GREATNESS OF INDIAN ATHLETES DURING CWG IN DELHI.

By Nisser Dias 21st Oct 2010

Indian athletes did us proud.
Now the government should provide for them.

At the recent concluded Common Wealth Games in Delhi, Indian athletes in various disciplines brought laurels to the country by winning almost 100 medals. This count of medal is the highest ever in India and by this huge achievement, the young athletes of this country has sent a message to the government that they too can compete with the world’s best and bring back the honours for their motherland.

As recently as maybe two years back we were thrilled that Abhinav Bindra won the first ever gold medal for the country during the last Olympics. This tally was further raised by Sushil. But at the CWG 2010 games at New Delhi, new talents emerged taking every one by surprise. Everyone was expecting the same athletes to win their gold and a few other medal. But the countrymen were stunned by the performance of athletes in various other disciplines that our country stood tall in the second place of the gold medal tally. My hats off to the athletes, their parents and the coaches who put in hard work over the years to make the world and more importantly our own government to realize that there is no dearth of sporting talent in India.

It is high time that the Union government and the state governments appreciate the efforts of the athletes and become conscious of the need to allocate much required funds for various sports, infrastructure and other needs of the athletes. The government should also specify the heads under which the funds can be utilized simply because our politicians have the tendencies to utilize major chunk of allocation of funds for building infrastructure because this is where either the minister or the sports director or someone down the line get their commission and what is left for the athletes is just pittance.

The fallout of such a policy is that parents and family members of the athletes have to slog it out to provide for the children to bring out the best in them. This mindset of the government has to change and instead organize coaching camps to tap the talent. And once a athletes is noticed or rather identified, the government should go all out and provide the facilities to bring out the best in the child without burdening the parents because when an athletes shines at the international sporting event it is pride not only for the parents but even bigger pride for the state and the country.

The need of the hour is to ensure the current medal winners do not feel slighted after the games are over and that they will be remembered only at the time of next national or international sporting events. The government should ensure that their future is secure, that when the athletes surpass the age of competition that they will either be employed as a government servant or the government will facilitate, subsidize or finance them if the athletes want to set up their own academies in the field of their discipline. This is besides other incentives in cash and properties that the national or state governments doles out to the athletes on their return home. This will send a clear message to grooming athletes that the governments be it national or state has a policy in place to ensure their well being and that they will not be left in the lurch or left to fend for themselves.

This is the biggest fear of athletes that the government does not appreciate their efforts nor cares for them. And this has a ring of truth to it because Indian ace sprinter gold medalists Pillavullakand Thekkeparambil Usha better known as P T Usha was not even invited for the opening ceremony of the recently concluded Common Wealth Games.

But Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Congress party president Mrs. Sonia Gandhi extended their courtesy to the medal winning athletes and personally met and acknowledged their contribution to sports in the country. But it should not just remain at this, much more needs to be done to boost the morale of sportsmen and women in this country. They should be honoured publicly. On the eve of Common Wealth Games national news channel CNN-IBN honoured forgotten sports heroes of the country and they had similar thing to express, wherein they said that they do not require money from the governments but require recognizance of their achievement, which the governments failed to but were accomplished by CNN-IBN

To start with Indian athletes should have access to all the world class facilities made available at the Common Wealth Games. Sports Federations and Associations should be invited to organize national level meets, tournaments, events, matches etc at these facilities throughout the year. Sports infrastructure and facilities in states should be revamped. Good coaches should be employed by the government to coach, train and instruct athletes on the finer nuances of the sport, check on their fitness levels. Such measures will go a long way in building our athletes for future.

As of now sports in India seems to be in a disarray with our youth taking interest in sports only at the school or college level and then giving up and the reason being no future prospects are underlined by the government. Those few parents who encourage their children have to dig deeper into their pockets to sustain the needs of their child or children, as the government’s dictum is -- you first get the medals for the country only then it will recognize your talent and maybe then think of contributing to the expenses incurred. This scenario has to stop immediately and instead, national as well as state governments should spend money on identifying talent in sports and training them.

Send your comments/reactions to nisserdias@gmail.com

KONKANI FILM "TUM KITEM KORTOLO ASLO?"

