[Goanet] Sr M Emiline B.S (Agnes Pinto), 78, of Lourdes Convent, Kanajar Expired
Sr M Emiline B.S (Agnes Pinto), 78, of Lourdes Convent, Kanajar Expired By Ancy DSouza Paladka Mangalore, Oct 1: Sr. Mary Emiline of the Holy Family (Age 78) who departed this life for her heavenly reward on 01.10.2010 at 11.15 am in the 57th year of her Religious Profession and 78th year of her life due to cardiac arrest. She was a member of Lourdes Convent, Kanajar in Udupi District. Sr Emiline, hails from Thottam in Udupi Dist. Daughter of Late Mr Marian Pinto and Late Mrs Teresia Pinto. She joined the Congregation of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany, Mangalore on 17.05.1952. She served as a teacher for many years and won the hearts of many students in places like, Bajpe, Dharwad, Sirsi, Moodubelle , Kirem, Kadaba, Permannur, Taccode, Ullal, Kawdur, Ankola, Karwar, Mulki, Sampaje, Basrur and Kanajar . After her retirement, she spent her time in prayer, Pastoral work, gardening etc. May her soul rest in peace! Funeral Rites will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Kanajar on 03.10.2010 Sunday, at 10.00 am. Contact Number: Provincial House Vamanjoor - 0824-2262512 -- Ancy S. D'Souza, Paladka E2-139 Diwan Apt III Vasai Road East Thane Dist - 401 210 Tel: 0250-2390225 Cell: 9320733213, 902898 Email: anc...@gmail.com -- next part -- Sr M Emiline B.S (Agnes Pinto) Lourdes Convent, Kanajar Expired News and Pics by Ancy S DSouza, Paladka Mangalore, Oct 1: Sister Mary Emiline of the Holy Family who departed this life for her heavenly reward on 01.10.2010 at 11.15 am in the 57th year of her Religious Profession and 78th year of her life due to cardiac arrest. She was a member of Lourdes Convent, Kanajar in Udupi District. Sr Emiline, hails from Thottam in Udupi Dist. Daughter of Late Mr Marian Pinto and Late Mrs Teresia Pinto. She joined the Congregation of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany, Mangalore on 17.05.1952. She served as a teacher for many years and won the hearts of many students in places like, Bajpe, Dharwad, Sirsi, Moodubelle , Kirem, Kadaba, Permannur, Taccode, Ullal, Kawdur, Ankola, Karwar, Mulki, Sampaje, Basrur and Kanajar . After her retirement, she spent her time in prayer, Pastoral work, gardening etc. May her soul rest in peace! Funeral Rites will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Kanajar on 03.10.2010 Sunday, at 10.00 am.
[Goanet] Important Message from NCM Vice-Charman Dr. H. T. Sangliana
My dear Christians Friends, Dr. H. T. Sangliana, Vice Chairman for National Commission for Minorities (NCM) has sent me a message to inform you all that all the Christian related matters for NCM have to pass through his table. Please print this information in you media so that it may reach to maximum number of Christians. *Below is the message given be Dr. Sangliana: * All Christian Brothers and Sisters, where ever you are, kindly note that it has been decided in the NCM to assign all Christian related matters needing attention and assistance from the National Commission For Minorities to me and all such matters have to pass through my table. Problems like site for graveyard, vandalism and atrocities against Churches and Christians etc have been taken cognizance of at the NCM as and when brought to my notice or read in the news papers. I am sure there are many incidents which have not been reported to or brought to the notice of the NCM. Here at NCM we issue notice/summons to state governments and call for Action Taken Report(ATR) with regards to safety and security to Minorities and we have solved problems in good number of cases. Kindly contact me at office Land line Phone: 011-24690809 Fax: 011-24693302 2469-8410 Toll Free: 1800110088 Cell: 09560559901 Email: htsangli...@gmail.com This message may please be copied to all other Christian Channels in India and abroad please. Yours in HIM and in the service of the nation and God. Dr. H T Sangliana Vice Chairman, NCM, New Delhi, India Thank you very much Ancy -- Ancy S. D'Souza, Paladka E2-139 Diwan Apt III Vasai Road East Thane Dist - 401 210 Tel: 0250-2390225 Cell: 9320733213, 902898 Email: anc...@gmail.com * * * Was life in the *kudds* glamourised? Who said, It appears that the Goanese (sic) are a roving people, prepared to go to any part of the world for well-paid employment? How did Goans find their first toehold in the Gulf? Find your answers in Selma Carvalho's *Into the Goan Diaspora Wilderness*. Buy from Broadways Book Centre, Panjim [Ph +91-9822488564] Price (in Goa only) Rs 295. http://selmacarvalho.squarespace.com/ * * *
[Goanet] You have hurt the religious sentiments of Christians by publishing cartoon The Lost Supper on July 25 mumbai edition page 18
To, Mr. Jaideep Bose Editor in Cheif Times of India Dear Sir, Christians are in large number in the readership of Times Of India. But it is unfortunate that you have hurt our religious sentiments by publishing the cartoon THE LOST SUPPER by imitating as if it looks like JESUS and TWELVE apostle. You have made mockery of our religious beliefs. Kindly apologize for the blunder you have created or else we may have to plan a very stringent course of action. You cartoon can be viewed at http://lite.epaper.timesofindia.com/getpage.aspx?pageid=18pagesizeedidedlabel=TOIMmydateHid=25-07-2010pubnameednamepublabel=TOI which is also attached along with this Lots of Christians have already raised their voices in facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ancypaladka and other places So please act immediately and apologies in tomorrows issue itself or else we will be planning our stringent course of action. Waiting for your immediate action Ancy S DSouza -- Ancy S. D'Souza, Paladka E2-139 Diwan Apt III Vasai Road East Thane Dist - 401 210 Tel: 0250-2390225 Cell: 9320733213, 902898 Email: anc...@gmail.com * * * Encounter hints (and more) of the Goan life in Zanzibar, Poona, Mombasa, Basra, Dubai, and even Nuvem and Colva, Sanvordem and colonial Goa. Learn of experiences that shaped Goans worldwide. Selma Carvalho's *Into the Diaspora Wilderness* now available at Broadways Book Centre, Panjim [Ph +91-9822488564] Ask a friend to buy it, before it gets sold out. Price (in Goa only) Rs 295. http://selmacarvalho.squarespace.com/ * * *
[Goanet] The Lost Supper - Views from Different People
Here are the Views from Different People who participated in the awareness campaign I moderated to demand apology from the Times of India Cartoon The Lost Supper on Page 18 of July 25. Hope it will be useful for you to go through. Allwyn Fernandes: I received several messages today on last night's post on the Lost Supper. All except one felt we should not over-react, rather that we should be happy that the Common Man represented Christ in a world of politicians huffing and puffing and nothing nothing in whose name they claimed to speak. Noella Gama to Allwyn: How correctly the 'Table of Hope' that you have depicts Jesus and the Heart of God. We Catholics need to sure change our mindset from the religious attitude allows for 'hurt sentiments'. If Jesus had to be bothered about his sentiments when he went to the Cross you and I would not know or receive salvation. We just need to go about reaching out to the lost. Therese Almeida to Allwyn: Thank you for giving people the right perspective. In today's world everything gets distorted and sensible people react in a stupid way. Regards and continue saying it like it is, Virginia to Allwyn: One of my parishioners - similar in mindset to Ancy jumped up also to write to various leaders in Maharashtra and the TOI about the cartoon. I wanted to write to you, but since you were silent on the issue, I thought it best to keep quiet (I was travelling). He forwarded it to me and I berated him for taking up any and every thing he saw to be an issue. I think there are legion of these men who are in retirement and do not know what to do with themselves and from their limited knowledge think they are doing a great service to the Church by taking up issues like these. I pointed out that the cartoon uses the scene of a Christian painting to depict an issue in the country, so it is not desecrating the faith. On the contrary, as you point out, Jesus is probably happy that they use a truth that he left us with to show that people are going without food in the country, while the so called leaders are looking on, blind to the problem. In fact I see that theological knowledge is so necessary for the lay person so that they can really shout about issues that Jesus would want us to shout about. Denzil Rego to Dolphy (BCS): why do we pick up the non-consequential issues? this is pure jingo-ism the pic was very apt to the political situation today by doing this we are only playing into the hands acolytes of the powers that be Albert DeSouza to Iona Saldanha: Iona, Mr.Allwyn Fernandes refuses to see the point that The Last Supper is not something to be trifled with or trivialised. It is a solemn and sacred event for the average Catholioc/Christian.The first impression that I got was that the artist was trying to have some fun at the expense of the Christian. He would not dare to do it with any other community particularly those who are aggressive and known for their militancy. Catholics are a peace loving people and so an easy target. But there are limits to our patience and this was something I least of all expected with a responsible newspaper like The Times of India. I have not seen the painting or picture that he has at home and can not comment on its correctness. Also if others endorse this sort of humour it does not mean that it is alright. The cartoon is certainly in bad taste and most Christians and even non Christians will agree. Of course Mr.Allwyn Fernandes is entitled to his views. I sent a letter to The TOI on Sunday itself protesting against the cartoon. Regards Albert Below are Some of the comments people sent to Ancy S DSouza, Paladka Sarita D'Souza: Cannot believe that TOI could stoop so low and publish this. Every christian should agitate and raise their voice against this. Don't expect them to sacrifice their lives like the Apostles instead they will expect you to sacrifice your life for them. and there is no need to give a rope to RK Laxman as it is he is suffering in the hospital and awaiting death. But I doubt if this is his cartoon ? Every Catholic should ban TOI and stop buying this newspaper. Demand for Apology is right. Jessie Monteiro: Just because Christians are peace loving and keeping quiet the person has gone ahead to print this.. instead of this what if some one had to print something about Hindu's or Muslims they would hv kept quiet??? I feel every Christian should stop reading TOI. every drunkard in a movie is a Christian as if others dont drink... and every bad scene act to do they find only Christian names .. really sick minded people... Dolphy DSouza (BCS): The Bombay Catholic Sabha [BCS] were shocked to see the ridiculing of the Last Supper scene in article entitled Lost Supper on the rising food prices etc in the Times of India on Page 18 of July 25. This depiction is not in good taste as it hurts the sentiments of Christians for whom this scene is of much value, significance and respect, and hence cannot be used in satire
[Goanet] Top Mangalorean/Goan websites belonging to Konkani people
Top Mangalorean/Goan websites belonging to Konkani people and their unique users per month Happy to note that Mangaloreans have made a mark over the webworld. We have so many websites that are popular on the net. I used http://www.websitevaluespy.com/ to check the popularity of our websites that come under 50,00,000 rank as per Alexa.com records Here is their listing. Their users per month and their rank www.daijiworld.com - 3,50,898 users/month rank:23,374 www.mangalorean.com - 1,94,016 users/month rank:64,260 www.bellevision.com- 3,843 users/month rank: 6,83,662 www.kemmannu.com - 3,380 users/month rank: 7,85,476 www.mangaloremithr.com - 7,743 users/month rank: 3,20,720 www.goa-world.com - 2,574 users/month rank: 13,45,917 www.icarelive.com - 2,434 users/month rank: 11,02,421 www.goanet.org - 761 users/month rank: 24,26,618 www.churchnewssite.com - 335 users/month rank: 34,67,983 www.konkaniworld.com - 274 users/month rank: 58,42,974 www.kinnigoli.com - 248 users/month rank: 47,21,890 www.konkanuae.com - 229 users/month rank: 48,60,501 Note: These are unique users per month, Ranking calculated as per Alexa.com records I checked the status using: http://www.websitevaluespy.com/ If you come accross any other mangalorean/goan (i.e. KONKANI) websites fall under this category (ie below 50,00,000 Alexa.com rank) then please submit them here. -- Ancy S. D'Souza, Paladka E2-139 Diwan Apt III Vasai Road East Thane Dist - 401 210 Tel: 0250-2390225 Cell: 9320733213 Email: anc...@gmail.com
[Goanet] Konkani Liberation Convention
Sir, Kindly give publicity to the following press note. thanking you, Marcel M D'Souza Convenor, Ad hoc Sutke Samithi, Mangalore. 9448627490 GENESIS, Ist Main, 4th Cross, Subhasnagar, Pandeshwar, MANGALORE - 575 001 PRESS NOTE History has been cruel to the Konkani people. For reasons as varied as natural calamities, political oppression and cultural suppression, Konkanis have had to suffer many a migration, settling in various regions of the west coast of India. Through centuries, the language came to acquire many more varieties than an average Indian language, with regard to the number of dialects, scripts, customs and traditions. This variety has made Konkani beautiful and unique. While the time-tested and successful mantra of India’s unity – namely – ‘unity in diversity’ should have been also Konkani’s mantra for unity, a small minority of Konkanis have defeated all efforts towards unity, by attempting to thrust their lipi variety on all others and in the bargain have tried to destroy all other varieties that exist. They have, time and again, declared that the Devnagari Lipi is the only true lipi for Konkani and that unity among Konkanis can be achieved only if everyone gave-up their lipi and adopted the Devnagari lipi. In pursuance of this fascist policy – they have established the All India Konkani Parishad and made it an exclusive club of ‘Devnagari Wadis’; they have taken over the Konkani Advisory Board of the Kendr Sahitya Akademi and have ensured that Konkani literature only in the Devnagari lipi is given the Sahitya Akademi Awards; mischievously, added the clause ‘as written in Devnagari’ in the Language Act of Goa; have unsuccessfully, tried to confuse the Govt. of Karnataka while introducing Konkani in the school curriculum, in Karnataka; above all, in the name of unity, have succeeded in dividing the Konkanis through their ‘script politics’ and have done irreparable damage to Konkani literature. The eminent Konkani Litterateur Shri Edwin J. F. D’souza, who is one of the 2 General Council members for Konkani at the Sahitya Akademi, has now taken-up the issue of the wrong policy that the Akademi has been practising – namely giving awards to a script and not to the language – at the highest level and the matter has now been referred to the ‘Language Development Board of India’ for resolution. We are hopeful that, at long last, justice will be done. An Ad-hoc Committee consisting of Konkani litterateurs/activists has been formed to pursue this issue. The Ad-hoc Committee has convened a Convention called ‘Suttke Samaavesh’ (Liberation Convention) to discuss this grave issue and chalk-out a plan of action to liberate Konkani from such damaging policies. The Convention will be held on Sunday, May 23, 2010, at St. Aloysius College Auditorium, from 10am to 4 pm. Delegates from Goa, Mumbai, Bangalore, Mysore, Kerela and from coastal Karnataka will be participating. ‘Unity in Diversity’ will be the motto of the Convention – as against the ‘one script’ politics that has ruled Konkani all these years.
[Goanet] THE SCRIPT LIBERATION FRONT OF KONKANI - A CLARION CALL
Note: News in Konkani is attached a Baraha Document THE SCRIPT LIBERATION FRONT OF KONKANI - A CLARION CALL All construed as Beauty lies in diversity, so does the beauty of Konkani. When such beauty in diversity is accepted by all, the unity automatically follows. When groups who declare that a language should have one script, one dialect and by these selfish norms try to show a mirage of one society, the whole concept of unity goes haywire and brings on chaos. This is exactly what has happened to and in Konkani. Konkani language and its movement, since 1939, has been in fetters because of the deadly slogan - ‘one language, one script, one literature, one society' - voiced by a handful of people with hidden agendas, has caused havoc. In the past 71 years, because of this mentality of such people, the Konkani people of 4 States are not united and irreparable damage is done to the literature. 1. The proponents of the Deva Nagari script for Konkani have prevailed over all other script through the Akil Bharat Konkani Parishad and every session held by this set-up has vehemently declared that the Devanagari script is THE script for Konkani language. Not that there was no opposition to this but in spite of such oppositions, the proponents of Devnagari are still holding the fort. 2. This same set up has had its hold on the Konkani Advisory Board from 1981, formed for every 5-year term of the Akademi's Executive and General Councils with managing to have 5 Goans out of 10 members and the out of the other 5 to have three members who are staunch supporters of the dictates of the Parishad. The balance of two from Karnataka have no say in the matter for obvious reasons. 3. The very same set-up, when Konkani language was accepted by the Government as the State Language declaring to that effect that the official language of Goa shall be Konkani, very cleverly inserted a clause to this declaration which reads thus: The official language of Goa shall be Konkani as written in Devnagari! This hideous trick could be termed as the historic injustice to Konkani literature. 4. This very same group, while Konkani was being introduced in the schools in Goa, cleverly manipulated the issue to slap the dialect and script of its choice on the syllabus. They tried the same strategy when Konkani was being introduced in the schools in Karnataka but failed miserably in their despicable effort. Even now, with the financial strength they muster, the attempts are on to have the Konkani language taught in Devnagari in the schools of Karnataka. A handful of people have manipulated the the issue of the scripts of Konkani using every vile method under the sun by way of distorted arguments, one-sided decisions and damaged the language mercilessly, not to mention the harm done to the rich literature it nurses. There have been small scale attempts to ward off this situation but one solid, concentrated strategy has not been adopted by the proponents of Kannada and Romi scripts. Now the time has come! This is a clarion call! An unprecedented opportunity has come our way - The Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi, has decided to place this issue of the script infront of the Language Development Board with a decisive aim to resolve this imbroglio once for all. This decision was taken on the 15th and 16th of February 2010 in New Delhi during the Meetings of the Executive and General Councils of the Sahitya Akademi. This decision has been authentically minuted and circulated among the Members of the Executive and General Council. It is the bold and selfless presentation made by the renowned Konkani littérateur Mr.Edwin JF DSouza who also happens to be the Member of the General Council (2008-2012) of the Sahitya Akademi. This is a historic development and an opportunity which cannot be allowed to slip through our fingers. The follow-up procedure has to be deft, subtle and immediate. This movement is named in Konkani as SUTKE SAMAVESH and its first session will be: On 23 May 2010 from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm in the Auditorium of St.Aloysius College, Mangalore. In this Session- Konkani lovers from 4 States will gather and raise their voices in unison to put an end to the false publicity, manipulations, lies. Dear true lovers of Konkani, this is a War for Justice. This will never fail. We will not let our Mother tongue languish at the hands of selfish people. The ad hoc Committee of the Sutke Samavesh: Coordinator: Mr.Marcel M.D'Souza, President of the Konkani Writers' Forum ® Mangalore Members: Eric Ozario, Gurkar of Mandd Sobhann, dauntless Konkani activist Valerian D'Souza (Vally Vagga) Konkani activist and litterateur. (Mysore) Dr.Edward L.Nazareth, Convener of the Konkani Sanchalan, award winning litterateur Cyril G.Sequeira - Konkani litterateur Gladys Rego - Konkani poet, novelist and publisher Henry M.Mendonca (HM Pernal) Poet, columnist and fearless critic Charles D'Souza, writer, reporter J.F.D'Souza, writer, newspaper columnist Dolphy
[Goanet] Public Condolence Meeting in Mumbai for late Wilfy Rebimbus
--- Sign the Petition requesting The Honble Minister of State for Environment and Forests (I/C) to maintain the moratorium on issuing further environmental clearances for mining activities in Goa http://goanvoice.org.uk/miningpetition.php --- Public Condolence Meeting in Mumbai for late Wilfy Rebimbus News and Pics by Ancy Paladka Mumbai, Apr 10: A public Condolence meeting is organized on Sunday the 25th April, 2010 at 10am at Holy Family High School Hall, Chakala, Andheri East, Mumbai on behalf of the Konkani lovers of Mumbai to pay homage to the departed soul of Konkan Kogull Wilfy Rebimbus who passed away last month uder the leadership of Mr. Albert W DSouza. This meeting will be preceded by a concelebrated Mass by Most Rev. Dr. Percival Fernandez, Aux Bishop of Mumbai. All are cordially invited to attend the meeting. Photo: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/7nvQwlEGLaiLwMFQRJCXIA?feat=directlink -- Ancy S. D'Souza, Paladka E2-139 Diwan Apt III Vasai Road East Thane Dist - 401 210 Tel: 0250-2390225 Cell: 9320733213 Email: anc...@gmail.com
[Goanet] Konkani Literature: Caught In Script Whirlpool
Konkani Literature: Caught In Script Whirlpool By Sri Govinda Raju (Raz Andamani) from ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR Profile: Member of Sahitya Akademy GENERAL COUNCIL 2008-2012 Email: razandam...@gmail.com In the last general Council Meeting of Sahitya Akademi, the Academy of Letters of India, held on February 16, 2010 in New Delhi, Edwin JF DSouza raised the controversial issue of Konkani Script. The language was written in five different scripts for historical reasons; Devanagari, Roman, Kannada, Malayalam and Arabic, whereas Sahitya Academi recognized only the books written in official Devanagari script to the exclusion of all other scripts. The bone of contention was that the books written in scripts other than Devanagri were not considered for awards by Sahtya Akademi and, on cue, by other organizations and institutions too. It was a gross injustice to the writers engaged in literary work in Konkani in scripts other than Devanagari. To a pointed question of Edwin DSouza whether Sahtya Akademi recognized the script or the literature; Sunil Gangopadhyaye, President said in an unambiguous term “literature!” The argument should have ended there but Pundalik Narayan Naik, Convener of Konkani Language Advisory Board cited the Govt of India notifications recognizing the Devanagari script as the official one and also referred to the previous discussion on the subject in the General Council of Sahitya Akademi that remained inconclusive. However, the majority of General Council Members did not approve that the literature created in the same language but different scripts should be discriminated against when the bulk of Konkani literature was written in Kannada and other scripts, according to DSouza. Dr Harish Narang argued that in the hi-tech age of advanced computer programmes where, on a click of the mouse the script can be changed from one script to the other, there was any reason why books written in scripts other than devanagari should remain out of the purview of awards; unless it was meant to limit the competition. After a prolonged discussion, on the suggestion of Sunil Gangopadhyaye, President, the matter was referred to the Language Development Board of Sahitya Akademi for an early resolution. Migration and fragmentation The arrival of the Portuguese lead to major changes in Konkani. The conversion of Konkanis to Christianity and the religious policies of the Portuguese caused a large number of Konkanis to flee to neighboring territories. The isolation of Hindu and Christian Konkanis added to the fragmentation of Konkani into multiple dialects. The language spread to Canara (coastal Karnataka), Kokan-patta (coastal Konkan division of Maharashtra) and Kerala during the last 500 years due to migration of Konkanis. Although a few Konkanis may have been present in the neighboring areas and there may have been migrations due to economic reasons in the past, the main cause of migration was the Portuguese control over Goa. It was spread to these areas by Hindu Konkani and Christian Konkani speakers in three waves of migration. The first migration occurred during the early years of Portuguese rule and the Inquisition of 1560s. The second wave of migration was during the 1571 C.E. war with the Sultan of Bijapur. The third wave of migration happened during the wars of 1683-1740 A.D. with the Marathas. While the first wave was of Hindus, the second and third waves were mainly those of Christians. These migrant communities grew in relative isolation and each developed its own dialect. Since these communities had to interact with others in local languages on a daily basis, Konkani dialects show strong local influences in terms of script, vocabulary and also style. Other Konkani communities came into being with their own dialects of Konkani. The Konkani Muslim communities of Ratnagiri and Bhatkal came about due to a mixture of intermarriage of Arab seafarers and locals as well as conversions of Hindus to Islam. Another migrant community that picked up Konkani was the Siddis who were sailor-warriors from Ethiopia. Source: http://www.lightofandaman.com/news7.asp
