[Goanet] OBITUARY: Rita S. Fernandes (Kuwait / Goa)

2011-03-27 Thread Goanet Obit

O B I T U A R Y

Rita S. Fernandes
(Ex-Carmel School, Kuwait
Proprietor: Shane Services, Marcela, Goa)
Died: 18 March 2011


Everloving wife of Martin Anthony Fernandes (Tony).

Beloved mother/mother-in-law of Simona/(late) Vinod Bakaya, 
Vilette/Flynn Jennings, Youla/Vivek Thomas, Vinita, Valencia Fernandes, 
Abigail/Sundeep Mathias, Shane Fernandes.


Doting grandmother of Vishal, Aakash, Declan, Janine, Jeanelle, Jemma, 
Daniel and Danica.



Memorial mass on March 28, 2011 at 5pm at the Holy Family Church, 
Marcela, Goa.



Source: Herald, March 27, 2011


Goanet Obit


[Goanet] Medium of instruction in Goa

2011-03-27 Thread Dr . Ferdinando dos Reis Falcão

On Sun, 27 Mar 2011 04:57:41 -0700, Freddy Fernandes wrote
:<<<1-  now my question to
the two gentlemen is, if we have teachers who are capable of enabling the
students to understand, speak and write in English in primary school, would it
be okay to have Konkanni medium ? 

2- I am sure most will agree, that if we have good teachers of
English, that language can be substantially understood and spoken by the
students, so that they have no hassles in their transition to English medium in
standard V  and then excel in
secondary, is that a possibility 
or not ?  

3- If you'll disagree, then I can give you'll an example, I along
with a lot of others, am a product of Konkanni medium in Devnagri,…

4- I hope you'll believe me when I say, initially it was tough to
adept to a script that was totally foreign….

5- Today I am sure; I and my fellow students are neither any less
educated nor less competent than any of the English medium educated. 

6- As far as I am concerned we should give more importance to the
quality of education for our children, be it English medium or Konkanni medium
!

 

RESPONSE : 1- Konkani medium; and teachers who understand, speak
and write English? Do you want also qualified doctors to teach hygiene in
schools?

2- May I ask, a second language like French, taught in Goan
schools, a new language for most Goans; do you think it is possible for
students to cope in Maths, Science, etc in the French language?

3 & 5-  We used to
say in school : “Donkey’s name comes last”. That is the rule in the English
language in framing sentences, ‘I’ comes last, in contrast to “I along with 
..." or "I and my fellow...”

4- Do you mean “adept’ or “adapt’ They both are pronounced the
same! But the meanings, wide apart.

6- Quality of education is dependent on ability of teachers,
selection of teachers, environment including political, and resources of the
school.

I do hope Mr. Freddy understands the big difference now.

 

 Dr. Ferdinando dos Reis Falcão.


  

[Goanet] Advani Sonia partnership revealed!

2011-03-27 Thread U. G. Barad
The 'apology' by Advani to Sonia for BJP's task force including Sonia's name
in the list of black money holders in Swiss bank accounts indeed had stunned
the nation. And now their actual partnership is exposed. Read more at:

http://www.udayindia.org/content_12march2011/focus.html






[Goanet] NEWS: VIP babas, babies love English (Suraj Nandrekar, Herald)

2011-03-27 Thread Goanet News
VIP babas, babies love English

SURAJ NANDREKAR
VIP babas, babies love English
Majority of Goa’s Ministers and MLAs’ children have chosen English at
primary level
SURAJ NANDREKAR
Panjim, March 25: Goa’s Ministers and MLAs have long settled the
medium of instruction debate by taking a firm decision at home. They
have and continue to send their kids to schools where the medium of
instruction is hold your breath...pucca English.
Marathi comes second and Konkani, the language purists are trying to
preserve by castigating the English pushers, comes a distant third as
a language of choice for mantra and MLA kids.
Double standards or just plain practical sense? A bit of both
actually. Or how else do you explain Sudin Dhavlikar, Babu Azgaonkar,
Vijaypai Khot, silent or vocal opponents of English as a medium of
instruction, educating at least one of their children if not all in
English at the primary level?
All the children of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Home Minister, Health
Minister and Education Minister have been taught in English at the
primary level.
Many of them prefer one of Goa’s most upmarket private schools
offering quality education — Sharada Mandir, including the son of PWD
Minister Churchill Alemao, Savio. Alemao’s daughters - Sara, Sharon,
Anna, Valanka and Wanda, however, learnt their primary school lessons
in Konkani.
Chief Minister Digambar Kamat though is an exception as his son Yogesh
and daughter Deepali went to Government-aided schools in Margao and
learnt in the vernacular.
For the BJP, English and Marathi were the favourites. Leader of the
Opposition Manohar Parrikar, Lakshmikant Parsekar and Damu Naik among
others have educated their children in Marathi while both the children
of Canacona MLA Vijaypai Khot studied in English in the primary level.
The detailed report which is published today is a true reflection of
what all parents want for their children. A good education and mostly
in English. As parents, they have given a clearer decision than they
can ever do as politicians.


[Goanet] AN 8TH STD DROPOUT TO DECIDE OUR MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION & EDUCATION POLICY

2011-03-27 Thread Aires Rodrigues
We all know the fate of this current controversory over the medium of
instruction. Chief Minister Digambar Kamat will do what he does best-
shelve the issue by appointing a committee of so called 'experts' to
study the issue.

The ground reality is that Goans are already a minority in their own
state. Walking through the streets, shopping at the markets or riding
on the buses, we hear more of Kannada, Telugu, Oriya, Tamil,
Malayalam, etc than Konkani or Marathi.

The empty talk of Special Status for Goa is for public consumption.
There remains nothing to be saved. The destruction of once known Goa
is almost complete. Uncontrolled migration spurred by vote bank
politics has caused the influx of people from Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh,
Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and beyond. Goa is on the brink of a disaster of
our own making. We are today faced with a dilemma of having a galaxy
of mother tongues. And that’s the hard truth while we watch the
sorrowing condition of our State.

All said and done the biggest irony is that the fate of the medium of
instruction and Goa’s Education policy is in the hands of a 8th Std
dropout. That’s the hard reality, even at the risk of having to lay
the other eight fingers on the chopping board.

Aires Rodrigues
T1 - B30, Ribandar Retreat
Ribandar - Goa - 403006
Mobile: 9822684372


[Goanet] Basil Coutinho is patron of Doha Goans Sports Club

2011-03-27 Thread Doha Goans Sports Club
Basil Coutinho is patron of Doha Goans Sports Club

*Sharp to play In Qatar for May Ball dance on May 5 at Ramada along with
Black Slades organised by Doha Goans Sports Club*


http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fgoansinqatar.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fbasil-coutinho-is-patron-of-doha-goans.html&h=b6e5d

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fgoansinqatar.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fbasil-coutinho-is-patron-of-doha-goans.html&h=b6e5d

http://goansinqatar.blogspot.com/


[Goanet] How Does Vitamin D Help Our Immune System?

2011-03-27 Thread Con Menezes

http://www.healthiertalk.com/how-does-vitamin-d-help-our-immune-system


[Goanet] Goa news for March 28, 2011

2011-03-27 Thread Goanet News Service
Goa News from Google News and Goanet.org
Visit http://www.goanet.org/newslinks.php for the full stories.

*** Baba Ramdev supports BJP's populist policies in Goa -
Economic Times
9fs11NJw
http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNHFiAQk0g75GOUOrCqUMmQ5UoF-mA&url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/baba-ramdev-supports-bjps-populist-policies-in-goa/articleshow/7790668.cms

*** Every week a foreign tourist dies in Goa - Times of India
f-death-of-44-foreigners-in-goa-unknown-home-minister/621955.html">Cause
of death of 44 foreigners in Goa unknown: Home Minister
http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNHy1CugyYUXX-Np5lDgXrvnqKZEBQ&url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Every-week-a-foreign-tourist-dies-in-Goa/articleshow/7784139.cms

*** Goa BJP bats for Konkani, Marathi as medium of instruction -
MSN India
&url=http://www.indiablooms.com/NewsDetailsPage/newsDetails270311h.php";>Now
BJP supports Konkani in Goa schools
http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNFeqL0UQ0FNnGbJYaZrioZjVow-TA&url=http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5083494

*** Higher export duty, royalty to hit Sesa Goa - Financial
Express
f_EmEg
http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNHfNKLgPhfIaccDtBWXqMu6qi8KAg&url=http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Higher-export-duty--royalty-to-hit-Sesa-Goa/768027/

*** Goa seeks to boost milk output through incentives - Hindu
Business Line
ndu Business LinePTI After depending on neighbouring states for
almost half of its milk requirement, the Goa Government hopes
that the new incentives proposed in the latest budget will help
augment the production. "The Government recently announced a
hike in minimum ...http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNFMtp4IOgd0cUf1e9p7fPPAMUk-dw&url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/economy/article1573525.ece

