COMMUNITY NEWS

Maria Pereira: Mystery over missing maid 6 Jan: Gulf Daily News. Senior officers investigating the Maria Pereira case met to discuss how to proceed with the search. Detective inspector Chris Biddle said, "It appears she met someone from the church and has gone away with them. We don't know if she is in the UK or if she has gone to India. We think she is safe and well but until we have located her we are going to keep the investigation running." He urged anyone who knows of her whereabouts to contact them so they can call off the search. … It was previously thought Ms Pereira may have made her way back to Bahrain or her native Goa. 354 words.Click here. CCTV released in hunt for Maria Pereira Click to enlarge 9 Jan: Oxford Times. Police have released CCTV images of Maria Pereira who was last seen at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Henley on Sunday, December 3. The images show her waiting at the church at about 10.30am carrying baggage and meeting a man with whom police believe she leaves. He was dressed in a white tracksuit with a red-lined hood and white trainers, was of Asian appearance, in his early 20s and slim … Anyone with information can contact Acting Det Insp Biddle on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 55511. 348 words. Click here.

Tony Fernandes Launches Air Asia X
6 Jan: Daily Mail (UK). British Airways faces a new challenge from low-cost competitors spread to the Far East, as Malaysian tycoon Tony Fernandes launched his no-frills long-haul airline, Air Asia X. Amid talk that its first fares to the UK could be as low as £1.46, Air Asia said it is buying 100 A320 planes from Airbus and might double the order … Fernandes said: 'Within seven years, I am convinced we will be the largest airline in the world, with 50m passengers a year'.

Swindon: Edwin Fernandes: widow's £30k bill
7 Jan: The Sunday Mirror. A widow whose husband was killed by a hit-and-run driver in America received a £30,000 hospital bill on the day of his funeral. Dad-of-one Edwin Fernandes, 33, a chef, was left for dead with a crushed skull when hit by a jeep in Florida. He was kept alive on a life support machine for three days until it was switched off. Paula, 32, of Swindon, Wilts, was too distressed to talk but her brother-in-law Mariano Braganza said: "She is practically penniless. I don't know how she'll find this money.” An inquest into his death was opened and adjourned to a later date in Salisbury, Wilts. Click here.
From Herald (Goa) 20 Dec 2006: Former Salgaocar Sports Club defender Edwin Fernandes (32) died tragically after being hit by a vehicle. Edwin - who migrated to London in 2001 - was reportedly on a month-long holiday in Florida.

Portuguese Goans emigrate to England
7 Jan: Diário Digital. Many of the Goans resident in Portugal are emigrating to England but in spite of the change of country they continue to feel Portuguese … Susana Pereira Bastos, coordinator do Centro de Estudos das Migrações e das Minorias Étnicas of Universidade Nova de Lisboa said that thousands of Goans had left Portugal to work in England and they included the “elite” Goans … The Indian Embassy estimates that there 60,000 Indians living in Portugal, including 7,000 Indian nationals. According to the secretary-general of Casa de Goa, José Maria Furtado, there are about 10,000 Goans living in Portugal. The Goans and Gujaratis are well-integrated in Portugal … 568 words. Click here.

UK: Anthony D'Souza: 'Stupid' dentist still not safe
9 Jan: Croydon Advertiser. Anthony D'Souza of Arcades Dental Surgery in Parchmore Road, Thornton Heath,who over charged his patients by hundreds of pounds and even claimed money for work he had never done was warned he still risks being dumped out of the profession. He was given a further 12 months to address continuing problems but was allowed to keep working as a dentist. 184 words. Click here.

UK Indians oppose new immigration rules
11 Jan: Hindustan Times. The opposition Conservative party has extended its support to the ongoing campaign to reverse recent changes to immigration rules that have adversely affected thousands of highly skilled migrants, many of them from India. Click here.

Father Raymond J. De Souza: India - Land of Reason, Land of Faith
14-20 Jan: National Catholic Register. Father de Souza was in India for the installation of the Mumbai Archbishop Oswald Gracias. He reports his reflections from his first visit to Mumbai and Goa, his ancestral homeland. 1092 words. Click here.
[For a photograph and brief bio check out the Photo Gallery on this page.]

