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

Mombasa: Ed Silveira’s Trio – Kenya’s Top Band Today
20 Mar: Coastweek (Mombasa). Ed Silveira, edsilveira@africaonline.co.ke - bandleader, arranger, composer and school teacher plays at the Mvita Grill in Nyali Beach Hotel, Mombasa… his late father was the founder and conductor of one of Kenya 's first classical orchestras in the early 1940s; his late mother was a talented classical pianist and piano teacher… In their teens Ed's children performed with Ed's Trio and are now in London: Mark is a Corporate Lawyer, and Michelle is a Consultant Pharmacist… Ed's brother Ernest is in charge at Bamburi Portland Cement Company … 915 words. Click here.

New York: Arun Peter Lobo: Mr. Vox Pop
20 Mar: New York Times. Dr. Arun Peter Lobo. 48, has served as deputy director of the department’s Population Division since 1993… On March 11, he was honored with the Sloan Public Service Awards … He once drove a cab in New York and is from Mumbai … he and his wife, Debra, and their son, Andrew, like to move around the world. He says, “ I live in a multiethnic neighborhood, Long Island City, Queens … Many people wonder why I have a Portuguese last name. Well, my family comes from Goa... This is my dream job. New York is on the forefront where demographic change is concerned” 967 words. Click here.

New Zealand: Floyd Fernandes: Families to receive $60000 each
20 Mar: New Zealand Herald. The adventure centre at the centre of a river tragedy which left six students and their teacher dead last year has been ordered to pay $60,000 reparation to each of seven victims' families … Floyd Fernandes, 16, of Howick died in the tragedy … Jennifer Fernandes his mother agreed with Judge Kiernan that no reparation would ever bring their children back, and was pleased the judge found a high level of culpability… Photo & text. Click here.
For links to more information about the tragedy, click here.

New Zealand: Floyd Fernandes: Centre made to pay heavy price
21 Mar: The Press (Christchurch, NZ). The Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre (OPC) was ordered to pay $60,000 reparation to each of seven victims' families … Floyd Fernandes, 16, was one of those swept to his death on April 15 last year… The photo shows his grieving parents, Francisco and Jennifer Fernandes, outside the Auckland District Court yesterday. 493 words. Click here.

Video Clips: Gregory Fernandes: Teenagers jailed.
21 Mar: The Economist. In 1976 Tony Fernandes, aged 12, found himself being put on a plane to London from Kuala Lumpur by his father, who wanted his son to become a doctor and had enrolled him at a fancy boarding school associated with the medical profession… When his pleas to be allowed home at half-term were rejected because of the cost of the flight, the young Mr Fernandes decided that what he really wanted was his own low-cost airline… 1069 words. Click here.

Tony Fernandes: Cheap, but not nasty
21 Mar: The Economist. In 1976 Tony Fernandes, aged 12, found himself being put on a plane to London from Kuala Lumpur by his father, who wanted his son to become a doctor and had enrolled him at a fancy boarding school associated with the medical profession… When his pleas to be allowed home at half-term were rejected because of the cost of the flight, the young Mr Fernandes decided that what he really wanted was his own low-cost airline… 1069 words. Click here.

Goan Association, Toronto: Pulse. March 2009 issue online
Mar. 2009: Pulse. Some highlights: President’s Message. G.O.A. Property update. Life Lease Housing Project. Building Bridges from Canada to Goa by Rachel Castelino (photo). Sports. Reports of recent G.O.A. Events. Notices of the G.O.A. and Goan Charitable Organization Meetings to be help Apr 19. Details of Forthcoming Social Events. Etc. 16 page issue. To read the full text, select the link below. Click here.

Mumbai: Pauline Fernandes billed Rs2 lakh for fighting illegality
21 Mar: Daily News & Analysis. For almost three years, Pauline Fernandes, 78, did the rounds of courts to get an illegal construction in her neighbourhood demolished. Now she has been asked to cough up more than Rs2 lakh as the cost of demolition. Fernandes, a resident of Bandra (West), had filed three writ petitions against three illegal floors that had come up in the neighbouring Thelma Villa in the guise of repairs… 444 words. Click here.

California: Ida D’Silva: Beauty Salon Focuses on Skin Care
21 Mar. India Journal (California). Lobo Beauty Salon opened last October … Owner Ida D’ Silva, with many years of experience, has over this short period made a name for herself with the business picking up despite the double whammy of fierce competition and the present downturn… D’Silva started her career in Bombay as a cosmetologist, training in Bandra. In 1996 she immigrated to the US … Lobo Beauty Salon is located at Artesia, CA … 414 words. Click here.

Leicester: Young footballers celebrate £1.1m windfall
21 Mar: Leicester Mercury. Young footballers who scooped a £1.1 million grant celebrated with a kick-around with their MP. Keith Vaz, MP for Leicester East, visited players at Leicester Bharat FC, which has been running squads for children of all ages for more than 12 years in Rushey Mead, Leicester. The players will get new changing rooms, new showers and a social area… Photo + 202 words. Click here.

