---------------------------------------------------------- Archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/goa-net/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Goanet2003/ ----------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------- Documented by Goa Desc Documentation Service & circulated by Goa Civic & Consumer Action Network (GOA CAN)<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Ph:2252660 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------- FORGIVE THEM ----------------------- I hail from Moira, a predominantly Christian village. Ours was the only Hindu home when we migrated from the neighbouring Aldona during 'conversion' some 470 years ago but we assimilated with the Christian milieu who respected us, so much so, that my father even occupied the honorary position of Escrivao da Confraria de Fabrica da Igreja. Today the village has sizeable Hindu population which may eventually outnumber the Christians, but we have had unique identity. From time immemorial and going back to last 60 years I have had the pleasure of witnessing the Serenades (locally then called Janeiros) and today's sophisticated version "Carol singing groups", who used to invariably come to my house during Christmas season and perform their plays singing and dancing. They never missed it and this thrilled me always. I am now upset and disappointed that since last year this Serenade or Carol singing groups mostly affiliated to the local Cathechist of the Church do not step into our home without any provocation or cause, since I personally always looked forward to them. I have a feeling that since the BJP has taken the reigns some fanatic elements in the village wants to communalise even the serenades. It is not only the Hindu community that has fanatics but also Christians and this is a bad sign and not in the interest of peace and harmony and against the Goan ethos and alien to the doctrine of universal brotherhood. Though I am not very sensitive to this action, whosoever may be responsible to, but before I depart from this world I have to sound a word of caution to my Cristao brethren that this attitude will have far reaching consequences and even my soul will not be happy with it. May God bless them abundantly and I pray that the New Year dawns a better sense on all such elements. God forgive them for they know not what they are doing! A.S.Prabhu Moira, Bardez. --------------------------------------------------------- in RESPONSE page 6 HERALD 4/1/2003 --------------------------------------------------------- ======================================= GOA DESC RESOURCE CENTRE Documentation + Education + Solidarity 11 Liberty Apts., Feira Alta, Mapusa, Goa 403 507 Tel: 2252660 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] website: www.goadesc.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Working On Issues Of Development & Democracy =======================================
