Goan Voice UK: Newsletter. Issue 2007-06. Feb. 08, 2007

Maria Pereira: Missing woman found
31 Jan: Oxford Mail. Maria Pereira, who was reported missing in December, has been found safe in Wales. Mrs Pereira, 46, of Catslip, Nettlebed, was last seen at 10.30am on December 3 at the Church of the Sacred Heart, Henley. Earlier this month, officers followed up a lead that she may have been staying in the Shrewsbury area. A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said today that officers have made contact with her. Det Insp Chris Biddle said: "We are very pleased that Maria is safe and well. I would like to thank the media and the public for all their efforts in trying to find Maria."

Barbara Andrade died of natural causes
31 Jan: Brentwood Gazette. A 56-year-old woman died of a heart attack only an hour after turning away an ambulance she had called, an inquest heard. Barbara Andrade called the ambulance to her home at Orchard Avenue in Brentwood on June 13 last year. Paramedics returned an hour later to check on her and found her dead. Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray recorded a verdict of death by natural causes.

Cayman Islands: Inacinho Fernandes: Person of the Day
1 Feb: Cayman Net. The head chef at the Gateway of India is also the most experienced with over 20 years under his chef’s hat. Inacinho Fernandes is originally from Goa in India where he learnt his trade and rapidly became a renowned cook, working in five star hotels. Photo and text at click here.

Victor Menezes donates $3 million for Convention Centre
6 Feb: American Digital Networks (California). The foundation stone laying ceremony for the Victor Menezes Convention Centre was held on January 29, on the campus of the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay. The Convention Centre will be built with a generous gift of $3 million from Victor Menezes (BTech '70 EE), retired Senior Vice Chairman of Citigroup, Inc. "I am happy to give back in a small way to my alma mater, which has given me so much. I hope the Convention Centre will be a catalyst for collaborative discussion and development across the Institute. Ultimately, IIT will be judged not by its buildings but by the intellectual property development and research done by world-class faculty and students," said Mr. Menezes. 445 words. Click here.

4 Feb: Toronto. ZULEMA ANTAO (ex-Nairobi, born Velim, Goa, nee Mascarenhas, age 88). Wife of the late Lino. Devoted mother of Dr. Sarto/Marina, Satira/Dr. John, Belivia/Adolf, Lolita/Trevor and Dr. Olavio/Sue. Loving grandmother of Marissa, Nicole, Alan, John/Deborah, David/Kathy, Renee/Walker, Karen/Kent, Kenneth, Rachel, Trevor Jr., Andrew and Sarah. Great-grandmother of Irene, John Jr., Alexander, Ryan and Maria. Condolences to dacosta1@frontiernet.net

3 Feb: Toronto. INNOCENT (INO) D’SOUZA (age 74, ex-Pangani, Tanzania and ex-Bandra, Bombay). Husband of Olga. Father of Clinton/Bernadine and grandfather of Justin and Aidan. Brother to Alzira Mendes, the late Olga Pires, the late Cajetan d’Souza, the late Ida de Souza, and the late Cynthia Carvalho. Viewing 6 Feb. at Highland Funeral Home, 10 Cachet Woods Court, Markham, L6C 3G1. 905-887-8600. Funeral Mass on 7 Feb. at 11 am at St. Timothy’s Church, 21 Leith Hill Road, North York. Telephone contact: 416.498.0430. Messages of Condolences to be sent to: bcdsouza@look.ca [Info from Stephen de Souza]. Click here.

28 Jan: Panjim: ELMA D’CRUZ (ex-Mombasa and Luton, UK). Wife of Tony. Sister of Amelia/late Gilbert Fernandes, Luis Paulo/Cecilia, Angela/late Carlos Cruz, Regina, late Sibila. Messages of condolence to Angeladc@ono.com

Goa to focus on medical tourism
2 Feb: Herald. With growing competition from other States, namely Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, Goa has embarked on a new ambitious plan to woo tourists. And that new thrust area will be medical tourism. http://oheraldo.in/node/22245

Switzerland: holidays in Goa.
2 Feb: Aargauer Zeitung (Switzerland) Every year 8000 Swiss nationals fly to India on holiday – half of them to Goa by charter flights … Goa is a good alternative to the Caribbean or to Thailand. Text, 485 words in German. Click here.

