*** Goanet Reader: Save Konkani from Konkaniwadis... a plea against puritanism
## # Don't just read the news...discuss it. Learn more about Goa via Goanet # # Goanet was setup in 1994 and has spent the last decade building a # # lasting Goan non-profit, volunteer-driven network in cyberspace. # # Visit the archives http://www.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet/ # # To join, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and ask to join Goanet. # ## Save Konkani from Konkaniwadis... a plea against puritanism Joseph Zuzarte [EMAIL PROTECTED] The proponents of the different types of Konkani should take a look at the English language. Every year the language keeps growing by the simple process of adding new words from other languages, including regular incorporations from Hindi and other Indian languages. So words like bazaar, tamasha etc have been added to the English lexicon, besides words from other languages which are spoken by a large number of people in between their English. Soon a Konkani word might even become officially English. Which will that Konkani word be? And will it then be outlawed from Konkani proper? Some of our swear words are already popular with the regular foreign visitors. Consider this list of English words borrowed from Hindi: Cummerbund (Hindustani kamarband) meaning waist-belt; chintz (Hindi chint) meaning spotted cotton cloth; dacoit (Hindi dakait) meaning robber; sorbet (Hindustani sherbet) meaning a refreshing drink; jungle (Jangal) meaning forest; loot meaning plunder; khaki meaning dust-cloured cloth; lakh and crore; sepoy (sipahi); durbar (darbar) and countless other words like chutney, durrie. Besides, there are also words from other Indian langauges. Mongoose, the killer of snakes and rats, got its English name from the Marathi word mangus. The English words coir and betel have come up from the Malayalam words kayer and vettila, while curry and cheroot have their origins in Tamil words kari and shuruttu. Like with other languages, Konkani, too has a chequered history. As the proponents of the various types of Konkani prove so easily, there are a number of different types of Konkani all along the west coast of India, right from the Gujarat coast, down through Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala. It is the language of the Konkan people, the west coast of India being known as the Konkan coast. However, this long Konkan coast has been part of different kingdoms at different times because of geographical and historical factors. So the language of the Konkan people has evolved differently at different places over the centuries. Even the scripts used are considerably different. What cannot be denied is that all the different types of Konkani are recognisably Konkani. What also cannot be denied is that Konkani -- like English -- has also absorbed a number of words from other languages. So today you have some recognisably broad types of Konkani which have been separately influenced by Portuguese, Marathi and Kannada. English words like solid, fast, etc., are also loosely used in Konkani of late (sample: kiden fast cholta; samko solid aha). There are also the various types of Kokani spoken by the tribals like gawdas, kunbis and other communities, all of them with a very distinct identity. With English it is the people behind the Oxford English Dictionary -- the Bible of the English language -- who scrutinise language usage in newspapers, books, and other popular media, to sift through new words and to determine which new words are to be added to English. They also decide on which old words are no longer in usage and should therefore be dropped from the Oxford Dictionary. This endeavour ahs been going on for around 600 years, initially funded by the British royalty. A similar thing happens in the U.S., which has its American-English (now bundled in Windows), the Wenster Dictionary being the bench-mark. Who decides which is a Konkani word and which is not? At the moment there is no clear authority which is accepted across all sections of the Konkani-speaking diaspora. The Konkani taught in schools and colleges is largely irrelevant. Therefore, each type of Konkani has its own adherents, advocates and authorities, who not only swear by their brand of Konkani but also by the script which is most convenient to them (and which may be most inconvenient to the others). There are a number of factors which have bound themselves with what is essentially a means of communication. Thus, each types of Konkani has come to represent a certain cultural ethos, regional identity and even political aspirations. Throw is some politicians to stir up the cauldron, and you have a very potent, emotive issue. There has always been a clear divide within Goa between the types of Konkani spoken by the Hindus and the Catholics, though there are also, obviously, a lot of
*** Goanet News Bytes * Oct 3, 2005 * Goa's great land loot....
## # Don't just read the news...discuss it. Learn more about Goa via Goanet # # Goanet was setup in 1994 and has spent the last decade building a # # lasting Goan non-profit, volunteer-driven network in cyberspace. # # Visit the archives http://www.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet/ # # To join, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and ask to join Goanet. # ## [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] / d8 Founded1994 e88~88e e88~-_/~~~8e 888-~88e e88~~8e _d88__ by Herman 888 888 d888 i 88b 888 888 d888 88b 888 Carneiro 88_88 | e88~-888 888 888 __888 888 - / Y888 ' C888 888 888 888 Y888, 888 www.goanet.org Cb 88_-~ 88_-888 888 888 88___/ 88_/ Y88D GOANET NEWS BYTES * Oct 3 * 2, 2005 * DATELINE GOA - Compiled by Frederick Noronha [EMAIL PROTECTED] - PLANNED LOOT: Goa is up for sale to a builders' lobby all set to butcher planned development, and puncture the countryside. Shcokingly, this loot is about to be legalised through a backdoor ordinance sponsored by the town and country planning minister Atanasio 'Babush' Monserrate, leaving Chief Minister Rane a hapless spectator, writes the GOMANTAK TIMES. We need your help to spread Goanet-News Bytes. Recommend it to a friend or relative who wants to keep in touch with Goa. To get a free subscription write to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with SUBSCRIBE GNB as your subject. ANOTHER GOAN GETS NOTICED: Francisco Luis Gomes of Navelim, whose 136th death anniversary went unnoticed, drew the attnetion of the cityfathers of Panjim, after a piece of writing in a vernacular paper noted that his statue lies neglected. (GT) GOA'S INFORMATION department termed Oct 2 as the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, instead of calling it his birth anniversary! GT o Maintaining cleanliness is real tribute to Gandhi, says CM (NT) Monday mornings sees a music-only faith programme titled Good Morning Lord. It is put out by Boromor 'Boni' Dias who has been playing a song which reminds him of the music at his St Stanisclaus School at Bandra. Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2 - o Computer curriculum mulled for primary students. (NT) o Morjim, Mandrem beaches cry for infrastructure. (NT) o Goa cabinet okays administrator for Panjim corporation.(NT) o Info Broadcasting team visits IFFI venues, leaves for Delhi. o Goa pays homage to Mahatma Gandhi on Oct 2. (NT) o Goa BJP is having a state unit meet at Ponda. (NT) o BJP seeks benefits for members of Other Backward Classes.(NT) o US embassy announces new system for visa applicants. (NT) o Concern raised over delclining sex-ratio in Goa. (NT) o Margao: chairperson Doris Texeira, Savio Coutinho and Ethel Lobo among those who file nominations. (NT) o Middlemen prosper in vicinity of Goa RTO offices. (NT) o Disability Rights Assn of Goa seeks 3% teachers quota.(NT) o Language diversity day at Kala Academy, Oct 14. (NT) o Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki Sangeet Mahotsav begins. (NT) o Archbishop's message for Social Apostolate Sunday. (NT) o Strive to make India a progressive state: Swamiji. (NT) o Computer education to be introduced from Std I says Luizinho. H o Book review, Call to Love by Anthony de Mello, sj I sacked Monserrate to save Goa, claims former BJP chief minister, Manohar Parrikar, in an interview with Bevinda Collaco. (H) Franky Fernandes writes that the Indo-US wargames, the largest ever military exercises off the Goa coast, are proving to be a David versus Golliath encounter, with the advanced US F18s involved. (H) Vascoites outraged over naval demands to raze cross vault. Parishioners of St Mary's Orthodox Church at Varunapuri are upset.(H) Gospel singers Rex Band performed in Navelim earlier, and in Panjim on Sunday, attracting a large audience. (H) - NEWS FROM SUNAPARANT - o Aatam puro, Gandhichya vicharanchi fankadam khub zaali. Focus on the installation by Subodh Kerkar, dedicated to Gandhi, titled 'Enough'. o Apangul bhurgyanchi shikshankhatir arthik palv yojana.Luizinho Luizinho promises scheme for aid for disabled students. o Navelim students
[Goanet] Re: Musings on crossing a hundred....
