Goan Voice UK: Newsletter. Issue 2006-01. Aug. 25, 2006

Photo Albums of Recent Events
London. UK Goan Festival. 23 July. 62 photographs by Jen Lewis. Click here.
Toronto. Viva Goa. 28 July. 76 photos by Francis Rodriguez. Click here.
London. UK Konkans Day. 29 Jul. 106 photographs. Click here.

Cricket: Robin d’Souza’s century boosts Weston's promotion bid
27 Jul: Weston & Somerset Mercury (UK). … d'Souza found the boundary no less than 20 times, including seven sixes … d'Souza completely eclipsed him however, with his century coming from just 84 balls … d'Souza finishing unbeaten on 144. For photograph and text, 387 words, click here.
For a photograph and brief profile of Robin d’Souza see GVUK 2006-26

Mayor to celebrate youngsters' good deeds
31 Jul: Watford Observer. Watford Borough Council's new chairman Councillor Rabi Martins has vowed to highlight good work done by local young people during his term in office. Councillor Martins will focus on "children and youth" during his tenure as chairman and his theme for the year is "celebrating Watford's youth". He met with representatives from his chosen charities this month to discuss ways of working together. 291 words. Click here.

The “Red Mercury” Trial
31 Jul: The Guardian (UK). Banker Dominic Martins, security guard Roque Fernandes and businessman Abdurahman Kanyare were cleared by an Old Bailey jury of negotiating to buy "red mercury", a substance that could supposedly be used to make a radioactive "dirty bomb" … Red mercury does not exist. It was a fictional concept invented by Soviet intelligence for use in Cold War stings to catch nuclear terrorists … Kanyare says he planned to use red mercury to wash "black dollars". Kanyare discussed the matter with Fernandes, who was an acquaintance, and he went to Martins, who in turn contacted an associate who had a background in the chemicals industry. It was this man, referred to in court as Mr B, who was the News of the World's informant. Click here.

Goan Voice UK Donations
The weekly newsletter service is sustained by Donations from the world-wide Community. If you wish to contribute please see the payment options at http://www.goanvoice.org.uk/donations/2006/ The same page also lists the contributions so far received.
Donations above £20 received by 31 Aug 2006 will also be listed in the newsletter.
£20 + received: £25 Justin Dourado; Lorna & Raymond D’Silva; Mervyn Maciel; Bernard Fernandes; Norma Menezes-Rahim; Robert DeSouza. £30: Paul Nunes

28 Jul. Barreiros, Portugal. FLAVIA FERREIRA BARRETO. Wife of Dr. Norberto Barreto. Mother of Ligia/Armando, Dr. Vicente/ Dr. Maria Fatima, Rui/Yolanda & Nalini/Manuel.

26 Jul: Porvorim, Goa. SEBASTIAO GILBERTO AZAVEDO. Brother of Eutemio/Veronica, Valeriano/ Arlette, Anita/Greg (U.K), Irene/Allan (Australia), Prakash/Cynthia, Ancilla/Victor (U.K.) and Rosida/Arthur (Australia).

26 Jul: Cansaulim, Goa. AMELIA PROENCA BARRETO. Relict of Bemezio. Beloved mother of Melvin/Cynthia, Blenure/Dr.Lavo,(USA) Loving grandmother of Melroy Shenesa, Yvonne/Alan, Charmaine/Nathan, Shaun. Great grandmother of Maya. Sister of Joaozinho/Sarita, Celia/late Benjamin, Jorge/Edilda, Fatima/late Franchic (Canada), Sister-in-law of late Jocu Rafael/late Marietta, late Teotonio/late Rosy, late Laucilia, late Venusto/Noemia, late Bailonita/late Lauzo, Funeral was on 28th July. Info from Antonio Mascarenhas, Canada.

Worst Holiday Ever
21 July: The Times (UK). Noreen Harrington writes, “After weeks of roughing it around India, my friend and I decided to splash out and booked into a five-star hotel in Goa (over there, it's classed as 7-star). … On the first night, I awoke to feel something tugging at the back of my hair … My friend woke up and just as she sat up, we saw a huge rat running across the floor of our room. I rang the front desk in a frenzy. The night manager assured me that "the rat won't hurt you madam. No need to worry." Eventually, after much arguing two porters turned up and spent a while chasing "the nice rat" around the room before proudly producing the corpse as evidence that it was caught. Click here.

