Edited by Eddie Fernandes editor@goanvoice.org.uk

Stunning River Cruises of India include the Mandovi
3 May. The Indian Express. Departing from the Santa Monica Jetty in Panaji, the cruise takes passengers on a leisurely journey along the Mandovi River. As the cruise meanders through the serene surroundings, passengers can enjoy stunning views of the Goan coastline, lush greenery and historic buildings along the riverbanks. Experience the beauty of the Mandovi River in Goa with a thrilling speedboat ride to spot dolphins.  For further details click here

The traditional Goan Saibinn building community
10 May. Herald. One of the longest-serving community traditions still commences every September, when a statue of our Lady of Miracles enclosed in a glass case sets out from neighbour to neighbour at dusk while a procession of people follow it, assembling together to offer prayers, singing and flowers. After a brief service of prayer and devotional hymns, refreshments are served these being channa doce or cake and the congregants file out after kissing the image.  For further details click here

Goa seeks GI tag for Urak
10 May. The Goan. In a bid to raise the status of Urak, the Goa government seeks the GI (Geographical Identification) tag for it. Cashew feni already has a GI tag. Once acquired, it will allow Goa to brand market cashews and prohibit other Indian states from branding it.  For further details click here

Negative Agenda by Church against BJP
10 May. Times of India. At least two BJP MLAs have lashed out accusing the Catholic Church of using its pulpits to promote a negative agenda against the BJP. Welfare Minister Desai was of the opinion that for free and fair elections to take place, it is unfair for religious heads to influence the public with their political views.  click here

Goa: Sound ban may be relaxed
10 May. Times of India. The CM Sawant has said his govt was working on a mechanism to permit indoor events to play music beyond 10pm. Goa being a wedding destination, some allowances could be made. This news was welcomed by the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa.  click here

Questions Asked and Answered about SIMS
10 May. Trip Advisor. Answers to queries about getting a local SIM for phones and how to use them.  For further details click here

Death: Frederick Furtado. Brisbane, Australia. Ex. Tanzania

Death: Ida De Souza. UK. Ex Nairobi
19 April. Ida De Souza passed away peacefully in Surrey, UK. Daughter of late Nicolau and Bernadina Da Cruz. Cherished mother of Anneliese. Beloved sister/sister-in-law of late Tony, Mary, Alex/Lourdes, Elsie/Felix, Greta/late Tony. Aunty/great aunty to Jason, Karen/Stephane, Jonathan/Lorena, Nicholas, Andrew and Liane. Reyès, Mateo, Cristiano and Charlene.

The day St. Francis Xavier set foot in Goa
6 May. Herald. Francis was born on April 17, 1506 at Chateau Javier in the region of Navarre in Northern Spain. By the second half of the 16th century, Goa had become the seat of the Portuguese Empire in the East. It had prospered and become immensely rich and hence rightly called the “Rome of the East” or “Goa Dourada.” Francis landed in Goa on 06 May 1542. He wrote to the King of Portugal, describing Goa as a “sink of corruption”. He mentioned that there was cruelty, greed and corruption of Portuguese traders and officials, especially when it directly effected the pearl divers of Coromandel, who were his flock of converts.  click here

Goa's busiest restaurants: Transversing Europe
8 May. GQ India. Vivek Menezes rounds up two of Goa's busiest restaurants. He writes, Padaria Prazeres (padaria means bakery in Portuguese) rocketed to attention immediately after opening in 2021 for its superb pastéis denata— traditional custard tarts from Lisbon...Prazeres proceeded to accomplish exactly what he intended, and opened up an elegant, astonishingly accomplished little shrine to French cooking in an ingeniously restored old house in São Tomé...Sumitran’s eye-catching designs for Larder + Folk first caught my eye when Sardessai started up after the first COVID-19 lockdown was lifted in Goa. She was retailing babkas—the talismanic Jewish–New Yorker sweet braided bread.  click here

