goanet-digest Sunday, July 14 2002 Volume 01 : Number 4156
----------------------------------------------------------------------------- In this issue: [Goanet] Genocide in Gujarat, From Prof. Hari Sharma [Goanet] 14 JULY: GOACOM NEWS CLIPPINGS [Goanet] Linug-Goa schedule talk in Margao on 20th July 2002 [Goanet] NEWS: Report on dual nationality confuses British Indians [Goanet] URL correction [Goanet] Recent fire tragedy in Vasco See end of digest for information on subscribing/unsusbcribing. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 13 Jul 2002 17:31:25 -0700 (PDT) From: George Pinto <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [Goanet] Genocide in Gujarat, From Prof. Hari Sharma Dear friends: Appended below is the announcement of the Public Forum on the genocide that took place in Gujarat. This is for your information, and support. Hari Sharma President, SANSAD President, INSAF Bring to Justice! The Perpetrators of the Crimes against Humanity in Gujarat, India. A Public Forum Organized by SANSAD (South Asian Network for Secularism and Democracy) Lecture Theatre, The Justice Institute of BC 715 McBride Blvd, New Westminster (corner of 8th Avenue) Saturday 20th July 2002 1.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. During late February and early March a genocidal attack on the minority Muslim community took place in Gujarat. This has already faded from the media and the attention of the international community. Although the pace of World events tends to make us forget all but the most immediate horror we should not forget that nearly two thousand people were killed, many women were raped and then torched to ashes, and more than a hundred thousand made homeless by organized violence in Gujarat. Those who committed these crimes against humanity must be brought to justice. This forum is organized as a part of an international movement to plan action toward justice for the atrocities in Gujarat and for the prevention of similar occurrences elsewhere. Moderator: Harinder Mahil, former Chairman of the Human Rights Commission of BC Invited Speakers and Panelists: Nishrin and Najid Hussain (daughter and son-in-law of ex-MP Mr. Ehsan Jaffri, who was one of the many people brutally lynched in the Gujarat violence) Dr. Radhika Desai, University of Victoria, Victoria (A Political Scientist who has done extensive research on the growth of Hindutava in Gujarat and in India) Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmed, University of Stockhom, Sweden (A Political Scientist, and a committed activist for peace in South Asia, and Human Rights) Mr. Mordecai Briemberg , Canada Palestine Network. Dr. Lauri King-Irani, University of Victoria, Victoria (An Anthropologist, and an expert on International Humanitarian Law, on Crimes Against Humanity) Mr. Abu Ansari, an Entrepreneur, and a Concerned Muslim from India. Dr. Nandita Sharma, University of British Columbia Dr. Satyen Banerjee, A practicing Hindu priest, and president, Bengali Cult. Soc. of BC. Two short films recently made on the Gujarat massacres will be shown. For more information contact: Chin Banerjee (421-6742), Rex Casinader (222-1781), Farouk Jamal (218-9345), Abid Pittawala (325-5092) or Hari Sharma (420-2972) Genocide in Gujarat Beginning on February 28 for seventy-two hours organized armed gangs attacked Muslim neighborhoods in the cities and villages of Gujarat. Estimated 2000 Muslims were killed, many being burnt to death. Women were raped and killed. Muslim owned properties; trading and industrial establishments were looted and destroyed. Almost two hundred religious shrines were razed or vastly damaged. Over a hundred thousand persons were displaced and turned into refugees. The organized character and the state support for these atrocities against a minority community clearly identifies them as genocide. The spark for these events was the burning of a train carriage carrying Hindutava brigades returning from a temple-building ceremony in Ayodhya, resulting in 58 persons being burnt to death. Though there are accounts of various provocations to Muslims, all the way on the journey and upto Godhra Railway Station, this is a shocking crime whose perpetrators must be brought to justice. But the events that followed were not spontaneous "reprisals" or religious riots as they have been falsely characterized. These attacks against the Muslims were an organized, preplanned pogrom waiting for a spark to be unleashed. The Gujarat State Government approved and enabled this pogrom. The agencies