Government’s Licentious Eyes On The Cabo-de-Rama Fort
It is said that “Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder”, but it does depend on what sort of eyes the beholder looks at the beauty, it can be plain admiration or it can be lust. Cabo-de-Rama, is situated on the west coast of southern Goa, it is about 30 kms from Margao, it has sea on three sides and hills abreast a plateau on it’s north east. The scenic beauty reminds one of Kanya Kumari at sun set, it is blessed with a beautiful beach and a plateau that’s envied and eyed by a lot of hoteliers. This beach and the adjoining plateau has been used by a good number of Bollywood producers for film shoots, and music videos, it is indeed scenic and picturesque, I for one never tire seeing and admiring it’s beauty.
The Cabo-de-Rama fort is strategically built, from where it gives a clear view of the vast coast and the open sea. Inside it’s walls it’s full of greenery, over the wall it’s just awesome view on the sides of the fort. Though only the remains old residences of the Portuguese are still around, the Church still looks immaculate. The Portuguese had built this church, dedicated to St. Anthony, right in the centre of this fort, this Church will complete 400 years next January, about fifty meters from the sides of the Church, all around it, there are the fourteen crosses depicting the fourteen stations of the cross. The parishioners of this Church are the residents of Cabo-de-Rama and the residents of Nuem, which is a small hamlet situated between Cabo-de-Rama and Canaguinim, at all major Church festivals the residents of Nuem gather at the Cabo-de-Rama Church. The blessing of the first fruits “Navidade” is done from the top of this fort, from where you get the view of all the fields and houses of Cabo-de-Rama. The processions during the feasts and the Holy week are done around the fourteen crosses. The feast of the Church is celebrated on the 15th of February with great devotion and gaiety.
From my childhood I have been hearing various stories that the Cabo-de-Rama fort was to be taken over by the Navy, the hotel industry, Atomic energy Commission, Airport and the Tourism Department among others, there were also rumors that a hifi educational institute was supposed to be taking over the fort, but now finally the cat is out of the bag and the intentions of the government are clear. The Government is certainly looking at the Cabo-de-Rama fort with licentious eyes and that has made the Cabo-de-Rama and Nuem residents very much jittery and anxiety is in the air. We certainly do not have any good reason to trust the Government.
We are all aware what happened when the Anjediv Island was handed over to armed forces, till today no one is allowed access to the church despite a good numbers requests and delegations. We certainly do not want our community to suffer the same and invite nuisance around our place of worship. Ours is a small community and we surely wouldn’t want ourselves to be run over by our conniving government. We will fight and do everything possible to protect the privacy of our village and our rights.
We have been cooperative with the Government as far as the restoration and the maintenance of the fort is concerned but we will certainly oppose privatisation of the fort, it is the land of the community to be use only for the benefit of the community. Our people have learned a lesson from the mining issue and we will not be taken for granted. What the Government does in the area, has to be discussed with the locals and the Panchayat, there should be transparency in any process that the government undertakes, to see how beneficial or adverse it would be for the residents of the area.
The reputation of the present Government to support and appease the luxury hotel consortiums and mega builders against the wishes of the locals is well known, the concerns and the problems of the locals are not what interests them as long as they can make a “whack” for themselves, what happens to the rest is inconsequential to them. So it is left up to us to protect and safeguard our interests.
Save Cabo-de-Rama fort from privatisation. Let the people of Cabo-de-Rama decide what they want.
Freddy Agnelo Fernandes,
DUBAI - UAE.
June 27, 2010
CHURCHILL SAYS HE IS NOT A POLITICIAN BY NATURE BUT WAS FROCED TO BE ONE.
Churchill Says he is not a politician by nature but was forced to be one.
Our erstwhile PWD minister Churchill Almeao in an article on Gulf News has alleged that Arwin Mesquita has smeared his name at the behest of a former Minister and his former collogue, mentor and “kumpar” Mr. Luizinho Faleior. First and foremost Arwin has no connections whatsoever with Luizinho. Arwin is a responsible, matured adult and does not require support of any politicians former and present to state his case. Churchill seems to be paranoid with Luizinho and if he has an axe to grind with him, I pray he takes it up with Luizinho himself without blaming every Tom dick and Harry to be Luizinho’s pawn.
Mr Almeao further said that he is not a politician by nature but was forced to be one and yet he has mastered the political art of a master craftsman in no time, he had made all the promises to stick to the party on whose ticket he had stood for election, but we know he has been jumping from one party to the next so much so that we have forgotten which party he actually represented at the time of election. And now as though two Almeaos were not enough he is preparing for a third, has that too been forced by the people ? It looks like he is trying to make the Goa Assembly his very own kingdom, where he can have his own dynastic rule as though its was given to him for dowry. Are there no other Goans capable to run the Government, that we have to depend on all the high and mighty Almeaos to do the needful ?
He also talks about his principles; the very fact that he cannot even keep his pre-election promise of sticking to one party is ample proof of his pathetic principles, and the development that he talks about is mega buildings where Goans can work as watchman, if this is the vision of our ministers, then Goa would be much better off without them.
