Annual Day Meet for Ex-Students & their families at Monte de Guirim

Annual Day Meet for Ex-Students & their families at Monte de Guirim

 

Yesterday evening, December 19, 2012 an Annual Day for Monte de Guirim ex-students and their families was organized by Monte de Guirim Past Pupils’ Association at Monte de Guirim. My wife and I attended the function. It was quite grand.

Although I keep visiting Monte de Guirim whenever I get a chance, I make it a point to visit the school every time a book of mine is published so I can pass on a copy of the book to the library, but it was the first time that I attended an ex-students’ function. It was a good opportunity to visit my alma mater, where I met a few old timers – most of the attendees were 1968 batch onwards.

One Senior Friar, Fr. Dinesh (earlier John) Mendonça was felicitated for his long service. Ex-teacher, Joy, was also felicitated, and so were one Sports Person and one S.S.C. Topper.

Student activist-turned politician and ex-MLA of Dabolim constituency, Herculano Dourado, who passed out from Monte de Guirim the same year as I did (1965-1966), was felicitated for Life Time Achievement.

 

Herculano was one of the all-rounder students of Monte de Guirim. He was a studious boy, a footballer, an athlete, a gymnast, Assembly leader, a monitor, an orator – you name it. Herculano recalled some of the old teachers - Fr. Pacificus, Fr. Ephrem, Fr. Diogo who were instrumental in instilling academic, moral and spiritual values in us, which helped him build his career. He also recalled that unlike today, it was a boys’ school. As such, girls were a taboo, but we got a chance to look at girls from convents once a year when they attended our annual concert. Referring to the Liberation Day, Herculano told everyone present that though the Portuguese had long gone, some foreign items were still available for sale at the school’s store then.

It was great to meet and interact with Herculano and renew old friendship. I also met old-timers Francis aka Fanchu Silveira, Alban Fernandes, Gilman Fernandes, Jose Luis (my classmate in Special Class), Albert Goveia, retired Sr. Scientist at the NIO and many others. We sipped drinks, talked about good old days, inquired about our present lives and successes.

There was singing and dancing to the music of “Lui Solo n Live”. Food was catered by the ‘Merces Caterers’. Each entrant was charged a fee of Rs.350; snacks, soft and hard drinks were provided at an extra charge. Many prizes were given away for different activities. I was one of the winners of a prize – ‘person with most white hair and beard’!

The MC made an announcement and informed everyone that I authored three books - ‘Domnic’s Goa’ (2007) – a book on Goa’s customs and traditions; ‘Dispott’ttem Chintop’ (2009) – a Konkani book in Roman script on Goan sayings, and ‘Mapusa, Yesterday and Today’ (October this year) – a book on Mapusa half a century ago.

Moi-mogan,

Domnic Fernandes
Anjuna, Goa
Mob: 8805237604/9420979201

 

[as forwarded to gaspar almeida, www.goa-world.com on 19th December 2012]

[Pictures added by goa-world.com].

Other links to Monte de Guirim
http://www.goacapuchins.com/fraternities


 

‘Splashdown Water Park’ in Anjuna, Goa

It’s been a roller coaster ride .....

                                - Christine Machado (goasheartbeat@herald-goa.com)

 

The following article appeared in yesterday’s (17/12/2012) Herald Heartbeat section:

Almost everyone loves splashing around in water, and ‘Splashdown Water Park’ in Anjuna, created by marine engineers Melroy Pinto and Levancio D’Souza, has given Goans of every age the opportunity to have some fun in the water. A year after it was inaugurated, this water park is a favourite hangout spot with both, Goans and foreigners.

“The response has been unexpectedly good,” admits Pinto. “People give many suggestions – we get negative comments, too, and we take them seriously. If the suggestions made are good, we try to rectify them as soon as possible.”

‘Splashdown’ has played host to many school and club picnics, orphanages, and family reunions.

“We have tied up with hotels who want their guests to visit. It has also been used as a location for shooting movies, the latest one being ‘Baga Beach”, revealed Pinto, adding that many people from the south come in groups but those from the north come as nuclear families.

People of different nationalities such as the British, Russians, Afghans and even Iranians and Saudis frequent the park. “The Afghans have their own music, which they request me to play and dance their traditional dances. So do the Iranians. It’s very interesting to watch”, elaborated Pinto who states that Splashdown is a “happy place with no misbehaviour of any sorts owing to its no alcohol policy.”

“One of the foreigners described what he called the magic hour of the place, which begins from 3:00 pm,” informed Pinto and further elaborating that, in the morning everyone is excited to play on the slides but at around 3:00 pm, people settle down and start making friends. “Someone’s wife joined in the Rain dance with some Indian women. There was some Bollywood song playing and the Indians knew the steps to it” discloses Pinto.

Every business flourishes with time and Splashdown is no different. Many improvements have been made over time. “We have tried to make our park 100 percent safe. We have done up the lawns, added new swings and on the whole made it more child friendly,” said Pinto. “Sometimes people lose their valuables, especially gold and purses and leave their numbers with us. If we find it we make it a point to courier it back to them wherever in the world they are.”

