| 
COMMUNITY NEWS
| Circuit City drops Amazon.com |
 |
2 Mar. Seattle Post
Intelligencer. Excerpts: Fiona
Dias, president of Circuit City Direct, said
"We have been pleased with customer response to
our own Web site and have elected to focus on growing
the business through our own channel."… Recently
Circuit City was the target of a $3.25 billion takeover
bid by Highfields Capital Management. Text at
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/214111_amazon02.html |
Excerpts from: http://internetretailer.com/IR2005/speakers.html
A native of Kenya, Fiona Dias joined Circuit City in
2000 as Senior Vice President of Marketing and was appointed
President of Circuit City Direct in 2003…She earned
her undergraduate degree from Harvard University and
began her career as a financial analyst for Merrill
Lynch. Prior to serving as a marketing executive with
various consumer brand companies, Fiona earned her MBA
at Stanford University.
Fiona Dias will be speaking at the Internet Retailer
2005 Conference, Chicago, 7-8 June, 2005.
|
| Remembering Pio Gama Pinto 40 Years
On |
 |
25 Feb: The Nation
(Nairobi). Zarina Patel, the deputy editor of the Awaaz
Magazine, Nairobi, presented a moving tribute in the
Nation, to Pio Gama Pinto
on the 40th death anniversary of his death on 25th February
1965. She described the scene of the brutal assassination
at the front gate of Pio's home in Nairobi and provided
an insightful account of his short life (born 1927)
as a political activist in Goa and in Kenya, and then
his role as a Kenyan MP. |
A brief account of
the circumstances which led to the assassination are
provided and followed up by details of Pio's work for
those Africans in need consequent to the colonial war
against the Mau Mau. Several quotations from prominent
members of the Kenya Government indicate the high esteem
in which Pio was held. Full text at http://allafrica.com/stories/200502240654.html
The above, is a summary by Cornel DaCosta, cornel@btinternet.com
London, who is working on a biography of Pio Gama Pinto.
He would be most grateful for any contributions readers
and their friends might make on any aspects of Pio's
life. These would be fully acknowledged in the biography.
|
USA: Maine: Allan deSouza to give
lecture on Wednesday
27 Feb. Portland Press Herald. (Maine, USA). Allan
deSouza, visiting artist in residence at the University
of Southern Maine, will give a lecture at 4:15 p.m. Wednesday
[2 Mar.] in the Room 10 of Bailey Hall. DeSouza assembles
vistas from household materials, found objects and cast-offs
of the artist's body, including eyelashes, earwax and nail
clippings. His resulting photographs are patently make-believe
and strangely convincing. Based in Los Angeles, he is widely
exhibited, is a published author, and teaches in the MFA art
program at Vermont College. The event is free. For information,
call 780-5008. [A photo of Allan deSouza, ex-Nairobi and UK
appeared in last week’s issue].
| UK: Goans and Jazz -- a brief exposition.
By Michael Costa Correa. |
 |
28 Feb. GoaNet. Michael
Costa Correa (ex-Mombasa,
michael.costacorrea@ntlworld.com
) digs into the Goan scene at the time of the first
wave of Goan emigration from East Africa to the UK.
He cites prominent leaders in the UK such as Jovito
Dias, Gerald D'Cruz, Oboe Noronha and others who set
about rekindling musical interest. |
The dance band is plain
to see, whether in London or Leicester. Church choirs
in most local churches abound with our singers, violinists
and keyboard accompanists…Jazz musicians include
Olaf Vaz, Auggie Alvares and Amancio D'Silva. Do not
miss the full text, 1009 words click
here! |
| Sculpture with a lively look |
 |
2 Mar. Huddersfield
Examiner. A vibrant new exhibition open at the Yorkshire
Sculpture Park this month. Ceramics: Articulated Forms
by York-based Loretta Braganza,
is in the Garden Gallery. The ceramics are arranged
in groups. They are fired in vibrant colours and are
strongly influenced by dance and textiles. The sculpture
park is open daily from 10am to 5pm and admission is
free. [Loretta is the wife of a Goan and loves Sorpotel.
Do these count as being Goan, she would like to know] |
| To see more of her work click the link
below
http://www.axisartists.org.uk/seCVFU.aspx?ARTISTID=2556
|
DEATHS
2 Mar. Tanga, Tanzania. CLARA REBELLO
passed away unexpectedly at 7.15 this morning. She was the
beloved wife of Menino Rebello. Mother of Lazarus, Roland,
Debra and Yvette Rebello. Funeral mass will be at 3.00 pm
on 3rd March at St Anthony's Church, (Chumbageni) Condolences
to ckrebello@yahoo.com
 |
26 Feb: Paignton, Devon,
UK. MAX (MAXIMO) ALFONSO. Age: 63.
