COMMUNITY NEWS

Canada: Alex J. Tavares at Queen Street gallery
3 Jan: Niagara Falls Review. Artist Alex. J. Tavares will create 11 new canvasses at the r@gallery downtown. The East African-born Tavares has had 24 solo shows and been part of more than 100 group exhibitions in 25 countries… Click here.
The updated news report is that the show will run from Jan 17 to Feb 5, 2009. r@gallery is located at 4507 Queen St. Niagara Falls, Ontario. Alex Joseph Tavares was born on the island of Zanzibar in 1934 and traces his Goan roots to Calangute. For his website go to www.alexjtavares.com

BBC: Looking For Uganda Goans
8 Jan: BBC Radio 4: Making History: Asian Migration Series. The producers for the show are also looking to speak to Ugandan Asians who lived in camps in here in the UK upon arriving from Uganda in the 1970s. Many were housed in old 2nd World War camps following the exodus and Radio 4 producers want to hear their stories. If you might be able to help, email krupa.thakrar at bbc.co.uk. For information about the programme series, click here.

Swindon on Downward Sway
8 Jan: Herald (Goa). Over 300 Goans gathered to celebrate Christmas in Swindon … The Goan Swindon Association plans to host an Easter dance and have its own Club house with the support of the Council … The recession has resulted in 400-500 Swindon Goans returning to Goa … the Goans fluent in English have not been as badly hit as the Konkani speaking ones … 420 words. Click here.
For the GVUK Swindon Supplement, click here.

Toronto: For the love of music
8 Jan: Inside Toronto. …Toronto is home to thousands of Goans who are best known for their love of music and partying… many Goan musicians still continue to play here… Many bands have reunited, including one called Focus Dance Band... Francis D'Souza’s band played in Toronto for 22 years but stopped in 2000. After re-forming the band last year, he has already played in several events including some in New York City. 376 words. Click here.

Saturday Interview: Vince Cable
10 Jan. The Times (UK). Vince Cable is the oracle, the nation’s favourite guru for the recession... As a new MP in 1997, he buried himself in the warrens of Westminster as a way of distracting himself from the death of his first wife, Olympia. Theirs was, he says, a very romantic story. She was a Goan from Kenya and neither sets of parents approved of the match but they were happily married for more than three decades. Then his wife found that she had breast cancer. He cared for her for 14 years as she died… Click here.
For more about Olympia Rebelo click here.

Sarah Fernandes: Canadians are in Afghanistan for the 'right reasons'
12 Jan: National Post (Canada). … Canadians continue to volunteer their services to Afghanistan "because it is the right thing to do." … Sarah Fernandes, 25, from Toronto, is employed by a private communications firm in Kabul… Security - or the lack of it - is a constant concern…"You get used to this place and enjoy the people. It's such a small community so you really get attached," said Ms. Fernandes… Click here.

Matondkar, Goes & Gomes: When the heat is on!
12 Jan: Times of India. Three Goan scientists suggest that global warming is stealthily taking its toll on the ecosystem of the northern Arabian Sea. Dr Joaquim Goes and Dr Helga do Rosario Gomes, senior scientists at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, US, were in Goa studying the issue … Dr Prabhu Matondkar, senior scientist at NIO, says “ …it won’t be long when we won’t have fish to catch…” 566 words. Click here.
For the GVUK Helga Gomes supplement click here.
For the GVUK Joaquim Goes supplement, click here.

Video: Slumdog sweeps US critics' awards
12 Jan: BBC News. Danny Boyle's film Slumdog Millionaire has swept the Critics' Choice Awards in California, winning five prizes, including best film and director… Photo shows Frieda Pinto arriving for the awards ceremony. For a videoclip, 0m.59s click here.
Freida Pinto was born in Mumbai and graduated from St Xavier’s College there. She is the daughter of Sylvia, principal of St. John’s High School and Frederick Pinto, a manager at the Bank of Baroda. Her sister Sharon Pinto is a producer on the NDTV news channel. For the Freida Pinto website Click here.
For a video clip of Freida Pinto on the NBC Tonight Show With Jay Leno and Robin Williams show talking about yummy sorpotel and Xmas in Mumbai, 8m.14s. Click here.

Australia: Sheena D'Souza : An award for what comes naturally
13 Jan. Waverley Leader (Aus). Sheena D'Souza, 23, was last month recognised for her time spent planting trees, pulling weeds and protecting native wildlife for Conservation Volunteers Australia. She devotes eight hours a week to this on top of her business management studies at RMIT and part-time job at Southland's Gloria Jean's Coffees The Indian-born environmentalist said, ``It's so much better than staying at home on the couch watching TV.'' … 226 words.

Australia: Hunter Valley reaps overseas priest harvest
14 Jan: Catholic News (Aus). Fathers Albert D'Souza and Maurice Mascarenhas, the first two of eight overseas priests recruited for Maitland-Newcastle diocese, have arrived in the Hunter Valley from India as part of the diocese's Harvest Initiative… Both are from the Belgaum diocese near Goa, on the West Coast of India… 370 words. Click here.

