It was an extremely tense moments for the Organisors as the unprecedented crowds of non catholics over 700 and others who thronged the Entry gates of the Officers colony Sea Bird Project at Binaga Karwar since 7.30 a.m. awaited their turn for the entry passes. These non catholics mostly natives of Binaga and Karwar who frequented the Feast of Our Lady of Springs Nossa Senhora de Brotas every year for almost over a decade now at Anjediva Islands off Canacona at Binaga but despite a patient wait till almost 2.00 p.m had to go away.
Endless queries made at Binaga Karwar and Goa by the faithful in India and abroad, since the beginning of the year due to uncertainity of the celebrations following the order of the erstwhile Station Commander Sea Bird Cmdr B. R. Rao dated 4/7/2002 that "visits would be stopped since May 2003 due to construction of the North breakwater" had caused concern. And a further lie and misrepresentation of facts by the erstwhile Station Commander Sea Bird Commodore B R Rao to the Defence Ministry Govt of India that a " DOZEN TEMPLES WERE SHIFTED" when in reality only a temple of Somnath on the mainland was shifted from Killebag near the Sea bird entry gate and placed a little beyond and all others were "ghumties" akeen to roadside crosses seen in Goa. This almost sealed the fate of the Church and the feasts or visit to the Island as the Defence Minister Mr George Fernandes drew the conclusion in his letter dated 29th April, 2003 to CM Manohar Parrikar of Goa (who donated Rs.25,000 towards repairs of the Church on 15.4.2002 to this writer ) and subsequently to Madam Sonia Gandhi Leader of the Opposition Lok Sabha " that in view of the stated position as above --we need to follow a uniform policy towards people of ALL religious faiths implying thereby the Church should also be shifted. Goa ex CM Pratapsing Rane also lent credence to this lie without verifying facts by his statement on the floor of the Goa Legislative Assembly in August 2002 thus providing another handle to Cmdr B R Rao's blatant lie. Ironically the order dated 26.7.1989 of the Goa Government clearly stated that "the Navy should allow on the Island the celebration of customary feast of St Francis de Assisi (4th Oct ) and Nossa Senhora de Brotas (2nd Feb ) subject to security consideration yet this was being breached and the laity had to plead with the Naval authorities. The Church and the Goa Government were silent spectators and moved only when the ground swell was created to protect the Church. One Chapel of St Francis de Assisi is already in ruins due to this neglect and no fingers were raised visit www.colaco.net Given this background despite efforts being made since early January and also before (with several representations to the President of India and Defence Minister and all those that matter for permission for the Feast ) negotiations got underway with the new incumbent Station Commander Sea Bird Commodore S S Karnik (who incidentally served in Vasco-da-Gama Goa for over eight years). It was finally agreed as late as on 31st forenoon (Saturday) that permission for the Feast on 2 February,2004 was granted BUT subject to stringent security measures and that only 300 natives and 100 to those hailing from Goa would be issued ENTRY PASSES. This figure was finally raised to about 500. Moreover the Parish Priest of Binaga Fr Britto D Silva who oversees the activities of Anjediva as the representative of the Archdiocese of Goa & Daman was directed to furnish by 1st February, 2004 latest 5.30 p.m. the list of such persons bearing name age and sex following receipt of which the passes would be issued. It was explained that being such short notice it would be extremely difficult to ascertain pick and choose the select 300+100 persons (natives and Goans)and it was imposible to have restricted entry to a select few for a religious function which was ironically frequented by Hindus and Catholics for several years in Goa and Karwar. But there was no relenting from the Sea Bird authorities . Simulataneously messages were flashed by word of mouth and telephonically to Goa detailing the stringent requirements. However there was some indications that the relaxation may be enventually granted only to THOSE PARTICIPATING IN THE FEAST MASS -- and not others who the Naval authorities concluded would "disturb" the religious proceedings or "partying at the beach" . This was a ridiculous inference of the Naval authorities and smacked a partisan attitude. But despite this unprecedented "directions" perhaps in any religious function of such a mass following In India such as this one, the Parish Priest of Binaga Fr Britto D Silva set the ball rolling and began registering the names of the participants in the Feast from Binaga only. From Goa only a few could be contacted mainly from Galgibag in Canacona (incidentally Anjediv Island came under its jurisdiction before Binaga due to georgraphical proximity ) On the Feast day yet another set of passes were issued but accept for just 25 from Galgibag in Goa no passes were issued. Later when this writer co-ordinating the Goa scene demanded in no uncertain terms that there will be no restrictions whatsoever and ALL WILL HAVE TO BE PER MITTED finally had to segregrate the people from Goa obtain their names and only after a delayed effort at the Sea Bird Commanders office at about 12.00 p.m. got the blanket sanction to allow all those from Goa inside with only annnouncement of the names. Further they were given a separate Gate at the Administrative Wing to enter inside. However due to no other representative on the Goa side and the tense moments at the other gates with the Police asked to control the traffic on national Highway by the Karnataka DC several Goans thinking that the Mass may be held later had no patience and left. Therewere at last count 797 Goans admitted in without any difficulty upto 1.15 p.m. However the surging crowds of non Catholics denied admission despite parleys by Cairperson Karwar Municipality, Ms Veena Badkar, Mr Chatrapati Mhalsekar Councillor Mr Arvind Tendulkar Councillor Fr Britto Silva with the Station Commander Seabird could not cutmuch ice, and only a few managed to get it in after much pleading. The entire national Highway was littered with cars and people mostly women