Goan Voice UK: Newsletter. Issue 2005-47. Dec. 08, 2005

Confessions of an Ex-Expatriate. By V. M. de Malar
Dec 2005: Goa Today. Exactly one year ago, my wife and I packed up our small sons, and cleared out our apartment, and crammed the effects accumulated over more than two decades in the West into a shipping container, and got on the plane for India ... People like us, let's face it, don't move back to Goa. Or at least they never did before ... I'm here to tell you that the picture is changing rapidly and our homeland is fast developing a competitive, cosmopolitan, environment that makes it a very viable global option ... There are at least 10,000 semi-permanent British expatriates in Goa, spread out thickly on the tourism belts ... Text forwarded to GoaNet by Cecil Pinto - click here.

Canada: A 20-year-old finds value in a painful childhood
2 Dec: The Globe and Mail. When Arnold Pereira walks home at night, the noise of music hits him a block away, long before he reaches the door. It is easier on his ears than the angry voices of home life not so long ago. He wound up homeless at 16, after major changes and mounting conflicts in his family ... He was raised in Dubai but when he was 8, his father died. His mother married again, the family moved to Canada but he did not get on with his stepfather and was forced to leave home. Just over a year ago, he moved to Toronto, where he works two jobs: on a construction cleanup crew by day, and checking coats at the Government Nightclub at night and on weekends. It makes for some long days, but if he can save a few dollars, he hopes to enrol in part-time studies related to the music industry before too long. 1,014 words

Bashed Broome man seeks payout for bureaucratic bungles
2 Dec: The West Australian. The State and Federal governments could be shamed into paying compensation for the mishandling of the case against two English backpackers who are accused of brutally bashing WA man Paul de Souza. With the help of WA Liberal MP Sue Walker, Mr de Souza and his family will seek an ex-gratia payment from the WA and Federal governments for the bureaucratic bungling of the case. In a scathing attack, Mr de Souza's mother, Liz de Souza, said yesterday there had been too much "ducking and diving" by bureaucrats and politicians since her son had been bashed at a Broome pub in September 2002.

4 Dec: Melbourne, Australia. IVO MILAGRES VAZ. Husband of Edith Mascarenhas. Father of Keith, Kayla & Karl.

3 Dec: Mapusa, Goa. ROSA G. LOPES (ex Barclays Bank, Africa). Wife of late Quiterio Lopes. Mother of Pamela. Sister of Custodio/Ivy (London); Martha/Victor (London); late Eugene/Tereza (London); late Peter/Myra (London); late Martha/Maurice (Canada); etc.

16 Nov: Toronto, Canada. THOMAS C DIAS (born 1921 in Jinja, Uganda). Theresa Dias and Family would like to thank all friends for the prayers and condolences when Tommy passed away. Sadly missed by his daughters Lorna (Felix, David Lobo), Hazel (Joe, Kimberley & Erick, Gareth Da Silva), Rowena, and Debra (Peter, Krysten, Daniel, Ashley De Souza). Loving son of Sebastian and Anna Rita Dias of Mombasa. Dear brother to Reggie, Celly, the late Freddie Dias, Irene Antao and Olive Santos. "A beautiful life that came to an end, he died as he lived everyone's friend ."

Goa: Expressions: 2005 Christmas Package
Flowers, Bubbles and Layers of Love: - A Christmas Flower Arrangement in a Ceramic Vase, - A Bottle of Champagne (Real's), - A Two kg. round multi-layered Bebinca, -
- A Classy Christmas Card. All for Rs. 1,350/- only.
This unique Christmas Package will be delivered to your loved ones in Goa in the week before Christmas (from 19th to 24th December).
Full details at the link below http://www.goa-world.com/expressions/xmas/

Gatwick-Goa from £149 return; Premium £199
7 Dec: Charter Flight Co. Click here.

India-UK sector to see air fare war
1 Dec: Times of India. This winter the London-India sector is in for a fare war, with Air Sahara and Virgin Atlantic coming out with attractive offers for air passengers. Click here.

