ANNOUNCEMENT:

Weekly Goan Voice Newsletter Delayed
Owing to a mail server problem, this weekly issue was sent out a day late. The inconvenience is regretted.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Fitz de Souza: Goans got sucked into Brit colonialism
8 Apr: Goanet news. Speaking during a function last weekend, former deputy Speaker of the Kenyan Parliament, Fitz de Souza, commented that Goans got sucked into Brit colonialism. He criticised the British for their "complete racism", and said it was they who planted the idea that "Goans are not Indians, but Portuguese" and that "Indians were crooks and thieves" while the Goans were honest. "Unfortunately, many Goans believed in that," said Fitz. 663 words. Click here.

Mombasa: Centenary of Star of the Sea Primary School

Click to enlarge

10 Apr: Coastweek (Kenya). The Centenary Committee chaired jointly by Fr. John Correa of the Holy Ghost Cathedral and Sr. Bernadette Mwelu, Head Teacher of the Star of the Sea Primary School decided that the Launching of the Centenary will take place on 30th May, 2009, the date nearest to 28th May, 1909, the arrival of the pioneer White Sisters, the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa … 216 words. Click here.
The photo is part of a set of six shot by my son on a visit to the school on 10 Apr. 2009. To view them, click here.

Nairobi South Cemetery
11 Apr: Mervyn Maciel informs that over 170 Goans are buried at the Nairobi South Cemetery. There is keen interest in having this area gazetted as a National monument by the Museum of Kenya. Those who wish to support this project should get in touch with Jack de Souza, P.O. Box 49872, Nairobi 00100 Kenya or by e-mail jdesouza@copycatltd.com

Kampala: Norman Godinho’s Grave Under Threat

Norman Godinho’s grave Click to enlarge

11 Apr: New Vision (Uganda). A family with several relatives buried at the city cemetery is opposing the proposed giveaway of the cemetery along Jinja Road, Kampala, to an investor… the family said it was planning a number of interventions and events and is organizing a huge vigil at the Cemetery next Sunday… 635 words, click here.
13 Apr: New Vision (Uganda). 298 words. An officer in the US Air Force, Dr. Ivan Edwards, who is part of the larger Edwards family has vowed to block the proposed takeover of a city cemetery by an investor… 298 words, click here.
For the names (and photos of graves) of those resting there, click here. One of the persons buried there is Norman Godinho.
Alert from Dr Edwards, dr33@hotmail.com who writes: “We, the living relatives are seeking families or people who have relatives buried there; our objective is to start a fund to renovate the cemetery.”

Croydon Goan food business to expand
13 Apr: Croydon Guardian. Alex Santos, owner of Dos Santos Foods Ltd. set up a business manufacturing Goan foods three years ago. The business is expanding into a fully equipped factory after help from the Croydon Food Group… The Dos Santos Foods Ltd. website is at www.goanfood.co.uk
For full text, 422 words and photo click here.

Tony Fernandes: Flying in the face of a recession
14 Apr: Daily Mail (UK). Tony Fernandes is quite used to people thinking he is deranged. This is, after all, the man who set up his budget short-haul airline, AirAsia, just three days after September 11, 2001… He has come a long way since arriving in London in 1976, aged 12, sporting ‘dorky bell bottoms’… Photo and text, 727 words. Click here.

New Zealand: Floyd Fernandes remembered
15 Apr: Dominion Post (NZ). This headstone will be unveiled on the first anniversary of Floyd Fernandes' death… His mother, Jennifer Fernandes, said that the anniversary of her son's death fell five days before his birthday. The family was to celebrate what would have been his 18th birthday on Monday… 347 words. Click here.

