*** Goanet Reader -- Unassuming giant, Felicio Cardoso
## # Don't just read the news...discuss it. Learn more about Goa via Goanet # # Goanet was setup in 1994 and has spent the last decade building a # # lasting Goan non-profit, volunteer-driven network in cyberspace. # # Visit the archives http://www.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet/ # # To join, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and ask to join Goanet. # ## FROM THE KONKANI WORLD: TRIBUTE TO FELICIO CARDOSO -- THE UNASSUMING GIANT By Xavier Cota [EMAIL PROTECTED] The tragic death of Felicio Cardoso a year ago on May 17, 2004 brought down the curtains on a great man who walked most unassumingly amongst us. A man for whom Truth was an uncompromising credo but who, ironically was often accused of being anti-religious! A generous soul whose left hand did not know what his right hand had given and who could yet be charged with being un-Christian! A true freedom-fighter who despite suffering years of brutal imprisonment for his beliefs, never made a fetish of it, nor wore his scars on his sleeve. A teacher who never stopped learning. A chef par excellence, a dramatist, a magician who had mastered hypnotism. A linguist with fluency over English, Portuguese, Kannada, Hindi and Marathi but who prided in most often speaking only his mother-tongue Konkani which he served with brilliant distinction. A writer with mastery over several literary genres, but who nevertheless chose the difficult path of Roman-script Konkani journalism when all that we had at the time were a handful of gossipy weeklies and monthlies in rundown, anaemic, Konkani, and a religious weekly catering to a very limited readership Felicio, though virtually penniless and in indifferent health after his long stint at the infamous Aguada Jail, managed to string up the finances and almost single-handedly launched a high quality Konkani weekly GOENCHO SAD in tabloid format in the Roman script. It was to become the first Konkani weekly in Liberated Goa. From the inception, there were articles of high standard written by eminent Goan writers, both Catholic and Hindu. Felicio Cardoso's contribution to the standardization of written Konkani and the introduction of pure Konkani and Antar-Bharati or pan-Indian vocabulary to Goans in general and the Catholic community in particular is unparelleled. He did it with the flair of a natural teacher as he gradually introduced more and more sophisticated syntax and terminology with the colloquial word in parenthesis. These were subsequently gradually withdrawn. GOENCHO SAD, which hit the news stands early on Sunday morning became a weekly habit for thousands of Goans from the well-educated to the semi-educated. With its mix of bold, accurate reporting, informed comment, poems and creative literature, sports and quizzes, puzzles and competitions, GOENCHO SAD was a success. With the readership clamouring for more, Felicio was emboldened to transform it into a daily within a year. Thus, was born SOT. Continuing the Goencho Sad tradition, a host of top Goan writers wrote for it. Goa's Poet-Laureate Manohar Rai Sardessai contributed a poem every day! Inspired by this, young Goan writers tried their hand at poetry and prose and SOT provided a platform for their creativity. They were heady times. During the four years of its life, SOT played a heroic role in exposing corruption and above all in safeguarding Goa from merger with Maharashtra during the Opinion Poll and for the recognition of Konkani. Later he trained his guns on the Deputationists -- the colonial-type bureaucrats from across the border who were lording it over the Goans in the Goa administration and looting Goa. It would be no exaggeration to say that though GOENCHO SAD and SOT lasted for only half a decade, the standards they set for responsible journalism, bold exposure, informative comment and uncompromising adherence to Truth, is a beacon for Goan journalism for all time -- that too on antiquated machinery and a shoe-string budget! However, unknown to most readers, publishing the SOT was a daily struggle for its editor-publisher who had to sell off the few family heirlooms (that still remained unlooted by his relations and others during his sojourn in jail), to finance it. His uncompromising love for Konkani and his intolerance of corruption and injustice inevitably placed him in the bad books of the powers that be. Corrupt businessmen irked at his espousal of the cause of labour, even hired hoodlums to beat him up as he cycled home one night. Unmindful of the pain, he heroically brought out the next day's edition! Stung by his exposures, the then MGP Government shut off government ads to the fledgling paper. As the red ink mounted, well-wishers mooted what
*** Goanet Reader -- Dr Joe, who brings life to the Bullets of Goa
## # Don't just read the news...discuss it. Learn more about Goa via Goanet # # Goanet was setup in 1994 and has spent the last decade building a # # lasting Goan non-profit, volunteer-driven network in cyberspace. # # Visit the archives http://www.