The official launch of ShaMaz Films' Konkani 35 mm celluloid film "Tum Kitem Kortolo Aslo?" in Kuwait, October 21, 2010:

This morning, the official launch preceeding the international release of ShaMaz Films’ Konkani 35 mm celluloid film “Tum Kitem Kortolo Aslo?” was held at the Kuwait Continental Hotel in the presence of Kuwait media journalists and Kuwait-based film producers. Domingos Araujo, President of Kala Mogui Kuwait, welcomed all present and introduced the Actor-Director-Producer Sharon Mazarello and her husband Wilson (Wilmix) Mazarello. The duo has been specially flown to Kuwait courtesy of Jet Airways and Kuwait Continental Hotel whose representatives where also present at the launching ceremony. A brief glimpse on the film production was provided by Sharon and Wilson highlighted on the experience of filming, production and post-production. “We are happy to have been approached by our Goan friend, Domnic Araujo, to have the film’s release in Kuwait. Initially we were taken by surprise to be given such a preferential approach to have an international release for our film".

We are delighted to know of the tremendous response and coverage given to us in Kuwait’s prominent English dailies – Kuwait Times, The Times and Arab Times as well as internet portals. “Our Goans friends have surprised us with even our arrival photos on the India and Goa-centric cyber portals”, a beaming Sharon surprised the gathering. The cast and the production crew were very cooperative to finish the movie on schedule, answered Wilson when questioned by The Times reporter, Joseph (William) Fernandes.

T-Bush, the Kuwait-based award winning film producer-director raised a valid point at the ensuing discussions. His contention was that it is imperative to develop the Konkani film standard and to produce make more and more outstanding movies in Konkani. "I want the market to change and to demand more Konkani films which makes profit". "The Konkani film producers should be looking more into the economics and must aim to get the returns back from their investment". This dream will come true only when the Konkani lovers will demand rich cinematography, story, direction, music and choreography”. He further emphasized, “I advise not to buy or to watch the low standard home videos churned out as films”. “We all must protest, only then the producers and directors will work hard to make the best movies and within no time the Konkani movies will get the rightful place on the cinema map of the world”. T-Bush assured his wholesome cooperation towards this endeavour.

The media coordinator for Shamaz Films’ Konkani film world premiere is Goa's pride http://www.goa-world.com/. To a question put in by the Gulf-Goans e-Newsletter moderator as to what was the assistance provided by the Government of Goa, Sharon answered that there are several governmental schemes which were explored. The willingness and encouragement by the government authorities to promote Konkani films is of paramount importance. Focussing the discussions on the recent trend of producing home videos and marketing them as 'films' on DVD, it was suggested that a censor certificate be made compulsory to look into the quality of production as well as the contents. More focus towards this aspect is the need of the hour.

Arif Kazi, President of Fankaar Arts (Kuwait) and who has been associated with the Hindi stage for over two decades expressed his views that it is very nice to hear that regional films are getting more attention and it is film makers like Sharon Mazarello who are expressing their love for their mother tongue, Konkani. He congratulated the actor-director-producer of ‘Tum Kitem Kortolo Aslo?. Arif Kazi expressed his desire to support their future endeavors. Kala Mogui Kuwait thanked Arif Kazi in a special way for all the assistance rendered in connection with the film premiere. He also thanked the Kuwait National Cinema Co. and the Cinescape Metro management.

Representing the tiatrist fraternity in Kuwait, comedian Philip Pereira, who has been associated with Wilson Mazarello and other Goan directors on the tiatr stage since the mid 1980s wished Shamaz Films (Goa) all the best in their new venture. “I look forward to viewing the screening of the film tomorrow. It will be an unique opportunity to see the film at the world premiere”, Philip proudly said with his trademark smile! Curiously he questioned Sharon if she will give up acting on Konkani stage? Instantenously Sharon responded, now that I would like to devote more time to films' production, but with the limited time available, she would be happy to continue with her first love for the Konkani stage. Wilson Mazarello continued further: We have our love for tiatr and will continue it in the future.

Music for the film is credited to Balthazar Fernandes (ex-assistant to Kalyanji-Anandji) while Wilmix has penned the lyrics and set it to tune and the Cinematography is attributed to Domnic Dias, it was highlighted at the launch. The cast of the movie includes Sharon Mazarello, Pradip Naik, Franky Gonsalves, Wilmix, Comedy Supremo Humbert, Effie Fernandes, Roseferns, Menino de Bandar, Comedian Edisson, Fermeeno, etc.

George D’Souza, a stage artiste and member of Fankaar Arts, Anthony Fernandes representing the official hospitality partner Kuwait Continental Hotel, and Mustaq Ali representing Jet Airways, the official carrier for the Konkani film release were among those present at the launch and press briefing. Sharon & Wilmix Mazarello will be present at the world premiere release at the Cinescape Metro Auditorium at Farwaniya. They can be reached at Mob: +965 55897765.
The film is scheduled to be released in a few days in Goa at two major cinema complexes - the INOX in the capital city, Panjim and the OSIA in Margao.