Canada: Jackie DeSouza appointed Head of Media Services for Commonwealth Games
15 Apr: Globe & Mail (Canada). Jackie DeSouza has been appointed leader for communications and media services. The director of communications and public affairs for Toronto's Mount Sinai Hospital, DeSouza was formerly the communications chief for the Canadian Olympic Committee for two Olympic Games, two Pan American Games and Olympic bid missions. Click here.
Jackie DeSouza was born in Shinyanga, Tanzania, daughter of Felix and Vicky DeSouza and sister of Connie and Natalie. For a GVUK profile of her, click here.

DEATHS

13 Apr: California, USA. JOSEPH PEREIRA. Husband of Susie. Father of Tanya/Joe, Sonia/Alistair, Luana/Tony, Hermina/Bernard, Nigel/Pramila. Will be interred on April 17.

13 Apr: Dubai: SEOULLA VIRGINIA CARVALHO (Born 1988, ex-Calangute). Daughter of Benjamin/Sarah. Sister of Joel and Shallum.

11 Apr: Sydney, Aus. CLIFTON CARRASCO (aged 62; ex- Uganda and Canada). Much loved husband of Myrtle. Loving father of Neil & Colin and father-in-law of Katie. Loved son of Patrocina (Toronto) and (late) Amaro. Brother of Tecla, Newton, late Ramiro, Gloria, Gilbert, Edith, Malcolm and Milton. A Requiem Mass followed by burial will be held on 17th Apr. at 10:30 am in Sydney. Condolences to cliffcar@bigpond.net.au

11 Apr: Pilerne, Goa. FIDELIS D’SOUZA. Husband of Cynthia, father of Pio, Elton and Fabiola. Brother of Sabina/late Anselmo Rodrigues and Dominic and Yvonne D’Mello ( Bahrain).

9 Apr. Toronto. IMMACULATE MARTINS (Born 1926, Orlim, Goa) Loving Aunt of Bowie Martins. She will always be remembered by her family and friends in India and Canada. A mass in memory of Immaculate Martins will be held at Sts. Martha and Mary Church, 1870 Burnhamthorpe Rd. E., Mississauga, Ontario on Monday, April 13th at 7 p.m.

9 Apr: Montreal. LESLIE JOSEPH PINTO (Born 1924). Loving and cherished husband of Ana Simon. Beloved and dear father of Kevin (Jo-Ann) and Karen. Adored Grandpa of Noah and Elijah. Cherished brother of Muriel, Maureen, Phyllis and the late Lionel, Wilfred, and Arnold. Visitation on Tue April 14 at La Maison Darche, 7679 boul Taschereau, Brossard. Funeral mass Wed. April 15 at 1:30 p.m. at St. Mary's Church, 735 Miller, Greenfield Park. Click here.

8 Apr. Luton, Beds., England. JOANITA FONSECA. Wife of the late Paul Fonseca. Loving mother of May, Margaret and Albert (Mississauga), Arnold, John, Alfred & Ramona (UK).sister of the late Francis Luis, Ambrose Luis and Catherine Caldeira (ex-Zanzibar), Luiza, Mary & Philo (Goa) and Cajetan (Paclo) Luis (UK). Condolences to Albert - fonzie34@sympatico.ca

6 Apr: Nerul/Bastora/Mapusa: Ex-Police Commissioner’s Office, Nairobi, Kenya: ESCOLASTICA (ESTHA) D’SOUZA: Wife of late Francisco Xavier (Simon), mother of Gregory (Canada) and Lobelle (USA), mother-in-law of Lynette and Brian; grandmother of Sabrina, Serena, Selena, Xena and Wayne, sister of late Blasio/Maxie (UK), Franco/late Diana (USA), Fermino/Carlota (USA), late Vincent Paul/Gracy (UK), Hillary/Hilda (UK), late Cipriano/Benny, late Santos/Rosy, Dr Willie/Lorraine (USA). Funeral: 8th April to St Jerome ’s Church, Mapusa.

