Goanet Digest, Vol 21, Issue 94

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Today's Topics:

   1. Footprints of existence (Nelson Lopes)
   2. THE TURMOIL IN GOA (Aires Rodrigues)
   3. Read: ?Outrage and success go hand in hand?: Stand-up
      comedian Daniel Fernandes on trauma and controversy (Vivek Pinto)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2026 05:35:15 +0530
From: Nelson Lopes <[email protected]>
To: "Goa's premiere mailing list, estb. 1994!"
	<[email protected]>
Subject: [Goanet] Footprints of existence
Message-ID:
	<CACCOymKm+LP0QhnaUYpbOWN8B9rQcgVO6Vvd3T1SZeXzinApNA-JsoAwUIsXosN+BqQ9rBEUg@public.gmane.org>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

Footprints of Existence


Birth and death are the two certainties of human life. Both are marked with
ceremony ? one welcomed with joy and celebration, the other observed with
solemnity and reverence.

Death closes the final chapter of an individual?s earthly journey.
Obituaries, funeral orations, and religious rites ? sometimes continuing
for years ? become formal expressions of remembrance. Across religions,
customs and traditions are faithfully observed. Often, beneath these
rituals lies a mixture of grief, guilt, fear of divine retribution, and a
desire to demonstrate that the departed are not forgotten.

Yet, once a person fades from our consciousness, they are, in a sense,
buried eternally in memory. Whether remembered ceremonially or forgotten
gradually matters little to the departed.

It is disheartening that even close family members sometimes forget
significant remembrance dates. But this raises a deeper question: what
truly endures?

There is nothing extraordinary in excelling academically, succeeding in
business, or rising in any profession. Providing the best for one?s
children, enjoying luxury, acquiring wealth, or attaining high social
status often serves personal fulfillment and family pride. Society may
applaud eminence, power, and position ? but these rarely transform the
collective good in a lasting way.

At most, a name may linger for a century. Beyond that, it fades ? unless it
is anchored in meaningful social consequence. Many accumulate degrees and
memberships in countless organizations, yet the enduring question remains:
what lasting mark have they left in advancing values, justice, or human
welfare?

True identity is not forged by titles, monuments, or memorial niches. It is
shaped by personal contributions toward the growth and well-being of
others. No stone structure can immortalize a life lived only for itself.

When we live for others, only then do we truly live long.

Personal achievements may benefit oneself and one?s family. But it is
social commitment ? the giving of time, resources, compassion, and service
? that leaves footprints worthy of remembrance. These footprints become
paths of love and gratitude for others to follow.

Nelson Lopes
Chinchinim
Nelson Lopes
Chinchinim
https://lopesnelsonnat.wordpress.com


------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2026 22:14:13 +0000
From: Aires Rodrigues <[email protected]>
To: goanet <[email protected]>, [email protected]
Subject: [Goanet] THE TURMOIL IN GOA
Message-ID:
	<CAHriWMj2cF3gxDmHmfrO4W2QSk1igwwqWvDXj7ZVG8XBSzshHQ-JsoAwUIsXosN+BqQ9rBEUg@public.gmane.org>
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Goa Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant has accused the Leader of
Opposition and other leaders for being responsible for the current law
and order situation in Goa. But in all fairness it would be
interesting to see what the Chief Minister has to say about that very
controversial and threatening statement a day earlier by his Senior
most cabinet Minister,
"Chief Minister only needs to give me the order. I need just one
night. I can bring 45000 people from Sattari and completely block
Panaji" so said that Minister.

All said and done the ground reality is that there is grave trouble
and turbulence in Paradise. Sorrowing lies our Goa.


------------------------------

Message: 3
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2026 16:13:38 +0900
From: Vivek Pinto <[email protected]>
To: Goanet <[email protected]>
Subject: [Goanet] Read: ?Outrage and success go hand in hand?:
	Stand-up comedian Daniel Fernandes on trauma and controversy
Message-ID:
	<CAH3OY9zyszejqBi95Kt3ue=hb8WGeyQjgBq77_ORFYMkcvLAYA-JsoAwUIsXosN+BqQ9rBEUg@public.gmane.org>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

By: R Benedito Ferr?o
Published in: *Scroll*
Dare: February 24, 2026
Source:
https://scroll.in/article/1090745/outrage-and-success-go-hand-in-hand-stand-up-comedian-daniel-fernandes-on-trauma-and-controversy
The comedian discusses how the internet shapes his craft, his process,
choice of topics and his relationship with his audiences.

