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Panjim I April 10, 2011 I Postal Reg. No. Goa 101 I Price Rs. 3.00 I Air Surcharge Rs 2 I Pages 16+14

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TEAM HERALD Panjim, April 9: The Babush

bar Kamat told Herald “it does not seem to be very major offence. Though I’m not very well-versed with these things, it seems that he (Monserrate) will at the most be asked to pay a fine”.

The panchanama prepared by the Customs, which is also in the possession of the CM suggests no such indication of this being a minor offence. (See page 9: Ticket to Dubai) >Continued on pg 12

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SURAJ NANDREKAR Mumbai, April 9: The Customs officials have ruled out immediate arrest of Goa Education Minister Atanasio Monserrate saying he has given a bond assuring his presence whenever summoned by the authorities. >Continued on pg 12

PEOPLE’S POWER TRIUMPHS: Activists at a candle light vigil celebrate the decisive victory and pledge to continue the fight against corruption at Azad Maidan, Panjim on Saturday. (See report on pg 3)

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Sends ‘factual’ report to AICC after speaking to Babush Cong unlikely to take ‘risk’ of dropping Monserrate

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heat meltdown has started. If there was a truth to reports that an inside tip off led to the detection of huge cash in Babush Monserrate’s bag, here’s another one. It’s slowdown time.

The party does not want to up the ante on Monserrate, at least not yet, till the investigations reach a decisive stage. Chief Minister Digam-

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of crores of Indians through the idiot box.

Former tourism minister Francisco alias Mickky Pacheco was the first to raise the issue on the backdrop of the State police’s defunct notice to Rohan Sippy, the director of the movie, to screen

movie for them before the release.

The issue was raised in the Assembly during Zero Hour, which evoked a formal ‘sarkari’ response from Tourism Minister Nilkant Halarnkar. The issue was also expected to be raised by the Opposition, but unexplainably remained away from the muddle.

As of now, Goa is divided on the issue. While a media professional has managed to score a point by filing a Public Interest Litigation in the High Court, the State’s intellectuals, creative minds and

thinkers have expressed diverse opinions.

State’s national award winning director Rajendra Talak, who has handled unconventional topics in his movies, came to Sippy’s defence. “If there is an objection to the movie, it should have been placed before the Censor Board”, he said.

Talak says the State should grant all possible support for the release of the movie. He feels that the movie may bring transformation to those who are >Continued on pg 12

Hazare ends fast, says battle has just begun PTI New Delhi, April 9: Gandhian Anna Hazare today ended his 98-hour hunger strike after Government issued a gazette notification constituting a 10-member Joint Committee to draft an effective Lok Pal Bill, but he pledged a long struggle against corruption and for reform of the electoral system.

The 73-year-old anti-corruption campaigner called off his fast-unto-death campaign on the fifth day with a >Continued on pg 12

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The PWD took the consumers for granted.

We first informed the Calangute PWD of the contamination on February 3, but they did not bother to take any action, despite repeated requests ---- Calangute local Severina Fernandes

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Goa I Sunday 10, April 2011

The Marathi Bhavan was conceived early in 1990 when Marathi protagonists rallied round the Gomantak Marathi Academy, which suspected a threat to the language after the Congress passed the Official Language Act in 1987.

Water samples from Calangute found contaminated

R

esidents of Naikka Vaddo in Calangute have every reason to pray before they drink water from the PWD pipeline.

Many parts of the ward in Calangute have been receiving contaminated water from the pipeline and residents have accused local PWD authorities of paying little attention to resolve the problem. tHomAS feRNANdeS

cALANgute Speaking to Herald, residents of Naikka Vaddo complained they have been receiving contaminated water for quite some time and each time they reported the matter to the PWD officials at Calangute, they would simply remark: “There is no contamination of water and everything is fine.”

One determined woman finally decided to expose the lies of the PWD, when she sent water samples for tests

and received confirmation that the water was indeed contaminated.

“The PWD took the consumers for granted. We first informed the Calangute PWD of the contamination on February 3, but they did not bother to take any action, despite repeated requests,” said Severina Fernandes, of Naikka Vaddo, Calangute.

“They were not ready to send the water for testing, so I had to do it in my individual capacity and that’s how the truth was revealed.” she said.

The water sample was sent to the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) for testing on February 23 and Fernandes collected the report on March 2.

“The DHS clearly stated that the water was contaminated and is not suitable for drinking purpose,” said Fernandes.

Despite being exposed, PWD officials were undeterred and kept on passing the buck to one another.

The matter was then

Thomas Fernandes

Overflowing soak pits cause of contamination: PWD

T

FILTH COUNTRY: Severina Fernandes fills water from the PWD pipeline. brought to the notice of Calangute MLA Agnelo Fernandes and he instructed the PWD officials to undertake a site inspection to ascertain the water contamination.

“The matter did not end here as PWD officials started again playing with

the lives of the villagers by sleeping on the matter, until the Calangute MLA asked them to change the pipeline,” remarked another resident.

“The officials don’t bother to listen to the common man and will only carry out the work through the interven-

tion of elected representatives or ministers,” the resident added.

When contacted, Calangute MLA Agnelo Fernandes said: “When Severina Fernandes approached me, I immediately summoned the PWD officials and asked them to

he PWD has claimed that contamination of the water pipeline has been taking place at Naikka Vaddo in Calangute mainly due to the overflowing soak pits and septic tanks in the area.

In a letter dated March 5, the PWD Assistant Engineer at Porvorim had informed Calangute Sarpanch Alex Fernandes of the reasons behind the contamination of the water pipeline.

“The water table is just 30 cms below the ground. The soak pits and septic tanks are overflowing and are contaminating the ground water. There is also no open space except the traditional path to lay a new pipeline as the area is fully built up due to thick tourism,” stated the letter.

“Due to this, our water pipeline has become contaminated and this office would like to lay a new pipeline above the ground, but there is no space or the public is objecting to lay the pipeline. Hence, we are not in a position to solve the problem,” the letre-lay the existing pipeline.”

Acting on instructions, the PWD has changed a

ter added.

The PWD assistant engineer had asked the sarpanch to conduct a joint inspection and to find a suitable solution to the contaminated water supply at Naikka Vaddo, Calangute.

However, till date there has been no further development in the matter.

Speaking to Herald, Calangute Sarpanch Alex Fernandes said: “We have received the letter from the PWD office asking us to carry out a joint inspection in the matter. We however want the PWD to initiate action since they are technically equipped to do this” “I am however told that the PWD Minister through the local MLA Agnelo Fernandes has promised to replace the pipeline to give clean water to the villagers,” the sarpanch said.

Despite repeated efforts, PWD Assistant Engineer Prakash Surlikar was not available to comment on the matter.

portion of the pipeline in the area. While Severina Fernandes and a few residents have now been re-

ceiving clean water, others are not so lucky and could still be getting contaminated water.

From bad to worse, the sorry state of the Vasco bus stand I

M Prabhav

t is the only town in the State linked to two ports (airport and seaport) and two stations (bus and rail), but when facilities at these four areas are compared, one of them immediately falls way short of expectations.

Despite being managed by the State government, the bus stand at Vasco has the poorest facilities, in comparison with those ports and stations managed by the Central government.

There has been a general feeling that the State government moves faster than the central government and is in a better position to cater to the demands of the passengers.

But while efforts are being made to improve infrastructure at the Mormugao port, the railway station and the airport, there seems to be little enthusiasm to spruce up the bus stand for the benefit of the passengers.

While the Vasco railway station has managed to keep pace with growing demands of passengers to improve basic infrastructures, Vasco’s Kadamba bus stand has turned from bad to worse for passengers in the last few years.

The bus stand is in dilapidated condition, welcoming the passengers with

big potholes at both at the entrance and exit points. Besides the presence of stray dogs in the area, there are no basic facilities and the place has also become the venue for youth activities at night.

Experts believe that the low turnout of passengers at the KTC bus stand is largely because it is located about 800 mtrs from the heart of Vasco city. Moreover, shuttle bus services and private bus operators operate from Vasco city.

“An ideal bus stand is a place where all buses, including city buses, shuttle buses and inter-state buses operate

tAuRAppA LAmANI

vASco under a single roof,” said an official from the directorate of transport, who spoke on condition of anonymity, as the director is presently on leave.

Following demands from Revenue Minister Jose Philip D’Souza, Transport Director Arun Desai along with an architect Rahul Deshpande, Kadamba Transport Corporation executive engineer and other officials had inspected

the dilapidated KTC bus stand about seven months ago. But till date, nothing has materialised.

During the inspection, the delegates had assured that a state-of-art bus stand with all modern amenities could be set up within the existing 30,000 sq mtrs of land at the KTC bus stand in Vasco.

“I had proposed a state-of-art modern bus stand in Vasco. Recently, an inspection was carried out and things are moving in the right direction,” D’Souza told Herald.

On the other hand, the situation is far better at the Vasco railway station, which was awarded as the best maintained station among the big stations in the South Western region.

The railway minister had recently announced in the railway budget that Vasco would be one of the 375-odd ‘Adarsh’ stations, to ensure passengerfriendly facilities to travellers.

The Adarsh stations will have basic facilities like adequate toilets, drinking water, waiting rooms and dormitories, especially for women passengers, and better signs, besides improvement in all areas like ticketing, circulating area,

WHERE DEVELOPMENT ‘STOPS’: Vasco bus station, an ideal place for beggars and tanker drivers for siesta. easy access and exit and adequate lighting at the station.

“Last year, the Vasco Railway station was awarded the best maintained station, which was a proud moment for

us,” said Vasco Railway Station Manager P C Chacko.

He said that in the budget, railways minister had announced that Vasco would be an ‘Adarsh’ station, which

means that more passengers-friendly facilities would be created.

“It has been our endeavour to ensure that best possible facilities are provided to passengers,” added Chacko.

10 years later, Marathi Bhavan still incomplete GMA chief optimistic T he nightingale of India Lata Mangeshkar ensured that the prestigious Marathi Bhavan at Porvorim had a strong foundation. She personally laid the foundation stone. Ten years later the bhavan, meant to house and showcase the best literary work that that the language has to offer, is lying in a shambles.

ANIL SANKHWALKAR

poRvoRIm It has been lying incomplete for want of funds and efforts are now on to complete the project.

The Marathi Bhavan was conceived early in 1990 when Marathi protagonists rallied round the Gomantak Marathi Academy (GMA), which suspected a threat to the language after the Con-

gress government had passed the Goa, Daman and Diu Official Language Act in 1987.

Land for the project was made available by the Serula Comunidade after official permission from the state government. The foundation stone for the building was subsequently laid by India’s best known voice Lata Mangeshkar, on February 5, 1998.

The GMA functions for the development of Marathi language in the State by undertaking various schemes such as publication of books, dramas, poetry, essay competition at various academic levels, publication of Marathi books by Goan Marathi writers, etc.

The GMA provides financial assistance of Rs 10,000 to writers to publish their books. It publishes on its own 5 Marathi books every year. These books are se-

Anil Shankhwalker

G

THE LANGUAGE OF NEGLECT: The Gomantak Marathi Academy. lected by the selection committee appointed by the academy. So far, the Academy has published over 103 Marathi books and has provided financial assistance to 100 writers to publish their books.

The GMA has a well equipped library which houses around 10,000

Marathi Books on different subjects.

“It was the dream of late Shashikant Narvekar to construct the Marathi Bhavan.

When he was the president of GMA from 1990-98 he had approached the Serula communidade and with persistent efforts, managed to get a land of 2,475 sq mtrs for

Marathi Bhavan at Porvorim with the assistance of the State government,” recalled ex-GMA president Gurudas Sawal.

“The existing GMA executive committee has neither formed a new committee nor has it made any attempts to raise the funds,” said Sawal.

“Since the GMA is a reg-

omantak Marathi Academy (GMA) President Narendra Azgaonkar has stated that efforts are on to complete two halls of the Marathi Bhavan, so that funds could be generated to complete the remaining portion of the project.

“So far, we have received Rs 1 crore from the State government, Rs 10 lakh from the Maharashtra government, Rs 5 lakh from Shiv Sena (Maharashtra) and Rs 7 lakh from Madhav Gadkari Satkar Samiti for the construction of the Marathi

istered society, the State government cannot interfere in the administration of the academy. At most, the

Bhavan,” said Azgaonkar.

Besides, GMA receives around Rs 30 lakh by way of grants from the State government each year.

“A major chunk of this yearly grant is spent on staff salaries and administrative expenses. The only source of income is by way of selling books and the interest on the bank’s fixed deposit,” said Azgaonkar.

Defending the GMA’s decision not to form a new committee to raise funds for the project, Azgaonkar said: “Major part of the construction of the Marathi Bhavan has been government can stop grants to the academy,” Sawal added.

He claimed that the GMA

completed and hence, there is no need to form a new committee to raise funds.”

“What is pending is tile work, painting, fixing of doors, windows and also electrification of the remaining portion of the building. There are two big halls in this building and around Rs 50 lakh is required to make both these two hall ready.”

He informed that if any philanthropist is prepared to spend Rs 25 lakh and make a hall ready, the GMA is prepared to name that hall after him. does not have its own source of income and is totally dependent on grants of the State government.

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Everybody knows that corruption is happening. To get the government job, we are forced to bribe the poiliticians and officials.

-- Anand Madgaonkar, a social activist .

HERE’S TO ANNA PANJIM, APRIL 9: When today’s vigil at Azad Maidan was planned, to salute and support Anna Hazare, he had still not broken his fast.

When the vigil happened, India had won a decisive battle. Social activists representing the people of India would now have a voice, a notified voice in drafting the new Lok Pal bill. And Panjim came out to say thank you.

Hundreds of citizens, so-

cial activists and like-minded individuals held their candle light vigil in solidarity and hope. The meet, which was publicized through the internet and mobile networking, began at 7 p.m. and culminated after brief speeches by the activists.

“Everybody knows that corruption is happening. To get the government job, we are forced to bribe the poiliticians and officials,” Anand Madgaonkar, a social activist said.

He said that every individ-

ual has a responsibility to fix corruption. “We should form small committees that would address the issues that we face. Collectively, we can take up those issues with the government,” Madgaonkar said. Veteran artist Subodh Kerkar said that, in Goa, we need to make efforts to adopt Lok Ayukta Bill as early as possible. “This is a time, when we should gather and give a final blow to our long pending demand of Lok Ayukta bill,” he added.

Women’s activist Sabina

Your ministry’s responsibility also lies in bringing the truth out and getting the culprit punished. The minister was found carrying an amount twenty five times higher than the permissible limit.

— Arti Mehra

Labourer buried alive HERALD REPORTER

Panjim meets to multiply the Anna effect

HERALD REPORTER

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Goa I Sunday 10, April 2011

Martins said that fight against the corruption should be a continuos process. Talking to Herald on the sidelines of the candle light vigil, Delhi-based socialite Bina Ramani, who has shifted to Goa, said that she wants to see the state as it was during yesteryears.

“I want Goa to be honest and sincere state. It has earned name asmost corrupt state in the country. We won’t encourage bribe in the state,” she said.

MARGAO, APRIL 9: A construction labourer was buried alive at a construction site at Zoriwadda-Davorlim on Saturday morning due to a mudslide.

