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GOACOM DAILY NEWS CLIPPINGS 04 January, 2005 THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "Dev fokot ami kitlem dita tem pollenam punn ami kitlem dovortat teim polleta." (God sees not only how much we give but also how much we keep.) "domnic fernandes" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> GOA IS MORE THAN A TOURIST DESTINATION: There was a clarion call for Goa's emerging identity to breakaway from its stereotypic form and to face new challenges posed to it in the global world. While delegates at the Gomant Vishwa Sammelan have admitted that the sea, sun, food and fun are synonymous with Goa's identity, the State has much more to offer Goans and those visiting Goa as a tourist destination. NDTV's Managing Editor, Rajdeep Sardesai, felt that Goa's post card images are not what makes Goa's identity. He regretted that Goa being a small state was not on the country's news map except for being a politically unstable state. He said, "It (Goa) should see its identity in futuristic terms rather than on the identity of the past." Dr Armida Fernandes, ex-Dean of Sion Medical College, Mumbai, said that Goa could embark on promoting medical tourism as another avenue for tourists visiting the state. Edgar Rebeiro, Architect and ex-Chief Town Planner of Goa, impressed upon the need for conserving the best of what Goa is popular for, its forest, heritage and resources. (H) RENEW TIES WITH MOTHERLAND: "The NRGs and NRIs should take Vishwa Sammelan as an opportunity to renew links with their motherland and kith and kin, and play a greater ole in brining prosperity to their home land," said Governor SC Jamir after inaugurating the 2nd Gomant Vishwa Sammelan. (H) GOA'S CULTURAL HISTORY WINS ACCOLADES: The second Gomant Vishwa Sammelan took off on January 3 with a though provoking audio-visual presentation by Dr Nandakumar Kamat on he 'Cultural History of Goa'. Dr Kamat effectively put into the right perspective the symbiosis between the Hindu and Catholic communities. Also highlighted was the positive contribution of the Portuguese to Goa - the abolition of Sati in Goa, the 'gift' of the Common Civil Code, establishing the first printing press, etc. Art and Culture Minister Ramrao Dessai, while appreciating Dr Kamat's presentation, stated that the fusion of cultures was very important for the development of the State. He announced that Goa's cultural policy would be released soon. The second session involved a seminar on 'Emerging Identity of Goa' and had speakers Dr Armida Fernandes, Dr Edgar Rebeiro and Rajdeep Sardessai discussing health, planning and the futuristic image that Goa should project respectively. In the third session on "Expectations/Concerns of NRIs/NRGs, the NRIs poured forth their grievances which included redtapism, fleecing by taxis and restaurants, demand for direct flights from Qatar, visas for staying in Goa for longer periods, etc. Herculano Dourado moderated the session. (GT) NRIS, NRGS SHOULD HELP MAINTAIN GOA'S CULTURAL HISTORY: The Non-Resident Indians and Non-Resident Goans should come forward to shoulder responsibility in maintaining and preserving cultural history of Goa, suggested social scientist Dr Nandkumar Kamat in his presentation on "Cultural History of Goa." Dr Kamat under whose aegis cultural policy of Goa is being drafted, said the government and non-government organizations have been doing their bit of preserving rich and cultural ethos of the State. (H) GOVT PLANS TO REVAMP WATER SUPPLY, SEWAGE: The State government announced to the convention of Non-Resident Goans and Non-Resident Indians that it has plans to restructure its water supply and sanitation strategies and that the plans would be unveiled in another three months. (H) VOTING RIGHTS, DUAL CITIZENSHIPS AMONG ISSUES: Restoration of voting rights, security for investments and property, issuance of dual citizenship certificate and reservations for NRI children in professional institutions in Goa were some of the concerns raised by the Goa NRIs at the second Gomant Vishwa Sammelan held at the Kala Academy.Most of the NRIs who spoke during the post-lunch session expressed their will to contribute to the betterment of the State by using their expertise and ideas that can help to improve the industry and commerce of the State. However, they expressed their concern over security of investment and questioned as to what the government will do in return. (H) POLITICAL STORM IN GOA TURNS CALM: It was a lull on Goa's political horizon on Monday after three days of hectic behind-the-scene political activities. There