Goa green!
30 Jul: Business Standard. Goa in the rainy season - you can haggle zeroes off every number presented to you... cabs, rickshaws, hotel rooms, rental two-wheelers. Actual charm? It’s empty. 293 words. Click here.

Where are celebs off to this monsoon?
2 Aug: Hindustan Times. Come rains and the glitterati will move to romantic destination Goa to enjoy the sprawling beaches and lush green surroundings. Many believe that Monsoon makes Goa a special place to visit and enjoy the beauty of the nature. Sexy beaches, lonely roads and sea-view from the hotel rooms while its drizzling makes the place a paradise on Earth. Bollywood buzz is that many film stars prefer Goa as their fav getaway. 309 words. Click here.

Yoga camp fit for a maharajah
2 Aug: Globe & Mail (Canada). Tucked away at the end of a long sandy drive near Anjuna in north Goa, an antique door marks the entrance to Phil Dane and Juliet Leary’s extraordinary creation. Yogamagic comprises seven Rajasthani hunting tents sitting among fruit trees, coconut palms and bougainvillea. A swimming pool is surrounded by water gardens, and a waterfall flows from a lotus flower on its own island. It’s an oasis of peace in which I felt immediately at home … 550 words. Click here.

Goa: Foreigners can’t buy agricultural land
28 Jul: Navhind Times. The Law Minister, Mr Dayanand Narvekar today told the state legislative assembly that the foreigners cannot buy the agriculture land as per the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) circular and added that the government had directed the sub-registrars to verify the six month domicile proof and form 1:14 before registering the property sale-deeds of foreigners. Click here.

Goa: Govt tightens rules on land purchase
28 Jul: Herald. Tightening the rules for purchase of land by foreigners of non-Indian origin in Goa, the State government has made it clear that foreigners cannot buy agricultural or orchard land and has withdrawn the provision of foreigners swearing in an affidavit claiming that they comply to all the requirements of law. 332 words. http://oheraldo.in/node/17077

Goa withdraws affidavit as a domicile proof for foreigners
28 Jul: NewKerala.com. In the wake of increasing land purchase by foreign nationals in Goa, the state government has withdrawn the provision of submitting affidavit as domicile proof for registration of deeds by foreigners. 192 words. Click here.

Property: Goa: Ask the experts: The overseas advisor
30 Jul: the Sunday Times (UK). JC-B of Brighton asks, “I am considering purchasing a property in Goa, India. Can you advise me on the pitfalls and procedures, local property prices and approximate costs involved?”
Excerpts from response by Bill Blevins of Blevins Franks International … Foreign nationals must be resident in India to buy property. You must live in the country for 182 days or more during the preceding financial year (April-March) and show an intention to remain in India. The property must be financed with imported foreign currency placed through a bank account in India. Alternatively, a foreigner who establishes a bona fide business in India can buy property, but any profit from the property’s sale cannot be taken out of the country. It is also possible to buy a property on leasehold … 250 words. Click here.

Notices to foreigners in Goa purchasing property
3 Aug: New Kerala.com. The Goa government today issued public notices to foreigners purchasing properties in the state, cautioning them against the violations of Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999 … Several activists in the state had been protesting against the increasing sale of land to foreigners, mostly British, Israelis and Russians. 251 words. Click here.

13 children's homes in Goa enjoy foreign funding
28 Jul: New Kerala.com. Goa has 24 children's homes of which 13 are enjoying foreign fundings, state Women and Child Development Minister Subhash Shirodkar said in the Assembly today. Click here.