In-flight therapy
3 Dec: The Telegraph. Fancy "lower leg and foot therapy" or an aromatherapy pressure-point massage at 30,000 feet? The tour operator First Choice has started offering such treatments on many flights to Goa, the Maldives and Kenya, after a successful trial on services to Mexico. Sessions cost £10-£15 and can be booked by those travelling in premier class. Click here.

SriLankan Airlines targets Goa to drive Indian inbound
Dec: Express Travel & Tourism Online, India. Building further on its schedule of frequencies into India, SriLankan Airlines is now targeting Goa (four times a week) to bring in European traffic. Click here.

Assault sparks tension in Old Goa; police deny allegations
2 Dec: Herald. Tension broke out at the Old Goa Church complex on Wednesday evening, when two volunteers of the Bom Jesus Basilica were allegedly assaulted by Old Goa police in connection with the removal of a stall. http://oheraldo.in/node/7015

Getting married? Be HIV-free!
2 Dec: Herald. In order to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS in Goa, the State Government has decided to make it mandatory for couples to obtain HIV positive-free certificate before tying the knot.
http://oheraldo.in/node/7017

Lost in Anjuna. By V. M. de Malar
3 Dec: Herald. I went to the flea market in Anjuna on Wednesday evening this week, my head is still spinning from the experience. Where it once used to be quaint and a bit counter-cultural, it’s now a disagreeably noisy, crowded and dusty free-for-all. The impromptu backpacker phenomenon of bygone years has given way to Goa 2005 and the tourism tsunami, everything is twenty times bigger and more unpleasant and dirty than it should be and there’s no controls, no assessment, no planning, and clearly no one in charge. http://oheraldo.in/node/6613

Feast of St Francis Xavier to be celebrated today
3 Dec: Navhind Times. The feast of St Francis Xavier or ‘Goencho Saib’ as he is affectionately known in Goa, will be celebrated at Old Goa as well as in other parts of the Christian world tomorrow. The theme of the feast this year, which happens to be the 500th birth anniversary of St Francis Xavier, is ‘Families, enlightened and strengthened by the Eucharist, sent to build a new society.’ Click here.

Naval plane crash-lands at Goa airport; pilot killed
5 Dec: Hindustan Times. A 'Sea Harrier' fighter aircraft of the Indian Navy crashed during the take-off run at Dabolim airport, killing the pilot. Meanwhile, the runway at Dabolim airport has been closed for air traffic till further instructions, following the crash-landing. Airport sources said the runway is expected to be opened by 2.30 pm and the first flight will leave only after that. Click here.

Film Festival Closes In Goa. By Pamela D’Mello
5 Dec: The Asian Age. The hour-long closing ceremony wound down the 10-day film festival in Goa, where a total of 182 films — Indian and foreign — were screened for 4,000-plus delegates over 300 screenings from November 24. Festival director Afzal Amanullah promised a better film festival with each passing year. "IFFI has finally found its permanent home in Goa and now it needs to be nurtured to take flight," said Mr Amanullah. Goa, he said, had proven the sceptics wrong, displaying a love of cinema and embracing the festival in a short time. Click here.

Goa emerging as Mecca for film production
6 Dec: Business Standard. Curtains came down at the Film Bazaar 2005, with industry representatives making a strong pitch to position the tourist centric Goa, as the “best shooting, post production and digital film-making destination.” Click here.

Sun, sand and reels of old film
7 Dec: Indian Express. Om Puri’S gravelly voice doesn’t need a microphone to fill the auditorium. Twenty years ago, he says, I had said we should have our international film festival in Goa. We beg foreign delegates to come to our festival now. Once we move to Goa, people will beg us for invitations … Part of the problem in Goa this year, in fact, was too much bureaucracy, the chief complaint that knocked New Delhi out of contention for IFFI’s permanent venue. Apart from officials of the PIB, the DFF and state-appointed agencies, Goa also had people from the Entertainment Society of Goa running the show. The result: chaos. Click here.

Congress wants Dabolim airport to be retained
7 Dec: The Hindu. At a stormy meeting of the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) held in the presence of the party High Command observer B.K. Hari Prasad on Tuesday, the party decided to seek the continuation of the Dabolim airport for civilian traffic even after the proposed Mopa airport is commissioned. Click here.

