Happy Mother’s Day to All Our Readers

Survey of Immigrants to Canada
From Stats Canada

Most new immigrants are pleased to be living here and have positive views of Canada's social and political environment. However, after four years in the country, their biggest difficulties are still finding an adequate job, and dealing with the language barrier, according to two new reports from the third wave of the Longitudinal Survey of Immigrants to Canada (LSIC).
The first report, "Immigrants' perspectives on their first four years in Canada", examines immigrants' assessments of life in Canada and the difficulties they face here.
Four years after arriving in Canada, the majority of new immigrants (84%) were positive about their decision to come here.
When asked about the single-most important reason for settling permanently in Canada, the most prevalent responses were the quality of life here (32%), the desire to be close to family and friends (20%), the future prospects for their family in Canada (18%) and the peaceful nature of the country (9%).
The report found that two-thirds of new immigrants said that life in Canada has lived up to their expectations.

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Message of Congratulations
From: "r.barreto" <goanint@yahoo.co.uk>
Posted on: goans_tanzanite@yahoogroups.com

Excerpt:

CONGRATULATIONS - Oscar Furtado , for being re-elected as the President of
GOA Toronto , he is now in his 9th Year as President.

He is also a great supporter of a broader Goan community - The Alliance of Goan Associations world wide of which he has accepted to be its chairman.

GOA Toronto celebrated its 37th Anniversary on Saturday 28th April, 2007.

The GOA Toronto news letter The Pulse -
http://www.goatoronto.com/pulse/March07.pdf
carries a message from Oscar Furtado. A very positive message.

Update on Internation Goan Organization Meeting

Message From: "Al Mathias" <almathias@rogers.com>
Report on Meeting of the IGO held on Sunday April 29, 2007

Hello All,
As you all know, in March 2006 the Government of Goa appointed Hon. Eduardo Faleiro as Commissioner for NRI Affairs in Goa, with cabinet rank. Following this appointment, the International Goan Organization of Ontario, Canada (IGO) took the initiative to invite Goans living in the Toronto area to attend workshops to identify and discuss critical issues and problems in Goa, faced by Non Resident Goans (NRGs). Approximately 70 people attended workshops in September - November 2006. The output of these meetings was presented by the IGO delegate, Mrs. Cellie Gonsalves at the Global Goans Convention on January 4, 2007. The detailed report titled "Best of Both Worlds" was reviewed with Hon. Eduardo Faleiro and the Chief Minister of Goa, Hon. Pratapsingh Rane by Mrs. Zulema de Souza, President of IGO and Mrs. Cellie Gonsalves.
 
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ASIAN HERIAGE MONTH IN CANADA
http://www.asian-heritage-month.org/Page01.html

Asian Heritage Month festivities and events take place from May 1st to the 30th, 2007.

WHAT IS ASIAN HERITAGE MONTH?
A motion to recognize May as Asian Heritage Month was moved by The Honorable Vivienne Poy and unanimously adopted by the Senate in 2001, then duly signed in 2002. This is an important initiative which acknowledges the diversity of Canadian communities.

WHY SHOULD CANADIANS CELEBRATE ASIAN HERITAGE MONTH?
The resolution at the Senate of Canada aptly explains its significance: "Be it resolved that May be recognized as Asian Heritage Month, given the important contributions of Asian Canadians to the settlement, growth and development of Canada, the diversity of the Asian Community, and its present significance to this country."

WHO IS OF ASIAN DESCENT?
The definition of "Asian" may be inclusive and broad, and applies to people who come from or whose ancestors come from: East Asia - China, Hong Kong S.A.R., Japan, Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan.
South Asia - Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka.
Central Asia - Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan.
Southeast Asia - Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam.

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The aging of our society is the single biggest issue facing Canada
- Including our Goan Community
Look at Florida to see what the future holds for us
TheStar.com - opinion –
May 06, 2007
RUDYARD GRIFFITHS
http://www.thestar.com/printArticle/210635

Want to see what the future has in store for Canada? Forget about crystal balls, soothsayers and opining pundits. The future of the country is unfolding in real-time in our favourite winter getaway destination, the state of Florida.
No, I am not predicting climate change will transform Toronto into a city of alligators, citrus groves and palm trees on the banks of Lake Ontario. What Florida today and Ontario in the not-so-distant future have in common are an aging population, a shrinking workforce and sky-high government expenditures.
One in five Floridians today is over 65 years of age. The Sunshine State currently has the fourth highest level of per capita drug sales ($10 billion last year alone) nationally and the third highest payments for Medicare benefits as a percentage of state GDP.
An aging population also means Florida has the worst old age dependency ratio of any state - e.g. the percentage of working-age taxpayers versus retirees. As a result of declining tax revenues, the state has clawed back public health-care programs and an array of social entitlements.
In 2020 - a short 13 years from now - the average age of Canada's population will be that of Florida today. In addition to more "early bird" dinner specials and neighbourhood walking groups, Canada too will confront an unprecedented rise in public expenditures and declining government revenues.

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Pioneering Tiatrist Prem Kumar Honoured

PANJIM, May 8: He was born in Chandor and christened Peter, a 'rock'. Smitten by acting, he acquired the name Prem, 'love'. Peter D'Costa alias Prem Kumar has been known for having laid a rock-steady foundation for the proper growth of the Konkani tiatr, which he loves immensely. Dalgado Konknni Akademi did well by honouring him with its third "Dalgado Puroskar 2007" at the hands of former vice-chancellor of Goa University, Dr Olivinho Gomes, at the Black Box of the Kala Academy this evening.

