Goan Voice UK: Newsletter. Issue 2004-01. January 08, 2004

From Eddie Fernandes. I will be in Goa till 30 Jan. and I will try to maintain continuity of newsletter service during the period. You can e-mail me as before at eddie@fernandes.u-net.com In case of urgency please contact Bernie Gracias at BERNIEGRACIAS@aol.com tel 020-8723-1322.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Dr Agnelo Fernandes, agnelo.fernandes@blueyonder.co.uk Medical Director of NHS Direct South London and GP at Parchmore Medical Centre, Thornton Health, Croydon, Surrey has been honoured with an MBE in the Queen's New Year Honours list for “Services to Healthcare”. Dr. Agnelo Fernandes said “I am absolutely delighted and thrilled. Such an honour is really a tribute to all NHS staff who are working to modernise the health service.” He was born in Margao, Goa, the son of the late Dr.Joao Caetano Sacrafamilia Fernandes (Raia) and Lucy Fernandes (Candolim). At the age of four he moved to Nairobi where he attended St.Theresa’s Primary School. Six years later he moved to England. For his biography, click here.

1 Jan. Gazette & Herald (Wiltshire). Christmas bundles of joy. Five babies were the best Christmas presents their parents could ever have hoped for. Jordan Isaiah Fernandes caused something of a surprise when he was born at the Great Western Hospital, Swindon at 6.45pm. He was three days early and weighed in at 7lb 8oz. His parents Jerry, 29, and Jenifa Fernandes, 29, of Chepstow Close, Swindon, both Catholics, were thrilled their baby had been born on the special day. Jenifa's parents came over from Goa in India to give their support.

From Bernie Gracias:-
The Goan Association (UK) Goan Extravaganza held on Saturday 3rd January 2004 at Wandsworth Civic Suite, was a sell-out. The hall was filled to capacity with members and guests, which included visitors from Germany and Canada. Entertainment was provided by Calibre (live band) and Say One Do One (disco). The highlight of the evening was a Cabaret by a group of Bolivian Dancers. In his speech, the President, Flavio Gracias, thanked all those present and expressed a wish that one day every Goan would be a member of the Goan Association (UK). The President's Award for services to the Association (which was initiated in 2000), was presented to Rosy D'Souza. A surprise 'This is Your Life' presentation of an award by the Board of Directors was made to the President Flavio Gracias for his services to the Community. (For the first time in his life, he was speechless

2 Jan. Toronto. RUTH RATOS. Wife of the late Caetano Ratos. Mother of Milton and Anita, Melbern and Angela, Michael and Glynis, Mark and Tina and the late Mario, and mother-in-law of Alba. Funeral was on 7 Jan.

31 Dec. Potters Bar, UK. MOLLY D'SOUZA. (ex Parklands, Nairobi.) died suddenly but peacefully. Sadly missed by her husband, Alfie, her children and grandchildren, nieces and nephews, her siblings and their spouses Oscar, Osie and Evelyn, Olimphant and Tita, Osborne and Myra, Orwin and Andrea, Muriel and Denis. Daughter of late Octo and late Marie D'Souza (Nairobi and Tivim, Goa)
Funeral – Thu. 15 Jan. 12.00 at Our Lady of the Assumption, 243 Mutton Lane, Potters Bar, Herts. EN6 2AT Condolences to DDsouza@abn.co.uk

31 Dec: Candolim, Goa: SEBASTIANA D'SOUZA. Wife of late Ubaldo. Mother of late Lawrence, Martha/Michael Travasso, Fr Tony SJ (Mwanza, Tanzania), Lawrence/Shirley (Mahim), Goretti/Rony Rodrigues

29 Dec. UK. SATURNINO JOSEPH JOHN PEREIRA (ex Customs, Kampala) Husband of Zena. Father of late Clyde, Sherry/Gwilym, Marie-Lou, Charlotte/Paul & Odette/Mark. Grandfather of Carlos, Antonio & Velsi, Liam, Kaela & Therese, Martha, Niamh & Connor. Died of Lung Cancer. Funeral Mass on Thursday 8th January 2004 at 11.30 at St Thomas More Church, 32 Field End Road, Pinner Middx, HA5 2QT. Nearest tube station is Eastcote (Metropolitan/Picadilly lines) then the 282 bus going to Mt Vernon Hospital. No flowers please but any donations to Cancer Research UK would be welcome. Condolences to zenasanto@hotmail.com

2 Jan. Guardian. India: Departing January 17, Odyssey Worldwide (0870 4294242) has seven nights' B&B at the five-star Goa Marriott at Miramar, Goa, for £475pp (saving £200) including Gatwick flights and transfers.

3 Jan. The Daily Telegraph. Depart from Gatwick on January 17 for seven nights' b & b at the two-star Dona Alcina in Candolim, Goa, for £339 per person through Odyssey Worldwide (0870 429 4141,
www.odysseyworldwide.co.uk).

4 Jan. The People. Goa (7nts, h/b) Jan 17, Gatwick, £399, Travelcare (0870 1500 388)

The Government had claimed that 700 NRI delegates would attend the conference but around 30 did so. Read the report and see the photos and videoclip at http://goacom.com/goanow/gomant/gomant.htm

3 Jan. Herald. Mr Jerome Mendes, an experienced businessman in the UK having business concerns in Verna, has said that Indian passport holders should be allowed to travel on charter flights. He has offered to advise anyone seeking to re-settle in Goa. See:
http://www.goacom.com/news/getStory.php?ID=116

6 Jan Herald Editorial. A three-day marathon and fairly ambitious-even if misdirected-attempt at organizing a Gomant Vishwa Sammelan is in the past. This event started off as an attempt to build on the synergies of expat Goans, got diluted into a meeting of people of Goan origin settled in the rest of India too, and left many, specially the expats, confused about what exactly its name connotes On the positive side, the event showed that non-residents might not be physically present here, but they're closely following issues relating to contemporary Goa. One of the lessons learnt is that fooling the expat isn't quite as easy.

