[Goanet] Goan Pioneers in Africa
Dear goanet readers It was indeed a pleasure to visit the Nehru Centre at No 8 South Audley Street, London, a building itself built in Gothic architecture of the time when Africa was being carved up by the Europeans. Special thanks to Clifford Pereira, a research fellow at the Royal Geographical Society, who took the time to enlighten us of the Goan Pioneers who traveled the Continent in their various occupations following the British dream North to South from Cape to Cairo and vice versa to the Portuguese dream from West to East Africa. Our people at the time intermarried and were known by the white settlers as the Black Indians or Mistis amongstother names but not as people from Goa or Goanese. Although our pioneers were useful in keeping the administration ticking they were airbrushed out of the History books so thanks to Clifford Pereira once again for putting our people from the era of 1820s back on record. Some things have not changed, Bombay is still the gateway where our people embark on their various journeys on planet earth. One Illuminating fact recorded by Explorer Richard Burton is the behaviour of our people. I did not take down the exact words but if there are any good examples look at 1905 in Nairobi, Kenya once the Goan Institute was up and running a split on caste and race issues. This initiated the building of the Railway Goan Institute. Here in London, England there is an annual Uganda Reunion also a Bakuli Reunion. Bakuli is not a village or country. In Swindon England new arrivals have formed at least three organisations. In the UK alone there must be at least sixty or more organisations acountable and unaccountable to no-one - getting two Goans to agree is therefore not a new story. The Exhibits depicting our past are presented in a splendid way. I would recommend visitors to London especially our younger people to put down their playstations and cell phones and link with their past by visiting this project (entrance free). If possible, maybe arrangements can be made for a permanent Static display at Goa Library in Panjim for all to see. It would be a real waste if all this hard work is discarded after two weeks or ends up in the Bowels of the British Library. Goan Voice UK has a daily programme for the British Oral Histories project for reference. Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 6 June 2013
[Goanet] Roland Francis: Gulf Goans - Stray Thoughts of a Toronto Goan (Rose Fernandes)
Dear goanet readers, Over the last few weeks, I have to admit not reading Roland Francis's stray thoughts. His articles tend to tax my grey cells like Sudoku and these days I am all for a quiet life in front of the fire. Yes, fire in the United Kingdom we may once have had four seasons winter, spring, summer and autumn but we are now down to one winter gloom to match our economic doom. Trying to follow the FN and JC latest goanet fire thread proved tricky until finally I gave in and read Roland Francis's Gulf Goans - Stray Thoughts of a Toronto Goan. What he wrote in his last paragraph was fascinating: Quote: If there is one 'take-away' from all this, it is that someone up there has always taken care of the well-being of Goans. The Portuguese didn't do it and the Indians are certainly far from doing it as well. Unquote Roland Francis is not the only one who feels about the Portuguese this way. Recently, in conversation with a Goan Catholic priest, he implied much the same until I reminded him that if it had not been for the Portuguese he probably would not have been a Catholic nor a Catholic priest! If the Portuguese didn't do a good job taking care of our well-being, they certainly did a good job in converting a number of us to Catholicism. The argument put forward by most Catholic Goans I speak to is that we were forcibly converted by the Portuguese but if they feel this way. I see no evidence of them rushing to re-convert back to their original religion. In fact, evidence shows that those of Goan origin in Goa and around the world who are Catholics are probably among the most devout on planet earth which has undoubtedly led to someone up there looking after us. That's our first precious take-away from the Portuguese - Catholicism. Many Goans today probably feel the Portuguese did and are still looking after them, granting them their Portuguese Passport with which almost three entire villages from Goa have managed to uproot and move to Swindon, United Kingdom over the last few years and certainly another half a village from Goa has moved and is living near to me. How do I know this, for the first time in over 40 years I can hear Konkani being spoken on the 250 red bus route. Exciting, as I can understand them but soon I will be able to respond in our mother tongue, watch this space. Therefore for many the second most important take-away from the Portuguese is their Portuguese Passport. Roland Francis may have forgotten this, three entire villages from Goa have not moved near to him, yet. The third most important take-away from the Portuguese is our national dish of sorpotel. A friend of mine living in the USA for over 40 years said that there is one dish that she and her entire family must have (I repeat must have) on their Christmas table, that is sorpotel. This dish was eaten by Portuguese peasants who brought it over to us, we added spices and soro to it so the dish was renamed sorpotel to reflect this. But the origins of this dish remain Portuguese. Then comes Roland Francis's comment about Indians, let us all remind ourselves our Goan freedom fighters fought for us to be part of India, until of course we were. Now our war cry appears to be special status, special status, special status. With the number of goanet postings on toilets, you would have thought someone in Goa would have done something about it by now. Never mind the public toilets, even when I have been for weddings in posh venues, I am disgusted to find there is no soap in the toilets. Apparently this is because soap goes missing but what is there for these posh places to improvise and fit in soap dispensers on the walls and fill them with soap liquid like we have in the United Kingdom, is this so hard for them to do. What about their kitchen staff, do they have access to soap, is this not a real health hazard when handling food. Garbage lying around is much more of an environmental hazard than anything else. On my last visit to Goa in January, the situation appears to have gone much worse. Locals blame this on the foreign and local tourists or the Government! How about themselves, aren't they living there and shouldn't they take personal pride and responsibility for their own environment? Rationing of gas cylinders used for cooking, etc. Apparently new measures had to be introduced by the Government because the previous measures in place were not stringent enough to stop some locals cashing in. Finally, a gem of a story, at a high level meeting held in London once, don't know how it came about but one of our learned gentleman was talking about a solution to a particular problem, moving the Mandovi River! When we came home, puzzled, I asked Melvyn if there was more than one Mandovi River in Goa because the one I was thinking about would need a few billion perfect (not cracked) claypots to be filled up in order to be moved. Aren't we special enough
[Goanet] 100th anniversary World War One - 18 May 2013
Dear Goanet readers Saturday, 18th May this year will be the 100th anniversary of the start of hostilities in Europe that led to World War One with huge loss of life to bring about the peace and security and harmony our generation living in some countries today. I just wondered if we have any survivors from our small Goan community of this era. Portugal, England's oldest ally, was a neutral country in the war and gave thanks to God by building a National sanctuary of Christ the King (Christo Rae) a monument overlooking river Tagus in Lisbon. I read in Goan Voice Canada that 2009 was also the 100th anniversary of the Railway Goan Institute at Nairobi Kenya. The webisite is still under construction in 2013. May I dare ask fellow learned readers and scholars on Goanet to let us know if payment of construction of the building and wages was in cowrie shells, who owned the land, who were the the workers and who designed the wooden building also how long did it take to build with consideration to harmony and differences among our Bardez and Salcette tribes from Goa working on the East African Railway. Having survived the man eating lions of Tsavo , did the lions avoid Goans as a snack avoiding bum burn as the Goan will have contained the very small Portuguese red hot chili ingredient used in sorpotel for flavouring. I am aware what caused the Building of the Goan Institute in 1905. You see one was built of Stone the other of wood. As a pageboy I attended weddings at both function halls. In 1975 I went to the Kenya High Commission in London to look at the telephone directory and was surprised to note eight Goan Oganisations in Nairobi had mushroomed . In 2012 there were over 50 Goan organisations in the London - England area not counting the miscellaneous ones around the country . To say we are one or ami soglem ek is an understatement and should be addressed at World Goa Day in its 22nd year - for the first 10 years nothing happened. Nairobi if I remember is a Masai word for Flat land. In 2013 I received a video clip from a mutual friend of a 13 year old Masai Moran inventing a device making peace with Simba (Lions) nearly 100 years later and would by kind favour of Goanet like to share this with you. Please watch this in full and note that this would not work in Goa as Dogs would chase anything moving with lights on especially motorcycles and cars at night. http://www.ted.com/talks/richard_turere_a_peace_treaty_with_the_lions.html Enjoy. Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath Surrey, United Kingdom 12 May 2013
[Goanet] Death Notices on Goan Voice UK
Dear Gabe and Eddie I am aware of the case of Mr Stephen Gomes (90) and as a previous editor of the now defunct Goan Association hardback magazine standard newsletter there is an official government policy on disclosure of information. This also applies to banking, police and other matters. Our Goan community at large is looking for special status. This is one good example. Eddie has got a difficult job and I wholly agree with his comments. I note that Mr Gomes had no relations and that after the death notice was published in Goan Voice and some information on negligence against St George's Hospital with the possibility of claiming compensation i.e. money (it's a Goan/people thing in the United Kingdom where money meant for the treatment of patients is being decanted into compensation payments to satisfy greed) - there has been a sudden burst of activity from relations that no one was aware of. | understand the funeral is due to take place on the 9 May. If we do have any organised body with mature record keeping who could work on this further it should be the Goan Association Welfare Department who raise funds through dances in the name of charity. Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 7 May 2013
[Goanet] A special request to Joe UK bab
Dear goanet readers I read with interest of how Joe uk bab photographs have marketing appeal and in the case of Ana Maria what in theory looked like a tasty dish was in practice a stale fish dish. Matters like this should be reported and dealt with centrally by the Government of Goa Health Ministry should the facility exist. On arriving in Goa recently there is a traffic light at Dabolim airport permanently flickering on amber. It was still flickering two weeks later. Surely there is someone in authority who can make a decision to fix it. Likewise a street lamp in Candolim that was faulty the night before was fixed the next day. As you travel on the Mumbai highway from Mapusa passed the highway, passed the petrol pump and take the old road into Colvale that is in the district of Mapusa you cannot fail to notice a street lamp that is missing right opposite the electricity department. The cables are joined mid air into a water bottle with a long life bulb. An example of a job not done properly. Can I invite Joe uk bab to get a photograph of this. This may answer why our people in Goa travel outside for medical treatment assuming that surgeons perform operations in a similar way. Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 11 March 2013
[Goanet] Goans in Kenya (by Rose Fernandes)
Dear goanet readers Hot off the flight path Oh, I am going to Kenya, my sweet country comes the latest news story A Goan Legacy in Nairobi from our very own Project Manager, Oral Histories of British Goans (from East Africa) Project published in OHeraldo on 3 March 2013 and linked on Goan Voice (for which thanks). In this article she writes Gladys Kanyi the current headmistress says with gratitude. Tell the Goans to come back, we need them to mould a generation of vulnerable girls. Later she writes Njoki does feel that Asians collectively still think of Africans as inferior and as part of the labouring class. (There is a very nice photograph shown of Njoki smiling and standing next to her Asian husband surrounded by their children). Speechless, here are some burning free style questions I have. If our Kenyan brothers and sisters feel that we treated them inferior why do they wish us to return? Why do they wish us to mould their children? And what are we to mould their children into? Finally, do we need to return to a frosty reception in Kenya, don't we have enough frost here in the UK to deal with right now? Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 11 March 2013
[Goanet] F N Souza (Painter) - (Response to Floriano Lobo by Rose Fernandes)
Dear Floriano Paintings of FN Souza are in Tate Britain in London. Check website www.tate.org.uk/art go to Find art and artists and type in FN Souza. His paintings are very valuable now. We have a show here in London call the Antiques Road Show and a member brought in one of his paintings to be valued. It was quite exciting to see this wonderful painting, it was valued at about GBP 110,000 if my memory serves me right. Only famous artists have their work in the Tate Galleries both the Tate Britain and Tate Modern so FN Souza is among our most famous. Hope this helps but let me know if you need more information. Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 9 March 2013
[Goanet] No subject Any Answers Date Sat 23 Feb Candolim
Dear Readers You msy recsll my mail of 6 Feb where I pencilled 16 Feb and 23 Feb for a discussion debate in the Panjim area. The. 16 Feb is not possible as the graphic book of events on sepe 1890 at Hargao is being launched at 4pm side of holy spirit church call Leonard 91 98503 98530 I was born in the year of our Lord 1957 Feb 21 and have had the opportunity of going through the univisity of life if you are agreeable i am combining my Birthday get together with the any answers session at Antonios shack from 4pm Candolim Panchayt beach road end of track turn left. There is wi fi, enjoy the beach,superb foobd COME ALONG AND AT LEAST HAVE A SING SONG please let me know if you are able to come. Customers of Sym Travel (Save Your Money n Holiday in Goa )are specially invited I would like to thank you for your custom along with invited guests. rsvp by 10 pm 21 Feb tel melvyn 91 9766443582 Regards Melvyn Fernandes on Sunny Candolim Beach Goa 15 Feb 2913 nb 2013 is the year of the snake in the chinese calender
[Goanet] (no subject)
Hello all I read with interest the above note sent to us by kind favour of Mervyn Lobo, written by George Pereira, and take this opportunity of thanking him for putting pen to paper. It was only last year that an application was being made to the United Nations to list the Western Ghats as a World Heritage site. I can recall writing about the pure mountain water flowing down into Goa just like the source of the Danube, right to the Salmona Springs in Saligao where past generations could drink and bathe in. Water is a very precious resource and it is sad to note the contamination of well water due to neglect by the public authorities and irresponsible inhabitants in ensuring clean water for everyone. I can understand the management of sewer systems and for those not in the know there is a museum in Reading, England that can enlighten public officials with ideas to start taking action. History shows that during the horse and cart era London and New York faced sewage problems of both animals and human which have been transformed over the years to the standards we have today. All said and done, I have heard that Goa is one of the cleanest places in India. Septic tanks are manageable. With one car for every two people is the local Goykar responsible enough to recycle the black gold going down the drain to the water table with every oil change for their car or soon we will be having oily water. In Colvale, Goa there is a plastic recycling factory employing over 3,000 people yet no-one from the village is an employee. Why is this? Has Goa got so many graduates minus grade that it is always for somebody else to do the work. Even the Calangute Panchayatt has to employ outsiders for litter picking. They also collect revenue from hotels to pay for animal feed abandoned by their owners after the harvest season. Some credit must be given to villages like Saligao who have clearing up days unchoking the soil. Has everyone else lost pride in their villages but come over to sweep the streets and clean the toilets of Europe for the exchange rate. Goa is trying and over the years at the Friday Balcao session run by Goa Can Do facilitated by Roland Martins and Tim in Mapusa and Margao have initiated a lot of changes within the administration of our Goa. In England, very GBP pound you earn, not black, 69 pence goes towards tax and national insurance which in turn pays for services like healthcare and a safety net for those who are disadvantaged and are provided with benefits to survive in the short term. There is gross abuse of this and it is going to change. The tourist visa fee valid six months to come to Goa for a UK national is now over GBP 92. Word is that the lifetime visa OCI, PIO is going up to GBP 1,400 in March 2013. The air tax to come to Goa is around GBP 375 depending on route. I am arriving in Goa this Saturday and would like to meet up with any readers under the theme of Any Answers. I note everyone is busy and with this in mind I am pencilling Saturday 16 February or Saturday 23 February lunchtime to evening in Panjim area, venue to be advised. Please let me know what date you would prefer by email or SMS. My cell phone number in Goa after 9 February will be 9766443582. Look forward to meeting as many of you as possible. Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 6 February 2013
[Goanet] Visa Fees Hike on Thurs- British Nationals visiting India
Hello All Just to let you know that the Tourist Visa Fee is going up to GBP 90.00 on Thursday anyone waiting for the lastminute get your Visa today and save yourself upto GBP 50.00 Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath Surrey Mon 14 January 2013
[Goanet] Will 2013 get us out of the gutter?
