Acknowledge the Abbe

An illustrious son Goa’s forgotten In the classic "The Count of Monte Cristo", Alexandre Dumas has a character named Abbe Faria, an old dying priest, who imprisoned at the Chateau d’If prison, France... But in real life, the priest imprisoned at the Chateau d’If, and on whom this character is loosely based, survived the incarceration and following his release from prison introduced to the world the science of hypnosis. Jose Custodio Faria, of Candolim, Goa, better known as Abbe Faria lived almost 200 years ago and punctured the theory of Franz Anton Mesmer’s that hypnotism was mediated by animal magnetism. The Abbe, whose 189th death anniversary falls on Saturday, is considered the father of hypnotism and his Goa links have been commemorated by a statue on the banks of the Mandovi. “It’s unfortunate that Abbe has not been recognised by the government of India. He falls in the category of great scientists like C V Raman,” says Tomazinho Cardozo, member of the Abbe Faria Foundation and ex-sarpanch of Candolim, the Abbe’s village.

[Alexandre Moniz Barbosa]

Comment:
Accord unto the Abbe recognition that he has earned. Abbe Faria is being ignored by the Governments of India and Goa because there is no political mileage in acknowledging him.
A similar situation was faced by Goemcars when successive governments utterly disregarded the role of Jack de Sequeira. The people of Goa took matters in their own hands and displayed their affection by erecting memorials all over the land.

This is what might be needed to showcase this son of our soil to the world.

Goemcars may need to privately honour Jose Custodio. Candolim's and Goa's pride. Abbe Faria.

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IF YOU DO NOT SPEAK UP .....

Comment:

Bullies are always cowards. One of the biggest cowards in modern history was Hitler. He sacrificed his country, massacred millions and when his time came, took the coward's way out and committed suicide.

Hitler was bent on ethnic cleansing. He wanted the uber mensh, the super man, to be ubiquitous in his Deutshland. Jews, gypsies (whom many consider of Indian sub-continental stock) communists and gays were to be eliminated.

Indian patriots tried to get Hitler to intervene and rid the sub-continent of the British. He laughed in Bose's face and sent him packing. No brown skin would be favoured over even his worst white skinned enemy.

If only Hitler had been eliminated earlier; if only his minions had been destroyed sooner; if only the thugs who did his dirty work had been made to disappear before they wreaked their barbarity.

But that is all in the past. Water under the bridge. Spilt milk. A stitch not in time. If only...

The Nuremberg Trials gave some of these evil people their just desserts. India needs a Nuremberg to mete out justice. Now!!

Mankind must never let history repeat itself. India must never never permit desi mini tyrants to surface and thrive.

Even if it means eliminating modern day desi hitlers; even if it means destroying desi hitlerite minions; even if it means making desi thugs disappear ......

As Pastor Niemoller so well put it:

In Germany they first came for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me — and by that time no one was left to speak up.

And so I say............

In India they have first come for those from a different religion, and if nobody speaks up
They will come for those from different states, and if nobody speaks up
They will come for those from different castes, and if nobody speaks up
They will come for those with different opinions, and if nobody speaks up
They will come for you, and no one will be left to speak up.

Awake Bharat Mata before it is too late and there is no one left to speak up for you.......

Sincerely

Xanno Moidecar

MORE ATTACKS AS MANGALORE SIMMERS:
Attacks on churches continued in parts of Karnataka, triggering protests by Christians as Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa, facing demands for his dismissal, rushed to the troubled areas for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation on September 15. Police said a small church was damaged on Sunday night, taking the number of prayer halls attacked to 16. Police have arrested 53 suspected Bajrang Dal activists in connection with the attack on the churches and prayer halls in the districts of Dakshina Kannada, U dupi and Chikmagalur. A day after the attack over the alleged issue of forcible conversions by missionaries, a charge vehemently rejected by a diocese here, Christians in good numbers poured on to the streets in parts of Mangalore and Bantwal, blocked roads and pelted stones leading to lobbing of teargas shells and baton charge by police. [PTI/GT]

