Saturday, January 22, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
Alexander Mascarenhas of Loutolim
For this Loutolim man, home was 43 years away
Nigel Britto, Jan 7, 2011
It was 1967 when Alexander Mascarenhas of Loutolim, then just 22, left home to pursue his studies abroad. Not knowing whether or not he would ever return home to then-golden Goa, he immersed himself into music. The affable cellist, who later fell in love, got married and has two children in Germany, was not to see his beloved Loutolim for more than four decades.
Now, with son Oliver firmly in tow, Mascarenhas, on his first visit home in 43 years, will present a concert at Kala Academy's Black Box on Friday evening. The father-son duo will play Beethoven, Ticciati and Rossini among others, for their first recital in Goa. The humble cello forms the bass of the Mascarenhas family's love for music. Mascarenhas' German wife, Veronika, is also a cellist, and his father, Espirito Santo, who taught music at Goa's erstwhile Academia de Musica, played with Mehli Mehta, father of the legendary Zubin Mehta, in the Bombay Chamber Orchestra, and often used the legend's name to inspire his son. "My dad used to tell me, 'his son is a great man, if you practice, you'll be like him'," Mascarenhas wistfully recalls.
How did Goa happen after so many years? "My son was instrumental in bringing me here." says Mascarenhas, who taught music in the German city of Grevenbroich (Jugendmusicschule des Kreises Neuss) for 38 years. "My wife's permission, too, is very important," he says, which he managed to obtain. Such was his passion for 'building a class of musicians' in Germany, that he never found time to visit home throughout his teaching career. Today, his pupils play in orchestras across Germany. Now retired yet vivacious and sprightly, he still teaches in Germany, and is looking forward to 'giving back to society', here in Goa. On a more personal note, he's also looking forward to meeting his brother on Friday after four decades, six days after he met his sister-in-law after a similar time gap.
One of his first students was Oliver, who's justifiably excited at the prospect of playing with his dad for the first time on a public stage. The 36-year-old first came to Goa in 2005, wanting to 'rediscover his past'. The wildly-talented musician, at 22, won an audition for principal cellist of the NDR Radiophilharmonie Hannover, a German orchestra, and has held this place ever since. He has also played in an orchestra in Granada, Spain, and has won several international competitions and played around the world including Argentina, China, Japan and most of Europe. Throughout his travels he carried along his trusted aide-the 250-year-old cello crafted by Joseph Gaffino. The dynamic musician, who likes to explore the cultures of different countries, doesn't limit his work to classical, often expanding to jazz, Austrian folk music and even what he calls 'cello hip-hop'. Electronic music also impresses him. Oliver's sister and Mascarenhas Sr's other child is a German actress and surprisingly went against the family tradition of playing the cello, instead preferring the flute.
Friday's concert will be the culmination of the father-son duo's short trip to Goa. After having given two private recitals prior to Friday's public concert, Mascarenhas Sr is quite clear it's the last. "We'll spend the next week of our trip vacationing," he says. The concert, put together by the Goa Guitar Guild, will also include performances by Goan violinist Ashley Rego and pianist Ingrid-Anne Nazareth. It's important that there's interaction with Goan musicians, Mascarenhas says, adding that he might return sometime later this year to share his skills with young Goan talent.
Mascarenhas may have forgotten Goa all these years, but Goa evidently hasn't forgotten him; he narrates an incident last week of a former classmate at Don Bosco's, now a Salesian priest, recognizing him immediately after more than 50 years. Oliver, too, is looking forward to visiting his ancestral Loutolim this week. Though he has never lived in Goa as a resident, he holds more than average interest for the Konkani language and Goa. While the rest of the state shivered through much of December, the Mascarenhases praised the 'pleasant' weather. After all, they were glad to be away from the plummeting mercury back in Europe, realizing that temperatures are just like everything else; positive always better than negative.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/For-this-Loutolim-man-home-was-43-years-away/articleshow/7232671.cms
Nigel Britto, Jan 7, 2011
It was 1967 when Alexander Mascarenhas of Loutolim, then just 22, left home to pursue his studies abroad. Not knowing whether or not he would ever return home to then-golden Goa, he immersed himself into music. The affable cellist, who later fell in love, got married and has two children in Germany, was not to see his beloved Loutolim for more than four decades.
