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.

"Some of our expatriates are keen to participate in the development of their villages and towns in Goa," Faleiro said conceding that the state government has no exact record of NRGs across the world. The scheme, which aims at augmenting the village level infrastructure, expects the fundings to come in for schools, libraries, gymnasiums, playgrounds, hospital equipments, shelters for the old and handicapped and other projects.

The maintenance and upkeep of such assets would be ensured by a government organisation such as the local panchayat or a non-government organization, the NRI Commissioner said.

The high level committee headed by Faleiro will clear the projects and work will start only after NRG advances 50 per cent of the project cost. The balance will be borne by the state government from the budget of the Commissionerate up to a ceiling of Rs 10 lakh.

A signboard carrying the name of concerned NRG and his contribution will be permanently and prominently displayed at the site, Faleiro said.

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.

"It is a very educational trip. The fact is that you are allowed to purchase spices at prices that are far cheaper than what is available in England," said Dona, a British tourist. Apart from a variety of trees like custard apple, banana, citrus fruits and pineapples, tourists also enjoy bathing in lakes and streams after reaching and entering them on elephant backs.

They also entertain themselves by watching cuckoos, owls, hornbills and parrots by the lakeside.

Having a traditional Goan meal served on crisp banana leaves and consuming a Goan drink made from cashew apple leaves tourists quite delighted. Many tourists are so fascinated by the plantations during their first visit that they keep coming here every year.

"We have lots of repeaters. Some visitors visit this plantation every year. We started this in 1994. Nearly 10-15 per cent are repeaters who visit this plantation every year," said Sandeep Satarkar, the owner of a pice plantation.

Black pepper, cardamom, nutmeg, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, chillies, coriander and betel nut are the popular spices grown. Tropical fruits like star fruit, custard apples, papaya, bananas, pineapples and the citrus are also grown along the Western Ghats of Goa.

Most of the spices have curative properties, and form the backbone of traditional Indian medicine and cuisine too. By Rajiv Tengse (ANI)

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.

“The central government will provide 50 per cent funds for the upgradation of the four fishing jetties, while the rest of the amount will be provided by the state government,” Mr Verenkar informed. The upgradation includes setting up of air-conditioned storage houses for fish produce, besides new ramps, approach roads, net mending sheds, drinking water supply, illumination, HSD pumps, etc.

Meanwhile, the department of fisheries has recorded fish production of 91,185 tonne from January to December, during 2007, approximately valued at Rs 37,019.26 lakh, as compared to 1,03,091 tonne, during the year 2005-2006. The fish haul was mainly achieved at six fishing jetties around the state namely Talpona, Malim, Chapora, Cutbona, Betul and Khariwada, Vasco.

The major species of fish available along the Goan coastline are mackerals, oil sardines, other sardines, big/ medium/ small prawns, seer fish, sharks, catfish, scieanoids, soles, silver bar, pomfrets, sepia, pearches, crabs and cuttlefish among others. Goa has an approximate coastline length of 104 km, with continental shelf measuring 10,000 sq km. The state has 34 fish landing centres and 39 fishing villages.

As regards the fish exports, Goa registered an export of 12,332 tonne valued at Rs 66.66 crore between January and October 2007, while fish export to the tune of 11,001 tonne had realised a foreign exchange worth Rs 61.78 crore, during 2005-2006. Goa primarily exports fish to countries like China, Hong Kong, European Union Nations, and South-East Asian nations like Taiwan, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

Presently, Thailand imports maximum fish from Goa, while China is in the second position, closely followed by Taiwan. The department of fisheries has also conducted short-term training courses in brackish/ fresh water fish farming for Goan fish farmers. During the year 2005-2006, altogether 98 fish farmers underwent such training. In addition, fresh water fish seed production of fish like Rohu, Katla and Mrigal is being carried out at Anjunem irrigation dam for supply of seed to the integrated fish farmers.

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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.

Day two, appropriately titled “Konkani Day”, at the unique festival “Alexyz e os Amigos” will take off with Former Speaker and tiatr celebrity Tomazinho Cardozo delving into the roots of Konkani song. Along with Irene, Bonaventure D’Pietro and Rabin Pietro, he will demonstrate how it all began centuries ago and eventually developed in the course of time into the curious Indo-Western mix that he hear today.

While Emiliano da Cruz and his ensemble regaled the guests on the inaugural day, today’s second session will resound with the popular songs and music of famed Goan singer and stage artist Late Alfred Rose, who had the unique privilege of being the first Indian singer to sing in English on the then highly popular Radio Ceylon. Alfie has left behind a rich legacy of Konkani music and song, a representative section of which will be presented by Bonaventure and Rabin. Alfie’s wife, Rita Rose, has specially come down to Goa to participate in the festival. She will vocalise a few of those evergreen Konkani hits in her velvety voice.

Every day the festival takes on a new hue, with interesting presentations Alexyz’s friends from diverse fields. Of course, the various exhibitions will be on view along with the stalls of Goa books, sweets and music/film materials.

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]

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• 10 minutes from Chapora and Vagator Beaches.

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• 10 minutes from Mapusa, its banks and market.