Suzanne D'Mello: Slumdog Millionaire
14 Jan: Asia Times. Rahman who wrote the score for Slumdog Millionaire became the first Indian to win a Golden Globe… Rahman's haunting Dreams on Fire score in the film, rendered by Suzanne D'Mello, appears headed to become one of the smash hits of 2009… To listen to Dreams on Fire, click here.
For the Suzanne D’Mello Wikipedia profile click here.

Boston, MA: Ashley Fernandes committed
14 Jan: Ashley Fernandes, 29 who is accused of murdering his girlfriend, Jessica Herrera, at their apartment last year, has been committed for a year to Bridgewater State Hospital due to his mental condition… 297 words. Click here.
For links to reports of this case, click here.

Fund set up to help distressed expats
14 Jan: Herald. The Government has set up a fund for the welfare of the overseas Indian workers in distress primarily in the Gulf but also in other foreign countries with effect from January 1 to meet with the expenditure incurred on food, shelter and help in case of deaths. 339 words. Click here.

Video + Text: Toronto: Rapper Ron Dias pays tribute to adopted city
14 Jan: National Post. Rap fans and municipal advocates alike will get a kick out of local rapper Ron Dias' urban ode, Toronto, in which he shows his love for his adopted hometown… Born in Dubai and raised in Atlanta by a jazzman father, Dias works at urban music station Flow93.5 FM. 591 words, click here.
For a video by Ron Dias, 4m. 13s. click here.

DEATHS

11 Jan. Anjuna, Goa. ARGENTINA NUNES (ex-Mombasa). Wife of the late J.B. Nunes. Mother of Andy/Angelica, Aura/Joe, Xavier, Milla/Joe, (all Goa). Stepmother to Joyce/Pio (UK), Eva (Nairobi). Grandmother to John, Conan, Ancella, Tasha, Nadia, Elijah and Gavin. Sister of the late Elinda, Alzino (Bijan), and Zelia. Condolences to simoesaura@yahoo.com

9 Jan: Norbury, London: MERVYN DESSA (Born 1926; ex Delhi, Karachi, Bandra & Gulf). Ever-loving husband of Vira (nee Costabir). Son of late Harold & late Olive Dessa. Son-in-law of late Dr. J F Costabir & late Pradeline Costabir. Brother of late Harry (London), late Cynthia (Calcutta). Brother-in-law of Queenie Costabir, Dr Inez and late Felix D’Souza, Mozart (Sunny)/Maggie Costabir.
Funeral Mass is at St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Church, 159 Ellison Road, Streatham, London SW16 5DE on Wed. 21 Jan. at 10.00 a.m. & thereafter to South London Crematorium, Rowan Road, Streatham, London, SW16 5JG. Instead of flowers please donate to Coeliac UK and post cheques to Vira. Condolences to: vdessa@yahoo.co.uk

9 Jan: Bangkok. MIKE GENT (ex-Sheffield and Calangute, Goa). Husband of Pauline. Stepfather of Oliver Smart who is critically ill after injuries sustained in the Thailand nightclub blaze. Mike ran the Millhouses Hotel in Sheffield with his wife Pauline before they emigrated to Goa.
12 Jan: Sheffield Star. Thailand blaze victim's stepfather dies. For text, 218 words click here.

9 Jan: Bandra, Bombay. FR GAVIN A. D’SOUZA. Beloved son of Mrs Dolores/late Cecil. Precious brother of Karen/Rosslyn Almeida, Regan/Winnie. Funeral Mass at 11.30am on 10 Jan. at St Andrew’s Church, Bandra and burial at St. Andrews cemetery.

7 Jan: Potters Bar, Herts, UK. ALFIE D’SOUZA (Born Mombasa 1925; ex-E.A.R & H, Nairobi.). Husband of late Molly. Father of Desmond, Sandra and Warren. Son of the late Alex and Cecilia D’Souza of Mombasa. Brother of Freddie and Eddie (UK) and Anita (Arusha). Requiem Mass on Mon. 26 Jan. at 12.00 at Our Lady & St Vincent, 243 Mutton Lane, Potters Bar, EN6 2AT Cremation at New Southgate Crematorium at 1.30pm followed by refreshments at the Church Hall. No flowers please – use the donation box at the church in aid of the kidney dialysis unit at Barnet General Hospital, RSVP to help us with catering arrangements. With advance notice lifts can be arranged to the crematorium. Condolences to warren.dsouza@squaregroup.co.uk

6 Jan: Dona Paula, Goa. JOSEPH PETER FERNANDES (born 1954; ex-Kuwait). Husband of Jeromina (Jamina). Father of late Joeldrine, Joelson, Joellan/Loraine. Brother of Fr Andrew Fernandes (London) and Michael/Benny Fernandes. Son of late Joao Manuel Fernandes/Carlota Rodrigues, Funeral on 13th Jan.

