KUWAIT INDIAN FOOTBALL FEDERATION (KIFF).
Kuwait Indian Football Federation was formed for the smooth running of our soccer in Kuwait where overwhelming majority are Goans and who also play the major role. Since last two years there is a split in this KIFF and parallel organisation under Indian Football Federation Kuwait was born. There was no reason for KIFF break-up but on minor reason KIFF became adamant leading to the split which served nobody’s purpose. On the contrary lot of enmity is created and worst sufferers became footballers and Goans only. This matter even went to the Indian Ambassador who requested KIFF to reconcile for the sake of Indian unity. But KIFF is still adamant as if it is manned by Hitlers and Saddam Husseins. I openly told the KIFF president either reconcile and bring peace or withdraw from KIFF, if you cannot do good for the cause of our community then you are going to fail. I am all for the community and not for Mangaloreans, Punjabis and other non-Goans who all are hell bent to destroy our unity. Then I wrote a few articles which even went to the notice of the Embassy, in support of the unity and against those Goans in KIFF who are reluctant to bring about unity and since then things are improving. Many Goans again started asking me ‘Tukam Kiteak Poddlam Re Tem? Leave those rowdies there only. They will never change because their culture is thus”. For those who are questioning me, I answer them thus: “Makam Poddlam Tem” because nobody has worked as much as I for the establishment of our competitive soccer activities and also for KIFF. Secondly, I am interested in the unity of Goans and only thru Goan unity we will be able to fight for Goan causes. Unfortunately there is not a single Goan in KIFF who has done anything extra ordinary for the cause of Goa and Goans. For such people Goan unity means nothing.
KUWAIT TIATRISTANCHI SONVSTHA.
A few years back an organisation of Tiatrists was formed in Kuwait. The main motto of the initiator of this organisation in the name of Tatro promotion was to keep out one prominent Tiatrist and thus finish him from the Konkani Stage. I sensed a foul play in the formation of this organisation and openly started opposing this discriminatory attitude of the founder of this association. When everyone in this association found to be impotent to fight for the justice for the discriminated tiatrist, I stepped in and fought very forcefully vocally and thru my writings till some changes took place. Changes came about only thru devine punishment on the person who played foul game. It is not my happiness to see the sufferings of my fellow beings but the Law of Nature is there to take care of me and everyone committing injustice against innocent persons. We must all pay respect for this Law otherwise Sunami or Earthquake or Volcano will come to finish us.
.
KUWAIT COLVA FIGHT.
Colvakars in Kuwait had their soccer team in Kuwait playing among Indians at Sour Grond. For some reason there was discord between them and the organisers of the tournament. Because of this Colvakars gheraoed the football ground and prevented the organisers from organising matches. This matter took ugly turn, Colvakars even came with their womenfolk and stopped the soccer activities unless their problem was solved. Matter went to Indian Embassy, me and Fr. Gabriel Dias from the Catholic Church one day questioned by the top Indian diplomat Mr. Usmani on this issue. All over Kuwait the image of Indians in general and Goans in particular came into disrepute. I voiced my opinion very forcefully against this rowdism. While I was on vacation during that period, Fr. Dourado – the Pe. Vigar of Colva requested me to meet him to discuss this topic since he read what I wrote. On one Sunday in his preaching he spoke against this rowdism perpetrated by Colvakars in Kuwait and finally peace came. Again here too some Goans asked me “Tukam Kiteak Poddlam Colvakaranchem?” If I had not to interfere then peace would never dawn on Colvakars in Kuwait and they would go on disgracing the fair image of Goans and Menino Jesus of Colva as well.
