Goan Voice UK: Newsletter.Issue 2007-26. Jun. 28, 2007

UK: Dr Beverley Almeida: We've been Offered Posts Miles Apart
18 Jun: The Evening Standard (London). Dr Philip Smith and his fiancée have both been offered jobs - but in different parts of the country. Dr Smith, 25, and Dr Beverley Almeida, 26, have lived together for seven years after meeting at medical school and have just bought a house in Hackney. But while he secured a job in London, she missed out and was offered one in Oxfordshire instead that could last seven years. Dr Smith said: 'I know we are lucky, but it's hard to feel like that when you face being apart from the person you plan to marry.' … Dr Smith heckled Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt live on the BBC's Question Time 229 words.

Dr Ivan D'Souza: Lawyer takes issue with new complaint
20 June: Buffalo News. The attorney for Dr. Ivan D'Souza took issue Tuesday with the latest complaint lodged against the obstetrician and gynecologist, questioning the woman's credibility but refusing to go into further detail. Anthony J. Lana also confirmed that D'Souza, 53, of Nottingham Terrace, Buffalo, was released on his own recognizance Friday following his arraignment. 211 words. Click here.

Knifeman who threatened woman is jailed
21 Jun: Aberdeen Press & Journal. Laura D'Silva was threatened with a knife in front of her 21-month-old daughter by a colleague of her husband. Mr D’Silva worked as a waiter at an Aberdeen hotel with Syed Ali and offered him a room in their house when he had nowhere to stay. But Ali turned on the 22-year-old woman when she was going to give him a lift to a nearby bus stop and demanded her car. Ali, 30, was jailed for 20 months yesterday at Aberdeen Sheriff Court for the assault. 347 words. Click here.

UK: Janet D'Sa: Case is adjourned again
22 Jun: Croydon Advertiser. Janet D'Sa due to be sentenced for harassing a string of acquaintances has had her case adjourned again. She was due to face sentencing at Croydon Magistrates' Court on Tuesday after the previous hearing was adjourned for psychiatric reports. These have been completed, but the magistrate wanted to take more time to see what options were open to him in dealing with D'Sa. D'Sa, of Tavistock Road, Croydon, confirmed that her solicitors had withdrawn their support for her and said that she has new legal representation. Sentencing will now take place on July 3. It is the third time that the case has been adjourned. 209 words. Click here.
For links to background to the case click here.

21 Jun: Brampton, Ont. Canada. BERTHA VAZ (aged 90). Relict of the late Joseph Vaz. Loving mother of Arthur (and Jennifer), Denis (and June), William (and Johanna), and Marian (and Donald). Proud grandmother of ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A viewing will be held at Ward Funeral Home, 52 Main St. S., Brampton, on Sun Jun 24 from 2 - 4 p.m. and from 7 - 9 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Anthony of Padua Parish, 940 North Park Dr., Brampton, on Mon Jun 25 at 10:30 a.m. with interment to follow at Assumption Cemetery.

21 Jun: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. TESSIE DE SOUZA (nee Lobo, ex-Tanga). Wife of the late Eddie (trumpeter) de Souza. Mother of Mark/Bernadette (Toronto), late Lorraine and late Michael. Sister of Wendy/Philip de Souza (Washington), Mary/Luis Pereira (Toronto), Annie/Vivian Texeira (London), "Shablo" Almeida (Goa), Alex/Guity (Toronto), Victor (Australia), late Dennis (Tanga), late George (Tanga), and late Jimmy (Tanga). Funeral on Tue June 26 in Dar es Salaam. Condolences to desouzab@cogeco.ca [Info from Fr Carl DeSouza]

20 Jun. Aldona, Goa. BEATRIZ QUITERIA LOBO E SOARES (born 1907). Relict of Joao Damasceno. Mother of late Capt Rui/Merlyn, John Damascene/Amelia Alvares. Grandmother of Capt Karl/Charlotte (Aus.), Dr Karina (USA), Dr Melina/Ajay Nagarajan (USA).

