FOR THE CAUSE OF KONKANI

Two months back I was honoured in Kuwait by a Mangalorean Association “Konkani Kullvar” for my contribution in the promotion and protection of Konkani. The honouring function was organised very majestically where a hall packed audience comprising Mangaloreans, Goans and others attended. The organizers in their speeches praised me fabulously for my fight for the cause of Konkani. They have admitted openly that what I did for the cause of Konkani no other expatriate has done not only in Kuwait but anywhere in the expatriate Konkani World.

On 20th of last month, I celebrated my 28th Wedding anniversary with a get-together where my close friends and colleagues attended on my personal invitation. Two speakers namely Gasper Crasto and Rosary Ferns in their speeches praised me profoundly for my enormous contribution in the promotion, protection and development of Konkani.

While agreeing to their statements that my contribution in the promotion, protection, development and fight for the cause of Konkani is second to none in the expatriate Goan World, I must confess openly and boldy too, that if at all I managed to do what I did for the cause of Konkani it was only because of the strong support and cooperation I received from my colleagues and associates in this movement. Without their support I don’t think I would reach so far in promoting the cause of Konkani.

Why do we need Konkani? We need it in the first place to protect our culture, tradition, history, folklore, folktales and our total Goanness which is based only on Konkani. See the Goans who discarded Konkani, they are like soulless bodies.

Secondly we needed Konkani to get separate Statehood for Goa. How? Indian States are formed on the basis of languages, one State - one Language. For example, Maharastra was formed on the basis of Marathi, Gujarat on the basis of Gujarati, Tamilnadu on the basis of Tamil and so on.

From the time of the exit of Portuguese from Goa, we the genuine Goans, the real sons and real daughters of real Goan fathers (not bastardized Goans), wanted to maintain our own unique identity under the Union of India as a separate State of Goa. We did not want our beloved Goa to merge with Maharastra and get ourselves diluted in Marathi and non-Goan Maharastrian culture and finally lose our total identity. Since language was an important factor to get separate Statehood for Goa, we the genuine Goans had to fight for Konkani to make it a official Goan language. Hence, our fight for the cause of Konkani.

Taking this view into very important consideration, I started campaigning for the cause of Konkani. In my campaign I got very strong support from my colleagues, friends and all the lovers of Goa and Konkani, some of whom personally disliked me but surely they liked the campaign I was carrying forward. Most of them are not in Kuwait at the moment, some are dead while others retired and left from Kuwait either for Goa or elsewhere.

Some of the prominent Goans who strongly supported Konkani cause since the time of my inception of Konkani movement in Kuwait are still in Kuwait, like me. They are Alexandre Menino Fernandes from Colva, who was one of the pillars of Novem Goem Pratishthan Kuwait Somiti (NGPKS) established in Kuwait under my initiative to raise funds for Konkani Daily Novem Goem. NGPKS was my biggest and first initiative for the cause of Konkani and thru this move we made known to everyone in Goa especially the enemies of Konkani like Maharastrawadi Gomantak Party and its Marathi protagonists that 'please do not play with us Kuwaitkars, we are not the West settled Goans with an attitude 'Deklem Moddem Ailem Roddnem.' We are not the Goans who 'Aitea Folear Thuktat Tosle' neither 'Fulu Fustar Fozne Martat Tosle' nor 'Mezailem Kellem Kaddun Sagvad Zoddtat Tosle'. What we mean is business. And in fact we Kuwaitkars proved how challenging we can be if we are united. And in fact we Kuwaitkars remained united for the cause of Konkani and sent lakhs of rupees for this cause.

Mr. A. B. Fernandes, the Chairman of this organization took great efforts to attain success for this move, so too the late Estanislaus Alemao - the then Principal of New Indian English School, Jabriya. The other prominent member of NGPKS who is still in Kuwait was Raymond D’Sa – the president of Goan Overseas Association. On my part as an initiator of this move I played my role tirelessly and unselfishly and I need not dwell more on what I did since everybody knows what I have done. Yet I give credit to all my colleagues and supporters who helped us in raising funds for this cause. It was only thru their support we got so much of financial aid which we ultimately sent to Novem Goem Pratishthan, the parent body in Goa. It was not only the funds collection campaign we did thru NGPKS but with it we also did campaign for the cause of Konkani. We made many of the Goans to speak, write and embrace more closely in Konkani. Thru our campaign we put a strong base for the cause of Konkani in Kuwait which is still giving very good results.