However, some problems still persist. “One of the major problems we have had is when grass is cut; it gets carried to the pool with the wind or with people walking. We have built more pathways to avoid this from happening but I don’t want it to be all paved all over. We need the greenery, too,” said Pinto.

When ‘Splashdown’ first began, equipment was manufactured outside Goa and while the required material can now be obtained in Goa, ‘Splashdown’ prefers to remain faithful to the ones who were there for them in the beginning. “Even though we didn’t have much money then and little know-how, they did not take advantage of us. In fact, the man came down especially to Goa to aid us,” added Melroy.

As ‘Splashdown’ completes a year, Melroy has a lot of ideas and additions that he wants to make there. “We opened two restaurants on December 14. One will be open for the public and one for the water park. Also an exciting ride ‘Pendulum’ is on the card. The foundation is already in place”, said Pinto. “We also want to develop the rear part for wedding receptions for holding weddings.”

Splashdown Waterpark   http://www.splashdowngoa.com/
Calangute-Anjuna Main Road, Padre Agnel Vaddo, Gauvaddi, Anjuna, Bardez-Goa 403509

Telephone:	+91-9637 424 023/ 024,
	+91-832 227 3008,
Website:	www.splashdowngoa.com
E-mail:	splashdown.goa@gmail.com

 

COMMENTS:

‘Splashdown Water Park’ is the first major project in Gaumvaddi, Anjuna.

The plot originally belonged to Ven Fr Agnelo’s family, which was sold to Melroy Pinto and Levancio D’Souza. Many of the projects in Goa are owned by outsiders, but this one is solely owned by two Goans. We are proud of Melroy and Levancio.

Another good thing about the Water Park is that right from the beginning Melroy has insisted that his staff should be Goans. As such, majority of his staff, barring a few labourers, are Goans. Melroy means what he preaches!

Moi-mogan,

Domnic Fernandes

Anjuna, Goa
Mob: +91 8805237604/9420979201
domvalden@hotmail.com


[As forwarded by Mr. Domnic Fernandes to gaspar almeida, www.goa-world.com
on December 18, 2012]

Posted by Goa-World.COM

Betty Ferns – Flashback of yesteryears in Bahrain

Betty Ferns – Flashback of yesteryears in Bahrain

This message is to convey my heartiest belated congratulations to the eleven tiatrists who were recognized and awarded lifetime achievement awards by the Tiatr Academy Goa (TAG) on last Saturday, December 14, 2012.

Nowadays, I don’t travel long distances because of vision problem – underwent laser surgery on my right eye to rectify leakage in the retina; even then I had planned to attend the function in Margao but unforeseen circumstances did not allow me to fulfil that commitment.
 

This year the Tiatr Academy Goa has conferred lifetime achievement awards on eleven eminent tiatr personalities and they are: C. D'Silva, Jessie Dias, Jr. Rod, Diana Fernandes, Josefina Dias, Betty Ferns, Joe Rose, August De Panchwadi, Manuel Dourado, Roseferns, and Tomazinho Cardozo.

I have known all these actors/writers/ directors/ singers on stage but I would like to make a special mention about Betty Ferns with whom I have acted in Bahrain:

During my tenure as the General Secretary of the Young Goans Sports Club in 1977-78, for the first time ever, we brought five famous Bombay Tiatrists
– C. Alvares, Remie Colaco, Jacinto Vaz, Mary Vaz and Betty Ferns, and staged four tiatrs in Manama, Bahrain. Cyriaco Dias was employed with MENAS (Middle East Navigation Aids Service) in Bahrain. Therefore, though he was an ex-Bombay tiatrist, he was considered a resident actor.

I have acted with Betty Ferns in four tiatrs in Bahrain: Ghorachem Sukh by Remie Colaço; Govachem Ghor by Jacinto Vaz, Farikponn by Cyriaco Dias and Kednam Udetolo to Dis by C. Alvares. I was already an established actor in Bahrain since 1973 but it was a great experience to act with the above-mentioned five professionals, and that too from Bombay. I also acted with the second batch of other Bombay actors in Bahrain the following year; more on that next time. Tiatr were held in Al Nasr Club in Manama.

I enacted main roles in the first three tiatrs and a movali’s (gangster’s) role in Kednam Udetolo to Dis. This role was originally played by the late Young Mendes.

The scene was thus: Betty is a blind girl who crosses road with a kerosene lamp in one hand and an empty glass bottle (to fetch kerosene) in the other. I try to help her cross the road but since she was alone, I look around, take advantage and try to rape her. During my struggle with Betty, suddenly Jacinto Vaz passes by, picks up a fight with me and rescues Betty. Jacinto Vaz punches blows at me and knocks me down. It was pitch dark. At this juncture, dim coloured stage lights flash in all directions. I try to get up and run away. Here a real accident takes place.

