Edited by Eddie Fernandes editor@goanvoice.org.uk

Croissants aren't French and vindaloo isn't Goan
28 April. The Independent UK. In this fascinating history of dishes from around the world, we discover fascinating food facts. In a new book called La Cucina Italiana Non Esiste (literally “Italian Cuisine Does Not Exist”), food historian Alberto Grandi claims, among other things, that Italians only discovered tomato sauce when they emigrated to the Americas, where tomatoes are native...Catholic missionaries brought the Western-style cooking method of deep frying to Japan in the 16th century, while vindaloo is derived from the Portuguese “vinha de alhos”, referring to the dish’s two main ingredients, wine and garlic. The latter was originally a means for Portuguese sailors to preserve fresh ingredients, but they adapted it with spices and chillies when they got to Goa.  click here

Nehru's Words: On Goa
28 April. National Herald. With a general election looming, Nehru's idea of a modern India is being re-examined. The two issues he grappled with during his tenure as prime-minister were Goa and Kashmir. Here, in his own words, we find out what he thought of his actions in Goa...I think that when history comes to be written, Kashmir and Goa will be the brightest examples of our tolerance, of our patience and of the way we have suppressed our anger and resentment at many things in order to follow the broad idealistic policy that we have laid down.  click here

Critics of Modi barred from Entering India
27 April. ABC AUS news. As India gears for its general elections, some trends have emerged which question the depth of India's democracy. British academic Nitasha Kaul sounds the alarm about the erosion of Indian democracy. The BJP party headed by Modi is set to win a third term, but to her utter surprise Kaul is among those banned from entering India. In February, she was detained and deported from India after being invited to speak at a conference about India's constitution. To date, no valid reason has been given for this decision.  For further details click here

The Transformative Power of Intergenerational Love
29 April. Gomantak Times. The plight of the elderly in Goa, left to fend for themselves, paints an ever grim picture. The young have left in search of employment elsewhere in the face of ever growing unemployment and lack of opportunities in Goa. This leaves the most vulnerable in society to fend for themselves. While the Modi government pledges support for senior citizens and Pope Francis advocates prioritising them, it is only intergenerational love which can save them from complete social isolation.  For further details click here

An Itch Impossible to Ignore
28 April. New Ways Ministry. Ruby Almeida, advocating for LGBTQIA Catholics around the world for the past two decades, including leadership in Quest, Bridge and Embrace India, and the Global Network of Rainbow Catholics, helps manage a programme for people wishing to return to their Catholic faith practice. Almeida is convinced the yearning expressed by many marginalised and estranged people in the LGBTQIA faith community, is a kind of itch that is impossible to ignore. She says, I have seen grown adults in tears when they have talked about their faith journey; that outpouring of emotion which has been bottled up for so long is a cathartic and liberating experience for them. To see them grow in self-belief, knowing that they are loved and that they are valued members of the faith community, all of this creates space and opportunity for them to grow closer to Jesus. They are able to become a the branch that bears much  click here

UK Goans speak about Goa elections.
28 April. Dainik Gomantak. In this video UK Goans endorse South Goa candidate Viriato for Congress. One member of the audience who was formerly supporting Revolutionary Goans (RG) now strikes a note of caution about them. Video 3min 25. Web Link.

Jeremy Franco: Goan Comedian from Down Under
29 April. SBS Spice Podcast. The Goan-Australian comedian and content creator Jeremy Franco has been creating South Asian content which is universally appealing and yet specifically relevant. Unfiltered, unapologetic and an absolute riot, Jeremy has now amassed an audience across social media that adores his comedic takes on life being Goan-Australian. Jeremy sat down with our co-host Suhayla at our Sydney Studios to unravel everything that has made him the entertainer he is today. From dissecting South Asian representation to asking 'where is Lily Singh?', this episode leaves no stone unturned in exploring how tangled the web has become for comedians of colour.  click here
For Jeremy Franco's video channel  click here

