Life Not Easy For Immigrant Entrepreneurs
Many small firms sprout, then fail. Dealing with established local companies can be a challenge for some new arrivals

JOANNE LEE-YOUNG
CanWest News Service
Monday, April 02, 2007
CREDIT: GLENN BAGLO, CANWEST NEWS SERVICE
James Jung, a former computer analyst from South Korea, imports gas masks and exports skin products from his office in Vancouver.

From his base at Admiralty Centre, a Chinese mall in Richmond, B.C., Samir Shah has seen firsthand a slew of small businesses spring to life, only to vanish quickly.

"There is substantial turnover of these businesses started by immigrants," he said in a telephone interview.

"Many only last two years at most because there is no volume of sales. ... You can't sell 20 leather jackets a year. You just can't survive on that."

There is increasing attention on skilled and professional immigrants who arrive in Canada and get stymied by the local job market. Often, they are forced to change tack and start their own businesses, only to find a whole new set of frustrations.

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Volunteers Hold Communities Together
Tuesday April 17 2007

http://www.independentfreepress.ca/printArticle/21703
Volunteers.
They are the lifeblood of caring communities like Halton Hills.

While their efforts go largely unnoticed, without volunteers the social and cultural fabric of our town would unravel, leaving many of our most vulnerable residents to suffer and many of our most cherished community events extinct.

Volunteers are the foundation of nearly every facet of community life.

This week (April 16-20) is National Volunteer Week, a chance to thank the legions of silent heroes who offer their time in exchange for the satisfaction of knowing they have in some small way touched countless lives.

Volunteers come in all shapes, sizes and abilities.

In its purest form, volunteering doesn't require a university education, endless hours of on-the-job training or even a specific skill set. All you need is a caring heart and a willingness to lend a helping hand.

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Dr. Alan Greenspan Calls for Baby Boomers to Take Action in Preparing for Retirement

NEW YORK CITY, April 24 /CNW/ - Dr. Alan Greenspan - U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman (1997-2006) - today encouraged Baby Boomers around the world to take more responsibility to prepare for their retirement. Dr. Greenspan offered his perspective as the keynote speaker at the MDRT Boomertirement(TM) Industry Summit.

"We have to recognize that what we're going through is unique in world history," said Dr. Greenspan. "Retirement is a relatively new phenomenon. As a society we've dealt with it successfully in the past few decades but we've never had such a huge group of individuals going into the system at once and then living so long in their retirement years."

Greenspan said the government will find it increasingly difficult to keep all the financial promises it has made through Social Security, Medicare and other programs in coming years. He added that the longer we collectively wait to deal with these key issues, the more difficult they will become to address.

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Global Goans Convention in Goa on January 4, 2007
The IGO of Ontario to hold a meeting on Sunday, April 29th, 2007

The IGO of Ontario will hold a meeting on Sunday, April 29th, 2007 at the Eatonville Library in Etobicoke (Burnamthorpe and East Mall) at 2.00pm to brief participants on the outcome of our delegate's presentations at the Global Goan Convention held in Goa from January 3rd to the 5th this year. Those wishing to attend should contact Al Mathias at almathias@rogers.com.

International Goan Organization of Ontario delegate Ms. Cellie Gonsalves presenting at the Global Goans Convention at Cidade de Goa on January 4, 2007. Also in the photo to Ms. Gonsalves’s left are Ms.Sujata Singh Joint Secretary Europe West Ministry of External Affairs, Ms. Vicki Treadell British Deputy High Commissioner, Dr.Wilfred D`Souza Deputy Chief Minister, Government of Goa, Mr. Eduardo Faleiro Hon. Commissioner for NRI affairs and Mr. R.R.Dash Chief Passport Officer


International Goan Organization (IGO) of Ontario, Canada President Ms. Zulema de Souza and Director Mrs. Cellie Gonsalves met with Hon. Chief Minister of Goa, Mr. Pratapsingh Rane on January 19, 2007 to present and review the report titled “IGO of Ontario Canada, Best of Both Worlds – Non Resident Goans” at the Chief Minister’s residence in Altinho, Panjim, Goa. Left to right are Mr. Tony Gonsalves, Ms. Zulema de Souza, Mr. Pratapsingh Rane, Ms. Cellie Gonsalves and Mr. Neves de Souza.

