COMMUNITY NEWS

Francisco D'Souza: Cognizant 4Q profit jumps 39 percent
7 Feb: CNN. … President and Chief Executive Francisco D'Souza said that the company’s performance 'was driven by strong growth across our business segments, service offerings and geographic regions.' Quarterly revenue surged 89 percent in Europe during the fourth quarter, he said … For the full year revenue rose to $2.14 billion from $1.42 billion …Yesterday, Cognizant shares jumped $2.87, or 10.5 percent, to $30.15 … Click here.
For a photograph and brief profile of Francisco D’Souza click here.

Toronto: Merella Fernandez: Hotbox
8 Feb. The Toronto Star. Live at 5: Starting Monday, Citytv will begin its supper-hour newscast an hour early. CityNews at Five will air in two half-hour chunks, hosted at the top of the hour by Dwight Drummond and Merella Fernandez …
From Wikipedia: “She is considered to be one of the greatest news reporters in Canada”
For a GVUK profile of Merella Fernandez click here.

Two Goans celebrate their Patron Saint’s Feast in Croatia

Braz Silveira

10 Feb. Gomantak Times. By Joel D’Souza. Fr Orlando Lopes (Goa) and Braz Paulo Silveira (UK) were extended a VVIP treatment by the Mayor and parish priest of St Blaise church in Dubrovnik, Croatia. The two Goans had been invited there by the Mayor to celebrate the feast of their common patron St Blaise. The Goans were warmly welcomed, interviewed by TV and radio channels and attended grand dinners where they met a host of high ranking dignitaries and officials …
For a detailed report and photograph click here.
For a photograph and report in Vjesnik, a Croatian newspaper click here.

Daniella D'Souza: I'm not scared of men
11 Feb: Gulf News (UAE). “I am not scared of men but I learn from them,” said Daniella who steered Lusitanians 'B' to a 2-1 victory in the final of the Mixed Hockey Tournament. With an objective to promote women's hockey, Eusebio Coelho, the chief organiser of the tournament, had requested all teams to include a lady player … "It is my father Norbert D'Souza who taught me the game. Despite a quadruple by-pass surgery my 55-year-old father still plays the game. I studied in Canada and I arrived in Dubai last year," said Daniella … 259 words. Click here.

Orillia, Canada: Xavier Fernandes: Local youth to learn to playwright
11 Feb: Orillia Packet & Times (Canada). Orillia will be one of five Ontario municipalities to host a unique, free playwriting workshop for youth (12- to 20-year-olds) on Feb. 23 at Swanmore Hall. Xavier Fernandes said of the youth perspective of the city. “Orillia’s full of a lot of creative people, so there should be a lot of creative (youth) who come out to this.” Fernandes, an artist and co-founder of Zephyr Art Gallery on Peter Street, will be facilitating the workshop with playwright Shirley Barrie … Click here. For a photograph and profile of Xavier Fernandes click here.

Video: Leoncie: Man! Lets Have Fun
11 Feb: Music video: In her new video, Man! Lets Have Fun, Leoncie heads off to Goa for some feni. 2.14s Click here.
Leoncie’s music career began with playing the electric organ and singing in the Catholic Church choir in Goa. She “likes the Fiery Sauce of Ripe Goan Chillies and the exciting kick of Strong Goan Cashew Feni.” For the Leoncie website click here.
Leoncie made her UK Debut on Eurotrash. For a video clip click here.

Zanzibar: SJCS 2008 Reunion in Goa. Photo Album
11 Feb: Over 400 people attended the Saint Joseph's Convent School Goa Reunion. Over 100 photos in the album. Click here.

London: Viva Goa Restaurant
From Paul Barreto. Viva Goa will be closed for a major refurbishment from 18th Feb ‘08 for approx 4-6 weeks.We will endeavour to open on Easter Monday. In the meantime we will continue operating the kitchen for Outdoor catering and Home delivery service. Check the website www.vivagoa.co.uk/.

