[Goanet] European Union To Honour Goan Priest with
Why does the government have to do everything? Why have the people of Goa not formed a "ABBE FARIA ANNIVERSARY committee" to plan and execute the celebrations? Perhaps they are busy bashing other Goans or the Tourism or Cultural Minister. Why have the Goan diaspora groups not used this event to bring Goans together and celebrate our legacy? This is the way it is done in most places and other communities. There is still time to do this. Please share your specific plan of action. Kind Regards, GL - Paulo Colaco Dias wrote: But, quite frankly and with respect, I would like to ask you if you find normal for Goan journalists to hide ... So, pray tell us if you find this normal. - Dom Martin wrote: In his report, Paul Fernandes awakened us about something we had no inkling about -- the Goa Government had absolutely nothing planned for Abbe Farias 250th Birth anniversary! I have already done my bit to awaken government officials in Goa. How about the rest of you? Theres always expanding room and vacancy in the objective realm if we have the will and goodwill. Lets congregate there in constructive numbers and remain resourceful. _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)
[Goanet] Galileo, Dan Brown and The Church
* G * O * A * N * E * T C * L * A * S * S * I * F * I * E * D * S * Enjoy your holiday in Goa. Stay at THE GARCA BRANCA from November to May There is no better, value for money, guest house. Confirm your bookings early or miss-out Visit http://www.garcabranca.com for details/booking/confirmation. --- Hi Santosh, I agree with you that Elisabeth's post was "extremely well written". I am glad you "understood exactly what she meant." As she has not replied, perhaps you know what Elisabeth meant more than she does.:=)) Elisabeth and others (no names please) are articulate enough to write for themselves explaining where exactly is their disconnect from the rest of us. To facilitate the issue, I provided four possible links of disconnect (in sequence). There may be other links in the chain. This would help immensely and end the circular discussion that I see on the Goa-net when it comes to religion. Believe me, I am not trying to save their souls. :=)) I am only trying to save their (and our) minds.:=)) Most of their writings to me is like Edward Verdes' Konkani proverb: "Vontivoilo Nal" Coconut placed on top of the wall. This can fall inside or outside the wall ... refers to persons sitting on a fence facing both ways like the coconut on top of the wall. If one is an agnostic (as you claim you are) then IMHO the nature of God, or the differences between religions; or the actions or practices of the Church through the ages are IRRELEVANT. As these issues assume the existence of God. YOUR ISSUES may be IMHO: the creation of the universe, existence of a soul, life after death or explanations of life. Just as we need to give the agnostics their due, the reverse is true. You are showing the limitations in your knowledge. The Catholic Church has evolved both in theology and practices. The Church too has "an expanding body of knowledge" and continues to do so. And this has occurred with every decade, every encyclical, every synod, every thesis written by theologians, and others who have made a career in the field. Like in science and medicine, some concepts in theology, philosophy, and ethics survive the test of time and others do not. Do you think all religious libraries across universities and churches are just static? So perhaps you need to keep an open mind just like the rest of us. We have been down a similar path before. Mention of anecdotal events of 1000-200 years ago is someone who is stuck in their thinking, unlike the church. Again, for my own interest, I look forward to hearing a FEW lines from OTHER individuals on the WHERE AND WHY of their specific disconnect. It is easy to be a contestant in the game of "pin the donkey's tail". Any blind peson can play this game. Infact, only a blind person can play this game!!! Kind Regards, GL - Santosh Helekar wrote: Elisabeth's post was extremely well written and much more comprehensible. I understood exactly what she meant. In particular, in the above-quoted excerpt I fail to understand why anyone would want to compare the church with all these unrelated disciplines. In what way is a hierarchical religious institution analogous to an expanding body of knowledge such as science? --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: The church has committed blunders over the 2006 years of existence. Even the Church admits it. So again where is the beef? But so has every branch of science, medicine, law, history, anthropology, politics, etc.. Do you not go to a doctor because medicine 3500 BC to 1500 AD believed in some / many archaic concepts? _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)
[Goanet] Lament about the Portuguese departure
* G * O * A * N * E * T C * L * A * S * S * I * F * I * E * D * S * Enjoy your holiday in Goa. Stay at THE GARCA BRANCA from November to May There is no better, value for money, guest house. Confirm your bookings early or miss-out Visit http://www.garcabranca.com for details/booking/confirmation. --- Hi Cornel, There is a Konkani saying, "No one dies after someone else's death". This in spite of the vigorous lamentation at the funeral. Goans who cry about the Portuguese departure are Goans who lost out economically and socially with that departure. Hence the tears are for their own plight; rather than love for the Portuguese or Salazar or some exoteric principle. Similarly if one was socially or economically dependent on the British, one "lamented" about their departure. This applied to the Anglo-Indians and the British who were used to the colonial lifestyle of leisure and luxury. The lamentations also applied to the puppet Indian rajas, ranis and nawabs whose opulent existence (and 21 gun salute) was dependent on the British. And the same applied to those Goans and Indians whose occupation, social life, standing or club memberships was connected to / dependent on the British. This was like the E. African Indians lamenting the British departure from East Africa. Kind Regards, GL --- cornel: I have noted, like others on Goanet that, there are those who lament the departure of the Portuguese following Indian military action in December 1961. I wonder if there are examples of similar Goan/Indian lament when Britain left India. I am just curious to discover if there are some historical parallels/comparisons in the two situations. Perhaps the question also applies to the French exit from India. Cornel _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)
[Goanet] Galileo, Dan Brown and The Church
Hi Elisabeth, So where is the beef? Who is stopping one from seeking the truth? The one place we will not find the truth is by reading fiction - like Dan Brown's "Da Vinci Code". And what makes one think that the "Judas gospel" may not have been fiction too? Either way Judas gospel IMHO is not being correlated with the "Gnostic belief" on the nature of Christ. We are listening to Hutton speak. But Hutton has to give clear recommendations.:=)) Is your beef against the concept of God, Jesus Christ, the Church, or individuals in the Church who committed civilian acts on behalf of a religious Church? The church has committed blunders over the 2006 years of existence. Even the Church admits it. So again where is the beef? But so has every branch of science, medicine, law, history, anthropology, politics, etc.. Do you not go to a doctor because medicine 3500 BC to 1500 AD believed in some / many archaic concepts? In fact many beliefs and recommendations in medicine even today radically change every two or three years. Remember NOW when Hutton talks people listen. You have a REP to sustain.:=)) Kind Regards, GL Elisabeth Carvalho: There is a goal, above all else for mankind and that is the relentless pursuit of the truth. Every new grain of knowledge that comes our way must be examined and if it stands the test of truth in the cold light of day, it must become part of our consciousness. Because the only heresy is to live in denial of the truth. Elisabeth _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)
[Goanet] Re: Why we give what we give?
Hi Joe, This should more appropriately be called: Innovative ways to give. Recently I had a young couple where the husband was severely ill. The wife's co-workers donated to the patient's wife their own "family leave" as well as "vacation" days. Thus the wife could take time off to take care of her husband without losing her job or her pay. Obviously the patient and his wife was most grateful to them as they recounted this to me. Similar acts of kindness with no or minimal cost to the donor can mean a lot to recipients in need. Often people give of their services / help. Friends volunteer to paint or fix a friend's or neighbor's or senior citizen's house. The same may apply to neighbors mowing the lawn of a sick neighbor or doing their grocery shopping. It is in giving that we receive. Unfortunately the sense of responsibility / duty disappears long before the lack of action. Often people say, "My home is too small" or "I cannot afford". Yet when there is love in one's heart, there is place in one's home. One cannot do a kindness too soon, for one never knows how soon it will be too late Ralph Waldo Emerson The other half of giving: Duty / responsibility is a two way street. This involves the recipient being ever so grateful. On occasion, it would not hurt for a recipient to swallow some pride and request for help and assistance ... instead of expecting something as a matter of right. Often some behave in ways that alienates their children and other relatives. Many feel that society owes them something or that they have a right to it. Often, one needs to help themseves before other are willing to assist or continue the help. In the past, the lack of responsibility / duty was corrected by shaming the individual by other relatives. Unfortunately now it is: I do not want to offend anybody. OR It is not my business. Recently in our Church, there was a HOPE Appeal. The priest said, "We have exceeded our financial goal. But I am very disappointed that only half the parishioners contributed. Those who could not afford could at least have contributed $1:00 to show their concern for this project. This rather that letting the other half carry their burden." Kind Regards, GL JoeGoaUk When we are able but not willing, we still do because we feel it is our resposibility (typical example of 'Exception') but in reality it may not happens so. Typical example of this being 'NRI Children don't look after their parents or don't come back/Goa for their parents' funeral'. Some Other children within Goa, they don't look after their aged parents too. Where is the sense of responsibility here? _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)
[Goanet] Why we give what we give?
Good analysis of human behavior. However one important aspect may be overlooked. We must do the following (actions outlined below) because it is also our DUTY to do so. Family must take care of their family because it is their DUTY to do so. Neighbors and neighborhoods must take of each other because it is their self-interest. And individuals in society MUST volunteer to take care each other, for the society to survive. And this list can go on and on.. When we realize it is a responsibility to do, the ability and willingness become secondary. Or else it is a series of excuses why we don’t - help, do, buy, write, offer, make the effort We need to ask ourselves: If not me, then who will do it? If not now then when? What if the situation was reversed? Often the cost or effort of doing something is nothing or very minimal. A smile, a word of comfort, thoughtfulness, a phone call, companionship! Because, this is the least I can do; for thank God it is (you and) not me who is the victim of the situation. Doing something for others (including volunteering) often does good for ourselves. What goes around comes around. So it is not merely the ability and willingness, but the realization of social RESPONSIBILITY too. Or else it becomes: What can I get from relatives, friends, society? Soon it will be nothing. Kind Regards, GL JoeGoaUk WHY WE GIVE WHAT WE GIVE ? or Why we do what we do ? or Why we buy what we buy ? or Why we write what we write ? Simple rule: One can give anything to anyone provided he/she has the 'ability' to give and willingness to give. In other words, to do or to give anything, one should be 'able' to give or able to do and at the same time, one should be 'willing' to give or willing to do. _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)
[Goanet] Enlightened Christian
To all participating in this thread, please remember: God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts... And Some wear their halos a bit too tight. Kind Regards, GL _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)
[Goanet] NEW ENTRANT TO GOANET
Hi Chandrasekharan, Welcome aboard. With your varied experience, you certainly will be an asset to this list. We look forward to your active participation. >From what you have posted, you need to be complimented for going "over and >beyond the call of duty" in your efforts of make the best of your career. We >could certainly learn this from you, and this may be the secret to your >success Kind Regards, GL N Chandrasekharan >I am Chandrasekharan. A Banker joining the land of Goa, a few months back. Goa >as is named is a "land of Gods". What ever that we see as problems or concerns >are not in large quantities. They are small aberrations of course! > > >As a Journalist, I have aired my concerns of Goa and its Traffic systems in >NAVHIND TIMES. I have also aired my views in VIJAY TIMES Bangalore through my >columns "N CHANDRASEKHAR" on the National/International Events, pointing >goodness in Goan systems. >As a Special Police Officer for Road Safety, my experience > > >I regard this Fabric of Goan Culture. I am learning Portuguese. There are >several aspects where Goan efforts are taken as a pioneering effort in the >Country. > > > >Let's work to protect this UNIQUE CULTURE. _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)
[Goanet] "A Goan Crucible of Memories" Review
"A Goan Crucible of Memories" by Dr. Renato Gracias The book brings to life snippets of the author's "quasi-centenary life" in and around Goa. The book's audience is the nuclear generation to whom the book is dedicated; and which the author laments is evolving into a "cellular" generation that "threatens the survival of the family." The author is hoping to stem this march away from our roots and I applaud him for his efforts. The 120-page paperback certainly lives up to its title with its twenty-three mini-chapters that touch on various aspects of Goan life. As I read the book, I picture a butterfly that goes from one flower to the next. Yet the butterfly's genetic map connects the flowers to complete the story of its journey. Dr. Gracias does not give us this road-map to connect the "flowers" of Goa as he outlines them in the book. To one familiar with Goa and has the road-map, A Goan Crucible of Memories is a walk down memory lane. Such a reader will appreciate how Goan life has changed (for better or worse depending on your outlook) from the early and mid-twentieth century to today. The many traditional songs and recipes in the book, part of traditional Goan culture, is a handy collection and also provide the nostalgia of Konkani. To the tourist and the second generation Diaspora Goan, and also the seasoned Goan, the vignettes will likely stimulate a more detailed and structured reading of what ever interest them about Goa. Given the compact sequence of the "memories", one cannot help but draw parallels in Goa's long history and social life. One pearl of wisdom that revealed itself to me as a reader and writer of Goan culture, is the non-theological similarities (rituals and practices) between Hinduism and Catholicism especially as seen in Goa. One will need to read the book for the specifics. It was a going astray of both religions from their original roots, that led to reform off-shoots - Buddhism, Jainism and other reform movements in India and Protestantisms in Europe. A Goan Crucible of Memories certainly belongs to a "Goan library" in a Goan home. This "Goan library" is something which I highly recommend to Diaspora Goans, who truly seek to maintain their culture and their links to Goa. The 94-year old highly decorated Dr. Gracias shares a lot of personal views. He keeps up with modern terminology including the last line in his book about the modern "DINS syndrome (double income no sex)" families with no or only a few kids. Kind Regards, Gilbert Lawrence PS: The book has no list of references, and certainly not that I would expect one. Can a Hinduism scholar please reference me the period when the "Rig Veda in the Purusha Sukta" and the "Manusmriti" mentioned in the book were written? Thanks _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)
[Goanet] Re: Review of the Review by the Reviewer
Hi Avelino, I empathize with you. I am in the same boat as you. I am defending the criticism of a Goan author's writings; Because Mehta's review is hitting on Edna Fernandes' work. And all that Goans - D'Souza, Colaco, Pinto, Goveia and Ribeiro did is hit-up on me ... another Goan. And some of them did it above and below the belt, as we have seen. They elected to make an issue of MY WRITINGS rather than the Reviewers' or the contents (and its application) of the Holy Warriors as seen from the reviews. One "poor fellow" speculated on my sleep pattern.:=)) Sure, Goans can always count on another Goan Is not that what we keep saying? It makes me feel better that you are getting, "tons of accusations of all shades and color".:=)) For a moment, I thought that Elisabeth and I were the only cyber-Goans rooting for Edna Fernandes' work. Of course with Elisabeth's masterful analysis of Mehta's review, many must have elected to "watch the display." Consider yourself lucky that most of your critiques have e-mailed you privately. My detractors have done so via a public bulletin board with SOME resorting to what can only described as a "personal smear campaign" all of which was "Off Topic" of course! I am sure this exchange will add to your experience and make you a better journalist. As for me, I can tell the Goan ayatollahs that this has been my hands-on contribution for Goans.:=)) Will they buy my community-seva? Don’t you think your response to my original faux pas (retracted with apology) would have been better served :=)) with: "Thank you GL for giving me credit for this review. Yet I did not write it. My sole role as journalist was to forward what has been published elsewhere. I concur with you that Dr. Mehta's review was overly dismissive of Holy Warriors. His unfavorable review gives a different impression than what has been presented by others including Khushwant Singh, which has also been provided." Yet, if it was not for what you started and then Victor, Elisabeth and I continued, this would have been another "lame thread." Instead it was educational to all. More importantly if "Holy Warriors" and this dialogue improves community relations and forestalls even one episode of sectarian violence in Goa and India, it would have been useful. India can ill-afford to repeat its religious and caste-related violent history again and again and again. So the important thing is not to review the book, but to STUDY it and apply its wisdom. I think you, Avelino, are doing a terrific job as a Goan reporter keeping us informed of events in Goa and India. I thank you for it. Good luck to you. Keep up the good work. Kind Regards, GL. ---D'Souza, Avelino Let me remind you once again that I posted the review for awareness of "Holy Warriors" and comments, what I got in bargain are tons of accusations of all shades and color. _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)
[Goanet] Re: Review of the Review by the Reviewer
Hi Victor, It is always a pleasure and stimulus to dialogue with an individual who remains on topic. I hope others can emulate your example. I will do so by specifically responding to the points you raise with my reply under each of your paragraphs. Kind Regards, GL Victor Rangel-Ribeiro (VRR) Why do you expect me to explain the disparity between the reviews? Must two reviewers think alike? My novel and my short story collection have been praised by some reviewers, and panned by some others. Sometimes, the same qualities that pleased one reviewer displeased another. An author has to take this sort of thing in stride. GL: So your original comment about the reviewer being "fair" does not hold water. "Fairness" is like "beauty". It is the eye of the beholder. Semantics aside, even in today's world, one will not be as dismissive of someone's work as is Mehta. One does not have to be a linguist to see this in his review. If this was a "white" and "black" issue in the USA, one would call Mehta's remarks as racist. VRR: On your second point, Khushwant Singh is renowned in his particular fields; is he renowned in the field that is pertinent to an appraisal of this book, to the same extent that your bete-noir, Mehta, is? GL: Singh is more qualified that you seem to give him credit. In addition to being a writer and recognized pundit on Indian social-political scene, he is a member of the minority community, that has been the victim of holy warriors. That's more of an education than a member of the majority community who has never been a victim of fanaticism will ever get. Mehta's academic world is an ivory tower whose "think tank" approach may ignore many of the perils people on the streets experience. VRR: You have invited various individuals to review the book as well. Some have accepted. Were I to write about the book, no sensible person would consider it a review, because I do not have sufficient expertise to judge a book of this character; anything I wrote would be merely an expression of personal opinion, and not to be judged in the same league as Dr. Mehta's! GL: I would like all Goans and Indians (sp. writers, social thinkers and college students) to STUDY Holy Warriors as Singh advises in his review. Edna Fernandes' book is written for individuals like you and me. It is not written for the experts. And that is the fundamental mistakes that many "experts" (including on cyber Goa) make when they review a book / article. If you give Mehta credit for expertise in this field, you should for the same reason, severely critique him for India's (government) miserable failure on this front in the recent past. VRR: Anyone who writes a professional book deserves a professional review. I believe our author got one. GL: I would welcome a review that was professionally done. Anyone reading Mehta's review will see it as dismissive and one-sided. I would be disappointed if a review completely tilted the other way. In both cases, I would question the motivation of the reviewer and the site of its publication, as I did with Mehta. As I have said, Mehta can write his own book to give his version and bias of religious extremism and fanaticism in India rather than condemn another person's work. Mehta can cover areas that Holy Warrior felt were irrelevant to the message its author wants to impart to the readers. And that is a writers' prerogative as we writers know. VRR: You do not like it because it was unfavourable. GL: This comment puzzles me. You seem to agree with me and others that it was unfavorable. But to clarify, do YOU think the Mehta review was favorable? Or do YOU think the review was unfavorable? Do YOU LIKE the review because it was unfavorable? Of course you could skirt the issue by saying you have no opinion on the review. This I would find a puzzle too because one either likes what one reads or you don’t like what is written - this is what started this dialogue. Do you think a book that is accepted and published by a major publishing house in India is as uniformly bad as Mehta makes it out to be? Don't you think the book went through internal (not to mention the author's private) reviews prior to being accepted / sent for publication? What does your writer's experience tell you? Does a Goan web page and Goan journalist have to give prominence to an unfavorable review of a Goan-authored book, while "tucking away" as a link the very favorable review? What do your Goan instincts tell you? VRR: Other reviews may surface in time that are more to your liking, but that will in no way change Dr. Mehta's position. He wrote what he felt he needed to write. GL: My efforts are not to change Mehta's position. My efforts are to make Goans aware that we have a recognized (perhaps not by Goans) individual in our midst. She has articulated many issues that Goans and Christians in India have experienced. Her book
[Goanet] Review of the Review by the Reviewer
Hi Gabe, I welcome all Goans and Indians to review and study "Holy Warrior". This will directly and indirectly support the author and her work. I hope ALL Goans can support the cause and issue surfaced by Edna Fernandes. Or else the issue becomes a 'topic d jour' and a one week 'flash in the pan' in Goan cyber space. And the holy warriors can regroup for another day and another fight, while the rest of us are socializing. One simple way to show our solidarity and pay our respects to Edna is to honor her. Have her as chief guest at Goan functions in England (her home) and elsewhere. The WGD should certainly consider honoring her work at its 2006 celebrations. Or are we just content to argue about her book reviews? Certainly we can revel by doing "Review of the Review by the Reviewer" to a shamba tune.:=)) And then lament about the next wave of fanaticism to hit Goa or India? Kind Regards, GL --- Gabe Menezes: I am busy with my shamba at the moment. It was neglected for sometime now and needs back breaking work on it. I think this one is for Cornel.please read and give us your opinion? I hope you read this Cornel! _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)
[Goanet] Re: Review of the Review by the Reviewer
Not so fast Elisabeth! Rolling over based on opinions is not for "Huttons." They only roll over based on facts. Neither Avelino nor Victor explain the disparity of the reviews on "Holy Warriors" that was posted. Khushwant Singh (very renowned in his own right): "This is vividly brought out in Edna Fernandes's powerful book. Holy Warriors is as fair and objective an assessment of the perils that lie ahead for India as any that I have ever read. It is a must for all of those who wish this country to prosper as a secular democracy." Mehta's first line of his review is: "While Fernandes' heart is in the right place, the result is a rather superficial book that perplexes more than it illuminates. " And a lot more that you previously outlined. One can hardly believe both reviewers read the same book. I hope you forwarded your (and my) "review of the review" to Mehta. Our feedback will keep him honest in future. History and science is littered with arrogant and wrong "literatis" and "experts". The questions I would ask Mehta is: With all his credentials and holding high posts in Delhi where was / is he with all the religion-based fanatic killings of innocent minorities in many different parts of India? Is India's failure on this front his own professional failure? Frankly he should welcome someone writing on this topic. I have many good and experienced Indian physicians here who hold Hindutva and RSS views about historical India and ideas on treating its minorities. So Mehta's credentials do not phase me. His actions do! Surely, Victor with his English sophistication cannot help but defend Mehta's very dismissive review of "Holy Warriors". Thanks Avelino for admitting it was not a complimentary review. What others are saying about "Holy Warriors" (written by a Goan) is not the issue. It is what Goans are doing, and us supporting one of our own. Kudos to Elisabeth for standing even when the dust is blowing in her face. Most Goans, as is being shown, only provide lip-service that we support other Goans. In fact Goans (and sp. writers) have three reasons to stand up. Firstly the author is a Goan and has produced a great work as per some reviewers. Secondly, the issue she highlights clearly is something that affects Goans and Christians throughout India. Thirdly, for the last year of the BJP rule in Goa, native Goans and our ayatollahs in cyber Goa have been complaining repeatedly of extreme elements from within and outside Goa spreading the extremist political and religious message in word and deed much to the detriment of the peace of native Goans. Have we forgotten the saga of movie on Goa? Is it: Goans want a leader to articulate our plight and when one shows up we desert the cause and the individual? Is this our story? Kind Regards, GL Elisabeth Carvalho I've already eaten crow and humble pie and acknowledged that Pratap Mehta is indeed an author of note. However, I still see red when someone describes goans who want to cling onto their identity as "fundamentalist". This, I cannot stomach. I am one of those Goans, who is very proud to be a Goan and will cling onto my identity till evolution batters it out of me. --- "D'Souza, Avelino" wrote: > "Dr. Pratap Bhanu Mehta is President and Chief Executive, Centre for Policy > Research, New Delhi. He was previously Professor of Government at Harvard > University and Associate Professor of Government and of Social Studies at > Harvard. He was also Professor of Philosophy and Law and Governance, JNU." _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)
[Goanet] Re: Review on the Reviewer
Hi George, As usual, you get so base in your response and personal attacks. I hope your post does not reflect where your mind is! Do I owe Avelino an apology? Yes I did think he wrote the review. And I noticed Mario made the same judgement call, and very likely Victor. I did apologize to Avelino for giving him "credit" for the poor review that he first forwarded / posted. Is it not curious that a very unflattering review is posted in its entirety on cyber-Goa? And the praiseworthy review is only provided as a link? Is this a Goan supporting another Goan's achievement? You and others (except Elisabeth) are attacking me, instead of Mehta's review on the "Holy Warrior." I am only making these points, as you raised the issue; not to confront you, Avelino or a Goan web site. My characterizations of the "Mehta review" that was posted still stands, notwithstanding that it was not written by a Goan. Please spare us your tasteless language. I hope you can write up to your professional standards. Cyber-Goans deserve better. Kind Regards, GL George Pinto <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: I am a bit surprised that having been caught with your fly open in cyberspace, . George --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > I hope this rather lengthy response will help and enable future reviewers on > the STANDARDS of > good reviewers. For more details and reviewer pitfalls, please read my > three-part article on > the "experience of writing 'On Thin Ice'" which appeared on Goanet. > Kind Regards, GL _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)
[Goanet] Review of the Review by the Reviewer
Hi Gabe, I hope the airline hostess does comment "about THIS" - which is the reviews of "Holy Warriors" the topic of this thread. It is awfully easy to get way led with some minor comment. Unless the ex-airline hostess "spend their life harassing passengers on discount airlines", she may not have much personal experience to add to Elisabeth's comment. :=)) Yet she (or you) could provide us with reviews that this book may have received in England - the home of the Goan author. Goa net could certainly add new blood and fresh ideas. Kind Regards, GL PS: Please permit my sense of humor to show. Elisabeth writes a long article about the "Holy Warrior review" and the only response she gets from two esteemed netters is her one line reference to airline hostess. Now you know why I find life funny.:=)) - Gabe Menezes: Comment: Wow ! You are opinionated - we do have an ex Airline Hostess on this list; hope she has something to say about this! Elisabeth Carvalho <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > .. As such, they are much like air stewardess' who having failed to launch their acting careers spend their life harassing passengers on discount airlines. ... _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)
[Goanet] Goa's road carnage, some views...
Interesting post and collection of views on the subject. Perhaps the author overlooked my post that had SOLUTIONS BY Goans and FOR Goans. Kind Regards, GL Valmiki Faleiro Goa's road carnage, some views... Death and pain on our roads is, slowly but relentlessly, raging into Goa's major tragedy. _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)
[Goanet] Review on the Reviewer
Hi Avelino, Thanks for your additional excerpt which gives a totally different perspective to "Holy Warrior." Amazing and this has been my experience, "It's the same book, yet totally different perspectives". So much for "fairness." Another experience of mine, "more confident, sophisticated and well read the reviewer, the kinder and intelligent the remarks." NOT UNLIKE those one sees on cyberGoa.:=)) Sorry for giving you "credit" for writing the review the was posted. Kind Regards, GL "D'Souza wrote: Here is an excerpt from one of the links I forwarded along with the review: 'The cancer of religious bigotry and intolerance has afflicted all communities-Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians. This is vividly brought out in Edna Fernandes's powerful book. Holy Warriors is as fair and objective an assessment of the perils that lie ahead for India as any that I have ever read. It is a must for all of those who wish this country to prosper as a secular democracy.' -Khushwant Singh _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)
[Goanet] Re: Review on the Reviewer
Re: Review on "Holy Warriors" by Edna Fernandes
Victor makes several important points. I have not read the original book. Yet
as Victor points out, I have written books, non-scientific and scientific
articles, which have been published. Hence, I have dealt with many reviewers
and commentators.
Firstly, a book or article is not written for the reviewers. The reviewer
("supposedly" expert) has to keep in mind the target audience of the book and
not his / her PERCEPTION of what the script is /should cover. Books are
written to re-emphasize the known (and this introduction should help the good
reviewers) and further explore FROM the writer's perspective (NOT the
reviewer's) what is the impact of the material/ article/ data that is being
written about.
If the reviewer cannot understand and expand on these aspects, I question the
IQ of the reviewer. Of course I'd expect the reviewer to outline the
limitations of the work, if the author had not done so in the prologue or
epilogue. Any writer embarks on the writing effort in order to FILL a perceived
VOID in the understanding (at whatever level). The writing is NOT undertaken to
exploit the readers and make money. In fact in many cases the writing is
undertaken with full understanding that there is no reimbursement. Yet the
ignorance out there (including the reviewers) motivates the writer(s).
The book / article is the writer's work. Reviewers can write their own book to
emphasize what he / she considers important rather than being a free-loader on
someone else's work. If the reviewer is PRATAP BHANU MEHTA and the writer is
EDNA FERNANDES, the reviewer should APPRECIATE the perspectives of a
minority-group writer. Her script reflects some ASPECTS of the minority group
persecuted by the dominant religious-fanatic groups. None of this came out in
the review. This in itself reflects the ignorance and arrogance of the
reviewer, (not uncommon mistake), whatsoever may his ethnic background.
I hope this rather lengthy response will help and enable future reviewers on
the STANDARDS of good reviewers. For more details and reviewer pitfalls,
please read my three-part article on the "experience of writing 'On Thin Ice'"
which appeared on Goanet.
Kind Regards, GL
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Gilbert Lawrence wants the reviewer to be kinder to the author. But a
reviewer's primary task is to be fair, not necessarily to be kind. Like
Gilbert, I too am a published author, with two books of fiction to my credit,
and five or six on specialized aspects of Western classical music. All I ask
of my reviewers is that they be fair.
--- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> For crying out loud, couldn't the reviewer be kinder to this book and its
> author?
> He tried to claw his way up by stomping on someone else's efforts.
> D'Souza, Avelino:
> REVIEW : While Fernandes' heart is in the right place, the result is a rather
> superficial book that perplexes more than it illuminates.
