News Clips from Goa
 

Goa- Wanted: Sustainable Development http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-4570371,prtpage-1.cms 24 May 2009, Prof Dr Olivinho Gomes says it's high time the government intervened with affirmative action to save what is left of this land Poets, painters and composers across several spheres of art have vied with each other to heap paeans of praise on the pulchritude that flowers and blossoms all over this lovely land of Goa. They have attempted to stretch to the maximum limit of the best of their abilities with a view to represent in their work its elusive magic of an atmosphere that fascinates and enthralls the visitor to it. The human element that peoples this paradise of a God-given environment also holds in its jealous bosom some rare time-tested values and a generous philosophical outlook on life imbued with special characteristics of its own that differ materially from that held by the rest of the country, straining to match the physical nature in some corresponding measure. The ganvkari or the Goan village commune was an autonomous organization set up by our ancestors to husband and harvest the natural resources of this rich and fertile land in a manner that would not exhaust very much its natural potential for re-breeding and renewal, not only in the matter of its magnificent flora but also in its variegated fauna that had a field day in its sheltered habitat. It looked after the needs of all the people of the village, from its highest to the lowest, providing for means of acquiring food and shelter for all, and fostered the cultivation of their artistic talent and hopes and aspirations. Even the Portuguese during their long reign of four and half centuries did not do away with this hoary institution but paradoxically preserved it for us, while it had vanished in the rest of India owing to the harsh intervention of British rule. It had weathered many a storm in its functioning and was even voted by some misguided elements for extinction while being subjected to depredations and afflicted with threats from its marauding men in its own midst, aided and abetted by outside elements. But today, deprived of their land and left to fend for themselves, they constitute a moribund body that still can be rejuvenated if there is a will to do it on the part of the people and the authorities that claim to represent them. Any development' that intrudes into this enchanted land has to be of a sustainable character in tune with the needs of its people in the matter of their natural resources in terms of pure natural unpolluted air, sufficient clean drinking and irrigated water, adequate cultivable land for agriculture and horticulture, arrangements for the marketing of their produce, livestock farming, leisure and recreation, drainage and garbage disposal, good and safe motorable roads and free pathways, as well as provide for protection and safeguard of their legitimate cultural aspirations that would preserve intact their political and socio-cultural identity as a distinctive people within the Union of India, and allow them free rein to operate in their own. However, what is observed sadly is that the people of this land are belittled to mere hewers of wood and drawers of water in the perverse minds of those predators of their physical resources including the home-grown entrepreneurs bent on featuring their own nests in the present, unmindful of the enormous cost with which they are burdening their children's future. The evergreen greenery of Goa is being shaved off to make way for open-cast mining causing craters of gushing blood that run into fertile lands making them sterile and affecting aversely the food production capacity of the land, and gifting people in the countryside through which this rape goes on, with respiratory diseases of varied types and forms. Streams and brooks that once gurgled with music through the hills and valleys of this ancient land beloved of the gods and seers have been choked with rejects that no one wants and are dumped into their guts, strangulating them to death, never to rise once again. Its fragile ecology is overburdened with excessive building of concrete structures in utter disregard of the law of the land, and without keeping in mind its carrying capacity', to the detriment of the common good, while targeting the hutment dwellings of fishermen/women who precariously eke out their living from the unpredictable and sometimes revengeful sea. It is high time for the government to intervene with affirmative action to save what is left of this land for posterity on pain of being condemned to eternal damnation in the pages of history, with curses spewed by popular venom. Goa cries out for justice to high heavens to its persecuted people. The writer has 35 published books to his credit and is a former vice chancellor of the Goa University. The views expressed are those of the writer. This weekly column allows readers to have their say on important issues. Write in to toi.goa@timesgroup.com . Kindly provide your contact details.

