COMMUNITY NEWS

Feeling sorry for Indian hockey? Start rooting for Canada at Beijing
14 Mar: Indian Express. Players of Indian-origin make half the Canadian Olympic hockey team, say India lacks game infrastructure … Wayne Fernandes and Ken Pereira trace their roots to Goa. The support staff too has a heavy Indian presence — coach Louis Mendonca is from Goa … 686 words. Click here.

Rinaldo Veri, Rear Admiral in the Italian Navy visits Bombay
28 Mar: Express India. Rear Admiral and Commander of the Italian Frontline Maritime Forces, Rinaldo Veri’s mother was a Pinto from Goa, he says and she taught at St Anne’s School, Bombay. His father had emigrated from Italy to Bombay to set up a barber shop … He was born in Bombay in 1952 and attended Campion School there … As a Rear Admiral he has 22 ships under his command … 443 words. Click here.
Rinaldo Veri’s mother was Leena Pinto (ex-Margao). For a brief profile of him click here.

Fresh lead in Corryn Rayney murder
28 Mar: The West Australian. Police have revealed that a handkerchief found at the murder scene in Kings Park – monogrammed with the words “Stanley Adams” – could lead them to Ms Rayney’s killer. They believe the monogram could refer to the handkerchief’s owner or a brand name, and have appealed to the public for any information regarding the name … Det-Sgt Robinson today confirmed that Mr Rayney was still a suspect and would remain so until he can be ruled out of the investigation. He said police were still very keen to interview Mr Rayney’s children, but had not been allowed access by Mr Rayney, who was only communicating to police through his lawyer. He added that the police were still confident of finding the murderer. Photos and text, 342 words. Click here.
For the video clip, 1m. 41s. click here.
Corryn Rayney, nee D’Silva was born in Uganda and of Goan descent. The family moved to Perth in 1973. For the background to the case click here.

The New Rich: Tony Fernandes
28 Mar: Wall Street Journal. Tony Fernandes has to pinch himself whenever he thinks about his multimillionaire status. "It's a bit surreal," says the 43-year-old founder of AirAsia, the region's largest budget airline. He was born into a middle-class family in Malaysia. His father was a doctor; his mother, a former music teacher, started the country's first Tupperware franchise … Mr. Fernandes says he doesn't know exactly what he's worth, but his 48% stake in AirAsia is valued at about $170 million at the current stock price … he frequently flies his family to London to visit relatives … Photo and text, 493 words. Click here.

Ambaji Shinde: The Spice Gallery
28 Mar: India Today. In his 40 years with Harry Winston, the late Ambaji Shinde designed over 100,000 fabulous pieces for the American jeweller. Born in Goa, Shinde’s luminous designs have lit up scabbards, necklaces and bracelets for the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, the Sultan of Brunei, the Shah of Iran and Queen Elizabeth. Now some of his creations are set to embark on a world tour later this year … 259 words. Click here.
For the Shinde obituary which appeared in the Guardian (UK) click here.
For a link to a book about his work, click here.

J Da Costa: The Singer-Songwriter Talks Music
28 Mar: Eastern Eye (UK). When you meet J da Costa, you would be forgiven for being distracted by her beauty. But behind that pretty face and knockout figure is a hugely talented singer with a bright future. The London-based singer has worked on a wide range of projects … Click here.
To watch the J da Costa PitStop video click here (select PitStop from the second column) Click here.

Nadia Chaney: Indo-Canadian making a difference in British Columbia
29 Mar: Vancouver Sun. Nadia Chaney is a noted hip-hop artist, poet rapper and emcee. Her Muslim father was born in Pune, India, and her Catholic mother in Goa, India. Blending eclectic forms of spirituality into hip hop, Chaney performs in all sorts of venues and, with the group Metaphor, has taught hip hop in more than 100 B.C. schools and youth detention centres. She is also a public intellectual, engaging in scholarly discussions around the province, including with Simon Fraser University's Wosk Centre for Dialogue.
Nadia’s mother, Venetia nee D'Souza of Cumberland, Ontario, traces her Goan roots to Saligao. For a profile of Nadia Chaney with video, MP3, blog links and more click here.
For a link to her band, BPM click here

Mombasa: Goa Saga
29 Mar: The East African Standard. The Little Theatre Club, Mombasa has seen a revival … a recent production has been Goa Saga, in commemoration of the 75 years of the Goan community. The play, which Kuldip Sondhi, a hotelier labelled the 'greatest of all-Goa' expressed the huge contribution the community had made in the society, yet they were hardly noticed. "This time round, we had an international audience and the response was overwhelming," says Joel Godiah … Click here.

