News Clips from Goa

Ancient Ganesh idol found at Parra http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gulf-goans/message/29667 NT NETWORK A beautiful ancient brass Ganesha sculpture masterfully created by the agile hands of an artisan was found buried in the house of Mr Jagganath Chodankar of Aradi, Parra in Bardez on Tuesday. The beautiful idol of Ganesha seated on singhasan holding an axe in the right arm and a noose in left are representative of symbols of his ability to cut through obstacles. The idol was found after the divine appearance of the Lord in the dream of 18-year-old Ms Pooja Chodankar, daughter of Mr Jagganath Chodankar for the past several years. The lord apparently conveyed to her that he was suffocating underneath. The idol was incidentally found on Vaisakha Suklapaksa 2067 Shak Samvat 1932 Punarvasu nakshetra as per Hindu calendar. Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat visited the residence of Mr Chodankar on Wednesday to seek blessings of Lord Ganesha. He made inquires and evinced keen interest in the ancient artifact. Ms Pooja Chodankar told the Chief Minister how they found the statue buried in the house. She told him that the Lord appeared in her dreams and said that he is suffocating and hungry underneath. After unearthing the idol, the Lord again visited her in her dreams and suggested that a temple be built in his honour at he same spot where he was found. Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat was accompanied by Ms Sundari Nanda, IPS, and Inspector General of Police. The news spread by word of mouth and devotees began visiting the family in order to offer prayers and seek the blessing of the Lord.

The Villages of Parra, Verla and Canca in Bardez http://www.goacom.com/village/parra/ Joel D'Souza Excerpt…. Parra has a couple of lakes which help irrigate the fields during summer. The one which is called Ganesh tollem at Verla is supposed to have a tunnel linking it to the dhobi lake. No one has yet verified this claim. Perhaps one could find traces of the old Hindu heritage, of destroyed temples and deities. Not much of the past is seen in Parra today though a few new Hindu temples have been erected recently. It's time to bid adieu. In Parra the places for the sundowner ain't among the several glitzy bar-restaurants which have cropped up all over the place. Considered locally as the right place is the vintage Moti Bar (Loja de Vinhos Nativos) established in 1862 at Sales Vaddo and the Simao Bar nearby. These tavernas have served the feni fraternity for donkey's years without respite. And despite the fact that feni is a badly watered down version of the age-old Goan traditional drink, these establishments somehow manage to serve the better stuff. And like wasps to a flame, the brotherhood throng at these watering-holes at Anjelus time. And one might even hear a voice singing, Uddon gelem paruveamchem birem...

