An hour at Bambolim Miraculous Cross (Fulamcho Khuris)
(with pics & Video - pl click on any pic for instant larger view)
I was invited for a litany at the miraculous Cross on 13th May 2007.
I was there an hour earlier and was very happy to spend some memorable moments there with the crowd/groups that come there for litany from all over Goa.
This ‘Fulamcho Furis’ atleast 50 years old is very famous and people from all religions seen paying respect to this miraculous Cross in many ways such as..
Pl CLICK ON PICS FOR ISTANT LARGER VIEW
Some motor vehicles will stop (offering candles/flowers)
Some slow down (their vehicles)
Some regular travelers/drivers seen sounding their vehicle horn (as a sign of respect.)
Some passengers are even seen throwing some (currency) coins from their moving vehicles.
The cross is always seen almost hidden with the flowers (garlands) which devotees bring and put around the cross see pic (flowers and candles also available for sale at the site).
Litany or Ladin (Ladainha)
Traditionally, litanies were sung in Latin laguange e.g Kyrie eleison, Ora pro nobis, Salve Regina, Alma Redemptoris etc now most sing in their mother tongue 'Konkani'.
On Sundays, it is very busy there, so busy that the group who come to sing litany will have to take a token from the Shrine’s office for their turn. Litanies are sung one after another with group size ranging from 12-100. Each litany is of av. 20 minutes duration.
Video clip: http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=V6VnabfrgO0
So why litany?
Some people take a vow saying that if their wish is fulfilled (e.g. Recovery from Sickness/hospitals, school/college examinations, employment, promotion, marriage, babies etc etc) they would come here and offer flowers, candles and litany. Besides, it is a tradition at every village ward level (Cross), at time of weddings, baptism, first Communion, birthdays, anniversaries etc
The present shrine/Church (see pic) is about 10 years old.
There are daily masses and 3 on Sundays.
Video clip various groups & litany http://thisisgoa.com/view/62a8f10f26d1a2d1727b How to get here? It is right on the NH17 on Panjim-Cortalim-Margao/Vasco road.
Close to Bambolim Goa Medical College or Military Camp area.
All local buses stop nearby (just a minute or two walk either way from the bus stop)
Bus fare from Panjim Rs.5
Route: Panjim-Bambolim-Siridao-Goa-Velha-Pilar-Agassaim-Cortalim-Margao/Vasco or vice-versa
Plenty of shops around for cold drinks etc. If you walk little further (behind the church), there is small and simple open air type restaurant offering Fish curry rice (famous for fish and boiled rice) and alcoholic drinks etc.
Goan Springs- Part I (South Goa).Note: Video clips & Pics provided here of each and every spring featured here below.
I remember those days, where we used to go to various Springs for a whole day out with our Tiffin etc. In just one day we visted all 3 Cansaulim Springs having bath at each place. Spring water is treated as having medicinal value and most spring water is said to be good for eyes etc..
We visited there in groups with our parents etc mostly on foot.
As young boys, we also visited Verna springs on cycles.
We also visited one ‘Derodde’ spring near the Sankval Rly. Station. We walked along the Rly tracks from Utorda (then metre guage, now broad guage) the spring is below Zuari Agro chemicals, which was closed for public very long time ago due to some chemical (factory waste discharge) found in the water. Those days, I also remember that even sea water got polluted and plenty of dead fish thrown ashore. At this time ZACL was spending Rs.16,000 per day (the cost of new color 20"TV that time) to neutralize the waste discharge before releasing into the sea water.
When I visited those springs recently, I was shocked to see the sorry state of each and every spring. I thought i would visit most south Goa Springs and pass it on to you via net.
Should you require any further info etc please feel free to write back joegoauk@yahoo.co.uk or leave comments below.
If you have any further info on any of the featured springs here, you could comment on that too.
1. Kesarval Spring: (Verna)
It was very famous. People from all over Goa used to come.
Now, it gives a deserted looks. Thanks to various Govt. neglects.
There is a restaurant nearby run by Goa tourism.
