Re: [Goanet] Stephen Lobo: actor in new series Allegiance on CBC on Wednesdays.

[Mervyn Lobo]

 Doc,His relatives are on this forum.
I remember watching Little Mosque on the Prairie when I was in Toronto. 
I did not know then that there was a Goan in the cast.
Mervyn



On Sunday, March 3, 2024 at 06:44:26 p.m. CST, Mel de Quadros 
 wrote:  
 
 Reportedly from a Goan family in Tanga. 

https://m.imdb.com/name/nm1683808/bio/?ref_=nm_ov_bio_smc 
  

Re: [Goanet] The naval battles on Lake Tanganyika 1914 to 1918

[Mervyn Lobo]

 Doc,The British kept meticulous records of those who died for their cause in 
Tanganyika. 
Wilfred Owen described WWI in:
Red lips are not so redAs the stained stones kissed by the English dead. 

The rest of the dead in Tanganyika, including a few thousand Indians troops and 
uncounted thousand Africans in Tanga and Tanganyika were not important. 

During WWI, African troops were sometimes left to rot in the sun. The Kaiser's 
honour was much more important.

Mervyn




On Friday, March 1, 2024 at 07:21:48 p.m. CST, Mel de Quadros 
 wrote:  
 
 Thank you Mervyn I’m slowly working my way thru Gurnah’s books. A great 
writer, his language is so nuanced and lovely to read. 
I happened to have gone with summer fieldwork from Makerere in 1962, working 
for the  Tanzania  Geological Survey, mostly in the Handeni-Korogwe-Lushoto 
area. Camping in tents with the African field staff, I made lots of friends 
with the locals. The Englishmen in the teams had their separate camps, posher 
and nicer. 
You must know Lushoto and Usambara Mountains were a favorite place for the 
German settlers due to the cold climate;  and they grew tea in these mountains, 
sisal rope at lower altitudes. 
So there were a few old men who had served the Germans as laborers and soldiers 
before 1918. So many stories about the old days over chai, beer and 
cigarettes!! And bao, of course, till the Mwalimu made bao illegal during work 
hours. 
It was always very sad to come across little iron fenced graveyards for the 
young whites who died in the WWI. They were German, Belgian and English. 
Walking thru the bush mapping and prospecting, one came across these cemeteries.
 The same applied in the /Bukoba area later in 1964. There were no similar 
gravesites for the dead African and Indian soldiers who participated in these 
battles 




  

Re: [Goanet] The naval battles on Lake Tanganyika 1914 to 1918

[Mervyn Lobo]

 Doc,Abdulrazak Gurnah takes a look at the brutality of the German officers in 
Tanganyika prior to and during WWI - in his novel, "After Lives."
It is good reading and especially so when you remember Swahili as the novel is 
peppered with Swahili names and descriptions.
Abdulrazak won the Nobel Price for his consistent description of the abuse 
natives had to bear during colonialism.

Mervyn




On Thursday, February 29, 2024 at 05:18:22 p.m. CST, Mel de Quadros 
 wrote:  
 
 Read about the naval hi-jinks on lake Tanganyika which left Tanganyika with an 
iron ship that still serves today between Tanzania (Kigoma) and the Congo :E 
https://youtu.be/i5cp-QFzfxU
A great story that may have partially inspired that great movie The African 
Queen!!’
On Tue, Feb 20, 2024 serves at 8:53 AM Mel de Quadros 
 wrote:

Those of us who lived in Tanganyika in the 1950s or earlier will remember of 
the vestiges of the German rule in East Africa. Some Germsin remained in the 
common language, Swahili. For example, Germans were referred to as Wadachi, and 
German coinage found its way into change at shops. The locals commonly used 
‘hella tanu’ (five hellers) for  ten cents. This memory seems to have 
disappeared fromThe common language in the 1960s. 







  

Re: [Goanet] Pride of Goa (O Heraldo, 28/5/2023)

[Mervyn Lobo]

Wow, V.M!This is an excellent write up. Thanks. 
I am so glad that Mauzo got officially recognized in his lifetime. 
I usually get to read of peoples achievements only in their obituary. 
I am looking forward to the day when I can have easy access to read about the 
achievements of living Goans. 

Mervyn




Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone


On Sunday, May 28, 2023, 3:26 AM, V M  wrote:

https://www.heraldgoa.in/Edit/By-invitation/Pride-of-Goa/205523

No writer better represents the stunning retrieval and renaissance of
Konkani – the central pillar of Goan identity - than Damodar Mauzo, whose
acceptance of the 57th Jnanpith Award yesterday at Raj Bhavan was an
historic milestone in the story of the Goans. It is a great individual
honour for the laureate of our literature, and also an impressive tribute
to the strength and power of his beloved language, which has managed to
survive almost unprecedented tribulations to begin to flourish anew.

The Jnanpith citation correctly identifies some important aspects of the
78-year-old master’s great literary worth: “[He] is the most prolific
contemporary Konkani writer. For over the last fifty years, he has
footprints in many genres, including short stories, novels, criticism, and
children’s literature. The themes of Mauzo’s stories are bold and many are
women-centric; his narratives are unconventional and even philosophical at
times. He speaks about human relations, social change, male chauvinism,
caste, religion, and other facets of humanity in his creations. Although
his creations are mostly set in Konkani frames, the ideas gained him
pan-Indian appreciation.”

All that is true, but only one facet of Mauzo’s impact and legacy. For some
decades, he has been the foremost beacon and ambassador for “the better
angels” of our many-layered culture and identity, the unique native
humanism described by Bakibab Borkar as *vegllench munisponn*. The way he
embodies it – utterly humane but entirely indomitable at the same time – is
irresistible to readers and the general public alike. Everyone feels
instantly close to their ‘Bhaiee’ which is why literary communities in
several states rejoiced unreservedly when this latest honour was announced,
and the jubilation in Goa has been across the board like nothing in recent
memory.

Just how unique is Bhaiee? Let me count the ways! He is a litterateur of
lofty attainment, but also an unshakeable man of the people who is firmly
integrated into the working-class fabric of his ancestral village after
decades serving community needs as the proprietor of their one-stop general
store. Then, he is incomparably eloquent in Konkani and Marathi and Hindi
and English, to a degree that no one else I have met can match. To add to
that, in an atmosphere of increasing polarization, and the rampant
radicalization of his co-religionists, this is one Hindu whose (almost)
entire corpus of writing effortlessly inhabits the lifeworld of Catholics,
and firmly holds the line against the politics of division despite becoming
increasingly isolated in that position. In this regard, Mauzo is absolutely
lion-hearted, and I especially love his persistent reminders that another
icon from Majorda – the late musician and composer Anthony Gonsalves – is
his literal *dudh bhau*, because both were nursed by the latter’s mother.

As we know very well in Goa, many things are becoming unsayable in our
fraught, desperate times, where – in grotesque irony – the unspeakable has
instead become public routine. This is where Mauzo stands alone, with
immense individual bravery and heroism that sets him completely apart for
standing up for what everyone knows is right. And here is another grotesque
irony: in our entire span of history since he was born in the old Estado da
India, it has never been quite so lonely – all the way through the freedom
struggle until decolonization, the Opinion Poll era where the state fended
off being merged with Maharashtra, to the stirring Konkani language
agitations and Goa’s ongoing struggles for self-determination.

Re: [Goanet] SIR IVAN MENEZES...

[Mervyn Lobo]

Thanks for posting this Gabe, else I doubt I would have found out about it. 
While the awards are important in the UK, I don’t know if they hold the value 
that they used to have just 50 years ago. 
Anyways, the next email after reading yours informed me that Brian May of Queen 
also got the award. 
In short, one got knighted for selling booze and the other for making the music 
for the parties. 
2023 is going to be interesting. 

Mervyn



On Saturday, December 31, 2022, 6:09 AM, Gabe Menezes  
wrote:

Probably the 1st Goan to be knighted.
https://www.standard.co.uk/business/business-news/boss-of-guinness-and-johnnie-walker-maker-handed-knighthood-b1050079.html

Re: [Goanet] Right-Wing Flop of the Year: Dinesh D’Souza’s “2000 Mules” | The New Republic

[Mervyn Lobo]

 Doc,Dinesh is the Kanye West of the Goan world.
In Dinesh's case, he is spinning in the middle part of the gyre.
Kanye has accelerated towards the bottom of the spiral.
It is sad to watch both.
Mervyn

 
On Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at 05:13:39 p.m. CST, Antonio De Quadros 
 wrote:  
 
 
https://newrepublic.com/article/169549/dinesh-dsouza-2000-mules-right-wing-flop-year?utm_source=newsletter_medium=email_campaign=tnr_daily


Sent from my iPhone

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 
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Re: [Goanet] Three Goanets

[Mervyn Lobo]

FN,Simply put, Mugabe lost his senses while in the prison of the State House. A 
prison he created for himself. He will not be remembered for the mystical  
quotes he made or attributed to him. Mugabe will be remembered for ruining the 
country. 

Here are just a few of Mugabe’s original thoughts. 
“I am still the Hitler of the time. This Hitler has only one objective: justice 
for his people, sovereignty for his people, recognition of the independence of 
his people and their rights over their resources. If that is Hitler, then let 
me be Hitler tenfold. Ten times, that is what we stand for.” – State funeral of 
a cabinet minister, 2003

“I have died many times – that’s where I have beaten Christ. Christ died once 
and resurrected once.” – To state radio on his 88th birthday

“Only God, who appointed me, will remove me – not the MDC, not the British. 
Only God will remove me!” – Election rally, 2008. MDC is an opposition party.


Once again, the man “believed” that only he could be in charge and ruined the 
country. 
He now resides in the dustbin of history. 

Mervyn


On Saturday, November 5, 2022, 10:22 AM, Frederick Noronha 
 wrote:

In Africa?
Btw, for now I am more intrigued why his "fans" seem to be creating all
those fake quotes in Mugabe's name. Any inputs are welcome, as was :
https://thisisafrica.me/politics-and-society/why-are-africans-making-up-fake-robert-mugabe-quotes/

ᐧ

Re: [Goanet] Three Goanets

[Mervyn Lobo]

FN,Just in case you are unaware, in Africa, Mugabe is considered the text book 
case of someone who overextended his welcome. 
“In February 2017, right after his 93rd birthday, Mugabe stated he would not 
retire nor pick a successor, even though he said he would let his party choose 
a successor if it saw fit.” 
When six boiled eggs cost a trillion dollars, it is not hard to figure out that 
the most incompetent person - is in charge. 
Some people believe that they are a gift from god. Others believe that no one 
can do a better job than them. Some people want a dozen Goanets with none of 
them functioning properly. 
Mervyn
 



On Friday, November 4, 2022, 7:22 AM, Frederick Noronha 
 wrote:

There's a difference, young man! He beheaded his wives. On Goanet, all
involved have taken pains to preserve the cyber initiatives and acknowledge
the same (even when they didn't figure on your list!)
Also, he allegedly did all that for a male heir. We (some of us, not all
fortunately) lost our male hair in the process of keeping Goanet going.
Apart from a little Mugabeism, which you have noted elsewhere! ᐧ

Re: [Goanet] Three Goanets

[Mervyn Lobo]

FN,I can see you being enthralled by the likes of Henry VIII. He loved power so 
much that he declared himself the head of the church in addition to being head 
of the country. 
As for his wives, the locals have a rhyme:Divorced, beheaded, died,Divorced, 
beheaded, survived. 

Mervyn



On Thursday, November 3, 2022, 6:10 PM, Frederick Noronha 
 wrote:

Only three? I could count more...

* The fourth Goanet is Goanet @ Facebook (check it out). Late Tony de Sa
ran it, bless his good soul and kindly helpful nature.
* The fifth is Goanet-News
* Goanet-News2 could be counted as the sixth, though I think it's just a
spillover
* Goanet Reader would have made it to number seven, except that it's a bit
of an interloper
* For those who are missing out their regular posts, I've been pushing for
an eighth. 

[Goanet] Three Goanets

[Mervyn Lobo]

Folks,It is becoming increasingly clear that there are now three Goanets. 

The first Goanet is for the emails that you and I sporadically receive. 

The second Goanet is the one on the archives where there are a lot more posts. 
Posts that no one receives. 

The third Goanet is the one where someone replies to Goanet, cc’s the author 
and the author receives (and replies) to the email but Goanet has no record of. 

Mervyn

Re: [Goanet] Goa Diary: Oct 28, 2022

[Mervyn Lobo]

Rajan,In the year 2022 people have to realize that no one can work solely for 
their own benefit or for the benefit of their country. 
We are on this planet - without borders - together. As an example, Mexico 
cannot produce excessive amounts of carbon dioxide - when it drifts northwards 
and causes problems in the US. Those residing in the US understand the problem 
of climate change made in Mexico. 
The very same people turn a blind eye when they send ten times more carbon 
dioxide northwards. 
When you are doing what is right, it does not stop at your borders. 
Mervyn






On Thursday, October 27, 2022, 10:50 PM, Rajan Parrikar  
wrote:


As for his Hindu credentials - if he’s true to his Hindu values, Dharma
dictates that he work for the benefit of his country, which is not India.
He may have to take tough decisions for his country to the detriment of
India’s interests. His universal Hindu values would require him to do what
is right for HIS country. I don’t see why Indian Hindus should expect
special consideration just because Sunak is Hindu.

Re: [Goanet] The site is near moribund

[Mervyn Lobo]

Folks,This seems stranger than fiction. Roland got antagonized by someone who 
does not even know what he has done!
Anyways, this is my get well soon card to poor Roland. 
I did not realize that he had stopped contributing until I saw this message. 
Mervyn



On Sunday, October 16, 2022, 2:48 AM, Roland Francis  
wrote:

Indeed!

Roland.


> On Oct 16, 2022, at 2:01 AM, eric pinto  wrote:
> 
> 
> Reduced to a masthead for the wacky church TV broadcaster, Roland has 
> probably been antagonized,
> and now someone conjures up a label of 'implicit destination' to describe a 
> message.

Re: [Goanet] War and Peace and Vladimir Putin (Dhaka Tribune, 4/3/2022)

[Mervyn Lobo]

 Another great article, VM.

While I agree with all you have written, the purpose of this response is to 
point out one salient point barely mentioned.

Every US action in world affairs is carried out for only one purpose - to 
advance its own interest. The US will not enter into any conflict to protect 
someone else. Most recall that the US chose to not get involved in WWII until 
it was attacked.   

At this very moment, a lot of US financial and distributions firms are 
scrambling to find alternatives to electronic work done in the Ukraine. Do not 
expect a coherent US response to Putin for sometime. According to some 
calculations, US commercial investments in Russia - including the likes of 
McDonalds, etc. - are much larger than anyone estimates. The US will not put 
these assets at risk.

Lastly, as you correctly point out, the US is aware that putting restrictions 
on Russia to its access it own reserves - has huge consequences. Sovereign 
wealth owners and those managing the wealth of nations WILL look for 
alternatives. This is ultimately what is a stake and hence the farcical 
response, at the moment, to Putin's moves.


Mervyn
      
 

On Friday, March 4, 2022, 08:35:12 a.m. CST, V M  wrote: 
 
 
 https://www.dhakatribune.com/op-ed/2022/03/04/war-and-peace

“Kings are the slaves of history,” wrote Leo Tolstoy in *War and Peace*,
his 1869 literary masterpiece that recalls the French invasion of Russia,
and its socio-cultural aftermath as Napoleonic ideas penetrated Tsarist
society.

Tolstoy’s famously sprawling novel – my Oxford World Classics paperback
runs over 1300 pages – is filled with insights of special relevance to this
very moment, as Vladimir Putin’s troops continue to push forward into
Ukraine. Here, another famous line comes to mind: “the strongest of all
warriors are these two – time and patience.”

As we are all aware, neither attribute is readily evident in our glimpses
of the battlefield since Russia commenced invading its neighbour on
February 24. Instead, our newspapers, televisions and smartphones are
inundated with misinformation, propaganda, and cynical manipulation of
social media that makes it very hard to detect what’s really at stake.

In this regard, there are only few undeniable facts bearing closer
examination, as the world tries to figure its way out of an increasingly
unpredictable predicament, which darkened even further after the Russian
president evoked the spectre of nuclear warfare.

Primary amongst these data points, from our point of view in South Asia, is
the unanimous abstention earlier this week by India, Bangladesh, Pakistan
and Sri Lanka, from the United Nations General Assembly resolution
condemning Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, where 141 countries voted
yes (including our smaller regional neighbours of Bhutan, Afghanistan,
Maldives and Nepal).

This collective refusal to toe the line peddled by the West has drawn its
own firestorm of moralist criticism, with India bearing the brunt. As the
superb historian and author (and former military man) Srinath Raghavan
pointed out after one particularly sententious fusillade, these
“overwrought” admonitions are “useful reminder that the language of
strategy and interests is usually reserved for analysing the actions and
choices of the great powers, while the language of morality and principles
is deployed for the rest.”

Many other similarly useful reminders of bigotry, racism and hypocritical
double-standards keep emerging, including the stupendously ahistorical
accusation that Russia has brought war back to Europe for the first time
since WWII. It is as though NATO didn’t bomb Serbia for 78 days in 1999,
and the Bosnian genocide doesn’t count since (Muslim) Bosniaks aren’t quite
as suitably “blond and blue-eyed” as the Ukrainians whose sufferings the
west now stirs itself to bemoan.

As the outstandingly perceptive American journalist, author and academic
Howard French – his latest book is the instant classic *Born in Blackness:
Africa, Africans, and the Making of the Modern World, 1471 to the Second
World War* – put it on Twitter: “All of this blather asking how could such
violent events be visited upon civilized Europe. To think how much mental
energy it must take to suppress memory of the fact that Europe has
repeatedly been the scene of the greatest barbarity in [the] last century.”

Writing for *The Telegraph*, the acclaimed historian Ramachandra Guha
summarized the situation highly pertinently. Comparing the Russian assault
on Ukraine to “American misadventures in Vietnam and Iraq and the Soviet
misadventure in Afghanistan”, he noted that each episode “ended badly,
causing enormous suffering in the country that was subject to invasion, a
loss of prestige for the invader, and negative ripple effects across the
world.”

All that is happening anew at warp speed in 2022, with implications far
beyond any that Vladimir Putin – or indeed NATO – might have anticipated.

“Ukraine’s resistance to 

Re: [Goanet] The REBAK (Violin) Making It African and Goans In St Joseph Cathedral Sixty Years After Independence

[Mervyn Lobo]

 
Doc,I went to the same Swiss/German nuns for piano classes. Unfortunately, I 
was not their star student. Even the threat of torture did not enable me to 
follow exactly what was written on the sheet music. In fact, till this very 
day, whenever I see a nun in white habit, my fingers start paining - in memory 
of the wooden rulers used as a teaching aid in the 1960s. :-)   
I do not remember the nuns teaching the violin but the Dar Music Conservatory 
did teach the violin and I saw many Africans studying there in the 1960s. At 
the time, formal tuitions in music were expensive and not many could afford it.
On a different note, you are aware that the Zanzibar Goan Institute was handed 
over to a taraab club. The last time I visited the club house, the taraab 
violin section was having their practice. One young teenager was exceptionally 
good. I later found out he was the grandson of a famous violinist. 
I have heard a lot about Elma Cota's singing but I can't remember her. During 
my time, Lulu Carvalho used to sing solos for the English mass. Her voice was 
clear as a bell. People used to go for that mass just to hear her sing.
I am keeping my fingers crossed that I will soon hear your grandson play live 
:-)

For those who have not heard the national anthem for a long time or have not 
seen the inside of St Joseph's for a long time, here is a video of parishioners 
singing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7rLuHSbiVU


Mervyn



On 
Thursday, December 9, 2021, 07:11:11 a.m. CST, Adolfo Mascarenhas 
 wrote:
 
 Slightly more than 58 years ago Ophelia and myself exchanged vows in St,
Joseph. Right in front of the altar but raised high up was the piped organ
and the choir. The Choir included a few Goans, Swiss nuns Right at the end
Elma Cota sang the Ava Maria solo.  No mike but her voice vibrated in the
huge cathedral.  It was a great moment. I cherished it for a long time
especially when I was in California.  God had really given Elma a very
great gift.  Sometimes I wondered who trained her to sing.