GRASSROOTS ARE ALIVE

The huge voter turn out of over 72 per cent for the just concluded panchayat elections is a blow for democracy. In Pernem, nearly 85 per cent of the electorate turned out to cast their votes while in Sattari taluka the figures touched the 90 per cent mark. This is incredible! It is a demonstration that the people of Goa still have faith in Panchayati Raj and see these grassroot level organisations as harbingers of change and development. The large turn out also proves a few things. Firstly, that people are more serious about their panchayats than they are about the state government. Secondly, that the people are in touch with what is happening in the panchayat and the village.Thirdly, and most importantly, that the people believe they can make a change. And fourthly, that they are not affected by the round-robin played by panchas. The large turn out is definitely and expression of confidence in the democratic system, despite its shortcomings. [Edit, GT]

In Chimbel, Mummy Is Queen Of Hearts

PANJIM: Total voters in Santa Cruz constituency: 28,643. Total voters in Chimbel: 12,000 and they vote "mummy" Victoria Fernandes' panels to power in the panchayat elections ensuring that the goodwill of Victoria prevails over the famed money power of Babush Monserrate. Even the 4,556 "ghattis" from Indiranagar slums, whose votes it is alleged can be easily bought with money, are supporting Victoria's humaneness over Monserrate's thick packets. [Preetu Nair, GT]

Most outgoing sarpanchas get re-elected in Bardez

DULER, May 7: Most of the outgoing sarpanchas in Bardez got re-elected on Sunday. Prominent amongst the outgoing sarpanchas, who hade made it back to the panchayat are Joseph Sequeira (Calangute), Nilkant Harlankar (Colvale), Victor D'Souza (Assagao), Ms Carmelina Menezes (Guirim), Agnelo D'Souza (Arpora-Nagoa) and Premanand Prabhu (Aldona). [H]

KONKNNI BASIC COURSE

PORVORIM: Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr (TSKK) will conduct the Konknni Basic Course in Devanagari script from Friday 1st June 2007 to Friday 29th June 2007 (both days inclusive) at TSKK premises at Alto Porvorim. Classes will be held from Monday to Friday from 2.30 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. TSKK will conduct this course mainly for those who wish to learn Basic Konknni. This Course uses a modern linguistic approach to teach Konknni to beginners. Though spoken Konknni will get primary stress, reading Konknni in Devanagari script will also get the importance. Hence this course is open to those who have a sufficient knowledge of Devanagari script. This would mean that the student must know either Hindi or Marathi or Sanskrit to read sufficiently well. Admissions are based on first come first served basis. For details contact TSKK during office hours 2415864, 2415857. [GoaNewsClips]

Verna resident commits suicide

VASCO, May 7: A 40-year-old woman, Guilherme Caiado, a resident of Amblore, Verna, committed suicide by consuming some PVC solution. The incident was reported on Sunday afternoon when the woman had a quarrel with her husband. [NT]

Goan Students Can Now Study Medicine In Russia
BY HERALD REPORTER
http://oheraldo.in/node/24424

PANJIM, MAY 1 - Russia's Stavropol State Medical Academy has thrown open its doors in a big way for Goan students aspiring to pursue medical studies.

The A J Trust, a Bangalore-based Educational Consultancy, which is engaged in consultancy and admissions for the SSMA is in the process of selecting between 70-90 students from Goa in a session scheduled in Panjim and Margao on May 2.
Addressing the media today, the Director of the Trust Dr A N Ameen, MD stated that the SSMA Chancellor and Vice Chancellor who visited Goa earlier this year had made a promise to provide opportunities for Goans students, which is being fulfilled for the forthcoming academic year commencing in October 2007.
The SSMA specialised in the medical faculty numbering about seven, offers courses in MBBS-MD of six years duration and a master's degree course of two years duration.
The director of the A J Trust pointed out that admissions to the course does not require entrance tests and the degrees are recognized by the Medical Council of India.
SSMA Dean Prof Z V Stoyana who is also in Goa, said that the University was ideally located for students where weather conditions are favourable. The SSMA, she said also has some of the best facilities for students and caters to all needs of Indian students particularly food and above all safety and security.
The SSMA team along with the A J Trust is conducting an enrollment session tomorrow at Hotel Mandovi in Panjim from 10 am to 1 pm and at Hotel Nanutel in Margao from 3 pm to 7 pm.

Lulu Fortes Re-creates Chris-Lorna Magic at Kalaangann
by Richie Lasrado Daijiworld.com Mangalore

Pics Praveen Tauro Kulshekar
Mangalore, May 7:

The combination of the Goan Nightingale Lorna and the late music maestro Chris Perry has cast its spell over Konkani music-lovers in Goa, Mangalore, Mumbai and the world over not only over the past years, but it will continue to do so for many years to come.

The magic was re-created in the Kalaangann amphitheatre at Shaktinagar in the city on Sunday evening by young and talented singer Lulu Fortes from Goa, joined by her husband Philip on the bass guitar and Safflo on the keyboards and vocals. It was the 65th edition of the monthly theatre ('Moinealli Manch') presented by Mandd Sobhann on the first of Sunday of every month.

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Goan For A Walk
April 29, 2007

http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/Print.aspx?Id=3432a82a-b36d-4412-bacc-c04d8fdb9182#

Goa. The moment you think of this former Portuguese colony, what comes to mind is sunny beaches, nude sun bathing, carnivals, drinking and dancing ...all night.
But that, says Savia Viegas, 49, is not really Goa. Not the real Goa, at least. "That is the tourism-driven image of the state," says Viegas. "The government cashed in on the hippie culture of the '60s and '70s to promote this feast-and-fiesta kind of image of Goa. But the people here are more melancholic, more serious, more rooted in their culture."
That which is their true culture. An agrarian one at the base, with large sprinklings of Arab, Aryan and Hindu customs, traditions and perhaps blood, too, that has been assimilated into the later Christian practices imposed on the Goans by the Portuguese.

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 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.