JoeGoaUk's Point of View: March 2012

Thursday, 22 March 2012

Adieus, Sir Matanhy Saldanha

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/6858710912/sizes/l/in/photostream/

If any politician whom I would respectably address as ‘Sir’ would be the one and only Sir Matanhy Saldanha,

a true Goan by heart. His other name, I would say 'Goa'.

‘Leave your religion and caste at home: Unite in one voice and one spirit for saving Goa’

This is what he always said in his speeches.

Goa just lost one of its very few saviours.

Adieus Matanhy Sir.

Matanhy Saldanha died on 21st March 2012
Funeral on 24th March 3pm at Cansaulim

It was only 5 days since he took charge of the Tourism Ministry (Forest & Environment).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra4/8575865526/sizes/c/in/photostream/
grave

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra4/8576955931/sizes/l/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra4/8576954211/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Matanhy's grave on 21.3.2013

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra4/8577996136/sizes/l/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra4/8576955931/sizes/l/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra4/8576954211/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Video - a tribute

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoKKTWLhFWA
Parrikar, Fonseca, Prajal, Fr. Eremito, SEZ, GPA etc included

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/7004828907/sizes/l/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/7004828761/sizes/l/in/photostream/

My post in 2008 on Matanhy's 60th birthday (with pics)
http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/2008-October/168821.html

video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJNoXlsr14Y

update: 23/3/12

Matanhy's body brought home

some pics

Cansaulim Residence

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/6862180828/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/7008304619/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/7008306173/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/7008307591/in/photostream/

Placed in the mobile morgue

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/6862181320/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/6862181804/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/6862187406/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/7008301365/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/6862186552/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/7008302675/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/6862187122/in/photostream/

Matanhy’s two sisters seated right

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/6862183398/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/6862184004/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/7008300461/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/7008300873/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/6862182588/in/photostream/

At Cansaulim church

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/6862179562/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/6862180160/in/photostream/

House behind the railway tracks (house not seen)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/6862193852/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/6862195514/in/photostream/

Posters all over

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/7008294925/in/photostream
This is at Cortalim - Sancoale junction

Video 1 - Matanhy brought home..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9L1R_JCVqps

UpadateL 24th March 2012

The Final journey

Niz Goemkar to

Goemcho okondd khambo to

Mozo gaum-bhau to

Adieus, Matanhy Saldanha

Matanhy into his coffin at home

Wife Alina also seen
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/6865059514/in/photostream/

Decorated with flowers – The final resting place

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/7011175001/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/7011176897/in/photostream/

People lined up to pay last respect

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/7011177317/in/photostream/

the funeral brass band

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/6865065852/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/6865065390/in/photostream/

Matanhy leaving home for the last time – Parrikar also seen

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/7011180257/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/6865066714/in/photostream/

The politicians in the crowd

CM Parrikar, Arun Jaitley, Shripad Niak, Shashikala Kakodkar, Damu Naik, Mickky Pacheco
wife Viola, Francis D'Souza, Rajendara Arlekar etc

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/7011181463/sizes/l/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/7011183235/sizes/l/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/6865069698/in/photostream/

Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar assured that Matanhy’s wishes

would be fulfilled through his colleagues
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/7011170975/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/6865058268/in/photostream/

‘Go ahead Alina, we are with you’ said Fr. Eremito Rebello

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/7011183999/in/photostream/

Matanhy along with his family members

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/7011184517/sizes/l/in/photostream/

a section of the crowd

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/6865072004/sizes/l/in/photostream/

another section

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/6865074058/sizes/l/in/photostream/

over 50 priests – Concelebrated mass

A section

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/6865075324/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Archbishop

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/6865078872/in/photostream/

the main three priests

With Bishop Filipe Neri, Fr. Jose Remedious and Fr. Lucio Dias

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/7011189725/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Here is Sir Matanhy – With State / National honour

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/7011191267/sizes/l/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/6865078592/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Matanhy’s sisters etc

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/7011193437/in/photostream/

Wife Alina

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/7011193855/in/photostream/

Padmashree Remo Fernandes paid a beautiful musical tribute – Flute

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/6865053178/in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/6865054576/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/6865055850/in/photostream/

the coffin top / Cover

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/6865067098/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Additional/Update: midnight 24/3/12

Saw Manohar Parrikar arriving at 2pm

Funeral time was 3pm. He was there all the time outside the residence.

