Ring in the common love of good.

ONE SPIRIT OF LOVE - GATHER YOUR PEOPLE FOR GOA, O LORD
- A MESSAGE FOR NEW YEAR 2011.


Dear Goan Brothers & Sisters
(Goans married to Goans and Goans married to Non-Goans/partners)



HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011 - OUR ATTITUDE IS OUR ALTITUDE!


I am addressing this e-mail to you both as Together we can make a difference in retaining what is left of our homeland – Goa.
Together we need to “Ring out the darkness of the land” – Alfred Tennyson


As the curtain of the year 2010 comes to a close in the next 60 hours (depending in the country we live in), it is that time to reflect not only the saying “RING OUT THE OLD, RING IN THE NEW”, (Alfred Tennyson) but an action of self reckoning and asking repeatedly; what have we done in 2010 to give back to Goa. Have we done our bit and have our partners been there to support our bit or have we forgotten because of “out of sight is out of mind” . Our parents and forefathers must be rolling in their graves to see us allowing the sale and rape of Goa. The saying “Each one for himself and God for all” has no place at this hour of need. Goa does not belong to those who are Weak, Selfish and Unsecured.


A lot of naval gazing and partnership is paramount so that we can save what is left of Goa. It is important for us to understand the difference between NEEDS AND WANTS; these two words are often intertwined
and as Goans we have issues in our thinking process. Just because we have migrated to another country does not give us any right to disown the needs of Goa and its state of affair. It is our moral responsibility
as it is of the Goans in Goa, Middle East and Goans in various continents. Time to pause from Rock and Roll and begin the campaign of success – Goa to be ruled by the Goans.


There are different ways we can help, monetary support of the right parties (not the same old who take us for granted), not to sell our properties to non-Goans, Movement or a planned vigil by all , make sure that businesses like Real Estate and others taking advantage to destroy nature by – building here, there and every where. – “Maka ketiak podlam" -  should come to an end with Two Thousand Ten”


Some of the important words that amche Goankar need to ponder on, are:
* Contemplate What good have we done towards our Goan brethren or Goa for that matter – Being in Goa and overseas? Have we supported or discouraged our partners in that pursuit?
* Character What type of character and family values have we instilled in our dealings with one and other as well as our own children. Have we played a part with the hunger and passion of our partners for Goa?
* Capacity How much do we have in terms of Time, Determination and Focus to get back what we have left of Goa? Do we condone corruption and be a part of it at any time at the cost of Goa?
* Connotations When we say or write something, do we understand the implications, directly or indirectly it has on our Goan and Mangalorean brothers?
* Calibre Its usage and its appropriateness!
* Computer Do we use the tool at right time and right manner i.e. whether we send our messages sober or drunk?
* Class, Caste & Creed Where do we stand on this? Have we sorted our minds full of cobwebs on this?
* Children What have we handed down to them? Are you comfortable that you have handed down our culture if not, would we be answerable to our parents when we join them?


These are some of the major issues confronting us today and the list can go on and on. Goans need to stop dreaming of the good old days and forget the euphoria of Liberation and Annexation.
The plea is, “The need of the hour” V.R. Krishna Iyer! – The implementation of the 11th commandment “Love one another as I loved you”. Goans do not love one another enough and that is why we see what we
see on the internet i.e. knee jerk reactions, Tall poppy syndrome, Aum vodlo!, Tum konn? Washing dirty linen in public etc. Hope in 2011, we will see a new sober attitude that unites us all like the Keralites. We need learn from them and show them that we are not ABC (Ayah, Butler and Cooks) as they think of us. Even they are in Goa talking fluent Konkani whereas we as ashamed to talk our mother tongue. English is not our mother tongue to those who profess it is.


For Goans the need of the hour is for all to join hands and FOCUS on what we need for Goa. If it is necessary we need to fight with the last coconut on the tree and empty Feni bottles on the shores of Goa. It is time to think of Goa - Lest we forget the sacrifices made by our ancestors. People making money at the cost of Goa should be singled out.
Let us talk to every Goan on the street about the present state of Goa and say words to this affect: AMCHEM GOEM MORTA, BABA MASOH AJUDAR KOR MACA!
Heightening the awareness of the public should begin right away. We will loose our identity, our culture and our language and there will be no one to blame other than us.


Internet has created a great form of communications if rightly used; please use it rightly by onward transmission to your family and friends.



