G'BYE GOA: INDO-ARYANS. By Valmiki Faleiro.

G’BYE GOA: INDO-ARYANS.
By Valmiki Faleiro.

The arrival of Indo-Aryans in Goa was a total disaster for Goa’s tribals. From masters, tribals were reduced, overnight as it were, to serfs. The new migrants were an entirely different race, originally from lower Eastern Europe, thieves by trade, who bore an alien skin colour, alien language and customs, and weaponry! Let us check the story of how Indo-Aryans – comprising of Brahmin, Kshatriya andVaishya/Vani, the three ‘upper’ castes that regard themselves ‘dvijas’ (twice born) – gotto Goa, as briefly as we can, over the next few Sundays.

(It must be remembered that in Goa there was transmigration in the three Indo-Aryancastes. Kshatriya Sardesais, for instance, were formally integrated into the Brahmin caste. A well-known industrious family of Vanis was said to have been admitted without formality, meaning, surreptitiously. A section of Asuras/Gawdas who got into trading were admitted as Vanis.) Indo-Aryans or ‘Indo-European Aryans’ as they were formerly known, originated in the Steppes, north of the Caspian Sea, in southern Russia. They were a larger group called‘Indo-Iranian Aryans’, but, as we shall see in this interesting story, they split into two, the smaller staying back in the region of Iran, the larger – Indo-Aryans – eventually settlingin North India.

Indo-Iranian Aryans were semi-nomadic, mostly on the move, in search of new victims.They lived largely by plundering settled tribes. From lower Eastern Europe, they moved southwards. Weaker tribes encountered along the way were looted. They unwittingly arrived at the doorstep of the world’s ancient civilization, Mesopotamia, most of it now in northern Iraq, a smaller part in south eastern Turkey. At the northern frontier of Mesopotamia was Assyria, the gates of which the Indo-IranianAryans knocked. The otherwise daring Aryans were no match for the Semitic Assyrians,whose supreme national god, Assur, was the god of war. The Assyrians promptly seized and enslaved the Indo-Iranian Aryans. In bondage, they yearned for their freedom to wander, but the only occasional freedom their captors granted were visits to the city’smarkets and port. They were dazzled with they saw. The city’s emporia were magnificent. They learnt that most goods were brought by ‘Panis’ in large ships, from a nation called ‘Suryarashtra’ or‘Surastra,’ the land of the sun. They vowed to one day break free from the Assyrians and go to this land of promise.

Indra was their Moses. In a test run, Indra smuggled himself and two Indo-Aryan clans,the Turvasas and Yadus, into Pani ships sailing home. They landed in Kathiawar, the ancient ‘Surastra’ (Saurashtra.) Glad with what they saw, Indra took consent of its Dravidian rulers and settled his compatriots in the land. Returning on another ship, Indra masterminded a spectacular escape of his people fromAssyria. He had keenly studied the city’s system of river dykes, which so helped bring prosperity to the land. But, he had the mighty Vrthra, the Assyrian ruler, to contend with. When his people were ready, Indra challenged and killed Vrthra. As his people fled, he broke the dykes, flooding the city, preventing Assyrian soldiers from pursuing them. Such a multitude could only trudge overland.

The long eastward march was replete with upheavals. They encountered settlements en route, which they either plundered or fought back, and moved on. In one such battle in Turkestan, Indra was killed. Bulk of his grateful tribe decided to deify Indra. A section refused to accept a mortal like them as ‘god’ and stayed back in Iran: the Iranian component of ‘Indo-Iranian Aryans.’(Indra, incidentally, belonged to the group that ages later became the Kshatriya caste.) The rest continued with their onward march under a new leader, Divodassa, across the Hindu Kush Mountains in Afghanistan, the Bolan Pass, finally arriving at an impressive civilization, on the banks of the river Indus. It was the Dravidian Indus Valley Civilization,whose decline by this time had already begun. When exactly this happened, in that pre-historic period (which extends to the 2ndMillennium BC), is obviously not precise. Scholars estimate it as between the late 3rd andmid-2nd Millennia BC (say between 3000-2500 BC.) Archaeological evidence, includingIndo-Aryan cemeteries at Sibri and Mehrgarh, near the Bolan Pass, suggests they would positively be by the Indus River by 2000 BC. (To continue.)(ENDS.)
The Valmiki Faleiro weekly column.

