Goanet next meets in Goa on Jan 7 at 4 pm. Meeting point: Kala Academy Canteen, Panjim. Goanet founder Herman Carneiro will be there. See you too! ------------------------------ GOACOM DAILY NEWS CLIPPINGS 01 January 2004
We wish all GoaNetters A Very Happy and Prosperous NEW YEAR 2004 DANCES, FIREWORKS USHER IN NEW YEAR: Traditional dances, parties, mid-night Church services and dazzling firework displays marked the celebrations which were joined in by thousands of tourists to usher in the New Year. The coastal belt was resounding with music till the wee hours of the day as parties were organised on the beach front by hotels and individuals to ring in the New Year. (H) "PANJIM ABLAZE": Walking or driving in Panjim is quite different these days with various buildings being decorated with colourful lights through the City Corporation's "Panjim Ablaze" programme. "Panjim Ablaze" was conceived by Armando Gonsalves <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> and other enthusiastic folk to brighten up their city for the Christmas-New Year season. Armando was kind enough to drive us along the city roads to show the various buildings, the Boca de Vaca spring and "Bertaires" house at Altinho, accompanied by wellknown journalist Bemvinda Collaco, a bit of whose voice is heard on the small video clip which we have included in this issue. Check at: http://www.goacom.com/goanow/newyear/ablaze.htm BISHOP, GUV, CM GREET GOANS: Archbishop Patriarch Raul Gonsalves together with Auxiliary Bishop Filipe Neri Ferrao wishes everyone a pleasant and promising New Year 2004. Meanwhile, Governor Kidar Nath Sahani and Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar have also extended warm greetings to the people of Goa on the occasion of the New Year. (H) ROAD RAGE IN COASTAL AREAS: Confusion continues to reign along the northern coastal belt as police stations struggle to cope with the huge inflow of tourists and revelers. The Calangute and Candolim roads appeared to be beyond the scope of the law even as the rich and famous sped by in their Mercedes Benz cars competing with the jeeps driven by their not-so-well-to-do countrymen. Domestic and foreign tourists were seen speeding by on two-wheelers seemingly unmindful of the danger they were causing to themselves and to other motorists. A CARAVAN IN UK, A HOUSE IN GOA: According to a report in the UK-based "Sunday Times", purchasing houses in Goa and other parts of India has become a lucrative option for foreigners. "At the end of the day it's no more expensive than a caravan in Bridlington," says Jan Turner, a public-relations director, quoted in the Times report. Jan and husband Robert have just bought a new three-bedroom flat in Goa. Spurred on by the glut of holiday-home programmes and cheaper and more regular long-haul flights, Britons are widening their horizons when it comes to buying abroad. (H) RAPE OF UK SCRIBE: 2 ACQUITTED: Two persons charged for raping a journalist from United Kingdom were acquitted by the additional sessions court in Margao on December 31. (GT). MAN FLINGS BOY INTO A WELL: Suleman Shaikh (35), a resident of Navelim, was arrested for flinging a boy into a well recently. The accused irked by children playing cricket, caught hold of the 11-year-old boy, Irappa, and flung him into a well. (NT) GOA YEARNS FOR MORE TOURISTS: Even as an estimated 1.25 lakh tourists-both foreign and domestic-descended on the State to ring in the New Year, Goa Tourism has resolved to launch a concerted effort to ensure that 2004 will be a successful year. Tourism Director N Suryanarayana said that for the first time all government department would work in the tandem to ensure that Goa is high on the list of the world's favourite tourism destinations. During 2003 more than 20 lakh tourists visited Goa during the year, a significant increase from 2002's 16 lakh arrivals. "We expect arrivals to increase by at least 30 per cent during 2004 because of the Exposition and the IFFI," Suryanarayana said. (GT) PETROL, DIESEL PRICES UP: The New Year will witness a record high in prices of petrol and diesel as consumers will have to shell out Re.1 to Rs.1.20 more for a litre of the two fuels from January 1. HELMETS FOR TWO-WHEELER RIDERS: Though there is stoic silence over effective implementation of compulsory helmet rule for two-wheeler riders from today, the government withdrawing the exemption granted in MV Rules last year makes it