COMMUNITY NEWS

Gavin D'Costa: Darwin's Dangerous Idea Today
5 Feb: Times Higher Education Supplement (UK). This year we celebrate the bicentenary of Charles Darwin's birth … Gavin D'Costa [ex-Nairobi] is professor in Catholic theology, University of Bristol discusses what his theories mean today. He writes: “Darwin was misunderstood by many Christians, so much so that the Anglican Church has issued an "apology" to mark Darwin's bicentenary and the anniversary of On the Origin of Species, rather like the Roman Catholic Church's apology to Galileo… Click here.
For Prof. D’Costa’s GVUK profile click here.
For Prof. D’Costa’s Wikipedia profile, click here.

Dr Anil de Sequeira: Teenagers get healthy food advice
5 Feb: Bath Chronicle. Nutrition experts are organising an event to encourage youngsters in Bath to eat more healthily… Dr Anil de Sequeira, subject leader for food studies at the university, said: "The University has a long tradition of providing vocational courses that train the food and nutrition professionals of tomorrow…” 184 words. Click here.
Dr Anil de Sequeira is the son of the late Erasmo (MP from 1967-77) and Maureen de Sequeira (Moira, and grandson of Goa's legendary politician, Jack de Sequeira). He has been in the UK since 1990. For a profile of him click here.

Canada: Glenn Fernandes: Gala to raise $8K for agency
5 Feb: Orillia Packet & Times. … Ontario Provincial Police has decided to host a Valentine's Day Gala in Orillia to raise an additional $8,000 for the organization, said Glenn Fernandes, executive co-ordinator for the OPP's United Way campaign… "It's meant to be formally informal, meaning people are going to be serenaded throughout the whole dinner…" Fernandes said. Those attending will enjoy such entertainment as Hawaiian and African dancers, as well as Japanese flute and a belly dancer… 287 words. Click here.
Glenn (born Nairobi 1961) is the husband of Rosanna; father of Alisha; son of Cornelio Noel and Theresa (Mary); brother of Blanche and Konrad. Moved to the UK in 1967 and Canada in 1970. Glenn works for the Ontario Provincial Police Force as the Manager of Records and Information Management.

Will the new Bill help NRIs get possession of premises?
6 Feb: Herald. The Goa Assembly on Thursday passed a Bill to protect the property rights of Non-Resident Indians and enable them to recover possession of their premises provided the premises are “bonafide required” by him for occupation by himself/herself or any member of his/her family… 557 words. Click here.

Canada: Jasmine D’Costa sees life through new lens
6 Feb: Inside Toronto. When Jasmine D'Costa moved to Canada five years ago, it was not a stable life she was after … "Once I was in Canada I was back at the bottom," she said…. Noticing the diversity in India mirrored in Toronto, she began to see her culture and experience through a new lens….Her life in India, her immigration to Canada, and her experiences in Toronto are all twists in the path that led to the inspiration for writing her first book, “Curry is Thicker Than Water”… D'Costa will launch the book on Feb. 25 … 357 words. Click here.
Jasmine was born in Bombay, lived in Bandra and then worked for two years in Goa before moving to Canada in 2004. For the Jasmine D’Costa website, go to www.jasminedcosta.com
To order the book click here.

Golden Oldies: Dar es Salaam Hockey
6 Feb: From Mervyn Lobo (Toronto): “I was looking thru some boxes and found my old scrap book. As I glanced thru it I found an article on Tony Chic. He was the most interesting hockey player I have witnessed. He was above all, a sportsman. At one point he also was the Captain for the Tanzanian Squash team. He could easily beat anyone in the DI at badminton, table-tennis and even darts. Click here.
Clipping of the Tornadoes, Ismail Cup winners 1976. Click here.
For another picture of the same team, but in the Kiswahili paper, click here.

‘Indian embassy insisting on irrelevant documents for PIO card’
6 Feb: Herald. The Indian Embassy in Lisbon has been accused of insisting on irrelevant documents from the Indians of Goan origin for the issue of Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card… If stringent rules are made applicable to Indian nationals of Goan origin residing in Portugal, then nobody will be interested in making investments in Goa … 357 words. Click here.

Montreal: Glenda Braganza: The colour of Skin hasn't faded
6 Feb: Montreal Gazette. Dennis Foon wrote the play Skin 26 years ago. It's about three teenagers of colour who talk about the challenges they've encountered while struggling to forge personal identities in a mostly white environment…The Black Theatre Workshop presents the teen play at its BTW Studio tomorrow, and again Feb. 27 and 28… Glenda Braganza plays Southeast Asian teenager Phiroza Mehta … For more info visit www.blacktheatreworkshop.ca For text, 612 words, click here.
For a Wikipedia profile of Glenda, click here.
For a GVUK profile of Glenda click here.

Canada: Andrew Vaz: Prophet has new album
6 Feb: Oakville Beaver. Oakville musician Andrew Vaz, who goes by the stage name Midnight Prophet, has released a debut album through Tunecore called New Directions… It is currently available on iTunes, eMusic, Lala, Amazon, and Shockhound, and CDs are expected to be released this summer. Forty per cent of every sale will be donated to UNICEF. For information, visit www.myspace.com/midnightprophet1 or e-mail midnightprophet1@gmail.com For text, Click here.
For Midnight Prophet’s music videos click here.
Andrew was born in Toronto, the son of Lincoln Vaz and Hazel Da Silva from Igatpuri and Chandor who emigrated to Canada in 1968.

