Goan Voice UK: Newsletter. Issue 2006-46. Nov. 16, 2006

Victor Menezes Funds Business Research Centre.
10 Nov: The Wall Street Journal Asia. Insead, the French business school is to set up three entrepreneurship-research centers in Israel, India and China. The Israel center will be launched with $2 million of seed money from the Caesarea Edmond Benjamin de Rothschild Foundation … The Mumbai-based India center is slated to open by the first quarter of 2007 … it was founded with "less than $2 million" of seed money from Victor Menezes, a retired senior vice chairman of Citigroup Inc. The China center, which Insead hopes to launch by summer 2007, is still looking for a home …

Antonio Fernandes: Manager of Royal India Restaurant, Milwaukee
10 Nov: The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Order a vindaloo dish at Royal India Restaurant and then ask the restaurant's manager, Antonio F. Fernandes, about its history. Get ready for a good story. Fernandes, who is originally from the small Indian state of Goa, will tell you that when his Portuguese ancestors established their colony on the Indian coast, one of the few foods they brought with them was vinegar. The word is spelled vinaigre in Portuguese, and when combined with the Indian words for garlic and potatoes, "vindaloo" emerged. Photo of Antonio and text, 1113 words, at the link below. Click here.

UK: Hockey: Sanderstead maintain record
10 Nov: Croydon Advertiser. Surrey Two Sanderstead 3 Goan 0. Sanderstead maintained their impressive unbeaten start to the league season with an emphatic home victory over Goan last Saturday.

Floyd Cardoz: Spicing Up America!
13 Nov: Little India (USA). Floyd Cardoz, the celebrity chef of Tabla grew up in Bombay in a Goan family. He is now the chef partner in Danny Meyer's noted New York restaurant Tabla. Everyone from Bill Gates to Bill Clinton to Madonna and Harrison Ford, musicians and sports people have dined at Tabla … Now he has published a new cookbook, aptly titled One Spice, Two Spice: American Food, Indian Flavor' written with Jane Daniels Lear (Random House) … 481 words with photos. Click here.

Toronto Elections 13 Nov: Ward 10: Mississauga: Results
14 Nov: Toronto Star. Elected: Sue McFadden 3,086 votes. Of the 22 other candidates, 9 had less than 100 votes each. In 7th and 8th places Patrick Mendes 512 and Dale D’Souza 465 …
Click here.

Uganda: Nakasero Hill - the Basket of Controversy
15 Nov: New Vision (Kampala). … To establish a stronghold over Kampala, the British established an army garrison overlooking the town … hill has come to be known as Nakasero … With blessing from the authorities at Nakasero, the Goan community from India built Christ the King church and Shimoni Demonstration School. The church morphed into All Saints Cathedral … http://allafrica.com/stories/200611150981.html

Progress on Canadian Goan Centre
Summary: Members of the Canadian Goan Centre met in Mississauga 5 Nov for a briefing by the Steering Committee which reported that a lease option for premises could be viable. Based on laws for private corporations, the number of shareholders is pegged at 45. The group already has 36 committed subscribers. The list for new subscribers for shares will be left open till the end of November. For more information on the above, or to enroll as a shareholder, participate in logo design, or sign-up for membership please, send email to canadiangoancentre@gmail.com

Goan Voice UK – Reduced Service Ahead
From Eddie Fernandes: I will be in Goa from 18 Nov to 9 Dec. I expect to download emails regularly so please continue to send messages to eddie@fernandes.u-net.com but in case of emergency please send copy to BERNIEGRACIAS@aol.com Thank You.

Montreal: Brendan Fernandes Exhibition
18 Nov to 16 Dec. Centre des arts actuels Skol, 372, rue Sainte-Catherine O., espace 314, Montréal, Québec H3B 1A2. Opening: Saturday, Nov. 18 at 4 pm. Preceded by a talk with the artist at 3 pm. Excerpt: As a Goan who has never set foot in India, much less Goa, and as a Goan-Kenyan who, having left Kenya at a young age and lived the greater portion of my life in Canada, what does it means to be called Canadian?” For young interdisciplinary artist Brendan Fernandes, investigations into culture have yielded several important questions that guide his work, including the question "who am I? and how is tourism contributing to the exploitation of particular societies?" Click here.

