COMMUNITY NEWS

Montreal: Cheryl Braganza: Music to rummage by
4 Jul: Montreal Gazette. Cheryl Braganza has turned the Salvation Army outlet on Notre Dame St. W. into a cabaret by playing the piano in the store. She focuses most of her creative energy on painting large-canvas acrylics and has had a few shows… Braganza's mother taught her to play the piano, and she studied at Trinity Music College in London… She has three adult sons, all of whom play the piano. Braganza successfully fought cancer a couple years ago and is heavily involved in human- rights organizations… 684 words. Click here.
For the Cheryl Braganza website click here.

Canada: Out of the Gutter: (IshQ) Bector & Neal Pinto
4 Jul: Winnipeg Sun. Sunil (IshQ) Bector has made a career in "gutter music." - the music of the masses… In Winnipeg he met another Indo-Canadian musician, Neal Pinto…Pinto was interested in exploring and using more electronic beats in his music…The music they made has yet to be released, but is in the works. Pinto says, "It may very well be the ultimate fusion for the masses on both sides of the world." 618 words. Click here.
For a brief profile of Neal in GVUK 2007-5, click here. For the Neal Pinto website see www.nealpinto.com

Calgary: Dr John Fernandes: Why Family Medicine is such a great Profession
4 Jul: Calgary Family Medicine. …My wife and my staff manage the 250+ calls to our clinic daily while conducting a virtual cacophony of verbalized suffering into a virtuoso's daily masterpiece of combating disease and anguish. Thank God for my wife! … Click here.
For a profile of Dr Fernandes click here.

Lea and Victor Rangel Ribeiro: A truly Goan couple
4 Jul: Times of India. It is humour that perks up their perpetual romance. Lea and Victor Rangel Ribeiro share their love and laughs with Goa Times and talk about their life in Goa, Mumbai and the US. 745 words. Click here.

Joy Pinto: Travel: Packing dos and don'ts
4 Jul: The Hamilton Spectator (Canada). Tips from seasoned travellers: Carry a tiny bottle of Dewberry, my favourite perfume oil from the Body Shop. It's so concentrated, a drop lasts all day." -- Joy Pinto, co-owner and executive director of Micato Safaris, which organizes luxury tours in Africa…

Video: Leoncie – International Goan Convention Star
5 Jul: The Guardian (UK) The Guide: Internet: In Leigh On Sea you can find love in a pub, possibly with a lady called Leoncie. For the video clip, click here. 2m. 15s.
Leoncie is due to perform at the Toronto Convention later this month … From the Leoncie website “Leoncie is like a Fiery Sauce of Ripe Goan Chillies and an Exciting kick of Strong -Goan- Cashew Feni… For more Leoncie videos click here.

Tony D’Souza: International Goan Convention Star
6 Jul: Independent on Sunday (UK). Book Review: The Konkans By Tony D’Souza Portobello £10.99. Konkans are Indian Catholics who live around Goa, with English Christian names and a very different way of life from the majority Hindu population. In this novel Lawrence marries Denise, a white woman visiting India with the Peace Corps. They relocate to Chicago and Lawrence's brothers arrive, looking for work. He feels obliged to look after them but hates the way they bring with them a culture he wants to abandon… an uncle slips across the border from Canada and expects to find tigers in the woods…Meanwhile his deluded belief that he can be accepted in a white, middle-class world, grows… 195 words. Click here.
The Tony D’Souza website is at www.tonydsouza.com/

Survey being conducted on Goan emigration
6 Jul: Navhind Times. The Centre for Development Studies is to bring out a book on a study of Goan emigration after carrying out a survey. Presently, ten investigators are involved in carrying out the survey involving 60 localities in Goa. The survey which began on May 26, is 30 per cent complete and is expected to end in four month’s time…Apart from emigration, the survey will trace the Goans who have moved to other Indian states…724 words. Click here.

Australia: Mary D’Souza: Solar System Roulette
6 Jul: New York Times. …Last week, the Space Generation Advisory Council held an international competition among people 33 or younger to design systems for deflecting an earthbound object…First place in the competition is awarded to Mary D’Souza of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Queensland in Australia for her paper entitled “A Body Solar Sail Concept for the Deflection of 99942 Apophis.” … Ms. D’Souza will receive a trip to present her paper at this year’s Congress which take place in Glasgow, Scotland, from late September until early October 2008…713 words. Click here.
Mary was born in Melbourne and is the daughter of the late Prince D'Souza who was born in Bombay, migrated to Melbourne in the 1970s and traces his Goan roots to Parra.

