DISGRACEFUL INDIAN POLICE FORCE.

With my head down in shame as an Indian, I strongly condemn the attitude of Indian Delhi Police handling of the Rape case of the 5 year old poor Delhi girl last week. I also strongly condemn the action of Delhi Police in Slapping one female protester in the aftermath of the rape.

Seeing the innumerable Rape cases going on in India unchecked without strong preventive government measures, I feel disappointed to be a part of this country India where there is nothing good under the current corrupt leaders who are reluctant to enact stringent laws to prevent and to stop rapes in India. As a genuine Goan brought up in Goa decently under strict rules and regulation before this corrupt Bharat with its military might forcibly invade Goa, I feel I am in Hell now because the leaders of India are become Lucifers who are ruling India like ruling the Hell. Nothing is going well in India. I think India is become a failed Nation.

The freedom and independence from colonialists is become good only for the corrupt people and corrupt leaders. The current India is not meant for decent and good Indians. Only corrupt can attain success in India and they can easily get whatever they want by doing corruption. If there is no life security in India then I say  “to hell with the freedom and independence”. I don’t want this type of India and I don’t want this type of freedom and independence where there is no life security for one’s life. Instead I prefer colonialism where life security was there. What is important in life is life security and without it the freedom and independence is meaningless.

The job of a policeman is a great job if it is done properly, nicely, decently and sincerely to protect the law and order and human life. Otherwise Policeman’s job is the most disgraceful job when this job is done disgracefully. In most cases policemen are most disgraceful creatures because by virtue of being a policeman he easily succumbs to the sins of corruption, illicit sex, bribe receiving, committing cruelty and ruthlessness and in one sentence everything bad and immoral. For this reason in Goa during Portuguese time persons having good family background were desisting from joining police force although isolated incidents were there. During that era in Goa only the last grade of Goans used to join police force because it was considered as below one’s human dignity to become a policeman when Potuguese Pakles used to treat Goan police personnel as pimps by keeping them on low level only.

Recently. the Chief Minister of Gooa Mr. Parrikar in the Goa Legislative Assembly told that Christians in Goa are shying away from Police jobs and according to me what he said was right. It is not now only, even during Portuguese era Goan Christians were rejecting police jobs because as true to their Christian doctrine, Christians cannot commit and perform the immorality, cruelty, barbarity, hard heartedness as normally associated with the police uniforms. As a policeman one has to be a Hitler to survive on his job and very few Christians with unchristian principle can become Hitlers.

When the father of that 5 year old raped Delhi girl went to file a complaint with the local police station, he was told by the police officer to remain thankful because the child is alive. That means, according to that rascal policeman the rapist has done a favour on the child’s parents by not killing her. See the barbarity on the part of that policeman!! Secondly the same policeman offered a bribe of Rs. 2000/- to the father of the child to close this case. This is another case of cruelty on the part of the policeman. Is India a civilised country? If yes, then why the important segment of Indian society, that is the Police Force acting cruel and barbaric? I think our police force should undergo before taking up their postings a course in Moral Science.

In India one cannot get anything unless one shouts and comes on to the streets in demonstration. This happens because our leaders are immune to listen to the public pleas when told silently and decently because our leaders are deaf and corrupt. To bring pressure on the authorities to enact stringent laws to control the rapes in India, people in big number last week came on to the streets of Delhi. While they were demonstrating, one policeman like a brute wild animal gave a slap on the face of one of the female demonstrators without any hesitation. During Portuguese time when the cruel Agente Monteiro to extract confession from one lady he beat her on her palms with a thick ruler. When this matter was brought to the notice of the higher authority, Agente Monteiro was severely reprimanded because during those days of colonial rule in Goa, colonialist Pakle treated females with highest respect while in free Goa and in independent India Ghantti policemen disrespect females for this reason as shown in the photo above Ghantti Indian Policeman blindly slaps one female demonstrator on the street of Delhi.

A. Veronica Fernandes,

Kuwait.

Comedian Agustino's drama 'Corruption' brings down the house in Kuwait

-by Gasper Crasto / Kuwait

Kuwait: Goan dramas or films are traditionally known to be based on true to life story-line to a certain extent.

