Mario Fernandes is always bubbling with ideas and energy. My only regret is that this guy isn't into email for some reason, so we can never communicate speedily. We last met when Rene went visiting. Then there were some occasional, hurried run-ins at Panjim.
But at a more unhurried pace, with nothing to do but kill time, we ran into each other recently at the Konkan Railway ticket booking counter at Panjim. (Being crowded in the holiday season, it's a great place to catch up with others! Anyway, why don't they simply add on another computer or two?) He was talking about how he visited Bambolim beach, and was very shocked indeed to see the environmental devastation underway there. Thanks to a giant project coming up in the area. It's probably time to put up in cyberspace a prominently placed list of Enemies of the Goan Environment. He also mentioned plans for promoting football in Goa, including among the diaspora. Here's hoping to hear more ont his later. Just yesterday, we again meet up at the ultra-reasonably priced Sarovar vegetarian restaurant in Sant Inez (Rs 24-for-a-tasty-rice-plate with four kinds of curries, curd, a sweet-dish and buttermilk, besides two parathas, rice and a papad... and no, I don't get paid for advertising!) Mario spelt out his ideas about replicating in other villages the fascinating work they've been doing in Pilar to spread musical talent. There they have a music class, held in coordination with the Pilar Music School and Fr Peter Cardozo. Mario mentioned that Eduardo Faleiro, the newly-appointed NRI Commissioner for Goa, was planning a meet at the Kala Academy today, Tuesday, April 25. One hears that Mr Faleiro has been busy network with expats and understanding their issues; one only wishes that the channels for feedback and participation had been kept more open to those actually affected by this issue, the expats themselves. In case you were wondering who Mario is, he's an expat who left England in his thirties, set up home in Divar, and has been keeping busy to contribute and make Goa a better place. Formerly based in Kenya, his family takes pride in keeping in touch with their roots, speaking Konkani even while based abroad. Mario's family was in the news, in a sad way, some time back: his brother Edgar was found murdered in Egypt, by someone who wanted to steal his passport! His Malawi-born wife is of Gujarati descent, Sheila. Their son Ashley is into music and much more, while their daughter takes part in Konkani tiatr with fluency that would surprise almost anyone! Who said kids aren't the more flexible in what they learn! Usually wearing a simple short-pants-and-chappals saratorial choice, Mario is a one-idea-per-minute kind of guy. He pulled out from his pocket a 1987 (if one recalls right) poster when the 'Red Ken' (Ken Livingston)-controlled Greater London Council had offered some support to fly in Rita and Alfred Rose and team, to put up a cultural show for Goans, and promote diversity, keep cultures etc. As I saw the curry stains on my own hands, and struggled amidst the thali to note down the phone number of Goanetter Dr Cornel DaCosta, who's currently in South Goa, we discussed plans of building a copylefted archive of Goan photographs online. Plans, or dreams? "Why don't you scan this and put it online, before it's lost to history," I preached. "And don't forget to make it copylefted...." Anyway, meeting up with Mario is always fun. The bad news about Bambolim notwithstanding. (If your dollar, pound or other foreign currency can help to accelerate the ecological destruction of this scenic spot on the planet, think twice before any decision you make.) --FN -- ------------------------------------------------------------- Frederick 'FN' Noronha | http://fn-at-google.notlong.com Goa, India | [EMAIL PROTECTED] Co-Founder, BytesForAll | +91(832)2409490 Cell 9822122436 ------------------------------------------------------------- _____________________________________________ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list ([email protected])
