[Goanet] Bible verse of the day:
2006 * * * Y E A R * * * O F * * * T H E * * * S E N I O R Goa Sudharop Annual Awards on November 20, 2006 @ Mandovi Hotel @ 4:30pm Chief Guest: Dr. Asha Vishwanath Sawardekar A series of essays as a tribute to Goan Seniors can be found at: http://www.goanet.org/index.php?name=Newsfile=articlesid=524 The LORD said to Moses, I will also do this thing of which you have spoken; for you have found favor in My sight and I have known you by name. --Exodus 33:17 Sponsored Link Mortgage rates near 39yr lows. $420k for $1,399/mo. Calculate new payment! www.LowerMyBills.com/lre ___ Goanet mailing list Goanet@lists.goanet.org http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
Re: [Goanet] Goan Lottery Millionaires
2006 * * * Y E A R * * * O F * * * T H E * * * S E N I O R Goa Sudharop Annual Awards on November 20, 2006 @ Mandovi Hotel @ 4:30pm Chief Guest: Dr. Asha Vishwanath Sawardekar A series of essays as a tribute to Goan Seniors can be found at: http://www.goanet.org/index.php?name=Newsfile=articlesid=524 Roland Francis [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: May God bless more Goans with major winnings and may the winners share their fortune with the underprivileged wherever they may be. Anyone can play the Lotto for $ 2 per chance. It is not restricted to Canadian residents and unlike the US lotteries, there is not a single dollar tax deducted. Roland Francis, I too am looking forward to more Goan lottery millionaires. Before more of us join that club, here is something interesting from lasts months The Toronto Star. Mary Wollens, a 85 year old Toronto woman went back to her lottery retailer and purchased another ticket with the same combination that she had purchased the previous day. The numbers were 1,10,18,24,31, and 46. The next day that combination won the $24 million jackpot. There were three winning tickets. By purchasing the extra ticket, Mary won two-thirds of the $24 million. The extra ticket she bought boosted her winnings by $4 million. Mervyn3.0 __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ___ Goanet mailing list Goanet@lists.goanet.org http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
[Goanet] New awards for NRI workers will include cash
2006 * * * Y E A R * * * O F * * * T H E * * * S E N I O R Goa Sudharop Annual Awards on November 20, 2006 @ Mandovi Hotel @ 4:30pm Chief Guest: Dr. Asha Vishwanath Sawardekar A series of essays as a tribute to Goan Seniors can be found at: http://www.goanet.org/index.php?name=Newsfile=articlesid=524 New awards for NRI workers will include cash Indo-Asian News Service New Delhi, Nov 18 (IANS) Each of a new series of awards instituted to recognise outstanding contributions made by Indian workers abroad will carry a citation and a cash of Rs.100,000. These awards, instituted by the ministry of overseas Indian affairs, will be separate from the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awards that are presented to members of the Indian diaspora, both NRIs and persons of Indian origin. A maximum of 10 such awards under the Pravasi Bharatiya Shramik Samman scheme will be presented in the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, the annual conclave of the Indian diaspora organised by the ministry, a senior official told IANS. The awards will recognise overseas Indian workers or NRI workers employed by an overseas 'employer' in any country or place outside India for distinguished record of performance, devotion to duty of a high order, contribution towards fostering better understanding of his fellow Indian workers and for improving the image of the country through their performance. The awards will also recognise those who have made the supreme sacrifice of laying down their lives in their conscientious discharge of their duties. The awardee and spouse will be provided with return economy fare from the country they are based in and four days' hospitality by the Indian government in the course of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas when the awards will be presented. Nominations for these awards will be received from heads of Indian diplomatic missions abroad and prominent overseas Indians personalities and employers as decided by MOIA. All nominations should reach MOIA latest by Dec 15 every year. According to the eligibility criteria, the nominated worker should be involved in 'work' as defined in the Emigration Act, 1983, and recruited through process of recruitment as defined in the same Act. The worker should have worked continuously at least for the past two years in the nominating establishment. The Pravasi Bharatiya Shramik Samman awards will be announced on the eve of every Pravasi Bharatiya Divas and will be presented at the valedictory session of the event to be chaired by the Indian president, before the distribution of the Pravasi Bharaiya Samman awards. The first of this new series of awards will be presented during the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas to be held in New Delhi from Jan 7 to 9 next year. -- FN 9822122436 +91-832-240-9490 (phone calls after 1 pm please) [http://fn.goa-india.org] [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bytesforall_readers] ___ Goanet mailing list Goanet@lists.goanet.org http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
[Goanet] Bleeding labour dry/to Mario
2006 * * * Y E A R * * * O F * * * T H E * * * S E N I O R Goa Sudharop Annual Awards on November 20, 2006 @ Mandovi Hotel @ 4:30pm Chief Guest: Dr. Asha Vishwanath Sawardekar A series of essays as a tribute to Goan Seniors can be found at: http://www.goanet.org/index.php?name=Newsfile=articlesid=524 Dear Mario, I didn't want to belabour this post but for the November 27, issue of Business week, which had a cover story about sweatshops in China. A very telling account of how managers hide gross mistreatment of workers in manufacturing units, who produce for American super-retailers. One excerpt reads as follows: EXCERPT: U.S price pressure creates a powerful incentive to cheat on labour standards that American companies promote as a badge of responsible capitalism End of excerpt Now, before you say China is not the right example, labour flows in China is much the say way as it would in the US, dictated by demand, supply and the market wage-rate. Which is why peasants forsake their jobs in the countryside and make their way to manufacturing units in the cities. However, given human greed it is easy to exploit them. In the same issue there is an interview with Azim Premji of Wipro. He has this to say about wages in India: EXCERPT: An Indian engineer from a good university costs between $8000 and $9000 a year compared with $45,000 in the US or Europe. .it would take more than 30 years for the two to converge. End of excerpt. That's about 4.5 lakhs for an engineer, even adjusted for purchasing power parity, that's a huge difference with his US counterpart. Indian companies will only get greedier with whitecollare outsourced business, just like China does with the manufacturing jobs. The pressure to produce more for less is a main component of capitalism. I'm a die hard capitalist but the free-market cannot be counted on to be an equaliser of human rights. That has to come from the conscience of the community. Now before you give me some free-market rhetoric, for once I'd like an answer that really examines the issues. selma Sponsored Link $420k for $1,399/mo. Think You Pay Too Much For Your Mortgage? Find Out! www.LowerMyBills.com/lre ___ Goanet mailing list Goanet@lists.goanet.org http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
[Goanet] AICHEA DISAK CHINTOP - Novembrachi 18vi, 2006!
