Goan Voice UK: Newsletter. Issue 2008-34. August. 21, 2008

From Eddie Fernandes: I will be on holiday 23 Aug. to 4 Sep. and will not have regular internet access. Selma Carvalho has agreed to provide a restricted service during this period and hopes to have a skeleton issue of the next newsletter out on 28 August. The issue after that is likely to be out on 5 Sep. instead of 4 Sep. During the 23 Aug. to 4 Sep. period please send items for publication to Selma Carvalho, elisabeth_car@yahoo.com and copy the message to me at eddie@fernandes.u-net.com
Thank you.

Goan friends work hard to get their A-levels

14 Aug: Swindon Advertiser. When Janice de Souza and Sue Rodrigues moved from Goa to Swindon four years ago they had to master a whole new language and the history of Britain as well…The 18-year-olds picked up outstanding results yesterday… I never could have hoped to have all the options I have now if we’d stayed in Goa, said Janice…Deputy head Maureen Harries said: “We are immensely proud of Janice and Sue and all they have achieved… 466 words + Comments. Click here.

UK: Howard de Souza: Train overcrowding 'worst in country'

14 Aug: A train service Cambridge to London King's Cross carries an average of 870 passengers a day in eight carriages, which are meant to carry 495 people…Howard de Souza of the Royston Passenger Action Group is not surprised that the train ranks as the most overcrowded in the country and said, “Somebody much more senior in government has to travel on the train and then figure out a better system for us.” For full text, 215 words, click here.
Howard was born in Uganda and is a Marketing Communications Consultant. For a brief bio click here.

Francisco D'Souza in Forbes top-paid young CEOs list

15 Aug: Times of India. Global outsourcing major Cognizant's Francisco D'Souza, has made it to the league of young CEOs… D'Souza is at the 15th position aged 45 or less. His annual total compensation has been put at $3.7 million… Click here.
Francisco D'Souza was born in Nairobi on 23 Aug, 1968 (40 this week!) the son of Sushila and Placido D'Souza (born in 1933, ex-Anjuna, Goa ex India's Consul General in New York and High Commissioner in Port of Spain, Hong Kong and Nairobi). His sisters are Jacinta, Lucia and Maria. Francisco is married to Ines, a Brazilian. Click here.

Manuel D'Souza: In Focus - Scarcity is Opportunity

16 Aug: Arusha Times (Tanzania) Written history informs that Mr. Manuel D'Souza, formerly a tailor in Arusha municipality, established the first Tanzanite mine in 1967 at Mererani in Tanzania. Mr. D'Souza was exploring for scarce and precious stones known as Ruby when Maasais guided him to the area with plenty of Tanzanite. Tanzanite is a money-spinning stone that is probably more scarce and valuable than Ruby. Tanzanite is found in Tanzania only... Click here.
For the Goan Voice UK supplement on Manuel D’Souza click here.

Australia: Imogen D'Souza: She speaks for the less fortunate

16 Aug: Manly Daily (Australia). Imogen D'Souza, 12, a local girl from Freshwater, with a strong social conscience has won the regional final of a public speaking competition and will now represent northern Sydney in the state final. She is the captain of Manly West Public School and on Wednesday she blitzed the field of competitors from schools across northern Sydney to win the section for Year 5 and 6 students in the Multicultural Perspectives public speaking competition…216 words.

Ian Gomes: Chairman of KPMG's new and emerging markets

17 Aug: The Observer (London). Ambitious Indian companies are flexing their muscles in the global economy…Ian Gomes, chairman of KPMG's new and emerging markets practice in the UK, predicts that outward deals from India will soon overtake the number of inward investments… For full text, 357 words click here. Ian Gomes was born in Singapore in 1957, raised there, Goa, Mumbai and in London. He is the son of Ivan (Saligao) and Celine (nee Lobo; Salvador do Mundo); brother of Valerie Dias (Chief Operating Officer of Visa Europe); Leila Gomes (Head of Risk and Controls at Nomura Plc) and Giselle Pereira (qualified lawyer, now a housewife). All live in London. Ian qualified as a chartered accountant in London and did his MBA in USA. He has been with KPMG since 1983 and was the CEO of KPMG, India 2003-2006, before returning to London.

Ian Gomes: Pianist at the Ritz

17 Aug: Ritz (London). Resident pianist Ian Gomes, who has been entertaining the Afternoon Tea guests for twelve years, is delighted to welcome the new piano… Click here.

