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Konkani Proverb: Melea bogor sorg disonam.(Cant see the heaven unless you die.)
From Yours Truly-The Editor
Bahrain Goans NewsLine
Readers Write
Little Stars of Goa in Bahrain
Religious Corner
Just Kidding - Konkani
Azo & Bozo - Konkani
Footprints of Goans inBahrain
Once Upon a Time in Bahrain
Sports Zone
Xit-Koddi Across Oceans.
Perhaps, it was the coverage of our little stars in the last issue of Xit-Koddi that brought us several compliments from our readers. It gladdens our hearts to know that we touch so many of you with this e-newsletter. Many of the Bahrain Goans community members also came forward with inputs for our future issues. There are others who have sent us e-mail ids to add to our mailing list. Most heartening is the link, that we have made with several past residents, now based in Goa and abroad. With the enthusiasm gained from this support, we hope to continue to extend this humble service to past and present Bahrain Goans in the years to come.
As always tumchea mogan !!
= GR Crasto
Satvechi Class choltali. Tticher: Hi oll Inglezint boroyat - Tannem kam' kelem ani to korit ravlo. Bostu: Hanv boroum tticher ? Tticher: Yo, borddar boroy. Bostu borddacher vochun borounk laglo - He done his work and done dana dan done dana dan....... (Vincy Quadros, Goa- anchea adharan)
OCI & PIO Card Schemes: Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) & Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) card are two schemes which provide extended benefits to eligible Foreign Nationals and PIOs. All foreign nationals who fit into the definition of PIO, are eligible for applying for PIO card / OCI, subject to certain conditions. The benefits of acquiring PIO Card are:
(i) Shall not require a separate visa to visit India.
(ii) Will be exempt from the requirements of registration if his/her stay on any single visit in India does not exceed 180 days.
(iii) In the event of continuous stay in India exceeding 180 days, he/she shall have to get himself/herself registered within 30 days of the expiry of 180 days with the concerned FRRO/FRO.
(iv) Parity with NRIs in respect of all facilities available to the later in the economic, financial and educational fields except in matters relating to the acquisition of agricultural/ plantation properties. No parity shall be allowed in the sphere of political rights. (Source- Swadesh - e-newsletter of SBI)
Michael (Mickey) Fernandes (Canada): I am glad to read Xit-Koddi and get news on Bahrain Goans. We miss our good days in Bahrain. By the way Elias Fernandes was not the 1st President of Young Goans Sports Club as reported in your issue of June 2013. The 1st President was Ossie Fernandes. Keep up the good work, I will be looking forward to read all the good things about Bahrain Goans. (Editor - We very much regret the error in reporting Elias Fernandes as the 1st President of YGSC, and thank Michael Fernandes for this clarification.)
Lona D'Souza (Bahrain): The CBSE students highlighted in this unique e-newsletter of Bahrain Goans will be really encouraged with your acknowledgment for them. Keep up the good work.
Gasper Almeida (Kuwait): I wish to take this opportunity to express my great pleasure and appreciation for your initiative to focus on the students in the Xit-Koddi issue of June. This little token of appreciation will surely be cherished by the students and their parents.
Bozo: Ajea, amcho CM Manohar U turn marta mhunn aikolam tuvem ?
Azo: Are Bojea, U turn mhunnche, kitem ? CM atam apli ghaddi cholounk laglo kitem ?
Bozo: Toxem nhuim re Ajea, adim amcho CM sango Mandovi nodint Casino botti asat teo apunn kaddun udoitolo mhunn. Atam sangta, sorkar chollounk tanchi goroj mhunn.
Azo:Are Bojea, Sorkar choloumche kodelir bostoch, sorkari tizorint toxoch aplea bolsant poixo khuimchean etolo tem borem disti podta. Bojea, noko tum amchea adleanchi opar ?
Bozo: Khuimchi opar re, Ajea ?
Azo: Melea bogor sorg polleunk mellonam mhunntat ti, Bojea. Oppostion-ant ravon bovall korunk chodd sompem. Atam Parrikar Bab kodelir bosla, tache anikui U turn polleunk toiear rav.
