July 10, 2008

21st Birthday Remembrance - Ralph Gonsalves

“Darkness isn't the absence of light... it's the absence of you!”

RALPH GONSALVES
Born - July 11, 1987
Died - February 10, 2008
21st Birthday Remembrance
IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR MOST BELOVED...

Your sheer presence in our midst
Was always a real joy…
We laughed our hearts out
When you called yourself a 'Man'
Even though you were just a little boy…
Wonderful son, loving brother,
And a compassionate friend…
A loss in our family,
We're still unable to comprehend…
No matter how much we want,
God has his way…
Now, as we remember you
On your 21st Birthday,
We can only look up to heaven and say…
Dear RALPH… HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Fondly remembered by:
Dad: Roque, Mum: Joyce,
Brother: Russell, Sister: Janessa,
Bro-in-Law: Nazarius & Niece: Baby Narissa,
Family members and relatives.
-------------------------------------
"To be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord."
-Corinthians 5:8

July 7, 2008

Laurente Pereira releases 'GOENCHI MATI' in Kuwait

Konkani Audio CD "Goenchi Mati" Released in Kuwait
-A review by Sunny Nazareth

Kuwait: One of the renowned writers, directors and artistes of the Konkani stage, Laurente Pereira released his maiden audio CD recently titled, "Goenchi Mati". The CD was released at the Al-Masra Auditorium, Hawally under the banner of Lara Productions. It was released at the hands of a Thome Gracias, a prominent Goan personality, admirer and ardent proponent of the Konkani 'Mai Bhas'.

The CD contains eleven powerful tracks with an introduction by young Abigail Pereira. As the title of the CD signifies, it conveys a powerful and poignant message that Goans overseas should deserve to be laid to rest in Goa, in the very womb of the true blue blooded Goan soil (Goenchi Mati). Lawry Travasso beautifully renders the title track with consequential support from Laurente Pereira and Dolla Mascarenhas.

Thome Gracias releasing the CD.
Also seen are Comedian Agustine, Comedian Phillip, Querobina, Laurent and his daughters.

The track,'Gaunche Tiatrist' pays tremendous tribute to the formidable stage artistes from Laurente's own village Utorda, in Goa. The CD also introduces Ms. Sherline Pereira who excels in the rendition of 'Ashram' with her mellifluous voice. "Desachi Girestkai" highlights the plight of children at school and has direct reference to the tragedy in Madras sometime back wherein ninety children were burnt alive in a school due to the negligence of the authorities. Pascoal Rodrigues is highly commendable with his suspenseful song 'Saulli' leading to an unexpected anticlimax.


The trio 'Dhubhavachem Vojem' by comedian Philip Pereira, Querobina Carvalho and Dolla Mascarenhas is another beautiful rendition also ending in suspenseful anticlimax. 'Liplolo Mog' by Dolla Mascarenhas is worth listening for its lyrical and musical excellence. The duo 'Duddu' by Sylvestar Vaz and Laurente Pereira conveys a powerfully sensible message that money is not everything in life. The lyrical 'seconds' by Sylvester Vaz are worth listening to. And Lawry Travasso's solo 'Bhavarth' is praiseworthy for the message it conveys. 'Sonth' by ace musician Norman Cardozo reflects Christian communities obligation to keep the Sabbath and other church designated days holy. The final track 'Kolestrol' by comedian Philip Periera is a virtual laugh riot and only Philip could have sung it so comically with a pinch of humor.

Laurent Pereira speaking on the ocassion

The lyrics have been beautifully penned by Laurente Pereira and set to lilting tunes by maestro Norman Cardozo on keyboard, trumpet by Agnelo Dias, Sammy de Merces on trombon, violin by Victor da Costa, lead and rhythm guitar by Chris Correia of the band Pure Magic, and percussions by Jack Rebello.

The audio CD is a must for all lovers of Konkani music.

July 6, 2008

Kuwait Football matches

To: goa.kranti@gmail.com
Sent: Sunday, July 06, 2008 12:22 PM
Subject: League matches

Dear Editor,

How are you doing? Nice to see the Kuwait-Indian football updates on GOA KRANTI. I must say that our last match we played was really a testing one given the conditions. Credit to each and every player for keeping up against the odds.

Anyways, I would just like to put my personal view with regards to the next match (semi-final). I feel it is utter ridiculous to be playing in such conditions. Irrespective of what others think about it or have to say, I stand by my views.

It is nonsense to see the KIFF administrators who were present for the match on Friday to carry on with the 2nd match given the weather conditions. End of the day what do they care, for them it’s become like a formality to finish off the season like any other season. Given the number of injuries that happened on the ground (more injuries than one can see goals), I wonder if they even care for that or they have any brains in their head. They could have easily abandoned the 2nd match given the weather conditions. I don’t think anyone would have complained, but might have said it’s a sensible decision. But as always it looks like common sense is very uncommon and the same applies much to people in KIFF.

I doubt the club responsible to organize the semis will take any interest. In Kuwait everyone loves to play football for the fun of it. but not the way we played our last match on Friday. End of the day the only satisfaction each one gets playing football is self-satisfaction and the fun involved playing. Besides that there’s nothing to football here. If that very basic satisfaction is deprived then what’s the point in risking oneself in these conditions. You understand what I mean.

I think it’s high time someone like the KRANTI blog stands up and says that if something is wrong then it is wrong. I find most of the club presidents here are scarecrows who will go out of their way to be in the limelight than voice against these kinda issues. As for me, I will make it very clear that I am not committing to play the semi-finals if we should be playing in a furnace. I have respect for my fellow players in the team as well, but then it’s up to them. It’s their choice. I would love to play as well, but I simply think that KIFF takes every club for granted. I cannot talk on behalf of my club, but I can speak for myself.

By the way, please this has nothing to do with my club. But the way things are run here (KIFF), its simply annoying. If KIFF has to arrange a grass ground (which I don’t expect) for the semis & finals of such a so-called prestigious league named after a late footballer, they should do it, cause now they had the dance and they ought to have some money in hand.

I feel the only thing KIFF does is, chalks the football calendar for the year. And waste time in petty squabbles with club issues and player issues. But as far as contribution to the game is concerned, there’s hardly anything coming out from the KIFF organization. KIFF only co-ordinates with clubs, which is something clubs can handle themselves. I can’t believe it – an organization which represents the only Expat Indian Football scene here in Kuwait and that too for so many years, forget that, they don’t even work or think on any lines. All they want to say is “I am,… Mr. Idiot is the president of KIFF in Kuwait” No other gulf country boasts of 19 clubs with full fledged leagues. All these people are taking undue credit. And whoever is the President of KIFF must be thinking he’s like some VIP here….

I hope I will not be denied an opportunity to play the semis, thanks to a bunch of fools who run the game in Kuwait.

Rgds
KIFF player
(Name & email withheld)