Goa battles to preserve its identity http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/City/Goa/Goa-battles-to-preserve TNN, May 16, 2010, 01.51am IST Goa was liberated on December 19, 1961. Over 450 years of Portuguese domination came to an end, Goa became free and a part and parcel of its motherland—Bharat. Democracy was ushered in. Goans, all of a sudden, found themselves in a completely different situation. They started breathing free air in a democratic atmosphere. As a teenager I was witness to the happenings taking place in Goa. Some were pleasant, others disastrous. Soon after Liberation Goan society was vertically divided due to two major issues: (a) Goa's merger into Maharashtra or Goa's preservation as a separate state and (b) the language issue—Konkani or Marathi as Goa's Official language. The ultimate aim of those who supported the Marathi language as Goa's official language was to merge Goa into Maharashtra. Those who advocated the cause of Konkani as Goa's official language, dreamt of preserving Goa as a separate state in the Indian Union. Thus Goans, who had always lived in harmony, without any discrimination of caste, creed and religion, were now pitted against each other to fight a battle and decide whether to preserve Goa and its unique identity by achieving full-fledged statehood or destroy Goa and its unique identity by merging it into Maharashtra. The first battle among Goans was fought in January 1967 when the only opinion poll in the country was held in Goa by the Indian government. The opinion poll was to decide whether Goa will be merged into Maharashtra or continue as a union territory. Goans overwhelmingly decided against the merger of Goa into Maharashtra and Goa continued as a union territory. However, to achieve statehood for Goa the official language issue had to be solved first. Another conflict began among Goans to attain official language status to Konkani or Marathi. The language agitation was the largest ever agitation witnessed in the history of Goa. This battle was not fought completely on democratic principles. It was left to the political will of the then ruling Indian National Congress party. This took place in 1987 after almost 20 years of the opinion poll. By then much water had flown down the Mandovi river. Goa's many political leaders who fought tooth and nail for Marathi and to merge Goa into Maharashtra were now controlling the affairs of the Congress party. It is because of these people that the language agitation turned bitter, bloody and complicated. Although the Congress stood for Konkani, some Congressmen, then an effective lobby able to influence any decision in the Congress, succeeded in granting Marathi language almost the same status. The only difference being Konkani was placed at the first level and Marathi at the second level in Goa's Official Language Act. Whatever may be the interpretation of the Act, Konkani became the official language of Goa in February 1987 and immediately thereafter, Goa was declared a separate state on 30th May, 1987. If we analyze this brief background, the struggle to make Goa a separate state was mainly to preserve Goa and its identity. Development of the state could have taken place even if it was merged into Maharashtra. If the final aim in achieving statehood for Goa was to preserve and promote Goan identity, has that goal been realized? About 23 years have passed since Goa attained statehood. During these 23 years, what has been the progress record in the preservation of Goa's unique identity for which the elders sacrificed? Are there any specific efforts made by the government to protect Goa's identity? After attaining statehood Goa's political environment was completely polluted due to the misdeeds of some of Goa's politicians. Politicians in Goa became power-hungry, greedy and selfish. They mastered the art of toppling governments and projected Goa as a politically notorious state in the country. They concentrated on developmental projects as such projects helped in their personal development too. In the bargain, they completely forgot the most important aim of all the battles that Goans fought—preservation and promotion of Goan identity. Konkani language, which is the foundation of Goan identity, has not made any progress in any field in Goa. Educationally it is restricted to very few primary schools compared to Marathi primary schools. The number of English as well as Kannada primary schools is on the rise. In secondary schools and in all other higher educational institutions it is English, which controls the educational scenario. Konkani is being replaced even in households by English because parents feel that the future of their children depends on the knowledge of English alone. The scene at the markets is more disturbing. Non-Goans control the sale of vegetables, fish, etc. Instead of doing business by speaking the Konkani language they speak in Hindi and Goans carry on their marketing with the help of Hindi. Konkani language—the most important factor of Goan identity—is slowly and systematically being displaced from the Goan soil. Look at the rapid increase in the Goan population. The percentage of non-Goans in Goa is almost 40%. If the same influx trend continues, in another decade, Goans will be a minority in their own state. There has been a serious setback to the promotion of Goan culture. The 40% non-Goans settled in Goa promote not Goan culture, but their own culture among their children. The children from the original Goan families ape western culture. If this is the reality, in what way is Goan identity protected and promoted for posterity? The most important goal of achieving statehood for Goa was the preservation and promotion of Goan culture and in doing so to strengthen Goan identity. Unfortunately this has not taken place because the political will in Goa has completely failed to extract the benefits of statehood for Goa and its identity.

Goa Newclips From: www.goacom.com Click to View Large A devotee pouring oil on the statue of Our Lady of Milagres on the occasion of the feast at the church of St Jerome in Mapusa. (Courtesy to : Joel D'Souza )

Monsoon may arrive in Goa by June 5 Monsoon is likely to hit Goa by June 5 even as the state witnessed the hottest April in the last 39 years. The hottest April was last witnessed in 1971 which recorded temperature of 34.5 degrees as against 36.4 degrees this year. Meteorologist of the Goa meteorological observatory, Mr K V Singh informed that the monsoon activity becomes active by May 20 and it takes around 15 days for the monsoon to move along the Andaman Sea and hit the coast. [NT]

Special Status for Goa: Step in Right Direction Mr Shantaram Naik seems to be one of the few Goan politicians, who has been taking up issues of vital interest to Goa. Besides making a strong case for special status, he has also pleaded for an amendment to Article 371 to empower Goa's legislature to regulate land transactions in Goa. He has also argued that though Article 19 gives every citizen the right to move and settle in any part of the country, it is also the fundamental right of others to live a decent life with basic amenities provided by the state and the inflow of migrants must be checked. Mr Naik ought to have emphasized in his memorandum to the PM that Goa became a part of the Indian Union by 'conquest' as ruled by the SC and Goans had the right to decide their own future, as was promised by then PM, Jawaharlal Nehru, prior to Goa's merger into India. However, Goans have accepted the merger as a fait accompli and are not questioning India's sovereignty over Goa. I vaguely recall that soon after Liberation, there was an attempt by some well-meaning citizens to demand safegaurds for Goans, as they would not only loose their identity but would one day be drowned in the vastness of this sub-continent. They had the foresight of what would happen, but unfortunately the attitude of some so-called 'nacionalistas', or pseudo-patriots was to push them aside by calling them anti-nationalists. With Goans losing heart on every issue preferring to sit back and watch, it would be nice if we could all come forward and strengthen the hands of our MP. Perhaps, Mr Naik would like to follow up his demand with an all-Goa signature campaign to strengthen Goa's case. The issue is urgent and needs tenacity and persistence. It is now or never!