5 Apr: Anjuna. Goa. JULIANA FAUSTINA (TINA) D’SOUZA (Ex-Mombasa Railways, Cranford, UK): Wife of Hubert (Bert). Daughter of Late FX (S.C.F.X.)/Candida. Sister of late Milly, Polly (Alex)/Angela, Dora/Paul. Sister-in-law of Amy/late Procopio (Canada), Jos/Syble (Canada), Eddie/Astrid (Canada), late Doris/Alaric, Annie/Maxy, Robert/Late Charlotte (Canada).

4 Apr: Yorktown, New York. JIM WENZEL. Husband of Celina nee Machado (ex Dar es Salaam). Father of Maria and Jimmy Jo. Son-in-law of the late Mr and Mrs Paulosinho Machado; brother-in-law of Vincent, Clara, Vivian, Cynthia and Virgil. Condolences to celina.wenzel@gmail.com

WHO THE BLEEP CARES?
Weekly column by Selma Carvalho.

Who the bleep cares about proposals?

When I “came of age”, my parents decided that holidays to Goa would no longer be wasted on visiting relatives, plying them with Kit-Kats and impressing them with Tang and Maggi cubes. Instead, holidays would now be spent scouring for a prospective groom and attending the arranged meetings to assess these proposals.

My first proposal was suitably set up at an Aguiar residence. The colonial-styled house on the hillocks of Ambajim, with its towering walls and massive wooden beams would have intimidated even the most confident of suitors. By then, my Father had a few petro-dollars in his wallet but he still needed the Goan currency of a “good family background”. And so with that in mind, the help of Mam and Mammy Aguiar had been enlisted. The Aguiars were a delightful couple, who in their salad days had fallen madly in love and bucked convention by pursuing their relationship to its logical conclusion of marriage. Mam Aguiar was a tall man who preserved his imposing gait and elegance well into his seventies. He had been a Sub-Inspector in the then Portuguese Police force, not a trivial achievement for a man of his time.

The main hall, generally called the vodle salle, had a organ placed in one corner. Mam Aguiar was a music aficionado, and gave classes in both the organ and violin, after his retirement. Goan girls were generally expected to show some musical inclination, having participated in Church choirs or mando singing sessions and perhaps it was anticipated that I would display just such ability. Unfortunately, growing up in the Gulf diaspora such niceties had eluded my education. Nor had I the opportunity to attend the obligatory “Cutting & Stitching” class which every Goan girl of an eligible age does. Still, my parents hoped the pretty imported polyester skirt I was wearing, would cover up many of my deficiencies in the Goan marriage market.

On the day in question, I was instructed to serve Caldine on a delicate quarter-plate which had been part of Mammy Aguiar’s trousseau, and by acts of omission let it be implied that I had cooked it as well. Never having served Caldine, let alone cooked it, I found this to be an affront to my dignity and conspired to drop some of it on my suitor’s lap.

The man in question had all the pre-requisites of a good Goan proposal. He had a job at Zuari Agro Chemicals. He dedicated part of his time to managing the Church Accounts and was a member of that all important Goan Catholic organisation of social exclusivity, the Lions Club. Unfortunately, having been raised on such treacherous liberal ideas as intellectual compatibility and an unhealthy diet of Cosmopolitan magazines, he failed to impress me and I rejected the proposal. Looking back, I realise I was far too young and arrogant to assess anything about human nature, let alone a life-time mate. Still, it was a wise decision for there is something in us that knows instinctively what the heart needs. In those timeless words of Pascal, “the heart has its reasons of which reason knows nothing.”

Do leave your feedback at carvalho_sel@yahoo.com

TRAVEL & TOURISM NEWS:

New witness in Scarlett case: Fiona
11 Apr: Times of India. In a major development, Fiona MacKeown, mother of British teenager Scarlett Keeling, has written to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) that she has a new witness who claims he saw Scarlett on the night she died…. Fiona said, "He is a local and told me that Scarlett was crying on the night she was murdered and had asked him to take her home. He agreed but was stopped by a group of men he was afraid of." … 557 words. Click here.

