KGTS says "Tiatristponn Devachem Dennem"
Dear Tiatr Lovers and Konknni communities,
It is indeed again a time for vested interests to defame KGTS!!! Yes, KGTS has a grand musical show around the corner and this irks many so-called Konkani lovers to re-unite to vilify and spill the venom around the corners. Unfortunately for them and fortunately for KGTS, despite all such dirty attempts, KGTS stands clean and solid in its commitment to serve the interest of Tiatr and Tiatrists in Kuwait and Goa.
In all honesty, KGTS has no need to answer any such queries or clarify the malignant accusations from such scrupulous individuals since the facts are out in the open and will be further ratified during our show on 18 September 2009 at Al-Masrah Hall, Hawally.
However, we owe it to our patrons, well-wishers and Konkani tiatr lovers to clarify the issues deliberated in this email.
Jose Rod is a pillar of KGTS, a founder member, a great artiste and true Tiatrist. He is recovering from his brain tumor operation and has been advised complete rest for six months by his medical team. KGTS is in touch with Jose Rod and we have his blessings and guidance for our every activity.
KGTS Musical Show has a galaxy of Konkani stars from Kuwait and Goa. Mr. Barretto should have done a thorough homework before fabricating and spreading baseless stories. Sylvester, Irene and Manuel de St. Cruz are very much a part of KGTS Musical Show while Comedian Philip is on a vacation in India.
As for Musician Socorro, he has been an integral part of KGTS since its inception and participated in a major way in every KGTS Musical Show. Due to personal reasons owing to his forthcoming trip aboard, he promised all assistance but requested to excuse being unsure whether he would be in Kuwait during KGTS event.
Since its inception, KGTS has been an open ground for accusations and slander by certain groups of individuals that find it hard to digest the praiseworthy work done by KGTS for the tiatr community. We are determined to carry our work forward despite all the odds and nothing can deter our commitment.
The KGTS Managing Committee is open for genuine queries regarding the Musical Show but have no time to argue with fools who are out to waste our valuable time. Our humble request and warning to such people to refrain themselves from indulging in getting free publicity for them by publishing rotten baseless stories on the net.
We welcome you all to watch the spectacular presentation by KGTS Team and the befitting tribute to the late Padmashree M. Boyer.
Mog Assum dhi
Francis de Verna
KGTS Managing Committee
francisji@yahoo.com
September 23, 2009
GOA BIDS ADIEU TO NOEL DA LIMA LEITAO.
GOA BIDS TEARFUL ADIEU TO CHARISMATIC COMMENTATOR.
Daniel F de Souza.
Well-known TV football commentator and Goa’s most adorable and admired football administrator Noel da Lima Leitao was laid to rest at the St. Andrew’s cemetery Vasco amidst a sea of grieving family, friends, football lovers, players, club representatives, Senior Government Officers, Administrators, Ministers, politicians and people from all walks of life who came to pay their final respects to someone who touched each one of them in many different ways. The funeral cortege left his palatial mansion at Vaddem to the St. Andrew’s church for the Eucharistic service and final rites and burial at 4 p.m.
It is not always that one can witness such a massive assembly of people at funerals, but, in the case of Noel it was just that. Rev. Fr. Jose Antonio da Costa parish priest of St. Andrews parish concelebrated the funeral mass with 14 other priests. In his introductory words at the mass service Fr. Jose Antonio da Costa said “Noel was a friend to all, and a man for everyone. He was kind hearted, loving, cheerful and committed to any cause, a devout person. Today his family is in deep sorrow as also his numerous friends. He was a gifted man who could unite and build communities with his loving nature. His youthful voice over the TV network was loved by millions of friends across the globe”.
