from:"carlos6143"


Rane govt has huge task ahead
BY HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, JUNE 12 -- The five-day Pratapsing Rane government which has 
bounced back to power with much difficulty and continues to have 
hiccups, has a long way to go to prove that the Congress government can 
give good governance and a better administration to the people.
The stark reality is that the Congress government has several issues ? 
new as well as pending ? to attend to. Besides, they will have to come 
up with innovative people-oriented schemes and projects if they have to 
make a mark for themselves before the next general assembly elections.
For more than four months, Goa hardly had a government that could take 
decision as per the aspirations of the people. The hands of Governor S 
C Jamir though he tried to some extent, were tied as no policy decision 
could be taken under the President?s Rule. However, his ?sermons? to 
the senior bureaucrats on being responsive to the people was not 
reflected on the ground reality.
In this backdrop, the Rane government, considering that the BJP would 
function as a vociferous Opposition, has a long way to go in delivering 
a good system.
Among the burning issues, the government needs to resolve on priority 
are common entrance test (CET), computer teachers? grievances, clarity 
on IFFI, etc.
After the delay caused by the BJP government on CET, the administration 
under the President?s Rule instead of correcting the situation, 
aggravated it further. Incidentally, it was one of the former chief 
minister Manohar Parrikar?s favourite bureaucrat, Vijay Madan who was 
in-charge of the department that was responsible for GCET-2005. 
Interestingly, Madan who was the development commissioner reportedly 
asked for a transfer sometime back and has since been relieved.
River Princess is another issue which is also looking for government 
attention. Besides
the issue of failure to remove the ship, the Rane government may also 
to have go into what caused the delay and whether the company that was 
given the contract fulfilled all the specifications and condition laid 
down in the tender. Besides, the issue of accountability. Whether only 
one officer was responsible for the entire operation or whether he was 
made a scapegoat which seems to be the case, in order to protect the 
interest of some senior bureaucrats.
Stability of the government, no doubt, would be the prime issue before 
the chief minister. He would have to ensure that some kind of 
discipline is maintained in the party set up so that wrong signals are 
not sent out. This can hamper investment opportunities however best one 
may try to attract industries to Goa. Political stability is what every 
entrepreneur would like to cherish.
Rane has a difficult task to maintain a balance between the senior 
politicians who have once again shown their true colours ? of grabbing 
power ? instead of allowing new faces to get into the ministry.
Some of the other issues include preparation of the Budget for the 
remaining part of the financial year. A vote on account for four months 
was passed in the parliament in March. Then chief minister Manohar 
Parrikar had just initiated Budget discussions when his government 
collapsed after a major revolt in the BJP.
In a couple of months, the state government would have to be ready with 
the proposals to be placed before the Planning Commission as well as 
the Finance Commission.
If the government has plans to come up with welfare schemes or to 
undertake developmental works in rural areas, the Rane government?s 
main objective would be to effectively manage its finances. No doubt 
some lessons could be learnt from Parrikar who could bring about 
progress in the infrastructure sector and beautification programmes 
mainly because he knew how to manage the state finances. Revenue 
generation he managed was never seen in the past. Whether the same 
trend would continue or not is to be seen.
The BJP government however, went in for huge loans and the debt burden 
is quite heavy as of now. Rane government would have to work out ways 
and means to reduce the debt.
On the industrial front, the government may have to take up on priority 
is the decision on special economic zone (SEZ) which was announced by 
the Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram. Decisions on Mopa airport, 
Tillari irrigation project and Madei issue will also be keenly awaited.
It is the same concept which is pending before the government for long. 
The Parrikar government kept it on the back-burner for reasons best 
known to then chief minister. The only thing that happened was that it 
was transferred from one department to another and the other was 
identification of some areas.
BJP-led NDA government was in power until a year ago but the situation 
didn?t change. If the Parrikar government had to put in even 25 per 
cent of the work it ?invested? on IFFI, SEZ might have been a reality 
by now. It would be important for the Rane government to take the local

[Goanet]Stability, CET, River Princess, SEZ?


Stability, CET, River Princess, SEZ?
Rane govt has huge task ahead
BY HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, JUNE 12 -- The five-day Pratapsing Rane government which has 
bounced back to power with much difficulty and continues to have 
hiccups, has a long way to go to prove that the Congress government can 
give good governance and a better administration to the people.
The stark reality is that the Congress government has several issues ? 
new as well as pending ? to attend to. Besides, they will have to come 
up with innovative people-oriented schemes and projects if they have to 
make a mark for themselves before the next general assembly elections.
For more than four months, Goa hardly had a government that could take 
decision as per the aspirations of the people. The hands of Governor S 
C Jamir though he tried to some extent, were tied as no policy decision 
could be taken under the President?s Rule. However, his ?sermons? to 
the senior bureaucrats on being responsive to the people was not 
reflected on the ground reality.
In this backdrop, the Rane government, considering that the BJP would 
function as a vociferous Opposition, has a long way to go in delivering 
a good system.
Among the burning issues, the government needs to resolve on priority 
are common entrance test (CET), computer teachers? grievances, clarity 
on IFFI, etc.
After the delay caused by the BJP government on CET, the administration 
under the President?s Rule instead of correcting the situation, 
aggravated it further. Incidentally, it was one of the former chief 
minister Manohar Parrikar?s favourite bureaucrat, Vijay Madan who was 
in-charge of the department that was responsible for GCET-2005. 
Interestingly, Madan who was the development commissioner reportedly 
asked for a transfer sometime back and has since been relieved.
River Princess is another issue which is also looking for government 
attention. Besides
the issue of failure to remove the ship, the Rane government may also 
to have go into what caused the delay and whether the company that was 
given the contract fulfilled all the specifications and condition laid 
down in the tender. Besides, the issue of accountability. Whether only 
one officer was responsible for the entire operation or whether he was 
made a scapegoat which seems to be the case, in order to protect the 
interest of some senior bureaucrats.
Stability of the government, no doubt, would be the prime issue before 
the chief minister. He would have to ensure that some kind of 
discipline is maintained in the party set up so that wrong signals are 
not sent out. This can hamper investment opportunities however best one 
may try to attract industries to Goa. Political stability is what every 
entrepreneur would like to cherish.
Rane has a difficult task to maintain a balance between the senior 
politicians who have once again shown their true colours ? of grabbing 
power ? instead of allowing new faces to get into the ministry.
 Some of the other issues include preparation of the Budget for the 
remaining part of the financial year. A vote on account for four months 
was passed in the parliament in March. Then chief minister Manohar 
Parrikar had just initiated Budget discussions when his government 
collapsed after a major revolt in the BJP.
In a couple of months, the state government would have to be ready with 
the proposals to be placed before the Planning Commission as well as 
the Finance Commission.
If the government has plans to come up with welfare schemes or to 
undertake developmental works in rural areas, the Rane government?s 
main objective would be to effectively manage its finances. No doubt 
some lessons could be learnt from Parrikar who could bring about 
progress in the infrastructure sector and beautification programmes 
mainly because he knew how to manage the state finances. Revenue 
generation he managed was never seen in the past. Whether the same 
trend would continue or not is to be seen.
 The BJP government however, went in for huge loans and the debt burden 
is quite heavy as of now.  Rane government would have to work out ways 
and means to reduce the debt.
On the industrial front, the government may have to take up on priority 
is the decision on special economic zone (SEZ)  which was announced by 
the Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram. Decisions on Mopa airport, 
Tillari irrigation project and Madei issue will also be keenly awaited.
It is the same concept which is pending before the government for long. 
The Parrikar government kept it on the back-burner for reasons best 
known to then chief minister. The only thing that happened was that it 
was transferred from one department to another and the other was 
identification of some areas.
BJP-led NDA government was in power until a year ago but the situation 
didn?t change. If the Parrikar government had to put in even 25 per 
cent of the work it ?invested? on IFFI, SEZ might have been a reality 
by now.  It would be important

[Goanet]Planet Hollywood comes to Goa


India's date with Hollywood
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/GF10Df01.html

