Goan Voice - UK - providing updated comprehensive news coverage on Goa daily.

News Summary

Omicron rules: Chaotic scenes at Indian airports as travellers face last-minute changes to testing protocols

2 Dec: The Independent (UK). International passengers arriving at Delhi’s main airport on Thursday were met with long waits and some chaotic scenes, a day after new coronavirus screening guidelines designed to catch the omicron variant came into effect. Under the regulations travellers coming from 14 “at-risk” countries including the UK will have to undergo compulsory RT-PCR testing before they can leave the airport. Those who test negative will still be required to undergo seven days of home quarantine, and be tested again on the eighth day. With the strict new protocols in place, the country announced its first two cases of the omicron variant on Thursday afternoon — two foreign nationals whose samples were taken on Wednesday in the southern state of Karnataka… Those arriving at IGI are being offered two testing options — a fast-track which offers results in 90 minutes for Rs 3500 (£35) or a regular RT-PCR test that costs Rs 500 (£5) and returns a result in six hours… Manish Sharma, 31, said he paid more for the rapid option, yet “from test to getting the results, it took me about two and a half hours” and he had to spend a total of nearly 10 hours at the airport … For further details click here

Video: Goa’s Tanisha & her partner wins Silver at Open Badminton Scotland

1 Dec: Herald TV. Goa’s star sensation Tanisha Crasto along with her partner Ishaan Bhatnagar from Chhattisgarh emerged runners up in the Mixed Doubles at the Scottish Open 2021 International Challenge Badminton Tournament, held at Glasgow, Scotland… For further details click here
Wikipedia: Tanisha Crasto (born 5 May 2003) is an Emirati-born Indian badminton player. In 2016, she won the women's doubles event at the Bahrain International Challenge. In 2017, she created history by winning the Indian Club UAE Open tournament in the women's singles event when she was 14 years old. She also a part of the Prime Star Sports Academy club to win the Shuttle Time Dubai Club Badminton Championship… click here
Video: Match point - Bhatnagar / Crasto vs Toft / Graversen - Scottish Open 2021 … click here.

A look at London’s top linguistic clusters

2 Dec: Khaleej Times (UAE). Hundreds of different tongues have been spoken through the long history of London, making it linguistically the most diverse capital in the world… The 2021 Census figures are yet to be released, but may throw up surprises. For example, Portuguese figured in the past among the top 10 languages, mainly concentrated in communities of Brazilian origin in Lambeth, but the latest Census may add to the numbers based on the migration of thousands of Portuguese and Konkani speaking people from Goa, who acquired Portuguese citizenship and moved to London areas of Southall, Hounslow and Wembley, among other parts of Britain… For further details click here

Modi wanted to reverse brain-drain but Indians continue to give up their passports in droves

1 Dec: Reuters. India does not offer dual citizenship yet, and people seeking citizenship in other countries must give up their Indian passport as per law. Nearly 100,000 passports were surrendered each year since 2017, data shared by Rai showed. Till Sept. 30 this year, 110,000 people had taken the step—the most in five years. These data are in tandem with the increase in the number of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards the government has issued since the policy was launched in 2006. The foreign ministry’s website puts that figure at 1.3 million as of May 2013. Recent estimates, though, suggest there are six million OCI card holders across the world… For further details click here

I was extradited to India in exchange for Princess Latifa: Christian Michel tells Delhi High Court

2 Dec: Bar & Bench. Christian Michel James, the alleged middleman in ₹3,600 crore AgustaWestland VVIP Chopper scam, has told the Delhi High Court that his extradition from United Arab Emirate to India was a quid pro quo for Indian authorities sending back Dubai Princess Latifa. His lawyer claimed told the court Michel was brought to India in December 2018 just eight months after Princess Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed al-Maktoum, the runaway daughter of Dubai’s ruler, was intercepted by the Indian Coast Guards near Goa while she was trying to flee to the US. India had then sent her back to the UAE… The Court hear the case next on December 8. For further details click here

Memories of the Poço do Padeiro neighborhood in Pangim

30 Nov: Diário de Notícias (Portugal). By Valentino Viegas. Every now and then, when we meet in Portugal, a friend of mine and I remember the sweet years of childhood, lived in the Poço do Padeiro neighborhood, in Pangim, Goa, in the distant 40s and 50s of the last century. That small neighborhood, with a population perhaps less than two dozen Catholic families and two or three Hindus, lived harmoniously around the illustrious well.The beautiful well was respected by all the neighbors, who treated it with sweetness and affection, as it was a precious source of life that never ceased to quench the thirst of the needy, freely offering its valuable gift. The well, with a circular configuration, being larger in diameter and deeper than all the wells in Panjim, was the pride of the inhabitants of the neighborhood … 130 words. For further details click here
For the Portuguese original, click here

UK: TV & RADIO HIGHLIGHTS By Lira Fernandes

COOKERY: Gordon's Great Escape. Quest (Freeview 12). Sat. 4th Dec.16:00 to 17:00. Chef Gordon Ramsay embarks on a culinary journey across India to learn how to authentically prepare the signature dishes of the country. He begins his journey on an express train in the north, where he cooks for the passengers in the cramped pantry car. 17:00 to 18:00. In the second programme, Gordon Ramsayexamines some of the country's best-kept culinary secrets.

