THE LATE FRANCIS D"SOUZA AND HIS BJP.

Never to talk ill of the dead,  goes the Roman saying. My friend at St. Xavier’s College Mapsa, ex-Minister Francis D’Souza  and current MLA from Mapsa constituency was totally exploited by the BJP led by Parrikar and after foot-balling him the way they wanted, BJP dumped him into waste paper basket.  It is sad to know how Francis failed to realize the chicanery of Parrikar in particular and that of BJP is a big question mark.  Francis may say anything but BJP and Parrikar used him as a mirror of Christian community in general and Catholic community in particular. BJP used Francis only to woo and get the goodwill of the Catholic community in Goa whom Francis treated as nothing.  

He was my fan and admirer at soccer ground especially at St. Xavier’s College and Mapsa Duler when I was playing for Sesa Goa also on athletics field where I excelled in running.  Though he was junior to me in College yet he admired me.  During my meeting him any time he used to wish me very respectfully with his normal humility which he derived from his father Mr. Pedro a popular and helpful figure at Camara Municipal Bardez.  It was because of his father Pedro, Francis gained name and fame and good respect in Mapsa and other villages in his constituency.

During my last 5 years in Goa after returning from Kuwait, he invited me at his place along with my wife for Dinner thrice during special occasions and he discussed with me many of the subjects touching our younger days. He had very good memory which I came to know when he cited some incidents created by me while playing soccer.  It is surprising he still remembered the minute incidents that occurred on the soccer ground 50 years back, one of them was at Duler ground during our encounter between Sesa Goa and Vasco. We were leading by one goal to nil, when the atmosphere inside and outside the ground was heavily charged, I shoulder dashed the most robust forward of  Goa, Bernado of Vasco who felled down on the ground and rolled in agony for about 10 metres.  Referee did not point out any fault but spectators who were mainly the supporters of Vasco entered the ground in thousands demanding infringement.  Nobody touched me though at moment it looked they wanted to kill me.  When spectators refused to leave the ground, referee from Agacaim nicknamed as “Cheuris” blew the long whistle and abandoned the game.   

He did what he felt the best by by getting embedded to BJP thinking they would stand by him when need arises but true to their anti-Christian principle and pro-Hindu doctrine they dropped Francis like a potato in the Kitchen. To please the Goa command and Delhi high command of BJP he even went to so far as to call himself as Christian Hindu. By totally surrendering himself to the doctrine of BJP he even forgot to raise his voice against BJP’s anti-Christian decisions thus proving to Christians that there is no one in BJP to support Christians. Mathanay Saldanha also did the same. Similar tactic was used by the recently died George Fernandes when he was a cabinet minister at the Centre. When our own elected representatives refuse to side with us then who will support us?  Then God play Ḥis role by implanting in our bodies incurable illneses like Cancer or Kidney failure etc. that take control of our bodies.

 

It is a pity that within 48 hours 2 stalwarts of Goa disappeared like an Ether and how many more are there in line?  It is not good to hurt the sentiments of the weak.   Where are all the then great stalwarts of MGP gone now?  Fear God my brothers and sisters.  There may not be any one on this planet to check your moves but there is somebody above to  put a full stop to all your moves. Respect God – Fear God because as it is said  in Konkani “DEVACHEA MARANK AVAZ NA”.

A.Veronica Fernandes.   

THE INTELLECTUAL TIATRIST JOE ROSE

JOE ROSE – THE WELL KNOWN 

TIATRIST.

One of the best intellectual Tiatrists that I came across on Konkani Stage is none other than Joe Rose as he goes by his Stage name otherwise his real name is Jose Maria Mathias Ignatius Thomas D’Souza born on 31^st July, in 1946 in Bombay and brought up also in Bombay only.  I am sure many of the readers of this column will know the beautiful and glamorous lady, a Konkani Stage artiste in late sixties and in seventies, Carmen ROSE  who dazzled the Konkani Stage in Bombay and in Goa  and mesmerized the audience by her sheer beautiful looks, superb acting and melodious voice, is his sister.  This relationship with his sister Joe Rose disclosed when he staged his Tiatro "Guneaum Konnacho"  directed by Carmen Rose which was her maiden name and after her marriage "Lobo" was added to her maiden name. Earlier the stage name of Joe Rose was Master Joe because of his young age. According to elders, Master Vaz was the youngest Tiatrist to step in on Konkani Stage and precisely because of this he was called MASTER Vaz and after him came Bab Lipo in Airestedes Dias' DOIA Tiatro.  

