Xit-Koddi - Oct 2016

Another Happy Anniversary.

Xit-Koddi completes yet another year and that fills me with pride and satisfaction for having served our community in a little way for six years. All the little notes of appreciation that I get from readers, from time to time, is a great encouragement to me to use my free time towards this task of connecting past and present Goans of Bahrain.

On this sixth anniversary, I would like to sincerely thank all those who help me in publishing this e-newsletter. Blake D’Souza has provided the cover design over the years. John Rebello has been very supportive of Xit-Koddi during his tenure in Bahrain, and is now contributing from Goa. The Konkani section has received valuable assistance from Fausto V. Da Costa, Vincy Quadros and Daniel F. DSouza. Shanti Karuna, too has been instrumental in providing me with articles and moral support. And let me not forget my dear readers, for whom Xit-Koddi is prepared because you are there to savour and share it.

Once again my heartfelt gratitude to all.

Yours Truly

= GR Crasto

Restriction on Carrying Indian Currency Abroad: According to the latest directive by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), any NRI or foreigner leaving India cannot have any Indian currency on their person. But they could carry Rs. 10,000 in person into the airport till the duty-free shopping or departure lounges, but cannot have it in their possession at boarding. He or she would have to surrender the Indian currency into a foreign currency of their choice before boarding. This would be facilitated by kiosks near the immigration counters at international airports where the exchange of the rupee for foreign currency would be rendered before boarding their flight. It had been common among NRIs to carry Indian currency while departing, mainly for the convenience of not having to exchange Forex into rupee when they return. This rule has been lying dormant as part of Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). It is only now that the central bank is trying to enforce it.

Ex-Resident of Bahrain Bags Award In Canada: Radio Mango presented Francis D'Costa, a former resident of Bahrain with this year's award for his immense contribution in promoting Konkani language, traditions and culture in Canada. Francis from Saligao, Goa was actively involved in social and sporting activities of our community, while in Bahrain. He is still remembered for his great achievements in hockey on the island. Francis played for the Young Goans Club in his earlier years and later led his own team 'Wonderworld' to several championships in Bahrain. The award in Canada comes to him for his unstinting support for Konkani Tiatrs, community shows, soccer tournaments, field hockey, seniors social gatherings, religious events, picnics, club and village tournaments for carom and scrabble. Francis had earlier received the Volunteer of the Year award in the Scarborough riding, from Prime Minister Jen Chretien. The award was presented to him by Ontario Minister of Finance Charles Sousa, as Radio Mango celebrated its 4th anniversary of broadcasting Konkani program 'Amchi Bhas – Amchem Sangeeth' in North America. Xit-Koddi extends heartiest CONGRATULATIONS to Francis D'Costa.

Dominic D’Souza (Bahrain): The article on ex-residents of Bahrain is very good. Their message is a good advice to Goans still working in Bahrain. I am glad to know about success of Cajie Pereira in your last issue. Obituaries are a sad piece of news but good information. God bless the team of Xit-Koddi for giving us all the news.

Editor's note: We are receiving several letters without identification of senders. We will not publish anonymous letters.

In the picture is Dadsy Martins, a long-time resident of Bahrain. Many will know her, but who is the handsome young

lad next to her? Very few will identify him unless I introduce him to our community. He is not new to Bahrain though! Much water has flown under the Muharraq Bridge since I last saw Gladston Tavares in the year 2000. He was just 10, then. A few years after the death of his father Max Tavares, his mother Effie Tavares along with his younger brother Gavin left Bahrain for good. A turn of fate into good fortune took the family to the U.S. Gladston completed his graduation at Fordham University, New York, and went on to complete his flight operations studies through Aerosim Flight Academy at Florida. He started his career as a Flight Instructor, moving up as co-pilot with American Airlines from 2014 to 2016. It was DESTINY one may say, that got Gladston closer to the place where he was born, with an assignment with Fly Dubai as co-pilot. He is based in Dubai, now. He was on a short visit to Bahrain over the weekend. It was a sheer coincidence that Gladston happened to be in Bahrain for the YGC Bandra Fair. This is one event, among many other activities that his parents Effie and late Max used to be part of organizing teams in Bahrain. To my question about his memories of Bahrain, Gladstone was quick to recollect vivid memories of round-the-year festivities of all occasions at YGC. ‘YGC was the spot to Go’, if not daily at least once a week – he concluded his long chat with me.

Xit-Koddi wishes a plesanat and glorious future to this young dynamic lad, who has a great resemblance to his mother with warm and sociable approach.