Knowledge panel preparing vision document
8 Dec: The Hindu. Skill sets to be identified to help the youth The new Goa Knowledge Commission has expressed its desire to connect with different sections of the State, including non-resident Goans, industry and diverse institutions and organisations. Click here.

Strong support for all aspects of the Goan Voice (UK) was expressed, yet again, to yours truly, at a large and happy gathering of the Croydon Goans Senior Citizens Association celebrating the feast of St Francis Xavier on 2 December 2005. What emerged strongly, was the considerable enthusiasm to receive the electronic version each Thursday. Further, it became clear that many printed copies were made and posted to friends who had no access to computers but were most keen for news about Goa and the Goan Diaspora as presented in the Goan Voice.

Holidaymakers landing or taking-off at Dabolim airport in Goa may not realise that a great opportunity exists for plane-spotting. Find out about the huge variety of aircraft constantly using this airport.

Film buffs, and others will be pleased to note that, the Golden Peacock: Iron Island, an Iranian black comedy won the best film award (Rs 1 million) at the Goa International Film Festival of India (IFFI) which has just ended.

In "Goan Dreams and Penguin Kisses" we get further vivid details from Dr Helga dos Rosario Gomes and from Dr Joaquim Goes of their scientific expedition to the Antarctic. Find out also, how our intrepid Goan duo have engaged in research for many years and obtained support from prestigious science foundations in the USA.

Finally, for some genuine hilarious gems, read extracts from actual letters sent to the Leicester Council and Housing Association. You will be in absolute stitches. Also, do read the humorous material from Cecil and Beatrice Pinto on Mapuca Market. This is geared to teaching Konkani, in Goa, to a young English couple from the Isle of Wight.

More details can be found at the Goanet archives at http://www.goanet.org Or to subscribe to Goanet, send an email to subscribe@goanet.org

Fundacao Oriente Scholarships
1 Dec: Herald (advert). Fundacao Oriente announces Short Term Scholarships for nationals of Asian countries who wish to attend courses or undergo training in Portugal or in Asian countries during the period June to December 2006. Last date for applications is 30th December 2005. Details from: www.foriente.pt

Table Talk: Where Karan Bilimoria eats..
2 Dec: Management Today. Picking one favourite restaurant is very difficult, as I use so many for business, but if I had to it would be the Cafe Spice Namaste, near the Tower of London ... It offers a whole range of Indian food, but as the head chef is from Goa, it specialises in cuisine from that region. Cafe Spice Namaste, 16 Prescot St, London E1 8AZ www.cafespice.co.uk Average price (three courses) £30.

Depp coming to Goa next year
2 Dec. WebIndia. Hollywood heartthrob Johnny Depp could well become the star of the Goa International Film Festival of India (IFFI) next year. Depp, who is enthralling Indian audiences as Willy Wonka in 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' based on the popular Roald Dahl book, will be in Goa for shooting a film around the same time during the next IFFI. Click here.

Scope of Overseas Citizenship of India Scheme Extended
2 Dec: Press Information Bureau (India). The Prime Minister made a statement on the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) Scheme to the effect that it has been decided to extend this facility to all overseas Indians who migrated from India after 26th January, 1950 or were residents of Goa, as long as their home country allows dual citizenship under the local laws. He also added that the Government would simplify the application form and format of certificate of registration of OCI and spell out the benefits being given to them. The Scheme comes into operation from 2 Dec. 2005. It is anticipated that a large number of Indian Diaspora will be benefited by this Scheme for a hassle free travel to their motherland. They will bring economic value and benefits to Indian economy and contribute to the development process. The cost of each application, which can be also be made online, would be $275 payable in the local currency. For the Overseas Citizenship website see http://www.mha.nic.in/oci/oci-main.htm For the text of the article check the link below:
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=13806

British-born dual nationals could lose citizenship in bill's sanctions
2 Dec: The Guardian. The home secretary would be able to strip dual nationals of their British citizenship as easily as he can remove or exclude foreign nationals from this country under new legislation. Even Britons born in the UK would be covered by the powers, included in the immigration, asylum and nationality bill as part of the government's anti-terrorism drive, but overshadowed by the furore over the terrorism bill ... Keith Vaz, former Labour minister, said the bill was controversial and had not received enough parliamentary scrutiny. Click here.

