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

How is 2009 going to be?

2008 is now behind us, and for many, best forgotten:

• On the weather scene Ontario and Quebec endured one of the longest and snowiest winters in years. At times, even snow enthusiasts had had enough and were desperate for spring. Every winter sees snow on the ground for weeks at a time, but not every winter has snow falling almost every day. The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Basin registered its third-wettest winter in 61 years, with most of the precipitation falling as the white stuff.

• Shocking as it may seem, it was another warm year for Canada – our 12th year in a row – although not as warm as it has been in recent years. From January to November, the national average temperature was about 1.0°C above normal. The summer of 2008 was the soggiest on record for the GTA, where we broke the previous mark with 974.4 millimetres of the wet stuff.

• With the snowfalls of Dec. 19 and 21, Toronto would easily break the 1,000-millimetre mark, according to Dave Phillips, a senior climatologist with Environment Canada. "That's a red-letter day for us" he said.

• On the Goan Community scene, the G.O.A. had to cancel Viva Goa due to problems with the usual Downsview Hanger venue. The Goanetters of Toronto hosted the International Goan Convention at the University of Toronto in which featured many aspects of Goan culture, including literature, language and tiatr. Prominent Goans from all over the world took the trouble to be here. Many commented sparse attendance by the local Goan population, and lukewarm support from the main Goan organizations and village groups. Their comment on “us not being all there” seems a fitting epithet.

• All there and everywhere are the Goan Seniors groups in the GTA. Membership is burgeoning, with events and trip sold-out as quickly as announced. The Boomer generation it seems, is fueling membership, some groups outstripping the mainstream association in numbers and attendance.

• While many in the US are already struggling through the banking and housing foreclosure crisis, no widespread concern has been expressed in the community at large. Christmas and New Years events have had good attendance. Goans it seems are, relatively, the more fortunate lot.

But 2009 is not going to be the same.

• On the political scene Canada has a minority government. Parliament has been prorogued. The Prime Minister has displayed poor judgment in handling the economy. All eyes are trained on the January 27th opening of Parliament to see if the present government will survive a vote of no confidence raised by a coalition of opposition parties.

• Goans are mainly employed in “white collar” jobs in the service sector and governmental organizations. These have not experienced wide spread layoffs, but could take a severe hit if the recession evolves into a depression with diminished tax revenue..

• Federal and Provincial Governments promise to inject more money to kick start their economies, even resorting to running deficits. This has yet to be implemented, with no assurance of having an significant effect as Canada’s economy is dictated by world demand for her commodities and these have been in decline.

To the Goan public, the bad days are bound to arrive. Having said that, we will hopefully retain our “Don’t Worry – Be Happy” stance, relying on our dances and social events to keep ourselves cheerful and sidestep reality..

US $ 1456 Billion stashed away in Swiss banks by Indians !…and our Government does not want to know who they are !
http://www.gauravblog.com/?p=230

Of course we always knew this….that many Indians have been stashing away black monies in Swiss banks for decades…but when one hears the Quantum from the Horse’s Mouth itself it has to invoke anger

Just read today’s Express Buzz coverage of the Swiss Banking Association Report of 2006 that reveals that India topped the List of Countries with it’s citizens having deposits of US $ 1456 Billion in Swiss banks…Russia came in second at US $ 470 billion In fact Indians have stashed away more funds in Swiss Banks than those from all other nations put together!

And the Swiss are willing to disclose in detail all the names of Indian Depositors if our Government wants this List…. Our Government has preferred to stay mute on this! …No Guess as to Why !

Over 80000 Indians visited Switzerland this past year and at least 25000 were not tourists! …that should tell you a story !  This Illegal and ill-begotten Wealth is even higher than India’s GDP Wealth of a Billion Dollars and three times that of our Market Capitalisation Wealth on BSE !

With the Indo US Nuclear deal having been signed now, I have no doubt that Mothers of Many Deals lie ahead and will create unprecedented Mother of All Opportunities for many to add to this Booty in Swiss Banks !….Just a Sad and Angry Thought !

There is a lovely TV ad by Tata Tea on creating awareness and responsibility to exercise our Right to Vote… www.jaagore.com. …Just praying that, against all this Corruption and Inequalities in our System, there is born a People’s Movement and a petition under the “Right To Information” Act puts pressure on our Government as to why they have not sought this List of Depositors from the Swiss Government

These illegal Swiss Bank Deposits are a Shameful and Tragic Statistic that taunts the 1.1 billion people that eke out an honest living in India and are subject to hard strife…Of course they are acutely aware of this Inequality and I daresay that anger and angst will lead to agitation and aggression…Watch Out then!