Banned Brit hurls insults at Canada’s immigration minister
22 Mar: The Ottawa Citizen. British politician George Galloway was informed Friday he won’t be allowed into Canada for a speaking tour because he led a convoy that delivered humanitarian aid to Hamas officials in Gaza … Galloway has vowed to fight the ban in court… Errol Mendes, an expert on human rights law at the University of Ottawa, expressed concern that the broadly worded language in anti-terrorism laws allows governments to implement “other political agendas…” He described Galloway as a “nut case” but added: “The best way to expose the weakness of his arguments is to allow him to speak.” For text 743 words, Click here.
For a brief profile of Prof Errol Mendes see GVUK 2009-10.

Marcella D'souza honored with Kyoto World Water Grand Prize
22 Mar: Xinhua (China). Marcella D'souza, executive director of Watershed Organization Trust in India, on Sunday won the Kyoto World Water Grand Prize during the closing ceremony of the 5th World Water Forum in Turkey. D'souza was rewarded the prize of 3,000,000 yen (some 28,000 U.S. dollars) for her contribution of bringing women to the forefront to develop dynamic of a watershed effort… 260 words. Click here.

Canada: Diane Nalini: Writing Songs is the key of e=mc2
23 Mar: Macleans (Canada). Diane Nalini’s two worlds are about to collide. The 34-year-old, an applied physicist at the University of Guelph and professional jazz singer, is set to release ‘Kiss Me Like That’, her fourth album … For full text, click here.
For the Diane Nalini’s Goan links, check her bio at her website - www.dianenalini.com

Aaron Jerome - Panaji
23 Mar: Radio Luz (Poland). Aaron Jerome the young, talented 'musician' was born in Nairobi, Kenya. His debut album was our featured record for a week in April last year … One of the tracks, a song "Panaji" was based on one of the most picturesque beaches in the world… He performs on 28 March at Firlej Club in Warsaw.
For a machine translation of the article, click here.
For the Aaron Jerome website go to www.aaronjerome.co.uk

Most NRIs opting for overseas citizenship of India
23 Mar: IANS. Regular NRI visitors to India are increasingly switching from a five-year visa to either a PIO (Person of Indian Origin) Card that allows them visa-free entry for 15 years or an OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) status that allows them a life time entry and stay in India… About 400,000 OCI cards have been issued … The applicant has to provide documentary proof that his/her parents/grandparents migrated from India after Jan 26, 1950, or were eligible to be granted Indian citizenship on that date or were resident of Goa … 774 words. Click here.
For the UK Indian High Commission OCI website go to www.hcilondon.in

Australia: Gavin Pereira: Domestic blitz
23 Mar: The Sydney Morning Herald (Aus). The Herald enlisted the help of the Carbon Reduction Institute to find out what the average family can do to reduce their carbon footprint… The institute's environmental director, Gavin Pereira suggests changes that could be made to reduce the carbon footprint… For full text, 1003 words, click here.
Gavin, gavinp@noco2.com.au is the son of Alyson and Denzil Pereira, and grandson of Diana and Ignatius Pereira of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. For more information about his work, go to www.noco2.com.au

UK: Jonathan De Mello: Wednesday is rent D-day for high street shops
24 Mar: Mirror (UK). Tomorrow may be black Wednesday for struggling stores, experts are warning. It is the deadline for scores of businesses to pay landlords rent for the last three months… Jonathan de Mello, of industry watchers Experian, said: “I think it is going to be a very difficult and we are going to see a lot more administrations.”… For full text click here.
Jonathan De Mello was born in the UK. His parents are ex-Nairobi.

DEATHS

22 Mar: Caranzalem, Goa. LIRA AURELIANA MASCARENHAS E DIAS. Wife of late Mariano Francisco. Mother of Caetaninho (Kuwait)/Henriquita, Felix/Rose Mary (Canada), George/Eufemia, Steven/Juliet, Ronaldo/Josephine (Sweden).

21 Mar: Cuncolim, Goa. AUGUSTO MARIA FERNANDES. Husband of late Manina. Father of Dr Jorson/Jane, Irene/Manuel Rodrigues, Mira/Salvador Fernandes, Dr Ivy/Adv Conception Coutinho, Indira/Elvis Antao (Canada), Jennifer/Bosco Pinto.

20 Mar: Perth, Australia. JOAQUIM SANTANA FERNANDES. Husband of Terezinha. Father of Nancy/Robin, Constance/Ritinha, Norma, Nora/Clifford. Grandfather of Roanna/Oscar, Nelissa, Breanna, Chelsea, Nikita and Carina. Brother of late Aninha Coutinho and late Jose Sebastiao.

20 Mar: Varca, Goa. AUGUSTA GOES (Born 1931). Wife of Joao Rodrigues. Mother of Antonio/Maura, Joaquim/Luiza, Cruz/Elcy, Janerina/Miguel, Leocardina/Minino (London), Rosy/Peter Rodrigues, Ruzada/Custodio Dias, Lepoldina/Michael Fernandes.