_
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[Goanet] Book Review: Holy Warriors by Edna Fernandes
For crying out loud, couldn't the reviewer be kinder to this book and its author. He tried to claw his way up by stomping on someone else's efforts. Cheap shots. But in keeping with Goan character. Kind Regards, GL D'Souza, Avelino: REVIEW While Fernandes' heart is in the right place, the result is a rather superficial book that perplexes more than it illuminates. _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)
[Goanet] Re: Warring factions on Goanet
Mario's response (to Elisabeth's philosophie): This is too opaque for me. GL Comment: I never thought I'd read the above statement from Mario. Is this how they say it in Toledo? :=)) Rather than, "I need to bring out my cowboy boots" . Or has all the ossification gotten de-calcified in front of the fairer skin? Even Mario's adversaries will admit that ... "There is no way one can compete with this suave stuff." "This guy really has a 'soft side' to him." I am on my one week vacation to Northern California to enjoy my "replica". I thank all, private and public, well wishers for sending me their wishes on my promotion. And I will be busy doing nothing:=)) a.k.a. sussegad! Not even pot holes here to drive around... On the plane, read a book on the 1918 influenza pandemic, which may be repeated by the bird flu pandemic. Only this time, the virus travels by air instead of sea. The Spanish Influenza virus was carried from one continent to the other by sailors - navy and merchant seamen, soldiers (World War I) and passengers. There were about three waves of the epidemic with mutations and repeat spread of the new mutant. Most authorities say the upcoming pandemic is not if, but when. Also, perfect (and only) time to read the book on Goa, which I just received from Mario. Dev Borem Korum and Obrigado. Kind Regards, GL _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)
[Goanet] Re: The warring factions of Goannet
When one attracts the attention of the ayatollahs from the major centers of the Goan world, it is a sure sign that the individual has become a "Hutton". I bet Elisabeth is enjoying every moment of this adulation. Surely some not-so-young mauxis are seething that the guys with "calcified" views, loyalties, arteries and many other (but not all) anatomic parts are tripping over each other in their efforts at sucking up to her.:=)) It looks like I have some competition. :=)) But I am glad to share "my find". Now all the "progressive" Goans (men and women) who claim that Goan men discriminate against women, can rethink their gripe. The Goanet administrators puts the figure of subscribing members as over 5000. That is a wide audience - if all members read all the posts. I guess most are like me! They delete 50% to 90% of posts (without opening them) depending on the topics and the authors. A few hardworking Goans and those with better entertainment (than reading cyber Goa) may just spend 30 minutes a day and perhaps 60 minutes on the weekend, browsing through and responding or not responding to the posts. Perhaps as expected, if one lives in Goa, more time is spent reading domestic and the bread & butter (xit & codi) issues like Goa's traffic, pot holes, politics and availabilty of mackerels.:=)) Most Diaspora Goans are interested in history, macro-issues of Goa and India, cheap airline tickets and availability of feni.:=)) And those with a lot of time on their hands (no work, no entertainment and not following the stock markets) meditate on "deep topics" of the church, soul etc. and keep writing endless posts on them. The topics are "deep" because one needs to wear boots when reading them.:=)) Those not familiar with this colloquialism, it's meant to signify a lot of BS (requiring the deep boots).:=)) The "warring factions" on Goanet are often helpful. It separates the wheat from the chaff. The "aum soglem zano murre" Goenkars are silenced. So that in itself is a great contribution. The rest of us, and the ayatollahs can now get a real education. Not uncommonly with a lot of controversy, a "hutton" steps in and points out that both sides are actually arguing about semantics and both are "thoence munta murre".:=)) Personally speaking, writing a post is NOT to respond to the poster but rather to write to the bigger audience of 5000 cyber-Goans and advance the dialogue. In my experience, the person writing the post gains much. Their own thoughts are clarified and become logical rather than writing "tho yeta or veta" posts reflecting their yo-yo thinking. Elisabeth seeks the list of controversial issues (hogged by the ayatollahs). Yet some of these ayatollahs thrive on controversial issues and create one when none exists. Can our grumpy guys learn from the "young" gal? It is unfortunate that some do not know when to stop the dialogue. Then they continue arguing who is the "macho Camacho". Kind Regards, GL Gabe Menezes, London, England By now, with your acute analytical skills, you have figured out the protagonists. Most of us try and give a wide berth and try not to pull any chains, to no effect, you just pass and the dog wants to bite. We can avoid the man but the man cannot avoid us. Lastly, I like your style of writing and hope you stick around. Elisabeth Carvalho <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Firstly there seem to be a lot of warring factions on Goannet. Although, I'm > sure by now loyalties have been well calcified, newcomers like me are in the > dark. In the interest of newcomers, a list should be compiled and archived > for quick and easy reference. Getting caught in the cross-fire and other > collateral casualties can thus be avoided... _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)
[Goanet] Easter reflections of an agnostic
Elisabeth's Easter post threw me for a loop. She starts by telling us her post is "sans the bitter coffee". Then she precisely goes on to pour it for us. When she, and other agnostics, find all the answers they are seeking to all the philosophical and religious questions they are asking, please wake me up.:=)) Till then, you-all can keep awake with the "bitter coffee". Please let me enjoy Easter, Christmas etc etc with Hazelnut, Vanilla, Swiss Mocha, and Bavarian Chocolate coffee. With this morning coffee, my mind is cleared to thank God for and to enjoy another great day. And this is even when it is cloudy out there. After all, what would we do and what would life be without the clouds and the rains. This post is not supposed to be patronizing nor aimed at starting a debate about God. But if you read and re-read this post and think hard, hopefully it may ... just may help with simple answers to some deep philosophical questions to life and this world. There is so much to enjoy, rather than create one's own demons. As a quote says, "When a door closes another one opens. But often we stand there so long looking at the closed door, that we do not see the one that's opened." Kind Regards, GL Elisabeth Carvalho: I enjoyed reading everyone's Easter reflections so I thought I'd share my own, sans the "bitter coffee" ofcourse :)) Being an agnostic is a very freeing experience. It's also a painful process. It begins with a lot of questions and ends with a certain amount of despair. Anyway, I had a wonderful Easter with my family. It was a dark, gloomy day, perfect for staying in, eating Pulau and reflecting on the small joys of life. Elisabeth _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)
[Goanet] Greetings
--- * G * O * A * N * E * T *** C * L * A * S * S * I * F * I * E * D * S * --- USDA certified Goa Sausages and other Goan foods can now be delivered to virtually any part of the world. http://www.goanfoods.com --- My Easter Sunday started on a bright smiley note with Hazelnut Belgian coffee. Not that "bitter coffee" that Goan men have as per our "hutton".:=)) After that bright spot, I went to church and celebrated the greatest feast in the Roman Catholic calendar. But even on Easter Sunday, like any other Sunday, my routine followed. It was a quick review of the Sunday newspaper followed by a browse of the cyber Goan posts. Then the "honey-do" list of chores. For this Sunday it's painting the pillars in the balcao on this bright warm spring day. Not surprisingly the cyber Goan posts has the usual controversies from the extreme right and extreme left. Knowing the authors, most Goenkars - Hindu and Catholic have learnt to give the B & B treatment to the sodanchem ayatollahs. My own reaction was let these two guys stew in their own juices and fatwas. After two hours of work, Easter meal will be with our ever-so-broadminded Goan Hindu friends (convent educated), where there will be families of all religions including Parsees. This is our extended family in the Indian Diaspora. Later this evening, we will make our way to a dance at Syracuse, sponsored by USABDA - United States Amateur Ballroom Dancing Association. Happy Easter to All! May the Easter Bunny bring you all many new eggs and new beginnings for the rest of the "Catholic calendar" which starts today. Kind Regards, GL _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)
[Goanet] St. Francis Xavier Jubilee feast
--- * G * O * A * N * E * T *** C * L * A * S * S * I * F * I * E * D * S * --- USDA certified Goa Sausages and other Goan foods can now be delivered to virtually any part of the world. http://www.goanfoods.com --- I have been informed by reliable sources that the Toronto, Canada celebration of the quin-centennial (500 years) celebration of the birth of St. Francis Xavier that was scheduled in May has been canceled. Perhaps the Toronto Goans are hoping to catch the feast the next time. Kind Regards, GL _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)
[Goanet] Re: What does it take, Goa? - Goa's appalling Road Sense!
--- * G * O * A * N * E * T *** C * L * A * S * S * I * F * I * E * D * S * --- USDA certified Goa Sausages and other Goan foods can now be delivered to virtually any part of the world. http://www.goanfoods.com --- It will take a lot more that periodic and episodic postings about Goa's road and traffic problems. Have Goans thought about part time (for peak hours) and voluntary policing of traffic. In the US and UK, volunteers hold traffic and help children cross the road at the start and end of the school period. During tourist season (and increased traffic), Goans (70% of whom benefit from tourism) could volunteer to be TRAINED as traffic police to direct traffic (not issue tickets) and assist in maintaining law and order. For starters this could be tried on a test basis in major villages and tourist areas and then extended to the main cities. The volunteers will need to be the educated and leaders of the community to set an example and provide leadership. Actions speaks louder than words in speeches or writings. Kind Regards, GL Elisabeth Carvalho: What does it take, Goa? _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)
[Goanet] Setting the standard on posts (2)
-- Domnic Fernandes continues (Part III) his reminiscence of Mapusa of the 1950s http://www.goanet.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=426 -- Elisabeth is moving from being an ayatollah to being a hutton. Her thoughts and her choice of words are to the point. I am neither sucking up to her nor contradicting her. But I would like to build on her post. I concur with her wholeheartedly, that our post should be enlightening and lighthearted - and that is the best way to disarm an ayatollah. This also applies to ayatollah and is better that a fatwa. A lot of netters look upon themselves as robust Goenkars whose attitude and writing is "Mar Shendi". Yet others say,... "Dream on". And as our Lizzy (some mataro just got a heart attack) points out it is "terse old men sipping bitter coffee". Does this also apply to the rest of the Goan gender. Could it be that such an attitude influences our "bhail ani bhoinim" who become "Saibin Mai" and hence refuse to smile at their "grumpy old men"? :=)) Kind Regards, GL PS: If a Goan combo says, "Lizzy" and gets slapped across the face, don't blame me.:=)) Elisabeth Carvalho What I do miss occasionally is the humour. Somehow Goannet brings to mind, terse old men sipping bitter coffe while they pontificate about the world. Lighten up!! Profundity is best served with a side dish of humour. _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)
[Goanet] World's Fastest CT Scanner in Porvorim
-- Domnic Fernandes continues (Part III) his reminiscence of Mapusa of the 1950s http://www.goanet.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=426 -- Congratulations to the people who have brought this 64-slice CT to Goa. This will indeed be a milestone to bring Goa to the standard of care and set the stage for tourism with medical-care. The current CT scan uses 16 cathode tubes to image. The new unit has 64 cathode tubes to image the body from different angles. Hence the new 64-slice CT scanner is a great new piece of technology that pushes the ability of CT scans to further define any problems inside the body and do it faster. The greater detail of the digital images permits three dimensional reconstruction of the inside anatomy of the body including blood vessels and air-ways. With the 64-slice unit, the heart vessels (coronaries) can be studied better than a Thallium scanner. This is a good way to evaluate patients with chest pain who are suspected to have a heart attack. Thus a CT 64-slicer can reduce invasive and expensive medical procedures, without patient admission to the hospital. It will also help in follow-up of patients to determine if the stents are patent. I would encourage one of the Goan reporters to interview the radiologist operating the system at Porvorim. This would be a better story than one about - squirrels, dogs, cats, pot holes, etc. etc. :=)) Were not the New Jersey Goans planning to set up a cardiac center in Porvorim? Regards, GL, The World's Fastest CT Scanner & Goa's First 64-Slice Cardiac CT Scan - facilities at Porvorim Goa. Chodankar Medical Foundation and Research Institute, Alto-Porvorim, has annouced the inaugration of The World's Fastest CT Scanner & Goa's First 64-Slice Cardiac CT Scan. The Ultimate in Non-Invasive Ultra-fast diagnosis of Coronary Artery Desease (Angiogram), Cardiac (Heart), Vascular (blood vessel) deseases and whole body scan and Chest and Vascular Surgery Unit. _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)
[Goanet] Career fields
-- Domnic Fernandes continues (Part III) his reminiscence of Mapusa of the 1950s http://www.goanet.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=426 -- For the last few years, I have been invited to our high school to talk to students about "Careers in Medicine". Last year this coincided with a discussion of this topic on Goanet. I had posted on Goanet a listing of careers in the medical field ranging from physician (MD, DO), nurse practitioners (NP) and physician assistants (PA) to various allied medical professionals. This is that time of the year again, with only a few months to graduate. This week I gave my annual talk to a new batch of high school students. Goanetters interested in a blossoming career in the healthcare field, may want to look up the Goanet archives for the listing. Those savvy with accessing Goanet archives, are welcome to post that list on their cyberspace for the benefit of the new batch of high school students. Regards, GL _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)
[Goanet] Amchem Tempar
-- Domnic Fernandes continues (Part III) his reminiscence of Mapusa of the 1950s http://www.goanet.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=426 -- Intriguing that Goenkars from Down-Under have taken to writing Amchem Tempar stories. We appreciate sharing your personal journals with us. However we hope one has now grown and read a lot more and knows even more than "when we were growing up". With the balanced reading, we can appreciate that the world was different even at that time and certainly it is different now. These Amchem Tempar kaneos has nothing do with the great Aussie beer. This is not necessary a trait of Goans only. Some doctors in the USA who are now in their sixties and seventies still say, I do / believe this because I was taught / done this was when I grew up / learnt in training - thirty to forty years ago. Imagine! Would you rely on that physician who is practicing with ancient knowledge with no attempt to change it with new understanding, drugs or technology? Amchem Tempar stories are good after-dinner conversation and when there is nothing else to talk about. Does your kanni give you any more valid insights into making your case for butting the navy our of Dabolim? :=)) All I read... Dabolim used to be like this... in 1961. Kind Regards, GL Nasci Caldeira: When I was resident in Goa, in the Seventies and Eighties; one of my beautiful sister in laws met and married one of the Naval Flying Cadre, stationed at Dabolim. These two used to come on their 300cc Royal Enfield , every weekend without fail and give us good company in my ancestral home in Cavelossim, the house that I modernised and lived it up, in. Then on accasions we used to visit the Navy area, and come to know a lot of the Navy guys and the Navy functions. My sis-in-law played golf and used to win every time, over the other Naval ladies/ girls. _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)
[Goanet] Re: indo-french exercises
-- Domnic Fernandes continues (Part II) his reminiscence of Mapusa of the 1950s http://www.goanet.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=426 -- You absolutely have that right. And so do others.:=)) So how come you call Goans who read my post as "gullible"? I forgive you. When you have no economic argument to rebut my case for MOPA, it is easy to use epithets. That makes my arguments even stronger. Thanks Kind Regards, GL Nasci Caldeira I, Nasci have every right to give advice, as best as I can, in the interest of Goa and of India, to the governments and to the' Naval Air' stationed in Goa. Why not. _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)
[Goanet] Future of Goa
-- Domnic Fernandes continues (Part II) his reminiscence of Mapusa of the 1950s http://www.goanet.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=426 -- Yes! Goa does have a future - for Goans and by Goans. For now take up the fight and make a stand for Dabolim and MOPA. OK most of us write posts because that's all we can do from far far away. What's your alibi for just seekig a vision instead of working for a future?:=)) Kind Regards, GL Pandu writes: Do we have a vision of a future? Does Goa have a future? It's bleak to me. _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)
[Goanet] 500th Birth Anniversary of St. Francis Xavier
-- Domnic Fernandes continues (Part II) his reminiscence of Mapusa of the 1950s http://www.goanet.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=426 -- I saw some great pictures of the celebrations of the 500th birth anniversary of SFX in Old Goa. They were great angle shots. It appears to be a great ceremony and a well organized and disciplined crowd. Speaks very highly of the Goan organizers of the event. A few months ago I saw a posting of a similar celebration in Toronto by a Goan Jesuit priest. No more news after that. I wonder what happened? Kind Regards, GL _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)
[Goanet] DABOLIM (part 1)
-- Domnic Fernandes continues (Part II) his reminiscence of Mapusa of the 1950s http://www.goanet.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=426 -- Thanks for having an open mind. I hope native Goans will do the same. After all, MOPA is for them and their children's benefit. I am uncertain about the new batkars who may benefit from owning land near the airport. Yet, do we deny the vast majority of Goans especially the North Goans of jobs and economic growth, now and future generations, just because of a few elements will make a quick buck? Remember the three stewards in the bible. It is never too late for all Goans to be like the smart and industrious steward. Delhi could not give Goa a better gift. There are many ways to economic progress and prosperity, and all Goans can benefit from MOPA. Please feel free to forward the posts on this subject. The power of information and the power of the net can influence people. IMHO Goa's prosperity in the next century is on the line. I am surprised that Goanetters were exercised about garbage collection (an important issue) but are laissez-faire about an economic milestone for the state. Are the current well-to-do natives just going to leave this issue to the politicians? Kind Regards, GL Jerry Fernandes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Thanks. After a long time a fair portrayal of what MOPA is all about. It is impossible to think otherwise what benefits one gets unless portrayed in a fair way. During Portuguese time, many batkars came about, and now it will be the second coming of batkars who have purchased plots near and about in Pernem Taluka, but the benefits as you have shown are vast. Only hope Goans will be the beneficiaries if Mopa Comes about. Gilbert Lawrence: I would think the cyber-Goans would follow the MOPA story with more factual information than emotion or vested interest. I agree that Goa needs a lot of local projects. Local projects are paid for by local revenues (taxes). Because of different funding sources, local projects (roads, electricity, hospitals and schools built by local taxes) should not / will not be denied or delayed because of MOPA. The MOPA Airport is being PAID FOR BY the Central Government. When Delhi spends an estimated 100-600 crore rupees, that is money disbursed in Goan economy GENERATING LOCAL TAXES. That money sooner or later will be available to build many local projects, that we all want. MOPA is also jobs for Goans (building and maintenance) who will then be less dependent on foreigners or on migration. How long will Goans be able to move to the Mid-East in search of jobs? Goans going beyond the Middle East now is nearly ended except perhaps to Portugal. Finally many Goans complain that MOPA / North Goa will be a "mere transit" and to benefit South Maharastra. That's the precise benefit. After all Goa flourished in the 15th to the 17th century because it was a transit point for trade (and pilgrims to Mecca) between India and the rest of the world. This bonanza ended with Dutch and British blockade. After that Portugal as a trading power declined. Let's learn from Goan history, including its two "golden periods". Kind Regards, GL _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)
[Goanet] Setting the standard on posts (1)
-- Domnic Fernandes continues (Part II) his reminiscence of Mapusa of the 1950s http://www.goanet.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=426 -- I am not one of the writers who complains that too many posts detracts others from posting. The individuals who claim so, as have been shown, do not want to think anything original and are happy to just complain what others do. Beyond this, "Pandu" in his thoughtful post does make several valid points. The first moderator for a post are the writers themselves. When writers proudly proclaim their rejected-post as a badge of honor, it shows that some have lost their self-respect and their judgement. I have found the Goannet moderators very reasonable and doing a very fine job. They deserve our gratitude, not our scorn. We the posters need to help them. IMHO, often the post makes a good point. Yet in making that point, they allude to totally unnecessary adjectives or perspectives. From then on, the quality and language of the posts on that thread takes a dive into the gutter. Because as Mario puts it, "every one has a right to respond and self-defense" with even more abusive language. Using a separate committee (call it what you want) is similar to what it done in hospitals, business or politics. That separate committee can sort through the evolution of the miss-steps and come up with a solution to fit the abuse - anywhere from a "slap on the wrist" to disbarment for a short period of time or permanently. When it comes to allegations or libelous posts, (often on an unrelated subject) the damage is already done by the perpetrator (and the unsuspecting moderator). The victim then has to pick up the pieces and restore his / her credibility and reputation. Goans have the habit of "standing tall" by crawling and clawing (beating-up) on somebody else instead of "standing on their own two feet". Kind Regards, GL Mario Goveia The Moderators ARE the "Ethics Committee", are they not? All they have to do is their JOB more diligently, for which they will receive their reward in heaven:-)) --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > Yet, should the Goanet administration take a stronger stand on libelous post? > If the Goanet administration feels it has enough on its plate, for a minimum > it can have an "Ethics Committee" to look at posts in question. This would > be a better solution than legal action. _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)
[Goanet] DABOLIM (part 2)
-- Domnic Fernandes continues (Part II) his reminiscence of Mapusa of the 1950s http://www.goanet.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=426 -- Airports serving both military and civilian use were / are common. IMHO looking at the statistics, Dabolim is a significantly underutilized airport even though it is used routinely by civilian and naval-military aircraft. In the USA, the O'Hare airport in Chicago was a military and civilian airport till the mid 1980's. With civilian air traffic increasing, President Carter handed over the airport to the Chicago mayor for civilian use. It is now the most bussiest airport in the world. Old Pittsburgh airport was a military-civilian airport till a decade ago when a new civilian airport was built. Youngstown, Ohio airport is still a combined civilian (cargo, passenger) and army-reserve airport. In fact many airports in the USA started for joint-use. Then one or the other needed a better place in the last two decades as commercial traffic or military traffic increased. We should also not forget about cargo / parcel / overnight air delivery traffic. In the USA it is with Fed Ex, UPS and Postal service etc etc. This distribution /sorting center can be a major employer. Goa is critically located between North and South India. Currently, IMHO with Dabolim, neither segment of air traffic, separately or together is anyway close to reaching saturation point - though it can get there and exceed capacity if the state governemnt and Goenkars work together. We all need to pull together - IN THE SAME DIRECTION. Right now, Goans are pulling in different directions giving mixed messages to Delhi and to other investors in Goa. Inspite of that, Goa is moving forward - from accounts of all my relatives and friends who have visited Goa. The challenge is to predict the future as India is rapidly progressing. The challenge for Goans is: Are we going to be ahead of the curve or behind the curve. We love our camiao slogan - Rauta Muree! We did "Rauta Muree" for the computer / IT industry. Regards, GL _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)
[Goanet] Re: Goan 'Kokno'
A few enlightenments from Mario (as usual). Thanks for informing me that Afra Dias is a she and that's her real name. Now I can sleep better though her posts often keep me awake. :=)) I did provide the official / cultural names for Goan Hindus and Catholics. So we are NOT "Loosely speaking we are all Koknos". We are all accurately speaking "Konkans". I hope someone can clarify this. Should I be apologizing to the existing "College of ayatollahs"? Do I detect a little discomfort from the grand ayatollah?:=)) In case any poster wonders what's this? "Ayatollizing" is the twenty-first century variation of pontificating undertaken by ayatollahs who are generally self-appointed or & on occasion treated as such by their goanet devotees.:=)) "Ayatollizing" is not necessary the same as "Huttonizing". Remember the phrase, "When EF Hutton talks people listen". Regards, GL >-Mario Goveia Cheap shot, Gilbert. I think YOU need to apologise. What he was complaining about was the derogatory use of the term "Hindu boys" by Afra Dias in her gratuitous and snide references to Fr. Eusebio's associations. > Loosely speaking we are all Koknos. --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > Kudos Elisabeth, > You are on a fast-track to being an ayatollah. > Kind Regards, GL > > --- Elisabeth Carvalho wrote: > > I hope you are not apologising on my behalf atleast. If you take the word > "Konkno" out of the Konkani vocabulary, I'd be interested to know what you > would replace it by. _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org) Help/Unsubscribe/Update your Subscription: %(user_optionsurl)s This email sent to %(user_address)s
[Goanet] Is the term "defrocked" derogatory?