DEATHS

6 Jan: Cavelossim, Goa. PROF XAVIER ESTEVAO DE SOUZA (ex-Nairobi). Husband of Emilia. Father of Malini/Aires, Franklin/Lavita (Nairobi), Belinda/Errol (Mississauga, Canada), Rabin (Mississauga) and Pramila (London). Grandfather of Sonia, Melissa, Dillon, Darion and Isabel.

4 Jan: ROLAND ANTHONY FIGUEIREDO. (ex-Kampala, aged 72). Devoted husband of Regina. Much loved father of Douglas and Cheryl. Grandfather of Sophia and Henry. Brother to Orlando, Oliver and Pam. Funeral service at St Matthews Church, 32 Hallowell Road, Northwood, Middlesex, HA6 1DW at 10 am, Mon 15 Jan. All welcome. Family flowers only. Donations if desired to Don Bosco's Madonna c/o E Spark Ltd, 104 Pinner Road, Northwood, Middlesex, HA6 1BS. Condolence to douglas_351@hotmail.com

4 Jan: Oakville, Canada. ARTHUR (ART) LOBO. (aged 63, Ex-Uganda & Kenya). Husband of Rita. Father of Ian and Colin. Son of Clara and the late Damiao Francisco (Michael) Lobo. Brother of Merle (Terry Francis), Freda (Trevor) Tyrone (Marsha) and Christopher-John (Amy). Passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer. Art lived in Uganda in his childhood and youth and later in Kenya. He retired from Bell Canada after 29 years of service. [Info from Roland Francis via GoaNet].

4 Jan: Assolna, Goa. ORLANDO CRISTO DE ALMEIDA (ex-London). Husband of Levita Lourenco. Father/ of Marieta, Mervyn/Yvonne, Morgan/Rhona, Manfred/Judith. Funeral mass on 7 Jan at 4 pm at St. John the Baptist Church, Benaulim, Goa.

4 Jan: Mapusa, Goa. ASSUMÇÃO FILOMENA DE SOUZA E NUNES. (born 1933. ex-Mombasa). Wife of late Timoteo Nunes. Beloved Mother of Violet and Denis.

Dubai, UAE. AGNELO DeSOUZA (Ex- Daresalaam). Husband of Cecilia (nee Antao ex-Zanzibar). Father of Alvin DeSouza (Dubai). Funeral was on 8 Jan. [Info from Brendan Abreu via goans_tanzanite].

Margao: ANA MARIA JOSEFA SILVEIRA E BARRETO. Wife of late Gregorio Constancio. Mother of Rosario, Ignatius/Emilia Barreto, Milagrina/Helario Fernandes (London), Joaquina/Jose Mario Vas.

GLOBAL GOANS CONVENTION 2007

Save Goa Front Convenor barred from Global Goans Convention
4 Jan: Save Goa Front Convenor Aires Rodrigues was today restrained from attending the proceedings of the second day of the Global Goans Convention. Anticipating that Aires Rodrigues would raise the issue of the Goa Regional Plan 2011, Commissioner of NRI Eduardo Faleiro summoned the police to arrest him. A police posse rushed to the venue of the Convention and requested Adv. Rodrigues who was a registered delegate to leave. After receiving a refund of the delegate fee Adv. Rodrigues left the venue escorted by the police. It may be recalled that some delegates walked out of the convention yesterday in protest against Eduardo Faleiro’s decision not to allow any discussion on the Regional plan.

Eduardo Faleiro bans journalists
5 Jan: Herald. Was the Government trying to suppress the voice of NRGs attending the three-day Global Goans’ convention 2007? … members of the media, surprisingly, were not allowed to attend the session. … 297 words. Click here.

Global Goans Convention: Government to allay NRGs’ fears
6 Jan: Herald. For NRGs and people of Goan origin attending the third and final day of the Global Goans’ convention, their Goan identity seemed to be close to their hearts. More than 100 NRGs attended the convention. 358 words.Click here.

