ANNOUNCEMENT

From Eddie Fernandes: I will be in Kenya from 27 Mar. to 15 Apr. During this period I will be connecting intermittently with my usual email address but there will be a restricted Goan Voice service kindly provided by Selma Carvalho. Please send me your messages as usual to me but copy them to Selma Carvalho as well at elisabeth_car@yahoo.com

COMMUNITY NEWS

Matrix appoints Savio Pereira as brand ambassador
6 Apr: Business of cinema. US hair products company Matrix has appointed celebrity hairstylist Savio John Pereira as its brand ambassador. Pereira has been one of the pioneers in professional hairdressing in the Indian market and is today one of the most influential names in the business. Matrix products are being retailed in a number of salons across India and they hope their association with Pereira will help boost its brand image. 249 words.Click here.

Toronto: Allan DeSouza and Brendan Fernandes: Art Exhibition
3 Apr: Toronto Star. Justina M. Barnicke Gallery (Hart House, 7 Hart House Circle. 416-978-8398): "South South: Interruptions & Encounters" exhibit with works by Allan deSouza, Brendan Fernandes, etc, runs to May 19. Click here.

Blanche D'Souza: 'Harnessing The Trade Winds'
3 Apr: Coastweek (Mombasa). Blanche D'Souza, johbla@africaonline.co.ke recently published a book which was well received at its Mombasa launch by Friends of Fort Jesus. 'Harnessing the Trade Winds' traces the history and the impact of the age old Indian trade with Africa … The author taught at Dr Ribeiro Goan School in Nairobi… the book is listed in African Books Collective among the best publications of 2008… 359 words. Click here.

Remembering Aquino de Braganca
3 April: Today has been set aside at the International Centre-Goa, Dona Paulo, as a day of remembrance and to celebrate the life of Aquino de Braganca. Aquino was a Goan by birth and possibly a Mozambikan at heart. He was a scholar, diplomat and humanist and ultimately a victim of the plane crash on October, 1986. Those who knew him either loved him or hated him, a revolutionary who took his place as Advisor to Samora Machel, the first President of independent Mozambique. For more on Aquino..1072 words. Click here.

Inquest into death of sailor Gregory Fernades
1 April: An inquest into the death of Gregory Fernandes was due to take place on 1 April. Southhapton cornoner Keith Wiseman was set to examine the final moments in the life of Gregory Fernandes who was literally frightened to death after being kicked and punched in a racist attack. 146 words. Click here.

Mourning the death of Gregory Fernandes
1 Apr: Goanet Reader. Benedito Ferrao, affiliated to the University of London, examines racism in the UK in the wake of Gregory Fernandes’ death. Fernandes was a young Goan sailor who came ashore at Southampton Port in February, 2009. Whilst heading out for a drink, he and his ship-mate were set upon by a gang of 20 British youth, out that night looking to “get a paki.” Benedito contends that this is not a one-off incident but is reflective of the pervasive nature of racism in the UK. 2140 words. Click here.

Freida in Israeli Film
31 Mar: Bollyspice.com. Freida Pinto seems to be on a constant high after the success of the Oscar winning Slumdog Millionaire. The star has now signed an Israeli film. The project is believed to be based on Rula Jebreal’s book Hind Husseini. The author was the founder of an orphanage in Jeruselam during the partition of Palestine and the creation of the state of Israel. Shooting to commence in April. 101 words. Click here.

Vaz tops local MP claims
31 Mar: Leicester Mercury. Keith Vaz claimed more on his parliamentary allowances and travel expenses in 2007/8 than any other city or county MP, figures show. The Leicester East MP claimed a total of £146,584 on his allowances in the year – which included £20,787 for running a second home. When queried, he said “I have used the allowances allocated to my office, so I can do the best possible job for my constituents.” 410 words. Click here.