Goa Velha. ANTONIETA RODRIGUES. Wife of late Antonio Piedade. Mother of Sabina/Philip (UK), Melwin, Shallet/Seby (UK).

India with a Difference
23 Jun: The Sydney Morning Herald (Aus.). Goa has long been associated with hippie life and dropping out along its many stunning beaches, but the tiny Indian state can be the setting for a much more memorable holiday if you remain conscious throughout … Overseas Working Holidays, part of the Flight Centre group, last year introduced volunteering holidays to Goa, which have been popular. These placements, lasting between four and eight weeks, include teaching children under 10 maths, English and "creativity" (singing and playing games) in the south of Goa, working in childcare centres … Click here.

Sojourn in the paradise of sun
24 Jun: The Hindu. In Goa, life is one unending fiesta. Click here.

Top Ten Hottest Destinations For 2007
26 Jun: Marketwire. Gap year experts STA Travel today announce their top ten fastest growing destinations for 2007 … 1. Goa: Flights to Goa start from £499 return on Jet Airways for travellers under 26 and accommodation starts from £9.00 per person per night at the Colonia De Braganza. Click here.

We’re not letting Goa without a fight
27 Jun: 7 Days (UAE). A sting operation by an Indian television channel a few months ago showed how the Russian mafia has been gobbling up pristine land and running restaurants, which act as a cover for money laundering, prostitution and the control of the chartered tourism business … mafias have been scouting for safe havens … mafia interest in Goa will continue because of corrupt police and politicians. But unlike most tourists, Russian holidaymakers have earned a bad name for their rowdy behaviour … 531 words. Click here.

Video: Goa govt probes land mafia
22 Jun: CNN-IBN (India). A month after CNN-IBN special investigation revealed blatant misuse of the FDI route by Russian nationals to snap prime land in Goa, the state government has initiated an inquiry into all the deals that involve foreigners … Goa CM Digamber Kamat has asked Chief Secretary J P Singh to prepare a full status report. Singh, in turn, has asked a sub-committee of RBI officials and secretary level state officials to submit this report within ten days … Activists in Goa have welcomed this move. Oscar Rebello, who spearheaded the movement against sale of land to outsiders, says all violators should be booked. For text, 389 words, click here.
For a video clip, 1m 46s click here.

Goldshield Group PLC - Strategic Review
22 Jun: London Stock Exchange. Goldshield Group plc today announces that it has completed its strategic review … the Company will outsource the development of the Wellbeing Healthcare villages and resort in Goa … Goldshield will agree to occupy at least 110 seats at Goldshield Business Solutions Private Limited’s call centre at Verna, Goa … the Company has also agreed to enter into a joint venture with Ajit Patel to develop care villages on the Guirdolim and Camurlin sites in Goa, or, if the Board decides to sell these sites, a right of first refusal for Ajit Patel to acquire them at market value … 2244 words. Click here.
For details of the Goldshield Goa plans see pages 7-8 of the link click here.

FII money in real estate may face 3-yr lock-in
25 Jun: PTI. The Finance Ministry has proposed a three year lock-in for investments made by foreign institutional investors (FIIs) in real estate firms to check speculation in the booming sector. 456 words. Click here.

India boomtime
28 Jun: The Telegraph (UK). Following a decade of stagnation, the Indian property market is enjoying an unprecedented boom, says International real estate developer Profile, which is launching Cape Corinth, in Goa and two projects in Maharashtra. Profile is offering a rental guarantee scheme of seven per cent annual return for the first five years. Prices start with £35,000 at Cape Corinth. Contact 0800 731 4798 www.profile.ae For text of article click here.

JP Morgan may put $100 m in Prestige Group
28 Jun: The Economic Times. JP Morgan's real estate arm is in talks with Prestige Group to infuse close to $100 million in the company, sources said … In the pipeline are the company's plans to develop a mall in Hyderabad, a residential development in Kochi, a technology park in Chennai and villas in Goa. The Group's existing land bank in south India is reportedly over 500 acres.

