*** Goanet Reader: Being Goan, in a sea of Chinese and Malay... and beyond
* G * O * A * N * E * T C * L * A * S * S * I * F * I * E * D * S * Enjoy your holiday in Goa. Stay at THE GARCA BRANCA from November to May There is no better, value for money, guest house. Confirm your bookings early or miss-out Visit http://www.garcabranca.com for details/booking/confirmation. --- BEING GOAN, IN A SEA OF CHINESE AND MALAY... AND BEYOND Berkley, California-based Dr Filomena Giese (pronounced Gee-see) is an expat Goan whose name one keeps hearing of in cyberspace. During her recent visit to Goa, FREDERICK NORONHA took the opportunity of a hurried meeting at the Kala Academy canteen to whip out this IBM ThinkPad and record some views and perspectives of this interesting person, who lives "about half-an-hour from San Francisco". Excerpts. FN: To begin, Filomena, tell us something about yourself. My parents were married in Singapore. My mother, when she was expecting me, came back to Goa. It was the war time. That's how I was born in Goa. After six years, we went back to Singapore. I was brought up in Singapore, went for my college to Australia -- Melbourne University, where I did a PhD in multicultural education. Of course, I never used that really. I've been teaching English as a second language, and thought I would get on in a career. Unfortunately, I had a brain operation in 1991, and then had to slow down. Q: That's interesting. You've been almost all of your life across the globe, outside of Goa. Why then do you feel so strongly about Goa? We were brought up in a home where (the Goan identity) was very important for my parents. We spoke Konkani and Portuguese at home, though I went to an English school. I understand Konkani, and can say a few words. It makes people smile, because I have an ... (foreign accent). My mother was a great cook. My father was a stickler at home. We were brought up with a sense of being Goan, in a sea of Chinese and Malay. After college, I met and married an American, and have been living in California since 1967. But we went to Goan functions, had Goan friends. It was always like social engagements. Somewhere along the line, I kept saying we should be doing something to help Goa become a better place, and to help Goans here. They have needs, we are well off, and that's true of almost all whoever is in the diaspora. We don't have to struggle. Finally, I met George Pinto who was also looking for something. We set up about making Goa Sudharop (a not-for-profit organisation that supports projects in Goa, www.goasudharop.org). FN: If you were asked to make a shortlist of issues, which would you -- with your perspective from the outside -- see as the three most important facing this region today? Let me thing Okay, I've just been to North India (Rajasthan, Delhi, and Rishikesh) for possibly the first and last time in my life. That's a good perspective for me; I feel we're not alone with some of the issues (that we face in Goa). There's the environmental issues; everywhere there's the issue with garbage. Then, there's the problem of historical buildings. It's not only in Goa. Even India as a whole is over the top in historical buildings. But everywhere there's a need to preserve the past. Besides that, I think, another issue is of adapting to new conditions, facing up to competition from other ethnic groups that come to any place -- whether that's in Jaipur, or Panjim or Rishikesh. There is the pressing need to help people who have been here for many generations to get the job skills, entrepreneurial skills and life skills so that they can compete. FN: Looking back at Goa Sudharop, which you've played an active part in, what would you see as the organisation's main achievements so far? We've managed to raise consciousness among Goans in California and the US or in some other places, through the website. (We've put it on the agenda) that it is a good and healthy thing if we stay connected to our homeland, and that we can really do something. There has been a shift in the thinking of overseas Goans. We have connected with people who have been doing great work in Goa, doing work in the field of education, or saving the environment. This year hopefully we plan to have some projects for Goan seniors. FN: So do you see a bigger potential for the overseas Goan communities to get more deeply with their roots? We've just touched the surface. If there are good projects here that Goans can get interested in, they (their overseas counterparts) will support, they will donate, and they will help. Maybe we can connect people with skills and other talent. There is obvious potential, but I can't predict where it is going to go. FN: But Goans in the US or North America aren't quite like the expat community from Goans