15 Nov: Mumbai. LILY ATHAIDE. (nee Pinto, ex- Porvorim/Carrem, aged 96). Wife of late Gualbert, mother of Lydia/Joe DeSouza (UK), Tony (USA), and Capt. Jack/Lina (Mumbai). Grandmother of Dr. Karen/Glenn (UK), Dr. Aldrin (UK) and Dr. Savia (UK), Keith and Russel (Mumbai). Great-grandmother of Cameron (UK). Condolences to lydiasept@yahoo.co.uk

13 Nov: Bastora, Goa, AGNES MONTEIRO. (Ex-Nakuru and Kisumu, Kenya). Beloved wife of late Bras Monteiro. Loving Mother of Alex/Margaret (Kuwait), Freddy/Lily (London) and Ida (Bastora). Grandmother of Savina, Donny, Trevor, Aldrin, Moriola and Marissa. Condolences to fredy.monteiro@yahoo.co.uk

12 Nov: Benaulim, Goa. JOSE FILIP FERNANDES (Born 1926, ex-Kampala). Husband of Lucy. Father of Amelia/Caji, Manuel/Sheela, Annie/Menino, Annet/Timoty, Lawrence/Josline, Alvita/Amilcar. Grandfather of Queenie, Quinton, Melissa, Calum, Austin, Tiffinie, Leroy, Leann, Atzia, Annaida & Liam.

12 Nov. Perth, Australia. MARIA ZELIA FONSECA. Funeral was on 15 Nov. Condolences may be sent to emericf@bigpond.com [Info from Maureen de Souza, Mombasa].

9 Nov: Toronto. JOSEPH D'MELLO. (aged 80, born Hubli, India). Beloved father of Frederick and his wife Sue, Andrew and his partner Esther Lesch, Joseph and his wife Deborah and Jennifer and her husband Paul Ashraf. Cherished grandpapa of Caleb, Caitlyn, Joshua, Julius, Julianna, Leah, Nicole and Stacey. Joe will be lovingly remembered by his brothers and sister Lawrence (Alice), Irene D’Cunha and Clarence, and their families. Funeral was on 13 Nov For further information and to leave condolence messages click here.

Acron, www.acronindia.com Goa's reputed developer are showcasing their exclusive, new developments at Arpora, Siolim and Asagao at the National Mela 2006 Exhibition, Stand no. OZ35 at the NEC in Birmingham from Friday, 17th to Sunday, 19th Nov '06, 10 am to 7 pm. Email : enquiries@acronindia.com for further details.

How you rate low-cost long-hauls
11 Nov: The Guardian (UK) … Air Sahara (airsahara.net) recently announced return flights between Heathrow and Delhi starting in January for £126.50 plus tax … But would you be happy to take a low-cost, long-haul flight? … Chris Walsh flew with Air Sahara between Singapore and Delhi. He thought the quality of the service was "high" and was impressed that he wasn't charged for excess baggage. Maria Long, a travel agent, wrote: "We travelled from Delhi to Goa and found the seats comfortable in economy and were impressed with the food and the staff service." One reliable way to judge an airline is by the quality of the food – check airlinemeals.net/meals/AirSahara.html. And if there's one thing Brit travellers like as much as a bargain, it's Indian food. 525 words. Click here.

UK warns nationals over property deals in Goa
11 Nov: Herald. The UK government has cautioned its nationals visiting Goa against getting involved in property deals that violate provisions of Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). “The Government of Goa has strict rules governing the purchase of property in the state by non-Indian nationals. Please ensure that you are familiar with the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act 1999 and the most recent instructions issued by the Reserve Bank of India before entering into any property purchase agreement. If the purchase is judged to violate local laws, you are likely to lose all the money you have put in to the purchase. It is wise to engage a reputable local lawyer for advice before approaching estate agents or private vendors” it has advised. 330 words. http://oheraldo.in/node/20378

Serbian Travel Feature on Goa
12 Nov: Blic (Montenegro) Indija na portugalski nachin. Travel feature - 5 photos and 2 pages text in Serbian. Click here.