Dabolim Airport must remain open 24 hrs for civilian flights
4 Feb: Herald. Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel has said the Dabolim Airport must remain open round the clock for civilian flights, given the huge inflow of tourists from all over the world. http://oheraldo.in/node/22302

Saturday Night Bazaar fascinating music loving tourists
5 Feb: New Ind Press. Come Saturday and the traditional Saturday Night Bazaar at Arpora in Goa is abuzz with a lot of activities, especially catering a lot of fun n' frolic to the music lovers who come here from various parts of the country and world to enjoy long holidays. 340 words. Click here.

Dance of the dolphins
5 Feb: Business Standard. Benaulim is a picture of Goa before it was overrun by tourists. 867 words. Click here.

Cheap and cheerful
5 Feb: Evening Gazette (Teeside, UK). The food and drink are cheap, the weather is wonderful and you can find deserted beaches. What could be better than Goa? Feature article with photographs. Click here.

Goa: Casinos
29 Jan: Indo-Asian News Service. Casino Rio, a fast boat converted into a floating casino, will come up on river Sal in south Goa, adjoining the luxurious Leela Hotel - a partner in the venture. It will be the second floating casino in Goa, after the Caravella started by the Ramada Hotel group became a trendsetter with several other hotel chains applying for licence. Wadhwa, a bitter critic of the Indian government's policy not to allow casinos in the subcontinent, seized his chance when Goa decided to allow offshore casinos - a first in India - and electronic gaming on shore. There are also three electronic gaming stations in Goa - Casino Goldfinger, Treasures and Las Vegas.

Protests against Goa Carnival takeover
1 Feb. Indian Express. Squabbling Goan politicians are now threatening to derail this year's Carnival, a popular tourist attraction of the state. With Carnival committees in the municipalities of Panjim, Margao, Vasco and Mapusa yet to be formed, Deputy Chief Minister Wilfred D'Souza, who holds the tourism portfolio, has asked the Goa Tourism and Development Corporation to take over the celebrations. Politicians opposed to D'souza and his NCP are threatening to hold parallel carnival celebrations in protest. Panjim Mayor Tony Rodrigues too said he would oppose any move by GTDC to hold the Carnival Parade on February 17. Rodrigues has threatened to hold a carnival of his own with funds collected funds from residents.

Goa church appeals for political morality
2 Feb: Indian Catholic. The Council for Social Justice and Peace, the social wing of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, has appealed to all candidates contesting the forthcoming elections in the state to place voters ahead of everything, and be accountable to them. Click here.

Goa story of sex and sin. By Preetu Nair & Peter De Souza
5 Feb: Gomantak Times. The organised business of "exotic and beautiful" companions for"lonely"tourists is now becoming more "corporatised" with robust growth in revenues, strong balance sheets, and profits that reflect genuine business success. 1355 words.Click here.

Purchase of property by foreigners: Goa forwards 20 cases to RBI
6 Feb. The Hindu. The Goa Government has forwarded 20 cases with prima facie proof of violations in the matter of land and property purchase deals by foreigners in the State to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for further probe. This is the first lot of cases of the 482 cases of alleged violations under scrutiny. 313 words. Click here.

New life for 'Taxi Mafia'
6 Feb: Times of India. The Mollem national park, a tropical forest region bordering Goa and Karnataka, is witnessing a silent revolution with the otherwise infamous tourist jeep operators turninginto new leaf following forest department's initiatives. Click here.

Russians take over sex trade in Morjim. By Preetu Nair & Peter De Souza
6 Feb: Gomantak Times. Our investigations reveal that the Russian mafia is not just involved in real estate deals and drug trade; they have extended their tentacles into the flourishing flesh trade in the tourist state. Young Russian, Yugoslavian and Romanian girls, sometimes minors, are being trafficked into Goa for commercial sexual exploitation. With the increasing demand of dove-eyed, fair beauties from customers, who are upmarket tourists, local and international, ready to pay $ 1000 (Rs 45,000) or more for a night, the supply of girls to Goa has also increased. 678 words. Click here.

Navy bars entry to Goa Church again
7 Feb: UCAN. For the third year running, the Indian navy has denied pilgrims access to a church on Anjediva, an island off the coast of Goa state. Anjediva houses the Church of Our Lady of Springs, which the Portuguese built 10 years before they conquered Goa in 1510. In 1991, the Goa government donated the island to the navy to build a naval base on the condition that civilians would be allowed access to the church twice annually, for the feast of the Presentation of the Lord on Feb. 2 and the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi on Oct. 4. 616 words. Click here.