Controversy in India over medical tourism
3 Dec. International Herald Tribune. As foreigners flock to India to find lower health-care costs and avoid long waiting times, the rapid growth of medical tourism has begun to create significant opposition among doctors. Click here.

Bahrain: Goans push for high profile role
3 Dec: Gulf News. An expatriate club over 50 years old is set to revive its once active role in charitable causes and cultural activities when it moves to new premises by early next year. The Young Goans Club (YGC) has been desperate to restore its once thriving membership after it was forced to vacate from its Hoora location on an order by the then Labour and Social Affairs Ministry last March. Click here.

Goa: Property: Make Me An Offer
4 Dec: The Observer. . From £ 9,200: Colonia Braganza, Goa, India. Why not head to Goa to escape the cold weather and festive overkill? If you haven't already maxed out your credit card, it would be tempting to use the plastic to buy a home on India's west coast. Dirt - cheap apartments are available at Colonia Braganza, a development of 78 apartments set around a pool. It's in the popular tourist area of Calangute; the new A - list visitors to the region - including Demi Moore and Richard Gere - hang out a bit further north. Check out the India Property Road Show (until 7 December; www.axiomestates.com ) for other cheap buys. Agent: Churchill Properties Overseas (01983 550 400)

Goa: Bird Flu Horror
4 Dec: Sunday Mercury (UK). Excerpts: A Midland grandmother's holiday has turned into a bird flu hell - with crows falling dead from the sky. Mai Barnes loves Goa. She is a regular visitor to the paradise Indian resort, now so popular with Midland holidaymakers. But Mrs Barnes is worried - because dead birds keep falling from the sky. The scenic views in the idyllic area of India have been blighted by the sickening sight of dozens of bird carcasses lying on the ground ... Retired civil servant Mrs Barnes spends six months a year in the region but has never seen such frightening sights ... Mrs Barnes fears that the authorities are trying to cover up the unexplained bird deaths. "Tourism is the lifeblood of this area, and it's understandable that they want to protect a major source of income," she said. "But it's very worrying that British tourists are being unknowingly exposed to the threat." 850 words. Click here.

Wing and a prayer
4 Dec: Sunday Mercury (UK). If you're jetting off for a winter sunshine break in the Indian idyll of Goa, beware. Because hundreds of birds are falling dead from the skies. Birmingham grannie Mai Barnes, a regular visitor to Goa, has never seen anything like it before - and she is fearful. The threat of a world-wide epidemic of bird flu has disappeared from the headlines lately. But experts still maintain it is a question of when, not if. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has issued no warning about the potential dangers of going to Goa. But holidaymakers should make the feathers fly by demanding more information and greater transparency. 129 words. Click here.

Go, Go, Goa!
5 Dec: Daily News and Analysis. It’ll be a starry New Year’s eve in the land of feni with Salman SRK and others heading there. Goa is India’s hottest party destination - there is no questioning that! During the season (Nov-Mar) the world seems to converge in the sunshine state, especially when it comes to the biggest party night of the year - December 31. Click here.

Fighting garbage in Goa. By Lionel Messias
6 Dec: People & the Planet, UK. Goa is drowning in garbage - almost literally … But now Goans are beginning to fight back against government apathy. If you live in Goa's villages, chances are you burn your garbage in your backyard. Or worse, load it into your car and take it to one of the cities or to a national highway to furtively dump it. And if you live in a city, the town municipality piles it into overflowing trucks to dump it in one of the nearby villages. The government, in short, has no concrete garbage disposal policy. Click here.

Elephants to benefit from night
6 Dec: The Citizen (Gloucester, UK) An Indian evening in support of elephant and animal rescue charities will be held in Brockworth next week. The event, organised by Brockworth resident Mandy Walden, is in aid of a mobile clinic scheme in Goa that aims to treat elephants ... Click here.