On Sat, 2005-10-01 at 22:44 -0700, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Musings on crossing a hundred For his September 9, 2005 birthday, he had the company of his children and grandchildren from Geneva, Switzerland, Perth and Montreal and Toronto. Now, doesn't that say something about Goan migration? ...and doesn't it make all the talk one hears from 'true Goans' about 'outsiders' sound completely hilarious? -- Question everything - Karl Marx
[Goanet] On Opposite Sides of the Globe
ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE GLOBE Francis Lobo Those who advocated globalization probably didnt realize that those on the other side of the globe would see everything upside down. I came to Udaipur from Los Angeles, where everything is new fresh. Even the expression, As old as the hills doesnt apply --- the hills have been rejuvenated re-engineered. The only things ancient about the place are the ocean its senior citizens. In Udaipur, on the other hand, life in some respects is frozen in some past millennium --- Gobar is used as fuel in its original form. Unlike in the advanced nations here they dont wait millions of years for nature to process the same or similar material into crude oil. A stray dog was guarding the house, where my son lives, and wouldnt let me enter. The servant girl with one whack got it moving, an action, which in LA, where dogs are treated better than humans, would have probably incurred the wrath of the Law. In Udaipur the ancient wisdom still applies --- Spare the rod spoil the dog. This village damsel sat watching her cows graze in the field. I asked her how many cows she had. She said, Two. But I told her that I saw three. She laughed --- I was not able to determine the sex of animals --- one was not a cow. As I was talking to this woman, a sweet young thing in her new Santro whizzed by screeching to her boy friend @#%^* on her mobile. I had to jump into a puddle to get out of the way. She was obviously having some problem. The village folk, who sit relaxed watching cows, dont realize the tensions stress that the affluent have to go through. In LA people work hard go through stress tension so that they can retire relax. In Udaipur they dont work achieve the same result. The next time I saw a cow I was looking intently to see if I could make out the difference. Suddenly I saw a bull charging at me. I rushed into a nearby shop as fast as my aging legs would take me. Fortunately, it wasnt a china shop; otherwise there would have been a live demo of A bull in a china shop. Lesson: Never look with love affection at a cow when there is a bull around. In Udaipur retailing is by specialty --- the shop that sells cold drinks doesnt sell biscuits; there are separate sellers for bananas, guavas, peanuts, etc. On the opposite side of the globe one super market sells everything from a pin to a BMW. You can even buy pins if you are lucky with the winning number on your purchase, you could get the BMW free. The management gurus, who recommend that India should embrace the Western style of retailing, dont see the realities. How will a villager support a BMW where he cant support his own children has to make sacrifices to educate them? The Udaipur Airport announces that you have entered the City of Lakes. When I first visited the city, I asked my son to show these to me. He took me around the town pointed to a depression in the ground, This is the Fatehsagar Lake. Further down he showed me another depression. That is Roopsagar And so on it went. All the lakes, streams were dry. The good rains this year have changed all this --- all lakes are full. The last government lost the elections on the issues of Electricity, Roads Water. The scarcity of water has been taken care of by THE SUPER POWER. Now it is a question of floods water logging. Planned power cuts have been stopped --- now they are unplanned can occur at any time for any length of time. The roads are in a worse shape because of the severe beating they have received from the heavy rains. Politics is the ability to give new spins to old issues. 23rd September was a unique day in Udaipur, it poured. The lakes started overflowing. The people were over joyed despite the pouring rain, they were on the streets to see their city regain its past beauty glory after a decade of drought. The police were out to control the crowds. Children played in the knee-deep water. Some schools declared the next day a holiday --- teachers students were recovering from the excitement. For people to appreciate hardship, they should have first experienced a greater hardship. The streams brought with them fish that people were catching. Lesson: if you go with the stream the current, it is easy, but be sure you will be caught eaten at the other end. On the other side of the globe people were running away from Hurricane Rita. One wet season can change the life of whole cities. Not many months ago I had listened with rapt attention leaning forward with open mouth, eyes ears as eminent scientists rubbished the concept of global warming the numerous laws that had been framed to protect the ecology control pollution. These they said had been done under pressure from vested interests, using pseudo scientists, applying unscientific methods to draw alarming conclusions frighten unthinking gullible folk. The Kyoto Treaty was dead. I went to sleep
[Goanet] AICHEA DISSAK CHINTOP - Outubrachi 3ri, 2005!
Doieallponn sarko aslelea poros chodd molachem. Thodde pavtti eka zonnak goroz nhoi eke porzollit montichi ji uloita punn eka sosnnik kallzachi jem aikota. (To be kind is more important than to be right. Sometimes all a person needs is not a brilliant mind that speaks but a patient heart that listens.) Moi-mogan, Domnic Fernandes Anjuna/Dhahran, KSA _ FREE pop-up blocking with the new MSN Toolbar - get it now! http://toolbar.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200415ave/direct/01/
Re: [Goanet] The married priest (I'm married to one)
Hello Cornel - I'm quite pleased to see this post - married Priesthood is near and dear to my heart! I'm married to a priest and I've known for probably 15 years, thanks to an article in Time magazine, that there are HUNDREDS of married RC priests in the US functioning with full Vatican approval. These men came over to Rome from Canterbury for different reasons (mostly they are against the ordination of women and practicing homosexuals) and are in parishes all over the United States. My married priest did the opposite - Ariosto went from Rome to the Anglican Church. I remember when I first met Ariosto, while he was a Salesian of Don Bosco, I casually mentioned to him (*wink*wink*) about married RC priests and HE had never heard of it, yet he'd been ordained for almost 20 years at the time. I'm not even sure he believed me but then of course came to know it's true. His Parish Priest at the first Anglican Parish where he served also made the switch to Rome a few years ago and brought his wife and daughter with him to St. Catherine's Roman Catholic Church in Burlingame, California, just down the road from us. While there are some Goans who were supportive from the beginning of our marriage (being an inter-racial couple was another problem), there was some consternation among the Goan community here in the Bay Area and in Goa, but now, all these many years later, most people have come to accept us. Ariosto was recently asked to celebrate the Mass for the 21st birthday of a young Goan man and many Goans did receive Holy Communion. Goan women who had refused to speak to me or even look at me for more than a decade were downright friendly - it was really a turning point for us, and the young man's mother is a very courageous woman. Ariosto performs about 30 marriages each year and it does come as a surprise to many people that he's married. He enjoys being a married priest and always believed that there was no reason why he couldn't be both. WRT your original question (for those of you who are still awake) I do believe that Rome keeps secret for a few reasons. The obvious one is MONEY. It would cost a lot of money to support married priests and their families, wouldn't it? Another view, held by David Rice in his book Shattered Vows, Exodus from The Priesthood, is that the Church needs its priests to be obedient, loyal and devoted to the Pope, not their wives and children. A third, and this is MY opinion, is that it would be difficult to explain to the fellows who have lived celibate and probably lonely lives why the other guys can have families and they can't. I assure you that not all RC priests know that some of their colleagues are married. Viviana cornel wrote: Very recently, I attended, a Roman Catholic wedding ceremony in London..