When the glass bottle which Betty was carrying fell on the ground it broke into pieces - unfortunately, the floor was bare – it was not covered with carpet or anything else. As I got up and was taking off from the floor, the bottom of broken bottle, which was lying next to my hand, cut a big chunk of flesh from under my left thumb and blood started gushing. As soon as I went inside, everyone was shocked to see me bleeding profusely. As an emergency treatment, the actors brought a Whisky bottle and poured it on my wound sending a burning sensation on it. They also poured Whisky in a glass and made me gulp it – anaesthesia was applied externally and internally!

An announcement was made and public informed that I had received a cut on my hand and was taken to a hospital for treatment, and that tiatr would recommence soon. They rushed me to the Emergency Section of the Mission Hospital, which was just around five hundred meters away. The organizers explained to the doctor the situation and the need for me to be back on stage as soon as possible. He sutured the flesh, bandaged my hand and discharged me. In the meantime, tiatr went on and I was back right in time before the start of the sovo poddo or the sixth drop/part of the tiatr.

In this scene, I am tied to a chair and questioned. Jacinto Vaz, who was a natural actor, keeps slapping me and asking: “Tuka cheddvank rape korunk zai? Atam mar kha”! (Do you want to rape girls? Now take the beating)! – these lines were not in the script; he added them. Actually, I was in pain and this guy, Jacinto, was making me laugh but I had to control myself because it was a serious scene. I recovered from the cut after about three weeks.

In order to make these actors feel at home, we temporarily converted three rooms of the Club into bedrooms and in one of the rooms we set up a kitchen and hired a Goan cook who cooked dishes of their taste. They spent six memorable weeks with us resulting in close relationship. This is when I got to know the five actors intimately. Goans in Bahrain would visit them at the Club premises every evening and many took them out for dinner or lunch on Fridays (holiday in the Gulf).

In 1978, I visited Betty Ferns at her home in Bombay, and the others in Goa. I showed them the scar of the wound, which looks like a question mark, as below that scar there is another scar of a bone grafting, and told them that it was the trade mark of “Kednam Udetolo to Dis”!

Remie Colaco and his family, Jacinto Vaz and his family and my family had a full day picnic at Sanvordem Lake. It was the month of May. We bathed in the lake and drank plenty of Urrak. Remie was a very good yodeller; so, he sang songs and yodelled every now and then and kept entertaining us. Jacinto and Mary Vaz visited me twice at my home in Anjuna for lunch. May their souls rest in peace!

Betty Ferns is the lone surviving actor of the troupe that visited Bahrain in the 1970s. I very much wanted to meet with her but circumstances prevented me from attending the function in Margao. But I will somehow meet her on one of these days.

 

 

Moi-mogan,

Domnic Fernandes
Anjuna, Goa
Mob: +91 8805237604/9420979201

 http://domnicfernandes.blogspot.com/2012/12/betty-ferns-flashback-of-yesteryears-in.html

[Documented and archived as forwarded by Domnic Fernandes to gaspar almeida, www.goa-world.com on 15 December 2012]

 

Coloured Photos courtesy:  ALVARES.JUDE.239
http://www.flickr.com/photos/82539704@N03/
veengle.com
& Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG)
and www.goa-world.com (gaspar almeida - B&W photo of Domnic Fernandes while in Bahrain in ) archives.
http://domnicfernandes.blogspot.com/2012/12/betty-ferns-flashback-of-yesteryears-in.html

CHIC CHOCOLATE - one of Bombay’s best known jazz musicians.

CHIC CHOCOLATE

Chic Chocolate (1916 - May 1967), born Antonio Xavier Vaz in Aldona, was a Goan trumpeter who led a Jazz band at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Bombay and was one of Bombay’s best known jazz musicians. He learned music at his local parochial school and, despite the wishes of his mother, who wanted him to earn a “respectable” living as a mechanic; he followed his dreams of a life playing music. He was also a Hindi film music composer and played trumpet in various soundtracks. He was an exceptional Goan Catholic musician. His specialty was western music.

Influenced by Louis Armstrong, Chic styled himself after his great jazz hero—Chocolate's trumpet playing and “scatting” technique were a tribute to Armstrong. His stage presence has been recognized as dramatic, with accounts reporting that the musician would fall on one knee, while raising his instrument to the stars, during the band's crescendo. Chocolate earned the sobriquet, the "Louis Armstrong of India", as he not only played jazz like an African-American but also possessed a similarly dark complexion.

By the mid-1940s, after he had played in Rangoon and Mussourie, Chic had established himself as a popular Bombay jazz musician. He started out with a group called the Spotlights, and by 1945, had formed his own outfit, Chic and the Music Makers, beating out 12 other bands to win a contract at Green's Hotel, which was owned by the Taj Mahal Hotel. A newspaper article from the time described Chic Chocolate’s band as "Bombay’s topflight band". Chic Chocolate occasionally led a two-trumpet barrage at the Green's Hotel with Chris Perry.

Like many Goan musicians of the time, Chic Chocolate played jazz live at the night but his days were spent in the film studios, recording and arranging sound tracks for movies. He had a flourishing career as a music composer in Bollywood movies.