5 Jan: Fareham, Hants. UK. NAPOLEON ANTHONY ALMEIDA (Born 1933, ex-Parra, Goa). Son of late Marcus/Robertina Lobo E Almeida. Brother of Helen (UK), Lucinda (UK), Olga (USA). Napoleon was a research scientist based at Cyanamide, Gosport, UK.

2 Jan: San Francisco, USA. EULALIA REGO (ex-Vasco). Wife of Oscar Dias. Mother of Nathan, Rosemarie and Rowland. Sister of Judy Rego (USA), Peregrino Rego/Tonita (USA), Maria/Lucio Lopes (USA).

Wed. 21 Jan. 2009 7:30 pm. A Month’s Mind Mass to honor life and memory of late ANTHONY (ANTU) BRAGANZA will be held at St. Peter & Paul Parish, 4070 Central Parkway East, Mississauga, Ontario. L4Z 1T6

14th January 2008. First Death Anniversary of the death of ALEX ALVARES who passed away in Enfield, Middlesex. Husband of Soraya and father of Aaron. Son of the late Joaquim and the late Lucy Alvares from Mombasa. Brother of Edward/Ivy and Antonette (Nan)/late Basil.

WHO THE BLEEP CARES?
Weekly column by Selma Carvalho. Do leave your feedback at carvalho_sel@yahoo.com

Who the Bleep Cares about the Cover of an In-Flight Magazine?

Click to enlarge

The year was 1875 and the Portuguese Governor in Goa was awaiting the arrival of the young Prince of Wales. His visit to Goa was announced at short notice but it was quite an honour for Goa to be included in his itinerary. Despite being November, it was a rather warm day. The prince was expected to come ashore on the steamboat, Magpie. A crowd had gathered near the dock to greet him. Back in England, the press kept their readers informed of the Prince and the reception he received in Goa. The Graphic had this to say:

The inhabitants – the Goanese are a mixed breed of Portuguese, Hindoos and Africans, “blacker in hue,” a writer to the Daily Telegraph tells us “than almost any natives of the Peninsular, and very useful as cooks, interpreters, nurses and body-servants.”

Of course the press had got it all wrong. The inhabitants of Goa were not mixed breed Portuguese or Africans. The few Africans in the vicinity might have been troops or slaves brought in by the Portuguese from their colonies in Africa. This misconception of Goans being half-castes was perpetuated for the better part of the 1900s.

The year is now 2009, and this picture made the cover of an in-flight magazine; that of a young Lamani woman being the face of Goan beaches.

Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not one of those parochial Goans who thinks anyone from the wrong side of the Karwar border is an “outsider” and has no place in Goa. I realise that as part of the Indian Union there is bound to be a steady assimilation of other cultures into our own and we will ultimately be subsumed by a larger India. But I do draw the line at having to relinquish my ethnicity rather prematurely. One’s ethnic identity is important. Of course like any living organism it is subject to evolution, but it is also a marker of who we are as a collective group and as individuals at a certain point in history.

I’m all for celebrating India’s ethnic diversity but I’d rather celebrate Lamanis in Rajasthan and Gujarat and celebrate Goans in Goa. Now, I realise Lamanis make for a colourful and attractive picture but so do Swiss milkmaids. You wouldn’t put them in front of the Eiffel Tower and caption the cover as “Delights of Paris” would you? So why has Goa been so painfully misrepresented for centuries? And why do we keep quiet about it?

FOR SALE OR RENT:

For Sale or Rent – Large Bungalow in Bambolim, Goa

Click to enlarge Sale Price: Rs 1.9 crore. Rental Price Rs 50,000 per month. Plot: 740 sq. mtrs. Built up area: 318 sq. mtrs. This four double bedroomed (all with ensuite bathrooms) secure residence is on two split levels and is located on the plateau of Bambolim with breathtaking views over the green valley adjacent to Panjim For more details click here.

LOOKING FOR:

Does anyone have or know the location of the following book: The Goans in Uganda: Their History, Characteristics and Attitudes. by Hillary da Silva - 1969 - 22 pages. If so, please contact eddie@fernandes.u-net.com

TRAVEL & TOURISM NEWS:

Mischa Barton's Goa Vacation
8 Jan: People (USA). "Here are some photos from my Christmas vacation in Goa," Barton, 22, writes on her official Web site. "The ocean there was so beautiful and warm I didn't want to get out. I would swim all day, ate mostly a vegetarian diet and bought some beautiful things from the vendors I bargained with – jewelry, saris, you name it."… Click here.
Mischa writes that she will be posting more photos and videos from my time in India over the next few days, so check here.
For a Wikipedia profile of Mischa Barton, click here.

