Newsletter. Issue 2007-01. Jan. 04, 2007
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COMMUNITY NEWS

Sheraleen Braganza: Butterfly Kisses
Sheraleen Braganza has written a children’s fairytale entitled 'Butterfly Kisses' ISBN number: 1844018121, which has just been published by Athena Press, London and is available through www.amazon.com; www.Amazon.co.uk (cheapest at under £5) www.Tesco.com and www.thegoodbookguide.com websites. It can also be ordered from any bookstore. From the synopsis: “Can a little girl overcome the tragic loss of her mother?” For full details of the book click here.
Sheraleen Braganza was born in 1965. She is the daughter of Vivi and the late Mina Texeira formerly of Dar-es-Saalam. She lost her mother, tragically, at a very young and tender age. Sheraleen is married to Keene Braganza, son of Orlando & Betty Braganza formerly of Nakuru and Mombasa, and they have three children, Ryan, Jordan and Charlotte. She now resides in France. [Item contributed by Celia Mascarenhas].

Freedom fighters oppose honouring of Dr Coissoro
30 Dec: Herald. The veteran freedom fighters of Goa have expressed their strong opposition to the honoring of Dr Naraina Coissoro in the Global Goans convention, scheduled to be held in Goa on January 3, 2007 … they have stated that Dr Coissoro who always opposed Goa’s liberation from Portuguese colonial rule should not be honoured under any circumstances on the soil of free Goa. 215 words. Click here.

Tony Fernandes: Top low-cost airlines to form global network
1 Jan: The Star (Malaysia). Three of the world’s main low-cost airline personalities are teaming up to start a long-haul budget airline company based in Malaysia … Sir Richard Branson of the Virgin group, Sir Stelios Haji-loannou of EasyJet, and Tony Fernandes of AirAsia are in discussions to form an alliance to realise a deal that will see the formation of the world’s first low-cost global network. The joint venture, according to industry sources, will first fly between Kuala Lumpur and destinations like Manchester, Sharjah and Amritsar
… Fernandes is the brains behind AirAsia, the first no-frills airline and easily the most successful in Asia … 422 words. Click here.
For the GVUK Tony Fernandes supplement click here.

Maria Pereira: UK stepping up hunt for missing maid
3 Jan: Gulf Daily News (Bahrain). Senior British police officers are to hold a meeting tomorrow to discuss how to proceed with the case of a maid who vanished during a visit to the UK with her employers. Indian Maria Pereira, aged 46, has not been seen since Dec. 3 … Now it is believed Ms Pereira may have made her way back to Bahrain or her native Goa and officers are urging her to get in touch with them so they can call off the search. 251 words. Click here.

Will Wendell wow Paris?
4 Jan: The Hindu. In what is seen as a fitting celebration of 10 years in business, one of India's foremost style gurus, Wendell Rodricks has been chosen by Paris Pret-a-Porter, one of the most prestigious fashion weeks, to display his Winter 2007/2008 Collection in Paris from February 1 to 4 … Incidentally, at present, Wendell is actively associated with a Save Goa campaign … 431 words. Click here.
For the Wendell Rodricks site see: Click here.

CyberGoans list shows Goan diaspora range
4 Jan: Herald. From coaching top football clubs in Moscow to fighting race discrimination, from becoming Telugu film stars to heading hundred million-dollar technology firms, members of the Goan diaspora are notching up a surprising range of achievements worldwide. This point gets underlined in a new initiative, a list of “101 Cybergoans” worldwide, who are making a major mark in diverse fields across many unexpected parts of the globe. Compiled by cyber-journalist Frederick Noronha, the list aims to “acknowledge the contributions by people of Goan origin, regardless of where they are located, and in what field they work”. It has been released at the start of the year 2007. For text see: Click here.

DEATHS

3 Jan: Toronto. BANU COLLACO (ex Belgaum and Dar es Salaam). Brother of Paxy and Jason Collaco. [Banu played the drums for the Jazz Swingers]. Info from Fr Carl DeSouza.