How to get there?
It’s near Verna electronic city, about 3/4kms from Cortalim Junction.
All local buses Vasco/Panjim-cortalim- Margao or vice-versa stops here (NH17) Note: Click on any pick for instant larger view
Nearest Stop Kesarval.
Walking
About 20 minutes from the main Road
By car: 5 minutes from the car park
Two wheeler: 3 minutes from the restaurant.
Check this video & Photo.
video kesarval http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=goQTset8DSM
Latest Pics and Video June 2014 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhCjbz8S5Wg
2. ‘Sonalle’ Spring (Verna) This one is also very popular and I rate this Spring as 3rd best in south Goa.
In the main Road (NH17) near Fr. Agnelo Ashram.
This spring has a sizable flow even during April/May
How to get here?
All the buses No. 1 above stop here.
Plus all bused to Verna Electronic City, Consua etc
Nearest Stop ‘Sonalle Chapel’
Walk: 10-12 minutes from the main road
Two Wheelers go right to the spring.
No acces to cars.
Verna Sonalle http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=fTVkFObcSZI video
3.’Uddier/Amlar’ Spring (Verna)
This is not very popular spring, infact, I heard about it for the fist time.
Although it give a sizable flow during April/May month, it may not be suitable for females and children as it involves climbing on the slippery rock.
There is a secondary water flow too.
How to get there?
The road (NH17) from Verna Church (hundkant) via Verna Lake and then Uddier/Amlar.
Motor Cycle Pilots available by the Church. About Rs.25
Enough parking space for four wheelers very close to the spring
Patna & uddier http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=JxahbCONbDE video 2in1
4. Patna Spring (Verna) It was also very popular but now seem no one visit here.
It is in the remote area near Verna-Pirna and then Patna
How to get here?Nearest bus stop is Nagoa Verna (NH17)
All buses (see 1 & 2 above) stops here.
One may take Motor Cycle Pilot from there.
There is a road but no cars/two wheelers go up to the spring.
Walking involves about 15 minutes from where your pilot drops you etc
Video 2in1
Patna & uddier http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=JxahbCONbDE
5. ‘Adollem’ Spring (Cansaulim/Velsao)
It was very popular too.
Now, no one seen here except some Dhobi (locals washing their clothes etc)
Located down the Birla Velsao Slope (Road).
Here our former CM Dr. Loius Proto Barbosa now spend most of his time.
Adollem spring is in his property and he has little bungalow there.
How to get here?Cars/Two wheeler go very near to the spring.
Walking involves about 3 minutes.
Although there are many local buses from Vasco-Airport-Birla-Cansaulim-Majorda-Margao and Vice versa, there is no bus stop here. But the bus may stop upon request.
Pvt. Cars/Two wheelers, there is a road on the slope (main Road).
Video see below 3in1 New latest video 3.5.2017 (Adollem) https://youtu.be/MsT9-XYmutg
Note: Click on any pic to give instant larger view
6. ‘Kanttem’ Spring (Cansaulim/Velsao)
This one is not very far from 5 above.
Very famous those days.
Here we used to go for picnic during our childhood.
And returm back home with our Tiffin filled with ‘Khou’ (Thrashed paddy rice).
This area was full of Hindus community.
It is near the Muddier Temple.
How to get here ?All buses on above sector (see 5 above) stops here.
Two wheeler can go right up to the spring.
Four wheelers may have to park on the main road and walk about 15 minutes.
Video see below 3in1 Latest Video 3.5.17 (Kanttem)https://youtu.be/y_XQ2QS82F0
7. ‘Remeth Sokol’ Spring (Cansaulim)
Remeth Sokol means at the foot of Our Lady of Remdious (3 kings chapel up on the hill).
We frequently visited this spring but surprised now to see it reduced to a form of a small tank with growth of lotus plants etc. There were no houses around the spring but seen plenty now. Close to this spring lies the two separate path ways for the kings (on horse back) to climb up to the hill on the feast day. There are 3 such path ways (one for each king) and one common path way to climb down. These pathways are locally know as ‘Reiamchi Paaz’.