DEATHS

8 Apr. Luton, Beds., England. JOANITA FONSECA. Wife of the late Paul Fonseca. Loving mother of May, Margaret and Albert (Mississauga), Arnold, John, Alfred & Ramona (UK).sister of the late Francis Luis, Ambrose Luis and Catherine Caldeira (ex-Zanzibar), Luiza, Mary & Philo (Goa) and Cajetan (Paclo) Luis (UK). Condolences to Albert - fonzie34@sympatico.ca.

6 Apr: Colva: MILENA MACHADO E NORONHA: Wife of Evaristo, mother of Natasha/Lawrie Fernandes (Lorenz) and Norvin; Sister of Venancio/Manuela (Portugal), Clementina/Paixoa Gomes.

6 Apr: Colva: MILENA MACHADO E NORONHA: Wife of Evaristo, mother of Natasha/Lawrie Fernandes (Lorenz) and Norvin; Sister of Venancio/Manuela ( Portugal ), Clementina/Paixoa Gomes.

6 Apr: Nerul/Bastora/Mapusa: Ex-Police Commissioner’s Office, Nairobi, Kenya: ESCOLASTICA (ESTHA) D’SOUZA: Wife of late Francisco Xavier (Simon), mother of Gregory (Canada) and Lobelle (USA), mother-in-law of Lynette and Brian; grandmother of Sabrina, Serena, Selena, Xena and Wayne, sister of late Blasio/Maxie (UK), Franco/late Diana (USA), Fermino/Carlota (USA), late Vincent Paul/Gracy (UK), Hillary/Hilda (UK), late Cipriano/Benny, late Santos/Rosy, Dr Willie/Lorraine (USA).

4 Apr: Yorktown, New York. JIM WENZEL. Husband of Celina nee Machado (ex Dar es Salaam). Father of Maria and Jimmy Jo. Son-in-law of the late Mr and Mrs Paulosinho Machado; brother-in-law of Vincent, Clara, Vivian, Cynthia and Virgil. Condolences to celina.wenzel@gmail.com

4 Apr: Maple, Ontario, Canada. GABRIEL GOES (ex-Zanzibar). Son of late Salvadore and Maria Conceicao. Beloved husband of Benedicta Goes nee Pereira; Loving father of Karen Goes D'Sa (Darryl D'Sa, children Tyler and Julianna) and Melissa Goes (fiancé David Ross); Brother of Auta [Martin, children Rosalia (Bossuet, children Clint and Rylan), Vera (Lester, children Kaniel and Brianna), Savio (Villma and child Keziah)], Angela [late Joaquim Correia and child Sandra (Elvis)], Luisa [Jimmy De Souza, children Valerie, Charlie and Ronnie)], Stephen and late Augustine, Joseph and Lucas. Condolences to ggoes189@yahoo. com

3 Apr: Pune, India: FR LESLIE JOSEPH ALMEIDA, SJ. (Born 1941, ex-Uganda). Son of late Elipidio (XE)/late Beatriz (Uganda); Brother of Elaine/late Robert, Enid/Armand (Canada), Tony/Zulema (Canada), Joe (Uganda/Goa), Fr Hector SJ (Belgaum) and Greta/George (Bahrain). Died peacefully at Loyola, Pune.

02 Apr: Bombay-Borivalli: SIMON (JERRY) D’SOUZA (age 77) Husband of Flavia, father of Caroline/Roy (USA), Sheryl/Gerard (Kuwait), Merlyn/Mark (UK).

02 Apr: Bogmalo: LEONILDA ALMEIDA: Wife of Avilano, Mother of Allwin/Sofia, Alino (Carnival Cruises)/Deodita, Lovely (USA).

31 Mar: Cuncolim: AGNELA ESPIDIANA CRASTO: Relict of late Timothy, mother of Capt Prakash/Pupcy, Roy , Jessica/late Veni Menezes (Australia)

31 Mar: Calangute: LEONILDO PEDRO ANTONIO AGNELO ERIC PEREIRA: Son of late Alberto/late Rosalia, brother of Elsa/Roque (Brazil), Elma./Alziro; Uncle of Roberto, Roy/Livia, Ronaldo, Roque Jr, Rosanna (All Brazil) and Lisa.

