COMMUNITY NEWS

Video + Text: Toronto: Merella Fernandez: GTA Gas Prices
11 Jun: City News. GTA Drivers Could Be Paying A Dollar A Litre For Gas By The Weekend. Most people have their nightmares when they're asleep. But GTA drivers got theirs when they woke up Thursday morning and discovered the price of gas had soared again. It's now at 99.8 cents for regular, all but at that psychological loonie-a-litre mark… Click here.
Merella Fernandez was born in Karachi… Out of her many adventures, her favourites include climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania … For a profile of her, click here.

Montreal: Cheryl Braganza Exhibition
12 Jun: The Gazette (Montreal). 120 paintings by artist Cheryl Braganza, Sunday from noon to 4 pm. at 1070 St. Mathieu St. Call 514-678-6195 for more info.

Eve D’Souza: Celebrity wardrobe

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12 Jun: The Standard – Pulse supplement. (Kenya). Capital FM’s Eve D’Souza of Hits Not Homework let us have a rummage through her closet. She loves bustier and sleeveless tops and showed us her gladiator platforms … 247 words. Click here.
Eve D’Souza was born in Mombasa, Kenya in 1979, the daughter of Andrew and Martina D’Souza and sister of Sharon and Jason D’Souza.
For the Eve D’Souza GVUK supplement, click here.
Eve D’Souza’s radio show, Hits Not Homework is broadcast Mondays to Thursdays, 16:00 – 19:00 GMT. To listen to her live, click here.

Bahrain: Show to remember
14 Jun: Gulf Daily News. A musical treasure of unforgettable songs from many Konkani dramatists of yesteryears entitled 'Do this in remembrance of them' was organised by G R Crasto. This musical show, which was held at the Pakistan Club hall on June 5, was houseful… The musicians put in a tremendous effort to make us feel like we were in our hometown Goa, not forgetting the stage setting and the lighting… 297 words. Click here.

India’s last Europeans
14 Jun: Hindustan Times. The Goan Catholic way of life may one day be an entry in a museum. Prabuddha Dasgupta takes a personal journey through the homes of India's last Europeans in a new book about the Catholic Community in Goa, titled Edge of Faith which will be published by Seagull Books this September. Dasgupta moved to Goa three and a half years ago … It's common for Catholics to pray at the temple of Kamakshi near Shirodha … 312 words + photos. Click here.
For details of the forthcoming book, click here.
For the Prabuddha Dasgupta website click here.
For a sample of his photographs, click here.

Australia: Alan DeSouza stews over Ramsay
14 Jun: Sunday Times (Perth). A Perth chef is cursing the cancellation of Gordon Ramsay's visit to WA. Alan DeSouza, from the deluxe Richardson Hotel, was the Perth chef chosen to cook up the $1000-a-head dinner on June 25… He had been flown to Los Angeles to meet Ramsay, who he said was a perfect gentleman… ``He took me and my wife to the set of Hell's Kitchen,'' Desouza said… 270 words. [Photo in GVUK 2009-24]

Fr Rudolf D'Souza transferred from Mumbai to Canada
15 Jun: Daijiworld. Fr Rudolf V D’Souza, parish priest, St Joseph’s Church, Mira Road, Mumbai has been transferred to Vancouver. He will be the new regional superior and parish priest of Guardian Angel’s parish at downtown Vancouver…. He was born in 1960, joined the Carmelites in 1973 and ordained priest in 1987. He has a diploma in yoga and has got many books to his credit… 232 words. click here.

Toronto: Marc and Maurice D’Souza named in 'Scareware' scam
16 Jun: Daily Record. US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) alleges that Innovative Marketing (IM) ran a scam duping consumers into buying computer security software by scaring them that their machines were infected with viruses or spyware… More than a million consumers bought the fake fix, which cost at least $39.95… The alleged technical expert has now agreed to a fine of $1.8 million... Marc D’Souza and his father Maurice D’Souza are alleged to have been responsible for payment processing to handle the credit card payments but IM claims that they embezzled millions of their dollars in the process! 570 words. Click here.
The FTC complaint lists Marc D’Souza with a King Street W., Toronto address and his father, Maurice with a Carnegie Crescent, Thornhill address. For a pdf of the document, click here.

Toronto: Maurice and Irene D'Sa: Helping kids in a big way
16 Jun: Toronto Star. Now that Maurice and Irene D'Sa, owners of Indian Flavour, are supporting the Fresh Air Fund, they're taking those unwanted pennies to help children… Indian Flavour is the popular York Lanes eatery at York University. "For the longest time, I've wanted to do something for the community," said the restaurateur… 400 words. [Maurice & Irene are ex-Mumbai]. Click here.

Clint D’Mello Murder trial: Brother gives evidence
16 Jun: Waltham Forest Guardian. The brother of murdered Adnan Patel described in court how they were surrounded by a gang before someone delivered two fatal blows to his brother's chest… The fight erupted after Adnan Patel had accused drug-dealer Clint D'Mello of Stratford, of supplying drugs to his schoolboy brother… The trial continues. [Old Bailey, Court 14, 10.15 am on 17 June]. 595 words. Click here.

Jennifer De Souza: Miss Canada Petite 2008
16 Jun: Inside Toronto. Shivanie Latchman is competing in the Miss Canada Petite division of the Miss Canada Globe Pageant… she was nominated by last year's winner, Jennifer De Souza, a York University student from Etobicoke… [Jennifer’s hobbies include cooking and dancing. She is interested in different cultures as well as working with children … Click here.