Foreigner's body found at Anjuna
9 Jan: Times of India. The naked body of a Kazakhstan national was found at Anjuna beach ....Police suspect that the 32-year-old foreigner may have committed suicide by drowning, because they found a suicide note written in Russian which alleges that the person wanted to meet the creator, for which no visa or passport was required… 154 words. Click here.

Eco-tourism in Goa gets a major boost
9 Jan: Navhind Times. By Abdul Rauf Beig… The number of foreign tourists visiting Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary from April 2008 to December 2008 rose by over six times to 9,850 as compared to 1,518 over the same period in the previous year… the forest department has plans to increase the facilities at the wildlife sanctuaries managed by it and add new and more attractions to woo the tourists… a direct bus service between Bondla and Panaji had been started … 549 words. Click here.

Shack Attacked!
9 Jan: Times of India. There are numerous reasons why Goa’s tourism industry is witnessing a slump. Goa Times finds out whether the problem is internal or global… 517 words. Click here.

Three tipsy Russians sent back home
9 Jan: Times of India. Three Russian tourists who arrived in Goa on Thursday morning were sent back as they were found to be in an inebriated state on landing at Dabolim airport. The three, a man and two women, had got into a fight on the aircraft and were sent back by immigration officials … 248 words. Click here.

British family of three rescued at Sinquerim beach
10 Jan: Times of India. A British family of three was rescued by lifeguards from drowning at Sinquerim beach on Friday evening… The parents along with their 15-year-old daughter ventured into the water for a swim near the grounded vessel M V River Princess…Locals say that the area between the ship and the Aguada fort has a water pattern that resembles a funnel. 205 words. Click here.

Taxi drivers stop tour coach at Benaulim
10 Jan: Herald. Colva police rushed to Benaulim after agitated tourist taxi operators stopped a coach from leaving a starred hotel on grounds that the coach had come to pick up guests for sight seeing… 345 words. Click here.

Goa sees surge in Russian tourists after visa norm relaxation
10 Jan: PTI. Goa is getting tourists from newer locations in Russia after the Centre’s decision to relax visa norms for persons travelling from that country by allowing entry into India on temporary landing permits (TLP) for 14 days… 226 words. Click here.

Arrival of charter tourists drops
10 Jan: Times of India. Though the number of charter flights which arrived into Goa in 2008 was almost the same as that of 2007, the arrival of charter tourists into the state has dropped by 10,000…. Claims that Goa would attract a large number of Russians this season, don't seem to have been realized…The number of German and Swedish tourists coming to Goa has also seen a downward trend… 348 words. Click here.

Goa - Go the Golf way
11 Jan: Economic Times. Rishi Narain writes: “The coastal regulation zone law in Goa requiring buildings be set back approximately 200 meters from the high tide line has encouraged developers to use the intermediate space for golf… Golf tourists are highly desirable as they generally come from more affluent backgrounds and spend more than the average tourist visiting Goa currently… Lets add Fairways to the land of Feni, Fun & Sun”. 758 words. Click here.

Depressed tourist trade could drag down State’s economy
11 Jan: Herald. Goa’s hospitality business has faced hard times. Hotel earnings have gone down by at least 30 per cent so far this year… Tourism contributes around 15 per cent of the state’s net domestic product, but directly and indirectly, about half the government’s tax revenues. Unless the sector is salvaged, it is likely to seriously impact Goa’s economy this year… 410 words. Click here.

Videos: Mischa Barton’s Goa Holiday
12 Jan: Video 1: Mischa Barton writes: Hey guys. Remember how I told you that I slept most nights in a hammock while in Goa? Well here's a video I shot for you after waking up to watch the sunrise.
Video 2: Getting Ready to hit the Beach in Goa.
Video 3 – She writes: Plenty more videos to come in the next few days so keep checking back!
Go to www.mischabarton.celebuzz.com/

German, Russian arrested for organising rave parties in Goa
12 Jan: IANS. In a sudden crackdown on beach-side rave parties Sunday night, the Goa police arrested four persons including a German and a Russian national… While the police are unwilling to disclose names of the foreigners involved in the offence, the two will be brought before a magistrate … 263 words. Click here.

Scarlett Keeling's mother to visit Goa
12 Jan: Times of India. Scarlett Keeling's mother Fiona Mackeown will be coming to Goa to collect her daughter's organs. She hopes to be in India for the anniversary of Scarlett's death - February 19...Some of the organs utilized for chemical analysis were destroyed, it being "hazardous" to preserve them… 327 words. Click here.

Video: Party-loving Goa goes for 'silent' discs
12 Dec: NDTV. Silence is something we don't usually associate with a disco, but it is a concept fast picking up in Goa. You get to decide what music you want to dance to and it may be loud, but no one's complaining about the noise levels. 01 min 46 sec. Click here.

Seven saved from drowning
12 Jan: Times of India. At least five foreign tourists were saved by lifeguards, while two Indian tourists from Gujarat were rescued from drowning in the last three days at Baga beach… Click here.