Nairobi: Eastleigh Goes Global
17 Aug: The East African…In the beginning, Eastleigh was residential. The Sikhs and Goans who originally occupied Eastleigh Phase One were socially less clannish than other Asian communities, and perhaps this influenced the area’s post-Uhuru shift from ethnic enclave to Nairobi’s first transitional neighbourhood… 3087 words. Click here.

Airtel launches services in the UK to connect NRIs to India
18 Aug: Moneycontrol.com. Bharti Airtel, India's leading telecom services provider, today entered the UK market with the launch of its virtual calling card service ‘Airtel CallHome’…Subscribers in the UK will now be able to call India at 3.5 pence per minute…Airtel is offering 25 minutes of free talk time trial...Subscribers will also get 50% extra talk time over and above what is purchased bringing effective call rates down to 2.3 pence/min. For full details click here.

Benedict Lobo: Konkani goes global

18 Aug: Times of India. Internet radio stations have been around for a while now. Almost every language is online but this is the first Konkani online station. Started by Dubai-based Benedict Lobo, this 24/7 Internet station enables Goans to connect with their homeland… 451 words. Click here.

Toronto: Hubert D'Mello: Dosa contest in a good cause
20 Aug: Toronto star. Udupi Palace owner Hubert D'Mello has been perfecting a recipe for the restaurant's spicy dosa eating contest, to be held in conjunction with Toronto's Festival of South Asia…The contestants will pay $10, which will be donated to the Hospital for Sick Children…The contest is the brainchild of D'Mello, who hails from Mangalore … For photo and text, 589 words, click here.

Goan Voice UK Donations £20 and over received
£20: Alban Rattos (Australia). Carmella & Hubert De Souza. Estella Sequeira-Begley. Justin Gracias. Walter Da Costa. For payment options and the complete list of 2008 donations click here.

Fri 22 Aug: RALPH MASCARENHAS. Funeral Mass at 1330 hrs, at English Martyrs RC Church, 64 Liebenrood Road, Reading, RG30 2EB. Donations, in lieu of flowers, to Leukaemia Research, c/o funeral directors. For the death announcement see last week’s issue. Condolences/Enquiries to ralphalicemascarenhas@gmail.com

20 Aug: Kuwait. MARY D'SA. Beloved wife of Raymond D'Sa (President of Goan Overseas Association-Kuwait). Info from Cajetan De via GoaNet.

20 Aug: Panjim. MAXIMIANO PAULO D'SOUZA. (Born 1949). Husband of Prafulla Fatima, Father of Serina/Samson Dias and Shayne D'Souza. Grandfather of Kelly and Xylix. Brother of Augusta/Benedicto D'Souza (England), late Carmen/John D'Silva (Zanzibar), Bartholomew/Flavia D'Souza (Anjuna), Maggie D'Souza (Paris), Philipina/Alex Menezes (USA).

19 Aug: Margao, Goa. EUGENIA JOANES E RODRIGUES (Ex-Aden). Wife of late Joao Francisco. Mother of Silvia/Olavo, Oswaldo/Alina, Arminio/Palmira, Nelson/Maria de Graca, Yvonne/Joe, Otilia/Ricardo, Queenie/Anthony.

17 Aug: Montreal, Canada. ZITA D'LIMA (aged 93). Beloved wife of the late Marcus D'Lima of Edmonton, Alberta. Mother of Joan Pinto (Norbert) of Montreal, Bernard (Danielle) of Ottawa, Suresh (Sarita) of Edmonton, Christopher of Red Deer, and Richard of Toronto. Visitation on Wed. Aug. 20, 2008 at 4 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 6 p.m. in the Chapel of Rideau Funeral Home. A mass and burial service is also being planned in Edmonton. [Alert by Felix D’Sa, Montreal]. For full details click here.

16 Aug: Goa Velha. CARIDADE CORREIA E GONSALVES (Born 1926). Wife of late Zeferino. Mother of Francisca/Vitorino (UK), Caitan/Filipha (Dubai), Agnelo/Nickel (UK), Lourenco/Maria (UK), Lourdina/John, Evaristo/Antonetta (UK), Angelina/Thomson, Tito/Teofila (Dubai), Santan/Nancy.

