Ghozali - Nov 2007

MELGOANS

VOLUME 3,

ISSUE 11

NOVEMBER 2007

News of Goan relevance for Goans in Melbourne www.melgoans.com

bâÜ `|áá|ÉÇ “To provide Goans and their friends an enjoyable and a relaxing time without the need for formal membership. In doing this, we will showcase our cultural activities and also learn and integrate with the multicultural society of Melbourne”.

From the editor’s desk… Mogal Goencarano, Time, they say flies! With this issue of our newsletter, we are entering into our third year of publishing, and that makes us so proud indeed. As I began writing these few lines, a wave of nostalgia crept over me as I recollected the fears and excitement that went together, when I agreed to take on the challenge of nurturing and editing this newsletter. After celebrating World Goa Day 2005, we were all on a high as that function was the beginning of the change that is today the success story of Melgoans, and the saga of the Lobo family in Melbourne. Hats off to Oscar Lobo, for the determination, zeal and courage that enabled him stand tall in the eyes of failure and disaster which is now history. Today Melgoans is on a very strong footing, and with the chain of continued success stories in the last three years, there is no looking back, only forward.

The 24th of November is just around the corner, and we are all going to have to exercise our precious franchise to vote in our next Government. While the newspapers, talkback radio and television channels are trying their best to sway us one way or the other, it does feel good to be in a country where most everyone knows what is best for them, and will vote accordingly. I am looking forward to seeing the promises that are making the waves, materialise into reality in the days to come.

Soon after the elections, its going to be the Christmas season. It would be a good idea to prepare for the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, starting right away. Australia is a Christian country, so let us show the world that we believe. World Youth Day 2008 is also fast approaching, and many of our younger ones are working in preparation for that big occasion, when the Pope will make his maiden trip to Australia, just to be with our youth. We are seriously thinking of arranging to sponsor some young Goan boys and girls to make the trip to Sydney next year. More details will follow in our next issue, but please keep this thought in mind, and if you have any ideas as to how to go about doing this, please do get in touch with us. We need all the help we can get in this big maha plan!!!

Till our next, mog asundi...

Salus Correia

From the rambling ‘Reddo’…! Summer is here once again, and so are the flies! Just the other day, I was walking across Collins Street in the city, and someone waved. Stupid me, thought it was just the Aussie wave, but then I heard someone call out my name. Say ‘John’, ‘Tom’ or ‘Joe’, and they are just names, but say mine in true Goan style and you are going to have ears turned! Which is exactly what happened that day. I looked back, and saw someone from my good old days in Goa—someone with a rather familiar face, smiling and happy to see me. And exactly at that moment, I realised that I may be having a problem! The face was familiar, but God, the name! I just could not remember the name, What an embarrassment. To my good luck, this lovely face just walked pass me and at this point in time I realised that I was not the only Sebastian in Melbourne!!! So who was the other guy? Well, I just hope this other ’Sebastian’ does read this newsletter, and does introduce himself to us. I for one do feel good, pleased and happy to meet other Goans here in Melbourne, and I am sure most of you guys too do the same. So come over mate, say hello, and maybe we could share a peg of good old caju feni together at my place. With the elections in a few more days, the tension is slowly building. I can just sense it, and can predict that we are going to have a new Government, but I just wonder, how new!!! While we are a minority here in Australia, I am looking forward to the day when our very own Goan community will have an elected representative in Parliament. That would be so nice. This time my friend Salus has my full support with his plans to arrange sponsors for some Goan youth to make the trip to Australia for World Youth Day 2008, at Sydney next year. Do help in what ever way you can. Like they say, ’every cent counts’ It would make a lasting impression on the lucky young man or woman and I think it is our duty to help make someone’s dream come true!!! Recad sogleank!

Bostião Xavier

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From our Konkani corner Going to the Movies

Cinema-k Vetam

ANA: Tom, how long is it since we had been to a movie? = Tom, kitlo têmp zalo ami cinema-k ghelear? TOM: Only last week we had been to the movies.

= Fokot ghelea sumanak ami cinema-k ghêlêlim.

ANA: Oh, that was an English movie.

= Ô, tem zaun aslem ek inglêz film

TOM: You mean to see a Konkani movie?

= Tuka zai ek Konkani film pôlôuncheak?

ANA: That's exactly what I meant.

= Khorem, tench anv mhunntalim.

TOM: I see no harm in seeing one.

= Kaim vaitt nam ek pollelear.

ANA: You are so cool just because it is Konkani?

= Tum itlo thôndd asai tem Konkani bhaxên mhunn?