Libby de Liberdade
28 April. Herald. Writer Vivek Menezes examines the extraordinary but little known life of Libby de Liberdade. A contemporary and friend of the modernist artist F. N. Souza, Libby led a remarkable life. Born into relative comfort into a family from Porvorim, this self-described “chit of a girl” was intent on participating in the vibrant world of ideas and idealism she was surrounded with in South Bombay. While still a student, she was the Secretary of Tristão de Bragança Cunha’s anti-colonial Goan Youth League...Everything changed for Libby after Vaman Sardesai unexpectedly walked through the doors of All India Radio.  For further details click here

Aquino Braganza: Goa's link with Mozambique
27 April. Navhind Times. Journalist Frederick Noronha examines the dissident streak in East African Goans, a tiny section of the community who supported African nationalist movements. Among them was Aquino Braganza. Born in Goa, fluent in French and Portuguese, he was a sensitive and discreet political negotiator, earning himself the title of 'the submarine.' Later, he played a prominent role in Frelimo fighting for Mozambique's independence.  For further details click here
For the Wikipedia entry on Aquino Braganza.  click here

Remo Talks about his Concert in Mumbai
27 April. Free Press Journal. In a candid interview renowned Goan singer Remo Fernandes talks about his upcoming concert in Bombay. Touring with his band named 'The Microwave Papadums,' he explains the reasons behind this unusual name, why he still visits Goa every six months, and among an array of other topics, what his opera about Mother Teresa was all about.  For further details click here

C. D'Souza Marosa Reburbished

Sun Estates Plans 1000 cr Investment in Goa
26 April. Construction Week. Sun Estates Developers is moving into the hospitality sector in Goa. It plans investments of Rs 1000 cr and will introduce a series of hospitality projects. Building on the success of its recent ventures, including the acquisition by the esteemed Astor’s hotel, Sun Estates Developers is excited to unveil its latest project – the launch of 500 keys branded all-suite service apartments. This marks the beginning of a larger initiative, which will see the development of seven hotels, strategically located within North Goa, each boasting a minimum of 75 to 80 keys and situated within 800 to 900 meters from the beach.  For further details click here

Appeal by Pastor of 'Five Pillars Church' Dismissed
27 April. The Goan. Pastor Dominic D'Souza of the Siolim 'Five Pillars Church' has appealed to dismiss the order of externment brought against him and his wife. The controversial church has been accused of misleading the public and engaging in conversions which are illegal under Indian law. The only avenue for redressal now open to the beleaguered D'Souza, who to date has nine cases pending against him, may be the Bombay High Court.  click here

Video: Entertainment: Lorna Cordeiro
The Best Of Lorna Cordeiro – Duets 26 April. Renson.konkanisongs Playlist: Abortion - Lorna & Lawrence De Tiracol Mittacho Farr - Lorna & Seby Fernandes Maria Magdadena - Lorna & Dona Ghor Zanvoim - Lorna & Abbey Xinso Mouvancho - Lorna & Romeo Bhau Bhoinn - Lorna & Seby Fernandes Ugdass - Lorna & Jose Rod Ghatkea Rony - Lorna & Seby Sintid Lagonam - Lorna & Abbey. 45m. Web Link.

A Tamarind Tree's Inheritance

A Peek into Portugal Through Goa
26 April. Outlook Traveller. Tired of the rat-race in Bangalore, Bennita Ganesh returned to Goa where she grew up and decided to save a ruinous Portuguese-styled house. A vision in yellow, Arco Iris is set in a rambling 1.5 acre property with emerald green lawns, fruit trees and flowering bushes. But what you see today as you set foot on the property wasn't so appealing when Bennita chanced upon it 10 years ago. Having been abandoned for over 40 years, it was in dire need of restoration. Initially planned as a family holiday home, it is now a homestay.  For further details click here

The Carnation Revolution marked the end of Portugal’s empire
27 April. Yahoo News. This week Portugal celebrated 50 years of the Carnation Revolution which marked the end of Salazar’s despotic regime. Emboldened by the end of colonialism in Goa, and desperate to end the ongoing civil strife in colonial Portuguese East Africa, low-level officers in the Portuguese army backed by popular support led the Carnation Revolution against Salazar, and which swiftly brought on the end of colonialism in its African colonies.  For further details click here