US: NJ: Shamong: The Monteiros pray for miracle
6 Jul: Cherry Hill Courier Post (US- NJ). The intimacy of Queen of Heaven Parish in Cherry Hill drew the Monteiros to it 20 years ago… Manny Monteiro, 49, of Cherry Hill was raised as a Catholic in Goa…the Shamong Diner owner attends 8:30 a.m. Sunday Mass without fail. Wife Alice, 50, a neonatal nurse, 18-year-old Jonathan and 17-year-old Jeremy, go at 10:30 a.m. … But the parish itself is dying. Three priests gave way to one…300 words. Click here.
The Shamong Diner website is at www.shamongdiner.com/

Bahrain: Goan soccer coaching camp planned
8 Jul: Gulf Daily News. Goans are organising a soccer coaching camp for boys aged between 12 and 17 years old, set to begin on July 14. 153 words. Click here.

Soccer: Brandon Fernandes for UK
8 Jul: Navhind Times. Talented teenager Brandon Fernandes will be leaving for Manchester (UK) this week… the 13-year-old Loyal High School and Salgaocar U-14 skipper netted an amazing brace in the first three minutes against Maldives in the AFC Under-14 football festival in Iran recently… 161 words. Click here.

Soccer: Goans all set to embark on a trip to Britain
10 Jul: MeriNews. Armstrong Vaz A dozen players have been selected from Goa to be part of the Manchester United Soccer Schools’ residential course in Britain this summer …Man United aren’t the only ones to take notice. Arsenal have also initiated a talent hunt scheme in India, while Chelsea have links with the Vision India programme of the AFC to develop talent in India…752 words. Click here.

Review: Patricia Rozario at Drapers' Hall, London
8 Jul: The Independent (UK). Appearing in a spangled midnight-blue sari in the mock-Renaissance grandeur of Drapers' Hall, the soprano Patricia Rozario was building bridges, and not only between Art and Mammon. Her aim was to bring the music of Europe and Asia together … 374 words. Click here.

Perspective of a Ugandan in Canada
8 Jul: New Vision (Uganda). …The twentieth annual open-air celebration of African music and dance in Toronto known as Afrofest is evidence of the success of the multiculturalism policy…And that alone is one reason to smile, knowing that as second generation Canadians grow from children into young adults, they will find an ever increasing room to dance as Africans in Canada. Perhaps, more room than their fathers and mothers ever imagined as new immigrants in a cold and foreign land. 913 words. Click here.

Video: Contacto Goa: The Goan Identity
8 Jul. RTP. The 24 June 2008 episode of the Portuguese broadcaster, RTP, dealt with Goan Identity. What is it? Why is it under the threat? Quote: “The Goan identity is under threat from the rest of the country” The dialogue is Portuguese and English, with subtitles. To read the subtitles you will have to increase the image size to full screen – place mouse pointer on image, right click, zoom, full screen. To view the programme, 27mins 49secs. Click here.

Video: Contacto Goa: Bollywood’s Goan Music
9 Jul. RTP. Goan Film Music was the topic of the 8 July 2008 episode Contacto Goa. Pictured is Remo Fernandes. The Portuguese imparted musical education in the schools and musicians went to Bombay to seek employment. Shyam Benegal is interviewed clips from his Goan films, Trikaal and Bhumika are included. To view the programme, 30mins 29secs click here.

Australia: Nina Pinto: Young Scientist of the Year
9 Jul: The Newcastle Herald (Australia). Young Scientist of the Year, Nina Pinto, 16, (who was named by the Science Teachers Association of NSW) is featured in the August 2008 issue of Dolly magazine which is out today.

Goa’s a labour of love for Keith Vaz
9 Jul: Times of India. Keith Vaz speaks passionately about Goa…“I try to go back to Goa at least once a year. I am keen that my children know their heritage,” says Vaz… “Eat!” says Vaz about what he does in Goa. “There is no comparison to the food in Goa and I miss it terribly.” He adds, “I think that Goa has had some negative and often unfounded publicity in the last year…” 730 words. Click here.

Canada: Michelle DeMello: Vote for her online
9 July. Masala Mehnd Masti (MMM) Festival 2008. Michelle DeMello, a gifted Canadian Goan artist has been nominated for the People's Choice Award for Visual Artist of the year. She is one of five nominations for the Visual Artist of the Year in the People’s Choice Awards. Check out her work at www.michelledemello.com and if you wish to nominate her, click here.
The MMM Festival takes place from July 25 - 27 at 60 Prince Edward Island Crescent, Exhibition Place, Toronto, with free admission to all events for all ages. [Info from Rene Barreto].