DOCUMENTARY: The Real Marigold Hotel. BBC Two. Tuesday 7th Dec. 21:45 to 22:45. Eight celebrities embark on an experimental adventure to India, to test whether they can set up a more rewarding retirement than in the UK. Entertainer Lionel Blair, wildlife presenter Bill Oddie, actress Amanda Barrie, former world snooker champion Dennis Taylor, TV personality Rustie Lee, doctor and author Miriam Stoppard, singer Sheila Ferguson and actor and singer Paul Nicholas take over a 16th-century mansion in the heart of Old Kochi

TRAVEL: People Fixing the World. BBC World Service (Freeview 710). Tues.7th Dec. 23:06 to 23:30. Food Waste. A company in India that is addressing the problem of food waste by collecting imperfect produce that would otherwise have been left by farmers to rot. Specially designed solar dryers are then used to remove the water before the dried fruit and vegetables are processed and sold on.

HISTORY DOCUMENTARY: The Last Pope? Blaze (Freeview 63). Wed. 8th Dec. 21:00 to 23:00. Nine hundred years ago, Catholic Saint Malachy was struck with a prophetic series of visions that predicted the identity of each future Pope. This ancient prophecy suggests that Pope Francis, the latest in the holy line which stretches back nearly 2,000 years, may be destined to be the last Pope.

HISTORY DOCUMENTARY: Who Do You Think You Are? Quest Red Plus 1 (Freeview 70). Wed. 8th Dec. 22:00 to 23:00. Anita Rani. Anita Rani makes her second BBC One appearance of the week, although unlike her Strictly Come Dancing performance, this delve into her family's past proves to be a much more sobering affair.

DOCUMENTARY: Undercover Big Boss. ITV London. Thursday 9th Dec. 08:45 to 09:35. Shelim Hussain is managing director of Euro Foods, one of the biggest suppliers of Indian food in Europe. He starts his undercover mission with food production worker Jess, who has been on the samosa production line for five months. Workers have been struggling to achieve Shelim's target of making six samosas a minute. Shelim thinks this should be easily achievable, but what happens when he tries to hit his production targets himself?

COOKERY: Nadiya's Fast Flavours. BBC 2. Thurs. 9th Dec. 20:30 to 21:00. Chill Out Days. The cook has some relaxed recipes to chill out with, including Bombay burgers that are like an Indian meal in one bite.

Obituary

Death: Melvyn de Souza
25 Nov: Montreal. MELVYN DE SOUZA. Aged 75. Passed away after a brave battle with Cancer. Beloved husband to Jean de Souza, with whom he shared 53 extraordinary years of marriage. Dedicated father to Shelly (Stevan), Lisa and Darren and adored by his grandchildren Liam, Brendan and Brooklyn. He leaves behind his dear sister, Heather Merle (Paddy), his sister-in-law Romina, his nephews Andre (Paula), Jason, Sheldon (Sonal) and Mark (Natasha), as well as many other devoted cousins, relatives and precious friends. He is preceded by his loving parents Edwin and Dolorosa de Souza and his beloved late brother Everard… Visitation on Sunday, December 5th, 2021, from 11am to 1pm at Rideau Funeral Home, followed by a celebration of his life. We encourage and welcome our remote family members and friends to view the ceremony online and share in this remembrance, starting at 1 pm on that day, by using the following link: For further details click here
Photo and full details, For further details click here

News Summary

Man charged with murder of Fernanda and her Goan father in north London

1 Dec: Evening Standard (London). Achilleas Costa, 53, is alleged to have stabbed the pair to death at an address on Mayes Road in Wood Green on Sunday, November 28. He has been remanded in custody and will appear at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, December 1… The father, 61, and daughter, 31, were found unresponsive, having suffered stab wounds, and were pronounced dead at the scene. Formal identification of the victims has yet to take place… Costa, of no fixed address, has been charged with two counts of murder. click here
1 Dec: BBC. Wood Green stabbings: Man charged with murder of father and daughter … click here

Video: In conversation with UK’s Mixed Martial Arts winner Kerensky Fernandes

1 Dec: Herald TV. Today in the episode of Sports Talkies you will meet Goa’s Kerensky Fernandes who has made a statement with her debut win in the MMA in the Olympus Fight Series 2 amateur mixed martial arts (MMA) fight in the 115lbs category against Blackman. She spoke about her journey … Kerensky now plans to stay busy training and grinding to further sharpen her skills… For further details click here

