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COMMUNITY NEWS
| Indian families are stronger than
the culture of death, says Bishop Gracias |
 |
8 Mar. Asia News (Italy).
According to Mgr Agnelo Gracias,
Auxiliary Bishop of Mumbai, the family in India is resisting
the attacks of a culture that wants to isolate and humiliate
it as the basis of society and as a gift from God. Bishop
Gracias, who chairs the Family Commission of the Conference
of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), spoke to AsiaNews
from Ranchi (Jharkhand state) where the CCBI is holding
its 17th Plenary Assembly with the theme of the ‘Family:
Good News for India’ as its main focus.
http://www.asianews.it/view.php?l=en&art=2726
|
Rock bid to hit £10k
target
4 Mar. Wiltshire Times. Loud music and head banging
are on the menu tomorrow night as a tsunami fundraising
concert is set to rock revellers. The concert is being
filmed and recorded on the evening by Trowbridge firm
Media Inventions as the group bid to reach a £10,000
target. This week £1,000 was sent off to the South
Indian Federation of Fisherman Societies. Fellow organiser
Kurt Paulus said: "SIFFS was brought to the attention
of the WRTA fundraisers by Dr
Joel Almeida, who is well known in getting people
in the region back on their feet.” For full text
click
here.
Relief for affected Fishermen
4 Mar. Bath Chronicle. The Wiltshire Rocks Tsunami Appeal
(WRTA) has sent its first donation to help survivors
of the tsunami disaster. The organisers are channelling
the funds directly to specific projects in the affected
areas. Musician Dr Joel Almeida,
who is a key figure in the WRTA, has raised awareness
of the plight of the fisherman. On Wednesday, he will
be giving a talk about his experiences at The George
pub in Bradford on Avon, from 8pm. To donate, call 0845
6129630. For text click
here.
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| Variety of cultures set to come
into focus |
 |
7 Mar. Evening News – Edinburgh.
Excerpts: Herman Rodrigues
came to Scotland from India 15 years ago and was amazed
to be lumped simply as "Asian". He says, “You
have communities which have come from East Africa, the
West Indies and Mauritius who call themselves Asian."
He is now director for Edinburgh restaurant chain Suruchi,
but has a passion for photography, having spent more
than a decade chronicling the lives of "Scottish
Asians". Now 40 of Herman's photographs are going
to go on show in India as part of a British Council
exhibition in Chennai.
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| IT Management: Take the lead on
Sarbanes-Oxley |
 |
|
French film director seeks to trace
Goan roots
9 Mar: Navhind Times. Two years ago, a Goan-born French national,
Mr Domingo Fernandes directed
an Indo-French film produced by Flying Film Productions. He
now plans to produce and direct another film, in Konkani,
called, Out Of My Country, I Love You. An Italian star has
been trained to speak in Konkani while the rest of the cast
are Goans settled in France and England. This film will be
shot entirely in Paris. It is scheduled to be released next
month.
http://www.navhindtimes.com/stories.php?part=news&Story_ID=030924
DEATHS
7 Mar: Goa Velha. ANTONIO GONSALVES.
Husband of Arcanja. Father of John Manuel/Filu, Margaret/Mauricio
(UK), Jacinto/Antonette, Perpetua/Victor, Matilda/Jose
7 Mar: Bambolim, Goa. BRIGIDA DE
SOUSA (Born 1932) Wife of late Guilherme Jeronimo.
Mother of Urbano /Mary, Lena/Jerry, Lazarus/Janet (UK), Bashu/Succorine,
late Ursula, Derrick (UK) and Classey.
27 Feb: Aldona, Goa. AGNELO VICTOR
FRANCIS LOBO. (Born 1949). Husband of Joanita. Father
of Adrian and Jovita. Brother of Accasio/Franskin Lobo (UK)
and Rosy/Julius Esteberio.
26 Feb: London. ROQUE PACHECO
(ex Eldoret-Kenya, born 1930; came to London in 1976). Brother
of Vincent/Eliza Pacheco. Funeral Mass at 10am on Fri 11 Mar
at St Edward the Confessor, 700 Finchley Road, Golders Green,
NW11 7NE. Thereafter Cemetery 11am at St Pancras & Islington,
High Road, East Finchley, N2 Condolences to contact@pacheco.f2s.com
HOLIDAY INFORMATION
Rags and riches in glorified Goa.