Alf D'Souza: Oriental express
11 Feb: Daily Telegraph (Sydney). Next month at The China Forum, Australian business leaders in China will share their secret to doing business in the world's largest market … Special presentation by the $25 billion gas man – Alf D’Souza … To register call 02 9249 7603 or go to www.chinaforum.com.au
Alf D'Souza was born and educated in India and migrated to Australia in 1974 with a master’s degree in economics from the University of Bombay. In 1980 he joined Shell Australia in Melbourne and later was based in China. He was appointed Member of the Order of Australia in January 2008. For a photograph and profile of him click here.

Eve De Souza: Work Out Crowds in California

Click to enlarge

13 Feb: The Nation (Nairobi). Last weekend's USA Sevens at San Diego's PETCO Park was one big party … Sunday was Kwaheri Nite hosted by Eve De Souza of capital FM … Click here.
For a GVUK profile of Eve De Souza click here.

CORRYN RAYNEY MURDER

Rayney Murder: Calls smeared Weygers
2 Feb: Post (Perth). Mr Weygers (63), who is president of the Council for Civil Liberties, says that just two phone calls, one to the police and one to the media, were enough to smear him by publicly connecting him to the investigation into the murder of Corryn Rayney. He says that he has seen evidence that links at least one of the calls to the "delinquent" tenant of one of his investment properties, who had threatened to "make his life hell" … 942 words. Click here.

Detectives wanted me to confess, says Weygers
7 Feb: The West Australian. Peter Weygers has described his anger over a visit to his Claremont home by major crime detectives who, he claims, pressed him to confess to the murder of Corryn Rayney. 400 words.

Six months on, police queries on 20 over Rayney murder
7 Feb: The West Australian. Six months after Corryn Rayney’s body was found buried in Kings Park, detectives are actively investigating up to 20 people over her murder - despite having named her husband and prominent lawyer Lloyd Rayney as the "prime" and "only" suspect. The major crime squad, whose sole job is investigating murders, is understood to have a team of detectives focused solely on investigating Mr Rayney. Another team investigates other leads … Police Commissioner Karl OCallaghan was unable to offer Mrs Rayneys family any comfort that the killer would be caught … 995 words.

No answers to Rayney riddle
10 Feb: The Sunday Times (Aus). Police have rejected suggestions that the Corryn Rayney murder investigation has stalled six months after her body was found in a lonely grave in Kings Park ... Detectives have refused to reveal the precise cause of death or information about any injuries … Meanwhile, lawyer Lloyd Rayney will appear in Perth Magistrates Court on February 29 on phone tapping charges … 488 words. Click here.

Rayney Murder: Cop cleared of `suspect' line
10 Feb: Sunday Times (Perth). Jack Lee, the detective who headed the Corryn Rayney murder investigation did nothing wrong when he named her estranged husband as the ``prime'' and ``only'' suspect, according to an internal police inquiry … An inquiry had been ordered in September after a statement by Mr Rayney's solicitor alleged Sen-Sgt Lee had smeared his client with false claims. 230 words.

For background reports to the murder click here.

DEATHS

HOLIDAY INFORMATION

GOA REAL ESTATE:

Property Abroad: Goa
10 Feb: The Express on Sunday (UK). Double page feature spread with maps and photographs. Excerpts … Goa is warm and welcoming to the sun-seeking traveller but India has regulations to prevent non-residents from buying there, though with its economy booming, international developers have found loopholes … Goa already has an established community of Brits who have retired or bought holiday homes here … Recently there was a halt on permission for new projects but the ban will be lifted when a new master plan for Goa is announced later this year … Click here.

The Colonisation of Goa
13 Feb: Daily News & Analysis. … The colonisation of Goa is underway. In the upper reaches, it is beginning to resemble the Bahamas, while the apartments and resorts for the middle classes are sleazy Thailand-style developments … everyone seems to want to live in Goa. But they want no contact with the local culture … For settlers at the lower end, Goa is about booze, babes and beaches; at the higher end, it is about being invited to one of Vijay Mallya’s frothy parties … Everyone wants a house in Goa … Visitors and settlers alike form their own little ghettos in which local people are not included. Among the most insular are Europeans, followed by the Page 3 set … 662 words. Click here.