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THE GREAT GOA LAND GRAB

Video Clips: NDTV: Frankey Fernandes Presents
	8 Jan: NDTV Video Clip. 8 minutes. For a free one minute preview click here. 9 Jan: 01:30, 12:30 or 21:30 IST (6:00 or 16:00 GMT). 30 minutes NDTV special on the Goa Regional Plan 2011. You can watch a recording of this programme at http://www.ndtv.com/. Subscribe to the Webcast service for $5.60 p.m. £56 p.a. – PayPal accepted

Video Clip: Development debate: Goans back growth amid controversy
9 Jan: NDTV. While no one wants Goa to develop at the cost of its environment, few would deny that Goa does need to grow and expand. But there are worries that in the urgency to save Goa it won't grow. Click here.

Video Clip: Strong nexus behind Goa land scam
9 Jan: NDTV. The shock resignation of Goa's Minister for Town and Planning, Babush Monserrat, was largely blamed for the land mess in the state. But many say that it's wrong to pinpoint Goa's real estate crisis on one man and that land corruption in Goa involves a much wider nexus of political and big interests that reaches the very top levels of the political system. Click here.
Join the Save Goa Campaign by signing up at their website: www.savegoa.com

Problems in Paradise. By Maria Aurora Couto
11 Jan: The Hindu. The Goan way of life and the State's environment are under threat from unchecked and unplanned `development.' On Dec. 18, 2006, the eve of the 45th anniversary of Goa's Liberation, more than 10,000 Goans gathered at the Azad Maidan in Panaji in a powerful and spontaneous protest. They were contesting a Regional Plan that has allowed builders to terrorise villagers and flatten hills for construction with impunity, empowered by a system of wilful and covert collusion with those in power, be they politicians or officials 1065 words. Click here.

GOA NEWS HEADLINES

‘Outsourcing’- Goa Style. By Peter De Souza & Preetu Nair
5 Jan: Gomantak Times. “We looks into the whole business of drug ‘outsourcing’ an investigates the entire modus operandi of Goa drug lords who use ‘carbonised’ suitcases and minor drug carriers to export the stuff out of Goa. Pressure to sell drugs outside has increased following a major crackdown on rave parties and drug syndicated in the state.” 2,011 words. Click here.

Goa: Cardiology Hospital Project
6 Jan: Navhind Times. Dr Fazal Shwal, the director of interventional cardiology at Washington Adventist Hospital in Takoma Park and a clinical professor at George Washington Univerisity Medical School in Washington, plans to set up a Spa hotel-cum-hospital in Goa, where he wants to treat 30 per cent of Goan patients free of charge. Dr Shwal works on the heart and arteries without open-heart surgery and only with a minimum of bodily invasion. He has performed about 15,000 of these procedures. 760 words. Click here.

The Invasion of Goa, Daman & Diu was Illegal and illegitimate
7 Jan: Portugal Diário. General Carlos Azeredo considers the attack by the Indian troops of the Portuguese territories in 1961 as an attack on Human Rights. He was in Goa when 50,000 Indian troops invaded Goa on the night of 17 Dec. 1961. Less than two days later the Portuguese accepted a ceasefire but did not recognise he conquest till 25 April 1974. 680 words. Click here.

What remains of Portugal in Goa

7 Jan: Portugal Diário. The few remaining Portuguese speakers in Goa celebrate a weekly mass in Portuguese … Nalini Sousa, 33, was born and grew up in Lisbon and came to Goa in 1998 to marry a Goan. Now she teaches Portuguese to adults … The Government has changed the names of some streets … The television series Contacto Goa will be transmitted for the second time by RTP International in February … while cricket has a following, soccer is king in Goa. 531 words. Click here.

British business group to be set up in Goa
7 Jan: The Hindu. Britain is looking to enhance its focus on Goa by setting up a British Business Group targeted at Goa on the lines of those existing in Mumbai, Pune and Gujarat. Click here.