30 Mar: JOAQUIM FERNANDES (age 67), Ex-Kenya/Siolim-Marna. Husband of Anna (Duduxa), brother of late Dominic/Rosy (England), Bella/late Dominic, Rosy/late Shaffi (Kenya), late Joseph/Maria (England), late John and Irene/Joseph.

28 Mar: : Bromley: Kent, UK. SIDNEY RODRIGUES (ex Nairobi). Beloved husband of the late Lira Rodrigues. Much loved father of Moyna/Simon, Vicky/Fidelis, Michelle/Gary & Kevin/Hasina. Dearly loved grandfather of Lauren, Aaron, Aisha, Kieran and Adam. Brother of Joe/Fatima, late Nestor/Joffee & late Elizabeth/Bertha. Condolences to: krodrigues@btinternet.com

26 March: Kensal Rise, London . MARIA AUGUSTA D'SOUZA (Aged 88). Loving wife of the late Pedro Vincente D’Souza and dearest mother of Mary, Jose/Clara, Rosy/Douglas, Maria/Anthony, Joaquim/Lilly, Philomena/Paul.

WHO THE BLEEP CARES?
Weekly column by Selma Carvalho.

Who the Bleep cares about T-Shirts?

Exactly 9 days ago the Goa government at the request of the right-wing Hindu fundamentalist group, HJS embedded in Goa, decided to “crack-down” on venders selling T-shirts offensive to the self-appointed custodians of Hindu sensibilities. A edict was issued that anyone caught selling these “offensive T-shirts” would be arrested. Two teams of police would roam around ready to take action. Now bear in mind, that a year ago, Rajan Parrikar tried in vain to get the Goa government to be civically responsible, to “crack down” on the open defecation that takes place around Panjim and the vagrancy which allows for people to bed on its streets. Unfortunately Rajan’s petitions thus far have not met with much success. Apparently the Goa Police do not have enough man-power to enforce basic laws about hygiene and sanitation, which unabated can cause epidemics of pestilence and disease.

As far as I know Goa Police are not known to actually take any laws seriously, be they traffic laws or drug trafficking laws. Infact the only possible reason for laws to exist at all is so that our police may earn a healthy “hafta” on account of them. So it came as a complete shock to my system that Goa Police actually had time on their hands to deal with a “T-shirt” violation. Yesterday the first perpetrator of T-shirt indecency, a Russian lady tourist wearing a T-shirt with the letters Om, was taken to the police station after a complaint was lodged by the HJS. As far as I know a T-shirt never hurt anyone. This really begs the question, who exactly is in charge in Goa?

The HJS is the same group that lodged a complaint during the International Film Festival, not to air a documentary by painter M F Hussein. The spineless Kamat government caved in. Only when protests were lodged to the contrary by fans and movie industry stalwarts did they gather the courage to show the innocuous documentary. Apparently, M F Hussein has been hurting this group’s sensibilities quite often. What is going to hurt the sensibilities of this group next?

Is this really India or is this some hinterland just north of Afghanistan? India has a long history of tolerance and progressive, secular thinking. Christians, particularly, have always been proud, respected citizens of this country. Today, they are a small, disadvantaged and frightened minority. Forget about the greater atrocities that happen in Orissa, the burning of Churches and the raping of nuns. Even in cosmopolitan Mumbai, prayer meetings are disrupted, hosting of Christmas Carols objected too, Valentine’s Day banned; small scale intolerance that flies under the radar but renders the Christian impotent in his own country. And the scariest aspect of it all is that the fundamental right-wing groups are slowly but surely gathering the support of state institutions, such as the polity and the police.

