Goan Voice UK: Newsletter. Issue 2008-18. May. 01, 2008

This issue is brought to you a day early since the Goa office which produces the weekly editions will be closed tomorrow on account of the May Day Public holiday in Goa.

Epiphany (Effie) and Mathilda Fernandes: Golden Wedding Anniversary

3 May: Epiphany (Effie) and Mathilda Fernandes Effimatty@aol.com of Beckenham, Kent, UK were married in the Holy Family Church, Nairobi, Kenya on 3rd May 1958. Happy 50th Anniversary! From your children Valerie, Brenda, Caroline, Melanie and Sharon; sons-in-law Augusto, Chris, Andrew, Brian and Gary; and grandchildren Graham, Diana, Emily, Sarah, Jean Luc and Alison.

Mississauga: Darrel Carvalho: Reduced infrastructure tax
24 Apr: Mississauga News. The special infrastructure levy has been reduced from five to one per cent … Senior citizen Darrel Carvalho on behalf of several ratepayers groups had campaigned against the proposed levy urging the lobby of senior levels of government for increased infrastructure money … For text, 416 words, click here.
23 Apr: National Post. Mississauga levy falls short. Click here.
Darrel Carvalho, ex-Mombasa (Jimmy’s Hotel) is Vice President, Building; Goan Overseas Association, Toronto

Corryn Rayney: Family Feud

26 Apr: Sunday Times (Aus). … It is impossible to imagine the emotional pressure on Corryn’s daughters who have become pivotal in the extraordinary stand-off between their dad and police … a chasm that has developed in the once-close family spilt into the public arena … Their maternal grandfather, Ernest Da Silva, revealed he had lost contact with the children because he was not allowed to spend time with them without Mr Rayney being present … Mr Da Silva did not want to inflame the conflict by making further comment this week … 1124 words. Click here.

Mississauga: Chris D'Souza Challenges in youth equity addressed at conference

26 Apr: Mississauga News: Former Notre Dame teacher and now Equity and Diversity officer for the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, Chris d'Souza speaks at the recent Challenge (In) Equity Conference. He said educators and staff at the Catholic Board are still not representative of the community … Click here.
For a profile of Chris D’Souza and family click here.

Holy Warriors by Edna Fernandes. Portobello. £8.99

27 Apr: The Observer (UK). Book Review. Few Westerners are aware of the depth of political and cultural strife prompted by the diversity of belief systems in India. In Holy Warriors, British-Indian journalist Edna Fernandes offers an insightful analysis of religious fundamentalism, combining solid research with bold investigative reporting. Her tour includes a Catholic shrine in Goa ('Posters prohibited kissing, drooling, leaning on or smudging the glass casket') … Fernandes's survey is brave, enlightening and sobering, a must-read for anyone interested in modern India. 133 words.
Edna Fernandes was born in Nairobi, Kenya and traces her Goan roots to AVC. For the Edna Fernandes website with bio, book extracts, etc. click here.

Bertram DeSouza Voted Best Columnist
27 Apr: CantonRep. Winners have been announced in the 2007 Associated Press Society of Ohio APSO newspaper contest. In the Best Columnist category: 1, Bertram DeSouza, The (Youngstown) Vindicator; 2, Steve Sidlo, Springfield News-Sun; 3, John G. Cole, The (Lorain) Morning Journal. Click here.
For a photograph and brief profile of Bertram DeSouza (ex-Kampala), click here.

UK: Viva Goa Restaurant reopens: GVUK offer
27 Apr: From Paul Baretto: VIVA GOA has finally re-opened with a stunning decor and menu from our Master Chef Mario. Please visit us and upon mentioning of this write up from Goan Voice UK we will give you 20% discount off your total bill till Sunday 25th May 2008. Outdoor catering and free Home delivery service. Tel. 0208 761 1515/0208 761 4161, 24 Westow Hill, Crystal Palace, London SE19. For the website click here.

