[Goanet-News] NEWS: VIP babas, babies love English (Suraj Nandrekar, Herald)
VIP babas, babies love English SURAJ NANDREKAR VIP babas, babies love English Majority of Goa’s Ministers and MLAs’ children have chosen English at primary level SURAJ NANDREKAR Panjim, March 25: Goa’s Ministers and MLAs have long settled the medium of instruction debate by taking a firm decision at home. They have and continue to send their kids to schools where the medium of instruction is hold your breath...pucca English. Marathi comes second and Konkani, the language purists are trying to preserve by castigating the English pushers, comes a distant third as a language of choice for mantra and MLA kids. Double standards or just plain practical sense? A bit of both actually. Or how else do you explain Sudin Dhavlikar, Babu Azgaonkar, Vijaypai Khot, silent or vocal opponents of English as a medium of instruction, educating at least one of their children if not all in English at the primary level? All the children of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Home Minister, Health Minister and Education Minister have been taught in English at the primary level. Many of them prefer one of Goa’s most upmarket private schools offering quality education — Sharada Mandir, including the son of PWD Minister Churchill Alemao, Savio. Alemao’s daughters - Sara, Sharon, Anna, Valanka and Wanda, however, learnt their primary school lessons in Konkani. Chief Minister Digambar Kamat though is an exception as his son Yogesh and daughter Deepali went to Government-aided schools in Margao and learnt in the vernacular. For the BJP, English and Marathi were the favourites. Leader of the Opposition Manohar Parrikar, Lakshmikant Parsekar and Damu Naik among others have educated their children in Marathi while both the children of Canacona MLA Vijaypai Khot studied in English in the primary level. The detailed report which is published today is a true reflection of what all parents want for their children. A good education and mostly in English. As parents, they have given a clearer decision than they can ever do as politicians.
[Goanet-News] Portugal still in denial over Goa (Devika Sequeira, Deccan Herald)
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/149095/portugal-still-denial-over-goa.html Portugal still in denial over Goa Devika Sequeira in Panaji Portugal should have shown better diplomatic judgment in officially honouring Goa's golden jubilee celebrations Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva will be in East Timor later this year to attend the country’s independence celebrations. No such diplomatic gesture will be extended to Goa where celebrations have begun to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Goa’s accession into India in 1961.| Portuguese historians Paulo Varela Gomes and Teotonio De Souza argue that the two cases bear no comparison. East Timor, part of a small island in the Indonesian archipelago between the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean, was colonised by the Portuguese in the 16th century. Dutch colonisers took over the west of the island. In 1975, Portugal unilaterally withdrew from East Timor as it began to dissolve its colonial empire. The withdrawal was followed quickly by Indonesia’s invasion of East Timor. An UN-sponsored report said at least 100,000 Timorese were killed during the 25-year Indonesian occupation, which ended after the referendum in 1999. Portugal’s diplomatic intervention helped pave the way to East Timor’s independence in 2002 and the two countries have maintained excellent relations since. Soon after India’s independence, Nehru initiated moves for a diplomatic solution to the Goa case. Portugal, then under the dictator Antonio de Oliveira Salazar rebuffed all such approaches, forcing India’s hand in the military intervention that began on December 17, 1961. Thirty-six hours later, India was in possession of Goa, Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli which had been a part of the ‘Estado da India’ (Portugal’s colonial holdings in India) for 451 years. The issue of Goa’s accession echoed as dramatically in the UN Security Council as it had on the ground. A US-sponsored resolution supported by the UK, France and Turkey that wanted the withdrawal of Indian troops was vetoed by the Soviet Union. The Soviet move was heavily criticised in the West and Portugal went into virtual mourning, scaling down Christmas celebrations that year. Media reports also said the Salazar government had put out a reward of $ 10,000 for the capture of the Indian Brigadier Sagat Singh, the commander of the Red Berets, the parachute regiment, which were the first Indian troops to enter Panjim. Portugal snapped diplomatic ties with India and refused to recognise the decolonisation of its Indian territories. Diplomatic relations between the two countries revived only in 1975 after Portugal itself turned into a democracy. In 1992, Mario Soares became the first Portuguese head of state to visit Goa. A trenchant critic of the Portuguese regime, Soares had spent long years in jail under Salazar and had many friends in the Goa freedom movement. He received a hero’s welcome in Goa. Following his visit, the Portuguese government opened a consulate in Goa and the cultural organisation Fundacao Oriente set up an office here. Lawyer Miguel Reis is perhaps among a small minority in Portugal today who believes that Portugal should have shown better diplomatic judgment in officially honouring Goa’s golden jubilee celebrations, just as it celebrated the transfer of Macau back to China. The Portuguese, he says, need to recognise the fact that Goa’s liberation was the first major blow against the dictatorship of Salazar. “It was, in a sense, the preamble to the Portuguese Revolution, of April, 24, 1974,” he says. “The process of decolonisation of the Estado da India, despite resulting from a military occupation, was far more peaceful than those that occurred in other colonial territories, today transformed into countries with which Portugal has excellent relations, he says. The 50th anniversary of Goa’s decolonisation coincides ironically with 500 years of the Portuguese arrival here in 1910. Several Portuguese institutions will be joining hands to commemorate the 500 years with a major international academic symposium on contemporary Goa and its history to be held at Lisbon’s Catholic University. In November last year, the Portuguese training vessel Sagres on a voyage to commemorate 500 years of the Portuguese arrival at the Orient and the Far East, drew strong protests from freedom fighters and saffron groups after it berthed at Mormugao harbour. “If the visit of the Portuguese vessel ‘Sagres’ was to commemorate 500 years of the Portuguese arrival in Goa, it was reprehensible,” says Eduardo Faleiro, former union minister for external affairs. Before calling at Goa, the Sagres had docked at Jakarta where Portuguese Ambassador to Indonesia Carlos Manuel Leitao Frota said the ship’s journey was “not only to celebrate nostalgia, but also to look forward to the future”. Portugal could have made a beginning with the golden jubilee of Goa’s liberation, but it has chosen not to.
[Goanet-News] NEWS: 'Goa's banking services best in India' (TNN)
'Goa's banking services best in India' TNN | Mar 27, 2011, 05.57am IST PANAJI: Goa has witnessed a boom in the banking sector and the number of banking offices was 556 on September 30, 2010, states the economic survey 2010-11. There is a scheduled commercial bank branch for approximately every 4,148 people in Goa as against the all-India average of 14,683 people, the survey states. As per the figures provided in the survey, Himachal Pradesh-with an average population of 7,035 people per branch-and Punjab with 8,377 people come a close second and third respectively. The average of Sikkim, Kerala and Uttarkhand is below 9,000, while other states range between 10,000 and more up to 29,913. Among the union territories, Chandigarh has the best average of 5,106, while Lakshadweep has 6,818 and Delhi has 8,133. After liberation, Goa's banking sector grew phenomenally. This (the figures) show that Goa has the best banking services compared to all other states and union territories in the country, the survey report states. There were hardly five banking offices in 1962, but by the time Goa was granted statehood in 1987, the number grew to 300. The aggregate deposits registered a phenomenal growth from 9 crore in 1962 to 26,045 crore in 2008-09 and to 29,506 crore in 2009-10, according to the survey. During 2008-09, domestic savings registered an annual growth of 30%, while NRE deposits dropped to 3% as compared to the previous year. In 2009-10, the annual growth rate of domestic and NRE deposits stood at 14% and 10% respectively. The number of nationalized bank branches increased by 5.13% over the previous year, while the number of private sector banks and cooperative bank branches increased by 21.31% and 7.20% respectively. The percentage increase in deposits for nationalized banks, private sector banks and cooperative banks is 42.49%, 72.04% and 56.30% respectively. Similarly, the percentage increase in credits for nationalized banks and cooperative banks is 56.99% and 60.10% respectively, whereas for private sector banks it decreased by 9.41%, the report states. The credit deposit ratio has decreased from 31 in September 2009 to 30 in September 2010. Notably, cooperative banks topped the list as far as credit deposit ratio is concerned followed by nationalized banks, while private sector banks recorded a credit deposit ratio of 20. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Goas-banking-services-best-in-India/articleshow/7796528.cms
[Goanet] (no subject)
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/149095/portugal-still-denial-over-goa.html Portugal still in denial over Goa Devika Sequeira in Panaji Portugal should have shown better diplomatic judgment in officially honouring Goa's golden jubilee celebrations Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva will be in East Timor later this year to attend the country’s independence celebrations. No such diplomatic gesture will be extended to Goa where celebrations have begun to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Goa’s accession into India in 1961.|
Re: [Goanet] Konkani as ' medium of instruction' in Primary Section - for GOA.
