[Goanet] REPORT ON AGEING IN GOA:Copies now available.
* Documented by Goa Desc Documentation Service circulated by Goa Civic Consumer Action Network (GOA CAN)[EMAIL PROTECTED] * - REPORT ON AGEING IN GOA:Copies now available. - At a function organised by the Research Institute for Women, Goa, on 16th instant at Panjim, its report entitled Age and Wisdom undervalued -An inquiry into the social process of ageing in Goa at the turn of the third millennium was released at the hands of Dr. Jolly Mascarenhas, former professor of Goa Medical College. The report studies the conditions of the elderly that prevails at the moment in Goa, gauges the changes in the status of senior citizens and analyses the causes of such changes. The report also surveys the conditions of retirement homes in Goa which is dismal and makes specific recommendations to the Government, Panchayats, other local bodies, NGO, religious organizations and families. The release of the report was followed by two interesting talks one by Dr. Ajoy Estibeiro who spoke about the need for planning for a secure old age and another by Architects Dean D'Cruz and Ritu who spoke on the ways of conserving the character of Panjim city and enhancing its quality of life. Prof. Isabel Vas welcomed the guests and Dr. Zinia da Silva compered the function. - Copies of the above mentioned report are priced at Rs. 150 - Copies can be ordered from the Research Institute for Women, Goa at the following email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] or phone no. 230538 during working hours - === GOA DESC RESOURCE CENTRE Documentation + Education + Solidarity 11 Liberty Apts., Feira Alta, Mapusa, Goa 403 507 Tel: 252660 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] -- Working On Issues Of Development Democracy === =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-W-E-B---S-I-T-E-=-=-= To Subscribe/Unsubscribe from GoaNet | http://www.goacom.com/goanet === For (un)subscribing or for help, Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dont want so many e=mails? Join GoaNet-Digest instead ! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Help support non-commercial projects in Goa by advertizing!! * * * * Your ad here !!
Re: [Goanet] Sunila's MESSAGE
From: J. Almeida [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Goanet] Sunila's MESSAGE Date: Mon, 20 May 2002 09:23:10 -0700 (PDT) Sunila writes: If you actually look at the custodians of organised religion you will find a whole horde of perverts ranging from paedophiles and child/female abusers to drug addicts to violence recommenders to revenge fanatics to racists to basic cheats and liars and egoistic chauvinists. And most people actually follow them blindly I fully agree with Sunila that we should not overlook the failings of the custodians of organized religion. I do not have access to survey findings on these questions, but my hunch is that the incidence rate of sin among them is no lower than in the general population. When it comes to strong behavioural predispositions such as child abuse, such people might plausibly even gravitate towards positions of trust in society (scout leaders, teachers, doctors, therapists of various sorts, priests etc.) Let's not put any human being on a pedestal. I am glad you said that. And that is exactly why I don't believe in organised religion. I have no problem with people following Jesus, Krishna or Allah. But why does a person following Jesus need to swear allegiance to the Vatican Church ? Why does a person following Krishna allow himself to be brainwashed by the VHP ? And why does a persona following Allah become a terrorist ? Christ said I am the only way. Krishna said leave everything including your race religion and surrender to me. Buddha said there is only one path and that is what I preach. Why do we think they are separate entities ? Why can't we believe that they are the same Almighty manifesting in different forms at different times ? After all, all religions preach that God is one !!! Why is there a need to create rigid structures and construct huge walls to divide society in order for a group or groups of people to attain power by using religion as a tool, until the whole thing becomes a sordid affair sogged with violence, murder, plunder and crime ? Sunila also wrote: if all in India gave up their religion, everyone would focus on real issues like the economy, education, infrastructure, health, sanitation, and development Politicians are supposed to focus on such real and important issues (I would add law and order at the top of the list, if Sunila permits). However, even anti-religious politicians could include: I don't agree with you Joel. Politicians like priests are a reflection of society. They will only deal with issues that they think are dear to people. Religion, caste, and such communal divides have a lot of emotional appeal. The politicians exploit this emotional appeal to create vote banks and to gain power. How can we expect them to focus on important issues instead of religion and caste when we allow them to manipulate us in this way? It is only when we give importance to issues like corruption, law and order (I agree with including that :-)), education, health, etc. and when elections are fought on such issues that we will see better governance. A recent example is unfolding in Goa. There is absolutely no doubt that Manohar Parrikar's Govt. has been the best Govt. we have had in the last thirty years at least. He has achieved a lot in a year. Many of us including myself do think that he could have achieved more, but it is a fact that he has achieved much more than others. Nobody can deny that. One cannot regard him as communal. His party, the BJP is an openly communal party. But then the Congress is also a communal party although it does so covertly. And the MGP and the other political parties are overwhelmingly communal and casteist. Almost all the Congress candidates are habitual defectors, totally corrupt and incompetent. But many people are ready to ignore that and bring them back to power because of their religious and communal leanings and fears. How can we then expect these elected candidates to give us better governance when we have not voted them to power to give us precisely that ? Why can we not actually ignore the political parties and vote for the right candidate ? Why can't we ignore religious leanings and communal and casteist divides and vote for better governance ? But if one says that, one is accused of siding with the saffron. But whether one sides with the saffron or the green (assuming the Congress colour is green), is not the question. The question is better governance, better living standards, and better opportunities. Why don't we think like that ? Cheers, Sunila _ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-W-E-B---S-I-T-E-=-=-= To Subscribe/Unsubscribe from GoaNet | http://www.goacom.com/goanet === For (un)subscribing or for help, Contact:
Re: [Goanet] Sunila's MESSAGE
From: J. Almeida [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Goanet] Sunila's MESSAGE Date: Mon, 20 May 2002 09:23:10 -0700 (PDT) Sunila writes: If you actually look at the custodians of organised religion you will find a whole horde of perverts ranging from paedophiles and child/female abusers to drug addicts to violence recommenders to revenge fanatics to racists to basic cheats and liars and egoistic chauvinists. And most people actually follow them blindly I fully agree with Sunila that we should not overlook the failings of the custodians of organized religion. I do not have access to survey findings on these questions, but my hunch is that the incidence rate of sin among them is no lower than in the general population. When it comes to strong behavioural predispositions such as child abuse, such people might plausibly even gravitate towards positions of trust in society (scout leaders, teachers, doctors, therapists of various sorts, priests etc.) Let's not put any human being on a pedestal. I am glad you said that. And that is exactly why I don't believe in organised religion. I have no problem with people following Jesus, Krishna or Allah. But why does a person following Jesus need to swear allegiance to the Vatican Church ? Why does a person following Krishna allow himself to be brainwashed by the VHP ? And why does a persona following Allah become a terrorist ? Christ said I am the only way. Krishna said leave everything including your race religion and surrender to me. Buddha said there is only one path and that is what I preach. Why do we think they are separate entities ? Why can't we believe that they are the same Almighty manifesting in different forms at different times ? After all, all religions preach that God is one !!! Why is there a need to create rigid structures and construct huge walls to divide society in order for a group or groups of people to attain power by using religion as a tool, until the whole thing becomes a sordid affair sogged with violence, murder, plunder and crime ? Sunila also wrote: if all in India gave up their religion, everyone would focus on real issues like the economy, education, infrastructure, health, sanitation, and development Politicians are supposed to focus on such real and important issues (I would add law and order at the top of the list, if Sunila permits). However, even anti-religious politicians could include: I don't agree with you Joel. Politicians like priests are a reflection of society. They will only deal with issues that they think are dear to people. Religion, caste, and such communal divides have a lot of emotional appeal. The politicians exploit this emotional appeal to create vote banks and to gain power. How can we expect them to focus on important issues instead of religion and caste when we allow