Dear readers Having just enjoyed a wonderful evening in London, United Kingdom, bringing in 2013 what struck me most was when wishing a Happy New Year to everyone, this was going to be just that A WISH. Let me explain, only yesterday I was advised that gutter politics had been used in the form of text messages to patrons wishing to attend the function organised by Viva Goa Entertainments in Harrow (who partly fund the administrative support for handicapped children in Goa) informing them it had been cancelled. This strategy could only be to steer patrons away so that they could buy tickets for another well established organisation which I can only describe as Helping Poor Children Stay Poor as, having been a community worker in the last 35 years, I have never seen any accountability publically for this fund raising event in the name of charity. Both organisers may wish to comment and share their views with us. Usually one would target those indulging in such activities and expose them for the world to see but not on this occasion. Our entire community needs to take collective responsibility for such behaviour, those that indulge in such activities and equally all the rest of us who have and are still continuing to allow such behaviour to thrive unchecked, unaccountable and unchallenged not just in the United Kingdom but in other parts of our world. Will there ever be a day when our community comes out of the gutter into the light, when our faith can be honestly reflected in all the things we do? In the Bible, Matthew (12:33) recorded what Christ said You brood of vipers! how can you speak good, when you are evil? In addition to 2013 being the Year of Faith, perhaps it can also be a start of honesty and reflection in our thoughts, words and deeds to get us all out of the gutter we continually find ourselves in. Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 1 January 2013
[Goanet] Church stance in Kerala (Response to U G Barad by Rose Fernandes)
Dear U G Barad The issue of liquor has been and is continuing to be a very debated topic in the United Kingdom mainly due to the abuse of cheap liquor by our young generation (and sometimes the old generation too) who drink till they can no longer stand causing a real challenge for the police and medical staff at the Accident Emergency Services in hospitals here particularly stretching them to the limit on Friday and Saturday nights. The United Kingdom government is now looking to tackle this issue very seriously, the first step being the introduction of a much higher unit cost for liquor and more stringent steps may soon follow. Holiday resorts around Europe, especially Spain, also experience summer periods of this type of drunken behaviour mostly by the younger generation. The stance the Church in Kerala has taken on liquor will soon be something that other countries may have to look into to tackle the problems that over indulgence and abuse of liquor are causing. Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 29 December 2012
[Goanet] Bringing Goans back to Goa is our dream - Deputy CM of Goa (Response to Floriano by Rose Fernandes)
Dear Floriano Your post was excellent, ending 2012 with a big BANG. Anyone speaking about our mother tongue like that calls for more than a few sparks...our community should always take great pride we have our own language, culture and cuisine which is now particularly celebrated around the world on 18/19 August on World Goa Day, an ideal opportunity to remind us of home and introduce our culture to foreign lands. Fully appreciate what you are saying, however my experience is quite the reverse of yours. Having been born in East Africa and then moving to the United Kingdom, everyone around me is amazed at how much I love Konkani and that includes my own 80+ year old mother who incidentally is still trying to figure this out. Talking with one of my classmates, also a Goan, this very topic came up, having said I love Konkani music and would love to talk in Konkani fluently, she passed some remark to which I asked her if she considered herself to be English? This does not come down to whether one can or one cannot speak our language, it is more the attitude of our community towards our own mother tongue that gets me, the impression they give you of having moved on to bigger and better things, perhaps they should ask themselves the question WHAT? Take France, none of our community can expect to live in France PERMANENTLY without learning to speak French..will any of us dispute this, NO, because it is a fact. The French are a classic example of patriotism to their language, food and culture. The policy of your party and your posting is the best I have seen on goanet on amchi bas. Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 17 December 2012
[Goanet] Raisons in Goa (by Rose Fernandes)
Dear goanet readers Word on the ground in the UK is that it is not possible to obtain raisons (not to be confused with currants) in Goa, hence we are continually receiving requests for raisons to pack in our already heavy baggage to bring over on our next visit to Goa! Is this true that no shop in Goa sells raisons? If they do, could any of you kindly advise me where to buy raisons in Goa, preferable either in Candolim, Calangute, Mapusa or Panjim areas. The reason is during my holidays in January next year, I would like to purchase a packet and bring it back to London, United Kingdom, just to prove a point! Unless, of course, raisons have become a new substitute for Cadbury's chocolates... a food item known to taste better when one does not have to pay for it. Talking of chocolates, those living in the United Kingdom and visiting Goa now have a bonus. Special consideration has been shown by manufacturers who have picked up on our chocolate parcels and changed metal containers to plastic, thus reducing the weight to facilitate us to carry more. This should also have a positive effect on the mining crisis in Goa. The request for I-Pods by our folks in Goa is a different topic? Tinned Kraft Cheese appearing on shelves in our Indian supermarkets are disappearing like the speed of light as the annual migration to Goa begins as our people move from cold Europe to sunny Goa. Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 6 December 2012
[Goanet] The Goan Tourist
Dear goanet readers This is the season when Goan immigrants living and toiling overseas and paying taxes for the development of overseas countries become Goan tourists heading for Goa to enjoy the sunshine and food. The patriotic Goan expecting to hear our music will be dismayed to find music from all regions of India played all day and night in our local restaurants. If you look closely the seasonal workers in all these restaurants come from different parts of India hence the music to the foreigner makes no difference and keeps the workers happy. This music in also featured as background in Goa tourism advertisements by cable in Europe. Talking of Goan food, if you order a toast you will get real toast where you have to scrap off the burnt bits. The person serving you has probably never made toast before. The waiter or chef filling in the vacuum of native Goan workers and serving you fish curry has also never seen fish in their part of India. You of course know where the original native Goan workers are - on cruise ships, Swindon, etc. It is easy to differentiate the Goan tourist from the foreigner, for example, a foreigner will catch a taxi and relax on the journey. A Goan tourist will be sitting on edge looking at the meter, no one told them that the meter does not work. Likewise in shops it is quite embarrassing to see the Goan tourist haggling over the price of clothes which locals buy anyway. To further break this down, visitors from the United Kingdom can definitely be easily spotted as they bring out their antibacterial liquid or wipes for their hands before each meal in a restaurant despite a water tap being available to wash their hands. Most hospitality services be it accommodation or food are subcontracted by the susegad Goan owner only interested in depositing money in the bank. It would be good to see these owners take a more active interest in promoting our music and organise relevant training for their chefs and waiters. The Goa tourist office in Panjim may be able to assist in this matter. Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 6 December 2012
[Goanet] Goan cooking is falling from grace (Response to Roland Francis by Rose Fernandes)
Dear Roland Having spent the best part of yesterday evening feasting on a table full of authentic homemade Goan food at our annual feast celebration of Saint Francis Xavier, the only grace that came from our lips was the grace before meals. Here in the United Kingdom at nearly every Goan occasion attended be it a wedding, christening, dance, birthday party, village feast, Easter or Christmas, Goan food is well and truly on the menu, with an excellent selection of delicious food. In days gone by in Goa, sorpotel and other labour intensive dishes were not prepared every day, every week or every month. They were made only on special occasions such as weddings, Christmas, etc. and this tradition still exists in the homes of many in our community world wide today. Breakfast would have been bakri, pao, etc., kanji and water pickle for elevenses. The main diet at lunch and dinner would have been say Goa rice and a little curry containing small pieces of fish, with maybe one or two pieces of fried fish and vegetables, depending on affordability. Meat would have been eaten occasionally, possibly on Sunday, it was not much more regular than that. Biscuits or cake were made for tea and all other sweets made only during Christmas time, put on plates and shared around with relatives, neighbours and friends. Maybe next year for World Goa day we could have a list of where Goan food is available around the world. If ever your tastebuds are in need of a Goan culinary fix, you have a opportunity to visit After Eight Take Out in Toronto - 30 New Delhi Drive, Unit 69, Markham tel: (905) 554-5694 website: http://aftereighttakeout.com/photo-gallery/ From my experience, most women in our community dish up excellent cuisine, and would not find a typical Goan diet hard to emulate. For those who have drifted from our heritage and culture, there are excellent cookery books available, the Goan Cookery Book by Elsie Maciel, released in 1983 being one of them. Most of the ingredients are available in the United Kingdom with a few exceptions being toddy but it will only be a matter of time when that too will be available here. If there is one thing that has survived more than anything else in our heritage is our undiminished love of our food, including our sweet dodol. Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 4 December 2012
[Goanet] Natalamchi Bhett - Christmas Gift (by Melvyn and Rose Fernandes)
Dear goanet readers The season of goodwill to all mankind is upon us again, we are reminded of this annual event in our towns and villages around the United Kingdom as Christmas street illuminations bring cheer, tempting shoppers to take advantage of seasonal cheaper chocolates and wine not forgetting the pantomines and work get togethers. The sun when possible peeps out for a few hours between nine am and four pm allowing folks to go to work in the dark and come home in darkness it is also normally cold and windy with Jack frost ready to visit at any time with ice falling on ones nose, ears and cars. Even the heating on Public Transport is known to fail. On Saturday 24 November, such was the weather, rainy, windy and dark, but those of us brave enough to weather the elements and make our way to Copland Hall in Wembley, North London found it was all ablaze..as we took delivery of an early Christmas Gift, Natalamchi Bhett, a heart warming, foot tapping spectular show by Goa's nightingale Lorna Cordeiro and the wonderful voice of Agnelo Fernandes with special guest star Rita Rose as well as young Kimberly Joanes. The show was a fitting tribute to the wonderful music of the late Chris Perry and the late Alfred Rose who left us a legacy of unforgettable Konkani songs. Interspersed were comedy sketches by Dagley Fernandes, Vera Joanes, Raggio Fernandes and Larry D'Souza (Larry Boy), very on-trend and excellently performed emulating our own unique sense of Goan humour. MC of the show was the very talented A C Pereira from Brampton, Canada, who also sang an upbeat duet of Malaika in Swahili with Lorna to the delight of all East African Goans present. Four band members were hand picked, Norman Cardozo, Babit Fernandes, Franco D'Silva and Mathias Sequiera, fine musicians who played with such gusto, creating the sound of a five star Big Band, just like ballroom dancing on a cruise ship. This show as well as the one in Swindon the following day was ably organised and co-ordinated by Gregg Carvalho, Bella Fernandes, Mathias Sequiera and Camilo Carvalho, not forgetting those who helped back stage to keep the performances running like clockwork. During such shows what crosses our mind at this time, there is no better place we would like to be.hearing Konkani music at its best and we would like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved for putting on a champagne show at beer prices. Those who were unable to attend really did miss a magical Goan Christmas musical. We trust our visitors enjoyed their stay in London and Swindon and look forward to welcoming them again. Melvyn and Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 29 November 2012
[Goanet] UK Parking Tickets - Penalty Charges - Driver Owner E-Petition - Open Invitation to Participate and Sign
Dear goanet readers in the United Kingdom As you are aware, at the moment, local authorities, private companies and their sub-contractors can issue parking tickets/penalty charges in the United Kingdom and it is up to you to prove them wrong or else pay up which can be up to GBP 130. In my opinion, this is an unfair system because if they are proved wrong, it is at no cost to them. For this reason, I have started an e-petition to lobby government to fine them if proved wrong. Here is an Open Invitation to all drivers and vehicle owners in the United Kingdom to participate and transmit this unfairness to HM Government so that they can consider changing the law. You can take part by signing the e-petition today at: http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/40848 or search epetitions.direct.gov.uk or HM Government E-petitions and under the search engine on the site Fine issuers of Vehicle Penalty Charges when they are wrongly issued. Please contact me if you have any problems on the e-mail given below and I would appreciate it if you can forward this message on to anyone you know in the UK and invite them to take part. With thanks for your time. Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 27 October 2012 mel...@orange.net
[Goanet] Kazar (Response to Roland Francis from Rose Fernandes)
Dear Roland Not only did I have to spend precious time advising you on Indian Passports, PIOs, OCIs and Portuguese Passports, I now realise your geography is such that it necessitates me shopping early for your Christmas present, an easy to understand World Map. This will have to wait 9 days as I am off on holiday to Rimini (clue: Italy NOT Canada). Still, I do give credit where its due and thank you for thinking of fossils, I have renamed my E-database from Stray Thoughts to Fossilites to file your goanet postings cross referenced with two other files Jokes from Bombay Wallah and Ideas for the Undir Papa Board Game. As your aspirations in life are to be a worldwide expert on fossils, one 2012 for your collection, more to follow on my return: http://en.ntd.tv/reference/chinablog/2012/09/17/billionaires-look-for-partners-first-audition-in-changsha/ Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 1 October 2012
[Goanet] Kazar (Response to Roland Francis from Rose Fernandes)
Dear Roland Pooh, bah, sitting on a high throne in Toronto, I have to excuse you being totally unaware of what has been going on in the United Kingdom and countries outside Goa with respect to Kazars within our community. The majority of young women in our community, residing in the United Kingdom, have become highly educated and during their college days, at work or in the real social and networking places like the English pub meet and marry English men or foreign men, not Goans. This trend has been going on for many years now and is definitely on the increase, most of my close friends are married to English men and my two young nieces are married to English men. In addition, a number of young women, highly educated or not, prefer not to marry at all, further diminishing the number of women in our community available for marriage to our young men here. In the past, men in our community residing in the United Kingdom also tended to marry outside the community but I have noticed this trend has started to diminish. The consequence of all this is that quite a large proportion of men in our community, including professionals, go to Goa to seek a bride, perhaps something quite extraordinary to you in the present world, but true all the same. These are not arranged marriages in the true sense of the word, but introductions to some suitable women. Within days they are engaged and then either marry in Goa and bring their brides to the United Kingdom or marry here in the United Kingdom. Would you say these men are incapable of finding a bride or needing a helping hand? During my last two trips to Goa, I have been advised that in Goa the age limit there is for most men and women to marry before they are 30, after that, jokingly I am told they are finished, not sure what this means, can only assume that this means finished for marriage. You have nothing to mock or chide Gabe about what he wrote, he is echoing what a lot of responsible and loving parents are hoping for their children, the desire to see them settle down. As a father, he has the best interests of his sons at heart, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. His sons are both professionals, holding good jobs but maybe for him that is not everything in life, he wants to see his sons settle down with a wife, a family and a home. It is love that makes the world go round, not a good job, expensive car or a big house! Internet dating and marriage agencies are flourishing all over the place and cashing in on this niche market. Our young professionals are working such long hours, they do not find time to meet the women of their dreams! Cynthia Fernandes is at least helping to address this situation in the Gulf area and using the valuable service goanet has to offer. In London, United Kingdom, the Goan village organisations and the Goan Chaplaincy play an important role for our people to meet and greet with possible introductions. Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 29 September 2012
[Goanet] Seminar on Portuguese Citizenship (by Rose Fernandes)
Dear fellow goanet readers Saving my last puffs of fairy dust to welcome someone when she returns magically to the green, green grass of goanet so unable to puff it on my OCI to change it into an Indian Passport. Usually at this point, I am at tucking into some nice Goan goodies to get me out of another State of Goan Confusion but I can't call on my sweet advisor to suggest any as she has gone into silent mode. When Roland Francis advised that an Indian Passport is the same as an OCI, minus voting rights, what a relief, none of us need any voting rights anyway, we have already voted Goa as the Paradise of the East. Roland Francis writes: Quote In Goa, there are thousands of Portuguese passport holders who acquired Portuguese nationality within the last 30 years who have not given up their Indian citizenship although that is the law. Unquote The lifespan of my British Passport is 10 years after which it is dead and buried in my memories box, the photograph on it a constant reminder of how young I once looked. Another mystery to solve, these thousands of Portuguese passport holders who acquired Portuguese nationality within the last 30 years, have they obtained these passports to put in glass cases to show off on the walls of their homes, a memento of past times? Are these Portuguese Passports over and out, still valid in case they need to leave Goa all at once? Is this why a bigger airport needs to be built on the Goan horizon? Surely all record breaking stuff... FN needs to wake up from day dreaming of life as a taxi driver in the US and hit goanet news on the ground running. I can think of one Bombay wallah who writes an excellent Laugh of the Day. Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 23 September 2012
[Goanet] Seminar on Portugese citizenship (Response to Roland Francis by Rose Fernandes)
Dear Roland Unlike most countries, India has no dual citizenship (you are either Indian or you are not). We do have the facility to apply for documents PIO (Person of Indian Origin) or OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) to enable all of us living overseas to keep our link with our villages on the Indian Sub-Continent. I know of Indian Nationals with Jumbo passports who carry their Jumbo passports with pride as they travel from country to country on business. The visa hassle is quite normal as each country has to check that the people being allowed in are genuine with no criminal or other intentions. In the present world, all passengers travelling need to provide information requested on APIS (Advanced Passenger Information System), in addition, those travelling to America have to inform authorities on-line on ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation). I am not sure what the reasons are why elements of our community are leaving Goa, the rule is as soon as you get a Portuguese Passport you need to leave the country within 45 days as you have chosen to no longer be a national of India and hence not the responsibility of the Indian Government. Being a Portuguese National and then applying for OCI/PIO is a different matter. Those who have not surrendered their Indian Passport face fines of over 1,000 GBP when found out. Interested readers may wish to refer to the following websites: http://www.immihelp.com/nri/dual.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_nationality_law Under paragraph Automatic termination of Indian citizenship - see the wording on stamp on passport Every state in India has an NRI office that looks after the interests of the state and its sons and daughters abroad. In Goa there is the Goa Card issued by the Director of NRI Affairs, Government of Goa, the main purpose is to speed up dealings with government officers, discounts at hotels and other benefits including hospitals as it is appreciated visitors have a short time in Goa on their vacation. In your goanet posting you have written: Quote: ..others may not be looking for an immigration path at all. There are Bombay Goans I know who go to Europe frequently on business as well as pleasure and complain about the visa procedural hassles for Indian passport holders. An EU passport will avoid all of this, not to mention the not inconsiderable visa costs involved. That the latter will have to conceal their EU passports until they travel, is neither here nor thereUnquote Indian Nationals require just ONE Schengen Visa to travel to 22 Schengen Visa Countries who are members of the European Union (EU) and four who are non- EU members. These countries are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. The following European countries are not a part of the Schengen zone, namely: The UK, Ireland, Croatia, Cyprus, Romania, Serbia, Bosnia Herzgovina, Belarus, Macedonia, Moldova, Ukraine and Russia. If you want to travel to or even pass through any of these by train, bus or car, you will have to apply to the concerned country for a separate visa Readers can obtain information on a Shengen Visa on the following websites: http://www.letstravelzine.com/schengenvisaforindians.html http://indiancompass.com/2012/05/schengen-visa-which-european-country-to-apply-from/ I do not feel that the organisers of the Seminar on Portuguese Citizenship are aiming for a target audience of Indian citizens who would like EU passports as they travel frequently on business/pleasure, so that they can conceal this EU Passport until travel, in order avoid visa and procedural hassles. Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 20 September 2012
[Goanet] Airline Baggage Rules
Dear Edward Verdes and fellow goanet readers Baggage rules are important as baggage handlers today are not treated like beasts of burden, at the same time airlines have to make money keeping an eye on the carbon footprint. Some airlines give you a weight limit but not how many maximum pieces of luggage. The weight limit of 32 kgs per item of baggage is a health and safety issue, think of the baggage handler who has to lift these all day. In the UK, you will be asked to remove luggage before check in or risk your luggage being left behind. Some airlines charge you less for the ticket, give you a lower luggage allowance and you can expect to pay London, UK to Goa 30 GBP per kilo and Goa to London, UK 36 GBP per kilo. You will be safe not to exceed 23 kgs per piece of baggage and check with airline to avoid unnecessary costs. Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 20 September 2012
[Goanet] The Histories of British Goans Project - The Documentary (Response to Eddie Fernandes by Rose Fernandes)