In 1951, he began his career as a music director with the movie Nadaan. Nadaan had a popular track list, including songs like Talat Mahmood’s Aa Teri Tasvir Bana Lu and Lata Mangeshkar’s Sari Duniya Ko Piichhe Chodkar.

Chic Chocolate was an integral part of composer C. Ramchandra's team. Ramachandra is popularly credited with introducing swing into Bollywood with tunes such as Gore Gore O Banke Chore from Samadhi and Shola Jo Bhadke from Albela. However, the credit for these songs is due to Chic Chocolate. Their collaboration in the 1952 film Rangili included the song Koi Dard Hamara Kya Samjhe, sung by Lata Mangeshkar. He worked as an assistant music director to Chitalkar for Sagai. Chic Chocolate also worked as an assistant with Madan Mohan and O. P. Nayyar. Chic was the assistant music director for the film Bhai Bhai. He is remembered for his work with Naasir in the 1956 film Kar Bhala.

Chic’s lives as jazz man and film musician sometimes merged. He had a cameo appearance in the film Albela, along with his band in a song sequence dressing them in frilly Latinesque costumes. Chic capitalized on the film’s success by dressing his band in those costumes in future live performances.

Chic passed away in May 1967 in Mumbai, aged 51; shortly after, Chetan Anand’s Aakhri Khat was released. The bluesy song Rut Jawan Jawan featured several close-ups of the Louis Armstrong of India playing his trumpet solos from the bandstand. Chic had lived with his wife, Martha and his children in an apartment in Colaba.

 

Moi-mogan,
 

Domnic Fernandes

Anjuna, Goa
Mob: 8805237604/9420979201

 

Other links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAxpsSDUQzs

http://www.mail-archive.com/goanet@lists.goanet.org/msg71971.html

Why abrupt changes in Roman script Konkani?

    

Why abrupt changes in Roman script Konkani?

 

The Portuguese arrived in Goa in 1510 and in 1556 a printing press, despatched from Portugal to Abyssinia (now Ethiopia) to help missionary work there, landed in Goa. But circumstances prevented it from leaving India, and, consequently, printing was initiated in Goa. The printing press was attached to St. Paul College, Goa. It is believed that Konkani was written and printed from this printing press.

 

The 17th century saw the beginning of a large-scale book-printing in Goa, egged on massively by the need to print Christian texts for the benefit of the newly converted Christians. This time also saw a shift from the use of coercion to that of religious education for conversions. Thus, a number of books were printed in Konkani due to the initiative of, among others, Father Thomas Stephens who, in 1640, produced the first Konkani Grammar – the Arte de Lingua Canarim.

In 2006, the ‘Holy Bible – Old and new Testament’ was translated into Konkani – ‘Povitr Pustok – Adlo ani Novo Korar’ .It is indeed the most near-perfect Konkani translation, and I salute the Konkani veteran writers and editors who toiled hard to give us the best translated ‘Povitr Pustok’.

To me and many other like-minded people, the Konkani translation of the Holy Bible is not only ‘Bible Truth’ but the Konkani version used in it is also ‘Bible Truth’. Since most of the translators/editors belong to the Portuguese era, they had the knowledge and experience of the language; hence, they were able to translate it to near-perfection.

Domnic PF Fernandes,
Author of "Domnic's Goa"
& "Mapusa Yesterday & Today" Books".

Before I proceed to write further, I would like to point out that the Konkani in Roman Script is based on Portuguese alphabet and not the English one. The Portuguese alphabet goes like this:

A [ah], B [beh], C [seh], D [deh], E [ay], F [ehf], G [geh], H [a-gah], I [ee], J [jota], K [cahpah], L [éhl], M [éhme], N [éhne], O [óhr], P [peh], Q [qay], R [éh-rre], S [éh-sse], T [têh], U [oo], V [vay], W [dublioo], X [shish], Y [ipsilon or i grego] and Z [zay].

The letters K, W and Y are normally not used in Portuguese native words, except for scientific terms and abbreviations for distances (Km) or weights (Kg).

In the entire ‘Povitr Pustok’, I have not found the use of the letter ‘y’ because, as mentioned above, it is not used in Portuguese native speaking words on which Konkani in Roman script is based, and neither does it make sense because by using it we tend to destroy the Konkani language, which has a substantially long tradition. And traditions and customs are respected generally even while drafting laws and legislation.

Around five years ago, I remember it was announced that if two vowels came together, the letter ‘y’ could be inserted in between them. But, if one knows and follows the Portuguese alphabet, there is no need to do it.

Presently, several Konkani writers have begun using the letter ‘y’ indiscriminately without any rhyme or reason. I have come across the following words (out of many), with their new version:

bebdikai – bebdikay

boddai – bodday
girestkai - girestkay
Julai (month) – Julay
kortai - kortay
khuxalkai – khuxalkay
mai - may
osmitai – osmitay
pai - pay
purai - puray
sahitai - sahitay
sovostkai - sovostkay
Sosnnikai - sosnnikay
Somudai – somuday
Vattai – vattay

In all these words, the last two letters are pronounced as (ah-ee) e.g. Aitar (ah-ee-têh- éh-rre);

Moriadik - moryadik – we don’t have to add a ‘y’ because the sound of ia is ee-ah.