*** Indo-Tibetan society to strengthen friendship between the
two states - Times of India
ibetan Friendship Society. The Goa chapter of the society was
established with "an aim to engage the Goan mind and heart in a
dialogue of freedom, ...http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNHGJ6qEMy1-HJtjtU_r_iJXq-ENuQ&url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Indo-Tibetan-society-to-strengthen-friendship-between-the-two-states/articleshow/7796583.cms

*** Heroic rescue act in Iraq begets award for Goan - Sify
fyAnd seven years later, the Australian government awarded the
Goan along with four other Indian civilian workers at the Al
Kasik camp with the Australian bravery award last week. A few
days after he was nominated for the award, Antonio recalled that
the ...http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNGBIvD-eFPt8yvAZF6IAmUnMbdkKQ&url=http://www.sify.com/news/heroic-rescue-act-in-iraq-begets-award-for-goan-news-national-ld1jOdbfhga.html

*** Mopa villagers oppose second airport project in Goa -
Economic Times
ffected Farmers' Committee(MAAFC) members told reporters today
...http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNF26pXvF1H8TXwyg2TOIQpLNmLO4Q&url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/mopa-villagers-oppose-second-airport-project-in-goa/articleshow/7799584.cms

*** 'Bisons cause trouble for North Goa farmers' - Times of
India
mes of IndiaKERI: Farmers in the North Goa village of Ibrampur
have had no respite from bison that have been damaging their
paddy fields for the past few years. Located close to their
habitat, the paddy fields are a source of food for the bison who
constantly ...http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNEndZcwTCzZUrPvrVImmMfRexTUgA&url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Bisons-cause-trouble-for-North-Goa-farmers/articleshow/7796632.cms

*** Goa Pro League: Sporting Clube De Goa 3-0 Salgaocar SC -
Bisheshwor Singh's ... - Goal.com India
rick by Sporting Clube de Goa midfielder Bisheshwor Singh
blanked Salgaocar SC's chances of topping the table, while the
Goa Pro League awaits a champion... By Anselm Noronha Sporting
Clube de Goa deminished Salgaocar's hopes of the Goa Pro ...http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNEcbzAHOdYkX8ceXCYb1ev5UWlMzg&url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/136/india/2011/03/26/2412870/goa-pro-league-sporting-clube-de-goa-3-0-salgaocar-sc-bisheshwor-


Compiled by Goanet News Service
http://www.goanet.org/newslinks.php


Re: [Goanet] Portugal needs its sleeping king now more than ever

2011-03-27 Thread J. Colaco < jc>
[1] Gabe Menezes wrote: Although I am finding it difficult to get a
decent interest rate here in the U.K. If I had faith in Portugal I
would go out and
buy some 10 year Bonds yielding 8 percentbut ..

[2] Mervyn Lobo  wrote: The financial problems have just one cause.
Governments spent far more than they received in revenues. Everyone
knows what happens to an individual or family when they spend more
than their income. The exact same thing is going to happen to some
governments and countries.

Things are going to get much worse for the people in jurisdictions
where the government does not have to balance its budget.



COMMENT:

I am not an economist but it is possible that I have minimal knowledge
of money (:-). So here go my 2 escudos worth. I know I know...(not
worth anything ... Euro etc etc)

The following are causes for economies to collapse (in no particular
order of importance):

a: (as Mervyn correctly stated above) - Expenditure greater than Income.

b: Corruption especially in procurement of goods and allocation of resources.

c: Skimming and Scamming - et tu Indian Army Chiefs? Aye Aye Aye Adarsh!

d: Negligence - In England, as an example, the NHS in 2009 had a
reported potential liability of £12 billion and potential legal bills
of circa £3 billion for outstanding medical negligence claims (The
real winners in NHS claims in Medical Malpractice (2009)
http://www.goinglegal.com/article_853363_101.html)

e: Wastage: The UK Guardian (Feb 3) reports:"The leader of the house,
Sir George Young, said Conservative and Liberal Democrat ministers had
quaffed 30% less of the official government wine cellar than the
previous administration". He was responding to this question from a
Labour MP:  "There's a Chateau Latour 1962 in there valued at £3,600.
Can the leader of the house tell me which minister deserves to drink
it?"

f: Unnecessary foreign jaunts and local entertaining by politicians
and senior civil servants. Please read Nisser Dias' column to
ascertain (a bit of) How these chaps are swiping funds on a
near-weekly basis.

g: Public offering: It must be acknowledged that prospective
candidates do 'give back to the people'  at election time what they
expect to reclaim a 100 fold if they are elected.

A  few questions need to be asked:

h: How much money does Goa generate per year?

i: How much of it benefits Goans?

j: Can somebody please help me find articles on this matter and the
matters above (not isolated ones, please) written by some of our Goa
journos?

k: Forget about Portugal, are our Goan journos in denial too?

BTW: Gabe, if you are looking to make some money from 10 year Bonds,
your are an Englishman alright!

BTW2: What Portugal really needs at this moment is not a King but a Salazar.

good wishes

jc


[Goanet] Anacleto's spin on medium of instruction

2011-03-27 Thread Dr . Ferdinando dos Reis Falcão





On Sun, 27 Mar 2011 10:56:01 -0700, SOTER wrote : <<>>

COMMENT: I know this so called politician cum builder cum lawyer
very well. I will sum up the description by just one word: “Opportunist”.



Dr. Ferdinando dos Reis Falcão.

  

Re: [Goanet] Portugal needs its sleeping king now more than ever

2011-03-27 Thread Mervyn Lobo
Gabe Menezes posted:
   The national debt is at its highest in more than a century. The last time
   the country saw anything resembling economic growth was back in 2000.
   Everywhere there is a fear that, after a lost decade, there might come yet
   another. Portugal appears to be undergoing a process of economic decay. 
- snip -
   The dust of the electoral fray had hardly settled when the Portuguese
   were confronted with a reality quite different from the one presented by
  Sócrates. The 2009 budget deficit, reported to Brussels in September as
   5.6%, turned out to be 9.3%. Political moves such as the Socialist party's
   decision to increase public servants' pay and benefits had backfired.


---





Folks,
Calling for a new king or a different political party to be in charge 
is not going 
to solve the financial problems that a LOT of governments are facing today.


The financial problems have just one cause. Governments spent far more 
than they received in revenues. Everyone knows what happens to an 
individual or family when they spend more than their income. The exact 
same thing is going to happen to some governments and countries.


Things are going to get much worse for the people in jurisdictions where
the government does not have to balance its budget. Portugal, Ireland, 
Greece and Spain have relatively small economies. The financial crises in 
those countries have, so far, effected the residents there the hardest. 


What is hurling your way is the financial crises of the US. Almost half the
states are already bankrupt. The US government now spends more money 
servicing its debt than it does on military expenditure. Keep in mind that
the US is fighting three wars today and yet military expenditure is not
its biggest expense.


The US and every other country with a Quantitative Easing  program is 
trying to solve its financial problems by printing money. This is the Robert 
Mugabe school of economics. The end result for all these countries will be 
the same i.e. the value of their currency will plummet. 


There is a lot of wealth to be made with this knowledge. 


Mervyn1430Lobo



Re: [Goanet] Holistic Medicine

2011-03-27 Thread Santosh Helekar
I had always thought that the least that education can do quite successfully is 
to teach people to recognize what is real and what is fake, so as not to be 
easily fooled by charlatans. My experience on Goanet and elsewhere has 
unfortunately taught me that this is not true at all.

When it comes to medicine and other scientific subjects, in particular, 
ideology, religion and blind emotional appeal have nullified any advantage that 
education might have accorded the public, otherwise. Even so, I can understand 
why people, who do not have any kind of post-secondary scientific education, 
would have a hard time understanding what real science is. But it is thoroughly 
disappointing to see that here we have medical professionals who cannot tell 
the difference between real medicine and quackery, real reputable scientific 
websites and political propaganda websites, real science and pseudoscience, and 
real informed audience and blind followers of a postmodern fad or ideology. 
What a waste of education!

The saddest thing (and perhaps, the funniest as well), however, is that these 
folk are so clueless that they invariably believe that they are smarter and 
wiser than those who genuinely know what they are talking about, and who can 
genuinely tell the difference between sense and nonsense. What's more, when it 
comes to medicine and science, again, every single one of these "holistic" 
souls abuses and/or looks down upon real scientific and medical professionals 
who strictly abide by the principles of science and scientific medicine, 
without spouting meaningless psychobabbly words such as "holistic", and without 
dabbling in the myriad forms of quackery that have sprouted like wild mushrooms 
to lure the increasingly gullible New Age society.

