[Goanet] {Dilip's essays} Going by the numbers, a road to nowhere

[Dilip D'Souza]

Feb 12

Sometime soon, the Bombay suburb of Bandra, where we live, will see a huge
rise in traffic and the consequent congestion. The city's Coastal Road,
under construction just off its western shore, is to have an exit onto
Carter Road, the sea-hugging road that starts not far from where I sit
writing this. The construction for this exit is already well underway and
it's hard to look at it and not fear for what lies ahead.

A study done some years ago offers a rationale for the Coastal Road
(really, the segment from Bandra to the northern suburbs). When I looked at
the numbers it offers, I knew I needed to write a column examining them, or
some of them, as best I could. This is that column, in Mint yesterday
(February 12): Going by the numbers, a road to nowhere,
https://www.livemint.com/opinion/columns/going-by-the-numbers-a-road-to-nowhere-11613062413417.html

I really would like to hear your thoughts. Preferably, sometime before I am
overrun by a stream of Passenger Car Units.

yours,
dilip

---


By the numbers, a road to nowhere


The first giveaways, please note, are large numbers that don’t end in one
or more zeros. Their source: A 2012 report to estimate the traffic on
Mumbai’s upcoming Versova-Bandra Sea Link (VBSL).

For background, the eight-lane VBSL is part of the ongoing Coastal Road
project. One stretch of the Coastal Road — the Bandra Worli Sea Link (BWSL)
— has been in operation since 2009. Traffic estimates for the VBSL appear
in this report: "Independent Verification of Traffic Estimation for the
Proposed Versova-Bandra Sea Link."

These estimates are the large numbers I mean - estimates, in many cases,
about a time decades into the future. Why would such a guess — in the end,
a guess is what it is — be 199,584 rather than 200,000? 107,004 rather than
107,000?

There’s a possible explanation. A number like 199,584 suggests that coming
up with it involved some serious modelling and calculation, in ways that
200,000 does not. And with these particular numbers, these tables where
they appear, this report from which I got them — well, it is important
indeed to give that impression.

The report was written by Prof. K.V. Krishna Rao of IIT-Bombay’s civil
engineering department. Available on the website (
https://msrdc.org/Site/Upload/GR/IITTrafficSurveyReportVBSLP.pdf) of the
Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), it spells out the
rationale for building the VBSL.

Now I don't know for certain if this report played any part in the design
of the coastal road. But its presence on the MSRDC website at least
suggests as much. It tells us that it is meant to be taken seriously. And
that's just what we'll do, going just by the numbers it offers.

It's a sequence of five tables from the report that I'm looking at.
Essentially, they offer estimates, under varying conditions and in
different years, of how much traffic the VBSL will carry. For example, one
table is called "Estimated Total Daily Traffic (Buses and Private Vehicles)
in PCUs on proposed VBSL." (PCU - Passenger Car Units; let's just call them
"vehicles").

The numbers in the tables were generated by using an elaborate model - by
the report's own language, an "econometric four-stage transportation
planning model" - that was spelled out in an earlier (2005) study called
TRANSFORM. The model takes into account factors and concepts like "crowding
curve", "trip generation" and "weighted in-vehicle travel cost", among many
more, all of which leave no doubt about its mathematical authenticity. This
model produced plenty of graphs and analysis in the report, using the data
that's in the tables - all those large numbers, remember, some of which
don't end in zeroes.

Having established its provenance, let's examine some of the things the
report tells us. Written in 2012, it offers traffic projections for 2016,
2021 and 2031. With 2016 firmly behind us, let's consider just 2021 for now.

The first number that leaped out at me is 175,260, from the table I
mentioned above. It is the total daily traffic volume, meaning the number
of vehicles, that will use the Coastal Road between the existing
Bandra-Worli Sea Link (BWSL) and the exit at Bandra's Carter Road. Why did
this leap out?

One reason is the terrifying spectre of even a fraction of those thousands
of vehicles flooding off the BWSL onto Bandra's narrow and already
congested roads.

But leave that be. When the BWSL was built, we were told it was expected to
carry somewhere between 100,000 and 140,000 vehicles a day (see my article
in this space, "The traffic conundrum: speeding up to a standstill", 21
December 2018,
https://www.livemint.com/Opinion/94qFJz07pRNbNEL2nZ271I/Opinion--The-traffic-conundrum-speeding-up-to-a-standstill.html).
Let's use the higher number, 140,000.

If 140,000 vehicles use the BWSL daily, how will over 35,000 more - 25%
higher - suddenly appear on the 2km VBSL stretch to the Carter Road exit?

And yet that's not even the real problem with this number 175

[Goanet] They prefer to come here, why ?

[Antonio Menezes]

The Indian sub-continent is surrounded by miles and miles
of coastline  and yet it is a few miles long stretch from
Mobor to Vagator  that attracts thousands upon thousands
of domestic tourists.
There are seashores, beaches, coastlines, sand patches ,
waterfronts  in plenty in India and yet they prefer to come to
to the Goa coastline.
Perhaps it is a glass of less alcoholic liquid called beer
that is available in plenty and somewhat cheaper too.
And combine this with the breathing of salubrious
coastal air, perhaps makes most of them feel less
constipated.

