Konkan FRUIT FEST

The 3-day Konkan Fruit Fest held at Campal Promenade in Panjim concluded yesterday after giving glimpses of different varieties of fruits of the Konkan region including exotic ones on display. There were 20 stalls exhibiting not only mangoes and other fruits of Konkan but also different fruit products including wine.

Intel ready to enter Goan classrooms
NT NETWORK
http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=05153

Panaji - Cost-effective Internet-centric computers, dubbed ‘netbooks’ and ‘nettops’ are all set to hit the Goan market with Intel’s smallest processor, the Intel Atom, trying to percolate this product into secondary schools in the state.

“We have spoken to the Education Department about introducing this low cost version of the laptop in schools. We have received a positive reply from them,” said Mr Rajesh Gupta, director, sales and marketing, Intel India. After its successful production in Madhya Pradesh, Uttaranchal and Karnataka, Goa is next on the map of Intel. Sold at a cost of Rs 10,000 to 12,000 these products are equipped with Intel Atom processor.

“They are useful for classroom education and with Goa going to be a WIMAX enabled state it is the right time to introduce this cost-effective laptop to the students,” said Mr Gupta. He further said, “Teachers can control the classroom PCs of all the students”.

Intel had already set itself up in the Goa e-learning process by training nearly a hundred schoolteachers. Now, with the launch of this product Intel intends to touch the heart and life of every student, he added.

Heavenly xit-kodi
The staple diet of xit-kodi is not only the crowning glory of Goa’s cuisine but also the common bond shared by Goans all over the world says Sudha S Amonkar
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Client.asp

STAPLE AND SAVOURY: Boiled rice, fish curry, sol kadi, bhaji, kismur, pickle, papad, tisreo... and a host of fried fish to choose from, makes the xit-kodi a delight for Goans and visitors alike

I received a phone call from a friend visiting Goa, who asked a most unexpected question to which I hesitated whilst answering. “What is xit-kodi”? I was silent for a few seconds simply because I was reluctant to give my Bangalore friend a literal translation.
We all know and I am sure my fellow Goans will agree that xit-kodi is not just fish curry and rice. Xit-kodi is a symbol and an integral part of Goan life. Goa has a unique culture where east and west co-exist harmoniously. This sets it apart from any other region in India. The rich and diverse Goan culture is reflected in its cuisine, which is a rich blend of flavours and truly world class.

The main flavouring agents or ingredients for xit-kodi, to put it simply, are fresh coconut, fish, local red chilies, onions, turmeric, tamarind and kokum. For most Goans these are the basic necessities of life and this combination results in a heavenly daily meal, except for certain sacred days where many Hindus observe either fasting or switch to vegetarian food for a day or two. Goans are besotted with sea food and this can be seen with the extensive variety of culinary delicacies available. Subtle differences in ingredients result in distinct variations in the outcome. Goan fish or prawn curry is so versatile that it is consumed on a daily basis. Due to the sheer variety of fresh sea food available, numerous delicacies are possible and can be expected at nearly every Goan table.

The two majority communities namely Hindus and Catholics prepare xit-kodi differently, the main difference being the ingredients used. Each family in fact offers culinary variations to the curry. Traditionally fish curry is prepared by manually grinding fresh grated coconut along with other locally grown spices to a fine paste on a stone grinder or “Rogdo”. Finely chopped onions are sautéed and then boiled along with the ground paste till the fish is cooked. Goans relish fish curry cooked on a fire in an earthenware pot as this results in a delightfully smoky flavour.

Amongst the tourists the most sought after item is pomphret, kingfish and prawn curry. However the locals savour many other exotic seafood such as mackerel, sardine, lady fish, red snapper, karli (a local bony fish) and verlio (golden anchovy / silver fish). The secret is, the smaller the fish the tastier the curry. Many tourists struggle with deboning the fish hence the smaller fish varieties are less popular. Quite often other condiments are added to the prawn curry for additional variety, such as raw mango, lady finger (bhendi) and drum sticks – the vegetable not the chicken!

Xit-kodi surpasses religion, class and economic strata; it is common bond amongst Goans all over the world. This simple and classy staple food of Goa is a gastronomical experience and bring sheer delight to one’s taste buds. Recently we had a guest from Sydney who unfortunately had never tasted Goa’s pride and joy. He enquired over the phone “Where can I taste the perfect Goan fish curry?” I seemed to be at a loss for words again. The obvious answer was to invite him home. The Aussie relished our curry and rolled his eyes in sheer bliss and sighed, “This is heaven!”

