A few years back during the summit conference of Non Aligned Movement (NAM), the leader of Libya Col. Gaddafi said ‘NAM is a big joke’, impotent to get any tangible result for the ills of NAM member countries. In fact NAM was initiated by all the jokers only namely Nasser of Egypt, Tito of Yugoslavia and our cha-cha Nehru. Without physical power to control ill doings of wrong doers your authority is useless. This is what exactly happened to NAM. It is a toothless body to impose its will on other members committing breach. It lacks punitive powers to castigate the wrong doer nations. It cannot reprimand other members because it has no power to force the other members going wrong into submission. It can only advise but its advice is non-binding. This is exactly what is happening currently to the other two organisations, namely Arab League (AL) and Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC).
AL and OIC were formed to settle the conflicts erupted in these organisations but unfortunately what we saw in Tunisia and Egypt yesterday and what we see today in Syria, Libya and Yemen make us to admit that AL and OIC are become impotent to control the volcano erupted there. OIC is having religious backing because it is formed by the Muslim countries to run their affairs adhering to their religious belief. But do these chaotic Muslim nations follow their religious tenets to handle their chaotic situation? I cannot believe that security forces loyal to Col. Gaddafi in Libya with the backing of Col. Gaddafi are raping the Libyan females owing allegiance to the opposition groups. It is not only an ordinary sin but a big sacrilege. How God, how Allah will forgive such crimes committed on innocent females? Where are the Islamic leaders and gurus gone now? Why can’t they raise their voices in unison in the name of their religion against the crime of rapes committed on Muslim Arab females by their own male Arab and Muslim nationals?
I cannot understand why there is so much of human killings in the Muslim world ! Islam is such a peaceful religion that due to its peace loving message there should be no killings of innocent people by Muslims and in the Muslim world. Most of the killings in the Muslim world are taking place on the day of Friday which is to be considered a holy and sacred day in Islam. And unfortunately these killings take place after the prayer in the Mosques. What a tragedy is it !! People after coming out of the Mosques should be refined, purified and holy but instead they become opposite.
Earlier only the Jews were killing Muslims and Arabs in the occupied land and because of this the entire Arab and Muslim world used to make a big noise. But now in Libya, Syria and Yemen innumerable Arab Muslims are killed by their own brothers. Where is the Arab and Muslim world now to raise its voice forcefully against these killings? Brothers are killing brothers to support the protection of the chairs and thrones of their leaders who are shamelessly rotting on their Chairs and Thrones for decades against the wishes of their peoples. Ruling a country for 4 decades by the same person is something ridiculous. Can the mental faculty of such leaders be sound to rule for such a long period?
In the last 8 year war between Iran and Iraq thousands and thousands of Arab Muslims were killed thereby weakening the numerical strength of Arabs and Muslims. Such killings help no one except the Israeli Jews. The loss of Muslims is the gain of Jews. To fight the Jews the Muslims in this region should fortify them and not liquidate their own population.
Islam is a religion that propagates transparency and democracy. Without applying this democratic code son Assad occupied the chair of his father Assad in Syria. Gaddafi is preparing his son to occupy his throne. These are unilateral decisions without following the democratic norms in its true democratic system. In Libya and in Syria people are disenchanted, they cannot accept the goings on there under the one man rules of their rulers since 30 and 40 years continuously. Current new generations will never accept the one man rule of dictators. The time of one man rule of dictators in the Arab world and in the Muslim world is coming to an end but before that lot of struggles are required in which more Muslim Arabs will have to shed their blood. And in the bargain Western Powers and Israeli Jews will be the better beneficiaries of the chaos in the Arab and Muslim world. The chaotic situation occurring in some Arab and Muslim countries now is because of the greed to hold on to power by their greedy leaders who think that they have devine right to rule their nations indefinitely. This is wrong and earlier this wrong is corrected the better it is for the entire Arab and Muslim world.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
June 13, 2011
Maestro Shahu to lead Kuwait based troupe to UK for a Konkani Musical Show
By Gasper CrastoKuwait: Kuwait based musician Shahu will travel with a galaxy of top Goan artistes from Kuwait on a tour of UK for a Konkani comedy musical show entitled ‘Tiatrist’ scheduled to be staged at Wembley and Swindon on 19th and 26th June respectively.
The star cast of the show includes well-known artistes Cajetan de Sanvordem, Hitman of Konkani Stage Sylvester Vaz, Gracy Morais, Michael D’Silva, Bab Agnelo, Comedy Queen Querobina, Comedian Mario de Majorda, Maestro Shahu and above all famous Goan Comedian Philip Pereira.