[Goanet] Alcohol bottle waste

[Pamela D'Mello]

Goa's 365 Day demographic-altering, tourism marketing pitch has uncorked a
notoriously jagged spin-off -  beer/alcohol bottles, carelessly tossed
or dangerously smashed on beaches, highways and tourist spots.

As  the number of domestic visitors nearly quadrupled in just six years(23
lakhs in 2012 to 70.8 lakhs in 2018) ---  the propensity to mindlessly
litter   is costing the exchequer crores of rupees to clean up after
them.

It is a problem that is angering community-minded local  residents and
harming the tourism industry, as discerning high spenders migrate away to
cleaner beach resort locations. Worse, the cultural and ecological
environment  particularly coastal and marine    notches
unprecedented degradation

https://india.mongabay.com/2021/02/alcohol-bottle-waste-a-transparent-problem-in-goas-beaches/

[Goanet] [Photo Blog by Rajan Parrikar] Shoreline Morjim

[Rajan Parrikar]

Photo Blog by Rajan Parrikar has posted a new item, 'Shoreline Morjim'

Morning in Goa.

An image from 2008.

You may view the latest post at

https://blog.parrikar.com/2021/02/13/shoreline-morjim/


Warm regards,

Rajan Parrikar
parri...@yahoo.com

[Goanet] PANAJI NEEDS WISE AND VIBRANT CORPORATORS

[Aires Rodrigues]

Panaji will soon elect 30 new Corporators to the Corporation of City of
Panaji (CCP). Under the current leadership Goa’s capital City has only
further decayed.

Panaji’s infrastructure is crumbling, the solution to the garbage crisis is
nowhere in sight while increasing number of stray dogs and cattle has
remained unattended. The poor state of the roads and traffic chaos is a
constant reminder of the failure and incompetence of a CCP which has failed
to punish those involved in the long pending infamous multi crore Panaji
market scam. On the pathetic state of the market less said the better.  The
CCP has only merrily been giving licences for new high rise buildings, but
the problems, that blight the once beautiful city of Panaji continues to
fester and just get worse.

The Smart City promise is yet another illusory daydream and just one more
window of opportunity for the self-serving and greedy ruling politicians.
The irony is that when in opposition the current politicians now in the
ruling party expressed grave concerns about the Smart City concept and its
lack of transparency, but now when in power and having a duty to make good
that promise, they are conveniently turning a blind eye and dipping their
hands in the till.

At the Panchayat level, the gram sabhas enable the public to question and
monitor the actions and misdeeds of their elected representatives. But at
the Corporation of City of Panaji and the other municipal councils there is
no such mechanism in place to give the public a forum to seek
accountability. The CCP meetings may be open to the public but this is
meaningless as the citizens cannot participate in the proceedings. The CCP
Act needs to be amended to ensure that all the development projects are
placed for public discussion and scrutiny before being approved. The people
have a right to be heard and should be empowered to decide the priorities
in their respective wards. After all, it is a vital part of good governance
in a Democracy that he who pays the piper should call the tune and expect
value for money.

The thrust ahead should be towards Zero tolerance to Corruption and
Nepotism at the CCP. Every citizen is entitled to transparency and
accountability in respect of every paisa spent from the coffers. The fact
that the CCP coffers are empty instead of overflowing is worrying and a
matter of concern, warranting accountability.

So, it is imperative that we elect honest, competent, dynamic and
independent minded Corporators who have a vision permanently focused on
uplifting their wards and services to benefit the people, without being
puppets or slaves of their political bosses.

Aires Rodrigues

Advocate High Court

C/G-2, Shopping Complex

Ribandar Retreat,

Ribandar – Goa – 403006

Mobile No: 9822684372

Office Tel  No: (0832) 2444012

Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com

 Or

   airesrodrig...@yahoo.com

You can also reach me on

Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues

Twitter@rodrigues_aires


www.airesrodrigues.com

[Goanet] The Sikh Story

[Roland Francis]

The BBC is among a handful of documentary creators, counting Russian RT, German 
DW and Qatari Al Jazeera, who go to the heart of a subject.

But with modern technology, the ‘martial class’ British Raj concept used in 
army recruitment should no longer have a role. Unfortunately according to 
international military historians, India still carries this colonial mindset in 
its strategy, which although suiting its engagements with Pakistan, has to 
change quickly if it wants to deal with China successfully.

The martial class idea however if holding true for the enlisted soldiers, 
certainly did not bear upon the officer class. Goans, Parsis and Keralites, all 
completely non-martial races, once supplied the Indian Armed Forces with its 
best leaders and officers, in war and in peace.

Worth viewing.

https://youtu.be/1XIZDj9hiWc

Roland.
Toronto.

Re: [Goanet] Goa Muslims: a peep into the little paradise’s past

[Roland Francis]

Those readers enjoying a history of the interaction between the Portuguese 
colonizers and their Muslim opponents both in Europe and Goa will probably 
enjoy this Oxford University doc on the Short History Of The Moors. 

https://youtu.be/RnKVdN2NNYc

Roland.
Toronto.