Amongst the Tiatrists I must point out the excellent contribution of all the three Mendes Bros. Felix - Xavier - Derek - who being top professionals, for the cause of Konkani promotion they not only acted free of charge like their other colleagues, for both our Tiatros organized for this cause but also shouldered major responsibilities of these Tiatros. One Tiatro was of Alexinho de Maxem while the other by F. X. Pereira. I must confess now that the involvement of Mendes Bros. with their freewill in our move at that critical juncture was an excellent gesture on their part and strong support for our cause. They were not ordinary Tiatrists but they were at that time enjoying celebrity status. They not only supported us open heartedly and willingly but within their capacity they also made others to support us.

Besides them other Tiatrists too supported us similarly but most of those Tiatrists who supported us at that time are no more in Kuwait but their efforts are still remembered. Unfortunately, amongst the current Tiatrists there are more "Rostad Tiatrists". I call them Rostad because they are supporting the Rostad cause "To Aslear Aum Nachona" of a Rostad Tiatrist. By using the method of "To Aslear Aum Nachona" all those Tiatrists who are subscribing to the views of "To Aslear Aum Nachona" are killing Tiatros and Tiatrists in Kuwait. Hence, they are all not only enemies of Tiatro promotion in Kuwait but more than that they are all enemies of Konkani. Their names will be written in BLACK letters in the history of Konkani Tiatros in Kuwait.

Then came into being thru my inititiative the formation of Kuwait Konknni Kendr where again my colleagues gave me strong support and only because of their support KKK managed to create wonders on Konkani world. It is they who make the wheel of KKK run smoothly and of course I play my role well. KKK is the only such Konkani organization established anywhere in the world. Our campaign for raising funds for Konkani Martyrs’ families was one of the powerful campaigns KKK has organized. In this campaign our well wishers namely Americo Remedios from Saligao played a very good role in helping us to collect major portion of the funds. The others who helped us in our mission beautifully in their individual capacities were Raymond D’Sa from Nagoa-Arpora, Andrew Rodrigues from Sucurro, Porvorim, Ignatius Fernandes from Calangute, Messias Barreto from Candolim and many others. Besides, KKK has helped so many other causes for the promotion of Konkani. Formation of Konkani Heritage Kuwait was yet another strong initiative which helped us in further promotion of Konkani and spread the gospel of unity of Konkani speaking people. Additionally, I got myself involved in the promotion of our Tiatros which also helped in the promotion of our "Maim Bhas". As a Konkani writer I wrote exhaustively in Romi script Konkani in different Newspapers and Magazines and there again I was supported by my friends and colleagues.

While concluding I must admit openly and loudly that all what I did for the cause of Konkani was done only thru the support, cooperation and goodwill of all my friends, colleagues and supporters in Konkani movement. They are the real architects of my contribution in Konkani movement.

The award that I received and the plaudits that I got are the results of the support I received from my friends, colleagues and well wishers. I thank them all, though I cannot name them all individually because they are innumerable. More then me, it is they who deserve the awards and plaudits for the promotion of Konkani cause. I received the award and plaudits on their behalf.

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.

RAPINGS IN KUWAIT.

RAPINGS IN KUWAIT.

Harassment to the maids and those women working as domestics is rampant in Kuwait. The local Daily Newspapers are aghast with all sorts of stories where physical abuses are highlighted on females. When one reads these stories one feels disgusted with the people involved in committing such crimes on innocent women who come to this country to earn Dinars to support their nearest and dearest back at their home countries. Those females who come to work here as domestics are poor in their own countries and because they are poor they are coming to earn Dinars here. Otherwise in reality the salaries these women are paid in Kuwait are not much. As for me, I would not advise my dearest and nearest to come to Kuwait to work as domestics for such paltry salaries. The quantity of work and the quantity of working hours do not match with their salaries. Above all, the humiliation and lowliness heaped on them is too bad to bear. Many times it looks that they are denied the sense of human dignity. I feel it is disgusting, filthy and unbearable to know incidents of maltreatment of maids can take place in this so called civilized society where we are living and earning our sustenance.

Now I am referring to the news item in the local daily Arab Times dated 16th of this month about the poor Philippina girl who was gang raped not only by one Kuwaiti youth but by seven Kuwaiti beasts, I call them beasts because they lost all their human attributes. I don’t consider them as human beings but I consider them as wild animals because they handled and feasted on the poor Philippina housemaid as wild foxes, as wild tigers and as wild lions do in the jungle for their poor preys. I applaud Philippine Embassy and its Ambassador for personally taking interest in this case and trying to mete out justice to the poor victim. I don’t think our Embassy and our Ambassador would dare to act the way Philippine Embassy and its Ambassador dared to fight for justice for their victimised nationals. Our nationals many times made as cheap commodities by our own Embassy, our victimized nationals are treated many times with disgust by those who are supposed to protect our nationals. Many times many of our nationals are considered as botheration for our Embassy. For this reason many of us are treated in Kuwait with disrespect and disdain.