By Siddharth Srivastava

NEW DELHI - Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, Justin Timberlake, 
possibly with Cameron Diaz, Demi Moore and Arnold Schwarzenegger are 
headed for India. Even Britney Spears is rumored to be on the way. The 
cream of the American entertainment business is scheduled to fly down 
on the occasion of the launch of Planet Hollywood in India. The 
restaurant, most famous for providing dine-in experience along with 
some of Hollywood's biggest stars, has sought out India as a 
destination for diners and food lovers and will be investing close to 
US$15 million to set up five restaurants in the country by 2010.
Planet Hollywood's foray into India comes in the wake of America's $288 
billion Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, making a pitch for 
India's largely untapped retail market. Food, jewelry and textiles form 
the bulk of sales in this segment, with a McKinsey report predicting 
that opening up foreign direct investment in this sector will help 
retail businesses to grow from the present $180 billion to $460 billion 
to $470 billion by 2010. Foreign retail businesses now have to work 
through an Indian franchisee, but the Indian government is seriously 
considering opening up the sector. Foreign players have already been 
allowed into real estate.
The international players currently in India include McDonald's, Pizza 
Hut, Domino's, Levi's, Lee, Nike, Adidas, TGIF, Benetton, Swarovski, 
Sony, Sharp, Kodak, and the Medicine Shoppe. Planet Hollywood 
founder-chairman Robert Earl said there is huge potential in the Indian 
market for his brand. Our presence will bring the excitement of 
Hollywood and combine it with the power of Bollywood in a very special 
way, he said in a statement.
For its entry into the Indian market, Planet Hollywood has signed a 
franchisee agreement with the US-based Arch Millennium Corp, promoted 
by Indian-origin businessmen that run several other hotel and 
restaurant chains. The plans are to open one restaurant each in Mumbai, 
Delhi, Bangalore, Goa and Hyderabad. We will be bringing in big stars 
like Willis and Stallone to India as part of our promotional 
activities, while also trying to get others like Paris Hilton and 
Justin Timberlake, said Arch Millennium president and chief executive 
officer Siddharth Mobar.
The world has already acquired a taste for Indian curry and tandoori 
chicken. With Planet Hollywood, Indians will be able to test their 
palates with the likes of Chicken Crunch, a Demi Moore recipe, and 
Banana Strudel, from Schwarzenegger's mother's kitchen. Bollywood 
stars will be roped in to provide the right spice and local flavor. The 
cuisine will be classically Californian with a variety of pastas, 
exotic salads, burgers, pizzas and a variety of vegetarian offerings, 
smoked and grilled meats and fish. Plus the opportunity to wine and 
dine with the stars themselves, with Willis and Stallone mixing the 
cocktails and tossing the salad during the opening.
As per the standards followed by the chain, each Planet Hollywood 
restaurant will display memorabilia from old classics as well as new 
movies. The interior decor will reflect various film genres, including 
action, horror and sci-fi, and the audio-visual system will play the 
latest movie trailers, clips, music videos and celebrity visits. A 
guest in a Planet Hollywood India restaurant will be able to watch the 
proceedings at restaurant locations such as New York, Las Vegas, 
Orlando, London and Paris.
The first restaurant is likely to begin serving next year in Mumbai, 
with an initial investment of $2.5 million to $3 million. The potential 
customer base is large. A new survey by a hospitality industry platform 
on restaurants in the main cities of India shows that 260,000 people 
eat out more than once a week in Kolkata, followed by 175,000 in 
Bangalore. Then there are Mumbai, Chennai and New Delhi. Average 
spending on an outdoor meal is $5, which is reasonable by Indian 
standards.
Planet Hollywood could do well to learn from McDonald's, which 
continues to expand in the country with an aim to reach 100 restaurants 
by the end of 2006. Apart from cheap pricing, the food chain has 
tailored its menu to the Indian market, creating dishes such as the 
Paneer Salsa Wrap, McCurry Pan, McAloo Tikki and innovating with mutton 
in a country where most do not eat beef.
According to a McKinsey report, the share of an Indian household's 
spending on food is one of the highest in the world at over 50% of 
income. Food sales have grown to $20 billion from $7 billion in 1996. 
The organized retail food and grocery sector constitutes the largest 
opportunity for growth and accounts for 2% of total sales at present. 
According to a study on the food and grocery retail market by KSA 
Technopak, the food and grocery sector now accounts for 14% of total 
organized (chain) retail, after clothing and

[Goanet]All about Mickky -- O Heraldo


BY HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, JUNE 10 - Mickky Pacheco appeared calm and relaxed on Friday, 
notwithstanding that he wasn't one of the seven MLAs sworn in as 
ministers in the Pratapsing Rane cabinet. But, the flamboyant MLA 
dropped enough hints that Saturday's NCP meeting scheduled in Goa would 
decide the state of things to come vis-a-vis his denial of a cabinet 
berth and other related issues.
According to him, Dr Wilfred de Souza and NCP leader Tariq Anwar are 
coming to the state from Mumbai by the 5.30 am flight, adding that the 
NCP meeting would take place soon thereafter.
Whatever that is decided at tomorrow's meeting would be acceptable to 
me, was how Mickky reacted, saying that all issues would be discussed 
threadbare at the meeting.
Asked whether he would agree to any decision taken at tomorrow's 
meeting to form the government with BJP's support, Pacheco reiterated 
whatever decision my party takes will be binding on me. Who knows what 
would be the situation tomorrow.
Saying he has no ill-feeling after having been denied the ministerial 
berth, Pacheco sounded philosophical a happy man will never have 
problems. I am relaxed. I am not worried at all.
He further added that whatever he wants would be given to him by the 
Party President, Sharad Pawar. I have full faith in Sharad Pawar that 
he would do justice for me. That's the reason why he has deputed NCP 
leaders to Goa for tomorrow's meeting, he added.


» add new comment

Goa for goondas
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 2005-06-11 20:46.
Well, if one could go by the results of the just concluded electons, it 
is shameful to say that Goans are compared to the illitrate lot of 
Biharis. We elect notorious candidates, criminals , and the likes 
similar to the situation in Bihar.


It is disgusting to say, that we long to run away from Goa due to the 
looting being done by the politicians from the sincere and good goans.


» reply
It is unfortunate that Micky
Submitted by satrod (not verified) on Sat, 2005-06-11 19:28.
It is unfortunate that Micky Mouse got elected by the Benaulim 
electorate. People had not learnt their lessons and I blame it on greed 
of the people who later complain of 'No Developement'. How can a goon 
and adulterous man like the one in the picture above think of the 
welfare of the people? He is as adulterous as the old haggard dotor of 
Siolim. Micky might have won but not with people's power but money 
power, of course, not of his own but from a dead black lady from the 
States. Remember, Micky jumped off the BJP wagon only when it almost 
sank off. Sorry to the people of Benaulim, you voted out good 
candidates.


» reply
political gimmick!
Submitted by avi (not verified) on Sat, 2005-06-11 15:22.
Mr. Micky was offered Congress ticket but he opted for NCP. Dr. Willy 
was the main mentor behind it. Dr. Egocentric knows very well how and 
when to play political cards that creates political turmoil. Goans 
please save Goa from these kind of politicians.


» reply
What a shame
Submitted by joe (not verified) on Sat, 2005-06-11 15:17.
It is a sad commentary on the affairs of Goan politics. Imagine, 
ministers like Madkaikar, who is the most corrupt and illiterate in the 
Rane ministry. What has happened to good and honest politicians. Have 
Goans become so gullible and money-minded that they will vote for 
anyone who offers them monetary benefits. Why can't Goans think in the 
long term and for the development of Goa? These clowns will continue 
with their game of musical chairs. Otherwise, why would they spend 
around 4 to 5 crores to win an election?


» reply
Selfish politicians
Submitted by avi (not verified) on Sat, 2005-06-11 14:24.
Dr. Willy is the most egoistic MLA in Goa legislative assembly. He says 
that he will ask for everything from the new government. NCP has only 
two seats in Goa and yet he creates an political uncertainity. Next 
assembly election will be the end of Saligao MLA.


» reply
GOANS ARE FED UP WITH CORRUPT
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 2005-06-11 13:45.
GOANS ARE FED UP WITH CORRUPT POLITIANS, SEX MAFIA  MONEYLENDERS,PUNCH 
LINE BEING ILLITERATE POLITITIANS ,THE MOST APPLAUDED GOVERMENT WAS IN 
DEED PROVIDED BY MR PARRIKAR , REQUEST MR PARRIKAR TO BE MORE 
PROFESSIONAL IN GOVERNACE , SHOULD HAVE AVOIDED COUNTER STATEMENTS AND 
CAMPAIGN IN THE TALIGAO CONSTITUENCY
MR PARRIKER PL THINK OF YOUR SELF AS A CEO OF GOA ADMINISTRATION AND 
NOT OF A SAFFORAN BRIGADE LIKE MIDED AND EDUCATED PEOPLE WILL 
DEFINATELY BE WITH YOU , WE THE PEOPLE OF PANJIM HAVE SEEN THE 
DEVELOPEMENT AND AND LAW AND ORDER SITUATION IN PANJIM , DEFINATELY IF 
YOU CUT EDGES AND NOT ENTERTAIN ILLETERATE POLITIANS GOA WILL SHINE 
INDEED!! KEEP OFF THE SAFORON SHADE YOU WEARE


» reply
Good God!!!
Submitted by Chapis (not verified) on Sat, 2005-06-11 05:34.
My most dear fellow goans,
Please take a good look at the picture of our MLA above!!! That is the 
face of Goa others see
It is disgraceful