The troupe will perform sensational skits with rib-tickling comedy and a number of songs including a unique opening chorus.
The first show will be staged on June 11 at Copland College, Wembley, Middlesex at 1pm while there will be 2 shows in Swindon at St. Joseph’s Catholic College – the first starting at 11.30am and the other at 6pm.
Amongst the contemporary big names of Goan musicians, the name of Shahu (Francis) Almeida hailing from Macasana - Goa, shines amongst the stellar bracket of Goa's top-notch musicians with his indispensable contribution towards the art.
Shahu may be recognized more in the genre of dramas and he has become most popular in this art after coming to Kuwait. But behind his simplicity, is the unmistakable halo of his talent as a star musician of Goan bands as well. Apart from dramas, with his past penchant and passion for innovative, brilliant music, Shahu has continued on what he loves to do best – hypnotize his listeners to a magical sway with his band 2#Sharp as well.
Few however know that Shahu, a dynamic talent with his keyboard, began his tryst with music drumming his way into the hearts of his school-mates at his school's Annual Gatherings, propelling him into the musical horizon forever. He is the alumnus of St. Francis Xavier H. School Macazana and Guardian Angel College, Sanvordem.
Evolving into an ace drummer, he had the rare and splendid opportunity of honing his musical skills under the baton of Chris Perry, the eternal icon and consummate genius of Goan music and playing alongside his son Errol Perry. With music flowing in his veins, his drum beats reverberated in many well-known Goan bands of the nineties such as 'Ultimate', 'Magic Touch', 'The News', 'Human Status', 'Black Lace', etc, to name a few. Shahu disclosed that he played in over 1000 weddings as a drummer with these groups.
But it was his evolution into a keyboardist that shot him into instant fame. Interestingly, Shahu switched over to the keyboards not on his own volition but at the suggestion of Fr. Livio D'Mello under whose cudgel he played for the choir at St. Francis Xavier's church, Macasana. From then on there was no looking back.
Shahu has indeed come a long way with his association with music spanning over a decade. His musical creativity was elevated further after his arrival in Kuwait in October 1999. He began with a bang in Kuwait-based director Jose Rod's unmatched broadway hit 'Tujem Nanv Vhodd zaum' which was staged all over the Middle East and back home in Goa.
Shahu has also played in Muscat, Doha, Bahrain, Bangalore, Darjeeling, etc, and performed for top directors such as Prem Kumar, Roseferns, Jacob, Menino de Bandar, Pascoal Rodrigues, C.D. Silva, John D' Silva, Ben Evangelist, Rosario Rodrigues, etc, apart from all the directors in Kuwait. He also did a short musical stint playing live music at Dubai's famous Viva Goa restaurant.
Speaking on his experience and performance Shahu said, "I used to enjoy playing at the Rock Greenal annual musical show at Curtorim."
Shahu says his most challenging one-man performance was in Mini Mario's 'Kiteak Ho Bazar Cholta?' staged in Kuwait in April 2007. "I had to pick-up the notes on the troupe's arrival on the morning of the show and I can proudly say that I played to perfection without proper rehearsals," Says Shahu, further adding, "with musical notes handy, I can play non stop music for over 8 hours.
Shahu can be aptly described as a consummate artist with an alluring passion and drive for music. Undoubtedly his heart thumps 'musical' beats, for when it comes to music he is simply indefatigable, endowed with an amazing genius -- coupled with a prodigious memory for music.
Shahu reached the highpoint of his career when he was roped in as a music composer by the doyen of Konkani stage, the legendary Rosario Rodrigues wherein his captivating rhythm set aflame many of the unforgettable hits like 'Hanv Kallukant Sandlim' where Shahu pioneered the unique 'one man band' concept providing the entire spectrum of music on a single keyboard! Under the ace director's able tutelage Shahu had a free rein toying with refreshing, innovative ideas which enabled him to break new grounds by pushing hard the frontiers of Goan music.
With sky being the limit, Shahu went on to produce innumerable chart busting scores for numerous hit dramas and musicals which gained him popularity of a household name.
Music apart, Shahu is an intensely endearing and an adorable human being who attaches great value to friendships and family ties. Blessed with a wonderful wife and a cherubic son named Aerosmith, and a daughter, Shahu is a devoted husband, a doting father and a dutiful son.