Sena tells non-Goan vendors in Mapusa market to pack off Shiv Sena, Bardez, on Tuesday launched a drive against non-Goan vendors, who are selling their products in Mapusa market. Shiv Sena members entered Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) market and directed non-Goan vendors to vacate the place. The members removed the goods of the vendors laid alongside the road in the municipal market and asked them to pack off. It may be recalled that in April, the delegation of All Goa Merchants Federation and Mapusa Merchants Association had called on MMC Chairperson Roopa Bhakta and had threatened to launch agitation if the council failed to take action against the vendors and hawkers.[H]

No Tourism candy for Goa's Gateway It is Goa's Gateway City. 7000 arriving/departing everyday through Goa's only airport, another 2000 arriving/departing everyday through Goa's only railway terminus, besides the numerous tourists who drive into Goa's most culturally diverse city through roads, through cruise vessels. Yet for those hundreds or even thousands that embark in Goa, the first point of information is as good as naught. For Government of Goa's Department of Tourism, Vasco isn't priority. The diversity gets evident by the tone of their responses. When GT, asked Francis Vaz, Information Assistant at Tourism Information Centre at Vasco Residency, what are the places of interests in Vasco. The laboured (but sincere) reply was "Vasco has got he best history. [GT]

FDA issues notices to 10 hotels over poor hygiene The state Food and Drugs Administration has issued notices to 10 hotels and eateries in the state for shortcomings in areas like the serving space, kitchen, maintenance of cleanliness and supply of drinking water. For the past one week the FDA has commenced cleanliness checks in hotels and eateries in four main cities in Goa, and till date, 46 such establishments have faced inspections. The agency annually undertakes checks in the state hotels and eateries to evaluate the hygienic conditions prevailing in them. Generally such operation is carried out before the arrival of monsoon, a season during which infectious waterborne diseases are common in Goa. [NT]

Azad Maidan to sport a new look The neglecte Azad Maidan situated in the heart of Panjim city is all set to get a new look, thanks to the initiative taken by the Mayor of the City Corporation of Panjim (CCP), Carolina Po and the city fathers. Speaking to GT, the CCP Mayor Po informed that Azad Maikdan shall have a classic look after the proposed works are completed. The CCP Mayor said that an amount of Rs 25 lakh is to be spent on installing a lawn and other civil works to be carried out at the place.