Cheers,

Santosh

Cheers,

Santosh

--- On Sun, 3/27/11, Gilbert Lawrence  wrote:
> 
> Clearly, Ivo and others find the healthcare articles which
> I forward to be of 
> interest and useful. Indeed that is why those authors write
> them and reputable 
> website publish them.
> 
> It is a pity that some have little insights and
> forwarding such articles is 
> "like casting pearls before ... "
> 
> Regards, GL
>


[Goanet] NEWS: Now BJP supports Konkani in Goa schools

2011-03-27 Thread Goanet News
Now BJP supports Konkani in Goa schools
India Blooms News Service

Panaji, Mar 27 (IBNS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has joined the
bandwagon of the political parties supporting Konkani and Marathi as
Medium of Instruction (MoI) at the elementary level.

Addressing a news conference Sunday, BJP Goa President Laxmikant
Parsekar has demanded that the existing MoI in local languages should
not be changed.

“English is posing a threat to regional languages because of its
glamour. People are bowed to English language because it is taken as
fashion nowadays. But the concept worldwide is that the primary level
of education has to be in mother tongue,” Parsekar told reporters.

He said that the current policy of Konkani and Marathi as MoI is
working well and grants are properly distributed.

“UNESCO, which is dedicated in the field of education, supports that
primary education has to be done in the mother tongue,” he said.

The BJP legislator said that the issue cannot be debated through
public meetings or in the Legislative Assembly, but it has to involve
educationists keeping in mind the past, present and future of a child.

“The decision has to be taken by educationist and experts. Legislators
do not into the picture,” he said adding that few legislators who are
demanding English as MoI do not have educational qualification.

Quoting an extract from UNESCO’s report, Parsekar said that primary
education be taught in mother tongue, for, explaining logic behind a
particular step in English language is difficult.

The State is divided over the MoI issue with several thousand parents
demanding English to be included as MoI, and another group demanding
that elementary education be taught in regional languages.

On Saturday another political party - Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party
(MGP), which is represented by two of its legislators in the Goa
cabinet- said that they will not allow English language to be
recognized as MoI.

They also opposed providing any financial assistance to English schools.

Similarly, a new organization – Bhartiya Bhasha Surakha Manch (BBSM)
has rendered its support for Konkani and Marathi as the MoI. The Manch
has organized a massive rally on April 6 at Panaji.

http://www.indiablooms.com/NewsDetailsPage/newsDetails270311h.php


Re: [Goanet] Portugal needs its sleeping king now more than ever

2011-03-27 Thread Gabe Menezes
On 27 March 2011 14:21, Bernado Colaco  wrote:

> Political decay is this the cause. What is happening in London at the
> moment?
> Various banks are being targeted. Please check this link below.
>
>
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiY8QB1fNAY&feature=player_embedded
>
>
>
>
> BC
>

REPLY: You are correct - although I am finding it difficult to get a decent
interest rate here in the U.K. If I had faith in Portugal I would go out and
buy some 10 year Bonds yielding 8 percentbut before redemption date one
might have to take a hair cut!

I will be a happy bunny if I got that sort of return in the U.K.
-- 
DEV BOREM KORUM

Gabe Menezes.


Re: [Goanet] Re : Medium of instruction in Primary Schools

2011-03-27 Thread J. Colaco < jc>
[1]  U. G. Barad wrote:
a: my primary education was in Marathi and thereafter my education was
in English.

b:  I believe, in such dead-lock situation, the issue could be best
solved once and for all by taking opinion poll from all GOAN voters.
And this could be even initiated along with upcoming assembly election
in Goa which is due in year time WITHOUT extra expenditure to
exchequer.

[2] Dr. Ferdinando dos Reis Falcão responded:  Dr. Uday, I would
suggest you re-think what you’ve written. Do you really mean to say
you would believe in the procedures of voting in Goa?

COMMENT:

Even though I have often disagreed with Dr. UG Barad (being a Virgo, I
also criticise myself), I must say that I have always admired him for
his brilliant ability to produce and publish scientific material.

And while it was always evident from his GoaNet and Pharmaweb posting
(must have folded or what?), that he was probably from a Vernacular
medium primary school (as opposed to a good English medium school),
the fact that his books have been published and are not cheap by any
standards, indicates that he either works very hard on the
non-scientific element (i.e. English) of his books or he is able to
secure help from the right quarters.

Nothing more admirable in a man than to know his limitations and do
the needful to overcome those limitations.

I absolutely see the wisdom in parents offering opportunities to their
children esp opportunities which were not readily available to
them (the parents). Dr. Barad has written about his own choices for
his children.

For that I say to Dr. Barad, WELL DONE Sir!   In my mind, you are a
Hero. Trust me, your children will Thank you for that.

One reason I disagree with these (officially) bachelor Catholic
priests and other bachelor politicians is that they give advice wrt
Family Life. They say that even though they do not have families, they
have read books. (Some even give medical advice without ever having
gone through the rigours of medical training)

I say to ALL and Sundry: Please allow parents to make the decisions on
behalf of their children, UNLESS you are willing to place some funds
in trust for the children who take your advice and flop.

Dr. Falcao also has made a very valid point about elections.

I;d say to Dr. Barad that the phrase "Opinion Poll WITHOUT extra
expenditure to exchequer" is an oxymoron. If anyone cares to remember
the amount of Rupees that were invested in the Opinion Poll "to join
or not to join Maharashtra" by the JOIN group, and that too about 45
years ago, one would not dream of that today.

Besides, if an opinion poll were to be held today, there is a fair
chance that Kannada or Bihari might become the official language.
There is a famous line in my second discipline i.e. Do not ask a
witness a question, the answer of which you may not wish to hear!


In conclusion: Please do not take advice on the Medium of Instruction
(for kids) from the following folks:

a: Catholic priests.
b: Bachelors and Bachelors without responsibilities for children they
may have sired.
c: Wealthy folks who can send their children to Switzerland for
education and 'banking studies'
d: Wealthy folks whose children do not have to work for a living.
e: Politicians who want to divide and rule.
jc


[Goanet] Portugal still in denial over Goa (Devika Sequeira, Deccan Herald)

2011-03-27 Thread Goanet News
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/149095/portugal-still-denial-over-goa.html

Portugal still in denial over Goa
Devika Sequeira in Panaji

Portugal should have shown better diplomatic judgment in officially
honouring Goa's golden jubilee celebrations

Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva will be in East Timor later
this year to attend the country’s independence celebrations. No such
diplomatic gesture will be extended to Goa where celebrations have
begun to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Goa’s accession into
India in 1961.|

Portuguese historians Paulo Varela Gomes and Teotonio De Souza argue
that the two cases bear no comparison. East Timor, part of a small
island in the Indonesian archipelago between the South China Sea and
the Indian Ocean, was colonised by the Portuguese in the 16th century.
Dutch colonisers took over the west of the island. In 1975, Portugal
unilaterally withdrew from East Timor as it began to dissolve its
colonial empire. The withdrawal was followed quickly by Indonesia’s
invasion of East Timor. An UN-sponsored report said at least 100,000
Timorese were killed during the 25-year Indonesian occupation, which
ended after the referendum in 1999. Portugal’s diplomatic intervention
helped pave the way to East Timor’s independence in 2002 and the two
countries have maintained excellent relations since.

Soon after India’s independence, Nehru initiated moves for a
diplomatic solution to the Goa case. Portugal, then under the dictator
Antonio de Oliveira Salazar
rebuffed all such approaches, forcing India’s hand in the military
intervention that began on December 17, 1961. Thirty-six hours later,
India was in possession of Goa, Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar
Haveli which had been a part of the ‘Estado da India’ (Portugal’s
colonial holdings in India) for 451 years. The issue of Goa’s
accession echoed as dramatically in the UN Security Council as it had
on the ground.

A US-sponsored resolution supported by the UK, France and Turkey that
wanted the withdrawal of Indian troops was vetoed by the Soviet Union.
The Soviet move was heavily criticised in the West and Portugal went
into virtual mourning, scaling down Christmas celebrations that year.
Media reports also said the Salazar government had put out a reward of
$ 10,000 for the capture of the Indian Brigadier Sagat Singh, the
commander of the Red Berets, the parachute regiment, which were the
first Indian troops to enter Panjim.

Portugal snapped diplomatic ties with India and refused to recognise
the decolonisation of its Indian territories. Diplomatic relations
between the two countries revived only in 1975 after Portugal itself
turned into a democracy. In 1992,  Mario Soares became the first
Portuguese head of state to visit Goa.

A trenchant critic of the Portuguese regime, Soares had spent long
years in jail under Salazar and had many friends in the Goa freedom
movement. He received a hero’s welcome in Goa. Following his visit,
the Portuguese government opened a consulate in Goa and the cultural
organisation Fundacao Oriente set up an office here.