them to manipulate us in this way? It is only when we give importance to issues like corruption, law and order (I agree with including that :-)), education, health, etc. and when elections are fought on such issues that we will see better governance. A recent example is unfolding in Goa. There is absolutely no doubt that Manohar Parrikar's Govt. has been the best Govt. we have had in the last thirty years at least. He has achieved a lot in a year. Many of us including myself do think that he could have achieved more, but it is a fact that he has achieved much more than others. Nobody can deny that. One cannot regard him as communal. His party, the BJP is an openly communal party. But then the Congress is also a communal party although it does so covertly. And the MGP and the other political parties are overwhelmingly communal and casteist. Almost all the Congress candidates are habitual defectors, totally corrupt and incompetent. But many people are ready to ignore that and bring them back to power because of their religious and communal leanings and fears. How can we then expect these elected candidates to give us better governance when we have not voted them to power to give us precisely that ? Why can we not actually ignore the political parties and vote for the right candidate ? Why can't we ignore religious leanings and communal and casteist divides and vote for better governance ? But if one says that, one is accused of siding with the saffron. But whether one sides with the saffron or the green (assuming the Congress colour is green), is not the question. The question is better governance, better living standards, and better opportunities. Why don't we think like that ? Cheers, Sunila _ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-W-E-B---S-I-T-E-=-=-= To Subscribe/Unsubscribe from GoaNet | http://www.goacom.com/goanet === For (un)subscribing or for help, Contact:
[Goanet] 21 MAY: GOACOM NEWS CLIPPINGS
GOACOM NEWS CLIPPINGS 21 May 2002 A CART-LOAD OF PROMISES: The Congress manifesto carrying 27 point developmental strategies for the State was released in Panjim yesterday. Withdrawal of all notifications levying exorbitant land revenue, development of knowledge based industries, banning of communal organisations, setting up of a full-fledged high court in Goa, periodical disclosure of the discretionary powers of ministers and pursuing the amendment of Anti-Defection Law are the key issues in the Congress manifesto. (GT) THE CONGRESS PACKAGE: The Congress in Goa seems to have tried to tackle the malaise of defections in its own way by obtaining a pledge from all its candidates for 30 May mid-term assembly elections saying that they would be loyal to the party and in the event of any serious differences with it in respect of its policies and programmes, they would quite their membership of the House and seek re-election. (Edit in GT) PARRIKAR WILL BE CM, SHRIPAD DEPUTY: While speaking to a sizeable crowd at the public meeting in Panjim yesterday, BJP stalwart Pramod Mahajan said that Mr Manohar Parrikar will be the chief minister and Shripad Naik his deputy. Goa desperately needs a stable government and BJP is the only party which can give stable, good and corruption free governance, he said. (H) SHRIPAD JUSTIFIES: Does he (Shripad Naik) agree with Mr Advani's statement to defeat the tainted men even if they are in the BJP? Yes, I fully agree with him but in the BJP there are no tainted men, he says initially but then he concedes that defection is also a taint. He shifts gears by saying, We give them a chance to change from bad to good. He admits that there are a few tainted men in his party, defection or corruption-wise, but not as many as in the other parties like the Congress. (Ervell E Menezes in NT) CLAIMS UNFOUNDED: Nationalist Congress Party state president Wilfred told reporters yesterday that the Congress propaganda that a split in votes in a triangular contest, involving the two parties and the BJP would help the latter, was unfounded. He said the BJP's image had sunk low in the wake of the Gujarat carnage and a church circular appealing for a vote against communal forces would affect it (and Shiv Sena) further. (GT) COMMUNAL OR CORRUPT: Because the national executive meet was held in Goa, locals became conscious and aware of the BJP's fanaticism Post Gujarat or to be more specific post national convention of the BJP in the State, the conviction has been, Parrikar himself may be a good man but there is no way anyone can support the BJP for the gross insensitivity it has displayed in Gujarat. (Edit in Herald) CONVICTED FOR SALE OF ADULTERATED EDIBLE OIL: The judicial magistrate first class, Mapusa, has convicted Gregorio D Noronha, a shopkeeper from Mapusa, under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. (NT) ELECTROCUTED IN CURCHOREM: According to reliable sources, Dyaneshwar Tanaji Keni of Bhoma-Ponda climbed up an electricity pole to tie a banner of a party candidate, when he came in contact with live wires and died on the spot. However, Curchorem police have officially recorded that Keni was chit-chatting along with the village boys and was leaning on the electric pole, when he got a shock and fell down. (H) CHECKS DYKES: The Chief Secretary, Mr Baleshwar Rai, inspected the construction of dykes on Chapora river and the pumping station at Sal meant for drawing additional raw water to the Amthane reservoir. (NT) BB BORKAR AWARD: Pangara, a collection of Marathi short stories by Ms Rekha Mirajkar, has been awarded the BB Borkar Prize, instituted by Pragatik Vichar Manch. (NT) PORTUGUESE COURSE: The Xavier Centre of Historical Research will hold a Portuguese language course for beginners from 10 June to 26 July (Monday to Friday) from 6.30 to 8.30 pm. Tel: 417772. (GT) THE AGUADA BAR: The Captain of Ports has notified that until further notice the Aguada Bar shall remain closed for all Inland Traffic Vessels with effect from midnight of May 21. It is also notified that the Lighthouses of Malim, Campal, Tejo Front and Tejo Rear, Reis Magos and Aguada Beacon will cease functioning with effect from midnight of June 1, until further notice. This is due to the period of foul season in Goa from the midnight of May 21 to September 15. MOTHER TERESA MAY BE BEATIFIED WITHIN A YEAR: Mother Teresa of Calcutta could be beatified as soon as next spring, Il Messaggero reported, quoting unnamed sources at the Vatican's congregation for the cause of saints. (H) RESERVE BANK OF INDIA vide A.P.(DIR Series) Circular No.28 dtd March 4, 2002 have notified the closure of NRNR and NRSR schemes w.e.f. 1 April, 2002. From 1 April, 2002 NRNR (Non-Resident Non Repatriable) deposits are fully repatriable. Existing balances of NRNR deposits will be allowed to be continued upto the date of maturity and upon maturity the same shall be credited to
Re: [Goanet] re: Scientific Method
From: santoshhelekar [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Goanet] re: Scientific Method Date: Tue, 21 May 2002 05:24:29 - The closest that somebody has come to saying something like that are VHP types who have claimed that Vedas contain scientifically accurate statements, such as the exact value for the speed of light. Actually the VHP only parrots what others say. Nobel prize winners like Romain Rolland have said a lot about the Vedas and whatever. Let me ask you have you ever read the Vedas ? Do you know Sanskrit ? Also, all this talk about logic and science and proof. There are so many things in this world which science hasn't yet discovered. But that does not mean it does not exist. Intuition, gut feeling, sixth sense and whatever else you may call it does exist but unfortunately science lacks in being able to prove it. Similarly, there are some things which are beyond proof. They are simply there you cannot deny it. To quote someone I love and respect dearly : Its the logic that instills the faith! Its the logic that breaks the faith! e.g. One has faith in antibiotics for curing illness based on the logic, since it did so in the past. Also the same faith is broken by the logic again when one knows that antibiotics are harmful in the long run for the body. There is another type of faith that transcends logic. This comes from the gut feeling, which no logic can make or break. It is from a deeper dimension of Existence. Jesus was asked to prove that he is the son of God. He said nothing. Does that mean he wasn't the son of God ? Somethings are beyond proof and this is just one of them. Also why should the son of God try to prove that he is the son of God if he does not desire to do so ? If a person has a deep pain in his leg and is asked to prove it, can he do so without a reasonable doubt ? So does that mean he does not have the pain ? Somethings just exist because they simply do. All this talk of logic and science is a failure because it is all based on assumptions. When the assumptions crumble the scientific theorams crash. So what then is the worth of all this ? Yes, it is worth a lot. But not everything. There is something beyond and that is God. And God cannot be caged by organised religion or science. Now have I let loose the flood gates for a whole barrage of flames from science supporters or organised religion supporters ? ;-) Cheers, Sunila _ Join the worlds largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail. http://www.hotmail.com =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-W-E-B---S-I-T-E-=-=-= To Subscribe/Unsubscribe from GoaNet | http://www.goacom.com/goanet === For (un)subscribing or for help, Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dont want so many e=mails? Join GoaNet-Digest instead ! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Help support non-commercial projects in Goa by advertizing!! * * * * Your ad here !!
