April 13, 2020

A.VERONICA'S NEW BOOK RELEASED IN KONKANI.



                                                                            AVF seen above with his book.
                                                            

I am sure many of the Goans and non Goans too must have noticed and seen and even read my book that I wrote and published in 2016, the title of the book is “FROM  COCONUT  TREES  TO  OIL  WELLS” The book revolves around Goan community’s migration to Kuwait, their stay there, their employment there, their hardships there their agonizing seconds – minutes – hours – days – months and years they spent there, the most foul treatment meted out to our sisters and mothers there by the nasty Kuwaiti Muslim Arabs who are not only a disgrace on Arabs but worse than that they are a shame  on their Islam about which they boast of so much.  Their treatment to our maids, the very poor and neglected and deserted by everyone even the Labour Law properly,  bring shame on them. In the Gulf countries the oil rich Muslim Arabs are making a mockery of Islam by misbehaving with the poor expatriate females and by meting out a very low  treatment to the expatriates especially from the Asian ccountries.  In Kuwait the local act too discriminatory as if they are come from Heaven..


And finally in this book you get full day to day details of the Gulf War first waged by that bloody rascal Muslim Arab Saddam Hussein by invading Kuwait against all the prinnciples of UNO,NAM-ARAB LEAGUE-ORGANISATION OF ISLAMIC COUNTRIES.  The last one came into being to protect the interest and security of Islamic member countries but ironically by invading Kuwait by Iraq the dictator  Saddam Hussein trampled under his left foot the greatness of the Islamic prinsiples of OIC.  Who cares for Islam in the Arab World which is filled with innumerable Muslims but not with Islam. The UNO was formed by the Christin Nations and finally this UNO formed by the Christians came to the rescue of Islamic country Kuwait to liberate it from the jaws of Muslim Leader Saddam Hussein of Islamic country Iraq.  Jews are better than all the Muslim leaders who refrained from  openly condemn the  Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.  


It is indicated in this book how we Goans mainly the Kuwqit returnees organized a big movement in Goa to oppose the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and demanded liberation for Kuwait.  In this context we brought heavy pressure from Goa thrunour our activities like public rallies and meetings held in Panjim to make our voice and opinion audible in Dehi and finally with due respect to the UNO and the the 3 main countries USA-France - UK Kuwait was liberated.  We proved to the Kuwaitis too that we worked in Kuwait and earned good money and suffered lot of humiliation and persecution there from many of the Kuwaitis but at last we boldy came to their rescue and support in whatever way we can but others who enjoyed their doles and benefits never even looked at them when the Kuwwaitis were crying but we took courage and wiped their tears even though they must have humiliated and insulted us saying “HINDI MUSKIN” but these Hindi Muskin alone stood by them when they were facing difficult time.  By doing this we who were on forefront did not gain anything and we did not expect also anything from them. We are happy that they are finally along with Kuwait are liberated.


The same book is now translated into Konkani in three different scripts namely ROMAN, DEVANAGRI AND KANNADA and in a grand function organized at Hotel  Goan Heritage – Calangute, in the presence of  renowned Konnkanivadis such as Writers, Poets, Journalists, Sahitya Academy Award Winners  & orators, this book titled “MADDA THAUN TELAKHONNI PORIANT” was released on 01.03.20. Among others who spoke there were the author, Damodar Mauzo, Shivdas Naik, Elvino Rodrigues, Valley Quadros who shouldered major responsibility for translating this book into Konkani etc.

NEED OF QUALIFIED COMPETENT HEALTH MINISTERS.






After its independence from the British, India paid scant importance for its defense system even though India gained two Military victories, one over Pakistan in its first war and the second over the Portuguese colony of Goa.  The victoy over Goa was just a walk over for India having despatched to Goa an Infantry of 45,000 while the Portuguese  defense comprised 3,995 men, 810 were native (Indo-Portuguese) soldiers many with little military training and utilized primarily for security and anti-extremist  operations.  There were 200 Naval personnel . These forces were devided amongst the three Portuguese  enclaves. In all some 30 killed and 57 wounded on the Portuguese side including one local Goan passerby near Calangute Tinto who was just walking on the road and he was the Portuguese School Teacher, he was shot dead by the Indian Millitary personnel for reason not known to anybody. However, lethargically taking things for granted India even appointed Krishna Menon as its defense minister whose knowledge in this field was not praise worthy,  he  was not Dick Cheney of USA during the war for the liberation of Kuwait against Iraq nor Moshe Dayan of Israel in 1967 with its war against Arabs. He was just an academically graduate Krishna Menon, a Malyali having hatred for Portuguese and dislike for Goans as it was known then.