Partner of Margo Han. Son of the late John and late
Christina Alfonso. Brother of Fabiola (Sydney) Machado,
Delphine (Norman) Da Costa of Brampton, Canada; Rufina
(Cyprian) Fernandes of Sydney and Mervyn (Patsy) Alfonso
of Melbourne; Teresa (Mike) Tucker, Adolf (Becky) Alfonso
of England and late Lolita. Funeral service was on 1
Mar. Condolences to [DaCosta, Norm] ndacosta@thestar.ca |
|
25 Feb: Germany. YVONNE DE SOUSA.
Wife of Dr Anthony de Sousa. Sister of Milena/Pio D'Souza.
The funeral will take place on 5th Mar. in Germany. There
will be a mass for the repose of her soul, at St Joseph's
Catholic Church, Tudor, Mombasa, on Saturday, 5th Mar. at
5pm.
 |
24 Feb. Margao, Goa.
OLIVE DIAS. (ex Tanganika Standard
& ex Dar-es-Salaam bookshop). Wife of Albert. Mother
of Anthony/Myrna and Dr. Andrew/Dr.Hazel. Grand mother
of Andre, Loving daughter of Prof. Tito Sousa/ Late
Florinda Lourenco, Late Manoel Francisco/Late Fermina.
Sister of Luiza/Lorry, Irene/Josico & Dr. Jose Sousa,
Maria Luis. |
GOA THE POLITICAL CRISIS
|
The Special Session of the Goa
Legislative Assembly which met at the New Assembly Complex,
Porvorim on Feb 28, 2005. |
BJP faces Goa setback - By Pamela
D’Mello
25 Feb: The Asian Age. Digambar Kamat, the BJP’s seniormost
MLA and number two man in its erstwhile government, tendered
his resignation as MLA to the Speaker’s office and to
Raj Bhavan, causing a major jolt to the party just four days
before the February 28 vote of confidence.
| Parrikar topple planned in advance,
says Dr Willy |
 |
26 Feb. The Statesman.
Claiming that destabilisation of the Manohar Parrikar
government was planned well in advance by the NCP, the
party’s Goa unit chief and deputy chief minister
Mr Wilfred D’Souza today said their only motive
was to destabilise the government and were not hankering
after power. For full text click
here. |
Goa Speaker resigns, sparks latest
crisis
28 Feb: NDTV. Minutes before the vote of confidence was to
take place, the Speaker resigned and adjourned the House creating
a tie in a contest the Congress was set to win. Now both parties
have 17 MLAs each and there seems to be a constitutional crisis.
The Governor has to either appoint an interim Speaker, who
will not have a vote or dissolve the House – which will
suit the BJP. For full text click
here.
No Goa floor test as speaker quits.
By Pamela D’Mello
1 Mar. Asian Age. For full text click
here.
Speaker, deputy’s resignations
scuttle Rane trust vote. By Devika Sequeira.
1 Mar. Deccan Herald. http://67.18.142.206/deccanherald/mar012005/n16.asp
Sardinha is pro-tem Speaker
1 Mar: Navhind Times. In a swift political development, the
Curtorim Congress MLA, Mr Francisco Sardinha was sworn in
as the pro-tem Speaker of the Goa legislative assembly by
the Governor, Mr S C Jamir at Raj Bhavan late today evening.
[The account of the Assembly proceedings is here]. http://www.navhindtimes.com/stories.php?part=news&Story_ID=030127
Stand-off in Goa rocks Indian Parliament
1 Mar: NDTV. Both houses of Parliament had to be adjourned
on Tuesday after the Speaker refused to allow an adjournment
motion to discuss the Governor's role in dismissing the BJP
government in Goa. For full text click
here.
We won trust vote, claims Congress
1 Mar. Navhind Times. The Congress party has claimed victory
in today’s vote of confidence stating that the Bharatiya
Janata Party, fearing cross-voting from their MLAs and the
MLA of the United Goans Democratic Party, had “run away”
by adjourning the House.
http://www.navhindtimes.com/stories.php?part=news&Story_ID=030125
Police raid houses of BJP leaders in Goa
1 Mar. Hindustan Times. The Goa Police on Tuesday raided the
houses of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Sadanand
Thanawade, party general-secretary Satish Dhond and Rajendra
Janu in connection with a case of forgery.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1262711,000900040002.htm
Neri disqualification file goes missing
from Speaker’s chamber
2 Mar. Navhind Times. http://www.navhindtimes.com/stories.php?part=news&Story_ID=030241
Goa's vote of confidence on Friday
4th Mar.