By Justine Hardy
4 Mar: Financial Times. They call them ‘raggy-taggys’,
with that Goan knack for finding words both onomatopoeic and
visual for everything from bhang to crocheted bikinis –
the latter being ‘ladee teabags’…In Goa,
the ladees in teabags are snobs…Da Costa and D’Cruz
families by the dozen saw the market opportunity that came
with their permanently 1960s visitors. They started to open
up bars, seafood restaurants, cheap hotels, beach huts and
bakeries where the raggy-taggys could get chocolate cookies
and croissants, and so achieve almost a complete escape from
rice, dhal and the rawness of the subcontinent. 956 words.
For full text click
here.
Resort on wheels starts to roll across
India
5 Mar. Montreal Gazette. For decades, backpackers knew that
the secret to India's soul was learned by riding its trains.
Unfortunately, the accommodations on such trips could often
be unappealing. The famous Palace on Wheels, a luxury train
that shuttles every week between New Delhi and the tourist
sights of Rajasthan, has offered a sightseeing alternative.
Now there is competition. The 21-car Deccan Odyssey leaves
Mumbai every Wednesday morning for the beaches of Goa, the
former Portuguese colony that boasts some of the oldest cathedrals
(and some of the most crowded nightclubs) in Asia. The fare,
which includes sightseeing packages, is $350 U.S. a night
($295 U.S. a night May through August). The 46 cabins resemble
hotel rooms - each has a private bathroom and a widescreen
plasma TV.
India: Tourism: Cosmetic Surgery
9 Mar: News Today (India). Beauty and wellness industry needs
to be identified with proper definition of categories and
standardisation of numerous services in the country as feeling
and looking fit and healthy goes beyond superficial cosmetics,
said Union Minister of State for Tourism Renuka Choudhury.
She was speaking at the first wellness exposition, Beauwell
Indian 2005 (8-9 March). http://newstodaynet.com/09mar/bu3.htm
UK: My Travel tries to fly through
turbulence.
9 Mar. Financial Times. My Travel, the tour operator based
in Manchester needs some good news following last year’s
£911m pre-tax loss. The good news is that numbers are
picking up. Frances Tuke of ABTA says that other markets that
are not well covered by My Travel are becoming more popular.
"Our members are going longer haul," she says. "Goa
is sold out for this winter, Bali is back and the United Arab
Emirates is doing well."
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/50d6d4f0-9043-11d9-9a51-00000e2511c8.html
Busy at work?
9 Mar: Evening Standard (London). Your colleagues may be staring
intently at their computer screens. But research published
today suggests they are just as likely to be planning their
holiday. The report shows that the average British worker
spends 14 hours scanning the net for travel information every
year. The current key destinations for work-time surfers are
Goa and Prague. Icelolly.com analysed where the most popular
last minute - pre-Easter - breaks are being booked, and found
that holidaymakers desperate for sunshine are booking up breaks
in Goa, Banjul and Luxor. http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/londoncuts/articles/17136651?source=Evening%20Standard
GOA THE POLITICAL CRISIS
|
| Mr Francisco Sardinha, the pro
tem Speaker of the Goa Assembly addresses the Press
after the 4th March 2005 Session |
Goa Government dismissal
4 Mar: BBC: The Indian cabinet has recommended dismissal of
the government in the western state of Goa. The decision was
taken hours after Congress Chief Minister Pratap Singh Rane
won a controversial vote of confidence. The vote was tied
at 16-16 but Mr Rane won the vote of the acting speaker. The
speaker had earlier disqualified a legislator supporting the
BJP alliance, reducing its strength in the house. India's
Home Minister Shivraj Patil told journalists in Delhi that
what had happened in Goa was unacceptable. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4317203.stm
Centre’s decision on Goa stuns
parties
5 Dec: Deccan Herald. Rane expressed hope that the Congress-led
coalition can return to power after the by-elections to vacant
seats.
http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/mar052005/n28.asp
Pro-tem Speaker casts a coup in Goa
5 Dec: Deccan Herald. Congress Chief Minister Pratapsingh
Rane just about made it through the confidence vote in the
Goa House on Friday, managing 17 votes to the Opposition BJP’s
16, in a sitting that lasted less than 10 minutes.
http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/mar052005/n23.asp
President's rule ends political turmoil
in Goa.