Water sports, drunken tourists pose challenge to lifeguards
13 Jan: Navhind Times. Unregulated water sports activities, drunken tourists and reluctance of people to heed to the requests of the lifeguards not to venture into non-designated swimming areas are some of the biggest challenges faced by the lifeguards … 632 words. Click here.

Foreign tourist arrivals drop
13 Jan: Herald. The number of foreign tourists flying directly into Goa on charter flights has fallen by nearly 13 per cent this holiday season, according to the airport police. In 2007, 82,515 foreigners visited Goa by chartered and scheduled flights during the peak tourism period between September and December. This year that number was 71,918, a drop of nearly 13 per cent… 188 words. Click here.

No charges for Scarlett Keeling's mum in Goa
13 Jan: The Mirror (UK). The mother of murdered teenager Scarlett Keeling is returning to Goa after child neglect charges against her were dropped… Ms Mackeown, of Hartland, Devon, also claims to have new evidence. She said: "I cannot rest until her killer or killers are put behind bars." … 135 words. Click here.

Late Travel Deals: Long haul
14 Jan: The Times (UK). Goa remains an enduringly popular destination… Jewel in the Crown Holidays is offering reductions from February 12… Radisson White Sands, where 14 nights cost £1,499, while the Goa Marriott is available for £1,154, flying from Gatwick… Click here.

Mother of girl murdered in Goa to hold vigil on first anniversary
15 Jan: North Devon Journal. Fiona MacKeown, the mother of murdered teenager Scarlett Keeling, will return to Goa for vigils on the first anniversary of her daughter's death… 310 words. Click here.

Cops allow tourists' homicide trail to go cold.
15 Jan: Deccan Herald. By Devika Sequeira. DNA results sent to the police this week confirmed that the two decomposed bodies found on Vagator beach, Goa, in Nov 2007 were of Russian students Anton Prosnyakov and Marina Pulina… police investigations in the case have been nothing short of callous… Police claimed that the couple could have been “struck dead by lightning” on the beach. Another senior officer said they were “living in the bushes and were often seen in the nude…They probably committed suicide, or the boy fell and smashed his head on the rocks, is another police theory… 544 words. Click here.

GOA NEWS HEADLINES

Changes proposed to Tourist Act
9 Jan: Times of India. Some travel agents in Goa, illegally operating as recruiting agents, are duping job seekers of large sums of money and although around 17 cases have been registered, not a single conviction has been obtained. The NRI Cell has proposed amendments to the Goa Tourist Trade Act 1982 under which these travel agents operate… 449 words. Click here.

Football: Premier Skills launches in Goa
9 Jan: Premier League (UK). The Premier League's leading international grassroots project Premier Skills, run in partnership with the British Council, has this week launched in Goa… The Goa project is being led by Wolverhampton Wanderers Assistant Academy Manager Gareth Prosser… he is joined by Robert Nickolay and Daniel Nicholson, community coaches at Hull City, and Alan Dixon, a community coach at Manchester City… 653 words. Click here.

More cops guard politicians than the coast
9 Jan: Times of India. There are 74 policemen at Colva police station 85 at Calangute and 77 at Anjuna … the CM has 38 policemen guarding him, speaker Pratapsingh Rane is guarded by 33 policemen ... 23 guard Health minister Vishwajeet Rane… All ministers have two personal security officers, besides a sentry to guard their home, consisting of one hawaldar and four police constables. 610 words. Click here.

Editorial: Does he mean what he SEZ?
9 Jan: Herald. … the CM has offered to pay the companies concerned compensation for “actual development work done on the sites”. But they are unlikely to accept it. Insiders allege that most of their ‘expenditure’ so far has been on ‘speed money’ paid to prominent politicians and top bureaucrats in Goa … And it is this that they actually want to recover before they let go of the land. The Goan taxpayer should not be made to refund ‘speed money’… 542 words. Click here.

Court issues summons to Goa minister in domestic violence case
9 Jan: IANS. A local magistrate Friday issued summons to controversial Goa Tourism Minister Francisco alias Mickky Pacheco after his estranged wife filed a police complaint of harassment against him… 246 words. Click here.

Goa stares at Rs 250-cr deficit this year
9 Jan: Economic Times. Having collected surplus revenue last year, Goa is bracing itself for a big deficit this year. A drop in mining and tourism may make the state poorer by Rs 250 crore, the revised estimate suggests. 240 words. Click here.

Parents queue up night long to secure admission forms
9 Jan: Times of India. Parental love was spilling all over the front gate of the Sharada Mandir school at Miramar, Panaji, on Thursday night. Young parents were queuing up at the school's gate as early as 3 pm on Thursday to spend the night there in order to secure admission forms to be released at 8.05 am on Friday… 465 words. Click here.