Bake Off’s Crystelle: Never mind the focaccia, Mail+ meets the piping prodigy with the winning personality who’s ready for a spin-off show with Noel

1 Dec: Daily Mail. Crystelle Pereira is a feeder. The Great British Bake-Off finalist credits her Goan-Portugese [sic] heritage with her love of cooking for others. ‘Food is integral to our culture,’ she says, ‘if someone comes to our house and doesn’t eat, my entire family would be very offended – that’s just how we’re wired.’ … the 26-year-old banker from London took the biscuit for her onscreen personality, winning us all over with her delicious laugh and baking banter. Just ask her 119k Instagram followers – and the fans chasing her up London’s Oxford Street… Photo: Crystelle with her ‘tight-knit’ family: Derrick, Chanelle (centre), Elaine (second from right) and Corelle … 1256 words. For further details click here
1 Dec: Hello Magazine. Here's how to apply for the next series of The Great British Bake Off … click here

Freida Pinto on the family traditions she hopes to pass on as she welcomes her first child

30 Nov: Hello Magazine (UK). There was a double celebration for Hollywood actress Freida Pinto last week. First of all the Slumdog Millionaire star shared the exciting news that she has become a mum for the first time – then she told fans her baby boy, named Rumi-Ray, was born in the same week as husband Cory Tran’s birthday… “I’ve always wanted to be a mum and my family are thrilled,” adds the Mumbai-born actress … “It’s the creation of family and the passing on of traditions. This baby is too tiny to understand what they are, but what my mum did with me is what I’m going to do now. Every Christmas, instead of putting gifts under the tree, every member of the family would write a letter from the heart to each other. I still carry those letters with me everywhere… During my pregnancy I wanted the flavours I grew up with, Indian food, which was easy to find in London … For further details click here

Omicron casts shadow over international tourist arrivals

2 Dec: Herald. Hopes of an upswing in tourism fortunes, with international tourists boosting numbers, have been dashed by the omicron variant scare and Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s announcement postponing resumption of scheduled international flights indefinitely. This could spell doom to the much-awaited charter flight which are set to commence from mid-December… . For further details click here
2 Dec: NDTV. Four people who flew into Delhi from the Netherlands and the UK in the early hours of Wednesday have tested positive for COVID-19 and their samples have been sent for genome sequencing to ascertain if they have the new variant, Omicron, sources said… click here
2 Dec: Herald. The rules are in place now. The new regulation put in place to combat the Omicron variant could have an effect on the inflow of international tourists. Members of the industry stated their opinions … click here.

It’s a good life in Goa

1 Dec: Herald. It is a dream treasured by many to chuck the city life behind with all its stresses and tensions and all that pollution. For an increasingly large number of millennials in the country, fed up with it all, they prefer to take a radical step and turn away from that life. Many of them prefer to shift to Goa. With its quieter life, it’s easier pace and more importantly better quality of life. Young professionals from various professions are shifting here and conducting business sitting in Goa and enjoying its sanity… Christelle Ledroit came to Goa in January of 2019 all the way from the Reunion islands more than a decade ago. She and her husband who worked in Delhi decided to shift to Goa because the climate and culture was similar. She said “France ruled Reunion and Portugal ruled Goa. We have a lot of friends here and yes family members too. And yes, the people are nice and friendly. I love the fresh air here. We live in the village in a small community and yes I am happy to be living in Goa.” … For further details click here

News Summary

Goa: Mandatory isolation for international passengers from 12 countries

30 Nov: Deccan Herald. International passengers arriving in Goa from any of the 12 countries [inc. UK and EU] affected by the Omicron variant of the coronavirus will have to stay in isolation for 14 days, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Tuesday… Sawant also said that all international passengers arriving in Goa will also have to mandatorily undertake a Covid-19 test on arrival… Sawant also said that according to central government guidelines, inbound passengers from the 12 countries on arrival in Goa will have to isolate themselves and get themselves tested after 7 days. "If they are negative there will be some relaxation for the remaining seven days," he said … The protocol will be implemented tomorrow … click here
30 Nov. The Goan. … Passengers from "at risk" countries, include UK … click here
30 Nov: Times of India. Visa uncertainty defers charters to Goa, omicron adds to woes… click here.

