Goan Voice UK: Newsletter. Issue 2008-29. July. 17, 2008

Cardinal Ivan Dias: Goan Community Mass on 21st July in Tooting

Cardinal Ivan Dias is visiting the UK to attend the Lambeth Conference. The Goan Association (UK) has arranged for Cardinal Ivan to celebrate Mass for the Goan community on Monday 21st July 2008 at St Boniface Church, 185 Mitcham Road, Tooting Broadway, London SW17 9PG, at 7.30pm. The service will be followed by a reception in the adjacent hall. Further details from: Flavio Gracias 020 8723 1322 or Nina Pinto 020 8767 0663.
For links to profiles of Cardinal Dias click here.

Pope rides to Rowan's rescue – sends Cardinal Ivan Dias:
16 Jul: The Independent (UK). Vatican shuns defectors and backs calls for Anglican unity…In a demonstration of the strength of relations between the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches, Pope Benedict has sent Cardinal Ivan Dias, the head of the Vatican's Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, and the man who appoints all the bishops in Africa and Asia, to Lambeth from Rome…853 words. Click here.

Ashley Braganza: Expecting excellence

10 Jul: Computing (UK). The entries are already coming in for this year’s Computing Awards for Excellence ¬which are recognised as the Oscars of the IT industry. The prestigious line-up of judges are … Ashley Braganza, professor of organisational transformation at Brunel Business School, with responsibility for executive development programmes…Prior to joining Brunel Business School, Ashley worked at the Cranfield School of Management. For full text click here.
Professor Braganza traces his Goan roots to Mapuca. He grew up in Calcutta, Ottawa & London.

Diane Nalini: Performer sings in many tongues

11 Jul: Toronto Star. Singer/songwriter Diane Nalini Sunday night show at the Rex, Toronto, will showcase her diverse repertoire of jazz standards, French chansons and Brazilian tunes (a nod to her mother, who's from another former Portuguese colony, Goa)… the 34-year-old Montreal native has a demanding day job as a physics professor, posted at the University of Guelph since 2005… For text, 616 words, click here.
For more info on Sunday’s concert, click here.
For the Diane Nalini home page with Bio, audio and video clips, photos etc. click here.

UK: Sheela Munro – Twenty eight years ago

11 Jul: Coastweek. Ivor Davis interviewed London-based international cabaret artist Sheela Munro - who began life in Mombasa's Ganjoni road, one of 13 children fathered by Goan school teacher Joey de Chaves and a Seychellois mother, who died when she was just one year old. Managed by British impresario Lord Tony Moynihan, Sheela was heading onto new success in West Germany and the Middle East. For text click here.
Sheela Munro now lives in Dunstable. UK, and has her Jazz Quintet performing Jazz-Blues-Latin-Swing. She accepts bookings for all Social Events, Corporate & Office Functions, Weddings, etc. and can be contacted at 01525 222164.

Toronto: July 23-27 Goan International Convention

11 Jul: Toronto Star. An ideal opportunity for Goans all over the world to renew social contacts, and for visitors to experience authentic Goan culture, music, cuisine and art. The theme is G.I.A.N.T. — Goan Identity And Networking Today. University of Toronto, Mississauga, 3359 Mississauga Rd., Mississauga. For text, click here.
Final Registration closes on 20 July 2008. Check out the website, www.2008goanconvention.com and you will wish you could be there. To check the blog site, click here.

Remembering Corryn

Ms Coutinho &
Mr Da Silva

13 July: Sunday Telegraph STM Gloss Magazine (Perth). Next month marks the first anniversary of the murder of Corryn Rayney…When she decided to divorce Lloyd it wasn’t easy to break the news to her father, Ernest Da Silva… Her only sister, Sharon Coutinho, also a mother of two, provided support… Corryn spent her early childhood in Uganda before coming to Australia in 1973… When her own mother died in 2000, she took over her role in the family…The Da Silva family’s pain is deep…her sister says, "We don’t want revenge. We just want the truth. We want to know how and why." For text, 2413 words, click here.
Photo click here.

Editorial: Goan organisations outside Goa
14 Jul: Navhind Times. The Chief Minister’s suggestion to form an apex organisation to keep in touch with all the Goan organisations outside the state ought to be looked into the right perspective…in some cases overseas Goans need the help of the right person or authority… The CM should involve community leaders living in other states or residing abroad…344 words. Click here.

Genelia D'Souza: Big-time girl

15 Jul: Gulf News (Dubai). Genelia D'souza has become hot property in Bollywood recently …Now she has made a return to Bollywood that has woken everyone in the industry up to her acting talents — including the legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan…747 words. Click here.
Genelia D’Souza was in 1987, in England. ... Her parents originally hail from Goa and later moved to England.

Susan D’Souza: Pilgrims bid farewell to Illawarra
15 Jul: Illawarra Mercury (Aus)…A group of more than 50 United Arab Emirates pilgrims farewelled their hosts …Mangerton resident Jeff De Battista and daughter Georgia were upset by the departure of their billets, sisters Arleen and Susan D'Souza… For text and photo of Susan and Georgia click here.
Page 7 of this issue has comments by and photographs of Clay Fernandes, Abu Dhabi and Shirley Fernandes of Dubai.

