COMMUNITY NEWS

The Scottish Spice Festival began on Tuesday and runs until 31 May. It is the brainchild of Herman Rodrigues, who owns the two Suruchi restaurants in Edinburgh…newcomers to his restaurants are sometimes taken aback that jazz is often playing rather than the collected sitar hits of Ravi Shankar. "Cultures integrate in so many different ways," says Rodrigues. "It's about food, music. Everything that makes people's lives." The Scotsman, 12 Apr. Full text, 755 words at http://lifestyle.scotsman.com/home/headlines_specific.cfm?articleid=6159

From John J. D’Souza: A month's mind mass will be held for the late Roldau Menezes at St. Francis Xavier Church, (Mississauga, Canada) 5650 Mavis Road, (at intersection of Mavis & Matheson) on Mon. April 22nd at 7.15 p.m.

From Seira Furtado, seiramfurtado@sprint.ca of the Executive Committee for the Goan Overseas Association, Toronto: “On August 24th, we will be holding a cultural event entitled 'Viva Goans Around The Globe 2002.’ I invite your members to join us should their summer plans bring them to Toronto.”

Quincy Almeida, qjalmeid@ahsmail.uwaterloo.ca of Mississauga, Canada, has been awarded a National Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada post-graduate scholarship. He is currently based at the London Hospital, Ontario and is researching neuroscience. He is the son of Magneric and Odette Almeida, ex-Nairobi.

PIO GAMA PINTO. Kisilu Mutua was released after being imprisoned for thirty-six years for the murder of Pio Gama Pinto in Nairobi in February 1965. Listen to Kisilu's interview by Capital FM Radio, Kenya by following the links at http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/feature/mutuafeat.htm Kisilu still attests his innocence of the crime and has asked to speak or write to Pinto's family. Should Kisilu get a new trial? See: http://www.africaonline.com/jive/viewThread.jsp?forum=4&thread=562 For a 1953 photograph of Pio Gama Pinto with 22 other prominent [male!] Nairobi Goans of the time, see: http://131.103.215.6/sjbhs/body_nairobi.html (check if your father is there!) Pinto has been described as "largely responsible for having prevented the wrath of the Mau Mau from being vented on the Indian community".

DEATHS

7 Apr. Letchworth, UK. LOURDES (Mrs JV) DE SOUZA (Nairobi to 1974, Saligao 1974-90, UK 1990-). Wife of late John Vitinho. Mother of Reynold/Loretta, late Sidney/Lourdes, Tyrone/Freda, Ursula/Ulrich, Victor/Evelyn. Funeral was at Letchworth on 16 April. Condolences to vic.desouza@ntlworld.com

12 Apr. Colvale: MONICA D'SOUZA. Wife of Dominic. Mother of Victor/Hyacinth, Angela/John (London), and Savio. Grandmother of Tania and Tina (London) and Great Grandmother of Jordan (London).

14 Apr: Margao: ALZIRA B VAS (Ex-Dar-es-Salaam), daughter of late Gloria/Valerian Almeida, wife of Leo, mother of Conrad/Michelle, Mia/Trevor, late Shawn.

FLIGHT CORNER

Bargain Holidays, Tel. 0870 888 1111 at http://www.bargainholidays.com/ has to Goa: Dep 19 Apr. Manchester 1w SC £149; 19 Apr. Gatwick 1w SC £179

NEWS HEADLINES

Goa will go to the polls on 30th May 2002 to elect their 40 MLAs. Nominations have to be in by 6 May.

Goa University is on the brink of financial bankruptcy and may even down shutters disclosed acting Vice-Chancellor of Goa University, Dr Olivinho JF Gomes http://www.navhindtimes.com/cgi-bin/daily/stories.pl?id=goa&item=17goa_4

From Frederick Noronha: Pundalik Naik's novel, The Upheaval ('Acchev') is the first Konkani novel to be translated into English. This novel looks at peasants of Goa, against the changing landscape of modernity and industrialization "which has fragmented village communities". The Konkani original was published 1977 and the translation is published by the Oxford University Press. See: http://www.goacom.com/news/news2002/apr/msg00030.html

Goa plans to have India's first airbus (railroad in the sky), working on suspended cables, running between Mapusa and Panjim in its first phase. http://www.goacom.com/news/news2002/apr/msg00038.html

Delivering his address at the public meeting in Goa, Prime Minister AB Vajpayee stated that the Central Government would extend all possible assistance to Goa in terms of developmental schemes, specially connecting it with other states through the proposed superhighway.

