Goan Houses 4

The World Cup fever in Goa

The World Cup has reached mid way after a series of upsets that saw a few of the European giants bite the dust. The football fever seems to be reaching a crescendo in Goa as everyone is looking forward to Portugal's next match against Spain.

Did you say Portugal?

So what is it that excites Goans about Portuguese football? After having been 'colonized' by the Portuguese for over 400 years, what is it that draws Goans to cheer for the Portuguese so passionately?

It puzzles me to see the Portuguese colors don the imagination of Goans so strongly. Is it a reflection of the Goan's love in general for the Portuguese? Is it something only restricted to the Portuguese speaking elite? Is it because the players' names sound a lot more familiar than Drogbas and Rooneys? Or is it plain hangover?

Spotted this car painted in the Portuguese colors during one of my trips to the south to attend an old friends funeral.

The Nadia Torrado Case - Suicide or cold blooded murder

Lot of the dust seems to have settled down and the initial shock effect may have drained down. It's time to put the sketchy evidence and look at possible final closures.

What has really stunned many people is the calm and composure of the mother, Sonia. Right through the events since Nadia was admitted to Apollo hospital in Margao, there is something about Sonia that would have startled the best criminal investigation brains.

The initial statements and newspaper coverage seemed to suggest that Nadia may have poisoned herself by mistake. Having met Nadia couple of times and having a fair understanding of this young lady it seems very strange that such an event could have happened. Nadia was an extremely intelligent young lady who would have identified the substance the moment it was placed on a toothbrush. I have used Godrej shaving cream a couple of times on my toothbrush. And yes it seriously does not taste like my Colgate.

First of all, why a tube of Ratol be in the place of a normal tube of toothpaste seems to fox me. Even though Nadia's house in Loutulim could have faced big challenges from rats, its very suspicious that the entire tube was placed near a wash basin where the toothpaste may have been normally placed. Let us for a moment assume that the tube may have been left behind by mistake after someone have placed enough of its contents around the house to taken care of the infestation. Why would she have used such a lot of the contents on her tooth brush?

Many by now will understand that no such error took place and that this perhaps is a sure case of suicide. Sure case? As sure as the contradictory statements coming out from the family and close friends?

If one were to trace back the events in Nadia's life over the last 3 years, even the dumbest of brains will suspect murder. Nadia had now become an important liability. As MP's relationship with Nadia continued to go down, another very interesting love relationship was taking shape right next door. A relationship that will have eventually posed serious threat to Nadia's life. As much a serious threat as Nadia will have posed if she was still around. Nadia had to be eliminated at all costs. Her being alive will have posed even bigger risk to the new love story. She may have threatened to spill the beans.

It is said that a mother's love knows no bounds. The mother's new love knew no bounds and finally proved stronger. Nadia had to go.

As the events of the next few days unfold, it will be much clearer that Nadia may have been murdered. Murdered in cold blood by the 2 people closest to her.

This of course is only my little Sherlock Holmes type interpretation. Let us hope the legal system is able to throw light on the truth. Soon.

Goa's Ferry Boats

The famous 'ferry boats' are a common means of crossing Goa's several rivers and rivulets. Look out and try the pleasure of a ferry boat ride for the complete Goa experience

Goa Chitra

Founded by Victor Hugo Gomes, Goa Chitra is a unique collection and presentation of old traditional Goan farming equipment and old tools, restored to their original state. Being a Goan, I have myself wondered and lamented the way we have losing out on our traditions with the onslaught of modern technology.

Hats off to Victor and Aldina for painstakingly putting together this fantastic opportunity for all Goans and the rest of the world to share in and view most of the traditional tools and equipment which will probably cease to exist in Goa in a few years.

For detail of Goa Chitra, please click here.

Pictures courtesy www.goachitra.com

Goa Carnival 2010

This year's carnival rocked!!! Not only were the floats better organised, but the quality of floats was much better than previous years. More importantly it is once again turning into a people's carnival with more and more people coming out in their colorful best and taking part in the celebrations.

Curtorim Church

Curtorim Church

Azad Maidan

Fontainhas Chapel

Chapel in Fontainhas, Panjim

Fontainhas, Panaji

Goan houses 2

Fontainhas, Panaji