From Hospitality to Hostility?
22 Jun: Goa Plus. By Christina Viegas. Is the world-renowned Goan hospitality on the decline or does it just exist superficially? Of late, one constantly hears of Goans living in a close-knit community, seemingly detached and devoid of any emotional or social involvement with the others around … Says Alirio Saldanha, "Even if they don’t candidly say so, Goans subconsciously do have this ’superior race’ complex." Maria C. Viegas, hotelier says, "I definitely agree that Goans cannot bear the success of another but it’s not just the non-Goans, they tend to run down their fellow Goans too…” Click here.

Goa ranked third of Indian emerging growth centres
22 Jun: Financial Express (India). Knight Frank, a world renowned, UK based global property consultancy has carried out a study of 15 emerging growth centres in India. Goa and Kochi are ranked third with Chandigarh first and Nagpur second. Chandigarh is ranked highest in terms of real estate, physical infrastructure and business environment parameters … 194 words. Click here.

Scientists worried about overexploitation of fisheries in Goa
23 Jun: PTI. Scientists from the Goa-based National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) have expressed concern over implications resulting from the overexploitation of fishery resources on Goan seas on it's economy in the future. 216 words. Click here.

Rains lash AP, Goa, Kerala, claim 70 lives
24 Jun: Zee News. Incessant rains and strong winds wreaked havoc in Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Goa and parts of Maharashtra, claiming 70 lives and prompting authorities to evacuate thousands of people even as the army joined rescue operations in worst-hit Kurnool district. Click here.

International drug racket busted, three held
24 Jun: Times of India. The city police on Saturday claimed to have busted an international drug racket operating from Goa by arresting three people and seized over one kg of cocaine … 259 words. Click here.

Monsoon mania grips Goans
24 Jun: PTI. Hundreds of people jumped into rivers, ponds and wells amidst incessant rains in Goa to celebrate traditional `Sao Joao' festival today. A rain festival, celebrated as the feast of John the Baptist, is a legacy left over by Portuguese rule … Wearing traditional headgear made up of flowers and leaves, the people celebrate monsoons in this picturesque tourist state. Siolim, a village about 25 kms from here, is one amongst the many villages, which celebrate the feast with much traditional fervour. Click here.
For the Sao Joao photo gallery click here.

Rains, gusty winds paralyse life in Goa
24 June: Navhind Times. Incessant rains accompanied by gusty winds paralysed the public life in Goa with large number of incidents relating to uprooting of tress and waterlogging taking place all around the state, accompanied by major failures in power and water supplies in many localities. Click here.

The Ugly Face of Our Beautiful Goa. By Nandkumar Kamat
25 Jun: Navhind Times. A few months back people in a heavily populated area in Porvorim experienced a peculiar stink … the source was traced to corpse of an unidentified person found a few metres from a busy road that had gone unnoticed for a month despite the stink. Goa, despite its’ tall claims of high human developmental indicators, physical development and social security net is increasingly becoming an ugly place to live in. As compared to all other areas of the health sector, the government is spending very little on control of alcoholism, social psychiatry and crime prevention. 1,119 words. Click here.

Radio Indigo to launch in Goa on 28 June
27 Jun: Indiantelevision.com. Radio Indigo 91.9 FM will hit the shores of Goa on 28 June. And it will kick off with the ‘Big Breakfast’ show at 7 am … Station head Jeffrey Manuel said, "Radio Indigo will be Goa's true identity – cosmopolitan, vibrant, fresh, energetic and non-conformist." 348 words. Click here.

Goa has best social infrastructure: Study
28 Jun: Times of India. A study of India’s emerging growth centres rates Goa the highest in terms of social infrastructure — which includes cost of living, presence of quality educational institutions and entertainment avenues. The state’s residential property is expected to continue its upward trend with an increasing number of high net worth individuals expressing interest in sea-facing villas and apartments. Click here.