With all due respects to Peter D'Souza, his explanation to his question is rather lame. Perhaps his question is just exoteric. I am not claiming that Peter made a libelous post; since I do not follow all his or other posters' post. Yet, should the Goanet administration take a stronger stand on libelous post? If the Goanet administration feels it has enough on its plate, for a minimum it can have an "Ethics Committee" to look at posts in question. This would be a better solution than legal action. Cyberspace is not a free for all (lagao bhathi) to "let off steam" or make wild allegations against individuals. The administrators may not be able to get away with "the opinion expressed on this web site is not necessarily endorsed by the administration" . Regards, GL -- Peter D'Souza The dictionary definition doesn't seem to support your basic contention. While it's not a matter of pride for anyone who's been through it (the process of defrocking), it seems like a purely technical description. 1. To strip of priestly privileges and functions. 2. To deprive of the right to practice a profession. 3. To deprive of an honorary position. - Mervyn Lobo wrote: > Peter, > The short answer is yes. > Peter D'Souza <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> 2. Is the term "defrocked" derogatory? > _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org) Help/Unsubscribe/Update your Subscription: %(user_optionsurl)s This email sent to %(user_address)s
[Goanet] DABOLIM (part 1)
I would think the cyber-Goans would follow the MOPA story with more factual information than emotion or vested interest. I agree that Goa needs a lot of local projects. Local projects are paid for by local revenues (taxes). Because of different funding sources, local projects (roads, electricity, hospitals and schools built by local taxes) should not / will not be denied or delayed because of MOPA. The MOPA Airport is being PAID FOR BY the Central Government. When Delhi spends an estimated 100-600 crore rupees, that is money disbursed in Goan economy GENERATING LOCAL TAXES. That money sooner or later will be available to build many local projects, that we all want. MOPA is also jobs for Goans (building and maintenance) who will then be less dependent on foreigners or on migration. How long will Goans be able to move to the Mid-East in search of jobs? Goans going beyond the Middle East now is nearly ended except perhaps to Portugal. Finally many Goans complain that MOPA / North Goa will be a "mere transit" and to benefit South Maharastra. That's the precise benefit. After all Goa flourished in the 15th to the 17th century because it was a transit point for trade (and pilgrims to Mecca) between India and the rest of the world. This bonanza ended with Dutch and British blockade. After that Portugal as a trading power declined. Let's learn from Goan history, including its two "golden periods". Kind Regards, GL _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org) Help/Unsubscribe/Update your Subscription: %(user_optionsurl)s This email sent to %(user_address)s
[Goanet] Goan 'Kokno' used derogatorily
Yes Peter, "defrocked" is a derogatory term both to the indiviudal and to the institution the person belongs. If incorrect, one may even call the accusation "libelous". With a name like Peter, I thought you would know that!:=)) Kind Regards, GL Peter D'Souza 2. Is the term "defrocked" derogatory? _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org) Help/Unsubscribe/Update your Subscription: %(user_optionsurl)s This email sent to %(user_address)s
[Goanet] Country profile: Bahrain
Bahrain - the country with the recent boat tragedy Knowing about the countries where Diaspora Goans live and work. The following is what was published about Bahrain. Kind Regards, GL Country profile: Bahrain An archipelago made up of some 30 islands, Bahrain was once viewed by the ancient Sumerians as an island paradise to which the wise and the brave were taken to enjoy eternal life. With the current harsh Gulf climate, however, it is mostly desert. It still plays a traditional role as an important trading centre. OVERVIEW Bahrain - whose name means "two seas" - was one of the first states in the Gulf to discover oil and to build a refinery. As such, it saw the benefits of the new oil wealth before most of its neighbours. But it never reached the levels of production enjoyed by Kuwait or Saudi Arabia and has been forced to diversify its economy. The country has been headed since 1783 by the al-Khalifah family, members of the Sunni Bani Utbah tribe, who succeeded in expelling the Persians. From 1861, when a treaty was signed with Britain, until independence in 1971, Bahrain was virtually a British protectorate. The king is the supreme authority and the ruling family holds all important political and military posts. Since the National Assembly was dissolved in 1975, there have been outbreaks of civil unrest involving the Shia majority. In 2001 Bahrainis strongly backed proposals put by the emir - now the king - to turn the country into a constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament and an independent judiciary. Elections were duly held in 2002 for a 40-member parliament, the Council of Deputies. It was the first such poll in nearly 30 years. The new body included a dozen Shia MPs. The country has also been enjoying increasing freedom of expression, and monitors report that the human rights situation has improved. However, opposition groups and campaigners continue to press for political reforms, including greater powers for the elected assembly. The island state has for the past few years been a centre for tourists from the region taking advantage of its relaxed social environment. A close ally of the US, it is home to the American navy's Fifth Fleet. _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org) Help/Unsubscribe/Update your Subscription: %(user_optionsurl)s This email sent to %(user_address)s
[Goanet] Goan makes the mark
Mark Fernandes is a supurlo Goenkar with his roots in Saligao. He has a BE from Manipal, a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Berkeley and a MBA from Harvard. Their company's investment is only for Institutions or big - "really big" investors (like endowments). I call on all cyberGoans to post a write up on a contemporary successful Goan who could be a role model to the rest of us. This would be a lot better than endless posts on: Before and After 1961, or Celibacy in the Church, or Caste. Kind Regards, GL Considering Next Fund, Sierra Ventures Promotes Four By VentureWire Staff Reporters 3/31/2006 Sierra Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm, promoted four senior investment professionals as it will likely raise its ninth fund later this year. "The firm probably will be raising a fund," said Chief Financial Officer Martha Clarke Adamson. She would not provide details on the targeted size of the fund. Adamson said the promotions were not based on the fund-raising plans but rather the four people "have just proven themselves." Mark Fernandes and Ben Yu have been named managing directors. Jeff Loomans becomes partner; Mike Scanlin is now venture partner. The firm now has 12 investment professionals, including seven managing directors. Fernandes, 36 years old, was most recently a venture partner. Since joining the firm in 2002, his investments include FrontBridge Technologies Inc., an email management and archiving company bought by Microsoft Corp. last July for an undisclosed sum; and SourceFire Inc., a network security intrusion prevention company that Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. announced it would acquire last October for $225 million. Adamson said the firm's initial investment ranges from $2 million to as high as $15 million with an overall investment per company peaking at $30 million. Sierra Ventures, based in Menlo Park, Calif., invests across several information technology sectors, including enterprise software, semiconductors, Internet infrastructure, telecommunications hardware, software and services. The firm closed its last fund, Sierra Ventures VIII, in 2000. Founded in 1982, Sierra Ventures has more than $1 billion under management. _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org) Help/Unsubscribe/Update your Subscription: %(user_optionsurl)s This email sent to %(user_address)s
[Goanet] Bigoted Minds
My prior post congratulated Elisabeth on her forthright placement of an enlightening post on Goanet. As I read her post, the question raised in my mind is: Why are there "many bigoted minds in Goa"? Is it a camouflage for our failure to be hardworking, productive, and broadminded that blinds us? Do our own inadequacies make us parochial, fail to appreciate progress and learn from others? Do our unchanging minds fuel endless posts on issues revolving around 1961 (and others) with no new facts to share or review? Perhaps this may explain the root problem of Goans both in Goa and in the Diaspora. That is sometimes reflected in the dialogue on cyberGoa (go for the jugular in self-defense); and our failure to be inclusive in the Goan community. This may also explain our lack of ability to appreciate progress and say loudly, "Good Job" instead of a being chronic complainers or fascinated with bigoted terminologies. Beyond recognizing this weakness how do we work towards changing it? Kind Regards, GL Elisabeth Carvalho There are many bigoted minds in Goa, who use the word "Hindu" and "Indian" in a derogatory manner. I think instead of making such cosmetic changes as deleting words from our vocabulary, we should consistently go about changing attitudes instead. _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org) Help/Unsubscribe/Update your Subscription: %(user_optionsurl)s This email sent to %(user_address)s
[Goanet] Missed a Golden Opportunity
BC (Goanet's one and only) missed a golden opportunity to brand-name / trademark the one word for which he is most famous for. Read below for the rest of the story from Reuters as it appeared on the wire service. Now Bharti will be really taking over. Nortel revamps services business to drive growth By Sue Thomas TORONTO (Reuters) - Nortel Networks Corp. (NT) said on Monday it had revamped its services business to propel growth as it unveiled a big services contract with Bharti Tele-Ventures, India's largest mobile phone operator. Nortel, North America's biggest telecommunications equipment provider, said it had signed a five-year deal to provide call center services for Bharti, which has a more than 22 percent market share of the mobile phone market in India. Nortel would not disclose the terms of the deal, but Curt Hopkins, Nortel's global services vice-president of sales and marketing, described it as "significant. It is quite sizable." Hopkins said that Nortel, which already does business with Bharti, had beat "the usual suspects" to clinch the deal. "It was a very hard fought campaign," he told Reuters in an interview. "But at the end of the day what we were able to do for them was really solve their significant business issues, which was handling their huge number of new customers." Bharti has almost 20 million subscribers, adding 1.05 million users in January, and another 1.07 million last month as phone ownership surges in India, Asia's third-largest economy. Under the deal, Nortel will create a network operations center in New Delhi and supply network design, integration, support and maintenance services for Bharti's contact center. Hopkins said Nortel would seek more such deals in India, as well as in North America and Europe, although he declined to give specific details. "Definitely the Indian market is quite active, it's a real area where call center innovation is happening," he said. "But we see that elsewhere, we see it across Europe and we have seen significant demand across North America." GL adds: Is Bharti throwing a lifeline to Canada's largest IT industry? Regards, GL _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org) Help/Unsubscribe/Update your Subscription: %(user_optionsurl)s This email sent to %(user_address)s
[Goanet] Goan 'Kokno' used derogatorily
I read your post below with interest. Without reference to the individual you refer in your post, yet excluding no one; I wonder why people post supposedly "pious" post. Are they being smart, manipulative or just plain silly? Kind Regards, GL Santosh: > Goanetters, please note that the above claim of false accusation has been > shown to be bogus in another Goan public forum. An abusive email from "Joy > Braganza", apparently deprecating the same priest whom now the above poster > derogatorily refers to as "defrocked", has been conclusively shown to have > originated from the above poster's IP address. > > The above poster has subsequently changed his "Joy Braganza" IP address > claiming first that it was "hijacked" by somebody, and later, that it was > hacked by somebody in his home or neighborhood because he uses a home > wireless router. He has also appealed in vain to Bosco for help. Cheers _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org) Help/Unsubscribe/Update your Subscription: %(user_optionsurl)s This email sent to %(user_address)s
[Goanet] Goan 'Kokno'
Kudos Elisabeth, You are on a fast-track to being an ayatollah. Kind Regards, GL Elisabeth Carvalho I hope you are not apologising on my behalf atleast. If you take the word "Konkno" out of the Konkani vocabulary, I'd be interested to know what you would replace it by. Hindu? There are many bigoted minds in Goa, who us the word "Hindu" and "Indian" in a derogatory manner. I think instead of making such cosmetic changes as deleting words from our vocabulary, we should consistently go about changing attitudes instead. Which brings me to my second point? Do I really need to apologise for the biases inherent in my father's generation? Why all the mindless apologising? Let the past belong where it does. Let the future belong to more enlightened minds. _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org) Help/Unsubscribe/Update your Subscription: %(user_optionsurl)s This email sent to %(user_address)s
[Goanet] Goan 'Kokno' used derogatorily
With all due respects, this appellation would belong to a bygone era, if posts like the one below did not keep digging stories from that era in unrelated issues. The chances are the mauxis and others of that era looked down on Mesticios and a whole lot of other people, including Christaums. These and other terminologies used to describe groups of people in a sociological connotation is perfectly acceptable. In fact they are necessary if one is to make sense of Goan society. Some less than enlightened persons (with all due respects to our grandmothers and others) have missused them. And those who now are raking it up again speaks poorly of us. The original Portuguese name for Goan Hindus was "Cancanos" while for the native Catholics was "Canarins". Hope you take the post in the educational spirit in which it is being written. Kind Regards, GL Chris Vaz I would dare to suggest that the appellation "konknno" belongs to a bygone era when there was mistrust between Hindus and Catholics in Goa. Manoj Ganpatrao Raikar > It lools like GoaNet is only for Catholic subscibers,i am a hindu (goan > kokno) and when i read hindu word being used in a derogatory manner,i really > feel > bad. > > My friend Mr Carvalho(catholic) and myself and suffered at the hands of > konkani protagonists at the time of Konkani agitation.And I do not want > similar agitation taking place for Anti Mopa airport.I had narrated our > harrowing experiences we suffered at the hands of Goondas (i will not say > catholics). But it was not published.I would like to ask why was it not > circulated amongst GOANET Readers. > > My sincere appeal of not using Hindu word in a derogatory manner. > Manoj Raikar > _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org) Help/Unsubscribe/Update your Subscription: %(user_optionsurl)s This email sent to %(user_address)s
[Goanet] AIDS & HIV
I let this pass when first posted, thinking it was a typo. But the quote is getting repeated. Can someone enlighten us on the relation of pre-marital AIDS test to be "a deterrent to post-marital sex"? AIDS may be a lifestyle disease - though I have never heard it described that way. Yet, in Goa it was mentioned AIDS transmission may be through re-use of medical equipment (catheters) etc and blood. People also get it from their spouses and babies from their mothers. The only lifestyle way to prevent AIDS is NOT to have sex with anybody other than one's spouse. One will only encourage the spread of AIDS and other STDs, sooner rather than later, with a "use condoms and practice safe sex" education. That's the experience of the rest of the world. So I hope Goa does not repeat the mistake. Lifestyle (specially as it relates to sexual behavior) does not necessarily start after marriage. It starts young. Hence if a pre-marriage AIDS-test can contribute to a (pre-marriage), sex-free native Goan youth, (without the "safe sex" bit), the benefits are likely to be long-lasting. Kind Regards, GL Elisabeth Carvalho said However, I don't think an AIDS test is a deterrent to post-marital sex. These men will visit prostitutes after they get married and will infect their wives. That much we can be sure off. AIDS is more a lifestyle disease and unless we inform people to change lifestyles, use condoms and practice safe sex, we won't be successful in preventing its spread. --- afra dias: Well said. It is narrow minded and hasty of Goa to bring this law into force. Just to be " THE FIRST TO IMPLIMENT THIS LAW" Syndrome. There are other more hidden diseases that the Goans have not taken into consideration. Especially in UK there is a compulsory test for every pregnant woman, what is it? Certainly not HIV. _ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org) Help/Unsubscribe/Update your Subscription: %(user_optionsurl)s This email sent to %(user_address)s
[Goanet] NRI delegation
To make any effort a success, one needs to set UNITED AND ACHIEVABLE GOALS (as the Kerala NRI). PRIOR to the delegation's visit, the groundwork needs to be laid. AT THE VISIT, a clear plan should be developed with a TIME-TABLE FOR ACTION for each issue. AFTER the visit, at REGULAR PERIODS an assessment of the progress needs to be undertaken by individuals who led the efforts. No good result is achieved by sitting back and expecting success. One gets back proportion to the efforts one puts in. Kind Regards, GL Eugene Correia I was informed by someone here in Dubai about the delegation's visit. Godfrey who pointed out the non-benefit of such a visit. Having attended one Goan NRI meet in Goa two years ago, I am convinced nothing much will be achieved. Kerala NRI meet, and found their main problems relate to cheap flights to Kerala, the job and medical security in the Gulf, and NRI remittances. Some of these have been addressed by the Indian government.