Transforming Society
From: TheStar.com - opinion

The Charter was partly the product of a ferocious desire by citizens who wanted to see their identity and rights included in a new, vibrant vision of Canada
April 16, 2007
ERROL MENDES
http://www.thestar.com/printArticle/203427

There are moments in the history of a people and a country that profoundly affect the evolution of that society in a way that changes them forever. There was such a transformation in Canada on April 17, 1982, when the Queen signed the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The Charter was a product of the aspirations of Pierre Trudeau and his followers to unify their country under a document that they hoped would produce a common citizenship, which would unite French and English and all the communities that constituted the emergence of a multicultural and global society.

Trudeau also hoped the Charter would bring Canada into the mainstream of the international human rights movement triggered by the horrors of World War II.
The Charter was also the product of a ferocious desire of those citizens who wanted to see their identity and rights not left out of this new, vibrant vision of Canada.
Thus women's groups, disability rights groups, ethnocultural groups, linguistic minorities, religious communities and other equality seeking groups fought and succeeded in having their identity and rights recognized in the Charter.

The Charter was also the product of a globally unique form of Canadian accommodation between majority rule in a parliamentary democracy and the fundamental values and rights of Canadians.
This was accomplished first by stating in the very first article that rights can be subject to reasonable limits that can demonstrably be justified in a free and democratic society.
Second, the "notwithstanding clause" of the Charter allows legislatures to override rights in extreme situations and there has, rightly, been great political restraint in the use of this safety valve.

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IBM opens Goa operations
BS Reporter / Mumbai/ Panaji April 25, 2007
http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage.php?autono=282349&leftnm=8&subLeft=0&chkFlg=

In a bid to cater the small and medium business (SMB) sectors in Goa and its neighbouring markets, IBM India has commenced its operations in the state under the brand name 'IBM Express Portfolio'.

IBM has invested in the development of products and services specifically priced and designed for the SMB marketplace. It comprises hardware, software, services, solutions and financing, and is designed to meet specific criteria for SMBs.

These offerings are delivered through a sales and marketing team of 6,000 people and a network of 90,000 business partners, organised in 243 local sales territories around the world.

"The SMB-size businesses have been relatively ignored in smaller cities throughout India. There is an untapped market here to help these businesses gain a competitive edge and catch up with their larger counterparts," says Ramesh Narasimhan, Director (GSMB), IBM India.

IBM's portfolio of clients in Goa includes Sesa Goa, Chowgule Industries, Government of Goa, Pentair Water, among others. IBM plans to work hand-in-hand with local ISVs to provide new and existing clients with additional value-added solutions that are specifically tailored to the local market

He adds, "Opening our operations in Goa is an example of IBM's continued commitment to working closely with SMBs throughout India to provide them products, solutions and value-added offerings that will give them the boost to get ahead and succeed."

HC axe falls on illegal beach beds

PANJIM: The Bombay High Court at Goa yesterday directed the state government to remove all deck beds and umbrellas illegally put up on the beaches and to submit the compliance report within a week. The Court also directed the tourism department to permit deck beds and umbrellas on beaches in such a way that it does not obstruct the movement of tourists/visitors on the beaches. [GT]

Release of "Domnic's Goa"

PANJIM, Apr 26: Abbe Faria Productions have definitely put their best foot forward by selecting a tested brand for their publishing venture. Labelled as “a nostalgic romp through a bygone era”, Domnic P F Fernandes’s first book “Domnic’s Goa”, with Frederick Noronha’s editing, Cecil Pinto’s design, Domnic Cordo’s illustrations and Foreword by Placido D’Souza, is a tempting bargain for Rs.350. Jude D'Silva, Asavari Kulkarni and Alex Fernandes too have a hand in making every side of the cover highly presentable.


