Newsline Canada
 

Ontario Goans Take Part In Celebrating The 60th Anniversary Of India’s Independence

Message from G.O.A.

The Goan Overseas Association Invites all its members, family and friends to join in celebrating the 60th Anniversary of India’s Independence on August 19, 2007.

The Goan Overseas Association is pleased to join Panorama India, who with the support of the Consulate General of India, is celebrating the 60th Anniversary of India's Independence day at Yonge-Dundas Square, Toronto on Sunday, August 19th 2007. Panorama India was established in 1999, as a non-profit organization, which provides a platform for all Indian cultural associations to showcase their art and culture, in addition to other objectives.

The festivities on August 19, 2007, begin with a 2 KM parade through the streets of downtown Toronto, and will culminate in a day long festival of music, dance, food and fun. Various Indo-Canadian cultural associations and groups, representing various states, regions, and parts of India, are participating in this India @ 60 celebration.

Date: Sunday, August 19, 2007
Time: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Where: Yonge Dundas Square, Toronto

http://www.goatoronto.com/announcements/india-day-celebrations-august-19th.html

While marching with the group please where khaki or white trousers or skirts, blue or yellow shirts and/or either blue or yellow hats

Australian Education Beckons Goan Youth
By Armstrong Vaz, Qatar
Armstrong Vaz works as a sub-editor for the Peninsula largest circulated English daily in Doha Qatar

VIEC* opens Australian doors for Goan students
Excerpts from http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=broadcast&broadcastid=50167


                                                Seminar held in Goa by VIEC

Doha August 12: If ten years back Aston Pereira was given the option of migrating between the US and Australia, he says he would have gone the US way. But in the current scenario, the south Goa resident has preferred Australia over the US to complete his further studies and with further plans to settle down under.

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Teachers Bring Message to Liberals on Closing The Funding Gap: "Let's Get It Done!"
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/August2007/13/c6487.html?view=print

TORONTO, Aug. 13 /CNW/ - With the provincial election and the next round of bargaining on the horizon, the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO) will face some daunting challenges, outgoing ETFO President Emily Noble said today. Foremost of these challenges is the $711 gap in funding between an elementary and secondary student, she said.

Noble was speaking to the more than 500 delegates attending the opening session of ETFO's annual meeting in Toronto today. The funding gap "defies explanation and devalues the work you and I do and ignores the needs of our students," Noble charged. Noble reminded meeting delegates that over the past nine years during which she served on the ETFO Executive, the federation has always prevailed when faced by seemingly overwhelming challenges. "When confronted with a challenge, our attitude has always been Let's get it done," she said. "We have yet to see if Education Minister Kathleen Wynne is prepared to work with us to eliminate the $711 gap in funding," she added. "My advice to her, of course, would be Let's get it done."

The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario represents more than 70,000 public elementary school teachers and education workers across Ontario and is the largest teacher federation in Canada.

Money Isn't Everything: Attitudes Of Young Workforce Changing 
Survey indicates high pay is less important to today's recent graduates http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/August2007/14/c6525.html?view=print
 

TORONTO, Aug. 14 /CNW/ - When launching their careers, only 16 per cent of today's under-30 workforce believe salary is the most important factor in a job. This is down significantly from the 25 per cent of workers over 40 who say salary was their primary consideration when they started out. This shift in values is revealed in a new national career survey conducted by Decima Research for RSM Richter, one of Canada's largest independent accounting, business advisory and consulting firms. The survey directly compares the career priorities of the under-30 and over-40 age populations.

Carried out between July 20 and July 29, 2007, Canadians under 30 and over 40 were asked to rank the most important things a company could offer for them to consider an employment opportunity. "Money can't buy you happiness, and these days it can't buy young talent either," said Lisa Fusina, Human Resources Manager, RSM Richter - Toronto/Calgary. "Because money is less of a motivator for young professionals than ever before, we find smart businesses paying more attention to career and professional development issues to attract this new generation of workers."