[Goanet] Danish Cartoons
The following story from Netscape News (March 23) relates to how Racial Epithet is and should be handled. This is a good article for Goans in Goa and in the Diaspora, in how to address blatant errors. No excuses of "Freedom of Press" or "Freedom of Expression" etc., etc. Please note the APOLOGY and the CORRECTIVE ACTION. What a contrast to the Danish Cartoons saga! Kind Regards, GL Radio Host Fired for Using Racial Epithet By CHERYL WITTENAUER ST. LOUIS (AP) - A St. Louis radio station quickly fired a talk show host for uttering a racial epithet as he talked about Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on his morning show Wednesday. Dave Lenihan apologized on the air immediately after making what he said was a slip of the tongue. KTRS president and general manager Tim Dorsey agreed the remark was accidental but said it was nonetheless ``unacceptable, reprehensible and unforgivable.'' Lenihan had been heaping praise on Rice, who has frequently said she aspires to run the NFL one day but has more recently ruled out seeking to replace retiring Commissioner Paul Tagliabue. ``She's been chancellor of Stanford,'' Lenihan said on the air. ``She's got the patent resume of somebody that has serious skill. She loves football. She's African-American, which would kind of be a big coon. A big coon. Oh my God. I am totally, totally, totally, totally, totally sorry for that.'' He said he had meant to say ``coup'' instead of the racial slur. KTRS listeners soon began calling the station to complain. Twenty minutes after the utterance, Dorsey went on the air to apologize to Rice and KTRS listeners. ``There can be no excuse for what was said,'' Dorsey said. ``Dave Lenihan has been let go. ... There is enough hate. We certainly are not going to fan those flames.'' NAACP chapter president Harold Crumpton commended Dorsey for his swift action. Reached at home, Lenihan said he was still trying to figure out what happened and was drafting a letter of apology to Rice. He said he never uses the slur he uttered and thinks Rice is ``a fantastic woman.'' Lenihan, formerly a drive-time host at WGNU radio in St. Louis, had been at KTRS for less than two weeks. ``It was my dream job,'' he said. ``Ratings were going well. It kind of stinks.''
[Goanet] Cultural Celebrations
-- | Read V.M. de Malar's latest Column: | || | Politics of Destruction | || | http://www.goanet.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=416 | -- Hi Gabe, Three Cheers to the Goan Village Associations in London. In your example, my post was preaching to the choir. As your post points out, there are lot of advantages to guests and new Goan blood at our functions. Or else it becomes "sodanchem khobor" a.k.a gossip.:=)) Kind Regards, GL Gabe Menezes: A correction on the misconception of members only. Here in London, at many occasions, like the Village feasts, the guests outnumber the Members. Many occassions would be a flop if it were not for the support of the guests! Gabe Menezes. London, England GL: B.T.W. these celebrations were open to all. A good lesson to Diaspora Goans, who exclude other Goans from their celebrations because its "members only".
[Goanet] Re: HIV test to be made mandatory for marriage
You may have read the post (I think by Gabriel) about Russian women (Russian mafia-prostitutes) bringing HIV to Goa. The blondes spread it to the local population with the help of the Goan motorcycle pilots - perhaps in exchange for a free lift.:=)) Also there was a post about the spread of HIV in Goa's medical facilities by reusing syringes, catheters and unsafe blood. India has the largest number of HIV positive cases in the world - see Bill Clinton's work and Bill Gates work on this front in India. A pre-marital compulsory HIV test may be a deterrent to pre-marital sex. And in today's world, any real or imaginary deterrence can be helpful. Regards, GL Beverley de Sequeira: I do agree with Ms Carvalho that making the HIV Test mandatory is an invasion of one's privacy.. But however, one has seriously consider that in doing so, numerous innocent lives will be spared the anguish unfairly inficted upon them in unwittingly contracting the disease from a infected spouse.. Have personally , in the course of practise, had a few patients who contracted the disease, unsuspectingly from their spouses.. she breast -fed her child, and it was only later that both mother and child tested positive for the HIV virus Social stigma followed and she is now homeless having been thrown out by her in-laws. Despite medical advances and now the free availibility of ART, there is still a lack of a complete cure for AIDS.. Better safe than sorry , right ?? jc: Well said Lawrence! (Rodrigues) Wonder too how mant Goa Doctors who own these pathology labs will go along with this. Lawrence Rodrigues: "We have decided to amend the Goa Public Health Act making HIV test mandatory before registration of marriage," State Health Minister Dayanand Narvekar told reporters after the cabinet meeting. If amendment comes through, Goa would be the first state in the country to have mandatory HIV test before marriage, Narvekar added. Some more nonsense from our Goan politicians!!!
[Goanet] Welcome to Goanet
Hi Elisabeth, The Goanet administration encourages new members to initially spend some time seeing how the Goanet process works. Yet they do not give any specifics. Here is a HUMOROUS rendition of how the system operates. There are several self-appointed professors on Goanet. A few of them believe they are the god-appointed authority on a specific issue. Cross the line on that subject, these ayatollahs will be awaken from their usual docile existence. A few of course have a "short fuse". If one tries to push the line further, the otherwise pleasant ayatollahs are not hesitant at issuing a fatwa. Fortunately these Goan ayatollahs do not have a following. Hence, there is nobody to carry out the fatwa. They themselves are too susegad to engage is such physical activities. So the Goan issued fatwas, unlike the real fatwas, are water (filtered through the kidneys) with no vinegar. That's how exciting it gets on Goanet! You should learn to ignore the "Kator Ree Bhaji" posts. Or you will be wasting your neurons and sending your blood pressure way high. So feel free to use your Delete button freely. On a serious note, welcome to Goanet. Pick a niche topic based on your profession or your interests and educate the rest of us on your favorite subject. Thus, you will soon become an ayatollah yourself and then enjoy the company of Goan's self-styled creme de la creme. :=)) These are some suggestions from a still-aspiring ayatollah. Regards, Gilbert A. Lawrence, Elisabeth Carvalho: I've just joined the mailing list .
[Goanet] Cultural Celebrations
This is mid-March where Winter is on its way out and Spring is arriving. All cultures worldwide celebrate this transition, for the town to come out of their winter doldrums, people end their cabin fever and reconnect and interact with other members of the community. United States being a cauldron of international cultures, one saw all this occurring in the same town and on the same day. Yesterday we participated in a smorgasbord of ethnic cultures festivals. It started 10:00 am with St. Patrick's Day parade. The Irish showed off their bag-pipes, ethnic costumes and dance, Irish setters, etc. At 2:00 PM was the Pysanki Festival. Pysanki is the Eastern European tradition of decorating (Easter) eggs. At 5:00 PM it was Fritz's (German) Polka band playing at the Smoking Gun Saloon; and we danced to Polka, Waltz, Cha-Cha etc. At 8:00 PM it was celebrating the Indian color festival of Holi with more food, music and gharba. Burnt off at least 2000 calories.:=)) We had to miss the Italians celebrating St. Joseph's feast (with a dinner-dance). To all Goanetters who also had a good time celebrating this weekend - Salut! B.T.W. these celebrations were open to all. A good lesson to Diaspora Goans, who exclude other Goans from their celebrations because its "members only". Kind Regards, GL
[Goanet] Number of Flights operated in a day
The issue is not who got the flight statistics, but rather the need for facts to have an intellectual dialogue. Now that we have the facts, it is clear there is plenty of room (and runway) for military and civilian authorities to share Dabolim airport. Analyzing the numbers to death is not going to advance the cause for this cooperation; since no one of Goanet has the authority to develop the schedule for the landing of the planes. Frankly I am not even sure there is an issue about the cooperation between the two authorities. The discord is only among the Goanetters. Ah! What we do without a discord! Kind Regards, GL
[Goanet] Danish cartoons
Hi Mario, Perhaps others can explain what you are seeking. Our friend Cornell calls the behavior of British Muslims (on this issue) as "Over the top". Very British! (Perhaps true for British Muslims) You can analyze the differences between UK Muslims and others who behave differently, as you described. Please enlighten me after your discovery. The title of this thread is Danish Cartoons. You can change it to: Science of Mass Hysteria.:=)) Kind Regards, GL
[Goanet] Number of Flights operated in a day
A Goenkar in UK can get these statistics. Yet native experts continue an unending dialogue on Dabolim with no facts and statistics. Amazing! Those having a difficulty of civilian and military use of Dabolim cooperatively should find some sense in these numbers. And does this reflect the ultimate in susegad lifestyle at Dabolim airport in the days-gone-bye or Amchem tempar:=)) Kind Regards, GL JoeGoaUk <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Average No. of Flights operated in a day at: BOM 452 DELHI 399 BANGALORE 180 MADRAS 179 CALCUTA 132 HYDERABAD 129 AHMEDABAD 54 COCHIN 54 GAUHATI 40 GOA 39 TRVENDRUM 30 JAIPUR 22 NAGPUR 13 i.e. av. one flght every 3.2 minutes at Bombay and every 37 minutes at Dabolim Where as London Heathrow, it is about every 30 seconds.
[Goanet] Re: Santosh and the death threat
I have no doubt that Santosh, as he reported, may have received a fatwa from some Goan ayatollah. However as Santosh does not believe in God, he should believe the ayatollahs have no "fatwa power". And being a Goan ayatollah, the individual has even less imagination, in issuing the fatwa. If it will help, Santosh should know none of the Goan ayatollahs (specially the ones on Goanet) have a following. They are Goan meen! Hence, there is nobody to carry out their fatwa. So as they say in America, the fatwa Santosh received from the Goan ayatollah is just water (filtered through the kidneys) with no vinegar. :=)) Regards, GL
[Goanet] New book on Fall of Portuguese India
Clearly Salazar was using Goa and Goans as pawns in his game to prop up the bankrupt (literally and figuatively) Portuguese regime in Lisbon. And brown Portuguese in Goa looked upon Lisbon as their savior! Another example of: "One eyed man is a king among the blind" Kind Regards, GL Teotonio R. de Souza: M.M.Stocker recounts the fall of Portuguese regime in Goa in 1961, presenting critically the diplomatic and military strategies adopted by Salazar. Points to his success in forcing India to stain its pacifist image, but also to his failure in sensing correctly the contemporary world politics and also the feelings of the Portuguese citizens at home. The �checkmate� in the title of the book suggests an analogy of �poker� game. The book seeks to analyse how Salazar failed to see the enemy hand as well as his own hand. He bluffed and lost. He trusted the virtues of Nehru and was hoping that he would balk before the self-sacrificing Portuguese troops. He believed that there would be no invasion at all, or if it did, it would provoke large massacre. In either case Salazar hoped to improve the image of Portugal in India and elsewhere, specially in Portuguese African colonies, which were simmering. Both his calculations failed.
[Goanet] Re: Danish cartoons
Hi Cornel, What I wrote in my post are entirely my thoughts and words. I did not have any sentences of my post in quotes. So I apologize to you for not quoting you. I am always amused by life (perhaps you know me by now). Your thoughts as reflected below, suggest I had a "stronger interpretation" of events. While our friend Mario accuses me of being soft on and "patronizing" to the Muslims. Perhaps I am just a nice likeable guy that big fellahs like to hammer on.:=)) Now if the women felt that way, that would be a different story.:=)) Kind Regards, GL cornel: Hi Gilbert Your reading/interpretation about what I said to you privately about the Danish cartoons, by way of a reply to your specific enquiry, was totally different from what I had actually said. I had said that, the feeling about the Muslim agitation over the cartoons was deemed in the UK "to be over the top... by people who take their religion seriously," By no stretch of the imagination did I say anything like "the appaling response of the uncontrolled Muslim crowds..."etc. I believe that what I had said was pretty low key and measured and a long way from your stronger interpretation when you said "the mob scenes were emotional and the reactions were individually driven by nature." I would have been happier if you quoted my exact words rather than portray a slant I neither believe in nor stated. Cornel
[Goanet] Danish cartoons
Hi Cornel, I have been working on the response to your views about the Denmark press story. Usually with a "considered response", I tend to take some time to finesse my thoughts and writings. Hence I hope you pardon this delay. I agree with you about the appalling response of the uncontrolled Muslim crowds to the issue. However, as seen on the TV, the mob scenes were emotional and the reactions were individually driven in nature; though there may be instigators at the various demonstrations across the Muslim world. However, I hold the Danish editors to a higher standard because: 1. They were more educated. 2. Their decisions were from serious discussions around a conference table. 3. Their poor decisions reflect the poor choices made after considerable deliberations by a body of supposedly enlightened people. 4. These poor choices were not the first time as reflected by their prior printings of cartoons about other religions. 5. The paper hung itself and their country with its own long rope of "press freedom." 6. Boycotting Danish products was the right (and expensive) response. It is one that's adopted in the west to issues the consumers do not appreciate. The issue to me is NOT freedom of the press (which is a given). The issue is educated people in a hierarchical and systematic manner using poor judgement. Using good judgment (in what is printed) is expected and used by the press all the time - "Freedom of the press" not withstanding. Everybody in society is expected to use good judgment and not abuse their freedoms or push the limits of their rights to the max. This specially applies to "liberals". One does not need to print the cartoons to describe the situation / issue. Just like one does not need to show a picture of rape to present a story on rape. And one doesn't have a nude picture to talk about prostitution, etc. Hence the Prime Minister of Denmark should have / could have apologized for the poor judgement used by the largest newspaper in the country. This, rather than trying to cop out and frame it as a "freedom of press" issue. Both the educated and the uneducated could see through this argument for different reasons. The same applies to other British and U.S. newspapers who elected to publish or not publish the cartoons. In many respects we tend to be on the same page, with perhaps a little different emphasis on various aspects of these issues. I am amazed by the poor judgements sometimes used by the media in their attempt to cover TV program time or newsprint space. Right now Fox News is bombarding us with stories and repeated interviews of a 16-yr old boy from Aruba. He may or may not have murdered a young American girl on vacation in Aruba. Most of the post-interview analysis of this boy's testimony (without his attorney) is telling us "how the boy is lying." So why show us the interview and bore us with five lawyers and even more TV commentators analyzing this kid's testimony - done without his attorney? These (the utility) are issues one would think news reporters and editors (and others) would think about on a routine basis? And at the same time, there was minimal coverage of Bush's peaceful and productive visit to India. Kind regards and good wishes, GL
[Goanet] A small push from outside: Goa 1961?
