49th International Eucharistic Congress - 2008

June 15th –22nd Quebec City, Canada

Rich and colorful opening ceremonies
It was an emotional moment for Marc Cardinal Ouellet, Archbishop of Quebec City and host of the Congress, as he welcomed pilgrims from around the world as well as representatives from civil society. After speeches from the assembled dignitaries, in a message from the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI, papal legate Josef Cardinal Tomko declared the 49 International Eucharistic Congress open.
Click for information - http://www.cei2008.ca/en/58

Quebec needs Catholic values, says Cardinal Marc Ouellet
Church is open to 'moving forward'
http://www.wcr.ab.ca/news/2008/0609/values060908.shtml
By BARB FRAZE
Catholic News Service Toronto

Quebec Cardinal Marc Ouellet, who last year sparked controversy with his remarks about religion in Quebec society, said Catholics "need some more militance" to reaffirm "the values of our Catholic tradition in Quebec." The cardinal told Catholic media professionals at the Catholic Media Convention in Toronto May 30 that after 40 years of secularization in Quebec "the moment has come" for a new way of looking at the Church's historical role in society.

"There is a fear that the influence of the Church will return," he said during a question-and-answer session after he spoke about the media's role in the Church's evangelization efforts.

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Apology to Former Students of Indian Residential Schools
Right Hon. Stephen Harper (Prime Minister, CPC)
http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1

39th PARLIAMENT, 2nd SESSION
EDITED HANSARD • NUMBER 110
Wednesday, June 11, 2008

I stand before you today to offer an apology to former students of Indian residential schools. The treatment of children in these schools is a sad chapter in our history. For more than a century, Indian residential schools separated over 150,000 aboriginal children from their families and communities. In the 1870s, the federal government, partly in order to meet its obligations to educate aboriginal children, began to play a role in the development and administration of these schools. Two primary objectives of the residential school system were to remove and isolate children from the influence of their homes, families, traditions and cultures, and to assimilate them into the dominant culture.

These objectives were based on the assumption that aboriginal cultures and spiritual beliefs were inferior and unequal. Indeed, some sought, as was infamously said, “to kill the Indian in the child”.

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Ontario is introducing new legislation that would ease the way for internationally trained health care providers to practice in the province.
June 16, 2008
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/media/news_releases/archives/nr_08/jun

The legislation – Increasing Access to Qualified Health Professionals for Ontarians Act – will, if passed, change the mandate of all regulatory colleges to acknowledge that access to health care is a matter of public interest. Ontario has 23 regulated health professions.

This legislation is one part of a bigger plan to remove barriers for internationally trained doctors. Over the summer, the McGuinty government will also be working closely with The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario on regulation changes that would ease the transition to practice for foreign-trained doctors. The plan, based on the Report on Removing Barriers for International Medical Doctors by Etobicoke-Lakeshore MPP Laurel Broten, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, details five major recommendations on how to further increase the number of international medical doctors in Ontario.

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Africans Call for Free and Fair Elections in Zimbabwe

Prominent African civil society leaders have united to call for an end to violence and intimidation in Zimbabwe ahead of the elections on June 27 2008. In this open letter, former heads of state, business leaders, academics and leading campaigners call for the presidential election to be conducted in a peaceful and transparent manner that allows the citizens of Zimbabwe to express freely their will. This is crucial for the interests of Zimbabwe, and for Africa as a whole. We invite you as individuals, and as representatives of civil society organisations to join our call by adding your signature to the letter. Go to http://www.zimbabwe-27june.com to add your signature. Let your voice be heard. Thank you for your support.

High Food Prices Here For Another Five Years
http://www.ipsnews.net/africa/nota.asp?idnews=42764
Miriam Mannak

CAPE TOWN, Jun 12 (IPS) - Hundred million people worldwide -- mostly from developing countries -- may sink deeper into poverty when food prices continue to rise, the World Bank predicts.

‘‘The majority of those affected are living above the poverty line of one dollar a day. They will find themselves below this mark. That is worrisome,’’ said Danny Leipziger, the World Bank’s vice president for poverty reduction and economic management, at the Annual Bank Conference on Development Economics (ABCDE). The meeting, themed ‘‘People, Politics, and Globalisation’’, took place in Cape Town, South Africa, from June 9-11. It was organised by the World Bank and the South African government’s treasury department.

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St. Francis Xavier Seniors Club - New Executive

The club has been active since 1976 and has over 300 members serving the East end of the Greater Toronto Area

St. Francis Xavier Sr. Club (Toronto) E.
Executive Committee.