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Hellenic Community Celebrates Construction Of Affordable Housing For Seniors
(What about the Goan Community ?)

HAMILTON, ON, Aug. 13 /CNW/ - Canada's New Government, the Government of Ontario and the City of Hamilton held a ceremony today to celebrate the construction of the Hellenic Community Seniors' Residence, an affordable housing project that will provide rental units for lower-income seniors under the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program.

Gary Goodyear, Member of Parliament for Cambridge, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development; Judy Marsales, Member of Provincial Parliament for Hamilton West, on behalf of the Honourable John Gerretsen, Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; and Mayor Fred Eisenberger attended today's ceremony. "Canada's New Government is committed to providing real housing solutions for seniors, so that they can continue to live in their communities and be close to family and friends," said MP Goodyear. "Seniors in Hamilton will soon have more access to quality, affordable housing to meet their specific needs."

"The McGuinty government is committed to helping Ontario seniors - the people who built our communities," said MPP Marsales. "That's why we are proud to partner with the different levels of government and community organizations to create affordable housing that will allow seniors to live with dignity and independence."

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Expat Blues Fuel Suicide Rate
http://archive.gulfnews.com/region/Bahrain/10145589.html

By Habib Toumi, Bureau Chief
Manama: Ekanayaka Gnanawathie walked towards the airport gate, trying to hold back tears and clinging to the dignity she had fought for months to keep.

She was painfully torn between the elation of being reunited with her daughter within hours and the bitter disappointment of reaching home without any of the money she had dreamed of making in a Gulf country.
The world of rosy dreams and wonderful expectations that she conjured up in the remote village of Maho in her native Sri Lanka before coming to Bahrain were shattered by the excruciating physical and emotional abuse she had to endure for about 10 months.
The 34-year-old Sri Lankan domestic worker twice ran away from her sponsors. But both times, the people whom she hoped would help, took her back to the house that inexorably turned into a prison.
When she was eventually rescued and offered a shelter at the Migrant Workers Protection Society (MWPS), she spoke openly of the torture. She was often slapped, kicked, dragged by the hair and pushed against the wall. She was often left without anything to eat and had to share scraps of food thrown to a pet cat.
Now, at least Ekanayaka is going home, hoping to resume her life with her 13-year-old daughter.
Frustration
Hundreds of other expatriate workers return in cold coffins to grieving families in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

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Commentary
 

News Clips from Goa
 

Governor, CM greet people on Independence Day Dated 2007-08-16 Governor S C Jamir and Chief Minister Digambar Kamat have extended warm greetings to the people of Goa on the occasion of India’s 61st Independence Day on August 15. Delivering their I-Day messages on AIR and Doordarshan, Governor S C Jamir said August 15, 1947 is an epoch – making date in the chequered history of our great country, for it was on this day that our nation, armed with the most powerful weapons of non-violence and truth, achieved freedom from the yoke of colonial rule, due to selfless struggle and supreme sacrifices made by great national leaders and spirited freedom fighters under the inspiring leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation. Chief Minister Digambar Kamat recalled the supreme sacrifices of the freedom fighters and great leaders who laid down their precious lives for India’s independence. India is a democratic country which boost of its unity in diversity. People of different caste, creed and religions live here in peace and unity from ancient period. The world has also widely acclaimed the democracy of India, he added.

Celebrating 60 years of Independence Today, we are celebrating 60 years of our Independence. In fact, this is a great day in our nation's life. A day that symbolises freedom from all types of clutches, be they political, social or economic. Mahatma Gandhi's concept of freedom was still deeper and wider because the vision he had during the struggle for freedom was all round growth of the society, irrespective of caste, creed and religion. [Tomazinho Cardozo, GT]