Corryn Rayney Murder: Husband told to attend court
10 Jul: The West Australian (Perth). Lloyd Rayney will face a charge of tapping the phone of his murdered wife…Magistrate Paul Heaney said it was "embarrassing" that prominent lawyer Lloyd Patrick Rayney, 45, failed to appear for Wednesday's scheduled court hearing… he was named as the prime suspect in his wife's murder in August last year… Outside court, Ms Rayney's sister Sharon Coutinho said her family was frustrated by the time it was taking to have the matter heard. "It's unbearable, today had been Corryn’s birthday" Ms Coutinho said… Family member Rohan Coutinho said he was glad Rayney had been ordered to appear…The matter has been adjourned until July 30. For photo and text, 437 words. Click here.
For a video clip of Lloyd Rayney outside the Court, click here.

Goan Summer Festival, Swindon: 12 July 2008
Sat. 12 Jul. 9:30 am to 8:30 pm. Goan Swindon Association: The Goan Summer Festival, Swindon at County Ground Athletic Track in Swindon. The day will start with a Konkanni mass at 9:30am at the Holy Rood Church, Groundwell Road, Swindon SN1 2LU. The Festival will start at 11.30 am at County Ground Athletic Track and continue till 8:30 pm. Lots of live bands, Konkanni songs, young performers, DJ music, Food stalls, Comedy shows, etc. Admission £2; children free. For stall bookings contact. Avelino Pires 07927150947 or Rosendo Pereira 07739997849.
For the GVUK Swindon Supplement click here.

DEATHS

7 Jul. Houston, Texas. ABEL JOSEPH DESOUZA (Aged 71). Survived by wife Elaine, son Mark, daughter Jenny, family & friends. Born in India. Graduated with a PhD in Chemical Engineering from LSU. Taught at HCC and UH after 30 yrs with Shell.

5 Jul: Los Angeles, California. OLEGARIO SOUZA EREMITA. Our family thanks you for your sincere sympathies, well wishes and prayers during this time. We are comforted that Olly spent his last days surrounded by his children, grandchildren and wife and left us peacefully. Please join us for Services: Fri. July 11. 5–9 PM. Forest Lawn Memorial.
Sat July 12, 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM. Funeral Mass (9:30) and Burial following. Incarnation Catholic Church, Glendale.
Remembrance and Gathering (12:30-4:30) Hilton North Glendale
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Olegario Eremita's name to Incarnation Catholic Church, Building Fund.

2 July: Raia, Goa. ANTONIO D'SILVA (Born 1955; ex-Muscat, Dubai, Canada; Prop Arlem Service Station, Raia). Husband of Kamini. Father of Adrian. Brother of late Silvestre/Florence, Flory/Antonio Monteiro, Bella/Edwin Baptista, Piety/Merwyn Rebello

2 Jul: Sydney, Australia. SOPHIE CARDOSO (Ex-Mombasa, Kenya). Wife of Walter. Loving mother of Flora and Ida/Vance. Grandmother of Troy/Dounia, Victoria, Vance and Dylan. Sister of late Phyllis/late Francis, Monica/late Neves, Joe/Natty and Antonetta/Patrus. Funeral on 8 July 2008 at 10 a.m. at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Cowpasture Road (near Carnes Hill Shopping Centre) followed by cremation at the Leppington Crematorium. No flowers please. Donations can be made to the Liverpool Respiratory Unit, Liverpool Hospital. Condolences to flora_cardoso1@hotmail.com [Info from Tony Collaco, Sydney]

1 Jul: Bangalore, India. THOMAS VIEGAS (Age 81, ex- Dar es Salaam). Husband of Blanche (daughter of Smith and Theodolida Pereira of Nairobi/Mombasa). Father of Tacey (Huntsville Ala., USA), Sandra (Bangalore) and Trevor (UK). Thomas was ex Barclays in Dar es Salaam and later the manager of Nat Bank of Commerce, Tanzania. Condolences to taviegas@aol.com

1 Jul: Dartford, Kent. DOMINIC FRANCIS PATRICIO. (Age 84; ex-Nairobi). Brother of Lucy/late Vincy De Souza (UK) Bernard/Dolla Patricio (UK) Juliet Patricio (UK) Cecilia/Ornie De Souza (USA) Greg/Sandra Patricio (USA). Dominic worked for the Education Dept, the KIA (Kenya Institute Administration), Kabete and Thika City Council in Kenya. Funeral on Friday 18th July at 10:00am at St. Anselm's Catholic Church, 89 West Hill, Dartford, Kent, DA1 2HJ followed by cremation at the Eltham Crematorium, Crown Woods Way, Eltham, London SE9 2AZ. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the DEMELZA House Children's Hospice, Kent. Condolences to: mariojude@hotmail.com

