ANNOUNCEMENT

From Eddie Fernandes: I will be in Kenya from 27 Mar. to 15 Apr. During this period I will be connecting intermittently with my usual email address but there will be a restricted Goan Voice service kindly provided by Selma Carvalho. Please send me your messages as usual to me but copy them to Selma Carvalho as well at elisabeth_car@yahoo.com

COMMUNITY NEWS

Edelman appoints Roger Pereira as Global Vice Chairman
31 Mar: Indiablog.com. Edelman has appointed Roger Pereira, as Global Vice Chairman effective July 1, 2009. Pereira will become the first person appointed to this position from an emerging market. Roger will serve as the voice of “BRIC” and Emerging markets for Asia, for the firm in Europe and North America. Edelman is the world’s largest public relations agency with world-wide offices. 236 words. Click here.

Ivan Menezes discuss the future of Diageo beer
30 Mar: Youtube as per Mario Goveia. A recent business interview with Ivan Menezes, CEO of adult beverage giant Diageo, and younger brother of Victor Menezes, retired Senior Vice Chairman of Citigroup who currently Chairs the American India Foundation, a nonprofit American organization that is devoted to accelerating social and economic change in India. Ivan discusses the possible future of Diageo beer and surviving the recession. approximately 1 minute. Click here.
For a profile on Ivan Menezes: Click here.

Melbourne Goans celebrate Pearl anniversary
8 Feb: Bharat Times (Aus). By Aggie Da Costa. The Goan Overseas Association of Victoria held a dinner dance to celebrate 30 years of commitment to Goan values, culture and welfare of members. This milestone occasion was attended by over 580 people and took place at the Springvale City Hall. Mr Andrew Mendes, President of the GOA welcomed guests … Click here.

Canada: Sherri-Anne Fernandes: Marketing with a wink to consumers
27 Mar: Ottawa Citizen. Humour, even irony, can be a powerful attention grabber says Sherri- Anne Fernandes, senior account manager at Think Tank Consumer Promotion in Toronto… this month, Tena announced the "Laugh Away With Tena" contest … research of Tena's target consumers, a rapidly enlarging demographic bump of aging baby boomers, prompted a liberal shift in strategy and attitude, Ms. Fernandes said… 925 words. Click here.

Indian media ignores Goan's murder in Britain
26 Mar: MeriNews. When a young Goan was racially attacked and murdered in Britain, the Indian, British and World Press yawned. But when a Briton was killed in Goa, it received unprecedented coverage. This article examines the media bias. 788 words. Click here.

Supreme Court relief for Goa activists
24 Mar: NDTV. Activists in Goa got some relief after the Supreme Court ordered an interim stay on the controversial ordinance issued by the government to allegedly ban a hotel on breaking rules in Goa. 01 min 18 sec.Click here.

DEATHS

30 Mar: JOAQUIM FERNANDES (age 67), Ex-Kenya/Siolim-Marna. Husband of Anna (Duduxa), brother of late Dominic/Rosy (England), Bella/late Dominic, Rosy/late Shaffi (Kenya), late Joseph/Maria (England), late John and Irene/Joseph.

30 Mar: Massachusetts, USA. JOAO FREIRE, (aged 78), of New Bedford, Massachusetts, died on Friday March 27, 2009, at St. Luke's Hospital, after a long illness. He was the husband of Maria Luisa (Fernandes) Freire and the late Sarafina (Viveiros) Freire.