Portugal envoy to look into problems with issuing travel documents
7 Feb: Navhind Times. The new Consul General of Portugal in Goa, Dr Silvino Moreira Ribeiro will take initiative in resolving problems in the state linked to Portugal, including those as regards issuing of Portuguese passports and visas. Click here.

Goa: Students for statewide strike
7 Feb: Navhind Times. The All Goa Students Forum has called for a statewide bandh of Goa University of all affiliated colleges tomorrow as a show of strength and to protest the mistreatment of girl students during the a road blockade held by them to protest against non-delivery of computers to some under the Cyberage Scheme … The Panaji town police placed 521 of the striking studentsunder preventive arrest … The students were released at around 4.45 p. m after the sub-divisional magistrate addressed them. For text, 557 words, click here.
For 11 photographs of the demo click here.

Goa to Europe
8 Feb: Navhind Times. The observation of the new Consul General of Portugal that issuing of passports and visas would be governed by the Portuguese and international laws could have a dampening effect on those who hoped that the change of guard would hasten up the process … around 100,000 persons, who were not entitled for Portuguese citizenship, somehow managed to get it … many of those seeking Portuguese citizenship aim to use it as a passport to enter some other country of Europe. 481 words. Click here.

DVD: Xavier - Missionary and Saint
29 Jan. America. Volume 196; Issue 3. The very day that two Jesuit scholastics, Jeffrey Johnson and Jeremy Zipple, were scheduled to depart from London for India, they were still waiting for their visas. "It was four hours before the flight," recalls Zipple, "and we were in the Indian High Commission begging for our papers. We prayed to Francis." Help was not long in coming. Their visas soon in hand, they left for Goa, one of many stops on their month long trip to document the astonishing career of St. Francis Xavier, the great Jesuit missionary (1506-52). The result is "Xavier: Missionary and Saint," a fascinating new film on DVD. "Xavier: Missionary and Saint, "produced, written and directed by Jeffrey Johnson, S.J., and Jeremy Zipple, S.J., is available through Janson Media. Click here.

Seeking help for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A study in Goa
30 Jan: Social Science & Medicine. By Claire E. Wilcox, Rachel Washburn, and Vikram Patel. This qualitative study analyzes the explanatory models employed by parents whose children have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and the ways in which these explanatory models change as they seek help for their child's problem … most parents were reluctant to accept their child's difficulties as an illness. Click here.

How children are the real casualties of poverty battles
1 Feb: Ilkley Gazette. A concert under the direction of tenor Mr Griffett has become something of a tradition in Ben Rhydding, where it has been held for many years. The Griffetts have been supporting street children in Goa since they became aware of a charity working there during a holiday about five years ago. The are now supporting a relatively newly established charity Children Walking Tall, which gives food, clothes and medical care to the desperately poor street children, along with education and a safe place to rest … Goa has a massive slum problem, with youngsters living in appalling conditions … Working from a converted Portuguese colonial house, Rob and Shermina, who have set up the charity, take only £15 a week each in wages … Anyone who wants to support Children Walking Tall can contact the charity on its UK number 01623 450944, or visit the website www.ChildrenWalkingTall.com Text, 957 words and photographs at the link click here.

New English-Konkani dictionary ready
2 Feb: The Hindu. A comprehensive English-Konkani dictionary has been compiled and this is expected to help Konkanis keep abreast of the changing cultural milieu. The dictionary, published by the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy, Mangalore, provides the exact meaning of English words in Konkani … Bishop Aloysius Paul D'Souza will release the new dictionary on February 10 at St. Aloysius College, Mangalore … The first known book printed in Konkani was written by an EnglishJesuit priest, Thomas Stephens, and titled "Doutrina Cristao" (The Doctrine of Christ) in 1622. 423 words. Click here.

Canada: Pleasure Zone travels the world for secrets of seduction
3 Feb: Montreal Gazette. The Pleasure Zone, a new six-part series on the Travel+Escape specialty channel introduces one couple and one location chosen for its erotic power … Click here.
The Pleasure Zone: "Goa, India" Wed., March 21 at 11 p.m. ET
The Kama Sutra was written hundreds of years ago and to this day couples still search for nirvana within its pages. Kirsten and Andrew, a couple who just moved in together, are among many intrigued by this ancient text. In an attempt to keep their relationship fresh, the pair travels to Goa, India, to put the art of Kama Sutra to the test. Lessons in kissing and aphrodisiacs stir their senses, but are Kirsten and Andrew ready to take on some of the other aspects of the book? Will the exotic location help their relationship blossom or will their insecurities hold them back? click here.