of the Gujarat State made the electoral lists available to the attackers to identify Muslim homes and neighborhoods; the State Police watched unconcerned, and sometimes even aided and abetted, the attacks taking place. The subsequent transfers out of the few police officers who acted to prevent the attacks are further evidence of the State's collusion in the events. Indian civil society has been under great stress in the last few years with the growth of the Hindutva (Hinduness, the essence of being Hindu) movement or Hindu nationalism. This movement sees no place for Muslims and Christians in India, identifying the nation with Hinduism. This ideological attitude in Hindutva raises the danger of ethno-religious cleansing. The events of Gujarat could be occurring elsewhere in India. Gujarat could be the beginning of a greater horror. Against this dark background we have to find hope in the role played by Indian media, which, with the exception of the vernacular Gujarati media, has published investigative reports on the carnage. The support provided to refugees by many Indian NGOs and activists concerned with human rights, secularism and democracy is equally heartening. The National Human Rights Commission and the People's Union for Civil Liberties, among others, have led such activism. Concerned sections of the international community have condemned the atrocities. The report of the British High Commission in New Delhi triggered by some visiting British Muslims being victims of the massacre have alerted the international community to the collusion of the Gujarat Government in the events. SANSAD together with many sections of the South Asian diasporic community in British Columbia are grieved and alarmed by the happenings in Gujarat. In order to resist the trend of these events we must engage the attention of the international community. As a first step in this resistance we must bring to justice the perpetrators of the genocide in Gujarat. We call upon all South Asians, in fact, all Canadians concerned with human rights and civil liberties to rally with us in this call for justice. We demand that the culprits be swiftly brought to judicial trials within the legal framework of India. We will constantly monitor the process and if it is found wanting, we will call for an international tribunal, as in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia, to try those responsible for this genocide. SANSAD South Asian Network for Secularism and Democracy Suite 435, 205 - 329 North Road, Coquitlam, BC, Canada. V3K 6Z8 phone : (604) 420-2972; FAX: (604) 420-2970 Electronic mail : [EMAIL PROTECTED] [Incorporated in British Columbia under the Society Act as a Non-Profit Society, # S-31797] (SANSAD is an affiliate of INSAF (International South Asia Forum) ****************************************************** The Forum is co-sponsored by the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Simon Fraser University, and by Centre for Research in Women Studies and Gender Relations, University of British Columbia. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Autos - Get free new car price quotes http://autos.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 Jul 2002 09:25:34 +0530 From: "Joel D'Souza" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [Goanet] 14 JULY: GOACOM NEWS CLIPPINGS GOACOM NEWS CLIPPINGS 14 July 2002 FEAR STRICKEN VASCO LIMPING TO NORMALCY: Vasco seems to be slowly limping back to normalcy, a day after a major fire mishap was averted when fire broke out at the Indian Oil Corporation. The police, IOC, CISF and the State administration were reported to be gathering information about the entire incident. Police sources on condition of anonymity stated that along the two-km stretch from Berth 8 to the IOC storage tanks, there were four different pipelines. One carried seawater to IOC tanks, another carried black oil, the third carried High Speed Diesel and the last one carried petrol, kerosene or naphta. "What liquid passed through the pipes can be known only by the IOC officials and the oil tank carrier," stated a police official. (H) "PANIC FRIDAY" EXPOSED CHINKS: When panic stricken Vascoites began to run helter-skelter on Friday following blasts in the IOC pipeline, no one knew where they were heading to. This incident exposed the district authorities for its delay in not putting in place an off-site emergency plan to tackle such chemical and hazardous accidents. A senior bureaucrat said, "It's sheer providence that no major tragedy occurred in