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

Change of mindset required within the Goan Catholic Community
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-4205633,prtpage-1.cms
1 Mar 2009, 0316 hrs IST, TNN

Arwin Mesquita wants Goans settled abroad and those of the Catholic community to do more to improve and therefore protect Goa

During my schooling years in Kuwait I was overwhelmed by the Goan community or shall I say the Goan Catholic community via the various functions and tiatrs. I perceived Goa's identity as Catholic, but to my gradual realisation Goan identity was actually an amazing cohesion of the Goan Hindu, Catholic and Muslim entities. I think many Goan Catholics don't appreciate the fact that Hinduism in particular, has had a significant positive foundation/influence on the Catholic community and that both these dominant religions together have shaped Goa's very unique identity, making us different, from other Indian and global communities.

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England People Very Nice: why racism and comedy do not mix
Socialist Worker 2138, 14 February 2009
www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=17070

Playwright and activist Hussain Ismail is shocked at the racism of the National Theatre’s England People Very Nice. I wasn’t surprised by Carol Thatcher making racist jibes. She is after all the daughter of Margaret Thatcher, who once declared that immigrants were “swamping” Britain.

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Toronto East Goan Seniors Association

Valentine's Day Celebration
13thFeb, 2009


Please “Click” on image to view video.
By Uvy & support from Muriel, Patrick, John & Karuna.

Red & White
An
Affair To Remember
by Muriel Lucas

St. Valentine’s day, traditionally, celebrated on February 14th, in Countries across the 7 Continents, is still increasing by the year and is noted as being the most Popular event next to Christmas, dating way back since 270 A.D.!!!!!

Well, it’s no wonder, TEGSA’S “Guys & Gals” came in full swing, to a “Full House” most of whom, decked out in ‘Red & White’ attire, accompanied by their “Significant Other”, as lights lit up the night at their ‘Prime Stompin’ Venue’ – the Commander Hall, which has been their “home” away from home for a good many years!

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Carlos D’Cruz Celebrates Centenary

Carlos (Charles) D'Cruz who hails from Aldona Goa, lived in Nairobi Kenya, and now in Toronto Canada, will celebrate his 100th birthday on March 26th, 2009. His family has planned a mass and luncheon reception Sunday March 29th in Mississauga to mark this truly special occasion.

While in Kenya, Carlos contributed articles to the Goan Voice and was an active pioneer of the Nairobi Goan Gymkhana. A qualified Chartered Accountant and British expatriate officer, he was sent to Israel by the Kenyan Government to study the co-operative movement. He was then tasked with its implementation in Kenya, which he carried out until his retirement.

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SWINDON (Wiltshire –UK) Poles are going... but Goans staying
Sunday 8th March 2009
http://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/news/4182376.print/

Excerpts….

SWINDON is losing its continental flavour as Poles pack their bags and head for home.

Maryla Smolicz, co-owner of Maryla’s Polish deli on Groundwell Road, said many of Swindon’s ‘nicest residents’ are leaving the town because of job losses and poor prospects.

“I have many friends that have left already,” she said.

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The Vatican - Canadian TV station founder is media consultor
Published : February 27 2009
http://www.indiancatholic.in/news/storydetails.php/11379-1-12-Canadian-TV-station-founder

VATICAN CITY, FEB. 26, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI named Father Thomas Rosica, director of the Salt and Light Catholic television channel in Canada, consultor of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications.

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World's poor drive growth in global cell phone use
By FRANK JORDANS | The Associated Press | Monday, March 2, 2009
washingtonpost.com
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009

Excerpts

GENEVA -- Six in ten people around the world now have cell phone subscriptions, signaling that mobile phones are the communications technology of choice, particularly in poor countries, according to a U.N. report published Monday.

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True Cost Of Solar Energy ‘Remarkably Low’
Published on CleanTechBrief (http://cleantechbrief.com)

The ‘true cost’ of solar power is already remarkably low, according to a new report from the solar energy research firm PHOTON Consulting.