Personal thanks to (without any order) all cyber friends/acquaintances few of whom I have seen repeatedly driving home the message of saving Goa - Arwin Mesquita, Benedict Lobo, Bosco De Mello, Carmen Miranda, Bernado Colaco, Floriano Lobo, Gaspar Almeida, Salus Correia, Miguel Braganza, Soter, Rene Barretto, Eduardo Faleiro, Jose Colaco, Joel D’souza, Bevinda; Agnelo Pinheiro, Tony Luis, Matanhy Saldanha, Aires Rodrigues, Carmo Santos, Suresh Naik,  Anthony Lobo and above all Target Goa, Goan Voice and Goa’s Pride.


May 2011 be the Best year of the Days of our Lives
And if necessary we try to be Young and Restless
Till we Achieve our lost dream
GOA BACK TO THE GOANS AND NOT FOR THE GOONIES!!




Deo borem korum anee
Mog sodanch assum
Com melhores cumprimentos
के साथ सबसे अच्छा संबंध है
Avec mes meilleures salutations


Sincerely,
Oscar C. Lobo JP
First Indian and Goan
Councillor in Australia.

A reminder of long, long time ago still relevant.


Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow;
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light:
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.
Ring out the grief that saps the mind,
For those that here we see no more;
Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.
Ring out false pride in place and blood,
The civic slander and the spite;
Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.
Ring out a slowly dying cause,
And ancient forms of party strife,
Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweet manners, purer laws.
Ring out old shapes of foul disease;
Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.
Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55ngROj6qGQ
 
Oscar Lobo
oscarlobo1 at optusnet.com.au
Photo courtesy: Rewon Gomes, http://www.goa-world.com/
& http://www.goanculturalcentrekuwait.com/
http://www.indiansinkuwait.com/ShowArticle.aspx?ID=8741&SECTION=0

The Essence of Christmas

OBITUARY - MILAGRES RODRIGUES

OBITUARY  

MILAGRES RODRIGUES(Kuwait/Dramapur, Goa)

Staff of Alghanim Industries, expired on 26th December 2010
The mortal remains will be flown to Goa.

His colleagues and friends expresses deep sympathy and condolences to the family.

May his soul rest in peace.

THE ESSENCE OF CHRISTMAS

THE ESSENCE OF CHRISTMAS


- By Gaspar Almeida



CHRISTMAS does something quite miraculous to most of us. We may go to bed the night before weary of crowds and rush and dozens of last-minute chores, and fed up with the whole business. And then we arise on the day itself to find ourselves transformed almost as remarkably as Scrooge was, and without any ghostly assistance. If we have small children we find that we love them, even though they wakened us at dawn. The sense of family unity becomes something to be newly cherished. We greet our friends with uncritical affection.

Our hearts go out to all our fellow men, and we wish them well. We do not do these things because we are compelled to or because tradition says we ought to. We do them simply because the spirit of Christmas is upon us. Peace and good will, familiar words of the Christmas story, suddenly become positive and meaningful. The good will recedes, the peace is disturbed, and we go back to the strivings and the differences of everyday life. But the spirit of Christmas does not disappear. It is a part of us, part of our heritage and of our national as well as individual behavior. Sometimes it seems that we forget, in our zeal for progress and improvement, that we are a decent, kindly people. We seem to forget how good a life most of us have, and why we have it. It is right that we should try to improve that life and share its goodness more evenly. But in doing that we sometimes tend to emphasize our disagreements and to take our blessings and our virtues for granted.



The Christmas season is a good time to remember that we live our lives on Christian ethics as well as on political justice, built upon the Christian belief in the worth and dignity of the individual. That belief is absent this Christmas in modern times. In some countries, the brotherhood of man has been replaced by government edicts of suspicion, betrayal and class hatred. In others, conformity and obedience are demanded by a program whose goal seems to be a drab uniformity masquerading as social equality. And even in our own country there are people who would have us emulate the one system or the other. We have not done so, and let us give thanks for it. Let us look about us and within us and count our very palpable blessings.

Let us remember that, for all our shortcomings, we embody for the rest of the world the charity and generosity and good will that are the essence of the Christian and the Christmas spirit. Christmas is not an institution or an holiday of one particular country. But we have patterned our best aspirations after its meaning until it has become not only one day in our year but, in a sense, our way of life.

Month’s Mind

Month’s Mind




Benson D’Silva
Died: 24th Nov 2010



“Believing in yourself is not for you; it's for every person who has touched your life in a significant way and for every person your life will touch the same way five minutes from now, or five centuries from now."
-Maria D’Silva


No words can express the loss of you beloved Benson, and no one can fill the gap.