How to get here?
The road to Cansaulim Church takes you straight there.
Also, the road from the main road from 5 above also goes there. Ther are other interior roads too. E.g from Consua, Muddier etc.
Cars/Two wheeler stops close to the spring.
Walking about 1 minute to all
If coming by buses, take any of the buses from 5 or 6 above and get down at Cansaulim Market and from there take motor cycle pilot (charges may be around rs.40).
It’s about 3 or 4 kms from the Velsao-Cansaulim main road.
See all 3 above Video 3in1
Adolem, Kanttem, Remeth sokol http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=7FJ7J54zQmE
8. Ana Fonta Spring (MARGAO)
This one is in the heart of Margao
This is near Margao Hospice or BPS club.
Close to Club Harmonia or old cine Metropole.
It is on the main road.
This spring is recenty develop into a garden.
Every weekend evening there is Musical Dancing Fountain show held here. The popular song 'Chandneache Rati' by late Ulhas Buyanv als played here. (No Musical Dancing fountain now June 2004)
Some latest Pics of Ana Fonte Spring / Garden May 2014 https://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk73/14362274265/in/photostream
How to get here ?
All buses (including shuttle buses) coming from North Goa including Vasco, Cortalim, Verna, Ponda etc stops here but other buses from the South Goa heading towards New KTC bus stand follow different road.
Take motor cycle pilot from old bust stand charges may be Rs.10.
One can even walk from the old bus stand about 10 minutes
9. Challsamchi Zor (spring)- MARGAO
It was said that God had put together 40 spring to make this one and hence locally called ‘Challsamchi Zor’. Elderly lady there was saying this was once very popular and that there were rooms for changing etc.
It is is Aquem Margao, near Late AN Babu Naik.
How to get there?I think there are local buses going that way from old bus stand.
Or else, hire a motor cycle pilot from old bus stand or new bus stand.
Close to the road, there are some concrete steps to climb on.
10. Raia Spring
The locals at (Raia-Quevon) there were saying it was once very busy spring too.
Now mainly used for washing clothes.
It is near the Raia Church.
A small road connected to the main Road (Margao-Ponda ).
How to get here?All buses from Margaa to Raia, Ponda etc or vice versa stop here.
Nearest Stop is Raia Church.
Once you get down at the Church stop, there is road towards your left (facing Borim Ponda road).
Small cars/two wheelers go right up to the spring.
Walking from the main road is about 15 minutes
11. Pe. Jose Vaz Spring (Sancoal)
Blessed Joseph Vaz spring at Sancoale.
Just opp. the Church/Sanctuary (other side of the road).
Drinking water tap provided here by pumping water from the spring to the tank.
How to get here?Some local buses from Cortalim Church, Birla, Cansaulim etc. stops here.
People driving/coming from Vasco/Margao should take Verna Bypass leave it before/after the Metha Stips to take Sancoale Road. Others coming from Panjim take Cortalim church Road which goes via the the spring . the Road ends/connects to the by-pass
Pilots available at Cortalim.
It’s on the main road.
Mardol and Pe Jose Vaz http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=8vtoNaMjrE4
note: Click on any pic for larger instant view 12. Rivona Spring
This spring is my favourite (although I have been here just once).
This is the best Spring in the south Goa so far.
It has 3 large flows so that 3 people can have bath at the same time.
I went there Late April 2007, and surprised to see the size of the flows even at this time of the year. Locals there says even during the month of May the flow remains more or less the same.
Rivona is in Sanguem taluka.
It s about 63kms from Vasco/Panji. Rivna, Rivnna, Rivona
28km from Margao
How to get here ?
Direct pvt. buses from Margao to Rivona (get down on the main road & then walk about 15 minutes)
Or Take Margao-Quepem-Sanvordem buses and get down at Tilamol. From there take another bus or pilot.
Driving from Margao route..
