*WHEN NOT SAYING VANDE MATARAM, MAKES YOU AN ANTI-NATIONAL, A PORTUGUESE NATIONAL FOR GOA’S JOURNALISTS*
In these times, when intolerance appears to be lurking around the corner and invisible in the shadow of glorified right wing ideology, the conversation below between some Goan journalists on a Whatsapp media group, just shows the levels of prejudice which exist amongst media professionals here. In the conversation below a journalist (the reader may decide whether his being Catholic is incidental or essential to the conversation) is being heckled by a group of journalists (the reader may decide whether their being Hindu is incidental or essential to the conversation) for not saying Vande Mataram on a public forum. You can read how some journalists conclude that not saying Vande Mataram is tantamount to being ‘Portuguese’, ‘anti-national’ and so on. This is bizarre shit, which defies the otherwise relatively tolerant socio-religious template in Goa. The conversation below is lengthy and stretches through many lines, but those who are interested in following news in Goa, ought best read it, because it goes a long way to reveal socio-religious prejudices in our professional workgroup in a naked, stark manner. Feel free to draw your own conclusions. (P.S. Reproducing a conversation from a WhatsApp group may not be the coolest thing to do, but this mindset needs to be laid bare before a much wider audience) *[10:01am, 26/03/2015*] Vasant Katkar: Foreigners accepting Sanskrut as ancient language, & sm of our schools r opposing singing 'vande mataram' & 'yoga'. *[10:13am, 26/03/2015]* Glen: What is sanskrit got to do with vande matharam and yoga my learned friend? *[10:13am, 26/03/2015]* Glen: From when didi the rss become a part of the fourth pillar? *[10:17am, 26/03/2015]* +91 95033 33922: Vande matharam means jya bhumin tu ravata tya bhumik pranam karap *[10:17am, 26/03/2015]* Vasant Katkar: Pl read other newspapers too. Sm schools in India demanding that. By the way, this is got nothing to do with Rss. *[10:18am, 26/03/2015]* Glen: Really? This is the rss view too. That is such a coincidence. This is a media grp. Keep personal views, beliefs, affiliations out pls *[10:19am, 26/03/2015]* Glen: Not our buisness who does yoga, or sings vande matharam or does nammaz or goes for mass or does martial arts or meditation *[10:20am, 26/03/2015]* +91 95033 33922: Lokachi vichyar sarni kenna badaltali konn zana *[10:20am, 26/03/2015]* +91 99234 97535: Sm pple have alergi of Hindu not rss *[10:20am, 26/03/2015]* Vasant Katkar: So, whos wearing color glasses & having own view laid on others *[10:22am, 26/03/2015]* Rupesh Samant: Yoga should be made compulsory. I agree with Vasant. Yoga also gives mental stability. Some section who oppose yoga would not have done that if they had yoga in school. *[10:22am, 26/03/2015]* Vasant Katkar: We totally respect ur freedom of speech, but not ur view. This is called free Press *[10:23am, 26/03/2015]* Rupesh Samant: And what you raised Vasant is valid issue. Media should create awareness. *[10:23am, 26/03/2015]* +91 99234 97535: Portuguese passport *[10:23am, 26/03/2015]* Sarvesh: I agree rupesh n katkar sir *[10:24am, 26/03/2015]* +91 95033 33922: Desh bhakti manan aslyar aslye vichar yenat *[10:24am, 26/03/2015]* Vasant Katkar: Ha ha, sham 😂 *[10:24am, 26/03/2015]* Rupesh Samant: Those nation who have valued their own rich culture have become successful. *[10:25am, 26/03/2015]* +91 95033 33922: They should think positive *[10:25am, 26/03/2015]* +91 94059 51231: 👍👍 *[10:26am, 