IT Park to be developed in Goa
9 Jan: Moneycontrol.com. Unity Infraprojects Ltd in joint venture with BSEL Infrastructure Realty Ltd has bagged a contract worth Rs. 250 crore at Rajiv Gandhi IT Habitat, Dona Paula, Goa for construction of IT Parks. The land space allotted is 40,000 sq. meters … "With lower property rates, Goa is emerging as a new hotspot on Indian Property market. With higher employment rates and attractive pay packages IT/ITES sector also spawns a thriving residential market in Goa", said Mr. Avarsekar, Unity Infraprojects Limited. Click here.

Goans prefer to be visited by Pinto de Costa than Cavaco Silva
9 Jan: Infordesporto. O principal responsável pela casa do FC Porto em Goa, a primeira de um clube português na Índia, disse hoje à Agência Lusa que os goeses preferiam ser visitados por Pinto da Costa doque pelo Presidente da República, Cavaco Silva. Click here.

BJP MLA Azgaonkar joins Cong, gets ministerial berth
9 Jan: Navhind Times. Bharatiya Janata Party MLA from Dhargalim, Mr Manohar Azgaonkar, who resigned from his assembly seat early this morning, was today inducted as a minister in the state cabinet headed by Mr Pratapsingh Rane. Click here.

Former MLA flings cow dung on Goa Chief Minister
10 Jan: Daily News & Analysis. Queer as it could be, Goa chief minister Pratapsingh Rane today had his face smudged with cow dung by former MLA and tourism minister Dilkhush Desai at the annual Legislators’ Day function at the Assembly complex in Porvorim. 392 words. Click here.

Cuncolim: A Picture of Communal Harmony
11 Jan: Ohmy News (Korea). Armstrong Vaz (armie). Christians in this Indian village still frequent Hindu temples. 644 words. Click here.

IN THE NEWS

Montreal: Captain, Oswald Pascal Saldanha Wins Gold-headed Cane

2 Jan: Montreal Gazette. The Glory, captained by Oswald Pascal Saldanha, 38, crossed into the Port of Montreal at 13 minutes after midnight yesterday, becoming the first ship of 2007 to enter the harbour. Tomorrow Saldanha will be presented with the ceremonial gold-headed cane, worth $3,500. This was Saldhana’s first voyage with the rank of captain: he was promoted from chief officer Dec. 21 – the same day the ship left Lisbon. “I’m very happy,” said Saldanha. The 26-man crew is from India. Click here.

Youngsters change life with India work
4 Jan: Suffolk Evening Star (Ipswich, UK). Jake Kennard, 19, a Suffolk teenager with behavioural problems is today working with street children in Goa in a project which has “changed his life”. Jake, of Felixstowe, has Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and is working with a charity called Children Walking Tall which is based in Mapusa in Goa. 530 words. Click here.

Clinton, Maryland: Goa Palace Indian Restaurant
4 Jan: Maryland Gazette … Since arriving from Goa ten years ago, co-owners Mateus Gonsalves and Francis Monteiro, who also serves as the chef, have worked in Indian restaurants honing their skills and noting what patrons like best in their dining experience. Prices are reasonable and the portions are generous. Gonsalves says what sets their cuisine apart from other Indian restaurants is the inclusion of Goan-style dishes. “Our food offers customers a chance to experience Goan-style spices and coconut milk-based dishes.” 8319 Old Branch Ave., Clinton; 301-856-5743. Click here.

Video Clip: Goan Tourists attacked in Agra
	4 Jan: CNN-IBN. Samajwadi Party workers on Thursday attacked a tourist bus in Agra while protesting against the execution of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. The workers threw stones at the bus thinking it was carrying foreign tourists but inside were Indians from Goa who had come to visit the Taj Mahal. Click here.

Online coverage of Portuguese President’s visit to Goa
5 Jan: Correio da Manhã. The State visit of Cavaco Silva to India will take place from 10 to 17 Jan and will be covered with text, photos and videos at www.presidencia.pt The President will visit New Delhi, Goa, Mumbai and Bangalore. Click here.