5 Mar: Gulf News (Dubai). http://www.gulfnews.com/Articles/WorldNF.asp?ArticleID=154682
Goa Cong leaders approves President's
rule
5 Mar. Express India. http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=42763
Goa CM invites president rule
6 Mar. Gulf Today (Dubai). http://www.godubai.com/gulftoday/article.asp?AID=5&Section=Asia
Goa Cong leaders upset with Centre's
decision
6 Mar. Rediff. http://www.rediff.com/news/2005/mar/06goa.htm
Goa in crisis: A tale of three men
in a boat
7 Mar. Economic Times. It’s been one crazy month for
Goa. The state has seen the demise of two governments and
the imposition of President’s Rule. Now, it’s
back to susegado, at least for the moment. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1044018.cms
Goa back to old unstable political
days
8 Mar: The Economic Times. Excerpts: After a hectic month
of political upheavals that saw two governments tumbling and
ushering of a spell of President's rule, coupled with suspended
animation of the state assembly with half its term to go,
Goa is suddenly back to being "susegado" (at its
leisurely pace) at least for the moment…Mr Manohar Parrikar's
craftily cultivated image of a stable chief minister in this
politically volatile tiny state lay in tatters.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1044132.cms
GOA NEWS HEADLINES
Goa: Obscene objects case: Kashmiri
acquitted
3 Mar: Herald. Farooq Ahamed Sultani was charged with storing
and marketing obscene objects in his shop at Calangute. A
team of police officers raided the premises and seized various
obscene and other lascivious objects and figurines. The prosecution
claimed that the accused indulged in displaying and selling
of obscene and lascivious metal objects at a distance of 3
to 5 metres from the public road and the observance of this
objects would create impure thoughts in the minds of people
who pass by the road or enter the shop as customers which
is against the decency and morality of the Indian society.
He was acquitted.
http://www.oherald.com/modules.php?name=News&file=categories&op=newindex&catid=2
The kokum’s vast medicinal
properties
5 Mar: Times of India. The kokum, a small, reddish plum-like
fruit that grows in the hills of western coastal India is
getting researchers excited over its reported medicinal properties,
including fat and cholesterol reduction. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1042089.cms
Princess of Thailand on Goa visit
7 Mar. NDTV. Princess of Thailand Maha Chakri Sirindhorn arrived
in Goa on a three-day visit. For full text click
here.
Goa: International Women’s
Day: Women rally together to combat injustice.
8 Mar: Navhind Times. Bailancho Saad, the women’s collective,
today took out a rally in Panaji to mark International Women’s
Day, which will be celebrated tomorrow. The rally started
at Dr Ambedkar Garden and ended with a public meeting at Azad
Maidan.
http://www.navhindtimes.com/stories.php?part=news&Story_ID=030819
Croatian Speaker’s son drowns
in Goa
8 Mar. NDTV. The Speaker of the Croatian assembly, Vladimir
Seks arrived in Goa today along with his wife Anica Resler-Seks
to identify the body of his son. The deceased, 25-year-old
Domagos Seks had gone missing in Goa on February 25. For full
text click
here.
Jaggary’s medicinal properties
9 Mar: Navhind Times. Jaggary (gur) is loaded with proteins
and the natural goodness of vitamins and minerals like iron,
calcium, zinc, copper and chromium. It has been traditionally
used in Ayurveda due to its medicinal properties like blood
purifying. Studies have proved that regular consumption of
jaggary helps one breath easier and counter pollution naturally.
