'Future is more immigration,' says federal minister
Tuesday February 26 2008
By SUNIL RAO, Special to Brampton Guardian
http://www.bramptonguardian.com/printArticle/43978

Health care is fast becoming a political issue across Canada, with the earlier bid to protect the supply of people to the industry being "in complete contradiction" to what is happing on the ground today, a federal minister told journalists this week.

While emphasizing he did not want to touch off "a jurisdictional war with the provinces"-- since health care is totally a provincial issue-- Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, nonetheless hoped the provincial governments would "tell professional bodies to do the right thing".

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Rich-Poor "Digital Divide"Still Broad, Says United Nations (UNCTAD)
Wed Feb 6, 2008 2:10pm EST

LONDON (Reuters) - The digital divide between rich and poor countries is narrowing as mobile phones and Internet use become more available, but the developing world still lags far behind, a United Nations report said on Wednesday.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said mobile phone subscribers have almost tripled in developing countries over the last five years, and now make up some 58 percent of mobile subscribers worldwide.

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Literacy Skills Of Canadians Across The Ages: Fewer Low Achievers, Fewer High Achievers
Stats Canada Report

In a recent study, David Green and Craig Riddell, economists at the University of British Columbia, investigate the distribution of literacy skills in the Canadian-born population and how those skills are generated. They also investigate the nature of literacy generation in the years after individuals have left formal schooling and are in the labour market, and the relationship between literacy and income. This article summarizes the results of their study.

They find, as have other studies, that literacy increases strongly (though at a decreasing rate) with years of schooling. Parental education levels also have a strong positive impact on literacy, with the mother's education being especially important.

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Goans Explore Europe Through Portuguese Citizenship
http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=130316
Armstrong Vaz - 19 February 2008, Tuesday

BRITAIN RECENTLY announced the controversial plans to institute a 1,000-pound deposit to be paid up by sponsors when their relatives apply for visa to visit them. Add to that the controversial new points system to regulate work permits under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) will be introduced in UK at end of this month and from April 1 in India. All the changes make Sushil Shinde, a Mumbai resident a little nervous. He and his family wish to visit his relatives based in UK, while his elder son seeks to migrate to that country in search of employment.

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India Backs Down Over Overseas Citizens Of India Card Charges
Wednesday February 13 2008
By SUNIL RAO,

Staff Writer http://www.southasianfocus.ca/community/article/43167

Following accusations of gouging over Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card charges, the Indian government has finally picked a face-saving path out of the corner it had painted itself in. Effective Feb. 4, 2008, Indian missions in Canada have dropped their charges to US$275 for each OCI applicant, the same as Indian missions in the United States charge applicants there.

The fees had hitherto been C$421, with no option of paying in U.S. dollars.

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Certified Public Accountant Financial Executives Foresee Continuing Decline in the U.S. Economy; Outlook Dims for Finance, Real Estate, Retail Businesses
Wed Feb 20 2008
http://newswire.ascribe.org/

NEW YORK, Feb. 20 (Ascribe Newswire) -- Expectations for the U.S. economy turned sharply negative among senior-level executive CPAs as the outlook for finance, real estate and retail trade declined in the first quarter, according to the latest Business and Industry Economic Outlook Survey of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the University of North Carolina's Kenan-Flagler Business School.

For the first time since the AICPA survey began in December 2005, pessimists outnumbered optimists and did so by nearly a five-to-one margin. The economy emerged as the top issue facing lawmakers and U.S. presidential candidates. A 59 percent majority of CPA respondents said they were pessimistic or very pessimistic about the economic outlook for the U.S. over the next 12 months. Meanwhile the new survey found only 11 percent of CPAs in executive positions expressed optimism about the economy.

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Goa Welcomes Non Resident Indians of Goan Origin Eagerness On Developing Villages
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200802251521.htm 

Panaji (PTI): Goa government has rolled out a red carpet to NRGs (Non Resident Indians of Goan origin) intending to invest in developmental projects in the coastal state.

"The NRGs can finance any public welfare scheme in their villages. The state government will also chip in with their fundings," Goa NRI Commissioner Eduardo Faleiro told reporters on Monday morning. Faleiro, a former External Affairs Minister, said that the scheme 'My Village' has been carved out considering strong interests evinced by NRGs in contributing to the development of their villages.

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Spice Plantations In Goa Tourist Hotspot
Ponda (Goa), Feb 21 (ANI)

Spice plantations in Goa are giving a much needed boost to the coastal state's tourism industry. It is a well known fact that tourists get drawn to Goa because of its famed beaches. But now, the rural idyll of spice farms is also proving to be another attractive option for them.