UK: Vernon Mascarenhas: The way to test the best
7 Feb: Financial Times (UK). Vernon Mascarenhas knows his onions. Having had his own restaurant in north London for 14 years, he is now managing director of Secretts farm near Godal-ming, Surrey, in south-east England. After supervising the picking, which starts at 5am, Mascarenhas spends his mornings talking to many of the 300 chefs he supplies … For text, 960 words, click here.
Vernon, who featured in the first issue of this newsletter (1999), was born in Mombasa in 1964, the son of the late Sonny (Sangolda, Goa) and Carmen (Assagao, Goa). The family emigrated to Norwich, Norfolk, in 1967. Secretts, a 150 acre farm is at Milford, Godalming, Surrey. www.secretts.co.uk

Australia: David Sequeira: Circle of Life
7 Feb: Sunday Times (Perth, Australia). Hailing from a land renowned for its liberal use of colour, Canberra artist David Sequeira shows elements of his Indian heritage in his work. It is 39 years since he moved to Australia with his family … His impending exhibition, The Beginner’s Guide to Harmony is on Feb 15-Mar 15. at Galerie Dusseldorf, Mosman Park. 351 words + illustration. Click here.
The David Sequeira website is at www.davidsequeira.com/

Corryn Rayney police resort to risky forensic test
7 Feb: The West Australian. Detectives hunting the killer of Corryn Rayney are using a controversial DNA analysis technique in a bid to solve the 18-month mystery. It is understood WA Police sent forensic samples to New Zealand for low-copy-number DNA testing, which involves extreme magnification so tiny particles a millionth the size of a grain of salt can be analysed… 395 words. Click here.

Freida Pinto back in Toronto
7 Feb: Waterloo Record (Canada). Freida Pinto was thrilled yesterday to be back in the city where her acclaimed movie Slumdog Millionaire first took flight … She has relatives in Mississauga …Pinto has worked hard for her success and hasn't changed a bit since the Slumdog whirlwind began, said Janet D'Souza, one of her aunts who lives in Mississauga… D’Souza said, "We keep her pretty well grounded. We treat her as we treated her before so we yell at her sometimes, we have arguments." … 407 words. Click here.
The Frieda Pinto website is at www.freidapinto.com/

USA: Ohio: Errol D'Souza: Sales Achievement Award Winner
9 Feb: CNBC News … Errol D'Souza, Laurel Real Estate Company, was recognized for HBI's 10,000th transaction, since its founding 50 years ago, with the sale of the 64-room Holiday Inn Express in Newton Falls, Ohio, for $4.6 million… Click here.
Error D’Souza was born in Kuwait, the son of Jose and Philomena from Pilerne. He studied at St. Peter’s High School in Panchgani and Podar College in Bombay before moving to Ohio in 1980.

For the first time, Christians in Qatar worship in church
9 Feb: The Christian Science Monitor. The move is seen as part of an effort to modernize the emirate and demonstrate traditional Islam's tolerance … last year's opening of Our Lady of the Rosary Church … on Christmas Eve, 15,000 attended a midnight mass … 1089 words. Click here.

Elson de Barros Gomes: India is by way of Brazil
10 Feb: O Tempo (Brazil). India is getting considerable exposure in Brazil … In an interview with O Tempo On Line, the Consul of India, Elson de Barros Gomes Jr. talks about some of the initiatives … Gomes Jr. was born in Brazil but has his roots in Goa … he has a plan for this year to bring great exponents of Indian culture. “Our intention is to bring the daughter of Ravi Shankar, Anoushka Shankar, here. In April, we have provided a cultural event at the Minas Tennis Club, also an exhibition of art…” 944 words. Click here.

Australia: Dwayne Fernandes: On top of the world
10 Feb: Blacktown Sun (NSW, Aus). Dwayne Fernandes, 20, is the first amputee invited to compete to climb the 1576 steps to the top of New York's Empire State Building and he completed the climb. It was a 26minute 12second journey to the top… Fernandes hoped his climb would prove inspirational for others with disabilities…Photo shows him with his proud mother, Margaret. 701 words. Click here.

Football: Derrick Pereira: Lamenting in Mumbai
11 Feb: Trivela (Brazil). Mahindra United is doing badly in the Indian Football League … coach Derrick Pereira who has been in office for four years talks about the problems in his team and Indian football … Derrick Pereira was born in Goa in 1962. He was coach for Vasco da Gama from 2000-05. Text, 741 words, in Portuguese. Click here.

Ayesha D'Mello: How To Get The Best Indian Food In Miami
11 Feb: Miami New Times. Head to Ayesha D’Mello’s Kitchen. She gives classes on certain dates, two or three times a month…Ayesha's cooking classes and catering gigs are worked in cahoots with her role as wife and mother of two. This is new territory for the Goa native as she had previously earned her MBA in computer science and worked in Silicon Valley…. Next class on Thursday, February 19th, brings Flavors from the Beaches of Goa… $75 fee includes class, meal, and printed recipes. 597 words. Click here.
Ayesha only learned to cook when she moved to Canada to attend university. She is married to Bruno

Toronto: Francis D'Souza: Sweet things for your sweet
12 Feb: Toronto Sun… Speaking of Valentine's Day, I spent a fabulous afternoon recently with the very good-looking Francis D'Souza, anchor/reporter with City-TV. Francis and I, along with cameraman Tony, went looking for Valentine's Day bargains – we had a blast recording messages on the cards… Click here.
For the GVUK Francis D’Souza supplement, click here.

DEATHS

11 Feb: Parra, Goa. EUSEBIO NASCIMENTO FERNANDES (Ex-East African Railways, Dar-e-Salaam). Husband of late Martha, father of Theresa/Joaquim Teles, Peter/Mercy; grandfather of Aaron, Lloyd Teles, Malcolm, Ian Fernandes. Son of late Pedro Xavier/late Maria Robertina. Funeral: 12 Feb at 4 pm: St Anne's Church, Parra.

