Goan Voice UK: Newsletter. Issue 2006-22. Jun. 01, 2006

Bermuda: Chef Johnny dishes out punishment
26 May: Royal Gazette (Bermuda). Cricket. Chef Johnny Simoes dished it out to his former Commercial Cricket League team-mates by hitting an obdurate half century to help guide St. David's to a thrilling last-over victory at Lord's … Simoes, from the Indian state of Goa, has been in Bermuda for ten years and is about to move to the Riddell's Bay Golf & Country Club after five years as a chef at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club … Johnny was obviously the anchor of the whole innings and took a lot of stick early from his supporters and team-mates for slow scoring but silenced his critics by some late lusty blows. Click here.

UK: Folk musicians tune up for concert to help Goan orphanage
30 May: Coventry Evening Telegraph. Some of the best folk musicians in Coventry and Warwickshire are tuning up their guitars and fiddles to help children living the Valentina's Little Heaven orphanage in Goa. The concert will take place on Saturday, June 10, and among those who have already agreed to perform are blues guitarist Mick Stuart and the four-piece folk and blues line-up Little Mountain. Tickets cost £5 on the door. For more information call Pete Willow on 01788 832608.

Reduced Goan Voice UK Service 30 May to 11 June
From Eddie Fernandes: I will be on holiday, visiting Malaysia from 30 May to 11 June. During this period there will be a reduced service on the website and newsletter. Please send messages to me as normal but copy any urgent message to Bernie Gracias, BERNIEGRACIAS@aol.com tel 020 8723 1322. Thank you. eddie@fernandes.u-net.com

30 May: Goa Velha, Goa. PERPETUA S. CUNHA. Wife of Santan Rego, Mother of Aleluia(Alu)/Leonora, Rosy/Francis, Maria, Victor, Monica/Caji(London), Grandmother of Plecy, Julie, Veena, Ninoska, Nijieal, Nirel, Sister of Agust/Louretin, Mary/late Joao.

28 May: Oshawa, Canada. Rev. Fr. DIEGO FERRO (ex-Karachi). Brother of Bella, Santen, Magdaline, Cajetan and Nancy, and Philomena (Philo). Uncle to Donald. Funeral on Thursday, June 1, 2006 at 11 a.m. from Holy Cross Church. Interment at Resurrection Cemetery, 355 Taunton Rd. in Whitby. For full details click here.

28 May: Bastora, Goa. CLAUDIA REGINA GOMES. Wife of Johnson. Mother of Jonathan. Sister of Peter/Vincila(London), Maria/Leo D'Souza.

27 May: York, Ont. Canada. MARCELLA ANNA GOMES (ex-Kampala). Sister of Julie, Roger, Ella and John. She will be fondly remembered by her niece and nephews. Resting at the Paul O'Connor Funeral Home, 1939 Lawrence Ave. E. on Monday. Funeral Mass on Tuesday morning at 10:30 a.m. in Our Lady of Fatima Shrine (St. Clair, east of Victoria Park). Interment Pine Hills Cemetery. [Info from Antonio Mascarenhas].

26 May: Scarborough, Ont. JACINTO FERNANDES (1937-2006 husband to Blanche Fernandes. Father to Jason (Sherry Fernandes) and Fiona (Barry Whitney). Loving grandfather to Nicole Whitney. Loving brother to Cleotilda (leo D'Souza), Emily D'souza, Francis (Carol Fernandes), Alex ( Xelia Fernandes), Custodio Fernandes, Dominic (Sue Fernandes).
Visitation will take place on Thursday, June 1st from 2-4pm and 7-9pm at Ogden Funeral Homes Kennedy Room, 4164 Sheppard Avenue East, Scarborough, 416-293-5211. A funeral service will be held on Friday, June 2nd at 11:00am at St. Aidan Roman Catholic Church, 3501 Finch Avenue East, Scarborough, 416-494-2704 followed by the burial at Christ the King Cemetery, 7770 Steeles Avenue East (off Reesor Road), Markham, 905-471-0121. Reception to follow.

