International Goan Convention - Toronto 2008
Posting on www.goanet.org
By Herman Carneiro – Founder of Goanet
Wed Aug 20 12:55:08 PDT 2008

As a community it’s sad to see that we’re largely unsupportive of each other. I was disappointed to hear what the attendance was given that convention was organized in Toronto, which is meant to have the highest population of Goans outside of Goa. I’m ashamed, too, that to a large extent we’re so critical as a community. I was disappointed not to attend the International Goan Convention (IGC) in Toronto held earlier this year. I’ve been reading the exchanges about the convention and feel compelled to express my thoughts on it.

Read More...

Goan Identity & the 2008 Goan Convention
Excerpts from posting on goanet@lists.goanet.org
August 21 2008, by Lisette Saldanha

As a Goan who has lived outside of Goa, but has an affection for her homeland, I must confess that I had always heard of the Goan crab mentality. I can see that in addition to such valid questions as Goan identity, this forum has also spent much time questioning "crab mentality.' To me it appears that both interpretations are based on personal experiences. For example to identify with Goa, one has to have knowledge of its history, culture, traditions and language amongst other indicators.

To have a Goan identity is more personal and will differ individually. For example, I am told that even the spoken Konkani language differs between Bardez and Salcette Goans. This does not make one category more Goan than the other, even though each may claim their Konkani is more pristine and better sounding, and represents the real Konkani.

Read More...

Overseas Citizens Of India Nearing 300,000
http://www.weeklyvoice.com/site
Friday, 08 August 2008

New Delhi: It has been a hugely popular measure first initiated by the BJP led government three years ago. The number of India's Overseas Citizens today is nearing the three hundred thousand mark. Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) facilitates life-long visa-free travel to India and certain economic, educational and cultural benefits.

Read More...

Inflation spirals to 16-yr high, touches 12.63%
22 Aug, 2008, 0114 hrs IST, ET Bureau
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-3391155,prtpage-1.cms

NEW DELHI: Costlier food items, such as fruits, vegetables and milk, pushed the wholesale price-based inflation to 12.63% for the week-ended August 9, from 12.44% in the previous week. The inflation stood at 4.24% in the corresponding week of the previous year.

Read More...

Church Groups Condemn Slaying Of Hindu Religious Leader
By Dibakar Parichha
August 25, 2008
http://www.ucanews.com/2008/08/25/church-groups-condemn-hindu-religious-leader/

BHUBANESWAR, India (UCAN) -- Church groups have condemned the killing of an 85-year-old Hindu religious leader and five of his associates in Orissa state. However, panic spread among local Christians following the killings as Hindu radicals blamed the Church for murdering Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and the others on Aug. 23 night at his ashram in Tumudibandha, Kandhamal district.

Read More...

India’s Oil & Natural Gas Commission to buy UK’s Imperial for $2.6 bn
New Delhi, August 26, 2008
http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/Print.aspx?Id=2156357e-dde2-45a1-9cb7

Excerpts….

Steel, software, luxury cars and now, oil. Corporate India’s overseas shopping binge in the land of its former colonial masters is finding new shades. State-run oil exploration major ONGC’s overseas arm on Tuesday sealed its $2.6 billion deal to take a majority stake in Britain’s petroleum-rich Imperial Energy Corporation Plc, after having beaten Asian rival China in an Olympian tussle a day after the Games ended in Beijing. Hindustan Times first reported about the likely deal last week.

Read More...

Church Cautious About Laws To Protect Old Goa, Ancient Mission Center
Fear the complex will be removed from the list of World Heritage sites
http://www.ucanews.com/2008/08/08/church-cautious-about-laws-to-protect-old-goa
On 2008-8-8

OLD GOA, India (UCAN) -- Church people in Goa have taken a cautious stand on a government proposal to protect Old Goa, the onetime Portuguese colonial base and center of Catholic mission in Asia. Government officials of this western Indian state discussed a new master plan for Old Goa at a July 17 meeting. It reportedly aims to check encroachment in the vicinity of Old Goa's church complex. The proposal would ban new construction within two kilometers of the complex and restrict construction within a wider radius.

Read More...

PICTURE FOR TODAY

NOT TOO MANY on a single scooter...Are we?

Story-telling Digitally
SIOLIM: A group of students of Holy Cross High School here learning the technique to tell their own stories through small films, at a week-long Digital Storytelling Workshop organised by GoCreat volunteers. [Joel]

PICTURE FOR TODAY
Colourful pageantry at the traditional Bonderam festival celebrate in every August at the beautiful island of Divar.