2006 * * * Y E A R * * * O F * * * T H E * * * S E N I O R Goa Sudharop Annual Awards on November 20, 2006 @ Mandovi Hotel @ 4:30pm Chief Guest: Dr. Asha Vishwanath Sawardekar A series of essays as a tribute to Goan Seniors can be found at: http://www.goanet.org/index.php?name=Newsfile=articlesid=524 Avoicho dollo bhurgeachea pottar; bailecho dollo ghovachea pottlear. (The mother is anxious about her sons stomach; the wife about her husbands wealth.) Moi-mogan, Domnic Fernandes Anjuna/Dhahran, KSA _ Tried the new MSN Messenger? Its cool! Download now. http://messenger.msn.com/Download/Default.aspx?mkt=en-in ___ Goanet mailing list Goanet@lists.goanet.org http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
Re: [Goanet] Goans in Mumbai
2006 * * * Y E A R * * * O F * * * T H E * * * S E N I O R Goa Sudharop Annual Awards on November 20, 2006 @ Mandovi Hotel @ 4:30pm Chief Guest: Dr. Asha Vishwanath Sawardekar A series of essays as a tribute to Goan Seniors can be found at: http://www.goanet.org/index.php?name=Newsfile=articlesid=524 Do you know of some yourself, Manoj? Could you start the discussion then? What is their current state? Which ones function well? And what are the terms to take up residence or short-stay there? Are some open to women and families too? Or is it an all-male affair? Do these networks have some association or cyberpresence? If not, could we help them to get it? Free-of-cost limited-space websites are easy to set up ... for example see [http://stmarysmapusa.pbwiki.com/] It costs nothing to set up. FN On 18/11/06, Manoj Ganpatrao Raikar [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I request like someone to illuminate on the Goans/Goan Clubs in Dhobi Talao,Chira Bazar and Khotachi wadi. Manoj Raikar -- FN 9822122436 +91-832-240-9490 (phone calls after 1 pm please) [http://fn.goa-india.org] [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bytesforall_readers] ___ Goanet mailing list Goanet@lists.goanet.org http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
[Goanet] Great Goan -- 1
2006 * * * Y E A R * * * O F * * * T H E * * * S E N I O R Goa Sudharop Annual Awards on November 20, 2006 @ Mandovi Hotel @ 4:30pm Chief Guest: Dr. Asha Vishwanath Sawardekar A series of essays as a tribute to Goan Seniors can be found at: http://www.goanet.org/index.php?name=Newsfile=articlesid=524 Death descended slyly on a dark Friday afternoon on January 24, 1997 drawing curtains on a period of wondrous creativity and tremendous personal growth. Maestro Lourdino Barreto, music's international superstar, was dead. A beautiful innings cut short prematurely leaving a vacuum that can, at best, only be regrettably felt by music connoisseurs. Fr. Lourdino was born with an 'inner feeling' for music on February 11, 1938 at Galgibag, a sleepy village in South Goa. From a rural youth, fond of tickling the ivories, he went on to become a formidable musicologist with international acclaim. At a World Congress organised in Rome for conductors and maestros, Fr. Barreto was described as the best musicologist to the east of the Suez canal. A graduate cum laude in Gregorian chant, composition and piano, he earned his doctorate for his thesis Aesthetics in Indian Music and attempted a synthesis of western classical and Indian music. His creative interpretation of Western and Indian music and integration of the two musical lineages in contemporary score through his mastery of the interpretation was highly appreciated in scholastic circles. The first traces of Fr. Barreto's brilliance in music were seen in the auditoriums of the Pontifical Institute for Sacred Music and the Conservatoire in Rome in the late sixties. He taught music in the minor and major seminaries of the Archdiocese of Goa. He also served as the president of the Goa Diocesan Commission for Sacred Music. His works, some of them based on Indian ragas, have been performed by various orchestras and musical ensembles in cities like Rome, Lisbon, Baltimore, Buenos Aires and many others. Some of the performances even graced the STAR TV network. He has also given organ, violin and piano recitals in Italy, Switzerland, Austria, England and the United Stated of America. The astounding depth of his legacy unfolds across a variety of genres. It moved from the sacred to the secular, from the stage to study, from the flambouyant to the sublime. With his expertise in contraptual and chromatic harmony he made revolutionary forms of executions that drew him worldwide acclaim. As a modern conductor he took music to a new high both culturally and otherwise. The world took notice and so did the then government. In 1977 the then chief minister and chairperson of Kala Academy, Mrs Shashikala Kakodkar, in a letter to the Bishop wrote seeking the services of Fr. Barreto as director of western music department of Goa's Kala Academy: Permit Fr. Barreto to accept the said post, his services in the field of western music will be very beneficial to Goans and he will certainly create a good name for the Academia on the cultural map of India . He accepted the post and thousands of students were trained in music under his guidance till his untimely death. While in service he formed the Goa Philharmonic Choir (GPC). Besides staging operettas and Broadway musicals, his Choir participated in international choir festivals in Rome and other European cities. An audiocassette of his music interpreted under his baton by the GPC was released only a month before his death. Some of the unforgettable performances under his musical direction were: Sound of Music, Oliver Twist, Fiddler on the Roof, My Fair Lady and Orphaeus in the underworld. Fr. Barreto made significant contribution to Goan folk music. He brought Konkani sacred music to international standards through his outstanding composition and choral arrangement. His inspired treatment of Dogi Tegi Beatini (a Konkani dulpod) is a delight. Again his highly intricate Raghupati Raghav Rajaram is an experience that borders on the sublime. On the academic front Fr. Lourdino was the Chairman of the Board of Studies for western music of Goa University and an advisor to the Government of India for the formation of Army, Navy and Air Force bands across the country. Thanks to Fr. Lourdino, music was added as an optional subject from std. VII to XII for which he himself prepared the textbooks. All said Fr. Barreto's life should not be seen as a one-piece orchestra. He was a keen footballer and a sports lover. He was one of the founders of the Galgibaga Sports Club and St Anthony's High School, Galgibaga. He also wrote several articles and books. The Vincent Xavier Verodiano Award was posthumously conferred on Fr. Barreto recently. Ironically, the state government is yet to honour
[Goanet] **DEAR AUNTY No. 30 - WEEKLY HUMOR :-))**
2006 * * * Y E A R * * * O F * * * T H E * * * S E N I O R
Goa Sudharop Annual Awards on November 20, 2006 @ Mandovi Hotel @ 4:30pm
Chief Guest: Dr. Asha Vishwanath Sawardekar
A series of essays as a tribute to Goan Seniors can be found at:
http://www.goanet.org/index.php?name=Newsfile=articlesid=524
**DEAR AUNTY No. 30 - WEEKLY TOP 12**
_
1. DEAR AUNTY,
Aikunn ge! If Dr. Willy stands again in Saligao, will you oppose him? Sally
...