[Goanet] Goanet News Bytes * Oct 3, 2005 * Goa's great land loot....
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] / d8 Founded1994 e88~88e e88~-_/~~~8e 888-~88e e88~~8e _d88__ by Herman 888 888 d888 i 88b 888 888 d888 88b 888 Carneiro 88_88 | e88~-888 888 888 __888 888 - / Y888 ' C888 888 888 888 Y888, 888 www.goanet.org Cb 88_-~ 88_-888 888 888 88___/ 88_/ Y88D GOANET NEWS BYTES * Oct 3 * 2, 2005 * DATELINE GOA - Compiled by Frederick Noronha [EMAIL PROTECTED] - PLANNED LOOT: Goa is up for sale to a builders' lobby all set to butcher planned development, and puncture the countryside. Shcokingly, this loot is about to be legalised through a backdoor ordinance sponsored by the town and country planning minister Atanasio 'Babush' Monserrate, leaving Chief Minister Rane a hapless spectator, writes the GOMANTAK TIMES. We need your help to spread Goanet-News Bytes. Recommend it to a friend or relative who wants to keep in touch with Goa. To get a free subscription write to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with SUBSCRIBE GNB as your subject. ANOTHER GOAN GETS NOTICED: Francisco Luis Gomes of Navelim, whose 136th death anniversary went unnoticed, drew the attnetion of the cityfathers of Panjim, after a piece of writing in a vernacular paper noted that his statue lies neglected. (GT) GOA'S INFORMATION department termed Oct 2 as the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, instead of calling it his birth anniversary! GT o Maintaining cleanliness is real tribute to Gandhi, says CM (NT) Monday mornings sees a music-only faith programme titled Good Morning Lord. It is put out by Boromor 'Boni' Dias who has been playing a song which reminds him of the music at his St Stanisclaus School at Bandra. Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2 - o Computer curriculum mulled for primary students. (NT) o Morjim, Mandrem beaches cry for infrastructure. (NT) o Goa cabinet okays administrator for Panjim corporation.(NT) o Info Broadcasting team visits IFFI venues, leaves for Delhi. o Goa pays homage to Mahatma Gandhi on Oct 2. (NT) o Goa BJP is having a state unit meet at Ponda. (NT) o BJP seeks benefits for members of Other Backward Classes.(NT) o US embassy announces new system for visa applicants. (NT) o Concern raised over delclining sex-ratio in Goa. (NT) o Margao: chairperson Doris Texeira, Savio Coutinho and Ethel Lobo among those who file nominations. (NT) o Middlemen prosper in vicinity of Goa RTO offices. (NT) o Disability Rights Assn of Goa seeks 3% teachers quota.(NT) o Language diversity day at Kala Academy, Oct 14. (NT) o Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki Sangeet Mahotsav begins. (NT) o Archbishop's message for Social Apostolate Sunday. (NT) o Strive to make India a progressive state: Swamiji. (NT) o Computer education to be introduced from Std I says Luizinho. H o Book review, Call to Love by Anthony de Mello, sj I sacked Monserrate to save Goa, claims former BJP chief minister, Manohar Parrikar, in an interview with Bevinda Collaco. (H) Franky Fernandes writes that the Indo-US wargames, the largest ever military exercises off the Goa coast, are proving to be a David versus Golliath encounter, with the advanced US F18s involved. (H) Vascoites outraged over naval demands to raze cross vault. Parishioners of St Mary's Orthodox Church at Varunapuri are upset.(H) Gospel singers Rex Band performed in Navelim earlier, and in Panjim on Sunday, attracting a large audience. (H) - NEWS FROM SUNAPARANT - o Aatam puro, Gandhichya vicharanchi fankadam khub zaali. Focus on the installation by Subodh Kerkar, dedicated to Gandhi, titled 'Enough'. o Apangul bhurgyanchi shikshankhatir arthik palv yojana.Luizinho Luizinho promises scheme for aid for disabled students. o Navelim students hold protests calling for 'no drugs'. - NEWS FROM DIGITALGOA.COM - http://www.digitalgoa.com/ca_disp.php?id=345 BJP charge Rane govt to be anti bhahujan samaj BJP has charged the Rane government of being anti bahujan samaj. Party President Rajendra Arlekar while addressing media persons said that scrapping of pre employment scheme started the previous government has hit the youth of
[Goanet] DOWN MEMORY LANE -- KPA DECEIT
Nearly a decade ago perhaps no one at that historic meet which witnessed a mammoth gathering on 14th November 1985 at the Azad Maidan Panaji (incidentally that was Children' Day and the birth day of India's first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru) DEMANDING RECOGNITION TO KONKANI LANGUAGE realised that covertly a criminal act of deceit was inflicted by a section of the Hindu Brahmins on a section of the people of Goa (mainly Cristaos ) who were conversant with the Roman script, when four years earlier on 21 November 1981 the members of General Council (for Konkani) of the Sahitya Akademi decided to impose Konkani ONLY in the Devanagari script as acceptable to the people of Goa instead of BOTH Roman and Devanagiri. Today these traitors in the garb of maintaining communal harmony are now maintaining a discreet silence on the exposures made by this writer and several others. One of the traitors who took Rs 1000/- as car allowance from KPA funds (and has not denied it till date) is well esconed in the recently constituted Goa Pradesh Congress Committee apparently to create more damage. It is this section of the Hindu Brahmins that had spread the myth that the Hindu Bahujan Samaj (non Hindu Brahmins) were supporting Marathi when in reality they were one -in agreeing that Konkani is their mother tongue as is the case of every niz goencar but they only demanded that the Marathi language used for cultural and written purposes be given due recognition owing to long usage which was justified. The hatred that was being directed towards the Hindu Bahujan Samaj by instigating the Cristaos was only to cover the chicanery of a section of the Hindu Brahmins who played the mischief in the act of denying official recognition to the Roman script. This is now sought to be rectified with an amendment. It is a clarion call given to all the 36 members of the Goa legislative Assembly irrespective of the parties that they belong, to immediately prepare the legislation to bring about the amendment in the coming session. It is also a reminder that this historic meet was addressed by Mr Pundalik Naik the Convenor of the Konkani Porjecho Avaz, the lone MLA of the then Goa Congress Mr Luizinho Faleiro and the present Deputy Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly Ms Victoria Fernandes lone INC women representative to take positive steps in this direction. A peep into memory lane gives an insight into the MLA's that supported the Official Language Act 1987 in its present form. Of the 18 Indian National Congress MLAs elected to the 1984 Goa Legislative Assembly which was then an Union territory with 30 seats with 2 i.e. one each for Daman and Diu only the following are still in power Mr Francisco Sardinha Curtorim Mr Subhash Shirodkar Shiroda Mr Harsh ZantyeBicholim Mr Dayanand Narvekar Tivim Mr Pratapsing Rane Sattari Other vanquished are Shaik Hassan Haroon, J B Gonsalves Manu Fernandes Vassu Paik Gaonkar Simon D Souza Pandu Naik Dr Luis Proto Barboso Francisco Monte Cruz Chandrakant Vernekar Dr Sripad Cuncoliencar Voikunt Dessai Sambhaji Solanki Shambu Bandekar Of the lone Goa Congress (elected unopposed) Mr Luisinho FaleiroNavelim is still in power but now pledges allegiance to the INC Of the three Independent members none are in power they were Jivanbhai Prabhakar late Francisco Branco Uday L Bhembre ___ Of the 8 Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party MGP only Mr Ravi Sitaram Naik Ponda is still in power but from then until now he has meandered from INC BJP and back to INC Others vanquished are Babuso Gaonkar Ramakant Khalap Prakash Velip Ashok Naik Kashinath Zolmi Chandrashekar