=Bap'pa Bahreinkar
Daphne Angelina D'Mello:
'My aim and vision is to make my career in Pediatric Nursing', said our little Goan Star of this month - Daphne Angelina D'Mello.
Daphne is doing her studies towards this goal at Unit Western Sydney College in Australia. Xit-Koddi caught up with her during her recent holiday visit to Bahrain. She graduated through the Sacred Heart School (SHS) in 2009 securing A grade in Biology and English. The Bachelor of Pediatric Nursing degree, that she is pursuing now will give her the qualifications to look after kids from infants to the age of 18 years. Daphne loves
to paint and she has received some accolades with her paintings having been published in the Gulf Daily News. ( a picture of her recent painting is seen here.) Her hobbies are watching movies, reading, painting and taking long walks to keep her fit and slim.
Daphne is the daughter of former SHS teacher Beulah and Damian D'Mello from Vanxim, Goa. Her elder sisters Beliana and Delcie, also graduates of SHS are employed in Sydney as accountant and teacher respectively. Xit-Koddi wishes Daphne all success in her aim and vision.
Sacred Heart Church
Obligation Masses in Konkani.
Every Saturday at 6.30 p.m
Every Sunday at 4.15 p.m
OBITUARY
Young Goans Hockey Team Of The 1980s: We are indebted to James (Jim) Rodrigues for this picture of the hockey team of Young Goans (Sports) Club. He was a resident of Bahrain from 1972 until his
Joao Sebastiao S. Sequiera
Expired In Raia - Goa
On July 7, 2013.
Ex-Resident of Bahrain.
(Police Band- Bahrain)
May His Soul Rest In Peace
MATRIMONIALS
Parents in Bahrain of RC Goan Spinster 27/ 5"4, slim, wheatish, MCom, MBA, working in an Accounting firm, seeks alliance from well qualified RC Goan bachelor well settled with sober habits and good family background up-to the age of 32.
Reply with full details to silbellfern@hotmail.com
company transferred him to Atlanta, Georgia, USA in 1989. James vividly recollects being part of the most technically adroit YGSC hockey team of those years. It was a real honor, he said in his communication with Xit-Koddi to captain the hockey during the season of 1981-82. It was the year YGSC team was victorious in all the eight tournaments on the island. James is seated third from left in the team picture and he also obliged us with his recent picture for this write-up. James, who lives in US with his family now, also led the club as its president in the mid eighties. He conveys his best wishes and warmest regards to all his friends in Bahrain.
Keeping Roman Konkani In Your Homes for
31 Years Now
To subscribe For
gulab
in Bahrain
Contact Tel Nos:
39083239 OR 39263146
DVD's of the much acclaimed Konkani Drama
Are On Sale Now At The Church Compound or Contact Members of The Konkani Community
Or Calll: 36736383
Xit-Koddi Special:
Former Goan Resident of Bahrain – First Lady of Mali ?
By GR Crasto
The Goan Community of Bahrain has witnessed two of its former residents taking up high profile posts in the Goa Government administration in the recent past. Francisco Mickey Pacheco rose to the position of Tourism Minister of Goa and Agnelo Fernandes was a ruling Congress party member of the Goa Assembly. Both are former residents of Bahrain.
This time around, the Malian presidential election is possibly the closest we will ever get to chasing the dream of a former Goan resident of Bahrain becoming first lady of a nation. Marissa Coutinho who was born and brought up in Bahrain, is the wife of Malian Presidential candidate Niankoro Yeah Samake. Marissa did her initial schooling at the Sacred Heart School and completed higher secondary studies through the Indian School, Bahrain in the year 2000. She moved to US to pursue her studies in business management. Marissa met Niankoro Yeah Samake at Bringham Young University, Utah, USA where he was pursuing a Masters in public policy. They were married in 2004 and have two children, Keanen,7, and Carmen,5. Samake is now contesting the Presidential election of Mali, the largest West African country scheduled for July 28. He is among the 28 candidates and represents Party of Civic and Patriotic Action. Marissa's parents Margaret and Moses continue to live and work in Bahrain.
