COMMUNITY NEWS

Goan Cultural Society (UK), (http://www.goanculturalsociety.com/ ) will benefit from lottery funding by £3,400. Harrow Times 6 Feb.
See: http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/local_london/harrow/news/NEWS16.html This could be the cue for other Goan organisations to apply. See http://www.awardsforall.org.uk/

Melanie Carvalho who graduated from the Royal College of Art in 1997 is to have her first solo exhibition from 10 Feb. to 7 April at the Cubitt Gallery, 8 Angel Mews, London N1. Opening hours: Wed.­Sun. 12 ­6 pm. She will be talking about her work at Cubitt on Sat. 2 Mar. at 4pm. Details at: http://www.cubittartists.org.uk/current.html

From: Lillian D'Costa goadesc@goatelecom.com The Friday Balcao on 8th Feb. at Mapusa. Topic: An analysis of Anjuna's hippy & rave culture. Speaker: A. Saldanha, U.K. based researcher.

The Dutch Pharming Group (a NASDAQ Europe entity) has announced an extraordinary meeting of shareholders to be held on 13 Feb. to endorse the appointment of Francis Pinto, M.B.B.S. (59), as President and CEO of the firm. He has had wide pharmaceutical and healthcare industry experience in India, Japan, USA and Europe. He was with Glaxo in London as a Board Director. See: http://www.pharming.com/News/news_frameset_home_12.html India Business Insight, Aug 22, 2000 reported that "he has planned to devote his time to a non-profit organisation in Goa. He has proposed to start a children's museum. He is engaged in a big teaching programme and healthcare activity in Goa." Several Dutch newspapers reported that "with ample money in his pockets he went back to India and started a charitable institution in Goa, with his own funds."

From Mervyn Maciel: The biography of Elspeth Huxley who made a name for herself with her book and later film "The Flame Trees of Thika" - is due out in March. Authored by Dr. Christine Nicholls. Those interested can order the book from Mail Order Dept. Ref 835A, Harper Collins Publishers, Westerhill Road, Bishopbriggs, Glasgow,G64 2QT. Price £20.

Maria Fernandes, wife of Labour MP Keith Vaz accepted undisclosed damages over The Mail on Sunday's claim that she behaved in an aggressive, highhanded and rude way. Ananova 6 Feb. at http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_514340.html According to the Times of 7 Feb., the damages amounted to "up to £20,000."

Keith Vaz has urged members of Leicester's Asian community to follow his lead and pledge to give bone marrow. Leicester Mercury 4 February 2002, 180 Words. For full text, Click here..

Keith Vaz faces temporary suspension from the House of Commons according to the front-page report in the Independent on Sunday. The newspaper claims that the Commons Standards and Privileges Committee is recommending this course of action for Vaz's failure to co-operate with an inquiry into his financial affairs. Full report (575 words) in the Independent on Sunday, 3 Feb. at http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/story.jsp?story=117922

Alban Barros D'Sa, a consultant surgeon at Walsgrave hospital, Coventry, was re-instated last July after a 20-month suspension to investigate his claims that a colleague had a high death rate. Despite evidence that his fears were justified the trust, which was heavily criticised for high death rates by the Commission for Health Improvement last autumn, refused to reinstate him until forced to do so following high court action. Sunday Times (UK). 3 Feb.

DEATHS

31 Jan: Fatorda: EFIPHANIA R VAZ, wife of late Sebastiao, mother of Jeremias/late Celina, Abilio/Mario Antoneta (Dubai), Nuno/Carma, Lucio/Jaquilina, Teodosio/Veronica, Lurdina/Filipe Jose, Ernestine (Canada), Antonio, late Lodovina/Luis, Mari/Alex, Bruna/Minguel (Portugal)

4 Feb: Colvale: FRANCIS PAUL (Ex-Nairobi), husband of Alice, father of Wyne/Myra, Shobel/Bartholomew Dias, and Sherin.

6 Feb. St Estevam: JOAO FRANCISCO MONTEIRO (Ex-Kenya), husband of Lucy, father of Dr Rufino/Rosalia, Sr Guilhermina, Carlos/Christine (Sydney), Fr Romeo, brother of Robert (UK), Eustace/Alda (UK).

Mass will offered on 9th.Feb. 2002 at 9.00 a.m. at St. Bartholomew Parish, 59 Heather Road, Scarborough, Ontario for the soul of ALBIN MENEZES (BINO), (ex-Mombasa) who died in Candolim on 5 Jan this year. Bino was a former Hon. Secretary of the Mombasa Institute and brother of Brenda/Oliver Abranches. For details, please call Rico office (416) 751-4343 ext 224. (Info. From Maureen D'Souza.)

LOOKING FOR

Urgently wanted: self-contained one bedroom flat or studio apartment in London for a young engineer soon transferring here. If you have such accommodation to let, please e-mail maureen_dsouza@libero.it

FLIGHT CORNER

From Observer Jan. 27: Experienced motorcyclists can sign up for the ultimate two week holiday with Jewel in the Crown (01293 533338) from the Blazing Trails programme. Riding vintage Enfield bikes, the ride starts in Goa, India on 16 February cruising through ancient cities, wildlife reserves and endless stretches of deserted beaches and the price is £1,049. This includes charter flights from Gatwick or Manchester, motorcycle hire and simple B&B guest house accommodation (with two nights under canvas). Non-riding adults can ride pillion and the tour is accompanied by a support crew.

The Sunday Telegraph 3 Feb: Fourteen nights' b & b at the two-star Diyana Holiday Resort in Goa costs from £429 per person, based on two sharing, with Jewel in the Crown Holidays (01293 533338; www.jewelholidays.com). Flights depart from Gatwick on April 4 and 6.