WhatsApp will exit India if forced to break Encryption
27 April. India Today. WhatsApp is known to be one of the most widely-used messaging platforms across the world. The Meta-owned company swears by its privacy features, and has often said that whatever its users' share stays between them and the receiver as the messages are protected by end-to-end encryption. n February 2021, the government of India announced the new Information Technology Rules 2021, which included intermediary guidelines and a digital media ethics code, considerably weaking privacy rules of big tech companies. This meant that platforms like WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram and others that use end-to-end encryption for messages would have to break it to comply with the government's new rule. WhatsApp has threatened to leave the Indian market if forced to comply.  click here

Goans can now Translate Portuguese Docs in Qatar
26 April. The Goan. For those Goans in Qatar struggling to translate their property or other documents written in Portuguese into English, it will surely come as good news that Sheen Services now offers this facility. They assure Goans, that whether it is attesting documents issued in Goa for use in Doha or in Portugal, Sheen will provide a smooth services assisting Goans navigate these administrative and legal hurdles.  For further details click here

Traditional Goan Roce Ceremony in California
26 April. The Goan. Roce ceremonies are still a staple just before the wedding in Goa, but when one such ceremony took place in California, it proved to be a revelation for those who have never witnessed it before. Michael Fernandes of South Goa was determined son Arnold and his bride Amelia Jasinski should experience this tradition, and helping the family to recreate it was events management company The Tinto.  For further details click here

Goan Candidates to Contest Swindon Elections
16 April. The Goan. Lui Godinho gives us the background on the Goan candidates who have decided to contest in the Swindon council elections, in order to better engage with the community and bring pertinent matters to the fore. Domingos Seby Dias was born in Panjim, and in 2023, he was elected as Labour South Swindon Parish Councillor. Ana Fernandes was born in Cansaulim and has worked in the healthcare sector and Princia Fernandes of Mapusa has lived in the Gorse Hill area for the past 15 years.  click here

Funeral: Alda T. F. Almeida; Croydon, UK. (ex. Nairobi)

A Time when only Privileged Goans could vote
20 April. Hindustan Times. Universal suffrage is now the norm in Goa, but the Portuguese era presented a different electoral landscape. The rules of elections were initiated in 1821 and from 1821 to 1961 elections to the Parliament of Portugal were conducted in Goa for a major part of this period and only ‘privileged’ Goans were eligible to vote. Eligible voters had to be educated, had to pay taxes and the voting age was reduced from 25 to 21 years for married men. Heads of family had special voting privileges and women did not vote. In her book, The Encounter with the Ballot in Colonial Goa: A Historical and Analytical Study (1821-1961), Sharmila Pais e Martins has traced the rules and regulations governing eligibility of contestants and voters during the Portuguese rule in Goa.  click here

Things to do in Goa during the Monsoon
24 April. Business Insider. Visiting Goa during the monsoon season can be an adventure, a land transformed into a lush green paradise. There are firstly trekking trails to explore in the western ghats. Among other exciting experiences are plantation tours, cultural exploration, culinary delights and ayurvedic retreats.  click here

From Dubai: An attempt to sensitise about road rage
24 April. Gomantak Times. Last week, Goa experiences five accidents and two fatalities. With the traffic incident graph rising, Billy Joe Fernandes, popularly known as Billytoons Goa, created Whatsapp stickers in an attempt to sensitise people about road rage. The loss of young life, compelled him to think of innovative ways in which he could reach the younger generation. Within a week, he created 21 stickers.  click here

The Man behind Tito’s & The Beginning of Goa Tourism
25 April. Hindustan Times. Tito’s today is Goa’s most iconic tourist spot but it was not always the case. In 1971, it was a struggling beach shack set up by a man returning from Africa with little money to his name. After his death, his sons Ricardo D’Souza and his brother took over the business aged just 15 and 14, with 45 rupees in their bank account and no ownership of the land on which they operated. From these humble beginnings, the brothers transformed it into a thriving night spot playing host to trance parties.  click here

