COMMUNITY NEWS

Mombasa: Fr John Correa: 40th Anniversary
30 Jan: Coastweek (Mombasa). The Holy Ghost Cathedral grounds were filled to the brim by the large congregation that had gathered to celebrate Fr. John Correa's 40th Anniversary into priesthood... Fr. took the opportunity to introduce his family members who attended the occasion; his elder and younger sisters together with his niece and nephew… Fr. John Correa was born in Nairobi, the only son among five daughters of Mariano Jose Correa and Romaldina Correa. He was sent to Rome in 1961 and ordained in Nairobi 40 years ago. Among the places he served are Parklands, Malindi, Voi and Mombasa … 715 words. Click here.

Danny Fernandes: Tributes to dead Harrow Weald teenager
29 Jan: Harrow Observer. Friends and family of popular teenager Danny Fernandes who died suddenly have flooded Harrow Weald with flowers and heartfelt messages. The corner of Long Elmes and High Road has become a shrine to 19-year-old Danny Fernandes, who died after being hit by a train at Headstone Lane station on Sunday… 588 words. Click here.

Melbourne: Cockroach Larry is just 'working upstairs'
29 Jan: The Age (Aus). The Diary. The Rajah-Sahib Indian was run by turbaned windbag Larry Mendonca (pictured). Six years ago Mendonca was fined almost $40,000 over food hygiene standards... Now when you phone the Empress, 68-year-old Larry takes the call… "I now work in immigration law," he told us yesterday. "I did a course and operate my business upstairs. Other people run the restaurant." That's odd. Diary is told Larry strolls about the joint in his mouldy turban just like the old days at Cockroach Central… 297 words. Click here.
For a GVUK profile of Larry Mendonca, click here.

Thanks from Jonathan Marques's family
30 Jan: Reading Evening Post. The heartbroken family of Jonathan Marques have paid an emotional tribute to all those who helped search for him, including the Goan community from Reading, Swindon, Maidenhead and London … Jonathan’s family are preparing to fly back to India tomorrow to make arrangements for his funeral next week… A post-mortem examination was unable to establish the cause of Jonathan’s death and further tests are being carried out. 514 words. Click here.

Fatso? Tony Fernandes blasts blogs for getting personal
31 Jan: AsiaOne. Tony Fernandes may be synonymous with Air Asia and credited with revolutionising budget air travel in Southeast Asia, but in cyberspace, comments about him have been vicious and personal… 720 words. Click here.

Freida Pinto: Fashion insider
31 Jan: The Mirror (UK). Freida Pinto is only 24 but this glamorous newcomer is no novice when it comes to red carpet dressing… She's been sizzling in gowns from Zac Posen, Christian Lacroix and Derek Lam… 237 words with photos and UK stockists of some of her recent outfits. Click here.

Religion and the Toronto Goan. By Roland Francis
1 Feb: GoaNet. The first generation immigrant, misfortune-afflicted notwithstanding, rarely lets go of his God. However, the grip of faith doesn't last much beyond the first generation… The Filipino and the Goan communities hold on to their religion much more strongly than they did in the countries they came from… Toronto Goans though, truthfully are one of the most generous of the diaspora. Their hospitality rivals with that seen in Goa 50 years ago… 972 words. Click here.

Swindon: Extra lessons to boost English skills
1 Feb: Swindon Advertiser. Swindon’s first multicultural Saturday school was launched this weekend with a celebration of the town’s diverse cultures. The scheme is the brainchild of Drove Primary School head teacher Dr Nick Capstick… “We have Turkish children, Polish, Goan, French and more …” he said … [Classes are available for Konkani]. 296 words. Click here.

Marques family set to fly their son home
2 Feb: Reading Evening Post. The grieving family of tragic schoolboy Jonathan Marques may have to wait up to two weeks to find out how he died… However Detective Chief Inspector Stan Gilmour stressed the tests were routine procedure and said, “There is absolutely nothing that we found when we recovered Jonathan’s body that indicates any form of foul play…” … On Saturday, Jonathan’s heartbroken family flew back home to the Goan village where he was born and raised, to begin making arrangements for his funeral… 566 words. Click here.

Sean D'Souza: Don't let perfection stand in the way of a great idea
2 Feb: New Zealand Herald. Have you got time to learn a simple principle? It's called the 70 per cent Principle. It's the principle that says if a job is worth doing, it's worth doing 70 per cent right. You can always come back to do the 20 per cent later…. Sean D'Souza is chief executive of Psychotactics www.psychotactics.com and is an international author and trainer. [He lives in New Zealand traces his Goan roots to Assagao]. 821 words. Click here.

Revealed: Freida Pinto as young aspiring model
2 Feb: The Mail (UK). She may be on the way to becoming a household name following the success of Slumdog Millionaire. But before her rise to fame Freida Pinto was once a young aspiring model… stunning pictures taken of the actress four-years-ago in her first fashion shoot by renowned Bollywood photographer Ryan Martis. 488 words + 4 photos. Click here.

Revealed: Freida Pinto's guy life
2 Feb: MidDay. Slumdog Millionaire star, Freida Pinto did break off her engagement to her fiancé - a marketing professional from Mumbai and her one-time PR agent, Rohan Antao, who got the kick… 203 words. Click here.