[Goanet] Sahitya Akademy recognises Literature and not the script says Akademy President Sunil Gangopadhyaye
Sahitya Akademy recognises Literature and not the script says Akademy President Sunil Gangopadhyaye Dear Sir, Please find attached two articles written by the members of Sahitya Akademy GENERAL COUNCIL 2008-2012 1. Konkani Literature: Caught In Script Whirlpool by Sri Govinda Raju (Raz Andamani) from ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR Email: razandam...@gmail.com 2. KONKANI-NEW DIMENSIONS TO THE SCRIPT EMBROGLIO by Sri Edwin J.F.D'Souza Email: edwin...@gmail.com Kindly publish abvoe two articles attached along with this in a word format The list of Sahitya Akademy GENERAL COUNCIL 2008-2012 members available at http://www.sahitya-akademi.gov.in/old_version/org4a.htm With regards Ancy Ancy S. D'Souza, Paladka E2-139 Diwan Apt III Vasai Road East Thane Dist - 401 210 Tel: 0250-2390225 Cell: 9320733213 Email: anc...@gmail.com Konkani Literature: Caught In Script Whirlpool By Govinda Raju In the last general Council Meeting of Sahitya Akademi, the Academy of Letters of India, held on February 16, 2010 in New Delhi, Edwin JF DSouza raised the controversial issue of Konkani Script. The language was written in five different scripts for historical reasons; Devanagari, Roman, Kannada, Malayalam and Arabic, whereas Sahitya Academi recognized only the books written in official Devanagari script to the exclusion of all other scripts. By Govinda Raju The bone of contention was that the books written in scripts other than Devanagri were not considered for awards by Sahtya Akademi and, on cue, by other organizations and institutions too. It was a gross injustice to the writers engaged in literary work in Konkani in scripts other than Devanagari. To a pointed question of Edwin DSouza whether Sahtya Akademi recognized the script or the literature; Sunil Gangopadhyaye, President said in an unambiguous term literature! The argument should have ended there but Pundalik Narayan Naik, Convener of Konkani Language Advisory Board cited the Govt of India notifications recognizing the Devanagari script as the official one and also referred to the previous discussion on the subject in the General Council of Sahitya Akademi that remained inconclusive. However, the majority of General Council Members did not approve that the literature created in the same language but different scripts should be discriminated against when the bulk of Konkani literature was written in Kannada and other scripts, according to DSouza. Dr Harish Narang argued that in the hi-tech age of advanced computer programmes where, on a click of the mouse the script can be changed from one script to the other, there was any reason why books written in scripts other than devanagari should remain out of the purview of awards; unless it was meant to limit the competition. After a prolonged discussion, on the suggestion of Sunil Gangopadhyaye, President, the matter was referred to the Language Development Board of Sahitya Akademi for an early resolution. Migration and fragmentation: The arrival of the Portuguese lead to major changes in Konkani. The conversion of Konkanis to Christianity and the religious policies of the Portuguese caused a large number of Konkanis to flee to neighboring territories. The isolation of Hindu and Christian Konkanis added to the fragmentation of Konkani into multiple dialects. The language spread to Canara (coastal Karnataka), Kokan-patta (coastal Konkan division of Maharashtra) and Kerala during the last 500 years due to migration of Konkanis. Although a few Konkanis may have been present in the neighboring areas and there may have been migrations due to economic reasons in the past, the main cause of migration was the Portuguese control over Goa. It was spread to these areas by Hindu Konkani and Christian Konkani speakers in three waves of migration. The first migration occurred during the early years of Portuguese rule and the Inquisition of 1560s. The second wave of migration was during the 1571 C.E. war with the Sultan of Bijapur. The third wave of migration happened during the wars of 1683-1740 A.D. with the Marathas. While the first wave was of Hindus, the second and third waves were mainly those of Christians. These migrant communities grew in relative isolation and each developed its own dialect. Since these communities had to interact with others in local languages on a daily basis, Konkani dialects show strong local influences in terms of script, vocabulary and also style. Other Konkani communities came into being with their own dialects of Konkani. The Konkani Muslim communities of Ratnagiri and Bhatkal came about due to a mixture of intermarriage of Arab seafarers and locals as well as conversions of Hindus to Islam. Another migrant community that picked up Konkani was the Siddis who were sailor-warriors from Ethiopia. Source: http://www.lightofandaman.com/news7.asp Author: Sri Govinda Raju (Raz Andamani) from ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR
[Goanet] All the benefits need to be also given to Roman Script of Konkani, urges Edwardo Faleiro
--- *** Follow Goanet on Twitter *** http://twitter.com/goanet --- All the benefits need to be also given to Konkani written in Roman Script , urges Edwardo Faleiro PANAJI: NRI Commissioner Eduardo Faleiro said that all incentives given to writers in Devanagiri script, including Sahitya Academy awards, representations on literary bodies and financial assistance should also be given to writers in the Roman script. Faleiro was speaking as chief guest at the Official Language Day celebrations organized by the Goa Konkani Akademi, Panaji, on Thursday, Feb 4, 2010. It was on February 4, 1987, that Konkani was declared the official language of the state. Faleiro also called for the development and preservation of Konkani, warning that Goans would lose their identity if they lost touch of the language. Faleiro further called for parity between Devanagri and Romi script writers stating that a neccessary prerequisite for the survival of the Konkani language is harmony among Konkani writers in different scripts. Faleiro said, Konkani is a fundamental element of Goan identity and it unites all Goans, irrespective of religion and lifestyle. The survival of Konkani is essential for the preservation of Goan identity now and in future. The official language day function was marked by most speakers lamenting that though Konkani was declared the official language of Goa, there has been no development of the language in the last 23 years. Journalist Prakash Kamat said that the government has issued only two notifications regarding the Official Language Act in all of these 23 years. He charged that the use of Konkani is deliberately kept out of government offices so that citizens have to struggle with English and bureaucrats retain their hold over the citizens. He said that the government has still not framed rules for the Official Language Act and that it took the government 17 years to constitute the directorate of official language. The government has always been creating vacancies for all government departments, but no interest has been shown towards the development of the directorate of official languages, he said. Kamat said that since Goa lacks strong political leadership to promote Konkani, it is up to the citizens to actively pursue the cause of the language and ensure that it is used in the administration of the state. The guest of honour, Fr Feroze Fernandes, who is the editor of 'Vavradeancho Ixtt', said that Konkani should not be mixed with political, religious or caste-based tenets and that it should be developed since it is a vivid sign of our identity. Tomazinho Cardozo, president of the Goa Tiatr Akademi, also released a book of the scripts of two tiatrs by renowned Konkani playwright Prem Kumar. The scripts were of the tiatrs 'Fullam ani Kantte' and 'Jawan'. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/School-edu-must-be-in-Devanagri/articleshow/5536459.cms
[Goanet] Reviving lost enthusiasm for ROMAN KONKANI by Tomazinho Cardozo
--- *** Follow Goanet on Twitter *** http://twitter.com/goanet --- Reviving lost enthusiasm for ROMAN KONKANI by Tomazinho Cardozo Questions of script apart, it is the Konkani language that can save Goan culture and identity, says Tomazinho Cardozo The second Konkani Literary and Cultural Conference organized by the Dalgado Konkani Academy which began on Saturday will end on Sunday at the Frank Fernand Nagar, Ravindra Bhavan Curchorem-Savordem. The conference is basically organized to recreate the lost enthusiasm among writers and readers of Konkani in the Roman script. Since the passing of the Goa Official Language Act, 1987, in which the Konkani language was fraudulently defined as Konkani language means Konkani in Devnagari script, thereby intentionally attempting to crush the influence of Konkani in the Roman Script, writers and lovers of Konkani in Roman script have been subjected to much injustice. Although the major strength of Konkani at the time of the language agitation was lovers of Konkani in the Roman script, they were betrayed by introducing the above definaition of the Konkani language. The lovers of Konkani in the Roman script fought with all their might to make Konkani language the official language of Goa and not Konkani in Devnagari script the official language of Goa. This was nothing short of a conspiracy. Since 1987 the lovers of Konkani in the Roman script have been literally humiliated as their written works not considered for publication nor were they given importance at any level. The architects of the Official Language Act have been controlling all the government and semi-government bodies, which decided on the activities of Konkani in Goa. These people were all out to eliminate Konkani in the Roman script. Some examples are: Goa Konkani Akademy was constituted by the government. The lovers of Konkani in the Roman script were neglected. One in the Roman script were neglected. One or two, who were sympathetic to the Roman script were included in the committee which has a strength of 12 to 15 members. They ere never considered for the post of president and vice president. The same criteria was followed while constituting statutory bodies at the state, as well as national level, including the advisory board of Sahitya Acaemy, New Delhi The sahitya Academy stoped entertaining any literature written in the Roman script becasude of the definition of Konkani language in the Act. Kala Ccademy used to give annual literatary awards for books in Konkani in the Roman script right from the inception of those awards. That too was stopped. No writer or lover of Konkani in the Roman script was appointed for any job in Goa Konkani Akadem. Institutions like the art and culture department, the then official language cell, All India Radio and Dordarshan, where Konkani activists were accommodated in large numbers, sidelined lovers of Konkani in the Roman Script. The literary works of Roman script writers were not considered for awards at any level. The blunt message from the leaders of Konkani in Goa was: If any one dreamt of awards then one had to write the book in the Devnagari script. One Script, One Language and One Society’ was the new mantra of the protagonists of Konkani in the Devnagari script. This thought is fascist in nature as it attempts to destroy all other scripts and all other dialects of the Konkani language. Due to this anti-Roman script attitude of the Konkani leaders, writers and readers of Konkani in the Roman script were demoralized. Creative writing came to a halt. The reading habit in Konkani in the Roman script was adversely affected. During the last 18 to 20 years Konkani in the Roman script has lost an entire generation of writers and readers. The only satisfaction was that children, youth and elders continued and still continue to perform all their religious activities in the churches of Goa, which uses Konkani in the Roman script for its liturgical purposes. It was also observed that lovers of Konkani in the roman script, instead of sending their children to study Konkani in the Devnagari script, preferred English. As such the number of students in the Konkani primary schools, run by the Archdiocesan Board of Education declined and continues to decline. On the other hand the number of English schools and students in them increased. If such a situation is allowed to continue we shall be responsible of driving away our own people from the Konkani language, which means disconnecting them from Goan culture and Goan identity. It if for this reason that since lasty year Dalgado Konknni Academy started organizing annual conferences, with the sole aim of encouraging creative writing and keeping the flame of Konkani, irrespective of scripts, burning in the hearts of the
[Goanet] 2nd Romi Lipi Konkani Sammelan Report (Kudchodem, Goa)
--- *** Follow Goanet on Twitter *** http://twitter.com/goanet --- 2nd Konkani (Roman Script) Literary and Cultural Convention held at Kudchodem News and Pics by Ancy Paladka Only Konkani language in all script and not in a particular script, can save Goan culture and Goan identity. - Tomazinho Cardozo. Goa, Feb 22: 2nd Konkani (Roman Script) Literary and Cultural Convention held at Kudchodem was held at Frank Fernands Nagar, Ravindra Bhavan, Kudchodem, Goa on 20th and 21st February. The programme was organised by the Dalgado Konkani Akademy of Goa. Photos: http://bit.ly/azhwQ6 A colourful venue was setup for the programme and the venue was named after welknown Konkani film personality Late Frank Fernand and the main stage was named after Late Albert S Carvalho. The programme started with the procession lead by the traditional music. Welcome committee president Fr. Manuel Gomes, Working President of the organizing committee Mr. Tomazinho Cardozo, main speaker Fr. Bonaventure D'Pietro, MLA of Kudchodem Mr. Shyam Satardekar, MLA of Kepem Mr. Chandrakant Babu Kavlekar, Dalgado Konkani Akademy President Premanand A Lotlikar and the programme secretary Mr Walter Menezes were present at the dais. Former Goa Assembly speaker and the first president of newly formed Tiatr Akademy of Goa Mr Tomazinho Cardozo explained the confusion of language and scripts in Goa. All Konkani people of Goa with whole mind and soul worked for the cause of Konkani. They fought united during the opinion poll and also to make Konkani a state language. But unfortunately someone with a evil agenda inserted a phrase Konkani in Devnagiri in a official language act of Goa. This phrase divided Goans and thus started a controversy he said. He explained the importance of preserving Konkani written in all sects and all scripts, there by making it to flourish it in all angles and directions. Only Konkani language in all script and not in a particular script, can save Goan culture and Goan identity. he affirmed. He also stressed the need of uniting the broken society by uniting all scripts of Konkani and giving equal importance to all. Dalgado Konkani Akademy President Premnand A Lotlikar said that We extend our full support to Devnagiri script as we also give equal importance to Roman script, Kannada script and other scripts of Konkani. Thus our work strategy is very clear. But the intention of the people who insist on 'One Language, One script and One society' to destroy the Konkani of the people of other scripts, dialects and sects. This is nothing but a fascist idea. These people need to accept this fact for the healthy growth of the Konkani language even if it is bitter to them to digest. he advised The light of Konkani language needs to be lead by the youngsters said Fr. Manuel Gomes in his welcome speech. The taste of milk and honey of Konkani language was first tasted in seventeen century because of the hard work of European missionaries. They had brought out several Konkani books in Roman script. But later on the Konkani had a deep sleep. There were several reasons for this sleep and the key one was the mad order given by Mr. Conde De Alvor prohibiting people to speak, read and write Konkani. Konkani in Roman script has the history of more than five hundred (500) years and this is the major yardstick for Konkani language to get the state language status. he informed. Fr. Bonaventure D'Pietro said that There is a vast history of the contribution of Roman script in the development of Konkani language. When I was in Mumbai in 1963 there were atleast 6 Konkani weeklies in Roman script. Konkani people used to work selflessly even sacrifying their basic needs of food and shelter. But when the grant came from the Govt the Devnagiri lobby was shrewd enough to corner it only to their people. They did not want the real workers to get the funds. They pre-decided the awardees and then published their books and managed to gather all the funds only for themselves. But Fr Freddy D'Costa and others stood like a pillar to fight against this injustice. Unfortunately he met with an accident. This was a major setback. But once again Tomazinho and others have come together to fight this injustice. he said. The following dignitaries were honoured for their contribution for the development of Konkani. 01. Mathews Antonio Pereira - Theatre Personality 02. Mr Anthony Menezes - Konkani Writer 03. Mrs Assumption Martinha Rodrigues e Pereira - Radio Artist, Singer, Dancer 04. Abdanio Rodrigues - Musician, Composer, Singer 05. Fr. Nixon DSilva - Musician 06. Dr Jayanti Nayak - Folklore Schollar 07. Fr. Planton Faria - Journalist, Founder Editor of Gonychim Kirna Konkani Fortnightly 08.
[Goanet] Mira Road Church in Mumbai holds Decennial Celebrations held with the Inter Religious Dialogue
Dear Editor, Please publish this news report Note: The report is also attached in a text file News.txt. Pictures with numbers from 01 to 11 are of higher resolution may be useful for print media. News in Konkani is attached in News.brh With regards Ancy Ancy S. D'Souza, Paladka E2-139 Diwan Apt III Vasai Road East Thane Dist - 401 210 Tel: 0250-2390225 Cell: 9320733213 Email: anc...@gmail.com Mira Road Church in Mumbai holds Decennial Celebrations held with the Inter Religious Dialogue News and Pics by Ancy Paladka Mumbai, Jan 18: The anniversaries or the celebrations usually held by constructing structures of bricks. But the St. Joseph’s Church Mira Road held its decennial celebrations in a unique way. To mark this great event it organised an Inter-Religious-Dialog to build peace and harmony among the people of different religions in the locality. It was an effort of building the structure of hearts instead of of building the structures of bricks. The Inter-Religious-Dialog held in the open ground of the church premises on January 17 from 7pm onwards. Pandit Prahalladacharya R. Nagarahalli, Kulapathi of Sarvajna Vidyapeeta at Virar, Maulana Syed Ather Ali, President of All India Ulema Association; member of Muslim personal Law Board; Member of Milli council; General secretary of Darul Uloom Mohammadia, Giani sardar Satnam singh ji, Head Granti at Gurudwara, shri guru Nanak darbar Borivali, Rev Dr Gilbert D’Lima, Professor at St. Pius X , Gorgegaon; member of the CBCI commission for Interreligious dialogue participated in the dialogue. Most Rev Dr Archbishop Felix Anthony Machado, Bishop of Vasai, Fr. Archiebald Gonsalves, Carmelite Provincial, Rev Dr Dominic Charles Vas the Parish Priest, Fr. Michael Morris Sheonoy the First Parish Priest of the church and also the Superior of the community and Mr. Francis Araujo the Vice president of the parish pastoral council were also present at the dais. Hindu Leader Pandit Prahalladacharya R. Nagarahalli said that “Hindu religion is for the development of human religion. No religion instructs their people to cause harm to the people of other religion. ‘Dharma’ means the process for the development of physical, mental, spiritual development of human being. The one that gives happiness to the simple people and good natured people is also called as a ‘Dharma’. Hence let us love each other and give happiness to our fellow being and work for the security of people of all religion.” Muslim leader Maulana Syed Ather Ali said that “Islam speaks about peace to humanity. If a religious leader of any religion instructs his follower to harm the person of other religion or criticizes other religion, then he is not the true follower of his religion. That is wrong use of the religion. Let the events like 9/11 or 26/11 may not occur anytime anywhere in the world. Every religion speaks to respect the people of all religions.” Sikh Giani Sardar Satnam Singh said that “We may split in different religion but our father is one. We may call him in different names but he is one. Sighting the example of water he said water is called in different names in different languages but water is the same. In the same manner the God remains the same for all of us.” Christian leader Rev Dr Gilbert D’Lima said that “God is a loving father. We all are brothers and sisters suppose to live with peace and harmony. We need to share with one other the gift of creation. The kingdom of God is fellowship, service, sacrifice, love and peace that is proclaimed by all religions. Terrorists have no religion. Indian culture is nothing but unity in diversity.” Archbishop Felix Anthony Machado honoured Dr. Sanjeev Ganesh Naik, the elected MP of local Thane constituency. Sri Gilbert Mendonca the first elected MLA of Mira-Bhayandar, Mrs. Merlyn D’sa, the first catholic parish and woman corporator from Mira road parish were also honoured by the archbishop during this occasion with a shawl, Fruits, Flowers and a Momento. Accepting the honours Dr. Sanjeev Ganesh Naik said that “I do not work for the people of particular religion but I always work for human being. He also promised his whole hearted support to Mira Road church.” Speaking at this occasion Archbishop Felix Anthony Machado said that “Jesus never considered anyone as his enemy. He went with the people of all religions. Swamy Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi always respected people of all religion as brothers and sisters. God created every human being in his own image and likeness. Thus not only the people of one religion but the people of all religion are created with his image and likeness. 2nd Vatican council also instructs all Catholics to respect the people of all religion.” Releasing the souvenir of the occasion Fr. Archiebald Gonsalves, the Carmelite Provincial said that “Cities like Rome never change. They look the same always. But in just ten years Mira Road is changed a lot. He desired more changes among mira-road people to spread the
[Goanet] Yusuf Sheik calls Dr Austin as the King of Konkani poets (3500 poems book release)
--- http://www.GOANET.org --- Happy New Year Twenty-Ten --- Yusuf Sheik calls Dr Austin as the King of Konkani poets Goa, Jan 7: Konkani Poetry book VOZRAM - a Devanagiri version of a 3500 collection of poems of Dr. Austin DSouza Prabhu, Chicago was inaugurated on 6th Jan 2010 at 5pm at Thomas Stephens Konkani Kendr, Porvorim Goa. The book is transliterated by Ancy DSouza Paladka and published by Priya Prakashana Mumbai. Former speaker of Goa Assembly and the present Tiatr Akademy President Tomazhino Cardoza inaugurated the book. Former Director of Shri Lanka Radio and the veteran poet Yusuf Sheik was the chief guest. Fr. Pratap Naik presided over the function. Mrs Terry was also present at the Dais. Konkani poets, writers, artists are like a rose that rises and blooms amidst of all thorns that surrounding it. During this time of internet we all Konkani people need to get united breaking all barriers. said Dr. Austin DSouza during this occasion. Diversity is the streangth of Konkani. This need to be preserved and promoted. This encourages people of diffent sects, different culture, different religions, different scripts to work for the cause of Konkani. He also congratulated the author Austin for writing 3500 short poems in just three years. He also said that Manohar Sar Desai and R V Pandit are the two stalwat Konkani poets. The poems they have written are short poems. Jess Fernandes wrote 30 books in Roman script and the last two in Devanagari. But he is awarded with Sahitya Akademy award only after he published book in Devnagari script. Is the Sahitya akademy award given for the script or for the literary content ? he questioned. Taking the same string Fr. Pratap Naik said that Always Konkani language is important and not the script. Script is only a dress for the language. All Konkani speaking people need to identify themselves as Konkani people. Also Konkani's need to respect konkani speaking people as our people. Great works are always done by a single persons. Every Konkani person need to give his contribution to make Konkani rich The book with 3500 poems is the rain of 3500 pearls in the whole Konkani world. said veteran Konkani poet Yusuf Sheik. He also called as King of Konkani Poets. He also critisised the method of awards given to the script and not the language. He expressed his dissappointment because Konkani Salwats Litterauts of Kannada script like V J P Saldanha, Jo Sa Alvares are not given the Sahitya Akademy Award. He also said that Nowhere the poetry collection of 3,500 poems are published. This is a great work and need to be recorded in Gunness Book of Records and Limca records. The programme started with the introduction by Ancy Paladka. Smita Tamba, Madgaon introduced the poet. Yusuf Sheik honoured Dr. Austin DSouza Prabhu with the Shawl and a Momento. The programme was compered by Ancy.
Re: [Goanet] Of khanddi and Pensos...