  

Re: [Goanet] Vamona Navelcar

[Mervyn Lobo]

 FN,This company either does not know the US laws or is positioning itself as 
being unaware of the US laws. 

Rest assured that every transaction of over $100,000 is investigated by the US 
revenue dept. 

Auction houses have stringent rules and demand proof on how and where any 
registered bidder has obtained his/her money. Lastly, insurance companies will 
not insure any item that does not have clean documentation. 

Mervyn


On Thursday, October 21, 2021, 04:39:52 p.m. CDT, Frederick Noronha 
 wrote:  
 
 This is so true!

Art market in the frame of money laundering
https://shuftipro.com/blog/art-market-in-the-frame-of-money-laundering/

FN

[Goanet] Vamona Navelcar
George Pinto georgejpinto at yahoo.com
Thu Oct 21 07:53:58 PDT 2021


Goa lost of her greats and true to Goan form, he was largely ignored while
alive. In the last 15 years when I got to know Navelcar, I made it a point
to visit him during my trips to Goa.  He lived modestly in his Pomburpa
home and in means below his stature.
Now that Navelcar has passed we will see the usual "remembrances" and
"eulogies" from people who did not make the time for him or support his
work while he was alive. Worse, we will see the vultures descend on his
family to gather his paintings, claiming to be art-lovers.
George
ᐧ
  

Re: [Goanet] Power of the Eucharist

[Mervyn Lobo]

FN,You will make a good Texan. 
Fully a third of the locals here believe that they are protected from above and 
will not be affected by the Covid virus. 

The other two thirds believe in divine protection and vaccines. 

I have yet to hear of a single case of a “faith healer” going into a hospital 
and working his/ her magic on a patient with Covid-19. 

Mervyn



On Tuesday, October 19, 2021, 1:10 AM, Frederick Noronha 
 wrote:

Science tells us that "faith healing" can and does work. However
"unscientific" this may seem, there are valid reasons for it:

Faith Healing Shouldn't Work, but It Does
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-human-beast/201103/faith-healing-shouldnt-work-it-does

As far as sexual abuse by men of religion (as well as others, and not just
men) goes, that is an admitted problem. But it is unrelated to what we are
discussing above, isn't it? 

Re: [Goanet] Nowhere To Go - but bed

[Mervyn Lobo]

Those with money to guard, buy US debt because they know that US financial 
instruments are guaranteed by the largest economy in the world. 
The other benefit of owning US dollars is that other countries are constantly 
devaluing their currencies - so as to participate in the US economy. 
Rest assured that those with money to manage  sleep soundly when they hold US 
treasury backed instruments. 

Mervyn




On Tuesday, September 28, 2021, 2:06 AM, Roland Francis 
 wrote:

>From the CNN:
Hi 
It’s a game of chicken with the global economy. 
 
The United States is heading for a cliff over the need for Congress to lift the 
ceiling on how much the US government can borrow. If things go wrong, the 
reverberations will be felt far beyond US shores. 
 
Since the US government spends more than it takes in through revenues, a debt 
defaultwould force it to stop paying out — so military salaries, government 
retirement payments and other benefits would dry up. And if the US can’t pay 
interest on its debts, the rates it pays to borrow money will probably rise — 
meaning that mortgages, car loans and credit card bills would also go up. 
Millions of Americans would probably lose their jobs and the slowing pandemic 
recovery would crash. Since the stability of US debt is the bedrock of the 
global economy, a default by Washington could plunge the rest of the world into 
crisis. 
 
The unthinkable nature of these consequences is why Washington’s warring 
politicians, generally after a period of brinkmanship and concession wringing, 
generally bite the bullet and vote in the dead of night to raise the debt 
ceiling. But this time is different. 
 
Republicans are refusing to play ball because they say President Joe Biden’s 
Democrats are on an-out-of-control spending spree that will balloon the 
national debt — currently standing at nearly $29 trillion. Their position is 
deeply hypocritical. For a start, Democrats voted with the GOP multiple times 
to raise the debt limit under Republican presidents. But more than that, the 
debt limit must be raised to pay for obligations that the Republicans 
themselves incurred by voting for massive tax cuts that favored the rich under 
then-President Donald Trump. It’s as if the country went on a tear in Las Vegas 
for a week and refused to pay the credit card bill. 
 
But Republicans want to wash their hands of the responsibility and accuse 
Democrats of bankrupting the country, as Biden pushes a $4 trillion bid to 
reshape the economy to help less well-off Americans. Because so much is at 
stake, they know that the Democrats will have no choice in the end but to pass 
the debt limit increase on their own -- and pay the political price.  

Roland.
Toronto.

Re: [Goanet] Canadian elections

[Mervyn Lobo]

On Tuesday, September 21, 2021, 2:33 AM, AF P  wrote:

Proposition:  Would anyone agree with me that Goans resident in Goa should
also be given a chance to vote in the Canadian elections?

I would say, yes. A resounding yes. I and most Canadians would likely agree
that their votes should not be counted in the totals, but as an Opinion
Poll, yes the more the merrier. And yes a strong opinion would be
considered and sway public policy.



-Albert,One in three eligible voters never participate in Canadian 
elections.  Some of the reasons they give for not doing so, are hilarious. 
Other reasons are genuine and need to be addressed. 


Here in Texas, I volunteer to drive voters to the voting stations. I have 
arrived at their residences and they are not aware that it is Election Day even 
though all the TV stations have broadcast nothing but election coverage for the 
previous 18 months. 

Mervyn

Re: [Goanet] How Many Will Return?

[Mervyn Lobo]

 On Tuesday, September 21, 2021, 03:16:50 p.m. CDT, Roland Francis 
 wrote:
 
 This was a timely topic of discussion among concerned Catholics in Toronto 
even before this article. Some Church sources were even quoted saying 
anonymously that 40% less churchgoers would return for regular services once 
restrictions were completely lifted. If that were true, it would have severe 
financial implications for this diocese which though having other sources of 
income, are overdependent on regular church donations.

Even to me as a non-believer, I wish it didn’t happen. A traditional sense of 
community and activity should not be lost. Ivan Pereira should be able to tell 
us how from complete control of the population in every aspect of their lives, 
the Catholic Church in Quebec today can only muster a few stragglers in rural 
and even suburban churches. 
-


Folks,

Most of us have been taught that the Lord works in mysterious ways. In the days 
of old, he regularly used to send plagues to earth and Covid, although 
devastating, is not as bad as having the first born of every family die.


Here in the west, the Catholic church is dependent on priests from the 
developing world. The west also imports immigrants from the same countries so 
it is a nice fit in that the immigrants have ready made churches, the beliefs 
to move in with, and if they a very lucky, also a priest that is a native 
speaker of their language.


As for the all important contributions to the church, the Popes of old had a 
great idea. They sold "indulgences" to anyone who could afford them. The less 
guilty have to drop money into the collection plates every Sunday. I used to 
count the collections - once upon a time. I still have not figured out if the 
contributions are made from guilt or generosity.  


One thing is sure, when the "contributions" stop, the clergy leave.


Mervyn


 


  

Re: [Goanet] Kawe (Actually Cow Way from Pugu Stat to Cornbeef .No Nobel Prize

[Mervyn Lobo]

 On Wednesday, September 15, 2021, 06:36:08 p.m. CDT, Adolfo Mascarenhas 
 wrote:
 Then you shock  Filomena, by telling her that a Multinational markets Cow 
urine is available on Amazon and eBay in every form and shape but the real 
money is in cow poop.?
-snip-
The Maasai are impressed with my suggestion.they will present me with a 
Shaking Speare ...gold tipped and the stick made of a blackwood has silver 
gripwire grips.

Tanzania has probably got more cows apart  from Nigeria .Energy wise it 
could bring transformation in Sukumaland

Also I have been both in a Gogo and a Maasai Tembe.there were no flies 
.the ammonia was keeping them away.
Grandolfo -Doc,
The US gives direct subsidizes to oil and gas firms  - so as to keep energy 
prices low in the US. The numbers involved are staggering. The richest 
companies in the world receive more than 20 billion dollars annually from the 
US govt. Biden is pushing for renewable energy and almost every firm in that 
sector is now claiming grant money from the US govt. Converting cow poop to 
renewable natural gas seems to be a good idea (to me) and a much better idea 
than an vehicle that needs humongous batteries.

We have an abundance of cows and cow poop in Texas although a lot of ranches 
are switching from raising cows to raising other animals. A mature cow sells 
for appox $5,000 here. The same amount of money gets you a ticket to shoot a 
zebra on a ranch. Zebra's are much more hardy and cheaper to raise, hence the 
switch. A wildebeest costs more to shoot. A single Cape Buffalo cost $50,000 
and it is difficult to miss one.
The next time you think about the annual migration across the Serengeti, your 
mind way wander to the annual transfer of wealth between Kenya and Tanzania. 
1.5 million animals each valued at $5,000 = a few billion dollars.
You Masai friends may have been guarding the wrong animals :-)

Mervyn PS I have lived in Goa at a time when cow dung was applied to the floor 
in homes. Whatever the benefits where then, I am glad that custom is not as 
popular as it once was. 


  

Re: [Goanet] Cows can be toilet-trained…

[Mervyn Lobo]

 Filomena,Cow urine is available on Amazon and eBay in every form and shape but 
the real money is in cow poop. 

I own a few shares in a firm that takes cow dung and turns it into gas. The 
stock price went up five fold this year - mainly because the richest man on 
earth - the guy who pays 50 cents for everything that is worth a dollar bought 
options for shares at  twice the price it is trading now.

Oh, BTW, the US govt subsidizes the firm to collect cow poop and convert it 
into gas.

Mervyn

Re: [Goanet] History Repeats Itself

[Mervyn Lobo]

Joao, The most religious people are those who were never were able to question 
religion. Mervyn



On Sunday, September 12, 2021, 8:43 PM, Joao Barros-Pereira 
 wrote:

did
our parents

give us
freedom

to choose
our religion?

did
brainwashing

start from
an early age?

no freedom
to discover

for ourselves
truth

and
sadly

are we
doing

to our
children

what
our parents

did
to us?

what does joao want to say?

Re: [Goanet] Some thoughts on the 20th Anniversary of 9/11

[Mervyn Lobo]

 On Friday, September 10, 2021, 02:03:46 p.m. CDT, Mel de Quadros 
 wrote:
 At this stage, it’s to late to correct the past; but it’s time the USA sets
its future foreign policy. Not piecemeal, changing from President to
President, from majority leader to his successor.
==

Doc,
Your opinions are almost a duplicate of what mine were while living in Toronto. 

I wish I had more time to respond to your observations but it is Friday night 
and I am on safari. Since relocating to Texas I have found out that US foreign 
policy is dictated by those who bankroll the candidates for elected positions. 
The more dependent the politician is on the donors, the more complaint he is to 
their demands. The prime example of a complaint politician was George Bush (43).

20 years ago, the most horrible enemy ever was the "Axis of evil." The US then 
changed its mind and Trump went for a photo opportunity with the great N. 
Korean leader and Biden handed power back to the Taliban. 

All this, if the great US politicians are to be believed, is in the best 
interest of the US - regardless of how many lives were destroyed by these "turn 
in the direction the wind is blowing" policies. 

Mervyn
 

  

Re: [Goanet] Sir Richard Turnbull

[Mervyn Lobo]

FN,Tanganyika was not a colony. It was administered by the British for the UN 
and the British knew they would have to leave someday. 

I read a lot about anti-colonialism in the local papers in the 1970s but do not 
remember reading any negative article about Turnbull. 

Prior to independence and even a few years later, there used to be charity fund 
raisers held at the State House, Dar. Adults could wander in the grounds and 
kids could go on guided tours inside. 

Nyerere’s home in Dar had just one policeman guarding it while he was 
President. Then he retired. The presidents who had large number of guards, died 
in office. Some of natural causes. 

Mervyn 



On Friday, September 10, 2021, 7:52 AM, Frederick Noronha 
 wrote:

Oh wow! Not even a bulletproof car?
And these were colonial administrators? FN

On Fri, 10 Sept 2021 at 13:28, Antonio Menezes  wrote:

> I recollect seeing briefly the Governor of Tanganyika Sir Richard Turnbull
> who along with his wife were cycling down the Acacia Avenue
> on bicycles which looked very odd i.e.. with broad tires.
> It was early sunday morning and I was on my way to the St Joseph
> Cathedral for mass . Both Mr and Mrs Turnbull were unaccompanied
> by security guards.

ᐧ

Re: [Goanet] Remembering Idi Amin -- when the "last King of Scotland

[Mervyn Lobo]

 Bwana Mervyn,I am sad to hear of your recent set back but am also happy to 
learn that you are making a good recovery.
It was interesting to read how detailed Turnbull's comments on your draft was. 
As you may know, he opened the new D.I. clubhouse and wrote the foreword for 
the souvenir. He was the Governor General of Tanganyika then.
Mervyn

https://www.flickr.com/photos/45002663@N00/3126324489/in/album-72157709319964602/





On Wednesday, September 8, 2021, 02:49:54 a.m. CDT, Mervyn Maciel 
 wrote:  
 
 Dear Armand,

I have always wanted to keep your great brother's(Ferdie's) memory alive,
and it so happened that when recuperating from a recent heart attack, and
having to slow down - I decided to rummage through some of the papers
I've stored hoping that I had not destroyed the 6-page notes that Ferdie
had sent me when I was doing some de-cluttering. Thank God, I hadn't
and the rest as they say, is history.
  Ferdie was someone I had the greatest respect for - not just because
he was a fellow Goan, but more because of his unassuming and modest
personality.  He had every right to boast of his many achievements  but
never sought the limelight.That's where his greatness lies
  Always one to encourage anything GOAN,, I can well remember the
support he gave when both my wife's Goan Cookery Book and my
own memoirs came out. I can never forget his interest, encouragement
and sincere praise.
    Long may Ferdie's memory live.


  

Re: [Goanet] Why the US cannot now be an imperialist power even if it wants to be

[Mervyn Lobo]

 On Monday, September 6, 2021, 10:25:44 a.m. CDT, Antonio Menezes 
 wrote:
 There has been a hue and cry in certain political quarters
that US has simply left Afghanistan revert to backwoodsmen
called Taliban and further that there could not be , in future,
any further trust in American policies.
Of course, the US has wisely left after fighting for twenty years
the fiercely independent Pashtun tribesmen who also happen
to have taught lesson to the British in the 19th century  and to
the Soviet Union in the 20th.
The US cannot afford to act like any old West European colonial
power for the simple reason it is slowly ceasing to be demographically
a WASP country, that is the majority of its population is White,
Anglo Saxon Protestant originally from North Western Europe.
Today it is slowly turning into a brown country with increasing
population of Latinos (from Mexico and Central America ),
Black population, other non-wasp people of Europe not to speak
Chinese, Filipinos, Vietnamese , Indians etc.,
The US armed forces though a very sophisticated and technologically
efficient war machine now consist of soldiers  not only from WASP
community  but increasingly from other non-Wasp communities
It is the latter element in the armed forces that has no stomach for
long imperialist wars.
-
AM,US interest in the rest of the world is dictated by "influencers" whose only 
motive is to take a situation and make money from it. The US, or for that 
matter no other country, interfered when Rwanda went on a murder spree. On the 
the hand, when Osama attacked NYC, the US invaded Iraq. 


US armed forces now operate remotely. I know people here in Texas who search 
for and then use drones to kill anyone in Afghanistan who are out at night. The 
operators of the drones make the judgement everyday, kill a few Afghans and 
return home for dinner. Osama was killed 10 years ago and after that, the US 
wasted the lives of its youth there.

The US armed forces accepts non citizens and even those without documentation. 
Most are from poor backgrounds and are overwhelmingly Republican voters. Armed 
forces recruiters are active at high schools and even accept dropouts. There is 
little or no colour discrimination  on recruitment.


As for those working for the military, I scratch my head why anyone would 
volunteer to join as the pay is low. Google any US base and you will see shops 
for used clothes, etc. In San Antonio, food banks make deliveries to families 
on bases every week. For veterans, the story gets worse. A lot of them sleep 
under bridges and I volunteer for one organization that tries to help them. 
According to the US govt, veterans commit suicided at the rate of one per hour.

Once again, US military adventures are profit oriented and not based on 
imperialism. 

Mervyn









  

Re: [Goanet] Taliban pilot a US Black Hawk helicopter with a body hanging from it

[Mervyn Lobo]

 On Tuesday, August 31, 2021, 05:25:03 p.m. CDT, Roland Francis 
 wrote:
One day the Americans leave and the next day the Taliban are dying their 
sophisticated choppers.

What gives?
--

Maybe Biden's war cry should be, "Make Taliban great again." 


It is also becoming clear that the US citizens left behind are mostly ethnic 
Afghans. I guess they were not high on the evacuation list.

Mervyn




  

Re: [Goanet] Afghanistan - Land of endless war

[Mervyn Lobo]

Folks, US military commanders assured us that they blew up their munitions, 
equipment, aircraft (aircraft? who blows up their own aircraft?) and military 
posts before leaving Afghanistan. 


Usually, the victors of a war are left with extra military equipment - which is 
the position the Taliban find themselves in. Videos on US tv networks show the 
Taliban entering hangers with US made aircraft in them. US generals responded 
by saying that those are not US aircraft but rather they are owned by the 
Afghan govt :-) 


Today, the same  US generals admit that a cache of 300,000 machine guns might 
not have been destroyed!


In the next few days, we will get more details on the best/worst way to hand 
power back to the enemy you were sent to defeat.  No one doubted that the 
Afghans would defeat the invaders. The surprise is that the Soviet retreat - 
last century -  now seems to be ten times more efficient than the US one.



Oh! one last thing. The US claim to have in the last few days evacuated 100,000 
people from Kabul airport, an airport that the Taliban were given the job of 
vetting who could get near the evacuation gates. These evacuees are on their 
way to the US.


Mervyn







 

Re: [Goanet] Ku Klux Klan - The secret history of the KKK (in two parts) | DW Documentary

[Mervyn Lobo]

 On Friday, August 27, 2021, 03:21:54 p.m. CDT, Cecil Pinto 
 wrote:
 Dear Mervyn,

How many times do I have to remind you that GoaNet is Rico's personal turf
and fan club. You and me exist here at his discretion and he decides who
can post what.

Now recently he has discovered Whatsapp Groups and is running them
similarly and disastrously by just kicking out anyone who opposes him.