28  Mar: : Bromley: Kent, UK. SIDNEY RODRIGUES (ex Nairobi). Beloved husband of the late Lira Rodrigues. Much loved father of Moyna/Simon, Vicky/Fidelis, Michelle/Gary & Kevin/Hasina. Dearly loved grandfather of Lauren, Aaron, Aisha, Kieran and Adam. Brother of Joe/Fatima, late Nestor/Joffee &  late Elizabeth/Bertha.
Funeral on 8 Apr. at St Augustine's R.C Church, 88 Beckenham Hill Road, SE6 3PU (next to Beckenham Hill BR Station), at 11:00am followed by cremation at Lewisham Crematorium, Verdant Lane, SE6 and thereafter at the Catford Wanderers (next to Homebase) on Beckenham Hill.
The family request no floral tributes, but if you would like to make a donation there will be a box available in the church. All proceeds will go to Cancer Research and other worthwhile charities. Condolences to: krodrigues@btinternet.com

26 March: Kensal Rise, London . MARIA AUGUSTA D'SOUZA (Aged 88). Loving wife of the late Pedro Vincente D’Souza and dearest mother of Mary, Jose/Clara, Rosy/Douglas, Maria/Anthony, Joaquim/Lilly, Philomena/Paul. Funeral Mass to be held on Wednesday 8th April, 12:15pm at the Sacred Heart Church, Quex Road, Kilburn, London, NW6 4PS. Followed by the burial at Willesden New Cemetery, Franklyn Road, Willesden, London, NW10 9TE. For location of church: Click here.

25 Mar: Montreal, Canada. CECILIA HENRIQUES. (Aged 80). Loving wife of the late Alban and dearest mother of Neil (Daphne), Ian (Leila) and Nik-ki (Michael); grandma to Lisa, Yohan, Meagan, Kerri, Erica and Emma. A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, March 28 at 11 a.m. at St. Richard's Church, 7070 Guelph, CSL. In lieu of flowers, donation to a charity of your choice.

21 Mar. Iruma, Kenya. REV PATRICK D’SOUZA. Redemptorists Missionaries, 18 years in the Diocese of Meru and Archdiocese of Nairobi. Funeral was on 27 Mar. at Iruma.

WHO THE BLEEP CARES?
Weekly column by Selma Carvalho.

Who the Bleep cares about Varun Gandhi?

There is a poignant incident narrated by then prominent reporter, Norman Cousins, who was in India at the time of its Independence. In seems one night in August, Hindu rioters were storming through a district, smashing shops and creating mayhem. Nehru, who happened to be in the vicinity, immediately threw himself into the fray. He noticed a Muslim being pinned by a group of Hindus. Risking his own life, he interjected himself between the mob and its intended victim. A cry of recognition went up announcing “Jawaharlal is here” and immediately the tense mood dissipated.

During a 1952, election campaign he declared to a heaving crowd in New Delhi, “If any person raises his hand to strike down another on the ground of religion, I shall fight him till the last breath of my life, both at the head of the government and from outside.” Nehru was an atheist, although his cultural affiliation remained that of a Hindu. Upon his death as per his wishes, his ashes were scattered by the wind, to lie in peace on the riverbeds of the Ganga. Had Nehru been buried, then surely he would be turning in his grave to have heard his great-grandson, Varun Gandhi, ironically utter these words: “If anyone raises a finger towards Hindus then I swear on the Gita that I will cut that hand.” To watch the video: click here.

How the great house of the Gandhi dynasty has come crashing down? More sadly, like an old fortress, our bastion of intelligentsia seems to be in utter ruin. The ideals upheld by Nehruvian secularism have dissipated into the dust of history. Nehru loathe all things communal. He even found the Mahatma’s talk of a return to India’s Golden Age, disquietening. On one occasion he announced, “So long as I am Prime Minister, I shall not allow communalism to shape our policy.” That we have fallen by the wayside from such idealism doesn’t come as a shock. That our politics today has become nothing more than a sham to appease vote-banks, does not jostle the comfort-zone of the average India. What does cause grave pain is hearing the great-grandson of Nehru, talk so glibly about “cutting off hands.” And let us not hibernate in denial as to what he meant, for surely he was referring to Muslim and Christian hands.