[Goanet]Merrier with more millionaires

2005-06-11 Thread carlos6143


Washington, June 10, 2005
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1395243,00050001.htm?headline=Merrier~with~more~Indian~millionaires
India's teeming millions are rising to a rich vortex. The number of 
millionaires in India has shot up to 70,000 during 2004 ? a 14.6 per 
cent rise over the previous year, in tandem with the country's overall 
growth trends. The past year saw a whopping addition of 9,000 moneybags 
to India's millionaires club.
The World Wealth Report 2005, released by Merrill Lynch and Capgemini 
in New York on Thursday, points out that the Indian growth in the 
number of millionaires is among the highest.
In global terms, however, the figure may still be at the low end. In 
contrast to India's 70,000, Brazil has 98,000 millionaires, China 
300,000, UK 418,000 and the US a whopping 2,498,000.
When it talks of millionaires, the report means high net worth 
individuals ? those with a net worth of at least US $1 million, 
excluding their primary residence.
Worldwide, there are 8.3 million such individuals, up by 600,000 over 
their number in 2003. This upswing has been led by Asia and North 
America. Overall, North America has 2.7 million of these millionaires, 
Europe 2.6 million and Asia-Pacific 2.3 million.
The total worth of the world's wealthy elite is now estimated at 30.2 
trillion dollars. India, along with Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia, 
saw the highest rates of growth of millionaires in the Asia-Pacific 
region


Regards,
Carlos

[Goanet]NCP leaders to visit Goa

2005-06-11 Thread carlos6143


NDTV Correspondent
Saturday, June 11, 2005 (Panaji):
There is once again trouble brewing in the Goa government.
Senior NCP leaders Tariq Anwar and Chhagan Bhujbal are visiting Goa 
today after NCP's Micky Pacheco was denied a cabinet berth in the 
Congress-led Pratapsinh Rane govt.
NCP president Sharad Pawar described Pacheco's non-inclusion as a 
breach of promise made on the eve of the polls in Goa, which the 
Congress and NCP had fought jointly.
NCP Goa leader Wilfred DSouza went a step further and described it as a 
case of communal politics.

-
Carlos

[Goanet]Re: Was Jinnah Secular?

2005-06-10 Thread carlos6143


http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050609/asp/nation/story_4845560.asp
If any one who should be annoyed by Lalji?s (Advani) remark, it should 
be the Congress,? George Fernandes said in Guwahati. Quoting veteran 
politicians and historians, Fernandes said it was Jawaharlal Nehru and 
the Congress who were responsible for the country?s division.
It was the Congress?s ?betrayal? which had forced Jinnah to demand a 
separate nation on the basis of religion.
?It was in 1935 that the Congress and Jinnah?s party entered into an 
agreement to jointly contest in the ensuing elections and to form a 
government together. But after the elections, Nehru backtracked from 
the earlier promise,? Fernandes said.
This development, he added, had pushed Jinnah out of secular politics. 
Fernandes also called for a national debate on the issue.


Regards,
Carlos

halur rasho [EMAIL PROTECTED]wrote:
If Jinnah was secular, Pakisan would not exist. Or else the two-nation 

theory
is highest form of secularism? And why two-nation theory? Was Jinnah 

prejudiced
against Christians? If he was secular, he would have demanded a 

seperate

country for Indian christians too



On 09/06/05, sandeep heble [EMAIL PROTECTED]
wrote:
., Mr. Advani reportedly described Jinnah as
``a great man'' who had espoused the cause of secular
Pakistan.

Re: [Goanet]Re: Was Jinnah Secular?

2005-06-10 Thread carlos6143


Halur,
If the socialist Nehru had allowed Jinnah to be the PM of India, 
Pakistan would not have existed. We all could have lived as a happy 
familly in a true secular India.

Regards,
Carlos



halur rasho [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
If Jinnah was secular, Pakisan would not exist. Or else the two-nation 

theory
is highest form of secularism? And why two-nation theory? Was Jinnah 

prejudiced
against Christians? If he was secular, he would have demanded a 

seperate

country for Indian christians too



On 09/06/05, sandeep heble [EMAIL PROTECTED]
wrote:
., Mr. Advani reportedly described Jinnah as
``a great man'' who had espoused the cause of secular
Pakistan.

[Goanet]Advani becomes a hit with Pak media

2005-06-10 Thread carlos6143


Advani becomes a hit with Pak media

Indo-Asian News Service

Islamabad, June 9, 2005|15:33 IST
BJP leader LK Advani's resignation as party president has sparked off a 
guessing game in the Pakistan media over his motives, with some saying 
that it was meant to widen his support base.
Most leading Pakistani newspapers on Thursday carried editorials trying 
to decode Advani's laudatory comments on Mohammed Ali Jinnah during his 
weeklong visit to the country and his subsequent resignation.
In an editorial headlined Advani's new clothes, The News said, His 
remarks have certainly given him a new look among the Pakistani people, 
who otherwise would reject him as a hardcore radical with nothing good 
to contribute to peace.
It interpreted Advani's statement calling the Pakistan founder 
secular as part of his drive to create new constituencies to serve 
his prime ministerial ambitions.
Advani, shrewd and astute as he is, appears to be more responsive to 
the emerging environment in the region and also to the public mood in 
India that is supportive of peace and coexistence with Pakistan.
He appears to be ready to capitalise on the moderate and liberal 
elements within his party as well as outside. Perhaps he is looking 
forward to creating new constituencies, the editorial elaborated.
What his hardliner partners cannot read now is something Advani has 
foreseen - there is no place for radical politics in the changing 
global geo-political scenario.
The Daily Times, in its editorial entitled Mr Advani's masterful 
hand, saw in Advani's remarks his desire to acquire an Atal Bihari 
Vajpayee-like liberal appeal as a potential prime minister-in-waiting.
It now appears from Advani's statements in Pakistan that he is trying 
to acquire the same image and stature as Vajpayee. So he has started by 
placating Pakistanis on some of the more emotive issues, said the 
editorial.
He talked about the Babri Masjid and offered a mea culpa of sorts; he 
spoke of India-Pakistan peace and the need to resolve Kashmir; he went 
to the Qaid's mazar and called him a secularist. In doing all this, 
Advani came across as a seasoned and mature politician, said the Daily 
Times.
Calling it a masterstroke, the editorial posed the all-important 
question - Will the BJP wag its Parivar tail or will the tail, the 
Parivar that is, wag the BJP?
Advani's gamble is likely to work. If he returns, he will be more 
entrenched than he was before. He will also have unshackled himself 
from the Parivar. In such a situation, he will be the winner all round.
In an editorial, The Dawn saw in Advani's remarks a provocation for a 
radical reappraisal of religion-based politics in the subcontinent. The 
controversy managed to bring into sharp focus the dilemma of 
religio-political parties in today's rapidly globalising, and 
inevitably secularising, world.
The politics of extremism and of exploiting religious sentiments for 
political purposes may become irrelevant even in limited, regional 
contexts.
In an attempt to place Advani's resignation in the wider context, the 
Dawn editorial adopted a soul-searching note. This is not only an 
Indian or a BJP problem. Pakistan too faces similar issues, perhaps in 
an acuter form because our constitution specifically provides for a 
state based on religion and is thus a durable point of reference for 
religious parties, it said.
The editorial advised parties to stop extracting mileage out of 
religious politics. Otherwise, we can easily become an anachronism in 
a world changing around us.

---
Jai Hind!
Carlos






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[Goanet]Congress is communal says Dr. Willy

2005-06-09 Thread carlos6143


Cong govt in Goa in trouble as NCP threatnes to pull the rug
Panaji/Surat, June 9, 2005
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1394151,000900040002.htm

The Congress-led government on Thursday night appeared headed towards 
trouble as key coalition partner NCP threatened to withdraw support 
protesting non-inclusion of one of its MLAs in the ministry which is 
set to be expanded on Friday with the induction of seven new faces.
The NCP Goa chief Wilfred D'souza told reporters in Surat tonight we 
have threatened to withdraw the support if the commitment of including 
our representative (Mikky Pacheco) is not honoured.
The Congress and its allies like NCP have 21 while main opposition BJP 
and allies have 17 in the 40-member state assembly with an effective 
strength of 39. One MLA Philippe Neri Rodriquez has been qualified.
D'souza charged that Congress was being very very communal and 
Congress is turning out to be more communal than BJP.
He said Pacheco was one of the five MLAs who had resigned from the 
state assembly when BJP was in power reducing the saffron party-led 
government to minority in March this year. Out of the five MLAs, four 
returned triumphant in recent by-polls and if three of them could be 
given ministerial berths why not Pacheco, he asked.
And why not one? Because he is Mikky Pacheco? said D'souza alleging, 
This is communal, very very communal. Congress is turning out to be 
more communal than BJP.
The threat by NCP came just a couple of days after a coalition 
government headed by veteran Congressman Pratapsinh Rane was sworn in 
ending three months of President's Rule in the state and came a day 
ahead of expansion of the ministry by the Chief Minister.

--
Jai Hind!
Caqrlos

Re: [Goanet]Come back BJP all is forgiven!

2005-06-09 Thread carlos6143



This news of instability is not suprising at all when Congress is in 
power. It was expected but not this soon. It could be great news for 
Goans who want to see Goa developed and not looted. Hope Willy becomes 
the CM with the BJP support.

Viva Willy!
Jai Hind!
Carlos

-Original Message-
From: Gabe Menezes [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: goanet@goanet.org
Sent: Thu, 9 Jun 2005 23:32:02 +0100
Subject: [Goanet]Come back BJP all is forgiven!

http://www.goanews.com/9jun05.htm
Willy threatens to withdraw support
Sandesh Prabhudesai
9 June 2005
The four-day old Pratapsing Rane government has plunged into crisis as
deputy chief minister Wilfred de Souza, belonging to the Nationalist
Congress Party, has threatened to withdraw support to the Congress-led
ruling alliance.