Somebody must make laws. Not all can decide what they want and what is good for them. Having said that, I shall give here a live example as it happened with me. Story of 1972-73 I was sailing with a senior Captain on one of Scindia Steamship Company's ships. The Captain was carrying his wife and a 4 year old son on this trip. This was a thorough-bred Marathi couple from Pune. With my affinity towards kids, this little one used to be, sort of, my companion for most of the day with 'Lobo Uncle Ye kai ... Vo Kai' thing. And I for one, being a person who does not care much for Marathi, took upon myself to tutor the kid in ENGLISH, as a mission. One Sunday, the Cap'n invites me for an afternoon beer and surprisingly requests me not to tutor the little one in English any more. Surprised, I said to him Cap'n, I am doing you a favour. And I consider my 'English' to be very sound You Goans will not understand this he said, smiling. but the fact is I would have never uprooted this little one from home and his surroundings if I could help it ( meaning his brother and sister et al). I would want him totally insulated from anything non-Marathi until he is ready for his secondary level schooling. This is the time that his mother-tongue must get into his blood-stream for a concrete-solid foundation he said. And what you are doing is only helping to dilute this foundation. Please understand and help us out he pleaded. Look at you Goans he said. It looks like you people hate your mother-tongue Konkni. You will not realize it now, but mark my words, you will, at some point in time This kid he said when he grows up, he could be anywhere in the world. But when he calls home, I am sure he will speak to his mother and father in chaste Marathi to make us proud This incidence has never left me, all these almost 40 years. And today I realize what he meant by you will realize. BTW I am told that little 'Sarang Khare' is a top executive of a Corporation in the United States of America. It is very simple. The child must be instructed in the language it understands. It must not be confused. The learning process is very very sensitive and to it's heightened sharp in these formative years. The brain of the child is like a sponge that will absorb anything and everything to last for a life-time. If care has not been taken to instruct it on its culture, ethos and whatever that is going to be important to it in life, we shall be generating floatingly shallow oxy-morons and not worthy reliable and dependable citizens of the future. I beg forgiveness to have said all of above. I know that these thoughts do not find value these days as we try to compete in life like commercial companies do to sell their wares and products. Laws, rules and regulations are formulated by visionaries, not politicians, not educationists and above all not parents of 'primary level' kids. Cheers floriano goasuraj/GRA 9890470896 www.goasu-raj.org
[Goanet] Book Launch: Aquino de Braganca: the man and his times
Book Launch: Aquino de Braganca: the man and his times Date: April 2, 2011 Venue: Hotel Mandovi, Panaji, Goa Time: 5.15 pm Book Covers: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/MF5HWSY_bDFbrWK-dcJN3w?feat=directlink Aquino de Bragança, 1924-1986 «Tinha consciência perfeita da importância da informação». Paulo Jorge, quoted by Sílvia Bragança in her book Aquino de Bragança. Aquino de Bragança was an important intellectual and political figure in the years leading up to and immediately following Mozambican independence. As a journalist, an academic and a public intellectual he engaged passionately with the issues of his time, and as a confidante of President Samora Machel and a frequent envoy of the Mozambican government, he translated his convictions into action, eventually losing his life alongside Samora in the service of the liberation of southern Africa. He was born Tomaz Aquino Messias de Bragança in 1928 in Bardez in northern Goa in India. At that time Goa, Damão and Diu made up the Portuguese-controlled Estado da Índia, but in December 1961 the independent Indian government occupied the three enclaves by force and expelled the Portuguese. Aquino's father was João Paulo Proença Bragança and his mother Ana Carlota Praxetes Antónia do Rosário Sousa. He left Goa as a young man and stayed briefly in Mozambique, where he was shocked by the racism that he found there. In 1948, at the age of 20, he left for Portugal and then France, where he studied physics in Grenoble and in Paris. It was at this time, apparently, that he became a Marxist. Convinced that Goan independence was achievable, he soon made contact with nationalists from other Portuguese colonies. In 1957 he moved to Morocco to teach science, and when the PAIGC and the MPLA set up the CONCP in 1961 in Rabat to coordinate the struggle, Aquino represented the Goan People's Party in the new organisation. He soon became an indispensable member of the CONCP secretariat. He was an active journalist, writing for such publications as the progressive Afrique-Asie [Paris] and Révolution Africaine [Algiers]. When the MFA overthrew the Caetano regime in Portugal on 25 April 1974, as Aquino relates in the article Independência sem descolonização: a transferência do poder em Moçambique, 1974-1975 [see below], he was the person that Frelimo turned to, sending him to Lisbon to evaluate the volatile situation. After Mozambican independence, Aquino was appointed Director of the Centro de Estudos Africanos at the Universidade Eduardo Mondlane in 1976, and in 1978 was joined by the South African activist Ruth First, who became Director of Research. In late 1978 and early 1979, Ruth and Aquino set about recruiting a group of committed radical scholars from Mozambique, South Africa, and Western Europe, and forming them into a research collective that focussed on current issues of social and political transformation. After Ruth's murder by the South African regime in August 1982, Aquino began to reorganise the CEA into several «núcleos de investigação» – the Núcleo de África Austral, the Núcleo de Documentação, and so on. Aquino de Bragança was a trusted confidante of Samora Machel, and undertook numerous delicate diplomatic missions on behalf of the Frelimo government. Allegedly he was nicknamed the submarine in party and government circles because of his ability to keep an exceedingly low profile. He was killed on board the Tupolev Tu-134 with Samora Machel when it crashed at Mbuzini on 19 October 1986, in circumstances that have yet to be fully clarified. His best-known publication for English-speaking readers is probablyThe African liberation reader (London: Zed Press, 1982; 3 volumes), edited with Immanuel Wallerstein and originally published in Lisbon in Portuguese under the more interesting title Quem é o inimigo?. In 2009 his widow, the artist Sílvia Bragança published Aquino de Bragança: batalhas ganhas, sonhos a continuar [Maputo: Ndjira, 2009; 482 pages] in his memory. The book consists of memoirs, interviews, photographs and facsimiles about Aquino's rich and complex life. In March 2011, the publishing house Goa 1556 announced plans to publish in April an English version of the book under the title Battles waged, lasting dreams. SOURCE: http://www.mozambiquehistory.net/aquino.html Goanet A-C-E! Arts ~ Culture ~ Entertainment
[Goanet] Portugal needs its sleeping king now more than ever
Portugal needs its sleeping king now more than ever The abrupt departure of José Sócrates is yet another chapter in my country's economic and political decay - [image: Jose Manuel Fernandes] http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/jose-manuel-fernandes - - José Manuel Fernandes http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/jose-manuel-fernandes The discussions had barely started on Wednesday night when the then prime minister, José Sócrateshttp://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/mar/23/portugal-government-collapses-eu-bailout-looms, made an abrupt exit from a crucial meeting at the Portuguese parliament, running down the stairs of the building in order to escape the reporters waiting for him at the bottom. Like everyone else in the country, the press had wanted to know why he was so disrespectful towards the representatives of the nation. The TV images of this hasty escape have already become iconic: after having his austerity package rejected, Sócrates soon announced his resignation, plunging Portugal – and Europe – deep into political crisis. On the streets, Sócrates's resignation was greeted with a sigh of relief. For many, the prime minister has come to embody the ills of our country and the sins of our political leaders. On 12 March, Portugal saw the largest national demonstrations in decades, when a Facebook appeal led to hundreds of thousands of people marching peacefully in Lisbon and Porto against rising unemployment and the shrinking of wages and pensions. There's a distinct feeling of hopelessness in the air: never before has Portugal had so many unemployed. People have been leaving the country in droves, and as usual it is those we need most, the young with the best qualifications, who are at the front of the queue. The national debt is at its highest in more than a century. The last time the country saw anything resembling economic growth was back in 2000. Everywhere there is a fear that, after a lost decade, there might come yet another. Portugal appears to be undergoing a process of economic decay. Many worry that the country will fail in its ambition to catch up with the most developed nations in Europe. Deep down, Portugal feels it has been playing catch-up for the last two centuries. After the loss of Brazil in 1820, and the failure to follow up on the promise of the industrial revolution, intellectuals began to speak of an under-developed Portugal – to contrast with the developed country of the previous centuries. It was around the same time that we saw the rise of Sebastianismo in Portuguese culture – that is, the longing for the reawakening of a national saviour figure, as the last ruler of the golden dynasty, King Sebastian, had been, a sentiment kept alive by writers such as the 20th-century poet Fernando Pessoahttp://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/dec/04/fernando-pessoa-portuguese-writer-multiple-faces . For a while it looked as if the sleeping king had indeed returned. After entering the European union in 1986, several years of strong economic growth created a vision of a new and developed Portugal. That turned out to be an illusion. Sócrates never promised to be anything like a new King Sebastian – the WikiLeaks cables paint a portrait of a leader who doesn't like sharing power and hates negotiations. But he appeared to many at least a more pleasant option than his opponents. In the 2009 election campaign, Sócrates's Socialist party faced a centre-right PSD party headed by an ex-finance minister known for her austerity measures, and had accordingly based their campaign on promises of increased public spending. It worked, but only just: Portugal entered the sovereign debt crisis with the only minority government in Europe. The dust of the electoral fray had hardly settled when the Portuguese were confronted with a reality quite different from the one presented by Sócrates. The 2009 budget deficit, reported to Brussels in September as 5.6%, turned out to be 9.3%. Political moves such as the Socialist party's decision to increase public servants' pay and benefits had backfired. In 2010 the government was forced to implement measures contrary to the populist promises made in the election campaign. The country endured the failure of successive plans for stability and growth, each time overtaken by a darker reality than that recognised by Sócrates. Offers of collaboration from the opposition were shunned – the picture that emerged was of a politician who is only satisfied when he sees his opponents kneeling in surrender. The final straw came when the government was forced, after a technical visit to Portugal by the European commission and the Central Bank committee, to introduce new austerity measures. Relations had deteriorated beyond repair, not just between Sócrates
[Goanet] Morning in Goa - Saligao
To Goanet - http://www.parrikar.com/blog/2011/03/26/morning-in-goa-3/ Regards, r
[Goanet] Important news report that could have missed the non-partisan NRI Goans - konknivadis fuelling communal hatred?
HERALD - 27th March 2011, Page 5 Opposition for grants to English medium schools gains momentum CANACONA, MARCH 26: The movement to oppose demands for government grants to English medium schools has begun picking in Canacona, as a few people, including Marathi protagonists, met at the residence of a Tiatrist in Canacona to discuss the issue on Friday evening. After discussing the issue, a resolution was taken condemning Education Minister Babush Monseratte for supporting the demand to provide government aid to English medium schools. The meeting took place at the residence of Konkani Tiatr writer R B S Komarpant to prepare a roadmap for the taluka level meet on Monday and for April 6 meeting at Azad Maidan in Panjim. Komarpant sought to blame the Christian community for demanding government grants to English medium primary schools. By demanding grants for English medium primary schools, the Christians are dividing the people, said Komarpant, who convened the meeting on Friday. Konkani writer Kamlakar Mhalshi informed that no particular community should be made responsible for the issue, but we should explore and solve the issue as to why suddenly parents of children attending primary schools run by the archdiocese now want to shift to English medium. We should know the reason and educate parents first, who apparently with a reason have decided to demand English medium education to their children from elementary level. We should not forget that the archdiocese managed schools in the State had shifted to Konkani medium once the primary education in mother tongue was made mandatory and no one had bothered to question it then, he said. ' Amid discussion over demands for government grants to English medium schools in the State, few area-wise representatives were chosen and asked to bring more people to attend the Monday meet, which also will be attended by speakers from other parts of the State. In the meeting, representatives were also asked to involve elected representatives, including both MLAs, panchayat members, Mahila Mandals, Devasthan committees and others so that more people attend the meet. Incidentally, the demand for English medium primary education is high even in Canacona taluka. Sources have told Herald that in Canacona there are over 300 students studying in an unaided English medium private primary school run by an education society, while there are only 700 students studying in seven aided Konkani medium primary schools. Ulhas Pai Bhatikar (State awardee and retired headmaster), Shantaji Naik Gaonkar (retired headmaster), Kamlakar Bhalshi (Konkani writer/Sarva Shiksha Abhiya Canacona i/c), Anant Agni (teacher), RBS Komarpant (Konkani writerlTiatrist), Shantaram Komarpant (retired government primary teacher), Ravindra Raikar (retired teacher), Chinmoy were some of the people present at the meeting.
