GOAN WRITER VERONICA’S BOOK RELEASED IN KUWAIT

~A report by Gasper Crasto

Kuwait: Ms. Kyoko Matsukawa, a Japanese Researcher doing extensive research on Konkani language issues in Goa, on a visit to Kuwait released the book ‘From Coconut Trees to Oil Wells’ written by Shri A. Veronica Fernandes.

At a brief ceremony presented by Kala Mogui Kuwait (KMK) under the leadership of President Mr. Domnic Araujo at the Bayan football grounds on Friday 12th March 2016, Ms. Kyoko released the book to the applause of spectators and everyone present.

The young researcher who works at Konan University in Kobe, Japan amazed everyone by speaking in Konkani at the presentation. She said she was thrilled to release the book and wished to congratulate Mr. Veronica on the in-depth accomplishment.

Ms. Kyoko further added she was able to understand why Goan activities were so strong in Kuwait after flipping through some of the chapters of the book.

Holding a Masters in Philosophy from London University and a PhD as well, Ms. Kyoko travels across widely for various seminars, conferences, lectures, etc.

Prominent personalities that were in attendance included Tony Gonsalves (Founder member - United Goans Club), B.M. Viegas (Gen. Secretary - Kuwait Indian Football Federation), Gasper Almeida (Moderator - Gulf Goans E-Newsletter), Norman Noronha (President – Navelim YC), Julio Cardoso (Goa Maroons Club), Laurence Miranda (Konkani stage artiste), Lourdina Fernandes Maria Santos (KMK), etc.

Well-known Goan in Kuwait Mr. Raymond D’Sa who had released the book in Goa was also present.

Gasper Crasto compered the ceremony while KKM President Domnic Araujo proposed a vote of thanks. Mr. Araujo specially thanked Ms. Kyoko and the Kuwait Indian Football Federation (KIFF) committee present during the presentation.

The book published by Goa 1556 was released in Panjim, Goa last month on the occasion of Kuwait’s 25th anniversary of liberation from Iraq.

‘From Coconut Trees to Oil Wells’ – is a well-documented memoir of Veronica’s life that relates his links and solidarity between Goa and Kuwait and the trauma of his ordeals in the aftermath of Iraqi invasion.

The book describes Veronica’s personal experience of the life and working conditions in Kuwait, eyewitness invasion account of Kuwait, contribution of Goans in Kuwait, and many more details not revealed before.

Shri Veronica has dedicated the book to Goans who bring prosperity to Goa through their sweat and tears in distant Kuwait.

Known among Goans as an activist of immense abilities, Veronica’s deeds are well-known in the chronicles of history, and well recognized and acknowledged by Indian and Kuwaiti governments. His major accomplishments have been the Konkani language agitation and the famous Solidarity Movement in support of Kuwait.

A freelance journalist and firebrand writer known for courageous exposés and opinions, Veronica writes regularly on various topics in his blog Goa Kranti (http://goa-kranti.blogspot.com/).

‘From Coconut Trees to Oil Wells’ has 16 pages of photographs with a mix of tiatrs, musicals, demonstrations and sports that certifies the early days of Veronica in Kuwait.

A lot of books are written by Goans working abroad; the last book written by a Goan working in Kuwait was by Bennet Paes. ‘From Coconut Trees to Oil Wells’ has made headlines all over the Goan world. Amazing reviews of the book have featured in OHerald, Times of India and several websites.

Although Goans knowing Veronica and the might of his pen expected a much stimulating ‘title’, and a ‘proof-read’ error-free edition, the book is must for every Goan working abroad especially those in the Arabian Gulf.

NOTE: The book can be obtained from Mr. Domnic Araujo (Tel No. 99391452), Gasper Crasto (Tel. No. 99502686).

WHY THIS SILENCE OF OUR MLA'S?

Since the murder of Fr. Bismark, Goa is in turmoil and government and all the legislators are aware of this incident very well.  Because of this one full Goan community is alienated from the ruling BJP party government though some members of BJP are keeping their feeling suppressed fearing they may be reprimanded by BJP leadership if they raise this topic openly.  It is surprising that even the non-BJP members in the Goa Legislative Assembly are not coming forward to raise this issue to enquire who killed and how Fr. Bismark died thugh government machinery declares it is an accidental drowning death.  Can we swallow these cunning capsules of the government?  Where is Vijay Sardesai, Rohan Kaunte and Reginaldo Lorenco gone now?  Why they cannot raise this issue in the Assembly? 

Reginaldo Lorenco was once very active in Panjim along with other agitators in front of Police Station to demand justice for Fr. Bismark but in the Goa Assembly he is silent surprisingly. 

 

I admire my friend Irineu for raising this issue in Facebook drawing the attention on this subject of innumerable readers.  Well done Irineubab.  

Gentlemen you may remain silent on this topic now but we will never when you come for asking for our votes for you during the next general election. As for me, I will raise this issue of the silence of our candidates contesting elections in our constituency when they come to our doors like beggars to canvass votes for them.  Raising this issue at that juncture wil be the real test of our democracy. 

 

A.Veronica Fernandes,

Candolim, Goa

Tel:7507394349.  

WE NEED TO KNOW POLITICIANS' INCOME.

Babush is not Goa and Goa is not Babush and hence the victory of his panel in Panjim Municipality election could not be taken as the barometer for gauging the mood of Goan voters for the forthcoming Assembly election.  However, this victory was a direct slap on BJP’s misrule of Goa and inefficiency of Congress. It is a direct humiliation for Parricar who personally came from Delhi to canvass votes for his BJP contestants.  This indicates that BJP wave and Parricar charisma is waning because people in Goa have realized that BJP and Parricar are liars and cannot be trusted to fulfill any of their promises.

Now, in the forthcoming Assembly election it is my warning to Congress Party in particular and BJP and other parties in general not to hoist on us, the voters the candidates without our consent.  It is become customary for these political parties to hoist on us any “Ladru-Pedru” with questionable character.  This time we will oppose such questionable characters. 

We need a clean candidate from every Party and we want to analyse his source of income – how he acquired his asset and other details including his activities in the past.  Most of the candidates imposed on us by Congress Party were known to acquire enormous amount of wealth thru unfair means when they were in Panchayat members where the biggest loot is happening.  Most of the Panchayat members in the coastal areas are known to acquire wealth thru illicit means, by threatening the locals, by extorting  bribe  for issuing illegal licences for constructing Hotels and houses.  The most glaring example of these illicit activities is in my locality.  Otherwise how a man coming from economically “Ladru-Pedru” family background could come in possession of a fleet of most expensive cars and chain of hotels?    And otherwise how a semi Goan being partially a Madrasi erect Bungalows spending lakhs of rupees?  What is his source of income to create such an asset? 

 

A.Veronica Fernandes,

Candolim, Goa.

Tl:7507394349.