Do leave your feedback at carvalho_sel@yahoo.com

TRAVEL & TOURISM NEWS:

Deals of the week
5 Apr: The Sunday Mirror. Goa from £385pp Depart from Gatwick on April 18 for seven nights' B& B at the two-star Prazeres. Book all of these deals with The Co-operative Travel.

Gatwick - Goa plus seven nights
5 Apr: Goa from £385pp DEPART from Gatwick on April 18 for seven nights' B& B at the two-star Prazeres. Click here.

Gatwick - Mombasa Return: £179
7 Apr: African Safari Club. Dep: 13 Apr. 15 nts £249; 20 Apr. 36 nts £179; 27 Apr. 36 nts £179 per person. For enquiries and reservations please call 0845 345 0014 and quote the promotional code "FEN06" 

Security move after lifeguards beaten up by tourists
9 Apr: Scotsman. Lifeguards at Goa’s Baga beach are to get their own security team after they were beaten up by rowdy tourists. Beach management company Drishti has asked the government to approve the move to protect their employees…296 words. Click here.

GOA NEWS HEADLINES

German Girl rape: Rohit Monserratee allowed to travel abroad
31 Mar: Times of India. Goa Children’s Court has granted permission to State Education Minister, Atanasio Monserratte’s son, Rohit, to travel abroad for 45 days alongwith his parents, as of April 20. Rohit is currently out on bail after being charged by the State police. 126 words. Click here.

Goa sways to folk tunes
1 Apr: Indiaglitz. Shooting for Director Venkat Prabhu’s movie “Goa” began yesterday with the filming of a dance-song . The song itself is characteristic of Goan folk-music and grew great crowds during its filming. 154 words. Click here.

Nano on display in Goa
31 Mar: Herald. The world’s most eagerly awaited car, the Tata Nano, will be on display from April 1 at the Auto Industries showroom in Nuvem, Goa. Nano is the cheapest car in the world, selling for around Rs 1.20 lakhs. It is designed with a family in mind, has a two-cylinder engine and offers remarkable fuel efficiency. 116 words. Click here.

Goa claims discrimination
2 Apr: Times of India. The Travel and Tourism Association of Goa, and the State Tourism Minister both agree that Goa has been given a “raw” deal by the Centre in its Incredible India campaign. The lion’s share of the representation in form of advertisements has gone to Rajasthan and Kerala. These are recessionary times and we need to be aggressively marketing Goa or we’ll be losing out, was the feeling in Goa’s tourism quarters. The Union Tourism Minister however denies that was a step motherly treatment meted out to Goa. 253 words. Click here.

Goa bans entry of Ram Sene leader
1 Apr: Times of India. North Goa district magistrate issued an order on Apri 1, banning the entry of Shri Ram Sene and his workers into Goa. The Collector was of the opinion that their entry would disrupt communal harmony. The Ram Sene group came under the public glare earlier this year when they attacked women at a pub in Mangalore. 191 words. Click here.

Scarlette Keeling case: PSI Nerlon's dismissal revoked
1 Apr: Nearly a year after he was dismissed citing shoddy investigation into the alleged rape and murder of British teenager Scarlet Keeling, PSI Nerlon Albuquerque received some good news when the Advocate General Subodh Kantak mentioned in the High Court of Bombay at Goa on Wednesday that the Government had decided to withdraw his dismissal order. 313 words. Click here.

Russian tourist in Goa forced to change ‘Om’ t-shirt
3 Apr: IANS. A right-wing outfit in Goa late Friday forced a Russian tourist to change her T-shirt bearing an “ Om ” symbol, after taking her to the local police station. Police officials said some of the activists were drunk… 302 words. Click here.

