Everything was going on smoothly in the building where HE was staying along with HIS family and widow mother. Before Fr. Melwyn retires from Kuwait, Fr. Melwyn established Samudai system for all the Catholics staying in this building. HE was the strong member of Samudai where they used to have monthly prayer meetings including at his place, special Nun – Sister from Carmel School was supervising the prayer meetings. Though not holy person yet Capuchin introduced HIM to the Church services and appointed HIM in one of the ministries meant for laymen.
Suddenly Capuchin on the eve of last Easter like a ruffian, roughly and rudely confronted me in the Church Sacristy of course in an anti-Christian manner not befitting his priesthood and thus displayed what background he is inheriting. That particular moment for no fault of mine Capuchin was so rough that like a wild animal he forgot to realise that he was wearing the robe of Jesus Christ. He behaved with me like a Goonda. Good that I did not lose my temper, because he is a priest I remained silent at that particular moment; however, if it was somebody else in my place, Capuchin would get a blow on his face. If he is not disciplined by his superior, I am sure one day he will provoke somebody to raise his hand on him and thereby put the Church into shame. Because of his rough nature like Hitler or Saddam Hussein, he is giving distorted image of our Catholic Church.
Many of our faithfuls are leaving Catholicsm because of the rough and rude attitude of our priests. Many of them are acting like Dictators which goes against the teaching of Christ. The recent taxing of faithfuls for the Church services first time in our history in the name of his superior is one case. This should not have been done without the consent of all the faithfuls. After all, it is said “NO TAXATION – WITHOUT REPRESENTATION. Otherwise there may be a possibility of creating another Boston Tea Party.
Christianity in general and Catholicsm in particular is not the monopoly of priests, pastors, Bishops, Cardinals and Popes only. If we allow the Church affairs freely to handle by the rough priests, these rough priests will destroy our Church and run away from our midst like Rats from the sinking ship. They are not interested in the well being of our religion and faithfuls. Capuchin made a statement saying “if you do not come to the Church, it is not my lookout”. Such priests will never help develop our religion nor save Souls from going in wrong direction. They are existing as priests only for their own personal benefit and not to serve God or humanity.
Concerned Catholics should take note of this especially the rough and dictatorial attitude of the Capuchin who takes support in the statement saying “Whatever I do, I do it with the consent of the Bishop”. Did his Bishop give his consent to him to act with me like a wild Rhino? One Bishop in Goa after blindly following the decisions of his cunning priests finally got Nervous Breakdown and now taking treatment in Bangalore, as per the available information. Our Capuchin is so rough that he will damage the fair image of Catholicism. He is suffering from super superiority complex because of his interaction with people of intellectually low calibre only. Even though he is nothing yet he feels he is the great person with great wisdom and with great knowledge. My foot!! He is acting arrogant as if the Church is his “Xepaichem Bens”. He should know that he is the monarch only of what he surveys within the 4 walls of the Church where he is serving, not community and God but for himself. His blind supporters are from “hoi polloi” category for whom in the name of God he brainwashes nicely.
Recently. after, I wrote an article in this forum on ‘Satanisation of Priesthood’ for which innumerable priests from Goa and elsewhere sent their appreciation to me, I noticed how much our rough priest is disliked by his own colleagues leave aside the faithfuls, because of his roughness. But few Chamchas of this rough priest including some ‘Cheddio’ sent me fake emails threatening me. One person according to my information told the rough priest that HE will hit me. At an appropriate time and at an appropriate place I will give this “potto” an opportunity to execute HIS threat and if HE is the real son of HIS real father HE will execute HIS threat otherwise opposite may happen and at that time let me see if rough priest will come to HIS aid.
In HIS threat to me HE has already created a threat for HIM. HE is actively involved in the Church affairs distributing Holy Communion with HIS unholy hands with which HE wants to beat others; HE was involved in promoting Samudai in HIS building though HE is using threats against me in an anti-Christian manner. For such persons God’s punishes severely because such people in the name of their Christian activities are cheating their Christian principles. And because of God’s punishment for such cheats, innocent people around HIM also becomes victim of God wrath.
