Goan Voice UK: Newsletter. Issue 2005-50. Dec. 29, 2005

Madonna: She's 47 - How Does She Do It?
22 Dec: The Press (Christchurch, New Zealand). Madonna is an excellent example of the fact that age does not have to have a negative effect on your fitness levels … it was at the height of her obsessive yoga devotion a few years ago that she also had the beefed-up arms her husband, Guy Ritchie, was said to dislike. Her new leaner limbs are likely to be the result of her twice- weekly pilates sessions and visits to the studio of her latest fitness guru, James D'Silva, in St John's Wood, London, where she is hooked up to a gyrotonics machine. It's a medieval-looking contraption with pulleys for the legs and arms. Click here for the James D’Silva supplement.

Acting Chief da Costa glad to return to deputy job
23 Dec: The Edmonton Journal (Canada). Darryl da Costa was all smiles Thursday as he talked about his 11 months as acting chief of Edmonton police. "I wasn't sure that I could do the job when I was thrown into it and I think over the year I've learned that I can," he said. For photo and text, 567 words, click here.
Darryl da Costa was born in Kampala, the son of Louis and Gladys da Costa. The family moved to Canada in 1966 when he was eight years old. He joined the police force in 1977, intending to “try it out for a year.” He is married to Lory and they have four children who were born between 1983-88. For a profile of Darryl da Costa click here.

A New York chef upgrades traditional latkes
24 Dec: The Wall Street Journal. Latkes is a traditional dish for the Hanukkah holiday. They are showing up, at least during the holidays, in some surprising places -- a first step, perhaps, on the bagel's crossover route. At Tabla, a French-Indian restaurant in New York, for example, Executive Chef Floyd Cardoz serves what he calls "latkes in quotes," a hybrid of latkes and Indian fritters.
For a profile of Floyd Cardoz click here.

Multicultural Britain very much intact: Keith Vaz
25 Dec: WebIndia123.com. Multiculturalism is a hallmark of British society that has not been dented by the bomb blasts that shook London in July, says Keith Vaz, the first Asian to become a minister in the British government. … Vaz's new muse is the British Asian youth who he feels deserves the best. "We are doing a project to enable young British Asians to reach the highest level of society. They should have the opportunity to shine and make a mark because they have the ability to do so," said Vaz. 517 words. Click here.

London: UK Konkans' Christmas Celebration
27 Dec. DaijiWorld. Marking a successful year and to celebrate the spirit of Christmas, UK Konkans held their annual Christmas get-together at St. Chad’s Church Hall, South London on 17th December 2005. Click here for text and 90 photographs.

25 Dec: Assagao, Goa. MARIA ANGELICA VISITACAO FERNANDES SOUZA (Born 1918; ex-Zanzibar). Wife of late Francis Anthony Patrick, mother of Prof Maurice/Ivone, William/Teresa, Prof Leonard/Thelma and Theresa. Grandmother of Adv Lorraine/Norman Albuquerque, Ian/Joanita, Evelyn, Jean Karl. [Info from Joel's News Clips]

Gatwick/Goa returns
£199. Dep 31 Dec. 7, 14 or 21 days.
£178. Dep 1 Jan. 14 days. For details, click here.

Thousands fly out of Britain as the great getaway begins
22 Dec: The Daily Express (UK). … Thousands will be heading to Goa, which has established itself as a value spot for those wanting the best chance of winter sun.

Reach for the beach
23 Dec: Times of India. This New Year, head for the beach for what promises to be the biggest year-end celebration in Goa! Shiny disco balls no more. They are taking the party out to the beaches of Goa, where party time is from noon to dawn, all through eight days and nights! This party is on at two of Goa's most popular hangouts Zanzibar, from 4 pm to 10 pm, and then it moves to Tito's from 10 pm until dawn … But why Goa? Fashion writer, Bandana Tewari says, "With the sky above your head, the sea in front of you and sand under your feet, feels much better than having loud music blasting your eardrums.." DJ Nikhil Chinappa agrees, "Beaches in Goa are prettier than Mumbai and you don't have cops busting the party at 12 midnight! And you don't have to stress about dressing up. There are no pretensions on the beach." He continues, "My idea of a beach party is that the party spirit has to be free, to set the mood right. Get in your beach wear, no makeup required, no hair gel, take a dip in the sea, get out and dance away." Click here.

The Bombay to Goa SuperStar Libra Cruise Experience
23 Dec. Business Traveller. Feature article with photographs. Click here.

