Bookmark www.goanvoice.org.uk for updates.

COMMUNITY NEWS

The Argus (Eastbourne). 4 Apr. Harold de Souza Liberal Democrat candidate for Hove accuses Labour of failing to deliver its election promises. He said: "Forget the money just look at the numbers at the moment. They promised more doctors, nurses,teachers and lecturers. But where are they? Departments are being restructured and slimmed down yet the same levels of results are expected. Labour has taken on Conservative policies to get itself elected and now it can be seen for what it is the Conservatives in pink clothing." Harold de Souza was born in Kenya on May 29, 1937. He is a Pilot; Engineer and Director of Sight by Wings (flying doctor service).

Leicester-based De Montfort University intends instituting a scholarship in the name of George Fernandes, India's Defence Minister. The scholarship would enable a Leicester student to go to a university in India while at the same time offer an Indian student the opportunity to attend courses at De Montfort University during the same period. Keith Vaz, the MP from Leicester East and Fernandes' friend of 18 years, who is associated with the initiative, says this is in recognition of "Fernandes' work to further the cause of diversity".

The American Journalism Review has a feature article [3408 words] profiling Bertram de Souza who writes for the Vindicator of Youngstown, Ohio and has been a harsh critic of the local colorful congressman James A. Traficant Jr. Bertram played a significant role in campaigning to have him charged with corruption and this resulted in a conviction and eight-year prison sentence. Extracts: De Souza arrived in the United States in 1969, an eager 19-year-old from Kampala, Uganda. ("De Souza" is a Portuguese name; his grandparents hailed from Goa, then a Portuguese colony on India's west coast.) In 1972, after obtaining his bachelor's degree in journalism at Kansas State University, he lost his home. Dictator Idi Amin expelled tens of thousands of Asians from Uganda.

De Souza's parents and sister fled to England, his brother to Canada. Bertram De Souza remained in Kansas.After earning a master's in political science at Milwaukee's Marquette University, de Souza faced a bleak job market. He sent out 300 résumés before receiving a call from the Vindicator editor. …His accent is a striking blend of South Asian and Ohio influences…His opponents have urged him for years to "get on his elephant" and go back to Africa or India. Others privately spew derogatory epithets for Indians.[Bertram graduated from Kitante Hill School in Kampala in 1968 after spending the first eight years in the Goan School in Kampala]. Full text of article at click here For the Genealogists: Bertram's parents who are dead were Damascene and Amy de Souza. Damascene was born in Goa (Tivim); Amy in Kampala. Her parents were Eugene and Mary Pinto. Bertram's brother, Herman, lives in Ottawa, Canada. His sister, Annabelle Halliday lives with her husband, Stephen, in Tring, Herts, UK. They have three children, Thomas, Grace and Amy. You may congratulate Bertram at desouza@vindy.com

DEATHS

6 Apr. Toronto, Canada. LIRA DE SOUZA (ex Dar es Salaam, Tanzania), with her family by her side at Sunnybrook Health Science Centre. Beloved wife of the late Bernard (Silu). Loving mother of Ralph and his wife Fiona, Linette and her husband Thomas. Grandma will be lovingly remembered by Daryl, Desmond and David. Dear sister of Vera Nazareth and Monica Pinto. The family thanks the Doctors, Nurses and the Staff at Sunnybrook Critical Care Unit and Greenview Lodge Retirement Home.
Resting at Paul O' Connor Funeral Home, 1939 Lawrence Avenue East (Between Warden and Pharmacy) from 7-9 p.m. Thursday and 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Friday. Funeral Mass on Saturday at 10 a.m. in St. Lawrence Martyr Church (Lawrence between Birchmount and Kennedy). Interment Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to ShareLife would be appreciated. Condolences: fpintodesouza@hotmail.com

LOOKING FOR

GOA NEWS HEADLINES
mainly from Joel D'Souza in Goa, courtesy of GOACOM

28 Mar. Economic prosperity fails to halt prejudice against girl child. By Devika Sequeira.
http://www.goacom.com/news/news2003/apr/msg00007.html

4 Apr. Indian Express. Customs officials at Delhi arrest Britons: Stephen Jenkins, Brett Makinson, Monica Barbara and Israelis Essy Grinbaum and A Tomar on drug smuggling charges. During investigations the links with the Israeli supply chain in Goa became evident.
http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=48268

5 Apr. Navhind Times. The Goa government has announced measures to prevent the entry into Goa of people carrying SARS virus. http://www.navhindtimes.com/stories.php?part=news&Story_ID=040536