Excellent information Maurice Mam. I got confused other day when you gave equivalent of kilos for Khandi Now it is absolutely clear. I admire your memory. Ancy Paladka On Tue, Nov 3, 2009 at 6:45 PM, MD mmdme...@gmail.com wrote: Actually if FN had disclosed the context of the Khandi he required, it would have been much better as some one has replied that it is the khandi measurement of 'seed' required for each field. The former weights and measures: (now Metric: Kilo/Litre) 1 Khandi = 20 man(moN) 1 moN = 4 dora, doDe (singular 1 doDo) 1 doDo = the lb varied for different products Similarly, the lb per moN differed as per product: 1 moN of kopra = 32lb, 1 mon of sugar 26lb, 1 moN of Onion, garlic, iron = 24lb Weight for solids: 1 Khumbo = 20 Khandi 1 Khandi = 20 Kuros 1 Kuro = 2 pailis 1 Paili = 4 Poddis 1 Poddi = 2 ordi(half) Poddis 1 ordipoddi(solguem, natti) = 2 ordenattis 1 ordnatti = 2 guirnatis 1 Guirnati = 2 solahos 1 Solaho or Solavem = 2 bothisavos or Bothisolavem (In Konkani, botthis is 32 like: thees(30), ekthees(31), bothis(32), thettis(33), chouthis(34), pantis (35) and 39 will be ekuNchaLis!!! then comes 40 (chaLis) Weights for liquids: 1 Xero = 12.4/5 oz Ordoxero = 62/5 oz Pacxero = 301/3 oz Navtango = 13/5 oz (does any one remember 'navtang' this is exclusively related to liquor measure? Orde-navtang = 4/5oz OTHER: Pavonxeri (pauxer?) = 4 Ratto 1 Ratto = 1lb Pavonratto = 3/4 lb Ordo Ratto = 1/2 lb Pavratto = 1/4 lb Above info: COURTESY: Book: An Historical and Archeological Sketch of the City of Goa by Jose Necolau da Fonseca Conversion: 1 Khandi = 220.32 kg 1 kg = 2.2lb 1 kg=35.3 oz I am more interested in Gabe's posting on 'pensos' Because, I have heard many willed their property to Jesuits, may be later to churches or individuals on condition that they offer mass to the donor's soul after the donor passed away? Curiously, MD
Re: [Goanet] PaltadachoMunis (The Man Beyond the Bridge)
INTERACTIVE DISCUSSION: Alternative Publishing - Is it viable to traditional publishing? WHERE: Art Lounge - Sunaparanta, Near Lar de Estudantes, Altinho, Panaji WHEN: September 30, 2009 - 5:30pm http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.phpeid=146588805806mid=12a68daG1df3c3d3G2ac936fG7 Poltodi in Konkani simply mean the other side. In the case of Paltadacho Munis, It may mean - The Man From Across The River - The Man other side of the Bridge - A man from other side of the land - A man residing other side of the fence etc. -Ancy S. D'Souza, Paladka
Re: [Goanet] Latest update after Swiss Bank has agreed to disclose the funds.......
* G * O * A * N * E * T C * L * A * S * S * I * F * I * E * D * S * Two new showrooms/office spaces, double height (135 sq m each with bath) for lease in upscale Campal/Miramar beach area, Panaji, Goa. Contact: goaengineer...@aol.com This may be a hoax. There is no official statement so far regarding Swiss Governments writing to Indian Government as mentioned below Also TOI did not cary the the below news on it edition dated 22-5-08 - Ancy DSouza, Paladka Swiss Government has officially written to Indian Government that they are willing to inform the details of holders of 70 lakh crore rupees in their Banks, if Indian Government officially asks them. On 22-5-08, this news has already been published in The Times of India and other Newspapers based on Swiss Government's official letter to Indian Government.
Re: [Goanet] Monthi Festh
* G * O * A * N * E * T C * L * A * S * S * I * F * I * E * D * S * Two new showrooms/office spaces, double height (135 sq m each with bath) for lease in upscale Campal/Miramar beach area, Panaji, Goa. Contact: goaengineer...@aol.com Dear Maurice Mam, You mentioned that Fr. Joachim Miranda (author of famous song: Riglo Jezu Mollyant) started the Monti fest tradition. But this may not be true. The MONTI FEST tradition was started in Goa itself. But the present Goans do not celebrate Monti Fest because all the traditions of our ancestors were banned there. Even Konkani speaking was banned for few years. This is one of the main reason for our people to fled from Goa to Mangalore. This is very clear because the people living in southern parts of Maharashtra like Kudal, Savantvadi, Ratnagiri etc also celebrate Monti Fest like we Mangaloreans do. It may be possible that Fr. Joachim Miranda popularised Monti Fest in Mangalore. You have also mentioned that only one church was not destroyed by the Tippu Soldiers. This is MONTE MARIANO Church of Faragipet. The reason for not destroying the church according to Late V J P Saldanha (who wrote volumes of historical novels in Konkani on the migration of Chrsitans from Goa to Mangalore and also wrote volumes of Historical novels in Konkani about the Tippus Captivity of Canara Catholics) is that the youngsters of Farangipet or Omzoor were 'DINDE MANAY' and the Tippu's soldiers feared to touch them. 'DINDE MANAY' is also mentioned in another Gumttam Song Sairik Yetha Mujha Duvek which can be heard from http://konkanimusic.blogspot.com/ Thanks a lot for the beautiful article - Ancy S DSouza, Paladka On Thu, Sep 10, 2009 at 9:51 AM, MD mmdme...@gmail.com wrote: MONTHI FESTH known as the Factory Church. On the fateful night of Ash Wednesday February 21st 1784 upon Tippu’s cruel orders several thousands of Kanara Christians were lead as captives to Srirangapatnam. During this period Tippu's forces desecrated and destroyed 26 out of the 27 churches in Kanara and Rosario Church was one of them. After return The custom of Monthi Fest was initiated by Goa Priest, Msgr. Joachim Miranda who was then parish priest of ‘Monthe Mariano’ convent church at Farangipet, after his return from deportation to Malabar during Tipu Sultan’s captivity of Canara Catholics few of whom returned home after the defeat of Tipu in the 4th Mysore war in 1799.
[Goanet] AMCHEM NOXIB Actor RITA LOBO lives in Amboli, Mumbai
- Goanetter Francis Rodrigues (Vasco/Toronto) unveils his book, The Greatest Konkani Song Hits. Launch dates: Goa (Kala Academy) on 9 Aug. 4 pm. U.K. (Staines) on 15 Aug. Canada on 20 Aug and US on 30 Aug. Details http://www.konkanisongbook.com/ - Dear Friends, I found someone inquiring about the whereabouts of Mangalorean Actress Mrs. Rita Lobo who acted in the first Goan Konkani Film AMCHEM NOXIB. MangaloreanCatholics group member DORA REGO says that RITA LOBO is her neighbour and lives in AMBOLI, ANDHERI WEST. Those who wants to get more information may contact me or contact Rita Lobo directly. I spoke to her and she says she can be contacted on her land line number. Her address is as below/ Rita H LANDERS,CEASAR APTS,CEASAR ROAD 6,ANDHERI WEST,400058 Telephone: 022-26773783 With best regards Ancy Paladka Email: anc...@gmail.com ___ Dear Ancy Rita lobo who acted in Amche Nashib is in my neighbourhood. She is now known as Rita Landers. She lives in Caesar apts on first floor. She keeps coming and going to Dubai. Just this morning after mass I saw her. At present she is here in Mumbai. Anymore information she needs they can email me. I can pass on the message. Emails to Mangalorean Catholics group are not going from my email. that's why I'm sening this email as I read the Mangalorean Catholics. I appreciate you of sending me Mangaloean Catholics. I make a point to red them as they give me uptodate information what is happening everywhere. Thank you DORA REGO A-9 BLASIAN APTS CAESAR ROAD, AMBOLI, ANDHERI WEST, MUMBAI -400 058 TEL. 2677 3376
[Goanet] Veteran Konkani Scholar Dr. Olivino J F Gomes is EXPIRED today
* G * O * A * N * E * T *** C * L * A * S * S * I * F * I * E * D * S * Sangath, www.sangath.com, is looking to build a centre for services, training and research and seeks to buy approx 1500 to 2000 sq mtrs land betweeen Mapusa and Bambolim and surrounding rural areas. Please contact: contac...@sangath.com or yvo...@sangath.com or ph+91-9881499458 http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/2009-July/180028.html Dr. Olivino J F Gomes, Veteran Konkani Scholar, Ex Professor of Goa University, Established researcher on origin and development of Konkani language is expired on 30-July-2009. Please pray for the deposed soul - Ancy S. D'Souza, Paladka
Re: [Goanet] Option in voting not to vote for anyone and invalidate your vote?
Dear Samir, This is not true. For the detail explanation on this subject please click the link http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MangaloreanCatholics/message/10293 With regards Ancy On Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 10:15 AM, Samir Kelekar [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I have heard that one can actively go to the polling booth and not vote for any candidate. If such votes exceed the number of votes of the leading candidate, then the election is automatically countermanded.
[Goanet] Massive Rally at Shivaji Park by Bombay Catholic Sabha
* G * O * A * N * E * T C * L * A * S * S * I * F * I * E * D * S * Renew your wedding vows in Goa, or gift a Ceremony Package to a close couple Multiple options to make your day extra special! http://www.renewalsetc.com Bombay Catholic Sabha organises a Massive Rally: Bombay Catholic Sabha organised a Massive Rally named SADBHAWNA MELAWA on 15th Nov at 3pm at Shivaji Park For the Complete Story Please Click http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MangaloreanCatholics/message/9550 Its not Democracy but Mobacracy says Teesta at SADBHAWNA MELAWA. Teesta Setalvad of Citizens For Justice and Peace (CJP) and Editor of Communalism Combat, a Mumbai based civil rights activist,journalist and educationist said that the Democracy has now reduced to Mobacracy For the Complete Speach of Teesta Setelvad please Click http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MangaloreanCatholics/message/9552 We are pained and anguished said Dolphy DSouza at the Rally. Delivering Key Note Address Dolphy DSouza said that We are pained and anguished on the attacks that were taking place on Christian minorities... For the Complete Speach of Dolphy DSouza please Click http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MangaloreanCatholics/message/9551 SADBHAWNA MELAWA condemns the acts of violence. Several speakers spoke on the occasion of SADBHAWNA MELAWA organised by Bombay Catholic Sabha in which tens of thousand of people gathered on Nov 15 at 3pm at Shivaji Park For the Abstracts of their speeches please Click http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MangaloreanCatholics/message/9553
[Goanet] Press Release about Bangalore Church on Fire
Bangalore Church was set fire by miscreants On 13 Oct 2008 early morning at 1am Attack on St Anthony Catholic Church at Yedavanahalli village in Attibele, near Hosur, in Bangalore Urban district, was carried out despite the presence of two police constables outside and the church was set fire. Police said they had kept the main doors of the church open in order to take shelter during rains. But the police noticed fire at 1am in informed fire brigage. Later on the Police, Chief Minister, Home Minister of Karnataka gave a statement saying the fire was carried out because of the fire. But the eye witnesses who visited the church say that the fire was deliberately set by the miscreants as they could see that bibles are burnt, Hymn books are burnt, vandalised the things, music system were burnt. To their surprise all the lights, fans of the church were working no there was no damage of electricity at all. Karnataka chief minister should explain how a short circuit can take place without damaging electricity system of the church. Previously the same Chief Minister and Home minister informed that the vandalism of blessed sacrament at Bangalore church was because of theft. He has not taken proper action on so called Bajrang Dal people who openly admitted the sereis of attacks they carried out in more than 20 churches of Karanatka. Here is the press statement which explains in details about the fire on Bangalore church with regards Ancy DSouza, Paladka Vasai, Mumbai St Anthony Catholic Church at Yedavanahalli village in Attibele, near Hosur, Bangalore 13th October, 2008 Press Release We the three members of various human rights organisations today on 13th October visited the St. Anthony Church at Yadavanahalli near Attibele. We got the information that the same church was burnt on previous night. The members of the team are Mr. Uvaraj of Karnataka Komu Souharda Vedike, Ms Manoranjani of Alternative Law Forum of Banglore and Debaranjan Sarangi of Orissa visited the area. We interacted with Father of the church, other staffs of the same church, police officials, electrical engineers of BESCOM and local people. We feel that it is same incident of church burning by the miscreants unleashed since 14th September, 2008. There is clear evidence that the church and several things were burnt by the outsiders. It is learned that when the things were burning there was nobody inside the church. The police who suppose to be on security were not present at the time of incident. While entering the church we could immediately see several parts and objects of the church burnt: musical instruments such as piano and drums, sacred books such as religious music books and prayer books. We entered the room behind the prayer hall and it was dark burned ash everywhere. Few images of saints, infant Jesus and mother Mary together with a cross, several bibles, offering vessels, chairs, and more, were completely charred. The room was stinking of burnt materials even when we entered. Windows were broken, the roof was burnt, the four walls were completely dark burnt colour, and carpets had been turned into ash. The alter (the mass celebrative stone/platform) was damaged by fire: the photograph of the new saint Sister Alfonsa with a yellow sari and other decorations that were covering the images, were burnt on the feet of the altar. Previous day morning there was a celebration of this first Indian saint in the church, indeed. The plastic that was covering the reading stand was thrown away. Overall we could not see any electric connections burnt. When we talked to one of the person who was working in the church he said that around 1 am the previous night he was woken up by the police saying that there was fire in the church. After reaching the church he saw fire inside the prayer hall. He with the help of the police doused off fire the prayer hall but could not able to do anything the room behind the prayer hall. So he called the fire service. They even tried to break the glass from outside to pour water. Later the fire service people came put off by the fire. We talked with the Police Inspector who was around the church came for the investigation. They kept on saying the various media people that it was an evidence of short circuit. The police was lying to the media people. When we enquired into the matter and tried to know more about the evidence of short circuit he said, if it is the matter of burning then action would be taken against the culprit. But we saw the evidence collected from the site by the investigating officials took away without sealing the packet and without signature of any witness. Even if this evidence is produced before the court, as per the law, the court will not accept it and the miscreants would be released in lack of 'clear evidence'. We talked with the electric engineer of BESCOM Mr. Appachu who came to inspect the electrical circuit of the church. His inspection revealed that no electric wires were
[Goanet] Hate Crimes agenda against Christians - Some Facts and Figures
The Week of Nightmares in Kandhamal Orissa (December 2007) Death – 6, Houses burnt looted – 500, Shops, commercial properties – 126 Destruction: Parish churches – 5, Village Churches – 48, Convents – 5, Hostels – 7, Leprosy centre -1, Vocational Training Centre – 1 Vehicles – not surveyed, Animals killed – not surveyed Still Counting…. (violence 2008) in Kandhamal Orissa Death confirmed: 45, priests/ pastors/ nuns seriously .injured: 10, Priests kidnapped : 2, Houses demolished in 160 villages : 4300, Institutions/ schools destroyed : 7, Churches/Chapels : 101, Convents and hostels: 14, Residences of priests : 5, Dispensaries : 2, Vocational Training Centres : 3, Shops : 126, Vehicles burnt / destroyed: 43 Forest was the only refuge….. to the people of Kandhamal About 50,000 people fled to the forests, Shops Houses Owned by Christians are destroyed completely What is happening today? 12,000 persons in the refugees camps, Little medical care, No rehabilitation taking place, 40,000 people still hiding in forests, On return, people are forced to forsake faith, No Christian Leader is allowed to visit. Note: The actual figures are much more than the above as of now the confirmed death is gone up to 52. Christian Organizations are not allowed to do relief works of Christians ………. WHEREAS……In the Super Cyclone other natural calamities Christian NGOs and church groups were first to set up relief and rehabilitation works in Orissa Orissa is not alone…. Hate Crimes against Christians in several states Prominent are Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu On Sep. 14th 2008 in Karnataka, 14 churches attacked, Blessed Sacrament desecrated, statues broken, even cloistered nuns were not spared. Total churches, institutions attacked in Karnataka are 36. Organised Crime Statistics In the year 1998 50 cases In the year 2000 100 cases In the year 2007 1000 cases In the year 2008 4000 cases The Allegation For Hate is Missionaries convert the masses to Christianity. Christians receive foreign funds for conversion Here are the facts about these allegations YearChristian Population in Percentage 19712.59 % 19812.43 % 19912.32 % 20012.04 % More facts……. In India, every year, over 15 million students go through the portals of Christian Institutions. Can any one prove that even one out a million of these students is converted as the result of missionary activities? Most leaders of the organizations who spread hatred against Christians send their children and grand children to church-run schools Still More Facts ……... The constitution of India provides ample safeguards against fraudulent conversions Several states have passed laws aiming at preventing conversion through force, fraud and inducement STILL IN THE PAST SIX DECADES OF INDEPENDENT INDIA'S HISTORY NOT A SINGLE CASE OF FORCED OR FRAUDULENT CONVERSION WAS PROVED/PROSECUTED Is spreading faith a crime? History Says NO! - From India, the Hinduism spread to Malay Peninsula, Cambodia, Annam, Sumatra, Java, Bali and Borneo besides the Indian Sub-continent - From India, the Buddhism spread to China, Korea, Japan, Sri Lanka, Tibet, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam - From Israel Christianity spread to Europe and America - From Arabia, the Islam spread to Asia and Africa What do the religions teach? Go into all lands and preach this gospel. Tell them that the poor and the lowly, the rich and the high are one. - The Buddha May the active be Glorifying God, arianising all (Rig Veda 9.63.5) May I speak these blissful words to my own people and the foreigner (Yajur Veda 26.1-2) Go and proclaim the good news to all creations. - Jesus Christ You must go out to preach your religion, preach it to every nation under the sun. - Swami Vivekananda For this purpose was I born, and to spread this religion God appointed me. - Guru Govind Singh Missionaries from India Swami Vivekananda - Up India, rise and conquer the world with Your spirituality There are thousands of Hindu monks running ashrams and temples in Europe America Who receives the foreign funds? - The funds received by the Christian organizations are reported to the Home Ministry under FCRA - Not a single case of misuse of foreign funds is found till date - The funds received by the Christians are visible in 25 % of the social sector in India. - The largest recipient of foreign funds in India are RSS affiliated organizations. Where is that money going? - Christians demand a white paper by the home ministry on the receipts of foreign funds in India. Christian Contribution to the Nation Building Over 24% of the social services in the country are run by the Christian groups Christians run more than 40,000 educational institutions Christians proved to be the most peaceful and law abiding community even under tremendous provocations Their works are visible in Schools, Colleges, Hospitals, Orphanages, Destitute homes, Leprosy
[Goanet] Christian Leaders in Orissa to condemn the malicious hate compaign
Here is the press release by Christian Leaders in Orissa to condemn the malicious hate compaign unleashed againest christians with false allegations levelled against the church by Hindu fundumentalist groups The press conference held on 9 Oct 2008 at 3pm at Swosti Hotel, Bubaneswar Date: 9 Oct 2008 Time: 3.00 pm Venue: Swosti Hotel, Bubaneswar CHRISTIAN LEADERS - MEET PRESS Christian Leaders condemn the malicious hate compaign unleashed against Christians with false allegations levelled against the church by Hindu Fundamentalist groups Following the heinous killing of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati on 23rd August 2008, a Maoist group claimed responsibility, which was denied by Hindu Fundamentalist groups and a mallicious hate campaign orchestrated against Christians. Christians of Kandhamal and other places in Orissa were attacked as the pre-mediated attacks continued village after village on the Christian homes, churches and institutions. As the violence ws receding following appropriate law and order enforcement, an on-television confession by a Maoist leader on 5th October 2008 claiming responsibility for the killing of Swami Saraswati further came as a relief because the hate compaign lost its violent impact. Painfully the hate campaign reignited as the Hindu Fundamentalist groups on 6th October 2008 produced a document in Press Conference claiming involvement of church in the criminal activities. To our utter astonishment, the said claim was found to be baseless as the Betikala Church, Kandhamal which is mentioned in this document did not conduct the alledged meeting on 25th day of May 2008. Further, the concerned Church's leaders (President and General Secretary) after perusing this document found the content to be entirely fabricated and their signatures had been forged. We strongly condemn this attitude of the Hindu fundumentalist organisations attempting to drag Christians and the Church into this chrime purposefully by fanning elements of hate to sustain the campaign against Christians signed by Fr. Joseph Kalathil, Vicar Generalm Bubaneshwar Arch Diocese Dr. Swarupananda Patra President Orissa Minority Forum Fr Savari Mathu SJ, Catholic Church Bubaneshwar Fr. Prafulla Ku Sabhapati, President, Bethikala Parish Council, Kandhamal Mr. Bibhudatta Das, CEO, CNI, Utkal Christian Council Mr. Prafulla Ku Nayak, General Sec, Bethikala Parishi Council Kandhamal.