20 Mar: Chandor, Goa. ORLANDO MIRANDA (Born 1924) Husband of Angela. Father of Tina/Millet, Loretto/John (Australia), Alfred/Dolly (Dubai), Jennifer -Veena/Vivek, Lariza/Aqui.

18 Mar. Toronto, Canada. PEPPINA (PEPPY) CONCEPTION DESOUZA COUTINHO. (ex Mombasa, Kenya; aged 83). Beloved wife of Ildefonso Eddy Coutinho. Mother/Mother-in law of Edwin/Ranjana, Philomena/Joe, Ernest, Late Patricia, Pamela/Joe, Edward (Junior)/Pauline, and Patrice. Nana to Simi, Shreeti, Brian, Patsy, Alvin, Wayne, David, Vanessa, Hayley, Ryan, and Jules. Great-grandmother to Maya, Amber, Devin, and Chloe. Sister to Late Bertha, Late Octaviano, Late Lily, Late Regina, and John.
Visitation: Family will receive friends at the Ogden Funeral Home, 4164 Sheppard Ave. E. (Sheppard and Midland) on Friday, March 20th between 2 and 4 p.m. & 6:30 and 8:30 p.m.
Funeral: A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, March 21st at 10:30 a.m. at St. Barnabas Catholic Church, 10 Washburn Way (Sheppard and Neilson). Burial and reception to follow at Christ the King Cemetery, 7770 Steeles Ave. E. (Steeles and Reesor).
If desired in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society.Condolences to joe@conros.com

16 Mar: Dubai. MRS EDDY (Ed’s Crib) PIRES. Wife of late Mathias Pires. Mother of Fr. Loddy (Don Bosco’s), Auro, Julitta, Savio. Mother in law of Ivone (Verem), Jude, Charmaine. Funeral was in Dadar, Mumbai on 20 Mar. For photo and full details Click here.

17 Feb. Spain. EDGAR LEONCE DE SOUZA. (Born in Mombasa, 1934). Husband of Nancy. Father of Michele, Anton and Phillip. Brother of Alfie, Freddie, Anita. Memorial service 17 April 2009, 1.15pm at Trinity Church, Victoria Street, Dundee. All Welcome. Condolences to phillipdesouza@btinternet.com

WHO THE BLEEP CARES?
Weekly column by Selma Carvalho.

Who the Bleep cares about Goan priests?

In 1657, the Propaganda Fide, a department of the Vatican entrusted with the onerous task of spreading Christianity, wrote about Goa, "that confessions had to be undertaken by means of an interpreter and by showing penitents a list of sins."

Given these impediments it became imperative for the Portuguese Church to cultivate a native clergy. To this end, the Jesuits set up The Salcete College, which later moved to Rachol. The success of this experiment would astonish both Goans and the Portuguese for by 1900, almost the entire clergy was Goan; comparable if not better educated than the clergy in Europe. Why so many young men enthusiastically embraced the priesthood is a complex issue tied in with family honour of having one son devoted to God. Today, one of Goa's most valuable exports to the Diaspora is its priests, to the extent that dioceses in Western Europe and America cannot sustain themselves without their help.

Recently, I spoke to Monsignor Nicholas Soares, who earned himself the distinction of being the first Indian priest to be incardinated by the Archdiocese of New York, and in 1990, he was appointed Monsignor. The Monsignor grew up in Valsad of Gujarat. His father Thome Angelo, from Aldona, Goa had migrated to Valsad to work at the railway maintenance workshop. There was a small community of Christians in Valsad, most of them Mangaloreans, Goans and some Anglo-Indians all working with the railways. His mother, Virginia, he recalls could recite the Sunday sermon verbatim. It was this early religious influence that shaped his world-views. When he was barely 14 years old, his potential was spotted by the Don Bosco Salesians and he was sent to the Sacred Hearts school in Tirupattur, Tamil Nadu to prepare for priesthood. He has never looked back.

After doing a degree in Philosophy, followed by a Masters in Economics and another degree in Political Science, he embarked on a doctoral programme at Fordham University in New York. He arrived in America in 1973. He recalls the early days being somewhat lonely. There were hardly any Indians but he soon made friends with an Irish couple. In the seventies, America was far more technologically advanced than India and the Monsignor embraced his new environment with all the enthusiasm of a student embarking on a wondrous journey of learning. His first parish was in New Rochelle, New York, an affluent and well educated American neighbourhood. During mass, he found himself to be the only dark face amidst a sea of Caucasian parishioners. This did little to daunt his spirit. If anything, his parishioners found him to be a welcome breath of fresh air; educated, well spoken and conversant with the issues of the world.

I asked him what it was like administering to a flock in a country that was somewhat known more for its materialistic leanings rather than its love of matters spiritual. He assured me that "no matter the technological advances, no matter the wealth, no matter how much we give God the absent treatment, life and death invariably takes its toll on everybody and brings us back to God." Amen to that.