2 Jan. Santacruz, Mumbai. PEGGY D’MELLO. Wife of late Michael. Mother of Joe/Blanche; Louis/Deborah (Vancouver); Ophelia/Lionel Dias (Perth).


1 Jan: Scarborough, Canada. LUCIA PAULINA DE SOUZA. (Born 1929). Beloved wife of 58 years to Pascoal Lino. Loving mother/mother-in-law to the late Zenon, Rosemarie (Clifford), Beatrice, Diana, Carmen (late Franklin), Stella, Stanislaus (Ofelia), Sandra (Trevor), Bertilla, Maureen (Anthony). Friends will be received at the OGDEN FUNERAL HOME on Wednesday, 5-9 p.m. Funeral Mass to be held at St. Thomas More Roman Catholic Church on Thursday, 10 a.m. Interment Pine Hills Cemetery. For a photograph and full details click here.

30 Dec: Raia, Goa. SEBASTIANA D'CRUZ (ex-Mombasa). Wife of late Manuel John (ex-Mombasa). Mother of Igi (UK), Constance, Maria Brewer (UK), Lourdes Waugh (UK) and Tony Austin (Dubai). Mother-in-law of Piedade, Brenda (Dubai), Brian (UK) and Timothy (UK).

28 Dec: Anjuna, Goa. ELLY FERNANDES (ex-Aden). Wife of late Joaquim Fernandes. Mother of Esme, Austin, Antonette, Francis & Marietta.

25 Dec: Raia, Goa. ROSY ANTONIA JOAQUINA COELHO (Born 1930, nee Rodrigues, ex-Uganda). Wife late Valeriano Coelho. Mother of Estaca, Theopista/Santolino, Mario (UK)/Urban, Rebecca/Seby (UK), Vicent/Henriquetta (UK), Edsel/Refregina, Juliet/late Savio, Clive (UK)/Palmira.

23 Dec: Cavelossim/Porvorim:, Goa. TOMAS AVERTANO AQUINO RODRIGUES. Husband of Filomena. Father of Marcus/Milagrina (Scotland) and late Benedito.


GLOBAL GOANS CONVENTION 2007

Goa: The Global Goans Convention
2 Jan: Navhind Times. Establishment of the Commissionerate for NRI Affairs, appointment of its Commissioner and launching of a website www.globalgoans.org.in were perhaps the only concrete steps taken by the state government last year to attract worldwide Goans to their motherland, and make them invest here. 628 words. Click here.

Goa: The Global Goans’ Convention
3 Jan: Navhind Times. The Gomant Vishwa Sammelan 2007, a three-day global Goans’ convention begins on 3 Jan. The Commissioner for NRI Affairs, Mr Eduardo Faleiro said that so far around 100 delegates have confirmed their registration. 435 words. Click here.

Diaspora concerned with westernisation of youth
3 Jan: PTI. The Indian diaspora is fighting a losing battle to protect the next generation from becoming westernised and loosing Indian culture, an NRI claimed today. "The first generation of NRIs might try to keep their tradition but what about second and third ... It sounds difficult," University of California professor Damodar Sardesai said, participating in the three-day-long 'Global Goans Convention' here. The convention organised by NRI Commissionerate, aims to "reunite" non resident Goans (NRGs). "Indians are worried that their children will not remain Indian or Goenkars (Goans)," Sardesai said. 204 words. Click here.

Garbage, regional plan figure at Global Goans’ Convention
4 Jan: Navhind Times. “Every year you give the same answers, but nothing concrete is being done on the ground “. This was one sentiment underpinning the deliberations at the interactive session of the Global Goans Convention at the secretariat yesterday … The famous intra-Goan bickering surfaced publicly … 821 words. Click here.

Delegates assure help to land of their origin
4 Jan: Navhind Times. The delegates participating at the Global Goans Convention extended all the help to the land of their origin. However, the concrete plans for investment in Goa were hard to come. Mr Fitz D’Souza, the former deputy Speaker of the Kenyan Parliament, in his address said that the love and loyalty of the NRIs towards the country of their adoption as well as the country of their origin should not be doubted. 478 words. Click here.

