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Goa News Clips
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Goan identity faces risk
of obliteration, says Archbishop
Navhind Times Staff Reporter
Panaji, Dec 28: The
Archbishop of Goa and Daman and Patriarch of the East Indies,
Rev Filipe Neri Ferrao, today said that ‘the private plans and
the pet projects of those in power’ are resulting in neglect
of genuine human development and furthermore, the ‘Goyachi
Asmitai’ or the ‘Goanness of Goa’ is exposed to the risk of
being obliterated.
Addressing a gathering of invitees during the annual civic
reception on the occasion of Christmas, at the Archbishop’s
House, the Archbishop said that the year 2006 has seen an
increasing number of revolts from ordinary grassroots people
expressing their profound disillusionment with those in power.
“Violent outbursts in the villages of Saleli and Sanvordem and
grassroots revolts in the villages of Kundaim, Chicalim,
Assagao, St Estevem and other villages, have all culminated in
the massive December 18 Save Goa campaign against the Regional
Plan 2011,” he observed, adding “These are indications of an
increasing disconnection between the aspirations of the people
and, shall I say, the private plans and the pet projects of
those in power.”
The Governor, Mr S C Jamir, the Chief Minister, Mr Pratapsingh
Rane, the Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Wilfred de Sousa and the
Archbishop Emeritus, Rev Raul Gonsalves, were among those
present on the occasion.
It appears to us that the underlying problem is the erosion of
moral and ethical values among many of those who have been
elected to the legislative assembly as representatives of the
people, the Archbishop said.
“The common cry of the Goans nowadays is that selfish-minded
politicians, in connivance with corrupt bureaucratic officials
and pliant law enforcers, are out to sell Goa to the highest
bidder,” he observed.
Speaking further, the Archbishop said, “A fact that cannot be
denied is that many of our politicians and even those who go
by the name of public servants have been exploiting the public
of Goa for their own personal or party vested interests.”
“We would want some of our leaders to know that their selfish
politics are often concerned with issues that, may be, will
get them popularity for the moment, but that, in the long run,
will actually bring Goa to ruin,” he predicted.
Questioning whether the state really need multi-crore projects
more than the safety of human life from road accidents, from
polluted drinking water, from vector diseases and from
stinking piles of garbage, the Archbishop said that the
pitiable conditions in which most of our public hospitals and
health institutions are found, especially with regard to
sanitation and hygiene, call for most urgent attention on the
part of the concerned authorities.
“The provision of these basic amenities to the generality of
our people, especially the poor and the underprivileged should
be seen as a precision thermometer of the development of our
state, much more than high profile mega-projects for the
benefit of a few,” he maintained.
“In this context,” Rev Felipe Neri Ferrao said, “it would be
pertinent to recall what Pope Benedict XVI said, in his joint
address given just two weeks ago, to six new ambassadors to
the Vatican, namely, that political commitment should be
understood as a service to persons and not as a way of
guaranteeing privileges and power to politicians.”
“He added that the leaders of civil society should learn to
listen to their people and respond to their needs,” the
Archbishop said, “My call to all of you today is the same,
please listen to the people of Goa; it will be sheer blindness
if you do not.”
As the Archbishop of Goa, I have no intention of standing here
in self-righteous judgment on our society, as if the Church is
not part of this society, he said, pointing out “We have to
admit that those who are responsible for the erosion of those
moral and ethical values that underpin the genuine human
development process in Goa are often members of the Catholic
Church.”
“As an institution, we have to recognise that, in many
aspects, we have to put our own house in order,” the
Archbishop said in retrospection, “That is why we said earlier
that the Church and, for that matter, any religious community
in our state gets unwarily affected and even infected by the
policies of the social system.”
It is only when we work together, in mutual collaboration and
solidarity, cutting across party lines and religious divides,
that the virus infecting our beloved Goan society can be
destroyed and the common good or the aspirations of our people
can be truly fostered, he observed.
“I say it again, the Church in Goa is only too willing to be
an active partner in this collaborative effort for
regeneration,” the Archbishop offered.