Relocate to Goa
5 Jan: Daily Express (UK). Why Natalie Matos and Marc Clayton left Brighton to live and work next to the glorious sands of Goa … the internet allowed Marc to work for British wages while living cheaply in India … Natalie became so busy she had to employ two other reiki teachers and a masseuse to meet demand. The centre now includes residential holidays to study yoga, reiki, massage, reflexology and music workshops … “We have a great quality of life … Our experiences have taught us that if you go for things and stick with them, you can make your dreams come true.” Photo and text, 883 words. Click here.

Singapore: Spice Junction dishes out the unique, fresh flavours of Goa
6 Jan: Today (Singapore) … Until the end of this month, you'll get to sample 10 speciality dishes from the Goan Fiesta menu, which was planned by the restaurant's chief chef Jaison who fell in love with Goan cuisine during a working stint in Goa. 819 words. Click here.

Bollywood films to be shot in Lisbon
6 Jan: Diário Digital. Bollywood films are to be shot in Lisbon and other exotic Portuguese locations and this will attract more Indian tourists to Portugal. Click here.

My paradise lost? By Rosie Waterhouse
7 Jan: Mail on Sunday (UK). An estimated 5,000 foreigners own homes in Goa, on India’s west coast, of which 3,000 are British … The exotic climate, slow pace of life, cheap cost of living and welcoming people of Goa seem irresistible … The backlash appears to have started last May with agitation about the colonialist British ‘invading’ and buying properties, forcing up prices and spoiling the scenery and culture … We can only hope the politicians remember that Goa is dependent on tourism for its prosperity. As one anxious owner said: ‘Do they really want to kill the goose that laid the golden egg?’ 879 words. Click here.
For the May 2005 account of Rosie Waterhouse's property purchase click here.

Uganda: The Butcher Amin. By Yasmin Alibhai - Brown
8 Jan: The Evening Standard (London). We all said it was paradise. Uganda was exquisite and green when I grew up there in the Fifties. There was a racial hierarchy -- whites at the top, Asians in the middle, and black Africans at the bottom … The man who shattered that world was Field Marshal Dr Idi Amin Dada, VC, DSO, MC, His Excellency President for Life of Uganda, Conqueror of the British Empire in Africa and, inexplicably, self-crowned Last King of Scotland. 1833 words. Click here.

Snakes on a plane, literally!
10 Jan: 7 Deays (UAE). Airport security is big business these days … “I remember once on a flight from Goa to Europe there was a real, live snake found onboard. The man who brought it on the plane somehow disguised it at security as a belt, and managed to get his pet snake onboard. “It escaped his waist on the plane and was found wriggling around the overhead compartments in first class. The plane had to be diverted to land as quickly as possible.” Click here.

Indian bishops resolve to empower laity as collaborators in church affairs
10 Jan: Catholic Online. India's Latin-rite bishops have resolved to make laity competent and responsible collaborators in affairs of the church and the nation. 649 words. Click here.

Home from home in the office sanctuary
10 Jan: Birmingham Post. Desirable Desks: They don't come much smaller than an elegant and compact antique Indian Writing Bureau from Goa, India. It has a hinged lid, two drawers and is £260 from Artasia. Click here.

The Portuguese presence in India.
10 Jan: Publico (Portugal). Text in Portuguese. 1,964 words. Click here.

Our split economy has squeezed out Bermudians
10 Jan: Bermuda Sun. … Bermuda is divided very clearly, along racial lines … the lower layer is filled by workers from low income countries … A skilled Goan working in Goa can expect to earn about $200 a month ($46 a week). A Goan working as a landscaper or chef in Bermuda can expect to send home $100 to $200 a WEEK. This lower section, Goans, Filipinos, Eastern Europeans, are working in an economy where wage rates are compared to wage rates in their lower income countries … These workers spend very little in Bermuda's retail sector. Click here.

Visit of the Portuguse President to Goa 13-14 Jan.
For instant details of the Portuguese President’s visit to Goa, 13-14 Jan: Photos, Video clips, Programme, Press reports etc. see the English version at Click here.