As a prelude to the funeral service Emiliano D Cruz rendered a violin solo as the stream of mourners filed in silently and in grief after the coffin was brought in and placed before the altar. Late Noel’s four daughters sang the hymn ‘Lord I offer my Life’ during the mass service in harmonious voices. During the communion service Padmashree Remo Fernandes rendered a touching and melancholy solo recital ‘ Farewell to a friend’ his own composition on the flute, while the choir took a break. The entire congregation listened in pin drop silence and attention as the touching notes flew from the wooden instrument. Post communion the Cota choir sang the hymn ‘Ave Maria’ in a classical version, a hymn that Noel during life time loved and sang very often. Dattaraj V. Salgaocar MD V. M. Salgaocar Bros ltd., a close friend and confidante of Noel da Lima who was present at the funeral with his wife Deepti, read out a touching and glowing tribute to his childhood friend and companion which literally brought tears to many an eye. He recalled the happy times they spent together and extolled the qualities of head and heart of Noel. In an emotionally charged voice Raj said ‘Entire world is sad, for we have lost a true friend, a true champion. Time will not heal this wound caused by his sudden and untimely demise.
Noel was a good human being and a finest person on this planet. Above all the things in life, he most valued the gift of life itself and the gift of his wife Nayantara whom he loved a lot. We have in the past often sung the song ‘Knocking on Heavens door’ together. But today the staircase to heaven was laid down to receive him first. At this moment let us not grieve for the loss of our friend, but let us look back and recall how he loved us, for our loss is heavens gain. Noel, we will some day together sing ‘Knocking on heavens door’ in heaven once again” he concluded .
As a mark of respect, the President and members of GFA led by their president Joaquim Alemao carried the coffin from the altar to the main door of the church outside. From here the football players of Vasco Sports Club dressed with the club jerseys, of which Noel was the patron carried the coffin to the cemetery which was draped in the Vasco club black and white flag. It was truly a sad and painful moment to all present there to see the man who enjoyed a larger than life image, and so passionately loved and nurtured the game of football lying lifeless in the wooden coffin and on his last lap to his final resting place.
As a mark of tribute Noel’s brother in-law played and sang Noel’s favourite song ‘Knocking on Heaven’s door’ on the organ after the service. The atmosphere in the church was charged and there was a look of sadness and grief all around, for everyone irrespective of their social background they came to bid a final adieu to someone they loved and adored for all that he was in life, a true gentleman to the core and a great human being. Noel’s sister Natasha in a choked voice paid rich and touching tributes to her beloved brother as also his daughter Chantale extolled the qualities of her Papa while Alisha his elder daughter thanked the congregation. The church was full of family and friends and overflowing with mourners. The newly constructed side wing of the church on the Port-side end was thrown open and used to seat the people, besides a shamiana also accommodated people on the outside. There were closed circuit TVs installed so that no one missed the solemn funeral service. The parish priest Fr. Da Costa who was personally saddened by the sad demise of Noel, left no stone unturned to ensure that the funeral service was smooth in all respect befitting a man who lived and loved life to the fullest.
The entire parish council of members worked for 3 days in preparation for the funeral service under the guidance of the parish priest and rendered all assistance at the service. The Vasco police and the traffic cell did a marvelous job in controlling the traffic and organized systematic parking in and around the church compound. It is often said; Life has two uninvited guests, Love and death. Sadly and unexpectedly the second guest arrived uninvited a little too early and took away Noel da Lima for an eternal companionship. But for his family and numerous friends Noel will forever live in their hearts.
n.b.: This report appeared in today's (17/9/09) Gomantak Times.
Daniel F de Souza.
Well-known TV football commentator and Goa’s most adorable and admired football administrator Noel da Lima Leitao was laid to rest at the St. Andrew’s cemetery Vasco amidst a sea of grieving family, friends, football lovers, players, club representatives, Senior Government Officers, Administrators, Ministers, politicians and people from all walks of life who came to pay their final respects to someone who touched each one of them in many different ways. The funeral cortege left his palatial mansion at Vaddem to the St. Andrew’s church for the Eucharistic service and final rites and burial at 4 p.m.
It is not always that one can witness such a massive assembly of people at funerals, but, in the case of Noel it was just that. Rev. Fr. Jose Antonio da Costa parish priest of St. Andrews parish concelebrated the funeral mass with 14 other priests. In his introductory words at the mass service Fr. Jose Antonio da Costa said “Noel was a friend to all, and a man for everyone. He was kind hearted, loving, cheerful and committed to any cause, a devout person. Today his family is in deep sorrow as also his numerous friends. He was a gifted man who could unite and build communities with his loving nature. His youthful voice over the TV network was loved by millions of friends across the globe”.