Foreigners smitten by Goa village houses
13 Feb: MeriNews. By Armstrong Vaz. Goa has been witnessing an economic boom. The new-found wealth among village middle-class has made them abandon their old village houses and move to cities chasing their dreams … Official records at the state foreigners department show that around 5000 Englishmen have bought houses in the state. Some property bought by the foreigners has come under the scanner for violations of the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999. 944 words. Click here.

PRIZE COMPETITION:

Win an unforgettable trip to India
10 Feb: The Telegraph (UK). To celebrate the release of The Lord of the Rings stage production cast album one lucky reader and a guest will have the chance to win a trip of a lifetime to Northern India … The deadline for entries is 5pm, Friday, February 15. For your chance to win click here.

GOA NEWS HEADLINES:

Text + Audio: Mining Resumes in Goa Despite Opposition From Environmentalists
7 Feb: Voice of America. Mining, along with tourism, forms the economic backbone of Goa. Environmental concerns recently halted much of the iron ore extraction, but the way has been now cleared for resumption of mining, in a way that is supposed to be environmentally friendly. VOA's Steve Herman reports from Goa. 966 words. Click here.

Goa: Victor Albuquerque: The story of a victor
8 Feb: Express Hospitality. Victor M. Albuquerque, chairman and managing director, Alcon Victor Group, is focused on taking the Alcon Victor Group to great heights. 997 words. Click here.

Goa Police not equipped to tackle terror threat
9 Feb: Indian Express. … Goa has its own tourist and coastal police. However, both departments are not equipped to tackle terror due to the lack of assistance from the Government. “The Coastal Police was set up in 2006, but till date we don’t even have a motorcycle,” said an officer of the department … most of the policemen and officers are busy with the VIPs … 551 words. Click here.

Row at Goa carnival over flag ‘insult’
9 Feb: Asian Age. By Pamela D’Mello. Goa’s carnival parade in capital city Panaji has witnessed controversy here for its poor crowd management, delays and for insulting the Indian flag. The police have registered a case under Section 2 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, against organisers of the Lead India Brazil Friendship Float for allegedly flying the tricolour upside down. Click here.

Goan Catholic Priests. By Valmiki Faleiro
10 Feb: Herald (Goa). The number of Goan priests is slowly dwindling … In the days of yore, priests were ubiquitous. That, perhaps, could have all to do with the near-regimental norm of having at least one priest per family among the educated. It was good status to have a family member belong to the clergy … The archetypal Goan Catholic Priest, though, was not only a spiritual but also a social leader, held in reverence … 769 words. Click here.

Goa: egovernance A Victim of Governance
10 Feb: Navhind Times. In 2001 a Goa project called ‘Mahiti Ghar’ promised people Government information at the click of a mouse but the officials were never really motivated to implement this project whole heartedly. And why would they? Information is their golden goose to hold the public under their sway. Why would they want to sacrifice it on the altar of technology? 898 words. Click here.

Terrorism Target: Goa
11 Feb: Outlook. … The vulnerabilities of Goa to jihadi strikes arise from its attraction to Israeli and Western tourists and from the location of a shipyard there. No major terrorist attacks have so far taken place in Goa. Nor were any attempts made. This does not, however, reduce its vulnerability. Goa has been constantly in the minds of pro-Al Qaeda organisations. In their calculation, it is an attractive place for an act of reprisal terrorism against Israel just as Mombasa was in October, 2002 … 1880 words. Click here.

Beware the football threat
11 Feb: Cricinfo (UK) … The English Premier League's proposal to have its clubs each play one match a season abroad could spark the toughest, and perhaps only, competition for cricket's newest avatar in India … Goa, the former Portuguese colony, is unambiguous about its affiliations; you can find Portugal jerseys for sale in Fontainhas, the Portuguese quarter of the state's capital … Official football merchandise is now available in the bigger cities, and a senior official attending Manchester United's camp for kids in Goa said he saw "5000 kids wearing United shirts and all of them pirated" ...

Valentine's Day Special: In the name of love
12 Feb: Thaindian (Thailand). Last year, about 15,000 youths celebrated Valentine’s Day in an ingenious way. In a tiny village in south Goa, school and college students accepted nature as their Valentine and pledged to protect it from man-made destructions throughout their lives. Now isn’t that something to warm your heart? Click here.