Re: [Goanet] Vedas, Antibiotics, etc
From: santoshhelekar [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Goanet] Vedas, Antibiotics, etc Date: Tue, 21 May 2002 07:42:20 - Romain Rolland got a Nobel prize in literature. He was not a scientist. As far as I know, he said nothing about the Vedas and the speed of light. He would not have been qualified to say anything about the scientific validity of the Vedas. Please don't try to confuse issues here. By the way, he was a great supporter of scientific rationalism. I read his name a long time ago in connection with something he said on the Vedas. I will try and dig it up and if I do I will let you know. But you know everything you have said about him reinforces my memory that it was him only that I had read about in connection with the Vedas. After all science and literature and the Vedas can be a heady combination. ;-) Let me ask you have you ever read the Vedas ? Do you know Sanskrit ? No for both questions. Have you, and Do you? If you have and do, Please enlighten us in English or Konkani. I am particularly interested in the speed of light issue. Actually I haven't read the Vedas and I don't know Sanskrit. But would love to know more. If nothing else, it would give me an insight into Indian history. But one of the reasons I asked is to show you how illogical your approach is. Just because you haven't read it and don't know more about it does not mean it does not exist. :-) Intuition, gut feeling, sixth sense and whatever else you may call it does exist but unfortunately science lacks in being able to prove it. Are you sure? Have you read the current scientific literature on these matters? I know there is a lot of published research that deals with this. I would love to know whether your assertion is based on the conclusions of this research, before I accept it. I do read but am not a scientist or a psychologist. But recent findings on proving mental telepathy and healing through sending distant mental vibrations (includes prayer) is proving that thoughts or energy does travel from one person to another over thousands of miles. I had read that The California Pacific Medical Center is involved in this research and is getting very encouraging findings. But why go so far ? Haven't you seen that a patient responds better to treatment when he/she has the will to get better and when they don't their health deteriorates dramatically despite all the medicines and treatments ? Can medical science address that ? Similarly, there are some things which are beyond proof. They are simply there you cannot deny it. How do you know this? I deny it, in the absence of evidence that your statement is true. Just because you don't know you deny it. That doesn't mean it does not exist. A hundred years ago if someone was told that you could be heard thousands of miles away they would have laughed. Yet, today the telephone is a reality. If sound waves can be captured and transmitted why do you deny that thoughts can also be electro-magnetic waves which can be transmitted, accepted and responded to ? Just because science hasn't discovered it yet, it does not mean it does not exist. It is a superficial and narrow vision that says that if you haven't seen it or heard it or proven it in some physical way, it does not exist. That does not mean one should get loony and spaced out. But to deny it is equal folly. Antibiotics cure illnesses whether you have faith in them or not. This is a scientific fact. Scientists know a great deal about how and why antibiotics work. Yes, and now they are finding that new bacteria are coming about which are immune to existing antibiotics. So they are caught up in the vicious cycle of trying to exterminate every new bacteria that comes about. Unfortunately, very little effort actually goes into finding out the source of this bacteria. I don't deny the advantages of antibiotics. But just because science found this magical remedy does not mean there aren't any more remedies out there. It also does not mean that there isn't a way to prevent the bacteria from occurring in the first place. Is this a general statement about human psychology or about the effectiveness of antibiotics being intertwined with faith? If it is the latter, there is scientific evidence that contradicts your statement. It is the latter. I don't care what science currently says, I cannot deny the fact that I have many side effects when I take a dose of antibiotics. It does actually address infections effectively, but it creates other problems in my body. I am hundred percent sure that I am not the only one to have suffered from the side effects of antibiotics. And science keeps changing. They told you meat is good for your body and then now they say virtually the opposite and advocate vegetarianism. So which scientific theoram does one believe ? Especially since it may be contradicted some time later. Somethings just exist because they simply do.
[Goanet] There is a realisation that there should be peace in Gujarat
The Rediff Interview/K P S Gill Two months after communal riots broke out on Gujarat, the Union government appointed the former director general of Punjab police, K P S Gill, as security advisor to Chief Minister Narendra Modi to check violence in the state. Well known for crushing militancy in Punjab during the Khalistan separatist movement, the now retired IPS officer has earlier successfully tackled communal incidents as chief of the Assam police. In an interview to Senior Editor Sheela Bhatt in Ahmedabad, Gill speaks about his new assignment. What is your perception of the situation in Gujarat? At the time of Partition, when the riots started, I was in Lahore and was about 12 years old. One knows what it is to be a minority in a riot situation. After Godhra [massacre], the next day a very large number of people turned out on the streets and indulged in violence. What happened in Gulmurg society and Naroda Patia is inexcusable because it was a failure at the local level. I haven't visited Godhra. I can't say whether it was pre-planned or not. I haven't spoken to the concerned officers. I am concentrating on re-establishing peace. Chief Minister Narendra Modi has asked the committees to investigate rape cases, and offered help to reconstruct religious places. He has also said that new first information reports will be registered. He has made many important announcements. Today, I feel the shock about Godhra is over. There is a realization that there should be peace in the state. That is a factor that constantly helps the police. The desire has come into the minds of people, and converting that desire into actuality is not a difficult task. Your critics say you are a policeman while the situation requires a socio-political solution. [Loudly] Which our politicians and sociologists have provided? I ask you this counter question. Is it so? Call the politicians and leaders of the society to handle the situation here. In a meeting, a prominent Muslim leader said, I don't trust the prime minister, I don't trust the home minister. I don't trust the chief minister. And you, you are sent by these people I don't trust you. I said, To have a sense of distrust is alright. But to remove this distrust is my duty. Don't you think there was erosion of state authority on February 28 when the will of the state to govern was absent? I wonder whether the erosion took place on February 28 or much earlier. Because I have seen tambu tent pickets in communally sensitive areas -- which are there at few places -- since the last 20 years. I asked, 'Where was the state authority when the police had to live in tambus all these years? What is the state authority?' It's the power of the state that is the police. If you can't put up one police station there to handle communal situations or proper accommodation for the unit, then where is the state authority? What are you talking about? The state authority did not exist here. Okay these riots happened but how do you ensure that such a thing never happens again? Is the situation in Gujarat fit for the elections? Yes. The state can face an election. Because if you look at the state today, the disturbed areas are very limited. At the most we could exclude those constituencies. They are a maximum of two or three. You have 182 constituencies and if two or three are disturbed that is manageable. The process of an election reasserts democracy. It's a corrective process. It helps change political equations. In any case we have to have elections early next year. It will make a difference of two or three months here or there. Do you think Gujarat is a target of Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence? For quite some time the ISI never used Indian Muslims. Till recently. Most of the Muslims, I would say 99 per cent have rejected the ISI. Only 1 per cent falls into their trap. Look at the maturity of this country today. If Gujarat had happened in 1992, the whole of UP, Bihar and Rajasthan would have gone up in flames. This time it has not happened. This is the salute to the people of India. If they can rise, I too thought that let me too rise and serve in Gujarat. Aur agar reputation lose honi hai to hogi [if I that embellishes my reputation, so be it]... at least I tried. I wanted to understand the situation here. The police says they could not find the appropriate response anywhere, not even with the higher-ups, so that was, one would say, a failure. _ MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos: http://photos.msn.com/support/worldwide.aspx =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-W-E-B---S-I-T-E-=-=-= To Subscribe/Unsubscribe from GoaNet | http://www.goacom.com/goanet === For (un)subscribing or for help, Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dont want so many e=mails? Join GoaNet-Digest
Re: [Goanet] Vedas, Antibiotics, etc
--- In [EMAIL PROTECTED], Sunila Muzawar [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: But one of the reasons I asked is to show you how illogical your approach is. Just because you haven't read it and don't know more about it does not mean it does not exist. :-) Sunila, you have covered a lot of ground in the above post. I cannot deal with all the issues that you have discussed. I am a simple- minded kind of guy. I can think of only one thing at a time. I think it is not very useful or logical to take seriously things that are not known to exist, only because they might just possibly exist. This is called the flying pink elephant argument. Sure, such a creature might exist. But Would you pay somebody who claims to have it a hefty cash advance to buy such a unique and special pet? My reference to Vedas was specific to the speed of light. And having read about this matter I can assure you that I am not convinced that the Vedas tell us anything about this speed, as has been claimed. Regarding your other statements, bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a well-known and well-studied phenomenon for the past 50 years. The evidence for telepathy is shaky or non-existent. Medical science knows quite a bit about recovery from illness due to personal faith. There is a branch of science, Neuroimmunology, that studies this issue. Meat is still good for your body. The only thing that you have justification for is your belief in God, which I assume is based on faith and quite admirably so. Cheers, Santosh =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-W-E-B---S-I-T-E-=-=-= To Subscribe/Unsubscribe from GoaNet | http://www.goacom.com/goanet === For (un)subscribing or for help, Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dont want so many e=mails? Join GoaNet-Digest instead ! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Help support non-commercial projects in Goa by advertizing!! * * * * Your ad here !!
[Goanet] re: Scientific Method
Dear Santosh, You wrote of religious belief: something to cling to in spite of contrary evidence If I understand correctly, you have now clarified that this was not a description of some particular believers (in which case I had no objection), but your blanket generalization about ALL religious belief. As far as my own religious belief goes, I suggest that you first present some contrary evidence, then decide whether I cling or not. I will repeat: I have never knowingly clung to any belief refuted by evidence, nor do I plan to start now. I permit myself only that religious belief which does NOT require me to cling to anything refuted by evidence. Therefore your blanket statement quoted above is false. I hope you can see why it appears to me no more than prejudiced stereotyping: of all religious belief and all religious believers without exception(including myself). Regards, Joel Almeida PS It may be fun to commit nuisance in people's drinking water, by deriding their beliefs, whether intentionally or unintentionally (perhaps even more fun when you permit yourself misrepresentation of their beliefs such as the one above). If you have found a better way, let's hear it: give us better water to drink. I am far more interested in hearing what you propose than in hearing what you oppose. If you prefer to refute, rather than conjecture (which many of the best scientists do), I urge you to do it competently: use evidence, not careless generalizations. __ Do You Yahoo!? LAUNCH - Your Yahoo! Music Experience http://launch.yahoo.com =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-W-E-B---S-I-T-E-=-=-= To Subscribe/Unsubscribe from GoaNet | http://www.goacom.com/goanet === For (un)subscribing or for help, Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dont want so many e=mails? Join GoaNet-Digest instead ! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Help support non-commercial projects in Goa by advertizing!! * * * * Your ad here !!