Have we lost all self-respect? Have we completely given up any hope of holding the higher moral ground? Is there any difference between us and tribal diehards of Afghanistan’s hinterland? Which politician in a civilized country today goes around talking about chopping hands? The slightest infraction along racial lines can cost politicians elections and offices of power in the West. When in 2006 during a Senate election campaign, Senator George Allen of Virginia, referred to a young India boy, S R Siddarth, as “macaca or whatever his name is,” there was an uproar of protest. He lost the election to his Democratic counterpart. We in India are marching backwards with our prejudices not just intact but evidently fortified by the electorates’ validation.

Do leave your feedback at carvalho_sel@yahoo.com

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TRAVEL & TOURISM NEWS:

Travel Feature: A Spanish look at Goa
26 Mar: La Vanguardia (Spain) There cannot be many serial killers who have a statue to them but Goa has one dedicated to Charles Sobhraj in O Coqueiro restaurant…In Pangim there is a state of Abbe Faria swooping down on a lady with well endowed breasts ... some local people still speak of the Indian invasion of Goa … Catholics constituted 50% of the population 50 years ago are now 25%. They have migrated abroad in search of work … Goa in a comforting merger of India and Europe… 1682 words + comments.
For the Spanish original click here.
For a machine translation, click here.

Travel Feature: Bittersweet Goa
27 Mar: Rzeczpospolita (Poland). Young people from Europe and the United States stop here for up to six months… Food is excellent, although five times more expensive than, for example, Bombay… the locals are friendly only to the tourists who spend money … turns out to be a friend who spend money…. For a machine translation, 1654 words, click here.

Travel Feature: And the trance played on
27 Mar; iafrica (South Africa). It must have started out as music at some point, but it was way beyond that now. This trance rhythm had taken on a life of its own… Anjuna Beach is known by insiders as the “Freak capital of the world.” 921 words. Click here.

8 pleasure boats operating on Mandovi sans proper permits
27 Mar: Times of India. Eight boats operating in the Mandovi as restaurants and carrying out other commercial activity have no permissions to dock on the jetty … 376 words. Click here.

GOA NEWS HEADLINES

Goa Miners among top sponsorers of political parties
30 Mar: Herald. Four Goa mine-owners are among the 13 top corporate contributors to the political parties. Income-tax returns reveal the Aditya Birla Group, itself has contributed 10 crores to the Congress, making it the highest contributor. Both BJP and Congress have been beneficiaries of the corporate sector to the tune of crores, bringing into question their neutrality with respect to governance. 377 words. Click here.

John ready to Goa on rickshaw challenge
30 March: Shieldsgazette. A South Tyneside man prepares for a grueling 2,500 mile trip across India , including Goa, in a rickshaw. The 42-year-old IT worker and his pals are among 56 teams taking part in the journey through towns, villages, jungles and ancient valleys next month, as part of a fund-raising campaign for Frank Water Projects, SOS Children’s Villages and Mercy Corps charities. 287 words. Click here.

Nine hour dog walk raises £1,400
24 Mar: Reading Chronicle (UK). Chris Wills, 27, who grew up in Woodcote, and girlfriend Helen Partridge, 38, raised around £1,400 by walking 84 dogs - and two cats - at the International Animal Rescue centre in Goa over nine hours. Photo + 334 words. Click here.

Rohit Monserratte seeks legal permission to travel abroad
29 Mar: Times of India. Goa education minister Atanasio Monserratte's controversial son, Rohit, is seeking legal permission to travel abroad. Rohit (21) was accused of sexually abusing a 14-year-old German girl. Police have filed a chargesheet in the case. He is currently on the bail and has been prohibited from leaving the country… He wants to visit Dubai and England… 179 words. Click here.

MOPA airport project in trouble
30 Mar: Times of India. The Goa government’s plans to have a second airport at Mopa maybe in jeopardy, as Maharashtra has decided to go ahead with an airport at Chipi in Sindhudurg. As per the Civil Aviation Ministry, there can not be two greenfield airport within a 150 km radius. 343 words. Click here.

Goa tourism officials back from European fairs
28 Mar: Times of India. Despite the down-turn in recent tourist numbers, there was still tremendous interest from the Russians at Europeans fairs attended by State tourism officials. Russians will keep coming to Goa because the standard of living is high there, especially in these recessionary times. 283 words. Click here.