1. Message from New President.

2. Annual General Meeting.

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India Calling 2008

Indian Merchants’ Chamber (IMC) in association with Canada-India Business Council (CIBC) and Indo Canadian Business Chamber (ICBC) is organizing India Calling 2008 India Canada Business Partnership Summit in Toronto, Canada from June 14-17 and in Vancouver from June 18-19, 2008

Why Canada ?

• Canada and India have much in common with well over one million people of Indian descent calling Canada their home

• Canada has a strong and growing economy; is part of a free trade area of more than 450 million people; has an internationally competitive tax and fiscal regime

• Canada’s bilateral trade with India is small-less than 0.5% of Canadian exports are to India and less than 1% of Canadian imports are from India. Vast opportunity to increase bilateral trade in existing commodities and exploring new tradeable items.

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On CBC TV - Air India 182

Premiering On: Sunday June 22, 2008 at 9pm on CBC-TV
Repeating On: Sunday June 29, 2008 at 10pm ET/PT on CBC Newsworld
http://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/doczone/2008/airindia/index.html

On June 22, 1985, Air India flight 182 left Montreal en route to Delhi with 329 passengers aboard, most of them Canadian. Four hours later, an explosion in the baggage compartment destroyed the plane, killing all on board. Canada’s longest criminal investigation revealed the attack was the work of Sikh terrorists operating in British Columbia. The RCMP interrogate Inderjit Singh Reyat (Gurpreet Singh Chana) at headquarters as other officers look on.

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Goan Soccer League

2008 Intervillage Standings
Aguada Waves lead standings winning all their games in the 8 team league
http://www.goansoccer.com/intervillage/index.php

Summer in Toronto

A full calendar of summer events in Toronto is available at
http://www.torontotourism.com/summer2008

Lamberto Mascarenhas …A Fierce Fighter at 94
Excerpts of Article By Tomazinho Cardozo
NAVHIND TIMES - GOA

Lamberto Mascarenhas disclosed that Goans went abroad in search of lucrative jobs. When the time came to return, they preferred Europe, Canada, USA or Australia to Goa. They settled in those countries. They now want that the Goa government should protect their properties and houses. They are now trying to advise us on what to do and what not to do in Goa while residing elsewhere in the world. If you are really interested in the good of Goa then come back to Goa and work with us for its development. Do not give us tall sermons on issues of development, he thundered.

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Goan Identity Erodes With Onslaught Of Migrants
Merinews - New Delhi,India
http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=135616

One day, Goans will be strangers in their own land. The Goan identity will fade away and they will be left repenting, for having flirted with danger and damaged their birthplace. It's time Goans wake up and initiate saving their identity. .
CJ: Armstrong Vaz ,

GOA is tiny, with a finite carrying capacity and is already saturated. The Goan population is extremely small compared to other communities in India. We (Goans) cannot withstand the current high-inflow of migrants. It will lead to severe civic, social and economic disturbance, will obliterate the Goan- identity, turn Goa into an unpleasant hovel like other urban Indian areas," writes Rajan Parrikar, an America returned Goan on Goanet, which is a Goan mailing group on why Goa does not need more migrants.

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Mangalore to be world seat of Konkani culture
15 Jun 2008, 0059 hrs IST,TNN
http://www1.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-3129921,prtpage-1.cms

PANAJI: While Goa is the only state in the country to have Konkani as its official language, however, the biggest centre for the development of the Konkani language, art and culture is being set up in Mangalore, in Karnataka.

"The first phase of the Vishva Konkani Kendra is almost complete and will be inauguarated in September," informed Basti Wavan Shenoy, president of the Vishva Konkani Kendra while speaking to TOI. A brainchild of Shenoy, Rs 2 crore has so far been spent on the first phase of the centre, which consists of a World Konkani Library, World Konkani Museum, administrative block, research wing, mini-convention theatre, seminar hall and the hall of fame.

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US Indian arrested in fake job racket
http://www.asianage.com/presentation/leftnavigation/home.aspx/
By Parveen Chopra - New York

June 16: Seven people, including an Indian American running an IT company in the US, have been arrested for allegedly running an immigration racket that promised work visas and green cards to aspirants who were offered fake jobs in his firm. New Jersey-based Nilesh Dasondi has been charged with using his CyGate Software and Consulting company that would petition for H1B visas and green cards on behalf of people for a fat fee.

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Indian American Governor Bobby Jindal rejects V-P conjecture
By Arun Kumar
Washington DC

June 16: Louisiana’s Indian American governor Bobby Jindal has once again discounted speculation that John McCain, the likely Republican presidential nominee, may pick him as his running mate, saying he’s currently focused on his current job.