[Goanet]Goa govt faces threat to stability

2005-06-08 Thread carlos6143


NDTV Correspondent
http://www.ndtv.com/topstories/showtopstory.asp?slug=Goa+govt+faces+threat+to+stabilityid=17062
Wednesday, June 8, 2005 (Panjim):
It's evident that jockeying in the Congress has postponed the party's 
MLAs from being inducted into the Cabinet.
Yesterday, Pratapsingh Rane was sworn in for his seventh term and NCP 
leader Wilfred D'Souza was inducted in as Deputy Chief Minister.
But now the new Chief Minister faces a new challenge  finding seats for 
all those who broke from the BJP to join him and his own party MLAs.
We want all ministers, who resigned and sacrificed their seats for the 
Congress, to get berths, said Wilfred D'Souza, Deputy Chief Minister, 
Goa.
Congress MLAs are already unhappy, because after making four new recent 
recruits ministers and one minister from the MGP, there will be only 
five seats left among 13 of the Congress MLAs.

Tough times
The threat of instability remains.
If the government does well, we will support it based on issues. But I 
hope there is stability for the next two years. I wish them luck, said 
Manohar Parrikar, former chief minister, Goa.
With a promise of political stability to the Goans for the next two 
years, Rane has been sworn as Goa's 15th Chief Minister in 15 years.
But the real trouble lies ahead as there will be many Congress MLAs 
aspiring for ministerial berths

---
Regards,
Carlos

Re: [Goanet]Goanet News Bytes * June 7, 2005 *

2005-06-07 Thread carlos6143


Cip,

Yes, Rane is a good non corrupt man as I know him; educated in US and 
went back to Goa to add value there. But what about the ministers who 
report to him. That is where the problem is. If all his cabinet members 
were like him, Goa would be happy.


Regards,
Carlos

-Original Message-
From: Cip Fernandes [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: goanet@goanet.org
Cc: Floriano [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Tue, 7 Jun 2005 10:34:57 +0100
Subject: RE: [Goanet]Goanet News Bytes * June 7, 2005 *

It is a very good news that NON-CORRUPT Shri Pratapsing Rane is 
sworn-in as

chief minister of Goa for the seventh time..  Now, it appears that Goans
have a very bright future ahead of them.

Just curious to know if the current NON-CORRUPT Congress Rane 
Administration
has any provision to create a job for Shri Vishwajit Rane either right 
now

or bit later?

Perhaps, Floriano Lobo may have some inside information.

Cip

-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf
Of Goanet News Service Sent: 07 June 2005 07:32

o Pratapsing Rane was sworn-in as chief minister of Goa at 10.07 am
 today. Dr Wilfred de Souza took oath as deputy CM, while
 Sudin Dhavalikar of the MGP did so as a Cabinet minister.
 (Source Digitalgoa.com)
o EARLIER REPORTS: Rane to be sworn-in as CM today. Dr Willy,
  Dhavalikar to be administered oath. Alva to head co-ordination panel. 
(H)

 Pratapsing Rane to be sworn-in for the seventh time. (GT)
o Anti-Goa BJP decisions will be reviewed: Rane

   Rane's tenures as chief minister:
   -
   16 Jan 1980-07 Jan 1985
   07 Jan 1985-30 May 1987
   30 May 1985
   09 Jan 1990-27 Mar 1990
   16 Dec 1994-29 Jul 1998
   02 Feb 2005-04 Mar 2005  Source: Herald

Re: [Goanet]Fw: A Good Goan/Dead Goan?

2005-06-06 Thread carlos6143


floriano/alberto wrote:
Subject: A Good Goan?
Goa is a literate State.  Unfortunately Goans have shown that they 

have no
political taste. And, as things stand today, the feeling is that a 

Good Goan

is a Dead Goan.



Floriano,

There are good Goans in Goa, they prefer to stay away from the others. 
they play by the rules,they work hard, and they mind their own 
business. How many are there, you may need to help me there!  Is Goa a 
literate corrupt state?


Regards,
Carlos

[Goanet]Kentucky diocese settles for $120M for child molestation cases

2005-06-03 Thread carlos6143


http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/06/03/church.abuse.ap/index.html
Nation's largest settlement for child molestation cases
Friday, June 3, 2005 Posted: 10:14 PM EDT (0214 GMT)
COVINGTON, Kentucky (AP) -- The Roman Catholic Diocese of Covington 
agreed Friday to set up a $120 million fund to compensate hundreds of 
victims of child-molesting priests and other employees.
It would be the nation's biggest settlement in the scandal that has 
staggered the church.
The settlement, which is subject to approval by a Kentucky judge, would 
bring to a close a class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of victims 
abused over a 50-year period. It accuses the diocese of a cover-up of 
sexual abuse by priests and others during that time.
After personally meeting with more than 70 victims, I am painfully 
aware that no amount of money can compensate for the harm these victims 
suffered as innocent children, Covington Bishop Roger Foys said in a 
statement.
Nevertheless, I pray that this settlement will bring some measure of 
peace and healing to victims and their loved ones.
Victims will be grouped into four categories based on the severity of 
abuse, and compensation will range from $5,000 to $450,000 per person 
before attorney fees are deducted.
A portion will be set aside to provide counseling, the statement said. 
Any money not used for claims or other expenses would be returned to 
the diocese, it said.
According to the statement, the class of victims encompasses all 
persons, known and unknown, who were abused during the 50-year class 
period. Lawyers for plaintiffs and the diocese have said that number 
would be in the hundreds. It could be months before an exact number is 
known, however, the lawyers have said.
The additional anxiety and stress that would have occurred to the 
victims had there been a trial has been eliminated, said Stan Chesley, 
the plaintiffs' chief attorney.

Real estate, investments and insurance
A spokesman for the diocese would not comment on how the diocese could 
afford the settlement -- or why the amount was so much larger than 
agreements reached in other abuse settlements. Both parties have 
agreed not to comment on the details of the settlement at this time, 
said spokesman Tim Fitzgerald.
Last year, the Orange County, California Diocese agreed to a settlement 
that participants said would pay $100 million to 87 victims. In 2003 
the Boston Archdiocese, where the scandal first erupted, settled with 
552 victims for $85 million.
Covington -- a suburb of Cincinnati, which is across the Ohio River -- 
is far smaller than Boston, the nation's fourth-largest diocese with 
about 2.1 million parishioners. The Covington Diocese spans 14 counties 
and has 89,000 parishioners. The lawsuit also covers some Kentucky 
counties that were part of the Covington Diocese until 1988, when a new 
diocese in Lexington formed.
In a statement the diocese and plaintiffs' attorneys said $40 million 
of the settlement fund would come from a combination of church real 
estate and investments, and $80 million would come from insurance.
Sue Archibald, head of the clergy-abuse victims advocacy group The 
Linkup, called the settlement fair and commended the diocese for its 
efforts.
It's difficult to put a dollar figure on damages that can't be valued, 
but the size of the settlement signifies how serious the abuse and its 
effects were, Archibald said. I hope the settlement enables the 
survivors to move forward with their healing.
In addition to the dioceses that have reached major settlements, three 
-- in Tucson, Arizona; Portland, Oregon, and Spokane, Washington -- 
have filed bankruptcy claims because of abuse allegations.
With the lawsuit pending, the Covington Diocese settled other claims, 
paying $4 million from its savings and $6.5 million from insurance over 
the last 18 months to resolve 56 sex abuse claims. It recently said it 
would move its offices to a medical center to cut costs and earlier 
announced some layoffs.
I don't know that the money is ever a remedy for what was taken from 
us, said Kay Montgomery of Lexington, central Kentucky director of 
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. She settled separately 
with the Covington diocese and is not part of the new settlement.
It doesn't bring back the lost innocence for the victims, and it 
certainly will not bring the innocent life back to them, she said.

--
Regards,
Carlos

[Goanet]MLAs urged to have personal interaction with people

2005-06-03 Thread carlos6143


Navhind Times News Desk
Panaji June 3: The Diocesan Service Centre for social action has 
written a personal letter to all the members of the Goa assembly urging 
them to have personal interaction with the people for exchange of ideas 
for finding effective ways to uphold human dignity and promote human 
values to stop injustice prevailing in today?s society.
The letter said: ?if you feel this ought to be done, please contact us 
to arrange a suitable date and time for the meeting.?
Earlier the centre organised an interactive session with the people who 
expressed their expectations from their elected representatives.
The centre forwarded five from among the many expectations expressed by 
the people to the legislators.
The people feel the need for participatory democracy. The government 
should create channels for effective participation of all the people in 
decision making before finalising of policies. Newspaper advertisements 
and publicity through local self-government institutions are suggested 
as means to invite people?s comments/options/suggestions.
The emphasised on the need for free flow of information. All 
administrative procedures should be fully transparent. The right of any 
citizen to seek information on any issue related to public interest at 
all levels of administration should be respected. The Right to 
Information Act should be suitably amended.
There should be accountability. All ministers as well as the other 
elected members of the legislative assembly should be accountable to 
the people. This principle also applies to the bureaucracy.
The elected representative should respect the votes of the people and 
not betray the peoples? mandate. The traditional communal harmony which 
has characterised Goan society should be maintained and nurtured, it 
urged.