Plant Festival begins in Siolim
SIOLIM, Aug 23: The traditional Festival of Plants and Flowers began at the SFX Higher Secondary School here today. Organised by the Green Heritage Eco Club, the interesting event has put on show hundreds of plants and several presentations including those on Indian spices, which form the theme of this year's festival. The creativity of numerous school children is also on display in the form of different, beautiful items prepared by them. There are stalls selling plants, seeds, farming implements and also related books. [GoaNewsClips]

Tourism dept now targeting NRIs
PANJIM: The Department of Tourism has embarked upon a unique initiative to evoke interest about Goa among the Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) settled abroad, in view of the approaching tourist season. Director of Tourism, Elvis Gomes, back to the state after his recent tour to South Africa, spoke about his project of promoting Goa’s tourism among Indians settled abroad, including Goans. [GT]

What really ails Goa?
The other day, while on a visit to a friend’s home, the point hit home with vengeance. An elderly mother was alone there; her son was out. A neighbour too was likewise afraid to open the door and offer instructions on how to find the place. Goa seems to be growing into a lonely, isolated, fragmented society, where each one cares for himself or herself, and is fearful of everyone else. This just makes on think: So what are the main 0problems that Goa faces today? [Frederick Noronha, Herald]

Charters up, but will they all land?
PANAJI: Around 827 charters have booked landing slots at Dabolim airport for the coming tourist season, but rooms to accommodate as many passengers have not been booked. While the figure of 827 flights beats last season’s number of 758 charters, the tourism industry is being cautious and says this is a projected figure that need not necessarily translate into landings. Subhash Phegade of Aircon Aviation Services and station manager of Monarch Airlines said that the bookings were tentative. “They have asked for slots. However, bookings this year are not even 50% of last year’s. An airline could book four landing slots per week. If there is a fall in bookings, they transfer the passengers and cancel slots.” [Andrew Pereira, TOI]

CM urges mining firms to show social responsibility
PANAJI, Aug 22: The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat, on Thursday said that the draft mining policy would be available to public scrutiny and for submitting objections and suggestion till December 31, 2008, and called upon the members of the House to come forward with their views so that the issue could be settled once for all to the satisfaction of everybody concerned. The Chief Minister said that mining was not his creation and that it existed even before he became a minister and that time has come to fix parameters for its operation. He also said that mine owners have to come forward and show their corporate social responsibility by ploughing back some percentage of their earning in to the villages from where they carry out mining activities. [NT]

North Zone administrator seals Mapusa Comunidade office
MAPUSA, Aug 20: The Administrator of North Zone Communidades, Mr Narayan Gaad, Tuesday sealed the office of the Mapusa Communidade here. According to the Administrator, rampant irregularities have been taking place in the Mapusa Communidade that included misappropriation of funds, selling of 151 Communidade plots illegally, allotment of kiosks illegally on Communidade land and various other irregularities. [NT]

Licences to mega projects challenged
MARGAO: The Benaulim panchayat on Tuesday went in appeal against the orders of the deputy director of panchayats that had earlier granted permission for the issuance of licences to two mega projects opposed by the gram sabha. Byron Rodrigues, advocate for the panchayat, said the appeal is based on the resolution passed by the gram sabha in 2008, not to allow construction on more than 800 square metres of land. He said that the resolution was never challenged by builders or interested parties within 30 days before the director of panchayats and hence the resolution was binding. [TOI]

Agriculture a dying profession amongst youth
BICHOLIM, Aug 19:- Agriculture has been one of the main occupations of the state but lately the increasing inclinations of the younger generation towards white collared jobs in the new tech savvy world has rendered it to figure last on the priority list of Goans as a career option. Among the many reasons that cause farmers to shy away from extensive agriculture is the non-profitability in the field. The continuous decline in the profit margin on agricultural products like coconut, arecanut, banana and other crops of various fruits has left the producers helpless. [NT]

Issue of illegal constructions dominates Anjuna gram sabha
The issue of illegal constructions dominated the gram sabha of Anjuna village panchayat held on Sunday. While the residents held the sarpanch responsible for patronising these structures, sarpanch Mr Chimulkar denied his involvement saying that these structures had mushroomed even before he could be a panch member and sarpanch. The issue of Lamanis on the beaches also figured during the meeting and the sarpanch informed the gathering that all possible steps would be taken to stop these people from frequenting the beach. [NT]