Goa awaits 40,000 foreign tourists
24 Dec: Rediff. Goa is expecting around 40,000 foreign tourists to celebrate their Christmas and New Year. UK nationals, contributing 65 per cent, top the list of foreign tourists expected. This week, from Monday to Friday, 6,300 foreign tourists had arrived in the state through 44 chartered flights. Goans working abroad are also rushing back to their homes. Click here.

Stars turn raunchy at New Year!
26 Dec: India Daily. Bollywood's bold bombshells and macho men plan to end the year on a very hot note! Skimpy tops, wild music, unlimited wine and of course sex on a beach! Most of the hotshot celebrities say they would prefer a beach in Goa to exchange New Year greetings … Rakhi Sawant says, “This time I am going for a change. I want lots and lots of sexy old people around me dancing, boozing and flirting with me … And I want to do all these things on one of the sexy beaches in Goa." … Parmeeta Katkar wants to have a Mardi Gras party on the New Year's Eve on any hot beach ..." Click here.
For the Rakhi Sawant interview by Sonia Faleiro click here.

Goa latest craze for holidayers. By Pamela D’Mello
28 Dec: Asian Age. Touted as one of the most happening destinations for New Year revelry, Goa is attracting a beeline of holidayers, domestic and international. Click here.

Free Competition: Holiday in Kenya and the Seychelles.
18 Dec: Sunday Times (UK). The prize is worth £12,000. Closing date 7 Jan. 2006. For details click here.

World Wide Competition: 12-day Exotic India trip.
One place on trip departing 22 Jan. Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Khajuraho, Varanasi, Delhi. Does not include flights. For details click here.

Sting men were paid agents: Churchill
24 Dec: the Navhind Times. The South Goa MP, Mr Churchill Alemao today said that he was innocent and claimed that he had a cassette that would prove that those involved in the recent sting operation were only agents working for money and were actually blackmailing him and asking for money. Click here.

Youngsters in Goa raise funds for needy by singing carols
24 Dec: Zee News. Combining festivity with charity, a group of youngsters of foreign origin, were raising funds for orphanages, old age homes and children affected with HIV/AIDS in Goa, by singing Christmas carols. Angel of Finland along with Emma, Elena and Vicky from Canada, JD from Denmark and Anthony from New Zealand, formed the musical troupe, that perform across the state. Mapusa-based "Family Care Goa" was formed seven years back. For photo and full text click here.

Nightmare in paradise. By Colin Todhunter
25 Dec: NewInd Press. Calangute is the centre of Goa’s international package tourist trade and each time I visit I notice more and more new hotels, restaurants and English pubs … Calangute is becoming over developed and appears to lack any coherent planning strategy … The place is commercialism overlaid with more commercialism, … over the last decade Goa has become the new Spain for many Brits. Now Brits, Germans, Scandinavians and increasingly Russians flock here … Sometimes when in Calangute I have to remind myself that I am actually still in Goa … I love Goa but dislike Calangute and its concrete sprawl, inflated prices, poor infrastructure and the type of tourism that the place represents. 951 words. Click here.
Colin Todhunter is a prolific Travel writer. Check out his website and email at http://www.writers.net/writers/30484

Highlight of Christmas: Goa’s live cribs mark birth of Christ.
25 Dec. NDTV. Catholics in Goa are celebrating Christmas with live cribs along roadsides and at home - a tradition started by St Francis of Assisi centuries ago in the former Portuguese colony [sic] Click here.

Goa lives to its image of politically instable state
25 Dec: Zee News. [Must read summary of 2005 Goa news]. 822 words. Click here.

Report on Secretariat building submitted to Goa Government
27 Dec: The Hindu. Fundacao Oriente to conserve the 500-year-old palace … The project brings to light several facts of the building and its occupants … Fatima da Silva Gracias prepares historical part of the documentation … Click here.

Goa: Special Commissioner for non-residents to be appointed
27 Dec: WebIndia123.com. The Chief Minister said his government had also decided to appoint a special commissioner for non-resident Indians to attract investment and take care of their welfare and genuine interests. Click here.

Exhibitions-cum-sales' enrage Goa traders
27 Dec: The Hindu. Local traders are agitated against mushrooming of "exhibitions-cum-sales" that make a dent in their sales, particularly during the festival season, and have demanded that the Commercial Tax Department intervene and ensure a "level playing field" for them. Click here.

Goa stone crusher’s son lynched over pollution
29 Dec: Indian Express. Angered by pollution caused by several stone-crushing units, a furious mob killed the son of the owner of 13 such units in Goa today. Prithviraj Rane (32), son of landlord and powerful political leader Krishnarao Rane, was killed when he visited the stone-crushing units. Click here.