The perfect fish curry is readily available at the home of the fun loving and hospitable Goan because the secret ingredient is a generous helping of love added in its preparation.
Bon apetit!

Fishermen get hooked on to TUNA
PANAJI: Goan fishermen need not fear about the threat in the decline of the fish catch. Yellow fin tuna abounds in the waters and Indian fishermen recorded an astounding export of this variety worth 29.54 million US in 2006-07. The state fisheries department and the Fisheries Survey of India, last month, jointly conducted workshops at Cutbona, Malim and Vasco jetties to create an awareness about tuna fishing. Excited by this new avenue, 15 trawlers from Goa are in the list for conversion into liners. [Ramdas Volvoikar & Shripad Merchant, TOI]

Another CASINO comes sailing
PANJIM: Even as the BJP in the state has sounded the war bugle against offshore casinos,a third paradise for gamblers is all set to sail in Goa waters. A huge vessel "Pride of Goa, Mumbai" of the Goa Coastal Resorts & Recreation Private Limited has come calling and docked opposite the Panjim ferry wharf. The government has so far received eight applications. They are from Goa Coastal Resorts & recreation Pvt Ltd, Victor Hotels & Motels Ltd, Creative Gaming Solutions Pvt Ltd, UB Infrastructure Projects Ltd, Herald Publications Pvt Ltd, Highstreet Cruises & Entertainment P)vt Ltd, VM Salgaocar & Bros Pvt Ltd and Hotel Leela Ventures Ltd.[WE-GT]

Keith Vaz hosts lunch for Churchill Alemao in London
LONDON, May 16: Goa's PWD Minister and Navelim MLA Churchill Alemao enjoyed his birthday today at a lunch held in his honour in the House of Commons by the Rt Hon Keith Vaz, Member of Parliament for Leicester East. Alemao, who was joined by family and friends including singing tiatrist Rita Rose to celebrate his 57th birthday, will make a short tour of the parliamentary estate. Alemao visited 10 Downing Street as part of his visit and he met Chancellor of the Exchequer, MP Alistair Darling. MP Keith Vaz said, “I am thrilled that Churchill Alemao was able to join us in London for his birthday. I know that he has many important meetings to attend whilst he is in London and I am grateful that he has taken the time to celebrate his birthday with us.” Vaz added, “It is important to build strong links with regional as well as central Government.” "HIGHAM, Sara" <HIGHAMS@parliament.uk>

Mother files theft complaint against daughter
MARGAO: A 78-year-old senior citizen has registered a complaint of theft against her own married daughter and son-in-law for their alleged failure to return back to her the gold ornaments valued at Rs.2.10 lakh that were kept in their custody. Colva PSI Brittano Peixote said that "the complainant Mariana Vales of Seraulim has accused her daughter Pilaria Cardozo and her husband Tadeo, residing at Vasco, of having allegedly conspired to steal her gold ornaments when the duo had admitted her to an old age home at Porvorim in 2005". [GT]

Going bananas!
Moira, which is situated close to Mapusa, is unique for growing giant bananas, often referred to as one of the biggest in the world. Cultivating these large bananas is the main tradition of the village, which has over 100 families tending their farms. This practice, however, was nearing an end. But these "wise fools" (history gives Moira villagers this name), worked towards reviving banana cultivation. The revenue generated from the sale of these bananas has made Moira banana farming a lucrative business. [Joseph Zuzarte, TOI]

Goans turning away from beaches
PANAJI: An increasing number of Goans, who had enjoyed a visit to the beaches in the past, are beginning to feel alienated from the beaches because of the overwhelming presence of tourists and tourist-related businesses and the resulting chaos in the seashore environment. The inflow of large number of tourists over the years from different parts of the country as well as abroad has changed the scenario on the Goan beaches with locals now having to struggle to find places. [NT]

New bridge on the Zuari river
PANAJI: The next time you plan a celebratory meal, you may want to consider a restaurant that offers a 360-degree aerial view of a shimmering Zuari river. For if the designs for the proposed new four-lane Zuari bridge take shape, the overpass will do more than just ferry people across the river. On the designer's palette for this cable-stayed bridge is a revolving restaurant, perched atop a pylon (tall metal structure), 110 metres above the deck. A second bridge on the Zuari has been necessitated after its 25-year-old counterpart showed signs of distress due to 'high salinity and increased traffic'. [Joaquim Fernandes, TOI]