In Goa? Don't forget to see the stars
9 Jan: IANS. The Association of Friends of Astronomy (AFA) in Goa has much to cheer about: 2009 is the International year of Astronomy… Footpath astronomy is another innovation meant to impress upon the pedestrian about the wonders of astronomy… 587 words. Click here.

Draining the golden goose
10 Jan: Business Standard …Goa has increased taxes on wines from outside the state. Goa used to be famous for its liberal rules regarding alcoholic beverages — that’s now changed, and revellers can expect to pay a pretty penny for the privilege of carousing there — particularly for wines… 532 words. Click here.

Margao: Medical waste disposal a mystery
11 Jan: Herald. The Margao Municipal Council has so far established that around 160 nursing homes and clinics are operating in the city but it has no knowledge where the bio-medical waste generated in these institutions finds its way in the absence of any common facility for the disposal of this waste… most of the medical establishments in the city were operating without the mandatory registration… 301 words. Click here.

German girl leaves India
12 Jan: Times of India. The minor German girl, victim of an alleged rape in which Goa education minister Atanasio Monserrate's son is the prime accused, has left for Germany along with her mother. Sources said the mother and daughter returned to Germany because of "personal'' reasons, but will return to answer queries vital for the collection of evidence in the probe. 122 words. Click here.

German rape case: Chargesheet filed against Rohit Monserrate
12 Jan: PTI. Goa police today filed a chargesheet against State Education Minister Atanasio Monserratte's son Rohit in connection with the rape of a German girl last year… 204 words. Click here.

Inmates' safety an issue at Juvenille’s Home
12 Jan: Times of India. The minor Assamese boy who ran away from Apna Ghar (Juvenille’s Home) last week claimed he was "assaulted" at the observation home. He is not the first to make such an allegation, and past inquiries have found evidence to confirm such complaints…The staff often beat the children, misbehave with them and use abusive language, due to which children turn aggressive, beat up others or create a ruckus… Staff of Apna Ghar too have been accused of abusing minors… 553 words. Click here.

First Konkani animation film focuses on Goa environment
13 Jan: IANS. Groundwater contamination, mega residential projects, killing of frogs for meat - all this and more find voice in the first ever Konkani animation film 'Saimakaden Samvad' that focuses on environmental degradation in Goa … the film shows three children and their informative dialogue with various elements of nature and wildlife. In the end of a 20- minute dialogue, a frog and a cow finally manage to convince the children about the ravages inflicted by humans on nature… 425 words. Click here.

German Rape: Three Months Later, Police File Charge-Sheet
13 Jan: Herald. The police investigation has revealed that Rohit Monserrate indeed sexually assaulted 14-year-old minor German girl during the last week of September, 2008… 328 words. Click here.

Trawlers operate off Goa coast minus registration: Coast Guard
13 Jan: PTI. The Indian Coast Guard on Tuesday said that a sizeable number of boats including fishing trawlers operate off Goa coast without proper registration and a large number of crew do not have identity proof with them… the increase in terrorist activities has made it necessary for Goa to strengthen security … 212 words. Click here.

Goa fishermen allege harassment by Coast Guard
13 Jan: IANS. A fishermen's body has accused Coast Guard and Indian Navy officials of harassing and assaulting fishermen working on trawlers in the Arabian Sea. The Coast Guard has denied the charge… 265 words. Click here.

This is where hotel waste lands up
14 Jan: Times of India. From hotels in Panaji itself, about six tonnes of wet waste is collected daily. Times Of India decided to investigate where all this garbage is going… 757 words. Click here.

Top hospitals get notice for ‘ill-treating’ waste
14 Jan: Herald. Three major hospitals in the State – the Goa Medical College, Bambolim, Hospicio, Margao and Asilo, Mapusa have been served with notices by the Goa State Pollution Control Board for erring on the handling, treatment and disposal of bio-medical waste… The hospitals have been directed to submit a compliance report by January 20… 289 words. Click here.

Govt to ban sale of agricultural land to outsiders
14 Jan: Herald. With the demand for Special status for Goa not finding much support at the Centre, the Digambar Kamat government has decided to bring a Bill in the forthcoming session of the Goa Legislative Assembly to ban the sale of agricultural land to outsiders and has asked the Centre for a special financial package to tone up the State’s infrastructure… 318 words. Click here.

Local women involved in drug trade: police
15 Jan: Navhind Times. The police inspector of anti-narcotics cell of the Goa police has revealed that local women are involved in drug trade in coastal areas of the state. He said that these women carry on business either by hiding the drugs in their shacks or burying them outside their houses. Last year 30 persons were arrested out of which 17 were Indians and 13 were foreigners… 292 words. Click here.

Weekly Update
15 Jan: Times of India (Goa ed.). Weather: Max = 34.8; Min =21.0 . Humidity 51% to 74%
Exchange rates £= 71.10; $ = 48.82; Euro = 64.66

IN THE NEWS:

OCI cardholders can practise in India now
9 Jan: Business Standard. The government has decided to allow Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card holders who are qualified professionals to practise their profession in India, said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh… 303 words. Click here.