Keeping Alive Murumbi's Legacy of African Art
29 Mar: The Nation (Kenya). The graves, grim with grime and moss, are the picture of neglect. Broken headstones litter the desolate graveyard at Nairobi's City Park. Midway along the aisle lies freedom fighter Pio Gama Pinto in the same grave with his father. Outside the cemetery fence is the grave of Kenya's second Vice-President, Mr Joseph Antony Zuzarte Murumbi. Mr Murumbi had expressed the wish to be buried near his political mentor and best friend … Three years ago thieves plundered the brass plaques and marble headstones as they attempted to dig up the graves for treasure. Mr Alan Donovan, Mr Murumbi's partner in setting up the African Heritage - arguably the largest pan-African art gallery, says wistfully: "Nothing that he ever wanted worked out." … the Murumbi gallery hosts one of the largest collections of African art and artefacts … Additionally, the Kenya National Archives is digitising over 6,000 books - many published before 1900 - that Mr Murumbi collected. 1737 words. For text select the link below.
Murumbi was the son of a Goan trader and Maasai woman. Click here.

Three Goan expats honoured in India
30 Mar: Gulf Daily News (Bahrain). Three Bahrain-based Goans were honoured in India yesterday for their service to the community. Young Goans Club (YGC) president Francis Correia, Migrant Workers Protection Society (MWPS) vice-chairman Alfredo D'Souza and Bahrain Goans Football League chairman G R Crasto, each received Community Leadership Service awards in recognition of their work that benefited Goans in Bahrain. 391 words. Click here.

Leander Paes turns superhero
31 Mar: BBC. The Indian tennis star Leander Paes is to be portrayed as a superhero in a new series of TV cartoons promoting active lifestyles for children. Mr Paes will appear as a miracle-man who helps schoolchildren in a 26-part series called The Magic Racquet. Click here.
Leander Paes (born 1973) was born in Goa. His mother, Jennifer, was a renowned basketball player and his father, Vece, [ex-Arusha, Tanzania], a hockey player. Both his parents represented India in the 1972 Munich Olympics. The Leander Paes Wikipedia entry is at click here.

Goa Conference on the Indian expatriates in Gulf countries
1 Apr: Arab Times (Kuwait). A conference on the Indian expatriates in Gulf countries was held in Goa recently … Many NRIS were honoured at the event in recognition of their community related services … Eduardo Faleiro the Commissioner for NRI made an impassioned plea to bring down the cultural troupe Ekvat from Lisbon to perform in Indian cities. He also requested to have a chair of Hindi and Indian culture in the Institute of Oriental Studies in Lisbon. 312 words. Click here.

Diane Nalini performs in Toronto 10 Apr.
10 Apr. 8.30 pm. Hugh's Room, 2261 Dundas Street West, Toronto. $18 advance; $20 door; students $15. A fun evening of jazz, original music, roots and all the spaces in between. Click here.
Diane Nalini has been singing jazz since the age of three. Born in Montreal to Belgian and Goan parents, the singer/songwriter's multilingual repertoire draws from her lifelong passion for jazz, French Chanson, Brazilian popular song, and great literature. For the Nalini website with photos, audio and video click here.

DEATHS

HOLIDAY INFORMATION

PRIZE COMPETITION:

Win a Holiday for 2
2 Apr: Intrepid Travel. Click here.

RUSSIAN PRESENCE IN GOA:

Russian Consulate expresses concern over Goa security
29 Mar. PTI. The Russian Consulate in Mumbai has expressed concern over the security situation in Goa that may endanger the safety and health of foreign nationals in the state … the Consulate has registered a rapid increase in the number of complaints from Russian nationals regarding "unlawful actions" against them in the state … Russian tourists, in the recent past, had been ill-treated by Goan policemen, hotels and guest house owners as well as the locals … 126 words. Click here.

Video: A Russian Revolution in Goa.
31 Mar: NDTV. Here is another cold war that is brewing. A north Goan town that has been taken over by Russians and has left the local population feeling rather insecure. Areas where over half the population are Russian and there are posters and statues of Lenin everywhere. It is a town with an identity crisis. Aires Rodrigues says, “The Russians and the Russian mafia have taken deep roots in Goa …” 2m. 24s. Click here.

Russians in Goa
31 Mar: Navhind Times. The Goa government, together with the central government, must fully and honestly address the concerns expressed by the Russian Consul-General over what he describes as “unlawful actions” against Russian nationals… However there are illegitimate activities carried out by some of the Russians in Morjim and other parts of Goa … 644 words. Click here.

Goa safe for foreigners, but will not tolerate crimes: CM
31 Mar: UNI (United News of India). Chief Minister Digambar Kamat has reiterated that Goa is a ''safe destination'' for tourists, including foreigners, but the government would not hesitate to deal with all criminal activities with an iron hand. Mr Kamat said this when Consul General of Russia called on him regarding the "insecurity" being faced by the Russians in Goa … The Russians expressed concern that the authorities were focusing their attention more on them than on other foreign nationals … 331 words. Click here.

Russian tourists will be given full protection: CM
1 Apr: Navhind Times. The Chief Minister assured the Russian Consul General that the state government would give full protection to the Russian tourists visiting Goa. The Consul informed that would like a report about a sexual assault against a lady in Jan and the viscera report of a death last Dec. 349 words. Click here.

GOA NEWS HEADLINES

Trend Toward Anonymous Donations Reported in Goa Church
26 Mar: UCAN. More Catholics in Goa now prefer to donate to the Church anonymously, clergy in Goa claim … People, mostly middle-class, donate hundreds of thousands of rupees to the Church but "do not want others to know" about it … The more enlightened Catholics are, the more they prefer to be anonymous … 528 words. Click here.

