[Goanet]Mgr. Dalgado Puroskar for Fr. Vasco Rego
Tomazinho Cardozo President DALGADO KONKNNI AKADEMI Orda, Candolim, Bardez, Goa Phones: 9822170102 / 2489019 / 2489213 PRESS RELEASE Date: 29. 04. 05 Dalgado Konknni Akademi will confer the first ever Mgrs. DALGADO PUROSKAR 2005 on Rev. Fr. Vasco do Rego, S.J., on 8th May, 2005. Fr Vasco do Rego, has served the Konknni language for the last 40 years in the fields of Konkani Biblical and Liturgical translation, developing the necessary Konkani vocabulary for religious texts, composing Konkani hymns and their music, Konkani preaching and Konkani writing in the Roman script, and as a pioneer in Konkani education. Recognising his substantial contribution in these various fields Dalgado Konknni Akademi has chosen him as the very first recipient of the Dalgado Puroskar in the 150th year of Mgr. Dalgados birth. Vasco do Rego was born in Panjim, on 8 January 1925. After his schooling and a short stint at the seminary, he joined the Society of Jesus on 15 August 1945. He was ordained priest in Belgium on 15 August 1955. He was inspired by his teacher, theologian Fr Pierre Charles, S.J. to use Konkani language and music in the liturgy of our people in Goa. When he was on the staff of Rachol seminary from 1963 to 1967 he took the occasion to learn Konkani thoroughly and encouraged the seminarians to do the same by including Konkani in their course of study. His contribution to Konkani language - In 1964 Fr Vasco pioneered Konkani primary education by organizing four schools in the vicinity of Loyola High School, Margão, to introduce Konkani as the medium of instruction in the primary section. He overcame the lack of Konkani text books by getting Konkani writers and Konkani Bhasha Mandal to prepare the necessary text books, and got the Konkani teachers trained on the job. From 1968 to 1973 when he was the Rector of Loyola he could devote more time to supervise the Konkani primary education in Margão, and test its efficacy. - When from 1973 to 1978 he was the Novice Master in Belgaum, Fr Vasco devoted a lot of time and energy in preparing the liturgical texts in Konkani. He was put in charge of a team of scholars translating liturgical texts into Konkani by the Regional Liturgical Commission. Ultimately, the Misa-Gronth published in 1981 is an important fruit of this work. Though different authors had done the groundwork for the Konkani Vachpam-Gronth Fr.Vasco made substantial contribution by way of editing and organizing its texts. - From the time Fr Vasco went to Old Goa as the Rector of Bom Jesus in 1978, besides his Konkani preaching and organizing the novenas and feasts there and later on, he devoted all his spare time to Bible translation work. Already in the Novo Korar published in 1971 he had contributed by translating Johns Gospel and the letters of Peter and John. As the chairman of the Bible Committee appointed by the Liturgical Commission of Goa Archdiocese, he supervised the revision work of Novo Korar, and the Old Testament translation work that was undertaken by different persons. He has himself translated the Book of Isiah into Konkani. - One other major contribution to Konkani of Fr Vasco, are the lyrics of a number of hymns and Christmas carols, and for some of these he has also composed the music. In Gaionancho Zhelo published by the Liturgical Commission, for instance, he has written the lyrics for 333 titles, and out of these for 47 he has also composed the music. These hymns are in answer to the challenge posed to him to sing Christmas carols in his native language when he was a student in Belgium. - Fr Vasco has a few Konkani religious books to his credit. Sonvsarak Jezu diat is a collection of sermons he preached at Bom Jesus on the occasion of the novenas of St Francis Xavier, published in 1995. In 1991 he brought out Stotram, a Konkani translation of the Psalms. Nazretcho Jezu is a concordance of the Gospels in Konkani in Roman script published in 2001, and the same was brought out in Devanagari with the title Nazretkar Jezu in 2003. He has written a few articles in Konkani in Gulab, Dor Mhoineachi Rotti, Renovação and other periodicals. Mgr. Dalgado Puroskar 2005 will be conferred on Fr. Vasco do Rego at a special function to be organized on 8th May, 2005 at 4.30 p.m. at Caritas Hall, Panjim on the occasion of 150th birth anniversary of Mgr. Sebastiao Rudolf Dalgado after whom Dalgado Konknni Akademi is named.. His Grace, Rev. Fr. Filipe Neri Ferrao, Patriarch will do the honours of presenting the award to Fr. Vasco Rego in the distinguished presence of Dr. Nandakumar Kamat. Mgr. Dalgado Puroskar carries a shawl, a memento, a citation and Rs. 50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand). Tomazinho Cardozo President.