26/03/2015]* Glen: Ten I vote that dance aerobics should be made cumpolsory. U do yoga I will do dance aerobics *[10:26am, 26/03/2015]* Sarvesh: If tomorrow i wear orange colour (bhagwa) shirt than people will call me RSS????? Afraid *[10:26am, 26/03/2015]* +91 95033 33922: Brain wash karpachi garaz aasa those who has negative thoughts *[10:27am, 26/03/2015]* Glen: don't try and force others what u want to do. It is a free country let people do what they want to do. Who is anybody to tell me what to do and not to do *[10:27am, 26/03/2015]* Rupesh Samant: Hahahahaha. Yoga is not dance. 😜😜😜😜. Oh God!! *[10:27am, 26/03/2015]* +91 99234 97535: Portuguese gele vansaj ulle *[10:28am, 26/03/2015]* Glen: U want to do yoga and Singh vande matharam do it onur own time. Not force anybody to do it. U want to learn sanskrit or German. Do it. But on ur own time. Don't force somebody to do it *[10:28am, 26/03/2015]* Glen: Or try to make fun of others *[10:28am, 26/03/2015]* Rupesh Samant: Good values and virtues should always be taught in school. *[10:29am, 26/03/2015]* Glen: Wonder how many who are reacting are original inhabitants og goa. Or did they come with parshuram *[10:29am, 26/03/2015]* +91 95033 33922: Once again think that positive *[10:29am, 26/03/2015]* Glen: Not our buisness to teach anybody anything. We are journalists. If u want to teach, join teaching profession *[10:30am, 26/03/2015]* Glen: Or teach proper ethics to ur kids at home *[10:31am, 26/03/2015]* Rupesh Samant: Parshuram created Goa. He didn't produce children. *[10:31am, 26/03/2015]* Vasant Katkar: If they ever go to teachable school, first place. *[10:32am, 26/03/2015]* Rupesh Samant: Vasant. I agree with you. Yoga should be compulsory. It's for health. *[10:33am, 26/03/2015]* +91 95033 33922: Aare baba hya lokacho brain wash karunk varsa lagatali *[10:33am, 26/03/2015]* Rupesh Samant: It's a fact that Portugal still considers Goa as 'territory invaded by India" and also there are many people who feel that they should have been under colonial rule. I am not saying this in reference to anyone. *[10:34am, 26/03/2015]* Vasant Katkar: Also to salute ur own mother land is great honour, & to teach others is double honor *[10:35am, 26/03/2015]* +91 95033 33922: Aare baba tye amchech lok *[10:35am, 26/03/2015]* Vasant Katkar: Half Indian, half Portugal. Sm people r still in doubt, where they belong. *[10:36am, 26/03/2015]* +91 86054 96046: Whts d score pls *[10:36am, 26/03/2015]* +91 95033 33922: All out for no loss *[10:38am, 26/03/2015]* Glen: What shit is this... wondering if this is propaganda grp or a media group. or a name calling grp. Seriously *[10:38am, 26/03/2015]* Glen: And rupesh if u have the guts call me half portuguse directly. Don't make indirect veiled comments *[10:47am, 26/03/2015]* Basuri Dessai: Portugal 😃😃😃 Portuguese 😛😭 *[10:49am, 26/03/2015]* +91 95033 33922: Aare basuri maru re tye ami match palovya aata *[10:49am, 26/03/2015]* Rupesh Samant: You have guys say Vande Mataram which means I hail my country. *[10:49am, 26/03/2015]* Rupesh Samant: Are you half Portuguese ? I didn't say that. If you feel that then it's your problem. I am Indian. I have guts. Don't worry about that. And my guts is not your concern. By the way. Vande Mataram. *[10:50am, 26/03/2015]* Rupesh Samant: Waiting for Glenn to say Vande Mataram *[10:50am, 26/03/2015]* Basuri Dessai: Ha ah ha haaa. Half mark was considered as full in some of the schools. 