News Clips from Goa

Unseasonal Rain in Goa http://digitalgoa.com/ca_disp.php?id=1116  Panaji, April 28 - Many parts of Goa has suffered loss of lakhs of rupees on account of unseasonal rain which slashed the state on Wednesday night. Talukas like Sattari, Ponda and Bicholim suffered more. Savoiverem in Ponda taluka and Maina Navelim in Bicholim taluka experienced cyclone. Some parts of Goa experienced rain for continuous two nights with lightning. Most of the villages in North and South Goa remained in dark as the trees and electric poles too uprooted. As per information received from fire perssonel Bicholim and Sattari taluka suffered loss of Rs. 3 lakh. Properties in Savoiverem and Maina Naveli damaged in a big way. Many remote places in Goa are still in dark. Power supply which was stopped on yesterday night restored today at 3 pm in few villages of North Goa. Internal roads in the state remained blocked for full night.

Earthenware still in demand Earthenware still in demand http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gulf-goans/message/29397 By Ervin Fonseca Pottery, which once thrived in the state, has been on the decline as number of potters has been dwindling.. MAPUSA: Despite the flood of modern cooking appliances, potters or Kumbhars from Bardez taluka selling their wares at Mapusa are optimistic about their trade and refuse to be edged out by people's craze for hi-fi cooking appliances. Pottery, which once thrived in the state, has been on the decline as number of potters has been dwindling though the demand for the earthenware is still there. These Kumbhars were earlier concentrated in certain wards of villages but today just a few of them are to be found in Socorro in Bardez and some in Sanquelim. "Moddkeancho Bazaar" at Mapusa is a unique earthenware market in Goa where Kumbhars from many places come with their goods to sell. In the past, this market was at Cine Alankar, where around 50 such potters used to sell their wares. Now, though they have a special place with a shade, their number has dwindled to 15. Mr Anthony Fernandes, a potter from Duler who has been selling the earthenware for the last 10 years, said that in spite of domination of gas cylinders, modern cooking appliances like cookers, toasters and utensils of steel and aluminium the demand for the earthenware has not come down. "Our business has not at all been affected. People still buy the earthenware as they are eco-friendly and food friendly. The earthenware are also considered safe. Even now in this hot summer people come and buy the most sought after "gurguret" as they know that refrigerated water could be harmful for health." He said that although there is a demand for the earthenware there has been a considerable decline in making of these wares, which has forced the potters to keep the price high. Mr Fernandes recalled that in the time gone by the earthenware had been in great demand. Goan Kumbhar was most sought after for his wares from kitchen utensils to decorative goods. Ms Teresa Valles, a 75-year-old potter from Socorro who has been into pottery business for the last 60 years, said that her husband and son are also into pottery making.  "I have observed that Goan earthenware goods are still in demand in spite of modern kitchen appliances. People still want our items, but there is nobody to make them," she lamented. It is observed that many potters who sell their wares in the market sometimes hawk them to other places. She felt that if this "art" has to survive then the government's help is absolutely necessary. "We are not aware of any schemes meant for us," she said.  Mr Fernandes also said the government should come out with proper schemes for them so that that traditional Goan art of pottery making is preserved for posterity. Pointing out to various earthenware goods being sold by her and her colleagues, Ms Valles said that this pottery is mostly manual work, but today nobody wants to dirty their hands. She said that it is a lucrative work as the earthenware and could be in demand in future. http://www.navhindtimes.in/news/earthenware-still-demand

