Xit-Koddi - Jan-Feb 2018

Te Poder Mele - Te Undde Ghele

The comments by our members on Bahrain Goans facebook page on the subject of low turnout for the feast of St. Francis Xavier at Sacred Heart Church, this year were thought provoking. Though, we do not wish to go into a debate on the comments of our members, we are compelled to say that Bahrain Goans are missing the opportunity to gather under one identity, where in this case was the feast of our Patron Saint.

According to a few elders of our community and from the comments on our post, it is obvious that many Goans belonging to sense of ‘Goenkarponn’ have left the island for various reasons. ‘Te Poder Mele – Te Undde Ghele’ was the expression of a few, stating that the present generation of Goans is away from our culture and traditions. A sizable number of Goans continue to live and work in Bahrain.

It was good to see our members commenting honestly with an open mind on our post on facebook. Interestingly, a handful of Goans are drawn to this idea of projecting our identity unitedly. Inshallah - we look forward for more Goans of Bahrain to accelerate this understanding and come together in the months ahead.

Right now, its time to say ‘Happy New Year To You All’.

Yours Truly

= GR Crasto

YGC Celebrations : December of every year is a time of hustle and bustle at the Young Goans Club (YGC). This year

was no different. The club had triple celebration at the Pappillon Restaurant in Manama on December 8. Members and guests joined in to celebrate the annual day of the club coinciding with the feast of its patron – St. Francis Xavier. A Christmas Tree party during the same event brought joy and cheer to children with Santa Claus distributing Christmas gifts. New Year Ball on December 31 at the Swiss International Hotel marked the culmination of festive events of the club. DJ Lucio was in attendance for both the events, while entertainment secretary of YGC Angelo Lawrence compered the shows. The executive committee is seen in the picture cutting the annual day and feast cake on December 8.

Conversion Of PIO Cards To OCI Cards: The scheme allowing conversion of Person of Indian Origin (PIO) cards to Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards free of cost came to an end on December 31.  According to press reports, a home ministry official said that the government has decided not to give any more extension beyond the December 31 deadline, however, the conversion would continue beyond the date on payment of fees.

Releif For Goans In U.K.: Huge relief has come in for thousands of Goans in U.K., as the British prime minister Theresa May shook hands with the European Commission president Jean Claude-Junker, in agreement over most complicated  issue that was giving so many Goans nightmares and anxiety, the rights of residence of millions of EU citizens in the UK as well as their numerous British counterparts settled all over Europe.  Here the deal is unequivocal – everyone gets to stay exactly where they are, with their children and “partners in durable relationships” similarly guaranteed. But the window of opportunity to take advantage of this mutually agreed-upon free for all is closing inexorably. On the date that the UK finally severs ties with the EU’s customs union – which looks likely to be March 2019 – the right to remain will no longer be in effect.

“Khorim Natalam” Enthralls Crowd: The short skit ‘Khorim Natalam’ received a thunderous applause at the Christmas Fellowship of Konkani Community at Sacred Heart Church, Manama on December 8. The play directed by Pio Fernandes had a significant message on the meaning of Christmas. It portrayed how material things have taken over the real sense of Christmas in present times. The dialogue fluency and confidence displayed by the little participating stars was simply amazingly and gained great compliment from the audience. Freya Pereira, Cavan Pereira, Ashdon Fernandes, Baby Ashika Fernandes, Cherry Dias, Shawn Fernandes and Anamika Fernandes starred in the play. The skit was later presented at the Papillion Restaurant in Manama at the annual day celebrations of Young Goans Club.

NRI’s and Aadhaar Card: The Indian Consulate General in Dubai reiterated in a press release in December, that non-resident Indians (NRIs) don’t need to link Aadhaar, India’s biometric identity card, to their Permanent Account Number (PAN) issued by the Income Tax authorities. NRIs, although are citizens of India, will not be eligible for the Aadhaar card if they have not stayed there for over 182 days in the last 12 months. Upon completion of 182 days of their stay in India in the last 12 months immediately preceding the date of application for enrolment, NRIs can apply for Aadhaar Card, said the press release.

Catherine De Sa, wife of former president of Young Goans Club late Oscar De Sa passed away in Australia on December 14.We extend our deepest sympathies to her children Sabrina, Neville, Sunil, Ricky and son-in-law Richard Mathias and daughter-in-laws Hycinth, Claudia and Colleen and to all her family members. May her soul rest in peace.

Donald Arthur Dsilva (Goa): Congratulations!!! Xit-Koddi on your 7th Anniversary. All credits to Gabriel Crasto  and  his team for their dedication and sincere efforts in keeping this e-Newsletter of Bahrain Goans, with updates of Bahrain Goans spread around the world. This goes to show you could take the Goan out of Goa but you cannot take Goa out of a Goan. Viva La Xit-Koddi; Viva La Goa.