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From Yours Truly - The Editor
Bahrain Goans NewsLine
Readers Write
Taking You to Goa
Did you Know ?
Religious Corner
Just Kidding - Konkani
Azo & Bozo - Konkani
Konkani Kovita
Footprints of Goans
Xit-Koddi Special
Sports Zone
Looking Back And Forward
Thanks to your patronage, and at times, a word of encouragement, I have been inspired to continue with this e-newsletter Xit-Koddi.
Over the past five years, Xit-Koddi has associated itself with several Goan activities on the island of Bahrain. Among our foremost association has been with CRAB Entertainment, in honoring leading personalities of the Goan community in Bahrain. We also played a role in screening in Bahrain, two of the best Konkani movies - ‘Nachom-ia Kumpasar’ and ‘Home Sweet Home’. And recently. we supported the special issue on Goans in Bahrain, brought out by the reputed Konkani magazine ‘Gulab’. Besides, it has been a pleasure to cover a large number of Goan events on the island and spread news of them to our community worldwide.
When I look back over the years, it gives me much personal satisfaction that I have been able to make use of my scarce free time for Xit-Koddi and connect the Bahrain Goans community. We march ahead in this New Year with the same goals and endeavors in mind, and look forward to your continued patronage.
A very happy New Year to you all.
Yours truly
= GR Crasto
(Fausto V.Da Costa-anchea adharan)
Niyallunk - Kovnam:
Rogta-masachi jib ti
Na tika ekui hadd
Khottim utram ucharun
Peleachem ghor-dar, ghalinakai padd.
(Daniel F. de Souza, Vasku - Goy)
Bozo: Ajea, Hero ISL final match fixing korun, Chennayin-ak jikoile mhunntat ti khobor khori ?
Azo: Are Bojea, match fixing korpachi khobor sodd, punn hea football finala udhexim, India-ache kaideamcher mat boro uzvadd podlo.
Bozo: Ajea, Kosle kaidea-ancher uzvadd podlo mhunnta, tum ?
Azo: Are Bojea, aikonk nam tuvem, Chennayin-acho captain Elanok Goemche pulisen koidi kelo mhunn ?
Bozo: Punn Ajea, taka dhorpachoch. Tumim jikle, tumim khuxealkai manoiet. Taka gorojuch nasli, Goemche ttimi samkar yeun khellgodeank anik ttimichea odhikareank vaitt utranim ulounk.
Azo: Are Bojea, hich complain tuvem vo anvem pulisek keli zalear, tuka dista amche pulis taka dhorpache mhunn ? Hoch to uzvadd, girestanim complain kelear rockdech kaide lagu zata ani tujea-mhojea sarkea goribanim complain kelear, amche kaideank rockdoch burak podta.
Bozo: Oi mure Ajea, hem mat anvem chintunkuch nam. FC Goa harle mhunn anv bejeasanvan kop marit boslom. Atam kitem korpachem Ajea ?
Azo: Atam kaim korpachem nam. Amche Indiache kaide oxech cholot ravtole. Chol tuvuim kop marit bos. Goa FC-in nimnea 3 mintanim don gol ghetle mhunn makai pikasanv zalam. Anvuim ek cajel petoitam aiz. Amkam sogleank Dev borem voros dium !
= Bap'pa Bahreinkar
Portuguese Citizenship: According to reports appearing in the media, the Union Ministry for Law and Justice, in its opinion to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), has said that mere registration of birth by a Goan in Portugal does not amount to acquiring Portuguese citizenship. Further, it recommended that MHA should obtain an affidavit from Goans who have registered their birth in Portugal, that they wish to continue to retain their Indian citizenship and do not intend to renounce it. The Law Ministry has also made it clear that Goans who hold Portuguese passports will not be considered Indian citizens. The Union Home Ministry earlier this month, held a high-level meeting in Delhi to discuss Goa's dual citizenship issue. The meeting also discussed how children have registered their parents’ births in Portugal without their parents’ knowledge to get him/her a Portuguese passport. Earlier, the Union Law Ministry had advised the MHA that the country's Citizenship Act be amended to grant one-time amnesty to those Goans who have registered their births in Portugal. This was not accepted by the MHA. Government statistics show that around 40,000 Goans have registered their births in Portugal, but do not have a Portuguese passport or a 'bilhete de identidade'.
