[Goanet]Some more detailes from Ribandar
Dear Jose and fellow netters. I am not only an investigative journalist. I am Mr. Aires Rodrigues neighbor. And also the neighbor of the family of the 13-year old girl. Almost everyday she walks in front of my house. She is from a poor family. Some of the parishioners have made a web-page of Aires Rodrigues. www.iris-ribandar.com. His past, and his present like the attack on the Church and the Convent is made available there. I have seen all the documents; I have met all the victims. That's includes the Parish Priest, the Nuns, some of the police officers, the innocent girl and her mother. I was not there when the Priest and the 13-year old girl somehow clashed. I have understood that it happened in the rush, just before midnight mass, 24th of December 2004. Remember our Church was full of parishioners, and there was a last minute rush. The girl came running into the Priest's office with a message. The Priest pointed out his hand, and quickly turned around. The girl ran into his finger with full speed, and her breast got badly hurt. The Priest has admitted this. The girl`s friends have said that she came out from the room crying, and went back home to her mother. I am not the judge, just a messenger. There was neither any police complaint, no complaint to the Parish Council, neither to the Bishop. My best judgment is that there was no molestation, just a very unfortunate accident. Anyhow, and most important: Whatever took place, it was discussed and forgiven long time before Mr. Aires Rodrigues and his goons attacked the Lady of Help Convent in Ribandar. When it comes to Mr. Aires Rodrigues. I have not named him the «self-style lawyer» that is the word of Mr. Frederic Norhoena. Or was is «activist-style-lawyer»? Anyhow, any individual has the right to pick up any profession. Even criminal's can become lawyers. In fact. That is a very smart move. Now, you can use the weaknesses of the Indian legal system, to make money. Blackmailing is a piece of cake, for a man who many times of the past has instigated people to become false witnesses. The Bible tells us to forgive, and even Aires Rodrigues will be forgiven by his parishioners. But he has a long way to go, and it gets longer and longer by the day. Did you know, that his goons distributed his pamphlets in Old Goa during the exposition, a few days before Christmas? What a shame. Jose. Feel free to give me a call, or even come to my house when you are in Goa Sincerely Yours. Mr. Ivar Fjeld Ribandar. Phone: 0832-2443743. __ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - now with 250MB free storage. Learn more. http://info.mail.yahoo.com/mail_250
[Goanet]Goanet dont need to be part of a mob
Dear Goanetters. Word`s don't count much in a world where plots, lies and corruption is a part of the public life. The action of people will tell the truth. Let me recall some of the facts in the Ribandar case. A priest is accused by a self-style-lawyer of molesting a girl. Pamphlets are distributed in the village, exposing names and insulting a whole community. What does the girls' family do? First: The mother invites the accused Priest to comes home and bless her house. Than she writes to the CM of Goa that the priest is innocent. She even sends her daughter to the Children's Court to tell the same, not even being summoned. Second: The so-called self-style-lawyer cannot be stopped by the will of the family; he continues to spoil his own reputation, the reputation of his own Church, and the reputation of the innocent girl. Third: On the 7th of January 2005, the day the Children`s Court dismissed a private criminal complaint against the priest. What does the girl's family do? The father of the girl is celebrating the dismissal with fireworks. A last and final request to the moderators of Goanet. When a man has lost his own self-respect, what more is there to loose? You don't have to join him by throwing more stones. Sincerely Yours Ivar Fjeld Ribandar __ Do you Yahoo!? All your favorites on one personal page Try My Yahoo! http://my.yahoo.com
[Goanet]RIBANDAR NEW YEAR'S DAY SERENADE
