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Late Pio Gama Pinto Is The Winner Of The Milele (Lifetime Achievement Posthumous) Award 7th February, 2007 See Biography at www.goacom.com/culture/biographies/gamapinto/index.html RE: MILELE (LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD) On behalf of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, (KNCHR), I have the pleasure of informing you that your late husband, Pio Gama Pinto is the winner of the Milele (Lifetime Achievement Posthumous) Award of the 4th Annual Human Rights and Democracy Awards. The Awards Committee would like to present this Award to you and/or your family, at a dinner in honor of awardees to be held on 17th February 2007 at the Grand Regency Hotel from 7.00PM. The late Pinto was nominated for his great contribution in the struggle for independence, and for his advocacy for rights of the poor and marginalized Mau Mau fighters who were not rewarded or recognized by the Kenyatta Government after independence. The nominators felt that Pio Gamma Pinto played a crucial role in attaining the independence of country but, being a member of minority community in Kenya, and like many other heroic Kenyans in the struggle for independence, did not receive the recognition that he deserves. Further, Pio Gamma Pinto is rarely remembered in the discourse on the struggle for independence in Kenya The Milele (Lifetime Achievement) Award is to be presented to an individual who has: • An impeccable track record of service to human rights and democracy; • Substantial experience in the service of human rights; • Led the development of contemporary and creative measures in the struggle for human rights; • Fostered positive inter group relations amongst persons of different ethnic origin, races, gender, religious backgrounds, and physical and mental abilities; • Consistently demonstrated dedication and commitment to the human rights agenda; • Mentored and taught others in human rights; and; • Published articles, books, etc on human rights; The Awards Ceremony is an annual event organised by the National Commission on Human Rights, (a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament in 2002) to recognise individuals and institutions that have made a demonstrable contribution in the protection of human rights and promotion of democratic values in Kenya. The Awardees are drawn from both the governmental and non-governmental sectors. The Awards aim at inspiring others, inculcating human rights through celebration of success and efforts, and putting a positive shine to human rights work. Last year, the National Commission issued eleven awards to persons and institutions in the public, private and voluntary sectors for their contribution to human rights and good governance. The late Fr. John Kaiser was posthumously awarded with the Milele (Lifetime Achievement) Award for dedicating his life in the pursuit of human rights and justice for the internally displaced persons, the poor and the marginalized. The Milele Award was also presented to Professor Wangari Maathai for dedicating her life to protect environmental rights, women’s rights and democracy. The former Permanent Secretary in the Department of Governance and Ethics, Mr. John Githongo was awarded the Firimbi (Whistleblower) Award for exposing corruption networks within the government thereby catalyzing the resignation of two Cabinet Ministers. Previous awardees include; the late Dr. Geoffrey Griffin, the founder of the Starehe Boys Centre presented with the Milele (Lifetime) Award 2005, for his contribution to the education of the poor through the centre, and Dedan Kimathi posthumously awarded with the Milele (Lifetime Achievement) Award 2005, for his sacrifice in the independence struggle, the first time a state institution officially recognized him since his death. Other Awards include: Umma (Public Body Award), Special Category Award, Urekebishaji (Prisons Award), Utumishi (Police) Award, Utetezi (Civil Society) Award, Mashinani (Community Based Organizations) Award, and Habari (Media) Award. The process of the Awards is transparent and accountable. Nominations from the public are tendered after an advertising campaign run by the Commission. The Nominations are selected and verified by the Annual Human Rights Awards Committee. The Committee represents various sectors and groups including government, public, private, media, NGOs, religious groups and women. The chosen nominations are then forwarded for further deliberations and ratification to an Advisory Panel composed of eminent KNCHR Commissioners appointed by the President on recommendation of Parliament. The recognition of human rights and democratisation work undertaken by Kenyans is of grave necessity that it may serve as encouragement and an example for future human rights endeavours. It is in this spirit that we invite you to participate in, and attend, the 2007 Awards Ceremony.

Program tests exercise therapy for Parkinson's disease Thursday, February 8, 2007 http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2007/02/08/parkinson-exercise.html Researchers based in southwestern Ontario are testing whether a new exercise therapy can help people with Parkinson's disease to get moving. Studies suggest that exercises such as yoga may help people with Parkinson's, but there is no scientific evidence to show which exercises work best. Prof. Quincy Almeida of Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ont., hopes to find out which exercises will help improve movement in people with Parkinson's.(CBC) Researchers based in southwestern Ontario are testing whether a new exercise therapy can help people with Parkinson's disease to get moving. Studies suggest that exercises such as yoga may help people with Parkinson's, but there is no scientific evidence to show which exercises work best. Kinesiology Prof. Quincy Almeida of Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ont., has designed a clinical trial to find out which exercise may help patients to better control their movements. In Parkinson's disease, the force behind, timing of or size of movements is impaired, which can lead to tremors on one side of the body, generalized slowness of movement, stiffness in the limbs and gait or balance problems. The experimental exercises include: • Slowly walking to a beat. • Wearing glow-in-the-dark slippers to help people concentrate on how and where their feet are positioned as they walk. • Using rubber bands to exercise. The study has expanded to include three YMCAs in Ontario. When all the data is analyzed, Almeida hopes to develop an exercise program that could be used across the country. Under the plan, anyone with Parkinson's disease could walk into the local gym to access the program.