Canada: A treat for Konkani lovers - Adeus

16 Jul: Mangalorean.com. By Maxim D'Mello. The Goanetters Association of Toronto in association with the Mangalorean Association of Canada will present a widely acclaimed tiatr, "Adeus" performed by the Goan Konkani Troup and written & directed by Jr. Menezes, on July 25, 2008. 452 words. Click here.

WYD: Gary Pinto: Concert Puts Gospel on Center Stage

16 Jul: Zenit News Agency, Italy. Gary Pinto joined other musicians to participate in a festival of song presented to pilgrims after World Youth Day's opening Mass at the Sydney Convention And Exhibition Centre…Pinto offered encouragement to all young Catholic musicians and artists…He said that as musicians, "we are in the vocational service of beauty. What greater beauty to be presenting to people than that of God? It's so humbling and spiritually rewarding to be able to give the gifts he gave us back to him." Click here.
For the Gary Pinto website with bio, audio & video clips, photos, etc. click here.

Australia: Trevor D'Mello: Yellow Piano: Wyoming, NSW
16 Jul: Central Coast Express. For an evening of entertainment and fun, it is hard to go past The Yellow Piano and its brightly painted decor. Singing host Trevor D'Mello has an amazing range and includes so many well-known songs in his repertoire that it is almost impossible to sit still and not join the singing…The restaurant is serving up a four-course meal, for $45. Check out the menu and photos at www.yellowpiano.com.au 139 words.

50th Death Anniversary: Dr. A.C. L. de Sousa

Nairobi: Thu. 17 July 1958. Death of Dr A.C.L. de Sousa who was born in 1883. He was the Founder and Editor of the Goan Voice (East Africa) which was launched in 1946. At his funeral Bonifacio Colaco said, “Throughout East Africa, the ‘Goan Voice’ is a household word and it should be our earnest desire to keep evergreen the memory of its founder and to serve the Goan cause to the greater glory of Goa and Goans.” This website and newsletter is dedicated to that memory.

Eulogy: Orfino D’Souza

18 Jun: Parra, Goa. ANA BEATRIZ D'SOUZA (MRS ORFINO). Ex-Kampala. Wife of late Orfino. Mother of late Alba/Ignatius (Canada), Edwiges (Eddie)/Renate (Germany), Anita/Francis. For the Eulogy delivered at the funeral by Francis Rebello, click here.

Click to enlarge

13 Jul: Australia. CHRISTOPHER PEREIRA (Born 1930, ex Uganda & Covale. Goa). Husband of late Dorothy Eva. Father of Glenn/May, Kleyn and Montwyn/late Annie. Grandfather of Chris, Melissa, Lachlan, Aaron, Ebony and Cody (all in Australia). Brother/brother-in-law of late Rose, late Everest Correa, late Tony, late Ruby and late Victor/late Christine. The mortal remains will be brought to St Francis de Assisi Church, Colvale on 17th July for burial.

12 Jul: Ponda, Goa. MAJOR (Rtd.) M.V. THOMAS: (Veteran of Counter-Insurgency Operations in Kashmir and Pakistan wars): Born 1929. Husband of Sara. Father of George/Ursula (Dubai), Priya/Daniel Rodrigues, Sam/Natalie (Australia), Mathew/Marianne (USA).

Konkan – Goan Restaurant

Godfrey Menezes (Manager). Jude Pinto (Chef) Catering orders undertaken.
Home Style Goan Cooking
Special Goan Voice Offers to end of Aug. 2008:
1. 50% off on Main Course (exc. Seafood).
2. £5 Fish Curry & Rice lunch and dinner (5.30 – 7) on Fridays.
107 Station Road, West Drayton, Middlesex UB7 7LT (near Heathrow). Tel 01895 420 973. See www.konkan.co.uk

Goan B&B hoteliers to design state tourism policy
1-15 Jul: Express TravelWorld. In an interesting development, small and medium-sized hoteliers in Goa are coming together and designing the tourism policy… Click here.

Sri Lankan Airline: London-Goa
Sri Lankan Airline: Dep LHR 13 Aug to 11 Dec 08 to Goa: £509. Dep. 24 Dec to 31 Dec: £539. All valid for up to 45 Days and book by 14 Aug 08. Contact Bobby de Souza, Benz Travel. Tel: 020 7323 7310. bobby@benztravel.co.uk

British embassy too suffers from encryption laws
9 Jul: The Economic Times (India). The British High Commission in India is concerned over these laws which are seen to be delaying the issue of UK visas in India… India is the only country, besides Iran, where the system of collecting and transferring biometric data is causing delays in issuing British visas, Mr Butler the deputy British High Commissioner in Delhi said…678 words. Click here.

