News Clips from Goa

Drizzle trickles, monsoon to follow From: www.goacom.com | Tuesday 1st of June 2010 Pre-monsoon showers in the last 48 hours brought welcome relief from the sweltering heat, even as it is indicated rains will hit Goa with full force in another two to three days after Kerala witnessed the onset of monsoon on Monday. India Meteorological Department Goa in-charge K V Singh said the normal date for the arrival of monsoon is June 7 but this year it was going to be early as the South West monsoon winds have already arrived over Kerala. Singh said the pre-monsoon showers were not witnessed all over Goa and it had rained in some parts only. Panjim and Dabolim received 6 cms of rainfall in the last two days, while Margao and Canacona witnessed 8 cms and 3 cms respectively. Many of the farmers in the countryside appeared upbeat after the news of the onset of monsoon in Kerala. Some of them said they were expecting a normal rainfall and bountiful crop this season. Director Agriculture Department S S P Tendulkar said timely rains is welcome relief for farmers who are ready for thesowing season, but to predict a good crop it will all depend on the quantity of rain and its regularity. Meanwhile, fishermen have been warned not to venture into the Arabian Sea because of a depression that may develop into a cyclone. [H]

Police looking for motive behind consuming Ratol From: www.goacom.com What exactly drove 27-year old Nadia Torrado to take the extreme step of consuming Ratol leading to her death in a Chennai hospital two days ago? Ask South Goa Superintendent of Police, Allan De Sa and he says the police are precisely investigating into this aspect after the woman has expired at the Chennai hospital on Saturday night. He said the police are hopeful of collecting vital clues within the next 2-3 days that may throw light on the mystery behind the death. “The police had registered a case against the woman for attempt to commit suicide. But, since she has died, the attempt to suicide case has been closed. We are now investigating into the possible reasons behind the woman committing suicide,” he said, after he along with a team of police officials, comprising of DySP Mahesh Gaonkar and PI Raju Raut Desai, PI Santosh Desai and PI Sidhant Shirodkar visited the house of the deceased woman at Loutolim this evening. [H]

Statehood has given us power to legislate: CM From: www.goacom.com Chief Minister Digambar Kamat today said that a full-fledged Statehood bewtowed on Goa 23 years ago has given the people a distinct identity and freedom to make laws for the betterment of the State and the people. Greeting the people on the 23rd anniversary of Goa Statehood, Kamat said though Union Territory had its own merits and demerits, a full-fledged Statehood has given us power to legislate for the good of the people at all levels. I has also marked a logical completion of the process of freedom -- political, social and economic ushered in by the Liberation of Goa on December 19, 1961. [H]

Navelim farmers to knock CM's doors once again From: www.goacom.com Agitated farmers under the banner of Navelchea Xetkariancho Ekvott has decided to once again knock the doors of the Cheif Minister Mr Digambar Kamat to remind of his promises that no construction work would commence in the fields at Navelim opposite the Margao Railway Station. At a meeting, farmers recalled that the Chief Minister in July 2009 had ordered a total stop to the rehabilitation work and had promised to direct the District Collector, South to convene a meeting to discuss the issue of reverting back their fields. [H]

GBA wants 'Flying Squads' round the clock From: www.goacom.com The Goa Bachao Abhiyan (GBA) at its core group meeting on May 27, took stock of the demands raised at the structured meeting with the Secretary (TCP) Rajiv Yaduvanshi that were settled and those still pending with the government and also reviewed the orders and circulars issued by the government to bring into effect some of its commitments to the people of Goa in order to protect the land from indiscriminate hill cutting, land filling and other forms of "development" opposed by the people. [GT]