Glenn Perry: Healing broken strings
3 Feb: Khaleej Times (UAE). Dubai-based musician Glenn Perry continues to use his music as a catalyst for peace in the world. We catch up with the jazz maestro to break down his latest creation Nostalgia and what it took to get him here … Glenn talks about the trauma of losing his father (Chris Perry), his move to LA, his memorable experience in the Peace Orphanage in the slums of Kenya … 1219 words. Click here.
For an account of his visit to Kenya, click here.

Joanne D’Mello: Singing Soprano
4 Feb: Navhind Times. Goan by origin, Ms Joanne Marie D'Mello currently studying in London finds singing “Soprano” most suitable for her voice. She holds a performer’s certificate in voice from Trinity College and is presently training under Patricia Rozario OBE at the Royal College of Music, London … she says, “My greatest moment was when I performed with the All Soul’s Choir for BBC Songs of Praise, aired on BBC on July 20, 2008” … 319 words. Click here.

Canada: Prof Brian Rodrigues: For heart's sake
4 Feb: Canwest News Service. Brian Rodrigues, a professor in the university of British Columbia, says, with diabetes by itself, there is two to four times the risk of getting heart disease… Adding one or more risk factors such as smoking, hypertension or lipids (fats) increases the risk substantially. 809 words. Click here. Prof Brian Rodrigues was born in Karachi and is a “proud Goan.” His father is from Corlim and mother from Candolim. He has been in Canada since 1982. For his bio click here.

Leicester, UK: £13m Merlyn Vaz Health Centre
4 Feb: Leicester Mercury. The £13 million Charnwood Health and Social Care Centre is to be named the Merlyn Vaz Health and Social Care Centre after MP Keith Vaz's mother, a former city councillor… 750 people – including a 500-name petition – voted for the Vaz name after a mailshot of the competition to 6,000 homes… Keith Vaz said: "My mother began campaigning for a new centre with local people 10 years ago. The family is honoured and privileged that her work should be acknowledged in this way." 490 words. Click here.
For a GVUK profile of Merlyn Vaz click here.

UK: Canterbury: Ilona de Souza’s gift to hospital
5 Feb: Kentish Express. A cancer patient has thanked hospital staff who treated her by organising charity events to buy their ward a heart monitor. Ilona de Souza had an operation for bowel cancer at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford in February 2007. But she spent her time convalescing organising a charity concert, a garden party and other activities which together raised £2,650 over a year… 211 words. Click here.

DEATHS

3 Feb: Margao, Goa. CHANDRAKANT KENI. Husband of Vinodini. Father of Urvija/Harshvardhan Bhatkuly and Pradnya/Abhit Naik. Grandfather of Parth and Ved.
4 Feb: Navhind Times. The celebrated writer and journalist, CHANDRAKANT KENI, who left a lasting impression through his rich contributions towards the state, in the post-Liberation era, passed away in Margao on Tuesday morning after a prolonged illness. He was 75…His funeral, held in the evening saw thousands of people turning up to bid tearful adieus to him… 951 words. Click here.
For the report and photograph of Mr Keni’s 1999 London visit, click here.

2 Feb: Porvorim, Goa. MARIA DO CARMO NORONHA e COLACO (ex-Velim, Goa). Most beloved wife of Rocha. Loving Mother of Sharmila/Alinto Coelho, Sarojini, Nandini and Vivek. Doting Grandmother of Tristan. Sister of Marina/late Camilo Fernandes, late Mario/Lira Noronha (Portugal), Clovy/Satiro Diniz (Canada) and late Marioneta/Alexandre Pereira.

1 Feb: Aldona, Goa. LESLIE JOHN PEREIRA (Born 1958; ex-Brunei/London). Loving son of Martha and late Eleuterio. Brother/in-law of Maureen/Roger Moniz (UK); Tom/Melita (Canada); Uncle of Nigel/Renza, Marilyn, Jonathan and Jaden. Funeral Details: Cortege leaves the house in Corjuem on Saturday 7 Feb at 3.30 PM, followed by a Requiem Mass at St Thomas’ Church Aldona at 4 PM. Condolences to maureen@aviontours.com or tommel@shaw.ca

1 Feb: Divar, Goa. JOAQUIM MATEUS AUGUSTO NUNES (Born 1915: ex-Nairobi). Husband of late Angeliqua. Father of Fatima/Joseph D'Souza, Maria/Cipriano Pinto (UK), Anthony/Lumen, Staney/Gladys, late Francis. Grandfather of Gillian, Michael, Michelle, Samantha, Joanne, Trevor, Audrey, Angeliqua, John and Bernadette.

31 Jan: Guirim, Goa. DOLOROSA VICENTA FERRAO. Wife of Perpetuo Antonio. Mother of Milton/Effie, Flavia/Merwyn D'Souza (UK) and Fatima/late Patrick

30 Jan: Candolim, Goa. LILY LOBO (Ex-Kisumu, Kenya). Wife of late Joe. Mother of Willy/Dulu (Nairobi), Diana/Albert (Toronto), Bonie/Isabelle (Paris).

30 Jan: Bastora. Goa. EUSEBIO DE SOUZA (Born 1928; ex East Africa). Husband of late Olympia. Father of Lynette, Doris/Agnelo D'Souza, Jude/Ofelia, Melvin and Thelma. Grandfather of Jorgen, Jeanette and Dexter. Brother of Annie/late Jeffu Dias, late Basil/Juliana, late Lina, late Francisca, late Jane/late Ignatius Almeida, Alice/late Anthony Dias, Bibiana/late Aniceto Albuquerque, Jose Marie/Clothilda, Julie/Andrew Paes and Camillo/Pramila.