Ceiling fan crashes on GMC patient's bed
4 Apr: It was a miraculous escape for Manjula Chandekar, 21, recuperating in ward 145 of the Goa Medical College (GMC) and Hospital, Bambolim when the ceiling fan above her bed came crashing down, causing her slight injuries. The incident on Friday afternoon sent shock waves across the spanking new GMC building block, coming as it did two days after a portion of a false ceiling had collapsed in another ward. 392 words. Click here.

How I found myself in Goa
4 May: National Post (Canada). We can't stay here, I told my girlfriend, this place is disgusting.This was Goa, one of the most heavily touristed regions of India. Doing yoga in the sand is best done with minimal clothing, for reasons of comfort . 537 words. Click here.

New Tiatr Season Has Much To Offer
4 Apr: Goan Observer. Tiatr lovers are in for a treat as another season of Konkani tiatr begins on Easter Sunday with rehearsals and related activities in full swing … The present socio-political scenario in Goa presents the tiatrist fraternity with several subjects which worry an average Goan such as SEZ, Regional Plan 2021, garbage menace, Cidade ordinance, AIFF football academy and the fate of the Campal football stadium, Lok Sabha elections, legalising of bullfights, Goa’s GMC and the overall public health facilities available, rising accidents on Goan roads, Goa’s passion for acquiring Portuguese citizenship and its negative fallout in the future, casino wars, tourism related drug mafias in the northern belt, formation of the tiatr academy and its positive impact, rising rape incidences in Goa, migrant in-flow into Goa, etc. … 677 words. Click here.

Goa politics: Circus of the absurd
4 Apr: Times of India. Attempting to make sense of Goan politics is akin to putting together a puzzle whose pieces just do not match. If political parties are meant to represent different sections of society, and if it is their core values that play a role in directing a state's fortunes, then Goa's political parties present the state in very poor light.Goa’s politics can best be described as the Circus of the absurd. 683 words. Click here.

Goa ministers splurge taxpayers' money
5 Apr: Times of India . The Goa government has spent nearly Rs.1.5 crore on food and almost Rs.13 lakhs refurnishing the official residences of three senior ministers and the speaker, according to written replies given by the government to questions raised in the state assembly... 431 words. Click here.

84% of Goa primary schools without headmasters
6 Apr: Times of India. Of the 1,121 primary and middle government and aided schools in Goa, 949 or 84.65% operate without a headmaster or a head teacher. This was revealed by data collected by the National University for Educational Planning and Administration (NUEPA) central government programme through the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA). This data has been hotly debated. 356 words. Click here.

Goa promised a bull-fighting arena
6 Apr: Sindh Today. Congress in Goa has promised a government funded bull-fighting arena, as part of its poll agenda. Fransico Sardinha, the Congress candidate for South Goa Lok Sabha seat and a self-confessed lover of bullfights told reporters that he would fund the bull-fighting arena from his Member of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) fund if he was elected. 305 words. Click here.

Drug dealer hunt in Goa after death
7 Apr: The Press Association. Police in India have been hunting for a drug dealer who supplied a fatal dose of heroin to a British tourist.Nigel Smith, 62, of Woodford Green, north-east London, was found dead in his Goa hotel room on Sunday. 71 words Click here.

IN THE NEWS:

Reliving the age-old dream
3 Apr: Express India. Peter D’Silva and Castellino have been neighbours for 25 years, ever since they moved into the same building in Parel, Bombay. At about four-thirty every evening, the odd-couple, slip on their brown walking shoes and step out into the burning sun for an evening walk, reminiscing about footballers of a by-gone era. 725 words. Click here.

Airports in India on alert
2 Apr: Herald. Security at all major airports across the country was beefed up today with fresh intelligence inputs suggesting terror strikes and attempts to hijack aircraft. Confirming that an advisory has been issued to all functional airports to step up security, official sources said fresh inputs had been received that terrorists could attempt to strike at airports or aircraft. They, however, described the exercise as “routine” saying all the airports have been put on high alert since the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai. 207 words.Click here.