Russian consulate mulls adverse travel advisory for citizens
10 Jul: PTI. The Consulate General for Russian Federation may issue an adverse travel advisory for its citizens visiting Goa…The Russian consulate is reportedly disturbed over an incident last month in which two Russian women were allegedly assaulted by a brother-sister Goan duo who had abused them calling them "prostitutes" and asking them to "get out of India." 383 words. Click here.

Visa Woes
12 Jul: The Telegraph (UK). A reader writes that he posted his application to VFS Global for a visa to India four weeks ago and “Nobody answers the phone or responds to emails and faxes.” Gill Charlton for The Telegraph replies that he too was unable to contact VFS Global…”two visa agencies said that they had experienced delays in obtaining visas…It sounds as if VFS Global is struggling to provide a reasonable service.” For text, 411 words, click here.
Ed: VFS Global www.vfsglobal.com is part of the Zurich based Kuoni Travel Group. A friend applied for a visa on 29 May, the day the new London Centre opened and asked me to collect it. It was at last completed last week and when I visited the London offices I was told that there will be an India call centre handling visa enquiries at standard call charges and from this week. Don’t bet on it!

Tourist Security Force in the offing
12 Jul: Herald. A Tourist Security Force could be in the offing for Goa with the State Tourism Ministry deciding on a positive response to the Central Tourism Ministry’s proposal on the issue… Goa is eyeing Rs 25 crore funding for heritage tourism development of the Old Goa Complex. 333 words. Click here.

89 of 140 recruits declared lifeguards
12 Jul: Times of India. Goa’s tryst with professional water safety began on Friday with 89 recruits being declared ‘lifeguards’ at the Vainguinim beach, as part of the government’s ambitious beach safety management programme for the next five years. $34 words + photo. Click here.

Portuguese Man O’ War in Goa
12 Jul: Times of India. Thirty lifeguard recruits participating in a drill at Vainguinim beach on Friday were laid low by Portuguese Man O’ War or Bluebottle, a jellyfish species. Wincing in pain, the recruits were forced to come out of the sea. 256 words. + photo. Click here.

Tourism inflow may fall by 12%
13 Jul: Navhind Times. By Rupesh Samant. Goa expects a net downfall by almost 12 per cent in its tourist inflow for the next season beginning from October thanks to inflation. The state has already registered almost ten per cent reduction in the chartered flights last season… The impact will be bigger this year as the Scandinavian chartered operator, Tui Nordic, has decided to pull put after offering services to Goa for the last nine years. 549 words. Click here.

Wet Goa is desi honeymooners' choice no 1
14 Jul: Times of India. Goa in the rains is turning into a honeymoon haven…Realising there can be a harvest of riches in selling Goa to honeymooners, the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) has packaged holidays specially for honeymoon couples…301 words. Click here.

Goa's Hippie-Era Holdover Is a Shopping Dream
14 Jul: Washington Post… Today there are several night markets and a Wednesday market in the hippie enclave of Anjuna beach with thousands of stalls… Wolfgang is from Long Island. He came to party in Goa decades ago, got hooked on the place, and started making brownies and selling them at the flea market… There's Goan rice and spongy bread, soggy pizza, greasy ravioli, overstuffed falafel and creamy but slightly sweaty tiramisu…899 words. Click here.

Get ready for more Russian tourists
15 Jul: Herald. India is organising roadshows in Russia to promote India as a tourist destination… Tourism Minister Ambika Soni wants easier visa procedures…A long-term visa of five years and the visa on arrival scheme is being worked out… Click here.

A Crackdown on India's Cybercafés
15 July: Business Week. India's cybercafés could be headed for extinction as a nationwide clampdown in the name of anti-terrorism threatens their existence…On July 3, complaints about an abusive mail in Panaji led authorities to issue orders for café’s owners to provide customer identity information throughout the northern part of the state…1243 words. Click here.

Duncan Campbell: How I found myself in India
16 Jul: The Guardian. Duncan Campbell has won many awards in Journalism. He visited Goa in 1971 and again recently. He writes: “I have been back to India since and recently revisited the old haunts. Goa has changed beyond belief…You can watch Premiership football while you eat roast beef and yorkshire pudding with Oxo gravy. Charter flights arrive by the hour from Britain and Russia and Israel…I spotted the traveller's equivalent of the dead canary in the mineshaft - a copy of the Daily Express for sale.” 2404 words. Click here.

Holiday Budget
16 Jul: The Mirror (UK).…Goa is very cheap once you get there - but it usually costs more to fly that far… Thomas Cook's survey of holiday spending lists the cost: Goa £26.21 (exc. car hire). Next up Spain £172.02. Greece is £278.78. Click here.
For the Thomas Cook Survey, click here.

US sends most tourists to India: Survey
16 Jul: Times of India. The US has replaced the UK as the country sending the largest number of tourists to India. The number of visitors from the US touched 7.99 lakh, out of the total 50.81 lakh foreigners who came to India last year. The UK - traditionally the leader—has come a close second, sending 7.96 lakh visitors in 2007…2.08 lakh Canadians visited India in 2007… 338 words. Click here.