--
Cecil,
About a year ago, I mentioned to a Goanetter whom I enjoy reading that I had 
not seen any posts from him on Goanet recently. His answer blew me away. The 
person - a generation older than me with the wisdom to prove it  -  said that 
the last two posts he sent disappeared into thin air so he decided to stop 
posting. 


A month ago, I sent in information about an award that a Goan and former 
Goanetter received here in the USA. Guess what? The message disappeared. So I 
sent the message again. Well, guess what? Yes, the message disappeared again!  
I get fascinated every time I open a post on Goanet and the entire post is a 
link taking you elsewhere. There is no preamble, no hint of what the subject 
matter is  - but just a link. No one in his right mind is going to click on 
such a link but these are the majority of the posts on this forum now. The 
forum has, essentially, been reduced to a directory to take you elsewhere and 
mostly to things unrelated to Goa or Goans. 

It is only a supremely righteous man, one who feels that there is no one but 
himself capable of running the group s/he controls who will think of retaining  
power forever. Unfortunately, as the years morph into decades, the belief gets 
stronger ;-) 

Mervyn
 





 
  

Re: [Goanet] The Great Indian Fire Sale (Dhaka Tribune, 27/8/2021)

[Mervyn Lobo]

VM,Tanzania auctioned most of its state owned properties in the 1980s as it 
transitioned from a planned economy to a free market one. 
The bottom line was that the state received 10% of the value of the enterprise 
being auctioned and the state officials received 40% of the value of the 
enterprise. 

This is the main reason for the timing of the sale of state assets. 
Mervyn



On Friday, August 27, 2021, 3:42 AM, V M  wrote:

https://www.dhakatribune.com/opinion/op-ed/2021/08/27/op-ed-the-great-indian-fire-sale

It is a gala week for Indian kleptocrats, after finance minister Nirmala
Sitharaman announced an extraordinary 80 billion dollar privatization
programme encompassing 13 different sectors of the economy, including
stadiums, railways, airports, warehouses, housing, power lines, mobile
towers, coal mines, highways, and much more.

The greatest sell-off in the country’s history has the potential to be even
more far-reaching in significance than the wholesale capture of state
assets that occurred at the end of the Soviet Union in the 1990s.

At that time, the transition from Mikhail Gorbachev’s *perestroika* to
Boris Yeltsin’s roughly market-based free-for-all gave rise to monopolistic
oligarchs, and, inevitably, Vladimir Putin’s barely concealed “grand
bargain” that – according to Wikileaks revelations – foreign diplomats
openly acknowledge functions as “a mafia state.”

But the situation in India at the moment is even more dangerous, because
what happened in the debris of the USSR started from relative scratch,
amidst somewhat mitigated inequality.

Whereas the Indian fire sale will take place in pandemic circumstances,
when the balance of the political economy has already shifted heavily in
favour of a tiny fraction of special interests.

The fact is, in the last 12 months alone, an astonishing 50 new dollar
billionaires have officially emerged from India (according to the latest
Hurun Global Rich List, compiled in Beijing). According to that tally –
which surely leaves out many much less-documented fortunes – the country
now has 209 billionaires, third only to China and the USA.

These are people who have prospered during a global catastrophe, whose net
worth skyrocketed even as the national economy shrunk, during the same time
as the number of desperately poor people in the country has doubled.

All the gains of the past decade have gone to them, and now they will own
the most prized national assets as well.

There is doublespeak galore in the “National Monetization Pipeline” project
reports, starting from the name itself, which purposefully implies the mere
conveyance of assets rather than their peremptory disbursement.

The NITI Aayog strategists who came up with this nomenclature brainwave
also highly dubiously refer to peddling off the apex achievements of Indian
infrastructure as “brownfield assets.”

It is not an entirely original approach – although “brownfields” are
generally understood to be degraded, and often abandoned – but rather
misleading when referring to, for instance, the spectacular Konkan Railway,
the brilliant Mumbai airport, hundreds of thousands of kilometres of
optical fibre networks, or the Nehru stadium in New Delhi.

“The prime minister is in the process of selling the crown jewels of this
country,” said Rahul Gandhi after Sitharaman announced her plans, “It took
70 years to build this massive infrastructure. People’s money was involved
but now these are being sold to 3-4 people. As soon as these become
monopolies, employment opportunities would be shrunk. Small business,
medium business will not exist.”

Swiping back, the BJP’s own Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi (he is the Union Minister
for Minority Affairs) rather amusingly termed the Congress Party itself as
“a non-performing asset which has no value.”

Meanwhile, other opposition parties have joined the fray, including the
Trinamool Congress Party’s chief minister in West Bengal. Mamata Banerjee
called the BJP plans “a shocking and unfortunate decision. These are
national assets that belong to the country. These are not prime minister
Modi’s or the BJP’s assets. They are selling the country.”

This is an emotional approach. It has to be balanced with the reality of
India’s economy foundering badly, with the terminally sclerotic bureaucracy
proving spectacularly incompetent about managing many of the most important
national assets (see Air India for just one among many billion-dollar
disasters).

So, while privatization has to be considered in some cases, it should also
be noted that it isn’t inevitably always a disaster. Ever since Ronald
Reagan started the global shift – he famously exhorted, “don’t just stand
there, undo something” – there has undoubtedly been value unlocked both for
the public and private sectors, to the benefit of citizens and consumers
alike. British Airways is one leading example.

To find out what he thought about this dilemma, I reached out to Nitin Pai,
the co-founder and director of the 

Re: [Goanet] Falling Hu(man)ity

[Mervyn Lobo]

 On Friday, August 20, 2021, 02:04:40 a.m. CDT, V M  wrote:
 https://www.dhakatribune.com/opinion/op-ed/2021/08/20/op-ed-falling-hu-man-ity

This is extraordinarily cynical doublespeak, coming from an administration
that – along with its predecessors – propped up an obviously untenable and
atrociously corrupt regime. Even its own President wouldn’t fight for it,
as we now know, after Ashraf Ghani showed up in the UAE (allegedly toting
$169 million dollars in purloined state funds).


VM,The US puppet regime in Afghanistan was one of the most corrupt govts in the 
world. Some claim that the Afghan govt was more corrupt than that of S. Vietnam 
at the time of its fall. National Public Radio (NPR) in the US had a program 
this morning detailing how the Afghan (Govt) military leaders were illiterate 
and needed help in claiming salaries for ghost solders they claimed to command. 
These very same govt commanders got offered payments and amnesty  from the 
Taliban to abandon their posts. The Govt commanders then ordered their troops 
not to fight :-)  In this regard, the Taliban may have set up a new method of 
defeating puppet govts.     



The final conclusion: “Old-fashioned imperialism, where faraway powers can
prop up client states and help them gin up legitimacy through budgetary
largesse and military training, has been in its death agonies for years. In
the end, Afghanistan is going to have to be ruled by Afghans, and not
according to the preferences of others…It almost certainly will not be
pretty, and indeed may be painful, most of all perhaps for the women and
girls of the country. But the old models don’t work anymore, if they ever
did, and there is simply no avoiding this fact.”


The US has also made it clear this week that anyone collaborating with the US 
is useful only when the US thinks it is. When it is time to pack up and go, 
translators/collaborators are dispensable and may or may not be left behind. 
One translator on today's NPR program emphasized that he was the person who had 
to determine who was the bad guy and had to be shot and who was to be left to 
escape. The locals memorized his face. 

US imperialist were dealt a severe blow this week, but the surprising thing is 
that the US puppet regime and the Taliban combined to hand the US its most 
embarrassing defeat of this century. . 

Mervyn

  

     

Re: [Goanet] Ku Klux Klan - The secret history of the KKK (in two parts) | DW Documentary

[Mervyn Lobo]

 This has something to do with Goa? Or Goanet or Goans?
Mervyn


On Thursday, August 19, 2021, 02:48:19 p.m. CDT, Frederick Noronha 
 wrote:  
 
 https://youtu.be/aDCyjdHPPtI
https://youtu.be/x99pzn1dAWc

-- 
_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/
_/  FN * फ्रेड्रिक नोरोन्या * فريدريك نورونيا‎ +91-9822122436
_/  See a different Goa here, via
_/  https://youtube.com/c/frederickfnnoronha
_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/
  

Re: [Goanet] Its not what it seems

[Mervyn Lobo]

 Nail on the head, Rolly.  If Frump could climb into bed with North Korea, he 
could with the Taliban. He twisted arms to get the Taliban spokesman released 
from  Pakistani prison, then treated the whole bunch to steaks in Quatar for a 
year.    I nominate the Tolly and Trump for Nobel Peace.    Eric.
-Doc,Everyone
 thought that the puppet govt would not last a day longer than when the puppet 
master left - but they were proven wrong. The puppets left before the puppet 
masters.
Anyway you look at it, this is a magnificent victory for the Taliban. MervynPS. 
US investors made a lot of money supplying goods and services for this handy 
war. In the meantime, I am donating food at my local grocery store to locals 
who cannot feed their children in San Antonio. 

 

Re: [Goanet] Musical Chairs

[Mervyn Lobo]

On Friday, July 9, 2021, 7:58 PM, Roland Francis  
wrote:

This para almost made me laugh but I checked myself in time, fleeing from the 
imagery.

It is an excerpt from a CNN article on the raging Delta variant in South Africa 
and Namibia. The context is a situation between the morgue and the bodies lying 
on the floors of the same hospital in Windhoek. 

"What they are having to do now is use a rotation system, swapping bodies kept 
in the freezers overnight with those lying in the corridors in the morning and 
then doing it again in the afternoon to prevent thawing," a person familiar 
with the operations at the mortuary told CNN. 
—-

Roland,I can understand that the imagery almost cha cha cha’ed on your funny 
bone.

What you may have missed from the news is that S. Africa jailed its immediate 
former president a few days ago. I think you will agree with me that it is a 
great day when a country can stop the music and move someone from the 
Presidential chair - to a prisoners chair. 

Also from Africa last week, was a picture of a spartanly dressed Islamic women 
lecturing a bunch of all male Christian clergy - dressed in superfluous robes - 
on how the health care system of the country will work. The president of 
Tanzania is gaining kudos from every quarter. 

Some dwell only on petty issues completely ignoring the democratic trail 
blazing paths emerging in Africa. I on the other hand, am watching with 
excitement - counting the days left till the US finally follows S. Africa and 
jails D. Trump.


Mervyn

Re: [Goanet] Mary Simon

[Mervyn Lobo]

 On Wednesday, July 7, 2021, 02:49:23 p.m. CDT, Roland Francis 
 wrote:
Justin Trudeau and the powers that be in Ottawa must have heard the constant 
and strident complaints of Eddie D’Sa in London England and to placate him they 
have named Canada’s first female and Indigenous Governor-General.

So, like the famous corrupted quote of James Baldwin “When the White Man Came 
to Africa he had the bible and the black man had the lands. Now we have the 
bible and he has the lands,” Trudeau has the Canadian land and they have the 
title of Governor-General.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/mary-simon-governor-general-trudeau-payette-1.6092335



Roland,
Baldwin's 'quote' is actually only what he heard in his travels. He noted the 
following about 70 years ago in, "Letter from a region in my mind." Some of his 
observations may be valuable to those who have never questioned their beliefs. 


Baldwin's thoughts on the clergy and church may also have some bearing on why 
the Christian abuse and killing took place in Canada - directed primary towards 
children. 


Mervyn


"The Africans put it another way: When the white man came to Africa, the white 
man had the Bible and the African had the land, but now it is the white man who 
is being, reluctantly and bloodily, separated from the land, and the African 
who is still attempting to digest or to vomit up the Bible. 
The struggle, therefore, that now begins in the world is extremely complex, 
involving the historical role of Christianity in the realm of power—that is, 
politics—and in the realm of morals. In the realm of power, Christianity has 
operated with an unmitigated arrogance and cruelty—necessarily, since a 
religion ordinarily imposes on those who have discovered the true faith the 
spiritual duty of liberating the infidels. This particular true faith, 
moreover, is more deeply concerned about the soul than it is about the body, to 
which fact the flesh (and the corpses) of countless infidels bears witness. 
It goes without saying, then, that whoever questions the authority of the true 
faith also contests the right of the nations that hold this faith to rule over 
him—contests, in short, their title to his land. The spreading of the Gospel, 
regardless of the motives or the integrity or the heroism of some of the 
missionaries, was an absolutely indispensable justification for the planting of 
the flag. Priests and nuns and schoolteachers helped to protect and sanctify 
the power that was so ruthlessly being used by people who were indeed seeking a 
city, but not one in the heavens, and one to be made, very definitely, by 
captive hands. 
The Christian church itself—again, as distinguished from some of its 
ministers—sanctified and rejoiced in the conquests of the flag, and encouraged, 
if it did not formulate, the belief that conquest, with the resulting relative 
well-being of the Western populations, was proof of the favor of God. God had 
come a long way from the desert—but then so had Allah, though in a very 
different direction. God, going north, and rising on the wings of power, had 
become white, and Allah, out of power, and on the dark side of Heaven, had 
become—for all practical purposes, anyway—black. 
Thus, in the realm of morals the role of Christianity has been, at best, 
ambivalent. Even leaving out of account the remarkable arrogance that assumed 
that the ways and morals of others were inferior to those of Christians, and 
that they therefore had every right, and could use any means, to change them, 
the collision between cultures—and the schizophrenia in the mind of 
Christendom—had rendered the domain of morals as chartless as the sea once was, 
and as treacherous as the sea still is. 
It is not too much to say that whoever wishes to become a truly moral human 
being (and let us not ask whether or not this is possible; I think we must 
believe that it is possible) must first divorce himself from all the 
prohibitions, crimes, and hypocrisies of the Christian church. If the concept 
of God has any validity or any use, it can only be to make us larger, freer, 
and more loving. If God cannot do this, then it is time we got rid of Him." 

Re: [Goanet] NATIVE INDIANS TRILLIONS in COMPENSATION, AND FM

[Mervyn Lobo]

On Wednesday, July 7, 2021, 12:11:09 p.m. CDT, Adolfo Mascarenhas 
 wrote:
 
Freemasonry is very much like a religion. While officially it started in 
England, actually  Officially it will be slightly over 300 years since it 
started in London.  Its origin goes; back to the medieval period when Cathedral 
Build  formed a guild to help those who were out of work. 
--


Doc,
Freemasons are all over the place. The signers of the US declaration of 
independence had several Freemasons in the group. In E. Africa, all the top 
industrialists were/are Freemasons. The organization is like a club for the 
rich in which each is given his place or rank and then they decide who will 
pick up which govt and/or private contracts.


I have seen several Dar es Salaam Goans at Freemason functions when our band 
played. At one function, our band included a Goan Catholic priest - so that was 
interesting. The Catholic church still forbids Catholics from becoming 
Freemasons but then again, this is the same church that arrested Galileo for 
suggesting that the earth was not the center of the universe.

  
WRT the German sitting on the English throne, she has been the Head of State of 
the largest empire known to man and has approved every law and action taken by 
her govts since 1952. All those freedom fighters who had to sacrifice their 
lives for independence - have Queen Lizzy to thank. All those who abused native 
American children knowing perfectly well that they would never be charged - 
also have Lizzy to thank.


Arresting Queen Elizabeth would be a dream situation. On the other hand, bonnie 
Prince Charles will do a better job of destroying the British monarchy should 
he ever get coronated (Coronated here has nothing to do with Covid19) ;-)   


 Mervyn

Re: [Goanet] Further Chapters for Jewish India? (Scroll, 7/7/2021)

[Mervyn Lobo]

On Wednesday, July 7, 2021, 12:00:05 p.m. CDT, V M  wrote:

Thank you for the kind feedback + interesting comments, Mervyn. One day I'm 
going to go check out these Shirazi...



VM,
The people of the isles of Zanzibar had to combine two political parties, the 
Afro party and the Shirazi party to have an effective coalition to win an 
election. 


WRT to traditions of the Shirazi people, modern scholars are pointing out to 
inconsistencies between oral history and documented migration in the region.


DNA has thrown another wrench into traditions but the Shirazi are happy with 
their traditions. The only reason for their movement/migration today, is an 
economic one. 


Mervyn

Re: [Goanet] Further Chapters for Jewish India? (Scroll, 7/7/2021)

[Mervyn Lobo]

On Wednesday, July 7, 2021, 02:53:45 a.m. CDT, V M  wrote:

https://scroll.in/article/999497/reading-the-complex-reality-of-indias-jewish-communities-tiny-but-still-expanding

In her aching, confessional *Book of Esther*, the author Esther David (her
original family name was Dandekar) describes attempting to “make aliyah”
via the Law of Return, which gives Jewish people from any part of the
world the right to migrate to Israel.




Darn VM!
You waltzed through a minefield with ease. Congrats! 


The pictures in the article are invaluable as they show people with typical 
Indian features i.e. people who have been thoroughly assimilated over the 
decades. 


In Tanzania, we have the Shirazi people who claim they are descendants of 
settlers from Shiraz, Iran. The Shirazi look exactly like their neighbours and 
rightly claim that they do not have to prove that they are Shirazi because all 
the neighbours know who is Shirazi and who is not. Thankfully, the Shirazi have 
no desire to "return" to Shiraz. 


Using the Bible as a title deed is about the best idea I have come across. 
Zionism could have been a great concept but once you decide to use arms to get 
rid of the local population, you essentially are trading living in peace in 
another land to living in a state of perpetual war in God's chosen land.


Mervyn








 

Re: [Goanet] Queen Victoria Statue Pulled Down

[Mervyn Lobo]

On Sunday, July 4, 2021, 02:02:10 p.m. CDT, Tony de Sa  
wrote:
For Canadian amigos,

The statue of Queen Victoria was pulled down in Winnipeg Canada in protest
against the treatment meted out to indigenuous Canadians.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Anlec-qKgU



Tony de Sa,
Queen Victoria is dead and gone.

The Queen to get rid off is the German one sitting in London. 

All Canada has to do is invite her over and arrest her.


Mervyn
 

Re: [Goanet] Native children in Catholic residential schools in Canada treated abominably

[Mervyn Lobo]

On Tuesday, June 29, 2021, 03:12:18 p.m. CDT, Eddie D'Sa  
wrote:
I see that you agree with the term 'cultural genocide', a term used by the 
white led Truth & Reconciliation Commission (Report 2015)
You say that the children died of loneliness, inadequate care, harsh discipline 
or disease but were not directly killed.
How would you know what really happened without proper investigation or 
testimony?
The Anglos are masters with their language English, at inventing categories 
that can absolve themselves from blame.

---

Eddie,

You do not need a dagger to kill someone. Removing the will to live, kills as 
effectively as any. Removing a child from its parents love and sending them to 
live with religious fanatics - is as good a method as any to kill.


I stopped reading about the Catholic methods of education in Canada about 20 
years ago after I read an article in a First Nations magazine. The author 
described how he was repeatedly raped from ages six to nine. Then the priest 
informed the victim that he would not be seeing the victim again because a) the 
victim was too old and b) the victims five year old brother would start 
attending the school the following year.


The First Nations, in their beliefs, are doing themselves a disservice by not 
okaying autopsies of the victims.    


Lastly, I fail to understand why taxpayers are still required to fund schools 
run by the Catholics and other faiths in Canada.



