Author: admin

Published Date: November 7, 2011

Over 30 intellectuals from around the world converged on Goa last weekend to look afresh at poverty, justice and environmental issues.

Thomas L. Friedman, US author of The World is Flat – an analysis of globalization – and addressing the November 4-6 Think Fest 2011, stressed the need to uphold old values of discipline and simplicity in the modern world.

Friedman termed God as an active agent who intervenes in history and is also present in one’s actions.

“It is the old fashioned stuff that protects us. It is not in cyberspace and cannot be downloaded. Hence the need to upload it,” he added.

Friedman also said his country is now facing financial insecurity because it chose to chase terrorists and failed to follow the examples of India and China in what is a changing world.

He regretted the US has neglected education, infrastructure, incentives for growth and ground breaking research while concentrating on al-Qaida and the Taliban.

Neglecting these core principles have weakened the US and strengthened Asian economies, he noted.

Tamara Abed of Bangladesh Rural Advance Committee said something was fundamentally wrong with the west, which wastes so much food while millions starve in other parts of the world.

She noted that the US wastes around 222 million tons of food a year which amounts to Africa’s total food production.

Esther Duflo, professor of Poverty Alleviation and Development Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, attributed poor education standards in the US to overburdened teachers and an “insane curriculum.”

Afghan parliamentarian Shukria Barakzai said her people have become victims of their country’s geo strategic position.

“We have paid with our lives for other nation’s interests,” said the woman who was publicly flogged for going to a hospital without an escort.

Father Feroz Fernandes, who edits Vaurvadencho Ixxt (Workers’ Friend), a Church weekly in Goa, noted a general consensus at the event on helping the poor.

“This is the same idea the Church has been harping on about for years. The time has come for the Church and corporations to come tighter [together],” he said.

The biggest challenge for both is to understand each other’s language, the Catholic priest added.

Source: ucanews.com

GCA drops Asnodkar for 2 matches for agreeing to a draw
PTI | Nov 7, 2011, 07.51PM IST
Article

Swapnil Asnodkar’s decision shocked his teammates and did not go down well with the administrators following which the GCA selection committee called for an immediate meeting and decided to drop him.

MARGAO: The Goa Cricket Association selection committee on Monday dropped skipper Swapnil Asnodkar for the next two Ranji Plate division matches following his controversial decision to agree for a draw against Maharashtra.

Young Keen Vaz has been named as his replacement for the next two matches, Goa Cricket Association secretary Prasad Phaterpekar said.

Having conceded a 38-run first innings lead, Goa bowled out Maharashtra for 91 in the second innings in their first Ranji Plate Division clash, and needed 130 for an outright win in 19 overs, on Sunday.

Asnodkar, who led the team in the absence of injured Shadab Jakati, was given clear instructions by the team management to go all out for a win.

However, the aggressive opener, who played for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, shockingly agreed to call-off the match with Goa being 18 for one in six overs, needing 112 to win in the 13 mandatory overs.

Asnodkar’s decision shocked his teammates and did not go down well with the administrators following which the GCA selection committee called for an immediate meeting and decided to drop him for the next two matches for taking the unilateral decision, Phaterpekar said.

Goa’s much-vaunted charm fading with crowds: Wendell

Friday, 04 November 2011 22:09
Mayabhushan | Panaji

Goan beaches are not as white and pristine as before, but are now sullied and red with over-exploitation due to tourism,” painful, but true words of renowned fashion designer Wendell Rodricks sent a hush across the conference hall where the designer had just announced launch of a collection of year-ender party special.

The collection, according to Rodricks, is an attempt to recreate the nostalgic charm of the sparkling sands brought the hippies in droves giving rise to the hippie era of Goa, but today is sadly no more.

To most Goans like Wendell who love their State, the reality was never clearer. “I remember Calangute as a pristine beach until say 1985, when you could walk in quiet and Baga (an adjoining beach north of Calangute) was a nudist colony. But now it is muddy and red and I do not go to that stretch anymore,” Rodricks said.

In a bid to save whatever’s left of his beloved State, Rodricks has made an impassioned plea that Goa be given a special status on the lines of those given to hilly States.

“Delhi (Central Government) should give Goa special status, like the rights the hilly regions have where land can only be bought by local residents and there are slabs on development,” said Rodricks.

Rodricks is not alone. Civil society groups in the State have been actively campaigning against multi-unit dwelling colonies, which they say cater only to buyers in Delhi and other metro cities as they are beyond the reach of the Goan buyer.

For Rodricks it is especially dear since he resides in the remote village of Colvale in Goa that is yet untouched by rapid development and maintains its quaint pre-modernisation era looks.

“I am in a best position to understand Goa, just as Rohit Bal understands Kashmir or Sabyasachi Mukherjee does Kolkata,” Rodricks said, adding that Goa was just not about its beaches. “There’s quiet villages, like the one I live in (Colvale 20 km from Panaji), there’s the forests of Goa, the tribals living in them,” he said.

Rodricks is known more for his classically minimalist fashion statement, and has managed to remain in the mainstream of the fashion industry creating new looks each season which inspire and influence Indian fashion.

Goan’s biggest grouse today is that while the number of tourists visiting the State is growing exponentially every year and so does the number of housing colonies, infrastructure such as width of roads, sewerage and garbage management systems continue to remain archaic and unable to support current loads of pressure.