Another injured labourer was shifted to the Hospicio hospital, while six others, who were working at the construction site, escaped unhurt.

The Maina Curtorim police acted swiftly and ar-

rested the land owner Gaus Bi, contractor Abdul S Shaikh and supervisor Shaikh Mohammed Mansoor for endangering the lives of the labourers and causing the death of the labourer.

Oust Babush: BJP to hold dharna in all talukas HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 9: Intensifying their agitation for the ouster of Education Minister Babush Monserrate, BJP has planned dhrana programme in all 11 talukas on April 11 and 13.

Dharanas will be staged to create awareness among masses about Babush issue and press their demand.

Also, BJP’s youth wing will take up signature campaign in the State.

The BJP has been demanding that education minister be immediately sacked from the cabinet.

Arti Mehra, BJP National Secretary who was in Goa while addressing a press conference on Saturday here said “they are ready

for a long battle on this issue.” while announcing party’s schedule for statewide dharna programme.

Under the Customs Act, he should have been arrested immediately for carrying unaccounted foreign currency when he was stopped at Mumbai Airport last week, stated BJP National secretary.

On his own admission he was carrying around Rs 22 lakhs in different currency and it was twenty-five times more than the permissible limit, stated BJP National Secretary.

The BJP has raised this issue at the Central level.

The BJP National Secretary has also written letters to Home Minister P Chidambram and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee stating that this episode is indeed very shameful, dis-

gusting and antinational act by an elected member, a minister and that too of education.

In her letter she has demanded immediate action from the government.

“Your ministry’s responsibility also lies in bringing the truth out and getting the culprit punished. The minister was found carrying an amount twenty five times higher than the permissible limit. This act is blatant violation, unjustifiable and comes under FERA.” As per the schedule on April 11 -- dharna will be held in Pernem, Mormugao, Canacona, and Quepem between 10 am and 5 pm. On April 13 -- Bardez, Sattari, Bicholim, Tiswadi , Pondi, Sanguem and Salcete.

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A former scientist from NIO, Stephen Dias suggested that sonar surveys be carried out by the ship breaking company as also by the ministry of earth sciences to ensure that removal of the ship is not at the cost of damage to environment.

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Goa I Sunday 10, April 2011

Dabolim, is the third largest airport project in the country undertaken by AAI (after Chennai and Kolkotta) and it is a matter of the concern to the union that vested interests were bent upon curtailing the expansion project.

-- Suresh Babu

Removing the River princess - A flashback 11 years later, there seems to be some seriousness and planning towards removing Goa’s biggest eyesore BiNDiyA CHARi PANJIM, APRIL 9: It has taken almost eleven years for the authorities to finally crack its whip on River Princes nuisance. Not surprisingly, locals are skeptical and having apprehensions of the ongoing task of breaking and removing of the vessel .

Will it lead to more environmental damage as it is being cut and moved elsewhere?

The State Government who does not want to take any more chances seems to have done its home work, this time. The technical advisory board of Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) in its meeting on January 31, 2011 discussed the issue threadbare – well before granting permission to Tourism department for removal of the ship.

The M/s Arihant Shipbreakers was also asked to make detailed presentation regarding the methodology it proposed to be adopted for

the removal of wreck including environment management plan of the agency.

The company submitted that the portion of the vessel which is above the water will be cut using oxy-acetylene /LPG cutting method prior to monsoon.

Post-monsoon the sand from the ship will be pumped out and the lower portion cut by divers using electro-oxygen equipment.

It was all also submitted that all safeguards as prescribed by the director general of shipping and other authorities will be adhered to during the removal of the wreck.

The Company also clarified that it will not use blasting technique for removal of the wreck but use only gas cutting techniques.

It was pointed out the rust from the steel plates during cutting would be carried with the waves and deposited on the beach and hence the agency should take necessary measures.

HERALD Pix

agreement likely on Monday HERALD REPORTER

Dr X Verlekar, TAC member had suggested that sand within the wreck should not be pumped towards the beach as it would contain rust remains of asbestos and debris.

Another TAC technical member Dr Savita Kerker told scraps should be removed after cutting and disposed off properly, so that new disaster is initiated.

A former scientist from

National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) Stephen Dias had suggested that sonar surveys be carried out by the ship breaking company as also by the ministry of earth sciences to ensure that removal of the ship is not at the cost of damage to environment in the future.

The company has also been asked to take precautions to avoid any spillage of

oil /chemicals from any source of the wreck or storage drums, equipment and associate systems during cutting operations.

It will requited to maintain a stock of dispersants on board at all times and to provide floating booms around the wreck at all times to prevent spreading of the oil spill or any floating material, if any during cutting operation.

PANJIM, APRIL 9: It will be a month soon since M/s Arihant Ship Breakers started breaking grounded vessel M V River off Candolim beach but the State government is yet to sign an agreement with the Mumbai based company.

When contacted Swapnil Naik, Director of Tourism however, said “they are most likely to be sign the agreement on Monday.”

The delay in signing of the agreement was due to the offer it received from a party which has shown willingness to buy scrap at a higher price than what is offered by the Ship breaking company.

As per the tender condition scrap has to be bought

by M/s Arihant Ship Breakers and which has agreed to pay Rs 12.50 per kg as against the new offer of Rs 17.50 per kg.

Navy urges government to acquire ‘bonafide defence land’ for airport parking

Writes to S Goa collector, says only union Cabinet can do this TEAM, HERALD PANJIM, APRIL 9: Stating that the Union Cabinet is the only authority to take a decision on airport land, the Navy has strongly objected to moves by the state government to acquire its land for parking purpose at Dabolim.

In a letter addressed to the South Goa Collector GP Naik and Mormugao Planning and Development Authority (MPDA) Member Secretary Rakesh Pandita, says

Navy requires the survey 83/1 for expansion of its activities.

Pointing to reports in Herald, Commander AK Bhatnagar, SSO Estate and Infrastructure, Goa Naval Base says “I am drawing your attention to recent reports appearing in press regarding Survey No 83/1 located in front of the airport, across the railway line.”

“It has been indicated that there could be a plan to acquire the land for car parking for the airport,” the letter

HERALD Pix

adds.

Further, the letter says, “It is stated that survey no 83/1, Chicalim is a part of land acquired by the Ministry of Defence for bonafide defence usage.”

“It is also stated that the Union Cabinet is the only authority vested with powers to take any decision pertaining to defence land,” the Commander says in the letter adding “the navy has planned to provide a security wall to the area in the near future.”

Malaria workers determined to strike till the end HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, APRIL 9: Malaria surveillance workers, who have been on hunger strike since Thursday are determined to continue their strike until their demand for confirmation in service is met even as one of the employees was reported sick today.

Bhalchandra Gaonkar, who was part of the agitating team fell ill in the evening.

Premdas Gawas who heads the agitation while speaking to Herald confirmed that one of their fellow workers has fallen sick while on hunger strike but said, “they will not give up their agitation until they are taken into regular service.”

He claimed they are in service for almost fifteen years now but they have not been confirmed in service despite assurances by the government.

Total 59 such workers who work on paltry salary of Rs 3500 a month are pa-

Sachin Ambadoskar

Malaria surveillance workers, on hunger strike since Thursday to demand confirmation of their services. tiently working to be regularized in service.

The department has engaged them on contract basis for last sev-

eral years and it is extended or renewed from time to time.

“On January 27, the Health Minister Vishwajit

Rane had assured us that we will be taken into regular service but till date nothing has been done,” complaint Goankar.

Bag snatchers on the prowl in Calangute HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, APRIL 9: Bag snatchers are on the prowl in the coastal areas of Calangute, causing panic among tourists and outrage among residents. after an attempt was made to snatch a bag at Calangute late Friday evening along the busy Calangute road.

A British couple walking along the main road of Calangute-Candolim from St Anthony's Chapel had a narrow escape when the motorcycle borne bag snatchers failed to grab their bag and flee from the scene.

The terrified couple however could not note down the number of the twowheeler though another British couple was walking just besides them.

Another similar incident was reported along the main road of Calangute-Mapusa leading from St Alex Church, also involving a British couple.

They have however declined to identify themselves.

The department has referred the matter to finance department and the issue is likely to be put to rest before signing of the agreement next week.

Meanwhile, Tourism Department can heave a sigh of relief because Customs have given them informal clearance to unload scrap at Britona Jetty which has been identified as “Customs Point” “We have received directions from the Customs detailing procedure to be followed while unloading scrap from barges. “stated Tourism director. The department was not able to unload scrap at Britona for want of one final clearance even as barges carrying scarp brought from wreckage of River Princess lined up at Britona.

The problems of the tourism department further compounded due to resist-

ance by Britona locals who feared that dumping of scrap in their back yard will spoil their environment.

Locals were calmed down following assurance from the government that the earmarked space will be used to deposit scrap before it is weighted and transported elsewhere.

The department intents to start unloading in swing from next week.

As per tender condition the work has to completed in 180 fair weather days which starts effectively from March 14 when the company started breaking the vessel.

“The company has finished cutting 20-25 per cent portion of the grounded vessel and we expected them to finish cutting 6070 per cent of the top portion before monsoon season hits Goa.” said Naik.

‘No parking’ jams expansion plans SURAJ NANDREKAR PANJIM, APRIL 9: Just one decision by the State government to drop land acquisition for the airport parking has put the entire expansion of the Dabolim airport in jeopardy.

The union cabinet has sanctioned around 350 cr for expansion of Dabolim last year and the work on the expansion has already begun.

However, officials have questioned what is the use of the improving the facilities at the airport when there would be no sufficient parking facilities available? Atleast not yet.

The government had

initiated proceedings to acquire 69,000 sq mt of land for parking and allied facilities around the airport but by a controversial cabinet decision last month it decided to denotify Survey No 8/1 (36,800 sq mt) out of this due to immense pressure created by Revenue Minister Jose Philip D’Souza and Dy Speaker Mauvin Godinho to benefit one US return Goan NRI Bernanrd Costa, who is the co-owner of the land.

The cabinet has suggested that the government instead acquire another land in the vicinity (83/1) for the purpose, which is a navy land.

Mickky accuses Churchill of double standards on English HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, APRIL 9: Accusing PWD Minister, Churchill Alemao for double standards on various issues including Dabolim airport and Konkan railway, former Tourism Minister, and Benaulim MLA Mickky Pacheco said he finds it difficult to believe that the Navelim MLA is genuinely supporting the PTAs for English as the medium of instruction.

Reacting to Alemao’s statement expressing his support to parents demanding English as medium of instruction, Pacheco said if the PWD Minister was genuinely supporting the cause of the parents, he would have objected in the House when the Education Minister announced the government decision to stick to the current policy.

“If Churchill was serious, he would have brought it on record in the House”, Pacheco said, adding that Churchill has suddenly re-

Charging Alemao for playing his games of fooling the people when elections are round the corner, Pacheco said Alemao’s strategy is simple, “pick up the most burning issue, pretend that he supports it and once elections are over dump it and do exactly the opposite of it.” alised that he might get washed away if he does not support the demand of the parents.

“After reading Churchill’s interview in today’s newspaper, I have been approached by several parents and teachers to help to fight against such double standards”, Pacheco added.

Charging Alemao for playing his games of fooling the people when elections are round the corner, Pacheco said Alemao’s strategy is simple, “pick up the most burning issue, pretend that he supports it and once elections are over dump it and do exactly the opposite of it.”

“His latest gimmick is trying to support the PTA’s for English as the medium of instruction at the Primary Level. I would have had no problems or would have pub-

licly appreciated and supported Churchill Alemao on this issue because that is exactly what I have also been demanding and fighting for. But I know that Churchill Alemao is playing Politics with the future of the children”, Pacheco said, and added that Churchill was the architect of the PDF government that had actually implemented the change in medium of instruction from English to Regional Languages in 1991.

Infact Churchill was a minister in that Government.

Records show that Churchill had supported the change from English to Regional Languages in 1991.

Churchill had also allowed Languages like Urdu, Kannada, Telegu etc along with Konkanni and Marathi to be given grants in 1991.

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goa

Goa I Sunday 10, April 2011

English is the future of our children. There is no doubt that Christians love Konkani and have contributed in a big way for the protection of the language. The tiatr, religious services are conducted in Konkani, even the Holy Bible is in Konkani.

Fr Anthony Rodrigues

Curtorim Constituency PTA schools want English HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 9 : A meeting of PTAs schools in Curtorim Constituency has unanimously demanded English as the medium of instruction at the primary level of education.

At a meeting held int eh Curtorim market this evening, speaker after speaker vowed to continue the movement to the logical conclusion till the government agree to their demand for English medium.

In his key note address, Chaplain and Manager of Our Lady of Carmel School, Fr Anthony Rodrigues explained the importance of English in a globalised world and at the same time asked the government to make Konkani/Marathi as one of the compulsory subjects.

“English is the future of our children. There is no doubt that Christians love Konkani and have contributed in a big way for the protection of the language.. The Tiatr is conducted in Konkani, the religious services are conducted in Konkani, even the Holy Bible is in Konkani”, he said.

Saying that parents and not the government knows what is best for their children, Fr Rodrigues said the ongoing movement should be taken to the logical conclusion till the government amend the law in favour of English as the medium of instruction. “All laws are made by men. And, laws can be changed too. So many laws have been changed every day.There should not be any problem to change the law in favour of English as the medium of instruction”, Fr Rodrigues added.

Tarazio Menezes said the parents are not against Konkani or Marathi and favoured one of these languages as a subject and urged everyone to support the movement till their demands are met by the government.

In his address, Mariao Araujo conveyed a message loud and clear to all and sundry that those supporting English medium as not antinationals. He urged Arvind Bhatikar to stop his English medium school for opposing

8 hurt in bus mishap HERALD CORRESPONDENT

MARCEL, APRIL 9: Eight passengers were injured after the bus in which they were travelling met with an accident at Pansule junction at Dharbandora.

According to Ponda police, all the eight passengers who sustained minor injuries were discharged after treatment. Ponda police informed that the accident occurred on Saturday at around 8.45 am.

Police informed that the passenger bus (GA-01-W4165) was proceeding to Usgao when a truck (GA-01-W-6818) came across and the truck driver did not notice the bus.

English as the medium of and appealed to the people of

Salcete to turn up in large numbers for the April 13

meeting at Lohia Maidan in support of their demands.

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“ opinion www.oheraldo.in

WEEKENDEDIT

Will Anna from Agassaim meet Anna from Ashwem?

W

e, the people of Goa are wistfully clutching at straws to rescue us from the sea of corruption. The gallant Anna Hazare who moved the corridors of power by standing or sleeping still without food or water for four days, brought out people from their home, first in trickles and then some more and then some more.

It was a balm to see the congregation of people at Azad Maidan on Friday and Saturday, in Margao for three days and in some other pockets. It certainly wasn’t a flood. Nor was it an outrage.

It was a however a potent symbol of a society desperate to break free from corruption and its steady partner greed.

The path to this salvation may not be from another Anna from Goa, because we just don’t seem to a role model who will be the pivot to shoulder Goa’s battle against corruption.

