Goan Voice UK: Newsletter. Issue 2005-49. Dec. 22, 2005

UK: Hockey: Sanderstead too hot for Goan to handle
16 Dec: Croydon Advertiser. Sanderstead 3; Goan 1. Sanderstead continued their rich vein of form with a comfortable win over Goan. Click here.

Canada: Cesar Correia, Voicemail-spam pioneer wants mobile users spared
16 Dec. Toronto Star. Cesar Correia, considered by many to be the father of voice-mail spam, says he supports attempts by Rogers Wireless Inc. to have the controversial marketing practice banned from mobile phones. "We actually agree with their viewpoint," said Correia, founder of Toronto-based Infolink Technologies Inc., the largest provider of "voice casting" services in Canada. "Customers should not be incurring charges when somebody is sending a voice cast to a cellphone. It's unfair to the public." Click here.

UK: Charles Kennedy - asset or liability? Letter from Rabi Martins
16 Dec. The Times (UK). Sir, In six years as party leader, Charles Kennedy has turned the Liberal Democrats from a party of protest into a serious force in British politics. Thanks to him the British public now has three main political parties to choose from … Rabi Martins, Chair, Liberal Democrats Ethnic Minority Task Force Watford. 192 words. Click here.
For the GVUK Rabi Martins supplement see
http://www.goanvoice.org.uk/supplement/RabiMartins.html

Canada: Goan Xmas Celebrations Featured on TV Show
16 Dec: CBC. The spread was sannas, sorpotel, vindaloo, turkey (instead of pigling) bibic, fish curry, red pumpkin, prawns … Click here. The site has a link to a videoclip (5 mins) showing a traditional family Goan Xmas celebration in Canada [From Mervyn Lobo].

21 Dec. Arusha, Tanzania. SHAUN CARVALHO passed away in a tragic car accident on the Manyara highway. Son of Francis (Adolf) Carvalho [Seattle, USA, ex-Tanzania] and Gladys D'Costa [Arusha]. Gladys tel: +255-27-2503675. [Info from Fay D'Souza]

18 Dec: Hornsey, London. ARTHUR GODINHO (ex-Dar es Salaam/Majorda). Husband of the late Mary and loving father of Ashley (Lighta). Grandfather of Aaron and Alexio. Funeral mass at 11am on Friday 30 Dec. at St Monica's Catholic Church, Stonard Road, Green Lanes, N13 4DJ, thereafter to New Southgate Crematorium. A get-together will follow at St Monica's Social Club. Nearest tube station to St Monica's is Wood Green on the Piccadilly Line, then a 329 bus to the Church. For those who wish to pay their respects before the funeral, his body will at his son's residence at 143 Hoppers Road, Winchmore Hill, London N21 3LP till 10.30am. Condolences /contact: Tel 020 8882 0254 or email lightag@aol.com

11 Dec. Kaneohe, Hawaii. ANTONIO OLIVER RODRIGUES (84, a veterinarian). He was born in Goa, India. He is survived by wife Dolores; sons Trevor, Clarence and Kevin; brother Andush Rodrigues; and five grandchildren.

Gatwick to Goa £134 return
Departing 25 Dec. 5 Nights Click here.

Goa: £199 ex Gatwick or Manchester
Dep: 6Jan for 14nts. (30 Dec and 13 Jan departures sold out). Offers subject to availability and valid for a limited period. All offers can be booked online via www.somak.co.uk or call 020 8423 3000

£299 – 2 weeks. Flights + B&B
Lastminute.com. Various departures 5-21 Jan. from Gatwick. Resort Village Royale, Calangute Click here.

Late Deals
17 Dec: The Mirror. Stay seven nights at the Majorda Beach Resort in Goa from £565pp, for a standard room on room-only basis. Depart Gatwick with Monarch Airlines between January 14-February 27. www.kuoni.co.uk or call 0130 674 7008.

