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Keni on Identity
Keni said that Goans owed it to themselves to preserve their unique culture and rich heritage. He called upon the Government to implement immediately, in letter and spirit, all the provisions of its own Official Languages Act, to enable Konkani have a dignified existence not only in socio-cultural and educational spheres but also in the corridors of power. The Konkani protagonist lamented that the Goa government's uncoordinated educational and industrial policy has set in a process a phenomenon, which attracts immigrants from other states. They make Goa their permanent abode. "This is gradually reducing the local population to a minority and diluting the linguistic and cultural identity of Goa," Keni warned. Goa-netter from Dubai, Sunila Muzawar, urged Goans to work in unison for the progress and development of Goa. In his welcome address, Cip Fernandes highlighted Chandrakant Keni's contribution to Konkani and its literary works. Fr Andrew Fernandes of Asian Chaplaincy spoke about the need to open a hostel to house and support new Goan immigrants to the United Kingdom. Flavio Gracias, President of Goan Association (UK) and Anthony Fernandes presented mementos to Sunila Muzawar and Chandrakant Keni. WORLD HINDU MEET Chandrakant Keni's main mission in London was to attend the World Hindi Meet as a Goa delegate. While addressing the august gathering at the Sixth World Hindi Congress in London on September 17, Keni cautioned that Hindi will not become the national language if it tries to bypass regional languages. He asserted that regional languages in India will have to play a dominant role in evolving Hindi as a national language. He stated that Hindi will not be a world language unless and until it receives its due place and dignity in its homeland, and opined that it should expand its horizons beyond the North Indian region in order to reach the status of a world language. Keni also suggested that Hindi strengthen itself with the help of all regional languages of the country and assured Konkani's fullest co-operation in this regard. The sixth World Hindi meet which commenced on 14th Sept concluded on September 18. The prolific Goan writer, however, had to cut short his European visit and fly back to Bombay because he was not keeping very good health. He felt indisposed while strolling down London's Oxford Street along with Goanetter Cipriano Fernandes. Aires Rodrigues (Digital pic: Anthony Fernandes) We picked up... ...snatches of Sunila's report on her visit to London with her husband, Hanif, and felt that it adds to the London function, where quite a few U.K. Goanetters met at the formal gathering with Chandrakant Keni. When Sunila was called to speak, she appealed to Goans abroad to do what they can for Goa. She mentioned the computers for schools project, a medical diagnostic center project (with networking links to remote areas in Goa), which has been identified by Goanetter Leo D'Souza. The eloquent Panjimite dwelt on the possibility of doing something to improve the environment in Goa's towns by convincing Municipalities to outsource garbage collection, toilet maintenance, etc. to reliable citizen organizations. Sunila said, "Keni gave a profound speech in Konkani exhibiting the gentle, old fashioned Goan charm. He appealed to Goans to guard their Goan identity and uphold the Konkani language. Milton Rodrigues, however, interrupted Keni and requested him to speak in English since he and a few other attendees did not understand Konkani. Keni readily obliged and continued his speech in English with equal flair." Sunila adds that it was a real treat to hear Keni speak, and also a pleasure to put a face to the many Goanetters, with whom she discussed quite a few things including remittance of funds to Goan charities (with Flavio, the President of the Goa U.K. Association), education in the U.A.E. (with Stella Mascarenhas who is researching that subject), the goanet/GI controversy (with Milton and Rene), etc. She volunteered to introduce on goanet a discussion on the Indian foreign exchange regulations, which make sending foreign funds to Goan charitable organization rather difficult. However, the Indian government has a general policy to welcome funds in foreign exchange, and individual gifts in foreign exchange are even free of income tax. So social charities should be able to receive foreign funds by getting some kind of an exemption certificate. She says that Eddie Fernandes's thanksgiving speech was the lovely icing of the "best function (apparently) to date" by the U.K. Goanetters. Dr. Ribeiro Goan School Reunion