Let us face this. Apart from the original GBA which was a supreme people’s movement against the machinations of politicians like Babush Monserrate to hijack and manipulate Goa’s planned development, Goa does not have a credible face that symbolises the state’s battle.

However there are pockets of protest, and some credible ones.

In Salcette, Judith Almeida and her Colva Civic and Consumer Forum have taken on builders and hoteliers for flouting all building and environmental rules, in Pilerne, the citizens forum has been taking on mighty opponents including builders, a struggle that is led and supported by all, including government servants.

In far away Mandrem, an entire village has decided to contribute their life’s savings towards litigation against proposed golf courses, which dry up ground water.

In every village or panchayat there are voices against corruption but which rise and remain confined locally. So, Goa has different movement scattered all over but there is no one movement which is sum of all its parts. There is a common ground and yet there is no common ground of protest.

If one hero is not possible, let us have a committee of hero’s. Let the Anna from Aggassaim meet his counterpart from Ashwem or Arambol and give us a way for Goa. There are challenges though. We are, by temperament, a shortcut people. We do not like waiting for due process, whether in a project or towards a destination.

Indian corruption could well find an explanation in Indian traffic.

We instinctively seek a faster way. We do not believe in the sober limitations of take, we are the devotees of overtake. Goa is completely in sync with this.

At every step the organised machinery creates hurdles. The rich cross the hurdles with money, the poor wait for favours and largesse. Obviously, those who pay to cross the hurdle do so always.

Bribes feed the system; the system therefore knits a framework for bribes.

And this is how every village functions. The lone Anna or a group of Anna’s fall short of energy since the bribe machine has its own energy that feeds on itself. Therefore, while we salute Goa’s village crusaders, let us understand how huge the challenge is.

A candle will show the light, but we need feet on the ground to help the fire spread. It’s just that a very small beginning is needed.

The suspension of personal greed.

Hopefully the enormity of the money that fuels this game will be taken in to account before letting India lose Rs 45 crores on tax.

— Edit

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Vol. No CXI No. 99 I Goa I Sunday 10, April 2011

And when your culture is at peril, you come out all guns blazing!!!No matter what the cost.

SHOOTING FROM THE HIP

Primal fears I thought I would also throw my hat into the quicksand of the medium of instruction row but I need to make two disclaimers first, 1) My kids happily study at Sharada Mandir English School, a haven for the swish set. I do so because I can afford it, and I have a choice. So, I truly should have no moral, finger wagging, booming voice position on the medium of instruction issue. You don’t play rummy with your cards face up on the desk.

2) I learnt my Hindi from Amitabh Bachachan and Salim-Javed. My Konkani from Ravindra Kelekar and Pundalik Naik; Jacinto Vaz, Chris Perry and Lorna.

After speaking to the protagonists of both groups, what I seek to explore is the key reason, the very basic driving force that makes them seek the course they’ve chosen.

Sift through the abuses and the innuendo the high pitched histrionics and the chest thumping and what you may discover is a very very fundamental human emotion—The Primal Fear – that spurts this debate and demand.

Let me explain!

The English Brigade The demand of this brigade is a simple, time tested, corner stone of democracy – Choice!

“If the privileged swish set can exercise a choice to give their kids an English education and set them on an easy highway of prosperity, why should my kids not have the same opportunity?”

Konkani for all, whether rich or poor or English as choice. The argument is always persuasive to a liberal, open democratic society.

And all the accusations of these guys being antinational and communal only because they refuse to be jackboxed into a preconceived definition of patriotism is really hogwash. These are simple folks doing the simplest of things to tackle their most primal fear!

How does my kid compete in this tough, rough and tumble globalised world?? Today, India is America and America is India in their perception and they’ve got to get their kids a headstart to face the economic challenges sure to engulf Goa (and India) with the corporatisation of our lives.

dr oscAr reBello

Hence, when two Primal Fears collide, there is always an inevitable amount of bad blood, verbal and print abuse and slander and plenty of lobbying, elbowing and grand standing. A part of the game!!

Parents may be simple but they are bloody smart and farsighted. With their beloved governments succeeding in only creating job opportunities of drug pushers, black jack operators, massage girls and mine shovellers or real estate pimps in Goa, parents want their kids out, to a more sensible, and sane future and they believe their passport to that is simply English.

These guys don’t love English – Not at all – They only love their kids infinitely more, The Konkani/Marathi Brigade Theirs is also a highly surcharged, emotional and beautiful battle for survival. A tackling of another primal fear.

Again cut through the jargon and the unfortunate opportunistic RSS presence. Their argument is simple and also very persuasive.

If English is allowed to run riot in our tiny teardrop of a state, Konkani will be annihilated forever. No doubt, Marathi

PEOPLE’SEDIT

Taking advantage of Lokpal has too big an audience and patronage to be affected.

The bonding and extreme passionate love of a people to their culture, their roots and their identity is so strong that often it becomes non negotiable.

Just check if the French, the German or even the good old Portuguese would allow English to infiltrate and dominate their lives. I think not.

Kerala is a wonderful, glorious example of a region where its people are proud and fanatically possessive of their culture and roots whether they are Hindu, Catholic or Muslim. Malayalam and Onam runs through their blood, proudly. Even Christmas, Diwali or Id does not share this prime space.

Sad, that in Goa the only cultural strong point we all share as one people nowadays is Sunburn or Dum Maro Dum. (Perish the thought) So, this brigade is also fighting the inevitable Americanisation of our culture, but Manmohan Singh had cleverly launched that missile in 1991 and all of us had applauded him then. A missile destroys and we are left clearing the rubble. You can’t send the missile back.

Culture (and Romi Konkani is also culture) is an emotional crutch for a lost and dying people, suffocated by the policies of their own political masters.

And when your culture is at peril, you come out all guns blazing!!!No matter what the cost.

Hence, when two Primal Fears collide, there is always an inevitable amount of bad blood, verbal and print abuse and slander and plenty of lobbying, elbowing and grand standing. A part of the game!!

What one hopes is, however, that this doesn’t degenerate in a slashing end game; slash the trust between communities; slash the peace of the land; slash throats! We don’t need no martyrs for this battle. Please!

Post script: Whatever is the eventual decision on our mother tongue; one thing is absolutely certain: our mother earth is certainly Chinese.

Visit any Chinese port and you’ll find an inscription “In every corner of China there is a little piece of Goa – forever” Mother Earth loses out to Mother tongue yet again. Darn!!

BENTO AT THE TINTO

FACEBOOK

facebook.com/heraldweekend Mariolla O’Neill Everyone knows that they cannot leave the country with such a huge amount of money on their person. So what made Babush feel different from all of us? If he did not know the rules, it’s high time our Customs Department put a big notice on the wall’s stating what needed at our emigration counter. It was nothing but a disgrace to our state.

Robert Gonsalves If government grants are released for aided schools , the first casualty will be private English medium schools which have and are doing roaring business by way of fees and donations. Is this the main reason why there is opposition for grants? Or is it for genuine love of Konkani and Marathi?

Simplicio D’Souza English medium, right from pre-school is a basic necessity for quality education in order to provide a brighter future for the children of Goa. Konkani and Marathi can be a compulsory subject in the curriculum. In today’s world the job market is very competitive and requires a broader approach in achieving a successful career within India and better opportunities outside India.

Sherry Mendes Knowing Goans, they just don’t see what’s staring at them. Getting a water tank is enough for them to pledge their heart and soul to a minister.

Jenny Harrop An anti-corruption law is what Goa would need to take in order to get rid of all the corruption that we all know is imbedded in society.

This does not just affect Goans but it also indirectly reaches out to tourists and all those who have to do business in Goa.

Goa’s revolutionary flame needs to stay lit

A

nna Hazare started a revolution of sorts. A solitary man against the machine. It reminds me of the story of Gandhi. Both had their share of odds and both did what they had to do.

Hazare, like Gandhi once did, has managed to unite the entire nation in a crusade to implement the will of the people. For one man it was freedom and for the other it is a corruption free nation.

It makes me wonder sometimes, why most people who will stand up and say, ‘Yes Hazare must have support,’ on facebook, twitter and in letters to the editor, have conveniently forgotten that less than a week ago our education minister was caught with excess foreign currency, on his way to Dubai, presumably for nefarious reasons. There was no outrage there.

That’s what surprises me. That there was outrage against a movie like Dum Maro Dum that only depicts what actually happens in Goa, which incidentally is what you will find in any popular tourist destination. But, when Babush Monseratte clearly crosses the line, no one really bothered. Goa was shamed in the national media by someone elected as the people’s representative.

Is it not sensational enough?

So, what makes Anna Hazare or

Kurt Bento Dum Maro Dum so special that they warrant colossal attention as compared to a Babush Monseratte?

Of course, like a friend said, we were just so tired of corruption that Anna Hazare was like a light at the end of a dark tunnel, which we all followed. His hunger strike caught the attention of the entire country and everyone stood up and showed appreciation. The problem is that almost everyone waits for someone else to take the first step.

There are plenty of people, who are constantly involved in social activism, who always take the first step, calling the rest to arms. Some of them do it because they care, but there are quite a few, social networkers and ‘social activists’ alike, who cheer from the rooftops, albeit for some hidden political agenda. Some, will only wait for a cause to be championed by the literati, because that way they can be part of something popular.

As soon as the real activists move on to the next project, its predecessors fall

– Dr Oscar Rebello

apart. This is very much true in Goa. In the last few years, I have met people – superheroes – who tirelessly persevere to save Goa or their little towns and villages, while the rest wait and watch and jump on the bandwagon when its rolling successfully, staking their claim. As part of a movement in Mapusa for a few years, I saw it first hand.

It’s easy to write a letter, post something online, or take part of the movement that is already in motion. It’s not easy starting one up by yourself. But the superheroes did it. Some are born to be leaders while others are meant to follow. But how many Hazares or Gandhis are around? Will we have to wait for the next hunger strike to actually see change? Or will that come as a result of a constant effort to show politicians and other public servants that their indiscretions will not go unnoticed and even, hopefully, unpunished?

That can only happen when we realise that we all have an equal stake in what happens here. When you don’t worry about whether your neighbour is a part of the protest, so only then will you join in. You must do it because you know it matters.

Sometimes, revolutions don’t need a superhero to start the fire. Quite often, it’s best a community effort.

Adelmo FernAndes

I

t is a victory for the people of India. It’s a victory against corruption. It’s a victory for democracy.

The government wilted under a sustained anti-corruption campaign, led by the social activist and Gandhian Anna Hazare.

Hazare went on a hunger strike demanding an anti-corruption bill to be introduced in Parliament and now a 10 member joint committee will now be set up for drafting a strong Lokpal bill, which will have equal representation from the civil society representatives and ministers.

The bill is to be introduced in the monsoon session of Parliament. It is encouraging to see the representatives of civil society come across the table and resolve issues. This is the strength of a democracy.

The entire nation had galvanized in support of the Gandhian Anna Hazare and if the government had not conceded to the demands the campaign would have gained strength.

But then, it must be said that the battle against corruption has been won, but the war lies ahead.

This is obviously a giant step. But then the leap against corruption lies ahead. India is considered as the ninth most corrupt nation in the world.

Corruption is steeped in our polity. Corruption is another name for politics in the country and such an uprising against corruption was always on the card.

The CWG scam, the 2G scam and the Adarsh building scam are a few examples of corruption that came to light in the recent past.

When the bill becomes a law, implementing it will be a real challenge. If we still have corrupt politicians at the helm of affairs, they will only try to find loop-holes in the anti-corruption law as and when it is enacted.

The criminalisation of politics has always been the bane of Indian politics and a matter of grave concern.

But the sad part is, that political parties choose them as party candidates and the voters elect them knowingly or unknowingly.

It is understood that one out of every two candidates who will be contesting the forthcoming assembly elections in Kerala is a historysheeter.

According to an analysis carried out by the National Election Watch (NEW), 153 out of 355 candidates analysed have criminal cases pending against them, as declared by them under oath. Candidates who have been given party tickets for the elections are accused of grave crimes like culpable homicide, extortion, kidnapping and even murder.

It seems that the rot in our political set up is going deeper with every passing election. Money-power and muscle-power, which many political parties view as the win-ability factor obviously plays an important part while distributing the party tickets.

The voters, specially in rural India, usually vote for these goons out of ignorance or out of fear of repercussions if such a candidate is defeated.

The war against corruption cannot be won if we elect corrupt politicians with a criminal background.

So, the next step in the war against corruption should be to elect clean people to power.

Fo r l ette rs to t he e di to r c o nt act us at e d itor wee ke n d@ h e rald -go a.c o m Printed and published by Vinayak Pai Bir for and on behalf of Herald Publications Pvt Ltd. Printed at Herald Publications Pvt Ltd, Plot No: L-135, Phase II, Verna Industrial Estate, Verna, Salcete, Goa. Published at PO Box 160, Rua Sao Tome, Panjim, Goa - 403001.

Editor-in-chief: Mr R F Fernandes. Editor: Sujay Gupta (Responsible under PRB Act). Regd Office: St Tome Road, Panjim, Goa. Tel: 2224202, 2228083, Fax: 6658510 (all Editorial); 2230535, Fax: 2225622 (Advertising); Margao: 2737689. Mumbai Office: 16-A, Bell Building, 2nd Floor, 19 Sir PM Road, Fort, Mumbai - 400001 (Tel: 22840702/22844908). RNI No: 43667/83.

HOW TO CONTACT US: mail@herald-goa.com — For press notes, general queries. reporters@herald-goa.com — For Reporters. business@herald-goa.com — For Business news. editorweekend@herald-goa.com — For Letters to the Editor. sports@herald-goa.com — For Sports news. advt@herald-goa.com — For Advertisements.

Disclaimer: Except for the weekend edit above, articles and letters in Herald represent the views of the concerned authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Herald editor, publisher, and/or owners.

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Goa I Sunday April 10, 2011

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We had to come together because the institutions that were supposed to be protecting our livelihood and our homes, did just the opposite — Solano D’silva

we The Watchmen CRUSADER

Pics: Sachin Ambadoskar

BAND OF BROTHERS: (above) Prakash Bandodkar, (first from right) and other active members of the PCF work to clean a garbage dump. (right) the remains of the landmark case that helped form the forum

They fight the good fight, they battle unscrupulous land grabbers and they represent the face of a new revolution.

They were one of the first citizen’s groups to take their battles to the courts and win.

Kurt Bento meets the seasoned activists of the Pilerne Citizen’s Forum.

I

t’s a movement that eptomises heart, soul and passion. Pilerne, nestled in a green valley is buzzing with activity. The citizens have come together on common ground, with one clear agenda – protect Pilerne from the illegal land grabbers, from garbage overflow and other unscrupulous activities.

That is what the Pilerne Citizen’s Forum (PCF) is all about.

We had to come together because the institutions that were supposed to be protecting our liveli-

hood and our homes, did just the opposite,” says Solano D’silva, a member of the forum. It was late 2006, the Regional Plan was just scrapped and most people went back to their daily lives.

That was when certain people in Pilerne began to notice suspicious activity around, specifically in the industrial estate.

That’s when they found out that some construction was still going on, even though the plan was scrapped. A few individuals got together and quickly filed a case in the High Court. After some

amount of litigation, a stay order was passed.

