Goans Honor NRI Affairs Delegation

Kuwait Goans urged to direct grievances to NRI Affairs
- By Sanny Nazareth

Kuwait Nov 22: When it comes to hosting receptions, banquets or occasional celebrations, Goans do it with passion. This was conspicuously discernible on Friday, November 9, 2007, when a segment of the Goan community in Kuwait threw in a lavish reception in honour of the visiting delegation from the Indian State of Goa.

The delegation comprised of Eduardo Faleiro, Honorable Commissioner for NRI Affairs-Government of Goa, Vice-Admiral (Rtd.) John Colin De Silva, Chairman, Overseas Employment Agency of Goa, Ulhas D. Kamat, Director of NRI Affairs, Government of Goa and Ms. Sabina Martins, social activist and President of "Bailancho Saad", a powerful regional organization that spearheads the movement for the emancipation of women. His Excellency M. Ganapathi, the Ambassador of India, V.K. Mahajan, First Secretary, Education & Information and other Indian Embassy officials also graced the occasion that was set in a luxurious Mughal ambiance at the Mughal Mahal hospitality chattels in Hawally.

Carmo Santos, founder and chief patron of Goan Cultural Centre in his welcome address highlighted the steadfast endeavours of the NRI Affairs Goan in the interest and for the benefit of the NRI Goans. Santos was particularly ecstatic at the visit of the delegation and expressed confidence that with Faleiro at the helm of NRI Affairs, a new leaf would be turned to redress issues that obsess the NRI Goans. Santos also gratefully appreciated the kind guesture of His Excellency, M. Ganapathi for gracing the occasion despite the fact that it was the day of Deepavali, the great Indian Festival of Lights.

Eduardo Faleiro speaking in Konkani pledged full support, cooperation and assistance and advised Kuwati Goans to direct genuine grievances to the NRI Affairs, Goa. Faleiro apparently elated at the overwhelming reception then presented a beautiful memento to Carmo Santos and hailed him as, "an excellent leader of the Goan community in Kuwait".

His Excellency, M. Ganapathi then tossed in a big surprise by saying a few admirable words with a touch of Konkani to the cheerful applause of the guests who thronged the venue. A surprise guest speaker was Ashok Karla, one of the managing partners of the prestigious Mughal Mahal chain of restaurants who extolled the Goan community for their "organizational dexterity" and added, that every Goan function was a mini Goa reflecting "Goans inherent desire for joie de vivre".

Suresh Naik, President of Goan Cultural Centre proposed a vote of thanks. Earlier, the delegation was profusely welcome with flowers bouquets and later, presented with gifts at the hands of the leaders of several Goan social, cultural and sports organizations active in Kuwait. Several prominent Goan personalities along with their families and guests who warmly interacted with the members of the delegation included Engineer Suresh Naik, President of Goan Cultural Centre, Dr. Jagganath Chodankar, President of Club 9, Alexander Fernadnes, President of Colva United Centre, Bosco Leitao, President of CRC Chinchinim, B.M. Viegas, President of United Goans Centre, Derrick Gomindes, Sports Secretary (Hon) Kuwait India Football Federation (KIFF), and, S.J. Nazareth, President of Kuwait Goa Foundation, among others.

This Article is featured in Mangalorean.com
www.Mangalorean.com

Forward by Carmo Santos carmosan50@hotmail.com

Alisha to team up with 2-Sharp at Navelim Feast Celebrations

-by gasper crasto www.goa-world.com

Kuwait: Alisha Esparanca Fernandes, a seventh standard Carmel School prodigy will team up with 2-S#arp musicians at the feast celebrations of Our Lady of Rosary, Thursday 22nd November 2007 at Hotel Village Inn, Kuwait City.

Our Lady of Rosary Church, Navelim -- one of the oldest churches of Goa - built by the Portuguese

Every year, Our Lady of Rosary feast, patroness of Navelim Church is celebrated in Goa on the 3rd Wednesday of November. Navelim Youth Centre (NYC) celebrate the feast in Kuwait on a Thursday with a Thanksgiving mass at the Holy Family Cathedral 6.30pm followed by a get-together of club members and families later in the evening. The function will include young Navelim sons Lentini and Platini Louis performing on keyboards.