Holiday hotspots
18 Dec: People (UK). Goa (14nts, b/b), Dec 31, £449, Gatwick, www.lastminute.com (0870 443 9902)

Holidays: Bargains of the Week
18 Dec: Sunday Mirror (UK). £286 Pickup a tan on the beaches of Goa. Seven nights B&B at the two- star Park Avenue resort in Calangute costs from £286pp including flights from Gatwick on January 14. Details: www.cheap holidaydeals.co.uk

Best and worst; Travel 2005
18 Dec: The Sunday Times (UK). Over the past 12 months, our team has clocked up thousands of miles in the pursuit of holiday perfection. But it wasn't all plain sailing. Here are the highlights and lowlights of the year. * MARK HODSON
* Best: Pearl's Beach Cafe, Goa. It's a brightly painted shack on Colva Beach, like dozens of others hastily erected along the Goan coastline, but the food here is truly outstanding. The fish biryani was the best I've eaten. Ever. And it cost 50p. Booze is even more ludicrously cheap, service is fast and friendly and most of the designer-clad clientele have come hopping, skipping and jumping across the hot sand from the five-star Leela hotel next door. Pearl could treble her prices and nobody would flinch -but this is Goa, so she won't. Click here.

Two wheels good for a life-changing experience
18 Dec: Time (Europe). London marketing exec Simon Smith got that itch in 1999 and went scuffing around India to recalibrate his life. Every February, Smith, an avid biker, leads 120 or so riders on the Enduro India tour, a two-week, 2,500-km motorcycle trek from Goa to Cochin via the magnificent Western Ghat mountains. To join in, you need at least $6,000 in private sponsorship (plus $35 a day for fuel and fun) and a motorcycle license. What you get is the chance to ride a new, locally made Royal Enfield Bullet along unmapped rural Indian roads. Click here.

Hotel tariff zooms up by 20 % in Goa
19 Dec: Business Standard (India). Goa’s five-star hotel rates are likely to scale a new peak next fortnight, say industry sources. With increased air-connectivity and increasing number of Russian tourists, room-rates are higher by around 20 per cent from last year, with deluxe rooms going for around Rs 20,000 per night and five-star rates hovering around the Rs 15,000-mark. Click here.

New Year: Goa is all booked. By Devika Sequeira.
19 Dec: Deccan Herald. ‘Sold out’ signs are already out in most hotels along the tourist coast, and domestic travellers who fancy partying the night away this New Year in Goa could find themselves stranded without advance bookings. Click here.

UK: Families Ditching Trad Xmas to Fly Overseas
20 Dec: Life Style Extra (UK). - The traditional family Christmas at home is being ditched in favour of jetting off to hotter climates and far-flung exotic destinations, according to travel experts … India the US and Kenya are top of the long-haul holiday destinations over the festive period, according to www.lastminute.com … John Bevan, holiday and flights director at lastminute.com, attributes this to the range of cheap breaks in Goa available this winter. He said: "Trips to India have outsold holidays in the States this Christmas which we believe is an indication of the country's booming tourism industry. "It's no longer just the preserve of backpackers; India is now a mainstream holiday choice for couples, groups and families."
Lastminute.com's Top Holiday destination in 2005 is India. In 2004 India was 3rd. Click here.

Headline: It's the Great Christmas Goa-Way
21 Dec: The Evening Standard (London). … Goa has overtaken America as the top long-haul Christmas holiday destination. The west India state, renowned for its warm weather, long beaches, cheap prices and exotic food has jumped from third to first spot this year, according to a survey today … Goa, a Portuguese colony until 1961, was a hippy haunt in the Sixties and Seventies but is now one of the fastest-growing package holiday destinations … Lastminute.com offers a two-week bed and breakfast package in the resort of Calangute for £299 … The weather in Goa is currently sunny with a forecast high of 81F.

For good or bad, Brits just love Goa. By Amit Roy.
22 Dec: The Telegraph (Calcutta). Click here.