That was a landmark day for Pilerne. That was when the PCF really came to be.

IS THE SPRING OVER??

now resolved to beautify the spring properly,” said Darwin Cardozo, a resident of Guirdolim.

The other spring Modlem has been largely ignored for years as it has not proper approach.

Earlier, this spring provided the water for the dhobi community that lived downstream. Due to upward mobility, the community long gave up their traditional occupation and the spring fell into neglect. In fact, a water bottling company in the neighbouring vil-

lage of Cavorim used to claim to be using water from this spring. Today the spring cannot even be visited thanks to thick vegetation that has not been pruned for years.

More significant is the fact that in Guirdolim village lies a true treasure trove of historic importance and not many people know about it. In the house constructed in 1890, more than a century ago and presently occupied by Aleluia Domingos Gomes there is a door that dated back to 1672.

The significance of the door is that it separated the Hindu quarters from the Catholic quarters of the same family after one section converted to Christianity. This can be seen in the Hindu and Catholic symbols carved out on the door which has survived all these years.

Yet another treasure lying in the village that has not been exploited is the reeds that grow in the fields in one corner.

from all over Goa, not that long ago. “We want to clean up the system,” says Bandodkar, with an aim to propose a panel that will stand for the panchayat elections in the village. Another member adds, “We’re not against outsiders and we don’t subscribe to that school of thought.

We are all Indians. So, it’s not about that. It’s about planned and legal development. We know that some things will change. As long as it’s done within the letter of the law.”

survey no of land

case regarding

verdict

2007 2008 2010 2010 2011 2011

survey 97/3 survey 211/212 survey 31/32 survey 206/2 survey 76 survey 53/1 (Reis Magos village)

against RP2011 communidade land communidade land private land communidade land communidade land

stay order issued case won in favour of PCF case won in favour of PCF stay order issued case pending before court case pending before court

The coast isn’t clear Herald Pics

This is a story of three friends and the sea. Three passionate folks, with an aim to protect the eroding Goa’s coastline, got together to start an unique awareness campaign to tell us how various factors are destroying our coastline and leaving its impact on the sea. Kurt Bento profiles the coast protectors Herald Pics

A

G

ly and its very survival is in doubt. A few years ago, in the name of development, the natural flow of the spring water was tampered with thanks to a scheme undertaken for its beautification. At present, residential houses have come out literally within spitting distance of the spring thereby threatening its existence.

“The Panchayat could not really do anything about the Jitlem spring as the surrounding property is privately owned. However, the Gram Sabha has

down. We were lucky to have our fellow villagers who all contributed to the cause.”

It is never easy being a crusader; with the carrot and stick combine of death threats, as well as being offered bribes.

But, the Pilerne Citizens Forum has weathered the storm many a time. They now even act as advisors to many other villages, who use the PCF model to fight the forces of evil in their villages. The PCF was also an integral part of the GRA that held a meeting of village groups

Year

PAST THEIR TIME? The Jitlem spring lies forlorn, (below) the old door of Aleluia Domingos Gomes uirdolim, a village panchayat created in 1973, was part of Chandrapur, the erstwhile capital of the Kadamba dynasty in the 11th century. It is a quaint little village that has its own jewels which unfortunately are either neglected or forgotten by its very own people.

In the first place, the village has two beautiful springs – the more popular Jitlem and the lesser known Modlem.

Till about two decades ago, when piped water had not reached all the households and people were dependant upon the wells, during the summer season when the wells ran dry, people not only from Guirdolim, but even neighbouring Cavorim would come to Jitlem to bathe. Legend has it that the water of the spring has medicinal properties, though this has not been scientifically tested or proven. Ironically, Jitlem has suffered tremendous-

The PCF began to take their local bodies to task on various issues, including illegal activities. Prakash Bandodkar, president of the forum says, “Everything stems from the Panchayat. So we had to keep an eye on what was happening around the village.” The forum quickly began to collect information on the state of communidade land in the area and realised that there was a lot of illegal conversion and sale taking place.

One of Pilerne’s prized areas, is a little lake hidden away amongst the slopes. Prakash and the PCF noticed that one builder was burning all the bushes and trees in that area, with the fire ranging for two days.

Today, the PCF has filed six cases in the High Court, many of them are cases against their own Panchayat over the sale of communidade land.

But, these cases don’t come cheap. An active member explains, “it’s not easy for the common man to fight in the High Court all the time. The sheer cost wears you

CRUSADE METER

VILLAGE REPORT: GUIRDOLIM

In the second part of the village report on Guirdolim, Julio D’silva looks at the jewels of the village which have unfortunately been neglected by its own people

The Panchayat could not really do anything about the Jitlem spring as the surrounding property is privately owned. However, the Gram Sabha has now resolved to beautify the spring properly — Darwin Cardozo

Earlier, mats and other items including blinds, were weaved out of these reeds. But that has now stopped. Although the Guirdolim Village Panchayat, some years back conducted a course in weaving mats out of these reeds in a hope that somebody would take it up seriously, there are no takers. “During my tenure as Sarpanch, I had conducted the course on weaving mats from the reeds. But since there has been no follow up since then, the activity has not really caught on,” said Agostinho Antao, former Sarpanch of the Village.

The villagers of Guirdolim are quite content with their lives and the village has well adapted to a formation home of a missionary priest order, a distillery and even an open air dance floor. It is only when the identity of the village is under a threat that the villagers come together as one force.

week ago 19 people were dropped into the high seas from boats on a rescue mission-15 from Goa, 2 from Mumbai and 2 foreigners. Their mission: to start the process of rescuing and protecting a very important something very important- the coastline. Their work to swim from the sea to the coast as a token beginning to a massive awareness campaign among people, especially children to protect Goa’s basic identity, it’s 100 plus kilometer coastline.

Importantly this is not a tourism or an environment department campaign but a private initiative by three friends, Ventakesh Charloo, Elias Patel and Varsha Mathur Patel. It was their initiative which saw Goa’s first swimathon being held on Vainguinim Beach, near Dona Paula, a small step towards their bigger dream, educating Goa’s children about protecting the coastline.

The swimmers were dropped into the water, five km away from the shore and then swam back Elias, who first dipped his toes into the cool waters at Dona Paula, over two decades ago, states, “I’ve been an avid swimmer and diver for years now and with each passing year I see our coasts and the sea getting filthier, up to the point today where you can’t even see your toes.

At this rate, our future

THREE MUSKETEERS: Elias takes part in the swimathon, while Varsha and Venkatesh handle things at base camp generations will never be able to enjoy the beaches of Goa, the way we have done in the past.”

Coastal Impact, the NGO started by Venkatesh, who owns a dive school, is aiming to generate funds to educate kids about marine life and the beauty that exists out in the sea. “We have underwater photographs that we’ve taken during our dives. We plan to show those and other AV material that we’ve collected through the years to kids at schools across Goa. They need to understand the importance of protecting the life out underwater,”

says Venkatesh. Apart from the presentations and discussions, Coastal Impact will also be holding an art competition, the winners of which will be taken out by boat to the islands nearby and taught snorkelling and diving.

The importance of protecting Goa’s coastline is probably best summed up by Goa’s swimming champ Talasha Prabhu, who says, “The coastline is an essential part of our lives. People work there, earn their livelihood from it and it’s a part of our natural heritage. It must be protected for posterity.”

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goa

The hand baggage was searched and there was a discovery of 515 dirhams, INR 63,000 and Travelers Cheques of 25000 dollars. A body search also found the 10,000 dirhams and 3000 INR in cash

mirror

However, if they drop Babush, the Congress needs to go on a massive anti-corruption drive, which in today’s Goa scenario looks difficult.

But this will win people’s hearts.

Herald Pics

While the rest of India prepared for its moment of fame as India got ready to play Sri Lanka in the World Cup final, the state of Goa was shamed at the Air Intelligence Unit of Customs at the Mumbai Airport as Goa’s Education Minister Atanasio Monserratte was detained after a search revealed he was carrying Foreign Exchange far in excess of what was permitted. The Herald pictorially pieces together minute details of the entire exercise on the intervening night of April 1 and April 2, 2011 Place: Customs Room at the customs departure counter at the Mumbai Airport Date:

01.04.2011 Twisted Graphfix Studios

9.30 pm: I O Air Intelligence Unit Customs, Mumbai Prakash Chandra intercepts passenger Nitin Nayak (employee/ friend of Education minister Goa, Atanasio Monseratte) on suspicion. Nayak, along with Monserratte, was departing on Emirates Flight EK 509 to Dubai For picture reference (Nayak was carrying a black zipper bag Louis Vitton with a baggage tag of Jet airways for security check done in Goa enroute to Mumbai)

On being asked how much Indian/ foreign currency he was carrying on his person, check in bag or hand bag, he replied that he had foreign currency of 10,000 Dirham’s and Indian currency Rs 3000. Not satisfied, the hand baggage was searched in the presence of 2 panchas Nelson Fernandes and Benjamin Kuriakose. There was a discovery of 515 dirham’s, INR 63,000 and Travelers Cheque of 25000 dollars. A body search also found the 10,000 dirham’s and 3000 INR in cash

Ticket to Dubai

Dubai is a playground to many of India’s rich set. Education Minister Babush Monserrate is no exception. Sujay Gupta traces what makes this gulf metropolis so irresistible to Babush and traces some of his linkages there

S

hah Rukh Khan bashes the dunes on a quad bike safari, Sanjay Dutt and his friends hang out at the choicest kebab shops, Bollywood actresses, from Mamata Kulkarni to Katrina Kaif, have had Dubai ‘connections.’ Frolic, friendships, fashion combine with smuggling, hawala and the underworld like strange bedfellows and sometimes complimentary ones.

Goa too parties, plays, works and does deals in Dubai. Everyone has it on good record that many of Goa’s MLA’s and ministers travel frequently and have business and personal interests. Sources in the Enforcement Directorate, as well as investigative and police agencies have confirmed the regular presence of Goa’s politicians in Dubai at frequent intervals.

Babush Monserratte’s love for Dubai started when he was a child and continued into his metamorphosis into a powerful politician.

This is where the story blurs. Like most things about Monserrate, there are two or more sides to him and to every story that he tells or creates. One is that of a person who loves the glitter and the shopping of a Dubai. An intrinsic part of Monserrate’s persona is his flashy lifestyle – love for cars, expensive designer clothes, watches and accessories. Dubai is the nerve centre of all this. Over the years he has acquired acquaintances and friends and a support system which takes care of him. Why do you think he

could confidently allow his son to leave for Dubai on his own with checked in pieces of baggage, which were not checked? Without meaning to be unfair to Monserrate, if one of the three bags revealed undeclared cash, is there a guarantee that bags carried by his son were ‘clean’? For Monserrate, a safe landing in Dubai was more assured of than a smooth take off from Mumbai.

Monserrate also loves familiarity and routine. His closest friend in Dubai is a man called Eugene. But he has business links too. For instance, he is closely linked to a gold and jewelry dealer from Valpoi, who has businesses in Dubai and a shop in the Rola area of Sharjah. He almost has the same set of people who come and pick him up and be with him whenever he is in Dubai. He also prefers to stay in the same Ramada hotel, near the Dubai World Trade Center and eat at the same places.

There are indications that Monserrate has also made proxy investments in businesses in Dubai, including two hotels among others.

Irrespective of the veracity of information like these, there is no doubt that he can push the right buttons to organize huge amounts of cash at very short notice in Dubai. This small incident for instance – A friend of his from Goa, was at one of the top end malls and wanted to buy an expensive watch which cost 68,000 Dirhams. When he realized that he wasn’t carrying enough money or credit cards, he asked the

shopkeeper to pack and keep it and he would pick it up the next day. At that moment Babush called to find out where his friend was. When Monserrate heard his story he asked what the price of the watch was. In 15 minutes a bag carrying one lakh Dirhams reached the shop and the watch was picked up with more cash to spare for other shopping.

It is this ability to play with so much money at short notice that gives rise to so many rumours about Monserrate. To be honest it could go either way but continuous controversies – at least one major one a year – give rise to more rumours and seem to confirm in the minds of those who do not know more, that there is a shady side to Monserrate’s Dubai connection.

In fact, the opposition’s main attack against Babush is that he smuggles money out of the country, converts it into white and ploughs it back through several official channels, back into other accounts in the country for use. The second allegation is that he uses hard cash to buy very expensive gifts abroad, made of gold, which he then brings back. And the third and most serious charge, is that he has underworld links that got further exposed after the huge controversy over the Regional Plan 2011, where Monserrate was accused of bending backwards to change and alter the plan to allow for rampant development and construction, benefiting the builders

lobby. In fact, the story doing the rounds is that after the plan was scrapped, the builder’s lobby was literally up in arms demanding that they be compensated. It was at this time that some builders with links with a powerful Dubai lobby had clearly threatened the then Town and Country Planning Minister Babush Monserrate about the impending business losses to them. Monseratte reportedly had in fact held a couple of meetings to broker peace with this lobby.

Till now, Monseratte has brazenly handled most of these allegations in the hope that they will pass and people will get onto other things. However, if his party in Dubai has a shady and corrupt tinge, the stain will stick.

Herald has been trying to contact him for over a month now for his version on various issues, but he has refused to take calls or reply to sms messages.

So far , in his politics and in his life, he has believed that he is a game changer, toppling governments, changing parties, entering new constituencies. He makes rules and breaks others. But often this brute sense of power diminishes basic realities. Breaking and bending the law of customs and foreign exchange, from Goa to Mumbai to Dubai and elsewhere is a different ball game than distributing LCD television sets to poor voters in Taleigao during elections. Monserrate must understand that the world is not always his playground.

The hand baggage (Louis Vitton bag) also had visiting cards of Atanasio Monserratte, 2 Nokia mobile handsets, a receipt of VKC Credit and Forex Services(P) Ltd dated 25.05.2010 for traveler’s cheques amounting to 25,000 dollars for a business visit to London for Monserratte’s “company” Raj Hospitality

Monserratte, who had already crossed security and reached the transit lounge, called Nitin Nayak to ask why he was getting delayed and learnt why

Meanwhile, the customs sent 2 officers and one pancha to go to the transit lounge gate number 6, found Monserrate waiting for his flight with boarding pass for seat 1J and brought him back to the Air Intelligence Unit for further examination.

Customs officials asked the airline to retrieve 2 checked in bags of Atanasio Monserratte having baggage claim tags EK 589676 and EK 589677. The bags, both Samsonite suitcases were brought.

One bag (tag number 589676) did not contain material of incriminating nature. The other one (baggage tag no 589677) contained UAE Dirham’s 75000. Monserattes body search revealed he was carrying cash of INR 53,000

CLEVER OR CREDIBLE –

What choice will the Congress make?

T

he Congress in Goa, yet again, needs to make a choice between being credible and being clever, over Babush Monserrate’s investigation by the Customs for alleged smuggling of foreign currency.

There are three options that the Congress is looking at and immediate political exigencies will decide the course of action rather than a political conscience.