Selma Carvalho is collecting stories of Goans who served in the British army during World War II or who might have experienced the war in Africa. If you have a war-story to share, do email her at carvalho_sel@yahoo.com

Do leave your feedback at carvalho_sel@yahoo.com

TRAVEL & TOURISM NEWS:

Goa's best fest forward
20 Mar: Gulf News (UAE). By Wilbur Periera. Around February and March, Goa goes into party mode — after all, that’s when the carnival is held. For three days, Goans — and those who visit its sun-kissed shores — let their hair down like there’s no tomorrow, indulging in fun and merrymaking before the season of Lent sets in… 728 words. Click here.

Goa govt asked to maintain status quo on off shore casinos
20 Mar: Zee News. The High court on Thursday asked the Goa government to maintain status quo over the issue of off shore casinos till March 31 pending hearing of various petitions… 285 words. Click here.

Tourism: heritage projects to be developed
21 Mar: Navhind Times. In its ambitious and aggressive tourism plans, the Goa Tourism Development Corporation’s (GTDC) latest itinerary will include tours such as adventure; religious, wildlife; scary tours of ghostly ambience, among a lengthy list of new attractions… 348 words. Click here.

Hindu militants target British women drinking in Goa bars
21 Mar. The Telegraph (UK). A Hindu nationalist group has warned it plans to target British women drinking alcohol in the beach bars of Goa, India's popular tropical tourist resort. The Sri Ram Sena group's threat comes after a string of attacks on couples courting in public and young women drinking in pubs. It claims the gang-rape and murder of British teenager Scarlett Keeling in the tourist paradise last year was an example of 'Western culture' causing tragedy and harming India. 616 words. Click here.

Russian girl molested in Goa
22 Mar: Herald. In a shocking incident, Baswinder Dasharat Singh, a native of Uttar Pradesh tried to outrage the modesty of a 25 year old Russian girl and also assaulted her mother at Colva beach on Friday night… the accused is believed to be employed as a security guard in a local establishment… 237 words. Click here.

Holiday Price War: Goa £10 a night
22 Mar: The Sunday Times (UK). Tour operators are slashing prices to unprecedented levels as frightened travel-industry bosses fight to fill thousands of unsold rooms… Thomson has attractive accommodation-only deals, with the Santa Monica hotel, in Goa, going for £10 a night… Click here.

Travel Feature: Goa, a Lisbon-flavored curry
22 Mar: ABC (Spain). The beaches of Goa is the scene of an endless night of crazy sex, drugs and music "trance" whilst with the divine, the Jesuit priests guard the body of the Spanish saint Francis Xavier in the Basilica of Bom Jesus. The paradoxes in India are shocking…
For the text, 1122 words, in Spanish, click here.
For an English machine translation, click here.

Dolphin found dead at Palolem beach
23 Mar: Navhind Times. The carcass of a large dolphin was washed ashore at Palolem beach in Canacona on Sunday. The cause of death is not known… more then fifty dolphin sightings trips are undertaken for the area … Some tourists strongly objected to the manner in which the boat operators conduct dolphin-sighting tours. Once a dolphin is sighted all the boats keep chasing around the spot hoping that the mammal will surface again; this often leads to the dolphin getting injured in the bargain… 449 words. Click here.

Crimes against foreigners on the rise in Salcete
24 Mar: Navhind Times. Even though Colva police claim that police patrolling has been intensified on the coastal belt of Salcete, the cases of bag snatching, mostly of foreigners, thefts of their belonging from hotels etc has continued and has even begun to rise… Most of cases of bag snatching reported in the past have remained undetected… 304 words. Click here.

Video + text: Tourists flocking to India for cheap dental care - and a holiday
25 Mar: 3 News (New Zealand). … The holiday resort region of Goa is also a dental tourism hotspot, where you can get any treatment you like at your leisure. For the husband and wife dental team of Dr Adwait and Mahi Desai, 97 percent of their patients are foreigners. In the last four years they have seen more than 3000 European patients and around 15 New Zealanders… 770 words. 5m.28s. Click here.

Goa: Fredrik Stenson’s Killer Goes Free
25 Mar: Kvällsposten (Sweden). Fredrik Stenson, 28, from Malmö dreams of marrying and raising a family ended three years ago in Goa when he was murdered. He was in Arambol when he was attacked and though the suspect was arrested with the murder weapon, he walked away free… For a photograph and machine translation, click here.

GOA NEWS HEADLINES

17-year-old girl gang raped in Goa
20 Mar: Zee News. A minor girl was allegedly gang raped in the Mollem village here, police said on Friday. The 17-year-old girl was allegedly repeatedly raped by five youths on Wednesday night, they said. Bureau Report… 148 words. Click here.