Drizzle ends Anjuna gram sabha midway
CALANGUTE, Aug 18: The Anjuna gram sabha on Sunday came to an abrupt end due to a drizzle, pushing aside some of the major issues to be discussed at the meet. [H]

Crocodile turns up at Karapur residence
BICHOLIM: Namrata Naik was surprised when she saw an unusual guest outside her hours at Kothiwada-Karapur on August 25 midnight. When she opened the door for her father, who had returned from bhajan at midnight, she was shocked to see a six-ft long crocodile outside her house almost ready to pounce upon her. The frightened family immediately contacted animal lover Amritsingh whose timely arrival helped the entire family heave a sigh of relief. [GT]

+ James Cajetan D’Souza

James Cajetan D’Souza passed away in Badem-Assagao, Goa on August 24, 2008. Beloved husband of Anne, father of Katie, and brother of Bertha (Vasco Da Gama). His funeral took place at Our Lady of Miracles Church, Badem, August 25. James, born in Arusha, Tanzania, was the son of the late Salu and Ann, and worked for British Telecom in UK before retiring to Goa. Sadly mourned in Toronto by uncles Bonny (Rose) and Walter (Theresa) as well as cousins Ludovic, Barbara, Genevieve, Joseph, and Leonard, and in Bandra, Julia wife of late cousin Geraldo.

Diverse Roots, Varied Challenges: The Goan Diaspora In The U.K.
By Eddie D'Sa
gdigest@btinternet.com
Posted on goanet@goanet.org - August 25, 2008

This essay is from the book 'Goa: Aparanta -- Land Beyond the End', edited by Victor Rangel Ribeiro vrangelrib@yahoo.com , and reflects Dr Eddie D'Sa's analysis of Goans in Britain, and how their attitudes towards Goa have changed generation by generation. "In Britain, Feeling a Weaker Pull" (pages 210-12) is a very wise bit of writing, commented the editor of this book. Goans who have settled in the UK are not a homogeneous group, but the product of three different migration streams -- from India, Pakistan, and East Africa. Small batches of Goans came from India in the 1950s and early 1960s -- some were students who stayed on, others just sought a new life in Britain after India's independence in 1947.

Read More...

Churches In Goa Rate As Treasures
Goa - a former colony of Portugal - rates as the locale of World Heritage Sites, designated by the UN.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
By Desmond de Sousa
http://www.speroforum.com/site/article.asp?idarticle=15508&t=India

‘Bom Pastor’ (The Good Sheppard), Ivory, Goa –, 17th Century

Read More...

Clara D’Souza Celebrates Centenary
The Brampton Guardian
Wednesday August 27 2008
Photo by Bryon Johnson
http://www.bramptonguardian.com/saf/frontpictorial/article/55331

BRAMPTON - Clara D'Souza, 100 years young (centre) surrounded by her children, from left: Joan Menezes, Elfredia D'Souza, Elaine Fernandes, and Ignatius D'Souza. She was born in Karachi, Pakistan, on Aug. 25, 1908. Her daughter Elfredia, a nun at the Christ the King convent in Karachi, came in from Pakistan for the occasion. Clara is the first resident at Tall Pines Long Term Care Centre in Brampton to have reached this milestone.

Book Review - Ethnography of Goa, Daman, and Diu
http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2008081750040100.htm
RAHUL SRIVASTAVA

For English-speaking Indians unfamiliar with Goa, this little colonial anachronism seems as quaint as we ourselves must appear to historically ignorant Englishmen. Such is the condemned fate of all descendents of colonialism who have to repeatedly explain themselves to a world that keeps forgetting, inventing, or mythifying history every minute.

Read More...

'Humanae Vitae' gains traction
Encyclical's positive message strikes chord in sex-drenched culture
By DENNIS SADOWSKI
Catholic News Service
Washington
http://www.wcr.ab.ca/news/2008/0825/traction082508.shtml

Humanae Vitae (Of Human Life), Pope Paul VI's encyclical on artificial contraception and the role of procreation in marriage, turned 40 on July 25 and seems to be finding new life across the United States. From natural family planning initiatives to sexual abstinence programs for teenagers, parishes and dioceses are increasingly adopting Pope Paul's vision for a world built on fidelity in marriage.