To those who are advising me saying ‘Tukam Kiteak Poddlam’ and to others as well, please note that in my life in Kuwait I really sought and accepted the advice of only one person, his name is John Felix D’Souza from Anjuna and now retired from Kuwait. It was he who first supported and advised me in the right direction in my activities in public life. His advice I found always valuable. He was one of the reputed senior Kuwait Goans then. I had trust in him. He was highly upright, literate and intellectual Goan. After his retirement from Kuwait I receive nobody’s advice and those who are trying to advise me verbally or thru their writings will have no effect because there is nobody in Kuwait among us capable to advise me especially on public issues I take up. The issues I take up are not meant for Ladru-Pedru type of people. All my issues are big and to advise me on these issues is beyond the capacity of those who feel they can advise me, neither their shallow crticsm bothers me. Some of them may be aged persons like me but I still consider them as ‘Kalche Porche Potte’ as far as their wisdomatic and intellectual capacities are concerned. Those who are advising me angrily or politely and also criticise me are fit for nothing, they are capable of only earning Dinars and converting the same into rupees and take pleasure in their personal financial status. They are not meant for public life and unfit to give leaderships for the good of the community and society. Genuine and upright leadership is God’s gift which very few are blessed with. Artificial leadership makes you selfish and corrupt leader and for this reason we among us in Goa and in Kuwait are having corrupt leaders. Artificial leadership is like a purchasable commodity.
People who advise me have to be morally and character wise upright. I will never accept any advice from Drunkards, Rowdies, Selfish and those who are cheating their wives and having Concubines clandestnely. Concubinage is the worst vice prevalent among Goans in Kuwait. The so called respectable Kuwait Goans are fully immersed in this rot but act saintly. Many wives in Kuwait are suffering because their husbands are keeping concubines without their knowledge. When they have no excuse to point out their accusing fingers to me they talk of my family background as if I am a bastardasised son of my poor parents. However what they fail to realise is the fact that the worst lowliness is to cheat one’s wife and have a concubine. One of the worst detractors of mine who even questioned me ‘Tukam Kiteak Poddlam’ to organise the movement under Goa-Kuwait Solidarity Center in support of Kuwait, himself is guilty of committing concubinage. Even his poor wife is on record to send me an email pleading for my help to track down his concubine. Will I ever accept any advice of such disgraceful persons who question me ‘TUKAM KITEAK PODDLAM’??
CONCLUDED.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
April 27, 2011
April 26, 2011
TUKAM KITEAK PODDLAM?? - PART: II.
The Goans who pose me the question “Tukam Kiteak Poddlam Re Tem” are impotent to do something high that requires high intellectual capacity and high public support. When they question me “Tukam Kiteak Poddlm Re Tem”, then my question to them is ‘Tukam Kiteak Poddonkna Re Tem? “Fokot Makam Vincharunk Poddlam?” If you have no interest in any issues that I raise then you should just shut your mouth and Pen and don’t bark like a dog. Among us there are people having very high jealousy of me when I do very high calibre activities. They are destructive people, neither will they do anything good nor will they allow me to do. On the contrary they will ask me “Tukam Kiteak Poddlam Re Tem?”. “Makaim Poddonkna ani Tukaim Poddonkna, Tor Konnank Poddlam Re Tem? Maechea Minnak??” Those who are opposing me without genuine reason are the real sons of their “Maechea Minnache and not Maechea Govache”.
CAMPAIGN AGAINST HARASSMENT OF MAIDS & DOWNTRODDEN.
In my writings in the local English media I very forcefully raised the issues of harassment in Kuwait of Maids and other downtrodden like Bangladeshi Cleaners working in Kuwait. I was very forceful in my support for Palestinian cause too. Some of my fellow Goans again asked me “Tukam Kiteak Poddlam Re Tem? What we have to do with the Palestinian issue?" In fact Palestinian issue and our issue are of similar nature, for this reason I highlight on this issue more to educate our Ladrus and Pedrus whose political knowledge is very thin. Because I took interest and campaigned hard on these issues the eyes of authorities concerned opened wide and lot of good appeared for the affected people.
KUWAIT GOAN “CHORANCHI” SOCIETY.