[Goanet] NEWS: New drug law helps police seize properties worth millions
New drug law helps police seize properties worth millions From Indo-Asian News Service New Delhi, May 21 (IANS) An amended and stronger anti-drug law enabled Delhi Police to seize property worth Rs.15.6 million belonging to three suspected dealers. Deputy Commissioner of Police D.L. Kashyap told IANS Dinesh Kumar Gupta, who was arrested last year with heroin in his possession, now has his assets frozen. They include two houses worth Rs.6 million. A woman dealer, reportedly wanted in 18 cases, was arrested last year with 500 gm of heroin. Her husband and two sons also face trial for drug trafficking. Gupta said the woman owns seven houses worth Rs.7.5 million, which have been seized by police. The property of a third alleged drug dealer, who was caught in April with two associates, was also frozen. The houses of the trio are estimated to be worth Rs.2.1 million. Gupta said the earlier law allowed a drug dealer's property to be confiscated after his conviction. But amended last year, it now allows police to seize the property of an accused after his arrest. Police also arrested two men reportedly bringing heroin worth Rs.5.3 million from Uttar Pradesh. A third man, said to be a major supplier in northern India and on the run since April, was also arrested. --Indo-Asian News Service =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-W-E-B---S-I-T-E-=-=-= To Subscribe/Unsubscribe from GoaNet | http://www.goacom.com/goanet === For (un)subscribing or for help, Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dont want so many e=mails? Join GoaNet-Digest instead ! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Help support non-commercial projects in Goa by advertizing!! * * * * Your ad here !!
[Goanet] NEWS: Former top cop held for forging documents (New Delhi)
If my memory serves me right, this gentleman served in Goa in the early 'nineties. FN -- Forwarded message -- Former top cop held for forging documents From Indo-Asian News Service New Delhi, May 20 (IANS) A former top police officer, who was once in charge of VIP security, is in the police net for allegedly forging documents to obtain property worth Rs.18 million. Retired joint commissioner of police Y.R. Dhuria, 60, who headed the security branch of Delhi Police, had been eluding arrest since last month when his wife was sent to Tihar jail. But he was arrested Sunday from the Ghaziabad town adjoining Delhi. Soon after his arrest, Dhuria complained of chest pain and was admitted to the Metro Hospital in Noida. He is under doctors' observation. We have arrested him and if doctors say he is in a stable condition we will send him to jail, Assistant Commissioner of Police L.N. Rao told IANS. Investigations have been on since last year when Dhuria was still in the police force. We moved against him after we collected enough evidence. His being in a senior position will not stop us from prosecuting him. Rao said he was trying to obtain land illegally. Delhi Police Commissioner Ajai Raj Sharma, who is of the same batch of Indian Police Service of 1966 as Dhuria, took on the investigations himself as it involved a senior ranking officer. The noose tightened after Dhuria's guards, who were posted under him when he was the home guard chief, were arrested. The two home guards, Shivraj Singh and Chattarpal, were arrested last year after three men lodged a complaint of cheating at the Kanjhawla police station in northwest Delhi. Police said Dhuria had allegedly prepared a general power of attorney according to which Shivraj Singh's wife had acquired the eight-acre land from the complainants, even though there was no exchange of money. The acquisition papers were later sold to Dhuria's wife Kamala for Rs.45 million. The complainants alleged the general power attorney was a fake document and a case was registered last year. Police on arrested Dhuria's wife Kamala April 11 and since then the former official had been eluding the police. Officials said when Dhuria heard that the police was hunting for him armed with an arrest warrant he got himself admitted at the Metro Hospital for heart trouble. Officials caught him at a cinema hall in Ghaziabad where he had come to meet someone after taking permission from doctors to step out of the hospital for a few hours. We got information and arrested him from the spot. --Indo-Asian News Service =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-W-E-B---S-I-T-E-=-=-= To Subscribe/Unsubscribe from GoaNet | http://www.goacom.com/goanet === For (un)subscribing or for help, Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dont want so many e=mails? Join GoaNet-Digest instead ! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Help support non-commercial projects in Goa by advertizing!! * * * * Your ad here !!
[Goanet] TWO MINUTE REVIEW: Goa Sings
GETTING INTO THE GROOVE... UNDERSTANDING WHAT THEY'RE SINGING ABOUT Like me, you could be one of those Goans whose family histories made them a third-generation emmigrant. If so, almost certainly, there would be a lot of gaps in your attempts to understand Goan tradition. Blame this, if you like, on the lack of a grandmum around to immerse you into that. Probably it's a good thing! Anyway, don't feel too sorry for yourself, Goa is one state where one-third of the population (a very rough guestimate) comprises expats who have returned after spending some part of their lives in some distant part of the globe. Even if it was just for two years of babyhood, as in this writer's case. If you add to this the number of in-migrants, the number swells even more. Obviously, this is a large market of people who need to understand something about their home-state. Specially it's traditions, its music... Given the new role being played by ICTs (information and communication technologies), we have the means to reach out to a wider audience. Mumbai-based Fausto V da Costa [EMAIL PROTECTED] who happens to be the brother of 'Gulab' publisher-editor-priest Freddy da Costa, puts together this interesting CD of 'remix' mandos, dulpods, dekhnnis, kunnbi songs and folk songs. Fifteen numbers ranging from 'Mando Goencho' (Ho mando Goencho khoro, Nachonk kitlo boro / Hubra haddta haro, Vazlearunch puro) to 'Undir Mama' (Undra mhojea mama, ani hanv santam tuka / Tea mazorichea pilea lagim khell manddinaka) and much more. These are the types of songs that are sung at the traditional (some might say culturally very slow-evolving!) Goan parties. Whichever part of the globe you might be at. The good thing about 'Goa Sings' is that it includes a slim booklet giving the lyrics of all the songs. It also includes a very wide range of traditional Goan songs, and would ensure you don't feel quite left out when the sing-along starts at that next party. The not-so-good thing is that the CD version is priced at Rs 300, when other Indian CDs are selling for less. But then, one has to grant that Konkani's small-sized market does not easily allow for the economies of scale. Undeniably, Fausto and his group have been long and determinedly trying to keep the cultural flag of Goa flying atop the Fort locality's crowded lanes in Mumbai, where he's basied. It would be great if the lyrics booklet -- for the benefit of all of us, sometimes contemptuously referred to as that set of de-nationalised Goans -- had English translations. Given the reality of the many variants of the Konkani language (something not many want to face up to), this becomes all the more relevant. Of course, the Bardexi dialect is sometimes used in song, as it is frequently in the tiatr and some other cultural forms. But suddenly, the song breaks into Xashti... which could be yet another foreign language, especially when it comes to tracing the nuances of lyrics a century or more old. Maybe we have only ourselves, our history, emigration (and the lack of sufficient easy-to-learn Konkani courses) to blame! For those who might be interested, this CD includes * Mando Geoncho * Kai Borelo Komblo * Amnni Gumnni * Kolvontam Nachtai * Istimosanv Rozachem * Tambdde Rozad Pole * Gupit Mog * Undir Mama * Moddganvam Thoveager * Bannavlleche Monte Sokolu * Bokem Mhojem * Te Bainchem Udoku * Tanddela Taz Mar * Askin Koxem Ublem * Maner Kensu * Danv Dadulea * Mhozo Poti Bombaim Gela * Kavllea Kiteak Roddttai * Soglli Rati Bainkodde * Kunnbi Jaki * Roza * Cecilia Mhojem Nanv * Cheddva Go Cheddva * Fulu Jardinantlem * Jimmy * Marikin * Dezembra Mhoino * Manak sotri Lavun Vhor * Hanv Saiba Poltoddi Voitam * Cheddva Za Go Kazar * Ag Fulam Bai * Sho Juana * Dogi Tegi Biatini * Bhikari * Chol Cholotam Zali Rati * Farar Far and a couple of instrumentals. Quite a range. Not difficult to recommend this. I'd rate it at three-and-half of five. Price Rs 300. CD. From Dinfa Productions, 14 Nafees Chambers, 1st Floor, 121-123 Mody Street, Fort, Mumbai 41. Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-W-E-B---S-I-T-E-=-=-= To Subscribe/Unsubscribe from GoaNet | http://www.goacom.com/goanet === For (un)subscribing or for help, Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dont want so many e=mails? Join GoaNet-Digest instead ! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Help support non-commercial projects in Goa by advertizing!! * * * * Your ad here !!