6 Apr. Indian Express. A Swiss couple in Bombay were sentenced to seven years in jail in a child porn case. The police know that they also travelled to Goa but their investigation was limited to Bombay. Text at http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=21481

7 Apr. Asian Age. Fish becoming scarcer in Goa every year. By Pamela D'Mello. 492 words. http://www.asianage.com/main.asp?RF=DefaultMain&layout=2&cat1=5&cat2=38&newsid=47467

7 Apr. Navhind Times. Goa's Pathetic Public Health System. By Nandkumar Kamat. 1101 words. http://www.goacom.com/news/news2003/apr/msg00018.html

7 Apr. Navhind Times. Iranian and Russian tourists are flooding Goa amidst war on Iraq. 380 words.
http://www.navhindtimes.com/stories.php?part=news&Story_ID=040731

8 Apr. Navhind Times. Ten people were booked in Mapusa today in a drive against smoking in public. Amongst them was a British lady found smoking at the bus stand.
http://www.navhindtimes.com/stories.php?part=news&Story_ID=040824

8 Apr. Environment News Service (USA). St. Xavier's College, Mapusa, Looks to Rainwater Harvesting. By Frederick Noronha. Text at http://ens-news.com/ens/apr2003/2003-04-07-01.asp

IN THE NEWS

3 Apr. The Mirror. Lord Chancellor Derry Irvine yesterday signalled the end of courtroom wigs and robes. However, ex-minister Keith Vaz branded Lord Irvine - his former boss - a "complete failure". He said it was disgraceful that Labour hadn't appointed more ethnic and women lawyers. Mr Vaz revealed that 78 per cent of judges were men educated at public school and Oxbridge.

3 Apr. Rediff. Former India hockey coach Cedric D'Souza, dumped by the Indian Hockey Federation during the 2002 World Cup in Kuala Lumpur, has a new job. He's been appointed national coach of Greece, hosts of the 2004 Olympic Games. Full text of article at click here

4. Apr. Boston Herald. Restaurant review: Bhindi Bazaar, 95 Massachusetts Ave., Boston; www.bhindibazaar.com I break into a grin when I dig into shrimp balchow ($7), a spicy shellfish saute served in an edible poori (puffed bread) bowl. I wonder if it's presented so dramatically back in Goa. Chicken caffreal ($12) and shrimp xacuti> ($14) also are from Goa, the coastal state on the Arabian Sea. The tart caffreal, made with chicken, cilantro, jalapenos and lemon, reflects 450 years of Portuguese rule. The muddy color of the xacuti belies its bright flavors. Simultaneously sweet and hot, with plenty of coconut and chilies, it will make you sweat.Full text of article at click here.

4 Apr. The Asian Wall Street Journal. By Stan Stesser. I've yet to make it to the state of Goa but I've heard many enticing stories about it. It's filled with old European-style buildings with red tile roofs, little fishing villages and palm-fringed white sand beaches. Two added bonuses are a proliferation of ayurvedic spas, and the chance to try Goan food. It's an amalgam of vinegary Portuguese red sauces and pungent Indian spices, bringing out the best of the wide variety of seafood that's plentiful in Goa.

5 Apr. The Brockville Recorder & Times (Canada). Book Review: Before You Were Born: The Inside Story. By Ann Douglas; illustrations by Eugenie Fernandes. Has clear and straightforward information, candid photos, delightful illustrations and hands-on activities about the first nine months of a baby's development.

6 Apr. Sunday Mirror, UK. Four Britons, Christopher Norton, 23; Nadine Lomas, 19; Symon Skelly, 35 and teacher John Bryan, 53, were arrested after allegedly attempting to smuggle drugs out of Goa. Norton and Lomas claim that they were asked to carry a parcel for Skelly who was remaining in Goa. If found guilty they could spend the next 20 years inside the rat-infested jail at Aguada. Another Briton described the foul conditions in Aguada. She said she lost 12kg after being fed a diet of lentil broth with maggot-infested rice. Text at
http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/page.cfm?objectid=12815099&method=full&siteid=106694

TO: 6 Apr. Sunday Telegraph (London). The lost Versailles of the jungle. Goa has many monuments to its colonial past, but none so sumptuous as Braganza House in Chandor. By Douglas Rogers. 1006 words. Text at: click here

6 Apr. Sunday Express. Article [675 words], by Stuart Winter on vultures and other endangered species of birds in Goa.

6 Apr. Perth Sunday Times. Australian police are reviewing the case of assault on Paul de Souza, 28, after his alleged attackers fled to the UK after a bureaucratic bungle. Paul de Souza, had almost every bone in his face broken in a brutal bashing at Broome's Cable Beach Divers Tavern last September. 343 words. http://www.sundaytimes.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,7034,6241452%255E2761,00.html

11 Apr. Croydon Guardian. Men's Hockey. Addiscombe ended the season with a 3-2 defeat to Goan. Despite starting well, taking the lead through a Keith Yeates short corner, Addiscombe quickly faded allowing Goan to boss the game. Addiscombe tried to rally but Goan held on for a much deserved win. For full text click here.