U.S. neoconservative like Bill Kristol are political advisers who perhaps are unfamiliar with the history going back to the 1950's and 1960's. Yes the Salazar's regime was also "hollow at the core" unable to do anything for Goa and Goans expect for empty promises. The same applied to his white or brown surrogates in colonial Goa. Yet, how does examining this and the prior Portuguese colonial period help with, "A vital debate if we want to overcome the past, understand the present and prepare the future of Goa". Is this also a mumbo-jumbo of words and empty promises?:=)) Kind Regards, GL Constantino Xavier: "The way the cold war ended shaped the thinking of supporters of the Iraq war, including younger neoconservatives like William Kristol and Robert Kagan, in two ways. First, it seems to have created an expectation that all totalitarian regimes were hollow at the core and would crumble with a small push from outside. The model for this was Romania under the Ceausescus: once the wicked witch was dead, the munchkins would rise up and start singing joyously about their liberation." Romania 90's, Irak today ... Does the theory apply also to Goa in 1961, "a small push from outside and the munchkins since then singing joyously about their liberation"? A vital debate if we want to overcome the past, understand the present and prepare the future of Goa. Constantino Hermanns Xavier
[Goanet] Re: Goa for Goans
Response to Floriano. Vote banks is nothing peculiar to Goa or India. Under different names, (sometimes called voting blocks or party base), it is the basis of democracy and elections. After the election the group "trades" the banked-votes for social and economic progress and preferences. The reason why many Catholic Goans complain about "vote bank" is because WE (repeat WE) are apathetic / unable to work together to create a common platform, common priorities and a "vote bank". This inability to work together does not apply only to the Catholics in Goa. It also applies to Goans in the diaspora. The only common platform diaspora Goans rally around is a celebration "ani Scotch ani Sorpatel". This is thanks to our "diaspora village presidents" and other "social coordinators". Then these Goan "leaders" in the diaspora conveniently say, "We do not need a big Goan association." As the saying goes, "You have three Goans and five totally different perspectives" on any given issue. And the successful Goans just elect to stay away from all this Kerem-Kerem. Kind Regards, GL
[Goanet] Bill Clinton arrives
Response follows: Mario Goveia: Hi Mario, That's called Fermones. For most men over 40, it's all in the head. For some men, it is where it should be.:=)) Do you want yours 'lowered'? :=)) Just ask Bill, while you show him around Goa. Since you may be missing the news in USA, here is yesterday's headline. "Women Find G.S.O.H. in Men Attractive, Study Shows" So, if one is 'busy doing nothing', then increase the G.S.O.H Kind Regards, GL G.S.O.H.: Good Sense of Humor.
[Goanet] Islamo-terrorists in USA
Three Islamo-terrorists were indicted on a plot yestereday in the USA. They allegedly wanted to attack the heart of USA (after attacking New York City). Their center of operation (where they resided) was Toledo, Ohio. That is Mario Govea's hometown / city. Hence MG's Islamo-fascist-phobia is not without foundation. Is Bin Laden going for the "Heart and Soul" of President Bush?:=)) Kind Regards, GL Please read the above post in its intended format - tongue-inside-the-cheeck. Mario Goveia I am glad that Bill Clinton has suddenly awoken to this cause. > Has it escaped everyone's attention that Mr. Clinton was US President for eight long years and, during all that time it never occurred to him to do anything about HIV/AIDS while he was one of the most powerful people in the world? > Now, while he "is in India to discuss with the Indian Prime Minister about the unfortunate spread of diseases like HIV/AIDS, BIRD FLU, MALARIA, etc., in India and throughout the rest of the world." as if that is going to solve the problem, his successor is actually spending BILLIONS of US taxpayers money in programs that are actually doing something about HIV/AIDS, supported by the actual philanthrophy of Bill Gates.
[Goanet] Konkani corrections!
Is this a greeting for Prez Clinton? For those Americans not familiar with Konkani, please translate the salutations. Thanks Kind Regards, GL Gabe Menezes TUMCHE AXIRVAD ASSUM ANI BORO KHOR MOG KOR! Gabe Menezes. London, England
[Goanet] Bill Clinton arrives
Is that what MG does when there is serious competition?:=)) Or as they say it in America: Are Goan women so hot, they are ILLEGAL (reason for hiding)?.:=)) Ok! In honor of Prez Clinton in Goa, I had a double shot of feni. And for the hot Goan women, it is "Cheers BABY" Kind Regards, GL Mario Govea: > Bill Clinton has arrived - hide the women.
[Goanet] Re: Shroud of Turin and the Shredding of SFX
Jose, Mario, Eddie and Kevin, Now that you smart guys have shredded the Shroud, Will you put the Goan "Soupa De Pedra" with a little lime into the turin? :=)) Regards, GL
[Goanet] President Clinton in Goa
With the presence of President Bill Clinton in Goa, has the Goa branch of the CID been informed of the presence of hard core / fanatic / Democratic-phobic / Hillary-Haters, Republican card holders in Amchem Bangharacem Goem?:=))) Could there be a security risk for the ex-Prez in the sands of in Amchem Bangharacem Goem? Could such individuals on the Goanet please identify themselves? :=))) :=))) Kind Regards, GL
[Goanet] RE: Thank-you, Cornel ani Kevin - correction
Is this a correction? Or is this A New and Improved Version?:=)) Kind Regards, GL >From: "jose colaco" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Goans who speak Konkani say Thank You in three ways 1. Deu Borem Korum 2. Obrigadh 3. Dhandiyawadh === SHOULD read as follows: Goans who speak Konkani say Thank You in three ways 1. Deu Borem Korum 2. Obrigadh 3. Dhaniyawadh 4. Ttank Yu jc
[Goanet] Re: Response to Danish editor's letter
Hi Cornel, Thanks for your kind review of our book - On Thin Ice - which recently appeared on Goanet. We appreciate your kind words on our endeavor. Thanks too for reading my post on the above story and taking the trouble to make some thoughtful comments. You are correct that Greenland in a Danish protectorate. Greenland (mostly covered with ice, unlike Iceland), is not considered a third world country in the classical sense. And generally neither Denmark nor Greenland factor in the North - South dialogue. It would appear that you otherwise agreed with the major points I made to the Danish Editor. I have heard many who complimented the Canadian and American people / communities and newspapers for using good judgement in this whole saga. I would certainly like to hear your thoughts from across the pond. Kind Regards, GL cornel <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: 2) Denmark is a colonial power. It has Greenland which is really huge geographically, but with relatively few people, as a colony. > From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> I still cannot understand how a nice small peaceful Scandinavian country >> like Denmark, which never had any third world colony, could be the center >> of an international North-South controversy. >>
[Goanet] Response to Danish editor's letter
Hi Carsten Juste, (Editor of the newspaper that published the controversial cartoons.) I read with interest your letter on your web page about the "No Holocaust cartoons." I saw the interview that your cultural editor, Rose Flemming, gave to CNN where he offered to establish contact with the Iranian paper and then publish defamatory cartoons about Jewish and Christian faiths to balance the cartoons on Mohamed and Islam. I also saw the interview of your Prime Minister on CNN. Here are my thoughts. My wife and I would love to write a story on this whole saga from a Danish perspective, from a Muslim perspective and an American perspective. The title of the book would be "OOPS". I still cannot understand how a nice small peaceful Scandinavian country like Denmark, which never had any third world colony, could be the center of an international North-South controversy. I cannot believe that you appointed Flemming Rose as a cultural editor of your newspaper. What were you thinking? In hindsight, this was the first OOPS of the whole saga. Then you allowed your newspaper to publish your "tasteless media stunt", which of course was repeated by a few other newspapers in a few other countries. This shows that a few newspaper editors also love stunts, to perhaps increase their circulation. Congratulation on your decisions not to publish any more "tasteless media stunts" from your past published library or from Iranian papers. In pursuit of the whole story, I checked your web site (where I saw your letter) hoping to see the cartoons; which are at the center of this international controversy. Unfortunately I did not find any. Hmm, I wonder why? Mr. Rose during his current leave, should be made to read the book "How to win friends and influence people". I cannot understand how a discussion of sketches on Mohamed for a children's book becomes a caricature contest for a newspaper. Then perhaps your lack of knowledge or plain insensitivity (from past experiences) leads now to an international controversy. I think the Danish government as reflected by your Prime Minister's actions and interviews, badly handled the subsequent fallout. President Bush had some wise things to say about this controversy. Yet, our American Secretary of State managed to make "Rice Pudding" of this whole episode. I think the Muslims were "off the cliff" in their protests. To go to the point of having loss of their OWN life and property in protesting what someone 3000 miles away did or did not do is just insane. This whole episode, on both sides, is NOT a "Clash of Civilizations" but rather a "Clash of Chaos" which stems for ignorance and indifference, which has led to enmity. A lot of good can come out of this unfortunate episode. As a smart editor, I am sure you have noticed that many international incidents including wars, specially the current Iraq war, started off as a series of false beliefs or "OOPS" or as your web letter put it "Error of Judgement(s)". I wish you all the best. We would love to do the story on the story. Regards, Gilbert A. Lawrence,
[Goanet] Experience of writing a novel (part 2/3)
Given my penchant for not writing long e-mail posts, the following is split to a three part series. It appeared on the web page of Writers' Weekly - a US based webpage that caters to American writers. Those interested in writing could review this weekly web page (revamped every Wednesday) for serious tips on and about writing. This is the second of three parts. EXPERIENCE of writing a novel in America (part 2 / 3) NON-WRITING WRITERS Our enthusiasm for our creative work was matched by the number of friends and acquaintances who offered to review our work before and after publication. They assured us they were newspaper and magazine writers eager to support our work. One said, "I am an English professor and would love to review your book." We were happy to take them up on their offers and gave them printed versions of our pre-published work (lots of time, effort and expense involved) or a copy of the printed book. Out: “many copies.” In: “zippo” reviews or comments even after gentle reminders. Our first reaction was one of self-doubt. Was our book so poorly written that the reviewers did not want to hurt our feelings? Did the reviewer not know where to start (or end) with the review process and elected not to commence the writing? Should we reassure them that only a few comments would suffice? Some had not even begun to read the material weeks after they received a copy. "It's at the top of my to-do list," they claimed. These were the ones who requested a copy and assured us it would be "an honor to review the book.” After these initial experiences, there were many great reviews which can be read on the publisher’s (Booklocker.com) web page (please type in the title of the book on the web page) or at: http://www.booklocker.com/books/2194.html These compliments are the biggest satisfaction of our undertaking. The best compliment was from a former TV reporter. He said that On Thin Ice was very educational and our writing style was similar to that of Thomas Wolfe, a prolific writer who lived from 1900 to 1938. We may not get inducted into the "Thomas Wolfe Society" but it's the thought that counts. A London based reviewer Dr. Cornel D'Costa, PhD, who is an author, consultant and specialist in university education carries the compliment further. In comparing a short novel to a long novel he states, "In a short novel, every word, every turn, every thought matters and that it’s a quality of concentration hard to sustain over a longer novel. Thus if they are good, short stories and novels resonate far beyond their size as is the case with On Thin Ice." MAKING IT A BEST SELLER Friends are always great at proposing ways to promote the book so that our work has a chance at making the “best seller” list. The top award goes to the following suggestions, often made with slight variations: GIVE an autographed copy of your novel to EACH member of this association. Another publicity approach, “Thanks for giving me the book for Christmas. I find it entertaining as well as educational and will surely pass it on to my friends.” A rep of a national corporation suggested, “Send me a copy of your book. I can evaluate it as a promotional item for our company.” Because this is a local, community-based medical novel, I suggested to a physician that he could use the book as an educational tool. His response: "My staff really does not read.” Ours is dubbed the funniest-serious novel and we see the humor in people’s reactions. In the process, we’ve perhaps compiled many tips for our next endeavor. We did not write the novel to enable us to retire on its royalties. As individuals interested in education we were happy to learn from many about the useful tips and information they learnt from the book. Some of these are highlighted in the reviews. We are still holding on to our day jobs! ABOUT THE AUTHORS Meena and Gilbert Lawrence make a wife-husband writing team. Their roots are from Goa - Sangolda and Aldona respectively. They were born in Bombay (Mumbai), India, where they completed their postgraduate studies. They immigrated to the U.S. in 1977 and live in Utica, New York. Goanet web page for the reviews: http://www.goanet.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=242 Our appreciation to Goanet A&E section designed and edited by Bosco D'Mello.
[Goanet] Re: Rs 1.25 cr for garden facelift
Is this what is termed spreading the manure around? Where are all the Ponjekars of cyber Goa? They do not seem to raise their voice at their elected representative pushing this "need / largess". Or perhaps they may like the manure, now that it is their backyard. On the other hand, any school, temple or church or charitable organization could get their hand on the 2.25 crores. They should volunteer to maintain the gardens. Under a grand plan various sections of the gardens could be handed over (along with the money) to different organizations. There could also be a friendly competition for creativity, artistic display, etc. etc. Kind Regards, GL Lawrence Rodrigues: << It may be recalled that during the tenure of the BJP Government, work on the Municipal garden kept pending despite the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation handing over the entire amount of Rs one crore as advance to Simplex for execution of the works. >> Now... << Deputy Chief Minister and Tourism Minister Dr Wilfred de Souza for sanctioning 1.25 crore towards development of the Municipal garden in the city. Dr de Souza allocated the funds through the Tourism Department to the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) following a request from Furtado >> Where exactly is this garden? How big is it? Rs.2.25 crores (1 + 1.25) for some murrum, dung, and seeds ? Will the pathways be paved with gold ? Lawrence --
[Goanet] Getting what we pray for!
Hi JC, Thanks for agreeing with me! Kind Regards, GL In response to this from me (JC): [When I first joined clinical medicine, I had the opportunity to do a rotation at the Ribandar Hospital. And while the Panjim GMC hospital was beginning to be partitioned and messed around by the Delhiwallas who were in charge of the funding of Goa, The Panjim hospital was still cleaner that any of the hospitals I had visited in Bombay or Poona.] Gilbert Lawrence wrote: As the post (above) shows, GMC (Goa Medical College) was a mess when it was run by the Delhiwallas as Union Territory. Goans of all shades at that time felt that this mess would be resolved (along with other messes) only if Goa became self-governed as a full-fledged state. It appears that GMC has gotten worse along with everything else with Self-rule / Statehood.:=)) I often wonder if things would have gotten even worse with "Independence" with no restraint from Delhi or Lisbon. JC responds: Dear Gilbert, That is a refreshing breath on absolute non-comprehension. (2) On what basis is Lawrence stating that Goa has Self Rule ? Nothing has changed since this thing called "statehood" came about. Only that the Goa Alibaba gang has more to swipe. sincerely jc GL responds: Hi JC, Thanks for agreeing with me! Thoence aum munta murre!.:=)) Kind Regards, GL
[Goanet] Getting what we pray for!
As the post below shows, GMC (Goa Medical College) was a mess when it was run by the Delhiwallas as Union Territory. Goans of all shades at that time felt that this mess would be resolved (along with other messes) only if Goa became self-governed as a full-fledged state. It appears that GMC has gotten worse along with everything else with Self-rule / Statehood.:=)) I often wonder if things would have gotten even worse with "Independence" with no restraint from Delhi or Lisbon. Kind Regards, GL > --- jose colaco <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: When I first joined clinical medicine, I had the opportunity to do a rotation at the Ribandar Hospital. And while the Panjim GMC hospital was beginning to be partitioned and messed around by the Delhiwallas who were in charge of the funding of Goa, The Panjim hospital was still cleaner that any of the hospitals I had visited in Bombay or Poona.