“On the other hand, we also have some concerns that I would
sincerely like to share with you this evening, one of them is
with regard to our state elections,” he said, adding “As
always, such elections pose a challenge to the Church to
educate and guide her members on how to exercise their vote
judiciously.”
“This is the time for the Church to make an effective
contribution towards her social mission, in the service of the
genuine development of the society in Goa,” Rev Felipe Neri
Ferrao observed, “Because the Church, as an institution, is
concerned with political issues and policies that affect all
human persons in society, without becoming herself politicised
or partisan, that is, without supporting one political party
or one economic system over the other.”
“Such decision is left to the conscience of individual
Christians,” he said, “In fact, the Church is sometimes
criticised for interfering in politics; some people, including
politicians, would prefer the Church, as a religious
institution, to occupy herself strictly with religious
affairs.”
“What we want to highlight here is that the Church, over and
above her strictly missionary and religious mandate, sees it
as her sacred duty towards humanity to help in the integral
development of the human person, that is, social, political,
economical and cultural, not to speak of the moral and
spiritual development,” the Archbishop mentioned.
It is precisely because of this that the Church has a wide
network of educational, social and health care institutions
that help promote this wholesome human and social development
in our state, he concluded. |
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Sausages In A Rosary
The Mapusa market has the best Goan spices and
spirits
http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?fodname=20070115&fname=HMapusa+(F)&sid=1
 You
don't just get Goa's famous feni and port wine here; you get
the best home-distilled cashew and coconut feni and home-made
currant, ginger and beetroot wine. You don't just get the best
cashewnuts cheaper here than anywhere else in Goa; you get
them in 10-kg tins at incredible wholesale rates. Here being
Mapusa, home every Friday to Goa's biggest fresh produce
bazaar.
Mapusa's very name means to fill (se) a measure (maap) in
Konkani. People from all over the state come to the Friday
bazaar to sell the most authentic ingredients that Goans use
in their kitchens.
Deeper into the market is the treasure trove. Women bring
thick coils of the highly spiced sausages from their homes.
The bazaar is said to date back almost five centuries. Mapusa
grew around the temple of Kanakeshwar Baba, worshipped as
Bodgeshwar or Bongini Baba. The Bodgeshwar Sansthan temple,
just south of the market, continues to be thronged by devotees
who, their prayers granted, return with traditional
thanksgiving offerings of diyas, bananas and flowers. The
Mapusa Friday bazaar began as a few stalls supplying these
offerings to pilgrims visiting the temple. Equally revered by
all Goans is the Milagres Saibini in the Church of St Jerome
that lies adjacent to the municipal market and whose
construction dates back to 1594. The Saibini, Mother Mary, is
equally revered by Goan Hindus who believe her to be an
incarnation of the mother goddess Santeri. Fridays entail both
shopping and prayer at these two shrines. |
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Goa in the New Year
Goans, for the first time, I feel, welcomed the New Year with
a commitment to save Goa from environmental degradation. They
responded to the call by Goans concerned about their state,
under the banner of Save Goa Forum, on December 18, 2006, to
fight to protect Goa and its culture from destruction till the
very end. This has created a lot of awareness among the masses
in Goa. The call will continue to echo with more intensity in
times to come if the concerned authorities do not pay any heed
to the people's feelings. And 2007 will go down in the history
of Goa as the year signifying the enlightenment of the
citizens on issues related to their political, social,
religious, environmental, economical and cultural lives. [Tomazinho
Cardozo, GT] |
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If needed, Plan will be
altered: CM to NRGs
 PANJIM:
Chief Minister Pratapsing Rane yesterday assured the
Non-Resident Goans of altering the controversial Regional Plan
2011, if needed. Speaking at the inauguration of the three-day
Global Goans Convention at Cidade de Goa Resort, Dona Paula,
Rane said that there might be some apprehensions in the minds
of the NRGs about the impact of the Regional Plan 2011
particularly in the light of the controversy.
