Please note that I will be in Goa till 6 Jan. 2002, so until then, all items for the newsletter should to be sent to John J. D'Souza, jjds@ican.net Seasons Greetings to all. Eddie Fernandes.

COMMUNITY NEWS

It was widely reported in the World Press that Jayant Vaidya, a surgeon at University College London Medical School, had led the team that developed a revolutionary technique for the treatment of breast cancer. [He is a Goan and a Goanet-UK subscriber. His late father was prominent in battling cancer and banning smoking in Goa]. Reuters. Click here....

From John J. D'Souza: Lee Ann DeSa of (The Islanders) sings "Christmas time" a song dedicated to the victims of W.T.C tragedy. Listen to it at www.andy40.cjb.net under links.
http://www.live365.com/stations/263119

DEATHS

25 Nov. Plumstead, London. BONNY PACHECO, after long illness. Brother of John Pacheco (of Nairobi Sports House), Jose Pacheco (Portugal) Tony Pacheco, Clara Gomes, Lucy Alfonso, Maria Estella Fernandes, Dominic Pacheco, Lawrence Pacheco (London) Maria Angelica Rebello, and Sophia Braganza (Goa). Funeral service was on 5th Dec., at St Peter's Catholic Church, Woolwich New Road,SE18. Buried at Plumstead Cemetery.

28 Nov. Harlow, Essex. ANNIE REBELLO (ex-Nairobi). Wife of Lino Rebello. Mother of Susan and Bernadette. Grandmother of Samantha. Sister of Constance, Victor and Gerald Fernandes. Sister-in-law of Arcanjo, Lawrence and Lourdes. Funeral service was on 5th Dec. at St James with St Luke Church, Harlow. e-mail condolences to Lourdes71416@aol.com

3 Dec. Saligao, Goa. ALFRED V. D'SOUZA (Ex-Mombasa).Husband of late Maria Eulalia. Father of William/Joy, Ernest, Flavia/Edmund Sequeira.

5 Dec. Miramar, Goa. ROQUE XAVIER ANTONIO DE MONTE FURTADO. Husband of Maria Ana Joana. Father of Karamchand/Lizette, Jawaharlal/Luisa, Lincoln (UK)/Georgina, Vijaya Lakshimi/Alfred da Silva ), Adv. Edwin/Meena, Lenin/Nelly Anne (UK), Jeanne (Rashmi)/Rajesh Talaulicar.

3 Dec. Harrow, UK. LILY DA SILVA. Wife of the late Francis Xavier da Silva (Baba dogo, Ruaraka, Kenya). Mother of Joe, Alex, Albert, Hilda and Arminda. Mother-in-law of Peter, Sara, Vera and Margaret. Grandmother of Melchoir, Neville, Iona and Amber and great-grandchildren. Passed away peacefully.
Funeral on Tues. 11 Dec. 10.00am St. Anthony's Church, Wealdstone High Street, Wealdstone, Harrow. Condolence messages to Semapore@aol.com

FLIGHT CORNER

"Nick Balmforth nearly died after returning on a flight from Goa to Manchester. Over the weekend he fell ill, and when his GP saw him he was taken to hospital by ambulance. Tests showed multiple blood clots on his lungs, and the diagnosis was pulmonary embolism caused by deep vein thrombosis brought on by the long flight in cramped conditions." Mr. David Kidney (Stafford) in the House of Commons on 31 Oct. 2001. For full text, click here...

Daily Star. 1 Dec. Clifford International travel (0141 572 1370) has the following great deals this week: Departure on December 8 from Gatwick to Goa - 14 nights all-inclusive for £733.

The Observer 2 Dec. Specialist tour operator Goa Way (020 7224 7070; www.goaway.co.uk) has a six-week winter package to Goa (via Bombay) from £649 per person…the break can be increased to up to four months, at an additional £35 per person, per week.

NEWS HEADLINES
( mainly from Joel D'Souza in Goa, courtesy of GOACOM, e-mail: goanow@sancharnet.in )

The Department of Tourism is installing "touch screen" information kiosks at 11 different places in the State, to provide information to tourists about various tourist destinations in the State.