God wanted to punish HIM for giving wrong impression of HIS Christian doctrine by promoting Samudai in HIS building. How did God’s move worked? There is a saying in Konkani “Eka Patkeak Lagon Devan Tarum Buddoilem”. In order to punish one sinner, the Ship carrying all the passengers was sunk thru devine punishment. This was what has happened to the promoter of Samudai in HIS building. Suddenly and unexpectedly, this month legal notice was served on all the tenants staying in this building to vacate. No Samudai – No cheating on Christian doctrine – No fooling the people in the building in the name of Samudai projecting HIMself as holy man. God does not accept chicanery and treachery. Because of the sin of one Catholic Chicaner, God punished all the tenants. I hope Capuchin knows this and learns more lessons from this incident. Capuchin must stop encouraging his Church Chamchas from speaking threatening language not only against me but against anyone. Threatening language goes against Christianity and against priesthood. The Bishop must act stringently on this topic before it erupts into a volcano.
To handle me is not an easy task for these Church associated pimps, kids and ruffian Capuchin though I am an ordinary and simple man. I don’t think Capuchin encountered another me in Qatar. Kuwait is not Qatar. Kuwaitkars have faced the life as none in the whole of Gulf and I was one of the centre pieces in facing this life and facing strong confrontation and not those stupid Catholics involved in the Church affairs who are nothing in life. They are something only because they are in Kuwait otherwise they would not even get partners to get married. They must thank Kuwait for affording them opportunities to work.
These Church associated rascals had no marbles in their Pants and Balls in their Bras to associate with us in our movement in Goa during the invasion of Kuwait to oppose openly the invasion of Kuwait by Saddam Hussein. For such anti-Kuwait Catholics Church is a very cheap area to gain cheap limelight easily. In some places, priests like Ministers demand Sex for inducting faithfuls in the Church activities, like inducting in any Church Ministries. In Catholics run school priests are demanding Whiskey, money and even Sex to dole admissions and other privileges to the students and thereby these Catholic priests serve the interest of Devil. The very person who wants to hit me was hiding under the petticoat of HIS wife when we were organising our movement in Goa against the invasion of Kuwait by Saddam Hussein. In this way HE showed HIS anti-Kuwait attitude. This man wants Kuwait only to make money and not to support Kuwait openly during the critical time of Kuwait. If HE cannot show open gratitude to Kuwait from where HE is earning HIS livelihood then how HE will show HIS gratitude to God?
It is sad thing that our Church is infested with rowdies, goondas and ruffians. This has to be stopped with curative methods. Our Church is a very vibrant Church, our elders and seniors namely clergy and non-clergy members have worked hard and made lot of sacrifices for our Church. Their past efforts should not be discarded in an ungrateful manner. The new comers are ignorant of the efforts put in by our elders. The new comers with their rough attitude will undo what has already been done if there is no brake applied.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
July 30, 2010
SAVE GOA'S CANSAULIM FROM MAUWIN GODINHO. JOIN IN MEETING TODAY.
By: Roger D'souza.
To all concerned Goans,
As the Goa Government drags its feet and the Cansaulim-Arrosim-Cuelim Village Panchayat does not address the concerns of the villages who form their constituency, our villages are “developing” into a nightmare. This is the sad story and reality of each and every village in Goa today!
When the Gram Sabha of Cansaulim had resolved in 2009 that no multi-dwelling units would be approved by the Village Panchayat without the Gram Sabha approval, construction licenses for mega housing projects continue to be given even in 2010.
There are also constructions licensed in low-lying paddy fields. The villagers have opted to voluntarily restrict constructions in the village at VP3 level of 50 FAR, but the Village Panchayat continues to issue construction licences to buildings at 80 FAR of VP1, contrary to the demand and resolutions of the Gram Sabha available on its own records.
A major issue of the villagers is the change in the demography of the wards with the construction of multi-storeyed buildings amidst the ground level single-unit residences. Any “development” should improve the quality of life for the residents and not create a burden on the existing infrastructure [roads, electricity, water and sanitation being the critical components] and lead to avoidable social tension and strife.
The Goa Bachao Abhiyan and the Villagers of Cansaulim will hold a meeting of the villagers and other persons who are concerned about the type of “development” being carried out across the state.