Dear Goanetters. This is a copy of the editorial in Goa Herald on 3rd of January. Have a God blessed new Year. Ivar Fjeld Ribandar. Shame Goa, shame. Shame Goa, shame Shame on you Goa! Shame on all the people who came to Goa to enjoy themselves and shame on all the people, who made pious sounding statements and then danced the night away on December 31. In case many of youll had forgotten India was struck by a double tragedy the death of former primer minister P V Narashima Rao and a tragedy that cannot be erased from the memory of Indian history. The deaths resulting from the tsunami tragedy in the eastern coastal belt of India and the rest of India. And while the world grieved from New York to Japan Goa was one big party. There was rejoicing everywhere, parties galore, bright lights all over the place and yes even the good old Governor decided to shake a leg at the longest dance party and drink a cup of cheer at a private party. Congratulations, yes congratulations and Happy New Year, because while President A PJ Kalam and all other dignitaries shared their sorrow by not celebrating the New Year, people in Goa decided to welcome 2005 with fireworks, lights and lots of noise. Was it a blaze of glory or a blaze of shame? What happened to all those pious statements of condolence and sympathy? What was the use of having special collections and funds when we, Goans, could not respect the tragedy that hit India? What happened to all the famous celebrities who raise objection over certain events, where are they now and how come no concert, no special event is being held to raise funds for the tsunami victims? What happened to all the high flying people who come to use Goa as a base to party and just party could there not be one day of non- partying as a mark of respect? And what about us Goans, where was that sense of compassion? Was it sufficient in just giving a few hundred rupees to a charity and saying, poixe dilear sogle bore, so it is not surprising that people label this State as free and easy and that anything goes in Goa. Only if there was some restraint, some care shown like some restaurants in Calangute who refused to party as a mark of respect. Just donating one days salary and making a big show was not sufficient, because by throwing all the parties, dancing the night away and allowing lights to burn throughout the night showed our disrespect and lack of compassion. And this includes all the big wigs practice what you preach and do not be a hypocrite by saying something and doing something else. Yes, shame on you Goa, shame on all people who partied on December 31 and shame on all the celebrities with their double speak. Because all the lights you burnt on December 31 to welcome the New Year were not celebrations but lights of shame. Shame. (end) __ Do you Yahoo!? Send holiday email and support a worthy cause. Do good. http://celebrity.mail.yahoo.com
[Goanet]When Goanet becomes a part of a mob
## # Goanetters-2004 meet in Goa. Dec 21, Tuesday. 12 noon to 2 pm. # # Clube Vasco, Near Municipal Garden, Panjim. Pass the word around! # ## Dear fellow netters and specially Frederick Noronha. Regarding your letter of 17th of December. You are the moderator of Goanet, a fellow journalist and a catholic brother of us living in Saligao. That is approximately 15 kilometers from my house in Ribandar. You are always welcome to my home. You are also welcome to join me, my wife and my three minor children which every Sunday join hundreds off parishioners of Ribandar in the services of Fr. Newton Rodrigues. Now we are all preparing for Christmas. Please come to us Mr. Noronha. and share some time with us. You are also hereby invited to come to Ribandar, to meet the victims of the mob of Ribandar. Since August this year the mob has traumatized the village of Ribandar. One of their tools is Goanet, where a so-called activist-style-lawyer has been intimidating people who cannot defend them self. This victims includes the Nuns of of Our Lady of Help Convent, a Parish Priest, a mother and and child. All catholic brothers and sisters of us. Why have the serious media in Goa stopped entertaining this mob? Is it because they all want to cover up a crime, or is it because they have seen enough proof of who are the culprits here? Let me recall that in September the mother of the child personally distributed a letter to the editors of the three English newspapers in Goa. The mother stated that the so-called activist-style-lawyer and the so-called uncle do not represent her. Not only do they not represent her, she claims they did pressurize her to file false allegations on our priest. Mr Frederick Noronha, Kindly take the short journey to Ribandar, meet the lady and get your self a copy of that letter. And kindly stop making Goanet a part of the mob the people of Ribandar are facing. Kindly also pick up the letter which the mother has given the parishioners, a letter to the CM of Goa, with a copy to the DGP of Goa and the investigating police officer, that the Parish Priest of Ribandar has falsely been framed. Knowing that this letter exists: Would is be anything but a shameful attack on all Catholics in Goa, it the legal system in misused to prosecute one of our priests? This respective authority has responded by not charge sheeting the Priest. Lets hope and pray that justice will prevail