*** Goanet News Bytes * May 14, 2006 * Centre agrees to international flights from Dabolim, claims Willy
* G * O * A * N * E * T C * L * A * S * S * I * F * I * E * D * S * Enjoy your holiday in Goa. Stay at THE GARCA BRANCA from November to May There is no better, value for money, guest house. Confirm your bookings early or miss-out Visit http://www.garcabranca.com for details/booking/confirmation. --- [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] / d8 Founded in e88~88e e88~-_/~~~8e 888-~88e e88~~8e _d88__ 1994 by 888 888 d888 i 88b 888 888 d888 88b 888 Herman "88_88" | e88~-888 888 888 __888 888 Carneiro / Y888 ' C888 888 888 888 Y888, 888 Cb "88_-~ "88_-888 888 888 "88___/ "88_/ Y http://www.goanet.org * Building social capital. --- GOANET NEWS HEADLINES * MAY 14, 2006 * DATELINE GOA [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] FRONT PAGES * Centre agrees to Goa government proposal for direct scheduled flights from Dabolim to Europe and the Gulf. (Herald) * Dabolim to be international airport. (Gomantak, Marathi) * Problems to Dabolim airport expansion sorted out: Willy (NT) * Churchill flies high after Dabolim expansion. (GT/Weekender) * Goa's biggest social problem of the future will be aging.(GT) * Statue of Mary of Fatima, taken in process in Portugal: photo. INSIDE PAGES * Land for Dabolim expansion is a one-way agreement: Dr Willy.(GT) * Willy contradicts report that Goa will barter land with navy.(GT) * Constable killed at Colva; 4-wheeler rammed into their 2-wheeler.(GT) * Aviation Minister promised funds for upgrading Dabolim airport: Churchill. * Sonsodo to have solid waste management facility: Joaquim. (H) * Velsao panchayat again in grip of instability. (H) * Grape Escapade 06 promotes Goa as lifestyle destination. (NT) * Natl Youth Cong against property purchases by foreigners in Goa. (NT) * Feast of Our Lady of Rosary, Fatorda, on May 14. (NT) * Conference on 'financial sector reforms' held by Dempo College.(NT) * Ravi Naik on yatra to highlight achievements of Goa, Centre (NT) * Rane inaugurates community health centre at Canacona. (NT) * Three held for outraging modesty of woman, 59, of Dabolim. (NT) * Noronha of Agnel Polytec visits USA on UN mission. (NT) * Two week Portuguese language course, Fundacao Oriente, May 15-24. (NT) * Pilar Music Academy holds concert. (NT) * Sonsoddo plant: tender formalities complete. (NT) * Goan artisans to take part in national 'craft bazaars'. (GT/W) * Shawn D'Souza, bar executive at Cidade de Goa, talks of his Sundays. (GT/W) * Workshop held for tiatr artistes. (GT/W) * Master craftsman awards: more time given to submit entries. (GT/W) * Government to stop recruiting doctors through GSCP: Rane (GT) * Feature on Chicky Chocky, run by Desmond Lobo at Panjim. (GT) * Steaks and sizzlers are our forte now. -- Desmond Lobo, Chicky CHocky. * Youngsters lend colour to Sunaparant foundation day event. (Sunaparant) * Old Goa Medical College falling sick. (Sunaparant) * Artist Hari Sirohi's photo exhibition from Tues. Kala Academy.(GovaDoot) * Govt Polytechnic fashional show, Prism 2006, May 18, 6.30 pm. * Mahajan's blessings will bring BJP back to power: Prakash Velip(GDoot) * Gova Doot raises issue of safety of Poriem bridge over Valvanti river. * Anil Hoble, Merces politician, turns 50 today. (Gova Doot) * Special award for Dr MB Prabhu, accupunturist. (Gova Doot) * Selaulim water pipeline's cracked future. (Gomantak Marathi) SPORTS * Salgaocar in big trouble. Shivalkar goal sinks Goan side. (NT) * Army Yatching Node's PJ Thomas tops windsurfing nationals. (NT) * Remy Fernandes of Goa stood second at Boardsailing Nationals, Goa. * SAG executive dir Teles inspects Fatorda swimming pool. Solves tiles problems. 30 staffers incl 2 officers found absent. (NT) * Goa starts with crushing wins, 3day Fedn Cup baseball at Margao.NT * Navelim Sporting defeats United Dando Colva 3-2 in Areal Cup.NT * Friends XI Vaddem downs Candolim SC 2-0 at Moira grounds. (NT) * Vailankanni Morjim thrash PVC Parra 5-0 in Lakhanpal Gold, Candolim * Ambelim SC wins 4-2 over Siolim Sodiem SC: Baga Joveniano. * Ave Maria held 1-1 by Raia FC in GFA Under 16 league, Raia. (NT) * Sai Anjuna beat Adarsh Yuvak Sangh 4-2 at Saligao grounds. (NT) * Goa Cricket Assn to give scholarships of upto Rs 12000 to teens.NT * Softball coaching camp at Mayem planned. (NT) * Tie-breaker palnned on May 14 at Pomburpa. (NT) * England on course for Lord's win. (Agencies) * Italy withdraws World Cup referee. (Reuters) * FIFA denies Angola's bid to use Portuguese stars. (Reuters) * India to persist with five-bowler theory. (Agencies) OFFBEAT Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stotra Pathan Samiti, West C