River Princess to weather the storm for another year!
20 Mar: Herald. That M V River Princess will remain grounded off Candolim beach for yet another monsoon is a reality now.
The High Court on Thursday restricted the government from terminating the agreement with Jaisu Shipping Co. which had been awarded the tender in Jan 2007 to carry out the work but had failed to do so. The Court asked for the matter to be resolved by arbitration…. 471 words. Click here.

Parrikar: 'Legislative decorum has been on the decline'
20 Mar: Rediff. … former Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar took time off during the conference to speak about Goa's descent into lawlessness, its unruly assembly and the slow death of a project close to his heart -- the International Film Festival… Russians have made some purchases and are involved in land deals. But wherever concerns were raised, investigations are on… 584 words. Click here.

Bid to digitize birth records fails
21 Mar: Times of India. Even as birth records, possibly life’s most important document, crumble with age at the registrar’s offices, the tendering process by the government to maintain a digital record of these has failed once again … the records at the registrar’s office in Panaji are on the verge of extinction not just due to their decrepit condition, but also because people have been tearing out records from the books … 402 words. Click here.

Goa: Property Rates Still High
21 Mar: Goan Observer. Though, according to a Gazette Notification, land rates in some parts of Goa are as low as Rs. 5 and Rs. 30 per square metre, the ground reality is very different… Land in Panaji is a minimum of Rs. 25,000/ sq m, Taleigao is Rs. 2000/ sq m while in Bambolim, Chimbel and Bainguinim it is Rs. 500/ sq m… perhaps the government could do Goenkars a favour and set a maximum rate to protect them from extortionate builders. 730 words. Click here.

Say Cheers to Feni!
21 Mar: The 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 is 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! … 479 words. Click here.

BSNL to start 3G services in Goa soon
21 Mar: Navhind Times. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd, has said that 3G services would be made available in Goa in near future together with Wi Max (wireless broadband) services. Goa currently has 21,500 working broadband connections … they are still facing problems in getting approval in some areas particularly in Betul, Chorao, Khanaguinim, Nadora, Margao, Navelim, Gogol etc… 344 words. Click here.

German whistle-blower claims harassment
23 Mar: IANS. A German national whose tip-off helped the police arrest a Polish hit man this month has claimed harassment by local politicians who he alleged are trying to hound him and his family out of the village. In a complaint submitted to the Pernem police station, Kalenborn Heinz Willi has sought immediate police protection claiming that the sarpanch (village head) of Chopdem along with some goons threatened him and his family to vacate the house… 384 words. Click here.

Ex-guv opposes Cidade ordinance
24 Mar: Herald. Former Governor Mohammed Fazal stamped his disapproval on the controversial Cidade de Goa ordinance at a public meeting called by Goa Bachao Abhiyan on Monday… Other speakers against the ordinance included Claude Alvares, Sabina Martins, Dr Oscar Rebello, Fr Maverick Fernandes, Jason Keith Fernandes, Dr Francisco Colaco, Venita Coelho, Professor Prajal and Antao Montes… 661 words. Click here.

Drug sale rampant in Goa: Congress legislators
24 Mar: IANS. Congress legislators in Goa Tuesday took their own party-led coalition government to task over the rampant sale of drugs in the state. Congress legislator from Calangute, Agnelo Fernandes, said there were increasing instances of drug related crimes in the state. “There is a group of Nigerians which is controlling the drug market in Goa,” Fernandes said… 254 words. Click here.

Goa casino charged with denying winnings, beating up customer
24 Mar: IANS. Police in Goa are investigating a complaint filed against the operator of a casino, accused of beating a customer and denying him his winnings after he went to claim the money… The vice chairman of the Goa Tourism Development Corporation Lyndon Monteiro said that the incident did not bode well for the image of Goa as a safe tourist destination… 338 words. Click here.

Goa legalises bullfighting
24 Mar: IANS. The Goa legislative assembly Tuesday unanimously passed amendments to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals act legalising ‘dhirio’ or bullfighting in the coastal state… 197 words. Click here.

Supreme Court restrains Goa govt from regularising illegal constructions
24 Mar: PTI. The Supreme Court today restrained Goa government from taking any step to regularise illegal constructions on the road providing access to picturesque Vainguinim beach. It also agreed to examine the constitutional validity of an ordinance promulgated by the state government allegedly to circumvent an apex court judgement directing demolition of the illegal constructions… 216 words. Click here.

Video: Supreme Court relief for Goa activists
24 Mar: NDTV. Activists in Goa got some relief after the Supreme Court ordered an interim stay on the controversial ordinance issued by the government to allegedly ban a hotel on breaking rules in Goa. 01 min 18 sec. Click here.

Navy chopper crashes off Goa coast; crew safe
25 Mar: PTI. An Indian Navy helicopter, out on a routine sortie, today crashed off the Goa coast.
However, all the three members onboard are safe … The incident took place at around 11 am about 22 miles from the Goa coast … 113 words. Click here.

Auditor slams Goa government over special economic zones
25 Mar: IANS. Virtually confirming suspicions raised by opponents of special economic zones (SEZ) here, India’s official auditor has hinted at a possible scam in the process of releasing vast tracts of land to four of the seven SEZ operators in Goa… 361 words. Click here.