Famed Goa beaches under threat from rains, reckless construction
28 Jun: EarthTimes. The world-famous beaches in India's south-western state of Goa are facing a battle for survival following incursions by the sea amid heavy monsoon rains and human activities, a newspaper report said Thursday. Torrential showers lashing the state for the past week have seen several beaches disappear underwater for the first time in history, the Indian Express daily reported. 307 words. http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/77260.html

8 more ministers inducted in Goa Cabinet
25 Jun: Times of India. Goa Chief Minister Digamber Kamat on Monday inducted eight more ministers in his cabinet, ensuring equal representation to all the alliance partners … Congress legislators Dayanand Narvekar, Filip Neri Rodrigues, Joaquim Alemao, Manohar Azgaonkar, Pandurang Madkaikar and Aleixo Sequeira were sworn in along with NCP legislator Francisco Alias Micky Pacheco and an independent Vishwajeet Rane … In the first phase, Kamat had inducted Ravi Naik (Congress), Ramakrishna Alias Sudin Dhavalikar (MGP) and Jose Philip D'Souza (NCP). Click here.

Goa MLA fasts in protest. By Pamela D’Mello
26 Jun: Asian Age. Aggrieved over being denied a Cabinet berth, Goa’s only woman MLA in the House, Victoria Fernandes on Monday began a "fast unto death" in protest … She said that she was entitled to better treatment, being a senior woman MLA, former tourism minister and Deputy Speaker … 327 words. Click here.

Goa legislator on fast hospitalised
27 Jun: Asian Age. Goa’s ailing Congress woman MLA Victoria Fernandes, who began a hunger strike to demand a ministerial berth, was admitted to a private hospital in the presence of chief minister Digamber Kamat. 265 words. Click here.

Goa MLAs squabble for ministerial pie
27 Jun: Deccan Herald. After the delayed Cabinet expansion, Goa’s new Chief Minister Digamber Kamat was back in Delhi on Tuesday to consult with Congress leaders on portfolios to the new ministers. This is Mr Kamat’s third trip to Delhi in the fortnight since he assumed the reins of power, and the dithering has done little to instill public confidence in the new coalition government. “The impression going out is that Goa is ruled by Delhi,” an irate citizen said. 244 words. Click here.

Goa: 73-yr-old MLA on fast put on drip
28 Jun: Asian Age. The 73-year-old woman MLA on a "fast until death" to demand a Cabinet berth in the Goa government has been put on drip in the intensive care section of a private hospital. Supporters and family of Santacruz MLA Victoria Fernandes were huddled on Wednesday evening in a meeting to decide on the course of their agitation. 190 words. Click here.

Goa: GM allocates portfolios to Ministers
28 Jun: Navhind Times. The suspense over the allocation of portfolios to the cabinet ministers ended after the Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat, allotted two departments each to his ministerial colleagues. He has kept with himself key departments of General Administration and Personnel, Industries, Education and Town and Country Planning. Other allocations:
Ravi Naik: Home
Dayanand Narvekar: finance Information Technology.
Jose Philip D’Souza: Revenue and Civil Supplies departments.
Ramkrishna Dhavlikar: Public Works dept and Science and Technology.
Joaquim Alemao: Urban Development and Fisheries.
Manohar Azgaonkar: Panchayat and Rural Development.
Aleixo Sequeira: Power and the Environment Department.
Filipe Neri Rodrigues: Water Resources and Forests.
Pandurang Madkaikar: Transport and Social Welfare.
Francisco Xavier Pacheco: Tourism and Housing.
Vishwajeet Rane: Health and Craftsmen Training.
486 words. Click here.

The new passage to India, business class
13 Jun: The Guardian (UK). Foreign executives pour in as salaries soar. Shortage of local talent for booming economy … Three years after rejecting the chance to work in India because the country was too poor and chaotic, Andrew Levermore, a retail executive who had worked in South Africa and Britain, was persuaded by a powerful Mumbai business family to set up India's first western-style hypermarket. http://www.guardian.co.uk/india/story/0,,2101541,00.html

UK: Ethnic minority jurors favour black defendants 'to level playing field'
13 Jun: The Guardian (UK). Black and ethnic minority jurors show more leniency to black defendants than their white counterparts in court, research commissioned by the Ministry of Justice revealed yesterday. The first study to look at how race affects verdicts in this country has found that black and minority ethnic (BME) jurors are "significantly less likely" to convict a black defendant than a white defendant on a non-race-related charge. And they are much more likely to convict white defendants than white jurors. http://www.guardian.co.uk/race/story/0,,2101628,00.html