According to the report, “The True Cost of Solar Power: Race to $1/W,” three segments of the solar value chain – c-Si modules, thin film modules and BOS – are “racing” toward cost structures of $1/W. PHOTON says that by 2012, solar electricity in sunnier areas will cost under $0.10/kWh, creating a large addressable market.

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Shigmo In Goa
http://www.goa-tours-india.com/festivals-of-goa/christian-festivals/shigmo-in-goa.html

Shigmo Festival, the Goan version of Holi is celebrated with big parades and crowds; drum and dance groups vie and huge blows threaten to bring down telegraph wires and rush towarsds through streets in a festive mood. During this festival period famous temple Yatras are held. Processions are carried out at temples by throwing colour and dancing with god and goddess umbrellas and Dindi. This festival celebration is organized in different cities to attract tourists. Processions are carried out in cities with conventional Goan dances and modern drifts. People are esteemed for best performance in the procession.

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Shigmo reflects varied and rich folk dance traditions
8 Mar 2009, | Rajendra P Kerkar , TNN
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Goa/Shigmo-reflects-varied-and-rich-folk-dance

In the past, agricultural activities played an important role in the lives of Goans. Farmers toiling hard in the soil during the winter season for Vaigan agriculture got relief through entertainment and religious rituals and celebrations. Shigmo celebrations gave this much needed relief to the agriculturists from the day to day pain and suffering. Shigmo festival occupies an important place in the cultural life of the land. Though the non-Brahmin communities are mainly involved in the celebration and rituals of the Shigmo, nowadays the Brahmin communities also wholeheartedly take part in the festival.

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Goa Church People Accuse State Of Helping Only Luxury Hotels
By Bosco de Souza Eremita | On 2009-3-10
Article printed from Union of Catholic Asian News: http://www.ucanews.com

PANAJI, India (UCAN) -- Church people have expressed dismay that the western Indian state government has issued an ordinance that they say protects a luxury hotel from an adverse court ruling.

Describing the ordinance as "outrageous," Father Bismark Dias, a social activist in Goa and Daman archdiocese, charged that the ordinance, promulgated on Feb. 28, is "tailor-made" to save a five-star beach resort near the state capital of Panaji.

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Archbishop hopes electorate will vote responsibly
Describing the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections as a decisive moment as it will seal the destiny of the nation for the next five years, the Archbishop-Patriarch Rev Filipe Neri Ferrao (in a message to the electorate of the state) expressed hope that the people will exercise their franchise with a sense of responsibility, after a proper and dispassionate discernment of the political situation in the country. [NT]

Erosion has devasted Sinquerim beach
The surf seen in front of Angela's Dolphin Inn shack at the scenic Sinquerim beach is hardly any consolation to tourism, shack owners or visitors to the beach. The sea has been consistently preparing for a catastrophe since the shore-based people woke to see the ominous wreck of “River Princess” ship come and settle off the coast in July 2000. The sea has already swept away nearly 40 to 110 metres of the beach width over the turbulent nine years since then. The current must have changed its natural path, in its vicious wake altering the topography of the once beautiful beach. It has eroded areas of the beach, in some places leaving nothing of it, and added beach width at some other places.

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Panjim needs football stadium not casinos: Botelho
“It’s a laughing stock that Goa’s capital city – Panjim, does not have a football stadium, and it goes to the credit of Don Bosco and Peter Vaz of Sporting Clube de Goa that they have kept football activities alive in Panjim,” voiced Tonito Botelho, Chairman of GFA’s Youth Development Committee and former GFA secretary. [H]

Less number of foreigners doing biz in Goa
The number of foreigners visiting Goa for business purposes has fallen considerably. While 26 foreign tourists on a business visa established ventures in Goa in 2007, the number was 5 in 2008. Data obtained by TOI from the Foreigner’s Registration Office of the Goa Police under the Right to Information Act reveals that the highest number of foreigners setting up business in the state was in 2005, when 53 foreigners set up shop in the state. “There has been a decline in the number of foreigners setting up business in Goa.