India’s weakness in defense was exposed beyond Imagination when China  totally routed India in its border war in 1962 where Nehru made Krishna Menon as the scapegoat forcing Menon to vacate the defense portfolio instead of himself vacating his government after suffering such a humiliating defeat. Then with this lesson in mind, India went all out to upgrade its defense in all respects resulting in its victories in Bangladesh and Kargil War.



Similarly from the Corona Virus, India must learn a lesson and provide topmost importance to the Health portfolios not only at the Center but even in all the States and Union Territories. This change must be implemented with immediate effect by handing over the Health portfolios only to the Medically qualified  persons.  It is not a joke to handle medical intricacies by those Health Ministers who are totally  ignorant in this field.  



In Goa our government has failed us inspite of giving so many promises, none of our ministers looked capable to handle this type of calamity in an emergency time.  To handle this type of emergency you have to be genuinely smart with required knowledge of the subject to deal with.  Good that signs of good days coming are visible  otherwise our government would not be able to tackle the situation. Our CM must first do something for the portfolio of Health and then things will take good shape. 
                                                                                                          

A.Veronica Fernandes.






April 9, 2020

CORONA VIRUS LOCKDOWN TO EXTEND??


By blowing their Bugles and Trumpets, the Cabinet of Goa met yesterday, 8.4.20, in the morning to find out the solution for the Corona Virus and whether to lift the Lock Down introduced in Goa including the Section 144 about 20 days back.  What I don’t understand is the show our ministers are making of their capacity and knowledge in this matter to move ahead.  What are these Ministers of ours and what is their knowledge scientifically and professionally in this subject on which they attended the meeting? 



Take for example, is the Health Minister fit to be the health minister when he is not FIT by qualification in  Medical Science?  In view of this, he lacking the appropriate qualification to handle this subject, he will make a mess of Health in Goa. Health portfolio is the most important portfolio not only in Goa but mainly in India. India must give top priority for this Health portfolio after the defence portfolio.  There was the time following the attaining of independence, India gave less importance to Defence but when China waged its deadly war against India on its Northern borders acquiring huge land of India which is still in the possession of China and it will remain with China only because India got NO power to wage a war against China to get back the captured land. Then out of compulsion, India brought Defence portfolio to the first place as  far as its importance is concerned otherwise the pigmy countries surrounding India will just swallow India.



Vishwajit Rane was brought up like a prince at his home with superiority complex and getting whatever he wants including  the portfolio of his liking whether he got expertise in handling  that portfolio professionally or not. My concern over him is increased now tremendously because right now we need an expert to handle the Health Portfolio otherwise he is likely to make disaster of Health problems of Goans. The health concern of the Goans should be given the top priority and in the bargain if necessary Vishwajit Rane should be removed from the Health portfolio.



According to me, none of the Cabinet members of CM Sawant looked great nor intellectual giants, they don’t look like great thinkers nor performers of great work.  If you observe them piercingly thru their foreheads they give a poor image of themselves indicating they are fit to do the very minor jobs and that too taking interest of their own needs.  They are not fit to handle the intricacies of the current complicated situation.  If they are capable to rise to the occasion as per the demands of the situation they would arrange very smoothly the public distribution system of the emergency requirement of residents.  Such a lengthy Cabinet is Sawant having but even after completing a fortnight this Cabinet of Goa is sill groping in the darkness.  I don’t expect anything extraordinary from this Cabinet.



According to the news items appearing from different angles but not confirmed, the dedlline for Lock Down will end on 14th of this month,it is likely to go still further up to 30th of this month, subject to the final approval by the premier.  When it is our decision relating to our Goa then why we rest it on the shoulders of premier for his decision?  We know what is good and what is bad for us and accordingly it should have been done. This date of ending the Lock Down should not be extended but phased out in stages  partially little by little phasing it to end.



When such emergencies take place needing drastic actions only the  commoner shoulder more responsibility while those holder of Cabinet meetings are nicely enjoying their previlleged life with previlleged facilities.  What sacrifices the elected representatives including the Cabinet members did to face the difficult  life because of Corona virus?  They are living the same posh life in Panjim at Altinho Bungalows, they are using the same posh cars and everything the same.  When this is the case those who are suffering are the common folks while those who are previlleged they are living their life as normal and as luxurious as before.  For them the Lock Down period can be extended not only up to 30.04.20 but even up to next year.  It is said charity begins at home but in our case charity begins with the commoner. This is our tragedy.



How many of our ministers and MLA’s stand in the “Q” to collect their groceries and other necessary items as we the common people do?  Do the policemen beat them brutally with big “Danda” on the road while  catching them on the road?  Do the ministers face the hard life during these days as the common men face? According to me they are immune to all the difficulties the commoner is suffering because of Corona Virus. 



A.Veronica Fernandes.