Margao Rly Station/Sky bus, MES Camp, St. Jose de Areal, Gudi Paroda, Quepem and Tilamol. From here/junction take road to Rivona where you will come across Pimlamoll, Zambaulim Temple, adem Bridge (see pic & click on it, looks very beautiful) and then Rivona.
13. Betul Spring (I)
This is just before Baradi Cross Chapel Road.
This spring with very fine flow at this time (April/May).
How to get here?
Ther are buses from Margao to Betul (about 22 kms).
Get down at Bararadi chapel Road. It is on the main road about I minute walk.
If driving..
Margao-Navelim church-Chinchinin (church),-Asolna (Church)- Velim (Church)-Betul
14. Betul Spring (II) near the Betul Fort
This one lies just behind the Betul Fort where some old machinery/equipment of Salgaocars Mines also seen (see video).
On this Betul fort one can see one cannon (see pic).
This Fort I have accidentally discovered as this was very near to the spring/beach.
Also, I went there for just one spring but found 3. Very close to the Betul Beach/Customs House etc
Two wheelers go directly to the beach/fort (some small cars may go too)
How to get here?Same as No 13. above but get down at the last stop.
From there walk about 25 minutes (pilots also available) to the beach/fort/springs
This spring is little interior behind the fort.
15. Betul Spring (III) Maria da Fonte
This is the second best Spring I found so far (south Goa)
This Spring is not very far from the above 14.
In between this and the 14, lies the Betul Fort.
Following inscription noted on the wall
ESTACAO BALNEAR
1933
MARIA DA FONTE.
The water directly flows into the tank from where people pull water for bathing etc.
Although the water level there appears very low, it never dries up as can be seen many boys taking bath at the same time.
How to get here?
Same as 14 above.
This spring comes first, then the fort/beach and the other spring
video 3in1
Betul spring http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=aGff1GLV_nw
16. Mardol Spring
This spring is in Ponda Taluka.
It water flows into the ‘Tolli’ (a big tank/pond in front of Temples).
There is a huge and beautiful temple too (I think it is Lord Damodar (managed & run by Tata Co?).
Many kids seen playing/swiming in the pond.
How to get here?
Road to Panjim-OldGoa- Ponda-Borim-Margao and vice-versa.
There are buses to go to Mardol too but don’t know if buses going right up to the spring.
Pvt cars/Two wheeler go right up to the spring.
When ask the locals, please say ‘Mardoll Tolli’
It is more commonly know as ‘lake’ than ‘spring’
Video 2in1 see above Mardoll and Pe Jose Vaz
Following added in 2012 Kolapattar Kottale Towards Sanguem Selaulim Dam
A new development also happening in the area as seen in the pic/video
Following may be also noted:
- All Springs were once very busy or popular now seems neglected by the Govt. or landlords/owners.
- Locals are seen washing their dirty clothes at almost all the springs including Mardol. This should be discouraged.
-In order to protect our springs heritage, Govt. should take over all the Goan Springs and develop, maintain for the benefits of Goans and tourists Or else, say after another 10-15 years, there would be no springs left in Goa.
Do you know any more springs in South Goa ?
Please leave a note in the comment box below.
All videos also available at Youtube.com
A Spring at Holant (near Holant beach, Isorcim)
Pic March 2013
North Goa 09.06.2016 Massordem, Valpoi
about a kilometre away from the main centre
About 10 minutes walking involved including crossing of riverlet / Steam
Watch video for details
Bank Domestic Interest rates are rising faster than NRE rates About 20 years ago, banks were offering up to 17% (i.e. up to 2% more than Domestic ). I remember those days one could double up his money in just 5 years. The rates were down but steady for about 14 years at around 11% and before July 17 2003, banks were still offering around 7.5%. But from August (2003), rates were down to 3.8% and again, by the end of the same years i.e.eff. from 1st November 2003, no known bank would offer more than 1.75% for a 12 months term NRE deposits.