Here are some more examples with their new version:

avoi-bapui - avoy-bapuy
avoi-bapain - avoy-bapayn
doia – doya
ezmanponn - yezmanponn
ieo – yeo
ieta – yeta
eukar – yeukar
ievun - yevun
gaionn - gayonn
gheiat - gheyat
kariavoll - karyavoll
kednaim – kednay
paim - pay
proitn – proytn
niall – niyall
 

In view of the above observation, I strongly suggest that we stop using the letter ‘y’ in Konkani because it will neither serve nor suit any useful purpose. If at all, we are bent on using the letter ‘y’, then we could as well shift to the English alphabet, and consequently take into serious consideration ‘but’, ‘put’, ‘foot’, etc. Because by merely adding ‘y’, we are, by no means, standardising or improving the orthography of Konkani in the Roman script. And, what about the diacritic marks? BTW, I am for change but not for mixture of alphabets from different languages.

The process of standardising Konkani began after Liberation and the language and a large mass of the text including the Holy Bible in Konkani, has come to an appreciable standard. Hence, the abrupt changes, probably suited to the Mangalorean version, can only lead to confusion unlimited. The opinion has been doing the rounds among Konkani readers, many of whom are irritated with the unnecessary changes. But they have not gathered the courage to voice their preference, apprehensive of hurting sentiments.

Moreover, Konkani in Roman script is already facing several vexing hurdles, and it has to be ensured that those who have still adhered to it faithfully are not compelled to give it up altogether. The younger set of readers would then rather opt for literature in the Devanagari script or be content with English. We are already a confused lot - let us not confuse the Konkani language lovers any further.

I am sending out this message now so it reaches the right people before the daily newspaper “Amcho Avaz” begins to circulate among Goans. I am copying this message to Konkani Institutions.

Moi-mogan,

"Mapusa Yesterday & Today" Book Released in Kuwait on
November 16, 2012 by Gaspar Almeida (seen right)

Domnic Fernandes

Anjuna, Goa
Mob: 8805237604/9420979201
Email: domvalden@hotmail.com








Links:
http://legiomariae.hpage.com/povitr_pustokachi_zannvai_26332056.html
http://domnicfernandes.blogspot.com/2012/11/mapusa-yesterday-today-book-by-domnic.html

[Archived by gaspar almeida, as received from the writer, Domnic Fernandes on 20 Nov. 2012]
 

MAPUSA Yesterday & Today - a book by Domnic PF Fernandes released in Kuwait

Goan Book:  MAPUSA Yesterday & Today released in Kuwait



C. Gaspar Almeida, a well-known Goan writer, press reporter, and moderator of one and only popular Gulf-Goans e-Newsletter (since 1994),  www.goa-world.com, released the second Book:  "MAPUSA Yesterday & Today", written by the well known Goa-based Domnic PF Fernandes, at a book inauguration function held during the staging of Salu Faleiro's Konkani  drama "Aitar Budvar" on November 16, 2012 at the Kuwait Medical Assocation Auditorium, Jabriya, Kuwait. 

Photo: Gaspar Almeida (2nd from Right) inaugurating the book "MAPUSA Yesterday & Today", flanked by Bab Agnel (extreme right) and Domingos Araujo & Salu Faleiro (1st & 2nd from Left) on November 16, 2012 in Kuwait

The book gives a reminiscent tour in a street by street walk through today's bustling Mapusa town, contrasting it with the place that existed a couple of generations ago.  The author meticulously records the places, lanes and the mores of another era and the book carries thumbnail sketches, and photographs by Frederick Noronha.

The president of Kala Mogui Kuwait, Domingos Araujo, gave a brief insight and introduction on the author and on the subject book  in the presence of Gaspar Almeida, and the popular tiatr director Salu Faleiro and Konkani stage singer Bab Agnel.

The 308 page book "Mapusa Yesterday & Today" has Miguel Arcanjo de Braganza's "Foreword" and  is published by Goa1556  (e-catalogued at http://scr.bi/Goa1556Book ).

Recently the book was released at a launch ceremony at the hands of Goa's Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar.  The book is dedicated by Domnic PF Fernandes to his first teacher, Iria Maria dos Milagres da Costa e Rodrigues, cover design done by Dina Nayak and is priced at Rs. 350/- (in Goa) and Euro 24.95 (Overseas). 

The author's first book "Domnic's Goa" published in 2007 also is a veritable treasure trove of information on the customs and traditions of Goa, evoking nostalgic and poignant memories for those who knew the Goa of yesteryears. 

