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

UNWRAPPING GOAN IDENTITY: Finding the right distraction to schizophrenia?
By Teotonio R de Souza
teodesouza@gmail.com
From: goanet-news-bounces@lists.goanet.org

Dr Souza is a prominent Indo-Portuguese historian. This essay was written for the recently-published 'Semana de Cultura Goa 2008', edited by Vivek Menezes vmingoa@gmail.com

When asked to write this short note, the recent autobiographical and polemical novel of Gunter Grass, "Peeling the Onion", came to my mind. That is exactly how I see the Goan identity, with its many wrappings.

Some of these make me cry, due to the ambiguities and contradictions involved in the process of the historical growth of "my people". In the course of my 62 years of life -- 12 of these spent in India but outside Goa for University studies, and the past 14 in Portugal accompanying the former colonialists in their University studies -- I have been part of the Goan onion wrappings. This is not a damage controlling Gunterian confession, but I may admit that I was born legally as Portuguese in colonial Goa without my choice in February 1947 (while rest of the country was on the threshold of independence). I became an Indian without my choice by a legislative process which followed the expulsion of the Portuguese colonial regime.

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Fr Agnelo's Day celebrated in France
20 Nov 2008,
Fr Peter Raposo, TNN
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-3734600,prtpage-1.cms

Faraway from home, in Paris, France, the Goan community gathered under the aegis of the association "Les Amis du Père Agnelo" (The Friends of Fr Agnelo) to commemorate the death anniversary of Venerable Fr Agnelo.

This day popularly called "Fr Agnelo's Day" is traditionally celebrated with a Mass in French at which a large number of French Catholics participate. The Mass this year was held on November 9 and was presided over by Père Gilles Rousselet in l'Eglise de Saint Esprit (Holy Spirit Church).

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Saint John High students take a step back in time
Excerpt from Saint John Telegraph-Journal
Published Friday November 21st, 2008
http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/search/article/488001

Remembrance Battle of Ortona was one of Canada's greatest achievements of Second World War - BOBBI-JEAN MACKINNON

Brandon D'Souza displays his grandfather’s medals, which include the 1939-45 Star, the Italy Star, the France and German Star, the Defence Medal, the 1939-45 War Medal, the Canadian Forces Decoration, the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and the Holland Liberation Medal.

SAINT JOHN - Brandon D'Souza always had a close relationship with his grandfather, who lived next door as he was growing up. But the late Clement Edward Shea never talked much about his military service overseas during the Second World War.

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“TRIBUTE TO ELVIS”---STAGEWEST THEATRE
Flavia de Souza

On November 10, 2008, a group of TEGSA members attended the “Tribute to Elvis”. Some of us, in our group, met each other for the first time. We were all excited about the show. For most in the group, this was the first time at Stage West Theatre.

After we were seated, we enjoyed the buffet. Between the crisp salads, seafood, and hot foods like chicken, veal, beef, veggies and a whole array in fron t of us, we had to make difficult choices, as to what dishes we should try first.. The veal parmigiana and the roast beef were the hit. The “mummified” shrimp were intriguing, but excellent. Desserts, for those of us that have a sweet tooth, were a meal in itself. The meal in all was excellent.

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A Paradise Lost For The Goan People
Brian de Souza
Sunday, November 16, 2008

Once Upon a Time in Aparanta
Sudeep Chakravarti
Penguin Books
220 pages
Rs250

Goa means different things to different people. To tourists, it's one of India's happening places and a hot destination for New Year bashes. Companies that have their conferences here apparently get the highest numbers of sign-ins.

Many have also dropped anchor here to pursue their creative inclinations and that includes the author of, Once Upon A Time In Aparanta, Sudeep Chakravarti, resident since 2004, whose attention is engaged by the old world charm of the place that's fading away.

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'Sonal Shah was VHP-America member for 3 years'
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200811132311.htm

Washington (PTI): Indian-American Sonal Shah, whose appointment in the Obama transition team has sparked a row prompting her to deny links with Indian right-wing groups, was a member of VHP-America for three years just after "getting out of college," the US-based group said on Thursday.

Shah, an eminent economist who was taken into an advisory board by President-elect Barack Obama to assist his team in smooth transition of power, had earlier this week rubbished reports of her links with RSS and VHP and said her politics "has nothing in common with views espoused" by such outfits.

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National Geographic Getting Into Video Games
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-3727941,prtpage-1.cms
18 Nov 2008,

NEW YORK: National Geographic, best known for its yellow-framed magazine and often breathtaking nature shows, is getting into video games. National Geographic Ventures, a unit of the nonprofit National Geographic Society, was set to announce Tuesday it will work with game publishers to turn its material into games for PCs, consoles and handheld devices.