Canada: Judith Athaide: Defying convention
17 Jun: The Globe and Mail (Canada; Ottawa/Quebec edition, p. B1, B4). Judith Athaide is a 46-year-old consulting engineer who represents energy giant EnCana Corp. in overseeing the marathon construction of its landmark headquarters - the breathtaking Bow office tower rising in downtown Calgary… It means 12-hour workdays away from her husband and two daughters … She was born in Pakistan to parents from Goa. Her father was an engineer, and the family lived in India before moving to Brandon… Photo + 1224 words + comments. Click here.

Diana Penty is next hot face on New York's fashion runways
17 Jun: Mid-Day (Mumbai). The porcelain doll-faced Mumbai model is only the third Indian to walk the ramp at New York Fashion Week … The 24 year-old girl had no ambitions of being a model. In fact, Goa designer Wendell Rodricks who knew her as photographer Denzil Sequeira's niece, happily takes credit for "forcing her" to model for his Lakme Fashion Week show in 2006… 806 words. Click here.
For the Fashion TV Diana Penty video click here.
For Denzil Sequeira’s Goa resort, click here.

Millionaires Avelino Da Silva and Esther De Souza
17 Jun: SooToday.com. Immigration Canada staffers Avelino Da Silva of Etobicoke and Esther De Souza of Toronto are part of the group of 24 who share $24 million in the LOTTO 6/49 jackpot win… The groups' individual plans for their share of the windfall include sharing with family, traveling, paying off mortgages and debts… 472 words. Click here.

London Goans Picnic to support World Busk day

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17 Jun: Musequality. World Busk day started in New Zealand … three violinists entertained holiday-makers at a beach resort in India… we think we had buskers in 48 cities or towns, in 20 countries in all seven continents. 629 words.
The photo which shows the London Goans picnic to support the World Busk also appears at www.worldbusk.org/
To contribute to the Project’s Goa initiative, click here.

Mississauga: 5 stabbed in school hallway
18 Jun: Toronto Star. Four students and a teacher were injured during a stabbing incident at St. Joseph Secondary School in Mississauga … Margaret Correia clutched her hands to her face as she scanned the crowd for her son. "I haven't seen him yet," she said, shaking… Click here.
18 Jun: Toronto Sun. … Moments after the fight, Joel Fernandes, who was walking his dogs at the time, said he saw police "screaming" towards the school… He said the youth stabbed in the back "is a good guy." … Click here.
For a video clip of part of the earlier fight, click here.
There have been many press reports and video newsclips about the incident. For a link to some of them, click here.

DUBAI: DEATH OF CHELSEA & NATHAN

Dubai siblings die of suspected food poisoning

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15 Jun: Gulf News (UAE). A Dubai-based couple's life was torn apart over the weekend when they lost both their son and daughter to suspected food poisoning… Ann-Sofia had ordered take-away from a Chinese restaurant and when the children started vomiting, she rushed them to the hospital but they died … The father, Patrick D'Souza was in Abu Dhabi when the incident took place… 395 words. [Alert by Cynthia Fernandes, Dubai]. Click here.

Father looks for answers after children's death
16 Jun: Gulf News (UAE). Patrick D'Souza, who lost both his children to suspected food poisoning, has questioned the treatment provided by the hospitals and said he will leave it to Dubai authorities to give him justice… 499 words + comments. Click here.

Dubai Food Poisoning: Parents Speak Out
16 Jun: The National (UAE). Other people who ate at a Dubai restaurant that served two children who died of suspected food poisoning have not become ill … Patrick d’Souza said: “I think this tragedy has more to do with the hospitals… Three children have died of what appeared to be food poisoning in the UAE in the past two weeks… Photo shows the parents, Ana Sophia and Patrick D’Souza. 839 words. Click here.

Video + text: Memorial Service for Chelsea & Nathan

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16 Jun: Gulf News (UAE). Patrick and Anne-Sophie D'Souza, the parents of Nathan and Chelsea, seemed devastated by their loss at a memorial service for their children at St Mary's Catholic Church in Dubai, on Tuesday. The two young children died of suspected food poisoning earlier this week… 583 words. http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Society/10323543.html

Dubai: Family’s ‘two angels’ remembered
17 Jun: The National (UAE). Looking out at more than 500 mourners in St Mary’s Catholic Church, Anne-Sophie D’Souza spoke directly of the memories of her two children. Nathan, five, was her “little Spider-Man”, she said. His seven-year-old sister, Chelsea, “filled a void” in her life… The bodies of the children are expected to be taken to France, their mother’s home country, for burial when the investigation is finished. 601 words. http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Society/10323543.html

Lab Test Results in Food Poisoning Case Today
17 Jun: Khaleej Times (UAE). Parallel and joint investigations by Dubai authorities into the recent death of two young siblings due to suspected food poisoning are expected to come up with more details today, officials said … Click here.

Dubai: Chelsea, Nathan to be buried in France
18 Jun: Xpress (Dubai). The bodies of two children who died in an alleged food poisoning case were not yet released to their family as of press time yesterday, a friend of the family said, adding that the two will be flown to France for burial… 287 words + photo. Click here.

For links to some of the other reports, click here.

DEATHS

16 Jun: Colva, Goa. LUCAS FERNANDES. (Aged 60; Ex-Beira, Mozambique). Beloved husband of Maria Do ceu (Philu).

15 Jun: Benaulim, Goa. CELISA MENEZES. Beloved wife of late Dr. Mario Menezes. Funeral service on 16 June at 4.30 p.m. St. John the Baptist Church, Benaulim at 4.30 p.m.

13 June: Dubai. DENNIS MENEZES. Died under tragic circumstances. (Ex Chinchinim, Goa). Beloved husband of Rosy. Loving father of Rendell & Debresha. Click here.