1 Jul. Petts Wood, Kent, UK. THEMISTOCLE DIAS (Ex Uganda), Beloved Husband of Eladia. Father of Baldwin/Jennifer, Matthew, Rebecca, Benedict/Debra, Clarissa. Funeral on Fri 11 July @10.00am at St James the Great Church, 283 Crescent Drive, Petts Wood BR5 1AY. Please make cheques payable to ‘The British Liver Trust’ and send to The Funeral Directors. W. Uden & Sons Ltd, 19 Chatsworth Parade, Queensway, Petts Wood, Orpington, Kent, BR5. Condolences to bdias@blueyonder.co.uk

HOLIDAY INFORMATION

GOA NEWS HEADLINES

Mild tremor felt in South Goa
3 Jul: UNI. A mild tremor of 1.9 magnitude on the Richter scale was experienced in the mining belt of Cangue taluka of South Goa today, causing damage to two structures…the tremor, with its epicentre at Valkanas, was recorded at 1208 hrs and it lasted for 47 seconds…There were no reports of damage to a dam, which is 10 km away…

Manchester United kits for £1.50
4 Jul: Daily Record (Scotland). Manchester United hosted a soccer school in Goa, India, in October and although 5000 kids were present and most were wearing united kit all of it was fake. Replica shirts cost up to £40 on UK High Streets but in India most kits are pirated and cost the equivalent of £1.50. Click here.

Wendell Rodricks: Haute Tropics
5 Jul: The Hindu. Cut and colour whiz Wendell Rodricks makes a splash this summer with his Lakme Fashion Week finale line “Tropical Island.” Crayon brights, sleek silhouettes and flowing fabrics are the highlight of the collection … He says, “Since I work from Goa, the beautiful white-washed walls of the churches have always spurred me to create some pristine pieces…” The creations are priced at Rs. 4,000 upwards…392 words. Click here.

Goa Medical College hospital is unhygienic: report
6 Jul: Herald. A team of Commissioners appointed by the High Court found that the general conditions in the hospital are pathetic. It is unhygienic in the private ward and even worse in the general wards. A 25-page report states that cleanliness at this health institute is “deplorable”…Sometimes two patients are made to share one bed…331 words. Click here.

Goa gets its own version of Madame Tussauds
6 Jul: Malaysia Sun. A wax museum is all set to woo visitors to Goa along the lines of the world famous Madame Tussauds of London. The museum in Old Goa, houses wax statues of various prominent personalities ranging from spiritual leaders to Hindu deities. There is also a wax model of the famous 'The Last Supper' made from 500 kilograms of wax and measuring 22 feet in length. 229 words. Click here.

Investors shy away from Goa
7 Jul: Navhind Times. Hosts of obstacles including popular uprising against most of the industries have prevented investors from coming to the state to set up shops in Goa indicating that flow of capital in the state has almost dried up and that very few job opportunities have been created. 458 words. Click here.

Punish Carmelina’s paramour, demand locals
7 Jul: Herald. Last month Manuel allegedly shot dead his wife, Carmelina and his brother-in-law Mathew D’Silva after suspecting Carmelina of infidelity. Manuel then committed suicide. The residents of Kalay village held a meeting on Sunday to oust Carmelina’s paramour from their midst. They decided not to allow him or his family members to participate in the Church activities or allow any place for them in the cemetery on their death… 518 words. Click here.

Editorial: Democracy as an Illusion: The Goa Experience
8 Jul: By Arun Sinha. Goa is witnessing popular protests against excesses of development in many villages. However, these protests are like wild flowers blossoming here and there. Somebody has to pick them and string them into a garland. Veritably today we are into the beginnings of a potential mass movement in Goa…Oscar Rebello, Remo Fernandes, Wendell Rodricks, Hema Sardessai, priests, theatre artistes, language agitation figures – and non-figures from among village folks – are drawing crowds…1266 words. Click here.

The Goan Corruption Story
8 Jul: Navhind Times. By Jose Maria Miranda. While it is highly shameful and debasing to be counted among the most corrupt states in India, it is utterly disgraceful to know that the survey covers bribes paid by those below poverty line households. Which means that it is the poor, who are the most harassed and exploited, due to their ignorance and illiteracy. 447 words. Click here.

Parched Goa Mining waste jams water treatment plants
8 Jul: Down to Earth. Lakhs of people in Tiswadi and Ponda talukas of North Goa are facing water shortage because mining activities in the catchment area of Opa Water Treatment Plant in Ponda are hampering the plant’s functioning… Chemical contamination is another worry. The water in the plant is not checked for metal residues. 369 words. Click here.

For Moolah, Masti & More
8 Jul: Times of India. From radio jockeying and public relations to mass media and event management, job opportunities in Goa are breaking the standard moulds, discovers Joaquim Fernandes. 981 words. Click here.