UK: New Goan Restaurant: GVUK offer
27 Apr: GoaNet. Ed DeSilva posted a message about a new Goan restaurant called KONKAN at 107 Station Road, West Drayton, Middx. UB7 7LT. Tel: 01895 420 973. It is owned by Jude Pinto (Chef) and Godfrey Menezes (Manager). Jude has worked at top London restaurants like Chutney Mary’s and La Porte des Indes. Konkan opened last week. It has Goan food on the regular menu and will also serve Goan specialities like Sorpotel and Vindaloo with advance orders. Take away and catering services available. Mention Goan Voice for a 20% discount till end of May 2008 and 15% thereafter.

Swindon: A note of harmony in Broadgreen
28 Apr: Swindon Times. More than 100 people, of British, Pakistani, Indian and Goan origin, enjoyed watching a five-a-side football tournament … Ruston Pereira, the coach of the Goan Football Club in Swindon, said: "The boys have had a lot of fun … other comments quoted from Shannon Fernandes, 12, Terence Afonso, 15 and Swapnil Correia, 13 … Click here.

Canada: Jeanine Pereira: Diversity Leadership is in
29 Apr: Canada NewsWire. … Already, twenty percent of Canada's population are immigrants versus about 12 percent in the United States … a positive climate for diversity is critical to attract and retain skilled immigrant employees … Ernst and Young Toronto is heavily involved with the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Counsel. "We recruit worldwide," says Jeanine Pereira, the inclusiveness leader for Ernst & Young Canada, "and if you can show that you help immigrants integrate into Canadian society, it is a lot easier for you to attract and retain skilled accountants from around the world." Click here.
For a photograph and brief profile of Jeanine Pereira click here.

Keith Vaz: Pandora: Vaz-a-voom!

29 Apr: The Independent (UK). Viagra pills could be handy for a busy parliamentarian. The former Europe minister, Keith Vaz, has penned a diary in the latest issue of The House magazine. The diabetic reveals that his doctor offered him a packet of the famed impotence-busters, but insists he declined, explaining: "Apparently, diabetes affects your sex drive." Click here.

Deccan Odyssey: Mumbai to Goa rail link
26 Apr: Daily Express (UK) The Deccan Odyssey, which links Mumbai with Goa, is almost exclusively aimed at foreigners, especially those who, like me, prefer to avoid the dust and the extremes of rich and poor. The onboard accommodation has dining cars, kitchens, a library, business centre and spa. Every room has its own ensuite bathroom … There is even a fitness centre … Goa has its own inimitable appeal. And there is no better way of arriving there than by train … Photos + text, 924 words. Click here.

Drugs in Goa
26 Apr: Globe and Mail (Canada). Thomas Kohnstamm talks about his decision to quit a job on Wall Street to hit the backpacker trail for Lonely Planet books. He says, “…I spent some time in Goa a while back. And seeing the hedonism there and all the drug taking in the face of what is a pretty conservative culture, I feel like a lot of people aren't learning anything about India. Just taking a very permissive vacation, I guess…” Click here.

Travel: Taking a cook's tour
26 Apr. The Mirror (UK). …Curries? Well, go for the real thing in India. Flight Centre have put together a trip which kicks off in Delhi … You then explore the palaces of Rajasthan … After visiting Udaipur and Mumbai, you travel down to the beaches of Goa where you will learn to pickle shrimp. The holiday includes 12 nights hotel accommodation and costs from £1,299 per person …

You've got to Goa!
27 Apr: The Province (Vancouver). Arambol - our cabbie suggested a place for us to stay … it turned out to be a really nice place to stay as it was run by a very friendly family … Much of Arambol revolves around tourism, every store and shop is somehow related to the trade. We found it to be a very nice place, the people were friendly and it had the nicest beach … When you visit India, this is one place you simply have to Goa! 679 words. Click here.

Tourism will not be able to sustain itself for too long
27 Apr: The Navhind Times. The Goa Agenda 2008 - bridging the divide - academic to industry organised by the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry today observed that tourism cannot sustain itself forever and could be supplemented well by the IT industry. 570 words. Click here.

Luxury property: Versace-designed flats
27 Apr: Sunday Times (UK). New resorts in Dubai offer flats with wall-to-wall Versace or Armani – at a price … Prices range from £1.85m to £12m … The company is planning its next two resorts, in Goa and Abu Dhabi … 1528 words. Click here.