Photographs – Global Goan Convention
4 Jan: Daijiworld. For 11 photographs taken at the first day of the Convention, click here.


MEET OUR SPONSOR

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All Holidays & Flights Discounted. Quote GV04
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HOLIDAY INFORMATION


Mumbai/London (LHR) Return for £258 inc.
Qatar has just slashed the price of flights to Mumbai and Airline Network is offering return fares for £258 (including tax). This offer is valid for travel from London Heathrow between 3 January and 29 March For details click here.

India pushes 'graveyard tourism'

27 Dec: BBC News. Tourist guides prefer to call it cemetery tourism. Others say it is essentially meant for 'tomb travellers'. But tourism authorities are loathe to woo British tourists with such macabre sounding pitches. So they are telling them a visit to the many European graveyards is an added 'bonus' on their itinerary. 590 words. Click here.

Al Qaeda threat chases tourists from India sites
28 Dec: Washington Times. Israeli backpackers in India are heeding a government warning of an al Qaeda terrorist attack over the New Year’s holiday on beach resorts and rave parties in the state of Goa … “Many people in this area have picked up and gone southward,” said Manoach Shmeltz, who operates a government-supported backpacker center in Goa. “They are already planning to come back on January 2.” … With a reputation dating to the 1960s for attracting bohemian travelers, Goa’s New Year’s Eve raves are a big draw for Israeli backpackers. 429 words. Click here.

Dance your blues away in Goa with girls from Mumbai
29 Dec: Gomantak Times. By Preetu Nair & Peter De Souza. The ‘damsels’ of the Mumbai dance bars are here to sizzle Goa. With hundreds of single, rich men, both Indians and foreigners, coming down to Goa during the peak season, there is a high demand for girls to accompany these men to the night clubs and rave parties. 938 words. Click here.

New Year Goa flights on a high
29 Dec: Financial Express. Fly Mumbai-Goa-Mumbai on low-cost carrier Air Deccan this weekend for Rs 19,500 or Delhi-London on British Airways for Rs 16,330. Click here.

Tourists flock to Goa for New Year bash
29 Dec: Economic Times. Dance, music and beach parties are the flavour as Goa gets ready for its annual New Year bash. Revelers have been pouring into the state from all over the world through December, with domestic tourists making a beeline through the Christmas and New Year period.Click here.

Goa Grub
30 Dec: The Star (Malaysia). ”We Goans are very serious about five things in our lives – our fish, curry and rice; afternoon siesta; music; soccer and feni,” says my guide Jonah Coutinho.
See also the 2 Related Stories: 1. The remains of a saint. 2. India’s sunshine state. Click here.

A Piece Of Paradise
30 Dec: Express & Echo (Devon, UK). Once a haven for hippies, Goa now attracts couples and families with its laidback vibe, multicultural atmosphere and welcoming locals. From hidden beaches to bustling cities, ancient landmarks to friendly wildlife, Goa really is something special. 803 words.Click here.

Passage to India
31 Dec: People (UK). Take a 10-night train trip through India for £1,932. The Deccan Odyssey train travels from Mumbai to Goa before heading inland to the temples at Aurangabad. Call 0870 121 2030

Passengers thrown off Goa flight
31 Dec: BBC. A plane travelling to Goa from the UK had to make an emergency landing when a group of passengers started to cause a disturbance on board. The Monarch Airlines flight from Manchester had to divert to Budapest, where five men were told to disembark. The plane, flight number 4502, landed safely in Goa at 0730 GMT, an airline spokesman said. Click here.

Deals of the Week
31 Dec: Sunday Mirror, UK. Take off from Manchester on January 6 and spend two weeks soaking up the sun in Goa. Fourteen nights' B&B at the two-star Resort Village Royale in Calangute costs from £391pp. Details: 0870 067 2352, jewelholidays.com

Get up and Goa

31 Dec: Wales on Sunday. … In Goa there are no road markings, few traffic lights, and seemingly no right of way … Goa's bumpy roads make even the shortest of journeys a bit of an ordeal … Relaxing on beautiful beaches has always been Goa's main attraction … it is very hard to spend money here … For foodies everywhere dining in Goa is an absolute delight … Goa has some stunning scenery and much of it is still untouched by mass tourism. 1272 words. Click here.

