Kuwait pays tribute to M. Boyer

By Gasper Crasto, Kuwait

Kuwait: Few artistes leave an immortal impression in this world. Padmashree recipient Shri M. Boyer will forever remain one of the greatest such artistes - an icon of Goan drama, Konkani language and art.

People who were fortunate to see M. Boyer on stage will perhaps never ever see another star of M. Boyer’s calibre – a great playwright, philosophical composer and singer.

Lovers and fans of M. Boyer held a condolence meeting in Kuwait to pay homage to the doyen of Konkani stage who expired on 30th May 2009. The meet was held on Saturday 6th June 2009 at Village Inn, Kuwait City. M.Boyer's mortal remains were laid to rest in Goa on 2nd June 2009 by hundreds of mourners, predominantly from the tiatrist faternity, tiatr lovers and Goans from all walks of life.







Sorrowful Goans, tiatr lovers and fans of late Shri. M. Boyer in particular attended the meeting. KHK President Fidelis Fernandes commenced the meeting with a speech on M.Boyer’s immortality. He described his and his father's close association with Boyer. As a matter of interest, Fidelis Fernandes was the first in Kuwait to bring Boyer to Kuwait to participate in Tiatros.

The other famous personalities from the Goan community who spoke and paid tributes to M. Boyer included Mario Rebello, Luis Cardoso who also conducted the prayer for the departed soul, Carmo Santos, Elvino Rodrigues, Alexander Fernandes and A. Veronica Fernandes. Gasper Crasto transliterated the philosophy and richness of Boyer’s song 'Ixttagoth' and sang it to music accompanied by Richard on keyboards.

A. Veronica enlightened the audience on the greatness of M. Boyer. He said M. Boyer was one of the greatest tiatrists - an unmatched composer, singer, actor, comedian, writer and director -- a tiatrist who brought a philosophical creation to songs. Veronica rendered in the form of song verses some of M. Boyer’s memorable hits in his speech which brought melancholy recollections of the great artiste. Some of the songs he rendered were from pre-liberation period and post liberation period which showed the greatness of M. Boyer. Very few amongst the masses in Goa and Kuwait are aware of these songs. Veronica, one of the living encyclopedia on tiatr showed a commendable memory to remember these immune songs.

A Video presentation of M. Boyer’s presence in a drama in Kuwait during his last trip to Kuwait was played to the gathering which brought tears to the eyes of many. In this same presentation it was shown His Excellency Prabhu Dayal, former Ambassador of India to the State of Kuwait honouring Shri M. Boyer at Kuwait Funaitees Tiatro Hall for bagging the Sangeet Natak Academy award from the President of India His Excellency Shanker Dayal Sharma.

Veronica Fernandes concluded the function acknowledging everyone’s presence and praying Eternal Rest to the departed soul.

Other Links:

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Stalwart Goan accorded warm send-off

By Gasper Crasto

Photos by: Rewon Gomes, professional photographer.
Additional input: Gaspar Almeida, Moderator, Gulf-Goans e-Newsletter

Kuwait, June 2009: Alexander Fernandes, ex-President of Colva United Centre-Kuwait (CUC) and a stalwart of expatriate Goan in Kuwait for over 3 decades was given a grand send-off by the club at a function held at City Mughlai Restaurant on Friday, June 5, 2009.

Members of the club showed their affection to Alexander with the cutting of a specially prepared cake in honor of their leader. The function was attended by a number of distinguished guests from various circles.

Dignitaries who spoke on the occasion included Jacob Fernandes (newly elected CUC President), Muriel Alphonso (President - Indian Women's Association), Dr. Jaganath Chodankar (General Secretary of Indian Doctors Forum, and President - Club 9), Blandino Viegas (President, Kuwait Indian Football Federation), Kuwait Konknni Kendr member and journalist A.Veronica Fernandes, among a host of Goan personalities who wished him well.

Earlier, CUC P.R.O Joao Fernandes highlighted various accomplishments of Alexander and his popularity among expatriate Indians, especially Goans. Joao fernandes further highlighted Alexander's successful efforts to get CUC registered in Goa under the Societies Act and obtaining relevant permissions to invest CUC finances in mutual funds, government securities and also share trading in stock markets. In recognition of his efforts and his contributions, the CUC committee has overwhelmingly designated Alexander the title of Honorary Attorney in Goa to represent their interests back home.