However, a new dimension is seen in recent dramas where most of the scripts are focussed on government issues or bureaucracy. ‘Corruption Kabar?’, as the name suggests, written and directed by well-known slapstick director of Konkani stage Comedian Agustino Temudo was no exception.

A few decades back, learned directors like Tomazinho Cardozo and Mike Mehta tried their hands on these kind of subjects but never rose to great heights. ‘Corruption Kabar’ proves how popular ‘political-based’ dramas have become with the public. Or is it only the humour of Comedian Agustin and his sidekicks that does the trick?

Nonetheless, ‘Corruption Kabar,’ has a realistic sentiment in today’s world of corrupt bureaucracy. The performance which drew a full-house on 12th April 2013 can be termed as a sequel of Comedian Agustin’s earlier super-hit tiatr ‘Public’. The drama was lively, and provided an absorbing evening of entertainment with a combination of laughter, tit-for-tat dialogues and sensible songs.

The plot of the play centres on the theme of eliminating corruption, not just from governmental structure, but from every strata of society. The script has a flowing ‘twist’ in highlighting rape cases too which is somehow related to the whole script although practically it falls in a different area altogether.

The play has epic, captivating dialogues, entwined with hilarious comedy by Janet, Selvy and Comedian Agustino.

The cast comprises a troupe of thespians with Salu de Loutolim shining in his dual roles.  Jessica, Tommy and Kuwait’s most popular star Sylvester Vaz bring color, charisma and nobility to the presentation. The brilliance of these actors is remarkable and demonstrates each actor’s individual talents. Salu de Loutolim’s terrific lightness and the spontaneity in his catchphrase dialogue ‘Kastachi asa tachi shape’, and the ethereal quality of his voice, makes him a standout nominee for a best actor award.

Veteran actress Sabina in the role of a widower is the emotional heart of the play, although the script lacks authentic emotions seen in yesteryear tiatrs of M. Boyer, C. Alvares, Rosario Rodrigues, Rosary Ferns, etc. But then, Comedian Agustin is no William Wordsworth to pen ‘touching’ tales, perhaps he relies on what is accepted by the public.

There were a number of other strong supporting performances by Jaju, Philip Almeida and Seby de Divar. Janet bloomed in her ‘lead’ role and in her bright outfits.

Director Agustin Temudo gave his role visibility, all the while delivering the most important sentences, and stressing on dialogues which were pivotal to the play. All the threesome -- Selvy, Janet, Agostinho were at their usual best with trademark accent and witty words.

Sylvester Vaz sang the opening chorus of the drama to a melodious music. Majority of the songs (cantaram) were noteworthy, but there were a few that stood a tad above the rest. Seby de Divar’s songs were well applauded although his style of singing has turned monotonous after only his second visit to Kuwait. Tommy’s songs were a cluster of variety -- nicely composed and weaved to stimulating tunes, he sang like a rock star. His song on Pope Francis was wonderful.

Political song by Seby de Divar, Sylvester, Tommy and Salu de Loutilim was based on the latest gimmicks by Goan politicians; however, the criticism directed at the government and some ministers is too open, too harsh (although it is nothing new in Konkani dramas).  It unethically exploits India’s freedom of speech. There are countries in the world, including Kuwait, where even twitters against the government are forbidden. It is surprising that no action is taken on the self-professed firebrand Konkani singers by the Goa government.

Philip Almeida and Janet were fluent in style and rhythm with their ‘Kerala-Goa’ duet while Jessica sang exceptional, rhythmic songs too. Songs by Jaju, Sabina, Selvy, etc, were equally good.

Musical score for the show is credited to the troupe’s musicians James Vaz & Agnelo Dias.

Earlier at the start of the drama, director Agustino Temudo was honored by the organizers in appreciation to the yeoman service done for the enrichment of Konkani stage and the cause of Konkani in particular. He was presented with a memento at the hands of the chief guest Mr. Terry Lantz from US Embassy. Mr. Tony Gonsalves from Wembley, UK was the guest of honor while the organizers of the show in Dubai Mr. Anthony de Varca  and Mr. Caje D’Costa were special invitees at the event.