Now, with son Oliver firmly in tow, Mascarenhas, on his first visit home in 43 years, will present a concert at Kala Academy's Black Box on Friday evening. The father-son duo will play Beethoven, Ticciati and Rossini among others, for their first recital in Goa. The humble cello forms the bass of the Mascarenhas family's love for music. Mascarenhas' German wife, Veronika, is also a cellist, and his father, Espirito Santo, who taught music at Goa's erstwhile Academia de Musica, played with Mehli Mehta, father of the legendary Zubin Mehta, in the Bombay Chamber Orchestra, and often used the legend's name to inspire his son. "My dad used to tell me, 'his son is a great man, if you practice, you'll be like him'," Mascarenhas wistfully recalls.
How did Goa happen after so many years? "My son was instrumental in bringing me here." says Mascarenhas, who taught music in the German city of Grevenbroich (Jugendmusicschule des Kreises Neuss) for 38 years. "My wife's permission, too, is very important," he says, which he managed to obtain. Such was his passion for 'building a class of musicians' in Germany, that he never found time to visit home throughout his teaching career. Today, his pupils play in orchestras across Germany. Now retired yet vivacious and sprightly, he still teaches in Germany, and is looking forward to 'giving back to society', here in Goa. On a more personal note, he's also looking forward to meeting his brother on Friday after four decades, six days after he met his sister-in-law after a similar time gap.
One of his first students was Oliver, who's justifiably excited at the prospect of playing with his dad for the first time on a public stage. The 36-year-old first came to Goa in 2005, wanting to 'rediscover his past'. The wildly-talented musician, at 22, won an audition for principal cellist of the NDR Radiophilharmonie Hannover, a German orchestra, and has held this place ever since. He has also played in an orchestra in Granada, Spain, and has won several international competitions and played around the world including Argentina, China, Japan and most of Europe. Throughout his travels he carried along his trusted aide-the 250-year-old cello crafted by Joseph Gaffino. The dynamic musician, who likes to explore the cultures of different countries, doesn't limit his work to classical, often expanding to jazz, Austrian folk music and even what he calls 'cello hip-hop'. Electronic music also impresses him. Oliver's sister and Mascarenhas Sr's other child is a German actress and surprisingly went against the family tradition of playing the cello, instead preferring the flute.
Friday's concert will be the culmination of the father-son duo's short trip to Goa. After having given two private recitals prior to Friday's public concert, Mascarenhas Sr is quite clear it's the last. "We'll spend the next week of our trip vacationing," he says. The concert, put together by the Goa Guitar Guild, will also include performances by Goan violinist Ashley Rego and pianist Ingrid-Anne Nazareth. It's important that there's interaction with Goan musicians, Mascarenhas says, adding that he might return sometime later this year to share his skills with young Goan talent.
Mascarenhas may have forgotten Goa all these years, but Goa evidently hasn't forgotten him; he narrates an incident last week of a former classmate at Don Bosco's, now a Salesian priest, recognizing him immediately after more than 50 years. Oliver, too, is looking forward to visiting his ancestral Loutolim this week. Though he has never lived in Goa as a resident, he holds more than average interest for the Konkani language and Goa. While the rest of the state shivered through much of December, the Mascarenhases praised the 'pleasant' weather. After all, they were glad to be away from the plummeting mercury back in Europe, realizing that temperatures are just like everything else; positive always better than negative.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/For-this-Loutolim-man-home-was-43-years-away/articleshow/7232671.cms
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Follow-up to the Global Goans Convention 2010 on Matters of Importances & Discussions
Follow-up to the Global Goans Convention 2010 on Matters of Importances & Discussions
"Direct Tax Code, 2010 (DTC)"
Date: Fri, 17 Dec 2010 10:22:48
To: carmosan50@hotmail.com
Subject: Direct Tax Code Bill
From: commissionernri_goa@rediffmail.com
Dear Mr. Santos,
I had received your email on the above subject on 31 October 2010 on the Direct Tax Code Bill awaiting consideration of the Central Parliament in Delhi.
Subsequently, you will recollect that this matter was raised by Mr. Rabindranath Gonsalves during the Question and Answer Session of the Global Goans Convention on 17th November 2010.
However, as I wanted to gather the relevant information on the subject, it took time for me to respond.