😄 *[10:51am, 26/03/2015]* +91 94059 51231: 😁😁 *[10:51am, 26/03/2015]* Vasant Katkar: Vande mataram, to all *[10:52am, 26/03/2015]* Basuri Dessai: Bolo bharat mata ki jay *[10:52am, 26/03/2015]* Basuri Dessai: Vande Matram *[10:53am, 26/03/2015]* +91 95033 33922: Vande mataram was our original national anthem due to some community denied to say it it was changed n now it is jan gan mann *[10:53am, 26/03/2015]* Vasant Katkar: In which school, it is😜😂 *[10:53am, 26/03/2015]* Vasant Katkar: What, Half fool is tkn as full fool? *[10:55am, 26/03/2015]* Ramnath Raikar: वंदे मातरम = salutations to motherland *[10:55am, 26/03/2015]* Ramnath Raikar: The phrase does not even contain the name India. It is applicable to respective citizens of respective nations. Everybody can say it for his or her nation. *[10:55am, 26/03/2015]* Basuri Dessai: Aerobicpal *[10:56am, 26/03/2015]* Ramnath Raikar: It should be a matter of pride for everyone to salute his or her nation. *[10:56am, 26/03/2015]* Rupesh Samant: Wow Apa. *[10:56am, 26/03/2015]* Rupesh Samant: Salute you for this *[10:56am, 26/03/2015]* Vasant Katkar: Oprigad, does that mean thank you. 😜 *[10:57am, 26/03/2015]* Ramnath Raikar: Obrigado *[10:58am, 26/03/2015]* Pratik: The people who pose to be liberal and secular in this society or our group are the people who have the least tolerance for the country's identity and roots...sad..😔😔😓 *[10:59am, 26/03/2015]* Pratik: Loose your roots, we will see ur generation uprooted in some decades..!!😑 *[10:59am, 26/03/2015]* Ramnath Raikar: This is my personal view Rupesh. But I am sure we all basically love our country, whether we sometimes are not happy with the way things are here, or not. *[11:00am, 26/03/2015]* Pratik: 👌👍 that's well put...!! *[11:01am, 26/03/2015]* Rupesh Samant: Apa. I agree with you. *[11:02am, 26/03/2015]* Ramnath Raikar: 👍 *[11:02am, 26/03/2015]* +91 95033 33922: New servicing centre galche padtale negative lokacho brain wash karpachye *[11:03am, 26/03/2015]* Glen: Mr pti man it becomes my concern when u pass veiled insinuations *[11:03am, 26/03/2015]* Basuri Dessai: Apaa u r right *[11:04am, 26/03/2015]* +91 95033 33922: Firr negative sochh *[11:04am, 26/03/2015]* Glen: and I am Indian and goan too. But keep ur left wing, right wing, central affiliations, likes dislikes at home. This is a media grp *[11:04am, 26/03/2015]* Glen: Tlak news, not ones likes dislikes or propoganda *[11:04am, 26/03/2015]* Glen: Or what is pardhi ke peeche *[11:05am, 26/03/2015]* Rupesh Samant: Glenn don't get my organisation in chats. Don't call pti man. Kindly. And say Vande Mataram now. *[11:05am, 26/03/2015]* Glen: U r a pti man boss; why deny it *[11:06am, 26/03/2015]* +91 95033 33922: Sujalam shitalam *[11:06am, 26/03/2015]* Rupesh Samant: I am not pti man. I work for pti. And again say Vande Mataram. *[11:06am, 26/03/2015]* Glen: And of course ur guts r my concern. Accuse me directly no. Then I can ck your guts out boss *[11:06am, 26/03/2015]* Glen: Yes mr pti man. Whatever u say *[11:07am, 26/03/2015]* +91 95033 33922: Vande mataram *[11:08am, 26/03/2015]* Basuri Dessai: Vande matram *[11:08am, 26/03/2015]* Rupesh Samant: Ok I am pti man. Now say Vande Mataram. *[11:08am, 26/03/2015]* +91 95033 33922: Vande mataram me sab positive vichar hai say it once *[11:09am, 26/03/2015]* Rupesh Samant: Glenn say re. *[11:09am, 26/03/2015]* Rupesh Samant: Ok I have no guts but you hav to say Vande Mataram. *[11:10am, 26/03/2015]* Xeldekar: Pre Match press conference Dempo SC vs Bharat FC at 4.00pm at PJN Stadium. Please note that Stuart Watkiss coach of Bharat FC will only be there till 4.15pm *[11:10am, 26/03/2015]* +91 