Report exposes Goa land scams
29 Mar: IANS. With a Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) report exposing three mega land allotment scams in touristy Goa, civil society groups say now 'all the skeletons have tumbled out' of the government's closet… 631 words. Click here.

'Hindu Taliban' threatens Goa bars
28 Mar: The Sunday Times (UK). A Hindu nationalist group has warned it plans to target women drinking alcohol in the beach bars of Goa, India’s tropical hot spot. The Sri Rama Sene group, described by Indian media as the “Hindu Taliban”, says the former Portuguese enclave is the centre of an immoral culture that is spreading throughout India. Its leader, Pramod Muthalik, said his group would start by asking bar owners to close down, and if that failed, it would launch direct attacks on the tourist clientele. 250 words. Click here.

Goa: Seaside Hill Station
29 Mar: Economic Times of India. Targeting the niche segment of non-resident Indians (NRIs), person of Indian origin (PIOs) and upwardly mobile businessmen is a building project, Aldeia De Goa a few minutes' drive from Panaji spread over 140 acres of 300 homes. While the villas can earn Rs 2 lakh as monthly rent, the apartments can fetch between Rs 45,000 and Rs 1.5 lakh… 443 words. Click here.

Goa set to attract high-end tourists
28 Mar: Daijiworld. In a bid to attract the high-end tourist, the State Tourism Ministry is set to upgrade Goa’s existing tourist infrastructure facilities, such as accommodation and transport. Other proposals include a convention centre, oceanarium and due emphasis on the promotion of eco-tourism. The number of tourists for the year 2008-9 have shown a sharp decline, largely attributed to the Mumbai terror attacks. 318 words. Click here.

Four Nuns to be feted at Old Goa
28 Mar: The Times of India. Four nuns from various parts of India will be felicitate at Santa Monica convent, Old Goa, on Saturday in recognition of their outstanding contributions to society. One of the nuns, Sister Jessy Kurian is a Supreme Court lawyer and was recently appointed a member of the National Commission for Minority Euducation Institutes by the Indian government. 132 words. Click here.

Drug trade moving to hinterland of Goa: police
27 Mar: Navhind Times. Between 2006 to Feb 2009 the Goa police seized drugs on 84 occasions, worth Rs 2.73 crore … in the past most of the drug trade thrived along the coastal belt, as the foreign nationals, who formed a major part of this trade resided along the Goan beaches. However, this scenario is gradually changing and the narcotic trade is moving to the hinterland… 343 words. Click here.

Tourists flocking to India for cheap dental care
25 Mar: 3 News (New Zealand). … The holiday resort region of Goa is also a dental tourism hotspot, where you can get any treatment you like at your leisure. For the husband and wife dental team of Dr Adwait and Mahi Desai, 97 percent of their patients are foreigners. In the last four years they have seen more than 3000 European patients and around 15 New Zealanders… 770 words. 5m.28s. Click here.

IN THE NEWS:

Remo pledges support for PPI
30 March. PPI website. Remo Fernandes says: “I am tired of being ruled by people whom I wouldn’t hire as my company managers or even house-keepers due to their ignorance, inefficiency, illiteracy, criminality and corrupt practices." The “son-of-the soil” singer, pledges his support for the newly formed Professional’s People’s party of India (PPI). 232 words. Click here.

Savo Pas in Goa
29 Mar: Joel D’Sousa. SOVO PAS: The reactment of Jesus carrying the Cross was held at St Cajetan's Church, in Assagao-Goa, on March 29. The life-size images of Jesus and Mother Mary were carried in procession before the singing of the song of Veronica and the traditional outdoor sermon. Enjoy a photo-documentary by Joel D’Sousa of passover Sunday in Goa. Click here.