Profile: Anju Timblo, managing director of Cidade de Goa
16 Jun: Express Hospitality (India) … Cidade de Goa has managed to redefine hospitality in Goa. Dinkar Farwaha meets the person who conceptualised it all - its managing director, Anju Timblo. 889 words. http://www.expresshospitality.com/20070630/hospitalitylife04.shtml

UK: Ethnic minority groups and communications services
21 Jun: Ofcom. Ofcom has conducted research to explore how the citizen and consumer interests of people from ethnic minority groups (EMGs) are being met in relation to availability, take-up and consumption of communications services, and to investigate attitudes towards these services. The research looked at three communications services: television, telecoms (fixed line and mobile) and internet. 32 pages. Click here.

Video: Christianity & Institutes in India
21 Jun: CNN-IBN, India. The Delhi Catholic Church wants to reserve teaching posts for Christians … The decision to reserve 40 per cent quota for Christians in St Stephen’s College has met with criticism across the board … should Christian institutions be governed by their religion? Text and links to video clips at the link below. Click here.

London to host three-month India festival
22 Jun: Times of India. Come 15th July and London will turn into a mini India with a three-month festival that will showcase India's popular culture, arts and cuisine. Dubbed 'India Now', the fest will comprise several events across London dedicated to Indian art, films, food, theatre, music and fashion. For text click here.
For the Festival website, click here.

20 killed in Nairobi night of violence
23 Jun: The Guardian (UK). In a night of bloodshed in the Kenyan capital Nairobi at least 20 people were killed, including two who had been beheaded, police said yesterday. Some of the deaths could be linked to a banned sect that has been terrorising the capital, they said. Click here.

Riding wave of India's new prosperity
23 Jun. Toronto Star. When Bhim Asdhir first started selling India as a place to invest a decade ago, no one wanted to listen. He had launched his Excel India Fund out of the basement of his Mississauga home in 1998 after a visit that convinced him that India, though poor, was on the verge of a boom … Created with $150,000 in seed capital, Excel Funds now has $600 million in assets under management and is on track to reach $1 billion by the end of the year. 630 words. Click here.

British 'failing India's lowest caste workers'
24 Jun: The Observer (UK). Leading British companies are being accused of supporting a system of apartheid in India by failing to ensure that they treat members of the country's lowest caste equally. The International Dalit Solidarity Network (IDSN), which campaigns on behalf of the caste, pejoratively known as 'untouchables', says UK companies with operations in India are not monitoring their staff and are refusing to sign up to positive action to combat the problem. Click here.

Sydney, Aus: Collector shares beauty of Islamic art with world
25 Jun: CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation). Works from the world's largest private collection of Islamic art have gone on display at the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. The Arts of Islam exhibition runs until Sept. 23 in Sydney. The article carries a photograph of a silver-gilt filigree cabinet from Goa, probably dating from the 17th century, is part of the collection of Nasser David Khalili. Click here.

London a big draw for Indian tourists
25 Jun: Vancouver Sun. Visitors from India are spending more in London than the Japanese for the first time, highlighting the strength of India’s economy and the changing nature of tourism in the U. K. capital. Indians spent $ 297 million last year in London, up from $ 228 million the previous year and $ 167 million in 2003, according to the latest figures from Visit London, which promotes the city to tourists. The number of Indian tourists rose from 130,000 in 2003 to 212,000 last year. 466 words. Click here.

UK body roots for stray dogs
25 Jun: Daily News and Analysis (India). International Animal Rescue (IAR), a UK-based organisation founded in 1988 … It is on the basis of their success in Goa that they has shown interest in setting up a centre in Mumbai for the city’s strays. In the last eight years, the IAR has sterilised 11,665 dogs in Goa and continues to sterilize 200-250 dogs every month. It now has a veterinary clinic with advanced equipments like X-ray and gas machines. 399 words. Click here.