Court ruling to Goa on tourist taxis issue
2 Jan: The Hindu. In its ruling over the conflict between the taxi operators and tour operators, the Goa Bench of Bombay High Court has, inter alia, ruled that it was the responsibility of the State to see that the law and order was maintained, and to ensure that the tourists who visit Goa were not put to undue harassment and exploitation by tour operators or taxi operators. Click here.

Rising tariff may make Goa less popular
2 Jan: Business Standard. With airfare and hotel tariff sky-rocketing in the month of December, New Year celebrations in Goa, the fifth best tourist hot-spot across the globe, may not be the same in the coming years … “It’s not only the stay and transport, everything is expensive in Goa. A mineral water bottle is sold for Rs 50 per litre,” says a Mumbai resident, Radhika Deshmukh, who comes every year to Goa to usher in the New Year. 552 words. Click here.

Sausages in a Rosary
15 Jan: Outlook. The Mapusa market has the best Goan spices and spirits. You don't just get Goa's famous feni and port wine here; you get the best home-distilled cashew and coconut feni and home-made currant, ginger and beetroot wine. You don't just get the best cashewnuts cheaper here than anywhere else in Goa; you get them in 10-kg tins at incredible wholesale rates. Here being Mapusa, home every Friday to Goa's biggest fresh produce bazaar. For photographs and text, 853 words, click here. Click here.


BRITISH MAN FOUND HANGED

Briton killed over 'misunderstanding' in Indian village

3 Jan: The Times (UK). Stephen Bennett, 40, from Cheltenham who was murdered in the Indian bush before Christmas may have been the victim of a cross-cultural misunderstanding over a woman that caused a gang of villagers to beat him to death and string his body up on a mango tree … His mother had last spoken to him on Dec 7th after a series of frantic phone calls in which he said he had been intimidated by locals at Baga beach … She said, "He told me

he was traveling from Panjim [the capital of Goa] with two men and they were frightening him," she said. "He said he was scared but thought he might have lost them and would phone me back in half an hour. I never heard from him again." … Stephen, according to a police report was a small-time cannabis dealer … His mother added, “This story is too far fetched, even in India.” For full text, 762 words, click here.

Murdered Briton Was Snatched From Beach, Says Family
3 Jan Daily Mail (UK). A British tourist found battered and hanged from a tree in a remote part of India was abducted from the beach resort where he was staying, his family believe. Stephen Bennett, 40, had expressed fears for his safety in phone calls home. His parents and sister tried to alert the authorities in India, but no one responded. Mr Bennett, from Cheltenham, had travelled to the tourist region of Goa for a two-week winter break … For full text, 772 words, click here

Indian police baffled by mango tree murder
3 Jan: The Times (UK). Indian police investigating the murder of a British tourist whose body was found hanging from a mango tree said important questions remain unanswered about events leading up to his death. 497 words. Click here.

Videoclip: “Victim” denies seeing Bennett
3 Jan: NDTV. A British tourist was allegedly beaten to death by villagers at Malasai, on December 10. Villagers apparently suspected him of misbehaving with a Nirmala Nene, a woman from their village and her husband with six others beat him up and lynched him. However Nirmala now says she never saw Bennett and cannot understand why her husband has been arrested. For text of article, 328 words, click here.
For a videoclip click here.

For links to recent developments regarding this tragedy click here.

SITE WATCH

British Expats Goa Forum
Some current topics: Furniture stores in Goa; Broadband in Goa; Goa Schools; Buying in Goa; etc. For the link click here.


GOA NEWS HEADLINES

India film fest tainted by chaos
27 Dec: Hollywood Reporter. The almost four-decade old International Film Festival of India (IFFI) is in apparent disarray despite a recent rebirth and an attempt to establish a permanent home in the western coastal resort state of Goa. This year's event attracted bad press on everything from management chaos, a perceived disregard for regional Indian cinema and the event's ability to attract little to no foreign presence. 674 words. Click here.