[Goanet] List of Places attacked by Bajrang Dal in Karnataka
Bajrang Dal people claim that they have only attacked New Life Fellow Ship Centers in Karnataka giving the reason that they are involved into forcible conversions. But they have attacked number of Roman Catholic and protestant churches and their prayer centers. Irony is that there is not even a single complaint lodged for forcible conversion all over India. Also there are several reports of forcible reconversion to Hinduism in Orissa and other parts of the nation. In fact at the beginning Bajrang Dal people openly claimed responsibility for the attacks. Later on they changed their statement and said all attacked places belongs to New Life Fellowship only. But now slowly they change their statement once again saying that they are not behind these attacks. May be they are now frightened that the group will be named as terrorist and banned. The list of places that were attacked by them on 14th September 2008 and the following day. Also four Roman Catholic churches in the next Sunday (21st September). Three churches in Bangalore and one in Kodagu District. I got total list of 33 places of attacks. There may be some more left out apart from these. A. South Canara District 1. Roman Catholic: Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration Monastery of Milagres in Mangalore city. Broken crucifix and vandalized the place of worship including the blessed sacrament, furniture, window glasses. 2. Protestant Church: Kodikal CSI Church, Mangalore. Vandalized Crucifix, sound system, furniture, lights and glasses. 3. Seriyan Church:: St. George Church in Ujire, Belthangady. Entered in the early morning 3.00 am and vandalized crucifix, blessed Sacrament. They gathered bible, books, curtains and other things from the church and set fire. 4. Protestant: Mahima Prarthanalaya of Parenki, near Madanthyar. Vandalized the place including furniture, windows and attacked on Pastor Antony Rodrigues and three others attempting to their murder. But all four are survived. 5. Indian Pentecostal church: Kalanja village, Belthangady. Vandalized the place. 6. Protestant: Bethesda Aradanalaya in Borugudde, Sullia. Vandalized the place 7. Protestant: Nettana, Puttur, Sullia. Vandalized the place. Attacked Pastor Joy and badly hurt. 8. Believers Church of India: Bannur, Puttur, Sullia. Vandalized the place 9. New Life Fellowship Centre: Mastikatte, Moodbidri. Vandalized furniture, TV, VCD. 10. New Life Fellowship Centre: Kulur, Manglaore. Vandalized the place 11. New Life Fellowship Centre: Kankanady, Mangalore. Vandalized the place. 13. Protestant: I. P. C. Prayer centre, Karyatadka, Belthangady. Vandalized the place. Robed bibles. Attacked and seriously injured Krisudas an Dikayya 14. Roman Catholic: St. Annes Friary, Jail Road, Bejai, Mangalore. Vandalized the place 15. Roman Catholic: CODP Prayer Centre, Nantoor, Mangalore. Vandalized the place 16. Roman Catholic: Vijaya Mary Convent, Mary Hill, Bondel, Mangalore. Pelted lots of stones and vandalized the place 17. Roman Catholic: Infant Jesus Convent, Mary Hill, Bondel, Mangalore. Pelted lots of stones and vandalized the place B. Udupi District: 18. New Life Fellowship Centre: KSRTC Bus Stand, Udupi. Vandalised the place. 19. New Life Fellowship Centre: Byndoor, Shiroor. Attacked and attempted the murder of Pastor K A Abraham. Vandalised the place 20. New Life Fellowship Centre: Madur, Kollur. Attacked the people. Vandalised the place. 21. New Life Fellowship Centre: Taluk Office, Karkala Vandalised the place 22. Roman Catholic: Malayalee Christians Clara Sadana in Kundapur. Pelted stones and vandalised the place. C. Chikmangalore District 23. Yahova Witness: Magod Village, Yahova Witness prayer centre. Vandalised the place. Attacked pastor Samiulla. 24. Prayer centre of Singarakatte, village in Kadur Taluk. Attaked people. Kalleshappa and Savitry are badly injured 25. Time and Full Gospel Harvest Prayer centre, Jayapura. Koppa. 20 Bajrang Dal people entred the prayer hall attacked people. Vandalized the place. 26. St. Thomas prayer hall, Gorigandi, Balehonnur. Vandalised the place. 27. Roman Catholic: Vandalized the place of Our Lady of Mount Carmel prayer hall, Kudremukh. Vandalised the place. Broken the glasses of more than 20 windows. D. Chikkballapur district: 28. St. Thomas peace prayer hall Chikkanagadi is vandalized E. Kolar District: 29. Roman Catholic: Statue of St. Mary in St. Mary's Church Kolar City vandalized. Churches attacked on 21st September F. Bangalore District 30. Roman Catholic: The St James Church in Mariannanapalya on the ring road near Hebbal, Bangalore City. 31. Roman Catholic: The Church of Holy Name of Jesus near Rajarajeshwarinagar on Mysore Road in Bangalore City. 32. Roman Catholic: Church at Boonahalli near Devanahalli in city outskirts G. Kodagu District 33. Roman Catholic: Madikeri Church
[Goanet] Conversion business By Khushwant Singh in Deccan Chronicle
Conversion business By Khushwant Singh Recent incidents of violence and vandalism against Christians and their churches deserve to be condemned unreservedly. They have blackened the fair face of Mother India and ruined the reputation of Hindus being the most religiously tolerant people in the world. At the same time, we must take a closer look at people who convert from one faith to another. To start with, let it be understood that these days there are no forced conversions anywhere in the world. India is no exception. Those who assert that the poor, innocent and ignorant of India are being forced to accept Christianity are blatant liars. A few, very few educated and well-to-do men and women convert to another faith when they do not find solace in the faith of their ancestors. Examples are to be found in America and Europe of men and women of substance turning from Judaism and Christianity to Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Sikhism. There are also men and women who convert to the faith of those they wish to marry. We have plenty of cases of Hindu, Muslim, Christian and Sikh inter-marriages. However, the largest number of converts come from communities discriminated against. The outstanding example was that of Dalit leader Bhimrao Ambedkar who led his Mahar community to embrace Buddhism because they were discriminated against by upper caste Hindus. This is also true of over 90 per cent of Indian Muslims whose ancestors being lower caste embraced Islam which gave them equal status. That gives lie to the often-repeated slander that Islam made converts by the sword. An equally large number of people converted out of gratitude. They were neglected, ignorant and poor. When strangers came to look after them, opened schools and hospitals for them, taught them, healed them and helped them to stand on their own feet to hold their heads high, they felt grateful towards their benefactors. Most of them were Christian missionaries who worked in remote villages and brought hope to the lives of people who were deprived of hope. To this day, Christian missionaries run the best schools, colleges and hospitals in our country. They are inexpensive and free of corruption. They get converts because of the sense of gratitude they generate. Can this be called forcible conversion? Why don't the great champions of Hinduism look within their hearts and find out why so many are disenchanted by their pretensions of piety? Let them first set their own houses in order, purge the caste system out of Hindu society and welcome with open arms all those who wish to join them. No one will then convert from Hinduism to another religion. The Great Indian Chew Niccolao Manucci of Venice came to India as a boy of 14 in 1655, and spent the rest of his life in the country. After living in Delhi, Agra and Goa, practising as a self-taught doctor, he returned to Pondicherry where he died in 1717. His Storia di Mogor has a lot of salacious gossip about the goings-on in the harems of Mughal kings. On his first journey from Surat to Agra and Delhi, Manucci was much intrigued by Indians' favourite indulgence. He wrote: Among other things, I was much surprised to see that almost everybody was spitting something red as blood. I imagined it must be due to some complaint of the country, or that their teeth had become broken. I asked an English lady what was the matter, and whether it was the practice in this country for the inhabitants to have their teeth extracted. When she understood my question, she answered that it was not any disease, but a certain aromatic leaf called in the language of the country — paan, or in Portuguese, betel. She ordered some leaves to be brought, ate some herself and gave me some to eat. Having taken them, my head swam to such an extent that I feared I was dying. It caused me to fall down; I lost my colour, and endured agonies; but she poured into my mouth a little salt, and brought me to my senses. The lady assured me that everyone who ate it for the first time felt the same effects. Betel or paan, is a leaf similar to the ivy-leaf, but the betel leaf is longer. It is very medicinal, and eaten by everybody in India. They chew it along with arrecas which physicians call Avelans Indicas, and a little katha, which is the dried juice of a certain plant that grows in India. Smearing the betel leaf with little of katha, they chew them together which makes their lips scarlet and gives a pleasant scent. It happens with the eaters of betel, as to those accustomed to take tobacco, that they are unable to refrain from taking it many times a day. Thus the women of India, whose principal business it is to tell stories and eat betel, are unable to remain many minutes without it in their mouths. It is an exceedingly common practice in India to offer betel leaf by way of politeness, chiefly among the great men, who when anyone pays them a visit offer betel at the time of leaving as a mark of goodwill, and of the estimation in which
[Goanet] THE ANTI-CHRISTIAN VIOLENCE TOLL till 29 September, 2008
THE ANTI-CHRISTIAN VIOLENCE TOLL 24 August 2008 to 29 September, 2008 1. ORISSA Districts hit: 14 Villages destroyed: 300 Houses burnt: 4,300 Homeless: 50,000 People murdered: 57 Fathers/Pastors/Nuns injured: 10 Women gang-raped: 2 Men, women, children injured: 18,000 Churches destroyed: 149 Schools, colleges destroyed: 13 2. KARNATAKA Districts devastated: 4 Churches attacked: 19 Nuns, women injured: 20 3. KERALA Churches damaged: 3 4. MADHYA PRADESH Churches damaged: 4 5. DELHI Church destroyed: 1 Attempts made: 4 6. TAMAIL NADU Church attacked: 1 7. UTTAR PRADESH murdered (aged priest and employee): 2 Note: The above is only a recorded data. Actual figure may be much higher. Please read these articles: The testimony of one Christian by Julio Ribeiro in Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Sunday_Specials/The_testimony_of_one_Christian/articleshow/3535397.cms Losing my religion by Chidanand Rajghatta in Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Chidanand_Rajghatta_Losing_my_religion/rssarticleshow/3535316.cms We Created The Fascists - UR ANANTHAMURTHY in Tehelka http://www.tehelka.com/story_main40.asp?filename=Ne041008we_created.asp An Unholy Crusade (Mangalore Story) By Sanjana in Tehelka http://www.tehelka.com/story_main40.asp?filename=Ne041008coverstory.asp Communalism, Centrestage SHABNAM HASHMI in Tehelka http://www.tehelka.com/story_main40.asp?filename=Ne041008proscons.asp Interviews - BS Yeddyurappa in Tehelka http://www.tehelka.com/story_main40.asp?filename=Ne041008weare_victims.asp Interviews - HT Sangliana in Tehelka http://www.tehelka.com/story_main40.asp?filename=Ne041008yeddyurappa_is.asp Why in the 21st Century Conversion is an Absurdity by Richard Crasta http://richardcrasta.blogspot.com/2008/09/they-tried-to-convert-me.html Compiled by: Ancy Paladka
[Goanet] Hope fades after one month of widespread attacks on Christians in India
Hope fades after one month of widespread attacks on Christians in India - All India Christian Council Inadequate government action and continuing attacks by Hindutva fundamentalists point to more violence in future; aicc recommends specific corrective actions New Delhi, September 26, 2008, 8.00 hrs Over one hundred churches were burned, dozens of Christians killed, and thousands attacked in their homes across India in the last month. Since the Central and state governments have responded slowly, the All India Christian Council (aicc) expects more violence in the days leading up to national elections, which are required by May 2009. The aicc is working on advocacy efforts from Geneva to Washington, D.C. to New Delhi and is releasing a list of recommended action points. The violence started during a strike in Orissa state on Aug. 25, 2008, called by hardliner Hindu fundamentalist groups to protest the murder of a swami by unknown assailants. Dr. Joseph D'souza, aicc president, said, It's been a month since unprecedented, premeditated attacks on Christians started in Orissa state. India has witnessed innocent Christians beaten, killed, and their property destroyed throughout our nation. The response of some government officials and leaders of Hindu fundamentalist groups was predicable. They talk of conversion as if this were an evil, unnatural thing. They make accusations about foreign funding of churches to create fear. What we haven't seen is firm progress toward permanent changes that will bring mob leaders to justice and stop future violence. We believe the majority of Indians want to live in peace and harmony, but our hearts are discouraged as we wait for meaningful action. Due to the wave of violence, including arson which destroyed dozens of Christian homes on 24th night in Kandhamal District, Orissa, Christian leaders are still unable to accurately estimate the loss of property and confirm names of dead or injured. During the last month, aicc collected reliable accounts of attacks in Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, New Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh. Many of the attacks were sporadic and appeared to be `copycat' attacks after media documented the original violence in Orissa and breakdown in the rule of law. However, the widespread violence in Orissa and simultaneous attacks on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2008 in Karnataka were preplanned. In light of continuing unrest and sporadic attacks, the aicc recommends the following: 1. Immediate deployment of India's army to Kandhamal District, Orissa. 2. Court proceedings by state governments, under Indian Penal Code 295A or other appropriate laws, against Hindu fundamentalist leaders who made inflammatory remarks to media which triggered spread of violence. 3. India's Prime Minister to lead a delegation to visit the victims in Orissa, the epicenter of the anti-Christian attacks. 4. Amendment of a presidential order, officially titled Constitution (Scheduled Caste) Order, 1950, to give legal recognition to Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims as Scheduled Castes. This would allow assaults on these communities to be prosecuted under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. 5. Any commissions established to investigate the violence should be headed by active, not retired, judges with a record of non-sectarian rulings. 6. Research and prompt release of white papers on conversions by state governments in all states with Freedom of Religion laws (Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa) and Karnataka. 7. If state governments insist on investigation into foreign funding of Christian groups and organisations despite records already maintained by India's Ministry of Home Affairs, then studies must examine all non-profit organisations, regardless of religious affiliation. 8. Full and adequate compensation and justice for all the victims, including funding for rebuilding businesses and places of worship. 9. Establishment of a state commission for minorities in Orissa. Dr. Udit Raj, National Chairman of All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations, participated in the United Nations Human Rights Council session in Geneva from Sept. 9-17, 2008. He said, Recent brutal attacks on Christians continue to remind us that religious intolerance and caste discrimination are synonymous. Right-wing Hindu organisations unleashed the violence against Christians. These attacks usually happen in areas where Dalits have embraced the Christian faith, built businesses, and improved their standards of living. I strongly urge all communities and parties to work together to establish justice and harmony while tackling the root issue – human rights for Dalits and other minorities. The All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations is a partner with aicc. Aicc is working with US-partner, the Dalit Freedom Network, to ensure United States authorities raise the issue of religious freedom with Prime
[Goanet] M'lore: Conversions Taking Place at Negligible Size - D V Sadanand Gowda
Why fundamentalis do not get them involved in service Activities ? By Ancy Paladka Readers please note that when the miscreants attacked various churches mostly belonging to Catholics and there was a peaceful spontaneous protest. But the police acted as the agents of the Government and compelled the protesters to turn violent. The Bajrang Dal chief openly admitted the responsibility of the attacks. Chief Minister, State BJP president, Home minister everyone came and they condemned the violent protest. They also condemned the forced conversion. Chief Minister kept on saying that there can not be enquiry on the attacks. He also said that he has initiated enquiry on foreign funds. Second time he said that he is initiating enquiry on Forced conversion. By giving these statements it appeared as if it is an state sponsored attack. They also said that the protesters will be punished and will not be released. They never spoke against the attackers. But the intelligent Mangalorean Catholics exposed all the evil deeds of the government. So the central planned to use article 355. Hearing about this with all the embarrassment the chief minister bent down and said he will initiate the CoD enquiry. But the people said they don't want that as it again monitor by the state govt. So again he was made to bent down and now he says he is ordering enquiry under the chairmanship of retired jurdge. Also he said that he will arrest Bajarang Dal Convenor and the culprits who attacked. Also the BJP chief Sadananda Gowda who was always blaming that there are lots of force conversion today says the conversions (Remember not Forced Conversions) taking in Negligible size. Tomorrow I am sure he will be bound to say that no conversions taking place at all. Because in a present day situation there can not have any kind of forced conversion. If anyone wants to get converted by his own will there is nothing wrong as per the constitution. Also the constitution gives full right to every religion to practice and profess their religion. Catholics and other christian denominations are working for the poor, Dalit and Tribal people only with the view of upliftment. Today Christians who are just 2% in our country manage more than 30% of old age homes, leprocy homes, Orphanages, street children, left out childrens homes, unwanted and mentally retarded childrens homes, psychiatric patiants homes and they try to give them a dignified life. They give them education so that they will get the knowledge to choose what is right and what is wrong. So that the people themselves can fight for their rights. They themselves may manage their needs. Though the entire Hindu community is a peaceful and helping community that blends beautifully with all religious people in their neighborhood these very little negligible number of fundamentalist group claim to be representing the whole mass. If so why cant they get involved in to such educational, service and health activities to their own community. For them funds generation is so easy because as they say the represent 90% people. They also have lots of their people abroad who also contribute generously to them. They how is it possible for Christians who represent only 2% to manage more than 30% of various service institutions by collecting funds from just 2% of tier people ? Also readers please note that Catholics and protestants have always condemned the acts of small sect of people who themselves are separate entity. They target anybody they get including Catholics Even these people can not perform any forced conversions. Also they are negligible in number. Also Christianity came to India 2000 years ago. All the Europe, America, Australia continentals are all christian countries. But even though Christianity came to India much before it spread to these European, American Countries Christians are still 2% only in India. If there was actually a forced conversion then the entire nation should have been a christian country because British, Portuguese have ruled us for hundreds of years. This is a very good sign that Christians blend very well with their Hindu Brethren and respect their culture, language and religion as they respect their own. Please find the News item below: M'lore: Conversions Taking Place at Negligible Size - D V Sadanand Gowda Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP) Mangalore, Sep 19: Speaking over phone from Manipal, where his son Karthik Gowda, an engineering student, is being treated after being critically injured in a road accident recently, BJP state unit president D V Sadanand Gowda admitted that the unexpected attacks in the city and elsewhere have embarrassed the government and provided the opponents of the BJP with issues to attack the government. This should never have happened, he opined. The government would have earned the confidence of the people concerned, if it had taken immediate steps to control the situation affectively, after the incidents. The prompt action by the
[Goanet] B'lore: Conversion only Excuse to Attack Christians - Justice M F Saldanha
B'lore: Conversion only Excuse to Attack Christians - Justice M F Saldanha Report and pics from Charles Gomes Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP) Bangalore, Sep 19: Leaders of various Christian organizations met the state home minister Dr V S Acharya and chief minister B S Yeddyurappa at the Vidhana Soudha here on Thursday September 18, in connection with the recent unfortunate incidents that have rocked Mangalore and surrounding areas. Justice M F Saldanha, former Karnataka High Court judge, urged the government to act more responsibly and wanted the use of the excuse of conversion to stop immediately. He asked the home minister to act impartially to restore confidence in the government, which the minorities have lost after the recent developments. He drew the minister's attention to the fact that the incidents that occured in Mangalore have already damaged the state's image. He also questioned as to why the policemen are arresting victims instead of the real culprits, who have openly admitted that they were responsible for such acts. Former DG and IGP of Karnataka F T R Colaco asked the government, as to why they keep on harping about conversions, in spite of the fact that there has not been even a single proof. He demanded the immediate arrest of the miscreants, besides urging the government to release innocent people who have been arrested. Harry D'Souza, general secretary of Karnataka Christian Social Welfare Association, submitted a memorandum to the government. The home minister and the chief Minister said, that a COD probe has been ordered. They assured, that all the culprits responsible for the illegal acts will be arrested and that the government would do everything possible to normalise the law and order situationin the affected areas. DG IGP Sri Kumar, Bangalore police commissioner Shankar Bidari and home secretary Tripati were present. B G Koshi, senior vice-president of Karnataka Christian Welfare Association, Charles Gomes , Chairman of the Federation of Konkani Catholic Associations (FKCA), Karnataka and Albina Vaz, vice-chairman of FKCA, Gabriel Vaz, political editor of Economic Times, bishop of CSI church, priests and nuns were also present. Earlier, a delegation of Christians met the National Human Rights commission and National Minority commission.
[Goanet] Bajrang Dal convernor Mahendra Kumar Arrested in Mangalore
Bajrang Dal convernor Mahendra Kumar Arrested in Mangalore Mangalore: Mahendra Kumar Arrested - Remanded to Judicial Custody Pics by Dayanand Kukkaje Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP) Mangalore, Sep 20: State convener of Bajrang Dal Mahendra Kumar was arrested from near Navbharat Circle in the city at around 12 pm late night on Friday September 19 by the Bunder policemen. Mahendra Kumar had through a statement issued on the day of the attack on churches, confessed that Bajrang Dal was behind the attacks, and also that they were aimed at centres involved with religious conversions. However, the home minister had been evading demands for his arrest, saying that there was no tangible proof of his involvement. However, after the union government exerted pressure on the state government to put its act together, the administration jumped into the action and initiated search operations to nab him since Friday morning, in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Chikmagalur districts. Kumar was travelling by a car, when his vehicle was intercepted and he was taken into custody. Other passengers in the car were let off and their details are not yet known. He was presented in the residence of a judge here at around 2 am on Saturday September 20, and as per information, he has been remanded to 15 days of judicial custody. Further details are awaited. In the meantime, the district administration has extened prohibitory orders in Mangalore, Bantwal and Beltangady taluks till Monday September 22. source: http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=51389n_tit=Mangalore%3A%20Mahendra%20Kumar%20Arrested%20%2D%20Remanded%20to%20Judicial%20Custody
[Goanet] CPI Protest Rally Condemns Attack on Churches, Prayer Halls in Kundapur
CPI Protest Rally Condemns Attack on Churches, Prayer Halls in Kundapur Report and pic from Vinay Pais Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP) Kundapur, Sep 20: Local unit of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) held a public meeting here recently, to condemn the attacks on churches and prayer halls by Bajrangdal. The meeting, held in Gandhi Maidan here, was preceded by a huge rally taken through the streets of the town, which was led by party leader Mahabal Voderhobli. Addressing the gathering, CPM district executive committee member Chandrasheker said that the state convener of Bajrangdal, Mahendra Kumar, has already admitted the involvement of his organization in these attacks, but the state government failed to take any action against him and the Dal. The indifference shown towards the issue by the chief minister B S Yeddyurappa indicates, that himself as well as his government are justifying the attacks, launched at the behest of the Sangh Parivar outfits, he criticized. The party's district committee secretary K Shankar, speaking on the occasion, urged the authorities to entrust the investigation into these attacks and the subsequent police atrocities, to Central Bureau of Investigation, as any investigation conducted by the state Corps of Detectives would just be an eye-wash, as in the past. H Narasimha proposed vote of thanks. Source: http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=51406n_tit=Kundapur%3A+Protest+Rally+Condemns+Attack+on+Churches%2C+Prayer+Halls
[Goanet] Mangalore Attack - Chief Minister Agrees for Judicial Probe into Church Attacks
Mangalore: Chief Minister Agrees for Judicial Probe into Church Attacks Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (MM/SP) Mangalore, Sep 19: Chief minister B S Yadyurappa has agreed to order judicial probe into the vandalization of the churches and police caning incidents that occurred recently in the state. Addressing a public function organized at Ankola in Uttara Kannada district on Friday September 19, he said that he had already agreed to conduct CoD probe into the church related incidents. But the Christian leaders who met him on Thursday September 18 said that they have no faith in the CoD probe. Therefore, the state government has decided to conduct a judicial probe. A retired High Court judge will be appointed for this purpose, he added. Meanwhile, the state government has assured the National Commission for Minorities, of arresting state Bajrangdal convener Mahendra Kumar. The members of the minority commission met DGP Srikumar, after visiting various places of worship in and around the city, which came under attack of the Sangh Parivar activists recently.
[Goanet] St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic diocese of Chicago, USA has issued the below press statement
St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic diocese of Chicago, USA has issued the below press statement 19-Sep-2008 As you all well aware, the persecution of our Christian brethren an dthe destruction of churches, convents, orphanages and othe Christian institutions are continuing unabated in Orissa, karnataka an din some parts of Kerala. We connot remain silent spectators of such gruesome crulties inflicted on innocent people. We have to make our people and the local congregations aware of the indescribable cruelty of this hatred and violence against christians. It was the desire of many people who have contacted me to act together to bring to the attention of Christian faithful here the airocity of this cruel rampage. Hence, may I request you to join me along with all the peace loving congregations to show our solidarity and support to our brothers and sisters in India. i am calling for a peace Rally and Prayer vigil on Sunday, Sep 28 at 1.30pm at Syro-Malabar Cathedral grounds at syro-malabar Cathedral Grounds, 5 St. Charles Road, aBellywood, iliois. Please kind enough to make this announcement during sunday service an dencourage the congregation to join the Peace Rally on Sep-28
[Goanet] Karnataka Attacks - State Sponsored Terrorism says Deve Gowda
Karnataka Attacks - State Sponsored Terrorism says Deve Gowda Mangalore: BJP's 'Gujarat Model' Showing Results in State - Deve Gowda Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP) Mangalore, Sep 17: Ex-prime minister and JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda visited seven places including churches, Bishop's House and hospitals in the city on Wednesday September 17. Addressing a press conference at the end of his visits, Gowda said that the atrocities unleashed on the Christians in the city and elsewhere in the state, were part of the state-sponsored terrorism unleashed by the communal government. Yeddyurappa has been claiming repeatedly, that he will follow the Gujarat model of rule. The tragic incidents that have shook the city and other places are the result of his following Gujarat model, he charged. The heinous act of breaking down Lord Jesus's hand was committed by some purverted persons with sick minds,he thundered. BJP's national executive was held at Bangalore and ex-deputy prime minister L K Advani participated in it. He came to know about the happenings here, but failed to utter a single word against them. Instead, he simply advised the BJP government to continue with what they have been doing during their 100-day rule, Gowda chided. Hitting hard at the state government led by the BJP, Deve Gowda said, that the state government is totally focussing its attention on the coming Lok Sabha elections and that the party is trying to transform Karnataka into a laboratory of Hinduism for that sake. Noting that Hindu activists had engineered the trouble here, he wondered as to how can the number of Christians arrested has far outnumbered their Hindu counterparts. The Catholics were protesting peacefully and how did the situation turned violent, making them to resort to stone-pelting?, he questioned, suspecting the dubious role played by the policemen in the developments. Yeddyurappa does not tire of frequently referring to religious conversions. Let him investigate and provide figures of such conversions during the 100-day rule of the BJP in the state, he demanded. Gowda said, that himself and other leaders have demanded for a judicial probe into these disturbances, but the chief minister has shot down the proposals. If the government does not relent and agree for a judicial probe, we will continue to hold peaceful protests, till the chief minister changes his mind, Gowda announced. We have been working hard to uphold the dignity and secular standing of the country. At the same time, the BJP has been working day and night to tarnish the country's reputation. We will not allow the country's image to get a beating because of the BJP. It will not be allowed to crush the minorities. Deve Gowda is not a spent Force. I will prove my mettle in the coming days, a spirited Gowda announced at the press conference.