The meeting will be held at 6.00 P.M. on Friday 30 July, 2010 at Village Panchayat hall, Cansaulim.
It will be addressed by the villagers of Cansaulim and also by representatives of the GBA including its Convener Dr. Sabina Martins, Mr. Aravind Bhatikar, Fr. Maverick Fernandes of CSJP and others.
The meeting will seek to find solutions and evolve a concept of development for the village. The villagers of Cansaulim are concerned over the fact that the elected Panch members of the Village Panchayat have passed a resolution declaring a perfectly legal resolution adopted by the Gram Sabha as “Null and void”, even though the resolution was passed by following the procedure laid down for Gram Sabha.
Be there to show that you care! Please let your voices, aspirations and hopes for Goa be heard loud and clear!
Attached below is the notification from the GBA.
**************************************************************************************
- Show quoted text -
Goa Bachao Abhiyan
77, Defence Colony, Alto Porvorim-Goa
E-mail: goabachaoabhiyan@gmail.com url: www.savegoa.com ): 9767701245
The Goa Bachao Abhiyan and the Villagers of Cansaulim will hold a meeting with those who are concerned about the type of “development” being carried out across the state while the Government of Goa drags its feet and the Village Panchayats do not address the concerns of the village residents who form their constituency.
The meeting will be held at 6pm on Friday 30th July 2010 at the Village Panchayat Hall, Cansaulim.
While the Gram Sabha of Cansaulim had resolved in 2009 that no multi-dwelling units would be approved by the Village Panchayat without first referring it to the Gram Sabha, construction licences for the same continue to be given even in 2010. There are also constructions licenced in low-lying paddy fields that have been intentionally left fallow. A major issue of the villagers, is the change in the demography of the wards with the advent of multi-storeyed, multi-dwelling buildings amidst the ground level single-unit residences. Any “development” should improve the quality of life for the residents and not create a burden on the existing infrastructure [roads, electricity, water and sanitation being the critical components] and lead to social tension and strife.
The meeting will be addressed by the villagers of Cansaulim including Dr. Marconi Correia and Ms. Sheila Gracias and also by representatives of the GBA including its Convener Sabina Martins, Mr. Aravind Bhatikar and Fr. Maverick Fernandes of CSJP. The meeting will seek to find solutions and evolve a concept of development for the village. The Cansaulim villagers are outraged over the fact that the elected Panch members of the Village Panchayat have passed a resolution declaring a perfectly legal resolution adopted by the Gram Sabha as “Null and void”, even though the resolution was passed by following the procedure laid down for Gram Sabha. The villagers have opted to voluntarily restrict constructions in the village at VP3 level of 50 FAR, but the Village Panchayat continues to issue construction licences to buildings at 80 FAR of VP1, contrary to the demand and resolutions of the Gram Sabha available on its own records.
The GBA will also release for South Goa its booklet on “Village Development Plan 2010” prepared by the villagers through a workshop held last May at Nachinola VP, in association with the Village Level Committee, elected Village Panchayat body, the Zilla Panchayat member [Aldona-Nachinola-Moira] and facilitated by GBA in association with MAITHRI of Kottayam District-Kerala. The booklet contains the Village Development Plan proposed by the Directorate of Panchayats as per the Goa Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, to be completed by every village panchayat by 01 November each year.
The meeting will take note of the Opposition benches taking up in the Legislative Assembly the issue of the delay in the finalisation of Regional Plan 2021 during the monsoon session beginning on 19 July, 2010, to seek an explanation from the Government, specially the TCP Minister, about the inordinate delays that are fostering the destruction of Goa in the interim period. After the initial fervour, the operation of the “Flying Squads” seems to have slipped into a void. The on-the-spot “Stop Work” orders where tree-cutting, hill cutting or land filling has almost come to a standstill.
The GBA and the other groups have decided on re-start the protest to bring to the attention of the Goa Government and the Goa Adminsitration that patience has run out among the people of Goa and the delaying tactics will no longer work. The Government seems to have ceased being responsible to the people and there is no alternative but to take more affirmative action.