I saw Joe Rose first time on Konkani Stage somewhere in late sixties in the Tiatro at Narvenkar “Mattou”, Mapusa, he was then accompanying one of the Bombay troupes encompassing in its fold some of the topmost professionals when he as a handsome young man with his powerful voice rendered one of the beautiful songs on the great Goan Parliamentarian Dr. Francis Luis Gomes who represented South Goa in the Portuguese Parliament where he created a name and a fame for him.  In fact when Dr. Gomes went to Europe he demanded from the Europeans not only the liberation for Goa but also for the whole of India and that too much before the Ghandis and Nehrus were born. For this song the Editor of UZVADD, the Konkani daily in Goa,  Evagrio Jorge presented  Joe Rose with one book "Eminent Goans" written by Mr. Evagrio Jorge only.

Then I started thinking how this young man became an apostle of Dr. Gomes? In fact I said to myself that he must be a real intellectual man in the midst of intellectually bankrupt class of Tiatrists many of whom lowered the Konkani Stage by washing their dirty linen publicly using cheap topics for their songs when the audience is least bothered on these topics and using vulgarity mainly by the third grade comedians. Then when I went deep into this matter, I came to know that this young man, this young dazzling Tiatrist, a songster, a composer  and a playwright was the Student of St. Xavier’s High School, Dhobitalao in Bombay and also of St Xaviers College, Bombay from where he completed his graduation in English Literature – a great achievement  indeed and then went on acquiring  one more feather in his glittering Cap of educational background, that is B.ed and immersed himself in the dignified profession of a Teacher at Our Lady of Dolours, Marine Lines. While talking to him, I could recognize the power of his language and knowledge where he indicated that he was very well read in Shakesphere’s Dramas, French literature mainly Victor Hugo and many other world renown authors.  At. St. Xaviers College he revived the dormant Konkani Mandal and was its elected Secretary for 2 years. Such an intellectual man should have been the president of TAG but I don’t know why he was not elevated to the presidency last time when he was already its vice-President. Only an educated and intellectual giant with his clean image and decent character can give dignified picture of TAG. This position is not meant for any Ladru – Pedru type of Tiatrist, especially a morally corrupt and intellectually bankrupt even though some of our corrupt politicians, it seems,  are pushing unworthy candidates to the post of its presidency. According to my information, political pressure is working very hard to install unworthy candidates to occupy the chair of TAG presidency.  The Tiatro fraternity must in unison raise its voice to put an end to this "chamchagiri" done by the cheap Tiatrists to occupy the top position in TAG.  According to me some of the Tiatrists enjoying  a little respect only because they are Tiatrists otherwise they are fit for nothing. It is time now for the Tiatrists to elect somebody from among them, the one who is really capable of doing this job well and not to escape from attending important meetings with the excuse "I am having my Tiatro today and hence I will not come for today's meeting".  If you have your Tiatro and other functions then you be there only and not get involved in TAG.  Those who got no time to devote for TAG then they have no right to be in TAG. 

Thru his educational and intellectual achievements Joe Rose gave a booster to Konkani Stage then because in the absence of such intellectual giants the grandeur of Konkani Stage suffered thereby giving a low image of our Tiatros.  Precisely, because of this, Tiatrists during those days were considered as low grade people lacking not only in good family background but also lacking in educational, social, moral and intellectual background and thus lacking in good character and good discipline. See how some of the current comedians exposing all their dirty characteristics  because of the vulgar terminology they use on the Stage. By doing this they indicate first and foremost their hoi-polloi family background where they lacked good home discipline because of the defective parents. I have seen Joe Rose so many times on the Stage playing different roles including that of the comedian but never he used foul and vulgar language as  few of our third class comedians use now to entertain the third class audience.

Coming from an affluent family background Joe Rose’s father was wielding lot of influence during those days in Bombay since he was owning in partnership with his friend a big Restaurant and a Bakery and many of the renowned Tiatrists were frequenting there as his  customers. Hence, the Tiatro circle was not strange to Joe Rose because he was also mixing up with them. Besides this his father was the sole owner of Hotel Olympia situated close to Race Course Matheran. His father loved him too much and on one occasion for his birthday presented him as a birthday gift a lovely Pony. 