95033 33922: Come on yar say it its very easy try it *[11:10am, 26/03/2015]* Glen: Say what re? *[11:10am, 26/03/2015]* Basuri Dessai: Group admin pls take note whoever is not saying Vande Matram should be kept away from this group. *[11:11am, 26/03/2015]* +91 95033 33922: Vande mataram *[11:11am, 26/03/2015]* Glen: Don't we have to salute also or do the Surya namaskar? *[11:11am, 26/03/2015]* Glen: The heil Hitler salute? *[11:11am, 26/03/2015]* +91 94059 51231: its good for health *[11:11am, 26/03/2015]* Rupesh Samant: Sang re Basuri taka to say *[11:12am, 26/03/2015]* Rupesh Samant: Glenn is not saying Vande Mataram. *[11:12am, 26/03/2015]* Basuri Dessai: Group admin pls take note whoever is not saying Vande Matram should be kept away from this group. *[11:12am, 26/03/2015]* Glen: Maybe we change the group icon dinesh to vande mataram *[11:12am, 26/03/2015]* Glen: And also make it cumpolsory to start any post with vande mataram *[11:13am, 26/03/2015]* +91 95033 33922: Whats wrong in praying for sun *[11:13am, 26/03/2015]* Glen: And also whenever u start ur stories. Salute the sun say vande mataram and start *[11:13am, 26/03/2015]* Rupesh Samant: You say or refuse to say. *[11:13am, 26/03/2015]* Glen: Good practice. Let's add it to the journalism code of ethics *[11:13am, 26/03/2015]* +91 95033 33922: Vande mataram *[11:14am, 26/03/2015]* Glen: Who is shyam naik? *[11:14am, 26/03/2015]* Glen: Margao phudari? *[11:14am, 26/03/2015]* +91 94211 52779: Vande 💐🌺🌸mataram🌷🍁🍀🐾🌹🌻 *[11:14am, 26/03/2015]* +91 95033 33922: Havv jya bhumin ravata tika pranam karata very simple *[11:15am, 26/03/2015]* Rupesh Samant: In every post several times Glenn wrote Vande Mataram. So he is saying Vande Mataram. *[11:15am, 26/03/2015]* Glen: Read journalism ethics along with vande matharam. We will get better stories and less complaints on the group *[11:16am, 26/03/2015]* +91 95033 33922: Vande mataram *[11:16am, 26/03/2015]* Glen: anyway, was nice talking to all the right wingers. C u guys later. Quite revealing and illumination on mind set of our journalists. 👍 mog assum *[11:17am, 26/03/2015]* Rupesh Samant: Glenn going? See ya. *[11:18am, 26/03/2015]* +91 94059 51231: 197-2 *[11:22am, 26/03/2015]* +91 95033 33922: Y people has so much allergy on vande mataram I dont nw k bye have nice day every one guys vande mataram *[11:27am, 26/03/2015]* Dinesh Sakhalkar: Aus 206 - 2 *[11:32am, 26/03/2015]* Basuri Dessai: Threat to nation *[11:32am, 26/03/2015]* Basuri Dessai: Though I have no authority from Glenn but on his behalf I am saying VANDE MATRAM. Now pls stop this topic here and keep watching match. *[11:35am, 26/03/2015]* Glen: Noting abt saying anything basuri. But why do u want somebody to say something? Why force somebody? Whether a person wants to say or do something who is anybody to force him, or even ask him. If he wants to say do, let him. And this is a journalist forum. I feel very disturbed by the views and the insistence on somebody doing something. *[11:36am, 26/03/2015]* Glen: Does not matter if it is good, or bad or beneficial. The point is - it is a free country and on should be able to do what one wants witin the law. Why inisit, force, put pressure? *[11:37am, 26/03/2015]* Glen: This is sad. But I see a lot of this nowadays. Surprised that I see this among our tribe too. And saddened too *[11:38am, 26/03/2015]* Glen: Also I am very curious to know who is shyam naik. Pls introduce us. Have not had the pleasure *[11:40am, 26/03/2015]* +91 95033 33922: Hahaha *[11:41am, 26/03/2015]* +91 95033 33922: Glen we met many times *[11:42am, 26/03/2015]* Basuri Dessai: Shyam Naik from Dainik Herald *[11:43am, 26/03/2015]* +91 95033 33922: Its nothing personal *[11:44am, 26/03/2015]* +91 99236 97964: Shyam naik ex reporter of lokmat *[11:44am, 26/03/2015]* +91 99236 97964: 😉 *[11:44am, 26/03/2015]* Rupesh Samant: Sham requires no intro.. Very good and frank journalist. *[11:50am, 26/03/2015]* +91 94059 51231: admin add geda swami to group *[11:52am, 26/03/2015]* Glen: Will have to spk to ur editor and find out if saying vande matharam is a requisite to join journalism *[11:54am, 26/03/2015]* Glen: We can discuss ur personal views in person; any time. But not on a journalism grp. Rupesh and me we have a history. He refuses to talk to me when we meet face to face; only on media grps. But u don't even know me and already passing judgement and trying to force me to do something.... *[12:01pm, 26/03/2015]* +91 95033 33922: I have no where taken anyone's name or pointed out any one I said think positive *[12:03pm, 26/03/2015]* Rupesh Samant: Glenn. Was it a warning to sham that you will talk to his editor? I think this is not done. Don't drag bosses here please. These are just between fellow journalists who fight out over views. Personally we all remain friends. *[12:03pm, 26/03/2015]* Dinesh Sakhalkar: Aus 248 - 5 *[12:07pm, 26/03/2015]* Vasant Katkar: Group admin pls take note whoever is not saying Vande Matram should be kept away from this group. *[12:09pm, 26/03/2015]* +91 95033 33922: Aare jayant its nothing to do with editor *[12:09pm, 26/03/2015]* +91 95033 33922: N warning 4 me? *[12:12pm, 26/03/2015]* +91 95033 33922: Jayant bab ho shyam chutyechya sorpank havv bina *[12:17pm, 26/03/2015]* +91 95033 33922: Here question does nt exist only which firm or organisation I belongs to . *[12:20pm, 26/03/2015]* Basuri Dessai: Group admin pls take note whoever is not saying Vande Matram should be kept away from this group. *[10:28pm, 26/03/2015]* Vasant Katkar: Vande Matram, all. I was full day busy in Assembly today. (cropped out) *[10:31pm, 26/03/2015]* Basuri Dessai: Anti nationals should not be only out of this group but also out of media from Goa. It is a threat to national security when they are a part of fourth pillar of this country. *[10:32pm, 26/03/2015]* Ageiyar: Vande mataram.... Vande mataram - Sujalam suphalam malayaj shitlam, shasyashyamalam mataram, Vande mataram - Shubhra jyotsna pulakit yaminim, phulla kusumita drumadalashobhinim Suhasinim sumadhurabhashhinim sukhadam varadam mataram Vande mataram *[10:32pm, 26/03/2015]* Basuri Dessai: Anti nationals should not be only out of this group but also out of media from Goa. It is a threat to national security when they are a part of fourth pillar of this country. *[10:33pm, 26/03/2015]* Sarvesh: That katkar is from marketing i feel *[10:36pm, 26/03/2015]* Rakesh: Vande Mataram *[10:40pm, 26/03/2015]* +91 94059 51231: vande mataram *[10:40pm, 26/03/2015]* +91 90110 25909: vande mataram *[10:42pm, 26/03/2015]* Rakesh: Anti nationals should not be only out of this group but also out of media from Goa. It is a threat to national security when they are a part of fourth pillar of this country. *[10:42pm, 26/03/2015]* Vasant Katkar: Well, at least we've now a new & patriotic 'hello'. So hw abt greeting every day with a smiling 😊😃VANDE MATRAM *[10:43pm, 26/03/2015] *+91 94059 51231: Anti nationals should not be only out of this group but also out of media from Goa. It is a threat to national security when they are a part of fourth pillar of this country.