12 Jun: Tooting Broadway, London. ALBANO ALEIXO (ALICK) GEORGE (Born 1934; ex-Malawi). Husband of Cassie. Father of Keith, Kay, and Karen. Father-in-law of Elias. Grandfather of Nathan and Adam.
Viewings from 23 June – Please arrange direct with the Funeral Director, The Co-Operative Funeralcare, 178 Upper Tooting Road, Tooting, London SW17 7ER Tel: 020 8672 2178. Church Service Thu. 25 Jun. at 13.00pm at St Boniface Roman Catholic Church, 185 Mitcham Road, Tooting, London SW17 9PG. Click here. Burial: 14.30pm,Wandsworth Cemetery, Magdalen Road, Wandsworth, London SW18 3NP. Wake: Christian Community Centre, 52 Fairlight Road, Tooting, London SW17 OJD. In lieu of flowers, we would appreciate a donation to be given to Mother Teresa’s Roses, Parra, Goa – Dad loved children and goa and in memory of him we would like to be able to commemorate him with a plaque at the orphanage. Donations can be given anonymously on the day through a box or given to Kay George). Condolences to kayvgeorge@hotmail.com

12 June: London. CANUTE NAZARETH (Born 1917 Nachinola, Goa. ex-Ministry of Works, Nairobi). Died peacefully. Will be greatly missed by his wife Irene (nee D’Sa) and daughters Marianne & Lyn and Sons-in-Law Chris de Lima and John Twigg and grand children Sophie Helen and Elizabeth and Samuel and Peter. Funeral will take place on Wednesday 24th June 2009 at 11.00 am at Catholic Church of St. Anne Line, 7 Grove Crescent, South Woodford, London E18 2JR. Condolences to chris-delima@btconnect.com

12 Jun: Arusha, Tanzania. ASELMO GLORIO D’COSTA. Husband of Maggie. Loving Father/father-in-law of Nery, Fely/Colin and Riggy. Funeral Service will be held on Mon. 15 June, at 4 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, Upanga followed by the burial at Kinondoni Cemetery. Condolence messages can be sent to: felly_tz@yahoo.com [Info from Angela Mascarenhas]

11 Jun: Mississauga, Canada. DAVID JOHN VAZ. (Age 55). Loving husband to Martine. Devoted father of Kimberley, Denise, and Lisa. Beloved son of Teresa and the late Januario Vaz. Brother to Desmond, Rona and Arnold. Friends may call at the Turner & Porter "Peel" Chapel, Mississauga 6-9 p.m. on Wed. and Thu. Funeral Mass on Friday, June 19 at 10:30 a.m. at Sts. Martha & Mary Church, Mississauga. Interment at Assumption Cemetery. For photo and full details click here.

9 Jun: New Orleans (USA). DOMINGOS ROSARIO GONSALVES Beloved husband of Debra. Son of Divina Gonsalves and the late Miguel Gonsalves. Brother of Assiz (Philomena), Loudine (Joe), Maria (Rocky), Ruby (Marcel), Rosy (Joe) and Philceda. Visitation Service at DW Rhodes Funeral Home, 1020 Virgil St., Gretna, LA, on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm; Interment: Goa, India. For more details and for the guest book click here.

9 Jun: Santa Cruz, Goa. ESMERALDA D’CUNHA. (Born1946). Loving wife of late Alex. Mother of Antonio Joao/Succorina; Jeronimo /Leonida Mones (UK); Succorinha; Mario Fernandes/late Lourenco D’Cunha.

WHO THE BLEEP CARES?
Weekly column by Selma Carvalho.

Who the Bleep cares about Richard Burton?

I’ve just come across Jerry Pinto’s anthology, Reflected in Water (Penguin 2006). It’s a wonderfully woven collection of Goa related stories spanning from Richard Burton’s writings to those of more contemporary commentators on Goa such as Frederick Noronha. Richard Burton, the intrepid English explorer visited Goa circa 1846, while recovering from cholera and on sick leave from the services of Her Majesty’s empire. Reading Pinto’s well chosen extract from Burton’s original manuscript, Goa and the Blue Mountains (1851), one could be forgiven for mistakenly presuming that Burton was some sort of admirer of Goa.

The fact is Burton was a rascally scoundrel of a British explorer, more a product of his time than he himself would like to believe and yet in some ways, quite ahead of his time, a not uncommon dichotomy amongst those mortals who achieve immortality if only in our memory of them. I had read Burton’s narrative some time ago. Any random page is full of Burtonesque ridicule of Goa, Goans and what he presumed to be a culture acquired through a process of mongrelisation which rendered Goan Christians “inferior, as regards strength, courage and principle to the average of the tribes which populate that part of the world.” He presumes upper-class, western attired Christian Goans to be bi-racial, when in fact only a miniscule portion of Goans were bi-racial. This was not an uncommon assumption by most of the western civilisation until the 20th century and perhaps persists even today. These “mongrel Goans” he feels are unmatched in their ugliness. Indeed, “it would be difficult to find in Asia an uglier or more degraded looking race.” Burton wrote at a time, when it was considered a badge of honour to be racist, to propagate the theory that the western civilisation was superior by virtue of character and intelligence. Words such as Muslim “circumcised dog”, “half-naked sample of the Hindoo male animal”, Christian wife-beaters, thieves and drunks find their place, page after page of vintage Burton.