25 May: Nagoa, Goa. VINCENT JAMES NUNES. Son of Pulquerio and late Luzia. Brother of Regina/late Pascoal Rodrigues, late Cyril and Elizabeth/Savio Fernandes (London).

24 May: Denville, NJ, USA. ALEX A. D'SOUZA (1930-2006). Husband of Gertrude M. (nee Rebello) D'Souza. Father of Marguerite D'Souza and her husband, Gantt, of Parsippany, Anne Wolff and her husband, Tom, of Edison, and David D'Souza and his wife, Jamie, of Morris Plains. Funeral was on Saturday, May 27. For photo and full details click here.

Dr. Ribeiro Goan School (Nairobi) Ex-Students
The Dr. Ribeiro Goan School Ex-Students in Toronto, Canada, invite all former students and staff to join us for our gala dinner-dance on Sept. 16, 2006. For a detailed list of the week-long festivities starting on Wednesday Sept. 13 check out www.goanvoice.ca and http://class.of.64.home.att.net/index.html Get in touch with us at: goanscnbo2006@gmail.com Committee: Delphine Da Costa (president) 905-452-1295; Claire Fonseca (905-712-9441); Eugene Pereira (905-793-9342); Xavier Carvalho (905-794-0630); Ida Gomes (905-275-6022); Maurice Dos Remedios (416-383-0573), Norman Da Costa (905-452-1295). Please book your tickets early to avoid disappointment.

Goa: Heritage hide-aways
26 May: Economic Times: Fort Tiracol: On the northernmost tip of Goa, close to Maharashtra, is a fabulous beach untouched by the pillaging hands of commercialisation.
Panjim Inn and Panjim Pousada: It’s a heady mix. An old-style aristocratic Catholic house and a traditional Hindu home, set 50m apart. Both stand tall in a predominantly Latin quarter called Fontainhas in the Goan capital. The twin premises go as a heritage hotel and are actively patronised by foreign guests. It happens only in India. Click here.

Goa is perfect for quick getaway - By Blanchilda Pereira
28 May: Asian Age. To get away from our routine, we decided to drive down to our native place, Goa … We tucked into all the local specialities like pork vindaloo, sorpotel, bangra Chicken Xacuti, sanna or rice cupcakes soaked in palm toddy. 539 words. Click here.

Uncertainty over screening of Da Vinci Code in Goa
26 May: Herald. While the controversial Da Vinci Code is being released in India tomorrow, there is an air of uncertainty over its screening in Goa. None of the theatres in Goa had put the movie on schedule and were also being very discreet about it. http://oheraldo.in/node/14234

Catholic group says release of Da Vinci Code dangerous precedent
26 May: Indian Catholic. The release of The Da Vinci Code movie today makes it a "sad day for secular India," a Catholic lay group said asking India's Christians and secularists to boycott the film. Click here.

Mumbai churches plan to hold special screenings of The Da Vinci Code
28 May: Mumbai Mirror. The Catholic Church in Mumbai is planning to hold special screenings of The Da Vinci Code for its members, where priests will discuss the movie. 626 words. Click here.

Dynamics of a Working Democracy: Representative Politics in a Goa Constituency
22 Apr. Economic and Political Weekly Vol. 41; No. 16. Examining the micro politics of a single constituency, this study tries to explore the relationship between the empirical and the theoretical in a working democracy. By Peter Ronald DeSouza, Sushma Pawar, Solano Da Silva and Edzia Carvalho. 10 pages. Click here.

Goa: Property: Foreigner land dealings
26 May: Herald. … Foreign nationals of non-Indian origin can purchase immovable property in India provided he/she fulfils the provision – of staying in the country for more than 182 days during the course of the preceding financial year and also has to declare his purpose/intention of stay here … 370 words. http://oheraldo.in/node/14229

Elderly Goans take sea water bath
28 May: Zee News. Scores of elderly Goans are making their way towards beach for the annual sea water bath, which traditionally has been considered as healer from orthopaedic diseases. Click here.

Goa may have power generation station
28 May. Navhind Times. With rising power requirements, the Centre has decided to have a number of coal-based mega-power projects across India. And one such 4000-megawatt coal-based power generation station is likely to come up in Goa. Click here.

Goa police reopen investigation into death of Croatian parliament speaker's son
29 May: HINA (Croatia). The Croatian Interior Ministry said on Monday the Goa police reopened the investigation into the death of Domagoj Seks, Croatian Parliament Speaker Vladimir Seks's son, over the numerous unclear circumstances surrounding his death in Goa last year … Seks claimed in a Croatian Television show yesterday that he was in possession of information indicating that his son had been murdered in Goa in Feb. 2005. 328 words. http://www.hina.hr/nws-bin/ehot.cgi

Piercing: An emerging trend in Goa
29 May: Herald. It may strike you as being a rather painful and maybe, for some, even an expensive fad. However, agonizing or high priced, as it may be, piercing seems to be the craze of the day. http://oheraldo.in/node/14389

Goa grand plan to go 200 up on Cannes
29 May: The Telegraph (Calcutta). Although it will be many years before Goa can claim to be an “Indian Cannes”, it will out-Cannes Cannes in at least one respect. Goa is to build the biggest cinema in India, with 2,500 seats, 200 more than the capacity at the Grand Theatre Lumiere in Cannes. 903 words. Click here.

Goa: How safe is bottled water?
29 May: Herald. With the monsoons advancing, the worry of the citizens is whether they would be facing the same problems that they faced last year – flooding, contamination of water and the fear of sewage entering the water system. For many who are stocking large quantities of bottled water in anticipation of such problems there is nothing to worry. However, with a number of packaged water brands in the market, keeping a check on quality of packaged water seems to be a Herculean task thus raising the question of how safe is it to drink packaged water? http://oheraldo.in/node/14381

Resumption of mining in Bicholim, Goa irks locals
29 May: Business Standard. Many mines in Goa, shut for a long while, have now resumed business. One such mine, which was shut for more than 10 years, has been restarted, much to the consternation of residents Advalpal village in Bicholim taluka of Goa. Click here.

Heavy rains in Goa, five trawlers capsize
30 May: Daily News & Analysis. Heavy rains accompanied by gusty winds lashed the coastal state of Goa for the third day on Tuesday, even as five trawlers capsized while a barge ran aground on Miramar beach near here. Click here.

Househunters in Bombay asked about meat eating
27 May: Toronto Star. House hunters in Bombay increasingly are being asked: "Do you eat meat?" If yes, the deal is off … "Some people are very strict. They won't sell to a non-vegetarian even if he offers a higher price than a vegetarian," said real estate broker Norbert Pinto. 585 words. Click here.

India Property - 2006 London opens
27 May: Click Press. The 3rd India Property - 2006 London got an overwhelming response with NRIs turning up in large numbers at Olympia Conference Centre, level 111, East Hall, Kensington Street, London which will be on till 29th May 2006. The exhibition aims at providing NRI’s investment opportunities in Residential and Commercial properties back home. Leading property developers from places like … Goa among other places are participating. Click here.

Goa: A favoured haven … for paedophiles. By Tom Sullivan in Goa
28 May: Sunday Herald (Scotland). … Goa’s deputy chief of police, speaking at a UN conference last month, said Goa “has got the tag of ‘favoured haven’ for paedophiles” … media reports suggest hundreds of paedophiles travel regularly to the region … “Stricter law enforcement in Thailand and Sri Lanka could lead to more paedophiles coming to the coasts of India,” said a spokesman for the UN Office for Drugs and Crime … children are “hired out” for between £500 and £1000 a month – the younger the child the higher the price ... beach shack restaurant owners were filmed on hidden camera offering underage boys for sex for as little as £8 a night. Full text, 698 words, at http://www.sundayherald.com/55993
Comment: The concern is that such articles attract rather than deter paedophiles. The situation is not helped by the complacency of the authorities (police and government), the rampant corruption, poverty, the local attitude towards “outsiders” and the low value put on children’s welfare.