Funeral service got over after 6pm (Cemetery) and the whole thing must have go over at 7pm (wishing family member etc)

Mr. Parrikar made a small speech saying most of his talking was done by Matanhy’s niece.

He assured Matanhy’s wishes will be fulfilled with the help of his colleagues

Matanhy’s niece Malisa also made an emotional speech.

Alina w/o Matanhy also made an emotional speech saying she lost her best friend, lost reason for living, lost everything for Matanhy was everything to her.

She also said ‘Matanhy’s greatest love was Goa and people of Goa’

Matanhy always said ‘Everything I do, I do so that I can live after my death’

She thanked Matanhy for giving her 20 beautiful years of her life.

Remo played beautiful musical tribute.

Another thing I saw for the first time was the priests going down to the people to serve Communion. Almost all priest were distributing the Holy Communion.

Fr. Eremito Rebello, in his homily, said Alina (w/o Matanhy) should take the challenge to carry on with the work of Matanhy and that we the people will be there for her.

He also said Goa needs special status besides cleaning up the mess.

He also said money looted should be brought back to the state coffers.

Cemetery was beautifully decorated with flower wreaths etc.

Funeral march was very beautiful (with Police band etc), something I think I saw for the first time (except in Movies).

Sadly, I was not able to capture the 21 gun-shots, battery problem as if it had to run-down at that time only.

Some more pics

Matanhy leaving home for the last time

CM Parrikar seen carrying his friend’s coffin

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/6865405776/in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/6865407260/in/photostream/

This funeral march really brought tears in my eyes

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/7011522563/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/6865410114/in/photostream/

with Police band

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/6865411622/in/photostream/

coming out of the church - Friends and neighbours carrying coffin

Coffin / casket draped in the Union Flag / National Flag

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/7011526885/in/photostream/

Opp. Leader Mr. Arun Jailey flew all the way from Delhi..

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/6865414658/in/photostream/

After the mass service, coffin now taken for final salute and burial

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/6865416484/in/photostream/

Video 2 - Funeral photos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jey3y6njH8

Video 3 - Remo Fernandes paying Musical Tribute

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cN8bDtOtZMc

Some more pics

Flowers wreaths and messages

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/6867640242/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Police Brass Band

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/7013753717/in/photostream/

Cemetery – last rites

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/6867653058/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/6867648082/in/photostream/

Main video - added 25th March late night

Video:
Matany Saldanha - Last journey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2QWcd9qazQ

as the video is long, here I give your some timelime
so that you can skip and watch that part which may interests you.

The Video:
Starting with Parrikar at the residence – Must watch
2.15 Church square round-up, cemetery, grave
4.02 back to residence – People Q etc
7.00 Arun Jaitley arrives, Brass band
9.10 Funeral service starts
10.20 Leaving the residence with Parrikar etc – Must watch
12.25 Funeral march, police band etc – Must watch
17.00 Arun Jaitley speech – Must watch
20.00 Mass service starts
22.00 Bhishop talks
25.00 Fr. Eremito homily – must watch
35.00 Communion
41.37 Remo – Must watch
42.15 CM Parrikar – Must Watch
43.41 Alina - wife of Matanhy – Must watch
50.07 funeral leaves for final salute
55.25 for burial
The End

Music: brass band, Remo’s flute tribute added to the background.

Video 4 - the last journey

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2QWcd9qazQ

Thanks you for your support.
I got lot of views in flickr pics upto 650 per pic in less that 24hours
It really made my day as if I have been paid for my work or efforts, what else I need ham?

May our Matanhy rest in peace

Viva Goa!

