Goan Voice UK: Newsletter. Issue 2005-27. July 21, 2005

Overseas Indian Citizenship – Forms now available
High Commission of India, London. The terms and conditions are displayed on the website. For details click here. To download the application forms click here.

Pia De Souza on Sudoku
19 Jul: The Independent. Excerpts: The game of Sudoku is sweeping Britain - the national championship was held in London last week ... It wasn't all 20-something males with maths degrees. Pia De Souza, 33, lives in Brighton and works in the National Theatre press office ... "I'm rubbish at maths," she said, with heat. "I count on my fingers. My degree was in anthropology. But I like puzzles." For full text click here.
Pia was born in London and graduated at Sussex University. She is the daughter of Francis Xavier and Assiz De Souza (both ex-Nairobi) and sister of Paul. She traces her Goan roots to Assagao (Dad), Mungul (Mum) and last visited Goa in Jan. 2003

20 Jul: Taleigao, Goa. JOSEFA FILOMENA D'SOUZA E COLIMAO. Wife of Antonio (UK). Mother of Jesus (UK)/Evette, Veronica/Bernard, (Dubai), Basilio (Dubai)/Sabina, Tecla/Jhofild (Sharjah).

15 Jul. Covale, Goa. URBANO ALEXANDRE F. DE SOUZA (Bunny). Born 1930; ex-Tanzania. Husband of Elsa. Father of Dennis /Sylvia, Derek/Yvette, Debra/Wilfred, O'Kelly and Damian. Grandfather of Rebecca, Aaron, David and Danette.

UK: Funeral of PM Dias
The funeral of PM Dias is on Mon. 25 July 2005 @10.30 at St Thomas More Church, Long Lane, Bexleyheath, Kent. No flowers please. Donations if desired by cash/cheque/PO payable to Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice. PM Dias (ex Nakuru, Kenya) died 13 Jul. Details see GVUK issue 2005-26

Star `Cruises` to Goa, Bombay, and Lakshadweep this year
15 Jul: Business Standard. Star Cruises plans to start its Mumbai-Lakshadweep-Goa service in October. It will operate in three different categories: One-night weekend getaway cruise, two nights Mumbai-Goa-Mumbai, and a four-night Mumbai-Lakshadweep-Goa-Mumbai. All packages will include breakfast, two meals and Las Vegas-style dances at a cost of Rs 20,300 per person. Star Cruises would deploy the 216-meter long SuperStar Libra, with a capacity of 1,500 persons, for the cruise. For full text, 599 words, click here.

Airline keen to expand destinations
16 Jul. Gulf Times. Qatar Airways is keen to operate services to new Indian destinations including Goa, Ali al-Rais, Qatar Airways senior manager said. “I wish we can fly to Goa. There have been demands to operate services to Goa from our passengers in Europe and elsewhere,” he added. For full text click here.

Another feather in the cap for tourism in Goa
19 Jul: Business Standard. Mormugao Port Trust to have an international cruise liner terminus within three years. For full text click here

Love is in the air: German carriers eye Indian skies
21 Jul: Economic Times. Under the new bilateral between India and Germany German airlines be admitted to the playing field. Condor plans charter services from end October to early April each year to Goa, with bulk of the seats sold by Thomas Cook … Goa's economy is significantly dependent on tourism, especially charter movement during the winter from the UK, Germany, France, Belgium etc. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1178383.cms
21 Jul. Business Line. Condor plans seasonal flights to Goa, Kochi. For full text click here.

Congress wins Goa Rajya Sabha seat
14 Jul: IANS. The Congress Thursday won the lone Rajya Sabha seat from Goa against main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Santaram Naik of the Congress polled 20 votes against 14 by the BJP's Sanjeev Desai. http://www.eians.com/stories/2005/07/14/14congress.shtml

Doc advises against Western diet habits
16 Jul: Herald (Goa). Are you addicted to Western dietary habits? Then think twice, as consumption of Western food, including red meat has resulted in a very high incidence of disease including ulcers and cancer according to Dr Jose Filipe Alvares. of Apollo Victor Hospital, Goa. According to Dr Alvares, such diseases which are on the rise in Goa are more common in the US, but are not so common in South India. “This may be due to the fact that people down South are vegetarians, while Goans consume red meat and alcohol and less of vegetables”, he added. http://oheraldo.in/comment/reply/1772

IFFI in Goa only if Centre gives Rs 100 cr: Rane
16 Jul: Navhind Times. Goa will host the 36th International Film Festival of India, scheduled later this year, only if the Centre provides assistance to the tune of Rs 100 crore. The Chief Minister, Mr Pratapsingh Rane, said that the Cabinet had decided that the State would host the event only if Centre gave adequate funds for holding it. For full text click here.

Goa to have underground power supply
20 Jul: Business Standard. In a step to boost power supply, the Goa government plans to lay underground power cables. The Rs 50 crore project is expected to be complete by December, 2006. For full text click here.

