PEOPLE & EVENTS

GRATEFUL GULF EVACUEES THANK THE LORD

"It was a decade ago that India, a third world nation, struggling with its own finances but not with its conscience, successfully executed the biggest exodus and largest evacuation in the history of civil aviation," says J Eistein Cotta, former chairman of the Kuwait Goan Evacuee Society.

J Einstein Cotta offered a Thanksgiving Mass at the 'Fulancho Khuris' at Bambolim on September 23 at 05.00 pm. In his homily, Rev Fr Thomas Aquino de Sequeira, Rachol Seminary Rector, recalled how often we criticise the country but there was a time when the country came to the rescue of the evacuees and brought relief to their relatives and others back home in Goa. Through the United Nations, many of the evacuees even received compensation for the loss they suffered in Kuwait, which was also a cause for gratefulness.

"Our country's timely evacuation and rehabilitation, Kuwait's noble gesture of re-instating jobs and bank accounts of thousand of expatriates and the United Nations' handsome war reparations awarded by the U N Compensation Commission, have greatly touched the lives of most expatriates and we are eternally grateful to Go, country and the human family," adds Cotta.

He also recalls the help rendered by Eduardo Faleiro, MP, the then Minister of State for External Affairs, for providing a national platform for the expatriate cause and successfully redressing the issued raised by the Kuwait Goan Evacuee Society like extension of NRI status of evacuees, cancellation of bonds, suspension of passport services, transfer of residence facilities, registration of births, deaths and marriages, funds in Kuwait banks and the all important issue of war reparations and compensation.

Cotta and the war evacuees also said that they appreciated the goodwill and support of Ex Chief Minister Dr Proto Barbosa, MLA Churchill Alemao and former MLA Victor Gonsalves, legislators, bureaucrats, bankers and wellwishers.

A small gathering of war evacuees attended the wonderful ceremony at the "Fulancho Khuris". The occasion was marked by Fr Sequeira's touching homily and the ethereal music and singing of the Panjim choir. It was quite a nostalgic reunion of the evacuees, coming from different parts of Goa and meeting as they did after a long time.

PLAUDITS FOR 'POUSADA TAUMA'

Goa's prominent exponent of natural architecture, Dean D'Cruz, was given a Special Commendation by the jury of 'The Inside Outside Designer of the Year Award 1999 for Resort Architecture', for his design of theme resort 'Pousada Tauma".

The jury comprising of well-known architects Hafeez Contractor, Prakash Mankad, Gerard Da Cunha and Camelia Panjabi, Marketing and Executive Director of the Taj Group, commended Dean for blending harmoniously the enchanting interiors and the sculptural architecture of "Pousada Tauma Resort".

Built by Neville Proenca in Calangute, "Pousada" is one grand place worth visiting while in Goa. There are 13 rooms in all but though the theme of the sea, the fields and the hills have been retained throughout, the view of the fascinating villas around the swimming pool and the bar attached build up a rare, welcoming ambience.

ECAP 2000

The Computer Society of India, Goa Chapter, held yet another edition of their annual Exhibition of Computers and Allied Products at Hotel Mandovi on September 9 and 10. The exhibition was interesting as well as educative with nearly 23 stalls dealing in software, hardware and computer related stuff. There seemed to be no end to the people thronging to view the products on show. GoaCom Infosys Ltd was there in full force, spreading the message of E-Commerce and special hotel package, which they have launched recently, through effective presentations.

MAKING MUSIC

Devanand Malwankar, a former student of the Goa Kala Academy, presently based in Mumbai, released his first audio album "Yave-Yave Gajanana". The songs featured are bhajans of Ganesh, some of which are by other renowned artists and some with lyrics penned by Devanand himself.

He also shares the vocal honours with female singer Vrushali Mangle. The release was held significantly on the occasion of Ganesh festival and it came in quite handy for many music lovers. We remember Devanand for theme song of "Shirdi ka Sai Baba". Besides music, Devanand is also proficient in acting; he made Goans proud with his small but impressive role in the Sai Baba tele-serial.

HOCKEY HOPE

The girls team of St Anthony's High School in Monte de Guirim defeated St Xavier's Higher Secondary, Mapusa, 1-0 in the State finals of the Jr Nehru Cup Hockey tournament at the Duler Grounds on September 16. The lone goal was scored deftly by right-winger Pamela for the winners, whose team is being coached by NIS coaches Harbhajan Singh and Paulraj. The Guirim girls thus earned the trip to New Delhi to participate in the All-India Nehru Cup hockey tournament for juniors.