CM for CCTVs to bring in discipline in govt offices From: www.goacom.com Stating that technology could be used to keep a control on indiscipline and bringing in efficiency, the Chief Minister Mr Digambar Kamat has called for installation of electronic gadgets like closed circuit television cameras (CCTVs) to keep an eye on the work done by the government employees, and also to curb various other illegalities that take place in various government departments. Greeting people on the occasion of the Statehood Day while addressing a gathering at a function to release the first edition of Goa Vacancy and Tender Bulletin, Mr Kamat, who was impressed by the performance of the Goa Printing and Stationery Department’s performance over the last two and half years, also said that it should be the endeavour of all the government servants to work sincerely and dedicatedly to the satisfaction of the common man. [NT]

'Squealing pigs' taunt haunts Churchill at Navelim gram sabha From: www.goacom.com Yet again, Varca strongman Churchill Alemao found himself at the receiving end of criticism, albeit in absentia, as villagers from his own stronghold, Navelim, gave vent to their feelings at yesterday's Gram Sabha. The gram sabha was marked partly, but notably, by the public outburst against him for his alleged foul name calling and labeling Goans as 'squealing pigs'. Many of those present were visibly peeved over Churchill's remarks, exemplified by the overwhelming ovation received by some villagers when they raised the issue. [GT]

Goa Heritage Action Group - Announcing ‘Friends of Goa’ http://www.goaheritage.in/tag/ghag/ Hello and welcome to the new support group that we have just set up! It’s going to be known as Friends of Goa. As Goa Heritage Action Group our mandate allows us to work towards saving Goa’s heritage (natural, cultural and built) and although we would all love to set things right, we can only do things “one day at a time”. So please bear with us! Let us take up heritage protection that needs attention desperately at the moment. For instance, outside of Conservation Zones in Panaji and Madgaon there are absolutely no rules and regulations to protect the heritage buildings, properties, sites and monuments of Goa! We are fighting with the Government for framing heritage regulations at the moment that is our prime concern. And although a lot of things worry us and we need to set right, we have decided that in this coming year we must concentrate on heritage regulations, actual physical restorations and building awareness amongst the young people of Goa. Mr. Jack Sukhija (Hon. Secretary) Goa Heritage Action Group, 29 /30, Green Valley Kamat Complex, Phase I Alto – Porvorim, Goa. 403 521 Ph: +91-832-3252097 (9 a.m. – 3 p.m.) | E-mail: ghaggoa@gmail.com

Annulment delays try Catholics’ patience From: (goanet@lists.goanet.org) | Published Date: May 26, 2010 | By Eremita Bosco de Souza, Goa Long delays in processing applications for marriage annulments are forcing some Catholics to opt for a live-in relationship or civil marriage, or even threaten to break away from the Church altogether, according to a Goan church leader. Father Rosario Oliveira, judicial vicar of Goa and Daman, says the archdiocesan court has seven qualified judges, which is not enough to handle the ever increasing caseload. In both 2007 and 2008 the court received just 50 applications, but the figure jumped to 71 in 2009 with many more expected this year. Father Oliviera points out that annulments should be completed within 12 months but many cases have dragged on for years. Church law does not stipulate the maximum number of years a case can be allowed to continue. The situation is further complicated by a rule that individual cases cannot be transferred between one judge and another, and the court’s senior priests face various health problems because of their age, which makes it difficult for them to all assemble for the sittings that are mandatory to ratify a verdict. Wilfred Pereira, a Dubai-based journalist, says he had to wait 14 years for his annulment. “Had someone been in my place, he might have even lost faith in the church and turned to some other sect,” he says. ID09834/1603 May 26, 2010 (240 words) http://www.ucanews.com/2010/05/26/annulment-delays-up-to-14-years-frustrate-applicants