Foreign Nationals: Getting married in India
27 Apr: The Observer (UK). Useful advice on getting married in India. Excerpt: “In India, for your marriage to be legally binding you have to be resident in the district where you intend to marry for 30 days… 341 words. Click here.

Stop Trash Tourism
28 Apr: TravelBiz Monitor. India does not have adequate infrastructure and welcomes all comers indiscriminately … Consequently it has an influx of slovenly budget-budget foreigners: slumming tourists, here to ‘freak-out’ … Undeservedly, the majority of the purported sexual crimes have been centred in Goa because Goan beaches have acquired a sleazy reputation … And now we’re talking about a ‘Visa on Arrival regime’ for selected countries. Colour coded, possibly!? … 1006 words. Click here.

Flight connectivity hindering tourism dept’s plan to promote Goa
29 Apr: Navhind Times. Though the state tourism department is trying hard to promote Goa in the Middle East during monsoons, flight connectivity seems to be hindering the plans. The Dubai-Goa flight stands discontinued and the Sharjah-Goa flight via Kochi is also closed. The tourism minister will be taking up the matter with the Union Civil Aviation Minister, Mr Praful Patel… 419 words. Click here.

Goa: Gloomy future for tourism sector
30 Apr: Navhind Times. The Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) predicted a gloomy future for the state tourism, if the government fails to take immediate upgrade measures … Other countries like Gambia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Macao, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Dubai, UAE, Egypt and the West Indies are able to provide cheap packages for the tourists … The main problems in Goa are airport facilities, garbage, the need to provide visa on arrival and erratic power and water supplies … 645 words. Click here.

The new Raj. By Augusto Pinto
30 Apr: Herald. An amusing satirical piece on the invasion of a Goan village. 682 words. Click here.

The lure of Anjuna. By: Mayabhushan
May 2008: Himal. Tens of thousands of the tourists head for the Wednesday flea market or Anjuna beach … Anjuna is where the skimpily-clad occidental deities dot the beaches … The tourists are just another kind of arrival on the beach and, boisterous or not, the tourists bring in the money … drugs have significantly drawn visitors to Anjuna … When the villagers know by heart the slang for different types of dope, such as Aunt Hazel (heroin), Aunt Mary (marijuana), Aunt Nora (cocaine) and Aunt Emma (opium), it is clear that there is a problem here. 1680 words. Click here.

Pope appoints Goan in Council for Laity
26 Apr: Herald. While prelates of Goan origin have been making their presence felt in the Vatican, the Goan laity is also being given a prominent role in the Holy See. Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday appointed Guilherme Vaz, of Velim as member of the Pontifical Council for the Laity (PCL). 313 words. Click here.

Study on Goan breast cancer cases on cards
26 Apr: Herald. For the first time, a study will be conducted to determine why Goa has an alarmingly high rate of breast cancer cases. More than 50% cases of breast cancer reported in Goa are of young women … 397 words. Click here.

Goa: Restaurants serving frog meat to come under scanner
26 Apr: Herald. WildGoa (a group of nature enthusiasts) has taken upon itself to check the dwindling population of frogs, even as the loud croaking of the amphibious creature is a month away and the Forest Department has done little or nothing to save the Goan variety … Nature lover Clinton Vaz, creator of WildGoa said they have compiled a list of 12 restaurants serving frog meat and meats of other endangered animals … 385 words. Click here.

Goa: Provedoria offering succor to elderly
27 Apr: Herald. Speaking at the debate on the concerns of senior citizens, it was revealed that one has to be a resident of Goa for a minimum of ten years and should produce an income certificate of Rs 21,000 and above to be admitted to a care home … There is also a proposal to start a ‘Day Care Centre’ to enable elders to be with their families at night … the generation gap does not mean old people must be neglected by their children … senior citizens were urged to safeguard their properties and wealth and not allow their children to grab them … 391 words. Click here.

A third of Goa will sink if mining leases are cleared
27 Apr: Deccan Herald. … Dr Claude Alvares spoke to Devika Sequeira of Deccan Herald after the recent release of his new book Goa Sweet Land of Mine on how the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests and its expert committees have ranged themselves with Goa’s mining barons and abdicated their responsibility to protect the environment … 914 words. Click here.

