[Goanet] missing goanet mails
vjp, leo - I faced the same problem till I realised only very recently that it was due to Gmail's new inbox tabs and category labels. When you open your mail, look above your messages. You will see the labels 'primary social promotions'. Click on promotions - and voila ... there you have all your missing Goanet mails!! Alternatively, type 'goanet-requ...@lists.goanet.org' in the Gmail search box and all those errant mails will pop up! DM
Re: [Goanet] remembering the departed
On Sun, 27 Oct 2013 12:14:17 +0530, Nelson Lopes nellope...@gmail.com wrote: Catholics remember their dead Catholic traditions to remember their dead arises out of religious beliefs and also may be due to fear and guilt complex. There are elaborate rituals before and after the burial. At times the funeral arrangements are expensive to show our love. The number of invited celebrants at the mass is considered status symbol. The mass for the soul is now offered on the day of the burial, instead of after seven days. The day is advanced to facilitate the departure of returning relatives. Relatives and neighbours participate in the Rosary at the residence for 7 days from the date of death in the spirit of solidarity. COMMENT: Why does the Church in Goa not have provisions for electric crematoriums for those of its flock who wish to be cremated rather than buried? This would also help the perennial problem of no space in cemetries. Anyone from the Bishop's House on this list? DM
[Goanet] The recent economic blockade
The recent economic blockade (or more correctly, the blackmail) by states supplying vegetables, milk and other essentials to Goa only underscores the fact that Goa absolutely has to be as self-sufficient as possible. It is no secret that middlemen from other states have invaded and taken control of our Goan markets. Even the prices are dictated by these people. They force vendors to stock fruit and vegetables from outside Goa at the expense of our own local produce. As a result, our own unique Goan varieties are slowly being pushed out and may eventually become extinct. When was the last time anyone bought and tasted a real `ghaunti` papaya, the type we used to enjoy earlier? Berries like chunam, kandam, local boram and jamuns are slowly dwindling. Neighbouring states take pride in their vegetables and fruit. An example is the encouragement given to the cultivation of Ratnagiri Afonso mangoes which are supplied all over India (even to Goa) and are now famous all over the world. Yet in complete contrast, in the land of mancurado mangoes, we hear from an expert like Dr. Ajit Shirodkar that there is not even a single orchard of mancurado mangoes in Goa! With declining produce of our own mancurado mangoes, how many Goans can afford to pay Rs. 800 - 1000/- for a dozen mangoes? Rather than encouraging polluting industries that destroy our very land to come and set up here, can we not encourage agriculture, spice farms and cultivation of our own local vegetables and fruits? The ICAR can be roped in to help in keeping alive and improving local varieties. A school in Velsao has set the ball rolling by giving children the opportunity to cultivate vegetables as part of their extra-curricular activities, which they do with much enthusiasm. Initiatives like this must be encouraged. I hope that this monsoon season our Government and in particular, the Minister for Forests and Environment, Alina Saldanha, will ensure planting of at least 5 thousand fruit bearing trees, distributing vegetable seeds and encouraging planting all over Goa. Similarly, I hope that the Forest Department who has been doing yeoman service at their Campal office by supplying plants and saplings at very reasonable rates, will supply fruit-bearing grafts, saplings and vegetable seeds of local varieties this monsoon season to encourage cultivation. DM
[Goanet] Water, water everywhere..but....
It is obvious that the zero tolerance to corruption does not extend to the PWD and the huge scam in water supply. PWD officials were in fact recently rewarded for their manipulations by being sent on a trip to Japan ostensibly to study how to curb water leakages!! While mega-projects, shopping complexes and hotels have 24-hr PWD water supply for their clients, their landscaping, their fountains and their swimming pools, ordinary citizens either thirst or pay through the nose to private tankers for water for their domestic needs. Shockingly, even the Goa Medical College hospital faces regular water shortages. Unfortunately the Government has not been able to walk the talk regarding a 24hr water supply to citizens. No amount of populist schemes are of any value if Goans cannot get even a basic necessity like water. Can we have a policy in place regarding water? Introduce compulsory rainwater harvesting, especially for all new projects? Recharging of groundwater and regulating its use? Ensuring enough water to farmers? Educating the public against wastage? And can the Forests and Environment Department devise ways of harvesting the ample monsoons that Goa is so blessed with? Preferably beginning with Monsoon 2013? DM
Re: [Goanet] Destroying Goa, one hillside at a time
On Fri, 15 Mar 2013 Rajan P. Parrikar wrote: This morning I got a good look at the mega-monstrosity coming up on the hillside at Reis Magos. It is visible from Panjim, across the water from Children's Park. But for a really expansive view, you have to go to Verem. Think about it: these will all be outsiders, many of them with ill-gotten money,ooccupying the flats and villas constructed by destroying an irreplaceable piece of Goan land. This represents the dismantling of Goa. We thought Parrikar would be the man to finally put an end to this. Looks like we erred. Manohar Parrikar has been silent about this and the other 2 mega-projects (Ashok Beleza and Ocean Park). Why is Dr. Anand Virgincar, Parrikar's #1 shill, silent about this? Dr. Virgincar is a brilliant man, a good human being, who has nothing personal to gain from his activism, who cares about and loves Goa deeply. I publicly appeal to him to call on his dear friend, the Chief Minister, to immediately halt these atrocities. On Sun, 17 Mar 2013, Albert Peres wrote : What you call monstrosity, others call Human Development. You see concrete. I see investment. I see new, clean, dry, strong, homes. I see bettering of a standard of living. I see the arrival of new Goan citizens and visitors. I see rising expectations. I see the call for new services. I see opportunities. I see new jobs. New careers. I see a population level rising to sustain improved standard of healthcare and education institutions. Growing purchasing levels that will lower the cost of introducing improved