Dr Elvira Dias of Goa Medical College Remembered

On Safari in Kenya, I was finally able to grieve
9 May. The Globe and Mail. Writer Anna Haines talks about how while on safari in Kenya she was finally able to grieve for her mother. After her mom’s sudden death in 2015, she was eager to flee Toronto... She set off on a luxury safari tour in Kenya last March, for what would’ve been her mother's 64th birthday. Micato, her safari outfitter, took her to several environments with distinctive flora, fauna and culture to give me a full understanding of the East African country. Micato was founded by Felix and Jane Pinto nearly 60 years ago.  click here
The Pinto family of Micato Safaris. Felix Pinto was one of Kenya’s most highly-regarded farmers. His wife Jane was an elite international table tennis player. They lived on a rambling farm off Bogoni Road, in the Nairobi suburb of Karen, where they raised their three kids. Executive Director Anastasia Pinto heads up Micato’s multi-continental sales efforts from her base in Los Angeles. After graduating from St. Mary’s School in Nairobi, Dennis Pinto, Micato’s Managing Director, headed west to Stanford and then all over the world as a vice president for American Express International Banking.  click here

Goa Tourism: Dubai is a Place we can keep learning from
9 May. Arabian Business. In an exclusive interview with Rohan Khaunte – the Minister of Tourism of Goa – discusses why Arabian Trave Mart- Dubai 2024 is important for Goa, upcoming plans and ‘regenerative’ and ‘responsible’ tourism. The central theme for the Goa pavillion this year is regenerative toursim.Emphasising Goa's Hindu and Christian heritage offering the visitor a range of options, the Goa team will be stressing the importance of community engagement in a holistic approach to tourism.  click here
9 May. Trading View. Goa blends innovation & entrepreneurship with its model of regenerative tourism at ATM Dubai 2024.  click here

Funeral: Monday 20 May 2023: Mary Alda Monteiro (nee Nunes). Edgware, Middlesex, UK (Ex Mombasa)

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South Asians in Canada: Not Your Butter Chicken
8 May. Vancouver Sun. The film-maker Priyanka Desai has been collating South Asian food histories throughout western Canada and the documentary premiered on May 1 for Asian Heritage Month on TELUS Optik TV, now available to watch online. Desai says, “I think the biggest thing that I learned, especially going to places like Kamloops, was how long South Asians have been here for. And how much history we have. And all the things that have happened because of South Asians — like building a railroad, the sawmills, being in the logging industry, being farmers — you just don’t get to see these stories.”  click here
The documentary is available to watch online. Search 'Not Your Butter Chicken' for all episodes.  click here

Portuguese Still has its Charms in Goa
4 May. Herald. On Sunday the world celebrated World Portuguese Language Day. The day was marked by a range of musical performances, literature readings, competitions, cultural shows, art exhibitions, lectures, plays, and other cultural events worldwide. The Portuguese language is one of the most widespread languages in the world, with more than 265 million speakers spread through the continents. Franz Schubert Cotta of Goa University Portuguese department said the language was popular among the older generation in Goa. Thirty years ago, the Fundacao Oriente started a popular singing competition, which revived interest among the younger generation, who are re-discovering the language through music.  click here

Goa Elections: High Turn-out despite Heat
8 May. The Times of India. Despite the intense heat, 72 percent of Goa's electoral eligibile to vote turned out peacefully today at the ballot box. At stake are two Lok Sabha seats, one in the south and one in the north. The high voter turn-out has prompted both the BJP and Congress to claim victory in their favour.  click here

Q & A about riding a scooter in Goa
8 May. Tripadvisor. Questions asked and answered about riding a scooter in Goa with a foreign license.  For further details click here

