Goan Voice UK: Newsletter. Issue 2008-20. May. 15, 2008

Thomas and Bertha D’Souza - Golden Wedding Anniversary Celebration

Thomas and Bertha, formerly of Nairobi, Kenya, now residing in Tulare, California, USA, celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary on Saturday, April 19th 2008, at Lamp Liter Inn, Visalia, California. Approximately 150 family and friends were in attendance having travelled from parts of California, Brazil, Canada and England, to mark this auspicious occasion which was concelebrated by Reverend Fr. Al Furtado.
The highlight of the evening was the entertainment provided by Anjuli Figueira who sang solo, Clarice Fernandes and Joyce Coutinho on their dramatic duet performance; Neil and Chloé De-Mendonça who sang a duet; and our Master of Ceremony, Gerson Menezes.
Thomas and Bertha sincerely thank their guests and well-wishers who made this a memorable occasion. Special thanks to Ena, Alex and Gerson Menezes, for assisting them with the preparation for this celebration.

Randy Otter made an MBE

8 May: Southern Daily Echo (Southampton, UK). Randy Otter has worked tirelessly, professionally and for charity. Today he is being made an MBE by the Queen. Randy, 50, was born in Goa and came to the UK in 1969 … in November 1976 he joined the British Transport Police and became an inspector at London's Victoria station before being appointed as a chief inspector … He will receive his honour at Buckingham Palace today watched by his wife Val, their two daughters and grandchildren. 243 words.
Randy traces his Goan links to Betalbatim and visits his mother there every winter.Click here.

Canada: Interview opportunity: Ernst & Young: Jeannine Pereira
8 May: CNW Telbec… Jeannine Pereira, Ernst & Young's inclusiveness leader for Canada, can discuss how Ernst & Young has built an award-winning strategy to move from having a diverse workforce to promoting an inclusive corporate culture. This week, Jeannine is participating in several roundtables and presentations with businesses in Western Canada to share best practices and highlight the importance of measuring a company's inclusiveness results … To set up an interview or to learn more about Ernst & Young's inclusiveness strategy, contact … 342 words. Click here.

UK: Morel D’Souza: Graceful Exit
9 May: Kent Messenger. A graceful exit was made by one Labour councillor, as his party was mauled in the elections. Cllr Morel D'Souza, the group leader in Maidstone and a former mayor, lost his seat in Fant. But even before the result was announced he was willing to concede defeat. "This is democracy, and we must listen to the people," he said.

Video: New Zealand: Janis Fernandes at Memorial Service for brother Floyd

9 May: TV3: Over 2,500 people attended a memorial service for victims of the Mangatepopo tragedy in south Auckland today … "It's good to know where you are, and sure enough we'll meet one day," said Janis Fernandes, sister of Floyd, one of the victims. "But still you live a little far for me to come and play." Click here.
For the full text of Janis’ poem, click here.

Canada: Stephen D’Souza: Burnaby Meals on Wheels.

9 May: BC Local News. Burnaby Meals on Wheels is a service that has been helping people stay in their homes since 1968. The concept is simple: receiving healthy food a few days a week can be all it takes for people to stay healthy longer and stay at home … Clients pay $6.50 for each hot, delivered meal, less for a frozen meal or a bag lunch, and less if clients meet the criteria for receiving a subsidy. For full text, 626 words, click here.
Stephen is the Executive Director of Burnaby Meals on Wheels and Executive Director for Burnaby Community Connections. He was born in Canada; his father, Joseph D’Souza, is ex-Nairobi. For the Burnaby Meals on Wheels website click here.

Karachi Goan Association: Sportspersons feel no hurdles in Pak
10 May: Press Trust of India. International organisations and human rights watchdogs might feel that religious minorities in Pakistan are discriminated against, but sportsmen belonging to minority communities believe otherwise … Errol Ribeiro, a senior official of the Karachi Goan Association (KGA), said sportsmen from religious minority communities had left their footprints in Pakistan sports … 771 words. Click here.

Video: UK: Dr Who: Meryl Fernandes

10 May: BBC. Meryl Fernandes featured in Dr Who Story Series 4, episodes 4 & 5, broadcast on BBC1 at 7.00 pm on Sat. 26 Apr and 3 May. To watch episode 5 (45 minutes) select the link below.
Meryl Fernandes is the daughter of Ghislaine & Harold Fernandes of London (ex-Nairobi).Click here.

Warming to Kenya

11 May: Sunday Times (Perth, Australia). … Kenya has been quick to recover from a dangerous situation. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has downgraded its travel warning to Kenya to ``high degree of caution''. Wildlife Safari is starting to see the return of confidence. Company chief executive Trevor Fernandes, from Kenya acknowledged there was still a lot to do for Kenya to return to ``normal'', but his company was doing its bit, buying locally made blankets and distributing them to the 125,000 families living in temporary camps. Wildlife Safari has pledged to buy 50 blankets for every client … 276 words.
Photo shows Tom Fernandes, founder of Wildlife Safaris, Nairobi. Click here.