"Our content is extremely well-suited for a global gaming audience," said Paul Levine, a National Geographic executive who will lead the new games division. The games will be drawn from a broad range of content and themes across National Geographic's properties.

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Two Planes Miss Collision At Goa Airport, - Probe Ordered
November 17th, 2008

Panaji, Nov 16 (IANS) A probe was ordered after a Moscow-bound Trans-Aero aircraft’s wing brushed against the tail of another plane at Goa’s Dabolim airport Sunday afternoon, airport officials said here. All 356 passengers on board were safe.The incident occurred at 2.30 p.m., when the Moscow-bound flight was on the runway, readying for the take-off, the officials said.

The Trans-Aero flight’s right wing brushed against the tail wing of another chartered flight from Britain, the officials said. The passengers were immediately evacuated, they said, adding all passengers on board the Trans-Aero flight were safe. However, both flights were grounded on the runway, blocking the outgoing traffic.

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Goa to have its own Anti-Terror Squad
http://www.zeenews.com/states/2008-11-16/484064news.html

Panaji, Nov 16: Goa Police will have its own Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) as the state was frequently being mentioned as a target by terrorists during interrogations, a top official said on Sunday.

"Goa's special cell would be a 150-strong force that would look into aspects such as collection of terror-related intelligence and cyber crime," Superintendent of Police, Atmaram Deshpande, who is in-charge of the cell, told media. Most of the manpower for the ATS would be sourced from the police force itself, said Deshpande, who has studied various anti-terror squad models across the country.

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"Book-on-head" race!
Picture by Joel D’Souza

On Sunday afternoon the Lions Club of Assagao in association with their counterparts in Anjuna, Arpora/Nagoa, Calangute, Aldona, Mapusa, Mapusa Suburban, Tivim, Bicholim and Sanquelim, held a regional level sports meet at the Assagao school ground for underprivileged children from their respective areas

Kin of 2 Goan sailors ecstatic
MARGAO: There were ecstatic scenes at the homes of the two Goan sailors who were held captive on board the hijacked ship "MV Stolt Valor". The families of Alister Fernandes from Cuncolim and Isidore Fernandes from Raia, telephoned GT to express their gratitude for consistently taking up their cause. The two families said they received a telephonic message from the National Union of Seafarers of India that their sons have been released and that the ship had left for Mumbai and would reach in the next five to six days. "We are happy that Alister and other (18) sailors have been released," said his mother, who incidentally celebrated her birthday on November 16. [GT]

Tourism scenario in state is improving
After a shaky start and against the gloomy scenario projected on the tourism front in view of global meltdown, the tourism scenario is improving in the state with the number of charter flights and tourists showing a sign of recovery in the state. According to Mr Charles Bonifacio, the former president of Travel and Tourism Association of Goa, the inflow of chartered tourists has improved considerably and the scene is showing sign of immense recovery after a shaky start. Mr Bonifacio also said that the flow of Russian tourists is encouraging while the flights from United Kingdom have also been bringing in a lot of chartered tourists, allowing the tourism industry in Goa to heave a sigh of relief. [NT]

Goa entertains droves of Russian tourists
Increase in the number of Russian tourists arriving in the state over the years and expectation of a further increase in their arrival has prompted Goa's tourism industry to rise to the occasion and cater to their needs. A senior official in the state tourism sector told "The Navhind Times" that some hoteliers have appointed chefs specialising in Russian delicacies to cater to the Russian tourists. [NT]

Traffic arrangements in view of feast at Old Goa
The District Magistrate, North Goa, has ordered the diversion of traffic and parking of vehicles at Old Goa in view of feast of St Francis Xavier to be held on December 3, 2008. All vehicular traffic from Panjim desiring to proceed to Ponda and Old Goa will be diverted from down below Mandovi bridge to take right and proceed via bye-pass (Kadamba Plateau). Those attending the feast will be allowed to take the normal road via Ribandar Patto to come up to Bhakia's property where they will park their vehicles. [GT]

Cattle fair continues to attract buyers
Tucked away behind the Rosary College, Navelim, was the cattle fair which drew buyers from far and wide. Local tradition says that sale of the cattle has been part and parcel of the feast fair since decades, bringing cattle buyers and sellers on the feast day. [H]

GKA's tiatr manuscript scheme
Goa Konkani Akademi is planning to publish around 10 tiatr manuscripts this year under its "Tiatr financial assistance for publication scheme", to publish the manuscripts of Konkani drama and tiatr presented during various festivals and feasts of different villages of Goa. 75 per cent financial assistance will be given to publish each selected manuscript in the form of a book. The last date for submitting the form along with the manuscripts is December 15, 2008. [GT]