Fra Angelico
8 May. Heraldo. Father Jason Keith Fernandes visits the Museum of the convent of San Marco (Saint Mark) in Florence and contemplates on that notable figure in the history of Western art, the Blessed Fra Angelico of the 14th century. Known to his contemporaries as Fra Giovanni da Fiesole, Fra Angelico was a Friar of the Dominican Order. In addition to his religious duties, Fra Angelico was also a gifted painter, having initiated his training as an illuminator of manuscripts even prior to joining the Dominicans  For further details click here

Auction: 17th Century Indo-Portuguese Inlaid Chest
8 May. Invaluable Auction House. An Indo-Portuguese chest made of wood with engraved bone veneer with ten drawers. 37.5 by 26 cm. Height: 23.5 cm. PROVENANCE Private collection, Germany. You can register to bid and view catalogue for similar items.  click here

High Court overturns Pastor Dominic's externment
8 May. Herald. In what must come as good news to Pastor Dominic and his wife Joanne, the High Court has set aside the externment orders brought against them. Pastor Dominic and Wife Joan were externed from Goa for 6 Months by North Goa Collector through an order that was passed on March 16. According to the order, they were required to report their place of residence to the officer in charge of the nearest police station once every month, even if there is no change in their address.  For further details click here

Zaneta Mascarenhas: Fighting Financial Abuse

Tues. 14/05/2024 - Funeral: Rita Aguiar. UK. Ex Bombay, Uganda

Death: John D’Costa. Ajax, Canada. Ex Nakuru Kenya
May 2024. Ajax, Ont. JOHN MILAGRES FRANCIS XAVIER D’COSTA. Born Nakuru Mar 1939. He emigrated to Canada with his wife Maura and two young sons, Brian and David. They settled in Ajax, where John accepted a teaching position at St. Bernadette’s Catholic School. Shortly after, John and Maura welcomed their third son, Michael. Eventually, he became a principal at St Joseph’s, Our Lady of the Bay, and St Francis De Sales … He found delight in the company of his grandchildren Emilie, Eric, Samuel, Jordan, and Jake. Virtual Service on May 7 https://www.hdezwebcast.com/show/john-dcosta Photo and full details at http://ajaxfuneralhome.ca/service/John-D'Costa

Clarity Emerges in OCI Applications
7 May. Herald. Some clarity emerged in the on-going saga of OCI status of Goan Portuguese Passport holders. The Bombay High Court (HC) at Goa on Monday disposed of two petitions regarding Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) registration, and directed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), to consider the applications of the petitioners based on the office memorandum issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on April 4, 2024, which stated that revocation orders will be accepted in lieu of' surrender certificates. In summary, the process of acquiring OCI status should be easy and accessible in future.  click here

Search Ends for Goan Crew Member

The Commonwealth Votes in UK elections
7 May. Navhind Times. The recent local elections in the UK threw up few surprises. The Tory party received a drubbing while Labour made considerable gains in formerly held Tory seats. For many people recently arrived from India and other Commonwealth countries it came as a welcome surprise that if they were legally residing in the UK they could vote in the election.The rights stem from the historic ties between Britain and countries of its former empire. The right is extended to every ‘qualifying Commonwealth citizen’ who, according to the Electoral Commission, is someone who has leave to enter or remain in the UK, or who does not require that leave. Some time ago, a senior Indian diplomat posted in London was surprised that Indian citizens legally in the UK were eligible to vote and contest in all elections.  click here

NRI can now use iMobile to make payments
7 May. Mint. ICICI Bank has just launched a new facility for Non-Resident Indian (NRI) customers, enabling them to use their international mobile numbers to make instant UPI payments in India. This feature would be available through the bank's mobile app, iMobile Pay, and marks a significant shift from the previous requirement for NRIs to register an Indian mobile number for similar transactions. Here's how you can access this service.  click here

Revolutionary Goans: Taking their Message Door-to-Door
7 May. Times of India. Manoj Parab of the new political party Revolutionary Goans marches from door to door, spreading the party message. Explaining the need for such a party Parab emphasises the prioritization of Goans left destitute and landless, forgotten by other parties. RG as the party is popularly known wants to be the voice of change. Their agenda however has been largely dismissed as communal and anti-migrant. Video 3 min.  click here
7 May. Times of India. Parab explains, that the Party is not against migrant labourers or any one class of migrants, but that they are against the illegalities they do.  click here