Claremont Group Website is back up
There was much agitation in Goa last month after the Claremont Group released plans for a £100 million development in Goa on “green” land. The project website was withdrawn but it is now back. See www.firstgoa.co.uk
Riddle of the sands
4 Feb: The Sunday Times. Investors buying in Goa need to be clued up about the legal system … Next month, the Birmingham-based Claremont Group will launch First Goa, a £100m development, the first of 10 aimed at British investors. The company is building more than 800 flats and villas around a lagoon by the fishing village of Betul. The resort will include a five-star hotel, a casino and cinema, pools and bars. It is due to open in 2009, with prices from £30,000 for a studio to £190,000 for a five-bed villa. Claremont is tempting buyers with the prospect of rising rental income from holiday lets and soaring property prices in India's most developed state -many houses and flats have tripled in value in recent years. But Claremont's launch comes against a backdrop of protests against such large developments and growing hostility to the influx of foreigners they bring. A mass movement, Save Goa, is challenging plans to accelerate construction in the former Portuguese enclave, while local newspapers have called for immigration to be halted. The Claremont Group, 0121 450 4590 is at www.firstgoa.co.uk Full text, click here.

Obligato, Goa's Sensational Latino Band
4 Feb: World Music Centre. Obligato-Goa's sensational Latino band has launched two music videos in Goa. A slamming salsa piece called 'La Paranda' and a kicking konkani kantaar called 'Goa Amchem'. To view a low resolution clip of 'Goa Amchem'. Click here.

That’s the spirit!
4 Feb: Business Standard. … according to estimates, there are over 2,200 stills manufacturing coconut feni. Goans are, by and large, gregarious drinkers and consequently toddy tappers do brisk business. Maria and her husband Joseph brew the local liquor inside their home … Good home brewed feni is 30 to 35 per cent proof alcohol, but unlike cashew feni, the coconut version is not as strong smelling. 618 words. Click here.

Kenya: Gallery befitting Murumbi
5 Feb: The East African. The Murumbi Gallery, which occupies the entire ground floor of the Kenya National Archives building, on Nairobi’s Moi Avenue. It now houses part of Murumbi’s life long collection of books, artefacts, art, jewellery and crafts. The son of a Goan trader and a Maasai mother, Murumbi was forced to choose between the two peoples upon his return to Kenya from schooling in India where he had spent most of his life. Murumbi chose his mother’s people even though this meant he would have to give up the benefits then enjoyed by the Asian community in colonial Kenya. 1474 words.Click here.

Canada: Racism taints national media: MP
5 Jan: Ottawa Sun. Canada's mainstream media are biased against visible minorities, says a Conservative Calgary MP. Deepak Obhrai, Parliamentary secretary for foreign affairs, said he has felt the sting of the media's "institutional discrimination." … "One of the factors of the rapid growth of the ethnic media in the country has been the failure of the mainstream media to address the issues of the immigrant community,” he added. Canada, however, has come a long way since he arrived from Tanzania in 1977. "I was denied a job on the basis of my colour," he said. 285 words. Click here.

Goa villas and hotel in £100m scheme
7 Feb: Birmingham Post. Excerpts: Birmingham-based Claremont Group has launched a pounds 100 million holiday resort in Goa, India to be built on a 150-acre site … The resort is the brainchild of the brother and sister founders and directors of Claremont Group, Manjit Deol and Perm Saini … Claremont International has set up a specific investment vehicle to facilitate foreign investment in Goa … The site is located close to the fishing village of Betul … According to Manjit, the Indian property market is poised to take off, with resorts like Goa having an obvious attraction to foreign property buyers … Award-winning architects Glen Howells has been appointed to design the resort, while international construction consultancy Cyril Sweet will oversee the construction. 480 words.

What the Egg Was First
7 Feb: New York Times. Floyd Cardoz, the executive chef at Tabla, remembers them fondly from his childhood in India. His family would visit his great-grandmother in Goa, who raised her own chickens. Before she slaughtered them she checked for unlaid eggs, but if she missed one she would put it in the curry. “It made the dish very different,” Mr. Cardoz said, “and we as kids always looked in the curry to find the egg. We loved them. Maybe that’s where my love for egg yolks comes from: the creaminess of yolk in the curry had incredible flavor.” Click here.

