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

Optimism is the cure for the downturn
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7785564.stm
Viewpoint By Sir David Tang

Pessimism is the most serious cause for the global economic tsunami.

There is an ocean of people who are now feeling so depressed that not only have they become resigned to the fact that they are in deep trouble, but they have told everybody else that they are also in deep trouble.

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Watch out, Africa, Obama plans to paint the whole world green
http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/opOrEd/comment/-/434750/507234
By CHARLES ONYANGO-OBBO
Posted Saturday, December 27 2008

US President-elect Barack Obama continues to excite.

The star cast he has named to be his science advisers, and in particular his picking of Steven Chu, the 1997 Nobel laureate in Physics, to run the Department of Energy, has environmentalists in the US and the world swooning.

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Will the U.S. Remain Number One?
http://www.conferenceboard.ca/economics/hot_eco_topics/default/09-01-14/
January 14, 2009 - Kip Beckman
Principal Research Associate
Economic Services

Imagine a country locked in a war that went badly wrong with a financial sector that was draining resources from its industrial sector. Observers started writing books and articles claiming that the nation was in decline and was about to lose its status as the number one country in the world. If this sounds like the United States of today you would be wrong because it is, instead, Great Britain in 1905. The war in question was the Second Boer War and the crisis in confidence that gripped the country at the time led to a dramatic election in 1906 that saw the Liberals dethrone the Conservatives in a landslide. While the new government implemented a bold set of reforms, Britain’s decline continued and within four decades a new country across the Atlantic Ocean with greater industrial and military strength supplanted Britain as the most powerful country in the world.

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US losing ‘war for hearts and minds’ of Muslims
http://www.dawn.com/2009/01/12/top5.htm
From The Dawn - Karachi
By Anwar Iqbal

WASHINGTON, Jan 11: The Gaza conflict appears to have widened the traditional divide in the United States between the left-leaning liberals and the mainstream politicians and has also dealt a severe blow to US efforts for winning the hearts and minds of Muslim masses.

For the past two weeks, anti-war groups have been holding protest rallies against the Israeli aggression almost daily. The biggest rally was held outside the White House on Saturday, which brought tens of thousands of people from across the United States. Most of the participants were the same who come to all anti-war rallies. And the main organisers — Brian Becker, Cindy Sheehan, Ramsey Clark, Cynthia McKinney — are known anti-war activists.

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The G.O.A. Vision Report
See G.O.A. Toronto website www.goatoronto.com for full report

Selected Topics:

• Introduction
  The Goan Overseas Association (G.O.A.) in Toronto conducted an assessment in the form of a survey and a workshop in 2007 to assist in better understanding the needs of the Goan community in order that a new vision for the Association and plan for the future could be developed.

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Slumdog Millionaire wins four Golden Globe awards
Excerpts from:
http://www.canada.com/topics/entertainment/movie-guide/review.html?id=1166708
Jay Stone- Canwest News Service - Sunday, January 11, 2009

Wins:

• Best Drama - Slumdog Millionaire

• Best Director - Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire

• Best Screenplay - Slumdog Millionaire, Simon Beaufoy

• Best Original Score - Slumdog Millionaire (A.R. Rahman)

Photo from: www.mangalorean.com

The Golden Globes, once the raucous stepchild of the Academy Awards, put on their tuxedos and low-cut gowns Sunday night for a glittering but staid evening of honours that boosted the Oscar chances of the crowd-pleasing melodrama Slumdog Millionaire.

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Goan Literature In The Diaspora
By Ben Antao

As Goans continue to migrate and put down roots in various parts of the world, they hunger to read literature written by Goans with roots in Goa. This hunger reflects their quest for identity and their need to nurture and celebrate it.

Following the end of the Portuguese colonial rule over Goa in1961, a number of Goan writers have published novels and short stories, contributing to a growing body of Goan literature in English. I myself have published four novels ad several short fiction, in addition to a memoir Images of Goa, plus essays and articles bearing on Goa.