Grave on 26th Mrch
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/7019113657/in/photostream

Update: 24th Oct. 2012
Remembering Matanhy on his 64th birthday 24th Oct.

Remembering Matanhy on his 64th birthday
At Kala Academy on 24th Oct.2012 6-10pm

Debate on the topic of ‘Development at what cost?’ Participants were Vishnu Surya Wagh, Subhash Phaldessai, Rohan Khaunte, Nirmala Sawant, Dr Oscar Rebello, Adv Thalman Pereira & Sandesh Prabhudesai moderator. watch video V below

As part of this programme, various people also paid their tribute to Matanhy including Fr Savio Gomes, Kamini Kundaikar, Prajal Sakhardande, Agnelo Rodrigues, Shalini Barbosa Saxena, Fr. Eremito Rebello,
Dilip Cotta, Vijay Pai Khot, Edgar Vales, Mahesh Sonak, Raju Mangueskar, Dasharath Naik, etc. see their pics in Alina's video below - Video II

Musical programme by Debbie Fernandes, Varun Carvalho, Kris Saldanha, Konkani Cantar Trio by Jaju – Salu – Tommy, Violin recital by Goa String Quartet etc - watch Video I and II

Video I

In this video you will watch, a small part of Parrikar’s speech, Kris solo, Debbie,
Varun, villagers group singing, Cantar Trio, Dilip Cotta singing, Fr. Eremito Rebello, Alina Saldanha etc

CM Parrikar also talked on this occasion, a 35 mins long speech. Watch Video IV

The KA auditorium was full to the capacity

Some pics

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk62/8121231186/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Parrikar, Alina lighting the lamp
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk62/8121231536/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk62/8121231822/in/photostream/

A section of the audience
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk62/8121217027/sizes/l/in/photostream/

GRE Leader Agnelo Rodrigues
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk62/8121232668/in/photostream/

Debating
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk62/8121233116/sizes/l/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk62/8121233520/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Dr. Oscar in action
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk62/8121357000/in/photostream/

Cantar Trio singing
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk62/8121354532/in/photostream/

Debbie and Kris
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk62/8121355422/in/photostream/

Video I
http://youtu.be/KtHkTDwtPc8

Video II Alina Speaking - With all speakers' pics, Arun, Debbie and Villagers http://youtu.be/xme8-p4xI7A

Video III Kris Singing http://youtu.be/S6TwP7JcRm0

Video IV CM Parrikar Speaking (Entire Speech) http://youtu.be/qXzvHmAvfUM

Video V - Debate, Development at what cost?

http://youtu.be/Wxd6HkLlxjg

Matanhy Statue at Cansaulim
on his 66th birthday 24th Oct. 2014

more here
http://joegoauk-pointofview.blogspot.in/2014/10/matanhy-saldanha-statue-unveiled-at.html

Monday, 5 March 2012

Goa elections 2012 - Results, new government, ministers etc

BJP/MGP 21+3=24 Cong.9, IND 5, GVP 2 = 40. BJP with MGP and 2 IND formed Govt. Parrikar is the new Chief Minister of Goa.

Jai ho Parrikar!

update: 9/3/12
Video - Manohar Parrikar as New Chief Minister of Goa

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6lvE6u0-UM

Video 2 (Parrikar with his 5 Cabinet Ministers taking oath)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ioOrBdJdS8

See more pics of the ceremony below (in the end)

People greet Parrikar after winning the election on 6th March
some more pics of Parrikar and Parsekar

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk51/6812517202/sizes/l/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk51/6958627207/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk51/6958625739/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk51/6958624971/in/photostream/

Voting held on 3rd March 2012
Counting and results on 6th March 2012

23 seats / contituencies at Salgaocar College of Law, Miramar
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk51/6955104053/sizes/l/

and 17 at Damodar / Kare College, Comba Margao
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk27/4819343136/sizes/l/

Total Candidates / Contestants: 215
Total Seats: 40
Results declared so far: 40
Counting started 8am (margao)
No results out yet time now 9.32am
Panjim counting delayed..