Lawyer Miguel Reis is perhaps among a small minority in Portugal today
who believes that Portugal should have shown better diplomatic
judgment in officially honouring Goa’s golden jubilee celebrations,
just as it celebrated the transfer of Macau back to China. The
Portuguese, he says, need to recognise the fact that Goa’s liberation
was the first major blow against the dictatorship of Salazar. “It was,
in a sense, the preamble to the Portuguese Revolution, of April, 24,
1974,” he says.

“The process of decolonisation of the Estado da India, despite
resulting from a military occupation, was far more peaceful than those
that occurred in other colonial territories, today transformed into
countries with which Portugal has excellent relations," he says.

The 50th anniversary of Goa’s decolonisation coincides ironically with
500 years of the Portuguese arrival here in 1910. Several Portuguese
institutions will be joining hands to commemorate the 500 years with a
major international academic symposium on contemporary Goa and its
history to be held at Lisbon’s Catholic University. In November last
year, the Portuguese training vessel Sagres on a voyage to commemorate
500 years of the Portuguese arrival at the Orient and the Far East,
drew strong protests from freedom fighters and saffron groups after it
berthed at Mormugao harbour.

“If the visit of the Portuguese vessel ‘Sagres’ was to commemorate 500
years of the Portuguese arrival in Goa, it was reprehensible,” says
Eduardo Faleiro, former union minister for external affairs.


Before calling at Goa, the Sagres had docked at Jakarta where
Portuguese Ambassador to Indonesia Carlos Manuel Leitao Frota said the
ship’s journey was “not only to celebrate nostalgia, but also to look
forward to the future”.  Portugal could have made a beginning with the
golden jubilee of Goa’s liberation, but it has chosen not to.


[Goanet] Unveiling of Dr. Manuel Francisco de Albuquerque's statue in Anjuna

2011-03-27 Thread Domnic Fernandes
Anjuna experienced a unique evening today (March 27, 2011) when Dr. 
Manuel Francisco de Albuquerque's life size statue was unveiled in the 
village for the first time. It is one of its kind, as it is made of 
fiber glass. The statue has been prepared by Mr. Rampuri of Solapur. It 
was a proud moment to all of us!


The statue of Dr. Manuel was unveiled by Dr. V.N. Jindal, Dean of Goa 
Medical College. The inauguration was attended by close family members, 
friends and a select crowd.


Mr. Shyam J. Kamat of Anjuna, a Chartered Accountant, and a close friend 
of Mrs. Ruth and her late husband, Dr. Joseph Albuquerque, spoke on 
behalf of Mrs. Ruth:


'I have the great privilege and pride of addressing all of you on behalf 
of my friend Mrs. Ruth Albuquerque.


“The steps of a good man are ordained by the Lord.” These words from the 
Bible exemplify the life and experiences of the great man we are 
gathered here to honor today, more than half a century after his 
departing to the heavenly abode, and also on the eve of the birthday of 
his deceased son, Dr. Joseph, popularly known to all as Dr. Joe.


The magnitude of the work and personality of Dr. Manuel Francisco de 
Albuquerque, MD, can only be understood if we accept the premise that he 
was divinely directed and protected, and yes, he did use all these gifts 
that the Lord had blessed him with, for the cause of humanity and giving.


Let me start by giving you only a thumb-nail of the gigantic and 
illustrious career and humanitarian work of Dr. Manuel, his generosity 
and statesmanship, his popularity and qualities of leadership.


Born in 1869 (the same year Ven. Fr. Agnelo was born,) Dr. Manuel 
Francisco de Albuquerque, after graduating from the Grant Medical 
College, Bombay, obtained medical degrees from Edinburgh and London, 
then Dublin and his MD from Brussels.


In 1898, he proceeded to East Africa and established himself at 
Zanzibar. His talents and services were wholly used for the cause of 
humanity there.


In 1903, this young doctor at that time, saved thousands of lives by his 
early detection of bubonic plague and by his tireless efforts to combat 
the disease. For this singular achievement, Dr. Manuel was recognized by 
the first of many well-deserved accolades. He was presented with “The 
order of the Brilliant Star of Zanzibar of the Third level.”


His Highness, Sayyid Ali Bin Hamoud, whose personal physician Dr. Manuel 
was, conferred on Dr. Manuel the impressive title of “Order of 
Hamoudieh, Second level.”


Later, the subsequent Sultan Sayyid Sir Khalifa Bin Harab, for the 
outstanding services rendered by Dr. Manuel, as personal physician of 
the Sultan and also for the services to the country, presented him with 
a Golden Sword.


This magnificent sword has been donated by Ruth and her late husband, 
Dr. Joe, to the Xavier Center of Historical Research at Alto Porvorim.


In 1913, Dr. Manuel was appointed Vice-Consul for Portugal in Zanzibar 
and during the critical period of World War I, he acted as the Consul 
for Portugal and also for Italy for some time. The Government of 
Tanganyika conferred on him the title of “Knight of the Order of Christ.”


Dr. Manuel’s services were not restricted to the Portuguese Colonies of 
Zanzibar and Pemba alone. He served the Goan communities in East Africa 
as well. He left his mark on these Goan communities there. He was the 
founder and first President of the famous Goan Institute in 1904.


In 1946, after nearly 50 years in the service of the people of Zanzibar, 
this aging physician felt a pull on his heartstrings to be back in his 
beloved village of Anjuna. He left Africa in 1946, bringing with him 
several valuable mementos.


The house was built as a replica of the Sultan’s palace. As a special 
recognition he was allowed to construct his house on the exact lines of 
the palace of the Sultan. This in itself should speak volumes for the 
love, affection and respect he enjoyed in Zanzibar.


Dr. Manuel  left for his heavenly abode on April 8, 1956.

His son and my friend, Dr. Joe, was himself an alumnus of the Grant 
Medical College, Bombay. He became ENT specialist and later on a 
specialist in Child and Women diseases. He set up practice as a general 
physician at his home in Anjuna and as well as in Mapusa.


Mrs. Ruth and Dr. Joe tied the nuptial knot in 1957. Mrs. Ruth embodies 
in herself, all what we expect to see in a grandniece of Fr. Agnelo, the 
all revered Ven. Fr. Agnelo in Goa. It was only a matter of serendipity 
that Dr. Joe found in her a charming, caring and loving wife and a 
companion, a worthy chatelaine for this fairy-tale castle.


Mrs. Ruth is an emblem in herself of the piety, grace and compassion 
that we very rarely find. God divined her to be worthy of being a 
daughter-in-law of this great legendary physician. All this serene and 
beautiful surrounding, the gardens, the house and the ambiance all 
permeate the splendor and kindness of what Mrs. Ruth hers

Re: [Goanet] Dr Albuquerque's statue unveiled in coastal Anjuna, Goa

2011-03-27 Thread Mervyn Lobo
Joel wrote:
> A beautiful statue of the late Dr Manoel Albuquerque was unveiled 
> GMC Dean Dr Jindal in the courtyard of his famed palatial house, 
> which is a replica of the Sultan's Palace in Zanzibar (East Africa), 
> near the Anjuna beach in Goa, India, on March 27, 2011. 
> Dr Albuquerque was the official physician of the then Sultan and 
> was decorated with distinguished honours.  Links for pics:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/52243088@N00/5564252025/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/52243088@N00/5564827586/in/photostream/

-


Joel,

Thanks a million for the pictures. I spent half an hour trying to find  
pictures of the house in Goa before I saw your pictures here on Goanet. 


While there are some similarities in both the house in Goa and 
the Sultans Palace in Zanzibar, the Goan house does not look
anything like the palace. 

Here, is a picture of the original palace in Zanzibar.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevharb/4324658284/sizes/l/


Mervyn1430Lobo



Re: [Goanet] Holistic Medicine

2011-03-27 Thread Gilbert Lawrence
 Santosh Helekar wrote: 

Good to know that Gilbert is practicing conventional modern medicine, despite 
forwarding quack articles from Huffington post.

--- Ivo wrote:

This is precisely the holistic approach to the patient. It can be followed for 
any medical system. You are following it for the 'allopathic', modern Western 
medicine. It was used by the author of the article in Huffington Post with its 
variations. Please, bring to our notice articles of value published anywhere, 
including Huffington Post.

 
 GL responds:

Clearly, Ivo and others find the healthcare articles which I forward to be of 
interest and useful. Indeed that is why those authors write them and reputable 
website publish them.

