Re: [Goanet] The legacy of Portugal in India - O legado de Portugal na Índia

[Mervyn Lobo]

 Lusophone Goa India wrote:
>we are pleased to inform you about the following news of LSG - Lusophone

>Society of Goa:
>
>Please read the Message in Portuguese
>here



Folks,
The link provided above does not work. 
Here is a mechanical translation of the message, which I found interesting. I 
later found out that the ex-ambassador is also a poet, which explains his 
sensitivity. India and Goa had a gem of a person in this man. I do not know 
what he accomplished during term but this is the kind of person who can lay 
down some good ideas.

Mervyn

Culture
"Recognizing the historical legacy of publicly Portugal in India. That is what 
counts.

Message from Dr. Luis Filipe Castro Mendes to LSG - Lusophone Society of Goa on 
his personal experience in India. Dr. Luis Filipe Castro Mendes was Ambassador 
of Portugal in India between 2007 and 2010 and is currently Ambassador 
Permanent Representative of Portugal to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.

While Portuguese India struck me, not while discovering me through another (as 
happened to me in Brazil), but this discovery as "essential heterogeneity be" a 
poet who spoke Spanish that much like (Antonio Machado) this heterogeneity that 
is so close, so intimately close, our own identity.

And now I think the question should be put to the contrary, that is not what 
struck me in India? It is difficult to speak of India, when it sticks to 
everything we say the ballast so many speeches, so many looks, so many 
interpretations by which we tried, we both West Indians like you (yes, because 
there are also "Orientalists" in the East), summarize the a formula, an 
interpretation, a treaty that "multiple splendor" (I like to cite this 
commonplace of Han Suyin) for which India hides and reveals itself in the same 
movement to our senses.

He wanted me to speak from the heart. But beginning at the head and, following 
the lesson of a classic Portuguese, Camilo, will not forget the stomach. The 
raison d'être of modern India is evidently taking its rightful place in the 
world with the full weight of his strength, his ability, his wealth and his 
intelligence. But the heart does not forget the women raped in buses from 
Delhi, Dalits humiliated at the gates of cities or the tenderness of an 
unexpected look from within the neighborhood of misery. And the stomach: hunger 
countered by those millions of peasants without profitability for modern 
economic calculations, but with no alternative in sight for empty stomachs.

Modernity and most sophisticated intelligence may well coincide with barbarism? 
But this is not unique to India, as we know too. Walter Benjamin said that "the 
whole monument of civilization is at once a monument of barbarism." Ajanta 
Caves or the Sistine Chapel, slaves and humiliated passed through there and its 
shadow weighs in memory of the vanquished. Mughal invasions or occupations 
Portuguese, English wars, colonization, massacres by the sword, the sound and 
fury of history linger in memory music obsessive. But I did not go to India to 
participate in the ritual genuflection before the colonizers and the colonized. 
Incidentally few already today in India are concerned with this issue. When 
Europe was provincializa, certain anti-colonial eruptions have the ridiculous 
rents and charm of old camphor stored in a vault. So who are today the 
colonized?

I saw the fishermen of Goa escort, with red and green streamers on their boats, 
our school ship "Sagres", who had come to India on an official visit at the 
invitation of the Indian Navy. They did it, not to dream of the return of the 
caravels, but to state publicly that they did not want to deny the past. Idea 
which incidentally never heard any Indian authority in New Delhi: quite the 
contrary, I heard the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to publicly recognize the 
historical legacy of Portugal in India. And that's what counts.

Contrary to what some would wish, slaves did not become masters for the masters 
become slaves. Somehow understand today that we are all at the same time, 
masters and slaves: masters, even the extraordinary experience of knowing 
ourselves globally and in the same instant in treating; slaves, yes, a 
universal system of instant effects, which crosses spaces and nations and 
understands only power relations and wealth differentials. The culture, then we 
can say, is the monument that responds to our barbarism? I saw the smile 
elegant Shiva on Elephanta Island and the pitying gaze of Our Lady Mother of 
the Church in Panjim. A look at the other is the most common of human faces, 
with a mysterious irony, the avatars of history and pride of men.