Goa: Mob lynches stone crushing unit owner; attack cops
29 Dec: … Initial reports indicated that the deceased was related to Goa Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane. However, the chief minister's office denied it … http://ia.rediff.com/news/2005/dec/29goa.htm

Pio Fernandes, a Goan writer and music composer has staged many dramas in the Gulf region. Find out more about talented Pio who began as a poet and then worked with many top Bolywood actors and producers.

Some worrying news about attacks, robbery and violence, including rape, is reported as occurring on the Indian Railways between long distance destinations. Perhaps this is a timely note of caution to travellers.

Many Goan Voice (UK) readers will recall fond memories, as I do, of Radio Ceylon which provided lovely melodic music in pre-independence times in East Africa. Do read a nostalgic account of Radio Ceylon on Goanet.

Find out in a nutshell, about the earliest entry of Christianity into India and the estimate that there are 25 million Christians in India today. Discover some interesting information about the varied groupings within this overall number.

"The Portuguese Reconnection" on Goanet provides fascinating detail about Portuguese soaps, Portuguese culture and the opportunity to use the Portuguese language in Goa

Following earlier reportage of widespread theft of artefacts from churches, we now have information about well-funded pirates looting underwater treasures from coastal peninsular India, including Goa.

Finally, Goanet has some astonishing material about growth in the Indian aviation sector. This is set to grow by a mindboggling 20% in the very near future. This year, airlines based in India, have placed orders for the latest passenger aircraft to the tune of $15.3 billion. However, the new planes cannot stay up in the sky, they have to land somewhere! The existing airports and personnel seem unready, for now, for so much increase in modern aircraft and which also use very advanced technological systems.

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

Return to Anjuna. By V. M. de Malar
23 Dec: A look at Anjuna away from the flea market. http://oheraldo.in/node/7851

Blatant investment and subtle stirrings
23 Dec: Financial Times. … The Indian artist Francis Newton Souza, who died in 2002, was happy to accept Pounds 500 for a painting in his lifetime. At Bonhams in December, in an auction of Indian and Islamic art, seven of the 10 top prices were for paintings by Souza, the highest being Pounds 106,400 for "Red Landscape". Click here.

Boats, Schools, Orphanages: a Year of PIME Aid for Tsunami Relief
23 Dec: Asia News (Italy). Orphanages, schools, bursaries, boats and psychological support are some of the projects funded by the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME) thanks to its tsunami campaign … 2,063,992 euros was raised … The “Rebuilding the Andamans and the Nicobars” plan includes a complex with school and a 300-student hostel … “We are doing everything in our power to meet the scheduled July 1, 2006, opening date,” said Father Rodrigues from the Society of Pilar … The fathers of the Society of Pilar are partner in this project, which is expected to take three years. To know more about the various projects underway thanks to PIME’s tsunami campaign see http://www.pimemilano.com/ (in Italian only).
For text of article, 549 words click here.

Ivan D’Souza victim of the 1993 Bombay bomb blasts
23 Dec: Daily News & Analysis. New Zealand resident Ivan D’Souza is in town to get his wisdom tooth extracted. Twelve years ago, D’Souza, 42-year-old businessman, had his lower jaw broken in 14 places in the 1993 bomb blasts at Bombay Stock Exchange. D’Souza also lost his right eye. He’s still grappling with the horror of Black Friday, as doctors keep discovering and extracting newer glass shards from his body … Click here for photo and full text.

Interpol notice in dowry case
24 Dec: The Times of India. A 27-year-old IT professional Abhijeet Khatav along with his parents, who are based in Sydney and are of Australian nationality, have been listed by the Interpol as wanted for demanding dowry from an Indian. This is probably the first case where an Interpol notice has been issued in a dowry case, city police said. Interpol is expected to issue a request to the Australian police for their extradition. 456 words. Click here.

Christmas, carols and a unique Indian Christianity
24 Dec: Hindustan Times. Christianity came to India much before it went to the West, perhaps a reason why India's 25 million Christians prefer to be catholic in faith, oriental in worship and Indian in culture … 774 words. Click here.

Canada: Foxy Foodies
24 Dec: Vancouver Sun. The second series of Godiva's, the TV melodrama, wrapped last week … The show follows the comings, goings and antics of folks working at an edgy Yaletown restaurant and it's damn sexy and fun … And yes, it's true that the show’s star, Stephen Lobo, who plays Godiva's chef and cast member Sonja Bennett are dating. I guess that's why they looked so cozy recently at the Fifth Avenue Cinemas.
For a profile of Stephen Lobo click here.