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US develops tiny flying robots
Excerpt from:
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/11/21/business/NA-TEC-US-Bug-Sized-Spies.php 
.
If only we could be a fly on the wall when our enemies are plotting to attack us. Better yet, what if that fly could record voices, transmit video and even fire tiny weapons?

That kind of James Bond-style fantasy is actually on the drawing board. US military engineers are trying to design flying robots disguised as insects that could one day spy on enemies and conduct dangerous missions without risking lives.

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Last Woolworths stores turn out lights in Britain
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090106/business/britain_woolworths
By The Associated Press

It’s business as usual for Deacons Kenya
Business Daily Africa, Kenya - 15 Dec 2008

December 16, 2008: The local franchise holder for Woolworths, an international high-end clothes and shoes brands, has moved to assure its customers that it’s business as usual in Nairobi

LONDON - Bankrupt department store chain Woolworths, a stalwart of British retailing for 100 years, turned out the lights at the final 200 of its 807 shops on Tuesday. Debt-laden Woolworths filed for bankruptcy protection in November. Administrator Deloitte held a huge liquidation sale - even selling off fixtures and fittings - and announced last month it would close all Woolworths stores after attempts to find a buyer for the faltering chain failed. About 27,000 jobs are being lost.

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Ford, Magna team up on electric car
January 12, 2009
The Canadian Press
http://thespec.com/Business%20News/article/494837

TORONTO — Canadian auto parts giant Magna International is teaming up with Ford Motor Company to produce a fully electric car that will be in showrooms in 2011. The car, based on the Ford Focus platform, will drive up to 160 kilometres on a single charge. It will run on a zero-emission lithium-ion battery, without using any gasoline.

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Goenchim Kirnnam tops at Mando fest

Led by Prof Cosma Fernandes, Goenchim Kirnam bagged the ‘Mando Award’ at the 1st All Goa Mando Festival, organized by Ponda cultural association at Rajiv Gandhi Kala Mandir, recently. Goenchim Kirnnam annexed the top places with Rs 6000 in prizes in the original Mando, traditional Mando (Rs 5000), music and lyrics (Rs 2000) each besides the Mando award. The prizes were awarded at the hands of home minister Ravi Naik. In the original category, Goenchim Kirnnam presented “Fuddle jinnent ravtelim tuka,” composed by Fr Olavo Caiado. In traditional category, they performed “Kalliz tukach re bhettoilem” written by Tomazinho Cardozo. The winning troupe comprised Prof Cosma Fernandes, Fr Olavo Caiado, Atasha D’Souza, Fr Peter Simon Mascarenhas, Glenis Mendonca, Ramina Mendonca, Rashmi Menezes, Queenie Fernandes, Domingos Soares, Luis Fernandes, Mollet D’Sa, Selvin Braganza and Fr Damaciano Carvalho.

India not a super power yet: Dr Prahalad
“India is more of a fast growing economy than a superpower. To be a super power is still an aspiration,” announced Dr Prahlad, one of the top 50 global thinkers, and renowned management guru who addressing the media, on January 10 before his lecture on “Global Restructuring of Industries.

TURE FOR n insect we came across at the Virnorda farm in Pernem Is there an Indian advantage?” at NIO auditorium and organised by Goa Institute of Management. Throwing more light on this issue he said, “Restructuring of industries is taking place all over the world and not only in financial sector but also in IT, automobile and healthcare, to name a few. These acquisitions and mergers would take a decade to happen,” he said. While speaking about India, he confirmed that our economic position is quite good because our economy is driven by internal consumption. [WE-GT]

Recession beaten, commercial tax revenues soar
The whole world may be reeling under the effect of the economic downturn but not Goa. At least not if official figures of the actual cash that has come into the state government’s kitty in indirect commercial taxes is anything to go by. Collections have soared a significant 22 per cent in the first three quarters of fiscal 2008-00 despite the much talked of economic recession. [GT]