Mervyn
 

Re: [Goanet] Deserves Deletion

[Mervyn Lobo]

On Saturday, June 26, 2021, 04:05:34 p.m. CDT, Roland Francis 
 wrote:

Mervyn, you must have noted my remark about 80 percent of posts that deserve 
deletion.

Thanks for writing and providing an example of what I meant.





Roland,

Your comment remind me of Marx. 

He once said, "I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member.


Mervyn 

Re: [Goanet] Lethargy

[Mervyn Lobo]

On Wednesday, June 23, 2021, 01:15:48 p.m. CDT, Roland Francis 
 wrote:

Just my observation.
Goanet Readers over the years have become a fairly lethargic lot. 
Years ago there were active, though sometimes aggressive to the point of 
obnoxious, responses to what posters wrote. 
Nowadays the aggression has completely receded but replies to the posts have 
also become comparatively rare even accounting for the direct replies from 
responder to writer. It’s like posters writing to nobody, nowhere. 
Even though many posts earn themselves the Delete button, about 20 percent of 
posts are good enough to be read and commented upon.
Again I say, just my observation.

--


Bwana Roland,
I had to go to the archives to see what I had missed (I have blocked a whole 
lot of people) but a quick glance seems to indicate that you are the most 
prolific poster here - even if the majority of your posts are not about Goa. 
The only person who is more active, is the moderator, who mostly posts links to 
direct members away from this site. 


Aires is about the only person who pens original thoughts about Goa - which 
seem to be non-controversial.


But you are correct, no one seems to read or reply to what is written here. I 
see only one poster who writes on current and historical Goan/Indian affairs. 
His articles are here, thankfully, because he cc's them. Then again, maybe no 
one is reading those articles either as even the excellent ones do not garner 
public compliments.


Instead of complaining about lethargy, I suggest that you should take the 
initiative and lead Goanet (in a different direction). You can start with a 
compliment ;-) 


Mervyn





  

 

[Goanet] Fw: G.O.A. Announcement - Goan Community Centre

[Mervyn Lobo]

Folks,
Most excellent news from Toronto, the G.O.A. has finally secured a state of the 
art facility/club house. 

It is a pity that Goanet is stuck with the technology of yestercentury and 
pictures are not accepted, else you would be able to see for yourself the 
quality of the facility.


Mervyn

-
  
Dear Members, 

On behalf of The Goan Overseas Association and The Goan Charitable 
Organization, we would like to provide you with some exciting news. We have our 
very own, the first Goan Community Centre !! Congratulations to all of us for 
this amazing achievement !!   

   

   
  "Congratulations and many thanks to all our founder members, past presidents, 
members, past bondholders and donors, board of trustees, past committees, 
volunteers, sponsors including platinum sponsor- GTD and my current committee 
for this significant milestone achieved as a result of 50 years of our 
volunteer contribution and hard work. All our efforts and hardships over the 
years has led to what we have achieved today".  

We are pleased to announce the successful purchase of a 7200 sq ft. facility to 
be the first Goan Community Centre located at 20 Strathearn Ave. Brampton 
(Dixie/Steeles). 

The property was identified on Feb 5th and the  due diligence process commenced 
on Feb 9th. After four months of various activities, the deal successfully 
closed this week on May 13th. We are now officially in  possession of the 
facility as the new owners. 

The new Goan  Community Centre will help fulfill and serve the community 
through various charitable, community programs and services that will meet the 
needs of the community and our members that would include seniors, families and 
youth. 

The Goan Community Centre comprises of two units:

1) GCO Centre: The GCO centre will be operated to meet the GCO 's charitable 
objectives and mandate to help with our seniors Forever Young programming , new 
immigrants, advancement of education, language classes, counselling services 
etc. The banquet and kitchen facilities will be available when not in use as a 
rental facility for small events and private family gatherings.   

 
  
  2) G.O.A. Members Lounge: The  members lounge will be accessible to all 
members and guests for various social activities and events with a full fledged 
licensed bar. These premises will also be available as a rental facility for 
other communities and events.  
   

  
  The community centre is purchased under the Goan Charitable Organization with 
a loan from G.O.A. and we will be providing more details in the next coming 
weeks and months as we make plans and progress to open up based on covid safety 
protocols. 

The Goan Charitable Organization will also be launching a fundraising campaign 
towards the "Donor Wall" to assist with some of the start up and operating 
funds needed to be successful. More details to follow. 

This is a significant achievement for the community, and we look forward to 
your continuous support and assistance.

We are confident that today, we are in a much better position to now build a 
much stronger and unified Goan Canadian community for generations to come 
through a physical presence along with all other established communities. We 
now as proud "Goan Canadians" and as a community have a place  to call home.  
  
    
  
As they say, it takes an army to move a mountain. I would like to thank the 
efforts of all the individuals mentioned below in their assistance in closing 
out some of the activities related to this transaction.  Special 
acknowledgement  & thanks to individuals such as Kevin Pereira (GCO 
incorporation, bylaws etc.),  Ralph De Souza (HST Registration), Ryan De Sa 
(Legal), Monica Pereira (GCO Finance), Greta Dias (Moral Support) who were 
always there when needed. My sincere thanks goes to out to all involved and 
mentioned below .  
  

   
  On behalf of Kevin Pereira (Chair and GCO President) and myself , thank you 
once again to all our founder members, past presidents, past committees, 
members, past bondholders and donors, board of trustees, volunteers, sponsors 
and the current committee for their contribution.

Let us celebrate !! Viva !!

Viva G.O.A. !! 

Thank You  
  
  
Selwyn Collaco 
President 
Goan Overseas Association 
   

  

   
 

  

   
 

  
 

  

   
 

  
 

  

   
 

  
 

  

   
 

  
 

  

   
 

  

   
  
  

  
   G.O.A. Toronto   

  

  
 
  
   G.O.A. Website   

  

  
   

  

  

  

   
 

  


  
  
  
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You are receiving this email at your request verbally; subscribing through our 
website or when filling out your membership form. 
  
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Goan Overseas Association 
P.O. Box 5667 Station "A" 
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Re: [Goanet] India in the Inferno (Dhaka Tribune, 23/4/2021)

[Mervyn Lobo]

On Friday, April 23, 2021, 07:14:16 a.m. CDT, V M  wrote:
https://www.dhakatribune.com/opinion/op-ed/2021/04/23/op-ed-india-in-the-inferno

Indians started mixing widely and
playing down the threat also because there is an unfounded sense among
a large number of Indians that exposure to pollution and microbes had
endowed them with superior immunity. It was inevitable the virus would
roar back.”

-snip-

In his New York Times opinion piece, Laxminarayan asked, “Can India
get out of the current situation?” Then he answered his own question.
“India no longer has the option of another national lockdown because
of the crushing effect on the economy, but more local and state
lockdowns are likely. Indians will have to self-protect, and the
Indian government needs to urgently send out consistent messages about
the seriousness of the disease.”






Nice article, VM.

Stupidity is not limited to the semi-educated Indian. Semi educated  E. 
Africans have been claiming for the past year that playing in the mud as 
children has given them immunity to Covid 19. Facebook is now removing all 
those with that claim from its platform - but the damage has been done.


Secondly, leaders have to lead by example. The previous administration in the 
US did not urge people to wear masks, etc and the number of Covid cases 
increased daily. All that changed when the new administration assumed office. 
They appeared with masks at every opportunity and the Covid cases dropped 
immediately. 


Mervyn

Re: [Goanet] Snowing in Canada?

[Mervyn Lobo]

 On Friday, April 23, 2021, 09:09:09 a.m. CDT, Frederick Noronha 
 wrote:

We've had rains here in Goa too (light, a day or two in April)
---

FN,
This is kind of strange.

One simply cannot compare Goa to Canada as one is more than a thousand times 
the size of the other.

Secondly, it snows right up to the end of May in Toronto. The Victoria Day 
holiday, May 24th, is when all the gardeners buy foot high plants and 
transplant them into their gardens. I have experienced freeze and snow after 
that day - which kills all the plants.


Mervyn
 
 
 




  

Re: [Goanet] Subject: Re: Mega List, Cashew & Feni and The Lady President of Tanzania .

[Mervyn Lobo]

On Friday, April 23, 2021, 05:04:49 a.m. CDT, Tony de Sa  
wrote:

Dear Mervyn and Vivian (Mzee Shenzi)

As a Goanet volunteer for these many years, the Goanet harvest is plentiful
but the volunteers are few.

I have been one of those manning the Goanet Facebook page for years, have
seen it grow from a membership of a mere 3000 to more than 1.

Be the change you want to see. We welcome volunteers. You could add new
vistas to Goanet.

Tony
-


Bwana De Sa,
Thanks for all the volunteer work you do for Goanet.


Goanet remains an unique site for me. It is the only site with a disappearing 
trick. Let me repeat, it is the only site in the world where I can send posts 
to and the post just "disappears." 


People much smarter than me experienced the same problem and decided to 
disappear rather than have to deal with the big fish in a little pond. 


WRT Goanet Facebook, my comments there get removed. For example, I recently 
came across a video posted by FN of a congregation of Goans receiving communion 
in Paris for Easter. I made a simple comment on how sensible that congregation 
was and my comment was removed (note: removed, not disappeared) within 30 
minutes.


I contribute to Goanet Facebook by staying away from it i.e. at least one 
person has less work there because he does not have to monitor and remove my 
comments :-) 


Mervyn

 

[Goanet] The Serpent

[Mervyn Lobo]

 Folks,For those of you who have Netflix, you might want to check out the BBC 
produced Charles Sobhraj story, now being streamed as a mini series. 

I remember the Indian press reporting with great fanfare when Sobhraj was 
captured in Goa after escaping from prison. According to the movie, Sobhraj 
deliberately got captured so that he would not be extradited to Thailand were 
he faced murder charges.  

The series is a bit slow, does not have any Goa scenes in it but is interesting.

Sobhraj now lives in Nepal. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Sobhraj


Mervyn

Re: [Goanet] 40% percent of Blacks unemployed.

[Mervyn Lobo]

 Gabe,For those in the US aged 24 and below, the white unemployment rate is 15% 
and the black rate is 26%

The US education system is funded by taxes on the values of the houses in the 
school district. The houses in the ghetto are not worth much and so is the 
education of those who live there.

The black rate is distorted as their are a lot of youth already in jail. The 
govt always has funds to keep people in jails - some forever - at a cost of 
$31,000 per person, per year. Yet, there are no funds to give youth a proper 
foundation.

MervynBTW, three days ago, Biden proposed funding for school districts with 
lots of poor students. The Republicans have vowed not to support the bill.
https://www.bls.gov/web/empsit/cpsee_e16.htm



--On Monday, April 12, 2021, 
12:53:03 p.m. CDT, Gabe Menezes  wrote:  I wonder what 
the stats for Blacks in USABetter to be unemployed than
shot dead. USA gives me the creeps, Police draw their guns at will. Having
seen on the News channels how the Police in the USA opetate is scary. Both
my wife and I are glad we didn't take up the offer of a job in NYK.!

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/apr/11/black-youth-unemployment-rate-brixton-riots-covid
  

[Goanet] Prince Phillip

[Mervyn Lobo]

 Folks,
Someone pointed out to me today that the Prince was a Member, First Class, of 
the Order of the Brilliant Star of Zanzibar. 

His other titles were:
“His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, 
Baron Greenwich, Royal Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, Extra 
Knight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, Member of the 
Order of Merit, Grand Master and First and Principal Knight Grand Cross of the 
Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Knight of the Order of Australia, 
Additional Member of the Order of New Zealand, Extra Companion of the Queen’s 
Service Order, Royal Chief of the Order of Logohu, Extraordinary Companion of 
the Order of Canada, Extraordinary Commander of the Order of Military Merit, 
Lord of Her Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy Council, Personal Aide-de-Camp to 
Her Majesty, Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom.”




This is a life well lived! 


I am trying to figure out what titles I would award my friends - and others I 
know - and suddenly realise that Idi Amin was a condenser, able to compact his 
titles to: 
His Excellency, President for Life, Field Marshal Al Hajj Doctor Idi Amin Dada, 
VC, DSO, MC, Lord of all the Beasts of the Earth and Fishes of the Sea and 
Conqueror of the British Empire in Africa in General and Uganda in Particular.

Oh! and from time to time, Amin also claimed title to "King of Scotland" which 
I am assuming is more interesting than, "Duke of Edinburg." 


Mervyn


  

Re: [Goanet] In defence of Frederick D'Souza

[Mervyn Lobo]

 On Friday, April 2, 2021, 10:09:23 a.m. CDT, Frederick Noronha 
 wrote:
 I was even more surprised to learn that he was an
ex-Bombay guy, who shifted to NYC, where he works as a yellow-cab driver.
-snip-(PS: Some of our Goanetters were taking off on Frederick
because of his political position, which has been, strangely, pro-Trump. I
might disagree with him very strongly on this, but it doesn't minimise the
role he has played in cyberspace, and his very positive approach towards
sharing info and building networks)
--

FN,There is nothing wrong with being a cab driver. It is common to find PhD's 
driving cabs in Toronto and New York City. You have to start somewhere and it 
is relatively easy to get into that occupation. In the age of Uber and Lyft, 
there are a lot of people I know who make/made good money driving for these 
companies i.e. until the pandemic started. 

Dr. Pinto's contention, if I have read it properly, is that Frederick D'Souza 
was backing Trump who wanted to get rid of Obamacare. That is why Dr. Pinto 
called Fred a hypocrite when Fred registered for Medicaid. 

Had Trump remained in power and won majorities in both houses, Obamacare would 
have been gone by now. 


For those of you who are not aware, Biden has expanded Obamacare and the US 
govt picks up 80 to 100% of the cost of health insurance for those who have 
lost their jobs or have less earnings because of Covid. Biden has also extended 
unemployment benefits to the same people - giving them an additional $300 per 
week while they search for a job.

As for Dinesh D'Souza, there is nothing smart about him. He remains the darling 
of the white conservatives who need an "Uncle Tom" and Dinesh does that job 
relatively well. The embarrassment - to all Goans - is that he pleaded guilty 
to a felony. I hope you will agree with me that Dinesh is not someone to keep 
track off - unless there is pleasure in anticipating his next idiocy. 

Mervyn










ADDING NOW: His position on Trump is irrelevant to how we view his work.
Also, I agree with Dinesh D'Souza approximately to the the extent of minus
zero percent. He's a nut, talking nonsense. But he does it in a very smart
manner in a way that gets him the audiences of affluent White America,
despite being a migrant himself (though obviously an ambitious one). Being
Goan, anyone has a right, nay a duty, to keep track of what he's saying,
just as we keep track of so many other Goan hi-flyers, from Tony Fernandes
to Keith Vaz, Mr Menezes of Diego, and all the rest...  Whether we agree
with their viewpoint or not is not the point. If you disagree, discuss it,
challenge it and disprove what they're saying... Goanet, and all cyber fora
(the print media too) needs a diversity of views. --FN

Frederick D may have taken Obamacare, but that doesn't mean to say he needs
to vote for the Democrats or be critical of that nut Trump. Everyone has
the right to take whatever position they wish. We are likewise free to
debate that.
-- 
FN* फ्रेड्रिक नोरोन्या * فريدريك نورونيا‎ +91-9822122436
  

Re: [Goanet] Julio Iglesias Sings "El Bacalao"

[Mervyn Lobo]

 My dearest Roland,
Julio Iglesias is not Portuguese. 

In this song, "El Bacalao" he is comfortably singing in his native Spanish. 

Bacalao has several translations from the Spanish. Some are easily found on 
internet searches and other, more accurate translations are readily available 
from Spanish speakers.

Anyways, if you are looking for double-entendres,  you are barking up the wrong 
tree.  Do not, repeat, do not try and ask a native Spanish speaker if this song 
refers to a woman who dances like a cod or if it refers to a woman whose body 
parts smell like one. And in the year 2021, please do not try and ask an equal 
rights Spanish speaker what this song refers too. You will not be pleasantly 
surprised.

Lastly, performing in five continents is not a license to promote misogynism.  
I care.  

As always, you keep me mostly amused.

Mervyn



 
On Thursday, April 1, 2021, 07:02:45 p.m. CDT, Roland Francis 
 wrote:  
 
 The song is about the cod (the favourite Portuguese bacalhão) though I don’t 
know whether it is the fish he is referring to or the girl who dances like one.

But with the singing 77 year old Iglesias who has performed 5,000 concerts in 5 
continents for 60 million people, who cares.

https://youtu.be/dEaNeVLFz24

Roland 
Toronto.

  

Re: [Goanet] Is Goanet being a "Platform for Resentment"?

[Mervyn Lobo]

 On Monday, March 22, 2021, 08:59:10 a.m. CDT, Naguesh Bhatcar 
 wrote:
 Having been on Goanet since 1996/97, I must say I have seen a lot more and 
worse than what is going on now!
There used to be a lot more feuds, skirmishes and wars, personal attacks and 
scores to settle. 
Of course, there will be misunderstandings and disagreements, but in some 
cases, the 'holier than thou' attitude of some, was astonishing.
--

Naguesh Bhatcar,
I don't believe that the heading is correct. My belief is that Goanet is now a 
platform for the retired. 

The youngest person around or the one with the freshest views is Cecil Pinto - 
and he already has more grey hair than most of us.  

I used to wonder why some members would post the same views, year after year, 
on subjects that the rest of the world had agreed upon and moved on. Then I 
realised that some members memories are not what they used to be and out of 
forgetfulness, kept posting on topics that irritate them - microwave towers 
cause cancer and coconut oil is good for you - are amongst the often repeated 
contentions. ;-) 

The other norm here is for some members to post everyday and sometimes more 
than once a day. At times, it feels that they have given up god and use Goanet 
like a prayer platform. 

Lastly, it seems (to me) that there is a dearth of quality posts here. However, 
once in a while you will get that post that makes one think and at the same 
time, expands knowledge.

Mervyn

  

Re: [Goanet] Nothing Bizarre About Peoples Food including Made by Goans for Goans Chorizo and Python Slices

[Mervyn Lobo]

 

On Wednesday, March 3, 2021, 11:35:47 a.m. CST, Adolfo Mascarenhas 
 wrote:
 During thecampaigning of the 4th President of Tanzania, who followed 
PresidentMkapa. Ophelia and myself were invited to Coral Beach Hotel …Ophelia 
was in thehigh table talking to the Minister of Health (Now President of 
Zanzibar. ..Idecided that I would go and watch the snake dance …I climbed a 
ledge to get anover view…in front of me there were nearly 100 invitees.  Two 
fellows from  Sukumaland were carry a large gunny bag. Onefellow tripped, the 
bag fell down the irate python slithered her and there…there was pandemonium,  
I just stuck myfoot out ….thats how you catch a python …You require courage.  
Like a good Goan I had quite a bit spirit.

:::Arethere Pythons in Goa ??? Cobra yes, …I have no guts to face a Black Mamba 
or aGrizzly Bear. Goan <>

FinallyFINALLYGoans consume their product chorizo during monsoons …Fish 
become scarcs a PRECIOUS SUBSTITUTE



Grandolfo,My daughter treats me to a barbeque every Fathers Day. She was taught 
at an early age how to make a fire and does a good job barbequing stuff. When I 
say stuff, what gets barbequed can be bizarre. So far she has prepared rabbit, 
frog legs (tastes just like chicken - in fact, almost everything tastes like 
chicken with the exception of chicken eggs) and alligator. One year, she had 
the idea of buying python steaks which seemed a real good one until I got to 
the shop and found out that frozen python steaks were $50 a pound. I think 
mountain oysters were what finally got barbequed that year. 
As for chorizos, there is a gentleman from Margoa, now based in Dallas, who 
makes the Goan variety for Christmas and/or on order. The rest of the year he 
produces chorizos for the Hispanic market. He does a good job and satisfies my 
requirements in Texas.