Over the past 4 and a half years, we have seen lot of ups & down in the NRE interest rates ranging from 1.75 to 6.35% which is now (March 2007) is 5.7%. (see tables along side as on 15.03.2007)
Again, Domestic rates those days were always lower than NRE rates. 1 or 2% offered extra to NRE deposits and this was solely to attract foreign investment or foreign exchange. Domestic rates too seen fluctuation over the last few years say from 5 to 9.75%. Current trend looks like this.. (March 15, 2007) (abv table as on March 15.2007) Domestic 8.25% to 9.75% NRE 5.4% to 5.75% NRE interest pegged to 100 basis points above LIBOR So, when UK Bank rates go up, Indian Bank rates will go up too. (LIBOR = LONDON INTER-BANK OFFER RATE).
Senior citizen (60+) 8.5% to 10.05%
As can be seen from above that Domestic rates are up to 4% higher than NRE, I guess it is wise to convert the NRE deposit into Domestic to fetch higher rate of income/interest.
See various tables.
Q. What about the taxes ? Banks are required to deduct taxes at source (TDS) on all Domestic Deposits. I think, if your income or interest earned from all deposits with the same bank exceeds Rs.5000 then you are liable to pay tax on the excess amount and then there is E.C. 2% tax on tax which is very negligible.
Q. What about NRE tax ? Good question. I think (but not very clear) that all NRE deposits subject to pay tax from the current financial year i.e. 2006-2007.
Q. Last April 2006, we have invested in a bank (Domestic) fixed deposit a/c for 3 years fetching interest @ 7%, are we liable to pay tax? How much? Salu Rs. 70,0000 (70K) Lino Rs. 1,50,000 (150K) Eddie Rs. 2,25,000 (225k)
A. Tax for the financial year 2006-2007 SALU: No. Assuming this is the only fixed deposit you have in the bank. As you will receive interest less than Rs.5000 for the whole year, you are not liable to pay tax. Formula: Taxable Income (TI)=Total interest received (TIR) minus Rs.5000 . Tax is 10% of TI (2% Educational Cess on tax may also be levied) . LINO: Yes, you will pay around Rs.561 every year on the interest you rcvd Rs.10,500 EDDIE: Yes, you will pay around Rs.1097 on the interest you received Rs.15,750
Simple Interest (SI)= Principal amount (PA) x7/100
Tax (T) = (SI-5000)x10/100 Educational Cess = T x2/100
e.g. SALU (abv) SI = 1,50,000 x 7/100 = Rs.10,5000
Tax = (10,500-5000) x 10/100 = Rs.550
E.Cess = 550 x 2/100 = Rs. 11
i.e Total Tax or TDS = Rs.561
Note: Interest Rcvd likely to be more (compounded Interest) so also the tax payable to that extent.
Advice to SALU/EDDIE/LINO break and re-invest your deposits to fetch 2% more interest. Do this in this April.
Q, Miguel has 50K each (March 2007) in fixed deposits at 4 different banks viz. SBI, BOI, BOG & Saraswat each fetching 9% p.a, is he liable to pay tax ? A. In the eyes of Income Tax Law, Yes, for the year 2007-2008. Income from all sources including bank or banks is taxable. But in this case, our Minguel is likely to get away as his individual bank will not deduct TDS as his income is less than Rs.5000. But, had he maintained all his 4 deposits in any one bank only, then the bank would have deducted (TDS) Rs.1,326 every year.
Q. In order to buy her a new flat in Vasco, Jen deposited (April 2004) Rs. 6 lakhs (600K) @ 5.5% pa for 5 years. What about her ? Jen, an advice, break your deposit and re-invest at current rates and get at least Rs. 21,000 extra pa. TAX Rs. 2,856 (on interest rcvd 33,000 @5.5% TAX Rs. 5,000 (on interest rcvd 54,000 @ 9%)
Q. Falcon has NRE deposits Rs.3,50K May 15, 2006 fetching interest @4.5%, Now that the currents rates are 5.75%, is it OK for him to break and re-invest ? Yes. But break/re-invest soon after May 15, 2007. If done before that, he will lose all the interest earned for that period. There is a penalty for closing/encashment/re-investment during the first one year.