Tony Fernandes, Stelios of Asia goes for long haul

11 May: The Sunday Times (UK). Budget airline tycoon Tony Fernandes is launching a carrier that will fly you from London to Australia for as little as £350 … Fernandes, a former pupil of Epsom College, Surrey, is Malaysia's answer to Sir Stelios Haji- Ioannou and Michael O'Leary, with an added dash of Sir Richard Branson, for whom he used to work … 1278 words. Click here.

F N Souza: Dear departed

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12 May: Express India. The late Francis Newton Souza is making big bucks but his museum still a dream … Srimati Lal, Souza’s companion who was with him when he had that fatal stroke in 2002, tells us that being big at auctions was not Souza’s aim. “The last wish of Francis to me was that a permanent museum of all his works be created by me in India, in his beloved motherland.” 556 words. Click here. The photo shows Lal and Souza.

Ontario: Coralie D'Souza: More Job Programs For Newcomers

12 May. CNW. Ontario is helping 3,000 skilled newcomers get opportunities to land jobs that match their qualifications and experience. For further information: Coralie D'Souza, Minister's Office, (416)325-6204 … 394 words. Click here.
Coralie D’Souza was born in 1984 in Nairobi, the daughter of Pepito (Nairobi) and Mary Ann D’Souza (ex-Kisumu); sister of Nicola. The family home is in Mississauga.

Lorraine Coutinho: Saudi Arabia's first women-only hotel
13 May: The Christian Science Monitor. …"It's women-owned, women-managed, and women-run - from our IT engineer to our electrical engineer," boasts Lorraine Coutinho, executive director of the Luthan Hotel & Spa… Coutinho, who is from Goa, sees the hotel as part of global trend. "Regardless of where we are in this world," she says, "I think women are finding the need to have spaces that are dedicated to themselves.” 1066 words. Click here.

Audio: Patricia Rozario interviewed.

13 May: Independent (UK). Patricia Rozario on her emergence as the first internationally established Indian opera singer and her extraordinary relationship with the composer John Tavener. Interview with references to her Goa and Bombay roots and with mp3 clips of her recordings. For the audio clip, 19m. 34s. Click here.
For the GVUK profile of Patricia Rozario, click here.

Fitz de Souza: From Bambolim to Nairobi via LSE

14 May: Times of India – Goa edition. Page 5. Fitz Remedios Santana de Souza, a constitutional lawyer with a PhD from LSE established himself in the Kenyan freedom movement by defending those charged with Mau Mau atrocities … He helped draft Kenya Constitution in the early 1960’s and was Deputy Speaker to the Kenya Parliament … the family first settled in Tanzania, then moved to Kenya … His daughter, taking after the father in politics, has been elected Councillor of Camden Town, UK … Every time he returns to Goa, though, the old fighter’s heart gets heavier at the distressing turn the state has taken … 678 words. Click here.

Eduardo Faleiro to visit Mozambique and Kenya from May 16-24
14 May: The Commissioner for NRI Affairs, Government of Goa, Eduardo Faleiro will be visiting Mozambique and Kenya from May 16-24. The visit is being organized by the Indian High Commissions in Mozambique and Kenya. He will be accompanied by the Director for NRI Affairs, Shri U. D. Kamat. During this visit he shall meet the Goan community, other communities of Indian origin as well as Foreign Ministers and other leaders of the two Governments. Mozambique currently has around 1000 Goan families. The Goan community in Kenya is estimated at around 500 families. Click here.

Lynn de Souza named CEO of Lintas Media

14 May: Livemint, India. Lowe Worldwide has promoted long-time Lintas India executive Lynn de Souza to chairman and CEO of Lintas Media Group (LMG), the country’s third largest media company with billings of about Rs1,700 crore. 561 words. Click here.
Lynn de Souza is the founder and chairperson of the Goa Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. She lives in Mumbai and Goa and is listed in the Top 25 Women Who Matter In India. For a profile of her click here.

Mary Jane Saldanha: A ton of good wishes

14 May: Moorabbin Glen Eira/Kingston Leader (Melbourne). Mary Jane Saldanha celebrated her 100th birthday on May 6 with 70 family members and friends at a local church. Mrs Saldanha said the hardest time of her life was during World War II. Her late husband served as a field postmaster, leaving home when their son was three months old. She had an anxious wait until he returned in 1945, when their son was six. She, her husband and son Herbert migrated to Australia from India more than 30 years ago. Her secret for living a century was ``to lead a simple life''

Mississauga: Poet Cheryl Antao-Xavier to launch book on 23 May

23 May: Cheryl Antao-Xavier is a poet, writer and playwright of Goan heritage, based in Mississauga, Ontario. Her poems have been published in anthologies and literary magazines and are vignettes of the human experience, painted against a vivid landscape of the Indian sub-continent. Her first collection of poems entitled “Dance of the Peacock” will be released during the Streetsville Arts Fest inauguration ceremony at 8.15 pm on May 23, 2008 at the Masonic Lodge, 11 Thomas Street in Mississauga. Admission, refreshments and parking (at the GO station) are free. For more details on the book and poet, please visit www.inourwords.ca

URGENT: Tickets available at venue of Goan Chaplaincy Day, London
Sun. 18 May. Goan Chaplaincy Day. Thanksgiving Mass at 1.15 pm followed by a social get together at Archbishop Lanfranc School Hall, Mitcham Road, Croydon. CR9 3AS. Music by Rainbow's End. Tickets (inc. meal): Adult £15.00; Child £7.50. Tickets will be available at the venue but please contact the Chaplaincy NOW to reserve tickets in advance to facilitate arrangements. Tel. 020 8665 2176 or email goanchaplaincy@yahoo.co.uk. Please ask your friends to alert their contacts.