Goans See Virtues in Deceased Alcoholic Priest
28 Mar: UCAN. Church leaders and laypeople in Goa have mourned the death of an alcoholic priest who they say led an exemplary life. More than 5,000 people attended the funeral of Father Antonio B. Esteves, which Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao led on March 19 … Father Esteves died at the Archbishop's House in Panaji from complications of alcoholism. … Father Esteves fought his alcoholic addiction with prayers - he was busy praying when he was not drinking … Archbishop Ferrao's secretary, Father Joaquim L. Pereira said that Father Esteves was "a disciplined alcoholic" who drank only at noon and 8 p.m. 388 words. Click here.

You may have to shell out more for your dream house in Goa
28 Mar: Economic Times. Your dream to own a beach-side home in Goa has just become costlier. In the budget for 2008-09, the state government has increased stamp duty on property from the average 2% to 2-5% depending on the value of the property. “Everyone wants to own a piece of land in Goa, so let them pay more,” said state finance minister Dayanand Narvekar defending his decision. 423 words. Click here.

Rahejas challenge Goa govt’s order to scrap SEZ
28 Mar: Economic Times. Real estate major K Raheja has challenged the Goa government’s decision to scrap the approved SEZ before the Bombay High Court. “We have invested a lot of money on the project,” said a senior company official soon after filing the petition before the High Court. 222 words. Click here.

Video: After days of bad press, Goa back in a festive mood
30 Mar: CNN-IBN. After many days of bad press, Goa was back in a festive mood with the famous Shigmo festival, which depicts the state's folk culture. The festival is also popularly known as the Carnival. 1m.03s. Click here.

Goa: Projected male-female ratio in state alarming
31 Mar: Navhind Times. The projected figures till 2026 released by the directorate of census operations show an alarming dip in the number of females vis-Ã -vis males. In 2008, the projected number of males vis-Ã -vis females are 8,32,000 (52 per cent) to 7,63,000 (48 per cent), while in 2016 the projected numbers are 10,63,000 (53.76 per cent) to 9,14,000 (46.24) and in 2026, it will be 13,17,000 (57 per cent) to 9,58,000 (43 per cent) … According to the census 2001, Muslims form 6.8 per cent of the population, while Christians make up 26.7 per cent. Hindus (65.8 per cent) … 368 words. Click here.

Goa's Feni May Get Geographical Indication Status
31 Mar: NewsPostIndia. The Goa government and feni manufacturers are intensifying their efforts to get geographical indication (GI) status for the liquor brewed locally from cashew apple and coconut tree sap. Dwijen Rangnekar, University of Warwick's assistant law professor announced plans for a meeting on feni and geographical indications, to be held in early April … High-grade feni is 42 percent alcohol by volume … There are an estimated 4,000 traditional mini-distilleries or stills in Goa that make cashew feni and about 2,200 making coconut feni. 463 words. Click here.

Panaji City Corp. under fire over garbage
1 Apr: Herald. The Corporation of the City of Panjim (CCP) came under heavy fire from the High Court over sanitation and garbage litter in the city. The Court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Rajan Parrikar who appeared in person told the Court that though the city is in dire need of sanitation facilities, CCP has remained indifferent. There is defecation in public places, garbage dumped into River Mandovi and encroachments everywhere, but no action has been forthcoming because Corporators are hand-in-glove with law breakers, he alleged … 253 words. Click here.

Threat of housing projects looms large on Goans
1 Apr: Herald. Goans are slowly rising up to oppose housing projects that attract the migrant population … There has been opposition to the Carmona, Colva, Sancoale and Siridao and other housing projects … Blaming Goans for the mess, a prominent Vasco-based builder claimed that Goans sell their land directly to outsiders … 437 words. Click here.

Sun, sand and sex
1 Apr: NDTV. By Revati Laul. …Hey Goans, xenophobes! Lend me your ears... if you want Goa to seem like the rest of the country...then it IS!!! The land of the brave and free also has its fault lines. Like the rest of the country. If women are a lot less safe in Goa, well they're even less safe across India. And so on a comparative scale...even in the filth and the hills being mercilessly torn down to feed both the land mafia, and greedy locals and their political bosses on either side... 1375 words. Click here.

Video/Audio: Manohar Parrikar interviewed
2 Apr: From Dr Anand Virgincar, Oxford, UK via GoaNet. Check out the conversation between Dr Rajan Parrikar and Manohar Parrikar, Leader of Goa’s Opposition Party recorded on 21 Mar. 2008: For the best video quality, please click on the drop-down menu (the little triangle) in the bottom right corner of the Google Video screen and select the "original size" or "actual size" option. Part 1/2 (54 minutes).
Part 2/2 (1 hour 13 minutes).
There are also audio-only files of the 2 parts for the benefit of those who have a slower internet connection. They are in Real Audio format and will play on most media players.
Part 1
Part 2

Clean up Goa
2 Apr (Qatar): Gulf Times. Four decades after catapulting to the world’s tourism map for its palm-fringed beaches, whitewashed churches, brown-tiled, low-slung homes, clean villages and easy availability of drugs, Goa is now getting all the attention for all the wrong reasons. Click here.