Hindus demand law to protect temples
“Frame a temple protection law”, was the demand echoed by nearly 70,000 Hindus gathered at the SAG ground at Campal on Saturday for a meeting of the Goa Akhil Mandir Suraksha Samitti. Over 20 bus loads of members of various Hindu organisations descended on SAG ground to hear their leaders condemn the recent series of temple desecrations in the state. The resolution passed at the end of the meeting also demanded that the miscreants who desecrated the temples should be arrested immediately. The meeting also demanded that the government ban killing of cows all over Goa and that all grants to Haj pilgrims should be stopped. [TOI]

The Thought Police
We cannot deny that Goa’s identity has been always changing. Neither can we choose convenient cut-off points… Someone who has spent three generations out of Goa or even overseas is considered a Goan, based on an accident of genetics. On the other hand, this status is not given to someone who has spent half-a-lifetime in Goa. We need an update on concepts of identity in our fast globalizing world, though it might personally be convenient for us to pretend that nothing is changing and simply stick to past views. [Frederick Noronha, Herald]

Beach cleanliness drive gains momentum
The Centre for Responsible Tourism in collaboration with the department of tourism undertook cleanliness drive of the beaches along the coasts of Baga-Calangute-Candolim-Sinquerim. The Centre had employed 31 persons to carry out the work from Baga to Sinquerim. [H]

5,000 blood tests per day
A whopping 5,000 blood tests are conducted per day at the Wet Labs installed around six months ago in the biochemistry lab of the Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim. The Wet Labs, which are commonly known as the ‘Central Laboratory’ has made the procedure faster and a notch more reliable. [GT]

Govt contemplating film school at Old GMC building
After a strong objection from the public of the Old Goa Medical College Building being converted into a shopping mall, the government is now exploring the possibility of setting up a film school at the heritage building. [H]

Understanding the Science Behind Cashew Feni
The government of Goa under its industrial policy and biotechnology policy needs to encourage basic and applied research in the microbiology, biochemistry, analytical chemistry and fermentation technology of feni production. Besides cashew feni the simple route to produce more valued cashew wine needs to be explored. GIP for feni needs to kick start the process of identification of other truly Goan products which could qualify for similar status. [Nandkumar Kamat, NT]

Siberian cranes fail to keep date with birdwatchers
Birdwatchers from Salcete are disappointed that migratory birds from Eastern Europe and the Himalayas have given them the slip this winter. These migratory birds, especially Siberian cranes, have failed to swoop over some of the Salcete lakes this time. [Minoo Fernandes, NT]

Each village should plan housing requirements: GBA
Various village groups from Salcete taluka under the banner of Goa Bachao Abhiyan on January 13 reached a consensus and understanding that each village should plan housing requirements taking into account the demography of the village and the projected growth of population. [H]

Scenic island turning into wasteland?
In the villages of the picturesque island of Divar, garbage disposal is a sore point that repeatedly raises its head at the gram sabha meetings. “We ask the panchayat how we’re supposed to dispose the growing garbage, they ignore the issue and instead ask us why the island needs a garbage disposal system,” alleges resident Prisca Fernandes, former headmistress of Our Lady of Divar High School. [Ahva D’Souza, TOI]

Daylight robbery at Mapusa
A daylight theft occurred in which property worth Rs.1.7 lakh including cash of Rs.92,000 was stolen. The theft occurred at 10.30 am at the main entrance of Mapusa Market wherein the cash was stolen from the drawer of the table belonging to a lottery seller Prakash Poulekar. The amount of Rs.92,000 was a collection of sale of Christmas donation coupons received from various lottery sellers. In another case, an unknown thief broke open the lock of a flat on the 4th floor of Alcon Apartment at Gaunsavaddo, Mapusa, belonging to one Kavita Gojan Madiwal, and stole a gold chain and silver pooja plates from the cupboard costing around Rs.15,000. [GT]