Love is that special ingredient in The Great British Bake Off finalist, Crystelle Pereira's, dishes

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29 Nov: Vogue. By Joanna Lobo. It started with a birthday cake. Crystelle Pereira, one of three sisters and the only one with an inclination for the kitchen, wanted to bake one for her sister’s birthday… It’s no surprise then that dedicating her dishes to her loved ones is what got Pereira to the finals of The Great British Bake Off (GBBO) … The 26-year-old considers herself a religious person and believes that everything happens for a reason… Pereira certainly was one of the stars on the show; fans loved how all her bakes had some link to her heritage and family. In Pastry Week, for example, she used her late Lily Nana’s pickled chicken recipe for her curried chicken and potato terrine pie… Born and raised in Northwest London to Kenya-born parents of mixed Portuguese Goan heritage, food has always been an integral part of Pereira's culture… Like most Goans, Pereira loves her fish curry and rice. A good fish curry—preferably one made by her father—is a Friday staple in their London home… 1275 words. click here
30 Nov. Navhind Times. All you knead is cookies! She cut short her trail in banking and re-routed to baking. Today, through her venture The Cookie Crumb Trail, Tiffany D’Lima Menezes serves up pretty cookies that set the tone for themed parties in Goa … click here

Who left MasterChef: The Professionals last night? Allwyn Dias

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30 Nov: The Sun (UK). Two more chefs were eliminated on Monday, November 29, 2021, sending the remaining cooks through to the next round of the competition. The first chef to leave in heat seven was Allwyn [Dias]… He graciously accepted his exit and said: "It is what it is and I couldn't make it to the next stage. But, I enjoyed it." … Allwyn, born in Goa, started out at the age of 21. This chef has spent most of his career working in hotels … : click here
To watch a video recording of the programme – Series 14, episode 14, [BBC iPlayer only works in the UK] click here
Allwyn Clement Dias is from Chandor; attended St Joseph Education Institute, Chandor; Higher Secondary: Guardian Angel, Savordem; College: IIAS School of Management, Panjim, BBA(HONS) in Hospitality and Tourism. Previously: Sr Sous Chef, The Savoy London. For his Linkedin profile, click here.

Calangute police wants act for bars employing waitresses & dancers to take a special licence

30 Nov: Herald. Police Inspector Nolasco Raposo of Calangute Police Station has moved a recommendation before senior officers to enact a legislation for bars employing dancers to take a special dance bar licence in view of protecting the dignity of the women working in bars, restaurants, clubs and pubs. Interestingly the police admit that there are many restaurants which employ dancers in Calangute. In a recommendation, the police have said that several clubs or establishments having bars and restaurants in this police station jurisdiction have employed ladies as waitresses or dancers who work till late in the night… More than a dozen clubs under the pretext of bar and restaurants are operating in the Candolim, Calangute, Baga and Arpora villages… For further details click here

Goa Congress alleges ‘sex scandal’ involving cabinet minister, BJP says ‘fake’

30 Nov: Indian Express. Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president Girish Chodankar Tuesday alleged that a minister in the cabinet of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had misused his office and sexually exploited a woman. He said about 20 days ago, two “responsible people” had brought evidence in the form of video, audio and WhatsApp chats to show how the minister sexually exploited the woman… Refuting the allegations, Goa BJP president Sadanand Tanavade said there was no complaint of any sexual exploitation against any minister and that the allegations were being made as the legislative assembly polls were approaching… For further details click here
30 Nov: Times of India. Will expose scam of BJP minister that will shake Goa: Congress … click here

Goa Bets Big on Electric Vehicles, Approves Policy Aiming for 30 Percent EVs by 2025

30 Nov: News 18. The Goa government has made a big push for the electrification of vehicles with the passing of Goa Electric Mobility Promotion Policy (GEMPP) 2021. In a move that’s sure to bolster the electrification movement in the country, the state government has approved Goa Electric Mobility Promotion Policy (GEMPP) 2021. This policy encompasses a number of different incentives, subsidies and goals, all in a bid to electrify Goa… Notably, there will be an emphasis on having at least 30 percent of vehicles in Goa to be electric by 2025… For further details click here

Obituary

Death: Filomena Da Costa, London originally from Nairobi

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8th November 2021, London. FILOMENA DA COSTA died after a battle with various health ailments. Daughter of IGNACINHO & MARIA AMELIA FERNANDES (nee - DOURADO), of NUVEM, SALCETE, GOA, INDIA. Leaves behind 4 sons, 14 grandchildren and 2 Great grandchildren. Filomena was married to MICHAEL (MIGUEL) Da Costa from Ribandar, Ilhas Goa, India for 69 years who died 20th Nov 2019 in London. Funeral will take place 8th Dec 2021, 11.30am at St. IGNATIUS CHURCH STAMFORD HILL, 27 HIGH ROAD, LONDON N15 6ND Followed by Cremation at ISLINGTON & ST PANCRAS CEMETERY, HIGH ROAD EAST FINCHLEY N2 9AG. Condolences to aj_dacosta@hotmail.com

News Summary

Wood Green, London: Fernanda and her Goan Father stabbed to death

29 Nov: The Mirror (UK). 'Lovely and bubbly' woman stabbed to death at London home alongside dad. Tributes have been paid to a 31-year-old woman, who has been named locally as Fernanda, found dead alongside her dad on Sunday in their flat in Mayes Road, Wood Green … A 52-year-old man remains in custody on suspicion of murdering them both. Shopkeepers in a market below her flat said she was a ‘lovely’ and ‘bubbly’ woman…. Anusha Lutchmiah, 40, said: ‘’She would come to our cafe to eat and have a cup of tea. Her dad [aged 61] was from Goa and her mother was Jewish."… Fernanda was a carer for her father and was very friendly… Her father had some mental health problems and her mother is blind." … 334 words. For further details click here
29 Nov: The Evening Standard (London). Father and daughter stabbed to death in Wood Green flat horror … click here
29 Nov: Ham & High. 'Unimaginable loss': Father and daughter stabbed to death in north London … click here.