Why Indians Developed Kenya
20 April. Thomas Sowell TV. Delve into the fascinating history of Indian migration to East Africa, particularly Kenya, and the profound impact they've had on the region's economic and cultural landscape. Despite constituting only 2% of Kenya's population at their peak in 1962, Indians played an outsized role in shaping urban economies, dominating Nairobi's bustling streets and influencing coastal port cities with their vibrant culture. Learn how Indians were instrumental in the construction of the East Africa railway, spanning from Mombasa to Uganda, and how they subsequently assumed key roles in the colonial bureaucracy and private sector. From clerks to station masters, from skilled laborers to small-scale retailers, discover how Indians became indispensable contributors to East Africa's development. Video. Approx. 14 min. Web Link.

Taking Goan Music to Macau

Funeral: Alda T. F. Almeida; Croydon, UK. (ex. Nairobi)

Portugal Needs to Pay Cost of Slavery and Colonialism
24 April. The Guardian UK. In a rare instance of a European leader accepting culpability, Portugal’s president Marcelo Sousa has said Portugal needs to pay for the cost of slavery and other colonial era crimes. Portugal had the longest engagement as a coloniser and aided the shipment of thousands of slaves across the Atlantic into the new Americas, where they were put to work most on plantations in Brazil. Portugal has long failed to accept its role in the colonising project, children in schools are still being taught that Portugal was a good coloniser, said Paula Cardoso founder of Afrolink.  click here

New Rule to Simplify OCI card application
24 April. Business Today India. The Minister of External Affairs, has issued a new directive which will simplify obtaining an OCI card for those Goans with a Portuguese passport. A memorandum has declared that it will accept ‘revocation certificate’ as an alternative document in lieu of 'surrender certificates.'  click here

428 Goans obtained Foreign Passports in last three months
25 April. The Goan. In the last three months, 428 Goans surrendered their Indian passports in favour of Portuguese passports. Most of these applicants were from South Goa, from the port town of Vasco to the hinterlands of Ponda and Sanguem.  For further details click here
See also FRRO Stats at:  click here

A Spectacular List of the Richest Men in Goa
24 April. TechnoSport. An impressive list of the richest men in Goa. Despite the title, the list does include one woman. It also includes one Christian sounding name, who made his money winning the lottery. The others head major business houses in Goa, all without exception having made their money in mining. GV comment: This list to be treated with some scepticism.  click here

Growing apples in Goa

Relishing cashews, the Goa way
20 April. Gomantak Times. Think of cashews and you think of urrak and niro. But there are other ways you can enjoy cashew this season. You can, for instance, make cashew sorapatel. Those who have eaten this dish will attest to the cashew apple being a perfect substitute for pork. Cashew chutney and cashew bakri are among some of the other ways you can enjoy this versatile fruit.  For further details click here

Death: Dolorosa [Dolly] Fernandes. Canada. Ex Zanzibar
22 April. Dolorosa {Dolly] Fernandes died in Toronto. Passed away with her loving husband Basilio of 56 years, daughter, Michelle, son-in law Charles and granddaughter Alexa by her side Daughter of Menino and Anastacia Fernandes. Sister of Regina, Manuel, Pascoal, Stephen, Joseph, Santos, Gonzago, Helen, and Gregory. Dolorosa was the youngest child. Funeral Mass on 25 April at 9 am at chapel of St. Joseph, Thornhill, Ontario. Info via SJCS Zanzibar. Photo and Live Streaming link click here.

