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