Freddy Agnelo Fernandes,
Dubai, UAE>
Our erstwhile PWD minister Churchill Almeao in an article on Gulf News has alleged that Arwin Mesquita has smeared his name at the behest of a former Minister and his former collogue, mentor and “kumpar” Mr. Luizinho Faleior. First and foremost Arwin has no connections whatsoever with Luizinho. Arwin is a responsible, matured adult and does not require support of any politicians former and present to state his case. Churchill seems to be paranoid with Luizinho and if he has an axe to grind with him, I pray he takes it up with Luizinho himself without blaming every Tom dick and Harry to be Luizinho’s pawn.
Mr Almeao further said that he is not a politician by nature but was forced to be one and yet he has mastered the political art of a master craftsman in no time, he had made all the promises to stick to the party on whose ticket he had stood for election, but we know he has been jumping from one party to the next so much so that we have forgotten which party he actually represented at the time of election. And now as though two Almeaos were not enough he is preparing for a third, has that too been forced by the people ? It looks like he is trying to make the Goa Assembly his very own kingdom, where he can have his own dynastic rule as though its was given to him for dowry. Are there no other Goans capable to run the Government, that we have to depend on all the high and mighty Almeaos to do the needful ?
He also talks about his principles; the very fact that he cannot even keep his pre-election promise of sticking to one party is ample proof of his pathetic principles, and the development that he talks about is mega buildings where Goans can work as watchman, if this is the vision of our ministers, then Goa would be much better off without them.
Freddy Agnelo Fernandes,
Dubai, UAE>
' ADVOGAD ' TIATRO REVIEW.
“ADVOGAD” Tiatro in Kuwait.
Maintaining the tradition of following the Goan Standard Time and overruling the Kuwait Standard Time, Com. Agostinho Temudo like a “Temoz” fulfilled his wish and started his Tiatro at 4.30 pm instead of 3.30 as scheduled. Contrary to the expectation of many, the Tiatro was attended by a good number of people. Many thought because of the World Cup soccer match between Portugal and Brazil live telecast from South Africa, Goans would not come to see this Tiatro but instead they will remain glued to their TV Sets at home. However, at the time of starting of the Tiatro the Hall was almost full though not fully packed. Many of the faces in the Hall looked first time comers and to get so much of crowd on so difficult day the organizers Xavier and Manuel along with their colleagues, friends and supporters played a stellar role. If so much of crowd attended this Tiatro, it was because of the tremendous efforts put in by the organizers. They deserve credit.
The story was based on cheap topic of Rape. This is the only subject our modern directors are harping again and again and Agostinho mixed it with his normal vulgar words having double meaning as well which go against the tradition of Tiatro. Though not expected much intellectual from the non-intellectual and immature director yet comedy wise it gave some entertainment to the audience. Young and attractive Anita stole the show along with comedian Selvy who according to many is the best comedian on Konkani Stage today. As a matter of fact, the organizers have rightly presented him with a Memento describing him as the Best Comedian of Konkani Stage.
The credibility of this Tiatro was also maintained due to the participation of all the Kuwait based local artistes among whom Rosary Ferns, Bab Agnelo and Michael D’Silva rendered very meaningful and interesting solos.
Among the artistes coming from Goa, Xavier Gomes ex Kuwait rendered both his solos well, his trio with Juju and Salu Faleiro on Hindu-Muslim-Christian was also interesting. Selvy with Anita rendered a nice duet and Selvy’s comedy solo was found very interesting to the audience. The best song of the Show was rendered beautifully with their beautiful serene voices – Primeiro & Segundo – by both the beautiful females, veteran Roma and the new comer Steffi. Their attractive dress code made them both more attractive and this gave an added beauty to their song.
The major part of the play was shouldered by Salu Faleiro and Mathew Araujo. Agostinho, Steffi and Juju played the roles of Advocates while Xavier Gomes performed the role of the Judge.
C. Alvares before his death said Khell Tiatros will kill traditional Tiatros. Was he right? Yes, by introducing Khell Tiatrists in traditional Tiatros, these khell Tiatrists spoiled the traditional Tiatro system. The way comedian Agostinho screams in his delivery he spoils the beauty of every scene. Shouting and screaming is not required everywhere, especially in Tiatro. And on top of it, Agostinho is the director of the Tiatro. The decency, beauty and greatness of the Tiatro disappear when artistes unnecessarily scream. It was not Agostinho alone, others also did the same and in the bargain the clarity of their delivery and statements lost putting the audience into total confusion. During the interval Chief Gues Prof. Nelly J. Rodrigues and Guest of Honour Wilfred D’Sa were introduced to the audience, both are coming from Goa especially to attend this show. Prof. Nelly in her brief address to the audience, appreciated all the efforts of the Kuwaitkars to keep this Tiatro art alive in Kuwait.
A note of caution to the Kuwait organizers and contractors. According to my information, there was lot of confusion before the arrival of Agostinho troupe. Till last moment it was not certain that Advogad will be seen in Kuwait court. There was discord between Agostinho and the Kuwait organizers because according to Xavier contractor from Kuwait, Agostinho in his habitual manner used foul language against Xavier. Worst part of it, Agostinho left Kuwait on 26th, Saturday immediately after the Tiatro leaving his entire troupe in Kuwait. “Leader himself disappeared first”, say the people in Kuwait.