products. I see an increasing life expectancy. I see a new Goa rising. The world moves. Progress is not confined to just other places. With wisdom and guidance. Here is what Goa will look like in the next 50-100 years. Search:Google.com Tab:Images, Photos of Lisbon, or, Photos of London. Beautiful. Some of the infrastructure of these older cities may of indeed been paid for by what you today judgmentally call, 'ill-gotten money.' Likely not.Most of the development is the result of plain old fashion hard work. In the end it matters not. If they were lucky, past citizens enjoyed the fruits of their labour. Those initial investors are now dead and gone. But one thing for sure, wherever we live, today we enjoy their investment, their hard work, and their strong drive for progress. Mr. Parrikar, God did not bequeath Goa to Goans. Goa belongs to who work for her. And those who invest in her future. Albert Peres MY COMMENTS: Albert-bab, surely it is obvious that Rajan-bab is not against development. But development has to be planned, has to be sustainable and non-polluting, beneficial to Goans and it has to take place with enough respect to the environment. I am sure you will agree with this and that this is how Goa must progress in the long term. But this is certainly not the way things are happening in Goa today. The way we are headed, Goa will soon become an overcrowded, stinking, lawless, concretized mess, where corruption, money, power and crime reign supreme. Today we live in fear due to the steep rise in crime. While states like Bihar are vehement on special status for themselves, we are lukewarm on the issue. We are slowly becoming a minority in our own land yet we are hellbent on inviting more and more people to Goa even though we do not have the required infrastructure for this. Today in all parts of Goa, we face a shortage of even the most basic necessity, water! If something still remains of Goa that can be salvaged, it is solely because of people like Rajan-bab and several others who selflessly give of their time, money and energy to better our land. These are the people we need to salute. But unfortunately, those with deep pockets and no conscience are those who have the most influence today. Who care only for themselves and their kin. And who fund our election campaigns. We invite them as sponsors for our Carnival, Shigmo, and other supposed tourism-related events. Then while we make merry, they flout rules for the sake of their ill-begotten money-making schemes. Obviously it becomes a question of I scratch your back, you scratch mine. Or as the more graphic Konkani saying goes, Hanv tujem b***k khorpitam, tum mojem b***k khorp! Do we want another Mumbai, another Dharavi in Goa? Is it an Utopian dream to believe that Goa can still be turned around, that the mindless mega buildings, the filth, the corruption, the horrific assaults to the environment, can be stopped? We need leaders with the right vision to take charge of our collective destiny. Read this article which appeared not so long ago in Tehelka and maybe you will begin to realise that WITH THE RIGHT LEADERSHIP, sustainable development is certainly possible in Goa.. http://archive.tehelka.com/story_main54.asp?filename=Ne201012VILLAGE.asp For the benefit of readers too lazy to click on the link :-) the said article in plain text is appended below. DM Ramesh Menon reports on a village in
Re: [Goanet] Destroying Goa, one hillside at a time
On Fri, 15 Mar 2013 Rajan P. Parrikar wrote: This morning I got a good look at the mega-monstrosity coming up on the hillside at Reis Magos. It is visible from Panjim, across the water from Children's Park. But for a really expansive view, you have to go to Verem. Think about it: these will all be outsiders, many of them with ill-gotten money,ooccupying the flats and villas constructed by destroying an irreplaceable piece of Goan land. This represents the dismantling of Goa. We thought Parrikar would be the man to finally put an end to this. Looks like we erred. Manohar Parrikar has been silent about this and the other 2 mega-projects (Ashok Beleza and Ocean Park). Why is Dr. Anand Virgincar, Parrikar's #1 shill, silent about this? Dr. Virgincar is a brilliant man, a good human being, who has nothing personal to gain from his activism, who cares about and loves Goa deeply. I publicly appeal to him to call on his dear friend, the Chief Minister, to immediately halt these atrocities. On Sun, 17 Mar 2013, Albert Peres wrote : What you call monstrosity, others call Human Development. You see concrete. I see investment. I see new, clean, dry, strong, homes. I see bettering of a standard of living. I see the arrival of new Goan citizens and visitors. I see rising expectations. I see the call for new services. I see opportunities. I see new jobs. New careers. I see a population level rising to sustain improved standard of healthcare and education institutions. Growing purchasing levels that will lower the cost of introducing improved products. I see an increasing life expectancy. I see a new Goa rising. The world moves. Progress is not confined to just other places. With wisdom and guidance. Here is what Goa will look like in the next 50-100 years. Search:Google.com Tab:Images, Photos of Lisbon, or, Photos of London. Beautiful. Some of the infrastructure of these older cities may of indeed been paid for by what you today judgmentally call, 'ill-gotten money.' Likely not.Most of the development is the result of plain old fashion hard work. In the end it matters not. If they were lucky, past citizens enjoyed the fruits of their labour. Those initial investors are now dead and gone. But one thing for sure, wherever we live, today we enjoy their investment, their hard work, and their strong drive for progress. Mr. Parrikar, God did not bequeath Goa to Goans. Goa belongs to who work for her. And those who invest in her future. Albert Peres MY COMMENTS: Albert-bab, surely it is obvious that Rajan-bab is not against development. But development has to be planned, has to be sustainable and non-polluting, beneficial to Goans and it has to take place with enough respect to the environment. I am sure you will agree with this and that this is how Goa must progress in the long term. But this is certainly not the way things are happening in Goa today. The way we are headed, Goa will soon become an overcrowded, stinking, lawless, concretized mess, where corruption, money, power and crime reign supreme. Today we live in fear due to the steep rise in crime. While states like Bihar are vehement on special status for themselves, we are lukewarm on the issue. We are slowly becoming a minority in our own land yet we are hellbent on inviting more and more people