29 Jan: Mapusa, Goa. ANICETO C.M. ALBUQUERQUE (Born 1922; ex-Customs, Mombasa). Husband of Bibiana. Father of Edmond/Luiza (Saudi), Dr Welwyn/Dr Snighdha (UK), Victor/Tecla, Evelyn and Severino. Grandfather of Christopher, Cheryl, Soraya, Annalisa, Kevin and Kerryann.

28 Jan: Fatorda, Goa. ROQUE CONCEICAO MENEZES. (Born 1924). Husband of Hilda. Father of Goretti/late Manecas Cotta, Roy/Jessie (Canada), Allen/Linda (USA) and Conrad/Shar0n (Canada).

WHO THE BLEEP CARES?
Weekly column by Selma Carvalho.

Who the Bleep Cares about Hades?

There’s an old Greek myth of Demeter, Hades and Persephone. One day as Persephone, was gathering flowers, Hades, the God of the Underworld fell in lust and carried her away to his abode in the Underworld. When Demeter came looking for her child, she couldn’t find her. She wept and mourned for her child until all the leaves of the earth fell to the ground, the clouds gathered in grey protest, the winds striped the last fruit off from the trees, the flowers faded, the sun refused to shine and covered the earth with a mother’s grief. Demeter searched in vain for her child, till Zeus the God Supreme told her that Hades himself had abducted her. Demeter being a mother, travelled to the Underworld in search of Persephone.

Who amongst us cannot sympathise with Demeter? Who amongst us, parents, would not travel to the Underworld itself in search of our children? Who amongst us, this week, did not shed a tear when we saw Menino Marques place a candle where Jonathan’s body was found? What can we say to you Menino, to make your grief any less? We don’t have the words. We will never have enough words. We bid Jonathan adieu but never farewell. Till, we meet again Jonathan, you rest in our Goan hearts.

In another news item this week, the Male Supremacist has struck in India. A Hindu right-wing group, going by the name Sri Ram Sene, charged into a pub in Mangalore and assaulted the young girls in there. It never fails to amuse me how similar extremist groups, whether they are Hindu, Muslim, Christian or Jewish, really are. There is the strong belief in the superiority of one’s own religion, an intolerance towards adherents of a different religion, palpable homophobia and a deep distrust of science and rationality. But at the heart of all extremist groups lies male chauvinism, stemming from a time when the male of a certain lineage was the custodian of all the Gods, Goddesses and Goodness of the earth. This assumed male privilege is what extremists wish to carry with them into the 21st century.

It’s interesting that the group Sri Ram Sene did not attack the men in the pub. There is always an instantaneous vilification of women in society. That it is they who have to bow to certain predetermined notions of what “culture”, “tradition” and their “role in it is” as defined by the male supremacist. To say that, Hindu extremism has gotten out of hand in India, aided and abetted by an avaricious polity, is an understatement. But this is an assault on all women in India, and let every man with a mother, sister, wife and daughter, stand up and condemn this assault. Unless, we want to see India regress into a medieval netherworld.

For those who want to view a short video clip of this assault, click here.

Do leave your feedback at carvalho_sel@yahoo.com

TRAVEL & TOURISM NEWS:

This Is Not Swindon - Go Home
30 Jan: Herald. By Laurel Tuchy. Foreigners purchasing property in Goa has long been a contentious issue in Goa. It raises voices, blood pressure, hearts and feelings amongst visitors and Goans alike. Tempers have flared anew as 2 British nationals are in danger of losing homes … they have approached the British High Commission in Mumbai for protection against eviction. It is unknown what will become of them and their homes… 1004 words. Click here.

Goa eyes new tourist markets
30 Jan: Times of India. With the English and Russian ventures a success, Goa has now set its sights on new horizons to define its position in the international tourism markets. The state is eyeing new markets in 2009 and South Africa, Portugal and the Middle East are among the destinations that Goa will look to gain a foothold… 409 words. Click here.

Russian tourist killed in traffic accident in India's Goa.
30 Jan: RIA Novosti. A Russian tourist, Ruslan Nikitin, 29, has been killed in a traffic accident in Goa on Jan. 29 a spokeswoman for the Russian consulate in Mumbai said on Friday. Click here.

Scarlett Keeling: Everything is buried except her
30 Jan: Herald. By Sujay Gupta. In the 73 days it took to hand over the case to the CBI, all the evidence has been systematically destroyed … the tale of how some of the vital organs went missing / were destroyed is a vital cog in the cover up theory… If the CBI or the British Police are trying to spoil the party in Goa, they use the best tool in the business. Destroy the evidence. 1059 words. Click here.

Police to face music if shacks flout sound ban
30 Jan: Times of India. Chances of dancing throughout the night in Goa this season, have just turned bleak. The police have been asked to ensure that no loud music is played at beach shacks and restaurants after 10 pm, and that action would be taken against the police officer in charge … The move has dampened the spirits of the shack owners who often organize parties with DJ music… 394 words. Click here.

Norway: Travel Feature: Goa på egenhånd
31 Jan: DinSide (Norway). Text and photos. Click here.

BJP against ban on sale of agricultural land to foreigners
31 Jan: Navhind Times. The leader of the opposition, Mr Manohar Parrikar on Friday said the Bharatiya Janata Party does not support a blanket ban on the sale of agricultural land on the sale of agricultural land in Goa to foreigners, or to be more specific, such ban on any land in the state as proposed by the government, but would support a ceiling or some regulation on such transactions… 694 words. Click here.

Chilled out in a Goa for grown-ups
1 Feb: The Observer (UK). The Yab Yum eco-resort is an experience far from the bong and bongos scene. Peter Kimpton indulges in simple and healthy treats for the mind and the body as he travels to Yub Yam Eco Resort in Goa… outrageous bling-wearing Russians … laid-back Goan people, and their often cheeky, friendly banter that charmed us … Paradise was found, and with it, a longing to return. 1110 words + photo. Click here.

Government’s advice on acquiring land by persons residing outside India
1 Feb: Govt of India. Press Information Bureau. Government of India has advised State Governments to be extra vigilant in matters of acquisition and transfer of immovable property in India by a person resident outside India … It has come to the notice of the Central Government that foreign nationals are buying immovable property illegally in some parts of the country, particularly in Goa, which has raised concerns… 538 words. Click here.

Why hip hippies still choose India
1 Feb: The Sunday Times (UK). It’s that time of year. “Everyone’s back from India, and someone’s always going … which is the India the west most desires — the cinematic slums of Slumdog, the mafia world of Shantaram, the designer-kaftan havens of Goa or the pauper’s triumph of The White Tiger? … 1653 words. Click here.

Petition filed against Goa cop in Scarlett case
1 Feb: PTI. Aires Rodrigues, a social activist, has filed a contempt petition against police inspector Ramesh Gaonkar for failing to investigate role of British mother Fiona Mackeown, in death of her teenage daughter, Scarlett in Goa. 247 words. Click here.

Scarlett Case: Anjuna police to interrogate Fiona
2 Feb: UNI. Fiona Mackeown, mother of British teenager Scarlett Keeling will be interrogated by the Anjuna police next week on a complaint of 'negligence' filed against her by Aires Rodrigues … Fiona will visit India in the second week of this month for enquiry, and detailed investigations would be conducted on a top priority basis … 366 words. Click here.

Scarlett case: Fiona awaiting visa to visit Goa
2 Feb: PTI. British national Fiona Mackeown, mother of Scarlett Eden Keeling who was raped and murdered in Goa, is still awaiting for visa to visit India, according to her lawyer…. "She has applied for the visa last week but is yet to get it. She has to arrange for the visa and look after the arrangement of her eight children," her lawyer, Vikram Varma said… 244 words. Click here.

India, with a Portuguese twist
2 Feb: Urbanite. By Lucy Cohen Blatter. Made famous in the 1960s as a haven for hippies, Goa is a go-to resort for Indian and foreign tourists alike ... While there, be sure to sample fresh fish curries. The brave can try Feni … 589 words. Click here.

Julia Roberts hits Goa and its markets
3 Feb: MidDay (Mumbai). Julia Roberts was spotted over the weekend in Goa, unwinding and shopping…She's there with her kids but sans hubby for an extended holiday. 108 words. Click here.
[Strange, but there is a story and photo of her with her husband in Bangalore last week. Click here.]

Carnival festivities in Goa
3 Feb: Navhind Times. The Carnival will be held in 4 Goan cities namely Panaji on February 21, Margao on February 22, Vasco on February 23 and Mapusa on February 24. 325 words. Click here.

Condor: Germany/Goa Flights from 199 Euros
4 Feb: Discount Flieger, Germany. The budget airline Condor sale starts on Thursday, 5 Feb 2009 from 10 am with the offer of 199 Euros flights to Las Vegas, Dubai and Goa. Click here.

Week long flights to India all the rage 80 years ago
4 Feb: Croydon Guardian (UK). Almost 80 years ago, the first flight to India took off from Croydon Airport. The aircraft had to make more than 20 stops, taking 7 days. The few able to afford the luxury of flight paid £130 for the privilege of a single fare – more than £5,000 in today’s money… Click here.

Dabolim airport expansion on fast track
4 Feb: Herald. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has put all non-metro airport development projects in the country on the fast track. A report in the Financial Chronicle says the very first project to be put on fast track will be the proposed Rs 340-crore Goa Dabolim Airport expansion… 251 words. Click here.

Tourists' drowning incidents reduced
4 Feb: UNI. The incidents of drowning of tourists in the Goan beaches has come down with the introduction of beach safety mechanism by the state government. Since introduction of Drishti Special Response Service Private Limited, the number of deaths has came down to three so far as against 72 in 2008, 91 in 2007 and 65 in 2006. 158 words. Click here.

Chief Minister for pushing casinos into sea
5 Feb: Navhind Times. The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat on Wednesday told the assembly during the Question Hour that the state casino policy needs a thorough study and possible amendment to ensure that the off-shore casinos presently anchored in Mandovi river go to a distant place… 678 words. Click here.