Dear Eddie Your explanation to us on goanet that led you to write again on the Cyprian/Selma matter is noted. Glad you jogged my memory to watch the Histories of British Goans Project - The Documentary recently released, which I have done, here are my comments: Thanks to the valued contributions from Sir John Johnson, Former British High Commissioner, Kenya and Peter Fullerton, Former District Commissioner, Kenya, this project is now beginning to ride on familiar road tracks to put our community in East Africa on the map of achievers before being filed in the archives of the British Library. Both these gentlemen spoke of our community not just the way they saw us but the way we actually were. Although the area in which I lived in Mombasa was largely populated by our community, there was also a sizable number from the Indian Sub-Continent. Our community did not live in exclusion from them, we were all united and I certainly remember the wonderful exchange of presents and sweets at Christmas and Diwali between us. As a child, this was all magic to my eyes and tastebuds. The excellent social activities centred around our clubhouses, first started in East Africa, and when we left, we carried this example to other parts of the world. It was a pleasure to hear what Edna Pereira from Mombasa said about domestic help in minute 8.49 who were very loyal and stayed with us for years and years, almost accepted as a member of our family. She has reiterated my recollections, if you recall I have written about this in previous goanet positings. There was a gentleman I recognised in a photograph in Minute 1.50, he was one of my late father's close friend, their friendship spanned many years in Kenya and continued in the United Kingdom. As a child, my parents treated us to an extensive tour of East Africa, including a cruise around Lake Victoria where the biggest prawns ever seen were served. Zanzibar was my favourite place. Fortunately, none of my immediate or extended family experienced the troubles that eventually took place in Zanzibar nor the expulsions from Uganda and Malawi so I am not able to comment on these parts of the video. Finally, Sir John Johnson's excellent observation in Minute 8.14 is noteworthy Don't think Goans ever complained. He was right, there was little for us to complain about, we had a wonderful time, enjoyed ourselves to the full and much of this zest for life has stayed with us to this day. Thanks to Goan Voice UK and yourself as editor, the academic success stories of the next generation, whose parents once lived in East Africa, are continually being reported for worldwide reading, rather than being hidden under a bushel. Having worked on large scale projects, I have inside knowledge of just how much work is involved and appreciate the initiative taken to get this project up and running. It will be good to see something worthwhile being catalogued for future interested generations in what is left of our community from East Africa especially its rich heritage and culture. Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 18 September 2012
[Goanet] Cyprian Fernandes against Selma Carvalho (Response to Eddie Fernandes by Rose Fernandes)
Dear Eddie I too echo what others have written on goanet, this matter was well and truly closed. Selma had written an article on the Goan Festival 2012 which was published in the OHeraldo in Goa, a number of readers took issue at what she had written about our community from East Africa and this gauntlet was taken up by Cyprian from Australia who, with a fully loaded gold tip parker pen (with ink to spare) gave her a justifiable slap on her writer's wrist. In a rare display of humility, Selma apologised, we all breathed a sigh of relief and therein the matter closed. She then bade us all a fond farewell from goanet, but she bades us so many fond farewells, that we have all developed a great fondness for her in our hearts. In your goanet posting, you have written that she has been sitting in the National Archives for long hours doing her research, I have to ask did our community live in the National Archives or did they live in East Africa? The story of our lives there is in the streets, the churches, the club houses, the sports grounds, the beaches, the schools, the colonial offices, the private companies, the railways, and in the hearts and minds of those who lived there, not in the National Archives, we are not some lost tribe yet. You have also reminded us for the past one year, she has been travelling relentlessly the length and breadth of London to record these stories, recruit interviewees, transcribe, edit and produce videos. Let me take this opportunity to refresh your memory, how you announced with great pride of huge interest shown in every training session that it was fully booked even before it was advertised. There were 20 dedicated volunteers that took training on 29 October 2011 and 15 dedicated volunteers that took training on 26 November 2011 both sessions at the Indian YMCA in London, all were trained on how to handle video and audio equipment and interviewing techniques, as shown on http://www.britishgoanproject.com/event/ Did these dedicated volunteers pass or fail their training? Or were these training sessions a tick box exercise as part of the grant requirements? Could you advise us why you now feel that we should be giving a thank you vote to Miss Lonesome when she would have had enough trained-up, dedicated volunteers to assist her with this project? Like a mystery move on undir papa's game board, it is incredulous that you have resurrected this matter on goanet. As editor of Goan Voice and PR Director of The Histories of British Goans Project, you will be familiar with these types of clashes which have a tendency to die down after a while. In my opinion, the behaviour of my best friend mirrors a child standing on a pram because all her favourite toys have been thrown on the floor. Rather than an adult continually picking them up, in time this child will need to learn she has to pick the toys up by herself without any assistance. Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 17 September 2012
[Goanet] Adrift but not lost (Response to Gabe Menezes by Rose Fernandes)
Dear Gabe There is another mystery that needs to be solved, what has happened to the hymn sheet from the hymn book of the well researched writer of the above article Adrift but not lost, published in OHeraldo recently. Has this sheet blown off the ship that captured the mighty 9,000 and still blowing in the wind? In her above article she has written These are people adrift in a confusing, alien world. What he needs is support from the Goan community by way of legal advice, aware of welfare and housing benefits... Can we presume she has forgotten about the organisation she continually sings songs of praises about, The Goan Association UK, an organisation in existence for over 45 years, it has a Welfare Director and part of its mission statement reads: We also endeavor to provide limited welfare assistance to our community and our aim to increase the scope of this service in the future. According to Melvyn (a lapsed member for a few years), who has been involved with over 35 years as an honorary volunteer and office bearer with the organisation, he feels the current school of thought is more with bricks and mortar rather than investing in people. Wonder if welfare matters on the once good ship GOA UK are now hanging on drift wood.adrift and soon may be lost? Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 15 September 2012
[Goanet] Honouring those who lived and are still living in East Africa (Response to Roland Francis by Rose Fernandes)
Dear Roland, Thanks for your other half baked post, you didn't get it quite right, roses are red, but I prefer waking up at teatime to the sweet smell of dodol. Come on now, dig deep into your fur lined winter boots, fish out some dollars and treat yourself to a major variation on holiday destination, a trip to sunny East Africa for the true taste of ugali. Pack bucket and spade and excavate for yourself those real reasons we all love East Africa so much. While you are having fun on the white sands of Bamburi Beach, indulge in a swim in its warm waters, don't stray too far, I hear sharks roam these waters and none of us wants to say another fond farewell to a goanet favourite like you-know-foo. Capture the spirit of East Africa, take a once in a lifetime safari lodging in camps in the park. They are surrounded by wildlife, there is no reason to get too wild, whatever you do, refrain from limping from tent to tent at night, this is the time when lions hunt and you do not need to convince them you are alive, anything that moves is fair game to feast on. Malaria tablets are a must, it is not a question of once bitten twice shy, it is once bitten, fever will set in and you will have no further requirement of anyone's e-mail addresses, including mine. Stepping off the plane, shout out loud Africa, here I am. Wherever you go, smile and greet Jambo with a warm handshake, breathe in the air, take in the smells and sounds of Africa...in essence, enjoy a jolly, rolly moment, this is a perfect opportunity for you to see East Africa as it is and meet our community still there who will be happy to show you around. Remember, there was a time when everyone thought the world was flat! Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 7 September 2012
[Goanet] Swahili-English Phrases Proverbs
Dear Mervyn Maciel These websites may be of interest to you: http://www.kiswahili.net/3-reference-works/proverbs-and-riddles/proverbs-and-riddles-east-african.html http://swahiliproverbs.afrst.illinois.edu/proverbs.htm http://www.phrasebase.com/archive2/swahili/5849.html Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 7 September 2012
[Goanet] Honouring our community - those that lived in and are still living in East Africa (Response to Chacha Alfred)
Dear Chacha Alfred, Take a doddering guess who has written this post? If you are right, you earn yourself a bonus fast, fast tracker move on undir papa's game board (hint: dodol's best friend). Mighty Melvyn Sweet Rose Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 6 September 2012
[Goanet] Teriano Lesancha and the Goan Political Voice - Stray Thoughts of a Toronto Goan (Response to Mervyn Lobo by Rose Fernandes)
Dear ML04 / 1202EST Roland Francis's articles are called Stray Thoughts of a Toronto Goan, each article written cleverly contains hidden within it a stray thoughtit appears that spotting this stray thought can fast become a writer's new game, not writer's block, the one who spots the highest number will win.perhaps an undir papa board game like monopoly? Keeping a score sheet, you are in the lead, but the game is not over yet. Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 3 September 2012
[Goanet] Swahili word for music
Dear fellow goanet readers, As a young fella I was a roadie (carrying and packing musical instruments) for a Nairobi band Les Typhoons . Sound is either noise or musical. Our family travelled to the coast on holidays, where the Swahili spoken in Mombasa and Malindi is pure and can also be understood in Dubai. I looked up the search engine on google translator (I can vouch that Google is a superior search engine from my days studying Computer Science) but I beg to differ that muziki is an actual translation. It may be a slang when trying to translate to English speaking people. Not everything you read on the internet can be taken as Gospel. At the Sinbad Hotel in Malindi, the Giriama tribe used to present the Goma for tourists. This consisted of tribal dances in local costume beating on debes (empty vessels make the most sound) and bamboo sticks. This provided the musical background for the dance. Just like in Goa, where the corridinho (a Portuguese dance) is presented to visitors and tourists at Cidade de Goa by local village folk in costume dress with a hint of Gumot for the musical backdrop. Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 4 September 2012 melvynfernan...@virginmedia.com
[Goanet] Honouring our community - those that lived in and are still living in East Africa (by Rose Fernandes)
Dear fellow goanet readers, Like Phoenix rising from the ashes of hell and low water comes a faint flicker of candlelight in Vivian's writing of his life in Tanzania those were the best days of our lives, bar none. I recall a prolific writer once wrote what her mother reminded her today is a sad day, don't worry my darling, something better will happen tomorrow. To this prolific writer I have a message sweet dodol, tomorrow is here. Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 4 September 2012
[Goanet] Honouring our community - those that lived in and are still living in East Africa (by Rose Fernandes)
Dear fellow goanet readers, Not so long ago, my best friend waved furiously goodbye to goanet with no forwarding address, but I am pleased to see that she is still on planet earth, appearing calm, relaxed, sipping the sweet waters of tender coconut and enjoying the refreshing breeze sweeping through the palms of our national tree. This has made a difference because in her new found cool she has written a five star article in OHeraldo Forgetting the Past Dishonours the Future as shown on a link in Goan Voice dated 2 September. The first line of her article will be very topical for some of those who have been interviewed for the Oral Histories of British East African Goans project to ask themselves What good is a society that doesn't honour its past? If readers agree, it would have been good to see the project honouring our past life in East Africa, in the workplace, academically, socially, sporting and involvement in religious activities which has been the fountain of all our education. Instead, as seen on video uploads, in the public domain, the project appears to be more focused on uncomfortable truths with very little to honour or remember the many historical achievements of our community. The comfortable truth is that the majority of us not only led a good life in East Africa, thankfully, we continue living it to this day. Have those participants in this project portrayed a proper picture of our time in East Africa (that will be a permanent e-record) or, using the words in her article will this project become a bleak reminder that we are a society beset with amensia? Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 2 September 2012
[Goanet] Chor Bazaar
Dear fellow goanet readers I take this opportunity of wishing the Goanet team and community a very happy 18th birthday with many more to come. I know that goanet holds a premier position, an assumption which is based on my recent request to readers to view U-tube Bugs Bunny Conducting the Marriage of Figaro watching hand, eye and ear movements as this is the makeup of our community, The viewing for this started a couple of months ago at 74,474 today it is 97,108 an increase in hits of 22,634. Earlier this year I was reunited with the old and great banyan tree on the Choghm Road between St Alex's Chapel, Calangute towards Candolim, she looked good for her age, I shed a tear and gave her a hug, she survived the huge construction projects and white ants over the last forty years .The old mango tree nearby died and a restaurant is named after her. I mention this as over forty years ago, along with other children, we played on the natural swings made from the overhanging string roots, one of our playmates lost the only football we had among us. A discussion on Chor Bazaar arose where goods stolen could be found for sale, readers in Bombay please advise if this place still exists and has anything changed in the marketplace in 2012. Chor bazaar also came to my mind two years ago when a portable machine called the vac or snoring machine was used to successfully heal an open wound after an operation on my leg. The machine enables open wound healing without the need for stitching and would be ideal for our hospitals in Goa but the thought of Chor bazaar put me off looking into this and contacting medical authorities in Goa. Still happy to discuss.the feasibility of bringing this to our Goa for the benefit of all. Tell me is Chor short for Chorizo, what were its origins? I know that sorpotel was brought to us by the Portuguese peasants, the dish is our top dish and peasant thinking, related to money, is still hereditary, whatever education one has. There would be no need for a police force if we had no criminals . The ingredients of a good festival is community participation and mutual goodwill by the organisers and those attending. The 2012 Goan Festival UK, promoting the Union Jack colours, under the banner of GOA UK gave punters a pre-paid raffle ticket included in the entrance charge where the top prize was an Air India airline ticket. As this was a public event, I understand the sound system was not audible during the Holy Mass, could it be that when the raffle prize numbers were announced, these were equally not heard, hence the need for them to be published in the GOAUK.COM website,without the serial numbers, with a deadline date to claim prizes of 31 August 2012. Unless all the chorizkars were busy eating their chouriz-paus, taking no notice of important announcements? What will be happening to those prizes that remain unclaimed after 31 August 2012? Perhaps our clubs across the globe can share ideas on what they do in such circumstances. Not having the resources, I again ask, through the good offices of goanet, for Eddie Fernandes Editor of Goan Voice UK and Menino Fernandes Editor of Niz Goenkar who attended this once great Goan event to assist in publishing the names next to the winning prizes in their respective publications, if possible with a photograph of the sponsors handing over the prizes. I ask this as a fella of no importance but under the banner of one who cares not as one who gives a hoot. As with the NRI convention last year in the London, England, I would still like to see how the funds of GBP 8,000 sent by the Goa taxpayer, through the NRI office, was spent. Now it is over to all of you as time is running out - check your tickets and claim your prizes? I wonder if these prizes will be claimed by the kitchen circle, the inner circle, the punters or has everyone been chorized? Once again, I recommend Bugs Bunny Conducting the Marriage of Figaro, in this instance see minute 3.32 where the q is broken, you should gather what I mean? Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 26 August 2012 melvynfernan...@virginmedia.com
[Goanet] Oral Histories of British Goans from East Africa Project (by Rose Fernandes)
Dear fellow goanet readers Just when a friendship was blossoming and stones being thrown off the road for two friends to walk side by side, my best friend has sprung a summer surprise, decided to say goodbye to goanet and move on. hope she has not gone dotty on this latest craze for life on Mars and waved her hoot fairy wand for a space on Curiousity? For the moment, let us take a deep breath, pause and reflect on the Oral Histories of British Goans from East Africa project currently taking place. On paper, it is commendable that the administrator thought about the project, took the time and trouble to apply for and secure a small grant from the National Lottery to fund it. Many of us from East Africa arrived in the UK around the 1970s and to-date it has never occurred to any of us to become memory keepers to this extent. When this project started, I was looking forward to seeing video recordings showing a snapshot of what life was like for a majority of us in East Africa, a trip down memory lane (a professional example of East African memories being preserved by the Sikh community is shown on their website http://sikhheritage.co.uk/frame.htm (click on the Heritage button and follow the link)). It was very unfortunate for me to see that many of those interviewed for this project did not leave the viewer with the impression that there were many positive, vibrant aspects of life within our once thriving, heartbeat community in East Africa. Their stories, however true, contrasted with many of us who still look on these days as the best in their lives and are proud to be East African Goans. Understandably, this has led to friction, with many feeling betrayed and harbouring hidden feelings of resentment. None of this may have happened if more of us had shown interest and been enthusiastic about the project. Perhaps we would have had the project been under an independent banner and not under the GOA UK, an organisation that many of us feel no longer represents us and we therefore choose not to be associated with it for our own personal reasons. A glance at the membership register will confirm this. Given the above explanations, I feel the need to come out in defense of the project administrator as all along she has been in a tricky position, trying to put together a project in the midst of a Goan Olympics ping pong ego match. It is not appropriate now for us to lay betrayal totally at her feet. Admittedly the words she used describing East African Goans attending the UK Goan Festival 2012 as ageing, doddery limps from tent to tent were unnecessarily too descriptive when elderly would have sufficed but that is her colourful and direct style of writing which can be taken in the wrong way (even at times by myself) and be open to criticism. I do not feel on this particular instance though there was any thought or intent by her to harm anyone. It was indeed mainly the elderly East African Goans that attended the UK Goan Fesival 2012 at Cranford, the attendance by the younger East African Goans including next generation is dwindling as the UK Goan Festival appears not to meet their leisure or community interests. The Oral Histories of British Goans from East Africa project is funded as a community one, we all need to take collective responsibility for what will ultimately be the final filed copy. At the same time, the administrator needs to maintain her professionalism by rising above the community's petty politics which will always be there (not duck out of goanet), take on board constructive criticism given and make the necessary amendments before final approved submission to the British Library. There is no time now to write Enid Blyton stories or even read them! This is our project and we need to assist, if requested, in turning it into a milestone one, the success of which does not rest with one person alone, the project administrator, but with all of us who once made East Africa our home. Others who have left goanet have returned, I hope in due course, after my best friend has enjoyed her vacation, she will return to goanet with a bang. Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 25 August 2012
[Goanet] Happy World Goa Day 2012
Dear fellow goanet readers Wishing you all a happy and enjoyable World Goa Day 2012 celebration wherever you are. Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 19 August 2012
[Goanet] Goanet Global Position and World Goa Day 2012
Dear fellow goanet readers This year will be the 22nd year since World Goa Day was proposed and seconded. It is now officially celebrated on 19 August, a day to take a pause and reflect on our culture and heritage. Our people are noted for family feuding, without any family we have no community, with no community we have no vaddo/parish, hence no identity. Basically, we become nothing as all our culinary dishes, customs and family life are destroyed for the benefit of others in Goa and around the world. You can make a difference in making this World Goa Day 2012 special, in the age of instant communication make an effort contact your Goan folk on 19 August, especially those you are not talking to, be it family or friends and wish them well for World Goa Day, it will make you /them feel better, if not at least you have tried in rebuilding our worldwide family to our beautiful music and langauge, saving our Goan uniqueness from oblivion . The Portuguese peasantry introduced sorpotel to Goa, we in turn made it our National Dish, specially to be served at all our major ceremonies and during the Christmas festive season. This is also an opportunity to rejunivate your taste buds and introduce others to know the diferrence between dodol and pinac, between rechard masala and ambot tik it will be difficult for our younger peaple at first for those weaned on burgers and chips or pizzas, do give it a try. Resturants offering Goan Cuisine in England I am aware of are: Anjuna - Leicester Copper Pot - Sheffield Goan Bites - Swindon Carvalhos Pickle - Sudbury/York see website Carvalhos Pickles Palms of Goa - London off Oxford Street Sonnys - London Barnes Ma Goa - London Putney Songar Goan Tandoori - Coventry Olde Goa - London Norbury see web site www.currytree.co.uk I am sure Goanet with its Global Position will oblige should you have any ideas in your local area . Do not be alone on World Goa Day check out various web sites for events near you. The NRI office in Goa has a fund for distressed Goans overseas perhaps a facility can be created for surplus funds from Goan events overseas to be channeled into this potlo or even create one for the benefit of our people in Goa. Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 14 August 2012 melvynfernan...@virginmedia.com
[Goanet] Festa Dis: UK Closing of Olympic Games London 2012
Dear fellow goanet readers I am sure that most of you who had the opportunity to watch the closing cermony of the London 2012 Olympics will have seen Britain at its best especially recapturing the Union Jack Flag that stands out for the United Kingdom and all its values. The Union Jack colours were used for the Goan Festival at Cranford this year and the value and respect of our community needs to be addressed as it appears that nothing has changed in the last 40 years. A short summary not in date order of my school of thought follows. When we had our first festival on our own property, the clubhouse and grounds of six and a half acres in Kent, the entrance was one pound, the car park 50 pence and the most expensive hire of space for a hot food stall was GBP 15 pounds. A percentage of revenue from the parking lot was to have been donated to the Local Police childrens Christmas tree party - as far as I am aware, this never happened. Having travelled to Toronto for the superbly run Youth Convention held at the harbour front I was disappointed to note almost four thousand bottles of feni bottled in a guitar shaped minature sent from Goa with love arrived in Toronto but as far as I was aware mysteriously disappeared out of sight. The Youth convention in Goa by the Duarodo team was an inspiration we were given delegate status, the opportunity to meet and discuss with local people and rub sholders with very high ranking government officials, including the military, was a tribute to democracy and a credit to organisation and management skills of our people in Goa. For an example of pure voluntary effort visit Pilar in Old Goa as a pilgrim a week of novenas leading to the feast of St Francis Xavier on 3 December you will find hundreds of volunteers on a rota system meeting and directing pilgrims, I wonder if Costas Blue folding chairs are still used. Coming back to the London Goan festival of 2012, a raffle ticket was included in the entrance fee, just like the Readers Digest annual prize draw the pre-paid winning numbers have been declared and published on GOAUK.COM website. with prizes to be claimed by 31 August 2012 . Through the office of goanet may I propose that the Goan Association UK share the winners names next to prize nos. Bearing in mind what I have said above, perhaps Eddie Fernandes, Editor of Goan Voice UK and Menino Fernandes Editor of Niz Goencar may care to second my proposal for good governance and publish this item in their respective publications. Should this not be possible, please do not use the Union Jack Flag to market your events, stick to the coconut tree with three or four coconuts instead. Mekvyn Fernandes British Citizen of Goan Origin Lapsed member, Office Bearer and ex Eiditor of Goan Association UK Newsletter Thornton Heath Surrey England melvynfernsn...@virginmedia.com 14 August 2012