Reboni Saha
Hon Secretary GBA
--
Tel: +91-9767701245
Visit www.savegoa.com
--
Tel: +91-9767701245
Visit www.savegoa.com
--
Tel: +91-9767701245
Visit www.savegoa.com
KRANTI'S NOTE: GOANS FROM CANSAULIM WORKING IN KUWAIT SHOULD RAISE THEIR VOICE AGAINST DESTRUCTION OF THEIR PLACE IN GOA.
To all concerned Goans,
As the Goa Government drags its feet and the Cansaulim-Arrosim-Cuelim Village Panchayat does not address the concerns of the villages who form their constituency, our villages are “developing” into a nightmare. This is the sad story and reality of each and every village in Goa today!
When the Gram Sabha of Cansaulim had resolved in 2009 that no multi-dwelling units would be approved by the Village Panchayat without the Gram Sabha approval, construction licenses for mega housing projects continue to be given even in 2010.
There are also constructions licensed in low-lying paddy fields. The villagers have opted to voluntarily restrict constructions in the village at VP3 level of 50 FAR, but the Village Panchayat continues to issue construction licences to buildings at 80 FAR of VP1, contrary to the demand and resolutions of the Gram Sabha available on its own records.
A major issue of the villagers is the change in the demography of the wards with the construction of multi-storeyed buildings amidst the ground level single-unit residences. Any “development” should improve the quality of life for the residents and not create a burden on the existing infrastructure [roads, electricity, water and sanitation being the critical components] and lead to avoidable social tension and strife.
The Goa Bachao Abhiyan and the Villagers of Cansaulim will hold a meeting of the villagers and other persons who are concerned about the type of “development” being carried out across the state.
The meeting will be held at 6.00 P.M. on Friday 30 July, 2010 at Village Panchayat hall, Cansaulim.
It will be addressed by the villagers of Cansaulim and also by representatives of the GBA including its Convener Dr. Sabina Martins, Mr. Aravind Bhatikar, Fr. Maverick Fernandes of CSJP and others.
The meeting will seek to find solutions and evolve a concept of development for the village. The villagers of Cansaulim are concerned over the fact that the elected Panch members of the Village Panchayat have passed a resolution declaring a perfectly legal resolution adopted by the Gram Sabha as “Null and void”, even though the resolution was passed by following the procedure laid down for Gram Sabha.
Be there to show that you care! Please let your voices, aspirations and hopes for Goa be heard loud and clear!
Attached below is the notification from the GBA.
**************************************************************************************
- Show quoted text -
Goa Bachao Abhiyan
77, Defence Colony, Alto Porvorim-Goa
E-mail: goabachaoabhiyan@gmail.com url: www.savegoa.com ): 9767701245
The Goa Bachao Abhiyan and the Villagers of Cansaulim will hold a meeting with those who are concerned about the type of “development” being carried out across the state while the Government of Goa drags its feet and the Village Panchayats do not address the concerns of the village residents who form their constituency.
The meeting will be held at 6pm on Friday 30th July 2010 at the Village Panchayat Hall, Cansaulim.
While the Gram Sabha of Cansaulim had resolved in 2009 that no multi-dwelling units would be approved by the Village Panchayat without first referring it to the Gram Sabha, construction licences for the same continue to be given even in 2010. There are also constructions licenced in low-lying paddy fields that have been intentionally left fallow. A major issue of the villagers, is the change in the demography of the wards with the advent of multi-storeyed, multi-dwelling buildings amidst the ground level single-unit residences. Any “development” should improve the quality of life for the residents and not create a burden on the existing infrastructure [roads, electricity, water and sanitation being the critical components] and lead to social tension and strife.
The meeting will be addressed by the villagers of Cansaulim including Dr. Marconi Correia and Ms. Sheila Gracias and also by representatives of the GBA including its Convener Sabina Martins, Mr. Aravind Bhatikar and Fr. Maverick Fernandes of CSJP. The meeting will seek to find solutions and evolve a concept of development for the village. The Cansaulim villagers are outraged over the fact that the elected Panch members of the Village Panchayat have passed a resolution declaring a perfectly legal resolution adopted by the Gram Sabha as “Null and void”, even though the resolution was passed by following the procedure laid down for Gram Sabha. The villagers have opted to voluntarily restrict constructions in the village at VP3 level of 50 FAR, but the Village Panchayat continues to issue construction licences to buildings at 80 FAR of VP1, contrary to the demand and resolutions of the Gram Sabha available on its own records.