2005 OSCAR FONSECA MERIT AWARD From: http://www.goatoronto.com/ Monday, 12 February 2007 The 2005 Oscar Fonseca Award was presented to Mr. Elliot Sales De Andrade. Elliott is in his second year in the Engineering Science program at the University of Toronto. Upon graduating from St. Michael's College School in Toronto in June 2005, he was nominated for the Oscar Fonseca award, a G.O.A. scholarship based on academic merit. In recognition of his academic achievements, Elliott received the Governor General Medal of Canada which is presented annually to the graduating student with the highest academic standing, based on Grades 11 and 12 final standings. The G.O.A. scholarship committee gave Elliott special consideration for his extra-curricular participation at St. Michael's College on various student clubs and peer tutoring, and his community involvement at his parish, Epiphany of Our Lord. He also supported one of the largest Goan events in our community, through his contribution of time and effort at the G.O.A. Viva Goa. At the University of Toronto, Elliott is involved in the BioMed iGEM team competition, which was recently held at MIT. For background of award see: http://www.goatoronto.com/education/the-oscar-fonseca-merit-award.html

Canada's New Government Releases List of Fuel-Efficient Vehicles for 2007  OTTAWA, Feb. 14 /CNW Telbec/ - Shopping for a new vehicle that saves money on fuel and also helps the environment just got easier. The Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources, today announced the release of Natural Resources Canada's 2007 Fuel Consumption Guide and the 2007 EnerGuide winners for the most fuel-efficient new vehicles sold in Canada.  "Transportation is one of the largest sources of pollution in Canada, accounting for up to two-thirds of smog-forming pollutants," said Minister Lunn. "The Fuel Consumption Guide will help Canadians choose a fuel-efficient vehicle that will reduce fuel costs and lower the impact on the environment." "I would like to congratulate the recipients of this year's EnerGuide Awards," added the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. "Providing environmentally sound vehicle options to Canadians is important, and I am pleased that industry is leading the way in sustainable transportation."  Consumers can use the 2007 Fuel Consumption Guide to compare the fuel consumption ratings and carbon dioxide emissions of passenger cars and light-duty trucks sold in Canada. The guide is available from participating new-vehicle dealerships, most motor vehicle licence agency offices, participating Credit Union offices across Canada, participating Caisses populaires et d'économie Desjardins in Quebec, and participating Canadian Automobile Association offices across Canada, or online at www.vehicles.gc.ca.  Also announced today were the most fuel-efficient vehicles for 2007. The winners in each of the ten vehicle classes are as follows:      - Two-seater car: Mazda MX-5;     - Subcompact car: Toyota Yaris;     - Compact car: Honda Civic Hybrid;     - Mid-size car: Toyota Prius;     - Full-size car: Hyundai Sonata;     - Station wagon: Honda Fit;     - Pickup truck: Ford Ranger and Mazda B2300 (co-winners);     - Special purpose vehicle: Ford Escape Hybrid;     - Minivan: Toyota Sienna;      -Large van: Chevrolet Express Cargo and GMC Savana Cargo (co-winners).       A media backgrounder with more details on the Fuel Consumption Guide and the award winners is available at www.nrcan.gc.ca/media.

Tata, Fiat To Build Trucks Jointly ibnlive.com http://www.ibnlive.com/printpage.php?id=33601&section_id=7 GOING GLOBAL: Tata Motors was exploring options to offer its products in Latin America. New Delhi: Indian auto major Tata Motors entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Fiat on Wednesday to build pick-up vehicles bearing the Italian major's nameplate. The vehicles will be manufactured in the Fiat Group's plant in Cordobo, which would have a capacity to produce 20,000 vehicles per annum. As per the agreement, $80 million will be invested in the plant in Argentina, and the first vehicle is set to roll out in 2008. According to the MOU, Tata's would give the license to Fiat for manufacturing this one-tonner pick-up model. "I am very pleased at this first step in expanding the Fiat Group and Tata relationship beyond Indian shores," as quoted by PTI, Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata said in a statement in Mumbai. Tata and Fiat had formed a joint venture last year at an investment of Rs 4,000 crore to produce cars and engines of both the brands. The joint venture would have a capacity to produce one lakh cars and two lakh engines annually. The project, which will come up in Maharasthra, is expected to employ around 3,000-4,000 people. The new Fiat pick-up vehicles will be powered by an FPT engine and positioned differently from the Tata pick-up and made available in 4x4,4x2 double and single cab. The engine would be a JTD Diesel 2.3 litre, Euro four compliant manufactured at Fiat Powertrain Technology's facility in Sete Lagoas, Brazil. Tata Motors considers Latin America as an important market and was exploring options to offer its products there and would leverage this co-operation for manufacturing and distribution.

Notable Indo-Canadians http://www.indocanadianonline.blogspot.com/ • M.G. Vassanji - novelist (of Indian descent, although born and raised in Kenya) • Rohinton Mistry - novelist • Ruby Dhalla - Liberal MP • Russell Peters - Stand-up Comedian • Sarika Sehgal- CBC Canadian broadcast journalist • Shaun Majumder - Just for Laughs, This Hour Has 22 Minutes • Shauna Singh Baldwin - novelist (Note: List missing Goan names – any suggestions e-mail info@goanvoice.ca )