Option 1:

Duck under the wave till it passes: This has been a normal time tested practice. Digambar Kamat and the party will wait for the media and opposition pressure to slow down. The assembly session is over and Monserrate has deposed before the customs. The case will now move in its own motion. As

long as Babush is not arrested and his passport returned, life will go on for him.

Option 2:

A section of the Congress, and that includes Chief Minister Kamat, feel that hanging on to Monseratte is a liability and a grave risk, but there are huge political compulsions.

On one hand, dropping him from the cabinet, will inevitably lead to his resignation as an MLA, and from the party too. That would not only mean a loss of one seat, but also another– St Cruz, because MLA Victoria Fernandes has a cozy bond with the tainted minister. In a tough electoral battle the party will avoid going in with a two seat deficit to begin with. In addition, Churchill Alemao and his new for-

mation which he is likely to form before the elections will join the anti Congress, non BJP formation which will damage the party.

On the other hand, a section feels that keeping him will have the same result since Monseratte is not a permanent lodger in any party, just a temporary vagabond who will move anyway.

Option 3:

Take the calculated risk of following examples set by the AICC, in dropping A Raja as telecom minister and Ashok Chavan as Maharashtra’s Chief Minister, in connection with the 2G scam and the Adarsh Housing scam respectively, and drop Babush Monseratte. However, if they do that, the Congress needs to go on a massive anti-corruption overdrive, which in

today’s Goa scenario looks difficult.

But this will win people’s hearts.

Sadly the politics of ethics will win it hearts, but it the politics of numbers which may oust them from power.

The people’s choice of the three alternatives will be one: Option 3, Option 3 and Option 3 The Congress’ choice is likely to be in this order: Option 1, Option 2, Option 3

Sadly, ‘do nothing’ is, was and will be, the official party line.

All the cash, travelers cheques, mobile phones sealed in four separate envelopes “IN THE REASONABLE BELIEF that the same ( cash and travelers cheques) were being attempted to illegally export out of India under the Indian Customs Act 1962” read with various provisions of FEMA

Monserratte interrogated by Superintendant of Customs A. M. Sawant and his team. Finally summoned by Superintendant Customs (Preventive) SS Deshpande to Mumbai on April 8 in connection with alleged smuggling out of India Indian/Foreign Currency

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obituaries

Goa I Sunday 10, April 2011

9 killed in Nigerian blast PTI ABUJA, APRIL 9: At least nine people were killed in a bomb blast at Nigeria’s electoral commission office and an attack on post storing polling materials on the eve of parliamentary polls, officials said here.

Five people were killed when a bomb exploded at the office of the country’s Independent National Electoral Commission located in the northern city of Suleja.

11 www.oheraldo.in

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india

For the first time a new generation of Indians identified with Gandhi and his techniques. While we thought they were outdated.

-- Pritish Nandy

Jantar Mantar turns into Carnival site PTI NEW DELHI, APRIL 9: Waving tricolour and singing and dancing to the tunes of drums, people today made Jantar Mantar a carnival site as Gandhian Anna Hazare broke his fast after the government gave into activists' demands on Lokpal Bill.

Youth and old, men and women, poor and rich -- all stood shoulder to shoulder at the nerve-centre of the anticorruption protest shouting 'Vande Mataram', 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' and 'Inquilab Zindabad' as Hazare sipped juice offered by a girl to end his fast which lasted 98 hours.

A group of tribals from Maharashtra erupted into a folk dance at the venue as soon as Hazare ended his fast, while some priests performed a havan at the site. Strangers hugged each other and shouted slogans hailing Hazare.

As Mahatma Gandhi's favourite hymn 'Raghupati Raghava Rajaram' played in the background, Hazare ap-

Bollywood hails Anna Hazare PTI MUMBAI, APRIL 9: Bollywood, which has been vociferous in its support for Anna Hazare's indefinite fast, today hailed the success of the anti-graft campaign led by the veteran social activist that resulted in the Government accepting his demands over a comprehensive Lok Pal Bill.

The anti-corruption crusader today ended his 98-hour huger strike in New Delhi after the Government issued a gazette notification constituting a 10-member Joint Committee of Ministers and civil society activists, including Hazare, to draft an effective Lok Pal Bill.

Veteran actor Anupam Kher, who visited the protest site in the national capital to show his support to the 73-year-old activist, termed the campaign as a "great be-

ginning".

Actor Bipasha Basu posted a tweet saying, "The steam of this movement should not stop here because the official win will happen when the Bill is finally passed by Parliament.

"Finally, victory to Anna and all the Indians, who supported Lokpal Bill with determination. Also, many thanks to media for keeping the anti-corruption fire burning across India," filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar said.

Poet-filmmaker Pritish Nandy, said, "for the first time a new generation of Indians identified with Gandhi and his techniques. While we thought they were outdated.”

Actress Sushmita Sen tweeted, "Sir Anna Hazare's life is a victory in itself!!!

What a leap of faith...still a long way to go...but he made the way possible!!

Thank you sir!!"

ED slaps FEMA charges against top telecom firms PTI NEW DELHI, APRIL 9: The Enforcement Directorate today slapped various charges of FEMA violations to the tune of over Rs 4,300 crore against top telecom firms allegedly involved in the 2G spectrum scam including Swan, Loop and STel. The Directorate in its complaint filed before the Competent Adjudicating Authority for FEMA violations said it is also probing "suspected contravention" of forex rules in Virgin Mobile, a joint venture of Tata group.

The Adjudicating Authority in this case is a Special Director rank officer of the ED. The ED has charged Shahid Balwa-promoted Swan Telecom, with committing FEMA contraventions to the tune of Rs 3,608 crore.

"This contravention was done by the company in issuing shares to foreign in-

vestor and resident investor under an agreement and had issued shares to foreign investor on an abnormal value to avoid the permission of FIPB (Foreign Investment Promotion Board), Government of India," the ED said in its complaint against Swan Telecom.

Swan Telecom Pvt Ltd issued 44.73 per cent shares to Dubai-based Etisalat and 5.27 per cent shares to Genex Exim as per agreement on September 23, 2009.

Swan Telecom while issuing shares to foreign investor under the agreement also allegedly contravened the provisions of the laid down rules prescribed by the Commerce and Industry Ministry by appointing a Director who had been nominated by Dubai-based Etisalat and arrangement of a steering committee having members of their foreign partner for functioning of Swan Telecom.

The ED also alleged that

Anupam faces breach of privilege notice PTI MUMBAI, APRIL 9: Members cutting across party lines today moved a breach of privilege notice in Maharashtra Assembly against veteran actor Anupam Kher for his alleged derogatory comments against the Constitution.

Speaker Dilip Walse Patil said he was admitting the demand of the members that their statements made in the House be accepted as privilege notice against the actor.

He asked the members to give the notice of breach of

privilege in writing that will be sent to the Privileges Committee.

The issue was raised by Jitendra Avhad (NCP) after the Question Hour. Avhad said he had brought Kher's comments to the notice of the members yesterday and the Speaker had issued directives to the Home department to look into the matter and take appropriate action.

Avhad said he saw on TV, Kher repeating his tirade against the Constitution, and even said he does not care about the issue figuring in the Assembly.

Swan Telecom had disclosed that issue of equity to Genex Exim was under resident category but during investigations it was found that "it was an indirect foreign investment in Swan because funds into Genex were brought from Dubai."

peared on the dais at 10:25 am to loud cheers from the people who were jostling for space to have a glimpse of the 73-year-old Gandhian who ignited a nationwide protest for a strong anti-graft law.

Hazare saluted the fellow satyagrahis, offered juice to a group of fasting women and spoke about his next course of action. Every word he spoke, he was cheered by people.

"The revolution has come. Now it is only a matter of time for it to spread it like a wild fire across the country," quipped a beaming Arvind, a professional based in neighbouring Gurgaon said. "Thank you A Raja, thank you Suresh Kalmadi for bringing us together" read a banner at the protest site.

Carrying a tricolour, 73year-old Srinath from Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh was roaming around the protest site saying this is a decisive victory for people.

"We have to get rid of corruption. This is a good beginning," he said.

appointments

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AppointMents

Goa i Sunday 10, April 2011

Sir Anna Hazare's life is a victory in itself!!! What a leap of faith...still a long way to go...but he made the way possible!! Thank you sir!!

-- Sushmita Sen

AppointMents

12 www.oheraldo.in

world

“

Shiite radical leader Moqtada al-Sadr has warned his supporters will resume armed opposition if US forces stay in Iraq beyond their scheduled departure late this year.

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Goa I Sunday 10, April 2011

Pakistan Army has expressed satisfaction over counter-terrorism operations in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan, an apparent rebuff to a White House report, which contended that Islamabad has no clear strategy to defeat militants.

Libya rebels pushed back, more relief for Misrata AFP NEAR AJDABIYA, APRIL 9: Heavy loyalist fire pushed Libyan rebels back almost to

the town of Ajdabiya on Saturday, after the insurgents had pressed westward halfway to the oil refinery town of Brega, 80 kilometres

(50 miles) away.

As diplomatic efforts gathered pace for a truce, the Red Cross brought muchneeded relief to the besieged rebel-held port city of Misrata, the scene of fighting for more than 40 days.

A huge blast rocked Ajdabiya, said an AFP correspondent on its outskirts, with some residents suggesting it might have been a NATO air strike. In Brussels, a NATO official denied that there had been a strike.

A large pall of smoke was seen billowing over the key road junction town that had seen heavy exchanges between retreating rebels and advancing loyalists of Moamer Kadhafi just hours before.

Dozens of cars and military vehicles were seen pouring east out of Ajdabiya towards the rebel stronghold of Benghazi, as a helicopter bearing a rebel flag headed west towards the front line despite a no-fly zone.

The NATO official said reports on the helicopter were being investigated. In future, he said, NATO planes encountering such a violation would order the pilot to land immediately and could shoot him down if he refuses.

Advancing government forces shelled the retreating rebels west of Ajdabiya, an AFP correspondent there heard. At least 10 loud explosions rocked the town's outskirts.

In a sign of the rebels' growing military confidence,

for the first time since Wednesday they allowed foreign journalists to advance toward Brega to a point where a supply base had been established behind the short-lived front lines.

But they too had to beat a hasty retreat as government forces stepped up the shelling. Dozens of cars and military vehicles streamed eastward using both carriageways of the main highway.

Anti-aircraft guns and rocket-launchers were seen taking up defensive positions at intervals along the highway to cover the retreat, and rebel fighters launched a salvo of Grad rockets from Ajdabiya's eastern outskirts.

By early evening, an AFP

correspondent said the shelling had stopped and the fighting had died down. The rebels were in control of the exit to Benghazi, and some cars and military vehicles were returning to town.

Earlier, two captured Kadhafi loyalists were brought back from the front. Excited rebel fighters chanting "Allahu Akhbar (God is greatest)" gathered round taking photographs with their mobile telephones.

One of the government fighters was in the back of a four-wheel-drive and seemed in good health.

But the other, who lay in the back of pickup truck, had blood all over his arm and appeared quite badly wounded.

Ivory Coast fighting thwarts evacuation of diplomats

AFP

ABIDJAN, APRIL 9: Clashes with Ivory Coast strongman Laurent Gbagbo's troops forced French troops to abort an evacuation of diplomatic personnel from Abidjan Saturday, as pleas mounted for humanitarian aid.

The evacuation began at around 3:00 am (0300 GMT) but the head of the country's mission decided to cancel the operation because "security conditions were insufficient," Colonel Thierry Burkhard of the French forces in Ivory Coast told AFP. French forces drew fire during the operation and French helicopters de-

stroyed an armoured vehicle of pro-Gbagbo forces in Abidjan's diplomatic quarter, Burkhard said.

The evacuation had been requested by the "government of an allied country", he added, which he did not identify for security reasons.

Earlier, the United Nations warned that Gbagbo's forces had gained ground in Abidjan under cover of a lull in fighting with troops backing his rival Alassane Ouattara, internationally recognised as president.

UN peacekeeping chief Alain Le Roy warned that troops fighting for Gbagbo still had tanks and other heavy weapons and had made advances in the city.

FROM PAGE 1 CM: Babush’s offence Meanwhile, Kamat, has sent a “factual” report on the case involving the seizure of huge amount foreign and Indian currency from Monserrate under the Customs Act and FEMA to the All India Congress Committee which asked for it.

The report was sent at the insistence of the AICC at the senior-most level. It is learnt that the AICC President Sonia Gandhi, when briefed by her senior advisors sought a detailed report.

However, Kamat’s report to the Centre is a combination of the representation of the facts and sequence of events narrated by Monserrate himself and the panchanama prepared

by Customs, detailing the entire sequence of events and the currency and other items seized.

The Chief Minister met Monserrate on the sidelines of the Assembly to prepare a report which stuck to the basic facts without any comments or even a suggested course of action.

The Chief Minister said “I took all the details from Monserrate and sent a report along with copy of the panchanama.

At this stage, I have stuck to the official facts on record.

Insiders say that if cornering Monserrate was the objective, it has been achieved. With his passport gone and summons to Mumbai for questioning a regular occurrence, the education minister’s free movement will be curtailed.

Congress sources indicate that any further action like dropping him from the Cabinet could boomerang. One minister remarked “Why should we play into the hands of the BJP. If Babush is dropped, he is likely to resign and form a new group with other MLA’s like Churchill. If they field candidates against us in several constituencies, it will damage us”. He then added “And what is the guarantee that Manohar Parrikar and Babush will not get together in some form in the long run, if not formally than strategically?”.

Arrest ruled out for now Speaking to Herald Additional Commissioner of Customs Mahendra Pal ruled out Monserrate’s arrest for now.

“When he was released after questioning initially, Monserrate had given a bond assuring his presence whenever required and he has co-operated well with the officials”, Pal said.

On whether a case has been registered against the minister under Sections of FEMA and Customs Act, he said, “this was done last week itself when he was detained. There is nothing new in the story”.

The Air Intelligence Unit of Customs has, however, refused to release the passport of the controversial minister for now.

He contacted our office in Marol and I am told he requested to return his passport”, Pal said.

Initially there were reports that Monserrate was again grilled for six hours on Saturday. However, the claim has been refuted by the Customs officers. When Herald contacted him, Monserrate too denied he was questioned by Customs on Saturday saying it must be a ploy by the BJP. “I am in Goa. I was called yesterday and I have given satisfactory replies to their answers. To say that I was called today is rubbish”, he told Herald in telephonic conversation adding that the Customs have told him his presence was no more required. My lawyer will represent me in future”, he said.

Meanwhile, Calangute legislator Agnelo Fernandes who was spotted with Babush at the Sahar International Airport has clarified that he met the minister accidentally.

“I was traveling to Malaysia last evening and just happened to meet Babush by accident and I would like to clarify that I did not accompany him to Mumbai”, Fernandes told this reporter on phone from Malaysia.

Hazare ends fast little girl giving him a glass of lime juice at 10.45 am at Jantar Mantar, the nerve-centre of the campaign for a strong law to combat political and administrative graft.

Earlier, Hazare offered water to some women, among the over 300 activists who had joined the fast saying it was a victory of people’s power. Celebrations broke out instantaneously in the capital and cities across the country.

“This just the beginning of the fight against corruption. Our responsibility has now increased”, he said, setting August 15 as the deadline for the passage of the Lok Pal Bill.