The feature film is the first Konkani film to be directed by a woman and first Konkani film that is 100 per cent Goan – the producer, director, screenplay writer, cinematographer, music director, editor, choreographer, musicians, singers and actors are all Goans and the film has been entirely shot in Goa. It’s the first Konkani film to use professional choreography, also involving Goan fire-dancers. ‘Tum Kitem Kortolo Aslo?’ is also the first Konkani film to use an orchestra of 35 Goan musicians and the first Goan film with a Dolby-sound.

The organizers Kala Mogui Kuwait can be contacted at: +965 99391452.

GASPAR ALMEIDA,

KUWAIT.

IS SCIENCE ALONE RESPONSIBLE FOR TECHNOLOGICAL ACHIEVEMENT??

Human beings made lot of development and achieved lot of success with the help of scientific methods and modern technological tools. Man landing into the Moon in 1969 would never have been possible without the latest scientific methods and technological advancements. Scientific methods and technological tools no doubt play major role in promoting mankind’s achievements yet spiritual aspect is very essential to achieve our goals.

Soviet Russia under Nikita Kruschev was the first to send an Object known as Sputnik into outer space manned by its astronaut Yuri Gagarin. When this object passed over India, Gagarin sent a message to Indian premier Jawaharlal Nehru saying ‘India looks very beautiful’. After completing its mission, when Gagarin landed back on to the surface of this earth, Khrushchev rushed to him and embraced him saying ‘come my son, I am very proud of you, you made our country and communism very proud. The next goal of landing our man into the Moon is very close now’.

Being atheist, Soviet Russia discarded the name of God and relied only on Science and scientific methods to achieve its goal, including the goal of landing Soviet Astronauts into the Moon. They relied only in Science and scientific methods by discarding Spiritual aspects. Later on in its mission to outer space Soviet Russia suffered lot of setbacks, once its spaceship even came back to the surface of the earth with its Astronaut dead. Finally atheist Soviet Russia with its pompous Communism never landed its man into the Moon.

A few years after Soviet Russia embarked on its mission into space, USA entered into this race sending Satellites into the outer space. Great Britain also wished to enter into this race but refrained from doing so saying this is a sickness called ‘Satellitis’ just like Appendicitis or Bronchitis. President John F. Kennedy vowed to send the man into the Moon before the end of 1970 and with total dedication and invoking the name of God USA embarked on the mission to the Moon. And as we all know, USA finally succeeded in its mission of sending man into the Moon in 1969. Where atheist and non – believer in God Soviet Russia failed, God believer USA succeeded because USA took the help of God’s power also in addition to Scientific and technological power. And as a mark of respect and obedience to God, when US Astronaut Armstrong landed on to the surface of the Moon, he first implanted Cross there along with American Flag. Additionally, Armstrong the first man to land on the surface of the Moon placed Holy Bible also there.

Recently we have seen one wonder on this planet, that is the rescue operation of 33 Miners in Chile. In this rescue operation topmost Scientific and best of technological tools were used to save the lives of all the trapped miners 700 hundred metres below the surface of the earth. Additionally as a top priority God’s power was also used by asking God to help them to attain the success. When the Miners got trapped they did not lose their Hope, they took shelter in spiritualism and it was thru their strong belief in God that kept them going for 69 days and also alive. Their belief in the miraculous power of God was such that they were firm in their belief of coming out alive, of course with the help of God. Moreover, the people on the surface of the earth were seen praying fervently. In this prayer the Sign of the Cross was seen again and again. It was more the power of God that helped the Miners to return to the surface of Mother Earth. The power of God finally gave the Miners second birth.

When man landed into the Mon the importance of Cross and Bible was given top priority. So also when 33 Miners got caught underground, again Cross and Bible along with Rosary Beads were given top importance. The religious relics gave topmost hope for the Miners to survive such an ordeal for such a long period. Religious feelings gave the Miners Hope and constant prayers kept them alive. Al the Minders posed their trust in God by fervently praying to God to give them safe passage and thru God’s power the Earth was opened for them to come to the surface of the earth alive. It was a pure Miracle backed by sicentitic methods.

In the Biblical Book of Joshua, we have seen how God created an unimaginable miracle. To fight against his enemies, Joshua wanted Sun light. Joshua knelt down and fervently prayed to God to keep the Sun intact and God listened to his prayer and kept the Sun and entire stellar system intact without moving an inch further for 24 hours till Joshua’s army won the battle. This miracle though even at moments Church leaders refused to admit yet it was true and its evidence was scientifically and historically proved by the second Apollo Mission. One of the Austronauts who was responsible to notice this miracle’s genuineness, gave up his profession and became a Pastor preaching the word of God and the miraculous power of God. Will any of the rescued Miners do similarly? God alone knows this.

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.