GOACOM DAILY NEWS CLIPPINGS December 25, 2004 A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS KHUXALBHORIT NATALAM To all the Goanetters on behalf of Goacom and GoaNow
CELEBRATIONS FOR THE NATIVITY BEGIN: Christmas descended on Goa today as all over the world with the pealing of bells and church-choirs singing the song of angles, "Glory to God on high, and peace to man on earth" during the celebration of the midnight mass in all parishes of the State. At the Panaji church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, the midnight mass was celebrated outdoors on the landmark steps of the church. The parish priest, Fr Antimo Gomes, concelebrated the Mass with other priests. Prior to the Mass, an enactment of the birth of Christ was also held on the steps. (NT) TOLLING OF BELLS USHER IN CHRISTMAS: Midnight masses, pealing of church bells and fireworks coupled with messages of love, joy and peace ushered in Christmas celebrations in the state of Goa. Most Catholics attended solemn church services on Friday night which included night vigils and carol singing. While the main churches in all the four cities held indoor midnight services, a special mass was celebrated by the Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao at Old Goa and was attended in large numbers by locals and pilgrims who have descended at this world heritage site for the Exposition of St Francis Xavier. (H) GOVERNOR, CHIEF MINISTER, ARCHBISHOP EXTEND GREETINGS: Governor SC Jamir, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and Archbishop-Patriarch of Goa and Daman, Filipe Neri Ferrao, have wished the people of Goa on the occasion of Christmas - a feast of joy celebrated in various forms, ranging from the deeply spiritual to the purely secular. (NT) RAVE PARTY KICKS OFF AT ANJUNA: Its about 2.10 pm and the party is kicking at a well-known party zone in Anjuna. Loud music is playing, but who cares.Rave parties are no new feature to Anjuna residents and the drug tourists who visit the State for drugs and 'Goa trance' music. (Sukumar Shastri in Herald) OPPN SEEKS JAMIR'S INTERVENTION: The State president of the Nationalist Congress Party, Dr Wilfred de Souza, met the governor, Mr SC Jamir, on December 24, and requested him to order the State government to withdraw its recently-released CD on documentary film entitled "Goa Freedom Struggle". Describing the CD as "putrid nonsense" and urging the government to hang its head in shame, Dr de Souza said, "I don't know how the government saw it fit to show this CD to the school children. What are you trying to develop? The culture of love or the culture of hatred?" (NT) 'NOTHING WRONG': Reacting to the CD "Goa KA Swadhinta Sangram", the VHP's Vibhag Mantri Manohar Korgaonkar, said, "It might not have been possible to cover the entire gamut of the Goan freedom struggle in the given time limit of the film. But there is nothing wrong in a historical presentation of facts in the light of the conversions undertaken by the missionaries". He was not forthcoming on the possible effects of the violent scenes in the film. "As I have not viewed it, I am unable to comment on the same," he remarked. (GT) 'DEPICTS HISTORICAL FACTS': The well-known freedom fighter and former state police chief, Mr Prabhakar Sinari, said that the documentary film on Goa freedom struggle depicts historical facts - bitter or otherwise - in an authentic manner, however, they may not have been presented in a manner acceptable to general public. (NT) SS BLAMES CONG: The Shiv Sena has blamed the Congress party for creating what it termed as an unnecessary ruckus over the VCD of the film on Goa's liberation struggle. (GT) GPCC BURNS CD: The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee executive on December 24 burnt, literally, a copy of the VCD of the controversial film on Goa's freedom struggle to protest against its production by the Education department and has demanded that the government withdraw it. (H) "INTENTIONALLY PROVOCATIVE AND BIASED": "A documentary on Goa's Liberation struggle is certainly a praiseworthy initiative and honour to the Goans, but the one in question by the State government, is intentionally provocative and biased production, and unfortunately, has turned out to be very insensitive and regrettable," said Delio Mendonca, Director, Xavier Centre of Historical Research. According to him, the main point of disagreement with the VCD is that the film makes a mockery of symbols of Christianity by focusing intensively and extensively on symbols like the churches, cross and holy images (that too out of context) and associating them with the Portuguese colonial power. (Preetu Nair in GT) 'RETURN THE TAMRA PATRA': The tamra patra that they have fraudulently obtained to benefit from the pension and reservation schemes should be returned to the Government. These so called 'freedom fighters' may one day want us to believe that 'Admiral' Thimmaya (a Camotim?), defected from the Bijapur Kingdom, worked with the Vijaynagar Kingdom and Vasco-da-Gama (1502 to 1508) and then led Afonso de Albuquerque to attack Goa in March 1510, to "liberate" it from its Muslim ruler (Adil Shah). His descendents can then be eligible for pension and other benefits given to "freedom fighters".If there is a connection of inquisition (in the 18th and the 19th century) with the freedom struggle in Goa (mostly in the late 19th and 20th century), let the so-called "freedom fighters" tell us what it is. (Minguel Braganza in