River Princess expected to be declared as state disaster
26 Mar: Navhind Times. With the clearance given by the Election Commission of India, the River Princess saga looks all set to enter into its final phase as now the state can go ahead and declare it a state disaster and remove it… The ship, a 240-metre-long ore carrier went aground off the Candolim coast in June, 2000 and till date is still rusting away… About 110 metres of Candolim beach have been eroded in the last eight years. 270 words. Click here.

German whistle-blower’s complaint not registered by police
26 Mar: IANS. More than 10 days after a German national, whose tip-off led to the arrest of a Polish hit man this month, complained of harassment and threats by local politicians, the Goa police have failed to register his complaint, an official of the German consulate said Thursday… 412 words. Click here.

'Feni' Gets GI Status
26 Mar: Navhind Times. Feni, the exotic Goan spirit has finally got its Geographical Indication (GI) status. It is a proud moment for the state as Feni becomes the first alcoholic spirit in the country to get the GI status and the first ever product from Goan soil for the same… 509 words. Click here.

‘Closure of off-shore casinos will render Goans jobless’: Congress
26 Mar: Deccan Herald. Fearing the closure of off-shore casinos in the coastal state, ahead of the general elections, Goa Congress has swore by employment opportunities created by these vessels for many of the locals… 351 words. Click here.

IN THE NEWS:

Helen on trip to Indian orphanage
20 Mar: North Devon Journal (UK). Helen Jones, who works part time at Cornwall Farmers Country Store in Bideford is in Goa on a three week trip working with a street children orphanage -El Shaddai Street Child Rescue - in a village called Chimbel near Panjim. She has taken children's clothes and money, to purchase educational toys and go towards the running costs of the orphanage… 203 words. Click here.

Mumbai: Businessman raped daughter for 9 years
20 Mar. Times of India. Ashok Chore (name changed), aged 60, a businessman has been arrested for allegedly raping his daughter over nine years, drawing macabre parallels with Joseph Fritzl of Austria … It is claimed that he acted on the advice of a `tantrik' who promised that doing so would make him prosperous… The traumatised girl, now 21 approached the police after her father attempted to rape her 15-year-old younger sister on the advice of the same tantrik…. Chore's advocate Edgar Braganza alleged that his clients were being framed by the two siblings… 567 words. Click here.

UK: Sought after car number plates on sale
20 Mar: The Evening Chronicle, Newcastle (UK). The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is selling off more fancy registrations, which will raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for the Treasury… The March auction will also contain GOA 11E (reserve £400) … 220 words.

Indians in UK at greater risk of drink-related deaths
20 Mar: Times of India. Men born in India, but living in England and Wales, are twice as likely to die of alcohol-related deaths as the rest of the population, according to a new study led by an Indian-origin scientist… The difference in alcohol-related deaths rates could be explained by cultural differences in rates of alcohol consumption… 357 words. Click here.
For a link t the full text of the published article, click here.

Canada’s Deputy PM Heading to Goa
20 Mar: Daily News and Analysis. It has been just over 24 hours in Mumbai but Karen, wife of Kevin Lynch, the deputy prime minister of Canada, has already done a city tour "discovering the city the way I like to and it's been really enjoyable," she says. She goes on to add, "Just two days here unfortunately and then we're off to Goa." Click here.

Bombay: Boss School of Music: Four sent to custody
21 Mar: Indian Express. A woman litigant threw a slipper directed at a Judge and was joined by four others in an offensive diatribe against the bench before whom their case was being heard… a three-month prison term was handed down to the four from the Bombay-based controversial Boss School of Music… The music school at Vasai near Mumbai has been in the news for repeated allegations and complaints against its founder Glenn Fernandes that he was forcing girls into prostitution… 543 words. Click here.
For links to more about the case click here.

Bombay Church group criticises Cardinal's political view
21 Mar: Indian Catholic. Bombay Catholic Sabha has expressed shock and dismay at the statement of the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, March 18, that the “Bharatiya Janata Party was a lesser evil compared to the communists”… 251 words. Click here.

Recipe: Fancy pancakes...the Goan style?
22 Mar: Times of India. By Melinda Pereira Kamat. Lollyi is the name given to both, fermented or non-fermented pancakes which are prepared on a clay tawa. It is cooked on high heat, and one has to initially cover it with a clay cover called confri. The speciality of these pancakes is that they acquire a net-like appearance only if the flame is high when the batter is first spread. Lollyos are generally eaten with nallacho ross (coconut milk)… 706 words. Click here.

Recession-hit Indian restaurants in UK ask for state aid
22 Mar: Times of India. Indian restaurants hit by recession, rising prices and staff shortages have started a campaign to petition the Gordon Brown government to support the industry by raising the threshold at which small companies pay VAT… The restaurant owners have also petitioned Labour MP Keith Vaz, for help to resolve immigration issues … 487 words. Click here.