2 Mar. Times of India. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1038145.cms
Goa Governor seeks Deputy CM's removal
2 Mar. Hindustan Times. http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1264106,000900040002.htm
Goa Deputy CM resigns
3 Mar. The Hindu. http://www.hindu.com/2005/03/03/stories/2005030313920100.htm
Disqualification plea filed against Mathany Saldanha
3 Mar. Navhind Times. http://www.navhindtimes.com/stories.php?part=news&Story_ID=030323
GOA NEWS HEADLINES
Grounded ship in Goa stripped, vandalised
24 Feb: Deccan Herald. Goa’s tourism minister blames
the earlier Parrikar government for turning a blind eye to
the illegalities involving the M V River Princess… CrossChem
will pay the state government Rs 85.41 lakh for the vessel
whose scrap value is estimate at Rs 18 crore. The company
is expected to spend Rs 15 crore to refloat and tow away the
ship.
http://67.18.142.206/deccanherald/feb242005/n11.asp
Goa Shipyard: full steam ahead
28 Feb. Express Computers. Goa Shipyard is building ships
much faster after it deployed an enterprise resource planning
system.
http://www.expresscomputeronline.com/20050228/management01.shtml
How sinful is 'Sins'?
26 Feb: Afternoon (Mumbai). Film is in bad taste, hurts religious
sentiments, say Catholics after watching the film. Said Nicholas
Almeida, former Congress corporator, "I have watched
the film and am very hurt by the depiction of the religious
symbols like the rosary and the cross. The actress who is
nude in most parts of the film, is shown wearing a cross around
her neck, with nothing to cover her body. While the actor
can be seen holding a rosary in his hand that covers her breasts.
The use of rosary and cross is totally objectionable. For
full text
click here
Popping pills new party rage
1 Mar: Times of India. Designer drugs have caught on with
the swinging youth.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1036298.cms
Indian Budget: Interest on NRI deposits
to remain tax-free
1 Mar: Business Standard. Finance minister P Chidambaram has
accepted the popular demand and said that the government would
continue to exempt NRI deposits from tax. For full text click
here.
Goa needs centre for environmental
studies, says ex-WHO consultant
25 Feb: Navhind Times. Former World Health Organisation consultant,
Mr Vitorino Pinto has said that Goa needs a centre for environmental
studies He stated, “We have so much water, particularly
rain water. But it beats me that we do not have 24 hour running
water.”
http://www.navhindtimes.com/stories.php?part=news&Story_ID=02251
German national held at airport
A German passenger was detained by the Customs officials on
his arrival at the Goa Airport. Feix Wolf Gang (64), a retired
German defence official who is presently working for a private
agency, had been reportedly detained under the National Security
Act and the Customs Act, sources said…Photographs were
again taken, as the aircraft was about to land at the Goa
Airport and then after the aircraft taxied to the parking
bay…Advanced cameras, two powerful lenses and a technological
gadget called travel translator were seized from him.
http://www.hindu.com/2005/02/27/stories/2005022704321000.htm
[Passengers arriving in Goa are warned not to take photographs
of Goa airport since it is a military establishment as well.
Yet, last week a Goa newspaper carried a photo of the airport
terminal. See: http://www.goanvoice.org.uk/newsletter/2005/Feb/issue4/supplement.htm
Simplified form for dual citizenship
soon
27 Feb: Navhind Times. Indian missions abroad will soon circulate
a simplified one-page form to facilitate trouble-free grant
of dual citizenship to qualifying members of its 25-million
diaspora in 110 countries, a top official has said. “The
earlier cumbersome procedures for dual citizenship stand withdrawn.
We will soon have a one-page form for applicants that has
been vastly simplified,” said Mr S Krishna Kumar, secretary
in the ministry of external affairs.
http://www.navhindtimes.com/stories.php?part=news&Story_ID=02279
Recent Items of Interest on
Goanet by Cornel DaCosta
There has been much about local politics in
Goa with strong views expressed about different parties and
respective politicians. Reading such posts allows one to get
a good picture of the political dynamics which influence governance
in Goa.
Venantius presented an unusual article on the artist Moebuis,
and a piece called Congeries of Lust. We learn that Moebuis
is a phenomenal comic book artist who is known for his work
on science fantasy. We also learn that Congeries of Lust relates
to drawings concerned with attacks on Christians in India
in the late 1990s.
