Articles by GASPAR ALMEIDA: 'KONKNNI OPARINCHO JHELO' RELEASED

Sunday, January 20, 2008

'KONKNNI OPARINCHO JHELO' RELEASED

'KONKNNI OPARINCHO JHELO' RELEASED

Kuwait-Goa Tiatristanchi Sonvstha (KGTS) celebrated their 5th anniversary in grand style with the release of Brazinho Soares (Kalapurkar)'s KONKNNI OPARINCHO JHELO - a collection of Konkani sayings which the author has collected for over 46 years.

Brazinho Soares was specially flown in from Goa for the occasion. This is the first time an inaugural release of a KONKANI publication takes place in Kuwait. The occasion was beautifully orchestrated by KGTS committee members and the ribbon-cutting ceremony was done at the hands of Rev. Fr. Melywn D'Cunha, vicar of the Holy Cathedral Church, Kuwait City on 17/4/2007.

KGTS President, Katty de Navelim, presented a shawl and a Memento to the author. At the commencement, a prayer recital and a minute's silence was observed in the fond rememberance of late Shri Ulhas Buyao. During the ceremony an exhibition of Konkani books, magazines, novels and periodicals was inaugurated by Elvira D'Souza. Incidentally, Brazinho Soares was also honoured on the same day at the Kala Academy Goa together with several senior Goan Tiatr Artistes. The event has been compered by KGTS General Secretary, Dominic Araujo.

A brief about Brazinho Soares:
Brazinho Soares hails from Santa Cruz and hence the alias Kalapurkar gets attached and recognized synonimously. Born 1938, his first Konkani poem titled "Doriachem Ojeap" was published on 9/2/1958 in 'Aitarachem Vachop' Konkani newspaper. After this, there was no turning back, as Brazinho Soares' love for Konkani writings flowed from his pen and it is interesting to note that not a single newspaper, magazine, weekly is left without his contribution being published. A man of few words, he has the unique record of collecting Konkani publications, Tiatr reviews, leaflets (handbills), which he did as a hobby in his youth, which continues todate. Brazinho Soares has often loaned his entire collections to Kala Academy (Goa) whenever are exhibitions and seminars held for Konkani promoting organizations and has received appreciation from several dignitaries including Goa's Chief Ministers, Kala Academy heads/chairperson, Senior Tiatrists as well as Editors of Konkani publications and magazines.
Brazinho Soares has also participated in several tiatr competitions and has been honoured by various Konkani and Cultural Organizations, both in Goa as well as overseas. He is the receipient of Goa Government Awards, Ave Maria Furtado Award (Qatar), Santa Cruz Social Welfare Association, Kala Academy, etc. Brazinho's creative writings and poems have been published in Gulab, Vauraddeancho Ixtt, A Vanguarda, Ave Maria, Porjecho Adar, Goan Express, Vauraddi, Cine Times, The Goa Mail, Udentechem Noketr, Goencho Sad, Divtti, Sot, Uzvadd, Loksad, Goykar, Novem Goem, Goencho Avaz, Goenchem Ful, Konkan Mail, Arso, Goencho Porzoll, O'Heraldo, Goan Sports Weekly, Dor Mhoineachi Rotti, Konknni, Arso, Goencho Fuddari, and other periodicals.
Brazinho Soares has also been managing editor of Konkani periodicals and magazines such as Karnaval, Goencho Gulab, Hea Sonvsarant, Konknni Noketrancho Uzvadd, etc. A good tiatr writer and director, he has presented 'Mogacho Xevott Simiterint and 'Mogachi Doulot' tiatrs which were well appreciated by the audience. He has also presented two Lenten-based plays 'Ho to Monis' and 'Sorvonddar Mell'lo' which were based on Jesus Christ's passion and his teachings. Earlier he has published two books with his collection of 'poems'.