Seminar on Migration : Goa Study Group Goanworld : http://worldgoan.blogspot.com/ Sent by: Rene Barreto President of the Goa Study Group, Mr. Yusuf a. Sheikh released the following declaration on deliberation of the seminar on Migration organized on May8, 2010 at the International Centre Goa, in which those who presented the papers included: Advocate Bernard D’Souza, Adv. Jagdish Prabhudesai, Ms. Nandini Sahai, Mr. Anil Kamat Shankhwalkar, Adv. Cleofato Almeida Coutinho, Adv. Juino De Souza, Mr. Miguel Braganca, Vice Admiral (Retd) John C. De Silva and Mr. Arvind Bhatikar IAS(Retd.). Mr. Eduardo Faleiro, former Union Minister of India presided and a number of eminent citizens participated in the interaction session. DECLARATION A day long seminar on the theme of “Migration” was organized by “Goa Study Group” on May 8, 2010, at the International Centre Goa. After deliberating on various related matters that include emigration and immigration, it was noted that migration is a world wide process which has a long and unending history and cannot be avoided. An overview of the worldwide picture of migration depicted that there have been temporary, periodic and permanent migration from one place to another at different periods of time in different parts of the world. Migration is inter and intra village, inter district and intra district, inter state and intra state, national and international. Key questions such as who are migrants, why do they migrate from their native places, what is their legal status pertaining to migration laws, what are the problems of migrant labour and the problems encountered by the people of the place of their migration etc. were deliberated upon. By taking a number of examples from history, it was established that, basically, the people migrate to other places either voluntarily to improve their quality of life or involuntarily to find shelter depending upon prevailing circumstances. Migration of the people of Goa to other parts of India due to various historic reasons and in search of knowledge and pursuit of higher education, and so also, to the countries abroad for want of job facilities etc. were touched upon. The prevailing conditions whereby there is more influx of people from outside to Goa than the emigration of Goans to other places outside Goa was discussed, focusing attention on the associated problems. The participants also expressed concern over the reported statement of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs that 1226 Indians are languishing in various jails in Saudi Arabia followed by 950 in United Arab Emirates, 90 persons in Bahamas and 55 in Oman and so also several Indians are currently undergoing jail terms in Malaysia, Kuwait and other countries. The members opined that Indian Embassies and High Commissions should take up the matter with respective countries and provide assistance to the distressed Indians. The seminar also took an overview of the community of Goans settled in different countries of the world who, though far away, have their hearts in Goa and attachment to this soil. The participants opined that efforts should be made to help them to meet their problems and exposure should be made relating to the avenues of investments available in Goa so that the link is re-established and they come forward to contribute towards rebuilding Goa. The seminar, after a long deliberation on various aspects of migration unanimously resolved to pass on the findings to the concerned authorities and evolved the following recommendations: The problems relating to the influx of migrants temporary and permanent, the solution thereof and the systematic adjustments that government of Goa will have to do for dealing with this problem was also discussed . Recommendations: There should be comprehensive policy at State levels in India to check migration to other States by providing job opportunities to meet basic human requirements. Action by: Central and Respective State Governments in India.   There should be suitable measures in States like Goa to check migrants by enacting laws and framing rules and regulations and strictly implementing them. Protect the environment and interests of the people of Goa including its linguistic and cultural composites. Action by: Goa Government.   The conditions of the migrant labourers who contribute towards building activities are far from happy. They are the victims of poverty who are forced to move to Goa but have no place to stay with basic amenities. As such the growing number of unauthorized structures for their shelter and other requirements are coming up which are extremely disturbing. International Labour standards as promoted by International Labour Organization (ILO) should be maintained and unfair trade and labour practice should be discouraged. Action by: Dept. of Labour and Employment and Social Welfare, Labour Organizations, NGOs, Govt. of Goa.   As some migrants have taken to begging. Also prostitution and drug peddling create immense discomfort to both locals and the tourists, the existing laws against these offences should be implemented firmly. NGOs could also keep a watch and report the matter to the police. Action by: Dept. of Police, Govt. of Goa, NGOs.   To stop large scale “brain drain” from Goa the Govt. should create sufficient and appropriate employment opportunities in primary, tertiary and secondary sector, in that order Action by: NGOs, Government of Goa. 6-Community of Goans in different countries face a number of emigrations problems including those concerning social security. Problems are also created by contractors who dupe the persons by not fulfilling the committed agreements. Indian High Commissions/Embassies should extend a helping hand when they are in distress. Action: High Commissions/ Indian Embassies.   Goans whose link is broken due to their stay abroad for generations but have their emotional attachment to Goa should get opportunities for investments in the State as that would also help in deriving benefit of their contribution in development of Goa. Action: EDC, IDC Tourism Dept. and Dept. of Information and Publicity and related Goa Govt. Corporations.   8-Recommendations made in other such seminars should also be implemented Action by all concerned :- Sd/- YUSUF A. SHEIKH PRESIDENT, GOA STUDY GROUP Sd/- ASHOK CHODANKAR SECRETARY. Overall Coordinator.:WORLD GOA DAY 20.8.2010 WORLD KONKANI DAY