The GBA will also release for South Goa its booklet on “Village Development Plan 2010” prepared by the villagers through a workshop held last May at Nachinola VP, in association with the Village Level Committee, elected Village Panchayat body, the Zilla Panchayat member [Aldona-Nachinola-Moira] and facilitated by GBA in association with MAITHRI of Kottayam District-Kerala. The booklet contains the Village Development Plan proposed by the Directorate of Panchayats as per the Goa Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, to be completed by every village panchayat by 01 November each year.
The meeting will take note of the Opposition benches taking up in the Legislative Assembly the issue of the delay in the finalisation of Regional Plan 2021 during the monsoon session beginning on 19 July, 2010, to seek an explanation from the Government, specially the TCP Minister, about the inordinate delays that are fostering the destruction of Goa in the interim period. After the initial fervour, the operation of the “Flying Squads” seems to have slipped into a void. The on-the-spot “Stop Work” orders where tree-cutting, hill cutting or land filling has almost come to a standstill.
The GBA and the other groups have decided on re-start the protest to bring to the attention of the Goa Government and the Goa Adminsitration that patience has run out among the people of Goa and the delaying tactics will no longer work. The Government seems to have ceased being responsible to the people and there is no alternative but to take more affirmative action.
Reboni Saha
Hon Secretary GBA
--
Tel: +91-9767701245
Visit www.savegoa.com
--
Tel: +91-9767701245
Visit www.savegoa.com
--
Tel: +91-9767701245
Visit www.savegoa.com
KRANTI'S NOTE: GOANS FROM CANSAULIM WORKING IN KUWAIT SHOULD RAISE THEIR VOICE AGAINST DESTRUCTION OF THEIR PLACE IN GOA.
July 29, 2010
KIFF & IFF RECONCILIATION IN KUWAIT.
Formation of KIFF a quarter of a century back was the need of the hour. J.P. D’Mello the soccer law wizard and the soccer umpire of international repute who during that short period was working in Kuwait at Kremenco and guiding our soccer activities at Sour ground as a fatherly figure was the first to express this idea to me though it was running in my mind earlier. Then immediately I grabbed it and marketed it around for persons concerned to work on it and implement it. Besides me and JP, Lawrence Rato and Lawry Pinto worked very hard to form this association of course with the support of others too. I wanted it in order to bring all our soccer activities under one apex body and to bring some system in it and moreover I wanted to clip the wings of United Goans’ revengeful attitude of unnecessarily suspending participating teams. Being the initiator of our competitive soccer at Sour Ground, UG was then conducting major tournament on League Cum Knockout basis lasting for months and as such wielding lot of power and influence to suspend any team on any flimsy ground and thereby spoil the peace in the community. As an example, in 1982 without much substance UG as organisers suspended from the whole UG tournament the then topmost team GOA Maroons and thereby polluted the amicable atmosphere existing in the community. Some of those responsible for this foul play against GOA Maroons are either dead or disappeared like ether from this place but GOA Maroons is still existing and going strong while UG is tottering.
The politics of suspension of players and teams on unsound basis was the hallmark of KIFF working though it should not have been. Revenge was its ideal and people running the show of KIFF were not always of stable mind. Many times KIFF was run by people whose knowledge of soccer and its laws was abysmal. Sometimes KIFF was run by people of questionable character whose image in the community was bad. Most of the time KIFF gone into the hands of stupid people, at times they were so stupid that they even tried to reprimand me for my writings in the media on misdeeds of KIFF when I was not a member of KIFF or any KIFF affiliated club. KIFF failed to realise that it was as it is now a toothless cheap body in front of persons who are in no way officially associated with it. Secondly KIFF is not a recognised body anywhere under Kuwaiti authorities though it is registered with Indian Embassy just like many of the Indian Associations.