Salgaocars college of Law, Miramar

People greet Mr. Parrikar

Miramar beach circle

more pics at miramar 12.30pm
about 350 meters away from the counting venue

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk51/6812203354/sizes/l/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk51/6812201816/sizes/l/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk51/6958311745/sizes/l/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk51/6958313315/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Winners: updated 6pm

1. Mandrem - Laxmikant Parsekar BJP
2. Pernem - Rajendra Arlekar BJP
3. Bicholim - Naresh Sawal IND
4. Tivim - Kiran Kandolkar BJP
5. Mapusa - Francis D'Souza BJP
6. Siolim - Dayanand Mandrekar BJP
7. Saligao - Dilip Parulekar BJP
8. Calangute - Michael Lobo BJP
9. Porvorim - Rohan Khaunte IND
10. Aldona - Glen Ticlo BJP
11. Panaji - Manohar Parrikar BJP
12. Taleigao - Jenifer Monserat CONG
13. St. Cruz - Babush CONG
14. St. Andre - Vishnu Wagh BJP
15. Cumbarjua - Pandurang Madkaikar CONG

one can get the results sitting at Miramar beach

16. Mayem - Anant Shet BJP
17. Sanquelim - Pramod Swant BJP
18. Poriem - Pratapsingh Rane CONG
19. Valpoi - Viswajeet Rane CONG
20. Priol - Deepak Davlikar MGP
21. Ponda - Lavoo Memledar MGP
22. Shiroda - Madev Naik BJP
23. Madkai - Sudin Davlikar MGP

one can get the results sitting at Miramar beach

24. Mormugao - Milind Naik BJP
25. Vasco - Carlos Almeida BJP
26. Dabolim - Mauvin Godinho CONG.
27. Cortalim - ~~Matanhy Saldanha~~ / Alina Saldanha BJP
28. Nuvem - Mickky Pacheco GVP
29. Curtorim - Reginald Lourenco GONG
30. Fatorda - Vijay Sardesai IND
31. Margao - Digambar Kamat CONG
32. Benaulim - Caitano (Caitu) D'silva GVP
33. Navelim - Avertano Furtado IND
34. Cuncolim - Rajan Naik BJP
35. Velim - Benjamin D'Silva IND
36. Quepem - Chandrakant Kavlekar CONG
37. Curchorem - Nilesh Cabral BJP
38. Sanvordem - Ganesh Gaokar BJP
39. Sanguem - Subash Faldesai BJP
40. Canacona - Ramesh Tawadkar BJP

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk51/6814371926/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Lost in the election:

Filip Nerie (Forest minister), Aleixo Siqueira (Power minister), Ravi Naik (Home Minister), Dayanand Narvekar, Agnelo Fernandes, Francisco Silveira, Joaquim Alemao (urban development Minister), Churchill Alemao (PWD minister)
Manohar Azgaocar (Sports ministes), Jose Philip (Revenue Minister), Nilkant Harlankar (Tourism Minsters) etc are all sitting Cong. / NCP MLAs LOST

Laxmikant Parsekar after winning

More winners’ pics

New faces

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk51/6958810069/in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk51/6958810871/in/photostream/

Parrikar

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk51/6812700504/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk51/6812701336/in/photostream/

Parsekar - BJP

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk51/6812702186/in/photostream/

Deepak Davlikar - MGP
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk51/6812703080/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk51/6812703922/in/photostream/

Some pics - Votes Counting venue etc
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk51/6809990374/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk51/6809991746/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk51/6809994498/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk51/6809995680/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk51/6809993122/in/photostream/

National media vehicles seen on promenade, market area, Panjim (on the eve)

(23 constituencies of North Goa)

VM Salgaocars college of Law, Miramar
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk51/6955104053/sizes/l/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk51/6955105105/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Whereas, fate of Digambar, Churchill, Mikky, Matanhy, Neri, Joaquim etc

in here Damodar / Kare College, Comba Margao
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk51/6808996350/sizes/l/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk51/6955106561/sizes/l/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk27/4819343136/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Results etc

http://joegoauk-pointofview.blogspot.in/2012/03/goa-electrions-2012-results.html

Video at Miramar with Parrikar etc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkGMr3cTC5s

Post election analysis..