Divkar Srikant Malik ___ There are also questions which need answers were these MLA's who in their manifesto promised recognition for either or both Konkani and Marathi as official languages or that they would constitute a Government aided Konkani and Marathi Academy were aware that a section of the Goan population (mainly Cristaos ) the 125 diocesan schools that switched over to Konkani in Devanagari script (without a standardised text without properly trained teachers in academic year 1989-90 onwards)or the Catholic Church aware of the mischief committed on 21st November 1981 at the Sahitya Academy New Delhi? and if yes, can they not be treated as traitors alongwith the others? and if they did not will they now stand up now that they are in the ruling party and speak out with the courage of conviction and undo the injustice??? This is the question every Goan must ask for its now or never. There is a deluge of influx of migrants to Goa --- a peep at the Railway terminus the Airports the Inter state Bus terminus are witness to the new entrants to Goa and all this because there is a Government in power insensitive to the alarming change in demographic composition of the State. They were out
[Goanet] Re: Tips for a comfortable railway journey in India
Thanks Lawrence for some excellent tips. A few of my own practical tips to add to yours 1. Smile, greet your fellow passengers, as they will more than likely be with you for the duration of the trip. Getting to know them, helps, especially if you are travelling alone, and have to leave your baggage behind to go to the toilet. Having a pack of cards to while away the time is also good. 2. Carry a small bar of soap to wash your hands, as they may not be any in the toilets. 3. If you use toilet paper, carry a roll of your own. 4. The food can be monotonous, especially on long journeys. Either carry your own, or bring along some kharrecho, miskut or parra to add spice to the fare. 5. Do not accept food items, such as biscuits or mithai from your nice fellow passengers. This is just a precaution, as there have been news stories about these items being spiked with drugs and passengers then relieved of their belongings. Happy travels !
[Goanet] Reliance Logistics and Konkan Railway...
See http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/006200510030325.htm The Hindu News Update Service Monday, October 3, 2005 : 0200 Hrs Business Reliance Logistics aims Rs 2000 cr. yearly growth Mumbai, Oct. 3 (PTI): Earning Rs 2,000 crore per annum through its logistical operations, Reliance Logistics Limited (RLL) aims to clock a yearly growth rate of 100 per cent by enhancing efficiency of fleet management and providing back office infrastrastructural support to the shipping lines. India has an unorganised logistics market between Rs 75,000 crore and 3,00,000 crore. Of this, around three to four per cent share is of organised market. In this segment we have a share of Rs 2000 crore, making us the largest freight manager in the country. We want a yearly growth from here at a rate of 100 per cent, RLL vice-president, Business Development, Capt. Yogesh Kundra, said here. Today, we annually move over 15 Million metric tons of freight through Road, Rail and Sea making us the single largest logistics facilitator in the country . The RLL network is supported by warehouses and transshipment centers at strategic locations, intense information technology base and other related infrastructure, Kundra said. One of its premier logistics service today includes the Roll On-Roll Off (RORO) services on the Konkan Railway between Kolad (Roha) and Surathkal (near Mangalore). RORO enables carrying loaded trucks directly on railway wagons thus reducing expenses of the transporter on diesel, the wear and tear of tyres, maintenance of trucks and the turnaround time of the trucks.
Re: [Goanet] Re: PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION WRIT PETITION NO.3 OF 2005
In 1998, environmental NGOs and citizens formed the Goa Environment Federation (GEF). At the first GEF meeting in June 1998, the problem of plastic waste disposal was highlighted as a major environmental problem facing Goa by no less than five NGOs as well as several citizens in written submissions made before the Goa Environment Commission constituted by the GEF. Various PILs forced the problem of plastic waste disposal to be considered as a separate category from general garbage. It was during these proceedings that the Goa state government informed the court that it had notified on January 2000, a committee to look into all aspects of solid waste management in the state, including the relevant laws, and to produce a comprehensive report within three months outlining a scheme of action and various measures to be taken by the different authorities to deal with the problem. Regular meetings of the committee during the next three months, resulted in the finalisation of a report titled 'Solid Waste Management in the State of Goa' (SWM Report) which was presented to the court in April 2000. In July, the state Government informed the court that it had accepted the report and would immediately commence steps for its implementation. As a first step, the state Government took a decision to enforce the ban on use of plastic bags below 20 microns from August 15, 2000. *** The government sought time till December 31 to complete the steps necessary for full implementation of other aspects of the SWM Report which included: l A ban on the use of recycled plastic bags for food items; l Setting up of composting units to take care of biodegradable garbage; l Arranging for the disposal of non-biodegradable garbage to recycling plants outside the state; l Ensuring that Garbage Management Committees are set up in all panchayats and municipalities.***Sunday Mid Day, September 11, 2005 Floriano, What was the outcome of the Court hearing on 26 Sep 05? Been eagerly scanning Goanet for your update. Believe the Government may be punished for *contempt of court* as the Government has broken it's assurance to the Court to complete the steps necessary for full implementation of other aspects of the SWM Report, by 31 December 2000 Lawrence
[Goanet] Nature of Goa's government
Hi Philip, I was hoping someone would respond to your interesting comment. But since no has done so, let me take your bait. Goans can stay in their balcao contemplating the three-ring circus in government in Goa and India. Yet in the short span of about 40-60 years, Goa and India have made remarkable economic strides (from bullockcart to space missions) in spite of the three-ring circus. Can you imagine what these places and people would have done if all were on the same page? Let me make a humble suggestion to Goan writers. Instead of the news-reporters giving their opinion and solutions on every aspect of life, why don't they interview and quote people in the know? Hence let's hear from retired Goan navy brass about the navy base in Goa. Let's hear from retired airline pilots and officials about the maximum utilization of Dabolim, or the need for MOPA, and the tourists /film industry about IFFI, etc. Don't you think that would be a better way to educate cyber-Goans? I have yet to read pros and con on any Goa related issue from two recognized authorities. Thus the rest of us may get the same EXPERT opinions and advice as the politicians. Perhaps you and other journalists have done so. Goans living in the north and south pole (i.e. far away from the Goan tropics like me) would be better off listening to and reading from some technically qualified natives. Just a suggestion. Kind Regards, GL Philip Thomas: I would be interested to know especially from our overseas Goan friends in supposedly progressive climes what the role should be of a democratic government in a republican context in this tragi-comic situation. Cheers.