A blessed time for Lankan pilgrims at Sancoale SANCOALE: "Blessed Joseph Vaz was fired by the word of the Lord and with this burning spiritual fire within him he went about preaching God's word to the faithful in all humility, in the distant land of Sri Lanka," said Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao in his touching homily at the special Eucharistic celebration held for the visiting pilgrims from Sri Lanka at the Sanctuary of Blessed Joseph Vaz, at Sancoale, on August 14 morning. [Daniel F de Souza, GT]

Fr Tony Lopes re-elected PORVORIM, Aug 14: Fr Tony Lopes (51) was on Tuesday re-elected as Superior-General of the Society of the Missionaries of St Francis Xavier, commonly known as the Pilar Fathers. A native of Chinchinim, Fr Lopes was re-elected for the second five-year term through a secret ballot by 34 Capitulars, the delegates who represented 300 priests and 200 seminarians of the society. [H]

Tiatr to be stage in USA ASSAGAO, Aug 15: "Dev Podvedar", a tiatr penned and directed by Rons will be staged in the United States on August 25. Probably, the first performance of a Konkani tiatr in America, "Dev Podvedar; Kanni Eka Dotorachi" will be staged at St Thomas Aquinas Hall, Houston, Texas, at 7.00 pm. It has an impressively large cast of Goan actors with music to be provided by Joseph Telles (drums), Seby Lucas (keyboards), Tony Rodrigues (Rythms), Adrian Fernandes (lead), Johnson Fernandes (bass) and Freddy (Violin). [GoaNewsClips]

Japan to give Rs 1,345 cr for projects in Maharashtra & Goa New Delhi, Aug 13: India and Japan today exchanged notes for Rs 1,345 crore worth projects to be set up in Maharashtra and Goa with the Japanese loan under Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme for 2007. The Japanese ODA for Goa Water Supply & Sewerage Project is being made available at 1.3 per cent interest rate, while for Maharashtra Transmission System Project, the intrest rate is 0.75 per cent, an official statement said this evening. Finance Ministry's Joint Secretary (bilateral cooperation) Sanjay Krishna and Japanese Ambassador to India Yasukuni Enoki today exchanged notes on the loan package being made available under a double track mechanism in two batches. Repayment of loan for the Goa project is 30 years, including a grace period of ten years, and for the Maharashtra project is 15 years, including a grace period of five years. Last year, Japan provided an ODA package of about Rs 6,916. The total assistance provided by Japan since 1958 when bilateral evelopment cooperation began between the two nations, is estimated about Rs 93967 crore. Presently, 54 projects are being implemented in India with Japanese loan assistance of about Rs 28,527 crore, the statement added.

Social Life in Early Goa From 1510 to 1543 Goa was confined to the islands of Tisvadi, Chorao (Choddne), Divar, Vanusim and Zuve. The island of Tisvadi was the major centre of activities. It was a small but beautiful and fertile island covered with green orchards and palmgroves. The natural scenery of the island was so attractive that the people of the surrounding regions eagerly said, "let us go and have a holiday in the pleasant shades of Goa and taste its fine betel"... The rivers Mandovi and Zuari provided a natural protection to the island. The rivers were occupied by the natural defenders - the crocodiles whom the Europeans called "the dragons, in truth... a horrible beast which bears a special enmity to man and swallows him at one gulp". [From the book "society in Goa" by SR Phal]

Remo Refuses Award To Protest 'Loot' Of Goa By Politicians http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/009200708171520.htm Panaji, Aug. 17 (PTI): Acclaimed musician Remo Fernandes has refused to accept an award from the Goa government to protest against what he called the "loot" of the state by its ministers, opposition leaders and politicians. The honour, instituted by the art and culture department under a scheme to recognise recipients of national and international awards, was scheduled to be presented to Remo tomorrow. The singer was awarded the Padma Shri in January. "I refuse this state award or reward as a sign of protest against the government of Goa as well as the opposition, both full of ministers and politicians involved in large-scale attempted rape and sale of Goa through the infamous Regional Plan 2011, either actively or through their inaction," he said in an open letter to the art and culture department. Remo said his decision was also aimed at protesting the blatant corruption and communalism in the government and opposition as well as their failure to curb and control garbage and plastic, traffic chaos, excessive immigration and construction, destruction of Goan nature and beauty. He also criticised the politicians for "their continued failure to provide us our two most basic needs and rights: good quality health and education". Fernandes, however, thanked the state government and Chief Minister Digamber Kamat, who proposed and approved his name for the award which comprises a memento, a citation, a shawl and Rs 50,000 in cash.

