Hoping we will see a lot more from him here, like we did from author Damodar Mauzo a few years ago.
I am just back from Goa after seven hectic weeks of vacation there. Iy was my pleasure meeting famous goanetters like Godfrey Gonsalves who does so much for Goa fearlessly and openly and especially through SPIAG. I also met Tony Martin from Galgibaga and he has so many hillarious stories to tell. I am sorry I could not meet Lino Dourado, Uttoddekar living in Ponda?(down under?). Also I could not meet my friend, author and activist, Konkaniwadi, Architect Jose Lourenco.
While in Goa I watched many Konkani shows like Konkani Dalgado Academy's (Whose President is Tomazinho Cardozo), Babush Monserrati's show in Taleigao with Lorna, 5 Konkani Tiatros like Prince Jacob's "Goencho Saib", Roseferns', Mario Menezes' "Mhozo Ghorabo, Mhojem Ghor" (very nice), Menino de Bandar's "Dha Lakh" and also an excellent Konkani film "Aleesha", which rated a 9 out of 10 for me.
Attended nice weddings, ate lot of food, drinks, boram, morondd, nishtem, xit-koddi, sop, kalchi koddi, pez, miskutt, chonnem, biknam, kaddio-boddio, bhel-puri, masala dosa, pau-bhaji, chourissam, etc, etc. Now it's time to diet.
How's Goa?
Well developed but this has taken its toll too. People become self-centered, even ladies are aggressive and push you around in a crowded place. I was surprised. This is not Goa of the olden days. Each one to himself now. Today's kids take the first seats everywhere, no one cares for anybody. All look like foreigners.
Would you retire in Goa today? I don't know. There are good things and bad. Things are cheap comparatively. But it's a material world out there. And fast. Fast cars, scooters. Everyone trying to get ahead.
Not much different from here. So why take the trouble? Goa is definitely ok for a holiday once in while!
In olden days in Panjim you could hear only "Portuguese". Now it's Hindi at Miramar. Where's Konkai gone? I was surprised even the so-called outsiders speak Konkani without accent anywhere in Goa, but our Goans don't speak Konkani.
But I love Goa FM Radio. They are proud to speak Konkani. Also on TV I found it funny to watch Konkani commercials (also on Radio). Why couldn't we see big poster ads in Konkani in Goa. I could see only English and Hindi words being used on huge posters, especially during the IFFI festival. But still Konkani is being usedmuch widely in media now than decades ago, which is good.
Now if only we could get Konkani serials on TV!
Kitem mhontta re Goenkara? (Punn konn farik kortolo?)