Memorial parents achieve a new goal
7 Dec: The Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, UK). A dream to open a football school in memory of a couple's dead son has gone global. The William Hunter Memorial Fund has brought in more than £50,000 since it was set up and has given 750 children free quality goalkeeping sessions delivered by FA qualified coaches. William, 16, was a talented goalkeeper but was killed when he was hit by a taxi. His parents, Tanya and Billy Hunter have set up the William Hunter Memorial trophy in Goa. Every year 14 teams enter the competition. Tanya said: "It only costs £100 to sponsor the tournament, but to see them enjoying themselves in William's name is priceless." Click here.

Bahrain: Konkani film will help charities
7 Dec: Gulf Daily News (Bahrain). The Young Goans Club is to screen one of the latest Konkani movies to support local charities in Bahrain. Padri, Prince Jacob's latest movie, will be screened at the Sacred Heart Church, Manama, on January 6. Click here.

India logs traditional medicine
7 Dec: BBC. In a quiet government office in the Indian capital, Delhi, some 100 doctors are hunched over computers poring through ancient medical texts and keying in information. These doctors are practitioners of ayurveda, unani and siddha, ancient Indian medical systems that date back to thousands of years. With help from software engineers and patent examiners, they are putting together a 30-million-page electronic encyclopaedia of India's traditional medical knowledge, the first of its kind in the world. Click here.

Sat. 10/12: BBC 2: 7.20pm (60mins) The Tsunami Children
In the aftermath of the Boxing day disaster, a wealthy Sri Lankan family set up a charity and offered 100 bereaved youngsters places at its hostel. But it's an offer that has come with a heavy, emotional price. Three children featured in tonight's programme are among those who set out on a journey that would change them forever.

Mon. 12/12: BBC Radio 2: 9.30pm(30mins) The Kumars at No 42
New series: First of six for those viewers who enjoy this style of interview.

Mon. 12/12: BBC Radio 4: 8.00pm (30mins) In the Footsteps of Jesus
Jesus the Guru, India. Concluding the exploration of how people's understanding of the leader of the world's largest faith is changing.

Thurs. 15/12: BBC Radio 4: 3.30pm (15mins) After the Wave
Tears of a Coffin Maker. When the first wave struck, on Boxing day 2004, the authorities released inmates held in a prison in a coastal town of Sri Lanka. This extraordinary event provides the backdrop to this moving story in which a prisoner helps a stranger look for his missing wife.

Sat. 17 Dec. UK Konkans. Nathalache Festh 2005 at St. Chad's Church Hall, South Norwood, London. The event is an opportunity for Catholics from Mangalore, Bombay, Goa to come together and have a wonderful time, celebrate the day and truly get into the mood of Christmas. It is a family event; with konkani music, dance, plays, home made food, spot games, bingo, tombula and many other attractions. Further details can be found at http://www.ukkonkans.com or telephone Melwyn Vaz or Stella Vaz on 07985 732 837

Mon 26 Dec. 7pm till 1am. Slough Goans Christmas Dance at the Polish Association Club, Stoke Poges Lane. Music by 'Say One Do One'. Adult Tickets £10 before 8th December. Tony/Suzy Rodrigues 01753 675072, Edwin 01753 531383, Charlie 07956 536911, Paul 07956 496 190 Sold out every year so please buy your tickets early to avoid disappointment

31 Dec 7pm – 1am: South East Goans New Years Eve Dance. Mustang & Music Mania. Disco, Snacks, Licenced Bar, Secure Parking. Only £14 Members/£18 Non-members. Under 12 Free. Haberdashers College, 135 Pepys Road, Lewisham, London SE14 5SF Tickets: Ronald 020 8303 3386 Dominic 07854 490617

Sat. 31 Dec. Dark Star Social Club proudly present the New Year's Eve Gala Ball at Harrow Leisure Centre. 7.00pm to 2.00am. Music by Dark Star and Say-1-Do-1. Capacity 1,400 with New Licensed Bar. For Tickets and further details, contact Hazel Rodrigues 020-8357 6776, Bernie Gracias 020-8723 1322 or email info@dssclub.co.uk.