State political parties condemn attack on churches:
The Congress party has condemned yesterday's attacks on churches in Mangalore and the recent bomb blasts in New Delhi, which claimed scores of lives, and demanded that those responsible for the dastardly crimes be brought to book and severely punished. Addressing a press conference on Monday afternoon, the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president, Mr Francisco Sardinha said that the attacks on minority community showed that attacks on minorities have been well planned in Bharatiya Janata Party run states or where it shares power with others and executed with precision. [NT]
Archdiocese shocked at attacks on churches:
Diocesan Centre for Social Communications Media (DCSCM), Goa, has expressed shock and indignation at what it termed as ‘unprovoked and unwarranted’ attacks against Christian churches and other religious institutions, this time in South Kanara. The Archdiocese will organise a public meeting on September 16, 2008 at Azad Maidan, Panaji at 3.30 pm in the wake of a new wave of violence against the Christian presence in India. Fr Francisco Caldeira, director, DCSCM said, “We express our solidarity with the Catholic Church in Mangalore and Christian communities and their pastors, affected by this wave of destruction and violence, and we pray that the times of peace and harmony may fast be restored.” [TOI]

Parrikar condemns brutality:
The BJP has strongly condemned the attacks on Christian churches in the Mangalore-Udipi area and demanded strict action against those responsible for the violence. Addressing a press conference on Monday, Opposition leader Manohar Parrikar described the violence as “attempts to create religious disharmony across the country”. Parrikar said, “The BJP is concerned about the attacks on Christian churches in Karnataka. Earlier, it was further away but now it is closer to Goa. The government should take immediate measures to prevent such incidents in the state by providing security to the major religious places in Goa.” [TOI]

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Cannibalism?

Crabbing Attention

Crabs, locally known as ‘kullyos’, are very popular in Goa. Madkaim, Agacaim, Sancoale and the island of Chorao are famous for good crabs. There is a local belief that crabs fatten during new moon phase, while they are light and meatless during full moon. Soyllaserrata, Portunus pelagious, Charybdis cruciata and Portunus sanguinoleutus are consumed in large numbers. Although there are spicy and not so spicy preparations, a delicious dish is ‘stuffed crabs’ - known to Hindus as ‘bharillyo kullyo’ and to Catholics as ‘caranguejos recheados’. This dish should not be mistaken with fish recheado.

[ByMelinda Pereira Kamat, TOI]

Comment: Personally I think Pereira Kamat has highlighted the fact that Goemcars are into cannibalism (please see my earlier article, 'Contradicting Darwin a la Moira-net'). Being the culleos that we Goemcars are, this love of culleos culinary concoctions must be legally banned in all of Aparanta. We do not want Cecil having sleepless nights now, do we???

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Amitav of Aldona

What do Aldona village and the famed 2008 Man Booker Prize share in common?A world-acclaimed author and part-time resident of Aldona called Amitav Ghosh, whose book Sea of Poppies is among the six books short-listed for the Booker Prize - one of the world’s most prestigious literary awards.“I came to know about the nomination only on Tuesday. According to me, the pleasure of writing is the real prize. The fulfillment one gets by writing is the real prize for all authors,” Ghosh told Herald, along the sidelines of a talk to students in Aldona on Wednesday.In the State for the past few weeks, Ghosh informed that his book Sea of Poppies is a historical novel set in the 19th century. It is about a shipload of workers being taken to Mauritius.“I am interested in issues pertaining to migration and I find it fascinating to study the reasons behind migration,” said Ghosh.Ghosh, who purchased a house in Aldona two years ago, said he had been visiting Goa since the last 13 years. “I love Goa and Aldona is a lovely village. There are many writers in Aldona. Politeness and openness of the people attracted me to Goa.”“Since I travel all over the world to promote my books, it is not possible for me to stay in Goa for a longer period. However in future, I plan to stay in Goa for 5-6 months in a year,” said Ghosh.Commenting on the standard of education in the State, Ghosh said: “It is astonishing to note that there has been a remarkable progress in the field of education in Goa. Education facilities are not limited to cities and are spread all over the State.”According to the Man Booker Prize 2008 selection procedures, about 112 books are selected in the first round. The jury then reduces the number for 13 books, from which the final list of six are shortlisted for the prestigious prize.Amitav Ghosh has written a number of books, which include The Circle of Reason, The Shadow Lines, An Antique Land, Dancing in Cambodia, The Calcutta Chromosome, The Glass Palace, Incendiary Circumstances, The Hungry Tide and Sea of Poppies.He is married to the writer, Deborah Baker, and has two children, Lila and Nayan.