Vasco. The authorities were totally ill-prepared for the off-site measures." (H) IOC OFFICIALS TO TAKE SAFETY STEPS: Vasco MLA Rajendra Arlekar yesterday held talks with senior officials from the India Oil Corporation in connection with the two blasts at the IOC and asked them to conduct a detailed inquiry in the fire incident and pilferage of petrol. (H) PANEL TO LOOK AFTER GOA'S ELECTRICITY NEEDS: From August 1 this year, matters liker power tariff, sale and purchase of power and electricity-relates disputes, will be decided by the Goa State Electricity Regulatory Commission. (H) STATE SET FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS: With the value of each legislator's vote in Goa being fixed as 20, based on 1971 census, Goa will cast a total value of 800 votes in Monday's Presidential elections. (NT) GOOD NIGHT HIGH BEAM: Very soon, road users may heave a sigh of relief as the Goa Traffic Police will start its campaign to stamp five lakh stickers on the offending headlights. Though vehicle owners are required to paint one half of the headlight under the Central Motor Vehicles Act to cut the flashing beam, this section is hardly implemented. (WE-GT) GOVT TO ACCEPT DSSS FORMS: The state government, which had stopped accepting the forms for financial assistance under the Dayanand Social Security Scheme from March 18, will resume accepting the forms from September 15 onwards, said the Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Parrikar. (NT) QUIET FLOWS THE MADEI: Oblivious to the dark shadows of controversy looming over it's waters, the Mondovi, Mahadai or the Madei continues to flow in its usual majesty. Following its ancient route from Degao, remote hamlet in Northern Karnataka, where it originates, to Miramar, where it pours into the Arabian sea in saline form. (H) KARNATAKA MAY GO AHEAD: Decreasing rainfall in Khanapur taluka and the adjoining areas has resulted in plunging water levels in two major reservoirs in Belgaum district, and Karnataka may use the raison d'etre to pursue the long-pending projects to divert the Mhadei river. (WE-GT) SANQUELIM OPPOSES MHADEI: A resolution to oppose the diversion of Mhadei river water to Karnataka was passed in the Gram Sabha held at the Sanquelim panchayat. (WE-GT) KHALAP'S BUNGALOW BURGLED: Former Mandrem MLA Ramakant Khalap became the latest target for burglars, after an unknown person broke into his bungalow at Altinho in Mapusa on the night of July 13. The burglar, however, only managed to lay his hands on a pouch containing cash of Rs.5,500. (H) DRIVER DIES OF ELECTROCUTION: Angelo Fernandes, a driver attached to 2 Signal Training Centre, died of electric shock at Altinho, when an electric drill he was handling jolted him with electric current. (H) TOURIST DROWNED: Namichand Kandilal Jain (30), resident of Mumbai, died while having a swim at a star-hotel in Mobor, South Goa. (WE-GT) JANASHATABDI TO HALT AT TIVIM: The Janashatabdi Express, plying between Madgaon and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Kurla, has been given a two-minute stop at the Tivim Station in North Goa with effect fro, 15 July. COMPLAINT AGAINST SUBANNA: The Home Department has registered a complaint against former law secretary BS Subanna for allegedly causing loss to the State exchequer during his two terms as Custodian of the Evacuee Property. (WE-GT) NEVER SAY DIE: A young heart-broken couple from Curti Ponda who walked to the Majorda beach to die together, are now recovering at GMC Hospital. They were deeply in love and had plans to get married. However, the boy's parents are learnt to have objected to their son marrying the girl, who originally hails from Gujarat. (WE-GT) VIGIL ON ROAD ROMEOS: Former editor of Sanatan Prabhat, Dr Durgesh S Samant, stated that some of the future campaigns of the Sanstha is to tackle road Romeos indulging in eve-teasing and against unscrupulous evil vendors, who cheat in weights and measures. (WE-GT) DADU'S PLAN FOR SIOLIM-CHOPDEM: Social activist and dalit writer Dadu Mandrekar has suggested a nature tourism project including a marine park, water sports, tourist cottages and an aquarium, to ensure both the prosperity of Siolim-Chopdem as well as to promote nature tourism in this area. (WE-GT) HOTEL CRAFT INSTITUTE: The Alcon Victor Group has set up a hotel craft institute, which will be inaugurated on July 15. The institute will operate in the annexe of Victor Exotica Beach Resort. (H) SHIPPING COURSES: Agnel Maritime Academy, Verna, have been approved by the Director General of