> On Feb 12, 2021, at 9:47 AM, Gilbert Lawrence  wrote:
> 
> Goa Muslims: a peep into the little paradise’s past
> 
> "Chapter III covers prominent Muslims of Goa who in the past brought glory 
> and prosperity to the place. This includes saints like Hazrath Maqdoom Ismail 
> Syed Ismail, Qazi Muhammad Kabeer. Ibn Batuta during his visit to India met 
> Jamaluddin, the then governor of Vijaynagar. Among other prominent travellers 
> are Bazrug bin Shreyaz, Masoodi and Marco Polo and Abdul Razzack (1433), who 
> found Goa a beautiful place. Muhammad Tajjika (1080-1125) contributed 
> substantially to make Goa a shipping hub. Hanjaman made Goa a great 
> replenishing centre. Sadam Taiji, son of the rich Arab merchant Mahmood 
> Taiji, built the first mosque of Goa at Old Goa which was compared by Ibn 
> Batuta with the Baghdad mosque. Muhammad Gawan, the wise and learned prime 
> minister of Bahamani state during Mahmood Shah II, rewarded Yusuf with Goa 
> for his exemplary valour in defending it against Vijaynagar’s onslaught. 
> Muslim rule in Goa, though very short, was peaceful.
> 
> Chapter IV recounts the atrocities that the Portuguese perpetrated on 
> innocent Muslims of Goa. What an irony that though they learnt the art of 
> navigation from Muslims and after their successful arrival unleashed 
> barbarity on Muslims. Their main aim was to root out Muslim trade and make it 
> a Portuguese monopoly. They hunted Muslims like wild animals killing hundreds 
> of them."
> 
> 
> GL responds:
> 
> Thanks Frederick for posting the above from a book giving us the Muslim 
> perspective of pre-Portuguese Goa. 
> 
> This is interesting reading.  Many (even educated) Goans do not believe that 
> the Old Conquistas had much of a Muslim population.  Muslim rulers were 
> well-known (like other conquerors) to distribute newly acquired / conquered 
> land to their decommissioned soldiers. Old Conquistas being prime land were 
> most likely populated by Muslim settlers, and included the Shahi palaces in 
> Panjim and Old Goa. The Baghdad-size mosque in Old Goa before the Portuguese 
> arrival reflects the size of the Muslim population of the area.
> Like many Indian historians and authors of the past, this author overlooks or 
> ignores the full extent of Portuguese-Muslim interactions.  Those 
> interactions did not start in 1498 when Vasco da Gama landed in Calicut; or 
> in 1510 when Albuquerque landed in Goa. 
> 
> Portuguese-Muslim interactions started in 711 when Iberia was conquered by 
> Arab Moors who colonized the country.  After a prolonged and bitter struggle, 
> Moorish colonization of Iberia ended in 1492, making the Iberian colonization 
> (781 years) the longest period of colonization in world history. Thus for 
> Portugal's knights, and the ordinary people, the bitter rivalries with 
> Muslims in India was real-time and a continuation of their conflicts in 
> Europe. Furthermore, it was the (Arab) Muslims in India who did not desire; 
> and wanted to end Portugal’s entry into the Asian Spice trade which disrupted 
> their existing Arab-Venetian monopoly of spice trade.  The 
> Portuguese-Arab-Indian Muslim conflict was epitomized by the epic naval 
> Battle of Diu in 1509, making that naval encounter one of the 10 most 
> significant battles in naval history.
> Extracted from “Insights into Colonial Goa” by Philomena Lawrence and Gilbert 
> Lawrence. Published in e-book and paperback by Kindle / Amazon. The book is 
> available as an e-book in India and can be purchased in rupees.
> 
>  
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 

[Goanet] Fireworks Factory Hazards

[Roland Francis]

It will pain anyone to read of deaths in explosions at factories where poor 
workers - men, women and children squat all day in the poor and unsafe 
conditions of Tamil Nadu firecracker factories to turn out dangerous products.

The main ingredients of firecrackers are all flammable and explosive substances 
- gunpowder, acids, phosphates and nitrates - but there is no inspection or 
safeguards by authorities to protect explosions such as these. The only action 
taken is after the fact, in this case explosion, not with a view to prevent 
future accidents, but to show the public that something is being done. A few 
arrests and a lot of Palm-Greasing later, it’s back to the same manner of 
business.

There is considerable money to be made in the sale throughout India of 
fireworks made in Sivakasi and other surrounding areas in Tamil Nadu so there 
is no excuse for workers not being made to work in safe and dignified 
conditions. Yet, the industry has always remained on the fringes of mainstream 
manufacturing, employing poor people uneducated with no training and with poor 
wage levels. 

Here is a government buying billions of dollars of armaments to defend against 
China and Pakistan while caring little for its own defenceless and humble 
citizens.

Explosion at firecracker factory in Tamil Nadu, 15 feared dead; owner booked | 
India News,The Indian Express

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/tamil-nadu-firecracker-factory-death-7185922/

Roland.
Toronto.