and children in the hot scorching sun but the navy played spoil sport and only confounded the confusion. The Concelebrated High sung mass slated for 11.30 a.m. (IST) finally got underway at 1.15 p.m only when the last visitor was permitted as assured by Fr Britto D Silva to all participants. However Fr Britto D Silva received tremendous commendation for his valiant attempt to get the non Catholics in as he registered his protest over the Navy highandedness and refused point blank to enter the Sead Bird area and Anjediv to partake in the religious function until all the non catholic visitors of Binaga were let in as in the past several decades to ensure the traditional communal harmony in Karwar The gathering melted into emotional tears when the traditional hymn "Zorinche Saibinni" was being sung, at the fag end of the Concelebrated High Mass which started at 2.35 p.m. at the Feast of Nossa Senhora de Brotas (Our Lady of Springs) Anjediva which was solemnised by Fr Lorens D Silva, (brother of Fr Britto D Silva ) Fr Marian of Galgibago Fr Eeremito Rodrigues of Rachol Seminary Fr Bruno Fernandes Fr Valeriano D Souza Fr Kurien Karaddy (named as Anjedivacho Pisso because he was responsible for the festivities held at Anjediva since 1983 as Parish Priest of Binaga ) The Church has its middle portion of the roof nearly fallen off . This writer insisted with the Sea Bird authorities for exclusive photographs of the function by handing over his camera to the officials and obtained the same for posterity (some are attached herewith) The near ruin of the Church is a clear breach of the assurances given by then Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sushil Kumar in a letter to the Archbishop dated 24.4.2000 that "while we would be very happy, in fact eager to allow the unhindered continuance of the age old celebration of feasts in these cradles of the Catholic faith in India .....and we would also like to assure you that the Navy would treat these precious historical shrines with utmost care and respect and would maintain them in pristine shape in violation of the agreed terms of handing over the Island in 1987. The Chapel of St Francis de Assisis is also in ruins owing to this neglect. There are 44 canons lying on the Island and the Directorate of Archieves has a full dossier on this ready for action if the Goa government shows its willingness to retrieve these historical assets. The CM has been asked to do the needful. However there are moments where the Sea bird authorities deserve commendation. For the first time they cleaned the entire Church premises. Much to the satisfaction of the women toilets were provided and on purely humantitarian grounds they also provided clean drinking water to all . Movement was restricted only around the Church . After the Feast Mass the participants had their lunch. All the visitors were escorted in by the Navy personnel, in their specially arranged midi buses and tempos a clear 10 miniutes winding drive to the island ( no more sea travel ) but then further a 1.8 km granite pebbled road walk took about 30 minutes. The entire festivities wound up at 6.35 p.m. but except for the disenchantment with the Seab Bird Officials over the refusal of entry to the non catholic natives of Binaga and karwar by the Sea Bird officials on a silly pretext and the rationing of passes giving unduly short notices, the entire Feast went of peacefully giving it a nail biting finish. Fr Eeremito forcefuilly pleaded that the Sea Bird authorities should organise the festival in a more organised manner and give due respect to the emotive feelings of the people to avoid a communal divide. He pleaded that the authorities should repair the historical church and preserve it in its pristine glory. Commodore S S Karnik however needs to be commended for for making the entire Feast a reality. The several officers that this writer interacted with agreed that next year the function will be definitely be organised in a better way. Staff Officer Suresh Chand, Lt Kaplijal and Lt Harry co-ordinated effectively despite constraints. There was tension mounted as the Navy initially chose to restrict the crowd to just 500 both from Goa and Karwar. The people of Karwar revere Our Lady of Nossa Senhora de Brotas with the same solemnity as they do to Lord Narasimha esconed on the other Island near by. There has never been a death by drowning in the sea at Anjediva and this they attribute to Our Lady of Springs. There are many myths surrounding the pre Portuguese era which commenced with the visit of VascodaGama on 24.9.1948. Thereafter the first Mass solemnised on 22.8.and Christianity in Goa began from this Island 37,0032 hectares where the Mother Church was built in 1500 - 1506 it bears the insignia on one of its three altars.Such churches need to be protected as ancient mmonuments under the 1958 Act applicable to the UT of Goa Daman & Diu on 15.8.1963. Being built before the Babri Masjid the Taj Mahal and before the birth of St Francis Xavier in the earlier part of 1500 The present Church was built in 1729 (275 years ago) Since the Church is steeped in history and predates all other it is needed to preserve protect and maintain these monuments. The World Heritage Group is being asked to see the feasibility of this action. t is hoped that the new Archbishop of Goa will immediately take up the case of Feast of Nossa Senhora de Brotas on 2nd Feb and St Francis de Assisi on 4 Oct and maintainence of the Church and Chapel on the Anjediv Island with the Defence authorities and the Government of India. The Chief Minister Mr Manohar Parrikar even though the issue as he states is 18 years old MUST ensure that the 44 canons and other items are brought to Goa and preserve this historical site. As once the breakwater route is asphalted movement of men and material to the Island will be easy. Co-Operation of Cmdr S S Karnik if sought will definitely yield results. from Anjediva Island Godfrey J I Gonsalves Borda Margao Goa ________________________________________________________________________ Yahoo! India Mobile: Download the latest polyphonic ringtones. Go to http://in.mobile.yahoo.com ########################################################################## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################