[Goanet]Mons. Dalgado's 150th birth anniversary
i language and in all other living forms of Konkani language, literature and culture. iv.To hold and organize seminars, conferences, workshops, exhibitions, lectures, competitions of different types and foster other appropriate means for the study and development of Konkani language, literature and culture. v. To initiate, assist or undertake the production of original writings, research papers, monographs, books, journals, articles, etc. in Konkani. vi.To initiate, assist or undertake transliteration of Konkani literature from other scripts to Roman script, and from Roman script to other scripts. vii. To initiate, assist or undertake translation into Konkani of literature produced in Indian and foreign languages. viii. To undertake, encourage, translate the writings in Konkani or on Konkani in any other Indian or foreign language. ix.To initiate, assist, undertake and edit Konkani folk songs, music, folk literature, Tiatr literature, stage performances and other expressions of Konkani culture. x. To promote the knowledge and development of Konkani through all the modern means of mass communication. xi.To provide facilities by means of library, documentation centre, scholarships, fellowships and guidance to students, writers, teachers, producers and actors / actresses of Konkani. xii. To collect and preserve Konkani documents, records, books and objects scattered here and there with individuals and families and are related to the cultural and literary development of Konkani. xiii. To provide financial assistance, awards, scholarships to writers, dramatists, scholars, singers and other talented people from the field of Konkani for publication of their works in or about Konkani language literature and culture. xiv. To provide financial assistance to literary, cultural and research institutions for their activities in the field of Konkani language, literature and culture. xv.To distribute, supply books or magazines in Konkani language to the libraries and institutions. xvi. To give awards for excellence in different fields of Konkani literature and culture. xvii. To encourage the use of Konkani language in all walks of life. xviii. To promote the teaching and study of Konkani language, literature and culture. xix. To promote, assist, and undertake publication of childrens literature in Konkani. xx.To offer scholarships and fellowships to deserving scholars and students in the field of Konkani language, literature and culture to visit archives in India or abroad in carrying out research. xxi. To collaborate either with the government or with other institution and associations in the country or abroad having similar aims, objectives and activities either meant to promote directly the development of Konkani language, literature and culture or to promote the literature and culture of other Indian or even foreign languages connected with Konkani culture. xxii. To perform all other acts as may be incidental or conducive to the attainment of any or all the objectives of the Society mentioned above. Tomazinho Cardozo President
[Goanet]Mons. Dalgado's 150th birth anniversary
erary production in Konkani language and in all other living forms of Konkani language, literature and culture. iv. To hold and organize seminars, conferences, workshops, exhibitions, lectures, competitions of different types and foster other appropriate means for the study and development of Konkani language, literature and culture. v. To initiate, assist or undertake the production of original writings, research papers, monographs, books, journals, articles, etc. in Konkani. vi. To initiate, assist or undertake transliteration of Konkani literature from other scripts to Roman script, and from Roman script to other scripts. vii. To initiate, assist or undertake translation into Konkani of literature produced in Indian and foreign languages. viii. To undertake, encourage, translate the writings in Konkani or on Konkani in any other Indian or foreign language. ix. To initiate, assist, undertake and edit Konkani folk songs, music, folk literature, Tiatr literature, stage performances and other expressions of Konkani culture. x. To promote the knowledge and development of Konkani through all the modern means of mass communication. xi. To provide facilities by means of library, documentation centre, scholarships, fellowships and guidance to students, writers, teachers, producers and actors / actresses of Konkani. xii. To collect and preserve Konkani documents, records, books and objects scattered here and there with individuals and families and are related to the cultural and literary development of Konkani. xiii. To provide financial assistance, awards, scholarships to writers, dramatists, scholars, singers and other talented people from the field of Konkani for publication of their works in or about Konkani language, literature and culture. xiv. To provide financial assistance to literary, cultural and research institutions for their activities in the field of Konkani language, literature and culture. xv. To distribute, supply books or magazines in Konkani language to the libraries and institutions. xvi. To give awards for excellence in different fields of Konkani literature and culture. xvii. To encourage the use of Konkani language in all walks of life. xviii. To promote the teaching and study of Konkani language, literature and culture. xix. To promote, assist, and undertake publication of children's literature in Konkani. xx. To offer scholarships and fellowships to deserving scholars and students in the field of Konkani language, literature and culture to visit archives in India or abroad in carrying out research. xxi. To collaborate either with the government or with other institution and associations in the country or abroad having similar aims, objectives and activities either meant to promote directly the development of Konkani language, literature and culture or to promote the literature and culture of other Indian or even foreign languages connected with Konkani culture. xxii. To perform all other acts as may be incidental or conducive to the attainment of any or all the objectives of the Society mentioned above. Tomazinho Cardozo President
[Goanet]Living with Crime