As a prelude to the funeral service Emiliano D Cruz rendered a violin solo as the stream of mourners filed in silently and in grief after the coffin was brought in and placed before the altar. Late Noel’s four daughters sang the hymn ‘Lord I offer my Life’ during the mass service in harmonious voices. During the communion service Padmashree Remo Fernandes rendered a touching and melancholy solo recital ‘ Farewell to a friend’ his own composition on the flute, while the choir took a break. The entire congregation listened in pin drop silence and attention as the touching notes flew from the wooden instrument. Post communion the Cota choir sang the hymn ‘Ave Maria’ in a classical version, a hymn that Noel during life time loved and sang very often. Dattaraj V. Salgaocar MD V. M. Salgaocar Bros ltd., a close friend and confidante of Noel da Lima who was present at the funeral with his wife Deepti, read out a touching and glowing tribute to his childhood friend and companion which literally brought tears to many an eye. He recalled the happy times they spent together and extolled the qualities of head and heart of Noel. In an emotionally charged voice Raj said ‘Entire world is sad, for we have lost a true friend, a true champion. Time will not heal this wound caused by his sudden and untimely demise.
Noel was a good human being and a finest person on this planet. Above all the things in life, he most valued the gift of life itself and the gift of his wife Nayantara whom he loved a lot. We have in the past often sung the song ‘Knocking on Heavens door’ together. But today the staircase to heaven was laid down to receive him first. At this moment let us not grieve for the loss of our friend, but let us look back and recall how he loved us, for our loss is heavens gain. Noel, we will some day together sing ‘Knocking on heavens door’ in heaven once again” he concluded .
As a mark of respect, the President and members of GFA led by their president Joaquim Alemao carried the coffin from the altar to the main door of the church outside. From here the football players of Vasco Sports Club dressed with the club jerseys, of which Noel was the patron carried the coffin to the cemetery which was draped in the Vasco club black and white flag. It was truly a sad and painful moment to all present there to see the man who enjoyed a larger than life image, and so passionately loved and nurtured the game of football lying lifeless in the wooden coffin and on his last lap to his final resting place.
As a mark of tribute Noel’s brother in-law played and sang Noel’s favourite song ‘Knocking on Heaven’s door’ on the organ after the service. The atmosphere in the church was charged and there was a look of sadness and grief all around, for everyone irrespective of their social background they came to bid a final adieu to someone they loved and adored for all that he was in life, a true gentleman to the core and a great human being. Noel’s sister Natasha in a choked voice paid rich and touching tributes to her beloved brother as also his daughter Chantale extolled the qualities of her Papa while Alisha his elder daughter thanked the congregation. The church was full of family and friends and overflowing with mourners. The newly constructed side wing of the church on the Port-side end was thrown open and used to seat the people, besides a shamiana also accommodated people on the outside. There were closed circuit TVs installed so that no one missed the solemn funeral service. The parish priest Fr. Da Costa who was personally saddened by the sad demise of Noel, left no stone unturned to ensure that the funeral service was smooth in all respect befitting a man who lived and loved life to the fullest.
The entire parish council of members worked for 3 days in preparation for the funeral service under the guidance of the parish priest and rendered all assistance at the service. The Vasco police and the traffic cell did a marvelous job in controlling the traffic and organized systematic parking in and around the church compound. It is often said; Life has two uninvited guests, Love and death. Sadly and unexpectedly the second guest arrived uninvited a little too early and took away Noel da Lima for an eternal companionship. But for his family and numerous friends Noel will forever live in their hearts.
n.b.: This report appeared in today's (17/9/09) Gomantak Times.
September 22, 2009
G'bye Goa: "Ghanttis", Ahoy. By Valmiki Faleiro.
G’bye Goa: “Ghanttis,” ahoy!
By Valmiki Faleiro
Goa, historically a land of in-migrants, turned into a land of out-migrants, thanks to
vicissitudes of the times. From antiquity, locals left the land either to seize better
opportunity in new kingdoms or to flee from repression.