Goa's Feni Shows Sharp Decline in Production
28 Apr: News Post India. Feni, that uniquely Goa drink distilled from the cashew apple, is showing a sharp decline in production, from 1,089,000 litres in 1971 to 875,000 litres in 2004 … There are 19 bottlers, 94 wholesalers and 6,589 retailers of feni in Goa. There are 1,532 cashew zones and 2,656 licensed units are allowed to produce the liquor. 558 words. Click here.

Ram Gidoomal helps to makes Britain a Happy Place

27 Apr: Independent on Sunday (UK). Profiles of 100 people who make Britain a better and a happier place to live. Ram Gidoomal: Combining fundraising and youth education, his novel charity saw child volunteers set up restaurants using donated food – raising more than £500,000 for development in India. Motivated by this success, they set up newspapers and radio stations. The former businessman was shocked into action after visiting a slum in India. Click here.
No direct Goan connection with Ram Gidoomal. He was the first non-Muslim head boy of the Aga Khan School in Mombasa and has since converted from Hinduism to Christianity. He is a candidate in the London Mayoral elections this week. For links to more information about him, click here.

Land For Cemetery: Mumbai Catholic Forum Threatens Agitation
29 Apr: CBCI. Catholic Secular Forum (CSF), a Mumbai-based community NGO, has taken up the cause of Christians who have no cemetery to bury their dead, in the entire belt from Dahisar to Jogeshwari. For over three years, the Christian community has been raising the issue with the Greater Bombay Municipal Corporation and the State government, seeking land for burials, but to no avail … Click here.

Australia: Goa TV programme. 3 May 2008
30 Apr. Daily Telegraph (Aus). The Great Outdoors. Channel Seven, 6.30pm. Tom Williams heads to Goa, a stunning tropical state on the west coast of India. It was famous for its doof-doof raves in the 1990s and early noughties, but authorities clamped down on them and it's now a destination adored by all kinds from everywhere. Tom haggles with tuk-tuk drivers and finds one who will take him to the quiet - at least in Indian terms - beach town of Arambol

Live Internet Auction: Goa Coins: 6 May

6 May: 2:30 pm. Baldwins. Lots 1073 – 1100. 28 coins dated 1640 to 1912. Coins of Portuguese India. Estimates £30 - £500. (Illustrated is the Maria II, Rupia (600-Reis), 1841 (one year type) (KM 59). Estimates: £400 to £500. Click here.
For the Baldwins website click here.

Video + text: Goa govt cracks the whip on “illegal” beach shacks and sunbeds
29 Apr: CNN-IBN. A High Court order triggered a crackdown on ‘unauthorised’ shacks and sunbeds but the move has drawn angry reactions from shack owners who refuse to take it lying down … “They are not illegal … We want 30 beds for each beach shack. What they are doing is political targeting”, convener of the Shack Owners Association Cruz Menezes said. … If this issue is not sorted out before the beginning of the next tourist season it could create big problems for the tourism industry in Goa. 1m, 27s. Click here.

Investment is an art
29 Apr. Evening Gazette (Newcastle, UK) … Top auction house Bonhams has sold paintings by Indian artist Francis Newton Souza for between £149,000 and £706,000 recently, making it a nice little earner for those who invested just a few hundred pounds in his work some six years ago …

CBI investigating over 1100 cases; 8719 pending
23 Apr: India Law News. The country's premier investigating agency has been stretched beyond its means and overburdened with over 1100 cases pending investigation … A slow pace of trials by various courts has been blamed for a massive pile up of pending court cases. Till March, 2008, 8719 cases were pending in courts … of 47 cases disposed of from trial during March, 31 resulted in conviction, 14 were acquitted or discharged and two were "otherwise" disposed off. 206 words. Click here.

CBI denies taking over British teen murder case
25 Apr: Hindustan Times. The Scarlett Keeling investigation has hit a state of limbo with Goa Police claiming the Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) has taken over and the CBI stating they have not received any instruction to take the case. The result is that there has been no investigation…Key witness Michael Mannion, a British national, is also forced to stay in India indefinitely… Meanwhile, Keeling’s mother Fiona MacKeown is due to return to Goa this weekend to continue her fight for justice. 4-5 words. Click here.