6.3 percent of Goa’s GDP comes from foreign remittance: Study Source: http://www.sindhtoday.net/news/1/16687.htm June 2nd, 2009 Panaji, June 2 (IANS) Goa received foreign remittances to the tune of Rs.700 crore ($150 million) in 2008, which accounted for 6.3 percent of the state gross domestic product (SGDP) during the period, a study released here Tuesday said. The study, ‘Goa Migration Survey 2008′, was released by the Goa non-resident Indians (NRI) commissioner Eduardo Faleiro. Kerala-based Centre for Development Studies (CDS) conducted the survey across nearly 600 households in the state. According to the report, the Gulf countries were a favourite working destination for Goans planning to migrate. A whopping 56 percent of Goan emigrants are living in the Gulf countries. Europe was a distant second with 13 percent Goans settlers, 11 percent in South and Southeast Asia and 10 percent in the US and Canada, the report said. It added that nearly 74 percent of Goans leaving the state for greener pastures abroad were Christians, while 50 percent were from the Christian-dominated Salcete in south Goa. The study has also pointed out to the rising number of fraudulent travel agents who fleece and dupe aspiring emigrants by falsely promising them jobs. Releasing the report, Faleiro said it had recommended several legislative changes to ensure that such fraudulent practices were checked. “The Emigrant Act of 1983 needs to be changed along with the Tourism and Trade Act in order to facilitate a stricter vigil and a stronger penal deterrent,” Faleiro told reporters. He added that police investigations into the over-20 cases against fake agents proceeded at a snails pace. Nearly 52 percent of the average cost of emigration comprises the money paid to recruiting agents, Faleiro said.

Guv, CM greet Goans on Statehood Day Governor Dr SS Sidhu and Chief Minister Digambar Kamat have extended their greetings to Goans on Statehood Day. The Governor said, “May 30 is a very significant milestone in the glorious history of Goa, as it was on this day in 1987, that it became a full-fledged State of Indian Union.” [H]

Development not at cost of Goan identity: CM The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat, on the eve of 23rd Goa Statehood Day, said that the future planned growth of the state would be taken up by his government, keeping Goan identity as the focal point of development. The Chief Minister said that since Goa was promoted to the status of a state from being a Union Territory, it has undergone extensive development in almost all the fields, taking advantage of the recommendations of the Gadgil-Mukherji formula as regards devolution of central funds to the Indian states. [NT]

Let's make Goa a model state: CM: Chief Minister Digamber Kamat has exhorted the engineers to join hands and help to make Goa a model state in the country. Kamat was speaking at the installation ceremony of Goa State Centre of The Institution of Engineers (India) at Dona Paula on Saturday. Rear Admiral K O Thakare, NM, President, Institution of Engineers (India)was the guest of honour. The Chief Minister complimented the organisation for having being granted the status of fullfiledged state centre by the Institution of Engineers (India) and wished them all the success. [GT]

Purmatachem fest celebrated with pomp and religious gaiety The Feast of Holi Spirit Church Margao popularly known as Purmatachem fest was celebrated with great pomp and religious gaiety in the Commercial capital on Sunday. Thousands of people thronged the Church for the Morning Masses. Fr Alvito Fernandes was the main celebrant of the high feast. In his homily, Fr. Fernandes said like God, the Holy Spirit saves humanity from sin, bondages and set them free. He futher said that everybody in today's world is thinking of one's own life, goal and ambition, but no one thinks of building relationship with God. "Our relation with God should be developed", Fr. Fernandes said. [H]

Patients to get GMC blood test reports online Panaji: In about two months from now, patients who come for blood tests to the Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim, will be able to access their reports with just a click of the mouse. In an effort to cut out the long travel and never ending queues that patients have to endure, GMC is setting up an advanced, web-based laboratory reporting system which will let patients access their blood test reports via the internet. [TOI]

Farmers scan nature to predict rains Next time you spot a cuckoo or watch a crow build its nest, pay close attention. For if the elusive serenader is flying in the north-south direction at the break of dawn, and the winged scavenger's home is among the topmost branches of the tree, the first drops of rain are not far away. Or so believes the farming community in Goa. Rooted as they are in nature, agriculturists say their ancestors have left them more reliable methods of predicting the weather through the clouds, birds, insects and plants, than science. [Rajendra Kerkar, TOI]