Goa invited for Lusofonia Games in Lisbon
12 Feb: Navhind Times. Before returning to Portugal today, Comandante Jose Vicente Moura, president of Portuguese Olympic Committee reiterated that he would be very happy to see a strong Goan delegation for the 2nd Lusofonia Games to be held in Lisbon in June 2009. Click here.

Industry turns its back on Goa, blames instability
13 Feb, 2008 …Strategically located and with an airport, a major harbour and good road, rail links, along with inherent advantages of an urban set-up, harmonious culture and largely English-speaking people, Goa is considered attractive for long-term presence of companies. But industrialists point out that lack of proper infrastructure and political instability have been a major deterrent for companies to start production here. 586 words. Click here.

Goa CM in Delhi to meet high command
13 Feb: The Hindu. Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat rushed to New Delhi on Tuesday to seek the intervention of the Congress high command to resolve the problem of an inevitable cabinet reshuffle. click here.

Goa may go beef-less soon
13 Feb: Herald. The Shri Ram Sena organisation has intensified its campaign against cow slaughter by seeking to stop the supply of beef to Goa from neighbouring States. Check posts will be established near every exit point at the Goa border with the help of the police to check the flow of beef and cows … 220 words. Click here.

Implement decision on cleanliness in Panaji, HC to govt
14 Feb: Navhind Times. The High Court has asked the state authorities to maintain cleanliness in Panaji city … Mr Rajan Parrikar had informed the court that Panaji has become an outdoor toilet with public defecation and urination being common sights … He had also pointed out that the Mandovi river promenade had been converted into a hawking zone with proliferation of bhelpuri stalls … 257 words. Click here.

Blame It On Panjim
18 Feb: Outlook Magazine (India). For the first time ever, Brazilian floats were to be part of the Goa Carnival, complete with their famously nubile samba dancers. Alas, Goa's subterranean sexual prudery was also on full display—a strict no-nudity clause was enforced on the Brazilian floats. So, Goa had to be content with two tepid tableaux depicting the Portuguese discovery of Brazil … Paradoxically, Goa has no qualms when foreign tourists sunbathe naked on its beaches … 1078 words. Click here.

IN THE NEWS

Stephen Bennett Murder: Family Given Hope In Justice Fight
7 Feb: The Cornishman. (UK). The family of Stephen Bennett have been given fresh hope in their quest for justice. Bennett, 40, was brutally killed just days after he arrived in Goa for a winter break … Foreign Office minister Lord Malloch-Brown has agreed to contact the authorities in India to urge them to hand over the inquiry to the Central Bureau of Investigation ... 678 words. Click here.

Toronto: South Asians embrace Valentine's Day
7 Feb: Inside Toronto. … From downtown Toronto to Scarborough, small South Asian organizations are planning all kinds of parties … Some cultures that want their children to marry within their community have also organized a Valentine's night in the hope that some of them may meet their life partners … 427 words. Click here.

UK: NHS closes its doors to foreign doctors
7 Feb: The Times (UK). Doctors from India, South Africa and other Commonwealth countries are to be barred from the NHS in an attempt to preserve health service jobs for British graduates … The new immigration rules gained approval yesterday. Dr Ramesh Mehta, a consultant paediatrician and President of BAPIO, said: “This should have happened four years ago. We don’t have enough training posts and our UK doctors should have opportunities.” 711 words. Click here.

India's Christians: The cross they bear
7 Feb: The Economist (UK). In recent weeks Hindu extremists in India's “tribal belt have stepped up a vicious anti-Christian campaign. Over Christmas in neighbouring Orissa mobs set fire to 55 churches and 600 houses … the worst anti-Christian violence independent India has seen. 503 words. Click here.

India: Male-dominated Catholic Church For Women's Empowerment
8 Feb: News Post India. Women in the male-dominated Catholic Church will finally get a chance to be heard … A survey, revealed that a majority did not believe that the church treated women at par with men and felt that the Church contribute more towards women's empowerment. The church leadership, however, was not willing to admit that women were a neglected lot. 360 words. Click here.