Among us in Kuwait lot of injustice is taking place because many of the leaders and other office bearers of our organisations are idiots of first grade. Before the invasion of Kuwait, we formed one Society to help the needy Goans. We created a huge fund for this Society but when this Society was restarted after the liberation of Kuwait some of the very founders of this Society were kept out of it and some of those who were opposing the formation of this Society gained upper hand. Then the major portion of the fund of this society about a crore of Indian rupees is kept in the personal account of the three members all from the same locality in Salcette, Goa. One of them was involved in the misuse of the fund of Kuwait Goan Evacuees Society in Goa during the invasion of Kuwait. This same man was accused of demanding sexual favour from young Goan girls in exchange of jobs. During his stewardship of this Society the image of Goans in Kuwait suffered terribly. While all these ills are happening none of the members especially those who claim to be erect and dignified confronted these ill deeds of the few in this Society.
When I raise my voice against those committing mischief in this Society, many are asking me “Tukam Kiteak Poddlam Re Tem?” “Let this money go to the election campaign of Eduardo Faleiro again as it happened earlier when the huge fund of Kuwait Goan Evcuees Society was spent in printing costly election Posters of Eduardo Faleiro in 1991 for his election for the Parliamentary Seat". My counter question to them is “Tumkam Kiteak Poddonk Na Re Tem? You know only to question my right to fight for the justice?" There is not a single active member in this Society to question why the founder members are kept out? There is not a single member in this society to demand forcefully the transfer of the fund from the three mosquitoes to the Society’s account? This is injustice and all the members are party to this injustice. It is a sin to support the wrong doers and such sins go against our religion. Aren’t we ashamed to call ourselves regular Church goer Christians? I feel ashamed of such Goans because our history, culture and tradition, if we are genuine Goans and not illegitimates, tell us to fight for justice until justice is delivered or dissociate from unjust people if they are hardcore shameless and immoral demanding Sexual favours from young girls. Time will come the Sexologist will rape the wives and daughters of all the members, then all members will regret for their blind support to the Sexologist.
The mushrooming of corruption among us in Kuwait like what is happening in Goa is because we don’t have upright Goans, however much they may bark saying they are upright. Upright people are not associating with corrupt people. When you associate with corrupt person by closing your eyes for his corruption, then you also become a part of corruption. Otherwise good persons in this ‘Choranchi’ Society should withdraw from the corrupt and ‘Chor’ persons if they are impotent to fight for justice. The huge amount of money belonging to this Society should return to the account of the Society. Till such time this money will be treated as in the hands of thieves and all the active members of this Society supporting the thieves will be also considered as thieves and corrupt. And those who are asking me “Tukam Kiteak Poddlam Re Tem” are the worst corrupt people like night time sleeping with their wives and daytime with their concubines. What productive role will these Goans play when they return to Goa? They will be an addition to the already corrupt politicians in Goa. I don’t expect any productive role from any of these Kuwait Goans once they retire from Kuwait.
TO BE CONCLUDED.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
CAMPAIGN AGAINST HARASSMENT OF MAIDS & DOWNTRODDEN.
In my writings in the local English media I very forcefully raised the issues of harassment in Kuwait of Maids and other downtrodden like Bangladeshi Cleaners working in Kuwait. I was very forceful in my support for Palestinian cause too. Some of my fellow Goans again asked me “Tukam Kiteak Poddlam Re Tem? What we have to do with the Palestinian issue?" In fact Palestinian issue and our issue are of similar nature, for this reason I highlight on this issue more to educate our Ladrus and Pedrus whose political knowledge is very thin. Because I took interest and campaigned hard on these issues the eyes of authorities concerned opened wide and lot of good appeared for the affected people.
KUWAIT GOAN “CHORANCHI” SOCIETY.
Among us in Kuwait lot of injustice is taking place because many of the leaders and other office bearers of our organisations are idiots of first grade. Before the invasion of Kuwait, we formed one Society to help the needy Goans. We created a huge fund for this Society but when this Society was restarted after the liberation of Kuwait some of the very founders of this Society were kept out of it and some of those who were opposing the formation of this Society gained upper hand. Then the major portion of the fund of this society about a crore of Indian rupees is kept in the personal account of the three members all from the same locality in Salcette, Goa. One of them was involved in the misuse of the fund of Kuwait Goan Evacuees Society in Goa during the invasion of Kuwait. This same man was accused of demanding sexual favour from young Goan girls in exchange of jobs. During his stewardship of this Society the image of Goans in Kuwait suffered terribly. While all these ills are happening none of the members especially those who claim to be erect and dignified confronted these ill deeds of the few in this Society.