Dear Sally: Willy or Won't he?? Aunty'll I know, Aikunn't commit !
_
2. DEAR AUNTY,
I'm sitting on my bund, looking all around. Who goes through my pand?? Pulis
...
Dear Pulis:Knock!Knock!Who's there?Pand!Pand who??
Arrey, pishaPandu Hawaldar, voita Zanzi-bar!!
_
3. DEAR AUNTY,
Can King Momo come for our May Queen Ball to crown Miss Carnivore XL? Jen
.
Dear Jen: If he falls for her, he may be May King a big Miss Steak !!
_
4. DEAR AUNTY,
Were Vasco gals encouraged to commit suicide by drowning in olden days? Sati
..
Dear Sati:Yes, dear! That's why it's called Mor.mu.go Harbour !!
(mor.mu.go=kill yourself, girl!)*
_
5. DEAR AUNTY,
Im making Portuguese passport with this advocate. His secretarys really
pretty, but very deep! If I propose, how can I attest her true feelings? Loy
.
Dear Loy: Notarize ! ('note her eyes !!')*
_
6. DEAR AUNTY,
Who always supports the Varca strongman the Church or the people?? Padkur
Dear Padkur: Weak or strong, our Church'll always have the masses !!
_
7. DEAR AUNTY,
Do Goans use 'mother' for dudes as well as chicks, like Americans do? Zanti
...
Dear Zanti: Yup! We call old guys Mother-O, and some mother things !
(mataro=old guy!)*
_
8. DEAR AUNTY,
My sister's upset why you made fun of marble-pressed sodas ! Now she wants
her own press as her boyfriend is threatening her for exotic drinks!! Jemti
..
Dear Jemti: Tell her not to get soda pressed ! He doesn't want tequilla !
_
9. DEAR AUNTY,
What's the difference between a thirsty Goan and a hungry Goan? Dhaba
...
Dear Dhaba: One wants to pour-his-chao, the other wants his-choris-pao !!
(chao=tea; choris pao=Goan hot-dog!)*
_
10. DEAR AUNTY,
I went to Tirupati. Too slow queues. Would a shout speed them up?? Bhat
..
Dear Bhat: Nope. Just start chanting Hurry Rama, Hurry Krishna
_
11. DEAR AUNTY,
Carmo's crazy ! He claims Sashti booze is better than Bardez. Ive tried
cajoling, but he winds me up so much, I really want to strangle him! Mario
...
Dear Mario: Don't get 'madd' its not 'fenny'!! Just 'cajel' him to death!
(madd=fenny=cajel=Goan liquor!)*
_
12. DEAR AUNTY,
Is it true guitarist Mark Knopfler's band had Goenkar habits ??Bondo
...
Dear Bondo: Yup, didn't you hear of them - Dias Traits !
('Dire Straits'!)*
_
Disclaimer: all original material [EMAIL PROTECTED] *translations for
'tube-lights' non-konkani readers worldwide. Forward with acknowledgement.
_
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a chance to WIN $10,000! www.mobilejamfest.com
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[Goanet] Know your man by his mobile
2006 * * * Y E A R * * * O F * * * T H E * * * S E N I O R Goa Sudharop Annual Awards on November 20, 2006 @ Mandovi Hotel @ 4:30pm Chief Guest: Dr. Asha Vishwanath Sawardekar A series of essays as a tribute to Goan Seniors can be found at: http://www.goanet.org/index.php?name=Newsfile=articlesid=524 Know your man by his mobile Size matters, as do features and performance By Cecil Pinto Last Friday Bhadrinath Yellapa, a freelance plumber's assistant who lives in a rented shanty in an illegal basti in Betim, finally was given a mobile and Lifetime-Incoming-Free connection by his boss. Yellapa does not have a square meter of land to his name, he does not have access to a regular toilet near his shanty, not even a free Government provided Sulabh type one, but he has a mobile. Owning a mobile is no longer a status symbol, most everyone has one. So what does a mobile tell us about the man? Can you choose a steady boyfriend, or make a lifetime commitment of fidelity to a man, by checking out his mobile? Surely his mobile choice and usage tells us more about him than such factors that he has no power over like his horoscope or caste? Or things difficult to change like his religion or name? Or permanent physical attributes like complexion, height, presence of hair on head, or dimensions of vital organs. I am examining only male mobile users' habits as I have been cautioned that too many columns have been spent by me on examining the frailties of the female gender. So this one's for the girls! Let us examine some aspects of mobiles and see what we can predict about their male owners. Ownership Circumstances: Yellapa was given a mobile by his plumber boss. It was given so the boss could keep track of him as well as have him on call. Yellapa may revel in his upward mobility, not realizing that his freelance status has been compromised by accepting this gift. Did a parent / guardian gift the phone and connection? Unasked for? Asking for, or accepting a mobile as a gift, is ok provided the receiver knows exactly what the reciprocal involves. If an employee accepts a mobile from an employer and agrees to be contactable at all hours then he doesn't value his personal space and privacy very much. Low self esteem. Indulgent parents naturally gift their non-earning sons mobile phones. The boys who choose the best, and hence most expensive, model in town are spoilt brats with no idea of the value of money. Immature. Brand Model Features Usage: My Kuwait based cousin Roland has the latest, latest mobile. In addition to video camera it has Touch Screen and WAP, GPRS and a whole lot of other stuff that makes it more powerful than my desktop PC at home. Problem is Roland doesn't even know how to send SMS from his mobile and uses it only to make and receive calls. Now why couldn't Roland purchase a bare-bones phone that just has the basic features he needs? Show off. That's all. If you're not using the features why pay for them? For that matter most mobile users just use their instruments to make and receive calls and the occasional SMS. Unfortunately they get conned into buying a dozen other gizmos packaged into the same phone. Suckers. Young men of my generation used to compare bikes and girlfriends and yes sometimes even our vital physical statistics. Now they sit around in groups comparing whose mobile phone is slicker and which got more features. So what if Carl's hung like a horse and has three steady girlfriends, I got Bluetooth!, See, my phone is smaller than your phone! We all know that men with small appendages drive big cars, but why do men with small appendages want even more minuscule mobiles? Degree of Customization: My friend Sandeep not only knows his instrument inside out he has customized it to such and extent that it reeks of Sandeep - and I say this in a positive way. If he is being called from his home phone a lovely photo of his wife and young son pops up and the ring tone is a recording of his son saying, Dada, Mama wants to talk to you! If his mother-in-law calls a ugly demon picture pops up and the ring tone is a dog barking. The paneling of Sandeep's phone is exactly the same colour and styling as his car. He has set, and constantly uses, shortcuts to all regular functions. This man knows every feature of his phone and uses them all. Geek. His obsession with optimizing technology usage may be radical but much better Sandeep than Gerald who has not changed his default ring tone since the day he brought his mobile. Not a single word added to the T9 dictionary. No shortcuts to often used phone numbers. No special dialer tone, no nothing. Boring. Scheme Choice and Usage: And of course the best