Luís Filipe Castro Mendes

Strasbourg, 14 January 2013

Re: [Goanet] Objectionable picture of Jesus Christ

[bedeso...@gmx.ch]

[2] Dr. Ferdinando dos Reis Falc?o wrote: The (above) insinuation is
malicious,contemptuous and baselessBernardo Souza seems to have an
axe to grind.
J. Colaco wrote: c: I am not certain that Bernardo was malicious. It might just 
be
prejudicial and/or ignorant.

If the Portuguese were not ignorant, then why did they introduce into Goa a 
portrait of Christ who, I emphasize, was born an Arab Jew, with a white skin, 
blue eyes and light brown hair?

That the images come from Italy is well-known; under the Padroado agreement, 
the Portuguese blindly accepted whatever they were fed by the Vatican - which 
is another proof of their ignorance. And under the said agreement they misused 
the  catholic religion to achieve political objectives.

[Goanet] The legacy of Portugal in India - O legado de Portugal na Índia

[Lusophone Goa India]

*Leia a versão em Português mais em baixo.*



Dear reader,

we are pleased to inform you about the following news of LSG - Lusophone
Society of Goa:

* *

*"Recognizing publicly the historical legacy of Portugal in India.* *That
is what counts". Luís Filipe Castro Mendes, former ambassador of Portugal
in India, in a special message to LSG - Lusophone Society of Goa*

The LSG - Lusophone Society of Goa asked Mr. Luís Filipe Castro Mendes,
ambassador of Portugal in India between 2007 and 2010 and currently
Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Portugal to the Council of
Europe, to send a message to LSG relating his very personal experience in
India.

Castro Mendes writes in his message "I saw fishermen of Goa with red and
green flags in their ships escorting our training ship Sagres which was on
an official visit to India following an invitation of the Indian Marine.
They did it not because they dream of the return of the Portuguese
caravels, but to publicly demonstrate that they did not want to deny the
past. In fact, I have never heard the idea of denying the past expressed by
any Indian authority in New Delhi, on the contrary I have heard the Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh publicly recognizing the historical legacy of
Portugal in India. And that is what counts."

Please read the Message in Portuguese
here



*Fomento Group of Goa in the process of starting mining operations in
Brazil and Mozambique*

As uncertainty continues over mining operations in the state, Goa's second
largest iron ore exporter, the Fomento Group, has begun exploring other
business opportunities outside the country and the state. The Fomento Group
is in the process of starting mining operations in Brazil and Mozambique.
"The operations will begin within two years," said Audhut Timblo, chairman
and managing director of Sociedade de Fomento Industrial Pvt Ltd to the
Times of India. Please read the article
here

* *

*Lusophone Society of Goa co-organized in Panjim guided visit of the
exhibition "António Xavier Trindade – a painter from Goa (1870-1935)" *

A guided visit of the exhibition "António Xavier Trindade – a painter from
Goa (1870-1935)" was organized at the premises of Fundação Oriente at
Fontainhas, Panjim. The visit was conducted by the Delegate of the Fundação
Dr. Eduardo Kol de Carvalho on 2nd January 2013  and was  organized by IGSG
- Indo German Friendship Society Goa in collaboration with Fundação
Oriente, as well as Indo Portuguese Friendship Society Goa, LSG -Lusophone
Society of Goa, British Business Group Goa and Circolo Italiano Goa.

Please read more details and see the Gallery
here



*Brazilian delegation of Wushu soon in Goa*

“I know some members of the India Wushu Federation, but have not had the
opportunity to strengthen our relationship. I believe it would be of great
importance for both entities” says Marcus Vinicius Alves, president of the
Brazilian Kung Fu Wushu Confederation, in a exclusive interview to LSG –
Lusophone Society of Goa. A Brazilian team of Wushu will come to Goa in
November 2013 to participate in the third edition of the Lusophone Games.