[Goanet] Schedule for Saturday 13th February 2021

[CCR TV]

CCR TV GOA
Channel of God's love✝

You can also watch CCR TV live on your smartphone via the CCR TV App
Available on Google PlayStore for Android Platform.
Click the link below.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ccr.tv4
Email ID:  ccrgoame...@gmail.com

Schedule for Saturday 13th February 2021

12:00 AM
Rosary - Joyful Mysteries

12:24 AM
Kuznantlim Zogddim - Eps 2 - Chai - Meena Goes and Julius Mesquita

12:37 AM
The Importance of Eucharistic Celebration - Talk by Luz Marie Engineer

1:00 AM
Mass in Konkani for Friday

2:00 AM
Saibinnichi Ruzai - Sontosache Mister

2:25 AM
Amchi Bhas Amche Borovpi  - Anthony Correia Pienkar interviewed by Daniel
F. de Souza

2:52 AM
Ximpientlim Motiam - Bhag 43 - Vaitt Sovoyo - Fr. Pratap Naik sj

3:02 AM
Wisdom Reflections -11 - Rachol Professors

3:25 AM
Family Retreat - Band of Priests - Day 1

5:35 AM
Devachem Utor  - Matev Avesvor 20 - Vachpi Orlando D'Souza

5:45 AM
Literally Goa - Dr Sushila Fonseca interviewed by Frederick Noronha

6:14 AM
Mandos - Goychim Lharam led by Flossy Gracias- 3rd Annniv

6:30 AM
Marian Reflections -4 -  DCC

6:50 AM
Hymn  - Jezu Jezu - Stanley Severes

6:54 AM
Prayer : Benedictus

6:57 AM
Sokalchem Magnnem

7:00 AM
Konkani Mass at Cortaim followed by Jivitacho Prokas'

7:45 AM
Morning Prayer  -  Saturday Wk 1 & 3

7:50 AM
Music - Spiritual Music 1  followed by Povitr Atmeak Dispottem Magnnem

8:20 AM
Psalm 118 - Read by Alfwold Silveira

8:28 AM
Prayer to St Joseph By Pope Francis (Konkani)

8:30 AM
The Word of God - Its fuller meaning - Dr Sarita Nazareth

8:55 AM
Our Father - Oraon

9:00 AM
God's Love - Talk by Dr Silvia Noronha

9:22 AM
Prayer for India 4

9:27 AM
Christian Leadership - Leela Moraes

9:47 AM
Nokhetram - Episode 5 First Tiatr Convention

10:17 AM
Hymn : Voch ani Tum-vui Toxench Kor - Fr John Albano Fernandes

10:23 AM
Amchi Bhas Amche Borovpi  - Anthony Correia Pienkar interviewed by Daniel
F. de Souza

10:50 AM
Song - Jezu - Cassino D'Costa

10:56 AM
Devachem Utor  - Matev Avesvor 20 - Vachpi Orlando D'Souza

11:08 AM
Hymn -St Rita's HS - Maina, Curtorim

11:15 AM
Intercessions (English)

11:30 AM
Mass in English followed by Daily Flash

12:15 PM
Literally Goa  -  Lourdes Bravo Da Costa Rodrigues  interviewed by
Frederick Noronha

12:46 PM
Youthopia - Rizma D'Souza - Athletics - interviewed by  Mysticka Deniz

1:00 PM
Dr. Enid  Miranda and Dr Gladstone D'Costa (SLMG) interviewed by Basil
D'Cunha

1:27 PM
Prayer : Benedictus

1:30 PM
Song  - Thankful

1:36 PM
The Law and You  - Right to Information

2:02 PM
Word of God - Talk by Orlando D'Souza

2:24 PM
Maria Mai - Talk by Mathew Fernandes

2:39 PM
Magnificat (Konkani)

2:41 PM
Cross Museum - Loutulim

3:01 PM
My Music Videos - Hanv Missionar

3:06 PM
Konkani Bhas - Bhag 7 - Fr Pratap Naik sj

3:17 PM
53rd Mando Festival - Goychim Lharam, Carmona - Original

3:30 PM
Divine Mercy - English 3

3:50 PM
Tell me a Story - Episode  9 - The Rainbow

3:57 PM
Poem - Sopnam by Michael Koola

4:00 PM
Rosary - Joyful Mysteries

4:24 PM
Reflection on the Gospel - Dominicans

4:30 PM
Senior Citizens Exercises - 11

5:00 PM
Twins in the Bible - Talk by Maria Ana Da Costa

5:26 PM
Prayer to St. Joseph by Pope Francis

5:30 PM
Angelus - English

5:32 PM
Bhagevont Zuze Vazachem Novena Magnnem

5:35 PM
Intercessions (Konkani)

5:45 PM
Rosary followed by Novena 9 , Milagres Chapel , Majorda,  followed by
Jivitacho Prokas

7:15 PM
Kuznantlim Zogddim - Eps 2 - Chai - Meena Goes and Julius Mesquita

7:30 PM
Family Retreat - Band of Priests - Day 2

9:30 PM
Devachem Utor  - Matev Avesvor 21 - Vachpi Orlando D'Souza

9:45 PM
Saibinnichi Ruzai - Sontosache Mister

10:10 PM
Ratchem Magnem

10:27 PM
Childrens Concert - A  Million Dreams Pt 2

11:10 PM
Leadership in the CCR - Talk by Mae Britto

Donations may be made to:
Beneficiary name : CCR GOA MEDIA.
Name of Bank : ICICI Bank
Branch Name: Panaji Branch
RTGS/NEFT Code : ICIC015
Savings Bank Account No : 262401000183