Goan hotels on an expansion overdrive
9 May: Express Hospitality. The hospitality industry in Goa is busy increasing its inventory to accommodate the increased tourist inflow comprising domestic, international and MICE travellers … It is not only the hotels but even serviced apartments that are seeing growth in Goa … 347 words. Click here.

Goa: Two Norwegians detained for carrying excess currency
10 May: Navhind Times. The Customs at Dabolim airport detained two foreigners for allegedly carrying excess foreign currency … the two detained persons are learnt to be Norwegians and had boarded the Srilankan Airlines flight at Colombo. When they landed at Dabolim airport it was learnt that they had concealed the excess currency (British pound sterling) equivalent to Rs 12 lakh in a suitcase, click here.

Drowning deaths off Goan beaches could reduce
10 May: Times of India. Drowning deaths in Goa may soon be reduced as men and women lifeguards attired in fluorescent orange will be manning the state’s beaches. The new-look beaches will resemble the Baywatch scene with permanent towers manned with lifeguards keeping an eye on the bathers with binoculars, speed boats and jet skis primed to reach out in a flash of a second to rescue a drowning person. 388 words. Click here.

Goa should act fast on new airport, says Patel
10 May: Times of India. Union civil aviation minister Praful Patel has expressed strong dissatisfaction about the Goa government’s tardy pace of work on the new airport. 235 words. Click here.

Beyond the beaches
10 May: Gulf News (UAE). By Adam Flinter. They say Goa has some of the most beautiful sunsets in the world … Despite the riches that tourism bring to the state, Goa is still known for its fresh fish … Laid-back yet vibrant … 381 words + 5 photos. Click here.

Joyride turns tragic in Colva
10 May: Herald. Unregulated water sports at the Colva beach hit a tragic note after a 12-seater motorboat overturned in the shallow waters, killing one tourist on Friday afternoon. Click here.

Mystery over Russian drug mafia nexus
11 May: Times Now TV. … A Russian national -- 48 year old Andrey Dmitriev -- was found dead under mysterious circumstances last Sunday. The police were quick to pass it off as a heart attack. But soon enough, the truth came tumbling out. Initial reports ruled out a cardiac arrest, hinting at the possibility of a drug overdose … Goa is fast gaining the notoriety of being the drug capital of India. The mysterious deaths of these Russians strangely all related drug overdoses, adding to the intrigue. 451 words. Click here.

Goa: Crack-down on overstaying foreigners
11 May: Times of India. Foreign tourists overstaying in Goa are finding the going tough with cops hot on their heels. A British tourist en route to London and armed with a boarding pass, was stopped at the immigration counter of Dabolim airport on Saturday morning, as her visa had expired several months ago … the airline was asked to off load her … 283 words. click here.

Portugal: Charter Flights to Goa; Nationality application delays
11 May: Navhind Times. The Consul General of Portugal, Mr Paulo Nevis Pocinho today maintained that the Portuguese Consulate would support Chartered flights between Goa and Portugal … The issues of attestation of documents, besides registration, appointments and processing of documents, visa and finally, obtaining Portuguese nationality was also raised. 198 words. Click here.

The tragedy of Goa. By Shobhaa De
11 May: Times of India. …Goa has been done in by venal cops and corrupt politicians … It took the death of a 15-year-old British teenager to focus attention on how depraved and dangerous Goa really is. And it took a Feisty Fiona (Scarlett's mother), who has soldiered on with the sordid case in the face of death threats, to finally get everybody's attention. There is something really, really rotten in the state of Goa, and it's time to wake up and smell the feni … 677 words. Click here.
Shobhaa Dé is an Indian columnist and novelist. For a Wikipedia profile of her click here.

Deals of the week
11 May: The Sunday Mirror (UK). £733. Save £366 per couple when you stay seven nights room-only at the five-star Fort Aguada Beach Resort in Goa. Price of £733pp includes flights from Heathrow on May 17. Details: www.expedia.co.uk, 0871 226 0808

Not feni, fish and football. By Bachi Karkaria
11 May: Times of India. … Goa has a different history, which is why it looks as if it has been scooped up from Latin Europe and plonked in the middle of the Konkan's coconut groves … tourism is not just the state's welcome money-spinner, but also its undesirable yarn-spinner. It lulls you into believing that Goans do nothing but play bartender and beach-boy to a brochured paradise scattered with dazed blondes and desi celebrities who think they are on the Costa del Sol. 626 words. Click here.

“Do not come to Goa, there is chaos in Goa”
12 May: OhMy News. By Armstrong Vaz. "Do not come to Goa, there is chaos in Goa," says the advertisement the All-Goa Shack Owners Association is planning to insert in a couple of Goa newspapers ... The message is intended to garner support over the sun beds issue, a tangle that the state government must resolve before the next tourist season begins in October … Now only five pairs of sun beds and five beach umbrellas are permitted for each shack … "We need permission for twenty sun beds per shack," said association president Cardozo. 643 words. Click here.