Destination Goa for a Healthy You By: Isidore Domnick Mendis | Posted on Goanet Travelers have always preferred Goa as a famous destination for fun and relaxation but of late another type of tourists is making a beeline to Goa. These international tourists are coming to get treated in the State’s super specialty health centres. Western Europeans and North Americans along with NRIs are coming in large numbers to get cured for myriad health problems ranging from cataract to obesity. The hi- tech and well equipped super specialty hospitals and modern medical clinics with their comparatively low cost treatment and high calibre doctors is fast attracting hordes of foreigners who are coming to Goa to get themselves treated . Opines Dr Oscar Rebello, noted medical practitioner and former Convenor of Goa Bachao Abhiyan ( GBA) “Goa can really do very well in certain non emergency areas like dental, cosmetic, ophthalmologic, orthopedic, etc. For instance in many of the Western countries the waiting period for cataract is over a year. Goa can establish its important position on the world health tourism map.” Goa getting connected directly with international airlines is also helping to get foreign tourists all 365 days of the year. Till some time back these special tourists came in the tourist season i.e. from October to April but with the commencement of foreign airlines like Air Arabia, Qatar Airways this segment of travelers are now coming round the year. “Tourists from the West and NRIs from UK and USA are coming to Goa mainly due to two factors: reasonable cost of surgery and the availability of the best qualified doctors. For example the cost of cosmetic surgery is one fifth of that in the UK and a tenth of that in US. The cost of the popular cosmetic surgeries at Apollo Victor is : bariatric ( weight loss) Rs 1.5 lakh, facelift ( removal of wrinkles) Rs 61,500 , Liposuction ( fat removal) Rs 82,000 ” opines Varun Albuquerque of Alcon Victor Group which owns Apollo Victor Hospital –Margao and Devaaya at Divar Concurs Dr Hubert Gomes who has been running one of the most popular dental clinic Dr Hubert Gomes clinic at Margao since 1984. “My prices are ten times cheaper than that prevalent in the West .The cost for dental implant and Metal Free Ceramic Veneers / Crowns ranges between 14,000-25,000 and Rs 6000 (per crown) respectively. ” Every year Dr Gomes treats around 2500 international tourists and NRIs. Eye treatment is another area where the goose is laying golden eggs for health tourism . Foreign tourists from western countries are visiting Goan ophthalmologists for cataract surgery, retina , refractive error, Glaucoma etc Says Dr. Chandrakant Shetye who runs the popular Vision Care Super Speciality Eye Hospital-Mapusa, “Cost of Surgery or treatment compared to UK & USA is only ½ in our hospital in Goa. The cost of Cataract surgery per eye ranges from Rs. 7000 to Rs. 49000 which depending on the type of lens package the patient chooses. Similarly,Retinal Surgery ranges from Rs. 25000 - to Rs. 40000 and Retinal Laser treatment costs depends on the number of laser seatings. Our hospital get 10-15 foreign patients a year for surgical treatment and 1-2 foreign patients for OPD per day during tourist season.” Apart from allopathy, tourists are also frequenting Goa for non allopathic treatment. For instance Devaaya at Divar is the Ayurveda and Nature Cure Centre which offers extensive facilities for providing Ayurvedic Panchakarma & Wellness treatment. It combines Ayurvedic treatments with Yoga, Meditation, Music, Lifestyle correction, Diet Planning and medicines to achieve a healthy body, mind and spirit. Tourists from Germany, Austria, Switzerland and NRIs  from UK and USA frequent Devaaya. Health tourism has a great scope in Goa , and on January 26th this year the foundation stone for the proposed Rs 120 crore EIH Goa Super Speciality Hospital at Bambolim was laid by Chief Minister Digambar Kamat . This all points to the happening of good times for this new variety of tourism . Experts believe that Goa has a great potential for health tourism. “ The climate and environment existing in Goa is very conducive after post surgery especially during convalescence period . The average age of Western Europeans and North Americans visiting Goa is more than 55. Similarly the State recieves more than 40 per cent of repeat tourists . All this indicates to a great potentiality for health tourism in Goa ” says Ralph de Souza president, Travel and Tourism Association of Goa- (TTAG). But ground realities are different, on its own the State government is not doing much to attract these new tourists. Rather it will not be wrong to say that the government is neglecting this new kind of tourism . Post surgery ,accommodation needs must be provided in the vicinity of the hospitals . The example of Health villages in Malaysia, Thailand etc can be followed. These health villages offer accommodation, restaurants and even provide facilities of interpreters and translators .They come very handy in a foreign country and people accompanying patients feel more relaxed and at ease. The infrastructure would have to include catering to the basic needs of the people accompanying the patient in terms of stay, food, hygiene and to an extent overcoming the language barrier. Places like Divar , Guirim could be the best abode for recuperation. “The government should promote health villages by transferring land at subsidized rates and ensure continuous supply of power.” opines Albuquerque. A large number of foreign travelers who come to Goa are mostly recommended by physicians of their own countries. Regular fairs and shows should be held in the Western countries to popularize this brand of tourism. There is also a dire need that quality aspect of health tourism is maintained because of late many dubious dental clinics have mushroomed in the coastal belt of the state . Medical experts believe that along the lines of tourist police there needs to be a body, where patients can get redressal of there grievances if they have not received proper and correct treatment . This would go a long way to prevent the tarnishing of the image of the State. Confidence of International tourists can also be gained by not overcharging them. Be it local or foreigner both should be charged the same for the treatment availed. Dr Gomes’ clinic displays the price list both on its website and its office. “A forum to check the quality aspect in dentistry or any health aspect is vital to eradicate people with dubious credentials.” feels Dr Gomes. In the same way, the garbage lying strewn all over the State is today an eyesore not only to locals but even tourists. . “Garbage is the main challenge and it will affect the growth of this budding industry. The government is doing nothing to solve this menace because there is not a single waste processing plant. ” rues D’Souza Instead of inviting semi clad or scantly dressed or frugal or rogue tourists from Russia, the State government will do a great favor by taking up the initiative and harnessing the huge foreign exchange earning potential of this sunrise segment. Destination Goa should be the credo of marketing Goa to overseas patients especially in the Western Europe, North America and the Gulf.

Plan for conserving marine turtle nesting sites Panaji, April 29 - Goa government may send a plan for conserving three marine beach turtle nesting sites in the state to the World Wildlife Institute of India. Professor of WWI B.C.Choudhary told reporters today in Panaji that, they hope that Goa government may send a plan of conserving beach turtle nesting sites at Morjim, Agonda and Galjibag to them. We have asked to every maritime state to send their plans to us for conserving turtles. We are trying to preserve seven species of turtles, Choudhari informed. Central government will give funds to maritime states to conserve turtles. Some states have responded to our appeal while some have not yet sent their plans, he noted. Choudhary is attending 30th annual symposium of 'Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation' organized by the International Sea Turtle Society in Goa from April 24. It will conclude on Friday. Participants from 50 countries across the world have taken part in this symposium.