[Goanet] Converted dalits get no justice
BY *YOGINDER SIKAND* SOCIOLOGIST AND CRITIC *IN 1935,* the British arranged for a number of ‘low’ castes, whose names were specified in a schedule (hence called Scheduled Castes), to be given reservation in government jobs and elected bodies. These castes were not defined by religion, and included a number of castes whose ancestors had converted over the centuries to various religions, such as Islam, Christianity, Buddhism and Sikhism, in search of liberation from the tyranny of Brahminism. Recognising the legitimacy of the demands of the ‘low’ castes for reservation, the Constitution of India continued with the special provisions for SCs under Article 341, but in 1950, a Presidential order specified that no person professing any religion other than Hinduism would be deemed to be an SC member. This was stiffly resisted by non-Hindu Dalits, and so over the years, the Indian State was compelled to extend SC status to Sikh and Buddhist Dalits. Yet, it continues to deny the same to Christian and Muslim Dalits. This violation of the Constitutional rights is a patent act of discrimination on the basis of religion engaged in by the State. It compels Dalits to identify themselves as ‘Hindus’, thereby artificially inflating Hindu numbers. Although the Brahminical texts clearly do not recognise Dalits as members of Hindu society, treating them as ‘polluting’ outcastes, by insisting that the Dalits identify themselves as ‘Hindus’ if they wish to enjoy SC status, the State has engaged in a massive act of religious conversion, more aptly described as ‘religious bribery’, converting, through the force of law, millions of people to a religion predicated on the brutal denial of their humanity. According to law, if a Christian or Muslim Dalit converts to ‘Hinduism’, he is automatically entitled to SC status. In this way, too, the State acts as a Hindu missionary agent. ‘Upper’ caste Hindu leaders seek to justify the discriminatory religious clause attached to the SC category by claiming that it is a ‘compensation’ for the degradation that Hinduism prescribes for the Dalits, using this as an argument to deny SC status to Christian and Muslim Dalits. This claim is deeply flawed. It contradicts their repeated claims of the alleged superiority of Hinduism and its supposed teachings of universal compassion and tolerance. It also ignores the fact Sikhism and Buddhism denounce untouchability but yet Buddhist and Sikh Dalits enjoy SC status. There is thus no reason to deny the same status to Dalit followers of other egalitarian religions, such as Christianity and Islam. The absurdity of this restriction appears even more apparent when one considers that it does not apply in the case of Scheduled Tribes. It is clear that the misplaced perception of Islam and Christianity being ‘non-Indic’ — and, therefore, ‘foreign’ — religions is at the root of the refusal to extend SC status to Christian and Muslim Dalits. It is apparent that this restriction also stems from a fear, pervasive among the ‘upper’ caste Hindu ruling class, that if SC status were extended to Christian and Muslim Dalits, scores of so-called Hindu Dalits might convert to Christianity and Islam in order to escape the shackles of ‘Hinduism’ which, as Ambedkar rightly considered, is a code designed to consign them to eternal, religiously-sanctioned slavery. This poses a threat to ‘upper’ caste hegemony. *Most Christian and Muslim Dalits are probably worse off than so-called Hindu Dalits* Deprived of SC status for decades, most Christian and Muslim Dalits are probably worse off, in terms of major socio-economic indicators, than so-called Hindu Dalits. Unlike the latter, they are denied reservations in jobs and elected bodies, are not protected by anti- SC atrocity legislation, and lack separate provision in government schemes. In addition to being Dalits, they suffer discrimination as religious minorities, at the hands of agencies of the State, ‘upper’ caste Hindus and their ‘upper’ caste co-religionists. This is added justification for scrapping the discriminatory provisions of the 1950 Presidential order and for extending SC status to them. http://www.tehelka.com/story_main49.asp?filename=Ne040211PROSCONS.asp
Re: [Goanet] Konkani should be the primary school medium - by F. Mousinho de Ataide
Dear friends, I must thank Dr. Ferdinando for eradicating my ignorance. I would crave his indulgence to answer a few more questions so that my ignorance is completely dissipated. I hope the good doctor will oblige; for this kind act he will earn my eternal gratitude. He says, All Jesuit Schools and Convents in Goa had their primary as well as full education up to S.S.C in English. I have in fact studied in Fatima Convent in Margao, in the Baby Class, Junior Class and Senior Class. Now, (1) How many “Jesuit schools and Convents” were there in the entire territory of Goa during the Portuguese days? (2) How many candidates did they together send up for the SSC examination? And what fraction did this number constitute of the total number of candidates from Goa? (3) What was the SSC class designated as in these schools (VII or XI)? (4) Did Dr. Ferdinando himself have classmates in SSC who had earlier completed their primary in Portuguese before joining Loyola in the V / VI / VII standard? Answers to these will go a long way in determining whether Fr. Mousinho was entirely wrong or to what extent. My own recollection is this: Jesuit schools and Convents were very few and restricted to towns. But Portuguese Primary schools (Government as well as Private / Parochial) existed in almost every village at least in Salcete, Ilhas and Bardez; Catholic students attended these, while Hindus attended Marathi schools (up to IV standard) before joining Portuguese schools for Primeiro and Segundo grau; however, Lyceum classes were not available in the villages. The other talukas did not have as many Portuguese schools, but neither did they have any Jesuit schools / Convents; hence even Catholic children studied in Marathi schools, before joining English high schools. Again, English high schools were widespread in the villages all over Goa (SSC class was designated std. VII, because a Primeiro grau pass student was admitted into the Std. I which was equivalent to Std. V of the eleven-year school course); their contribution to the SSC candidate strength in any year was as high as 70 percent if not more. I know at least one gentleman from Margao who joined Loyola after completing his Segundo grau and passed SSC in 1958 (presently, he lives in Mumbai). I also know a classmate of mine who studied in Fatima after completing her Primeiro grau, and joined my English high school in the pre-SSC class. In other words, not all candidates sent up by these Jesuit schools / Convents were direct students into the English Baby class. This ignoramus humbly awaits Dr. Ferdinando's brilliant glow to enlighten his dark path. Sebastian Borges On 27 Mar 2011 Dr. Ferdinando dos Reis Falc?o drferdina...@hotmail.com wrote: Normally I would have not responded to such ignorant questions. A person who claims to have done ?Segundo Grau? and must be almost 60 years old by now if not older, and still is unaware of the schools that imparted primary education in English during the erstwhile regime must most probably have living with no contact of Goa all these past 50 years. But I am replying to prove Fr. Mousinho wrong. All Jesuit Schools and Convents in Goa had their primary as well as full education up to S.S.C in English. I have in fact studied in Fatima Convent in Margao, in the Baby Class, Junior Class and Senior Class. And the nuns liked me so much that they even allowed me to do Standard I in Fatima Convent,although they didn?t allow boys to continue in the Convent from Std. I onwards. I later joined Loyola HS along with my brother. Portuguese language was just one subject. Later it was made compulsory for students to pass 'Primeiro Grau', ie. about when I was in the Forth or Fifth Standard. I do hope Mr. Borges remembers this and not ask me the same question again. Dr. Ferdinando dos Reis Falc?o. Sebastian Borges
[Goanet] Star of Zanzibar set to shine in Anjuna today!
ANJUNA: When the veil is lifted from his frame at sunset on Sunday, 'the brilliant star of Zanzibar' will continue to shine in front of his palatial house in Anjuna. The gleaming white, life-sized marble statue of Manuel Francisco de Albuquerque will stand on a pedestal in the sprawling garden outside his grand mansion-a replica of the Sultan of Zanzibar's palace. Villagers believe it is a fitting tribute to their 'dotor bab', who was a physician to the sultans and their families for several years in Zanzibar (now a part of Tanzania in East Africa) in the 20th century. Known in the whole of Anjuna among residents as the 'Albuquerque House', the one-acre plot with a neat garden is an oasis on the rocky plateau. Most villagers do know the grand mansion belongs to Dr Albuquerque, but his presence will be felt more now, a villager commented. The former consul general for Portugal to the Sultan of Zanzibar died in 1956. But his memories live on in the village. He was a well-respected man, amiable to everybody, recalls novelist Bonaventura D'Pietro, who resides in Anjuna. The marble statue has been sculpted by artisans from Solapur at the behest of the physician's daughter-in-law, Ruth. This is his house and only his name should be inscribed on it, she says possessively of the grand building. The construction of the mini castle is closely linked to Albuquerque's achievements during his 50 years residence in Zanzibar. Born on August 14, 1869 in Anjuna, Albuquerque obtained an LMS (Licentiate in Medicine and Surgery) from Bombay University in 1896 and graduated with distinction from Edinburg, UK. After enrolling for a special course in obstetrics at the Rotunda hospital, Dublin, he qualified himself for MD, also with distinction, from the University of Brussels. By 1898, he had set himself up in Zanzibar to commence a distinguished professional life. In 1903, his contribution in detecting the bubonic plague in Zanzibar helped save thousands of lives. The government conferred on him the title of the Third Class of the Order of the Brilliant Star of Zanzibar. He was also appointed consul general for Portugal to the Sultan of Zanzibar for some time. Among other honours, including a Golden Sword, the Portuguese government conferred on him the prestigious Knight of the Order of Christ for his services to Portuguese nationals in East Africa during World War I as consul general. Also awarded a Golden Sword by reigning Sultan Sayhid Khalifa bin Harub, Albuquerque was accorded a farewell demonstration in the presence of Prince Seyyid Abdulla and members of the Goan community in Zanzibar in May 1946, prior to his departure to Goa. And in recognition of his services, the Sultan approved Albuquerque's plan to construct a replica of the royal palace back home. Raising the imposing landmark in the heart of the village was a major effort, say sources. He came with a team of artisans and materials from abroad. The house with spacious rooms, long corridors, imposing stairways and turrets is considered one of the grand mansions in the state. When Albuquerque returned to Goa, incidentally, Anjuna, today a teeming beach destination, was a much quieter village. We were moving about in bullock carts and loved that experience, recalls Pietro. Albuquerque lived in style and was a well known figure in the village. For some time after her father-in-law's death, the house suffered a bit of neglect. Ruth took upon herself the task of maintaining the house with a few servants. As the couple had no issue, her husband Joseph Albuquerque who died some time back, donated the house to the Kripa Foundation. The NGO runs a detoxification centre for alcoholics in its premises. From afar the edifice looks neat and imposing, but a closer look shows the rust and dilapidation. It breaks my heart as I looked after it like a baby, says Ruth. But the grand niece of the Venerable Fr Agnelo D'Souza is happy that the statue of her father-in-law is an important value addition to the landmark. We have given the house free to charity and it shouldn't be used for any other purpose, she says firmly. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Star-of-Zanzibar-set-to-shine-in-Anjuna/articleshow/7796680.cms Moi-mogan, Domnic Fernandes Anjuna, Goa Mob: 09420979201
Re: [Goanet] Baba Ramdev's instruction v/s Goan's medium of instruction
This from Soter is fully and completely endorsed. BTW: When I talk of mother-tongue as the desired language/medium of instruction in primary schools ( std. 1 to IV only), I am talking of the spoken language which according to me is the language that all Goans speak at home (shasti dialect included) including the Marathi lobby and is the spoken language in over 95 per cent of Goan homes. It is another matter altogether that communals (like Adv. Uday Bhembre Co) have infiltrated our beloved Konkani with ANTRUZI by heavily sanskrutizing and slaughtering the Konkani that has been spoken widely in Goa for many centuries by adopting some Portuguese words (like 'passoek/walk' ; 'bolos/poket' 'sucegad/easy going etc). Konkani should have been in Roman Script only (like many countries like Malaysia etc have). Attaching communal colour to a script is the work of Goan communal devils. Communals who smash Portuguese name plaques of Goan names must be smashed out of Goa. Goa Su-Raj shall do this job effectively by first stopping his pensions to pension fighters like Naguesh Karmali Co and drive them out of Goa's boundaries if they will not behave themselves as Goans but act as agents of BJP-RSS in Goa. :-)) Cheers floriano goasuraj 9890470896 www.goasu-raj.org - Original Message - From: SOTER so...@bsnl.in To: goa...@goanet.org Sent: Saturday, March 26, 2011 11:08 PM Subject: [Goanet] Baba Ramdev's instruction v/s Goan's medium of instruction The Goan casteist-communal cowards now rope in a 'bhailo', Baba Ramdev, to justify their unpopular demand of imposing devanagiri konkani as the medium of instruction on all Goans. There is nothing new in this dirty tactic as a similar game was played during the konkani agitation where these very pro-maharashtra agents roped in the Shiv Sena to try and intimidate the konknivadis. That is why it was a Floriano Vaz from Gogol, Margao that got shot at point blank range for no real reason. The manufactured konkani-marathi divide was exploited and used to shove devanagiri script as the official script for konkani down the throats of Goans. The communal agenda was further advanced by the Jai Maharashtra brigade of Shashikala Kakodkar. Twenty years later the move has backfired as this communal move has adversely affected the education prospects of both communities. The victim is the konkani language. Polarising the communities has been the most trusted weapon of Goa's casteist-communal opportunists that have reaped rich dividends since the liberation of Goa. They have managed to divide and reap Goa's resources in the countryside and sell it to Japan and China. In hind sight one can deduce that United Goans Party and the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party were manufactured by one and the same casteist-communal oppressors. These casteist opportunists created the alliance between BJP and MGP in 1998 election and enjoyed the exploits until 2004, but no sooner their agendas were not fulfilled they began releasing ads claiming that the very same BJP is communal. The enemy of Goa is within and not somewhere else. The sooner Goans discern between genuine issues and those systematically popularised with vested interests, the better will it be for the survival of Goa and the Goan people. The Opinion Poll may have defined Goa's destiny as a seperate identity in 1968 but these mergerists that continue to be holed up within the State and patronised by these casteist-communal forces have not given up yet. Goans need to realise that communal and political battles often get fought in proxy. It will be done through priests or OBC, or Bhandari, or Cristao, or Hindu. So the face that pretends to smile and offers you a golden hand shake on the street as long as he needs your collaboration, may not necessarily think otherwise when going about armed with hammer and tongs smashing name plaques, renaming roads, calling you 'denationalised' and a Portuguese agent or budging into the Bishop's House on the excuse of protecting a 'Linga' from desecration. The smile will not change the perception of the 'cristaos' as animals from the wild west that need to be tamed with local sanskruti. So while Wee Willie Winkie came to Panjim riding on Goan donkeys, Baba Ramdev seems to ride into Goa on communal polarisation. -Soter