Hidden away from the tourist hotspots, these huge spice plantations produce many of Goa's famed aromatic spices. "This will last longer in our memory than even the beaches. It is fun to see other things than just the beach," said Maria Luis, a Swiss tourist.round four to five spice plantations located in Goa's Ponda Taluka, around 40 to 50 km from Panaji, is a favourite destination for foreign tourists every year.

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Fish export to get major boost
by Ramnath P Raikar
http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=022111

Panaji, Feb 20 With the view to make the fish production in Goa market-oriented as well as improve the prospects of fish export, the state government has given a token approval for preparing a detailed project report for upgrading existing fishing jetties at Malim, Cutbona, Cortalim and Chapora.

Although the fish production in Goa has substantially increased after strict implementation of fishing ban during the spawning period, the graph of quantity of fish exported from Goa has not surged high. The proposed upgradation of four fishing jetties is expected to give a boost to the fish export. The director of fisheries, Mr S C Verenkar, told ‘The Navhind Times’, this morning that a consultant would now be appointed for preparing the said report, which would then be presented to the central government.

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Goa, commonly referred to as "God's gift to the people of India"
is about to explode on the global investment and tourism markets.
Ad in http://www.india-invest.net

It is located on the west coast of India on the shores of the Arabian sea, comprised of 3,700 sq. kms. of lush greenery, rainforests, rivers, mangroves and vast stretches of golden beaches that allure those seeking a magical piece of paradise. Goa's unique landscape is filled with old-world Portuguese architecture manifested in many a Goan villa, and also in its world famous cathedrals, churches, and stately mansions dotted around rural Goa. It's warm and sunny weather is matched only by the warmth and friendliness of its people. The clean un-polluted air and easygoing attitude of Goans makes it a much sought after tourist destination, and now, a wonderful place to invest in real-estate and stay in a private villa on your next vacation.......

Cuncolim bus stand bags national award
PANJIM, Feb 26: The KTC bus stand at Cuncolim has won the Best Recreational Design 2007 in All-India A+D spectrum awards 2007 held in New Delhi recently. The bus stand has been designed by Rahul Deshpande & Associates, a Merces-based Goan architectural and engineering firm. Two dolphins leaping out of blue waters were an inspiration to the architect who creatively used it as a metaphor in his design. [H]

Konkani Day at 'Alexyz e os Amigos'
PANJIM: Fontainhas will groove to the ethnic Konkani beat evening with a close look at the origin of the Konkani song and its melodious music. Saturday took off on a vibrant note with assorted exhibitions – Alexyz’s caricatures, exquisite coconut shell crosses crafted by Vijaydatta Lotlikar, and photographs by Thomas Vaz, Lui Godinho, Alister Miranda and Joel D’Souza – inaugurated by the chief guest Dr Luis Felipe Castro Mendes.

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MARTIR FLORIANO PUROSKAR
awarded to Daniel

PORVORIM: Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr has chosen Konknni book in Roman script ‘Koslich Malis Nastana’, written by Daniel F. De Souza, for its Konknni Martir Floriano Vaz Puroskar for the year 2007. This book consists of Daniel’s selected Konknni articles. The award consists of a memento and Rs 5,000 in cash. Daniel F. De Souza, was born in Mumbai and he did his education in Goa. He started his literary career through Gulab and later he regularly contributed to Goencho Avaz, Konkan Mail, Vavraddeacho Ixtt, The Goan Review. He has written many one act plays and secured many awards for them. He has also acted in Prince Jacob’s film ‘Padri’, He is the recipient of ‘Man of the Year 2002’ by The Goan Review. Daniel was felicitated by Francisco Sardinha during the Silver Jubilee celebration of Gulab for contributing in Gulab for several years. He actively takes part in Konknni activities in Goa. Daniel will receive the award on 28 March during the Silver Jubilee closing ceremony of Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr at Porvorim. [GoaNewsClips]

ASSAGAO MEWS
Ad in http://www.india-invest.net/AM-community.html

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Sister Alphonsa Is The First Indian Saint. Of The Roman Catholic Church
Excerpt from: http://www.weeklyblitz.net/index.php
By K. Venugopal

A saintly nun who lived in Kottayam five decades ago, is all set to become the first Indian saint of the Roman Catholic Church. Her name is Sister Alphonsa. (b 1910-d 1946) The Consistory of Cardinals will meet at the Vatican on March 1 to decide on the date of her canonization.

Gonsalo Garcia, born in Vasai near Mumbai to an Indian mother and Portuguese father in 1556, was declared a saint by the church in the 17th century. Sister Alphonsa is the first Indian saint.

Sister Alphonsa was born in Kudamalloor of Kottayam in 1910 and was a pious child. She was named Annakutty by her parents. She once fell into a pit of burning chaff and the resultant injuries disabled her for life. In fact, she was plagued by ill health throughout her short life.