Air Arabia's Goa-Sharjah flight
12 Apr: Times of India. Air Arabia's low cost Goa-Sharjah-Goa flight will cost Rs 13000 to and fro. The flight will begin from April 16, 2009… 253 words. Click here.

The World's Best Beaches: Palolem, Goa
16 Apr: Conde Nast Traveller. Goa's paradise beach is a beautiful crescent cove in the far south of the state. It's an excellent spot for some serious relaxing; there's really nothing to do apart from soaking up the sun. Click here.

PRIZE COMPETITIONS:

Win a Free Holiday to Kenya!
15 Apr: World Travel Guide. Five lucky couples have the chance of winning a seven-night trip to Kenya, courtesy of the Kenya Tourist Board, Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Holidays, Serena Hotels and Tusker Beer. Competition closes: Thursday 30 April 2009. Click here.

Win a 17-Night Tour of Uganda and Kenya.
15 Apr: In London. Closing Date: 15 May 2009. Click here.

GOA NEWS HEADLINES

Protest is Not Fun and Games
8 Apr: Herald. “It’s time someone called the bluff of Goan industry. Goa Chambers of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) chief Nitin Kuncolienkar, otherwise an amiable person in his own right, is stretching things a bit too far by blaming a disgusted citizenry for the many protests that have come up in a much-hyped but poorly-administered State,” writes Frederick Noronha. Protests and activism in a society call for deep introspection on the part of industry and government. 1133 words. Click here.

A Georgian Queen buried in Goa?
8 Apr: Times of India. Augustinian Friars, who also had their mission in Iran, came in contact with the Georgian Queen Ketevan (1565-1624) in Shiraz, Iran, and held her in high esteem. She was put to death by Shah Abbas I of Iran in 1624 after several years of imprisonment for her refusal to give up Christianity. Could forensic tests conclusively prove that the bones found at St. Augustine Chapel in Old Goa, are that of Queen Ketevan? 500 words. Click here.

Kerry Blewett: India’s first female lifeguard
9 Apr: The Daily Express (UK). Kerry Blewett, 23, from Cornwall is a lifeguard … she says, “In November 2008 some friends told me about an opportunity to lifeguard in Goa … For the first few weeks people would queue up on the beach to have their photo taken with me… Some people had never swum in their lives but would throw themselves into the water… 507 words. Click here.

Security move after lifeguards beaten up by tourists
9 Apr: Scotsman. Lifeguards at Goa’s Baga beach are to get their own security team after they were beaten up by rowdy tourists. Beach management company Drishti has asked the government to approve the move to protect their employees…296 words. Click here.

Man arrested in heroin death probe
9 Apr: The Press Association. A man has been arrested in India accused of supplying heroin to a British tourist who died after taking the drug. Nigel Smith, 62, of Woodford Green, London, was found dead in his Goa hotel room on Sunday. 206 words. Click here.

Director of Prosecution against charging minister in Goa
10 Apr: UNI. A case of ''threat to kill'' social activist advocate Aires Rodrigues allegedly by health minister Viswajit Rane has taken an interesting turn with the Old Goa police inspector Gurudas Gawade telling a local court here today that he had closed the case on the advice of the Director of Prosecution (DP)… 274 words. Click here.

Aires Rodrigues acquitted in nuns threatening case
10 Apr: UNI. Judicial Magistrate Sharmila Patil today acquitted Aires Rodrigues in a criminal case filed against him in 2004 by the nuns of Ajuda Convent, Ribandar. The charge against him was that he had threatened the nuns for interfering in a case of alleged molestation of a minor girl by Parish priest Fr Newton Rodrigues. The court acquitted Adv Rodrigues of all charges… 372 words. Click here.