"MAPUSA Yesterday & Today" can be ordered online via Amazon.com or directly from the publisher: email goa1556@gmail.com or  from the author: email domvalden@hotmail.com  Mob: +91 8805237604 and Goa's major book outlets: Broadway (Panjim), Golden Heart (Margao), Other India (Mapusa) &  Literati (Calangute).  For the author's fan followers in  Kuwait and the Gulf region, the book can be obtained by contacting the www.goa-world.com team, email: goaworldtoday@gmail.com, uly334@gmail.com or gasperalmeida@gmail.com; or Kala Mogui Kuwait email: kalamogui@gmail.com, without any additional charges for airmail/courier.

 

 

 

Photos by Professional Photographer:  Simon Dias  

 ___________________________________________________________________________

 

Additional Photos at the book release event in Kuwait on November 16, 2012

(Photos courtesy: Gennifer Marshall)
____________


SOME AUDIO CLIPS OF THE LAUNCH CEREMONY IN GOA:

Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar spoke on the occasion:
https://archive.org/details/ChiefMinisterManoharParrikarAtDomnicsBookLaunch

The author Domnic P.F. Fernandes speaks....
https://archive.org/details/DomnicFernandesOnHisNewBookOnMapusa

Minguel Braganza introducing the author....
https://archive.org/details/MiguelBraganzaReviewsDomnicsNewBook

(Audio clips courtesy: Joel D'Souza, Assagao-Goa)

__________________________________________________________________________________

www.goa-world.com/goa/music/

The 1st Konkani Music Station Online in 2000 created by Ulysses Menezes

& Gaspar Almeida, Kuwait-based Goans.

__________________________________________________________________________________ 

Goa Android User Group meeting

Goa Android User Group meeting

The monthly meet of the Goa Android User Group (GAUG) was held at Centre for Innovation and Business Acceleration (CIBA) at Agnel technical education complex, Verna on October 27, 2012. The Goa Android User Group is the second group in India after the Bangalore Android User group to bring Android enthusiasts on a common platform.

The meet opened with presentation of the facilities available at CIBA to support entrepreneurs and technopreneurs for technology commercialization. The entrepreneurs based at CIBA working on innovative technologies were also introduced to the gathering.

The GAUG team, comprising Prajyot Mainkar (GAUG head), Arya Padte and Jonathan Pereira, formally introduced the genesis and the need of Goa Android User Group to all the participants. The group expressed their concern about limited opportunities for techno freaks to meet and focused on the need to spread knowledge about Android among Goan students and enthusiasts.

Participants expressed interest in including even those who are not technically qualified but have the slightest interest towards Android in the group to widen GAUG's horizons.The participants comprised of android enthusiasts, both students and professionals from various engineering colleges, and corporates from across Goa.

The technical session kicked off with Jonathan Pereira speaking about "Android Basics and App Development". After explaining in details about Android, he demonstrated to the participants the coding of android app. This was followed by a session on "Android 4.1 (Jelly Beans version) Preview" by Prajyot Mainkar. He demonstrated the various new and exciting features like Google Now, NFC which were introduced in the Jelly beans version.

The event was co-ordinated by Amey Karmali and Raghuvir Mahale from CIBA. GAUG meet will be a regular event organized at CIBA every month and Android enthusiasts can contact GAUG or CIBA for registration. (TOI)

BHOGSONNEM / FORGIVENESS - By Domnic Fernandes

Dear netters,

Last month, I wrote the following Konkani article for the 3^rd quarterly magazine – ‘San Miguelicho Avaz’ of Anjuna Church. I thought I would share it with you all. Rough English translation follows the Konkani version.

Dev borem korunv,

Domnic Fernandes

 

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BHOGSONNEM

‘AMCHEA BAPA’ hem magnnem Jezun amkam ghôddun dôvorlam jem ami dispott’tem mhunnttanv. Hea magnneachea dusrea bhagachim utram zavn asat:

“… ani ami amcher chukleleank bhôgxitanv, toxim amchim patkam bhôgos…”

Zo konn aplea peleak bhôgsunk raji na to jitle pavtti ‘Amchea Bapa’ rozar kôrta

titlei pavtt amchea sôrginchea Bapak, khôxe-monan, okman kôrta.

Aiz-kal munxea lagim pôixe vôdik zavn tachem gorv vaddot gelam; amchem jivit suberbaien bhorlam zaka lagon ami peleak okman kôrit ravtanv; tacho pôrinam?: Dusmankai! Ami khalte zanvche bôdlek ragest zatanv ani karanna vinnem peleacho abru-man uboitanv. Oxem ghoddlea uprant, sôire-dairé ani sezar-samari eka-meka lagim uloinant; matxem kiteim fattim-fuddem zalear peleak bhôgxinant, bogor dusmankai fuddem vortat ani bhôgsunche bôdlek zôgddim-zuzam manddttat, eka-meka lagim surieanim zogoddttat ani khun pasun kôrunk pavtat.

