Goan Voice UK: Newsletter. Issue 2008-26. June. 26, 2008

Ulhas Naik honored by Scientists of Indian Origin in America

13 Jun: University of Delaware. Ulhas Naik, professor of biological sciences and native of Panaji, Goa, India, is the 2008 recipient of the Mario Toppo Distinguished Scientist Award from the Association of Scientists of Indian Origin in America (ASIOA)… The Indian Science Congress has invited him to chair a session and to deliver a lecture at its annual meeting in India this year, Naik said…340 words. Click here.

Freida Pinto’s film career starts with a Hollywood film

16 Jun: Rediff. Mumbai based Freida Pinto is one of the few Indian models to start her film career with a Hollywood film. The find of well-known Hollywood director Danny Boyle (of Train spotting and The Beach fame), Freida will be seen in Boyle's new film, Slumdog Millionaire… After graduating from St Xavier's College, Mumbai, she modelled for two years… 662 words. Click here.

Australia: Nina Pinto: Molluscs, muses and music

19 Jun: Hornsby and Upper North Shore Advocate (Aus). Nina Pinto's research on marine snails earned the Year 11 student a trip to Georgia in the United States to attend the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair… Nina's project had previously won her the Young Scientist of the Year award from the Science Teachers Association of NSW…She hopes to be a marine biologist one day. 442 words. Click here.

Canada: Kenya-Jade Pinto: Eager to see improvement in the world

19 Jun: The Calgary Herald. Kenya-Jade is 17, attends Notre Dame High School and her Career Goal is to be a Humanitarian lawyer. She participates on her school's basketball, track and swim teams. She also holds down two part-time jobs and puts in hundreds of volunteer ministry hours in the community. Kenya-Jade, who moved to Canada from Kenya in 2001, loves to help people and wants to one day make it a career…404 words. Click here.

Canada: Jeremy Dias: Pride Week

19 Jun: The Toronto Star. It took just one day at a new high school for Jeremy Dias to feel the pain of bigotry…"Someone came up to me within the first 15 minutes and said, 'We have a nigger in our school,'" Dias recalls, “I looked at him and said, 'I'm not a nigger, I'm a Paki,' … Now 24 and at the University of Ottawa, Dias is this year's youth leadership honouree. For full text, 145 words, click here.
For the Jeremy Dias website click here.
For a Jeremy Dias video click here.

Keith Vaz launches probe into Britain's proposed migration system
20 Jun: IANS. Keith Vaz, chairman of the British parliament's home affairs committee, Friday launched an inquiry into plans for sweeping changes to the migration system, saying there are concerns about their impact on the catering industry… Click here.

Toronto: CityNews Wins Two Prestigious Awards
20 Jun: CityNews. …CityNews took home two of the prestigious prizes at a ceremony in Ottawa Thursday night… anchors Francis D'Souza and Merella Fernandez were there to receive the honour. "We really have to congratulate as well our weather team," Francis makes clear… 374 words. Click here.
For the GVUK Francis D’Souza supplement click here.
For the GVUK Merella Fernandez supplement click here.

UK: Carl D'Souza: Perseverance pays off as fines quashed

20 Jun: Kent Messenger (UK). "One-nil to the people!" That's how pharmaceutical researcher Carl D'Souza described his victory over Maidstone Borough Council over disputed parking tickets. Mr D'Souza, son of the former mayor of Maidstone Morel D'Souza, successfully appealed to the independent Traffic Penalty Tribunal …His penalties have now been quashed and the council strongly criticised by the adjudicator…498 words. Click here.

Canada: Hector Jacques: Jacques Whitford Honoured

20 Jun: Canadian Newswire. Jacques Whitford Ltd. has been chosen as one of the Best Places to Work in Atlantic Canada… It was also recognized this year as one of MacLean's Top 100 Employers in Canada and by Today's Parent Magazine as one of the 10 most family-friendly employers in the country. The company was founded in 1972 by Hector Jacques and Mike Whitford. For the full text (385 words) of the article, Click here.
For a photograph and GVUK profile of Hector Jacques, click here.

Video: Canada: Janet & Lucio Mendonca - the Rocking Doctors

21 Jun: Janet and Lucio Mendonca aka the Rocking Doctors performed recently at a Charity Concert in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. The duo enthralled the large crowd which netted some $5,000 for the Hospice of Waterloo. Janet graduated from Goa Medical College in 2000 and is based at the London Health Sciences Centre, University and Victoria Hospitals, London Ontario. Lucio practices dentistry in Toronto. For the video clip of their performance, 7m. 05s. Click here.

London: Gavin Fernandes: Fresh Faced and Wild Eyed

21 June to 6 July. Photographers’ Gallery. Gavin Fernandes is one of the photographers chosen to exhibit at this year’s exhibition “presenting the most dynamic new work by visual arts graduates from BA and MA courses across the UK.” The Photographers Gallery is at 5 & 8 Great Newport Street, London WC2H 7HY. Nearest Tube: Leicester Square. Admission Free. On 21 June to 6 July. Admission Free. www.photonet.org.uk/
For a sample of photographs by Gavin Fernandes, click here.

Corryn Rayney: Lawyer Clare O'Brien in limbo
` 22 Jun: Sunday Times (Aus). Solicitor Clare O'Brien, named in the Lloyd Rayney phone-tapping case has been snubbed by prosecutors in charge of the brief… Mr Rayney has not yet been required to plead to a federal charge of unlawfully tapping the telephone at the Como home he shared with his wife, Corryn, who was murdered last August. He was controversially named by police as a suspect, but has vehemently denied any involvement. 409 words. Click here.

Canada: Father Seby Mascarenhas: Connects arts and spirituality
22 Jun: Winnipeg Free Press. Rev. Seby Mascarenhas, rector of Pilar Theological College in the Indian state of Goa is giving free public lecture, 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 24 at Crescent-Fort Rouge United Church. His Winnipeg visit, part of a three-week tour to Ontario and Manitoba sponsored by the Institute for International Theological Education, includes leading a two-day retreat at St. Benedict's Retreat Centre, June 27 and 28…767 words. Click here.

ZEDO Focuses on Behavioral Targeting
23 Jun: The Earth Times. Roy de Souza, Founder and CEO of ZEDO, Inc., the leading ad-server for high volume web publishers and the third largest ad server in the world, recently spoke on the evolution of online advertising and the future of behavioral targeting and re-targeting. Zedo is headquartered in San Francisco and has offices in London, Mumbai, Goa and Russia. 409 words. Click here.
For the GVUK Roy de Souza supplement, click here.

Gregory Fernandes: Teenage trio deny murder

24 Jun: Daily Echo (UK). Three teenage boys have denied the murder of a seaman in an alleged gang attack in Hampshire…. They were all remanded in custody … A four-week trial has been earmarked for Winchester Crown Court on February 23, 2009. 245 words. Click here.

US: Peter D'Souza: Crownsville Hospital property in limbo
24 Jun: Annapolis Capital, MD. The state is seeking a developer for the 530-acre Crownsville Hospital Center two years after county officials expressed interest in taking over the property…Peter D'Souza had already planned to talk to county officials about expanding Hope House, a drug-and-alcohol-treatment facility for men and women. He said he hopes he can move ahead with that plan… 588 words. Click here.
Peter is married to Loretta D'Souza and father of Samantha. He was the President of the New York Goan Association in 2005

Achtung Collien Fernandes

24 Jun: Kontraband. The rumor is that she's very big in Germany - As well as being a film star and TV host, she was voted 'Woman of the Year' in both 2003 and 2006 by the readers of German Maxim Magazine - It's not that difficult to see why either. Click here.
For the Wikipedia profile of Collien Fernandes. Click here.
For Collien Fernandes video clips, click here.

Melbourne: Vincent Sequeira: Foodie finds spice shops
24 Jun: The Age. Hindustan Imports. Irresistible aromas waft from Vincent Sequeira's monster store. His spices are sourced from all over Asia…His comprehensive range includes Australian spices such as coriander seeds and fenugreek. 50 Greens Road, Dandenong, 9794 6640, Mon-Sat 8.30am-5.30pm.

Toronto: Darius D'Souza: Young cricketers in U.K. test

25 Jun: Toronto Sun. In August twelve youngsters from Toronto will head for Chessington Cricket Club in Surrey, England for a two-week training camp… captain Darius D'Souza has his roots in the Indian subcontinent…having moved to Toronto from India with his family six years ago, D'Souza has already represented his adopted country at under-19 level… 301 words. Click here.
For a short videoclip featuring Darius click here.

Canada: Father Raymond de Souza: Extraordinarily Blessed

25 Jun: Christianity.ca. (Canada). On his way to an academic and political career, Raymond de Souza, made a right turn into religion, journalism ... and chaplaincy of the football Golden Gaels… de Souza was ordained in Kingston's St. Mary's Cathedral with his proud parents, Greta and Cedric, and three siblings and fellow alumni - brother Duncan, Meds'91, and sisters Rachel, Rehab'96, and Marisa, Artsci'97 - in attendance…He is destined to be the first Queen's graduate named a Cardinal… 756 words. Click here.
Greta nee Freitas is ex-Mombasa and Cedric D'Souza is ex-Uganda and Nairobi.

THOMAS COELHO: Memorial

25th June, 2008 – First Death Anniversary: THOMAS COELHO (from Limuru - Kenya). A wonderful and honourable man. Always so selfless, always so kind. We have a debt of gratitude, for the life of a splendid man. The Republic of Kenya had lost a loyal, honest and respected citizen. For a tribute from his children click here.

25 Jun. Navelim, Goa. ANTHONY (TONY) FERNANDES. Husband of Judy. Father of late Ryan, Brother of Christalina/Raymond de Souza (Canada), Betty, Carmen/Rodney Asher (Canada), Ambrose/late Robert Fernandes (Canada), Clemy (Canada), Vincy (Canada), Lino/Aurelia (Canada).