[no subject]
approvedc: TouaregVr6 From: sarnews [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: GoaNet [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Pakistan blasphemy laws -- state willing, political flesh weak Date: Tue, 21 May 2002 09:28:15 +0530 SAR News May 21, 2002 Pakistan Blasphemy Laws: State Willing, Political Flesh Weak By Robin Fernandez Marginalised communities are often disappointed by the inadequate legislative protection given to them by governments. Their lobbying attempts to enlarge the legal umbrella that barely covers their heads are doomed from the start. The State is willing but the political flesh is weak. Perhaps in no place is that more apparent than in Pakistan where the majority of Muslims do recognise the need to protect Christians and other religious minorities from discriminatory laws. But the Government is paralysed by fear of what it has identified as far-right extremists. A small illustration of their grip on the power levers came in May 2000 when no less a person than military ruler, General Pervez Musharraf, announced the withdrawal of a proposed amendment to the blasphemy law. (Musharraf had earlier offered to revise clause 295-C of the penal code which deals with blasphemy). Christians in Pakistan, as a matter of principle, are not opposed to the original 1860 penal code clauses of 295 and 298, both of which are intended to prevent religiously motivated violence and hate crimes. Nor do they dispute the efficacy of the 1927 amendment to clause 295 incorporated as 295-A which reads: Whoever, with deliberate and malicious intention of outraging the religious feelings of any class of citizens...by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representations, insults the religion or the religious beliefs of that class, shall be punished with imprisonment...for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both. Their grouse lies mainly with the legal insertions made by the late military ruler Zia-ul-Haq in the 1980s. These amendments, introduced as 298-A, 295-B and 295-C, for one, do not mention malicious intent to rake up religious sensitivities as a condition for an action amounting to criminal offence. They also prescribe stiffer penalties for blasphemy and focus almost exclusively on the religious sentiments of Muslims, instead of any class of people. In 1990, the Federal Shariat Court upheld the punishment recommended for blasphemy under clause 295-C. It ruled that the only punishment available for anyone convicted of blasphemy is death. Christians have argued in vain on two counts. They say that no member of their community would ever willfully insult or defile the name of Prophet Muhammad or any of his companions. Nor would they ever malign Islam or rebuke adherents of the Muslim faith. Their community leaders say they merely want the Government to prevent people from lodging false blasphemy cases against non-Muslims. Lawyers say the country's blasphemy laws have all too often been invoked for the purpose of grabbing prized land, settling personal scores and eliminating competition for lucrative posts. The human rights watchdog, Amnesty International, lists yet another cause: Charges against Ahmadis (an Islamic sect) and Christians appear to have been brought solely because of their membership in these minority groups. While this is undeniable in several cases, one must differentiate between the obscurantists and the moderates, and the literate and the uneducated - a distinction that was first made by senior administration officials following last September's terror attacks on the United States. The intolerance for which the Muslims of Pakistan are blamed stems from a fringe fundamentalist element. So the State or Government, instead of its powerless masses, is obliged to tame the obscurantists and take concrete measures to protect religious minorities. Apart from throwing into prison dozens of people, the controversial amendments in the penal code have claimed an important life. Bishop John Joseph, the first native Punjabi bishop, committed suicide in May 1998 to protest against the death penalty awarded to a Christian youth for blasphemy. One of the noticeable trends emerging from the misuse of blasphemy laws is the fact that the average victim - in the case of Christians especially - is disadvantaged, barely literate and resident of a rural town in Punjab or Sindh. This is again proof that discriminatory laws are far more menacing to the poor. Thus it falls upon the Government to create legal structures to protect the poor and the defenceless. Human-rights activists believe the charge of blasphemy ought to be thoroughly examined before criminal prosecution can get underway. In most of the cases documented by human rights organisations, the complainant himself is the sole witness to the act of blasphemy that could include desecration of the Koran and insulting or defiling the name of the prophet Muhammad. The verbal testimony thereof is rarely
goanet-digest V1 #3997
goanet-digest Tuesday, May 21 2002 Volume 01 : Number 3997 - In this issue: Re: [Goanet] Vedas, Antibiotics, etc [Goanet] re: Scientific Method [Goanet] INDIAN AMBASSADOR CROWN'S G.O.A'S MAY QUEEN 2002 IN QATAR. [none] See end of digest for information on subscribing/unsusbcribing. -- Date: Tue, 21 May 2002 14:34:51 - From: santoshhelekar [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Goanet] Vedas, Antibiotics, etc - --- In [EMAIL PROTECTED], Sunila Muzawar [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: But one of the reasons I asked is to show you how illogical your approach is. Just because you haven't read it and don't know more about it does not mean it does not exist. :-) Sunila, you have covered a lot of ground in the above post. I cannot deal with all the issues that you have discussed. I am a simple- minded kind of guy. I can think of only one thing at a time. I think it is not very useful or logical to take seriously things that are not known to exist, only because they might just possibly exist. This is called the flying pink elephant argument. Sure, such a creature might exist. But Would you pay somebody who claims to have it a hefty cash advance to buy such a unique and special pet? My reference to Vedas was specific to the speed of light. And having read about this matter I can assure you that I am not convinced that the Vedas tell us anything about this speed, as has been claimed. Regarding your other statements, bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a well-known and well-studied phenomenon for the past 50 years. The evidence for telepathy is shaky or non-existent. Medical science knows quite a bit about recovery from illness due to personal faith. There is a branch of science, Neuroimmunology, that studies this issue. Meat is still good for your body. The only thing that you have justification for is your belief in God, which I assume is based on faith and quite admirably so. Cheers, Santosh -- Date: Tue, 21 May 2002 08:28:24 -0700 (PDT) From: J. Almeida [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Goanet] re: Scientific Method Dear Santosh, You wrote of religious belief: something to cling to in spite of contrary evidence If I understand correctly, you have now clarified that this was not a description of some particular believers (in which case I had no objection), but your blanket generalization about ALL religious belief. As far as my own religious belief goes, I suggest that you first present some contrary evidence, then decide whether I cling or not. I will repeat: I have never knowingly clung to any belief refuted by evidence, nor do I plan to start now. I permit myself only that religious belief which does NOT require me to cling to anything refuted by evidence. Therefore your blanket statement quoted above is false. I hope you can see why it appears to me no more than prejudiced stereotyping: of all religious belief and all religious believers without exception(including myself). Regards, Joel Almeida PS It may be fun to commit nuisance in people's drinking water, by deriding their beliefs, whether intentionally or unintentionally (perhaps even more fun when you permit yourself misrepresentation of their beliefs such as the one above). If you have found a better way, let's hear it: give us better water to drink. I am far more interested in hearing what you propose than in hearing what you oppose. If you prefer to refute, rather than conjecture (which many of the best scientists do), I urge you to do it competently: use evidence, not careless generalizations. __ Do You Yahoo!? LAUNCH - Your Yahoo! Music Experience http://launch.yahoo.com -- Date: Tue, 21 May 2002 08:50:54 +0200 From: Viviana [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Goanet] INDIAN AMBASSADOR CROWN'S G.O.A'S MAY QUEEN 2002 IN QATAR. From Simon D'Silva, Qatar Date: Tue, 21 May 2002 08:56:29 +0300 From: Simon D'Silva [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: INDIAN AMBASSADOR CROWN'S G.O.A.'S MAY QUEEN 2002 IN QATAR. INDIAN AMBASSADOR CROWN'S G.O.A.'S MAY QUEEN IN QATAR Based on its huge success last year, the Goan Overseas Association (G.O.A.) held its May Queen Pageant 2002 on 16th May 2002 at the Giwana Ball-room, Ramada Hotel from 8.00 p.m. onwards with over 500 guests, well-wishers and sponsors from all walks of life in attendance. The Chief Guest for the Evening was His Excellency Ranjan Mathai, the Indian Ambassador to Qatar. The compere Mr. Savio D'Silva who flew specially from Dubai for the event set the mood and the tone for a fun packed evening with his inimitable style and performance. His Excellency in his message congratulated the Goan Overseas Association, also rendering his thanks for inviting him and his partner to this wonderful event. In
RE: [Goanet] Vedas, Antibiotics, etc