16 Aug: Nagvaddo, Betalbatim, Goa. MARIA TEREZINHA AFONSO. (Born 1933). Wife of Cyril. Mother of Sybil/John (UK), Baptista/late Donata, Merlyn/Pragmacio, Cynthia, Yvonne/Bento (Canada), Clayton/Elizabeth (USA) and Glenda/Orwin.

15 Aug: Mumbai. SYLVIA D'MELLO (nee Rodrigues, aged 42, ex-Kuwait). Wife of Lester D'Mello (Kuwait). Mother of Leander & Lavender. Click here.

First Death Anniversary

15 Aug: LOUIS J. FURTADO. (Born 1924. Died 2007. Ex B.I.S.N. Mombasa, Kenya). Husband of late Greta. Father of Rudolph (Mumbai, tel. mob. 9819007873). Mass on Sun. 17 Aug. at 08.30hrs at Worli Parish

13 Aug: Agassaim. Goa: MARIA BLANDINA GOMES (BAIZIN). Relict of Francis Xavier. Mother of Julia/Bernard (London), Marian/Laura (Muscat), Socorin/Nazareth, Rosy/Pascoal (Bahrain).

13 Aug: Toronto. DOLLY D'SOUZA (ex-Kuwait). Loving wife of the late Nelson. Loving mother to Glenn (Sharon), Derrick (Sandra), Audrey (late Vincent), Debbie (Hubert), Karyn (Chris), Bert (Leonie) and Joe (Monica). Dolly will be sadly missed by her family, Mary Gonsalves, Glen and Gail (Kevin). Dolly will always be remembered by her 13 grandchildren. Visitation at the Simple Alternative Funeral Centre, August 16. Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Pickering. Cremation to follow. Click here.

Greatest party in the world comes to India this Oktober
3 Aug: Indian Express. Oktoberfest, the German beer guzzling and gastronomic extravaganza, is coming to Mumbai and Goa this year as part of an attempt to forge closer cultural ties between India and Germany…the Indian event will be held for four days at two hotels in Mumbai and one in Goa... 478 words. Alert by Rishi via GoaNet. Click here.

Flightmare
15 Aug: Oldham Evening Chronicle (UK). Steve and Key Shepherd had booked an exotic, 14-night all-inclusive break in Goa for their 25th wedding anniversary, paying £2,108 but they were not able to sit next to each other on the plane, their hotel room in Goa was dank, with a torn shower curtain and broken toilet seat and thieves broke into their room…543 words. Click here.

Goa: Most cyber café’s are not watchful on Internet users
15 Aug: The Navhind Times team conducted a random survey as regards functioning of the cyber cafes in the state and to utter dismay it was discovered that nearly 75 per cent of these cyber cafe owners do not bother to ask for photo identity proof from cyber-users… 513 words. Click here.

Goa: Travel, tour agencies take a day’s ‘break’
15 Aug: Herald. In a show of solidarity against the bleak days to come in the travel and tour sector, nearly 40 travel agencies in Goa joined a one-day nationwide strike…285 words. Click here.

India: Bleeding airlines cut Goa flights
16 Aug: Rising airfares have clipped the passenger's wings. Fewer domestic travellers are flying into or out of Goa. And with travellers looking for alternative modes of travel, airlines have been forced to cut down flights. 307 words. Click here.

Pools of luxury
16 Aug: Business Standard. Infiniti Bay, a luxury second home project in Goa, aims to cater to owners' every whim and fancy…everything will be provided even the works of art on the wall…The five-acre complex will house 23 villas and 20 apartments. Each villa will be fitted with two swimming pools, There will also be an in-house spa as well as a yacht …The villas are priced at around Rs 3 crore and the apartments at Rs 2 crore apiece…701 words. Click here.

Toronto: Sitara Hewitt: Priceless wall hanging from Goa
16 Aug: The Toronto Star. Actress Sitara Hewitt stars in CBC's Little Mosque on the Prairie, now seen in more than 100 countries. Of a piece of decor she would never part with, she says, “It is a wall hanging that I got in Goa in 2005. It has very intricate sequins and embroidery. I bought it for $60 and I was so broke at the time that I thought it was a fortune and now I realize it is priceless… Click here.

Centre sends states guidelines for tourist police
16 Aug: Indian Express. Concerned over the increasing instances of security threats to tourists in the country, the Tourism Ministry has issued guidelines to state governments to constitute tourist police…Following the murder of Scarlett Keeling a number of countries including the US, the UK and Australia had issued travel advisories asking its citizens, especially women, not to travel alone in India…440 words. Click here.