[Goanet] National Commission for Women Brings Police Brutality to Light
Mangalore: Girija Vyas Brings Police Brutality to the Light, Nuns and Women Expose Mangalore Police's Brutality Daijiworld Media Network Mangalore (GA) Mangalore, Sep 17: Amidst all incidents of desecration of holy places, stone-pelting, caning, one particular scene will perhaps haunt a many for long. Yes! We are speaking about police's brutality on women and nuns at Kulshekar, Permannur church premises in particular and throughout other parts of the city in general. Ask any one the victims, be it nuns, women or youth, all have their own experience of barbaric attitude of the police. Kadri circle police inspector Ganapaty who has already become infamous by caning DYFI activists near MCC building a few days ago, has once again done the role of villain. Police, who have the primary duty of providing protection to the people, behaved nothing better than animals with women, said one of the women from Kulshekar while speaking to this correspondent. We now have the personal account of some of the women and nuns who have either sustained physical injury or suffered mental trauma on that fateful day, Monday September 15. Sr Sarita BS, the headmistress of Joseph's higher primary school, Kulshekar almost broke into tears as she narrated her experience. We open our school at 7.45 am everyday. Accordingly, I went to the school premises on Monday to open school. But the police, who were guarding the premises, stopped me. But when told them that I am the headmistress and that I need to open my school, they let me in. I opened my office and also kept the school gates open. After a while a few of my staff came in. But the students who came to the school, went back seeing heavy police security at the gates, she started. Since the parish priest had called the people to come to the church and pray, a few persons were inside the gate while a few more including many women were praying inside the church. The main gate had been locked from inside and a few persons were shouting slogans inside the church gates. Police were standing outside the gate while almost 30-40 Bajrangdal activists were standing right behind them by the roadside. When police asked to leave the premises in silence since Section 144 was clamped, some of the women confronted them asking as why they were allowing 30-40 Bajrangdal activists to gathered together outside the gate. This enraged the police. Since the gates were locked, they could not enter in. As our people were talking to the police personnel, the Bajrangdal activists who were standing outside, started abusing our youth using filthy language. This enraged our youth and they too abused the Bajrangdal activists. Meanwhile inspector Ganapaty who arrived on the spot, straightaway went on abusive mode and tried to break into the church premises. When police could not do so, they lobbed tear gas in. So we all ran far away from the spot while police started chasing us. Bajrangdal activists used this opportunity and entered the church premises and joined police in attacking us. Once in, police again lobbed tear gas shells to disperse the crowd and even fired in the air. We had no way than to quit the place. While some of them ran towards the school building, I went to my office and closed the door, she continued. She further said that a little while later she heard some young women and nuns pleading the police not to hit them as they were praying and protesting silently. But police did not care a bit to them and chased them. They came running near my office. I could not control myself. So I opened my office and took them in and then sent them to staff room and toilets and closed the doors of my office. But police were not relenting. They started banging my office doors repeatedly. Finally I decided to face them and opened the doors and sat on my chair. Police who came in asked me as why was I in the school. I said them that it was a working day for us and we were not given permission to close down our school. I even remained them that our schools had been issued notices for closing down the schools on August 29 in protest of attacks of Christians in Orissa. Before they left the place, police smashed the glass on my table and also broke a pen stand and a few other things which were on my table. They asked me to leave the place immediately. Since I had no other way, I left the office taking the school keys with me. On my way back to convent however, I was worrying about the young girls and women who were inside the staff room and toilets. Though I tried to call a few of them on their mobile, once I reached convent, their mobile phones were switched off. Meanwhile police went up to the third floor where some of the women and nuns had gathered in a room. Almost seven police broke open the door, went in and started beating up the women as they came out. A few of the women suffered injuries in event. While parishioner Gretta Gomes sustained a deep wound on her back just below the shoulder, our
[Goanet] Video Clipping - Fundamentalist assaulting a Christian in Mangalore
I received this email from a person from Shaktinagar Video Clipping - Fundamentalist assaulting a Christian in Mangalore dear sir / madam This is manu shakthinagar from Mangalore i am having small children and family. and the criminals are nearby of our house. please dont involve me to publish my name and address. but i can help you secretly. I have one video proving some hindu people (not police) attacking one christian man near cordel church on 14th september 2008. when christian people attacked police. (there is some reason. which i can explain later) and i know who are they. the politicians and police also not supporting us. so i cant believe any people. but i can believe you. if you have any powerful man who can help us to give us justice. please help us. and i believe god will help you. one great thing happened in mangalore at the time of falling of our sacrament (aroung 9.45 a.m.) there was single thunder at the same. all over the Mangalore. please forward this message to all of your circle. - Dear Members, I have the contact details of this person whose name is Manoj. I talked with him over the phone. He has the video clippings of 300MB size in which Fundamentalists attacking christian near Cordel Church, Kulshekar. He also has the complete knowledge about the culprits. If anybody wants to use these clippings then please contact me. Dev Borem Korum, Ancy Paladka
[Goanet] Mangalore: IGP Unhappy Over Police Action, SP Supportive of Subordinates
Mangalore: IGP Unhappy Over Police Action, SP Supportive of Subordinates Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP) Mangalore, Sep 18: Police circles in the district are understood to be agog with rumours, that the western range inspector general of police (IGP) Ashit Mohan Prasad contributes to some extent to the charges, that the policemen behaved brutally and inhumanly against the Christians who were protesting against the attacks on their centres of faith. During the said protest, the policemen had resorted to lathi charge and bursting of tear gas shells, after the protestors had pelted stones at them. The policemen had caned the protestors at Kulshekhar Holy Cross Church, Vamanjoor Joseph the Worker church and Tokkottu Permannur St Sebastian Church on Monday morning. The policemen are charged with indiscrimate swinging of their batons, not even sparing the weak and the women. Christian organizations have accused the police of unncecessary and excessive use of force and inhuman behaviour. Reportedly, the IGP expressed his displeasure to the police inspectors who were on the spot, for their excessive use of force against the agitators. The policemen are arguing, that under the circumstances, they had no other option but to use force to control the situation. However, the police have support from some quarters. DK district superintendent of police Sateesh Kumar, who personally oversaw the situation and moved about in the city assessing the situation and guiding the policemen during the happenings, is said to have supported the action of his juniors. In turn, the policemen have appreciated his leadership skills and efficient handling of the situation. It is also said, that the SP advised the police officers to manage the situation justifiably without too much worrying about the possible allegations of excesses. There have been complaints that the department did not deploy women police in required numbers to control the women agitators. The police officials say, that they had to use force to control the situation which was threatening to go out of control, although sufficient women police were not present on the spot.
[Goanet] Cause for the attack police at kulshekar church, mangalore.
Cause for the attack on the police at the Kulshekar church, Mangalore. Police told that they can give protection to the churches. But they did not care for this But more than hundered people of Fundumental Group Bajarang Dala had gathered near Cordel church compund (Kulshekar Church Mangalore) with the weopons. During the section 144 [and `tight protection' (?!!!) of the police.] (to evidence Video format CD is there) So our innocent youth to save our church, fathers, children and women... started to throwing the stones from the top of the school building. Policemen shooted and opened the church gate and entered inside the school (I don't know whether it is legal or illegal) premise and fired tear gas. So our youth could not open the eyes (Blind) and they thought these criminals entered to our school premises and made this. Then our youth started to throw tiles from the top of the school. Policemen charged terrible case for our youth. But they not even arrested the Bajarang Dal group who were gathered with weapons and beating a christian. They are only charging small case and leaving them within one hour. So i request you to please try to release our innocent youth and give us justice. -- Note from Ancy: This message is given by a person who has video shooted the whole incidence. I have talked to the person and he is working in an Christian Institution of which I am very familiar with. If any genuine people wants to get this CD for a good purpose may contact me. - Ancy Paladka
[Goanet] Mangalore Attacks - IGP Unhappy Over Police Action, SP Supportive of Subordinates
Mangalore: IGP Unhappy Over Police Action, SP Supportive of Subordinates Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP) Mangalore, Sep 18: Police circles in the district are understood to be agog with rumours, that the western range inspector general of police (IGP) Ashit Mohan Prasad contributes to some extent to the charges, that the policemen behaved brutally and inhumanly against the Christians who were protesting against the attacks on their centres of faith. During the said protest, the policemen had resorted to lathi charge and bursting of tear gas shells, after the protestors had pelted stones at them. The policemen had caned the protestors at Kulshekhar Holy Cross Church, Vamanjoor Joseph the Worker church and Tokkottu Permannur St Sebastian Church on Monday morning. The policemen are charged with indiscrimate swinging of their batons, not even sparing the weak and the women. Christian organizations have accused the police of unncecessary and excessive use of force and inhuman behaviour. Reportedly, the IGP expressed his displeasure to the police inspectors who were on the spot, for their excessive use of force against the agitators. The policemen are arguing, that under the circumstances, they had no other option but to use force to control the situation. However, the police have support from some quarters. DK district superintendent of police Sateesh Kumar, who personally oversaw the situation and moved about in the city assessing the situation and guiding the policemen during the happenings, is said to have supported the action of his juniors. In turn, the policemen have appreciated his leadership skills and efficient handling of the situation. It is also said, that the SP advised the police officers to manage the situation justifiably without too much worrying about the possible allegations of excesses. There have been complaints that the department did not deploy women police in required numbers to control the women agitators. The police officials say, that they had to use force to control the situation which was threatening to go out of control, although sufficient women police were not present on the spot.
[Goanet] Mangalore Attack: Letter from George Fernandes to Karnataka Chief Minister
Dear Friends, I am forwarding a letter from or Ex Defence Minister and Ex Railway minister, a Samata Party Leader Mangalorean Origin MP George Fernandes. This letter has been addressed to the Yediyurappa the Chief Minister of Karnataka. May be this letter is one of the means that made Karnataka Chief minster to bring back the tense situation to normal with the peace process. I have continuously given updates of the Attacking Christians by fundamentalists in Mangalore, Orissa and other parts. You will get these postings at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MangaloreanCatholics/ If you are interested in receiving continuous latest updates of Mangalorean Catholic Konkani Peoples interest then you may just send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] If you send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] I will give you the free subscription to the group provided you us some basic details asked in a questionare just to authenticate you as a Konkani Speaking Catholic. I will respect your privacy with utmost care. For the attacks in Mangalore you may also refer our Mangalorean websites namely http://www.DaijiWorld.com http://www.Mangalorean.com http://www.CanaraWorld.com Also the group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MangaloreanCatholics/ Atleast now my friend Laluram Salvi should know that Christians are always peace loving and law abiding people wherever they may be. Their religion do not allow them have anybody get forcibily converted. The services they render to the society is not with the expectaion that people should be get converted. They believe in the rewards getting in heaven. Almost all allegation made against them (atleast in India) are forged, engineered and brainwashed ideas. Now do not bring the insidences of past centuries. Of course in the past centuries church has made losts of mistakes. But now situation is completely changed. Present Church respects every persons Nation, Language and Culture. Also church gives special encouragement for that. All our religious activities are in our own mother toungue. In Goa it is Konkani Language. This is not even happening with your fellow brothers who do not perform their religious activities in their mother tongues. In that sense Catholic Church has more respect to ones language and culture than some of other religions. My conciousness tells me that something that is happened in Mangalore has also happened in Orissa too. But since Mangaloreans were educated and got recorded all things they could expose the real culprit which is not possible to the poor dalit christians of Orissa. Dev Borem Korum, Ancy Paladka / Salu Soz (Konkani Poet) Moderator of MangaloreanCatholics group. ___ Mangalore Attack: Letter from George Fernandes to Karnataka Chief Minister George Fernandes Member of Parliment (Lok Sabha) 3, Krishna Menon Marg New Delhi - 110011 Phone: 23017172 / 6035 No. 722/MP/2008 15th Sep 2008 Dear Mr. Yediyurappa Ji, I have kept myself informed of the atrocities taking place from 14 th September 08 against the Catholic-Christian community in my home town of Mangalore and in the surrounding region. I know the community very well and can vouch for their love for peace and harmony with those of other religious persuasions among whom they live. I have reliably learnt that it is the senseless vandalism by miscreants on the morning of Sunday 14th of the Monastery of Perpetual Adoration at Milagres - Hampankatta belonging to the Little Sisters of St. Clare, (a congregation of religious Sisters whose avocation is only of prayer), and the desecration of the Holy Blessed Sacrament kept at the Chapel in the said monastery, was the immediate and grave provocation that led to the spontaneous reaction by the Catholic-Christians over there. For them the Holy Blessed Sacrament is the Holy of Holies. The reaction under the circumstances was without premeditation. One could have hardly anticipated anything else in such a charged atmosphere. Even if the vandals had indeed any grouse with tangible proof, they should not have taken the law in their hands to provoke such a reaction from the people of the Mangalorean-Catholic-Christian community of peace loving and law abiding citizens. Besides the above named monastery, more than a dozen of churches and other places of worship have been simultaneously and systematically attacked and damaged, which only points to preplanning by forces which are hell-bent on creating religious disharmony between communities. This does not augur well for the people of the region and for the state of Karnataka. I also learn that a number of those who spontaneously reacted to the sudden and grave provocation are under arrest and the police are out to deal with them extremely harshly. Instead of arresting miscreants who have vandalized the places of worship of the Catholic, or indeed, any community, the police are chasing and taking into custody indiscriminately the youth and elders
[Goanet] Breaking News: Union Government Uses Article 355 in Orissa, Karnataka
Union Government Uses Article 355 in Orissa, Karnataka at last to curb Hindurtva violence against Christians ALL INDIA CHRISTIAN COUNCIL PRESS STATEMENT New Delhi, September 18, 2008 Christian Council welcomes Union Government invoking Article 355 to force Orissa, Karnataka administrations to protect Christians As violence continues in both States, and in Madhya Pradesh, Council demands action against Bajrang Dal, VHP as Terror outfits [The following statement was issued by Dr John Dayal, Secretary General, and All India Christian Council.] The All India Christian Council has welcomed late night reports that the Union Government has invoked Article 355 of the Constitution warning the administrations of Orissa and Karnataka it will intervene they do not immediately bring to a halt the continuing violence by the Sangh Parivar against the Christian community. The Union Government directive comes days after Christian Council leaders, with Mr. Mahesh Bhatt and Maulana Mahmood Madani, MP, called on President Pratibha Patil urging her to enforce Article 355 of the Constitution of India on Orissa, the State worst affected. Since then violence spread to Karnataka, with Mangalore district as the focal point, and is now raging even in Madhya Pradesh with a Cathedral torched in Jabalpur after violence in Indore, Jhabua and some other towns. The delegation members from the Christian Council included Dr John Dayal, Dr Abraham Mathai of Mumbai and Rev Madhu Chandra of New Delhi. Top legal opinion available to All India Christian Council had then held that while Article 356 calls for imposition of President's rule when New Delhi takes over reins of power through the Governor and his Advisors, Article 355 says the Union Government can directly act to protect States against external and internal disturbance. It is obvious that despite the nonchalant attitude of the Home Ministry, the Prime Minister and the UPA chairperson, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, both of whom had been approached by several delegations of the Christian community, finally decided to act. A delegation of Members of Parliament was meeting the Prime Minister today evening on this issue. We had reminded the President, as also Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, that the violence that has continued against Christians in Orissa from 23rd August till today justified the use of Article 355. Dr Dayal, who returned from Orissa lat, last night, said the situation in both states was getting out of hand. In Orissa, the Sangh Parivar had now turned against the state police, and had in fact lynched policemen in attacks to free the few culprits police did manage to arrest for murdering Christians and torching churches in Kandhamal and other districted of the state. Dr Dayal said civil society fact finding reams as well as priests staying with the refugees in various government camps have spoken of the terrible living conditions. Several children have already died and large scale epidemics are feared. The government's response has to been to coerce several tribal and Dalit families to leave the camps. The condition of the tens of thousands of people on the forest is not known, with relief agencies not permitted to go beyond the government camps. The All India Christian Council has also condemned the police violence against Nuns, mothers and youth in Mangalore and demanded exemplary actions against the policemen and their offices. Forwarded by Ancy Paladka http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MangaloreanCatholics/
[Goanet] After Storm Comes Calm - Karnataka govt orders CoD probe
Attacks on Churches: Karnataka govt orders CoD probe Agencies Bangalore, Sep 18: Karnataka government on Thursday ordered a probe by the elite Corps of Detectives (CoD) into the series of attacks on Christian prayer halls in the state, saying it wanted an impartial inquiry into the communal violence. Government wants to ensure impartial inquiry into the incidents of communal violence in the state and book the culprits, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa told reporters after a cabinet meeting. We expect the CoD inquiry to be completed in about two months' time, he said, adding that he was shocked and pained by the attacks on churches. Yeddyurappa said he has directed the police to provide 24-hour patrolling in the cities affected by communal tension, and also provide security to places of worship particularly belonging to the minorities. The Chief Minister said that his government was taking all steps to ensure peace and harmony in the state but some anti-government forces are trying to fish in troubled waters. Without naming opposition parties, Yeddyurappa said they are not only disturbing peace and tranquillity in the state but also trying to make use of the disturbance for their political gain. This is highly objectionable. This is the time to work together to restore peace and harmony and bring normalcy back in the society. Instead of working towards normalcy, some people are playing politics and using the situation for their political gain, he said. Yeddyurappa also said police has been directed to make preventive arrests in sensitive places. Forwarded by Ancy Paladka To Subscribe to MangaloreanCatholics group send blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[Goanet] Pramod Mutalik threatens - 700 Anti-Terrorism Army being trained
Pramod Mutalik threatens - 700 Anti-Terrorism Army being trained Mangalore Sept 15: Rashtriya Hindustan Sena chief Pramod Mutalik on Sunday made a startling revelation, that as many as 700 people were being trained to set up an Anti-Terrorism Army of the Sri Ram Sena, to carry out suicide attacks. Mutalik said he plans to raise the army's strength to 5,000 members, within a year. Addressing a public meet organised by the Hindu Janajagruthi Samiti here to mark the Kashmiri Hindus' Sacrifice Day, he openly called for violent retaliation against the attacks on Hindus by members of other religions. We have no more patience. We are fed up with attacks and conversions. Tit for tat is the only mantra before us to save Hinduism, he declared, appealing the youth to join his suicide squad in large numbers. Welcoming VHP leader Praveen Togadia's statement that violence should be countered with violence, Mutalik said there was a need to launch a second quit India movement against the anti-nationals. If centres of religious importance for Hindus are targeted, twice the number of religious centres of the opposite party will be smashed hereafter. If the Hindu girls are exploited by the members of other religions, double the number of girls from other religions will also be targeted, he announced. Stating that Christians have called for a Karnataka bundh on September 23, he said they would not be allowed to stall any kind of activities on that day. DHNS
[Goanet] Violence against Christians: Women demand action against Police
Mangalore September 17, 2008: It was a heart-rending scene at the Circuit House here where a large number of minorities women gathered to narrate their deep agony and horrible experiences they underwent in the last three days during attack on places of worship and prayer halls in the city followed by police atrocities on them. They met Karnataka Home Minister Dr V S Acharya who is camping here since last two days reviewing the situation. The women were seen crying and complaining with the Deputy Commissioner M Maheshwar Rao and other politicians from different political parties, including the Congress and the Janata Dal(Secular), demanding justice. They were seen demanding the Deputy Commissioner for the immediate release of their innocent kith and kin who were arrested under false charges. Some of the women showed bruises they got during lathi charge by the police on their hand and legs before the waiting newspersons. The women, who were not allowed to meet the Home Minister, were seen shouting against the state government alleging instigation of violence and atrocities on women by the police. ''We dont want such government and Home Minister who do not have concern about the women. The entire incidents were done at the behest of the government and the police,'' they alleged. Some women, while briefing the newspersons, said that they would not leave the Circuit House until their sons were not released from the jail. ''Give us poison, we will drink and die instead of undergoing such mental and physical torture without seeing our children who have been arrested two days ago,'' a weeping woman said. Women demand action against Police President of the National Women's Commission Giriji Vyas met with the aggrieved women of Mangalore at the Circuit House today. She expressed her shock and distress at the injuries suffered by the women at the hands of the police. Earlier she had visited the various hospitals, schools and parishes and met some of the women in person. She said many of the ladies were even afraid to come out, yet they said they were still praying for the people of Mangalore. Ms. Vyas said that both Bangalore and Mangalore had a history of being secular places where Hindus, Christians and Muslims had been living in love and brotherhood. It was difficult to believe that such incidents had started taking place in these peaceful places. The ladies who met Ms. Vyas were vociferous in their complaints and demanded that immediate action should be taken against the police who had beaten them up, without heeding the fact that they were women and nuns. They also asked why no lady police had been deployed at the places of protest. Ms. Vyas assured them that action would be taken against the police and she would personally see to it that the women were given justice. The police would be warned that they could not indulge in any more beating of the public especially when there was no provocation. She said it was the need of the hour to bring back faith into the minds of the people. For this the police had to ensure safety of the people. The women were encouraged to give an appeal to the commission whenever they were at the receiving end of injustice. A committee will be formed to look into this particular injustice and a report would go immediately to the State and Central Government as soon as possible. The people also demanded that the catholic youth who had been jailed since September 14th should be released. Ms. Vyas said according to her knowledge out of the 61 youth who were arrested, 35 were not belonging to the Christian community. All efforts were being made to release the youth. She also made a special request to all the press personnel to publish fair and accurate reports. Besides, Ms. Vyas, the other women present were Shyamala Bhandari - Activist, Social worker and Advocate, Dr. Rani Sathish - Ex-Minister and President of the State Mahila Congress and Niva Kanwar - Member of the National Commission for Women. Visit to Jail - More Police Injustice Revealed! Kodialbail jail has been witness to more injustice meted out by the police to the Christians, as revealed today. The arrested and imprisoned youth said that they had been forcibly brought to the jail even though many of them had not been involved in any stone pelting. Two of them who were 16 yrs of age said they had been forced to sign in that they were 18 yrs. There were also youth who were students from St. Aloysius College (PUC/B.Sc), Engineering students etc. The others were MRPL employees, gas station employees, hotel workers and some who were working for a petrol stations. Speaking to Mangalorean.com they said they had been returning from their work, when they were dragged by the police and taken first to the churches and then to the prison. Some youth who had been arrested from Kulshekar said that the police had threatened them that if they didn't voluntarily
[Goanet] Regarding attacks Home Minister says it is a Mistaken Identity
Mangalore - A Mistaken Identity and Mistaken Action - Dr V S Acharya Exclusive Interview by Florine Roche Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore Mangalore, Sep 17: Being the Home Minister of Karnataka Dr V S Acharya has been facing the heat that comes with the coveted Chair of Home Ministry, the second most important portfolio in the government. In the last 100 days of BJP rule it is the home ministry which has come under the scanner and scrutiny beginning with Padma Priya case that jolted the new government in the very first month. The recent attacks on the Christian places of worship have further compounded the matter and the fact that he hails from undivided South Kanara District has certainly put him in a tight spot. In an exclusive interview with FLORINE ROCHE of Daijiworld.com Dr Acharya tries to assuage the fears of the Christian Community and speaks about other related issues. Q. Ever since you assumed office as Home Minister you have been facing many challenges . A. It is most unfortunate that what happened last Sunday is not only least expected but also shocking. The root cause is the illegal conversion and publication of material by New Life, which was obnoxious and hurtful to Hindu sentiments. Instead of protesting against New Life, the mob has attacked the Christian places of worship. It was wrong on their part to do so. Q. Are you saying that attack on the Monastery at Falnir was a mistaken identity to and justify the attack? A. It was indeed a mistaken identity and mistaken action too and I am not justifying their actions. The attackers should not have gone to attack the places of worship. They should have given a complaint to appropriate authorities on these illegal conversions and hateful literature. Q. But your government failed to respond in time which actually made Christians view your intentions with suspicion? A. I do agree whatever happened on Sunday and the next day was equally bad. We were actually rushing to prevent any further damage. But the irate mob had started attacking the policemen resulting in law and order problem. Though I wanted to rush on Sunday itself, I could not come in the helicopter due to bad weather. But soon after coming here we ensured that things have greatly improved. People were convinced that the government was serious in punishing those who took law in their own hands. Q. It is for the first time the peace loving Christians have taken to streets to protest against last Sunday's incident? A. It was natural for them to be enraged because of the desecration of the statue and attacks on places of worship when Sunday prayers were going on. But instead of going on a rampage they also should have exercised some restraint. Reaction to the action was also extreme. Q. There has been a deluge of political leaders who are visiting Mangalore after the attack on places of worship and the subsequent violence? A. Some people have taken advantage of this situation to bring some political pressure. Q. How is the situation as on today? There are accusations that your government was lackadaisical in tackling the situation in Mangalore? A. It is wrong to say that government has not done anything. On the contrary despite it being an emotive issue, we have succeeded in bringing the situation under control. In today's meetings with the Bishop, priests and Christian leaders both in Mangalore and Udupi, some priests have acknowledged this fact and I am satisfied to some extent. Q. What is the outcome of today's meeting? R. Catholics have promised us that they will ensure that a similar situation will not occur again. Our assurance to them has been that everybody will be dealt with equanimity. We will make sure that whoever takes low in their hands, will be punished and Chief Minister has instructed the authorities to take suitable action against such elements. Q. Christians harbor a grouse that your government failed to condemn the attacks on the places of worship .. A. We have categorically said from the very beginning and the Chief Minster has openly condemned these attacks without any reservations. At the same time the government has to see the root cause of the problem also. I agree initially we did not react because we wanted to come here and assess the situation personally. We are extremely sorry we could not come in time to avert the unfortunate incident of Monday. Q. Does this not reflect the failure of the intelligence since the attack last Sunday was carried out simultaneously and required pre-plan? A. An accident cannot be predicted and similarly such meetings are done clandestinely and cannot be equated as intelligence failure. Q. The opposition is demanding a probe by sitting high court judge but your government has ruled it out. Why? A. Judicial probe is ruled out because fortunately there has been no casualty or loss of life. The whole fracas was due to some people taking law in their hands and there has been over
[Goanet] Wake up! Mangalorean Christians have a taste of government machinary.