FFI up in arms against Goa as Film Festival venue
30 Dec: Indiantelevision.com. The Film Federation of India (FFI) will shortly meet information and broadcasting minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi to urge him to scrap Goa as a venue for future International Film Festivals of India (IFFI). FFI has decided to launch an agitation ‘that should sound the death knell for Goa as the festival venue’. 793 words. Click here.
31 Dec: PTI: Film fete venue: Goa irked by reports Panaji, Dec. 31 (PTI): The Goa Government on Saturday reacted sharply to reports about the Film Federation of India's (FFI) decision to oppose selection of Goa as the venue for the International Film Festival of India (IFFI). 328 words. Click here.

Goa turning into accident-prone state
28 Dec: PTI. Goa registered a four per cent rise in road accidents this year due to an increasing vehicle population and reckless driving … The coastal state with a population of 13 lakh, where cheap liquor is easily available, however, witnessed very few accidents caused by drunken driving and a majority of mishaps occurred due to "rash and negligent" driving … 194 words. Click here.

Interview with Dr Oscar Rebello, Convenor, Save Goa Front.
30 Dec: Navhind Times. Dr Rebello says that there has been 21 per cent change in settlement areas from the draft Regional plan 2011 and the finally approved plan, without public, local bodies, etc, being informed about the changes. He also adds that the plan is illegal and should be scrapped and a new one should be formulated taking into consideration the views of urban designers, planners, environmentalists, etc. 1,277 words. Click here.

Gays celebrate New Year in Goa a day in advance
31 Dec: Zee News. Hundreds of homosexuals from Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Goa thronged an isolated house tucked on a hillock at Vasco last night … Goa, which has some 6,000 gays, has witnessed an increase in gay marriages, with 25 such weddings reported in the past couple of months in this coastal state. 330 words. Click here.

Feni’s fame abroad gives it lead over other drinks
1 Jan: Economic Times. Tourists, who are increasing in number as India rapidly ascends the global economic scale, are demanding authentic Indian spirits … Feni, Goa’s own drink, is an ideal candidate to become a global brand … Goan entrepreneurs have been talking of patenting Feni as Goa’s own drink so that anything made outside Goa cannot be called Feni, just like whisky made outside Scotland can’t be called scotch whisky … Branding Feni and toddy have inherent problems. Both smell strong and therefore many detest it. 598 words.Click here.

Video clip: Goa Regional plan: Artists join protests
1 Jan: NDTV …For the past few months, Goa has been on the boil with protests, rallies, demonstrations and unusual scenes from a usually placid state. And leading the protests are artists from across the state. "I've been exposing these builders through my cartoons. During the public rallies they've blown up my cartoons and now everyone knows about the Plan. And I’ve been doing this for so many years now," said Alexyz, cartoonist. Click here.

Goa: Fireworks welcome 2007
1 Jan: Herald. Dazzling display of fireworks, chiming bells, religious services and parties all over the State ushered in the New Year 2007. As usual Goa was alive and kicking to the beat of music bands and dances held at all prominent locations in the coastal belt … It is estimated that over 500,000 tourists, both domestic and foreign, were in Goa in December. 369 words. Click here.

Goa: Catholic archbishop lambastes politicians for selling out to ‘highest bidder’
2 Jan: Catholic Online. Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao of Goa and Daman has castigated political leaders, but many politicians have welcomed the prelate's criticism. Expressing concern over what he sees as the erosion of moral and ethical values in Goa, Archbishop Ferrao alleged that elected representatives are out to sell the western Indian state to "the highest bidder." … His hard-hitting speech attracted headlines in all local dailies the following day, with one newspaper hailing it as the "mother of all sermons." 493 words. Click here.

Goa, Mumbai lead in breast cancer cases
2 Jan: PTI. A "cosy lifestyle" and "irresponsible eating habits" are among factors that have led Goa and Mumbai to be among the states where women are most vulnerable to breast cancer, according to an oncologist. Click here.