Video: 'Dr. Horror' Denies Stealing Kidneys
8 Feb: CityNews (Toronto). Francis D’Souza reports from Toronto. Click here.

Fr Joaquim Ferreira Da Silva Declared a Hero after 45 years
9 Feb: Expresso (Portugal). Fr Da Silva (1916-87), a Jesuit Priest who looked after 1750 military and civilian detainees in the prisoner of war camp in Ponda in 1961 after the defeat of the Portuguese in Goa, has been awarded, posthumously, a Distinguished Service Medal. For photographs and text, click here.

Bodice rippers invade India
9 Feb: Sydney Morning Herald. When the lantern-jawed hero of the next Mills & Boon romance strides into a bedroom where his lady love, lips glistening with desire, waits to be ravished, don't be surprised if he peels off her sari, whispers endearments in Hindi, and suggests a post-coital curry. Mills & Boon has set up shop in India, determined to conquer the country's estimated 300 million English speakers with its romantic fiction. Click here.

Britons rush to India for the boom
9 Feb: The Times (UK). More than 60 years after the Raj ended, a fresh wave of bold British settlers are heading east to booming, thriving India to make their fortunes and forge new lives there. We report on the great rupee rush … The colonial relationship ended with independence in 1947, but then later generations of Brits headed out – and maybe dropped out – in search of spiritual enlightenment (or to party in Goa). These days, however, Britons are much more likely to be pitching up for a job once again … Advice on How To Move To India 2672 words. Click here.

Signals From Overseas
10 Feb: Navhind Times. The fate of Indians working overseas is in the balance. Reports give detailed accounts of the hardships faced by the NRIs in Kenya and Malaysia … The bitter experiences of the trauma caused to the Indian community including a large number of families from Goa during the Idi Amin rule in Uganda are still fresh in our memory. It is for the government to read the signs on the wall and take preliminary steps both in Goa and elsewhere to absorb the NRIs who may eventually have no other place to return. 853 words. Click here.

Kenyan Indians want to sing Hakuna Matata
10 Feb: Hindustan Times. After over a month of violence and unrest, Kenyan Indians desperately want to sing the famous song Hakuna Matata - 'no worries' or 'no problems'. … We are very safe in the cities and towns say most of them … In Nairobi, no Asian property or shop has been looted or burned …The real problem for Kenyan Indians is they have no country to go to except India and also lack funds to pay for their tickets. So Asian community organisations are working out emergency plans to assist them if the need arises … Once peace is restored, Kenya Indians will be among the first to sing Hakuna Matata. 835 words. Click here.

UK: Food suppliers poised to cash in on the new 'Delia effect'
10 Feb: The Observer (UK). Producers around the country are braced for a surge in demand for ingredients sanctioned by Delia Smith in her latest best-seller which will recommend dozens of products for making fast and easy meals … For food companies, inclusion in Delia's How to Cheat at Cooking is likely to mean the kind of publicity that money can't buy … Among those anointed by her new book is Seasoned Pioneers, founded on Merseyside in 1999 handpicked by Smith for its spices and seasonings including Goan xacuti … Click here.
Link Goan xacuti to Click here.

Russian media eyes Indian expertise, investment
10 Feb: Malaysia Sun. Big names in the Russian media will head to Goa in October in a bid to attract Indian investment and create a more positive image about their country. 'The conference will be held some time in October at Leela Palace Hotel in Goa. Top Russian and Indian media groups will be present at this conference … Click here.

Win a Tanzanite Pendant for your Valentine!
11 Feb: Thaindian.com (Thailand) … Manuel de Souza, a tailor form Goa, India and part-time gold prospector is credited with the discovery of transparent fragments of vivid blue and blue-purple gem crystals, which came to be recognized as Tanzanites … Simply answer the question … by 15th February 2008. For text Click here.
For the GVUK Manuel de Souza supplement click here. [Ed: I am looking to add a photograph of Manuel de Souza to the supplement. Can anyone help, please?]