Death - Dr Peter Rodrigues, Beckenham, Kent. Ex Nairobi

OCI Holder can Return to India and other Questions Answered
5 May. Navhind Times. A number of pertinent questions asked and answered in this article including whether Goans who have availed on Portuguese citizenship can reside and work in India, and how much tax is applicable on properties inherited by NRI Goans when sold and money to be repatriated.  click here

We Fell in Love with Moira and Olaulim
5 May. Vlog. Johanna North is a Finnish woman travelling around India. In 2019, she married her Indian husband and moved to Kerala where they still live. Here, she documents her stay in Goa. She writes, after being disappointed with the beaches in north Goa, they wanted to spend some quiet time in the interiors. So they headed to their next destination - an AirBnB cottage in the village of Moira. The week they spent there was the best they had had so far in Goa. Video. 25 min. Web Link.

Suella Baverman Regrets Backing Sunak
6 May. BBC News UK. Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman has said she regrets backing Rishi Sunak's bid to become prime minister. Speaking on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Braverman said the prime minister had not kept policy promises he made to her. Reiterating her desire to fight the 'feeble Labour Party,' she said, she is 'not going to give up.' Video 1 min.  For further details click here

More than a Bit of Africa in India

Goa's Hidden Gem: Cabo de Rama Fort
30 April. Outlook. The South of Goa is known more for its picturesque village and solitary beaches but bit of a cultural vacuum. This is not entirely true if you know where to look. Hidden in the deep south of Goa in Canacona is the Cabo de Rama Fort. The origins of Cabo de Rama Fort deduced from historical records indicate its construction by Hindu rulers in the pre-colonial era. Originally known as "Cabo de Rama" or "Cape Rama," the fort held strategic importance due to its commanding position along the coastline. Legend has it that Lord Rama, the revered hero of the Hindu epic Ramayana, sought refuge in this area during his exile from Ayodhya. The fort underwent several transformations under various rulers, including the Bahamani Sultanate and the Portuguese colonialists, who eventually took control of Goa in the 16th century.  For further details click here

Goa Elections: Church Calls for Prudent Voting
6 May. Live Mint. Churches in Goa held special prayers during the 'Holy Hour' on Friday and Sunday (May 3 and May 5), urging Catholics to “vote responsibly” in the upcoming elections. The prayers, recommended by Felipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao, the archbishop of Goa and Daman, focused on choosing candidates who uphold the values enshrined in the Constitution. While no specific party or candidate was endorsed, the initiative is seen as an indirect support for Congress, a perception shared among the clergy, according to observers. The relationship between the Church and political parties has seen shifts over the years. In 2012, the clergy's message was anti-corruption, which then favoured the BJP under the leadership of the late Manohar Parrikar, who fostered a positive relationship between the Church and his party.  click here

Exhibition of Works by “Artist of Three Continents”
3 May. Herald. Goa’s celebrated artist the late Vamona Navelcar is having his works exhibited this month at Duke’s Residency in Taleigao. Navelcar’s life was deeply influenced by his time in Goa, Mozambique and Portugal. Born on May 5, 1929, in Pomburpa, Vamona was one of six siblings. In 1955, at the age of 25, he applied to the Escola Superior de Belas Artes in Portugal and then in 1963, he travelled to Mozambique where he started teaching as a professor of geometry and mathematics in Lyceums for 13 years. On November 3, 1975, Vamona was arrested with his students as Mozambique fought for its independence through the FRELIMO (Front for the Liberation of Mozambique) movement. They were held prisoners in Imala, a prison camp in the forest, for 81 days. After his release, he planned his return to Portugal.  For further details click here