Later, at a press conference, he struck a note of caution ex-

pressing apprehension over parliamentarians’ readiness to pass a strong anti-corruption legislation and asked his supporters to be prepared for a “bigger battle”.

He said “power-hungry” politicians will not easily accept any bill having stringent provisions against corruption or “shed” the power they enjoy.

In a brief speech he made after he broke his fast, he said it was just the beginning of a long struggle ahead and would lead the fight for the “second struggle for independence”.

He declared he would not rest content with the anti-graft legislation but fight for reforms of the electoral system, including the provision for ‘right to recall’ of elected representatives from the gram panchayat level.

In the morning, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh issued a statement saying the Government intends to introduce the “historic legislation” in the Monsoon session of Parliament.

Giving in to demands from anti-corruption activists, the Government issued a gazette notification on formation of a joint committee headed by senior minister Pranab Mukherjee to draft an effective Lokpal Bill.

The notification, one of the key demands of the anti-corruption campaign launched by Hazare, has been signed by V K Bhasin, Secretary, Legislative Department of the Law Ministry.

The notification was proudly displayed at the site of Hazare’s fast at Jantar Mantar by Kiran Bedi to the loud cheering of the assembled gathering there.

The committee will also include Law Minister Veerappa Moily, Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal, Home Minister P Chidambaram and Water Resources Minister Salman Khurshid as members.

Besides Hazare himself, those representing the civil society in the joint committee will be eminent lawyers Shanti Bhushan, Prasant Bhushan, retired Supreme Court Judge Santosh Hegde and RTI activist Arvind Kejriwal. Shanti Bhushan will be the co-Chairman.

No dum in DMD ban swamped by the drug culture.

“Even I have shown drugs, mining and all illegal happenings in Goa, in my movie “O Maria”, he added.

National and international award winning director who shot to fame with his movie ‘Paltadacho Munis’, Laxmikant Shetgaonkar said he was not in the know of the movie promos.

“I will be in a position to comment only after I watch the movie”, he said.

Nalini Souza, who entered into the Short Film Center for her documentary ‘Water’, expressed a very practical opinion on the entire controversy. “Demanding a ban on the movie will not solve the problems of Goa. It is rather giving free publicity to the movie”, she quipped.

Event manager, Lyndon Alves, said that the movie mirrors the happenings in the State. “These things are happening since the Hippie days. The movie will atleast put the system in place and raise an eyebrow over the law and order situation. It is an embarassment for the Government and this should improve the situation”, he added.

Sippy’s business of creativity got another supporter in the form of Gurudas Kamat, who said that ‘Dum Maro Dum’ is a fictional movie and not a documentary.

“I am personally against banning creative expressions. It is a superficial story and I believe that the filmmaker might not have got into the details of any situation as it would lose its commercial value”, he said.

Kamat said that ‘we cannot hide from the facebook generation’.

Even as the filmmakers stood by Sippy, there are few who fear to lose business, with Goa’s image being looked at as a destination for drugs, sex and liquor.

“Art and cinema should go on but not at the cost of spoiling an image of a State or locals”, said Ralph D’Souza, former president of Travel and Tourism Association of Goa. “In the recent past, Goa has been getting negative publicity and this movie has added fuel to it. Whatever is exaggerated should be edited from the movie. If bad is publicised about Goa, then good should also be publicised”, he said.

The intellects have suggested that the Government should constitute a select committee to screen the scripts of movies being shot and based on Goa, so that people’s sentiments are not hurt.

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sports

Former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie has been drafted in as the bowling coach of Kings XI Punjab. The last-minute move to rope in Gillespie has come on the recommendations of new Kings XI captain Adam Gilchrist and coach Michael Bevan, both being former Australian cricketers.

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Goa I Sunday 10, April 2011

It was a first game with a new team, and you get a new car and you want to break it in, but you don't want to 'break it'. Even if we did not win this game, we would have got a lot out of it.

-- Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Salgaocar face Ponda HERALD SPORTS DESK Panjim, April 9: Salgaocar Veterans will take on hosts Ponda Veterans in the finals of 1st All-India Invitation Veterans Football tournament at Sports Complex ground Ponda on Sunday.

Salgaocar Veterans were lucky to beat Bardez Veterans 3-1 in the tie-breaker after the match ended in a goalless draw. Ponda Football Veterans beat Custom and Central Excise Veterans by a solitary goal scored by hard working midfielder Vincent.

In the tie-breaker Lawrence, Mario and Rock scored for Salgaocar. Only Allwyn scored for Bardes while Raymond and Bruno’s shots were saved. Goalkeeper Bharat Morji was awarded the man-of-the-match prize.

Ponda’s Vincent powerful drive from 35 yards beat the keeper, hit the crossbar and entered the goal. Daniel Noronha was declared manof-the-match.

Meanwhile, Customs pointed out that Ponda had fielded a player who is below

I-League: Churchill v. Chirag United, Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, Margao, 4.15 p.m.

All-India Invitation Veterans Football finals: Salgaocar Veterans v. Ponda Football Veterans, Sports Complex ground, Ponda, 4.30 p.m.

Aldona Panchayat Cup soccer: SAI Avtar Anjuna v.

Siolim Sodiem, Calvim, Aldona, 4.45 p.m.

GFA 2nd Division North Zone play-offs: Penha De Franca v. Goa Police SC, Duler Stadium, Mapusa, 4 p.m. Sao Minguel de Taleigao v. Laxmi Prasad SC, Don Bosco Oratory ground, Panjim 4 p.m.

13th Immaculate soccer: ICSC, Paroda v. Cuncolim Union, panchayat ground, Avedem, Paroda, 4.30 p.m.

Rusi Daver Soccer Cup quarters: Candolim Sports Club v. Nagoa Sporting Club, Saligao Sporting ground, 4.30 p.m.

Bardez Cup soccer: PVC, Parra v. Sangolda Lightning, Dr. Gustavo Monteiro Stadium, Candolim, 4.30 p.m.

All-Goa Curtorim Panchayat Cup inter-village football: SSC Loutolim v. S J Areal, Curtorim ground, 4.45 p.m.

All-Goa 9-a-side tennis ball cricket organised by Housing Board Sports Club, Gogol.

40 years. They have contended that Vincent Colaco was born on 19-8-1972, whereas only those born before

9-4-1971 only are eligible. He was a former Dempo player with his birth date figuring in GFA’s Player Profile 2000-01.

M

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sports

Saligao Sporting in quarters Calangute, April 9: Saligao Sporting Club got the better of Calangute Association 5-4 via the tie-breaker after both teams were involved in a goalless draw to move into quarter-finals of Bardez Cup Inter-Village football at Dr. Gustavo Monteiro Stadium,

Candolim, on Saturday.

Sherwin Clemente, Niazi Shaikh, Allan Gonsalves, Govind Mahale and Jose Alvares scored for Saligao.

Emmanuel D'Costa, Rajkumar Naik, Sarvanand Korgaonkar and Sherwin Lobo netted for Calangute.

Radamel Falcao scored a hat-trick to help Porto thrash Spartak Moscow 5-1 in Europa League quarter-final first-leg ties. Benfica, attempting to reach their first European semi-final for 17 years, thrashed PSV Eindhoven 4-1.

E Bengal win Kolkata Derby JCT pip Mumbai; ONGC hammer HAL RESULTS ONGC 4 HAL 0 Man-of-the match: Kailash Patil (ONGC)

JCT 1 Mumbai 0

Man-of-the match: Ajay Singh (JCT)

E Bengal 2 M Bagan 1

Man-of-the match : Mehtab Hussain (E Bengal) AGENCIES Kolkata, April 9: East Bengal kept their title hopes alive with a 2-1 victory over their traditional rivals Mohun Bagan in the I-League Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata here on Saturday.

East Bengal’s man inform Tolgay Ozbey made no mistake to put his side in front in the first half, while

Surkumar Singh brought Mohun Bagan back to level terms just after the break.

But it was Baljit Sahni, who netted the winner as East Bengal moved to second spot in the points table with 41 points.

Tolgay opened the account for East Bengal in the 7th minute. The Aussie striker dodged past Anwar inside the box to see his left

footer into the goal.

It was just what the doctor ordered for Mohun Bagan as their fight-back earned them the equaliser with Surkumar’s shot taking a deflection before making its way into the goal bringing the Mariners back into the match.

East Bengal didn’t crumble and Bajlit Sahni put his side in front once again in the match scoring in the 54th.

In Kholapur, ONGC grabbed a much needed win in their course to save the relegation defeating HAL 40 in an I-League encounter at the Sahu Maharaj ground.

The first goal though for the oilmen came in the 14th minute when their Japanese midfielder Katsumi Yusa scored from a free kick.

Badmus Babatunde then doubled his side lead in the 36th minute.

Bhattacharya’s decision of playing Kailash Patil in place of N D Opara worked in his favour as he scored two goals in the 48th and 59th minutes.

In Ludhiana, JCT were back to winning ways after registering a solitary goal victory over Mumbai FC in an I-League encounter at Guru Nanak Stadium.

Ajay Singh scored the allimportant goal in the 11th.

Raise the game, Mamic tells Churchill players HERALD CORRESPONDENT Margao, April 9: Churchill Brothers coach Croatian coach Drago Mamic has

asked his boys to rise above the levels of mediocrity or risk being left out the I-League title on the eve of their ILeague match against Chirag United at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda here on Sunday.

“We were looking ordinary in the last match against ONGC especially in the last 20 minutes of the second half,” admitted Drago.

Nigerian striker Odafe Okolie has now recovered and is ready to prove they are the champions material

There were no sign of nervousness in the Churchill Brothers camp after the morning session at Cuncolim.

“The boys know the importance of the match against Chirag. I told them what we must do, but most importantly they should go and enjoy the game,” said Mamic.

Chirag will surely miss the services of goalkeeper Ahbjit Mondal, midfielders Denson Devadas, Gouranga Boswas, defender Subahasish Roy

Chowdhiry as they are recovering from injuries. Chirag coach Subrato Bhatacharry is hoping that his team will come good on Sunday. “Injuries are part of the game. We will miss key players but we still have match winners in Sunil Chetri, Brazilian Josimar Da Silva, Nigerian Junior Elijah, Jerry Ziranga, Arnab Mondal, Lalkamal Bhomick and Anupam Sarkar. It will be a good contest tomorrow,” Bhattacharya said.

7 share lead in U-15 chess Adarsh up HERALD CORRESPONDENT HERALD SPORTS DESK Panjim, April 9: Top seed Cyrus Pereira, Niraj Saripalli, Shubham Sawaikar, Rishubh Naik, Suyan Belurkar, Kapil Pawse, Ritviz Parab lead jointly with 5.5 points each at the end of the 7th round of boys section in U-15 Goa State Chess.

A huge spate of draws continued with top seed Cyrus

drawing his last encounter with Kapil Pawse on top board. Others who followed the draw bandwagon were Niraj against Ritviz, Suyan against Shubham Sawaikar.

Following them are Tatvesh Sawant, Rohan Ahujaand Vipul Kulkarni on 5 points.

At the end of the 6th round of the girls section, overnight sole leader Urvi Bandekar (5) had mixed luck.

Calangute, April 9: Hosts Adarsh YS defeated Pilerne SC 2-1to move into the semi-finals of Rusi Daver Rolling Trophy Inter-Village Football at Saligao Sporting ground, on Saturday.

Adarsh took the lead in the 5th minute through Siddesh Kesarkar. Clyde Dias consolidated the lead. Pilerne reduced the margin through Agnelo Monteiro.

DB Oratory in NZ finals HERALD SPORTS REPORTER Mapusa, April 9: Hat-trick hero Patson Ribeiro ensured Don Bosco Oratory, Panjim marched into the North Zone final after defeating Goa United Sports Academy, Calangute 3-1 in GFA’s U-14 North play- off at Duler stadium here on Saturday. Don Bosco led 1-0 at the breather.

Don Bosco took the lead in the 28th minute with a superb strike from Patson.

Five minutes after the breather, Patson scrambled in his second from close range. Patson’s third came 11minutes from time.

Three minutes from the end Goa United scored a consolation goal through their inspirational captain

Emmanauel De Souza.

Don Bosco will meet Dunes, Mandrem in the final.

In a round up of the other U-14 play-off matches, Salcete FC detated Guardian Angel SC 4-1, Salgaocar SC (Jrs) overcame Orlim SC 4-0, Betalbatim SC defeated AA de Majorda 1-0 and Vasco Sports Club gained a walkover against Verna SC.

“

Goa I Sunday 10, April 2011

I think the players from the smaller towns sacrifice a bit more for developing their cricketing skills. They are a bit more motivated to make it big."

-- Sachin Tendulkar

Utorda down Davorlim Sporting Panjim, April 9: United Club of Utorda defeated Sporting Club of Davorlim 2-0 in AllGoa Panchayat Cup soccer at Cavelossim, Saturday.

Agnelo scored in the 12th.

Venson’s try was smartly saved by Utorda keeper Preston in the 19th. Agnelo scored his second goal for Utorda.

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sports

World Cup hero Yuvraj Singh agreed with Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni's comments that hectic schedule drained the players mentally and said they could not even get enough time to celebrate the historic triumph.

Man Utd top AFP London, April 9 : Manchester United shrugged off the absence of Wayne Rooney to defeat Fulham 2-0 at Old Trafford and open up a 10point lead at the top of the Premier League on Saturday.

United, still furious at the two-match ban handed out to Rooney for swearing, secured all three points thanks to Dimitar Berbatov's 22nd goal of the season and a close-range header from Antonio Valencia.

Chelsea kept alive their remote hopes of overhauling United with a 1-0 victory over Wigan at Stamford Bridge, Florent Malouda scoring the only goal as the Blues remained third, 11 points adrift of United.

Tottenham -- thrashed 4-0

by Real Madrid in midweek -- maintained their push for a place in next season's Champions League with a 32 win over Stoke at White Hart Lane to remain in fifth spot.

Peter Crouch bounced back from the disappointment of his red card in the Bernabeu to score twice, with Luka Modric grabbing Spurs' other goal. Stoke's goals came from Matthew Etherington and Kenwyne Jones. At the other end of the table, Wolves' battle against relegation suffered a setback as Everton romped to a 3-0 victory in the early kick-off at Molineux.

First-half goals from Jermaine Beckford, Phil Neville and Diniya Bilyaletdinov secured all three points for Everton, who remain in seventh spot after extending their unbeaten run to six matches.

But the defeat left Mick McCarthy's Wolves rooted in

the relegation mire, with the midlands club second from bottom with only six games remaining. Birmingham and Blackburn remain three points clear of the relegation zone after grinding out a 1-1 draw at Ewood Park.

Birmingham took the lead through a headed Lee Bowyer effort on 32 minutes only for Blackburn to level on half-time courtesy of David Hoilett.

West Ham missed the chance to pull themselves out of the drop zone after crashing to a 3-0 defeat at Bolton.

Bolton took the lead on 14 minutes with an exquisite strike from Daniel Sturridge, the on-loan Chelsea striker curling a shot from the edge of the area beyond the grasp of West Ham keeper Robert Green.