A. Veronica Fernandes speaking

Dr. Jaganath Chodankar during his speech

Indian Women’s Association President Muriel Alphonso speaking at the function

P.R.O Joao Fernandes highlighting Alexander’s accomplishments

"I wish all the members of CUC, fellow Colvenkars and the large Goan community to keep up the good work and continue to foster unity and fraternity among the Indians living in Kuwait," concluded Alexander flashing his trade mark smile which will remain embedded in the minds of all.

The function was well coordinated by compere and CUC member Tony Viegas with DJ Mario providing music for the taste.

:::About Alexander Fernandes:::

Alexander has been in Kuwait for the last 34 years working with The Gulf Bank, his last position being the Assistant Manager in Trade Finance. Prior to his coming to Kuwait, he worked at the State Bank of India in some branch offices in Goa. He has a Bachelor's Degree (Commerce) from Pune University. A founder member and treasurer of the Goan Welfare Society since inception, Alexander has been involved with various social welfare activities over the years. A man of principles, he always contributed valuable, viable and progressive suggestions at GWS forums. He has been an active promoter and a protagonist of Goan causes including the promotion of Konkani language.

When Novem Goem Prathisthan was formed with the sole aim to publish a Konkani daily newspaper 'Novem Goem' back home in Goa, Alexander, along with A. Veronica Fernandes, and scores of Konkani lovers came forward to carry out the mission by forming a Kuwait Committee of Novem Goem Prathisthan. A sum of Rs. 4 lakhs were donated for the project in the name of Goans in Kuwait for the smooth running of the Konkani newspaper. Alexander was also at the forefront of Goans' movement to get Kuwait-Goa-Kuwait direct flight when NRI Goans faced many problems to travel to Goa via Bombay. Being an active member of Konkani Basha Mandal in Goa, he registered over 100 members in Konkani Basha Mandal from a varied spectrum of Goans when he landed in Kuwait.

When overseas Goans were called upon by Goenche Porjecho Avaz for support in getting Konkani language in the 8th Schedule of Indian Constitution which culminated in declaring Konkani as Official language and Goa as a separate State, Alexander played a pioneering role along with other fellow Goans in this movement and managed to collect about Rs. 5 lakhs for the successful mission. Alexander is also the member of Gulf Goans Hotels Company - a venture of a group of NRI Goans based in the Gulf, predominantly from Kuwait - which now has to its credit the impressive "Goan Heritage Hotel" in Calangute, Bardez, Goa.

Way back in 1982 in Goa, the project of Colva Parish Hall was lying incomplete due to financial constraints. Along with other progressive minded Colvenkars Alexander started the movement of mobilizing funds and managed to get about Rs 5 lakhs for the construction. The hall is now operational for the last 20 years. This movement led the foundation stone for the formation of Colva United Centre in Kuwait which today has become a vibrant and result oriented association not only for the people of Colva but for other Indian expatriates also. Alexander has been successfully leading the Centre for the last 6 years before the new committee was elected last May.

Colva United Centre's dream project is to start a '24 hour Modern Health Centre' in Colva under the Goa NRI Commissioner's scheme "Development of Your Own Village". According to CUC, the progress of the Health Centre project is progressing with the process of land acquisition already been initiated by local MLA who is also Goa's Tourism Minister.

Colva United Center - Managing Committee for the year 2009~2010

The newly Executive Committee of Colva United Centre for the year 2009~2010:

Jacob Fernandes - President; Ms. Celine Vaz -Vice President, Minino Ratus - Gen. Secretary, Gloyne Fernandes- Asst. Gen. Secretary, Manuel Fernandes - Treasurer, Agnelo Pereira - Asst. Treasurer, Tony Viegas - Cultural Secretary, Peter Fernandes (Willy) - Asst. Cultural Secretary, Joao Fernandes - Public Relations, Menino Fernandes -Asst. Public Relations, Ms. Violet Ratus - Asst. Public Relation,

Executive Members:
Cajy Diniz, Thomas Vaz, Xavier Mascarenhas, Rosary Fernandes, Alex Goes, Peter Fernandes.

AMONG THE GREATEST GOANS - By Valmiki Faleiro.

AMONG THE GREATEST GOANS…
By Valmiki Faleiro (with inputs from Joaquim Correia-Afonso, Benaulim and Francisco Monteiro, Lisbon).