10 Feb: Vasco. AGNELO AMBROSIO FERNANDES. Husband of late Clara. Father of Nelson (UK)/Succorina, Eraclin/David, Viana/Joe, Nancy/Joe, Eremita/Donald.

9 Feb. PIO FERNANDES (ex Mombasa, Kenya). Husband of Bernice Franco, father of Alves/Sarita; grandfather of Raisa and Wren. Funeral cortege will leave his residence at Miramar on 10th Feb at 3.45 to St Inez Church for Eucharistic celebration followed by burial.

7 Feb. Velim, Goa. LIARA D’CRUZ. Wife of late Avelino. Mother of Carmo/Sandra (USA); Lavita/Agnelo Saldanha (Pune); Leonita/Alfred Mascarenhas (USA); Sr Lina F.C. Clifton/Christine (USA).

7 Feb: Bandra, Mumbai. ELIZABETH MENEZES. Relict of Roland. Mother of Robin; Denzil/Sharon (New Zealand) & Harvey/Linda (Ireland).

6 Feb: Hamilton, Ont. Canada. LORNA VALERIE NORONHA (ex-Tanzania). Passed away peacefully at Henderson Hospital in Hamilton, surrounded by her family after a courageous battle. Wife of Ed Noronha. Loving mother of Shaun and his wife Lindsay, Annelise and Christopher. Visitation at Mckersie-Kocher Funeral Home, 114 Main St. Milton from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm on Sunday. Vigil Prayers at 8:30 pm. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Rosary Catholic Church 139 Martin St. Milton on Monday, Feb 9 at 10:00 am. If desired, memorial donations to the Arthritis Society, Canadian Cancer Society or the Henderson Hospital would be appreciated. [Info from Brendan Abreu].

Danny Fernandes: Funeral in London on 6 Feb
6 Feb: Harrow Times. Hundreds of people have turned out to say goodbye today to 19-year-old Danny Fernandes in a funeral that brought tears to the eyes of children, teenagers and adults from across the area. His sister Lucy, 21, sang Danny Boy while friends read poems and tributes to a boy whose tragic story has brought the community together. 374 words. Select the link below. [The funeral of Jonathan Marques took place in Goa, also today, Friday] Click here.

JONATHAN MARQUES:

Jonathan Marques: Funeral in Goa on 6 Feb.
Whitley, Reading (UK)/Siridao: JONATHAN MARQUES (aged 15). Son of Menino/Arcanja. Brother of Joyce, Jonela and Joel. Grandson of late Joao Antonio/Lurdina, late Jose/Ana Maria. Nephew of Concepta/Gabriel (Paris), Pelegrina/Domnick (UK), Isabel/Inacinho, Lazarina/Menino (UK), Laura (UK), Sr Lawrence (Holy Family Sisters, Sancoale), Idalina/Agnelo (Cayman), and Antonio/Melanie. Funeral was on Feb 6 at 3 pm, Our Lady of Rosary Church, Siridao, Goa.

Video: Last Journey of Jonathan Marques
The funeral of Jonathan Marques, a 15-year-old Goan boy, who mysteriously disappeared from his home in Whitley, Reading (UK) took place on January 6, 2009. His body was recovered from Fobney Lock in Reading on January 26. Jonathan’s body was flown back to his ancestral village Siridao in Goa, which he longed to return to. He was mourned by his sorrowful parents Menino and Arcanja Marques, siblings, relatives, friends, hundreds of villagers and thousands of condolers from around the world. For the video clip, 8m. 01s. select the link below. Click here.

Jonathan Marques: Siridao bids adieu
7 Feb: Times of India. The bells tolled throughout the afternoon at Siridao as the body of 15-year-old Jonathan Marques was administered the last rites… his maternal uncle Domingos and his cousin, Dalistan (17), both from Swindon were there with other aunts and uncles from the UK, Sweden and Paris … 382 words. Click here.

Mother sobs inconsolably as Jonathan is laid to rest
7 Feb: Herald…Jonathan’s mother, Arcanja Marques, who has been in deep shock ever since his body was recovered in the UK, remained inconsolable when his body was brought out of his home in Siridao to be taken for burial on Friday afternoon… the body arrived on Friday morning from the UK after a long delay due to bad weather…ninety per cent of the family members were present for the funeral… 525 words. Click here.

Jonathan Marques is buried in Goa
9 Feb: Reading Evening Post. By Paul Robins. Friends and family of Whitley teen Jonathan Marques said their last goodbyes at a poignant funeral service in Goa… At the touching service, the bells tolled as a white coffin containing the teenager’s body was carried into the Our Lady of Rosary Church… The teenager’s body had been flown back to the tiny village on Friday, after a long delay due to bad weather, to fulfil his greatest wish… A memorial mass will be held in Reading, at St James Church in Forbury Road, when they return… 422 words with links to more photos and videoclip. Click here.

Weeping family bury Jonathan Marques
9 Feb: Reading Chronicle. Teenager Jonathan Marques has been laid to rest by his family in an emotional funeral service at his home village in Goa… Photographs and a video recording (available on this site) were supplied to website Goan Voice UK. They show the ceremony, and close with footage of Jonathan’s father, Menino, kneeling by his grave, and a photo of Jonathan captioned with the words of Christ on the crucifix: “Into your hands I commend my spirit.” Picture from flickr by Joel D’Souza and supplied by Goan Voice UK … 413 words. Click here.

WHO THE BLEEP CARES?
Weekly column by Selma Carvalho.

Who the Bleep cares about sounds?

As I travel, I’m surprised not by how different the world is but how very similar it has become. Malls, gated-communities and office towers look the same everywhere and in this homogenisation of sights, perhaps what is less obvious is the loss of individual and indigenous sounds.

As a young girl, when my parents would take us children from the deserts of Dubai to the lush green of Goa, on holiday, I knew I would be greeted by sounds familiar only to Goa. There was, for instance, the poder’s ponk-ponk in the morning, announcing the arrival of freshly baked bakris, paos and kankons. The poder still makes his rounds in many villages but it’s a dying service replaced by sliced bread sold at gaddos and posaros, tucked in every nook and cranny of Goa.

Then at mid-day Mar Piedade, would announce her arrival with unintelligible, guttural cries understood only by housewives. Mar Piedade would scurry around the village with her coir-woven basket atop her bobbing head, smelling of mackerel and sardines. She was not just the provider of fresh fish, granting you the extra taleo, in your vanto, if you were nice to her, she was also the dispenser of news. Succorin had a baby boy, Barreto died, the funeral is tomorrow, Augusto ran off with the Bhatkar’s daughter. They’ve been spotted at the Mapusa market. God knows how long this was going on. The fridge and the freezer compartment did away with Mar Piedade. She died in an old age home, forgotten.

In the early evening, there was the gay laughter of neighbourhood children playing football and gabadi. Those were the days when we had more neighbours and less compound walls around our homes. The evening bird would cry “gohoh”, and we knew it was time to go home. Folklore has it that she lost her mate and has been searching for him with that plaintive cry ever since.

The ringing of the Angelus bells meant it was time for vespers. There was the sound of grandmother shuffling her rosary, tiny cousins crying in protest of bath-time, fires being lit in preparation for evening dinner. Then a thick jasmine scented night would descend around our house, a lone fox would cry across the paddy-fields and the family would gather in the balcaon, to talk about the day. Grandmother would sit in her wicker voltaire surrounded by the laughter of her grand-children and the babble of her children, content.

All these sounds are laid to rest by modernity, replaced forever by the sounds of cell-phones, television and car-horns. And we are all the little poorer.

Do leave your feedback at carvalho_sel@yahoo.com

TRAVEL & TOURISM NEWS:

Protesting against Land Sale
6 Feb: Navhind Times. The Government of Goa is proposing to ban the sale of agricultural land to foreigners but only Indian farmers can farm such land – what is the issue? … some UK citizens have threatened that they will move the UK government to do likewise for Goans holding land in the UK… 474 words. Click here.

The capital of hippies, drug addicts and cows
6 Feb: Moscow Times. This week after the leader of the National Bolshevik Party, Eduard Limonov, languished behind bars after being arrested at an unsanctioned rally, Hello! did a big spread on his ex-wife, the actress Yelena Volkova, who explained why they are no longer an item… Among the sources of conflict were UPVC windows, nappies and a trip to Goa… She wanted to go to Goa for the winter, while he called it "the capital of hippies, drug addicts and cows." … 646 words. Click here.

A walking tour around the slums of Mumbai
7 Feb: Financial Times (UK). My first sight of Dharavi, the part of Mumbai reputed to be Asia’s largest slum was a smouldering garbage dump where men squatted here and there with tucked-up loincloths, defecating in the morning light…This was reality tourism with a vengeance… 1781 words. Click here.

Beach weddings in Goa shrug off slowdown blues
7 Feb: Economic Times. The quaint beaches of Goa will be transformed into exotic wedding locales on Valentine’s Day this year. According to wedding organisers in Goa, over twenty foreigners and an equal number of Goans will be tying the knot on February 14… The cost of a wedding and a reception by the beach ranges from Rs 60,000 to Rs 80,000, which is much less than what it would cost abroad. 414 words. Click here.

586 cases of foreigners owning property in Goa
8 Feb: Navhind Times. There have been 586 registrations with the state government as regards the foreigners who own property in Goa … 313 cases of contravention of the Foreign Exchange Management Act 1999, have been established and referred to the directorate of enforcement … Once the DoE completes the entire procedure it will make available details to the Goa government … 275 words. Click here.

Aggrieved foreign sailors leave Goa with sad memories
8 Feb: Navhind Times. The yachtsmen who were part of the Vasco-da-Gama Rally are disgruntled about the lack of facilities for them in Goa … Mr Lodewijk Brust, the leader of the team, was critical of Goa’s Minister of Tourism … He said, “It is a unanimous feeling among all of us that we don’t want to come back to Goa.” 537 words. Click here.

Goan stall features at Lisbon Trade Fair
9 Feb: Times of India. With its goals firmly in sight for 2009, Goa made its first move into tapping new markets with Portugal … Goa had a stall of its own at the 'Bolsa de Turismo de Lisboa' (Lisbon Travel Fair) … "We had an excellent response," said deputy director of tourism, Pamela Mascarenhas, who accompanied the delegation… 385 words. Click here.

Poland: What Crisis? Rent your apartment and go to Goa!
9 Feb: Gazeta Wspólczesna (Poland). Rent your property or the donation of sperm - some ways to deal with economic crisis… Some of Moscow's inhabitants are renting their expensive apartments in the capital and travelling to Goa … You can rent a house with a sea view and peaceful life in the shadow of palm trees… 5 thousand Russians live there permanently… Photo and text, 367 words. Click here.

Sex in Goa
9 Feb: GoaNet via Cecil Pinto. Ulrike Rodrigues playfully and candidly examines her options for sex in Goa… Sex is a part of a traveller’s experience, even when you’re not having any… I have one of six options if I want to experience sex … 1. Casual sex with a foreigner… 2. Committed sex with a foreigner… 3. Casual sex with a Goan… 4. Committed sex with a Goan… 5. Casual sex with a Westernized Goan… 6. Committed sex with a Westernized Goan… For full text, 634 words. Click here.
For a photo and profile of Ulrike Bemvinda Rodrigues (ex-Canada), click here.

Taxi drivers beg before tourists for alms
10 Feb: Navhind Times. Anguished by the failure of the government to meet their demands, members of the Federation of Association of Tourist Taxi Owners and Drivers on Monday found a unique way to air their grievances - they begged before tourists for alms on the Benaulim beach with coconut shells. 342 words. Click here.

Drop in tourist inflow by 2 lakh
10 Feb: Navhind Times. The number of tourists visiting Goa has dropped from 25,97,443 in 2007 to 23,85,539 in 2008. In the same period, foreign tourists dropped from 3,88,457 to 3,65,123 and domestic tourists from 22,08,986 to 20,20,416… 298 words. Click here.

Gatwick / Goa. From £267 Return.
10 Feb: CharterFlights.co.uk. Flights to Goa are available from now until the end of April with many prices just recently reduced, for example: Gatwick to Goa, 20 March, 14 nights, £267 return. Gatwick to Goa, 13 March, 14 nights, £299 return. Gatwick to Goa, 26 or 27 February, One Way. Tel. 0845 045 0237 or go to Click here.

Goa: Don't roam in short skirts
11 Feb: MidDay (Mumbai). That's the advice issued by the British Foreign Office to its women travelling to Goa amid other precautionary measures in the wake of the unsolved mysterious death of Scarlett Keeling… Of the 126 foreign nationals who died in Goa in the last two years, nearly 40 are British nationals… Swapnil Naik, director, Goa Tourism, said the Rs 700 crore tourism industry in Goa had witnessed a fall in turnover post negative media coverage over the Scarlett Keeling episode… Click here.

Dubai's budget carrier to fly to India
12 Feb: Dubai's first budget carrier, flydubai, is on schedule for take-off to five Indian destinations in the second quarter… If all goes well, the airline will start operations with five aircraft to five Indian destinations, including Pune, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Jaipur and Goa … 321 words. Click here.

19 Feb: Money Today: India Travel Tips
Travel on Rs 1,000 a day: Budget living. Excerpt: In India, it's a good idea to be right behind the scruffy, whiteskinned backpacker … these gritty travellers manage to find the best, yet the cheapest, restaurants. 2841 words. Click here.
The wheel deals: Bargain Luxury train trips including The Golden Chariot and the Deccan Odyssey. 917 words. Click here.
A guide to 5-star treatment: How to clinch better deals at Indian hotels. 1518 words. Click here.
The key to flying smart: Guide to getting upgrades on flights. 2035 words. Click here.

SCARLETT KEELING

UK: TV Guide
7 Feb: The Guardian (UK). Thurs 12 Feb. 10pm, Channel 4. In February 2008, British teenager Scarlett Keeling, on holiday with her family, was found dead on a beach in Goa. Initial reports that she'd drowned were subsumed by allegations of murder, and those sensational developments became overwhelmed by a media witch-hunt in pursuit of the dead girl's mother, Fiona MacKeown. This thoughtful documentary relates the wretched story, without forgetting that still, somewhere out there, is someone who has got away with murder.

Emails 'To Nail Killers'
8 Feb: The People (UK). The mum of schoolgirl Scarlett Keeling says she has uncovered vital emails in the hunt for her daughter's killers… 274 words. Click here.

E-mail clues to the murder of my Scarlett
8 Feb: The Sunday Times (UK). A year ago Scarlett Keeling was raped and killed in Goa. Her shocking final messages to a friend may explain why, says her mother Fiona MacKeown … “My 15-year-old daughter’s last messages paint a distressing picture of what was happening to her in her last few days … I now have to live with the knowledge that she was also horribly assaulted three days before being murdered ... Who Killed Scarlett? will be shown on Channel 4 on Thursday (12 Feb) at 10pm … 1521 words. Click here.

Scarlett Keeling’s email spoke of sex attack
8 Feb: The Observer (UK). Scarlett Keeling - the 15-year-old Briton found murdered on a beach in India a year ago - was sexually attacked by up to six men days before she died, police have learned… In her email, Keeling wrote: "got a taxi bak to curlies and slept ther but the boys showed me some hardcore porn movis on a phone then they all took it in turns tryin 2 rape me." … Police say the youths could be the killers… 284 words. Click here.

Scarlett Case: Fiona Fears Detention
8 Feb: UNI (United News of India). Fiona Mackeown, mother of slain British teenager Scarlett Keeling, might not visit Goa fearing possible detention on charges of neglecting her minor daughter … Her legal counsel Vikram Verma said he also did not rule out a possible murderous attack on her from the ''Goa’s seamy underworld drug network'' … Social activist, advocate Aires Rodrigues had filed the complaint of neglect … 310 words. Click here.

'We can't bring Fiona to India'
9 Feb: Independent Online (South Africa). Fiona MacKeown, mother of Scarlett Keeling has been advised not to return to India because of death threats, Vikram Varma, her lawyer said on Monday. "We have assessed the situation and we feel it would be better for her not to come right now because the threat to her life is quite high," he said by telephone… 347 words. Click here.

Fiona is harassing me, claims Goa shack owner
9 Feb: IANS. Curlies shack at Anjuna beach, notorious for rave parties, is back under the scanner … Edwin Nunes the owner, has claimed that he is being harassed by Scarlett’s mother Fiona Mackeown and his political rivals… Nunes, who enjoyed a brief stint as head of the Anjuna village panchayat (village council) said that the rape happened at a shack about one km away from Curlies. 452 words. Click here.

Scarlett’s rapists may have fled Goa: Shack owner
10 Feb: Hindustan Times. The men who allegedly raped Scarlett Keeling, the 15-year-old Briton who was later murdered last February, might have fled the state, said the owner of the shack at which the men worked… “Many of my staffers now are new. Most of the old ones are gone,” Edwin Nunes, owner of the shack ‘Curlies’ told HT… Nunes refused to reveal any contact details of the former employees, claiming they had no fixed address. “I’m cooperating with the CBI,” he said. 158 words. Click here.

Fiona approaches Microsoft to access Scarlett’s email
10 Feb: Deccan Herald. By Devika Sequeira. The timing of new disclosures by Fiona MacKeown to the British media has raised eyebrows in Goa where her teenaged daughter Scarlett Keeling was found dead a year ago on February 18. A Channel 4 documentary, Who killed Scarlett? is scheduled to be telecast on Thursday in the UK, and some media publicity is unlikely to hurt. Fiona travelled to Goa with the Channel 4 team on her last visit here… 432 words. Click here.

What’s the truth about Curly’s?
10 Feb: Herald. By Sujay Gupta. What action has been taken against Curly’s boys and/or the management of Curly’s? … the scene of murder may have been the now non existent Luis shack … there is enough material and circumstantial evidence to indicate who the Curly’s boys are… just after Scarlett’s death Edwin Nunes denied knowing Scarlett or her mother…There is a strong suspicion that Scarlett was being used a drug mule (a carrier) by an international drug syndicate … People in Goa and the UK need to know what action has been taken against Curly’s … 1314 words. Click here.

Fiona puts off India visit
12 Feb: Deccan Herald. Scarlett Keeling’s mother Fiona MacKeown wanted to travel to Goa this month to mark the first anniversary of her daughter’s death on February 18. “It would not be safe at all for her to come to Goa,” says her lawyer Vikram Varma. “Well-connected people with muscle on the ground” want to ensure that Fiona does not come to make a statement, Varma alleges, stressing that every accused in the case has been released on bail… 160 words. Click here.

GOA NEWS HEADLINES

Football: Manchester United hold talks over Goa academy
5 Feb: IANS. On Thursday Indian Football officials discussed with English club Manchester United delegation a possible technical tie-up with the proposed national academy in Goa… The Rs.1 billion state-of-the art academy was to have come up at Cuncolim in Goa last March but ran into rough weather with two powerful Goan politicians locking horns… 253 words. Click here.

TGI Friday's to open in Goa
5 Feb: PTI. Casual dining chain Thank Goodness It's Friday (TGI Friday's) currently has nine restaurants in Delhi NCR, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Mumbai and are adding six more by end of 2010. The new cities on their map are Pune, Ludhiana, Chennai and Goa …

Reis Magos panch assaulted
6 Feb: Navhind Times. In a heinous assault, a Reis Magos village panchayat panch, Mr Francisco Serrao was brutally assaulted by three masked men at Candolim early Thursday morning. Mr Serrao named the Calangute MLA, Mr Agnelo Fernandes, Mr Francis Colaco and one Pitush of having assaulted him… It is claimed that they were in a Maruti Zen car, number partially given-G-1920 … 719 words. Click here.
6 Feb: Times of India. Calangute Congress MLA Agnelo Fernandes said that some panch members from the Reis Magos village panchayat were indulging in extortion and intimidation... He claimed to have a recording of Serrao abusing him (Fernandes) … 329 words. Click here.

Cricket, barons and Bollywood stars - its all happening in Goa
6 Feb: IANS. Considering the monies at stake, Goa's famed five star facility, the Fort Aguada resort, could well be called Fort Knox for a day with millions of dollars at stake as film stars and industrialists outbid each in Panaji on Friday…. Among those present were Vijay Mallya, Preity Zinta and Shilpa Shetty … 538 words. Click here.

Video: Cricket: Watch the record IPL auction
6 Feb: BBC: Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen attract record bids of $1.55m at the IPL player auction in Goa - Flintoff from the Chennai Super Kings and Pietersen from the Bangalore Royal Challengers. 1m. 42s. Click here.

Crime, drug trafficking on rise in Goa: Ruling MLA
6 Feb: UNI. Ruling party legislator in Goa Assembly Agnelo Fernandes, who holds an official position in the Cabinet, today surprised the House by citing growing incidences of crime, prostitution and drug trafficking in Goa ... Opposition leader Manohar Parrikar also joined in chorus on the issue of prostitution in the Calangute belt… 213 words. Click here.

I have no links with person involved in prostitution: Home Minister
6 Feb: PTI. Goa’s ruling legislator Agnelo Fernandes today alleged a person claiming to be relative a of state Home Minister Ravi Naik was involved in a prostitution racket at Porvorim … He also pointed out that a group of Nigerians had threatened police in Calangute and roughed up the police sub inspector. “You can even see the bruise marks on his neck at present," Fernandes claimed. 222 words. Click here.

Bill seeks to make bullfights part of heritage
7 Feb: Times of India. Dhirio, or the traditional Goan bullfight, might go from being illegal to being protected as part of Goan heritage'. A Bill seeking an amendment to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 was introduced in the Assembly by Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco … 499 words. Click here.

CM assures bill to prevent sale of orchard land to outsiders
7 Feb: Herald. Chief Minister Digambar Kamat on Friday assured the House that a Bill protecting agriculture and orchard land from being sold to non-Goans would be introduced in the next session of the Assembly…. In the last session he had said that huge tracts of land being purchased by non-Goans, particularly real estate developers… 331 words. Click here.

‘Goan missionaries have spread faith in other countries’
7 Feb: Herald. Stating that the gift of faith proclaimed in Goa by missionaries from the West completes 500 years next year, Archbishop-Patriarch Felipe Neri Ferrao said Goa has given missionaries and the faith to other countries. He was addressing the inauguration of the three-day Goa Mission Congress at Pilar on Friday… 431 words. Click here.