Catholics urged to accept suffering
11 Apr: Times of India. Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao led the Catholic community of Goa in commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ over 2000 years ago on Good Friday, during services held at Se Cathedral at Old Goa, as hundreds of faithful from the area and surrounding villages solemnly participated in the services. The archbishop exhorted the faithful to be witnesses to Jesus through one's sufferings as it is a means of redemption 348 words. Click here.

I had to Goa back to help India's poor
11 Apr: Evening Telegraph. Neil Bennett, a cricket fan, was so affected by the poverty he saw when he watched England play in India last year that he will return to the country to deliver gifts to under-privileged children. He will jet off to Goa with an extra suitcase laden with clothes, toys, colouring books and crayons. The 41-year-old, of Ayr Close, plans to visit a school to hand out the gifts when he arrives. 453 words. Click here.

This Easter Sunday it'll be raining tiatrs
12 Apr: Times of India. The rush for the bonanza of the Konkani box office begins with the commencement of yet another long, exciting tiatr season in Goa on Easter Sunday. Twelve of Goa's premier commercial theatre playwrights have announced their schedule and plans are open at theatres in Goa's major towns and villages. 695 words. Click here.

Goa’s first Latin Band
12 Apr: Angelav. Their inspiration is Gloria Estefan and Ricky Martin. Their belief is that they too can carve out a fan following for their niche choice of music. Their goal is build a name by belting out numbers which this pocket of India could have a natural flair for. Newly-formed 'Obligato' calls itself Goa's first Latino band. 1322 words. Click here.

Goa maybe dry this April
12 Apr: Times of India. For those planning booze on the Goa shores this summer, the tourist city might just have a lemonade instead of liquor to offer on pleasant evenings. The reason: Liquor sellers here, miffed over restrictions from the Election Commission, have decided to stop all flow of spirits until elections are over. Protesting against the “high handedness” of the EC, liquor traders and wholesalers across Goa have decided to keep their shops closed until Lok Sabha elections on April 23. 445 words. Click here.

Crime sullies Goa’s reputation
13 Apr: Herald. Goa once considered to be one of the safest places on the earth doesn’t seem to be one anymore as the crime rate in the State has seen a substantial rise in the past few years. The crime rate increase, which was only 4.01 per cent in the year 2006, has suddenly jumped to 12.48 per cent in 2007 and 10.61 per cent in 2008. 303 words. Click here.

Record Goan iron ore exports
14 Apr: Metal Bulletin (UK). Iron ore exports from Goa, India, reached a record 46 million tonnes for the year ended March 31, propelling estimates for the national total to as much as 105 million tonnes… 293 words. Click here.

In Goa, it’s bullfighting all the way
15 Apr: Economic Times. “The ways of the Goans are strange”, remarked India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru some 40 years ago. Little seems to have changed since. For, the priority for the Goans (and their leaders) still seems to be things like bullfighting even now. 334 words. Click here.

Goa: Catholic weddings to lose spirit
15 Apr: Press Trust of India. The Catholic wedding ceremonies in Goa are the obvious sufferers of the liquor famine that the state is likely to face in the next couple of days… 393 days. Click here.

Congress will protect the livelihood of fisherfolk: Sonia
16 Apr: The Hindu. All India Congress Committee president Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday promised people of Goa that the Congress, being committed to the cause of vulnerable sections of society, would protect the “houses and livelihood” of the fisherfolk and coastal people and also backed Goa’s claim for a “special status”… 345 words. Click here.

Football: Churchill Brothers crowned Indian league champions
16 Apr: Times of India. Churchill Brothers are the new I-League football champions. The Goa's top team recorded its maiden triumph with a thumping 6-2 victory over Kolkata's Mohammedan Sporting at the Nehru Stadium before a capacity home crowd… 371 words. Click here.

BJP winning Catholic hearts
17 Apr: Times of India. In Goa, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is moving away from its hardline Hindutva image and trying to woo the Christians. And what's more, the BJP workers claim that this election they have been able to penetrate into Catholic hearts, which have so far been considered staunch Congress supporters… 470 words. Click here.