TOM: First you want me to learn Konkani, and now

= Pôilem tuka zai anvem Konkani xiklolem, ani atam tuka

you want me to see a Konkani movie. ANA: Because that is the practical way to learn Konkani, I mean Konkani pronunciation. TOM: How right you are Ana. Why didn't I think of it before? ANA: Because you have little interest in Konkani. TOM: Don't let our son hear that, he may stop learning Konkani.

zai anvem Konkani film polelelem. = Ti ek bôri vatt Konkani xikonk, mhunnchem Konkani ucharop xikonncheak. = Tem tujem khorem Ana. Kiteak anvem tem adim chintlemnam? = Kiteak tuka bhôu thoddi porvau asa Konkani-chi. = Amchea put-ak tem aikunk dinaka, to Konkani xikchem bondd kôrit.

ANA: So, let's take him as well.

= Tôr, takai vorohea.

TOM: Surely, he too needs to learn to pronounce

= Dubav nam. Takai goroz asa xikonk uchar Konkani

Konkani words. ANA: We could do it even in cheaper way. We could buy a DVD of the film, and all could see it often.

uttramche. = Amcheani tôri-i sovai bitor korieta tem. Amcheani êk DVD gheun tea film-achi zaite pauti tem polouietta.

TOM: A great idea, Ana.

= êk vhôdd ikmôt, Ana.

ANA: Yes, and learn the script by heart; that way

= Ôi, ani tem ulounnem dekor xikouietta; toxem ami

we´ll learn Konkani sooner. TOM: Today that you've got me all worked up, let's go to see the Konkani film: Mogacho Anvddo. ANA: But we haven't yet asked our son.

Konkani vêigim xikouietta. = Aiz tuvem maka itlo fulôilai dêkunn, choll ami Konkani film Mogacho Anvddo pôlôunk vochouiea. = Punn ami azun amchea puta-ak vincharunk nam.

Continued on the next page…

From our Konkani corner TOM: Yes, today we have to ask the children. In my father's days parents just told their children.

= Ôi, aiz amchea bhurgeank vincharunk zai. Mhojea paichea tempar bhugeank fokot sangtalim.

ANA: Tony boy, come on get yourself dressed.

= Tôny baba, choll neson toiar za.

SON: But where are we going to, mummy?

= Tôr maim, khôim ami vetam?

TOM: To see a very good Konkani movie.

= Pôlôunk ek zôbôr borem Konkani film.

SON: You must be joking, daddy.

= Deddi, tum fokannam kotai so dista.

ANA: No son, they are really good.

= Nam puta, tim khorench borim.

TOM: Besides, it forms part of our heritage.

= Tea bhair tem amchem daiz zaun asa.

SON: Well, let's go an see what it is like.

= Borem tor, chol iea ani pôlôuiea koxem asa tem.

ANA: And Konkani language is our heritage my son.

= Ani Konkani bhas amchem diaz, mhojea puta.

SON: I love that song Proud to be Goan, where he

= Maka avoddta tem git Proud to be Goan, zantun to

sings, I love my 'xit koddi and Konkani.' ANA: Yes, it certainly gives us all a feeling of 'pride to be Goan.

gaita: xit-kôddi jeitam, Kônknni uloitam. = Ôi, tem amkam khorench sintid dita patradên bhoron Goenkar mhunnonk.

Thanks to Basilio Magno. Please send us your feedback to: [email protected]

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News from Goa… Konkani Course in Roman Script In the wake of the linguistic controversy over the script for Konkani language - Hindus demanding Devnagari script and the Christians pushing for the Roman script - the Porvorim based Thomas Stephen Konkani Kendr has come out with a new edition of Konkani Course in Roman Script, written by Fr. Mathew Almeida, S.J. The book with over 200 pages is priced at Rs. 250/- and may be ordered from: Thomas Stephen Konkani Kendr, B.B. Borkar Road, Alto Porvorim, Goa 403 521 -email: [email protected] Now that many compatriots visit Goa, almost annually, it would be a good investment of about 7 dollars or 5 pounds to bring it from Goa or ask someone to bring it. The course is explained in English, and is the best way to learn Konkani in Roman script, grammatically. Basilio Magno has asked his friend in Goa to send him a copy. He will continue writing the Konkani Corner as long as you enjoy reading it. In Memoriam… Cruz Sanny Vaz, also known as Sanny de Quepem sadly passed away on the 9th of this month. An energetic and ever friendly helpful Sanny was a well known singer, actor and of late, a serious writer specially on the net, Sanny will be sorely missed. In July this year, Sanny was granted permission to record Basilio Magno’s “Proud to be a Goan”, and we are not sure if that has materialised. R.I.P Sanny, may you have eternal rest. Pri. Moreno-ak Chepem Kaddtam Pat'tiu Moreno de Souza-chea dukhest mornna vorvim mhaka sanddlo ek mogal ixtt, zo mhaka aple chittinnim zaiti hurba haddi hanvem Konkani bhaxen borouncheak. To chabuk ditalo kernaim hanven Inglez utor ghatlear. To khorench zaun aslo ek "Walking Encyclopedia" Konknne bhaxecho ani Göyche itias-icho. Amchi ixttagot suru zali 1958 vorsa, zernam hanvem tachea eka kavit-ak NIRMOLLA muzg ghoddlem ani tem git solfa soit Udentichem Neketr hea satollean porgotlem 27-09-1958 ankan. Tache zannvaiek ani puskol boroup-ak ani kavitam-k anv khaltikaien chepem kaddtam. Basilio Magno (Spain)