"The speculation is flattering. I’ve talked to the senator several times. We’ve never talked about the topic," Mr Jindal said on Sunday on Face the Nation on CBS. "The reality is, I’ve got the job that I want. This is an historic time for my state, not only because of Katrina and Rita, those awful hurricanes in 2005, but for many reasons, like the energy economy and other opportunities," he said.

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US warns Pakistan against releasing A Q Khan
http://www.ptinews.com/pti%5Cptisite.nsf/$All/8BC5F5105FDF

New York, June 16 (PTI) US officials have privately warned Pakistan against releasing discredited scientist A Q Khan after investigations revealed that he might still be in possession of the design of a nuclear bomb, which is "easier to hide" and could become a "terrorist issue" in future. The discovery, about the presence of blueprint of the sophisticated and compact nuclear weapon in Khan's computers network spread over Switzerland, Dubai, Malaysia and Thailand by US and IAEA investigators, has raised the possibility of his still having sensitive material.

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UK has an Indian immigration problem - with a difference
Prasun Sonwalkar

London, Jun 8 (PTI) Britain is facing an immigration problem with an India connection but with a difference - and one solution being considered is to 'shoot at sight'. Parakeets originally from India have multiplied in such large numbers that they are threatening native birds like robins and woodpeckers.

The rose-ringed parakeets, which are native to the Himalayas, have grown over 30,000 in Britain and have colonised parks and gardens in London, Surrey and Kent. Christopher Butler, professor at Oxford University, predicted that parakeet numbers in Greater London would rise by 30 per cent a year. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) estimates their number will rise to 50,000 by 2010.

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Lord "appointed" chairman of technology college

Lucknow, June 8 (PTI) A technology college near here has an unusual chairman with literally high connections - Lord Hanuman. The Sardar Bhagat Singh College of Technology and Management, which is approved by the All India Council for Technology and Education (AICTE) and is awaiting affiliation to the Uttar Pradesh Technical University (UPTU), has Lord Hanumnan's idol occupying the place of pride in unfamiliar surroundings of the chairman's office.

One of the two vice chairmen, Vivek Kangri told PTI that the "chairman" has delegated all powers in him and the other vice chairman to act on his behalf. A resolution passed by the trust gave the top-most post of the institute to lord Hanuman.

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Outsiders should respect pride of Goa: Wendell
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=5078&cid=26
HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, JUNE 4 — Goa has become a fashionable destination with rich Indians and foreigners wanting to buy houses and land here, today everyone boasts about owning a third home in Goa, but it is important that these outsiders respect the pride of Goa said renowned international fashion designer Wendell Rodricks while speaking on a debate titled ‘Is Goa for sale and who is responsible?’ organized by HCN news and entertainment channel.

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New Goa Mopa Airport Layout
See Video clip
http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=_dt-h3HCMC0&feature=related

See Also
" BLACK " KONKANI FILM 2008 clip
http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=-jXmU_x5mKk&feature=related

Forwarded by Thomas D’Souza

Goa's Feni Shows Sharp Decline In Production
http://www.samachaar.in/Goa/

Panjim: Feni, that uniquely Goa drink distilled from the cashew apple, is showing a sharp decline in production. This despite the fact that it is one of the best-known local liquors in India. An unorganised as well as complex manufacturing and sale process, which has failed to improve with time, has led to a steep decline in the production of feni. Although feni has gone from being the poor man's liquor to a popular drink that every tourist visiting the coastal state must have, production has gown down from 1,089,000 litres in 1971 to 875,000 litres in 2004.

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Goan doctors overcharging foreigners
MARGAO: Goan doctors command a lot of respect of patients not only from Goans but from the world over. However, recent trends in the industry in the name of medical tourism have changed. Doctors, realising that there is quick and big money, have started openly practising unethical procedures to improve their 'business'. [Joao Souza M, NT]

Israeli realtor has $500 million plan
PANJIM, June 13: Already besieged with issue of land availability, Goa could have more trouble on it plate as an Israeli real estate outfit has plans to build luxury apartments at three different picturesque locations including Dona Paula. Israeli news agency Globes Online, was quoted as saying that Yaakov Engel of EngelInvest, along with another partner, Hezi Hermoni, has purchased land for building three residential projects in the State. [H]

Going natural
What's a coconut shell? Waste would you say, but school teacher Vijaydatta Lotlikar has turned this ordinary waste item into valuable, decorative pieces. No wonder he holds the Limca Book of World Records for the tallest oil lamp made from coconut shells in 2003. He was also awarded the Goa Sudharop Award in 2008. Vijaydatta has truly given the coconut shell a total facelift by making pens, crosses, penholders, artificial jewellery, decorative and kitchen item out of it. He feels the coconut is our answer to plastic and has conducted a workshop on the same to educate people of its benefits. Recently, he exhibited 400 different crosses made from coconut shells at the Museum of Christian Art, Old Goa. [TOI]