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet/ # # To join, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and ask to join Goanet. # ## PROFILE: DR JOE, WHO BRINGS LIFE TO THE BULLETS OF GOA By Rahul Alvares [EMAIL PROTECTED] He has ripped the rusty 350 cc Enfield down to nuts, bolts and bones. Every system -- digestive, circulatory, nervous and excretory -- has been separated and placed neatly in greasy bags in a corner of his garage. Now all that's left is the thick chassis of the bike and the headlight holder which, devoid of its bulb, is staring at me like the hollow eyes of a skeleton. The man whistling nonchalantly as he tussles with the heavy engine of the motorbike is Doctor Joe; the most famous Bullet mechanic in Goa. My blue Bullet which needs a new chain is being attended to by Joe's helper; an eleven year old boy who seems to understand more about the Enfield than many of the previous mechanics I've visited. I've known Joe for some time now. But I haven't a clue as to why the title 'Doctor'. My query draws a laugh from Joe. I cure all diseases of bikes, Aids included! replies Joe. I raise my eye brows at the smart answer and Joe hits me with another teaser. Hey, I'm an M.B.B.S -- that's Macalister, Bullet, and B.S.A. Surgeon! I give up. Joe may not have got through his eight standard in school but his English is impeccable and the sense of humour, sparkling. Joe started working on bikes at the age of fifteen on the footpath in Bombay. He worked for a garage and repaired British bikes (Nortons, Triumphs and B.S.As) which were plentiful at that time. Eight years later he moved to Goa and spent the next five years fixing bikes on Calangute beach. A three year stint at the Calangute petrol pump, and Joe had finally saved enough to build his own garage situated at Porba Vaddo in Calangute. At around the same time Joe joined hands with Clouse Brass; proprietor of Classic Bike Adventure Tours. The bikers toured the Himalayas and Rajasthan for a total of twenty two days. All the bikes were Enfields. Joe's job was to follow the twenty-odd bikes in a jeep loaded with spare tires, batteries, cables and tools to fix any problem that should arise on the journey. Joe recalls the tours nostalgically. They would cover 300-400 kilometers a day and then find a good spot to camp. Usually this would be a valley ensuring plentiful supply of water. Food, including live chickens, was carried in a truck that also followed the bikes. Following the death of Mr. Brass a few years ago, Joe quit Classic Tours. He now works full time at the garage. I became acquainted with Joe on recommendation from my neighbour who also owns a Bullet. I had at that time just purchased two Bullets and was searching for a good mechanic. The Bullet is an amazing bike to ride, but a little tricky to maintain. I took an instant liking to Joe. Joe is the type of a guy who will never force you to repair or replace a bike part unless it is absolutely necessary. Many of the spare parts now fitted to my bike are scrap pulled out from his massive collection. That saved me a lot of money! A few days back I thought of changing the piston rings of one of my bikes to get a little more power. Joe refused to get it done. Why put a good man in hospital? was his defense. It is this attitude of Joe's that I and all his clients love. Joe's clientele is fifty percent foreigners and fifty percent Goan. He opens up full engines and modifies bikes including B.S.As, Nortons, Triumphs, Harleys, and other foreign bikes as well. Spare parts for foreign bikes are also available with him. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Rahul Alvares is a writer, author of two books, wildlife-enthusiast, musician ... and young man of many roles. He lives at Parra, Goa. Joe can be contacted at at 0091.832.2299278 (residence). GOANET READER WELCOMES contributions from its readers, by way of essays, reviews, features and think-pieces. We share quality Goa-related writing among the growing readership of Goanet and it's allied network of mailing lists. If you appreciate the above article, please send in your feedback to the writer. Our writers write -- or share what they have written -- pro bono, and deserve hearing back from those who appreciate their work. Goanet Reader too welcomes your feedback at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Goanet Reader is edited by Frederick Noronha [EMAIL PROTECTED]
*** Goanet News Bytes * May 20, 2005 * Tiatrists in Benaulim poll
## # Don't just read the news...discuss it. Learn more about Goa via Goanet # # Goanet was setup in 1994 and has spent the last decade building a # # lasting Goan non-profit, volunteer-driven network in cyberspace. # # Visit the archives http://www.