[Goanet] Goanet Reader: Save Konkani from Konkaniwadis... a plea against puritanism
*** Your mail has been scanned by InterScan. ***-*** Hello Joseph It was nice reading your article. You are right when you say that even English language has accept words and vocabularies from other languages and they are there in the dictionaries. Goans as far as I know are regular users of Konglish language, and those who are not well versed in English use tambdi English. (Red English, don’t know where this word originated). Even our Konkani uses lots of words from other languages especially Portuguese which are well known. Hence what you say is absolutely right. We cannot go for the Konkani which devanagris have been using so far as hardly any one uses it for day to day conversation. We don’t want our Konkani to be like Sanskrit, a dead language in the long run. Cheers Jerry Fernandes Joseph Zuzarte [EMAIL PROTECTED] The proponents of the different types of Konkani should take a look at the English language. Every year the language keeps growing by the simple process of adding new words from other languages, including regular incorporations from Hindi and other Indian languages... Everyday spoken Konkani has its own dynamic dictated by the needs of the people to express themselves and communicate with others and be fully understood. Which may mean interspersing their Konkani with Hindi, English or whatever else catches their fancy and is necessary.
[Goanet] Re: Travel to Goa - a query from Spain
--- Thelma . wrote: Dear Dr. Colaço : I have just read your recommendations on precautions to be taken regarding various diseases when travelling to Goa. I am travelling to Goa at the end of the year for a couple of weeks with my daughter, son-in-law and little baby who will then be 17 months old. We are a bit concerned about protecting him against possible contagious and dangerous diseases such as malaria and would greatly appreciate if you could suggest what measures we should take to protect him. I see that Malarone is strongly recommended against malaria. We will be staying mainly in but also travelling around North Goa and also making trips to the south. We will be travelling from Spain and I was wondering if you consider there is something else we should take from here which is maybe difficult to get over there and which has escaped my attention. Thanking you kindly in anticipation for your reply. Yours sincerely, Thelma == Dear Thelma, Am posting my reply on to the discussion lists, hence I have deleted you surname and placed your e-address into the bcc column.. I do not believe that you need to take anything from Spain to Goa. (I assume that this is in special reference to your child). The only exception: If your child is on any specific medication. You being in Spain, I expect that your child of 17 months has received at least 2 doses of Prevnar. If not it is a good idea to contact your Pediatrician about it. A points I remind my clients: Remember that bottled water is not necessarily 100% bacteria free - anywhere in the world. Good idea to have that boiled before mixing feeds. With specific reference to India, I'd say : Be prepared for a crowd and related items shock when you first land. You will get used to it by the time it is Day 3, and love it before it is time for you to return to Spain. With your name in mind, I assume you are Goan and that you have family. That should make it even more enjoyable for you ...esp in the villages which have not been subject to the degredation of the past few concrete and plastic degredation good wishes jc PS: Please write to me after your flight back and advise me IF you found the travel advisory helpful IF it would benefit from some modifications. __ Yahoo! Mail - PC Magazine Editors' Choice 2005 http://mail.yahoo.com
[Goanet] The married priest
Very recently, I attended, a Roman Catholic wedding ceremony in London. It was between the daughter of a close Managlorean friend and her English groom. At the church service, the English priest seemed remarkably humorous in his advice to the couple and he also seemed incredibly well informed about sexual matters and the ups and downs of married life. My wife and I simply assumed that as a celibate, he was perhaps particularly well read on such matters. However, at the wedding reception we learned that the priest was indeed a married man. Apparently, he had been so for many years, as an Anglican minister with a family but had now opted for Catholicism and had been accepted through special dispensation/permission by the Vatican to practise as a Catholic priest. I now wonder if there are many more married priest practioners in the Catholic Church, in Goa and across the world. Personally, I have always wanted Catholic clergy to be able to live normal lives as married persons as was the case in early Christian times. There are many reasons for this view but which I will not spell out for now, but hopefully, Goanetters will respond to my view as stated above. I am also keen that women should be able to become priests in the RC Church. My bigger question is to ask why the Catholic Church is seemingly secretive about the matter of married priests? Cornel DaCosta, London, UK.
[Goanet] RE: Save Konkani from Konkaniwadis... a plea against puritanism
Joseph Zuzarte [EMAIL PROTECTED] The proponents of the different types of Konkani should take a look at the English language. Every year the language keeps growing by the simple process of adding new words from other languages, including regular incorporations from Hindi and other Indian languages. Well said Joseph. We can all learn from How the English language has come to prosper, and How Latin and Sanskrit joined Pali etc into semi-oblivion. The sad part about it is that those who claim to be fighting FOR Konkani are actually killing it by way of suffocation..and those same Konkani-Mogis don't have the sense to understand that. We ourselves have an outstanding project (since 2004) to collate Luso-Goan words which have been decapitated forceably from Konkani - never mind the fact that Goans still use them in their spoken Konkani. The hope (I am told) is that once this generation departs, the next generation wouldn't be the wiser anyway. and that those Luso-Goan words will disappear by way of suppression. So, I suggest, will spoken Konkani. And the same Konkani mogis will wonder WHY Goans use English in their day to day activities instead of Konkani just my view jose jc _ Dont just search. Find. Check out the new MSN Search! http://search.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200636ave/direct/01/
[Goanet] Windows XP Konkani Language Interface Pack
Hi Frederick, Here is some information you might want to distribute out (For windows xp users). Last week Microsoft released a language pack for konkani(devnagiri script). It can be downloaded from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=kokFamilyID=0db2e8f9-79c4-4625-a07a-0cc1b341be7c - Sachin __ Yahoo! Mail - PC Magazine Editors' Choice 2005 http://mail.yahoo.com
Re: [Goanet] Disappeared on oherald.com?
Constantino thanks for find the article B. Colaco --- Constantino Xavier [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Dear Bernardo, is this the article which you say disappeared on Herald website? ___ Yahoo! Messenger - NEW crystal clear PC to PC calling worldwide with voicemail http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com
[Goanet] Do you have small personal jobs to be done in Mumbai?
I came across the following advertisement, in The Examiner and reproduce the same, for the benefit of our members. Quote NRI/Out-of-Towners Dont come down to Mumbai for your small personal jobs. Contact us instead. [EMAIL PROTECTED] unquote Joseph Fernandes Mumbai NB: I do not vouch for the claim of the advertisers, and am posting this to bring this facility to the notice of our members. __ Yahoo! India Matrimony: Find your partner now. Go to http://yahoo.shaadi.com
[Goanet] Remedial Teaching Or Money Spinning? (Bindu Vaz)
Remedial Teaching Or Money Spinning? By Bindu Vas, SAR NEWS There are two types of birds that are found in the desert. The vultures -- that look for dead and rotting meat. They thrive on such food. The other is the hummingbird -- which looks for desert blossoms on cacti and other plants. It survives on the nectar from such flowers. One looks for death and decay. The other looks for life. They both find what they are looking for. We all do! This is a little story that has influenced me much in life. And I constantly ask myself the question whether I am like the vulture or like the hummingbird. I now ask whether our schools are like the vultures? Looking for dead and rotting meat -- like dyslexia, attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, weak visual recall memory? Learning disabilities is the term given for these problems. I am aware that these are fairly serious conditions and timely intervention in terms of diagnosis and remediation can facilitate development of the child’s mental faculties. This is not the part that bothers me. What is alarming is the number of cases that are cropping up in private schools (especially the elitist schools). Remedial teaching is the buzzword in such schools. There are innumerable cases of children going to these schools who are found having learning disabilities like ADHD, ADD, weak visual recall memory, etc. Needless to add that such students require some very expensive remedial teaching -- which is of course provided by these schools. Of course, I understand that with the progress science has made, we are lucky to be able to find out early in a child’s life what his disabilities are and provide support to enhance his skill in that particular area. My concern is the people who are diagnosing these disabilities -- in schools. Are they qualified to form such opinions? My concern is also for the parents of these children who are called learning disabled – they take the word of the teacher as the truth and probably jump at the option provided by the school -- which is remedial teaching. We first weeded out special children; out of normal schools and herded them into special schools -- under the guise of they require specially trained teachers to attend to them. Now we seem to be putting the normal schools under the microscope again in order to remove those children who are having difficulty coping with the archaic methods that are employed to teach them. In my schooldays, a child was fidgety or very naughty but thankfully they had not yet come up with phrases like ADHD for such kids back then. Are we labeling children harshly now than before? Is remedial education the next big money spinner -- after tuitions? We all know enough psychology to know that labeling children is the worst thing parents do (sometimes children label one another) which affects the self-esteem of a child. We as parents would be indignant if a teacher had to label our child stupid or dimwit and yet we seem to be so much in awe of the teachers in an elitist school that if he tells us that our kid has ADHD -- we meekly nod our heads and seek their opinion on what can be done about it. The other point of view that I subscribe to is tell me one among us who is not disabled in some way? I mean don't we all seek 'personal growth' in our lives -- and doesn't that mean we try to overcome those aspects in our personality that we can change? Time and again the real life stories I have read or heard about children (or adults) who overcame big impediments and succeeded in what they want to do – has been because they (or their parents or teachers) believed that that person's abilities far outweighed their disabilities. The belief such people had in them was I will not let my disability stand in the way of life. Let me give you an example that will make this clear: How was Braille writing invented? When one blind man dreamt about wanting to 'read' a book! The point I make is why do we start out by telling a child what is wrong with him instead of telling him all that's right with him? I think only when we can accept a child with all his faults -- can he feel motivated to become all that he is capable of becoming. And when we label a child as someone with a problem -- the chances that he will feel accepted despite his disability. ### Bindu Vaz grew up in Bangalore and elsewhere, and worked in Colombo and Mumbai before opting for Goa. SAR News is published from Bangalore, and can be contacted at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Its editor-in-chief is the Pune-based journalist Michael Gonsalves. GOANET READER welcomes contributions from its readers, by way of essays, reviews, features and think-pieces. Story-ideas, articles and links to interesting writers on Goa are welcome. We share quality Goa-related writing among the Goanet family of mailing lists. Please do send in your feedback to the writer. Our writers share their writing pro bono. Goanet Reader welcomes your
[Goanet] RTO districts in Goa
Does anyone know what are the RTO (regional transport) districts in Goa? I think there are more numbers than GA01 or GA02. Please see below and add the information if possible: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_RTO_districts_in_India#Goa Regards, FN -- -- Frederick 'FN' Noronha | [EMAIL PROTECTED] Independent Journalist | http://fn.swiki.net Goa, India | +91(832)2409490 Cell 9822122436 --
[Goanet] Goanet Reader: Save Konkani from Konkaniwadis... a plea against puritanism
Joseph Zuzarte [EMAIL PROTECTED] The proponents of the different types of Konkani should take a look at the English language. Every year the language keeps growing by the simple process of adding new words from other languages, including regular incorporations from Hindi and other Indian languages. So words like bazaar, tamasha etc have been added to the English lexicon, besides words from other languages which are spoken by a large number of people in between their English. Soon a Konkani word might even become officially English. Which will that Konkani word be? And will it then be outlawed from Konkani proper? Some of our swear words are already popular with the regular foreign visitors. Consider this list of English words borrowed from Hindi: Cummerbund (Hindustani kamarband) meaning waist-belt; chintz (Hindi chint) meaning spotted cotton cloth; dacoit (Hindi dakait) meaning robber; sorbet (Hindustani sherbet) meaning a refreshing drink; jungle (Jangal) meaning forest; loot meaning plunder; khaki meaning dust-cloured cloth; lakh and crore; sepoy (sipahi); durbar (darbar) and countless other words like chutney, durrie. Besides, there are also words from other Indian langauges. Mongoose, the killer of snakes and rats, got its English name from the Marathi word mangus. The English words coir and betel have come up from the Malayalam words kayer and vettila, while curry and cheroot have their origins in Tamil words kari and shuruttu. Like with other languages, Konkani, too has a chequered history. As the proponents of the various types of Konkani prove so easily, there are a number of different types of Konkani all along the west coast of India, right from the Gujarat coast, down through Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala. It is the language of the Konkan people, the west coast of India being known as the Konkan coast. However, this long Konkan coast has been part of different kingdoms at different times because of geographical and historical factors. So the language of the Konkan people has evolved differently at different places over the centuries. Even the scripts used are considerably different. What cannot be denied is that all the different types of Konkani are recognisably Konkani. What also cannot be denied is that Konkani -- like English -- has also absorbed a number of words from other languages. So today you have some recognisably broad types of Konkani which have been separately influenced by Portuguese, Marathi and Kannada. English words like solid, fast, etc., are also loosely used in Konkani of late (sample: kiden fast cholta; samko solid aha). There are also the various types of Kokani spoken by the tribals like gawdas, kunbis and other communities, all of them with a very distinct identity. With English it is the people behind the Oxford English Dictionary -- the Bible of the English language -- who scrutinise language usage in newspapers, books, and other popular media, to sift through new words and to determine which new words are to be added to English. They also decide on which old words are no longer in usage and should therefore be dropped from the Oxford Dictionary. This endeavour ahs been going on for around 600 years, initially funded by the British royalty. A similar thing happens in the U.S., which has its American-English (now bundled in Windows), the Wenster Dictionary being the bench-mark. Who decides which is a Konkani word and which is not? At the moment there is no clear authority which is accepted across all sections of the Konkani-speaking diaspora. The Konkani taught in schools and colleges is largely irrelevant. Therefore, each type of Konkani has its own adherents, advocates and authorities, who not only swear by their brand of Konkani but also by the script which is most convenient to them (and which may be most inconvenient to the others). There are a number of factors which have bound themselves with what is essentially a means of communication. Thus, each types of Konkani has come to represent a certain cultural ethos, regional identity and even political aspirations. Throw is some politicians to stir up the cauldron, and you have a very potent, emotive issue. There has always been a clear divide within Goa between the types of Konkani spoken by the Hindus and the Catholics, though there are also, obviously, a lot of similarities. But the language issue has always been politicised. In the early years after Liberation there were strong moves by interested parties to declare Konkani as a dialect of Marathi and to merge Goa with Maharashtra. But a historic opinion poll in the 1960's put paid to that move, and Goa retained its separate identity. Then the Konkani agitation in the 1980's helped make Konkani the official language of Goa, probably rightly so. So there is now the movement for official recognition of the Konkani written in the Roman script. That should help rectify the present
[Goanet] Kator re bhaaji
Thanks to Isabel de Santa Rita Vaz and Cecil Pinto, and ... at a different level, to Dom Martin ... the story of one of the greatest Goans, Abbe Faria, is now being remembered and written about. However, while almost all stories carried in the local print media refer to his dad, Caetano Vitorino Faria's famous captioned line, none state (for the benefit of the uninitiated reader) how the young Abbe got to be tongue-tied on climbing the steps of the pulpit of Queen Maria-I's chapel at the Queluz palace. The young priest would not have been expected to be seized with stage fright. He had, after all, delivered a homily to an audience no less distinguished than Pope Pius-VI himself and the princes of the Church, at the Vatican's Sistine Chapel. For this sermon at the Queluz chapel, the young Abbe had prepared himself well, or so we are told (and probably rehearsed his delivery several times over)... But when we went up the pulpit, he was suddenly overwhelmed at the sight of the royal entourage ! And failed to find the words he had so well prepared himself for. The father, who was standing by the pulpit below, quickly sized the situation and, in an audible but incomprehensible tongue to the distinguished audience, uttered those famous words, *Hi sogli bhaaji, Kator re bhaaji!* The son's fumble broke. And out poured a *Sermao* like the waters of the Mandovi, during monsoons...