“Tiatristpon” is the natural gift of God to Joe Rose and making good use  of it  he entered first time on the Konkani Stage when he was barely 7 years - that was a very tender age,  in the Drama “Fatima Saibinn” and then followed  by “Bernadette of Lourdes” staged both by Dr. Simon C. Fernandes, the Editor of Konkani Weekly "The Goa Times".  By the time he reached to 15,  he acquired name and fame and offers started pouring in for him to play different roles in different Tiatros from different directorts. While still a student in School and College, he came in contact with his colleagues namely Jalal Agha, Anup Kumar Gangoly (Asokh  Kumar’s son) and Vijay Sippy - the son of the director & producer of the Film "Sholay", later on Vijay Sippy became renowned Bollywood artiste. Joe Rose also during his scholastic career participated in extra curricular activities such as elocution, debates and dramatic competitions and won prizes.

After serving as a teacher for 8 years in Bombay, he migrated to Dubai where he worked as a Night Auditor at Oasis Hotel and as a part timer he taught at St. Mary’s School, in Dubai.  He could do any type of role with perfection namely of a hero, villain, landlord and comedian and compose any type of songs.  This is the rare quality a Tiatirst can possess.

Joe Rose is also a very good Playwright, director and lyricist in which capacity he wrote and staged his so many Tiatros, about a dozen,  in many parts of the Konkani world, the most popular of them were  “Imtteache Bhognar”, “Sukh ani Dukh”, “Dussreak Lagon” , "Arbi desh Amcho desh" and “Ekuch Rogot”. 

As a songster, he composed innumerable songs in different categories such as solos, duos, duets, trios, quarters and rendered the same in Tiatros, Audio/Video Cassettes and All India Radio.  Incidentally, after Alfred Rose, Joe Rose happened to be the second Tiatrist to record a Konkani Cassette, these Cassettes were marketed by India Book House and were put up for sale for standard price @ Rs. 35/- a piece.  As a matter of interest, his Cassettes were even kept for sale  in Soviet Russia.  Besides, Joe Rose also produced his own Konkani Albums and rendered his voice for the Albums produced by other producers as well. 

Joe Rose had unique distinction of acting with some of the great Tiatrists of yesteryears not only in Goa and Bombay but even in other parts of the world such as Gulf &  London.

Being an excellent performer, he received accolades and honours from different organizations and institutions, eg: Cine Times Award for best character actor in 1990 and Kala Mogui Candolim, in 1993 for the services he rendered to Tiatros and GRAF for being the best lyricist.

Joe Rose is also a social worker having done yeomen services for the cause of Goans in Bombay in particular and for the society in general.  In this direction, in Bombay at Dhobitalao he was instrumental in doing the campaign successfully  to name one garden after the topmost Goan sportsman Walter D'Souza who as  a member of the Indian Field Hockey Team took the Gold Medal at the 1948 Olympic competition. Incidentally, both Joe Rose and Walter D'Souza are the proud sons of Aldona that produced so many great stalwarts of Goa in different fields. 


In spiritual aspects, Joe Rose did not lag behind when in fact he helped in the promotion of our religious activities, for example he served for two terms as the Confraternity Secretary at Our Lady of Seven Dolours, Marine Lines and also as Secretary of the Parish Council. 


His greatest ambition is to immerse himself in Goan politics by first entering into local politics in his constituency, Aldona so that he can serve his own constituents better.  However, he may plunge into any type of activity but his dramatic activities will continue.   

A.Veronica Fernandes.  

HARD CORE GOAN COMMUNALISTS ANTI-DR.JACK SEQUEIRA

This is in response to the news item in the local daily Herald on 23.01.19,  “Is Dr. Jack Sequeira  discriminated because of his religion?” Yes, I feel so.  On 19.12.61 constitutionally Secularism was born in Goa but practically communalism came forcefully in which both the major communities indulged in, one openly with more ferocity while the other silently being at receiving end having no other choice.