Video: Uncertainty looms over Charter Tourism as OMICRON variant of Covid surfaces

29 Nov: Herald TV. There is tension in the air as the deadly OMICRON variant of Covid has surfaced in South Africa. Just as things were beginning to normalize, uncertainly looms over Charter Tourism. Today Herald TV’s Navin Jha spoke to the Goa Airport Director Gagan Malik about the same. Malik said that the Passengers coming from risk nations including UK will be mandatorily subject to RT-PCR test. If found positive, they will have to undergo institutional quarantine. Even as 27 slots have been booked, Charters tourism will depend on new Govt of India protocols… For further details click here

Keeping tabs on international passengers, says Goa CM amid Omicron scare

29 Nov: IANS. Directions have been issued to the authorities in Goa to keep tabs on international passengers arriving in the state, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Monday, adding that the state government would hold a meeting to discuss the emerging scenario related to the new Covid-19 variant, Omicron. Sawant also said that people should take precautions when it comes to dealing with persons who have newly travelled to the coastal state. "We have always followed central guidelines. We are conducting a meeting about this tomorrow with Health Department and Secretary. Airport and Railway stations have been alerted," the Chief Minister told reporters … For further details click here
29 Nov: Indian Express. Passenger from South Africa lands in Mumbai via Delhi, tests positive … click here

Frederick FN Noronha Channel: Some Recent Videos

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29 Nov: Hanv Konn is a slender book where the unheard voices of Goa speak out and tell their story. Issues of caste, language, migration and much more …
28 Nov: The story of hockey in Goa... a slice of it from a coach who loves the game …
26 Nov: Inside... Cafe Ritz (Bar and Restaurant) …
25 Nov: Meet this hole-in-the-wall [Varsha Bookstall] which does an amazing job in disseminating the printed word in Panjim…
25 Nov: Remembering the Herald newspaper of the 1980s and 1990s …
25 Nov: At the Made in Saligao Market …
For these and more, click here

Goa's 'Most Haunted'. Let's Delve Deeper Into Goa's Haunting Secret Of The Three Kings Chapel

29 Nov: Whats Hot In Goa. Originally the Chapel of Our Lady of Remedies (Nossa Senhora dos Remedios), the church was established in 1599 by Fr. Goncalo Carvalho at Cansaulim. The current structure dates back to 1721 and is more popularly known as the The Three Kings Chapel … According to the legend, three Portuguese kings, famous for locking horns over their area of jurisdiction, met with a tragic end and were buried here… Locals say that the dispute continues even in the afterlife as none of the three kings ever left the chapel. People have reportedly heard the three kings talk and there have been occasional sightings here and there… For further details click here

Remo Fernandes is ‘Still Goan Crazy’

29 Nov. The Hindu. In his autobiography ‘Remo’, out tomorrow, the musician writes about his many loves including his first big romance – Goa. Twenty-seven years ago, ‘Ek Ho Gaye Hum Aur Tum’, from the soundtrack of Bombay, composed by AR Rahman, was one of the biggest hits of the time. It was sung by Remo Fernandes … As Remo talks to us from his home in Siolim, he looks back on his short stint in Hindi cinema with the sort of quiet affection one feels for a favourite relative one meets occasionally — not too distant and yet not too close… An icon of the 1980s, known for songs such as ‘The Flute Song’ and ‘O Meri Munni’, Remo says he has never been the sort to chase fame and film projects… 1167 words. For further details click here
To buy the book from Amazon click here

Muslim comic hounded by right-wing Hindu activists in India quits the stage: ‘I’m done’

29 Nov: The Independent. The Indian stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui has announced that he is quitting the stage after repeatedly having his shows cancelled due to threats of violence and self-immolation from right-wing Hindu groups… Responding to the circumstances under which his shows have been cancelled, Mr Faruqui, 29, announced his decision to stop performing altogether in an Instagram post captioned: “Hate won, the artist has lost. I’m done! Goodbye.” … Earlier this month, the comedian was forced to cancel two sold-out shows in Goa after “over 500 people threatened to set themselves on fire” if they took place, according to event organisers LVC Comedy Club… 1006 words. For further details click here
Video: 26 Nov: Deutsche Welle (Germany) How India's stand-up comedians are challenging authority DW English, , 13:04 GMT, 1016 Words, click here
Videos: Munawar Faruqui You Tube Channel … click here.