Daughter of Neeta Fernandes and NYC Advisor and longstanding President Agnello A.S. Fernandes, Alisha will play on the violin accompanied by the musicians. Alisha is trained by Salvador, a well known Goan musician living in Kuwait.

“I have performed at many functions but playing in front of my beloved villagers and family...i think that's cool,” remarked an excited Alisha adding, "I thank dad for encouraging me to learn music and the violin. I intend to master the art of music and perhaps one fine day get to play in a mega assemblage like Yanni.."

Alisha is also a fluent Bharat Natyam dancer and has won many prizes for her performances at inter-school competitions.

Profile: Alisha Fernandes
Date of Birth: 10th December
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
Place of Birth: Dar Al Shifa Hospital – Kuwait
School: Carmel School
Future Plans: Medicine
Favorite color: Blue
Favorite Food: Authentic Goan dishes
Favorite Song:Jab se tere Naina – “Saawariya”
Favorite Indian actor: John Abraham
Favorite Indian Actress: Angelina Jolie
Hobbies: Likes to hear music, playing Badminton, etc.

--Greetings on the occasion of feast--
to all devotees of Our Lady of Rosary
May our Lady bless us all!

Other Links:
Shahu forms 2-S#arp - a 2 men band

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gulf-goans/message/14559

BLACK to be screened on 30 Nov 2007 with English Subtitles

Links on BLACK
Making of 'Black' - II
Making of 'Black' - I
'Black Nhesop Atachem Fashion' Released
Joseph Rodrigues - a new star on the Horizon
Riana Azavedo to leave an impact with 'Black'
A Tete-a-Tete with superstar Sylvester Vaz
Stage great Mario de Majorda in a new avatar
Black star Comedian Philip spills the beans
Black: Helen Pinto in a friendly appearance
A Tete-a-Tete with Cajetan Pereira
What makes 'Black' an E-Cinema?
Rowla Lewis: Amazing 'discovery' of BLACK
Crowning of 'Comedy Queen Querobina'
Black: Braz de Parra composes songs with danceable beat riffs
Lead actress of Black - Gracy Morais Speaks 'Black' film shot in Kuwait set for release

SANNY MELO VO TAKA MARLO?

Sanny singing in Rosary's musical show

Sanny de Quepem’s body was taken to Goa and he was buried in his home village Cemetery on the 15th of this month.

That death can come to anyone at anytime is a sure fact but still we have some reasons for our deaths. What was the cause of Sanny’s death? According to hospital report “his heart was depressed”. Did this happen because he was deeply depressed during the Goa Day function?

According to information available, Sanny was asked by the Goa Day organizers, Goan Welfare Society – to sing a song on Goa Day on 9th of this month. He prepared a nice song for the function and it was his wish to render it during the presence of visiting NRI Commissioner from Goa Eduardo Faleiro when attendance was at its peak. Sanny’s wish was to convey his message to larger audience including Faleiro. But to his shock, he was not allowed to sing his song when he wanted to sing it. He tried his best to plead his case with the organizers but all in vain. This was probably the shock that made him extremely depressed. To his chagrin he was made to sing at the last stage of the function when the attendance was thinned and Faleiro had already left the hall.

Sanny Vaz singing a manddo as a lead singer with Querobina, Rosary and Sandra in a group

With a depressed mood he went home and sat on his bed with a stressed mood feeling uneasiness all over his body. He then called his brother and asked him to give him a glass of soda. By the time his brother went to bring soda, Sanny collapsed on the bed. Immediately he was rushed to the nearest Hospital but at the entrance he was declared DEAD.

By nature he was not aggressive and not very stiff to accept humiliations and negatives. Any downbeat answer he would take very seriously and to his heart. He was very sentimental and a emotional man. I am sure the negative answer to his request by Goa Day organizers must have made him depressed which in fact he should not have taken so seriously. But Sanny’s nature is such.