I wonder if Sunila, James and Santosh ever PRAY? If You PRAY, You will have FAITH, And if You have FAITH, You will LOVE, And if You LOVE, You will SERVE, And if You SERVE, You will have PEACE. -Mother Teresa The following are my views on FAITH, BELIEFS, SPIRITUALITY and SCIENTIFIC METHODS: Whatever we do in life, we SERVE people directly or indirectly. We can SERVE people with science and technology with or without knowing much about spirituality or humanity. In the technology and scientific world we accept only approved scientific methods to measure, quantify, compare the results of any process. We can also SERVE people directly much better with combination of our HEART, INTELLECT, MIND and SOUL with the help of modern SCIENCE and TECHNOLOGY. Vedas (written in Sanskrit about 1500 B.C.) gives us this knowledge (of HEART, INTELLECT, MIND, SOUL, etc) to KNOW and to SERVE fellow human beings, other creatures and the Universe. English language has a limit to understand Vedas (English version). Sanskrit is the spiritual language in which one can understand Vedas perfectly. Whoever wants to gain this knowledge from the Vedas can gain tremendous energy for the self-development and to SERVE the humanity. Although Science and Technology is the key factor for the world economy, however, it is a very small factor to SERVE humanity. Sorry, I may not have any scientific methods to prove this statement but it is my experience beyond any doubt. Cip Fernandes London __ Sunila Muzawar wrote on 21 May 2002 09:39 Subject: Re: [Goanet] Vedas, Antibiotics, etc From: santoshhelekar [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Goanet] Vedas, Antibiotics, etc Date: Tue, 21 May 2002 07:42:20 - Romain Rolland got a Nobel prize in literature. He was not a scientist. As far as I know, he said nothing about the Vedas and the speed of light. He would not have been qualified to say anything about the scientific validity of the Vedas. Please don't try to confuse issues here. By the way, he was a great supporter of scientific rationalism. I read his name a long time ago in connection with something he said on the Vedas. I will try and dig it up and if I do I will let you know. But you know everything you have said about him reinforces my memory that it was him only that I had read about in connection with the Vedas. After all science and literature and the Vedas can be a heady combination. ;-) Let me ask you have you ever read the Vedas ? Do you know Sanskrit ? No for both questions. Have you, and Do you? If you have and do, Please enlighten us in English or Konkani. I am particularly interested in the speed of light issue. Actually I haven't read the Vedas and I don't know Sanskrit. But would love to know more. If nothing else, it would give me an insight into Indian history. But one of the reasons I asked is to show you how illogical your approach is. Just because you haven't read it and don't know more about it does not mean it does not exist. :-) Intuition, gut feeling, sixth sense and whatever else you may call it does exist but unfortunately science lacks in being able to prove it. Are you sure? Have you read the current scientific literature on these matters? I know there is a lot of published research that deals with this. I would love to know whether your assertion is based on the conclusions of this research, before I accept it. I do read but am not a scientist or a psychologist. But recent findings on proving mental telepathy and healing through sending distant mental vibrations (includes prayer) is proving that thoughts or energy does travel from one person to another over thousands of miles. I had read that The California Pacific Medical Center is involved in this research and is getting very encouraging findings. But why go so far ? Haven't you seen that a patient responds better to treatment when he/she has the will to get better and when they don't their health deteriorates dramatically despite all the medicines and treatments ? Can medical science address that ? Similarly, there are some things which are beyond proof. They are simply there you cannot deny it. How do you know this? I deny it, in the absence of evidence that your statement is true. Just because you don't know you deny it. That doesn't mean it does not exist. A hundred years ago if someone was told that you could be heard thousands of miles away they would have laughed. Yet, today the telephone is a reality. If sound waves can be captured and transmitted why do you deny that thoughts can also be electro-magnetic waves which can be transmitted, accepted and responded to ? Just because science hasn't discovered it yet, it does not mean it does not exist. It is a superficial and narrow vision that says that if you haven't seen it or heard it or proven it in some physical way, it does not
[Goanet] Induction and Confirmation
Joel has repeatedly stated in this forum that good Science proceeds by refutation rather than by induction. This statement is as false as many of his other statements. The idea of falsification in Science was made popular by Sir Karl Popper, an eccentric British philosopher of Science. Most scientists and philosophers now believe that this idea was fundamentally a flawed and eccentric idea. It is widely accepted that the greatest advances in Science have come from induction and confirmation. The theory of gravitation, evolution, genetics, special and general relativity, quantum Physics and structure of DNA have all been great inductive insights from limited initial observations, whose validity has grown stronger with each new confirming instance. Martin Gardner, a brilliant science writer had recently written a beautiful article about the demise of Popper's falsification fantasy in the journal Skeptical Inquirer. He concluded this article by saying: Popper's great and tireless efforts to expunge the word induction from scientific and philosophical discourse has utterly failed. Except for a small but noisy group of British Popperians, induction is just too firmly embedded in the way philosophers of science and even ordinary people talk and think. Confirming instances underlie our beliefs that the Sun will rise tomorrow, that dropped objects will fall, that water will freeze and boil, and a million other events. It is hard to think of another philosophical battle so decisively lost. I give below a few other excerpts from this article: A SKEPTICAL LOOK AT KARL POPPER by Martin Gardner Sir Karl Popper, who died in 1994, was widely regarded as England's greatest philosopher of science since Bertrand Russell. Indeed a philosopher of worldwide eminence. Today his followers among philosophers of science are a diminishing minority, convinced that Popper's vast reputation is enormously inflated. I agree. I believe that Popper's reputation was based mainly on this persistent but misguided efforts to restate common-sense views in a novel language that is rapidly becoming out of fashion. Popper recognized but dismissed as unimportant that every falsification of a conjecture is simultaneously a confirmation of an opposite conjecture, and every conforming instance of a conjecture is a falsification of an opposite conjecture. To scientists and philosophers outside the Popperian fold, science operates mainly by induction (confirmation), and also and less often by disconfirmation (falsification). Its language is almost always one of induction. If Popper bet on a certain horse to win a race, and the horse won, you would not expect him to shout, Great! My horse failed to lose! Ernest Nagel, Columbia University's famous philosopher of science, in his Teleology Revisited and Other Essays in the Philosophy and History of Science (1979), summed it up this way: [Popper's] conception of the role of falsification . . . is an oversimplification that is close to being a caricature of scientific procedures. It's not so much that Popper disagreed with Carnap and other inductivists as that he restated their views in a bizarre and cumbersome terminology. When Popper wrote Logik der Forschung, he was barely thirty. Despite its flawed center, it was full of good ideas, from perhaps the most brilliant of the bright young philosophers associated with the Vienna Circle. But where the others continued to learn, develop and in time exert a lasting influence on the philosophical tradition, Popper knew better. He refused to revise his falsificationism, and so condemned himself to a lifetime in the service of a bad idea. Cheers, Santosh =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-W-E-B---S-I-T-E-=-=- To Subscribe/Unsubscribe from GoaNet | http://www.goacom.com/goanet == For (un)subscribing or for help, Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dont want so many e=mails? Join GoaNet-Digest instead ! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Help support non-commercial projects in Goa by advertizing!! * * * * Your ad here !!
[Goanet] NEWS: Congress asks for President's rule in Goa, campaign hits
sour note Sender: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Precedence: bulk DECCAN HERALD=20 Monday, May 20, 2002 =20 -- Cong asks for President's rule in Goa From Devika Sequeira DH News Service PANAJI, May 19 Electioneering in Goa hit a sour note after BJP Chief Minister Manohar Parr= ikar reeling from a string of defections by his Cabinet colleagues to the r= ival camp, adopted a negative campaign against the Congress here. Senior Congress leaders from Delhi, out on the campaign trail here, were fu= ming last night after Mr Parrikar released a statement alleging that the Co= ngress planned to incite communal violence in Goa after AICC president Soni= a Gandhi's visit scheduled for May 23. I have asked the police to enquire into reports that some Congress leaders= are planning to incite communal tension in Aldona, Valpoi, Sanguem, Margao= and Bicholim by (their) attempts to damage a mosque or a church in some co= nstituencies, Mr Parrikar claimed on Saturday, and said that as home minis= ter he would go in for preventive arrests if need be. The statement which caused a stir here for its sheer audacity, was complete= ley blacked out by the state's leading English daily. Pointing to Mr Parrik= ar's RSS-cadre background, Congress leaders said they were not in the least= bit surprised by his unprecendented and aggressive approach to fighting th= e election. I don't know what his intention is in making such a statement, unless he i= ntends to provoke the violence himself, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit = said to this newspaper. Ms Dixit who left here today after a day's flurry o= f campaign meetings said Mr Parrikar's statement reflected the desperation= of a man on his way out. That sentiment was echoed by former chief minister and Congress campaign ch= airman Pratapsingh Rane at a press briefing today. It was unbecoming of the= chief minister to go to this level, said Mr Rane, adding that Mr Parrikar = appears to have pressed the panic button in desperation. The statement is like Adolf Hitler burning the Reischstag, the German parl= iament, and blaming the communists for the crime. It is not the Congress th= at has been projected in the national and international media as communal,= Mr Rane said. He said the Congress had ruled Goa for 18 years without any incident. Will= the honourable chief minister tell us what happenend to the people who bur= nt the mosque at Provorim during the BJP's 16 months? The party also accused the BJP government of violating the norms for holdin= g fair elections, and said a brief spell of President's rule, till the new = government comes into being had become the necessary remedy for Goa. ---= - =A9 Copyright, 1999 The Printers (Mysore)Ltd.=20 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-W-E-B---S-I-T-E-=-=-= To Subscribe/Unsubscribe from GoaNet | http://www.goacom.com/goanet === For (un)subscribing or for help, Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dont want so many e=mails? Join GoaNet-Digest instead ! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Help support non-commercial projects in Goa by advertizing!! * * * * Your ad here !!