Goan beach plays host to a rare turtle specie
A Loggerhead turtle was saved on June 14 by Aaron Fernandes of Green Cross Society. The Loggerheads turtle is usually found in the Atlantic Ocean and sometimes in the Indian Ocean near Sri lanka and Mauritius. This olive or reddish brown turtle has already found a place in the list of world's most endangered species. Pravesh, who works at a shack on the Anjuna beach said that he saw this turtle lying ont he sand. The guest from the Atlantic is resting peacefully at the International Animal Rescue at Assagao. [Shruti Pandit, Goa Times, TOI]

Plaint against man for demanding dowry
PANJIM, June 12: Colva police on Thursday registered an offence against 34-year-old Frank Salvador Fernandes and his mother Helen Fernandes from Per Seraulim for asking dowry, harassment and assault. Complainant Maria Daisy Fernandes has accused her husband and mother-in-law of assault and making a demand for dowry. The marriage was strained and both are fighting over the custody of their two-year-old child. [H]

Record Price For Indian Painting
http://www.newsroomamerica.com/entertainment/story.php?id=421423
2008-06-13 02:44pm

A painting by the late Goan painter Francis Newton Souza has broken the record for an Indian artwork at an auction in London.

Pic from BBC News

Souza's 1955 painting "Birth" was bought by an anonymous bidder at Christie's auction of modern South Asian art for US$2,519,762. The purchase set a new "world auction record for the artist and for any Indian modern art and contemporary work of art," according to Christie's.

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Dr. Lawrence Braganza Honoured
Popular doctor retiring in August
Daily Gleaner New Bruinswick
Published Saturday June 14th, 2008

BOIESTOWN - Boiestown residents are paying tribute to a beloved member of the community.

Dr. Lawrence Braganza is retiring Aug. 1 from his family medicine practice. He has also been the attending physician for residents of the Central New Brunswick Nursing Home. This week, family and friends of the residents attended an open house at the nursing home to celebrate National Nursing Home Week and honour Braganza's commitment to the community.

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Hydro One Brampton appoints new VP of engineering
The Brampton Guardian
Friday June 6 2008

BRAMPTON - Hydro One Brampton has appointed a new vice president of engineering and operations. Roger Albert, president and CEO of Hydro One Brampton, announced the appointment of Remy Fernandes to the position of Vice-President of Engineering and Operations.

Fernandes holds a diploma in electrical engineering from India. He is also a certified engineering technologist and has recently completed the Executive MBA program from Queen's University.

Fernandes has 21 years of electrical utility experience, including 17 years with Hydro One Brampton.

World Youth Day Sydney 2008 & World Goa Day
http://www.wyd2008.org/
Message from Tony Colaco – President G.O.A NSW Inc. Australia

World Youth Day (WYD) is the largest youth event in the world and will be held in Sydney from Tuesday 15 to Sunday 20 July 2008. Organised by the Catholic Church, WYD brings together young people from around the globe to celebrate and learn about their faith on a more regular basis. WYD08 will be the largest event Australia has ever hosted. It will attract over 125,000 international visitors - more than the 2000 Olympics.

WYD08 will mark the first visit of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to Australia.

Through the WYD08 experience, young people from throughout the world will make a pilgrimage in faith, meet, and experience the love of God.

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International Goan Organization
Public Meeting
Sunday, July 6, 2008, at 2.30pm
Eatonville Library, Etobicoke - Toronto

News Release For Meeting

A WARNING CALL TO THOSE WHO HAVE PROPERTY IN GOA OR CONSIDERING INVESTING IN THE MOTHERLAND……….
……..EVEN AS YOU READ THIS YOUR INHERITANCE COULD BE IN JEOPARDY……..
……..GREED AND CORRUPTION IS RAMPANT IN THE MOTHERLAND…..
……..SADLY, NRI’s AND NRG’s HAVE BEEN TARGETTED…….
……..HEED THE ALARM CALLS BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.

No……..this is not sensationalism but the cold unvarnished truth of the sad goings on in our motherland.