[Goanet] Carnival of yester years

[Nelson Lopes]

 Carnival of  yester years

It was a great occasion   , fun filled 3  joyous days.Open air folk plays
were a big draw for old and  young  alike  It was seasonal and much looked
forward  entertainmentat door steps
At our place the Mand  is almost hundred years old.  Such small mands
existed in other place but not of the fame of Dandeavado. LOCAL residents
contributed and that paid for the plays. The elders then were protective of
Lady folks and did not want them to be subjected to any sexual abuse under
the licence of Carnival
 No donations  from rich and politicians and names of local defaulters wete
announced publicly at plays, which forced them to contribute. Every play
was hosted and no dramatic troupe was sent back ever on their voluntary
visit at Dandeavaddo and they never demanded their fees as such.Dandeavaddo
was a place  of choice to visit during Carnival even to day
People from far away places used  to carry their tiffins and stay for the
whole day Locals were outnumbered by outside spectators hence the
tradition  to stop performances beyond 8 p.m was revised .The plays were
performed at ground level and of late on stage with  sound system Many a
times the actor's were provided meals by the villagers in
compensation.They  the performers with the band used to move on foot from
place to place.
They had to stage the plays at the residence of Regidor for certification
of content  to avoid  satire  and criticism Portuguese  Govt.Hence that
place used to be thronged by spectators for a free show that was not always
a complete play
I t was MOSTLY VILlage affair .There were some famous,popular  Carnival
dances at Sinquetim and Orlim red and  black attire, later was restricted
by select invitation.Margao Municipality used  to sponsor some  free plays
fof public Some philantrophists staged plays at their residences too
The people were dressed in colouful clothes and it  was a festive ocassion
at homes.Throwing of powder missiles was a tolerable nuisance and also
smearing with   powder  and indigo dye was a common practice.Carnival was
ocassion to go about with masks  distributing sweets,  doce and  also some
activities to sell items.It was a challenge to identify or unmask the  mask
wearers. WEARING OF MASK WAS A DISTINCT practice. On the last day of
carnival it was a  bit  of a nuisance for ladies to venture out, but it was
not a licence for sexual harassment  and it was taken in sporting spirit
.It was an special  occasion  for the lovers to meet in disguise .
To day  the carnival is hijacked  by Govt to attarct Tourist and uprooted
from villages to streets of major cities and towns for display of floats
,ostentially  displaying so called  culture andd tradition  but it is more
commercialised.The massive crowd is a new intoxicant  on streets of  major
cities
The winds have changed and so also carnival celebration unique Portuguese
legacy only in Goa. of late sigmo celebrations are also coompeting with
great pom and pride unlike in the past where not very popular

Nelson Lopes Chinchinim

[Goanet] The Goan White Father of Zanzibar

[Mervyn Maciel]

Dr. Frederick - The name White Fathers comes not
from their skin but their garb !

The name “White Fathers” comes from their white habit. This was based on
the traditional North African dress of a white gown (gandoura) and a white
 hooded ...
Mervyn Maciel

[Goanet] Israel wants India’s Help in ICC War Crime Case Should India Help #UPSC ...

[Frederick Dsouza]

https://youtu.be/8ah6Ik2sWnE
-- 
Frederick Dsouza

[Goanet] No Evidence? No Problem! (Dhaka Tribune, 12/02/2021)

[V M]

https://www.dhakatribune.com/opinion/op-ed/2021/02/11/op-ed-no-evidence-no-problem

An explosive investigative report in the Washington Post earlier this
week has revealed that all of the main charges in the Indian
government’s high-profile Bhima Koregaon case – which alleges that a
group of activists sought to assassinate prime minister Narendra Modi
and incite violence against the state - are based on false evidence
that was planted in an extraordinary cyberattack.

According to the US-based digital forensics specialists Arsenal
Consulting, as well as three independent experts engaged by the
newspaper, unknown (and until now, untraceable) hackers infiltrated
the computer of Rona Wilson, who founded the Committee for Release of
Political Prisoners and has previously spent many years defending
people who have been accused of terrorism.

The Post reported, “Arsenal discovered records of the malware logging
Wilson’s keystrokes, passwords and browsing activity. It also
recovered file system information showing the attacker creating the
hidden folder to which at least 10 incriminating letters were
delivered — and then attempting to conceal those steps. The letters
were created using a newer version of Microsoft Word that did not
exist on Wilson’s computer, the report said. Arsenal found no evidence
that the documents or the hidden folder were ever opened.”

Rather incredibly, the hack lasted for almost two years, with its
perpetrators biding their time until their intended target needed to
be compromised. Mark Spencer, the president of Arsenal told the Post
that this case was “unique and deeply disturbing”, as well as “very
organized” and “extremely dark.”

At this juncture, no one can authoritatively determine who had both
the motive and resources to criminally malign an assorted group of
mainly elderly activists, who are all – as the Post says – “advocates
for the rights of India’s most underprivileged communities, including
tribal peoples and Dalits, formerly known as “untouchables.”

What is clear, however, is this digital skulduggery isn’t isolated,
but part of much broader patterns that have been playing out for
years.