Goodbye Goa: From UK to Goa and Back
13 May: Herald. By Martin & Sue Smith. We started a small business of a small hotel in Goa about 12 years ago … Over the last 18 months the “Foreigner go home campaign” waged in the media and by the local politicians has grown from being mildly amusing in the early days to a monster of epic proportions and is hell-bent on destroying the Goan tourist industry … the “Scarlett effect” has intensified the efforts of everyone determined to see the end of tourists in Goa … We would like to say farewell to all the friends and acquaintances we have in India and Goa in particular … 698 words. Click here.

“Goa has become a Toilet”

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13 May: British Expats Goa Forum. To the Goa State Government: Please allow me to sell my property … There is no longer any binding reason why I should wish to continue to struggle to stay in your increasingly filthy and dangerous self deluded "paradise" at the mercy of your degenerate politicians, puppet judiciary, corrupt bureaucracy, mafia style police, cheating and inept populace. 2209 words + discussion. Click here.

“Confiscate properties of UK Goans and deport them”
14 May: Herald. By Michelle Savage. Eight years ago we decided to move to Goa and purchased an old Portuguese house … Now MLAs are openly saying that properties purchased by foreigners will be confiscated and auctioned … My husband has become quite ill from all the stress … I will asking the UK government to put in place a reciprocal arrangement whereby properties of Goan settlers in the UK are confiscated and the country’s 60,000 Goan immigrants are forced to return to India … The whole experience makes me want to constantly cry … Let us sell our legally purchased property and we guarantee we will come back again. 458 words. Click here.

Goa Property Still Good for Investment
14 May: 24-7PressRelease.com (Press Release). Goa is not getting anywhere near the hype it was a year ago, but those that do pay attention will find that units from last year's off-plan developments, are now coming onto the secondary market, and selling for almost 50% more than they were last year … However, for those in the mood for taking a palpable risk, there are this year's off-plan developments coming onto the market at very reasonable prices. [Commercial post – Caveat Emptor]. 539 words. Click here.

Lufthansa plans new flights between India, Germany
14 May: Economic Times (India). With India and Germany having recently enhanced their bilateral air traffic rights from 50 to 69 flights a week, Lufthansa will increase the flight frequencies with immediate effect … the rights to operate to other destinations like Cochin and Goa would be exercised soon… Click here.

Produce it, dump it, forget it
8 May: Times of India. By Preetu Nair. Goa's homes produce 300 tonnes of garbage daily. More bio-medical waste comes from the hospitals and nursing homes. But most of this waste — some of it potentially hazardous to the environment — is dumped all over the state without any regard to the norms … waste is dumped wherever possible, often in rivers and the backwaters … The bio-medical waste that Goa's healthcare centres produce top the list of environmental concerns. 517 words. Click here.

Goa faces the onslaught of industrial pollution
8 May: Merinews. By Armstrong Vaz. Cuncolim Citizens Action Committee member Oscar Martins’ forefathers fought Goa’s first war of independence against the Portuguese way back in 1583. Today, Martins and his fellow villagers have risen up to save the village from pollution ridden industries. 989 words. Click here.

UTSI's a Goer in Goa
8 May: The San Francisco Examiner. UTStarcom, Inc. a global leader in IP-based, end-to-end networking solutions and services, today announced that it has been awarded a contract to deliver Internet Protocol TV (IPTV), bandwidth on demand and Voice over IP (VoIP) services in the state of Goa … 918 words. Click here.

Goa: Women are back on Baina’s streets

9 May: Navhind Times. The sex trade in Baina, against which an onslaught was launched in 2004 by the then state government, has raised its ugly face again. A visit to Baina beach reveals that business of soliciting customers is still going on … Around 30 commercial sex workers in the age group of 20 to 30 years are workingthere … 480 words. Click here.

Now, Chorao's realty plans come under fire
9 May: Times of India. Strong opposition to mega housing projects surfaced at the gram sabha at Chorao with members demanding immediate revocation of approval granted for construction of five bungalows with five swimming pools by a Delhi-based builder, M/s Goa Villa. 257 words. Click here.

In Goa, the dead can't rest in peace
9 May Times of India. By Preetu Nair. Dr EJ Rodrigues who is in charge of the Forensics Dept at the Goa Medical College doesn’t deny the problem of a shortage of space in the morgue. They keep two bodies in a compartment or keep them outside … Though the morgue has a capacity of 35, currently just 28 compartments are in working condition. Of these, 21 bodies have occupied the space for quite sometime, leaving just seven compartments free for new cases … Everyday at least 10 new bodies arrive at the morgue … the cost of keeping the body in the morgue at GMC is only Rs 100 a day … 378 words. Click here.

Swimsuit diaries: Breaking free
9 May: The Mint (India). Nonita Kalra, editor-in-chief, Elle India writes … And then, I went to Goa. Back in the time when it was still paradise and Baga was actually a beautiful beach. You could be naked and still no one would look at you. I lost my inhibitions and my bikini top - to the first crashing wave. And it no longer mattered … Click here.

Goa: 200 cases pending in forensic lab
9 May: Asian Age. By Pamela D’Mello. With the Goa police facing scores of unnatural foreigner deaths, a two-year backlog in specialised forensic tests is complicating matters and causing embarrassment to the state government. Nearly 200 cases have been referred and are pending … Of these, 28 relate to unnatural deaths of foreign tourists … 318 words. Click here.