Thanks to the overzealous Portuguese, Goa (then comprising of Bardez, Tiswadi and
Salcete, which included today’s Mormugao) turned predominantly Catholic. Native
Hindus either converted or fled. The other seven talukas, predominantly Hindu, were
added to Goa only in the 2nd half of the 18th century.
Emigration, largely by Catholics, initially led to intra-Goa demographic changes, as
Goan Hindus from the new talukas took their place. Continued emigration led to
in-migration from the rest of India, while the Portuguese were still here.
Finally dawned 19-Dec-1961. By late 1963, Goans were in charge of their own
destiny. But, in yet another twist of irony, Goa went into a tailspin. Today, her
demography is beyond redemption.
Post 1961, education facilities improved. But political improvidence was obsessed
about Goa’s merger with Maharashtra, without a thought to her economic welfare.
Education led to no local jobs. With emerging world markets, Goans emigrated in
larger numbers. And folks from the rest of India took their place.
Many think that Goans have today dwindled to about 60% of Goa’s population from
the 1960s to the 2000s, and are now inching towards the halfway mark. May I explain
why I think we already were a minority by the turn of the millennium. Briefly today, a bit
elaborately next Sunday.
Goa’s population (i.e. of the three Old Conquest talukas) was 60,000 in 1580. Two
decades later, it increased to 75,000 in year 1600. After the economic decline set in,
the figure plummeted to a mere 20,000 in 1700, the effect of emigration and plagues
during the 17th century.
Though Goans trickled out during the 18th century, the population drastically depleted
from the early 19th century because of emigration to British-held lands. Emigration
again increased dramatically from 1920, and yet again, after 1961.
Emigration and death, in the natural cycle of human anthropology and population
control, ought to have severely shrunk Goa’s resident population in the 20th century,
unmatched as it was by births. Lesser births not because of absentee husbands.
Rather, from prosperity and better education. As any student of economics knows,
increased education and wealth reduces the size of families.
Thomas Robert Malthus, the 18th century British economist, is the acknowledged
father of the theory on population. In his “Essay on the Principle of Population,”
Malthus espoused that overpopulation caused poverty and, coupled with illiteracy, led
to larger families. Inversely, better education and wealth led to a smaller population.
That’s what Goan émigrés brought to Goa. More wealth, better education, and sharply
reduced human fertility.
Goa (Old & New Conquests combined) had 4.65 lakh inhabitants in 1821. Out-
migration depleted the number to 3.63 lakh by 1850. The count in 1860 stayed
constant at 3,63,788 (Christians 2,32,189; Hindus 1,28,824; Muslims 2,775.)
It just inched up in 1870, to 3,84,429. The trend continued all that decade (1875:
3,90,500; 1876: 3,88,712 and 1877: 392,239.)
The combined effect of emigration and reduced fertility should have nose-dived the
graph line of Goa’s population. But no, from the 20th century, thanks to the British-
modernized Mormugao port and rail line, it actually rose … because of in-migration
from British India. The 1900 Census placed the figure at 4,75,513.
By 1910, Goa’s population shot to 5,48,242.
The Census figure of 1914 surged to 7.00 lakh, obviously the result of continued
in-migration by Indians into Goa. However, it dipped to 5.20 lakh in 1926 (following the
swell in emigration from 1920), but maintained at 5.00 lakh in 1931. That year, the
population rose by 48,010 (9%), and in 1940, the rise was 42,207 (7.6%).
In 1949, it was 6,24,147. In 1950, it marginally rose to 6,37,846 (Hindus 4,88,741 and
Christians 3,34,021). In 1960, Goa had 5.90 lakh inhabitants.
P.S: I called Noel da Lima Leitao late last week. Needed some info on his maternal
uncle. He was at a private dinner in Calcutta. Yet, he obliged me. Less than 48 hours
later, Noel was no more. That’s life. May he rest in peace. (ENDS)
The above article appeared in the Herald, Goa, edition of September 20, 2009
By Valmiki Faleiro
Goa, historically a land of in-migrants, turned into a land of out-migrants, thanks to
vicissitudes of the times. From antiquity, locals left the land either to seize better
opportunity in new kingdoms or to flee from repression.
