my idea and we took a decision to organize a Morcha – Rally – on the streets in Panjim on 12th November 1990. 
When this Morcha was finally organized, it was attended only by hundreds - Not Thousands - of Kuwait evacuee Goans when regretfully overwhelming majority numbering around 10 thousands especially those earning fat salaries in the Banks, KOC, KPC, KNPC, KAC and other lucrative sectors did not join us. For most of them the issue of Kuwait was like a gone case, Kuwait will not be liberated and as such what was the use of coming on to the streets in support of the liberation of Kuwait? 
Most of the Goans holding good jobs especially in lucrative sectors were having very pitiable economic and social status in Goa but they have improved their ratings only after coming to Kuwait. Yet they failed to recognise the positive impact Kuwait has created on their personal lives. One thing I noticed in such people that for the sake of money they will do anything, even they would lick the boots of Saddam Hussein because back home in Goa they starved of money. Hence, their over craze and over consciousness for money. When the Banking sector employees after the invasion of Kuwait were called to resume their duties, amongst others Goans also rushed instead of rejecting this offer, as a mark of protest against the invasion of Kuwait..
In pre-invasion period in Kuwait there were so many prominent Goans and prominent Goan Associations and Clubs but the moment they were evacuated free of charge by the Government of India they all or at least majority of them went into deep and long sleep like Rip Van Winkle. That they went into deep sleep I came to know only when they failed to participate in our meetings and in our first Rally on 12th November 1990 in Pajim, Goa, all organized for the cause of Kuwait. We needed financial and other help of all to promote our activities but those who minted money from Kuwait they remained at home. The millionaires who made millions in Kuwait like Avertano Furtado never even bothered to show his solidarity with the suffering Kuwait by associating with us. Mr. A. B. Fernandes the General Manager of Bahar Shipping and a prominent Goan figure in Kuwait was totally absent from our movement even though he made fortune by working in Kuwait for about 30 years and earned name and fame for him.
Prominent Goan figures in Kuwait like Vincente D’Souza who has done so much for the cause of Goa and Goans from Kuwait and who was considered as one of the leaders of Kuwait Goan community refrained from supporting our movement. Blandino Viegas the President of Kuwait Indian Football Federation not only not joined us but it looked he considered our support to Kuwait as against the interest of India. UG President, Kuwait Goan Association President, the major portion of Kuwait Tiatrists were nowhere closer to us. Some of the current leading and noise making in the media Tiatrists in Kuwait Goa Tiatristanchi Sonvstha were sleeping at home. Overwhelming majority of Goans involved in soccer at Sour Grounds showed their deslike for our movement in support of Kuwait. Some of those who are making a big show now at Sour Grounds including some referees like Sarto Batista and Bernardo were then Goa based Goans but they were not sucking the breast of their mothers, they were grown up and matured. Still they never supported us. They want Kuwait only to make money and not to support Kuwait when Kuwait was in need of it. Most of the prominent persons in Kuwait Goan Clubs and Kuwait Goan Associations have totally failed to show their open support to Kuwait.
Likewise so many well known and prominent Goans who were and still making a big show of them in Kuwait in one way or the other not only refused to support Kuwait by joining us but many of them opposed me in particular for organizing this movement as if by supporting Kuwait openly I am committing an anti-Kuwait act. Regretfully and unfortunately, most of the people involved in the Kuwait Church affairs and Church Circle have showed their negative attitude to Kuwait by remaining aloof from Goa Kuwait Solidarity Center in Goa. I thought they would show their big heartedness which they must have gained in the Church circle, by associating with us. But no, they turned out to be ungratefuls not only to Kuwait but even to God. Generally speaking many times people associating in Church affairs are most dangerous. Worst of cruelties and ingratitudes are committed by them only and yet they act like Saints. For this reason, one must believe in one principle "beware of the Pujari".
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
To be concluded.
Likewise so many well known and prominent Goans who were and still making a big show of them in Kuwait in one way or the other not only refused to support Kuwait by joining us but many of them opposed me in particular for organizing this movement as if by supporting Kuwait openly I am committing an anti-Kuwait act. Regretfully and unfortunately, most of the people involved in the Kuwait Church affairs and Church Circle have showed their negative attitude to Kuwait by remaining aloof from Goa Kuwait Solidarity Center in Goa. I thought they would show their big heartedness which they must have gained in the Church circle, by associating with us. But no, they turned out to be ungratefuls not only to Kuwait but even to God. Generally speaking many times people associating in Church affairs are most dangerous. Worst of cruelties and ingratitudes are committed by them only and yet they act like Saints. For this reason, one must believe in one principle "beware of the Pujari".
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
To be concluded.
One of the major achievements of our initiatives was the establishment of GOA - KUWAIT SOLIDARITY CENTER in Goa during the invasion of Kuwait. G-KSC was established in Goa on 3rd November 1990 to raise our voice against the invasion of Kuwait by the brutal Iraqi regime under the leadership of its dictator Saddam Hussein. The invasion of Kuwait was a big blow to all of us. It took place on 2nd August 1990. I was caught by the Iraqi soldiers early in the morning on that fateful Thursday below my building at 6.30 A.M. when I was going to work. I never knew Iraqi Military has already occupied Kuwait city.