It's St Tropez in rustic Goa
22 Dec: Today (Singapore). This week Steven Shalowitz hangs out at Kate Moss' favourite haunt in Goa … Located in Goa's north, on Ashwem Beach, La Plage is like something out of a 1960's Brigitte Bardot movie — vintage St Tropez sans the former film siren … 642 words. http://www.todayonline.com/articles/91549.asp

UK to Perth, Aus. From £99 single; £299 return.
Dep 22nd Dec – 5 Jan. http://www.austravel.com/perth

USA: Goa Sausages – USDA Approved
Roy Furtado of Essence of Goa (aka. Goanfoods), Los Angeles, has obtained USDA approval for his renowned Goa Sausages. It has truly been a labor of love on his part and I am thrilled that he has finally succeeded after encountering many hurdles. Users can purchase his products online via the link below.
Roy lives in Los Angeles, CA with his wife and two children. He is an avid cook and began producing Goa sausages from home after getting rave reviews from his friends and family. In 2003, he decided to focus full time on producing Goan foods, due to employment limitations as a result of him becoming legally blind. http://www.goacom.org/goanfoods/

CM meets Governor amid rumour of change of leadership in Goa
16 Dec: WebIndia123.com. Goa Chief Minister Pratapsinh Rane called on Governor S C Jamir at Raj Bhavan here this evening amid speculation that a change in leadership is on the cards. Click here.

No change of guard in Goa: Cong leaders
17 Dec: The Pioneer. Though rumours of a change in leadership in Goa marked the Congress legislative party (CLP) meeting on Friday, Congress leaders denied having discussed the issue. Click here.

Goa likely to privatise tourism
17 Dec: The Hindu. The Goa Government is considering the possibility of privatising its tourism property being operated by the State-owned Goa Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. (GTDC). Click here.

Goa celebrates Liberation Day
19 Dec: Times of India. Goa on Monday celebrated its 44th Liberation Day by honouring veteran freedom fighters who fought for liberating the state from Portuguese rule. Click here.

Pirates caught looting underwater treasures
19 Dec: Daily News & Analysis. One man, a website, three states, over a thousand employees and businesses across the world — every bit of the plan to denude the coasts of peninsular India of its treasures was in place. For the last half a decade, a multi-crore nationwide racket collected sea shells, conch and precious coral and sold these globally. A special team took six months to unearth one of the biggest ever wildlife rackets in the country with its roots in Mumbai, Tamil Nadu and Goa and operations all over the world … The main source for collection was Goa … Click here.

Sting operation on Churchill
20 Dec: Herald. South Goa MP Churchill Alemao was among seven MPs shown on STAR TV for allegedly seeking commission in lieu of allocating funds for projects … Churchill Alemao, allegedly demanded Rs 3 lakh for sanctioning a Rs 20 lakh project for opening a mobile library ironically for the promotion of Konkani in South Goa, the news agency said. Alemao had been a stalwart during the Konkani movement in the ’80s. http://oheraldo.in/comment/reply/7710
20 Dec: Rediff. Alemao to move court against channel. Click here.

Viagra in India @ Rs 594 a pill
21 Dec: Times of India. It's official. Come December 26, you can ask for Viagra by name at the nearest chemist shop. The catch? The original blue pill will cost Rs 594 as against Rs 25 or less for the desi or generic version of the drug known as sildenafil citrate … only the highest dosage of 100 mg works in Indian males … Click here.
For updates click here.

Piecemeal amendments to Goan civil code opposed
22 Dec: the Hindu. The move of the State Government to go in for piecemeal amendments of the Portuguese Civil Code (PCC), which is in operation in the State, has been opposed by the Goa Legislators' Forum (GLF). Click here.

300 delegates expected for 3rd International Goan Convention
22 Dec: Herald. Industry, education and tourism will be the main focus at the Gomant Vishwa Sammelan, which will be organised next month for Non-Resident Indians (NRI) and Non Resident Goans (NRG) in Panjim. This is for the third time that the NRI Felicitation Centre is organising a worldwide convention for Goans, which is expected to draw around 75 to 100 NRIs and 200 NRGs … The NRI meet will begin on January 3 and continue to January 4 at the Kala Academy. http://oheraldo.in/node/7788

HC strikes down Neri’s disqualification
22 Dec: Navhind Times. In a landmark judgment, the High Court of Bombay at Goa today quashed and set aside the order of the former speaker, Mr Vishwas Satarkar disqualifying the Velim MLA, Mr Filipe Neri Rodrigues stating that order is wholly irrational and completely unreasonable and passed in bad faith. Click here.

Goa facing power shortage
22 Dec: … Navhind Times. Public are therefore requested … to curtail the use of power during evening peak hours from 6 p.m. to 10.30 p.m … Click here.

