TREAT ERRING STUDENTS WITH DIGNITY.

This is in reference to the last week suicide committed by a young female student of Mapusa School after she was caught for copying in the examination. When she was put to shame openly in the School, she took poison for being unable to bear the unbearable humiliation.  

Just as corporal punishment is banned in schools so too the “naming and shaming openly” for students caught copying should be banned though copying is wrong.

Corporal punishment was officially banned with an official decree by the last Portuguese Governador of Goa, His Excellency Vassalo e Silva, a great lover of Goa and an educationist who made Portuguese education compulsory somewhere in 1957 for any child attaining the age of 6. When he came to Goa, corporal punishment for students was rampant without any mercy.  In my village it was brutally implemented in my Parochial School and also in Portuguese school where one of my Professors Eduardo D’Souza who when found guilty of breaking the Eardrum of one local student with a Boxer’s blow, the  government decreed the law banning the corporal punishment.

In my school at Arpora under Fr. Mendonca as a Principal of that great School, corporal punishment was inflicted very brutally.  Students found copying during the examinations were displayed like hardened criminals in every examination class and heavily caned on both the palms in addition to Zero marks in that particular subject besides being totally humiliated which affected the students mental outlook verily severely more due to the extreme humiliation.  Because of this cruel  punishment many students suffered physical and mental pain and unbearable humiliation that forced them into leaving not only their schools,  villages and localities but Goa too.  That was the sad part of our history.

The harsh punishment in schools during our time as students was tolerated because that time was different when human rights were not followed that strictly but now the time is changed.  Treating a girl with shame and humiliation is not good and it is not acceptable either though her act of indiscipline is not correct.

In view of this, I feel all the heads of the schools in Goa must follow the decent, humane and civilised methods to correct the erring students.  

A.Veronica Fernandes.

WHY SHOULD I VOTE FOR BJP AGAIN?

Why should I vote for BJP again when I know this party has failed us by not fulfilling its given promises in the last election?  Its greatest failure was non-fulfilment of the major promise of granting of Special Status to Goa.  We want to save our land for future generation  and other facilities to protect our identity, for this reason we want Special Status for Goa. 

We were cheated by Portugal as well as by Bharat when in 1974 the treaty of officially surrendering Goa to Bharat was signed between these two countries without according any special privileges for Goans.  When Pondicherry was surrendered to India, Pondicherians were given so many facilities including that of their land, by India.

Similarly for Macau by Portugal when it was surrendered to China. But for Goa nothing. Neither Portugal nor Bharat thought anything good of Goa and Goans. Bharati system has made Goa  a foot-ball ground for anyone to play.

Goans voted for BJP in the last election after BJP leaders promised to grant Special Status to Goa. But to our dismay,  BJP  refused to fulfil this promise and cheated us. Our favourite BJP MLA’s are cunningly remained silent on this topic. I don’t know what guts they will gather to come again to our doors for begging for our votes. I find among BJP MLA’s there is not a single one who is a real Goa and justice lover otherwise he would have fought vigorously with his party leadership to fulfil the given promise of Special Status and demand justice for Fr. Bismarq.

In view of this great blunder, how can I trust and vote for BJP again and how BJP candidates and followers can request me to support their Party unless they are shameless, crooks and traitors?  Can any upright person trust this party and its members who are guilty of this great betrayal? 

A.Veronica Fernandes.

NEW TIATRO "GOEM KONN SAMBALLTOLO".

Rosy Alvares - opening solo.

Today at Mapusa, at 10.40 AM, I saw the new Tiatro “GOEM KONN SAMBALLTOLO” written and directed by Mario Menezes.  This being the inaugural show it was  well performed by all the artistes without  any hitch normally associated with the first show and it was attended by the capacity attendees. 

Tony de Ribandar - solo

In this Tiatro, the patriotism of Mario Menezes towards Goa was bursts and erupted like  a volcano spreading molten lava all around the Hanuman Theatre.  In this play, Mario Menezes tells how  risky it is to leave Goa and go to London and elsewhere when we have plenty of opportunities in our own Goa where the migrants mint money.  If this trend of leaving Goa is continued, he asked “who will protect Goa?”

One Scene - Tony-Rosy-Franky

In the play, Mario Menezes himself along with Jessica Gomes plays an excellent role.  They both paired well as husband and wife  while Rosy Alvares pairing with Franky as his wife does justice for her role. The little irritant was the  unwanted screaming while delivering the expressions. 

Mario Menezes - solo

The story of the play is the need of the hour and it is high time that we Goans especially the Christians implement it practically if we want to save  and protect our Goa.  Mario Menezes also came hard on those Goans who sell their land to the outsiders indicating the ill effects of these deals.  He said it is our duty to protect out land for future generation concluding that what belongs to the future generation  we have no right to dispose of.

Duet - Tony & Jessica

The play got extra booster with the introduction of nice Cantos throughout from start till end .  Both Mario Menezes and Jessica Gomes rendered their sorrowful Cantos extremely well, in fact Jessica was at her best with her serene voice.  

Felicitation - Third Nagvencar 4th Paklo

The comedy part though good yet it required some more punch. 

Duet - Lawry & Rosy

All the Side Show songs were good yet special mention must go to the Opening solo of Rosy Alvares, Mario Menezes solo, Lawry Travasso’s solo, excellent duet of Jessica Gomes with Tony de Ribandar, also of Lawry Travasso with Rosy Alvares and a comedy solo of Comedian Joana that had charming effect on the audience.

Canto - Mario & Jessica

During the interval, the Chief Guest Mr. Nagvencar felicitated Paklo who is involved in organizing the Stage setting which the chief guest in his short speech said is a difficult and laborious task.

                                                      Solo - Comedian Joana

Mario Menezes also honoured by the chief guest and in his speech Mario Menezes disclosed how difficult it is to stage our Tiatros in Panjim due to non availability of the Hall. 

If we are made to starve for the Hall then staging of our Tiators will be hampered thereby upsetting the smooth running of our Tiatro business. Tiatro Academy of Goa must apply its mind on this subject very seriously.

A.Veronica Fernandes.