Goan Voice, Canada : Newsletter. Issue 2005-02. Jan 22, 2005

Newsline Canada

India takes care of its own- Crisis brings country together as never before Government quick to offer help to ailing neighbours
Toronto Star-MARTIN REGG COHN ASIA BUREAU
Jan. 17, 2005. 08:31 AM
Excerpts...
NEW DELHI - The India that Prime Minister Paul Martin will see when he touches down here tonight is a changed country.
Indeed, it hasn't been the same since the Dec. 26 tsunami.
It's not just that tidal waves tore apart much of its coastline. What's different is how the devastation has brought the country together, galvanizing national pride as never before.
Within minutes of the disaster striking, navy and air force units swung into action - not only to rescue survivors on India's devastated east coast and remote islands, but also to help other affected countries from Sri Lanka to Indonesia.
By the time foreign governments and aid groups rushed in with traditional offers of help, India was ready with an answer: Thanks, but no thanks.
Nor was India in a mood to let foreign dignitaries make a fuss about the damage. U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan was politely turned down when he requested a visit to the affected coastal state of Tamil Nadu, and Canada's Prime Minister was also discouraged from making the trip.
Long seen as a country in perpetual need - afflicted by perennial cyclones, droughts and earthquakes - India is emerging as a regional power with pretensions to global influence. The support India seeks from countries like Canada is no longer financial, but political - as New Delhi tries for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council to match its heightened regional clout. For full details click here.

A big thank you [ to all] for supporting the fundraising event
	Flora Marlow <floramarlow@yahoo.ca> I would like to thank everyone who participated in every way, to help out in the fundraising efforts for the tsunami disaster relief. There were approximately 400 people at the event on Saturday the 8th of January. We raised $ 23,176.00 in total. We gave the cheques and money to the Canadian Red Cross on January the 10th to Mrs. Ginette Archambault.
Click to Enlarge
On behalf of the Canadian Red Cross, I would like to thank everyone for all their help. Every action made for the good of our fellow man will make this world a better place. Flora Marlow President of The National Association of Canadians of Origins In India ( NACOI ) Tel: (450) 477-9949 855 Des Roses, Mascouche, Quebec J7L-2Z8

Charity Dance In Aid of The Tsunami Relief

On Saturday 05th Feb 2005. Organised by Goan Charitable Organization. For full details click here.

Dr Verenkar kidnapped and killed
Dr Shrikant Verenkar, a highly respected and prominent physician, was kidnapped by masked assailants in the bustling port town of Vasco da Gama on January 17, while he was on his routine morning walk at 6.10 am. His body was found later in the day lying under a mango tree at the Cuelim hill in Cansaulim. The motive for murder is suspected to be a case registered against Ryan Rudolph alias Rocky Fernandes (27) at the Vasco police station, in connection with the ongoing marital conflict with his wife Sarika Verenkar. On following day police traced the red Maruti van, used by the accused in the crime, while Ryan Rudolph alias Rocky Fernandes (27) was nabbed at an office at Marine Drive in Mumbai that same night. Ryan, a resident of Porvorim, is claimed to be a motocross rally participant, a recruiting agent and computer sales agent, given to a flamboyant lifestyle. For full details click here.

‘Best state of the states’
The pavilion displayed by the department of Science, Technology and Environment, Government of Goa at the 92nd session of the Indian Science Congress held at Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, from 3rd to 7th January 2005, has won the prestigious “Best State of the states” award. The State of Goa had participated in the “Pride of India” Science Expo along with other states under the theme ‘Health Technologies as the Fulcrum for Development of the Nation’. The Goa pavilion attracted a large number of enthusiasts comprising of scientists, doctors, students, teachers and the general public. This is the second consecutive year for Goa to win an award at the ISC.

Scheme for rural garbage disposal
Will the burgeoning problem of garbage blow over with the Directorate of Panchayat initiating a novel scheme called ‘Rural Garbage Disposal Scheme 05’ to address the mega issue of garbage disposal in rural areas? The scheme launched from January 21 ensures collection, transportation, segregation, professing and disposal of garbage in the panchayat areas, wherein government will bear 98 per cent of the cost during the initial three years of introduction of the scheme, while balance 2 per cent expenses will be the responsibility of the designated village panchayats. However, one has to wait and watch for the scheme’s eventual success.

Excerpt From the Toronto Star
January 11, 2005. De SOUZA, VIRGINIA MARIE (Virgie). Peacefully at McCall Centre in her 89th year. Beloved wife of the late Frank De Souza, loving mother of her daughters Margaret, Irene Gracias and husband Mark, Delphine Francis and husband Errol, Joan Francis and husband Tom. She will be greatly missed by her grandchildren Jeannine and husband Chris, Jacqueline, Karen and husband Jerome, Gavin, Dwayne and Kyle. Proud great-grandmother of Hannah. Fondly remembered by many cousins, nephews and nieces.

Commander Hall Activity
From "Anthony Saldanha" <robet@pathcom.com>
We are pleased to advise you that starting on Thursday, January 20, 2005 the Toronto East Goan Seniors Association will be holding the following activities for members, their families and friends at the Commander Park Arena, located at 140 Commander Blvd. Scarborough, south of Huntingwood just past Brimley going East, from 6 p.m. to approx. 10 p.m. Please note that TTC buses to this location only run at peak hours. However, ample parking is available at the Arena.
Since this will be our first activity meeting, the committee would like as many of you to attend so that we may get some input from you regarding the future activities to be held i.e. bridge, whist drive, truque, bingo, etc.
The program for January 20th, is as follows:
(a) 6.00 - 7.30 p.m. Bridge, Truque - We have purchased new card tables and other materials.
Also, if members need more info about bridge/truque contact Romero at 905-884-9688.
(b) 7.30- 10 p.m. Bingo and Sing-a-long
© Soft drinks, coffee and tea will be available at 50c each.
These activity meetings will be held every alternate Thursday, commencing Jan.6, 2005 until April 28, 2005"

Study Backs Meat, Colon Tumour Link
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/news/39600.html
A Hamburger a Day
Other research has shown a connection between meat and colon cancer, though some findings have been mixed. The new study, by the American Cancer Society, strongly supports a link. It looked at 150,000 Americans, who reported their meat consumption in 1982 and again a decade later. Nearly 10 years after that, in 2001, people who had said in both surveys that they ate the equivalent of a hamburger a day were 30 percent more likely to have cancer of the lower intestine than those who ate little or no meat. For full text click here
Breast Cancer Study
With breast cancer -- the most common cancer in women and the second most common cancer killer in females, after lung cancer -- several studies have said fruits and vegetables lower the risk. But some researchers say those studies are flawed, either because they are small or ask about diet after women learn they have cancer. For full text click here