Shipping, Government of India, to conduct the STCW-95 Modular courses namely Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting, Personal Survival Techniques, Personal Safety and social Responsibilities, and Elementary First Aid. (WE-GT) SCHEME FOR GOAN WRITERS: Directorate of Art and Culture proposes to publish books written by Goan authors on the subject related to cultural aspects of the State having the manuscripts ready for publication during the year 2002-2003, under the scheme for promotion of literature on art and culture. The proposals should reach the Directorate by 2 August. (WE-GT) ST CHRISTOPHER'S FEAST: The novenas of St Christopher, Tivim, begin from 19th July and the annual feast of St Christopher will be celebrated on 28 July. (WE-GT) S P O R T S GOA'S AMRE BAGS INDIVIDUAL C'SHIP: Goa's Jaideep Amre won the individual championship in the boys Group III diving event, at the 19th Sub-Junior National Aquatic championship, which concluded in Bangalore yesterday. (H) D E A T H S 13 July: Varca: CARLOS MENINO CARDOZO, husband of late Rita Maria, father of Elvira/Diego, Anne/Seby and Ellora/Tony. 13 July: Canacona-Colomb: CAMILO SANTAN CARVALHO, husband of Maria Agusta, father of Adriano/Idinha, late Luizinha/late Cirilo, Jose/Mira, Ligorio/Fatima, Agnelo/Lily. 11 July: St Estevam: ANTONIO FRANCISCO SALDANHA, husband of Ana, father of Domnic, Jolife, Flora, Reggie and Ratin. 13 July: Vasco-Vaddem: JOSE ANTONIO CRUZ, husband of late Cristalina, father of Rosario/Cassiana, Ivo/Elvira, Anna/Roque, Teresa/Ignatius. G O A W E A T H E R Temp: 28.1 deg C (82.6 deg F) at 7.30 am at Assagao. Max temp: 31.0 deg C; Humidity: 79 per cent. (Panjim yesterday) Rainfall so far: 1245.6 mm Weather: Lack of rain causes anxiety in Goa. Courtesy: H=Herald, NT=The Navhind Times, GT= Gomantak Times Daily Goacom News Clippings also at: http://www.goacom.com/news Website: http://www.goacom.com Webzine: http://www.goacom.com/goanow ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 13 Jul 2002 23:54:11 -0600 (MDT) From: Arvind Clemente <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [Goanet] Linug-Goa schedule talk in Margao on 20th July 2002 >From the India Linux Users' Group (ILUG) in Margao, South Goa ************************************************************* Hi All, I am fixing a live demo of thin clients going to be given by Yunus Shaikh who has worked in this type of environment at our next ILUG-GOA meeting on Saturday the 20th July I will also be showing a demo of how to connect your Palm OS based PDA to a standard D-Link 56K modem and configure the same for dialup to ISP and get mail/browse the internet. Rgds Arvind C ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 Jul 2002 03:43:49 +0530 (IST) From: Frederick Noronha <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [Goanet] NEWS: Report on dual nationality confuses British Indians Report on dual nationality confuses British Indians By Sanjay Suri, Indo-Asian News Service London, July 13 (IANS) There was widespread confusion in the Indian community in Britain Saturday following an erroneous report here that India had decided to grant dual citizenship. The Daily Telegraph reported an Indian offer to grant dual nationality to the nearly 22 million people of Indian origin around the world. "We have at last got what we wanted," an excited garments importer told IANS Saturday morning. Several other callers and community leaders made inquiries about the decision. But no such decision has been taken, an official from India House clarified. "There is no change from the official position taken in January this year after submission of the (L.M.) Singhvi report," an official told IANS. Singhvi was head of the High Level Committee on the Indian Diaspora. Following the submission of the report, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had said he was in sympathy with the demand for dual nationality "in principle". But no decision was taken. The Daily Telegraph, however, reported Saturday morning: "More than 22 million people of Indian origin scattered across the world, including 1.2 million in Britain, are to be offered dual citizenship by India, it was announced in London yesterday." The report was based on press statements by the U.S.