[Goanet] Article by Selma Carvalho in Heraldo - the UK Goan Festival 2012 (Response by Rose Fernandes)
Dear fellow goanet readers It appears that at long last my best friend has followed my advice, taken off her sunglasses, and written about the Goan Festival in Cranford as it was. Words of her article I particularly liked were chourico-stuffed pao (with chourico minus pao photograph) as for a while now, I have affectionately referred to this event as the Chourico-Pau Festival attractive to the sorpotel and pullao mindset within our community. Videofeeds and photographs brought back memories to me of Friday market day in Mapusa, happy hand movements could easily be mistaken as scenes from a chourico stock exchange where, for many, these delicacies are more valuable than gold. Even long haul aircraft flying over the grounds slowed down to have a look. Speaking to a number who graced this festival, I am surprised at how many are grumbling about the price they had to pay for their chouricos until I managed to get them to see reason, the price of upwards of GBP fifteen pounds per kilo was cheap when one considers the work involved, the time taken and above all the cost of pork when bought from farmers who keep their dokors free roaming. In her article, she also mentioned threatening-looking audio equipment. This equipment must have threatened not to work properly as one person interviewed by the editor of Niz Goenkar expressed disappointment that he had to hear the Mass in the near sound of silence. Hope my friend did not spend took much time observing doddery old men when there was a field full of young men with chests puffed-out, bulging biceps, showing off bling jewellery glittering in the sun. It was good to see photographs and videos showing our community enjoying themselves in a Sunburn Festival all of their own and grazing on street food without having to travel all the way to our Goa. Where was I when all this was action was taking place, preparing Puff Pastry Patties (PPP) to put into my chest freezer. Only got myself to blame, being a woman of Goan esteem, the Festival will be my considered diary date for 2013, but only considered . Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 9 August 2012
[Goanet] We have landed - on Mars - Today
Dear goanet fellow readers Today, 6 August 2012, at 06:31 GMT I watched live pictures of Curiosity landing on Mars. It was fascinating as this vehicle left planet earth nearly 8 months ago travelling at 15,000 miles per hour for the last 8 months and slowed down to walking pace to allow the sky cranes to drop the vehicle upright and on target on the red planet. The signal from space to mission control centre at Pasadena, California was instant as was the relief on the faces of the technicians both men and women working together. I wonder if there were any of our community involved in this technical achievement.until the next dance? Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 6 August 2012
[Goanet] Goan Women in Canada - Stray Thoughts of a Canadian Goan (Response to Roland Francis by Rose Fernandes)
Dear Roland Your article was amusing, what a great idea, if I behave as mad as a hatter between now and Christmas, hopefully Melvyn will extend his trip to Goa in February from two weeks to two months or may never come back! Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 6 August 2012
[Goanet] Festa Dis - UK Goan Festival 2012 at Cranford
will be enjoying this festival, they will be fully justified in an entrance fee of at least Ten Pounds Sterling. (The next convenient currency note available with no change). The importance of knowing nothing can make you a very important person (VIP) - ready for the next predator's game. Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 2 August 2012 melvynfernan...@virginmedia.com
[Goanet] Melvyn, Rose apologies unable to attend The Documentary
Dear best friend Selma bhai Your cordial invitation to the viewing of The Documentary by The Histories of British-Goans project is acknowledged and placed on our mantle piece together with others received for this month. As you will be aware when Africa was being carved up by the Europeans be it British East Africa, German Tanganyika, Italian Somali land, Portuguese Mozambique and Angola or Dutch South Africa to name a few, our scholarly elders played a key part like glue keeping the administrative structures together. In Kenya the Karanis (clerks) were highly respected or top shots in today's world but there was always a Bwana Kuba (the boss who was white European) and to the African he would be known as Bwana Kuba Kabisa (the big big boss). Mervyn Lobo, in goanet issue 606, Vol 7, Message 2, has kindly uploaded an example of this. Your project has brought home to us just how lucky we both are as we do not have any uncomfortable memories of Kenya and feel truly blessed and appreciative to our parents for giving us the best start in life there. We feel sure our families would not have stuck life there for twenty years if it had been unbearable. Gut instincts and the magnetic compass would have steered them on to greener pastures. The reality is our parents put together three successful homes in three different continents! Although we were not there at the time, the recent viewings on U-tube indicate some statements that do not sound right to us and we suggest that, as Project Manager, you use the question and answer session to verify these with academics in the audience thus giving an opportunity, if necessary, to make amendments for the polished version before it is placed on record with the British Library. We second Roland Francis's suggestion about The Documentary being fit enough for nomination to international short film contests and exhibitions. To start with you may wish to contact the British Film Institute (BFI) in London and also our own people in India for the annual IFFI festival held in Goa but please get it corrected first, happy to discuss. Hope your intellectual injection into the festival is justly rewarded with a full house that do not wander off to the pullao and sorpotel stall or prefer to spend their time chilling out and catching up on gossip. You need not be nervous as your fully trained volunteers should be on hand and all you have to do is follow the British motto Keep Calm and Carry On. If all else fails, have a glass of Santogen wine by your side, historically, this has been known as a good tonic to calm nerves. It would indeed be good to meet but please accept our apologies as we have stopped attending this once great Goan festival that used to be a window on Goa and the pride of every stall holder who showcased their village and talents. Our community came to meet and greet, came happy and left happier. Today we do not have the same community spirit we once had and also we do not feel that the current Goan Association UK is a community organisation any more representing us in the United Kingdom. We look forward to viewing the uploaded polished version on U-tube, along with our worldwide goanet community, over a glass of chilled Rose wine. Melvyn and Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 11 July 2012 melvynfernan...@virginmedia.com
[Goanet] Recent writings on goanet - Response to JC (by Rose Fernandes)
Dear JC Glad you enjoyed my writings. How's Florida in sunshine? In the United Kingdom, the BBC has posted a happy page Fifty Words for Rain, see http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18461189 As a child (around 12 years) during my holidays in Goa, I remember my grandmother lighting lamps, not sure which ones, and I sat every evening for hours around the one in the dining room doing fine point hand embroidery, no one mentioned anything about spoiling one's eyesight then. Those were the days when everything was hand embroidered, pillow cases, cushion covers, arm chair covers, chair backs, table cloths, table runners, even those covers for the water jug, the ones that had beads around them had a little bit of embroidery on the top! Every bride and bridegroom had these fancy embroidered wedding cushions with their initials on them, do you remember these? They were used during the religious service and then shown off during the reception on the wedding sofa and were as much a centre piece of the wedding as the wedding cake itself. All these really made up the embroidery threads of our cultural lives. Some of these items can be viewed in Goa Chitra, an ethnographic museum showcasing the rich tradition of implements, tools, arts and crafts. Goa Chitra is on St John the Baptist Church Road, Salcete, Goa, a must view by any visitor to Goa, website www.goachitra.com Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 9 July 2012
[Goanet] Uganda Reunion Golden Jubilee 2012
Dear goanet readers Apologies for typing error in my last goanet posting, the website should have read: www.ugandareunion2012.com Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 7 July 2012
[Goanet] Uganda Reunion Golden Jubilee 2012
Dear goanet readers Uganda Reunion Golden Jubilee 2012 - Entebbe - October 2012 This four day event will be oficially opened by Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni on Friday 12 October 2012 at Speke Resort Munyonyo. The Reunion presents an opportunity for those who have not been back to Uganda since the early 70s when they were forcefully sent away. Activities include the Business Forum, a cultural evening and a Food Festival at the Entebbe Botanical Gardens. In the United Kingdom the International Agents for the Uganda Reunion 2012 are Citibond Travel and Travelpack and Mr Amrat Tailor in Canada. Interested participants please contact directly or let me know and I will forward your details. For details goto www.ugandarenion2012.com. Details can also be found on face book. Regards. Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 6 July 2012 melvynfernan...@virginmedia.com
[Goanet] Barclays Bank and other crisis in the United Kingdom (by Rose Fernandes)
Dear goanet readers In this post, I would like to write on all the crisis our community are having to deal with here in the United Kingdom. In early June, there were two, the water crisis and the Euro crisis. The water crisis was solved by natural elements (not the weatherman) when we had the wettest drought in history! The Euro crisis remains and while the price of beer is around 5 euros a bottle, it will come as no surprise to me that Melvyn will decide to holiday in Goa yet again. While I was away from the United Kingdom, there was a third crisis, customers of some banks were unable to access money for their daily bread as the computers in these banks completely broke down. However, even before this crisis could be put to bed and customers given the necessary assurances, a much more wider and serious banking crisis was bubbling away, the rate-fixing LIBOR scandal at Barclays Bank. LIBOR refers to the interest rate between banks when they lend to each other. Unfortunately, this scandal is going to affect many of us in one way or another. Many of our community work for Barclays Bank and others have current accounts, mortgages, savings and other investments with them some from loyality to this bank from colonial days. All of us must have watched in horror as incredibly one by one of these mature, highly educated, highly paid banking chiefs fought to maintain their credibility and respectability. They eventually decided to resign in order to stop the reputation of this great banking institution from laying on the trading floor in tatters. The most important question, one that not only I but the rest of the country would like to know is just how much of the rate-fixing of the LIBOR rate was known by senior management and precisely when it was known by them? An investigation started this afternoon, broadcast live, with the former Chief Executive of Barclays, Bob Diamond facing questioning. It will be interesting to see what the conclusions of these investigations are and how, if any, will it affect Mr Diamond's leaving financial package. We are thankful that many of our community who are employed by Barclays were able to return to their work stations. This was not the case when the Bank of Credit and Commerce (BCCI) was closed overnight some years ago and many of our community who worked for them lost their jobs. What is needed is an urgent change in the law and a zero tolerance of staff involved in such practices. Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 4 July 2012
[Goanet] The Adopted Ones (Response to Roland Francis by Rose Fernandes)
Dear Roland I am now in a position to deal with the rest of your response to me: Quote How did you come to the conclusion that couples in Canada who are adopting are mostly mixed race. You have given no fact or observation or deduction to prove this. Unquote Response: If you look at website Canada Adopts it shows profiles on the Waiting Parents Registry of those couples waiting to adopt, you will see how I came to this conclusion: http://www.canadaadopts.com/registry/index.shtm NOTE the mixed race couples and ages. Can you spot any Canadian couples of Goan origin in these profiles? Quote: As an aside, the 2000-odd annual adoption figures cited are probably not inclusive of private agencies in the field operating under govt regulations but independent of the Adoption Council of Canada. Unquote Response: The Alberta Adoption Statistics from 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010 show that the number of private agency adoptions in this province were just 83. You can check this out on http://child.alberta.ca/home/608.cfm. I am not expecting it to be very much different in Canada's other provinces and territories. General: Of course, all this was written before I realised none other than the knightress in shining armour would come charging on her high horse (watch minute 1.58 on U-tube Bugs Bunny Conducting the Marriage of Figaro) to take my hand and guide me through the mysteries of your stray thoughts. A knightress with mysteries of her own, we can all recall that many, many, many, many sunsets ago she announced on goanet that thankfully her time in the United Kingdom was coming to an end soon and she was relocating to another part of our planet earth but mysteriously she still appears to be here! To heck with calories, eating (mysteriously lost but now found) Portuguese Pasteis de Natas in sweet numbers might be the secret to getting me out of this yet another State of Goan confusion? Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 1 July 2012
[Goanet] The Adopted Ones (Response to Julia Macmahon by Rose Fernandes)
Dear Julia Firstly, I would like to thank you for your interest and detailed goanet posting on adoption especially in the light of your comment I don't think anyone who is sane wants to waste time proving anything to you. Guess I should be really grateful that you spent a lot of time writing to me and expecting you to prove anything in your response would be too much to ask! As you feel you are much too sane to provide me with any facts, equally I am much too sane to change my conclusions on the matter which remain the same. This is because I still find it hard to accept, without proof, that Canadians of Goan origin will spend fifty thousand or more to bring adopted children mainly just-born babies from China and Russia. Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 1 July 2012
[Goanet] The Adopted Ones (Response to Roland Francis by Rose Fernandes)
Dear Roland Let me see if I can be clearer in my explanation to you: 1. During my 40 YEARS living in the United Kingdom, I am aware of only ONE couple (wife Goan, husband English) who have adopted two children (also mixed race). 2. I do not believe the situation in Canada within our Canadian-Goan community to be vastly different from that in the United Kingdom. 3. There was no evidence during my trip to Toronto of any Canadian-Goan adopting a child nor do I recall ever having seen any Chinese, Haitian, Russian children running around on any videos uploaded of Canadian-Goan functions held in Canada. Unless these children are kept in their carrycots until the age of 18! 4. The statistical information I provided you was from the Adoption Council of Canada. It is up to you whether you accept this information or not. 5. MY CONCLUSION: Adoption by couples within our Goan community both in the United Kingdom and Canada is minuscule. 6. Unless you can provide facts to prove otherwise. 7. Hope you will agree that when writing on our social networking sites, misinformation should be kept to a minimum, preferably none at all. Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 29 June 2012
[Goanet] The Adopted Ones (Response to Roland Francis by Rose Fernandes)
Dear Roland Thank you for your response. According to Wikipedia, as at 2011, Canada had a population of approximately 33.4 million and according to the Adoption Council of Canada the number of overseas adoptions in 2010 was 1,946 in total. Of this total, 472 were from China, 172 from Haiti and 148 from US. A breakdown of the rest you will be able to see in the link below: http://www.adoption.ca/adoption-news?news_id=56 Of these 1,946 overseas adoptions in Canada, I beg to differ from you that many of these will have been made by couples who you say consider themselves Canadian first rather than Goan, even the very few made I feel sure will have been mostly by mixed race couples (where one partner is Canadian-Goan). Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 28 June 2012
[Goanet] The Adopted Ones (Response to Roland Francis by Rose Fernandes)
Dear Roland Having read your article in Goan Voice UK The Adopted Ones that Childless parents in Toronto spend fifty thousand or more to bring adopted children mainly just- born babies from China and Russia, were you referring to childless couples from our community living in Canada? The reason I am asking this is having lived in the United Kingdom for over 40 years, I am only aware of one couple, the wife being from our community and the husband English, who have adopted two children of mixed race. Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 26 June 2012
[Goanet] All India Convention of Hindu organizations (by Rose Fernandes)
Dear goanet readers Reading the original article and all the goanet posts relating to the above convention, Melvyn informs me that some work has already started in Goa in organisation and management of the Catholic Church. A useful resource book is The Concerned Face of the Church by Fr Desmond de Sousa CSsR. You may wish to volunteer your services, their office is somewhere in Mapusa or send Melvyn your details and he will forward it on to them. His e-mail address is melvynfernan...@virginmedia.com. After all the population of Goa is made up of various religions, including Catholics. A few years ago, you may be interested to know that an elder, originally from Saligao, living in the United Kingdom, traced his family roots and discovered that his ancestors were firstly Muslim, then converted to Hindus and then converted by the Portuguese to Catholics. I must admit, this came as quite a revelation to me until I looked closely at the history of Goa and found that this could well be possible. Goanet readers are directed to website http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianisation_of_Goa - under Discrimation against native Christians they will read the following (note in the courts of Hindu and Muslim rulers): Quote: The social attitudes of the Portuguese towards the native Christians is exemplified in a memorandum submitted by the Christians of Salcette to the Portuguese monarch João IV in 1642: It is very painful to realise that when our people were Hindus, they were better honoured and respected in the courts of Hindu and Muslim rulers, but after conversion we have lost much of our self-respect. A Portuguese nobleman or Minister shows greater respect to a low caste Hindu than to a Christian of high caste. It happens quite often that a Hindu is given a chair to sit and a native Christian stands. This attitude of the Portuguese had moved many Christians in the recent years to go to the city with the headgears and the tunic of the kind the Hindus wear. There is no way of talking to Hindus about conversion any more, because they reply that they are not in a hurry to lose their self-respect. Unquote In addition, I wish to remind those of us who are followers of Christ that he was a Jew, born into the House of David. Therefore, at some point in our present and in our past, we have practiced and been part of some of the major religions of the world and we need to particularly show respect for these religions (including those we have not been part of). Changing religions has also extended to us changing our names. Take a look at mine, Rose Margaret (English), maiden surname D'Abreu changed by my father to Abreo (Portuguese) but looking at myself in the mirror, I do not look English, neither do I look Portuguese, but Goan Indian. Finally, please can someone enlighten me, have Catholics around India put forward a proposal for their own convention in Goa and been declined? Anyone replying to this goanet post will have to wait until early July for my response as tomorrow I am off to Italy for some sunshine and a slice of pizza. Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 7 June 2012
[Goanet] Posting on goanet does help
Dear goanet readers, In 2004 Silviano Barbosa from Cuncolim first published his book The Sixth Night. Hip hip hooray, it is good to hear that after 8 years, in the sixth month of 2012, The Sixth Night has eventually reached the shelves of Goa Library in Panjim. I am sure that people borrowing the book will have a fascinating read and I do hope that they return it back to the library giving others a chance to read and enjoy it. Scientifically speaking this is an example of the decision making process being speeded up through social networking sites like goanet and Goa Book Club. As you know it is only recently that legal matters have a deadline of up to two years to complete a case. We have a lot of talent in our community, please do participate and share your talent with us on goanet. Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 4 May 2012 melvynfernan...@virginmedia.com
[Goanet] United Kingdom - Festa Dis - Happy Jubilee
Dear goanet readers This weekend is a Bank holiday until Tuesday in England to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II as Head of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. I take this opportunity by kind favour of Goanet of wishing Her Majesty a Happy Diamond Jubilee and all our people participating in this celebration a happy time on this joyous occasion. In celebration, here is the full version of the British National Anthem: 1. God save our gracious Queen, Long live our noble Queen, God save the Queen! Send her victorious, Happy and glorious, Long to reign over us; God save the Queen! 2. O Lord our God arise, Scatter her enemies And make them fall; Confound their politics, Frustrate their knavish tricks, On Thee our hopes we fix, God save us all! 3. Thy choicest gifts in store On her be pleased to pour; Long may she reign; May she defend our laws, And ever give us cause To sing with heart and voice, God save the Queen! 4. Not in this land alone, But be God's mercies known, From shore to shore! Lord make the nations see, That men should brothers be, And form one family, The wide world over. 5. From every latent foe, From the assassins blow, God save the Queen! O'er her thine arm extend, For Britain's sake defend, Our mother, prince, and friend, God save the Queen! Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 3 June 2012 melvynfernan...@virginmedia.com
[Goanet] Pipe organs... in Goa? (by Rose Fernandes)
Frederick Not sure if this by David Rumsey is of any interest to you? www.davidrumsey.ch/goa_organs.pdf Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 3 June 2012
[Goanet] Kew Gardens Seed Bank - Saving our flora (by Rose Fernandes)