UK: Gift to aid slum children in Goa
23 Mar: Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph (UK). The slum areas of Mapusa are a far cry from Brigstock, but now the two have a special connection thanks to the generosity of villagers. Graham and Gill Dorks headed to Mango House, a day centre for children living in the shanty areas in Goa, with £700 which was raised by their fellow residents. The 67-year-olds saw for themselves the valuable work done by the charity Children Walking Tall and presented the cash to excited youngsters. Photo + 308 words. Click here.

'Jesuits have made Church's option for the poor in India'
23 Mar: Indian Catholic. Fr. Adolfo Nicolás, the Superior General of the Society of Jesus, who visited India recently. He went to Goa where he experienced a most moving celebration of Mass at the altar of St. Francis Xavier… He relates his impressions of the trip and names some of problems and the challenges the Society has to face in India… 703 words. Click here.

Lisbon: Debate “Chop Suey and Bebinca”
23 Mar: Diario Digital. The Museu do Oriente will promote, on March 27, from 18:00 to 20:00 hours, a debate 'Chop Suey and Bebinca, alternatives to fast food? There will be speakers from the restaurant of the Casa de Goa…Admission is free. Click here.

Audio: Asians in UK Prisons
23 Mar: BBC Radio Asian Network Report. More Asians than ever are ending up behind bars in Britain and in this Asian Network Report Bobby Friction discovers that although gangs are an issue – drugs are the biggest problem inside. 30 mins. Click here.

France: Support for Goa Victims of Sex tourism
23 Mar: L'Indépendant (France). A team of eight students from Narbonne won the second prize in the "Say No To Sex Tourism" campaign … 62 teams participated in this two year campaign designed to bring about public awareness… The winners will travel to India in September to submit a cheque for 12,685 Euros in support of the Centre for child victims in Goa. Text, 266 words in French. Click here.

Meltdown has adversely affected Goa economy: Kamat
23 Mar: Zee News. Goa Chief Minister Digamber Kamat today said that he had to present the interim budget on the backdrop of unprecedented economic recession, which has also affected the coastal state… "Our economy primarily being tourism centric, any fall in the tourists arrival to the state is bound to put stress on our economy," he said… Kamat added that the peak tourist season saw drastic fall both in foreign as well as domestic tourists' inflow to the state. 175 words. Click here.

Israel: The Flying Visa scam
23 Mar: Outlook (India). Israel's employment agencies obtain permits to hire foreign workers. Their partner in India takes huge sums of money from those wishing to work but once the worker reaches Israel, he finds his employment, and therefore his visa, cancelled. The agency uses the permit to take out a visa for yet another Indian. Those left stranded go into hiding, hoping to evade deportation… Goa’s Victor D'Souza paid $8,000 to become another victim in the flying visa scam. Santiago Luis from Goa paid $6,500 to arrange for a work visa in Israel but there was no job… 1866 words. Click here.

Vítor Serrão advocates preservation of rich Portuguese artistic heritage in Goa
24 Mar: RTP Portugal. Vítor Serrão today defended the need to study and preserve the rich Portuguese artistic heritage spread around the world, following research he did in Goa at the historical archives in Panjim and at the Convent of Santa Mónica… Text, 468 words in Portuguese. Click here.
For Vitor Serrao’s photo and website, click here.

Nine hour dog walk raises £1,400
24 Mar: Reading Chronicle (UK). Chris Wills, 27, who grew up in Woodcote, and girlfriend Helen Partridge, 38, raised around £1,400 by walking 84 dogs - and two cats - at the International Animal Rescue centre in Goa over nine hours. Photo + 334 words. Click here.

Now, a website that prays for those too busy to pray!
26 Mar: ANI. Too busy to offer prayers? Well, don't fear the Lord, for He has come up with a unique idea to make you stay connected with him: InformationAgePrayer.com! A website that charges you a monthly fee to say prayers for you has been launched. 151 words. Click here.

New York: Live Auction: Goan Carved Wood Figure Of St Francis Xavier

Click to enlarge

29 Mar: Stair Galleries, New York. Lot #1110: Goan Polychrome Carved Wood Figure Of Francisco Xavier, a Hindu at his feet. 4 ft. 10 1/4 in. x 18 1/2 in. Estimate: $ 250.00 - $ 450.00. www.stairgalleries.com/
UK: V&A Museum: Baroque Exhibition
23 Mar; Publico (Spain). The Victoria & Albert Museum in London has a Broque exhibition from 4 Apr to 19 Jul 2009… There are figurines of Jesus made by Goan artisans with ivory brought from Africa and then back across the ocean and are exported to Europe, all thanks to a flourishing trade that lasted for several centuries… For the exhibition website click here.

UK: Auction: FN Souza
2 Apr: John Nicholson, Haslemere, Surrey. Lot 1331 – 1335. Francis Newton Souza (1924-2002). Various ink on paper drawings. 1950-59. Estimate £4000 to £5000 each. Click here.