Burton’s relentlessly uncharitable account of Goans did not dissuade him from including in his troupe, two Goan cooks as he set out on his second expedition into the interiors of Africa, some ten years later. Despite the vitriol spewed by him, he does leave us a fascinating early account of Shiroda, a small town lying to the southeast of Goa on the periphery of Ponda. It is a place of immense interest to me as I can trace my roots to this tiny town. My great-grandmother, Katarina Dias, moved from Shiroda to Nuvem, following the death of her husband, Caitan Piedade Cardoz. This was a rather bold and courageous decision for a young widow left with the custody of two boys and two girls. Shiroda, Burton describes as a distinctly “Hindoo town. Houses, pagodas, tombs, tanks with lofty parapets and huge flights of steps, peepul trees and bazaars are massed together in chaotic confusion. No such things as streets, lanes or alleys exist.”

To Burton the town had little to recommend itself but for the several dwellings, possibly brothels, which housed “nautch”, dancing-girls. Could Shiroda, once a Bhoja dynasty seat of power, have succumbed to such ruin? This was the place, my ancestors ventured forth from. When did Christianity seep into my family tree? Was there nothing more than destitution awaiting them in Shiroda? According to Antonio Menezes, who is a lodehouse of Goan lore, Shiroda was once a temple town, with the temple devoted to Goddess Kamakshi taking pride of place. Within the vicinity of the temple, were families of a matriarchal lineage who rendered “yeoman’s service” to Portuguese soldiers posted in the riverine or border villages from Guirdolim in the south to Chicalim lying to the north of the Salcete taluka. The result of this symbiotic relationship was the appearance of a mestizo child here and there not causing too much curiosity or inquiry amongst the inhabitants of Shiroda. Burton himself comments on the fairer of the “nautch” girls having had the “advantage of a European progenitor”, although this may not have been entirely accurate. My own great-grandmother was a tall woman, fair of face with green eyes. There was obviously no genetic mixing of races but the distinctively Caucasian features undoubtedly spoke of earlier bands of migrations from the north of India.

Burton may have been a rude, English prig, who held natives with all the disdain of his colonial contemporaries, but he does at times unearth a kernel of truth about Goans and more than a bushel of honesty about British racism and prejudice. He should be read in exactly the spirit he intended to write. His brutality is uncomforting in a time of political correctness but revisiting him through a 21st century prism is ultimately doing him and Goans a disservice.

Burton’s book, Goa and the Blue Mountains (1851), is available on the internet for free. To access it, click here.

Do leave your feedback at carvalho_sel@yahoo.com

TRAVEL & TOURISM NEWS:

Opening of mind nourishing centre in Goa
12 Jun: Times of India. People took the time out from their hectic schedules to attend the inaugural of Goa’s first mind nourishing centre in Panaji. Young Suhani Shah who has made her name in the business of mind care was the host. Chief minister Digambar Kamat inaugurated the centre … Click here.

Goa boasts quiet neatness
12 Jun: Hunterdon Review (NJ, USA). India is a place of extremes; Goa is no exception… A killing of the goose laying the golden egg situation, all too prevalent in India today. Most noticeable to visitors coming from other parts of India is the quiet neatness around Goa. ..Traffic noise is subdued, as are other aspects of life around Goa… Many older women wear two-piece 60’s styled skirts with matching over-blouses reminiscent of Europe in a by-gone era… 799 words. Click here.

Goa cuts luxury tax
12 Jun: Business Line. The Goa Government has restructured the rates and consequently reduced luxury tax to give a major boost to the tourism sector facing adverse impact of worldwide recession. The new tax structure is expected to benefit small and medium hotels in the State… 148 words. Click here.

Israel, Palestine and religious tourism
12 Jun: … France-Palestine Solidarité. There is no free entry of visitors in Palestine. Visas are issued by the Israeli authorities. The oppression of those they regard as supporters of the Palestinian people are known and documented. The Indian authorities are currently following the recent case of tourists from Goa whose visa was cancelled without explanation… For more information or comments please contact Caesar D'Mello, caesar@ecotonline.org Click here.

Goa mulls changes in marriage laws
12 Jun: IANS. A legislative committee has recommended that the provision of a compulsory one month residence proof for couples be scrapped as the clause was hampering Goa's prospects of becoming a sought after wedding destination and creating trouble for those foreigners and people of Goan-origin settled abroad who want to get married in Goa… 303 words. Click here.

Goa can restrict land sale to foreigners: former bureaucrat
12 Jun: PTI. Even as illegal purchase of land violating Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) is haunting Goa government, an ad hoc committee was today told that the state can restrict the sale of land to foreign nationals under Foreigners Rule, 1946… P V S Sardesai, former state registrar of Goa said that the Central Government has powers to notify Goa as a protected state so that no foreigner can buy land there… 195 words. Click here.

Dublin Airport immigration control.
13 Jun: Irish Times. By Dr Savio Sequeira. The treatment of my cousin Fiona at the Dublin Airport immigration checkpoint has left me angry and upset. Fiona is an Indian national living in Mumbai…I persuaded her to come over to Dublin for a few days …Accordingly she secured a visa for Ireland … However, in Dublin, the official told her very firmly that her visa only allowed her entry as far as the immigration desk and that he would decide whether to allow her any further… 440 words. Click here.

Bernie Walsh: The peace and beauty of Goa
14 Jun: Belfast Telegraph. Bernie Walsh, the Weight Watchers leader has returned from a disturbing trip to the slums of Calcutta a changed woman. She says nothing could have prepared her for the sheer scale of the poverty. We talk about the credit crunch and recession but we don’t know poverty… She set off in April for the charity trek in Goa … She said: “Arriving in Calcutta after the peace and beauty of Goa was in itself a real culture shock… 907 words. Click here.

Goa's vanishing coastline

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14 Jun: NDTV. One stormy monsoon night in the year 2000, a 240 m long ship, River Princess, broke its anchor and got stuck off the coast of Goa. Since then it hasn't budged. The result? Twenty thousand tonnes of rusting metal, on Goa's famous beaches… The National Institute of Oceanography in Goa says 60 metres of the beach, south of the ship has already disappeared… The carnival in Goa as they say just doesn't stop. 405 words. Click here.

India's incredible journey from holiday backwater to the destination du jour
15 Jun: The Times (UK). In 2001 Amitabh Kant was handed the job of rescuing India's sinking tourism industry… his objective was clear: to redefine India as a luxury destination, and to discourage those looking for an ultra-cheap getaway… In an effort to dissuade the gap-year students, Goa-bound ravers and ageing hippies Mr Kant tried to stop cheap charter flights flying to popular seaside locations … the main tool he used to attract well-heeled travellers was the “Incredible India” campaign… 1070 words. Click here.

Don't go to US says Indian Govt as swine flu spreads
15 Jun: CNN-IBN. Suspend your travel plans to the US, a worried Health Minister cautioned Indians on Monday. The Union Health Minister, said, "There are so many nice places to see in India..." 420 words. Click here.

Topless tourists 'face prosecution'
16 Jun: The Guardian (UK) … Around 50% of women who sunbathe topless do so without first checking if it is legal to do so in their holiday destination, according to a survey by the Foreign Office (FO). And one in seven men admitted having sex in a public place on holiday … The FO also warned that homosexuality is illegal in many popular holiday destinations, including Morocco and Goa… 222 words. Click here.

Travel: The impact of currency fluctuations
16 Jun: TTG Live. Francesca Ecsery, General Manager of Cheapflights.co.uk, asks what impact currency rates have on the travel industry… Research undertaken by Cheapflights.co.uk found searches for flights to exotic beach destinations increased from January-March 2009 as Brits looked outside their standard Eurozone bases for cities offering more ‘bang for the buck’. India fared especially well - Goa increased 85 per cent Q1 2009 compared with Q1 2008 and Delhi 36 per cent… Click here.

India woos gay tourists
17 Jun: Hindustan Times. Tour agencies are offering custom-made tours for the ultimate gay travel experience… “Rajasthan, Goa and Kerala are a hit among foreigners,” Prakash George Mathen, who runs Travellers Bank says. “They usually want secluded beaches and private spaces like houseboats and forest accommodation.” The staff at these places are trained not to intrude on the guests’ privacy… 503 words. Click here.

Israeli ambassador to probe rejection of Goans' visa requests
17 Jun: IANS. Israel's Ambassador to India Mark Sofer has said that he is "nonplussed" by media reports about the rejection of visas to Goan pilgrims travelling to his country and has assured Goan authorities of a full fledged probe into the affair… 321 words. Click here.

GOA NEWS HEADLINES

Vedanta group acquires Goa mining company in $368 million deal
11 Jun: IANS. Goa's biggest family-owned mining company, the Dempo group, has sold all its mining assets to Sesa Goa Limited, a majority-owned subsidy of the London-listed Vedanta Resources, for Rs.1,750 crore (Rs.17.50 billion/$368 million) in an all-cash deal… 303 words. Click here.

Confirmed Swine flu case in Goa, another suspected
11 Jun: Times of India. A confirmed case of swine flu has been reported in Goa … The man arrived in Goa from London via Germany and has been admitted to the isolation ward of the Chicalim cottage hospital … Another person, a 21 year old alighting from a Sharjah flight has been taken to the Goa Medical College … The health authorities have screened nearly 10,000 incoming passengers at Goa's Dabolim airport … 254 words.
It is reported elsewhere that the 41 years old man had arrived in Goa last week and reported to the health authorities two days later with a fever … Click here.

Confusion in Goa over status of swine flu patient
12 Jun: IANS. Confusion prevailed in Goa over the status of a suspected swine flu patient, with senior bureaucrats switching their versions four times in a matter of two days… 276 words. Click here.

Victor Hugo Gomes: Gawda artefacts to be displayed in Portugal
12 Jun: Navhind Times. Over 40 exhibits of the Gawda community will be displayed at various museums and anthropology institutions across Portugal from October to February… The founder of Goa Chitra Mr Victor Hugo Gomes recently visited Portugal through Fundacao Oriente to study the systems used in museums in Portugal… 347 words, click here.
The photo shows Victor Hugo Gomes with his father and wife at the Goa Chitra. For a brief (3m. 26s) You Tube video about the museum, click here.

Technology to make Goa police responsive
12 Jun: IANS. Stating that police in the State were discourteous, downright rude and more often than not treated complainants like criminals, a Goa legislative ad hoc committee's report was made public earlier this week… the committee has recommended the setting up of a high tech 24-hour complaint registration cell… Russian Consul General Alexander Mantytsky, has also accused the Goa police of being inefficient… 375 words. Click here.

Caju and conversation
13 Jun: Live Mint. By Zac O’Yeah. Goa is now a creative idyll. We hobnobbed with Goa’s new literary set … Writers who have moved there include Amitav Ghosh, Sudhir Kakar, Sunil Khilnani, Rahul Srivastava, Sudeep Chakravarti … Goan authors include Manohar Shetty, Damodar Mauzo, Victor Rangel-Ribeiro, Maria Couto and Cecil Pinto (photo) a humour columnist and Convenor of the Goa Writers Group. Cecil is seven times funnier than Woody Allen and a connoisseur of caju… apartments for around Rs20 lakh … Most buyers are middle-aged Brits looking for retirement homes, or NRIs who see it as an investment… 2328 words. Click here.

Make birth and death records available online: MLA
13 Jun: Times of India. Make birth, death and marriage records available online, MLA Francis D'Souza told officials on Friday … he said that he was aware of the poor conditions in which records are stored and pointed out that officials are known to make notings and changes on the original documents, a practice which has to be stopped … 311 words. Click here.

India's Goa shocked by serial killer confessions
14 Jun: Ninemsn - Sydney, (Australia). When police in Goa first arrested Mahanand Naik, little did they know that they faced with a serial killer who admitted to snuffing out the lives of 16 young local women… The murders are the latest bad publicity to hit Goa … Director general of police B.S. Bassi has promised an investigation in what went wrong once Naik's case is completed… 598 words. Click here.

Goa makes case for financial package from the Centre
16 Jun: Herald. South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha has said he has asked the Union Finance Minister for a special financial package for Goa in the ensuing Budget because of its status as the world tourist destination. “Goa contributes around Rs 10,000 crore to the national exchequer annually. Sadly, what the State receives in return is a pittance of Rs 400 crore … We need to boost infrastructure like roads and garbage disposal. We invite foreign tourists to Goa who want cleanliness and infrastructure such as roads etc”, he added… 257 words. Click here.

Goa: Church did not suggest any political party
16 Jun: Christian Today. The Catholic Church in Goa clarified that its pre-election statement never gave preference to any political party and had only urged citizens to vote by their conscience. This was a rebuttal to Fr Francisco Caldeira, the director of the Diocesan Centre for Social Communication Media who had earlier stirred a controversy by saying "Catholics were open to BJP" … 225 words. Click here.

Goa restoring 16th century Portuguese architecture
18 Jun: IANS. Goa is determined to bring back to life pieces of dying 16th century Portuguese structures. The state government is restoring three monuments - Reis Magos Fort, the Fort of St. Estevam and St. Anne’s (or the Naani’s) Church… Helen Hamlyn Trust (UK) has given £400,000 pounds to restore the Reis Magos Fort and convert it into a cultural centre… 657 words. Click here.

SEZ promoters to contest Goa govt's decision
18 Jun: Economic Times. The seven special economic zones (SEZs) promoters have decided to challenge the Goa government's decision to withdraw the state SEZ policy… Earlier, in a bid to attract more industries to Goa, the state in 2006 had formulated the SEZ policy and allocated vast acres of land to various SEZ developers… 325 words. Click here.

Goa breathes easy, swine flu patient tests negative
18 Jun: Herald. Goa’s first swine flu patient was discharged from hospital on Wednesday after further swab samples on the 41-year-old male who had flown from London to Mumbai on a British Airways flight proved negative… 503 words. Click here.

IN THE NEWS:

Summit aims to improve Catholic-Hindu relations
11 Jun: Indian Catholic. Cardinal Jean-Louis Pierre Tauran, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, will lead an eight-member Catholic team at a Hindu-Catholic Church dialogue in Mumbai, western India to improve relations between the two communities and foster peace in India. Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Bombay is the chief organizer of the June 12-13 dialogue… 489 words. Click here.

Australia: Indian students urged to show restraint
11 Jun: Sydney Morning Herald. A man has been charged during the third successive night of protests by Indian students in Harris Park, after calls by Indian community leaders to end the protests… "We don't want any more rallies in Harris Park, that is the community's view," said Dr Yadu Singh, coordinator of the Indian Consul General's community committee on Indian students' issues… 404 words. Click here.

India issues guidelines for Australia-bound students
12 Jun: PTI. Concerned over the on-going attacks on its students in Australia, India on Friday issued guidelines for those wishing to study there … The students have also been asked to practise the right kind of behaviour and actions as they represent India in Australia… 447 words. Click here.

St Anthony, a testimony of strong faith
12 Jun: Navhind Times. Come June 13 and we have the feast of the glorious St Anthony, all over the world, more especially in Portugal and in Goa … The festivities are held on a grand scale at Siolim… Anguished people who have lost something, frightened ones who have been robbed, the lonely and so on flock the roads lead to the Churches and Chapels of St Anthony, seeking a miracle, more so on June 13. 510 words. Click here.

Falklands to participate in World Busk to Support Goa Charity
12 Jun: Falkland Island News. Students from the Falklands are going to participate in a World Busk on Sunday, 14 June 2009… The money raised will help set up new projects - Musequality is actively fundraising for a string instrument project in Goa… For full text, 1429 words, Click here.

France: Goa Lacemakers demonstrate their skills this weekend
13 Jun: La Voix du Nord (France). Every two years, Sebourg lacemakes organise an International exhibition at which there is a country which is an honoured guest. In 2007 it was Canada. This weekend it will be Goa lacemakers … In all, one hundred and thirty lace and lace artisans will show their art to the public. Click here.

Australia: Xacuti Curry Paste
14 Jun: Sunday Herald Sun Magazine (Australia). Goan Cuisine Xacuti Curry Paste, $9.30 (370g). Xacuti (pronounced sha-koo-tee) was originally eaten as a vegetarian dish by the people of Goa in India. Enter the Portuguese on their spice crusade, cue the introduction of Christianity and, voila, the Goans add meat to their diet. Try prawns with this one. For stockists click here.

Freedom fighters protest Goan monuments in Portuguese 7 wonders list
14 Jun: IANS. Freedom fighters in Goa have raised strong objections to the listing of the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa and Fortress of Diu among the seven wonders of Portuguese origin in the world… The materials and labour were sourced in Goa, not Portugal not is claimed … 316 words. Click here.