Warming Goa
While environmentalists have been arguing for protecting and preserving the forests, planting more saplings and tapping of renewable energy to offset carbon footprints and counter the effects of global warming, it is irony that felling of trees in the forests of Goa has been taking place in a systematic manner. A report appearing in this newspaper points out that most of the trees from private forests in Ponda spreading over 280.70 hectares have been cut. It underlines the fact that present forest policies have proved to be insufficient in protecting the trees of these forests. [Edit/NT]

Female elephant calf falls prey to explosive
Though all is quiet on Goa's border in the vicinity of Dodamarg, the peace has followed the tragic death of a female elephant after consuming some explosive-laden' trap recently. The elephant, a five year old female calf, was captured by Maharashtra forest officials on the other side of the border in a badly injured condition. "It was unable to eat anything and was administered 400 salines and daily injections. It somehow survived three weeks and died late last month," Naresh Zarmuri, district forest officer, Maharashtra said. [TOI]

An Impatient Wait
Flow of the remittances from the Goan Diaspora has slowed down by 30 per cent during the last six months. This is certainly not good news for Goa and its economy as remittances from Goan’s residing abroad has been the major source of foreign income. How much the Goa government values its 500,000 expatriates could be gauged from the fact that it has appointed them on state boards and corporations, placed them on a high powered committee to address their grievances and facilitate their reconnection with their roots. [Edit, NT]

‘Community’s growth linked to town’s growth’
For any town or village to grow, it is important for the community to grow, London-based architect, Charles Campion, highlighted in a talk he delivered on “Involving People, Changing Lives’ at the Xavier Centre of Historical Research, Alto-Porvorim, on March 5. Architect Dean D’Cruz, a member of the state government-appointed Task Force to prepare the draft Regional Plan 2021, spoke at length on the draft and even apologized for being unable to give accurate maps. He nevertheless stressed that the ‘planning for your village’ concept is a great hope for Goa. [GT]

People’s role key to RP 2021 success: Campion
People’s participation and the process that enable it in the draft Regional Plan 2021, are crucial factors for a sustainable and people friendly plan. This was emphasized by architect Charles Campion who stopped over in Goa en route home to England on the request of architect Dean D’Cruz, to share his experience of working on planning projects that involve people, in England and on the Auroville international township near Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu. [H]

Pakistan’s Problems
http://news.rediff.com/column/2009/mar/10/guest-is-india-ready-for-pakistans-
Harsh Pant | March 10, 2009

Is India ready for Pakistan's coming collapse?

Pakistan, a nuclear armed state of 170 million people, is facing a virtual meltdown and its political leadership seems utterly incapable of steering the country through the present mess. The international community has few levers left that might have any significant impact on the course of events. And so everyone is just waiting with bated breath for events to unfold in what is probably the worst crisis in Pakistan's troubled history.

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'Stop discrimination against nuns in India'
Published : March 07 2009 | Indian Catholic
http://www.indiancatholic.in/news/storydetails.php/11423-1-1-%27Stop-discrimination-

NEW DELHI: Nuns in the Catholic Church suffer more than ordinary women in India and are being discriminated in power sharing, says a statement from the voluntary group-The Poor Christian Liberation Movement.

In a press statement on Saturday, the Movement said there have been several cases of several cases of harassment and sexual assaults on nuns across the country. The group especially asked the women’s organizations in India to focus on the plight of 140,000 nuns, 35,000 of whom are residing in the southern state of Kerala alone. The Poor Christians Liberation Movement said it documented several cases of harassment of nuns by the church authorities in India.

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Catholics in Tamil Nadu protest in support of Sri Lankan Tamils
http://examinerindia.blogspot.com/2009/03/national-news.html
 
Catholics across Tamil Nadu held silent protest marches on Feb. 22 to support Tamils caught in the Sri Lankan ethnic conflict. Fr Vincent Chinnadurai, chairperson of the state Minority Commission, said a large number of priests, nuns and lay people joined the protests in many dioceses. The protesters, wearing black ribbons, carried placards condemning the violence in Sri Lanka.