Bombay prepares for riots over immigration row
11 Feb: The Times (UK). Amitabh Bachchan, Bollywood's most venerable heartthrob has been dragged into a row over Bombay's immigrant population that has left the threat of rioting looming over the city … far-Right gangs demanded that “outsiders” should be barred from India's most cosmopolitan — and overcrowded — city. Police leave has been suspended across Maharashtra, the state that surrounds Bombay, after days of street skirmishes … 786 words. Click here.

Recipe: Goan-style salmon curry
11 Feb: Liverpool Daily Post. To combat the miserable, freezing cold weather we've experienced of late, this spicy dish should jazz up your meal times and give a defiant brush-off to any impending winter blues. Click here.

Australia unsafe? Attacks on Indian students rise
12 Feb: Times of India. Train stations, bus stops, even pavements in and around Melbourne have increasingly turned unsafe with a good number of attacks on migrant youth being reported from the suburbs … The Federation of Indian Students in Australia (FISA) says the number of attacks, "fortunately directed towards male Indian students only", could be as high as three per day. 621 words. Click here.

Indian restaurants in UK face staff shortage
13 Feb: Times of India. The chicken tikka masala, adjudged Britain's national dish, may soon be out of reach of many Britons as acute staff shortage has forced many Indian restaurants to close down across the United Kingdom. The one billion pound Indian food industry is facing an acute shortage of chefs due to restrictions on employing cooks from the Indian subcontinent … In 2005, the British government ended a short-term visa scheme for people working in Indian restaurants in the wake of an illegal immigration scam involving Bangladeshi nationals. Click here.

How to live the free life and maintain your income
13 Feb: MoneyHighStreet.com. Are you tired of the miserable winters, the long commutes, and the 9-5 drudgery? If so, there may be another way. With the internet and other modern technologies the world has become a much smaller place. Could you imagine yourself spending your winters on a tropical beach while still earning an income … So, if you want to take of and try out life in some new countries or just get away during the winter months, it can be done. You can spend your winter months on a beach in Thailand, stop for a few weeks in Hawaii, or chill out in Goa for a couple of months. All you really need is a laptop and a broadband connection. Click here.

Love Kenya roses, romantics urged
13 Feb: BBC. Valentine's Day romantics planning to say it with flowers are being urged to buy roses from Kenya to help the troubled country. The UK government says buying flowers from developing countries creates jobs and reduces poverty. Click here.

Portuguese Bank projected to start operations in India
13 Feb: Agencia Financeira. The Chairman of the Executive Board of BES, Ricardo Salgado, revealed that the bank projected starting a banking operation in India, having already raised the issue with the finance minister of that country … Salgado said that there was Indian interest in Portugal as it has a visible presence there, particularly in Goa. 348 words. Click here.

Live TV Documentary: Where's Sandra?
14 Feb: 16:00 GMT; repeated 17 Feb at 10:00 GMT. Where's Sandra? is a short documentary (18 minutes) shot in Bandra, Mumbai and features Sandra in Church, the ladies compartment of the local train, singing Konkani songs etc. To watch the film click here.

GOANET HIGHLIGHTS BY CORNEL DACOSTA

Is it true to say that the "Goans are a gentler breed" than the large numbers of migrants currently entering and settling in Goa? Such a view has been expressed by a writer who simply refers to herself as Diana. She explores the reasons for the growing "chauvinism" among indigenous Goans who feel overwhelmed by so many new people entering Goa and taking over much of the business and living infrastructure. Do read her article titled Goans, Non Goans and Ghantis.

Wikipedia is an electronic encyclopedia where anyone can make and change their own entries on a range of topics. An earlier contribution to the Goan Voice (UK) had indicated how Wikipedia operates and the relative merits of such an encyclopedia. Now however, perhaps for the first time, there is a demand that depictions of prophet Mohammed, be expunged from Wikipedia on the grounds that Islam prohibits visual depictions of the prophet. So, what do GVUK readers feel about this unexpected request that also includes an electronic petition for support for this demand?

Did GVUK readers know that during the final months of Portuguese rule in Goa in 1961, Salazar, the Portuguese dictator had ordered the Portuguese Goa Governor to repatriate the remains of St Francis Xavier to Portugal and also to adopt a scorched earth policy and thus bringing an end to the 451 year rule? Fortunately, the Governor ignored Salazar's demands and the rest is history of course! However, there is much to this story in an article by Pamela D'Mello titled Snapshots of Indo-Portuguese History.