Benaulim carpenters - dying breed
The Goan Catholic carpenter is a rarity nowadays. Several ornamental altars and artistic images of saints which adorn not only homes of the rich and churches, bear testimony to the craftsmanship of the ancestors of carpenters from B enaulim. However, today, it is just carved furniture that still is Sebastiao Rato's forte. Barely a handful of Benaulim's carpenters remain loyal to their ancestral occupation. [H]

'Village' depicting traditional Goa at Cuelim
A visit to the Three Kings Heritage Village at Cuelim could provide you with the details of the rich and unique culture and tradition of Goa. Opened earlier this month and situated at the foot of the picturesque Three Kings Hill in Cuelim, the Village gives a detailed insight for every visitor. Promoted by Jose Maria Furtado, the it presents fugdi dances by indigenous tribes of Goa with exotic beats of ghumots. The traditional art of pottery, bamboo basket weavers, toddy tappers, cobblers and poder and various vegetation plants are also on display. [H]

Tusker destroys plantations at Pernem
Banana plantations belonging to Vilas Parab and others were destroyed by an elephant on Saturday night at Kadashi-Mopa. Earlier, the same tusker had destroyed the paddy field and banana plantations of farmers at Fakirpato-Patradevi. [GT]

Indian Satellite Captured By Moon
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/sci/tech/7718015.stm
Excerpt from BBC NEWS

India is celebrating the arrival of its Chandrayaan 1 spacecraft at the Moon. Indian flag on the surface of the Moon.

An 817-second burn from the probe's engine on Saturday slowed Chandrayaan sufficiently for it to be captured by the lunar body's gravity. The craft is now in an 11-hour polar ellipse that goes out to 7,502km from the Moon and comes as close as 504km.

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We Have Given Moon To India: ISRO Chief
http://www.zeenews.com/sci-tech/space/2008-11-14/483573news.html

Bangalore, Nov 14: ISRO officials say Chandrayaan-1 detached the Moon Impact Probe as planned. "The Moon was favourable to us. We have travelled all the way to the Moon. We have given Moon to India," a relieved ISRO chairman G Madhavan Nair told reporters in Bangalore. Former president and rocket scientist A P J Abdul Kalam was by Nair's side when the country's top space scientist made the announcement of the moon landing.

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Indian Elections 09: Challenges To The Church
http://www.sarnews.in/details.php?n=883
13-11-2008
By SARNEWS

Excerpt:
According to the Christian Human Development Index, the Indian situation is positively appalling.

“In a country of over 1.1 billion, more that 70 per cent of the population lives with less than Rs 20 per day, with almost 350 million illiterates and 300 million below the poverty line. About 150 million lack access to drinking water, 750 million lack proper sanitation, 50 per cent of the children are below an accepted nutritional level and perhaps 60-70 per cent of people cannot afford basic medical care.” (Integral Liberation, June 2008, The Indian Worker by Ambrose Pinto)

.PANAJI, Goa(SAR NEWS) -- The Lok Sabha elections that will decide who will rule India in the coming years, will take place between January and April next year.

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Indian Techies Hit By Recession In US
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-3727735,prtpage-1.cms
18 Nov 2008, 2333 hrs IST, IANS

NEW YORK: Less than three weeks ago, Saurabh (name changed) relocated along with his family from Edison, the Indian neighbourhood in New Jersey, to Silicon Valley in California as he switched jobs. Before moving, he put his house, which he had bought last year, on sale and leased an apartment at his new work place.

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Top Indian IT Companies To Tide Over Economic Slump
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-3725063,prtpage-1.cms
18 Nov 2008,
P P Thimmaya & Pankaj Mishra, ET Bureau

BANGALORE: At a time when customers in the US and Europe are tightening their IT budgets, leading Indian tech firms are betting on their huge pile of cash to steer through the global economic crisis and also to explore M&A opportunities in a world reeling under severe liquidity crunch.

Each of the top six Indian software services firms — TCS, Infosys, Wipro, Satyam, HCL Technologies and Cognizant—have cash reserves in excess of $500 million, with Infosys topping the list at $1.8 billion.

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+Apolonia Bertha Noronha

Apolonia Bertha Noronha, beloved wife of the late Gabriel Noronha, passed away peacefully at Edith Cavell Care Centre in Lethbridge (Alberta, Canada) on November 18, 2008, at the age of 90 years.