---
Regards,
Carlos

[Goanet]Advani Betrayed the Hindus

2005-06-02 Thread carlos6143


PTI[ THURSDAY, JUNE 02, 2005 03:39:57 PM ]
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1130273.cms?headline='Advani~betrayed,~insulted~Hindus'

CHENNAI: Accusing BJP president L K Advani of having betrayed the 
Hindus, VHP working president Ashok Singhal on Thursday demanded a 
public apology from him for describing the December 6, 1992 Ayodhya 
incident as the saddest day of his life.
He (Advani) should publicly apologise. He has betrayed the Hindus of 
our country. Regretting now, particularly from Pakistani soil, is an 
insult to 90 crore Hindus, Singhal told reporters here.
Alleging that Pakistan was behind the jehadi movements in various parts 
of the country and for the Kargil war, he said Advani's statement, that 
too from Pakistani soil when he had himself accused Pakistan of waging 
proxy war in India, is most shameful.
On friendship with Pakistan, Singhal countered friendship for what? To 
enhance jehadi movement?.
He claimed 43 per cent of districts in India were facing the problem of 
terrorism. Who is teaching them, (terrorists) who is providing 
training to them, he asked.
Referring to the desaffronisation of history lessons from schools by 
the Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh, he claimed 
that despite strong historical evidence, the students were now being 
taught obsolete theories like Aryans invaded India.

--
Regards,
Carlos

Re: [Goanet]Goa's Caste System --of (church) Gaumkars, Bamonns Chaddi

2005-06-01 Thread carlos6143


JoeGoaUk [EMAIL PROTECTED]wrote:


Pl.Note: I belong to one of the abv caste too.
Tea bhair hanv Dev bhiranticho munis.


Joe,

Caste will stay as the Dalit and other caste politicians use their 
caste to defeat the Brahmins  Chaddis. That is why Eduardo Faleiro 
lost the elections in South Goa. He is the best MP Goa has and yet he 
lost.

Carlos

Re: [Goanet]News: It's Official - Kannada Script for Konkani in Schools

2005-05-31 Thread carlos6143



[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Sixty-seven people responded. Of these, 44 opted for the Kannada 

script, 19
for the Devanagari script, two for the Roman script and two were not 

clear

about their choice.


What happened to Goenkars? Is Konkani now outsourced to Karnataka?

Carlos

Re: [Goanet]Re: When and to what extent should priests/nuns be involved in politics?

2005-05-28 Thread carlos6143


Fr. Ivo Da C. Souza [EMAIL PROTECTED]wrote:
The Christian cannot be silent when there is rampant corruption, 

violence and

injustice.


Dear Fr. Ivo,
I am in total agreement with your statement. Wished every Goan Catholic 
politician had the same view. Can the Goa Church help educate these 
people (The politicians as well as the people who voted them) with 
morals and values?

Peace,
Carlos

Re: [Goanet]SENSIBLE STANCE ON MOPA/DABOLIM

2005-05-28 Thread carlos6143


Philip Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Madgao First demanded that the
Dabolim airport should continue to be domestic airport even after 

opening of

international airport at Mopa, the news report says. This is entirely
consistent with the stand taken by Churchill Alemao, MP, in his speech 

in

Parliament earlier this year.


Phillip,

This is the game played by the Goa Corrupt politicians who want to 
appease both sides for their votes. Lets have Mopa and lets have 
Dabolim too so that pro-Dabolim folks are onboard with us at present. 
You know what will happen next. All the Air traffic will go to Mopa as 
it will be the new airport with all the infrastructure that the 
airlines prefer. Once Mopa is built, we can kiss goodbye to Dabolim.
Our Goa Conmen cannot argue with the Delhi Congmen who have already 
made up their mind on Mopa.


Best regards,
Carlos

Re: [Goanet]Re: Floriano Lobo's trip to the election ring

2005-05-25 Thread carlos6143


Fr. Agnelo Gomes [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:


The church has an obligation not only to speak against moral
corruption but corruption in all areas of our life. This obligation 
comes from
Christ who constantly spoke against the evil and corrupt structures of 
his

time.

Dear Fr. Agnelo:

I responded to a similar email from Dr. Jose before I found your email.
I am particularly speaking on the rampant corruption that is happening 
in Goa such as:


Govt Employees taking bribes
Corrupt Catholic politicians/elected representatives
Neighbors/relatives who appear from nowhere and claim your property
People who do harm to others
People who do not follow the laws such as building on your property 
lines (boundaries)

Etc.

I see all these people involved in above activities attend the Church 
on Sunday's. What a great place to bring these issues up.


Where is the Church on these issues and why is it not taking a firm 
stand?


Shalom,
Carlos

Re: [Goanet]Re: : Floriano's election Carlos' church trips

2005-05-25 Thread carlos6143


jose colaco [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

How many times, Carlos have you spoken out (on these lists or in the 

newspapers) about corruption

Jose,

Sorry for not responding earlier, as I was busy at work.

I want to reiterate that Corruption is Wrong period. No matter who does 
it and where and how it happens. Lets deal with the current issues. I 
still believe that the Church needs to take a strong stand on it. Who 
else can preach morals and values better than your own family and the 
Church? The family could be weak on morals and values. Is the Church 
also weak? I hope not and it should never be.
What are the top most priorities for the Church? Is it for collecting 
donations for the development work in the parish? Or is it to preach 
morals and values? Or is it to gain souls for God? What is it and I am 
waiting for the answer.


Let's not beat around the bush, but let's tackle Corruption head on?

Best regards,
Carlos

Re: [Goanet]Re: Floriano Lobo's trip to the election ring

2005-05-23 Thread carlos6143




jose colaco [EMAIL PROTECTED]wrote:

Here is where I disagree with you: 

 

1.  Why can't the CHURCH take a stand on corruption? .  

 
BTW when last have you been to church in Goa? Maybe you do not/cannot 
understand that poorly constructed nasal-dialect of Marathi pretending 
to be Konkani that is heard in the churches of Goa. 

 

2. Even if they do. the CHURCH is not doing enough. 

 
Again, I am a strong believer of separation of Church and State. 
Otherwise we'd be no different from those Islamic fundamentalists who 
are now taking control of the deserts, and those Hindu fundamentalist 
who are trying to make a comeback in your favourite country. 

 
Not to forget the Rt. Wing Christians wherever they exist  their 

apologists. 
 
Jose,

1.  I go to Goa frequently and I am there at every Sunday mass. Never 
did I hear the church preaching on corruption.
2.  I am also a strong believer of separation of Church and State. 
Corruption is widespread, starting from politicians to govt employees 
to neighbors/relatives. I believe the Church need to stress on morals 
and values.


Mog asundi,
Carlos

Re: [Goanet]RE: Five thoughts for double-digit inclusive growth -

2005-05-21 Thread carlos6143



Philip Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED]wrote:


Even as regards India, this would have been
as valid 50 years ago as it is today and perhaps 5 years hence! What 
really

is new in it?

Continuation of Advani's speech:Some Highlights

India could break the chains of under-achievement and begin attaining 
higher rates of economic growth in the 1990s only after it discarded 
the influence of that Soviet model.


I never cease to be amazed by the hypocrisy of the Indian communists. 
For them, it is okay if China carries out economic reforms, but India 
must not. It is okay if China becomes a nuclear weapon nation, but 
India must not.
It is okay if a Chinese leader says, It does not matter of which 
colour the cat is, so long as it catches the mice, but for the 
Communists, India must follow the dictum: It does not matter if the 
cat cannot catch the mice, but it must be of red colour.
I wish to caution Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh: Your dependence 
on communist support will prove to be a liability for anything good you 
may wish to do.
If 8 % growth was Mungeri Lals Haseen Sapne, then would Double-Digit 
Growth be Mungeri Lals Hallucinations? A very responsible leader of 
the UPA had sought to rubbish the Vajpayee governments attempts to 
achieve 8% GDP growth rate as Mungeri Lals Haseen Sapne. By that 
logic, our present discussion on how India should achieve double-digit 
growth must qualify to be called not just Mungeri Lals Haseen Sapne, 
but Mungeri Lals Hallucinations!
While on the point of good governance, I must emphasise that this 
should not be confined only to Raisina Hill; it is also needed in 
Nariman Point. Corporate India must also follow the relevant norms and 
rules of good corporate governanceboth in letter and in spirit.


Regards,
Carlos

Re: [Goanet]Re: Two Goans among the Four Indian students - won the Intel ISEF awrds

2005-05-21 Thread carlos6143


Bernado Colaco [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Miguel Braganza speaks kanadda. Does he become a kanadiga?
Carlos u must be a stud that's why you got voted.