When I raise my voice against those committing mischief in this Society, many are asking me “Tukam Kiteak Poddlam Re Tem?” “Let this money go to the election campaign of Eduardo Faleiro again as it happened earlier when the huge fund of Kuwait Goan Evcuees Society was spent in printing costly election Posters of Eduardo Faleiro in 1991 for his election for the Parliamentary Seat". My counter question to them is “Tumkam Kiteak Poddonk Na Re Tem? You know only to question my right to fight for the justice?" There is not a single active member in this Society to question why the founder members are kept out? There is not a single member in this society to demand forcefully the transfer of the fund from the three mosquitoes to the Society’s account? This is injustice and all the members are party to this injustice. It is a sin to support the wrong doers and such sins go against our religion. Aren’t we ashamed to call ourselves regular Church goer Christians? I feel ashamed of such Goans because our history, culture and tradition, if we are genuine Goans and not illegitimates, tell us to fight for justice until justice is delivered or dissociate from unjust people if they are hardcore shameless and immoral demanding Sexual favours from young girls. Time will come the Sexologist will rape the wives and daughters of all the members, then all members will regret for their blind support to the Sexologist.
The mushrooming of corruption among us in Kuwait like what is happening in Goa is because we don’t have upright Goans, however much they may bark saying they are upright. Upright people are not associating with corrupt people. When you associate with corrupt person by closing your eyes for his corruption, then you also become a part of corruption. Otherwise good persons in this ‘Choranchi’ Society should withdraw from the corrupt and ‘Chor’ persons if they are impotent to fight for justice. The huge amount of money belonging to this Society should return to the account of the Society. Till such time this money will be treated as in the hands of thieves and all the active members of this Society supporting the thieves will be also considered as thieves and corrupt. And those who are asking me “Tukam Kiteak Poddlam Re Tem” are the worst corrupt people like night time sleeping with their wives and daytime with their concubines. What productive role will these Goans play when they return to Goa? They will be an addition to the already corrupt politicians in Goa. I don’t expect any productive role from any of these Kuwait Goans once they retire from Kuwait.
TO BE CONCLUDED.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
April 25, 2011
TUKAM KITEAK PODDLAM?? - PART: I.
During my lifetime on this planet of God I have organised, given lead to many movements and raised my voice for the cause of justice and fought against injustice in Goa and in Kuwait. Some of the subjects I raised from Kuwait in support of justice for the cause of humanity even created impact around the globe giving me recognition that I am a fighter for the cause of justice and for the support of the downtrodden. Kuwait gave me a nice platform for my campaign to fight for justice and in return to receive accolades from global community for my work in support of justice.
KONKANI MOVEMENT.
Three decades back when I initiated the movement from Kuwait for the cause of Konkani in general and Novem Goem in particular, many of our Goans in Kuwait especially the seniors holding senior positions on job front in the absence of competition and earning senior salary were questioning me why I am interested to create an awakening and movement for the cause of Konkani. They were directly and indirectly questioning me thus ‘TUKAM KITEAK PODDLAM RE TEM?” Without giving heed to their question I went ahead even though I had to suffer a lot in different forms mainly on financial segment. Those days many senior Kuwait Goans were very proud of their positions on the jobs and the undeserved money that they earned otherwise they were totally uncultured, socially filthy, intellectually bankrupt and educationally very backward. Some of them were passing remarks saying to fight for Konkani is the job of an illiterate butler or son of the butler or grandson of the domestics. Incidentally none of them came closer to me educationally, culturally, intellectually, morally, character and dignity wise and because I had these qualities, with the help of all my like minded Goans in Kuwait I succeeded in successfully creating Konkani movement in Kuwait, first among expatriate Goans. If Konkani yesterday gained success in Goa and thru its success Goa attained Statehood, major share of this success goes to Kuwait Goans. The so called Konkani Pundits and Konknni “Potrakars” during those days due to their all round backwardness normally seen in this class, were ashamed to show their faces to us because this movement was handled by the intellectually high calibre Goans who all were close to me ideologically. Finally by organising this movement, who gained? Goa and Goans. If I had to listen to the question ‘Tukam Kiteak Poddlam Re Tem”, then nothing would come.