From the Herald

Comment:
Not content with its surfeit of talent the beautiful village of Aldona now boasts a world class writer in residence. Amitav has proved his artistic genius by choosing one of the most salubrious of spots on earth as his adopted homeland. No one can fault his excellent taste.

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Sonny Lobo - R.I.P.

Goa lost another legendary musician with the passing away of Francis Xavier Lobo alias Sonny Lobo on September 8 at the ripe old age of 98. The magical pianist, band-leader and a towering personality, regaled the glittering ballrooms at India's best hotels including Taj, Greens, Ambassador and Great Eastern way back in the mid Forties rubbing shoulders with world celebrities.Sonny had the proud privilege of playing with Mehli Mehta at the Taj as well as at the Government House. Sonny jammed up with a galaxy of great Goan and international musicians, while performing at Taj, Greens, Ambassador Hotels, Great Eastern Hotel, Oberoi Hotelsat the erstwhile music hotspots - Calcutta, Delhi, Bombay, Mussorie.“I had five orchestras under me at Oberoi Hotels right up to 1970,” he revealed once while unwinding the highlights of his brilliant career that spanned the "golden era" of ballroom music in the country. Teaming up with Duke Ellington, being applauded by Lord Mountbatten, the then governor general of India in 1947, are just a couple of highlights of his scintillating music career, which took off when he was engaged as a Music Director by the Tatas, in Jamshedpur, in 1929. Sonny had a long association with the music of the ‘silent picture era’.Originally from Pomburpa, the music wizard spent the well earned evening of his life in Goa, first setting up a hotel called “Sunny Lobo” in Saligao and subsequently shifting to Gauravaddo in Calangute and launching “Sonny’s Place”, along with his wife Therese Rita, to whom he attributed his happy and healthy long life.

From Goacom

Comment: Another jigant has faded away from the Goemcar scene. Goem's loss is heaven's gain. Angelic harmony will be greatly enhanced with the ivory tinkling maestro leading Gabriel and the choirs of angels in a merry Goan dekhni. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

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Dastardly Deeds

From one of the cradles of world civilizations. From the womb that begat Asoka, Vikramaditya, Akbar, Gandhi, Tagore, Radhakrishna, Nehru, Vivekananda. From the land that swears by the principles of ahimsa. Orissa.

The nation that purports to have leap frogged into modernity, the country that is poised to take its place amongst the world elite, from the homeland that is mother to some of the brainiest people in the world. Orissa.

The country that discovered the zero, from the geniuses that built the jantar mantar, from the architects of Taj Mahal, from the inventors of ayurveda and yoga. Orissa.

Nothing that Bharat Mata achieves will ever obliterate the senseless stupidity that blights the land in the guise of religious fervour. India must start being true to its constitutional charter. Secularism must be enforced with a zeal that makes any attacks on it a heinous offence and a social stigma.

No longer must the likes of Thackeray be allowed to prance around giving the impression that secularism is theirs to dispense to or dispense with. An iron fist must crash out the savage tendencies which if left un-excised will destroy the fabric of the country and disintegrate the nation that is India.

Only then can India take its rightful place at the table of the nations of the civilised world. If not, however many crore-pattis, however clever the nuclear scientists, however invincible the armed forces, the land of the Indus Valley civilization, the inheritors of hoary Harappa and Mohenjodaro, will always appear to the world nothing but, scum. Animals bent on self destruction and mayhem.

Sincerely

Xanno Moidecar

NB I am too shocked to get into full flow. Maybe some other time I shall be able to express my outrage and sense of disgust in a more fitting fashion.

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