Goa cashew nuts to cost more
9 May: FreshPlaza (Netherlands). The unseasonal rains have affected the cashew crop in Goa to the extent that the local suppliers may even have to import them from other countries. Cashew is the major plantation crop of the state, presently covering 55,000 hectares area with a produce of 27,000 tonnes of raw nuts … this year the unseasonal rains could reduce the crop by 20 per cent … raw nuts are procured for Rs 45 to 47 per kg this year as against Rs 35 to 37 last year … 593 words. Click here.

Mining leases threaten seven Goan villages. By Gilbert Lobo
9 May: Metal Bulletin (UK). If all pending mining leases in Goa are cleared, seven villages will disappear, said Goa Foundation head Claude Alvares. The west coast state of Goa produces around 25 million tpy of iron ore and exports most of it … Alvares, who is also a member of the Supreme Court Monitoring Committee on Hazardous Wastes, said in several villages, groundwater was so polluted that mining companies are forced to supply water in tankers just to keep the public from rebellion. 202 words. Click here.

10 May: Times of India: e-paper: Goa edition
Page 21: Konkani cinema has found a guardian angel
Page 25: Mario Miranda, the Gentle Don.
Page 26: Can Goans Preserve Their Awesome Legacy? By Alban Couto
Page 29: Where Have All The Goans Gone. By Wendell Rodricks
Page 35: A Quiz on Goan Surnames.
Go to the link below and select Saturday 10 May.
Click here.

Goans say no to nudity in media

10 May: Navhind Times. Do you like the media portraying women in an obscene manner? Will you buy a newspaper just to see pictures of women wearing next-to-nothing? “No,” is the unanimous answer of Goans who were interviewed by this newspaper on the subject… 808 words.
The photo is from the front page of the Navhind Times of 10 May. Click here.

Say Cheers to Feni!
11 May: Times of India. It’s that time of the year again. The smell of feni wafting through the air, invites you to a sip of the heady brew on a hot summer afternoon. Goans love their feni as much as they do their spicy food … Goa’s Tourism Department alongwith Loungefly who are organising a day-long Feni Festival today. A midsummer’s day with Goan street food like ros omlettes, choris pav, bhajjiyas and stock of feni...wow! 471 words. Click here.

Punjabi munda despoiling Goa
11 May: The Pioneer (India). By Kanchan Gupta. … Goa is verdant and lush … The only disconcerting distraction is the screeching of children and the uncouth, loud chatter of their parents - Delhi families visiting Goa … 64 per cent Goans, nearly all of them young, want a law banning the sale of land to non-Goans… the unhappiness is fast morphing into anger. We can either wake up to this reality now or pay for wilfully ignoring it later. 1081 words. Click here.

Videos: Goa Contacto Magazine: Nalini de Sousa

12 May: RTP. Video clips (27 minutes each) of the entire recent programmes are on the internet – check the link below. The first episode covers some of the religious feats celebrated in Goa. The second looks at the media, print and TV, in Goa. The third episode highlights some Goan personalities. The series is produced by Nalini Elvino de Sousa (shown in the photo), Jude Fernandes and Francisco Veres Machado. It is broadcast fortnightly, on Tuesdays, the next one is scheduled for tomorrow 13 May. Click here.

Anti-realty fire spreads across villages
12 May: Times of India. Even as the Benaulim gram sabha adopted two resolutions on Sunday demanding revocation of construction licenses of two building projects, the agitation against mega projects appeared to be spreading across the coastal belt. It what seemed to be the first indication of a mass movement gaining momentum, villagers of Colva, Benaulim, Varca, Majorda, Betalbatim, Orlim, Carmona, Cavelossim and surrounding villages have decided to hold a joint meeting at Benaulim, at 5 pm on May 12. 434 words. Click here.

Goa: Canacona: 5,000 structures to face the axe
12 May: Navhind Times. Around five thousand age-old residential houses and commercial buildings will be affected in the coastal areas of Canacona if demolition action is implemented as directed by the High Court … 753 words. Click here.

Goans urged to unite and fight detrimental mega projects
13 May: Navhind Times. The secretary of the Center for Social Justice, Fr Maverick Fernandes on Monday called upon Goans to save Goa for the future generations. Addressing a massive rally held at Dando ground at Benaulim, Fr Fernandes said that Goans when united have emerged victorious and said that Goa and Goans will fight unitedly against the atrocious motives of a few who are selling Goa … Over 2,000 people had gathered to show solidarity to opposing mega projects in the coastal belt … 484 words. Click here.

Sarita Nazareth: Married to the Lord

13 May: Times of India - Goa edition. Page 4. By Joaquim Fernandes. The first step to becoming a consecrated virgin is to take the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience while living in regular society … This is open to both sexes … Sarita Nazareth is reader of microbiology at Goa University who has dedicated her life to God … She did her primary education in Aden, where her father was based. Sarita is the youngest of five children, and her brothers include a Dominican priest, a dentist and a computer engineer now based in Canada … 1401 words. Click here.