Tar balls, oil layer threaten tourism on Goan beaches http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/5990037.cms?prtpage=1 TNN, May 30, 2010, 05.13am IST MARGAO: The pre-monsoon appearance of tar balls (blobs of solidified tar) on Goan beaches has begun. But what has caused concern is the thick layer of oil clearly visible in the seawater at the Benaulim beach. The tar blobs are formed by illegal discharge of oil by ships in the high seas. Due to churning during the pre-monsoon time, this oil is washed ashore.Commander V K Kanwar, chief operating officer of Drishti Special Response Services, which is manning Goa's beaches, told TOI that the organization has informed the tourism department about the appearance of tar balls on beaches. "But today we can see thick oil floating in the waters at Benaulim beach. At present, our lifeguards have been advising tourists to move away from waters which are sullied with oil," added Kanwar. "After my arrival at Benaulim on Saturday morning, I noticed the layer of oil in the sea at Benaulim beach. We have alerted the beach cleaning contractors regarding the tar balls on the beach," said director of tourism Nikhil Desai.

Honda Activa in Goa http://sify.com/finance/activ-a-in-goa-news-features-kf3kardejih.html 2010-05-29 05:30:00 I love Goa, which I call a "State of Mind" rather than a mere state. And I love riding and driving on Goa’s roads. I have ridden everything, from Yamaha RX 100s to Enfield LB500s, on Goan roads and have driven an assortment of cars, ranging from Hyundai Elantras to San Storm convertibles. But if the 600 km drive to Goa from Mumbai or the distance from any other town proves a bit much to drive, then you can opt to get your set of wheels in the holiday heaven of India. Goa is the Honda Activa capital of the whole world. Life revolves around the little runabout in the erstwhile Portuguese colony. It is used by fishermen, office goers, children in uniform, women — old and young — and of course, tourists. I briefly talked to Melvin who handed me the key to a blue Activa with a black-and-yellow ‘taxi’ plate against the lean season rent of Rs 150 a day. "It used to be the Kinetic Honda before and now it is the Activa and the Dio (the sportier version of more or less the same scooter) that moves Goa." It is effortless to ride with no gears to deal with, both brakes are on the handlebars and it is economical, too. Activas return 45-50 kpl if you are not bent on ripping them in a Baga-Aguada Grand Prix. And rip they do, the local boys who play agents or at times are proud owners of these little devices. During the peak season, the rentals touch Rs 500 a day, but most foreign tourists strike a hard bargain and get them for longer periods. Also becoming popular in the tourist ride trade is the new Yamaha FZ-16. Almost every one features bright sticker work. Boys wearing Messi and Lampard t-shirts blast across the streets with tampered exhausts that still struggle to meet the good old Yamaha RX 100 that the FZ has replaced. There are the occasional Bajaj Pulsars, but the radical looks and big fat rear rubber of the FZ seem to be a runaway winner with Goans and the tourists alike. Another motorcycle that is doing reasonably well is the Bajaj Avenger — so what if the engine displaces only 200 cc, you get the Arnie on Fat Boy look at a bargain price. This little cruiser is comfortable to ride and a great machine to explore the long and winding roads in South Goa. Of course, the shark in the Goan two-wheeler food chain is the Royal Enfield. I was stunned to see the variety on offer — with chrome, all black, with pannier, chopper jobs, immaculate stock, just wide handlebars, proper Harley wannabes… you name it, there is an Enfield to suit everyone out there. Savio, the big burly guy who gave me a self-driven Hyundai Santro for Rs 1500 a day, rides an Enfield. "My bike is special, but even that is available for rent", he beamed! It cost anywhere from Rs 300 a day for a basic model to a whopping Rs 600 a day for the LB 500 or a spanking new Classic 500. During my stay I found an example of the Rajdoot GTS 175, or the ‘Bobby bike’ and of course its elder sister, the RD 175 with a DKW-derived ‘Earl’s fork’ that used to be the staple diet for two-wheeler taxis in Goa. There is a nice sprinkling of open-top Gypsys and Jeep clones to add to the charm too. But Honda, take a bow — the Activa is what Goans are swearing by these days! Twist and go and hit the beach of your choice or hunt down that elusive blues and jazz restaurant. "© 2004 sify.com India Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed."