Immigration to Canada
Judge orders Immigration Dept. to stop rejecting applications from more than 100,000 skilled workers. See http://www.goacom.com/news/news2003/jun/msg00078.html

Ottawa gets tough on unscrupulous immigration consultants.
Immigration minister Denis Coderre, determined to crack down on unscrupulous immigration consultants in Canada and overseas. "We have to make sure that the people when they're coming here it is to fulfill their dreams, not empty their pockets to those vultures." he says

Travel Woes for Seniors going to the U.S.
Senior Vivian Macdonald says
"Now, if you're a smart cookie, you can relax.... and prepare to face U.S. Immigration. And don't be a smartass. They don't like that — and they don't give a damn if "wandering wrinklies” have to toss their bags up onto a table for inspection. They don't open the bags, you understand; they wave a little magic wand over them. They couldn't do this with the bag on the floor?". http://www.goacom.com/news/news2003/jun/msg00079.html

Konkani lessons in the GTA
By Tim de Mello
On behalf of the fourteen students, I would like to extend a very warm word of thanks to our tutor, Mr. Joao Manuel Pereira who inconvenienced his own family and went out of his way to teach us Konkani (and Konknni) the way it is spoken today. Dev borem korum tuka ani tuji famil.

And congratulations to all the fourteen students who completed the course. You all did extremely well.

The purpose of this first session of Konkani lessons was two-fold. The first, of course, was to learn amchi bhas. The second was to gauge the level of interest in the GTA on learning our native language. One our students traveled every Friday from Bowmanville to Mississauga and back (over an hour's drive each way on the Highway) to attend the two hour class.

It became obvious to us that there is quite a lot of interest in learning Konkani. Although only fourteen students took the first session, there were many more who would have liked to have taken the course but did not due to other prior commitments.

It has been decided to continue the Konkani lessons in a formally structured manner on an on-going basis. There will be two semesters a year. Each semester would consist of ten lessons over ten weeks. Lessons would be on Friday evenings and will continue to be held at St. Matthew's School in Mississauga.

The first semester is planned to start on September 12, 2003 The second semester is planned to start on January 9, 2004 The students in each class will be divided into three sections (or as required) - Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. At the completion of the
two semesters, in any one category, the student will be awarded a Certificate of Completion.

All those interested in registering for the semester starting September 12 should send an e-mail to timdemello3@hotmail.com. This e-mail has been set up specially for this purpose.

It is estimated that the cost of each lesson will be $5.00. (i.e $50 per semester). This is used to remunerate the teacher, teaching materials and cover costs of reproduction, handouts and other incidental expenses. Surplus funds (if any) will either be returned to the students or donated to a charity of the students' choice.

And, Oh! Yes!
VIVA GOA!!!

Americans Sing in Konkani
Judy Luis-Watson writes on Goanet ...
Excerpts
" For the first time, on June 8, 2003 in Maryland, USA, BluesWorks and friends presented "Songs of Change and Promise," a new cross-cultural concert that I produced in part with a small artist's grant from Prince George's Arts Council............. This was the first time I'd performed a song in Konkani and it felt good to claim this piece of my heritage. Paul and I did a call and response with ghe ghe ghe saiba..maka naka go. The Goans in the room were tickled and it was nice to see them look so happy. "
See article full at: http://www.goacom.com/news/news2003/jun/msg00077.html