Amy Vaya crowned Young Goans 'Centrepoint' May Queen

Bahrain: Indian national Miss Amy Vaya beat 15 other contestants of different nationalities to win the May Queen 2009 Crown at the beauty pageant contest organized by the Young Goans Club (YGC) in Manama, Bahrain.

More than 1000 people attended the event that was held by the poolside of the Delmon Hotel in Manama on 28th May.

Guests were treated to performances of nostalgic oldies by local band 'The Aryan Fame' while local DJ Alfy handled stage and lighting effects in addition to performing lively dance tunes.

The 1st runner-up was 22 year old Briton Lucy Wozniack, who moved to Bahrain just two months back after living in Dubai for 16 years. Former stewardess at Emirates, 24 year old Irish/Chinese Gemma Cheung took the third spot. Miss Cheung also picked up the prize for the Best Smile.

The YGC May Queen 2009 Miss.Vaya, who is a flight attendant and former student of Sacred Heart School Bahrain also claimed the Best Hairdo and Miss Articulate prizes. She was also voted the crowd favorite, through a SMS poll of the audience conducted by the title sponsors Centrepoint.

The contest was judged by a panel of seven judges in three rounds. The first round was in Smart Sport/Traditional Wear and the second round with Formal Wear, with all contestants taking to the elegant set catwalk. The other contestants besides the winners who made it to the final round of Brain and Wit were Dalhia Al Shebli (Jordanian), Yodith Fesha Belete (Ethopian) and Monica Nsima (Nigerian).

The panel of judges consisted of Mr. Zafar Ali (Group Marketing Manager of Al Rashid Group), Alison Lillywhite (Sales Officer/Advertising Gulf Daily News), Neomi D'Souza (Regional Manager Royal Caribbean Cruises), Gwen Fernandes (Regular in modeling/print advertising campaigns), Kevin D'Cunha (Choreographer dance/fashion shows), Sheela Pai (Past President of Manama Toastmasters) and Ms. Senora Varella (Regular participant in beauty contests).

Nicole Solomatenko assisted by Fahad Al Dossari choreographed the beauty pageant.

Prizes for the winners included gold, electronic items, beauty care products, air tickets, surprise gift hampers, shopping vouchers and other items. All entrants received participation gifts.

Radio Bahrain DJ Krazy Kevin hosted the event assisted by master of ceremonies and club member G.R. Crasto.

The title sponsors of the event were Centrepoint.

Platinum sponsors Coca Cola, and Gold sponsors were Media Solutions, Union Press, Bahrain Air and Oman Air.

The event was also supported by Devji Aurum, Ahmed Zayani & Sons, Mega Mart, Mobitel, Life Insurance Corporation, Oman Air, Writer Relocation, KLM, Dadabhai Travel, Gulf Computer Services, Awal Plastics, Mirchi, Delmon Hotel, KIMS Bahrain, Selcon, Johnson & Johnson, UAE Exchange, Makeup Forever, Alukkas, Bahrain Finance Company, Georgia Restaurant, Al Futtain & Sons, Home Electronics, etc.

FIFA REFEREE FRANKY TO OFFICIATE KIFF SOCCER MATCHES IN KUWAIT.

FIFA Referee to officiate KIFF football matches in Kuwait

Kuwait Indian Football Federation (KIFF) is proud to announce that the remaining matches of the ongoing KIFF League for the J.P D’Mello Rolling Trophy will be officiated by FIFA affiliated referee Mr. Franky Fernandes.

Mr. Franky Fernandes who hails from Colva, Goa, the famous Indian touristic destination of India is officially deputed by All India Football Federation on request by KIFF through Mr. Albert Colaco, Hon. Gen. Secretary of AIFF.

Mr. Franky who is presently working with the Sports Authority of Goa became GFA referee in 1990. He was awarded the national batch by AIFF in 1999. After going through extensive training and different programes he achieved his long cherished dream by attaining the FIFA referee batch in 2007. Mr. Franky will be arriving in Kuwait on 3rd June 2009 by Jet Airways and will be seen in action on 5th June 2009 at the Salmiya Baladiya Football Stadium where the KIFF league matches are being conducted in the morning.

As per KIFF directive Mr. Franky is scheduled to conduct refereeing classes in Kuwait during his brief stay in Kuwait, hence this is a lifetime opportunity for all those who are aspiring to become official referees. All those who wish to avail this opportunity should contact the KIFF President or KIFF Sports Secretary Mr. Derick Gomendes.

Xavier Furtado,
KIFF - Kuwait.