Casino operator, legislator assaulted panchayat member: civic group
7 Feb: IANS. Condemning the attack on an elected panchayat member, a civil society group has accused a local Congress legislator of colluding with a casino operator before carrying out the armed assault… Francis Serrao has alleged that Agnelo Fernandes in collusion with High Street Cruise, owner of the Casino Royale, were responsible for the attack … 356 words. Click here.

‘Goa can be land of chocolates’
8 Feb: Herald. Even as the Chief Minister Digambar Kamat seeks a plan to enable Goa to make a mark in dairy farming, Indian Dairy Association Chairman Arun Patil said Goa has the scope to become a land of chocolates. Patil said Goa could become the land of chocolates apart from being known for its tourism. 187 words. Click here.

Book on paedophilia released
8 Feb: MyNews.in. A book on paedophilia by Panjim-based lawyer Albertina Almeida - '''Tug and Tear: Dealing with Child Sexual Abuse''- documenting 18 cases, was released here. ''There are basically two types of paedophilia - tourism related and within the community says Ms Almeida… 270 words. Click here.

Football: Vasco hold Dempo in a thrilling draw
8 Feb: Samay Live. Dempo Sports Club and Vasco Sports Club split points after playing out an exciting 2-2 draw in the round 14 clash of the I-League at the Nehru stadium in Fatorda, Goa on Sunday … 223 words. Click here.

24x7 water supply by 2012 in Goa
9 Feb: Times of India. Goa is the number one state in water supply sector and with the effective maintenance and operation of the system the goal will be met of 24 x 7 water supply on sustainable basis by 2012 to all areas of Goa state… 466 words. Click here.

Catholics intolerant, Goa mission congress told
10 Feb: UCAN. Catholics are intolerant and exclusivist, representatives of other religions complained at the Goa mission congress… Catholic-dominated villages in Goa continue to pass illegal resolutions to ban the sale of land to Muslims; Goa's Catholics have become exclusive and seem to implement a reservation policy; they practice gender discrimination … However, Sumitra Sawant Desai, a Hindu said her parents did not mind her friendship with her Catholic neighbors, but warned her not to eat anything from them… 559 words. Click here.

Navelim residents seek divine intervention
11 Feb: Herald. People of Navelim gathered in the fields opposite Margao Railway Station to pray the Rosary and made a fervent appeal to the Mother of God to protect their fertile fields, land and houses from forcible acquisition by the government… Click here.

Tighter security for carnival
11 Feb: Times of India. Carnival floats this year will not only be scrutinized for obscenity, political content and liquor promotion, but for explosives too… The police have also stressed on the need of identity cards to volunteers … they are looking into is the masked clowns that roam the streets during the parades. “We don’t know what to do about this. It might take away the fun from the festival, if we don’t allow masks,” an official said… 322 words. Click here.

Vendors to be moved out of Old Goa heritage complex
12 Feb: Times of India. The thoroughfares at the world heritage complex of Old Goa will soon be decongested as all kiosks and vending activities are to be shifted to designated areas elsewhere. At present, the area has around 30-35 kiosks doing business legally, the rest are illegal… 298 words. Click here.

Goa: Shiv Sena warns V-Day revellers not to 'cross limits'
12 Feb: IANS. With Valentine's Day on Saturday, right wing groups in Goa have started flexing their muscles, warning young revellers to tone down their Feb 14 celebrations and keep it in 'accordance with Indian culture'. 237 words. Click here.

Rama Sene plans to launch in Goa next month
12 Feb: Hindustan Times. The fringe right wing group Sri Rama Sene [they attacked the girls in the Mangalore pub] is planning to launch in Goa next month and go virtually global as well … “teams with hidden cameras will move around Delhi on Valentine’s Day to capture images of couples crossing civil limits while showing their intimacy and post them on the internet.” … 267 words. Click here.

Weekly Update
12 Feb: Weather: Max = 32.4; Min = 20.1. Humidity 52% to 80 %
Exchange rates £= 70.17; $ = 48.71; Euro = 62.17

IN THE NEWS:

An Indian drinking problem
5 Feb: The Guardian (UK). The British Asian community exposes its prejudices surrounding women and alcohol in its debate of a pub raid in India … the double standards in the Asian community has always been puzzling…Desiblitz.com, an online Asian youth magazine, refers to a "melancholic loss of identity" … 637 words + many comments. Click here.

Video: Hindu Extremists to target Valentine's Day
5 Feb: NDTV. If women going to pubs are going against Indian culture and are violently targeted, can Valentine's Day be far behind? Sure enough, Sri Rama Sene is getting ready to stop the celebrations of that day of love. "We are going to protest against Valentine's Day… We are also requesting those printing Valentine's Day cards not to do so this time," says Pramod Muthalik, chief of Sri Ram Sene… 2m, 03s. Click here.

Cricket: IPL auction
5 Feb: The Telegraph (UK). The Fort Aguada hotel, on a peninsular of the North Goan coast, is already besieged by television crews and Indian media anticipating what is quickly becoming cricket's annual publicity stunt - the IPL auction. At 10am Goan time (4.30am GMT) seven England players will become numbered lots… The 43 players listed for sale will be auctioned off in batches. The whole show is expected to last up to three hours… 720 words. Click here.

Hero Mandy Gavin overwhelmed at bravery gong
9 Feb: Evening Star (Ipswich, Suffolk, UK). Mandy Gavin was crowned the overall Star of Suffolk for outstanding bravery after pulling out Clare Scarfe from the wreckage of her burning car seconds before it exploded… She was unable to attend the award ceremony as she is in Goa where she is helping a friend install solar-panelled showers at an orphanage. 390 words + photo and video. Click here.