Sri Lanka: Softer sell on the golden mile
16 Aug: The Guardian (UK). 'Massage, cola, coconut' - the incessant hassle is gone, thanks to a project to boost hawkers' wages and lure tourists back to this Sri Lankan beach… Noisy hordes of hustlers, who previously secured their game by pestering the loudest, have been replaced by teams of Beach Operators (BOs)..Tourists now come to them, rather than the other way round… 530 words. Click here.

Annabel Giles takes her son to Goa…
17 Aug. The Mail on Sunday (UK). Annabel writes “My nine-year-old son Ted is autistic. Last Christmas we went to Goa… The traders at Anjuna flea market are rarely Goan - they've crossed the border to come to fleece the tourists…Goa shouldn't do Europe and vice versa; their attempts at British food had Ted in tears …one of the guides clearly thought the fact that I was travelling without a man meant I was fair game…” 1297 words. Click here.

Goa's monsoon tourism a huge hit among domestic tourists
17 Aug, Deccan Herald. Goa's beaches remains flooded with the tourists. The Goa Government, therefore, launched the monsoon tourism initiative. 475 words. Click here.

Lifeguards undergo training on rough seas
17 Aug: Times of India. The seas may be at their roughest during this time of the year, but Goa's 90 new lifeguards who will man the state's beaches for the coming tourist season were put through real-life drills at the Vasco and Baga beaches this week. 426 words. Click here.

Training course for tourist guides
17 Aug: Times of India. The tourism department will inaugurate a nine week training course for tourist guides. Click here.

Britain turning blind eye to country’s sex tourists: report
18 Aug: Hindustan Times…There are already reports of child abuse on a large scale in Goa. According an estimate by Child Relief and You (CRY) over 10,000 paedophiles allegedly visit Goa every year. Another assessment by Children’s Rights in Goa (CRG) said that at any given point there are at least 100 paedophiles on the prowl in Goa…a paedophile in Goa sexually exploits at least 20 children during his or her visit…335 words. Click here.

Slaving on the beach
21 Aug: The Daily Telegraph (Australia). Adventurers can roll up their sleeves in India's coastal Goa to combine voluntary work with beach parties and sightseeing. Overseas Working Holidays has designed a program for volunteers…Priced from $4498pp twin-share..Airfares to Mumbai where the program commences are extra. Click here.

Charters up, but will they all land?
21 Aug Times of India…Subhash Phegade station manager of Monarch Airlines said that passenger bookings this year are not even 50% of last year's…Alu Gomes Pereira of Thomas Cook said bookings had dropped by 20% …In Goa over pricing for services by the tourism industry due to "high taxes" will see a decline in tourist clientele…338 words. Click here.

Win a holiday to Kenya for 4 people
17 Aug: The Independent (UK). Click here.

Body found on Goa beach not Subhedar’s
14 Aug: Zee News. Bangalore techie Meghna Subhedar's death case took a new twist with the DNA test confirming that the body found floating on Goa beach on June 25 was not that of the missing girl. Meghna, 28, was missing from Mumbai from April 11… 331 words. Click here.

Goa: Protests aimed at extorting money, alleges Sardinha
15 Aug: Navhind Times. The Goa Congress Party president, Mr Francisco Sardinha has said that some non-governmental organisations have been opposing every developmental project only with a view to extort money from those implementing the projects… he said that restrictions on sale of property to other citizens cannot be prevented by law… 716 words. Click here.

Goa: Small State, big attitude
17 Aug: The Hindu. Goa may be a backpacker’s paradise. But it also has one of the most cosmopolitan and heady public spheres, thanks to an engaging acceptance of eccentrics, ideologues as well as classical minds…578 words. Click here.

Book Review: There’s Something About Mario
17 Aug: Indian Express. Mario de Miranda. Compiled by Gerard da Cunha. Architecture Autonomous, Rs 2,700. Mario Miranda’s carnival of comedy has travelled to every nook and naughty corner of the world… 780 words. Click here.

Book Review: Ethnography of Goa, Daman, and Diu
17 Aug: The Hindu. Ethnography of Goa, Daman, and Diu, A.B. de Braganza Pereira, translated by Maria Aurora Couto, Penguin/Viking, 2008, p.367, Rs. 699. Ethnography of Goa does a thorough job of detailing the state’s social, spiritual and material history. It is refreshing to come across such a skilful translation…625 words. Click here.

