Q n A Part 6  Philip Richard and John Gonsalves

Congratulations

Cleon
S/o Viru & Marina Furtado, Bennekudru, christened on 4th
October, at Church of St. Antony, Kuntalnagar.

Of all the precious gifts in life, the best must surely
be a baby
A tiny bundle of happiness has walked into our
lives
A new little love to fill our hearts

Best Wishes from Furtado Family from Bennekudru, Mendonca Family from Kuntalnagar, Giselle, Prinal, Premila & Joylan From Mumbai, Michelle, Elvira & Jolvin From Mumbai, Dion, Edna & Divyanand from Barkur, Sheldon, Shanon, Sharmila & Dilip from Brahmavar, Sweezal & Savitha from Bangalore.13/10/09

Dear Praveen Carvalho, Eric Soans & Team,

Congratulations ! God bless your mission. With lots of wishes & Love from,

Jessy Menezes, Keith, Maria & Herbert., Barkur.04/10/2009

Congratulation to all our singers who participated in the Singing competition at Kallainpur. Eric and Praveen wishing you both the best also to lead our talented singers to this level. All the best to all and May God Bless. With Regards,

Fareena Sequeira, Personnel Coordinator, Noble International Ltd.Abu Dhabi, UAE, 01/10/2009

Happy Wedding Anniversry

Praveen and Sushma Carvalho
Kachur, Barkur. 23/09/2009

Vishwas  Lloyd Carvalho and Agnes Carvalho, Barkur, Charles , Philomena and Roshan Lobo, Barkur. Prajwal, Shreyal, Priyal, Patricia and Lancelot D'Almeida, Barkur, Giselle, Prinal, Premila and Joylan Fernandes, Mumbai, Eric Soans, Naveen Dais, Barkur, Keith, Maria and Habbu, Dubai, Michelle, Evira and Jolvin Furtado, Mumbai, Ayden, Anola and Johnson Martis, Mumbai, Ashish, Sujatha and Alwyn Andrade, Barkur, Stenita, Greta and Stepehen Lewis, Barkur, Anirudh, Marina and Kishoo, Barkur and The Expressions 23/09/2009 

As I was writing about chicken soup in Monthi Festh articles, I remembered a haunting episode which deserves a mention with utmost gratitude from me.

When Sr. Consilia decided to join the religious order, she was packing up a trunk, well, today it’s called suitcase. Folks, she did not have much to pack. A very, very rich relative, gave her Rs.10.00, (Ten) a princely sum of money in 1957, and she bought her a pair of leather slippers, all as gift, as we understood then. Folks these were her first pair of slippers. She was marvelously grateful to this lady until her death. (We never told Helen) how we repaid those ten rupees ten thousand times over. My mother had to acknowledge such great generosity every time we met this lady.

This lady had a relative is Sasthan or near about. On her way to her relative, she used to stop by at our house, usually on Saturday afternoons.  Most of the time I had half day school, and I used to reach home by about 1:00 pm.  My mother, as soon as I got home, used to address me, “putha putha..’ and whenever she addressed me as putha, I knew she needed a job out of me.  “Hodly amay aila baba. Vos vos yek kunkda pilak dhor.”  “Great grand mother is here, go and catch a chicken.”    

I had to chase these chickens till we both were exhausted thus I could grab one.  I had to cut off its head, capture the blood in a coconut shell while restraining the headless spinning body, a training helped me in my future profession.  This sort of exercise was going on for a while, and I started complaining about it, saying, why we have to cut a chicken every time this grand old maharani shows up.

“Putha (son), you know she had given Rs. 10 to your sister while she was joining the convent. I thought it was a gift, but she wants it back. What to do my son, we somehow have to pay it back her Rs.10.00 she gave to Helen.  Since, we do not have any cash, we at least have to pacify her till we can clear it. ” It was hard to see her lacrimal glands produce so much of flowing tears, oh, the pangs of poverty. Yes, it bothers me as I write it.  No, I do not hate the rich, but I weep for the poor.

 I said, “All those young chickens, (forget the number of eggs they would have produced), would have amounted to hundreds of rupees.”  “My son, don’t talk that way, God won’t like it!”  “And God likes me to run around like this after I get home after walking 3.5 miles, in this hot sun, already?”

I was so mad, I went and asked this lady, in a subdued mellow tone, a trait we all must cultivate, “Are you visiting us next Saturday amchi mogachi hodly Aamai?”

“Why are you asking, boy”?

“You see, if we know that you are coming, we can keep the chicken in its cage instead of releasing it in the morning and I running after it stupidly, tired. Besides, I can grind rice on  Friday night to prepare Sannas, instead of just panpalles, not only for you, but for us too!”

All she said to my mother was, “Who says your son is buddu?”

Folks, when I went to Bombay, I made sure with my mother to repay her Rs. 10.00 from my first money order remittance, with some interest.  “Wha, the privileges of the rich!”  Is this another form of bonded labor?

It’s unfortunate, her vast property, 12 bedroom house, is in ruins and unoccupied today, and I have nothing to do with it, except feel sorry, and get convinced that “Empires rise and empires fall.”  Who am I to question God’s doings?  “Whatever has to happen, happeningeee happeninggg!”  Can we change the course?

James  Fernandes,USA, 19/09/2009

Happy Birthday

Prescilla T Lobo
Wife of the late Xavier Lobo
September 13, 2009

Somehow we always say the least
to those we love the best
And hope our thoughts
are understood.
Although they’re unexpressed
That’s why it means
so very much,
when days like this are here
To say how very much
you’re loved
each day throughout the year.