[Goanet] Daily Grook #917
DAILY GROOK #917 === EX NEXT === by Francis Rodrigues following the divorce she took hubby's life, with a hatchet because she was the axe-wife! *GREAT ALL-OCCASION GIFT* http://www.KonkaniSongBook.com sheet-music,tab,lyrics,chords of great Konkani pop hits GOA: PEDRO FERNANDES: Tel.2226642 FURTADOS: Tel.2223278 http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=119017685910
Re: [Goanet] Baba Ramdev's instruction v/s Goan's medium of instruction
Dear GoanettersI had been in the teaching field since 1994till 2004. Each time I had to teach the fifth and the sixth standard it was a nightmare. Children coming from Konkani and Marathi medium did not know a word of English and I had literally to teach them alphabets and how to write simple sentences. So I had kept one period of all the teaching periods for writing simple English. Not only that the children in the primary were taught to write in block letters which made their hand writing a horrible one.I am a student of Lourdes convent and Sr.Irene taught me to write English the cursive way and today many people who see me write comment on wonderful handwriting that I have. My daughter Arlette was also taught writing by the same teacher sr. Irene and she too has cursive handwriting. Other children of mine are yet to develope the same. Let us have English medium of instruction and the teacher can speak to the children in konkani when they cannot understand English. It is easy for those who have no children or to those whose children are already grown big to preach on konkani as medium but for those parents whose children were in konkani medium know how they had to struggle to teach their children English.when they reached the middle school albert de souza From: floriano.l...@gmail.com To: goanet@lists.goanet.org Date: Sun, 27 Mar 2011 09:34:37 +0530 CC: so...@bsnl.in Subject: Re: [Goanet] Baba Ramdev's instruction v/s Goan's medium of instruction This from Soter is fully and completely endorsed. BTW: When I talk of mother-tongue as the desired language/medium of instruction in primary schools ( std. 1 to IV only), I am talking of the spoken language which according to me is the language that all Goans speak at home (shasti dialect included) including the Marathi lobby and is the spoken language in over 95 per cent of Goan homes. It is another matter altogether that communals (like Adv. Uday Bhembre Co) have infiltrated our beloved Konkani with ANTRUZI by heavily sanskrutizing and slaughtering the Konkani that has been spoken widely in Goa for many centuries by adopting some Portuguese words (like 'passoek/walk' ; 'bolos/poket' 'sucegad/easy going etc). Konkani should have been in Roman Script only (like many countries like Malaysia etc have). Attaching communal colour to a script is the work of Goan communal devils. Communals who smash Portuguese name plaques of Goan names must be smashed out of Goa. Goa Su-Raj shall do this job effectively by first stopping his pensions to pension fighters like Naguesh Karmali Co and drive them out of Goa's boundaries if they will not behave themselves as Goans but act as agents of BJP-RSS in Goa. :-)) Cheers floriano goasuraj 9890470896 www.goasu-raj.org - Original Message - From: SOTER so...@bsnl.in To: goa...@goanet.org Sent: Saturday, March 26, 2011 11:08 PM Subject: [Goanet] Baba Ramdev's instruction v/s Goan's medium of instruction The Goan casteist-communal cowards now rope in a 'bhailo', Baba Ramdev, to justify their unpopular demand of imposing devanagiri konkani as the medium of instruction on all Goans. There is nothing new in this dirty tactic as a similar game was played during the konkani agitation where these very pro-maharashtra agents roped in the Shiv Sena to try and intimidate the konknivadis. That is why it was a Floriano Vaz from Gogol, Margao that got shot at point blank range for no real reason. The manufactured konkani-marathi divide was exploited and used to shove devanagiri script as the official script for konkani down the throats of Goans. The communal agenda was further advanced by the Jai Maharashtra brigade of Shashikala Kakodkar. Twenty years later the move has backfired as this communal move has adversely affected the education prospects of both communities. The victim is the konkani language. Polarising the communities has been the most trusted weapon of Goa's casteist-communal opportunists that have reaped rich dividends since the liberation of Goa. They have managed to divide and reap Goa's resources in the countryside and sell it to Japan and China. In hind sight one can deduce that United Goans Party and the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party were manufactured by one and the same casteist-communal oppressors. These casteist opportunists created the alliance between BJP and MGP in 1998 election and enjoyed the exploits until 2004, but no sooner their agendas were not fulfilled they began releasing ads claiming that the very same BJP is communal. The enemy of Goa is within and not somewhere else. The sooner Goans discern between genuine issues and those systematically popularised with vested interests, the better will it be for the survival of Goa and the Goan people. The Opinion Poll may have defined Goa's destiny as a seperate identity in 1968 but these mergerists that
[Goanet] Medium of instruction in Goa
All schools in Goa whether in towns or villages have ten classes. From Std.1 to Std 4, i.e. the initial four years is the Primary School. From Std. 5 to Std. 10 is the Secondary School. All Secondary Schools whether the medium of instruction is English or Marathi or Konkni are given grants in aid by the Government of Goa to meet salaries of teachers. Only Primary Schools where the medium of instruction is either Marathi or Konkni are given grants in aid but denied to Primary Schools with English as a medium of instruction for the ostensible reason of safeguarding our great and glorious culture. Catholic village schools in the Costa Rica de Goa teach in Konkni language during the first four years of primary school in order to avail grants from the Govt. But the parents are an unhappy lot, for most children joining an English medium school at Std 5 are as good as zombies hardly able to construct a sentence in English right. The debate that is raging on in Goa today is that Govt of Goa should approve grants in aid to English medium primary schools as well so that children are moderately proficient in English language by the time they join Secondary School at Std. 5
Re: [Goanet] Morning in Goa - Saligao
On 27 March 2011 03:10, Rajan P. Parrikar parri...@yahoo.com wrote: To Goanet - http://www.parrikar.com/blog/2011/03/26/morning-in-goa-3/ Regards, r The guy is wearing an iams pet food T shirt. Iams pet food is now available in Goa? -- DEV BOREM KORUM Gabe Menezes.
Re: [Goanet] Konkani should be the primary school medium - by F. Mousinho de Ataide
Prof Borges, You're going round in circles and raising new issues... A number of English medium schools celebrated their 50th anniversaries in the 1990s. Among these were (please correct me if wrong): St Britto's Mapusa, Loyola's Margao, St Mary's Mapusa, Lourdes Convent (Saligao, probably a bit older). I don't know personally about the AC-run schools in Margao. Mater Dei is a 100 year old institution and you can check with Victor Rangel Ribeiro, an octogenarian who wrote about his memories at that school when he was about five years of age. Here is Domnic's story of Sacred Heart Parra [http://www.mail-archive.com/goanet@lists.goanet.org/msg68373.html] though someone could fill us in about the sections its conducted (primary, middle, secondary?) and the medium. I think it was St Joseph's Arpora which was the pioneer of English education in Goa, over a century old, which gave Bardez a headstart in migrating to the outside world, especially to the English-speaking world (Africa, Gulf etc). FN Frederick Noronha :: +91-9822122436 :: +91-832-2409490 On 27 March 2011 11:18, Sebastian Borges s_m_bor...@yahoo.com wrote: Dear friends, I must thank Dr. Ferdinando for eradicating my ignorance. I would crave his indulgence to answer a few more questions so that my ignorance is completely dissipated. I hope the good doctor will oblige; for this kind act he will earn my eternal gratitude. He says, All Jesuit Schools and Convents in Goa had their primary as well as full education up to S.S.C in English. I have in fact studied in Fatima Convent in Margao, in the Baby Class, Junior Class and Senior Class. Now, (1) How many “Jesuit schools and Convents” were there in the entire territory of Goa during the Portuguese days? (2) How many candidates did they together send up for the SSC examination? And what fraction did this number constitute of the total number of candidates from Goa? (3) What was the SSC class designated as in these schools (VII or XI)? (4) Did Dr. Ferdinando himself have classmates in SSC who had earlier completed their primary in Portuguese before joining Loyola in the V / VI / VII standard? Answers to these will go a long way in determining whether Fr. Mousinho was entirely wrong or to what extent. My own recollection is this: Jesuit schools and Convents were very few and restricted to towns. But Portuguese Primary schools (Government as well as Private / Parochial) existed in almost every village at least in Salcete, Ilhas and Bardez; Catholic students attended these, while Hindus attended Marathi schools (up to IV standard) before joining Portuguese schools for Primeiro and Segundo grau; however, Lyceum classes were not available in the villages. The other talukas did not have as many Portuguese schools, but neither did they have any Jesuit schools / Convents; hence even Catholic children studied in Marathi schools, before joining English high schools. Again, English high schools were widespread in the villages all over Goa (SSC class was designated std. VII, because a Primeiro grau pass student was admitted into the Std. I which was equivalent to Std. V of the eleven-year school course); their contribution to the SSC candidate strength in any year was as high as 70 percent if not more. I know at least one gentleman from Margao who joined Loyola after completing his Segundo grau and passed SSC in 1958 (presently, he lives in Mumbai). I also know a classmate of mine who studied in Fatima after completing her Primeiro grau, and joined my English high school in the pre-SSC class. In other words, not all candidates sent up by these Jesuit schools / Convents were direct students into the English Baby class. This ignoramus humbly awaits Dr. Ferdinando's brilliant glow to enlighten his dark path.
[Goanet] Medium of Instruction
ISince landing in Goa more than a week ago, I have followed the debate on the medium of instruction in primary schools very closely. Today's OHerlado carries a pro vs con pieces by Anacleto Viegas, of the UGDP, gpt Konkani langauge instruction and Tennyson Xavier Fernandes, a former faculty member of Rosary Higher Secondary School Navelim, for English language instruction. Anacleto has said his mea culpa for his volte face,. As as foreign settled Goan I am surprised to read his statement, So many Goans settled abroad return to Goa and look for a space for themselves, but to no avail.Nothing remains of their inheritance of the mother land. Do we desire that our children suffer from the same emptiness? Our forefathers ailed the seven seas, but returned home to rst and sleep the eternal sleep in the backyard of their homes. If by space he remains physical space, then perhaps he is right. Many foreign settled Goans have lost their homes to their own family members and to outsiders because of land and home grab. Many foreign-setteld Goans have willingly sold their homes to others and return periodically to visit the state. But to say that people like myself have lost our inheritance is a wild shot, a statement without substance. True, our children do not know much of Goa despite some of us parents have books on Goa. Some expat children have taking a liking for Goa after they have visit the land of their forefathers at least once. The quest for knowledge about Goa and things Goan is present in them but this quest is not overwhelming.. These children have assimilated themselves in the societies of their adopted land or the land of their birth. When Anacleto talks of our forefathers returning home to die, he perhaps have the tarvottis ofrthe non-resident Indians in many Gulf countries who return home permanently once they retire or forced to leave their jobs. Thousands of Goans have migrated to Englan In recent years and thousands are lining up to give up Goa for good to enjoy the welcome in these lands. Many Goans from the Middle East are coming to Canada and many Goan students are studying in the USA with the hope and prospects of getting a good education and a good job for permanent settlement. From his perspective, Konkani should be the language of instruction. He has backtracked and he has given his reasons why he has changed his mind today. However, he has unnecessarily taken a pot shot at Churchill Alemao, one of the founder members of the UDGP and now its worst enemy. I am told that the Fatorda ground joke credited to Churchill is a made-up one. True, Churchill cannot speak English fluently. He mutilates the language. But let me ask Anacleto what he actually means when he says, Have we not herd enough howlers from our ministers, especially those who speak no language other than English? Does he mean to say that the ministers speak ONLY English and no other language? I tend to believe it's a jibe against some ministers, but directly against Churchill. .How many of this young generation heard Dayanand Bandodkar speak English? At the national level many ministers did not speak English, at least a decade or two ago Eugene Correia
[Goanet] Devika Sequeira and Portugal ....again!