NEWS HEADLINES

A container with 380 donated working Pentium computers and color monitors arrived in Goa, on January 22. The shipment was undertaken by the Goa Sudharop supported Goa Schools Computers Project (GSCP) in collaboration with the Goa Department of Education. The PCs will be distributed by the end of February. Herald 3 Feb. http://www.oherald.com/Archives/sun_03feb.htm

The two-day first All India Konkani Music Festival, organised by the Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Goa, is to be held on Feb. 9 and 10 in Margao.

Helen Harley, a 50-year-old British woman who was residing in a guest house in Candolim, died of injuries after she fell in her room last Saturday.

Eduardo Faleiro offers to help set up old age homes in Goa. The Times of India, Feb. 4. http://www1.timesofindia.com/articleshow.asp?art_id=1705003741

The Goa Tourism department razed three structures and seized 110 deck beds and 150 umbrellas that were illegally put up on the Calangute and Candolim beaches.

IN THE NEWS

GOANOW January 2002 issue is online at: http://www.goacom.com/goanow/

*31 Jan. Tass …The new Moscow-Goa charter air route was opened recently and there are flights to Goa from Moscow twice a month…

1 Feb. Morning Star, Tony Benn writes: The biggest public meeting at which I ever spoke was in 1960 in Bombay alongside Pandit Nehru and Krishna Menon against the Portuguese occupation of Goa. That meeting was attended by half-a-million people…

3 Feb. Jakarta Post. Painter Sonny Eska reflects on his world. As a 19-year-old, he gave up all formal education and followed the path of the flower-power generation and the hippy caravan of the world to the sun-drenched beaches of Goa, India. There, he made on-the-spot sketches and sold them to finance his wanderings around the globe. One day he walked into a room where an Indian philosopher was giving a talk and fired him with the desire to paint. Full text, 968 words at: http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailfeatures.asp?fileid=20020203.M12&irec=11

4 Feb. Baltimore Sun. Dr. Kiran J. Parikh, a surgeon trained at Goa Medical College in India and St. Agnes Healthcare in Baltimore, has been appointed president of the professional staff at Howard County General Hospital. He has been a member of the hospital's medical staff since 1985.

5 Feb. Western Mail. Goa is a truly exotic destination where endless sunshine peeps through leafy palms onto fine sands and warm seas. Rich in history and culture, it is a fascinating land where grand buildings from the Portuguese colonisation, Hindu temples and restored Christian churches sit beside tiny fishing villages. The vibrant markets bustle with life and offer a range of exquisite but inexpensive goods, from cotton and silk to precious stones, paintings and wood carvings. Dona Paula, a former fishing village nestling on the rocky headland which is ideal for exploring the capital Panjim, is a popular resort. The historic town of Old Goa has magnificent buildings and churches while Calangute is now Goa's busiest resort. The busiest nightlife can be found in northern Goa where restaurants offer delicious seafood dishes, for which Goa is renowned.

6 Feb. New York Daily News. Tabla's chef, Floyd Cardoz says childhood memories light his creative fire. Cardoz grew up in Bombay but would often visit his grandmother in Goa. Every morning at 11, she'd make him down a soupy rice porridge made with dried fish or pickled mango "for strengthening." "I hated it," remembers Cardoz. Last summer, he decided to put a more pleasant spin on this emotion-laden dish. He created a thick soup made with basmati rice, clam stock, coconut milk and bacalao (dried cod), which he topped with a piece of roasted cod and pickled mango. It was a personal and popular hit. Tabla is at 11 Madison Avenue at 25th Street, NY.

6 Feb. Toronto Star. Debu Saha, chef-owner of Biryani House, 6 Roy Square, Toronto lists Cidade de Goa in his CV.

7 Feb. The New York Times. Anjuna Beach Journal. Feature article on Israelis in Goa. Full text, (854 words), with photographs, at http://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/07/international/asia/07GOA.html

FORTHCOMING

Sun. 10 Feb. MUNGUL UNION [UK] celebrates the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel at White Hart Lane School Hall, White Hart Lane, London N22. Live Music by Silver Stardust and Disco by Nite Life. Mass at 12 noon. For tickets and details contact Cos Fernandes 020-8884 3124, Lucas Fernandes 020-8967 7471, Rosy D'Silva 020-8352 9450, Robert Fernandes 020-8524 1762.

Sat. 16 Feb. 7-11pm GOAN COMMUNITY ASSOC., North London. Joint Mauritian/Goan Valentine's Night, at the Goan Community Centre, Keston Rd. N17. Music By 'Nuvel Vision' playing Sega etc. £8 adult/£5 child. For tickets contact Jacques 020 8888 5106/Candy 020 8245 4513. Band playing free to raise funds for Security Grilles. Bring your own food and drink & share with your group.

Sat. 16 Feb. 8.00-late. VALENTINE'S DANCE. Jasmin's Club, 202 Upper Tooting Road, SW17. Music by Shades. Tickets (inc. meal) £7 adults; £5 children 2-13. Tickets and further info: Tony Lobo, 020-8542 0528; Jo or Audrey DaSilva 020-8296 8332; Joaquim/Tony Rodrigues 020-8767 6942 or Reg Da Cunha 020-7732 2659.

Sun. 7 Apr. 12.00pm - 8.00pm. NAKURU DYNAMOS Re-union. All Ex-Nakuru Goans and their guests invited to the first ever re-union at Bishop Thomas Grant School, Beltrees Grove, Streatham, London SW16. Bookings and payment should be made by 28th Feb. by contacting: Sal Rodrigues Tel: 0116 2689234 (Day), 0116 2205003 (Evenings). e-mail: salsue_rods@hotmail.com Info. from: Henry_Castellino@computacenter.com