Cheers for Political Songs on the Tiatr Stage
4 May. The Times of India. When Francis de Tuem steps on to the stage at the newly refurbished Kala Academy, the crowd cannot contain its pleasure. Francis de Tuem is known for his political songs and holding politicians to account through his song-writing. Getting straight to the heart of the matter, he sings, “You have a problem when there are conversions but chief minister Sawant himself converted 10 Congress MLAs and took them into BJP." This being a jibe at BJP's misuse of the religious conversions law.  For further details click here

A Recipe for Success in Canada
4 May. Toronto Star. Hemant Bhagwani has opened 61 restaurants: three in Ottawa, one in New York and the rest in Toronto. In high school, Bhagwani was more excited by cricket and girls than by making life plans. Then a girlfriend aspiring to go to chef school inspired him to apply to the Alpina School of Hotel Management in Parpan, Switzerland, where he completed a hotel and culinary management degree. The success came at a high price and burnout. “I just felt that I couldn’t do it anymore,” he said. So, he took a six-month break and headed to Goa, India, where he cooked with the locals. As he absorbed their dedication, his own delight returned. “I started realizing, wow, I love what I do.”  For further details click here

We Still Have our Snakes
3 May. The Nation. Kenya. The National Museums of Kenya have denied reports that highly poisonous snakes were swept away by raging floods. They confirm they still have their snakes and other exhibits well preserved. The statement by the agency comes amidst claims that snakes and crocodiles had been displaced from their cages by the heavy rains currently pounding Nairobi and were prowling in Kijabe Street, Kipande Road, Ojijo Road, and the Goan Gymkhana area.  For further details click here

A Literary Route to Celebrate the Goan-French Connection
4 May. Gomantak Times. In his French poem, Wherever I Go, author and poet, Manohar Rai Sardessai, strikes a nostalgic chord when he writes: ‘Without your love, away from your life/O Goa I do not know how to live’. It is from the French writings of this Goan author that readers in France gained an understanding of the Goa Liberation movement, and this opened the European readership to the tiny Indian State. This year, the launch of Pardon My French, a book club to discuss French literature, an initiative by the French Institute in India with Alliance, highlights the importance of literature as a bridge between nations. It welcomes Francophone writers in fostering cultural exchange and promoting a deeper understanding of French literary traditions in India.  For further details click here

Shashi Tharoor: Indians Abroad Deserve Dual Citizenship
4 May. Hindustan Times. Speaking at a press conference held in Goa, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor promised to have a “serious discussion” under a proper forum on the issue of dual citizenship and believes Indians living abroad need to be allowed to keep their Indian passports “even when circumstances require them to take another passport.” He added that a lot of Indians living abroad may have had to take a foreign passport for reasons of professional convenience, travel, work and so on. “...Yet they still feel an emotional connection to their motherland. And we need to find ways to recognise that."  For further details click here

Botswana Mourns the Death of Bishop Tony Rebello [Ex Nairobi]

No Clarity Yet on OCI Status
5 May. The Goan. Those Goans who had their paspports revoked are still waiting for clarification on OCI status. It has been a month since the revocation order was passed and every politician was quick to claim credit for this move and yet Goans are still in a state of limbo. Kennedy Afonso the covenor of Goa For Goans says this is causing a lot of anxiety for Goans waiting for clarification.  For further details click here

Death and Funeral: Natividade (Netty) Da Costa. UK. Ex. Mombasa
We are sad to announce the passing of our beloved Natividade Da Costa (nee D'Souza), aged 90 years on 22 April. Natividade (Netty) was the widow of the late Victor Da Costa. A Requiem Mass will be held for her on Tuesday 7th May 2024 at 10am, at Our Lady and St Joseph's Church, 52 Uxbridge Road, Hanwell, London, W7 3SU, followed by a wake at The Green W7, 16 Lower Boston Road, W7 3TX. Natividade is survived by her daughter Vanessa.