On 26 March 2011 22:19, Vasant Baliga vabal...@yahoo.com forwarded: http://www.deccanherald.com/content/149095/portugal-still-denial-over-goa.html Portugal still in denial over Goa - Devika Sequeira in Panaji Portugal should have shown better diplomatic judgment in officially honouring Goa's golden jubilee celebrations. Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva will be in East Timor later this year to attend the country’s independence celebrations. No such diplomatic gesture will be extended to Goa where celebrations have begun to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Goa’s accession into India in 1961. COMMENT: Interesting stuff, again, from Devika Sequeira. Perhaps, one day, we all might choose to sit and read the various Acts or Parliament, court cases, international treaties and legal meanings of the words we use, before we write. Then again, we might choose to wear the lapel of passionate prejudice on our forehead. Please vide http://www.colaco.net/1/TGFresponds2DevikaIdentityCrisis.htm wrt the above (fwd from Baliga) 1: Accession into in 1961? really? 2: On the one hand, Devika Sequeira states correctly, in the bogus-points-containing article, the Identity Crisis) that Under Portugal's nationality law of 1975, those born in Goa, Daman and Diu before 1961 (...) and their descendants upto a third generation are still entitled to Portuguese citizenship. http://www.colaco.net/1/TGFresponds2DevikaIdentityCrisis.htm 3: On the other hand she expects Portugal to 'officially' recognise 1961. (Almost like saying that India must, officially or otherwise, recognise the Pak armed occupation of Kashmiror Portugal to officially honour Indonesia's armed invasion of East Timor) 4: True annexation by conquest and subjugation was complete on December 20, 1961. On March 27, 1962 by Act 1 of 1962 the Constitution (Twelfth Amendment) Act 1962 was enacted and was deemed to have come into force on December 20, 1961. (Francisco Monteiro v State of Goa: India Supreme Court Reports pp 87-102). Also, please vide http://www.colaco.net/1/chico.htm 5: BTW: There is NO formal treaty of accession. There however is 1974/1975 treaty signed by Yeshwantrao Chavan and Mario Soares. (This explains the 1975 in the Portuguese Nationality Act). A copy of the treaty can be accessed at http://www.colaco.net/1/treaty.htm. 6: I invite you to read the TGF comment on the treaty. I also invite us to research if Devika ever corrected the errors in the Identity Crisis article. 7: Does anyone know IF Devika Sequeira supported the freedom struggle of the people of East Timor, and IF Goa/India sent a representative to the celebrations of East Timor's liberation in 2002 from Indonesian occupation? 8: Those who may not know, may wish to know that there is a difference between applications (for Portuguese nationality) from Goa-resident Goans and those from residents of the erstwhile Portuguese territories which were given Independence. Residents of these other countries (including Goans resident in those countries when independence was given to them) were given One Year from independence to reclaim/claim/reaffirm Portugal nationality. 9: The above is not to be in denial of the serious financial difficulties that Portugal is presently facing, OR the fact that fake-Goans have managed to obtain Portuguese nationality and gain access into Europe, AND that a number, albeit small, of Fake and Fraudulent Portuguese passports have been issued (the reason for the tightened protocol for the renewal of electronic passports, especially from consulates). 10: Finally, this constant refrain: Poorly qualified Goans who believe that a Portuguese passport is their ticket to prosperity, will be seriously disappointed. For while the Portuguese passport has opened doors (esp to the EU, and into many other countries which do not require EU nationals to possess visas to enter those countries), the most satisfied Goan with Portuguese nationality is likely to be one who obtains nationality for nationality's sake and not for the mercenary value. written at one go ...excuse any typos. jc
[Goanet] Medium of instruction in Goa
In Response to : Albert Desouza said: Dear Goanetters I had been in the teaching field since 1994till 2004. Each time I had to teach the fifth and the sixth standard it was a nightmare. Children coming from Konkani and Marathi medium did not know a word of English and I had literally to teach them alphabets and how to write simple sentences. Antonio Menezes said: Catholic village schools in the Costa Rica de Goa teach in Konkni language during the first four years of primary school in order to avail grants from the Govt. But the parents are an unhappy lot, for most children joining an English medium school at Std 5 are as good as zombies hardly able to construct a sentence in English right Let me be frank with these two reference, I am not against English medium but rather the argument placed for English medium on the above references, it is totally unwarranted. Let me explain, in a Konkanni medium we do have a subject in English which is purely dedicated to the English language, now my question to the two gentlemen is, if we have teachers who are capable of enabling the students to understand, speak and write in English in primary school, would it be okay to have Konkanni medium ? I am sure most will agree, that if we have good teachers of English, that language can be substantially understood and spoken by the students, so that they have no hassles in their transition to English medium in standard V and then excel in secondary, is that a possibility or not ? If you'll disagree, then I can give you'll an example, I along with a lot of others, am a product of Konkanni medium in Devnagri, I hope you'll believe me when I say, initially it was tough to adept to a script that was totally foreign but most of us managed to master it along with English as a subject and the transition to English medium in standard V was infact smooth, I surely do not think any of us were zombies nor for that matter unable to read alphabets or create basic sentences, infact we picked all the subjects with ease. The only explanation I can give for this phenomena is, may be we had better teachers than the students you'll have been referring to. Today I am sure; I and my fellow students are neither any less educated nor less competent than any of the English medium educated. As far as I am concerned we should give more importance to the quality of education for our children, be it English medium or Konkanni medium ! Freddy Agnelo Fernandes The content of this electronic communication is intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed and any others who are specifically authorized to receive it. It may contain confidential or legally privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or otherwise placing reliance on the contents of this information is prohibited and may be unlawful in certain legal jurisdictions. If you have received this communication in error please notify the sender immediately by responding to this email and then delete it from your system.
Re: [Goanet] Konkani should be the primary school medium - by F. Mousinho de Ataide
Frederick Noronha wrote: Prof Borges, You're going round in circles and raising new issues... COMMENT: Ditto. ps: A number of English medium primary girls' schools also allowed (I am advised) boys to classes. I believe the Holy Cross in Bastora was (another) one of them. jc
[Goanet] Medium of instruction in Primary Schools
I have not studied Konkani all throughout my primary school and college days, but speak Konkani right from my childhood. I could read Konkani both in devnagri and romi because my primary education was in Marathi and thereafter my education was in English. I learnt writing devnagri Konkani somewhere in 2000, that too on my own and even publish one short story book in devnagri Konkani (my 13th book) titled 'Belapan' which was released at the hands of Damodar Mauzo. While my daughter and son studied in English primary school (Manovikas) with Konkani as one of the subject. Daughter passed out IT engineering and right this year doing her ME. My son has joined computer engineering. Whenever issues of medium of instruction at primary level popes up my children always accuse me asking, why had you not put us in Marathi primary school like you studied? To this question I always avoid replying or justifying them - for I too question my parents as to why they had enrolled me to Marathi primary school. This situation clearly suggests that once child grow up they do question parents for imposing their decisions on them - despite the fact that child's age at the entry to primary level can never allow them to make informed choice! This argument may not be true with all children and parents! Over all, I consider that it's not worth taking any side on the issue, for whichever side one take there will be a counter offensive. Therefore I don't want to justify, defend or take up any side on the issue. These days I've noticed that our political dividers (Goans) are beating drums on medium of instruction in primary schools in Goa for the third time. This is not a healthy sign. Such attempts will ruin the future of our upcoming posterity. I believe, in such dead-lock situation, the issue could be best solved once and for all by taking opinion poll from all Goan voters. And this could be even initiated along with upcoming assembly election in Goa which is due in year time without extra expenditure to exchequer. This is my frank opinion. Best regards, Uday Barad
[Goanet] Anacleto's spin on medium of instruction
The cunning politician who spearheaded the medium of instruction issue 20 years ago under the banner of ACMI has predictably bowled his googly by supporting konkani as the medium of instruction. This is not at all surprising as it has almost become habitual for this politician to spin depending on where his political interests are met. One of the possible reason he has taken this stand is to hit back at the new outfit called FORCE that has given him a cold shoulder in the latest struggle for justice on the medium of instruction. Another possibility could be his resentment that some politicians have managed to stay on the side of those demanding English as the medium of instruction. But in the end this politician is of nuisance value and can hardly be trusted when it comes to protecting the interests of Goa and Goans. Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa senhor Anacleto! Your political outfit has already lost its election symbol and this election it will be reduced to 'gobor' for this betrayal. -Soter
[Goanet] Portugal needs its sleeping king now more than ever
Political decay is this the cause. What is happening in London at the moment? Various banks are being targeted. Please check this link below. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiY8QB1fNAYfeature=player_embedded BC -- Portugal needs its sleeping king now more than ever The abrupt departure of Jos? S?crates is yet another chapter in my country's economic and political decay
[Goanet] Dr Albuquerque's statue unveiled in coastal Anjuna, Goa
Hi, A beautiful statue of the late Dr Manoel Albuquerque was unveiled GMC Dean Dr Jindal in the courtyard of his famed palatial house, which is a replica of the Sultan's Palace in Zanzibar (East Africa), near the Anjuna beach in Goa, India, on March 27, 2011. Dr Albuquerque was the official physician of the then Sultan and was decorated with distinguished honours. Links for pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/52243088@N00/5564252025/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/52243088@N00/5564827586/in/photostream/ Cheers. Joel
[Goanet] Learn to swim...
My Dubai-returned friend Diogo Fernandes (of Donvaddo, Saligao) says if you don't learn to swim within 12 days, you are welcome to take your money back. Rs 2000 (children) and Rs 2500 (adults). Max five students per batch. Timings one hour daily 9-10 am, 10-11 am or 4-5 pm and 5-6 pm. Classes at Paradise Village, Tivaivaddo, Calangute. Contact on phone 9881 671075 or 9881 762352. Frederick Noronha :: +91-9822122436 :: +91-832-2409490
[Goanet] Jivem Udol
“JIVEM UDOK” *Pri.Ivo da C.Souza Prostavnna: Udkache prosn utpon’n zalyat: udok komi zalam. Kityak zayt? Udkache lott asat sobhar zagyanr, thoym lok moron veta. Techporim thoddya zagyanr udok na, thoynsoruy lok tanin morta. Udkachi goroz amkam asa. Povitr Pustok “Jivya Udkachi” amkam khobor korta. “Jivem Udok” kitem? Jezu Jivem Udok dita (Ju 4:10). Tem udok koslem zayt? Samaryekarnn ostori bayntlem udok kaddtastona, Jezu Galileya-k aple vatter aslo, to udok magta. Ponn to Judev zaun, ti ojap zata (v.9). Jezu tika “jivya udkachi” khobor sangta. “Devachem dennem” ani “jivem udok” kitem? Devachem dennem “soddvonn” zaum yeta, “bhaylya fatrancher boroyleli Somurth”, “Jezu”, vo Povitr Atmo zaum yeta. “Jivem udok” kitem? Tem “soddvonn”, “sasnnik jivit” vo “Povitr Atmo” zaum yeta (polle Ju 7:37-39). Don vegllim dennim vo ekoch dennem tem? Jezu ekach dennyachi khobor korta? Tacho orth kitem? Jezun aplya poylya jivitachya vanttyant Povitr Atmyachi khobor korunk na, ponn dusrya vanttyant kelya. Tor hangasor Jezu Somurthichi, ji atam Jezu sovem atthaplya, khobor korta. Ponn Juanvachya Xubhvortomanant taka dusro odik khol orth asa, to mhollyar “Povitr Atmo”: “Devachem dennem” atam jivont Jezu (polle Ju 3:16) ani tacho Povitr Atmo. “Jivem udok” atam “Povitr Atmo”. Aplya mornna-Jivontponna uprant Jezu bhorten aplo Povitr Atmo dita (polle Ju 7:39). Jezu mhonnta: “Hanv diyin tem udok piyetit, tankam kodinch tan lagchi na” (Ju 4:14). “Konnak tan laglya, zalyar tanni mhojexim yeunchem ani udok piyeunchem” (Ju 7:37). Povitr Pustokachi xikovnn hi: “Zonneklyan Jezu Kristachya nanvan Snan gheunchem, ani tumkam Povitr Atmyachem dennem melltelem” (DI 2:38; 1 Kor 12:13). Soryan nhoy, bogor Atmyan amim bhorlelim mon’xam zaunk zay (Ef 5:18). Prarthonn korun, bhavarthan (Ef 3:16; polle Lk 11:13), gitam gavun, Devachem Utor (“Atmyachi torsad”, Ef 6:17) dhorun, Jezuchem Mas-Rogot xevun amkam Povitr Atmyachem dennem mellta (Ef 5:19). Izaias provadyan hem bhakit kelelem (Iz 44:3: “Tanel’le zom’nir hanv udok soddtolom, suklole bhuyncher udkache vhall vhanvoytolom”). “Jivya udka” vorvim amkam Devachya mogachya Atmo mellta (Rm 8:15; Ga 4:6), mon’xa-soymachya vondovnnyancher ap-dopkhavnni (Rm 8:13), bhorvanso , bhitorlem boll, novya mon’xacho akar (Ef 3:16). Azkal amche projechya jivitant Povitr Atmyachi mon’vruti asa, ti amim uzvaddaunk zay. Povitr Atmo amchya kallzamni jiyeta (“tachya kallzantlyo jivya udkachyo zhori ghosghoxit vhanvtelyo”, Ju 7:38), ami tachem jivem mondir (1 Kor 6:19), to amche sovem jiyeta, jen’na ami Jezuk chikttun ravtat (Rm 8:9.11). Ten’na udkachi zhor sasnnik jivit diit vhanvta (Ju 4:14), “jivya udkachi zhor futt’teli” (Jn 7:38). Povitr Atmo amkam “Abba, Bapa” mhonnunk oddta (Rm 8:15; Ga 4:6), bhorvanxyan bhorta (Rm 15:13), amchya jivitant “follam” dakhoyta (Ga 5:22), “sasnnik jivitak” vhorta (Ju 4:14; Ga 5:5). Ho bhorvanso amkam sasnnik jivit dita (Ti 1:2), Povitr Atmya vorvim ami novim mon’xam zatat (Ti 3:5), svorginche dayji vortotat (Ti 3:7), amkam novem-sasnnik jivit mellta (Ga 6:8). Sompadnni: Sorvxevttim, amchem Kristi jivit mhollyar Povitr Atmyan choloylolem jivit, hachi amim govayki diunk favo. Amche sorvbhonvtim amche jivitache chalin hem amim thavem korunk zay. Jivit ovghodd, Povitr Atmo amchem jivit lohu korta, jeporim Jezun amkam bhasaylam: “Mhojem zum sompem, lohu mhojem ojem” (Mt 11:30). To amchya patkancho bhar kaddta, amkam dadhosponn-sukh-somadan dita…
[Goanet] Re : Medium of instruction in Primary Schools
On Sun, 27 Mar 2011 10:54:33 -0700, U. G. Barad wrote…. I believe, in such dead-lock situation, the issue could be best solved once and for all by taking opinion poll from all Goan voters. And this could be even initiated along with upcoming assembly election in Goa which is due in year time without extra expenditure to exchequer. This is my frank opinion. Best regards, Uday Barad COMMENT : Dr. Uday, I would suggest you re-think what you’ve written. Do you really mean to say you would believe in the procedures of voting in Goa? Dr. Ferdinando dos Reis Falcão.