PRIZE COMPETITION:

Tusker Kenya Holiday Competition
2 Feb: Tesco. Enter the fabulous prize draw four adults will win a seven-night trip to Kenya courtesy Tusker Beer … To coincide with the prize draw Tesco stores are running a special Tusker promotion – chance to win trips to Kenya with every bottle of Tusker sold … Tusker lager costs £1•55/500ml. Closing date for entries is 20 Feb. 2009. Click here.
2 Feb: World Travel Guide. Five lucky couples have the chance of winning a seven-night trip to Kenya … Click here.

3 Feb: Wagamama. To celebrate the release of slumdog millionaire Wagamama have teamed up with Pathe and STA travel to offer you the chance to win a trip to India … No purchase necessary. Enter online. Click here.

LOOKING FOR:

UK Goans who are ex-Kenya Administration
28 Jan: From Mervyn Maciel. I've had a request from the Kenya Administration Club (UK), to write a short piece for their annual newsletter on "What happened to the Goan community who served in Kenya and came to live in the U.K." They are particularly interested in those, who like me, served in the Provincial Administration. Any feedback from those who served in Kenya would be welcome, and can be sent to me by e-mail at mervynels.watuwashamba@googlemail.com or by post to "Manyatta", 219 Collingwood Road, Sutton, Surrey, SM1 2LX. Many thanks.

GOA NEWS HEADLINES

Govt may ban sale of agricultural land to non-Goans
30 Jan: PTI. Goa Chief Minister Digamber Kamat on Thursday said the state government is mulling over enacting legislation banning sale of agricultural land to non-Goans, including foreigners, saying that it would also help maintain the unique identity of the state… He also said that the state government is firm on not allowing Special Economic Zones in the state. 202 words. Click here.

Goa: Cow brought to court for identification parade
31 Jan: Sify. Moo! A strange sound to be heard in court. And the sight of a cow that was brought to a Goa court for an identification parade was stranger still… The cow walked to the court over a distance of 1.5 km, in a procession organised by the members of the Go Raksha Samiti (Cow Protection Committee)… 259 words. Click here.

History misused, says Portuguese scholar
31 Jan: Politicians are the biggest enemies of historians, since they tend to distort history and misuse it as a weapon, Prof. Paulo Varela Gomes, director of the Goa-based Fundacao Oriente-India, has said… People must understand that history is not a weapon, but an instrument of understanding (the past)… 358 words. Click here.

Goa: We don't need no education?
1 Feb: Times of India. Educationists say that ample means of earning easy money in the tourism, mining and other sectors dominant in Goa has seen the interest of a large section of students in education withering … the transition rate of students from primary to upper primary has dropped from 88.29% in 2006-07 to 79.22% in 2007-08… 987 words. Click here.

Police register case against Gerard D’Cunha and others
1 Feb: Navhind Times. Acting upon the direction of the High Court, the Porvorim police on Saturday registered a case against the noted architect, Gerard da Cunha, the director of archives, Mr Manohar Dicholkar and others working for restoration of Reis Magos fort for the alleged damages to public property at the fort... 434 words. Click here.
For a background to the case, click here.
For the article by Rajeev Syal in The Telegraph (UK), Tycoon's Widow Loses Battle To Restore Goa's Ancient Fort, click here.

Online Book on Portuguese Civil Code
2 Feb: Herald. The book on Family and Succession Law in the Portuguese Civil Code: A 21 Century Approach published by the Institute of Juridical Cooperation of University of Lisbon is now available online and can be downloaded free of charge at: http://www.fd.ul.pt/icj. The text, 745 words, is in English. Click here.

Goa's Non-Performing Official Language Act
2 Feb: Navhind Times. By Nandkumar Kamat. Konkani, a millennium old rich Indo-European language spoken by an estimated 4-5 million creative, cultured, literate and liberal people is among the top 125 languages in the world. It is a beautiful, dynamic, idiomatically ornamented language, which has incorporated Sanskrit, Marathi, Austric, Dravidian, Perso-Arabic, Latin-Iberian influences… 1129 words. Click here.

Goa Tourism Minister demands sacking of Churchill Alemao
2 Feb: Times of India. Goa Tourism Minister Francisco Pacheco today demanded sacking of public works department minister Churchill Alemao as he has been pronounced as smuggler by the customs department… Churchill's brother Alvernaz was earlier killed by a Customs officer in 1991, allegedly while carrying smuggled gold… 198 words. Click here.

Alemao accuses Tourism minister of rape of minor
3 Feb: Times of India. The war of words between two Goa ministers at loggerheads intensified on Tuesday with Congress's Churchill Alemao accusing cabinet colleague and NCP leader Francisco Pacheco of allegedly raping a minor girl, a decade ago… 268 words. Click here.

Hotel lodges theft plaint
3 Feb: Herald. Barely a month after a tourist complained that his valuables had been stolen from the safe in a hotel, it was now the turn of the hotel to complain that its safe had been stolen… 102 words. Click here.

Teen-aged maid gang raped in Goa
4 Feb: PTI. A 17-year-old girl was allegedly kidnapped and raped by three youths in the town of Mapusa in Goa, police said… The victim has said that she knew the three accused and identified as Rishi, Ashraf and Baba, they said… 143 words. Click here.

Terror Attack Threat To Goa Continues
4 Feb: PTI. The Goa government on Wednesday conceded that terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba continues to harbour plans to launch a terror action in Goa… 175 words. Click here.