Gentle film a bridge between worlds; The Pool
3 Apr: Toronto Star. Chris Smith making the most of India 's cinematic opportunities with his film. The Pool. Set in Panjim, the capital of Goa, The Pool eschews the former Portuguese colony's fabled seaside landscape - a sort of subcontinental Riviera - to explore the real and imagined distances between the poor who live and work in the city's gritty core and the wealthy who occupy its spacious outer suburbs. Click here.

Political instability leading to job loss: Goa industry
5 Apr: IANS. The Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry has said growing political instability and a 15 percent drop in the tourism sector have led to nearly 100,000 people in the state losing their jobs… 207 words.Click here.

Beer-makers on Hindu Extreme Group Hitlist
5 Apr: Express Buzz. Following his attack on pub-goers in Mangalore, Ram Sene chief Pramod Muthalik said on Saturday that his next target is beer factories. He said "we will attack them. We want to do away with the evil of drinking.” 361 words. Click here.

One Year On: Who Killed Scarlett?
5 Apr: The Sunday Times (UK). The family of the teenage girl murdered in Goa last year are still desperate for answers… A year later, Fiona is utterly exhausted but cannot give up her search for the truth, because that would be like giving up on Scarlett… Last month India ’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) applied to the Goan court for permission to interview Fiona — and was refused. Trapped in a corrupt system, she is now at her wits’ end… 839 words. Click here.

The (untold) Southall Story
7 Apr: Asians in the Media (UK). Southall is a place that has come to be affectionately known as Little India, but for many it is much more than that… The aim of The Southall Story is to create an archival, oral and visual documentation reflecting a dynamic heritage. The project’s journey will see a variety of exhibitions, events, film documentaries and sharings taking place throughout 2009, culminating in a publication of a book and DVD… For a full list of events, go to the website atwww.thesouthallstory.com 743 words. Click here.

Saviojon: 'Indian models need to be slapped!'
8 Apr: Daily News & Analysis. Goa-born and bred designer Saviojon Fernandes has been chosen to exhibit in Paris and New York next month … He says, "You know, Indian models have such an attitude problem; they literally pancake themselves and are so uptight - they need to be slapped!" Click here.

GOANET HIGHLIGHTS
BY Cornel D'Costa

While Pio Gama Pinto was active politically in Kenya working for independence from British rule, another Goan, Aquino Braganca worked ceaselessly for independence from Portuguese rule in Mozambique. Both died in tragic circumstances but we are at last getting to know more about Aquino from the writings of his widow in Goa. Please see a lengthy illustrated account about Aquino at: click here.

Well, how badly and by whom are Christians treated worldwide? Read about this at: click here. This particular url may seem rather clumsy but it worked for me!

Caste segregation invented in India and an absolute scourge that shamelessly priveleges a minority at the expense of the majority, persists not because of any scientific evidence for inborn characteristics but because of intense indoctrination of the young and consistent endogamy. Currently, there is much debate on Goanet about the role of MK Gandhi, the father of the nation, and his attitude to caste. Some claim that he did little or nothing to debunk caste but others offer an opposite view. Two views are presented below at:
1. click here.
2.click here.

Space is limited for this weekly input but a few earlier items can now be included: The substantial damage done to the environment consequent to mining activity in Goa has been well documented even though such activity by the big industrialists has increased in intensity. An interesting article by Seby Rodrigues informs us about the role of the Goa police in the mining village of Colomb. See this at: Click here.

In many parts of the world, it is not unusual to have the statue of the Virgin Mary taken from home to home by way of veneration. I believe that this happens today among the Goans in Toronto if not in the UK. A short account by Jose Lourenco tells us about the statue of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour passed on among family homes in Goa with song and prayer. Read this at: Click here.