Jesrico Dias, Agnelo Fernandes and Britto Pereira were the main organizers of the show supported by event assistants Ms. Martha (ex-Raja Stores), Mr. Felix de Merces, Mr. William D’ Souza, Domnic Araujo, Manuel Gomes, Santan Dias, Agnelo Rebello, Adrian Goes, etc. The show was co-sponsored by Sherly’s Beauty Saloon – Salmiya, Navelim Youth Centre, Skynet Raiders, Joaquim Vaz – Skynet, Rajendra Limbu – Nepal, Spinn, Brian Almeida – Parra, Marcos D’Costa – Navelim, Edgar Fernandes – Seraulim, Seby Fernandes – Sanvordem, Francisco Dias – Tivim, Francis Cruz (Azad Catering), Rocky D’Souza, Domnic Araujo – Santa Cruz and a well-wisher-Betalbatim.

:::The above NEWS appeared in Kuwait's Arab Times dated 23.04.2013:::

VCD “ZOXEM MHAKA TOXEM TUKA” By Godwin Afonso.

In this month at Kuwait City Cassette Shop, 4 new Konkani Albums are kept on sale. Price is very cheap, each costing 250 Fils while the same Album in the original cover at Tiatro Hall and at Football Ground sold at KD 1.000, either CD or VCD. This VCD Mr. Godwin has dedicated to his beloved mother. All the songs and skits are written by Mr. Godwin Afonso and the musical score is provided by Llenoy Gomendes.

The VCD “ZOXEM MHAKA TOXEM TUKA” by Godwin Afonso deserves mention now and hence I pen down a few lines on this VCD consisting of Songs and Comedy Skits; songs are rendered by various well known singers, namely majestically pretty looking Jessica, seasoned singer Felcy, Platilda’s daughter Ilma, Anthony San and Godwin Afonso himself. While the comedy skits performed by natural comedian Jesus, renowned comedy queen Platilda, ex Kuwaitkar and prominent Tiatro writer – director Pal Soares whose new Tiatro will be released shortly and other artistes.

The comedy was excellent and both the natural comedians Platilda and Jesus played their roles extremely well, Jesus was at his best while rendering a comedy duet “Antonet ani Competer” with equally smart Platilda, exhibiting his natural feelings thus making the song more lively. As for Platilda, once beauty of Konkani Stage but now inspite of aging dished out her role exactly in the same manner as she used to do when she first appeared on Konkani stage in mid-sixties with her brother Aires and promoted by the late M. Dod de Verna. She truly gives an added booster to this film even, as usual, speaking in Portuguese. Her assetic values on Konkani Stage are still vissible and in fact she is still an asset for Konkani Stage even though she is seen acting after a decade. I still remember her fantastic comedy roles she used to perform with Jacinto Vaz and Luis Rod. She has not lost any touch of her comedy even though it was a decade back she was last seen acting.

The songs to be admired are the ones rendered by Jessica with her mellifluent and trebulous voice with Felcy and other with Godwin Afonso. Anthony San’s solo is also meaningful. Godwin’s solo on “Cardanchi Pack” resembles that of the solo M. Dod de Verna rendered in his tiatro “No Vacancy” staged somewhere in 1958/59. Both the singers describe Biblical names and events by displaying the Cards while singing and comparing the same with the figures on the Cards. M. Dod de Verna's song was more meaningful and more educative.  Here below I give its last two verses:

Khellak bhullele munis, paddinant Aitar sont

Eko munnnchem somzotat, ek Dev Sotivont,

Him assat don soimbam, Dev ani Munis jivont,

Martoch he tin khille, Jesuk bhogli khont.

 

He aslet choug Evangelist, thoddik panch chagam, Jesuche kuddik poi sou dissani Devan sounsar ghoddlo,

King vortoulo dhoni Sorga Sounsaracho, kon khellak bhulleat tanni xevttak Joker zauncho poddlo.

Mr. Dod de Verna was hard hitting at those who are afflicted with the vice of “Kartancho Khell” finally turning into JOKER.  How true M. Dod de Verna was!!  May his soul rest in peace.  Since his death Konkani Stage has not produced another like him and if I am permitted, I can rightly say tha Konkani Stage will never produce another M. Dod de Verna.

A. Veronica Fernandes,

Kuwait.