GT) CHURCHILL TO JOIN HUNGER STRIKE: The South Goa Lok Sabha member, Mr Churchill Alemao, will be joining the hunger strike being held by 162 vendors in Vasco on December 27. (NT) WAGES OF SESA GOA WORKERS HIKED: The periodic labour settlement between Sesa Goa Workers' Union and management of Sesa Goa Ltd was signed on December 22. Under this settlement, the workmen will get an average wage increase of Rs.1900 and the minimum increase at the lowest level will be Rs.1409.44. The duration of the settlement is for four years commencing from April 1, 2004. This is the highest increase given tow workmen in the Goan industry. About 1200 workmen of the Sesa group in Goa will benefit. (NT) THOUSANDS WITNESS KONKANI MUSICAL SHOW: Thousands of Konkani Roman script lovers gathered at the Holy Spirit Church grounds at Margao to witness a grand musical show, "Konknni Sangitachi EK Sanz", organised by Dalgado Konknni Akademi. The show stressed the need to give due importance to Konkani in Romans script. Jerome Mendes, the chief guest, was of the opinion that Goans all over the world can have strong bonds with Goa only through Konkani in Roman script. He announced a personal donation of Rs.50,000 to Dalgado Konkani Akademi. Tomazinho Cardozo, president of DKA, in his welcome address explained the purpose of reviving Dalgado Konknni Akademi. On the occasion 20 senior persons who excelled in Konkani music, song, dance and literature were felicitated - Fr Moreno D'Souza, John Claro Fernandes, Antonio Piedade Morais, Anthony Gonsalves, Filomena Braz, M Boyer, Rico Rod, Remmie Colaco, Titta Pretto, Domingo Caitano Braganza, etc. QUOTA FOR SC AND ST: The State government, on December 24, notified reservation for members of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes in government services and educational institutions on the basis of population of these communities in Goa. The notification to this effect was issued by reserving 2 per cent quota for the SC communities, while 12 per cent for the communities in government services of Groups ABC and D categories. (NT) RAO'S DEATH: STATE MOURNING: The government has declared State mourning from December 23 to 29 as mark of respect to the former prime minister, PV Narasimha Rao, who passed away on December 23 in New Delhi.In view of the State mourning, the Christmas reception which was to be held on December 29, 2004, at 5.30 pm at Raj Bhavan, has been cancelled by the Governor, Mr SC Jamir. (NT) MASSIVE CRIB AT RACHOL: Islanders Boys of Ilha de Rachol have displayed a massive crib like past years at this Christmas. The crib, which has been spread over an area of nearly 300 square metres with castles, houses, rivulet, etc, many having a height of seven feet. The crib shall be on display from 6 pm onwards till 10 January. (GT) SNORKELLING IN GOA: Clouds of mullet which swirl by like a silver mist. Gangs of reddish Pink Snappers or Tambushi fanning out to hunt lesser souls like battle scarred Harlem teenagers. Pouting puffer fish, long ribbon like catfish called Thigur, bright purple parrot fish, Barramundi or Chonak, the lobster.(Besides the Grande island) other interesting places to free dive in the Bardez region are to be found around the Vagator Cross and the Chapora and Tiracol river mouths.Towards the South carribbean blue water around Cabo de Rama fort in Canacona also looks extremely interesting. (Vikram Sunderjee in GT Skyline) SURESH KARE TAKES OVER AS IDMA PRESIDENT: Indoco Remedies chairman and Managing Director Suresh G Kare has taken over as the president of Indian Drug Manufacturers Association at the annual general meeting held recently. IDMA formed in 1961 is the largest representative association of pharmaceutical manufacturers with over 500 members, comprising of large, medium and small manufacturers of active pharmaceutical ingredients and formulations as also intermediates, allied products, etc. (GT) S P O R T S GOA FACING INNINGS DEFEAT: In the match between Goa and Maharashtra at the Western Railway ground in Mahalaxmi, the former were facing an innings defeat after being bundled out for 152 in the first innings. Goa were tottering at 78 for 4 in the second after being asked to follow on and need 75 more runs to make Maharashtra bat again. (GT) D E A T H S 23 Dec: Canada: MARIA DE LOURDES GEORGE; Born on 4-11-1926; wife of late AF George, mother of Bernadette/Major Kapoor, Edward/Danny (France), Elizabeth/John (Abu Dhabi), Rubita/Gregory (Canada); grandmother of Amit, Seenya, Sidney, Kavin, Steven, Jocelyn, Erinna, Ross and Gavin. 24 Dec: Raia: SANTANO ROSARIO CESAR D'SOUZA: husband of Caitanita, father of Britto, Belinda/Edwin, Albano and Graciano. 24 Dec: Navelim: NAVY DIAS; husband of Florinda, father of Nezy. SOME "CHRISTMAS" CELEBRATIONS IN GOA: 25 Dec: WHITE CHRISTMAS at Emerald Lawns, Parra, Bardez, Goa, from 8.00 pm onwards. The Big City Band, Tidal Wave and Cascades. Comperes: Trevor & Updesh. 25 Dec: Forefront's CHRISTMAS SNOWBALL at Mandovi Riviera, Panjim, from 7.30 pm onwards. 25 Dec: BAYWATCH FAMILY CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE from 8 pm onwards, with Archies. Food and drink. At Sernabatim beach, South Colva. G O A W E A T H E R Max temp: 33.5 degC; Min temp: 20.0 degC; Relative Humidity: 91% Weather: Lovely, cool weather for a Christmas Day in Goa, with a clear blue sky and sunshine to celebrate the festive mood. Courtesy: GT=Gomantak Times; NT=The Navhind Times; H=Herald; WE=Weekender. JOEL D'SOUZA, Assagao, Bardez, Goa.