Regarding the gang raped Philipina I also support her cry for justice when she said “I want them (the seven Kuwaiti culprits) to rot in the jail. I hope that what they did to me won’t happen to their mothers and sisters”. For these seven beastly Kuwaitis their mothers and sisters are sacrosanct while expatriates namely Asians doing menial jobs are like slaves to be treated with disrespect. I am surprised when such horrible stories are highlighted in the local English Press no Kuwaiti comes out openly in condemning their compatriots for disgracing the image of their country. I don’t think the religion these beastly Kuwaitis are following is allowing them to practice such a genocide on helpless maids. It is a shame not only on the 7 beastly Kuwaitis but also on their parents for not disciplining their sons properly. I only hope with the “wasta” (influence) the Kuwaitis are having in Kuwait the parents of the culprits would not try to shelve this case because sometimes justice is selective and purchaseable too. But I still have strong hope in Kuwaiti justice where judiciary acts appropriately and justly.

It is really horrible to read in the media today abundant news on rapes in Kuwait. Almost everyday news appearing in the Press about rapes and prostitution in certain areas like Abbasiya and Juleeb Al Shouk. Prostitution is supposed to be the oldest profession and no power on this planet can stop it. The great and highly learned Saint of the Roman Catholic Church, St. Agustinho who because of his high learning called the Doctor of the Church, symphatised with the prostitutes because according to him, “prostitutes are necessary evils. Because of their existence and profession”, he said, “our mothers, sisters and wives are safe otherwise they all will be the target of beasts in human beings, the rapists”. Sex is a part of human life for this reason advanced countries including theocratic countries legalized prostitution. Among the expatriates, Kuwait is inhabited mostly by the single males whom we called bachelors, these bachelors as human beings need sex. All males cannot control their sexual urge. Hence, rapes and hunt for illicit sex as we see in the media daily.

According to elders who worked in Kuwait when Kuwait was a protectorate of Britain, before its independence, illicit sex was permitted in Kuwait. The brothels were located in Murqab area near the roundabout. Though it was cheap meant for cheap people yet it used to serve the need of the hour. Precisely because of this availability of commercial sex, crimes related to sex and rapes were almost non-existent then. Yet another instance: Kuwait was under the siege of Saddam’s Iraq for 7 months. Almost half this period I was in invaded Kuwait and during this period I moved a lot and seen a lot in Kuwait. Again illicit sex was going on in Murqab for a price like commercial sex in especially erected small tents with the support of four wheeler Vans. Again, near Muthanna in Kuwait City, Kurdish women were soliciting customers openly and one could take them to one’s residence and have sex with them by paying their fixed charges. Because of this sex freedom there was no need for committing sex related crimes and hence rapes did not exist during that particular period. Though rapes were carried by the Iraqi soldiers during the first 4 days of the invasion. This was done by the invading filthy and beastly Iraqi troops with the support of their guns. This is the normal process for any invading troops. Indian troops did such a dirty job in Goa in 1961 when Goa was forcibly grabbed by the Indian Government headed by Nehru’s Congress Party Government, so too they did in Bangladesh when Indian troops liberated Bangladesh. Hitler’s Army did in all the countries they invaded in the Second World War. They went to such an extent that they even raped Jewish women in Poland when Nazis hated Jews and considered Jews as untouchables. Incidentally when the matter of sex comes, untouchability and other discriminations take back seat. See the incidence the 7 Kuwaitis committed on poor Philippina maid. Otherwise maids are “muskin” (poor - miserable) but for sex it is o.k., anybody “chalta hai”. See in our own Goa, many of the high caste Brahmins are having their concubines coming from the low caste families and harijan category. Shameless people are these and yet they crave for respect in society and disgracefully boast of their superior nationality and superior castes.

I feel Kuwait, in the light of rampant sex related crimes, should legalise prostitution to minimize rapes of innocent females. Because of sexually perverted menfolk Kuwaiti roads and bus stops are not safe for poor and innocent expatriate females especially from the indisciplined Kuwaiti youth who had no guts to touch their own womenfolk. Those Kuwaitis who rape innocent expatriates especially the females from domestic sector are cowards of highest grade and because they are cowards they go after poor maids. It is not difficult to introduce legal prostitution in Kuwait because behind the curtain and almost to the glare of the persons concerned many of the financially affluent men make use of illicit sex and they do it rampantly but do not get caught. They don’t get caught because they use very sophisticated methods and not the crude and cheap methods used in Abbasiya and Juleeb Al Sohouk.