Project under ‘Mhozo Gaum - Mhojem Goem’: A pilot project for acting upon the recently approved ‘Mhozo Gaum – Mhojem Goem’ scheme, the NRI Commission will take up a healthcare centre project at Colva funded by the Colva United
Centre in Kuwait. Giving details of the Colva project, NRI Affairs director Ulhas Kamat recalled that in 2012 Alexander Menino Fernandes hailing from Colva and living in Kuwait, along with Colva United Centre in Kuwait, had approached the commission for a healthcare centre project at Colva with a contribution of around Rs 35 lakhs. “The commission will take forward the project as the first project under this new scheme,” Mr. Kamat said. Under the ‘Mhozo Gaum – Mhojem Goem’ scheme, NRGs will be able to contribute to the development of their villages and native places through government agencies. NRI Affairs Commissioner, Dr Wilfred Mesquita, said the department expects contributions from expatriates living in the Persian Gulf and other countries for Goa’s development. “This will also develop a sense of belongingness towards the project for the person donating,” said Dr. Mesquita
Lhan bhurgo: Maim, maka niduch podonam. Ek kanni sang nhuim ?
Maim: Baba, ratchim bara zalim, tujo pai azun ghara eunk nam anik makai nid podonam. Atam to ghara etoch anv taka itlo uxir kiteak zalo kaim mhunn vinchar kortelim. Magir, to kitleo kanniom sangta teo tum aik.
Feast of Saint Francis Xavier: The feast of St. Francis Xavier “Goencho Saib” was celebrated on December 3 with great fervor and devotion at the Sacred Heart Church, Manama, Bahrain. Fr. Nicolau Rodrigues was flown in from Goa to preach during the nine-day novenas and was also the main celebrant at the concelebrated feast Mass. Bishop Camilo Ballin, the Vicar Apostolic of Arabia, was present during the feast Mass. His Lordship honored the Presidents and family sponsors of the feast by presenting them with blessed candles
Sebastian D’Souza (Bahrain): Kudos to Young Goans Club for launching the youth leadership program. I am sure our children will benefit from this program, and parents must encourage their children to avail of this wonderful opportunity. I would also like to suggest that a program like this should also be conducted in Konkani, to inculcate in our youth a love for our mother tongue.
at the beginning of the Mass. The Konkani Choir led by Menino Fernandes created a resemblance to festivities in churches in Goa with their impressive hymns. The feast Mass was attended by a crowd of over 1000 devotees, and snacks were served to all at the end of service. The Konkani Community of Sacred Heart Church, under the guidance of Spiritual Director, Fr. Gaspar Fernandes, organised the nine-day novena and the feast.
YGC Celebrations: St. Francis Xavier is the patron saint of Young Goans Club, and the Club marks its annual day, coinciding with the feast of the saint. This year the club had a social gathering for its members and guests to mark this event at the Ramada Palace Hotel, in Gudaibiya on December 3. Bishop Camilo Ballin, the Vicar Apostolic of Arabia was the chief guest of the evening, whereas the parish priest Fr. Freddy D’Souza and the visiting priest from Goa, Fr. Nicolau Rodrigues, were the guests of honor. The Club also had its
Many Goans settled overseas and tourists visit Goa during this festive season. For all those interested in exploring Goa, we bring a link for a short film to know more about Goa, a paradise of sea, sand and magnificent mountains. Experience the unique Goan culture, heritage richness and the diverse flora and fauna that makes it a perfect holiday destination.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLYt4VdUQVA
OBITUARY
annual Christmas tree party for children on December 11 at the club premises in Manama. Around 40 children were entertained with games, music and snacks. “Jingle Bells” welcomed Santa Claus who distributed gifts to the children. The YGC has now announced a New Year’s Ball at the Ramada Palace Hotel in Gudaibiya on December 31 from 8.30 p.m onwards. More details can be had by contacting YGC Committee members on 33778199, 39123820 or 39150529.
Adeus Bahrain: Rose and Claude Fernandes, familiar faces among the Goan community of Bahrain returned to ‘Amchem Goem’ having worked on this friendly island for over 25 years. Rose was in Bahrain since 1988, while Claude came to Bahrain in the year 1990. Rose started her employment with Computer World and later joined Cebarco, and for the last two years was with Aqua Cool. Claude worked with Mohammed Jalal & Sons during his entire stay in Bahrain. Claude, who loved to socialize and help in charitable works was a member of the Ecumenical Conference of Charity from 1997 to 2015. He was also on the committee of the Migrants Workers Society since the year 2000. In recent times Claude was actively involved in organizing cultural and social activities under ‘Crab Entertainment’. Xit-Koddi wishes Rose and Claude a happy and pleasant future.
Elvis Rodrigues, a former resident of Bahrain died in Sirlim, Goa on December 7. He was an employee of Al Aswad Trading Est and left Bahrain around 2010. He was a great footballer and represented GOA Juniors Team in the 1980's.