Xikop borem ani faideachem. Punn ami tacho faido kaddun eka-mekak somzoche bôdlek eka-mekacheo iskuttavn chuki sôdun kaddttanv ani sem-karann dusmankai kôrun ghetanv. Ghova-baile modem kôslii chuk ghoddlear tannim eka-mekak somzon bhôgsunk zai. Punn oxem ami korinanv, karann ami absuarti ani hakach lagon aiz-kal kitlea ghôv-bailamnim divorce divn sabar ghorabe konsllon poddleat!

Bhurgim avoi-bapaik somzonant ani man dinant. Vhôddilamnim kiteim riti-dêkik sanglear bhurgeank fur’ kôrun rag ieta. Ragaache bharan bhoron ghor sanddun thodde pois vetat ani avoi-bapaicho sômbôndh tôddttat. Aiz-kal ami sangata vell sarinanv dekunuch sômzikai unnim zait gelea ani ‘bhogsonnem’ utor sanddlam.

Zonn eklo ami utranche vô kôrneanche bôlli zavn geleanv. Zait ghôddiek tujea avoi-bapuin riti-deki vixim tik’ka marlea vô zait ghôddiek tujea pattlavdaran tuzo kontrad chôrun vela vô zait ghôddiek tujea ixttan tujea môgiea sangata môuz marun tuka ghat kela. Osle ghave amchea jivitan sareporim togta tosle dag zavnk xeoktat; kôddsanin vingans pasun ghevnk pavtat. Oslea vellar zôrui tum bhogsonnem vaprinaim zalear tunvuch luskonnan poddonk xeokta.

Bhogsonnem mhunnchem kitem? Bhogsonnem mhunnchem tuzo rag ani vingasan bhôrlelim ragachim chintnam pois kôrun tujea ontoskornank xanti divop. Tuka konneim dukhoila zalear tacho rag ani kôddsan tujea jivitan sasnnank urta. Zôrui tum taka bhôgxinam zalear tujem jivit bhôv kôttin zavnk pavta. Punn zôrui tum bhogsonneank veng marxi, tuje môntintlo rag ani vingans bhair uddôvn xantikaiek, bhorvanxeak ani khuxealkaiek veng marunk zata. Thoddeach utramnim, bhogsonnem tujem jivit sudraita, tujea dusmana thaim sômzikaiechim bhavnnam utpôn kôrta ani tuka khuxeal dôvôrta. Bhogsonnem ek ôthmik vokot!

Peleak bhôgxilear tacho adav mellta? Hoi. Peleak bhôgxilear amchem dusmanponn nôpoit zavn kaklutik, doiallponnank ani somadanank vatt melltta. Bhogsonnean, pelea sovem amchi soirigôt vaddtta, otmeanchem xaxtr sudorta, amche uske unnem zavn zoddai koddsorta. Ragan ani dusmankaiean, amchea rogtacho toddako vô blood pressure vaddtta to nemancho vô normal zata; amchea upodreanchim khunnam unnim zavn viddi voddop ani soro pivopui unnem zata.

Kristanvank kumsaracho sakrament ghôddun dovorla zache vôrvim amkam patkanchem bhogsonnem mellta. Punn ami pôrtun tem/tim patok/patkam adarunk favona; tednanch ki amkam bhogsonnem mellonk xeokta.

Jezuchea sangata dogam chorank khursar marlelet. Uzveak aslelea choran Jezu lagim maglem: “Saiba, sorgar pavtôch mhôzoi ugddas kôr”. Jezun taka tednanch bhôgxilo ani sanglem: “Mhôjea Bapa bôrôbor uzveak tunvuim boson astôloi.”

Bhogsonnem kitlem gôrjechem tem dakôll kôrunk Jezu oxem sangta: “Zôrui tum Misachem bôlidan bhettoita ani tuka ugddas ieta tujea peleak tuvem vaitt kelam vô tache lagim uloinam tacho, tujem bôlidan thuinch sôdd ani vochon poilo tujea peleak bhôgos; tednanch ki tujem bôlidan Devak mandtelem”.

Sôrgest Pap Saib John Paul II hannem apnnacher sabar bôndukache far marun zôkmi kelelea Mehmet Ali Ağca-k, bondkhônnint vochon bhôgxilo. Ekdom vhôdd kôrni hi! Hakach lagon to Pap Saib jivo astannach lôk taka ‘jivo sant’ mhunn pachartalet. Aiz-kalchea sonvsarant oxem ami kôrtanv kai? Jezun amkam xikoilam: “eka polear marlear dusroi polo di”. Punn oxem kôrche bôdlek ami peleachi akkich kudd khun kôrun marun uddoitanv!

Bhogsonnem ek bolladik hatiar zatun amchea ontoskornank xantikai mellonk xeokta. Zaite pavtt ami amchea kallzant dusmankai ani niddukai utpôn kôrtanv eka pelea sovem zannem amkam okman keleat vô dukoileat. Osle okman ani nôixtt amchea jivitant ekuch pavtt ghoddttat punn ami tancho bogor-bogor ugddas kôrun tankam amchea bhitôr posit ravtanv zaka lagon amchi nid pirdear zata, amchea bhanddeak kivonn vô ulcer poddtta, adi.