Govt turning Nelson's eye to child sex abuse. Internet misused for promoting sex-based tourism. Report of a meeting in Goa organised by the American Center. Gomantak Times 2 Dec.
http://www.gomantaktimes.com/sunday.htm

Law Minister Ramakant Khalap stressed the need for necessary reforms in property laws and registration system of property records in Goa to reduce the confusion and disputes over property titles. Times of India 3 Dec. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow.asp?art_id=73222964

From Frederick Noronha: Check out http://www.mapusaplus.globalgoa.com/ for the fortnightly newsletter of Mapusa and environs (Aldona, Moira, Saligao, Calangute etc.)

Pope Paul's message delivered to Goans. Times of India. 4 Dec.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow.asp?art_id=2098674446

A 31-year-old Italian tourist, Nicola Lorenzo Rossi, died on the spot after his motorcycle collided head-on with a mini-truck near the ice factory at Calangute on Dec. 3.

The Goa Police seized 715 grams of charas, from Kendall James Saunders (57), an American citizen.

Goa's Savio Bruto Da Costa proved his prowess on international grounds claiming the first runner-up position at the 'Mr Intercontinental' contest held in Dusseldorf (Germany). Navhind Times 4 Dec.
http://www.navhindtimes.com/cgi-bin/daily/stories.pl?id=goa&item=04goa_11

Maroon Town, a nine-member Afro-Caribbean Asian band from the United Kingdom performed at the Kala Academy this week in a concert organised by the British Council.
http://www.navhindtimes.com/cgi-bin/daily/stories.pl?id=goa&item=04goa_5
See also: http://www.maroontown.co.uk/

Ganja, charas make a comeback in Goa writes Devika Sequeira in the Deccan Herald. 5 Dec.
http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/dec05/n5.htm

Nigerian couple alleges assault by neighbours. Navhind Times 5 Dec.
http://www.navhindtimes.com/cgi-bin/daily/stories.pl?id=goa&item=05goa_5

Nigerian couple calls for CM's help. Victimisation by villagers scare the foreigners. Gomantak Times 5 Dec. http://www.gomantaktimes.com/news%20page%203.htm#5

Goa, a place where extremes met to 'create a hybrid' From: Frederick Noronha
http://www.goacom.com/news/news2001/dec/msg00004.html

Smart Chip has launched a multipurpose smart card in Goa, which doubles up as a social security card and driving licence. Times of India 6 Dec.
http://www.timesofindia.com/articleshow.asp?art_id=1912339237

IN THE NEWS
(e-mail eddie@fernandes.u-net.com for the full text of items marked *) .

29 Nov. The Moscow Times. Since making a pilgrimage to the beaches of Goa, India, is practically compulsory for membership in the trendiest ranks of certain clubbing subcultures here, it's not surprising that a club that finds inspiration in that part of the world has finally come to town …http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2001/11/29/107.html#

29 Nov. Airline Industry Information. Michael Mascarenhas, the suspended Chief of Air India, has been cleared of corruption charges after it had been alleged that he had extended undue favours to a travel agent in London.

30 Nov. Evening Standard. For a listing of Catholic Christmas Church services in Central London see:
Click here...

30 Nov. Sky News. Mohammed Afroz a suspected terrorist arrested in Goa has told police he planned to crash an aircraft into the House of Commons. http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-1036972,00.html

1 Dec. Hindustan Times. George Harrison returned to India often including one hugely publicised trip in the 1990s, when he wanted to set up a resort in Goa in partnership with Deepak Chopra and the Taj Group… http://hindustantimes.com/nonfram/011201/detBEA14.asp

1 Dec. The Grocer (UK). Veetee is adding Goan Red Rice to its international rice repertoire, which also includes Supreme Vintage Basmati…

1 Dec. Courier-Mail. Queensland. Just before recording his new album, Driving Rain, Paul McCartney and Heather Mills travelled to India. "The word we kept saying during the whole holiday was `magical'. "We spent the first 10 days in Goa. We were swimming a lot and wandering up and down the beach. By the afternoon, it was time to doss around a bit. "I took with me one of those pig-nose guitars with their own amp in them. I was playing around in the afternoon and during those 10 days these songs appeared like I Do, Lonely Road and About You."…

1 Dec. Times of India. Goa's pristine environment and its well-preserved heritage sites that were as much a lure for tourists as its famed beaches are in danger of vanishing, conservationists have warned. By Frederick Noronha. http://www.timesofindia.com/articleshow.asp?art_Id=1289229537