30 Dec. Herald. Thousands to have a 'gay' time in Goa for New Year. By Gerard Fernandes. An estimated five to ten thousand gays, lesbians and transsexuals from all over the globe are likely to descend on the State to usher in the New Year 2004. See: http://oheraldteam.com/?q=node/view/676

31 Dec. The Economic Times. Goa's set for a walk down the heritage lane Goa tourism is set to get an added dimension with the Fontainhas Festival of Arts and Heritage, an unique festival with an innovative concept that brings art, heritage and music together. For more text click here

2 Jan. Asian Age. Goa Diary. By Sucheta Potnis. Extract: One of the mysteries of life is, who are all these fabulous looking girls who turn up in Goa each year at this time? Or more importantly, as the men would like to know, where can they be found at other times?
http://www.asianage.com/main.asp?layout=2&cat1=92&cat2=160&newsid=83793&RF=DefaultMain

3 Jan. Deccan Herald. Goa church sees saffron in trespass. By Devika Sequeira. A granite pedestal lying in the compound of the Bishop's Palace for over 35 years, causes a ruckus after saffron groups stormed church property to take possession of the stone. See:
http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/jan032004/n7.asp

4 Jan. Deccan Herald. An ‘oversold’ Goa sets a new high in tourism. By Devika Sequeira. Tourist arrivals to Goa peaked at 2.02 million, recording a 25 per cent spurt. But the year-end ‘Goa’ hype saw the destination oversold and its infrastructure stretched to the limit.
http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/jan042004/n5.asp

31 Dec. Daily Star. Spotted: Jimmi Harkishin, who plays Coronation Street's Dev Alahan, boarding a plane to Goa.

31 Dec. Western Morning News. Police Probe Stab Death In Holiday Spot. Catherine Hazel Campbell, 43, from Taunton, was found lying in a pool of blood at the guest house where she was staying at Vagator in Goa. Also suffering from stab wounds was her boyfriend, Adrian Duggan, 35. It is believed that they quarrelled after attending an Xmas party and stabbed each other. Goa is widely regarded as safe for holidaymakers, although the Foreign Office does urge caution for people visiting other parts of India. The official advice states: "Whilst Goa is generally a trouble-free destination for tourists there have been incidents of sexual assaults against women." This latest incident could well be a blow to the tourist industry in Goa. For full text, 494 words, click here.

1 Jan. Yahoo News. India bid farewell to 2003 to welcome 2004 with parties, food, drinks and lots of fun. Goa, most sought after tourist destination, witnessed at least 300 parties on the occasion. http://in.news.yahoo.com/040101/139/2ao06.html

1 Jan. Al-Bawaba (Saudi Arabia). In remarks at a recent energy conference in Goa, India, Saudi Aramco's president and CEO Abdallah S. Jum'ah reminded his audience of the historically strong ties between the merchants of the Arab world and the host city, which was an important center of the spice trade. Today, however, it is, as Jum'ah noted, "a different kind of 'black gold' that brings us to Goa." In the past, demand for spices ushered in an early form of globalization and made necessary new political and commercial relationships among countries. Now, it is petroleum that spurs world trade and global economic development.

6 Jan. Shropshire Star. Boy, 13, rescues girl in pool drama. Courtney Vernon has been praised by bosses at the hotel in Goa for his quick-thinking heroism. Text,433 words and photograph at http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/publish/article_10571.shtml

6 Jan. Mirror. Which daytime TV star stunned onlookers on a recent holiday to Goa by openly skinning up in a restaurant night after night? The naughty presenter, who always maintains he's clean as a whistle, was happily tucking into his bag of hash which he claimed was "good stuff".

6 Jan. Seychelles Online. Seychelles to participate in Mombassa Open Tournament. Raymond D'Souza vowed to take hockey out of its slumber state when he was elected chairperson of the Seychelles Hockey Federation. Chairman D'Souza, gold medallist with the Kenyan national team at the Fourth All-Africa Games in Nairobi, Kenya, in 1987, and at the African Junior Championship in Zimbabwe in 1980, has said that he expects the team to give a good performance in Mombassa. Text, 418 words and photograph at http://www.seychelles-online.com.sc/sports/1060104.html

Sun. 18 Jan. Commemoration Mass in honour of the Birth Anniversary of Ven. Fr. Agnelo De Souza at 1.45pm at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Wellesley Road, West Croydon followed by light refreshments in the Parish Hall. Please contact Felix De Souza for further details on 020 8686 1876.

Sat. 24 Jan. Join 'Say One Do One Disco' in playing R&B, Garage and latest tunes. All welcome, free entry. Cittie of Yorke, 22 High Holborn, London WC1 6BS from 7 till late. Nearest tube Chancery Lane or 10mins walk from Holborn tube. For details call Paul on 07956 496190 or Nigel 07956 984532 or email: Say1do1@hotmail.com

Sun 25 Jan. 4pm - The Asian Chaplaincy. Konkani Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady & St Christopher's Catholic Church, 32 High Street, Cranford, Middlesex.

Fri. 30 Jan: YLGS (Young London Goans Society) MONTHLY MEET UP: 6pm till 3am. Free membership [18+] at WAX BAR, 4 Winsley Street, London, W1N 7AR www.wax-bar.co.uk Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus. New Members Welcome! For more Info, Contact: Alison 07799 586793 or events@ylgs.org.uk

Sun 29 Feb. 4pm - The Asian Chaplaincy. Konkani Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady & St Christopher's Catholic Church, 32 High Street, Cranford, Middlesex.