[Goanet] Drop-Kick Me Jesus
2006 * * * Y E A R * * * O F * * * T H E * * * S E N I O R Goa Sudharop Annual Awards on November 20, 2006 @ Mandovi Hotel @ 4:30pm Chief Guest: Dr. Asha Vishwanath Sawardekar A series of essays as a tribute to Goan Seniors can be found at: http://www.goanet.org/index.php?name=Newsfile=articlesid=524 Drop-Kick Me, Jesus, Through the GoalPosts of Life PAUL CRAFT Drop-Kick me Jesus through the GoalPosts of life, End over End, neither Left nor to Right, Straight through the heart of them Righteous Uprights Drop-Kick me Jesus, through the GoalPosts of Life. Make me, Oh make me, Lord, More than I am Make me a part of your master game plan Free of the Earthly Tempestions below I've got the will, Lord, if you've got the Toe Bring on the Brothers who've gone on before Bring on the Sisters who've knocked on your Door Bring on those Sainted Relations of mine And put them up Front on the Offensive Line A Lowly Benchwarmer I'm contented to be Until the time that you ahve need of me Flash on the big scoreboard that shines up on high The Big Superbowl way up in the Sky Taken from Mudcat - Digital Tradition ___ Goanet mailing list Goanet@lists.goanet.org http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
Re: [Goanet] Bleeding labour dry/to Mario
2006 * * * Y E A R * * * O F * * * T H E * * * S E N I O R Goa Sudharop Annual Awards on November 20, 2006 @ Mandovi Hotel @ 4:30pm Chief Guest: Dr. Asha Vishwanath Sawardekar A series of essays as a tribute to Goan Seniors can be found at: http://www.goanet.org/index.php?name=Newsfile=articlesid=524 --- Carvalho [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Now, before you say China is not the right example, labour flows in China is much the say way as it would in the US, dictated by demand, supply and the market wage-rate. Which is why peasants forsake their jobs in the countryside and make their way to manufacturing units in the cities. However, given human greed it is easy to exploit them. Mario asks: So, according to you, there is no difference between a communist system and a free-market system, which is patently absurd. Who decides whether a person is exploited and to what extent? Based on the socialist standards of Europe every American and Indian worker would be considered exploited. Selma writes: In the same issue there is an interview with Azim Premji of Wipro. He has this to say about wages in India: EXCERPT: An Indian engineer from a good university costs between $8000 and $9000 a year compared with $45,000 in the US or Europe. .it would take more than 30 years for the two to converge. End of excerpt. That's about 4.5 lakhs for an engineer, even adjusted for purchasing power parity, that's a huge difference with his US counterpart. Indian companies will only get greedier with whitecollare outsourced business, just like China does with the manufacturing jobs. The pressure to produce more for less is a main component of capitalism. Mario responds: So, who decides what the wages and conditions should be when there are workers willing to accept what is being offered? Selma writes: I'm a die hard capitalist but the free-market cannot be counted on to be an equaliser of human rights. That has to come from the conscience of the community. Now before you give me some free-market rhetoric, for once I'd like an answer that really examines the issues. Mario responds: You are about as die-hard a capitalist as Karl Marx. A real examination of the issues would include the fact that it is no one else's business what a worker is willing to accept in terms of wages and benefits. ___ Goanet mailing list Goanet@lists.goanet.org http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
Re: [Goanet] Thank you St Anthony
2006 * * * Y E A R * * * O F * * * T H E * * * S E N I O R Goa Sudharop Annual Awards on November 20, 2006 @ Mandovi Hotel @ 4:30pm Chief Guest: Dr. Asha Vishwanath Sawardekar A series of essays as a tribute to Goan Seniors can be found at: http://www.goanet.org/index.php?name=Newsfile=articlesid=524 On the other hand..Smoked Alfredo in Shorts (Dominc, please give us the Konkani translation) might have been a new Goan culinary discovery, er accident. As we all know, many a culinary triumph and scientific breakthrough have been miraculous accidents. And, for Goans this incident can also be the subject of a new Mando to be entered in the next Mando Festival. The comic possibilities are endless. Thanks for sharing this hilarious story. Filomena --- Alfred de Tavares [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Alfred Thank God, and His Angels Saints for Thy vigilant protection. A horrible event. Late last night I set in a meat-loaf in the oven and, most fortunately, was watching news, with Bilbo. There came a most violent explosion within the appartment. TV blackouted. On investigating the oven had exploded, showering sharp, small glass and metal shreds over the whole area. Had I been there, in shorts as I was, both my legs, and perhaps even higher would have been pincushions, imbedded with them. The four-plate cooker and oven is a brand new Electrolux product, installed by their own technicians last May. The ever watchful Guardian Angel was ar his post. Alfred _ FREE pop-up blocking with the new MSN Toolbar - get it now! http://toolbar.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200415ave/direct/01/ ___ Goanet mailing list Goanet@lists.goanet.org http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org Sponsored Link Mortgage rates near 39yr lows. $510k for $1,698/mo. Calculate new payment! www.LowerMyBills.com/lre ___ Goanet mailing list Goanet@lists.goanet.org http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
[Goanet] Language and Beyond - Eduardo Faleiro
2006 * * * Y E A R * * * O F * * * T H E * * * S E N I O R Goa Sudharop Annual Awards on November 20, 2006 @ Mandovi Hotel @ 4:30pm Chief Guest: Dr. Asha Vishwanath Sawardekar A series of essays as a tribute to Goan Seniors can be found at: http://www.goanet.org/index.php?name=Newsfile=articlesid=524 On Thu, November 16, 2006, Shri Eduardo Faleiro, former Union Minister, spoke at the Xavier Center of Historical Research, Alto Porvorim, Goa. The theme of his talk was the language issue in Goa. The below article is based on that talk. LANGUAGE AND BEYOND By Eduardo Faleiro At the time of the conquest of Goa by the Portuguese in the early sixteenth century Konkani and Marathi were the languages prevailing here. Authors differ on their opinion as to whether both languages were written or marathi alone was the literary language and Konkani, the spoken language. Noted Goan historian Panduranga Pisurlenkar observes: If the language spoken in Goa is Konkani, the literary language of the Goan Hindus is traditionally Marathi. Cunha Rivara and Mons. Sebastiao Rodolfo Dalgado believed that there was literature in Konkani language and that it was destroyed by the Portuguese due to