Floyd Cardoz talks about jaggery
27 Mar: Warl.com. Floyd Cardoz of Tabla restaurant in New York fondly remembers a childhood treat of crepes stuffed with a sweet filling of jaggery and rice, raisins or nuts. Sometimes called jaggery or gur, the sweetener is the byproduct of the sap collected from the stalks and trunks of the palms that spread for miles along the tropical coasts of Asia and Africa. Floyd also shares one of his own recipes with jaggery, “Seared Sea Scallops with lime jaggery glaze.” 532 words. Click here.

No Job cuts at AirAsia, says CEO Tony Fernandes
30 Mar: Mathaba. We have about 6000 employees and we expect the numbers to grow, says CEO Tony Fernandes. The Carrier’s staff strength, when it was first established was only 200. On the Penang-Singapore route, Fernandes said the route was important for AirAsia but approval has not yet come through. When secured, the route will have two daily flight. 214 words. Click here.

Myths and art of Santa Monica
28 Mar: Herald. Noted Historian Teotonio de Sousa recounts the history of the monastry of Santa Monica and draws our attention to its rich artistic heritage. Little know facts about the monastry come to light such as the scandalous rebellion of 62 nuns who left the cloister for some days in protest against the behavior of Archibishop Ignacio de S Theresa in 1771-73. 1323 words. Click here.

Naomi Campbell’s cause
26 Mar: Vogue. Naomi Campbell will be raising money for the victims of Mumbai’s terror attacks. Naomi says she loves India and has always felt very welcome when visiting the country. When the terrorist attacks happened her heart went out to the people of Mumbai. The event will take place on March 28,2009. 224 words. Click here.

GOANET HIGHLIGHTS
BY SELMA CARVALHO

“There is no statue to mark the memory of Joseph Furtado. A pity; for his patrician looks and long flowing beard would have made a fine figure,” laments Augusto Pinto. Joseph Furtado, was one of Goa’s illustrious poets who was first published in 1910. A master of rhyme, he wrote:

At break of day
In pleasant spring
When on each spray
The blithe birds sing
While half awake
In bed you lie
And one kiss take
Of her close by ...

To read more on Furtado: click here.

The issue of caste has always plagued Goa. Having survived both Christianity and Colonisation, Jason Keith Fernandes argues it is as pervasive today as it was centuries ago. Click here.

Rattan Tata is a pleased man these day because he’s managed to prove the pundits wrong. At a time when the world is facing the economic equivalent of the ice-berg which hit the Titanic, Rattan Tata has launched a product which defies fiscal pessimism. Everyone in India is lining up for the 1 lakh rupee Nano car. Cecil Pinto takes us on a humourous ride in a Nano. Click here.

There are two things Shastikars like best on a Sunday afternoon. A good meal with feni and a tiatr. The comedy and pathos of the Goan tiatr has never been replicated by any other art form in Goa. If you enjoy Goan comedy as much as I do then tune in to John D’Silva doing what he does best: Click here.

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To subscribe to Goanet send an email to subscribe@goanet.org

FILM: Out of Africa. Sky Movies Modern Greats
Saturday 4th Apr. 15:10 to 17:51. In early 20th Century Kenya, noblewoman Karen Blixen struggles to maintain her coffee plantation and her tentative relationship with a local big-game hunter.

Dom Moraes: Lost Voices. BBC Radio Four and Online
Sunday 5th Apr. 16:30 to 17:00. Brian Patten explores the life and work of Don Moraes. Born in India, educated at Oxford, admirer of Auden and Spender and a youthful resident of low Soho dives, the life of the beautiful Dom Moraes was in itself poetical. He never quite belonged either in India or England.
For links to more about Dom Moraes, click here.

DOCUMENTARY: Louis Theroux's Weird Weekends. Dave
Sunday 5th Apr. 20:00 to 21:00. In search of enlightenment, Louis travels to India. He tries meditation, talks to guru Swami G and finally meets a genuine spiritual phenomenon.