Indians care for their aged parents
29 May: Economic Times. Indians are clinging on to the age-old gospel that ‘Good sons take care of aged parents’. They have little choice in a country where social security is nearly non-existent. The point is how are the sons responding? … In rural Goa as many as 412 out of every 1000 financially dependent aged females were supported by their spouses. And as the Goanese children were not required to help a large number of their aged mothers they supported all their dependent fathers — 1000 out of 1000 aged males were supported by their children in rural Goa in ’04. Click here.

Goa Police ponder: Are Russians buying land for drug deals?
30 May: Indian Express. Tourists from Russia, especially those staying in Goa on long visas, are coming under increasing scrutiny after allegations that East European drug cartels are attempting to turn Goa into a base for their activities. According to sources, the modus operandi of these groups consists of buying land and property in the state and using them as fronts for their illegal activities … a total of 197 foreigners were engaged in business in Goa as on December 31, 2004. UK residents—numbering 85—comprised the biggest group, followed by Italians (23) and Germans (21). No Russian was listed. 321 words. http://www.indianexpress.com/story/5429.html

Book Review: The Temple Dancer By John Speed
1 Jun: Kirkus Reviews (New York). A richly atmospheric debut, first installment in a projected three-volume saga, portrays the clash of Portuguese, Hindu and Muslim cultures in the waning years of India's Mogul empire. A reigning Portuguese family in Goa finds itself facing bankruptcy after the 1657 Dutch victory in the Pepper Wars. 337 words.
For details about the book click here.

Amit Roy informs us that, "although it will be many years before Goa can claim to be an Indian Cannes, the former Portuguese resort will out-Cannes Cannes in at least one respect. Goa is to build the biggest cinema in India, with 2,500 seats, 200 more than at the Grand Theatre Lumiere in Cannes." Further, now that Goa is the permanent site for the International Film Festival, the third festival will be held (in Panjim) from Nov 23 to Dec 3. Clearly, early booking is advisable.

The current Papal policy to undertake increased conversions to the Catholic faith in Asia has provoked many arguments for and against this approach. Do read a particularly detailed account by George Mendes, from among several posts, on this topic.

There is an illustrious history of Goan medics who emerged from the Goa Medical School since 1846. A number are named and their achievements 'celebrated' in an interesting historical account provided by Jean and Marcos Catao.

Many Goan Voice (UK) readers will probably recall a major story in the Sunday Times over thirty years ago, of genocide in East Pakistan (which later became Bangladesh), by Anthony Mascarenhas. I had met Anthony twice after his substantial article appeared but was not aware of his past journalistic record as well as about the books he wrote. Find out about this quiet gentleman from a detailed account provided by F. Noronha.

Finally, do read an interesting article by Miguel Braganza titled: Teaching, Educating and Learning, Do not let your school come in the way.

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

Sun. 4/6: Discovery Channel: 1.00pm (60mins) Vasco Da Gama
The tale of the journey of Vasco da Gama, the first known person to reach India from Europe. Investigating a voyage that changed the world.

Tues. 6/6: UKTV History: 6.00pm (60mins) What the Ancients Did for Us
The Indians. Examining the innovations and inventions of ancient civilisations. Adam Hart-Davis builds and tests some of the greatest inventions from ancient India - from plastic surgery to yoga, from town planning to metallurgy he shows us the lasting effect the Indians left on today's world. Roving reporter Jamie Darling travels this huge country and tells us the stories behind the golden age of Indian discovery.

Tues. 6/6: National Geographic Channel: 9.00pm (60mins) Seconds From Disaster
US Embassy Bombings. On 7 August 1998, Al-Qaeda operatives set off an explosion that ripped through the American embassy in Nairobi, killing 213 people and injuring a further 4,000.

Wed. 7/6: Sky Travel: 4.30pm (25mins) Floyd's India
Goa. On the seafront at Panjim, Keith Floyd rustles up crayfish curry and mackerel masala before visiting a local distillery for a few shots of 30% proof cashew nut liquor. Strong stuff.

Wed. 7/6: BBC 1: 9.00pm (60mins) Sport Relief Goes.....All Out for India
Phil Tufnell and a team of celebrities go to India to visit projects funded in the past by Sport Relief and to play a game of cricket among local fishermen. Concludes tomorrow at 9pm.