Bernado et al,

If one lives in Karnataka and wants to be a Kanadigan, so be it, no one 
should stop him.
Imagine if Bangalore and Mumbai closed their borders for Goans, who 
will suffer? My two cousins currently working in Bangalore as software 
engineers would not get the job they like. Imagine if UK and US did the 
same.
But I do agree that Goan culture should be maintained and Konkani is 
what will keep us united. It is a now a complex question on how to keep 
Goan identity especially when selfish corrupt politicians the Goan 
Catholics elect, encourage outsiders (blue collared workers) to get 
registered for their vote bank which mostly goes to Congress. Example: 
Margao Monte which is seeing influx of immigrant Muslim blue collared 
voters for the last 20 years. Why do the politicians want these people 
(who are mostly illiterate and will care less to vote) to get 
registered for elections? I feel the real danger to Goa is from flood 
of blue collared immigrants who can change the state demographic 
conditions. Unfortunately Goa needs them for its development. Congress 
knows that they will get the Catholic  Muslim vote bank even if they 
put a dummy or dead person on the ticket. Why can't they put honest 
trustworthy people. Why can't people force them to do it?

Regards,
Carlos

[Goanet]Five thoughts for double-digit inclusive growth - India

2005-05-20 Thread carlos6143

http://in.rediff.com/money/2005/may/18cii.htm 
 
Advani's 5-point plan for double-digit growth 
 
May 18, 2005 18:05 IST - Rediff 
 
India could break the chains of under-achievement and begin attaining 
higher rates of economic growth in the 1990s only after it discarded 
the influence of that Soviet model, said Bharatiya Janata Party 
President L K Advani at the CII's Annual Session and National 
Conference in New Delhi on Wednesday.  
He also laid down a roadmap to achieve double-digit GDP growth rate for 
the country.  
Following is the partial text of his speech:  
Friends, I did not want my address today on a business platform to have 
political overtones. But I had to place the theme of my address -- 'How 
to Achieve Double Digit Inclusive Growth' -- in its proper national 
context. Now I turn, briefly, to presenting five specific thoughts. 
 
One,
both the central and state governments must continue to focus on rapid 
expansion and modernisation of our infrastructure. We must especially 
consolidate our gains in information technology and other areas of the 
knowledge economy.  
The work on ambitious infrastructure projects such as the National 
Highway Development Project, the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, the 
Indian Railways' Rashtriya Rail Vikas Yojana, modernisation of our 
airports and construction of greenfield airports, the Sagar Mala 
project for the modernisation of our ports infrastructure, the many 
initiatives on urban renewal, implementation of power sector reforms as 
per the Electricity Bill 2003, strengthening of our Science  
Technology infrastructure -- all this must receive strong, focused and 
sustained attention.  
I am sorry to say that the implementation of many of these projects has 
slowed down, especially the power sector reforms. If the alarming 
situation in Mumbai and Maharashtra is any pointer, then we must 
realise that we cannot live in the past and continue with old attitudes 
about the role of the private sector in electricity generation, 
transmission, and distribution. 
 
Two,
 not just physical infrastructure but also our social infrastructure 
needs similar strong, focused and sustained attention. In particular, 
the needs of our SC, ST and OBC brethren must become our collective 
priority. Faster economic growth without social justice is an affront 
to our Constitutional ideals. 
Here, learning from past experience, we must admit that the capability 
of government agencies to implement social sectors programmes and 
deliver results does not inspire confidence. Therefore, I am all for 
the widening and deepening the scope for public-private partnerships in 
education, health-care, drinking water supply, sanitation, housing for 
the poor and middle-classes, slum rehabilitation, etc. 
 
Three,
a big area of much-needed reforms is agriculture. Your incoming 
President has made a name for himself on agricultural issues and I hope 
that in his Presidency, CII will promote reforms in agriculture, 
marketing, technology transfer, food processing, etc. I am aware that 
agriculture is a state subject and states have to take the lead. I am 
pleased that Madhya Pradesh, a BJP-ruled state has been leading the 
reforms in agriculture marketing. 
 
Four,
 another important issue is to promote good governance reforms, both at 
the Centre and in states. I've long held that Swaraj in India was not 
followed by Su-Raj. I understand that CII has recently done some 
brainstorming workshops on this subject of state-related reforms. This 
is important, and you must push as hard for reforms in states as you 
did for economic reforms at the Centre in the last twelve years. We 
need to make state governments -- the executive, the legislature, and 
the judiciary -- realise the importance of faster reforms.  
In this context, you will be pleased to know that earlier this month we 
organised a three-day training workshop near Mumbai for all the 
ministers of the BJP-ruled states -- Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya 
Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa and Nagaland (our party is a 
coalition partner in the last two states). It was the first of its kind 
for any political party in the country.  
While on the point of good governance, I must emphasise that this 
should not be confined only to Raisina Hill; it is also needed in 
Nariman Point. Corporate India must also follow the relevant norms and 
rules of good corporate governance -- both in letter and in spirit. 
 
Five,
the imperative of achieving high growth with employment and equity has 
to be a common commitment for both governments and the business 
community. India's overwhelmingly young population needs adequate 
opportunities for rewarding employment and for realising their 
increasingly ambitious dreams.  
The informal sector and the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) sector 
have the highest potential to generate employment. Therefore, there is 
an urgent need to remove the difficulties being faced by these 
sectors.  
In

Re: [Goanet]Two Goans among the Four Indian students - won the Intel ISEF awrds

2005-05-19 Thread carlos6143


Frederick Noronha (FN) [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Carlos' post did strike me as somewhat tongue-in-cheek. But behind the 
humour, he did have a serious point to make.
When I was reporting on the Baina issue, one of the young men I met 
was a Kannadiga who spoke Konkani fluently in the Catholic Sashti 
dialect -- he worked on a trawler and lived in Baina.

Fred,
Thanks. It has been couple of years since we last met at Aires place in 
Ribandar.
The point I was trying to make in the subject title is INCLUSIVENESS
I thought twice before I decided to include Dhillon as a Goan. Few 
hours later, I noticed Navhind Times also referred him as a Goan.
We need to know that to survive, we cannot isolate ourselves as a 
group. Isolation only benefits the weak politicians who are using us, 
not individuals. Weak and corrupt politicians use religion to get the 
votes. We need to understand that.
I was elected a student secretary in an Engineering College in Southern 
India during the Emergency, even lathi charged because I opposed 
Emergency rule. I was an outsider, the only Goan Christian in the 
College and still got elected by landlside without spending a pie as 
compared to my opponents. How did I get elected? We have to assimilate 
ourselves into the mainstream.
Regarding Konkani, if we want Konkani to survive, more and more people 
need to speak Konkani, including neo Goans.

Regards,
Carlos

Re: [Goanet]India's Right Wing: Hindu Nationalism, or Plain

2005-05-18 Thread carlos6143


---Mario Goveia [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Carlos, you have old Bushie all wrong. You only end up
at Gitmo if you are violently against freedom and
democracy and are captured on the battlefield.  The
separation part will have to be handled by Manmohan,
unless, of course, he cannot deal with the Taliban
Goans alone.
Mario,
The last time I spoke with him, he was in agreement to make exception 
to Taliban Goans.
Taliban Goans  -Watch out -- Bush is watching you. You may end up in 
Gitzmo

Jai Hind!
Carlos

Re: [Goanet]RE : India's Right Wing: Hindu Nationalism, or Plain

Mario wrote:
Mario asks the mythical Halur Rasho:Halur, my dear fellow
Lighten up guys. It was only a joke from Halur on how to identify FAke 
Goans.
Halur, see what you started
Namaskar!
Carlos

[Goanet]Andaman tribals: Study shows African ancestry

Andaman tribals: Study shows African ancestry

http://www.ndtv.com/morenews/showmorestory.asp?slug=Andaman+tribals:+Study+shows+African+linkid=73133
T S Sudhir
Tuesday, May 17, 2005 (Hyderabad):
It's a fact that's been suspected for years, and has now been
confirmed.

A study by the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB)
establishes that the tribals on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have
African ancestry and have nothing in common with the Indian
sub-continent.

According to the study, the first persons to leave Africa landed in
India and thereafter settled down on the Andaman Islands.

And now, the tribal population from Goa down to Kerala, will be the
object of a DNA study to be conducted by the CCMB.

Conducting tests
Scientists will study tribes along India's west coast because that is
the route the early humans apparently took to travel from Africa
through the Red Sea, and finally to the Andamans.

The scientists believe there could be tribes with traces of African
origin and older than the ones found in the Andamans.

The Hyderabad-based CCMB's three-year long research has established
that the Great Andamanese and Onges tribes on the Andaman islands are
closer to the Africans rather than to any tribes in the Indian
sub-continent.

The first man who left Africa took the sea route and reached the
Andamans. And he stayed put there, said Dr Lalji Singh, Director, CCMB.

Warning sounded
The scientists, who established the origin after comparing a specific
kind of genetic material called mitochondrial DNA of the tribes with
those of existing populations in Africa, however sound a warning.

They are more threatened today than they were before. Just like our
lions and tigers are threatened as the natural habitat is dwindling. We
are forcing them to indulge in inbreeding and inbreeding leads to
extinction in future,'' said Lalji Singh.