Living With Crime Tomazinho Cardozo It is shocking. It is terrible. Day in and day out, the rate of crime is on the increase in the state of Goa. Some years back, Goa was considered as the most peaceful and secure state in our country. Today it is no less notorious in crime compared to other states which are known for criminal activities. Any act performed by an individual in violation of the established laws is a crime. Crimes are of varied nature. Homicide, rape, armed robbery, etc are crimes against the person, while arson, burglary, etc are crimes related to property. Drunkenness, drug addiction, prostitution and gambling are yet other types of crimes. Corruption is also a serious crime today. I have named few of the crimes above because these are on the rise in Goa. I remember in my childhood in the fifties and as an adult in the sixties and even in the beginning of the seventies, to some extent, our Goan society was very peaceful, very secure and the people lived without any fear. There was no electricity but the darkness on the roads did not make any difference as far as security, including the security of women, was concerned. In the months of April and May, women and children used to sleep in the house with doors and windows open and the men folk slept in the open balconies and verandahs as there were no fans or air-conditioners to beat the summer heat. Today the situation has changed completely. No house today is constructed without windows fitted with metallic grills. The doors too are fortified with metallic structures. Our houses are practically converted into prisons. This attitude of our people only proves the degree of insecurity in our society. If you ask a member of the older generation to comment on the law and order situation in Goa, he/she at once shoots back, During our time there were no crimes at all. We lived peacefully. Today we cannot bear to see the happenings on the law and order front, etc.. etc.. Why such a drastic change in our Goan society? What has gone wrong so that the crime rate has reached to such an alarming proportion? Family values and traditions are dominant factors in shaping the character of the child. These values are totally lost. To add to this, the institution of family is breaking up very fast. As the natural relationship between parents and children are devoid of love, parents have lost control over their children. Children have became prone to criminal activities including sex crimes. Our Education system has failed miserably. We have produced excellent scholars but not even average human beings. Cinema, print and the electronic media have helped in accelerating the rate of crimes in our society. There are examples in which youths have committed crimes in real life by exactly imitating a criminal act shown in a cinema, a TV serial, etc. Unemployment and poverty force an individual into committing crimes for his/her survival. Many young men commit thefts, robbery, etc when they are frustrated due to extreme poverty and continued unemployment. All religions propagate peace, love and brotherhood but unfortunately fanatic religious leaders have used religion for creating a divide among the people resulting in crimes. Social values in Goa are undergoing a rapid change. New notions such as materialism, individualism, respect for wealth and status, absence of sex restrictions, etc., are becoming very popular. This has given rise to crimes Alcoholism, drug addiction, gambling, prostitution, etc are age old crimes which are going very strong till date. There are laws to deal with all types of crimes. Are laws able to do away with the crimes in our society? Absolutely not. Crimes cannot be washed away from our society by any number of strict laws. What is needed is a change in the attitude and mindset of the individual. The value system has to be strengthened. And this can be achieved well through the institution of the family. Collapse of the family is the beginning of the collapse of values. Institution of family needs to be strengthened. The education system needs to be revamped. Modern education should be value based and need based. Value based in order to produce not only scholars but good human beings and need based in order to remove unemployment and thus alleviate poverty. This is a serious challenge not only before the government but also before every citizen of the state. The thrust should be on producing good human beings. However poor or rich he/she may be, a good human being will always do only good things. Hence each and every citizen of this state, irrespective of caste, creed, religion and status will have to work collectively in this direction in order to make the dream of a peaceful, harmonious and secure Goa a reality.
[Goanet]Dalgado Konknni Akademi
DALGADO KONKNNI AKADEMI Instute Piedade, Panjim, Goa PRESS RELEASE Im enclosing herewith a copy of the letter sent to The Secretary, Sahitya Akademi, Delhi, by Dalgado Konknni Akademi. We request you to give wide publicity for the same. Tomazinho Cardozo President, DKA. Date: 06.07.2005 To. The Secretary Sahitya Akademi, Rabindra Bhavan, 35 Ferozshah Road, New Delhi 110 001 Subj: Sahitya Akademi Awards for Konkani literature. Sir, Dalgado Konknni Akademi is established in Goa for the promotion of Konkani in Roman script. Konkani in Roman script is the base on which the whole movement for recognition of Konkani language was launched and made successful. However the large readership of Konkani language in Roman script and the writers in Roman script are disappointed because the literature produced in Konkani in Roman script is not considered by Sahitya Akademi for literary awards. The popularity of Konkani in Roman script in Goa may be judged from the following facts: The use of Roman script to write Konkani dates back to 16th century when a Printing Press was brought in Goa in 1556 by the Portuguese. Since then, writing and printing of Konkani books continued in Roman script. Most of the books printed that time were religious books and since then, the Christian community of Goa is writing, reading and printing Konkani Books in Roman script. Presently we have Vavraddeancho Ixt, a weekly, Gulab, a monthly, in Konkani Roman Script all of which has a readership of over 10,000 each. There is no other journals in Goa in Konkani in any script having such a large readership. . The catholic Church of Goa has translated all the religious scriptures in Konkani in Roman script and till date, in the catholic church of Goa, everything is conducted in Konkani in Roman Script. There are over 200 Parishes in Goa. Each Parish publishes a monthly Bulletin in Konkani in Roman script for the benefit of its parishioners. There are over 200 writers which includes poets, short story writers, essayists, Tiatr script writers, lyricists, novelists etc. Their ages vary from 20 years to 70 years. At the same time there is a strong readership to Konkani in Roman script which is any time much more than in any other script in Goa. In view of this denying the benefit of Sahitya Akademis literary awards to writers of Konkani in Roman script is unjust. Moreover we would like to bring