Tourism dept to hunt for more lifeguards
16 Jul: Times of India. Fresh after the commissioning of 89 lifeguards to man two designated popular beach stretches in north and south Goa, the tourism department has given a call for recruitment of 100 more lifeguards for the state…334 words. Click here.

Alfred de Tavares: Swedes coming for sex lessons in India
16 Jul: The Tribune. … Western self-styled ‘sex gurus’ are now planning to bring ‘students’ to the sun-bathed beaches of Goa and other Indian sites to teach them how to make perfect love…Alfred de Tavares, a Swedish media personality who migrated from Goa spoke about the sex teaching institutes making forays into India… He is concerned about the trend. “I am worried that Goa is fast acquiring the reputation of being a ‘sex spot’, where numerous cases of sex abuse of young girls and children by foreign tourists have been reported…935 words. Click here.

A sexciting money-spinning sutra
17 Jul: The Tribune on July 16 reported that “sex gurus”, are planning to bring “students” to Khajuraho, Goa and Varanasi for “field training.” …It will inject sex tourism into the popular Goa beaches said Rajesh Mishra… Dharamvir Ahluwalia said that, of late, they have been getting a large number of inquiries from Europe about hotel bookings for Goa and Khajuraho. “They are also asking in detail about the Kama Sutra and famous oil massage of Goa and Kerala,” he said….Arun Kumar said, ``India also needs a sex techniques teaching institute...” 711 words. Click here.

Brits ride into moped misery on foreign roads
17 Jul: Travel Daily News. 82% of Brits who have hired mopeds on holiday have put their own and others’ safety at risk, according to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). Shilpa Caldeira, Consular Head in Goa, said: “In Goa we frequently see cases where a British tourist has decided to hire a moped on holiday having never ridden one before…281 words. Click here.

Hoardings to tell tourists dos and don'ts
17 Jul Times of India. The dos and don'ts will be displayed prominently at beaches and outside hotels in the coastal areas. Every police station will have to ensure that the hoardings are displayed in their jurisdiction before August 31. This move follows the Scarlett Keeling episode as well as reports of attacks on Russians… 440 words. Click here.

After Violating FEMA Foreigners Now Plan to Sell Properties
17 Jul: PTI. After being scanned for Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) violation, many foreigners intend to sell their properties in Goa and return back, but have to stay back as Goa authorities have banned any related transactions…Some of the UK nationals, who invested in Goa feel cheated…The directorate of enforcement has asked the state government not to allow further transactions in case of seven properties…653 words. Click here.

NYC chief honoured for fight against foreigners buying land
17 Jul: Herald. Nationalist Youth Congress President Rajan Ghate was mocked by people when he protested against purchase of properties by foreigners … on Wednesday speakers congratulated him at a meeting to mark the second anniversary of the movement… 401 words. Click here.

Sun-seeking Brits feel the heat in Goa
17 Jul: First Post. By John Waite. Many Brits are now wishing they'd found paradise in Tuscany or Provence instead of Goa. The state government has launched a crackdown on foreigners buying land in Goa…for genuine buyers, who didn't take devious routes, the future is still a quagmire… 610 words. click here.
John Waite presents 'Face the Facts - Trouble in Paradise' on Radio 4, July 18, 12.30pm. To listen online, click here.

New structure at Reis Magos fort
11 Jul: Times of India. By Paul Fernandes. Its ultimate use knotted in confusion, a concrete structure is being built in the 15th century Reis Magos fort as part of its Rs 3 crore facelift…Manohar Dicholkar, director of the department of Archives and Archaeology declined to comment on the structure...Prof R C Agrawal, principal director INTACH), which is implementing the project, said he was not aware of the structure… Gerard D'Cunha, consulting architect for the project, was not available for comment… 244 words. Click here.
Could this be linked to Lady Hamlyn’s request for a private residence in the Fort in exchange for paying for the restoration work? For details of that offer click here. For links to more information click here.

Portugal: ‘Let us reinforce traditional ties’
11 Jul: Times of India. By Nicole Suares. Portugal’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Luis Amado says, “The convergence of common interests between Goa and Portugal, like commerce and culture, need to be developed further… The traditional ties need to be re-established. Tourism can play an important role in bridging this gap...There is an attraction about Goa and every Portuguese wants to visit it once in his life.” 508 words. Click here.

Registers at sub-offices in pathetic condition
11 Jul: Navhind Times. The Goan population faces a tough time receiving documented information about birth, death and marriage… the project of micro-filming the birth, death and marriage records and storing them in a digital form is nearly 80 per cent complete and is expected to be finalised within the next 2 to 3 months…627 words. Click here.

Stolen money spent on Goa splurge
11 Jul: Daily News & Analysis. A gang of three have been arrested for the theft of Rs1 crore in Mumbai… They then left for Goa telling their families that they have found jobs there. They stayed in Goa for three months and spent lakhs on Russian and Filipino prostitutes and in bars…683 words. Click here.

Fine Wine
12 Jul: The Hindu. Tom’s Wines in Panaji has an eminently quaffable Sicilian Merlot for just Rs. 570… Australian Pinot at Rs.1,300…two Beaujolais for a modest Rs.1,200…Relatively, Goa is a wine haven…wine consumption in Goa ranks third according to some estimates after Mumbai and Delhi…All in all, Goa doesn’t seem like a bad place to be in…529 words. Click here.