Mervyn







  

Re: [Goanet] [Photo Blog by Rajan Parrikar] Eruption Imminent?

[Mervyn Lobo]

 Rajan,You are aware that we expect live pictures when the eruption does occur?
Mervyn


On Wednesday, March 3, 2021, 03:14:23 a.m. CST, Rajan Parrikar 
 wrote:  
 
 Photo Blog by Rajan Parrikar has posted a new item, 'Eruption Imminent?'

Iceland on edge.

For the past week an intense earthquake swarm has taken hold in the volcanic
Reykjanes peninsula in southwest Iceland. The area is very close to
Reykjavík
and within a stone's throw of Keflavík International Airport.

We have been experiencing tremors every few hours in Reykjavík for several
days now. Analysis of satellite imagery [...]

You may view the latest post at

https://blog.parrikar.com/2021/03/03/eruption-imminent/


Warm regards,
Rajan Parrikar
parri...@yahoo.com
  

Re: [Goanet] Why do so Many People Drown in Calangute Beach Goa India?

[Mervyn Lobo]

 Folks,I am a good swimmer.

Even in my prime, I would never go for a swim anywhere near Calangute. 

The currents there are too strong for me.

Mervyn


On Tuesday, February 23, 2021, 06:39:56 a.m. CST, Bernice Pereira 
 wrote:  
 
 Hi Carlos,

Calangute beach is unsafe. There are spots where there are deep dips and 
currents. 

Hope all’s well with you and your wife.  I’m in Mumbai for another week. Wanted 
to get an opinion on my spinal problem. Am under treatment now.

Best regards,
Bernice

Sent from my iPhone

> On 22-Feb-2021, at 2:22 AM, Carlos Peres da Costa  
> wrote:
> 
> Regarding  posting of this topic in Goanet today.  Some of the reasons are:
> 
> 1. Tourists visiting Goa from hinterland India do not know to swim and some
> take a dip under the influence of Alchool.
> 2. There are very strong water currents which wash the shore, especially
> during
> the months of August to January.
> 3. The ALERT  system present today is not enough.
>            This is my point of view
>                                                Carlos P. da Costa
  

Re: [Goanet] Texas plight

[Mervyn Lobo]

 Gabe,The local power authority has stated that wind and solar power production 
exceeded normal levels during the crises.  At the onset, the oil and gas firms 
immediately planted the story that windmills froze up and also produced 
pictures of solar panels covered with snow, to hoodwink the electricity 
consumers - but only a dozen out of the three thousand wind turbines operating 
in Texas froze. 

The real failure was that oil and gas power plants could not function due to 
the cold. Staff could not get to work and those who did found equipment that 
was not insulated for the cold and thus could not operate the plants. Texas is 
not connected to the national grids (and could not import power) because it did 
not want to meet the safety and environmental standards of either national 
grid. Avoiding the standards allows for cheaper electricity - that malfunctions 
when you need power the most. 

The biggest problem is the politicians who are being sponsored by the local oil 
and gas firms. Senator Ted Cruz has said that he will believe in the science of 
global warming only when Texas freezes over. Well, when it did, he got on a 
plane and went to sunny Cancun :-) 


Mervyn
 

On Saturday, February 20, 2021, 12:27:57 p.m. CST, Gabe Menezes 
 wrote:  
 
 Power slowly coming back but  water shortages.  The Republican  Governor
blamed the power shortages on iced up turbines. Actually poor maintenance
of gas and coal. Another Republican said: Texans would rather suffer than
surrender to the Federal government. In the meantime the Governor asked for
Federal aid!

DEV BOREM KORUM.


On Sat, 20 Feb 2021, 18:18 Frederick Noronha, 
wrote:

> Just heard a report about the Texas weather on the BBC. While the worst of
> the cold is over, the impact will be around for some time to come, says the
> radio station. Looks pretty bleak. Any reports from there? FN
> --
> FN* फ्रेड्रिक नोरोन्या * فريدريك نورونيا‎ +91-9822122436  Just
>
  

Re: [Goanet] The Goan WHITE FATHER of Zanzibar .....

[Mervyn Lobo]

 Hi,Can someone inform me why my posts are not appearing on Goanet?This is the 
second "disappeared" post in a week. Thanks
Mervyn
--
On Friday, February 12, 2021, 12:00:36 p.m. CST, Mervyn Lobo 
 wrote:  
 
  FN,The strange thing is when the White Fathers landed in Dar es Salaam, they 
bought the Sultan's harem on the seafront and converted it to their 
headquarters. It still stands and is used by them to this very day. Here is a 
picture from two years ago. Note the "Arab door." 
Mervyn


https://www.flickr.com/photos/45002663@N00/50936522427/in/photostream/




On Friday, February 12, 2021, 03:53:31 a.m. CST, Frederick Noronha 
 wrote:  
 
 Does their name come from the colour of their garb, or from their skin
colour?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Fathers
FN

Re: [Goanet] The Goan WHITE FATHER of Zanzibar .....

[Mervyn Lobo]

 Bwana Mervyn,
Judging from the dates, you granduncle could have been the one who officiated 
my grandparents wedding in Zanzibar in 1925. Here is a picture of the wedding 
guests outside St. Josephs Cathedral. I am not sure if Fr. D'sa is in the 
picture.

You have always been unpretentious but I do know that the bother of Fr. D'sa - 
your grandfather - was awarded The Brilliant Star of Zanzibar by the Sultan. 
Among other Goans I know who received the same award are D.B. Pereira - the 
first of our family to settle there, his son and his son-in-law i.e. my 
grandfather. That award stopped after the revolution.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/45002663@N00/albums/72157718243218893

The other Mervyn



On Wednesday, February 10, 2021, 02:14:58 p.m. CST, Mervyn Maciel 
 wrote:  
 
 Thanks Adolfo.My granduncle, Fr. Lucien D'Sa returned to Goaafter his 
missionary service in East Africa andin fact died in Goa. He is buried in our 
village cemetery in Moira.Best.

Mervyn M.
On Wed, 10 Feb 2021 at 19:41, Adolfo Mascarenhas  wrote:

Would you believe it there was a GOAN WHITE FATHER (This is the first time 
I am hearing of a coloured White Father) The order started in French North 
Africa and they were dressed in Black.  The picture I saw of this remarkable 
Goan White Father, was he was seated in a human drawn Rickshaw .The pullers 
of the two wheeler were all Moslems turbaned or fezzed.  The Priest was 
called    Fr. Lucien D'sa. ...His name even appeared in the the Zanzibar 
Gazette of 1910 ...This meant that he could officiate at Catholic Marriages etc 
..
Where did he go after Zanzibar to the Mainland  or to Goa .. I 
personally own a great deal to Fr. Walsh, from Eire. who was an Irish White 
Father and a real nationalist.  I do not know how my Father knew Father Walsh, 
but we went to see him, he suggested that I could get a degree from University 
of London, without going to London, just as we did our Cambridge School 
Certificate without going to Cambridge !!!  That brought a whole lot of Goans 
from DSM ...Father Walsh advised President Julius Nyerere.  Being Irish he was 
friendly with the 5 Irish Fathers in Pugu Secondary School. ...that was where I 
was the Geographer Master ...teaching the first crop of Tanzania 7 students for 
their Cambridge A level. What a crop ...3 of them became Judges, one a 
Government Verifier in Treasury, one Head of National Development 
Corporation/etc .It is not what you teach its how you encourage students to 
think I picked a blade of grass and I asked them what was its name ...only 
one Maasai knew its name but the students knew a great deal about the 
vegetation of Great Britain...It was not only colonization of the land but also 
the mind.So who was this Goan White Father 
Adolfo   ...Makongo JuuPS .Now I get it The Goan White Father ..the French 
built the Church in Zanzibar ..The French were impressed by the Goan 
Photographers ...and there were more Goan Parishioners than French, English, or 
German  .its very much like the Church in Bagamoyo I lived there when I was 
7 ears old 


  

Re: [Goanet] How do you explain this?

[Mervyn Lobo]

 On Wednesday, February 10, 2021, 10:46:06 a.m. CST, Rajan Parrikar 
 wrote:
 We see this all over Goa (and India, too). Take a look at the photo from
this morning -

https://www.parrikar.org/misc/Workers.jpg


Rajan,On the first day that I arrived in Goa, I went out onto my 4th floor 
hotel balcony in Panjim to show my daughter the Mandovi. My daughter looked 
down and spotted a woman, as part of a gang, digging a trench on the road below 
us. Next to her was a five year old child who was taking away and emptying the 
metal basin that the woman was filling with gravel. 

My five year old daughter looked at me. I had no answer for her stare.

It seems that Goans in Goa are deadened to such scenes.

Mervyn



  

[Goanet] Goan ordination in Zanzibar

[Mervyn Lobo]

 Folks,I recently came across the following cutting from the Zanzibar Gazette. 
It announces the ordination of Rev. Fr. Lucien D'sa. It also mentions that the 
Pope sends "Special Benediction and Plenary Indulgence" to all those present at 
the ordination or first mass. 

It turns out that Rev. Fr. Lucien D'sa was the first non-white Holy Ghost 
Missionary in Zanzibar. It also turns out that Fr. D'sa was the grand uncle of 
Mervyn Maciel. 

Here is an interesting picture of the Rev. Father on his missionary travels in 
E. Africa. The picture is at least a century old. 
 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/45002663@N00/50912060908/in/dateposted-public/


https://www.flickr.com/photos/45002663@N00/50912875942/in/dateposted-public/

Mervyn

Re: [Goanet] Consulting a Witch Doctor Expert and new leads to St Francis In Kilwa

[Mervyn Lobo]

 On Wednesday, February 3, 2021, 02:18:18 p.m. CST, Adolfo Mascarenhas 
 wrote:
 
 Several hours later in the night, Dr Mesaki sent me a paper he had written on 
Kilwa,  about 3 years ago .I was impressed with his references and content  
. including witch craft practices in Pemba and an island close to Zanzibar 

AdolfoMakongo Juu ...In Haven of Peace
--
Doc,In the era before GPS, we knew a local fisherman who could take us to 
unmarked fishing spots out of sight of the mainland. He would get us there by 
reading the wave direction in the open sea at that time of the year and he was 
very accurate.  He did have superstitious tendencies though. For example, he 
would insist that there had to be an even number of females on board. This was 
a challenge at first because we did not know which of our friends would be 
bringing their wives/girlfriends on the trip. It was only on the morning of the 
fishing trip that we knew if we had an even number of females or not. If there 
was an uneven number of women on board, the problem could be solved by carrying 
a female cat on board.

There was one incident when we arrived at a deserted island and found what 
seemed like bleached bones scattered on a beach with sand so bright that it 
hurt your eyes. A (medical) doctor with our group informed us that they were 
human bones and later on we found two skulls. We guessed that they must have 
been those of fishermen who drowned and later washed up on shore. The 
superstitious local guide wanted to pick up the skulls and we warned him to 
leave them where they were.  

To make a long story short, our boat ran out of fuel on the way home and when 
we went to look for the flares, we found that the flare bag had two skulls and 
no flares.

Two years ago, I was passing the village near Kunduchi where the guide used to 
live and asked the person I was with if the fisherman/guide was still around. 
My friend told me that the old guide was no longer a fisherman but a famous 
"healer." So we stopped at his house and I got a picture of the "healer" and 
me, complete with him wearing a Gaudi shirt and chrome sunglasses.

Mervyn



  

Re: [Goanet] [Goanet-News] Goans in cricket (worldwide)

[Mervyn Lobo]

 Folks,Just for the record, Alban Fernandes played cricket for both Tanzania 
and E. Africa. He later was the cricket coach for the Tanzanian national team. 

Alban also played hockey for the Tanzania national team. Lastly, while he was 
the cricket national coach, he was still playing and winning hockey tournaments 
in Dar es Salaam.

Mervyn
 



From: Goanet-News  on behalf of Frederick 
Noronha 
Sent: 29 January 2021 10:56
To: Goanet 
Subject: [Goanet-News] Goans in cricket (worldwide)

If your interest is cricket, please help to improve this page:

Goans in cricket

>From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigationJump to search
Contents

1Cricketers of Goan origin who have played Test cricket
2Cricketers of Goan origin who have played international cricket
3Goan cricketers for India in age-group tournaments
4Goa Ranji Cricket Team
5References

Cricketers of Goan origin who have played Test cricket[edit source]

Wallis Mathias for Pakistan in 1955
Antao D'Souza for Pakistan in 1959
Dilip Sardesai for India in 1961
Paras Mhambrey for India in 1996

Cricketers of Goan origin who have played international cricket[edit source]

Jack Britto for Malawi from 1954 onwards
Alban Fernandes for Tanzania
Armand "Chic" Saldanha for Tanzania (was the 12th man)
Michael D'Sa for Uganda
Peter D'Souza for East Africa
Charlie D'Souza for East Africa
Lawrence Fernandes for East Africa
John "Chuck" Sequeira for Uganda
Lawrence Barretto for Uganda
Lawrence Dias for Uganda
Blaise DaCunha for Kenya
Celly Dias for Uganda
Edwin Fonseca for Uganda

Goan cricketers for India in age-group tournaments[edit source]

Saurabh Bandekar - India U-19

Goa Ranji Cricket Team[edit source]

Goa cricket team

References[edit source]

Cricinfo
Sporty Goans
Cricket Archive

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goans_in_cricket
Thanks to an online discussion for pointing to this link. FN
--
FN* फ्रेड्रिक नोरोन्या * فريدريك نورونيا‎ +91-9822122436
  

[Goanet] Exhibition: The Portuguese Studio photographers of Zanzibar

[Mervyn Lobo]

 Folks, 
For those interested, here is a link to a YouTube short video of the 
exhibition. The official title was, "The Portuguese Photographers of Zanzibar" 
but as the person from the sponsors mentioned, the photographers were 
Portuguese nationals at the time and the exhibition was sponsored by the Camoes 
Institute.

The Goan studios in Zanzibar produced some of the best records of life on the 
islands starting from the 1880s till the 1960s. Those photographs now belong to 
research universities in the US. Interestingly, Goan descent Robin Batista, 
currently the most popular photographer in Zanzibar, was a curator. He is 
pictured in the video.

Viewing some of the pictures from a century ago was a strange experience for me 
as I have always seen the pictures as post cards. Here, you can view the 
details of the same pictures which are blown up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etwn6F_z8XI


Mervyn
    

Re: [Goanet] Why The Emigration?

[Mervyn Lobo]

 On Sunday, January 24, 2021, 08:03:02 a.m. CST, Frederick Noronha 
 wrote:
 Why do Goans migrate? Just tried to list some reasons... let me know if you
feel some don't swim... FN

01 Aspiring to a better life, at times illusory
-snip-
101 Above all, it's a personal decision, something no logic


FN,The biggest reason Goans migrate is because they have a sense of adventure. 
Without that, you will remain in your parents house till the day you die. The 
more adventure there is in you, the stronger the call is.

Secondly, I had an ideal, pampered life in Tanzania when I decided to move. The 
unknown is more enticing than the known, to many. 

Lastly, Goa is always ready to embrace its prodigal sons. You can roam the 
umpteen seas - but will always be welcomed back. 

Mervyn



  

[Goanet] Miss Zanzibar

[Mervyn Lobo]

 Folks,
Many of you may remember that I once mentioned here that a Goan won the pageant 
for Miss Tanzania. Richa won the title in 2007 (I think I have the year right). 

Well, today I found out that another Goan, Hazel Cardozo nee Pinto, had won the 
title of "Miss Zanzibar" on May 20, 1961. Zanzibar was a separate country then. 
Hazel's dad was the Attorney General of Zanzibar at one time. 

For those interested, here is a picture of the winner that day.


https://www.flickr.com/photos/45002663@N00/50857982287/in/dateposted-public/


Mervyn
 

Re: [Goanet] Canada’s Response Stimulus

[Mervyn Lobo]

 On Friday, January 15, 2021, 04:10:35 p.m. CST, Roland Francis 
 wrote:
 
 As a percentage of GDP, the mean individual country stimulus response was 5.3%.

Canada was the strongest and eye-popping on a graph chart, at 16% of GDP with 
USA being a little above mean.



Roland,You have always had a problem with numbers, which is understandable. 

However, I find it strange that you are now having difficulties reading a 
graph. There are plenty of countries since the pandemic started - which had a 
better stimulus response as measured by GDP - than Canada. 

Lastly, try and keep undated with current numbers. Stale news and incorrect 
interpretation of graphs are of interest to no one. 


Mervyn




  

Re: [Goanet] The Implications of American Carnage (Dhaka Tribune, 15/1/2021)

[Mervyn Lobo]

 On Friday, January 15, 2021, 02:27:29 a.m. CST, V M  wrote:
 
https://www.dhakatribune.com/opinion/op-ed/2021/01/15/op-ed-the-implications-of-the-american-carnage


But there can be no doubt something important shifted, and the veneer of
inevitability and invincibility will never return. The writer James
Surowiecki has written persuasively about “the wisdom of crowds.” His logic
extends to the mob. Now that the innermost bastions of American governance
have fallen on live television, there isn’t anyone anywhere who does not
realize how vulnerable they are. And in fact, the emergency is ongoing:
several Republican legislators have tearfully confided to colleagues that
they can no longer vote their conscience because of fear for their family’s
lives. An atmosphere of implicit, murderous violence pervades the American
polity.

--



Another great article VM, congrats!.

Stateside, the situation is that domestic bred Christian terrorists are set to 
participate in "armed protests" in all 50 State Capitols on Jan 20th. Here in 
Texas, there is a hiccup. The gun shops are all out of ammo. This is, I guess, 
is slightly better than the situation four years ago when they were all out of 
hand guns. At that time, everyone was afraid that Clinton would win and then 
immediately ban the sale of guns.

The Texas State Capitol is just 45 minutes from where I live and already has 
National Guards surrounding it. I was about to set up a station to provide them 
with donuts but the problem is that many others will have the same idea and 
they will be more generous than me i.e. providing the donuts for free.  Protest 
organizers are inviting Texans to "participate" starting Saturday morning. Is 
this like a music festival for rednecks? However, the American way, the real 
American way, is to set up station to provide hot dogs to all those who will be 
outside the Capitol prior to and on the earlier hours of Jan 20th. Six flags 
have flow over Texas and I would not be surprised if one returns over the 
Capitol between now and Jan 20th. 

The main event though, will be in Washington, D.C. So far, the authorities 
admit to having 20,000 National Guards on site to prepared to prevent Americans 
from attacking the President elect. 

Thanks to Mr. Trump, we live in interesting times.