"KONKNNI OPARINCHO JHELO" is a collectors' item and a treasure trove.
KGTS has supported the venture in publishing it. The publication will be made available to all KONKNNI lovers in Goa and worldwide from today (22nd April). To order your copy, email: araujodc@rediffmail.com or Mob: (965) 9391452 or contact: Brazinho Soares, Kalapurkar, Ubo Dando, Santa Cruz, Ilhas,
Goa-403005 - Tel: +91 832 2446962 or email: teddynov@rediffmail.com

Report by Gaspar Almeida, associate, www.goa-world.com
Additional input: KGTS.
Photographer: Rewon Gomes rewgomes@hotmail.com

http://www.goa-world.com/goa/about_goa
http://www.daijiworld.com/news/default.asp?city=goa
http://www.fullerlife.in/Goenchoulo/goencho_ulo_jan_07.pdf
http://www.beth-beth-lehem.org

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C. Gaspar Almeida - by N.C. Mohandoos

C. Gaspar Almeida

by N. C. Mohandoss

FRONTLINERSKUWAIT.com
Indiansinkuwait.com

Gaspar Almeida’s straight forwardness and ethical behaviour stands out among the vibrant Goan and the Indian community! There is hardly any Goan organization left where he has not contributed or assisted in some way or the other – be it for sports (football and cricket), cultural or social. “You see several Goans now in the forefront, he confides, “well, I nominated, groomed and guided them” over the years! He studied at Victoria High School, Mahim-Bombay and completed S.S.C.E. St. Joseph’s High School, Arpora-Goa at the age of 14 years, and later graduated at DM’s College of Commerce, Mapusa-Goa. Gaspar landed in Kuwait in 1981 directly with the M.S. Al-Essa Group. His father, Geraldo G. Almeida worked in Kuwait since 1961 for the same establishment. At this time he received training through Pitsman’s Institute London, and later joined M.A. Al-Kharafi Industries and Establishments. Presently he works as the ‘Department Head’ for M.A. Al-Kharafi Group’s international marketing division. He is simple, frank, open hearted, fast at the keyboards and a dedicated person, always in the forefront! It is these attributes that helps him to assist the community and through his social contacts.

Together with Ulysses Menezes of www.goa-world.com website, they pioneered the only online Konkani international music station in 2000, and the first Gulf-Goans e-Newsletter – the finest having the largest subscriber base for the Middle East-based Goans in 1994.This tall and resourceful Goan was hand-picked for a special guest appearance role in the first Konkani e-cinema “BLACK” produced by the award winning director T-Bush. He was also the lead publicists with Gasper Crasto for the film. “Computer technology changes at lightning-fast speed. So it's no surprise that the way computer generated images depicted on the silver screen has developed rapidly in recent years”. And “BLACK” has created history for Konkani cinema, propelling it in futuristic film genre as envisaged by T-Bush Films International.

Gaspar is the longest elected Hon. General Secretary of the Goan Welfare Society (GWS) – a unique record to-date for any Goan. “I am elected ‘unopposed’ always”, he coyly smiles. It’s a rare honour for this Goan who is known for his simplicity and style. He has immensely contributed towards scores of Goan/Indian organizations including Kuwait Indian Football Federation (KIFF) as Vice President and earlier Gen.Secretary, as President of Saligao Sports Club (Kuwait), as Secretary of Young Goans Association (Kuwait), Member of Goans International Worldwide – a cyber organization since 1995, as committee member of CRY-Child, Rights & You–FOCC Kuwait Chapter, as member of Writers Guild Kuwait, and as coordination committee member of India’s 40th anniversary celebrations in Kuwait, and PR & Exhibitions Coordinator in Kuwait and Lebanon, among others.

Events like ‘Goa Day’ in Kuwait has been promoted by him, and he fondly claims that it was through the internet media and the www.goa-world.com website team that this concept has now taken wings and is organized now in the Middle East, Europe, Australia, India and the Americas annually. A special mention has to be made on Gaspar - He assisted scores of Indians in the post-invasion period to get their previous assignments and jobs to many new comers. It was by sheer opportunity, having stayed back during the occupation period that he was able to do this yeomen service specially to the Goans in Goa and Mumbai.