Book Review: Goa: Aparanta, Land Beyond the End
17 Aug: The Hindu. Goa: Aparanta, Land Beyond the End, Dattaraj V. Salgaocar, with Mario Cabral E Sa and Wendell Rodricks, edited by Victor Rangel-Ribeiro, Goa Publications, Rs. 3,500. The book seeks to be all-inclusive, covering the numerous strands of Goa’s composite culture. Apart from history, there are essays on literature and language, architecture, the arts, Goan identity and much else…1304 words. Click here.

A matter entirely of faith. By Sajla Chawla
17 Aug: Times of India. I live in a quiet susegad Goan village and I love it. I am Hindu but I built a grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in my garden! 919 words. Click here.

The Goa Sausage
17 Aug: Times of India. The Goa sausage or chourico which goes well with the humble pao normally comes in two sizes…Judith Lobo, a teacher at Saligao says the meat for the sausage is marinated for two days in kashmiri chillies, pepper, turmeric, salt, cinnamon, clove, jeera, ginger-garlic and coconut vinegar…566 words. Click here.

New York: Tejas Shevde emerges champ

17 Aug: Navhind Times. Margao-based Tejas Subodh Shevde, aged 11, won the J P Morgan Chase Aces tennis tournament at the grand Flushing Meadows in Corona Park, New York on Friday. The Goan tennis child prodigy is currently training in the US. Tejas was the youngest participant at the event… 271 words. Click here.

Born in a bathtub
17 Aug: Times of India. Corinna Stahlhofen, a midwife from Germany moved to Assagao in 2002 and set up the Birthing Center… Photographs and text, 860 words. Click here.

Historical cars driven into oblivion
17 Aug: Times of India. A 1959 Cadillac and a Mercedes dating back to the early years of the last century once used by the last Portuguese governor of Goa, Vassal DeSilva have been left to rot in the fire brigade complex…newly-appointed minister Atanasio Monserrate has agreed to their restoration and proper display. Photographs and text, 259 words. Click here.

Cells on Sale
18 Aug: Times of India. Gauree Malkarnekar discovers that cellphones are getting cheaper and trendier… 682 words. Click here.

Illegal iron ore extraction activity in Goa on the rise
19 Aug. PTI. Huge demand for iron ore in the international market has increased illegal mineral extraction activity in Goa with about 40 such cases reported in the last three years…267 words. Click here.

All Rise: A million mutinies now
19 Aug: Times of India. Goa’s laidback villages are revolting against the builder-politician nexus that threatens to swamp their land and lifestyle. Joeanna Rebello reports… 935 words. Click here.

Mob attacks SEZ site at Verna
20 Aug: Navhind Times. The protest against SEZs took an ugly turn when a mob of around 100 people entered the premises of K Raheja Corporation Pvt Ltd at Verna on Tuesday morning and assaulted around 15 people including security personnel and labour at the site. The mob also damaged computers and furniture. 664 words. Click here.

Goa's 'wounded' health care system
20 Aug: Times of India. A three-member team of commissioners, appointed by the high court to report on the state of health care management, have submitted a scathing report…state of cleanliness at the hospital is "deplorable", with the walls of the ICU and private wards stained and dirty with moss…dirty and non-functional bathrooms…Politicians directly interfere in the functioning of the GMC and the appointment of staff…basics such as gloves and syringes are missing…547 words. Click here.

Keeping the faith alive
20 Aug: Times of India. House chapels are common in many old stately homes of Goa. Some of which house priceless relics of art and heritage… 578 words. Click here.

Text + Video: Bihar CM Demand apology from Goa Govt.
20 Aug: CNN-IBN. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has demanded an apology from the Goa government for a minister’s ‘offensive’ statement. Home Minister Ravi Naik during a discussion in the Goa Assembly on Tuesday had allegedly said that beggars coming from Bihar on trains are causing problems in the state… Click here.

Will Goa pull out of film festival?
21 Aug: Herald. Is Goa heading for a clash with the Directorate of Film Festivals (DFF) over control of the International Film Festival India (IFFI)? 385 words. Click here.

Tiatr Academy in 90 days: CM
21 Aug: Herald. Chief Minister Digambar Kamat told the Goa assembly that the Tiatr Academy would be set up in 2-3 months’ time. 157 words. Click here.