Beloved husband of Clara, Father of Jude, Sergio, Karen & Lynn,
Brothers, Sisters / in-law of Tony/Diana, Maria/Leo Vaz, Elsie/Flavio Andrade, Joseph/Immaculada, Late Lawrence/Collins, & Angela/Tony Carvalho & Nephews/Nieces


There will be a requiem mass for the soul of our beloved Benson D'Silva at Holy Family Cathedral, Kuwait on Friday, 24th December 2010 at 6:45 am.

(Relatives, Neighbors & Friends, Kindly accept this as the only intimation.)

‘Goenchi Girestkai’ - a collection of Konkani poems

'Goenchi Girestkai’ a collection of Konkani poems ‘


Book of Konkani Poems Released: ‘Goenchi Girestkai’ a collection of konkani poems by Maria Pereira was released during the Annual Day celebrations of the Young Goans Club on December 9, 2010 at the Palace Hotel, Adliya, Bahrain.

Fr. Dinesh Mendonca, parish priest of Sacred Heart Church are vivid descriptions of our fading age-old professions like render (toddy tapper), poder (baker), padekar (coconut plucker), etc. The poet is commendable for portraying her love for our mother tongue konkani by producing this book of poems.













Hailing from Cansaulim, Salcette, Goa, Maria Pereira is a longtime resident of Bahrain and is an active member of the Konkani Community at the Sacred Heart Parish.







Info source & photos
courtesy: Xit-Kodi

BOOK RELEASE: Goans - Making a Difference

BOOK RELEASE:  Goans - Making a Difference


Goa After the Liberation, 50 years on, an editorial by the publisher Hazel Fernandes, brief sums up the five decades which the Goans have encountered since the Portuguese left and bade goodbye in December 1961 after 451 years. Goans, as we know from history, have been migrating to better pastures, outside Estrada de Portuguese (Portugal India) and it is uniquely recorded that Goans have been to Kuwait and other parts of the Gulf region in particular since the mid-1940s. At the official formal release of the first edition of the book entitled ‘Goans – Making a Difference’, the dignitaries headed by the President of Goan Overseas Association of Kuwait, Raymond D’Sa, was full of praise for the initiative taken by Hazel Fernandes to present the book to mark this glorious occasion. Among those who attended were a wide spectrum of personalities from the press fraternity, and internet media.  The programme commenced with Gaspar Almeida doing the honours of introducing the publisher's team, and a brief on the book.  He expressed his proud feelings that this publication is yet again another first the Goans in Kuwait has achived, which dwells on the invidividual efforts and achivements towards their success in the professional lifestyle as well as what they do to the community. "We have to support the efforts of all, whether they are government officials or technocrats as we move forward towards the betterment and prosperity of Goa and Goans".


A wide range of issues from Goa’s Freedom Movement, History of Goa, Reflections on the eve of Liberation Day, St. Francis Xavier, Festivals of Goa, Goa Hindu Festivals, Goa Muslim Festivals, Goan Culture, A Fat Goan Wedding, the Carnival, Goa Music, Goan Food, Goa Water Spots, the Dudhsagar Waterfalls, Goa Spice Plantations, Sao Joao Fest, Goa Tourism, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Konkani essays which included Views and Opinions, Kuwait and Goans, the ever popular statesman from Goa - NRI Commissioner Eduardo Faleiro, Goans in Kuwait, News Media, Goans in Kuwait, personalities in Kuwait from a wide spectrum from sports, theatre, artistes, writers, teachers, doctors, commercial professionals, youth careers, the youngest pilot, upto the recent mega international event, Global Goans Convention 2010 held in November 2010 in Kuwait, takes pride of place.


Due to the overwhelming response, the publishers and the team is all set to have a second edition in the first quarter of 2011. The attendees at the release programme included  Navelim Youth Centre President Agnello A.S. Fernandes, Neeta Fernandes, Norman Noronha, Tony Viegas, Rewon Gomes, Raymond Pereira, Sunoj Nambiar IIK, Gaspar Crasto, Roshan Loreno, Mario Fernandes, Anthony Raymond,  Manager of Darbar Restaurant, Cajetan Pereira, Hazel Fernandes, Domingos Araujo, Jacon Fernandes, Esperanca Crasto, among others, representing a wide spectrum of Goans and the Indian community involved in the banking, finance, trade and commerce, media, and other professions.  Many came forward on the dias and expressed pleasure to be featured in this unique book.