Time and experience have greatly enriched his remarkable musical abilities and today Shahu continues to add increasing complexity and refinement to his astounding gift of music which is sure to hold the audience across the Konkan world in a thrall for a long, long time!
June 12, 2011
POLITICS OF ARROGANCE.
Politics of arrogance by Kuldip Nayar.
When corruption is being hotly debated, the Congress-led UPA government is trying to evade the issue.
The terrorist and the policeman both come from the same basket. This was proved again in Delhi this week when a religious leader, Baba Ramdev, was fasting before thousands of his followers. Policemen of different organisations belonging to the Centre and the states came like tonnes of bricks on the sleeping crowd and dispersed them, using even tear gas. Ramdev was physically removed, leaving many injured, some seriously.
All this happened at midnight on the lines the British would do. The demand was that the government should promulgate an ordinance to declare the black money stacked by Indians abroad as national asset and bring it back. The rough estimate of the black money is more than Rs 280 lakh crore. Getting back the money may be somewhat difficult because foreign banks and their governments have to be involved. President Barrack Obama, however, made it easy by freezing in the US the assets of Switzerland, a haven for unaccounted money. He got the list of American nationals having money deposits in Swiss banks within 48 hours.
It is obvious that the ruling Congress would not go to that extent because some of its own stalwarts in the party and the government are reportedly involved. But if the party has nothing to hide or fear, it can declare the money stashed abroad as national asset. The country has the experience of how kickbacks from the Bofors gun deal were never brought back. So much so that even the go-between Italian businessman, Ottavio Quattrocchi, was allowed to go out of India when numerous charges were pending against him. Obviously, he had the protection of the Congress.
When the matter of corruption has come to the fore again, the government is found evading the issue. It feels as if political rhetoric or brutal force would suppress the demand. And the worse it has done is to swing public opinion in favour of Ramdev. His credentials were being doubted and he looked like wearing communalism on his sleeves. When the BJP and its mentor, RSS, threw their weight behind him, people began to distance themselves from Ramdev. When the police action followed, doubts about him receded into the background and the police methods became the topic of debate. The dutiful prime minister again comes to the rescue of the police by saying that the action was ?unfortunate but inevitable.? Since when has lathi-charging peaceful demonstration become ?inevitable??
People in power.
One, a peaceful demonstration is guaranteed under the constitution. We won independence through satyagraha and such other non-violent methods. Two, must police action be conducted furtively at the middle of the night? And should teas gas be used on women and children sleeping at the pandal? Manmohan Singh and Kapil Sibal are nice people. But why do they change when they come to occupy chair in the government?
Another thing which the police action has done is to bring the agitation of Ramdev and Anna Hazare on the same page. The latter had to defer talks with the government on the establishment of Lokpal to supervise the machinery to eliminate corruption in high places. Again, Sibal was indiscreet in his remark that the government would go ahead with the drafting of the Lokpal bill even if the Anna Hazare team, representing civil society activists, does not participate. They have never talked about the boycott. Why does the government behave in a manner that reflects arrogance? They are people?s servants, not the masters.
The question before the nation is one of corruption, neither Anna Hazare nor Baba Ramdev. They have only articulated the debate. The government looks like clouding the real issue by resorting to diversionary tactics. There may be some more scams which it is trying to hide. It is difficult to say with certainty who among the ministers or the Congress leaders have not stashed away their ?commissions? abroad. Belatedly, the prime minister has asked his ministerial colleagues to declare their assets and business connections, along with statements by their spouses and near relations.
The anger against the government for not taking up charges of corruption and black money earnestly is so high that you could taste it. The Congress would lose heavily if elections were to be held in the next few months. Since there does not seem to be an acceptable proposal emerging on fighting corruption, the country is relentlessly pushed towards fresh elections. Probably, there is no way out.
The movement against corruption may take such a dimension where the government may find it difficult to cope with. I believe the prime minister is fed up and says that ?he had enough of it.? By threatening to resign, he may be able to jolt the party from its slumber. But the manner in which the Congress distances itself from the government makes me suspect something ominous.?
Manmohan Singh was not invited to a recent meeting of top Congress leaders and ministers to discuss the fallout of both fasts. Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who presided over the meeting, is mum. She has to take a stand. The loss is that of her party.
(MODERATOR'S NOTE: The writer Kuldip Nayar is a senior and highly respectable Indian journalist based in India. He was feared by Idira Gandhi and was harassed by her during her emergency rule in India in 1975. After the end of Emergency rule in India he published his book on Emergency rule, title "THE JUDGEMENT" which was just a masterpiece. He wrote regular column in Indian Express.)
