CREATE GOODWILL BETWEEN INDIA & PAKISTAN.

Further to the latest news in the media on Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu going to Pakistan for Imran Khan’s ascending to the throne of Pakistan’s Premiership, let me quote one example of mine. It was  about ten years back when I was in Kuwait, I wrote in the local daily “ARAB TIMES” asking Pakistanis and Indians in Kuwait, living with  Hindi-Pakistani brotherhood, to establish an Association, “Indo - Pak Friendship Association” But the Indians from North India working in Kuwait alone rejected my proposal even dubbing me as pro-Pakistani while other Indians and Pakistanis welcomed it.

After  establishment of this association I had great wish to discuss the issue of Kashmir where because of our ego we are losing thousands of our productive manpower and  millions of our  Rupees which are just a wastage to prevent Kashmiris on both the sides from becoming one.  Kashmiris from both the sides will one day secede from the bondage they are undergoing now from  India and Pakistan. And when they are released from the present bondage, we will regret for keeping them thus for such a long period thereby depriving them of their birth right to be free from the bondage. Didn’t the great Indian leader Lokhmanaya Tilak give a slogan  “Freedom is my birth right?” Is it then right on our part to demand freedom for us with the excuse that it is our birth right and when the others request the same freedom from us, we deny them?

Regarding the Invite from Imran Khan to a few of his friends from India to join him in his Oath taking ceremony, I feel they all should have gone and attended the inaugural  function where they  should have whispered into the ears of Imran Khan  to make all out efforts to create a peaceful atmosphere in  Kashmir and elsewhere on our common border.  By going there we would gain something at least but by not going,  will we gain anything?  NothiInding. Hence, it is better to go than not to go.  We both Indians and Pskisatanis are suffering from revenge complex and because of this pride complex we are both suffering and will go on suffering.  The onus for the creation of peaceful athmosphere between the two neighbours falls on India and as such India must walk the path very carefully.

A.Veronica Fernandes

70TH BIRTHDAY OF A. VERONICA MARKED.

Birthday Cake

On the 18th of this month, at Calangute Hotel Goan Heritage, at 11.30 AM,, A. Veronica Fernades, celebrated his 70th Birthday by holding a get together of his close relatives, friends and the associates.  The celebration was started with the welcome speech to the guests by A.  Veronica’s daughter Aveshah who especially came from Dubai along with her small daughter Clyshah and also Veronica’s son Ashton from Kuwait.

Seen above are two of the guests Prof.Sergio Carvalho & his wife.

Seen above are Mrs. & Mrs. Mario Rebello.

The compeering of the entire proceedings was done by the activist and journalist and Editor of the monthly magazine Jivit, Mr.  Jude Michael Gracias who along with the well-known Stage Artiste Valensy rendered a special song in hour of Mr. A.Veronica Fernandes.

One view of the guests

MissValency & Mr. Michal Jude is seen singing a song 

· The daylong programme consisted of speeches by the well-known personaltes on the achievements of A.Veronica during his last 70 years.  A. Galaxy of  speakers starting first from the well-known Goan sporting personalty and ex custodian of Dempo,  Eugeno Cardoso elaborated Veronica’s early sporting  career as the topmost foot-baller in  Candolim and as a topmost athlete and runner at Arpora School and at all Goa level too. 

Another view of the guests

Yet another view of some more guests

Then came Mario Rebello who as a colleague of Veronica in Kuwait participating almost every activity Veronica conducted for the cause of Goa, elaborated in details the work Veronica has done for the cause of Goa, Goans and Konkani and soccer. He went to sch an extent saying that the work that Veronica did from Kuwait was unique and besides him none was capable of doing from Kuwait what he did, why Kuwait only, not even any where in the expatriate world, especially that of Konkani movement

Seen above are Valency- Prince Jacob-Carles  ex Kuwait/Mahindra/Mahrastra Foot-ball/Hockey and Mrs. Charles

Veronica welcomes his naphew Muller and his wife Marina

·   Then Prince Jacob who stressed on the development of the community and repeated his request once again to Veronica to take the initiative to start a Bank of Gued lf/expatriate Goans on the pattern of how Kuwaitkars formed Hotel Goan Heritage and many of his like minded friends will surely support this venture.  He further said that Veronica should not deter by the politicsd where since  Veronica is a part of politics and where there is Veronica there politics.

Another view of the guests

A.Veronica affectionately welcomes Gloria the daughter of the late Vincente D'Souza ex Kuwait 

Then Prof. Sakardande ex Principal of Bicholim Commerce College in his speech elaborated how Veronica and he along with others in Eighties fought so forcefully against the Rane Government to get recognition for Konkani, even to the extent of receiving Lathis from Rane’s Police.

Seen above Miss Lottlekar daughter of Premandnada, Mrs.Lotlekar, Prem, and Mr. & Mrs. . 

Wilson Mazarello

Veronica's son Ashton and Veronica's naphew and his wife

Then came the well-known Konkani movement personality Mr. Dilip Borker who mentioned how important at that juncture association of Veronica for the cause of Konknai movement and how Veronica even agreed to join the ‘Fast unto death for the  cause of Konkani.

Seen above is Jerry Cal addressing the gathering

 

Seen above are Mrs. Sergio, Prof. Sergio & Dilip Borker

Wll-known activist Mr. Kennedy Afonso though surprised to be aware of the colossal amount of inventory in favour of Veronica in the Konkani movement was quick enough to give due credit to Veronica. He said he was fortunate to have Veronica among them the activists to support any good cause for Goa.  