Daniel Fernandes <https://www.instagram.com/absolutelydanny/>? stand-up
shows and YouTube videos <https://www.youtube.com/@absolutelydanny> have
led the comedian to deal with a fair bit of controversy
<https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/stand-up-comedians-show-in-hyderabad-cancelled-following-threats-by-bjp-mla/article68349365.ece>.
Yet, it is his attention to contemporary events that brings nuance to his
comedic observations about society
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqcNqVC6CuM> and politics
<https://www.youtube.com/shorts/xD9in5FrRoM>, public
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNrCNypywN8> and online life
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDVCltXyWmg> and even free speech
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEghIxPHQjY>.

Last year, the stand-up comic was once again in the news
<https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/toi-plus/society-culture/why-this-indian-comic-wont-apologise-for-joking-about-terrorism/articleshow/121676716.cms>
 when he was served a notice by two Supreme Court lawyers demanding that he
take down a clip <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xALPKtwZos&t=22s> from
one of his shows where his routine included, among other things,
observations about the situation in Kashmir.

Fernandes stood his ground, explaining in a post
<https://www.instagram.com/p/DKdsbfly7-C/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=7ce8aa87-ffa5-4aa3-bff7-cb8f3578623c>
 on social media that in a time when there is a global ?trend of stifling
voices, ? [l]aughter wields a certain kind of power ? that might make
certain groups of people uneasy??

Even so, he emphasised that the intent of his comedy ?is never to change
[people?s] point of view ? I just enjoy talking about stuff that makes us
uncomfortable and maybe offer some perspective. I am not important ?
politicians and the citizens they serve are.?

Caste <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdvVkMmArQM>, religion
<https://www.instagram.com/absolutelydanny/reel/C7MNwIktU5V/> and gender
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9Cql4qMrQ8> are all fair game in
Fernandes?s repertoire. But this is not material that he takes on simply to
get a rise out of his audience: his approach to these subjects
demonstrating humor laced with analysis and careful research. Still, the
wry, cerebral touch Fernandes brings to his comedic artistry is accompanied
by more than a bit of ribaldry and raunch, for sex
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQ-3BZKbhlQ>, salaciousness
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWS6UHRQ81c>, and sex-positivity
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jw2Pd6-uSbk> all feature in his
entertainment.

Fernandes? crowd work <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ehk2UcQVt7g> is
equally skilled: the audience at his shows is playfully skewered without
being mercilessly shamed. Notably, even as he sends up the crowd, the
performer also turns his gaze upon himself, particularly with regard to
matters concerning mental health.

In this interview, the comedian reflects on his process, choice of topics
and his relationship with his audiences. He also talks about his brushes
with controversy, how the internet has affected comedy and what his fans
may expect of him in the near future.

*RBF: So, what?s a good Goan Christian boy like you doing in a profession
like this?*
*DF:* If you want God-given talent, you have to go to Church ?.

*What do you have against self-identified ?**motivational influencers*
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHPFVNtZ9lU>*??*
I find it very hard to take directions from people who haven?t travelled to
my destination. A lot of these ?motivational influencers? come from
privileged backgrounds whose biggest trauma might be caused by their
parents cancelling a European summer holiday. How could they ever relate to
the struggle of the common man? You want to take life advice from that guy?

*In your shows, you are open about being in therapy but also about issues
of** mental health* <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LHUxFRNguY>* more
generally. These would have been taboo themes in the past. What has changed
in this regard, socially, and what role do you see comedy playing in
facilitating more open discussions about mental well-being?*
I am open with my struggles regarding mental health because I need a
creative outlet to deal with my condition. It also helps that we as a
society have finally woken up to how damaged we are because of generational
trauma that has been handed down as inheritance. Add to that a highly
capitalistic system that traps you in an endless cycle of exploitation (aka
jobs) where burnout is masked as hustle and worn with a badge of honor. As
a result, we as artists have a ready audience of anxious, depressed and
broken people who need an outlet for everything they?re dealing with.
Nobody is okay. And that?s okay.

*This year began with many adopting the** 2016 challenge*
<https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy1e605dvgo>* on social media. What
would 2026 Daniel Fernandes say to his earlier self?*
2016 Daniel is very pleased. 2026 Daniel says, ?We?re just getting started.?