Peleachi munsubi kôrunk amkam ôdhikar nam; ho ôdhikar fokot rôchnnar Devak asa; Devacher thir bhavart dôvor; Toch, amkam dukoiteleachi munsubi kôrtolo. Dekun tum tujea peleak bhôgos, adarlelim kortubam visor ani mogan jie. Peleak dilear ani bhôgxilear amcho môg vaddttolo. Sodankal Misak gelear, ghorant ters rozar kelear ani “Sômia, Sômia” mhuttlear munis sorgar pavonam. Ami amchea peleak bhôgsunk zai; tednanch ki amkam sôrg favo zatolo.

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ENGLISH VERSION

FORGIVENESS

Jesus gave us the prayer “Our Father”, which we recite daily. Some of the words of the second part of the prayer are:

“…and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us…”

Anyone who is not ready to forgive his neighbor, every time s/he says the prayer, knowingly offends the Heavenly Father

These days, money has become the prime cause of pride. We are full of stubbornness because of which we despise our neighbour, which ultimately results into enmity. Instead of being humble, we fume with anger and unnecessarily defame our neighbour. Due to such behaviour, relatives and neighbours stop to communicate with each other. They get angry, lose their temper at the slightest fault and refuse to forgive each other; instead of forgiving they pick up fights and even commit murders.

Education is good and useful. But instead of benefitting from it and understanding each other better, we scrutinize issues, find faults and simply create enmity. When a mistake occurs between husband and wife, they must understand and forgive each other. But we are not ready to do it, because we are selfish. This is why we have several divorce cases, which have wrecked families and homes.

Children neither respect nor understand their parents. When elders try to advise children, they immediately lose their cool. In the heat of anger, some leave their homes and terminate relationships with their parents. Nowadays, we don’t spend much time together. This is exactly why there is no understanding and the word ‘forgiveness’ has lost its meaning.

Nearly everyone feels hurt by the actions or words of others. Perhaps your parents criticized your parenting skills, your colleague sabotaged a project or your partner had an affair. These wounds can leave you with lasting feelings of anger, bitterness or even vengeance – but if you don’t practice forgiveness, you might be the one to pay dearly.

What is forgiveness? Generally, forgiveness is a decision to let go of resentment and thoughts of revenge, which brings about peace to your conscience. The act that hurt or offended you might always remain a part of your life, but forgiveness can lessen its grip on you and help you focus on other, positive parts of your life. Forgiveness can even lead to feelings of empathy for the one who hurt you. In short, forgiveness betters your life and brings tranquility which helps you go on with it. Forgiveness is the spiritual medicine to the soul.

Do we benefit if we forgive our neighbour? Yes. Letting go of grudges and bitterness can make way for compassion, kindness and peace. Forgiveness can lead to a healthier relationship, greater spiritual and psychological well-being, less anxiety, stress and hostility, lower blood pressure, fewer symptoms of depression, lower risk of alcohol and substance abuse.

For Christians, there is the Sacrament of Confession through which sins are absolved. As Catholics, we must know that forgiveness comes after the sin has been confessed and one is determined not to commit the sin again.

Along with Jesus two notorious thieves were also crucified. The one on the right said to Jesus, “Lord, when in heaven, please remember me.” Jesus forgave him instantly and said, “You, too, shall be seated to the right of my Father.”

In order to tell us how important forgiveness is, Jesus says: “If you are offering a Mass, and if you remember that you have hurt your neighbour or if you are not in talking terms with him, leave the service, go to your neighbour and forgive him; only then will your offering be acceptable to God.”

Mehmet Ali Ağca shot the late Pope Paul II several times and injured him severely. Instead of favouring punishment to Mehmet, the Pope went to his prison cell and forgave him. What a great act! This is why people addressed him as ‘a living saint’ while he was still alive. Do we follow his example? Jesus has taught us (Luke 6:29), “If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also.” Instead of doing that we get rid of the whole body by murdering that person!

Forgiveness is the most powerful aid to peace of mind. We often develop ill-feelings inside our heart for the person who insults us or harms us. We nurture grievances. This in turn results in loss of sleep, development of stomach ulcers, and high blood pressure. This insult or injury was done once, but nourishing of grievance goes on forever by constantly remembering it.

We have no right to judge others; only God the Creator has that right. Trust in God and He will do justice unto the one who hurt you. Just forget your neighbour’s bad deeds and live in peace and harmony. If you give (love) and forgive your neighbour, love will blossom. Going to Church every day and offering Mass does not ensure us heaven nor by saying the rosary in the house daily nor by beating our chest and calling out loudly “Lord, Lord!” We have to forgive our neighbour; only then we shall be able to win the Kingdom of Heaven!

Moi-mogan,

Domnic Fernandes

Gaumvaddi, Anjuna, Goa 

 

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Dear Gaspar,

I would appreciate it if you could kindly post the following article on your sites. Thanks in advance. God bless.

Warm regards,

Domnic

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Mob: 9420979201/8805237604