Dear goanet readers Not having walked around Kew Gardens for many years, the last sunny weekend, Melvyn and I visited it not once but twice, on Saturday and on Sunday. The reason on Saturday though was a sad one as the husband of one of my close friends suddenly passed away and my friend had his wake in the Pavillion Restaurant in Kew Gardens due to his interest in plants and gardens. In lieu of flowers, she requested donatons to the Kew Gardens Seed Bank and I have to admit this is the first time I have heard of this project although work has been going on it for some time. For those not in the know, located in 300 acres of beautiful landscape, Kew Gardens sits beside the river Thames between Richmond and Kew in south- west London. The Gardens were declared a World Heritage Site in July 2003, with six magnificent glasshouses, and are home to a remarkable collection of plants from all over the world including over 14,000 trees. If you would like further information and read about its royal connection, please visit the following website http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Botanic_Gardens,_Kew. This is what the Kew Gardens website says on these Seed collections: Quote: Kew's Millennium Seed Bank at Wakehurst Place now conserves over 30,855 species as seed samples from at least one population. This equals a stunning 1.8 billion seeds in the bank, with another 1.8 billion conserved in the countries of origin. Find out more about this truly global conservation effort, how it has been done, how it will continue, and what it offers for the long-term benefit of people, plant species and vegetations around the world. Unquote The Kew Gardens Seed Bank has an on-line catalogue and this is what they have documented for Goa: Catalogue No. 51628 - Compositae Launaea Pinnatifida Cass. Stem and Leaves are stored. Catalogue No. 62519 Leeaceae Leea sp. Root stored. Root use: Dysentery and Diarrhoea. User: Man. Readers can view this plant on Dinesh Valke's flickr photos www.flickr.com/photos/dinesh_valke/3295059359. Catalogue No. 64016 - Rutaceae Zanthoxylum Rhetsa. Root stored. Use: Medical and Veterninary. Readers can view a photograph by Chaloun of this plant on www.flickr.com/photos/50922563@N03/5035282446/ Catalogues Nos. 65424 and 65403 - Malvacea Althae sp. Root stored. Use: Medical and Veterinary. Root use: Food and Drink. User: Man. Food: Substitute for Marsh Mallow, used by the Portuguese of Goa Catalogue No. 63134 (Root stored) and Catalogue 63058(Twigs stored) - Meliaceae Naregamia Alta Wight Arm. Stem use: Emetic (induces vomiting). User: Man. Readers can view a photograph of this uploaded by Dinesh Valke on www.flickr.com/photos/dinesh_valke/705908614/ As you know, seeds can be stored for thousands of years and can always be brought back to life ensuring that our plants will not be extinct for future generations. Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 30 May 2012
[Goanet] The tale behind the tail (Response by Melvyn Fernandes)
of advertisements specifically discriminated against non-Europeans. Ajit Rai, who came to London in the mid 1950s, had first hand experience of exclusion: White people would not rent their houses to us as lodgers, so that it was a very difficult time in that sense. In Southall, London, Rai witnessed a white exodus 'they started moving out when we started moving in'. As early as 1957, a Home Office document provided evidence of white flight and future segregation, which would come to characterise some northern towns and cities: 'The Nottingham, Wolverhampton and Warwickshire police say that white house-holders in better class districts resent coloured people buying houses in these districts and when this happens, those who can, move.' This was supported by a 1964 article in the Daily Telegraph in which an Estate Agent in Southall, London had agreed to sell houses owned by Southall Residents Association exclusively to white buyers. In the north of England, Pakistanis sought to overcome these housing problems by buying old houses often in slum areas and letting them out to newcomers. Unquote Valerie Karn wrote an article Property Values Amongst Indians and Pakistanis in a Yorkshire Town in which she included the following by Robert Weaver: Quote: There is no aspect of housing and of minority groups more important and also confused than the relationship between racial occupancy and property values. The most respectable and frequently quoted justification for residential segregation is the assertion that coloured people depress real estate values. Unquote Readers can find these using their search engine. 4. Church matters I was privileged to have met and worked with the late Cardinal Basil Hume when the first Asian Chaplaincy Festival of Patron Saints took place at Westminster Cathedral. He gave me his direct telephone number to clear any barriers that were being encountered dealing with church authorities. I also had to overcome restrictions by Westminster City Council to ensure that the festival took place. On 2 February 2012, I attended at Hotel Mandovi, together with over 200 people who represented the great and good of Goa, the launch of the book written by Fr Desmond de Sousa CSsR titled The Concerned Face of the Church (Printed by Lobo Co, Bastora, Goa). Under a paragraph The Challenge To Become a Participatory Church of the People on page 515 is the following: Quote: The need for accountability at all levels is a major concern of the people today. There is a strong feeling that all should be accountable - bishops, priests, religious and laity - to some appropriate Bodies or individuals. This will check many of the abuses prevalent at present and will also create a sense of community and an atmosphere where all sections of the Church will be urged to work together as one family. We should create a participatory Church in which everybody's dignity as a baptized Chistian is respected. At present the laity strongly feel that they are a neglected lot and there is need to promote the rediscovery of the Church as a community in which everybody's role and charism is respected .. Unquote Under a paragraph India and The Phenomenon Of Out Migration on page 569 is the following: Quote: The second wave was the one million-plus Indians who went to Britain in the last century, some via East Africa. Most of them were petty shopkeepers, blue collar workers, bus conductors, postal clerks. Over the years they have settled as British citizens, often within the enclaves that seem like little India. Many Indian businessmen and professionals who were driven out of Kenya and Uganda in the 1970s also settled there making up nearly a million. Unquote Under a paragraph The Church's Concern for Cultural Issues on pages 587 and 588 are the following: Quote: By creating the Pontifical Council for Culture (PCC), Pope John Paul II stamps the cultural arena as crucial for the survival of human values and for the Church's evangelizing mission... The Pope goes on to plead the cultural dialogue is of such vital urgency that it might well represent the ultimate challenge. To the extent that the modern world stifles dialogue with cultures, it heads towards conflicts which run the risk of being fatal for the future of human civilization. Beyond prejudices and cultural barriers of racial, linguistic, religious and ideological separation, human beings must recognise themselves as brothers and sisters and accept each other in their diversity (February 28, 1983). You say our community have left their mark. We have not left the United Kingdom yet and with the new arrivals from Goa, time will tell, whether this mark will turn out to be a large stain? Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 23 May 2012 melvynfernan...@virginmedia.com
[Goanet] The tale behind the tail
. birthdays, anniversaries, births and marriages. Frederick if you agree, I am happy to co-ordinate this once weekly if you send me notices to melvynfernan...@virginmedia.com to arrive every Friday morning to be sent out Sunday under “Happy News this Week”. Please include the town/parish you are writing from. Goanet is a spark of an idea just like an uncut diamond it attracts a huge global readership connecting our community worldwide in debate and the freedom of expression with plenty of room for development such as finding employment to marketing socials and events. Long may it develop and continue without the poison pen that sometimes appears causing grief and animosity. There is no evidence of a Goan dream in the United Kingdom, there is an element in our community that has lost its cultural identity and is like magnets where like poles repel and unlike poles attract, this is seen in the London area. The best gift a Goan parent can give their child is to introduce them to Goa, it is no longer a poor torn vest relation as perceived by those who left the state during kerosene lamps and candlelight days – go and reclaim your heritage. Organise and celebrate World Goa Day 19/20 August 2012. Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 21 May 2012 melvynfernan...@virginmedia.com
[Goanet] Goanet -our friendly web spider
Dear Goanet readers, Just like Casper the friendly ghost, we have Goanet our electronic Goan spider whose web reaches our community all over planet Earth weaving its web full of e-information and giving all age groups and occupations the opportunity to keep in touch and debate freely. In addition, sharing information long before social media sites like Facebook came on the scene (Facebook is an ideal picking ground by employers). Unlike the spider, though, instead of this web seeking prey, it is human and has its very own lane on the superhighway that at times picks up litter in the form of misinformation that unless one is in the know and alert, readers tend to take information as gospel when they read it. One such example many moons ago was when I read that the President of California was visiting Goa. I was so excited for a moment I thought of a motorcade driving down18 June Road on its way to Campal as part of restoring the peace between America and India. My dream was shattered when our BBC Radio in the United Kingdom announced that Arnold Schwarzenegger was standing to be Elected Governor Of California bankrupt at the time. The correct news item posted on goanet should have read: the President of the local GOA in California was visiting Goa. The youth from this same organisation are planning to visit Goa in December this year and I wish them a pleasant stay taking back with them many happy memories. There has been discussion at some length about farming and I would like to add that as a young fella I used to go with my cousins just after sunrise to the fields. There were seasons when we planted and harvested vegetables. Other seasons when we watered tender coconut trees manually drawing water from the village well. It was backbreaking but I also found it enjoyable and body building. I remember carrying bales of hay on my back for our water buffalo who supplied us with milk and tilled the soil. Food, etc was stored according to season and everybody was happy. All visitors to Goa today may wish to call on Goa Chitra and witness our Goan past in its full glory where nearly all farming tools are on display, the blue print of the agricultural machinery you see around the world today. Goa Chitra is on St John the Baptist Church Road, (near Banaulim) Salcete, Goa, 403716 www.goachitra.com. Allow at least half a day for your visit. The museum is run by volunteers and I am sure any donations would be welcome as they strive to preserve Goa's farming heritage. After all, it is our farmers, fishermen and cooks that keep us alive. The Goanet web should not become a victim of its own success where a blizzard of information is brought to us at the speed of light as we have the opportunity of freedom of speech and debate. The web sometimes does snare insects full of misinformation who in time turn out into beautiful butterflies only to be gobbled up by the sapphire turning into diamond eyed chameleons lurking in nearby branches. Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 10 May 2012 melvynfernan...@virginmedia.com
[Goanet] Saligao Association UK - Feast of Mae De Deus (by Rose Fernandes)
Dear goanet readers Greetings to everyone who celebrated our Saligao Mae De Deus Feast in Goa and worldwide last Sunday and also fellow Goykars who celebrated their village feasts on the same day. In London, United Kingdom, the Saligao Association UK management team excelled themselves and the full house celebration was truly memorable. It was good to see everyone from sunrise, midday and sunset years mingling making the occasion a real success. Father Francis Rosario SFX Goan Chaplain for the UK, opened the celebrations with the Feast Mass and the choir sang beautifully. The excellent and generous helpings of tasty Goan cuisine was by Shirley's Kitchen and the band Rainbow's End from Swindon, played every tune one could wish for. For me, there were three best moments, the first seeing our youth in their sunrise years enjoy themselves as they enthusiastically danced in-step to our traditional music. The second was the sing song of our Mandos and Dulpods led by Adolf Saldanha (in this nineties) keeping our music alive. The third, the launch of Stella Mascarenhas-Keyes book Colonialism, Migration The International Catholic Goan Community published by Goa, 1556, Sonarbhat, Saligao, 403511, Goa India (goa1...@gmail.com). Many of us in the United Kingdom know Stella and the whole Mascarenhas family as they have been involved in community work over the years. For information the name 1556 is dedicated to the year when the first printing press was established in Asia in Goa. Once again, Boas Festas. Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 8th May 2012
[Goanet] Hitting the RESET button (by Rose Fernandes)
Dear goanet readers Mervyn Lobo wrote: A single bad harvest can bring financial ruin or increasing in India, suicide. Rose Fernandes response: Mervyn, despite a recent posting on goanet (Message 5 Vol 7 Issue 444) which has said you have plenty of opinions with total disregard for the facts, I am writing to let you know that I beg to differ with the writer of this posting and can confirm that you have written nothing but the facts. Uploaded on U-tube on 22 October 2009 is Remo Fernandes on HCN/Part II. The upload is 7.17 minutes long and starting from minute 1.46 Remo talks about a farmer committing suicide out of starvation. In a video recording of his song India, I Cry which Remo Fernandes has uploaded on U-Tube on 6 October 2009, on minute 1.14 (of 5.28 minutes) a newspaper article is shown titled Farmers Suicide where the photograph shows the farming method used. Readers are free to view these uploads in another open and shut case. Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 8 May 2012
[Goanet] Goan books by certain Goan authors excluded in Goan libraries: Why the selective deliberate exclusions?
Dear goanet readers Selma Carvalho (still in UK? I presume as the next Virgin Atlantic flight to Mars is full) wrote: Now coming to Melvyn Fernandes of UK. Here is a list of things he has accused other people of: - Silvano Barbarosa did not respond to his emails? about the book Sixth Night when he was trying to market it. - Eddie Fernandes did not publish his review on the book Sixth Night - Selma Carvalho carried a stock of the book to the Global Goans Covention and then hid them from sight. There seems to be an all-round conspiracy against Melvyn. Melvyn's response (after black coffee and a Jacob's cream cracker): - On England's cold and misty morning bus journeys to work, Sixth Night made enlightening reading from cover to cover especially to a Goan fella like me. It was on one of these journeys, just like Archimedes, I had a Eureka moment reading pages 106 to 112 at which point, I jumped out of my seat (this was not a heart attack) and tried to get off the bus in a hurry before the doors shut as I would have missed my stop. An efficient Goan telephone directory operator helped me find Silviano at his relations place in Benaulim, Goa so I was able to thank him for his insight of our people which he excellently portrayed in Sixth Night, as nearly all events that happen today are mirrored in his book covering yesteryear. - As an honorary community worker in the UK since 1974, I would remind Selma bhai that I only deal with facts not conspiracy, as suggested. - Sixth Night is a must to be read book for everyone of all ages in our community before leaving diverse and lonely planet earth to increase their understanding on why the Goan community behaves the way it does. I know it is now possible for interested people to easily read the book through their tablet, kindle, get a copy from www.amazon.com, request a copy from their local public library or even borrow it from a friend. Hopefully one day Bollywood will consider making a film of Sixth Night. - I look forward to the day when we can all as a community have a champagne moment to appreciate each others achievements and contribution to society. This year it will be 22nd birthday of World Goa Day and this may be an opportunity to cheer our heritage and goodwill to all. - For information, Silviano has been in touch and all is well between us. Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 1 May 2012 www.melvynfernan...@virginmedia.com
[Goanet] HTG - How's the Goan? (by Rose Fernandes)
Dear goanet readers After another evening of fine wining and dining, my thanks go to Mr Eugene Dias and his staff of Palms of Goa Restaurant, 160 New Cavendish Street, London for the excellent food and hospitality extended to all of us. Anyone wishing to feast at this restaurant can find details at www.palmsofgoa.com. Parking is free after 6.30 p.m. This evening was the launch event of HTG How's the Goan? and a new initiative organised by Jason Fernandes and his team who felt the need to address the community gap in the United Kingdom for our youth. The evening concluded with Clinton Tavares entertaining us in his own musical style which was a real treat. His album is due out shortly and you can catch up with him on his facebook page www.facebook.com/clintontavaresmusic. A room full of young men and women of our community mingling with each other and enjoying themselves in a civilised manner took me back to the times when I was in my twenties and thirties. At this time, there was a whole group of us that went to a community event nearly every single weekend of the year having a great time. So why did I leave the event feeling that the youth of today or the community in general are experiencing some sort of Goan identity crisis? Was this event the first new green shoots of trying to address this? Jason and his team are organising further events (the next on the Konkani language planned for July) and I hope that these exploratory sessions will lead to our youth realising that within our community is the very best of everything, in our food, music, dancing, language and culture. Not all is positive, we do have differences, what can be done, what cannot be done but we all have to be proud of our culture and be ambassadors to showcase ourselves to the rest of the world. Not that the rest of the world doesn't know about us already. Non-Goans outside India enjoy Goa so much that they return to it year after year and I have often said that they market our homeland much better than we do! Jason Fernandes was a participant in the Goa Government Know Goa Programme. He is intending to set up a charity with the following aims: - An enquiry into what it means to be part of the UK Goan Community. - An access for everyone to contribute to the making of enlivening results in the UK Goan Community. - To be a representative voice for UK Goan Community Youth. Can you help Jason achieve these aims. He can be contacted on jason.p.fernan...@gmail.com or jason.p.fernan...@googlemail.com. Soon the Olympics will be in London, England and a flaming torch will be passed from one athlete to another before it gets to its final destination, lighting up the skies day and night. Let us hope that How's the Goan? which has started as a small flame continues to grow with each event planned, blazing the path of our youth as they journey towards reclaiming their birthright. Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 1 May 2012
[Goanet] Goan books by certain Goan authors excluded in Goan libraries: Why the selective deliberate exclusions?
Dear Silviano I read your note on goanet with interest and the issue of Goan books by Goan authors not displayed in public libraries in Goa does not surprise me. I went to a book fair at the Panjim Library and looked for a Konkani to English translation dictionary. There was every other Indian language available in hardback but Konkani to English/English to Konkani was no where to be found as though our language did not exist. I even telephoned the Goa telephone directory inquires and asked for the Dalgado Konkani Academy, the operator could not find the number. You may recall when Sixth Night was first published, having enjoyed reading it, I felt I needed to share this excellent book with others as it covered the way we live and behave. In order to market Sixth Night, I sent you a draft flyer for approval and even asked what the postage costs were from Canada in grams to compare rates as to whether it would be cheaper to post from Canada or UK including inquires about warehouse facilities for storing books in bulk to market at village functions here in the London area and by post. However, I got no response from you at all, perhaps it is a Goan thing. Inspite of this, since 2004, I have tried on several occasions to create awareness of your book Sixth Night. Even as recent as the Goa Government Global Goan Convention held in London in 2011 where your friend had the book available and you will have read what I wrote about this episode on postings on goanet. I think in particular your book Sixth Night has been given a lot of air time on goanet which I am sure interested people will have inquired via www.amazon.com. Not that I was looking for any thanks from you or any commission, but I feel you have not even acknowledged my marketing of Sixth Night hence I am not surprised that the book is out of sight in Goa libraries as others may have had the same experience of being blanked out. Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 29 April 2012 melvynfernan...@virginmedia.com
[Goanet] UK Observations, Pecking Order - Physicians (1853 - 2012)
Dear goanet readers Nothing much has changed in attitudes amongst the professional medical personnel since the Crimean War (October 1853 - February 1856) till today. In the London Evening Standard of 19 April 2012 it is reported: Quote: The Queen's former GP is opposing plans by former Labour MP Lord Soley to erect Britain's first statute to a black woman. Sir Richard Thompson, president of the Royal College of Physicians, said the 8ft bronze of Mary Seacole, a Jamaican-born nurse in the Crimean war, was not appropriate for the garden of St Thomas' Hospital, which houses the Florence Nightingale Museum. Unquote Mary Seacole, a black Jamaican nurse, was not chosen by Florence Nightingale to be part of a group of 38 nurses that traveled to Crimea. Instead, Mary Seacole borrowed money to make the 4,000-mile (about 6500 km) journey by herself. As most of us living in the United Kingdom will come in contact with a medical physician at some time or the other, we should be concerned about this. Anyone has the opportunity now to write directly to Sir Richard Thompson at the Royal College of Physicians, 11 St Andrews Place, Regent's Park, London NW1 4LE, United Kingdom or via your Member of Parliament (MP) requesting what formula was used in the decision making process that a statute 8ft bronze of Mary Seacole would be inappropriate next to the Florence Nightingale Museum housed at St Thomas' Hospital, an excellent teaching hospital on the River Thames opposite the Houses of Parliament. I would encourage our medical students to get involved. Mary Seacole is buried in St. Mary's Roman Catholic Cemetery, Harrow Road, Kensal Green, London, United Kingdom. I am sending this e-mail to the Royal College of Nursing for their information and that of their members. Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 20th April 2012 melvynfernan...@virginmedia.com cc: Royal College of Nursing Lord Soley Asian Voice UK
[Goanet] The Caste System in Goa and Beyond (by Rose Fernandes)
Dear goanet readers Having just returned home from a weekend of wining, dining and champagne sundowners, my weekend was extended to another enjoyable day musing on goanet posts (over strong black coffee and a slice of dodol) especially those on the caste system. When goanet postings mentioned Catholicism and the caste system, my mind reflected on the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John recording the birth, life and death of Christ. The website www.jesuscentral.com shows the structure of the community in which Christ lived and it is, surprisingly, very similar to that of our caste system embedded in the culture of our community. Quote: During the time of Christ, there was a very large disparity between rich and poor. The upper class was made up of the temple priests and priestly aristocracy (including the Sadducees – a Jewish sect), The middle class was comprised of traders and merchants, artisans (stonecutters, masons, sculptors) and craftsman (metal, wood, cloth dye). The Pharisees (another Jewish sect), sages, scribes, and teachers were also a part of the middle class. The lower class was made of laborers (weavers, stone carriers, slaves (non-Jewish person taken into slavery because of debt), and the unemployable (lepers, blind, insane, crippled, etc.). Unquote As followers of Christ, we can learn from him the way he dealt with such prejudices. Firstly, he chose a number of those nearest to him, his disciples, from fishermen and not from the most learned in the land. Secondly, he addressed behavioural differences between the upper and lower classes through his parables (as we are constantly reminded at daily mass readings) and through his recorded reactions to the various incidents in his life. That is not all. Perhaps the greatest lessons we can learn from Christ is how he faced and dealt with the huge challenges from the leaders of the time (the upper class) as well as how he faced and dealt with huge challenges from his disciples (most from the lower class), the most challenging being with Peter on whom he built his church. Many of us, including myself, dearly wish that the inherited caste system had never existed among us at all but if it is continuing we definitely need to work collectively to root it out and ensure that it flows out of our lives into the Mandovi River right now. There is no place for it in our community any more or any reason whatsoever for it to continue. Unfortunately, the residue of the prolonged practice of the caste system by our ancestors shows up in the behavioural differences that exist among us today. However, instead of continually bleating about it, let us rise above these differences and move on. We can either continue to be a slave to this system or set ourselves free. Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 17 April 2012
[Goanet] UK Goan Oral Histories Project - Observations
