East Africa: The Tricky in-Between World of Asian Africans
19 Feb: The Nation (Kenya). There is something unique and different about growing up as an Asian in East Africa … Most Asians came to East Africa as slaves (call it indentured labour if you like) to assist a coloniser to enslave another group of people. This puts them in a precarious position, of that of a colluder … Who would empathise with a group of people who show signs of "racism" themselves by keeping to themselves and mixing only with people of their own caste, religion or linguistic group? … Asians in this part of the world have always remained "outsiders". 757 words. Click here.

Goans in London to call upon Greenpeace
21 Feb: Herald. Marcus Rodrigues, an elderly retired NRI of Goan origin residing in London, said a few of them, Goan Londoners, would take up the Mhadei water diversion issue with the world environment organisation — Greenpeace … Rodrigues said he, along with another Goan Lui Godinho, had raised the issue in London with the Goan Oversees Association headed by Flavio Gracias … Support to stop the Mhadei work has poured in from Goans staying in New Zealand, US, Portugal, Germany, Canada, Australia and the Gulf. Click here.

Toronto: Margaret Furtado: It's rush hour at takeout counters
21 Feb. Toronto Star. Margaret Furtado, a policy analyst, is on the 4:45 p.m. train home when her 18-year-old son Andrew calls her on the mobile and asks, `What's for dinner?' She says, “It's not that they (her husband and son) don't know how to cook, it's just that they expect I'll do it because I'm the mother." Her days are long and cooking is a chore she could do without. She takes the 6:43 a.m. train out of Brampton and only gets home around 6 p.m. most weeknights. Most nights, her family opts for takeout like "pizza and wings, Swiss Chalet or good old Burger King." Click here.

Roy de Souza: ZEDO Opens Branch in Russia
21 Feb: Market Wire. ZEDO, Inc., Silicon Valley's largest ad-serving company, announced it is expanding operations and opening an office in Russia … "We have experienced tremendous growth and are proud to welcome our new team," said ZEDO CEO Roy de Souza. "This will allow us to accelerate development of features that will increase our clients' revenue and sell ads to multiple exchanges efficiently." Click here.
For the GVUK profile of Roy de Souza click here.

International Goan diaspora convention to be held in Lisbon
22 Feb: Navhind Times. The International Goan Diaspora Convention, which is to be held in Lisbon in June/ July 2007, and is organised by the Casa de Goa, an association of Goans in Portugal, will witness an interaction amongst non-resident Goans from around the globe … the forthcoming International Goan Diaspora Convention in Lisbon would also discuss ways to strengthen the cultural bond between global Goans. 486 words. Click here.

CanAsian festival grows up
22 Feb: Toronto Star … Expect flat-out dance from Kathak performer Joanna de Souza, when she dances the solo Khammaj Tarana with the live percussion of the Toronto Tabla Ensemble. Click here. For the Festival website see http://www.canasiandancefestival.com/
Joanna de Souza is married to Ian, the son of Norbert and brother of Kevin (Montreal), all from the distinguished Kampala musical family. For a photograph of her see GVUK 2006-13.

Top 10 beaches of the world
16 Feb: Guardian (UK). Gavin McOwan tips 10 dream destinations … 6. Arambol, Goa … Goa certainly divides opinion. For some it is the holy grail of hippy hedonism for others it represents the worst excesses of modern travel. Arambol, the state’s northernmost beach has its share of ageing hippies and seasonal expats, but the spectacular, sweeping stretch of sand is so beautiful it wins over even the most jaded and cynical of travellers. It is so vast that it’s easy to find your own private corner of sand. Around the rocky headland there is another beach where you can walk for miles without coming across a soul, or hang out at the freshwater lake backed by a small jungle. Old-timers will tell you the original hippies would sometimes get a nasty surprise here from the odd wild tiger.Click here.

Feature article: Under a spell, in Goa
16 Feb: Gulf News (UAE). Plain curiosity propelled my first trip to Goa. That and the aching desire for fun and frolic one is wont to in idle winter holidays. And I came away convinced that this was going to be just a beginning and I would return to this friendly beach paradise. Photos and text, Click here.

Car rental cos gear up for pleasure drive
17 Feb: The Economic Times. The car rental industry, estimated is adding new frills to the cars that people rent, trying to make the experience enjoyable … Avis India is targeting airports, expanding its operations to cities such as Goa and Chandigarh.