Goa: Helpline for elderly soon
28 Jul: Herald. A proposal for a helpline for senior citizens submitted by HelpAge India to Goa Police in March this year has been approved in principle … http://oheraldo.in/node/17085

NGOs blast findings on paedophilia in Goa
29 Jul: Herald. The Childline India Foundation (CIF) came in for severe criticism for its findings on paedophilia and sexual abuse of children in Goa. In the study “Is Goa safe for children – a critical consultation”, it is claimed that paedophilia victims in Apna Ghar (children’s home run by the State) are bribed not to disclose the names of paedophiles. The Ghar is perceived as a ‘ghastly place’ — it is like jumping from the frying pan into the fire for children. 499 words. http://oheraldo.in/node/17134

Goa Remixed
30 Jul: Indian Express. Tourists are flocking to Goa to enjoy the wet season. … Goa will be the Spain of the east in three years … this is the trendiest address for a second home in India … However, land prices throughout Goa have skyrocketed—there’s been a property buying frenzy since 2005 … The Goans, traditionally a laidback merry bunch, are also waking up to brand Goa and are hoping to cash in on the boom … Mark Pinto, 20, born and brought up in Goa, feels his future lies here. “Most of my uncles and aunts left Goa for the Gulf or Canada,” says Pinto. “Now there are so many opportunities here.” Besides tourism, companies with BPO services are eyeing Goa to set up call centres since the locals speak excellent English. Older Goans with established businesses are also reinventing them-selves. 1003 words. Click here.

High chlorine in South Goa water
30 Jul: Herald. Drinking water that is supplied to South Goa is being spiked with an extra dose of chlorine, mainly because of the mining pits near the Selaulim Reservoir. 247 words. http://oheraldo.in/node/17161

Goa witnesses 2,918 unnatural deaths in 3 yrs
30 Jul: Navhind Times. Figures for 2003-5: 125 murders, 897 suicides and 1,896 accidental deaths including 691 road deaths and 520 by drowning. 403 words. Click here.

Goa to Have More Land for IT Park
31 Jul: EFY Times. The Goa Government has decided to allot an additional 30,000 sq mts. of land for the IT habitat at Dona Paula, as there were only 18 plots while 30 applications have been received for the IT park … Talks are on for developing another IT Park at Soccoro in North Goa. http://efytimes.com/fullnewsxml.asp?edid=13271

Goa: English medium primary education for better future
31 Jul: Indian Catholic: Goans were well known for their English language skills, and were most sought after in India and abroad. That is how in the good old days Goans could earn their living in Bombay, East Africa, U.K. and Gulf countries. That is why you find Goans scattered all over the world … Fortunately in Goa we have a Chief Minister who is open to funding English medium education at the primary level … Language chauvinism has ruined the Goan society. 1,290 words. Click here.

Goa: 4000,000 Migrant Labourers to ration cards
1 Aug: Herald. The government will issue four lakh temporary ration card the Government has in one shot given thousands of migrants a passport to residency and on that passport they can do what they like and apply for other facilities such as electricity, water connections and even apply for jobs … It is not surprising that Goans are disgusted with such vote gathering tactics … http://oheraldo.in/node/17191

Goa: Congress for equal status to Marathi, Roman Konkani
1 Aug: Navhind Times. In a strategic decision, the Congress legislature party has decided to accord official language status to Marathi as well as Konkani in Roman script. 521 words. Click here.

Goa gets ready to welcome hi-tech firms - By Pamela D’Mello
1 Aug: Asian Age. Goa is rolling out the red carpet offering land and utilities for a host of hi-tech service industries, from information technology and allied sectors to pharma and biotech SEZs. Click here.

Goa Govt proposes film city
2 Aug: Navhind Times. The Industries Minister, Mr Luizinho Faleiro today said informed that the state government has proposed to establish a film city or film park in Goa to provide much needed exposure to Goan artistes and promote self-employment. 357 words. Click here.

Childless? Go To Goa With Cucumbers
2 Aug: All Headline News (Florida). In a unique tradition, the origins of which remain unknown, thousands of childless couples offer cucumbers at a fourth century church in Goa, in the hope of being blessed with a child. 401 words. Click here.

In Goa Church Advocates Voluntary HIV Tests
2 Aug: Catholic Online (USA). Goa has proposed making HIV tests mandatory before marriage, but the local Church says the best way to prevent HIV/AIDS is to popularize marriage preparation courses and encourage voluntary testing … an estimated 12,000 people in Goa now have HIV/AIDS. 647 words. Click here.