As you are aware, "Income Tax" is a Central Subject coming within the purview of Government of India, Ministry of Finance, New Delhi and the State Government has no control over the imposition or collection of income tax on Goans, whether residents or non residents.
Be that as it may, please be informed that income tax liability of an individual tax payer depends upon "residence" as defined under Section 6 of Income Tax Act 1961. In the case of "ordinary resident". his global income ie. income all over the world is liable for tax in India as per Indian tax laws. However in the case of "non-resident", he will be liable for tax in India only in respect of income earned / received in India and income deemed to accrue or arise in India as per Indian tax laws. Income which is earned or arises abroad is not liable for tax in India.
As regards test of residence, an individual is regarded as a "resident" in India if i) he stays in India for 182 days or more during a previous year; OR ii) he stays in India for 60 days or more during a previous year, and 365 days or more during the 04 years preceding that previous year. The short period of stay in India of 60 days, however, gets extended to 182 days if an Indian citizen or a Person of Indian Origin who is abroad, comes on visit to India in any previous year. However, in case NRI returns on transfer of residence or leaving the job, the period of stay will still be 60 days and not 182 days since he is not on visit to India.
The Government of India has brought forth a new legislation entitled "Direct Tax Code, 2010 (DTC)" which when adopted by Parliament will come into effect from 01 April 2012. Under Clause 4 of DTC, the benefit of 182 days available to an Indian citizen or a Person of Indian Origin who is abroad, comes on visit to India in pervious year, has been omitted. As a result, if NRI/PIO stay in India on visit exceeds 60 days in a year and 365 days or more in previous 04 years, he will be treated as "resident" in that particular financial year and will be liable for tax on his entire world income including on his earnings abroad.
Considering that many a Goans who are working on oil rigs in the Gulf visit India every alternate month on leave, will be affected by the proposed legislation, the Hon Commissioner for NRI Affairs would make an appeal to the Union Finance Minister for restoring the benefit of 182 days.
Please inform Mr. Rabindranath Gonsalves and other interested parties accordingly.
With regards,
Yours sincerely,
U. D. Kamat
Director for NRI Affairs
On Sun, 31 Oct 2010 10:41:52 +0530 wrote
Dear Mr. U.D. Kamat
Director of NRI Affairs
Government of Goa
Dear Mr. Kamat,
Please find attached a copy of the Direct Tax Code Bill which will be effected soon.
As more and more NRI Goans are very, very concerned about the new Taxation, it would be advisable to have someone prepare a short narrative to explain the nitty-gritty of the subject Tax Code Bill.
This will surely be a relief as the subject would be understood, if explained in simple terms, and surely the delegates attending the Global Goans Convention 2010 will be grateful for such an effort from your end.
Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to your support in this endeavour.
Best regards.
Carmo Santos, Hon. Chairman
Suresh Naik, Hon. President
Goan Cultural Centre-Kuwait
http://www.goanculturalcentrekuwait.com/
Copy to:
Shri Eduardo Faleiro
Hon. NRI Commissioner
Government of Goa
_____________________
A concerned Goan (Gaspar Almeida) forwarded this link in September 2010 and accordingly the Goa NRI Commissioner's Office was alert to this subject:
Impact of Direct Tax Code ( DTC ) on Resident Indian & NRI Individuals
Last week the cabinet approved the Direct Tax Code bill and forwarded it to the parliament for approval. This is a good sign of the changes happening in the modern India. The Income tax act which we follow today is more than 50 years old. The objective is to widen the tax base and make the tax law much simpler & more effective.
These are some of the salient feature's of the DTC for Resident & NRI Investors.
Tax slabs to be changed
Slab 1: Upto INR 200000 the tax rate is NIL. ( Present Slab 1 is upto INR1.65 lacs @ NIL)
Slab 2: INR 200,001 to INR 500,000 the tax rate is 10% ( Present slab 2 is INR 1.65 to 5 @ 10%).
Slab 3: INR 500,001 to INR 1,000,000 the tax rate is 20% (Present Slab 3 is INR 5 to 8 @ 20%).
Slab 4: INR 1,000,001 and above the tax rate is 30% ( Present Slab 4 is INR 8 & above @ 30%).