India on the Menu
17 Feb: The Star (South Africa). One of the best ways to explore a country is through its cuisine and Flight Centre has a delicious treat for you. From R9 270 per person sharing you can hone your culinary skills in sunny Goa - for seven days. Click here.

Moveable Feasts
17 Feb: The Scotsman. Near the beaches of northern Goa, Priya Gogte and Judy Cardozo focus on traditional ingredients, such as seafood and local vegetables. The Curry in a Hurry class makes curry easy to throw together. The course includes trips to farmers' markets. On the Go Tours has a seven-day course at the Taj Holiday Village from £445pp from May to September, including accommodation and transfers but not flights. See holidayonthemenu.com. Click here.

Late Deals From Travelcare
17 Feb: Belfast Telegraph. Departing Gatwick: April 15, Goa, 14 nights B&B, from £359. Tel: 0870 428 0371 or travelcaredeals.co.uk

This Week's Deals Just Go!
18 Feb. The Sunday Telegraph. Goa 7 nights pounds 499. R&B at the three-star Nizmar Hotel, in a superior room, is available from Kuoni (01306 747008; kuoni.co.uk ). Depart from Gatwick between March 3 and April 14 with Monarch Airlines. Tour ref: N9758.

Buy a holiday home
18 Feb: Sunday Tribune (Ireland). You don't have to be a multi-millionaire to get your foot on the overseas property ladder … "Goa has been a favourite holiday destination for many years, particularly among retirees," says Andrea Hill of Escapes2.com, who is selling properties at Betalbatim Beach in Southern Goa." … A laidback lifestyle, affordable prices and the climate make the area popular with retirees. Click here.

Airlines cutting fares to beat lean season
21 Feb: Business Standard. If you plan your holiday in advance, you may get a free air ticket (excluding taxes) to Goa next month from budget carriers. Or if you want to fly a legacy carrier, you may fetch a fair deal to Goa for less than Rs 1,000. Nearly 10 lakh seats are up for grab in March at such special rates from domestic airlines. Click here.

Win a fabulous fortnight cruising the Indian Ocean
18 Feb. The Sunday Telegraph has joined forces with Goa Way Holidays and Indian Ocean Cruises to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a 14-night cruise for two on MS Ocean Odyssey, sailing around 2007’s must-see destinations – the Lakshadweep Islands and India’s Malabar Coast... Departing Goa, the cruise will follow ancient spice routes along India’s Malabar Coast and the Lakshadweep Islands to Colombo in Sri Lanka.
To enter the competition, just answer the following questions:
a. Which south-west Indian port of call on Indian Ocean Cruises’ itinerary is noted for its pearls? b. When was MS Ocean Odyssey last refurbished? c. Name two other countries to which Goa Way Holidays offers trips. Send your answers on a postcard by March 1, including your address and a contact telephone number, to The Sunday Telegraph- Indian Ocean Cruises, PO Box 7273, Colchester CO2 8XT. The winner will be the first correct entry drawn after the closing date.

Churchill set to embrace UGDP
16 Feb: Herald. In a political development, Churchill Alemao and the top brass of the United Goans Democratic Party (UGDP) finally shook hands over a luncheon meeting on Thursday, with the regional outfit signalling to the MP that the party would welcome his return into the party with open arms.Click here.

Award to research children's rights in India
21 Feb: Innovations Report. Researchers from the University of Essex have won funding from a government initiative to promote research collaboration with India … The project, is being led by Dr Todd Landman from the Human Rights Centre and Professor Peter Ronald De Souza of the Centre for Developing Societies in Delhi. Project partners include the Children’s Legal Centre, Children’s Rights Goa, and the VM Salgoacar College of Law in Goa. 331 words. Click here.

UK: Advert: Business Opportunity: Holiday Ownership in Goa
16 Feb: Eastern Eye (UK). “We are looking for self-motivated sales people to bring a reputable Indian holiday product to the UK market … earn in excess of £50k per year”
[The contact details provided indicates that the advert is from Time Share Solutions Marketing Ltd, Northampton, UK, tssmarketing.com] Click here.

