July 7, 2011

MOI DECISION COMPLETELY COMMUNAL, CLAIMS BBSM.

MoI decision completely communal, claims BBSM

The MOI issue should have been dead and buried by now, but alas for the tortured souls of our “pro mergerists” and the Marathi protagonists, the dead won’t remain dead no more nor will they be let to rest in peace.

The survey taken by Herald so far has overwhelmingly directed that Goans, irrespective of caste, religion and region have opted to educate their children in English as the MOI, except for the areas around Sattari an area were literacy is not in it’s healthy best, these areas being the border areas have predominantly cross border influence, so it is but natural for them to follow the BBSM, herd mentality.

The BBSM call, supported by our windmill fighting Don Quixote and his Sancho Panzas, freedom fighters, led by Karmali, labeling the amendment of the MOI as, “only to suite the requirements of the Diocesan Board of Education that runs schools in the state” is totally unfair, communal and detrimental to the secular fabric of the Goan society and should be condemned by all.

The Diocesan Board was the architect of the Konkani movement in Goa, if at all Konkani has been protected and promoted, it has been done by the Priests, the Tiatrists and the few writers. The Diocesan Borad was among the first to start Konkani medium primary schools in Goa, but with the changing times and the competition ever increasing and the overwhelming demand by the parents, the Diocesan Board was forced to accept reality and the changing times. The Diocesan Schools are not only Catholic schools to label them communal, there is a large number of non Catholic students studying in these Diocesan schools, and the parents have certainly given an overwhelming verdict irrespective of religion, caste and region.

Education in English does not necessarily make any one less patriotic or nationalized and at the same time, education in Konkani does not necessarily make any one more patriotic or nationalized. The BBSM with the help of Don Quixote Karmali and his Sancho Panzas are trying to poison the mind and hearts of the secular Goans, misleading them for their own personal gains.

In a Democracy majority wins, so, I request the BBSM, the Don Quixote and his Sancho Panzas to burry this issue for good, letting it rest in peace and get out of the way because Goans will not tolerate these idiocies and jeopardize the future of their children.

Freddy Agnelo Fernandes.

July 6, 2011

CORRUPT GOA POLICE DEPARTMENT.

By Nisser Dias.
30th June 2011

PI Jivba Dalvi is a cancer to the police department. Demand for his dismissal is very much justified.

Villagers of Cansaulim-Arrossim-Cuelim displayed unusual unity when they raised their voice in unison and demanded the dismissal of police inspector Jivba Dalvi’s dismissal from service for his alleged cover-up act in registering a case of murder. Such acts of commission and omission are nothing new for this cop, only thing he got caught in his act. However with my experience in journalism, Jivba has the knack and huge experience of squirming out of tight spots. Not because of his good policing track record but he is one of the disgraced cops who greases the palms of his superiors well. Of course “greasing their palms” would be an understatement, more appropriate would be, he lines their wallets handsomely.

Jivba Dalvi has a very chequered past even before he became a police officer. His record of alleged waylaying of trucks on the highways at nights has mysteriously disappeared from police files paving way for his appointment as a police sub inspector. Incongruous as he is, Dalvi did not turn into a new leaf as expected by the police fraternity, infact he turned worse and started all sorts of tactics to rake in money for himself and his superiors (politicians included).

Controversies are like a second skin to this cop, they have dogged him just as fleas get attracted to dogs. As a journalist I have closely followed the functioning of Jivba Dalvi from his PSI days. I have seen firsthand the sadistic pleasures he derives in using brute force in beating up innocent people. This came to the fore at anti-Meta Strips agitation wherein he literally dragged youth out of their houses and thrashed them mercilessly. The third degree methods he adopts during investigation is horrendous. He is nicknamed ‘Doberman’ by his colleagues in the police department.

While on the subject of colleagues, his relationship with them is not rosy at all. While he was posted at the lucrative police station at Colva at the behest of Benaulim MLA Mickky Pacheco during the Manohar Parrikar regime, his colleagues were promoted as police inspectors. As departmental inquiry was pending against Jivba Dalvi his promotion was withheld. However, using his clout with Mickky he saw to it that the promotion of his colleagues was cancelled within three days. His dictum to Pacheco was simple, you either promote me or cancel the promotion of the colleagues and it was done.

Jivba Dalvi has attracted controversies at every police station that he has been posted. While he was at the Margao Town police station as PSI, he used to sport two service revolvers. One was a Smith and Wesson, the other Glock. It is alleged that in social circles he used to show-off with the guns by way of handing it over to the fairer sex and even asking them to shoot. Infact, I even clicked both the guns. While he was on duty once, I commented on his rusty Smith and Wesson, he brought the Glock out and told me that he loves guns just like Sanjay Dutt. Dalvi also told me that the Glock was assigned to him during at International event being held in Goa, but he never returned it. When a news report was filed in GT by me under the caption, “Cowboy PSI sports two service revolvers” he had return the Glock to the police armoury that very day.

His misdemeanours have even been recorded in the courts. Once this custodian of law was present in the court in Margao as an investigating officer in a theft case. So also the suspect. The accused informed the court that he wanted to make some purchases but had no money as Jivba Dalvi has taken it. The court questioned him and made him return the money to the accused in the open court.

While at the Colva police station a case of theft of a vehicle (non-serviceable pick-up) was registered and PSI Jivba Dalvi was the investigating officer. As he could not make any headway for weeks together, the complainants brought it to his notice that they had specific information that the theft was committed by certain persons. Even before the Dalvi could affect their arrest the accused applied for anticipatory bail. Question here is how did the accused realise they would be arrested. To muddle up the issue further, this cop attaches an engine and a chassis from a scrapyard at the behest of the accused and tried to convince the complainant to take it. When the complainants approached his superiors, he was transferred to Goa Reserve Police and a departmental enquiry was initiated.