In the case of a resident individual of the age of 65 years or above, the basic exemption limit to be INR 250,000
Corporate tax will come down from 33% to 30% but the Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) will be increased to 20% from 18%.
STT (Securities Transaction Tax) remains the same
Wealth Tax to be levied @ 1% after the basic deduction of INR 1 Cr.
For NRI's the income from Dividend, Interest, Income from MF, Royalty or fees for technical purpose & income from insurance all to be taxed @ 20%
For NRI's the income from lottery, race, gambling or betting to be @ 30%
Capital Gains:
Short term & long term redefined. Any investment has to cross the financial year of purchase for the number of days counting to start. That means if one buys a mutual fund on June 1 2010, his investments will be short term till March 31st 2012 (Count 365 days from April 1st 2011)
Normal rates as it is now will apply.
Indexation benefits are available for long term capital assets only.
Dividend Distribution Tax :
Corporate DDT of 15% will remain.
DDT on Equity Oriented MF will change from present NIL to @ 5%.
DDT on money market & liquid fund for individuals will change from present 25% to NA.
Surcharge & Education cess to be removed.
Dividend distributed by equity mutual funds where DDT is paid will be tax free at the hands of the investor.
Dividend distributed by non equity mutual funds will be taxed at the hands of the investor from present NIL to 10% if dividend above INR 5000 in the year.
TDS on NRI Capital Gains:
TDS on LTCG on equity funds remains the same @0%
TDS on other capital gain will be @ 30% which seems to be high.
No surcharge & education cess.
Sec 80 C: ELSS (Equity Linked Savings Scheme) will not be a part of the Sec 80 C benefit.
This is not an exhaustive list but I have tried to cover the most important ones which can effect our investing decision. To understand the full report you can view the discussion paper on the DTC at the Finance Ministry website Link.
http://kaimalsway.blogspot.com/2010/09/impact-of-direct-tax-code-dtc-on.html
"Direct Tax Code, 2010 (DTC)"
Date: Fri, 17 Dec 2010 10:22:48
To: carmosan50@hotmail.com
Subject: Direct Tax Code Bill
From: commissionernri_goa@rediffmail.com
Dear Mr. Santos,
I had received your email on the above subject on 31 October 2010 on the Direct Tax Code Bill awaiting consideration of the Central Parliament in Delhi.
Subsequently, you will recollect that this matter was raised by Mr. Rabindranath Gonsalves during the Question and Answer Session of the Global Goans Convention on 17th November 2010.
However, as I wanted to gather the relevant information on the subject, it took time for me to respond.
As you are aware, "Income Tax" is a Central Subject coming within the purview of Government of India, Ministry of Finance, New Delhi and the State Government has no control over the imposition or collection of income tax on Goans, whether residents or non residents.
Be that as it may, please be informed that income tax liability of an individual tax payer depends upon "residence" as defined under Section 6 of Income Tax Act 1961. In the case of "ordinary resident". his global income ie. income all over the world is liable for tax in India as per Indian tax laws. However in the case of "non-resident", he will be liable for tax in India only in respect of income earned / received in India and income deemed to accrue or arise in India as per Indian tax laws. Income which is earned or arises abroad is not liable for tax in India.
As regards test of residence, an individual is regarded as a "resident" in India if i) he stays in India for 182 days or more during a previous year; OR ii) he stays in India for 60 days or more during a previous year, and 365 days or more during the 04 years preceding that previous year. The short period of stay in India of 60 days, however, gets extended to 182 days if an Indian citizen or a Person of Indian Origin who is abroad, comes on visit to India in any previous year. However, in case NRI returns on transfer of residence or leaving the job, the period of stay will still be 60 days and not 182 days since he is not on visit to India.
The Government of India has brought forth a new legislation entitled "Direct Tax Code, 2010 (DTC)" which when adopted by Parliament will come into effect from 01 April 2012. Under Clause 4 of DTC, the benefit of 182 days available to an Indian citizen or a Person of Indian Origin who is abroad, comes on visit to India in pervious year, has been omitted. As a result, if NRI/PIO stay in India on visit exceeds 60 days in a year and 365 days or more in previous 04 years, he will be treated as "resident" in that particular financial year and will be liable for tax on his entire world income including on his earnings abroad.