to Goa even though we do not have the required infrastructure for this. Today in all parts of Goa, we face a shortage of even the most basic necessity, water! If something still remains of Goa that can be salvaged, it is solely because of people like Rajan-bab and several others who selflessly give of their time, money and energy to better our land. These are the people we need to salute. But unfortunately, those with deep pockets and no conscience are those who have the most influence today. Who care only for themselves and their kin. And who fund our election campaigns. We invite them as sponsors for our Carnival, Shigmo, and other supposed tourism-related events. Then while we make merry, they flout rules for the sake of their ill-begotten money-making schemes. Obviously it becomes a question of I scratch your back, you scratch mine. Or as the more graphic Konkani saying goes, Hanv tujem b***k khorpitam, tum mojem b***k khorp! Do we want another Mumbai, another Dharavi in Goa? Is it an Utopian dream to believe that Goa can still be turned around, that the mindless mega buildings, the filth, the corruption, the horrific assaults to the environment, can be stopped? We need leaders with the right vision to take charge of our collective destiny. Read this article which appeared not so long ago in Tehelka and maybe you will begin to realise that WITH THE RIGHT LEADERSHIP, sustainable development is certainly possible in Goa.. http://archive.tehelka.com/story_main54.asp?filename=Ne201012VILLAGE.asp For the benefit of readers too lazy to click on the link :-) the said article in plain text is appended below. DM Ramesh Menon reports on a village in
Re: [Goanet] Rise of the Superbugs - Four Corners
Gabriel de Figueiredo has rightly pointed out about the improper disposal of hospital wastes which is a matter for grave concern. I hope the concerned authorities take note and act in the matter. Indeed, let alone hospital waste, it appears that we lack even a basic concern for hygiene in our daily lives. Visit any market in Goa and see how the filthy, unhygenic conditions there must surely be contributing to the spread of various diseases. The more recently constructed Panjim market is a prime example of how we can build, but not maintain. Floors that have probably never been washed since construction, migrants spitting on the floors (where incidentally vegetables are often kept), lies and fcockroaches crawling over rotting vegetable waste in the aisles, walls liberally stained with paan spittle. Vegetables and fruits purchased from supermarkets may appear cleaner. Unfortunately, these too are sourced from the same markets - merely sorted, the exteriors cleaned, wrapped in clingfilm and then purchased by us at fancier prices. So ultimately, whether rich, middle-class or poor, all of us ultimately consume produce from the same filthy markets, that have gone through the same unhygienic conditions. My suggestions : (1) Employ outside agencies to daily sweep, wash, clean and maintain the markets. (2) Make spitting and littering an offence with stiff fines to offenders. (3) Bring in Govt. sanitation and health agencies to educate vendors in basic cleanliness and hygiene. DM
[Goanet] Littering of plastic to be cognizable offence soon
It was indeed heartening to hear Alina Saldanha, Minister for Forests and Environment in the Parrikar government, say in the Assembly that littering of plastic waste will soon be made a cognisable offence. Actually, any sort of littering, plastic or other, and even spitting, should be made punishable by law. However, at least making littering of plastic waste a cognisable offence, is a step in the right direction. If implemented strictly, this law should soon see some improvement in our State that is presently wallowing in garbage. Often, business establishments, including some reputed ones, show no concern for the environment and for the community, and carelessly allow their garbage to be strewn around. I hope this law is enforced soon, preferably before the next tourist season. I also hope that hotels, restaurants, shacks, malls, supermakets, other business establishments and indeed we citizens too, can disipline ourselves w.r.t. disposal of our own garbage in a proper manner. This will surely lead to a cleener, greener Goa. DM
Re: [Goanet] The Real Deal (Roland Francis)
Aaah, Roland, your words evoke such nostalgia..we had little material possesions then, but it is only now when we are in such grave threat of losing all that is most precious to us, do we realise the inestimable value of what we had. No doubt change is necessary, but what been happening to Goa in the last few years is sickening. Yet, some still have their blinkers firmly in place. Less than a fortnight after an innocent citizen living alone, Raju Raiturkar from Margao was brutally attacked in a burglarly attempt, we have our South Goa MP proudly proclaiming that Goa is the safest place indeed. Yet this attack is not an isolated case. Crime rates have shot up and robberies, brutal attacks and murders have become commonplace today. At the rate migrants and riff-raff from other states are pouring in, we Goans are all set to become a defenceless minority in our own land. Without special status or any legislation to protect us, we gullible Goans are a soft target indeed. And yet we keep inviting more and more people to our State. After destroying Goa's beautiful beaches with no proper foresight, infrastructure and planning, the Tourism Department is all set to do the same with its proposed 'hinterland tourism' and 'raindrop tourism'. We need people in high posts who understand.. that Goa needs cleanliness and proper infrastructure to attract quality, not quantity. That we need to protect and preserve our environment, our natural resources and our land. And that mining, insensitive 'concretization' and tourism need NOT be the be-all and end-all of Goa's economy. DM On Wed, 4 Jul 2012, Roland Francis wrote : That was the real Goa and we all loved it. When the choicest malcurados could be picked from the ground as soon as they dropped from ripening, when the tree tapper came without much asking to climb the palms and give you some early morning toddy which you drank just before you buttered some of the best bread ever made, when the most delicious food was cooked at home, the most mouth-watering sweets made in the kitchen and when the sun went down you returned from the beaches to a home lit by oil lamps and petromax, the right ambiance for sips of feni after which was rice, curry and fish followed by blissful sleep to the music of fireflies and crickets and the raspy melodies of the village drunk traipsing home from his happy hour at the village tavern. Roland.