Goa: English will be made compulsory subject at primary level
22 Dec: Navhind Times. The Minister for Education, Mr Luizinho Faleiro has said that in order to make children conversant with English, they will be taught English at primary level as a compulsory subject from next academic year. Click here.

Collem to Kule
26 Dec: India Today. 1987 News Highlights. Residents of Collem village, south Goa were outraged one morning when they found an ad in the paper saying that the name of their railway station was being changed to Kule by the South Central Railways. The residents then took the matter to the panchayat. It so happens that the word kule means "buttocks" in Konkani. The railways had to back off in the end.

There is much news on Goanet about the sophisticated sting operation to trap and expose corrupt politicians in Goa. Six MPs have been shown to be seeking substantial bribes for the approval of a local area development scheme.

In another case, a bigamy charge has been filed by the wife of the Goan Agricultural Minister. Such news must make Goan Voice (UK) readers wonder about the depth of corruption in Goa within the public and private sectors.

Much of the world seems to have caught up with Goa as a great tourist destination. Unfortunately, one disadvantage is that hotel rates shoot up significantly between November and January. Thus, much care is needed to secure accommodation and discovering how to get reasonable deals from Goanet may be a wise consideration.

Fascinating research insights and orientations have been provided by Jorge and Livia de Abreu Noronha on the birth, life and work of Abbe Faria, the Goan father of modern hypnotism.

Why does Valmiki Faleiro argue that Goa has had two liberations: in1510 and 1961. In an interesting claim, about such liberations, Valmiki argues for the need for a third one. Can he be serious and persuasive? Find about his intriguing theorising on Goanet.

Likewise, Ben Antao has presented a well thought-out article on Myths About Goan Culture. This is well worth reading for many insights in this area.

Finally, find out all about a shy girl's transition from moth to butterfly. It's all about a holiday romance that ends on a bittersweet note.

More details can be found at the Goanet archives at http://www.goanet.org Or to subscribe to Goanet, send an email to subscribe@goanet.org

Clever Worm Lures Victims with Chat-Slang
9 Dec: NPR News. How do you know when you're instant-messaging with a computer worm instead of one of your "buddies?" Security experts say it's getting harder to tell the difference. Click on the listen button at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5044792 to hear (4m.20sec.) Frances deSouza on this new threat.
To check out the GVUK Francis deSouza supplement click here.

Lionel Richie Booked for Goa Bash
15 Dec: ContactMusic.com. (UK). Lionel Richie is in negotiations to make Indian tycoon Vijay Mallaya's 50th birthday bash extra special by performing for the self-titled beer baron. The Rajya Sabha politician is celebrating his big day in Goa on Sunday (18DEC05) and is in the process of booking his hero to perform. Click here.

Goa: Beach Parties Banned
15 Dec: FACTS (Switzerland). Goa was once the scene of beach parties without end. The authorities have suddenly prohibited them. 783 words. Article in German. For a machine translation, click here.

Births
16 Dec: Contra Costa Times (California). Anna Maria DeSouza was born Aug. 15, 2005 to the delight of her parents Valerie DeSouza and Venant DeSouza and sister Zoe DeSouza of Alameda. She weighed 7 pounds, 5 ounces and was 191/2 inches long and was delivered at Kaiser Hospital in Oakland. Her proud grandparents are Laura and Eustace DeSouza of Toronto, Ontario, Canada and Grandmother Joyce Vaz of New Malden, Surrey, England.

Shopping Trends in Goa
16 Dec: NewswireToday (Toronto) Fashion Trends in the Indian sub-continet are set in Goa for the most part. Following on the success of the International Film Festival, many fashion outlets are now reaping the benefits of that success … http://www.newswiretoday.com/news/2607/

International IT meet begins in Goa
18 Dec: WebIndia123.com. Academicians, industry professionals and students from India and abroad, including successful non-resident Indians (NRIs) assembled here Sunday to deliberate on the latest developments and improvisations in the field of information technology. The 12th Annual IEEE International Conference on High Performance Computing (HiPC 2005) opened at a Goa beach resort and the deliberations for the next four days will lay emphasis on the design and analysis of high-performance parallel, distributed and networked systems and their scientific, engineering and commercial applications. Click here.