It is a pity that some have little insights and forwarding such articles is 
"like casting pearls before ... "

Regards, GL





Re: [Goanet] Medium of instruction in Goa

2011-03-27 Thread Tony de Sa
On the ongoing MOI controversy, a number of view points seem to have cropped
up;

Freddy Fernandes said:
In Response to : Albert Desouza said:
Dear Goanetters I had been in the teaching field since 1994till 2004. Each
time I had to teach the fifth and the sixth standard it was a nightmare.
Children
coming from Konkani and Marathi medium did not know a word of English and I
had literally to teach them alphabets and how to write simple sentences.

Then Freddy Fernandes goes on to give his own personal contrasting
experience stating: I along with a lot of others, am a product of Konkanni
medium in Devnagri, I hope you'll believe me when I say, initially it was
tough to adept to a script that was totally foreign but most of us managed
to master it along with English as a subject and the transition to English
medium in standard V was infact smooth, I surely do not think any of us were
zombies nor for that matter unable to read alphabets or create basic
sentences, infact we picked all the subjects with ease. The only explanation
I can give for this "phenomena" is, may be we had better teachers than the
students you'll have been referring to. Today I am sure; I and my fellow
students are neither any less educated nor less competent than any of the
English medium educated.

My comment: Freddy, I began my teaching career in 1969 and have help various
positions in school. I would tend to agree with Albert for the simple reason
that you cannot generalize on the basis of your personal experience. If you
sincerely believe what you say leaving emotion and sentiment aside, then you
need to do a reality check. I invite you to visit any aided secondary
school, particularly a rural school and check for yourself. Nightmare is a
bit of an understatement I should think in this context.

Exceptions will always be the rule. let me cite a spectacular example. A
student Shobha entered English medium secondary school in Std V from Govt.
Marathi primary. At the first test she failed in practically all subjects.
But, Shobha was a very determined student and by the time the year got over,
she not only passed the class, but was a first ranker. This went on and in
higher classes, she represented the school in the Spelling Bee team. At the
Mapusa Jaycees Spelling Bee she was in the winning team that won the Bardez
championship. This entitled our team to contest the All Goa Jaycee Spelling
Bee finals at Vasco da Gama. At Vasco da Gama, our team won beating all
odds. So when coming back, we were forced to have lunch as it was late. So
the team was taken to a restaurant in Mapusa. I was accompanying the team
and I felt it would be fitting to give them a real treat. At the restaurant,
one of the finest in Mapusa then, Shobha was very reluctant to enter the
restaurant. Reason: she had never eaten in a posh place before and she had
never used a fork and spoon to eat. I managed to persuade her that it was
perfectly fine if she had to use her fingers but then she was feeling shy
because of the other children. With a good deal of persuasion and coaxing I
managed to get her inside. Once inside, again to reassure her I told her
that she could eat what she wanted and to eat in whatever manner was
comfortable with her. Ultimately, Shobha managed pretty well for herself.
Now tell me Freddy, can anything deter such a student? Naturally, she passed
the SSC with flying colours.

Now Dr. Uday G Barad goes on to cite his own experience and then that of his
childrens'. While Dr. Barad studied in Marathi primary and did extremely
well at English secondary, his children had the opposite experience. Both
studied in English primary and did English Secondary and did extremely well
but both (parent and children) regretted their own parents choice of medium
of instruction. Then Dr. Barad goes on to add:This situation clearly
suggests that once child (sic)  grow up they do
question parents for imposing their decisions on them - despite the fact
that child's age at the entry to primary level can never allow them to make
informed choice! This argument may not be true with all children and
parents!

My comment: I normally do not tend to agree with Dr. Barad but his last
quote is something to ponder about.

Again, those who cite personal experiences do not realize that the text
books and syllabi of today are radically different from those of the past
and that in modern times, there is a downward flow of learning/ teaching
matter every few years. Again to cite an example, what was the study matter
for a Ph D might today have filtered down to the level of Std. VIII or Std.
IX. There were times when the subjects like sex education were talked of in
hushed tones and things like quantum mechanics were talked of only in higher
academia. Today these are common place and even discussed in a school
syllabus. Those who talk of carrying on smooth a silk, seamlessly after
having studied in non-English primary schools should just try and read the
texts in the English medium Std V a

[Goanet] Re : Medium of instruction in Primary Schools

2011-03-27 Thread Dr . Ferdinando dos Reis Falcão









On Sun, 27 Mar 2011 10:54:33 -0700, U. G. Barad
wrote…. I believe, in such dead-lock situation, the issue could be best
solved once

and for all by taking opinion poll from all Goan voters. And this
could be

even initiated along with upcoming assembly election in Goa which
is due in year time without extra expenditure to exchequer. This is my frank
opinion. Best regards, Uday Barad

 

COMMENT : Dr. Uday, I would suggest you re-think what you’ve
written. Do you really mean to say you would believe in the procedures of
voting in Goa?




Dr. Ferdinando dos Reis Falcão.
  

[Goanet] "Jivem Udol"

2011-03-27 Thread Ivo


“JIVEM UDOK”

*Pri.Ivo da C.Souza

Prostavnna: Udkache prosn utpon’n zalyat: udok komi zalam. Kityak zayt? 
Udkache lott asat sobhar zagyanr, thoym lok moron veta. Techporim thoddya 
zagyanr udok na, thoynsoruy lok tanin morta. Udkachi goroz amkam asa. Povitr 
Pustok “Jivya Udkachi” amkam khobor korta. “Jivem Udok” kitem? Jezu Jivem 
Udok dita (Ju 4:10). Tem udok koslem zayt?


Samaryekarnn ostori bayntlem udok kaddtastona, Jezu Galileya-k aple vatter 
aslo, to udok magta. Ponn to Judev zaun, ti ojap zata (v.9). Jezu tika 
“jivya udkachi” khobor sangta. “Devachem dennem” ani “jivem udok” kitem? 
Devachem dennem “soddvonn” zaum yeta, “bhaylya fatrancher boroyleli Somurth”, 
“Jezu”, vo Povitr Atmo zaum yeta. “Jivem udok” kitem? Tem “soddvonn”, 
“sasnnik jivit” vo “Povitr Atmo” zaum yeta (polle Ju 7:37-39). Don vegllim 
dennim vo ekoch dennem tem? Jezu ekach dennyachi khobor korta? Tacho orth 
kitem? Jezun aplya poylya jivitachya vanttyant Povitr Atmyachi khobor korunk 
na, ponn dusrya vanttyant kelya. Tor hangasor Jezu Somurthichi, ji atam Jezu 
sovem atthaplya, khobor korta. Ponn Juanvachya Xubhvortomanant taka dusro 
odik khol orth asa, to mhollyar “Povitr Atmo”: “Devachem dennem” atam jivont 
Jezu (polle Ju 3:16) ani tacho Povitr Atmo. “Jivem udok” atam “Povitr Atmo”. 
Aplya mornna-Jivontponna uprant Jezu bhorten aplo Povitr Atmo dita (polle Ju 
7:39). Jezu mhonnta: “Hanv diyin tem udok piyetit, tankam kodinch tan lagchi 
na” (Ju 4:14). “Konnak tan laglya, zalyar tanni mhojexim yeunchem ani udok 
piyeunchem” (Ju 7:37). Povitr Pustokachi xikovnn hi: “Zonneklyan Jezu 
Kristachya nanvan Snan gheunchem, ani tumkam Povitr Atmyachem dennem 
melltelem” (DI 2:38; 1 Kor 12:13). Soryan nhoy, bogor Atmyan amim bhorlelim 
mon’xam zaunk zay (Ef 5:18). Prarthonn korun, bhavarthan (Ef 3:16; polle Lk 
11:13), gitam gavun, Devachem Utor (“Atmyachi torsad”, Ef 6:17) dhorun, 
Jezuchem Mas-Rogot xevun amkam Povitr Atmyachem dennem mellta (Ef 5:19). 
Izaias provadyan hem bhakit kelelem (Iz 44:3: “Tanel’le zom’nir hanv udok 
soddtolom, suklole bhuyncher udkache vhall vhanvoytolom”). “Jivya udka” 
vorvim amkam Devachya mogachya Atmo  mellta (Rm 8:15; Ga 4:6), mon’xa-soymachya 
vondovnnyancher ap-dopkhavnni (Rm 8:13), bhorvanso , bhitorlem boll, novya 
mon’xacho akar (Ef 3:16).


Azkal amche projechya jivitant Povitr Atmyachi mon’vruti asa, ti amim 
uzvaddaunk zay. Povitr Atmo amchya kallzamni jiyeta (“tachya kallzantlyo 
jivya udkachyo zhori ghosghoxit vhanvtelyo”, Ju 7:38), ami tachem jivem 
mondir (1 Kor 6:19), to amche sovem jiyeta, jen’na ami Jezuk chikttun ravtat 
(Rm 8:9.11).  Ten’na udkachi zhor sasnnik jivit diit vhanvta (Ju 4:14), 
“jivya udkachi zhor futt’teli” (Jn 7:38). Povitr Atmo amkam “Abba, Bapa” 
mhonnunk oddta (Rm 8:15; Ga 4:6), bhorvanxyan bhorta (Rm 15:13), amchya 
jivitant “follam” dakhoyta (Ga 5:22), “sasnnik jivitak” vhorta (Ju 4:14; Ga 
5:5). Ho bhorvanso amkam sasnnik jivit dita (Ti 1:2), Povitr Atmya vorvim 
ami novim mon’xam zatat (Ti 3:5), svorginche dayji vortotat (Ti 3:7), amkam 
novem-sasnnik jivit mellta (Ga 6:8).