to your kind notice that the General Council of Sahitya Akademi recognized Konkani, not in any particular script, as an independent literary language. The Resolution passed by the General Council of Sahitya Akademi on 26th February 1975, which is given here below, is very clear in that respect. As Konkani fulfils the criteria formulated by the Akademi for recognition of a language, it is recognized as an independent modern literary language of India. Secondly, in 1992 through the seventy first amendment of the Constitution, Konkani was included in the Eight Schedule of the Constitution. In this constitutional amendment there is no mention of any script. >From these two historical events it is very clear that the recognition is given to Konkani language and not to any particular script. Therefore it also infers that Konkani written in any script such as Roman, Devnagiri, Kannad or Malayalum enjoys equal status. As such there is no reason for Sahitya Akademi not to consider literature in Roman and Kannad script for its literary awards and for all other benefits. Therefore Dalgado Konknni Akademi has resolved to request you to consider Konkani in Roman, Kannad and Devnagiri scripts for the literary awards and for all the related benefits. Dalgado Konknni Akademi also requests you to see that the panel of judges for the selection of the books should include representatives from the three scripts. During the last so many years injustice is done to writers of Konkani in Roman and Kannad scripts which should be stopped immediately. We are confident that you will act positively so that justice is done to the writers of Konkani in Roman and Kannad script. Thanking you, Yours faithfully, Tomazinho Cardozo Fr. Peter Raposo Jose Salvador Fernandes President Vice-President Secretary
[Goanet]Re: Garbage Disposal
Garbage Disposal needs Political Will Tomazinho Cardozo The problem of garbage disposal is becoming more and more serious day by day in the state of Goa. Goa being a state of touristic importance, this problem should have been solved on priority basis but this has not been the case. It is for this reason that today the villagers of Curca are up in arms against the authorities as the clean environment of the village is disturbed by dumping garbage there brought from outside. Earlier similar problems occurred in Sonsoddo in Salcete, Mapusa in Bardez and Sada in Mormugao.. Saligao villagers also protested against the dumping of garbage on the Saligao Hill. These problems, whenever they come up, are solved temporarily by the concerned authorities. No permanent solution has been found. The problem continues to exist. Hence there is an urgent need for the Government to take a serious view of this problem and act on priority basis to solve it. In 1996, when I was the Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly, I had visited Bangalore at the invitation of the Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly. Whenever I visited any state, I used to visit a Primary School, a Primary Health Centre and a Village Panchayat Office without fail, in order to judge where our state of Goa stands as far as education, health care and Panchayati Raj system are concerned. This was always in addition to my official work. When I expressed my desire to visit the above mentioned places, the Speaker told me to go ahead and also advised me to visit the Garbage disposal plant which was situated hardly 12 kms from Bangalore proper. I visited the said plant Sunrays Composts privately owned by one Dr. A.V. N. Acharia, a MBBS Graduate and an environmental activist. He had imported that technology from France where he was working prior to coming to India. Dr. Acharia, very proud of his project, took me around explaining each and every aspect of the working of the plant. It covers about 15 to 20 thousand square meters of land encircled with a 3 meters high compound wall. It is hardly 700 meters away from a residential colony. He took me through the tons of garbage which were being treated scientifically on the open ground inside the compound. There was no foul smell at all. There were no flies, mosquitoes or crows anywhere on the site. There were no rats or cockroaches too. I was surprised to see that there was no disturbance to the environment inspite of hundreds of truckloads of garbage being dumped there. After treating the garbage scientifically, it was transferred to the plant where plastic and inorganic material from the garbage was automatically separated at different levels and only organic garbage was allowed at the final stage where it was converted into manure. This manure called Black Gold was marketed through Excel Industries Limited. The total cost of the plant then was about Rs. 3.5 crores. It required about 300 tones of garbage everyday. One thing to be noted is that from outside it appeared as a garden and secondly a residential colony being so close, the residents of the area did not object to it. This was because Solid waste was disposed scientifically, eco-friendly dump sites were developed, the process involved bio-technology and there was no foul smell, there were no flies no mosquitoes, rats and cockroaches. On the other hand garbage was converted into bio-organic manure, useful in agriculture. Polluting gases, fire hazards and dust were avoided and non bio- degradables like plastics, glasses were separated and recycled. I felt that such a garbage disposal plant was an ideal one for our tiny state of Goa. I requested Dr. Acharia to give me a profile of the said project so that Goa could set up such a plant and solve the garbage problem once and for all. Dr. Acharia obliged. As soon as I came to Goa, I submitted the said project to the then Chief Minister requesting him to take concrete action in the matter. The request was not considered and the reason given to me was that Goa could not produce 300 tones of garbage per day. Dr. Acharia had also informed that machinery processing smaller amount of garbage could also be developed. Almost 9 years have passed. Nothing has improved. On the contrary, garbage disposal is becoming worse day by day. At least now, the Government has to act with determination to solve this serious problem which is threatening our environment and creating disturbance in the peaceful lives of our people. This can affect our tourism activities adversely. I am sending a copy of the said project to the present Chief Minister now. Let him apply his mind to it. It will be advisable if he sends a team of his officers to Bangalore to learn more about this project. Establishing an eco-friendly garbage disposal plant at this time will definitely save Goa from environmental, economic and social disaster.
