Re: In To-day's Newspapers
 

[QUOTE=wheatsheaf;8252261]How about:

a) we form a BOAG. The British Overseas Association of Goa. A formal, non profit, apolitical, non charity, secular organisation, with a registered address in Goa and membership list and an elected body.
b) Inform all the newspapers, and other media of the BOAG existence.
c) Be seen publicly to be recognised as an association of Brit interests in Goa by the Brit HC and Consulate.
d) appoint a media representative who will maintain regular contact with and grow the relationship and understanding between the official Goan organisations and the Brits.
e) be a one stop shop for UK info otherwise difficult to access.
f) organise and hold cultural/social events giving local Goans and 'resident Brits and opportunity to grow understanding beyond the current "tourism oriented" status.

I could not agree more strongly. We could and should be organising ourselves here so that we communicate to the local people and politicians that we are not morons who have nothing to say but are respectable people who have a valid perspective.

There is a real need for some vehicle to represent British interests here and put wrong some of the misconceptions which are spouted daily in the press. I do think that we ex pats here could play a part in this. Some real attention needs to be given to putting forward correct facts about us in the media.

I also firmly believe that in addition to our efforts as private individuals this is a case where the Consulate should take a more pro active role as well. What would be wrong with the Consul giving an interview to the media for example on the recent changes about claiming benefits in the uk and making it clear that what has being presented as fact is not true and highly exaggerated. Surely the Consulate has a duty to rectify a totally false and exaggerated perception of the Uk? Why does the Consul not write an article or give an interview to the Goan media? There is no good just having " discussions " behind closed doors with various people ( which is the way it works most of the time I think). This is a case where false information has been presented as fact and damages us very much in the eyes of the Goan public because the ordinary locals will simply believe what they read.

British Consul: Please take note of this appeal to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: In To-day's Newspapers
 

http://www.channel4.com/microsites/I/indiawinter/


As Channel4 is hosting a raft of programmes about India from 13 Jan, how about a concerted bombardment of Channel4 ? There are some well known "Celebs" involved surely we would gain some more attention to our injustice?

Kevin McCloud's programme mainly set in the Dharavi slum area of Bombay was excellent, he found an estate agent "selling property" there, one of his worryingly accurate quotes was " How can you sell property here when you don't know who even owns it"- simples's- India innit ?


Been to Indian recently? Enter your most vibrant and colourful pictures into our Indian Winter photo gallery for a chance to win one of 25 DVDs of the Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire.

All pictures that capture the sights, tastes and sounds of Indian culture will be entered into a prize draw to win one of 25 DVDs of the Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire.

( With thanks to Channel4 )

K-C

Re: In To-day's Newspapers
 

[QUOTE=erinsgirl;8253141]Here's a dab at guessing why the Consular officials are restrained:
a) Britain has more and deeper relationships with India. In effect, British representatives are speaking with the very people who are at opposite ends of the GoaFN predicament, and everything is examined in that light. All Goan laws, history, diplomatic knowledge is negated thus and so FNs and Goans have less of a chance at getting this resolved amiably because it is being dealt with by people that have not an ounce of connection with the issues.
b) Everything is being looked at as a political, economic and commercial matter, much like the Spanish property fiasco but
c) The Brit and Indian diplomatic players, are deliberately not recognising the unique status of Goa, and are ignoring the very unique relationship between Goa and Britain, which was the only non-colonial relationship Britain had on that sub continent. The axes that are grinding should not be because of the unique international and Goan law that governs the area.
d) Everyone at official level is dancing around the real matter of the legality whether FEMA, Indian family and Property laws etc, can be imposed on a Union State (GOA) after 500 years of a seperate system existing there.

Re: In To-day's Newspapers
 

Wheatsheaf,

An exceptionally good point: Portuguese family & property law are still applicable in Goa - as you say, what relevance can FEMA have to laws that have been in place for approximately 500 years?

I believe that there have even been issues with the accurate translations of these laws.

H.