24 Jun: Velsao-Pale: ANGELA GOMES: Wife of late Martinho, mother of Bruno/Hanny (Switzerland), Diago/Maria, Esperanca/Martin, Sacramenta/late Lawrence, Carmina/late Remmy. Funeral: 25th June at 5.00 pm to Velsao Church.

24 Jun: St Inez, Goa. EMA MARIA ALCINA FERNANDES E RODRIGUES. Relict of late Alfredo. Mother of Luis and Suzy (PWD), Sister of late Dr. Olivia, late Edmundo/late Clementina, Mario/Grace, late Dr. Tito/Dr. Maria de Gloria, Margarida/late Faustino, Zezito/Rosa, Maria Tereza/Joao, Lizette/Bernardo Victor/Nidia, all in Portugal.

23 Jun: Toronto. BASTIAAN VAN DEN ELSHOUT. Beloved husband of Joyce de Souza. Visitation on June 26th. Funeral Mass on Friday, June 27th, 2008 at 11 a.m. in St. Martin De Porres Catholic Church, 4179 Lawrence Ave. E. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Astrid Almeida Education Fund are gratefully accepted. Click here.

22 June: Pomburpa, Goa. CATHERINE CALDEIRA (Born 1930; ex-Zanzibar). Wife of late Salvador (Salu). Mother of Jane/Asiz (Australia), Alex/Maria (Australia), Blandina/Joseph, Cecilia/Walter and Anthony.

22 Jun. Montreal, Canada. REV. FR. LAWRENCE PEREIRA (Born in Goa; age 86). Brother of Dominic and Michael, Lucy Pereira (the late John), Teresa Vaz (the late Januario) and Josie Pereira (Adrianne) and brother-in-law of Pearl. He was an assistant pastor at St. Kevin's Church in Montreal for over 25 years. Formerly of St Patrick's Cathedral Karachi.
MONTREAL: Visitation at St. Kevin's Church, on Wed. June 25 and funeral mass at St. Kevin's Church, on Thu. June 26 at 11 a.m.
TORONTO: Visitation at Sts. Martha and Mary Parish, Mississauga on Fri. June 27. from 6 to 9 p.m. Funeral Mass at Sts. Martha and Mary Parish Sat. June 28 at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Assumption Cemetery in Mississauga. For full details, click here.

22 June: Chinchinim, Goa. ANTONIO DOMNICK FELIX VIEGAS. Husband of Aida. Father of Seby (UK), Siona/Maclen and Stecy.

20 Jun: Montreal, Canada. KELVIN PEREIRA (Born 1976). Son of Dr. Ida Correa-Pereira and Arthur Pereira. Dear brother of Shelby (Evelyne Caillat), Dr. Natasha-Pereira Hong (Dr. Denis-Hong) and Wesley. Visitation at the Centre Funeraire Cote des Neiges – 4525 Cote des Neiges on Sun Jun 29. A celebration mass of Kelvin’s life will take place on Mon. Jun 30 at 11 am, at St. Richard’s Church-7070 Guelph road in Cote-St-Luc, with a reception to follow immediately after in the church hall. The burial will take place privately at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to a charity of your choice. [Info from Felix D’Sa, Montreal]. For full details click here.

19 Jun: Assolna, Goa. SALVINO PAULO XAVIER DIAS. Husband of Sheela. Father of Stephanie. Brother of (all in Germany) Agnelo, Albino, Jacinto, Ophelia, Antonetta, Baby, Junita, Wilma.

18 Jun: Calgary, Canada. HILLARY CORREIA, (ex Dar & Nairobi). Brother to Myra (Bangalore), Nels (Calgary), Rona (Vancouver). Funeral at St. Mary’s Cathedral 218 18th Ave. SW. Calgary on June 24 2008 at 10:00 am. A private Cremation will take place. Condolences to veenel@shaw.ca

16 June: Paris/Swindon/Siridao. SOPHIA URSULA AFONSO (Born 1971). Wife of Carlos. Mother of Shaneisia. Daughter-in-law of late Aleixo/Magdalena Afonso (UK). Sister of Mervin and Rifa (UK), Rita and Anthony (UK). Aunt of Myran, Aden (UK).

Platon Loizou of Jewel in the Crown on Goa
19 Jun: Travel Weekly. Jewel in the Crown managing director Platon Loizou talks about the impact of tourism in Goa… Rising oils prices has compelled airlines to discuss price increases of £100 for next winter to be added to the current price is around £300 to £350...Holidaymakers to Goa are not the same kind of travellers who are attracted to India… Goa is not the real India, it is a very different side of the country and it works well as a product…We have changed Goa … There’s one beachside family-run restaurant I know of that has a turnover of £50,000…966 words. Click here.

Call for lady lifeguards
20 Jun: Times of India. With almost 80 recruits in its fold and a few more days left for its massive recruitment drive, the Tourism department has now appealed to women to apply for the post of lifeguards. 305 words. Click here.

Editorial: Tourism and development
20 Jun: Herald. The Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) expects a sharp decrease in the numbers of foreign tourist arrivals on charter flights next season, owing to expected increases in air fares and a looming recession in the developed countries. Add to that the heavily negative publicity Goa has received in the British media, thanks to the fallout over the Scarlet Keeling case and the state government’s rather quixotic decision to stop registering sales of property to foreigners… 576 words. Click here.