Cricket: End of Goan trial?
20 Jul: The Statesman. By Mario Rodrigues The Goa Cricket Association is gearing up to host one or more One-Day International during the forthcoming series against Sri Lanka and South Africa from September/October to December this year. Goa was banned from staging international fixtures following the massive fake-ticket scam during the India-Australia One-Day International in April 2001. For full text click here.

Eve repents after bogus marriage
21 Jul: herald. A 22-year-old woman was fooled into a relationship that has left her repenting her plight. A resident of Anjuna, the Catholic lady converted to Hinduism and underwent a sham wedding ceremony. She has lodged a complaint with the police that she had been cheated and induced to have sex. Full text at http://oheraldo.in/node/1954

From time to time, apart from many items of interesting news value, unusual themes appear on Goanet. An account by Joel Moraes of A Sailor's Dilemma provides insightful detail of Goan seamen and life at sea over long periods. The unrelenting hard work on board and isolation from family and friends are vividly highlighted and we are made aware of how such demanding work has historically been the lot of many a Goan man unable to find alternative work in Goa.

Recently, Goan tiatrists put on a magnificent show in Mississauga, Toronto, Canada, and Silviano Barbosa, author of the Sixth Night, presented an excellent review of "Goencho Awaz." Individual performers/performances were featured in some detail and a commentary was also provided on the talented singers and musicians.

Goa, known for its chaotic road traffic is likely to have solar-powered traffic lights in Panjim and then elsewhere in the country. A varied discussion on their use, and the role they will play, surprisingly attracted the attention of several contributors to Goanet, even from abroad.

Cruise ships will soon be available from Mumbai, along the coast of Goa, past Kochi to the Lakshadweep islands. From the information available, excellent short cruises, at reasonable prices, will start from an exclusive terminal called Ballard Pier. The facilities on board are expected to be of international standards.

Once again, Domnic Fernandes excels in yet another unusual presentation. This is on the humble village water well in Goa and how it has been of great service to villagers throughout Goa's history. Much fascinating detail is provided on the physical construction of different kinds of wells through different kinds of terrain. Also, there is an absorbing account how the well often became the centre of village entertainment through the making and use of the "gummot" or country drum. Groups of men and women played, sang and danced to the mando, dulpod and dekhnni. There is ever so much interesting information provided by Dominic in this feature article and GV(UK) readers simply can't afford not to read it. In time, we hope that Domnic will include this particular article, among others he has written, in a book that he has been persuaded by many to write.

Please visit the Goanet archives at http://www.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet/ To subscribe to Goanet send an email to viviana@goanet.org

Foreigners do Viagra shopping in India
15 Jul: The Economic Times. Excerpts: Savvy travellers have realised that there’s a whole range of medical products that make very welcome presents abroad … ‘Lifestyle’ drugs for erectile dysfunction or hair loss lead the list … David, a British businessman first heard about this from a friend in Goa. “In London you can only buy Viagra with a prescription, and they cost at least £10 a tablet,” he says, “In India the best-known brand, Kamagra, costs Rs 128 for 4 tablets but I get it for Rs 90 if I buy 20 boxes.” He is now looking for Kamagra gel, the latest fad in the UK and apparently made in India … But the biggest bargain he’s found is Propecia, a cosmetic drug used against hair loss. For full text, 1319 words, click here.

India's poverty feeds modern-day slave traffic
15 Jul: Reuters. For full text click here.

Heaven & hell, By Ann Widdecombe
16 Jul: The Daily Telegraph (UK). Q: Which was your worst holiday? Answer: Four weeks in India when I got the dreaded "Delhi Belly.'' I did all the usual things - Jaipur, the Taj Mahal, the Red Fort, Goa. It was a disaster - polluted and filthy. I thought to myself: "Just what are these people doing for their citizens?'' For a profile of Ann Widdecombe see http://www.annwiddecombemp.com/

The Last King of Scotland: Yet another Idi Amin movie
18 Jul: The East African. It is not strange that another film, The Last King of Scotland, credited to the life and times of the late Ugandan dictator Idi Amin is in the making, as Amin has always made good copy and footage. For full text click here.
See also: 18 Jul: The East African. The challenge is recreating the Kampala of the 1970s …There are fewer Asians on the streets; the dress code has changed from the bellbottom trousers and long max dresses of the 1970s to lowride jeans, American suits and mini-skirts. For full text click here.

Book Review: Richard Zimler: Guardian of the dawn
19 Jul: The New Zealand Herald. Set in late 16th-century India, a period when the Portuguese ruled Goa and the Catholic Inquisition began castigating any suspected infidel, Guardian of the Dawn recounts the tragic story of the Zarco family. 448 words. For full text click here.