Goa: Holistic attractions afoot
12 Nov: Sun Herald (Sydney) Want a break that's good for the mind and body? Jake Barr finds the best yoga holidays. Goa … Although cities such as Mysore and Pune are excellent places to study, it's difficult to go past the beautiful coastal district of Goa with its palm-fringed beaches, lively markets and abundant yoga classes, courses and retreats. The season in Goa runs from October to April and for yoga the two best places to practise are Purple Valley Yoga … and Ashiyana Retreat Centre, a newer facility offering ongoing courses, retreats and daily classes during the season. When not on the yoga mat there are beautiful beaches and colourful markets to enjoy, Indian cooking or Bollywood dancing classes to sign up for, and any number of massage and ayurvedic treatments.

Last Minute Deals
12 Nov. Sunday Times (UK). Goa: Citrus Travel (0870 950 1001, has 14 nights, room-only, at the five-star InterContinental Grand Resort from £1,299pp (saving £400), flying from Gatwick on November 24. Click here.

Goa: British Tourist sent back on arrival
13 Nov: Gomantak Times. A UK national was arrived in Goa on Sunday via a charter flight was sent back after it was found that he had consumed drugs on the flight. The Dabolim Police and Customs officials took the action after the pilot reported the incident to them.

Goa welcomes U.K. alert to its citizens
13 Nov: The Hindu. The Goa Government, which is at present investigating a large number of land deals by foreign nationals violating provisions of Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), has expressed happiness over the British Government's advisory to its nationals visiting Goa on tourist VISA against getting involved in property deals that violate provisions of FEMA. 186 words. Click here.

Dona Maria’s Kitchen....
13 Nov: Greater Kashmir. Goan cuisine like Kashmir’s wazwan is a blend of many foreign influences and the local tastes. In the coming days I realized that there are a lot of similarities between the two dream destinations … Goa is a land of beaches, boats, churches and temples. Kashmir is a land of mountains, shrines, temples, lakes and lagoons … Goans like Kashmiris live as a close knit society. They are proud of their Goan identity and guard it zealously. Goan identity keeps Goans firmly anchored to their land and cultural values. At Loutolim is Ancestral Goa. One of the highlights of the village is an Old Portuguese hut which is called Dona Maria’s kitchen. 1719 words. Click here.

Death Stalking Goan Beaches. By Armstrong Vaz
14 Nov: Ohmy News (Korea). With at least one or two drowning deaths per week Goa is increasingly gaining notoriety for the danger on its beaches. The tourist season is set to roll in at the start of the month in the Indian state of Goa. The monsoon fury at sea is slowly fading away. Beach waves are lashing the shore at a galloping but still much slower pace. The sea water is choppy. Swimming in the turbulent water is inviting trouble. 687 words. Click here.

Sunbathing and bargain hunting
15 Nov: Birmingham Mail. Goa's unbeatable for beaches and cheap shopping … the price of items there make it a shopaholic's delight … Goa is unlike the rest of India … The pace of life is slower, the people are more friendly and because it was a Portuguese colony until 1961 it is more westernised … even if they are poor the Goans are warm, helpful and friendly. It is not one of those regions where tourists visit and feel threatened … 903 words.

Govt to stress on backwater tourism
16 Nov: Navhind Times. The Chief Minister, Mr Pratapsingh Rane today said that his government would be giving a stress on the development of the backwater tourism, in order to give a boost to the state tourism industry. A jetty has been constructed alongside Kala Academy in Panaji. The jetty with a length of the 61 metres would facilitate berthing of vessel of the size of Noah’s Ark … http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=111622

Acron to Construct New Residential Complex in Goa
6 Nov: Indian Business Insight. Acron Developers Pvt Ltd is developing a residential complex `Villa Violeta' at Asagao in Goa. The complex will have semi- detached villas with modern amenities such as swimming pool, gym, gardens and solar water heater. Work is in progress and will be completed by Apr 2007.

Goa Film Festival to open with Almodovar's 'Volver'
9 Nov: Vancouver Sun. Pedro Almodovar's movie "Volver," will be the opener at India's 37th International Film Festival later this month in the western tourist resort of Goa, it was reported Thursday … Until 2003, India's international film festival was held in various cities. In moving the venue permanently to the beach-lined tourist hotspot of Goa, India's movie industry is trying to emulate events like France's Cannes Film Festival and find a larger global audience. Click here.