religious intolerance. We may, however, note that the Portuguese territory of Goa before 1763, consisted only of the Old Conquests namely Tiswadi, Salcete and Bardez; the rest of the same territory was not under the Portuguese rule. It is therefore logical that had there been any book or document written in this language it would have been found in the New Conquests. The truth is that there are no vestiges whatsoever of the existence of a Konkani literature before the conquest of Goa by the Portuguese. There was certainly literature in Goa but written in marathi and sanskrit. (Goa Pre-Portuguesa atraves dos escritores lusitanos dos seculos XVI XVII, pp 49 et seq). Fr. Antonio Pereira remarks marathi was the hieratic language of Goa though not understood by the masses for whom Konkani was more familiar and homely: 'lingua da terra vulgar', the popular language of the place. After the Portuguese conquest, foreign missionaries wrote konkani in the roman script. As a rule the majority of the books of the Jesuits and Franciscans, in prose are in konkani and those in poetry are in marathi. (The Makers of Konkani Literature, p.11). Other writers hold a different view. According to Prof. Lourdino Rodrigues today we know with incontestable evidence that Goa had a konkani version of Ramayana and Mahabharata in the 16th century and konkani was such a highly developed language that its vocabulary was richer than portuguese and marathi. (Pre sixteenth century Mohabharat Adi Porv' p.XI ). The first significant publication in Konkani by a Goan during the Portuguese era was Udentechem sallok (Lotus of the East), a fortnightly published from Pune by Eduardo Bruno de Souza, in 1889. Konkani in roman script was kept alive by Goan catholics who migrated to Bombay and other parts of India and who had studied the script in the Portuguese primary schools at the end of the 19 th and beginning of the 20th century. The reason, according to Mons. Dalgado was that whilst the Portuguese were intolerant towards the local languages, the British administration would promote them. The British administration far from persecuting and ostracizing the native languages assumes as one of its main duties to open schools everywhere and provide generous grants to private schools for their teaching, to stimulate in every way the attendance of the students, to use these languages in the preparation for higher studies, to promote text books so that even rough dialects are written . Look at the Goan community in Bombay which is more in contact with the British administration and with the intellectual activities of its subjects; it has for the last several years, periodicals in the mother tongue, literary publications, mostly translations or adaptations as it always happens in the initial stages and even dramatic productions which are appreciated by those who do not know or know only superficially European languages. (Dicionario Portuguez-Konkani, pp.XIV-XV). Konkani literature in devanagari script was pioneered by Vaman Varde Valaulikar (Shenoi Goenbab) in the early Twentieth Century. It gained impetus after Liberation and more so after the enactment of the Official Language Act. Konkani has a great potential as a literary language because of its strong cultural heritage, an admixture of the east and the west, its plurality of religious beliefs and its rich musical tradition. The Official Language Act was enacted in 1987. It is intended to achieve
[Goanet] HAPPY FEAST
2006 * * * Y E A R * * * O F * * * T H E * * * S E N I O R Goa Sudharop Annual Awards on November 20, 2006 @ Mandovi Hotel @ 4:30pm Chief Guest: Dr. Asha Vishwanath Sawardekar A series of essays as a tribute to Goan Seniors can be found at: http://www.goanet.org/index.php?name=Newsfile=articlesid=524 TO ALL SANVORDEM-KARS HAPPY FEAST OF OUR PATRON GUARDIAN ANGEL CAJETAN DE SANVORDEM PRESIDENT GUADIAN ANGEL CLUB KUWAIT ___ Goanet mailing list Goanet@lists.goanet.org http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
Re: [Goanet] Vatican steps into veil debate
2006 * * * Y E A R * * * O F * * * T H E * * * S E N I O R Goa Sudharop Annual Awards on November 20, 2006 @ Mandovi Hotel @ 4:30pm Chief Guest: Dr. Asha Vishwanath Sawardekar A series of essays as a tribute to Goan Seniors can be found at: http://www.goanet.org/index.php?name=Newsfile=articlesid=524 ISLAM BASHING AGAIN So recently after the Pope's remarks on Islam, comes this I am better than thee pronouncement from the Vatican. Would Renato Cardinal Martino also include in his comments how Jewish guests must not wear their yarmulkes, or celebrate the Bris (cutting off the forsekin) in the western Christian west. And while he is at it, why doesn't he name the countries where Christian immigrants cannot profess their faith. A little late in the day for this isn't he? Where was the Vatican when these countries REALLY did not allow profession of the Christian faith. And if he wants to go on a roll, let him tell India once again that the country isn't allowing enough Hindus to get converted to the true faith. Someone ought to tell the kuckleheads in Rome that they ought to clean their own stables first. Roland. On 11/15/06, Frederick FN Noronha wrote: http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/EB7ED09D-3527-4E8E-BEFE-3D1AB707EE22.htm Vatican steps into veil debate Martino said 'guests' from a different culture must respect the traditions ... of the countries they go to The Vatican has stepped into the debate about Muslim women wearing veils, with a cardinal saying 'guests' must follow the laws of their host countries, including any bans on such face-coverings. ___ Goanet mailing list Goanet@lists.goanet.org http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
[Goanet] Great Men and Women of Goa
2006 * * * Y E A R * * * O F * * * T H E * * * S E N I O R Goa Sudharop Annual Awards on November 20, 2006 @ Mandovi Hotel @ 4:30pm Chief Guest: Dr. Asha Vishwanath Sawardekar A series of essays as a tribute to Goan Seniors can be found at: http://www.goanet.org/index.php?name=Newsfile=articlesid=524 Even here in Pakistan we had outstanding members of Goan society rise to high positions..including one a mayor of Karachi in 1945-46 (Mr. Manuel Misquita), his son is till with us and is unquestionable the richest Goan Catholic around and the Chairman of the Railway Board, Mr. J.J. D'Mello who passed away a couple of weeks ago in Canada. They were outstanding in practically every field of government and private services including the judiciary ( Mr. H.T. Raymond (D'Souza), sports and business. Today, we do not hear of any such individuals...WHY? This question begs an answer. One reason could be that of mass migration of the Goan community to the west. But we still have a sizable number of Goans in Pakistan ( about 10,000 strong). But it seems that the community has lost its lustre and its energy to be high achievers. Michael Karachi, Pakistan ___ Goanet mailing list Goanet@lists.goanet.org http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
[Goanet] What is not possible in India ?