It is recommended for all those exposed to pollution including
industrial workers and traffic policemen. Too much of refined
sugar may lead to decalcification or removal of enamel from
the teeth, however jaggary poses no harm at all.
http://www.navhindtimes.com/stories.php?part=news&Story_ID=03095
Rape victim, accused tie knot in
court
9 Mar. Navhind Times. A courtroom in Orissa turned into an
impromptu wedding hall as a rape victim tied the knot with
the man who had assaulted her four years ago. The guests at
Monday’s wedding were the judge, police officers, lawyers
and relatives of the couple. The couple, however, will have
to wait a while before they can lead a normal married life.
This is because the groom has yet to be released from jail.
http://www.navhindtimes.com/stories.php?part=news&Story_ID=03099
Recent Items of Interest on
Goanet by Cornel DaCosta
Eddie Verdes presented a reflective post on
the theme of Revenge. It should make many of us think, and
think again, before taking actions which are unwise.
With reference to International Women's Day, on March 9, several
contributors have discussed what women want. Goanet does help
greatly to get to the bottom of this important question.
A posting "Don't let secularism become a doctrine of
hate" delves deeply into a fascinating exploration of
life in the Indian Republic.
Legal advice about buying property in Goa (with information
about a number of websites) could be very useful for those
seeking property in Goa.
A fascinating account of those Goans who perished on the high-seas
in WW2 is provided with reference to the work of Cliff J Pereira,
Melvyn Misquita and others.
Films which have caused concern to the Catholic hierarchy
are presented in a brief historical account under the theme
of Sins Without Redemption by C.M. Pant.
An account of the film India: The Lotus and the Cross raises
interesting issues on 'Inculturation' i.e. how Hindu rituals
and symbols are intermingling into the practice of Christianity
in India.
Please visit the Goanet
archives at http://www.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet/
To subscribe to Goanet send an email to viviana@goanet.org
IN THE NEWS
| Resort rage on the ramp |
 |
|
Recent immigrants suffer most under
EI system
1 Mar. Toronto Star. Many newcomers can find only part-time
and temporary jobs.
http://www.goanvoice.ca/2005/issue5/newslinecanada.htm#EI
Toronto: Joyce D'Souza: Easier to
call former teachers.
4 Mar. The Toronto Star. Letter from Joyce D'Souza, Toronto:
Excerpt: As a new immigrant, I think I can vouch for the fact
that retired teachers are depriving me of an income as these
teachers are placed on both a long-term and short-term basis.
For full text click
here.
New Maharaja goes Goan
3 Mar: The Hook. (Charlottesville VA). The new owner of the
Maharaja, Jonathan De Costa is an ambitious 27-year-old native
of Goa. De Costa's familiarity with Goan ingredients is particularly
evident in his new daily specials. His new drink specials
are exotic enough to transport anyone in snow-bound Charlottesville
to a sunny Goan beach. The "Goan Toddy Tapper" is
a coconut-rum concoction. When I asked Chef J what was considered
cocktail hour in Goa, he gave me an attractive answer: "All
day long you can sit on the beach and drink these cocktails."
http://readthehook.com/stories/2005/03/03/foodTheDishMoreThanMangosN.html
Mumbai Catholics prefer to go abroad
By: Lajwanti D'Souza
3 Mar: Mid-Day. The Catholic community in Mumbai has witnessed
a strong migration to the West in recent times. USA is no
longer a hot favourite. Canada, Australia and New Zealand
are the new destinations. Bandra resident Maria D’Souza’s
daughter Suzanne is settled in London and she is planning
to move base shortly. “My daughter has a good job and
her life is more comfortable there than it would have been
here. She calls me every day, so I do not miss her presence
here.” 505 words.
http://ww1.mid-day.com/news/city/2005/march/104775.htm
Indian Catholics object to film on
priestly "Sins"
4 Mar: Reuters UK. Christians in India will step up protests
against the screening of "Sins", a Bollywood film
that shows a Catholic priest in a cassock and cross having
sex with a woman half his age, a religious group has said.
For full text click
here.
For a review of the film see: http://www.rediff.com/movies/2005/feb/25sins.htm
High life isn't all glamour and glitz
for trolley dolly Michael.