‘Drug trade rampant on Goa's beaches’
4 Feb: Sify. Two Goan legislators from coastal constituencies on Wednesday said that drug trade was flourishing on the state's beach belt and accused the police of sheltering drug traffickers. 261 words. Click here.

Goa: Cop dismissed for selling drugs, 39 others facing probe
4 Feb: UNI. A police constable was dismissed and 39 officers, including two superintendents, were facing departmental inquiry for indulging in sale of narcotics in Goa since 1990… 11 inspectors and two deputy inspectors had been found guilty so far. The government had awarded different punishments like a cut in the pay and increments … 133 words. [Ed: Are Goa’s police officers immune from prosecution?] Click here.

Records in a mess at Panaji registrar's office
5 Feb: Times of India. Don't be surprised if your birth record - possibly life's most important document - is missing from the civil registrar's office at Panaji. Lack of supervision by staff and apathy by the government in taking care of the records has seen many birth, marriage and death records, as well as various other deeds on the verge of extinction. 482 words. Click here.

Goa Home Minister accused of shielding criminals
5 Feb: IANS. A ruling party legislator created ripples in the Goa legislative assembly Thursday when he alleged that Home Minister Ravi Naik had failed to take action against “a gang of extortionists” involved in flesh trade in the coastal belt despite being shown an incriminating video clipping… 399 words. Click here.

Weekly Update
5 Feb: Weather: Max = 32; Min = 20. Humidity 83%
Exchange rates £= 70.51 ; $ = 48.73 ; Euro = 62.72

IN THE NEWS:

India: Diaspora suffers ambivalence
30 Jan: Financial Times (UK). … Since the British colonial period Indians have streamed abroad in search of education, jobs and opportunities unavailable at home, creating one of the world’s largest diasporas… Yet New Delhi retains an ambivalent attitude towards its massive diaspora. It prohibits dual citizenship and bars non-citizens from holding jobs in public sector institutions … Indian officialdom still looks warily at the overseas community… 828 words. Click here.

UK: Police Seize Drugs in Raids
30 Jan: West Yorkshire Police. Leeds CID have seized a significant amount of class A and class B drugs during a series of early morning raids across the city… a raid on Lincombe Drive, Gledhow saw officers seize a number of financial documents detailing oversees property in France and the Goa region of India. A 64-year-old woman was arrested by detectives at the property on suspicion of money laundering… Click here.

Indian restaurants in UK face downturn heat
30 Jan: Times of India. Indian restaurants that tickle the palates of millions of people in Britain every day are feeling the heat of the economic downturn with many witnessing a steep fall in their business… Indian restaurants have taken to innovative measures to revive business. These include 'eat as much as you can' prices. 238 words. Click here.

Mumbai: 'Paloma wanted to reform her lover'
30 Jan: Daily News & Analysis. Logoriou Abrosio Fernandez, whose daughter was stabbed to death on Wednesday by her boyfriend Aquino Martis, said there was nothing common between her daughter and Martis. The 53-year-old journalist said, "Paloma sympathised with Martis because he was ostracised by the people in the locality. She pitied him and wanted to reform him." 331 words. Click here.

Police bid to halt Rayney writ
30 Jan: The West Australian. Police claim they should not be forced to give Lloyd Rayney confidential information linked to the investigation into his wife’s murder. They will also ask the Supreme Court to suspend the lawyer’s landmark defamation lawsuit … lawyer Terry Tobin hinted that there had been a shift or breakthrough in the police investigation… The case will return to court on February 23. 404 words

Recipe: Scrumptious sardines in olive oil
1 Feb Times of India. By Melinda Pereira Kamat. During the Portuguese rule, this dish, Sardinhas a Portuguesa, was prepared generally by the upper class Catholics using olive oil. Olive oil was imported to Goa and only those who could afford to buy this oil would prepare it… 684 words. Click here.

'Hijack' Drama on Goa-Delhi Flight
2 Feb: Times of India, The hijack drill came into full effect amid high drama on Sunday evening when three passengers, including a woman, behaved unusually aggressively on IndiGo flight 6E 334 from Goa to Delhi. Possibly inebriated, these passengers are learned to have told the airhostess that they were armed… the plane made an emergency landing at Delhi … The 3 passengers were Jitendra Mohalla, Samir Uppal and Harpreet Anand… trouble started in Goa itself… 796 words. Click here.

Hijack scare: police clueless about motive of youth
2 Feb: PTI. Police are clueless about the motive of the youth who created a mid-air "hijack" scare inside an Indigo flight, leading to inconvenience to passengers and a security crisis at the IGI airport here… Jitendra was produced in a court which sent him to 14 days judicial custody… Click here.
The photo shows Jitendra, a 42 year old chartered accountant, being led away by the police … not quite a youth!

India: Catholic bishop slams attack on women in pub
2 Feb: UCAN. A bishop in southern India has joined the chorus of voices condemning a Hindu group's attack on female patrons in a pub. The attack on the women was "beastly" and "inhuman," Bishop Aloysius Paul D'Souza of Mangalore said in a press statement, adding that he wants the government to protect people from "anti-social elements." 491 words. Click here.

Bombay: Goan cooks in Parsi homes
3 Feb: Hindustan Times. Some of us were blessed with them. Those without got a taste of them elsewhere. Goan cooks in Parsi homes have been a fine tradition. A fistful of families yet enjoy the privilege of a few good men in their employ. 570 words. Click here.