I don’t know why Sanny gave so much of importance to Eduardo Faleiro’s presence in the hall. Who is Eduardo Faleiro and what he can do? He is only an NRI Commissioner having Cabinet Rank from the Goa Government. This post was given to Eduardo Faleiro earlier by Rane as a “bokxis” to keep him occupied. Even if hundred NRI Commissioners appointed nothing much good will happen to us in Kuwait or anywhere in the Goan world abroad. By doling this post to Eduardo Faleiro, Rane and Goa Government have kept Faleiro occupied in something at the cost of tax payers otherwise as a politician, Faleiro would create some mischief which may disrupt the Goa Government. When dealing with the Government of Kuwait, representatives of Indian States have very little say or nothing at all.

According to further information, the organizers of Goa Day and the persons dealing in Sanny’s song were very adamant. By acceding to the request of Sanny heaven would not fall but why this request was denied is beyond my imagination. This was a small request but made “MOTTO” (FAT) unnecessarily. Was it to satisfy the anger of Sanny’s adversaries in Tiatro fraternity? Sanny had his adversaries in Tiatro fraternity since he sang that piercing song against “To Aslear Aum Nachona”.

Those who are involved in denying Sanny the privilege of his simple request should be exposed and if it was done with malice then they should be held responsible for his death. There should be debate on Sanny’s death not only in Kuwait amongst the followers and supporters of Sanny but also in the entire tiatro fraternity spread all around the Konkani musical world. The death of Sanny is a big blow for the development of Tiatro as a whole. He deserved highest respect and highest consideration for his request. Sanny’s death should be the talk of our conversation anywhere amongst us. This is not a simple issue. Thru this issue a “MOTTO” crisis was created because of which not ‘MOTTO’ but “Bharik” Sanny had to sacrifice his life.

Sanny’s wife Meera once thru telephonic conversation requested me to tell her husband to give up Tiatro activities because she felt this activity would lead him into problems. She did not like some of the people around him in this activitity. Maybe she felt one day these people will destroy her husband?

Sanny with Rosary Ferns & Querobina in a trio

Worst of activities amongst Goans are happening during the Goa Day functions. Past experience tells us that Goa Day is a very sinful day. It is a day where you notice “goondagiri”, “Soro” and “Pozoddponn”. Goa Day proved to be synonym with Sex – liquour and fights. It is like a curse and because of this curse I think God sent his punishment in the form of deaths. Earlier my colleague John Fernandes after attending Goa Day at Funaitees died of heart attack. This time after attending Goa Day function another Goan and popular figure Tiatrist Sanny de Quepem died. Whose turn will be the next in the coming year?

When John died GWS was headed by one of the three persons involved in illegally holding the 30,000 plus Kuwaiti Dinars of GWS fund, when Sanny died GWS is headed by second person involved in this fund scandal. For two fund scandalous persons two deaths have occurred. For the third scandalous person will there be another death of third innocent person like John and Sanny?

With these tragedies in mind, I think we should be very cautious in attending Goa Day. Our elders and even Church leaders should take note of the all the nonsense going on during Goa Day and advise the faithfuls accordingly. It is the duty of the Church leaders and especially priests who are conversant with us to advise people to take a correct path. Goa Day is become the day of sin and the day of death. Why? Because of the punishment of God for the sinful acts committed during Goa Day functions and because of the misappropriation of the huge funds by the three persons?

Goa Day is organized under the leadership of persons with dubious character, one of them was also involved in demanding sex from young girl for the favour of job. Such Narvenkar-ism should be punished by the people of good character by not attending Goa Day functions. As it is many of the decent Goans have stopped attending Goa Day functions especially the decent families who loathe indecent behaviour.

Some mystery is surrounded in the two deaths following Goa Day. There is a saying in Konkani, “Adaum korta pap ani sonsot dita zap”, “Chor kortat bamtteponnam ani innocent Goykar bhogtat mornam”. God alone knows what is lying next in Goa Days in the years to come!

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.