7 Mar. Stoke Sentinel. Some of the pressures of life as a
trolley dolly - or air steward - are revealed on digital channel
LIVING tv's new docusoap featuring Excel Air. It includes
the trials and tribulations of team leader Michael Smith,
who combines life at home, in Park Road, Warrington, with
the runways of Barbados, Grenada and Goa. "The crew came
with us to a number of destinations around the world and filmed
me elephant-riding in Goa and getting in a very drunken state
- which I am dreading seeing on the TV." Trolley Dollies
runs on weekdays at 7pm from Mon. 21st Mar. to Fri. 15 Apr.
For full text click
here
Jinja Gravediggers Tell of Burying
Amin's Victims
7 Mar: The Monitor (Uganda). Excerpts: Some of the Jinja Cemetery
gravediggers had their quiet retirement interrupted recently
when their faces suddenly appeared in the national newspapers.
They buried many prominent Ugandans as Amin's reign of terror
proceeded apace through those troubled '70s. Wilson Lukenge
said, "We buried all sorts of people there: Indians,
Abagowa (Goans), whites, clergymen, soldiers and bamasikini
[the destitute]." Text, 2,580 words (to be continued
next week) at http://www.monitor.co.ug/insights/ins03061.php
UK: CRE boss accused of apartheid
schooling
8 Mar. The Independent. Trevor Phillips has been accused of
stoking up an "educational apartheid" by suggesting
that black schoolboys should be taught separately from whites
in a bid to improve their academic performance. Some of the
strongest criticism came from Keith Vaz, the Labour MP for
Leicester East - the constituency with the largest percentage
of ethnic minorities in the country, who said: "This
will be a huge mistake. If the state education system is failing
Afro-Caribbean boys, then it has to be up to the education
system to provide the extra resources within the mainstream
classroom. Segregation of the kind proposed will have disastrous
consequences for the education system ... It will create educational
apartheid."
http://education.independent.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=617844
Trevor Clarke’s Goa
9 Mar: Shepparton News (Australia). Trevor Clarke writes,
“Goa is now often overrun in the busy season by English
backpackers. Most of these backpackers are looking to psychedelically
get out of their trees while they are still paid the dole
into their internationally accessible bank accounts back home.
The main difference I noticed in Goa wasn't the colour of
people's skin, but the traditional cultural entertainment
and lifestyle the locals enjoyed compared with the globally-popular
soccer and rave parties the visitors pursued.” Photo
and text at the link below.
http://news.mcmedia.com.au/story.asp?TakeNo=200503094810634
Jean Rodrigues calls for an end to
violence against women
9 Mar: Indian Express. On the occasion of International Women’s
Day, Jean Rodrigues, wife of UT Administrator Gen S F Rodrigues,
today stressed on the need for a consistent endeavour to eliminate
discrimination against women and to end all forms of violence
against women and girl child. http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=120570
Falsely accused priest arrested in
Gujarat
9 Mar. Asia News (Italy). Hindu fundamentalists persuade a
woman to press charges against a Jesuit priest. Two months
ago the same woman had cleared him of the same charges. http://www.asianews.it/view.php?l=en&art=2735
Cancer Genetics; New mutations found
in breast cancer patients from Goa
10 Mar. Women's Health Weekly. Excerpts: S. Hedau and colleagues
at the Institute of Cytology and Preventive Oncology, New
Delhi report they've identified new BRCA1, BRCA2, and p53
germline mutations in breast cancer patients there…They
reported that "two sisters from a single family out of
eight families from Goa with Portuguese colonial origin showed
presence of founder Ashkenazi Jewish BRCA1 mutation…
Hedau and coauthors published their study in Breast Cancer
Res Treat, 2004;88(2):177-186).
[The Jewish Goan connection has been explored in Richard Zimler’s
new book “Guardian If The Dawn” which is set in
Goa – see
http://enjoyment.independent.co.uk/books/reviews/story.jsp?story=613117]
Where Portugal meets India
10 Mar: Inner-West Weekly (Sydney, Australia). Nestled among
the suburban houses of Dulwich Hill, Portugal meets India
at Saffron. Brothers Savio and John Abranches opened Saffron
two years ago. "We try to specialise in Goan food because
there are so many Indian restaurants out there," John
Abranches said. The signature dish is Goan fish fry (rechard)
a whole pomfret or mackerel split down the middle, stuffed
with home-made masala paste and pan-fried. "Nobody does
that in Sydney," Mr Abranches said. The two brothers
have a new dish in mind for autumn the elusive chicken cafrial
for which they'll be putting the hard word on Savio's mother-in-law.