Please read the full interview
here

and the news published at the Confederation site
here


*Relic of St Francis Xavier touring Australia*

“Just like the people of Goa who share an unbreakable bond with St Francis
Xavier, the Catholic community in Australia will forever be blessed to have
had St Francis enter into their lives during the Year of Grace” writes
Juanita Shepherd, journalist of the Australian newspaper The Record in a
special article for the site of LSG –Lusophone Society of Goa. The famous
relic of the right arm of St Francis Xavier has toured Australia between 16
September and 3 December 2012.

Please read the complete interview
here


Best wishes from Goa



LSG -  Lusophone Society of Goa

i...@lusophonegoa.org

www.lusophonegoa.org


-



Prezado leitor,

temos o prazer de anunciar as seguintes novidades da LSG - Lusophone
Society of Goa.

* *

*"Reconhecer publicamente o legado histórico de Portugal na Índia. É isso
que conta." Luís Filipe Castro Mendes antigo embaixador de Portugal na
Índia em mensagem à  LSG

[Goanet] The Loneliness of Aging: Stray Thoughts of a Toronto Goan

[Eddie Fernandes]

By Roland Francis:

Source: Goan Voice UK Newsletter of 20 Jan. 2013 at www.goanvoice.org.uk

In times past, it was easy being old. In fact 'old' in those days meant
anyone merely above 50. So a man retired at 55 lived for a year or two and
then died while still in his own home. There was no problem for his family
or even his wife who usually lived much longer. But now, with advances in
medicine, thanks to technology causing nature to be held at bay, being old
usually refers to the mid 70's and beyond. In some cases with many in
relatively good health the bar is stretched further. That presents a few
problems. 

To those who have immigrated temporarily as in the Arabian Gulf or for jobs
in Hong Kong and Singapore, there is the constant worry of the old man back
home. Distance has been made irrelevant by cheap air travel, but it is not
always possible to drop everything even for a short while and fly back to
help out during a parental sickness. So you make a few calls and try to get
to the heart of the matter. Is it serious? Is the cancer slow spreading
rather than aggressively metastasizing? Will the Parkinson's or Alzheimer's
give time and what can I do from here? Do I need to be there if for nothing
else than to make him more comfortable than what the folks around him think
is sufficient? With sons and daughters in the western hemisphere, those
problems are compounded further. There is too much efficiency and too little
heart in this part of the world with one's employment. So you pretend that
the problem is not so critical and you delay it until bad luck strikes with
a vengeance and senility, non-recognition and even taking of the final
breath occurs. And therein lies the Diaspora tragedy of the closest form of
human relationships - the Family. 

There is an even worse situation that prevails. Mum or Dad have been
persuaded that they are better off in England, Canada or Australia in climes
different from what they knew, snatched from familiar surroundings, with
people who grew to be their friends over a lifetime. They come because the
children are all here and they are persuaded that health care is light years
ahead of what they would get back there. Then they wilt. They have to be
beholden to whomever they live with, meekly saying yes to the son and
terrified of the daughter-in-law who didn't much like them in the first
place doing silent battle with the husband about why her parents have not
been similarly treated. So this once fiercely independent father and mother
who rocked their infants in the soft arms of love and affection, giving them
all their time and money which they didn't always have, through demanding
childhood, problem teen times and even the rough paths of young adulthood,
find themselves like vulnerable and wounded birds waiting for that predator
death to snatch them from misery.

Of course not all experiences are like this. Many children take joy in their
parents, treating them like they ought to and not like an inconvenience.
Many parents are happy, taking part fully in the lives of the children they
live with, learning that their own wise and selfless counsel must be kept to
themselves and given only when asked, even if that is rarely. I have seen
loving children find scarce money to place their parents in care facilities
where comfort and even luxury is compensation for the necessary parting from
the family home, finding time almost every day after work to visit, sit and
engage in conversation not in condescending manner but with the full
dynamism of grateful children.