Death and Funeral: Lineth Marie Jose. Canada
30 April. Lineth Marie Jose passed away peacefully in Colingwood, Canada. Born in India in 1941, the youngest daughter of Wenceslas and Rose Fernandes, wife to Mel D'Souza and mother to Helen and Gillian. Fondly remembered by her grand and great-grandchildren. Funeral mass will be held at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church at 10 a.m. on Friday May 10, 2024. Interment at St. Mary’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Collingwood General & Marine Hospital in her memory. Friends may visit Lineth's online Book of Memories at www.fawcettfuneralhomes.com

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Goa's Festakar Makes Waves in Kenya
4 May. The Goan. Lui Godinho. The man popularly known in Goa as festakar for his penchant for putting together events that celebrate village festivals, Marius Fernandes returns to Kenya after five decades to retrace the footsteps of his grandparents. Marius born in Meru County, will be a guest on 'The Books Cafe' programme to air on KBC on May 4th being interviewed by Khainga O'Okwemba.  For further details click here

UK Goans mark 50th Anniversary of Portugal's Carnation Revolution
4 May. The Goan. Lui Godhinho. A number of UK Goans including Jennifer Vaz marked the 50th anniversary of Portugal's Carnation Revolution at a gala held in London. The Carnation Revolution brought to an end five decades of Salazar's oppressive regime. Other dignataries included Chief Ambassador from the Foreign Ministry of Affairs Dr Luis de Almeida Ferraz and Consul General of Portugal in London Dr Luis Leandro da Silva.  For further details click here

Goan Awarded 'Woman of the Year 2024' in Boston
4 May. The Goan. Rowena Kay Mascarenhas from Saligao was awarded the Woman of the Year 2024 at an event held in Boston. She received the award from Indian venture capitalist Desh Deshpande. With a wealth of experience spanning over two decades, Mascarenhas has been praised for excellence in corporate, academic and non-profit sectors. Apart from her professional responsibilities at TiE Boston, Mascarenhas devotes her time volunteering on a farm and at DAWN dedicated to addressing gender inequality.  For further details click here

Stitching Stories with Savia Viegas
4 May. Herald. Writer and journalist Vivek Menezes writes about the multimedia exhibition centered on narrative embroidered artworks by Dr Savia Viegas...Viegas is a distinguished scholar, with a doctorate in Ancient Indian Art from the University of Mumbai...“My mother Berta Elisa Viegas had to discontinue schooling when family funds ran out due to her father’s early paralysis,” explains Viegas, “but an independent personality streak led her to seek options to provide a source of income. Her sewing teacher was Dona Leonora, a renowned seamstress in Margao who trained girls in this very useful domestic craft. Mai tried hand-stitching clothes before she could afford a second-hand machine, then purchased a Singer.”  For further details click here

Goa Stays Land Plans of BJP MLA
3 May. Hindustan Times. The Bombay High Court in Goa has held that MLA Michael Lobo would become one of the main beneficiaries of the conversion and zone changes proposed in order to develop agricultural land and hill slopes for residential and commercial building. Politically controlled planning bodies have been making arbitary changes to planning regulations.  For further details click here

Tax Implications of NRIs renting out Property in India
3 May. Gisuser. In recent years the Non-Resident Indian (NRI) investment in India has gone up significantly. The tax implications for NRIs renting out property in India can be quite complex. For tax purposes, the NRI is not considered a resident of India, and is subject to TDS, which means tax is deducted at source.  For further details click here

Of Goans and the Constitution
4 May. Herald. Goans have embraced India's forward looking Constitution but have also repeatedly reminded the state that they need a special pact. This challenge to the interpretation of the Constitution by Goans have come at certain junctures in history. The Indian State gathers its support from the Indian diaspora, but does not want the ‘inconvenient’ diaspora who raise uncomfortable questions about the development trajectory, chosen by the India State  click here

Goan Awarded 'People of the Year' in Ireland