Recipe: Goan Monkfish Curry with Basil
3 Feb: The Times (UK). By Anjum Anand. This dish is a classic rich, Goan curry with a slight, fun twist. If you are a purist, omit the basil, it is entirely optional… Click here.

Mumbai: Going up in smoke
3 Feb: The Telegraph (Calcutta). More and more women are smoking hashish or getting hooked to even more dangerous drugs — all for a few hours of thrill. Reena Martins reports. 945 words. [Alert via GoaNet]. Click here.

Canada threatens to bar Jet Airways for security lapses
4 Feb: Toronto Star. Transport Canada officials recently warned Jet Airways it would be barred from operating flights to Canada if its reservation agents didn't do a better job detecting passengers travelling on bogus passports… 778 words + Many comments. Click here.

Lisbon: Conference on the architecture of Goa
4 Feb: Diário Digital, Portugal. The Museu do Oriente will host on 7 Feb at 17:30 a Conference on Buildings of Goa, 1843-1961. The session will be in English … the architect and architectural historian Alice Tiago Faria who is completing a doctorate at the Sorbonne in Paris will be present… 180 words. Click here.

Macau: Talk on Portuguese influences in Macau and Goa
4 Feb: Macau Times. The Cultural Affairs Bureau (ICM) will hold an academic research lecture about the historical influence of Portuguese civilisation in Macau and Goa at 6.30pm tomorrow in its Tap Seac auditorium… The lecture will be given in Mandarin with Cantonese, Portuguese and English simultaneous interpretation. The event is of free admission for the public. 364 words. Click here.

Germany: TV Programme: Spices of Goa & Kerala
4 Feb: Café Future.Net. Sun. 8 Feb. at 19.00-19.45. Channel Bayerisches Fernsehen (Bayern 3). Title “Der Gewürzmüller Ingo Holland”… The focus of the film is a 14-day trip Kerala and Goa Click here.

Cricket: IPL auction, Goa 6 Feb.
5 Feb: BBC. Eight ambitious city franchises will converge on the Taj Aguada hotel in Goa where the second Indian Premier League auction takes place on Friday. Forty-three cricketers from seven countries will be in contention for lucrative paydays, including, for the first time, England's centrally contracted players… Click here. [The auction is due to commence at 05:30 GMT and will be broadcast live].

GOANET HIGHLIGHTS
BY CORNEL DACOSTA

Is it true that Hindu extremism against minorities in India is on the rise or is such reportage a case of 'folk devils and moral panics' and an illustration of artificially generated fears? Our attention to this issue is particularly drawn by Selma Carvalho and Marshall Mendonca on Goanet in material titled 'Karanataka and the bastion of Hindu Intolerance.' To read about this, click here.

A substantial article in the form of an interview is titled 'Goan writing is waiting to be translated' and refers to the views of Maria Aurora Couto. I have read Maria's excellent and substantial book ‘The Daughter's Story’ (a biographical account of her life) and indeed have communicated with her. Thus I found her interview with Frederick Noronha really fascinating. To find it click here.

An emerging interesting writer on Goanet is Roland Francis who lives in Canada. His astute observations of the lives of the Goans in Toronto are pretty introspective as when he described the initial expectations of parents regarding their children that often ran counter to the children's lifestyles. In a subsequent article, he explored 'Religion among the Goans in Toronto'. For this, please click here.

We have a touching plea from Fr Peter Fernandes in an article titled 'What do Goans actually want?' A particular section in this long article claimed that many Goans in the Diaspora had an yearning to return to Goa but were dissuaded from doing so because of an inadequate infrastructure in Goa. Consequently, he makes many useful suggestions how things could be changed in Goa. To read the article, please click here.

Finally, there has been much sympathy expressed for the family of Joanathan Marques whose body was found in a canal in the Reading area. It appears that Jonathan was unable to settle down in the UK and often expressed a strong desire to return to Goa. Teenagers all over the world often find it difficult to leave their good friends behind when emigrating and many a family from the UK, hoping to make a new beginning in Australia/NZ has had to withdraw from the opportunity to do so because of a reluctant teenager. Be this as it may, a poem by Francisco Fernandes as a tribute to Jonathan is particularly touching. It is in Konkani and without an English translation, but hopefully, many Goan Voice (UK) readers will be able to understand it or get help to do so regarding the content of the poem. Please 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

TRAVEL: Panasia. Travel Channel 2 (253)
Saturday 7th Feb. 13:30 to 14:00. Palace on Wheels - India. Sian Richards travels in style on the luxurious Palace on Wheels train

CONSUMER: Silver Treasures of India. QVC
Saturday 7th Feb. 14:00 to 15:00. Handcrafted silver jewellery produced and designed in India. Most of the pieces feature gemstones such as moonstone, garnet and amethyst.

TRAVEL: Paul Merton in India. FIVER
Saturday 7th Feb. 19:00 to 20:00. Paul Merton in the 'City of Dreams', Mumbai, where he encounters some of the many street children living rough.

RELIGIOUS: Christianity: A History. Channel 4
Sunday 8th Feb. 19:00 to 20:00. Reformation. Series 1, episode 5. Ann Widdecombe, MP examines the turbulent years of the Reformation when the Church was split into rival Catholic and Protestant factions.