Monserrate Resigns
4 Jan: CNN-IBN. Town and Urban Planning Minister of Goa, Babush Monserrate resigned from the state Cabinet on Wednesday night. Monserrate has been in the thick of controversy for his alleged links with the land mafia in Goa … According to sources in the Goa Congress, at least two Congress MLAs are likely to resign from the Assembly on Thur to force Rane to go for an early election. The Assembly elections are due in May 2007. Congress has the support of just 21 MLAs in the 40-member Assembly and even a minor rebellion can bring the state government down. Click here.

Alemao raises banner of revolt within Goa Cong
4 Jan: Yahoo News. Ahead of the Goa Assembly elections, Congress Member of Parliament from South Goa Churchill Alemao has raised the flag of rebellion within the party. Click here.

Goa Govt totters, Rane says no threat
4 Jan: CNN-IBN. Goa Chief Minister Pratap Singh Rane has rejected any danger to his government in the wake of the resignation of Town and Country Planning Minister Atanasio Monserrate even though there have been rumours that some Congress MLAs are also going to resign. Click here.


GBA to mobilise NRGs’ support against Regional Plan 2011
4 Jan: Navhind Times. Coinciding with the 4th Global Goan Convention, the Goa Bachao Abhiyan (GBA) has decided to press with its demands under ‘Save Goa Campaign’. It today launched its global campaign for the scrapping of the Goa Regional Plan 2011 in its present form. 365 words. Click here.

Mittal in fray to bid for Sesa Goa
4 Jan: Moneycontrol.com. Reports suggest that steel baron Lakshmi Mittal is in the fray to acquire control of Sesa Goa … click here.


IN THE NEWS

Bid to bring jailed killer home
28 Dec: South Wales Argus. Adrian Duggan, 38, convicted of stabbing his lover Catherine Campbell, 43, to death on Christmas Day 2003 is applying to serve the remainder of his sentence in the UK. The mother-of-four was murdered in the bedroom of the couple's guest house during what had been planned as a dream holiday in the resort of Goa.

Indian leader likens caste system to apartheid regime
28 Dec: The Guardian (UK). Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh became the first leader of his country yesterday to compare the condition of low caste Hindus with that of black South Africans under apartheid. Mr Singh drew the parallel at a conference in New Delhi on social and caste injustices saying it was modern India’s failure that millions of Dalits (meaning “oppressed”) were still fighting prejudice. 614 words. Click here.

Illinois: Austin D’Souza: Electric enthusiasm
28 Dec: Forest Park Review (Illinois) …For the past 13 years, the D'Souza family at 906 Dunlop Ave. has festooned their yard with plastic figures. There's a Nativity, a snowman, a camel, an elf, reindeer, deer, a choir, two Dickensian carolers, two Santas, two chapels, two donkeys, four lambs, four streetlights, four soldiers, six wise men, six arches, seven bears, eight candles, nine candy canes, and 10 angels. "My husband goes crazy," Terry D'Souza said of husband Austin. "He goes out rain or shine the day after Thanksgiving." … "At this time of year it's important to light up the world," Austin D'Souza said. "We need more light." Full text and photos at the link below. Click here.

A long way to Goa for his compensation
28 Dec: The Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, UK). Angelo Russo, 39, of County Durham, was sacked by Mechanical Site Maintenance Limited, last year and was awarded £9,545.94 for unfair dismissal at an industrial tribunal in Newcastle, in June. But he still has not seen a penny. Mr Russo's former employers, Mechanical Site Maintenance, changed where the company was registered through Companies' House, from Northumberland, to Goa in India. 521 words. Click here.

Indian nurses face racist attack in Liverpool
29 Dec: Times of India. Nurses from India working in hospitals in north Liverpool have recently been attacked by racist thugs, leaving them terrified to move out of their flats, according to reports from Liverpool. Click here.