Re: In To-day's Newspapers
 

So are we stating that FEMA in Goa has no relevance at all because they have their own family & property law??
If this is the case then we might as well pack up and go home as we don't have a cat in hells chance of of winning this battle
GC;)

Re: In To-day's Newspapers
 

I think you'll find that all this was all sorted out when Goa was 'liberated' / became a State of the Indian Union -
as I understand it family law including the transfer of property by inheritance is (uniquely) covered by the Portuguese Uniform Civil Code, everything else including the transfer of property by sale, gift, lease or mortgage is covered by Indian law and the Indian Constitution; new laws promulgated by the Centre have to be 'notified' in each State and I guess that at some point in the past all existing Indian statutes were 'notified' en-bloc for Goa.

Next time I bump into a lawyer I'll ask <g>.

AndyD 8-)#

Re: In To-day's Newspapers
 

As you already know, lawyers in Goa will not be able to give clear answers because confusion reigns.

As for Delhi notifying new laws: it is not as simple as that. How can it be when not one single bureaucrat in Delhi (or Goa for that matter) knows what they are replacing, let alone replacing with.

Re: In To-day's Newspapers
 

I will asked again does Goa come under Indian law or not? Does FEMA apply to Goa like the rest of India.
Facts only please
GC:confused:

Re: In To-day's Newspapers
 

Yes it does. In application though, I wonder whether a period of 'integration' was ever part of the process as it applies to Goa because of the 'separate' history. If not, then it should be a major contention because of the obvious misdirection by Goan lawyers who clearly have been unaware of it too.

Re: In To-day's Newspapers
 

Thank you
I will postpone slitting my wrists for the time being now we have cleared this up
GC;)

Re: In To-day's Newspapers
 

This is one angry lady

Letter in the Herald today
Prepare for mass exodus
Caroline Rosser, UK
I have been coming to Goa for holidays for the past 17 years, but no longer.
If Goa thinks this season has been quiet, just wait for the next. With the new ridiculous 2-month rule coming into force, Goa can prepare itself for a mass exodus of British tourists. This has come as the proverbial last straw on our backs.
Well, it has been made clear enough to us, and I for one will not stay where I or my money is not wanted by a totally racist and highly corrupt government

GC;) Be careful what you wish for you just might get it:rolleyes:

Re: In To-day's Newspapers
 

I totally agree with Caroline Rosser,i will also be holidaying elswhere. Why keep returning to somewhere we are so obviously not wanted.
Hit them where it will hurt them most in their pockets! Give them as much bad publicity as they seem to enjoy giving the Brits. Vote with your feet.
I also advise all my friends not to go either i got fed up of the negative feedback. I for one will not be waiting 2 months to stand around their crap and filth. :thumbsup:

Re: In To-day's Newspapers
 

Has anybody got a copy of yesterdays Herald? There was an article I read yesterday (Monday) from a Goan in Panjim complaining about racism in a restaurant in Candolim - probably
This letter is "surprisingly" not on the online version of the Herald and I no longer have my copy.

Although I accept that racism is wrong in all aspects, if you live in Goa (India) as a "Foreigner" you have to tolerate racism as this is practised from the lowest bread seller upwards - my (Goan) friend calls it a "skin" tax. It is even sanctioned by the government - 1 price for Indian nationals, 1 (higher) price for foreigners.

I would have liked to send a counter argument

Re: In To-day's Newspapers
 

The skin tax yes, The samosas in Dabolim Airport's International lounge are more expensive than in the domestic lounge and they are the same ones. Why is this then?

Banyon.

Re: In To-day's Newspapers
 

Unless you are sure of the resturant in question it should not be named.
I personally have seen Indians dine there and treated like the rest of us with respect.
I have also seen many indians in other resturants who have been very rude to the staff.
What we haves found offensive this week is large numbers of indian men on candolim beach totally piddled, throwing glasses, and bottles into the sea and running around in their underpants, fighting each other and being abusive to fn'S sitting quietly on their sunbeds. These louts were also seen at 9.30 the next morning walking up by the Teama still in their underpants. So why is it that the Fn's get all the bad press.