GULF GOANS HOTELS COMPANY.
Then came the movement of Gulf Goans Hotels Company to start hotel industry in Goa. This was the brainchild of the then Kuwait Goan stalwart Vincent D’Souza. When I got involved myself first as a Share holder and later on as Director of the company many people asked me ‘why you are involving yourself in it?’ “Tukam Kiteak Poddlam Re Tem?” My answer to them was this, it was NOT “tukam kiteak poddlam re tem”, but by involving myself deeply and with the very productive role played by another director Wilson Coelho and also with the combined efforts of all my colleagues in the Board, we managed to build a huge hotel at Calangute Gauravaddo, next to the beach, known as “Hotel Goan Heritage” costing now crores of rupees and where so many Goans are employed. What would be the outcome of this company if I had to listen to the negative comment like “Tukam Kiteam Poddlam Re Tem?” In that case nothing would develop. Though I suffered in many counts but finally gained victory and it is victory for Goan cause.
DIRECT FLIGHT FROM KUWAIT-GOA-KUWAIT.
Then came the movement for the direct flight from Kuwait to Goa, again initiated by Vincente D’Souza but when things found difficult to cope up for him, I was requested to assist and when I got involved and with the backing of the entire Kuwait Goan community, we worked tirelessly and attained the success. In this movement also some enemies of Vincente D’Souza were dissuading me to stay away from him asking me “Tukam Kiteak Poddlam Re Tem? Let Vincente go to hell” but I told them this is not for Vincente alone but for the entire Kuwait Goan community. Their question here also “Tukam kiteak poddlam re tem” had no relevance.
GOAN/INDIAN COMPETITIVE SOCCER.
Then came the movement of starting and promoting our competitive soccer among Indians in Kuwait. Though it was started by United Goans Football Center in 1979 yet I played my major role in promoting it as a prominent footballer attracting lot of attention from lot of spectators, as an organiser and media promoter as a journalist. Many people were asking me why I am so forcefully promoting it saying “Tukam Kiteak Poddlam Re Tem?” Because “Makam Poddlam Tem”, our soccer activities in Kuwait became an instant success putting a very strong base for it and because of which for many Goans to gain many benefits. If I had to withdraw from playing my role then, surely things would not have been as productive as they were proved to be. It did not help Kuwait Goans and other Indians only in Kuwait but it is now helping even the Goa based Goan politicians to promote them and their family members.
GOA-KUWAIT SOLIDARITY.
Then came the invasion of Kuwait on 2nd August 1990 by Iraq and we were evacuated to Goa, many of us as paupers. In order to raise our voice against this invasion and to demand liberation for Kuwait, when no one from the so called evacuated Kuwait Goan stalwarts came forward to initiate a Goan movement by Goans for the cause of Kuwait from where we earn our sustenance, I came forward and with the assistance of my colleagues and like minded Kuwait Goan evacuees, I formed GOA KUWAIT SOLIDARITY CENTER. The then Kuwait Goan gigantic personalities like Vincente D’Souza, Avertano Furtado, A.B. Fernandes, Joe Monty, Sam Alphonso, all the presidents of Goan Associations & Clubs and others were totally went hiding because they had no public support nor intellectual capacity to initiate international movement. GKSC was a movement to raise our voice against invasion of Kuwait and to force the Government of India to toe its line in support of Kuwait at regional and international fora. Thru this movement in Goa lasting 6 months we organised public rallies and public meetings and the echo of this movement was felt all over the world. None of the Goan politicians either from the ruling coalition under PDF or from the Opposition joined us in supporting our movement openly. None from the current politicians from the Goa Legislative Assembly publicly associated with us in our movement. On the contrary many of them even those whom I supported to promote them spoke ill of me, of our movement and of Kuwait. Because of this movement, Kuwait’s Ambassador in Delhi highly applauded our efforts in publicly supporting Kuwait. The Kuwaitis were very happy for us and started loving Goans with reverence showing their gratitude. Even GCC countries started showing more liking for Goans. But here again anti-Kwait Goans started asking me “Tukam kiteak poddlam re tem?” Was it right on my part to initiate this movement or not? Lot of Goans received lot of benefits from this movement and if I had to succumb to the dictates of those destructive Goans by following their statement “Tukam Kiteak Poddlam Re Tem”, we would not gain what we gained.