Nelly Furtado says that her ancestry can be traced back to Goa
30 Dec: CNN-IBN. International pop singer Nelly Furtado addressed a press conference in Mumbai on Saturday ahead of a concert there on 31 Dec … Furtado said that her ancestry can be traced back to Goa and that while growing up with Indians in Canada, she had often sung in Hindi on various occasions. "I will be visiting Agra but unfortunately I will not be able to visit Goa which holds special significance for me," said Furtado speaking of her trip to India … "I grew
up hearing Indian artistes like Lata Mangeshkar.” she said. For full text click here.
For the Nelly Furtado website see http://www.nellyfurtado.com/

Book Review: Reflected in Water By Jerry Pinto
30 Dec: Tehelka. A new anthology of writings on Goa leaves Arshad Said Khan exasperated and enchanted in equal measure. Boasting of writers ranging from William Dalrymple to the 16th century’s John Huyghen Van Linschoten (with several Indians in between), Jerry Pinto’s archival genius shines through this odd anthology of historical essays, autobiography, novel extracts, short fiction, biographical snippets, folk tales, articles on food and feni, and a smattering of poetry. Not to forget a graphic fable and extracts from the Internet. Click here.

Konkani movie shot in the United States
31 Dec: Herald. A thrilling Konkani movie Mogachi Zor (Fountain of Love) shot in the United States, will be released shortly. The producer Socorinha D’Costa, a Goan by origin based in Niagara (USA) has fully supported the venture. She selected Bonifacio Dias as director of the movie, as his credit in the Konkani film making is outstanding states the press release. Click here.



UK: £10,000 Lottery Funding for Saligao Project
3 Jan: York Press (UK). The John Lally International Foundation is set to restore a piece of paradise lost in Goa, after winning a £10,000 lottery grant. The money will fund a feasibility study into plans to clear a rubbish tip situated near Saligao. It will also look into creating new recycling facilities and setting up India's first sustainable community centre … York environmentalist Gordon Campbell-Thomas, who moved to Goa in 2004, is behind the new proposals … 409 words. Click here.
[Gordon was previously featured in GVUK see issues 2002-43 and 2004-9]

Toronto: Chicken curries done six ways
3 Jan: Toronto Star. ... For a culinary tour of India, take a drive along Hurontario St. (Hwy. 10) in Mississauga … The Host (33 City Centre Dr.) serves fare from all over India, including fiery chicken vindaloo from Goa, cardamom- and saffron-scented lamb from Kashmir, and coconut-flavoured shrimp from the southern coast. [The article has a Chicken Vindalho recipe]. Click here.

RECENT ITEMS OF PARTICULAR INTEREST ON GOANET. BY CORNEL DACOSTA


A short piece on Happy New Ideas, Insights and Lofty Flights in 2007, by Pravin Sabnis, asks readers to aspire in the New Year when many might put a damper on new ideas. Sabnis said that " we live in a world full of riches in terms of ideas, but often than not, we fail to see them...we must develop fresh attitudes and approaches in terms of thought, technique and most importantly, temperament. We must unlearn old paradigms and develop new dimensions." Perhaps, this message becomes quite a good New Year resolution for many of us!

A list of 101 Cybergoans worldwide, who are making a major mark in diverse fields across many unexpected parts of the globe, and are thus community-builders creating social capital, has been compiled by the indefatigable Fred Noronha. Interesting too is the subsequent commentary with several proposals for additions to the list. Hopefully, Goan Voice (UK) readers will add to such commentary.

Armando Menezes said that, he "seeks photographs and information on Goan musicians of yesteryear as of today... also, we would like to showcase Goan musicians from all over the country." His post includes excellent web-site photographic details of the performances of outstanding musicians.

Do read an amusing article titled Al-gebra...and Weapons of Mass Destruction. Clearly this is a well-written spoof (from an unknown original source) with many subtle links to recent political events.

Many GV (UK) readers travel directly to and from Dabolim---the airport for Goa. While Dabolim may merely be a transit point, those who may wish to know more about the airport, should find fascinating details on Goanet (from Wikipedia), about many things, including Dabolim's history, structure, uses, international parallels, accident rates, external and internal links, military and navy uses etc. Some of this information is really surprising and confirms the view that there is much more to Dabolim than meets the eye!