Wake up! Mangalorean Christians have a taste of government machinary. By Sr. Joy, BS Secretary of Bethany Educational Society Mangalore September 14, 2008: The Sangh Parivar has struck again in Mangalore! Initial reports say that this morning on Sunday, September 14th 2008, they entered the Monastery of the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration at Milagres, Mangalore in the heart of the city and desecrated the Blessed Sacrament. The reports that came in later said that they had entered and desecrated many of the churches in and around Mangalore. We have news that they have planned a massive rally in Mangalore for Monday - 15.09.2008. In the past few days the Sangh Parivar has been distributing booklets at the gates of schools to the school children and in public places. These booklets have contained inflammatory contents which would be a great cause for disturbance of communal harmony in Mangalore and in Dakshina Kannada. First Person Account - Sr Joy BS There was a big gathering on the road in front of the Milagres hall, Mangalore. We were all sitting in protest against the incident mentioned above. Most of the political leaders, sisters and fathers, and a big number of lay people both men and women were present. At about 5:30 pm there was some verbal altercation between the youth in the protest group and the police who had gathered in very large numbers and Fr. Francis Serrao SJ was addressing the protesters, when the police charged at the peacefully sitting protesters with lathis and began to cane them left and right. They also fired tear gas shells without any warning and forced the protesters to take shelter in the Milagres Hall. This is the way the government machinery was used to fulfill their aim and it certainly gave the impression that the perpetrators of the crime will be let loose even this time. On the other hand, a TV news channel reported that there was stone pelting on the police. When the police force was ready with everything to beat us with, including their bullet proof shields, lathis and tear gas shells, the news channel reported only that there was stone pelting by the crowd. Luckily for us, another channel showed a very good picture of police men pelting stones and tear gas shells. Many youth were hurt by the heavy lathi blows. One of the sisters, Sr Pramila of Sisters of Charity of Mangalore was hit with a stone from the police while she was right inside the gate of the Milagres Church Hall. She was injured very badly and taken to Fr. Muller's Hospital and it is not yet known about the state of her eye. We ask you all to pray for us and for peace in our region. We need your prayers and perhaps some united action; a glimpse of which we experienced today. Courtesy: Mangalorean.com http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=broadcastbroadcastid=93120
[Goanet] Attacks on Mangalore Christians - A Dozen Doubts !!!
Attacks on Mangalore Christians - A Dozen Doubts !!! 1. Attacks started immediately after BJP supported Orissa state attack on Christians and Catholics. But the CM of Karnataka says Attacks took place in the areas of conversion activity. 2. The New Life Fellowship were distributing literature against Christians, Muslims and Hindus since decades. But the attacks were mainly targeted on Christians and specially Catholics including Cloistered Catholic Nuns who do not even come out of their premises to see the world. Thus it is not possible at all that they get involved in Conversion. But first attack was on thier chapel, Crucifix, Statues of St. Francis, Statue of St. Joseph, Holy Sacrament, Furniture and on Nuns itself. They tried their best to smash the statue of Mother Mary but the report say it did not even get a scratch. 3. Provocative leaflets, handbills, pamphlets against Christians and Catholics were being distributed for many days in front of Catholic institutions. How does this group blame others when they themselves indulge in such activities ? 4. An English Daily News Paper Report says a Police man was saying that their hands are tied. 5. News Reports say that police themselves were breaking their vehicles to initiate lathi charge, tear gas on Catholics. Most of the time police were attacking on peacefully sitting Catholic protesters. 6. News Reports say that Police illegally entered the Permannur and other churches, hit Christians mercilessly who were taking refuge inside the church including women and children, also break furniture and equipments in the church. 7. Even after so much of terror the Chief Minister wants to say that Stop Forceful Conversion when he is not able to prove even one forceful conversion among Catholic church in the affected area. Instead of ordering enquiry about serial terrorist attacks the CM has order enquiry about foreign funds. 8. Though attack was on Catholic church the Government of Karnataka claims that the attack was only on the Prayer Halls of New Life Fellowship. This is just to misguide Indians and international media. How can a responsible person who is in a CM chair can give such baseless statements when he himself came and saw in his own eyes the damage done to Catholics and Christians. 9. Fundamental Organisations openly owned the responsibility of the attacks. The news was also published in a prominent manner in the dailies. But the Local BJP MLA Krishna Palimar says, doesn't know anything of that sort. Is the Government wants to twist the story saying the only the attacks on the prayer halls of New Life Fellowship were by fundamentalist and the other attacks were from different miscrants inspite of eye witnesses ? 10. CM, DC assured that no one including Hindu Groups will be allowed to hold bunds on Tuesday (Sep 16). But Ironically declared Bundh to all the schools, institutions etc. 11. Why doesn't the chief minister condemn Fundamentalist group for taking law into their hands. How can he justify their serial attacks that are not less than the serial bomb blasts on Christians saying that attacks were because of the conversions. Even if they were hurt because of the literatures of New Life Fellowship they have means to take legal actions against them and this is easier as their own Government is ruling. But why did they take law into their hands. Why the government did not take action against Pramod Mutalik who openly said that 700 people were being trained to set up an Anti-Terrorism Army and the Army would be increased to 5,000 members within a year. If individuals or private organisation form Army then why there is a Government to take care of Law and Orders. 12. Is this State Sponsored ruling parties well planned attack on peace loving Christians ? - Ancy Paladka
[Goanet] Two die in fresh Orissa violence
Two die in fresh Orissa violence 14 Sep 2008, 0346 hrs IST, Sandeep Mishra,TNN Times of India BHUBANESWAR: The situation in the volatile Kandhamal district of Orissa spiralled out of control again on Saturday as a mob of rioters exchanged fire with the security forces in Tumudibandh area, leaving at least two people dead and a CRPF jawan seriously injured. The district has been on a boil since the murder of a VHP leader three weeks ago. With the latest deaths, the communal violence in Kandhamal during the past few weeks has claimed at least 21 lives. On Saturday, the situation turned violent after police tried to resist a mob from attacking a church and the house of the local sarpanch, officials said. Trouble started when a large group comprising local Kandh tribals damaged a church and set afire the house of a villager. The mob, including around 50 men armed with country-made guns and traditional weapons, was allegedly looking for local sarpanch Sisir Mallick, who is from the dalit Pana community but has converted to Christianity, sources said.
[Goanet] VHP to organise ‘shradhanjali sabha ’ at dist level
VHP to organise 'shradhanjali sabha' at dist level Express News Service 14 Sep 2008 05:00:00 AM IST BHUBANESWAR: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad has planned to organise a month-long district level shradhanjali sabha (memorial meeting) for the slain social activist Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati staring from September 23. As many followers of Swami Laxmanananda could not attend his 16th day ritual at Chakapada in Kandhamal district because of prohibitory orders, the sacred soil from the samadhi of the saint was sent to various parts of the State. The month-long memorial meeting will be held at villages and culminate at district headquarters on October 23, VHP's state general secretary Gouri Prasad Rath told this paper. Puri Sankaracharya Nischalananda Saraswati has been requested to attend the memorial meeting at places of his choice, Rath said. The Sankararachaya, who is observing 'Chaturmasya', a four-month vedic rituals during the monsoon season, is very keen to the proposal of the VHP. However, a detailed programme will be chalked out in consultation with the Sankaracharaya only after the 'Chaturmasaya' programme which comes to an end in October. The seer was gunned down by unidentified assailants on the night of August 23 at Jaleshpeta Ashram. The objective of organising the month-long memorial meeting is to give an opportunity to the people to pay their respect to the greate soul who has dedicated his life for the uplift of the underprevileged and downtroden people of the Kandhamal district, said State VHP general secretary Gouri Prasad Rath. It is the people's will and the VHP is respecting their sentiment, Rath maintained. Many people from across the country were keen to attend the 16th day ritual of the seer but could not make it because of the curfew imposed in the district, he said. The month-long memorial ceremony will culminate on October 23 at district headquarters and sadhus and sants from across the nation will attend the memorial function, Rath added.
[Goanet] Right wing Hindutva Neo-Nazi thugs launch anti-Christian pogrom in the Indian state of Orissa
Right wing Hindutva Neo-Nazi thugs launch anti-Christian pogrom in the Indian state of Orissa Friday 12th of September 2008 Dr. Amarjit Singh, Khalistan Affairs Center Anti-Christian pogrom in the Indian state of Orissa burning many churches killing many innocent Christian India's Sikh minority better beware keep it's 'powder'dry as it is going to be next Washington D.C. - A secret internal Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) survey, taken some weeks ago, had painted a grim picture for the political ambitions of the right wing, Neo-Nazi, fascist party in the forthcoming Indian Lok Sabha (Parliament) elections. The comprehensive internal study showed that the BJP would not be able to win more than 140 Lok Sabha (parliament) seats as compared to the 2004 Lok Sabha polls when it won 130. The gloomy internal survey immediately triggered a rethink, in the fascist Bharatiya Janata Party leadership, about electoral advantages of well-timed pogroms against India's monotheistic Christian, Muslim and Sikhs minorities in Hindu-majority India. The first shot under the BJP's current (2008) strategic rethink was fired by the departing 'Neo-Nazi' Governor of Indian occupied Kashmir, retired General Sinha, when he, 'out of the blue', three days before his departure in May 2008, started a controversy, over allocation of state forest land to a 150-years old Hindu 'phallic'shrine located in a cave in the Muslim-majority Indian 'colony'of Kashmir, a friendly neighbor of Sikh Punjab. The Amarnath cave is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, and is located in Indian occupied Muslim-majority Kashmir. The cave is situated at an altitude of 3,888 meters (12,760 ft) about 141 km (88 miles) from Srinagar, the capital of Kashmir. Inside the main Amarnath cave lies an ice stalagmite resembling the Shiva Lingam (the phallic symbol – an erect male penis - used in the worship of Hindu god Siva) which waxes during May to August and gradually wanes thereafter. This lingam is said to grow and shrink with the phases of the moon, reaching its height during the three-month-long summer festival when thousands of Hindu pilgrims come a calling to the Amarnath cave. The thuggish BJP elements in Jammu province of Indian occupied Kashmir immediately seized theAmarnath cave 'opportunity' by organizing a mass communal agitation in Jammu against the cancellation of the illegal order of allotting state-land to the Amarnath shrine committee which had been unanimously apposed by the inhabitants of Muslim-majority Srinagar valley, who had objected to the illegal and unconstitutional land-for-shrine suggestion of the departing Kashmir Governor. The BJP thugs quickly organized a blockade of the valley by killing and beating up truck drivers (mostly Sikhs) going to, or returning from, the Srinagar valley on the Jammu-Srinagar highway the only road link the Srinagar valley has with the rest of India. The Hindu thugs only relented when the Srinagar valley's Muslim inhabitants in massive (but peaceful) retaliation, suddenly triggered a far grimmer crisis which threatened to plunge the Kashmir valley into the armed anti-India insurgency of the early nineties again. The dramatic escalation in the Srinagar Valley radically transformed the nature of the crisis – it became an emergency with international ramifications. An angry mass of Kashmiris, estimated to be around 250, 000 strong came out on to the streets, bent on marching across the Line of Control into Pakistan-held Kashmir with the aim of opening the traditional trade route to Muzzaffarabad. ( Link ) It is not surprising that as a result of this new 'Hold your head High' arrogant attitude, mobs of emboldened Hindutva elements, (Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal et. Al, all 'first cousins of the BJP) decided to repeat, in August 2008, the anti-Christian December 2007 pogrom in which Christian churches schools and orphanages, in Kandhamal district of Orissa state, had been attacked and dozens of Christians were murdered. Readers may remember that in 1999 an Australian missionary, Graham Staines, and his two sons were killed by a mob that set their car on fire with the three inside. The current violence against Christians in the state of Orissa was organized by Hindutva thugs, prompted by the Aug. 23, 2008 killing in that state of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, who had been associated with a Hindu radical group opposed to Hindus' converting to Christianity. Although a letter left at the scene claimed that Maoist rebels carried out the attack, but the Hindutva elements blamed the Christians instead and started an anti-Christian pogrom in Orissa. The attacks in Kandhamal have destroyed or damaged about 1,400 homes of Christians and at least 80 churches and small prayer houses, which were set on fire, a local government official told the media. Clergymen say orphanages were also destroyed. Estimates from Christian groups put the death toll at more than 25, though a state official in Orissa said 16 were killed.
[Goanet] Orissa, the drama of the refugees: forced conversion to Hinduism or more violence
Orissa, the drama of the refugees: forced conversion to Hinduism or more violence by Nirmala Carvalho According to the government, the situation is under control, but it has delayed the elections, and has barred entry to the district of Kandhamal. A Christian activist denounces new violence against the refugees, while Hindu fundamentalists have drawn up a list of 140 Christians guilty of the murder of the Swami. New Delhi (AsiaNews) - Despite the reassurances issued by the government of Orissa, which in a document submitted to the Indian supreme court calls the situation under control, Hindu fundamentalist violence continues against Christians. According to Sajan K George, head of the Bangalore-based Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), there is a climate of tension in the area, so much so that the local government has prohibited any entry into the district of Kandhamal, and has delayed the administrative elections. The Christian activist denounces the drama of the refugees, who are caught between a rock and a hard place: Many Christians, says Sajan George, are leaving the relief camps and returning to their villages because of terror of the Hinduvata extremists at the camps; intimidation to reconvert to Hinduism is just one of the many fears of the Christians. However, residents of Rupa village in Raikia area of Kandhamal where one Rasananda Pradhan had been burnt to death during the riots are reluctant to go back, fearing further attack. According to the leader of the GCIC, the heads of Sangh Parivar - an association of nationalist Hindu groups, including paramilitaries connected to the VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) and to the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) - have prepared a list of at least 140 Christians guilty of the assassination of Swami Laxamananda Saraswat and five of his followers, but without providing any proof of their involvement. The list has been distributed among the Hindu fundamentalists, who have been asked to punish the Christians in case the government does not provide justice. The threat has contributed to increasing the panic within the Christian community, already crushed by the violence in recent weeks and now facing the concrete possibility of new violence. On Thursday, September 11, during a meeting at which some of the leaders of the main fundamentalist Hindu organizations, including the VHP, took part, there was a discussion of the future strategies to adopt after the assassination of the Swami and the spiral of violence that this led to. One of the groups present at the meeting is proposing a social boycott of those who work for peaceful coexistence among minorities. Meanwhile, the list of violence against Christians in Orissa is growing longer. According to the Global Council of Indian Christians, four more corpses have been found, and Hindu fundamentalists are believed to have attacked six more villages in the area of Kurtamgarh, near Balliguda. The situation of tension is thought to have induced the government of Orissa to delay the elections. Ashok Singhal, president of the VHP, is also demanding, under threat, an end to the activity of proselytism on the part of Christians in India, and a return to the practice of Hinduism on the part of those who have embraced Christianity. On the night of September 11, some Christian families were attacked by groups of fanatics: they were able to save themselves, but their homes and possessions were destroyed.
[Goanet] Fresh violence destroyed 20 houses and 6 churches on 13th Sept night
Fresh violence destroyed 20 houses and 6 churches on 13th Sept night Twenty houses and 6 churhes burnt. Two Central reserve force soldiers wounded in the attack. Naxals destroyed 2 villages in Raikia late night.VHP is likely to unleash fresh attacks against christians. In Indore( Madhya Pradesh) Masiha Mandir an 80 year old church burnt by suspected VHP activists.