Considering that many a Goans who are working on oil rigs in the Gulf visit India every alternate month on leave, will be affected by the proposed legislation, the Hon Commissioner for NRI Affairs would make an appeal to the Union Finance Minister for restoring the benefit of 182 days.
Please inform Mr. Rabindranath Gonsalves and other interested parties accordingly.
With regards,
Yours sincerely,
U. D. Kamat
Director for NRI Affairs
On Sun, 31 Oct 2010 10:41:52 +0530 wrote
Dear Mr. U.D. Kamat
Director of NRI Affairs
Government of Goa
Dear Mr. Kamat,
Please find attached a copy of the Direct Tax Code Bill which will be effected soon.
As more and more NRI Goans are very, very concerned about the new Taxation, it would be advisable to have someone prepare a short narrative to explain the nitty-gritty of the subject Tax Code Bill.
This will surely be a relief as the subject would be understood, if explained in simple terms, and surely the delegates attending the Global Goans Convention 2010 will be grateful for such an effort from your end.
Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to your support in this endeavour.
Best regards.
Carmo Santos, Hon. Chairman
Suresh Naik, Hon. President
Goan Cultural Centre-Kuwait
http://www.goanculturalcentrekuwait.com/
Copy to:
Shri Eduardo Faleiro
Hon. NRI Commissioner
Government of Goa
_____________________
A concerned Goan (Gaspar Almeida) forwarded this link in September 2010 and accordingly the Goa NRI Commissioner's Office was alert to this subject:
Impact of Direct Tax Code ( DTC ) on Resident Indian & NRI Individuals
Last week the cabinet approved the Direct Tax Code bill and forwarded it to the parliament for approval. This is a good sign of the changes happening in the modern India. The Income tax act which we follow today is more than 50 years old. The objective is to widen the tax base and make the tax law much simpler & more effective.
These are some of the salient feature's of the DTC for Resident & NRI Investors.
Tax slabs to be changed
Slab 1: Upto INR 200000 the tax rate is NIL. ( Present Slab 1 is upto INR1.65 lacs @ NIL)
Slab 2: INR 200,001 to INR 500,000 the tax rate is 10% ( Present slab 2 is INR 1.65 to 5 @ 10%).
Slab 3: INR 500,001 to INR 1,000,000 the tax rate is 20% (Present Slab 3 is INR 5 to 8 @ 20%).
Slab 4: INR 1,000,001 and above the tax rate is 30% ( Present Slab 4 is INR 8 & above @ 30%).
In the case of a resident individual of the age of 65 years or above, the basic exemption limit to be INR 250,000
Corporate tax will come down from 33% to 30% but the Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) will be increased to 20% from 18%.
STT (Securities Transaction Tax) remains the same
Wealth Tax to be levied @ 1% after the basic deduction of INR 1 Cr.
For NRI's the income from Dividend, Interest, Income from MF, Royalty or fees for technical purpose & income from insurance all to be taxed @ 20%
For NRI's the income from lottery, race, gambling or betting to be @ 30%
Capital Gains:
Short term & long term redefined. Any investment has to cross the financial year of purchase for the number of days counting to start. That means if one buys a mutual fund on June 1 2010, his investments will be short term till March 31st 2012 (Count 365 days from April 1st 2011)
Normal rates as it is now will apply.
Indexation benefits are available for long term capital assets only.
Dividend Distribution Tax :
Corporate DDT of 15% will remain.
DDT on Equity Oriented MF will change from present NIL to @ 5%.
DDT on money market & liquid fund for individuals will change from present 25% to NA.
Surcharge & Education cess to be removed.
Dividend distributed by equity mutual funds where DDT is paid will be tax free at the hands of the investor.
Dividend distributed by non equity mutual funds will be taxed at the hands of the investor from present NIL to 10% if dividend above INR 5000 in the year.
TDS on NRI Capital Gains:
TDS on LTCG on equity funds remains the same @0%
TDS on other capital gain will be @ 30% which seems to be high.
No surcharge & education cess.
Sec 80 C: ELSS (Equity Linked Savings Scheme) will not be a part of the Sec 80 C benefit.
This is not an exhaustive list but I have tried to cover the most important ones which can effect our investing decision. To understand the full report you can view the discussion paper on the DTC at the Finance Ministry website Link.
http://kaimalsway.blogspot.com/2010/09/impact-of-direct-tax-code-dtc-on.html
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