also in the future. Kindly also accnowledge, that any person in India has the right to approach any Court of Law with any kind of allegations. True or false, right or wrong. Even you Mr. Noronha, can be falsely framed, false witnesses can be put up against you, and the accuser can start distributing pamphlets in the village spoiling your name, and use Internet forums like Goanet to distribute the same false allegations. The difference between you Mr. Norohna, and the victims of Ribandar, is that you are capable of putting up a strong defense. A priest cannot, neither can the nuns, neither can a pore lady who lives alone, having her husband working abroad. You sit safely in your house, Mr. Norona, giving us analysis, even telling us that the attackers of our Church are doing a god job. Kindly come to Ribandar, and take the stories of the victims, before you pas any more comments. Fr. Newton Rodrigues is a human being. He has been with us in Ribandar for five years now. Priests will come and go. Our Father will one day leave Ribandar, and continue his Ministry. But our Church and the village will remain. The pamphlets in the village, and the letters on Goanet, is not hurting the Priest. He is a strong man, and he will stand firm in the stormy winds. Even come to court if he is called. Mr. Norhona, kindly understand that the pamphlets and hurting us, every catholic of Ribandar. Even during Christmas, the name of our Church, and the name of our village are being dragged down in the gutter. Peace be with all of you. And have a God blessed Christmas. Mr. Ivar Fjeld Ribandar __ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - 250MB free storage. Do more. Manage less. http://info.mail.yahoo.com/mail_250
[Goanet]A letter to the CM of Goa
## # If Goanet stops reaching you, contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # Want to check the archives? http://www.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet/# # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ## An open letter To the CM of Goa published on Goanet.org: Being an outsider, but still having 14 years of experience living in India, I have had the pleasure of following politics in Goa since 1995. I have always been living under this guideline: Don't judge people and politicians from what they say, look at what they factually are doing. It has been a pleasure to be an onlooker to the development taking place in and around Panaji for the last three years. Despite a sea of complaints from the opposition, the Government under Your leadership has stood firm on your vision of a new and better capital of our state. The task of reforming Goa must have been looking as almost impossible for You. The office of the Chief Minister lying in ruins after a decade of infighting between rival politicians, the Goa Police a hub for corruption and injustice, and the governmental machinery not delivering services up to the standard that goan taxpayers deserve. To reform a state that have been mismanaged over a long period of time, you had to use hard measurements. In other words. We understand that to survive as the ruler over a bunch of crooks, you have to be a little bit crooked. The people will forgive you for that, Mr Parrikar, as long as they can see that your are using the peoples money on programs which will change the life of the citizens of Goa for the better. The resent change in the top leadership of The Goa Police Departement, is also a golden opportunity for the state of Goa. Mr. Parrikar. Its now your duty to appoint good cops on top, who will not bulge down on offers to set a side justice by personal motives. Living in Ribandar for the last four years, I have been a close spectator to some irregularities in the Police Department. Police complaints about serious crimes have not been taken seriously. Here in Ribandar the Nuns of the Convent of Our Lady of Help was attacked by a mob, and threatened by rape and murder. The culprits are still roaming at large. Mr. Parrikar, even our Church has been attacked by the same mob, which criminally trespassed into the residence of our Parish Priest. A Ribandar family was even threatened by the mob to frame false allegations on the same Priest, an unsuccessful bid by the mob to try to cover up their crimes, helped by unfaithfull servants in your government. When this mob of Ribandar can attack our nuns and priest, and not be held accountable under the law of justice, we have to live in fear. The people of Ribandar are still asking them self: Who´s next? Kindly take the necessary action against the culprits. My best humble judgment is that there are a lot of tough tasks and challenges ahead, but the people of Goa salutes you. It has been quite some time since the state of Goa has had a CM who has shown such impressive interest in working for the best of his electorate. Sincerely Yours. Mr. Ivar Fjeld Ribandar __ Do you Yahoo!? Read only the mail you want - Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard. http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail
[Goanet]Dabolim Airport