IN THE NEWS:

UK compensation for Indian migrant professionals
8 Apr: Indian Express. In a major legal victory, nearly 10,000 Indian and other non-European Union professionals will be able to claim compensation for hardship caused by the 2006 changes to immigration rules that were struck down by the High Court. 186 words. [Alert by Herman D'Souza] Click here.

Good Friday: A Triumph over tragedy
9 Apr: Times of India. The church gives Catholics ample opportunity to reflect on their lives during the period of Lent that begins with Ash Wednesday. Fr Raymond Antao a priest with the diocese says, "Good Friday is not a tragedy but a triumph in tragedy. It is rising in dying to ourselves and our ill behaviour. It is an occasion wherein the Catholic faithful get an opportunity to look back, die to oneself and rise anew." 603 words. Click here.

The Best of British Whines
11 Apr: The Age. The British are notorious for whining while on holiday. In one case, a British guest at a Novotel hotel in Australia made a fuss about his soup being too thick and strong. He had been supping from the gravy boat. Another culinary challenged traveller grumbled that "on my holiday to Goa in India, I was disgusted to find that almost every restaurant served curry. I don't like spicy food at all." A brief look at some classic British whines. 408 words. Click here.

From Darkness to Light
12 Apr: Goa is alive once again. It's Easter and the period till Pentecost is rightly called Easter tide, it being the high tide of celebrations in Goa. Goa is known to make every event special, and Easter is no different as it is celebrated with dance, music and drama. Naturally, after 40 days of penance, there is excitement. Joanne Fernandes a singer professes that Easter is like a new year which allows her to make a fresh start as did Jesus. She adds that as the 40 day period of Lent being a low key affair, the entire world comes alive. 472 words. Click here.

What the queen of Notting Hill interiors has in her own home
12 Apr: Mail on Sunday (UK). Antonia Graham, 66 has built an empire – she now has six shops, plus a mail-order catalogue and online outlet … her home in Notting Hill is wonderfully accessorised including sari curtains … she is selling her house for £1.995million and already has an old Portuguese three-bedroom house in Goa … It is the Goa house that has prompted Antonia’s London move… Photos and text, 854 words. Click here.

Scandal within the Indian Church
13 Apr: The Telegraph. Nuns and fathers in Kerala are in the news — and for all the wrong reasons. Last month, Sister Jesme, former principal of a reputed college in Trichur, rocked the state when she published a book that carried explicit anecdotes about priests molesting nuns. The question arises as to whether this is a stray incident or whether the problem is more pervasive. While some are dismissive about its implications others agree that nuns are not emancipated women in India. 1378 words. Click here.

Freida Pinto: You bet
13 Apr: India Today. Paddy Power is offering odds of 4-1 that Jennifer Aniston will be the next Bond Girl, after she indicated her interest in the role. Freida Pinto is a favourite at 3-1, while Angelina Jolie, Aniston's rival, is at 12-1. Click here.

Charity on auto wheels rolls from Shillong to Goa
13 Apr: Calcutta Telegraph. People of different professions from 10 countries, mainly from the UK, took out the Spring Autorickshaw Run 2009 from here to Goa. 461 words. Click here.
Charity on auto wheels rolls from Shillong to Goa.

Let's not do the time warp
13 Apr: The Independent. …Deborah Moggach’s novel These Foolish Things picked up on the phenomenon of outsourcing our problems to India. She says, "We outsource everything else, why not outsource the elderly? India sprang to mind as it's warm, cheap, there's a deep respect for old people there, it costs less to fly to Goa for a two-week holiday than a first class return train fare to Darlington, medical facilities are better than in a lot of British hospitals, English is understood nearly everywhere and there's a residual respect for Britain” … The novel is now being developed for film in the wake of the success of Slumdog Millionaire… Click here.