Each UK NRI sends £1,000/year home
28 Jul: Times of India. India's overseas sons and daughters loyally continue to send roughly £1,000 each home every year, putting India in the top five recipients of money repatriated from Britain to some of the poorest parts of the world. 557 words. Click here.

Bikini biography of Jeni Cassel
28 Jul: Daily Mail (UK). Jeni Cassel, 75, is a retired actress. She is divorced with two children, Natalia, 34, and Alexander, 32, and lives alone in Hampshire. “… when I holidayed in Goa, India, with my daughter earlier this year we both went topless, which would have been unthinkable when I was a young woman.” For photo and text click here.

UK. Three ships engineering officers are stripped of qualifications
28 Jul: BYM News. At a hearing in the Central London Civil Justice Centre, the United Kingdom Certificates of Competency of Avilano Alves, Pervez Rafique Modak and Tahir Malik Mahmood were cancelled … Avilano Alves from Goa, India was born on 16/12/1968. Click here.

India to set up fast track courts
29 Jul: BBC. India is to set up fast track courts to reduce a backlog of millions of cases, the country's chief justice has said.
Justice YK Sabharwal said the federal government would spend $32m in setting up such courts all over the country. A total of 18 million cases are pending in India's courts, of which 16 million cases are criminal ones, he said. 359 words. Click here.

Gotta Go To Goa
29 Jul: Gloucester Citizen (UK). Cricket coach John Turton is appealing for players to join his team for their annual trip to Goa. He took a side that competed in three friendly fixtures with host clubs last year and he is trying to arrange more games for this visit … there are still some places available for the two-week tour, which leaves in February… For more information contact John on 07974 102345. Click here.

What's a girl to do?
30 Jul: The Sunday Times (UK). Single? Despairing at the lack of quality men? Nirpal Dhaliwal has some modest proposals … The final option is to get with the global economy. Like Liz Hurley and Jemima Khan, you can outsource your sexual and procreative needs to the developing world. There are millions of smart, handsome brothers out there itching to better themselves in the West. Your UK passport is your ticket to ride into Benetton heaven. This is especially great news for the fat, the dumb and the ugly: your comparative affluence and the lure of British residency means you can snare the kind of stud who wouldn’t look at you twice in this country. Anyone who’s been to Goa will know exactly what I’m talking about. 1073 words. Click here.

Don't know what to do with your gap year? Step into our clinic...
30 Jul: The Observer (UK). Jane McLellan from Real Gap Experience (01892 516164; www.realgap.co.uk) says 'For a first-time traveller who wants to explore cultures, sightsee and party, Goa and Thailand are ideal destinations. Patrick could do one of our group programmes in Goa, costing £899, before longer independent travel … Click here.

Accidents: “Heavy traffic is to blame”
30 Jul: Asian Age. The rate of road traffic injuries (RTI) is high in the states that have registered rapid motorisation. This is the outcome of a survey conducted by several professional organisations on road safety matters. "While Goa has the highest RTI rate — 18 per one lakh population, Haryana has the lowest RTI rate — one.” Click here.

UK: New body to tackle ethnic minority unemployment
31 Jul. Asians in Media. A new independent body has been launched to help ethnic minorities find work. The Ethnic Minority Advisory Group (EMAG), which is made up of twenty two representatives from across the ethnic community, has been set up as part of the Government's welfare reform agenda to boost employment opportunities for ethnic minorities. Click here.

Paralysed Dad fights to rebuild life.
1 Aug: Leeds Evening Post. A Leeds dad is fighting to rebuild his shattered life after being left paralysed in a holiday road accident. Mally Lancashire, 36, from Wortley, broke his neck after losing control of a motorbike he was riding during a stay at a paradise beach resort in Goa, India. For photos and text, 454 words click here.