Canada: Video Clip: Francis D’Souza on CityNews
7 Feb: City News. Landmark Court Ruling Could Have Big Effect On Homeowners. For the video clip of Francis D'Souza's story on a landmark Ontario court ruling regarding real estate fraud, click here. http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_7630.aspx
For a GVUK profile of FrancisD’Souza click here.

Is it true that, we discover for sure, if there is a God or there isn't one at the moment of death? There has been quite a discussion (at times pretty heated) on this issue. Find out more about this from Goanet.

Take a title like Atheists, Turncoats and Quislings and then imagine what the subject matter might possibly be. Well, some pretty strong assertions were made with equally strong refutations re this title on the links between Catholicism and Goa. The responses to Goanet came from far and wide and are well worth contributing to.

A substantial article by Anita Haladi and featured on Goanet was titled All Children are our Children: Can Goa disown these kids? In brief, the article draws from material presented on 26/9/06 at the State Convention [India] on Issues Concerning Women and Children. It focuses on the fact that, while Goa is immensely popular as a tourist destination, there is another sadder side to it. This is about the significant number of unskilled and semi-skilled workers drawn from other parts of India to Goa with young children. These children are seriously disadvantaged "in the context of child labour, child abuse, and commercial sexual exploitation." They are denied schooling, basic health care and live a "marginalized existence." An obvious question is what can be done about such a sorry plight? Can Goan Voice (UK) readers offer concrete suggestions to address this state of affairs?"

Do read an interesting article by Miguel Braganza. It is titled Konkan Curry: Wildlife Hotspots and Biodiversity. Miguel argues for the need to establish "Goa's status as a biodiversity hotspot, with plants and animals yet to be discovered, documented, confirmed and named." He also provides much detail of the many 'explorations' taking place into such biodiversity.

Find out about handicrafts made out of dry coconuts, coconut shells, sea shells, cotton thread, clay and related products made by Goan crafts people. Sometimes, visitors to Goa, including GV (UK) readers are heard to say that there is little indigenous to Goa that can be purchased as mementos and gifts for friends and relatives. However, http://ruralbazargoa.nic.in/ is a site that indicates how much there is on offer if we only know where to look.

Finally, over the week, do reflect on one of Domnic Fernandes' regular quotes on Goanet. It simply says "Talk slowly but think quickly."

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

TRAVEL: Panasia. Travel Channel
Sun 11 Feb. 13:00 to 13:30.Mumbai. Sian Richards is in Mumbai, India's City of Dreams and not only the commercial capital of India, but also home to Bollywood.

FILM: The River. Film4
Mon 12 Feb. 01:00 to 02:45 Jean Renoir’s 1951 film. Colourful and touching story about the growing pains of British children living in India.Based on the novel by Rumer Godden.

COOKERY: The People's Cookbook. UKTV Food
Mon12 Feb. 20:00 to 21:00. Antony Worrall Thompson and Paul Rankin attempt to compile the ultimate cookbook. Mignon Johnson (nee Pinto) cooks up a mean Vindalho.

DOCUMENTARY: Nation on Film. UKTV History
Thu 15 Feb. 19:30 to 20:00. Make Yourself at Home. Immigration from the 1950s to the 1970s, when thousands of Asians made the long journey to Britain.

FILM: Kama Sutra. Film4.
Thu 15 Feb. 23:25 to 01:30. Mira Nair's film, set in 16th century India, tells the story of two young girls.

Sun. 18 Feb. Viva Goa Entertainment presents Traditional RED & BLACK evening in West London - Old Actonian Assc. Sports Club, opp. Gunnersbury Park, Ealing, W5 4LL. Music by – “LEVEL 4” and "CHICO" one man band, Doors open 2.30 onwards. Early bird 2 tickets @£18.00 ends 20th Jan 2007.Thereafter £10/adults & £3/child. Contact Francis/Norman on 0208 932 9375/ 07957206169/ 0208 647 1887.

Sun 18 Feb. Mungul Union (UK) celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel at St Ignatius College, Turkey Street, Enfield, EN1 4NP. Band: Maz & Co. For tickets and details, please contact Rosy D'Silva - piadsilva@hsbc.com/0208 352 9450 or Rosalind Rebello on 0208 767 8652; ros.rebello@amserve.net Members note cut-off date 4 February. Public transport to Hall: Buses 217 from Turnpike Lane or 121 from Wood Green. Overhead train from Liverpool St. Station to Turkey St.