Scarlett Keeling: Mother using McCann's PR guru

25 Apr: Evening Standard (UK). Fiona MacKeown is using the help of Kate and Gerry McCann's public relations guru in her fight for justice … She is hoping spin doctor Clarence Mitchell can prevent negative publicity further hurting her tarnished reputation and put pressure on the Indian authorities to keep the investigation going … Mr Mitchell, a former BBC correspondent and Whitehall mandarin is offering advice free … 1518 words. Click here.

Scarlett Keeling: Missing organs issue may go to High Court
25 Apr: Express India. Fiona Mackeown, mother of British teenager Scarlett Eden Keeling, will be arriving in India on Saturday. "If government fails to hand over Scarlett's organs to her mother, she has kept an option open to move to the high court," Fiona's advocate Vikram Varma said. Click here.

Goa police awaiting CBI to take over Scarlett death case
25 Apr. PTI. Goa police today said that they have asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take over the probe into the death of British teenaged girl Scarlett Keeling and are awaiting their communication … the Police said all documents pertaining to the death of Scarlett are ready to be handed over to the CBI. Click here.

Scarlett Keeling: mother to see Goa’s Tourism Minister
25 Apr: The Telegraph (UK). Fiona MacKeown the mother of murdered teenager Scarlett Keeling has said she was going back to India for eight days because she feels the investigation has stalled. "I am going to see the tourism minister and tell him that I am going to promote Goa as a dangerous place to go because of the way the police treat crime and how cheaply they value a tourist's life,” she said. Click here.

Video + text. Scarlett Keeling’s mother returns to Goa
26 Apr: 16.09 BST. ITN (UK). The mother of a British teenager murdered in India is returning to find out why her daughter's internal organs were taken. Click here.

Scarlett Keeling: mother to meet Goa CM over probe
27 Apr. Outlook. Fiona Mackeown, mother of slain British teenager Scarlett Keeling, said today she will meet Goa Chief Minister Digamber Kamat, Home Minister Ravi Naik and Director General of Police B S Brar to clear her doubts about the course of investigation and why there is delay in CBI investigation she told reporters … Fiona also said all the organs need to be flown to UK as the forensic experts will conduct an independent test on them… 347 words. Click here.

Scarlett Keeling: Media and gender issues. By Rochelle Pinto
27 Apr: The Hindu. Having women in responsible positions is no guarantee that sensitivity to questions of gender will also naturally fall into place. What seemed to be at work was the pretence of a populist concession to public concerns…when the anchor countered MacKeown’s defences by asking details about her daughter’s sex life, she did it in our name. 1981 words. Click here.

Scarlett Keeling: Mother claims her passport is missing
27 Apr: Zee News. Fiona Mackeown, mother of slain British teenager Scarlett Eden Keeling, has claimed her passport was stolen from Mumbai Airport … She said she would write to the British Consulate in Goa for a duplicate passport. She will leave for UK by 4th May when her visa expires. Click here.

Scarlett Keeling: Probe dismissed Goa cop`s conduct
28 Apr: Zee News. The mother of British teenager Scarlett Eden Keeling, demanded that the conduct of Nerlon Albuquerque, the dismissed police sub-inspector who initially handled the case should be investigated … She said the third autopsy on Scarlett’s body in the UK cannot be completed without first finding the missing organs, which were reportedly removed during two autopsies in India. 306 words. Click here.

Scarlett Keeling: “Centre must intervene” Sushma Swaraj
29 Apr: The Hindu. BJP leader Sushma Swaraj has urged the Centre to intervene in restoring the missing internal organs of British teenager Scarlett Keeling … Making a special mention in the Rajya Sabha, she said that the Goa government’s reply that this was done for “investigation” was “improper.” Click here.

Fiona: Return my kid's organs
30 Apr: Deccan Herald. By Devika Sequeira. Fiona on Tuesday made a formal request to the Goa government and the Goa Medical College to take Scarlett’s organs back to the United Kingdom, where a third autopsy is being done. This is the official procedure in the UK, for Britons who die abroad under suspicious circumstances. The mother of eight, who has developed a love-hate relationship with the media told Deccan Herald that she would keep coming back to Goa “for as long as it takes” to get to the bottom of the case. 239 words. Click here.