Briton robbed of belongings at Candolim
A Briton was robbed of her belongings while she was on her way to a resort at Candolim on January 9 at about 11 pm. Two persons on a motorcycle allegedly robbed Ferguson of her belongings which she along with her husband and friends were returning to their resort after dinner. [H]

Indian navy agrees to US$2.1 billion deal for Boeing planes
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090106/business/boeing_india
By Daniel Lovering, The Associated Press

The Indian navy has agreed to buy eight reconnaissance and anti-submarine planes from Boeing Co. in a $2.1 billion deal that signals the developing nation's drive to upgrade its military hardware.

The first of the aircraft, a variant of the P-8A Poseidon under development for the U.S. Navy, will be delivered within four years, and the remaining seven will be delivered by 2015, the defence unit of Chicago-based Boeing (NYSE:BA) said Tuesday.

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Violent extremists common enemy of India, Pakistan: US
http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20090079072
NDTV Correspondent
Wednesday, January 07, 2009, (Washington)

America said on Wednesday that the greatest threat to India and Pakistan are not each other but the violent extremists operating out of Pakistani territory. The State Department Spokesperson Sean McCormack said this at a press briefing in Washington.

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Economic slump crashes big weddings
By Emily Wax
http://www.dawn.com/2009/01/12/int14.htm

NEW DELHI: For couples about to be married here, the global economic crisis has forced the big fat Indian wedding onto a crash diet.

Gone are the so-called helicopter grooms of last year’s wedding season the most opulent on record where in a still-booming economy some husbands-to-be abandoned the traditional white horse procession and arrived at their nuptials on landing pads, amid a whirl of wind.

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‘Every Terrorist Is Potentially A Preacher Of The Word of God’
12-01-2009
By SARNEWS
South Asia Religious News

KURNOOL, Andhra Pradesh(SAR NEWS) -- “St. Paul was a terrorist before he met Jesus and then being transformed, preached the Word of God. Hence every terrorist has the potentiality to become a preacher of the Word of God. Every fundamentalist has the potentiality to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to become a great believer of Jesus Christ as Jesus died for all men and women,” said Father N. Matthew, VC, at the Pauline Year Jubilee celebrations of the Kurnool Diocese at Premagiri, January 11.

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Amitabh Bachchan slams 'Slumdog Millionaire' on blog
14 Jan 2009, 2152 hrs IST, IANS
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-3979601,prtpage-1.cms

NEW DELHI: Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan has slammed Danny Boyle's Golden Globe award winning underdog drama "Slumdog Millionaire" for showing India in poor light.

"If 'Slumdog Millionaire' projects India as Third World dirty underbelly developing nation and causes pain and disgust among nationalists and patriots, let it be known that a murky underbelly exists and thrives even in the most developed nations," Amitabh said in a posting on his blog on Wednesday from Paris, France. "It's just that the 'Slumdog Millioanire' idea authored by an Indian and conceived and cinematically put together by a westerner, gets creative global recognition," he added.

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World Renowned Geotechnical Engineer, Prof. Victor de Mello, passes away

The following notice is an excerpt from the International Society for Rock Mechanics.
http://www.isrm.net/noticias/detalhes.php?id=167  and other references.

It is with great sadness, we report that Professor Victor de Mello passed away in São Paulo, Brazil, on 1 January 2009, at the age of 82. He is survived by two sons and four grandchildren. Born in Goa, India, he obtained his BSc, MSc and DSc in Civil Engineering at MIT (USA). He settled in Brazil in 1949 and, in 1950, he was one of the founders of the Brazilian Geotechnical Society (ABMS). He was President of the ABMS (1964-1966), Vice-President of the ISRM (1970-74), Vice-President (1973-77) and President (1981-85) of the ISSMFE.