Alleged terrorist confirms liquid bomb theory
21 Aug: MidDay (Mumbai). Terrorist Raziuddin Naser was nabbed in Goa, early this year, when he was trying to hijack a tanker containing 20,000 litres of hydrogen peroxide…259 words. Click here.

Opera Software setting up office in India
21 Aug: Techtree. Jon S. von Tetzchner, CEO, Opera Software, has announced the setting up of Opera India in Chandigarh…On being asked why Chandigarh was selected Tetzchner said, "Delhi, Mumbai and Goa were discussed as alternate locations, however the company arrived at Chandigarh as the best solution mainly because it is not too big, the quality of life is good, and Opera does not want people to spend too much time getting to work." Click here.

Scarlett Keeling case proves “that the law catches the dubious policemen and criminals”
15 Aug: Business Line (India). Goa’s Minister for Tourism has a plan to retain Goa’s position as a long-haul winter destination. Excerpts from an interview: …Tourist arrivals are down a bit, and I am concerned but we don’t have to panic…Goa continues to be one of the safest places in the world…the Scarlett Keeling case proves “that the law catches the dubious policemen and criminals” …603 words. Click here.
For other articles on Goa in this issue click here.

Scarlett's mum to meet Indian film maker
16 Aug: Times of India. Fiona MacKeown will be meeting the makers Rave Party, the movie based on Scarlett's life and death in Goa… “It must be ensured that nothing is portrayed to cause any further hurt to Scarlett, Fiona or the image of the Goa Police", her lawyer said. 402 words. Click here.

Scarlett Keeling: Childhood's End
18 Aug: Right Side News (New York). Summer 2008. Britain is the worst country in the Western world in which to be a child, according to a recent UNICEF report…Consider one British parent, Fiona MacKeown, who went on a six-month vacation to Goa, India, with her boyfriend and eight of her nine children by five different fathers…She received $50,000 in welfare benefits a year, and decided that the money would go further, and that life would thus be more agreeable, in Goa than in her native Devon… 1250 words + Comments. Click here.

Scarlett Keeling case: NGO challenges Children's Court's order
19 Aug: UNI. Adv Aires Rodrigues of City-based NGO, Utt Goenkara, today moved the Bombay High Court at Panaji challenging the order of the Children's Court, which had disallowed the police to investigate the role of Fiona Mackeown into the death of her minor daughter Scarlett Keeling…586 words. Click here.

NRIs attracted to real estate
15 Aug, Times of India. The NRI is investing in real estate across India…The return on investment provided by Indian real estate has been found to be more attractive than that offered by developed nations. Pune, Mumbai, Indore, Baroda, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Gurgaon and Kolkata and Goa seem to draw the highest number of inquiries. 604 words. Click here.

Recipe: Patolyos: A tradition wrapped in leaves
16 Aug: Times of India. Melinda Pereira Kamat expounds the interesting customs associated with the much-loved delicacy, patolyos. Patolyos are steamed rice sweets Roman Catholics in Goa prepare on August 15th or on the day of Sao Joao feast and Konsachem fest (harvest festival)…773 words. Click here.

Service providers catering to requirements of expats
17 Aug: The Economic Times. At present, there are about 50,000 expatriates residing in metros and tier-1 cities..Ikan Relocations, New Delhi; Global Adjustments, Chennai and Crown, Mumbai offer resettlement services to the expatriate community… Now, with the kind of provisions available and the recreational activities specially meant for them, they have little to complain about. 890 words. Click here.

Rick Stein: Going to Goa was a rite of passage
17 Aug: The Observer (UK). …It's hard trying to not get fat, but mainly I try to just eat healthily. Which means lots of South-East Asian food. Going to Goa was a rite of passage for me, because it's where I learnt that you could mix fish with really strong flavours… Rick Stein's Coast to Coast is published by BBC Books, £20. Click here.

Catholic priest tortured, killed in India
18th Aug: Religious Intelligence. The body of Fr Thomas Pandippallyil, a 38-year-old Catholic priest, who was apparently tortured before being killed, has been found in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. 245 words. Click here.

Video + text: Struggling with India's gender bias
18 Aug: BBC. The number of female foetuses being aborted in India is rising, as ultrasound is increasingly used to predict the sex of babies…962 words. 1m. 20s Click here.

India: Internet telephone calls to be allowed
19 Aug: Times of India. Soon, you could be calling friends abroad for just Re 1 to 2 per minute… National long distance rates could drop to 30-50 paise per minute and local calls could be virtually free…The telecom regulator has thrown open the voice market to Internet Service Providers (ISPs)…386 words. Click here.