It is the nature of the Diaspora beast. Children cannot be blamed for not
doing enough, only praised when they do. Forget the children, when you have
the occasion to meet an older person, drive him or her to a coffee or better
still for a nice restaurant meal. Chat. There is always much in life to be
proud of that each one brings to old age which could be teased to the fore
with little prodding. Watch that sparkle and catch that gleam. Whether doing
this or visiting someone known who is in an old age home, you are merely
paying it forward. If you reach old age whether you want to or not and you
are lucky, someone will gently revive old and pleasant memories for you too.

[Goanet] Rajdeep Sardesai for Pakistan

[U. G. Barad]

I would urge you all to visit this 20 minute video:

Rajdeep Sardesai for Pakistan 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37JHGmLYsZM

There are three panelists:
Rahul Narvekar, of Shiv Sena;
Michael Ferreira, former billiard champion;
Wajahat Khan, Pakistani journalists.

Clearly, Rajdeep Sardesai was trying to force his views on the two Indian
panelists, and interrupting them when they were going off the line that he
wanted to take.  

The two Indian panelists have given the views of the people of India very
nicely, very forcefully, very respectfully.  

The Pakistani journalists was so very arrogant, and he was allowed by
Sardesai to be so.  I wonder if both of them realize how badly they would be
received by the Indian viewer.  He made serious attempt to trivialize the
issues, and he thought he was smart in doing so.  Both the Indian panelists
gave him fitting replies.

I am not sure if Sardesai realizes that the people of India have seen
through his perverted game plan.

Best regards,

U. G. Barad

[Goanet] REMEMBERING THE LION OF THE OPINION POLL

[Bernado Colaco]

The so called Opinion Poll was a scheme perpetuated by the marata govt and the 
maratistas in Goa ie the MG party. It was a scheme to finish Goa. Unfortunately 
for Goans who were and are surrounded by occupying troops there was no option 
but take part in this duff poll. Fortunately we won, but there are attacks on 
Goa from all sides. After 4 decades of this poll and the loss by the  MG, one 
wonders what are the maratistas doing in Goa. Are they still trying to knockout 
Goa?

Amchem Goem amka zai. 

BC


The Calangute Panchayat needs to be lauded for annually remembering January
16th the anniversary of that historic 1967 Opinion Poll that saved Goa from
being a mere taluka of Maharastra. It is also remembering the great late 
DrSequeira. There is no reason why this auspicious day should not be
commemorated at a State le

[Goanet] Christian Organisations cheered the Runners and higlighted their issues too. Photos of SOUL team welcoming Marathoners and sending a message

[Dolphy Dsouza]

URGENT PRESS STATEMENT WITH PHOTOGRAPHS


The Mumbai Marathon was  held on Sunday 20th January 2013. 

 

We the members of Christian Organisations joined in large numbers to cheer up 
the runners as well as highlight the issues being faced by the Christian 
Community in Mumbai. ( The issues which the community is facing are a) 
demolition notices for Holy Crosses for the 3rd time in 10years, proposed 
declaration of Gaothans as Slums, denial of access to SEEPZ Church, acquisition 
notices to Our Lad y of Assumption Church, Kandivali, Road widening affecting 
St. Anthony's Church Malavani, Road widening affecting 100 graves at Our Lady 
of Fatima Church Kirol, Non- alloting of land for cemetery at eastern side of 
the western suburbs, denial of 4 FSI for Gaothans, non renewal of Lease of 
Cross Maidan Holy Cross and the list goes on.

  

To highlight the injustices  caused to the Christians in Mumbai on various 
fronts, we stood with our banners highlighting our grievances and also cheering 
the participants of the Marathon . near Jazz by the Bay Restaurant, opp, 
Ambassador Hotel, Churchgate begining from 8.00 a.m. 