Senior Citizens in India Embrace the Internet
15 Apr: The Women's International Perspective. Dennis Meredith has two sprawling bungalows on 15 acres of rich fertile country land in McCluskiegunj, the Anglo Indian settlement in Bihar where he has lived since he was a year old … His son Ryan is a photographer whose career opportunities have taken him to Goa. Dennis hopes one day to live with his son but the real estate prices in Goa are beyond his reach so it’s only through phone and email that they converse… Photo and text. Click here.

Ontario: Public forum on Goa Student Exchange Program to be held Friday
15 Apr: Western News (Ontario). Earth Sciences Professor Emeritus Lalu Mansinha will discuss “Programmatic Collaborations with IITs and the Ontario Maharashtra” on Friday, April 17 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Richard Ivey School of Business Room 1B02. The event is open to the public. 132 words. Click here.

India: Church watches anxiously as general election begins
16 Apr: UCAN. A five-phased general election began on April 16. The results are expected on May 16 … The Church plays a crucial role in several Christian pockets, especially in Kerala, Goa and some northeastern states. The election comes at a time when Christians are facing challenges from governments and religious fundamentalists in various places… [Elections in Goa takes place on Thu. 23 Apr.] 877 words. Click here.

Lisbon: Ekvat - Winds of Tradition
17 Apr: Guia Da Cidade (Portugal), The Ekvat Group has, for 20 years, spread Goan music to Portugal and abroad. They are presenting a concert at 18:00 on 30 Nay 2009 at Avenida Brasília, Doca de Alcântara (Norte), Lisbon. Open to the Public. Admission € 20. Click here.

GOANET HIGHLIGHTS
BY Cornel D'Costa

In the UK, The Easter, summer and Christmas breaks seem to be times when many a pet is abandoned while their owners go away on holiday. But at least we do have some sanctuaries for abandoned animals, but what happens in Goa? In 'Animal Speak' Clinton Vaz tells us about the plight of animals in Goa and in particular about bull fighting and the frogs that are hunted in the monsoons for their legs as gourmet food. Read about this at: http://klintvaz.blogspot.com/

Despite its own rules, Goanet intentionally or unintentionally sometimes seems to allow issues to be discussed that have nothing to do with Goa. A piece by Gilbert Lawrence titled ' Getting Distracted Again' is a case in point. The claim is made that "America has been adept at using foreign countries and issues to distract itself and the world... it has spent trillions abroad rather than on domestic issues." To read more about this controversial article click here.

In an informative article titled 'Bondo to drum Goan Beat Around the World' we learn that "Goa's top percussionist Bondo will travel around the world with 20 tribal Goan ghumot (a percussion instrument comprising an earthen vessel covered with leather) players in an attempt to promote the State, its traditional arts and its tourism." Read about this. Click here.

While many in the world of business bemoan the sharp reduction in tourism in Goa and seek new markets to rectify the situation, an alternative view is presented by Angelo Mendonca. He says "Don't go to Goa! This must be the most run down resort in the world, garbage everywhere, beaches are unclean, taxis charge whatever they like...30 British tourists die there every year...malaria and dengue fever is at epidemic proportions particularly in the North...The famous Goan smile masks a devious method to extract your money or if u r female, your dignity as well. This resort should be boycotted until they get their act together." Well, well, well, surely such commentary deserves a response and this can be provided at: angelomendonca@gmail.com

Finally, with an eye on the forthcoming elections in India, Ruby Goes sends us a simultaneously hilarious and serious account of the internationally acclaimed classical dancer Malhika Sarabhai who will take on India's main opposition leader, L.K. Advani of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Do read the article. For the link, click here.

