* * * * * * POLITICS * * * * * *
CPI-M deplores politics of uncertainty in state The Goa state committee of the Communist Party of India-Marxist, has deplored the politics of uncertainty thrust upon the common people of the state by the legislators. It called for building of mass movement of the common people for building a pro-people common minimum programme and a pro-people alternate governance based on it, instead of merely passively reacting to the manipulative politics of the legislators. In a statement, the party state secretary, Mr S S Naik said it earnestly believed that dislodging the BJP government from the seat of power in Goa is the central political task facing all Left, democratic and secular sections of the Goan society. However, this task can be accomplished only on the basis of a common minimum programme for Goa, he added. http://www.navhindtimes.com/stories.php?part=news&Story_ID=013127 TRIAL OF STRENGTH IN HOUSE TODAY Panaji Feb 1: Ending the four-day political suspense, the Governor, Mr S C Jamir today asked the Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Parrikar to prove his majority tomorrow at 2.30 p.m. Both Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress camp hailed the Governor’s decision and expressed confidence that they will win the vote. The Governor has summoned the House under the power vested on him under Clause (1) of the Article 174 of the Constitution of India tomorrow. http://www.navhindtimes.com/stories.php?part=news&Story_ID=020228 THREE CONG MLAs TO RESIGN FROM GOA ASSEMBLY Panaji: In the continuing flux in Goa's politics, three Congress MLAs have decided to resign from the Assembly. The decision was made late on Sunday night. Political sources said the BJP is close to finalising a deal with these MLAs to quit the House in a move that could significantly dent Congress bid to form a new government, after the Manohar Parrikar ministry was reduced to minority. http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=13659383 GOA ASSEMBLY TO MEET ON FEB 2 FOR TRIAL OF STRENGTH Goa Assembly will meet on Wednesday for a trial of strength following the political crisis, in which the BJP Government has been reduced to a minority. Sources said the House will meet at 2.30 pm when Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar will move a single-line resolution affirming the faith of the House in his Government. The Governor SC Jamir is likely to send a communication in this regard to Speaker Vishwas Satarkar to convene the House on Wednesday, the sources said. The Cabinet had on Monday recommended to the Governor convening of the House on February 3 for trial of strength. http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1223235,000900040002.htm GOA CONGRESS FEELS LET DOWN BY SONIA, JAMIR PANAJI: Governor S C Jamir on Tuesday asked Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to seek a vote of confidence in the Assembly on Wednesday, much to the annoyance of the state Congress. Even as Parrikar praised the Governor for upholding democracy, the Congress accused party president Sonia Gandhi of ditching them by not asking Jamir to dismiss the government. ``We were told that the Governor would dismiss the BJP government if we got its MLAs to resign,'' a senior party leader said. The state unit of the Congress now plans to lay the blame on Sonia if Parrikar wins the trust vote, said sources. http://www.newindpress.com/Newsitems.asp? ID=IEH20050201112723&Title=Top+Stories&Topic=0 * * * * * * ENTERTAINMENT * * * * * * HEMA's HYMNS One of playback singer Hema Sardesai’s favourite songs is the Rafi number, Tum Jo Mil Gaya Ho To Yeh Lagta Hai Ki Jahan Mil Gaya. This Madan Mohan-composed nugget probably strikes a chord because it resonates the feelings that Hema holds for her husband, Xavs (Xavier to you and me). “I don’t have to drink before stepping on stage,” she says, “I can go out and stand really tall because my husband’s respect and love instils confidence in me.” The singer, who is known for her ebullient renditions from Sapnay’s Awaara Bhanwre to Musafir’s Suno Suniye, says she won’t let any man stifle her voice, while she is singing or otherwise. http://web.mid-day.com/columns/dinesh_raheja/2005/january/102553.htm SARASWAT FEST CUISINE HAS GOANS IN FINGER-LICKING MOOD Panaji (Goa), Jan.31 : A festival of Saraswat cuisine in Goa is attracting a large number of visitors. Generally visitors to Goa tend to think of Goan food and drink as being limited to the famous fish, curry, rice and feni package, and it is a fact, that for most,. And for most, fish, curry and rice are the three basic necessities. They combine to make a heavenly daily meal for the average Goan. But Goan cuisine, like the land itself, has many flavours and tastes with its vast treasure trove of culinary delicacies. http://news.newkerala.com/india-news/?action=fullnews&id=67141 BREAKING THROUGH Perhaps Aleesha will do for Konkani films what Shwaas did for the Marathi film industry.’’ That is Goan filmmaker Rajendra Talak’s hope for Konkani film, Aleesha which was shown at the Pune International Film Festival. Talak was addressing a press conference on Wednesday at E-Square where he spoke about the problems that the Goan film industry faced. ‘‘I was able to make this film almost 25 years after the first such Konkani film came out of Goa. That’s because the problems that the Goan film industry faces are similar to the Marathi cinema - most talented professionals prefer to go to the more successful mainstream Bollywood industry.’’ The film centres around the character environment-conscious Aleesha who finds herself struggling against mining which has scarred the beautiful state of Goa. ‘‘I wanted to present my point of view about Goa’s environment and the need to protect it. ’’ http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=114810 WHAT'S HAPPENING IN GOA BEACH BAR GOA" A SWEDISH TV REALITY SHOW: The "Drop Anchor" restaurant and bar on Baga beach has become the venue of a Swedish reality TV show. It is the venue for "Beach Bar Goa" which is to be aired on Swedish TV Channel TV3 over the next three months. "We love Goa. It is like paradise to us during the winter" says Robert Aschberg the host of Strix Television A B Sweden as he begins his interactive program where viewers and Net surfers can join the action. Over 25 web cameras installed in the bar and in the contestants apartments are online 24 hours a day. People can drop by for a drink at the bar and talk to the contestants. 12 contestants will be divided in 2 teams to work in the restaurant each trying to outsmart the other with viewers deciding who stays and who goes. The winner will get half a million Swedish kroner. Participants however are not really playing for the prize money but the fun and enjoyment in Goa. http://travelvideo.tv/news/more.php?id=4081_0_1_0_M * * * * * * FINANCE * * * * * * GOA'S GOLD COMES BACK TO INDIAN SHORES After about 44 years, about 1,800 Goan families will get to see their family jewels. The jewellery travelled to Portugal after the liberation struggle and got stuck in the customs net. CNBC-TV18 looks at the how this gold was finally liberated. This story dates back to 1961, when gold jewellery pawned by Goans left Indian shores to Lisbon in Portugal, after the liberation. Thirteen years back all the gold came back but 1,800 families ran out of luck as an amendment in the denied them access to the family treasure. Now the finance minister has stepped in to ensure that these families get their jewellery back. http://www.moneycontrol.com/backends/News/frontend/news_detail.php? autono=160762 * * * * * * TRAVEL * * * * * * JET AND SAHARA TAKEOFF TO LONDON DELAYED Jet Airways and Air Sahara may have succeeded in getting slots to fly to London but the two airlines are not ready for takeoff. CNBC-TV18 reports that Jet Airways and Air Sahara are expected to begin their flights to London some time in September. While Jet Airways and Air Sahara have managed to get slots to London, the busiest sector from India, it may be a while before they can commence operations on this route. The prime reason being, that the airlines do not have their fleet in place to fly overseas. While they would ideally like to fly the 737’s on this sector, there are no aircraft available in the market currently. The lease market for long haul aircraft is very firm and lease prices are soaring. A long haul aircraft on lease costs over Rs 5 lakhs a month. http://www.moneycontrol.com/backends/News/frontend/news_detail.php? autono=161029 * * * * * * SPORTS * * * * * * IT'S ALL ABOUT JUNIOR MARGAO, JANUARY 31: It’s two months since that tragic Sunday but it’s inevitable that when Dempo take on Mohun Bagan in their National Football League match tomorrow, football will be on the sidelines. Though the teams try to focus on the game, they are aware — as are the fans, club officials, media and police — that it’s all about Cristiano Junior. >From SMS to bar-room conversation to even the jersey Dempo will wear tomorrow (see box), Junior looms larger than life. Sosegad, the famously laid-back atmosphere, has been replaced by an edge that eats into the sea air. http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=63800 RANTY MARTINS STARS IN DEMPO WIN Ranty Martins's double strike gave Dempo a 2-0 victory over Mohun Bagan in a fifth round match in the ninth National Football League in Margao, Goa, on Tuesday. The victory enabled the Goa side maintain their unbeaten run in the league. Playing with authority, Federation Cup champions Dempo controlled the midfield and drew first blood in the 17th minute. http://inhome.rediff.com/sports/2005/feb/01nfl2.htm GOA GO DOWN TO HYDERABAD Hyderabad and Tamil Nadu won their matches against Goa and Kerala respectively while Karnataka drew with Andhra at close on the third and final day of their third round robin league cricket match for the Under-22 P Ramachandra Rao trophy here today. Hyderabad gained five points (including a bonus point) beating Goa by an innings and 89 runs, while Tamil Nadu won by eight wickets against Kerala to collect four points. Andhra, who conceded a 65-run on first innings to Karnataka and the latter got two points. http://athens-olympics-2004.newkerala.com/?action=fullnews&id=67294 * * * * * * WEATHER * * * * * * GOA - Dabolim Airport MAXIMUM RECORDED - 31C / 88F MINIMUM RECORDED - 20.5C / 69F UV INDEX - 8 VISIBILITY - 11kms / 7mi FORECAST FEB 2 FEB 3 FEB 4 HIGH 31C/88F 31C/88F 32C/89F LOW 20C/68F 20C/69F 20C/68F SUNRISE: 6:34 am SUNSET : 6.01 pm ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Goanet - Goa's premier mailing list - http://www.goanet.org