Happy Birthday ! Wishes from children: Fr Stany B Lobo, Harry & Violet Lobo, Cypry Lobo ,Victor & Rita Lewis,Grandchildren: Harsha, Heera, Varsha, Rashmi/ Vijesh Gonsalves,Relatives & friends. Hosala Village,Barkur Post, Udupi – 576210.Ph: 91 820 2587162, Email: lobostanyb@rediff.com

Pic: Mayur Studio, Barkur

Congratulations

Dear Fr.Tony, Congratulations! Almighty God Bless your Mission Amen. Lots of wishes from

Jessy Menezes, Keith, Maria & Herbert, 09.09.2009

Mr Fernandes, I had a look at your latest in bcom on feast of nativity. must have spent precious time - as it is a series of articles. Nostalgic feelings of yesteryears well come out in words supported by beautiful flowers and vegetables. Well timed work, keep it up!

Happy to hear Fr. Tony's additional responsibilities, hope it will not effect his contributions to bcom, the only other regular writer!!!

POM / HOF columns need FRESH faces....Roche with all respects there again for very long...!

I am surprised, not to see Archie in his special Corner in these days?

Fine friends, Please accept mine as well as my family members Best Wishes For A Happy Feast of Nativity Of Blessed Virgin Mary....Have a wonderful FAMILY FEAST! With regards,

MM ALVARES, alvaresmm@hotmail.com, 09.09.2009

All Barkurians around the globe,

Best wishes for a happy feast of nativity of Mother Mary... Please publish festivity snaps at Barkur. Have a nice day!

Philip Richard P. - philiphpass@hotmail.com, 09.09.2009

Happy Birthday

Dearest Rania,

May your birthday be happy in all kinds of ways... And may all your tomorrows be wonderful days... Happy Birthday and May all your dreams come true. May your birthday fill your life with happiness, peace and good cheer. May God Bless You abundantly and Keep you smiling always!! With Lots of Love & Kisses, 

Rohit (Dad)  and Blanche (Mummy),(Barkur)Dubai, Grand parents :  Albin D'Souza ( Barkur),  Lukas Almeida and Martha Almeida ( Thottam), Rahul ,Shainal and Anlon ( Barkur),Carol D'Souza ( Dubai ),Rolbin D'Souza ( Mumbai), Brian Almeida ( Dubai ) , Benita Almeida ( Bangalore ),29/08/2009

Fond Remembrance

Remembered fondly on the 10th Death Anniversary,

Florine Gonsalves and family, Hosala, Barkur, 30/08/2009

 Happy Annversay

Dearest Jerina & Sydney Lewis,

Happy and Blessed 17th Wedding anniversary. May Almighty God Bless both of you. With lots love and wishes from,

Jessy Menezes, Keith, Maria & Habbu, Barkur. 23/08/2009

August 15th,  A memorable day

• August 15 is highly memorable to us.  On this day Mother Mary ascended to heaven. A day of obligation for Catholics.  Bless us.
• On this day, India obtained independence from the British. A public holiday in India.  Happy independence day to us all. May India prosper all the more
• On this day, Assumpta Fernandes was born, in the year 1907.  She would have been 102 years young today. 
• We her family, want to thank her for giving us birth, who broke her back (literally, see the drooping right shoulder?) by working in the rice fields to raise her six children, for sowing simplicity (sometimes too much!) (khalthepon) in us, for planting the habit of hard work in us, and for praying and making us reap just necessary or sufficient prosperity.
• Well, she took off much before we could spare our wealth with her a bit more generously, but we all repaid her within our means when she was around.  She never demanded an iota of luxury anyway. She sweated, shed tears, and mostly  tears of joy as well. RIP.
• On 14th of August Helen was born. RIP.

-James Fernandes,USA15/08/2009

Happy First Birthday

Avril Vienna Lewis
1st b'day on : 04 August 2009

As you celebrate your 1st Birthday,
We thank God, for blessing us with the
most precious gift of our life.
A year ago you came to our lives, bringing happiness,
laughter and joy in our family.
Your sweet smile and presence, brightens our day and
truly you are the sweetest Angel sent from heaven above!!
May you always grow God’s loving child.
May the Lord guide you and be with you
every day blessing you with all the happiness,
good health and a bright future.
 

A Very Happy Birthday to you...With lots of love, Hugs, kisses and blessings from
Parents : Divya Furtado & Sujith Lewis, Grand Parents : Macrine Furtado (Kachur, Barkur), Peter Lewis & Gretta Lewis (Uppoor, Kallianpura), 13/08/2009

I managed to come across with some Konkani learning books lately. I was surprised to see an article/lesson titled “Dhaktya Devachi Bhrughin in Kannada script,” by Kishoo Barkur.  This lesson is featured in Grade Seven Konkani lessons book, page 61, as can be seen above.

It’s nice to know Kishoo, an author, whose poetry is accepted and recognized by the educational authorities of Karnataka State, even though I have not met this person.

When Michael Jackson died, one of his brother said, “He could not take his money, his Neverland, nor his art collection, but he left his songs, his support to poor and needy people even though very few among the billions may be, and that’s what counts. He left his songs, songs that made quite a difference to lots of people.”

Thanks Kishoo, for your song or poetry books, for your support to local musicians, actors, schools, or colleges, and host of other activities I am not aware of. By the way, more is expected of you, because you are capable to deliver the same! ‘Yes, you can!”

-James Fernndes, USA 11/08/2009