Goa: Property purchase by non-Indian Nationals
21 Jun: UK: Foreign & Commonwealth Office. The Government of Goa has strict rules governing the purchase of property in the state by non-Indian nationals. If the purchase is judged to violate local laws (including if you purchase whilst on a tourist visa), you are likely to lose all the money you have put into the purchase and may even face prosecution. For further information about the purchase of property in India click here.
For text of Travel Advisory to India, click here.

Only 10 lifeguards take tests
22 Jun: Times of India. The lifeguards who had been appointed earlier by the Goa government have shown little interest in taking the fitness test of the newly appointed service contractors…923 words. Click here.

Singin’ in the rain
22 Jun: Hindustan Times. The monsoon is the time of the year when the die-hard romantic packs off to Goa for his annual holiday… During monsoons, the Goan landscape is lush, green and scenic… 580 words. Click here.

Life Guards camp concludes
24 Jun: Herald. At the five day recruitment drive for Life Guards held in Goa, 197 potential recruits turned up. They had to complete the 400 meters distance within 9 minutes but only five did so and a further 38 within the relaxed time of 11 minutes. Only one lady showed up for recruitment. 117 words. Click here.

Goan B&B hoteliers want to draft state tourism policy
24 Jun: Express Hospitality. In an unprecedented move, the small and medium-sized hoteliers in Goa want to come together in order to draft a tourism policy for the state… The policy is expected to focus on responsible tourism - disposing garbage correctly, water harvesting, growing vegetables and using biogas while maintaining international standards…263 words. Click here.

Play cricket in paradise
25 Jun: Gloucestershire Echo (UK). John Turton is offering local players the opportunity to take to the crease in Goa…The trip will last for two weeks and will take in four matches. The £800 price includes the flights, hotel and cricketing costs. Anyone interested is asked to call John on 07974 102345…. 134 words.

Property clampdown for Britons living the Goan dream
26 Jun: The Guardian (UK). Foreign homeowners without proper sale deeds may lose everything…the property clampdown and tightening of visa rules mean many are leaving for good…Goa has an estimated 3,000 long-term foreign residents… Dayanand Narvekar, Goa's law minister, acknowledges that 99% of cases involving the British are simple purchases of apartments and says, “I personally feel we should take a sympathetic view and not touch these properties.”… The panic has forced the British high commission to act… Goa's British residents also feel that getting or renewing an Indian visa has become much more difficult…There's a definite feeling in the expat community now that Goa has had its day… 1006 words. Click here.

Has Goa Gone?
26 Jun: The Guardian. Backstory. Ever since the hippies stumbled upon Goa in the 60s, the tiny western India coastal state has been a magnet for foreigners… But the good days may be coming to an end, with Goa's travel operators warning of a sharp decrease in tourists this year. A big rise in air fares may be just one of the problems; poor administration has resulted in spoilt beaches, overbuilt villages strewn with plastic rubbish, a polluted water supply, inadequate power, high road fatalities and crime. 139 words. Click here.

Plane overshoots Mumbai as both pilots go to sleep
26 Jun: Times of India. An Air India Jaipur-Mumbai flight flew well past its destination with both its pilots fatigued and fast asleep in the cockpit. When the pilots were finally woken up by anxious Mumbai air traffic controllers, the plane was about half way to Goa. This nap in the sky took place about a fortnight ago on flight IC 612 with about 100 passengers on board. Click here.

'Too many black and Asian faces on TV'
26 Jun: The Guardian. Samir Shah a BBC Director has said that there are too many black and Asian faces on screen… he is calling for current TV industry diversity policies to be ditched because they were not working…He also said, "If you were to cast an Asian family in the East End, it should have been Bangladeshi. Instead we had a family of Goan descent." Click here.

Goan workers turning away from Gulf
20 Jun: Navhind Times. the rising cost of living is making the Gulf countries less attractive for expatriate workers…the “new generation Goans” are moving to places like Bangalore and Hyderabad for career in IT instead…there are 40,000 Goans in Kuwait, 9,000 Goans in Qatar, another 9,000 to 10,000 Goans in Oman, and around 10,000 Goans in United Arab Emirates and Dubai, each. 412 words. Click here.

Goa Govt websites need to be updated
20 Jun: Times of India. While the ongoing e-governance initiatives of the State government are laudable, the lack of updated information on websites of various governments leaves much to be desired. 576 words. Click here.

Tennis: Tejas Subodh Shevde to train in US
20 Jun: Navhind Times. Margao-based 11-year-old lawn tennis player Tejas Subodh Shevde has been invited to attend the 2008 United States Scholar-Athlete Games... The US Scholar-Athlete Games will be held in Kingston from June 28 to July 5 where Tejas will serve as a volunteer and also gain vital training at the famous Lake Merced Country Club in San Francisco, California during his three-month stay in the US…557 words, Click here.

Wendell Rodricks: Designer brings his resort style to homes.

