Goan Voice, Canada : Newsletter. Issue 2005-10. May 14, 2005

Newsline Canada

ONTARIO CELEBRATES SOUTH ASIAN HERITAGE MONTH
TORONTO - South Asian Heritage Month in May is an opportunity for all Ontarians to enhance their understanding and appreciation of the rich culture, heritage and traditions of the South Asian community, said Citizenship Minister Carl DeFaria.
"Our government strongly supports South Asian Heritage Month," said DeFaria. "Ontario's diverse society contributes to the economic, social and cultural well-being of the province, and the South Asian community is a strong contributor to the strength of Ontario. I urge Ontarians to join in the many cultural and heritage events planned for this month." The minister paid tribute to MPP Raminder Gill who spearheaded the passage of the South Asian Heritage Act, 2001.
South Asians comprise more than five per cent of Ontario's population and draw upon their heritage and traditions while contributing to many aspects of culture, commerce and public service across Ontario. More than 60 per cent of Canadians of South Asian origin reside in Ontario.
A month-long celebration of Ontario's diverse South Asian community is being co-ordinated through the South Asian Heritage Foundation, the Gerrard India Bazaar Business Improvement Area and the Jyafest Arts Collective. "I urge all Ontarians to take time this month to celebrate the heritage and to learn about the legacy of south Asians in Ontario. It is a rich and important component of our province's proud history of accomplishments," said Harry Mann, chair of the South Asian Heritage Foundation. For a listing of this year's events, visit www.southasianheritagefestival.com.

Ontario and Ottawa on Friday announced an agreement in principle that will see almost $1.9 billion invested in the province's child-care system over the next five years.
CBC News
The money is part of the $5 billion Prime Minister Paul Martin promised to spend on child care during the last election campaign. The sum was also contained in February's budget, which has not yet been passed in Parliament. The pending vote on the budget could bring down the Liberal minority government, precipitating new elections, but Conservative Leader Stephen Harper has said his party would honour Liberal commitments on child care if it was elected.
Martin, Federal Social Development Minister Ken Dryden and Ontario Children and Youth Services Minister Marie Bountrogianni were at a Hamilton day care on Friday to present the $1.9-billion agreement. "Today is a day that shows why politics matter," Dryden said. The deal follows similar agreements with Saskatchewan and Manitoba last week.

Health Minister Dosanjh announces $75 million initiative to bring more internationally educated professionals into health care system
VANCOUVER - Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh today announced a $75 million federal initiative that is expected to assist more than 2,000 internationally educated health care professionals to put their skills to work in Canada's health care system.
"The whole country benefits when immigrants and internationally educated Canadians are able to make full use of their knowledge and experience," said Minister Dosanjh. "This initiative will strengthen our health system by helping to increase the supply of health care professionals, which will improve access to quality health care and reduce wait times."
The $75 million, which was included in Budget 2005, will be provided over five years. During this period, it is estimated the funding will assist in the assessment and integration into the workforce of up to 1,000 physicians, 800 nurses and 500 other regulated health care professionals. The numbers will vary, however, according to the priorities of provincial and territorial governments.

Goa-America Cardiac Center
An alliance between Goa-America Heart Foundation and an existing medical facility in Goa
Goa-America Heart Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, established to promote state-of-the-art cardiac care in Goa, along with more effective methods of health care delivery [read more...] link +http://www.gaheartfoundation.org/

Konkan fruit festival
Governor SC Jamir inaugurated the third 3-day Konkani Fruit Festival 2005 at the promenade oppose the Old GMC, Panjim, on May 6. This unique festival of fruits was been organised jointly by the Botanical Society of Goa, Directorate of Agriculture, Indian Council for Agricultural Research and Western Ghats Kokum Foundation.

Rich heritage neglected while looking at different images
The four-day conference on 'Sovereignty, Citizenship and Gender' held at the National Institute of Oceanography auditorium observed that Goans look at images that trivialise their life, culture and traditions and at popular perceptions that do not take into account the state's rich heritage or its contemporary problems. Another session on the theme how there is a constant debate on what constitutes 'Goan-ness and Goan identity' focused on issues of identity, migration and tourism, all of which are related. The effects of increased in-and-out-migration on the rights and responsibilities of various sections of women in Goa are questions that need consideration, it deduced.

Apollo Victor Hospitals to set up eye bank in Goa
Apollo Victor Hospitals, Margao, have initiated the move to set up the first eye bank and the Goa Eye Research Institute in the state. The hospital counsellors deployed in different hospitals would approach the relatives of the deceased with a request to donate the eyes of the deceased so that the blind could see the light of the day. Eyes should be removed within six hours of death. It would be then transplanted to the needy patients within 72 hours after removal. "If we get a single donor, two blind victims stand to benefit..

The prodigal daughter leaves
The return of the Congress has suffered a body blow with the quitting of the prodigal daughter, Nirmala Sawant. One of the party's last surviving icons of loyalty joined the ranks of the rebels and walked away from the party she nourished, after 38 long years. She quit in protest over the party fielding her bete noire Pandurang Madkaikar from Cumbarjua. In her resignation letter, she said, "I...resign from the primary membership of the Indian National Congress, because I cannot work for the Congress candidate from Cumbarjua constituency, who has shifted party loyalties frequently and used power and party for his personal gains."

Goa’s asthma population
Asthma specialist, Dr AL da Costa, stated that problems resulting from asthma can be completely prevented if the patient is aware of the seriousness of the disease. Dr Costa further stated that if asthma is left untreated or not treated thoroughly, it can disrupt the patient's life. "In Goa, there are over 6,000 asthma patients and thousands die every year," he added. Dr Costa revealed that out of an estimated 20 million asthma patients in India, most of them did not have adequate control over the disease and lead a compromised life.