The football activities organised under KIFF is not to win the World Cup but only for pleasure and to pass our time. This being the case everyone involved in it like to play as much as possible though sometimes committing breach of discipline which no doubt require reprimanding but not imposing harsh punishment like harsh suspension which are not always necessary. Laws and rules are meant to apply for the smooth functioning of the system and not to harass and inconvenience individuals. Where leniency applicable KIFF sometimes applied Hitlerian rules as a personal revenge against certain teams and certain players. Because of such harsh application of rules, two persons were mercilessly assaulted in Goa some years back by the very persons who were rightly or wrongly punished by the KIFF.
The formation of Indian Football Federation (IFF) last year though not a good idea yet it was a good challenge to the brute might of the KIFF. The formation of IFF though a rebellion against KIFF was not necessary and it could have been avoided if little saner counsel was prevailed. The split in KIFF last year was very much avoidable but due to personal ego of some in KIFF, IFF initiators were pushed to the wall and finally failed, though one of the persons involved in the formation of IFF was very much instrumental in the promotion of KIFF earlier. KIFF is a strong body with a history of 25 years having strong base while IFF was a novice without any history and base. It was a pity that there was nobody in the community last year to pacify both the warring factions to come to the table and settle the matter amicably. But fortunately this year, according to my information, our Indian Ambassador has come forward to bring in the much needed reconciliation between both the warring factions and make the breakaway faction IFF return to KIFF. It is an excellent initiative of our Ambassador to see the prodigal sons back to its original place. Everyone who is interested in our unity and development of our soccer activities in the community must support the reconciliation efforts initiated by our Ambassador.
Earlier lot of disputes took place in the community when our soccer activities were organised at Sour Grounds, Colva incident was top on the list. It was so disgraceful that not only the Colva group spoiled the image of Goans but even they disgraced the image of Indians by bringing Nine Month Pregnant women on the ground to stop the soccer activities at Sour Ground under KIFF. In this connection I along with Fr. Gabriel Dias a Goan priest from Kuwait Catholic Church had a meeting in Indian Embassy with my friend and colleague at Writers Guild, Mr. Usmani who was one of the top Indian Diplomats. During our discussion on Colva episode Mr. Usmani showed his total displeasure over what was happening in the community in the name of soccer and confessed to me that he tried his level best to reconcile but Colva Goans are hard nuts to crack. In Goa I met local parish priest of Colva Church who with deep grief in his Sunday homily spoke against Colva people in Kuwait for creating foul atmosphere in Kuwait among Indians.
Now, since our Ambassador has taken a lead to patch up the differences between KIFF and IFF, I hope His Excellency will succeed where Diplomat Usmani failed earlier in another episode. Your Excellency the Ambassador of India in Kuwait, we all the like minded people support your initiative in bringing unity between the KIFF and IFF. I am sure knowing them well, both President and Vice President of KIFF along with their colleagues will work for the reconciliation which is very imperative now. This is not the time to punish the wrong doers but to offer the warm hand shake of reconciliation. This is not the time to apply the Law of Hamurabi. Eye for an eye and Tooth for tooth was the Law of Hamurabi the ancient king of ancient Mesopotamia. This is the time to welcome back the earlier deserters just like Biblical Prodigal Son. This is the time to follow the Christian principle of reconciliation and since overwhelming majority involved in this tug of war are Christians and regular Church goers, they all must now show that they are one though the rebellion brought in by some and formed IFF was not correct. This should be the good lesson for all to be alert in future before embarking upon hasty decision.
After all what is IFF? It collapsed within a year like a pack of cards. It is not easy to run an organisation.
And what is KIFF? It is not FIFA. It lost much of its shine though some in KIFF think that they are omnipotent when they are nothing. For me it means nothing much beyond certain area. For this reason I refused their request to honour me during the recently concluded KIFF League final, for my enermous contribution for the establishment of KIFF and in the promotion of Indian Soccer in Kuwait.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
The politics of suspension of players and teams on unsound basis was the hallmark of KIFF working though it should not have been. Revenge was its ideal and people running the show of KIFF were not always of stable mind. Many times KIFF was run by people whose knowledge of soccer and its laws was abysmal. Sometimes KIFF was run by people of questionable character whose image in the community was bad. Most of the time KIFF gone into the hands of stupid people, at times they were so stupid that they even tried to reprimand me for my writings in the media on misdeeds of KIFF when I was not a member of KIFF or any KIFF affiliated club. KIFF failed to realise that it was as it is now a toothless cheap body in front of persons who are in no way officially associated with it. Secondly KIFF is not a recognised body anywhere under Kuwaiti authorities though it is registered with Indian Embassy just like many of the Indian Associations.