2006 * * * Y E A R * * * O F * * * T H E * * * S E N I O R Goa Sudharop Annual Awards on November 20, 2006 @ Mandovi Hotel @ 4:30pm Chief Guest: Dr. Asha Vishwanath Sawardekar A series of essays as a tribute to Goan Seniors can be found at: http://www.goanet.org/index.php?name=Newsfile=articlesid=524 What is not possible in India ? In fact, this is in Goa at Anjuna Wednesday Flea Market ( March 2006) I have heard of Musical cows who would give milk only when music played. I have heard of pooja performing Cows e.g 'Tulsi logn' etc But I have never heard of Dancing Cows as this one.. You play the Amitab bachan popular song/music 'Mere Angaane meim, tumara kya kam hai..' And the cow will dance to the music (even with lifting her legs) Amazing India/Goa http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnSTgW0XsiE Do you know anything else about the Indian Cows, which I may don't know ?? [EMAIL PROTECTED] for Goa NRI related info... http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/GOAN-NRI/ Konkani Songs, Goan Photos, Tiatr/Film VCDs, Bank interest rates etc etc (for updates etc click below) http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/GOAN-NRI/files/ Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com ___ Goanet mailing list Goanet@lists.goanet.org http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
[Goanet] Talking Photos: Countdown to IFFI
2006 * * * Y E A R * * * O F * * * T H E * * * S E N I O R Goa Sudharop Annual Awards on November 20, 2006 @ Mandovi Hotel @ 4:30pm Chief Guest: Dr. Asha Vishwanath Sawardekar A series of essays as a tribute to Goan Seniors can be found at: http://www.goanet.org/index.php?name=Newsfile=articlesid=524 Countdown to IFFI. 4 days to go http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=300560120size=l [EMAIL PROTECTED] for Goa NRI related info... http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/GOAN-NRI/ Konkani Songs, Goan Photos, Tiatr/Film VCDs, Bank interest rates etc etc (for updates etc click below) http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/GOAN-NRI/files/ Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com ___ Goanet mailing list Goanet@lists.goanet.org http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
Re: [Goanet] Language and Beyond - Eduardo Faleiro
2006 * * * Y E A R * * * O F * * * T H E * * * S E N I O R Goa Sudharop Annual Awards on November 20, 2006 @ Mandovi Hotel @ 4:30pm Chief Guest: Dr. Asha Vishwanath Sawardekar A series of essays as a tribute to Goan Seniors can be found at: http://www.goanet.org/index.php?name=Newsfile=articlesid=524 Some scholars contend that the Konkani language is older than Marathi. Indeed, there are many Konkani words in Dnyaneshwari, the oldest Marathi text written in the 13th century by Sant Dnyaneshwar. As a matter of fact, one author has claimed that nearly 80% of it is written in Konkani. Others have claimed that it is in a Kannadized form of Marathi. There are many hints that Konkani might have been more directly derived from some colloquial form of Sanskrit. For example, the Konkani word for water - udok - resembles one of the Sanskrit words for water - udaka. One of the Konkani words for time - vell - is similar to Sanskrit word for time of the day or hour - velaa. What's more, vell is also a Konkani word for beach, just as velaa is also a Sanskrit word for sea shore. One can go on and on on this fascinating trip. Taata or taatah is a Sanskrit word for father. And most of us who are intimately familiar with Goan life would know or remember that in many Hindu homes the father or some elderly man in the household was referred to by the children as Taato or Taatya. Of course, I would not want to get carried away with this. Some random coincidences like the following give me pause. The word that in English means tath in Sanskrit. Cheers, Santosh --- Goanet Events goanet@goanet.org wrote: The truth is that there are no vestiges whatsoever of the existence of a Konkani literature before the conquest of Goa by the Portuguese. There was certainly literature in Goa but written in marathi and sanskrit. (Goa Pre-Portuguesa atraves dos escritores lusitanos dos seculos XVI XVII, pp 49 et seq). ___ Goanet mailing list Goanet@lists.goanet.org http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
[Goanet] Roman Script Konkani, Appeal to the Chief Minister of Goa -Mr. Pratapsing Raojo Rane
2006 * * * Y E A R * * * O F * * * T H E * * * S E N I O R Goa Sudharop Annual Awards on November 20, 2006 @ Mandovi Hotel @ 4:30pm Chief Guest: Dr. Asha Vishwanath Sawardekar A series of essays as a tribute to Goan Seniors can be found at: http://www.goanet.org/index.php?name=Newsfile=articlesid=524 To The Hon'ble Chief Minister of Goa Mr. Pratapsing Raojo Rane from Basilio Magno (Spain) [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dear Honourable Chief Minister, A hectic campaign has been launched by two stalwart Konkanists -Fr. Pratap Naik s.j., Director of Thomas Stephen Kendra and the ex-MLA Mr. Tomazinho Cardozo, President of Dalgado Konkani Academi, seeking equal status for Konkani in Roman and Devnagiri scripts. When i read on the Internet of their campaign, I jumped for joy that someone at last was standing up for the Roman script, which I have been using to write not knowing any other script to write in Konkani, the language I treasure most over English, German, Portuguese and Spanish which I write and speak. As the Chief Minister will know, Konkani is a very poetical language, and the only one written in Roman script among all the Indian languages. I had written a poem of 72 lines in praise of the Roman script, entitled: NOMAN ROMI LIPIEK, which was this year published in their magazine by Dalgado Konkani Akademi. The Roman script has a long history in Goa, and is indeed the right script in our Cyber age. I would go a step further and ask the Chief Minister not only to give Romi equal status with Devnagiri, but also to take the lead to romanise all Indian languages, as Goa is best suited to undertake such an initiative. One day, for this, all other States will be thankful to our Chief Minister and to Goa on the whole. And if anybody could accomplish this, it is none other than our very intelligent Chief Minister Mr. Pratapsing Raoji Rane, with the collaboration of all Catholic MLAs to make this happen soon, to amend the Official Language Bill 1987 to read: Konkani language means Konkani in Devnagiri and Roman scripts. Your repeated Chief Ministership may one day be forgotten, but this act of accomodating the Roman script with equal status in the Language Act 1987 through amendment, will remain as a monument to you and will be remembered for ever with love and gratitude by the minority community -the Catholics, who primarily use the Roman script. This is my humble appeal from Spain to you, dear Chief Minister. You will know me as the author-composer of the World Goa Day hymn Proud to be a Goan. Do make us feel proud of our Roman script. With kind regards, Yours truly, Basilio Magno [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___ Goanet mailing list Goanet@lists.goanet.org http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