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet/ # # To join, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and ask to join Goanet. # ## [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] G o a n e t - N e w s B y t e s MAY 20 2005 DATELINE: GOA / d8 Founded in 1994 e88~88e e88~-_/~~~8e 888-~88e e88~~8e _d88__ by Herman 888 888 d888 i 88b 888 888 d888 88b 888 Carneiro 88_88 | e88~-888 888 888 __888 888 --- / Y888 ' C888 888 888 888 Y888, 888 http://www.goanet.org Cb 88_-~ 88_-888 888 888 88___/ 88_/ Y88D http://www.goanet.org * http://www.goanet.org * http://www.goanet.org [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] IN TODAY'S EZINE: Politics throws up a story of how tiatrists, the traditional dramatists of the Konkani stage, take sides and work out strategies at the Benaulim bye-elections. A special crab curry feature from Sri Lanka comes your way too. o 22 candidates left in fray for June 2 bye-elections. (NT) o Pratapsing Rane seeks probe into IFFI-related works. (NT) o Computer teachers hold protest in Panjim. (NT) o One computer teacher hurt in lathi-charge. (GT) o Development issues heat up in Margao poll battle. (NT) o People want BJP to rule again, says Parrikar. (GT) o Herald to organise a careers exhibition, May 21-22, Kala Academy. CONGRESS SEES PMC ISSUES AS A CONSPIRACY AGAINST MONSERRATE: Congress demands Corporation of the City of Panjim be dissolved, alleging that political conspiracies are being hatched there (to create controversy over Taleigao Congress candidate Monserrate). LIQUOR BRANDS COME UNDER EXCISE SCANNER: Officials are keeping a close watch on the sale of some top brands of liquor and Belo beer, even as two distilleries were raided in Canacona in a drive to check for irregularities and tax evasion.(H) It's probably no coincidence that some of the proprietors of these companies are contesting the forthcoming elections -- and this time as candidates of non-Congress parties. TIATRISTS SET STAGE FOR BENAULIM BYE-POLL: Popular Roseferns and noted comedian Ben Evangelisto share the dias with Mickky Pacheco at NCP meetings. Well-known tiatrist Menino de Bandar is often seen on the UGDP platform, supporting Monte Cruz. BJP's candidate is Premanand Lotlikar, himself a noted tiatrist. UGDP has gone ahead and come out with an audio cassette titled 'Don Tarker Don Panam', (Two Leaves on June 2, the former being the party symbol) with songs sung by Lorna, Fatima, Anil Kumar and others. Guilherme Almeida in Herald THIS IS BABUSH MONSERRATE'S TALEIGAO CONSTITUENCY: Driving from Tambdi Mati down the main road to the Taleigao market, the only obvious signs one sees of a bye-poll are the streams of Congress flags dangling from every mango, coconut and guava tree. (Reuven Proenca in GT) - DEATHS OBITUARIES - ALTO PORVORIM: Vasant V Chodanker, Yashodha Niwas. CHORAO: Anselmo Rodrigues. Husband of Estefania, father of Trema. ST INEZ: Claudina Mascarenhas D'Melo. Wife of late Carlos, mother/in-law of Aida/Manuel Fernandes, Albert/Delima and Michael/Cynthia. - GOA SPORTS - DEMPO COACH Armando Colaco is doing his bit in keeping the confidence in his team intact. We are not out of the title race (for the national football league), he says. (H) SPORTING CLUBE DE GOA'S midfielder Joseph Pereira has been voted the best player of the 9th National Football League by the Sports Journalist' Association of Goa. (H) o Calangute Association, hosts, overshadowed Candolim SC 4-0 in the panchayat cup at Poriat Grounds. (H) o Salcete Veterans thrashed Bardez 3-0 in the Diogo Vaz Veterans football organised by Don Bosco Past Pupils Association, at Panjim.(H) o Curtorim Gym beat St Jose de Areal 3-1 to enter semis of Gloria Soccer.H o Don Bosco Oratory Fatorda moved in the last eight of the Ambelim Panchayat Cup at Ambelim, trouncing Rossman Cruz SC Verna by 3-0. (H) o Goa United Sports Academy Calangute ran over Cunchelim Union 9-0 in the Air India GFA's Under-16, at Duler Grounds. (H) o Hosts Nerul SC beat Penha de Franca by 1-0 at the Nerul Panchayat
*** Researching the Souto-maior family (Goa)
## # Don't just read the news...discuss it. Learn more about Goa via Goanet # # Goanet was setup in 1994 and has spent the last decade building a # # lasting Goan non-profit, volunteer-driven network in cyberspace. # # Visit the archives http://www.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet/ # # To join, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and ask to join Goanet. # ## Hello I recall reading on a post from Jorge de Abreu Noronha a piece about Dona Paula and the Souto Maior family. I am restoring the Souto Maior house in old goa - which is o ne of the only remaining palacios from the time of Goa daurada - in the 1500s. I am researching the family - Souto maior - who is of course related to the Portuguese family of nobles of the same name - SottoMayor - originally Spanish nobles. I know that there are a few Souto maiors who were quite famous in Goa - like an ex Governor etc. They apparently sold the house in 1855 to the Peres family. If any one can help me with this research or has access to the archives in portugal - I would be very obliged. best regards Varun