[Goanet]Dalgado Konknni Akademi - Press Note
DALGADO KONKNNI AKADEMI Panjim, Goa. Phone: 9822170102 / 2489019 / 2489213 PRESS RELEASE Panjim: 20.07.05 Literary and cultural institutions working for the promotion of Konkani in Roman script, in a meeting held recently at Pilar, Goa, unanimously resolved to fight for the right of Konkani in Roman script under the umbrella of Dalgado Konknni Akademi. The representatives expressed their disappointment the way the Government promoted Konkani in Goa through Goa Konknni Akademi by totally neglecting the development of Konkani in Roman scripts during last 18 years. The representatives participating in the discussion narrated their experiences of giving step-motherly treatment to Konkani in Roman scripts. Not even 5% of the budget has been used for the publication of Konkani literature in Roman script. Kala Akademy of Goa stopped giving literary awards to Konkani literature in Roman script as per the advice of the literary committee of the Kala Akademi which consists of leaders of Konkani movement. Goa Konknni Akademi includes only one Tiatr in the annual Drama festival as against 5 Konkani dramas. No facilities of travel grants are given to writers of Konkani in Roman script. Promotion of Mando, dulpods and other Goan folk dances is not financed by any Government institution. Konkani literature in Roman script is branded as having no standard by self interested Konkani leaders even without reading a single book in Konkani in Roman script. No study of the literature of Konkani in Roman script since 16th century is done by any institutions, public or private, as their study of Konkani literature begins only in the 20th century. The leaders of Konkani have temporarily succeeded in manipulating the Sahitia Akademi, New Delhi as far as the script of Konkani is concerned only because the Advisory Committee does not include enough representatives of Roman script writers for the last almost 30 years. The composition of the Boards of Kala Akademi and Goa Konkani Akademi is totally unfair as far as representation of Konkani in Roman script is considered. It was also noted that these institutions were never headed by representatives of Roman script writers since their inception. After analising the factual position of the treatment given to Konkani in Roman script, the institutions working for the promotion of Konkani in Roman script have unanimously demanded the following:- (1) Government should direct Goa Konkani Akademi to use 50% of the budget for the promotion of Konkani in Roman Script. (2) Kala Akademy should immediately consider Konkani books in Roman script for literary awards and provide all other facilities to writers in Roman script. (3) Goa Konkani Akademy should include Nattoks and Tiatrs in equal number in their annual festival. (4) Due representation to Konkani writers in Roman script should be given in the statuary bodies of Goa Konkani Akademi, Kala Akademi and Sahitia Akademi by the Government. (5) Persons representing promoters of Konkani in Roman script should be appointed to head Goa Konkani Akademy and Kala Akademi It was also decided to organize a meeting of all the institutions working for the promotion of Konkani in Roman script in Margao in the month of August 2005. Tomazinho Cardozo President, Dalagado Konknni Akademi
[Goanet]Democracy .....
Democracy In a multi party system Tomazinho Cardozo Democracy is the best form of governance because it is the people who posses the power of deciding who their rulers should be. A genuine democracy, therefore, is an active and progressive force responsive to the will of the people. Accordingly, the successful working of democracy will depend on the intelligence, interest and civic sense of its citizens. Is it, therefore, possible to create such citizens in a thickly populated and a semi-literate country like India? Is it not atleast possible to have genuine democracy in a small state like Goa in which the population is low and the literacy rate very high? In our daily lives, we have the habit of blaming politicians for anything and everything, good or bad, that takes place in our society. Democracy and democratically-run governments can be a boon for the development of the society provided each and every citizen acquires a high degree of civic sense. This requires self-control and devotion to any common cause. People should be prepared to sink minor differences and co-operate for the general good of the society. In other words a give-and-take attitude will go a long way in establishing an ideal democracy. The multi-party democratic system followed in our country is yet another disadvantage to impose the will of the majority. When there are more than two political parties, it becomes difficult to get more than 50% votes in an election. As the votes are distributed among numerous parties, all parties poll less than 50% of votes and are able to form the Government. In fact, a democratically elected government should have been a government elected by a majority of the people. This does not happen in our country and we, in the name of democracy, are ruled by a government elected by a minority. The present trend of coalition governments is still worse. We have discussed this earlier and hence I would not like to comment on it again. I think our democracy can be an example to others if our political leaders, leaving aside all their selfish interests, are courageous enough to turn to a two party system. I will not hesitate to say that the present democratic form in our country encourages communalism. The irony of the situation is that even the political parties swearing in the name of secularism field a Hindu candidate in a constituency dominated by Hindus, a Muslim candidate in a constituency dominated by Muslims, a Christian candidate in a constituency having a majority of Christians, so on and so forth. These being the facts, in what way are our leaders promoting secularism? The system also indirectly advocates the evils of caste and creed in our society. Otherwise how can one explain the concept of fielding candidates