 Obituary
 

VAS, Baylon – Called to the Lord on Thursday, August 16, 2007 at the age of 68. Beloved husband of Wanda. Loving father of Jonathan (Lisa Lynn), Caroline (Brett Ross) and Brendan (Stacey). Proud ''Grandpa'' of Mya, Dylan, Kloe and Cheyenne. Dear brother of Blasia (Terence Pereira) and Mario (Julinda). Brother- in-law to Winnie (late Sukhi) and Walter (Sandra). Lovingly missed by his nieces and nephews. Formerly of Dar es Salaam, studied at St. Josephs and worked at Metal Box. Family and Friends will be received at the Neweduk Funeral Home, Mississauga, 1981 Dundas St. W., from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Sunday, August 19th, 2007. Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Rosary Parish, 139 Martin Street, Milton on Monday, August 20, at 11 a.m. Interment at Evergreen Cemetery, 190 Ontario Street South, Milton. Neweduk Funeral Home 905-828-8000. (From Toronto Star)

Edwin Saldanha... From Saligao Net <saligaonet@goacom.org> http://saligao.goa-india.org Edwin Saldanha husband late Phyllis Saldanha, father of Yvette/Dinesh D'Souza (Canada), Kevin/Lisette Saldanha (Canada), Patricia (Patsy)/Frederick(Freddy) Nazareth (Canada), Jennifer(Jenny)/Mark Fernandes (USA), Daphne/Deryck Desouza (Canada); Brother of Rev. Father Ernest Saldanha (Don Bosco's Panaji), late Freddy/Alda Saldanha, Lira/John D'Cruz, Bertha/lateVictor, Anna. Grandfather of Andrew, Alex, Emmy, Cathy, Daniel, Jessica and Ian. Brother in law of late Eugene/Helen D'cruz, Emily/late Crescencio Coelho, Cissy/Alfie Cordiero, Cleo D'cruz. Uncle of Gregory, Hubert, Roland; Charlie, Doreen, Rev. Fr. Dominic, Magaret, Francis, Carolyn; Dean, Kirk, Quentin, Kenneth, Christopher, Tina, Elaine; Karen and Jason? He was born in Entebbe, Uganda on April 29, 1918 and passed away on August 9th 2007 at JMJ, Porvorim, Goa. Click for article on Mr. Saldanha by Fred Noronha .........PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST... AS A WINE-MAKER

Death: Colette D'Sa 1 Aug: Wimbledon, UK. CLAUDINA (COLETTE) D'SA (aged 95; born in Goa & lived for 30 years in Nairobi). Passed away peacefully at Kingston Hospital, Surrey. Wife of late Napoleon. Mother of Eddie (Wimbledon), Hector (Australia), late Alfred & late Cynthia. She had 8 grand children and 4 great grandchildren. Funeral mass held at St Winefride's Church, Wimbledon SW19 1EP on Fri, 10 August at 10 am. Messages of condolence to gdigest@btinternet.com

Death: Rose Correa (ex-Nairobi) 26 Jul: Cunchelim, Goa. ROSE CORREA (Nairobi 1937-86 [Court of Appeal & High Court 1960-86]; Goa 1986-2007). Wife of the late Evarist. Mother of Rayner/Barbara (U.K.) and Marcia/John (Italy). Grandmother of Vanessa, Deidre, Jeffrey and Derek. Condolences to Marcia Do Rosario, Via Cassia 595, Pal. E. Int.15, Rome 00189, Italy. [Info from Antoinette De Souza via Goan Welfare Society, Nairobi].