The Goa Portuguesa Cookbook has been launched
9 Jan: Hospitality Biz India. Deepa Awchat, CEO, and Master Chef of Goa Portuguesa [Mumbai], in collaboration with Popular Prakashan, has launched ‘The Goa Portuguesa Cookbook’, India's first designer restaurant cookbook… Out that of the 118 recipes in The Goa Portuguesa Cookbook, 62 are vegetarian. 184 words. Click here.
For the Goa Portuguesa website Click here.

Vancouver: Samaritan helped injured woman in Goa
9 Jan: The Province (Canada). A Good Samaritan from Britain who helped injured firefighter Cindy Kampmeinert after a road accident in Goa received a plaque at her memorial … Jessica Rees, 22, didn't publicly speak about finding Kampmeinert at the side of the road in the beach area of Goa… Rees couldn't persuade hospitals to treat Kampmeinert because she had no money or credit cards at the time… the family is asking for an investigation… At the service, about 700 mourners packed the church to say farewell to Kampmeinert, a firefighter since 2000… 432 words. Click here.
9 Jan: 24 Hours (Vancouver). … The only person to come to her aid, 22-year-old English tourist Jessica Rees, attended the memorial and received an extended standing ovation during the ceremony. 256 words. Click here.

Good Samaritan fought to save stranger's life
10 Jan: CTV (Canada). Jessica Rees did not know Vancouver firefighter Cindy Kampmeinert, but did everything she could to try and save her life after a serious traffic injury in Goa. "I was with her essentially from the minute of the accident to the minute that she died," she tells CTV. 407 words. Click here.

Auction: UK, also online: An Ivory Spice Box

Click to enlarge 22 Jan: Lawrences (UK). Rectangular carved with foliate decoration, gilt brass mounts, possibly Goanese early 18th c. 10.5 cms £300-400. Click here.

Meltdown hits art world: F N Souza down
14 Jan: Times of India. Buoyant not far back, the Indian art market has been hit hard by the slowdown of the economy. Art dealers say that even a top artists like F N Souza is selling for about 30%-40% less than what it cost a year ago… Souza’s base price is reportedly Rs 1 crore… Click here.

Catholics celebrating the Blessed Joseph Vaz, “Apostle of Sri Lanka”
14 Jan: Asia News. Celebrations for the 298th anniversary of the death of Fr Joseph Vaz began two days in advance. Known in the country as the “Apostle of Sri Lanka”, he was beatified by John Paul II during his visit to the island nation in 1995. Born in 1651 in Goa, Fr Joseph Vaz was ordained priest in 1676. He arrived in Sri Lanka in 1687 and for the next 24 years he remained in the island till his death (in 1711)… 569 words. Click here.

Barcelona: Photographic Exhibition: Mumbai To Goa
15 Jan: Hoyes Arte (Spain). The city of Sant Feliu de Llobregat, in collaboration with Casa Asia inaugurated the photographic exhibition Mumbai to Goa of Julián Ortega…. the photographer visited Goa which impressed him … Barcelona. “De Mumbai a Goa” Palau Falguera de Sant Feliu de Llobregat. Until March 1… Click here.

GOANET HIGHLIGHTS
BY CORNEL DACOSTA

To start with, Goan Voice (UK) readers are invited to enjoy a feature of the Kunnbi Dance as provided by JoeGoaUK. Please click here.

Our TV screens had much reportage on Sunday (11/1/09) about the Golden Globes awards that normally precede the Oscars for film entertainment. Of particular interest was "Slumdog Millionaire" a fascinating story that some think will become an Oscar favourite. It features an orphan boy in Mumbai who rises from terrible hardship to become a champion on India's version of "Who wants to be a Millionaire?" To find out more click here.

Roadside or footpath vendors of food from small kiosks generally referred to as gadas are a feature of most Indian towns and cities. These however, have been increasingly displaced by civil authorities that are keener on modern hygenic food outlets instead of those traditionally provided by the gadas. But many argue that, "the High Court and authorities would be ignoring a very important part of the shopping and vending culture we have had for ages. It is a cultural trait that needs to be preserved, rather than bulldozed by the concrete, formal and forbidding store culture." Read more about this controversy titled 'The Rustic in Townsman' – click here.

As a consequence of the credit crunch affecting all aspects of economic life globally, Indian workers in the Gulf region are experiencing even greater hardship than in the past. Find out more about the situation in an article titled 'Indian workers in Gulf Air Problems at Diaspora Meet.' Click here.

Finally, as the Goans, particularly in the Goan Diaspora express themselves less and less in their mother tongue Konkani, and have thus lost a significant part of their identity, has their continued fondness for Goan food become a replacement for Goan identity? This is an issue much discussed recently and an article by Ruth De Souza, featured on Goanet particularly caught my eye on this issue. It is titled 'What does it mean to be Goan?' Issues of Celebration and Connection, Reflected in Food and Song.' To read Ruth's article, pease go to http://tinyurl.com/724o75 and perhaps respond to Ruth directly at ruth@wairua.co.nz This should please her no end I'm sure.