Note: Others who are in similar situation and who may have kept their deposit receipts with the bank (safe Custody), may instruct their bank to break and re-invest. A simple email should also do (if you wrote/email to them at least once before)
Q. Domnic has about 3 lakhs to invest but he does not wish to pay a tax on his hard earned money, what advise for him ? Copy Minguel above (Keep this between you and me only). Or keep/split it under different names like his wife, children etc
Q. Everytime, I keep money at home or send through friends, my dad finishes it quickly mainly on drinking and gambling Matka etc and then ask for more. Any advise/solution to provide him a regular monthly income ? When you go to Goa next, keep a large/lump some amount in a bank say Rs.1 lakh preferably in the name of your father (this is to fetch up to 1% more interest Sr. citizens see table abv) and instruct the bank to pay interest monthly crediting his SB a/c. This way, he can take up to Rs.833p.m.
IMP. Because the money is yours, make sure you mention your name as nominee or else all your other brothers including your married sisters will have share in it. Alternately, all of you (bros & Sis) can jointly contribute towards the fund in which case your parents can even get larger monthly amount. Just forward this email to them and they will understand the reason why you forwarded to them.
Q. If the NRE interest is taxed from this year, roughly how much I would pay on my Rs.3 lakhs deposit fethching 5.5% ineterest ?
Well, go through these tables and you will get some ideas. Notes: - Please do not take this as professional services.
- This is just to give you some ideas as to what it might look like.. - It is assumed that Domestic Tax rate is 10% whereas NRE tax rate is 20% with 2% Educational Cess.
- There might be differet rates of taxes for different income bands.
-You may forward this to your banks for further clarifications.- You may also write back to me with any further queries or with some answers which you may have received from your banks etc. It will help me to update this info in the interest of all.
No matter what religion you belong to - ALL ROADS LEAD TO SAME DESTINATION(See bigger pic below)
Its never too late to be a SAINT or to go to HEAVEN. Any one can be a Saint, any one can go to Heaven. It's very simple, all you have to do is 'be good to others' or follow your God's preachings. Yes, and that is as simple as that. You dont have to be a priest nor you have to be a nun or 'Bhat' etc to become a saint, just be good to others and that will guarantee you a ticket to Heaven or Sainthood. Dont try to show others you are religeous (if you really are, please keep that within you). Don't try to look for your God every where. Always bear in mind your God might be very next to you.
Sant Tukaram/Kabhir said.. "Moko kahan dhundo re vande Mai to tere pasame....
"Muje kaham dundo, Meim to tere passi hum" "Why looking for me every where when I am very next to you?" " Hanv tuje lagxinch astana, Maka inga-tinga kiteaksodtai?"
Who has seen the GOD? Neither YOU nor I.
Yes, the only way we can see God is thru 'YOU' Let every 'YOU' be my God. And if you think you are too old or/and a sinner throughout your life, don't worry, you too can go to heaven or become a saint - all you need is a CHANGE.
Change yourself TODAY and dont wait until tomorrow. Simply be good to others and you will be there. Remember, it's the people who will send you to Heaven, it's the people who will proclaim you as Saint and not necessarily the Rome etc.