GOANET HIGHLIGHTS
BY CORNEL DACOSTA

The enigma of caste adherence among Roman Catholic Goans is problematic despite persuasive evidence that simultaneous beliefs in Hindu caste and Roman Catholicism are incompatible. Endless discussions have centred over this issue for half a millenium including about the Church's complicity on this issue. Yet, intense caste indoctrination of the young persists among a sector of Catholic Goans. This vexed issue is never off the table as a discussion topic---sometimes with considerable anger because it is deemed to be essentially hypocritical and segregationist in effect. To read the latest critique of caste adherence among the Catholic Goans by Jason Keith Fernandes click here.

Much discussion on Goanet has centred on the theme titled 'Nuns treated like servants by priests.' There have been heated claims and counter claims on this issue but one by Venantius Pinto argues that such a situation has always existed since Catholicism made inroads into Goa some 500 years ago. Click here.

Should any young Goans in the Goan Diaspora encounter and read the nostalgic article by Tony Fernandes, titled 'Days of the Bullock Cart in Goa' it would be of interest to discover what they make of it. The bullock cart is of course widespread in India and many other parts of the world, but Goan Voice (UK) readers should find this article of interest. Click here.

Environmental degradation is a theme that Hartman de Souza focuses on by comparing the situation in Trinidad and Goa. The article is well worth reading. Click here.

It is known that dozens of languages are lost each year across the world through non use. Tomazinho Cardozo expresses much concern that Konkani may meet such a fate in the near future because so many Goans seem embarrassed to learn and use their own mother tongue. Indeed, a UNESCO report claims that India tops the list of countries with endangered languages. To read this article click here.

So, exactly who was General Manoel Antonio de Souza? Was he an activist in Africa in the 1800s? Do read two contrasting views about this man by Selma Carvalho – click here and by Mervyn Lobo – click here.

Mario Goveia has always strongly supported the American action in Iraq which began in 2003. The new President Barrack Obama not only voted against this war but has claimed that it was dumb to invade Iraq. Strangely however, we now have a non characteristic post from M Goveia by way of a rebuttal that the Arabs are successful only when "liberated" by America. To read about this at, click here.

Finally, is it possible to mix the controversy over the illegal building extension to the five-star hotel, Cidade de Goa in Goa and the romantic ballads of the singer Jim Reeves? Yes of course, according to Cecil Pinto in his humorous article. 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

TRAVEL: Getaway to Goa. Thomson TV
Friday 20th Mar. 20:00 to 20:15. If you fancy visiting India but aren't quite sure where to start, you might want to consider Goa. This beautiful region offers great beaches, a fascinating culture and an array of culinary delights.

TRAVEL: Goa and Maldives. Sky Real Lives
Friday 27th Mar. 16:30 to 17:00. Treat yourself to a holiday of a lifetime to the sun drenched shores of Goa and the luxurious Maldives.

DOCUMENTARY: The Lion Cub from Harrods. five
Sunday 29th Mar. 12:00 to 13:00. Documentary telling the story of John Rendall and Ace Bourke who bought a lion cub from Harrods in 1969 then they flew to Kenya to release the lion, which they named Christian, into the wild. This film brings the remarkable tale up to date.

ARTS: Nightrunners of Bengal. BBC Radio 7
Monday 30th Mar. 11:00 to 12:00. Masters' India. Kishanpur 1856: Rodney Savage meets the Silver Guru and hears disturbing news. John Masters dramatization. Episode 1 of 4.

ENTERTAINMENT: The Undercover Princes. BBC 1
Monday 30th Mar. 22:45 to 23:45. Three bachelor princes from across the globe have come to the UK in search of true love … Prince Manvendra finds that a public relationship in India with his first love, Mike, is not as easy as he had imagined.

TRAVEL: Indian Ocean. Sky Real Lives
Tuesday 31st Mar. 15:00 to 15:30. If you've always dreamt of holidaying in Goa, going on safari in Kenya or relaxing in the Maldives then Sky Travel could make your dream become a reality

TRAVEL: Earthwalkers. Travel Channel
Wednesday 1st Apr. 08:00 to 08:30. Bangalore-India. Come with Phil from Australia as he digs deep into the contrasting cultures of Bangalore.

COOKERY: Indian Food Made Easy. Watch
Wednesday 1st Apr. 19:00 to 19:30. Food writer and chef Anjum Anand travels to Cornwall where self-taught chefs Nirmal and Louis are about to cook at a local pub's curry night.

DOCUMENTARY: One Planet. BBC World Service Radio
Thursday 2nd Apr. 20:30 to 21:00. The programme that explores the biggest issues in the environment. This week a look at recycling in the Indian city of Mumbai.

TRAVEL: Earthwalkers. Travel Channel
Friday 3rd Apr. 08:00 to 08:30. Thiruvananthapuram-India. Come with Matt and Alison uncover the age-old secrets of Ayurvedic foods and yoga in Trivandrum

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.

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 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.

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