FREE KUWAIT’S PRISONERS OF WAR (POW’s)
Then I started Goan movement from Kuwait for the release of Kuwait’s Prisoners of War and here too I was asked the same question – “Tukam Kiteak Poddlam Re Tem?” In my campaign for this cause I personally went to Delhi spending my own money to meet the world leaders stationed there to impress upon them to work for the speedy release of all the Kuwait’s POW’s held by Iraq. The news of this Goan movement went far and wide and Goan ratings in Kuwait and globally went high which benefited us as a whole and gained us lot of goodwill from Kuwait and other GCC countries. Because of this movement no Goan suffered, on the contrary our image was brightened giving an impression that we are a very matured community politically among Indians. All those who were asking me saying “Tukam Kiteak Poddlam Re Tem” had to eat a humble pie.
TO BE CONCLUDED.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
KONKANI MOVEMENT.
Three decades back when I initiated the movement from Kuwait for the cause of Konkani in general and Novem Goem in particular, many of our Goans in Kuwait especially the seniors holding senior positions on job front in the absence of competition and earning senior salary were questioning me why I am interested to create an awakening and movement for the cause of Konkani. They were directly and indirectly questioning me thus ‘TUKAM KITEAK PODDLAM RE TEM?” Without giving heed to their question I went ahead even though I had to suffer a lot in different forms mainly on financial segment. Those days many senior Kuwait Goans were very proud of their positions on the jobs and the undeserved money that they earned otherwise they were totally uncultured, socially filthy, intellectually bankrupt and educationally very backward. Some of them were passing remarks saying to fight for Konkani is the job of an illiterate butler or son of the butler or grandson of the domestics. Incidentally none of them came closer to me educationally, culturally, intellectually, morally, character and dignity wise and because I had these qualities, with the help of all my like minded Goans in Kuwait I succeeded in successfully creating Konkani movement in Kuwait, first among expatriate Goans. If Konkani yesterday gained success in Goa and thru its success Goa attained Statehood, major share of this success goes to Kuwait Goans. The so called Konkani Pundits and Konknni “Potrakars” during those days due to their all round backwardness normally seen in this class, were ashamed to show their faces to us because this movement was handled by the intellectually high calibre Goans who all were close to me ideologically. Finally by organising this movement, who gained? Goa and Goans. If I had to listen to the question ‘Tukam Kiteak Poddlam Re Tem”, then nothing would come.
GULF GOANS HOTELS COMPANY.
Then came the movement of Gulf Goans Hotels Company to start hotel industry in Goa. This was the brainchild of the then Kuwait Goan stalwart Vincent D’Souza. When I got involved myself first as a Share holder and later on as Director of the company many people asked me ‘why you are involving yourself in it?’ “Tukam Kiteak Poddlam Re Tem?” My answer to them was this, it was NOT “tukam kiteak poddlam re tem”, but by involving myself deeply and with the very productive role played by another director Wilson Coelho and also with the combined efforts of all my colleagues in the Board, we managed to build a huge hotel at Calangute Gauravaddo, next to the beach, known as “Hotel Goan Heritage” costing now crores of rupees and where so many Goans are employed. What would be the outcome of this company if I had to listen to the negative comment like “Tukam Kiteam Poddlam Re Tem?” In that case nothing would develop. Though I suffered in many counts but finally gained victory and it is victory for Goan cause.
DIRECT FLIGHT FROM KUWAIT-GOA-KUWAIT.