[Goanet] 22 MAY: GOACOM NEWS CLIPPINGS
GOACOM NEWS CLIPPINGS 22 May 2002 CM WARNS AGAINST SCREENING OF GUJ RIOTS TAPES: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has sounded a clear and loud warning to those who are screening some video tapes on Gujarat riots with the intention of inciting communal violence in the State. (GT) CUNCOLIM POLICE SEIZE CASSETTE OF RIOT CLIPPINGS: The police have decided to act tough in the wake of reports that video clippings of Gujarat carnage are screened at the Congress meetings in some part of Salcete. On Tuesday evening, the Cuncolim police descended at an alleged unauthorized meeting in Velim constituency and seized video clippings of Gujarat carnage. (H) PARRIKAR SWEARS BY 8-MEMBER CABINET: Stating that the menace of large sized cabinet has to be tackled by making a law, Chief Minister Parrikar said his party would propose the amendment for smaller states like Goa to restrict the cabinet size to 20 percent of its elected capacity. Personally he would prefer to have a single digit cabinet, Parrikar remarked. (GT) SAFFRONISATION CAN HIT TOURISM BADLY: Addressing reporters yesterday, All India Congress Committee General Secretary Kamalnath yesterday said that Goans must understand that tourism is the backbone of the Goan economy. Goans must understand that saffronisation will have great repercussions in Goa, he stressed. (GT) NINE CRPF COMPANIES: As many as nine companies of the Central Reserve Police Force have been dispatched to Goa to ensure peaceful conduct of assembly elections. (H) MGP MANIFESTO: A pro-Goan employment policy, accountable and transparent government and protection of the environment are some of the commitments the nearly 40-year-old MGP has made to voters in its manifesto. (GT) 'BJP HAS PROPPED UP UGDP': All India Congress Committee central observer, Ramesh Chennitala, yesterday accused the BJP of being involved in all sorts of hara-kiri to split votes of secularism allegedly promoting the UGDP and NCP at the forthcoming Goa assembly election. (GT) GIVE NO MLA MORE THAN ONE TERM: UGDP Cortalim candidate, Mathany Saldanha, advised the people to ensure that no MLA was elected for more than one termthat is 5 yearsso that there is constant and healthy inflow of fresh faces and fresh idea that will ensure a better functioning of our democracy, particularly keeping in mind the present depressing political scenario in Goa. (GT) EFFECTIVE LEARNING WORKSHOP: Smt Pavatibai Chowgule College of Arts and Science will hold a workshop for students and parents on May 23, from 3 to 5.30 pm, at the Parvatibai Hall of the college. The interactive sessions will include career counseling and effective parenting besides strategies to improve the performance of students. (NT) WORKERS CONVICTED: The Additional sessions court convicted Subhash Volvoikar and Pandurang Gawde, workers of Chowgule Company, accused of entering into a criminal conspiracy with other workers and murdering the deputy general manager and injuring the general manager of the company in a dispute over their demands three-and-a-half-years ago. (H) ST ANTHONY'S FEAST: The feast of St Anthony at Praias Chapel, Anjuna, will be celebrated on May 26. FELLOWSHIP FOR LIBRARIAN: The nominations for awarding a Raja Ram Mohan Roy Library Foundation Fellowship are invited from the librarians, library scientists or heads of organisations and social activists dedicated to inculcating the spirit of reading habit among the masses and spreading the library movement in the country. Nomination forms available at the Curator, Central Library, Panaji. (NT) NO WATER, ELECTRICITY: I had lived in Mombassa, Kenya, the then British East Africa, for 20 years from 1946 to 1966. Mombassa is an island with a population that is more than a lakh. It used to get hardly 20 inches rain per year, yet we had never experienced any shortage of either water or electricity. There was always abundant water and power supply round the clock. In fact, we never ever stored any water or used any emergency lamps as we do here. (Martinho J Fernandes, Goa Velha, in a letter to the Editor, Herald.) INDIAN AMBASSADOR CROWN'S G.O.A.'S MAY QUEEN IN QATAR: The Goan Overseas Association (G.O.A) held its May Queen Pageant 2002 on 16 May at the Giwana Ball-room, Ramada Hotel, with over 500 guests, well-wishers and sponsors from all walks of life in attendance. The Chief Guest for the evening was His Excellency Ranjan Mathai, the Indian Ambassador to Qatar. The compere Savio D'Silva flew specially from Dubai for the event and. Goa's leading band ARCHIES played fantastic music. Alex Gonsalves the DJ of Desert Thunder with his exquisite choice of music ensured that everybody had a tumultuous time. The May Queen Pageant was very glitzy. Ms Sabina Fernandes and Ms Valia Gonsalveswere crowned May Queen 2002 and Runner-up by H.E. Ranjan Mathai, Ambassador of India and Mrs. Maria Rodrigues who was May Queen 2001. (Simon D'Silva [EMAIL
[Goanet] From: Monte De Guirim - Ex-Students - Toronto Chapter
From: Monte De Guirim - Ex-Students - Toronto Chapter [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Monte De Guirim Reunion ! Date: Tue, 14 May 2002 21:01:58 -0400 MONTE DE GUIRIM, EX-STUDENTS (TORONTO CHAPTER) INVITATION TO THE EIGHT ANNUAL REUNION ON SUNDAY JUNE 9, 2002 The Ex-Students Association - Toronto Chapter of St. Anthony's High School, Monte De Guirim, Goa is pleased to invite all alumni and their brethren, friends and family to their eight annual gala lunch dance to be held at Sangeet Banquet hall, 181 Rexdale Boulevard, Etobicoke, Ontario. Feast Mass in honour of St. Anthony will be celebrated at 11 AM and will be followed by our traditional Goan festive celebrations. A live band ad DJ will be in attendance. Indian buffet lunch will be served accompanied by Sorpotel. Prizes and surprises galore. Please contact President of the Social Committee, Felix Colaco for further details and tickets at (905)509 9294, (416)983 9694 and (416) 399 5074 or email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please respond as soon as possible if you will be attending. Thank you. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-W-E-B---S-I-T-E-=-=-= To Subscribe/Unsubscribe from GoaNet | http://www.goacom.com/goanet === For (un)subscribing or for help, Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dont want so many e=mails? Join GoaNet-Digest instead ! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Help support non-commercial projects in Goa by advertizing!! * * * * Your ad here !!
[Goanet] GUJARAT HAS SEALED PARRIKARS FATE
As 30th May draws nearer, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is desperately trying all stunts to try and woo voters to salvage the sinking BJP ship. In the Panjim Constituency, Parrikar who is fighting a battle for his survival,is offering all sorts of carrots to buy the minorities. It would be difficult for Mr Parrikar to fool the people when BJP's track record is public knowledge. No Goan would want the Gujarat carnage to happen in this State of ours and this means sending the BJP to the wilderness. Goa will vote for a Secular party that can provide stability by not repeating the mistakes of the past.The urgent task is to undo the damage done to Goa by the 17 month rule of the communal and casteist BJP. Recently, the Chief Minister had assured us that there would be no water shortage this year. People have to endure days of dry taps and the power failures continue contradicting the Government claims the situation has improved. The 17-month BJP rule has been one of the most corrupt regimes. Mr Parrikar himself admits that a lot of money was accepted for party funds. Corruption is corruption whether the proceeds go to personal pockets or party coffers. The malaise of defections has gripped every political party. The BJP itself has fielded a lot of defectors. The Chief Minister himself grabbed power through the back door by engineering defections so he has no moral authority to lecture others on the evils of defections. The Chief Minister has spoken so much on Women's empowerment but it is not surprising that the BJP has fielded only one lady candidate and that too in Benaulim a constituency where the lotus could never bloom. The people have been called upon to vote on May 30th because an autocratic and unpredictable Manohar Parrikar decided to prematurely dissolve the assembly to save his chair. For this single rash and negligent act of the Chief Minister,the state exchequer has to bear the brunt.But the voters will now have an opportunity to teach Mr Parrikar and his communal BJP party the lesson of their lifetime. Aires Rodrigues Ribandar =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-W-E-B---S-I-T-E-=-=-= To Subscribe/Unsubscribe from GoaNet | http://www.goacom.com/goanet === For (un)subscribing or for help, Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dont want so many e=mails? Join GoaNet-Digest instead ! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Help support non-commercial projects in Goa by advertizing!! * * * * Your ad here !!