Photographs  are enclosed.  A brass  band was  also be in session to cheer the 
Runners and the spectators.

On behalf of the  following organisations : Sahar Citizens Forum, St. John  the 
Baptist Church Save Committee, Watchdog Foundation, SOUL , Mobai Gaothan 
Panchayat and several others.


Dress Code: Any Black clothing 



You are requested to cover this in your esteemed newspaper.


warm regards,
Dolphy D'souza
Spokesperson,
Save Our Land- Team [SOUL]
Our Lady of Assumption Church,
M.G. Road, Kandivali,
Mumbai 400 067
Cell: 9820226227
Email: dolphydolph...@gmail.com

[Goanet] First Death Anniversary - Geraldo Gilberto Almeida (Kuwait/Goa)

[Goa-World.com]

 www.goa-world. com
>GULF-GOANS e-NEWSLETTER (since 1994)® www.yahoogroups.com/group/gulf-goans/
>   
>Tumcam Maie-mogacho ieukar.  Stay tuned to Gulf Goans e-Newsletter - everyday 
>someone, somewhere learns a little.
>___
>___
> 
>_
>
> 
>The First Online Konkani Music Station - Started on March 14, 2000 by Ulysses 
>Menezes & Gaspar Almeida,  http://www.live365.com/stations/61664  Email: 
>goaworldto...@yahoo.com
>Konkani Video on You Tube http://www.youtube.com/uly334 
>http://goablog100.blogspot.com/
>http://www.targetgoa.com/ http://www.konkanfruitfest.com/ 
>http://www.tiatracademygoa.com/ 
>www.goa-world.com/expressions/ http://www.oheraldo.in/  
>http://www.q8india.com/   http://www.mangalorean.com/

Re: [Goanet] Insensitive rmarks made by an MPT official to father of young raped girl in Vasco.

[Nascy Caldeira]

The non Goans in high and low positions with the MPT has been around for over 
30 years. 
These persons then bring in their relatives and friends; so by now the majority 
of the people in Mormagao and Vasco are already non Goan. More so they have 
bought apartments and houses too; thus pushing up the cost of housing for 
locals..
Sorry state  of affairs indeed!
nascy caldeira
 


 From: Gabe Menezes 
 Subject: Re: [Goanet] Insensitive rmarks made by an MPT official to father of 
young raped girl in Vasco.
  
On 18 January 2013 15:10, joe lobo  wrote:

>    The  general  attitude  of  officialdom , even  in  Goa ,  towards
> sexual  assault on  females in  India  is   illustrated  by this  report on
> the NDTV  website of  today :
>
>
> http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/your-child-doesn-t-seem-to-be-suffering-that-much-official-tells-father-of-rape-survivor-319339?pfrom=home-lateststories
>

RESPONSE: The rapist probably also works for MPT. I saw a clip on NDTV and
nearly all the parents were speaking in Hindi - looks like lot of non Goans
have taken up positions at the MPT.

-- 
DEV BOREM KORUM

Gabe Menezes.

Re: [Goanet] Goanet Digest, Vol 8, Issue 54(Water Tankers & PWD staff)

[John Gomes]

 From: "goanet-requ...@lists.goanet.org" 
To: goanet@lists.goanet.org 
Sent: Sunday, 20 January 2013 12:09 PM
Subject: Goanet Digest, Vol 8, Issue 54
 
This is an old story with PWD staff themselves owning water tankers etc. Some 
staff are so influential that they cannot be transferred/ organize them. Matter 
was even discussed in the Assembly by politicians and Churchill (PWD 
Minister)ISSUED TRANSFER ORDERS ANS SO ON. But there was no follow up and the 
matter is back to stage one! I trust Parrikar will have to tame the water mafia 
holding us all to ransom, when he has the time, as the System is too deep 
seated and has to be up-rooted!

