----------------------------------------------------------------- Goanetter Francis Rodrigues (Vasco/Toronto) unveils his book, The Greatest Konkani Song Hits. Launch dates: Goa (Kala Academy) on 9 Aug. 4 pm. U.K. (Staines) on 15 Aug. Canada on 20 Aug and US on 30 Aug. Details http://www.konkanisongbook.com/
----------------------------------------------------------------- The Goa assembly has apparently been outraged by an article by Samir Kelekar in the Herald referring to the Assembly proceedings as a comedy. The Speaker had stern words for Samir and the Herald, threatening punitive action. Since when has the not so august House become so sensitive to opinions of the public? I recall Parrikar had similarly taken umbrage to some press writing some years back, and had slammed defamation notices on some papers. The last article I have pasted mentions Narvekar as saying - "Mr Kelekar is the son of Mr Gurunath Kelekar, the convenor of Movement for Amity towards Roads in Goa (MARG), which is a body on which government spends large amount of money, Mr Narvekar said, retorting Have we questioned how this money is being utilised." Hah! A multi-crore cricket-scam accused speaketh thus! When I was travelling with Gurunath Kelekar as part of a survey team to document the condition of the Statues and Memorials in Goa, I recall the senior Kelekar walking into a restaurant (by the Highway) with us, to have our meals. When he looked at the menu prices,he said - no no, too costly - and took us to another cheaper restaurant to eat. This is government money, he would say, we have to economise. We did all our travelling around Goa in MARG's rickety Maruti van, for which Kelekar claimed minimal expenses. If Narvekar was our team leader, I would have travelled in a Merc! And Narvekar would take a shot at this gentleman! I think Samir Kelekar has done well in raising the hackles of the politicos. Hats off to the Herald. I also know that Samir himself donates very generously to support the public causes that his father espouses. Samir's rage at the behaviour of the politicians will resonate with every like-minded Goan. I believe Narvekar's ire was largely due to the fact that Samir Kelekar had exposed his corrupt activities as Head of the Information Technology ministry. Samir was a member of the IT Committee, but was unceremoniously thrown out after he asked too many uncomfortable questions. The IT parks were/are nothing but real estate scams by proxy. Regards Jose Lourenco