The Chief Minister said that it was quite possible that they (NRGs)
would be interested in larger issues like protection of
environment, garbage disposal and the latest controversy over
the Regional Plan 2011. All these problems could be solved
provided there is goodwill and honesty of purpose, he said. [GT]
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Participate in
socio-economic development, Rane tells NRGs
PANJIM: CM Rane yesterday appealed to the Non-Resident Goans
to look up to the myriad opportunities to participate in the
socio-economic development of Goa. Rane hailed NRGs
contribution to the state's coffers and pointed out that of
the total bank deposits of Rs.18,338 crore in the state,
nearly Rs.4000 crore belonged to NRGs as on September 30,
2006. In fact, for every five rupees deposited with the banks
in Goa, one rupee comes from NRIs. He said the Goa government
has embarked upon building a knowledge-based society by
setting up centres of excellence.
NRI Commissioner Eduardo Faleiro expressed satisfaction to
attending delegates of the Goan community from all the
continents of the world. He said that the office of the
Commissioner for NRI has been assisting Goans in distress
abroad. Most of the cases brought to the notice were related
to persons harassed by their employers in the Gulf. Chief
Secretary JP Singh welcomed the delegates and said that the
convention will be an excellent platform for interaction
between Goans around the world to solve their problems.
Overseas Employment Agency of Goa chairman, John D'Silva, read
out messages received from the President, Prime Minister and
others. The invocation was presented by Patricia Rozario, OBE,
an eminent Goan opera singer, based in UK. DyCM Dr Wilfred de
Souza and Power Minister Digambar Kamat replied to various
questions raised by the delegates. NRI Commissioner Eduardo
Faleiro coordinated the proceedings. [GT] |
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UK Co acquires 150-acre
land in South Goa to build township
PANJIM: The Brits are coming again to india. This time to
'invade' the serene and calm Goa, armed with a massive plan to
build a township between Betul beach and Cabo de Rama Fort in
Quepem taluka.
Claremont International, which specialises in acquiring
residential properties for private investors and creating
wealth for its clients by sourcing exclusive product, both in
the UK and overseas, has advertised its "First Goa project" on
foreign shores.
They have already acquired 150-acre parcel of land right on
the coast with significant beach frontage. The total value of
the scheme is just under L.100 million. The work on the
project will begin in October 2007 and anticipated completion
of Phase One will be in December 2009.
"The location is perfect for experiencing the virtually
untouched beauty of South Goa. With no neighbouring resorts or
developments - something you can no longer find in Europe.
Fist Goa shares its boundaries only with lush vegetation,
coconut groves, a natural spring and of course the Arabian
Sea," reveals Claremont International's website
http://www.firstgoa.co.uk.
"It will be a mix of contemporary high end residential units,
a five-star plus deluxe hotel and broad range of leisure,
conference, banqueting and support facilities," the website
adds. [GT] |
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Govt
to distribute 22,600 computers to students
PANJIM: The Education Department has decided to distribute
22,600 computers, worth Rs.56 crore, to the students of
Standard XI and XII by the first week of February under
Cyberage scheme. Once this task is achieved, nearly 40 per
cent Goan homes will have a computer. [GT] |
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Goan maid missing in
England
DUBAI: British police are investigating the mystery of a Goan
maid who disappeared while on a visit to England with her
Baharaini employer. Maria Pereira, 46, has not been seen since
December 3 when she was dropped at a church. Police suspect
that Pereira might have returned to Bahrain or her native Goa.
The mother-of-three had worked for the Bahraini couple for
several years and had travelled with them to England on
various occasions. [UNI report in GT] |
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Mega management fest at
Don Bosco
ICFAI National College, Porvorim/Margao, will host a two-day
mega management fest "Colosseum 07" at the Don Bosco
Auditorium, Panjim, on January 12 and 13 from 10 am onwards.
This fest is to expose students to the field of management, to
inculcate skills and competitive talents among students. The
event will feature management games, stress interviews, quiz
competition and much more. Colleges from Goa, Karnataka and
Maharashtra will participate in this event. [GT] |
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Workshop on script
writing
PANJIM: Sahitya Akademi in collaboration with Goa Konkani
Akademi, Panjim, will organise a four-day workshop on "Script
Writing for Children's Theatre" at Ponda from January 22 to
25. The applications should reach the Goa Konkani Akademi's
office, Panjim, on or before January 10. [GT] |
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