Portuguese Consortium To Bid for Indian Goa Airport
8 Jul: Portuguese News Digest. A consortium formed by several Portuguese companies will bid in a tender for the construction of the new airport in Mopa, Goa…the investment value of the project is calculated at $400 mln (255 mln euro)…the construction will expectedly take some five years… Portugal's Foreign Minister, Luis Amado, together with 10 Portuguese enterprises are currently in Goa. For the original text, 346 words, in Portuguese, click here. Click here.

Cricket: Swapnil Asnodkar: A new role model for Goan youth
8 Jul: MeriNews. By Armstrong Vaz. Swapnil Asnodkar is the new role model for youngsters in Goa. He has fired many ambitions among the kids in this football-crazy state. He is now a household name, not only in Goa but also in the rest of India and the other cricket-playing nations… 645 words. Click here.

Goa gets new Governor
9 Jul: Navhind Times. In a reshuffle the Manipur Governor, Mr S S Sidhu has been transferred to Goa and Mr S C Jamir has been moved from Goa to Maharashtra. Mr Sidhu, 79, a former secretary general of International Civil Aviation Organisation… 224 words. Click here.

The changing face of my Goan village
9 Jul: MeriNews. By Armstrong Vaz. Villages in Goa are witnessing rapid modernisation. One such village is Cuncolim. Yesteryears' joy and ecstasy have gone. The bogey of industrial pollution and contamination of water resources has hit the village hard… 1090 words. Click here.

High Court demands garbage disposal policy in Goa
10 Jul: UNI. The High Court has directed municipal bodies to formulate policies within 30 days for the speedy disposal of garbage in Goa. 524 words. Click here.

Weekly Update
10 Jul: Times of India – Goa. Exchange rates £= 85.23; $ = 43.11; Euro = 67.81
Weather: Max = 30.8; Min =23.2. Humidity 85% to 92%. Few spells of rain or thundershowers.

SAFIYA MURDER

12-yr-old maid killed in Goa
4 Jul: Times of India. In a bone-chilling crime, a householder has admitted to killing Safiya, a 12-year-old maid by cutting her body into pieces and burying the remains just outside his flat in Madgaon, Goa… One day she spilled a pan of hot water over herself and suffered severe burns. When the wounds wouldn't heal he decided to kill her… Click here.

Maid Murder: Kerala Cops rue Goa’s obstruction
7 Jul: Herald. The Kerala Police managed to recover all major bones of Safiya, 12 year old maid allegedly murdered in Goa. They rued the fact that the Goa administration and police did not help in any way with the investigation. 270 words. Click here.

Maid Murder: Goa Cops were paid Rs 10 lakh?
7 July: Herald. Hamza who is accused of the murder of Safiya, his 12 year old maid, has claimed to have paid Rs 10 lakhs to the police in bribes to cover up the murder. Part of it is alleged to have been paid to assistant sub inspector Gopalakrishna (Kerala). 264 words. Click here.

Maid murder: Probe gains ground
7 Jul: Times of India. The Kerala police suspended ASI Gopalkrishna and named him as an accused in the case. He was sent to Goa for investigation but tried to destroy evidence it is claimed…309 words. Click here.

Safiya Murder - Police Officials under Scanner for Dereliction of Duty
10 Jul: Daijiworld. The investigating team which went into the case of the macabre murder of housemaid Safiya (14) has submitted a report to the state government, recommending inquiry against all the police officials who are allegedly involved in trying to jettison justice and helping the perpetrators of crime. 349 words. Click here.

MEGHNA MURDER

Meghna death case: Goa police begins extensive investigations
3 Jul: Sify. The Goa police have no clues at hand during local investigations of the death of Meghna Subhedar. Her nude body was found floating at Candolim beach on June 25…Police today refuted media reports that a Bible was recovered from Meghna's room and she had come to Goa to be a Catholic Nun…251 words. Click here.

Meghna Death: ‘Nothing sinister, she committed suicide’
4 Aug: Times of India. Nearly 10 days after Meghna Subedar’s decomposed body was found on Condolim beach in Goa, the police have reached the conclusion that her death is a “plain and simple case of suicide.”… they said that it was possible that Meghna’s clothes disintegrated since her body was in the water for a long time… 364 words. Click here.

Meghna Death: Dad may ask CBI to probe death
5 Jul: Daily News & Analysis. Dr Mohan Subedar, father of Meghna is unhappy with the police investigations… According to him the police are taking an easy way out by saying that Meghna committed suicide. "… In Scarlet Keeling's case too, the police initially said that she committed suicide," he said. 262 words. Click here.

SCARLETT KEELING MURDER

Scarlett Keeling case raised in House of Commons
3 Jul: North Devon Journal. The case of Scarlett Keeling has been discussed in the House of Commons…Torridge and West Devon MP, Geoffrey Cox, questioned what steps have been taken to review the advice to visitors to Goa. He also asked the Foreign Secretary to meet Scarlett's mother, Fiona MacKeown…In response a Government spokesperson said: "All our travel advice is reviewed regularly, to take account of changes such as this tragic case." 216 words. Click here.