Sompadnni: Sorvxevttim, amchem Kristi jivit mhollyar Povitr Atmyan 
choloylolem jivit, hachi amim govayki diunk favo. Amche sorvbhonvtim amche 
jivitache chalin hem amim thavem korunk zay. Jivit ovghodd, Povitr Atmo 
amchem jivit lohu korta, jeporim Jezun amkam bhasaylam: “Mhojem zum sompem, 
lohu mhojem ojem” (Mt 11:30). To amchya patkancho bhar kaddta, amkam 
dadhosponn-sukh-somadan dita…












[Goanet] Learn to swim...

2011-03-27 Thread Frederick Noronha
My Dubai-returned friend Diogo Fernandes (of Donvaddo, Saligao) says
if you don't learn to swim within 12 days, you are welcome to take
your money back. Rs 2000 (children) and Rs 2500 (adults). Max five
students per batch. Timings one hour daily 9-10 am, 10-11 am or 4-5 pm
and 5-6 pm. Classes at Paradise Village, Tivaivaddo, Calangute.
Contact on phone 9881 671075 or 9881 762352.

Frederick Noronha :: +91-9822122436 :: +91-832-2409490


[Goanet] Dr Albuquerque's statue unveiled in coastal Anjuna, Goa

2011-03-27 Thread joelds
Hi,


A beautiful statue of the late Dr Manoel Albuquerque was unveiled GMC Dean
Dr Jindal in the courtyard of his famed palatial house, which is a replica
of the Sultan's Palace in Zanzibar (East Africa), near the Anjuna beach in
Goa, India, on March 27, 2011. Dr Albuquerque was the official physician of
the then Sultan and was decorated with distinguished honours.  Links for
pics:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/52243088@N00/5564252025/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/52243088@N00/5564827586/in/photostream/


Cheers.

Joel


[Goanet] Portugal needs its sleeping king now more than ever

2011-03-27 Thread Bernado Colaco
Political decay is this the cause. What is happening in London at the moment? 
Various banks are being targeted. Please check this link below.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiY8QB1fNAY&feature=player_embedded




BC

--



Portugal needs its sleeping king now more than ever

The abrupt departure of Jos? S?crates is yet another chapter in my country's
economic and political decay

  






[Goanet] Anacleto's spin on medium of instruction

2011-03-27 Thread SOTER
The cunning politician who spearheaded the medium of instruction issue 20 years 
ago under the banner of ACMI has predictably bowled his googly by supporting 
konkani as the medium of instruction. This is not at all surprising as it has 
almost become habitual for this politician to spin depending on where his 
political interests are met. One of the possible reason he has taken this stand 
is to hit back at the new outfit called FORCE that has given him a cold 
shoulder in the latest struggle for justice on the medium of instruction. 
Another possibility could be his resentment that some politicians have managed 
to  stay on the side of those demanding English as the medium of instruction. 
But in the end this politician is of nuisance value and can hardly be trusted 
when it comes to protecting the interests of Goa and Goans. Mea Culpa, Mea 
Culpa senhor Anacleto!  Your political outfit has already lost its election 
symbol and this election it will be reduced to 'gobor' for this betrayal.

-Soter


Re: [Goanet] Konkani should be the primary school medium - by F. Mousinho de Ataide

2011-03-27 Thread Dr . Ferdinando dos Reis Falcão











Fr. Mousinho wrote on ‘O Heraldo’ : “During the Portuguese era,
Christians did primary education in Portuguese and switched over to English in
Std V. Hindus did primary studies in Marathi, switched over to Portuguese and
then to English. Neither Christians nor Hindus suffered in the switch-over:
both acquired proficiency in English after the switch-over.”

My last post a reply to Sebastian Borges’ post was just to
enlighten him that the statement made by Fr. Mousinho was just a blatant LIE. It
would be incorrect to state that Fr. Mousinho is wrong, as this was a
deliberate LIE. Do not expect anyone to believe that Fr. Mousinho was ignorant
about these facts and believed what he stated to the press.

Mr. Sebastian Borges could get answers to his questions if he
could only reason out what was the population of Goa prior to 1961, and how
many people would send their children to schools. Parents did have their
choice. I had a few classmates in Loyola of the lowest strata of economical 
status
who used to come to school walking a couple of miles, bring lunch in a
‘marmite’ (‘buthi’ they called it in Concanim) composed of just cooked rice,
raw ground chillie massala (mirem), and a piece of dry fish; similar to what 
labourers
used to carry to the fields. So nobody was denied education of their choice. If 
Mr. Borges attended Portuguese 'Escola Primaria" he should be the one to know 
the reason why and not cast doubts on the then education system.





Dr. Ferdinando dos Reis Falcão.

  

[Goanet] Medium of instruction in Primary Schools

2011-03-27 Thread U. G. Barad
I have not studied Konkani all throughout my primary school and college
days, but speak Konkani right from my childhood. I could read Konkani both
in devnagri and romi because my primary education was in Marathi and
thereafter my education was in English. I learnt writing devnagri Konkani
somewhere in 2000, that too on my own and even publish one short story book
in devnagri Konkani (my 13th book) titled 'Belapan' which was released at
the hands of Damodar Mauzo.
  
While my daughter and son studied in English primary school (Manovikas) with
Konkani as one of the subject. Daughter passed out IT engineering and right
this year doing her ME. My son has joined computer engineering. Whenever
issues of medium of instruction at primary level popes up my children always
accuse me asking, why had you not put us in Marathi primary school like you
studied? To this question I always avoid replying or justifying them - for I
too question my parents as to why they had enrolled me to Marathi primary
school. This situation clearly suggests that once child grow up they do
question parents for imposing their decisions on them - despite the fact
that child's age at the entry to primary level can never allow them to make
informed choice! This argument may not be true with all children and
parents! 

Over all, I consider that it's not worth taking any side on the issue, for
whichever side one take there will be a counter offensive. Therefore I don't
want to justify, defend or take up any side on the issue.
 
These days I've noticed that our political dividers (Goans) are beating
drums on medium of instruction in primary schools in Goa for the third time.
This is not a healthy sign.  Such attempts will ruin the future of our
upcoming posterity. 

I believe, in such dead-lock situation, the issue could be best solved once
and for all by taking opinion poll from all Goan voters. And this could be
even initiated along with upcoming assembly election in Goa which is due in
year time without extra expenditure to exchequer. This is my frank opinion. 
 
Best regards,

Uday Barad




Re: [Goanet] Konkani should be the primary school medium - by F. Mousinho de Ataide

2011-03-27 Thread J. Colaco < jc>
 Frederick Noronha wrote:  Prof Borges, You're going round in circles
and raising new issues...

COMMENT: Ditto.

ps: A number of English medium primary girls' schools also allowed (I
am advised) boys to classes. I believe the Holy Cross in Bastora was
(another) one of them.

jc


[Goanet] Devika Sequeira and Portugal ....again!

2011-03-27 Thread J. Colaco < jc>
On 26 March 2011 22:19, Vasant Baliga  forwarded:

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/149095/portugal-still-denial-over-goa.html
Portugal still in denial over Goa - Devika Sequeira in Panaji

Portugal should have shown better diplomatic judgment in officially
honouring Goa's golden jubilee celebrations. Portuguese President
Anibal Cavaco Silva will be in East Timor later this year to attend
the country’s independence celebrations. No such diplomatic gesture
will be extended to Goa where celebrations have begun to commemorate
the 50th anniversary of Goa’s accession into India in 1961.


COMMENT:

Interesting stuff, again, from Devika Sequeira. Perhaps, one day, we
all might choose to sit and read the various Acts or Parliament, court
cases, international treaties and legal meanings of the words we use,
before we write. Then again, we might choose to wear the lapel of
passionate prejudice on our forehead.

Please vide http://www.colaco.net/1/TGFresponds2DevikaIdentityCrisis.htm

wrt the above (fwd from Baliga)

1: "Accession into" in 1961? really?