Goa: Moving Schools for the children of casual workers
	16 Feb: Borsen Weekend (Denmark). Anders Linnet and his wife Mette Lange founded the first Moving School in Goa along the banks of the Tiracol River, in 2001. Now there are seven schools which cater for the children of migrant labour in Goa. For photographs and text, 1329 words in Danish, click here. For the English version of the project see click here. The Moving Schools Project deserves support. However, enquiries have revealed that the casual workers in the area are loading barges with saline sand
which is being used by the construction industry in Goa. This sand tends to corrode the iron reinforced beams/columns and deteriorate the external finishes of buildings. Moreover the sand mining operations are not licensed but since this takes place on the banks of the Tiracol River which divides Goa and Maharashtra states neither government will take action believing it to be the responsibility of the other. There are also the environmental aspects to be considered.

Indian men also at receiving end in Canada
16 Feb: Express India. Men, who have been duped by their rich and powerful NRI wives, have found a kind ear in Bill Virgin, founder of the South Asian Welcome Centre in Brampton, Canada … Indian men, as well as women, are victims of domestic abuse in Canada … The centre helps new immigrants to settle down in Canada and get accustomed to the culture. The center also specializes in anger management. 376 words.Click here.

USA: Portland, OR: Theatre: "Goa: A Ghost Story"
16 Feb: The Oregonian. "Goa: A Ghost Story" Directed by Tony Sonera and written by Renee Chinquapin. Opens at 8 p.m. Friday and continues at 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Feb 16-Mar 3 at the Back Door Theater, 4321 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd.; $10. For details click here.
Synopsis: “Goa: A Ghost Story” is a play about Jonni, a kindly and hard-working hostel owner in Goa, India, trying to come to terms with the bizarre outlooks and behavior of backpackers from the West staying in his hostel. The play deals with the clash between East and West, between the permissive, alienated, “me-me-me” lifestyle of Westerners, and the more family-oriented, traditional Indian outlook on life. Jonni may be forced to tolerate repugnant western ways in order to feed his family, but in the end it is his Indian wisdom that triumphs.
For a photograph and review of the production click here.
[I asked Renee Chinqaupin if the script is available for purchase and received the full text as an attachment. I can forward it to any one interested - the file size is 150 KB. Renee, bones@tabukitheatre.org writes: "Feel free to ask any questions you may have. I don't want any royalties for producing the play, just to be informed and sign a contract that no changes will be made without my permission."]

UK: Minorities feel more British than whites: Study
18 Feb: NDTV. A study by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) quotes research finding that 51 per cent of ethnic minority Britons describe themselves as British, compared with 29 per cent of whites … NRI writer and comedian Meera Syal argues that British identity is "in crisis." Syal calls herself British-Indian. She says that English-Indian just does not work and the term British Asian has been around for a long time. "I think blacks and Asians prefer 'British' because we all have a dual identity." 433 words. Click here.

Apache Indian: The Boom Shack man
19 Feb: Express India. Apache Indian is back in the country of his origin and all set to release his fourth album here, Sadhu- The Movement … He is all set to move back here, this time for good. “I’ve bought a place in Goa and will be moving there.”, admits the musician, who has released nine albums worldwide … The first generation of his family to be born and brought up in Birmingham, Steven “Apache” Kapur feels that racism is still an issue for Indians … He is working on setting up a music camp in Goa that will help raise money for charity. 446 words. Click here.

UK: Catholics and Anglicans in reunion plan 19 Feb: The Times (UK). Radical proposals to reunite Anglicans with the Roman Catholic Church under the leadership of the Pope are to be published this year, The Times has learnt. The proposals have been agreed by senior bishops of both churches. In a 42-page statement prepared by an international commission of both churches, Anglicans and Roman Catholics are urged to explore how they might reunite under the Pope. The statement, leaked to The Times, is being considered by the Vatican, where Catholic bishops are preparing a formal response. 996 words. Click here. UK: Anglicans and Catholics: United, almost 20 Feb: Catholic World News. It didn't take long to see the headline was bogus. Churches Back Plan to Unite under Pope brayed Monday's Times of London. Perhaps understandably (given her dual loyalty as journalist and Rowan Williams-fan), reporter Ruth Gledhill plays the story as a potential breakthrough in Anglican-Catholic relations. Certainly the headline must have caused many an Ulsterman to choke on his morning egg. click here.