Editorial: Methods of policing
3 Apr: Herald. Police in the UK have charged three youths with the murder of Gregory Fernandes who was killed on 20 October 2007 … the British police say it involved 459 separate lines of enquiry that entailed collection of over 750 exhibits and interviews with 438 witnesses — the police case in the matter now comprises 1,327 documents. … the police in the UK had sent a police officer to accompany the body to Goa … The systematic manner in which the British police have gone about the case should be an object lesson for the Goa police, who have been found severely wanting in their handling of the Scarlett Keeling case … This is not the first time the police force in Goa has faced humiliation … 619 words. Click here.

Goa government headed for another crisis
3 Apr: PTI. The nine-month old Digamber Kamat-led Congress government in Goa may be heading for another 'testing time' with 'everything not well' within the coalition … two ministers have locked horns on developmental issues, influential United Goans Democratic Party legislator Atanasio Monserratte is lobbying hard for a ministerial berth and Congress legislator Pandurang Madkaikar, sacked from the Cabinet, has decided to approach Congress president Sonia Gandhi with the demand to reinstate his ministerial position. 318 words. Click here.

Goa village blocks mega housing project
3 Apr: Deccan Herald. By Devika Sequeira. Real estate major Rahejas move to gain a foothold in Goa’s emerging properties market has run into a storm in a laid-back South Goa village. The realty giant’s plans to implant a glitzy mega housing project with 93 pools in the heart of the Carmona village have been blocked after violent clashes in the local village panchayat over the weekend … Writer-researcher Savia Viegas argues that a project of this scale would transform a largely pastoral village into an “urban Eldorado for the rich”. 249 words. Click here.

IN THE NEWS

Video + Text: Goons attack and molest two nuns in Mumbai outskirts
20 Mar: CNN-IBN. Last Saturday, over 100 followers of a Hindu Godman allegedly attacked two nuns in the seaside town of Alibag, just outside Mumbai … Sr Mercy was one of the two nuns assaulted and sexually molested by the group. They accused the nuns of converting Hindu tribals of the area to Christianity … Locals say the nuns, who also run the popular school, have been involved with social work among the tribals for the last 13 years and are being unfairly targeted … 517 words. 1m.43s Click here.

Goa: Stephen Bennett Murder case reopened
27 Mar: NDTV. Inspired by Fiona Mackeown's fight for justice, the family of another slain British backpacker Stephen Bennett has got Goa Police to reopen the case … Ever since the Scarlett Keeling case broke, Amanda (Stephen’s sister) has been writing to Fiona Mackeown from the UK every single day offering support as well as drawing hope from her … But the big question is, are the forces behind Stephen's Bennett's murder too powerful for the truth to ever be told? 300 words. Click here.

Donna Wilder delivers toy joy to Goa
28 Mar: Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph (UK). Childminder Donna Wilder, of Rushden, recently visited Goa for two weeks. Together with her husband and sister she handed over the gifts to the Children Walking Tall orphanage, many donated by people from the Rushden area … Mrs Wilder will be making her next trip on Sat. Nov. 22, with her husband and her sister. She is appealing for anyone with toys and clothes to donate for her trip to call her. Mobile phones and football clothing are particularly popular with the children in Goa. If you have anything to donate call Mrs Wilder on 07737267714. For full text, 352 words and photograph click here.
For the Children Walking Tall website click here.

Sleeping style, not murder, killed Avy Fernandes
28 Mar: My News In. On Dec 27, 2007, Avy Fernandes (22) of and friends went on a holiday to Goa. On Jan 2 they went to Gokarn beach with two women friends from Kazakhstan. On Jan. 8, they partied till early hours, returned to their hotels and smoked grass. Avy had beer and cake and slept around 9.30 am. When his friends tried to wake him up in the evening, they found him dead … Was he murdered or over-drugged? The Forensic Science Laboratory says he died due to a rare case of positional asphyxia – a form of asphyxia that occurs when the body position prevents adequate breathing. His father says, “My son cannot die this way. There’s something fishy and the reports are manipulated.” … Photos and text, 280 words. Click here.

Asian students doing better at schools than whites: study
28 Mar: PTI. Asian students in Britain are making far better progress at secondary schools than their white peers, a study has found. 289 words. Click here.

A suitable skin
28 Mar: The Guardian (UK). By Noorjehan Barmania. Depressingly, in Asian culture as in all others, it seems that the lighter the skin tone, the more valuable your social currency … Even today, the UK portal of the Asian marriage website Shaadi.com, has a category devoted entirely to complexion, further classified into six shades. 386 words...Click here

Expats in Dubai to get facilitation centre
29 Mar: NDTV. The Government will soon establish a facilitation centre in the Indian Mission in Dubai which will provide legal, medical and financial counselling services to the Indian expatriates in the Gulf. This was announced at a conference of Indian expatriates in the Gulf countries, organised by the Office of the Commission for NRI Affairs Goa. Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, Commissioner for NRI Affairs Eduardo Faleiro and Chief Secretary J P Singh were among those present on the occasion. 236 words. Click here.

