The first Tiatro in Kuwait was held in Ahmadi, Kuwait, somewhere in early fifties thru the tremendous efforts of my “ghanv bhau” Antonio Marie Fernandes, popularly known as “Lapitt Anton” who created a history in Kuwait in the late fifties by hoisting the Portuguese Flag in KOC Compound to mark the Portuguese National Day of Portugal, this incident has created a big noise then especially in the diplomatic circle in Kuwait. So much so, the big man of Portugal, Dr. Antonio Oliveira Salazar – the dictator of Portugal – was even alerted thru British Embassy in Kuwait that sent this message to British Foreign Office and from here this message went to Portugal. Since there was no Portuguese mission in Kuwait, Britain was looking after the interest of Portugal in Kuwait. In such matters Antonio Marie Fernandes was a genius, he was working then in Ahmadi Kuwait Oil sector for the prestigious company Kuwait Oil Company.
Edmundo Emilio Fernandes was his brother also working in Kuwait but Edmundo was the well-known Tiatrist in Kuwait during that time, he was a very good “partist” doing any type of role but he was at his best in doing the role of a “Bhattkar”, Police Officer and such other roles. He was very good “clownist” also composing and singing his own Solos on different topics. It was partly he and some of his other friends and colleagues namely the late Tony Call from Candolim, Felix Monteiro from Bastora, the late Clemente from Anjuna, the late John Dias from Candolim etc. were responsible to lay the strong base for the Tiatro in Kuwait. Because of that base, Tiatro in Kuwait is not only surviving but flourishing. Edmundo had the distinction of participating in that first ever Tiatro in Kuwait held at KOC premises. When in 1975 first time Alfred Rose and Rita Rose came to Kuwait to stage their 2 Tiatros, Edmundo also participated in those Tiatros and brought name and fame for him.
When he did so much from Kuwait, why in Goa by any institution promoting this art has not done anything to him to appreciate his contribution in the development and promotion of Tiatros? I am a bit perturbed and disturbed that none of the Associations funded and not funded by the government are doing anything to them in appreciation to the yeomen services they render for the cause of Goa in diverse fields. I have seen in the past how some of the stalwarts of many of our Goan organizations based in Goa are least bothered to know what our brothers and sisters in foreign countries inspite of facing innumerable hurdles are helping our Goa, Goan causes and Goan Associations. At moment, many of our prominent Goans leading their Goan Associations are of the opinion that expatriate Goans are duty bound to help Goa and Goan causes.
It is my wish here to tell all our Goa based leaders holding the reins of prominent Goan Associations in Goa that by ignoring the contribution of expatriate Goans they are robbing the expatriate Goans, just because they are out of Goa that does not mean their contribution should be seen as not important. How about the money these same expatriate Goans send to Goa for different activities? Why this money amounting to lakhs and lakhs of rupees accepted with open arms? In the past Kuwait Goans alone sent about 5 lakhs of rupees for the cause Novem Goem Daily. For Cancer Hospital at Dona Paula about 20 lakhs besides so many lakhs for other Konkani activities, for the Churches, their schools and convents. Was it small job especially from Kuwait where you are round the clock under the scanner? When you people want our money you approach us like slaves but when our turn comes to expect some appreciation you drive us away like slaves. I think time is come now for every Goan Association recognized by the government or not to evaluate the contribution of expatriate Goan on par with that of those Goa based Goans. In this direction, the efforts of the Tiatrists based in the foreign countries should be appreciated first by decorating them with the citations and other awards along with those based in Goa.
A.Veronica Fernandes.