2 Dec. Gomantak Times: Interview (1253 words), with British couple Bill & Vera Taylor, who have visited Goa 23 times in the last 14 years. 1253 words. http://www.gomantaktimes.com/WK20011202.HTM#2

2 Dec. The New York Times. On a Luxury Liner to India, By David Margolick describes his visit to Goa.
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/12/02/travel/CRUISE.html

2 Dec. Los Angeles Times. Learn the secrets of Indian cuisine on a Fantastic Journeys tour to South India that includes Goa. The tours are 10 days long and run year-round. Cost: from $2,095 each… Airfare is extra.
http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-000095872dec02.column?coll=la%2Dtravel%2Dheadlines

3 Dec. The Star (Malaysia) St Francis Xavier's feast in Malacca draws 8,000. Full account at:
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2001/12/3/nation/mlkpaul.t&sec=nation

6 Dec. Times of India. United Kingdom (UK) based Wigan and Leigh college has offered scholarships for studies in UK and India to talented students.
http://www.timesofindia.com/articleshow.asp?art_id=1912339237

6 Dec. The Globe and Mail (Toronto). On Dec. 6, 1901, The Globe reported: More than 100 devotees celebrating the feast day of St. Francis Xavier in the Portuguese city of Goa, on the west coast of India, drowned when a boat sank 50 yards from shore.

FORTHCOMING

Sat. 8 Dec. G.O.A. Shopping Trip to France by coach. Cost per passenger: Members £12.00 Non-Members £18.00 Contacts: Norma Menezes-Rahim 020 - 8771 4457 Flavio Gracias 020 - 8723 1322 Collection Points: Tooting Broadway LT Station & Norbury BR Station.

Sat. 8 Dec. 7.30pm until 12.00pm. YLGS (Young London Goans Social) SALSA NITE - experience different styles and techniques to both Salsa and Merengue. Venue - All Saints Hall, Shrewsbury Avenue, Kenton, Middlesex HA3 9PR (Nearest Tube- Kingsbury, Kenton, or Queensbury station). Contact Valerie.Delima@marconi.com for further details.

Sun. 9 Dec. 3 pm Children's Mass. Asian Chaplaincy Hall, St. Augustine's Priory, 55 Fulham Road, Hammersmith W6. Contact Fr. Oliver Antao 020-8563 9102.

Fri. 14 Dec. 7.00pm until 9.00pm YLGS (Young London Goans Social) X'MAS DRINK. If anyone is interested in meeting up for drinks, please meet OUTSIDE Holborn station, promptly at 7.00pm. Contact marie.pereira@talk21.com

Sat. 15 Dec. 7 -11.30pm.WEMBLEY GOANS. Xmas Get Together - For the very first time! Wine, Dine & Dance - Eat as much as you like. Sumptuous Goan and Indian Dishes. Live Music by Goan Band - Sunny Cousins. Venue: Jeanette Restaurant, Hangar Lane, London W5. Limited Places! Advance Bookings. Contact: Rebello tel: 020 8902 6658.

Sat. 15 Dec. 6-11 pm. CROYDON GOANS. Annual Christmas Dance. Our Lady of Annunciation Church Hall, Addiscombe, Croydon. Raymond Lobo 020-8654-0268.

Sun. 16th Dec. 1pm Asian Chaplaincy Carrom Tournament ( Men and Ladies ) Contact Assumption Gomes 020 8641 5995

Sun. 16 Dec. GUIRIM-SANGOLDA CHRISTMAS PARTY at Sacred Heart Church Hall, Wimbledon. For details and tickets contact Joe Figuera 020 8653 7611, Milo Mendonsa 0118 957 4937 or Jane Gracias 020 8543 5454.

XMAS EVENTS SUPPLEMENT

Wed. 26 Dec. G.O.A. Boxing Day Hop - A Family & Friends Celebration (1.00 - 7.00 pm) at Livesey Social Club Hall, Perry Hill (Sydenham end) London SE6. Disco by: MAZ & Co Tickets: Members £3.00 (single) £5.00 (couple) Non-members £5.00 (each). Book in advance - limited capacity. Contacts: Norma Menezes-Rahim 020 - 8771 4457 Bernie Gracias 020 - 8723 1322