The recipe is not found in any cookbooks, so they are relying
on the passing down of an old family recipe.
UK: TV HIGHLIGHTS By Mafalda de’Sa
Sat.12/3: Channel 4: 7.15pm (60mins)
Immigration on Trial. A debate on the hot topic of
whether immigrants put a strain on public services or contribute
to the economy and enrich the diversity of our culture. Participants
include writer Darcus Howe, Easy Jet founder Stelios, and
former Chief Inspector of Schools, Chris Woodhead.
Tues.15/3: BBC 2: 11.20pm (50mins)
Marrying My Cousin. Over half of British Pakistanis
marry first cousins. Non-Pakistanis may find this union shocking,
but Neila Butt grew up knowing her marriage would be arranged
and married her cousin eight years ago. This is her story.
Wed.16/3: BBC 2: 8.00pm (60mins)
What the Ancients did for Us. The Indians: From town
planning to plastic surgery, numerals to Yoga, the discoveries
of the golden age of India have had a lasting impact on the
modern world. Adam Hart-Davis celebrates true pioneers in
human history by recreating the achievements that have come
from India. Fascinating viewing.
Fri. 18/3: BBC 2: 7.00pm (30mins)
Pensions Panic – All Worked Up. Can we make
our pensions work of us or must we work until we drop? The
second in the two part Money Programme report.
FORTHCOMING
See http://www.lanfranc.com/lanfranc_location_2000.pdf
for help in locating Archbishop Lanfranc School, Croydon
Sun. 13 Mar. From 12 till 8pm. Fund
Raising Dance for Children's Hospitals. Sacred Heart
Church Hall, Edge Hill, Wimbledon, SW20. Adults £12,
Child (5-10 years) £7.50 Meal inc. Music by Say One
Do One. Tickets: Suzy 01753 675072, Milo 0118 957 4937; Jane
0208 543 5454, Felix 0208 640 4151 Dress Formal. Donations
Welcome.
Sun. 13 Mar. 5.00pm - The Asian Chaplaincy.
Konkani Mass will be celebrated
at Our Lady & St Christopher's Catholic Church, 32 High
Street, Cranford, Middlesex
Sun 20 Mar G.O.A. Singles Carrom
Tournament - Men’s & Ladies Singles: (Entry fee
3.00) Children: 7-12 Singles: (No entry fee) Venue: HSBC Sports
Club, Lennard Road, New Beckenham BR3 1QW. (Time: 10.30 am)
- Contacts: Richard Fernandes 020 – 8300 5347, Assumption
Gomes 020 – 8641 5995, Viju DeSouza 01784 – 430547,
Desmond Britto 020 – 8543 4352, Lazarus Rato 020 - 8767
0342.
Sun. (Easter) 27 Mar. G.O.A. Strictly
Come Dancing at Lola Jones Hall, Greaves Place, Tooting.
Jive and Freestyle Disco Competition. Dark Star in attendance.
Further details from - Norma Menezes-Rahim 020 - 8771 4457,
Bernie Gracias 020 - 8723 1322
Sun. 17 Apr. YLGS El
Shaddai Fundraising Dance. at Bishop Thomas Grant School.
Starts with Holy Mass at 12.00 followed by Dancing & Slave/Talent
Auction. Music provided by Breakthru, Maz & Co and Guava
Groove! Food & Drink will be on Sale. Special Guest Speaker,
Keith Vaz MP. Contact Alison Braganza at events@ylgs.org.uk
or on 07799 586793. For Tickets, Info & updates check
the flyer at http://www.ylgs.org.uk/images/elshaddai.gif
Sun. 24 Apr. 5.00pm - The Asian Chaplaincy.
Konkani Mass will be celebrated
at Our Lady & St Christopher's Catholic Church, 32 High
Street, Cranford, Middlesex
FOR
LATER EVENTS SEE http://www.goanvoice.org.uk/ | 