Goa: Shipbuilding: Offshore work spurs Chowgule
10 Nov: Tradewinds (Norway). Goa’s Chowgule Group is mulling an entry into building ships for overseas markets, Ashok Chowgule, the group's shipyard-division executive director revealed during a visit this week to London. They are currently building ships at their Loutolim and Rassaim yards in the state of Goa

Sanofi-Aventis to have R&D Centre in Goa
10 Nov: Moneycontrol.com. Excerpts from an interview given to CNBC-TV18 by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Sanofi-Aventis, Jean-Francois Dehecq … “Today, after the acquisition of Aventis - there are 2,300 people and two plants that we are ready to develop. We decided to make a research & development centre in Goa - that is why I was in Goa two days ago.” … “Goa is going to be a nerve centre for our global R&D operations because the talent here is very strong to make good generics. The second most important point is, we increased the number of clinical trials in India as it’s now possible to do clinical trials in India.” Click here.

Security alert at Dabolim Airport
10 Nov: Navhind Times. Security has been tightened in and around the Dabolim airport following terror threats to airports in Tamil Nadu and Kerala … airport officials are thinking to stop issuing visitor’s pass from tomorrow. Click here.

The Goan cemetery and Margaret Thatcher
11 Nov: Financial Times (UK). By DJ Madan. In 1983 Margaret Thatcher was attending a Commonwealth prime ministers' conference in Goa when she heard of the existence of an old British soldiers' cemetery in the neighbourhood. She insisted on visiting it … The graveyard was in a shambles … The solitary caretaker's own wages were in arrears for 18 months … a thoroughly aroused Mrs Thatcher ordered that the cemetery was to be restored immediately … There was much speculation as to who these British soldiers were and how they came into a territory that was Portuguese from early in the 16th century, particularly as there is no record of warfare between Britain and Portugal in Goa … 449 words. Click here.

Goan by the book
11 Nov: Times of India. Goa is disputed territory. And only part of the dispute is about the fact that 45 years after the Portuguese were turfed out of the place, Goa is undergoing a second and even more ruthless colonisation, what with sundry Sheilajis and Kokilabens from Delhi and Mumbai, Ivans and Igors from Moscow and Minsk, and Nicks and Micks from Britain and Belgium buying up all the real estate so that the Goans themselves barely have room enough for a leg to stand on in their own state. Click here.

Cricket: India vs Sri Lanka in Goa on 14 Feb 2007
12 Nov. Reuters. Click here.

Goa to hone skills of aspiring filmmakers
14 Nov: PTI. Ahead of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa's art and culture department has initiated an exercise to hone skills of aspiring filmmakers. Right from script writing, direction, cinematography to editing … The competition will be open only for Goan filmmakers … 236 words. Click here.

No survey as to how many street children in state
15 Nov: Navhind Times. The Goa government has not carried out any survey as to how many street children the state has. There is also only one government run child shelter, ‘Apna Ghar’ in Merces, which looks after street and orphan children besides looking after juvenile delinquents. Twenty other private shelter homes across the state are government funded … Click here.

Goa Govt to tie-up with private firm to offer heart care
15 Nov: Navhind Times. Having failed to rope in experts in cardiology and cardio-thoracic surgery to start heart care facilities at the Goa Medical College, the Goa government has now decided to set up the facilities in the GMC complex under public-private partnership. Click here.

Traditional pomp, gaiety marks Navelim feast
16 Nov: Herald. Navelim village wore a festive look on Wednesday as the people celebrated the feast of Our Lady of Rosary with traditional pomp and religious fervour. Thousands of devotees poured into Navelim since morning for the religious services scheduled for the day. Reports said that around half-a-lakh devotees are believed to have attended the Masses. 207 words. http://oheraldo.in/node/20519

Technology and online travel take off World Travel Mart
7 Nov: Travel Daily News. … Offshore operations deliver fringe benefits which Open Destinations promotes through its Goa development and outsourcing centre to reduce costs for travel businesses. New XML technology and Net Fares open up sales opportunities for tour operators. Click here.
Open Destinations opened an office in Panaji Goa recently – see http://www.opendestinations.com They have several career opportunities in Goa right now. Dev Pinto, one of the promoters was based in Goa and has since moved to the UK