FORTHCOMING
(for a list of events scheduled for the next 12 months, visit: www.goanvoice.org.uk ).

Sat. 12 Apr. 7pm to midnight. Goan Association (UK) Disco Fever for ages 16 and over. Dynamic Duo playing all your favourites. Bina Banqueting Hall, 4-8 Upper Tooting Road, SW17 (opposite Tooting Bec Station). Licensed bar. Entrance: £5 including snacks. Contact: Lily/Tony D'Souza 020-8644 5310; Wilma/Cedric D'Cruz 020-8954 1596.

Sun. 20 Apr. 7.30pm Goan Association Grand Easter Dance. Lola Jones Suite, Greaves Place off Garratt Lane. Members: £6 Guests £8 Children: 12-15yrs £4. SAY ONE DO ONE in attendance. Advance booking advisable: Contacts: Norma Menezes-Rahim 0208 771 4457 or email normamenezes@aol.com; Bernie Gracias 0208 723 1322 berniegracias@aol.com

Sat 26th Apr.: YLGS (Young London Goans Society) presents "IT'S A GOAN THING" [18+] Party!! 7pm-3am @ The VIP Room, ZOO BAR, Leicester Square, London. http://www.zoobar.co.uk/ Music by DJ Dooza & Say One Do One. Tickets £8 before April 16th, £10 thereafter. TICKETS GOING FAST SO PLS CONTACT ALISON ON 07799 586793 OR alisonbraganza@hotmail.com For the e-flyer click here

Sun 27 Apr. 4pm. Friends of the Ven. Fr. Agnelo Association are offering a Novena Mass in conjunction with the monthly Konkani Mass to be celebrated at Our Lady and St Christopher's Catholic Church, Cranford.

Sun. 27 Apr. 2.00 pm. Annual General Meeting of the Bastora Union in a classroom at the Archbishop LanFranc School, Mitcham Rd, Corydon CR9 3AS. All Bastorites, including those having any ties with Bastora are welcome. For further details visit www.bastora.com

Sun 4 May: CORTALIM UNION 25th Anniversary. Tickets are now Sold Out -- Tickets will not be available at the door. No Ticket, No Entry.

Sun. 4 May 12noon - 7pm Saligao Association Feast of Mae de Deus. Bishop Thomas Grant School, Belltrees Grove, Streatham. Music by Ronnie Victor's band. Tickets Members £9, Guests £12, price reductions for children. Please contact Serge Coelho on 020 8543 4681 or Selina de Sa on 020 8643 9675 or Nathan DeSouza, Desouza1@aol.com or http://www.saligao.co.uk/

Mon. 5 May. The Goan Cultural Society UK presents "TUJEA PASSOT" Written and directed by Goa's award winning writer JOSE I ROD at St Monica's Hall, Green Lanes, Palmers Green, at 3.00pm, For further information contact : - Bella Fernandes 020 8352 0373, Rosy D'Silva 020 8352 9450 and Ida D'Souza 020 8881 2921.

Sat. 10 May. 6.30 - 10pm. The Goan Musical Society presents "A Goan Cultural Evening" of traditional music & dance at Archbishop Lanfranc School, Mitcham Road, Croydon. Tickets will be on sale from March 2003. Visit www.geocities.com/g.m.s for more info. Tickets available from Alfred Rebello 020 8337 8022, Kerwin Fernandes 020 8230 6935, Bernadette Menezes 0773 632 7201 or Cornelius Monteiro 020 8681 8716.

Sat. 17 May. The Goan Cultural Society UK presents "TUJEA PASSOT" Written and directed by Goa's award winning writer JOSE I ROD. at Archbishop Lanfranc School, Mitcham Road, Croydon, at 3.00pm, For further information contact : - Bella Fernandes 020 8352 0373, Rosy D'Silva 020 8352 9450 and Ida D'Souza 020 8881 2921.

Sun. 18 May. ROCKY'S TROOK TOURNAMENT. Contact: Rocky 020 - 7274 3585.