Currently, there is much in our media about how the financial crunch has hit Dubai particularly hard and that immigrant workers are losing their jobs and being forced to return home. An excellent Panorama programme on Monday 6/4/09 highlighted the terrible conditions there of manual workers from the Indian subcontinent and how so many have not recouped the money they spent in illegally 'buying' their jobs from unscrupulous agents. But on the other hand, over a long period, many Goans did very well by dint of hard work in different Gulf countries and this aspect is emphahsised by Selma Carvalho. It can be read at: click here.

Please visit the Goanet archives at http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/
To subscribe to Goanet send an email to subscribe@goanet.org

RELIGIOUS: Belief. BBC Radio Three
Friday 10th Apr. 23:00 to 23:15. Joan Bakewell explores areas of belief with artists, thinkers and other public figures. She discusses the Catholic faith with screenwriter and author Frank Cottrell-Boyce.

DOCUMENTARY: A Baby Story. Home and Health
Saturday 11th Apr. 07:00 to 07:30. 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.

TRAVEL: Planet Food. Goa. Travel Channel
Sat. 11th Apr. 18:00 to 19:00. Angela May journeys to the Western Coast of India to sample the cuisine and culture of the thriving melting pot that is Goa…. She eats Goan foods from vibrant restaurants across the region, gets cooking lessons from Goan chefs, and tries her hand at creating some of the dishes for herself.

TRAVEL: Working Holiday. Travel Channel
Sunday 12th Apr. 11:00 to 12:00. Wellington DJ, Sandon James, works in Goa, India, at a Motorbike tour company which is run by English expatriate Susie. Sandon also gets to work at a rafting tour company in the jungle run by another English expatriate John.

DOCUMENTARY: Wedding SOS. Sky Real Lives
Monday 13th Apr. 13:00 to 13:30. Bagpipes at An Indian Wedding?Emotionally charged series following no-nonsense celebrity wedding planner Jane Dayus-Hinch as she attempts to ease wedding woes and make getting hitched hitch free.

TRAVEL: Globe Trekker. Travel Channel
Thursday 16th Apr. 22:00 to 23:00. Ultimate India. More exciting round-the-world adventures with Ian Wright and his team of intrepid travellers.

TRAVEL: Panasia. Travel Channel
Friday 17th Apr. 10:00 to 10:30. Macau. Sian Richards introduces this series capturing the sights, sounds and flavours of Asia. Macau offers up an intriguing blend of Portuguese and Chinese cultures and traditions, which is reflected in their cuisine - a curious mixture of Indian, Malay, and African together with the Chinese and Portuguese influences

FORTHCOMING

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

25 Apr: London. International Strathmore-Kianda (Nairobi) students Re-union. In attendance from Kenya will be Professor DAVID SPERLING and JAMES McFEE. For further details, please contact IGGY TAVARES by e-mail: ignatius.tavares@kcl.ac.uk

Sun 26 Apr. Tiatr! Tiatr! Goan Cultural Society proudly presents their annual Konkani Tiatr “MUMMY MHAKA TUJE VENGENT DHOR” written by Goa Academy Prize winner, Albert Leo D’Souza, at Archbishop Lanfranc Hall, Mitcham Road, Croydon at 2.00pm. For details contact: Nina – 020 8767 0663; Cornelius 020 8681 8716; Bella – 020 8372 1253; Ida – 020 8881 2921; Camilo – 020 8801 3637. For full details and photos of the cast, click here.

Sun 3 May. Saligao Association UK celebrate the feast of Nossa Senhora de Mae de Deus at Archbishop Lanfranc School, Mitcham Road, Croydon CR9 3AS. Holy Mass at 12.30 pm followed by a Social. For further details contact: Raymond D\'Silva: 020 8300 5240; Sergio Coelho: 020 8543 4681; Zemira Fernandes: 01895 259947.