Goa: Migration Study
13 May: PTI. Wives left back at home by their husbands working abroad and aged persons living isolated life would be the focus of a study proposed to be conducted on Goa's migration and emigration … the study will span across 6,000 households and 60 localities … 264 words. Click here.

Goa: Terrorist Attack Threat: Here's a reality check
15 May: Times of India. … the heavy influx of tourists makes Goa a likely terror target. And Goa is just not prepared … the South Goa stations do not even have a two wheeler, let alone a patrol vehicle. The Siolim station is fortunate to have a jeep, albeit a very old one. It breaks down every one kilometre … “Goa police are not equipped to counter any terror attacks” says former IGP Prabhakar Sinari. 333 words. Click here.

'Russians not victimised'
15 May: Times of India. Goa police is not "victimizing" Russian tourists visiting the state, states a report prepared by the Goa police and submitted to the government. "There has not been harassment of any kind meted out to the Russians. In fact they have exaggerated the facts in order to cover up their faults," said North Goa Superintendent of Police Bosco George. 267 words. Click here.

Weekly Update
15 May: Times of India – Goa. Exchange rates £= 82.38; $ = 42.45; Euro = 65.47
Weather: Partly cloudy. Max = 33.6C; Min = 25C. Humidity 67% to 70%

UK: Picks of the Week: TV Programmes: Thurs. 15 May
10 May: The Independent (UK). Storyville 9pm on Thursday 15 May. Channel: BBC4. Following their military service, increasingly large numbers of young Israelis are in the habit of putting the safety catch on and heading to Goa for sunbeams and recreational drugs. The film-maker Yoav Shamir meets some of the blissed-out 30,000. Click here.

French cyclist’s mother seeks clues on missing son

10 May: Khaleej Times (UAE). Marie Claire Talleu, mother of Jean-Baptiste, has offered a reward of Rs 200,000 to anyone who provides information about her son … He landed in Mumbai on December 4 and was to have cycled to Goa … A French traveller came across a young westerner - who looked like Jean-Baptiste - in Mapusa on February 10. “He looked quite disconnected from real life, like some westerners can be in India,” notes the entry in the Thorn Tree Travel Forum. The Goa police have been alerted, but there has been no breakthrough so far … 395 words. Click here.

Vindaloo: Flavour of the week
11 May: The Newcastle Herald (Australia). Vindaloo is based on a Portuguese dish of marinated pork … In Goa vindaloo evolved with the addition of spices … Vindaloo spread throughout the British Empire and is now a staple dish in England where curries reign supreme when it comes to dining out or takeaway … It is said that vindaloo is addictive and because of the amount of chillies involved, the body may undergo metabolic changes.

Sailor in mercy mission to Goa
12 May: Lancashire Telegraph. … HMS Illustrious, the Royal Navy's aircraft carrier is exercising in the Indian Ocean. The ship sailed to Goa for some much needed rest and recuperation but 50 seamen spent their time helping a local children's community project called Children Walking Tall. The UK-based charity runs a children's school and day-centre in Goa. The seamen helped raise a water tower, construct a children's tree-house, build a football pitch and repair buildings ... 315 words. Click here.

Vídeo: Lisbon: Museu do Oriente opens

12 May: RTP. Nos primeiros 3 dias, o novo Museu do Oriente em Lisboa recebeu mais de 10 mil visitantes. 1m.30s. Click here.

Goa remembered by prisoners
12 May: Jornal de Notícias (Portugal). On March 19, 1962, three Portuguese prisoners tried to escape from the concentration camp in Ponda, Goa … The Indian commander was preparing to open fire … The courage and diplomacy of Lt-chaplain Ferreira da Silva avoided a bloodbath when he negotiated with the Indian Brigadier the apologies of the Portuguese … It was in May 1962 that over three thousand prisoners in Goa were released, 39 having lost their lives. 411 words in Portuguese. Click here.

Canada: Brampton foodies know all about Chez Monet
12 May: The Brampton News. "This is Brampton's secret," says Amit Talreja. He's vice president and general manager of Chez Monet Bistro & Lounge and the Holiday Inn Select Toronto-Brampton, which has been going strong for the past 26 years. They've done it with a cuisine reflecting Brampton's diversity of cultures. Head chef Praveen Chilkuri's menu ranges from …their signature Goan Prawn Curry, to vegetarian dishes. 799 words. Click here.

Amitabh Bachchan: It’s great to be in Goa
13 May: Times of India. Amitabh Bachchan is in and out of Goa this evening. He will be arriving around 4.30 pm by a chartered flight, and leaving in a short while by the same … He would like to stay on because Goa is one of his favourite breaks. But cannot, because later tonight he leaves for Cannes. And from there, to London … He’s coming to release the book Goa: Aparanta Land Beyond End … He enjoys coming to Goa for short breaks … And, Bachchan recalled, he was amazed at the similarity between Panaji and Lisbon … 679 words. Click here.

Chicken Curry Massaman Style Recipe
13 May: Bella Online. Massaman (Thai) style is most likely a development of spices brought from Goa by the Portuguese and of Islamic origin. It is similar in concept to the "sour and hot" Goan style vindaloo dishes. By Thai standards this is usually a fairly mild curry. 827 words. Click here.