Scarlett Keeling: Samson’s bail plea rejected
5 Jul: Herald. The Children’s Court on Friday rejected the application for ‘bail by default’ moved by the accused in Scarlett Kneeling murder case… Samson filed a fresh bail application immediately after. It will be heard next week. 188 words. Click here.

Scarlett Keeling’s mother meets minister
6 Jul: BBC News. Fiona MacKeown is to meet senior Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch Brown in London to ask for help to her recover her daughter's organs… She returned to Goa in April to try to recover the organs, but was refused permission…Ms MacKeown also wants to ensure people are made more aware of the risks they could face in Goa…She will return to Goa in a few weeks to talk to the authorities about the progress of the investigation. 521 words. Click here.

Scarlett's Mother in plea over missing organs
6 Jul: Press Association. Mrs McKeown said she wanted the Goan authorities develop some kind of humanity" over the issue…she also wanted to talk about changes in the "dire" standard of forensics in Goa, and the policing - "people can get into more trouble for not paying a bribe than paying it"… 654 words.

Scarlett Keeling: Hope over organ return
7 Jul: BBC. Fiona MacKeown the mother of Scarlett Keeling who was murdered in Goa has said she is "hopeful" the government could help her recover the 15-year-old's organs… Fiona MacKeown will return to Goa in a few weeks to talk to the CBI about the progress of the investigation. 455 words. Click here.

Scarlett Keeling's mother asks minister for help
8 Jul: The Telegraph (UK). Fiona MacKeown, mother of Scarlett Keeling, met senior Foreign Office minister Lord Malloch Brown on Monday to discuss her daughter's case. She asked a government minister for help in recovering her daughter's organs. "He was very supportive and said he'd do what he could," Ms MacKeown told a press conference after the meeting. Ms MacKeown also discussed with Lord Malloch Brown the possibility of changing the travel advice to Britons visiting Goa…271 words. Click here.

IN THE NEWS:

Dom Perignon 1999 with Goan fish curry…
3 July: Business Week. …35 members of the country's moneyed class had dinner in a posh suburb of Mumbai. The affair was elegant and understated: The guests sipped a 1999 Dom Perignon as they were served home-cooked Goan fish curry and rice... The sumptuous repast was one of the eight organized by Moët Hennessey to give potential customers a taste of its wine and spirits in an exclusive setting… Click here.

Chicken Cafreal: Finger-licking good
5 Jul: Times of India. Melinda Pereira Kamat invites you to take a bite of the succulent Goan dish that is a culmination of flavours from all over the world… The Goan chicken cafreal today combines the art learnt from the Africans and the Portuguese with Asian and Latin American ingredients…In Mombasa the Muslims learnt it from the African tribes… African slaves were brought to Goa by the Portuguese…785 words. Click here.

Portugal’s foreign affairs minister to visit Goa
5 Jul: Asian Age. Minister of foreign affairs Luis Amado of Portugal is expected to visit India from July 7 to 9. A business delegation will accompany him…On Tuesday he will visit Goa, a former Portuguese colony, where he will meet with representatives of the state government. Click here.

Should we all be thinking about making a move to Canada?
4 Jul: The Independent (UK). By Michael Savage. …forget football, tea and Coronation Street. If you want a bigger house, a good job and a safe climate, it's time to start thinking hockey pucks, mounties and maple syrup. People of Britain – Canada needs you! 1302 words. [Alert by Ruby Goes via GoaNet]. Click here.

Video: Indian three-wheeler is Pope's new ride
4 Jul: Times of India. The autorickshaw is now all set for a papal touch. Two desi versions of the 'Popemobile', the specially-designed automobile used by the Pope at public appearances, is to whirr across the Vatican. For text, 275 words, click here.
For a video clip, 42 sec., click here.

Your healthy guide to takeaway food
4 Jul: The Mirror (UK). We all know takeaways aren't the healthiest of meals but chances are we also don't realise just how bad some of them actually are? Advice from a report in Which? Magazine: Instead of 2 vegetable samosas, 2 poppadums with pickles, chicken korma with pilau rice and half a naan 2,200 calories, 116g fat, order Chicken tikka starter, beef madras with basmati rice and half a chapatti: 1,240 calories, 33g fat… 1155 words. Click here.

Now, brain drain from UK to India
4 Jul: Times of India. Professionals and graduates from elite British universities are making a beeline for India, thanks to its booming economy, closer trade relations between the two countries and numerous job opportunities there. 343 words. Click here.

