Goan Voice UK: Newsletter. Issue 2006-19. May. 11, 2006

10 May: Tilamol, Goa. MARIA JOAQUINA FERNANDES. Wife of late Diogo. Mother of Antonetta/late Marcelino, Sylvestre (UK)/Maria Luiza, Fatima/Rosario, Walter,Blossom/William.

5 May. Panjim, Goa. SEBASTIAO FRANCISCO SIMAO DE SOUZA MARTINS (BASIS). (Ex-Kampala). Husband of Ascension. Father of Elaine/Agnelo Gurjao and Celia. Grandfather of Ashwin (Mumbai) and Atlee. Funeral was on 7 May.

3 May: Navelim, Goa. ANDREW RODRIGUES (Ex East Africa). Husband of Emilia. Father of Robino/Filomena, Zino (UK), Marvino/Candy, Valini/Agustinho.

29 Apr: Nairobi, Kenya. FRANCISCO JACOB FERNANDES (JACOBINHO); Husband of Pascoela. Father of Primrose, Petunia, Feodor and Flavius. Brother of Mary/late Curcino Britto and James/Velsa. Son of late Augusto/late Amelia.

Chill in Goa
4 May: Economic Times (India). Enjoy the balmy breezes and cool waters at The Kenilworth Beach Resort & Spa, Goa with a 3 night & 4 day summer package for Rs. 14,000 per couple for Deluxe & Garden View Rooms, Rs 16,000 for Superior Deluxe Room and 18,000 for Suite. The offer is valid till 31 May 2006 and includes a welcome drink, a special parting gift, a complimentary bottle of port wine, discounts and coupons on cuisine and drinks, and a half-day sight seeing trip to Old Goa, Panjim and a cruise on the Mandovi river.

Goa bans rave, trance parties
8 May: Midday (Mumbai). Holding rave and trance parties at all public places will be banned in Goa after 10 pm. The government has also decided to halt all beach parties after 10 pm. The decision, which was taken in December by Goa's Deputy Chief Minister Dr Wilfred D'Souza who also holds the tourism portfolio, is finally being implemented now. Click here

A slice of native Goan life. By Jerry Pinto
9 May: Moneycontrol.com. Excerpt: As a youngster, I went on some very hep vacations. Every year, I was carted off to Goa, kicking and screaming. I had no desire to leave the electric excitement of Mumbai and my village, Moira, was one of the last to get electricity, thanks to a dispute between one of the local old ladies and the men installing the electric poles.Click here

Goa Tourism to woo global tourists
10 May: Business Standard. Facing tough competition from various tourist destinations, the Goa Tourism department has invited bids from various agencies to professionally market the state to global visitors. "We want to market Goa as a tourist destination to attract more tourists. We have a challenge to tap tourists even during the lean season," Sandeep Jacques,director, Tourism Department. Click here

The pillage of Goa
9 May: Daily News & Analysis. Excepts: . Goa has had very little political stewardship; unstable governments have been the bane of Goa . Everybody seems to be buying property in Goa . Meanwhile, the middle class lot has converted Goa's prize beaches into a strip with the character of some sleazy Southeast Asian resort that attracts the flotsam and jetsam of Western countries including child molesters and junkies. Worse, the less populated northern beaches like Morjim and Mandrem have become a haven largely for Russian drug dealers and Israeli belligerents. In the southern part of Goa, all major beaches are dominated by five-star hotels and its interiors by people from all over India and the world.Click here

Property norms in Goa tightened
10 May: Business Standard. Excerpt: If you are planning to buy or rent a property in Goa,
then be ready to provide your personal details to the local police station.Click here

Lessons from the Timor experience
1 May: Straits Times (Singapore). … there is merit in taking a lesson from the history of Goa. In 1961, the Indian army invaded the Portuguese territory of Goa, putting an end to nearly five centuries of Portuguese rule in that part of India.

Despite the fact that many of the territory's population were Catholics, with strong cultural affinity with Portugal, the Indian army found very little resistance from the locals.

Within a few years, Goa had been successfully integrated into the Indian union and there has never been any demand for independence. Three main elements explained Goa's peaceful and successful integration.