Agonising wait for son's body
24 Dec: The Irish News. An east Belfast family face an agonising wait of up to 10 days before the body of their son, who died while on holiday in Goa, is returned home. Robert (Roy) Knox (31) from Sandbrook Park, close to the Sydenham area of the city, died in Goa on Wednesday. It remained unclear last night how he died. His family were last night still facing the painful wait for the return of his body to Belfast. It is understood that it may not be returned home to his family for Christmas. He is survived by his parents Lynda and Billy.

Remo to perform in Kuwait
25 Dec: Arab Times (Kuwait). Over the years Remo has performed with artists as diverse as Led Zeppelin, Barry O’Hare, Mikie Bennet, Denise Belfon, Ian Anderson and Rikki Jai … Music aficionados in Kuwait are on cloud nine, as Remo after a two-year hiatus will fire on all chords, Jan 12, 7.30 pm at the Safir Palace, Reggai, in what is described as a Mega Musical Extravaganza which will also feature his band Microwave Papadams … Remo said, “It’s great to be back in Kuwait. I love Kuwait City, it has something special about it which is difficult to come by in the rest of the Gulf” … 1001 words. Click here.
For a profile of Remo click here.

Mumbai: X-mas in remix! By Raul Dias
25 Dec: The Times of India. As hi-tech razzmatazz triumphs over tradition this Christmas season, Mumbaiites miss the good old days … Retired professor, Matthew Ferns laments the fact that this year he has got precisely three Christmas cards - two from his sisters in Goa and one from an old colleague. But hang on! it's not like he has no well-wishers, for his inbox is 'runneth over' with e-cards - a novelty which the traditionalist in him can't digest. "If someone can take the trouble to select a virtual card from a website, type it out and send it to my email address, why not put in a little more effort and mail me a 'real' one?" wonders Matthew. Click here.

Fog in Delhi Delays Flights for Third Day in a Row
25 Dec: Indian Express. … Canada-based businessman Vivek Monterio (40) says he can understand the delay but fails to comprehend the attitude of the ground staff. ‘‘They just throw up their hands, saying there’s an indefinite delay that is beyond their control,’’ he says. Monterio was supposed to fly to Goa for Christmas with his family of nine on Sunday afternoon. But with his flight delayed by ‘‘at least five hours’’, he was left wondering if they should have just driven there instead. Click here.

UK: Indian workers slash IT wages
26 Dec: The Telegraph (UK). Indian technology workers are flooding the UK on temporary permits, undercutting local wages and raising the prospect of a homegrown skills shortage … “Wages are being undercut by companies bringing over Indian workers, who are put up in hostels and paid poorly." Home Office immigration figures show that 21,448 foreign IT workers have been issued work permits this year, a 15pc increase on 2004 and almost double the level five years ago. Of those, 85pc now come from India … an experienced software programmer in India receives £6,600 a year compared with £33,000 for his counterpart in the UK … One senior UK "onshore offshoring" figure claimed: "The real reason why companies are turning to people from the Indian subcontinent is that UK graduates can't compete with the quality of India's technology graduates. The level of intelligence and attention to detail is lacking in UK staff coming through the education system." 505 words. Click here.

Europe: 'Poor quality cause of global outsourcing'
26 Dec: Hindustan Times. The poor quality of service from incumbent in-house IT departments is pushing European firms towards global outsourcers, a study by the Economist Intelligence Unit for Indian company Infosys claims. Click here.

India: Briton trying to flee to London with two teenage boys
26 Dec: Outlook (India). Immigration officials at Bangalore airport has taken into custody Sixty-two-year-old Douglas Ian William Rankin, a British citizen, who was trying to flee to London along with two teenagers on allegedly fake travel documents … The investigation showed Rankin had been illegally staying in Goa for 10 years … Click here.

Priest brings Christmas Mass to seamen
26 Dec: The Seattle Times. Father Tony Haycock's third Christmas Mass of the day took place in a makeshift chapel aboard the bulk carrier Zagora. When red tape prohibits sailors from leaving their ship at Seattle ports, the priest makes house calls. As such, he doesn't require attendees to dress in their Sunday best. The eight men who crowded into a too-warm room decorated with handmade snowflakes and tiny multicolored lights wore khakis and flip-flops …
Click here for the text and photograph of Donald Fernandes and Pio Cardozo.

Clever Cook: Goan fish curry with mango
27 Dec: The Daily Express (UK). Excerpt: After all the traditional Christmas food, I normally crave something spicier about now. The curry is made with fish but it also works well with large chunks of leftover turkey. Simply make the sauce and add the turkey at the end to heat through. To make it hotter deseed and thinly slice a red chilli and add to the curry when you fry the peppers. 277 words.