Mumbai: 84-yr-old woman gets back home after 35 yrs in court
21 Feb: Daily News & Analysis. Jullietta Antoinetta Torcato can finally move into her own flat. After spending 35 years of her life and almost Rs8 lakh in the fight to regain her Bandra home, the 84-year-old, living alone in the city, finally got justice yesterday. The Supreme Court ordered her tenant, Suleiman Ishmael, to vacate the flat that he has been occupying since 1972. Photo and text, 455 words,.Click here.

Foreign couples are seeking out India's bank of embryos to fulfil their dreams of parenthood
21 Feb: South China Morning Post (Hong Kong). India is already known as a centre for low-cost fertility treatment using the latest techniques. But embryo adoption is emerging as the preferred alternative to fertility treatment such as IVF, which can be an expensive and prolonged process for many would-be parents … Dr Pai is now treating so many foreign couples that he plans to open a clinic in Goa, so foreigners can have a holiday and get an embryo … 1649 words. Click here.

British Council: Scholarship for Goans
	22 Feb: The De Souza Trust, Goa Scholarship aims to provide opportunities for dynamic young men and women of Goan origin who have demonstrated academic excellence and extra-curricula achievements to study or train in the UK …
The scholarship covers full or part fees and a gratis student visa for the duration of the course in the UK … Last date of application: 31 May 2007. Details from andrea.dsouza@in.britishcouncil.org or Click here.

UK: Curry exclusives.
22 Feb: Caterer & Hotelkeeper (UK). The Authentic Food Company has joined forces with wholesale distributor 3663 to develop a new Premium Range of dishes from different regions of India that will be exclusive to 3663 for 12 months. The line-up includes … Prawn Balchao (with Goan spices, cumin, coriander, garlic). The line is available in six-pack cartons. To buy it, call 0870 366 3000 www.3663.co.uk

UK: Film: Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.
	23 Feb: Showing from 23 Feb: UK Cineworld chain. The cheerful and quirky comedy is woven around six newly married middle-class couples, a guide, a driver and a handyman riding in a bus from Mumbai to the beach paradise, Goa, on a package honeymoon tour. English subtitles. 120 min. The cast includes Shabana Azmi and Boman Irani (who plays the part of Oscar Fernandes). For a listing of cinemas showing this film click here.
For the website which includes synopsis, reviews, video trailer, etc click here. TV Programme on the making of the film will broadcast in the UK on Star Plus at 18:00 on Sat. 24 Feb

Primary education, including Catholic schooling in Goa, comes under much scrutiny, yet again, on Goanet. Some posters have been very critical about such provision and availability. A critical view has also been focused on higher education in Goa/India. Yet, in complete contrast, we learn about 8000 Indian professors, (with many illustrious names) enriching university campuses in the USA.

There has been much news about Carnival in Goa. Not only has this been about the presentation of decorous floats in procession, a discussion about the commercialisation of Carnival, but also, a historical account of the Carnival tradition going back to Egyptian, Greek and Roman times.

Chess seems to be gaining in popularity among the young in Goa. The All Goa Under 11 Selection Tournament, in association with the Goa Chess Association, is discussed at some length on Goanet.

For those who are particularly religious, they will find an article titled Ash Wednesday Reflections by Jude, interesting from a theological and a philosophical perspective. The significance of fasting is explored and also, whether Lent is an anachronism in today's world of fun and pleasure. The article pertinently asks "Why practise mortification and sacrifice in our well-supplied, consumer-oriented society?"

Intense views about religion are never far from Catholic Goans. Among several on Goanet are those from Gllenda, Ana Maria, Albert and a fairly intellectual perspective has been offered by Kevin Saldanha, titled Religious Competitions. This has been presented with excellent references to pertinent websites.

For those keen to find out as much as possible about their roots, a detailed article titled Citizen's Charter for the Directorate of Archives and Archaeology (Goa), is very timely. It provides ever so much detail about the availability of these archives going back to 1498. The range of services currently available (close to Panjim) are indicated and which will be of much value to scholars as well as to members of the general public.

Finally, we could perhaps reflect on the social capital constantly accumulating within Goanet and the Goan Voice (UK). With this in mind, it would be nice to receive observations and comments on them from an extensive readership of thousands across the world.

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