The statements, opinions, or views in the following articles may not necessarily reflect that of the Goan Voice Canada.

Today: Where I Come From
R. Benedito Ferrao
Posted on Goanet Reader (goanetreader@gmail.com)
November 5, 2008

On a day following my first return to Los Angeles from London where I have lived the last few years, I was asked by a Caucasian man, whom it so happened was English, which bus he would need to take to get to Downtown LA. I advised him. He thanked me and, with the affinity of the traveler for anything familiar in a foreign place, he said sympathetically: "You're a long way from home."

The question of where (or what) home is for me has long been a source of consternation to others. And, often, myself. Today, November 4, 2008, it is a question I ask myself with new meaning, and I come no closer to an answer. Yet, on this day, the first time I have ever voted in a country-wide general election, the reasons for my ambiguity are amplified by the person I voted for and that ambiguity is, in fact, reassuring.

Read More...

Seeing Beauty In Financial Meltdown
Author says economy, environment, social inequity can only improve as rabid consumerism checked

This article appeared in the Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/printArticle/529292
November 03, 2008
Moira Welsh
Environment Reporter

French environmental author Hervé Kempf takes a sip from a watery cup of take-out coffee, grimaces, and places it on the window ledge of his Toronto hotel lobby.

"Very American," he says.

Kempf's distaste for the mass consumerism embraced by parts of the United States plays out in the theme of his book, How the Rich are Destroying the Earth, which argues that the global worship of capitalism – and unchecked consumption by the wealthy – is the reason the Earth is in dire trouble today.

Read More...

Obama’s mandate for change earned
Excerpt from East African Standard
http://www.eastandard.net/editorial/InsidePage.php?id=1143998644&cid=16&

Change, emphatic and historic, has come to the White House. With it, the promise of a transformed America and a changed world.

The Standard joins the world in congratulating President-elect Barack Obama on achieving the former and challenging him to keep his promises on the latter.

Obama’s victory will bolster the faith of many in democracies the world over who seek to create societies in which everyone has the freedom and opportunity to decide their future. At a time when many, including this paper, will be glad to see the back of an America infatuated with its military might and ready to trample values it espouses, voters in the US have reminded us of the "enduring power of their nation’s ideals — democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope".

Read More...

DIWALI CELEBRATION -2008
By - Muriel Lucas

………..With a Touch of Class…………

On Saturday November 8th 2008, A Diwali Celebration took place at the Older Adult Centre at Square One Shopping Centre, to a packed audience. This fun-filled Diwali celebration was hosted by Peter Ganglani and his beautiful wife Rakhee Ganglani, who was in charge of overseeing the smooth running of the event from start to finish.

Read More...

Christianity's Changing Face
Friday, 10 October 2008
http://www.catholicregister.org/content/view/2333/842/
Excerpts from Book Review:
Written by Robert Campbell, Catholic Register Special,

Christianity and Ethnicity in Canada.
edited by Paul Bramadat and David Seljak
(University of Toronto Press, softcover, 448 pages, $49.95).

Canada’s churches no longer look or talk the way they once did. The once predominantly Anglo-Celtic membership of the United Church, an organization that viewed itself as a potential national church for Canada when it was established in 1925, is now complemented by large Taiwanese and Hungarian congregations. Many Catholic parishes in major cities now have a significant Filipino presence. The face of Canadian Christianity is changing. Scholars and churchgoers are finding it more and more difficult to articulate exactly how ethnic origin and religious affiliation are related.

Read More...

TEGSA Mass for the Deceased

Over 200 persons were present as TEGSA celebrated a mass for the Deceased members and their families on Friday, November 7th. 2008. A candle light procession was led by our President, Charles Fernandes, as he carried a beautiful wreath in memoriam for our departed members.

Read More...

Navelim Union 33rd Feast Celebration in Toronto

The descendents of the village of Navelim in Salcete, Goa, scattered all over the world rigorously hold on to the tradition of celebrating the fest of Our Lady of Rosary. In Goa this takes place on the 3rd Wednesday of November.