21 Jun: Emirates Today (UAE). Wendell Rodricks is expanding his business to cater to home furnishings to reach a new market. He says, “I went round Dubai to look at the market and I’m happy to say that we compare favourably even with brands reputed for their bed linen.” Click here.
22 Jun: Daily News & Analysis. Wendell Rodricks unwinds about being secure in his sexuality, fashion, Bollywood diva Rekha and why he’d never leave Goa… 494 words. Click here.

Are Maoists hijacking anti-mining stir in Goa?
21 Jun: The Pioneer. Goan political leaders and police on Friday mounted their attack on anti-mining activists saying that they were involved in a Maoist-like activity in the State. The allegation, which was raised by BJP leader Manohar Parrikar, who is also the Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly, was backed by the police. Sebastian Rodrigues, an anti-mining activist, who runs a blog, was at the receiving end with the Government putting his activities under scanner… 453 words. Click here.

Construction scenario booming despite opposition
21 Jun: Navhind Times. A survey conducted by The Navhind Times revealed that scarcity of land has created more demand for plots of land and flats in the state… There is no supply of land particularly in coastal belt like Colva and Benaulim, so prices here are obviously more than prices in Margao and its suburbs…the RBI guidelines are affecting the builders and the rate of interest is also gone up… 524 words. Click here.

Goa Hospitals: Desperately seeking resuscitation

21 Jun: Times of India. Feature article: At GMC, heal on own Hundreds use their services everyday, but with equipment and staff stretched to breaking, Goa’s govt hospitals are desperately seeking resuscitation… Click here.

Goa braces for tourism slowdown
22 Jun: Deccan Herald. By Devika Sequeira. A twelve per cent drop in domestic arrivals this summer is a pointer to the impending slowdown in Goa’s tourism sector, which is also bracing for a 10 per cent decline in European charter traffic for 2008-2009. 266 words. Click here.

Traffic signals at 23 junctions
22 Jun: Times of India. Against the growing road fatalities in Goa, 23 junctions and road intersections have been identified all over the state for the installation of traffic signals. Despite its huge, over 600,000 vehicle population, Goa has only two working traffic signals …Last year there were 1527 accidents, this year they increased to 1561…465 words. Click here.

Goa based Sangath receives $3.5 million grant
22 Jun: India Post. The Goa based social organization, Sangath, was the recipient of one of the biggest grants this year from MacArthur Foundation …Sangath is based in Goa and has been working for the past twelve years on issues related to children, adolescents and families. 172 words. Click here.
For the Sangath website go to www.sangath.com/

Land acquired; mega projects stay on paper for decades
22 Jun: Herald. It’s no surprise that Goa’s tourism has not progressed beyond the sand, sea and surf. Acres of land acquired for other kinds of mega tourism projects have remained unutilized for two decades or more. 345 words. Click here.

Long neglected church in Goa gets official attention
22 Jun: Bombay News.Net. The Goa government is renovating the 430-year-old Santa Anna Church in Talaulim that has long been a victim of neglect…Artist, writer and expatriate Goan, US-based Dom Martin, who is credited with taking up a crucial campaign to save the church in 1974, has called this 'an architectural gem abandoned by god'. 565 words. Click here.

Landlords defend sale to non-Goans
22 Jun: Times of India. As activists demand that the sale of land to outsiders at exorbitant prices be banned, thereby stopping the rape of Goa by builders, land owners or bhatkars in Goa believe they have the right to sell their land to the highest bidder. 666 words. Click here.

Goa: Wild Elephants kill forester
24 Jun: UNI. Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat today announced Rs one lakh compensation to the kin of forest employee Rajendra K Bhagat who was killed by an elephant in a forest in North Goa late last night…four forest officials have been killed by wild elephants in the last few years… Click here.

Mining industry is backbone of Goa economy – CM
24 Jun: Steel Guru. Mr Digambar Kamat chief minister of Goa said that the mining industry is the backbone of the state economy and therefore this industry must not suffer. He added that there are damages and effects due to mining activities but if certain precautions are taken, the adverse effects can be minimized… Click here.

Editorial: Goa of Our Dreams
24 Jun: Navhind Times. By Arun Sinha. …My heart longs back to the Goa of the early nineties…The browning of Goa is sickening. …I am yet to meet two people who have the same formula for saving Goa. And I am yet to meet anyone who can tell me what to do after saving Goa… One of the major fears driving veto on all projects is the phobia of migrants—both from poor and rich classes—swamping the natives… I am still confused about what saving Goa means. Does it mean freezing Goa, as it exists today? Does it mean stopping all human activities that cause browning and overcrowding of Goa? No industry, no commerce, no tourism, no airports, no flights, no railways, no highways…1294 words. Click here.

Grassroots movement against Goa’s mega builders simmers
25 Jun: Asian Age. By Pamela D’Mello. The villagers in several hamlets of Goa are bringing elected representatives to their knees and forcing corrupt panchayat members to revoke construction licences granted to mega housing projects. 786 words. Click here.
Grassroots movement against Goa’s mega builders simmers
25 Jun: Asian Age. By Pamela D’Mello. The villagers in several hamlets of Goa are bringing elected representatives to their knees and forcing corrupt panchayat members to revoke construction licences granted to mega housing projects. 786 words. Click here.