Violinist busking his guts for a good cause
30 Mar: Richmond And Twickenham Times (London, UK). Violinist David Juritz, leader of the London Mozart Players says that Bedford Park Festival is already already supporting the Tender Talents Magnet School in Kampala, Uganda, and this year they plan to launch a music project in Goa …

John Spence of the Royal Goan Beach Club chain
30 Mar: Sunday Times Magazine (Perth, Aus). John Spence may well be Western Australia’s king of fun. He owns tropical resorts around the world, a couple of Ferraris and the Perth Glory soccer team … Since opening his first resort in Goa, India, in 1993, he has built a private company which he says turns over $US75 million a year and is valued at about between $US100million to $US150 million … He says, "We started off in Goa with a small resort and I spent two years living in India being very much hands on. Our big thing was that we were selling property to non resident Indians. It was a huge market. We opened up offices and in the space of three years had over 70 offices in places such as Abu Dhabi, Amman and South Africa. Everywhere there were Indians we opened up and started selling." … 2735 words. Click here.

Western groups recoil at India's culture of late payment
30 Mar: The Independent (UK). … As more Western consultants, designers and contractors are lured to India by the scope of work available, many are discovering a big hitch: late payment is so common as to be almost routine … Click here.

Expats angry as direct flights from UAE to Goa stopped
1 Apr: Gulf News (Dubai). Indian airlines have stopped the two weekly direct flights to Goa from UAE. Last December, Air India stopped the once weekly Kuwait-Dubai-Goa flight. More than 50,000 Goans live in the UAE … Click here.

Direct UAE-Goa flights are stopped indefinitely
2 Apr: Gulf News (Dubai) …With no direct flights to their state, Goans in the UAE said that they are annoyed with the decision and feel that they are being given bad treatment by their national airlines. More than 50,000 Goans live in the UAE … "One of the reasons for stopping direct flights is because of the seat factor, which was not healthy" …398 words. Click here

1 in 6 Canadians is a visible minority
2 Apr: CBC (Canada). One out of every six Canadians belongs to a visible minority group, thanks largely to the country's growing South Asian population, the latest census figures show. Statistics Canada, which released its 2006 numbers on visible minorities on Wednesday, said the number of people considered visible minorities topped five million (5,068,100) for the first time in census history. They made up 16.2 per cent of the total Canadian population … 781 words + comments.. Click here

SCARLETT KEELING MURDER

Scarlett murder sparks debate in Britain
26 Mar: NDTV Fiona McEwan has evoked strong reactions in India and in the UK, some even called her a reckless mother while others admired her for taking on the Goa Police … "What people always thought about India was that it's a fair democracy and there is a rule of law here. Now this story comes about and it plainly shows that there's a rotten apple in Goa and there are lots of them," said Randeep Ramesh, journalist, Guardian … 388 words. Click here.

Scarlett's body brought to Mumbai from Goa
27 Mar: PTI. Slain British teenage girl Scarlett Eden Keeling's body was brought to Mumbai … The body will be taken to the UK by early next week where her mother Fiona Mackeown plans to conduct a third forensic examination. Meanwhile, her lawyer Vikram Varma alleged the Goa-based undertaker, who has been appointed to take the body to London, is not attending to Fiona's calls … The undertaker Elroy Noronha, appointed on recommendation of the British Deputy High Commission, declined to reveal the location where he will be keeping the body for the next three to four days though reports said it has been taken to suburban Bandra's Bhabha Hospital.
5 Mar: Sky News: … Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson has offered to fly home the body. Click here.

Indian Women’s Group to investigate Scarlett murder
28 Mar: BBC. The body of murdered British teenager Scarlett Keeling will be flown back to the UK on Monday … Scarlett's mother, will be on the same flight from Mumbai to Heathrow … A member of the Indian National Commission for Women will investigate Scarlett's death, it has also emerged. It could file a case if it believes the Goa Government has "faltered" in its investigation of Scarlett's death … Once Scarlett's body is back in the UK, Ms MacKeown wants to arrange her own forensic examination of the body … Ms MacKeown said once her daughter was buried she wants to return to Goa … 422 words. Click here.

Goa Govt flayed over drug ‘trafficking’
28 Mar: Herald. In wake of the Scarlet Keeling rape and murder episode and the subsequent disclosure of drug mafia operations on coastal belt, the government came in for a heavy criticism from the Opposition as well as its own MLAs over the law and order situation particularly drug trafficking. 366 words. Click here.

Post-Scarlett case, business takes backseat in Anjuna
29 Mar: Zee News. Over a month after Scarlett Keeling died in Anjuna, tourism has taken a back seat in this beach village that has now gained notoriety as Goa’s `drug capital` … "Scarlett’s case was an eye opener for us (Goa Police). Everybody realised that our goodness is misused and we get the brickbats," Bosco George, Supdt. of Police said. 493 words. Click here.