from the Bhandari community, the Saraswat community, etc. etc. in the constituencies having a sizeable population of these communities? Organization of elections is the first step for the formation of the democratic government. It is unfortunate to observe that the process of elections, the very foundation of our democratic set up, is corrupted with communalism and casteism. In the present times politicians have the tendency to make politics a gainful profession. Gone are the days when politics was pure social service. Extravagant expenditure in the day to day administration, including the facilities to the legislators, has become a way of political living. Can a poor country like India afford these luxuries? Interference of elected representatives in each and every aspect of administration has rendered the bureaucracy practically ineffective. Many a time laws are bent as per the wishes of the elected representatives to suit their vested interests. Party organizations exercise undue influence on the government and create lot of tensions in various communities in our country. This is what todays democracy contributes to the development of our society. The concept of democracy is good. It is an ideal system of governance. But instead of using it for the betterment of the people it is being misused for self development. It is not easy to remedy the situation. Even the developed countries have not achieved that much maturity in politics. But a beginning has to be made somewhere. The major question is whether we are electing the right people for the right posts. The candid answer is no. This is because of our party affiliations. We vote for the party without considering the character of the person for whom we vote. This trend has to be changed. Past services to the society and the character of the candidate should be the prime factor to be considered before casting our precious vote. Then only honest and sincere people will be at the helm of affairs. And this is in the hands of the citizens the voters. Shall we be in a position to see in our life time the enlightened citizens of our country voting for the individuals instead
[Goanet]Goa Day Celebrations
TOMAZINHO CARDOZO President DALGADO KONKNNI AKADEMI, Orda, Candolim, Bardez, Goa Phones: 9822170102 / 2489019 / 5614256 Date : 19th August, 2005 My dear Goans, It is heartening to note that GOA DAY will be observed all over the world tomorrow i.e. on 20th August. This is the day when our mother tongue Konkani was included in the VIIIth Schedule of the Constitution of India. I hereby send my good wishes on the occasion of GOA DAY to all my fellow Goans settled in various parts of the world. GOA DAY is being celebrated through out the world in order to rejuvenate Goan identity in us. Dalgado Konknni Akademis aim is also to create awareness among Goans, living in and out of Goa, about the need to protect, to preserve and to promote Goan Identity. The foundation of Goan Identity is our mother tongue Konkani and hence Goan Identity without Konkani is like a body without soul. Therefore, on the auspicious occasion of GOA DAY let us resolve that we shall make efforts to speak in Konkani with our fellow Goans, that we shall use Konkani language to conduct our functions like weddings, birthdays, celebrations of feasts, etc. If possible, let us correspond in Konkani with fellow Goans. Let us take pride in speaking in Konkani in our daily lives. Once again, all the best on the occasion of GOA DAY. Tomazinho Cardozo President Dalgado Konknni Akademi
[Goanet] Re: Uday Bhembre's speech at XCHR
-- | Add your name to the CLEAN GOA INITIATIVE | || | by visiting this link and following the instructions therein | || | http://shire.symonds.net/pipermail/goanet/2005-October/033926.html | -- To. Mr. Fernando Rego With due respect to your age, please permit me to react to your comments on me about my questioning Mr. Uday Bhemre during the History Hour at Xavier's Research Centre, Porvorim. I was reading all the nonsense that you are writing about Konkani in Roman script and its supporters. I never answered to you because it never mattered to me. But today you have mentioned my name and intentionally commented in a malicious manner. What you have projected is totally false and by doing it you have attempted to spoil my name. This I never expected from a mature person like you. Now coming to the point, yes, it is me who questioned Mr. Uday Bhemre about his double standards on Konkani in Roman script because he writes with negative attitude towards Romi script on Konkani papers in Devnagiri script and shows sympathy towards Romi when he writes on English papers. In his response Mr. Bhemre alleged that I'm making false allegations to which I requested Mr. Uday Bhemre to give me time, date and place where I can produce the documentary evidence for the same. Mr. Bhemre has not given me any time, date or place. Therefore I have decided to send the same to all the people who attended the History Hour, if I can get their addresses. Mr. Rego I shall send a copy of the same to you also with a request to e-mail it to all your readers. Mr. Rego please dont give false report and try to spoil my name. Unlike you, I'm in the Konkani movement from my child and I know what I'm doing. If today there is disunity among Konkani people it is because of the selfish attitude of the leaders of Konkani in Devnagiri script. All writers of Konkani in Roman script have suffered at the hands of these leaders. You will not be in a position to understand their plight because YOU DO NOT KNOW TO WRITE KONKANI IN ANY SCRIPT. Hence you have no right to malign those who have contributed to the development of Konkani through literature, culture and education. Tomazinho Cardozo. Orda, Candolim, Bardez, Goa Phone: 9822170102 [EMAIL PROTECTED]: Saturday, October 22, 2005
[Goanet]Paklleo -- Lhan lhan kovita
Paklleo Videxi gulamintle Zorui meklle ami, Onitichea ghansantle, Zativadachea pinzreantle, Dhormvadachea zalleantle Broxttacharachea chopkeantle, Azun mukt zaunche asa. Polle, mhojem ghor polle, Daram na, zonelam na, Vontthi na, kuddii na, Asat te fokt mollbache nolle. Tomazinho Cardozo Orda, Candolim, Bardez, Goa. [EMAIL PROTECTED] 14. 91. 05