Re: [Goanet] Medium of instruction in Goa
On the ongoing MOI controversy, a number of view points seem to have cropped up; Freddy Fernandes said: In Response to : Albert Desouza said: Dear Goanetters I had been in the teaching field since 1994till 2004. Each time I had to teach the fifth and the sixth standard it was a nightmare. Children coming from Konkani and Marathi medium did not know a word of English and I had literally to teach them alphabets and how to write simple sentences. Then Freddy Fernandes goes on to give his own personal contrasting experience stating: I along with a lot of others, am a product of Konkanni medium in Devnagri, I hope you'll believe me when I say, initially it was tough to adept to a script that was totally foreign but most of us managed to master it along with English as a subject and the transition to English medium in standard V was infact smooth, I surely do not think any of us were zombies nor for that matter unable to read alphabets or create basic sentences, infact we picked all the subjects with ease. The only explanation I can give for this phenomena is, may be we had better teachers than the students you'll have been referring to. Today I am sure; I and my fellow students are neither any less educated nor less competent than any of the English medium educated. My comment: Freddy, I began my teaching career in 1969 and have help various positions in school. I would tend to agree with Albert for the simple reason that you cannot generalize on the basis of your personal experience. If you sincerely believe what you say leaving emotion and sentiment aside, then you need to do a reality check. I invite you to visit any aided secondary school, particularly a rural school and check for yourself. Nightmare is a bit of an understatement I should think in this context. Exceptions will always be the rule. let me cite a spectacular example. A student Shobha entered English medium secondary school in Std V from Govt. Marathi primary. At the first test she failed in practically all subjects. But, Shobha was a very determined student and by the time the year got over, she not only passed the class, but was a first ranker. This went on and in higher classes, she represented the school in the Spelling Bee team. At the Mapusa Jaycees Spelling Bee she was in the winning team that won the Bardez championship. This entitled our team to contest the All Goa Jaycee Spelling Bee finals at Vasco da Gama. At Vasco da Gama, our team won beating all odds. So when coming back, we were forced to have lunch as it was late. So the team was taken to a restaurant in Mapusa. I was accompanying the team and I felt it would be fitting to give them a real treat. At the restaurant, one of the finest in Mapusa then, Shobha was very reluctant to enter the restaurant. Reason: she had never eaten in a posh place before and she had never used a fork and spoon to eat. I managed to persuade her that it was perfectly fine if she had to use her fingers but then she was feeling shy because of the other children. With a good deal of persuasion and coaxing I managed to get her inside. Once inside, again to reassure her I told her that she could eat what she wanted and to eat in whatever manner was comfortable with her. Ultimately, Shobha managed pretty well for herself. Now tell me Freddy, can anything deter such a student? Naturally, she passed the SSC with flying colours. Now Dr. Uday G Barad goes on to cite his own experience and then that of his childrens'. While Dr. Barad studied in Marathi primary and did extremely well at English secondary, his children had the opposite experience. Both studied in English primary and did English Secondary and did extremely well but both (parent and children) regretted their own parents choice of medium of instruction. Then Dr. Barad goes on to add:This situation clearly suggests that once child (sic) grow up they do question parents for imposing their decisions on them - despite the fact that child's age at the entry to primary level can never allow them to make informed choice! This argument may not be true with all children and parents! My comment: I normally do not tend to agree with Dr. Barad but his last quote is something to ponder about. Again, those who cite personal experiences do not realize that the text books and syllabi of today are radically different from those of the past and that in modern times, there is a downward flow of learning/ teaching matter every few years. Again to cite an example, what was the study matter for a Ph D might today have filtered down to the level of Std. VIII or Std. IX. There were times when the subjects like sex education were talked of in hushed tones and things like quantum mechanics were talked of only in higher academia. Today these are common place and even discussed in a school syllabus. Those who talk of carrying on smooth a silk, seamlessly after having studied in non-English primary schools should just try and read the texts in the English medium Std V
Re: [Goanet] Holistic Medicine
Santosh Helekar wrote: Good to know that Gilbert is practicing conventional modern medicine, despite forwarding quack articles from Huffington post. --- Ivo wrote: This is precisely the holistic approach to the patient. It can be followed for any medical system. You are following it for the 'allopathic', modern Western medicine. It was used by the author of the article in Huffington Post with its variations. Please, bring to our notice articles of value published anywhere, including Huffington Post. GL responds: Clearly, Ivo and others find the healthcare articles which I forward to be of interest and useful. Indeed that is why those authors write them and reputable website publish them. It is a pity that some have little insights and forwarding such articles is like casting pearls before ... Regards, GL
Re: [Goanet] Dr Albuquerque's statue unveiled in coastal Anjuna, Goa
Joel wrote: A beautiful statue of the late Dr Manoel Albuquerque was unveiled GMC Dean Dr Jindal in the courtyard of his famed palatial house, which is a replica of the Sultan's Palace in Zanzibar (East Africa), near the Anjuna beach in Goa, India, on March 27, 2011. Dr Albuquerque was the official physician of the then Sultan and was decorated with distinguished honours. Links for pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/52243088@N00/5564252025/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/52243088@N00/5564827586/in/photostream/ - Joel, Thanks a million for the pictures. I spent half an hour trying to find pictures of the house in Goa before I saw your pictures here on Goanet. While there are some similarities in both the house in Goa and the Sultans Palace in Zanzibar, the Goan house does not look anything like the palace. Here, is a picture of the original palace in Zanzibar. http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevharb/4324658284/sizes/l/ Mervyn1430Lobo
[Goanet] Unveiling of Dr. Manuel Francisco de Albuquerque's statue in Anjuna
Anjuna experienced a unique evening today (March 27, 2011) when Dr. Manuel Francisco de Albuquerque's life size statue was unveiled in the village for the first time. It is one of its kind, as it is made of fiber glass. The statue has been prepared by Mr. Rampuri of Solapur. It was a proud moment to all of us! The statue of Dr. Manuel was unveiled by Dr. V.N. Jindal, Dean of Goa Medical College. The inauguration was attended by close family members, friends and a select crowd. Mr. Shyam J. Kamat of Anjuna, a Chartered Accountant, and a close friend of Mrs. Ruth and her late husband, Dr. Joseph Albuquerque, spoke on behalf of Mrs. Ruth: 'I have the great privilege and pride of addressing all of you on behalf of my friend Mrs. Ruth Albuquerque. “The steps of a good man are ordained by the Lord.” These words from the Bible exemplify the life and experiences of the great man we are gathered here to honor today, more than half a century after his departing to the heavenly abode, and also on the eve of the birthday of his deceased son, Dr. Joseph, popularly known to all as Dr. Joe. The magnitude of the work and personality of Dr. Manuel Francisco de Albuquerque, MD, can only be understood if we accept the premise that he was divinely directed and protected, and yes, he did use all these gifts that the Lord had blessed him with, for the cause of humanity and giving. Let me start by giving you only a thumb-nail of the gigantic and illustrious career and humanitarian work of Dr. Manuel, his generosity and statesmanship, his popularity and qualities of leadership. Born in 1869 (the same year Ven. Fr. Agnelo was born,) Dr. Manuel Francisco de Albuquerque, after graduating from the Grant Medical College, Bombay, obtained medical degrees from Edinburgh and London, then Dublin and his MD from Brussels. In 1898, he proceeded to East Africa and established himself at Zanzibar. His talents and services were wholly used for the cause of humanity there. In 1903, this young doctor at that time, saved thousands of lives by his early detection of bubonic plague and by his tireless efforts to combat the disease. For this singular achievement, Dr. Manuel was recognized by the first of many well-deserved accolades. He was presented with “The order of the Brilliant Star of Zanzibar of the Third level.” His Highness, Sayyid Ali Bin Hamoud, whose personal physician Dr. Manuel was, conferred on Dr. Manuel the impressive title of “Order of Hamoudieh, Second level.” Later, the subsequent Sultan Sayyid Sir Khalifa Bin Harab, for the outstanding services rendered by Dr. Manuel, as personal physician of the Sultan and also for the services to the country, presented him with a Golden Sword. This magnificent sword has been donated by Ruth and her late husband, Dr. Joe, to the Xavier Center of Historical Research at Alto Porvorim. In 1913, Dr. Manuel was appointed Vice-Consul for Portugal in Zanzibar and during the critical period of World War I, he acted as the Consul for Portugal and also for Italy for some time. The Government of Tanganyika conferred on him the title of “Knight of the Order of Christ.” Dr. Manuel’s services were not restricted to the Portuguese Colonies of Zanzibar and Pemba alone. He served the Goan communities in East Africa as well. He left his mark on these Goan communities there. He was the founder and first President of the famous Goan Institute in 1904. In 1946, after nearly 50 years in the service of the people of Zanzibar, this aging physician felt a pull on his heartstrings to be back in his beloved village of Anjuna. He left Africa in 1946, bringing with him several valuable mementos. The house was built as a replica of the Sultan’s palace. As a special recognition he was allowed to construct his house on the exact lines of the palace of the Sultan. This in itself should speak volumes for the love, affection and respect he enjoyed in Zanzibar. Dr. Manuel left for his heavenly abode on April 8, 1956. His son and my friend, Dr. Joe, was himself an alumnus of the Grant Medical College, Bombay. He became ENT specialist and later on a specialist in Child and Women diseases. He set up practice as a general physician at his home in Anjuna and as well as in Mapusa. Mrs. Ruth and Dr. Joe tied the nuptial knot in 1957. Mrs. Ruth embodies in herself, all what we expect to see in a grandniece of Fr. Agnelo, the all revered Ven. Fr. Agnelo in Goa. It was only a matter of serendipity that Dr. Joe found in her a charming, caring and loving wife and a companion, a worthy chatelaine for this fairy-tale castle. Mrs. Ruth is an emblem in herself of the piety, grace and compassion that we very rarely find. God divined her to be worthy of being a daughter-in-law of this great legendary physician. All this serene and beautiful surrounding, the gardens, the house and the ambiance all permeate the splendor and kindness of what Mrs. Ruth
[Goanet] Portugal still in denial over Goa (Devika Sequeira, Deccan Herald)