[Goanet] Good measures by Manohar Parrikar government
It was really good to see Manohar Parrikar recently unveil a host of measures to boost agriculture in Goa. I hope these will be properly utilised by us Goans. We need self sufficiency in agricultural and other produce rather than depend on neighbouring states. Every family should be encouraged to grow something. Those living in apartments can even grow a few vegetables or herbs for self-consumption. We do not need to invite polluting industries from outside the state (where the major number of employees are inevitably non-Goans) to set up shop in Goa. Instead, with a little boost in the right direction, Goa is quite capable of becoming a major exporter of vegetables, fruits, flowers and dairy products. This will also encourage ancillary units like manufacturing, packaging, preserving, canning, etc. where local Goans can be employed. In the past, some villages in Goa produced unique, delectable, high quality cheeses as the people of Divar, Narvem and Chorao will attest. Sadly, these are not seen anymore. Can any Goanetters shed more light on this and the processes involved? It was also good to hear the new Minister for Forests and Environment, Alina Saldanha, endorse Manohar Parrikar's policy of a plastic-free and garbage-free Goa. Rather than only plastic drives and clean-up operations undertaken by well-meaning citizens and groups (including Alina Saldanha) we need to STOP littering, spitting, etc. with stiff fines to the offenders. This will initially bring revenue to the Government and in the long term, we will have environmentally-concious citizens, and a CLEAN GOA. DM
[Goanet] Food items served in Goa
I do not know how many people viewed the Juicy Juice clip that was aired on the 'In Goa' Marathi News channel last week. It looks like even JoeGoaUK missed it. The story was later blanked out by the media after pressure was brought to do so. The disgusting, unhygenic practice caught on camera at a juice shop in Ponda only highlights the need to educate all those who handle food, about health and hygiene. I have myself seen people at reputed places picking their noses and then handling food items without washing their hands. Even if some locals have now become insensitive to such dirty practices, the Government can at least consider the Tourism industry and how such incidents can adversely affect that. The Home Science College can be requested to conduct short-term courses in Health and Hygiene at a reasonable fee. The Health Services and the Food and Drug Administration should then insist that anyone handling any kind of food should have undergone such a course. DM
[Goanet] My wish list for Goa ......
A dozen items from my wish list for Goa 1. A garbage-free Goa. Heavy fines for littering and spitting anywhere in public, especially spitting of paan (implementing this right now this will ensure substantial revenue to the government!) 2. Clean, hygenic, well-maintained markets. Ventilated, well-lit, regularly painted, floors washed and free of discarded peels, dirt and rubbish. Vendors to be made aware of all aspects of hygiene. A market inpector on full day duty to ensure cleanliness of the market with no littering or spitting. 3. All roads, esp. in cities, to mandatorily have level pavements (which are higher than road height) on both sides of the road for pedestrians to safely walk on. 4. Smooth roads. No potholes, raised drain coverings, bumps, etc. Speed breakers painted with reflective/white paint. Manned zebra crossings so that children, senior citizens, the disabled and others, do not have to risk their lives dodging traffic. 5. Problems of parking and traffic congestion to be looked into. Stiff fines for unauthorised parking on public roads. Solutions should be devised keeping in mind aesthetics and blending into local heritage. e.g ugly pedestrian walkovers/ flyovers/parking lots mar the beauty of the surroundings. 6. Land to be offered at attractive rates to existing schools, government offices, large shopping complexes, etc. as incentives to move out to nearby suburbs. This will result in planned development of suburbs, spacious premises for schools, the possibility of shared facilities, less traffic congestion, and safety of our school children. Offices will be less congested. Citizens will enjoy stress-fress shopping without the hassles of parking problems. 7. Incentives to villagers to cultivate their fields. Encourage growing of local Goan varieties of vegetables and fruits (eg. local varieties of papaya are hardly to be seen anymore). Goa should also aim for self-sufficiency in agricultural produce. 8. Encourage rainwater harvesting and planting of trees (monsoons are round the corner), including fruit bearing trees wherever possible. More parks, gardens, and planting of trees in all available public spaces, especially in our presently concretized cities. 9. Every village to have a proper market, school(s), health care centre, community centre, reading room and library, football ground, public transport, regular water and electricity. 10. Pollution by way of emissions, noise levels, honking, machinery, loud music, especially when close to residential areas, to be minimised. 11. Ensuring safety and security of all citizens and their property. 12. And just as important, or even more so .. I wish for a Goa where the Goan is not a minority in his/her own land. --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
[Goanet] Hope on the horizon
At last there seems to be some hope on the horizon. Farmer and agriculture-friendly inclusions in the new Government's budget are a welcome sign indeed! Encouraging farming and local agriculture, farmers clubs, floriculture, etc. instead of polluting industries will reap large dividends for Goa in future. Employing latest technologies which are also suitable to Goan conditions can further maximise yields (especially of our local varieties of vegetables and fruits), encourage more local entrepreneurs and promote self-sufficiency in agricultural produce for the state. DM --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
[Goanet] My 'cousin' ???????