[Goanet]Paklleo - lhan kovita
Paklleo Videxi gulamintle Zorui meklle ami, Onitichea ghansantle, Zativadachea pinzreantle, Dhormvadachea zalleantle Broxttacharachea chopkeantle, Azun mukt zaunche asa. Polle, mhojem ghor polle, Daram na, zonelam na, Vontthi na, kuddii na, Asat te fokt mollbache nolle. Tomazinho Cardozo Orda, Candolim, Bardez, Goa. [EMAIL PROTECTED] 14. 91. 05
[Goanet]Calling Josephites ... a note from Arpora
Tomazinho Cardozo Headmaster ST. JOSEPH'S HIGH SCHOOL Arpora, Bardez, Goa. Dear Josephites & Well Wishers of the school, St. Joseph's High School, Arpora is the first English medium school in Goa, imparting education till date. It was established in the year 1887. The founder of this institution was Fr. William Robert Lyons, a scholar and visionary. Fr. Lyons started this institution in a house in Arpora, Bardez, Goa with few students. It grew in strength, popularity and standard with the passage of time. He got the school recognized by the University of Bombay in 1897. The school sent its first batch of students for Matriculation Examination in 1900. Fr. Lyons, a pioneer of English Education in Goa, died in 1925. Fr. M. A. Lobo took charge of the school and worked with sincerity and dedication till 1937. Fr. Felipe Neri Mendonca, an outstanding educationist and a strict disciplinarian, took over as the Principal in 1931. He was responsible for constructing a new school building which was inaugurated in 1937, on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the school. Students from different parts of Goa, irrespective of caste, creed and religion, acquired qualitative education in the school. They excelled in studies, sports and co-curricular activities. The school became a nursery for eminent professors, doctors, engineers, lawyers, business executives, etc. The Government of India conferred the prestigious National Award for Excellence in Education on Fr. Filipe Neri Mendonca for his valuable contribution on the field of education in Goa. In fact Fr. Filipe Neri Mendonca, was the first Goan to get National Award in the liberated Goa. He expired in 1966. Subsequently, the school was handed over to Diocesan Society of Education and presently the school is administered by this Society under the care of Archbishop Rev. Fr. Filipe Neri Ferrao. The school has completed 117 years of its fruitful existence. In July 2001, I was appointed as the Headmaster of this school. I tried to learn more about these two great personalities, Fr. William Robert Lyons and Fr. Filipe Neri Mendonca, who were responsible to spread English education in Goa. Being the pioneers of English education, they should have figured prominently on the educational scenario of Goa. It pained me to note that no body knows about their contribution and hence they are not given any importance. I felt that their contribution was not recorded by us after their deaths. If it was done, due prominence would have been given to these great educationists. Therefore I have decided to write a book on their lives, their works and on their untiring efforts in giving English education to thousands of Goans. In view of this, I request all the ex-students and all well wishers of the school, who are working in practically each and every nook and corner of the world, to send any information, experience, etc., they have of Fr. William Robert Lyons and of Rev. Fr. Filipe Neri Mendonca, so that the same can be included in the book. Information shared by you, will go a long way in making the content of the book authentic. You may send the information to the following address: Tomazinho Cardozo, Orda, Candolim, Bardez, Goa. 405 515 Phone: 2277019 , 9822170102. E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Awaiting for your co-operation, Tomazinho Cardozo. Headmaster St. Joseph's High School, Arpora, Bardez, Goa.
[Goanet]Paklleo -- lhan kovita
(Small poems in Konkani with its gist in English) PAKLLEO (Petals) i Mirvonnuk kaddta, haddtal korta, "Murdabad, Zindabad" nare soddta, Ofisam moddta, bosi foddta, Aizche xikhpi, kitench soddna, Fokt ob'bheas mat korna. (He readily organizes agitations and strikes, "Murdabad, Zindabad," he shouts at the top of his voice. He breaks Offices & destroys busses. Today's student does not leave anything except his studies) ii To mogan poddlo jinnent uzvadd haddpak, Tem mogan poddlem jinnent folg marpak. "Mog" xobdacho orth koso koso bodolta, atam lagla taka kollpak. He fell in love to bring light in their lives She fell in love to pass time and pleasure. He is now trying to understand the true meaning of the word "LOVE" Tomazinho Cardozo Orda, Candolim, Bardez, Goa. [EMAIL PROTECTED] 22. 01. 05
[Goanet]Paklleo - Lhan Kovita
PAKLLEO (Petals) I Duereachim sopnam sakarunk Jinn bhor bhonvlom, Svothachem sopon niallunk Vell na re gavlo. ( He worked through out his life to fulfill the dreams of others. But he did have have time even to think of his own dreams) II Gorib girestak Lhanvikaien hansta. Girest goribak Vhoddponnan lozta. (A poor man gives a smile to a rich man with a sense of humility. A rich man shies away from a poor man with a sense of pride.) Tomazinho Cardozo Orda, Candolim, Bardez, Goa. [EMAIL PROTECTED] 30. 01. 05
[Goanet]Dalgado award function, a report
