[Goanet] US refuses visa to ex-IISc chief, member of PM panel
US refuses visa to ex-IISc chief, member of PM panel Goverdhan Mehta Most degrading experience, says top scientist, US Embassy staff suggested hes linked to chemical warfare PALLAVA BAGLA NEW DELHI, FEBRUARY 16: Questioning his internationally acclaimed credentials and suggesting that he was working in chemical warfare and bioterrorism, the United States has refused an entry visa to Professor Goverdhan Mehta, former director of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, and one of the worlds top scientists in organic chemistry. This despite the fact that Mehta, a member of Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs Scientific Advisory Committee, has been to the US 20 times, the most recent being May 2005 when he delivered a lecture at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, DC. More at: http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=88076
[Goanet] Democracy
Dear Fred, I have just read your article on the Soccoro Panchayat and Sorter's comments. My thoughts on "democracy" for whatever it is worth, are as follows: Democracy has been defined as "government of the people, for the people, and by the people"But in practise, is it really so ? Take the first steps in the so=called "democratic" process.the selection of candidates..Who does the selection ? are the voters involved in the selection ? NO Once the selection is done by the political parties under influences of various kinds, the voters are asked to vote for candidates , whom they have had no voice in selecting .Is this the way it should be done ? Do the voters have any say in refusing to elect a person selected by the "party" or whatever ? Why is the voter not given the right to reject any or all of the candidates ? A clause should be inserted to determine the voters right to accept or reject any or all of the candidates who have been included in the "list of candidates" At the final stage, the "candidate" is declared "elected" if he or she has the majority votes. Can it be said that the candidate has a "majority" vote if he or she gets 2 votes out of a population of eligible voters of 10 ? Can the so - called "elected" candidate be eligible to represent a community having only 20% of the votes when the rest of the population have abstained indicating a negative vote for him ? The criterion of "Majority" needs to be defined..It should be majority of the population entitled and eligible to vote. A person who does does not get a "majority" vote should not be declared elected . Angelo
[Goanet] Goanet Reader: The First Goan President (V M de Malar)
The First Goan President by V. M. de Malar vmingoa at gmail.com Toni Morrison was wrong. In a famous 1998 essay in the New Yorker magazine, the Nobel Prize-winning African-American writer declared about Bill Clinton; "white skin notwithstanding, this is our first black President." She wrote at the end of a long, hot, summer of intrigue and skullduggery in Washington D.C, when the beleaguered second-term President stood vulnerable, at a time when the Arkansas-born outsider to elite politics was most isolated and vulnerable. Her insight was precise; Clinton's nose was quite obviously being rubbed in the dirt as a kind of punishment, less for minor peccadilloes than for being uppity. He threatened a part of the establishment; it retaliated with no holds barred. But Morrison was wrong, because it's amply clear to all true Goans that Bill Clinton is one of us, a regular rice-and-fish-curry guy with a penchant for siestas, a sax-playing, visibly sincere, churchgoer with a helpless eye for the ladies, a man who looks like he'd fit quite suitably on a roaring Enfield Bullet as ferryside motorcycle pilot. That garrulousness is so familiar with the accompanying twinkle in the eye, that touching neediness, that community- minded solicitousness, that urge to sing loudest in the choir, and then also the inability to say no, the eagerness to please and charm, and the comfort with people of all ages. We've heard all about Hope, Arkansas, we know about Georgetown, Yale, Oxford, and the governor's mansion in Little Rock. We're not naive; we've registered Chappaqua and Harlem and tracked the Iowa polls for Hillary in 2008. Still, we Goans recognize one of our own and we've known it ever since he burst onstage with a saxophone, he is clearly the first Goan President. And so we're busting out the real home-made stuff from the backwoods for today's toasts; it's a triumphant weekend homecoming to Goa for amcho Bill Clinton. Look at him, it's a wonder we didn't figure it out earlier. Is he unashamedly gluttonous in our typical manner? Check. Does he look like he takes siestas every time he gets the chance, like he can't wait to hit the pillow again? Does he, in fact, have the manner of your retired uncle ,who hasn't worn a belt for twelve years, and whose remaining life goal is to never change out of his pyjamas? Check, check. Does he look like the most sincere guy during prayers, even if he's been carousing all night before, all closed-eyes ecstasy and ostentatious singing? Check. Ladies man, check. Affinity for urrak? We'll have to check. Amcho Bill is in the same rough mould as Goa's home-grown politicians, who display plenty of what we euphemistically call "character", even as they lack Clinton's unstinting work-ethic, ambition, marvellous erudition and world- class education, drive, empathy, spellbinding and stem-winding oratory skills, once-in-a-generation charisma, sheer policy genius, profound analytical powers and superb political instincts. Okay, we did say rough mould, our guys are no- hit wonders and he's Elvis, the King, but let's not get distracted from the point we're trying to make. Goans have always loved larger-than-life figures, wherever they're from. Long before Clinton, for example, we loved Kennedy with a kind of passion that would shock Americans if they ever understood it, more intense than other places because of our peculiar and uniquely lengthy history of profound cultural exchange with the West. President Clinton might be amused to learn that the brother of one of our very senior politicians is named Kennedy, that there are literally dozens of Kennedys running around in our small state. There's Reagans too, this is a bi-partisan phenomenon (plus Hitlers and Mussolinis and Stalins, we'll not mention those to the Yanks). And there are Clintons, a whole passel of little Clintons scurrying around our small state. It's red meat to the Republicans if you think about it, scores of kids bearing that name, just imagine what that "vast right wing conspiracy" would have done with the info in those days of Kenneth Starr's ridiculously overblown witch- hunt. Like then, its lots of smoke with no fire, the kiddies are evidence only that we loved the forty-second President of the USA. A hearty welcome to Goa, Bill Clinton, we hope you have a great weekend here. (ENDS) More articles at: http://www.goanet.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=index&catid=9 --- ABOUT THE AUTHOR: VM is an early Goanetter, who put his money where his mouth is and returned to settle-down in Goa in late 2004, while in his thirties. VM regularly writes for the Goa and Mumbai media. GOANET READER WELCOMES contributions from its readers, by way of essays, reviews, features and think-pieces. We share quality Goa-related writing among the growing readership of Goanet and it's all
[Goanet] Web Design_Hosting
Hi, Looking for an experienced and reliable web designer/company in Goa if possible. Can anyone recommend ? Thanks.
[Goanet] mummification
Hi Goanetters, "What does Egyptian mummifying have to do with St. Francis Xavier, who was NOT mummified? Haven't you seen his remains? Had he been mummified his case would not have been considered a miracle. Besides, didn't you earlier say he was preserved because he was stored with the rest of the ship's cargo?" - St Francis Xavier's body was not preserved in the ships cargo. The place where he was buried in China on the banks of the river constituted of lime, its the lime content of the soil that was the cause of the preservation. Afra.