Bollywood Loves Goa
12 Jul: IndiaFM. Twenty Bollywood stars give their verdict on Goa. 834 words. Click here.

Telephone exchanges in rural areas to get broadband facility
12 Jul: Herald. All the ninety-one rural telephone exchanges in Goa will get broadband facility in the next two or three months with a total of 5800 broadband lines … Goa is likely to get Wi-Max system under which 25 spots will be identified for making available Wi-Max internet system for easy and wireless access of Internet to the people in public places…345 words. Click here.

Youth freed after 2 years in Goa, re-arrested in Delhi
12 Jul: Greater Kashmir. A Kashmiri youth, acquitted by a Goa court of charges of possessing explosives, was re-arrested at Delhi Airport when he was on his way to Srinagar, according to his family … No lawyer in Goa was willing to fight his case but the Court had ordered his release… 444 words. Click here.

Safiya Murder - Police Get Vital Clue on Modus Operandi
12 Jul: DaijiWorld. Detectives now suspect, that Safiya died while an attempt was being made to abort her pregnancy…tests conducted are learnt to have revealed that the girl was aged between 11 and 14 years…428 words. Click here.

Gay and loving it
12 Jul: The Hindu. Penguin is bringing out a series of Hoshang Merchant’s books including an anthology of gay literature from South East Asia… Goa is a narrow-minded Catholic place and Chorao’s villagers are gossipy and mean-minded. I cannot risk a scandal here, nor can my hosts. Penguin is bringing out a series of his books including an anthology of gay literature from South East Asia…1033 words. Click here.

CM for apex organisation to interact with Goan expats
13 Jul: Navhind Times. ‘Building bridges with Africa: Indo-Africa relations and the role of people of Indian Origin in Africa’ a conference was held in Goa on Saturday…Speaking at the conference the Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat suggested that an apex organisation be formed so as to keep in touch with all the Goan associations outside the state and felt that expatriates required a ‘touch from us’ to remind them about their roots…The High Commissioner of Mauritius in India, Mr M Choonnee said if all Indians and Africans spit, Europe would drown…715 words. Click here.

Impact Group to set up housing project for Senior Citizens
12 Jul: Economic Times. Following the western concept of developing houses for ageing societies, Impact Group announced a residential project for senior citizens in Amritsar and plans to develop similar projects in Goa…The company would be mainly targeting retired bureaucrats, retired army officers and Non Resident Indians (NRI)… The Amritsar project would have 250 apartments selling for Rs. 35 to 80 lakh…occupiers would also have to pay Rs. 10,000 per month…. Click here.

Goa hockey team for Portugal
13 Jul: Navhind Times. A 16-member Goa hockey team of Goa Hockey Association will participate in first Lusofonia hockey championship to be held in Lisbon from July 16-20. Besides, there will be four officials. 200 words. Click here.

Azulejos – in breathtaking hues of blue

13 Jul: Times of India. The ancient art is seeing a revival in churches, homes and also in many other new forms…The art form was used in a few old churches around Goa…The best use is seen in some recently renovated churches and chapels in Goa, like the Pilar Monastery…Today, it is being used quite commonly. One finds name plates, signboards and murals in homes and offices… Click here.

Goa: Special Schools
13 Jul: Times of Indi. Differently abled children are capable of growing up to be independent adults in control of their destinies, discover. Gauree Malkarnekar & Rajeshree Nagarsekar on a visit to some special schools in Goa…1049 words. Click here.

Goa: SEZ papers indicate rule violations
13 Jul: NDTV. The Goa government recently scrapped seven SEZs that were coming up in the state, reportedly because of violations in the way they were allotted in the first place. But documents reveal that there were violations in how these SEZ's were allotted. 997 words. Click here.

Leander Paes proposes sports city for Goa
15 Jul: Times of India. Indian Davis Cup team captain Leander Paes is planning to set up a sports medicine facility and a sports city in the state soon. 288 words. Click here.

Goa: Corruption in education sector
15 Jul: Times of India. A Transparency International India-CMS survey looked at corruption in India's school education sector, specially focusing on below poverty line (BPL) households settled in rural India has thrown up shocking conclusions…the level of corruption in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Meghalaya and Goa was found to be the highest in India. 572 words. Click here.

Malaria epidemic haunts Goa
15 Jul: Times of India. The situation has reached such alarming levels that Goa’s health minister Vishwajit Rane says, “We are just short of calling it an epidemic…the tourist destination of Candolim has 29% of cases in Goa… vivax malaria has increased from 2883 in 2007 to 4025 this year… 550 words. Click here.

Portuguese cultural week to foster ties
16 Jul: Times of India. Looking to strengthen the existing ties between Goa and Portugal, seven different institutions and associations have joined hands with the Consulate General of Portugal in Goa to organise a Portuguese cultural week from November 7 to 15. 245 words. Click here.