TRAVEL: Planet Food. Travel Channel
Sunday 5th Apr. 21:00 to 22:00. Angela May samples the cuisine and culture of Goa. She eats Goan foods from vibrant restaurants across the region, gets cooking lessons from Goan chefs, and tries her hand at creating some of the dishes for herself.

FILM: The Last King of Scotland. Sky Movies Indie
Monday 6th Ap. 14:30 to 16:35. Newly qualified doctor Nicholas Garrigan travels to Uganda, and is taken up by new ruler Idi Amin, but finds himself trapped in the violent regime.

HISTORY DOCUMENTARY: Making History. BBC Radio Four and Online
Tuesday 7th Apr. 15:00 to 15:30. Listeners caught up in the expulsions from Idi Amin's Uganda in 1972 revisit their personal experiences.

DOCUMENTARY: The New Scramble for Africa. BBC Radio Four also Online
Tuesday 7th Apr. 20:00 to 20:40. Mike Wooldridge reports on the quiet economic inroads into Africa being made by India.

ARTS: Destination Art. Travel Channel
Tuesday 7th Apr. 20:30 to 21:00. Mumbai. Destination Art travels to Mumbai, the fastest moving, most affluent and industrialised city in India.

MOTORING: Intercontinental Rally Challenge. British Eurosport
Thursday 9th Apr. 22:30 to 23:00. A review of round three of the 2009 Intercontinental Rally Challenge which saw drivers travel to Kenya to compete on the gravel circuit of the Safari Rally.

FORTHCOMING

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

25 Apr: London. International Strathmore-Kianda (Nairobi) students Re-union. In attendance from Kenya will be Professor DAVID SPERLING and JAMES McFEE. For further details, please contact IGGY TAVARES by e-mail: ignatius.tavares@kcl.ac.uk

Sun 26 Apr. Tiatr! Tiatr! Goan Cultural Society proudly presents their annual Konkani Tiatr “MUMMY MHAKA TUJE VENGENT DHOR” written by Goa Academy Prize winner, Albert Leo D’Souza, at Archbishop Lanfranc Hall, Mitcham Road, Croydon at 2.00pm. For details contact: Nina – 020 8767 0663; Cornelius 020 8681 8716; Bella – 020 8372 1253; Ida – 020 8881 2921; Camilo – 020 8801 3637. For full details and photos of the cast, click here.

Sat: 16 May. Goan Association Anniversary and May Ball. Wandsworth Civic Suite. Nite Life In Attendance Further Details From Norma Menezes Rahim 020 8771 4457 or Rosy De Souza 020 8677 0390

Sun 17 May. Tiatr! Tiatr! Goan Cultural Society proudly presents their annual Konkani Tiatr “MUMMY MHAKA TUJE VENGENT DHOR” written by Goa Academy Prize winner, Albert Leo D’Souza, at St John’s Hall, Bourne Hill, Palmers Green, London N13 at 3.00pm. For details contact: Bella – 020 8372 1253; Ida – 020 8881 2921; Camilo – 020 8801 3637 or Gregg – 07931 753653. For full details and photos of the cast, click here.

Sun 31 May. Margao Union UK. Feast of the “The Holy Spirit”. Archbishop Lanfranc Hall, Mitcham Road, Croydon. Mass at 12.30pm. Followed by Social Gathering & Dancing to the Sounds of Nite Life. Tickets Adult £10.00 B4 - 15-May -09 after £12.00. Children 6-16Years 6.00. Under 6 Years free. Price includes Snacks Buffet & Dessert. For Information & tickets contact: Bella- 020 8372 1253, Rosalind-020 8767 8652, Lucas-020 8967 7471, Agnela 020 8646 6996, Gregg - 07931 753653, Camilo 020 8801 3637, Xav - 020 803 5146 - 0750 7950 455.

Sun. 21 Jun. Goan Chaplaincy Day. Eucharistic Celebration at 1.30pm followed by a get together. Venue: Archbishop Lanfranc School, Croydon. Details to follow. Contact Chaplaincy Office: 020 8665 2176 –Tuesday & Thursday between 10 am to 2pm.

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