The overwhelming support expressed by Souk V.I.P. Centre, UAE Exchange Co., Sanjiv Kumar, Albano Pinto, Taal Restaurant, Oriental Insurance (Bader Al Mulla & Bros. Co.), Pascal B. Pinto, Oriental Restaurant, Nazareth Brothers, Jacob I. Fernandes [Colva United Centre], English Optics, Fidelis Fernandes [Kuwait Goan Association], Myra-Joel-Monica Elvira-Joseph D’Souza, Kala Mogui Kuwait, AlRashed International Shipping Co., and Ceasar Holidays (Ceasars Travel Group), made the publisher's job much easier. Among the writers whose English and Konkani contributions are included in the book include Lambert Mascarehnas - former editor of Goa Today magazine, Dr. Joe D’Souza, Lino B. Dourado, Pio Esteves, Norman Noronha, John Aguiar, Gaspar Crasto, and Gaspar Almeida, with still photography of the post and pre-liberation of Goa era as well as the natural bounty of scenic Goa.


Raymond D'Sa expressed his views that the concept of putting forward the profiles of the Goans in Kuwait and their organizational capabilities through the various cultural, sports, arts, and literally activities undertaken by their associations for a common understanding of friendship and promoting Goa's rich and diversified cultural goals. "I am impressed with the quality and content of the publication and expressed his full support to continue this good work, he said while he congratulated the team involved in the publication".  A sumptous dinner and thanksgiving prayers winded up the special event at the Darbar Restaurant - Hotel Kuwait Continentatal and everyone took the opportunity to personal exchange season's greetings. To obtain your limited edition copy,  email: goaworldtoday@yahoo.com, fernsfernandeshazed@yahoo.com 

Photos by: Rewon Gomes
http://www.goa-world.com/

MARTYR MEMORIAL eludes - late Master Floriano Vaz & Konkani Roman script

From: godfrey gonsalves [mailto:gonsalvesgodfreyji@yahoo.co.in]


Sent: Monday, December 20, 2010 6:59 PM

To: gulf-goans@yahoogroups.com; goa-goans@egroups.com;



MARTYR MEMORIAL eludes - late Master Floriano Vaz & Konkani Roman script



Twenty four years ago when the youthful Floriano Vaz a ST from Gogol Fatorda Salcete Goa India was shot dead at noon near his home at Gogol; it was BBC's then correspondent Mark Tully who reported the news at 1700 hrs.on the BBC radio news channel well before the local and national news agencies.



That sparked a near riot in the commercial city of Margao. That the cause was linked to the ongoing agitation for recognition of Konkani as the official language was obvious .

But the immediate cause for this dastardly provocation was a tiff between Mr Vaz's ex employer the son of a prominent Goud Saraswat Brahmin industrialist from Comba, Margao -- The CRP personnel who fired the fatal round on Vaz was mainly at the behest of the son of this industrialist who was allegedly prevented from proceeding in his white FIAT car (whose number plate was later changed to avoid implication ) as the road was blocked by boulders by Vaz and his youthful supporters.

Well this turned out to be the first martyr for the cause of Konkani. The others were killed in Neura Tiswadi (Ilhas) Goa and a memorial was immediately installed in front of the Church of St Lawrence at Agacaim Ilhas Tiswadi Goa.

But what is the politics behind the erection of a memorial for late Vaz at the Fatorda junction as demanded by the ex- Chief Minister and present PWD Minister Mr Churchill Alemao?

It is understood that the GSB's are all aware that the real culprit for causing the death of late Vaz was none other than the member of their own class and community. The area where the proposed memorial is planned just over 500 meters from the Chowgule College junction and happens to be the new residential township of GSB's who have moved lock stall and barrel from Comba in Margao to self contained bungalows near the Gogol Mutt and within the periphery of the College and Gogol garden.. The area is now known as Vidya nagar.

Therefore obviously they fear that the memorial if erected will haunt them with memories of that fateful day and this constituency being mainly dominated by the ST's there would be reason for provocation and ill feelings against the GSB's at a later date.

Hence the opposition to have any memorial at Old Market (porposed earlier ) or at the Gogol junction both in the Fatorda Assembly.

Incidentally Mr Alemao who alongwith Mr Atanasio (Babush) Monserate the Minister for Education (who is celebrating his birthday today) had promised to pursue the issue of grant of official recognition to Konkani written in the Roman script at the hustings have now remain silent. The present Official Language act of 1987 grants official status only to devanagari as specifically listed at item 2 (c) of the OLA 1987. Hence deletion of the words (in Devnagari) by an amendment would have solved this issue making -- unity in ONE language and diversity in script -- as a feature to unite Goans more so being the 50th year of Liberation of Goa.