Toronto: Restaurant Review
3 Aug: Toronto Star. 5th Elementt. an upstart restaurant founded by fledgling restaurateurs newly arrived from India has won the hipness jackpot, being named official restaurant for the Toronto International Film Festival … the menu includes Goan-style strip sirloin and pork ribs marinated in mango chutney … Click here.

Goanet provides much detail of celebrations for World Goa Day. Much of the activity appears to be in the northern hemisphere and in the summer months but elsewhere too like in Australia and New Zealand. Friends have sometimes met at a World Goa Day after forty odd years. Details of the camaraderie at such meetings are truly heart-warming.

Are Special Economic Zones (SEZ) necessary in Goa for development purposes? Posts on Goanet reflect a fairly mixed view. Related to this issue, are some folks from Goa who feel that the Goans in Goa ought to decide what is best for Goa without a seeming 'interference' from Goans in the Diaspora which is now believed to be a million strong. In contrast, others argue that the Diaspora Goans have a lot to offer to those resident in Goa. Goan Voice (UK) readers are welcomed to provide their comments on this issue to Goanet.

Is communalism in Goa a very real threat? There are ongoing discussions and conferences on this issue in Goa. One recent Goanet post said that, "Communalism is a beast with an insatiable appetite. Today, it is targeting those who are the weakest---outsiders, Muslims; tomorrow, strengthened, it will start consuming its next victim. And unless checked, it will not stop till it has consumed us all. Let us all come together to tackle this menace."

Are there significant differences between older (of three generations ago) and modern societies? This question has generated several posts that draw upon a range of interesting contrasting data.

Finally, in a fine account of the structural features of the University of Goa, we can find an interesting Citizens Charter. It provides details of the university's origins, programmes, admission policy and a list of other significant features including its links to affiliated institutions.

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

Documentary: The Great British Black Invasion. Channel 4
5 Aug: 19.25 - 21.25. The story of Britain's black population from the 1950s to present day.

Documentary: Decoding the Past. History Channel
6 Aug: 21:00 – 22:00. Leaders of Opus Dei combat the negative publicity they received following the release of Dan Brown's 'The Da Vinci Code'

History Documentary: The Gandhi Assassination. History Channel
7 Aug: 19:00 to 19:30. Gandhi’s murder was a severe blow to India's hopes of unity.

Documentary: Analysis. BBC Radio Four
10 Aug: 20:30 to 21:00. Many Western companies are shifting investment and jobs to China and India. Could we soon see a world divided along new lines - producer countries in the East and consumer countries in the West?

Sat. 5 Aug. G.O.A. Ruby Senior Citizens Outing – Day Trip to Brighton. Pick up points Greenford, Tooting and Norbury. Contact: Norma Menezes-Rahim 020 - 8771 4457, Rosy De Souza 020 - 8677 0390 or any member of the Social Committee.

Sun. 13 Aug. South East Goans Summer Sizzler 12-7pm. Hurstmere School, Hurst Road Sidcup, Kent. Food Stalls £30 each. Food, music dancing & sports. Come and enjoy the festival. It was good last year and will be even better this year. Contact Chris 01322 400 732 or Ron 0208 303 3386

Sat. 26 Aug South East Goans Day Trip to Dunkirk & De Panne. Family & Friends day out. Shopping and Seaside Tour - picnic at the beach. Closing date- 29-05-06. Contact Chris 01322 400 732 or Ron 0208 303 3386

Sun. 27 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. 2 Sep. G.O.A. Ruby Thames Boat Cruise & Disco in conjunction with YLGS. Reporting time 6.15pm, sailing at 7.00pm. Contact: Norma Menezes-Rahim 020 - 8771 4457, Alison Braganza 07799 586793 or any member of the Social Committee.

Sat. 10 Sep. G.O.A. Ruby Whist Drive from 1pm – 7pm at St Boniface Social Club, Tooting. Contact: Diego Pinto 020 - 8767 0663, Felix Pereira - malawifelix@hotmail.com

Sat. 30 Sep. G.O.A. Ruby Shopping Extravaganza. Day Trip to France. Pick up points at Greenford, Tooting & Norbury. Contact: Norma Menezes-Rahim 020 - 8771 4457, Bernie Gracias 020 – 8723 1322.