Much has appeared on Goanet recently about the need to reject the Goa Regional Plan 2011. However, there may not have been much clarity, to some, on why there is so much agitation against the Plan. Now however, we note Dr Oscar Rebello's (Convenor of Goa Bachao Abhiyan) excellent reasons for rejecting the Plan in his interview with Abdul Rauff Beig. This is reflected in the informative Goanet material "We want the Essence of Goa to be Preserved."

Details of Jerry Pinto's book Reflected in Water, indicate his "archival novel extracts, short fiction, biographical snippets, folk tales, articles on food and feni and a smattering of poetry." Clearly, for those with libraries at home, special shelving for Goan authors is increasingly becoming necessary!

A. Veronica Fernandes from Kuwait provided a very insightful and articulate piece on the harassment that, some vulnerable maids working in Arab households receive within and outside the homes. He focused on the plight of the helpless 19 year old Filipina maid who was "mercilessly sodomised and raped by 15 young men." This is a truly sad story with strong supporting evidence that appeared in the Arab Times. There is a clear warning to the many maids making a beeline to work in the Gulf region from several poor parts of the world.

Finally, it becomes necessary to say that, from the considerable quantity of material available on Goanet every week, one simply has to be quite selective for this column if it is not to become too long and thus quite impracticable. It is worth noting however, that the intended audience is primarily UK based, but with the hope that those further away will also find the material useful. With the recent 'longish' festive season in full swing, and with so many Goan socials to attend, it became possible to meet many people who conveyed their strong enthusiasm for the Goan Voice (UK) and its incredible coverage of news on personalities and events worldwide. The link with Goanet was also strongly supported by many, including Orlando Braganza, Oscar and Judy De Mello (visiting from Toronto), John Coutinho, and Mervyn and Elsie Maciel in London. Sally De Mendonca's wholehearted enthusiasm was particularly warm and infectious ---to strongly encourage the Goan Voice (UK) and Goanet to go on from strength to strength in 2007.

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


UK: TV & RADIO HIGHLIGHTS By Lira Fernandes

Goa’s Sex For Sale Orphanages
Fri. 5 Jan: BBC Radio: World Service: 9.05-9.30am GMT (repeated 12:05 and 20:05 on 5 Jan; 00:05 on 6 Jan.). Child sex tourism is on the rise in India, but the authorities are in denial about the problem. Allan Urry travels to the Indian state of Goa to investigate the state-run orphanages where boys as young as 10 are made available to foreign tourists for sex. Allan says: "Once a hippy heaven,
Goa is now a paedophile paradise where, even if child sex abusers are caught, they can buy their way out of trouble." Listen live online – for the link click here.

Documentary: Britain's Streets of Crime: Channel: UKTV People
Sat. 6 Jan: 21:00 to 22:00. An Asian man and his white partner who've struggled for 11 years to have something done about the 2,000 racist incidents they have suffered.

Documentary: Arthur's Trip to India: Channel: five
Sun 7 Jan. 12:05 to 12:35. Arthur, the teenage son of 'Blue Peter' presenter Peter Duncan, and his family tour India.

Film: East Is East. Channel 4
Sun 7 Jan. 22:00 to 23:50. Om Puri as George Khan, a Pakistani immigrant who, with his wife Ella, is trying to run his fish and chip shop while coping with their seven children. Despite his increasingly desperate attempts to raise them to honour traditional values, all they want to do is embrace the best that the West has to offer.

Documentary: Asian Network Report. BBC Radio Asian Network
Mon 8 Jan. 18:30 to 19:00. Just how common are tour-guide romances? Shankha Guha travels to Goa and Kerala to meet some of the tour-guide brides and their families.

Film: Autobiography of a Princess: FilmFour
Thu 11 Jan. James Mason and Madhur Jaffrey star in drama set in London, in which the exiled daughter of a maharajah and her father's former English secretary watch ancient home movies and swap barbed reminiscences about India under the Raj

Film: Kim: Channel 4
Thu 11 Jan, 13:20 to 15:30. Rudyard Kipling's classic action adventure set in India under the Raj. 1950


 

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