imperative for the law enforcing machinery to implement the Motor Vehicle Act, 1998. (NT) CENTRAL BANK TO FINANCE TOURISM: "There is ample scope for tourism and Central Bank is keen to finance this sector as well in Goa," said General Manager MB Khurjekar while addressing a press conference at the Verna branch. The bank has 22 branches in Goa with total deposits of around Rs.390 lakh and advances of Rs.54 lakh. (GT) GU'S INACTION FLAYED: The Goa Environment and Ecology Trust has strongly condemned Goa University authorities for not seeking the arrest of the students responsible for blackening the face of Prof Joe D'Souza of the Microbiology Department in the university campus last week. (H) SALE OF PEACOCK FEATHERS: You can find the feathers of the peacock (our national bird) for sale in the heart of Calangute and at some sports in Baga, the Anjuna flea market, Margao and places close to these. The people claim to be coming from Uttar Pradesh are selling peacock feathers and other products made of peacock feathers. (H) CHRISTMAS WITH A DIFFERENCE: The Pilar Seminary highlighted dialogue among people, cultures and religions in its celebrations for Christmas in the exquisite Chapel of the Seminary. Beckoning all comers is a beautiful star atop the seminary with a dark Madonna and babe surrounded by symbols of all religions. At the entrance of the seminary, instead of the usual Christmas tree or bells one is greeted with a colourful rangoli with the Virgin Mother of Pilar and the Babe Jesus sitting on a pillar. In the unique crib, Jesus in a prism of white light diffuses into the seven colours of the rainbow.(GT) BEREAVEMENT COUNSELLING: Sangath Centre, Porvorim, will organise a training in bereavement counseling, dealing with loss and grief from the January 12 to 17. The training will be conducted by expert counselors from UK working in the field of bereavement. Details: 2414916/2711912 (H) TEHELCA'S TEJPAL IN CALANGUTE: He looks like any tourist on the North Goa coast, with a sarong-like garb, an untypical pony-tail and a graying beard. But one of India's most written-about editors is optimistic of plans to launch a weekly print edition of Tehelka shortly. (H) TEJPAL TO DELIVER A TALK: Editor-in-Chief of Tehelka, Tarun Tejpal, will deliver a talk on the topic "Media, Democracy and Citizenship: Challengers before India" at Caritas Holiday Home at St Inez at 4.30 pm today. Tejpal shot into fame following his web portal's path-breaking investigations into corruption in defence purchases and match-fixing in cricket. (NT) JOE PINTO TAKES OVER AS GT EDITOR: Joseph M Pinto takes over the editor of "Gomantak Times" and "Weekender" with effect from 1 January 2004. He is presently the executive editor at the paper. Pramod K Khandepakar, who has retired, will continue to be associated with the paper. (GT) NEW YEAR BASH AT "RIVIERA": The much awaited and highly billed "The New Year 's Melt the Snow Party 2003" will be held at Mandovi Riviera, opposite Hotel Mandovi, today, from 8.30 pm onwards. Scintillating music will be provided by Goa's top bands Lynx, The Cream, Tidal Wave, Imaginations, Ventures, Crimson-Tide, Artwork and V4. S P O R T S MANOVIKAS CLAIMS SCHOOL CUP: Manovikas English Medium School, Margao, registered their title triumph in the GFA's U-14 School Cup football tournament overcoming stiff resistance from Loyola High School, Margao, 1-0 in an exciting final at CRC sports complex, Chinchinim. D E A T H S 31 Dec: Margao: FILIPE PS DIAS: son of late Filipe/late Mariazinha, brother of late Marianinha/late Inacio, late Miguel Antonio/Filomena and late Berta. 31 Dec: Pontemol: MANDAKINI BORKAR, mother of Laxmidas, Mohan, Rajan, Prakash, Prafulla, Rekha, Kanchan, Durga, Hema and Pratima. 30 Dec: Margao: SAVITA PANDURANG POI PALONDICAR: wife of Pandurang, mother of Mukund, Milind, Reena Vijay Bhandare. G O A W E A T H E R Temp: 27.2 degC (81.0 degF) at 10.00 am today in Assagao. Max Temp: 34.7 deg C; Min Temp: 21.3 deg C; Humidity: 70% (Official figures for yesterday) Weather: A bright morning on the first day of the year. Courtesy: H=Herald; NT=The Navhind Times; GT=Gomantak Times JOEL D'SOUZA, Assagao-Goa-India. Website: www.goacom.com Goacom News Clippings at: http://www.goacom.com/news Webzine "GoaNOW": http://www.goacom.com/goanow ########################################################################## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################