President in Kenya, it made sense. Our youth also appear to be the same, stoned on pictures, and do not fit in neither here or there as their parents have never taken them to Goa, causing a self inflicted identity crisis. The Government of Goa, through the NRI office, is addressing this with the Know Goa campaign for our young people around the world to become familiar with our culture. They may be equal at school but when they join the competitive job market, identity issues surface as they are no longer equal even in technical fields and forced to adapt to all of pond life for survival. The views expressed in this missive are personal and should not be regarded as any authority. Gabe in your Song for the Day series could I request the song Circles by the New Seekers. Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 30 March 2012 melvynfernan...@virginmedia.com --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
[Goanet] UK Goan Oral Histories Project - My reply to Mervyn Maciel (by Rose Fernandes)
Dear Mervyn Thank you for sharing the private message you received from an anonymous correspondent from Tanzania following your reply to me on the above. It would have been preferable if your friend had posted this message himself so I could reply directly to him but in the absence of this, perhaps you could forward on my comments to some of the points he has made. (I was not aware that Tanzania had reverted back to Tanganyika). MM1: However, the last line needs amplification. I don't think that it was SOME Goans who CHOSE to treat the African as 'inferior'; it was almost every Goan living in an urban environment, including yours truly, who had that prejudiced attitude. RF1: I beg to differ with your friend on this statement. Would you mind asking for clarification in what way I was supposed to have treated the African as inferior. If my parents had employed an African as a domestic it was because they were living in Africa. Perhaps they would have employed a Goan as a domestic if they were living in Goa. Employing someone as a domestic does not mean that you are treating them as inferior. Therefore until your friend can justify this statement, there is nothing for me to be remorseful, guilty or shameful about. For your information, I do not even treat animals as inferior having given up the eating of meat years and years ago. It is not acceptable to me that animals are treated shamefully for my dinner plate but this is my view and never inflicted on anyone else, including Melvyn, who regularly eats meat. Everyone needs to make up their own mind what they are comfortable or uncomfortable with. However, if you or your friend witnessed any incidents where an African was treated as inferior would you mind telling us what they were and what did either of you do to address the situation as fellow human beings? MM2: What is shameful is when SOME or MANY Goans today, unlike you and me, keep reminiscing about the good old days RF2: What does your friend mean reminiscing about the good old days. Is he aware this project is currently being undertaken and that my goanet post was after watching your video recording uploaded for this current project? MM3: sense of gratitude towards the African... RF3: Would you please oblige and point out the minute number from the 9:40 minute uploaded edited version of the video tape where you expressed gratitude towards the African. We have not seen the full length version yet and this is on my must do list to compare what you said on the video to the note you sent me. Until recently, I was not aware of just how much my classmates are still involved with Africa, bearing in mind we all left school in 1971. Last July one of my classmates living in the UK paid a visit to our school in Mombasa, Kenya and took time out of her holiday to visit two schools donating money and school equipment to advance their learning. Then the daughter of another of my classmates living in Texas spent her time helping in an orphanage in Kenya. This list can go on and on. My charitable work is closer to home but we are having a class reunion in October this year and who knows maybe we will discuss what we can do for our school (Star of the Sea School) which I understand is badly in need of a lick of paint. Is your friend aware of how many charities and Goan village organisations collect money in the UK for Africa? Year in and year out and to which we all donate through our church on Family Fast Day. This list can go on and on to include royalty, Bob Geldorf with Live Aid, and others. Could you please ask your friend in Africa how much more gratitude or what further type of gratitude he is expecting from us? MM4: the majority of the population found themselves far worse off than in the colonial days, as a result of dishonesty, fraud, corruption, and tribal rivalries of their own leaders. RF4: In my opinion, the majority of the population found themselves far worse off than in the colonial days because when we left East Africa they all lost their employment as domestics. We treated them well with food, clothes and housing in addition to a salary which they used to support their families. The late Mr JAF Menezes from Colvale, Melvyn's grandfather, bought land for his domestic in Malandi for his retirement where he still resides and grows his own produce. MM5: the discovery of oil in the Turkana Distrist of Kenya RF5: We all hope and pray that the Turkana people will enjoy the fruits of this wonderful discovery through the appropriate agencies with good governance, reducing foreign aid from the West and creating local employment. This is the best news, a land described by you as God forsaken area to become God's gift. General: There is no issue with me of anyone recording their experiences in East Africa positive or negative. However, our forefathers left our homeland, the paradise of Goa, for greener pastures to
[Goanet] Goan Oral Histories Project - Interview with Mervyn Maciel (by Rose Fernandes)
Dear Mervyn Thank you for sharing your experiences of your time in Kenya with us through a link on goanet. It has been some time since the phrase hell on earth has been heard by me. As only one-tenth of Kenya is fertile, it was indeed unfortunate that your work station happened to be in the part that was desert and that you had to endure the heat of the sun while working for the British Colonial Administration. Your interview has brought home to me how fortunate I was to have lived in Mombasa on the coast of Kenya. My happy and positive experiences are largely due to my parents who lived their life very much interacting in the social environment prevailing at that time amongst our community. There can be no doubt they faced challenges and a hard working life but, on analysis, these were no more or less challenging than those being faced today where jobs are scarce, competition fierce and working hours, especially for our young people, getting longer and longer. Those joining the workforce are also faced with final salary pensions being closed down leaving them with little hope of a well funded retirement combined with the state pension retirement age in the UK increasing day by day. Contrast this with what my father (and many of his generation) whose working life was 8am to12 o'clock, two hours for lunch and siesta, returning to work from 2pm to 4pm. After tea and cake, he headed for the waterhole of the Mombasa Institute to socialise with his friends there and catch-up on the day's gossip while keeping an eye on our community children playing in the grounds and on badminton courts. All expenses paid holidays were three weeks every year, with three months every fourth year (to go to Goa). On retirement, my father received a decent pension he enjoyed for years and which my mother still enjoys to this day. In agreement with Roland Francis, it would have been good to have seen the entire recording of your interview. Also interesting to know whether you felt subjected to any discrimination during this period of time and, if so, were able to do anything about it? The reason for my question is, as a community, we are nomadic. Our forefathers had skills and the courage to leave their sheltered life in Goa to earn their livelihood in East Africa while supporting family in Goa at the same time. These skills will have been passed down to us and if we were unhappy during our time in East Africa, (remembering most of us lived there for 20 years plus) I feel sure we would not have suffered in silence and would have moved on earlier to another country. Therefore, for the record, it will be good to see more of our people interviewed recount their positive experiences here. Today, it is no longer extraordinary to hear of a person from our community, for example, spending his childhood in Goa, his twenties in the Middle East, his thirties in the United Kingdom, his forties in Canada and his retirement in Australia. Setting up home in each and every one of these countries! Not to mention floating Goans (also known as Goanese) on ships around the world, contributing to the world economy. Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 25 March 2012 --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
[Goanet] Matanhy Saldanha R.I.P.
Dear goanet readers I was sorry to hear the sad news that Matanhy Saldanha had passed away. He was a man of vision, unlike the purveyors of doom and gloom today, and I hope the work he started in giving Goa an identity and special status will continue. I recall meeting him at the Goan Association (UK) clubhouse in Beckenham, Kent a few years ago where he addressed a full house on his visit to the United Kingdom. Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 21 March 2012 --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
[Goanet] Thank you for Visiting Planet Earth-Our Goa is ok
Dear fellow goanet readers Some of our super clever intelluctuals visiting planet earth via Goanet can now go back home with their video recorders and sunglasses. The Goa elections are now completed and the incoming Government is in Position. I can only hope previous postholders did not shred their work and will work with the current postholders on matters that will benefit the state, the environment and its people. As my airbus was approaching Goa a real live commentary was started by two Gulfies from Duler starting with poi amche Goia burem dista. The sun was shining over a canopy of green trees when near Siradao there was a gash in the mountainside the size of three football pitches exposing soil where trees once grew. It may have been the illegal felling of timber as it could not have been caused by the Elections as electronic voting machines were used. Congratulations must go to all involved in the electoral process in organising a fair and orderly voting process. Politicians and democracy go hand in hand, one cannot work without the other. In the United Kingdom we still use a pencil cross on Paper, an environmental waste of trees, unlike in Goa, and given the will can be addressed in the west. I did not spot any party political symbols, if there was one I would recommend the Triangle. In America the triangle in the workplace has the pointed end at the bottom with the base at the surface, People helping each other to the surface with their hands so that everyone becomes top. The British System has the triangle top facing the sky everyone stepping on each other with their boots, until one gets to the top. Amongst our people I keep hearing the phrase top job, top shot etc so I was surprised to hear of visiting Canadian Seniors (polite term for old people) tipping porters at Dabolim Airport one rupee saying last time they gave four annas. This does not look like the American triangle upside down. All said and done I also heard visitors from England to the Diamond Jubilee of Nairobi Institute a few years ago found difficulty in tipping the coach driver who was with them all week the equivalent of five pence! I cannot say this was the triangle top facing skywards, more like British style, an admin system of keeping people down. Goa airport has a new terminal being built and will look like London Gatwick North when completed. Dabolim, unlike Bombay, can handle wheelchair bound customers with chairs that fit the aisle of the aircraft and lifts to travel from floor to floor - lifts use a lot of electricity. As you leave the Airport a new highway with modern street lighting is almost completed, with most roads in Goa now tarmac hence dust is reduced, the fumes from vehicle exhausts is also well filtered less led pollution for young people. It was good to note workers cultivating crops growing in the fields just like the old days. With the local greed we hear about Shopping in the Tourist belt of Candolim and Calangute one can expect to pay tourist prices however I found a delightful store in Mapusa Market called Tourist Paradise where almost everything was at local prices. The same can be said for other stores around the market. Francis bakery and Xaviers are indeed good value for a quick meal. There are still a lot of good people in Goa, with 87% voting I ask that we all look at life with an upside down triangle helping each other for the the benefit of all. Armchair Madvisor's should not be taken seriously and be allowed to continue on their way away from planet earth. Congratulations and best wishes to Mr Parrikar and the Government of Goa Team. Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath Surrey, United Kingdom 18 March 2012 --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
[Goanet] Recollections of Mau Mau (Oral History project)
Dear goanet readers It was good to see that one of our senior people like Mervyn Maciel come forward and commented on the contents of the above video recording and I hope that those editing the final copy of the project to be placed in the British Museum will take a note of it and table a true and accurate record of events. The Mau Mau era is well documented by the BBC. Mervyn Maciel has written about his early days in Kenya in his book Bwana Karani, a government clerk in colonial British East Africa, a copy of this can be found in the Goa library in Panjim. Another gem of a book well researched and written by Braz Menezes Just Matata talks about when the Portuguese ruled Kenya before the British to the days of the First World War where for the first time bunk beds were installed in the ships Kampala and Karanga that took our people on their holidays between Goa and Mombasa. GSU, as Gabe mentioned, did exist and played an important part in keeping law and order and tribal violence apart. They were similar to the SPG (Special Patrol Group) in Britain or the Riot Police found in most cities. They take no prisoners. The late Manolem Fernandes from Colvale catered for Princess Elizabeth during her visit to Kenya, at the time when her father died and she became Queen. It is also true that Goan people at the first sign of trouble would be under the bed. Can't speak for the Europeans as they lived separately. My feelings are the same as Gabe on this publicly funded project Sadly the people with first hand information have not yet come forward . For the record, the best memories of Goans in East Africa have already been captured wonderfully by the photographs Frederick Noronha has kindly uploaded to share with us and has posted links on goanet from time to time. These show our people enjoying life to the full which is exactly what most of us did and still do, where possible, to this very day. Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 16 March 2012 --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
[Goanet] Talking of toilets (by Rose Fernandes)
Dear goanet readers The following article was published on the BBC News website yesterday: Quote: Nearly half of India's 1.2 billion people have no toilet at home, but more people own a mobile phone, according to the latest census data. Only 46.9% of the 246.6 million households have lavatories while 49.8% defecate in the open. The remaining 3.2% use public toilets. Census 2011 data on houses, household amenities and assets reveal that 63.2% of homes have a telephone. Analysts say the data show the complex contradictions of the Indian system. They say the census reveals a country where millions have access to cutting-edge technology and consumer goods but a larger number of poor who lack access to even basic facilities. About 77% of homes in the eastern state of Jharkhand have no toilet facilities, while the figure is 76.6% for Orissa and 75.8% in Bihar. All three are among India's poorest states with huge populations which live on less than a dollar a day. Open defecation continues to be a big concern for the country as almost half of the population do it, Registrar General and Census Commissioner C Chandramouli said while releasing the latest data. Cultural and traditional reasons and a lack of education are the prime reasons for this unhygienic practice. We have to do a lot in these fronts, he said. The data also reveal that Indians now largely live in nuclear families with 70% of homes consisting of only one couple - a dramatic change in a country where joint families were always the norm. The census figures also show changes in how people access information and entertainment. More than half the population - 53.2% - have a mobile phone. There has been a 16% rise in the number of homes with television sets, while the use of radios has declined by 15%. The data show that 47.2% of households have a television while only 19.9% have a radio. And the reach of computers with internet access is still minuscule, with only 3.1% of the population connected. Unquote Readers may wish to note that in the United Kingdom public toilets have decreased in number due to running costs and property prices. Many have been converted to coffee bars, restaurants and accommodation. Public toilets used to be a great source of entertainment for graffiti writers before the Americans transformed this art into spray painting costing local authorities thousands to clear. We also have a belief that with good hygiene we generate a healthy population which in turn contributes to the economy. During events like the Sunburn Festival where the rest of India comes to Goa bringing with them their trademark of defecating in the open and not washing their hands, this may be an ideal time for promoting potty training and hygiene standards by the Government of India working with our local authorities in Goa for these domestic visitors to take back valuable learning to their villages and assist in uplifting poverty. Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 14 March 2012 --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
[Goanet] Google Science Fair 2012 - invitation everyone between 13 and 18 yrs
Dear Goanetters Google is looking for the brightest young scientists from around the world to submit interesting online projects that are relevant to the world today.Geniuses are not always graduates or A grade students. All you need is an idea eg turning garbage into energy there are many ideas. Anybody and everybody between 13 and 18 years old can enter. All mavericks welcome, Registration must be completed by 1 April - Hurry goto Google website for details - Tell everybody including family and friends. Good Luck Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath Surrey 6th March 2012 --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
[Goanet] Goa Elections 2012 - Fast, fast
Dear goanet readers, For the sake of all of those in Goa who are dying to partake of alcoholic liquid refreshment banned for the sake of clear heads in the election process that should be completed by sunset, can I ask all the ladies who are allocated as managers for the counting process to do this fast, fast. As you know most Goan men do not feel properly dressed without a watch on their hand, even then things run late and it is not Portuguese timing. There are five other States in India also voting today but their results cannot be declared until Goa State finishes its counting process. Is this part of the special status or is it because we are considered slow? Either way, hopefully, we will know the results fast, fast, latest 5 March 2012. On that date, may be the best candidates take up office in Goa and give all Goykars a brighter future. Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 3 March 2012 melvynfernan...@virginmedia.com --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
[Goanet] Lost in translation - the Swindon goykers cause
as we are today. In the past, at the first sign of trouble, we would either try to sort it out ourselves or get lawyers to fight our case. Today the negative comments on press articles on the strike indicate the mood of the local people here changing and undoing years and years of hard work by our community workers. Personally, I find the behaviour of the new arrivals from Goa vastly different from the way we behaved and time will tell where this will lead to. Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 1 March 2012 melvynfernan...@virginmedia.com --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
[Goanet] Goa elections - 3 March 2012 - VIP day
Dear goanet readers While in Goa in early February it was just like being in the United Kingdom. Alcohol could not be served after 10.30 p.m. The reason I was told was to stop politicians bribing people with alcohol to come out and vote for them. Normally, amongst our people, when the beer goes in the brains go out. I understand that three days before the election there will be no alcohol at all either for sale in the shops or served at restaurants, etc. What a blow to tourists but if the three day ban gets people to vote on this VIP day with a clear head, congratulations must go to the authorities. A small sacrifice towards electing the right candidates working for the development of Goa and its people. Politicians posts are there to serve the people and not the other way round. Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 1 March 2012 melvynfernan...@virginmedia.com --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
[Goanet] NRI Goans and their rights in Goa (by Rose Fernandes)
Dear Eddie Here is my response to your posting on the above. EF1: Jerusalem is not a country. RF1: Goa is not a country either as far as I am aware and this posting is on Goa. Unless while I was mildly distracted a magic wand was used to make it into one! Apologies, cannot respond beyond point 1, I am now in a State of Goan confusion. Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 31 January 2012 Message Received: Jan 30 2012, 11:13 PM From: Eddie Fernandes To: 'Melvyn Fernandes' Cc: Subject: RE: NRI Goans and their rights in Goa (by Rose Fernandes) Thanks Rose. Yes, I had seen that but it is a mild distraction: 1. Jerusalem is not a country. 2. The proposal has not been implemented as far I am aware. 3. Jerusalem's proposal was for unoccupied property with overseas owners. Goa's proposal is for owners outside the State even when the property is occupied. 4. The scale of the charges is probably less than the $4,000 to $10,000 p.a. In any case are you suggesting that the Goa proposal is justifiable? And do you have a magic wand to make it law? Back to the drawing board! Eddie == -Original Message- Dear Eddie When I read point 2. in your posting As far as I am aware, no state in India or country in the world has such a law I googled non-occupancy tax and saw the following article by David Lev dated 11 October 2011: Absentee owner tax could slash Jerusalem rent prices. Not sure if it has been implemented now in Jerusalem or thrown out. Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 30 January 2012 --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
[Goanet] DECCAN HERALD: Goa minister Monserrate got Rs 26.5 crore payoffs for land conversion (By Rose Fernandes)
Dear Desmond, When I read your article those who made Goa the laid back place it was have vanished or are a dying breed, my mind was taken back to my trip to Hawaii many years ago. In Hawaii they have an island almost sorely inhabited by their native people, it is referred to as the Forbidden Island or the Island of Niihau. It is a private island dedicated to preserving Hawaiian Culture. I cruised around it, but you can take a helicopter ride over it and stop off on one of their beaches. When I visited Hawaii, you were not allowed to meet the local inhabitants of Niihau. As this was the first time I came across something like this on my travels, I must say I found it rather strange. Now I wonder whether this could happen to our community one day? A private island dedicated to preserving Goan culture. Or, as I said before, a Goan Reservation like the Red Indians of the USA. Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 31 January 2012 --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
[Goanet] NRI Goans and their rights in Goa (by Rose Fernandes)
Dear Eddie When I read point 2. in your posting As far as I am aware, no state in India or country in the world has such a law I googled non-occupancy tax and saw the following article by David Lev dated 11 October 2011: Absentee owner tax could slash Jerusalem rent prices. Not sure if it has been implemented now in Jerusalem or thrown out. Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 30 January 2012 --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
[Goanet] Goykars around the world decide (by Rose Fernandes)