[Goanet] Re: CHURCH BELL (IGORJECHI GHANTT)
Thanks Domnic bab for the article...reminds me one of the best songs of late Bab Peter..."Ghantt" Also note that on 19th Feb is Bab Peter's First Death Anniversary. Below is the email Babli, his daughter posted on gulf-goans forum. Quote Hi All, This is to inform you that my Dada's - BAB PETER's first death anniversary will be held on 19th Feb'06 at Our Lady of Victories Parish in Mahim, Mumbai at 5:00pm. Do say a small prayer for him. Thanks so much, Ophelia, Babli, Sameer Unquote Below are the lyrics of the song "Ghantt' By Bab Peter. Dis zalo mhunn gomoita, kannant avaz socallimcho, Devacho ugdass korunk xinkoita, avaz donparamcho, Rath zali mhunn gomoita, vell zatoch aimorecho, Christaumank ho vhodde gorjecho, toch avaz te ghanttecho Ch Ghantt akho sounsar gazoita, amchim festam porbo zatanam, Ghantt khuxealkai rigoita, amchim bhurgim komoineaum ghetanam, Ghantt amkam sogleank ansoita, munis zolmon taka Christaum kortanam Ghant amkam sogleank roddoita, ami moron fondan vetanam... Bhurgim vaddon zatoch vodlim, mai paiche girestkaiek zogoddta, Tanchi doulot apnak meuchea pasot, tamkam veginch moronk magta, Aikotoch avaz tea ghanttecho, tim apleach bitor guspota Aiz maka ani faleam tuca, hacho ghantt amkam ugdass kaddta Ghantt dhormachi nixeanim, sukh dukh gomta ti vaztanam Mornam, festam, porbo sobo nam, ghanttecho avaz nastanam Thodde gorban ticho sangat visorta, tim ietat ugdass kadinastanam Punn ghantt tancho sangat soddinam, vazta zolman tosoch tim mortanam. Deu borem korum, Edward Verdes Jeddah/Mumbai - Original Message - From: "domnic fernandes" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > CHURCH BELL (IGORJECHI GHANTT) > > In Konkani there is a riddle which goes thus: "Eka suknneanchea nakan lamb > dori. Kitem zait tem?" (A long rope in a bird's nose. What is it?) Well, > the answer is: "Igorjechi Ghantt" (A church bell)!
[Goanet] Konkani Tiart BOGSONNEM in Kuwait
KONKANI TIATR "BOGSONNEM" in Kuwait All ladies show BOGSONNEM ho tiart Gulf-antli bhounddi ghetanam Kuwait aslelea Goemkarank boro manorajan mellunk 'SamHen Productions' tumchea mukhar ghevn ieta Samuel Carvalho-chea digdorponnan Goem toxench Mumbai gazlolo tiart BOGSONNEM, Marschea 2rer, 2006 Brestarache sanjer justuch 6.30 vaztam, Hawally A/C hollant. Nitoll monan ani pottant hansun dukh iet meren tumchea patkachem BOGSONNEM piratchit kallak maf korunk toiar zaleant Mumbai toxem Goenchim Konknni machievelim nanv vostim ektresam: Felcy, Applon, Fatima, Roma, Betty Ferns, Betty Naz, Meena Leitao, Clara, Janet, Anju ani Filina Sapeco. BOGSONNEM Tiatrant Felcy, M. Boyer ani vinodi Janet, William de Curtorim hanchem svong kortanam Goemcho famad songitkar NORMAN CARDOZ aplea songita tallar chomotkar kortolo. Tiart-pollennarachim vinonti monan dorun poilech khepek Kuwaitchea Konknni machier Brestarache sanjer tiart dakhovpant ieta. Dekhun nimnnea vellar niraxi zaunchea adinch hea fonar sompork (contact) khorat: 9732917 ani 6364366, Raja Stores ani tumchi boska adinch-fuddench samballun dovorat. Kuwait City, Caesar's Restaurant samkara sanjechea 6.15 vaztan hollaxim vhorunk ani porot haddunk bus-ichi sovloti dovorleli asa.
[Goanet] hi cajee
need to see you desperately , my nos are 9820142030, 24462993 mail id [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[Goanet] Chol Voss
" I always thought that for one to "IMMIGRATE TO the US" , one really has to be told to "Chol Voss" to the US. Just asking jc" -- Hi Goanetters, 1. From Bombay you migrate. 2. Once in USA you have immigrated into. (impregnate, immerse, - rings a bell?) Simple solution a 10 year old will tell you, open the dictionary. Afra.
[Goanet] Turin Shroud Miracles
Hi Goanetters, It bugs me now to justify the miracles that took place, which people said they did, when they touched the cloth. The cloth was and is a hoax, what about the miracles? Are they still happening? Or people go to scrutinise it only. No kneeling down and prayers said in front of it, except for the ignorant who know no better? Afra.
[Goanet] Carbon dating
Hi Goanetters, "Turin shroud 'older than thought' Tests in 1988 concluded the cloth was a medieval "hoax". The Shroud of Turin is MUCH OLDER than suggested by radiocarbon dating carried out in the 1980s,according to a new study in a PEER-REVIEWED journal. good wishes jc" -- I would like to know what other method other than 'carbon dating' was used, to say that it is much older? The case is now closed, Vatican has accepted that IT IS A FAKE. Afra.
[Goanet] Re: Salaam ali kum
Mr Goveia You are just unbelieveable! I am sure you are either bored or enjoy irritating others! anyway this is the last I will say on the subject - its not worth wasting my time !! From: Mario Goveia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Dear Anonymous, > No, we cannot let it rest with your absurd comment. > Anyone with a rudimentary knowledge of English would > know that there is no contradiction between finding a > properly spoken and respectfully used greeting > acceptable and an inappropriately used one > unacceptable. > > > --- Gulf International Promotions wrote: > > > Dear Mr Goveia > > > > You appear to be contradicting yourself - anyway let > > the matter rest. Try > > and use your valuable time in finding a more > > worthwhile topic to discuss!!
[Goanet] Goan Saint
Dear Goanetters, MGoveia wrote: 'Is St. Francis Xavier's undecomposed body a fake?' St Francis Xavier was buried in a Bog containing Lime, and anything buried in lime or bog-marsh is preserved for a very long time, it eventually starts to decay. Afra.