Our condolences to his family and may his soul rest in peace.
Tell us of Goan events in Bahrain.
Tell us of achievements of Goans in Bahrain.
We love to feature them in
Xit - Koddi
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Any other write-up suitable for our columns is most welcome.
Also forward this newsletter to all your contacts of Goan community members of Bahrain with a copy to
III - Libia Lobo
By Shanti Karuna
Libia Lobo: December 19, 2015, marked the 54th anniversary of Goa’s liberation. After four and a half centuries of Portuguese colonial rule, Goa emerged a free and independent territory, and later decided to opt for full Statehood among the 29 States of the Indian Union.
Over time, people have forgotten those who made sacrifices for Goa’s liberation. Many have passed away; others are not known even though still alive. Among the latter is Libia Lobo, some 95 years old now, who set up and ran an underground radio service on the Indian side of the border with Goa. The radio was established in 1955 and broadcast in Konkani, English and Portuguese. It played a major role in letting people in Goa know of the progress of the freedom struggle and the support it was receiving in the world. At that time, Goa was insulated from the rest of the world in terms of news and views, and people of the colony only had access to what the Portuguese felt should be made available to them.
Libia Lobo and Vaman Sardesai – the latter an employee of All Inida Radio - were able to obtain two radio transmitters from Dadra and Nagar Haveli, two Portuguese enclaves which had been liberated in 1954. To avoid detection, the radio service operated from a jungle area which involved considerable hardship. The Portuguese tried to jam the broadcasts, but frequent changes in its frequency enabled the service to continue, unhindered, and people in Goa were kept informed of the progress of the freedom struggle and the support it was getting. When Goa was liberated, the news was broadcast by this clandestine service run by Lidia Lobo and Vaman Sardesai. Since then the latter has passed away and Lidia lives in Panaji.
It would be of great historical value if Lidia could be persuaded to record her experiences of those days, providing for future generations, valuable source material regarding a crucial period in Goa’s history.
Sacred Heart Church
Annual Family Day
With Games, Food Stalls
And Variety of Entertainment
On Friday, February 5, 2016
At The Church Compound, Manama
From 8 A.M Onwards.
Mother Teresa, who dedicated her life to helping India's poor, will be made a saint in the Roman Catholic Church. She will likely be canonized in September to coincide with the 19th anniversary of her death and Pope Francis' Holy Year of Mercy, according to an Italian Catholic newspaper report.
Pope Francis
And
His Inspirational Quotes
..................that the Goa state government has initiated the process to formulate Feni policy, which will declare Goan traditional cashew and coconut Feni as state heritage drink ?
Francis Correia is an eminent member of the Goan community in Bahrain. He is not only
popular with Goans in Bahrain but also among Goans in the Gulf. Hailing from Cansaulim, he arrived in Bahrain in the year 1974. With a Masters in Marketing, Francis is employed as a Property Manager with a well-established Bahraini company. He has been elected to the Executive Committee of the Young Goans Club (YGC) for several terms over the years. In the last 9 years no members of YGC were interested in running the club or concerned about the future of YGC and Francis Correia shouldered the responsibility as president until 2014. He is always at the forefront in organizing social, cultural, religious and sporting events of Goans in Bahrain and always willing to to lend a helping hand to those in need and to assist those in difficulty. Not only Goans but also several other expatriate clubs and groups have felicitated him for his work. Our editor interviewed him for the Konkani magazine ‘GULAB’ for its issue on Bahrain Goans. We are glad to provide the English version of the same interview to our readers of ‘XIT-KODDI’. How and when did you get into social and community service?
I had the privilege to join the YGC Committee in the year 1977. This gave me the opportunity to socialize with other Goans on the island and to learn of their needs.
Your social work has been recognized not only by Goans but by a large number of Indians too. What inspires you to undertake this social work?
I believe that God has bestowed on each one of us a unique gift in this world - a purpose to say the least. A natural instinct is what makes me reach out to others. The end result is what motivates me each time - a smile, laugh, hug or even a sense of peace from others that they receive through my efforts. My vision is to help every Goan feel they are at home and make their life happier in Bahrain.
You help a lot of domestic workers resolving their difficulties. What are the standard problems faced by domestic labour and how do you resolve them?
They face torture and harassment, not being paid proper wages, work for long hours, often without a day off, and in some cases, even sexual harassment. In many cases the concerned persons simply want to leave the country and go back home. Sometimes the domestic labourers are not aware of how and where to report their cases. Their problems are resolved through legal advice and by proper approach to the right authorities.