London's larder: Goan Green Curry
8 Nov: Time Out (London). What: A mild, fragrant curry sauce made from a traditional Goan recipe … Who: Anila Vaghela … set up the company in 1997. Where: They're made in a large production unit in Hounslow, Middlesex. How: Firstly, the fennel is sauted and mixed together with coconut milk. Then the remaining vegetables are simmered with spices, before the fennel-coconut mixture is added at the end. Enjoy: Use in seafood, chicken or vegetable curries, or add a few dollops to rice, pasta or sandwiches. You can buy it from Harrods or online at www.anilassauces.com for £3.50.

India: Get your US visa in one week flat
10 Nov: Times of India. Thinking of making a quick trip to the United States during the Christmas vacation? Thanks to a decision announced on Wednesday by the US government, getting a non-immigration visa has just become cheaper as well as much faster. 250 words. Click here.

Reflected In Water: Writings On Goa edited by Jerry Pinto
	10 Nov: Telegraph. Book Review. Click here. Excerpts from the Viking website: Reflected in Water is a collection of essays, poems, stories and extracts from published works that bring to life both the natural beauty and the changing social and political ethos of India's smallest state … Teotonio R. de Souza's profile of the little-known ‘opium smuggler who tried to liberate Goa' is as captivating as Frederick Noronha's portrait of Abbé Faria …
Frank Simoes pays a tribute to feni … Vivek Menezes's quest for a painting by F.N. Souza … other writers as diverse as William Dalrymple and Graham Greene, Maria Couto and Armando Menezes … Reflected in Water redolent of the very essence of Goa. Click here.

Mahindra Goa SUV launches in the UK
	10 Nov: Channel 4 News (UK). Renault has signed a deal with Mahindra to supply the Indian car maker with engines … Mahindra has plans for a UK launch of its new Goa seven-seat 4x4 sometime in 2007. Prices are likely to start from a lowly £14,000, but offering Shogun space and off-road capability. Click here.

Goa Built Sports Car Launches in the UK.

11 Nov: The Telegraph (UK). While sports car fans debated the possibility of an MG TF revival and the rebirth of Austin-Healey, a cheap new Indian sports car slipped under the radar. It's called the San Storm, and it's a little glass-fibre-bodied, front-drive two-seater using a 1.2-litre Renault powerplant. The first examples are now in Britain, with prices from £8,495 for the basic model … Jon Pressnell writes, “Having followed the project for a while, driven the San extensively in Britain and India and visited the factory in Goa, I can offer a fair assessment. The short answer is that the car is a pretty honourable effort.” Text, 923 words and photos click here.

Kenya: Hockey: Mombasa Institute and Goan Institute fight for slots
11 Nov: Standard (Nairobi). Mombasa Institute will be competing for the fourth slot in the men’s national hockey league matches today. Mombasa are fifth on the table standings with 19 points … Strathmore, Mvita XI and Kenyatta University have qualified for the play-offs after finishing in the top three positions. Mvita will be seeking to build up on their points tally when they host minnows Goan Institute today the Goans are second last in the eight-team league with 10 points. Click here.

Dom Joly: Brainwashed by the hippies
12 Nov: The Independent (UK). I have been behaving a bit strangely since I got back from Goa. Two days ago I saw in London a poster advertising a Mojito for £3.99 during happy hour. “£3.99” I heard myself exclaim. "Why, that's the price of a night out for four in Goa, including all the drugs." … So I get to this very plush Conran restaurant … The bill comes for two people, with not much wine it is an astonishing £95. I could buy Goa for that and they’d probably chuck in the neighbouring state as a bonus … Back in India you can get a fish curry to feed everyone with plenty left over for breakfast for about 10p and you can get drugs with it. Why don’t restaurants here serve drugs like they do in Goa? … 788 words. Click here.
[Watch out for the Goa episode in the Dom Joly UK TV series – Sky One on Tues.]