[Goanet] Experience of writing a novel (part 3/3)
The following is a three part series, given my penchant for not writing long e- mail posts. The following appeared on the web page Writers' Weekly - a US based webpage that caters to American writers. Those interested in writing could review this weekly web page (revamped every Wednesday) for serious tips on and about writing. This is the final of three parts. EXPERIENCE of writing a novel in America (part 3 / 3) COMMUNITY FEEDBACK The majority of readers read what is written. They are encouraged, even amused by the information which reinforces the facts with which they are already familiar. The learned always find something they did not know and are appreciative for being further informed. A few readers, however, disregard the style and substance and proceed to discern what is not printed. What they read is either not important or is known to them. They proceed to comment on what is not written and should have been in black and white even if it is understood. Sometimes, the information they consider vital has no bearing on the story. Most readers are not sensitive to the word count of the manuscript which is of concern only to the author, publisher and the printer (understatement). It turns out that some readers who comment on the book have perused only parts of the book in their attempt to hurry to the end and unravel the mystery. In the process, they lose out on the style, substance and interesting details of the story. In their haste to beat a self-imposed deadline, these speed- readers do not kick-back, relax and get in sync with the main character or the author who aims to take the readers on a journey, albeit fictional. Reading a book is not unlike watching a movie. The end does matter but in the right place and at the appropriate time. As the Spanish proverb advises, reading and eating should both be done slowly. As seasoned writers are aware, the secret to good writing is to stay focused on the topic. Yet in this wide world, one never knows who reads the script and how it is interpreted and utilized. As mentioned earlier, the reviews of "On Thin Ice" by knowledgeable peers were the satisfaction of our efforts. The first review of the novel was from a perceptive anesthesiologist. She commented on the learning and sharing experiences of different cultures within a society, thus enriching the whole. She and other reviewers praise the novel and the concept of different ethnic groups working together. Another reviewer went on to comment on the growing trend of mixed marriages (among ethnic groups) not only as it affects the young couple but also the in-laws. Mixed marriages bring together people who have perhaps grown up in different regions with different languages (often with different scripts), religions, dietary preferences, religious and cultural rituals. If the two individuals do resolve and unite these differences, their in-laws may not. Such challenges are surmountable in the eternal human desire to make a success of any endeavor, Compared to other challenges in life, as the side-stories of our novel depict, these may be insignificant. We recently met an elderly couple of two different ethnic backgrounds who have been happily married for eons. They informed us that both sets of in-laws never got along with them. Whatever one's perspective may be, this is not an ideal situation. We hope our novel breaks the thin ice and helps mitigate such situations. CONCLUSIONS Many readers have written to inform us that the story could be their very own. It is! The Reddy family is a composite family that has adapted to the ever evolving challenges that life presents. Many of the supporting stars are representative of Uticans who provide ample inspiration and stories which made writing easier fiction based on many facts. This book may be a useful resource for those who feel misunderstood by their co-workers, neighbors and friends. It is up to us to educate the wider community on our values, culture and customs before we are defined by a fringe or fanatic individual or group within or outside our community or our country. In addition to enlightening others about Asian-Americans, On Thin Ice helps Asians understand themselves their values, culture and customs. This educative process is vital as in todays society many of them interact with us at work as employers or employees, as customers, clients, friends, and, in the case of Dr. Reddy, as patients. In recent years, more and more of them are related to us directly or indirectly through marriage. Thus them-us become Americans with deep values and long cultural traditions. The setting for the novel is the small but exciting multi-ethnic city of Utica, in upstate New York. Utica is located on I-90 between Syracuse and Albany. Competitive curling is played as a four-person, men or women or as a mixed doubles team. Team Utica ove
[Goanet] Goanet Reader: Da Cunha in Absurdistan (V M de Malar)
Da Cunha in Absurdistan by V. M. de Malar vmingoa at gmail.com Imagine that you've won a prestigious national prize from the government, but no one notifies you or returns your letters or pays any attention to your inquiries. Imagine having to pose a question in Parliament in order to get official notification, or filing suit in court just to finally get your hands on it. It's an absurd scenario, right? It's Goa's own Gerard da Cunha's reality; he protested the indignities and ridiculous delay by wearing a child's cartoonish mask while posing for photographs with the Minister for Urban Development when the prize was finally awarded last week, an unconscionable six years too late. The great G. K. Chesterton wrote, "in a world where everything is ridiculous, nothing can be ridiculed." And so we must start by noting that India's urban planning is scandalously incoherent across the board; our urban spaces are notoriously among the worst in the world. Even as India's economy surges unstoppably, as architects and developers become ever more grandiose, we find our cities in a terrible mess. India is not handling urbanization well, there is precious little we can point to with pride in terms of urban planning and design. So, this award is, on paper, an excellent idea. The plan was to provide a national spotlight to large scale projects, to reward innovative architects and provide incentive for more good work, to create a culture of peer-reviewed excellence in urban design. The trouble came, as it so often does, when this fine idea was dropped into the lap of the babus and the stultifying bureaucracy that lives off patronage and crude power equations. And so da Cunha's surreal experience, which started with his team's eager application in the "Implemented Urban Planning and Design Projects" category of the 1998 ?99 Prime Minister's National Award for Excellence in Urban Planning and Design for their project in Bellary for Jindal Vijaynagar Steel Limited. The whole process was already late; competition was opened only in 2001, the high-profile jury met at the end of 2002. There were inexplicable shenanigans from the then-Minister of Urban Development, Ananth Kumar, from the beginning; he wanted his crony to get the award and refused to properly endorse the unanimous declaration awarding da Cunha the prize. Then the nonsense began in earnest, the file for this prestigious national prize stopped dead. It took an official question in Parliament from Goa's then Rajya Sabha member, Eduardo Faleiro, to get some movement. One day before the question had to be answered, on 15th March, 2003, the bureaucracy was forced to release the results. But a scheduled ceremony in Delhi was cancelled, and sheer inertia took over again. Finally, the now-irate architect filed suit in a Panjim court. It required a response by 10th February of this year, but this final embarrassment was averted by a hasty ceremony last week, where the proceedings were enlivened by the architect's silent, whimsical, protest (check the photo at www.goanet.org). There's a well-developed theatre tradition of absurdism, into which our architect's subversive mask fits quite suitably, that's been carefully delineated by greats like Stoppard and Beckett, following the much older Commedia dell'Arte. The Theatre of the Absurd offers its audience an existentialist view of the outside world and forces them to consider the meaning of their existence when there appears to be no true order or meaning. It's a form of expose, you understand far more about life when you highlight the ridiculousness to which we're regularly subjected. "In India," says da Cunha, "where our towns and cities are deteriorating at such a rapid rate, an award of this sort makes good sense, creating role models which others can follow. It is the duty of the Ministry to be fair and give the award on time." He continues, "the award was presented after a delay of six years. I felt it was my duty to protest." In doing so, he artfully turned a commonplace photo opportunity into something far more interesting, he imbibed the shabby last-minute event with unexpected meaning. Chesterton, rather inscrutably, said "you cannot unmask a mask," but that's just what the man wearing the Tigger mask did last week. Congratulations on the award, Gerard da Cunha, and good show at the ceremony. (ENDS) --- ABOUT THE AUTHOR: VM is an early Goanetter, who put his money where his mouth is and returned to settle-down in Goa in late 2004, while in his thirties. VM regularly writes for the Goa and Mumbai media. GOANET READER WELCOMES contributions from its readers, by way of essays, reviews, features and think-pieces. We share quality Goa-related writing among the growing readership of Goanet and it's allied network of mailing lists. If you appreciate the ab
[Goanet] Contact details for MMC Garbage Management in Vasco
- Do GOACAN a favour, circulate this email to your family members, relatives, neighbours and friends. Help others be BETTER INFORMED, The time is come for the people of Goa to ORGANISE not AGONISE !! - - Ban on plastic fetches positive results for MSW treatment plant -- For bulky items and debris disposal or for help citizens can contact Michael D'Souza on 982377358 or Santosh Kumbharjuvekar on 9822689086 or Satoskar Anand on 9822106485 for grievances write to Chief Officer or email on [EMAIL PROTECTED] or [EMAIL PROTECTED] Gomantak Times 16/02/05 page 4 --- GOA CIVIC AND CONSUMER ACTION NETWORK --- promoting civic and consumer rights in Goa --- GOACAN Post Box 187 Margao, Goa 403 601 GOACAN Post Box 78 Mapusa, Goa 403 507 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] website: www.goacan.org --- -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.15.10/262 - Release Date: 2/16/2006
[Goanet] RE: Mopa land acquired for first phase of airport
< the first phase 51,27869 sq mts from five villages of Chandel, Casarvarnem, Mopa, Varkhand and Amberem land had been acquired and as private land and 3,26,980 sq mts is government land.In the second phase, additional land of 23,71,621 sq mts for the construction of the airport is proposed to be acquired...In the third phase an area of 8,84,812 sq mts for approach road to the new international airport had been proposed to be acquired.> - Leaving aside the sloppiness about private and government land in the opening lines, it is necessary to convert the seemingly astronomical areas into more meaningful units. The first phase acquisition then works out to 1267 acres approximately. Second phase area is about 586 acres and third phase entails 219 acres. Note that the 'total' area involved is only about 2000 acres. This is less than half the sprawling 4500 acre airport originally proposed when Mopa was identified nearly ten years ago. And the first phase area of 1300 acres already in the bag is about the same as the already operational Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL). BIAL and HIAL may however be around 4500 acres.