*You have been very vocal in your** support of Palestinians*
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_l4o64Y0MP4>*, bringing humor to your
observations about their displacement, their political struggle, and the
violence they experience. Often, the use of humor can aid the avoidance of
heavy subjects, yet you have been able to do the opposite. How do you find
your audiences reacting to this approach?*
Comedy is about frequency. I feel my audience and I are on similar
wavelengths which is why we are able to get into a room together and laugh
at things that would make most people uncomfortable. I believe as an artist
you must find your voice before you find your audience. I am thankful that
I have a growing tribe of people who enjoy my work while I attempt the
former.

*The internet has expanded the reach of comedians, yet it also means that a
controversial joke ? especially if it has to do with religion or politics ?
may be** amplified, misinterpreted, or weaponised*
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHVphRuqbDU>*. You are no stranger to such
occurrences and, rather than sweep them under the rug, in your shows, you
have been known to remind your audiences of such episodes! Are you a
glutton for punishment?*
Outrage and success go hand in hand in Indian comedy. Given what I talk
about on stage, if I didn?t piss a few people off, I?d be very disappointed
with myself. An important distinction to note here is that I do not set out
to offend anyone. I just like talking about the world we live in and not
everybody enjoys their biases being challenged. Add fiber optic internet
and unprocessed trauma to the equation, and you have a very volatile online
audience. It?s an occupational hazard I don?t give much thought to.

*Crowd-work or observational comedy. Do you have a preference?*
Both require skills that often complement each other so it?s hard to have a
preference. I enjoy how written jokes land just as much as the ones I come
up with in the moment. Crowd-work done right feels like magic because the
comedian is dropping punchlines out of thin air with little to no prep. At
the same time a very astute observation that?s crafted into an excellent
joke leaves the audience thinking, ?How did I not see this? It was right
there!? To get nearly as good as the room demands for both these styles,
you have to be a good joke writer first, and that takes a while.

*Death, family, inter-generational trauma and conflict, the pandemic and
collective trauma, and your relationship with your late father are some of
the fun topics that come up in** Do You Know Who I Am?*
<https://deadant.co/a-celebration-of-life-daniel-fernandes-on-his-new-show-do-you-know-who-i-am-melbourne-comedy-festival-experience/>*
What
would you like your audience to take away from this show?*
*Do You Know Who I Am?* (the show I?m currently touring) is an exercise in
processing loss. I relive everything I went through during my father?s
passing every time I perform these jokes. I also know that my audience is
grieving ? the loss of a loved one, a friendship, a career, or the box of
stash they can?t seem to find, and I guess if I can show them the funny
side of the pain they?re in, maybe it won?t hurt that much. It worked for
me.

*Your latest tour begins in India and then expands abroad with several
dates in Europe. Are you going to any new cities this time around? Is there
a location you?re looking forward to visiting? How do you prepare for new
places?*
The European leg of my tour includes first performances in cities like
Luxembourg, Gent, Eindhoven, Rotterdam, Brussels, Berlin, Lisbon, Riga,
Helsinki and Tallin while also returning to favorites Amsterdam and
Utrecht. I?m looking forward to having my endurance tested.

Preparation in terms of performance is minimal. I write material that
translates easily across borders. The European audience is going to watch
the same show I?m touring in India, as is. The only real prep needed here
is me packing the right amount of winter clothing.

*A lot of your set has to do with topical situations. Do you still work in
political goings on in India into your international performances?*
I talk about Indian politics only if it?s relevant to an international
audience. My set has much more to offer otherwise.

*From past experience, how have your European audiences differed from ones
at home in their reaction to your comedy?*
At live shows, Indians are more energetic compared to Europeans. The laughs
are bigger and the applause is thunderous. As a performer you have to
calibrate your expectations accordingly while performing abroad. But what
the Europeans lack in volume, they make up for in exchange rate.

*?How would you feel if someone made fun of you after you died?? you ask in
your YouTube special,** Alive and Vaccinated*
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-k7-XzRdLU>* (2023). Along those lines,
how would you like to look back on what I hope will be a long-lived career
and what might audiences expect from you in the years to come?*
My nervous system willing, I?d like to keep building a global audience and
continue touring as much as I can. I?ll save some time for self-reflection
only after I?m gone.

*R Benedito Ferr?o is an Associate Professor of English and Asian & Pacific
Islander American Studies at William & Mary, Virginia, USA. He is the
recipient of the Jinlan Liu Prize for research in APIA studies and a
University Professor for Teaching Excellence.*

*Information about Daniel Fernandes?s performance can be found on his
**Instagram
page <https://www.instagram.com/absolutelydanny>.*


End of Goanet Digest, Vol 21, Issue 94
**************************************