2: On the one  hand, Devika Sequeira states correctly, in the
bogus-points-containing article, the Identity Crisis) that "Under
Portugal's nationality law of 1975, those born in Goa, Daman and Diu
before 1961 (...) and their descendants upto a third generation are
still entitled to Portuguese citizenship".
http://www.colaco.net/1/TGFresponds2DevikaIdentityCrisis.htm

3: On the other hand she expects Portugal to 'officially' recognise
1961. (Almost like saying that India must, officially or otherwise,
recognise the Pak armed occupation of Kashmiror Portugal to
officially honour Indonesia's armed invasion of East Timor)

4: "True annexation by conquest and subjugation was complete on
December 20, 1961. On March 27, 1962 by Act 1 of 1962 the Constitution
(Twelfth Amendment) Act 1962 was enacted and was deemed to have come
into force on December 20, 1961." (Francisco Monteiro v State of Goa:
India Supreme Court Reports pp 87-102). Also, please vide
http://www.colaco.net/1/chico.htm

5: BTW: There is NO formal treaty of accession. There however is
1974/1975 treaty signed by Yeshwantrao Chavan and Mario Soares. (This
explains "the 1975" in the Portuguese Nationality Act). A copy of the
treaty can be accessed at http://www.colaco.net/1/treaty.htm.

6:  I invite you to read the TGF comment on the treaty. I also invite
us to research if Devika ever corrected the errors in the "Identity
Crisis" article.

7: Does anyone know IF Devika Sequeira supported the freedom struggle
of the people of East Timor, and IF Goa/India sent a representative to
the celebrations of East Timor's liberation in 2002 from Indonesian
occupation?

8: Those who may not know, may wish to know that there is a difference
between applications (for Portuguese nationality) from Goa-resident
Goans and those from residents of the erstwhile Portuguese territories
which were given Independence. Residents of these other countries
(including Goans resident in those countries when independence was
given to them) were given One Year from independence to
reclaim/claim/reaffirm Portugal nationality.

9: The above is not to be in denial of the serious financial
difficulties that Portugal is presently facing, OR the fact that
fake-Goans have managed to obtain Portuguese nationality and gain
access into Europe, AND that a number, albeit small, of Fake and
Fraudulent Portuguese passports have been issued (the reason for the
tightened protocol for the renewal of electronic passports, especially
from consulates).

10: Finally,  this constant refrain: Poorly qualified Goans who
believe that a Portuguese passport is their ticket to prosperity, will
be seriously disappointed. For while the Portuguese passport has
opened doors (esp to the EU, and into many other countries which do
not require EU nationals to possess visas to enter those countries),
the most satisfied Goan with Portuguese nationality is likely to be
one who obtains nationality for nationality's sake and not for the
mercenary value.

written at one go ...excuse any typos.

jc


[Goanet] Medium of instruction in Goa

2011-03-27 Thread Freddy Fernandes
In Response to :

 

Albert Desouza said:

Dear Goanetters I had been in the teaching field since 1994till 2004. Each time
I had to teach the fifth and the sixth standard it was a nightmare. Children
coming from Konkani and Marathi medium did not know a word of English and I had
literally to teach them alphabets and how to write simple sentences.

 

Antonio Menezes said:

Catholic village schools in the Costa Rica de Goa teach in Konkni language
during the first four years of primary school in order to avail grants from the
Govt. But the parents are an unhappy lot, for most children joining an

English medium school at Std 5 are as good as zombies hardly able to construct a
sentence in English right

 

Let me be frank with these two reference, I am not against English medium but
rather the argument placed for English medium on the above references, it is
totally unwarranted. Let me explain, in a Konkanni medium we do have a subject
in English which is purely dedicated to the English language, now my question to
the two gentlemen is, if we have teachers who are capable of enabling the
students to understand, speak and write in English in primary school, would it
be okay to have Konkanni medium ? 

 

I am sure most will agree, that if we have good teachers of English, that
language can be substantially understood and spoken by the students, so that
they have no hassles in their transition to English medium in standard V  and
then excel in secondary, is that a possibility  or not ?  

 

If you'll disagree, then I can give you'll an example, I along with a lot of
others, am a product of Konkanni medium in Devnagri, I hope you'll believe me
when I say, initially it was tough to adept to a script that was totally foreign
but most of us managed to master it along with English as a subject and the
transition to English medium in standard V was infact smooth, I surely do not
think any of us were zombies nor for that matter unable to read alphabets or
create basic sentences, infact we picked all the subjects with ease. The only
explanation I can give for this "phenomena" is, may be we had better teachers
than the students you'll have been referring to. Today I am sure; I and my
fellow students are neither any less educated nor less competent than any of the
English medium educated. 

 

As far as I am concerned we should give more importance to the quality of
education for our children, be it English medium or Konkanni medium !

 

Freddy Agnelo Fernandes


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[Goanet] Medium of Instruction

2011-03-27 Thread Eugene Correia
ISince landing in Goa more than a week ago, I have followed the debate on
the medium of instruction in primary schools very closely. Today's OHerlado
carries a pro vs con pieces by Anacleto Viegas, of the UGDP, gpt Konkani
langauge instruction and Tennyson Xavier Fernandes, a former faculty member
of Rosary Higher Secondary School Navelim, for English language instruction.
Anacleto has said his mea culpa for his volte face,. As as foreign settled
Goan I am surprised to read his statement, "So many Goans settled abroad
return to Goa and look for a space for themselves, but to no avail.Nothing
remains of their inheritance of the mother land. Do we desire that our
children suffer from the same emptiness? Our forefathers ailed the seven
seas, but returned home to rst and sleep the eternal sleep in the backyard
of their homes."
If by "space" he remains physical space, then perhaps he is right. Many
foreign settled Goans have lost their homes to their own family members and
to outsiders because of land and home grab. Many foreign-setteld Goans have
willingly sold their homes to others and return periodically to visit the
state.
But to say that people like myself have lost our inheritance is a wild shot,
a statement without substance. True, our children do not know much of Goa
despite some of us parents have books on Goa. Some expat children have
taking a liking for Goa after they have visit the land of their forefathers
at least once. The quest for knowledge about Goa and things Goan is present
in them but this quest is not overwhelming.. These children have assimilated
themselves in the societies of their "adopted" land or the land of their
birth.
When Anacleto talks of our forefathers returning home to die, he perhaps
have the tarvottis ofrthe non-resident Indians in many Gulf countries who
return home permanently once they retire or forced to leave their jobs.
Thousands of Goans have migrated to Englan  In recent years and thousands
are lining up to give up Goa for good to enjoy the welcome in these lands.
Many Goans from the Middle East are coming to Canada and many Goan students
are studying in the USA with the hope and prospects of getting a good
education and a good job for permanent settlement.
>From his perspective, Konkani should be the language of instruction. He has
backtracked and he has given his reasons why he has changed his mind today.
However, he has unnecessarily taken a pot shot at Churchill Alemao, one of
the founder members of the UDGP and now its worst enemy. I am told that the
Fatorda ground joke credited to Churchill is a made-up one. True, Churchill
cannot speak English fluently. He mutilates the language. But let me ask
Anacleto what he actually means when he says, "Have we not herd enough
howlers from our ministers, especially those who speak no language other
than English?"
Does he mean to say that the ministers speak ONLY English and no other
language? I tend to believe it's a jibe against some ministers, but directly
against Churchill. .How many of this young generation heard Dayanand
Bandodkar speak English?
 At the national level many ministers did not speak English, at least a
decade or two ago

Eugene Correia


Re: [Goanet] Konkani should be the primary school medium - by F. Mousinho de Ataide

2011-03-27 Thread Frederick Noronha
Prof Borges, You're going round in circles and raising new issues...

A number of English medium schools celebrated their 50th anniversaries
in the 1990s. Among these were (please correct me if wrong):

St Britto's Mapusa, Loyola's Margao, St Mary's Mapusa, Lourdes Convent
(Saligao, probably a bit older). I don't know personally about the
AC-run schools in Margao.

Mater Dei is a 100 year old institution and you can check with Victor
Rangel Ribeiro, an octogenarian who wrote about his memories at that
school when he was about five years of age.

Here is Domnic's story of Sacred Heart Parra
[http://www.mail-archive.com/goanet@lists.goanet.org/msg68373.html]
though someone could fill us in about the sections its conducted
(primary, middle, secondary?) and the medium.