THE STEPHEN BENNETT MURDER

Video Clip: Mystery shrouds British national's murder
5 Jan: NDTV. Bennett’s family believe that clues to the murder are in Goa … Click here.

Stephen Bennett: Idyllic village 'key to murder'
5 Jan: BBC News. Mystery surrounds how traveller Stephen Bennett came to be found hanging from a tree in an Indian jungle.
688 words. Click here.

Video Clip: Stephen Bennett Murder
6 Jan: Channel 4 News (UK). A terrified son's final call home from India - how Stephen Bennett knew he was in danger days before his body was found. 4m:03s. Click here.'Killer's wife' denies hanged holidaymaker molested her
7 Jan: Mail on Sunday. … Nirmala has denied Bennett tried to sexually assault her and said she had never seen him before his body was found. 2671 words. Click here.

Indian police say murdered British tourist 'took drugs'
8 Jan: Daily Mail: Dramatic new eyewitness reports of the final journey across India of doomed British tourist Stephen Bennett have strengthened suspicions that drugs may have been a factor in his mysterious murder in a remote village. Click here.

Keith Vaz Offers Support to Distraught Parents

10 Jan: Western Daily Press. The parents of Stephen Bennett, who was murdered in India, have been backed by MPs, police and human rights organisations as they vow to fight for justice … Yesterday Carol Bennett said he hoped Mr Vaz could arrange a meeting with the Indian High Commissioner in London before the family flew out to India after their son's funeral next week … Mr Vaz said: "I am happy to help the Bennett family, at their request, during this difficult time." 549 words. Click here.

Police and family at odds over murdered Briton
11 Jan: The Telegraph. Indian police believe they are close to solving the murder of the British tourist Stephen Bennett whose badly beaten body was found hanging from a mango tree in a village last month. Click here.

RECENT ITEMS OF PARTICULAR INTEREST ON GOANET. BY CORNEL DACOSTA

UK: TV & RADIO HIGHLIGHTS By Lira Fernandes

Documentary: Race. BBC2
Fri 12 Jan. 02:00-04:00. Two programmes looking at racism and immigration.

Cookery: The Hi Lo Club: UKTV Bright Ideas
Fri 12 Jan. 13:30 to 14:00. Try out Silvana's Asian menu. Mouthwatering dishes include prawn and ginger cakes, and vanilla and cardamom rice pudding.

A World in Your Ear. BBC Radio 4
Sat 13 Jan. 17:30 to 17:54. Commercial and Community radio stations in India.

Travel: Panasia: Travel Channel
Sun 14 Jan. 14:30 to 15:00. Macau … We dine on a summer delicacy, Pork Minchi, a dish that typifies Macau's multicultural nature …

Documentary: Sunday Feature. BBC Radio 3
Sun14 Jan. 21:30 to 22:15. Pigment Envy: Harry Allen expounds his theories on racism

Documentary: Undercover Mosque. Channel 4
15 Jan. 20.00-21.00. An undercover reporter observes the preaching of segregation and extremism in several mosques which are run by organisations that claim to advocate moderation.

Film: Teen Kanya (Three Daughters). Artsworld
Tue 16 Jan. 22.00-23.55. Bengali film by Satyajit Ray, based on short stories by Rabindranath Tagore.

FORTHCOMING

See http://www.lanfranc.com/lanfranc_location_2000.pdf for help in locating Archbishop Lanfranc School, Croydon

Sun. 18 Feb. Viva Goa Entertainment presents Traditional RED & BLACK evening in West London - Old Actonian Assc. Sports Club, opp. Gunersbury Park, Ealing, W5 4LL. Music by – “LEVEL 4” and "CHICO" one man band, Doors open 2.30 onwards. Early bird 2 tickets @£18.00 ends 20th Jan 2007.Thereafter £10/adults & £3/child. Contact Francis/Norman on 0208 932 9375/ 07957206169/ 0208 647 1887.

FOR LATER EVENTS SEE http://www.goanvoice.org.uk/