Villagers assault builder's men, chase them away
25 Jun: Times of India. Angry villagers in Colva roughed up the staff of a builder and chased away labourers from a mega-project site for what they claim gross irregularities on the plot… 270 words. Click here.

Goa: Fish gets dearer after ban on trawlers
25 Jun: Times of India. Market rates of fish have doubled following a ban on mechanised fishing activities till July 31…The rates of special varieties of fish have been hiked by almost 400 per cent… Goa, a major exporter of seafood to US, Japan and the European countries, is at present relying on Tamil Nadu, Orissa and West Bengal for its supply. 178 words.
ED: Beats me why fish from Tamil Nadu, Orissa and West Bengal is not exported …Click here.

State govt backtracks on SEZs
26 Jun: Times of India. The Goa government has decided to withdraw the stop work order issued to the notified SEZ developers in January 2008. 279 words. Click here.

Weekly Update
26 Jun: Times of India – Goa. Exchange rates £= 84.18; $ =42.72; Euro = 66.53
Weather: Max = 32.2; Min = 24.8. Humidity 83% to 98%

Goa: Birth, death records may be posted online
26 Jun: Times of India. After completing the process of digitalization of birth and death records by December 2009, the Goa government may upload the same on the government website. This was disclosed before the high court after a petitioner had found that the records in the archives section at Margao were not properly maintained… 265 words. Click here.

Nerlon Albuquerque’s petition adjourned
20 Jun: Times of India. The State Information Commission adjourned the hearing and arguments in the petition filed by dismissed PSI Nerlon for July 2. The matter had to be adjourned as the public information officer failed to submit his say in the matter … 146 words. Click here.

Children's court issues notice to Fiona
21 Jun: PTI. Goa's Children's Court has issued notice to Fiona Mackeown, whose daughter Scarlett Keeling was found dead on Goa's beach. The notice, was issued to her Indian lawyer Vikram Varma who said that his client will not be able to attend the court, if called immediately, as she is yet to get her visa. 233 words. Click here./p>

Court asks Fiona Mackeown to come back
22 Jun: The Pioneer. Fiona Mackeown, mother of British teenager Scarlett who was found dead on Goa's popular beach, will have to be present in Goa court to depose in her daughter's murder case…Fiona, who was served notice to her Indian lawyer Vikram Varma, has applied for the visa and still awaiting the nod of the Indian High commission… Click here.

Scarlet Keeling murder: Julio and Placido raided
22 Jun: Herald. Sleuths of the CBI which is investigating the Scarlet murder case are learnt to have searched the residences of Julio Lobo and Placido Carvalho. 200 words. Click here.

Search on for Scarlett's Israeli friend
23 Jun: Times of India. The CBI officials who are in Goa to investigate the alleged rape and murder of Brit teenager Scarlett Keeling have been searching for an Israeli boy who was friendly with Keeling before she met Julio Lobo… He is thought to have left the country…It is learnt that the CBI raided Lobo's and Shanaboy's house on Saturday … Click here.

Scarlett's Mother Must Appear
23 Jun: Western Morning News. The Indian courts have served notice that Fiona MacKeown, the mother of Scarlett Keeling, will be called to appear before the country's courts… Mrs MacKeown said: "… if I get out there, the Goan police might try to arrest me and leave me in jail… The opposition party out there has called for the police to be investigated over their handling of the investigation into Scarlett's murder." 306 words. Click here.

Julio fears arrest, files anticipatory bail plea
24 Jun: Times of India. British teenager Scarlett Keeling’s friend in India, Julio Lobo has filed an anticipatory bail application before the children’s court on Monday fearing his arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)… the matter will be heard on June 27… 308 words. Click here.

Rave Party gets bigger
26 Jun: DNA - Daily News & Analysis. A UK production house will now produce Rave Party, the movie based on the rape and murder of British teenager Scarlett Keeling… Pixel Productions Limited, a UK production house, will back the film and director Prabhakar is ecstatic about this development…Rave Party, which will be shot mostly in Goa, will focus on the drug peddling scenario in the state… 261 words. Click here.

Dubai: True Colours

19 Jun: Gulf News (Dubai). True Colours is performing at the Dubai Original Music Festival and have been playing together for more than 14 years…The group consists of Crystal Coelho, 20; Benny Fernandes, 33; Mario Fernandes, 32; Michael Mendes, 32; Savio Cardoz, 30 and Melvin Dsouza, 29…228 words. Click here.

Uganda: A Long Walk to Power
19 Jun: New Vision (Kampala). When Gilbert Bukenya was a student at St Mary's College Kisubi, he was expelled for organising a strike in protest of the Goan teacher they could not understand… His “Through Intricate Corridors to Power”, tells us a lot about who he is and what he believes in. 378 words. Click here.