Re: [Goanet] RE: Shroud of Turin
Folks, Pathetic Mario! When his back is to the wall, he resorts to deleting his earlier claims and clowning! Earlier he had written: I am not aware of any human corpse that would not decompose in the tropical climate between Japan and Goa in the hot and humid cargo hold of a ship, in those days prior to refrigeration and embalming. So could he enlighten us as to when embalming was introduced? Cheers, Eddie
Re: [Goanet] Sounds, Not Silence
<< Dr Sandra De Sa Souza, 62, is not only one of the best-known ENT (ear, nose, throat) surgeons in India, she is also the first woman surgeon in the world to have performed a cochlear implant surgery, way back in 1987 >> For a photograph of Dr Sandra de Sa Souza, see http://www.boloji.com/wfs5/wfs555.htm Lawrence -- Need a *Gmail* e-mail ID? Do write to me. Will send you an invitation to open a *Gmail* e-mail account. :-)
Re: [Goanet] RE: Migrating from Immigration ani Chol Voss!
To migrate = to move from one place of abode (or from one country) to another. The term, when applied to birds or fishes, means to go from one habitat to another, especially come and go regularly with the seasons. To emigrate = to leave one's country to settle in another (Example: to emigrate from India to Canada). To immigrate = to come as settler (into a foreign country), to bring in (a person) as settler (Example: to immigrate into the U.S.A.). Regards. - Jorge - Original Message - From: Viviana <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Goa's premiere mailing list, estb. 1994! Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2006 10:31 PM Subject: Re: [Goanet] RE: Migrating from Immigration ani Chol Voss! > I was taught in school (okay, in the last century) that IMMIGRATION is > from one country to another, EMIGRATION is within one country. One > immigrates to another country but is a migrant within one's own country. > Don't know if this is how it is understood today. > > Viviana > > > > jose colaco wrote: > > > 1. Does one IMMIGRATE "TO" the US from Mumbai or MIGRATE "TO" the US; > > EMIGRATE from Mumbai ? > > > > 2. Does one IMMIGRATE "INTO" the US ...or just "TO" the US ? > > > > I always thought that for one to "IMMIGRATE TO the US" , one really > > has to be told to "Chol Voss" to the US. > > > > Just asking > > > > jc
Re: [Goanet] Response to Danish editor's letter
<< ...read with interest your letter on your web page about the "No Holocaust cartoons." I saw the interview that your cultural editor, Rose Flemming, gave to CNN where he offered to establish contact with the Iranian paper and then publish defamatory cartoons about Jewish and Christian faiths to balance the cartoons on Mohamed and Islam. I also saw the interview of your Prime Minister on CNN. : : In pursuit of the whole story, I checked your web site (where I saw your letter) hoping to see the cartoons; which are at the center of this international controversy. Unfortunately I did not find any. Hmm, I wonder why? >> Gilbert Lawrence Have you still not seen the cartoons, Gilbert? Lawrence -- Need a *Gmail* e-mail ID? Do write to me. Will send you an invitation to open a *Gmail* e-mail account. :-)
[Goanet] Fwd: How many museums and what major ongoing projects in Goa?
--- In [EMAIL PROTECTED], "Teotonio R. de Souza" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: I have been asked by some interested parties in Portugal how many major and notable other museums would be there in Goa today, and if this reflects any change in the situation after Goa's liberation in 1961. Could any GRNetter update the information on this? I was personally involved in the setting up of the Rachol Museum (as vice-president of the executive committee) and of a mini-museum at the XCHR at Porvorim. But I am not aware of several other recent private initiatives. Teotonio R. de Souza
Re: [Goanet] RE: Shroud of Turin
--- Eddie Fernandes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Mario, > > I am confused! You write that my scepticism is > understandable but yet you do not have any shadow of doubt > regarding your earlier stance. Cast off your blinkers!! > Mario replies: > Sorry, Eddie, I checked but did not find any blinkers. > BTW, what don't you understand about your skepticism being understandable? Everyone needs to be skeptical, but not cynical. On the other hand you cite speculative reports written 300 years later, which are hardly more credible than the eyewitness accounts from the time of the discovery that the body had not decomposed. > Wddie writed: > > I also suggest that you do a little reading of how the < Egyptians embalmed their corpses. > Mario replies: > What does Egyptian mummifying have to do with St. Francis Xavier, who was NOT mummified? Haven't you seen his remains? Had he been mummified his case would not have been considered a miracle. Besides, didn't you earlier say he was preserved because he was stored with the rest of the ship's cargo? > Eddie writes: > > I do not claim to be an expert in this field but there is a > scientific study, the Quarterly Review of 1871, that has been > published. I have managed to track down an original copy which > was on sale and it is in the post to me. > Mario replies: > As I have said before, a speculative analysis 300 years after the fact is hardly as credible as the original eye witness reports. But let us know if you find something interesting. > >
Re: [Goanet] RE: Migrating from Immigration ani Chol Voss!