[Goanet] Sushegaad Goenkar
2006 * * * Y E A R * * * O F * * * T H E * * * S E N I O R Goa Sudharop Annual Awards on November 20, 2006 @ Mandovi Hotel @ 4:30pm Chief Guest: Dr. Asha Vishwanath Sawardekar A series of essays as a tribute to Goan Seniors can be found at: http://www.goanet.org/index.php?name=Newsfile=articlesid=524 SHUSHEGAAD GOENKAR By Valmiki Faleiro Booze, beaches. Carnival, iffy. Goa! Lazy, easy-going men, pints sticking out of their pants, guitars in embrace. Laidback, easily-available women, who at times work, in plunging necklines and abbreviated attire -- very helpful in the searing climes of the Persian Gulf. Goa, oh, where the fun never sets! That’s the stereotype Goenkar to the average Indian mind. Watch a Bollywood flick casting a ‘Goanese’ in some incidental role of cook, butler or maid. Or hear the well- heeled in the Delhi or Chennai cocktail circuits. Shushegaad Goenkar, ajeeb log. Central agencies surely think that way. Check how the Income Tax Dept. digs deep into the soft soil of Goa. Compare Goa’s per capita IT collections with those in economically better-placed states of the Union, esp. in the cow belt. Would they dare do what they do here in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttaranchal or Uttar Pradesh? Check how much is being pumped back. We are, of course, a socialist democracy. What’s taken cannot be linked to how much is given back. There are, understandably, egalitarian considerations in the Gadgil Formula. A sharing formula that rewards burgeoning population and inefficiency, and punishes the opposite. Our brand of social justice. But do social justice considerations count when dealing with national heritage? Check the Archaeological Survey of India, an orphan in Goa, when compared to the big bucks for archaeological sites in the larger states. Check the men in white (I’m talking of the Customs, the Navy is a different story.) See how NRI Goans returning home are treated at Dabolim. Compare that to the green channels for in-bound passengers at Sahar, the Indira Gandhi International Airport, or even Meenabhakkam in Chennai. Check how the defence services move out of Delhi’s Red Fort or Hyderabad’s Begumpet without a whimper, when the land was needed for civilian use. And how they go into elaborate and tardy processes when it comes to parting with just four acres for improving the Goa airport. Check airline fares, including of the Government of India-owned domestic carrier. A Mumbai-Chennai ticket costs about Rs.3000. The fare for a shorter Goa-Chennai nautical distance is almost double (Rs.5000.) Goans are milking cows. Airlines routinely raise fares. Not on a pro-rata, across the board, basis. The increase on the Goa-Mumbai route, unfailingly, is way above proportion, as compared to metro sectors like Mumbai- Delhi-Calcutta-Chennai-Hyderabad-Bangalore. It’s not just within the airport. Consider vehicle-parking fees outside Dabolim. Ours has been classified as an international airport. With no facilities to match, we pay almost double (Rs.60 for a car) than what Mumbaikars do outside the Santacruz terminal. The 1992/93 Five-Year Tax Holiday for new industries in Goa and some other places, announced when the current PM was India’s Finance Minister, was withdrawn. Even as several states like Himachal continue to enjoy the benefit. Goa receives step-motherly treatment in all departments of central functioning. About the only area India was indulgent towards Goa was in ore exports. While mineral exports in the country were canalized via the State-owned Minerals Metals Trading Corporation, Goa’s exports were left to local mining dons. With central taxes more than soft and revenue enforcement more than lax, Goa’s mining princes are truly the honoured sons-in-law of the country! Forget government and government-owned companies. Private sector companies routinely take Goans for a ride, dumping stock unwanted elsewhere at jacked-up prices. Check their after-sales service. Try calling 2752682 and see if you connect even once in 50 attempts. That’s the only line to consumer durables giant, Samsung’s service centre in South Goa (a company that, per their latest catch line, makes life truly delightful.) As delightful as the daylight fleecing in our markets. Do a mere 150 kms. by road explain the steep disparity in prices between Belgaum and Goa? Yes, the Ghantkars know that Goenkars are sushegaad. The stereotype impression thrives. No government in Goa since 1963 did anything to dispel it, or to have Goans treated as equal partners. Not the MGP in its 16 years, or the Congress in its 22. In its four years, the BJP discarded the carnavalesque tableau at the Republic Day Parade and sent out a band of cadres from a
[Goanet] Enjoyable songs by Osvi Viegas ---- The Navhind Times
2006 * * * Y E A R * * * O F * * * T H E * * * S E N I O R Goa Sudharop Annual Awards on November 20, 2006 @ Mandovi Hotel @ 4:30pm Chief Guest: Dr. Asha Vishwanath Sawardekar A series of essays as a tribute to Goan Seniors can be found at: http://www.goanet.org/index.php?name=Newsfile=articlesid=524 Manfa Music, Margao has released 'Gulfache Goenkar' the new album from Osvi Viegas. A collection of 12 tracks on various subjects, some of which are fairly entertaining. Osvi begins with the title track 'Gulfache Goenkar' singing a tribute to Goans working in the Gulf. Comedian Dominick's 'Ferryboat' is packed with humour. The lyrics and rendition remind the listener of the wonderfully funny songs of old. 