Amitabh Bachchan to join Keith Vaz in diabetes appeal
19 Aug: Malaysia Sun. Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan is to join Indian-origin MP Keith Vaz this week to open the new premises of a diabetes charity in Leicester. The new building of the Silver Star Appeal will help support the work of the charity which aims to raise awareness about diabetes and provide free blood sugar tests through mobile assessment units…275 words. Click here.

DJ Ivan "I feel half Goan"
20 Aug: Times of India. Despite having DJed in Singapore, Dubai and San Francisco, Ivan considers Goa one of his favourite spots to play in. His love of Goa began as a teenager...452 words. Click here.

Canada: Vikram Vij: Pan-fried salmon potato cakes
20 Aug. Globe and Mail. These crispy cakes can be an appetizer or a main course, and you can give them your own personal touch… Clcik here.

Vancouver: A burka-free city
20 Aug: Evening Standard (London). By Yasmin Alibhai-Brown. I have been in Vancouver, a city is rightly most proud of is its multicultural population but, unlike London, I did not see a single burka. That cultural curse has not spread here. How refreshing, how reassuring, and perplexing too…388 words. Click here.

More Bizarre Foods on Travel Menu
21 Aug: TV Week (USA). Get ready for more stomach-turning adventures as Travel Channel starts a new season of “Bizarre Foods With Andrew Zimmern.”… He has put together a list of his favorite dishes so far this season. They include: Cows urine tonic from Goa… Click here.

India: Safe sex ring tone
20 Aug: San Francisco Chronicle. A cell phone ring tone that sings "Condom, condom!" has been launched to promote safe sex in India, where condoms carry a strong social stigma and HIV and AIDS are growing problems, health experts said …257 words. Click here.

There is a continuing discussion on Goanet on the Konkani term "tarvotti". Although this term generally refers to a person working on board a ship plying the high seas, the origins of the word are not terribly clear. Consequently, a variety of explanations have been offered on Goanet and Goan Voice (UK) readers are welcomed to participate in this exploratory discussion.

Controversy has arisen, once again, on Goanet to the practise of one or more posters referring to an Indian as a "ghanti". Some consider this to be a very derogatory term and even ask for it to be banned on Goanet. Others however, have claimed that, the word "ghanti" simply refers to those who live beyond the Ghats and that there is nothing pejorative about it at all. Well, do GV(UK) readers have an opinion on this matter and does "ghanti" have connotations like "paki" when used against sections of the UK population? Contributions would be most welcome on this issue.

The issue of the Goans selling their ancestral homes to anyone who makes a good offer, has increasingly irked those who feel that, ancestral lands and properties ought to be safeguarded for future Goan generations rather than be sold to the highest bidders--many of whom may have had no previous links with Goa. However, there are those who argue that properties should be bought and sold freely in the market place in democratic India. Further that, many ancestral properties are expensive and difficult to maintain, especially by those resident outside Goa. Some have also argued that ancestral properties that are sold will probably be maintained in a better state of repair by new owners. Strong feelings have been expressed over this issue and as many GV(UK) readers own ancestral properties in Goa, it would be of interest to hear their views about this controversy.

The belief in miracles through divine intervention is fairly central in the Roman Catholic Church and indeed deemed essential when sainthood is sought and proclaimed. However, as in the past, the authenticity of proclaimed miracles has always been problematic. Catholic clergy understandably have argued strongly for the existence of miracles--particularly when such attribution is linked to incurable diseases that inexplicably disappear 'through divine intervention'. However, there are those, especially among sceptics and scientists, who reject the concept and reality of miracles. Clearly, this is a matter that cannot easily be resolved. However, what is of particular interest is that on Goanet, the counter claims are becoming increasingly sophisticated and well worth following up.

Finally, a new book on the publishing scene is available for Rs 3500. The title is Goa: Aparanta, Land Beyond the End. It is edited by Victor Rangel-Ribeiro and has contributions from Dattaraj V. Salgaocar, Mario Cabral E. Sa and Wendell Rodrigues. Find out more about this beautifully illustrated and highly informative book that was displayed for the first time at the Goan Convention, Toronto, held in late July 2008. Please click here.

COOKERY: Rick Stein's Seafood Odyssey. UKTV Food
Sat 23rd Aug. 10:30 to 11:00. Rick Stein visits Goa where he reproduces some of the most popular local fish dishes.