Samake, accompanied by his wife Marissa visited Bahrain in July of last year as special envoy of Prime Minister of Mali. Samake was then received at the airport by Sheikh Abdulla Bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa, a member of the Royal Family of Bahrain. He was presented with an award for his work in human rights by the Manama Center for Human Rights. While in Bahrain, Samake met with key Bahraini officials like Bahrain Foreign Ministry's Bilateral Relations Director Dr. Dhafer Al Umran and Khaled Abdulla Al Merbati at the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI) in an attempt to strengthen Mali's ties with Bahrain and also encourage increased Bahraini investments in Mali.
Marissa is now actively campaigning for her husband, in one of the poorest African countries faced with humanitarian and human rights challenges. 'I believe very strongly that as a human being, we all deserve the basic rights like education, affordable health care and the ability to make a living. It is my belief that my husband Samake, who is Malian, can bring these basic necessities to Mali, and give heart and hope to the rising generation', said Marissa to this writer from Bamako, the capital city of Mali.
By GR Crasto
John Rebello:It is with mixed feelings, We cover JOHN REBELLO in this month. John Rebello has been a pillar of support for Xit-Koddi with his contributions, specially for this column. He has chosen to say ‘ADEUS’ to Bahrain by month end. Xit-Koddi deems it fit and appropriate to dedicate this column to him of this issue. Rather than scribbling something of my own on this well known Goan personality, I opted to interview him. Here are the excerpts for our readers along with several pictures that throws light on his works in Bahrain. John, who has been very active with religious services at the Sacred Heart Church began his talk to us with a quote from the Bible:
“I will not be silent, I will sing praise to you, Lord you are my God, I will give you thanks forever” Psalm 30:12.
Crasto: John, now that you have decided to say ‘Adeus’ to Bahrain, can you tell us about your arrival to Bahrain.
John: Although I had visited Bahrain twice from Kuwait, it was July of 1991 when I set my foot on this beautiful island to seek employment and a year later my wife Hazel, and my three children Melroy, Melissa and Melinda joined me.
Crasto: John, it has been a pride for our community of Bahrain to have one of our Goans so closely associated with the church activites and achieve Papal Honor – “Pro Eclessia et Pontifice” from Blessed Pope John Paul II during the Jubilee Year 2000. Can you tell us how you got into the religious circle.
John: Being a member of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in Kuwait, I soon found myself involved in the Prayer Group of our parish here. I was asked to open a Library ministry and a year later was inducted in the core-group of the English Charismatic Prayer Group. In February 1995 at the invitation of the former Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Felicio Diniz, I started a Konkani Prayer Service on Sundays under the spiritual guidance of Rev. Fr. Oswin Fernandes. Under my leadership the first Life in Spirit Seminar was conducted in Konkani in 1997 and later followed in English when I had to lead the English Prayer Group from 1997 – 1999. In 1995 under the spiritual guidance of Rev. Fr. Lester Mendonca I headed alone the Lectors ministry. In 1997 I was entrusted the responsibility of editing the parish Family Bulletin – Outreach, through which I served the Lord faithfully until April of 2012, taking the issues to edit through e-newsletter.
Crasto: You are also a Eucharistic Minister, tell us of your experience with this service.
John: I am more humbled in serving the Lord through the Ministry of Extra-Ordinary Minister of Holy Communion for the last 18 years, whereby I am personally enriched by receiving Jesus and sharing HIM to others.
Crasto: Surely, there must have been a guiding force in all these religious activities. Whom do you attribute this to ?
John: My sincere thanks to our former parish priests Rev. Fr. Felicio Diniz, Rev. Fr. Thomas Quadros, and Rev. Fr. Dinesh Mendonca for their guidance and moulding me in faith.
Crasto: I know with so much involvement at church and work commitments, there is no much time for other activities but still I see you in social fields as well, tell me about your social involvement with our community.