The tribals bury their dead, but with many of them hostile to
outsiders, it has not yet been possible to study the bones of the dead.

Scientists believe the graves could provide answers to what may have
happened thousands of years ago.
-
Jai Hind!
Carlos

Re: [Goanet]Constructive bashing

Kevin.
A good posting.
I would like to add that the best thing to do is to ignore the posting 
when it gets personal or dirty.
Let's show respect to each other, maturity and decency.
The silent people on the net are smart enough to make a judgment on 
every posting they choose to read.
Regarding the tuti frutty joke, I think I missed reading it.

Best Regards,
Carlos

[Goanet]In per capita list, Goa comes first, Delhi comes second

http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=129644
Financial health report, released by Walia, says Delhiites per capita 
income (2003-04) is more than double that of the national average at Rs 
51, 664 compared to Rs 20, 989.

Express News Service
New Delhi, May 16: DELHI gets prosperous. This is the loud and clear 
verdict from Delhis financial health report, released by Finance 
Minister Dr A.K. Walia today.

The Estimates of State Domestic Product of Delhi said the Capitals per 
capita income is about two-and-half times the national average and is 
the second-highest in the country (after Goa). While Delhiites per 
capita income is at Rs 51,664 for 2003-04, the national average is Rs 
20,989 for 2003-04.

The report said it grew by 8.9 pc from the previous years (2002-03) Rs 
47,441 as the per capita income.

The Gross State Domestic Product grew by 12.1 pc, compared to 11.7 pc 
in national GDP. Delhis contribution is about 3.1 pc in national 
income, compared to its 1.4 pc share in total population of the 
country, Dr Walia said.

Comparing the Delhis GSDP at current prices, the highest growth of 25 
pc was achieved in the communication sector during 2003-04, followed by 
17 pc in the transport sector, 13 pc in trade, hotels and restaurants 
and 12 pc growth was achieved in each sector like manufacturing, 
construction and real estate and business services sector.

The minister said the tertiary sector has an important role in the 
Capitals economy and its contribution, in real terms, is about 78 pc. 
The secondary sector is contributing 21 pc and remaining 1 pc is the 
contribution of primary sector.

In the tertiary sector, banking and insurance, real estate and business 
services sector is contributing about 29 pc in Delhis economy followed 
by 21 pc by trade, hotels and restaurants, 15 pc by transport, storage 
and communication, 13 pc by community, social and personal services.

In the secondary sector, the registered manufacturing sector is 
contributing about 5 pc and unregistered manufacturing sector 
contributes about 7 pc, while 8 pc contribution is from the 
construction sector in Delhis economy
-
Jai Hind!
Carlos

[Goanet]SpiceJet launches flights for Rs 99

SpiceJet launches flights for Rs 99
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1113247.cms
IANS[ TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2005 06:24:12 PM ]
NEW DELHI: India's growing budget air travel market spiced up on 
Tuesday with the launch of low cost carrier SpiceJet, which begins 
operating on domestic routes next week with a debut price of Rs 99.

With a fleet of three Boeing 737-800 aircraft and an initial investment 
of $25 million, SpiceJet will operate its first flight on Monday on the 
Delhi-Ahmedabad-Mumbai route.

On May 27, the airline will fly to Goa and on June 13, to Pune and 
Bangalore.

We see ourselves taking train traffic and putting it in air, creating 
a new market for seniors, students, leisure and train travellers, said 
SpiceJet CEO Mark Winders.

Some 30 pilots are on board the new budget operator.
Right now we are only looking at the domestic market. We are offering 
one-and-a-half to two-hour flights as an alternative to train journeys 
of more than six hours.

He said by January 2006, the airline would have 10 brand new aircraft. 
We see ourselves with a fleet of 20-30 airplanes eventually.

The company aims to issue convertible bonds in June to raise $90 
million for its fleet expansion plans.

Within hours of its online booking facilities opening at 0600 IST. 
Tuesday, the airline had registered 5,000 bookings.

Winders said to celebrate the launch of the airline, SpiceJet would 
offer over 30,000 Red Hot Special Fares starting at Rs 99 for the 
first 99 days of its operation.

These fares would also be available at Rs 499 and Rs 799. Over 9,000 
seats would be available under the introductory offer and all flights 
would offer between five to 10 seats daily at low prices.

The airline offers a single class in all its 189-seater planes, with 
complementary snacks and water.

Initial destinations include Delhi, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Goa, Bangalore 
and Pune.

It is not just the price, but what we offer at that price and our 
commitment to high quality service that will differentiate and position 
SpiceJet, Winders asserted.

Company director Ajay Singh said SpiceJet, a reincarnate of ModiLuft, 
was 20 per cent owned by foreign institutional investors and other 
institutions such as Citibank, ABN Amro and Goldman Sachs.

Royal Holdings Services Limited, a Nevada-based company, has a major 
stake in SpiceJet.
--
Jai Hind!
Carlos

Re: [Goanet]RE : India's Right Wing: Hindu Nationalism, or Plain

2005-05-16 Thread carlos6143

Jose Colaco wrote:
BTW: I believe the following

1. The law should be fair and equitable. If the laws are the same for 
EVERY
citizen of a country, then
a: Kashmir should be open to ALL citizens

b. However, IF a contract has been signed before the Accession of 
Kashmir,
it should be honoured.
c. If Kashmiris do not allow Goans to buy land in Kashmir, Kashmiris 
should
be barred from holding land in Goa.
How about that ?!

jc

Prezado Senhor Jose,
It was nice chatting with you privately. As I said earlier, you are one 
of the few ones over here who do not get personal. It shows maturity. 
May be because we have roots to a common village in Goa.

a.  I agree. Kashmir should have been open to all citizens as in Goa. 
If this had happened, ground realities today would have been different.

b. Hell with the contract (sorry to say that). The sub continent should 
not have been partitioned based on religion. Who got a better deal?

c. I fully agree.
Mog asundi and Jai Hind as usual!
Carlos

[Goanet]India's Right Wing: Hindu Nationalism, or Plain Old Conservatism?

2005-05-16 Thread carlos6143

http://www.geocities.com/akhandbharat1947/rightwing.html
India's Right Wing: Hindu Nationalism, or Plain Old Conservatism?
by Kannan Raghunandan
Editorial Note: In this article, Mr. Kannan Raghunandan seeks to 
examine the stand of the BJP on various issues and arrive at a 
conclusion as to whether the BJP is merely a right-of-center political 
party, or whether it is Hindu nationalist, as it is often 
characterized, usually in a derogatory sense, by Indian and 
International media.

Minority Rights
Successive governments in India have gone to great lengths to have a 
strong minorities commission in India. However, they have been 
studiously silent about the plight of the Pandit community in Kashmir. 
Almost the entire Pandit community (about 500,000) has been ethnically 
cleansed out of Kashmir since 1989. Why is the Minorities Commission of 
India impotent with respect to the Pandits plight? Because they are 
Hindus, and Kashmir is the only Muslim-majority state in India. In 
addition, a special provision in the Indian constitution (article 370) 
enables the state government to prohibit purchase of land, in the 
Muslim majority area, by Hindus from other parts of India.

There are hate-crimes laws on the books in the USA. The interesting 
issue is that such laws have been used both when white criminals have 
perpetrated crimes on African-Americans, and when African-American 
criminals have perpetrated such crimes on whites or Asian-Americans. 
The argument that such laws should be applicable exclusively when the 
perpetrators are white will not (and does not) fly. If politicians were 
to suggest that hate-crime laws should not be applicable in inner 
cities (which are predominantly African-American) especially when the 
perpetrator is African-American, that argument will be rightly 
dismissed as a dangerous double-standard. In addition, if the District 
of Columbia or any of the major cities with a black majority population 
prohibited real-estate purchases by non-blacks to preserve their black 
majority status, would any responsible politician support such 
policies?

The BJP is the only party which has consistently fought against this 
double standard, of giving second-hand treatment to Hindus. 
Incidentally, removing the special treatment which enables a Muslim 
majority state to prohibit real-estate purchase by Hindus is one of the 
three main controversial issues in the BJP platform. Should the BJP 
be called anti-secular or Hindu nationalist for this?

Law:
 No other democracy (for that matter, any other country) in the world 
has different forms of justice for different people, depending on their 
religion. Even Pakistan (Indias Muslim neighbor) and Indonesia (the 
most populous Muslim country) have a uniform civil code. India is the 
only country, where the rules of justice are different depending on 
your religion! (This came about because an earlier Congress Party 
government, to capture the Muslim votes, promised that Muslim men need 
not pay alimony in case of divorce -- keep in mind that a big 
proportion of Muslim women are not educated, and would vote as per the 
diktat of the husband in elections. The Congress Party government which 
at that time had a massive parliamentary majority, deemed it fit to 
change the law after a decision by the Indian supreme court. 
Incidentally, I have wondered why the so-called secular press and the 
self-labeled fighters-for-social-justice in India and elsewhere have 
not deemed it fit to call the Congress Party and others who support 
such blatantly anti-women laws as sexist or misogynists.)