Just months ago in June 2020, the human rights advocacy group Amnesty
International, in co-ordination with the Munk School of Global Affairs
& Public Policy at the University of Toronto, uncovered another
co-ordinated spyware campaign against individuals they described as
“human rights defenders (HRDs)” who were calling for the release of
Rona Wilson and the others accused of complicity in the Bhima Koregaon
case.

Amnesty wrote, “Between January and October 2019, the HRDs were
targeted with emails containing malicious links. If these links were
clicked, a form of commercially-manufactured Windows spyware would
have been deployed, compromising the target’s Windows computers, in
order to monitor their actions and communications. This is a violation
of their rights to freedom of expression and privacy.”

Even more worrisome was the finding that three of these individuals
were targeted by Pegasus spyware – made by the Herzliya-based
cyberarms dealers NSO Group – which can only be sold and exported with
Israeli government approval to governments in good standing with Tel
Aviv.

Those 2020 revelations are intimately linked to the Arsenal Consulting
report that was released this week. The Post reported that “the same
attacker deployed some of the same servers and IP addresses to target
Wilson’s co-defendants in the case over a period of four years.”

Amnesty says, “This pattern underscores the necessity of India
fulfilling its obligation to provide a remedy for these abuses by
conducting a full, independent and impartial investigation into these
attacks, including by determining whether there are links between this
spyware campaign and specific government agencies.

The alacrity of state prosecutors acting despite the lack of evidence
is especially glaring in another case, that of Munawar Faruqui, the
29-year-old comedian who was peremptorily jailed this January for
“deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious
feelings”, which is the subject of another notable international news
story this week.

Sonia Faleiro writes in TIME that, “no matter what he did that night,
Faruqui was going to be punished.”

To be sure, like all good comedians, Faruqui occasionally offends some
people (in one notable case he deleted a video, and apologized for
it). But this time he was charged and imprisoned even though he said
and did nothing actionable. Another comedian, Varun Grover told
Faleiro that “The system has so much power now that they can suppress
you without any evidence. It doesn’t matter that [he] didn’t even
cross any pre-existing red line—they can create new arbitrary red
lines on the ground and arrest you for your thoughts.”

Faruqui spent over a month in jail, in which time the Madhya Pradesh
high court denied him bail thrice, until the Supreme Court intervened
because, it said, due 

[Goanet] Lesser number of Carnaval Khell groups this year..Carnival 2021

[JoeGoaUk]

Lesser number of Carnaval Khell groups this year..Carnival 2021
Some 10 years ago, there were upto 45 Khell groups (see list below) but now, 
this year just about 25 (list posted earlier or see link below)
There could be various reasons for lesser number of Khell groups particularly 
this year due to Pandemic situation. 
At least 2  groups missing this time due to their group leaders no longer alive 
viz Com Marcus, Philipe de Orlim etc
At least 3 groups due to their group leaders’ migration to UK etc  and got held 
up there e.g. Socorro, Reginald etc
At least 2-3  not sure of whether khell will be allowed this year due to Corona 
scare.
Yet there may be some groups missing out due to their cast members migration 
and got held up there due to flights restrictions etc
 
Viva Carnaval!!
 
Khell groups in 2011
1. Peter de Betalbatim/Nuvem
Rozar,  Koruk zai, Mhojim Porbim Tuka
 
2. Minguel D’Souza de Quelossim
Kuddean, Rosto, Dakoilo
 
3. Tousif de Navelim
Goemchem Nisontton, Gireskai, Bhirankull duens
With Mciahel de Siolim etc

4. Rodrigues de Benaulim
Chintunk nam konnem, Chintlear ek umannem, Chintunuch kelam tanem
With Com Ben Evangelisto etc
 
5. Cajie de Curtorim
Ghorkar mhozo Tarvotti, Chimtti bhor mati, Kaun banega Crorepati
 
6. Sanny de Maina/Dada de Maina
Kalliz, Tuka, Rauta
 
7. Frank duller (Bukul) Benaulim
Visvaxi rautelim, Inam meulo, Noxiban aslem
 
8. Jolly Boys Pedda/Beanulim
Oxem kiteak Ghoddta, He roste Mogache, Aiz pagar faleam kabar
 
9. Eddy de Quepem
Sonvsar munxak haloita, Ifernant Deuchar doloita, Sorgar Jesu kelloita
 
10. Com Marcus, Cortalim
Tuzo mog, Mhojea kallzant, Sodanch urtolo
 
11. Mini Mario with two groups
Goup A:  Kuddo, Bhero, Mono
 12. Group B: Konn Nhui konnacho, Zatoch Mai pai, Zabadari rakai
 
13. Sons of Anthony, Velsao
Borem kelear, Upkar dourunk zai, Visronk Favona
 
14. Sunny and Luis de Cortalim
Ekvott, Dhuspott, Xevott
 
15.  Piety de Navelim
Kenach chintunk nam, Mhoji maim, Amm zannaie?
 
16. Rosario de Chandor
Koslo faido, Tumkam lagon, Pollon gelo
 
17. Cony ferns & Inacio
Gireskai, Sanballat, Goenchi
 
18. Com. Michael & Senno Perry
Pai, Bai, Zai
With Socoro de Sta. Cruz, Sonia, Priyanka,  com Michael etc
 
19. Com. Pitush
Fuddar, Konnem  kelo?, Maka khobor nam,
With com. Pitush, Evon, Com. Inas etc
 
20. Sansil de Benaulim
Kazar zauche adim, Marriage Course, Sogleank gorjecho
With Com Kenny, com Sucor etc
 
21. Philip de Orlim
Tin muineachem kazar, Goenkar Goem sanddle, Azil mojem ghor
 
22. Jacinto Gracias
Mhoji Dhuv, Dhonui hat, Tum mozo sasupai
With Simon Gonsalves,  Rosario de Benaulim,
Betty Alvares, Rons, Com. Cyril etc
 