DALGADO KONKNNI AKADEMI Panjim, Goa: The prestigious Mons. Dalgado Puroskar - 2005 award was conferred on Fr. Vasco do Rego S.J. by Rev. Filipe Neri Ferrao, Archbishop Patriarch of Goa & Daman at special function organized by Dalgado Konknni Akademi to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Mons. Sebastiao Rudolf Dalgado, yesterday at Caritas Hall, Panjim. Mons. Dalgado Puroskar 2005 carries a shawl, a citation, a memento and Rs. 50,000. The function began with a prayer song. Rev. Filipe Neri Ferrao garlanded the portrait of Mons. Dalgado and lighted the traditional lamp to mark the inauguration of Mons. Dalgado Year from 8th May 2005 to 8th May 2006 Speaking on the occasion, Rev. Filipe Neri Ferrao appealed Goans to use the mother tongue Konkani in their daily lives. He stressed the importance of Konkani language and asked Goans to be proud of their mother tongue. He assured his support for Dalgado Konknni Akademi to carry the message of Mons. Dalgado to the people in the villages. He congratulated Fr. Vasco do Rego for being the first recipient of Dalgado Puroskar and complimented him for doing great service to Konkani language. Remembering Mons. Dalgado, he asked today's youth to follow Dalgado's example particularly his love towards Konkani language. Dr. Nandakumar Kamat, the guest of honour, expressed that Dalgado's 150th anniversary should have been celebrated by the Government and all other institutions working for the development of Konkani because Mons. Dalgado's contribution to Konkani language was immense. Highlighting Dalgado's qualities as a scholar, researcher, linguist, writer and lover of Konkani language, he remarked that Mons. Dalgado was a gift of 19th century to Goa, India and to the world. Fr. Vasco do Rego thanked Dalgado Konknni Akademi for honouring him with the award. He narrated his experiences of struggle and satisfaction during 40 years of his dedicated service to Konkani in Roman script. Earlier Tomazinho Cardozo, President of Dalgado Konknni Akademi, in his welcome speech, informed that the year from 8th May 2005 to 8th May 2006 will be observed as Mons. Dalgado Year and that programs to create awareness about Konkani and Goan Indentity will be organized through out Goa. He also informed the audience that Dalgado Konknni Akademi was formed in order to support the writers of Konkani in Roman script, as these writers do not get any financial assistance from any quarters. Dr. Pratap Naik S.J. spoke on the life of Mons. Dalgado. Wilson Mazarelo read the citation. Vincy Quadros proposed the vote of thanks. Jose Salvador Fernandes compered the function. Tomazinho Cardozo, President
[Goanet]Keeping Music Alive
Keeping Music Alive Music is the art of expression in sounds, in melody and in harmony. Music has no boundaries, no religion and no nationality. Music is universal. Today we are threatened by divisive forces in the name of region, religion, language, etc. To face this challenge, I think, music is the best weapon. Only music has the power of bringing all men and women together from any quarters of the world. Therefore, it should be our priority to teach music to our children. During the Portuguese rule, way back in the middle of the 19th century, the then Portuguese Government, introduced Parochial Schools or Church schools in Goa. These schools taught the 3 Rs and music to the students The aim of these schools was to equip the students to deal with day to day problems and make them capable of singing and playimg music in the church. The teacher was known as Mestri. The Mestri, being a musician himself took a lot of interest in the teaching of music. This resulted in producing hundreds of great musicians who excelled not only in Goa but throughout India and in the world too. During the last twenty years, this beautiful tradition of teaching music in the churches has totally stopped. This is mainly because there is a dearth of music teachers. Although today we see musicians and musical groups mushrooming in Goa, the unfortunate part is that most of them cannot read and write music. The few surviving musicians, who have proper knowledge of music, hesitate to take the assignment of teaching because the payment is meagre. Concrete efforts are needed in this direction. By neglecting this aspect we are neglecting our own culture and everything that is associated with it. The Government of Goa introduced a very good scheme in the schools in order to revive the musical heritage of Goa through the Art and Culture Department According to this scheme, each school was given a grant of Rs. 20,000/- to purchase musical instruments. A provision of Rs. 4,500/- for every month was made to pay the salary of two teachers from the date of the beginning of the musical classes. According to the need of the schools, some schools started teaching Indian music only, some Western music only and some Indian as well as Western music. Those schools which opted for Indian music or Western music only, used the services of both the teachers to teach that stream. The schools which opted for Indian as well as Western music used the services of one of the teachers for Indian Music and the other for Western music. Surprisingly, the Department of Art & Culture issued a Circular in March 2005 stating that both types of music i.e. Indian as well as Western cannot be taught under this scheme and that the school has to opt either for Indian Music only or Western Music only. The circular threatened the school managements that the salary of the teachers will not be paid if the instructions are not obeyed. I felt that the very purpose of providing opportunity for the students to learn music is defeated by this circular. If one analyses the situation, one finds that (a) there is no mention of teaching Indian music only or Western music only in the scheme. (b) The Government has made provision for two teachers hence there is no extra financial burden on the part of the Government. Then where was the need to issue such a circular? We should know that the school is the centre of all types of activities. Different parents have different likes and dislikes. Accordingly a school will have parents who would like their children to learn Indian music while there can be parents in the same school who would encourage their children to learn Western music. The circular sent by the Art & Culture Department will satisfy one set of parents and disappoint others. The circular will become the cause of creating ill feelings in some parents which can adversely affect the school. Hence there is an immediate need to withdraw the said circular and allow the schools to conduct music classes as per their needs. Let the art of expression in sound, in melody and in harmony prevail in the school campus in the true sense of the word. Tomazinho Cardozo Candolim, Goa