Viviana, The words work as follows, using myself as an example: 1. I EMIGRATED to the United States FROM India (one EMIGRATES FROM one place TO another) 2. I am an IMMIGRANT in the United States (an IMMIGRANT comes TO a place from someplace else where they EMIGRATED from) > For definitions see Miriam-Wbsters Dictionary. > --- Viviana <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I was taught in school (okay, in the last century) > that IMMIGRATION is > from one country to another, EMIGRATION is within > one country. One > immigrates to another country but is a migrant > within one's own country. > Don't know if this is how it is understood today. > > Viviana > > > > jose colaco wrote: > > > 1. Does one IMMIGRATE "TO" the US from Mumbai or > MIGRATE "TO" the US; > > EMIGRATE from Mumbai ? > > > > 2. Does one IMMIGRATE "INTO" the US ...or just > "TO" the US ? > > > > I always thought that for one to "IMMIGRATE TO the > US" , one really > > has to be told to "Chol Voss" to the US. > > > > Just asking > > > > jc > > > > > _ > > Dont just search. Find. Check out the new MSN > Search! > > > http://search.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200636ave/direct/01/ > > > > > > > > > > > >
Re: [Goanet] Re: Salaam ali kum
Dear Anonymous, No, we cannot let it rest with your absurd comment. Anyone with a rudimentary knowledge of English would know that there is no contradiction between finding a properly spoken and respectfully used greeting acceptable and an inappropriately used one unacceptable. > --- Gulf International Promotions <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Dear Mr Goveia > > You appear to be contradicting yourself - anyway let > the matter rest. Try > and use your valuable time in finding a more > worthwhile topic to discuss!! > > - Original Message - > From: "Mario Goveia" > > > Whoever you are, > > While I agree that any properly spoken and > > well-intentioned greeting is "sweet", it is far > from > > sweet, in fact downright patronizing, demeaning > and > > insulting, when one tries to co-opt a greeting in > > another language and then distorts its form and > usage. > > > > >
[Goanet] G.O.A Rolling Trophy Matches Postponed
Goan Overseas Association regrets to inform the postponement of football matches scheduled for Friday (17 Feb 2006), upon instructions of the Kuwait India Football Federation (KIFF) Managing Committee. Julio Cardoso Kuwait
[Goanet] Chief Officer Elvis Gomes says Lets make Vasco garbage free
--- Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre Ph:2252660 Website: www.goadesc.org Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Press Clippings on the web: http://www.goadesc.org/mem/ --- - Chief Officer Elvis Gomes says Lets make Vasco garbage free -- MORMUGAO MUNICIPAL COUNCIL Vasco da Gama CHIEF OFFICER SPEAKS Shri Elvis Gomes Chief Officer Dear Citizens , I have just begun round 2 of my tenure at vasco. I remember the time how citizens backed me to the hilt in whatever steps we had take towards improving conditions in our Port Town. Now Citizens have to rise like never before. We have lost precious time. The very successful door-to-door garbage collection system, which was introduced by me, was discontinued after I left, by the administration, which went into hands that didnt seem to care for the welfare of our town and Goa. Today we are back to square one forced to start from scratch. Nevertheless we have the experience to bounce back. The 122 poor women workers who had toiled for the project and were not given their 4 months wages because of an uncaring attitude of the past administration are to get their wages within a few days and they shall be back on the streets to keep our town clean. Please cooperate with us to get the system running efficiently. It is in your own welfare. Dont buy anything, which comes with a plastic carry bag. Dont use plastic carry bags. Lets show Goa that we at Vasco are the trendsetters for Goa. Yours Sincerely Elvis Gomes http://www.mmcvasco.com/files/fromco.htm - from the website of the MORMUGAO MUNICIPAL COUNCIL www.mmcvasco.com -- --- GOA CIVIC AND CONSUMER ACTION NETWORK --- promoting civic and consumer rights in Goa --- GOACAN Post Box 187 Margao, Goa 403 601 GOACAN Post Box 78 Mapusa, Goa 403 507 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] website: www.goacan.org --- -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.15.10/262 - Release Date: 2/16/2006
[Goanet] PPL raids to check music piracy in Goa
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1417356.cms PPL raids to check music piracy in Goa PTI[ THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2006 02:00:53 PM] NRIs Rang De Basanti FREE DVD PANAJI: The Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL), a cooperative society of music giants, has begun its inspections in various five star hotels, pubs and beach shacks in Goa to check music piracy. "The raids began on the eve of Valentines Day and they are still continuing with around 100 officials on their toes inspecting almost all the establishments playing music," PPL's country head (events), Saumya Chowdhary, said. "The field officers will compile report after their inspections checking the music piracy and only after studying the report appropriate action would be taken," Chowdhary told the agency. PPL is a cooperative society of music companies like Saregama, Universal, Venus, Times Music, Sony, BGM besides others, he said. The company has deployed 50 special trained officers for the task, Chowdhary said. "Even Goa's Chief Minister had sought permission to play music during recently held International Film Festival of India (IFFI) whenever there were events," he stated. The PPL has decided to go strict against the violators and would even take legal action against the offenders, Chowdhary said. -- Peace be with you! Gabe Menezes. London, England
[Goanet] IT team from Bangalore conducts raids in Goa
http://news.webindia123.com/news/showdetails.asp?id=251812&cat=India IT team from Bangalore conducts raids in Goa Panaji | February 16, 2006 7:38:58 PM IST Income tax sleuths from Bangalore raided six premises of some commercial establishments at different places in Goa. Though the local IT office confirmed the raids, it was tight-lipped on the details, including the names of the establishments. The raids were conducted at Mapusa, Pilern and Porvorim in North Goa and also at some commercial premises in South Goa. UNI SRN-BM GK SHR KN1841 -- Peace be with you! Gabe Menezes. London, England
[Goanet] Elephants: Get out of the way... he hasn't forgotten
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;jsessionid=FXZIVEAMVSLKVQFIQMGSFFWAVCBQWIV0?xml=/news/2006/02/16/weleph16.xml&sSheet=/news/2006/02/16/ixnewstop.html Get out of the way... he hasn't forgotten By Roger Highfield, Science Editor (Filed: 16/02/2006) The reputation that elephants have for never forgetting has been given a chilling new twist by experts who believe that a generation of pachiderms may taking revenge on humans for the breakdown of elephant society. The New Scientist reports today that elephants appear to be attacking human settlements as vengeance for years of abuse by people. In Uganda, for example, elephant numbers have never been lower or food more plentiful, yet there are reports of the creatures blocking roads and trampling through villages, apparently without cause or motivation. Scientists suspect that poaching during the 1970s and 1980s marked many of the animals with the effects of stress, perhaps caused by being orphaned or witnessing the death of family members - and producing the equivalent of post-traumatic stress disorder. Many herds lost their matriarch and had to make do with inexperienced "teenage mothers". Combined with a lack of older bulls, this appears to have created a generation of "teenage delinquent" elephants. Joyce Poole, the research director at the Amboseli Elephant Research Project in Kenya, who has co-authored a paper on elephant behaviour, said: "They are certainly intelligent enough and have good enough memories to take revenge. "Wildlife managers may feel that it is easier to just shoot so-called 'problem' elephants than face people's wrath. "So an elephant is shot without [people] realising the possible consequences on the remaining family members and the very real possibility of stimulating a cycle of violence." Her study showed that a lack of older bulls to lead by example had created gangs of hyper-aggressive young males with a penchant for violence towards each other and other species. For instance, in Pilanesburg National Park in South Africa, young bulls have been attacking rhinos since 1992. And in Addo Elephant National Park, also in South Africa, 90 per cent of male elephants are killed by another male - which is 15 times the "normal" figure. Richard Lair, a researcher specialising in Asian elephants at the National Elephant Institute based in Thailand, said there were similar problems in India, where villagers lived in fear of male elephants, which the villagers claim attack the village for only one reason - to kill humans. "In wilderness areas where wild elephants have no contact with human beings they are, by and large, fairly tolerant," he said. "The more human beings they see, the less tolerant they become." -- Peace be with you! Gabe Menezes. London, England