The Committee responsible for putting this occasion together, presided over by Chevalier Col. Victor Cardozo, KHS, OSJ, PGK, PFN, had put in a lot of hard work to make this occasion the success it was. The music for dancing was provided Henry Braganza (himself an ex-student) and his Melody Makers (which included another ex-student, Terance Pinto). To the mainly nostalgic music of the 50's and 60's, was added a number of Swahili hits. Special tributes were paid to the teachers who are no longer with us - Sandy Tavares, Lily Jacques, Mary Coutinho and Maria Joanes. Special tributes were also paid to all the Goan pioneers in Kenya, whose foresight and vision in founding the school gave the community the opportunity to hone the innate talent of its members for the benefit of all. Among former teachers present were Dr. Neves Pereira (ex Principal), Michael Britto and Mrs. Ophilda (Baptista) D'Souza (who had travelled from the UK to attend the occasion). They were all invited to say a few words from the podium. Michael Britto regaled the gathering with a "memory lapse" joke. The MC remarked that Mr. Britto was not known for his sense of humour in school. He was more of strict disciplinarian. "He obviously learnt that after leaving Dr. Ribeiro's". Ophilda said that she was so touched with the invitation to attend that she has offered a Perpetual Mass for the ex-students. Mrs. Ester Souza Ribeiro offered a grant of $10,000 to be invested for the purpose of awarding an "Award of Excellence" to any ex-student for extraordinary service to the community. This, year the award was presented to Maria Fernandes (Class of '63) who works as a nurse at the Arctic Circle in Canada's newest province, Nunavut. Maria administers to the medical and welfare needs of the native people. One of the ex-students, photographer extraordinaire Albert Fernandes, exhibited his excellent collection of photographs of the Nairobi school. Some of the ex-student out-of-towners who attended the function included May (Sequiera), a Legal Executive and Lecturer from London, England, Dr. Avinash Patwardhan, retired Specialist from Boston, and Olive (Pereira) from London England, Dr. Salu Rocha and wife Effie for Sault Ste. Marie and Richard Caldeira from Winnipeg and his wife, Eda from Ottawa. Richard was recently transferred to Winnipeg from Ottawa. The tradition of passing the statue of St. Joseph (the School's Patron Saint) to the incoming President was dispensed with this year. The next re-union to be held in 2001 will be hosted by the Presidents of eight Reunions. Tim
de Mello ANOTHER AIRES ASIDE Having failed to manipulate honest and outspoken IAS officers like Chief Secretary SR Sharma, Chief Minister Luizinho Faleiro has announced plans to have Goa's own cadre of officers. He thus wishes to get rid of non-Goan IAS officers. This plan lacks in maturity and knowledge of practical aspects related to the administrative set up in India but smacks of self-promoting preoccupation. Faleiro should realize that Goa is part of the Indian nation, and any decisions modified should be in tune with the set national pattern. Moreover, Goa, has missed the bus! This issue should have been raised and resolved when we attained Statehood in 1987. Ironically, the Congress party was ruling both at the Centre and Goa at that time. It's his height of folly to attempt attain something which Congress could not achieve during its spell of long innings both at New Delhi and Panjim. Apparently, its a game to keep away IAS Officers who refuse to dance to Faleiro's tunes. Faleiro will do well to remember that politicians will come and go but the administrative machinery should remain intact to absorb the shocks and erratic decisions of over ambitious politicians. Aires
Rodrigues Laxman Pai in San Francisco The Goan Institute of San Francisco is pleased to announce that LAXMAN PAI, noted artist from Margao, Goa, will display some of his Goan paintings at KALART GALLERY at 855 Sansome Street, San Francisco. Grand reception (free admission) is on October 2, from 6:30-8:30 pm and the gallery is open from 9:00am-6:00pm during the week, Saturday and Sunday by appointment (phone 415-693-9727). The exhibition ends on Oct 24. Pai's exquisite paintings will also be available for sale. Laxman has had exhibitions in London, Paris, Bangkok, Munich, New York, India, etc. George
Pinto |
"Goans,
maintain your identity," pleaded Chandrakant Keni, Konkani writer and
editor of Marathi daily Rashtramat, while speaking at a gathering of NRI
Goans at Chutney's Restaurant in London on September 15.
The
Dr. Ribeiro Goan School Ex-students' eight "End of the Millennium" reunion
on September 18 at the Payal Banquet Hall in Mississauga, Ontario, was
very well attended and organized.