Re: [Goanet] Orissa Voilence
Dear Lauram Salvi, Do not try to misguide people by writing such articles. Hindus are 85% in our country and 95% in Orissa. All of them are peace loving people. We lived and brought up among themselves. They always hate terror. But it is an open truth that some of the fundamental organisations are trying to brainwash youngsters who have little knowledge of the world and through them they carry out their evil missions. It Laxmanananda Saraswati was a peace loving person he would not have been issuing provocative statements against Christians. Why he was saying that Christians need to be wiped out. Why did he threatened Christians not to celebrate Christmas last year. Why he went in a violent march to demolish decorations put up by Christians for Christmas last year and initiated terror? I personally met Fr. Edward, Fr. Bernard and Fr. Thomas who miraculously survived in the attack. Fr. Edward was saying that he did not even see Laxmanananda Saraswati as his orphanage was more than 400 km away. The VHP leaders in his area had initially troubled him but he could win their hearts through his good deeds. They were my friends he said. Though one small girl came and informed him that he will be burnt he never cared. He thought why anybody will trouble him. He also said he never converted a single person in his 28 years of service. He was only running a leprosy centre and an orphanage for unprivileged girls. He was questioning that if it was not an organised terror how it was possible to spread at the same time at all places even up to his place which is more than 400k away? We do not know who killed Saraswati. If fundamental organisations blame Christians for his murder why can't some other person or organisation accuse that he was killed by the members of one of the fundamental organisations to initiate hatred and terror against Christians? But it is very painful to understand that just because of these few evil minded people the name of the large number of peace loving Hindu's get maligned. Also remember that missionaries are working in tribal areas for centuries together. If there was any kind of forcible conversion was taken place then there would have been at least 40% presence of Christians. But remember Christian population in Orissa is only 2% inspite major institutions, schools, hospitals are run by Christians. If VHP which is registered as a social charitable trust really cares his people and works for the upliftment of the Hindus and safeguard them then it should engage into such activities (Building institutions, schools, Hospitals etc) to get reputation in the society. Remember evil methods are exposed one day or other. Ancy
Re: [Goanet] Orissa Voilence
why any one who speaks for Hindus is labeled a fundamentalist ? Laluram Salvi Dear Salvi, In a high level meeting of Orissa Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), VHP (Viswa Hindu Parishad), Bajrang Dal and RSS (Rastriya Swayam Sevak Sangh) held in Rourkela on 24th August, they have made a firm resolution to continue the work of demolishing all the Christian Institutions and Churches in the State, especially in the district of Sundargarh. They have planned to start the attacks in the western Orissa from Wednesday (27th August). This is the message given by Mr. Patric Minz – a police who went in a civil dress to the meeting. Also these organisations openly deny their role in the recent merciless killings in Orissa. If not fundamentalist what do you want to call them ? - Ancy
[Goanet] Orissa Christians Suspect Hindu Hand Behind Saraswati Murder
Orissa Christians Suspect Hindu Hand Behind Saraswati Murder By Christopher Joseph September 12, 2008 BHUBANESWAR, India (UCAN) -- Christians in Orissa say they suspect the murder of a Hindu leader that triggered anti-Christian violence was part of a well-planned political strategy of Hindu radical groups. That suspicion is very strong among Christians here, says Reverend Sudhansu Naik in the state capital of Bhubaneswar, 1,745 kilometers southeast of New Delhi. The Baptist pastor told UCA News on Sept. 11 that many Christians believe Hindu radical groups carried out Swami Laxmananda Saraswati's murder or collaborated in the crime. Violence against Christians began after the 85-year-old Hindu leader and his four associates were gunned down on Aug. 23. A Maoist group claimed responsibility for the murders but Hindu radical groups continue to blame Christians. The swami was based in Orissa's Kandhamal district, a Christian stronghold 350 kilometers west of Bhubaneswar. Since Aug. 24, the district has been the epicenter of an anti-Christian pogrom. At least 27 people, mostly Christians, have been killed in the violence. Christians raise several questions about the murder. Why did the government fail to protect (Swami Saraswati) after he complained about a threat to his life? asks a Protestant lawyer who fled Kandhamal and is now living in Bhubaneswar. The swami had reportedly complained to state officials and police about a Maoist threat to his life a few days before his death. Following a similar complaint a few years ago, the administration provided him police protection. The Hindu leader also had personal bodyguards. Reverend Naik wants to know where those bodyguards were when Swami Saraswati was murdered. Why did the police fail to act, if they were there? If enough police force wasn't there, who was responsible? The pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP, Indian people's party) is a ruling coalition partner in Orissa, where elections are due in 2009. If Maoists killed him, (the Hindu radicals) encouraged them to kill him. If Maoists have not killed him, then they themselves must have killed him, Reverend Naik asserted. The Baptist pastor noted that Hindu extremists began blaming Christians even before a preliminary probe. Even after Maoists admitted the responsibility, why do they insist it was done by Christians? he asked. A. Senapati, a lawyer and Catholic activist, quoted newspaper reports saying the murderers had used automatic Sten guns to kill Swami Saraswati. If such guns were available to Christians, they would have used them to defend themselves against violent mobs, he added. A Catholic priest, who wanted to remain anonymous, said Christians in Kandhamal are poor farmers. How can they think of buying guns that require training to use? he asked. Senapati wonders why the swami's body was cremated without an autopsy when the law requires postmortems on bodies in cases of unnatural deaths. If BJP was upset about the murder, why did they continue in the government that failed to protect their leader? he asked, alleging that anti-Christian violence was carried out with state support. The lawyer bemoaned the government shoot-on-sight order had remained only on paper. Speaking to UCA News, he claimed police were asked not to act against the violence. Reverend Naik says the fighting has strong political connotations, because only the Hindu groups have benefited from it. The pastor pointed out that Kandhamal's 120,000 Christian voters would definitely vote against the BJP, since the district had witnessed anti-Christian violence during the 2007 Christmas season. The Hindu radicals needed to do something to win political support there, he added. A Catholic priest at the archbishop's residence, who also insisted on anonymity, says Swami Saraswati's murder only brought suffering for Christians. Christians in Orissa now want a federal probe because the local administration could easily claim to prove a Christian hand behind the murder by picking up a few poor innocent Christians. Another priest said the slain Hindu leader had already reached a ripe age and would have survived only a few more years with medication, so Hindu radical groups must have thought of a better way of using him. Courtesy: UCAN News Agency
[Goanet] Orissa Victims Narrate Heart-rending Sufferings
Hi, You may be interested in these reports regarding Orissa Attacks. With regards Ancy Paladka Ancy S. D'Souza, Paladka E2-139 Diwan Apt III Vasai Road East Thane Dist - 401 210 Tel: 0250-2390225 Cell: 9320733213 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Orissa Victims Narrate Heart-rending Sufferings Report and pics from Ancy Paladka Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai (SP) Mumbai, Sep 6: Bombay Catholic Sabha had organized a programme to meet the three priests who were brutally attacked but miraculously survived, during the recent carnage in Orissa. The programme was held on Friday September 5 at Holy Spirit Hospital, Mahakali Caves Road, Andheri at 6.30 pm. Fr Edward Sequeira SVD and Fr Bernard Digal were brought in a wheelchair and wheel stretcher respectively, while Fr Thomas Chellan, who was discharged on Friday, could walk in. All the priests are being treated at the Holy Spirit Hospital... ... ... For a complete story with photographs please click http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=50752n_tit=Orissa+Victims+Narrate+Heart%2Drending+Sufferings For other stories please click http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MangaloreanCatholics/message/7168 A. Names of the Deceased in Orissa Attack 1. Dasarath Pradhan (Tiangia) 2. Kamolini Nayak (Mondakia) 3. Pastor Samuel Nayak (Bakingia) 4. Romesh Digal (Bakingia) 5. Jecob Digal (Petapanga) 6. Sureshon Nayak 7. Abhimonyu Nayak 8. Bikram Nayak (Tiangia) 9. Goyadhar Digal, Kasinipadar 10. Dibyasundar Digal 11. Parakhita Nayak(Tiangia) 12. Trinath Digal (Tiangia) 13. Joseph Digal 14. Gopan Nayak (Mondakia) 15. Khogeswar Pradhan 16. Ajuba Nayak, Barakhama 17. Rosananda Prodhan 18. Jaka Nayak Budamaha 19. Akhar Digal Totomaha 20. Sidheswar Digal, Sulisoru 21. Praful Nayak, Barakhama 22. Mary Digal, Barakhama 23. Daniel Mallick (Pastor) Bankingia 24. Michael Nayak, Bankingia 25. Gulu, Kanbagiri 26. Bidyadhara Digal, Kattargarh B. Churches Attacked 1. Petapanga Church 2. Catholic Church, Mondakia 3. Catholic Church, Ratingia 4. Believers church, Ratingia 5. Diocese Church, Ratingia 6. Believers Church, Gimangia 7. Diocese Church, Gimangia 8. Mdahukia Church 9. Catholic Church, Raikia 10. Catholic Church, Badimunda 11. Pentocastal Church, Badimunda 12. Catholic Church, Breka 13. Pentocastal Church, Breka 14. Catholic Church, Pobingia 15. Catholic Church, Srasanaanda 16. Catholic Church, Phulbani 17. Catholic Church, Phulbani 18. Catholic Church, Balliguda 19. Catholic Church, Sankrakhol 20. R.C. Church, Kanjamedi 21. Diocese Church, Kanjamedi 22. Pentecostal Church, Kanjamedi 23. Pentecostal Church Jugapadar, Nuagam 24. Baptist Church, Tumudiband 25. Pentecostal Church, Tumudiband 26. Catholic Church, Padanpur 27. Church in Dhanpur 28. Catholic Church, Tiangia 29. Baptist Church, Tiangia 30. Catholic Church, Gabindapali 31. Catholic Church, Padua 32. Catholic Church, Duburi 33. Pentecostal Church, Tiangia 34. Seveth Advent Church Bakingia 35. Catholic Church Nilungia36. Pentecostal Church Nilungia 37. Catholic Church Boipariguda 38. R.C. Bakingia 39. Penteconstal church, Bakingia 40. R.C. Kotimaha 41. Pentocostal church, Budamaha 42. Baptist Church, Sukananda 43. Pentaconstal church Adaskupa 44. R.C. Church, Adaskupa 45. Pentacostal Church, Rupagao 46. Sulesoru Church 47. Pengoberi village Church 48. Kambaguda, Church 49. Tengapadar village church 50. Prakash Prayer House, Raikia C. Shops Destroyed in Raikia 1. Biraj Nayak - Chicken Centre 2. Alok Nayak - Chicken Centre 3. Chiku Nayak 4. Rohit Nayak - Tea Stall 5. Simon Nayak - Computer 6. Kabula Nayak 7. Sudhir Nayak - Xerox 8. Junes Nayak - Computer 9. Jerbas Mondal - Grocery 10. Paburia shops D. Convents 1. St. Joseph's Convent, Sankharkhole 2. St. Anne's Convent, Pobinga 3. Mt. Carmel Convent, Balliguda 4. St. Anne's Convent, Padangi E. Hostels 1. Boy's Hostel, Padangi 2. Girl's Hostel, Padangi 3. Balliguda Convent 4. Boy's Hostel, Pobingia 5. Girl's Hostel, Pobingia F. Six Institutions Damaged 1. Janvikas 2. Pastoral Center 3. Ajka, Raikia 4. Poly Shree, Paburia 5. Gramya Pragati, Balliguda 6. Karuna, Raikia G. Priests and Religious Attacked who are Seriously Injured 1. Fr. Thomas Chellan 2. Fr. Bernard Digal 3. Fr. Edward, SVD 4. Fr. Simon Lakra, SVD 5. Sr. Meena HM 6. Fr. Xavier Tirkey
[Goanet] Orissa Victims Narrate Heart-rending Sufferings
Orissa Victims Narrate Heart-rending Sufferings Report and pics from Ancy Paladka Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai (SP) Mumbai, Sep 6: Bombay Catholic Sabha had organized a programme to meet the three priests who were brutally attacked but miraculously survived, during the recent carnage in Orissa. The programme was held on Friday September 5 at Holy Spirit Hospital, Mahakali Caves Road, Andheri at 6.30 pm. Fr Edward Sequeira SVD and Fr Bernard Digal were brought in a wheelchair and wheel stretcher respectively, while Fr Thomas Chellan, who was discharged on Friday, could walk in. All the priests are being treated at the Holy Spirit Hospital. In his testimony Fr Edward, a native of Kirem near Mangalore said, that during his 28 years of service in Orissa, he had not converted a single person to Christianity. The perpetrators of the organized crime hate us because of the fact that we educate tribals, whom they have been exploiting since long. They are afraid that the tribals will one day rise to their level, both educationally and economically. Hindu organizations like VHP, RSS, Bajrang Dal etc., which execute such evil designs, should be treated as terrorist organizations and banned, he demanded. I was running a leprosy centre for the people belonging to a tribe called 'Brinjal'. They Brinjals believe, that having at least one male child was very much necessary for every family. Girls are treated with neglect and sent to do menial labour, domestic work etc., and use to suffer from malnutrition. I picked some boys from their tribe, who would go to them and help their people. I also built an orphanage and picked some girls basically from the families having several girls and gave them education. Rajni Majh (girl who was burnt in the incident), was one of the girls who was actually adopted. But she was ill-treated when the couple which adopted her conceived a boy. Rajni was a very active girl in the orphanage and good in sports. She was doing graduation and had even represented at university level sports competitions. She was like a leader in the orphanage, he explained. I did not know who Swami Laxmananand Saraswati was and had never seen him. I was also not aware about his killing on August 23 evening, the responsibility for which was claimed by the Maoist organization. Actually his place is over 500 kms away from my place. On August 25 Afternoon, at about 1.30 pm, I sat to have my lunch when all of a sudden a huge crowd of more than 500 people gathered in front of my home and asked for the priest. When I identified myself, they took out iron rods, spades, sticks and other weapons which they were hiding, and started shouting slogans against me and hitting and thrashing me for more than a hour, he recollected. Then they heaped and set on fire all my books, papers, clothes etc., in the room. They then threw me into the fire and locked the room from outside. I had suffered fractures all over my body and also in my hands but somehow, with divine strength, I managed to escape into my bathroom and poured some water on the fire and extinguish it. Then I hid in the bathroom and locked the door and windows. By that time the arsonists had already set fire to the roof of my building. They also broke open the window of my bathroom. But it was filled with smoke, and they did not find me. As I had also not locked the window that they opened, they thought that I was dead. As they walked away, I breathed through the small hole of the window. They also caught Rajni Majh, brought her next to my room and set her on fire. I could hear her screams, before falling unconscious. I was saved because of the efforts of Dr Mary Kutty of Handmaids of Mary, and Dr Rajnesh Samal, a Baptist missionary, he said, recollecting the help extended by them as he was picked up at 6.30 am the next morning. How can the violence erupt at several places at the same time, unless it was an organized crime? Are they given the licence to kill people?, he questioned. They label us as converters. But we do not convert people. We only educate them to live a dignified life. Even after conducting 'reconversion' and subjecting the so called 'converters' through 'purification programmes' by using dung and urine of cows, they do not allow them to mingle with their own community members, he lamented. Fr Thomas Chellan, director of the Pastoral Centre at the Bhubaneshwar archdiocese which is 260 kms away from Kandhmal, narrated a similar story. He along with a priest and a nun, fled through the backyard. They saw their pastoral centre distroyed with a bomb on the August 24 afternoon. They fled to the jungles and at night, came back to the house of a Hindu friend and took shelter. Sensing danger, the family shifted them to an adjacent house and locked it from outside to give an impression that no one resides therein. But somehow miscreants located them, dragged them out and hit them, stripped and tortured him in all possible ways. The same agony was
[Goanet] Konkani Devnagiri Script Supporters should Act Immediately
Konkani Devnagiri Script Supporters should Act Immediately In the recently concluded Goa State Legislative Assembly, the Leader of the Opposition Mr Manohar Parrikar raised the issue of the grievances by Marathi group and supporters of Roman script for Konkani group. He said that the Govt. should appoint a committee and settle this issue. The opposition parties will fully cooperate with the govt. While replying to this point the Chief Minister Mr Digambar Kamat has assured the house that he would form a committee to settle this language issue once and for all. In this background, the Nagari lobby should join hands with the supporters of Roman script to give equal status to Roman script at the earliest to avoid Marathi also to become the State Language. If the Nagari lobby delays there is a danger that Roman script supporters and Marathi supporters will join hand and succeed to their objectives and in the bargain Konkani will be defined the New Act Konkani means Konkani in Roman script. If this happens that will be the end of Konkani in Nagari script because as it is, it exists mainly due to the financial support of the state and Central govts. In Goa most of the books in Nagiri script are published with the government aid and practically there is no readership as the books are not sold in book stalls. Childrens of Nagari lobby people study either in English medium or in Marathi medium. Their schools are either in Marathi medium or English medium. In Karnataka Konkani is taught in schools only in Kannada script in 102 schools. More than 1800 children study Konkani in Kannada script. Though there is a provision to study Konkani in Devnagiri script too, not even a single student has opted for it. All the proceedings of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Akademy are done only in Kannada. In Kerala too there is a provision to study Konkani but no student has opted to study Konkani in Devnagiri script. Such provision is not awailable in Maharashtra. In democracy no 'Act' is final and permanent. If the constitution of India is amended several times what prevents the Goa govt to amend its own Language act 1987? govt. exists to serve the people and their legitimate aspirations. For the survival of Konkani in Goa Roman and Nagari scripts must be recognised as official and equal in the Language Act. If Marathi too becomes the official language of Goa the blame has to be borne by Nagari lobby only. For its own survival and honour Nagari lobby should immediately take necessary steps to rectify its past sin and join hands with Roman script supporters to obtain the official status to Roman script in the Language Act. Roman script literature has a history of more than 450 years. Devnagiri script was only forced on people. It was not a spontaneous script of Konkani people. Though it enjoyed all kinds of grants and honours from both state government and central government it has not yet become the natural script for its people. Though 21 years have passed since the Language act was passed Devnagiri periodicals, books have not gained momentum in the book stalls. Where in Kannada script there are 5 Weeklies, 30 monthlies and more than 100 regional and other periodicals that do not receive even a single government advtisements and awailable in the Book Stalls of Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gulf Countries. But there is not even a single weekly in Devnagiri script of Konkani. It looks as if people use the script only to get honours, awards, grants, position, jobs and Government advertisements. Ancy Paladka Konkani Poet, Mumbai -- Ancy S. D'Souza, Paladka E2-139 Diwan Apt III Vasai Road East Thane Dist - 401 210 Tel: 0250-2390225 Cell: 9320733213 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [Goanet] Discussion on Official Language in the Goa Assembly
Very happy to see that finally the script issue is being discussed in the parliment. Konkani can servive only if Roman, Devnagiri and Kannada scripts are given due respect. In Goa Roman and Devnagiri both scripts should get equal status. People should be given allowed to choose the script they want to use. I assure my full hearted from Mumbai support in the movement to give equal status to Roman script along with Devnairi in Goa. With regards Ancy Paladka Ancy S. D'Souza, Paladka E2-139 Diwan Apt III Vasai Road East Thane Dist - 401 210 Tel: 0250-2390225 Cell: 9320733213 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] On 8/25/08, pratap naik [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Discussion on Official Language Act 1987 in the Goa Assembly On Monday, 25 August 2008, in Goa Legislative Assembly during 'Demands' 8 members Including the Chief Minister Digambar Kamat spoke on the Official Language Act 1987. The demand for discussion of this topic was laid before the house by Mr. Manohar Parrikar, Leader of the Opposition. Dy. Speaker Mr. Mauvin Godinho was the first person to speak on this topic. He was followed by Mrs. Victoria Feranandes (St. Cruz), Mr. Agnelo Fernandes (Calangute), Mr. Alexio Reginaldo Lourenço (Curtorim), Mr. Manohar Parrikar, Mr. Dayanand Mandrekar (Siolim), Mr. Francisco Silveira and Chief Minister. All the speakers were in favour of giving its due place to Roman script in the Official Language Act. Parrikar was the best speaker. He had done thorough home work. One could see this the way he spoke and presented the matter in the house. He suggested to form a committee comprising MLAs , Marathi protagonists and Roman script Protagonists and within two months to come to a consensus on the language issue and to settle it based on the views of the majority. Three of the Catholic MLAs who spoke in favour of Roman script were using terms like Romani bhas, Romi bhas, Romi Konknni. They did not know there are no such notions. In Goa Konknni is written in two scripts, Devanagari and Roman scripts and they use two different dialects, namely, Antruzi and Bardeshi. Mandrekar made a statement that Devanagari script is the mother of all scripts and it is the script of Sanskrit. He and many others do not know the history of Indian scripts. Brahmi was the first Indian script and all other Indian scripts were modification of it. Devanagari script evolved only in 900 A. D. Since Sanskrit was written in many scripts, in 1857 the British decided to make the Devanagari script the official script of Sanskrit to teach it as a subject in Calcutta, Madras and Bombay Universities. Sanskrit was and is written in a number of script. While replying to the Demands, the CM said that he is ready to discuss this issue and to find satisfactory solution once and for all for the good of Goa and Goans. On Friday 29th August Parrikar's private member resolution to constitute a committee of representatives of MLS, supporters of Roman script and supporters of Marathi will be discussed in the house. One has to wait and see what the government will do to settle the long standing demand of Roman script supporters. Pratap Naik, S.J.
[Goanet] KONKANI in WORLD RECORDS - Singing marathon record smashed!
Singing marathon record smashed! Singing marathon record smashed! At 10pm on Sunday 27th January 2008 a new Guinness World Record for the Longest Singing Marathon by Multiple Singers was achieved by the Mandd Sobhann Cultural Organisation, in Managalore, India. The stunning 40-hour record was achieved without any rest breaks by a continuous stream of 44 different groups consisting of 1,711 singers belting out 645 songs in the Konkani language. A record of this magnitude is just as much a test of logistical and organisational skills as it is singing durability - the attempt took almost a year of meticulous planning to succeed! As Guinness World Records adjudicator, Keith Pullin, announced that a new record had been set, the vast crowd at the Kalaangann (the world's only Konkani Heritage centre) erupted in deafening applause and cheers, as the organisers danced and embraced with unbridled tears of joy and relief. Fireworks, confetti, and tickertape filled the warm night sky as singers, musicians and spectators partied into the morning of a brand new, world-record-holding-day. 30 January 2008 (c) Copyright Guinness World Records 2008 This news link is awailable at http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/adjudications/080127_longest_singing_marathon.aspx Photographs: http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/images/adjudications/080127_singing_marathon_1.jpg http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/images/adjudications/080127_singing_marathon_2.jpg Forwarded By: Ancy S. D'Souza, Paladka E2-139 Diwan Apt III Vasai Road East Thane Dist - 401 210 Tel: 0250-2390225 Cell: 9320733213, 9323299570, 9892917888 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[Goanet] Guinness Website on - Konkani World Record - Marathon Singing at Kalangann, Mangalore
Guinness Website on - Konkani World Record - Marathon Singing at Kalangann, Mangalore 30 January 2008 Singing marathon record smashed! At 10pm on Sunday 27th January 2008 a new Guinness World Record for the Longest Singing Marathon by Multiple Singers was achieved by the Mandd Sobhann Cultural Organisation, in Managalore, India. The stunning 40-hour record was achieved without any rest breaks by a continuous stream of 44 different groups consisting of 1,711 singers belting out 645 songs in the Konkani language. A record of this magnitude is just as much a test of logistical and organisational skills as it is singing durability - the attempt took almost a year of meticulous planning to succeed! As Guinness World Records adjudicator, Keith Pullin, announced that a new record had been set, the vast crowd at the Kalaangann (the world's only Konkani Heritage centre) erupted in deafening applause and cheers, as the organisers danced and embraced with unbridled tears of joy and relief. Fireworks, confetti, and tickertape filled the warm night sky as singers, musicians and spectators partied into the morning of a brand new, world-record-holding-day. The above news is awailable in guinness website at http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/adjudications/080127_longest_singing_marathon.aspx Photographs at guinness website: http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/images/adjudications/080127_singing_marathon_1.jpg http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/images/adjudications/080127_singing_marathon_2.jpg -- Ancy S. D'Souza, Paladka E2-139 Diwan Apt III Vasai Road East Thane Dist - 401 210 Tel: 0250-2390225 Cell: 9320733213, 9323299570, 9892917888 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[Goanet] Riots In Orissa - A heart touching Testimony - Asian Age
* G * O * A * N * E * T C * L * A * S * S * I * F * I * E * D * S * GARCA BRANCA VACATION ACCOMMODATION LOUTULIM, SOUTH GOA. For RR; modern/clean amenities; serene, healthy and wholesome location Visit http://www.garcabranca.com for details/booking/confirmation. Riots In Orissa By Angana Chatterji 07 January, 2008 Asian Age December 25 2007: Seven churches, Catholic, Protestant, Pentacostal, Independent ... burned in Barakhama village, Kandhamal district, central Orissa. December 23, 2007: Hindutva (Hindu supremacist ideology) affiliated Adivasi (tribal) organisations organised a march, rallying, Stop Christianity. Kill Christians. A Dalit (formerly untouchable groups) Christian leader testified, We went to the local police and informed them of the situation. They assured us that things would be under control. On December 24, in the daytime, we heard voices of Bajrang Dal, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Shiv Sena people, chanting, 'Hindu, Hindu, Bhai, Bhai'; 'RSS Zindabad'; 'Lakshmanananda Zindabad.' They shut down shops. That night they felled trees to block roads, severed power and phone lines. On the 25th, we went to the inspector-in-charge of police again. On the 25th, at 2.30, about 200 of us sat down to Christmas prayer at our church, and around 4 p.m. we heard the mob approach. The mob, about 4,000 persons, many bearing symbolic tilaks (religious mark on forehead), belonged to various Sangh Parivar (Hindu nationalist, militant) groups, named above, inciting local Hindus into rioting. Estimates state 20 per cent of the mob comprised people from Barkahama, 80 per cent from surrounding Baliguda, Raikia, Phulbani, as far away as Beherampur. They broke the door to our church. We ran. We fell and kept running. Women and men were intimidated and assaulted. Cries rent the air. Christians must become Hindu or die. Kill them. Kill them. Kill them. Gita not Bible. Destroy their faith. The crowd carried rods, trishuls, swords. They used guns, a first in Orissa. Predominantly middle class caste Hindus participated in looting, destroying and torching property. Handmade bombs started the fires. Breakage was systematic. Women and men hid for days in forests, later seeking shelter in Baliguda town relief camp, returning to decimated Barakhama on January 2. Engulfed in soot and sorrow, people attempted to function amid charred remnants. A woman said, Everything burns down and we are left with nothing. How little our lives are made (of). How alone we are, so far away from everything. In Baliguda, in one church, furniture was dragged out, lit into a grotesque sculpture. The private violated in public, made spectacle. A Catholic church burnt, opposite the street the fire station witnessed the incident, but did not intervene. A cow, dragged from a shed, set afire, was beaten to death, identified as Christian. Targeted: Bammunigaon, Bodagan, Daringbari, Goborkutty, Jhinjirguda, Kamapada, Kulpakia, Mandipanka, Nuagaon, Phulbani, Pobingia, Sindrigaon, Ulipadaro villages. Convents, presbytery, hostels, a minor seminary, vocational training centre. Organisational offices, as that of World Vision. Two churches in Chakapad. Christian religious services were not permitted in Phulbani. A Hindutva mob surrounded Tikabali police station, two jeeps were torched. Independent investigators charge that the violence was planned, that the police had prior knowledge of Hindutva groups' intent to riot. The pertinent district collector and superintendent of police have been transferred, not discharged. A Judicial Review Commission (JRC) chaired by a former (not sitting) judge has been appointed by the government of Orissa to investigate the riots. Its power or legitimacy is in question. The Central government did not appoint an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation, even as it is apparent that the very administration that failed to contain the riots and delayed deploying adequate forces, and whose officials at the district level may have been involved in its execution, cannot administer justice. Hindutva activists have lobbied the JRC to organise its terms of reference premised on the claim that an attack on Lakshmanananda Saraswati, a Hindu proselytiser, by Christians in Bammunigaon started the riots. This timeline is falsified. Sources state Hindutva groups planned Christmas day strikes, organised vandalism of Christmas symbols, and incited rioting. Christians in one area responded with reciprocal, not proportionate, violence. Dominant rationale reduces this to majority vs minority communalism. Rather than focus on systematic targeting of Christians, their overwhelmingly peaceful submission
[Goanet] Women empowerment is not against men Sr. Philomena in WRCC meeting.