was, however, no stop to the speculations as rumours about a political upheaval ran thick and fast. Persistent rumours that the Town & Country Planning Minister Atanasio alias Babush Monserrate had resigned from the Manohar Parrikar cabinet along with another legislator were once again proved false. Monserrate attended the Cabinet meeting held at the new assembly complex in Porvorim on January 3. (H) GOVT SEEKS TO BAN SALE OF GUTKA: The Goa cabinet on Monday (Jan 3) approved a legislation, which the government will introduce in the forthcoming session of the assembly - prohibiting the sale of gutka and other tobacco-laced products in the State. In his customary post-Cabinet briefing Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar told journalists that the draft Health Policy of the State had also been circulated to the Cabinet. The Cabinet also approved a draft bill - Goa Reconstruction of Registers and Records Bill - providing powers for re-creating damaged records of births and deaths. (H) UGDP MEET: The United Goans Democratic Party on Monday evening held its emergency Presidum meeting, amidst rumours that the regional outfit is likely to withdraw its support to the Parrikar-led government. Party Secretary General Anacleto Viegas said the meet remained inconclusive and was adjourned to Tuesday morning. The Presidium did not discuss the controversial CD on Goa's freedom struggle or the show cause notices issued to party vice-president Radharao Gracias. The meeting was attended by the party's lone MLA and Tourism Minister, Matanhy Saldanha. (H) TISWADI GOES WITHOUT WATER: Entire Tiswadi including the capital city and Dona Paula went without water for three days due to breakdown of a pipeline at Mardol. Large number of people had a tough time in procuring water in the last two days as PWD tankers could not provide sufficient water to the capital city. (H) 'INSTANT GOAN' RELEASED: A book titled 'How to be an Instant Goan', written by senior journalist and columnist Valentino Fernandes, was released on New Year Day by renowned fashion designer Wendell Rodricks. The 150-page book has been designed and printed by Diamond Publications (Plus Group) and priced at Rs.150. The inspired illustrations are by popular cartoonist Alexyz while the Foreword is by columnist and ex-diplomat George Menezes. (H) PRIMARY HEALTH CENTRE IN GOA: The Directorate of Health Services provides the basic health care services to the rural people of Goa through a Network of 5 Community Health centres, 19 Primary Health Centres, 172 Sub Centres, 29 Rural Medical Dispensaries, 2 specialised and 3 General Hospitals under the Directorate of Health Services. (GT) DY COLLCTOR'S JEEP STOLEN: Even as car thieves get more daring, Tiswadi Deputy Collector Arvind Bugde fell victim to the latest spate of car thefts when his official vehicle was stolen recently. (GT) MINOR GIRLS MOLESTED: Two minor girls were allegedly molested by some unknown culprits in a hotel at Miramar. (NT) ROAD TRAFFIC INSTITUTE: The Transport Minister, Mr Pandurang Madkaikar, stated the Institute for Road Traffic Education, which had been functioning for the last three years for improving traffic situation in the State, had failed miserably in its task, and would be replaced by a government-run institution working on the same lines, later this month. He was addressing the 16th Road Safety Week in Goa. (NT) BRIGHTER NEW YEAR FOR PALOLEM: For the Palolem residents faced with problems of low voltage for 8 years now, the New Year brought a pleasant surprise as Canacona MLA Vijay Pai Khot inaugurated a new 200 KV transformer recently. (GT) ORNAMENTS STOLEN: Gold ornaments worth Rs.50,000 were stolen from the house of Ms Lourdina Rodrigues from Jakniband, Navelim, on January 1. Mr Rodrigues, along with the other members of the house, had gone to church to attend the Christmas programme. (NT) PILAR FATHERS BRAVED TSUNAMI: The Pilar Fathers who have been working for over four decades in Andaman and Nicobar had harrowing tales to tell about the tsunami. Miraculously all the Fathers were safe. As the monster struck, Fr Pritam Toppos' church, presbytery and all the tiny houses around disappeared in seconds. News has reached he is safe but there is no direct communication yet. A nun from the place working in Port Blair lost her entire family in the bus. Fr Anuj Kumar, another Pilar priest, was on the worst-hit Car Nicobar island where nearly half the population of 30,000 has been wiped out. His tiny church was by the side of the government guest house. Both have disappeared. An emotionally distraught Bishop Alex Dias had no words to describe the situation