But the reason why these politicians and several others who depend on the Catholic vote bank mainly in the Old Conquests of Salcete Mormugao and Ilhas (Tiswadi) develop cold feet is because the Church heirarchy in Goa essentially a Brahmin led heirarchy which ranks highest in the decision making body has failed to press for the need for recognition to Konkani in the Roman script.

A little probing led this writer to realise that the Catholic Brahmins post Liberation forced their progeny to learn Konkani in devanagari for fear that they would be branded as antinationals for their adherence to Portuguese regime. Several Catholic Brahmins had even adopted Indian names for their progeny for the same reasons.

It is not that they have any love for the devanagiri except the fear of being ostracised by the majority Hindu community post Liberation. The Church heirarchy also belongs to this school of thought and hence despite the fact that they use Roman script for all the religious rites etc they dread to support the cause of recognition to Konkani in Roman script.

Ironically such is the hypocricy adopted by the Church heirarchy that while they support a collective floated by GSB's viz Catholic for Devanagiri even though most of them do not know to read and write Konkani in devanagri they have allowed non Brahmin Catholic priests to fully support the cause of Konkani in Roman script. Notble among them who has spared no efforts to harp for recognition to Konkani in Roman script is Fr. Conceissao of Carambolim Church .

The present CM Mr Digamber Kamat who short of official recognition to Konkani in the Roman script is prepared to do any thing for Konkani and its usage in Roman script as has been his enthusiam shown in the sphere of "tiatr" therefore it is a challenge to elected representatives of the likes of Churchill and Monseratte to show their true love for the cause of their mother tongue.

It is not too late given that we are heading for mid term polls in the State while the BJP is at its lowest ebb --- if not elections in due course 18 month later in May 2012. Thus during the forthcoming winter session in January 2011 these Ministers could easily get a MLA from the ruling coalition either Mr Francis Silveira, Ms Victoria Fernandes or Mr Francisco Micky Pacheco to move an amendment to OLA 1987 and give a due place to Konkani in the Roman script in the Golden Jubilee year.

from the Gogol end
GODFREY J. I. GONSALVES,
BORDA, MARGAO, 403 602, GOA. (INDIA)
+91 98221 58584 (24 HRS)
gonsalvesgodfreyji@yahoo.co.in


Related link:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gulf-goans/message/32771

[As forwarded to Gaspar Almeida, http://www.goa-world.com/ by the writer,
additional cartoons, pictures sources Alexyz, and goa-world.com archives].

SriLankan resumes flights to Kochi

SriLankan resumes flights to Kochi

SriLankan Airlines will re-launch its services to Kochi from March 1st 2011, increasing its growing portfolio of Indian destinations to seven.  The resumption of flights links Colombo and Kerala’s commercial capital Kochi on all seven days of the week. The morning flight UL165/6 departs Colombo at 0725 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays to reach Kochi at 0835. It leaves Kochi at 0925 and arrives in Colombo at 1035. The afternoon departure UL167/8 leaves Colombo at 1420 on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays to reach Kochi at 1530 and leaves Kochi at 1620 and arrives in Colombo at 1730.


Regional Manager Indian subcontinent for SriLankan Airlines, Mr. Lal Perera says, “With the resumption of our daily service to Kochi, we will aggressively promote leisure traffic to Colombo in addition to passengers travelling via CMB to Far East, Middle East and Europe “

With 2011 being declared as the year of “Visit Sri Lanka”, the country opens its doors to tourists from Kochi and will also be showcased as a vibrant MICE destination.

The resumption of seven daily Colombo- Kochi flights will also add greater impetus to “Visit Sri Lanka 2011”, when Sri Lanka opens her doors to an anticipated 750,000 foreign visitors. Up to October this year, a total of 95,579 Indian tourists have visited Sri Lanka, approximately 50% higher than the number of arrivals in 2009 which amounted to 64,447. In 2011 alone, SriLankan Airlines will acquire seven new aircraft thus enabling it to fly to more cities in the Subcontinent, Middle East and Southeast Asia, and to also increase capacity to existing destinations in these regions.
SriLankan Airlines currently flies to 49 destinations in 31 countries. Kochi will be the second destination to be added to the airline's network in 2011, with SriLankan scheduled to begin flights to Guangzhou in China next month, increasing its network to 51 destinations in 31 countries.

Book your next SriLankan Airlines flight from the convenience of your home or office at www.srilankan.aero

For more info, email: lalithp at srilankan.aero

Corporate Communications Department

SriLankan Airlines Limited

http://www.sltda.lk/visit_srilanka