Former CM in customs net
16 Jul: Daily News & Analysis. In the late 1980s, a powerful smuggling cartel used to operate from the Goan shores…During extensive anti-smuggling operations, the brother of a former chief minister of Goa was found transporting huge quantity of gold concealed in his car's boot. When a customs officer tried to stop the vehicle for inspection the politician's brother got killed and the former chief minister was arrested on smuggling charges.

Alexyz Fernandes: Of a scary tale!
16 Jul: Times of India. Fiery speeches, pertaining to environmental degradation and sale of land in Goa, took center stage at the release of the book of cartoons by Alexyz Fernandes Goa, Goan, Goaing, Gone...? 202 words. Click here.

Property sold by bringing dead to life
16 Jul: Times of India. Power Of Attorney, Signatures And Documents Forged, Alleges Complainant. 518 words. Click here.

UK Trust to restore Goa's fort
16 Jul: Economic Times. Rising from the ruins, Reis Magos fort is all set to become the tourist attraction with the UK based Lady Helen Hamlyn Trust sponsoring the beautification… 262 words. Click here.

Weekly Update
17 Jul: Times of India – Goa edition. Exchange rates £=86.09; $ =43.08; Euro = 68.25
Weather: Max = 29.9; Min = 22.3. Humidity 78 % to 98 % Few spells of rain or thundershowers likely.

Restaurant Review: Martin’s Corner, Betalbatim, Goa
21 Jul: Outlook. Mrs Carafina Caterina Pereira was known in Betalbatim for her cooking. So, in the late ’80s, she decided to start a tiny eatery with just one table in a corner of her compound. 247 words. Click here.

New Zealand: 32 Indian Catholic Pilgrims go missing
14 Jul: New Zealand Herald. A hunt is on for 32 Indian pilgrims who have gone missing in Auckland en route to Catholic World Youth Day in Australia… A total of 220 Indian worshippers were given one-month visitor visas earlier this month… 270 words. Click here.

Indian Catholic pilgrims on the run
15 Jul: The Press (New Zealand). The Indian agent who promised pilgrims they could stay in New Zealand for as long as they wanted sought up to $34,000 for his services, it was revealed today… 543 words. Click here.
A Goan in New Zealand has written to say that there is some doubt if any of the missing persons are really Catholics.

New Zealand Missing Indian pilgrims climbs to 39
15 Jul: New Zealand Herald. The number of Indian men and youths who have abandoned their pilgrimage to the Pope's World Youth Day and disappeared in Auckland today climbed to 39…The missing pilgrims appear to have been involved in an immigration scam…Catholic Church spokeswoman Lyndsay Freer said the news was "shocking"…780 words. Click here.

Indian 'Pilgrims' gained NZ entry by conning church
16 Jul: The Dominion Post (New Zealand). A group of missing Indians who travelled to New Zealand claiming to be on a pilgrimage are non-Christians who, as part of an immigration scam, conned Indian church leaders into believing they were devout Catholics… the men aged between 17 and 35 are now believed to be in hiding, having paid $17,000 to an immigration agent in India who promised to obtain residency visas for them…426 words. Click here.

New Zealand: Pilgrims to reveal how scam was arranged
17 Jul: New Zealand Herald. Three of the Indian pilgrims who went missing will meet immigration officials today to provide information about the alleged scam that brought them to New Zealand…there was "a lot of hurt" among the families who had agreed to host the pilgrims…552 words. Click here.

Clarence Mitchell ponders PR move
14 Jul: The Telegraph (UK). Clarence Mitchell is in talks to join a PR agency where he plans to help parents who have lost children to deal with the media. The former BBC reporter, has already advised Fiona MacKeown, the mother of 15-year-old Scarlett Keeling, who was murdered in Goa in February as well as Kate and Gerry McCann whose daughter Madeleine disappeared and the parents of Jimmy Mizen, the 16-year-old schoolboy murdered in London… Click here.

How to do business in India
9 Jul: Business Zone (UK). India has a lot to offer small businesses but it can be a daunting process entering one of the fastest growing international markets. Features editor Louise Druce investigates how to pounce on new opportunities. 1356 words. Click here.

Skin-whitening adverts ignite race row in India
10 Jul: The Independent (UK). In recent weeks, Indians have been treated to an eye-catching television advert "mini-series" … All in the name of skin-whitening cream…At the conclusion of the first episode a lovelorn Chopra is seen gazing at an advert for a cream that promises to provide a "pinkish white glow" complexion. In case anyone did not get the point, the product is called White Beauty… 549 words + link to a video clip of the advert. Click here.

Indian beggar gets bank account
11 Jul: BBC News. A bank in the Indian city of Calcutta has opened an account for a beggar who deposited 91kg (200lb) of coins in one of the bank's branches. Laxmi Das says she has been saving the coins since she started begging more than 40 years ago and decided to save for her pension. Photos and text, 429 words. Click here.

75% young Indians are deeply religious
11 Jul: Zee News. Three out of four young adults in India and other developing countries pray at least once a day, says a new international study conducted by German non profit organisation Bertelsmann Foundation … Although the proportion of deeply religious Catholics in Europe is 25 percent, outside Europe this figure is 68 percent…427 words. Click here.