Bertha is survived by her son, Francis (Cybele) Noronha, her daughters, Felicia Vas, Prisca (Bosco) Baptista, all of Lethbridge, and Anita De Sa of London, England; nine grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by Gabriel, her loving husband of sixty years; by her parents, Albert and Maria Augusta D’Souza; all seven of her siblings, Mary, Tony, Amar, Angelo, Arnold, Amina and Catarina; and her sons in law Braz De Sa and Eugene Vas.

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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

The Job Seekers' Top-10 List

Career Expert Offers 10 Must-Do Strategies for Today's Professionals

TORONTO, Nov. 13 /CNW/ - There's no question job seekers face a challenging employment environment and must work hard to find new opportunities. To help professionals looking to make their next career move, Max Messmer, chairman and CEO of Robert Half International and author of Job Hunting For Dummies(R), 2nd Edition (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.), recently discussed the 10 strategies every would-be employee should follow. "In this economic environment, applicants must be resourceful," said Messmer. "A successful job search often depends on who you know, which means candidates need to make sure their efforts are as far-reaching as possible.

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Insurance Bureau Of Canada Warns Consumers About Phone Fraud Scam

HALIFAX, Nov. 13 /CNW/ - Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is warning consumers to avoid disclosing financial information over the phone after several consumers received calls from fraudsters pretending to be insurance industry representatives.

"Consumers today really need to stay vigilant," said Bill Adams, Acting Vice-President, Atlantic, IBC. "These con artists will do whatever they have to do to get your financial information." The caller claims to be from the policyholder's insurance company and demands the immediate payment, by credit card, of an outstanding amount on the client's premium. The caller threatens to cancel the policy if payment is not received. The calls have taken place across the country, indicating an organized crime ring might be at work.

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Survey Finds Students Listening To Digital Music At "Dangerous" Levels

Province-wide project finds 30% of young people surveyed may be at risk of hearing loss

TORONTO, Nov. 17 /CNW/ - A survey of Ontario high school students has found that 30% were listening to their digital music players at levels that could cause long-term damage to their hearing. The survey saw students test their peers' digital music players in advance of a ground-breaking summit being held to investigate solutions to the issue of noise-induced hearing loss in young people.

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Age Is Just One Risk Factor For Diabetes
HUGH ANDERSON
The Gazette
Monday, November 10, 2008
Excerpts from: http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/columnists/story.html

Shakespeare had Prince Hamlet speak of "the thousand natural shocks that flesh is heir to" as the troubled fellow debated whether to avoid them "with a bare bodkin" used to end his life early.

Many seniors know that one of those natural shocks is Type 2 diabetes. November is Diabetes Awareness Month. Canada's Public Health Agency says that seniors are one of two population groups with the highest risk of diabetes. The other, for unexplained reasons, are native peoples.

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Cases Of Asthma In Canada May Be Overdiagnosed By 30 Per Cent: Study
Source: http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article

TORONTO — Almost a third of adult Canadians diagnosed with asthma and taking medications to treat their wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath may not actually have the allergic respiratory condition at all, researchers say. In a study of about 500 adults who had previously been told they have asthma, airway-function and other tests showed that about 30 per cent did not in fact have the disease, suggesting that asthma may be significantly overdiagnosed in Canada.

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Scientists Point To Dairy Protein And Vitamins As Keys To Boomer Health
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/November2008/18/c9596.html?view=print

Boomers urged to consume more milk products

MONTREAL, Nov. 18 /CNW/ - Leading academics and researchers are presenting their latest findings to health professionals at a nutrition symposium titled "Living Long. Living Healthy" in four cities across the country this week. The symposium is exploring how advances in nutrition, lifestyle habits and genetics are helping boomers stay fit, healthy and live longer.

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Green spaces 'reduce health gap'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7714950.stm
BBC NEWS

A bit of greenery near our homes can cut the "health gap" between rich and poor, say researchers from two Scottish universities. Even small parks in the heart of our cities can protect us from strokes and heart disease, perhaps by cutting stress or boosting exercise.

Their study, in The Lancet, matched data about hundreds of thousands of deaths to green spaces in local areas. Councils should introduce more greenery to improve well being, they said. This study offers valuable evidence that green space does more than 'pretty up' the neighbourhood

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Champions of Breakfast Say: Make a Meal of It
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008
By Jennifer Huget
Tuesday, November 11, 2008; HE02

Perhaps you are reading this column over breakfast.

We'll deal with the reading-while-you-eat issue another day. For now, it's good to know you're eating what many nutritionists consider the most important meal of the day. Breakfast is commonly credited with improving students' academic performance and adults' ability to be productive at work; it's also a cornerstone of many weight-loss programs.

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