Goa Diary

A House for Mr CM
An experience former Chief Minister Wilfred D8217;Souza would gladly do without, and only just managed to escape, was the mortification of being evicted from the CM8217;s official residence. Though he did not live there during his tenure as chief minister, D8217;Souza could not bear to hand over the premises so soon a few weeks after losing power to his successor. And, unable to shuttle from his home in Margao to the state capital, new Chief Minister Luizinho Faleiro dropped enough hints to the local media that he would employ the official machinery to oust his bete noir a second time! The chief minister8217;s official residence in recent times had become the preferred spot to stow away legislators supporting the incumbent in office in the run-up to the trust votes. It remains to be seen whether the practice will endure.

Body Shopping
Fatima Bi, a former sex-worker writes the following letter in the Gomantak Times Weekender regarding the shifting loyalties of Independent legislatorJohn Manuel Vaz: 8220;I am, what you would call, a sex worker. I had to quit Baina the red light district when MLA John Manuel Vaz drove us out. Now I work as a domestic help. Vaz once called me prostitute, who anybody could buy for a price. Now I am very surprised to hear that Vaz is supporting chief minister Luizinho Faleiro, a man who he once accused for being most corrupt. I only want to know what was Vaz8217;s price to support Luizinho?8221;Vaz who switched support from Pratapsinh Rane to Wilfred D8217;Souza and to Luizinho Faleiro is yet to send in his reply.

Uniform Confusion
When fashion designer Wendell Rodricks togged up the Goa police in blue and white, few foresaw the possibility of confusion. Last week, an Israeli tourist was arrested after he assaulted a cop following an altercation. Turns out the tourist was speeding by when the cop whistled him to a halt. Now, the visitor on his earlier trips had seen the cops clad in khadi and therefore challenged the man in blue-and-white, letting hisfists fly for good measure!

Dog Catcher8217;s Day
The Goa Government is planning to import dog catchers from Mumbai who will train locals to catch stray dogs. After the Panaji beach of the Mumbai High Court banned shooting of stray dogs in the state, officials here are planning to employ dog catchers to trap the canines. The strays will be sterilised and released into the streets.

Tailpiece
Churches in Goa receive a large number of non-Christian devotees. Hence the sign: Holy Communion is not prasad. Non-Catholics may not receive Communion from the minister or priest.