Dear goanet reader My responses to Selma Carvalho's post: SC1: The bulk of NRI Goans live in the Gulf. Many of them work for years and generations away from Goa, and as a result cannot show 25 years or even 5 years of continuous residency in Goa. During their long tenure away, they squirrel away money to buy flats or build homes so that they may have homes to live in when they do return. It is ridiculous to ask them to return to their homeland and contribute to the local economy. For those unacquainted with economics, they are called invisible exports. They not only contribute to the economy but in Goa's case virtually sustain it. RF1: There is nothing invisible in Goa about our community who work in the Gulf. Unless of course you walk around Goa with dark sunglasses and cannot see the size and designs of their mansions, latest cars, etc. visible signs of their wealth which as you say they squirrel away. SC2: The tax proposed is not nominal. It is hefty. RF2: Nominal and hefty are two sides of the same coin. What is nominal for one is hefty for another and vice versa. For example, I worked with someone who only travelled first class and stayed in five star hotels around the world. He also had several holidays a year, not just one. When he said he was planning a holiday to Goa, I suggested what I thought was a perfectly nice place for him to stay at a nominal cost. He told me I have spent my entire life only living in the best, is this accommodation five stars? In the end he did not stay in the accommodation I recommended even though it would have been perfectly adequate for him. He travelled first class to Goa and stayed at the Taj Fort Aguada. To me it would have been a hefty cost but he said he paid a very nominal cost to stay in such luxury. United Kingdom: these are just a few of the taxes we pay: 1. Council tax: paid on residential and business properties. The rateable value is determined by the area you live in as well as the size of the property. Council tax is also charged on those owning second homes whether they live in them or not. This tax is used to fund road cleaning, garbage collection, the police, libraries, schools and other essential services we all use. 2. Road tax: Based on the size of your car, and is payable yearly, whether you live here for six months or not. 3. Petrol tax: Nearly 70% in every British pound is tax. Petrol shop owners therefore sell other goods like chocolates, crisps, newspapers just to survive. 4. Income tax: Paid on all wages earned, and also on interest on savings, dividends, etc. 5. VAT: On most goods and services. 6. All of us coming into Goa on an economy seat on a scheduled flight pay a minimum of 320 British pounds in tax per person. Charter flights and flights via Arab countries are different and not to be confused here. 7. When we die, those left behind pay inheritance tax above a certain amount. The tax is 40 per cent. 8. Taxation, in all forms, is therefore nothing new to us. 9. Taxation is the same for all of us, East African Goans, Swindon Goans, English, etc, anyone working and living here or owns or rents a property here. Gulf: I cannot write in the same way for those working in the Gulf and off shore sites as I have never lived or worked there. Do they pay taxes on their homes or on their salaries? SC3: It is the birth and moral right of diasporic populations to retain their cultural roots with their homeland. RF3: We are talking here about tax proposed on properties owned by non-residents of Goa. Are you saying that owning bricks and mortar in our homeland is essential to us retaining our cultural roots? Is this the reason why there is so much building going on in Goa today? Our community, living years and years and years away from our homeland, contributing to the economies of other countries but still wanting to retain one foot in Goa tax free in case they wish to return? Who thought of this brilliant regional plan where everyone wants something for nothing. SC4: I sincerely wish people would put more thoughts into their arguments. RF4: Interesting, coming from someone who calls our men immature and Goans a peg lower than cows. SC5: I have no interest in entering into personal battles. RF5: My goanet posting was actually addressed to Frederick who has been the perfect example to all of us how he has moved back to Goa and settled very successfully. Did I write to you? Last time, remember, you bid me fare thee well and said that thankfully, as you were leaving the United Kingdom, you would never have to cross my path. Have I missed a collision in cyberspace? Recent postings show hints of Rose wine? Now you are directly writing to me ending with Best. How sweet, just like dodol. Am I next to expect a telephone call from you Hi, Rose, Selma here? SC6: Nor do I want to entertain frivolour points put together while munching on fried Mars bars RF6: Point taken,
[Goanet] Goykars around the world decide (by Rose Fernandes)
Dear Frederick, I agree with you on this one. Outward migrants still continue to leave Goa (brain drain) thus creating a vacuum filled in by inward migrants not only to provide manpower in the rising tourist trade but in other areas of work. These inward migrants need to be housed and with land and property prices rising rapidly a massive problem is presenting itself to the authorities. This is further escalated by the continuing rise in those seeking to secure holiday homes in Goa and their willingness to contribute to the bribing culture for this. Therefore I feel the responsibility for the changing make-up and embroidery of Goa rests collectively with all our community, those who have stayed in Goa and those who have left. Many of our community may have left Goa in the past for economic reasons. For many, especially those who have worked abroad for many years and are now retired on pensions, these economic reasons simply do not exist any more but they have still chosen to live away from Goa and not return to their homeland. Of course, there may be other reasons that keep them away like established living/existing in their adopted country, their home, social lifestyle, being close to their families, medical care, travel, etc. In some cases, their ancestral property has already been taken from their hands either by their extended family or by other means, or their homes are inhabitable after years of neglect. It is therefore now an easy option for them to travel down to Goa, stay in an hotel and enjoy themselves at any time. There are also instances where others who could consider taking back their skills to Goa and make a living for themselves and their families have chosen not to return. Contrary to what you have done, an excellent example to our community to show us by returning from abroad (Brazil) it is possible to establish yourself successfully back into our homeland and way of life. Some of our people who have houses or flats in Goa use them just for an annual two week holiday as a country home, the rest of the time these properties are shut up and looked after by family or friends in their village. Should a change in the law occur and our community who live abroad are not allowed to buy further land or property in Goa and further are charged a tax to hold what they already have, it will be crunch time or decision time for all NRI Goans. They can either chose to 1. Return to their homeland and contribute to the local economy 2. Not return to their homeland and still contribute to the local economy (by way of a nominal tax) 3. Contribute nothing by saying goodbye to their property and land in Goa. Talking of goodbyes, I am off now to secure my table of fine dining at MacDonalds. It's my idea of heaven, sipping slowly on my Moira banana milkshake, enjoying a blissful momentwith a fried Mars bar from the chippy next door. Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 28 January 2012 --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
[Goanet] Operation Plastic-Free Saligao on 26 January 2012 (by Rose Fernandes)
Dear Muriel Mario I was delighted to hear through goanet of the operation plastic-free Saligao taking place on 26 January. Hopefully, it was an outstanding success bringing oxygen to the soil of the village. It will be interesting to know how all this plastic/litter was disposed off or recycled. This is a wonderful initiative of people participation and I am sure that all of us whose origins are from Saligao would sincerely like to thank you and all the men and women of our beloved village who took part. You have led the way to show that this operation plastic-free/litter can be done. Maybe other areas in Goa, through civil authorities, will hear of and take similar action all the way from the top of the Western Ghats bringing life to the Salmona Springs as water tables become unpolluted. Once again thanks and best wishes. Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 27 January 2012 --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
[Goanet] Going to Goa need not be a ceremony (by Rose Fernandes)
Dear Roland Thanks for your post and acknowledging my spousal devotion which is to such an extent that I volunteered to stay at home to look after our pets. On the subject of wifely duties, I am not sure if you have seen this book The proper care and feeding of husbands by Dr Laura Schlessinger. No, it does not contain any Goan receipes yet, but is a highly recommended book to leave in strategic places around your home. When I first purchased this book and dived into the middle of it to read a few paragraphs, I thought it was a reprint from the 18th century. Imagine my surprise to discover it was written in 2004 and is the international best seller. Here is a taster from this book. Dr Schlessinger has included part of a letter from Chris (a man), to highlight important words of wisdom to us (women): Quote: If I had to summarize, I'd say, Please, ladies, recognize that we men do love you, and although you may not think we do much around the house, we do the ugly stuff like change the oil and mow the lawn and get up early when it snows to shovel a path to your car and start the car so it will be warm when you get in. We would walk through fire for you to get you a quart of cookie-dough ice cream in the middle of the night, because we love you. Unquote While contemplating what was the best time to meet you and your wife in Goa, our postman delivered the January 2012 issue of Goa Today. There is an excellent article on page 11 by Nicola De Souza in the Guest Column (based on this article alone I recommend she be promoted to the Permanent Column). In this article she describes the work of a voyeuristic waiter, a fictional character called Chintoo who came down from a small town in India to Goa and decided to stay. His hobby is photographing what he feels is worth photographing on the beach (I will leave this to all our imaginations). In the last part of the article, this is what Chintoo says My wish for 2012 is that more and more of my brothers from across the length and breadth of India come down to experience Goa at least once. We will scourge the beaches (fully-clothed of course) and go home each night (even if alone) to a bounty of bottoms and bosoms. Culture vultures, don't try to stop us. Have Camera. Will Click. No Laws. Will Click. You Wear Bikini. Will Click. Much love, Chinto. Sorry, I got a bit carried away here with all those camera clicks, where were we? Oh I remember now, trying to sort out a good time to meet in Goa. Well, December sounds fine to me, how about the festive season? We might need to bring a shovel and an empty tin for water (not for rupees) for Chintoo and his friends. Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 19 January 2012 --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
[Goanet] Konkani Amchi bhas (by Rose Fernandes)
Dear goanet readers Following my article a while back on goanet on Konkani amchi bhas, I am pleased to hear more and more of it being spoken over the last few weeks. Contact, the magazine of the Goan Chaplaincy in the United Kingdom, published my article and during the social, after Konkani mass on Sunday, I heard several youngsters talking in Konkani. This is all positive news, a move in the right direction. The other day on a visit to my mum I said it would be nicer if she greeted me saying kai bori dista instead of have you put on some more weight? Here is perfect example when translating Konkani into English, it loses all its meaning! This goanet posting is really to say a big thank you to two of our community who have contributed most to my continued learning of the language over the past few weeks. Firstly, Rene Barreto for his link into Petition to include Konkani in the list of languages on Facebook. Postings here are are in small bite size pieces of Konkani which are so useful for someone like me. Seeing long postings of Konkani on goanet leave me quite overwhelmed thinking will I ever learn to speak, read or write this language that I love. It is like purchasing a sewing machine and your first project is to sow a wedding dress for your best friend. Secondly, to Eddie Fernandes for a link on Goan Voice to hear The Three Divas sing. This video has had a number of hits from me alone, while working my way through boxes of tissues, wiping tears of joy. What beautiful singing, has anyone thought of writing all opera music in Konkani. At times like this I really feel so proud of everything that is Goan. Patricia Rozario, Joanne D'Mello and Susanna Hurrel, you are truly the Voices of Goa. Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 19 January 2012 --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
[Goanet] Elections, Awards and Puffs of Smoke (by Rose Fernandes)
Dear goanet reader, Here are my comments on Frederick's posting: FN1: Rose, are you sure it's all that simple? Corrupt politicians versus the guys who are supposedly going to lead us to a Paradise on earth? RF1: Watch U-Tube 30 minutes - Goa at Fifty. In it Remo says The Goan, I think, is angry, is frustrated at what is happening in Goa and I think that is what has slowly changed the Goan's nature. We were known as this fun loving and very friendly people. You see less and less smiles, laughter and friendliness and I used to think that the whole fault lay with the authorities, the politicians. Now I realise that the fault lies with the people, it is we the people of Goa who are doing most of the harm to Goa. Remo is not only an excellent musician. To me he has brilliantly put together words that a number of us have been saying for a long period of time it is we the people of Goa who are doing most of the harm to Goa. It is all that simple. Politicians (corrupt or otherwise) are only in power because the people of Goa have used their vote and elected them into power. In the forthcoming elections we are looking forward to our local community using their personal power and voting in the right candidates. FN2: The economic benefits of the diaspora is not an issue. We all accept that. Yet, the philanthropy of another day, and our attitudes towards the injustices of the past, are two entirely separate issues. We need not be in denial about the latter. RF2: Let's make the economic benefits of the diaspora an issue then? How much economic benefit was gained by our community in Goa from salaries received by those of us working in East Africa for the British? How much economic benefit was gained by our community in Goa from salaries of those working in India for the British? How much economic benefit was gained by our community in Goa from salaries of those working on cruise ships owned by the British? It will be interesting to know how much money flows into the state of Goa from abroad, whether it be from Europe, Canada, America, Australia and the Gulf region as nearly every household has someone somewhere in the world. Living in Goa, you may be or may not be aware of the British tradition of giving out medals, honours, stars and awards for just about everything. They give out awards for the best garden, the best house and, would you believe it, even an award for the best kept toilet on the highway. I would have given such an award to a toilet in Goa on the highway if only I could find one! There was huge excitement here when we read that an award winning air conditioned toilet had been installed in Margao. The next day we heard it had to be closed as an electricity bill was not paid, is this right? Has this electricity bill now been paid to allow the toilet to be reopened so can we use it? I beg to differ from you Frederick as I do not see two entirely separate issues here. What I actually see are two entirely separate celebrations: - Celebration 1 (yours) I'd rather celebrate the achievements of the handful of Goans who worshipped at the altar of social justice, and took the huge risk kof supported the underdog... and the Black African cause... - Celebration 2 (mine) - I'd rather celebrate the achievements of all our community in East Africa who did not just contribute to the British cause, but also contributed valuably towards the Goan, the Black African and to the international cause. (as detailed in my previous posting). None of us are in denial of injustices of the past. To me the greatest injustice of all time will always be the cruxification of Christ. Followed by the holocaust. Then there is one close to home, the injustice of the caste system which will be the subject of my goanet posting, yet to come, after I have finished reading the Sixth Night. FN3: For instance, Panjim was built in significant part, from tobacco money. Should we all continue to remain pro-tobacco? RF3: Until recently, smoking was very fashionable. Looking at old films, you will find that the most stylish actors and actresses are shown smoking on the big screen. It was a sign of sophistication. This was then followed by detailed death analysis, increased health care costs, the desire to lead healthier lifestyles and funding was provided to study the impact of smoking and passive smoking. There is still a continuance of pro-tobacco citizens in the United Kingdom. Whilst the government uses methods to encourage them to give up smoking voluntarily for health and economic reasons, I am not aware that it is something to be imposed on them However, premature death is not linked to smokers alone. Increased consumption of rich and fatty foods, lack of exercise, everyone driving around in cars, air pollution and high levels of stress experienced at work and home can also play a big part too. Once we were all pro-Goan sweet eaters especially during
[Goanet] Going to Goa need not be a ceremony (by Rose Fernandes)
Dear goanet reader, As soon as Melvyn said Going to Goa need not be a ceremony I knew exactly what he meant. We would soon be in the throws of a ceremony to top all ceremonies? Was I right! Our lounge is like a scene from Cadbury's Chocolate Town, Christmas treats on one side and Easter treats on the other. Eight boxes of Kinder Eggs, four to surprise children on arrival and four to be kept as spares in case he has forgotten their birthdays. He has divided his suitcase into a piechart with percentage allocations of 50 kgs for our families and close friends. 5 percent of 50 kgs has been kept aside for two drip and dry shirts and two drip and dry trousers. Let's pray the Monsoon rains don't come early as he will be meeting Frederick more drip than dry. Talking of meeting Frederick (who does not know about this yet), I have never seen Melvyn so excited. So excited that every time he speaks about it, the venue and food has changed. First Melvyn said he would like to have a breakfast meeting with Frederick at Antonio's beachside shack. Next it was lunch at Teamas. The other day he was talking about tea with tea time snacks at Xaviers. My gut feeling (and I am never wrong) is that eventually they will both end up at Mum's Kitchen for a relaxing dinner and to find out what is going on there. Unless, of course, this meeting lasts for 12 days in which case we will be having an unofficial very restricted goanet service. One of the joys of Melvyn going to Goa is that I have an excuse to shop. Yesterday I purchased a tiny travel kettle with two mugs, ideal as Melvyn's close friend will also be on holiday with him. I stuck a warning label on it check electricity supply before use. From my experience in Goa, regular as clockwork, electricity loses its spark at about 6pm, just the time you want to heat up something to eat or drink. However, I am not anticipating this will be a problem as Melvyn will be sitting in his balcao, sipping feni, watching the sunset over the Arabian sea, certainly not watching a kettle boil. With all the recent reports coming out how busy Goa was over Christmas and the New Year, all our friends have now returned to tell us their khobor. One said that he felt paradise was more inside his home than on the streets of Goa. Now, that is definitely saying something. Apparently there were lakhs of people everywhere. How did supermarkets cope? Did they order enough lakhs of sweets, wrapped in brightly coloured red paper, to give out in change? You will remember I wrote a story for JC to enjoy over green chai the other day how I was given one red sweet for one rupee of change. A film coming out soon The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel has a line in it Everything will be alright in the end so if it not alright, it is not the end. Well, my end is not here yet, Melvyn still has a few more days left in the cold, and I am keeping my fingers crossed that pilots in India are not on strike. Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 16 January 2012 --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
[Goanet] Awards for Goans in East Africa (by Rose Fernandes)
Dear goanet reader, Frederick wrote: I'd rather celebrate the achievements of the handful of Goans who worshipped at the altar of social justice, and took the huge risk kof supported the underdog... and the Black African cause... when the wind was blowing in the other direction. Rose's response: All of us worldwide are looking forward to join you in celebrating the achievements of our local community in Goa who do not worship at the altar of bribery and corruption and take the huge risk of voting in politicians supporting the Goan causea wind of change blowing in our direction right now, appears for the better. Our community who were in East Africa did not just contribute to the British cause, we contributed valuably towards the Goan, the Black African and to the international cause. The Goan cause: Those who visit the Mae de Deus Church in Saligao, I would like to invite you to take a moment and have a look at the list on the wall of the church which acknowledges all those who donated towards it. I know a number of these as they visited my home in Mombasa, Kenya and a number of them lived and still do live in the United Kingdom today. It would be interesting to find out how many of those who contributed towards the church were either from East Africa or had connections in East Africa? That is did the money they earned in East Africa contribute towards this church? One has to view this in the light of their income in proportion to what they contributed. Most had not only family commitments but also looked after their aged parents and other relatives in Goa. This is just one of the many examples of how our community living in East Africa supported its motherland on the Konkan coast. The African cause: Most of us who lived in East Africa employed the local people as domestics treated them very well, gave them food, sometimes even shelter, and a wage which they used to support their own families who lived in their villages. When we left East Africa a lot of them were devastated as, one by one, they lost their income. I know of some of our community in the United Kingdom still keep in touch with their domestics who became their life long friends. They still send money to them in East Africa and have paid for all their children to attend school as schooling was not free there. The international cause: After leaving East Africa, most of us went to live in either Europe, America, Canada, Australia or other parts of the world where we used our learning, our skills and our knowledge from our East African days to continue earning a living and once again looking after our families living in Goa. In addition, contributing towards other projects such as maintenance of churches, old aged homes, etc. I know of one family living in the United Kingdom who donated their home in Goa for an old aged home in their village. How generous when one sees how much they could have sold it for with land prices rocketing. Segregation of white, asian and black: Much has been said about segregation in East Africa. We all need to be reminded that segregation at that time was part of life not just in East Africa but in South Africa, the United States, India and to a large extent in Goa itself which was steeped in the caste system. The church and its altar has been a fountain of all our education. Circumstances made it necessary for us to form our own social group and this was not difficult because of our cultural bonds and traditions. Our community lived near each other, met at work as most of them were employees in the Colonial Civil Service and also met after work in the various clubs formed in East Africa. We had an excellent social, sporting and outdoor life. I was blessed with many cousins in Mombasa and we were always partying, going to picnics by the beach, the drive in cinema, birthday celebrations, attending weddings, christenings, tombola events at the club, etc. Most of the students in my class were of Goan origin and the bonds I made with them still exist today and most of us have kept in touch even though we now live in different parts of the world. So you could say the effects of segregation were beneficial in preserving our culture and way of life. We certainly did not notice it adversely affect our everyday life as long as we kept within the pecking order. There was also an opportunity for those who worked in the Colonial Civil Service to contribute towards their pension and a number of them, including their widows, are seeing the fruits of this scheme. Our community in East Africa was a huge success on most fronts, social, traditional, economic and sporting and should be given a gold star. Most of all this continued success still enables us to make a valuable financial contribution to our motherland. This is evident in the number of banks per square mile in the state. Mervyn Maciel wrote: I was not in that happy position to risk
[Goanet] The Brand Name that is Goa (by Rose Fernandes)