Eugene Correia wrote: Dear Parrikar, here are some alternatives: 1. ... 2. ... 3. ... 4. ... 5. ... 6. ... 7. ... 8. ... 9. ... 10. .. Sincerely, Eugene (Monteiro), brother of John Monteiro, cousin of Desmond Monteiro and son of Agente Monteiro. COMMENT: Just back from a short break from Goanet. And hello, what's thisstrangers claiming to be my cousin?? I thought this happened only to the rich and famous. Maybe there's hope for me yet :-) DM --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
Re: [Goanet] A steep mountain to climb
JC wrote: I omitted the first several paras of what Rajan wrote because I agree with them and also because they are self explanatory. I am not sure that any 'gesture' or apology is needed to assuage the Goan Catholic community. All that is needed IMHO is fair governance. The best thing that MP can do is organise to keep religion OUT of government. Once that is done, religion will stop (gradually) being a divisive force in Goan politics. jc In response to above, Rajan Parrikar wrote : In an ideal world, politics and religion wouldn't mix, but we are nowhere close to achieving that state of nirvana. r COMMENT : I too agree with the first paras of Rajan's post. But just like JC says, fair governance is all that is required. No special gestures, just to be treated and considered equally. Rajan-bab, if a state of nirvana is ever to be achieved, it has to start sometime, somewhere, isn't it? Why not in Goa? Goans once lived together in a state of harmony and tolerance, peace and brotherhood, celebrating together our similarities and differences. This gave Goa its own peculiar charm, which needs to be nurtured anew. Old-timers will recall the period before 1961 and even for a few years after, how Goans were united, why not again? Religion is often used to pit people against each other - I will not even go into how Churchill Alemao in a media briefing today has been vehemently blaming the priests in Goa (even naming a few) for his defeat. We need to keep our religious beliefs personal and to ourselves and instead WORK, WORK and WORK HARD TOGETHER to concentrate on getting back on track vis a vis so many other really important issues. DM --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
Re: [Goanet] Goa dodges a bullet (jc)
Message: 9 Date: Tue, 6 Mar 2012 23:28:32 -0500 From: J. Colaco jc cola...@gmail.com To: Goa's premiere mailing list, estb. 1994! goanet@lists.goanet.org Subject: Re: [Goanet] Goa dodges a bullet (Rajan P. Parrikar) Message-ID: caa-ye9ytcgxddryb3p9jy1xiqkvdzvrfyrgmpon3+5mbuu+...@mail.gmail.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 [1] Desmond Monteiro wrote: the main beneficiaries of disharmony between communities are boorish outsiders with absolutely no knowledge or understanding of our common past. [2] Frederick FN Noronha wrote: Blame-it-on-the-outsider is a good ideology. KHOMMENT: At times like this, I really almost believe that FN does us all a major disservice by letting his personal likes and dislikes get the better of him. In this case, he ends up snidely criticising Desmond for allegedly Blaming-it-on-the-outsider WITHOUT first ascertaining if any blame was placed on the outsider. Must be some patracar logik. jc COMMENT: JC-bab, you said it all, though I would call it 'patracar illogik'. --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
Re: [Goanet] Goa dodges a bullet (Rajan P. Parrikar)
Rajan Parrikar wrote: To Goanet - Goa is very badly wounded and on life support. ?This is not a time for euphoria, backslapping, or celebrations. ?All we can do is breathe? a little?easy. ?For now. My commentary shall follow in a few hours. ?I need to get some shut eye now. But before I turn in - Bravo to the Salcette crist?os! ?I didn't expect to live to see?the day when the Congress would be routed in Xasti. r COMMENT : Rajan-bab, The only reason Cristaos were hesitant to vote BJP earlier was the covert Hindutva attitude of the BJP (and earlier MGP). The communal harmony enjoyed by all Goans in the past was legendary and unfortunately being eroded by this agenda. Goa is different from the rest of India, something we Goans need to understand, nurture, protect and celebrate. If the BJP sticks to good governance without bias towards caste and creed, Goa can very well be taken off the ventilator. But as of now, the main beneficiaries of disharmony between communities are boorish outsiders with absolutely no knowledge or understanding of our common past. DM --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
[Goanet] Delay in messages
On Wed, 8 Feb 2012 Tony de Sa tonyde...@gmail.com wrote: Administrador Irmao, give a Goan a fish and you feed him for one day, but teach him how to fish and you feed him for life. In the above link you have shown Desmond how to find the authors posting on GN for the month of Feb. 2012. Why not tell all GNers that one way of searching the GN Archives is by typing in a browser window the following: http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/Year-Month/author.htmlwhere the year must be in the format and the month written in Full starting with an uppercase letter e.g. January, August, etc. Capsice? ** Tony de Sa tonydesa at gmail dot com ** COMMENT: Tony, thank you very much for that helpful information. Was beginning to wonder if the delay in my mails appearing was because of my appreciation for some of JC's and Rajan Parrikar's points that may not have gone down well with one of the moderators. But the delay was obviously due to my getting GN's digest version or some other technical reason. So thank you anyway, Fred. --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
Re: [Goanet] (Goanet) Entry tax on visitors