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.

A. VERONICA & FATIMA CELEBRATE THEIR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

- by gasper crasto

"No man or woman really knows what perfect love is until they have been married a quarter of a century." -Mark Twain

Kuwait City:

A. Veronica Fernandes and his beloved wife Fatima celebrated their 28th Wedding Anniversary, Thursday evening - 20th September 2007 with a modest get-together in Kuwait City. The party was attended by close friends and colleagues of the couple.

As per information, it was at the Holy Family Cathedral, Kuwait City that Veronica and Fatima were married in 1979 on the same day and date(Thursday, 20th September). Their marriage was solemnized by Fr. Fulgencio, a resident Carmelite priest from Margao, Goa.

Anthony Veronica and Fatima were friends in Goa for a long time before being married. It was during the 1970 Mando Festival at Cine National Panjim, Bab Veronica as a young student of St. Xaviers College – Goa came in contact with Fatima while she was performing as one of the lead singers for Congottchim Lharam, a first prize winning group of Fausto Andrade. Since then they had become very close till they tied the knot in 1979 at the Holy Sacrament of Matrimony in Kuwait.
Veronica and Fatima were a very popular pair in Goa during those days. It was Fatima’s beauty and Veronica’s celebrity status as one of the top sportsmen of Goa that made them popular. Both were highly dignified and much appreciated in their respective localities with a highest degree of admiration. Fatima comes from Calangute while Veronica from Candolim. They have two children. Their son Ashton Savio works in Kuwait while daughter Aveshah Antonia is doing her final year of Law. Both the children spent their early childhood in Kuwait.

Like their father both the children are very good sportspersons. Ashton plays in the Kuwait-Indian football games conducted by the expatriates.

A year back he was awarded Man of the Tournament Award during the South Asian Football Tournament for expatriates and also won the top scorer of the Kuwait Indian Football Federation (KIFF) season, while daughter Aveshah has represented Goa University in soccer and other disciplines as well.
I need not highlight the achievements of Bab Veronica further but I can say only one thing that there are perhaps few among the expatriate Goans who have done more than what Veronica has done for the cause of Konkani. And his contribution in the promotion of Goan causes is perhaps second to none.
A writer in his own right, there is perhaps no one among Goans in Kuwait who can out-beat Veronica in his writing. He is also one of the most knowledgeable Goans worldwide specially on subjects such as tiatros, politics, football, etc. He is the only Goan in Kuwait who does not require ‘care of’ locating him. His name itself details his identity.

I had the honor of compering the Wedding Anniversary celebration along with Rosary Ferns. It was a very well organized function where speeches, songs, Mandos and Dulpods were rendered to sheer delight of the attendees. The attendees were couples and highly distinguished people in the life of the couple.
After cutting the ceremonial cake, Veronica and Fatima took the floor followed by the others. Later, Veronica and Fatima rendered their most favorite song ‘Sacrament Zoddlo’ accompanied by Rosary, and Dennis Gonsalves on the keyboards. The blessed couple recollected their feelings of 28 years back in their song.

Rosary Ferns highlighted the achievement of Bab Veronica and his unique contribution for the cause of the community. Bab Veronica and Fatima sang another beautiful, traditional Mando ‘Bhangaracho Vistid’ accompanied by Rosary Ferns with Dulpods to a thunderous applause from the gathering that included renowned Tiatrists – all the three Mendes Brothers with their wives, popular actor Sylvester Vaz and his wife Irene, etc.

Earlier, Veronica explained the meaning of Mando and Dulpod while Rosary Ferns sang his latest composition ‘Mog’ on a minus track.

The penultimate item was the speech of A. Veronica in which he described the beauty of his wedded life with a lovely and attractive wife whose ‘beautiful looks,’ he said, ‘still mesmerized his eyes and beautified his heart (Mhoje ghorkarnichi suropai, mhojem kalliz suropaien bhorta).’ Veronica further added that it was Fatima who is more responsible for keeping their ‘marriage sacrament’ stronger. He further went on to say, “though 28 years have passed, yet it looks only 28 minutes for our marriage.”

Fatima proposed a vote of thanks.
Musical score for the songs was provided by Dennis while DJ Wanted provided lively music. Jannet Franco-e-Fernandes bridesmaid at the wedding of Veronica and Fatima in 1979 and 'still standing by the couple', recited a thanksgiving prayer before dinner.