If the Jews and Muslims in the USA demanded that the common-law should 
not be applicable for them, but that the Torah and the Koranic laws, 
respectively, should be applicable for disputes involving Jews or 
Muslims, will it be given any serious consideration by any politician 
or public figure?

The BJPs promise to bring a uniform civil code, which will be 
applicable for the entire population, is the second primary reason for 
the BJPs Hindu nationalist label. Is seeking uniformity, as opposed 
to differential treatment based on religion, anti-secular or Hindu 
nationalist? (As an aside, the very same pseudo-secularists who raise 
a hue and cry about Muslim personal law are conspicuously silent when 
it comes to criminal law. Nobody ever raised a voice about Islamic 
Shariat punishments being applicable for Muslims convicted of criminal 
acts. Sauce for the goose, sauce for the gander, right? But then, 
Shariat criminal punishments are in general more severe!)

Education:
 In India, minority educational institutions are governed by special 
law. In general, they are subject to far less regulation even if they 
receive a part or the whole of their operating budget from the 
taxpayer. They are not subject to laws regarding hiring and firing of 
employees, admission of students, or other operating activities (for 
example, minority institutions can force everyone to

[Goanet]Hindu card in Goa

2005-05-16 Thread carlos6143

http://www.dailypioneer.com/columnist1.asp?main_variable=Columnistfile_name=vyas%2Fvyas79.txtwriter=vyas
Delivery less Prime Minister--- The Pioneer, May 16
UPA leaders are getting ready for a party on May 22. The occasion is
the Government's completion of a year in office. Meanwhile, the PMO is
planning to mark the occasion by preparing annual report cards of
ministers. But what about Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's own
performance?
Manmohan Singh cannot be compared with his predecessors like Indira
Gandhi, V P Singh, P V Narasimha Rao, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, H D Deve
Gowda or I K Gujral. In the past year, he didn't take one decision that
touched the man on the street. Neither has he shown the spark of an
inspiring leader, nor has he displayed any capability to deliver on his
promises. He has even failed to take forward the economic reforms
process. The Government's one year in office has shown that governance
is an extremely difficult proposition without a politically tempered
leader.
Committee Raj
Manmohan Singh's Government is of babus, by babus and for babus. I was
expecting him to reform bureaucracy and make Government servants
accountable. However, just the opposite has happened.
Singh is entirely dependant on bureaucrats. He is comfortable with
Montek Singh Ahluwalia and T K A Nair and party. He avoids his
ministers and political leaders. In fact, he is running the Government
through committees. He has created a record by setting up more than 52
committees in a year. Whenever he faces a problem, he appoints a
committee.

Hindu card in Goa
At last, the Congress has appointed a Hindu as president of its Goa
unit. Interestingly, party general secretary in charge Margaret Alva, a
Christian, had to force Sonia to have Ravi Naik in the seat. Sources
say Alva had threatened to resign if Naik was not appointed to the
post. She told Sonia that Goa had only 30 per cent Christians, yet the
Governor, the two MPs and she were Christians. She told Sonia the issue
could be exploited by the BJP during the by-elections for five Assembly
seats.
Convinced, Sonia finalised the name of Ravi Naik. But before his name
could be announced by the AICC, Oscar Fernandes got the process
stalled. He convinced Sonia to anoint a Christian as Goa Congress
president. Sonia agreed with Fernandes and changed her decision. When
Alva threatened to resign and told her to forget about winning any of
the seats, Sonia again handed the throne back to Ravi Naik.
-
Jai Hind!
Carlos

[Goanet]Soft drinks to be banned in trains

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200505142169.htm?headline=Soft~drinks~to~be~banned~in~trains:~Lalu
Soft drinks to be banned in trains: Lalu
Chhindwara (MP), May. 14 (PTI): Continuing his swadeshi drive, Union 
Railway Minister Lalu Prasad, today announced that sale of soft drinks 
would be banned in trains as well as at stations which will be 
substituted by indigenous products like butter-milk.

A ban will be imposed on serving of cold drinks like Pepsi, Cola and 
Fanta in trains as well as at railway stations, he said at a public 
meeting after laying the foundation stone of the Rs 384 crore 
Chhindwara-Nagpur broad-gauge line project.

From now onwards, passengers would be treated to milk, butter-milk and 
other tasty drinks in the trains, said the Railway Minister who had 
introduced 'Kulhars' (earthern cups) for serving tea to passengers soon 
after he took over last year.

Vote for Lalu's govt for tasty milky drinks!
Carlos

[Goanet]Secularism - A tool of dividing politics

http://news.indiainfo.com/2005/02/08/0802guru.htmluesday
Secularism - A tool of dividing politics -- Indiainfo.com
By S Gurumurthy 
 
 
Why did the Karnataka Chief Minister and other seculars proudly 
participate in the mass proselytising event of Benny Hinn, who abused 
Hindus and Hindu Gods? 
 
How is it that E Ahmed of the Muslim League is 'secular' and L K Advani 
of the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) 'communal'? 
 
Why is the Kanchi Mutt being hounded while the raid on the Islamic 
religious school at Nadwa to catch ISI insurgents was called off and 
Central Ministers sent to apologise to Ali Mian for the raid? 
 
How is it that 'secular' intellectuals are asking for the release of 
the Godhra accused and none of them is bothered about Vijayendra 
Saraswathi in jail? 
 
How come even a Congress Chief Minister like A K Antony could not stand 
the pseudo-'secular' polity and was forced to charge the organised 
minorities for perverting secularism? Why..? How...? These and similar 
questions repeatedly arise. But no one cares to answer them. You want 
answers to these questions? Read on... 
 
For 'secular' India, secularism is not divorced between the State and 
religion. For them secularism is exclusively for the benefit of the 
minorities. Extend it, secularism means pampering the minorities. Go 
further, it includes being allergic to the majority. 
 
That is, unless one explicitly appeases the minorities and is overtly 
allergic to Hindus, one is not 'secular' enough. How did secularism 
acquire these new dimensions? Simple: it became a tool of politics. 
Politics is all about uniting the supporters and dividing the 
opponents. 
 
In Indian politics, uniting a minority for votes is 'secular'. It is 
'secular' to divide the majority into this or that caste for votes. 
Consequently, uniting the majority is anti-'secular'. And organising 
the majority is fundamentalist. 
 
In contrast, protecting organised minority is a 'secular' duty. This is 
the high point of 'secular' India. A novice in Christian history would 
know that secularism originated in Christendom as a rule of separation 
of the Christian church and the Christian State. But how come what 
started off as an issue of Christian church versus the Christian State 
has become an issue of majority versus minority? 
 
Now we need to trespass into some history - not an interesting subject 
for many. With Martin Luther's revolt against the 'Catholic Church' 
arrived the 'Protestant Church'. This weakened the Papacy and 
eventually broke up the Holy Roman Empire. The broken pieces of the 
Empire, by permutation and combination, became the modern Nation-States 
in Europe. 
 
But these separated Nation-States also owed allegiance to Christ and 
Bible. These developments were all intra-Christian, within Christendom. 
No other religion was in the picture. 
 
The Church had ensured that no indigenous faith survived after 
Christianity took charge of Europe. Till this point no one had heard of 
secularism. It was only when the national Christian churches clashed 
with the national Christian states for primacy that a formula had to be 
worked out. 
 
That formula was that the Christian State would prevail in worldly 
issues that were considered to be 'secular' in Christian theology. In 
the Abrahamic world all matters pertaining to the 'other world' were 
sacred, and the worldly issues 'secular'. This was how secularism was 
born. It separated what Christianity regarded as 'sacred' from what it 
classified as 'secular'. 
 
But the common denominator was the Christian theology and what it 
certified as sacred and 'secular'. In the European model, the Christian 
State was not actually creed-neutral. It was neutrality between the 
Christian State and the Christian church within Christianity. 
Secularism mandated that the Christian church would not interfere in 
matters of the Christian State. 
 
It was the advent of democracy, not secularism, which gave the survival 
space for non-Christian faiths in Christendom. The Christian States 
ruled by Christian monarchs began clashing with the people when the 
people began demanding more rights. This is where individualism began 
conflicting with monarchies. The clashes triggered movements for 
democracy. 
 
It was democracy that really shaped the institution of secularism as 
later understood in the modern West. With individualism becoming the 
supreme institution, the society in the West lost its legitimacy. So 
religion became a personal affair, an individual right. 
 
Still, secularism in the West was an all-Christian affair. It was an 
intra-Christian discipline. The State stood neutral between the 
Christian church and Christians, whether faithfuls or heretics. 
 
But democracy offered space for atheists and agnostics. Added to that 
was emigration from the rest of the world which turned the Christian 
West multi-religious and multi-racial. This brought in the issue of 
religious minorities. 
 
But in the West,

Re: [Goanet]Two Goans among the Four Indian students - won the Intel ISEF awrds

Bernardo Colaco wrote:
Come to Goa, come to Goa and become a Goan!

Why not? Goa needs them to keep Konkani alive.
Keralite Goans and North Indian Goans speak better Konkani and are 
proud to speak Konkani than many of us. At least they will keep the 
language alive.

Carlos

Re: [Goanet]NIRMALA SAWANT to contest as INDEPENDENT