Now, pub hoppers attacked in Bangalore
9 Feb: ExpressBuzz. “Men, about five to six of them...they kicked me...pulled at my hair, tried to grab me, assaulted our family, which tried to help, and verbally abused us,’’ said Revathy, who was one of the three women assaulted by a group of men on Friday night … The police said it was a minor case of drunken brawl and in investigation was on. 340 words + comments. Click here.

UAE: Free-spending days at an end for expatriate family
9 Feb: The National (UAE). Sebastian de Souza has been forced to cut his family’s spending because of the economic slowdown. The 39-year-old retail operations manager, who lives in Sharjah with his wife, Norie and two children, Gabriel, 13, and Angelo, five, says things have become tougher … 371 words. Click here.

Christian Groups Applaud U.N. Report on India's Intolerance
10 Feb: Christian Post (Washington, DC). Two respected Christian rights groups welcomed a new U.N. report on India that acknowledges religious hatred and mob violence by religious extremists as well as anti-Christian attacks in Orissa. 547 words. Click here.

Underwear protest at India attack
10 Feb: BBC. Indians outraged at an attack on women for drinking in a bar have gathered together to send a provocative gift of underwear to right-wing activists. More than 5,000 people, including men, have joined the Facebook group, which calls itself the Consortium of Pub-going, Loose and Forward Women. The group says it will give the pink underwear to Sri Ram Sena (Army of Lord Ram) on Valentine's Day on Saturday. 498 words. Click here.

GOANET HIGHLIGHTS
BY CORNEL DACOSTA

For those constantly challenged by never ending housework like dusting, cleaning and hoovering etc there has often been much yearning for a robot to take over such chores. Now, however, we may be getting closer to producing robots that can do pretty complex jobs. The RoboGames 2009 in San Francisco , USA will have much to display on highly functional robots. Such information from Prakash Kamat titled India's Second Humanoid Robot Unveiled at Quark, but supplied to Goanet by Avelino D'Souza can be found by clicking here.

Although Goa effectively came under Indian jurisdiction on 19/12/1962, some Portuguese legislation has been retained to this day "for the sake of good administration order by an Act of Parliament." This matter has been problematic as Portuguese translations to English have been necessary in courts, not only in Goa but even in the High Court in New Delhi. In an interesting article titled ' Civil Code of 1867--bi-lingual version' Godfrey Gonsalves explains the reasons why Portuguese legislation has continued in Goa to the present and how several attempts have been made to obtain a true reflection of the laws as in Portuguese times in Goa, to faithful English translations for today---clearly, a task much more complex than might have been expected. Please click here.

Ruby Goes provides information about the film Slumdog Millionaire and the recent Bafta awards. Please click here.

Likewise, Olga Maciel sends us details of the BAFTA success of Slumdog Millionaire. Click here.

And perhaps if I am going soft on Ruby Goes, I crave forgiveness but one must read the piece supplied by her but written by Somini Sengupta and titled 'Attack on Women at an Indian Bar Intensifies a Clash of Cultures' Click here. The issue is elaborated further in an article by Mrinal Pande titled' Even the Sutras allowed some alcohol on happy occasions' and also the subsequent correspondence. 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: 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.

DOCUMENTARY: Trolley Dollies. Living 2
Saturday 14th Feb. 18:00 to 18:30. Trolley Dollies. Docusoap following the exploits of the cabin crew on board Excel Airlines. Michael heads for Goa for a much-needed break, but an unfortunate incident on the way reminds him how unglamorous his job really is. Repeat.

TRAVEL: Panasia. Travel Channel 2
Saturday 14th Feb. 23:00 to 23:30. Palace on Wheels - India. Sian travels in style on the luxurious Palace on Wheels train, tries a safari by camel across the windswept Sam Sand Dunes, and learns the secrets of Dhurri rug weaving.

NEWS: Asian Network Report. BBC Radio Asian Network
Monday 16th Feb. 18:05 to 18:30. I was a Book Burner. On the 20th anniversary of the day the fatwa was issued against author Salman Rushdie for his book The Satanic Verses, musician Aki Nawaz finds out why some British Muslims protested and burned a book that was only fiction.

MOTORING: Motorsport. Sky Sports Xtra
Monday 16th Feb. 18:30 to 20:00. Karma Way - Endurance Rally. The Karma Enduro Rally is an annual event that also raises money for charity.

DOCUMENTARY: Big Fat Indian Weddings. Wedding TV
Tuesday 17th Feb. 19:00 to 19:30. In this fascinating show, we take a look at the Indian wedding industry, which has seen wedding costs soar as rich Indians splash out on incredibly lavish ceremonies.

TRAVEL: Explore. BBC 2
Thursday 19th Feb. 23:20 to 23:50. Sex and Religion in Manila. The Church fears a breakdown in Filipino family values and is resisting the free supply of contraceptives, blaming the poverty on bad government and corruption rather than population growth.

DOCUMENTARY: Crossing Continents. BBC Radio Four
Thursday 19th Feb. 23:30 to 00:00. Linda Pressly reports from India, where gay sex is a crime. When the son of a Maharajah came out publicly in the conservative state of Gujarat, he was shunned by his family and the local community.

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.
£23.00 (Coach plus enterance ticket) Coach from London> Leicester> London with all facilities on board.Two stops: St.Boniface Church, Tooting SW17> Wood Green Tube Station. Closing date for Coach is 10th Mar. For availability & tickets please email clarafdes@yahoo.co.uk or contact Clara, 0116 2767336.

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