[Goanet] Indian doctors in Britain are poor and depressed
I second JC's concise and to the point post on this thread. However there can be a smug feeling (among Goans) that this is someone else's problem. This issue (and JC's advice) also applies to: 1. Non doctors. 2. Everybody and every where including Goa and India. 3. Seasoned residents / settlers and not just to new-comers. So there is a need to assimilate rather than stand out. We do it unknowingly often learning from our children. But the successful ones will change with a smile and a positive attitude. The "learning process" is a continuous and constant one. Unfortunately even if one realizes the need to know the local customs and cultures, there are no resources easily available. And even if there is a resource, will one avail themselves of the book and read it? The challenge for new immigrants is to learn and adapt to the new without losing out on the old (well tested) values and customs. In our community, for ethnic events (10-15 per year) we wear the desi outfits (especially the ladies) and eat the desi cuisine. But for everyday use and work the dress is "local" in keeping with the weather. It is precisely to show (and teach) the interactions of various ethnic cultural groups in any city/community, and as a learning tool, that we wrote our fictional novel "On Thin Ice" of an Indian physician in the USA. This is something we learnt living about 4 years in the London and 30 years in the USA. It is something we wish we had known when we had arrived rather than learning slowly at "the school of hand knocks". Kind Regards, GL jose colaco: The highly remunerated GP services in the UK have a good number of Indian doctors, so too the specialty areas. The story with the UK unemployed Indian doctors is complex: 1. There is prejudice 2. There is intense competition from the EU 3. Indian doctors esp the guys, speak English very poorly - and make minimal effort to improve that aspect of communication - so important in Medicine 4. Some Indian doctors bring their grovel techniques abroad - usually does not get one anywhere when it comes to professions 5. Many Desi doctors do not understand that Politics and or/Religion do NOT mix with Work. 6. Indian doctors are known to jam other Indian doctors - usually end up jamming themselves 7. They bring their clique nonsense abroad (Andhra Group, Kanada group, Punjabi etc) There are scores of problems in the fast evolving Professional Market place. In general, it is like in any field : One has got to work hard, accept that one has to learn new skills, be honest at work, work extremely hard, Learn to speak and write English well, and be prepared to work in any field to survive till one gets where one wants to get.
[Goanet] Time for a change - Goan expat social organizations
I am a champion of active ethnic organizations that do more than "wine-and-dance" or "scotch-ani-sorpatel" events. There is an economic perspective to social organizations which you have well outlined. >From a social perspective, culture provides the basis for the (unwritten) >"language of social behavior". Ethnic values prevents / reduces the ills we see in modern western society. These include: Divorce (50%), Children growing in broken homes (30%), Care of the sick and the terminally ill by the family (major problem), Domestic violence, Other psychological problems, etc... etc. You may say: How so? Please invite me to speak to your Diaspora group. Kind Regards, GL George Pinto <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: = It is worth asking what useful purpose Goan organizations in the diaspora serve? 40-60 years ago with fairly significant Goan immigration out of Africa/Goa/India to England/Portugal/Canada and to a lesser extent to USA/Australia there was a need for Goan social organizations. Their annual events provided a forum for people to socialize and meet, in come cases survive the challenges of their new land.
[Goanet] sale of Goan treasures
This is another Goan example of, we have a "so appalling" problem and it is someone else who should care for it. Why don't the Goans in the UK, encouraged by Mabel Santos, raise some funds and the native Goans provide space / building to put together a mini-museum to protect, safeguard and display the "all historic and artistic objects"? Good time to bring up this subject and reve up support is at the big Goan get together termed Wold Goa Day in London. Just a suggestion. Kind Regards, GL [EMAIL PROTECTED] I would like to thank Mr. de Malar for his article on the importance of keeping Goan art and artefacts in Goa for our future generations. It is so appalling that these 'treasures' are not protected and safeguarded in the country. The government and churches have to take responsibility for this and educate the people about the significance of all historic and artistic objects. Mabel Santos
[Goanet] A Goan Village circa 1961
Hi Antonio, Second question first: I lived in a Goan village (Aldona) from 1950-1961 (and visited the place in later years). Pre-1961, Aldona had no electricity (and gadgets that depended on it), running water (flush toilets) or paved roads. As my mother would say Goan villagers "did not have a pot to piss in." These daily deprivations did not matter. We HAD Portuguese citizenship (humor with sarcasm!). What made the progress in Goan village life? IMHO, it is all the revenue that Goa is earning from tourism. Recently I read about 5 crores will be spent in Aldona in the next FY. I doubt Aldona generates that kind of revenue in taxes. So Goans have to be grateful for the Golden Goose and take care of it. Don’t take it for granted and don't abuse it - Tourism I mean!!! Pre-1961 the only revenue the Govt received was mine exports and the proud and sacred "monthly remittances" of Diaspora Goans. Goa was a negative balance of payments for Portugal. So there were no revenues to improve Goa's dire needs in spite of all the frequent speeches, good intentions and decades of "planning on the drawing board." Politicians and government, be they Portuguese or Indian do not generate or print money; they only spread the wealth. Kind Regards, GL Antonio Menezes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> And so what one does think made all this possible in a village. Freedom and democracy and its representatives like panchayat members, MLA s and MP s who tried to provide the infrastructure. Now a question to all those Goanetters who had lived in a Goan village during the Portuguese regime in the late forties and fifties. Do you remember what village life was like and if so, compare it with todays burstling life of any Goan village.
[Goanet] Posts on Goa
Gabriel Menezes, Hi Gabe, If Gabe is good enough for you, why is it not good enough for the other Gabriel(s) throughout the world? Or are you insisting that I call them Gabru - amchem bashen, if they are Goan? Is you post suggesting: Arre are we shy of Konkani? :=))) Kind Regards, GL Gabe Menezes Sir, I believe you are mistaking Gabriel Figueredo for me. I was christened Gabriel, in school I was called Gaby or Gabie and when I was in the Royal Air Force it became Gabe. It stayed Gabe when I worked for an American Bank as that is the shortened version of Gabriel! -- Cheers, Gabe Menezes. London, England
[Goanet] Keeping-up Goan culture
To maintain my Goan culture, my wife and I attended a social evening to celebrate "Blessed Joseph Vaz, Pongal and Makarsankranti festivals" in Utica, New York. I would encourage other Goans to learn about these Goan festival traditions. Kind Regards, GL
[Goanet] Posts on Goa
Hi RKN, Please do not be too harsh on the miniscule minority of Bhatkars and Fidalgos in Goa (pre-1961). They were really like "A one-eyed person, who is a king among the blind". Kind Regards, GL Radhakrishnan Nair: Portuguese Goa was a "neat and civilized society" only to the miniscule minority of bhatkars and their progeny like you. For the vast majority, it was an awful place with few opportunities, no freedom and zilch hope, so that they were forced to migrate to all parts of the globe.
[Goanet] Waitresses in Goa
Could it be that Goan women have overtaken men in education and have moved into middle management jobs? So instead of being a waitress, they are now supervising the waiters - in a restaurant or in a hotel. Kind Regards, GL
[Goanet] Posts on Goa
Hi Gabe and Cornel, Reading many of your posts, on the subject of Goa exiting colonialism, one could fairly state that you two have intellectually been at the two ends of the spectrum. Yet, I was amused that in today's posts of this subject, both of you appear to be in agreement!!! I was "amused" because both ends of the spectrum agreed: On blaming Salazar and Nehru AND on the resultant deterioration of many aspects of Goan life. You both with all due respects, embody the Goan attitude - blame someone else for our plight. Neither of you blamed the native and the Diaspora Goans for failing to make the efforts to find a solution to colonial Goa. The Luso-Goans who were in power did not want to give up their "hereditary fidalgo status" and neither political group really cared for the vast majority of Goans - the lower caste and the poor upper caste - Hindu and Catholic Goans. I am dumb-founded about the Luso-Goans who now bad-mouth Salazar. Yet their own forebears and freinds, propped up the Salazar regime in Goa in the 1940-1950's. Further they aided and abetted Salazar by throwing Goan freedom fighters into jail. Like the Congress party in India, why did not the Goan senior management in government and civil life not paralyze the Goa government by non-cooperation and resignations? History moves on! The intelligent and hard-working continue to work diligently to make the best of the situation. Others sit back lamenting on the situation, like many Goans regarding the pre-1960 days and related issues. Let’s look at how other groups in India (under the same Indian / Nehru Government) handled changes. In post-independent India, was neighboring Bombay State which encompassed the present states of Maharastra and Gujarat. The Gujaratis had the economic clout and the Maharastrians in the capital of Bombay had the vote. Bombay State split on May 1, 1960– with some violence. The two parties did not sit and cry and blame others. The Gujarati mill owners and others in Bombay closed down their (old) textile mills, moved out of Bombay, and built brand new state-of-the-art mills in Ahmedabad. They soon regained their distinction and exceeded their status and profits challenging even their former masters (Britain) and USA. The Maharastrians worked hard to develop their state and Mumbai into the fastest growing and most dynamic (financial and cultural) city in the world. Forty years later, neither side are into “whose fault it was.” Yet Goan intelligentsia, especially in the diaspora still find the topic of “1961” and related issues including Opinion Poll, very self-rewarding mentally and as a boost to our egos. Today, there is very little to show for it other that some social celebrations. And we call ourselves capable of enlightened self-government. Or is it more likely day-dreaming? :=)) I am sure both of you very intelligent guys realize this is a commentary on Goans in general and not on either of you in particular. Kind Regards, GL
[Goanet] From thoughts to actions
Josenoron: Hi Jose, I agree with you, that nothing much is finally accomplished by merely pounding on the computer-key board. IMHO, taking a good idea and making it practically useful, may involve the following steps. 1. Having a concept and expressing its scope, application and importance. 2. Transmitting the theoretical plan and to convince others of its significance. 3. Others adopting the plan for their OWN benefit. 4. Adopting the plan will involve expending some time, energy, and money on the part of the beneficiary. I think cyber-space permits us to do step one. Step 2 can be done in cyberspace but soon needs to be transferred to a PHYSICAL interaction and communication among the individuals. This will be followed by more communications and refinements of the ideas. This is where Goan organizations perhaps could help in physically serving as a forum for dialogue and plan of action. Since we have not achieved step 2, it is difficult to achieve steps 3 and 4. I will not go into the discussion of: Will Goans adopt somebody else's ideas? Will Goans expend their resources for their OWN benefit? Or will it be: You do it for me? As the analogy goes: The horse should drink the water. One can suggest where the water is available. One may provide directions to the pool. One CANNOT force the horse to make the effort to drink. Thus cyber Goans CANNOT DO much for: 1. Goan motorcyclists who refuse to wear the helmet. 2. Goan men who continue smoking. 3. Those who will NOT READ about Goan history or cultural / social customs. 4. G.O.A. presidents who REFUSE to maximize benefits for the members. 5. etc.,etc Regards, GL
[Goanet] Goan Partiality
--- | New on Goanet's website's A&E section - http://www.goanet.org | | Book in Review: A Kind of Absence - Joao da Veiga Coutinho| | POEM: SUSEGAAD - Cynthia Gomes James| | http://www.goanet.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=216 | --- Hi Gabe, Thanks for the response. I think you made my point. There was only one or two journalists who wrote a couple of articles on the South Goan MP. Compare that to the multitude of posts against Chief Minister Parrikar and his govt.! And the many Ethel D'Costa's vitriolic posts against the North Goa MLA (doctor). Are North Goan politicians easy targets for Goan journalists? Is North Goa's economic interests subservient to South Goan conveniences and political egos? Kind Regards, GL Gabe Menezes. London, England: There was more than one article by Aires Rod Castigating Churchill Alemao! Perhaps you missed it? There was another article posted on Goanet which had appeared in the Herald showing the true colours of another South Goa Politician; the man who boasted about being the biggest tax payer in Goa! I guess you missed that one as well; Churchill has instituted a case against the journos who apparently duped him. The matter is with the Police, that is why ostensibly, no action has been taken against him by the powers that be. I guess they are waiting for the law to take its course. There was also a satirical piece by Cecil Pinto on this issue, posted on Goanet and published in the Gomantak times - you missed that one too! There was also a report posted by Godfrey Gonsalves on this same issue, which has created waves in Goa! The other South Goa politico, Luizinho Faleiro, I guess was boasting about him being the highest tax payer in Goa. This back fired, as many people, rightly question, how an almost penniless person with little or no educational qualifications and no leg to stand on, ends up becoming crorepati ! To add fuel to the fire; the Godfather (Churchill) states at a public meeting that unlike the crorepati South Goa MLA, he still remains the same!!?? :-) The opposition Man, Parrikar, was quick on the draw, referring to what was stated by Churchill and pointedly stated that there were many Congress Politicians who became crorepatis, through dubious means. On 14/01/06, [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: However, I am beginning to notice some divisions among Goans based on North and South Goa. Is this just my perception or is there some reality? .. I also noticed the rather LACK OF criticisms about the scandal-trapped / tainted MP from South Goa. I do not know the man, other than perhaps he owns a football club in Vasco. I noticed rather strong posts against much lesser political crimes (often of omission) allegedly committed by local Goan politicians getting a full airing in cyber Goa. > > So where are all the irate posts from cyber Goans but especially from the JOURNALISTS - both male and FEMALE on the tainted Goan MP?