Next time before finalising the staging of Tiatro in Kuwait, check carefully whether all the visiting artistes are eligible to get Kuwait visa because some of the visiting artistes are rightly or wrongly fall under black list category. Xavier and Manuel had to work overtime to get visas for some visiting artistes and that too with great difficulties.
Also, finalise well in advance thru written contract the financial obligations and mode of currency, whether Indian Rupees or Kuwaiti Dinars. This topic is very important because money is become like God for many of the visiting Tiatrists.
To organize a Triatro in Kuwait is not a joke. The “kalcho – porcho” director should know this better, so also other directors.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
Maintaining the tradition of following the Goan Standard Time and overruling the Kuwait Standard Time, Com. Agostinho Temudo like a “Temoz” fulfilled his wish and started his Tiatro at 4.30 pm instead of 3.30 as scheduled. Contrary to the expectation of many, the Tiatro was attended by a good number of people. Many thought because of the World Cup soccer match between Portugal and Brazil live telecast from South Africa, Goans would not come to see this Tiatro but instead they will remain glued to their TV Sets at home. However, at the time of starting of the Tiatro the Hall was almost full though not fully packed. Many of the faces in the Hall looked first time comers and to get so much of crowd on so difficult day the organizers Xavier and Manuel along with their colleagues, friends and supporters played a stellar role. If so much of crowd attended this Tiatro, it was because of the tremendous efforts put in by the organizers. They deserve credit.
The story was based on cheap topic of Rape. This is the only subject our modern directors are harping again and again and Agostinho mixed it with his normal vulgar words having double meaning as well which go against the tradition of Tiatro. Though not expected much intellectual from the non-intellectual and immature director yet comedy wise it gave some entertainment to the audience. Young and attractive Anita stole the show along with comedian Selvy who according to many is the best comedian on Konkani Stage today. As a matter of fact, the organizers have rightly presented him with a Memento describing him as the Best Comedian of Konkani Stage.
The credibility of this Tiatro was also maintained due to the participation of all the Kuwait based local artistes among whom Rosary Ferns, Bab Agnelo and Michael D’Silva rendered very meaningful and interesting solos.
Among the artistes coming from Goa, Xavier Gomes ex Kuwait rendered both his solos well, his trio with Juju and Salu Faleiro on Hindu-Muslim-Christian was also interesting. Selvy with Anita rendered a nice duet and Selvy’s comedy solo was found very interesting to the audience. The best song of the Show was rendered beautifully with their beautiful serene voices – Primeiro & Segundo – by both the beautiful females, veteran Roma and the new comer Steffi. Their attractive dress code made them both more attractive and this gave an added beauty to their song.
The major part of the play was shouldered by Salu Faleiro and Mathew Araujo. Agostinho, Steffi and Juju played the roles of Advocates while Xavier Gomes performed the role of the Judge.
C. Alvares before his death said Khell Tiatros will kill traditional Tiatros. Was he right? Yes, by introducing Khell Tiatrists in traditional Tiatros, these khell Tiatrists spoiled the traditional Tiatro system. The way comedian Agostinho screams in his delivery he spoils the beauty of every scene. Shouting and screaming is not required everywhere, especially in Tiatro. And on top of it, Agostinho is the director of the Tiatro. The decency, beauty and greatness of the Tiatro disappear when artistes unnecessarily scream. It was not Agostinho alone, others also did the same and in the bargain the clarity of their delivery and statements lost putting the audience into total confusion. During the interval Chief Gues Prof. Nelly J. Rodrigues and Guest of Honour Wilfred D’Sa were introduced to the audience, both are coming from Goa especially to attend this show. Prof. Nelly in her brief address to the audience, appreciated all the efforts of the Kuwaitkars to keep this Tiatro art alive in Kuwait.
A note of caution to the Kuwait organizers and contractors. According to my information, there was lot of confusion before the arrival of Agostinho troupe. Till last moment it was not certain that Advogad will be seen in Kuwait court. There was discord between Agostinho and the Kuwait organizers because according to Xavier contractor from Kuwait, Agostinho in his habitual manner used foul language against Xavier. Worst part of it, Agostinho left Kuwait on 26th, Saturday immediately after the Tiatro leaving his entire troupe in Kuwait. “Leader himself disappeared first”, say the people in Kuwait.
Next time before finalising the staging of Tiatro in Kuwait, check carefully whether all the visiting artistes are eligible to get Kuwait visa because some of the visiting artistes are rightly or wrongly fall under black list category. Xavier and Manuel had to work overtime to get visas for some visiting artistes and that too with great difficulties.
Also, finalise well in advance thru written contract the financial obligations and mode of currency, whether Indian Rupees or Kuwaiti Dinars. This topic is very important because money is become like God for many of the visiting Tiatrists.
To organize a Triatro in Kuwait is not a joke. The “kalcho – porcho” director should know this better, so also other directors.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
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