[Goanet] From: thehindu@admin.hinduonnet.com
Date: Wed, 15 May 2002 01:28:14 +0530 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Article sent from The Hindu = This article has been sent to you by Rohit ( [EMAIL PROTECTED] ) = Source: thThe Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/05/10/stories/2002051002041200.htm) Opinion News Analysis Golwalkar and the BJP By Neena Vyas NEW DELHI MAY 9. The Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, virtually disowned the pro-Hitler views expressed by guruji M.S. Golwalkar, a former `sarsanghchalak' of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, in the Rajya Sabha on May 6, but did not explain why in almost every office of the Bharatiya Janata Party, and now, in several ministerial offices at the Centre (including Parliament House), his portraits hang alongside those of Mahatma Gandhi and B.R. Ambedkar. After all, German Government offices today surely do not hang portraits of Hitler nor does the BJP decorate its offices with pictures of Osama bin Laden. The fact is that both Mr. Vajpayee and the Union Home Minister, L.K. Advani, grew up at the feet of guruji who is still revered as the most influential of all RSS heads who gave the organisation #151; and the BJP, the political arm of the RSS #151; its so-called ideological'' moorings and formed the young minds of Mr. Vajpayee and Mr. Advani during their impressionable years. Mr. Vajpayee dismissed Golwalkar's openly fascist views as his own (`)'' and added that the BJP had nothing to do with the book (`)'' and that his party had never given its stamp of approval (`')'' to those views. But he did not say when and where had the BJP (or the Jan Sangh) distanced itself formally from the views of Golwalkar. The question that needs to be asked loudly is why it has taken Mr. Vajpayee all of 60 years to distance his party from what Golwalkar had said? Why is it that in spite of his criminally obnoxious views he is revered by the Sangh Parivar and considered to be the guru of all gurus? In fact, contrary to what Mr. Vajpayee said, the BJP has so far never repudiated Golwalkar's views, let alone denounce them. A close look at Golwakar and a comparison with what the RSS, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bajrang Dal are saying almost everyday establishes the fact that the views of the Sangh Parivar are no different from those of Golwalkar. And this is what guruji'' had to say in `We on Our Nationhood Defined': To keep up the purity of the race and its culture, Germany shocked the world by her purging the country of the semitic races #151; the Jews. Race pride at its highest has been manifested here...a good lesson for us in Hindusthan to learn and profit by.'' The Sangh Parivar insists that all Hindus are of Aryan origin, and denounces historians who suggest that Aryans came from Central Asia at a later date to push the Dravidians to the South. His formula'' for nationhood was five unities'' #151; geographical (a common country), racial (all people belonging to one race), religious (all `nationals' must follow the same faith), cultural (the same culture) and linguistic (a common language). And he admitted that in India the knotty problem'' was religion and language. The language problem was resolved by (falsely) suggesting that there was a unity since all Indian languages were derived from a common root language #151; Sanskrit. Golwalkar's views on the five unities'' perhaps explains the old Jan Sangh slogan, Hindi, Hindu, Hindusthan. The only problem left, according to Golwalkar, was that of the religious minorities. The answer to the question why the Sangh Parivar activists even today see themselves as the only true nationalists'' and look upon Christians and Muslims as traitors'' can also be found in Golwalkar. This is what he said: in Hindusthan, the land of the Hindus, lives and should live the Hindu nation...only those movements are truly `national' as aim at re-building and emancipating from its present stupor the Hindu nation...All others are either traitors and enemies to the national cause...'' And finally, here was Golwalkar's solution to the minorities problem: the foreign elements'' (Christians and Muslims) may live at the mercy'' of the national race (Aryan Hindus) as long as the national race may allow them to do so and to quit the country at the sweet will of the national race. That is the only sound view on the minorities' problem. That is the only logical and correct solution.'' The frightening thing is that this is exactly what has happened in Gujarat #151; the minorities have been told that there is no place for them there and that they are free to go to Pakistan. Even in Parliament, when Muslim MPs get up to speak, the BJP backbenchers are often heard saying go to Pakistan''. Copyright: 1995 - 2002 The Hindu Republication or redissemination of the contents of
goanet-digest V1 #3999
goanet-digest Tuesday, May 21 2002 Volume 01 : Number 3999 - In this issue: [Goanet] Induction and Confirmation [Goanet] NEWS: Congress asks for President's rule in Goa, campaign hits [Goanet] 22 MAY: GOACOM NEWS CLIPPINGS See end of digest for information on subscribing/unsusbcribing. -- Date: Wed, 22 May 2002 00:12:46 - From: santoshhelekar [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Goanet] Induction and Confirmation Joel has repeatedly stated in this forum that good Science proceeds by refutation rather than by induction. This statement is as false as many of his other statements. The idea of falsification in Science was made popular by Sir Karl Popper, an eccentric British philosopher of Science. Most scientists and philosophers now believe that this idea was fundamentally a flawed and eccentric idea. It is widely accepted that the greatest advances in Science have come from induction and confirmation. The theory of gravitation, evolution, genetics, special and general relativity, quantum Physics and structure of DNA have all been great inductive insights from limited initial observations, whose validity has grown stronger with each new confirming instance. Martin Gardner, a brilliant science writer had recently written a beautiful article about the demise of Popper's falsification fantasy in the journal Skeptical Inquirer. He concluded this article by saying: Popper's great and tireless efforts to expunge the word induction from scientific and philosophical discourse has utterly failed. Except for a small but noisy group of British Popperians, induction is just too firmly embedded in the way philosophers of science and even ordinary people talk and think. Confirming instances underlie our beliefs that the Sun will rise tomorrow, that dropped objects will fall, that water will freeze and boil, and a million other events. It is hard to think of another philosophical battle so decisively lost. I give below a few other excerpts from this article: A SKEPTICAL LOOK AT KARL POPPER by Martin Gardner Sir Karl Popper, who died in 1994, was widely regarded as England's greatest philosopher of science since Bertrand Russell. Indeed a philosopher of worldwide eminence. Today his followers among philosophers of science are a diminishing minority, convinced that Popper's vast reputation is enormously inflated. I agree. I believe that Popper's reputation was based mainly on this persistent but misguided efforts to restate common-sense views in a novel language that is rapidly becoming out of fashion. Popper recognized =97 but dismissed as unimportant =97 that every falsification of a conjecture is simultaneously a confirmation of an opposite conjecture, and every conforming instance of a conjecture is a falsification of an opposite conjecture. To scientists and philosophers outside the Popperian fold, science operates mainly by induction (confirmation), and also and less often by disconfirmation (falsification). Its language is almost always one of induction. If Popper bet on a certain horse to win a race, and the horse won, you would not expect him to shout, Great! My horse failed to lose! Ernest Nagel, Columbia University's famous philosopher of science, in his Teleology Revisited and Other Essays in the Philosophy and History of Science (1979), summed it up this way: [Popper's] conception of the role of falsification . . . is an oversimplification that is close to being a caricature of scientific procedures. It's not so much that Popper disagreed with Carnap and other inductivists as that he restated their views in a bizarre and cumbersome terminology. When Popper wrote Logik der Forschung, he was barely thirty. Despite its flawed center, it was full of good ideas, from perhaps the most brilliant of the bright young philosophers associated with the Vienna Circle. But where the others continued to learn, develop and in time exert a lasting influence on the philosophical tradition, Popper knew better. He refused to revise his falsificationism, and so condemned himself to a lifetime in the service of a bad idea. Cheers, Santosh -- Date: Tue, 21 May 2002 21:32:58 -0600 (MDT) From: Vicki [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Goanet] NEWS: Congress asks for President's rule in Goa, campaign hits sour note Sender: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Precedence: bulk DECCAN HERALD=20 Monday, May 20, 2002 =20 - -- Cong asks for President's rule in Goa From Devika Sequeira DH News Service PANAJI, May 19 Electioneering in Goa hit a sour note after BJP Chief Minister Manohar Parr= ikar reeling from a string of defections by his Cabinet colleagues to the r= ival camp, adopted a negative campaign