Having regaled cyberspace since 2003, Domnic eventually pulls out a hard copy of his well-remembered and captivatingly narrated pen portraits of Goa that used-to-be several years ago, and many would have loved it to remain that way forever. That Goans unwittingly, or otherwise, chose to change their nesting place, for the worse, makes “Domnic’s Goa” all the more nostalgic, readable.

The story-telling multi-talented Anjuncar’s book, penned in Saudi Arabia, will be released at the Black Box of the Kala Academy in Panjim on April 27 evening. [GoaNewsClips]

Artists, Film-makers should be united: Message on Konkani Cinema Day

PANJIM, Apr 24: Konkani Cinema Day was observed today at the Menezes Braganza Hall here in the presence of numerous cinema lovers. The function was graced by Kala Academy member-secretary Dr Pandurang Phaldessai, GM-Entertainment Society of Goa Nikhil Desai, Director of Art and Culture Prasad Lolienkar and Director of Information Department Menin Pires. The four government officers explained about the various facilities which are being provided by the government through their respective department, for the speedy improvement of Konkani cinema.

Several artists and film producers were present at the function, which was preceded by the garlanding of the photograph of Al Jerry Braganza by former Santo Andre MLA Teotonio Pereira. Rich tributes were also paid to the "Father of Konkani Cinema", Al Jerry Braganza, who released the first Konkani film "Mogacho Anvddo" on this day in 1950.

Speaking to DailyGoaNews Tomazinho Cardozo, president of Dalgado Konkani Academy, the main organisers of today's function said, "On the whole, today's function I feel was successful because it gave a call to the artists and the wellwishers of Konkani cinema to be united, to be dedicated to their work and strive to produce films of a high calibre."

Devotees flock to Mapusa for Milagres feast

MAPUSA, Apr 24: Thousands of devotees thronged to the Milagres Church, Mapusa, for the annual feast yesterday. Devotees stated pouring in at the church premises from early morning, as the masses began from 5 am onwards. Offerings were made in the form of flowers, wax and candles, by people of different faiths to Our Lady of Miracles. [NT]

 TORONTO EAST GOAN SENIORS ASSOCIATION (T E G S A) - 2007 Events
 

Please mark you calendars for the following exciting events:
All events will be held at Commander Hall Arena, unless otherwise advised.

Click to download form to join TEGSA or renew membership for 2007
 

55 PLUS GOAN ASSOCIATION – West GTA

Click to Download Form to join 55PGA or renew membership for 2007

• Our Second Anniversary Dance: Saturday, June 09, 2007, @ 6.30 p.m.
  at the Renaissance Convention Centre Click for Flier.
  You can reserve your table by sending E-mail to 55PGA@goanseniors.net
   
• Summer Picnic in the Park - Sunday July 15, 2007
  East (TEGSA) meets West (55PGA) Picnic.
  Erindale Park., at Dundas and Mississauga Road.
  Picnic Coordinator: Juliet Rebello 55PGA@goanseniors.net
  Click for Flier
   
• Our Popular Christmas Dance. Once again a sit-down dinner dance at the Oasis Convention Centre. Details to follow.
  Our Monthly Socials will take place every 3rd Tuesday per month.
   
• We have a new venue for our monthly socials !!
  The Gateway Centre for New Canadians,
  3450 Wolfdale Road, Mississauga, ON L5C 2V6
  (Just south of Burnhamthorpe Rd)
  See location and directions at: http://www.gcnc.ca/index.php?page=contact
  The first event “Getting To Know You “
  will take place on April 17, 2006 @ 6.30 p.m.
  This include a “Rice & Curry” Dinner – Tickets $10.00
  Members Only – Send request for reservation to 55PGA@goanseniros.net
   
• Further Events will take place – same venue – same time May 15, 2007 & June 19, 2007.
  Details to follow.