News Summary

India revises its international travel guidelines: All UK arrivals 7 days home quarantine

29 Nov: News Heads. The Union Health Ministry on Sunday revised the guidelines for international arrivals in India, which will come to effect from December 1 onwards. According to the revised guidelines, passengers are required to fill last 14 days travel details and a negative RT-PCR report needs to be uploaded on Air Suvidha app before the journey… travellers from 'countries at-risk' [UK included] will need to take Covid test post arrival and wait for the results at the airport. If tested negative, they'll follow home quarantine for seven days. A re-test needs to be done on the eighth day and re-monitor them for the next seven days. Travellers from countries excluding the 'countries at risk' will be allowed to leave the airport and should self-monitor their health for 14 days. Till Saturday, passengers who were considered 'at risk' were from the countries South Africa, China, Botswana, those in Europe including the UK … For further details click here
28 Nov: PTI. Amid Omicron scare ahead of Christmas-New Year season, Goa's tourism sector adopts 'wait and watch' policy … click here

India: Over 30% women justify beating by husbands

28 Nov: PTI. Over 75 per cent women justified men beating their wives in 3 states. Most common reasons to justify beating were neglecting house, children and disrespecting in-laws … Over 30 per cent women from 14 of the 18 states and Union Territories that were surveyed justify men beating their wives under certain circumstances, while lesser percentage of men rationalised such behaviour, according to the recent National Family Health Survey (NHFS)… Of the 18 states, women respondents in 13 [including Goa] cited 'disrespect to in-laws' as the main reason to justify beating… For further details click here
28 Nov: India.com. Shocking! 80% Women in THESE South Indian States Justify Men Beating Their Wives: Survey … click here.

Home Delivery Service – Order from Goa

28 Nov: Herald. When the pandemic brought businesses to a standstill, a group of youngsters from the hospitality sector decided to find a way to help people find jobs and provide services that met various demands of the industry. They launched an App through which they supply groceries all over the State and help out restaurants in and around Panjim too with their food delivery orders. Karsten Miranda speaks to the team behind ‘Order Local Goa’ about their journey… 1153 words. For further details click here

Goa: Coconut hut-turned-posh bungalow stirs row in land of churches

27 Nov: IANS. For more than three centuries, a massive 16th century arch dedicated to adventurer Vasco da Gama served as an ornamental overhang under which Goa's newly appointed Governors were formally welcomed … In 2021, however, the archway is back in focus, thanks to a controversial bungalow in its precincts … The Trinamool Congress has now demanded immediate demolition of the structure, which has been co-developed by Mumbai-based real estate tycoon Manish Munot, the spouse of BJP leader Shaina NC … For further details click here
29 Nov: Times of India. Old Goa activists say CM must give written assurance … Action Committee has demanded that chief minister Pramod Sawant cancel the permits granted … click here

Monserrates face major embarrassment in High Court

29 Nov: Herald. In a major embarrassment to husband-wife MLA duo of Atanasio (Babush) and Jennifer Monserrate, the High Court questioned how individuals involved in offences such as the attack on a police station are elected to the Goa Assembly. As many as 36 persons are charged for the violence that occurred in February 2008, injuring several policemen and damaging properties worth several lakhs of rupees… Adv Aires Rodrigues had pointed out that the Supreme Court had directed that the criminal cases against politicians should be fast tracked but that it had not happened in Goa at least in the Panjim police station attack case… For further details click here

From lounges to live DJs to selfie points, beach shacks up their game

28 Nov: Times of India. The state’s beach shacks, which over the past decade have gone beyond offering just a dining facility on the shore, have gone a step ahead this season. A stroll along the popular Calangute-Baga stretch reveals that shacks now have a loungelike facility with sofas, fancy lighting, hookahs, live DJs, as well as selfie-friendly “installations” for tourists inclined towards social media… For further details click here

Obituary

Funeral: Maria Mendonca. Reading, UK. Ex Nairobi/Saligao

The funeral mass for Maria Mendonca will be held on Tuesday, 7 December 2021, at 12 pm at English Martyrs Church, 64 Liebenrood, Road, Reading RG30 2EB, followed by cremation at Reading Cemetery & Crematorium, All Hallows Road, Reading RG4 5LP at 1.45 pm The funeral mass will be live streamed on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLp8qPGQghg In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to https://www.abwalker.co.uk/fund-page/?fp_id=79184 Ample car parking at the Church and Crematorium. The family would like you to join them to celebrate her life at English Martyrs Church Hall. Please let us know if you will be attending to enable us to meet number restrictions. Please email milo.mendonsa@hotmail.co.uk
Maria Mendonca died on 9 Nov. 2021. For the Goan Voice death notice,
http://www.goanvoice.org.uk/printerfile.php?link=2021-11-17