In Toronto, the Navelim Union will be holding the 33rd Feast celebration with a Mass and Social on November 22nd, 2008 at the Claireport Convention Centre in Etobicoke. This continuous celebration of the feast, started in 1975 by the late Jules Gomes and Ornellas Vaz, is probably a record for any Goan village association in the world. The President for the feast for the second year is Melissa Rodrigues, a 3rd generation “Navelkar” in Toronto.

Read More...

Warning to Goan Tipplers -Whiskey Crisis Hits Canada

Johnnie Walker Green Label, Black & White Blended Scotch Whisky and Bell's Scotch Whisky will no longer be available in Liquor Control Board Ontario

Global demand forces LCBO to scratch scotches from liquor list

The insatiable demand for scotch whisky in China, India and Russia has tipped three popular brands from the shelves of Ontario liquor stores, and will drive up the prices of several popular single-malts.

Johnnie Walker Green Label, Black & White Blended Scotch Whisky and Bell's Scotch Whisky will no longer be available in LCBO outlets once current supplies are gone, probably by year end, a spokesman confirmed yesterday.

Read More...

Canadian Sets Distance Record In Solar Car
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2008/10/31/tech-solarcar.htm

Toronto native Marcelo Da Luz has set a new world distance record by zig-zagging across Canada in his solar-powered car.

Da Luz arrived in Victoria on Thursday, completing a 15,150-kilometre trek that took 140 days to complete. His journey beat out the previous Guiness record of 15,070 kilometres set in 2004 by a team from the University of Waterloo, who themselves beat a mark set by Australians in January 2002 in their native country.

Read More...

Global Economic Meltdown Has Ripple Effect On Goa Inc
http://oheraldo.in/printerfriendlypage.asp?nid=12099&cid=2
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, NOV 3

The global economic meltdown now seems to have touched the Goan shores with the Industry in the State beginning to experience a slowdown.

“The meltdown has severely affected almost all areas of industries in Goa – mining, micro, medium and ancillary units”, said President of Goa Small Industries Association (GSIA) Atul P Naik. Light engineering, steel and other metal base units, etc are going through a rough patch, according to Vice President of Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) Manguirish Pai Raikar.

Read More...

CM Planned Attack On Me, Subject Him To Narco Test: Aires
PANJIM: Utt Goenkara spokesperson Advocate Aires Rodrigues has alleged that Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat, had given the green signal for the attack on him and Prajal Sakhardande and demanded that he (CM) be subjected to brain mapping and other forensic tests to get to the truth. The advocate along with Sakhardande, in a press conference, on November 4, alleged that Digambar planned the attack in the presence of Congress MLA Agnelo Fernandes, Health Minister Vishwajeet Rane, Education Minister and Taleigao MLA Babush Monserrate including SP (North) Bosco George. "Prior to the attack on me and Prajal on October 13 night, these people held a meeting at CM's official residence in Altinho. They were discussing on how to eliminate me," he alleged.

Read More...

Goa Archbishop visits Ras Al Khaimah
Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao of Goa and Daman visited the United Arab Emirates from October 10th to 18th, 2008. The long-awaited maiden visit of the Archbishop was a meaningful and a memorable one. He arrived in Dubai and then toured the emirates visiting landmarks and presiding over mass.

The Archbishop was received and welcomed in Ras Al Khaimah by Father Mathew Fernandes (a Goan Priest). In the evening, he celebrated a Solemn High Mass in Konkani at 7.30 pm followed by a reception and fellowship by the Goan community of Ras Al Khaimah.