Did you ever face any threat from anyone (like employers) for helping or intervening to solve problems of domestic workers?
No. Through my work and efforts I have learnt how willing other people in authority are when you ask them for a helping hand for humanity.
I have heard many times, people saying 'Francis nhuim jiveank, punn mel'leank legun pauta'. That refers to your assistance in repatriating human remains of Indians meeting unfortunate deaths (God forbid) in Bahrain. What have you to say on this?
I take great pride in providing this service with courage and dignity. A few are given this grace to care for the unfortunate dead bodies and repatriation to their beloved ones and I am pleased to be of assistance in such cases.
You have been a part of the YGC for several years. The Club organizes several social and cultural gatherings to entertain Goans. Don’t you feel that the club should also have a cell to assist our Goans on the island in times difficulty?
The Club is meant to be a meeting point. We have often tried to conduct a survey of Goans, and made many attempts at this. Unfortunately many Goans stay away, and only in times of emergency do they approach the club and me in particular. Nonetheless, I would suggest we try to implement this again as it can only be good for our community.
In the past, almost every month Goans celebrated something or the the other in Bahrain. Presently the activity is on the decline. What are the reasons for this fall in Goan events?
Yes, we have enjoyed many events in the past. That is not to say the activities of Goans have declined; in fact there are now a variety of activities in the Kingdom in compared to what there was many years ago. We try our best to keep the Goan spirit alive and applaud all who participate, as those living away from our Goa must strive to keep our roots alive, irrespective of daily activities.
Along with that our culture, identity and language have also taken a beating on the island. You yourselves were in the forefront of several activities depicting our culture and language (like tiatrs and musical shows). This is almost dead now - why?
We have declining numbers of the older generation, and the younger generation that live overseas have no experience of Goan culture and lack the taste for the typical tiatr and similar musical shows, and that is one reason for a reduction in Konkani programs on the island now.
What have you to say about our younger generation in relation to Goan activities on the island?
We should be role models for the younger generation, encouraging them to participate in our shows and give them lead roles under supervision. This will motivate them to embrace their culture as they are the face of tomorrow’s Goa. I, myself love to involve the youth in organizing dances and Konkani cultural events.
Are you satisfied with the support that you get from Goans here for various activities that you undertake for the Goan community?
Yes, I am satisfied, but it would be better if more came forward to participate in Goan cultural activities and with ideas to improve our programs mainly to showcase Goa and Goan traditions.
What is that one thing, either good or bad, that is unforgettable in your life in Bahrain?
Personally when I undertake my work, be it social or obligatory, I do it with all my heart and with the endless support of my family. Recognition of my work is not my target. However in the year 2008 the Government of Goa awarded me the Leadership Award for community service. It was a joyous moment for me and my family, and one I will cherish forever. I would also like to mention the award I received in recognition of my involvement with the Bahrain Government social activities namely from Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and the Prime Minister's office.
And finally for Gulab readers and Goans in Bahrain in particular, what message would you like to give?
For all Goans and Gulab readers I would suggest they come forward and display their talent to bring out Goan culture and heritage in order to showcase Goa as a land of beauty and Goans as fun-loving, peaceful people. Through our beautiful culture, let us also love our mother tongue – Konkani.
Salcette United in Gulf Goans Football: Salcette United FC (Bahrain) participated in the Gulf Goans 7-A-Side football tournament played at Duler Stadium, Mapusa Goa on December 22. This was their first participation in a tournament outside Bahrain. A total of eight elite Goan clubs based in the Middle East played along with seven Goa's finest clubs in the day long tournament organised by FC Bardez (Dubai). Salcette United FC Bahrain managed only 10 points from the league matches and failed to qualify for the knock-out stage of the competition. Navelim Villagers (Goa) won the tournament defeating Vanxim Divar (Dubai) 2 - 1 in the finals. The other Gulf teams that participated in the tournament were Candolim FC, Future Stars Varca, Morjim SC, FC Bardez (all from Dubai), Goan Overseas Association and Don Bosco Oratory from Kuwait.
Bahrain Goans Traditional Soccer: Bahrain Goans concluded their football calendar year with the annual traditional match between North and South Goa. The match was played at Al Nojoom ground in Gudaibiya on December 8. The score was leveled 6 - 6 at the end of 70 minutes of regulation time and tie-breaker was applied to break the deadlock. North Goa emerged 5 - 4 winners in the penalty shootout. North Goa captain Hilary Sanches is seen in the picture receiving the winners trophy from the Bahrain Goans chief coordinator Vincent D'Costa.
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Produced and Presented by G.R Crasto
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