When corruption is being hotly debated, the Congress-led UPA government is trying to evade the issue.
The terrorist and the policeman both come from the same basket. This was proved again in Delhi this week when a religious leader, Baba Ramdev, was fasting before thousands of his followers. Policemen of different organisations belonging to the Centre and the states came like tonnes of bricks on the sleeping crowd and dispersed them, using even tear gas. Ramdev was physically removed, leaving many injured, some seriously.
All this happened at midnight on the lines the British would do. The demand was that the government should promulgate an ordinance to declare the black money stacked by Indians abroad as national asset and bring it back. The rough estimate of the black money is more than Rs 280 lakh crore. Getting back the money may be somewhat difficult because foreign banks and their governments have to be involved. President Barrack Obama, however, made it easy by freezing in the US the assets of Switzerland, a haven for unaccounted money. He got the list of American nationals having money deposits in Swiss banks within 48 hours.
It is obvious that the ruling Congress would not go to that extent because some of its own stalwarts in the party and the government are reportedly involved. But if the party has nothing to hide or fear, it can declare the money stashed abroad as national asset. The country has the experience of how kickbacks from the Bofors gun deal were never brought back. So much so that even the go-between Italian businessman, Ottavio Quattrocchi, was allowed to go out of India when numerous charges were pending against him. Obviously, he had the protection of the Congress.
When the matter of corruption has come to the fore again, the government is found evading the issue. It feels as if political rhetoric or brutal force would suppress the demand. And the worse it has done is to swing public opinion in favour of Ramdev. His credentials were being doubted and he looked like wearing communalism on his sleeves. When the BJP and its mentor, RSS, threw their weight behind him, people began to distance themselves from Ramdev. When the police action followed, doubts about him receded into the background and the police methods became the topic of debate. The dutiful prime minister again comes to the rescue of the police by saying that the action was ?unfortunate but inevitable.? Since when has lathi-charging peaceful demonstration become ?inevitable??
People in power.
One, a peaceful demonstration is guaranteed under the constitution. We won independence through satyagraha and such other non-violent methods. Two, must police action be conducted furtively at the middle of the night? And should teas gas be used on women and children sleeping at the pandal? Manmohan Singh and Kapil Sibal are nice people. But why do they change when they come to occupy chair in the government?
Another thing which the police action has done is to bring the agitation of Ramdev and Anna Hazare on the same page. The latter had to defer talks with the government on the establishment of Lokpal to supervise the machinery to eliminate corruption in high places. Again, Sibal was indiscreet in his remark that the government would go ahead with the drafting of the Lokpal bill even if the Anna Hazare team, representing civil society activists, does not participate. They have never talked about the boycott. Why does the government behave in a manner that reflects arrogance? They are people?s servants, not the masters.
The question before the nation is one of corruption, neither Anna Hazare nor Baba Ramdev. They have only articulated the debate. The government looks like clouding the real issue by resorting to diversionary tactics. There may be some more scams which it is trying to hide. It is difficult to say with certainty who among the ministers or the Congress leaders have not stashed away their ?commissions? abroad. Belatedly, the prime minister has asked his ministerial colleagues to declare their assets and business connections, along with statements by their spouses and near relations.
The anger against the government for not taking up charges of corruption and black money earnestly is so high that you could taste it. The Congress would lose heavily if elections were to be held in the next few months. Since there does not seem to be an acceptable proposal emerging on fighting corruption, the country is relentlessly pushed towards fresh elections. Probably, there is no way out.
The movement against corruption may take such a dimension where the government may find it difficult to cope with. I believe the prime minister is fed up and says that ?he had enough of it.? By threatening to resign, he may be able to jolt the party from its slumber. But the manner in which the Congress distances itself from the government makes me suspect something ominous.?
Manmohan Singh was not invited to a recent meeting of top Congress leaders and ministers to discuss the fallout of both fasts. Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who presided over the meeting, is mum. She has to take a stand. The loss is that of her party.
(MODERATOR'S NOTE: The writer Kuldip Nayar is a senior and highly respectable Indian journalist based in India. He was feared by Idira Gandhi and was harassed by her during her emergency rule in India in 1975. After the end of Emergency rule in India he published his book on Emergency rule, title "THE JUDGEMENT" which was just a masterpiece. He wrote regular column in Indian Express.)
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