Immigrant women in Canada overqualified for jobs, report says
26 Jun: The Ottawa Citizen. Immigrant women in Canada are more likely than those in most other industrialized countries to be in jobs for which they are overqualified, according to an international report yesterday. Nearly 28 per cent of foreign-born women in Canada are overqualified for the jobs they hold, a proportion only exceeded by Spain and Greece, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development said in its 2007 International Migration Outlook. For text of article, 325 words, click here.

Indians are among the most racist people in the world?
26 June: Hindustan Times. … Given our genetic diversity, when a fair-skinned Punjabi of Aryan descent dismisses a dark-skinned Dravidian as a ‘Madrasi’, what it essentially amounts to is racism. It is the same atavistic urge that makes white skins suspicious of brown skins. And it is what makes Indians put a premium on fair skin, whether in the marriage market, at a job interview or when adopting a child … most people of African descent will tell you in a candid moment: Indians are among the most colour-conscious and racist people in the world. 555 words. Click here.

Dogs with real pulling power
26 Jun: Plymouth Evening Herald (UK). Ken Stephens, a dog-trainer from Wembury spends three weeks a year working as a volunteer at the International Animal Rescue Centre in Goa which was founded by Devon man John Hills. He is planning his seventh trip to Goa in February 2008, and can be contacted on 01752 862793. Click here.

India: Wanted: Suitable boy for MLA
27 Jun: Times of India. A two-time Marxist MLA in Calcutta is on the lookout for a groom. And not just any match. The 33-year-old wants no less than a 'well-placed' doctor, IPS officer or professor, below 40 years of age, earning at least Rs 20,000 a month, and a bachelor. 331 words. Click here.

India's strong rupee
27 Jun: The Economist (UK). The Indian rupee has appreciated by nearly 10% since late 2006, posing an acute dilemma for Indian policymakers … It suggests that the country's attractiveness to foreign investors is increasing and signals optimism about the Indian economy more generally. However, the concerns of exporters, who are part of India's economic resurgence, are rising as their goods become more and more expensive for overseas buyers. 1303 words. Click here

New British PM loves "pulsating, dynamic" India
27 Jun: PTI. From an academician to the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown has a special interest to strengthen and deepen relations with a "pulsating, dynamic India." … Brown and his wife love Indian food with Chicken Tikka, Naan and rice being their favourites … 656 words. Click here.

Retracing Gandhi's footsteps in London
27 Jun: Times of India. The world’s very first 'Gandhi walk', tracing the Mahatma’s footsteps in imperial London, where he studied, lobbied for and negotiated on Indian independence has been launched … Starting at an underground train station near Inner Temple, where Gandhi was called to the bar, the walk turns to Kensington, where he once lived; Notting Hill where he joined the Theosophists; Bayswater, where he went to church meetings and Covent Garden. 546 words. Click here.

India's "people's cars" spur green nightmare fear
27 Jun: Reuters. It may be an Indian consumer's dream -- cheap cars for $2,500-$3,000 within reach of millions of a swelling middle class. But it could also prove to be a traffic and environmental disaster …Tata Motors Ltd planned low-cost "People's Car" targeted at around $2,500 is to hit the market next year. 685 words. Click here.

USA: NRI denied admission on race grounds
27 Jun. CNN-IBN. Nikita Rau, 11, failed to get into the Mark Twain Intermediate School for specially gifted children, although she scored more marks than white students, according to The New York Post … After applying for Mark Twain, Nikita took a test and scored 79 … she has not been accepted as she was classified as a minority and needed to score at least 84.4 as against 77 needed of white students. 577 words. Click here.

California: Monsoon Masala curries great flavors
28 Jun: Contra Costa Times. The menu of Abhay Kumar's 6-week-old Monsoon Masala in Pleasant Hill, was inspired by Zeebop, the Restaurant in Goa … Goans are known for their love of bread, rice and fish … Monsoon Masala's menu offers mussels with coconut milk and catfish with a fiery sauce… Kumar discovered Prawn Filled Papadams at Zeebop, but he lets chef Lino Mascarenhas, who's from Goa, interpret the dish … Lobster Rechiado, Xacuti Chicken and Goanese Lamb Curry also feature on the menu. Monsoon Masala is at 2375 Contra Costa Blvd., Suite A, Pleasant Hill. 1385 words. Click here.