'Panch Lakh' by Osvi and 'Borem Begchona' a duet with Felcy, narrate two tragic incidents. The former tells of a girl married to a man who has a lover, the latter is a sad tale of an eight-year old, who was raped and murdered. Next is 'Adlo Carnaval' a beautiful description of the traditional carnival by Osvi followed by 'Tin Dhorm' by Young Chico. Osvi continues with 'Konsiens Saf', Felcy sings about ungrateful children in 'Bhas Ditam' and Osvi returns yet again with another fine composition 'Adlim Kantaram' reminiscing of songs which were aired over All India Radio, Panaji. In 'Satvo Sakrament' Osvi sings of the importance of fidelity in marriage and Young Chico tells of the misuse of the word 'Sorry'. The final track is 'Ekvottak Bhurgim' by Osvi. Another female voice should have been used, to render any one of the last four songs to offset the monotony of the male voices. However, most of the songs have nice lyrics music and are rendered well by all the artistes. Josinho has arranged pleasant music, played by some of the best musicians from Goa. An album that is definitely worth hearing!!! THE NAVHIND TIMES www.navhindtimes.com G oan C ult ura l Fo od Fes tiv al Goenkarancho Sonskruttik Jevnnacho Utsov A full day programme awaits for the whole family with traditional Goan funfare, food and games!!! Live music by Kuwait's top band STEPPING STONES, Quality presentations by Goa's award winning Cultural Troupe Kepemchim Kirnnam - Konkani comedy skit Fest Vaddeachem Kappod Baddeachem by award-winning writer-director Ignatius de Xelvon with selected artistes/singers: Simon Gonsalves, Sanny de Quepem, Salu Faleiro, Clara Rodrigues, Anthony Carr and Marcus de Cortalim. Flown all the way from Goa is Melodious singer: Osvi Viegas and Kuwait-based King of Hearts Marcus Vaz will entertain to the music by Succoro D'Mello, stand-up mimicry by Goa's one and only 'Shiek (Xec) Amir', English/Hindi/Konkani choreographed dances by a 15 member JOVAS XLNC directed by Jothi Sunil, among other items, etc. will be the added features. Games Stalls, Food Stalls and Lots of children activities and competitions. An open invitation for all Goans/Indians and Goan organizations to participate in the event: cultural-culinary-games-on the spot contests for all ages. Children below 5 years admission free. Comperes: Melanie Trindade, Conchita Cardoz, Richard Socorro Rodrigues and Dominic Araujo. The much-awaited Goan Cultural Food Festival on Friday, 24th November 2006, at the spacious A/C Auditorium at Al-Amal Indian School - Salmiya, Kuwait from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Info source: Goan Cultural Centre-Kuwait). ___ Goanet mailing list Goanet@lists.goanet.org http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
[Goanet] Save Goa
2006 * * * Y E A R * * * O F * * * T H E * * * S E N I O R Goa Sudharop Annual Awards on November 20, 2006 @ Mandovi Hotel @ 4:30pm Chief Guest: Dr. Asha Vishwanath Sawardekar A series of essays as a tribute to Goan Seniors can be found at: http://www.goanet.org/index.php?name=Newsfile=articlesid=524 Hello, Please forward this to all Goans all over the world. This is to make them aware what is happening in Goa. BLATANT AND ILLEGAL CONVERSION OF LAND USE MADE OFFICIAL IN THE REGIONAL PLAN OF GOA recently released in August 06. When a plan for the entire state of Goa has taken more than 8 years to formulate and allows for a 29% increase in settlement zoning we assume its done with much study and deliberation. When an additional 21% settlement zoning is added in a matter of 5 months after hearing 'objections', we believe there is something drastically wrong! This 21% represents more than 7 crore 20 lakh square meters, of which much is in forests, mangroves, CRZ areas and communidade land. A string of issues have cropped up when the final plan 2001-2011 was examined. Vast differences have been noted as opposed to the draft shown to public in November 2005. A Regional plan is a zoning plan that takes studies of natural resources, population growth and policies into account before laying out carefully the land use as zones. Needless to say that a- The plan is prepared using studies of patterns of use in general. It is a Government document and is NOT TO ENTERTAIN private applications for change in land use. b- It is to be supported by a document explaining these patterns/studies and the zoning on the plan. c- Being on such a large scale even small changes in zoning translate to lakhs of square meters and have great implications. The plan was supposedly to be in force by 2001 for the period of ten years, it has been made final 6 years late in 2006. What was shown in the draft to public is a far cry from the final plan released this august. Wholesale and massive changes of approx. 7crore 25 lakh square meters have been affected in 5 months, from the time of hearing objections of the Draft Plan to the time of finalization and has been done without public notice. The plan when printed was refused to some people who applied for it under the RTI act. (something to hide?) Interestingly when viewed in isolation it is virtually impossible for a lay person to understand the changes that have been affected. Areas zoned as settlement/industry have violated all norms and regulations - 1- CRZ and coastline issues 2- Forest issues as it seeks to circumvent the process of notification of forests before it is complete (as directed by the Supreme Court). Despite this, huge areas have been demarcated in forest areas where there is little or no settlement already. 3- Mangroves have been shown as settlement. 4- Huge areas of forested/orchard area have been notified for IT Parks even as an erstwhile IT zone at Dona Paula has drawn little interest over the last few years, by Governments own admission. To top it all this notification was done for acquiring land under an emergency clause that does not allow people to object, and this was done even before the regional plan was finalized. 5- Areas under joint ownership of Gaunkars of the villages has been changed without their knowledge. These lands are governed by the unique and ancient communidade codes prevalent long before the Portuguese arrived and cannot be sold or converted, only leased for agriculture. 6- Earlier reports have been published on how the Government has sought to protect endangered species by not allowing development within 1km of Olive Ridley nesting areas. Despite this settlement zoning has been shown next to a famous Olive Ridley turtle nesting site. Furthermore, mining outlines have been conveniently deleted, hence what we read as forests may actually be mines. This is supposedly on another map. This has been accompanied by a document with outdated data and ridiculous ideas such as the introduction of 6 new townships, two in or near known forests and sanctuaries, with nothing known about them except that they would have five star hotels, and Golf courses. These HAVE NOT EVEN BEEN REFLECTED IN THE PLAN, even as this document seeks to explain the reasons behind the plan/map. The key people involved have made mumbling excuses when contacted by newsgroups and the Town Country Planning minister Mr. Babush Monserrat is mostly unavailable for comment, leaving others to defend the plan. The Chief minister Mr. Pratapsingh Rane has gone on record to say that Goa is already covered by 34% forest area, and there is no need for more...?? He refers to
