Are Indian Visas routinely denied to ex-Pakistanis?
International Goan Organization Investigation

On Friday November 2, 2007 two directors of the International Goan Organization (IGO) of Ontario, Cellie Gonsalves and Al Mathias met the Consul-General of India (CGI), Mr. Satish C. Mehta.

Mr. Mehta was updated on the various accomplishments of the IGO including Academic Conferences, Indo-Canadian Enterprise Exchange Program, Health Services Project and the current Best of Both Worlds project. He was very impressed.

Mr. Mehta stated proudly that approximately 30,000 people participated in India Day celebrations in Toronto this year. He attended VIVA Goa having been invited by the Goan Overseas Association (GOA) Toronto this year and suggested that we leverage the huge attendance at Viva Goa by inviting Investment Companies and Realtors from Goa/India to showcase their products and services at Viva Goa.

“The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, Government of India has introduced Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children (SPDC) to study in Higher and Technical Institutions in India”, advised Mr. Mehta, “assistance on Merit basis, is provided to the children of Diaspora [Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)] for the academic year 2007-2008”. Mr. Mehta requested the IGO to publicize this program and welcomed applications.

Detailed discussion ensued on the Best of Both Worlds Project and actions taken to date to resolve the issues and problems in Goa faced by Non-resident Indians including Land & Property Disputes, Property Management, Buying, Selling, Leasing Real Estate, Estate & Taxation, Investing in India, Grievances of Non Resident Goans, an Information Center and Visa discrimination against ex-Pakistani citizens,

“The criteria to get an Indian visa for persons who presently or previously held Pakistan passports is clear and stated on our website,” declared Mr. Mehta. He advised us that there are two categories:
1. Canadian citizens with Pakistani Passports - applicants have to be referred to India to obtain clearance - there is no commitment from the Indian Consulate regarding the time required to obtain clearance and the subsequent visa.
2. Canadian citizens who have renounced their Pakistan citizenship and surrendered their Pakistani Passport - applicants require to complete an Affidavit indicating that they have renounced their Pakistan citizenship and surrendered their Pakistani Passport . In this case visas can be obtained within one month.
“Give me examples of visas being routinely denied,” stated Mr. Mehta.

In response to the Consul-General’s request, we would like to invite all those who previously held Pakistani Passports to advise us in detail of the specific problems they encountered relating to getting visas to visit India. Please include the circumstances of the problems, where, how and when they were resolved, and if resolved satisfactorily. Please provide your Name, Canadian Passport Numbers, date of application, date and receipt number for the Fee, date the notarized affidavit was submitted, date visa received or denied or still waiting for response and any other relevant details. Please provide details of your case quickly to : almathias@rogers.com  so that we can hopefully resolve/expedite issuance of Indian visas.

55PGA – Memorial Mass
The 55PGA invites you to a MEMORIAL MASS on November 30, 2007, to be celebrated at the Church of the Navitity of Our Lord ,at 7.30pm.
The address is 480 Rathburn Road, Etobicoke.
The service will be followed by light refreshments in the Church hall.

So please make the time to attend this celebration wherein, we may remember OUR DEARLY DEPARTED.

Muriel Lucas,
Hon Gen Secretary
55PGA-West GTA
muriellucas@rogers.com

Friends of St. Francis Xavier

Saturday, December 1, 2007 @ 10.00.a.m. Friends of St. Francis Xavier Celebration of Feast of St. Francis Xavier at St. Francis Xavier Church 5650 Mavis Road (Mavis & Matheson)
Procession of the relic of the Saint followed by Solemn High Mass.
Light refreshments served following Mass. All Invited

Monsignor Terence D'Souza 75th Birthday Celebration

The 75th birthday of Monsignor Terence D'Souza, Founding Pastor of St. Francis Xavier Church, is being celebrated with a sit down dinner dance.
This is being organized by the parishioners and well-wishers at the Mississauga Convention Centre, 75 Derry Rd Mississauga on November 23rd 2007
Live Band & DJ: Ramblers
Tickets: $65 per person
Tickets sales will close on Sunday, November 11th - please contact Hilary D'Souza at the Church 905 890 5290

Healing Thanksgiving Mass, Dinner Dance in aid of Families

A Healing Thanksgiving Mass, Dinner Dance with MC and DJ Music is being held on the 2nd of December, at the Claireport Place, Banquet Hall.
The price is $26 for adults and 12 dollars for kids under 11 years.
The event is being organized by a Prayer Group called
The Holy Family Intercessory Prayer Group, held at the Nuns Place at 1402 Hurontario St.

The purpose of this Event with the Mass and Dinner Dance is TO BLESS ALL FAMILIES AND MARRIAGES AND CHILDREN

For further details contact: Angela Castelino email: angelacastelino@hotmail.com

New Goan Social Group, “The Goa-Netters Association. Toronto”(GNAT) Formed
From : Francis Rodrigues (fcarodriguez@hotmail.com)

14 Goanetters met in an exciting atmosphere at the "Cuisine of India" (Yonge & Shepherd) to
formally give shape to the "Goa-Netters Assocn. Toronto" popularly known by it's acronym 'GNAT'!
gnat: two-winged fly, like the punkie (dictionary).

Yes, GNAT takes flight on both wings, though we're not 'punk' oriented, nor is our membership
restricted to cybergoans from Goanet, we welcome all types - from high-horse to crab-mentality! See...

'This Goencar loves sea-food, so when he sees this calamari dive in Athens, he hassles a waiter:

"Do you serve crabs?"

"Sit down, " says the waiter "We serve anybody!!" '

GNAT's genesis harks back to summer 2006, when 6 T.O. Goanetters (Bosco D'Mello, Ben Antao, Kevin Saldanha, Francis Rodrigues, Mervyn Lobo, Silviano Barbosa), enjoying a beer at Viva Goa, thought of getting together to do something, not merely "for Goa" (like everybody else), but "with Goa". Cute!

Historical Note
Goanet started in 1994 with 20 young Goans from around the world. The nucleus came together on Internet Relay Chat (IRC), which was popular at the time. At that time mailing lists were new, webpages were novel, and there was no blogging, wikipedia, Google or youtube. As the news of Goanet spread by word of mouth it kept growing and it's evolved into what it is today. Goanet is special in that it's much more than a mailing list and website. Goanet is an online community.
(see http://www.goanet.org/)

Goa Meeting - World Alliance of the Goan Overseas Associations

World Alliance of the Goan Overseas Associations invites all Non-Resident Goans & their guests to a Grand Dinner Dance to be held at the Famous MANDOVI RIVIERA Panjim
ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 19TH, 2008 from 6.00 pm onwards

MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW – Contact --
Antonio Mascarenhas (villa.fatima@sympatico.ca)