Xit-Koddi - Sep 2014

In A World Full Of Bad News.

It is disheartening to see that bad news gets most prominence. It’s on the front pages of newspapers; it’s the headline news on TV channels; and it’s all over the social media, and so on. And bad news ruins our mood. In a world full of bad news, we at Xit-Koddi decided to share some good news in this issue, with our Bahrain Goan community.

Firstly, we rejoice with the Goan community around the globe, at the news that Goa has finally its first Goan Saint, an illustrious son of the soil, Blessed Joseph Vaz, with the approval of his canonization by Pope Francis.

The second good news is for the Bahrain-based Goans in particular, in the announcement by Jet Airways of the operation of daily, direct flights from Abu-Dhabi to Goa with Etihad Airways providing convenient connections for passengers from Bahrain. These flights will begin from November 15, and will be a good option for Goans traveling to Goa during the exposition of the body of St. Francis Xavier and the festive season.

It is our desire to share useful information with our readers always and we hope to find good stories to share in future.

Mog Asum ! 

= GR Crasto 

Night of Fame: Glitz and glamour awaits you at the Baan Saeng Thai Auditorium in Adliya at the ‘Night of Fame’ Dinner-dance with entertainment throughout the night. The Nightshades, Gravity and DJ Philip - the top performers of Bahrain - will provide music for the event on October 2, 2014 from 8 p.m. onwards. The organisers have promised an unique sensuous and luxurious ambiance. The highlight of the evening will be the crowning of a King and Queen of the Red Carpet. There is a special discount on entry cards for this event for members of Young Goans Club. For further details contact mobile nos: 39659539 or 33658758.

Mog Khuim Chuklo enthrals audience:  The reason, many directors feature child artistes in Konkani Tiatrs, is to bring an emotional influence on the audience. This was very much in evidence in the one-act play Mog Khuim Chuklo directed by Jr. Luis Anthony. The child artiste Aaron D'Costa brought tears to the eyes of many in the audience, with his emotional acting in this play, held as part of the cultural program of the Harvest Festival of the Konkani Community of Sacred Heart Church, Manama. Agnelo D'Costa (as an angry husband), Meena (as the blind faithful wife), Peter (the priest) and Avon Travon Silva (with his comedy appeals) and Norita Alphonso (the secretary in love) were simply as good as professional actors on stage and made the play a great success. A packed house at the Our Lady of Arabia Auditorium watched the play on September 6 and 12, during the Bandra Fair festivities. Our congratulations to Jr. Luis Anthony and his team.

Edward Sequeira (Bahrain): The Independence Day Special of the Xit-Koddi issue of August inspired me so much, that I made it a point to visit with my family ‘The Little Angels Orphanage’ in Colva Goa. The orphanage run by a nun, takes care of about 80 orphans. Our children must see and know how many children live without their parents, and help them realize how grateful to God they should be and teach them to be generous and charitable to causes like this. 

First Goan Saint: Goans around the globe have rejoiced at  the news that Pope Francis has approved the canonization of Blessed Joseph Vaz, apostle of Canara and Sri Lanka and patron of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman. Five centuries since the official arrival of the Roman Catholic faith, Goa will finally get the honour of having its illustrious son of the soil, Blessed Joseph Vaz, declared the first Goan saint of the universal Catholic church. With the approval of canonisation by Pope Francis, Blessed Joseph Vaz became the third Indian saint after Saint Gonsalo Garcia (Vasai-Mumbai) and Saint Alphonsa Muttathupadathu (Kerala). 

Goan Women Shine At Competitions. 

We are proud to highlight the achievements of Goan women in Bahrain in this issue of Xit-Koddi. Goan women put up not only an eye-catching but also a prize winning presentation in 'Battle of the Salads' competition organized by the Cultural and Sports Committee of the Sacred Heart Church, Manama. In the Fruit and Vegetable Carving contest Maria D'Souza, teaming with

her daughter Renata, won the first prize, whereas Josephine D'Souza and Cathie Crasto were the runners-up in the Salad Challenge Contest. The contest, open to all parishioners, had 14 entries, mostly from Indians and Sri Lankans. Maria D’Souza hails from Pilernne. Josephine D’Souza from Merces is a very active parishioner associated with several church groups. Cathie Crasto hails from Navelim. The winners are seen here, receiving their certificates and prizes. (Top - Maria & Renata, and below - Josephine & Cathie).

Xit-Koddi congratulates these women of our community. The

event was held on Friday, August 29, as part of the Diamond

Jubilee celebrations of the parish. 

Julius Dias (Goa): I have been in Bahrain with my family for almost 30 years - from 1976 to 2006. I was with The National Bank of Bahrain and later, until my return to Goa, I

was employed at MENAS. My wife Philu, was a Hindi teacher with Sacred Heart School Bahrain. My two sons Caesar and Shannon are doctors now settled in Australia. My youngest son Dexter has done his PG in Bio-Med. Bahrain has been like a second home to us. It is one of the most beautiful and pleasant places to live in, especially for us Indians. No pollution, no corruption and the sucegad way of life as in Goa, and with the Young Goans Club around, we never felt we were out of Goa. The carnival, the Goenchim Festam, the May Queen Dance, the picnics and in particular the Football and Hockey tournaments, to mention a few of the events, have made us Goans proud of our culture. But there have also been times of gloom and discomfort, but life is like that. In general, I can say Bahrain is a wonderful place and each one of us must work with dedication and keep the Bahrain flag flying, while keeping our identity with pride.