Chicago: Going for Goa
14 May: The Chicago Sun-Times. Marigold, 4832 N. Broadway, takes diners on a culinary journey through India's Goa region on Tuesdays in May; $25. The three-course menu includes pan-grilled squid marinated in Goan masala, potato and spinach bisque and duck leg marinated and braised in Goan vindaloo sauce. Call (773) 293-4653. Click here.

Toronto: Goan-style chorizo
14 May: Toronto Star. There's nothing tastier than a stuffed mushroom, and this tapas-style version gets its kick from dry-cured chorizo. I used Goan-style chorizo from The Healthy Butcher (565 Queen St. W.), which gave it an exotic, curry taste. The prosciutto provides enough salt … For the recipe, 283 words, click here.
For The Healthy Butcher website click here.

Recipe: Kenya Traditional Pilau
14 May: The Nation (Nairobi). Click here. Click here.
For more recipes from Kenya, including samosas, mandazi (mamri), click here.

Scarlett mother describes ordeal
7 May: BBC News. The mother of murdered Devon teenager Scarlett Keeling has described finding her daughter's clothing on the beach where she died … Speaking to BBC News about finding Scarlett's sandal, her mother, Fiona MacKeown, said she recognised the imprint of her foot in it. Ms MacKeown said the discovery of items of Scarlett's clothing on Anjuna Beach had been a "severe shock"… 349 words. Click here.

Scarlett Keeling: Suspended Goa forensic expert reinstated
9 May: PTI. The Goa government on Thursday reinstated suspended forensic expert Silvano Sapeco who had conducted the first autopsy on murdered British teenager Scarlett Eden Keeling which attributed her death to drowning in shallow beach water … Sapeco, attached to a state-run Goa Medical College and Hospital here, was suspended in March by the Health Ministry on the recommendation of the police for alleged "laxity". 272 words. Click here.

Scarlett Keeling: Police summon mother
9 May: BBC. The mother of murdered teenager Scarlett Keeling has been summoned by police in Goa to give evidence after she told the Guardian a "powerful person with money" was involved in the case, adding that she had been told the man's name … the summons would be sent to Ms MacKeown's address in Devon after her lawyer in Goa refused to accept it … 292 words. Click here.

Scarlett Keeling: Nerlon Albuquerque ridicules Fiona
9 May: Herald. Dismissed PSI Nerlon Albuquerque has decided to approach the appellate authority under the RTI Act to seek the enquiry report in the Scarlet Keeling case on the basis of which he was terminated from service … He ridiculed Fiona by stating she has made enough money by creating a baseless sensation of which he (Nerlon) was the target in the first episode … He alleged that she was selling her story to UK’s Channel 4 and had signed a three-year contract with them in this regard … 306 words. Click here.

Scarlett Keeling: Police refuse to lift look out notice for key witness
12 May: Navhind Times. The Scarlett Keeling case seems to have become even more convoluted with the police issuing a summon to her mother Ms Fiona Mackeown and refusing to lift the look out notice on the key witness in the case, Mr Michael Mannion … 462 words. Click here.

A recent speech given by Cardinal Murphy O'Connor in London seems to have travelled well to Goa where there has been healthy controversy on Goanet over what the Cardinal said and different interpretations of what he said. Here are two short quotes providing us a flavour of the speech..."I want to encourage people of faith to regard those without faith (atheists and agnostics) with deep esteem because the hidden God is active in their lives as well as in the lives of those who believe." "Our life together in Britain cannot be a God-free zone and we must not allow Britain to become a world devoid of religious faith and its powerful contributions to the common good." Several posts on this speech were received from different parts of the world by Goanet and illustrates how global we have increasingly become.

It is possible that many Goan Voice (UK) readers may wish to improve on their written and spoken Konkani but are unable to attend regular classes even when available? Help is now at hand by access to Konkani on-line. Click here.

In an unusual but humorous and informative article by Lionel Messias titled Do State Politicians Live to Eat? we receive a detailed account about the eating preferences of politicians in Goa, when clearly the tab is met on expense accounts. What is amazing is how much the gourmet choices are costing the State. Apart from a breakdown of the substantial costs involved, one also gets a good idea about the favourite eating places of the politicians.

According to a new global survey Indians and Brazilians have the most environmentally friendly lifestyles. American customers scored the lowest in the survey from the National Geographic Society and the international polling firm GlobeScan which was aimed at examining the impact of individual consumer behaviour.

An informative article by Wilmix Wilson Mazarello titled Konkani Tiatro Folklore of Goa provides much detail about aspects of Folk life, Folk arts, and Folk Drama. The differences between these headings are exemplified very well and the material should be of particular interest to those keen on Goan culture.

In a detailed article by Godfrey Gonsalves, titled Dando Benaulim Meet Sends Shock Waves, we learn about the concerted efforts at a big meeting of villagers from Cavellosim, Carmona, Orlim, Varca, Benaulim, Colva, Betalbatim, Marjorda and the surrounding areas on 12/05/08, "to warn the Government to desist from hobnobbing with real estate agents" in promoting mega projects in the villages of Goa. Among GV(UK) readers, there will be many from these Salcete villages and it would be useful for them and others to discover how the local people are increasingly resisting corporate pressure that could change the landscape of Goa in a significant way.