Salt Lake woman stranded in Goa
18 Dec: Deseret Morning News. Linda Amen, 58, a teacher, pianist and lifelong volunteer fell ill when visting Goa with an ulcer-type problem that required emergency surgery. She is unable to pay for the operation she had four weeks ago and is living on the street because her landlord evicted her last week and she has no money for medical care … She felt like a hostage at the Vrindavan Hospital in Goa, India, because the doctors at first wouldn't let her leave without paying the bill. Eventually, she was escorted from the hospital by police officers and "basically thrown out on the street." She can't get back to the United States, and she can't survive in India without money. Click here.

Showbiz secrets. . .
18 Dec: The Express on Sunday (UK). … Celebrity chef Antonio Carluccio is planning an Indian feast on Christmas Day. The Italian gastro star, who discovered Jamie Oliver, is jetting out to Goa and staying there until the New Year. "We'll have a fusion of Indian and Portuguese food, " he says. But, true to form, he will still be indulging in some fungi. "I'll be taking a large truffle with me so I will cook up a nice risotto, too." For the Antonio Carluccio’s website click here.

Who’s Lionel Richie’s new best friend?
19 Dec: Daily News and Analysis. For guests at the Vijay Mallya megabash in Goa, Monday morning started late …
[On 19 Dec, NDTV (UK) broadcast a 15 minutes feature on the Vijay Mallya Goa bash.] Click here.

Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet Hit the Road
19 Dec: The Sun (UK). Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet are leaving their pampered lives behind to rough it on a backpacking trip. The actresses are planning to visit Goa early next year. They will hit the road with only what they can carry, to live authentically as travellers. The trip is partly research for their new movie, Holiday.
For production details of the proposed film see http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0457939/fullcredits

Recent inter-racial riots in Australia. By Dr Cornel daCosta
19 Dec: GoaNet. Gilbert's brief post on the recent inter-racial riots in Australia, which now has a growing Goan population, prompted me to do two things: a) provide a brief commentary about and akin to the situation, and b) attach an article I wrote and got published in the Herald about eighteen months ago. Click here.

How can we stay healthy in India?
20 Dec: The Independent (UK). Question: We are going to spend New Year in Goa, with our two children aged five and eight … What can we do to prevent diarrhoea? For the answer click here.

Demand declines for higher quality Indian ores
20 Dec: Metal Bulletin News Alert Service. The Chinese are purchasing greater volumes of lower-grade ores containing 54-61 percent Fe, and brisk business for this material is being done from the ports of Karwar and Goa … Buyers prefer to export from Goa or Karwar at present, avoiding New Mangalore, where protestors are hampering the transport of ore to the ports from the mines. Local residents are forcing overloaded trucks, blamed for high pollution levels and for damaging local infrastructure, to stop and are demanding compensation from their owners for the damage caused.

India curbs on visit visas hailed
21 Dec: Trade Arabia (Bahrain). Top Bahraini labour and immigration officials have welcomed an Indian government decision to ban job-seekers travelling on visit visas to the Gulf. The decision has been taken by the Protector-General of Emigration (PGE) in New Delhi to deny emigration clearance to people who misuse visit visas. Click here.

Let’s trip the light fantastic! By Smita DeSouza
21 Dec: Femina (India). It’s that time of the year again when you slip on your stilettos, let your hair down and boogie the night away ... While Goans may traditionally be ‘susegad’ (laid back) in their attitude, the one thing they do know to do is live well! … [Some of the nitespots feaured:] Club Tito’s … Mambos … Club Cabana … Joet’s … Caravela … Club Paradiso … Bamboo Forest … 9 Bar … Hill Top. Getting to and back from a club is relatively safe and easy as long as you have your own transport. Taxis and tourist vehicles are also available but tend to get expensive. Women partying without escorts are rarely harassed and the couple and stag policy differs from club to club.