New Jersey: Restaurant Review: Dabbawalla
12 Nov: Star-Ledger. Dabbawalla -- 427 Springfield Ave., Summit, (908) 918-0330 -- is the first U.S. venture of the Mars Group, an Indian hotel, restaurant and catering company … While you won't find any beef or pork at most Indian restaurants, Dabbawalla presents items including both. Chef Colin Crasdo grew up in Gorai, an Indian beach area of Mumbai known for its population of Christians, whose ancestors were converted by the Portuguese in the 16th century. Crasdo calls dishes like pork vindaloo and beef lonvas “Roman Catholic cooking” … I would recommend trying the warm bibinca ($7.75) from the Dabbawalla menu. This multi-layered pancake and coconut creation, a favorite in Goa, is warmly satisfying … 908 words. Click here.

UK: Bacon’s Painting of Henrietta Moraes Sets £7.9M RECORD
15 Nov: The Evening Standard (London). A Francis Bacon painting has sold for £7.9 million, an auction world record for a work by the British artist … It depicts Henrietta Moraes, one of an inner circle of friends and lovers painted by Bacon, with a syringe in her arm. Bacon, who died in 1992, claimed the syringe served a purely visual purpose and had no sinister connotations. The artist met Mrs Moraes, former wife of Indian poet Dom Moraes, in Soho in the Sixties and painted her more than a dozen times. 370 words. Click here.

Among Goan Voice (UK) readers, there may be a number of 'old boys' and girls too, of illustrious Catholic schools in Goa/India. Much has appeared on Goanet recently about the alumni of such schools as well as nostalgic accounts about school camaraderie, and sporting and other forms of friendly rivalry between such schools. Do find out much more on this theme on Goanet. You could also make contact with long lost friends from such schools.

The issue of the availability of manual labour in Goa is featured once again but in much more detail than in the past. GV(UK) readers who spend periods in Goa and endeavour to maintain their ancestral homes there should find valuable information on the best way to obtain skilled labour, as well as the pitfalls in seeking and obtaining such labour.

If we haven't heard of the 'Black Pope', Goanet has a mine of information on this theme. Briefly, the 'Black Pope' is head of the global Catholic religious order of the Jesuits. He (Peter-Hans Kolvenback) has called from Margao, Goa, on the Jesuit alumni to stand up against injustice, to dedicate their lives "for others" and to be "agents of social transformation."

Likewise, a meeting of 40 Catholic Cultural Centres of India, will meet at Pilar Theological College, at Pilar, Goa, Nov 21-24, 2006. Cardinal Paul Poupard, Vatican Head of the Pontifical Council for Culture will preside at this meeting. The theme will be Catholic Cultural Centres: Cultural Resources for Living the Christian Faith in Dialogue with Traditional Cultures in the Context of Evolving Cultures.

The UK Government has cautioned its nationals visiting Goa against getting involved in property deals that may violate the provisions of Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). GV(UK) readers may find several posts on this issue of interest to themselves or to their UK friends who may be keen to purchase property in Goa.

Finally, GV(UK) readers may have watched on Ch4, on 13/11/06, a fascinating programme about DNA tests on eight UK persons who were convinced they were 100% English. All of them were gobsmacked when the DNA evidence threw up quite unexpectedly that, their DNA demonstrated a lot of mongrelisation. Information about this programme prompted Londoner Gabe Menezes to pose on Goanet, the question---So you think you are a pukka Goan? Although rather too soon for many responses to this question, it is hoped that GV(UK) readers will contribute to this unusual and interesting discussion.

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

Documentary: Fight for Life. Community Channel
Sat 18 Nov 11:00 – 11:30. Programme looking at the plight of young, malnourished and poorly educated girls in India, who are married and pregnant but have little or no access to health care

Entertainment: Trolley Dollies. Channel: Ftn
Sun 19 Nov 18:30 – 19:00. Docusoap following the exploits of the cabin crew on board Excel Airlines. Michael heads for Goa for a much-needed break, but an unfortunate incident on the way reminds him how unglamorous his job really is. Repeat.

Film: The Constant Gardener. Sky Movies 1
Sun 19 Nov. 20:00 to 22:15. John Le Carré's thrilling murder mystery. Quiet diplomat Justin searches for answers when his activist wife is murdered in Kenya.

Film: Do Bigha Zamin. Channel 4
Fri 24 Nov. 01:15 to 03:40. Do Bigha Zamin or Two Acres of Land is follows the story of a poor farmer. Subtitles, 1953.