Sun: 3 May. Cortalim Feast. Mass will commence at 2pm prompt, (followed by our social Dancing to the Sounds of Nite Life to 10pm) at St. John’s Church Hall, Bourne Hill, Palmers Green, London N13. Ticket Price includes snacks, meal & dessert Adults: £12; Age: 11-18: £6; 2-10: £2.50 and under 2 free. For information & tickets contact: Maria - 020 803 5146, Joe-0208-443-1014, Laurent 0208-641-5995, Tony-0208 -888-0393, Vanessa 0208-800-5413, Walter 0207-476-4580 or Tino- 07821900490

Sat 9 May. MAY BALL AT MIDSUMMER HALL. Jurys Inn, Milton Keynes. Black Tie / Evening wear essential. A three course sit-down meal at this beautiful venue located in the new MK Hub and great music provided by the sensational band "Calibre". Carriages at midnight. Discounted hotel rooms available. No tickets sold at the door. A Night to Remember! For more details contact: Sally on Mob: 07976 826473 or email: sally@stevef.co.uk

Sat: 16 May. Goan Association Anniversary and May Ball. Wandsworth Civic Suite. Nite Life In Attendance Further Details From Norma Menezes Rahim 020 8771 4457 or Rosy De Souza 020 8677 0390

Sun 17 May. Tiatr! Tiatr! Goan Cultural Society proudly presents their annual Konkani Tiatr “MUMMY MHAKA TUJE VENGENT DHOR” written by Goa Academy Prize winner, Albert Leo D’Souza, at St John’s Hall, Bourne Hill, Palmers Green, London N13 at 3.00pm. For details contact: Bella – 020 8372 1253; Ida – 020 8881 2921; Camilo – 020 8801 3637 or Gregg – 07931 753653. For full details and photos of the cast, click here.

Sun: 24 May. 1.00pm - 8.30pm. The Bakuli Reunion at Archbishop Lanfranc School, Croydon. Live music by Mellow Tones and disco by "DJO" Tickets Adults: £14.00 Children (2 -12 years) £7.00. Price includes a meal and snacks. For further information please contact Tony Lobo 020 8542 0528 or Reg Da Cunha 020 7732 2659. Please note that tickets will be issued on a "first come basis" No tickets will be sold at the door.

Sun 31 May. Margao Union UK. Feast of the “The Holy Spirit”. Archbishop Lanfranc Hall, Mitcham Road, Croydon. Mass at 12.30pm. Followed by Social Gathering & Dancing to the Sounds of Nite Life. Tickets Adult £10.00 B4 - 15-May -09 after £12.00. Children 6-16Years 6.00. Under 6 Years free. Price includes Snacks Buffet & Dessert. For Information & tickets contact: Bella- 020 8372 1253, Rosalind-020 8767 8652, Lucas-020 8967 7471, Agnela 020 8646 6996, Gregg - 07931 753653, Camilo 020 8801 3637, Xav - 020 803 5146 - 0750 7950 455.

Sun. 21 Jun. Goan Chaplaincy Day. Eucharistic Celebration at 1.30pm followed by a get together. Venue: Archbishop Lanfranc School, Croydon. Details to follow. Contact Chaplaincy Office: 020 8665 2176 –Tuesday & Thursday between 10 am to 2pm.

11-16 Jul. Pilgrimage to Fatima: (6-Day Pilgrimage) Charges: £529- Includes Flights, Taxes, accommodation, full-board meals, coach transfer in Portugal. Deposite required: £100 and balance to pay 6 weeks prior to departure. Enquiry& Reservation contact Cilla Herman 020 8684 7671.

Sun. 26 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. Contact: Herbert Fernandes 01277 651052, Alfred Rebello 020 – 8337 8022. For stall applications contact: Bernie Gracias 020 - 8723 1322.

Sun. 23 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.

8-20 Nov. Pilgrimage to Holy Land and Mount Sinai: (13 Days) Leaving from Heathrow Airport. Tours/Transport, Breakfast/Dinner included. Visa for Egypt included only for British Passport holders. Charges: £980. Enquiry& Reservation contact Cilla Herman 020 8684 7671

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