The football activities organised under KIFF is not to win the World Cup but only for pleasure and to pass our time. This being the case everyone involved in it like to play as much as possible though sometimes committing breach of discipline which no doubt require reprimanding but not imposing harsh punishment like harsh suspension which are not always necessary. Laws and rules are meant to apply for the smooth functioning of the system and not to harass and inconvenience individuals. Where leniency applicable KIFF sometimes applied Hitlerian rules as a personal revenge against certain teams and certain players. Because of such harsh application of rules, two persons were mercilessly assaulted in Goa some years back by the very persons who were rightly or wrongly punished by the KIFF.
The formation of Indian Football Federation (IFF) last year though not a good idea yet it was a good challenge to the brute might of the KIFF. The formation of IFF though a rebellion against KIFF was not necessary and it could have been avoided if little saner counsel was prevailed. The split in KIFF last year was very much avoidable but due to personal ego of some in KIFF, IFF initiators were pushed to the wall and finally failed, though one of the persons involved in the formation of IFF was very much instrumental in the promotion of KIFF earlier. KIFF is a strong body with a history of 25 years having strong base while IFF was a novice without any history and base. It was a pity that there was nobody in the community last year to pacify both the warring factions to come to the table and settle the matter amicably. But fortunately this year, according to my information, our Indian Ambassador has come forward to bring in the much needed reconciliation between both the warring factions and make the breakaway faction IFF return to KIFF. It is an excellent initiative of our Ambassador to see the prodigal sons back to its original place. Everyone who is interested in our unity and development of our soccer activities in the community must support the reconciliation efforts initiated by our Ambassador.
Earlier lot of disputes took place in the community when our soccer activities were organised at Sour Grounds, Colva incident was top on the list. It was so disgraceful that not only the Colva group spoiled the image of Goans but even they disgraced the image of Indians by bringing Nine Month Pregnant women on the ground to stop the soccer activities at Sour Ground under KIFF. In this connection I along with Fr. Gabriel Dias a Goan priest from Kuwait Catholic Church had a meeting in Indian Embassy with my friend and colleague at Writers Guild, Mr. Usmani who was one of the top Indian Diplomats. During our discussion on Colva episode Mr. Usmani showed his total displeasure over what was happening in the community in the name of soccer and confessed to me that he tried his level best to reconcile but Colva Goans are hard nuts to crack. In Goa I met local parish priest of Colva Church who with deep grief in his Sunday homily spoke against Colva people in Kuwait for creating foul atmosphere in Kuwait among Indians.
Now, since our Ambassador has taken a lead to patch up the differences between KIFF and IFF, I hope His Excellency will succeed where Diplomat Usmani failed earlier in another episode. Your Excellency the Ambassador of India in Kuwait, we all the like minded people support your initiative in bringing unity between the KIFF and IFF. I am sure knowing them well, both President and Vice President of KIFF along with their colleagues will work for the reconciliation which is very imperative now. This is not the time to punish the wrong doers but to offer the warm hand shake of reconciliation. This is not the time to apply the Law of Hamurabi. Eye for an eye and Tooth for tooth was the Law of Hamurabi the ancient king of ancient Mesopotamia. This is the time to welcome back the earlier deserters just like Biblical Prodigal Son. This is the time to follow the Christian principle of reconciliation and since overwhelming majority involved in this tug of war are Christians and regular Church goers, they all must now show that they are one though the rebellion brought in by some and formed IFF was not correct. This should be the good lesson for all to be alert in future before embarking upon hasty decision.
After all what is IFF? It collapsed within a year like a pack of cards. It is not easy to run an organisation.
And what is KIFF? It is not FIFA. It lost much of its shine though some in KIFF think that they are omnipotent when they are nothing. For me it means nothing much beyond certain area. For this reason I refused their request to honour me during the recently concluded KIFF League final, for my enermous contribution for the establishment of KIFF and in the promotion of Indian Soccer in Kuwait.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
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