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CASH & CARRY FROM GOAN SNACKS
(Mississauga @ Tomken Rd & Eastgate Parkway)

The following items will now be available immediately – just CALL & COLLECT:

• PAN ROLLS - BEEF CUTLETS - FISH CUTLETS - BEEF CROQUETS
  
  ALSO

• SAUSAGES - SAUSAGE MEAT - SORPOTEL - BIBIC & PERAD

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Date

Organization

Event

Links

Click for Details

Wednesday July 23,

&  Thursday July 24 at the University of Toronto, Mississauga.

 View Workshop Program

  Click for Convention Registration Form

Click for Contestant's Registration Form

“Goan Idol”- Thursday, July 24th evening contest in keeping with the traditional love of music that runs through the veins of all Goans. This is an opportunity for individuals to showcase their talents.

Please submit your entries at www.2008goanconvention.com/idol  

Click for Contestant's Registration Form

Only a limited number of entries in each category.

Super Hit Tiatro,

Friday, July 25th evening ,to be held at the distinguished Living Arts Center in Mississauga

Click for Flyer

The Convention Ball

Saturday, July 26th

Click to View Flyer

 Click for Reservation Form

Open the door for the homebound
Just a few caring actions and/or gifts can cheer up a confined person
http://www.wcr.ab.ca/columns/lisapetsche/2008/lisapetsche060908.shtml

Lisa Petsche
Home Front
By LISA PETSCHE
Special to the WCR

When someone is confined to their home due to convalescence from an illness, recovery from surgery or chronic illness or disability, their world shrinks considerably. It's easy to become disconnected from others and the world in general. Unfortunately, in our increasingly mobile society, family support for seniors in such situations is often limited. With people marrying later and having fewer children, our elders may find themselves isolated from family. Even if adult children live nearby, they're likely to be busy juggling careers and families of their own. I would like to share some ideas for supporting a friend or relative who is homebound and helping him or her stay engaged in life.

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Understanding Prostate Cancer
http://www.procure.ca/tiki-index.php?page=HomePage&switchLang=en

Facts and Statistics
Prostate Cancer Statistics, 2008

• Prostate Cancer is the most common cancer among Canadian men.

• In 2008, an estimated 24,700 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 4,300 will die of it.

• On average, 475 Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer every week.

• On average, 83 Canadian men will die of prostate cancer every week.

• One in 7 men will develop prostate cancer during his lifetime, mostly after the age of 60. One in 26 will die of it.

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No Smoking When Children Under 16 in Motor Vehicle
Ontario Government Protects Children's Health
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/June2008/16/c4387.html

A new law that protects children under 16 years old from second-hand tobacco smoke in motor vehicles was passed in the Ontario legislature today.

Second-hand smoke in motor vehicles can be up to 27 times
(http://www.oma.org/Health/tobacco/In-carSHSconcentrationsBackgrounder.pdf)
more concentrated than in a smoker's home. Children exposed to second-hand smoke (http://www.oma.org/phealth/smoke2004.pdf) are more likely to suffer Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, acute respiratory infections, ear problems, and more severe asthma. Exposure to second-hand smoke among children has also been linked to lower cognitive test scores compared with children who were not exposed.

Ontario has one of the toughest anti-smoking laws in North America. Since 2003, tobacco consumption in Ontario has fallen by more than 30 per cent.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Ontario Government Working To End Elder Abuse
TORONTO, June 16 /CNW/ - June 15 was World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and the Province is reminding Ontarians that the elderly are often targets of mistreatment.

Elder abuse includes:

• Paying too much for a service

• Being emotionally mistreated or physically neglected or

• Suffering a violation of trust.

The Province works year-round with the Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (http://www.onpea.org/) to detect and respond to cases of elder abuse, provide services to abused elders and raise awareness of the problem. If you have concerns about an elderly person in your life, call the Seniors Infoline at 1-888-910-1999. This toll free line offers information and referral service in multiple languages.

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Chocolate May Prove Potent Anti-Cancer Agent - Study
June 16, 2008

Washington: We have all heard that eating chocolate is good for you -- now here's a study that tells you why. A chemical synthesised out of a cocoa compound has accelerated the killing of human tumours in a lab environment, according to the study by Georgetown University researchers. The researchers described how four different tumour cell lines out of 16 tested sensitive to the chemical, known as GECGC. The strongest response was seen in two different colon cancers; growth was cut in half and most of the tumour cells were damaged.

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How to keep your PC cool during summer
http://samachaar.in/Science/42662/print.asp
June 15, 2008

Washington (DPA): Computers hate heat. So this summer, be sure to think about keeping your computer cool. Computer components themselves run hot, and yet they're not designed to operate above a certain temperature. When the temperature outside gets uncomfortable for humans, you can be sure that your computer isn't liking the situation any better. So for a trouble-free summer of computing, take steps now to ensure that your PC stays cool.

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