People Places and Things

Announcements
 

International Goan Organization of Ontario (IGO)
Information Session - Investing in Goa
Message from Al Mathias almathias@rogers.com 

INVESTING IN GOA - International Goan Organization of Ontario (IGO) Information Session on Sunday, August 26th, 2007 at the Eatonville Library, 430 Burnhamthorpe Road, Etobicoke from 2.00 pm to 4.00PM. Here you are, thousands of miles away from Goa, and there are a host of real estate/property management/ investment issues on your mind....Are these some of them?

..."Now that I finally have that property in Panjim, what do I do if my tenant leaves? How can I stay on top of rent collection and other property management issues?"  ..."Oh! yes! What about Mum and Dad's place in Candolim?...They are getting on in years and who is going to ensure the property taxes/electricity bills are paid on time?"

..."What on earth am I to do about getting back my house in Anjuna from Cousin Pedro? Just because I am here in Toronto doesn't mean he can try and sell it under a forged Power of Attorney!
 ..."If that is not enough, what about all the hassles Cousin Anton is having with that huge property he inherited in Margao? "

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The United Senior Citizens Of Ontario Inc. Holds 49th Annual Convention

TORONTO, Aug. 13 /CNW/ - The United Senior Citizens of Ontario Inc., (U.S.C.O.) is holding its 49th annual convention at the Best Western Inn & Conference Centre, 930 Burnham St., Cobourg Ontario on August 27, 28, and 29, 2007 with approximately 200 delegates in attendance.

Representing some 300,000 seniors across the province, the U.S.C.O. is dedicated to promoting the quality of life of older adults through educating, counselling and advising seniors, service providers, and policy makers about issues of importance to seniors.

The delegates discuss resolutions that have been submitted by many of our 900 clubs. These resolutions will be debated and voted on. Those passed will be forwarded in a brief to the various government ministries involved.

There will be speakers representing provincial and local government as well as presentations on other timely topics of interest to seniors. This year the U.S.C.O. convention is dedicated to Preparedness and we are pleased to welcome our key-note speaker, Reverend Tim Hayward who will deliver his message on Tuesday August 28 at the banquet.

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Health & Wellness Fair – Jointly hosted by the Goan Overseas Association and 55 Plus Goan Association in Etobicoke – Toronto West

We are pleased to inform you that a Health & Wellness Fair has been arranged jointly by our 55 PGA and the GOA at the St. Clement Church Hall (Bloor St. at Markland Dr. in Etobicoke W.) on Sunday, October 21, between 2:00 to 6:00 PM. This fine idea had been considered separately in the past by both the GOA and the 55 PGA and it is exciting that it will be taking place soon as a jointly hosted function. This is a fine opportunity for our members to take advantage of, since it will be a value-packed event.

The Program consists of key topics of interest to our members such as High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, Osteoporosis & Prostate, Colon and Breast Cancer. Leading physicians will present the latest medical information and answer your questions. Another key topic is Lifestyle Adjustments for the Goan Community presented by a hospital-based Dietician. A nutritious Refreshment Break has also been planned. Attendees will be able to have their free Health Risk Profile from Medical Experts during the event. Some useful health literature will also be available that addresses your needs.

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Message to Ontario Goans !
Election and Referendum Day is October 10, 2007
Don’t Let Others Speak for You

A referendum on electoral reform will take place with the Ontario general election on October 10, 2007.
• Visit www.elections.on.ca  for information on elections
• Visit www.yourbigdecision.ca
• Or Call 1.888.668.86.83

Are You on the Register?

The majority of qualified voters are already on the Permanent Register of Electors for Ontario (PREO). Voters who have recently moved, turned 18 since the last election or new Canadian citizens may not be on the Register.

You can confirm that you name is on the Permanent Register of Electors using "Am I on the register?" by entering your information online.