What factors responsible for BJP’s bigger slice of pie?

I think there are not just two or three but many factors that are responsible for BJP’s bigger margin win in the Goa election 2012

Here are some:

1. Same old faces in the Congress (anti-Incumbency)
2. Family Raj such as Alemaos etc
3. Infighting – Leadership crises, threats, supremacy, pressure tactics, bullying, factions etc within the party
3. Rampant Corruption such as 20% cut, jobs sale etc etc
4. Destruction of Goa and other illegal activities such as mining, land conversion scams
5. Failure of Goa Policing machinery due to political interferences etc
6. Unsolved garbage problems etc
7. Church’s or priests’ soften approach this time
8. Social networking such as Facebook, Twitter, including youtube by friends, supporters, wellwishers etc
9. Party’s tempting manifesto including newspaper FrontPage large ads on the voting day

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk51/6961852957/sizes/l/

10. Manohar Parrikar as an able administrator / Leader or Chief Minister

11. Split votes etc etc

Here is BJP’s larger slice of pie in the Goa’s 2012 elections
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk51/6814371926/

I have a request to Mr. Parrikar
Please take up, on a priority basis, the alleged Land Conversion Scam of 24.7 Crore based on the hard evidence or as reported in its findings (IT dept.)
I know you can do it.

Thank you

Front page ads on the election day
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk51/6961852957/sizes/l/in/photostream/

BJP's election Manifesto (Assurances/Promises)

page 1
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/6780903654/sizes/l/

page 2
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra3/6927022745/sizes/l/

Parrikar with his 5 Caninet ministers and Goa Governor K Shankaranarayanam

Parrikar Govt. Sworn in
Sorry, for the poor quality pics (of the Dais).
I was not a patrakar nor a VIP
I was not invited, so I had to be in the crowd outside the vip or invitees covered lounge
I have not even got an email. Not even from Matanhy.
The ceremony started just after 5 with National Anthem
and ended again with National Anthem
The whole thing lasted for about 21 minutes only
including New Chief Ministers 4.5 minutes speech in the end
or after Governor left (video coming soon)
But I tell you the crowd was massive, the ceremony got over but people still seen pouring in.
I wish they could organised it in a better way so that everybody has a chance to see their popular Chief ministers etc taking oath.
If there was no time, they could have delayed it say by another day or so.
Sometimes, it worth watching on TV at home than coming here and see nothing.

The stage for dais too erected wrong side with backlight or sun in it back or
sun opp to the non-vip/invitee crowd who constitute 99.5% of the total crowd.

OK here are some pics
Sorry, again for the quality.

Update:
Death of Tourism Minister Matanhy Saldanha on 21.March 2012
He died of Massive heart attack. see separate blog for Funeral pics and videos
or click here
http://joegoauk-pointofview.blogspot.in/2012/03/adieus-sir-matanhy-saldanha.html

By-election declared in the Cortalim Contituency to be held of 2nd June and later on changed to 4th June and results were to declare on 15th June.

Wife of Matanhy was one of the 3 Candidates who filed nominations but on the last day of withdrawal i.e. 21.5.12 Cong (Raymond) and UGDP/IND (Ramakant) withdrew from the race thus automatically, declaring Alina Saldanha elected unopposed on the very same day.

Meet New Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha (21.5.12)
Cabinet Minister as on 8th June 2012
Minister for Environment and Forest as from 11.6.12

w/o Matanhy Saldanha who got elected today unopposed (21.5.12).
I was late and got held up in the middle of the staircase of the 3^rd Floor building.
There were was a heavy rush throught the staircase with supporters of Alina
Mainly from Cansaulim and Velsao. There were two bus load of supporters.
Got chance to be in the BJP office (3rd Floor) when everything got over.
Met Parrikar and Parsekar while coming down from the stairs.

Alina likely to be inducted during the first week of June (inducted on 8th June 2012)