Indian Flight Students Caught in 'Ponzi' Scheme
11 Jul: New America Media. The American School of Aviation in Atwater, Calif has closed down leaving more than 100 students — most of them from India — empty-handed …. Flying Vikings School in Hayward, Calif., has taken on about 20 students, said Joe Correa, one owner of the school, who is originally from Goa, India. "We need the Indian American community to come together to help these students," he said… 1089 words. Click here.

Mumbai's choir sings masala numbers
11 Jul: NDTV. One of Mumbai's oldest choirs has swept those yellowing music sheets aside and will sing Bollywood masala numbers for the upcoming Indian film festival in Germany and the 7th International choir competition to be held in Miltenburg, Germany… Alfred D'Souza is the Founder of the choir called Stop Gaps. 324 words. Click here.
For a photograph and a recent article about the choir, click here.

UK: Devon: Restaurant Review: Cilantro
11 Jul: Herald Express (Devon). Cilantro has been tastefully and stylishly transformed from its previous incarnation as the charming French restaurant, La Cigale… Manager Colin Pereira says he tries to welcome all his guests personally …The fish dishes are Cilantro's strong suit, representing the cuisine of Bombay, Kerala, Goa and Mangalore… Cilantro is at 75, Torquay Road, Paignton. 01803 664626. 786 words. Click here.

Indianised version of Bible hit among Catholics

11 Jul. IANS. Mother Mary in a sari and Joseph clad in a dhoti can be found in the Indianised version of the Holy Bible…over 15,000 copies sold out within barely 10 days. The new Bible has 2,200 pages, weighs around one kg. and costs around Rs.250…there is no immediate plan to introduce the Indian Bible in other Indian languages…589 words. Click here.

Indian professionals can return to UK now
13 Jul: CNN-IBN. Three months after winning their appeal in the High Court, thousands of highly-skilled migrants from India can now return to the UK. These professionals had to leave the country after being adversely affected by the retrospective changes made to the visa rules in November 2006…It’s estimated that around 5,000 Highly-Skilled Migrant Professionals, majority of them Indians, had to leave the UK…371 words. Click here.

Zanzibari Sorpotel
13 July. Straits Times (Singapore). “Andreas Viestad unearths a Zanzibari version of Goan Sorpotel of pork and offal stewed in a heady red sauce” … Quote from a book review of Where Flavor Was Born: Recipes and Culinary Travels Along the Indian Ocean Spice Route. By Andreas Viestad. $40.
Does anyone have details of the Zanzibari dish? There is the Brazilian version called Sarapatel – for the recipe click here.

Christa D’Souza: Sex therapy: the return of free love
13 Jul: The Sunday Times. A hip new self-help workshop claims that getting naked and sharing the love will allow you to find the ultimate truth. Click here.
Christa is the daughter of Stanley and Baroness (Frances) D’Souza. Click here.

Claire Soares: Boabab: The tree of life

17 Jul: The Independent (UK). The medicinal properties of the baobab fruit are the stuff of African legend. Claire Soares says it also tastes great and, thanks to an EU ruling, we will all be able to try some soon…1489 words. Click here.
Claire Soares is the daughter to Allan Soares (ex- Dar es Salaam) and Carol Lowcock (Kirkham). For a photo and bio of her click here.

Monsoon Sylphs

21 Jun: Outlook. …Our advertising and entertainment industry seems to have finally forsaken that hidebound code of Indian beauty which insisted, ‘fair is best’. One look at the dusky women and you are forced to ask yourself why you don't see more of these gorgeous women. 925 words. Click here.

The Goan Commissioner for NRI Affairs, Eduardo Faleiro, stated on 14/7/08 that Konkani writers in the Roman script should have all the facilities at par with writers using the Devanagari script. This occurred at the official release of "Goykar--The Goan Identity", a Konkani monthly illustrated magazine edited by Tomazinho Cardoso at the Secretariat in Porvorim, Goa. To read more about this click here.

The vivax strain of malaria has become a major cause of concern in Goa and the Goa Government may declare a malaria epidemic in the State. More can be discovered about this issue by clicking here.

In an informative article that first appeared in the Herald newspaper, Goa, Wilmix Wilson Mazarello tells us about "Denying a Script is a Human Violation". The article explains the origins of conversational languages and their subsequent written scripts as well as how scripts were borrowed across languages. Of particular interest are details why the Roman script for Konkani was helped by the first printing press to get to Goa from Europe.

Leander Paes, India's tennis star and Indian Davis Cup team captain "is planning to set up a sports medicine facility and a sports city in the state [Goa] soon."
If such plans lead to fruition, “it would be the first of its kind in the State that may host a world-class medical facility, including a specialist in sports medicine, together with a rehabilitation centre." To read more about this prospect click here.