Money grabbing Asians- are we? We Asians (abroad) often called 'money grabbers'. (mainly applies to UK and perhaps EU, US etc)Yes, we work very hard- long hours, over time and even doing additional small jobs.This has become very habitual to most of us, i.e. once started there is no end to it. Whether we are young, middle aged or retiring age we simply cannot give up 'money grabbing' habits. We don't even care about our health, we think our children will look after us once we are old and sick (they are the reason we work hard anyway). In reality, do our children really look after us? I asked a lady (in her late 50s) who worked under me, why are you working so hard (long hours) even now when your only son and daughter (both married) earning £40,000 each, and that you have two properties/houses on rent, she said 'I have to save for my grandchildren too' (in UK, on av., two houses are worth £400k Approx.Rs.320,00,000 or Rs.32 millions). Another lady, who is also old, always appears sick and weak, also having two additional houses, with a son 30 and daughter 26 both working. How can their children allow their sick parents to work? Poor lady, always talk high about her son and that he is the reason she work very hard. One day I happen to meet her son at some body's birthday party. He didn't know that his mother work under me. I said to him, 'you got a nice car' to that he said 'oh! this is nothing, you wait till my mother die, I will buy one Mercedes or one BMW' (This is offcourse, by selling one house). What a lovely son!! I remember, my colleagues telling me about a very wealthy Indian old lady who worked for British Airways Catering for 35 years and when her turn comes up to retire, she pleaded with the management for extension which she got for her good records & hard work. 18months later she collapsed and died at work place. Above are the facts (this is happening mainly amongst the Asians including Goans. I work as a supervisor for 10 years many men & women worked under me. I have seen, heard and been there). Some of us don't even know how much wealth we have accumulated over a period of time (but our children know very well), we continue working very hard. Sometimes, we do long hours simply because others do (competition). All we do work, work work or money, money, money. When asked, when was the last time they visited their home land, they say 10/15years ago (reason:they cant afford it) despite getting 90% concession in air fare to India and GOA. In an another case, two Goans both Husband and wife working. Husband earning £30,000 & wife £18,000. They too have one extra house which is given on rent fetching about£1200 per month. They have one child the only son (14). Last year they were asking me for any cheaper Goa Flight during Xmas Season (SFX Expo) as their son never been to Goa. First I said £599 for 2weeks they say 'too expensive'. Two weeks later I managed to offer for £399 at a bargain price to this their answer was 'still can't afford it' In the end they never visited Goa nearly 15 years now.
Yet, there was another case, where another elder Goan working for London Underground (Baker's Street), who was so thrifty (conjus Marwaddi) giving me tips, when I first come into this country, as to how to save money. One of tips was saving money on Gas or electricity bills during the winter. He says, during winter, they switch off all central heating at night and keep a flat rubber bottle* (see pic below) filled with hot water underneath them (in bed) which keep them warm whole night. Would you believe this ?? Sadly, he died few years ago. I knew them as they come from a bhatkars' family from my place Goa(they came UK from Africa). I am writing this hoping, some of the aged workers would at least make some efforts to look again into their ways of life and bring in some changes at least for their health sake and off course for their family sake. Remember, money is not every thing. We, as their grown up children, should do something about our parents, they worked hard all their life long. Don't they deserve a break now? or 'slow down' atleast ? I know some of our parents are simply stubborn and very difficult to deal with but that should not be an excuse stopping us changing their lives, lets keep trying and they will listen to us one day (we are the reason they live or work any way). They have earned so much for us (we don't even have to pay for the house we are living in). Let us not be selfish as in BMW case above. Thanks for your time, joegoauk
*We too had this Rubber water bottle at home Goa my dad brought from Tarvar. But we used to give 'xek' on peoples back like 'gorom udka humdesao-vam or shek'
Over 5 years ago, I got this original text/sms on myGOA mobile (in two parts)from a person I knew. During my recent visit, surprisingly, a young chap forwarded the same to me in its original form (as any addition to it even a single letter will split two parts into 3).The person/author only son died very young of AIDs just few months ago (2 years ago). He was rich & wealthy and had so many friends. He send the text to all of his friends. Earlier, he lost both his parents too. It was obvious from his message that he was speaking from his experience and hence mainly targeting the young. As a tribute, I am forwarding the same to you guys. I am sure it has something for every one, and if forwarded to others, it may change people's lives, as in most cases 'prenvention is better than cure'
Quote:
10 to qualify. UR my friend if U.. 1 Respect yr parents. 2.Return home by 8. 3.B loyal 2 all. 4.Treat every1 equal. 5.help others when in need.. 6.Never talk behind back. 7.Say NO 2 Drugs. 8.Alcohol? Stay within limits. 9.Smoking? try 2 stop or reduce. 10.No SEX with strangers. R U my friend ???
=============== joegoauk
Note: this is a test message as I am new to this 'Blog' thing