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/149095/portugal-still-denial-over-goa.html Portugal still in denial over Goa Devika Sequeira in Panaji Portugal should have shown better diplomatic judgment in officially honouring Goa's golden jubilee celebrations Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva will be in East Timor later this year to attend the country’s independence celebrations. No such diplomatic gesture will be extended to Goa where celebrations have begun to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Goa’s accession into India in 1961.| Portuguese historians Paulo Varela Gomes and Teotonio De Souza argue that the two cases bear no comparison. East Timor, part of a small island in the Indonesian archipelago between the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean, was colonised by the Portuguese in the 16th century. Dutch colonisers took over the west of the island. In 1975, Portugal unilaterally withdrew from East Timor as it began to dissolve its colonial empire. The withdrawal was followed quickly by Indonesia’s invasion of East Timor. An UN-sponsored report said at least 100,000 Timorese were killed during the 25-year Indonesian occupation, which ended after the referendum in 1999. Portugal’s diplomatic intervention helped pave the way to East Timor’s independence in 2002 and the two countries have maintained excellent relations since. Soon after India’s independence, Nehru initiated moves for a diplomatic solution to the Goa case. Portugal, then under the dictator Antonio de Oliveira Salazar rebuffed all such approaches, forcing India’s hand in the military intervention that began on December 17, 1961. Thirty-six hours later, India was in possession of Goa, Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli which had been a part of the ‘Estado da India’ (Portugal’s colonial holdings in India) for 451 years. The issue of Goa’s accession echoed as dramatically in the UN Security Council as it had on the ground. A US-sponsored resolution supported by the UK, France and Turkey that wanted the withdrawal of Indian troops was vetoed by the Soviet Union. The Soviet move was heavily criticised in the West and Portugal went into virtual mourning, scaling down Christmas celebrations that year. Media reports also said the Salazar government had put out a reward of $ 10,000 for the capture of the Indian Brigadier Sagat Singh, the commander of the Red Berets, the parachute regiment, which were the first Indian troops to enter Panjim. Portugal snapped diplomatic ties with India and refused to recognise the decolonisation of its Indian territories. Diplomatic relations between the two countries revived only in 1975 after Portugal itself turned into a democracy. In 1992, Mario Soares became the first Portuguese head of state to visit Goa. A trenchant critic of the Portuguese regime, Soares had spent long years in jail under Salazar and had many friends in the Goa freedom movement. He received a hero’s welcome in Goa. Following his visit, the Portuguese government opened a consulate in Goa and the cultural organisation Fundacao Oriente set up an office here. Lawyer Miguel Reis is perhaps among a small minority in Portugal today who believes that Portugal should have shown better diplomatic judgment in officially honouring Goa’s golden jubilee celebrations, just as it celebrated the transfer of Macau back to China. The Portuguese, he says, need to recognise the fact that Goa’s liberation was the first major blow against the dictatorship of Salazar. “It was, in a sense, the preamble to the Portuguese Revolution, of April, 24, 1974,” he says. “The process of decolonisation of the Estado da India, despite resulting from a military occupation, was far more peaceful than those that occurred in other colonial territories, today transformed into countries with which Portugal has excellent relations, he says. The 50th anniversary of Goa’s decolonisation coincides ironically with 500 years of the Portuguese arrival here in 1910. Several Portuguese institutions will be joining hands to commemorate the 500 years with a major international academic symposium on contemporary Goa and its history to be held at Lisbon’s Catholic University. In November last year, the Portuguese training vessel Sagres on a voyage to commemorate 500 years of the Portuguese arrival at the Orient and the Far East, drew strong protests from freedom fighters and saffron groups after it berthed at Mormugao harbour. “If the visit of the Portuguese vessel ‘Sagres’ was to commemorate 500 years of the Portuguese arrival in Goa, it was reprehensible,” says Eduardo Faleiro, former union minister for external affairs. Before calling at Goa, the Sagres had docked at Jakarta where Portuguese Ambassador to Indonesia Carlos Manuel Leitao Frota said the ship’s journey was “not only to celebrate nostalgia, but also to look forward to the future”. Portugal could have made a beginning with the golden jubilee of Goa’s liberation, but it has chosen not to.
Re: [Goanet] Re : Medium of instruction in Primary Schools
[1] U. G. Barad wrote: a: my primary education was in Marathi and thereafter my education was in English. b: I believe, in such dead-lock situation, the issue could be best solved once and for all by taking opinion poll from all GOAN voters. And this could be even initiated along with upcoming assembly election in Goa which is due in year time WITHOUT extra expenditure to exchequer. [2] Dr. Ferdinando dos Reis Falcão responded: Dr. Uday, I would suggest you re-think what you’ve written. Do you really mean to say you would believe in the procedures of voting in Goa? COMMENT: Even though I have often disagreed with Dr. UG Barad (being a Virgo, I also criticise myself), I must say that I have always admired him for his brilliant ability to produce and publish scientific material. And while it was always evident from his GoaNet and Pharmaweb posting (must have folded or what?), that he was probably from a Vernacular medium primary school (as opposed to a good English medium school), the fact that his books have been published and are not cheap by any standards, indicates that he either works very hard on the non-scientific element (i.e. English) of his books or he is able to secure help from the right quarters. Nothing more admirable in a man than to know his limitations and do the needful to overcome those limitations. I absolutely see the wisdom in parents offering opportunities to their children esp opportunities which were not readily available to them (the parents). Dr. Barad has written about his own choices for his children. For that I say to Dr. Barad, WELL DONE Sir! In my mind, you are a Hero. Trust me, your children will Thank you for that. One reason I disagree with these (officially) bachelor Catholic priests and other bachelor politicians is that they give advice wrt Family Life. They say that even though they do not have families, they have read books. (Some even give medical advice without ever having gone through the rigours of medical training) I say to ALL and Sundry: Please allow parents to make the decisions on behalf of their children, UNLESS you are willing to place some funds in trust for the children who take your advice and flop. Dr. Falcao also has made a very valid point about elections. I;d say to Dr. Barad that the phrase Opinion Poll WITHOUT extra expenditure to exchequer is an oxymoron. If anyone cares to remember the amount of Rupees that were invested in the Opinion Poll to join or not to join Maharashtra by the JOIN group, and that too about 45 years ago, one would not dream of that today. Besides, if an opinion poll were to be held today, there is a fair chance that Kannada or Bihari might become the official language. There is a famous line in my second discipline i.e. Do not ask a witness a question, the answer of which you may not wish to hear! In conclusion: Please do not take advice on the Medium of Instruction (for kids) from the following folks: a: Catholic priests. b: Bachelors and Bachelors without responsibilities for children they may have sired. c: Wealthy folks who can send their children to Switzerland for education and 'banking studies' d: Wealthy folks whose children do not have to work for a living. e: Politicians who want to divide and rule. jc
Re: [Goanet] Portugal needs its sleeping king now more than ever
On 27 March 2011 14:21, Bernado Colaco ole_...@yahoo.co.uk wrote: Political decay is this the cause. What is happening in London at the moment? Various banks are being targeted. Please check this link below. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiY8QB1fNAYfeature=player_embedded BC REPLY: You are correct - although I am finding it difficult to get a decent interest rate here in the U.K. If I had faith in Portugal I would go out and buy some 10 year Bonds yielding 8 percentbut before redemption date one might have to take a hair cut! I will be a happy bunny if I got that sort of return in the U.K. -- DEV BOREM KORUM Gabe Menezes.
[Goanet] NEWS: Now BJP supports Konkani in Goa schools
Now BJP supports Konkani in Goa schools India Blooms News Service Panaji, Mar 27 (IBNS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has joined the bandwagon of the political parties supporting Konkani and Marathi as Medium of Instruction (MoI) at the elementary level. Addressing a news conference Sunday, BJP Goa President Laxmikant Parsekar has demanded that the existing MoI in local languages should not be changed. “English is posing a threat to regional languages because of its glamour. People are bowed to English language because it is taken as fashion nowadays. But the concept worldwide is that the primary level of education has to be in mother tongue,” Parsekar told reporters. He said that the current policy of Konkani and Marathi as MoI is working well and grants are properly distributed. “UNESCO, which is dedicated in the field of education, supports that primary education has to be done in the mother tongue,” he said. The BJP legislator said that the issue cannot be debated through public meetings or in the Legislative Assembly, but it has to involve educationists keeping in mind the past, present and future of a child. “The decision has to be taken by educationist and experts. Legislators do not into the picture,” he said adding that few legislators who are demanding English as MoI do not have educational qualification. Quoting an extract from UNESCO’s report, Parsekar said that primary education be taught in mother tongue, for, explaining logic behind a particular step in English language is difficult. The State is divided over the MoI issue with several thousand parents demanding English to be included as MoI, and another group demanding that elementary education be taught in regional languages. On Saturday another political party - Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), which is represented by two of its legislators in the Goa cabinet- said that they will not allow English language to be recognized as MoI. They also opposed providing any financial assistance to English schools. Similarly, a new organization – Bhartiya Bhasha Surakha Manch (BBSM) has rendered its support for Konkani and Marathi as the MoI. The Manch has organized a massive rally on April 6 at Panaji. http://www.indiablooms.com/NewsDetailsPage/newsDetails270311h.php
Re: [Goanet] Holistic Medicine
I had always thought that the least that education can do quite successfully is to teach people to recognize what is real and what is fake, so as not to be easily fooled by charlatans. My experience on Goanet and elsewhere has unfortunately taught me that this is not true at all. When it comes to medicine and other scientific subjects, in particular, ideology, religion and blind emotional appeal have nullified any advantage that education might have accorded the public, otherwise. Even so, I can understand why people, who do not have any kind of post-secondary scientific education, would have a hard time understanding what real science is. But it is thoroughly disappointing to see that here we have medical professionals who cannot tell the difference between real medicine and quackery, real reputable scientific websites and political propaganda websites, real science and pseudoscience, and real informed audience and blind followers of a postmodern fad or ideology. What a waste of education! The saddest thing (and perhaps, the funniest as well), however, is that these folk are so clueless that they invariably believe that they are smarter and wiser than those who genuinely know what they are talking about, and who can genuinely tell the difference between sense and nonsense. What's more, when it comes to medicine and science, again, every single one of these holistic souls abuses and/or looks down upon real scientific and medical professionals who strictly abide by the principles of science and scientific medicine, without spouting meaningless psychobabbly words such as holistic, and without dabbling in the myriad forms of quackery that have sprouted like wild mushrooms to lure the increasingly gullible New Age society. Cheers, Santosh Cheers, Santosh --- On Sun, 3/27/11, Gilbert Lawrence gilbert2...@yahoo.com wrote: Clearly, Ivo and others find the healthcare articles which I forward to be of interest and useful. Indeed that is why those authors write them and reputable website publish them. It is a pity that some have little insights and forwarding such articles is like casting pearls before ... Regards, GL
[Goanet] Anacleto's spin on medium of instruction
On Sun, 27 Mar 2011 10:56:01 -0700, SOTER wrote : The cunning politician who spearheaded the medium of instruction issue 20 years ago under the banner of ACMI has predictably bowled his googly by supporting konkani as the medium of instruction. This is not at all surprising as it has almost become habitual for this politician to spin depending on where his political interests are met. One of the possible reason he has taken this stand is to hit back at the new outfit called FORCE that has given him a cold shoulder in the latest struggle for justice on the medium of instruction. Another possibility could be his resentment that some politicians have managed to stay on the side of those demanding English as the medium of instruction. But in the end this politician is of nuisance value and can hardly be trusted when it comes to protecting the interests of Goa and Goans. Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa senhor Anacleto! Your political outfit has already lost its election symbol and this election it will be reduced to 'gobor' for this betrayal.-Soter COMMENT: I know this so called politician cum builder cum lawyer very well. I will sum up the description by just one word: “Opportunist”. Dr. Ferdinando dos Reis Falcão.