Indian tourists fly into Britain to outspend the Americans
5 Jul: The Times (UK). The proliferation of India's wealthy middle class, easier tourist visas and the expansion of air travel has brought almost a threefold increase in the number of Indian tourists holidaying in Britain over the past ten years. Such is the influx that tourist chiefs now view India as the most important developing market over the next decade — and a strong reason to redefine the shape of British tourism. 835 words. Click here.

India: Pee and get paid
6 Jul: Times of India. Residents of a small town in Tamil Nadu, are getting paid for using toilets… the system serves two purposes. While it encourages people to use toilets, the urine collected goes for research to test its efficacy as a fertiliser…Now even children in the locality do not urinate in the open, thanks to the financial incentive…521 words. Click here.

India: 'Only 53% wash hands after defecation'
6 Jul: Times of India. …a study conducted in West Bengal and Tripura last year found that only 49% washed their hands after using the toilet, and 38% before eating food. The percentage was even less for those who washed either before preparing (30%) or serving (26%) food. Only 53% did so after defecation… 532 words. Click here.

Shyam Benegal gets talking
7 Jul. The Times of India. The renowned filmmaker Shyam Benegal was recently in Goa for a film festival…Talking about his experiences in Goa, the filmmaker shares, "Goa is a beautiful place. I shot two of my movies here - Bhumika and Trikal." He adds, "Trikal was based on a typical Goan Christian household in Loutolim. When I showed the movie to critics they thought I made a foreign film. Back then, I had to explain to them that Goa too was part of India." 556 words. Click here.

When a great songwriter leaves out the spice
7 July: The Telegraph (UK). Cornbury Festival, Oxfordshire. Full of warmth and variety, its ingredients fresh and familiar in equal measure, delivered with smiling repartee and possessed of a zing and bite that lingered long after it was finished, the Goan fish curry I ate during this show was everything that Paul Simon's performance wasn't… Click here.

Recipe: New Zealand Celebration Chicken
10 Jul: The Press (NZ). The classic New Zealand roast chicken dinner has picked up some new flavours - a sprinkle of India - from a Goan recipe by chef Anil Ashokan … Click here.

GOANET HIGHLIGHTS BY CORNEL DACOSTA

In the interests of Goa, many local Goans have urged fellow Goans not to leave Goa for pastures abroad and have also encouraged those in the Goan diaspora to return home. However, rather unexpectedly, we have had an alternative view on Goanet, encouraging Catholic Goans to quickly head for different foreign embassies with a view to going abroad as soon as possible. Find out more about this controversy. Goan Voice (UK) readers are welcomed to add to this lively discussion.

Interesting correspondence on Goanet has emerged about the nostalgia of travelling by 'carrera/caminao' in Goa several decades ago. This was when an often lop-sided overloaded passenger bus with a trumpet shaped horn for the driver to indicate its arrival, had a particular charm and excitement about it when plying between villages and townships. Goa was incredibly under populated then. The few roads had no tarmac and as a consequence, fine red laterite dust floated all over the place each time the few passenger buses went past.

At a time when the price of oil has shot up to $140 a barrel and is expected to rise to perhaps $200 a barrel reasonably soon, a lively debate has emerged, particularly between American and Canadian Goans. The issue is about the development and extraction of oil from the huge reserves of 'oil/tar sands' in Edmonton, Canada. The extraction of the Canadian product has now become viable financially but it is deemed by environmentalists as 'dirty' for containing as much as three times the sulphur, carbon and other products compared to the oil currently used. Do read this interesting discussion as in many ways, the cost of oil affects us all today.

Pravin Sabnis draws our attention to the statistic indicating that the literacy rate in Goa is in the region of 82% and pretty high compared to other Indian states and as noted in the 2001 National Census. Yet, in a recent estimate, 80% of the citizens showed a lack of ability to follow simple instructions like reducing vehicular speed on sections of the road, and no parking and no spitting instructions. Sabnis explains this phenomena thus: "It is not about the ability to read or lack of literacy. It is about the attitudinal paradigm which annihilate the ability of the literate when civic signs on roads are graphic enough to be understood by illiterates." Clearly, this is something to reflect upon because the death rate on Goa's roads is frightfully high.

Finally, last week, there was a reference to a Johan Bach, supposedly a wanted former Nazi who was located by Israeli and Indian secret service agents on the Goa/Karnataka border. It is clear now that, this story was a hoax that confounded several Indian newspaper editors. However, wouldn't this story provide an excellent plot for a best-selling thriller? Fiction is very popular today and it is my hope that, Goan writers with much imagination, will endeavour to generate a high quality novel stemming from Goa and the Johan Bach saga.

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CONSUMER: Goa and Maldives. Sky Real Lives
Sunday 13th July 19:30 to 20:00. Treat yourself to a holiday of a lifetime to the sun drenched shores of Goa and the Maldives.