Message: 7 On Tue, 7 Feb 2012 , patricia pereira patric12pere...@hotmail.com wrote: Hello Desmond: I understand the need for more revenus, however, I don't think it's fair to impose it on visitors. I hope to be a visitor soon and will be paying for a visa and other items. All the money I spend in Goa will be revenue. I doubt though it would be used by the government for road improvements etc. I am amused by your suggestion. I hope you are amused by mine. Best Wishes Patricia COMMENT: Patricia, I understand your point and rather than being amused, it is good that we can have a civil discussion. My suggestion is an attempt to impose some controls on the people flocking to Goa. Any rule is bound to affect someone or other. If I visit Belgaum, like many Goans do for weekend getaways, I too will have to pay an entry tax there. Would you, as a Goan, consider an entry tax a worthwhile sacrifice if it prevents undesirable hordes pouring in unchecked from all over? During Christmas and New Year and especially during the Sunburn nonsense, there were massive traffic jams all over and in many places esp in North Goa, locals were forced to remain confined to their homes. Goa is being swamped by outsiders and we are slowly becoming a minority in our own land. Special status for Goa too seems but a dream at this juncture, an empty promise by opportunistic politicians. Or can you suggest any viable alternatives? --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
[Goanet] Dismal choice for Panaji
The people of Panaji are faced with a dismal choice indeed. The corrupt Congress candidate is Yatin Parekh, a mere puppet of Babush Monseratte who will use all his ill gotten wealth to wrest power. We can then bid goodbye to whatever is left of Panaji's unique charm, it's heritage structures, the Parade ground and the few open spaces that remain. On the other hand we have Manohar Parrikar whose infamous VCD created a fear and uncertainity amonst Catholics. His communal policies have only increased the religious divide among Goans. What has Parrikar as an MLA done during the past 5 years in Panaji? A city overflowing with garbage, a choked St. Inez creek, permissions galore to put up high rise buildings, traffic congestion everywhere. The mess at the St. Inez-Tonca junction is the work of a builder who is a well-known BJP supporter A mega housing complex and commercial centre is under construction at Campal even as local residents and its corporator protest against traffic congestion. Goa urgently needs an intellectual who will genuinely work for the people of Panaji without bias and without any hidden agenda. --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
[Goanet] Dr. Willy and the Trinamool Congress
In bringing in the Trinamool Congress to Goa, Dr. Willy is doing nothing else but selling Goa's soul yet again. If he truly cared for Goa, he could have formed his own party and fielded all these same candidates. The trend started by Shaikh Hassan, ex-Mormugao MLA, of importing migrants as a vote bank, now takes a new twist. Next we can expect the BSP, Samajwadi Party, DMK and others to join the party. --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
[Goanet] Garbage collection drive by Saligao Youth
The garbage collection drive by the Youth of Saligao and initiated by MM was commendable indeed. But unless measures are taken to STOP littering, all such efforts will go in vain. Just as the law against smoking in public was successfully enforced after the efforts by Dr. S. Salkar and his group, so also we should pressurize our authorities to impose stiff fines against littering. --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
[Goanet] Entry tax on visitors
Today's newspapers mention how Belgaum has imposed an entry tax on all visitors to Belgaum. We too should have the same in Goa. This will earn much needed revenue for the government to improve its infrastructure (like the present pot-holed roads, etc.) and also keep a check on all the hordes pouring in to Goa. --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
Re: [Goanet] Goan journalists, land scams, and GBA
Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 08:55:52 -0500 From: J. Colaco jc cola...@gmail.com Subject: Re: [Goanet] Goan journalists, land scams, and GBA On 1 February 2012 00:06, Rajan P. Parrikar parri...@yahoo.com wrote/asked: [A] How come we didn't see any of these investigations into land scams in the Goan media? [B] These scandals are right underneath the noses of Goa's patracars, yet we haven't seen a word written. [C] Have these fellows no sense of decency? JC commented: 66.67% of the questions are rhetorical. The answers are found in the Patracar Manual of Bondollam (PMB) From nearly 10 years ago: http://www.colaco.net/1/rivers.htm jc COMMENT : Have only just now seen the article referred to above. Even though from nearly 10 years ago, would recommend all Goanetters to read the article written by JC. All the relevations about land scams and how Goa is being sold, should be an eye-opener to what is going on and whom we need to throw out. For those too busy to click on the link, am copying and pasting JC's article below. The Tale of Two Rivers josé colaço This tale begins circa December 3, 1961 in the cosmopolitan town of Poona (now Pune) where a good number of Goans live. While Poona was about 200 miles north of Goa, much cooler and protected by the Western Ghats from the severity of the monsoons, Goa, for us, was always home. Goa was clean, serene, affluent, happy and incredibly beautiful. When compared to the rest of India, the difference was striking. However, Goa was under the control of the Portuguese dictator Dr. Antonio Salazar. From what I can remember, our family understood his financial genius well, but didn't care much for his need to control. We always believed that Goa had enough of natural wealth and talent to be able to manage its own