Dear JC Thank you for your posting which, as always, I enjoy. Given below are my comments. JC1: So, I have decided to pay my bribe to whoever will get my work done. I will pay whatever i takes for me to open a 'Vada-pao' shop in Benalim. If necessary, I might also supply some G-chai to encourage 'patraos' to come back to my shack over and over again. Ah What a liberating feeling ! RF1: Understood, it is easier to pay a bribe and have peace of mind to know your work may get done. Then put your feet up, sip a cup of G-chai and enjoy this story. On my visit to Goa, the first day, I had to stock up on essential supplies, you know the usual, bottled water, odomos, etc. A well known supermarket was a stones throw away which was handy as I had a large denomination rupee note. When I got to the checkout, I was given change and three sweets wrapped up in red shiny paper. You can imagine my delight, my welcome to Goa and already I was being given promotional sweets. Delight turned to deflation when I discovered these three sweets represented three rupees of my change! At the end of my holiday, my sweet collection had grown so much that I purchased a fancy bottle, put these sweets inside, tied a red ribbon around the bottle neck and presented to my work colleagues in London as a Gift from Goa. There was one though that I ate all by myself. When my change got to five rupees, I was given a chocolate bar (made in India). One day when I needed a chocolate rush I decided to treat myself. This chocolate bar said fruit and nut and it was only when I got to my last bite did I crunch on half a nut and one raison! Had such incidents happened in supermarkets in the United Kingdom, they would all be closed overnight and we would all starve. JC2: BTW: From now until election day 2012, I will join many Goans in Dreamland. After election day, I will return to the reality: Party might change BUT the same JOKERS will control the show ALL in the interest Goa's political stability (of course). RF2: We all have a dream. No one thought that the United States of America would have a president who was not white. The last line of my posting read: Let's hope in years to come we will even have a place to sit on our pristine clean beaches, free of litter, peacefully looking out at the Arabian sea at the close of each day watching a golden sunset An article by Rochelle Pinto in Hindustan Times on 8 Jan 2012 Goa's got no place to party! and recent photographic uploads by JoeGoaUK show just what a challenge this will be. It is up to our local community to decide how they will actually vote. Either to have their susegad way of life snatched away from them or not? Best wishes. Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 9 January 2012 --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
[Goanet] The Brand Name that is Goa (by Rose Fernandes)
Dear goanet readers I am not sure how many of you will be aware that in early February last year in the United Kingdom, a soup was brought out by Convent Garden called Goa Carnival soup. This soup was in a colourful neat tetra-pack, and on one side the story of the Carnival in Goa was printed which I was pleased to read. It was sold nationally in their thousands and I am certain was a good money spinner, did very well indeed with the Goa label taking centre stage amongst other products on supermarket shelves around the country. Goa has now become a successful brand name and everyone worldwide wants a slice of it. The reality is we have no more slices to give away unless we wish to turn our land into a playground for the rich and famous with the local inhabitants taking back stage or pampering to the needs of market forces. In the coming free and democratic elections, our community worldwide will have their eyes on and be looking to our brothers and sisters in Goa who have personal power to all come out in force and vote without the need or be influenced by a bribe. To all stand up and be counted. We need candidates to take office and work with our local community to safeguard our way of life and the last remains of paradise that we have and restore it back to us. Sometimes I wonder why we all left our beautiful homeland. Most of us who live abroad have our hearts and souls lying on the beaches of Colva, Calungute and Candolim to name a few. Let's hope in years to come we will even have a place to sit on our pristine clean beaches, free of litter, peacefully looking out at the Arabian sea at the close of each day watching a golden sunset. Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey United Kingdom 8 January 2012 --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
[Goanet] Goa Elections 2012 - UNESCO petition
Recent press reports indicate that the Election Commission of India is sending only female supervisors to the forthcoming elections. I have to agree with this school of thought in this decision process that has nothing to do with being politically correct for this very important event in Goa. Would it be they are better administrators especially at counting and delivering returns on time? Today we will see the sixth sunset in the year of our Lord 2012. On 1st January 2012, the first sunrise, I, as a fellow Goykar, made a request for all to take part and be counted in the preservation of what is left of Goa's Natural Beauty by signing the UNESCO petition for a tiger reserve. Contrary to popular belief, it appears that the majority of our people, their family and friends in Goa and worldwide are not participating due to not knowing how to do so. Those of you with computer skills, switch on and encourage and show your friends and family how to take part in this. One person, one vote. With your permission, share your e-mail address with those who do not have one - its free, do this today, it takes less than two minutes. Do this for Goa, the land of our people and prevent a concrete wasteland with little or no green fields as fauna and flora dwindles in the state. Your vote will make local planners consider good governance. 1. Go to Goan Voice UK Welcome Page. 2. In its search box type in UNESCO petition and press Go. 3. Enter the UNESCO petition site and follow instructions. 4. An acknowledgement e-mail will be sent to your personal e-mail box which you must open and confirm to register your vote. You can do the same in the link provided on goanet. I heard at the recent NRI Goan Global Convention in London, United Kingdom last July there was a proposal to the Goa Government to provide for voting rights for NRI Goans. Nearly every household in the state has a family member outside Goa. Our family groups and blood relations are made up of Red, Black, Green and Blue passports contributing to the local and international economy. By taking part in the above electronic signup facility of the UNESCO petition you may assist the Goa Government,through the NRI office, to look at the feasibility of NRI electronic voters or forever hold your peace. Please sign the UNESCO petition now. Good luck and best wishes for success to the petition team for this project. Many hands make light work. Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 6 January 2012 melvynfernan...@virginmedia.com --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
[Goanet] Wake up to the smell of India (by Rose Fernandes)
Bosco wrote: Absurd commentary and comes across as insensitive to Calangutekars !! Especially from those that do not reside in Calangute, for example. Seems to justify scoring a brownie point is more important than the affected people at Ground Zero!! By all means, bring a million tourists to Goa for a weekend; put them on a strip of beach but do provide appropriate facilities to accommodate the needs of the million. Must the tourists introduce more coliform into the groundwater?? Do the citizens of Calangute have any rights? Rose's Response: Dear Bosco, Pre-October 2010, I would have completely agreed with your comments. Just like you, I thought that our local community residing in Candolim and Calangute have a pretty rough time what with all the comings and goings of international tourists, indian tourists, ex-pats, etc. etc. getting in the way of their peaceful way of life. Taking all of this into account, during my three week holiday in October 2010, there came an ideal opportunity to bring up the so-called nuisances of the Sunburn Festival with our local community in Candolim. This was because the accommodation I stayed in happened to be in front of the area where the Sunburn Festival had taken place the year before (as you refer to as Ground Zero level). The ideal opportunity I mentioned came when all villagers met together in one house when Our Lady's statue was being taken from house to house in the village. After rosary came the usual socialising, eating of grams, cake, etc. so I asked a number why they did not form a pressure group to protest about the Sunburn Festival being held on their doorstep. There was complete silence. My suggestion was based on all these villagers having personal power, none of them physically or mentally handicapped in any way, all spoke fluent Konkani and English, well educated, etc. These villagers were also the most directly affected, they did not live in the rest of India, neither did they live abroad, they were local to the area. You will recall such personal power can produce results. It was exercised recently by the people of Goa when tomatoes were rightly restored to the tinto instead of being hurled in the air, smashing to the ground and turning our streets into rivers of blood coloured red. It is therefore not a matter, as you say, of whether those living in Candolim or Calangute having any rights? More likely instead of spending their time fighting for and exercising their democratic rights for the betterment of the community and local area they prefer to use this time increasing their rupee bank account cashing in on brisk trade during these three hectic days of the Sunburn festival and the rest of the season. There are more banks in Candolim per square mile than there are pubs in London, United Kingdom. Incidentally, it was at this time that I learnt The Season in Goa meant the tourist season, not the festive season which I originally thought it meant. Press reports indicate Goa will soon be motor racing, who knows what will be next, Russian Roulette or perhaps a Indian style Disneyland. If these start to happen without check, we can all kiss goodbye to our Goan soil and our Goan soul, we won't be dug out of existence, we will just slowly cease to be. At best, we might be able to negotiate to live in a Goan Reservation, like the Red Indians do in North America. The tiger petition lobbying to create a World Heritage site to protect an endangered species might just as well be a petition lobbying to protect ourselves from becoming an endangered community? With the forthcoming elections, Soter's out of the box idea of independent candidates gets my vote. Not because of what he puts forward but because he has thought out and presented an excellent alternative. An alternative may have down sides,untried and untested, but at the same time is loaded with potential for change. My personal feeling is that, at this time, more than ever, the elections in Goa need to bring about a gale force wind of change. Only time will tell whether imminent voting by total local participation, at no financial cost to them, can make this happen. Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 3 January 2012 --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
[Goanet] Goa net get together (by Rose Fernandes)
Thanks to Frederick for a wonderful snapshot of the event and also to the postings from other goanet readers who attended. Dan Driscoll's posting: Poor overworked staff couldn't get my food order straight; I would have been starving if not for fact that Tony Correia Afonso got through to them for his platter of good fish chips---so I ate up half his stuff. . This brought back to me one sunny day I had in Goa. To extend hospitality to three of my relatives, I invited them for lunch. This was to be at one of the most famous restaurants in Panjim. When we got there the restaurant was full with no place to sit, so we had to wait for a table for over half an hour. By the time we were seated, the food must have run low or even out. Anyway, we were given a menu to chose from and after we made our choice, the waiter came along to take our order. Every time we ordered something, he said will you be able to wait an hour?. In frustration I said to him so what's ready in the kitchen that we can have right now?. French fries came his reply. He obviously was not aware that I had travelled by plane, a journey of three Indian full length movies, gone through three security checks, one in London and two in Mumbai, carried 40 kgs of presents, gone by taxi to his famous restaurant and he was offering me French fries. Did I look French to him? No guesses what we did eat in the end, fish and french fries. Okay, masala fish and french fries. Have I missed something here, a direct swap? Has Fish and chips become the national dish of Goa the same way curry has in the United Kingdom? Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 5 January 2012 --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
[Goanet] Wake up to the reality of Goa (by Rose Fernandes)
--- Annual Goanetters Meet --- Annual Goanetters Meet - January 3, 2012 - 12:30 - 2pm Tourist Hostel, near the Old Secretariat, Panaji (Panjim) Planning to attend? Send an email to eve...@goanet.org with contact details --- Dear goanet readers The U-Tube uploads of the recent Sunburn Festival 2011 held in Goa brought back memories to me of scenes in the film Dum Maro Dum. If you can recall, this was a fictional film which nearly lost its heart beat, music beat and dance beat when war cries came out in full force from our community in Goa all the way to the High Court to drop this film to the bottom of the Mandovi river. Now that reality in Goa resembled this fictional film, have there been similar war cries? Or were these drowned perchance by the louder sounds of tingling rupees being dropped in a clay pot? Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 3 December 2012 --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
[Goanet] The Lost Potty Trained Generation
--- Annual Goanetters Meet --- Annual Goanetters Meet - January 3, 2012 - 12:30 - 2pm Tourist Hostel, near the Old Secretariat, Panaji (Panjim) Planning to attend? Send an email to eve...@goanet.org with contact details --- Dear fellow Goykars Sunburn is not a Goan music festival. I noted no element of our wonderful Konkani music such as that brought to life by the film Nirmon or our folk songs. It is a successful brand name held in Goa enriching the local economy just like other beach and mountain parties around the world. As you are aware, empty vessels make the most sound. However, sound can be divided into either noise or music. The clips from the Sunburn festival show visitors moving around just like in the 1960s to Goa Trance music, to my ears a non-musical electronic noise with no notes connected causing movements in the liquid around the brain and reflex actions, a bit like throwing a stone into the water, creating ripples. The amplification of sound will indicate the distance to which people are affected depending on age groups and deafness levels. This has no comparison to the sound of the grand piano or a proper dance band that is representative of our talented local community musicians. It has therefore pleased me to inform you, by kind favour of Dolcy D'Cruz writing in OHeraldo, of a Charity Event in aid of Childs Play India Foundation by the stunning stratosperic sopranos performed by Patricio Rozario, Susanne Hurrell and Joanne D'Mello celebrating the female voice tomorrow the 4th January at the Kala Academy, Panjim, Goa at 7pm. I am sure that those attending will appreciate the sound in the form of music. I take this opportunity to wish them a successful and enjoyable evening. The excitement of Sunburn created the human excrement on the beach in Candolim awaiting to be cleared by the tide of the Arabian Sea. There is also evidence in photographs of this filthy practice at Salmona Springs and the Panjim Ferry Boat Ramp amongst other places. This can only indicate an illiterate section of Goa human inhabitants and its visitors who can be called the Lost Potty Trained Generation. I do not mean clay pots where we store mole, parra that is harvested from the sea. Perhaps the litter lying around is used to wipe their bottoms, do these people ever wash their hands before meeting and greeting each other by shaking hands, handling food and drink and counting money. Bank and restaurant workers need to take note and ask to be protected by wearing gloves avoiding potential health hazards for them. This, however, is not unique to Goa. I have been to Goykar events in the London, United Kingdom, where parents waiting in line for a toilet provided by organisers prompt their children to pee on the floor. In Goa where jewellery and cazars are more important than health care and job creation, I would be interested if there are any statistics as to what our people are dying off and what age group. In the United Kingdom we have a saying that when the population is healthy the economy of the country follows likewise. The civil authorities in Candolim must have made arrangements with the clear up bill to the organisers or did they? Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 3 January 2012 melvynfernan...@virginmedia.com --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
[Goanet] First Sunrise in Goa of 2012
--- Annual Goanetters Meet --- Annual Goanetters Meet - January 3, 2012 - 12:30 - 2pm Tourist Hostel, near the Old Secretariat, Panaji (Panjim) Planning to attend? Send an email to eve...@goanet.org with contact details --- Dear Goykars and visitors in our Goa and around the world By kind favour of goanet, I send you Happy New Year Greetings. Today is the first sunrise of 2012. There is a saying that when elephants fight, not only does the grass suffer but tigers, hippos and lions get out of the way. There is ample evidence of this formula in Goa today. An example is the reported death of the Salmona spring and the pollution of water tables created by unchecked garbage. As the sun rises, the soil of Goa is choking, deprived of oxygen caused by visible litter. Is it so difficult for local people to pick it up and dispose off? Where there is muck, there is brass. In the United Kingdom, new arrivals can be spotted as they drop litter and chewing gum as they walk despite litter bins provided by local councils at street corners. Most of us who notice the cleanliness of our streets are unaware of other new arrivals doing the graveyard shift sweeping up tons of litter overnight for recycling, etc. In Goa we have the same facilities but there is little or no initiative shown by the residents to work with the village leaders or those who put their birthday photographs on local papers who I am sure would be happy to assist with pride to bring life back to the soil of Goa. The Salmona spring picture reminds me of the source of the Danube river, a small spring in Donaeuschingen, Germany from where the mighty waterways of the Danube flow. Pollution of such springs will lead to a much bigger problem as these springs are ultimately the source of precious water to all of us to sustain life and livelihoods. Anybody visiting Goa by air in daylight will notice a dusty green canopy of trees that give cool comfort and breeze to the inhabitants and visitors without which Goa would be unbearably hot like the Sahara desert. In addition, these trees are also instrumental in ensuring nature's cycle of rain for rice, cash crops and keeping our wells filled. Such natural beauty, which includes the Western Ghats, is home to a huge amount of flora and fauna as well as home to our very much loved Ruby Throated Yellow Bulbul, other birds, animals and reptiles. Our community who live in Goa and those of us who visit from time to time are continually complaining how outsiders are spoiling the beauty of our once secluded paradise on earth. Bearing this in mind, it has now important that we put aside our differences and seek UNESCO's protection through the Government of India, lobbied by the State Government of Goa, to turn this area into a tiger reserve. This may be the only way of ensuring that some natural beauty of Goa is preserved by us all taking part. Time, like water is precious. People do not generally like to work. If an employer did not give an employee a time to arrive at their work station, the person may not come in at all. Can I, as a fellow Goykar, invite your immediate attention to stand up and be counted by requesting action to join me and others in signing the petition giving teeth to the state Government of Goa to lobby the Government of India to seek from UNESCO World Heritage status for the Western Ghats in our Goa. Please inform your family and friends to do the same there is no charge only a five seconds effort on your computer. The sun will rise and set just like it has done for thousands of years. Can you please sign the petition now and not later than the sixth sunset of 2012 to allow for petition organisers their continued action. This is a sure opportunity for sorrowing lies our land to be brought to a complete halt. We can all then be proud we have done something to preserve our Goa and look forward to a secure and happy our lies our land. Links to sign the petition are on goanet and Goan Voice UK. Please sign it now. This petition is for everyone to sign so please tell everyone to do so fast, fast. (PLEASE NOTE - you must CLICK on the CONFIRMATION e-mail you will receive, otherwise your name will not register. Please follow carefully the instructions to sign . Please do check if your name appears on the list If your name does not appear on the list after following all instructions- CONTACT THE PETITION TEAM.) Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 31 December 2011 melvynfernan...@virginmedia.com --- Protect Goa's natural beauty
[Goanet] Festadis - Happy Birthday
Dear fellow readers In a few days time the Christian world will be celebrating the birth of Christ. I have been fortunate in celebrating birthdays with friends in their own language, the tune is the same but the wordings have a deeper meaning. I have celebrated Happy Birthday sung in Konkani, German, Portuguese, English, French and would like to share these with you but do not have the technical ability or video footage to upload these. Can I request, if possible, our people upload the version of Happy Birthday in the countries we live in globally and share these with us. Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 20 December 2011 --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
[Goanet] Festadis - Merry Christmas - Happy Holidays
Dear Goykars I would like to share with our worldwide community through goanet (that has no borders or visa controls) the following greeting sent to me. The festive season is a time when we should remember all our family and friends (even those who we fight with, don't normally talk to or spend time with during the year). As the make-up of our worldwide family is red, green, black, blue passports, etc. here it goes: Quote I wanted to send some sort of holiday greeting to my friends and colleagues, but it is difficult in today's world to know exactly what to say without offending someone. So I met with my lawyer yesterday, and on advice I wish to say the following: Please accept with no obligation, implied or otherwise, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress , non addictive, gender neutral celebration of the summer solstice holiday practiced with the most enjoyable traditions of religious persuasion or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all . I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2012, but not without due respect for the calendar of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make our country great (not to imply that Australia is necessarily greater than any other country) and without regard to the race, creed, colour, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishee . By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms : This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for her/him or others and is void where prohibited by law, and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher. The wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year or until the issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher . Best Regards (without prejudice) Name withheld (Privacy Act). Unquote Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom melvynfernan...@virginmedia.com --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
[Goanet] Taking to tinto Sixth Night and other Goan products
Dear Frederick Thank you for your message 6 in Goanet Digest Vol 6, Issue 1121. A few sunsets and sunrises have gone since then and I do apologise that it has not been possible to acknowledge your post before now. In England we have a rugby song that goes something like this why were you born if you are no use to anyone, why were you born at all. I believe all of us has a purpose in life. Our people remind me of the electric train that requires the electric motive force (EMF) for it to move forward or backward. For example in magnets, like poles repel, unlike poles attract - North+North will repel and North+South will attract. My review on Sixth Night was done on the hoof as I enjoyed the book so much and wanted to share it with others so that they may enjoy it too. This was many years ago and, unfortunately, I do not have this review in my possession now. From memory, the book mirrored our community exactly as it was then covering attitudes to caste, jealousy and social structures which we can now understand and relate to today. If readers would like a more detailed summary may I suggest they put into their search engine Reviews of Sixth Night by Silviano Barbosa and it will come up with a number of them such as: Zoe Ackah in The Epoch Times 21 July 2005 Ben Antao which appeared in the Goa Observer 12-18 March 2005 Lino Leito in The Agora Prof Isabel Santa Rita Vaz 12 June 2005 Agnelo Gomes Bosco D'Mello Ives Pereira Goan Voice Canada www.goanvoice.ca Issue 6, 12 March 2011 wikimapia - shows the home of Linda Cardoso the fictional character in the Canadian/Goan novel To all goanet readers who have not yet read Sixth Night, I strongly recommend doing so as it is a gem of a book that has an appeal to all ages. Thanks to the formation of Goa Book Club I am now proudly aware of so many unheard of authors and look forward to reading some of these books in the future. The challenge is not so much about lighting a flame for Goa products, more about ensuring that once lit it is not continually being blown out. Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom www.virginmedia.com --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---