Goan named Justice in Portugal SC

BY HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, NOV 13 – A Ribandar-born Goan, António Bernardo Colaço, 69, has been nominated Justice (“Conselheiro”) in the Supreme Court of Portugal – the highest post in judicial ranks for a career-magistrate. A Graduate in Law from the University of Coimbra, Colaço had held the post of Public Prosecutor (“Delegado do Procurador de República”) since 1972. Prior to his nomination as Justice, he held the post of Deputy Attorney General. An “activist” magistrate, Colaço has always been interested in social perspectives, and was an active participant both in Portugal’s decolonization process and in the independence of Angola immediately after the 1974 Revolution. A prominent member of the Public Prosecutors’ Trade-Union, he has published more than 70 essays, articles and studies on judicial, police and human rights issues, and until recently played an active part in the European Institute for Freedom, Security and Justice (EULEC). Colaço also played a crucial role in the judicial feed-back to foster Police Trade-Unionism and Military Associativism in Portugal, having co-authored a book Sindicalismo na PSP – Medos e Fantasmas em regime democrático. Married to Deolinda Pimentel from Condeixa, Colaço has two daughters and three grandchildren.

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GOAN RECIPES XITT KHODI as served at Longuinhos, Margao Give a Goan nothing but his Xitt-Khodi, and he's a happy man. If there's one dish that may be called a Goan staple, it would have to be the can't-do-without Xitt-Khodi. Although Xitt-Khodi simply means 'Rice-Curry', it more often than not refers to Goan Fish Curry served with boiled rice. There are many variations like substituting fish with prawns, crab, mussels and egg, and even more glorious, dried fish or dried prawn. It's a very simple recipe, and great no matter what main ingredient you choose. Ingredients: Fish (pomfret or mackerel)

1-2

Coconut

1

Cumin seeds

½ tsp

Garlic

4 flakes

Tamarind

10g

Green chillies

2-3

Large onion

1

Ginger

1" piece

Kashmiri chillies

6

Turmeric

1 tsp

Salt

to taste

Method 1. Clean and wash the pomfret well, cut into pieces, sprinkle salt and keep aside. 2. Slice the onion. Soak tamarind in a little water to extract the pulp. 3. Grate coconut and leave aside a 1/4 of it. Extract coconut milk with the remaining 3/4. To do this, grind the coconut with warm water. Strain this, squeezing the coconut as much as possible to extract the maximum amount of liquid. Discard the coconut leaving only the coconut milk. 4. Grind together the dry chillies, cumin seeds, garlic, ginger, green chillies, tamarind pulp and the 1/4 coconut left aside earlier. 5. Heat oil in a pan, add the onion, and fry till they are soft and slightly golden brown. Add the ground masala, fry for a while. 6. When you get the aroma of the masala, add sufficient water (the water should be enough to cover the fish). Bring to the boil. 7. Reduce flame, simmer for 10 minutes. Add the fish and cook for another 10 minutes uncovered. Do not allow the curry to boil. 8. Serve with boiled rice.

GOA, GOA, GOA (AMCHEM GOA)

A common sight at the famous Colva beach. The early morning catch awaits the ‘tempo driver’ or the ‘rickshawalla’ to cart the fresh fish to the Margao market.

Motorcycle ‘pilots’ are a unique provider of transport in the Goan towns. Cheap and convenient, forget about the hassles of parking etc. Just hail one, and he will zoom you around town in no time.

This page has been sponsored. Our thanks to the advertisers. This page has been sponsored. Our thanks to the advertisers.

Printed and Published by Oscar Lobo for Melgoans Pty Ltd., Ltd who are not responsible for the opinion or views of the contributors. This monthly read is distributed free of charge to any Goan and their friends. Contributions for publication are most welcome, and will be included in the next issue subject to clearance by the editorial board. Editor: Salus Correia Email: [email protected]

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