[Goanet] SOUL and others WELCOMES THE MARATHON RUNNERS

[Dolphy D'souza]

Tommorrow's news today.


The Mumbai Marathon is schedule to be held on Sunday 20th January 2013. 

 

We the members of Christian Organisations have taken a call to participate in 
the said Marathon in large numbers to cheer up the runners as well as highlight 
the issues being faced by the Christian Community in Mumbai. ( The issues which 
the community is facing are a) demolition notices for Holy Crosses for the 3rd 
time in 10years, proposed declaration of Gaothans as Slums, denial of access to 
SEEPZ Church, acquisition notices to Our Lad y of Assumption Church, Kandivali, 
Road widening affecting St. Anthony's Church Malavani, Road widening affecting 
100 graves at Our Lady of Fatima Church Kirol, Non- alloting of land for 
cemetery at eastern side of the western suburbs, denial of 4 FSI for Gaothans, 
non renewal of Lease of Cross Maidan Holy Cross and the list goes on.

  

To highlight the injustices  caused to the Christians in Mumbai on various 
fronts, we are meeting tommorrow 20th January at 8.00 a.m. near Jazz by the Bay 
Restaurant, opp, Ambassador Hotel, Churchgate.

Please see the Banner which will be on display. A brass  band will also be in 
session to cheer the Runners.

On behalf of the  following organisations : Sahar Citizens Forum, St. John  the 
Baptist Church Save Committee, Watchdog Foundation, SOUL , Mobai Gaothan 
Panchayat and several others.


Dress Code: Any Black clothing 


warm regards,
Dolphy D'souza
Spokesperson,
Save Our Land- Team [SOUL]
Our Lady of Assumption Church,
M.G. Road, Kandivali,
Mumbai 400 067
Cell: 9820226227
Email: dolphydolph...@gmail.com

[Goanet] Jazz Goa's concert in the park!

[Jazz Goa]

Jazz Goa's concert in the park!

Goa has always been known for it's music along with it's beaches, sunshine and 
relaxed lifestyle. Some of the world's greatest musicians have been regular 
visitors to Goa, often performing informally and collaborating with local 
artistes to create some great music in Goa. Some of these recordings can be 
reviewed at www.jazzgoa.com. The live music scene in Goa however, has been 
detoriating over the years leading to the current trend of backing tracks and 
one man bands. Jazz Goa has decided to do something to revive the glorious days 
of music being performed live in it's truest form, by organising a series of  
'Concert in the park' at least once every month. The beautifully renovated 
Jardim Garcia de Orta in Panjim with it's magnificient bandstand will be put to 
the use it has been made for. Jazz Goa's concert in the park on the 30th of 
January from 6pm to 9pm will feature some of the most accomplished local as 
well as international visiting virtuosos
 that will include

Chrystal Farrell-vocals
Zezinho Fernandes-vocals
Shahriyar Atai...vocals
Jan Graveson (UK)-vocals
Mike Rogers (UK)-vocals
Bob Tinker (France)-trumpet
Colin Laguna (Holland)-saxophone
Steve Groves (USA)-guitar
Benoy Rai-guitar
Ben Fernandez (New Zealand)-keyboards
Sancho Menezes-keyboards
Colin D'Cruz-bass
Lester Godinho-drums

Entry to Jazz Goa's concert in the park is free of cost and some seating 
arrangement will be made on first come first served basis. For more information 
phone 9657574480. 