An account of scams that tourists have to face in Goa informs
us, in particular, about the awful experience of those who
have had to be hospitalised. There seem to be exorbitant charges
for minimal services. Also, customs officers at Dabolim airport
seem to have clever ways of taking items from tourist baggage
such as trinkets, pens, and cigarette lighters. These experiences
must give many a tourist a jaundiced view about the Paradise
that is Goa.
If a crescendo can be reached it is perhaps now about the
issue of caste among Catholic Goans. When there is such a
crescendo, it is often an indication that the discussion will
soon move on to another major topic. Therefore it is worth
making sure that one does not miss this most lively of debates.
Please visit the Goanet
archives at http://www.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet/
To subscribe to Goanet send an email to viviana@goanet.org
IN THE NEWS
Man, 51, dies on India trip
26 Feb: Shropshire Star. John Russell Beynon-Thomas of Wales
has died in Goa India after flying there to undergo treatment
for arthritis. Mystery surrounds the cause of the former rat
breeder's death, but it is believed it may have been due to
kidney failure.
http://www.shropshirestar.com/show_article.php?aID=30082
Wings and curry flee the Corner
27 Feb: The Hook (Charlottesville VA). The Wertland Marahaja
in Zan road is now under new ownership. Jonathan De Costa
bought it three months ago. De Costa is no stranger to Indian
cuisine. This 27-year-old from Goa has been the chef at Maharaja
for four years. Before that, he worked for the Taj hotels
in India and also with Celebrity cruises. Durve discovered
De Costa in Orlando and lured him to Charlottesville. "I'd
never be a restaurant owner if I'd stayed in Florida,"
he admits. "I was having too much fun there." More
on his plans next week. http://readthehook.com/stories/2005/02/24/foodTheDishTakingFlightWin.html
27 Feb: Sunday Times. Mark Hodson describes
the revamped First Choice Boeing 767 flight from Gatwick to
Goa offering more legroom, wider seats and individual entertainment
systems. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/
Canada: There's no racism here, eh?
27 Feb: Toronto Star. Cecil Foster once denounced Canada for
its racism. Now he's got a new message, one he makes in far
less convincing style, says Lawrence Hill. For full text click
here.
Britain's very spicy affair that
is long lasting
28 Feb. Birmingham Post. Once upon a time we may have just
wanted something cheap to mop up the beer but, the initial
primal lust for spice has matured into a cultured appreciation.
Consequently, Britain is seeing the emergence of specialist
regional cuisines - Keralan, Gujurati and Goan restaurants
are now common in bigger towns - and it is clear the Brits
are still in love with curry.
Coach Otieno Tanks 'Big Name' Concept
in Favour of Team Play
28 Feb. The Nation (Nairobi) … Otieno attended Goan
School in Kisumu where he showed a talent in hockey. This
saw him represent Kisumu Municipality as a centre forward…
http://allafrica.com/stories/200502281072.html
Nairobi: Golf: Jacob’s Cup
1 Mar. East African Standard. The Jacob’s Cup matchplay
final was clinched by Veteran Kabete player Henry D’Souza
who beat his son Richard D’Souza by one hole.
Piggies begin to disappear, By Frances
Kitchin
2 Mar. SouthWestFarmer (Falmouth, Cornwall). Excerpts:
I've just returned from Goa …What I did miss were the
piggies as in the past we saw lots of them in the Goan villages…
The pigs play an important part in their lives of the country
folk here… They are known as "Bog Hogs". As
Goa is still part of the third world such luxuries as flushing
loos are few, and non-existent in the depth of the countryside.
Here an area is set aside as a public convenience and the
pigs are the attendants who clean up any waste that has been
left behind. Full text 1,182 words click
here.
UK: Immigrant abuse claims examined
2 Mar. BBC News. The Home Office has asked to see
BBC undercover evidence of alleged racism and violence by
security staff at an asylum seeker detention centre. For the
link to videoclips from the undercover TV report see:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/real_story/4310361.stm#
Forthcoming Auction
Mar 24, 2005. Christie’s Auction. Paris Sale. Goa, 19th
century ivory sculpture of Christ. Height: 17.5 cm. (6 7/8
in.) Estimate 300 - 500 Euros.
http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/search/LOTDETAIL.ASP?sid=&intObjectID=4460192
UK: TV HIGHLIGHTS By Mafalda de’Sa
Sat.5 Mar. BBC 2: 9.15pm (110mins) Pakistani,
Actually. An evening of programmes, as detailed below, offering
insights into the contemporary lives of British Pakistanis.