Why is the period of Lent predominantly a Roman Catholic practice rather than universally a Christian one? Find out about the different perceptions about Lent from an interesting piece titled Lent Disciplines Attract More Christian Groups.

The Persian Gulf region attracted huge numbers of Indians and Pakistanis over several decades whilst development was taking place there. Now, the region appears to have lost its lure. A survey reported on Goanet indicates that rising inflation, and the weakening of Gulf currencies have taken a toll on the Middle East job market. Find out exactly what is going on in this region and the likely effect when such workers leave the region and return home.

Roland Francis provides Part 1 of a long piece on Chris Perry, Lorna and the Bombay club and dance scene of yesteryear. This is a lively account of the period in the 1950s and 1960s. More so however, it is a biographical presentation about the two outstanding musicians and entertainers of the period and the setting in which they worked. I for one, can't wait for Part 2 of this series.

Finally, let me end with a lament from Dr Anesimo Fernandes. He says, "when I read the Goan Voice (UK) I ask myself again and again...why do the Goans inspite of being successful and contributing so much around the world, Goa should be in such a [perilous] state?" But he also says, hopefully I suppose, that "inspite of living abroad for years, many Goans have their hearts and souls in Goa and want to settle back at home". Well well, well is there much truth in such an assertion or is it just Anesimo's pipe dream? Please let Goanet have some feedback and thoughts on this matter.

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

FILM: The Last King of Scotland. Sky Movies Premiere
Sat. 16th Feb. 22:00 to 00:01. Newly qualified doctor Nicholas Garrigan travels to Uganda, and is taken up by new ruler Idi Amin, but finds himself trapped in the violent regime. 2006.

FILM: The Sin Eater. Channel 4
Sun 17th Feb 01:55 to 03:45. A young Catholic priest travels to Rome with his fellow priest Thomas Garrett and savant Mara Sinclair - a woman who once tried to kill him during an exorcism - to investigate the mystery. 2003.

TALK SHOW: The Big Questions. BBC 1
Sun 17th Feb. 10:00 to 11:00. A series of moral, ethical and religious debates on topical issues

COOKERY: Indian Food Made Easy. UKTV Food
Tue 19th Feb: 7 programmes, 30 minutes each 09:00 to 21:30. Food writer and Chef Anjum Anand demonstrates how to cook simple yet delicious Indian food.
To check out the Times Anjum Anand video recipes click here.

COMEDY: Giles Wemmbley Hogg Goes off to Tanzania. BBC 7 (Radio)
Wed 20th Feb. 23:00 to 23:30. Comedy with Marcus Brigstocke as Giles Wemmbley-Hogg, traveller, backpacker and investigator of cultural diversity.

DOCUMENTARY: Indian School. BBC 2
Wed 20th Feb. 23:50 to 00:20. Girl Talk. 25-year-old counsellor Sonal has decided it's time to settle down and opt for an arranged marriage. In the meantime she's faced with teaching the facts of life to a hundred fresh-faced 13-year-olds.

DOCUMENTARY: Our Big Fairtrade Adventure. Channel 4
Thu 21st Feb: 03:20 to 04:20. Some pupils from Cheney Secondary School in Oxford embark on a mission of a lifetime to India to source for themselves the materials needed to make their own ethical school shirt to sell back at home.

FORTHCOMING

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

Sun. 23 Mar. Konkani Dramatic Association proudly presents 'Easter Dance' at St John’s Church Hall, Bourne Hill, Palmers Green, London N13 4DA. From: 2.30 p.m. - 9.00 p.m. Music provided by Nite Life. Tickets, (includes buffet meal): adults £10.00 Children £5 (5-16, under 5 free). Dress: Formal (Strictly NO Jeans or Trainers). For tickets & further details call the following: Antonio - 0208 4529406 / 07988896904; Judy - 0208 76302606 / 07949403741; Domacian - 0208 3761609 / 07940501196; Rosy - 0208 8352 9450; Johnny - 0208 7693168

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.

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