Then came the movement for the direct flight from Kuwait to Goa, again initiated by Vincente D’Souza but when things found difficult to cope up for him, I was requested to assist and when I got involved and with the backing of the entire Kuwait Goan community, we worked tirelessly and attained the success. In this movement also some enemies of Vincente D’Souza were dissuading me to stay away from him asking me “Tukam Kiteak Poddlam Re Tem? Let Vincente go to hell” but I told them this is not for Vincente alone but for the entire Kuwait Goan community. Their question here also “Tukam kiteak poddlam re tem” had no relevance.
GOAN/INDIAN COMPETITIVE SOCCER.
Then came the movement of starting and promoting our competitive soccer among Indians in Kuwait. Though it was started by United Goans Football Center in 1979 yet I played my major role in promoting it as a prominent footballer attracting lot of attention from lot of spectators, as an organiser and media promoter as a journalist. Many people were asking me why I am so forcefully promoting it saying “Tukam Kiteak Poddlam Re Tem?” Because “Makam Poddlam Tem”, our soccer activities in Kuwait became an instant success putting a very strong base for it and because of which for many Goans to gain many benefits. If I had to withdraw from playing my role then, surely things would not have been as productive as they were proved to be. It did not help Kuwait Goans and other Indians only in Kuwait but it is now helping even the Goa based Goan politicians to promote them and their family members.
GOA-KUWAIT SOLIDARITY.
Then came the invasion of Kuwait on 2nd August 1990 by Iraq and we were evacuated to Goa, many of us as paupers. In order to raise our voice against this invasion and to demand liberation for Kuwait, when no one from the so called evacuated Kuwait Goan stalwarts came forward to initiate a Goan movement by Goans for the cause of Kuwait from where we earn our sustenance, I came forward and with the assistance of my colleagues and like minded Kuwait Goan evacuees, I formed GOA KUWAIT SOLIDARITY CENTER. The then Kuwait Goan gigantic personalities like Vincente D’Souza, Avertano Furtado, A.B. Fernandes, Joe Monty, Sam Alphonso, all the presidents of Goan Associations & Clubs and others were totally went hiding because they had no public support nor intellectual capacity to initiate international movement. GKSC was a movement to raise our voice against invasion of Kuwait and to force the Government of India to toe its line in support of Kuwait at regional and international fora. Thru this movement in Goa lasting 6 months we organised public rallies and public meetings and the echo of this movement was felt all over the world. None of the Goan politicians either from the ruling coalition under PDF or from the Opposition joined us in supporting our movement openly. None from the current politicians from the Goa Legislative Assembly publicly associated with us in our movement. On the contrary many of them even those whom I supported to promote them spoke ill of me, of our movement and of Kuwait. Because of this movement, Kuwait’s Ambassador in Delhi highly applauded our efforts in publicly supporting Kuwait. The Kuwaitis were very happy for us and started loving Goans with reverence showing their gratitude. Even GCC countries started showing more liking for Goans. But here again anti-Kwait Goans started asking me “Tukam kiteak poddlam re tem?” Was it right on my part to initiate this movement or not? Lot of Goans received lot of benefits from this movement and if I had to succumb to the dictates of those destructive Goans by following their statement “Tukam Kiteak Poddlam Re Tem”, we would not gain what we gained.
FREE KUWAIT’S PRISONERS OF WAR (POW’s)
Then I started Goan movement from Kuwait for the release of Kuwait’s Prisoners of War and here too I was asked the same question – “Tukam Kiteak Poddlam Re Tem?” In my campaign for this cause I personally went to Delhi spending my own money to meet the world leaders stationed there to impress upon them to work for the speedy release of all the Kuwait’s POW’s held by Iraq. The news of this Goan movement went far and wide and Goan ratings in Kuwait and globally went high which benefited us as a whole and gained us lot of goodwill from Kuwait and other GCC countries. Because of this movement no Goan suffered, on the contrary our image was brightened giving an impression that we are a very matured community politically among Indians. All those who were asking me saying “Tukam Kiteak Poddlam Re Tem” had to eat a humble pie.
TO BE CONCLUDED.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
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