Please visit the Goanet archives at http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/
To subscribe to Goanet send an email to subscribe@goanet.org

DOCUMENTARY: Real Swiss Family Robinson. BBC 1
Friday 17th Apr. 21:00 to 22:00. The Blanchs in Tanzania. Chris Edwardes and Amanda Blanch head off for three weeks on an island off Pemba in Tanzania…

COOKERY: Hairy Bikers Ride Again. UKTV Food
Monday 20th Apr. 21:00 to 21:30. India (Part 1). The Hairy Bikers roar back into action with a madcap tour of south India.

DRAMA: Sharpe's Challenge. ITV3
Monday 20th Apr. 21:00 to 22:35. First of a two-part story that sees Colonel Sharpe in India. Starring: Sean Bean.

MUSIC: Classical Collection. BBC Radio Three
Tuesday 21st Apr. 11:30 to 12:00. Tavener:....Depart in Peace. Patricia Rozario (soprano), BT Scottish Ensemble/Clio Gould (violin).

TALK SHOW: Night Waves. BBC Radio Three
Tuesday 21st Apr. 21:15 to 22:00. Philip Dodd talks to Nandan Nilekani, an Indian computer technology guru who has been described as the 'Bill Gates of Bangalore', about his new vision for his nation and how it will shape the global future in the 21st century.

COOKERY: Rick Stein's Seafood Odyssey. UKTV Food
Tuesday 21st Apr. 21:30 to 22:00. India and Cornwall. Today, we join Rick in the stunning setting of Goa as he reproduces some of the most popular local fish dishes. We also visit his famous restaurant in Cornwall.

MOTORING: Intercontinental Rally Challenge. British Eurosport
Tuesday 21st Apr. 23:30 to 00:00. 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.

MOTORING: Motor Sport. Sky Sports 2
Wednesday 22nd Apr. 13:30 to 15:00. Karma Way - Endurance Rally. The Karma Enduro Rally is an annual event that begins in Goa and does a bit of good by raising money for charity.

COOKERY: Rick Stein's Seafood Odyssey. UKTV Food
Thursday 23rd Apr. 21:30 to 22:00. Rick travels to Goa for prawn caldene and spicy Goan lobster.

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.

Sun 3 May. Saligao Association UK celebrate the feast of Nossa Senhora de Mae de Deus at Archbishop Lanfranc School, Mitcham Road, Croydon CR9 3AS. Holy Mass at 12.30 pm followed by a Social. For further details contact: Raymond D\'Silva: 020 8300 5240; Sergio Coelho: 020 8543 4681; Zemira Fernandes: 01895 259947.

Sun: 3 May. Cortalim Feast. Mass will commence at 2pm prompt, (followed by our social Dancing to the Sounds of Nite Life to 10pm) at St. John’s Church Hall, Bourne Hill, Palmers Green, London N13. Ticket Price includes snacks, meal & dessert Adults: £12; Age: 11-18: £6; 2-10: £2.50 and under 2 free. For information & tickets contact: Maria - 020 803 5146, Joe-0208-443-1014, Laurent 0208-641-5995, Tony-0208 -888-0393, Vanessa 0208-800-5413, Walter 0207-476-4580 or Tino- 07821900490

Sat 9 May. MAY BALL AT MIDSUMMER HALL. Jurys Inn, Milton Keynes. Black Tie / Evening wear essential. A three course sit-down meal at this beautiful venue located in the new MK Hub and great music provided by the sensational band "Calibre". Carriages at midnight. Discounted hotel rooms available. No tickets sold at the door. A Night to Remember! For more details contact: Sally on Mob: 07976 826473 or email: sally@stevef.co.uk

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: 24 May. 1.00pm - 8.30pm. The Bakuli Reunion at Archbishop Lanfranc School, Croydon. Live music by Mellow Tones and disco by "DJO" Tickets Adults: £14.00 Children (2 -12 years) £7.00. Price includes a meal and snacks. For further information please contact Tony Lobo 020 8542 0528 or Reg Da Cunha 020 7732 2659. Please note that tickets will be issued on a "first come basis" No tickets will be sold at the door.

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.

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