Women empowerment is not against men Sr. Philomena in WRCC meeting. Report by Ancy Paladka, Vasai/Mumbai Working for women empowerment is continuing Jesus' Mission of bringing the Good News to the oppressed said Sr. Philomena D'Souza. She was delivering an orientation speech on 'Empowerment of women in church and society', a workshop held for the Western Region Catholic Council (WRCC) comprising fifteen dioceses of Gujrat, Maharashtra and Goa at Bishops house, Vasai here on Saturday December 8 and Sunday December 9. Quoting a Benedictine Sister Joan Chittister who said Feminism is not a heresy, it is the spirit of Jesus written anew, Sr. Philomena said We are not looking at the theme Empowerment of Women in the Church and society from a mere sociological perspective, although this too is important. Neither from a developmental perspective, although we know that no nation can progress if a half of its citizens are left behind. She concluded that as Christians, we are looking at this theme as part of our faith imperative. The way Jesus treated women was definitely counter-cultural She continued. He went against the cultures of his time – the Jewish as well as the more well-known Greek, Roman, Egyptian or Babylonian cultures all of which were highly patriarchal. Jesus always upheld the dignity of women. She argued that Women empowerment is not against men, but it is needed particularly for the wholeness of earth and humanity. Women's empowerment is not just a women's concern, it is a celebration of equality, dignity and respect between women and men, girls and boys. It is creating circular structures of relationships, rather than up and down pyramids; creating structures where everyone is included, accepted and respected. For far too many centuries we, both men and women, have seen world only through one perspective – man's perspective. The world has been ruled by man's values, and unfortunately, often some of these values like power, strength, fame, prestige, money, hierarchy, control, competition, greed, hoarding and consumerism, have been a blue print for disaster. They have bred wars, violence, oppression, exploitation, nuclear weapons and ecological degradation. About 80 members of WRCC participated in the said workshop. Various topic such as all India Catholics education policy implementation lead by bishop Percival Fernandes, women in Gods plan in scripture lead by Sr Ananda, women in Church's social teachings lead by Dr Astrid Lobo Gajiwala, reality chick with testimony from women lead by Sr Philomena D'Souza, state of women in church and society lead by Virginia Saldanha and gender mainstreaming and possibilities for empowerment lead by Sr Helen were discussed. Sr Marcia D'Cunha presented the reports on workshops. Film on empowerment Teesra Rastha too was screened during the occasion. Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao, president, WRCC, bishop Edwin Colaco of Aurangabad, secretary, WRCC, bishop Thomas Dabre of Vasai, bishop Percival Fernandes, bishop Bosco Penha, bishop Valerian D'Souza, bishop Agnelo Rufino Gracias, bishop Ferdinand Joseph Fonseca, bishop Gregory Karotemprel, archbishop Stanislaus Fernandes, bishop Thomas Elavanal, bishop Godfrey De Rozario, bishop Vijay Anand Nedumpuram, bishop Thomas Ignas Macwan and cardinal Oswald Gracias were the bihops present on the occasion. The fifteen dioceses of Western Region are Ahmedabad diocese, Amravati diocese, Aurangabad diocese, Baroda diocese, Bombay archdiocese, Chanda diocese, Gandhinagar archdiocese, Goa and Daman archdiocese, Kalyan diocese, Nagpur archdiocese, Nashik diocese, Pune diocese, Rajkot diocese, Sindhudurg diocese and Vasai diocese. Bishop Thomas Dabre of Vasai diocese welcomed the gathering. Fr Albert D'Silva, local incharge of the programme spoke on the occasion. Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao of Goa and president of WRCC inaugurated the programme. Bishop Edwin Colaco of Aurangabad was present on the dais. Fr Titus D'Costa compered the programme. For photographs please click www.DaijiWorld.com report at http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=41236n_tit=Workshop+on+Empowerment+of+Women+in+Church%2C+Society+Held -- Ancy Salvadore D'Souza, Paladka E2-139 Diwan Apt III Vasai Road East Thane Dist - 401 210 Tel: 0250-2390225 Cell: 9320733213, 9323299570 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[Goanet] Fwd: Sahitya Akademi-Edwin
-- Forwarded message -- From: Edwin JF DSouza [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Nov 2, 2007 5:54 AM Subject: Sahitya Akademi-Edwin To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] The Secretary of the Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi, Mr.Agrahara Krishna Murthy has announced that: Rtn.Edwin JF DSouza (the present Executive Director of Institute of Konkani, St.Aloysius (Autonomous) College and Editor of Amar Konkani a research journal) is appointed a Member of the General Council of the Sahitya Akademi (National Academy of Letters), New Delhi for a term of 5 years starting 1 January 2008 -- Ancy Salvadore D'Souza E2-139 Diwan Apt III Vasai Road East Thane Dist - 401 210 Tel: 0250-2390225 Cell: 9892917888, 9323299570 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[Goanet] 331 Photographs of Mira Road Monti Fest Celebrations and Procession
* G * O * A * N * E * T C * L * A * S * S * I * F * I * E * D * S * GARCA BRANCA VACATION ACCOMMODATION LOUTULIM, SOUTH GOA. For RR; modern/clean amenities; serene, healthy and wholesome location Visit http://www.garcabranca.com for details/booking/confirmation. Please find 331 photographs of 8-Sep-2007 Monti Fest Celebrations at http://ancy.fotopic.net/c1365877.html All photo Albums of Ancy Paladka awailable at: Total 2,652 photographs http://ancy.fotopic.net/list_collections.php All Mira Road photo Albums are awailable at 1. 8-Sep-07: Monti Fest Celebrations: 331 Photographs http://ancy.fotopic.net/c1365877.html 2. 21-Jan-07: SOLEMN FEAST OF INFANT JESUS: 271 Photographs http://ancy.fotopic.net/c1190556.html 3. 24-Dec-06: Christmas 2006 : 97 Photographs http://ancy.fotopic.net/c1167373.html 4. 22-Jan-06: Infant Jesus Feast - Procession : 179 Photographs http://ancy.fotopic.net/c837032.html 5. 4-Dec-05: Parish Feast 2005: 81 Photographs http://ancy.fotopic.net/c784347.html 6. 30-Oct-05: Top Class Baila Show: 113 Photographs http://ancy.fotopic.net/c745553.html 7. 21-Aug-05: Konknni Dis (Konkani Day) Celebrations : 104 Photographs http://ancy.fotopic.net/c661591.html 8. 1-Jul-05: Kutam Get-Together : 19 Photographs http://ancy.fotopic.net/c600168.html 9. 1-Jul-05: 8th Speak Konkani Teach Konkani : 17 Photographs http://ancy.fotopic.net/c600124.html Ancy Paladka E2-139 Diwan Apt III Vasai Road East Thane Dist - 401 210 Tel: 0250-2390225 Cell: 9892917888, 9323299570 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.konkanifoundation.com/ancy/ --- http://www.GOANET.org --- ECAP 2007 - Computer Society of India - Goa Chapter inaugurates its 15th Exhibition of Computers Allied Products at Hotel Mandovi, Panaji at 9:30am on Sep 8, 2007 at the hands of Mr. M. N. Rao - Advisor Director (IT) Department of Computer Science - Government of Goa. All are cordially Invited ---
[Goanet] Over 8000 People Participate in Monti Fest Celebrations at Mira Road
* G * O * A * N * E * T C * L * A * S * S * I * F * I * E * D * S * GARCA BRANCA VACATION ACCOMMODATION LOUTULIM, SOUTH GOA. For RR; modern/clean amenities; serene, healthy and wholesome location Visit http://www.garcabranca.com for details/booking/confirmation. Over 8000 People Participate in Monti Fest Celebrations at Mira Road by Ancy Paladka Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai Mumbai, Sep 8: The St Joseph church at Mira Road here, as usual kept its tempo high for the extraordinary Monti Fest celebrations. Ripened corns (Bathachio Konshyo) were blessed and distributed to the people, all children took flowers. Then people carrying either ripened paddy grains or flowers marched on the roads taking Infant Mary's statue in a procession lead by a brass band. Thousands of people marched the main roads, side roads, gardens of Mira Road singing praises to mother Mary and reciting prayers. It was a fabulous show on the roads. This is a beautiful tradition of honouring Blessed Mary Virgin on her birthday and has been a virtual solemnity at Mira Road. People from all walks of life have been participating in the nine days solemn Novenas, this year concentrated on Family Values has been attended in thousands. This tradition began 6 years ago after Fr Rudolf a keen Konkani lover priest took over the charge and has come to its climax this year with a crowed of nearly 8000 gathering for the celebration. This day was marked by the auspicious presence of auxiliary Bishop Agnelo Gracias, Fr Rudolf V D'Souza, Fr Deepak Thomas, Fr Peter Rebello and Fr Elias D'Souza, concelebrated the mass. The bishop in his homily stressed the importance of catholic values in families and also to increase devotion to Mary to be nurtured and valued. Later he inaugurated the Family Cell of the parish, with 15 couples being commissioned into this cell. Diocesan Family center also had an exhibition with banners on the church premises about different problems of family life. The Parish website http://www.stjosephchurchocd.org was inaugurated by the Bishop. The website gives all the information to the parishioners about the parish activities and programme. The website is the initiative of Fr Rudolf V D'Souza, designed and developed by Mervyn Mathew and Dancia Jos. Mervin gave a short report of the progress of the website. Fr Rudolf V D'Souza OCD thanked all specially Daijiworld.com for its timely reporting and invoked blessings on all those who were actively involved in the preparations for the feast. He also thanked Paul D' Souza who provided Bathachio Konshyo ( blessed corn) for distribution. He also thanked Sebastian D' Souza for his help and assistance in all the arrangements for the feast. The Konkani Welfare Association of Mira Road, provided the liturgical band and arranged the procession. The church campus is decked with the exhibition on the part of the FAMILY CELL of the Archdiocese on FAMILY ISSUES. Lot of people benefited this exhibition. Lot of people of other faiths flocked to honour Mary and get blessings from her. Report published at http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=37786n_tit=Over+8000+People+Participate+in+Monti+Fest+Celebrations+at+Mira+Road -- Ancy Salvadore D'Souza E2-139 Diwan Apt III Vasai Road East Thane Dist - 401 210 Tel: 0250-2390225 Cell: 9892917888, 9323299570 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.konkanifoundation.com/ancy/ Photographs: http://ancy.fotopic.net/list_collections.php --- http://www.GOANET.org --- ECAP 2007 - Computer Society of India - Goa Chapter inaugurates its 15th Exhibition of Computers Allied Products at Hotel Mandovi, Panaji at 9:30am on Sep 8, 2007 at the hands of Mr. M. N. Rao - Advisor Director (IT) Department of Computer Science - Government of Goa. All are cordially Invited ---
[Goanet] Photographs - Ancy Paladka receiving Award
--- CONVENTION OF THE GOAN DIASPORA FROM GOA INTO THE WORLD Lisbon, Portugal June 15-17, 2007 Details at: http://www.casadegoa.org --- Here are the photographs of Ancy Paladka receiving Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Akademy Award recently for his story book Puthu Shetichyo Kannyo for the year 2003. http://ancy.fotopic.net/c1293392.html You may also see Akademy president Eric Ozario and the Kannada Literary Giant Na. DSouza in the photograph. There is also a photograph in which Ancy is honoured by Karnataka Konkani Writers Forum for reciving this award. The other prestigious awards received by Ancy are 1. Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Akademy Award for the years 1995, 1996, 1997 for his poetry book YEGO BAYE 2. Dr. T. M. A Pai National appreciation award for the year 1999 for his poetry book Chirputam. Ancy is presently working in Mumbai and he can be reached at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cell: 9892917888 --- Goanet recommends, and is proud to be associated with, 'Domnic's Goa' - A nostalgic romp through a bygone era. This book is the perfect gift for any Goan, or anyone wanting to understand Goa. Distributed locally by Broadway, near Caculo Island, Panjim internationally by OtherIndiaBookStore.Com. For trade enquiries contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] ---
[Goanet] Urgent Call from Persecuted Christians in India
--- CONVENTION OF THE GOAN DIASPORA FROM GOA INTO THE WORLD Lisbon, Portugal June 15-17, 2007 Details at: http://www.goacom.org/casa-de-goa/noticias.html --- An Urgent Call from Persecuted Christians to protect them from the hands of Fanatics and fascist forces. Please come and join the Rally. UPA Government has kept silent spectator while innocent pastors, church workers are brutalised, accused with false charges. Many of them are behind the bar and victimised legally from false charges. The persecuted Christians need the helping hands from the churches in and around Delhi and NCR. Please come and join this Rally to demand justice and protect from Government. Kindly inform us if you need detail in case if your church or you would like to bring your people to the Rally. Thank you so much Madhu Chandra On behalf of organising committee 9868184939 RALLY --- STOP VIOLENCE ON CHRISTIANS --- Thousands of Christians from accross the nation will gather in a Rally at Jantar Mantar to Demand Goverment of India to Stop Violence on Christians by the Hindutva Fascist Forces. Date 29 May 2007 (Tuesday) Time 10:00 AM Organised by All India Christian Coucil, All India Catholic Union, All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations and many others Christian Churches and Organisations of National Capital Region Contacts Dr. John Dayal (9811021072), Albert Lael (09908249997), Madhu Chandra (9868184939), Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED], http://www.aiccindia.org Forwarded By Ancy Paladka, Vasai, Mumbai --- Goanet recommends, and is proud to be associated with, 'Domnic's Goa' - A nostalgic romp through a bygone era. This book is the perfect gift for any Goan, or anyone wanting to understand Goa. Distributed locally by Broadway, near Caculo Island, Panjim internationally by OtherIndiaBookStore.Com. For trade enquiries contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] ---
[Goanet] Mangalore Bishop's statement on Konkani teaching in Sunaparant Konkani Daily
Dear Friends, Please find the attached news story in Sunaparant Konkani Daily in Devnagiri script that on our Beloved Bishops strong support on teaching Konkani in Karnataka. In fact he is instrumental in bringing Konkani in school as he gave permissions to 1500 students of 55 schools of Catholic board to teach Konkani in schools outside the curriculam. I feel proud about him as I gave him open invitation to take lead in teaching Konkani in schools during the Childrens festival organised by Kazulo Monthly Magazine held on 12th Nov 2006. I happened to be the chief guest of the programme and Bishop was the president. I argued that only if Konkani is taught in the schools of Karnataka then we have the hope for the future of Konkani Language. Bishop replied to my invitations and promised his whole hearted support. Also at the offline stage he discussed with me the hurdles in bringing Konkani in schools yet he promised me that he will try his best. In fact Mangalore is the shining field for Konkani literature and also for its readersship. Konkani in Kannada script is popular not only in Karnataka but also in Maharashtra, major pocket cities of India, gulf, Canada, USA and other major cities of the world. There are FOUR weeklies, about 30 monthly, bimonthly periodicals, about 300 regional parish bulletins published in Kannada script of Konkani. There are number of Novelists in Kannada script of Konkani like J. S. Alvares, V. J. P. Saldanha, Jerry Kulshekar who have written more than 50 novels individuals. Konkani periodicals are awailable in various stalls of Mangalore, Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, other major citis of Mumbai, Various gulf countries, Other countries like UK, Canada, Australia, USA, ITALY, Germany etc. Also Konkani Books in Kannada script too are awailable in various book stalls. There is vast number of literature like Novels, Storys, Poems, Childrens literature, Essays, Articles, Religious literature, Songs, Hymns in Kannada script of Konkani. In fact church was the back bone to flourish Konkani in Karnataka and these people carried this light in other cities and other parts of the wolrld. Also the efforts of Catholic board Director Fr. Valerian DSouza, Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Akademy President Eric Ozario, Konkani Lekhakanhco Ekvott President Dr. Edward Nazareth, Konkani Prachar Sanchalan Presidnet Roy Castelino, Stephen Quadras also need to be appreciated at this moment. It is a glad news that Karnataka Govt has given permission to start teacching Konkani in Kannada script in the primary schools of Karnataka. It will be slowly extend up to the class tenth. Konkani is already being taught in Kannada script at the university level of Mangalore University in St. Aloysius College. With regards Ancy Paladka Ancy Salvadore D'Souza E2-139 Diwan Apt III Vasai Road East Thane Dist - 401 210 Tel: 0250-2390225 Cell: 9892917888, 9323299570 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- CONVENTION OF THE GOAN DIASPORA FROM GOA INTO THE WORLD Lisbon, Portugal June 15-17, 2007 Details at: http://www.goacom.org/casa-de-goa/noticias.html ---
[Goanet] SOLEMN FEAST OF INFANT JESUS IN MIRA ROAD (Mumbai) AT ST. JOSEPH CHURCH
http://www.GOANET.org This month's Goanet operations sponsored by Mrs. Daisy Faleiro SOLEMN FEAST OF INFANT JESUS IN MIRA ROAD (Mumbai) AT ST. JOSEPH CHURCH Mumbai, Jan 21: The feast celebration began with nine day novena preaching on the various parables of Jesus. Different preachers came to preach the novenas. The devotion to the Holy Child Jesus has long been a tradition of the Catholic Church for a very long time. This devotion is a veneration of our Lord's sacred Infancy. Many saints had a very strong devotion to the Divine Child, notably St. Therese of the Child Jesus, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Anthony of Padua, and St. Teresa of Avila. Prague is the capitol city of the Czech Republic, which is at the very central of Europe with Germany, Poland, Russia and Austria as its neighbours. The history of the Infant Jesus of Prague started in the 17th century when a statue of the Infant Jesus was brought into Bohemia (now Czech Republic) and eventually was given to the Discalced Carmelites in Prague. Since then, the statue has remained in Prague and has drawn many devotees worldwide to go and honor the Holy Child. Many graces, blessings, favors and miraculous healings have been received by many who petitioned before the Infant Jesus. The feast day theme was JESUS IS THE CENTRE OF OUR LIFE for our liturgy. Bishop Rt. Rev. Thomas Dabre, of Vasai Diocese was the main celebrant along with the Parish Priest Fr. Rudolf V. D' Souza, assistants Frs. Elias D' Souza and Deepak Thomas and a guest priest Fr. Stephen from Mission of Bellary was present, and the recently joined Deacon Brother Ajith. He also thanked the preachers: Fr. Lawrence OCD, Fr. Melwin Rosario OCD. Fr. Alfred OCD and Fr. Lancy Mendonca OCD. The Bishop delivered a thought provoking homily stressing the need to make Jesus the centre of our Life. Fr. Rudolf translated the whole homily in Konkani as 80% of the parisheners of Mira Road are Konkani speaking people. He stressed that today when people shy away from witnessing Christ. They decorate their rooms with Movie heroes than a Crucifix of Our Lord. They wear other ornaments than a simple cross. Well, he applauded the Mira Road St. Joseph Parishioners for their courage for the long procession with the Infant Jesus Statue and with the Patron banners of the SCC communities. He said that St. Joseph Church is well known for its traditions built over just in 18 years of her history. Fr. Rudolf thanked all those who were instrumental in making this feast a big success. He thanked especially Daijiworld.com for publishing the photos as it was very close to St. Joseph's Church through its local reporter. He also thanked the Andy Sound, Shagird co and Cicilia Band and other people He thanked Mr. Francis Araujo the vice president, the office staff and Mr. Sebastian D'Souza who organized with the help of third Order Carmelite Member and Legion of Mary the Sweets packets for distribution after the solemn mass. People danced before Infant Jesus Statue expressing their gratitude and graced they received during the last 10 days. People of other religions, casts and creed came to honour Infant Jesus in thousands in the last week and especially today. Infant Jesus feast has been picking up very fast in the vicinity of Mira Road Parish. Browse 271 photographs http://ancy.fotopic.net/c1190556.html DaijiWorld Report can be found at http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=29840n_tit=Feast+of+Infant+Jesus+Celebrated+at+Mira+Road - Ancy Paladka Tel: 0250-2390225 Cell: 9892917888, 9323299570 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[Goanet] Wishing you a merry Christmas
My Christmas wishes fly your way, With smiling eyes that yearn to say, How deeply loved and kind you are, How blessed in light like evening's star. My Christmas wishes fly your way, With loving thoughts this Christmas day. May peace and joy be granted you, May all God's blessings smile on you. And may the drifting new born snow Falling softly 'pon all we know Lend its beauty and its light To our hearts this Christmas night. Enjoy this Christmas Ancy with Priya Ancy Salvadore D'Souza (Ancy Paladka) E2-139 Diwan Apt III Vasai Road East Thane Dist - 401 210 Tel: 0250-2390225, 3201777 Cell: 9892917888, 9323299570 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.konkanifoundation.com/ancy/