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Mahatma Gandhi's possessions to finally return home

NEW YORK (AFP) – Mahatma Gandhi's meager possessions are to return home after a flamboyant Indian tycoon paid 1.8 million dollars at a New York auction, to the relief of the independence leader's great-grandson.

Tushar Gandhi told AFP Friday of his "relief and delight" that his revered ancestor's round glasses, worn leather sandals, pocket watch, plate and bowl would be repatriated, and said they belonged in a museum.

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Hi-tech immigrants heading home to China, India
Tue Mar 10, | By The Associated Press
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/technology_watercooler_educated

IMMIGRANTS HEAD HOME: More and more young, tech-savvy, well-educated Indian and Chinese immigrants are packing it up in the United States and heading back home, says Duke professor and Harvard researcher Vivek Wadhwa.

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Date

Organization

Event

Links

Satkar Palace Banquet Hall
7089 Torbram Rd.
(Corner of Torbram & Derry Rd.)Brampton, ON L4T 1G7

at Payal Banquets, Mississauga.
Mass @ 11:30 am

Still Standing - Career Expert Offers Eight Strategies to Help Layoff Survivors Rebound

TORONTO, March 5 /CNW/ - Many professionals have felt the shock of layoffs during these difficult times -- including those who kept their jobs. According to administrative staffing firm OfficeTeam, employees who survive corporate downsizings often must manage heavier workloads and stay motivated while worrying that their jobs could be eliminated next. "It's natural for people to have mixed feelings about keeping their jobs when coworkers have been let go," said OfficeTeam executive director Robert Hosking.

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What's 'In' and 'Out' in the Job Hunt?
Career Expert Provides Job Search Strategies for a Challenging Economy

TORONTO, March 11 /CNW/ - Monogrammed stationery. Rolodexes filled with business cards. The Sunday want ads. These, like many job search tools, have given way to the modern "must haves," according to Collin Maria Ezzell, division director of The Creative Group, a specialized staffing service placing creative, advertising, marketing and web professionals. "As competition for employment intensifies, job seekers who have a firm understanding of how to promote themselves through new technologies and tools will have an edge on the competition," says Ezzell. "Simply replying to online job postings and classified ads is no longer enough. Many jobs aren't advertised. That's why networking, both online and in person, can help candidates uncover opportunities."

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Tips For Smart Consumers

TORONTO, March 2 /CNW/ - In the face of increased reports of questionable telemarketing calls -- many from outside Canada -- the Canadian Marketing Association advises that a consumer's best defense against becoming a victim of fraud is to stay educated and be cautious when making buying decisions.

Protect Yourself

• Guard against questionable telemarketing practices and don't feel pressured to make an immediate decision on the phone. Don't hesitate to ask anyone who contacts you to pitch a product or for research or fundraising purposes to provide written information about their organization.

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Economy Down the Toilet ? – Measures to ease the flow !
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2009/09/c6712.html?view=print

Budget Bathroom Installation Made Easy With Saniflo - Despite Home Renovation Tax Credit, Money Still Tight in Tough Economy

GUELPH, ON, March 9 /CNW Telbec/ - With the recently announced Home Renovation Tax Credit there has never been a better time for homeowners to consider adding a new washroom to their homes. Tough economic times, however, have left many without the ability to spend large sums on reno projects.

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Statins help elderly as well as young after stroke
By Megan Rauscher Megan Rauscher Fri Mar 6,
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090306/hl_nm/us_statins_stroke/print

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Elderly people who've suffered a recent stroke benefit almost as much from treatment with a "statin" drug as do younger stroke patients, researchers report in the medical journal Neurology. The cholesterol-lowering statins reduce the risk of heart disease. A study called SPARCL (for Stroke Prevention by Aggressive Reduction in Cholesterol Levels) was performed to see if statins also reduced stroke risk.

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Adult learners - Key to a successful economy

TORONTO, March 9 /CNW/ - International Adult Learners' Week wrapped up on March 8 with activities in every province and territory in Canada, highlighting the importance of lifelong learning and the diversity of adult learning opportunities across Canada.

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