News Summary

UK: Video: Kerensky Fernandes wins her Mixed Martial Arts bout

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27 Nov: Kerensky Fernandes vs Alice Blackman see her fighting … 10m. 02s. click here
27 Nov: Herald. Kerensky dreams to be the ‘Queen’ of ‘Octagon’. Every girl wishes to be a princess, but for Goa’s Kerensky Fernandes, she has been working hard to be the ‘queen’ of the ‘Octagon’… Aged 22, the Cansaulim born fighter will be making her debut today (November 27) in the MMA in the Olympus Fight Series 2 amateur mixed martial arts fight (115lbs category) against Blackman. This would be probably the first Goan athlete to enter in such a ring - Octagon. Kerensky has been training for the past three years but her journey began as soon she moved to the UK where she studied sports science, got into weightlifting, proved to be a British weightlifting champion and won the Dublin Championship before making a switch to mixed martial arts… click here

For the Kerensky Fernandes Facebook page, click here.

Explained: Why has the Indian PM asked to review plans for easing international travel curbs?

27 Nov: Indian Express. Friday it was announced that international scheduled commercial flights will resume from December 15 after a 21-month ban. Just a day later Prime Minister Modi has directed senior government officials to “review” plans for easing international travel restrictions in light of the Omicron variant … Some states and local jurisdictions have already started imposing travel restrictions for passengers … Gujarat government has made it mandatory for passengers coming in from Europe, the UK … to undergo an RT-PCR test upon arrival at any airport in the state… For further details click here

Go SIM-only for just £2.50 a month [with free roaming in India] in mega Black Friday deal

27 Nov: The Chronicle. If you've got your eye on a new SIM deal this Black Friday, you'll struggle to beat a mega-cheap deal launched by Lebara. New Lebara customers will be able to get a 3GB SIM only plan for £2.50 instead of £4.99 thanks to their offer of 50% off for six months for new customers. The SIM only deal has 3GB of data, unlimited UK minutes, UK texts and 100 international minutes to 41 countries. The plan is for six months and after that it will change to £4.99 a month. It runs on a Vodafone network and there's free roaming in the EU and India. There's also no contract meaning you can change or cancel at anytime… For further details click here
Lebara: Free Roaming In India … How much data can I use when I am roaming in India? You can use upto 10GB data and 200 minutes and texts to call India and the UK absolutely free. A small surcharge of 5p/MB and 10p/min applies thereafter to continue using your plan… click here

Shining star: Grenville Pinto is in radiant form

25 Nov: BBC Music Magazine, Page: 39. Seasonal looks. Christmas over the years has inspired a glorious array of weird and wonderful covers from record company designers. We present our favourites… For further details click here
Video: Christmas Glow album! Grenville Pinto … click here
2 Apr. 2012. Goan Voice. Grenville Pinto was born in Hamilton, Ont, the son of Eddie Pinto of (Assagao, Goa). His mother is from Lucknow. The Grenville Pinto website is at http://www.gpinto.com/index.php
http://www.goanvoice.org.uk/printerfile.php?link=2012-04-02
For the Grenville Pinto Wikipedia profile,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grenville_Pinto

4 Goa homes that honour the state’s design heritage

27 Nov: Architectural Design. Goa’s design landscape has more to offer than cookie-cutter villas by the beach; these homes venerate the historical influences of the sunshine state … 1: A 200-Year-Old Goan Holiday Home Fit for Royalty in Goa's Chorao Island… 2: A Minimalist Home That Tips its Hat to Traditional Portuguese Architecture. Siolim Door a villa in the village of Siolim in North Goa … 3: A Luxurious Villa With Portuguese and Nautical Influences in the quiet, charming village of Assagao … 4: A Goan Holiday Home Built Around a Mango Tree in Assagao … 1687 words. For further details click here

Obituary

Death: Thomas de Souza, Montreal. Ex Goa
24 Nov: Dorval, Quebec. THOMAS L.C. DE SOUZA, age 88, of died peacefully at his palliative care residence. He was born in Goa, India, the eldest child of Pascoal and Raminha in Goa. He is survived by his loving wife Norma of 54 years; children Wendy (Patrick), Glenn (Sonya) and Melissa (Frank); grandchildren Michelle, Aurelia and Aldrin; siblings Leticia (Joseph), Timothy (Alba) and Peter (Loretta); and many members of his extended family… Visitation will take place at J.J. Cardinal, 560 Lakeshore Dr, Dorval, QC H9S 2B3, on Friday Nov. 26 from 2 pm to 5 pm and 7 pm to 9 pm. A funeral celebration will be held on Saturday Nov. 27, 10:30 am at St. Veronica's Parish, 1300 Ave Carson, Dorval, H9S 1M6. Photo. click here.