Finally, Goan Voice (UK) readers can note the frequency of their surnames in decreasing order:
Fernandes, Sousa, Rodrigues, Pereira, Costa, Dias, Gomes, Silva, Rebello, and Barreto. Find out more on this issue from Antonio Menezes and what particular problems one might face when seeking Hindu surnames before conversion to Christianity. Click here.

DOCUMENTARY: Face the Facts. BBC Radio Four also online
Sun 20th July. 21:00 to 21:26. Trouble in Paradise. John Waite presents the investigative consumer series. British property owners in Goa fear they may lose their homes in a backlash against foreign investment in the Indian state.

DOCUMENTARY: Jamelia: Whose Hair Is It Anyway? BBC 3
Sunday 20th July. 21:00 to 22:00. Pop singer Jamelia investigates the hair extension industry and travels in search of the girls whose hair goes into the product. She visits the hair-sacrificing temples of southern India.

ARTS: Arena. BBC 4
Sunday 20th July. 21:15 to 22:00. Salman Rushdie talks about India and the autobiographical elements in his books.

FILM: Murder Unveiled. True Movies
Monday 21st July. 02:30 to 04:00. Based on a true story. A young woman runs away to India to be with the man she loves. But soon she is in fear of her life.

DOCUMENTARY: EM Forster. BBC Radio Three
Tuesday 22nd July. 21:15 to 22:00. Taking a fresh look at the links between Forster's homosexuality, his critique of the Raj and his remarkably modern capacity for crossing racial and cultural borders.

MOTORING: Safari Rally. British Eurosport
Wednesday 23rd July. 00:00 to 00:30. Action from the 2008 KCB Safari Rally held in Kenya.

ARTS: Centurions. BBC 7
Wednesday 23rd July. 13:45 to 14:00. Satyajit Ray, Pather Panchali. Discussion on the renowned Indian film director's debut.

DOCUMENTARY: Waiting for Netaji? BBC Radio Three
Thursday 24th July. 21:30 to 22:15. Historian Sunil Khilnani questions the many myths and stories that surround India's Subhas Chandra Bose. Millions call him Netaji, meaning 'great leader'.

Sun: 20 July. Tivim Feast. Mass will be celebrated at 1.30 pm at St Boniface Church, 185 Mitcham Road, Tooting followed by an afternoon of celebration and dancing to the sounds of "Nite Life" at St Boniface Church Hall. Further details from Norma Menezes Rahim on 020 8771 4457.

Sun. 27 Jul. 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. ENTRANCE: Adults £2.50, Children under 16 free. Car Parking: £2.50 per car. Contact: Herbert Fernandes 01277 651052. A coach is being arranged from Harrow Wealdstone/Edgware. Price £7. Departure 10.30 am. Contact: Amelia Gomes 020 8861 2073

Sat. 2 Aug. 7 pm. Swindon. Konkani Dramatic Association UK presents John D'Silva's 25th Silver Jubilee production tiatr, "NATTOK" Charlie Chaplin from Goa coming to London with his best performance artistes. Plus artistes from UK. Wyvern Theatre, Swindon. Ticket: £12.00 or £10.00 in advance. Contact: Xavier 0179 3325686/ 07961560935. For the flyer click here.

Sat. 2 Aug. G.O.A. Senior Citizens Trip to Bournemouth. Details to follow. Contact: Norma Menezes-Rahim 020 - 8771 4457, Bernie Gracias 020 - 8723 1322.

Sun. 10 Aug. 12 noon. Wembley. Konkani Dramatic Association UK presents John D'Silva's 25th Silver Jubilee production tiatr, "NATTOK" Charlie Chaplin from Goa coming to London with his best performance artistes. Plus artistes from UK. Copland High School, Cecil Avenue, Wembley. North London. Ticket: £12.00 or £10.00 in advance. Contact: Damacian 02083761609// 07940501196, Francis 07908591759, Anthony 02084529406// 07988896904. For the flyer click here.

Sun. 17 Aug. 3 pm. Croydon. Konkani Dramatic Association UK presents John D'Silva's 25th Silver Jubilee production tiatr, "NATTOK" Charlie Chaplin from Goa coming to London with his best performance artistes. Plus artistes from UK. Archbishop Lanfranc High School, Mitcham Rd. Croydon. Ticket: £12.00 or £10.00 in advance. Contact Judy Pacheco 02087632606// 07949403741. For the flyer click here.

Sun.17 Aug. G.O.A. Family Fun at HSBC Sports Club, Beckenham, Kent. Contact: Richard Fernandes - 020 8300 5347, Vince Fernandes - 020 8764 8780

Sun. 17 Aug. G.O.A. Men’s Football Tournament at HSBC Sports Club, Beckenham, Kent. Contact: Darren Fernandes - 07956 117703

Mon. 25 Aug. G.O.A. Sports Day at Archbishop Lanfranc School, Mitcham Road, Croydon. Contact: Peter Rodrigues 020 - 8399 4883. For stall applications: Norma Menezes-Rahim 020 - 8771 4457

Sun. 7 Sep. G.O.A. Volleyball Tournament at HSBC Club, Lennard Road, Beckenham, Kent. Contact: Richard Fernandes 020 8300 5347