Finally, a short piece asks if someone could explain why Goa does not name roads, gardens etc after famous artists and musicians. Indeed, a further question could be asked why the naming of roads is so limited in Goa and one has invariably to find one's way by asking people for help on the roadside to get to a particular destination.

DOCUMENTARY: Storyville. BBC 4
Thursday 15th May. 21:00 to 22:00. Flipping Out - Israel's Drug Generation. Yoav Shamir's documentary looks at why so many young Israelis go backpacking in Goa, with a high proportion experimenting with drugs and consequently suffering mental breakdowns.

TRAVEL: Indian Ocean Holidays. Sky Three
Saturday 17th May. 12:30 to 13:00. Experience the breathtaking beauty of the Indian Ocean with Sky Travel. Escape to Mauritius, The Maldives, Goa or Sri Lanka and soak up the sun thanks to these exclusive deals.

FILM: Earth. Sky Movies Indie
Saturday 17th May. Time: 13:50 to 15:55. A Parsi family in Lahore see their Muslim and Hindu friends violently divided as partition follows British withdrawal from India. 1998. Director: Deepa Mehta

MUSIC: Vision Of Music - World Jazz. Performance Mainstreet
Saturday 17th May. 19:30 to 20:00. Showing the enormous impact Indian music had on contemporary jazz.

NEWS: Asian Network Report. BBC Radio Asian Network
Monday 19th May. 18:30 to 19:00. Beats and Beliefs. Is music with a message the way forward? Or is it in danger of being labeled a clever and subtle way to force your religious beliefs on others?

DOCUMENTARY: A Baby Story. Discovery Home and Health.
Wednesday 21st May. 06:30 to 07:00. Baby Francis. Help is on hand for Ive and Leni when their baby arrives. Their traditional Indian background means Leni's parents are also part of the household.

DOCUMENTARY: Monsoon Railway. BBC 4
Thursday 22nd May. 23:45 to 00:35. Second of two films by director Gerry Troyna, painting an affectionate portrait of the Indian railway culture.

REALITY SHOW: My Super Sweet 16. MTV ONE
Friday 23rd May. 18:30 to 19:00. Texas has two princesses when sisters Priya and Divya throw a joint birthday/graduation bash. As one of the richest families in the city, they want the best Indian-themed party there is.

Sun 18 May. 2 pm. Wembley. Copland School Hall. Wembley Goans U.K presents “American Ghorkar” Konkani Tiatr. A Tribute to Alfred Rose. PROFESSIONAL CAST FROM GOA. The artistes are: Director, Menino De Band; Legendary Rita Rose, Antonette De Calangute, Comedy Queen Janet, London Favorite Kenny, Bab Andrew, Goans Choice Francis De Tuem, Rising Star Master Junior Chico, Master Character Ben Evangelisto and the Guinness Record holder, Norman Cardozo. Contact Tony 020 87951 121, 0783 4639 420 or Felix 020 8421 5542, 0798 545 7108. For flyer click here.

Sun. 18 May. Goan Chaplaincy Day. Thanksgiving Mass at 1.15 pm followed by a social get together at Archbishop Lanfranc School Hall, Mitcham Road, Croydon. CR9 3AS. Music by Rainbow's End. Tickets: Adult £15.00* Child £ 7.50* *Early Bird Discount (Adult £ 12.00/ Child £6.00) if completed form and cheques are received latest by Wednesday, 30th April 2008. For forms and other information please contact the Goan Chaplaincy on 020 8665 2176. Tickets include snacks and food. Email- goanchaplaincy@yahoo.co.uk
Donations and Raffle Prizes will be greatly appreciated. Cheques should be addressed to 'Goan Chaplaincy'

Sat 31 May. 7pm. GOA Anniversary and May Ball. Wandsworth Civic Suite. Crowning of May Queen and May King. Music by Mellow Tones and Nite Life. Further details from Norma Menezes Rahim 020 8771 4457 Rosy De Souza 020 8677 0390 Rose Remedios 020 8658 7769 Claire De Souza 01784 421421 and Bernie Gracias 020 8723 1322. For full details click here.

Sun.15 Jun. Siolim Union (London) celebrates the feast of St. Anthony of Padua at Archbishop Lanfranc School Hall, Mitcham Road, Croydon CR9 3AS. Commences with Holy Mass at 12noon followed by dancing to the music of Maz and Co. Licensed Bar. Tickets which include snacks and lunch cost £10 for members & £12 for guests. Children under 12 free admission (meal tickets £3). No tickets will be sold at the door. Dress: Strictly Formal Contact: Edwin Athayde 020 8679 5514, Eugene Fernandes 020 8665 4773, Tony Fernandes 020 8540 3566.

Sun. 6 Jul. The Aldona Association will be celebrating the Feast of their Patron, St. Thomas at St.Edmund's Church Hall Croyland Road, Edmonton N9 7BZ on 6 July 2008. Mass will commence at 12.00pm followed by dancing to the music of Maz 'n'Co. Ticket cost includes snacks and a meal, Members £10.00, Guests £12.50 and children 5-16 yrs £6.00. You can download an application form from our website: www.aldonalondon.org.uk or email: aldonalondon@hotmail.com. For further details contact Jude-020 8360 4102, Les-020 8440 8832 or Tino-0162 8680 529.