Death: Sudhir Kakar. Goa.
22 April. Sudhir Kakar died in Goa, aged 85. The great Indian psychoanalyst was a scholar, writer and cultural critic.  For further details click here

Goan Prodigy Helps Senior Citizens know their Rights
23 April. The Goan. Atharv Nadkarni, aged just 10 has created the most extraordinary app for senior citizens. A student of Vidya Vikas Academy, Nadkarni for a long time had been wanting to develop an app, but was unsure as what it should be, until inspired by a family visit to a care home. The young precocious boy became acutely aware that most elderly people remain unaware of the rights and provisions under the law which benefit them. Nadkarni’s journey into the mathematical world began aged just 18 months when he started identifying numbers.  For further details click here

New tapas and cocktail bar ‘opening soon’ in Swindon

click to enlarge

Goan Diaspora should be Worried about Congress Promise
23 April. Goa New Hub. Chief Minister of Goa, Sawant, issued a stern warning about Congress’ promise of ‘redistribution of wealth.’ He said, Congress have not yet clarified what they mean by this, whose wealth will they be distributing? To whom will they be distributing? Would Goans working hard in London and repatriating their money also come under the scanner of this wealth distribution? Sawant was quick to point out that a lot of people are settling in Goa, would Goan fixed deposits be redistributed to them? Includes video of Sawant discussing these issues. Video in Konkani.  For further details click here

Panjim: A City Sinks, Smart City Deadlines Die

Routes to Roots: Exploring Croydon’s South Asian Heritage
29 Feb: Time Out (London). A South Asian Heritage exhibition [open to 26 April] in Croydon includes artwork, poetry, documentaries, podcasts and interactive installations which challenge the assumptions and stereotypes of South Asian communities. Across the last three years, these communities have been working together to explore and document their experiences with migration, family, home, and cultural identity. Stories will be told from various countries such as India, Guyana, Malawi, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Kenya. Each of these countries have been impacted by its relationship with Britain, primarily through war, colonisation, and the British Empire. There are significant South Asian diaspora communities in many parts of the UK. Despite their contributions to these communities, from food to music, fashion and language, the history of South Asian populations in the UK is largely untold.  click here

Dual Citizenship: Constitution Forced on Goans
22 April. The Times of India. South Goa candidate Viriato Fernandes sparked controversy when he stated the Indian constitution had been forced on Goans. During a discussion with Rahul Gandhi, he broached the topic of dual citizenship for Goans. Gandhi was not forthcoming saying it contravened the constitution at which point Fernandes brought to his attention that Goa was not part of the Indian Union when the constitution was written, and it later de facto became part of Goa. Chief minister of Goa, Sawant was quick to respond, saying Congress must stop this sort of ‘reckless’ politics.  For further details click here

Fifty Percent Drop in Mango and Cashew
23 April. Herald. There has been at least a 50% drop in the mango and cashew harvest this year. The unexpected pre-monsoon rains and thunderstorms have adversely affected the crop, afflicting them with insects and disrupting the ripening process. Despite this farmers are continuing with their usual tradition of extracting the cashew juice and producing urrack.  click here

6.5 million people expected at Old Goa Exposition
23 April. The Goan. An estimated 6.5 million people are expected to attend the exposition of the relic of St. Francis Xavier in November 2024. A 15 member exposition committee has been appointed by the Archbishop of Goa, and headed by Father Henry Falcao. The government is expected to assist with infrastructural issues in this large-scale organisation.  click here

Why an Indian men’s rights group is burning underwear
22 April. The Independent (UK). Earlier this month, an Indian men’s rights group took to half-burning their underwear and dispatching it to their local politicians. They were protesting what they perceive to be anti-men policies and women centric gender-biased laws. The men allege baked into policies are biases which favour women when it comes to rape, domestic violence, alimony and maintenance provisions. The founder and president, KD Jha, said, women get special treatment in society. Their demands are simple, reword the existing laws to make them gender-neutral.  click here

Reading on the rise in Goa
13 April. Heraldo. The number of avid readers is on the rise in Goa, and this is reflected in the numerous venues that now play host to book clubs. Nitesh Bardipurkar of Prose Patisserie and Café, Nachinola, organises their book events under Prisms of Prose. In the month of April, they discussed 'Ways of Belonging,' a book which features stories by 30 writers of the group of writers called ‘Goa Writers’. Alliance Française Panjim organises monthly book discussions and so does Champaca Bookstore at Anjuna. Divya Kapur of Literati Bookstore has been running a book club for several years and the Dogears Bookshop based in Margao run by Leonard and wife Queenie has become a cultural hub of author talks, book launches and book club meetings.  click here