Mervyn





  

Re: [Goanet] Covid deaths in Portugal

[Mervyn Lobo]

 Albert,Brazil's statistics usually messes up everyone's hypothesis on Covid. 
I took a quick look at the stats from there and they seem to indicate that age 
still remains a big factor in the survival rates.
Here in Texas, thankfully, the hospitals now have more experience in treating 
victims and survival rates are getting better. 
However, wrt the belief for the cause and distribution, consensus among the 
locals - outside urban areas - remains G. 


Mervyn
  
On Wednesday, January 13, 2021, 01:04:57 a.m. CST, AF P 
 wrote:  
 
 https://www.statista.com/statistics/372171/age-structure-in-portugal/

https://www.statista.com/statistics/271315/age-distribution-in-india/

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/coronavirus-age-sex-demographics/

Could be, by the time COVID come around to kill you in Goa, you are
already dead...

Examine age distribution in India vs Portugal and compare this to age
of Coronavirus deaths...

-- 
---
Albert Peres
Goa Culture List
goaculturel...@gmail.com

+1 416-660-0847
www.goaculturelist.ca
Canada


[Goanet] Covid deaths in Portugal
Frederick Noronha fredericknoronha2 at gmail.com
Mon Jan 11 10:34:38 PST 2021

PUBLICO says there were 122 deaths from Covid-19 in Portugal in the past
day. At one stage, Goa and Portugal were reporting about the same number of
deaths -- say 7-8 per day. That was around September when Covid was peaking
in Goa. Since then, Goa has not done anything laudable or noteworthy. Now
the deaths in Goa are in the low single digits... despite all the
irresponsible behaviour, millions of tourists, parties, raves et al.
So what made the difference? Is it the weather? FN

-- 
FN* फ्रेड्रिक नोरोन्या * فريدريك نورونيا‎ +91-9822122436
  

Re: [Goanet] Huge News . I am launching podcast : Dinesh Dsouza

[Mervyn Lobo]

 On Sunday, January 10, 2021, 03:23:12 p.m. CST, Frederick Dsouza 
 wrote:
 Huge News . I am launching podcast : Dinesh Dsouza
https://youtu.be/LI3Dh8ir_BU
-- 



Frederick Dsouza,
Is Dinesh going to do this from jail or outside it?Mervyn

  

Re: [Goanet] GALDINHO CONNECTIONS in ZANZIBAR

[Mervyn Lobo]

 Bwana Mervyn,
I had a priest relative who would resort to the phrase,  "What to do?" when he 
was overwhelmed. I think many of us have asked this question in our lifetime. 
However, there are many in E. Africa and the developing world who believe in 
the concept of "Ilivyoandika" or "It was written/predetermined." It is amazing 
that despite the difference in religious thought, the sentiment that one has no 
control over current events, exists everywhere. 

On a different note, we had a very popular tiatrist in Dar es Salaam who spoke 
good English but who would always ask someone he was meeting for the first 
time, "Who are the you." It was years later when someone explained that was the 
literal translation from Konkani.  

Lastly, for Prof. Mascarenhas, Mervyn Nunes still maintains a palatial 
residence in one of the Zanzibar beach resort areas. He is one of the leading 
tour operators in Arusha with a fleet of vehicles. There are many other Goan 
tour operators there too, each with a fleet of vehicles. Those of you planning 
an E. African safari can perhaps contact one of these operators. As you know, 
tourism is booming in Tanzania which, thankfully, is little troubled by the 
virus (as of now).

MervynBTW, as a bonus, here is a link to a YouTube video where Tony Dourado's 
grand-daughter is singing. She is part of an all girl band in Dar es Salaam   
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmNB3R14PAw  


 
On Sunday, January 10, 2021, 05:15:19 a.m. CST, Mervyn Maciel 
 wrote:  
 
 Hi Adolfo,
The Goan expression, "What to do"? may well be a literal translation of 
theKonkani equivalent, -Kitem koria rhe?". In fact, accept the inevitable'.   I 
remember my colleague(John Pontifex - Press & Information Officerat the 
international Catholic Charity where I've been doing voluntary workfor over 25 
years) - once said to me that on a visit to Pakistan, hesaid to Cardinal Joseph 
Coutts how sorry he was to hear of the persecutionof Christians in Pakistan. 
The Cardinal's reply - you guessed it -What to do?? There you have it!

Mervyn Maciel
On Sun, 10 Jan 2021 at 10:38, Adolfo Mascarenhas  wrote:

You mention a Nunes Is this lady in any way related to the Nunes in 
Zanzibar...
::: I used to tease Ophelia that I was frightened to be in Zanzibar because of 
the Gossip I had a feeling that within a short time everybody Goan knew 
about any stranger Goans  especially  those from the mainland  ..was 
suspect.:::Being a Zanzibari she told me that sometimes I could be quite 
silly::As her father would say>What to Do. A very Goan expression 
...Can some real Goan explain what this expression means  ...It was said in a 
pious way.

  

Re: [Goanet] The British Are Coming

[Mervyn Lobo]

 Eric Pinto wrote:My aged lungs cannot handle an early winter Washington 
inauguration, but I will pay your Accela fare to Penn Station and we can do a 
few nice dinners in New York: the Bishops in India have not cleaned me out, yet.



Doc,Regarding lungs, I can assure you that 90% of the people going for Obama 
III - sorry Biden's - inauguration will be wearing masks. Most will have the 
Covid prevention type while law enforcement will carry gas masks. I will be 
perched, as usual, on the roof top of 501 Pennsylvania Avenue where they always 
serve complimentary ice wine together with cheese and biscuits, on inauguration 
days. While the perch does not have a clear view of the inauguration dais, it 
does provide access to intimate reach should Biden have the luxury of marching 
down to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. I was first invited to this spot for Clinton 
I.  

Now, the interesting part. I fully expect Trump to give his goons the orders to 
attack a few minutes prior to the anointing time. Let me reassure you that I am 
going in (red)hatless and that I only plan on watching and recording the melee 
that will follow. I have a spare gas mask should you decide to change your mind 
and join me. 

Secondly, Andrew Coumo has made it perfectly clear to Don Trump that he will be 
arrested if Trump ever sets foot in New York state again. Trump has already 
abandoned that state, shifting his official fleeing residence elsewhere. Since 
there is the possibility that the incoming administration will ground all 
flights out of D.C. the moment Obama III is sworn in, I am fully prepared to 
see what is left of Trump and his team - make a desperate dash to Union Station 
which is a few hundred feet from both 501 Pennsylvania and the Capitol.

So, if I do not show up at Penn Station and you still get an Accela bill from 
me, rest assured it is only because I was following the train route and posse 
of the fleeing ex-President of the United State of America. 

Lastly, I too am fed up with the religious higher ups in Goa. However, there 
are one or two old age homes - run by the religious -  that really have funding 
problems, while they do a real good job looking after desperately poor old 
folks. 



MervynBTW, I find the concept that a person can pardon himself, hilarious. A 
follow up to this premise is, any person should also have the opportunity to 
serve as a juror in his own trial. 






    

Re: [Goanet] The Faithless

[Mervyn Lobo]

 On Saturday, January 9, 2021, 03:48:04 p.m. CST, Roland Francis 
 wrote:
 ExMuslim and feminist activist Zara Kay, the founder of Faithless Hijabi, was 
arrested in Tanzania on December 28th, where she was held in police custody 
without a clear indication of charges for 32 hours. 
-

Roland,
Since you too have picked up an infatuation with Dar es Salaam, let me point 
out that while it remains a haven, there are many worlds within. Some are 
religious, some not and some are karmIc. I wrote this for another forum but I 
will share it here for you and all those interested.
Mervyn



Well, I was returning from wading/fishing near the Mexican border recently and 
saw this sting ray left on the dock. It looked like something had taken a large 
bite out of it, then it got washed up, dried and finally a fisherman picked it 
out of the beach area as he did not want anyone stamping on it. Note the sting 
folks. I am told that when your next door neighbour has a mango tree close to 
the property line and all the mangoes fall into his compound while all the 
leaves fall into your compound - all you have to do is insert the sting of a 
ray into the mango tree and you will never have to rake leaves again.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/45002663@N00/50396168342/in/photolist-2jMkx5b

The dried sting ray reminded me of a time long, long ago in Tanzania, when I 
would go out spearfishing at Mbudya Island. We would shoot a few fish/lobsters, 
bring them back to the island and give them to the barman to cook. The barman 
would then supply us with endless cold beers and the cooked fish would get 
served whenever we were ready. On days when the catch was very good, we would 
send a gift of a cooked fish or lobster to the smartest looking woman lying on 
the sand. This way, we sort of struck up many a friendship. 


Well, one day I had gone thru a few beers when someone came up to me and asked 
if I could take him and his group spearfishing. I said ok, I would take them 
but shoot only one fish so that they could experience it - and then come out 
spearfishing with us the next weekend. 

Just a few feet from the shore, I saw a fully grown, 20 inch blue spotted sting 
ray in the sand. When rays rest on the ocean floor, they flap their "wings" and 
the sand falls on their bodies camouflaging them perfectly. I took a deep 
breath, dived, shot the ray and surfaced. The ray was pinned to the sand but 
flapping in a circle, struggling. The next step was to dive again, cut off its 
tail and bring it to the surface. 

Well, the stars said it would not go exactly as planned from now on. 

I dived and as I was cutting off the tail, the ray stung me. The barb/sting 
pierced through my leather glove and into the back of my right wrist. I 
surfaced, removed my glove, looked at the one inch incision and it seemed clean 
- with no sting or sheath of sting in my wrist. My arm, however, from my elbows 
forward, immediately began to feel numb.

So I swam to the shore and checked my wrist again. I could clearly see into the 
incision.  I tried to press the now throbbing  wrist to see if I could extract 
anything from the wound but there seemed nothing. I walked to the happy guy who 
had driven us to the ferry point on the mainland and told him to be serious for 
a moment. Then I told him what had happened.

Well, we packed our bags and tried to calculate the time it would take to get 
me to hospital. The rough estimates were that it would take 30 minutes for the 
shuttle to arrive. Another 30 minutes to get to the mainland and if I was 
lucky, 45 minutes to get to a hospital in Dar es Salaam. The driver supplied me 
with the best pain killer known to Tanzanians, distilled papaya and we started 
on our return trip.

When we got to the mainland, I had no feelings from my elbow down. My arm felt 
like it weighed 40 tons and the ball and socket joint in my right shoulder was 
threatening to separate. The pain killer, on the other hand, was inspiring me 
to sing songs in Gujarati, a language which I am only familiar with the numbers 
and curse words! Then the car I got into, appeared to have stopped moving but 
everything around the car was whizzing by like in a tornado. When we got to the 
entrance to town, I was surprised to see that the driver did not turn right to 
go to the university hospital. I asked why and he said that if there was an 
antidote, the best bet was that we would find it at the Aga Khan Hospital. 

We drove up to the Aga Khan hospital where I at last found the courage to look 
at my wrist. At first look, the back had swollen up like a ripe tomato. With 
tears in my eyes, I took another look and the colour of my skin - in the 
sunlight - looked cherry pink. My finger nails, if I was processing the sight 
correctly was, yes, apple blossom white. 

I stepped out of the car and the cool seashore breeze felt soothing on my face 
and like a bush fire on the skin of my entire arm. 

Re: [Goanet] Trump not a nuclear mischief threat.

[Mervyn Lobo]

 
Eric Pinto wrote:Vivian need not fear, the turnip was neutralized early in his 
term. Republicans in Congress arranged for any order from him to launch an 
attack to be routed through the Joint Chiefs of the military. This was not a 
first, Nixon was ordered to surrender ALL his powers to Senator Smith who was 
placed in the White House. His forced resignation was delayed for a few 
months.
Doc,Donald Trump was neutered, not neutralized. 

It is for this very reason that he wanted to get his hands on the arsenal of 
the Supreme Leader, Kim Jong-un. 

His Korean buddy will now offer Trump refuge, a fourth spouse and training for 
his Triumphant return. 

What I do not get about Trump is that he keeps on rolling out failure after 
failure. He is the only man I know who filled for bankruptcy while running a 
casino! There are people on the banks of the Mandovi minting money with a small 
river boat and yet our egomaniac could not run a casino profitably -  even 
though it was a few dozen miles from the titans of Wall Street. 

One last thing, the last time Redcoats waltzed into Washington D.C., they burnt 
down the White House and ransacked the Capitol. Trump's redhats tried the same 
- but it was a half baked plan. The dear leader was watching TV and tweeting 
while his followers failed and got arrested. 

I plan to be in D.C. on January 20th. I think I owe you a dinner, so I am more 
than willing to host you :-) If we hang out long enough, we might even get a 
side trip to visit Trump in jail. 

Mervyn

  
  

Re: [Goanet] Mayhem in Washington

[Mervyn Lobo]

 Mervyn,Unfortunately, this is a fight about money.
I am being bombarded with about 20 emails daily from Trump and Co ever since 
election day, asking for donations for the legal costs to challenge the 
elections results. Trump sends me a daily plea, his son sends me two, the VP 
sends me a few more etc., etc. each promising me a "free gift" if I donate. 
They have been very, very successful with their pleas raising an estimated $300 
million in the last two months.
The problem is that Trump thinks he should control the funds raised while the 
Republican party has other ideas. 
Trump needed to show who is in charge.
MervynP.S. the reason they have my email address is that I was waiting for 
Trump to split and form his own political party. I will donate to that one - 
whether Trump is in jail or not.


On Thursday, January 7, 2021, 02:32:29 a.m. CST, Mervyn Maciel 
 wrote:  
 
 Who would have ever thought that we would be witnessing
scenes of mob violence as we did yesterday. Shame on
those who demonstrated and shame on the man who encouraged
all this unruly behaviour.
  For a President of the United States to want to break the
law and incite others to do so is a disgrace and the sooner
he exits the stage, the better for America and the world.
  The ugly scenes we saw last evening do not represent
the real America or the people of this great country who
must feel quite ashamed of all tha's happened.


Mervyn Maciel
  

Re: [Goanet] The Brainwashing Is Unplugged

[Mervyn Lobo]

 On Friday, January 1, 2021, 06:13:35 p.m. CST, Roland Francis wrote:
 
 
 According to Christian sects and certain Evangelical quarters in America, what 
is making Christians not go to church is not the fear of the Covid-19 virus, 
but . you guessed it - a demonic strategy helped along by the Liberals.

It appears that people going to church is essential for the wellbeing of these 
churches because virtual prayer and remote gatherings don’t work for their 
flocks and less of them are donating online than they should. Also without the 
shouting, jumping, yelling and mesmerizing of these pastors in person, less of 
brainwashing becomes possible and churchgoers’ sanity returns to normal.

They estimate and fear that once the virus battle is over, there will be 31 
million less Americans returning to church with 80,000 churches closing and 
420,000 pastors having to look for other jobs. 

Needless to say there are a lot of godless Americans (I would be one of them 
were I not Canadian) who think that would be a good thing for the people 
involved and for the nation too.

Roland.
Toronto.
-


Folks,
The observation - here in the US - is that as soon as the local evangelicals 
made Trump their messiah, a plague showed up. 
But that is none of my business.

Mervyn

  

Re: [Goanet] HAPPY ANNEXATION DAY of TEXAS

[Mervyn Lobo]

Doc,I celebrate almost anything and am usually the first to arrive and last to 
leave any celebration.  

WRT Texas, my friends remind me that they did not cross the border but the 
border crossed them. The same ranch that has been in their family for 
generations, was once in Mexico but now is in the US. 

There still are parts on the Rio Grande where you can walk across 18 inches of 
water to get to the other side. In the deeper parts, you need a mule to carry 
you across. I have done both these types of crossings.  Pure desert and wild 
animals, on both sides, prevents you from going much further. 

As you know, six flags have flown over Texas. Depending on whose version of 
history you are reading, the events are sad or funny. However, there still is 
positive response of 25% when residents here are polled on the succession  
question. Most are Trump supporters or those with little reading and 
comprehension abilities. 

As for the man himself, he will be evicted on Jan 20th. I expect him to be 
indicted before the end of that month. 

Mervyn





On Tuesday, December 29, 2020, 11:55 AM, Adolfo Mascarenhas  
wrote:

Mervyn: Just think of it Robbing Mexicans of their land taking all the 
goodies ...I mean oil etc and then having the audacity of announcing that they 
have to build a wall.  Few Days More and the Trumpet Saga will take a new face 
...Will he be tried Adolfo 

[Goanet] From the Guinness World Records

[Mervyn Lobo]

Highest combined age, 12 living siblings



WhoROSEMARIE DESOUZA ( D'CRUZ), DOREEN LEWIS (D'CRUZ), PAT D'CRUZ, GENEVIEVE 
FALCAO (D'CRUZ), RONALD D'CRUZ, BERYL D'CRUZ, JOE D'CRUZ, FRANCESCA LOBO 
(D'CRUZ), JOYCE DESOUZA ( D'CRUZ), ALTHEA PECUS (D'CRUZ), TERESA HEDINGER 
(D'CRUZ), GENIA CARTER ( D;CRUZ)

What1042:315 YEAR(S):DAY(S)

WhereCANADA (TORONTO)

When15 DECEMBER 2020
The highest combined age of 12 living siblings is 1,042 year 315 days, and was 
achieved by the D'Cruz siblings: Doreen (b. 23 September 1923), Patrick (b. 30 
September 1925), Genevieve (b. 4 July 1927), Joyce (b. 2 March 1929), Ronnie 
(b. 24 August 1930), Beryl (b. 26 August 1932), Joe (b. 1 June 1934), Francesca 
(b. 17 September 1936), Althea (b. 27 July 1938), Teresa (b. 9 June 1940), 
Rosemarie (b. 30 March 1943), Eugenia (b. 24 October 1945), who were all born 
to Michael and Cecilia in Karachi, Pakistan. This achievement was verified on 
15 December 2020.


The D'Cruz siblings are spread across Canada, the United States and 
Switzerland. Though they do not live in the same place, the D'Cruz's say they 
are a close family who count achieving the Guinness World Records title as one 
of the great highlights of their lives.
https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/107026-highest-combined-age-12-living-siblings?fbclid=IwAR20U0SpghBABDWvQ8zXq1b2Gl3uOWMhoj5iDQ8ZJxEN4ypKbY6VxTNNdU0

[Goanet] Christmas greetings from Mervyn(s)

[Mervyn Lobo]

Folks,Bwana Mervyn Maciel sent me a video Christmas card which I thought was 
quite warm and interesting. 

He mentioned that the file was too large for some accounts and as such, some of 
his friends could not open it. A lot of his friends are on Goanet - which does 
not allow attachments.

So I have saved Bwana Mervyn’s video greetings on my Flickr account to share. 

The first link is to the solo harmonica and vocal performance of Mr. Mervyn 
Maciel. 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/45002663@N00/50748596046/in/dateposted-public/



Since I have never jammed with a Mervyn, I thought I would do so in my video 
response and the link is below.


https://www.flickr.com/photos/45002663@N00/50745352473/in/dateposted-public/


Merry Christmas everybody! 



MervynPs. Surely there are more musicians here with a cell phone who can spice 
up this Christmas spirit?

[Goanet] R.I.P. - Fr. Emilio Lobo

[Mervyn Lobo]

More sad news folks,

Fr. Emilio Lobo passed away in England on Dec 21st, 2020.

He was taken to hospital a few days ago for non Covid complaints. He was 93. 