Pakistan has deplored the remarks made by the Indian prime minister, at a public meeting in Goa in which he described Muslims as intolerant. http://203.199.93.7/today/dub95.htm Indian PM stands by embattled Gujarat minister. Communal Violence: Muslims Blamed. By Edna Fernandes and Edward Luce Financial Times (UK) Apr 15, 2002 http://globalarchive.ft.com/globalarchive/article.html?id=020415001294&query=Vajpayee The mask, which Prime Minister Vajpayee has worn with such effectiveness for several decades, slipped in the rather unlikely setting of the banks of the Mandovi River in Goa. Gulf News 16 Apr. http://www.gulfnews.com/Articles/News.asp?ArticleID=47807 M E Menezes, the national president of the All India Catholic Union, has said Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee's speech at BJP's Goa meeting marked the gloomiest day in the history of democracy and rule of law in this land and said it would encourage fascist violence against minorities. Times of India 17 Apr.

IN THE NEWS

From Luiza de Mello, luiza@goacom.com Announcing the April issue of GoaNOW at www.goacom.com/goanow/ Among the highlights, Cover Story: Goan Identity-A Chance To Ponder. Great Goans: FN Souza

12 Apr. Keighley News(Bradford) Panto star dies on holiday. David Webb died last week of a suspected heart attack while on holiday in the resort of Goa. He was 59 and an amateur dramatics stalwart who made the role of panto dame his own. http://www.thisisbradford.co.uk/bradford__district/keighley/news/KEIG_NEWS21.html

12 Apr. BBC. A young Swedish girl, aged 15, was arrested at Manchester airport last week carrying 2 kilos of heroin worth See: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/england/newsid_1926000/1926038.stm According to reports the girl and her mother were annual visitors to Goa, spending about five weeks each year around Christmas. They were planning to open a restaurant in Goa. There is a detailed report in Swedish in Expressen 16 Apr. at http://expressen.se/article.asp?id=105042 Report by Fred Noronha.

13 Apr. The Globe and Mail (Toronto) 100 years ago: On April 13, 1902, The Globe reported that the Portuguese army barracks were burned and soldiers were killed when a revolt of 5,000 rebels broke out in Goa, a colony of Portugal on the west coast of India.

13 Apr. The Daily Telegraph (UK). The Hindustan Ambassador is being re-released as a retro model and will also be available in Britain price £5580… It can hold 26 people (!)… 1233 word article at: Click here...

13 Apr. Yachts and Yachting. The final report and overall results of the Enterprise World Championships in Bogmalo, Goa and can be found at: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/default.asp?article=6287

13 Apr. Bristol Evening Post. Q & A with Dildar Singh. Profession: Community Development Officer. Excerpt: Q: What would you like to be doing in five years time? A: Sitting on a beach in Goa.

14 Apr. The Sunday Telegraph. Insurers Club Direct claims that falling coconuts kill more than 150 people a year. This makes them 15 times more dangerous than sharks, and has led the insurer to offer full protection against plummeting nuts under its travel insurance.

14 Apr. Gulf News. Chinchinim win the Dubai football title. Text and photograph at: http://www.gulfnews.com/Articles/News.asp?ArticleID=47612

17 Apr. Economic Times (Malaysia). Front Page Headline: AirAsia flies back into the black. AirAsia chief executive officer Tony Fernandes said preparations for the move is "progressing smoothly" and he is pleased with the support received. http://www.emedia.com.my/z/Current_News/BT/Wednesday/Frontpage/20020417031501 [Tony Fernandes worked for Warner Music in London before transferring to Malaysia. He left Warner last year after buying AirAsia and has been compared to Richard Branson who also started in music before branching to air travel]. For details and a photograph, see: http://www.asiaweek.com/asiaweek/magazine/enterprise/0,8782,185613,00.html http://www.xsmusic.com/gallery/tonyfern.htm

17 Apr. Birmingham Post. According to statistics from www.holiday.co.uk the top 20 destinations for January this year included newcomer Goa at number 14…

17 Apr. Watford Observer. Sylvia Kingsley writes: Goa, famous for its magical palm-fringed beaches, has more to offer. You can visit an old Portuguese Mansion, tour lovely churches and markets, or wander round Panaji, the charming, small capital with winding streets. http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/local_london/watford/news/FEATURES0.html

25 Apr. Far Eastern Economic Review (Singapore). Headline: Sauce And Sorcery. Sorcerers in Goa, India, have formed a union. At a function in Panaji, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar inaugurated the Goan Magicians' Guild, telling listeners that the art of magic could be used for the benefit of society. How are members going to pay their union dues? Pull coins out of children’s' ears?