[Goanet] Handbag: review

[dale luis menezes]

FOUR WOMEN AND A NOVEL OF SUBSTANCE 
By
DALE LUIS MENEZES

We may have heard a lot of stories about the seafarers. These men, generally 
from a Goan Catholic extraction, work for nine months of the year and spend the 
next three months on leave. While the representation, it can be claimed, has so 
far been centered on the trials and travails as well as the scandals of the 
tarvotti, the stories of their wives have not been told as much as they should 
have been. Also, it must be borne in mind that the stories of the wives of the 
seafarers may have been featured in the Romi novels called romanxis; these, 
however, have died a sudden death due to Machiavellian machinations and hence 
been wiped off from public memory.
Having said so, I do not think that these romanxis were ever successful in 
providing a strong woman’s perspective in this tarvotti narrative. In the 
recent spurt of Romi Konknni novels, I claim that we have exactly this woman’s 
perspective in the form of Sharon R. Fernandes e Soares’ debut novel, Handbag, 
recipient of the 2012 Konknni Martir Florian Vaz Award instituted by the Thomas 
Stephens Konknni Kendr. Her novel, for me, becomes very interesting as to a 
large extent it reflects the reality of the wives or spouses of the seafarers: 
their fears, their insecurities, their pathos and their joys. In this review, I 
shall compare and assess the work of Sharon Soares with a mini-ethnographic 
study that researched and reported on the lives of women living in Bombay and 
Goa and whose husbands were seafarers. This study is by Helen Sampson, titled 
“Left High and Dry? The Lives of Women Married to Seafarers in Goa and Mumbai” 
[Ethnography 6, no. 1 (March 1, 2005): 61 – 8
 5]. 
The novel opens with Lisa, the protagonist, narrating her own life as well as 
the lives of three other women of whom we come to know through the agency of 
Lisa. These three women incidentally happen to live close to each other. 
Veronica is the contemporary of Lisa, with a very young daughter. Flory is an 
old woman well past her prime and Helen is a single woman, who, upon her 
transfer, comes to the village of Raia as a bank manager. In due course of time 
these four women develop a deep friendship that not only provides company for 
leisure but also becomes their support group.
Barring Helen, all the other three women are married to seafarers. Flory is 
married to Bosco who is now retired and spends most of his time at the local 
tavern and beats up his wife regularly. Lisa is married to Russel and Veronica 
is the wife of Edmund. If we closely observe the characters of Lisa and 
Veronica, we find that both these ladies despite having loving husbands and 
pleasant in-laws still yearn for domesticity and the ideal family structure to 
be completed. In a way these characters convey the hardships of women who have 
to look after the household in the absence of their husbands. This particular 
response can be seen in Sharon Soares’ novel. However, the abovementioned study 
by Sampson has shown that there can be another response: that of women taking 
charge of the household. This response is much more complex as such women “…had 
learned to manage finances; deal with mechanics, electricians, and plumbers; 
change light bulbs; pay bills; negotiate with bank ma
 nagers; and generally undertake a whole range of traditionally masculine 
roles. Whilst some told me that they made efforts to revert to their ‘feminine’ 
role in the intermittent periods when their husbands returned home on leave, 
many others explained that they were unable to do so or chose not to do so. 
Regardless of their response to their husband’s return, all women living 
independently from their in-laws described living lives in which their social 
networks and contact with the outside world had expanded as a result of 
establishing single family households. Nevertheless many said that they 
remained conscious of the continued pressure from their communities to conform 
with traditional gender roles.”
Another issue that is tackled in this novel is of the (alleged) 
promiscuity and extra-marital affairs. It was one of Lisa’s fears that her own 
father who worked in Kuwait was having an extra-marital affair and this she 
believed had caused her mother’s death when she (Lisa) was very young. When 
such a similar situation is faced by Veronica, where she dreams that her 
husband is cavorting with another woman, it is the support group that holds 
Veronica together during such difficult times. There are some tense moments 
before Veronica realizes that her husband is indeed faithful to her and that 
when he would return home, it would be for good. Such a support group, Lisa 
feels, could have stopped her mother’s death as her mother was helpless against 
the onslaught of wagging tongues in her village. Sharon Soares beautifully 
handles this situation in her novel as even in the study quoted above, the 
women “…described being conscious of the po