Goa-born fashion designer Wendell Rodricks’ on Wednesday talked tough about preserving the identity of Goa, whose beaches he said “were not as white and pristine” as before.

The designer said that he tried to portray Goa in his designs as much as possible, because he was best suited to understand the vibe of the region where he was born in.

Eduardo appeals to NRIs to apply for PIO
PTI, PANAJI | 11 August 2010 16:23 IST

[Eduardo appeals to NRIs to apply for PIO]
Eduardo Faleiro

Goa’s NRI Commissioner Eduardo Faleiro today said his commissionerate was following up with the centre a crucial issue of ‘Goan people with foreign passports’, who had to cut short their trip to native county due to short period visas given to them.

Faleiro said all the non resident Goans holding foreign passports should apply at the earliest for a PIO or OCI (Overseas Citizen ofIndia) card which will entitle them to stay in India for 15 years or 30 years respectively.

The NRI commissioner said that many goans having foreign passport rued that they have to arrive in Goa on visas valid for just three to six months.

“I brought this matter to the notice of Union Home Minister who agreed that the procedure being followed is not correct,” Faleiro, former union external affairs minister for state, said.

“The minister informed me that his ministry is advising the missions concerned as wel as FRRO (foreigners regional registration office) Goa to ensure that long terms visas are issued to such people and these visas may be extended from time to time,” he added.

Faleiro said that he will take up the matter with minister of external affairs and Indian missions abroad.

“I have also spoken to Goa Home Minister Ravi Naik so that the home department and FRRO deal leniently with NRGs even if they hold tourist visas and treat them not as foreigners but as a persons of Indian origin holding foreign passports,” the NRI commissioner said.

Watch them at ‘DANCE GOA DANCE’
Published on: November 4, 2011 – 10:44

Planet J Team
Some of the Café Coffee Days, on certain weekends, from end August to end September had a lot happening and you could not only hear thumping music but also crowds in and outside these cafes. What was happening? A lot, let me tell you.

About 400 children were participating in the All Goa Solo Dance competition organized by the Snaden Shawn Dance Academy.
The air was filled with excitement and tension and was so intense, you could actually touch it. Along with the children were parents, uncles, aunts, grandpas and other members of the family. This event was welcomed by all, children and adults alike. There were two categories, seniors, 15 years and above, and juniors, 8 to 14 years. It was also open to adults who were young at heart and wanted to dance to their heart’s content. This was a first of its kind of event in Goa and the response was mind blowing.
We Goans have always been known as good dancers but to see the passion and love for this form of art amongst us Goenkars, only leaves you speechless.
The event was open to all and was not exclusive to the students of the Snaden Shawn academy which gave those who participated a platform to showcase their talent which otherwise is not always possible.
Just four years old, this academy has grown in strength, talent and as a family due to the keen interest shown by us. Of course the young and dynamic founder of the academy has a lot to do with this response. He says, “Our aim is to make dance a fun & meaningful experience to help students express themselves, nurture the art, harness their talent and find their true potential. We not only teach dance but also discipline, ability to take criticism, creative analysis and innovative thinking.
From the 400 odd participants, 40 were chosen from each taluka and in the second round 8 semi-finalists were picked. The semi-finalist will be contesting for the title of Juniour Superstar Dancer 2011 and Senior Superstar 2011, in the Dance Goa Dance competition to be held on November 5 and 6, at Kala Academy.This title will remain for a year until the next superstars are chosen. This title also includes gifts worth Rs 30000 and trophies and certificates as well.The judges for the semi-finals and finals are celebrities from Goa and Mumbai.
Planet J caught up with some of the semi-finalists to find out how they are preparing.
Saish Nipanikar, standard VII, GS Amonkar School, Mapusa, is all agog. He has been dancing since he was very little and is into hip-hop, western, classical, Bollywood etc. “I am very excited and just can’t wait for the semi-finals. I have been taking part in competitions often and so feel very confident. I practice one hour daily and am performing a western dance for the semi-finals,” says Saish. He adds, “I will be very happy if I win but I am more interested in taking part, and that is what matters to me.”
17 year old Ashish Nakate of RMS College, Margao, practices for five hours daily as he has a group and they do private shows as well. Ashish is very excited to have reached the semi-finals. He says, “This contest allows everyone to show their talent and since all can participate it is bigger and better. However I did not like the story concept that was part of the contest. Every dance had to have a story behind it and some of the participants were not aware of this.” His forte is hip-hop and he is performing a fusion of hip-hop and contemporary for the semi-finals.I don’t know if I wil win but my chances are good,” he says hopefully.
Sanshika Shirodkar, astudent of standard VII, Gyan Vikas School, Porvorim, has been dancing since she was 4 and has been learning at Kala Academy and at the Snaden Shawn Academy. She is 12 and all rearing to go, she says, “I have taken part in many competitions and hence feel no stress, in fact I find it exciting. I practice an hour a day and am working hard on both my pieces. For the semi-finals, I am doing an item number which is really nice and I hope I win. I had earlier taken part in the Dance India Dance competition and reached the first round. Hope I am lucky this time.”
Hard work, a lot of time and effort is the norm with all the semi-finalists and I know for sure that all of them are sure winners. How can it be other wise, when all of them are having a blast and doing what they love doing.
So all you out there who love to dance, why don’t you join at Kala academy on November 5 and 6 and cheer all our semi-finalists?