[Goanet] Lourdes Eco Club holds awareness programme
http://oheraldo.in/node/9901 Lourdes Eco Club holds awareness programme HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, FEB 15 --Lourdes Eco Club of Our Lady of Lourdes High School, Utorda organised a community awareness programme in the School premises, recently. The programme started at 10.30 am with the welcome address by the Headmistress Immaculada Gonsalves. She stressed on the aims and objectives of the Eco club and requested everyone to show more concern towards the environment. Francis Gois, an assistant teacher of the School briefed the audience on "Solid Waste Management". He also explained about the gobal gas plant and compost manure with the help of transparencies. Nussarat Aga, teacher in charge of Lourdes Eco dub threw light on advantages, disadvantages of plastic and environmental R'S - reduce, recycle and reuse to indicate the best ways to conserve natural resources. The project co-ordinator of Goa Energy Development Agency, Machindra Kaotankar explained and demonstrated the practical uses of solar energy with the help of solar cooker, solar lantern and solar panels. -- Peace be with you! Gabe Menezes. London, England
[Goanet] Photos on Flickr
In keeping with my subversive philosophy of sharing, I'm putting out (and making sharable, for non-commercial purposes) a number of Goa-related photos. Please see http://www.flickr.com/photos/fn-goa And may I thank Bosco D'Mello (Goanet admin) for sponsoring the Flicker.com account which allows me to upload many more photos than the free account would... FN Frederick Noronha 784 Near Convent, Sonarbhat SALIGAO GOA India Freelance Journalist TEL: +91-832-2409490 MOBILE: 9822122436 Skype/Yahoomessenger: fredericknoronha www.bytesforall.net
Re: [Goanet] Response to Danish editor's letter
Hello Cornel - I assure you that Gilbert's posts are received by Goanet in Plain Text. I can't explain why they show up differently on your screen. Viviana cornel wrote: Hi Gilbert The font you use is not Plain Text and consequently, my replies specifically to your posts cannot be acessed in Plain Text and this may be the reason they have not appeared on Goanet. I am also surprised that Goanet accepts your font when it has repeatedly requested us to use Plain Text. I hope somebody on Goanet notes what I have said and that you receive this post. If this note does not appear, I will contact you re the above point privately. Regards Cornel
Re: [Goanet] Response to Danish editor's letter
Hi Gilbert The font you use is not Plain Text and consequently, my replies specifically to your posts cannot be acessed in Plain Text and this may be the reason they have not appeared on Goanet. I am also surprised that Goanet accepts your font when it has repeatedly requested us to use Plain Text. I hope somebody on Goanet notes what I have said and that you receive this post. If this note does not appear, I will contact you re the above point privately. Regards Cornel - Original Message - From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2006 2:22 AM Subject: [Goanet] Response to Danish editor's letter Hi Carsten Juste, (Editor of the newspaper that published the controversial cartoons.) I read with interest your letter on your web page about the "No Holocaust cartoons." I saw the interview that your cultural editor, Rose Flemming, gave to CNN where he offered to establish contact with the Iranian paper and then publish defamatory cartoons about Jewish and Christian faiths to balance the cartoons on Mohamed and Islam. I also saw the interview of your Prime Minister on CNN. Here are my thoughts. My wife and I would love to write a story on this whole saga from a Danish perspective, from a Muslim perspective and an American perspective. The title of the book would be "OOPS". I still cannot understand how a nice small peaceful Scandinavian country like Denmark, which never had any third world colony, could be the center of an international North-South controversy. I cannot believe that you appointed Flemming Rose as a cultural editor of your newspaper. What were you thinking? In hindsight, this was the first OOPS of the whole saga. Then you allowed your newspaper to publish your "tasteless media stunt", which of course was repeated by a few other newspapers in a few other countries. This shows that a few newspaper editors also love stunts, to perhaps increase their circulation. Congratulation on your decisions not to publish any more "tasteless media stunts" from your past published library or from Iranian papers. In pursuit of the whole story, I checked your web site (where I saw your letter) hoping to see the cartoons; which are at the center of this international controversy. Unfortunately I did not find any. Hmm, I wonder why? Mr. Rose during his current leave, should be made to read the book "How to win friends and influence people". I cannot understand how a discussion of sketches on Mohamed for a children's book becomes a caricature contest for a newspaper. Then perhaps your lack of knowledge or plain insensitivity (from past experiences) leads now to an international controversy. I think the Danish government as reflected by your Prime Minister's actions and interviews, badly handled the subsequent fallout. President Bush had some wise things to say about this controversy. Yet, our American Secretary of State managed to make "Rice Pudding" of this whole episode. I think the Muslims were "off the cliff" in their protests. To go to the point of having loss of their OWN life and property in protesting what someone 3000 miles away did or did not do is just insane. This whole episode, on both sides, is NOT a "Clash of Civilizations" but rather a "Clash of Chaos" which stems for ignorance and indifference, which has led to enmity. A lot of good can come out of this unfortunate episode. As a smart editor, I am sure you have noticed that many international incidents including wars, specially the current Iraq war, started off as a series of false beliefs or "OOPS" or as your web letter put it "Error of Judgement(s)". I wish you all the best. We would love to do the story on the story. Regards, Gilbert A. Lawrence,
Re: [Goanet] RE: Migrating from Immigration ani Chol Voss!
Viviana Your school was wrong I'm afraid. One emigrates from one country to another e.g from India to the USA. One immigrates into a country generally for settlement. The words are a bit like two sides of the same coin but not strictly so. However, the error in using these terms is common even on the BBC. The English language is not terribly easy, especially to those learning it in adulthood. Another point is that while one might have been embarrassed in making mistakes in English usage in the past, few today pay much attention to this issue on emails etc. Errors can also readily be attributed to typos and even contrasts in American and UK versions of English usage!! Recently, I spelt hijack as highjack on Goanet and noticed it the moment I pressed the send button. I didn't lose any sleep over it and hopefully, you won't either! Cornel - Original Message - From: "Viviana" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Goa's premiere mailing list, estb. 1994!" Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2006 9:31 PM Subject: Re: [Goanet] RE: Migrating from Immigration ani Chol Voss! I was taught in school (okay, in the last century) that IMMIGRATION is from one country to another, EMIGRATION is within one country. One immigrates to another country but is a migrant within one's own country. Don't know if this is how it is understood today. Viviana jose colaco wrote: 1. Does one IMMIGRATE "TO" the US from Mumbai or MIGRATE "TO" the US; EMIGRATE from Mumbai ? 2. Does one IMMIGRATE "INTO" the US ...or just "TO" the US ? I always thought that for one to "IMMIGRATE TO the US" , one really has to be told to "Chol Voss" to the US. Just asking jc _ Don’t just search. Find. Check out the new MSN Search! http://search.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200636ave/direct/01/
[Goanet] RE: Migrating from Immigration ani Chol Voss! - final