John: In the social arena, I am grateful to the past and present President of Young Goans Club, where I was the member, my gratitude to Bahrain Goans, for inviting me to be the Chief Guest at their conclusion of the current tournament this season and for honoring me with a memento as a remembrance. My thanks to all my fellow Goans here in Bahrain for their constant support, love and trust in me.
Crasto: Xit-Koddi connects Goans of Bahrain worldwide. There are many who have done good work with the community here in Bahrain and are now settled in Goa. Perhaps, you could remain connected with Xit-Koddi, by contributing short articles them or by sending us news and information that is of importance to Bahrain Goans.
John: I am indebted to you for giving me the opportunity to be a part of Xit-Koddi, and I don’t want to part from it. Surely, I will try to get in touch with former Bahrain Goans, who are now settled in Goa and possibly make some write-up with their feedback. Besides as you mentioned, shall also provide Xit-Koddi with updates as to the happenings in Goa of interest to overseas Goans.
Crasto: As you bid ‘GoodBye’to Bahrain, Xit-Koddi joins our readers and wish you and your wife Hazel a pleasant, happy and healthy stay in our Amchem Goem. What would you like to say as a parting message to our Goans here.
John: As my wife and I return back to Goa with fond memories of Bahrain, my final message to all Goans is to keep the same spirit of love and joy amongst all, and keep the flag of Goa flying higher and higher in this Kingdom of Bahrain. And when in Goa we welcome you to our home for a simple – Xit Koddi, with fish and Sorpotel, if you drop in at lunch time or for a cup of tea with Bebinca and Bolinas if its evening.
Through the intercession of our patron, Saint Francis Xavier, “May the love of the Lord be upon you all” is our parting blessings to you and your families.
Pictures in this article, from top:
1. John Rebello with his beloved family. His wife Hazel, daughters Melissa & Melinda, son Melroy, daughter-in-law Seema and grand-daughter Starlett.
2. John and his wife Hazel with Archbishop Guissepe de Andrea and Bishops Bernard and Paul Hinder.
3. Fr. Freddy D'Souza and Fr. Orfin Menezes presenting memento to John Rebello on behalf of the Konkani Community of Sacred Heart Church.
4. Veneration of the relic on the Feast of St. Francis Xavier at SHC.
5. Presenting spiritual bouquet to Fr. Felicio Diniz during the year of the priests.
6. John leading a prayer at Young Goans Club on the annual feast of St. Francis Xavier - patron of the club.
7. Young John Rebello (2nd from left), - Top ten agents of Luftansa in Bahrain, accomplishment at work.
Godwin Pinto: Bahrain Goans continues to honor the prominent footballers of our community on the island. The latest is Godwin Pinto, a astute goalkeeper who has played for several clubs in Bahrain.
Godwin arrived in Bahrain in the year 1992 and soon found a place in the expatriate football league with British Club, the team that consisted mostly of European players. His smartness in goal keeping was soon noticed by Basma, and he found himself very comfortable with this team with several Goans in the side. And it wasn't long that he was picked up by the Young Goans Club, where he rose to fame. After the defunct of the expatriate league, Godwin has continued goal keeping for several football teams. Goa Flamingoes, Panjim Footballers, Navelim and Tivim are some of the teams he has played for, over the years. He was the first choice goalkeeper with the Bahrain Goans team that participated in the Goan Welfare Association football tournament in Doha in 2008. Godwin is also a respected match official and continues to officiate in several league and tournament matches. Godwin is seen in the picture receiving a memento of Bahrain Goans from Succorine Fernandes at one of the recent matches, in the presence of Bahrain Goans Cordinator Vincent D'Costa.
Godwin hailing from Aldona, a former student of Monte-de-Guirim has several achievements to his credits on the football scene of Goa. He was a member of the under 16, Goa State team that won the national championship in 1987. He has attended coaching camps of India Juniors in the year 1987 and 1988.
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Produced and Presented by GR Crasto. Contributions from John Rebello & Bap’pa Bahreinkar
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