9.15pm; British, Paki and Proud: Exploring issues of belonging
and identity and the use and abuse of the word “paki”.
Among the contributors to the documentary are Imran Khan,
Lord Tebbit, Hanif Kureshi, Bernard Manning.
9.50pm: Luton, Actually: Writer Sarfraz Manzoor tells of his
arrival with his family in Britain, as a child in the 1970’s
and what life was like growing up in a town, that was a butt
of national jokes.
10.25: Atta Boy: A profile of actor Atta Yaqub, and his efforts
to balance his career with his faith and his family.
10.45: Who wants to be a Mullah: British born Pakistani Muslim,
Navid Akhtar, embarks on a personal quest to challenge the
demonising image of the “mad mullah” and asks
whether current Imams can connect with young British Muslims.
Mon.7 Mar BBC 2: 11.50pm (70mins) Ebony Towers-
the Black Intelligentsia. How top American universities have
benefited from the brain drain of black academics from Britain.
Mon.7/3 Channel 4:8.00pm (60mins) Let ‘Em
All In. In the first of this weeks two Unwelcome Britain?
documentaries, reporter Kenan Malik argues that without immigrants
to bolster the workforce, the British economy would collapse.
Tues.8/3 BBC 2: 11.20pm (30mins) Desi DNA.
Football stars of the future, aspiring Asian MP’s and
a preview of the new TV drama based on Meera Syal’s
novel.
Thurs.10/3 Channel 4: 9.00pm (60mins) Immigration
Is a Time Bomb. In the second of this week’s Unwelcome
Britain? documentaries, journalist Rod Liddle takes a critical
look at what he believes is the Government’s “open
door” policy.
Fri.11/3 BBC 2: 7.00pm (30mins) Pensions Panic: Any Way Out?
What’s gone wrong with the British pension system?
FORTHCOMING
See
http://www.lanfranc.com/lanfranc_location_2000.pdf
for help in locating Archbishop Lanfranc School, Croydon
Sat. 5 Mar. 10.00am-4.00pm Bexley Local History
Fair. Cliff Pereira will have a stand displaying material
on Amche Historr - the Goan Oral
History Project. The address is Hall Place, just off the A2
Black Prince roundabout, Bexley.
Sun. 13 Mar. From 12 till 8pm. Fund
Raising Dance for Children's Hospitals. Sacred Heart
Church Hall, Edge Hill, Wimbledon, SW20. Adults £12,
Child (5-10 years) £7.50 Meal inc. Music by Say One
Do One. Tickets: Suzy 01753 675072, Milo 0118 957 4937; Jane
0208 543 5454, Felix 0208 640 4151 Dress Formal. Donations
Welcome.
Sun. 13 Mar. 5.00pm - The Asian Chaplaincy.
Konkani Mass will be celebrated
at Our Lady & St Christopher's Catholic Church, 32 High
Street, Cranford, Middlesex
Sun 20 Mar G.O.A. Singles Carrom
Tournament - Men’s & Ladies Singles: (Entry fee
3.00) Children: 7-12 Singles: (No entry fee) Venue: HSBC Sports
Club, Lennard Road, New Beckenham BR3 1QW. (Time: 10.30 am)
- Contacts: Richard Fernandes 020 – 8300 5347, Assumption
Gomes 020 – 8641 5995, Viju DeSouza 01784 – 430547,
Desmond Britto 020 – 8543 4352, Lazarus Rato 020 - 8767
0342.
Sun. (Easter) 27 Mar. G.O.A. Strictly
Come Dancing at Lola Jones Hall, Greaves Place, Tooting.
Jive and Freestyle Disco Competition. Dark Star in attendance.
Further details from - Norma Menezes-Rahim 020 - 8771 4457,
Bernie Gracias 020 - 8723 1322
Sun. 17 Apr. YLGS El
Shaddai Fundraising Dance. at Bishop Thomas Grant School.
Starts with Holy Mass at 12.00 followed by Dancing & Slave/Talent
Auction. Music provided by Breakthru, Maz & Co and Guava
Groove! Food & Drink will be on Sale. Special Guest Speaker,
Keith Vaz MP. Contact Alison Braganza at events@ylgs.org.uk
or on 07799 586793. For Tickets, Info & updates check
the flyer at http://www.ylgs.org.uk/images/elshaddai.gif
FOR
LATER EVENTS SEE http://www.goanvoice.org.uk/ | 