Souza Ferrao Birth Centenary Celebrations Late Souza Ferrao Birth Centenary celebrations will commence on June 1 at 5.30 p.m. at the Pai Tiatrist JAF Auditorium, Ravindra Bhavan, Margao. On this occasion a tiatr “Gouyo Put” written by Souza Ferrao about 60 years back will be staged. The Tiatr is directed by well known tiatr artiste Anil Kumar and will feature popular artistes of Tiatr stage namely Jessie, Fatima, Angela, Marcos Vaz, Xavier Gomes, Anthony San, C. D’Silva, Conny M, Mil-Mel-Nel, Antush and comedian Jesus and Ben Evangelisto among others. On June 2, the programme will include Instrumental music on violins, violas and Cello by Theresa Figueiredo, Goretti Pinheiro, Chernol Mendonca, Antonio Fernandes, Lourdes Soares, Celina Andrews and Marisa Andrews; Mando, Dulpods and other Goan folk songs led by Marianella Mascarenhas e Dias; while Cansauleche Kala Mogi will present “To Souza Ferrao With Love” - a tribute to this great versatile Konkani stage and cine artiste. His contribution to the Konkani film world as a lyricist, actor and singer would be highlighted through a choral rendition of songs from Konkani films. The programmes are open to public. All lovers of music particularly lovers of Konkani tiatr, song and music are requested to attend the Birth Centenary Celebrations, according to a press note issued by Tomazinho Cardozo, President, Tiatr Academy, Goa

Divar residents fear flooding during monsoon Residents of Divar are wondering whether paddy fields in the village will be flooded again during the coming monsoon. And whether a portion of the road leading to the ferry point will be submerged under water and be rendered unmotorable. It is to be noted that several paddy fields along the Mandovi river banks have not been cultivated for the last several years since they are inundated with saline water that enters through the breaches caused to the bundhs, during the tidal inflow from the estuary of the Mandovi river. The situation worsens during the monsoon. [H]

Goan Feni Enters New League, Gets GI Certificate http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/4591366.cms?prtpage=1 29 May 2009, | M Padmakshan, ET Bureau MUMBAI: Goa’s humble feni, that comes under the category of “country liquor”, is now joining the ranks of Darjeeling Tea, Mysore Sandalwood and Scotch Whiskey. The cashew brew has been assigned a Geographical Indication Certificate, from the GI Registry in Chennai, making it the first such alcoholic beverage in the country to get the honour. With this, the product can be registered internationally, and only Goa will have the right to produce Feni. The GI certificate currently assigned to Feni is valid for 10 years. “We have received the GI Certificate for Feni. This is the first major step for claiming international registration,” Michael D’souza, director for department of science & technology, Government of Goa, told ET. GI certificate lends authenticity on the unique properties a region could offer to a product, such as the weather and water that could not be replicated in any other part of the world. A prerequisite for getting a product registered internationally is registration under the local rules of GI Act. Mac Vaz, president of Goa Cashew Fertilizers and Distillers Association, said Feni provides employment directly and indirectly to about 40,000 people in the state and therefore an integral part of Goa’s economy. Though many African countries brew spirit from cashew fruit, the Goan Feni is qualitatively much superior, largely due to the uniqueness of the state’s weather and the production process that makes it a class apart from the cashew based spirit made in other parts of the world. Apart from the nature of the cashew apple, what makes the Goan Feni unique is the traditional method through which it is brewed. Called Postal method, it essentially involves a three tier distillation process. Goa makes Feni from coconut palms too, by distilling the toddy collected from the sap of coconut trees. However, the GI registration sought and received is only for cashew Feni.

Leopard makes its presence on road, forces bus to make abrupt halt http://www.oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=22556&cid=26 Herald Correspondent | Bicholim, June 1 While drivers are accustomed to four-legged obstacles in the form of stray cattle or dogs, a bus driver was startled to be confronted with an unexpected obstacle – a leopard. In an unusual incident at Dhave-Sattari on Monday at about 6.30 pm, a passenger bus plying from Valpoi to Dhave had to make an abrupt halt midway, when the bus driver spotted a leopard seated on the road. The driver blew the horn in a bid to scare the animal, but the leopard refused to move away. The passengers were scared to alight from the bus and only too happy to confine themselves inside the vehicle. After about a few minutes, the leopard got up and walked away, allowing the bus to proceed to its destination. In another incident, a leopard attacked a calf in the village late Sunday night. According to reports, Mahesh Manerikar noticed his dog barking and switched on the lights. He noticed his calf seriously injured by a leopard. The leopard fled in the darkness as soon as the lights were switched on. Manerikar claimed that the leopard he killed his dog earlier on Saturday. Last week, a leopard had attacked Uday Mandrekar of Dhave and panic-stricken residents in the are have stopped coming out their homes at night.