Re: [Goanet] Portugal needs its sleeping king now more than ever
Gabe Menezes posted: The national debt is at its highest in more than a century. The last time the country saw anything resembling economic growth was back in 2000. Everywhere there is a fear that, after a lost decade, there might come yet another. Portugal appears to be undergoing a process of economic decay. - snip - The dust of the electoral fray had hardly settled when the Portuguese were confronted with a reality quite different from the one presented by Sócrates. The 2009 budget deficit, reported to Brussels in September as 5.6%, turned out to be 9.3%. Political moves such as the Socialist party's decision to increase public servants' pay and benefits had backfired. --- Folks, Calling for a new king or a different political party to be in charge is not going to solve the financial problems that a LOT of governments are facing today. The financial problems have just one cause. Governments spent far more than they received in revenues. Everyone knows what happens to an individual or family when they spend more than their income. The exact same thing is going to happen to some governments and countries. Things are going to get much worse for the people in jurisdictions where the government does not have to balance its budget. Portugal, Ireland, Greece and Spain have relatively small economies. The financial crises in those countries have, so far, effected the residents there the hardest. What is hurling your way is the financial crises of the US. Almost half the states are already bankrupt. The US government now spends more money servicing its debt than it does on military expenditure. Keep in mind that the US is fighting three wars today and yet military expenditure is not its biggest expense. The US and every other country with a Quantitative Easing program is trying to solve its financial problems by printing money. This is the Robert Mugabe school of economics. The end result for all these countries will be the same i.e. the value of their currency will plummet. There is a lot of wealth to be made with this knowledge. Mervyn1430Lobo
Re: [Goanet] Portugal needs its sleeping king now more than ever
[1] Gabe Menezes wrote: Although I am finding it difficult to get a decent interest rate here in the U.K. If I had faith in Portugal I would go out and buy some 10 year Bonds yielding 8 percentbut .. [2] Mervyn Lobo wrote: The financial problems have just one cause. Governments spent far more than they received in revenues. Everyone knows what happens to an individual or family when they spend more than their income. The exact same thing is going to happen to some governments and countries. Things are going to get much worse for the people in jurisdictions where the government does not have to balance its budget. COMMENT: I am not an economist but it is possible that I have minimal knowledge of money (:-). So here go my 2 escudos worth. I know I know...(not worth anything ... Euro etc etc) The following are causes for economies to collapse (in no particular order of importance): a: (as Mervyn correctly stated above) - Expenditure greater than Income. b: Corruption especially in procurement of goods and allocation of resources. c: Skimming and Scamming - et tu Indian Army Chiefs? Aye Aye Aye Adarsh! d: Negligence - In England, as an example, the NHS in 2009 had a reported potential liability of £12 billion and potential legal bills of circa £3 billion for outstanding medical negligence claims (The real winners in NHS claims in Medical Malpractice (2009) http://www.goinglegal.com/article_853363_101.html) e: Wastage: The UK Guardian (Feb 3) reports:The leader of the house, Sir George Young, said Conservative and Liberal Democrat ministers had quaffed 30% less of the official government wine cellar than the previous administration. He was responding to this question from a Labour MP: There's a Chateau Latour 1962 in there valued at £3,600. Can the leader of the house tell me which minister deserves to drink it? f: Unnecessary foreign jaunts and local entertaining by politicians and senior civil servants. Please read Nisser Dias' column to ascertain (a bit of) How these chaps are swiping funds on a near-weekly basis. g: Public offering: It must be acknowledged that prospective candidates do 'give back to the people' at election time what they expect to reclaim a 100 fold if they are elected. A few questions need to be asked: h: How much money does Goa generate per year? i: How much of it benefits Goans? j: Can somebody please help me find articles on this matter and the matters above (not isolated ones, please) written by some of our Goa journos? k: Forget about Portugal, are our Goan journos in denial too? BTW: Gabe, if you are looking to make some money from 10 year Bonds, your are an Englishman alright! BTW2: What Portugal really needs at this moment is not a King but a Salazar. good wishes jc
[Goanet] Basil Coutinho is patron of Doha Goans Sports Club
Basil Coutinho is patron of Doha Goans Sports Club *Sharp to play In Qatar for May Ball dance on May 5 at Ramada along with Black Slades organised by Doha Goans Sports Club* http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fgoansinqatar.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fbasil-coutinho-is-patron-of-doha-goans.htmlh=b6e5d http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fgoansinqatar.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fbasil-coutinho-is-patron-of-doha-goans.htmlh=b6e5d http://goansinqatar.blogspot.com/
[Goanet] How Does Vitamin D Help Our Immune System?
http://www.healthiertalk.com/how-does-vitamin-d-help-our-immune-system
[Goanet] Goa news for March 28, 2011
Goa News from Google News and Goanet.org Visit http://www.goanet.org/newslinks.php for the full stories. *** Baba Ramdev supports BJP's populist policies in Goa - Economic Times 9fs11NJw http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=tfd=Rusg=AFQjCNHFiAQk0g75GOUOrCqUMmQ5UoF-mAurl=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/baba-ramdev-supports-bjps-populist-policies-in-goa/articleshow/7790668.cms *** Every week a foreign tourist dies in Goa - Times of India f-death-of-44-foreigners-in-goa-unknown-home-minister/621955.htmlCause of death of 44 foreigners in Goa unknown: Home Minister http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=tfd=Rusg=AFQjCNHy1CugyYUXX-Np5lDgXrvnqKZEBQurl=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Every-week-a-foreign-tourist-dies-in-Goa/articleshow/7784139.cms *** Goa BJP bats for Konkani, Marathi as medium of instruction - MSN India url=http://www.indiablooms.com/NewsDetailsPage/newsDetails270311h.php;Now BJP supports Konkani in Goa schools http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=tfd=Rusg=AFQjCNFeqL0UQ0FNnGbJYaZrioZjVow-TAurl=http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5083494 *** Higher export duty, royalty to hit Sesa Goa - Financial Express f_EmEg http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=tfd=Rusg=AFQjCNHfNKLgPhfIaccDtBWXqMu6qi8KAgurl=http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Higher-export-duty--royalty-to-hit-Sesa-Goa/768027/ *** Goa seeks to boost milk output through incentives - Hindu Business Line ndu Business LinePTI After depending on neighbouring states for almost half of its milk requirement, the Goa Government hopes that the new incentives proposed in the latest budget will help augment the production. The Government recently announced a hike in minimum ...a class= http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=tfd=Rusg=AFQjCNFMtp4IOgd0cUf1e9p7fPPAMUk-dwurl=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/economy/article1573525.ece *** Indo-Tibetan society to strengthen friendship between the two states - Times of India ibetan Friendship Society. The Goa chapter of the society was established with an aim to engage the Goan mind and heart in a dialogue of freedom, ...a class= http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=tfd=Rusg=AFQjCNHGJ6qEMy1-HJtjtU_r_iJXq-ENuQurl=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Indo-Tibetan-society-to-strengthen-friendship-between-the-two-states/articleshow/7796583.cms *** Heroic rescue act in Iraq begets award for Goan - Sify fyAnd seven years later, the Australian government awarded the Goan along with four other Indian civilian workers at the Al Kasik camp with the Australian bravery award last week. A few days after he was nominated for the award, Antonio recalled that the ...a class= http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=tfd=Rusg=AFQjCNGBIvD-eFPt8yvAZF6IAmUnMbdkKQurl=http://www.sify.com/news/heroic-rescue-act-in-iraq-begets-award-for-goan-news-national-ld1jOdbfhga.html *** Mopa villagers oppose second airport project in Goa - Economic Times ffected Farmers' Committee(MAAFC) members told reporters today ...a class= http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=tfd=Rusg=AFQjCNF26pXvF1H8TXwyg2TOIQpLNmLO4Qurl=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/mopa-villagers-oppose-second-airport-project-in-goa/articleshow/7799584.cms *** 'Bisons cause trouble for North Goa farmers' - Times of India mes of IndiaKERI: Farmers in the North Goa village of Ibrampur have had no respite from bison that have been damaging their paddy fields for the past few years. Located close to their habitat, the paddy fields are a source of food for the bison who constantly ...a class= http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=tfd=Rusg=AFQjCNEndZcwTCzZUrPvrVImmMfRexTUgAurl=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Bisons-cause-trouble-for-North-Goa-farmers/articleshow/7796632.cms *** Goa Pro League: Sporting Clube De Goa 3-0 Salgaocar SC - Bisheshwor Singh's ... - Goal.com India rick by Sporting Clube de Goa midfielder Bisheshwor Singh blanked Salgaocar SC's chances of topping the table, while the Goa Pro League awaits a champion... By Anselm Noronha Sporting Clube de Goa deminished Salgaocar's hopes of the Goa Pro ...a class= http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=tfd=Rusg=AFQjCNEcbzAHOdYkX8ceXCYb1ev5UWlMzgurl=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/136/india/2011/03/26/2412870/goa-pro-league-sporting-clube-de-goa-3-0-salgaocar-sc-bisheshwor- Compiled by Goanet News Service http://www.goanet.org/newslinks.php
[Goanet] NEWS: VIP babas, babies love English (Suraj Nandrekar, Herald)
VIP babas, babies love English SURAJ NANDREKAR VIP babas, babies love English Majority of Goa’s Ministers and MLAs’ children have chosen English at primary level SURAJ NANDREKAR Panjim, March 25: Goa’s Ministers and MLAs have long settled the medium of instruction debate by taking a firm decision at home. They have and continue to send their kids to schools where the medium of instruction is hold your breath...pucca English. Marathi comes second and Konkani, the language purists are trying to preserve by castigating the English pushers, comes a distant third as a language of choice for mantra and MLA kids. Double standards or just plain practical sense? A bit of both actually. Or how else do you explain Sudin Dhavlikar, Babu Azgaonkar, Vijaypai Khot, silent or vocal opponents of English as a medium of instruction, educating at least one of their children if not all in English at the primary level? All the children of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Home Minister, Health Minister and Education Minister have been taught in English at the primary level. Many of them prefer one of Goa’s most upmarket private schools offering quality education — Sharada Mandir, including the son of PWD Minister Churchill Alemao, Savio. Alemao’s daughters - Sara, Sharon, Anna, Valanka and Wanda, however, learnt their primary school lessons in Konkani. Chief Minister Digambar Kamat though is an exception as his son Yogesh and daughter Deepali went to Government-aided schools in Margao and learnt in the vernacular. For the BJP, English and Marathi were the favourites. Leader of the Opposition Manohar Parrikar, Lakshmikant Parsekar and Damu Naik among others have educated their children in Marathi while both the children of Canacona MLA Vijaypai Khot studied in English in the primary level. The detailed report which is published today is a true reflection of what all parents want for their children. A good education and mostly in English. As parents, they have given a clearer decision than they can ever do as politicians.
[Goanet] Advani Sonia partnership revealed!
The 'apology' by Advani to Sonia for BJP's task force including Sonia's name in the list of black money holders in Swiss bank accounts indeed had stunned the nation. And now their actual partnership is exposed. Read more at: http://www.udayindia.org/content_12march2011/focus.html
[Goanet] Medium of instruction in Goa
On Sun, 27 Mar 2011 04:57:41 -0700, Freddy Fernandes wrote :1- now my question to the two gentlemen is, if we have teachers who are capable of enabling the students to understand, speak and write in English in primary school, would it be okay to have Konkanni medium ? 2- I am sure most will agree, that if we have good teachers of English, that language can be substantially understood and spoken by the students, so that they have no hassles in their transition to English medium in standard V and then excel in secondary, is that a possibility or not ? 3- If you'll disagree, then I can give you'll an example, I along with a lot of others, am a product of Konkanni medium in Devnagri,… 4- I hope you'll believe me when I say, initially it was tough to adept to a script that was totally foreign…. 5- Today I am sure; I and my fellow students are neither any less educated nor less competent than any of the English medium educated. 6- As far as I am concerned we should give more importance to the quality of education for our children, be it English medium or Konkanni medium ! RESPONSE : 1- Konkani medium; and teachers who understand, speak and write English? Do you want also qualified doctors to teach hygiene in schools? 2- May I ask, a second language like French, taught in Goan schools, a new language for most Goans; do you think it is possible for students to cope in Maths, Science, etc in the French language? 3 5- We used to say in school : “Donkey’s name comes last”. That is the rule in the English language in framing sentences, ‘I’ comes last, in contrast to “I along with ... or I and my fellow...” 4- Do you mean “adept’ or “adapt’ They both are pronounced the same! But the meanings, wide apart. 6- Quality of education is dependent on ability of teachers, selection of teachers, environment including political, and resources of the school. I do hope Mr. Freddy understands the big difference now. Dr. Ferdinando dos Reis Falcão.