[Goanet] Mae Ti Mae! - Bab Lino Dourado- hache Mae-k Bhettovnni!
Dedication to Mothers! Mae ti Mae Aiz Lino Bab Dourado-hachi Mae-chea mornachea nimtan ho mhozo supurlo lekh haunv amche sogle Mae-ank bhettoitam. Adleo Mae-om gharant kam kortaleo pun aplea bhugeank bore bhaxen voir kaddtaleo, bori dekh, bore gunn xikoun ani xikpacher ton-mon-dhon dovrun. Hakach lagun, sogle amche Goenkar bhau-boinneom voir sorunk pavleo pun atam tanchea natvank mat hachi khobor kaim nam. He Mae-ancho tiag vo sakrifis ami konn visrunk nam. Tor aiz Lino Bab-an roddunk favo nam, pun khuxalbhorit aple Mae-k vida vo adeus korcho, hi mhoji magnni. Lino Bab-ache Mae-n Lino-k borem xikop, adar ani dekh dili ti ghevun Lino Baban zaitem fuddlem xikoup kelem ani Konkani Bhaxechi udorgot keli ani aplem boroup korun sabar potrancher, internet-acher fankarlem. Tor teo adleo Mae-om atam sompun gueleo. Atam noveo Mae-om toear zaleat jeo offisant kam kortat ani tankam titlo vell mellona aplea bhurgeam thaim vell sarunk. Atam sogleank stress zata hea amchea modern sounsarak lagun. Adim stress ami polleunkuch nam. Ekdom toddeo bailo pixeo zataleo, tankam nervam zatalim. Toch stress zaun also. Pun atam soglea gharank stress zata. Hantunt konachoch guneam nam. Stress bexttoch zaina. Taka karann assa. Sogleanim somzun vorunk zai, ekamek vollkun ghevunk zai. Pun ho sounsar ideal nhoim. Ami practical sounsarant jietat. Pun tem kiteim zaunv, ho sounsar mat bodolcho nam! Devan Lino Dourado- ache Mae-k sorgimchem sukh dilear puro mhun magtam! Tichea otmea passot ek A.B.N.M. mhunnunk vachpea laguim magtam! Lino Bab, tuje Mae-cho omor ugdas tujea kazant sodanch urtolo! Silviano Barbosa Oct 2, Toronto.
[Goanet] MONORAIL: DELHI MAY LEAVE GOA STANDING
Delhi seems to be going full steam ahead on a monorail project. It appears to be veering towards Japanese technology for this purpose with Hitachi being the front runner in the race to bag the project. Since 1964, Japan has reportedly built 11 monorail systems for mass transit in its cities, representing a truly concentrated body of experience with the technology. Like Goa, Delhi is interested in a 40-plus km corridor though this will serve primarily as a feeder to the Metro (while Goa's will piggyback in a high risk way on its existing life-line, NH-17). In addition Delhi may go in for a 15 km pilot project in the Walled City, the constituency of the city-state's Transport Minister. (Our transport minister's experience is with a ride on Sydney's monorail). A couple of other issues on which Goa's plan seems to differ from Delhi's: 1. Goa plans to use CNG. There is no information about whether the Japanese system uses this fuel. 2. Goa wants the private builder to foot the bill and recover the cost from toll charges. Delhi is considering whether it can approach the centre for financial assistance.
[Goanet] What are we painting black? Goa or it's Government?
See http://ww1.mid-day.com/news/city/2005/october/120096.htm Goa: Plastic in the neighbourhood too By: A Mid Day Correspondent October 2, 2005 Dear Editor, I am surprised to read about the alleged cleanliness of Goa and its plastic free policy (Sunday Mid Day, September 11, 2005). At the moment Goa is facing a garbage crisis. The city of Panjim is foul with the stench of garbage. National Highway 17 has become a dumping site. The beaches are repositories of garbage and plastic bottles. Though there is a ban on the microns of a lower level, it has not reduced the quantity of plastic used. In fact, there are larger mounds of high micron garbage bags now in Goa. If one reads the current issue of Goa Today and looks at the photographic proof, anyone can see the truth. Goa is on the brink of a garbage mismanagement disaster created by successive governments and corrupt politicians. The risk of epidemic and unsightly garbage will ensure the end of tourism for Goa. Please support concerned Goans and protest against our sussegado government who do not care for Goa’s future. Just as the liberation of Goa began in the Bombay diaspora, I appeal to all Goans in Mumbai to support us to eradicate the garbage problem and call for a ban on all plastic (bags, bottles and tetrapack). Thanks you for your concern and support. Wendell Rodricks Goa’s CM replies “I do agree that there is garbage problem in our state and the plastic menace is yet to be fully eradicated. However, we are working towards it and are looking at solutions for the recycling or shredding of plastic. We have also sought to look at plastic for road repairs, a model that is being implemented in other states. However, we are much better than other states. “People are equally responsible for the so-called mess in Goa. People are used to keeping their own backyards clean and dumping in the neighbours’ yard. There has to be a change in perception from all sides. “Tourism will be affected in our state as garbage paints a sorry picture for us. But we are trying to get this problem resolved. So far there have been no agitations.”
[Goanet] A Goan's unusual path to success in New York
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/02/magazine/02martins.html
October 2, 2005So the Jains, They Have a Problem With Beef in the School Lunches. Who
They Gonna Call?
By SUKETU
MEHTA
It was the night of this year's New York primary, and when a billionaire like
Mayor Michael Bloomberg holds a party to celebrate his candidacy, it's no small
affair. The spacious ballroom of the Marriott in downtown Brooklyn was
overflowing with free beer and pigs-in-blankets, and a band revved up the
throngs of supporters. "We love Mike! We love Mike!" they chanted. Among the
supporters was Alex Martins, a goateed Indian lawyer in a business suit and a
Hawaiian shirt. He was flanked by three fellow Indians in shirt-sleeves who
looked a little lost. Martins waved a big blue Bloomberg poster enthusiastically
and joined in the chant; his entourage stood around silently.
Martins's companions were wearing "Mike '05" buttons, but it was safe to
assume that they had little clue what the mayor's political platform was. They
were at the Marriott because, being relatively new immigrants, they wanted
things "fixed" - visas, jobs, business permits - and Martins is a master at
this. If Martins was attending the event, they would join him. They told me they
don't have much trust in politicians because they had known the ones back home
in India. ("Politicians are like creatures," one of them, a computer programmer
from Mumbai, said. "They're like sharks.") But they were hoping that through
their association with Martins, who is on the board of the New Era Democrats, a
political club that has endorsed Bloomberg, they might see some results. Martins
is a slim, dark man of 40 who looks understandingly at you over the top of his
glasses as he speaks. "Within this week I will solve your problem" is one of his
favorite phrases.