Harriet Harman as the deputy leader to Gordon Brown in the UK has made much news in the media recently. However, Victoria Fernandes, the "lone lady ruling coalition MLA has not been inducted into the Digambar Kamat Cabinet." Much has been written on this issue on Goanet by several posters.

A fairly heated argument has emerged on Goanet about the Knights of Columbus. Some have been very critical of this movement, saying that it is linked historically to the genocide of the native American Indians. However, others dispute such a criticism and offer quite different views. Perhaps some of us may be keen to know about this controversy.

Arising from Goanet News, is it true that people who have undergone sex change surgery have to grapple with a host of social and psychological problems? Reena Martins explores this issue in a piece titled Gender Bender. The theme is referenced well for India generally but it is unclear if the issue is also significant in Goa.

An unusual but fascinating article on Goanet is about the Jews in India today and in the past. This is supplied by F Noronha – for the link click here.

In an interesting emerging debate, Miguel Braganza says "I will state unequivocally that both the Portuguese colonialists and the Hindu opportunists were a disgrace to the human race..." He then goes on to provide a brief historical synopsis of the period from the time Vasco da Gama first made the sea voyage to India in 1498 to the 1961 events in Goa. Miguel's discussion criticises aspects of the Government VCD intended for school children.

Finally, on Goanet, we have a proposal that Goanetters should start a micro-loan programme for education, health care and small businesses in Goan villages. The idea stems from well publicised successful ventures such as the Grameen Bank of Bangladesh. Do read about this major success story and other small ventures as in Anjuna village, Bardez, Goa.

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 Quiz Exchange. BBC Radio Four
Fri 29 June. 11:00 to 11:30. Nicholas Parsons traverses India to observe the country's enthusiasm for a very British institution, the quiz.

FILM: The Stranger: Artsworld
30 Jun: 09:50 to 11:50. Satyajit Ray’s touching drama about a wealthy upper-class family from Calcutta who are visited by a long-lost uncle who had been banished from the family as a black sheep. 1991.

COOKERY: Full on Food. UKTV Food
Sat 30 June. 11:30 to 12:30. Merrilees Parker goes to India to learn how to prepare a tiffin box.

ARTS: Sunday Feature. BBC Radio Three
Sun 1 July. 22:00 to 22:45. EM Forster's personal passage to India was the key to both his great novel and his political radicalism. What drew this shy and retiring figure from British suburbia to the mysterious heart of a faraway subcontinent?

DOCUMENTARY: Faith and Music – Cliff Richard. ITV1
Mon 2 Jul 07, 01:15 to 02:15. Cliff Richard tells how he put his career on the line to profess his faith in God. Born Harry Webb in India, Cliff arrived in the UK with his parents at the age of eight, and as a teenager was determined to become the British Elvis.

DOCUMENTARY: Immigration Housing Row: Tonight. ITV1.
Mon 2 July 20.00 - 20.30. On the allocation of council housing and whether British families should be prioritised.

DOCUMENTARY: Empire's Children. Channel 4
Mon 2 July. 21.00 to 22.00 New series. 1/6 Diana Rigg looks back on her childhood in India, visiting Rajasthan where her father worked for a maharajah and back in Britain, post-war life for the family. The other celebrities will be: David Steel (Nairobi), Shobna Gulati (India), Chris Bisson (Trinidad), Jenny Eclair (Malaya) and Adrian Lester (Jamaica).

DOCUMENTARY: The British Empire Strikes Back. More 4
Mon 2 July. 22.00 - 22.30 New series. 1/3. A companion series to Channel 4's Empire's Children in which the same six celebrities speak their minds about post-imperial Britain

DRAMA: Office Tigers. BBC4
Mon 2 July. 23.30-24:00. About corporate outsourcing at a new business in India.