Did Fiona MacKeown manipulate the Press?
29 Mar: OhmyNews. By Evaristo Johny Coutinho. It's not difficult to understand why support for Fiona MacKeown, the mother of the British teenager murdered comes mainly from people who haven't met her or personally watched her and her lawyer team in action … The initial cover-up by the Anjuna police, in seeming collaboration with the coroner, has disgraced the department and the state … If it is to recover its image, justice must not only be done but seen to be done well. There should be no compromise on that. 1260 words. Click here.

Julio Lobo: “Fiona MacKeown consented to my relationship with Scarlett”
29 Mar: Asian Age. By Pamela D’Mello. Julio Lobo, the 25-year-old Goan who is charged with having sexual relations with the minor girl claims that Scarlett told him she was 19 and confessed to having had relations with other friends, in the UK. He claims that when he visited the family, Fiona had booked separate accommodation for him and Scarlett indicating the mother’s knowledge and consent to the relationship … 262 words. Click here.

Scarlett case: Eye witness alleges Goa police harassment
29 Mar: Times of India. British national Michael Mannion, a crucial eye witness in teenaged girl Scarlett rape and murder case, has alleged police harassment in Goa. The Police are not allowing him to leave the country. “My father back home is sick and my presence is needed there," Mannion, 35, popularly known as Mike Masala said. However, Superintendent of Police (north) Bosco George says, "We feel that he has not disclosed the complete truth." 288 words. Click here.

Scarlett’s Murder: Goa Police Slammed
30 Mar. CNN-IBN. 18:36 IST. The National Commission for Women (NCW) has accused the Goa police of completely misleading everyone with their findings into Scarlett Keeling’s murder … up to five people were involved in the rape and murder … the police are accused of destroying evidence and trying to hush up the case … the police demolished Lui shack … NCW will brief Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi on the police attitude in this case … 317 words. Click here.

Lui’s shack vanishes
30 Mar: Lui’s shack in Anjuna beach where Scarlett Keeling spent her final hours has gone missing. The Inspector General of Police, Kishan Kumar says he was not aware that the shack had been demolished … Vital evidence has been lost … 380 words. Click here.

A first-hand account of abuse at the hands of Goan police
30 Mar: MeriNews. By Armstrong Vaz. The murder of Scarlet Keeling in Goa’s Anjuna’s beach has once again exposed Goa police’s corrupt practices … hundreds of news stories are being published of stories of abuse at the hands of police and foreigners vowing, not to return to India … 1068 words. Click here.

Video: Call For Scotland Yard To Help In Scarlett Probe
30 Mar: Sky News. Lawyers for the family of teenager Scarlett Keeling, who was murdered in Goa last month, are calling for Scotland Yard to help investigate her death … 3m.17s. Click here

Fiona: I want Yard to probe my daughter’s Goa horror
31 Mar: Daily Star (UK). Scotland Yard was yesterday called on to investigate the death of murdered Brit teen Scarlett Keeling … Her mum Fiona MacKeown, 43, forced Indian authorities to investigate after noticing scratches on her daughter’s body during identification … Click here.

“The Ganga Coast” 1995 and Scarlett Keeling 2008
31 Mar: GoaNet. From Silvano Barbosa via GoaNet. The news item of Scarlett Keeling's death sent a deep chill down my spine, especially when I recollected reading a novel about the hippies in Anjuna in "The Ganja Coast" by Paul Mann which was published in 1995.… The novel has a character called Dr. Silvano Dias Sapeco. So when I learnt that Prof. Dr. Silvano Dias Sapeco was suspended recently, I couldn't help but wonder what was going on … In this novel "The Ganja Coast" there was a dead body of a Hippie child found floating off Anjuna too. How coincidental? For full text and links to some book reviews select the link below. Click here.

"Link to a Playboy VIP"

Click to enlarge

31 Mar: Daily Mail (UK) … Police boast of forcing Western women into sex … The drugs Mafia here goes right to the very top … There has been a new terrifying scam. A woman is lying on the beach is sold a large bag of hashish at a ridiculously low price … later when she starts to head back to her hotel she is intercepted by a group of uniformed narcotics officers acting in collusion who search her, find the hashish and extort bribes and/or sexual favours… One tantalising theory talks of a 'VIP link' to the murder … It is rumoured that Placido Carvalho withdrew 1.1 million rupees (£14,000) from a bank after the murder to give as a backhander to the police to cover up what had happened … 2524 words + discussion. Click here.

Video + text: Scarlett case: Goa cops won't let go of prime witness
1 Apr: CNN-IBN. … Prime witness in the case, Mike Mannion or Masala Mike, is being held back by the police in Goa. Mike is now struggling to go home. But police are not done yet. They say the lookout notice will be lifted only after he comes forward with the entire truth. 1m.15s. Click here.

Were on right track: Goa cops
2 Apr: Deccan Herald. By Devika Sequeira. The National Commission for Women’s conclusions that the probe in the Scarlett Keeling case is misleading is unlikely to change the course of the investigations and the Goa police are confident they are on the right track … Much of this case centres on circumstantial evidence and two witnesses … Murli Sagar of Bangalore worked at a neighbouring shack, Curly’s and was in Lui’s Bar till 4:15 a.m. on night. Briton Mike Mannion told the police he saw Scarlett using cocaine … 399 words. Click here.