In search of the perfect Goan stew
14 Jun: Times of India. Reminiscing bygone practises, Melinda Pereira Kamat shares grandmothers' secrets on how to make a delicious serving of the much-loved Goan stew… 740 words. Click here.

Amilcar do Carmo Reis: “Returned from the Dead”

Click to enalange

14 Jun: Jornal de Noticias (Portugal). In 1961 Amilcar do Carmo Reis was in Portuguese army based in Goa … He escaped the firing squad thanks to the help of the chaplain, José Dias Ferreira … He was imprisoned in a concentration camp and one of the 6.000 men returned to Portugal in June 1962 but his family had thought he had died in the war and they were in mourning … Forty-seven years later he does not like to talk about his experiences …645 words in Portuguese. Click here.

Indian Christians divided over women's dress code
15 Jun: Indian Catholic. Some colleges in a northern Indian state have banned women from wearing jeans and other western-style clothes as it could provoke sexual harassment… Father K. J. Antony, secretary of the All India National Association of Catholic Schools, said choice of dress is a matter of personal liberty. However, "at the same time, it should not be provocative," he added… 568 words. Click here.

Sebastian D'Souza recalls Mumbai chaos
15 June: BBC. Sebastian D'Souza who took the renowned picture of gunmen in Mumbai has been giving evidence at the trial of the suspect from last November's attacks… His photographs earned him praise from the World Press Photo awards in 2009. Mr Qasab, the sole surviving suspected attacker put his head down and wept… 417 words. Click here.
For a You Tube videoclip. 2m. 28s. with an interview of Sebastian D’Souza, Click here.

Portugal’s seven wonders spark controversy
16 Jun: Deccan Herald. By Devika Sequeira. An initiative in Portugal to list the 7 wonders of Portuguese origin in the world has been slammed by historians as ‘silly’, and has drawn angry reactions in many of its former colonies across the world. In Goa, the Freedom Fighters Association said Portugal had no business to claim the Basilica of Bom Jesus as a Portuguese monument… Architectural historian Paulo Varela Gomes who heads the Portuguese Fundacao Oriente in Goa said the 7 wonders initiative was a “silly spectacle” conceived in the 19th and 20th century context… 340 words. Click here.

Discussion Forum: Christian-Hindu dialogue needed?
16 Jun: Indian Catholic. Catholic Church leaders in India are carrying out meetings with Hindu leaders in an attempt to talk about religious unity and harmony in the country. Do you think there is a need for promoting understanding among the various communities in the country and the Church should take the lead on the matter? Click here.

Fashion: Spain: The exotic Asian Miss Monkey brand
17 Jun: El Correo Gallego. Since its launch in spring 2005, the Miss Monkey brand has been successfully offering to the public a product that combines quality and exclusivity, inspired by exotic cultures, says the director of the firm, Susana Gago… Every year a team of designers visit India … The Company has its own boutique in Goa… 461 words in Spanish. Click here.

Indians speak out on Australian attacks
17 Jun: BBC. The recent wave of assaults on Indian students in Melbourne and Sydney has been denounced as racism by Australia's Indian community… Here, Australian residents from South Asian backgrounds share their experiences of living in a multi-ethnic society … 1357 words. Click here.

From Shillong to Goa in 18 days
18 Jun: Gulf News (UAE). Three UAE-based thrill seekers have completed a 5,000km trek across India in an auto rickshaw. Helen Ahern, Philippa Daniels and Jeff McMahan travelled from Shillong to Goa in 18 days. Ahern said: “We arrived in Goa just in time for the final party so I think we timed our journey perfectly! … For the full article see Gulf News Friday magazine tomorrow. 228 words + photo. Click here.

The modern Indian's guide to wine
18 Jun: Mid-Day (Mumbai). Here's a straightforward guide to wine, with answers to questions like "What's the best wine to pair with Goan Fish Curry?" … 1432 words + video. Click here.

Claire Soares: Get into a real pickle
18 Jun: The Independent (UK). Claire Soares learns how to cook for the store cupboard. 1618 words + photo. Click here.
For the GVUK Claire Soares supplement click here.

Australia: TV Programme
19 Jun: 21:30 – 22:00. Discovery Travel & living Channel. Planet Food: Goa.

GOANET HIGHLIGHTS
BY Cornel DaCosta

Rajan P Parrikar draws our attention to V Raghunathan's book "Games Indians Play" (Penguin books, 2006). Raghunathan identifies 12 characteristics that he claims to be "the cannons of Indianess". Here are the first three: 1) low trustworthiness, 2) being privately smart and publicly dumb, 3) fatalistic outlook. To read the rest, please click here. There is also interesting reportage of an interview with Raghunathan - click here.

"Though the last day for village panchayats and municipal bodies to submit their suggestions on the draft Regional Plan 2021 ended June 15, the state level monitoring committee headed by the chief minister will consider alternatives to bring grassroots bodies who were unable to participate in the loop." Find out more about this. Click here.

Goan Voice (UK) readers may recall much controversy over the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) policy, 2006 for Goa and wonder what the outcome was. Well, one can read about this under the title 'Goa scraps SEZ Policy at Last' Click here.

As this week's GV(UK) emerges on June 18, "the Goan Federation of Mines Affected People (GOAMAP) will organise a special programme to celebrate Goa Revolution Day at TB Cunha Hall, Panaji, Goa. Revolution Day is significant in the history of Goa's Freedom Struggle in order to uphold civil liberties and sovereignty of the People of Goa." To read more about this from Convener Sebastian Rodrigues click here.