Roland Francis of Toronto remembers Bombay of the 60s and 70s

20 Jun: Whazz UP Mumbai. When Morarji Desai of 'pisskey' fame (he banned whiskey but believed in 'auto-urine therapy') decided in his wisdom that the Bombayite needed to abstain from liquor, it was in Dhobitalao that the legend of the Goan Aunty was born... 2138 words. Click here.
Roland Francis is a financial adviser in Toronto. He was born in Bombay, an alumnus of St Xaviers school and college, he left the city's shores for the Gulf and later Canada.

Scotland: “Pakis doesn’t mean anything bad”
21 Jun: The Times (UK). Shamsuddin Mahmood was murdered in Scotland because of the colour of his skin… Steve Dsouza, 26, from Goa, told The Times: “People here have been really nice to me but you do get the odd thing said. They say things like ‘Paki’ but I just ignore it because I don’t want to get into fights. It doesn’t happen much – I’ve never felt threatened by it.” Click here.

Mumbai University clears autonomy for St Xavier's College
21 Jun: Times of India. The University of Mumbai on Thursday cleared proposals for St Xavier's to receive academic as well as administrative autonomy for their undergraduate and postgraduate courses…St Xavier's principal Fr Frazer Mascarenhas said, “It is going to be a great quality improvement exercise.'' Click here.

Goa: Passport to Europe
22 Jun: Times of India. With an eye on a job in Europe, more and more Goans are ‘losing’ their passports and seeking replacements… When making the new application the applicant’s or parents’ birth details are falsified to prior to 1961 to qualify for Portuguese nationality. Once in Portugal, it’s easy access to jobs throughout Europe…The Passport Office in Panaji receives 3 to 4 ‘lost passport’ applications everyday… 512 words. Click here. Click here.
For the GVUK guide to Portuguese Nationality click here.

Father Raymond J. de Souza: The Catholic Church in Quebec
24 Jun: National Post (Canada). The Archdiocese of Quebec has just finished hosting a very successful International Eucharistic Congress… Quebec was once perhaps the most Catholic corner of the world… For many observant Catholics in Quebec, the rapid and aggressive secularization of the culture has been a cause of discouragement and even despair…778 words. Click here.

Online Auction: Campaign medals of Joaquin Domingo Fernandes

25 June 10am: London, Dix, Noonan & Webb. Lot No: 209: J. D. Fernandes, unique three-clasp medal to the Royal Navy, nearly extremely fine £600-800. Joaquin Domingo Fernandes was born in Goa on 1 July 1884. He is described on his service paper as a ‘Man of Colour’… Sold with copied service paper in which he is listed as the only recipient of three clasps to the Africa General Service Medal to the Royal Navy. For full details click here.

Foreigners and NRIs rush to buy Rajasthan forts
25 Jun: Times of India. Rajasthan has around 100 forts up for sale. And queuing up to buy them are potential buyers from Europe, America, Singapore and West Asia… 632 words. Click here.

Amitav Ghosh reads from Sea of Poppies

25 Jun: You Tube. Posted by tamdimati. Amitav Ghosh reading from Sea of Poppies at Literati Bookshop and Cafe, Goa. He discloses that he has a connection with Goa going back 30 years. He talks about some of the Goan literary connections – Dom Moraes, Margaret Mascarenhas, Victor Rangel-Ribeiro, Rahul Shrivsastav, Damodar Mauzo etc.
Part 1 8m.50s Click here.
Part 2 8m. 12s. Click here.
For links to the book click here.

Viva Goa: Restaurant Review
25 Jun: View London Review. Viva Goa is a small, contemporary Goan restaurant tucked away beside its glamorous, gilded neighbours on the ever-busy Crystal Palace triangle…Although the restaurant usually plays traditional Goan music, old time favourites such as “She'll be Coming Round the Mountain” are completey inappropriate for an Indian restaurant!...For reasonably priced, tasty and authentic Goan cuisine you can't go wrong at Viva Goa. A night out here certainly won't damage your wallet but the bizarre background music might be a bit confusing. Viva Goa, 24 Westow Hill, Crystal Palace, London, SE19 1RX. 803 words. Click here.
Vote Viva Goa for the Archant London Food and Drinks Awards 2008. Go to www.vivagoa.co.uk/

Konkani Music: German Radio Station Program on 26 June

Mariano Pereira

25 Jun: Navhind Times. By Mariano A. Pereira (President Bharat Association, Frankfurt). Sigrid Pfeffer of the German Radio Station, Hessisches Rundfunk, was fascinated by the Konkani music she heard when on vacation in Goa. She took seven weeks unpaid leave to interview Konkani literary and music figures…The hour-long program entitled "Konkani music – the almost forgotten music of India" will be broadcast on Thurs. 26 June, 2008 from 21.30 hrs [20.30 UK time] on Hessisches Rundfunk (HR2). Sigrid Pfeffer is also working on a CD of Konkani music. 430 words. Click here.
To listen to the programme live, click here.

Goan to Glastonbury
26 Jun: The Times (UK). There was a time when the only sustenance at music festivals was a soggy heap of chow mein washed down with scrumpy…At Glastonbury, which starts tomorrow, the Goan Seafood Company serves a breakfast kedgeree made with fresh fish …
The Goan Seafood Company is at www.goanseafood.com/

We don't often get poetry on Goanet but a 'Poem to Mom and Mom's reply and Thoughts' supplied by Edwardingoa is a very interesting one in which a mother is challenged by her young son, having learned about Civics and the Children's Bill of Rights. The mother's reply is equally good.