Scarlett's British post mortem
2 Apr: The Sun (UK). A second post mortem will be carried out on Goa murder teenager Scarlett Keeling today. The 15-year-old’s body arrived at a Devon hospital yesterday … Once tests have been carried out it is thought Fiona, 43, will bury Scarlett on the grounds of their home near Bideford, Devon. Click here.

Top police to probe Scarlett case
2 Apr: BBC. Police investigating the murder of Scarlett Keeling in Goa have asked for the case to be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation, India's top federal detective agency … A third post-mortem on the teenager's body, which was flown back to the UK on Monday, is due to take place in Devon … Devon and Cornwall Police have said they are not opening a criminal investigation into Scarlett's death. The post-mortem examination is being held on behalf of the coroner to establish the cause of death. Fiona MacKeown has said she wants to bury Scarlett on her land near Bideford, North Devon. She has also said she wants to arrange more forensic tests as she is unhappy with the Indian investigation …Click here.

Congress disapproves attempts at tarring image of Fiona Mackeown
2 Apr: PTI. The Congress Party today disapproved of the attempts made to tar the image of the mother of murdered British teenager Scarlett Keeling, Fiona Mackeown, saying it was as unfortunate as the killing..Click here

Video: Mother's Reaction to New Inquiry
2 Apr: Sky News. The investigation into the murder of Scarlett Keeling is to be taken over by India's CBI. Her mother Fiona MacKeown gave her reaction to the news … 4m. 0s. Click here

Fiona MacKeown: 'I will not rest until I have truth'
2 Apr: The Sun (UK). … Speaking at a press conference, Fiona MacKeown said she hopes the Goan police are prosecuted for their role in the investigation of the death of her daughter … She said the Goan police system was corrupt and she felt officials had treated the murder as less important than sustaining tourism … Speaking about the arrangements for her daughter's funeral, Mrs MacKeown said it would not be a religious ceremony. She said she had found a piece of Scarlett's school work which she had written about death and might read it out at the funeral …305 words. Click here

Scarlett Keeling's mother wants police sued
3 Apr: Daily Telegraph (UK). Fiona MacKeown has said she wanted the police in India prosecuted for trying to cover up her daughter's murder. She said, "I hope the India police are prosecuted for lying from the beginning. The police system is so corrupt when the press pressure dies down they will start messing about with the forensic results." … She has alleged that police officials covered up evidence on her daughter's death to protect the tourism trade and drug dealers.. 305 words. Click here

Scarlett Keeling's final wish
3 Apr: Mirror (UK). Murdered British teenager Scarlett Keeling unwittingly left instructions for her own funeral in a school essay, her mum revealed yesterday. Fiona MacKeown said: "She wrote that when she died she wanted a party for people to celebrate her life and not her death. She could not have known it would come so soon. I want to read it out at her funeral as I think it says it all." Click here.

GOANET HIGHLIGHTS BY CORNEL DACOSTA

Casmiro Monteiro

There has been much about Ajente Monteiro (full name Casmiro Emerito Teles Jordao Monteiro) including a photograph in Goanet about this person with a fearsome reputation prior to 1961 as a member of PIDE (the Portuguese Secret Service) in Goa and a tormentor of Goan nationalists and freedom fighters. This theme has come up on Goanet at the behest of John Monteiro, a UK resident, who knows that Ajente Monteiro was his father but about whom he knows very very little. Opinions have differed on Goanet about the wisdom of opening up memories of Ajente Monteiro. However, were I John Monteiro, I doubt I could rest until I discovered as much as possible about the father who was secretive and notorious in the annals of Goan history. Hopefully, GV(UK) readers will try and help a Goan UK national at j.monteiro@btopenworld.com in his sincere quest for information about his father.

Goanet has been provided a fascinating description by Eugene Correia of the Goan character, and on Being a Goan, from the writings of the late Prof Frank D'Souza. Here are some brief quotes from that source: "The Goan is suspended in two worlds, and this is the melancholy burden of his existence. Socially at home anywhere, spiritually, he belongs nowhere." "In the last analysis, the Goan character defies all analysis. It is a subtle essence, the quintessential product of centuries of a distinctive culture." I have no date for this material generated in Bombay but perhaps Goan Voice (UK) readers may reflect on the brief views expressed above and seek the substantial essays written by Prof Frank D'Souza.

"Goa for Sale" an article in Goanet and originally published in the Herald Mirror in Bangalore ( navendu.shirali@gmail.com) presents a revealing but rather shocking account about how land and all kinds of residential property is advertised for sale in Goa. The account is about the Goa Property Show organised in Delhi, March 15-16, 2008 by Magicbricks.com a company belonging to India's largest newspaper, The Times of India. Substantial greed seems to drive this market to the complete disregard of planning and ecological needs of Goa. This article is truly a "must read" for any Goan who, however minimally, cares for Goa.

"A first hand account of abuse at the hands of Goan Police" is an article supplied by Armstrong Vaz. It can be found at www.merinews.co/ The author, an American based jurist describes his awful experience when he refused to bribe a Goan policeman. This is a very strong indictment of the police in Goa with recommendations that potential tourists should give Goa a wide berth. With an increase in such negative publicity, one has to seriously wonder about the sustainability of tourism in Goa.