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EASTER THIS YEAR.........
Easter this year is: Sunday March 23, 2008
Forwarded by o.max@transroad.co.ke

As you may know, Easter is always the 1st Sunday after the 1st full moon after the Spring Equinox (which is March 20).

This dating of Easter is based on the lunar calendar that Hebrew people used to identify Passover, which is why it moves around on our Roman calendar.

Found out a couple of things you might be interested in!

Based on the above, Easter can actually be one day earlier (March 22) but that is pretty rare. This year is the earliest Easter any of us will ever see the rest of our lives! And only the most elderly of our population have ever seen it this early (95 years old or above!). And none of us have ever, or will ever, see it a day earlier!

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The Age of American Unreason

International Herald Tribune
Susan Jacoby: Bemoaning an America that values stupidity
By Patricia Cohen
Friday, February 15, 2008

NEW YORK: A popular video on YouTube shows Kellie Pickler, the platinum blonde from "American Idol," appearing on the Fox game show "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" during celebrity week. Selected from a third-grade geography curriculum, the $25,000 question asked: "Budapest is the capital of what European country?"

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ROM Exhibit Light On Christianity
http://www.catholicregister.org/content/view/1572/852
Written by John Bentley Mays,

Westerners, especially Christians, owe an enormous debt of gratitude to Greece and Rome; but the deepest roots of our religion and culture lie in the crescent of land between Iran and the eastern Mediterranean. Agriculture was invented there. The first cities arose there, and from one of these urban civilizations, about 2,000 BC, Abraham emerged and fathered the Israelites. The Middle East was the setting of Israel’s wanderings, of the life of Jesus, of the beginnings of the church — and, a few centuries later, the rise of Islam and its sweeping conquest of the region.

 

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Machines 'to match man by 2029'
By Helen Briggs
BBC science reporter, Boston
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7248875.stm

Machines will achieve human-level artificial intelligence by 2029, a leading US inventor has predicted.

Humanity is on the brink of advances that will see tiny robots implanted in people's brains to make them more intelligent said engineer Ray Kurzweil.

He said machines and humans would eventually merge through devices implanted in the body to boost intelligence and health.

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+Lawrence D'Souza

Lawrence D'Souza (Mississauga, Canada, Ex-Tanzania & Navelim, Goa) passed away peacefully on Saturday March 1st in Goa,India after a massive heart attack, at the age of 89.

May his soul rest in peace.

He is survived by his wife Emilia D'Souza and his children/grandchildren. Sally Gonsalves & her husband Tony Gonsalves and their children Mark and Charmaine. Leo D'Souza & his wife Irene D'Souza and their children Alyssa & Lionel. Casey D'Souza & his wife Olivia D'Souza and their children Melissa & Andrea. Joe D'Souza & his wife Sarah D'Souza and their children Adam, Eric & Shawn. All of the family members are leaving for Goa, and will only return in about 3 - 4 weeks.

Condolence messages can be sent by email to: irene3561@rogers.com

Death - Lira Rodrigues, U.K.

23 Feb: Bromley: Kent, UK. LIRA RODRIGUES (ex Nairobi). Beloved wife of Sydney Rodrigues, (widow of Victor Rodrigues). Much loved mother of Moyna/Simon, Vicky/Fidelis, Michelle/Gary & Kevin/Hasina. Dearly loved grandmother of Lauren, Aaron, Aisha & Kieran. Sister of Elsie/Hilary, Cancio/Bunny & the late Joanita/Coney.
The funeral will take place on Tuesday 12 Mar. at St Augustine's R.C Church, 88 Beckenham Hill Road, SE6 3PU Condolences to:krodrigues@btinternet.com  and/or elsiehilary@yahoo.ca

+de SOUZA, Evelyn Catherine

de SOUZA, Evelyn Catherine Peacefully on February 18th, 2008, in Mississauga at the age of 94. She was from Jabalpur, Bombay and Pilerne. Wife of late Edmund, mother of Edlyn (Vivienne), Melaney (Walter) and Yorrick (Heather); grndmother of 15 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; retired teacher and faithful servant of the Lord leaves a legacy of Prayer, Sacrifice, Selfless love and Service. A Funeral Mass held on Saturday March 1st, 2008 at Merciful Redeemer Parish, Mississauga.

+PINTO, Charles

PINTO, Charles ''Stan'' August 6, 1918 to February 15, 2008 Peacefully at Mariann Home on February 15, 2008 after a brief illness. Beloved husband of Joyce of 60 years. Loving father of Sandra (Michael) and Patricia (Nigel). Greatly loved grandfather of Nadia (Rohit), Karina (Tim), Rohana, Joshua and Tanya. Lovingly remembered by his sister-in-law, Molly and sisters Audrey, Melba, Ludy, Joan, Gloria and brothers Burvy and Austin and their families.. Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Luke's Catholic Church, , Thornhill, on Wednesday, February 20 .

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