COMEDY: Giles Wemmbley Hogg Goes off. BBC Radio 7
Monday 9th Feb. 23:30 to 00:00. India. The eccentric student traveller sets off on a university sports tour to New Delhi.

DOCUMENTARY: The Secret Millionaire. more4
Tuesday 10th Feb. 17:05 to 18:05. Multi-millionaire Mo Chaudry goes undercover in the Harehills district of Leeds, home to the city's largest Asian/ethnic minority population. Initially he's very sceptical and unenthusiastic about finding people to help within this community, but can he overcome his own self-confessed prejudices?

COOKERY: Oliver's Twist. UKTV Food
Tuesday 10th Feb. 21:00 to 21:30. Jamie Oliver throws a Bollywood-style party and treats his guests to an Indian feast.

DOCUMENTARY: Who Killed Scarlett? Channel 4 (also online)
Thursday 12th Feb. 22:00 to 23:10. On 18th February 2008 Fiona MacKeown's 15 year-old daughter, Scarlett Keeling, was found dead on a beach in Goa. Who Killed Scarlett? follows Fiona over the course of the past year as she searches for justice for Scarlett. It's a campaign that has put her in the international spotlight and raised questions about whether she was negligent towards Scarlett and her whole way of life.

COOKERY: Rhodes Across India. Watch
Friday 13th Feb. 17:00 to 18:00. Goa. Gary Rhodes and a team of young chefs take the gastronomic trip of a lifetime. Gary chances a local pork vindaloo - will it blow his head off?

FORTHCOMING

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

Sat. 14 Feb. SE Goans Valentine Ball from 6.30pm - 11pm at St Marks Hall, Old Mill Rd, Plumstead SE18 1QE. Ticket £11 per person includes meal + 1 free drink on entrance. Children under 10. accompanied by an adult, free admission and soft drink. Dance the night away to the wonderful sounds of Mustang Band and a disco, in addition see the famous Saga Dancers live as seen on BBC2 in Step up to the plate. Tickets & more information call- Chris Pinto 01322400732, Ronald Fernandes 0208 298 9263, Tatanya D’souza – 0208 316 1473 or email segoans@ntlworld.com

Sat. 14 Feb: Music Mania’s Valentine Ball. 7.00 pm to 12.00 midnight. St Patrick’s Hall Griffin Road Plumstead, London SE18 7QG. Free entry for New Year 2009 patrons who respond by 30 January 2009 on a ‘first come first served’ basis. Others - £5 per head. Guaranteed seating & table.. Romantic ambience. Prizes, raffles and quizzes galore. Dress code : Red, Black or White. Crowning of best dressed valentine couple. Music by Music Mania Disco. Food and drinks on sale. Details from Tony : M 07500778799/ H 82659644 Paul H 83111195 M 07958156652 Vincent M 07900501460 or musicmaniadisco@yahoo.co.uk

UK: Retreats: Divine Retreat Centre, Potta
Renowned Rev. Dr. Augustine Vallooran of The Divine Retreat Centre- Potta, Kerala, India, to hold retreats at the following churches:
19 & 20 Feb: 7pm - 9.30pm. Kenton, Harrow. All Saints Church. HA3 OUG. Contact Maryann: 0208 204 2293 mob 07504552168
21 Feb. 1pm - 4 pm. Swindon: Holy Rood Catholic Church. SN1 2LU. English service with Konkani translation
22 Feb. 2pm-8.00pm. St. Josephs Catholic Church - Wembley Middlesex HA9 6AG. Contact Fr Menonkari: 0208 902 0081
23 & 24 Feb. 7pm - 9.30 pm. St. Boniface R.C. Church - Tooting Broadway SW17 9PG. Contact Bosco: 07745 130 877
7pm to 9.30pm. Dartford. St. Anselms RC Church, Dartford, Kent DA1 2HJ. Contact Clara: 01322 226816
27 Feb. 6.30pm- 9.30pm & 28 Feb. 3pm - 8 pm. Bristol. St. Nicholas of Tolentino RC Church. BS5 0RE. Contact Deacon Joseph Phillip: 0117 3306 886
1 Mar. 2pm to 7pm. Leicester. Sacred Heart Church, Leicester LE5 3HS. Contact: Lucy 0788 5277 200

Sun. 22 Feb. Mungul Union (UK) celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel at Woodside High School (ex-White Hart Lane School Hall), White Hart Lane, London N22. Live music by "MAZ & CO" and Disco by "FANTASY". Mass at 12.30 pm. For tickets and details, contact Robert Fernandes (07753831250) or Rosalind Rebello (0208 767 8652) ros.rebello@amserve.net

Sat. 21 Mar. 7.30pm-1.00. Leicester Hawaiian Evening inclusive of Mothers Day Surprises at Our Lady of Good Counsel Hall, Peebles Way, Leicester, LE4 7ZB. Dancing to Say One Do One from London. Dress code: Hawaiian prints & florals. Food, Hawaiian surprises for everyone, fantastic raffle prizes. Bring your own drinks and enjoy with friends and family. Adult £10.00, 11-16yrs £3.00 and children below 11 free. Book early to avoid disappointment .Tel Clara 0116 2767336 or Victor 0116 2555891 or Joyce 0116 2664202. All cheques payable to Mrs Maria C Fernandes, 43 Marston Road, Leicester LE4 9FE.

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