## # If Goanet stops reaching you, contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # Want to check the archives? http://www.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet/# # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ## Fellow netters. I am not an expert on aviation. I neither have much knowledge of the history of Dabolim Airport. But I am a frequent air traveler, and have received 30-40 persons who have come to Goa on charter flights from Europe. They have not been much impressed with the facilities. In the mid 90-ties, there was a large number of Germans among the charter tourists in Goa. The Germans were what we can call «high-end travelers«, with cash and willing to spend. The main German charter company was Condor, owned by the Lufthansa Group. I 1996 one on schedule incoming Condor flight to Goa was refused to land. The reason: The military commander of Dabolim was holding an exercise on the airstrip. Coming 7000 kilometers from overseas, the captain circled over the Airport, renewing his request for permission to land. The flight finally had to be diverted to Mumbai. The end of the story was that the Condor Management cancelled the whole winter program on Goa. This is not a military secret. Even some national newspapers covered this incident. Today, India receives only 10 per cent of the amount of tourist that's annually visits China. The Chinese has understood that mixing of military airports with civilian and commercial air traffic has its limitations. The solutions; China is in its final stages of building 90 (ninety) new international airports. Sincerely Yours Mr. Ivar Fjeld Ribandar __ Do you Yahoo!? Meet the all-new My Yahoo! - Try it today! http://my.yahoo.com
[Goanet]A letter of introduction
## # If Goanet stops reaching you, contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # Want to check the archives? http://www.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet/# # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ## To my fellow goans One of my neighbors has introduced me to Goanet. As a resident of the village of Ribandar, I guess I have a lot to learn from the debates that are taking place in this forum. May be I can contribute something also, from my long life as a political reporter? Infact, I have had the pleasure of being a son in law of this country since 1994. That was the year I married a young Pereira girl. We spent our honeymoon in Goa. Some of the Goanetters already knows who I am. First of all Phillip Thomas. A few days back Thomas requested me to join this forum and share some knowledge that I have on Dabolim Airport. Being a political reporter in the Press Club in the Norwegian Parliament, I also have a love for world politics. In April 1991, I first landed in India as a member of a group of students from the Journalist Academy. Since than I have been following Indian politics with great interest. In fact on the 1991 journey to India, we were following the campaign of late PM Rajiv Gandhi from our television sets in New Delhi. Just arrived back in Norway, we got the shocking news of the terrorist attack who killed one of the greatest Indian leaders. In 1993 I was a Group Study Excange Student with Rotary International. At that great journey to India I was given the opportunity of giving speeches on my country by birth. I got a lot of Indian friends. That journey changed my faith. For many years my wife and me spent the summers in Norway, and the winter season in India. In 2001 our eldest daughter had to start going to school. I was just finishing my post as the advisor to the Norwegian Minister of Oil and Gas, and had to settle permanently. Now we had to choose between India and Norway. We choose Goa. How could a political reporter survive 8000 km away from his primary political arena? Because of technology and outsourcing. When the Norwegian Parliament is out of session, I can keep in touch with the Norwegian diplomats and politicians working on the Internet. During the sessions I travel to Oslo. I guess, it will take more than 14 years in India, to become an Indian. But I am proud to announce that I today call my self a Goan. When I visit my family in Norway, I always tell them: I know were my roots are, but I am going home to Goa. Sincerely Yours Mr. Ivar Fjeld Ribandar. __ Do you Yahoo!? Meet the all-new My Yahoo! - Try it today! http://my.yahoo.com