23. Conny Dias Nuvem
Guneaumkari,  Zaunk paulom, Tuka lagon
 
24. Young Star of Curtorim
Maka lagon, Piddear zalo, Bhoinnicho fudar
 
25. Com.  Socor d’silva,  Cortalim
Noman tuka, Tunch zai maka, Xi..naka re naka
 
26. Xavier de Sanguem
Tumkam visvas asa?, Tench maka melltelem, Konnak bhogsonam
 
27. Bobet de Quepem
Ek dis, Tuvem maka, Fottoilem
 
28. Vincent de Cacora
Mouza marli, Axa keli, Soja meuli
 
29. Salvador Afons
Tukach lagon, Oxem goddlem, Vaximbor hangasolem
 
30. Anthony de Colva/Patrick Dourado
Zababdari, Munis, Montri zalo
With Pascoal rebelo. Com  Romaldo etc
 
31. Peter de Macazana
Dolle, Rogot, Eksuro
 
32. Seby de Quepem
Him amchim konn?, Jivim astona diat, Amkanch lagon
With Fatima, Victor etc
 
33. Luis & Agnelo Fernandes
Dev zanna, Mogacho bhau, Rinn
 
34. Jose de Velim
Pois kelo maka, toch Paulo tuka, Hanv konnak naka
 
35. Jack /JMBC
Mai, Salam Tuka, Loz Maka
 
36. Milagres de Chandor
Xinkon brut, Jibecher Deu,  kalzant meu,
Fulam roddtat kande, botatte hanstat
With Mailagers, Hazel etc
 
76. Xavier de Maina
Tumchem urlam kitem?, Portun vorat, Tension
 
38. Cruz de Navelim / MR production
Pormollit fulam, Tumchea sangatak, Gheun vochat
 
39. Rio de Cortalim
Zababdari, Onupkari, Guneaumkari
 
40 Santan Pinto / Agalli
Devak zai zalear, Amcho fuddar, Boro zatolo
 
41. Jack Rodson
Novem jivit, Tujench tem, Konnak rauta
With Jack Rodson, Maria etc
 
42. Abel Pereira
Favo also, Nirmoll mog, Tuzo maka
 
43. Davorlim Dramatic troupe / Vitorin Pereira
Sakantlo bhattkar, Goddbodd gottallo, Xetkamtiyachi sun
 
Some pics
 
Band Khell
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauktiatr4/4358062875/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk17/3304302317/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauktiatr4/4358064701/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauktiatr4/4376919374/
 
people
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk17/3305127818/

 
scene
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk17/3305125516/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauktiatr4/4358807814/

 

Carnival caps /Topio
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk17/3304354355/


  
Khell Khell Carnaval Khell 2021
With  ‘3 partio’
 25 groups to choose from (Carnival starts 13 Feb 21)
1. Salvador Afons, 8459407663
2. Tousif de Navelim  8308831429
3. Xavier de Sanguem  9167571210
4. Com  Aston  8390176433
5. Eddy de Quepem 9689539970
 6. Calliz de Orlim 9823643630
7. Anthony de Ambajim, 9552273575

Re: [Goanet] The Goan WHITE FATHER of Zanzibar .....

[Frederick Noronha]

Does their name come from the colour of their garb, or from their skin
colour?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Fathers
FN

On Thu, 11 Feb 2021 at 01:11, Adolfo Mascarenhas  wrote:

> Would you believe it there was a GOAN WHITE FATHER (This is the first
> time I am hearing of a coloured White Father) The order started in French
> North Africa and they were dressed in Black.  The picture I saw of this
> remarkable Goan White Father, was he was seated in a human drawn Rickshaw
> .The pullers of the two wheeler were all Moslems turbaned or
> fezzed.
> The Priest was calledFr. Lucien D'sa. ...His name even appeared in the
> the Zanzibar Gazette of 1910 ...This meant that he could officiate at
> Catholic Marriages etc ..
>
> Where did he go after Zanzibar to the Mainland  or to Goa
> ..
>  I personally own a great deal to Fr. Walsh, from Eire. who was an
> Irish White Father and a real nationalist.  I do not know how my Father
> knew Father Walsh, but we went to see him, he suggested that I could get a
> degree from University of London, without going to London, just as we did
> our Cambridge School Certificate without going to Cambridge !!!  That
> brought a whole lot of Goans from DSM ...Father Walsh advised President
> Julius Nyerere.  Being Irish he was friendly with the 5 Irish Fathers in
> Pugu Secondary School. ...that was where I was the Geographer Master
> ...teaching the first crop of Tanzania 7 students for their Cambridge A
> level. What a crop ...3 of them became Judges, one a Government Verifier in
> Treasury, one Head of National Development Corporation/etc .It is not
> what you teach its how you encourage students to think I picked a blade
> of grass and I asked them what was its name ...only one Maasai knew its
> name but the students knew a great deal about the vegetation of Great
> Britain...It was not only colonization of the land but also the mind.
> So who was this Goan White Father 
>
> Adolfo   ...
> Makongo Juu
> PS .Now I get it The Goan White Father ..the French built the Church in
> Zanzibar ..The French were impressed by the Goan Photographers ...and there
> were more Goan Parishioners than French, English, or German  .its very much
> like the Church in Bagamoyo I lived there when I was 7 ears old
>
>