Thurs. 8/6: UKTV G2: 11.30am (30mins) Jeremy Clarkson's Motorworld
India. Jeremy Clarkson investigates the motoring culture of India, one of the most dangerous places on earth to drive and a country where a driving test may only cover a distance of 200 yards! He takes part in a car rally for the blind and visits a showroom where owners bless their new cars to ensure their safety on the road. All things considered, this may not be such a bad idea!

Thurs. 8/6: Wed. 7/6: BBC 1: 9.00pm (60mins) Sport Relief Goes.....All Out for India
The cricket tours pitches up in Chennai and then off to Mumbai to meet Freddie Flintoff.

Thurs. 8/6: Sky Travel: 4.30pm (25mins) Floyd's India
Mumbai. Keith Floyd hits the streets of India's economic nerve-centre to cook up samosas, onion fritters and masala dhosas.

Thurs 8/6: Adventure One Channel: 5.00pm (60mins) Cheating Death
Shipwreckers. Alang, India, is where ships go to die. Here, in one of the world's most dangerous work wastelands, men risk their lives to turn rusting ships into reusable scrap.

Fri. 9/6: UKTV: 4.00pm (30mins) Model Gardens
Indian Garden. Superstar designer Sven Wombwell uses 3-D models, just like the ones architects use, to help people plan out their gardens. Uma is so ashamed of her untidy backyard that for years she has shut the blinds and ignored it. Sven experiments with the model to create the illusion of width. He then incorporates an understated ethnic theme which suits Uma's love of travel and Indian family background.

Wed. 7/6: BBC Radio 4: This Sceptred Isle: Empire:
The Amritsar Massacre. Only a few months after the end of the Great War, Britain was responsible for one of the worst outrages in the whole of its imperial history.

Sun 4 Jun: Margao Union Feast of the Pentecost at St Edmunds Church Hall, Croyland Road, N9. Holy mass at 12.30pm followed by social until 8pm. Music by the fantastic sounds of NITE LIFE. Tickets include entry, snacks, buffet meal and dessert. £10 for 12 year olds- adults, £5 for 5-11 year olds and under 5s are FREE. Call LUCAS-0208-967 7471, GREG-0208-907-0545 OR XAVIER-0208-803-5146.

Sun 18 Jun. Siolim Union (London) celebrates the feast of St. Anthony of Padua at Archbishop Lanfranc School, Mitcham Road, Croydon. Commences with Holy Mass at 12 noon followed by dancing to the music of Maz & Co. For tickets and further information please contact Eugene Fernandes on 0208 2400818, Edwin Athayde on 0208 6795514 or Derick Fernandes on 0208 3951084.

Sun 25 Jun. Benaulim Association (London) celebrates the feast of St. John the Baptist at Earlham Primary School, Earlham Grove, Wood Green London N22, (off the Green Lanes) commences with Holy Mass at 12.30 followed by dancing to the music of Maz & Co. Members £8.00; Non-members £9.00; Children (10– 16) £ 4.00. under 10s FREE. Members £8.00; Non-members £9.00; Children (10– 16) £ 4.00. under 10s FREE. For tickets and further information please contact Felipe on 0208 368 9663, Mary 0208 803 9752 and Josephine 0208 967 7471

Sat. 1 Jul. G.O.A. Ruby Golf Open 2006 – Golf Tournament at Traditions Golf Club, Pyrford Road, Woking, Surrey. First tee off at 12 noon. Further details from: Jacinto D'Silva 020 - 8723 1233, Menino Mascarenhas 01784 211832

Sun. 2 Jul. 30th Anniversary. Aldona Association (UK) celebrates the feast of St Thomas at Haringey Irish Centre, Pretoria Road, N17. Mass at 1.00pm. Music by Maz & Co. Fun for all: mandos, games for kids. Members £10.00; Non-members £12.00; Children (5 – 12) £ 5.00. Alfred Louzado 020 8737 7786; Kelvin Fernandes 020 8931 2943; Caroline Fernandes 020 8952 0435