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ENTERTAINMENT: The Undercover Princes. BBC 3
Thursday 15th Jan. 22:30 to 23:30. Three bachelor princes from across the globe come to the UK in search of true love… They set up home together in Brighton … Tensions emerge immediately between the gay Prince Manvendra and traditional Prince Africa Zulu. Part 1 of 4.

ARTS: The Culture Show: Slumdog Millionaire. BBC 2
Friday 16th Jan. 23:35 to 00:20. Includes a unique screening of Danny Boyle's film Slumdog Millionaire in front of a specially invited all-Indian audience …

TRAVEL: Islands In The Sun. SA Direct
Saturday 17th Jan. 03:15 to 04:00. Zanzibar. An aromatic spice island dating back to the days of sultans and slaves. Experience the tangible mystique that gives Zanzibar its unique character.

ENTERTAINMENT: Five Star Insider. Discovery Travel and Living
Sunday 18th Jan. 17:00 to 17:30. Tanzania, Africa. Angus enjoys a unique Tanzanian safari across the Serengeti, staying in luxurious Bedouin-style tents.

FILM: The Sea Wolves. five
Sunday 18th Jan. 17:40 to 20:00. Factually based World War II action drama about a mission to knock out a German radio transmitter aboard a ship docked in neutral Goa which is devastating Allied shipping in the Indian Ocean. 1980. Gregory Peck, Roger Moore, David Niven, Trevor Howard.

DOCUMENTARY: The World's Strictest Parents. BBC 3
Monday 19th Jan. 20:00 to 21:00. India. Unruly British teenagers Josh from Tamworth and Charlotte from Bristol are guests of the strict Sharma family.

HISTORY DOCUMENTARY: International Terrorism Since 1945. UKTV History
Tuesday 20th Jan. 21:00 to 21:30. The Mau Mau. Exploring the impact of terrorism. Formed in the 1950s to fight for Kenya's independence from Britain, the Mau Mau were one of the world's most violent terrorist groups.

DRAMA: Stockwell. ITV1
Wednesday 21st Jan. 21:00 to 22:00. Gripping factual drama telling the story of the fatal shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes in July 2005.

FORTHCOMING

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

Sat. 14 Feb. SE Goans Valentine Ball from 6.30pm - 11pm at St Marks Hall, Old Mill Rd, Plumstead SE18 1QE. Ticket £11 per person includes meal + 1 free drink on entrance. Children under 10. accompanied by an adult, free admission and soft drink. Dance the night away to the wonderful sounds of Mustang Band and a disco, in addition see the famous Saga Dancers live as seen on BBC2 in Step up to the plate. Tickets & more information call- Chris Pinto 01322400732, Ronald Fernandes 0208 298 9263, Tatanya D’souza – 0208 316 1473 or email segoans@ntlworld.comsegoans@ntlworld.com

Sat. 14 Feb: Music Mania’s Valentine Ball. 7.00 pm to 12.00 midnight. St Patrick’s Hall Griffin Road Plumstead, London SE18 7QG. Free entry for New Year 2009 patrons who respond by 30 January 2009 on a ‘first come first served’ basis. Others - £5 per head. Guaranteed seating & table.. Romantic ambience. Prizes, raffles and quizzes galore. Dress code : Red, Black or White. Crowning of best dressed valentine couple. Music by Music Mania Disco. Food and drinks on sale. Details from Tony : M 07500778799/ H 82659644 Paul H 83111195 M 07958156652 Vincent M 07900501460 or musicmaniadisco@yahoo.co.uk

Sat. 21 Mar. 7.30pm-1.00. Leicester Hawaiian Evening inclusive of Mothers Day Surprises at Our Lady of Good Counsel Hall, Peebles Way, Leicester, LE4 7ZB. Dancing to Say One Do One from London. Dress code: Hawaiian prints & florals. Food, Hawaiian surprises for everyone, fantastic raffle prizes. Bring your own drinks and enjoy with friends and family. Adult £10.00, 11-16yrs £3.00 and children below 11 free. Book early to avoid disappointment .Tel Clara 0116 2767336 or Victor 0116 2555891 or Joyce 0116 2664202. All cheques payable to Mrs Maria C Fernandes, 43 Marston Road, Leicester LE4 9FE.

Sun. 22 Feb. Mungul Union (UK) celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel at Woodside High School (ex-White Hart Lane School Hall), White Hart Lane, London N22. Live music by "MAZ & CO" and Disco by "FANTASY". Mass at 12.30 pm. For tickets and details, contact Robert Fernandes (07753831250) or Rosalind Rebello (0208 767 8652) ros.rebello@amserve.net

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.

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