Today, 10 June, is the 150th birth anniversary of Roque Correia-Afonso. In the gallery of great Goans who defended, and pursued, Goan interests in public life, down history, his memory immediately springs to mind. Such was the multi-faceted persona – advocate, journalist, politician and statesman – that it’s difficult to decide where to begin and end.

Let’s go chronologically. Roque Correia was a legendary advocate from the ‘garden’ village of Benaulim. He attracted law students even from far away Macau. Agostinho Afonso of Divar was a pupil. By his Coelho wife from Margao’s Holy Spirit church square, Roque had two daughters. Adelia married a Mesquita from Consua-Cortalim. Propercia married Agostinho, and the family name changed from Correia to Correia-Afonso. To this marital union was born Joao Joaquim Roque Correia-Afonso (RCA), 10-June-1859. He inherited not just the name and legal mind, but, from his grandpa’s laps, love for humanity and for Goa. At age 16, together with fellow students, RCA launched a periodical, ‘Estreia Literária.’ Then joined Margao advocate, Joao Manuel Pacheco for an apprenticeship in law – and, like his own father, ended becoming his senior’s son-in-law.

At 20, RCA set up legal practice and emerged a brilliant advocate, with powerful oratory. He had a way with words, both spoken and written. He wrote copiously for Goan papers of the time. The ‘O Heraldo’ had been slapped with a State suit. It had published (1903) extracts of a sermon by Fr. Sarmento Ozorio, an outspoken critic of Goa’s colonial rule.The editor, Dr. Antonio Maria da Cunha, sat in the courtroom, awaiting justice. When thePublic Prosecutor concluded final arguments, it was RCA’s turn to defend the editor. “I have nothing to say,” RCA submitted, and sat down. The courtroom was stunned. The Prosecutor wore a wide grin. The judge was bewildered. After a long pause, he asked RCA, “have you nothing to say in defence of the accused?” RCA repeated his five words, but implored the judge to look at the accused, who was soundly asleep. “Cunha’s conscience is so clean that he can peacefully sleep on a day when he could be sent to jail for years.” Cunha was acquitted. Records and proceedingsof the case were published as a book, ‘A Opiniao da Justica e a Justica da Opiniao.’

Though an acclaimed advocate, this “champion of lost causes,” who all his adult life fought oppressive officialdom, leveraged his intellect, legal skills, powerful oratory and a mighty pen for the dignity and political rights of Goans. Early on, the brilliant orator joined the ‘Partido Indiano.’ In the bloodletting Parliament polls of Sept. 21, 1890, he boldly issued his famous ‘Minuta de Agravo’ and proclaimed,“Never again an ‘official’ candidate!” He served in the Provincial Congresses and on theGovernor’s Council – the good of Goa uppermost in his mind. At one session, a proposal for promoting ‘tavernas’ was under discussion. He firmly believed alcohol was root of serious social and health problems. End of his eloquent anti-taverna tirade, he looked at the Governor in the eye and said,“Your Excellency, Goa is a ‘taverna’ and (pointing his finger at the Governor...) you are its (the taverna’s) keeper!” The proposal was quickly dropped.

Provincial Congresses were convened at his instance. He presided over the 3rd, where his outstanding leadership qualities shone bright as ever. Appointed Mayor of Salcete by Governor-General Dr. Couceiro da Costa, he envisoned several projects in industry, public transport and education. Most proposals, alas, stayed on paper as RCA, yet again, fell out of gubernotarial grace. Margao was then under a plague. At personal risk, he ventured forth to provide solace.

Upon his demise, a grateful town not only placed his portrait in the civic hall, but named after him one of its main thoroughfares, leading to his native Benaulim. From enactment of enlightened laws to revival of ‘ganvkaris,’ from better agricultural practices (he had a particular fondness for coconut cultivation, which he dubbed the“major wealth of Goa”) to championing higher education for women, his contribution to Goa was perhaps the greatest by any Goan in that era.

A devout Catholic, he stoutly opposed the caste system, gladly joined a confraternity of‘lower’ castes, and willed he be burried in an unmarked grave. Death occured on March27, 1937. RCA and Claudina Pacheco had a dozen, his “twelve apostles,” one-third “copper” (four sons), two-third “silver” (eight daughters), “gold” were his daughters-in-law, all well-placed in life, and 52 grand children, who together built the Correia-Afonsos into an institution – not just in Goa, but around the world. RCA left a library of his own books/writings, and others have written more about him.The greatest tribute we Goans could pay his memory is to strive for prosperity of Goa and for integrity in our moral values. (ENDS