as his room was rocked and everything thrown about. Forty years, two Pilar Fathers, Fr Tiburcio Ferrao and Fr Mariano Dias, stepped on the shores of these beautiful islands. Ever since it has been a love story of every Pilar Father and the exquisite islands. (Seby Mascarenhas in NT) GOANS AMONG TSUNAMI VICTIMS: Though the Goan coast remained safe from the tsunami fury, in Car Nicobar, the Indian defence force lost many of its valiant officers. And one among them was Squadron Leader Celson Rodrigues, a resident of Varca, who along with his family was residing in the defence quarters at Car Nicobar. "His wife, Ms Sunita Braganza e Rodrigues and their two-and-a-half-year-old daughter Rhea are still missing; my sister, Ms Lily Gracias Rodrigues (mother of Celson), who was called recently to stay with them, too fell prey to the killer tidal wave," says Mr Antonio Joaquim Gracias, ex-employee of Bank of India. (Smriti Kothare in NT) PETROL AT NAGESHI SPRING: A day after New Year, the residents of the temple city of Ponda were treated to a unique spectacle of petrol flowing from a spring at Vaghtale at Nageshi. A strong odour, which rent the air, only confirmed this piece of news among all sections of society in Ponda. Ponda PI Ramesh Gaonkar, however, attributed the whole incident to the spilling of Aviation Turbine fuel by a tanker overturned at the spot on 30 December on its way to Mumbai. (GT) RIBANDAR SERENADE: The Ribandar villagers celebrated their traditional annual New Year with a serenade, which started at Ribandar-Fonduvem and wended its way through Ribandar-Patto and after proceeding to Sao Pedro culminated back at Fonduvem. A float dedicated to the children and cartooning 'Happiness Always' was designed and directed by Shailesh Volvoikar of the local group "Strikers" and led the serenade. A float 'Lamb of God' by artist Mauricio Fernandes heralded the New Year. The serenade was accompanied by the band "Breathless". (H) TURTLES RELEASED: As many as 160 baby turtles have been released from two turtle nests at Galgibaga beach out of the four turtle nests protected by the Forest Department (Wild Life), Canacona, since October 2004. (H) THE NET INDIA: The newly liberalized norms for registration of '.in' Internet domain names that came into effect on January 1, 2005, represent another welcome step forward in India's quest for a national identity in cyberspace. For a variety of reasons the Internet has not realized its full potential in the country, although it has attracted a user base of nearly five million and has tremendous scope for e-governance, education and e-commerce. (Edit in Herald) NET CRAWLS: Several netters and those using e-mail have been complaining that the browsing speed has been at its lowest in several parts of Goa since the last few days. There hasn't been much cheer in downloading/uploading our Christmas and New Year mail this time. Of course, all this results into heavier telephone bills, they say. SUBODH'S INSTALLATIONS AT MUMBAI: Jindal South West Foundation has invited painter and cartoonist Dr Subodh Kerkar to present his installation titled 'Oceanic' in Mumbai as part of the Mumbai Festival celebrations. Subodh will create half a kilometer of his installations on the rocky sea frontage of Priyardarshani Park, Nepean Sea Road, Mumbai. The installations will be open to the public from January 14 to 23 between 5 pm and 10 pm. Subodh will also create an installation using 2000 sandals washed ashore by the sea. This installation is in memory of those who disappeared in Tsunami waves. (GT) S P O R T S D E A T H S 23 Dec: Siolim-Fernandes vaddo: MARIA FILOMENA MENDES; wife of late Jeronimo Diego Mendes, mother of Isabela/John D'Souza (London) and Helen/Michael Pereira (London); grandmother of Stephanie/Carl Hillier (California) and Sharon; great-grandmother of Isabela Rose (California); sister of late Anthony/Rosy; aunty of Victor Fernandes and Eddie Braganza. Funeral: 5th Jan at 4 pm for Siolim church. 02 Jan: Cuncolim: MILAGRIS R BARRETTO; husband of Emilinda, father of Jannet/Geofrey, Carlos/Idalina, Raymond. 01 Jan: Anjuna-Prais de St Antonio: ALEX GODFREY D'SOUZA; son of Anthony/Nathaline, brother of Brunomac, Charles and Domnic. 03 Jan: Mumbai: SHANTIDEVI ANAND; mother of Devraj, Surender, late Chander, Asha Juneja, Veena Marwah, Pappu and Sunil. G O A W E A T H E R Max temp: 33.8 degC; Min temp: 20.2 degC; Relative Humidity: 81% Weather: Whether is cheerful again in Goa this morning, after a lapse of about three days. Courtesy: GT=Gomantak Times; NT=The Navhind Times; H=Herald; WE=Weekender. JOEL D'SOUZA Assagao, Bardez, Goa. www.goacom.com