The Diaspora Jigsaw. By V. M. de Malar
27 Dec: Herald. Let’s admit it; we feel more whole these days, when so many children of Goa come back to celebrate holidays in the homeland … this is the time of replenishment, when so many from the diaspora return home. 710 words. http://oheraldo.in/node/7946

India experiences reverse brain drain
27 Dec: United Press International. India’s booming economy has set off a reverse brain drain, encouraging talented Indians trained in the West to return home to lucrative executive jobs. These jobs are being offered by Western companies setting up operations in India and letting their Indian employees manage them. Top Indian companies also are contributing to the reverse brain drain with offers of attractive jobs. Click here.

Men ahoy! MAXIM comes docking on Indian shores!
28 Dec: Indian Television.com. No one reads men better like MAXIM! Yes, look into a man's heart and you will find that…Men love sports, men love gizmos, men love cars and yes, men love girls! Having floored men across the world, MAXIM has bowled its maiden over in India. UK based Maxim today became the first international men's lifestyle magazine to make its foray in India. Click here.
For a photograph of Collien Fernandes on the front cover of Maxim click here.

British Indians to get Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card
28 Dec: Hindustan Times. The news will relieve most British Indians who gave up the hope of ever getting dual citizenship. Sources say that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will hand over the first Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card at the fourth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas to be held in Hyderabad from January 7 to 9. Click here.

Foreigners wanted as hostesses
28 Dec: Mumbai Newsline. Agents convince foreigners to attend parties and weddings for cash. Click here.

Guess where techies are going this New Year?
28 Dec: The Economic Times … Goa is a must to be in every list. One of most preferred holiday destinations worldwide; Goa is the place for you if you are a crazy party animal. Known for its hippie culture, multicultural crowd and all night parties, it is every party lover's paradise … You can go completely 'hippie' mad life for a couple of days before stepping back in your formal shoes and entering the calm and quiet office cabin. Click here.

Bahrain: Goans to show Konkani film
28 Dec: Gulf Daily News. 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 on January 6. The film is produced by Raymond Quadros, from Mangalore and directed by Rajesh Fernandes, from Goa, India. Click here.

NRIs offer expertise on 100 projects
28 Dec: Hindustan Times. Some of the best-known names of the Indian Diaspora in the US have come together to give something back to their mother country. What is more commendable is that it is not money but their expertise that is being provided. About one hundred projects with Indian-American expertise are to be launched immediately. They are also looking at a two-way transfer of expertise. Click here.

RBI to lure NRIs with higher interest rate
28 Dec: Hindustan Times. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is attempting to lure NRIs with higher interest rate on deposits with Indian Banks … banks can offer a return of 75 basis points over the London inter-bank offered rate (Libor) for dollars, which is currently 4.58% for six months.
The Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) scheme would go a long way towards meeting much more than the emotional yearning for greater affinity with the 'homeland' … The OCI may not get an Indian passport, but the next best thing: a lifetime, multipurpose, multi-entry visa that is incorporated in his foreign passport: and a registration certificate resembling an Indian passport but in a different colour. Click here.

Nationality no more a criteria for spouse-hunt
29 Dec: Asian Age. Marrying an NRI has always been a craze and is considered a status symbol in India. However, the trend seems to be changing with Indians wanting foreigners as spouses … Neil Dargie an English boy from London says, "I am crazy about the way most Indian girls look and carry themselves. They have this charm about them and are more reserved as compared to the other girls around the world …” Click here.

Goa clicks the most with holidayers
29 Dec: Business Standard (India). Goa is the most coveted destination for which people are seeking information on the World Wide Web in India. It occupies 25 per cent mindshare among the wired Indians affected with wanderlust around the New Year. Affirming this is the fact that Goa is twice as huge a holiday destination vis-à-vis the next nine destinations … The top 10 holiday spots have been arrived at after a thorough analysis of 37,000 keywords centred around destinations. Click here.

Television

Tues 3/1 BB2 2.15pm (180 mins). Film: Gandhi
The celebrated blockbuster (1982) recounting the life of Mohandas K Gandhi. Director: Richard Attenborough. Starring: Ben Kingsley, Candice Bergen, Edward Fox, Martin Sheen, Trevor Howard, John Mills

Tues. 3/1 Travel Channel. 4pm (60 mins). Tanzania and Zanzibar.
Ian Wright begins his journey on the island of Zanzibar and then visits In Arusha and Mount Kilimanjaro.

Radio

Wed. 4/1 BBC Radio 4. 2.15pm (45 mins). Afternoon Play. By Amit Gupta.
Two Indian chef brothers in Leicester fall out and open different establishments. Customers start eating in one and troop over to the other. But can their families cure the rift?

Sat, 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.