-- 
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[Goanet] Goa Muslims: a peep into the little paradise’s past

[Frederick Noronha]

Books Goa Muslims: a peep into
the little paradise’s past
The Milli Gazette05 Aug 2011




Book: *Muslims of Goa: Past And Present *Author: Samiulla Abbasi Publisher:
Author himself; addres: No. 93, 6th B Cross, HMT Layout, Bangalore - 560
032 Year:  2011 Pages:  142+iii Price: Rs. 135   Dr AG Khan

Goa, described by Dr. B. Sheikh Ali, former vice-chancellor of University
of Goa and Mangalore, in the foreword as a little paradise on earth “out
side time” is a mosaic woven over the centuries to form a social fabric of
rare type. It proved a melting pot for shaping a synthetic culture which
absorbed elements from different sources, one of which was Islam. A
microscopic minority forming 6/7 percent has contributed significantly to
society. The greatest contribution was humanism that Islam brought. From
the time of Adil Shahi rule to the days of Tipu Sultan, Islam penetrated
into the social structure of the region.

The book begins with a photograph of a fish on which is inscribed the name
of Almighty Allah. It begins with translation of the couplet of Faiz Ahmad
Faiz, *“Bol ke ab lab azad hain tere”*. It emphasises the necessity of such
works because the Portugese and British historians have communalized
history which portrays Christians and Hindus as victims of Muslim tyranny.
It seeks to contradict the false propaganda and apprises us about the
present day hate campaign being run incessantly by the RSS brigade. The
book offers a Muslim point of view. Goan Muslims have been much maligned.

While chapter 1 provides brief information about the various dynasties that
ruled Goa; statistical details about the place are provided. Muslims
constitute 6.8 percent of the population with 75.4 percent literacy.

While chapter II discusses the arrival of Muslims in India in which Cereman
Perunal (King of Malabar) agreed to accompany Muslims to Medina. He died on
his return journey but meanwhile he sent a letter through Malik bin Dinar
to his successors which resulted in the construction of the first mosque in
India. It records the ruthless atrocity of the Vijaynagar King in which
more than 10,000 men, women and children were put to the sword. A few
fortunate escaped to Goa

Chapter III covers prominent Muslims of Goa who in the past brought glory
and prosperity to the place. This includes saints like Hazrath Maqdoom
Ismail Syed Ismail, Qazi Muhammad Kabeer. Ibn Batuta during his visit to
India met Jamaluddin, the then governor of Vijaynagar. Among other
prominent travellers are Bazrug bin Shreyaz, Masoodi and Marco Polo and
Abdul Razzack (1433), who found Goa a beautiful place. Muhammad Tajjika
(1080-1125) contributed substantially to make Goa a shipping hub. Hanjaman
made Goa a great replenishing centre. Sadam Taiji, son of the rich Arab
merchant Mahmood Taiji, built the first mosque of Goa at Old Goa which was
compared by Ibn Batuta with the Baghdad mosque. Muhammad Gawan, the wise
and learned prime minister of Bahamani state during Mahmood Shah II,
rewarded Yusuf with Goa for his exemplary valour in defending it against
Vijaynagar’s onslaught. Muslim rule in Goa, though very short, was peaceful.

Chapter IV recounts the atrocities that the Portuguese perpetrated on
innocent Muslims of Goa. What an irony that though they learnt the art of
navigation from Muslims and after their successful arrival unleashed
barbarity on Muslims. Their main aim was to root out Muslim trade and make
it a Portuguese monopoly. They hunted Muslims like wild animals killing
hundreds of them.

Chapter V busts the European claim of Vaso Da Gama being the first person
to arrive on Indian soil. K.M. Pannikar explodes the myth – he was neither
the first man to travel around the Cape of Good Hope nor the first to cross
the Indian Ocean. It was Ibn Majid who guided him to India. During his
voyage he committed unparalleled crimes – looted and burnt ships coming
from Mecca killing Hajis mercilessly. After his arrival on Indian soil he
demanded banishment of Muslims from Malabar. But the ruler (Zamorin) did
not bother to accept his demand.

The whole Portuguese force including Vasco Da Gama died in a terrible gale
in 1524. The army that the gale swallowed was double the number of Muslims
they had killed. Atrocities on Muslims continued unabated, each new
governor demonstrating his savagery and ferocity more than his predecessor
– Francis De Almaida, Alfonso the terrible, looted Muslim houses, burnt
them alive in mosques and forced Muslim women to marry Portuguese. Many
women drowned themselves to save their honour. The Portuguese oppression of
Muslims had