Fr. Emilio was one of the most jolly persons I have known and made lots of 
friends wherever he went. He was born in Zanzibar, educated in the Seychelles 
and Bombay and served as a priest in both places as well as in Dar es Salaam, 
Boston and England. He is one person who I always thought should never have 
become a priest - but he was very happy with his calling. 
I taped him in Toronto a few years ago and this is what he had to say about the 
priesthood, his experiences, etc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESQil2KO7Hw=292s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEz-vtiY0mo=82s



Here is a picture of him with his brother. The third person in the picture is, 
I think, the dad of both of them.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/45002663@N00/50745352858/in/dateposted-public/



Mervyn

Re: [Goanet] Boris cancels Christmas in England

[Mervyn Lobo]

 On Sunday, December 20, 2020, 03:10:02 a.m. CST, Mervyn Maciel 
 wrote:
 What a sad state of affairs, and what a real mess we in the U.K. are in.  
Preparations had already been made to spend Christmas
with loved ones, turkeys were not spared - but now, thanks
to Boris's inaction earlier,, we are all in this sad situation.
  Anyway, have to make the best of it even if I'll be spending
Christmas day playing my harmonica and singing carols to
myself!
  Happy Christmas to all my friends on goanet.

---
Bwana Namesake,Prudent people all over the world are being cautious. While I 
agree that Xmas 2020 is going to be like nothing seen before, maybe it is one 
of those times to take it easy and reminisce about Xmases past. Many of us have 
been privileged to have great memories of Xmas past.

Jan 20, 2021 will be the end of an error in the US. 

Thankfully, the UK has a more efficient system for removing buffoons. Lets keep 
our fingers crossed that 2021 morphs into the opposite of 2020.

Namesake 
  

Re: [Goanet] Dar es Salaam ...Bastion of Peace A Flood of Memories

[Mervyn Lobo]

 On Saturday, December 19, 2020, 11:06:18 p.m. CST, Adolfo Mascarenhas 
 wrote:
 FastForward while I was meeting a new brand East Africans of other Races  in 
1956 at Makerere (not only did itinclude Professional but several Presidents 
Mkapa, Prof Kibaki President ofKenya, Judges, Governors of Banks, Major General 
Lupogo )  you were frolicking in Kurusini Creek andrealizing how long it was 
and also deep..That Hippo you encountered was HUGOand was a pet of Dr Groeber 
(Sp ??) She was an Austrian and the onlyPsychologist in Dar and Probably in 
Tanzania. Her husband was the owner of AFIand he had a restaurant  where you 
could snack (not far from St Joe our school) …thefavourite  Ice Cream was 
RamonaCocktail( Ice Cream With fruit).  If you treated someone..you 
exhaustedpocket money of several months.




There was a ground swell in the 1940's...Goan Teen ageres like Jerry Luis , 
Tony Ferns and Musicians galore who heralded the Jazz Age and inched out their 
Fathers interest in Classical Music ...yes there was a Goan Orchestra  when 
you think of it it was incredible ...all done as part time activity  


 There was another kind of awareness fight against Caste, Creed and Race. 




Oh yes Dar esSalaam was a fantastic Harbour, it still is ,,The Germans wanted 
to make itmodern even brought a Floating Dock.  Ihave no idea how they managed 
to street that structure from the open seas pastthe Mangrove forest.  World War 
1 came-  the British Man-of-War were hunting forthe three German warships  
hiding in the largestMangrove swamp of East Africa ..The Rufiji Delta …There is 
more to tell about whatwas there in the delta,  As Director of BRALUP,I had an 
international team to advise our Govt. on its sustainable future.  But back to 
DSM harbour ….the Germans did not wantthe British to use the Harbour,,,so they 
took the Floating Dock and let it drifttowards the open seas..it got trapped on 
the Southern Shore and remained there fordecades.

 
St Joseph Cathedral is still Iconic and mark despite all theTours of Babel . 
---Doc,
You somehow missed mentioning the most famous Makerere graduate of all, Julius 
Nyerere. 

WRT to the Honorary  Austrian consular, I believe he was born in Tanzania and 
spoke fluent Swahili. I did the accounts of the companies he owned in Dar. He 
had some kind of dislike for the Belgiums - whose Embassy was a stone throw 
away and who by the 1970s - were reduced to a third rate European power. 

I had always wondered how Von Trapp, of the Sound of Music fame, was a Captain 
in the Austrian Navy - when Austria was a landlocked country. It was the 
consular who told me that Austria was not landlocked before WWII. There was no 
google in those days.

As for Goan musicians in Dar, last year at the Dar Institute century 
celebrations, I looked on stage and lo and behold, there was an all girl band 
playing. The cherry on the cake was that I had previously spent many a Saturday 
afternoon singing with their grandfather. I have not seen a Goan all girl band 
anywhere else in the world. 

As for your childhood friend, you noticed he is real good in counting? He only 
pursued professional qualifications and left the academic work to his childhood 
friends!  I do not doubt his story of the hippo attack but my friends and I 
were in the muck, prawning in the very same area on full moon nights when the 
rumours were that a ghost hippo was attacking fishermen. 

Lastly, St. Joseph's Dar es Salaam still remains a magnet to Catholic's - both 
local and from abroad. The stained glass windows remain magnificent even after 
more than a hundred years. If you have noticed, there is a cricket ball sized 
hole in one of the stain glasses behind the altar. I was there when the change 
happened, five decades ago. No one has played cricket behind the altar since - 
and that mystery remains unsolved.

Mervyn










   
  

Re: [Goanet] Meaning of Dar es Salaam - reminiscences

[Mervyn Lobo]

 On Saturday, December 19, 2020, 04:15:43 p.m. CST, Antonio Menezes 
 wrote:
 I too remember sometimes with moist eyes the happy good old days
in Dar es Salaam. Was born there in mid-thirties  when a little
German influence was still there after they lost the colony to
Great Britain at the end of the First World War. Was born in
Ocean Road Hospital (then known as European hospital) and my
original birth certificate was signed by R. Bergner.. Was baptized
at St Joseph Cathedral  which was run by German Swiss priests,
It was known as Catholic Mission. The priest who signed my
baptismal certificate was Fr. Vincent Schoenenberg.
But my best recollection of Dar  was the long walk on Sunday
evenings along the crescent shaped bay lined by palm trees
towards the narrow channel that was entrance to Dar harbour.
The beach had snow white sand  where we would squat for
hours. and the most thrilling moment was when a giant
mauve coloured Union Castle  passenger liner crossed the
narrow channel. It was a sight I cannot forget.
-
Antonio,Dar es Salaam was and continues to remain a "Haven of Peace" in E. 
Africa. The rest of the region has always envied the city for its peace and 
harmony. Those who have lived or visited the city, I feel, are the lucky ones.

There was a Swiss/German nun, Sr. Miriam, who arrived in Dar in the early 1900s 
and did not leave the country till the late 1980s - when she was feeble and in 
need of medical attention. She instructed candidates for their First Holy 
Communion and I know families where she gave religious instructions to three 
generations.

The walk from the Cathedral to the fish market has become busy and a little 
commercialized today, but still remains one of the most scenic I know of. Apart 
from the Union Castle line, the port also used to harbour the British India 
ships and one visited every two weeks. The B.I. ships made the crossing from 
Dar to Mumbai in appox ten days. There were stops in Mombasa, the Seychelles 
and Karachi. A coastal steamer took you from Mumbai to Goa.

The last passenger ship I can remember in Dar was one of the Shipping 
Corporation of India that arrived to take pilgrims for the 1974 exposition of 
SFX.  The sleek new ship had a design that included a platform around its 
funnel - which made one person to comment that they knew Goans were travelling 
so they added more space for extra baggage. 

Dar has gone from a sleepy town at independence to a vibrant metropolis today. 
There are over a hundred 20 story buildings and the population has gone from 
100,000 in 1961 to appox 4.5 million today. The population of Toronto proper, 
by comparison, is smaller. 

Mervyn

 





  

[Goanet] From the Jesuits - Fr. Stanley D’Souza

[Mervyn Lobo]

Stanley D’SouzaJuly 4, 1932 – December 19, 2020
 Early Life Fr. Stanley J. D’Souza was born on July 4, 1932 in Zanzibar. His 
father Mr. Feleciano Gregorio D’Souza was the Chief Engineer of a ship and his 
mother was Mrs. Ruth de Souza. His companions used to tease him saying that 
Stan was born in a ship in Africa, brought up in United States and became a 
Jesuit missionary in India.

Stan did a four-year Engineering Program at Notre Dame University, South Bend, 
Indiana, USA, after which he decided to enter the Society of Jesus with the 
intention of serving in the Patna Mission. Earlier, as a boy living on the 
island of Zanzibar on the east coast of Africa, his father arranged for him to 
do much of his schooling in Bombay. Transportation from Zanzibar to India was 
no problem since his father was a ship’s engineer serving in the Indian Ocean. 
Stan said his father always referred to him as a “sailor boy.” And on his 
birthday, if someone asked him how old he was, he replied “Sailor boy is 35.”

Life and Ministry in the SocietyStan entered Milford Novitiate, USA, in 1957. 
From there he went on to study philosophy at West Baden College, Indiana, USA 
and theology at De Nobili College, Pune where he was ordained a priest in 1966.

After his theology Stan served as Assistant Parish Priest and Head Master in 
Chuhari in 1967, as Sub-minister of XTTI, Patna in 1968 and as In-charge of 
Loyola Industrial School, Patna in 1968. He served as Minister of St. 
Michael’s, Patna in 1969-1970. In 1969 Stan was in the pioneer community that 
took over St Michael's School from the Christian Brothers. Stan along with Br. 
Ittoop were appointed to restructure the buildings of St. Michael’s to suit the 
needs of the combined school of both St. Xavier’s and St. Michael’s and 
hostels. Within the specified time the place had to be ready. It was a 
challenging work and Stan did a wonderful job especially re-modelling the 
building for the Jesuit Community. Stan contributed much for the smooth 
amalgamation of the children and the staff of both the schools. Unofficially 
Stan became the chaplain of the Catholic children and staff and counsellor of 
the school. Stan built up a very personal relationship with the staff and 
children within a very short time.

Stan was a trained civil engineer and a good one. He was often called upon to 
use his talents in his role as Minister or Consultant on a building project. 
Along with Fr. Tom Tobin, Stan was asked by the Patna Provincial to visit 
industrial schools throughout India and judge if it was feasible to reopen 
Loyola Industrial School, Patna. The verdict was negative, which led the way 
for the Montfort Brothers to reopen the school successfully along more 
traditional lines.

Fr. Stan was a deeply spiritual person, committed to the values of the Kingdom. 
His faith in God was strong. He spent time in solitude conversing with God. He 
was very comfortable being alone with the Alone. He would spend hours before 
the Blessed Sacrament in the later years of his life. He found consolation in 
the company of the Lord. He lived his life to the full, loving all, praying for 
all and helping those who came to him. He was a person with a very loving heart 
indeed and was interested in the wellbeing of all.

Even though Stan was a good engineer with a post graduate degree in civil 
engineering, his dream over the years kept driving him toward retreats and 
spiritual direction and teaching others to pray. These ministries meant the 
world to him, and he often wished he had more of them to satisfy his zeal and 
“fill up his cup of happiness.” Yes, he loved to give Recollections and 
Retreats. He was a much sought-after retreat preacher. For several years, he 
was engaged full time in the spiritual ministry of giving retreats, basing 
himself in Goa and Bandra.

QualitiesBe it in Patna Province, Common House or Delhi Province he faced a lot 
of challenging situations in the places where he worked, but accepted them as 
God’s will for him though he often questioned why he was there. Stan had his 
share of painful experiences. But what needs to be praised is that he was a 
silent sufferer of these, not a loud critic. Stan would conclude his letter to 
Fr. Paul Paulstich, a close friend of his from Milford days, saying, “Through 
all my experiences,the Lord continues to mould and educate me, and bless me 
every moment.”

Stan was a very systematic and hard worker and did his jobs to perfection 
without making any fuss, and in a relaxed way. As a treasurer he kept accounts 
accurately. He would even boast that auditors could not find any mistake in his 
accounts. Stan was a perfectionist in all the works he did. Perhaps this comes 
from his social background and his specialisation as a civil engineer.

Stan was a very simple soul, lived a simple life with not many wants. He was 
always satisfied with the minimum. He ate what was set before him, drank what 
people offered him and wore what 

Re: [Goanet] Least We Forget The Berlin Conference of 1884

[Mervyn Lobo]

 On Wednesday, December 16, 2020, 11:21:42 a.m. CST, Adolfo Mascarenhas 
 wrote:
 Message-ID: <704a737c-4ad5-426b-b8c5-cd182a100...@gmail.com>

You state categorically:


:::Sitting in Quepem you have wishful dreams of another course for EastAfrican 
history?

 

Roland. I was not merely sitting and day dreaming. Whether I am inAbuja, or 
Tokyo or Ottawa, or New York .I observe and learn and perhaps improvemy skills…

In Quepem for the first time I was fighting for my life, trying toremain in a 
Heritage House and indeed modernizing the infrastructure……but also makingsure 
that workers who worked for my parents were not evicted.  In the process I 
learnt a great deal.  There is a first core of people who willimplement some of 
the ideas.  With myBank Account being frozen by a Cooperative bank I was 
dependent on the GoodWill of the very people whom my parents enabled them to 
get out of Poverty.  Basically it is the right thing to do.

 

Sitting and wringing my hand, or blaming politicians is not a solution. 
Indreadful moments I think of all the Goan Professionals (Nazareth (the 
late),Pio and Wolgango Dourado (pity I never met him,,he stayed a stone throw 
awayfrom where my FiL lived).

 

Here in Dar es Salaam it is a new world with a lot of possibilities ,,,Iasked 
four Tanzanian whether they knew about Maji Maji only the maid(now in the 60’s) 
knew what had happened. They had no clue of what happens whenmutinies take 
place ….I DO.  

 
In essence, we can be cynical, very cynical but what Eddie and now aresaying 
clearly and loudly..STOP IT    

AdolfoIn Dar es Salaam 
--

Doc,WRT the Berlin Conference and the scramble for Africa, someone pointed out 
what I feel is an interesting observation. During the period when the leader of 
Germany went to war with his British cousins, starting in 1914, Britain ordered 
Indian troops into the East African war theater. One of the most (in?)famous 
battles was, The Battle of the Bees. This occurred in Tanga, Tanganyika and 
about 1,000 Indian troops on the British side were killed in a single day while 
the German side suffered a loss of a tenth of that amount.


I had earlier pointed out that 'Mzinga' in Swahili meant both 'cannon' and 
"beehive." Well during the "Battle of the Bees" in Tanga, bees attacked both 
sides. Was it the cannons that activated the bees or was it vice versa? 
Anyways, the British historians blame poorly trained Indian troops (they were 
actually the best of the best) on their loss and the Germans blame the British 
commander for demanding to know if the harbour was mined and simultaneously - a 
German surrender - prior to the battle.

The result of that battle was that the British left behind a treasure chest of 
arms for the German commander in Tanga - who then led the British on a four 
year wild goose chase in E. Africa. British troops were called in from as far 
away as S. Africa but did not manage to corner the German commander. The 
British estimate that a hundred thousand African troops, the total of both 
sides, were 'lost' during the conflict but they have exact number of horses 
they lost in Tanganyika during that period.

As for Dar es Salaam, there is no doubt that it houses a seafarers dream 
harbour, one of the best in the world. A casual google search will reveal what 
the name means. Others, our sour friend included, will never be able to 
recognise or appreciate an apt description. 


MervynativeofDar. 








 



 

       

Re: [Goanet] One Day’s Pay

[Mervyn Lobo]

 On Thursday, December 17, 2020, 10:36:37 p.m. CST, Roland Francis 
 wrote:
 From today’s Indian Express:
Quote
Not only PSUs, academic institutions and public sector banks but also the three 
armed forces — Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Navy — have contributed 
in a big way to the PM-CARES Fund. Together, the three services contributed Rs 
203.67 crore from a day’s salary of their personnel.
End of quote.

That means the total yearly pay of the second largest armed force in the world, 
is USD 27.7 billion at the current (today’s) exchange rate. That mind you is 
their salary only. 

Mind boggling.

Roland.
=
Roland,Your math is mind boggling too. 
Compliments of the season.

Mervyn


  

Re: [Goanet] One Day’s Pay (Erratum)

[Mervyn Lobo]

 On Thursday, December 17, 2020, 11:06:34 p.m. CST, Roland Francis 
 wrote:
 Sorry error in calculation.
The yearly total is USD 101 billion, not 27 billion.

Mind boggling times 3.74.

> On Dec 17, 2020, at 11:36 PM, Roland Francis  wrote:
> 
> From today’s Indian Express:
> Quote
> Not only PSUs, academic institutions and public sector banks but also the 
> three armed forces — Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Navy — have 
> contributed in a big way to the PM-CARES Fund. Together, the three services 
> contributed Rs 203.67 crore from a day’s salary of their personnel.
> End of quote.
> 
> That means the total yearly pay of the second largest armed force in the 
> world, is USD 27.7 billion at the current (today’s) exchange rate. That mind 
> you is their salary only. 
> 
> Mind boggling.
> 
> Roland.
---


Roland Francis,January 20, 2021 will be the of an error. 

That, we are assured of.

Other errors have the potential of going on forever.

Mervyn



  

Re: [Goanet] GAUNKARS - COMUNIDADE - ORIGINS

[Mervyn Lobo]

 On Wednesday, December 2, 2020, 02:06:34 p.m. CST, Tony de Sa 
 wrote:
 
 
 To all those who wished to know about the Comunidades, here's my two cents.
I speak with some authority here having been a Treasurer of the Comunidade
de Moira in a previous term and now for immediate previous term and the
present term.
-snip-Government could have been more proactive.  Comunidades  could have been
named as local bodies. This would save us from paying income tax. As it
stands, Most comunidades pay about 30% of their income as income tax. In
cases of land grabbing and squatting, Government could have done better by
assisting the comunidades. Alas, there is no help forth coming.

And all this talk about giving ladies rights to Jono, don't open a
pandora's box. Anybody needing any clarification, I'll be pleased to help
if I can.



Nice info, Tony de Sa,

It is nice to read about the system in a book. It is also a different eye 
opener to hear about the system as it operates today. 
I am looking forward to more practical info from you.
Mervyn
  

Re: [Goanet] GAUNKARS ( GOAN-ORIGINS) OF COMMUNIDADE DE GOA (W.F.)

[Mervyn Lobo]

 On Tuesday, December 1, 2020, 08:11:04 a.m. CST, Tony de Sa 
 wrote:
 
 
 The Code of Comunidades, or to give it its formal name "Legislative
Enactment No. 2070 dated 15th April, 1961" which is an existing law gives
insight into the workings of the comunidades.

 In comunidades where there are shares (accaoes) women do get their share
of the dividend or Jono. In other gauncarias, where there are no
shareholders, women do not get Jono.

Before trying to make radical changes to the code, we should try to
understand why our ancestors enacted this code which existed even before
the arrival of the Portuguese in Goa. The Portuguese only formally codified
it.

The Comunidades protected the lands, the bunds (dykes) and the sluice
gates. These were built by our ancestors by the sweat of their brow with no
heavy equipment to aid them. Irresponsible legislation has slowly seen
decline in the lands, the bunds and the sluice gates. The so called farmers
associations which are supposed to maintain the bunds and the sluice gates
are unable to do so. Neither is the comunidade in a position to do so as
there is no income from the fields due to the "land reform" acts which have
destroyed farming, particularly rice farming in Goa.
---

Tony de Sa,
You have dropped some interesting information here.