The USA receives millions of migrants from all parts of the world. However, is there much of an appetite from the Goans in the UK to emigrate to the USA? An interesting discussion has arisen on this issue on Goanet. It is possible however that, those well established in the UK may choose not to consider emigrating yet again but, do our younger people yearn to leave these shores in significant numbers? Goanet would undoubtedly like to hear views from Goan Voice (UK) readers on this topic.

The launch of the novel A Sea of Poppies by Amitav Gosh in conversation with Maria Aurora Couto, in Calangute, on 24/6/08 is featured on Goanet. The outline of the story is provided vividly and a claim is made that "all the right ingredients for a film set in the 19th century India" are provided in this novel. For further details, please click here.

At a time when marriage break up is high compared to earlier years in most parts of the world, including Goa, a timely article by Dov Heller titled 'Finding and Keeping a Life Partner' may be useful to read. It tells us not only what one may look for in a potential partner but also provides advice about the many pitfalls inherent in a marriage and how to avoid them. The article was submitted to Goanet by Edward Lopes.

Once again, the issue of whether Goa was liberated or conquered in 1961 has come up for further discussion. Some of course, believe that both occurred in 1961. It is surprising that this issue keeps cropping up periodically so long after 1961 and I query whether the issue matters at all today? Does any reader of the GV (UK) have a response to my humble question above?

Finally, Frederick Noronha provides useful details on Buying Books Direct from Goa. This information can be most helpful as so many consistently seek information on this topic.

TRAVEL: Goa. Thomas Cook TV
Friday 27th Jun. 18:15 to 18:30. The latest holiday bargains from the seaside resort in India

DOCUMENTARY: Goan Wild - India. Travel Channel
Saturday 28th Jun. 19:00 to 19:30. In this episode Richard Hall meets John Hicks who is solely responsible for cleaning up Goa's stray dog population. He formed International Animal Rescue eight years ago.

COOKERY: Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares. more4
Sunday 29th Jun. 21:00 to 22:00. Gordon Ramsay heads for The Curry Lounge in Nottingham, This 120-seater Indian restaurant is run by Raz, who's new to the business, and it shows.

FILM: Anita and Me. BBC 1
Sunday 29th Jun. 23:00 to 00:30. Sparky coming-of-age comedy about a girl growing up in the Midlands in the 1970s, who is caught between her Punjabi father and her desire to fit in. 2002.

FILM: Water. Sky Movies Premiere
Sun. 29th Jun. 00:20 to 02:17. India, 1938: A widowed child bride is relegated to an isolated commune, where she meets an array of 'undesirables' struggling to survive.

NEWS: Asian Network Report. BBC Radio Asian Network
Mon. 30th Jun. 18:30 to 19:00. A special report from the BBC Asian Network.

ARTS: Centurions. BBC 7
Tue. 1st Jul. 13:45 to 14:00. Rabindranath Tagore - Broken Song. Tagore is one of India's leading figures of the century. William Radice and Jatinder Verma discuss his famous poem.

FILM: After the Wedding. BBC 4
Wed. 2nd Jul. 22:00 to 23:55. Danish drama in which a man who has dedicated his life to helping street children in India finds the orphanage he heads threatened by closure. 2006.

Sun 29 Jun: Benaulim Association celebrates the feast of St John the Baptist at Woodside High School Hall (formerly Known as White Hart Lane School) opp The New River Sports Centre, White Hart Lane, Wood Green, London N22. Holy Mass at 12.30 followed by a social gathering and dancing to the music by Maz & Co. + Disco. Tickets: Members £8.00, Guests £10.00, Children 8 - 16 £4 and Under 8 FREE. For tickets and further information please contact Josephine 0208 967 7471, Mary 0208 803 9752 or Santan 0208 952 9365

SOLD OUT! Sun 6 Jul: Bakuli (Uganda) Reunion. 10th anniversary of the reunion at Archbishop Lanfranc School. SOLD OUT

Sun. 6 Jul. The Aldona Association will be celebrating the Feast of their Patron, St. Thomas at St.Edmund's Church Hall Croyland Road, Edmonton N9 7BZ on 6 July 2008. Mass will commence at 12.00pm followed by dancing to the music of Maz 'n'Co. Ticket cost includes snacks and a meal, Members £10.00, Guests £12.50 and children 5-16 yrs £6.00. You can download an application form from our website: www.aldonalondon.org.uk or email: aldonalondon@hotmail.com. For further details contact Jude-020 8360 4102, Les-020 8440 8832 or Tino-0162 8680 529.

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 185 St Boniface Church, 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. Contact: Herbert Fernandes 01277 651052, Alfred Rebello 020 – 8337 8022. For stall applications: Bernie Gracias 020 – 8723 1322.
A coach is being arranged from Harrow Wealdstone/Edgware. Price £7. Departure 10.30 am. Book Early To Avoid Disappointment. For further details 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.