Writing for Konkani and English publications in Goa and Mumbai, Gaspar says his favourite Konkani magazine is ‘GULAB’ – now in its silver jubilee year, and the Konkani weekly “V-Ixtt” and he loved Khuswant Singh’s articles and RK Laxman’s Cartoons. “I have been reading Konkani magazines like ‘Dor Mhoinneachi Rotti’ since I was 8 years”, he recollects. We are the third generation subscribers to this periodical! My favourite Indian English newspaper is “The Indian Express”. Having contributed for English newspapers in Kuwait covering Goan/Indian sports, cultural and social events, Gaspar has also been nominated as the representative/special correspondent for Middle East Construction – a U.K. based trade publication.

The best article penned by him in English titled “Another Sunday” depicting a short family story – summing up a day’s throughfare based on his village lifestyle in Parra, Bardez, has been translated in over 15 Indian languages including Konkani (in three scripts), Kannada, Marathi, Tamil, Malayalam, etc. and also in French. He says. “I will publish it in print some day” when more translations are done. Presently it is online in ‘blog’ format and on several online writers’ websites. He likes to contribute to websites such as TGF www.thegoanforum.com, www.daijiworld.com, www.mangalorean.com and www.colaco.net which promotes Goans and Konkani. “At www.goa-world.com we are happy to have promoted several English and Konkani writers/poets/ contributors and small business endeavours of Goans in Goa and abroad since 1994”. As an example, he mentioned having contributed to a historic research paper “Goans Away from Home – Migration to the Middle East” by Fatima da Silva Gracias –Lusotopie 2000”!

Having had the opportunity to visit many European, Middle East, Asian and the CIS countries during his official business visits and holiday tours, he says “I like ‘Cyprus’ and the lifestyle of Cypriots”. They have vast similarities to the Goans in all walks of life.When asked for his views on the Goan community in Kuwait, Gaspar proudly says, “Goans, have craved a name and prestige among our Kuwaiti brethren especially in business and the services industries. Goans have excelled in important positions as administrators/quality control managers in contracting companies, engineers/ technicians/planners in construction and consulting enterprises, professionals/ marketing executives in trading, IT and consumer products industry, doctors/nurses/ medical professionals in hospitals, blood bank, health centres, as school principals and teachers, photographers, as executive/services personnel in the airline, travel and hospitality trade, and not to forget the services of those in the domestic sector since the early ‘60s!”

He has always strived to improve the Goan and Konkani image – more importantly of that of tiatrists (stage artistes), composers, sportsmen and musicians. He has been known to have countered those who create ripples and controversies in the community. “I go out of my way to get the facts right”. When questioned if these had any impact on him personally, he laughed, “You see, I have no enemies of my own making”.

To a curious observer, many-a-times one sees him as ‘special invitee’ at social and sports events and Konkani dramas/musicals, both of the professionals and the amateur lot. “I like to call a stone a stone”, his well known popular remark sums it all. And it is very much evident when he is specially called in to write a review for the press and internet media.

His wife, Dorothy DeSouza Almeida, excelled in studies being a second state ranker at the higher secondary Goa Board exam while at St. Xavier’s College, Mapusa-Goa. Presently, she works as Administrator cum Business Development Co-ordinator for Parsons Brinckerhoff - International Engineering Consultants, having worked earlier for the British Business Forum (BBF) as Administrator.

They are blessed with two children, son Dwane John and daughter Charmaine Melrose studying in Jabriya Indian School. While Charmaine is a studious girl with flair for painting and writing, Dwane is keen about cricket and sports. Gaspar enjoys life with full satisfaction and once back in Goa, wishes to establish a specialised PR firm to promote Goa’s leisure industry. It’s his ambition and I wish him the very best.

http://www.indiansinkuwait.com/om17.asp
http://www.mangalorean.com
http://www.indiansinkuwait.com
http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/gulf-goans/
http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/goa-goans/
http://www.goanet.org

Articles by GASPAR ALMEIDA

Sunday, January 20, 2008

'KONKNNI OPARINCHO JHELO' RELEASED

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