The first was the impeccable conduct of the Indian army not only towards the local population but also to the captured European soldiers. New Delhi also adopted a far-sighted policy of granting immediate autonomy to Goa and introduced legislation to preserve the local status quo. Non-Goanese were forbidden from buying land and occupying public office in Goa. Opportunities were also created for indigenous Goanese to climb to positions of power in India. The end result was that, instead of being marginalised, the Goanese eventually emerged as elites in India, with many becoming preeminent figures in Indian society.

Like the former East Timor, Goa was colonised by the Portuguese for nearly five centuries and had a large Catholic population and a distinct culture.

Work on a six-lane road expressway from the north to the south of Goa is to begin shortly. While the new road, close to the Konkan Railway track will help speed traffic, there is bound to be considerable disruption for some communities. Do see Goanet how it will affect a number of villages where GV(UK) readers hail from.

An interesting discussion has emerged on the presence of Jewish communities in Goa/India. Also, news has emerged of excavations which indicates the existence of human habitation on the west coast in Goa since pre-historic times.

A Fruit Fest will be held in Goa from 5 to 7 May, 2000. Do get to know about the origins of the exotic fruits which will be on display, in Miguel Braganza's absorbing account of the work of the Botanical Society of Goa.

The growth of Dubai as a holiday and residential location has been well-presented worldwide on TV. However, do read about the low-paid Asian workers there. A recent report informs us that "in order to shape the city's ambitious economic vision, armies of Asian construction workers live and work in conditions that have been criticised by international human rights organisations as being tantamount to slavery."

Finally, whether one is for or against reservations like jobs and education etc for disadvantaged groups, find out about the current furore on this issue in Goa/India.

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. 14/5: Channel 4: 5.40pm (60mins) Worst Jobs in History
Maritime Professions: Look out for Cliff Pereira shoveling coal with Tony Robinson.

Fri. 19/5: BBC 2: 9.00pm (50mins) The Princess Spy – Timewatch
In 1943 the daughter of an Indian mystic was sent to France by Churchill’s secret service, to provide a vital link with Nazi-occupied Paris. Betrayed and tortured she revealed nothing of the secret service, before being executed. Awarded the George Cross for bravery this is the story of Noor Inayat Khan.

Mon. 15/5: BBC Radio 4: 3.45pm (45mins) This Sceptred Isle: Empire
The Munshi. When Queen Victoria’s personal servant John Brown died, it wasn’t long before he was replaced in the Queen’s affections by a young Indian from a poor family in Agra. Christopher Lee’s epic story of the British Empire, narrated by Juliet Stevenson.

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. 14 May. G.O.A. RUBY SINGLES CARROM TOURNAMENT at HSBC Sports Club, Lennard Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 1QW. Contact: Richard Fernandes 020 - 8300 5347

Sun. 21 May. G.O.A. RUBY THANKSGIVING MASS at 2.30pm at St George’s Cathedral, Southwark, followed by a Cocktail Reception in the Amigo Hall. For catering purposes, entrance to Reception by ticket only. Members – Free, Guests - £2. Contact: Norma Menezes-Rahim 020 - 8771 4457 or any member of the Social Committee

Sun. 28 May. Cortalim Union celebrate the Feast of Saints of Philip and James, and the May Queen at the Irish Centre, Pretoria Road, London N17. Mass at 12.30pm followed by a social to 10pm. Music by Nite Life. Tickets: adults £10 (inc meal and a complimentary drink) 11-18 years £5 (inc. meal and a complimentery drink) and 2-10 year olds (meal only) £2.50, call Maria-0208-803-5146,

Mon. 29 May. G.O.A.Ruby Outdoor Sports Festival. (incorporating Junior Football Tournament and Volleyball) at HSBC Sports Club, Lennard Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 1QW. Teams from Goan Organisations welcome. Contact: Richard Fernandes 020 – 8300 5347, Vincent Fernandes 020 - 8764 8780 / 020 - 8251 2737, Ian Remedios 020 - 8658 7769, Lloyd Lobo 020 - 8856 6018, Plino Martins 020 – 8657 8951

Sat. 3 Jun. G.O.A. Ruby Anniversary Ball at Wandsworth Civic Suite from 7.00 pm. Musical entertainment by Calibre and Say One Do One. Further details from - Norma Menezes-Rahim 020 - 8771 4457 or any member of the Social Committee

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.