News Summary

Portuguese nationality of Goans

27 Nov: Herald. … By Paulo Colaco Dias. In 1911 the law changed to grant Portuguese nationality by virtue of birth in a Portuguese territory … By blood relationship (jus sanginis), the direct descendants of these citizens are entitled to acquire Portuguese nationality …According to news released through the Portuguese daily Diário de Notícias of 06/02/2014, citing sources from the Institute of Registry and Notary Services (IRN), there were 27,382 acquisitions of nationality from the Republic of India between 2007 and 2013 … In 2012 there were 3,713 and in 2013 this number increased to 3,771 and around 5,600 in 2015 … Nationality acquisition processes for those born after 1961 used to complete in 4 months and now take more than 15 months … 964 words. For further details click here
Goan Voice: Portuguese Nationality Supplement … click here

India: International Flights To Resume Dec 15, Limited Services To 14 Nations

26 Nov: NDTV. India will resume scheduled international flights from December 15, subject to conditions, the Civil Aviation Ministry said Friday evening, noting that the "matter has been reviewed and the competent authority" had decided to resume such flights (to and from India)… The Aviation Ministry said 14 countries designated by the Health Ministry as 'at risk', would be allowed to resume 75 per cent of pre-Covid operations … These 14 countries include United Kingdom … For further details click here
26 Nov: Times of India. Hopes soar, charters set to return to Goa. Charter flights are resuming in December, rekindling hopes of a busy tourist season that can ride on high-spending foreigners, which is bound to have an overall positive impact on the sector… click here

Catholic News From India In Brief

26 Nov: UCAN. Indian Jesuits want Father Stan's reputation restored. They believe the late activist priest was implicated in mob violence for standing up for the rights of indigenous people … For further details click here
25 Nov: UCAN. Indian politician promises free pilgrimage to Velankanni. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is eyeing Christian votes ahead of Delhi state polls … click here
24 Nov: UCAN. Indian bishop’s rape trial enters final stage. Bishop Franco Mulakkal was arrested and charged with rape of a nun in 2018 … click here.

Video: Dcosta House, Goa’s first film premiered at International Film Festival of India 2021

26 Nov: Herald TV. D'costa House was one of the first Goan film that was premiered at International Film festival of India this year. The film produced by Pramod Salgaocar and directed by Jitendra Shikerkar - D’Costa House’ is a Konkani crime thriller based in Goa centred around three criminals who escape jail and take shelter in a house… 1m. 33s. For further details click here
27 Nov: Herald. The festival is moving along. A Konkani film was featured at the festival and actors talked about growing through the roles they enacted and there was some talk about cultural sensitivity … click here

Search for missing teen leads to Discord chatroom where kids plan to run away

24 Nov: Metro (UK). Online messaging platform Discord calls itself ‘a place that makes it easy to talk every day and hang out more often’. But finding a like-minded community online worked a little too well for three teenage boys… The Discord chatroom had three members between the ages of 13 and 18, motivated by the single goal of running away from their families and starting a new life elsewhere. The boys had decided on the popular Indian tourist destination and beach city of Goa for their new life… The three boys from the Discord chatroom left Mumbai and headed to Goa on October 30… They check into an expensive hotel and raked a bill of thousands of rupees… they chose Goa as their destination under the assumption that it would be cheaper than Mumbai but they ran out of money on the first day… For further details click here

Goa’s villagers return to fishing to survive tourism downturn

26 Nov: Countercurrents. … For a state which majorly survives on tourism, finally, it was the sea which yet again moved to and fro, as a savior. “The sea and the fish from the sea. They saved us in the lockdown and the pandemic, with our earnings literally dipping to zero,” said Hemant Rodrigues of Vittorino Villa in Arambol town… “We earn just about enough to carry on, because there is hardly anyone arriving at our small hotel. We are hoping for the best and perhaps the tide would change during and after Christmas and New Year.” With almost 100 per cent single dose vaccination, Goa is looking forward to a better life in the days to come… 1307 words. For further details click here

This Goan dish is just what you need with your whisky

26 Nov: Condé Nast Traveller. Avinash Martins, who runs Cavatina Goa, takes us through his delicious wood-smoked chicken cafreal recipe that matches perfectly with Oaksmith whisky … Cavatina was first set up with the idea to bring quality world cuisine to South Goa, soon pivoted to a restaurant that showcased local Goan cuisine… He elaborates, “Cafreal is a traditional Goan dish. Since I wanted to pair it with a good whisky, we’ve done a smoked version. I’ve marinated the entire bird in the same masala always used, and after marinating it’s been smoked and roasted, so there are three processes involved.” He says, “The emphasis here is that I didn’t want to deviate from an original recipe. I just ornamented the existing recipe.” … 641 words. For further details click here
Check out some of the Google links to Cavatina, click here

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Edited by Eddie Fernandes editor@goanvoice.org.uk

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