affairs. I was perhaps too young, at that time, to understand but definitely not too young to overhear the discussions which took place in our home. All this with the background of the subtle harassment we faced from our neighbours in Poona. But, we took it in stride. After all, in many a way, at that time, we were refugees because of our religion (Catholics in a predominantly Rt. Wing Hindu Poona) and because of our place of origin (Goa at that time was regarded as foreign, and an enemy of India) . In an ironic twist of fate, Goans were lucky that the Rt. Wing Hindu Mahasabha had their sights focused on the Muslims, and that the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi had resulted in the banning of these extreme elements. Furthermore, India under Nehru was turning out to be a truly nice and peaceful place. Goans expected Goa to progress on those lines. So, when India walked into Goa in 1961, we watched patiently. True, the take-over of Goa was a political 'wag the dog' ploy to reverse the faltering political fortunes of the Nehru Congress party and true, the news (and rumours) of the rapes of Goan women looting of Goan shops by members of the Indian Army made Goans shake their head in dismay disbelief; this was not the behaviour of somebody who wishes to liberate you, we thought. However, we are able to set that aside as a vagary of military action and reason that finally, we did not have to deal with the dictator Salazar anymore. The Portuguese could enjoy their stint with Salazar for all they wanted, we Goans now had the opportunity to get on with our land and lives.or so we thought. I was the first in our family to return to Goa - when I joined the Goa Medical College (the oldest Western-allopathic medical school in Asia). For me, the lessons from this early post-Portuguese period are still very difficult to comprehend. The so-called Freedom Fighters of Goa had made absolutely NO plans for Goa after the Portuguese were shown the red card. That should make one wonder if they were ever in the loop. Goa was ruled for a brief stint (I must say, ably) by the administration of Lt. General Candeth. After that came the decade and half of conveniently chaotic corruption under the Maharashtravadi Gomantak Party led by the blue eyed Dayanand Bandodkar. Qualified Goans were side-stepped under the Creative Advertising program and the UPSC. The former ensured that Goans wouldn't see the list of vacancies in the newspapers until a few days before the last date for application. The latter meant that interviews and more importantly, selection of candidates for positions in Goa would take place at the UPSC premises in Delhi. Whatever the rationale may or may not have been, the net effect was that non-Goans were planted in positions that Goans SHOULD have filled. In bewilderment many qualified Goans left Goa - some for good. The newly appointed non-Goans now began to fill even clerical vacancies with folks from all over, except Goa. Was there (for instance) any special reason in 1966 for the clerks in the office of the Dean of Goa Medical College to be from Kerala? Many more Goans decided to emigrate, this time to the harsh environs of the
Re: [Goanet] In Public Interest- Part II- Is the Christian Art Museum an abandoned child
Date: Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:24:59 -0500 From: Victor Gomes victor.h.go...@hotmail.com Subject: [Goanet] In Public Interest- Part II- Is the Christian Art Museum an abandoned child? Dear Sir/Madam, The ?unsigned? press note by the Committee of the Museum of Christian Art, Santa Monica Convent, Old Goa evoked response of disbelief by fellow Goans across the state and overseas, as my dear friend Dom Martin wrote back saying ?Works of religious art and artifacts are manifestations of divine intervention. The theft or plunder of such works is an act of abominable sacrilege, and, violates the fundamental ethics to which we are universally bound and codified as conscionable human beings. To the damning detriment of religious heritage, such perpetrators and their co-conspirators callously characterize the progressive calibration of diabolic greed and gain.? - Dom Martin COMMENT: Several days have elapsed since the burglary and shocking murder of a guard at the Museum of Christian Art. Yet so far neither have the thieves been caught, nor any of the priceless treasures recovered. We must also query security at the Goa State Museum at Patto. Valuable artifacts and paintings by Souza, Gaitonde, Navelkar and by Dom Martin himself, are housed here, many in most unsuitable conditions. Patto is actually the vibrant commercial hub of Panaji and considering the number and temperament of the hundreds that work and visit Patto daily, it would have been far more suitable if a shopping mall was set up there instead. The Goa State museum should have been located in Panaji city where tourists and heritage lovers who have no interest in going to a commercial area would have visited. In any case several questions remain to be answered by the Committee members of the Museum of Christian Art. The security at all our museums also needs to be looked into. We cannot afford to lose such priceless parts of our heritage. --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
Re: [Goanet] Questions on Goa's corrupt media
Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 00:13:51 -0800 (PST) From: Rajan P. Parrikar parri...@yahoo.com To: goa...@goanet.org goa...@goanet.org Subject: [Goanet] Questions on Goa's corrupt media To Goanet - See this link about Mayabhushan Nagvenkar and his expos? of corruption in Goa's media - http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/nation/the-sting-operator-who-gave-up-anonymity For two years (2006-2008) I spent untold hours, sweat, and a lot of my own? nickel?investigating and documenting the destruction of Goa by the real estate mafia and its political partners. Admin Frederick Noronha was among the first to question my motives and cast aspersions in his usual old maid wink-wink-nudge-nudge style. ? His tactics didn't work, needless to add. Now I have some questions for Admin Noronha, and unlike him, I pose these directly and earnestly. As a regular columnist for Herald, Admin Noronha, where may we read your views on this Mayabhushan expos?? ?Have you asked the Herald editor about it? ?If not, why not? ?How come you continue to write for a publication that, if what Mayabhushan says is true, is severely compromised?? You were quite the chirpy bird once. ?Why is your trap on mute on L'Affaire Heraldo? Regards, r COMMENT : Better late than never. Regardless of caste, creed, political or other affiliations, all Goans interested in the welfare of Goa must view this video. Click on http://www.parrikar.com/blog/he-rape-of-goa/ --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
[Goanet] Subject: Re: Issues for the upcoming election
From: Rajan P. Parrikar parri...@yahoo.com To: goa...@goanet.org goa...@goanet.org Sent: Monday, 16 January 2012 4:38 PM Subject: [Goanet] Issues for the upcoming election To Goanet - Has any party or Goan politician offered Goans any platform to deal with the migrants swamping Goa? Is there a single Goan politician with the courage to tell Delhi that we will not be jerked around any more? In other words, is there anyone who is sticking up for Goa and Goans any more I guess not. So why is this election of any interest at all? Goans should just accept that Goa is now a squalid Indian ghati land and melt away. COMMENT: Rajan Parrikar's point is valid indeed! In Dec 1961, we were handed a clean, beautiful land. With proper planning, we could have had it all. We could have created self-sufficiency and jobs by providing incentives and implementing latest trends in industry, agriculture, floriculture, power generation, etc. Provided incentives to farmers and to local craftsmen to produce items of world-class quality. Brought in only non-polluting industries beneficial to Goa, managed by, and employing, Goans. Given incentives for exports from Goa. Had a controlled tourism industry. Encouraged educational institutes, professional training and sporting activities. Made rainwater harvesting mandatory by every household that would take care of all our needs for water. Developed infrastructure like roads, proper pavements for pedestrians, street-lighting, parks, gardens, green spaces and an efficient garbage management system in cities and villages. Regulated the construction industry. Maintained our traditional communal harmony and nutured pride in our common religious heritage. And most important of all, obtained special status for Goa to protect the interests of our land and our people. But all of us know what we have instead. In 50 years we have turned Goa into a cesspool of shame that I need not further describe. But unlike Rajan, I still have hope. If we Goans of all communities unite, we can still stem further decay, turn things around. We must persuade those activists who have been fighting for Goa for so long to stand for elections. If enough intellectuals come into the government, environmentalists, heritage lovers, womens' rights activists and others who have been fighting against the many wrongs in the system, we can bring about a change. On our part, rather than falling for cheap promises and temporary material gains, we must vote them in. And thus halt the destruction of our beautiful land. --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
[Goanet] Suggestion to the Goa Election Commission
If anyone has shifted residence to a different city, the present procedure for changing of names in the electoral rolls is so tedious and time consuming, that it is easier to just register afresh in the new location. In order to avoid such double registration and consequent possibility of bogus voting, the Election Commission can instead adopt a very simple procedure. Voters must just produce the previous election card along with proof of the present residence (telephone bill, house tax receipt, etc). The change of address can then be instantly made by the staff on the computer and all details transferred to the new constituency. No need of all the documents produced earlier, of travelling back and forth to both locations, of standing in serpentine queues at both places, of attending pointless hearings and best of all, no frustration and waste of several days to get this done. I hope the Election Commission will adopt this suggestion so as to enable those of us in this situation to be able to vote in the constituencies we now reside in. --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
[Goanet] for posting on Goanet
While most places try to preserve, improve and beautify their city and heritage spaces, the City Corporation of Panaji seems more interested in just the opposite. The idea of having public Sulabh toilets for tourists along the 18th June Road is akin to having a toilet in the entrance hall of one's house for visitors! Even worse is that recently a public Sulabh toilet has been installed very prominently in the Azad Maidan just a few hundred metres away from the Martyr's Memorial. Strangely enough, there already exists another public toilet not far away, just close to the ferry wharf. Or is it that, at a time when we are celebrating 50 years of liberation, this is what the government wants to convey - their opinion of Goa's martyrs and freedom fighters. Citizens should protest that all of Panaji's gardens and public spaces should be preserved and not disrespected or desecrated. Desmond --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