UAE is no more greener pasture
An increase of up to 30 per cent in housing rents in the United Arab Emirates may soon result in large number of Goans employed in the UAE returning to Goa for their inability to either purchase a house or pay exorbitant rent. Though there are seven states under the Middle Eastern Federation namely Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al-Quwain, Goans are primarily concentrated in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah for the purpose of employment. [NT]

British govt divided over immigration
A disagreement between Britain's new immigration minister and its longest-serving Asian MP has opened up a divide in the ruling party over the number of skilled migrants who will be allowed to come into the country. Keith Vaz, the MP representing Leicester East, a constituency dubbed "Little India" for its large number of Indian-origin people, has described as "totally untrue" suggestions that the government wanted to place a cap on immigration. Immigration Minister Phil Woolas suggested last month he wanted to place a cap on the number of migrants who will be allowed to come to Britain, saying he did not want to see Britain's population increase from the current 61 million to 70 million. [IANS/GT]

10,000 Russian tourists to visit Goa
Pegas Touristik, Russia’s biggest tour operator, disclosed that 10,000 Russian tourists will be holidaying in Goa this season. Speaking at a party for Russian travel agents at Utorda, Salcete on Tuesday, Pegas Touristik director Abdullah Cawakaja said “The charters have started coming since October 9. Last year we closed at 7,000. It is a remarkable increase since Pegas tryst with Goa started in 2004 with just around 900 tourists.” “Pegas flies from six Russian cities while other operators fly from Moscow alone,” he claimed. [TOI]

Assagao village sarpanch ousted
After a rein of almost seven years, Victor D’Souza was ousted as the sarpanch of Assagao village panchayat, after he lost the no-confidence motion brought against him by four panchayat members, on Friday morning. Four members - Shruti Aroskar, Pradip Naik, Pratap Vernekar and Ajit Sawant - supported the motion, while Victor D’Souza, Lata Parab and Daisy D’Souza voted against it. D’Souza’s seven-year term was tumultuous with various allegations of irregularities and corruption. [TOI]

Iron ore exports down 81 per cent!
Iron ore export shipments from India have dropped 81 per cent in October compared with the same period a year ago on fall in demand from China and a glut in the global markets. According to Secretary of the Goa Mineral Ore Exporters' Association, exports have slipped to 1.5 million tonnes in October from around 8 mt during the same period a year ago. [H]

15 steel rolling units closed down
The global recession seems to have hit the state as 15 steel rolling units or 80 per cent of the total units in the state that deal in steel for construction sector have closed down during the past 15 days. Mr Sandeep Agarwal of the steel association said the market was not supporting the steel units and the duty on power too was hitting them badly. [NT]

Light engineering industry in the doldrums: GCCI
The Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Monday said local light engineering industry, which is dependent on the mining industry as well as the repair industry, has been most hit by the current Indian financial scenario affected by the global financial crisis. However, the pharmaceutical industry in the state is backing up the Goan industrial sector, the GCCI observed. [NT]

A Tiatr treat for the Vadodara Goans
A large Goan population and that too let high and dry without a Konkani tiatr is hard to imagine. This so called void of Konkani theatre in Baroda was filled when Menino Mario's tiatr "Sot'tor Pautti Saat" was staged for the first time in Baroda, by a troupe from Ahmedabad. Earlier, this tiatr was performed in Ahmedabad too. Amy Menezes, who actually hails from Colva but is now settled in Ahmedabad, procured the rights to re-stage the tiatr. The play was reproduced on the basis of the script and video recordings. [Dale Menezes, GT]

Panorama: Goan films flop again
Indian Panorama this year at IFFI 2008 will be bereft of any Goan film. Three Goan entries - "Mareparyant Fanshi", "Marmabandh" and "Rin Tem Farikponnachem" - have been rejected by the jury of the Indian Panorama. Incidentally, ever since IFFI was held in Goa, a Goan film is yet to feature in the Indian Panorama section of this premier film festival. Peeved over this development, Film Makers - a body of Goan film producers/directors - have held former Director of Information and Publicity Menino Peres responsible for this embarrassment (for faulty selection procedure). [GT]

Indian Clergy Look At Church Empowered By Lay People
31-10-2008
By SARNEWS
http://www.sarnews.in/details.php?n=859

JALPAIGURI, West Bengal(SAR NEWS) -- Church leaders in West Bengal and Sikkim region will strive to promote a Church empowered by lay Catholics, it was decided at their annual meeting held October 30 at Jalpaiguri, about 600 km north of Kolkata. Six bishops, 45 provincials and regional superiors and representatives of diocesan priests vowed to work for the formation of laity, to build a witnessing Church and make critical and effective use of the media.