On a visit to Colvale in 1971, my dad took me for a walk on the comunidade 
lands next to the church. He showed me the short cut he used to take from his 
mom's house to church, weaving thru the rice fields. Those rice fields on the 
east side of the church were about a mile long and half a mile wide. There was 
a fresh water pond, at a point furthest from the river that served as a 
reservoir and also in which water buffaloes used to bathe. The pond water was 
used to irrigate the fields in the dry season, when people would grow spinach.

On the west side of the church, the comunidade land is about two miles long and 
a mile wide. Perfectly flat land with rice stalks of every hue of green - 
defines Goa to me. Bisecting the paddy fields was a raised road with the "pato" 
in the middle. The road was a good ten feet above the rice fields and my 
preteen mind could not imagine the fields flooding to the extent that the 
higher white washed cross in the center would be the only clue to cyclists and 
motorists as to where the road lay during the monsoons. 

The Chapora waters at Colvale is still brackish, hence wooden sluice gates kept 
the river water away from the paddy fields. At times the three inch thick 
wooden planks on the gates were raised and the fresh water poured out - 
carrying nutrients, insects, etc. -  which attracted crabs, fish and fishermen 
to the gates. I remember seeing many an old man fishing near the gates and 
getting enough seafood for a curry dinner.

On my next trip to Colvale, a decade later, there were no rice fields. I was 
told that jealously or fighting led someone to destroy the sluice gates and the 
salt water killed the fields. Both comunidade there areas today have mangrove 
trees that are about 30ft tall. A few months ago, a crocodile was found killed 
in the area. 

I am glad I got to experience how a community could benefit from communal land 
but anyone born in Colvale after the mid 1960s, will not have had this 
experience.

Lastly, with regards to zonn, every time my dad landed in Goa i.e. after every 
four years, the first thing his buddies would ask him was if he had collected 
his zonn. Apparently, the yearly amount would remain with the treasurer, 
accumulating, till the recipient showed up to collect it. 


Mervyn   

   











 
  

Re: [Goanet] The Indian Bird on the American Thanksgiving Table (Scroll.in, 26/11/2020)

[Mervyn Lobo]

 On Thursday, November 26, 2020, 01:56:12 a.m. CST, V M  
wrote:
 
 
https://scroll.in/article/979490/thanksgiving-day-how-an-indian-bird-made-its-way-to-the-american-dinner-table

Jehangir writes with great fascination and glee, “One of the animals was
larger in body than a peahen and significantly smaller than a peacock.
Sometimes when it displays itself during mating it spreads its tail and its
other feathers like a peacock and dances. Its beak and legs are like a
rooster’s. Its head, neck, and wattle constantly change color. When it is
mating, they are as red as can be—you’d think it had all been set with
coral. After a while these same places become white and look like cotton.
Sometimes they look turquoise. It keeps changing color like a chameleon.
The piece of flesh it has on its head resembles a cock’s comb. The strange
part about it is that when it is mating, the piece of flesh hangs down a
span from its head like an elephant’s trunk, but then when it pulls it up
it stands erect a distance of two fingers like a rhinoceros’ horn. The area
around its eyes is always turquoise-colored and never changes. Its feathers
appear to be of different colors, unlike a peacock’s feathers.”
-

Folks,The above reminds me of the first time I tasted turkey. We were at a 
beach resort in Mafia, Tanzania in the late 1970s when an open air dinner was 
served. There was no menu that evening and all the waiters came out, in 
concert, from the kitchen area with a thick slice of meat, gravy and yams 
slapped on a plate. No one knew what meat was being served so someone in the 
group went to the kitchen and asked the chef what meat he had cooked. His 
answer was, "Bata mzinga." Bata, in Swahili, is duck. Mzinga is cannon. The 
person also saw the drumsticks so he returned and assured all the Hindu's in 
our group that it was not beef, but duck.


However, another person in the group said he had tasted duck before and the 
meat served was not duck. Then an Italian diver said he had tasted the same 
kind of meat before and thought - because the meat was so bland - it was 
turkey. Another trip to the cook confirmed the same. Mzinga also means beehive 
in Swahili. Thus, "the duck with a beehive neck."


Turkey, to me, is the most bland meat you can eat. I remember my first 
thanksgiving in the US. I was in the kitchen of an ethnic restaurant and the 
cook was preparing  turkey for his extended family. After he took the turkeys 
out of the oven, he looked at me and I saw he was in tears. He then said, "I 
don't know how anyone can enjoy this meat." On the other hand, pumpkin pie, 
which sounds like it would be bland, is one of my all time favorite foods.


Mervyn









   

Re: [Goanet] The Banana Republic of The United States

[Mervyn Lobo]

Bwana D'Souza,

Nixon went to China to meet Mao in 1971. That trip was made possible only after 
China was admitted into the United Nations. The diplomat who spearheaded the 
Chinese admission into the UN was Tanzania's Salim Ahmed Salim. Tanzania got a 
free railway as a reward. BTW, Tazara is operating at a 2% capacity today.



One other thing. Capitalism is dependent on the optimal allocation of land, 
labour and capital. China did not ask the US to invest there. It was the other 
way around. US multi-nationals salivated at the thought of manufacturing in 
China, paying the locals pennies for both land and labour and shipping the 
manufactured goods for sale in the US. The US multinationals took US capital 
and built plants in China - depriving both capital and jobs to residents in the 
US. 


Donald Trump was right in demanding concessions from China, but he was too 
late. China is now an economic colossus. 


You are correct about the new leadership in the US. They will re-assert the US 
leadership role in world affairs. 


Lastly, one has to laugh at the title of this topic. The world sends its 
capital to the US, for safety, whenever there is a crises.


MervynBTW, here in redneck country, the local media was aflutter with the 
impressive sight of Kamala wearing a white power suit when she declared victory 
with Biden. Someone had to reminded them that the suits Trump wore, was to 
impress the white power folks.
  






Roland, I am still gung-ho on my country - the USA, Land of the free and home 
of the brave.  This is the country that people from all over the world still 
aspire to  emigrate to, and  to seek higher education. Case in point is that  
the daughter of the President of China  is studying at Harvard.  The resurgence 
of China began with the visit of President  Nixon to China in the 1970s.  He 
was invited by the ne pragmatic leadership in China after the demise of Mao 
Tsetung., As a result of his visit thousands of China's brightest students were 
invited to study in elite American Universities, and returned to China to pass 
on their new found knowledge.  This is what led to the resurgence of China, and 
what America means to the world. A beacon of hope.I end this with " God Bless 
America, Land that I love, Stand Beside Her and Guide her...…."  The future is 
bright with America's new leadership.

Re: [Goanet] Trump Vs Biden betting odds.

[Mervyn Lobo]

Gabe,
2020 has been very consistent in one regard i.e. every month has been worse 
than the previous one. 
I fully expect Trump to declare victory before midnight tomorrow but for the 
life of me, I cannot guess what December will bring. 
However, I am willing to bet $$$ that December will be twice as bad as 
tomorrow's main event. 

Mervyn




Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone


On Friday, October 30, 2020, 12:25 PM, Gabe Menezes  
wrote:

The odds for Trump to win is 15/8 i.e. you wager 8 to win 15 you get your 8
back as well. The odds on Biden is 2/5 i.e. you have to bet 5 to win 2. you
get your wager back. Most are betting on Trump to win as odds are better,
it is a two horse race! So our Bookies make Biden the favourite to win!

-- 
DEV BOREM KORUM

Gabe Menezes.

Re: [Goanet] The Utopian's Manifesto (Scroll.in, 16/9/2020)

[Mervyn Lobo]

VM,Wow, this is a gem of an article!
Thank you for introducing me to Rutgers Bergman. It looks like he has enough 
material to keep me busy for weeks.
Mervyn




On Wednesday, September 16, 2020, 3:58 AM, V M  wrote:

https://scroll.in/article/973201/dont-punch-nazis-rutger-bregmans-utopian-manifesto-for-living

Last week as California burned apocalyptic orange, and India and China
postured menacingly in the Himalayas, while Covid-19 rampaged out of
control right to my door in Goa, I was reading Rutger Bregman’s
relentlessly upbeat *Humankind: A Hopeful History (Bloomsbury)*. It felt
distinctly like this new global bestseller was taking the piss.

Contrarian is Bregman’s default gear. The 32-year-old Dutch historian rose
to prominence with the 2016 *Utopia for Realists: How We Can Build The
Ideal World* that argued for an unconditional universal basic income for
everyone everywhere, reduction of the work week to 15 hours (he cites
Keynes in support), and worldwide open borders with free movement of
citizens.

It so happens that universal basic income is trendy amongst the plutocratic
robber-baron-turned-philanthropists of the Davos set, who made the
strategic miscalculation of inviting Bregman to their 2019 World Economic
Forum. He proceeded to set the stage afire, saying “1,500 private jets have
flown in here to hear Sir David Attenborough speak about how we’re wrecking
the planet. I hear people talking the language of participation and justice
and equality and transparency, but almost no one raises the real issue of
tax avoidance and of the rich not paying their fair share.”

Bregman said, “It feels as if I’m at a firefighter’s conference, and no one
is allowed to speak about water. This is not rocket science. We can talk
for a very long time about all these stupid philanthropy schemes, we can
invite Bono once more. But come on, we’ve got to be talking about taxes.
That’s it, taxes, taxes, taxes. All the rest is bullshit.”

Re: [Goanet] {Dilip's essays} Flying snakes, those guides from beyond

[Mervyn Lobo]

Dilip,Nice article. Congrats!

Virginia Tech has always been on the cutting edge of decoding nature.

My roommate there, a veterinarian student, was part of a team of twelve 
doctoral students that monitored three pigs 24 hours a day. Each pig was worth 
a million dollars and every bodily function was measured and recorded. They had 
spliced human DNA into the pigs and a side effect of the research was that the 
pigs had a fever and running stomachs most of the time. The purpose of splicing 
human genes was to research on insulin harvesting. 

There also were cows that had about ten inches of the skin on one side removed 
and replaced with a clear material. You could see into it’s stomach/intestines 
area. 

And this was 30 years ago.

Mervyn


On Friday, August 21, 2020, 1:06 AM, Dilip D'Souza  wrote:

Aug 21

I've been thinking about it. I have to say the idea of a snake flying
through the air and landing on my shoulder, say, has grown on me.
Especially if it is Chrysopelea paradisi, the gorgeous creature in the
attached photograph. No, it's not venomous. It merely flies. Glides,
actually. Wouldn't you like to have it land on your shoulder? (Let me know).

And some years ago, several paradisi specimens flew about in an enormous
building in Blacksburg, Virginia. My Mint column for today tells you what
that was about.

https://www.livemint.com/opinion/columns/opinion-flying-snakes-those-guides-from-beyond-11597973963496.html

I was delighted that I managed to include some lines from Rumi! And please
visit flyingsnake.org for some videos.

And again, your reactions welcome!

cheers,
dilip

Re: [Goanet] A South Asian in the West Wing? (Dhaka Tribune, 13/8/2020)

[Mervyn Lobo]

VM,I like the premise in your second last paragraph but the reality also is 
that Biden would not win without a black woman as V.P. He was trailing badly in 
the Democratic race till the non-whites came out and voted for him in mass in 
S. Carolina. 

Biden had a debt to repay and in addition, in this era of BLM it would be 
suicidal to run for office - any office - in the US without responding to the 
needs of BLM.

I have always maintained that 90% of US voters will habitually vote for either 
the Democrats or Republicans. Each party gets half of those habitual votes. 
Elections are won on which candidate appeals to the swing vote. Incredibly, 
that swing vote is still up for grabs. Roger Stone, self described “One man 
dirty tricks department” still has a few surprises up his sleeve. 

I expect this presidential election to be twice as dirty as the last. Stone is 
guaranteed to make things interesting and will bring out the worst in politics 
that he can. 

MervynP.S. since I am aware of the hurdles Kamala had to overcome, every step 
of the way, to get to where she is, I contributed a few more dollars to her 
appeal after she was invited to join the ticket. The response was immediate. I 
got an email asking for more money :-) 



On Thursday, August 13, 2020, 2:42 PM, V M  wrote:

https://www.dhakatribune.com/opinion/op-ed/2020/08/13/op-ed-a-south-asian-in-the-west-wing


A highly ambitious politician from the dominant majority – the same exact
constituencies that Trump stirs to express their worst instincts –
initially showed himself capable of standing aside to allow the growth and
eventual stardom of a much younger, much less seasoned Barack Obama. Now
he’s chosen someone who is more dazzling still, and without making any fuss
about it, is clearly passing leadership to a very different America from
the one he grew up in.

That’s statesmanship.

[Goanet] It's crying time again....

[Mervyn Lobo]

Folks,I remember having cried only twice as a grown man. 

The first time was when I was walking past the Toronto City Hall in the middle 
of winter and a five story high TV screen was showing an old man slowly walking 
down the street. I looked at the caption, I looked at the caption again and it 
still said the same thing. The last known picture of the old man - one that was 
published frequently in Tanzania - was taken 30 years prior and was that of a 
heavyweight boxer in his prime. Could the old man on the screen be someone with 
the same name? I stood still for a minute in the cold slush and finally it sank 
in that one of the most revered men in Africa, one that every youth on the 
continent had spent 30 years yearning to see as a free man - was now walking 
down the road, smiling. Nelson Mandela was free. The year was 1990.


The other time I remember crying was in 2008 when a young Obama gave his 
victory speech in Chicago. I expected him winning. However, I did not expect 
him to survive till election day. The hatred in some sectors of the US for that 
man matched or exceeded the hatred in S. Africa during the apartheid era. The 
haters were defeated and hope restored.


This afternoon was another occasion to cry with joy. The daughter of Indian and 
Jamaican immigrants got chosen as the U.S. Vice-President candidate. Imagine 
her struggle! Imagine facing hurdles every step of the race and imagine her 
overcoming them all. Those with privileges are not going to relinquish the 
same. As such, I will paraphrase a comment I heard on TV:  With the choice of 
Kamala Devi Harris, the U.S. has shifted from the way it used to be, to the way 
it can be.


Mervyn

 
  

Re: [Goanet] Beirut explosion on Tuesday

[Mervyn Lobo]

 On Wednesday, August 5, 2020, 05:53:51 p.m. EDT, Frederick Noronha 
 wrote:
 
 A detailed article in The Conversation on the Beirut tragedy, by Gabriel da
Silva:

What is ammonium nitrate, the chemical that exploded in Beirut?



--

Folks,

One of the operations we had when I worked for a construction firm in Tanzania 
- was a stone quarry. We would blast a cliff face everyday at 4.00 pm. In the 
1980s, Tanzania imposed heavy taxes on imported explosives.It also subsidized 
fertilizers, including ammonia nitrate. All the stone quarry owners would pack 
the blasting hole with the cheap fertilizer and use a minimum amount of 
explosive to detonate it.


Ammonia nitrate is sold in plastic bags to peasants and farmers. There are no 
restrictions regarding the storage of the fertilizer as their is little chance 
of it exploding on its own. 


Mervyn
  

Re: [Goanet] The End of Our American Dreams (Dhaka Tribune. 31/7/2020)

[Mervyn Lobo]

 Nice article, VM.

The US has got into the pitiful position it is in just because it has no 
leadership.


However, its constitution provides for several key separations in its system of 
governance and it will survive attempts by any madman or leader to end dream. 


Yes, its citizens are dropping like flies at the moment or paying the price for 
no leadership. Nonetheless, I expect the US to bounce back in a short period 
and the dreamers will rule again.


Mervyn

 


On Thursday, July 30, 2020, 11:24:54 a.m. EDT, V M  
wrote:  OP-ED: The end of our American dreams


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OP-ED: The end of our American dreams

America has been loathed, admired, and feared before, but today it is being 
pitied
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>From the distance of thousands of miles, it has been both breath-taking and
distressing to watch the United States of America haemorrhage its prestige
away, in what seems like just a few blinks of the eye.

Just as Covid-19 scans victims for physical vulnerabilities, then striking
at weakness with deadly force, the global coronavirus crisis is a pitiless
stress test of our bodies politic.

  

Re: [Goanet] IN APPRECIATION - GOAN INSTITUTE NAIROBI 115th ANNIVERSARY

[Mervyn Lobo]

 On Sunday, July 26, 2020, 09:39:30 a.m. EDT, MELVYN FERNANDES 
 wrote:
 
 
 IN APPRECIATION - GOAN INSTITUTE NAIROBI 115th ANNIVERSARY

Many congratulations to the President, the Committee present and past, together 
with all members and staff of the Goan Institute Nairobi on their 115th 
Anniversary in 2020 and sharing with us on social media. It was good to see 
that the Covid 19 crisis did not put a damper on their celebrations and they 
marked this special day with a video that truly reflected the life and happy 
times enjoyed by those of us who lived and are still living in Nairobi over the 
years.

-snip-
Former Tanzania Resident Lui Godinho informs the Dar es Salaam Goan Institute 
celebrated its 100 Anniversary, the  building in the then German East African 
Colony  was designed by the late Architect Tony Almeida with a floating dance 
floor amongst its many features,  A documentary in Portuguese is being 
commissioned by  RTP Lisbon. Well done and thank you to our creative and 
enterprising people in East Africa.


Melvyn Fernandes,
1) While I too enjoyed the upbeat video, I am really surprised that Covid did 
not hinder the events/celebrations in Nairobi.

2) A minor detail, the D.I. has two dance floors. The indoor floor doubles up 
as the badminton court and has a stage. It is used for shows and wedding 
receptions. The outdoor floor is a multi-purpose one and is known as the 
"Sunken floor" and not the "Floating floor." Here is a home video shot on the 
sunken floor. Everyone in the movie, myself included, is 53 years older.

Mervyn 



 DI Xmas tree party 67

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DI Xmas tree party 67

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Re: [Goanet] How the English learned to hate Catholics

[Mervyn Lobo]

 FN,The Lord works in mysterious ways.Mervyn

On Saturday, July 25, 2020, 05:58:00 p.m. EDT, Frederick Noronha 
 wrote:  
 
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vLdToJ1YdM

-- 
FN* फ्रेड्रिक नोरोन्या * فريدريك نورونيا‎ +91-9822122436
AUDIO: https://archive.org/details/goa1556

  

Re: [Goanet] A song and a dance! Perhaps...

[Mervyn Lobo]

 Gabe,When the band or MC was ready to invite members onto the dance floor, all 
you had to do in E. Africa was play Quizas, quizas, quizas. There are a variety 
of dance steps that you can do to this song and in the old days - when people 
really knew how to dance - I used to look forward to some couples opening the 
dancing by gliding with joy on the floor.

At the first social I attended in Toronto, I was busy eating lunch when I heard 
the band play "Perhaps" and when I looked up to see if anyone was dancing, I 
saw two couples leading the way. I had last seen them doing the same 20 years 
prior in Tanzania. 

The joy on their faces was palpable. 

Mervyn




On Friday, July 17, 2020, 06:12:55 a.m. EDT, Gabe Menezes 
 wrote:  
 
 https://youtu.be/833IxC0RQFQ