Finally, an interesting discussion has emerged on Goanet about the issue of Goan identity. This theme seems to have surfaced when at least one Goanetter strongly stressed the need to "protect and enhance" Goan identity in Goa and the Goan Diaspora. This has led to the question as to what exactly is the Goan identity? There seem to be no easy answer to this question. Moreover, further questions have been raised about the motivation to highlight Goan identity at a time when this topic hardly interests many Goans and especially, younger members of the community. For at least one critical view of the very notion of the Goan identity or Culture, do read an informative article by Antonio Menezes. Hopefully, too GV(UK) readers will engage in this discussion on Goanet.

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

COMEDY: Balls of Steel. Channel 4
Fri 4th Apr. 23:05 to 23:50. This week the Militant Black Guy accuses more innocent white folk of racism.

TRAVEL: Globe Trekker. Travel Channel
Sat 5th Apr: 01:00 to 02:00. Tanzania and Zanzibar. Ian Wright in Zanzibar; in Arusha, he prepares for a safari to the Ngorongoro Crater and finishes his journey by climbing to Mount Kilimanjaro.

DOCUMENTARY: Immigration: The Inconvenient Truth. Channel 4 (Also online)
Mon. 7th Apr. 20:00 to 21:00. Rageh Omaar investigates how immigration has affected Britain in a landmark three-part current affairs series. Using Enoch Powell's explosive "Rivers of Blood" speech as a starting point, Rageh explores whether the apocalyptic visions of 40 years ago have any basis in today's reality. (Part 1 of 3)

DRAMA: New Tricks. BBC 1
Mon: 7th Apr. 21:00 to 22:00. Police take to the streets of Southall to try and track down the attacker of a young Asian woman, left lying in a coma after a vicious beating. Young Asian officer Pushkar Guha is drafted in to help out.

FILM: Krrish. Channel 4
Thu 10th Apr. 01:00 to 04:00. A sequel to Koi...Mil Gaya, Krrish, starring Hrithik Roshan, continues the story of Rohit Mehra, a young man who has inherited supernatural powers thanks to his father's encounter with an alien.

TRAVEL: Earthwalkers. Travel Channel
Thu 10th Apr: 07:30 to 08:00. Bangalore. Today it is known as Asia's silicon valley and is one of India's fastest growing cities; with a large population of young professionals the city has acquired a vibrant, cosmopolitan feel.

ARTS: Arena. BBC 4
Thu 10th Apr. 21:00 to 22:00. The Strange Luck Of V .S. Naipaul. Profile of the Nobel Prize-winning Trinidadian-born British writer, V.S. Naipaul. Filmed in his Wiltshire home, in India and in Trinidad, Naipaul remains as incisive, forthright and controversial as ever at the age of 75.

FORTHCOMING

See http://www.lanfranc.com/lanfranc_location_2000.pdf for help in locating Archbishop Lanfranc School, Croydon

Sun 6 Apr. 1pm – 8.30pm. Charity Dance in aid of Osteoporosis Brittle Bone Disease. Venue: Archbishop Lanfranc School, Mitcham Road, Croydon, Surrey CR9 3AS. All proceeds will go to St. George’s Hospital Tooting. Featuring Music by Dimensions Band. Disco by ‘Say One Do One’. Plus Cabaret shows. Admission: Adults - £13 with food; Children (4-10 yrs) - £5 with food. For tickets, please contact: Derrick Pereira – 020 8952 8899; Clare D’Souza – 01784 421421; Irene Mendonca – 020 8767 2762; Hazel Rodrigues – 020 8357 6776; Bernie Gracias 020 8723 1322.

Sun 4 May. 12:30pm- Cortalim Union (UK) 30th Jubilee Celebrating the Feast of Sts. Philip and James at Irish Centre, Pretoria Rd, London N17. Holy Mass followed by the social. Music provided by Nite Life. Also hosting the May Queen and May King. Smart dress essential. For tickets, (includes snacks, meal & desert): adults £12.00; Youth (11-17yrs) =£6 Children (2-10yrs) =£2.50, under 2 free. For further info call Maria 0208-803-5146, Melissa 0208- 888-0393

Sun 11 May. Margao Union UK – Feast of THE HOLY SPIRIT. Mass at St. Boniface Church, 185 Mitcham Road, Tooting, at 1.30pm. thereafter a get-together at the Church Hall. Price including snacks and buffet £ 10.00. Band “DIMENSION”. Contact: Bella-020 8372 1253, Rosalind-020 8767 8652, Lucas-020 8967 7471, Agnela-020 8646 6996

Sat 31 May. 7pm. GOA Anniversary and May Ball. Wandsworth Civic Suite. Crowning of May Queen and May King. Music by Mellow Tones and Nite Life. Further details from Norma Menezes Rahim 020 8771 4457 Rosy De Souza 020 8677 0390 Rose Remedios 020 8658 7769 Claire De Souza 01784 421421 and Bernie Gracias 020 8723 1322. For full details click here.

FOR LATER EVENTS SEE http://www.goanvoice.org.uk/