CEO of Hotel Goan Heritage Alfredo Fernandes seen addressng the gathering 

Prominent Political personality from Arpora, Anita presenting a Flower Bouquest to Veronica

The CEO of Hotel Goan Heritage Mr. Alfredo Fernandes speaking on behalf of Hotel Goan Heritage was in full praises for Veronica   having him in their midst to support and guide them in the right direction. His debates in the board are worth admiring.

One more view of guests

Yet another view of the guests

Mr. Jerry Cal a long time friend of Veronica who knows him thoroughly well since 1962 the year they both joined Arpora School after finishing their Portuguese School, described Veronica with minute  details from every point of view namely his activities such as athletics, foot-ball, studies and etc.  Mr. Jerry threw more elaborate lights on Veronica’s life and made known to everyone Veronca’s esrly life even declaring Veronica got married to his first cousin sister.

                                 Popular Stage artiste Francisco de Tuem is welcomed by Veronica

                                            

Time forCChampegne

A DVD “ON HIS 70^TH BIRTHDAY, A. VERONICA FERNANDES SHARES HIS THOUGHTS ON GOA” was released in 2 parts where he speaks in the form of an interview to Mr.William, the DVD was distributed later on to the guests.“ This was released thru the hands of Hotel Goan Heritage CEO Mr. Alfredot Fernandes 

                                  The above family deeply associated with Veronica's family

Kennedy Afonso seen addressing the gathering

                                               Prof.Sakardande addressing the gathering

Availing of this opportunity, A.Veronica Fernandes was felictated for his enormous contribution in the service of commnity causes.  First by Prince Jacob for Veronica doing so much for the promotion of Tiatros, Tiatrists and the art of Tiaro.  The second by JIVIT MAGAZINE edited by Jude Michael Gracias for Veronica's writings in Romi Konkani.  And the third by Hotel Goan Heritage under the skippership of Tony  Correia and Alfredo Fernandes.   

Dilip Borker seen addressing the gathering

Releasing the DVD

Birthdayboy seen cutting the birthday cake surrounded by his both the children, grand cild and wife

                              Popular Stage Artiste Prince Jacob seen addressing the gathering

The lady seen to the left, Mrs.Bibiana is conducting the thanksgiving prayer

Guests seen engrossed in prayer

       A Veronica seen addressing.

Father & Son

A.Veronica Fernandes.

TIATRO "DEVAK ZAI ZALEAR' BY ROSEFRNS.

NEW TIATRO OF THIS SEASON “DEVAK ZAI  ZALEAR” WRITTEN AND DIRECTED by the renowned and century maker the one and the only one on Konkani Stage, Roseferns.  It was staged in Candolm on 13.08.18 to mark the feast of Nossa Senhora de Boa Morte.  During  my younger days devotees used to come on foot from distant places for which we used to say “ROMARI”. 

The Tiatro as officially declared in writing will start at 7.30 pm but actually started at 8.15 pm which means a criminal waste of precious time. For this I find fault with the orgnisers  of Tiatro.  By not adhering to the timing given by them  the organisers are putting the members of the audience if not all then at least some into so much inconnience.  

Is it right on the part of the Candolim Church authority meaning Pe. Vigar and members of his Tiatro committee to stage a Tiatro right at the entrance of the Church where a few feet away is kept the Blesed Sacrament in the Holy Tabernacle in the Chapel called Morgadlem Kopel?” Why is it called a Mdorgadalem Kopel?  One family from Candolim, Dando side,  had no child but had lot of wealth.  They one day took a vow in the Candolim Church in front of “Nossa Senhora de Esperanca” to do something for this Church if they get their first Child. Luckily they soon got the male child and then they came to the Church to meet and discuss with the Pe. Vigar their proposal to build a Chapel as an extension or annexure to the Church towards the Cemetery side. The Church Engineer refused to grant permission to touch the wall of the Church saying the whole Church may collapse.  For this, the Morgado’s  parents agreed to depost with the Church an amount to build not only one new Church but 3 such new Churches. The new born boy was called Morgado and that Chappel is called “MORGADALEM KOPEL” 

It is a known fact that now there is no real born comedian on the Konkani Stage and overwhelming majority of those who are existing on Konkani  Stage are ‘landde”, they are Tailless and as such they are not full fledged. Hence, they are not capable of producing peals of laughter in the hall.  Then they make the audience laugh by using sexy words, vulgar statements and words having double meaning. This type of vulgarity was used by the comedians in this Tiatro of Roseferns.  As a director of this Tiatro and as a matter of fact a renown and a seasoned director, Roseferns should have kept his eyes like an Eagle on the vulgarity expressed by the concerned comedians and get the same deleted from the comedy.  A pure and perfect born comedian will never use words having double meaning nor sexy words nor vulgar words. This type of half baked comedians are weak as Stage artistes having intellectually weak audience. 

In this Tiatro as a slap on the Christianity the comedians expressed vulgarity and words having double meaning which should have been avoided in respect and reverence to Christian doctrine especially when the Holy Sacrament is so close to the Stage. I object the commercialisation of Christianity.  And by the way these Tiatros business is as it seems to be is in aid of Scool. So how long this type of  collection will continue on? What the government gives is not enough when the Bishop is having as zero investment in this school? This school was built with the contribution and donation of the locals almost all of them Catholics. 

The Tiatro was well enected by all the artistes where especial mention must be made for their respective roles played by Antonette de Maina, Roma, Betty Alvares, RoseFerns, Rosario de Benaulim, Tari and Creto.

The comedy part was handled by Agostinho, Neto, Dorothy and others.

In the Side songs the singers  who sang well were Cajetan de Sanvordem, Roseferns  Benny de Aldona (Solos), Duet Roma & Rosario de Benaulim, Trios Antonette de Maina-Dorothy-Roma and Cajetan – Tari – Creto.

A.Veronica Fernandes.