Read More...

In India, Global Crisis Is Not All Bad News
One Industry Sees Opportunities, Lessons
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/25/AR2008_pf.html
By Rama Lakshmi
Washington Post Foreign Service
Sunday, October 26, 2008; A22

GURGAON, India -- In the mortgage crisis that has enveloped much of the Western world in recent weeks, Manoj Malhotra's outsourcing company sees an enhanced business opportunity.

As lenders in the United States and Europe move to firm up loans, sharpening quality control and fraud verification, the Gurgaon-based company that Malhotra heads has designed a Web program to help them do just that.

Read More...

India not in recessionary mode: RBI chief
http://www.zeenews.com/print_articles.asp?aid=478773&sid=BUS&ssid=50

Mumbai, Oct 25: India`s growth story will continue despite a slight deceleration, but there will be no recession as in some advanced economies, Reserve Bank Governor D Subbarao said on Saturday.

"India's growth will continue and even if there is some moderation, it will only be a modest moderation. But it will not be a recession...there will only be a slight deceleration," Subbarao told reporters here.

Read More...

These Marwaris Speak Sparkling Konkani
7 Nov 2008, , Roana Maria Costa, TNN
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-3682954,prtpage-1.cms

MUMBAI: It's a sweltering Saturday afternoon on the cluttered J Shanker Seth Road in Chira Bazaar. Unmindful of the October heat, the D'Souza family (name changed on request) is poring over gold jewellery which will add lustre to the trousseau of bride-to-be, Melissa. In a simple salwar kameez, the young girl sits atop a high stool in the air-conditioned store, as younger sister Audrey inspects a traditional Mangalorean necklace of solid gold, with matching bangles and earrings.

Read More...

+ Celine Rodrigues

+Celine Rodrigues passed away on October 31, 2008 in Pune, India after a brief illness. Born December 26, 1948 Celine is survived by her husband Diago, children Doreen, Caroline and Edvic, sisters Zena and Rosalind, brothers Tony and Patrick, nieces Shalini, Shobha, Patricia, Bernice and nephews Shashi and Brendan.

A Memorial service for Celine was held on Saturday November 8, 2008 at Christ the King Church in Mississauga

+ TERENCE BARRETTO

BARRETTO, Terence - Passed away peacefully into the Lord's presence on November 1st, 2008, after a courageous battle with cancer at the Guelph General Hospital. Loving husband of Isabella and cherished father of Shane and Lyndon. Beloved son of Victor and Mena and much loved brother of Sue Maya (Luis), Joe (Jean), Fiona Pires (Roy) of Australia. Brother-in-law of Bernard Rodrigues (Georgina), Matthew (Maureen) and Nelson. Terry will be sadly missed by his many nieces and nephews Ryan and Liane Barretto, Bianca and Jordan Maya, Dylan, Kirsten, Serena and Mariah Pires, Mark (Elke) Rodrigues and Michelle (Cedric) Coutinho and Charmaine (Kevin) Sheahan and Ryan (Meghan) Rodrigues. Mass and celebration of life held at Holy Rosary Church, Guelph, Wednesday, November 5th. 2008

Based on Information from the Toronto Star

+ MANUEL S. CONCEICAO

MANUEL S. CONCEICAO Peacefully, with his family by his side, at the Brampton Civic Hospital on Friday, October 31, 2008 at the age of 61. Beloved husband of Eliza Conceicao. Loving father of Karen, Neil (Elizabeth), and Sarah. Greatly missed by his sisters Delilah Clinton (Edwin), Lolita Henriques, Sheila D'Souza (Cyriaco), and Shirley Hill (Keith). Manuel will be fondly remembered by his many nieces, nephews, family and friends. A Funeral Mass held on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church (, Brampton) followed by interment to follow at Assumption Catholic Cemetery.