When I first asked for his card, Martins gave me four. One identified him as
an immigration and personal-injury lawyer affiliated with the firm Frenkel,
Hershkowitz Shafran. A second card testified to his role as C.E.O. of Ara
Global Trading, "Importer and Distributor of Exclusive Wines." Two others
actually belonged to his wife, Maureen Martins, D.D.S., of Bright Smile Dental
Care in Flushing and Valley Stream, N.Y. ("We love to see you smile.") He
frequently conducts business out of her offices.
Martins is not a high-profile mover and shaker in New York City politics. But
he does play a role in helping to meet the needs of many of the city's residents
- particularly South Asian immigrants. He is a fixer, an expediter: a link
between the vast, anonymous, forbidding face of the system and the immigrant
cabby or student or maid, perhaps without papers, fresh off a long-haul flight
at J.F.K.
In the absence of powerful elected officials - there's not a single South
Asian holding a major elected office in New York - the Indian community has to
rely on other conduits to power. Martins fills that role by running a favor
bank, brokering the barter of services - for instance, a largely Indian taxi
company agrees to distribute campaign literature in return for his intervention
with officials on the Taxi and Limousine Commission. Martins's fees are not made
explicit, but the people who come to him are more or less aware of what they
need to do to pay him back, because they come from countries where the trading
of influence is necessary to survival.
Historically, every immigrant group that has come to New York has relied on
people like Martins: a man of connections, a man you call when your son is
caught shoplifting or your cousin needs a visa or your nephew needs a city job.
He is not a politician - not yet, at least - but he is a political creature. He
is the representative who helps new immigrants reach their elected
representatives.
For the politicians whom Martins deals with, the benefits of helping a new
immigrant are often not immediately apparent, because most of the immigrants are
not citizens and can't vote. But some of these immigrants have money, and many
of them will, eventually, become citizens and remember who came to their
assistance when they were new to the country. The politicians are also keenly
aware that New York's demographics are changing. This year, for the first time
in history, non-Hispanic whites make up a minority of the city's voters. Which
means that every New York politician seeking citywide office now has to form a
coalition: no one can win on the basis of appealing to a single voting bloc,
whether it's whites, blacks or Hispanics. Politicians will need the support of
the Jains, the Catholics from Goa, the Sikhs - all the people who turn to
Martins to get things fixed.
"How's the sick and the dying?" Marty Golden, a New York state senator,
asked Dr. Narmesh Shah on a recent summer day, walking into a pizza parlor next
to Golden's Brooklyn office in the 22nd District in Bay Ridge. Martins, who was
sitting with Shah, had arranged this
[Goanet] OBITUARY - ANTONETA DOURADO (Utorda - Goa]
OBITUARY Antoneta Dourado (Utorda-Goa) Beloved wife of Martinho Filipe, mother/mother-in-law of Roque/Ignesia, Vincente/Celeste, Lino (Kuwait)/Conception, Xaverinho/Virgilia (Germany) - expired on 2nd October 2005. Funeral will be held on 4th October 2005 at 3:45 p.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Utorda, Salcette - Goa. Friends and relatives kindly accept this intimation. Eternal Peace grant Unto her oh Lord And let Perpetual Light shine Upon her. May her soul rest in peace. Goa-World.Com Team (Kuwait/Worldwide) conveys their heartfelt sympathies to Lino Dourado and his family. __ Yahoo! Mail - PC Magazine Editors' Choice 2005 http://mail.yahoo.com
[Goanet] Boost cashew production through better seed
Dears, It would be nice if our dear Chief Minister took time to read the Project Report prepared for the Government of Goa in 1995 when Mr.Vivek Rae was the Agriculture Secretary of Goa. The report has everything in it that needs to be done for the crop. A Cashew Cell headed by an Assistant Director of Agriculture was created in the Directorate of Agriculture with two Project officers [for North and South] to implement this project. The project is largely financed by the Government of India through the Directorate for Cashew Development based in Kochi [ Cochin] with scientific back up from the National Research Centre for Cashew at Puttur [near Mangalore] and Regional Fruit Research Station-Vengurla[ just North of Pernem] of the Dr.B.S.Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeet, Dapoli. The need of the hour is not technology and finance, but actual field work. I have been involved in the project and the creation of the two cells[ the other one is for Coconut] during my stint in the Head Office of the Directorate of Agriculture at Panaji [1993 to 1996]. The best commercial cashewnut variety for Goa then was Vengurla-4 from RFRS-Vengurla. It was the best in the Orwellian year 1984, when it was first introduced in Bicholim where I served as the lowest rung officer implementing the scheme for cashew are expansion with the current Director of Agriculture, Mr.Ramesh G.Joshi as the Horticulture Development Officer who took the risk of introducing 10 cashew grafts then worth Rs.10/- each in the place of a 100 cashew seedlings worth Rs.1/- each. The implementation of the project for grafts was demand driven from then till about 1994 when Dr.Willy as the Chief Minister forced the trebling of targets when Mr.P.K.Desai was the Director. Since then it has largely been a paper scheme to spend good money and produce bogus statistics. Even the officers from the cells are used for work other than cashew [or coconut] which is by far the biggest economic crop in Goa. We do not need mechanisation of cashew shelling. It is the best employment generator for skilled women in poverty-stricken rural hinterland Goa, including Rane's constituency of Poriem. The iron-ore mines cannot employ these girls and dance bars are not yet a craze in Goa, though bar girls are. The Goa Government needs to get its act together to get a GEOGRAPHIC INDICATION for feni on the lines of Mexico's tequila and French champagne. May be it can work on cashew and kokum wine, too.Perhaps on Goa Butter[ bindnell] from Kokum seeds which is finding all types of applications in cosmetics and confectionery. It could also create mother plant blocks for Goa-1 [Balli-2] cashew identified and sparingly multiplied by a research organisation ICAR-Goa, which has been doing work well beyond its mandate because the local government is not doing its bit. We do not have an State Agriculture College and the Vocational courses in Horticulture started in 1997 are dying because the job opportunities are not being created as done by Maharashtra, which has made their employment by wholesale/retail fertiliser and seed dealers mandatory as a B.Pharm/D.Pharm is mandatory in a pharmacy or drug store. There is no financial implication for the Government in this. Viva Goa. Miguel Braganza From: Gabe Menezes [EMAIL PROTECTED] Goa's premiere mailing list, estb. 1994! http://news.webindia123.com/news/printer.asp?id=126127cat=India Boost cashew production through better seed, technology: CM Panaji | October 01, 2005 Goa Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane has called for capital investment in research and development to secure better seed and technology for boosting cashew production and productivity. Inaugurating a three-day convention on 'India Cashew Convention' last evening in the city, Mr Rane observed that use of extensive labour force in the cashew industry might become obsolete in about 10 years with the introduction of technologies for efficient peeling of the cashew shells to avoid wastage. He said there was a need for increasing the acreage of the crop to reduce imports of the kernel stock to meet the full capacity utilisation of the processing industry in the country, particularly in Goa. The research, he said, was meant for producing good seed for forward and backward integration of the industry involving all the stakeholders. ''Cashew is a poorman's crop and best for organic farming as it thrives even on fallow soil. It replenishes the income of the poor and hence the crop should be encouraged in a big way in all respects,'' Mr Rane said. Speaking on the occasion, Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) President Nitin Kuncolikar pleaded for focussing on value added opportunities awaiting the cashew industry. This, he said, could be hastened if the state government had initiated steps to take advantage of the new Special Economic Zones Act for setting up an agricultural Export Processing Zone in the state. He also said that the GCCI would