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+ Alfie D'Souza

7 Jan: Potters Bar, Herts, UK. ALFIE D'SOUZA (Born Mombasa 1925; ex-E.A.R & H, Nairobi.). Husband of late Molly. Father of Desmond, Sandra and Warren. Son of the late Alex and Cecilia D'Souza of Mombasa. Brother of Freddie and Eddie (UK) and Anita (Arusha). Requiem Mass on Mon. 26 Jan. at 12.00 at Our Lady & St Vincent, 243 Mutton Lane, Potters Bar, EN6 2AT . Cremation at New Southgate Crematorium at 1.30pm followed by refreshments at the Church Hall. No flowers please - use the donation box at the church in aid of the kidney dialysis unit at Barnet General Hospital, RSVP to help us with catering arrangements. With advance notice lifts can be arranged to the crematorium. Messages/Condolences to warren.dsouza@squaregroup.co.uk; tel: 07971 998435

Above information from Goan Voice UK

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You may be more racist than you think, study says
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/01/07/racism.study/index.html?iref=mpstoryview
By Elizabeth Landau
CNN

(CNN) -- Would you get upset if you witnessed an act of racism?
A new study shows that many people may unknowingly hold racist views, contrary to how they view themselves. A new study published Thursday in the journal Science suggests many people unconsciously harbor racist attitudes, even though they see themselves as tolerant and egalitarian.

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Retired Canadians cite health issues as a major reason for their retirement, according to RBC Poll

Retirees would rather have good health than no financial worries

TORONTO, Jan. 6 /CNW/ - According to the 19th Annual RBC RRSP Poll, approximately one-in-four retired Canadians cited health issues as the main reason for their retirement. Only nine per cent of pre-retired Canadians however believe that health issues will trigger them to retire. Besides health issues, qualifying for a pension (24 per cent) and company downsizing (13 per cent) were the leading factors that prompted Canadians to retire.

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Statistics Show Dementia Affects More Than 71,000 Canadians Under Age 65
http://www.alzheimer.ca/english/media/putyourmind09-release.htm

Number of people living with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia could reach 1.3 million

January 5, 2009 – Soon, Alzheimer's disease and related dementias won't only be about our parent's generation. It will also be about ours. This comes from new data released today to mark the start of Alzheimer Awareness Month, confirming that more than 71,000 Canadians living with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia are under the age of 65.

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Dementia drug death risk warning
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7817583.stm

Experts have condemned the commonplace prescribing of sedatives to people in the UK with dementia.

It comes as a three-year study published in The Lancet Neurology reports a doubling of the risk of early death in those on the drugs long-term. As many as 100,000 people in UK care homes with dementia are routinely prescribed anti-psychotic drugs for aggressiveness or agitation.

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Taking the cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins.
Who benefits?
January 12, 2009
International Herald Tribune

A large new study seems to suggest that millions of people with low cholesterol could benefit from taking the cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins. That would be a boon for some drug companies, but whether it would be good for all patients remains an open question.

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Lack of sleep 'raises cold risk'
From: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7823599.stm

Sleeping for under seven hours a night greatly raises the risk of catching a cold, US research has suggested.

A team from Carnegie Mellon University found the risk was trebled compared with those who slept for eight hours or more a night. It is thought that a lack of sleep impairs the immune system and the body's ability to fight off the viruses that cause colds and flu.

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Keep Fire Safety In Mind As Temperatures Drop
Fires related to heating equipment can occur

TORONTO, Jan. 13 /CNW/ - As many parts of Ontario prepare to be blasted by chilling Arctic temperatures this week, the Fire Marshal of Ontario is urging the public to keep fire safety in mind when taking steps to deal with colder winter weather. Winter months traditionally see more fires in Ontario homes related to heating equipment and appliances. People need to pay close attention to potential fire hazards related to the use of fuel-burning appliances, space heaters and even block heaters in their vehicles.

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