-based Bhishma K. Agnihotri, India's ambassador at large for non-resident Indians. Agnihotri, however, did no more than restate the January position. He said a final decision would be taken next year following a process of consultations with different departments. "Once the review is done, it will go before the cabinet," he said. But that process could take a long time, and it is far from certain yet that the government will grant dual nationality even in a few countries. The Daily Telegraph report said the decision had been taken already. It added by way of comment: "This represents a fundamental departure for India, where all governments since independence in 1947 have resisted the very concept of dual nationality. They feared that dual nationality would mean split loyalties and allow terrorists with tenuous links with India to slip into the country." The Telegraph added: "However, the Indian communities settled abroad, especially in Britain and America, are now doing so well that the Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, has decided to give in gracefully and create a 'Greater India'." The Telegraph said: "In agreeing to allow dual nationality, India, the world's biggest democracy, has decided to follow the examples of Britain and America. Mr Vajpayee has realised that Indians abroad, especially tycoons in Britain and America, are a valuable source of inward investment." An Indian official said the report was incorrect. Officials are preparing to make moves to correct the position through local media over the weekend. - --Indo-Asian News Service ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 Jul 2002 13:27:54 +0530 From: Ashley Delaney <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [Goanet] URL correction Hi fred. regarding your url at the end of the posting of brittos i.e ********************************************************************** *[EMAIL PROTECTED] St Britto's Jesuit Community * ********************************************************************** the correct email for the above is actually [EMAIL PROTECTED] and is used by the school computer lab not the jesuits. regards Ashley ================================================================= Ashley Delaney (I've learned.... That being kind is more important than being right.) Res: Abreovaddo, Saligao, Bardez Goa. India. 403511 Ph.(R) 0091-0832-409580 Mobile: 9823014976 MSN MESSENGER: delaneyashley , Yahoo ID: ashleywiz Instant mail!!!! [EMAIL PROTECTED] ================================================================= ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 Jul 2002 10:38:58 +0530 From: "Averthanus" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [Goanet] Recent fire tragedy in Vasco Dear President, Thank you for your message about the recent fire tragedy in Vasco, involving the illicit tapping of the oil pipeline. I suggest that you address an urgent letter to the Minister for Petroleum setting out your demands for immediate investigation into the unauthorized tapping of the oil pipeline. You should also write similar letters to the Chief Minister of Goa, the Prime Minister of India and the Chairmen of the Marmugao Port Trust and the Indian Oil Corporation. Thankfully, the incident was handled expertly by the authorities concerned and a greater tragedy avoided; but knowing the risks involved, it is important for citizens to raise a hue and cry about this violation of rules by anti-social elements with the connivance of staff of the institutions concerned. You have my fullest support in your endeavour. Best wishes. Averthanus D'Souza. - ----- Original Message ----- From: "President" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Saturday, July 13, 2002 8:37 PM > 13.7.2001 PRESS NOTE > The IOC pipeline pilferage of petrol which > resulted in a fire but was stopped from spreading due > to timely detection by residents and the intervention > of the police and Department of Electricity who > promptly shut down power supply to the port Town > Vasco-da-Gama needs to be investigated thoroughly by a > special commission under a retired judge of the High > Court. ------------------------------ End of goanet-digest V1 #4156 ***************************** =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--W-E-B--S-I-T-E--=-=-= To Subscribe/Unsubscribe from GoaNet Digest | http://goacom.com/goanet ====================================================================== * Send e=mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] (NOT [EMAIL PROTECTED]) * Leave SUBJECT blank <--- Commom Mistake !! * On first line of the BODY of your message, type: subscribe goanet-digest YOUR.EMAIL OR unsubscribe goanet-digest YOUR.EMAIL DO NOT include the entire digest when replying to goanet !!!!!! 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