Events
 

55 PLUS GOAN ASSOCIATION – West GTA

Table A Combined Listing Of Our Events And Trips

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

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
 

Health & Wellness

Tree planting only part of the solution
Time for Premier to keep promise to protect Boreal Forest

TORONTO, Aug. 13 /CNW/ - Today a leading conservation group urges the Ontario government to protect the natural Boreal Forest in addition to planting trees as part of its climate change plans. "If today's announcement stops at planting trees then it would remain a good photo op. If the government is serious about staving off the worst impacts of climate change, then it will stop the degradation of one of the world's largest carbon storehouses, our Boreal Forest," says Janet Sumner Executive Director, CPAWS Wildlands League, "Good climate change plans must include forest protection as a complementary strategy to emissions reductions."

It is estimated that more than 200,000 hectares of Ontario's public forests are logged each year - an area more than three times the size of the entire City of Toronto. By removing the vast amounts of carbon stored in the trees, scientific estimates suggest that these logging and associated disturbance activities release the equivalent of 15 MT of CO2 each year.  
   
"Intact forests shield us from the worst impacts of global warming. We can't afford to lose them and to only plant trees," Ms. Sumner adds. In some cases, it may take up to 100 years, for planted trees to absorb and store the same amount of carbon as found in a natural wild forest.

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Canadians Increasingly Concerned About Distracted Driving: Poll

OTTAWA, Aug. 13 /CNW Telbec/ - A new poll by the Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) shows that Canadians are becoming increasingly concerned about distracted driving. In 2001, only 40 per cent of Canadians considered distracted driving a serious problem. Results from this new poll show this number has risen to almost 70 per cent.

"Canadians used to be much more concerned about drivers using cell phones than they were about other distractions," says Ward Vanlaar, a research associate for TIRF. "While concern about cell phone use has remained steady over the years, concern about other distractions has dramatically increased."

One reason for the increased concern may be a perceived increase in the amount of distracted driving. As compared to five years ago, 95.5 per cent of Canadians now believe there is more distracted driving on our roads. Also, recent publicity campaigns on distracted driving may have made them more sensitive to the issue.

"Some drivers eat and drink behind the wheel, others read maps, some play with the car stereo, while others spend too much time admiring the landscape around them," says Vanlaar. "Distractions like these - both inside and outside the vehicle - divert your attention from driving and elevate your risk of being in a collision."

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Western Pattern Diet Linked to Recurring Colon Cancer
By Melinda Smith
Washington
15 August 2007
http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-08-15-voa28.cfm

Worldwide statistics show that colon cancer kills more than 600,000 people every year. Now, a new study confirms that diet can play a powerful role in treatment. VOA's Melinda Smith has details.

Fifty-five year old John Coughlin looks like the picture of health. And he thought he was -- until a routine colonoscopy revealed he was in stage three of colon cancer. Stage three means that tumor cells have spread to other organs and lymph nodes near the colon. "I went through six weeks of concurrent radiation and chemotherapy. In December of that year I had major surgery to remove the lower part of my colon and that was followed by six months of weekly chemotherapy."

At least 1,000 colon cancer patients like John Coughlin were part of a study that compared their diets. All were in stage three of the disease. Researchers followed their progress to see whether the cancer came back or whether the patient died. Their findings were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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Other Countries Surpass Canada In Technological Innovation In Health Care

OTTAWA, Aug. 16 /CNW Telbec/ - Canada scores poorly in several areas of health innovation compared to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries with high performing health systems, according to a new Conference Board report, Exploring Technological Innovation in Health Systems.

"Many decision-makers inside the health system view technology as a cost and focus less on the potential benefits of technological innovation in creating high-performing health systems," said Gabriela Prada, Principal Research Associate. "Canada also does not do well in turning health research into commercial products and technologies."

The innovation environment in Canada compares unfavourably to leading countries in terms of: the number of university graduates with advanced research qualifications in the health and life sciences sectors; investment of health-related venture capital as a percentage of gross domestic product; and the speed and efficiency of its regulatory system.

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