Viviana: < I was taught in school (okay, in the last century) that IMMIGRATION is from one country to another, EMIGRATION is within one country. One immigrates to another country but is a migrant within one's own country. Don't know if this is how it is understood today> IMHO Viviana is basically correct. However, the word MIGRATE (from Latin MIGRARE) = moving from one place to another. In general usuage, short term (not casual tourist) moving from one place to another = MIGRATION. e.g. Migration of Birds, Winter Migration (to warmer climates) of residents of colder climates. Unlikely that MIGRATION has any State/ Country boundary limitations. IMMIGRATION (as Viviana correctly points out) is ENTRANCE INTO a country for purposes of a permanent residence. EMIGRATION (as we surely know ) is LEAVING a country for purposes of a permanent residence elsewhere. Hence IMHO, it is inappropriate to state that: " X " immigrated" TO the U.S. (appendix 1) It should actually read : " X " emigrated" TO the U.S. Unless of course, one was forceable settled in a place by the State (as the British are known to have done) (appendix 2) nada mais jc -- appendix 1 [EMAIL PROTECTED] posted : Meena and Gilbert Lawrence make a wife-husband writing team. ... "immigrated" TO the U.S. in 1977 and live in Utica, New York. > appendix 2 jc wrote earliear "I always thought that for one to "IMMIGRATE TO the US" , one really has to be told to "Chol Voss" to the US." _ Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today - it's FREE! http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/
[Goanet] Men in Black - by. LECTOR MASCARENHAS
The latest IndianFootball.Com Guest Column Lector Mascarenhas. Lector Mascarenhas is a former Goan state level footballer and he in his write-up titled "Man in Black" looks at the scenario surrounding the referees and their plight. Read the complete article here >> IndianFootball.Com guest columns: LECTOR MASCARENHAS Men in Black Indian football is making news for all the wrong reasons, once again. Now it's the turn of the referees to come into focus. Not that they were not in news whenever and wherever football is played. Infact, they are picked up for criticism after every match by the coaches of the losing team. One cannot blame the coaches for shifting the blame of the loss on the poor referee but frankly one should not also blame only the referee for the results. To err is human and without the human factor the charm of the game is lost. We must make use of the technology at our disposal but overdoing it can do more harm than good to the game of football. So how about the fourth empire like in the game of cricket? I am sure FIFA must be deliberating about this move but only time will tell whether it will come some day before it is too late. And I don't think that the west requires it much considering the high quality of refereeing and high tolerance and sporting spirit of the football lovers whenever referees err. But this is not the case in India. Poor refereeing is not a stray incident. For a very long time now, we are trying to raise our standard and our aim they say is to qualify for the World Cup. Mind you its not winning the World Cup but just qualifying for it. Should we not actually aim for the Asian Games, instead? We are yet to have a concrete youth development program for our youngsters but are still aiming high. The Goa FA is India's front-runner in youth development program but have no yearly budget for the same. Without the professional Clubs support nothing much can be achieved. As we are talking about improving our football, isn't it sensible to talk about improving refereeing too? I have never come across anybody talking about the difficulties the referees face in today's football. >From where shall we get high quality referees? Like footballers they too must graduate from the lower rungs of their ladder. Goa being the model state for the game of football, quality referees should have come from this state but nothing of this sort has happened. We have produced quality players, quality coaches but no referees. We can take pride about Goan referees doing well elsewhere like Alex Vaz and Melwyn D'Souza but nothing to show here at home. What could be the reason? The reasons could be many but I can pick up two main reasons for youngsters not taking up refereeing. One - referees are paid very poorly and two - they have no security at the grass root level. I am told that in the Goa league the payments for referees are as follows. A Referee is paid Rupees 150/- for the third and second Divisions and Rs 300/- for the first and professional Leagues. Now we all know that like the players the referees too have to spend half a day both traveling and also officiating the match. With this kind of renumerations who would take up the profession of refereeing? Even a plumber who came to my house recently charged me Rs 400/- for a one-hour job. Look at the payment of players in the Goa Professional League and the poor referees on the other side. In a football match the referee runs as much as the players if not more and has a big role to play in decision making yet neglected when it come to payments. Remember the letter M besides Money stands for Motivation, too. Referees require security. You hear referees being assaulted time and again both in the village tournaments and the lower Goa division leagues. It's true that due complaints are filed in the police stations but nobody comes to know about the outcome of the same. And we all know that by the time legal action is taken the poor referee will be visiting the police station more than officiating matches. Prevention is better then cure. We must deal with the organizers of the football match severely, for not protecting the referees. They must be fined and the amount recovered could be given to the victim, as compensation. Our university football players could be targeted for talent hunt in the field of refereeing. Referees need high decision making ability besides knowledge of the game and physical fitness. I am sure if the conditions of the referees are improved more youngsters will take up refereeing thus saving the game from likes of P Bikramjit Singh and the supporters of Fransa-Pax FC who damaged public property. __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
[Goanet] Sounds, Not Silence
Sounds, Not Silence The Rising Nepal Surekha Kadapa-Bose Dr Sandra De Sa Souza, 62, is not only one of the best-known ENT (ear, nose, throat) surgeons in India, she is also the first woman surgeon in the world to have performed a cochlear implant surgery, way back in 1987. Estimates say that for every 10,000 births, there is at least one hearing impaired newborn child. It has been Souza's life's work and ambition to reach out to as many hearing impaired persons as she can. Passion Her abiding passion for her work is evident in this memory she shares: "On the sixth day after my mastectomy (breast tissue removal) surgery, I came down with all the tubes still dangling from my chest and operated upon a patient who had been awaiting surgery for months. How can I say no to someone waiting to hear for years?" "Besides birth defects, there are many who lose their hearing to illnesses, like oral infection, mumps or meningitis, post-surgery or old age. Unfortunately, a majority of them cannot afford good treatment. Many also refuse treatment because they do not want others to know of their disability," says Souza, sitting in her room at the De Sa's Hospital in Mumbai. Souza comes from a family of physicians! Her great grandfather would ride on horseback, taking his medicines to women in far-flung Goan villages. A painting of him on horseback still hangs in Souza's home. Her grandfather, a gynaecologist, shifted to Mumbai and set up the De Sa's Hospital at the footsteps of Malabar Hills. But it was through her father, Dr Joe De Sa, a famous ENT surgeon, that Souza found her calling. "As a young child, I would watch my father perform ear operations, which I found fascinating. Although I am an ENT surgeon, I am most interested in ailments of the ears. The sweetest experience, I believe, is that of sound," says Souza. She says that, in the late 1980s, the cochlear implant procedure was still being perfected in the US, and there were no women ENT surgeons in the US. Souza had gone there to learn the technique and "unwittingly, I became the first woman cochlear implant surgeon". The implant is a device consisting of a receiver and electrodes, which is placed inside the ear through surgery. There is also an external processor, which can be worn on the body or behind the ear. The surgery helps restore hearing ability to almost that of a non-impaired person's. The cochlea is a spiral tube in the inner ear resembling a snail shell with nerve endings essential for hearing, and what the surgery does, in essence, is support the damaged inner ear. Souza says that in India, so far, only about 700 such surgeries have been conducted, of which she alone has performed 200 in Mumbai and other parts of the country. "The procedure costs nearly Rs. 700,000. The cost of the implant alone is about Rs. 650,000, with hospitalisation accounting for the remaining cost," explains Souza. Currently, she