Thanks to the overzealous Portuguese, Goa (then comprising of Bardez, Tiswadi and
Salcete, which included today’s Mormugao) turned predominantly Catholic. Native
Hindus either converted or fled. The other seven talukas, predominantly Hindu, were
added to Goa only in the 2nd half of the 18th century.
Emigration, largely by Catholics, initially led to intra-Goa demographic changes, as
Goan Hindus from the new talukas took their place. Continued emigration led to
in-migration from the rest of India, while the Portuguese were still here.
Finally dawned 19-Dec-1961. By late 1963, Goans were in charge of their own
destiny. But, in yet another twist of irony, Goa went into a tailspin. Today, her
demography is beyond redemption.
Post 1961, education facilities improved. But political improvidence was obsessed
about Goa’s merger with Maharashtra, without a thought to her economic welfare.
Education led to no local jobs. With emerging world markets, Goans emigrated in
larger numbers. And folks from the rest of India took their place.
Many think that Goans have today dwindled to about 60% of Goa’s population from
the 1960s to the 2000s, and are now inching towards the halfway mark. May I explain
why I think we already were a minority by the turn of the millennium. Briefly today, a bit
elaborately next Sunday.
Goa’s population (i.e. of the three Old Conquest talukas) was 60,000 in 1580. Two
decades later, it increased to 75,000 in year 1600. After the economic decline set in,
the figure plummeted to a mere 20,000 in 1700, the effect of emigration and plagues
during the 17th century.
Though Goans trickled out during the 18th century, the population drastically depleted
from the early 19th century because of emigration to British-held lands. Emigration
again increased dramatically from 1920, and yet again, after 1961.
Emigration and death, in the natural cycle of human anthropology and population
control, ought to have severely shrunk Goa’s resident population in the 20th century,
unmatched as it was by births. Lesser births not because of absentee husbands.
Rather, from prosperity and better education. As any student of economics knows,
increased education and wealth reduces the size of families.
Thomas Robert Malthus, the 18th century British economist, is the acknowledged
father of the theory on population. In his “Essay on the Principle of Population,”
Malthus espoused that overpopulation caused poverty and, coupled with illiteracy, led
to larger families. Inversely, better education and wealth led to a smaller population.
That’s what Goan émigrés brought to Goa. More wealth, better education, and sharply
reduced human fertility.
Goa (Old & New Conquests combined) had 4.65 lakh inhabitants in 1821. Out-
migration depleted the number to 3.63 lakh by 1850. The count in 1860 stayed
constant at 3,63,788 (Christians 2,32,189; Hindus 1,28,824; Muslims 2,775.)
It just inched up in 1870, to 3,84,429. The trend continued all that decade (1875:
3,90,500; 1876: 3,88,712 and 1877: 392,239.)
The combined effect of emigration and reduced fertility should have nose-dived the
graph line of Goa’s population. But no, from the 20th century, thanks to the British-
modernized Mormugao port and rail line, it actually rose … because of in-migration
from British India. The 1900 Census placed the figure at 4,75,513.
By 1910, Goa’s population shot to 5,48,242.
The Census figure of 1914 surged to 7.00 lakh, obviously the result of continued
in-migration by Indians into Goa. However, it dipped to 5.20 lakh in 1926 (following the
swell in emigration from 1920), but maintained at 5.00 lakh in 1931. That year, the
population rose by 48,010 (9%), and in 1940, the rise was 42,207 (7.6%).
In 1949, it was 6,24,147. In 1950, it marginally rose to 6,37,846 (Hindus 4,88,741 and
Christians 3,34,021). In 1960, Goa had 5.90 lakh inhabitants.
P.S: I called Noel da Lima Leitao late last week. Needed some info on his maternal
uncle. He was at a private dinner in Calcutta. Yet, he obliged me. Less than 48 hours
later, Noel was no more. That’s life. May he rest in peace. (ENDS)
The above article appeared in the Herald, Goa, edition of September 20, 2009
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