Lee Chung-Yong made it 2-0 for the Trotters on 20 minutes, heading in at the near post from Martin Petrov's cross before Sturridge grabbed his second.

West Bromwich Albion eased their relegation fears against Sunderland, twice coming from behind to snatch a 3-2 victory at the Stadium of Light as the Baggies revival under Roy Hodgson continued.

PREMIER LEAGUE Man Utd 2 Fulham 0 Chelsea 1 Wigan 0 Tottenham 3 Stoke 2 Sunderland 2 West Brom 3 Bolton 3 West Ham 0 Wolves 0 Everton 3 Blackburn 1 Birmingham 1

Vettel on pole AFP Sepang, April 9: World champion Sebastien Vettel stormed to pole position for the Malaysian Grand Prix in a thrilling qualifying session Saturday as Red Bull's misfiring power-boost system finally came good.

The German ace narrowly beatMcLaren'sLewisHamilton byjustoverone-tenthofasecond in the session's dying moments, withVettel'sRedBullteam-mate Mark Webber third and Jenson Button (McLaren) fourth.

Australia win AFP Dhaka, April 9: Michael Clarke celebrated his captaincy debut with a responsible century as Australia raced to an emphatic 60-run victory over Bangladesh in the opening one-day international on Saturday.

The stylish middle-order batsman, leading in his first one-day series after replacing Ricky Ponting as skipper last month, scored 101 for his sixth one-day hundred to help his team post a challenging 270-7 on a slow pitch.

Bangladesh never looked like achieving the target despite half-centuries from opener Tamim Iqbal (62) and skipper Shakib Al Hasan (51), finishing at 210-5. The Bangladeshi captain completed 3,000 one-day runs during his knock.

Mushfiqur Rahim (44 not out) and Mohammad Mahmudullah (28 not out) were the other notable contributors for Bangladesh, who now trail 1-0 in the threematch series. The last two one-dayers will be played in Dhaka on April 11 and 13.

“

Goa I Sunday 10, April 2011

It was an important win and at this stage of the season that's the name of the game.

-- United boss Sir Alex Ferguson

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sports

Rajasthan Royals' skipper Shane Warne feels that dismissing Deccan Chargers captain Kumar Sangakkara and dashing South African batsman J P Duminy was turning point during their eight-wicket win.

Deccan have got a pretty good side, but getting Sangakkara and Duminy out was the key.

RC spoil Kochi party AFP Kochi, April 9: AB de Villiers smashed a quickfire 54 as the Royal Challengers Bangalore spoilt the Indian Premier League debut of Kochi Tuskers Kerala with a six-wicket win on Saturday.

Chasing a stiff 162, Bangalore overhauled the target with eight balls to spare in the high-scoring thriller at the Nehru Stadium, hosting its first IPL match, with de Villiers 40-ball unbeaten

half-century the pick of the batting.

Bangalore looked in trouble at 137-4 in the 18th over

but de Villiers held his nerve and Asad Pathan hit three fours in a row to pull off a fine win for the team, which is owned by multi-millionaire liquor baron Vijay Mallya.

Batting first, Kochi rode on a rollicking 80-run opening stand between Brendon McCullum and Venkatsai Laxman to pile up 161-5 off 20 overs.

McCullum, the first century-maker of the IPL, hammered 45 off 32 balls and Test specialist Laxman

Botha stars in Sachin’s MI square off against Viru’s Devils Royals victory PTI

Rajasthan Royals player Johan Botha plays the winning shot against Deccan Chargers at Rajiv Gandhi international stadium in Hyderabad on Saturday.

PTI Hyderabad, April 9: Johan Botha smashed his way to an unbeaten half-century as Rajasthan Royals kicked off their campaign in the fourth edition of the Indian Premier League with a comfortable eight-wicket win over Deccan Chargers here today.

Electing to field after skipper Shane Warne won the toss, Rajasthan rode on Siddharth Trivedi's three for 15 and Amit Singh's three for 35 to restrict Chargers to none -

- too impressive 137 in their stipulated 20 overs.

Chasing a modest total, Rajasthan then rode on Botha's unbeaten 47-ball 67 to romp home in 18.5 overs.

Botha's innings included eight boundaries and a massive six.

After the bowlers' disciplined show, Amit Paunikar and Rahul Dravid failed to set the stage ablaze, but made valuable contributions which proved handy in the end, at the Rajiv Gandhi International stadium.

New Delhi, April 9: It will be a 'clash of titans' at the Feroz Shah Kotla when Sachin Tendulkar’s Mumbai Indians take on a new-look Delhi Daredevils led by Virender Sehwag in their opening match of the Indian Premier League here tomorrow.

There are enough ingredi-

which lost as many as seven (Gautam Gambhir, AB de Villiers, Ashish Nehra, Pradeep Sangwan, Daniel Vettori, Mithun Manhas, Rajat Bhatia) of their key players, it will be a real challenge to do well with a set-up that neither consists of any big international names nor an Indian player of repute save the skipper and South African speedster Morne Morkel.

Pune Warriors look for dream IPL debut

PTI

SCorEboArd Deccan Chargers: S Dhawan c Raut b A Singh 24, I Jaggi c Botha b Warne 25, K Sangakkara c Paunikar b Trivedi 0, B Chipli b Trivedi 6, JP Duminy c Botha b Warne 14, T Christian c Rahane b Trivedi 26, D Ravi Teja c Menaria b A Singh 28, D Steyn c Botha b A Singh 7, A Mishra not out 2, I Sharma not out 1. Extras: 4. Total: 137 for 8. Fall of wickets: 1-40, 2-40, 3-53, 4-69, 5-77, 6-114, 7130, 8-134. Bowling: J Oram 2-0-13-0, Amit Singh 4-0-35-3, J Botha 4-0-31-0, S Trivedi 4-0-15-3, S Warne 4-0-21-2, A Menaria 1-0-8-0, S Binny 1-0-14-0.

Rajasthan Royals: A Paunikar c Sangakkara b Steyn 20, R Dravid b Steyn 28, J Bothanot out 67, R Taylor not out 21. Extras: 5. Total: 141 for 2. Fall of wickets: 1-31, 2-83. Bowling: P Ojha 3.5-0-44-0, D Steyn 4-0-18-2, I Sharma 4-0-24-0, T Christian 3-0-25-0, A Mishra 4-0-28-0. Man-of-the-match: S Trivedi.

ents for a mouthwatering contest as two of the biggest names in Indian cricket will be out to prove their supremacy.

Mumbai Indians, who were the finalists last year, are easily the favourites on paper with Tendulkar, Kieron Pollard, Andrew Symonds ready to take any attack to the cleaners with their murderous approach.

For Delhi Daredevils,

TodAy’S FIxTurES

Delhi Daredevils v.

Mumbai Indians, 4 p.m.

Pune Warriors v.

Kings Punjab, 8 p.m.

Mumbai, April 9: After a stunning all round show for triumphant Team India in the World Cup, Yuvraj Singh is all set to lead debutantes Pune Warriors in the fourth IPL against Kings XI Punjab at the D Y Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai tomorrow.

The talented left-hander, who received the man of the tournament award in the World Cup for his superb display, has to put behind those heady feelings and celebrations and inspire his team to a dream debut against his former franchise outfit.

Yuvraj has, at his command, what on paper appears to be a good and balanced outfit. But injuries

No issue regarding Bhajji-Symonds row: Pollock PTI New Delhi, April 9: Mumbai Indians mentor-cumbowling coach Shaun Pollock feels that there's "absolutely no issue" in the team ranks as far as the relationship between old foes Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds is concerned.

The off-spinner and the star Australian batsman were involved in the infamous 'Monkeygate' scandal during a Test match at Sydney in 2007-08 series Down Under.

"I have been a part of many teams over the years.

Trust me, not everyone is best of friends with the other.

It doesn't happen like that.

These two (Harbhajan and Symonds) are professional cricketers. They know their job is to perform for the team," Pollock tried to set the record straight when media inquired about whether the duo have been gelling well or not.

to key bowlers, India's Cupwinning member Ashish Nehra and Angelo Matthews of Sri Lanka, present him with a challenge to shuffle his attack.

With only four foreign players eligible to be in the playing eleven and in the absence of the two injured players, Yuvraj and coach Geoff Marsh, the former Australian opener, have left-arm medium pacer Wayne Parnell and right-handed duo of Jerome Taylor and Alphonso Thomas to choose from.

With offie Nathan McCullum, left-arm Murali Karthik and he himself available for bowling the slow stuff, the Pune bowling appears to cover a lot of base in the spin department.

carted a 26-ball 39 with two fours and two sixes to underline his worth in the shortest format of the game.

New Zealand left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori was the most impressive among the Bangalore bowlers, giving away just 17 runs while taking one wicket in his four overs.

Kochi, led by Sri Lankan Mahela Jayawardene, is one of the two debutant teams in the this year's lucrative Twenty20 competition alongside Pune Warriors.

SCorEboArd Kochi Tuskers: Brendon McCullum c Nannes b Kohli 45, VVS Laxman c Pujara b Dilshan 36, Mahela Jayawardene st de Villiers b Vettori 18, Brad Hodge b Khan 27, Ravindra Jadeja not out 23, Raiphi Gomez c Tiwary b Nannes 0, Parthiv Patel not out 1. Extras: 11. Total: 161 for 5. Fall of wickets: 1-80, 2-93, 3-124, 4-147, 5152. Bowling: Zaheer Khan 4-0-28-1, Dirk Nannes 3-0-31-1, Daniel Vettori 4-0-17-1, Dilshan 40-30-1, Mithun 1-0-19-0, Kohli 20-14-1, Pathan 2-0-19-0.

Royal Challengers: Mayank Agarwal c Vinay Kumar b Jadeja 33, T Dilshan c McCullum b Sreesanth 1, Virat Kohli lbw b Vinay 23, AB de Villiers not out 54, Saurabh Tiwary c Jayawardene b Gomez 26, Asad Pathan not out 12. Extras: 13. Total: 162 for 4. Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-48, 3-85, 4-137. Bowling: RP Singh 3-0-29-0, Sreesanth 3-0-28-1, Jadeja 4-0-28-1, Vinay Kumar 3.4-0-26-1, Muralitharan 4-0-27-0, Gomez 1-0-20-1. Manof-the-match: AB de Villiers.

“

Goa I Sunday 10, April 2011

The match was still even by the 18th over. We had the experience to pull it back. I am happy to have helped the team win.

-- A B de Villiers

Sania’s fine run ends

AGENCIES

Charleston, April 9: Sania Mirza bowed out of the singles event of the WTA Family Circle Cup but advanced to the doubles semi-finals along with Elena Vesnina.

Sania's brilliant singles run ended with a 6-2, 2-6, 2-6 quarter-final defeat against Chinese 11th seed Peng Shuai.

In the doubles quarter-finals, the unseeded pair of Sania and Elena came from behind to beat Alla Kudryavtseva of Rus-

sia and Anastasia Rodionova of Australia 3-6, 6-2, 10-8. In the semi-finals, they will take on Ji Zheng and Shuai.

Pg IV

OHERALDO

GOA, SUNDAY, 10 APRIL, 2011

THE INDIAN NAVY TO JOIN THE INDIAN NAVY AS SHORT SERVICE COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AS PILOT/OBSERVER COURSE COMMENCING JAN 2012

FLY WITH INDIAN NAVY - LIFE WITHOUT LIMITS 1. Applications are invited from unmarried Indian citizens for Short Service Commission (SSC) as PILOT/OBSERVER in the Executive Branch of the Indian Navy for Course commencing Jan 2012 at the Indian Naval Academy Ezhimala, Kerala.

ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS 2. Age . 19 to 23 years born between 02 Jan 1989 and 01 Jan 1993 ; both dates inclusive.

Note . Applicants who have FAILED in PABT (Pilot Aptitude Battery Test) earlier are not eligible for Pilot Entry, but can apply for the Observer Entry scheme.

3. Educational Qualifications A graduate degree in any discipline with minimum 60% marks. Should have 15. qualified Mathematics & Physics at 10+2 level.

4. The gender requirement is as follows:-

(e) Change of SSB Centre for interview is not permissible. (f) Any correspondence regarding change of SSB dates be addressed to the President of the SSB on receipt of call up letter and copy endorsed to Directorate of Manpower Planning & Recruitment (OI&R), Room No 204, ‘C’ Wing. Sena Bhavan, IHQ-MoD (N), New Delhi-110011 (Fax No 011-23011282). (g) No compensation will be paid in respect of any injury sustained as a result of tests. (h) Return 3rd AC rail fare is admissible for the SSB interview, if appearing for the first time for this entry.

Male candidates who do not clear PABT/Aviation medicals and have opted for Short Service Executive (Genral Service) will only be considered for the same, if qualified medically & educationally {BE/ BTech/BSc(Phy & Maths)}. This is subject to availability of vacancies Sl. No. Branch/Cadre Gender and on their position in the merit list.

01 Pilot Men DUTIES OF PILOT OFFICER 16. On completion of basic flying training and on award of wings after 02 Observer Men & Women commission, you would have an opportunity to fly Fixed Wing Aircraft or Note :- Candidates who have not completed their Degree (i.e. appearing candidates) helicopters. This could be from an aircraft carrier, other ships decks or from an need not apply. airfield ashore. You would be flying machines at the cutting edge of technology.

5. Physical Standards (a) Height and Weight . Minimum height for men162.5 cms and for women You would actively participate in all facets of Naval Operations, i.e. Air, surface 152 cm with correlated weight, leg length, sitting height and thigh length. and sub-surface operations. An honourable, exciting & adventurous life awaits (b) Eye Sight . The minimum acceptable vision standard for distant vision 6/6, you as a pilot in the Navy.

6/9 correctable to 6/6, 6/6. Should not be colour/night blind.

Note :- There will be no relexation in Physical Standards.

DUTIES OF AN OBSERVER OFFICER INDUCTION AND TRAINING 6. Candidates will be inducted under Short Service Commission Scheme. Short 17. On completion of training, you would be part of the Indian Naval Aviation Service Commission is granted for a term of 10 years, extendable to 14 years, Arm. Your primary task would be to operate various state of the art equipment subject to service requirement and performance/willingness of the candidate. including sonics, sonars, radars and communication equipment. You would On completion of these tenures, officers are entitled for gratuity under the get an opportunity to participate in all facets of Naval operations onboard the extant rules. The Officers will be on probation for a period of two years, “eyes of the fleet”-the Maritime Patrol aircraft. during which they are liable to be discharged if their performance is THE NAVY OFFERS YOU unsatisfactory.

7. Pilot Entry . Pilot candidates will be inducted as Cadets and undergo Naval 18.

Pay Scale & Promotions . The promotion from Sub Lieutenant to Orientation Course at the Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala. This will be followed

by Stage I and Stage -II flying training at the Air Force Academy/Naval Commander is on time scale basis and thereafter on selection basis subject establishments. On successful completion of Stage II training the Cadets will to fulfilment of requisite service condition. The Pay Scale and promotion criteria is as follows:be awarded wings and commissioned as Sub-Lieutenants.