has 2,000 patients awaiting cochlear implant surgery - a procedure they can hardly afford. There is, however, little awareness about the surgery, and the expenses put the treatment out of the reach of most people. Souza has been actively working to generate awareness, and lobbying for the need to make the process more affordable. All she can do right now is offer a discount on the drugs, hospitalisation and operation charges. Says Souza, "Since the implant is an expensive option, it needs continuous support from the government and corporate houses. Today, I am happy to say that the Government of Maharashtra, the Central government and other state governments, as well as many corporate houses, have taken an active interest in organising seminars and conferences on the issue for doctors and scientists." Meanwhile, President APJ Abdul Kalam has urged Indian scientists to work towards manufacturing cochlear implants indigenously. "If the device is manufactured in India, we can bring the cost down, and more people will then benefit from it. I am happy to inform you that a prototype cochlear implant is being developed by Dr. S K Apparao in Vishakhapatnam. This should be ready by 2007, and will cost approximately Rs. 100,000 to 200,000 in addition to hospital and surgery costs. The device will have lower sound quality than the devices currently available, but will be affordable to many more people," says Souza. Married to Francis Souza, an engineer, Souza recalls her many years of hard work. She would commute some 40 kms everyday to reach Mumbai's Seth AJB Municipal Hospital, where she worked from 1979 to 2000. After her shift at this hospital, she would travel another 10 kms to her father's hospital before setting off for her home in Thane on the outskirts of Mumbai. "I would meet my husband who would be holding our baby and trying to feed him," she recalls. This mother of three faced her biggest challenge when she lost one of her twin daughters in a car accident. That was in 1995, when Souza herself was detected with breast cancer. In t
[Goanet] PPL raids to check music piracy in Goa
PPL raids to check music piracy in Goa 16 Feb 2006 - PTI Panaji: The Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL), a cooperative society of music giants, has begun its inspections in various five star hotels, pubs and beach shacks in Goa to check music piracy. "The raids began on the eve of Valentines Day and they are still continuing with around 100 officials on their toes inspecting almost all the establishments playing music," PPL's country head (events), Saumya Chowdhary, said. "The field officers will compile report after their inspections checking the music piracy and only after studying the report appropriate action would be taken," Chowdhary told PTI. PPL is a cooperative society of music companies like Saregama, Universal, Venus, Times Music, Sony, BGM besides others, he said. The company has deployed 50 special trained officers for the task, Chowdhary said. "Even Goa's Chief Minister had sought permission to play music during recently held International Film Festival of India (IFFI) whenever there were events," he stated. The PPL has decided to go strict against the violators and would even take legal action against the offenders, Chowdhary said. ~(^^)~ Avelino
[Goanet] Chamber of Commerce's IT-related Event on Feb 24 and 25 for Creation of New Companies
Chamber of Commerce's IT-related Event on Feb 24 and 25 for Creation of New Companies Panaji, Feb 16: Goa Chamber of Commerce and industries (GCCI) will organize a special information technology-related event on February 24 and 25 at Cidade de Goa with the theme "Incubation centres - Challenges for replicating successes.'' "Incubation centers are known mechanism for encouraging the creation of new companies. We need to look at their performance and associated issues in the Goan context and learn what approaches can or should be applied,'' GCCI officials stated. The officials stated that GCCI intends to start incubation center at its upcoming building at Verna in south Goa. "This center would be boon to all those upcoming entrepreneurs who have excellent business ideas but lack the financial and infrastructure backing to turn them into success,'' officials said. Various experts who have been associated with incubation center are expected to participate in the event. GCCI officials said that the students and faculty members from various colleges all across Goa will participate in the event. ~(^^)~ Avelino
[Goanet] FROM GOA: Goanet News Bytes * Feb 16, 2006 * Cabinet okays voting rights for non-resident Indian citizens ... Guitar festival in Goa... Bill Clinton coming visiting
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] / 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 Y8""8D http://www.goanet.org -GOANET NEWS BYTES * FEBRUARY 16, 2006 * DATELINE GOA--- NON-RESIDENTS TO GET VOTING RIGHTS: Cabinet has decided to grant voting rights to non-resident Indians, by amending the country's electoral laws. The amendment will amplify the definition of an Indian "ordinarily resident" in the country in the Representation of the People's Act. This will enable "NRIs who have absented from their place of their ordinary residence in India, owing to their employment, education or otherwise to get themselves enrolled in the electoral rolls and exercise their voting rights". The amendment will entitle eligible citizens of India to cast their votes in parliamentary and assembly elections WHEN THEY ARE in their constituency and thus fully participate in the democratic process of nation building... (IANS) o Chief minister Rane hints at probe into Tuesday's protest march (morcha) by the BJP which caused inconvenience to thousands of commuters. (NT) o BJP seeks inquiry into traffic chaos. (NT) o BJP's Arlekar blames police for commotion in city. (H) o Sonia Gandhi to arrive in Goa on Feb 22 for 2-day visit.(NT) o Congressmen hand-in-glove with BJP over Mopa: Churchill.(NT) o Govt to augment Salaulim water works by 25 million litres/day. o Govt urged to expedite Dhargalim industrial estate. (NT) o Margao-Quepem road blocked for 2 hours, by residents demanding repairs of road. (NT) o Goa Building Controll Bill introduced in state assembly. (NT) o Demand made for a Special Economic Zone in Pernem. (H) o River Sal dredging plans kept on hold. (H) o PWD minister Dhavlikar criticised for S Goa water shortage. (H) o IT sleuths raid GKB Opthalmics. (GT) o No street lights in some parts of Caranzalem. (GT) o Free text books for SC/ST, girl children next year on. (GT) o Science Fiesta 2006 begins at Goa Science Centre today. (GT) o Vasco plastic ban helps municipal wastes treatment plant. (GT) GUITAR GUILD GOA'S Guitar Festival is being held from February 19 to 23 at the Kala Academy. US former President Bill Clinton to arrive in Goa on Feb 17 on a two-day visit, with a delegation of the Bill Clinton Foundation. He will be in Goa on behalf of his foundation's HIV/AIDS initiative, partnered with the Indian government's National AIDS Control Organisation. Clinton will visit the Cipla drug manufacturing plant in Verna, and meet patients and health officials as well. (Herald) Bill provides relief to landlords: As per the Goa Buildings (Lease, Rent and Eviction) Control (Amendment) Bill 2006, the landlord will be entitled to evict his tenant from the dwelling house if the latter has a residence within five kilometres from the disputed dwelling. (Herald) Marinex and boat show. Over 100 companies now in Goa. The ports, boats, sports, maritime, shipping, sailing, yatching, fishing and tourism event. February 17-19, 2006. Kala Academy 11 am to 7 pm. Also: alternative energy and electech 06 business expo at Kala Academy Feb 17-19. PANJIM POLLS: Parrikar, Willy, Mummy, Zuwarkar to take on Atanasio 'Babush' Monserrate in the battle for control of the Corporation of the City of Panjim. (GT) -- FEBRUARY 15, 2006 -- o BJP holds morcha (protest march), thousands stranded around city. Commuters to and from Panjim were stranded for over two hours. Navhind Times says the "city was held to ransom". Gomantak Times puts it thus: "Hold-up at high noon. BJP rally strangulates Panjim." o Goa needs Mopa airport, says Chief Minister Rane. But adds that the state must think of Dabolim too. (H) o Margao-Mangalore express train flagged off. (NT) o Parrikar lashes out at Rane govt for "failure on all fronts".NT o Two of family of four in Valentine Day suicide pact on Miramar. They are from Kozhikode and Ernakulam, resports said. o Theft at Bansai temple, near Curchorem. (NT) o Figures show govt spent huge sums on IFFI delegates. (H) o Canacona needs full-fledged market. (GT) FACTOID: Nearly 1.135 million square metres of government land has been encroached allegedly by mining companies, for the dumping of ore rejects at various sites in Goa. (Herald, quoting a Goa assembly reply).
