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Happy New Year Twenty-Ten
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'Old Man' makes way for New Year in Salcete
Written by NT NetworkFriday,
01 January 2010 01:26
MARGAO: With the year 2009 nearing the end, effigies of the 'Old Man' were seen
everywhere in Salcete's coastal belt, attracting the attention of the
passers-by.
The youngsters were seen wailing the imminent 'death' of the 'Old Man' (old
year).
Even girls participated in the wailing activity along with the boys, most of
whom
were school or college going lads.
And these youngsters were seen standing on the road begging for money, to
conduct
the funeral of the 'Old Man.' This is in fact, the usual custom undertaken by
the
youngsters every year, who collect a few bucks in a coin box that they stand
with,
and then later on, at midnight after burning the effigy, have a get together,
in
their respective villages. This custom, unknown to some foreign tourists, made
them
inquisitive enough to ask questions and then when they were informed of the
custom,
they laughed it off and left after putting a few bucks in the coin box, that
these
boys came with.
Some of these tourists were also seen clicking pictures of the effigies of the
'Old
Man' prepared in various villages of this taluka in the coastal areas, where
Europeans have landed in large numbers for the New Year celebrations.
Most of the beaches in Colva, Majorda, Utorda, Benaulim, Varca, Cavelossim etc
were
full of 'deshi' as well as the foreign tourists and the Lamanis were seen
making
brisk business, selling different types of wares to the tourists, mostly the
foreigners. It must be mentioned here that the Lamanis no more dress up in
their
traditional garb anymore. The Lamani ladies and the girls look like any other
citizen - wearing sarees and skirts.
And believe it or not some of them speak English too, and if one believes the
local
shack owners - these Lamanis now even speak the Russian language, as most of
the
tourists found in these areas are Russians.
Sources said that the long acquaintance of the Lamanis with the Russians over
the
years here, has helped them to learn passable Russian. Now they can communicate
well
and conduct their business activities of selling different types of wares on
the
beaches.
It must be mentioned here that some sarpanchas, particularly the Majorda
sarpanch,
Ms Visitation D'Silva, is on record saying that she had written to the police
department and the Tourism department to remove the menace of Lamanis from the
beaches.
But as things stand today, Lamanis are very much active on the beaches of
Salcete.
Sources also disclosed that the Lamanis are organised a lot today and that they
even
have thrown challenges to the law enforcing authorities like the police and the
panchayats saying that they too have the freedom like any other Indian citizen
to
move freely anywhere in the country and do their business.
http://www.navhindtimes.in/news/goa-news/6889-old-man-makes-way-for-new-year-in-salcete
Goa ushers in New Year 2010
Written by NT NetworkFriday,
01 January 2010 01:28
PANAJI: Pealing of bells, midnight masses, grand display of fireworks and
dances
ushered in the New Year, even as thousands of tourists, including top-notch
politicians, legal luminaries, cine artists, etc joined Goans in celebrating
the
arrival of the year 2010.
As the year 2009 drew to a close, the roads in the state were chocked with
heavy
vehicular traffic with thousands of tourists who arrived by their own vehicles
trying to rush to their destinations, especially the beaches in North Goa.
Traffic congestions were witnessed at many places in the state and police had a
tough time streamlining the traffic, especially the roads that led to
Calangute,
Baga and Anjuna.
The police made elaborate arrangements for peaceful celebrations to mark the
New
Year. The North Goa Superintendent of Police, Mr Bosco George informed that
elaborate security arrangements were made and senior police officials were
deployed
on security duty for incident-free New Year celebrations.
The South Goa Superintendent of Police, Mr Allen D'Sa informed that no parties
were
permitted in the district and that special arrangements were made by the police
to
provide security to the people and ensure incident-free celebrations.
The arrival of the New Year has brought cheers to the hotel managements as most
of
the hotels, especially along the coastline of the state had 100 per cent
occupancy,
which is in sharp contrast to last year where a sizeable number of hotels rooms
remained vacant.
With rail tickets being sold out and road and air tickets being sold at
premium, a
large number of tourists preferred to come by their own or hired vehicles to
celebrate the arrival of the New Year.
Among those who are celebrating the New Year in the state include Ms Priyanka
Gandhi, her husband Mr Robert Vadra, with their children. Besides them a few
Union
ministers, politicians from various other states and judges of High Courts have
come
down to Goa to mark the New Year celebrations.
http://www.navhindtimes.in/news/goa-news/6894-goa-ushers-in-new-year-2010
New Year welcomed through meditation
Written by NT NetworkFriday,
01 January 2010 01:26
PANAJI: A gathering of meditators of Samarpan Dhyan was oranised on the eve of
the
New Year at Miramar beach at sunrise. It also coincides with World Peace
Meditation
Day and 45-day deep meditation (Anustan), being conducted at Dandi Ashram by HH
Shri
Shivkrupanand Swamiji.
http://www.navhindtimes.in/news/goa-news/6888-new-year-welcomed-through-meditation