Scarlett Keeling: Mother to collect organs
30 Apr. BBC. The mother of murdered north Devon teenager Scarlett Keeling will collect her daughter's missing organs in India later …Earlier this month a third post-mortem examination revealed that some of her organs had been removed. Her mother Fiona MacKeown, who flew to India last week, wants to bury her on her land near Bideford, North Devon, but had refused to do that until her daughter's uterus, kidneys and stomach were returned. 224 words. Click here.

Under the bold and flamboyant title 'Goa's Michaelangelo...Appreciating the work of Jose Pereira', readers will find details about the fresco mural by Jose Pereira, unveiled by Alban Couto at the Rosary Chapel, Fatorda on April 26, 2008. The theme of the fresco is Creation. This is expressed in vivid colour and loving detail of children, flora, and fauna as found in Goa. This is a long article, full of fascinating detail that is an informative read.

An article submitted by Pamela D'Mello that, originally appeared in the Asian Age, tells us about frog legs as a delicacy in gourmet restaurants in Goa and how the demand for frogs has reduced their numbers. "Two decades after hunting endangered wild frog species was declared illegal, wildlife activists are priming a campaign to have the ban seriously implemented this year." The bull frog and grass frog varieties are dwindling fast and clearly need to be protected from the risk of extinction. To read what Clinton Vaz of the WildGoa team has to say click here.

A substantial article titled A Third of Goa will Sink if Mining Leases are Cleared tells us about the huge demand for mining leases in Goa and what the implications are for many villages in Goa. Heading resistance to excessive mining is Dr Claude Alvares, Director of the Central Secretariat of the Organic Farming Association of India (OFAI) and also head of the pro-active Goa Foundation. His new book Goa Sweet Land of Mine explains how political chicanery helps to damage the environment.

According to the 2000 Census, in the last four decades, the Hindu population increased from 60 to 65 percent in Goa, the Christians declined from 38 to 26 percent and Muslims grew from 2 to 7 percent.[2 percent others]. This change in the composition of the Goa population has raised some alarm bells. According to a substantial article in Goanet, "The visible influx of a large number of Muslims into the state in recent years has added fuel to the armoury of right-wing Hindu groups like the Bajrang Dal which has taken to baiting Muslims in settlements in Margao." This is a quote from Devika Sequeira focusing on strong efforts made by local people to diffuse the potential for communalism.

Finally, Goanet-News is seeking submissions for publications from Goan writers on issues relating to Goa and the Diaspora. To find out more about this scheme click here.

DOCUMENTARY: The Asian Bride Show 2008. Wedding TV
Saturday 3rd May 11:00 to 12:00. A unique platter of world-class Asian bridal exhibitors from London's Café Royal.

FILM: The Namesake. Sky Movies Premiere
Saturday 3rd May. 17:45 to 19:47. An Indian-American struggles with his sense of identity after a family tragedy reveals surprising secrets from the past. Emotional family drama from Mira Nair. 2006.

TRAVEL: Kenya. BBC Radio Four
Monday 5th May. 11:00 to 11:30. Healing the Rift. Second of two programmes in which Mike Wooldridge explores what lay behind the conflict that erupted in Kenya last year.

DOCUMENTARY: The Age of Terror. BBC 2 London
Tuesday 6th May. 21:00 to 22:00. The story of the1998 truck bomb that exploded outside the American embassy in Nairobi and killed over 200 people.

MUSIC: Love Music Hate Racism '08. Channel 4
Saturday 10th May. 00:25 to 01:25. This film takes a look at the evolution of the Rock Against Racism movement. With 2008 being the 30th anniversary, the now renamed Love Music Hate Racism concert pays homage to the past.

HEALTH: Shanti: A Yoga Experience. Diva TV
Saturday 10th May. 10:00 to 11:00. Yoga with two of the world's best Yoga instructors, Wen Jun from China and Mohan from India.