[Goanet] Opinion Poll anniversary
--- | New on Goanet's website's A&E section - http://www.goanet.org | | Book in Review: A Kind of Absence - Joao da Veiga Coutinho| | POEM: SUSEGAAD - Cynthia Gomes James| | http://www.goanet.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=216 | --- Read the well written article on this subject by Valmiki Faleiro with interest and nostalgia. Like most Goan writings, he recaps and analyzes the past with no insights into the future. Just blaming history will not bring Goa and Goans sucess and prosperity unless we are willing to learn from history. To me the 1967 lesson is that Goans can achieve much if they ACTIVELY AND PROACTIVELY work at it. As a member of the Goan Diaspora, the Opinion Poll was a manifestation of the Goans (wherever they may be) to preserve their identity. So when will we hear next about the newly formed NRG group and committee? This is supposed to coordinate the Diaspora Goans, so that we can preserve our identity beyond the celebrations? As a first step let's stop blaming the past (Goans) or the next Goan even if they are politicians. Let each Goan determine what can they do NOW for their Goan community. Hopefully others with the same inclination and interests can work together to make a sucess of the project. Kind Regards, GL
[Goanet] Goan Partiality
-- | Wishing all Goanetters | | a Prosperous | | and | | Happy New Year - 2006 | |Goanet - http://www.goanet.org | -- Having my paternal roots in North Goa and my maternal roots in South Goa, I have never been bothered by the geographic division of tiny Goa. This is specially so living 8,000 miles from there. However, I am beginning to notice some divisions among Goans based on North and South Goa. Is this just my perception or is there some reality? I initially suspected the discussion of Dabolim to be linked with this geography. But to me the South Goa MP is placing the interest of South Goa (and South Goans) ahead of the interest of Goa and all Goans. I hope he is not placing the interest of his home-town of Vasco above the rest of Goa. This is an issue for North Goans and South Goans to evaluate. More recently, I also noticed the rather LACK OF criticisms about the scandal-trapped / tainted MP from South Goa. I do not know the man, other than perhaps he owns a football club in Vasco. I noticed rather strong posts against much lesser political crimes (often of omission) allegedly committed by local Goan politicians getting a full airing in cyber Goa. So where are all the irate posts from cyber Goans but especially from the JOURNALISTS - both male and FEMALE on the tainted Goan MP? Is there some partiality towards South Goan politicians? Most cyber-Goans have just chosen to retreat in their shells perhaps waiting for the inevitable long-drawn out investigations and hearings to complete. A quick way to resolve the issue is for the MP to institute defamation charges against the culprits, if he thinks he has been falsely accused based on his version of the (yet to be made public) tapes. Entrapment is an old politician's trick, which is learnt in high school. Regards, GL -- |Goa - 2005 Santosh Trophy Champions | || | Support Soccer Activities at the grassroots in our villages | | Vacationing in Goa this year-end - Carry and distribute Soccer Balls | --
[Goanet] Waking up in non-Goa
-- | Wishing all Goanetters | | a Prosperous | | and | | Happy New Year - 2006 | |Goanet - http://www.goanet.org | -- George has answered his own questions. Goans have moved up (and out) due to their skills and that's very good. Others, perhaps the school dropouts, are still waiting for the pie-in-the-sky job while wasting their time arguing endlessly about Goa. The character of a Goan (Who is a Goan?) is well exemplified in the posts when we argue about "I believe" instead of stating / researching the facts. Kind Regards, GL Lawrence Rodrigues Not sure I understand. "...land that once was Goa"? BTW, Who is a Goan? What is the definition? I believe Pratapsingh Rane's family hailed from Gujarat. Is he Goan? G Pinto: << ...Alas, that is probably not the case as we slumber in the land that once was Goa. Jobs and economic opportunity should be open to all (Goans and non-Goans) but there is something terribly wrong when the ratio is absolutely lop-sided against Goans. >> -- |Goa - 2005 Santosh Trophy Champions | || | Support Soccer Activities at the grassroots in our villages | | Vacationing in Goa this year-end - Carry and distribute Soccer Balls | --
[Goanet] Goa Governor's remarks
-- | Wishing all Goanetters | | a Prosperous | | and | | Happy New Year - 2006 | |Goanet - http://www.goanet.org | -- Future discussions on Goa's economy and tourism related issues should remember the following statistics as presented by Goa's governor at the recent NRI meeting. The unemployment statistics is only about "educated Goans". I assume this does not include the 40% of Goan school children who drop out of school before graduation. Kind Regards, GL Inaugurating the two-day third ''Gomant Vishwa Sammelan (Worldwide Goans Convention)'' the Goa Governor's remarks: tackling the mounting unemployment problem with more than one lakh educated youth on the live registers of the employment exchange, he said. The Governor also called for diversifying into other sectors of tourism like the eco-tourism to the hinterland, cultural and heritage tourism to retain the inflow of tourists. The tourism sector on which 70 per cent of the population depends in Goa, was a temperamental industry based on the mother nature, and ''one stray communal incident or a natural tragedy was enough to kill our Golden Goose'', he said. So was the mining industry which was the second economic pillar of Goa, but with depleting resources. -- |Goa - 2005 Santosh Trophy Champions | || | Support Soccer Activities at the grassroots in our villages | | Vacationing in Goa this year-end - Carry and distribute Soccer Balls | --
[Goanet] Outsourcing and India
We just made reservation for a winter vacation in Las Vegas from January 6-12. With the hurricanes this summer, the winter vacations spots in Mexico and New Orleans are out of commission. Also much of South East Asian resorts are yet to recover from the Tsunami. So other winter vacations spots elsewhere were all booked and making reservation was tight. My call to make my reservation was handeled in a call center in Mexico City. The guy had no accent and was very cooperative and well informed. When I informed my friends about the Mexico City call center, they said that major call centers were being developed in Eastern European countries. It looks like India has some competition and the call center business (outsourcing is increasing not decreasing). Happy New Year to more competition. Kind Regards, GL VABaliga Outsourcing and India: Now, outsourcing bug bites the US DOUGLAS RUSHKOFF It is in the name of innovation that Americas biggest and brightest technology companies are outsourcing their most seemingly mundane processes to companies in places like Bangalore and Delhi. What they fail to realise, however, is that the nations to which they are sending this work are not simply the beneficiaries of employment for mid-skilled labour; they are the future winners in the global contest for innovation leadership. -- |Goa - 2005 Santosh Trophy Champions | || | Support Soccer Activities at the grassroots in our villages | | Vacationing in Goa this year-end - Carry and distribute Soccer Balls | --
[Goanet] Period of review / comments ends
Period of review / comments ends If you are reviewing the Indian-American novel "On Thin Ice" for the novel's web page, I regret to inform you that more than an adequate number have been received and posted on the book's web-site. So, the publisher will not accept more reviews. I sincerely thank those who sent their comments and those in the process of doing so. The observations have been very positive (both on substance and style) and for us extreemly gratifying. The consistent theme from a broad segment of native-born Americans is an increased understanding and appreciation of Asian-Indian society. All found the novel educational. The reviews on "On Thin Ice" (ISBN 1 - 59113 - 826 - 4) can be seen at: http://www.booklocker.com/books/2194.html Those who are in the process of writing reviews can send them to their favorite publications for consideration. College and High School students doing the same, can consider sending their reviews to their college and high school newspaper / newsletter. This will be a good way to educate their peers and friends about the Indian-American culture and society. Wish you and your family a Happy and Prosperous New Year! Regards, Gilbert A. Lawrence -- |Goa - 2005 Santosh Trophy Champions | || | Support Soccer Activities at the grassroots in our villages | | Vacationing in Goa this year-end - Carry and distribute Soccer Balls | --
[Goanet] Making New Year Resolutions
-- || |Goanetters annual meet in Goa is scheduled for Dec 27, 2005 @ 4pm | || |The Riviera Opposite Hotel Mandovi, Panjim (near Ferry Jetty/Riverfront)| | Attending...drop a line to [EMAIL PROTECTED]| -- Tragedies are unavoidable and often an act of nature. However as society progresses, we have been able to eliminate or mitigate many tragedies. Society has made this progress through knowledge and information, even forecasting tragedies like Katrina. Of course not all of us are knowledgeable of every useful / necessary things in life. So all of us make "stupid" mistakes. We hope these mistakes are minor. And as intelligent persons we learn from someone else's mistake rather than our own. Yet some never learn, even from their own mistakes. I made a mistake about twenty-five years ago when I first learnt to drive. Through ignorance and oversight I did not get an oil change on my car for a long time. I ended up ruining the car's engine. Now, I change the oil every 3,000 miles and my Toyotas run for 200,000 to 300,000 miles with the standard maintainance practices. The greatest tragedy is when we pay with our lives for our mistakes and / or ignorance. In the last few years, I had three close male relatives die at ages 50-60 from preventable or easily curable cancer (if detected early). Information and the application of the information is the secret to life and success. Educating ourselves and our relatives, repeatedly if necessary, is better than crying at their funerals. "Aum soglem zano murree" and "tum maka sangi naka" attitude will not get us long-tern luck and good fortune. -- |Goa - 2005 Santosh Trophy Champions | || | Support Soccer Activities at the grassroots in our villages | | Vacationing in Goa this year-end - Carry and distribute Soccer Balls | --
[Goanet] PULLING FIGURES OUT OF HATS?
-- || |Goanetters annual meet in Goa is scheduled for Dec 27, 2005 @ 4pm | || |The Riviera Opposite Hotel Mandovi, Panjim (near Ferry Jetty/Riverfront)| | Attending...drop a line to [EMAIL PROTECTED]| -- How do you know the information provided was incorrect? What is the correct information according to you and what are your sources? This is no way to critique someone else without provided the right version.:=)) Reagrds, GL "Philip Thomas" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> This is what I meant when I said there is no integrity of flight information because of Dabolim's civil enclave status. All kinds of numbers get bandied about and nobody cares a whit. This is no way to run an airport. 1. Goa latest craze for holidayers (Pamela D'Mello)[Dec 28] 2. [Self, Dec 18] -- |Goa - 2005 Santosh Trophy Champions | || | Support Soccer Activities at the grassroots in our villages | | Vacationing in Goa this year-end - Carry and distribute Soccer Balls | --
[Goanet] To boost tourism
-- || |Goanetters annual meet in Goa is scheduled for Dec 27, 2005 @ 4pm | || |The Riviera Opposite Hotel Mandovi, Panjim (near Ferry Jetty/Riverfront)| | Attending...drop a line to [EMAIL PROTECTED]| -- It appears nearly every state in India is planning progressive developments in its transportation system. All this, designed to bring in more domestic and International tourists. Yet the Goans, as seen on cyber Goa, are in the usual griping mood about what they have and what perhaps is needed FOR THE FUTURE. Not long ago on the national Nightly Business Report (NBR) in the USA, an Indian reporter from New Delhi, informed the listeners how airline travel in India has increased and is projected to triple in India with the burgeoning middle class. He said, "the prediction are that rail travel in the India will be like in the USA - a thing of the past for most upper and middle income Indians. To meet this demand, national and private airline carriers from India were among the biggest buyers of new commercial aircraft at a recent European air show." So perhaps, just perhaps, Goa may need two airports. Ok I will settle for one-and-a-half commercial airports - if you know what I mean. Or do we want to cry later how Goa is neglected by the Center? Merrry Christmas and a Happy New year Sontosborit Natalam ani Khuxelborit Novem Voros Feliz Natal e Próspero Ano Novo Mog asundiaiz ani sod'danch Kind Regards, GL "D'Souza, Avelino" To boost tourism: Rajasthan plans two new airports, upgrade two existing ones and launch heritage train Rajasthan plans two new airports The Rajasthan government has planned to set up two new airports in the state and upgrade two existing ones to boost tourism. The two new domestic airports have been planned in Kota and Kishangarh near Ajmer, while Jaipur and Udaipur airports are likely to be granted the international status in 2006. A cabinet memo has been finalised and is scheduled to come up in the next cabinet meeting expected to be held in the new week, official sources told IANS. The union government has already granted its approval for developing the existing Kishangarh strip into a domestic airport and to establish another airport in Kota for which state government has already identified and acquired land, the sources said. Airports Authority of India (AAI) officials would visit both places for a preliminary inspection of the proposed sites. The proposed airports are expected to boost the tourism sector in the state. Kishangarh is about 25 km from the pilgrimage town of Ajmer, where the shrine of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti and the world's only temple dedicated to Hindu god Brahma attract a large number of devotees. Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel is expected to visit the lake city of Udaipur to launch the airport expansion project. In a bid to facilitate and attract more tourists to the state, the government has also decided to launch a meter gauge heritage train on the lines of Palace on Wheels. Tourism department officials were negotiating with the ministry of railways issues related to profit sharing, operation and management of the project, which is to be launched in January, sources said. (IANS) -- |Goa - 2005 Santosh Trophy Champions | || | Support Soccer Activities at the grassroots in our villages | | Vacationing in Goa this year-end - Carry and distribute Soccer Balls | --
[Goanet] Myths about Goan Culture
-- |Goanetters annual meet in Goa is scheduled for Dec 27, 2005 @ 4pm | || | Watch this space for more details | || -- I read the thought-provoking article by Ben Antao with interest. I have to compliment him on a well written piece and for surfacing many issues. But, I found the article long on challenges and short on solutions. And in so far as the solutions are presented, it was what others should do for Goans. The first part of the article outlined the difficulties Goan writers have about having their works published. Yet, we do not blame Goans for not reading Goan writings / literature. How many Goans in the Diaspora (where economics is not a major issue) have their own personal Goan library? Since I have written about this issue before, I will not belabor the point. And I do not see many Goan authors making this an issue. Publishers can / will only publish what they are assured readers will read. This is specially so as much of Goan writings are Goa based. As far as diluting Goan culture, no one can do so except the Goans themselves. In my interactions with Goans and query on Goan cultural rituals, the answers I receive is "our Goan cultural practices are changing." Well it is being improvised. This is because we do not know what it was. I have often asked how many Diaspora Goan associations celebrate the feast of the Patron (Saint) of Goa - Blessed Joseph Vaz? Just before posting this post, I checked the Canada's web newsletter - Goan Voice. It informed members about the Christmas and New Year Dances but had no mention about mid January celebrations for Blessed Joseph Vaz. The same was about Goan Voice UK. These reflect the plans and priorities of the Goan communities, their leadership (National /City association and Village associations) AND the Goan priests in these communities. This may explain why Indian film-makers perhaps present our priorities as outlined in Ben's article. So while we Goans love to lament about our issues, perhaps we need to look at ourselves and our own back- and front-yard and try to get our neighborhood in order. The first step is for Goan leadership to move from social activists to economic and intellectual leaders who to-date have been "busy doing their own thing" be it in Goa or in the Diasporas. Regards, GL -- |Goa - 2005 Santosh Trophy Champions | || | Support Soccer Activities at the grassroots in our villages | | Vacationing in Goa this year-end - Carry and distribute Soccer Balls | --
[Goanet] Lessons from Muslims in the West
Hi Mario, Thanks for your response to my post about educating the wider American community about "us". I could have responded to you privately but the following may be of interest to other cyber-Goans. Our recently released novel was reviewed by an Indian-American physician who said the following: "The novel has made me look at the experience in total and wonder in awe how far we have come from our homeland in India and made a second home in the U.S. The Reddys are good examples of Indians coming to the U.S. and assimilating with the Goras (Whites) here. Most of us stick to our Indian ways and lose out in learning from the Americans or imparting our culture to them. I liked the book. I found it well researched." -Rita Gavankar, M.D. Anesthesiologist, Hendersonville, Tennessee The web link will give you other reviews along a similar vein: http://www.booklocker.com/books/2194.html ISBN 1 - 59113 - 826 - 4 The above reviewer is working on getting a group of individuals from mixed marriage including their in-laws to see if the novel "On Thin Ice" gives them some more insights into other cultures. Please note her cross-cultural name. From what she feels and I agree with her, there is a difference between "knowing something" and "thinking we know it".:=)) If you read "On Thin Ice", I would appreciate your perspectives on this aspect of the story. Perhaps your kid's in-laws may find the book interesting too - to know about the finer points of Indian culture, as other Americans have stated. Perhaps your wife may even have a different take than the man. We frankly never thought of this aspect (mixed marriages) when we wrote our novel of individuals from different ethnic groups working as a successful team and having fun together. But this is a new twist. I am curious to see where Rita's experience goes. We look forward to hearing from you, other cyber-Goans and non-cyber-Goans who may be in a similar situation. If needed, feel free to e-mail me privately. Please do not feel defensive. The goal is to find subtle but important secrets and experiences that one can share with others to make life more successful and fulfilling. We do realize that each situation is different. Yet there may be a common thread. Regards, GL Mario Goveia: By the way, I agree with you that it is the responsibility of immigrant groups to educate those natives around us in the communities in which we live, and way beyond our colleagues, neighbors and friends, who are likely to know us anyway. I believe the Indian community has successfully done so, with very few exceptions, across the US. -- |Goa - 2005 Santosh Trophy Champions | || | Support Soccer Activities at the grassroots in our villages | | Vacationing in Goa this year-end - Carry and distribute Soccer Balls | --
[Goanet] Socio-economic growth of Goans
I read this post with interest. There was a lot written on language and little on socio-economic growth. Following many posts on cyber-Goa, the Goan languages and their scripts constantly need government handouts for survival. So does this "actual-story" on language foretell the conceptual socio-economic growth of Goa and Goans? One post I read suggested the development of Romi Script dictionary for Bardez Konkani, Salcette Konkani and for each dialect of each of the several talukas of tiny Goa - I can only describe this as CRAZY! Goans DON'T need social activism. We NEED economic activism. Here is a suggestion: When the unified Romi Konkani-English dictionary is developed, the book should be given to every participant of WGD celebrations in all the Diaspora; with the cost of the book ADDED to the entrance ticket. Now across the world, every WGD (organizers and participants) will really "put their money where their mouth is." This will be the best way to support the native Konkani language effort without government handouts. If a family gets multiple copies of the Konkani-English dictionary, (or a couple of substitute Goan books), they will be great gifts to other families or friends who could not make it to the WGD celebration. The cost of the book should be the same as it costs in Goa plus the cost of shipping on the "slow boat from Goa." Make the profit "on volume sales" and on the educational benefit. Kind Regards, GL Tomazinho Cardozo's talk at XCHR On 15th December 2005 at 6.00 p.m. during "History Hour" at Xavier Centre of Historical Research Mr. Tomazinho Cardozo delivered the following lecture. SOCIO - ECONOMIC GROWTH OF THE GOAN COMMUNITY THROUGH THE KONKANI LANGUAGE I am neither a historian nor a linguist. I am only a social activist and that compelled me to participate in almost all the issues, movements, etc., which affected the Goan society. -- |Goa - 2005 Santosh Trophy Champions | || | Support Soccer Activities at the grassroots in our villages | | Vacationing in Goa this year-end - Carry and distribute Soccer Balls | --
[Goanet] Lessons from Muslims in the West
Nearly all must have seen the racial riot (or near-riot) situations across Europe affecting recent immigrants, Muslims and non-Europeans. Now in Australia we see on TV, the clashes between the "Muslims" and the European natives of the country. In fact the situation in Australia is with the Lebanese who (my hunch is) are most likely Christian immigrants rather than Muslims. The problem - the facial expression and often the behavior pattern is no different among all the Asians. How do Asians in the west adress this issue and more importantly preempt it? Our current attitude of apathy and "it is not us" attitude will get us nowhere. If we Indians and Goans do not take the trouble to teach our surrounding community (colleagues, neighbors and friends) about us, any extremist anywhere can cause utmost problem for us and our children. It is amazing that we "rich Indians" do not appreciate what is at stake for us, our children and our community. Kind Regards, GL -- |Goa - 2005 Santosh Trophy Champions | || | Support Soccer Activities at the grassroots in our villages | | Vacationing in Goa this year-end - Carry and distribute Soccer Balls | --
[Goanet] Dr. Garcia de Orta - the other view
Hi Santosh, Your stand and based on all the historical sources you have quoted, the sole reason Dr. d'Orta was a victim of the Inquisition was because he was a crypto-Jew. So please tell us (based on your knowledge and references) how many cypto Jews were there in Goa? And how many crypto-Jews were the victims of the Inquisition in Goa in addition to Dr. Garcia de Orta? Do any of the four references specifically state that they personally saw the inquisition documents on Dr. d'Orta? Thanks for the information Kind Regards, GL -- |Goa - 2005 Santosh Trophy Champions | || | Support Soccer Activities at the grassroots in our villages | | Vacationing in Goa this year-end - Carry and distribute Soccer Balls | --