Finally, there has been much controversy on Goanet following an enquiry by Sapna Shahani about the Inquisition in Goa. At times, the discussion has been fairly heated among the posters but rather than examine the many claims and counter claims, I was relieved to note from Sandeep Heble, a list of books that included the Inquisition. As there have been enquiries previously about the Goa Inquisition, I hope some of the titles from Heble will be useful. To view the list, 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

ENTERTAINMENT: Supernanny. E4
Friday 19th June 21:00 to 22:05. Supernanny Jo Frost comes to the rescue of another family with child management issues. Tonight's half Indian, half English family consists of mum Caroline, dad Sunil and children Jaimin, Jasmine, Jenna and Jayan. All the children are under the age of eight, and all look like butter wouldn't melt in their mouths.

SPECIAL INTEREST: Luxury Life. CNBC
Sunday 21st June. 19:30 to 20:00. Gems of India. The Luxury Channel visits Rajasthan and hears from leading experts about what makes Jewellery from this region so sought after by Indians and westerners alike.

SPORT: Empire Of Cricket. BBC 2
Sun. 21st Jun. 22:00 to 23:00. Looks at the Indian game, from its beginnings as the sport of the English colonisers to the riches and razzmatazz of today's Indian Premier League.

FILM: The Rains of Ranchipur. BBC 2
Monday 22nd June. 01:00 to 02:40. Lana Turner stars as the man-hungry wife of a British lord who falls in love with a dedicated Indian doctor. 1955. With Richard Burton.

DOCUMENTARY: Boozed Up Brits Abroad. Bravo 2
Monday 22nd June 21:30 to 22:00. In Tallinn, locals and Brits alike congregate at the city's Nimeeta Bar. Plus, a group of Asian lads encounter some bikini-clad girls toting machine guns.

FILM: Jungle Boy. Film24
Tuesday 23rd June 09:50 to 11:30. A boy is raised by wild animals in the Indian jungle. As the boy becomes a young man, he is forced to enter civilisation, where his journey - and adventure - really begins.1996.

HEALTH: The World's Best Diet. ITV
Tuesday 23rd June. 20:00 to 21:00. Jonathan Maitland presents a two-part programme in which four overweight celebrities adopt the diets of other cultures …Cheryl Baker from Bucks Fizz heads to India.

DOCUMENTARY: Wedding SOS. Sky Real Lives
Friday 26th June 04:30 to 05:00. Bagpipes at An Indian Wedding? Emotionally charged series following no-nonsense celebrity wedding planner Jane Dayus-Hinch as she attempts to ease wedding woes.

DOCUMENTARY: Big Fat Indian Weddings. Wedding TV
Friday 26th June 20:00 to 20:30. We take a look at the Indian wedding industry, which has seen wedding costs soar as rich Indians splash out on incredibly lavish ceremonies.

FORTHCOMING

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

*SOLD OUT * Siolim Union (London) feast of St. Anthony of Padua - Saturday 20th June 2009* SOLD OUT*

Sun. 21 Jun. Goan Chaplaincy Day. Thanksgiving Mass at 1.15 pm followed by a Social Get Together. Venue: Archbishop Lanfranc School, Croydon. Live Music by Breakthru. Tickets (inc. Food & Snacks): Adults-£ 12.00. Children (7-14 yrs) -£ 6.00. Children (below 7 yrs) – Free but reserve before 18th Jun. Donations and Raffle Prises will be greatly appreciated. For further details contact: Goan Chaplaincy, St. Thomas of Canterbury School, Commonside East, Mitcham, Surrey. CR4 1YG 020 8665 2176 or goanchaplaincy@googlemail.com

Sun 28 Jun: Benaulim Association (UK) invites you to celebrate the feast of their patron saint St John the Baptist at Woodside High School Hall (formerly known as White Hart Lane School ), White Hart Lane, Wood Green, London N22. Holy Mass will commence at 12.30pm SHARP followed by dancing to the music of Maz & Co (Band and Disco). Tickets Members £8.00 Guests £10, Children 10 - 16 yrs £4 and under 10 FREE. For catering purpose only tickets will not be sold at the door so please book early to avoid disappointment For tickets and further details please contact Josephine on joferns9@gmail.com or 0208 9677471 or Mary on 0208 8039752

Sun: 5 Jul. Aldona Association celebrates the Feast of our Patron Saint Thomas at Moss Hall School, Nether St. Finchley, N3 1NR. Walking distance from West Finchley Station. Mass at 12.30 p.m. followed by social to the live music of famous band MUSTANG. Tickets £13 Non members; £11 members; £6 children 6-12 years and under 5 free. Includes Goan snacks, main meal and dessert. For tickets please phone Vanessa 020 8800 5413, Oliver 020 8965 0979, Damacian 020 83761609. The Aldona website is at: www.aldonalondon.org.uk

Sun. 19 Jul. Tivimneses Association celebrate the feast of St Christopher at St Boniface Church Mitcham Road, Tooting. Mass at 1.30 pm followed by an afternoon of celebration and dancing to Maz & Co at St Boniface Church Hall. Tickets £13 Adults and Children £5 (12 years and under) inclusive of main meal and snacks. For tickets telephone: Norma on 020 8771 4457; Roland 7485 7878; Ronald 8298 9263; Ingrid 8905 3872; Helen 8304 5585; Elu 8654 1281; Fiona 8656 3317.

Sun. 26 Jul. G.O.A. GOAN FESTIVAL in conjunction with Goan Organisations at Archbishop Lanfranc School, Mitcham Road, Croydon. Starts with Holy Mass at 12.15 pm. Contact: Herbert Fernandes 01277 651052, Alfred Rebello 020 – 8337 8022. For stall applications contact: Bernie Gracias 020 - 8723 1322.

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