Read More...

Is Cleverness The Cause Of Spelling Errors?
PTI London, August 27, 2008
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Frames.htm?pageid=http://www.htnext.in/news

Can’t spell supersede correctly? If you think you’re stupid, you may be wrong. The consensus is that you are too clever, according to a new study. A team of researchers for the Collins dictionary in Britain has carried out the study and found that people often misspelt a number of ‘confusing’ words as they are actually too clever.

According to them, the most commonly misspelt English word is supersede — many come up with ‘supercede’ because of their knowledge of other words including intercede or precede, the Daily Mail reported.

Read More...

The Song Sung By The Goan Duo Reminded Me Of An Old Goan Joke.
http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=89057
Stephen Pinto , UAE Aug 17, 2008

A boat docked in a tiny Goan village. A tourist from Mumbai complimented the Goan fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took him to catch them.

'Not very long,' answered the fisherman.
'But then, why didn't you stay out longer and catch more?' asked the Mumbaite.

Read More...

Date

Organization

Event

Links

TEGSA is off on a summer Holiday
We wish all members an eventful and safe summer with your family and friends
See you in September - Click for Events

Staying Healthy While You Travel
http://www.healthline.com/sw/gsa-staying-healthy-while-you-travel

Preventing illness or injury is a big part of making your trip relaxing and enjoyable. Because some destinations have environments that may be very different from the area you live in, and, particularly, travel to developing countries pose certain risks, it is important to take certain precautions.

Healthy preparations before you travel:
If you are planning to travel outside the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you:

• prepare a complete travel itinerary, listing each destination, length of stay, and types of activities planned.

• contact your travel agent to obtain local health information, including food and beverage precautions, information regarding insects and other pests, and the availability of emergency medical care.

Read More...

"Walk this Way" for a safe back to school, says Safe Kids Canada

TORONTO, Aug. 27 /CNW/ - With kids across the country heading back to class, Safe Kids Canada is reminding everyone to ensure children can walk safely to and from school on our neighbourhood streets. Child pedestrian incidents are a leading cause of death for Canadian children under the age of 14. Every year more than 30 children are killed and 2,400 are seriously injured. Most incidents happen between 3 - 6 p.m., when drivers are coming home from work, and children may be walking home from school.

Read More...

Survey says: Back-to-school need not be back-to-stress

Desjardins Financial Security's National Health is Cool Survey shows parents are stressed by overloaded academic and family calendars

TORONTO, Aug. 25 /CNW Telbec/ - With only one weekend left in the summer holidays, parents are likely sharing their kids' anxiety leading up to the new school year. Desjardins Financial Security's 2008 Health is Cool survey results show that parents experience added stress due to the social pressures of providing as much hands-on parenting as possible. The majority of survey respondents with children said that they were generally enjoying good mental and physical health, financial security and an overall reduction in stress compared to the previous year.

Read More...

Life is a misery for “Married Bachelors” in UAE
http://www.goanet.org/post.php?name=News&list=goanet&info=2008
Sat Aug 16 07:47 2008

Life is a misery for “Married Bachelors” in UAE Leaving their families and children in their home countries, a large number of expatriates are forced to live a bachelor’s life in the UAE. They are unable to bring their families here because of high rents and the spiralling cost of living.They miss their children as much as their children miss them back home. The suffering is part of their deal for a better future as they try their best to cope with the situation, which is not always possible.

Read More...

Number of Employees Working Off-site Expected to Increase, Executives Say
"High fuel prices are causing people to look for alternatives to lengthy commutes….”

TORONTO, Aug. 14 /CNW/ - A growing number of Canadian workers will be dialling, rather than driving, into work, according to a recent survey. More than two-thirds (70 per cent) of executives polled said it is common for their companies' employees to work off-site. Moreover, 74 per cent of managers said they expect the number of employees who work remotely to increase in the next five years.

Read More...

Critical Thinking Skills
http://distance.uvic.ca/courses/critical/high.htm

The goal of critical thinking is to evaluate in a reasoned and unbiased way what you read, hear, or observe in order to judge its validity or worth.

Reasoning Processes | Reasoned Judgements | Critical Reading | Critical Writing

What are Critical Thinking Skills?
Critical thinking skills and habits are life skills. Learning to use them on a consistent basis can help you become more actively involved and more effective in your studies. It may even make what you're learning more stimulating and enjoyable.

Read More...