This notorious cop even attracted controversy at his wedding. Jivba Dalvi printed two sets of cards for invitees. Both sets of cards were expensive, but the set for the VIPs was very pricey. He personally went to invite the then chief minister Manohar Parrikar who took one look at the card and asked him how he could afford such cards with PSI’s salary.
Subsequently his bungalow was raided for disproportionate assets by the Vigilance department headed by then DySP Bosco George. Though the departmental enquiry was finalised, then IGP Kishan Kumar had made a note in the report stating that the integrity of Jivba Dalvi was doubtful. Even Manohar Parrikar raked up this issue in the Assembly but the current government in its wisdom thought fit to promote this controversial cop to the post of police inspector and post him at Verna.

During his tenure at Verna police station bullfights were rampant. Goa Bench of Bombay High Court has banned bullfights but under Jivba Dalvi’s rule and blessing dhirios were held frequently in his jurisdiction.

Mysterious death of Melwin Gomes has put an end to the nemesis called Jivba Dalvi. He was not only an enemy of the villagers of Cansaulim-Arrossim-Cuelim or people of Verna jurisdiction, he is a cancer to the police department which needs to amputated. It is for the first time that villagers have demanded an outright dismissal of an officer, it is for the first time that a police inspector had to be escorted by another colleague fearing the wrath of the people.

In conclusion the demand for dismissal of Jivba Dalvi is justified. It is not that the Goa’s police department is an ideal institution or its personnel are role models, but Jivba has crossed all boundaries and has broken all barriers of civil society to further continue as a custodian of law.

(Send your comments/reactions to nisserdias@gmail.com
Or SMS 9422437029)
(Nisser Dias writes a regular column in GT every Thursday).

July 4, 2011

Grand Sao Joao Celebrations Enliven Goan Traditions

With inputs from www.goa-world.com/
Pics: Rewon Gomes


Kuwait Goan Association president Salvador Dias organized the first of its kind event “Sao Joao Fiesta 2011” recently in Kuwait.

The Sao Joao feast is one of the numerous festivals held in Goa every year and it always falls on June 24. This tradition which has been celebrated for over 175 years in Goa and other Indian states, and also in South Asian countries, is known for its unique traditions, which includes a procession of young people going from door to door to collect fruit and gifts.

Another fascinating tradition includes men jumping into wells. Beyond that there is singing, dancing, boat races and playing traditional music using the gummot and brass instruments. According to legend, the feast saw its origins during Biblical times.

The event in Kuwait was to the great surprise to the large vibrant Goan community and was compered by the inimitable Merwyn Pereira. KGA President welcomed chief guest Sharon Alemao D’Costa and guest of honour Denis D’Costa and other invitees.
The organizers attributed the success of the event to the support from the large number of people who had gathered. Sponsors of the event included Al Muzaini Exchange Co., Ghazal Insurance Co. / Bajaj Allianz, Mughal Mahal, Almaria Co., Baskin Robbins, Lulu Hypermarkets, Churchill Brothers (Goa), advocate Valanka Alemao (Goa), Bhasin Co., Dana Optics, M&M Confectionery, Fitwell Tailor, Super Middle East Frieght & Logistics Co., GoaXpress, Lays (Al Bustan Trading), Al Shaya & Al-Sagar Co., Speedex Worldwide, Winners Restaurant, Holiday Inn, Mughal Mahal and Expressions (Goa), among others.

A lot of efforts and preparation had gone into the smooth organizing of this gala fiesta and the valuable support and cooperation extended by Gaspar Almeida, KIFF president Fidelis Fernandes, Ranifa Dias e Rodrigues, Franwin Noronha, Charmaine Mendes, Zhana Vordanova, assistant marketing manager (Al Shaya & Al Sagar), Dawoud Tawfeeq, CEO, Ghazal Insurance Co. and the press coverage by Arab Times, Kuwait Times, The Times, TargetGoa.com, Goenche.com and Goa-World.com were well appreciated and highlighted.

Goa’s topmost band Alcatrazz, Kuwait’s live bands The Country Kidz, 3 Dimensions, and Styx were the main focus of the day. KGA president along with members cut the celebratory cake with the chief guest, guest of honour and other VIPs and the crowd just loved the proceedings.

Navelim Youth Centre member Norman Noronha joined with his family to celebrate his birthday. The crowd was treated to various competitions, games of skill, and Goan food. The jive dancing competition, which was hotly contested, was won by Philip and Victoria Ferrao, followed by the first runner-up Wayne and Leeam D’Souza, and Alexandro and Alfina Gomes.

Prizes in the form of electronic items and gift coupons were presented to the winners. It was a real treat to watch the youth, children, couples and even the whole families with crowns of leaves, flowers and varied fruits on their heads (known as 'copels') enjoying a lavish feast of meat and seafood at the food stalls catered by Goa Caterers/Treat, KGA and Curtorcares United.

Tome L Gracias, sales manager of Canon inaugurated the Games Stall. Back in Goa, the monsoon is a perfect foil for the Sao Joao festival as most of the people enjoy it more when it rains heavily. However, that feature was the missing element for the participants.

A presentation in the form of a live projection display on a large format screen added lustre to all those who had joined in the chorus to cheer 'Viva Sao Joao'. A game of Jaldi Five and prizes for the entry passes were won by several participants.

KGA looks forward to making this event an annual feature in the calendar of events of the Indian community. The Raffle draw was conducted by Al Muzaini Exchange representative and the lucky winner of the BlackBerry was Aldrich Almeida.

All in all the event has been the much talked about for its entertainment value with scores of Indian associations supporting it.