DOCUMENTARY: Indian School. BBC4
Wed 4 July. 19.30 - 20.00. 7/10 Mrs. Kapoor takes steps to ensure that her pupils have an awareness of the caste issue.

DOCUMENTARY: Feral Child. Nat. Geographic.
Wed 4 July. New. The story of a young boy who was found being reared by monkeys in a jungle in Uganda.

TRAVEL: Earthwalkers. Travel Channel
Thu 5 July 19:30 to 20:00. Train to Delhi/ Taj Mahal. Lewis from Australia travels by overnight train to Delhi. He then takes a bus to Agra to see the Taj Mahal.

Sun 1 July. Aldona Association - Celebration of St Thomas’ feast at the Irish Centre, Pretoria Road London N17 8DX... Mass 1.00pm, music by Maz ‘n’ Co. We have some great raffle prizes including two prizes of 7 nights BB hotel accommodation in Goa. Application form can be obtained from our website www.aldonalondon.org.uk or email aldonalondon@hotmail.com For more information contact Jude-020 83604102, Tino-01628 680529 or Les-0208 4408832.

Sun. 01 July. G.O.A. Golf Open at Blue Mountain Golf Course, Bracknell. Further details from: Jacinto D'Silva 020 - 8723 1233, Menino Mascarenhas 01784 211832

Sun. 15 July. Tivim 30th Anniversary Celebrations. Bishop Thomas Grant School, Belltrees Grove Streatham, London. Commencing with Mass at 12.30. Dancing to the sounds of Maz & Co and Nite Life. Tickets available from: Norma Menezes-Rahim 020 8771 4457; Elu Pires 020 8654 1281; Helen De Souza 020 8304 5585; Ronald De Souza 020 7485 7878; Ronnie Fernandes 020 303 3386 or Ingrid De Souza 020 8905 3872.

Sat. 15 Jul. 3.30 P.M. Archbishop Lanfranc High School, Mitcham Road, Croydon. Konkani Dramatic Association proudly presents Tiatr "GOODBYE LONDON" Written and Directed by Jr. Nelson. First show in U.K. with talented artistes from Goa. Heartthrob, Olga Vaz, Singer and actor Menino Mario, Jet speed singer William de Curtorim, Master Comedian Ben Evangelisto, Comedian superstar Philip, Multi-talented Rosita and Topmost Maestro Josinho. For tickets please telephone Judy on 0208 7632606 or 07949403741, Nina Pinto 0208 7670663 or Cornelius Monteiro 0208 6818716.

Sat. 21 Jul. 6.30 P.M. in Swindon. Konkani Dramatic Association proudly presents Tiatr "GOODBYE LONDON" Written and Directed by Jr. Nelson. First show in U.K. with talented artistes from Goa. Heartthrob, Olga Vaz, Singer and actor Menino Mario, Master Comedian Ben Evangelisto, Jet speed singer William de Curtorim. Comedian superstar Philip, Multi-talented Rosita and Topmost Maestro Josinho. For tickets phone Xavier Soares on 01793322 661/ 07961560935.

Sun. 22 Jul. 12.00 noon Copland Community School, Cecil Avenue, Wembley, Middlesex, HA9 7DX. Konkani Dramatic Association proudly presents Tiatr "GOODBYE LONDON" Written and Directed by Jr. Nelson. First show in U.K. with talented artistes from Goa. Heartthrob, Olga Vaz, Singer and actor Menino Mario, Jet speed singer William de Curtorim, Master Comedian Ben Evangelisto, Comedian superstar Philip, Multi-talented Rosita and Topmost Maestro Josinho. For tickets please telephone Damacian Moniz 02083761609 or 07940501196, Mr. Francis D' Silva on 07908591789, Mr. Antonio Fernandes 02084529406 and Rosy D’ Silva 02083529450

Sun. 29 July. 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. A coach is being arranged from Harrow Wealdstone/Edgware/Wembley & Greenford. Price £6. Departure 10.30 am. BOOK EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT. For further details contact: Amelia Gomes 0208 861 2073

Sun. 26 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