On 17.12.61 in the evening one Mr. Esso  from Orda Candolim when came to know Indian Millitary  is already entered Goa, near the Candolim Church he jumped in the air shouting loudly and running home saying, “atam amchem raj zatelem, tumkam ami kitem tem dakoitele etc” that means now it will be Esso's community that will rule Goa and then we will show you - meaning my community, what we can do to you.  While on the next day one Goldsmith near Candolim Tinto asked the Catholics mockingly “where is your Forsulo gone now while his relative asked where is your Antulo now?” For St. Francis Xavier he made an ordinary  Forsulo while for St. Anton he made Antulo without any due respect to both these Saints.  Gradually, the big family of that Goldsmith disappeared from this earth like ether while the Goldsmith died a miserable death. There is no family member even to stay in his house, so much so, even cats and rats too deserted that house.

The one who was mocking at St. Anton by saying Antulo was shamelessly going to Siolim Church every Tuesday to pray and ask from St. Anton, what? forgiveness? I don’t know but one of his close relatives was found selling “Kaddio – Boddio” during the Novenas for the feast of St. Francis Xavier at Old Goa.  These traitors want St. Francis and St. Anton to make money by selling Kaddio-Boddio otherwise these Saints are mocked at. But they forget that the power of God is more powerful than everything else on this planet.

 

The MGP was born mainly out of revenge against Christians and to diminish their influence in Goa by marginalizing them. When they came to power in the first election even government jobs mainly on important places were clandestinely denied to Christians. In Portuguese School in my village some non-Christian colleagues of mine started looking at us as if we are second class citizens because of our religion. This impression was inculcated in their young and raw minds by their elders at their home places. Those who were very close to us during the Portuguese regime from the majority community suddenly remained far from us as if we were Jews in Naziland. Externally everybody claimed to be a secular but internally a big NO. 

To cite one more justification to my  answer, the denial of Chief Ministership to Francis D’Souza (Mapusa MLA) is a concrete proof of how BJP practiced religious discrimination.

Though  there were many Hindus who worked  hard to win the Opinion Poll for Goans yet Dr. Sequeira was the tallest among all of them in all respects making him the “de facto” leader. In fact there was not a single leader among the Hindus at that time with the stature of Dr. Jack Sequeira.  As a matter of fact all the Hindu leaders who helped the victory of Opinion Poll were “kichddi” leaders, they were just regional and parochial having no acceptance all over Goa but Dr. Jack Sequeira was accepted as the leader by all over Goa, if not then at least by more than all others.

Those who try vociferously to deny major credit to Dr. Jack Sequeira for the victory of Opinion Poll, from the language and the tone of their language, it looks that they are not against Dr. Jack Sequeira but they are against the religion of Dr. Jack Sequeira.  These people are very good in vomiting their anger without any shame, not only on Dr. Jack Sequeira and his religion now only but it started in December, on 19^th, in 1961.  Their ambition is to liquidate the religious community of Dr. Jack Sequeira because they are jealous. Otherwise, they know within themselves that Dr. Jack Sequiera was the major architecht of the victory of Opinion Poll though officially he was not elected nor selected nor voted as the leader of anti-mergerists. But people knew that he had that charisma and qualities to become the leader of anti-mergerists and besides him no other person. For this reason overwhelming majority of Goans especially the antimergerists including those so called "kichddi" leaders who are now trying to belittle Dr.Jack Sequiera's importance had given their allegiance to Dr. Jack Sequeira if not externally then at least internally. With communal mind set up they are roaring now like Tigers against Dr. Jack Sequeira but during the time of Opinion Poll they were like cockroaches in front of Dr. Sequeira.

 When the Opinion Poll result was known, a huge crowd of anti-mergerists gathered at Dr. Sequeira's place and more were coming to congratulate him. Then and there only they accepted and agreed to declare that Dr. Jack Sequeira was the FATHER OF OPINION POLL and at that moment only they took a procession around Panjim with Dr. Sequeira leading the procession. Some of the fake Lions who are now raising their voices against Dr. Sequeira's contribution were also a part of this procession. 

Finally, let me make a firm statement thru this forum in this article that "THESE ANTI DR. JACK SEQUEIRA CAMPAIGNERS WILL NEVER GIVE US PEACE OF MIND. THIS IS NOT AN END BUT MANY SUCH CAMPAIGNS WILL COME UP AND WE SHOULD BE BOLDLY AND TRUTHFULLY FACE AND COUNTER THEM".

A.Veronica Fernandes.