I think it was St Joseph's Arpora which was the pioneer of English
education in Goa, over a century old, which gave Bardez a headstart in
migrating to the outside world, especially to the English-speaking
world (Africa, Gulf etc). FN

Frederick Noronha :: +91-9822122436 :: +91-832-2409490

On 27 March 2011 11:18, Sebastian Borges  wrote:
> Dear friends,
> I must thank Dr. Ferdinando for eradicating my ignorance. I would crave his 
> indulgence to answer a few more questions so that my ignorance is completely 
> dissipated. I hope the good doctor will oblige; for this kind act he will 
> earn my eternal gratitude. He says, << All Jesuit Schools and Convents in Goa 
> had their primary as well as full education up to S.S.C in English. I have in 
> fact studied in Fatima Convent in Margao, in the Baby Class, Junior Class and 
> Senior Class. >>
> Now, (1) How many “Jesuit schools and Convents” were there in the entire 
> territory of Goa during the Portuguese days? (2) How many candidates did they 
> together send up for the SSC examination? And what fraction did this number 
> constitute of the total number of candidates from Goa? (3) What was the SSC 
> class designated as in these schools (VII or XI)? (4) Did Dr. Ferdinando 
> himself have classmates in SSC who had earlier completed their primary in 
> Portuguese before joining Loyola in the V / VI / VII standard? Answers to 
> these will go a long way in determining whether Fr. Mousinho was entirely 
> wrong or to what extent.
>
> My own recollection is this: Jesuit schools and Convents were very few and 
> restricted to towns. But Portuguese Primary schools (Government as well as 
> Private / Parochial) existed in almost every village at least in Salcete, 
> Ilhas and Bardez; Catholic students attended these, while Hindus attended 
> Marathi schools (up to IV standard) before joining Portuguese schools for 
> Primeiro and Segundo grau; however, Lyceum classes were not available in the 
> villages. The other talukas did not have as many Portuguese schools, but 
> neither did they have any Jesuit schools / Convents; hence even Catholic 
> children studied in Marathi schools, before joining English high schools. 
> Again, English high schools were widespread in the villages all over Goa (SSC 
> class was designated std. VII, because a Primeiro grau pass student was 
> admitted into the Std. I which was equivalent to Std. V of the eleven-year 
> school course); their contribution to the SSC candidate strength in any
>  year was as high as 70 percent if not more. I know at least one gentleman 
> from Margao who joined Loyola after completing his Segundo grau and passed 
> SSC in 1958 (presently, he lives in Mumbai). I also know a classmate of mine 
> who studied in Fatima after completing her Primeiro grau, and joined my 
> English high school in the pre-SSC class. In other words, not all candidates 
> sent up by these Jesuit schools / Convents were direct students into the 
> English Baby class.
>
> This ignoramus humbly awaits Dr. Ferdinando's brilliant glow to enlighten his 
> dark path.


Re: [Goanet] Morning in Goa - Saligao

2011-03-27 Thread Gabe Menezes
On 27 March 2011 03:10, Rajan P. Parrikar  wrote:

> To Goanet -
>
>
> http://www.parrikar.com/blog/2011/03/26/morning-in-goa-3/
>
>
> Regards,
>
>
> r
>
The guy is wearing an iams pet food T shirt. Iams pet food is now available
in Goa?


-- 
DEV BOREM KORUM

Gabe Menezes.


[Goanet] Medium of instruction in Goa

2011-03-27 Thread Antonio Menezes
All schools in Goa whether in towns or villages have ten classes. From Std.1
to Std 4, i.e. the initial four years is the
Primary School.  From Std. 5 to Std. 10 is the Secondary School.  All
Secondary Schools whether the medium of
instruction is English or Marathi or Konkni are given grants in aid by the
Government of Goa to meet salaries of
teachers.

Only Primary Schools where the medium of instruction is either Marathi or
Konkni are given grants in aid but denied
to Primary Schools with English as a medium of instruction for the
ostensible reason of safeguarding our
great and glorious culture.

Catholic village schools in the Costa Rica de Goa teach in Konkni language
during the first four years of primary
school in order to avail grants from the Govt. But the parents are an
unhappy lot, for most children joining an
English medium school at Std 5 are as good as zombies hardly able to
construct a sentence in English right.

The debate that is raging on in Goa today is that Govt of Goa should approve
grants in aid to English medium
primary schools as well so that children are moderately proficient in
English language by the time they join
Secondary School at Std. 5


Re: [Goanet] Baba Ramdev's instruction v/s Goan's medium of instruction

2011-03-27 Thread Albert Desouza

Dear GoanettersI had been in the teaching field since 1994till 2004. Each time 
I had to teach the fifth and the sixth standard it was a nightmare. Children 
coming from Konkani and Marathi medium did not know a word of English and I had 
literally to teach them alphabets and how to write simple sentences. So I had 
kept one period of all the teaching periods for writing simple English. Not 
only that the children in the primary were taught to write in block letters 
which made their hand writing a horrible one.I am a student of Lourdes convent 
and Sr.Irene taught me to write English the cursive way and today many people 
who see me write comment on wonderful handwriting that I have. My daughter 
Arlette was also taught writing by the same teacher sr. Irene and she too has 
cursive handwriting. Other children of mine are yet to develope the same. Let 
us have English medium of instruction and the teacher can speak to the children 
in konkani when they cannot understand English. It is easy for those who have 
no children or to those whose children are already grown big to preach on 
konkani as medium but for those parents whose children were in konkani medium 
know how they had to struggle to teach their children English.when they reached 
the middle school albert de souza 
> From: floriano.l...@gmail.com
> To: goanet@lists.goanet.org
> Date: Sun, 27 Mar 2011 09:34:37 +0530
> CC: so...@bsnl.in
> Subject: Re: [Goanet] Baba Ramdev's instruction v/s Goan's medium of  
> instruction
> 
> This from Soter is fully and completely endorsed.
> 
> BTW: When I talk of mother-tongue as the desired language/medium of 
> instruction in primary schools ( std. 1 to IV only), I am talking of the 
> spoken language which according to me is the language that all Goans speak 
> at home (shasti dialect included) including the Marathi lobby and is the 
> spoken language in over 95 per cent of Goan homes.
> 
> It is another matter altogether that communals (like Adv. Uday Bhembre & Co) 
> have infiltrated our beloved Konkani with ANTRUZI by heavily sanskrutizing 
> and slaughtering  the Konkani that has been spoken widely in Goa for many 
> centuries by adopting some Portuguese words (like 'passoek/walk' ; 
> 'bolos/poket'  'sucegad/easy going etc).
> 
> Konkani should have been in Roman Script only (like many countries like 
> Malaysia etc have). Attaching communal colour to a script is the work of 
> Goan communal devils.
> 
> Communals who smash Portuguese name plaques of Goan names must be smashed 
> out of Goa.
> 
> Goa Su-Raj shall do this job effectively by first stopping his  pensions to 
> pension fighters like  Naguesh Karmali & Co  and drive them  out of Goa's 
> boundaries if they will not behave themselves as Goans but act as agents of 
> BJP-RSS in Goa.
> 
> :-))
> Cheers
> 
> floriano
> goasuraj
> 9890470896
> www.goasu-raj.org
> 
> 
> - Original Message - 
> From: "SOTER" 
> To: 
> Sent: Saturday, March 26, 2011 11:08 PM
> Subject: [Goanet] Baba Ramdev's instruction v/s Goan's medium of instruction
> 
> 
> The Goan casteist-communal cowards now rope in a 'bhailo', Baba Ramdev, to 
> justify their unpopular demand of imposing devanagiri konkani as the medium 
> of instruction on all Goans. There is nothing new in this dirty tactic as a 
> similar game was played during the konkani agitation where these very 
> pro-maharashtra agents roped in the Shiv Sena to try and intimidate the 
> konknivadis. That is why it was a Floriano Vaz from Gogol, Margao that got 
> shot at point blank range for no real reason. The manufactured 
> konkani-marathi divide was exploited and used to shove devanagiri script as 
> the official script for konkani down the throats of Goans. The communal 
> agenda was further advanced by the Jai Maharashtra brigade of Shashikala 
> Kakodkar.  Twenty years later the move has backfired as this communal move 
> has adversely affected the education prospects of both communities. The 
> victim is the konkani language.
> Polarising the communities has been the most trusted weapon of Goa's 
> casteist-communal opportunists that have reaped rich dividends since the 
> liberation of Goa. They have managed to divide and reap Goa's resources in 
> the countryside and sell it to Japan and China. In hind sight one can deduce 
> that United Goans Party and the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party were 
> manufactured by one and the same casteist-communal oppressors. These 
> casteist opportunists created the alliance between BJP and MGP in 1998 
> election and enjoyed the exploits until 2004, but no sooner their agendas 
> were not fulfilled they began releasing ads claiming that the very same BJP 
> is communal. The enemy of Goa is within and not somewhere else. The sooner 
> Goans discern between genuine issues and those systematically popularised 
> with vested interests, the better will it be for the survival of Goa and the 
> Goan people.
> The Opinion Poll may have defined Goa's destiny as a seperate

[Goanet] Daily Grook #917

2011-03-27 Thread Francis Rodrigues


DAILY GROOK #917
===
EX NEXT
===
by Francis Rodrigues





following the divorce
she took hubby's life,
with a hatchet because
she was the axe-wife!




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