Documentary: Bobby Friction. Channel 4. Also Online.
Fri 24 Nov: 09:30 to 10:30. Generation. What do British teenagers really think about race, identity and the generation gap in post 7/7 Britain? Repeat.

Sat 18 Nov. Nelu Rodrigues Memorial Mass. 2.00pm at St Vincent de Paul RC Church, 2 Witham Road, Osterley TW7 4AJ. Followed by refreshments in the Church Hall. If you will be attending, please e-mail dianarodrigues@btinternet.com or normamenezes@aol.com to help us co-ordinate the catering arrangements.

Sun 19 Nov. Navelim Union Feast of our Lady of Rosary Will be celebrated at Bishop Thomas Grant School, Belltrees Grove, Streatham London SW16 2HY. For further details contact Selwyn Ferrao 0208 933 8362, Daniela Fernandes 0208 764 9419, Michelle Staussi 0208 241 0082, Leonard Mergulhao 02085144661

Sun 26 Nov. Fr. Agnelo's Day - 79th Commemoration Mass. St. George's Cathedral, Southwark at 2.30pm. Thereafter at the Amigo Hall

Sun. 3 Dec. G.O.A. Ruby Feast of St Francis Xavier being celebrated for the first time at St Boniface Church, Tooting. All are welcome to the Mass at 1.30pm and there is no charge. Please do come and enjoy listening to the beautiful choir. The church service will be followed by a Social in the adjacent Parish Hall for which tickets will be required. Adults (17 years and over): £3.00. Children (12 – 16years): £2.00. Under 12 years: “free”. Food and drink will be on sale. Contact: Alfred Rebello 020 – 8337 8022, Diego Pinto 020 - 8767 0663

Sun. 10 Dec: G.O.A. Ruby Children’s Pantomime - Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs at Fairfield Halls, Park Lane, Croydon, Surrey CR9 1DG Reporting time: 11.30am. Tickets in advance only. Tickets: Members - £10, Non-Members - £14. Parents are welcome to accompany their children at the same rates. Price inclusive of refreshments and entertainment. Please bring a gift to the value of not more than £10 for your child. CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS – 14 Nov. GOA members entitled to 2 tickets at £12 each. For tickets contact: Bernie Gracias 020 8723 1322., Norma Menezes-Rahim 020 8771 4457. For the flyer click here

Sat. 16 Dec. St. Diogo's Association (UK) Guirim/Sangolda. Children's Christmas Pantomime "Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs" at Fairfield Halls, Croydon at 12.00 noon sharp, followed by Christmas Party with refreshments, games and distribution of presents by Santa Claus. Please report at 11.15a.m. For details contact: Apolonia DeSouza 020 8686 1876, Jennifer Fernandes 0127 765 1052

Sun. 31 Dec. Saligao Association UK Sparkling New Year's Eve Ball 2006 at Tolworth Recreation Centre, Tolworth KT6 7LQ. Grand Unlimited Buffet / Childrens entertainer / Hot Band and Disco / Showstopper. Book online / reserve tables (no fee) on www.SaligaoUK.com Enquiries to tickets@SaligaoUK.com or call Cedric de Souza on 07725 080239/Marion Pereira 020 8408 0748.

Sun. 31 Dec: 7.00pm to 3.00am. Dark Star Social Club presents a NEW YEAR'S EVE Gala Ball at the NEW Harrow Leisure Centre. Music by live band "SECOND NATURE" and disco "SOUND FX ROADSHOW". For tickets and other information, email info@dssclub.co.uk or call Derrick Pereira 020-8952 8899 or Bernie Gracias 020-8723 1322. GOA members entitled to 2 tickets at £12 each. Contact: Bernie Gracias 020 8723 1322. For the flyer click here.

Sun 31 Dec. 7pm-1.30am. SE Goans New Years Ball. Orpington Hall, 311 Orpington High St, Kent. BR6 0NN, Band & Disco. Contact Dominic 07854 490617; Ron 0208 303 3386.

Sun. 31 Dec. St. Diogo's Association (UK) Guirim/Sangolda New Year's Eve Ball at Civic Suite, Wandsworth Town Hall. For details contact: Apolonia DeSouza 020 8686 1876, Jennifer Fernandes 0127 765 1052.