SOLD OUT Sun 4 May. 12:30pm- Cortalim Union (UK) 30th Jubilee Celebrating the Feast of Sts. Philip and James … Holy Mass followed by the social. Music provided by Nite Life. Also hosting the May Queen and May King. Smart dress essential.

Sun 4 May. 2pm. Croydon. Archbishop Lanfranc School Hall, Mitcham Road. Wembley Goans U.K presents “American Ghorkar” Konkani Tiatr. A Tribute to Alfred Rose. PROFESSIONAL CAST FROM GOA. The artistes are: Director, Menino De Band; Legendary Rita Rose, Antonette De Calangute, Comedy Queen Janet, London Favorite Kenny, Bab Andrew, Goans Choice Francis De Tuem, Rising Star Master Junior Chico, Master Character Ben Evangelisto and the Guinness Record holder, Norman Cardozo. Contact Nina Pinto 020 8767 0663 or Tony 020 8795 1121, 0783 4639 420. For flyer click here.

Sun 4 May. Saligao Association (UK) Celebrates our patron, Mae de Deus, with Holy Mass at 12 noon followed by May Feast function till 8pm at the Ursuline High School, Crescent Road, Wimbledon SW20 8HA. Enjoy good music with the sounds of MeloTones & Disco plus children's entertainment and good food with lunch, snacks & afters by the popular Viva Goa !, Formal dress please. Tickets are (£18 (adults), £16 (11-18yrs), £11 (2-10yrs), under 2 free, ALL WELCOME. Contact Zemira 01895 259947, Lucia 0208 670 4023, Ros 0208 542 0528 or go to www.SaligaoUK.com

Sat 10 May. 6 pm. Swindon. Punjab Community Hall. Wembley Goans U.K presents “American Ghorkar” Konkani Tiatr. A Tribute to Alfred Rose. PROFESSIONAL CAST FROM GOA. The artistes are: Director, Menino De Band; Legendary Rita Rose, Antonette De Calangute, Comedy Queen Janet, London Favorite Kenny, Bab Andrew, Goans Choice Francis De Tuem, Rising Star Master Junior Chico, Master Character Ben Evangelisto and the Guinness Record holder, Norman Cardozo. Contact Peter Bala 0751 553 1092. For flyer click here.

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

Sun.11 May BMX REUNION (Ex Students of Britto's, St Mary's and Xavier's) 1.30pm to 8pm at Archbishop Lanfranc School, Mitcham Road, Croydon. Proceeds will go to worthy causes. Everyone is welcome. For tickets contact - Bernie Gracias 020 8723 1322, Norma Menezes-Rahim 020 8771 4457, Ilona Fernandes 020 8300 5347, Proto Carvalho 020 8640 3135, Jaime Rodrigues 020 8684 0456, Liz Coutinho 020 8647 6387. For the flyer click here.

Sun 18 May. 2 pm. Wembley. Copland School Hall. Wembley Goans U.K presents “American Ghorkar” Konkani Tiatr. A Tribute to Alfred Rose. PROFESSIONAL CAST FROM GOA. The artistes are: Director, Menino De Band; Legendary Rita Rose, Antonette De Calangute, Comedy Queen Janet, London Favorite Kenny, Bab Andrew, Goans Choice Francis De Tuem, Rising Star Master Junior Chico, Master Character Ben Evangelisto and the Guinness Record holder, Norman Cardozo. Contact Tony 020 87951 121, 0783 4639 420 or Felix 020 8421 5542, 0798 545 7108. For flyer click here.

Sun. 18 May. Goan Chaplaincy Day. Thanksgiving Mass at 1.15 pm followed by a social get together at Archbishop Lanfranc School Hall, Mitcham Road, Croydon. CR9 3AS. Music by Rainbow's End. Tickets: Adult £15.00* Child £ 7.50* *Early Bird Discount (Adult £ 12.00/ Child £6.00) if completed form and cheques are received latest by Wednesday, 30th April 2008. For forms and other information please contact the Goan Chaplaincy on 020 8665 2176. Tickets include snacks and food. Email- goanchaplaincy@yahoo.co.uk
Donations and Raffle Prizes will be greatly appreciated. Cheques should be addressed to 'Goan Chaplaincy'

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