19-25 Apr. Coastweek (Mombasa). The recipe for Sauce Shaitani (Devil's Delight) is at http://www.coastweek.com/020222/news33.htm Note: If this is your first time to make this sauce and you are not familiar with the effects of green chillies you should prepare this recipe with just ONE green chilli - and slowly work your way up to professional status. (Some seriously dysfunctional addicts in Shanzu make this recipe with six green chillies and four cloves of garlic - so much for sea-level and sanity !).

Joel Kitchen and Lucie Wallace met while working in the Manna restaurant in Hampstead, London. They decided to take an extended holiday and travelled from London on a tandem. Joel learnt to paraglide in Goa and headed off to Himachal Pradesh on his own leaving Lucie in Goa. Joel has gone missing on a paragliding trip and the Indian authorities decided to charge £2,000 per hour for the search by helicopter. BBC 13 Apr.: Outrage over cash for rescue. http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/england/newsid_1927000/1927672.stm The Observer, 14 Apr. Search for son to prove costly… The Daily Star 15 April. His parents Bill, 51, and Angie, 54, yesterday blasted the Indian Government's demand for £18,000. The Express, 15 Apr. Parents Told To Pay For Hunt For Lost Paraglider. The Times, 15 Apr. Family spends savings on search for lost son. Bernard Jenkin, Conservative MP for North Essex, was appalled that the couple had had to promise Pounds18,000. Mr Jenkin said: " If an Indian citizen got lost in the Highlands of Scotland we would do whatever it took to find him. I hope the Indian Government will do the same."

FORTHCOMING

Fri. 19 Apr. 5.30pm to 8.00pm. Young London Goans Social (YLGS) event. Cocktails/drinks at Smollensky's Bar Restaurant 105 Strand (next to Boots) London WC2R OAA. Nearing underground : Charing Cross. Contact marie.pereira@talk21.com

Sat. 20 Apr. 5.00pm to 10.00 pm. Goan Disco and Dinner at Great Linford, Milton Keynes. For further details please contact: Roseanne tel. 01908 661311 or Dora tel. 01908 604552.

Sat. 20 Apr. 'Open Day' at the Goan Community Centre, Keston Rd. N17.Come along & see what your Centre has to offer. There will be a Goan Food Stall, some entertainment,& a chance to avail of services offered by the West Green Neighbourhood. Contact candyrose2000@hotmail.com

Sun. 28 Apr. 3pm Konkani Mass at St. Augustine's Catholic Church, 55 Fulham Palace Road London W6 followed by bingo and tea. Further information from Fr Oliver Antao 0208-563-9102 ((n.b. there is generally a Konkani mass at the Chaplaincy at 3pm on the last Sunday of each month)

Sun. 5 May. CORTALIM UNION. Feast of St.Phillip & St.James at White Hart Lane School Hall. Wood Green. London N22. 12 noon till 8pm. Ticket inc Meal. Members £7.00(deadline 28th April).NonMembers £8.00. Children: 11-16yrs £4; <11: £2.50. Contact Luis 020 8889 2278, Maria Dourado-Alfonso 020 8803 5146, or Melvyn Fernandes 020 8809 1128. All Welcome. Cortalim website http://home.earthlink.net/~nsequeira for details

Sun. 5 May. Mass at 11.45am. SALIGAO ASSOCIATION Mae de Deus Feast at Bishop Thomas Grant School Hall, Belltrees Grove, Streatham, SW16. All are welcome. Check our website www.saligao.co.uk for details of how to apply. Alternatively contact: Nathan De Souza 020 -8898 4124, Zemira Fernandes 01895 259947 or Jerry D'Souza 020 - 8640 2383.

Mon 6 May. Maths Fest - Goan Community Association (North London) Festival at Keston Road Centre, N17. Contact: Candy Fernandes 020 8245 4513

Sun. 12 May 12:30 - 8pm. Assolna, Velim & Cuncolim Union (AVC) Annual Feast at Bishop Thomas Grant School, Streatham. Dancing to Maz & Co + Disco & great Goan cuisine - Contact Uniece Barros 020 8672 0807 OR Alvira Almeida 020 8300 6154