COOKERY: Rick Stein's Seafood Odyssey. UKTV Food
Sun 24th Aug. 19:30 to 20:00. Rick travels to Goa, where he prepares famous prawn caldene and spicy Goan lobster.

TALK SHOW: The Wright Stuff. Channel five
Mon. to Fri. 25 – 29 Aug. 09:00 to 10:30. Richard Bacon hosts the topical debate show with panellists Yasmin Alibhai-Brown and Matt Baker.

DOCUMENTARY: Panorama. BBC 1
Mon 25th August 20:30 to 21:00. True Brits. An investigation into how factors such as mass immigration and devolution are forever changing the idea of what it means to be British.

SCIENTIFIC DOCUMENTARY: Jatropha the Wonder Plant. BBC Radio Four
Tue 26th Aug. 11:00 to 11:30. Jatropha is being cultivated and planted on a massive scale for use as a biofuel. Could this extraordinary plant be the solution to the world's energy needs?

COOKERY: Come Dine with Me. Channel 4
Wed 27th August 17:30 to 18:00. Dan Cumberland is hoping that his majestic bean curry feast will bag him the £1,000 top prize.

SOAP: The Archers. BBC Radio Four
Wed 27th August 19:00 to 19:15. Ambridge enjoys an Indian wedding.

DOCUMENTARY: Banged Up Abroad. Channel five
Wed 27th August 22:00 to 23:05. Texas teen Lia McCord travelled to Bangladesh to retrieve a haul of heroin but was captured and thrown into a Dhaka prison.

Mon. 25 Aug. G.O.A. Sports Day at Archbishop Lanfranc School, Mitcham Road, Croydon. Contact: Peter Rodrigues 020 - 8399 4883. For stall applications: Norma Menezes-Rahim 020 - 8771 4457

Sun. 31 Aug. SE Goans Summer Festival at Hurstmere School, Hurst Rd, Sidcup, DA15 9AW. Starts at 1pm. Music, food stalls, side stalls, entertainment. If you require a stall at £30 contact Chris Pinto 01322400732 or Dominic 07854490617

Sun. 31 Aug. World Goa Day at the Friars, Aylesford, Kent ME20 7BX. Open-air mass at 12.30pm followed by a picnic in the extensive grounds. Please arrive by 12.00pm for a prompt start. Contact Fiona Lobo on 020 8656 3317 fiona.lobo@blueyonder.co.uk for further details or Rose Fernandes on 020 8409 8388 rosefernandes@milnet.uk.net for car sharing arrangements (both drivers and passengers).

Sun. 7 Sep: Ex-Aden and Friends Get Together. Archbishop Lanfranc School Mitcham Road, Croydon. 1pm to 7pm. Tickets, includes meal: Adults £10; children (age 3-10) £5. Bring Your Own Drinks. Music by Yemeni. For tickets and info: Tony 0208 281 0460. Frank 0208 653 8642. Sarto 0208 670 3059. Thomas 0208 768 0565. Bosco 0208 684 9154. Chris 0208 679 8703. Gloria 0208 656 3994. Dress Smart Casual – no jeans or trainers). Donations of prizes gratefully received.

Sun 7 Sep: G.O.A. in conjunction with the Goan Chaplaincy, first Pilgrimage to Walsingham. Pick up points Tooting (St Boniface Church) 6.30am, Greenford (Bridge Hotel) 7am, Tickets: £12.50 each. Bring your own packed lunch and drinks. For tickets contact: Nina Pinto 020 8767 0663, Bernie Gracias 020 8723 1322

Sun. 7 Sep. G.O.A. Volleyball Tournament at HSBC Club, Lennard Road, Beckenham, Kent. Contact: Richard Fernandes 020 8300 5347

10 -15 Sep. On the occasion of the 150th Anniversary Celebrations of Our Lady of Lourdes the Goan Chaplaincy has organised a Pilgrimage to Lourdes/Nevers for 5 days by Luxury Coach - 3 star Hotel - 3 mins from Grotto. (Full Board at Hotel) All Masses at Lourdes/ Bartres/ Nevers; Walking Tour of St. Bernadette. £ 250. Please Contact:- Cilla Hermann On 020 8684 7671 for further details. Book early to avoid disappointment.

Sat. 27 Sep. SE Goans Belgium day trip. Shopping, seaside, site seeing. Contact Sharon Pinto 01322400732