Yet again tragedy struck one at Zambaulim "Gulal" festival at Sanguem yesterday 5/4/2005. Young Vinod Kurade 29 years a cobbler, having a shop,Opp Pimpalkatta near the T G Borker Stationery shop First Gate New market Margao died of drowning in the River Kushavati after the celebrations of "gulal" sprinkling of red colour.
It is not known what exactly caused the drowning but such is the enthusiasm of the revellers that unmindful of the crowds that bathe in the river every one plunges into the deep waters after the smearing of "gulal". Young Kurade was apparently jostled while diving and his head struck on a stone at the foot of the river. With the river reddened it is difficult to gauge bleeding and apparently this must have resulted in his untimely death Though attempts were made to revitalise his crucial organs by the time he was brought to Hospicio at Margao it was too late. late Kurade was known to this writer since birth and was known to be very active and agile, residing Behind the Presentation Convent Margao. In another significant coincidence the uncle of late Sudarshan Redkar one of the two youths who died in yesterdays tragic motorcycle accident at Aquem in Margao on the day of Gulal -- had also met a tragic fate in 1975 on the ocassion of "Gulal" but at Zambaulim when he was bodily lifted and thrown in the air by his college mates (he was a student of Smt Parvatibai Chowgule College of Arts and Science) indulging in merriment after "Gulal" but instead of holding him after the leap into the air he fell flat on the ground resulting in his instant death. There have been several tragedies in the past on this ocassion --- one can however niether decipher --- its religious significance if any --- nor can one attribute it readily to the wrath of God (pensao) However Lord Damodar is otherwise held in such high reverence that every Monday at Damodar Temple Old Market Rua Abbe de Faria Margao the Hindus visit it religiously to pay obeisance. There is also a belief that unless Lord Damodar signifies his consent --- by the fall of a leaf -- none would venture into any activity. Politicians or those aspiring to be one or contest the elections visit the Lord Damodar to invoke his blessings and seek "his consent" for their actions. In the early nineties the "plot" to form the Progressive Democratic Front Government of Mr Proto Barbosa, Mr Ramakant Khalap, and Churchill Alemao after splitting the INC and unceremoniously unseating then Chief Minister Mr Pratapsing Raoji Rane was formed only after the above politicians sought the blessings of Lord Damodar at the Margao temple, offering the traditional "naal" . It is not uncommon to hear from Hindus who swear in the name of "Dam Bab" to justify their acts. GODFREY J I GONSALVES [EMAIL PROTECTED] BORDA MARGAO GOA ________________________________________________________________________ Yahoo! India Matrimony: Find your life partner online Go to: http://yahoo.shaadi.com/india-matrimony ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> DonorsChoose. A simple way to provide underprivileged children resources often lacking in public schools. Fund a student project in NYC/NC today! http://us.click.yahoo.com/5F6XtA/.WnJAA/E2hLAA/0FHolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> http://www.goa-world.com http://www.live365.com/stations/61664 Live Konkani Music http://www.mahableshwar.com/ Addresses: Post message: [email protected] Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] List owner: [EMAIL PROTECTED] URL to this page: http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/gulf-goans Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gulf-goans/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