MUSIC: Afternoon on 3: Patricia Rozario. BBC Radio Three
Tuesday 15th July 14:15 to 17:00. Music with a highly nationalistic flavour, by composers inspired by folk songs from all over Europe. Patricia Rozario (soprano)

MOTORING: Safari Rally. British Eurosport
Wednesday 16th July 10:00 to 10:30. Action from the 2008 KCB Safari Rally held in Kenya.

DOCUMENTARY: Face the Facts. BBC Radio Four. Also Online
Fri 18th July 12:30 to 12:56. Trouble In Paradise. John Waite investigates why British property owners in Goa fear they may lose their homes in a backlash against foreign investment. John Waite and producer Karen Pirie (photo) have just returned from Goa where they spoke to potential victims, politicians, officials and relevant experts. The team picked up a Foreign Press Association Award last year for an investigation into the plight of Iraqi interpreters who worked for British forces. Repeated Sun 20 July 21:00.
This programme is a follow-up to the You and Yours programme (17 mins) broadcast of 23 May 2008. To listen to the You and Yours programme of 23 May click here.

COMEDY: Comedy Connections. BBC 1
Fri 18th July 22:35 to 23:15. Till Death Us Do Part. The 1966 sitcom was the most controversial, offensive and original programme of its time with the foul-mouthed, East London, bigot, Alf Garnett becoming one of Britain's greatest comedy characters.

If you missed the programme:
Wed. 9th July: BBC Radio3: Edna Fernandes was interviewed about her book The Last Jews of Kerala. To listen to the programme till 15 July. Click here.

FORTHCOMING

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

Sun. 13 Jul. G.O.A. Golf Open at Blue Mountain Golf Course, Bracknell. Further details from: Jacinto D'Silva 020 - 8723 1233, Menino Mascarenhas 01784 211832

Sun: 20 July. Tivim Feast. Mass will be celebrated at 1.30 pm at St Boniface Church, 185 Mitcham Road, Tooting followed by an afternoon of celebration and dancing to the sounds of "Nite Life" at St Boniface Church Hall. Further details from Norma Menezes Rahim on 020 8771 4457.

Sun. 27 Jul. G.O.A. Goan Festival in conjunction with Goan Organisations at Archbishop Lanfranc School, Mitcham Road, Croydon. Starts with Holy Mass at 12.15 pm. ENTRANCE: Adults £2.50, Children under 16 free. Car Parking: £2.50 per car. Contact: Herbert Fernandes 01277 651052. A coach is being arranged from Harrow Wealdstone/Edgware. Price £7. Departure 10.30 am. Contact: Amelia Gomes 020 8861 2073

Sat. 2 Aug. 7 pm. Swindon. Konkani Dramatic Association UK presents John D'Silva's 25th Silver Jubilee production tiatr, "NATTOK" Charlie Chaplin from Goa coming to London with his best performance artistes. Plus artistes from UK. Wyvern Theatre, Swindon. Ticket: £12.00 or £10.00 in advance. Contact: Xavier 0179 3325686/ 07961560935. For the flyer click here.

Sat. 2 Aug. G.O.A. Senior Citizens Trip to Bournemouth. Details to follow. Contact: Norma Menezes-Rahim 020 - 8771 4457, Bernie Gracias 020 - 8723 1322.

Sun. 10 Aug. 12 noon. Wembley. Konkani Dramatic Association UK presents John D'Silva's 25th Silver Jubilee production tiatr, "NATTOK" Charlie Chaplin from Goa coming to London with his best performance artistes. Plus artistes from UK. Copland High School, Cecil Avenue, Wembley. North London. Ticket: £12.00 or £10.00 in advance. Contact: Damacian 02083761609// 07940501196, Francis 07908591759, Anthony 02084529406// 07988896904. For the flyer click here.

Sun. 17 Aug. 3 pm. Croydon. Konkani Dramatic Association UK presents John D'Silva's 25th Silver Jubilee production tiatr, "NATTOK" Charlie Chaplin from Goa coming to London with his best performance artistes. Plus artistes from UK. Archbishop Lanfranc High School, Mitcham Rd. Croydon. Ticket: £12.00 or £10.00 in advance. Contact Judy Pacheco 02087632606// 07949403741. For the flyer click here.

Sun.17 Aug. G.O.A. Family Fun at HSBC Sports Club, Beckenham, Kent. Contact: Richard Fernandes - 020 8300 5347, Vince Fernandes - 020 8764 8780

Sun. 17 Aug. G.O.A. Men’s Football Tournament at HSBC Sports Club, Beckenham, Kent. Contact: Darren Fernandes - 07956 117703

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