Top 10 places to ring in the New Year
21 Dec: MSNBC News (New York). From Aspen to Australia, favorite spots for the last hoorah of 2005 … Goa … serves as the backdrop for some of the globe’s hottest New Year’s celebrations, complete with all-night seaside bashes packed with partygoers entranced by techno music. If you’re looking for a place to kick back, party and relax, just follow the local Goan motto of sossegarde – take it easy – and enjoy the fun! Click here.

Television

Sat. 24/12: Channel 4: 00:30 (95mins). Film: The Warrior
Asif Kapadia's double-BAFTA winning debut film stars Irfan Khan as a warlord's warrior in ancient India who, sent to massacre a village behind in their taxes, suffers a crisis of conscience and laying down his sword, sets off to the Himalayas in search of peace.

Tue. 27/12: Sky Movies 2: 8.00pm (120mins) Bride and Prejudice
Jane Austen’s classic story gets a Bollywood makeover in this energetic and colourful romantic comedy, which stars Aishwarya Rai, Martin Henderson and Naveen Andrews. Shot in L.A., London and Goa.

Tue. 27/12: ITV 1: 9.00pm (120mins) The English Harem
Romantic drama exploring cross- cultural love. A bored check out girl goes against her parents and racist ex- boyfriend when she agrees to become one of the three wives of a dashing restaurateur. Starring Martine McCutcheon and Art Malik.

Tue. 27/12: BBC1: 9.40pm (60mins) The Case of the Earl of Erroll
During the second world war, the trial of a Baronet accused of murdering an Earl in colonial Kenya caused a sensation back in London. An infamous playboy, the Earl of Erroll was conducting a very public affair with Diana, the young bride of Sir Delves Broughton when he was shot dead in his car in January 1941. Julian Fellowes asks whether it was a crime of passion, or whether this high profile figure was a victim of political assassination.

Fri. 30/12: UKTV People Plus 1: 7:00pm (30mins). Jeremy Clarkson's Motorworld – India
Jeremy Clarkson investigates the motoring culture of India, one of the most dangerous places on earth to drive and a country where a driving test may only cover a distance of 200 yards!

Fri. 30/12: Discovery Travel and Living: 10.00pm (30mins). Feast India: Diwali
Chef Barry Vera immerses himself in the festival of Diwali, India's massive New Year festival, where huge quantities of sweets are consumed.

Fri. 30/12: BBC 4: 10.30pm (135mins) Nowhere in Africa
This stunningly visual drama is the emotionally ripe tale of Jewish émigrés, who flee Nazi Germany in 1938 to live and work on a remote farm in Kenya. In English, German and Swahili subtitles.

Radio

Mon 26/12: BBC World Service Radio 10:05am (25mins) Travels of the Mind
Dr Raj Persaud visits Tamil Nadu in India. A psycho social care programme has been set up to help survivors come to terms with last year's Tsunami. He hears how some of the survivors are dealing with the disaster.

Mon 26 Dec. 7pm till 1am. Slough Goans Christmas Dance at the Polish Association Club, Stoke Poges Lane. Music by 'Say One Do One'. Adult Tickets £10 before 8th December. Tony/Suzy Rodrigues 01753 675072, Edwin 01753 531383, Charlie 07956 536911, Paul 07956 496 190 Sold out every year so please buy your tickets early to avoid disappointment

31 Dec 7pm – 1am: South East Goans New Years Eve Dance. Mustang & Music Mania. Disco, Snacks, Licenced Bar, Secure Parking. Only £14 Members/£18 Non-members. Under 12 Free. Haberdashers College, 135 Pepys Road, Lewisham, London SE14 5SF Tickets: Ronald 020 8303 3386 Dominic 07854 490617

Sat. 31 Dec. Dark Star Social Club proudly present the New Year's Eve Gala Ball at Harrow Leisure Centre. 7.00pm to 2.00am. Music by Dark Star and Say-1-Do-1. Capacity 1,400 with New Licensed Bar. For Tickets and further details, contact Hazel Rodrigues 020-8357 6776, Bernie Gracias 020-8723 1322 or email info@dssclub.co.uk.

Sat. 7 Jan. G.O.A. GOAN EXTRAVAGANZA at Wandsworth Civic Suite from 7.00 pm. Further details from - Norma Menezes-Rahim 020 - 8771 4457 Bernie Gracias 020 - 8723 1322