Based on Information from the Toronto Star
In the 1970s, Manuel served for many years on the Executive of the Goan Overseas Association, Toronto.

Date

Organization

Events

Links

Claireport Place Banquet & Convention Centre
Mass to be celebrated in the Hall at 5.00 p.m.

Click for Flyer

Click for Ticket Order From

Friends of St. Francis Xavier Celebration of
the Feast of St. Francis Xavier

At St. Francis Xavier Church 5650 Mavis Road (Mavis & Matheson) GTA- Mississauga

Click for Flyer

Diabetes And Heart Disease: A Deadly Partnership
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/November2008/03/c3881.html?view=print

Campaign targets baby-boomers to reverse the trend

TORONTO, Nov. 3 /CNW/ - This November, the Canadian Diabetes Association wants you to know that small lifestyle changes can make a big difference. The fact is, today only one in five people living with diabetes will survive heart disease. It is essential that Canadians living with and at risk of diabetes improve their chances of survival by making healthy lifestyle choices everyday.

Read More...

Let ‘Flat Belly Diet’ help you loose weight
October 29th, 2008
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/health/let-flat-belly-diet-help-you-loose-weight
By Bupha Ravirot

A new diet book ‘Flat Belly Diet‘ says best way to loose weight is eating on a diet, targeting belly fat specifically. Liz Vaccariello and, Cynthia Sass, the authors are the editor from health magazine ‘Prevention’, said that this kind of diet involves consuming monounsaturated fatty acids or MUFAs.

Regaring the book, MUFAs is plant-based fats found in some of the world’s most delicious foods. Studies found the fats strengthen heart health and protect against chronic disease.

Read More...

Knowing Multiple Languages 'Protects Brain Against Ageing'

Washington (PTI): Here's an advice for parents!
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/008200811030322.htm

Pester your kid to learn at least two to three languages, (including Konkani !) for a new study says that it could be beneficial for the toddler's mental health later in life. An international team, led by researchers at Tel Aviv University, has carried out the study and found that knowing multiple languages protects the children's brain against the effects of ageing in old age.

Read More...

Health Canada Comments on Study Relating to the Safety of Aspartame
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/securit/addit/sweeten-edulcor/aspartame_statement-eng

Health Canada scientists have reviewed the published data from a recent research study of aspartame. The European Ramazzini Foundation of Oncology and Environmental Science published results of their study in the European Journal of Oncology in June, 2005 and in Environmental Health Perspectives on November 17, 2005.

Read More...

Artery Hardening Worse Among Immigrants: Study
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/cbc/081027/science/science_immigrant_heart?printer=1
Mon Oct 27, 12:00 PM

The longer immigrants stay in Canada, the worse their cardiovascular health and risk of premature death becomes, say researchers who suspect the stress of settling down could be part of the problem.

At the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress in Toronto on Monday, Prof. Scott Lear, a kinesiologist at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver presented his research on atherosclerosis - or narrowing of the arteries that is a major contributor to heart disease and stroke - in a group of 618 Chinese, South Asia and Europeans, 460 of whom were born outside of Canada.

Read More...

Scotiabank study confirms Canadians Seek More Information on the Tax Free Savings Account

- Scotiabank has the financial advisors and online tools to provide Canadians with information they need

TORONTO, Nov. 6 /CNW/ - A study recently conducted for Scotiabank has found that 61 per cent of Canadians are interested in learning more about the new Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA) aimed at creating new opportunities for adult Canadians to save and invest for their futures. Of respondents currently without a TFSA account, 40 per cent said they are interested in opening an account prior to January 2009.

Read More...

Scientists Develop Cancer Fighting Tomato
By Michael Kahn
Yahoo! Canada News
Sun Oct 26, 6:50 PM

LONDON (Reuters) - A purple tomato genetically engineered to contain nutrients more commonly seen in dark berries helped prevent cancer in mice, British researchers said on Sunday. The finding, published in the journal Nature Biotechnology, bolsters the idea that plants can be genetically modified to make people healthier.

Read More...