Understanding history, looking at Goa's art http://www.youtube.com/user/fredericknoronha http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtPcvE9m6IY fredericknoronha | 06 May 2008 The Xavier Centre of Historical Research, whose founder-director was Dr Teotonio R de Souza in the 1970s, is now looking to grow and expand. Meet current director, Jesuit priest Dr Delio de Mendonca sj, who introduces us to the campus and elaborates on their dreams and plans that hopefully will come true one day. FN 3:24 : Added to queueGoa: A Son's Story5,118 viewsmanyshadesofbrown 10:43: Added to  queueNicholas Sequeira's garden in Saligao, Goa1,427 viewsfredericknoronha 0:59 :Added to queueBE MY MAN UK club mix by Sophia de Souza15,852 viewsSophiadesouza  3:23: Added to queueTraditional Goan-Portuguese Songs77,914 viewsJoeUkGoa 7:07: Added to queueMarinha Portuguesa - Portuguese Imperial Navy H...28,230 viewsvmrcardoso 0:15: Added to queuestreets of Goa3,427 viewsarikast 7:06: Added to queueMy Tour of Goa with ICM Hindustani Music - Dr A...898 viewsanandjee 0:41: Added to queueTribal Festival at Goa3,944 viewssushilamendonca 5:08:Added to queueRomi Konkani, the case for it... (Tomazinho Car...571 viewsfredericknoronha 6:39: Added to queueTHROUGH GOA TRANCE WORLD70,160 viewsgeotop28 3:42:Added to queueGoa/Portuguese Folk Dance 'CORRIDINHO' 'Ò MALHAO'60,695 viewsJoeUkGoa 10:10 Added to queuePHOTOGRAPHY: My life, my times... Thomas Vaz435 viewsfredericknoronha 1:10 Added to queueIndian Invasion Of Portuguese Ocuupied Goa34,882 viewsvishv 3:28 Added to queueGoa, Damão e Diu (26 de Jundo de 2007)1,494 viewsmiguelcrismacau 3:00 Added to queueEkvat "Babu Amgelo" Ekvât Goa Lisboa Portugal2,619 viewsuvedkommend 10:27 Added to queueKonkani literature: looking back, looking forwa...288 viewsfredericknoronha 5:55 Added to queueAldeia de Goa2,549 viewsanoop1978 1:29 Added to queueBasilica Bom Jesus in Goa3,689 viewsDileepB 3:09 Added to queueVolunteer Abroad in India New Delhi Bangalore G.2,323 viewsabroadervieworg 7:25 Added to queueDestination Unknown Goa, India Episode 7 Odl Goa2,802 viewsrailaybay

Lifeguard cover for 99% of Goa beaches From:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/5942682.cms?prtpage=1 TNN, May 18, 2010, 01.45am IST PANAJI: Almost 99% of Goa's beaches will receive lifeguard cover by May 30 with 118 lifeguards to be commissioned within the next couple of weeks as part of the government's ambitious beach safety management programme. Tourism director Nikhil Desai told TOI Monday that he was confident Phase 2 B of the beach safety management programme will be in place by the end of the month, although its implementation has met with opposition from locals at Keri, Ashwem and Agonda over the setting up of lifeguard towers on disputed sites. "The government will facilitate the smooth implementation of the programme," he said. It may be pointed out here that smaller and isolated beach stretches such as Cabo de Rama will not receive lifeguard cover. The government, however, says it will take steps to ensure that awareness prevents drownings at these stretches. "We'll put up signboards plus deploy the tourist security force," Desai said. Incidentally, the government's efforts to have Drishti Special Response Services (DSRS) to provide lifeguard cover to Mayem Lake and Dudhsagar Waterfalls has not met with success. Desai, though seemed undeterred. "We are trying to work out modalities where we can recruit locals from these areas as lifeguards. It will be an advantage as they possess local knowledge and the government will also provide them the necessary training and infrastructure," the tourism director said. DSRS, meanwhile, have already rolled out its cover at Palolem and Arambol. "The beaches that will receive cover in Phase 2 B are Keri; Arambol, including the sweet water lake; Ashwem, Mandrem and Morjim in North Goa. In the South, we are providing lifeguard cover to Palolem, Patnem, Rajbag, Cola, Agonda and Galgibaga," says V K Kanwar, chief operating officer, DSRS. "In the South, we are already deployed at Palolem and Patnem. Rajbag should be covered by Wednesday. Galgibaga and Cola will be covered soon. However, we are facing a problem at Agonda over the erection of a lifeguard tower," he said. "In the North, we are already deployed at Arambol beach, where the sweet water lake has got lifeguard cover as well. Morjim will be covered by Wednesday and our services at Keri should be set up quickly. However, we are facing opposition at Ashwem over the erection of a lifeguard tower. Not withstanding this opposition, we will go ahead and deploy our lifeguards at both beaches," Kanwar added. Kanwal also said that 99% of the lifeguards to be commissioned in Phase 2 B are locals from the coastal areas. "The total strength of Goa's lifeguard force will be 423 personnel," he said.