UK: Waitrose Goan Fish Curry
19 Jul: The Evening Standard (London). £3.59. 288 cal, 21.4g fat, 2g salt per half pack Health verdict: "High in salt -- one portion of this curry is a third of an adult's salt quota for a whole day. The 21g fat per serving is a great deal of fat, which comes mainly from coconut milk in the sauce. Coconut oil is saturated fat, but it does contain some fats, including medium-chain triglycerides, which are now considered healthy. And I'm sure it tastes delicious."

Mon. 25/7: BBC 2: 9.00pm (60mins) The New Al-Qaeda
New series. 1/3 Jihad.com. A stark and chilling documentary to start this analysis of the current state of the terrorist group and the resources they are able to utilise. Peter Taylor presents the grim reality of terrorism in particular Internet terrorism.

Thurs. 28/7: BBC 1: 8.00pm (30mins) Trauma
New series.1/9: Trauma London- The Medics Story. Bombers struck London on Thursday 7/7/05 and the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel was at the heart of the emergency services’ response to London’s biggest peace time attack. In this special episode, the dedicated workers who saved countless lives tell their story.

Thurs. 28/7: BBC 1: 9.00pm (60mins) The Surgeon Who Failed Women
A six month investigation tells what happened in one NHS Trust when doctors tried to blow the whistle on a cancer surgeon colleague, whose approach to treating women with breast cancer, fell way short of accepted best practice.

Thurs. 28/7: ITV 1: 11.00pm (60mins) Rageh Omar’s Tsunami Journey
Former war correspondent, Rageh, questions survivors of all faiths when he asks whether belief in God can be reconciled with the large-scale suffering brought about by last year’s Asian tsunami.

Mon .25/7: BBC Radio 4: 8.00pm (30mins)Olenana’s Land
A hundred years ago the “Anglo_Masai” treaties gave British colonialists rights to use the land occupied by the Masai in Kenya. Lawyers for the Masai are now arguing that the colonialists made use of their illiteracy to trick them out of their land. Tribal chief Olenana signed the agreement with the British and his heirs are now trying to reclaim their traditional lands, following the expiry of the agreements.

Sun. 24 Jul. 5.00pm - The Asian Chaplaincy. Konkani Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady & St Christopher's Catholic Church, 32 High Street, Cranford, Middlesex

Wed. 27 Jul. 7.00 pm. Lecture by Theatrical producer Michael Ward on the Making of The Far Pavilions. The Nehru Centre is. 8 South Audley Street, London W1K IHF. Details at
http://www.nehrucentre.org/programmes_current.htm

Sun 31 Jul: G. O.A. GOAN FESTIVAL in conjunction with Goan Organisations at Archbishop Lanfranc School, Mitcham Road, Croydon. Starts with Holy Mass at 12.15 pm. Contact: Diego Pinto 020 - 8767 0663 Alfred Rebello 020 – 8337 8022. For stall applications: Bernie Gracias 020 – 8723 1322

31st July - Coach to G.O.A. Goan Festival – Croydon. Price: £5. Departure: 11am. Pick up points: Harrow/Edgware/Wembley & Greenford. Book early to avoid disappointment - For further details contact: Amelia Gomes 0208 861 2073

Sun. 14 Aug. Archbishop Lanfranc School, Mitcham Road, Croydon. Konkani Dramatic Association, UK presents a Konkani Musical Show "Goencho Avaz". Top Comedians and Singers from Goa will be touring UK, Canada, France, Portugal and USA. For further information contact Domacian Moniz: 0208 376 1609 / 07940 501196. Or email at: kdauk2003@yahoo.co.uk

Sun. 21 Aug. G.O.A. Six-A-Side Football Tournament from 9.30am at Coldharbour Leisure Centre, Chapel Farm Road, New Eltham, London SE9 3LX. £44 per team. Draw will take place on 15th August 2005. Contact: Val Nunes 01322 445743; Darren Fernandes 07956 117703.

Sun. 28 Aug. 5.00pm - The Asian Chaplaincy. Konkani Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady & St Christopher's Catholic Church, 32 High Street, Cranford, Middlesex

Sun. 28 Aug. G. O.A. SPORTS DAY at Archbishop Lanfranc School. Contact: Peter Rodrigues 020 - 8399 4883. For stall applications: Norma Menezes-Rahim 020 - 8771 4457

Sat. 10 Sep. G.O.A. EXCURSION TO BRUGES. Sightseeing and shopping trip to this lovely Belgian town. Planned pick-up points – Greenford, Tooting Broadway and Norbury. Further details from - Norma Menezes-Rahim 020 - 8771 4457, Bernie Gracias 020 - 8723 1322

Sun. 18 Sep. G.O.A. Trook Tournament at the ATC Hall, South Wimbledon. Contacts: Jacinto Fernandes 020 - 8542 5427. Diego Pinto 020 - 8767 0663, Lazarus Rato 020 – 8767 0342.