PINTO, Wilfred Adrian John - (Veteran British Army W.W. II) Peacefully on Friday, May 13, 2005 at the Trillium Health Centre - Mississauga, in his 84th year. Beloved husband of the late Sheila. Loving father of Michael and his wife Melvi, Stephen and his wife Cecelia, Jenny (the late Ron) and Gayle. Adored grandpa of Jessica. Dear brother of Muriel, Maureen, Leslie, Phyllis, and the late Lionel and Arnold. Lovingly remembered by many nieces, nephews, and friends. Wilf was a 25 year member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 286, and long standing member of The CanOrient Seniors Association. He was debonair, charming, witty, "Mayor of the Dixie Outlet Mall", friend to all and generous to a fault. Friends may call at the Turner & Porter "Peel" Chapel, 2180 Hurontario Street, Mississauga (Hwy. 10 N. of QEW) on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Dominic's Church, 625 Atwater Ave. on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 at 11 a.m. Interment Assumption Cemetery. If desired, donations made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated.

Sunday, May 8, 2005, MARIA D'SOUZA, (Ex-Mombasa)- Passed away peacefully, at the Trillium Health Centre, Mississauga surrounded by her family. Beloved wife of Roman. Much loved mother of Travis. Loving sister of Francis D'Souza and his wife Vicki, Teresa and her husband Richard Mendis, and the late Violet and her husband Stafford Laurente. Dear aunt of Melissa, Krystal, Peter, Andrea, Marc, and Justin. Funeral Mass held at St. Francis Xavier Church, 5650 Mavis Rd. on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 Interment Assumption Cemetery.
Maria contributed in setting up the Goan Millenium Directory and will be sadly missed by Lazarus Pereira and the team who all contributed to this effort.

Pope John Paul II The Great - Please sign a petition.
From: "Doris & Oscar Demello" <dor-osc@cogeco.ca>
To: "Goans_Tanzanite" goans_tanzanite@yahoogroups.com
They stood half a million strong in St. Peter's Square and chanted "Magnus, Magnus, Magnus." Translation: "Great, Great, Great." They were calling for our dearly departed John Paul II to be named "The Great." Only two previous Popes have been given that title; Leo the Great (d. 461), and Gregory the Great (d. 604). There hasn't been another one in 1400 years. Until now!
The title "Great" is not given by the Church. It is not given by the College of Cardinals. It is given by the people, by public acclamation and popular use. It is given by you and me.
Most of us will never have the opportunity to make our wishes on this known. But now you can...
I now direct you to where your voice can be heard. Go to www.c-fam.org/cgi-bin/jpthegreat.pl and sign the petition calling for John Paul II to be universally acclaimed John Paul the Great. Your name, along with millions of others, will be delivered directly to office of our new Pope Benedict XVI. The names will also be delivered to the Vatican press corps, the press in the United States and around the world.
Let your voice be heard: "Great, Great, Great, John Paul the Great"!
Go to www.c-fam.org/cgi-bin/jpthegreat.pl and sign the petition.

Diamonds are Forever......

Maria Fraser's Helicopter ride to BHP diamond exploration camp Repulse Bay.

Hilary Rodrigues - Founder, Rodrigues Winery and Distillery
http://calgary.cbc.ca/biznet/
Kosher wine made in an unusual location
Click here to listen

St. Gabriel's to break ground on Canada's first 'green' church
TORONTO, May 10 /CNW/ - When Passionist Father Paul Cusack and his parishioners gather next Sunday for a ceremonial groundbreaking, they will commemorate more than the construction of their new church: The North York building will become Canada's first house of worship to be certified as a leader in energy and environmental design.
To Father Paul, St. Gabriel's spiritual leader, the new church, when completed in about 15 months, will not only beautify the neighbourhood, conserve energy and improve air quality, it will also serve as a living monument to what he calls "eco-theology." The growing number of lay and clerical people within the Catholic Church who follow the tenets of eco-theology believe that the cultural, economic and technological systems that make up human society must conform to the natural systems of earth, life and creation. For full text click here.

Allergies epidemic
With one in three Canadians suffering from at least one type of allergic condition, and up to 40 to 50% of children in North America, Australia and Western Europe developing some kind of allergic disease, allergies are considered by many experts to be an epidemic in developing countries. According to the Global Initiative for Asthma, Canada is ranked as the fifth highest country for prevalence of asthma among adults. A March 2005 study by the Asthma Society of Canada reveals a disturbingly low number of patients have had a substantive conversation with a healthcare professional about their asthma management. And fewer than half have been tested for allergies. For full text click here

Doctors snub stroke drug
Researchers challenge reluctance to use clot-busting medication
SHARON KIRKEY
CanWest News Service Tuesday, May 10, 2005
More than one-third of stroke patients injected with clot-busting drugs survive without significant brain damage, according to new Canadian research that backs aggressive use of medication many emergency doctors have been reluctant to use.
The nationwide study, which involved nearly 1,200 stroke patients at 60 hospitals, found the drug alteplase works better than expected and that the most feared side-effect - bleeding in the brain - occurs in fewer than five per cent of patients.
But fewer than two per cent of stroke victims received the drug over the 1999-2001 study, researchers estimate.
"My guess is that, across the country, we're probably not much better" today, said co- author Michael Hill, a stroke neurologist at the University of Calgary. Part of the problem is that 70 per cent of stroke patients don't get to the hospital in time to be eligible for a clot buster