8. Observer Entry . Observer candidates will be inducted as officers in the RANK PAY BANDS/SCALE GRADE PAY MSP rank of Sub Lieutenant and undergo Naval Orientation Course at the Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, Kerala followed by professional training at various SUB LIEUTENANT PB-3/15600-39100 5400 6000 Naval Training Establishments/Units/Ships. Full pay and allowances are LIEUTENANT PB-3/15600-39100 6100 6000 admissible to officers whilst under training.

9. Training - The training is scheduled to commence in the month of Jan 2012 .

LIEUTENANT CDR PB-3/15600-39100 6600 6000 Only unmarried candidates are eligible to undergo training. Any candidate COMMANDER PB-4/37400-67000 8000 6000 who is found to be married or marries while under training will be discharged and shall be liable to REFUND full pay & allowances drawn by him/her and 19. Allowances (as applicable) . The rates of allowances applicable to expenditure incurred on him/her by the Government. officers are as follows:IMPORTANT - Officers inducted under these schemes will not be given extension beyond fourteen years and will not be eligible for permanent commission .

HOW TO APPLY 10. Candidates have the option of submitting application in 'physical format ' or e-application ' (Online ) for this entry. Candidates can only apply in one of the aforementioned formats. Receipt of multiple applications from the same candidate will result in cancellation of his candidature. The candidates desirous of applying online (e-application) can do so from 05 Apr 11 The online application registration will cease on 20 Apr 11 .

IMPORTANT. Candidates those who are eligible and willing to APPLY for both the Entries are required to give their PRIORITY as mentioned in Para 13 of the Application Form.

11.

Physical Application (by Post) :-Application Forms in accordance with the prescribed format (given on website www.nausena-bharti.nic.in) and complete in all respects with superscription on the envelope “APPLICATION FOR SSC PILOT/OBSERVER # - JAN 2012 COURSE Qualification........ Percentage........% are to be sent to the address given below by 29 Apr 2011 .

POST BAG NO. 02, SAROJINI NAGAR, NEW DELHI – 110023 # As Appropriate Note :- (i) Applications sent by Speed Post/Registered Post/Courier will not be accepted. (ii) Application not as per Format will be REJECTED. (iii) Application should be sent along with the following documents:- Self attested photograph, Attested photo copies of 10th & 12th class certificates along with Mark Sheets, other educational certificates and mark sheets of all semesters/years.

12. Online(e-application) :- Whilst filling up the e-application, it is advisible to keep the relevant documents readily available to enable the following:(a) Correct filling up of personal particulars. Details are to be filled up as given in the Matriculation Certificate. (b) Fields such as e-mail address, mobile number are mandatory fields and need to be filled.

13. Filling up of e-application :- For filling up application Online visit our website www.nausena-bharti.nic.in and proceed as follows:(a) Click on the "Officer Entry" button under the option 'Apply Online' on the Home Page. (b) Fill the online registration form for Pilot/Observer Entry. Tips to assist in filling up fields have been provided as you highlight each field. (c) Before clicking the Submit button it should be checked whether all the details entered in the form are correct as you will not be able to make any corrections after saving the record. (d) After submitting the form, a 'Roll Number ' will be generated by the system and displayed on the screen. This Roll Number will automatically appear on the printout of the form. If the system does not generate the Roll Number, it is an indication of non-acceptance of Application by the system. (e) Print two copies of this Application Form having the system generated Roll Number. One copy of this Applicaiton Form is to be duly signed and mailed (posted) to Post Box No. 02, Sarojini Nagar, New Delhi 110 023 along with the following documents:- Self attested photograph, Attested photo copies of 10th & 12th class certificates along with Mark Sheets, other educational certificates and mark sheets of all semesters/years. (f) A superscription is to be made on envelope : "ONLINE ROLL NO. ___ APPLICATION FOR SSC PILOT/OBSERVER ## - JAN 2012 COURSE" Qualification ___ Percentage _____% . Application and requisite enclosures must be properly tagged/stapled, IHQ MoD(Navy) will not be responsible for loss of enclosures, if sent loose. # # As Appropriate Note :- (i) Final receipt of the printout of the Online Application Form with system generated Roll Number and all documents as mentioned in sub para (e) above (by 29 Apr 2011 ) will be the final CONFIRMATION of receipt of your Application at IHQ MoD(N). Hence, only filling the application Online/generation of Roll Number does not imply that the candidate has fulfilled all the criteria given in the advertisement. (ii)Your application is subject to subsequent scrutiny and the application can be rejected, if found INELIGIBLE at any point of time.

SELECTION PROCEDURE 14. (a) Candidates will be issued call up for Service Selection Board (SSB) interviews based on their performance in educational qualification. If a candidate possesses higher qualification with better percentage, his higher qualification will be considered for cut off. Integrated Headquarters, Ministry of Defence (Navy) reserves the right to short-list applications and to fix cut off percentage. No communication will be entertained on this account. (b) SSB interviews for short-listed candidates will be scheduled from Jul to Nov 2011 at Bangalore. (c) The total duration of SSB interviews is five days, consisting of stage I (Day one) and stage II (Four days). Stage I Tests, consist of Intelligence Tests, Picture Perception and Group Discussion Tests.Candidates who fail to qualify in Stage I will be sent back on the same day from SSB Centre.

Stage II Tests consists of Psychological Tests, Group Task Tests and Interview. Successful candidates will undergo the following:(i) For Pilot Cadre - PABT (Pilot Aptitude Battery Tests) followed by Aviation Medical examination. (ii) For Observer Cadre - Aviation Medical examination (d) Candidates recommended by the SSBs, cleared PABT (for Pilot Entry) and declared medically fit will be appointed for training based on merit list and depending on the number of vacancies available.

Allowances

To whom granted

Instructional

All Officers posted as Instructor

Rate Per Month (pm) (in Rs) 800/pm 9000-14000/pm

Diving

800/400/pm

Sea going (Sailing Only)

All Naval Officers Serving Onboard Ships

IN PILOT/OBSERVER CADRE OF THE INDIAN NAVY FOR COURSE COMMENCING- JAN 2012 Regd No. ....................................... (For Official use only)

1.

Applying for course

............... PILOT

OBSERVER

BOTH

(Mention your PRIORITY at Para 13 below) 2.

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Stop repressing citizens: Obama to Syrian Govt

pTI WASHINGTON, APRIL 9

US President Barack Obama has asked the Syrian Government to stop repressing its citizens, after at least 170 people were killed in three weeks of pro-democracy protests that has shaken the regime of President Bashar Assad.

Asking the regime to listen to the voices of its people

who are calling for meaningful political and economic reforms, Obama said, “Until now, the Syrian government has not addressed the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people. Violence and detention are not the answer to the grievances of the Syrian people.”

“It is time for the Syrian government to stop repressing its citizens and to listen to the voices of the Syrian people calling for meaningful political and economic reforms,” he said in a statement.

A mass protest yesterday claimed at least 32 lives yesterday in fresh violence, taking the toll to more than 170 killed in three weeks of mass protests against the regime of Bashar Assad.

Strongly condemning the abhorrent violence committed against peaceful protesters by the Syrian government today and over the past few weeks, Obama also condemned any use of violence by protesters.

“The United States extends our condolences to the families and loved ones of all the vic-

tims.

I call upon the Syrian authorities to refrain from any further violence against peaceful protestors,” he said.

Furthermore, the arbitrary arrests, detention, and torture of prisoners that has been reported must end now, and the free flow of information must be permitted so that there can be independent verification of events on the ground, Obama said.

Throughout this time of upheaval, the American people have heard the voices of the Syrian people, who have demonstrated extraordinary courage and dignity, and who deserve a government that is responsive to their aspirations, he said.

“Syrians have called for the freedoms that individuals around the world should enjoy: freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; and a government that is transparent and free of corruption.

These rights are universal, and they must be respected in Syria,” Obama said.

Palestinian children gather around a destroyed car in Gaza City on Saturday as the Israeli army pounded the Gaza Strip, killing at least 12 people as militants fired dozens of mortar rounds and rockets into southern Israel in the deadliest 24 hours of violence since a devastating war ended more than two years ago.

Last-minute deal avoids US govt shutdown pTI WASHINGTON, APRIL 9

A last minute deal on budgetary spending between Republicans, Democrats and the White House reached late on Friday night avoided an imminent government shutdown.

“In the final hours before our government would have been forced to shut down, leaders in both parties reached an agreement that will allow our small businesses to get the loans they need, our families to get the mortgages they applied for and hundreds of thousands of Americans to show up at work and take home their paychecks on time, including our brave men and women in uniform,” US President Barack Obama announced about an hour

before the shutdown was to begin Friday mid-night.

“This agreement between Democrats and Republicans on behalf of all Americans is on a budget that invests in our future while making the largest annual spending cut in our history. Like any worthwhile compromise, both sides had to make tough decisions and give ground on issues that were important to them. And I certainly did that,” Obama said speaking from the historic Blue Room of the White House.

Obama’s statement was preceded by hours of negotiations and several meetings between Obama, the House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner and the Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

“We have agreed to an historic amount of cuts for the remainder of this fiscal year, as well as a short-term bridge that will give us time to avoid a shutdown while we get that agreement through both houses and to the President,” said Reid and Boehner in a joint statement.

“We will cut USD 78.5 billion below the President’s 2011 budget proposal and we have reached an agreement on the policy riders,” they said.

“In the meantime, the Congress passed a short-term resolution to keep the government running through Thursday. That short-term bridge will cut the first USD 2 billion of the total savings,” the two Congressional leaders said.

The news was first broken by Boehner himself at Capitol Hill, less than 70 minutes before the imminent government shutdown.

“I’m pleased that Senator Reid and I and the White House have been able to come to an agreement that will, in fact, cut spending and keep our government open. And I expect that the House will vote yet tonight on a shortterm continuing resolution till next week to allow for time for this agreement to be put together in legislative form and brought to the floor of the House and Senate for a vote,” he said.

“As you all know, this has

been a lot of discussion and a long fight. But we fought to keep government spending down because it really will, in fact, help create a better environment for job creators in our country,” Boehner said.

Ten minutes later, Obama went on air to thank Boehner and Reid for their leadership and their dedication during this process.

“A few months ago, I was able to sign a tax cut for American families because both parties worked through their differences and found common ground. Now the same cooperation will make possible the biggest annual spending cut in history,” Obama said.

“And it’s my sincere hope that we can continue to come together as we face the many difficult challenges that lie ahead, from creating jobs and growing our economy to educating our children and reducing our deficit. That’s what the American people expect us to do.

That’s why they send us here,” he said.

Iran N-plant to resume work early May afp TEHRAN, APRIL 9

Iran said Saturday that its first nuclear power plant will resume work early May, a day after the facility’s Russian contractor acknowledged reloading the fuel in the plant.

“We hope that the Bushehr power plant reaches critical phase between May 5 and 10,” Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi, who previously headed the Islamic republic’s atomic body, was quoted as saying by Fars news agency.

He said the fuel supplied by Moscow was “removed from the reactor’s core, was washed... and as of yesterday it was reloaded”.

Engineers had began removing the fuel in late February due to an apparent technical fault.

26/11 case: Pak court adjourns trial till April 16 pTI ISLAMABAD, APRIL 9

An anti-terrorism court today adjourned the trial of LeT’s Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi and six other suspects charged with involvement in the Mumbai attacks till April 16 after hearing arguments on an application filed by defence lawyers to expedite the proceedings.

The application, filed in February, seeks to counter the prosecution’s efforts to make Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving attacker involved in the 2008 Mumbai strikes, and terror suspect Fahim Ansari part of the trial in Pakistan. Both Kasab and Ansari are currently in custody in India.

During today’s proceedings, Judge Rana Nisar Ahmed of the Rawalpindi-based court heard arguments by lawyers defending the seven suspects.

The judge is conducting the proceedings behind closed doors at the heavily-guarded Adiala Jail for security reasons.

Prosecution lawyer Chaudhry Zulfiqar, who appeared for the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), sought an adjournment, saying another prosecutor, Chaudhry Azhar, would present arguments on the matter at the next hearing.

The judge then adjourned the case till April 16.

The application filed by the defence lawyers has sought the start of trial proceedings as soon as possible and recording of evidence against the accused.

The application was filed

under Section 403 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and Article 13 of the Constitution, which state that no person can be prosecuted or punished for the same offence more than once, defence lawyer Shahbaz Rajput told PTI. The defence lawyers argued that Kasab had already been convicted and sentenced to death by an Indian court for his role in the Mumbai attacks.

The same Indian court had acquitted Ansari, they have told the court.

Despite the acquittal, Ansari continues to be in custody in connection with other cases.

The defence lawyers have contended that the prosecution wants to produce witnesses like Kasab and Ansari to whom it has no access and this has resulted in “inordinate and indefinite” delays in the proceedings in Pakistan.

“The prosecution’s efforts to declare Kasab and Ansari as fugitives makes no sense as they are not willfully avoiding the Pakistani court,” Rajput said.

“We have argued that the case of Kasab and Ansari should be separated from that of the seven accused so that the proceedings can get underway,” he said.

“Even if the prosecution manages to bring Kasab and Ansari to Pakistan, Section 403 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and Article 13 of the Constitution will apply as they have already been tried,” he added.

in brief Japan godfather released from jail TOKYO: The leader of Japan’s largest crime syndicate was released from jail Saturday after serving more than five years, local media reported.

Kenichi Shinoda, 69, wearing a dark brown leather hat and sunglasses, walked out of Fuchu jail at 5:50 am to a waiting van, TV footage showed. Police are bracing for “aggressive activities” by the Yamaguchi-gumi gang that Shinoda heads, Kyodo News reported.

The 35,000-strong gang boasts more than 40 percent of all mob members in Japan, and it is now expected to step up efforts to extend its influence from the west of the country to the Tokyo area.

Rescue workers find piles of cash in rubble

TOKYO: Hit by world’s worst calamity in recent times, the Japanese haven’t lost their honesty even in adversity.

Rescue workers and ordinary people have been turning in millions in ‘lost’ cash found in the rubble in mud-covered coastal areas in the northeastern region of the country.

Police in Iwate and Miyagi Prefectures, which were the worstaffected in the recent giant tsunami, are saying that they are receiving tons of cash everyday from the people engaged in clearing the rubble.

Though under Japan’s laws people who find money can keep it, the quake and tsunami-hit people, most of whom have lost all their life earnings, have not been tempted by wads of currency notes found in the rubble.

Kyodo news agency quoted rescue agencies as saying that the survivors are urging the government to use the found piles of cash for reconstruction of the ravaged areas, till the owners were found.

OHERALDO

INDIA

GOA, SUNDAY, 10 APRIL 2011

Kerala, WB suffered under LDF rule: PM PTI KOTTAYAM (Kerala), APRIL 9

Launching a blistering attack on Left parties, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said West Bengal and Kerala have suffered under their rule as they refused to change with time and remained on the “wrong side of history”.

The Left had not only failed to help the states which they ruled to march ahead but “they also try to give garb of ideology to political opportunism”, Singh said, taking on the communist parties in the LDF-ruled Kerala at an election meeting here.

“It is unfortunate that the Left Front refuses to change with time. The result is that they pursue policies and programmes that are not relevant to time”, Singh said.

“When I came during the Lok Sabha polls I had said that our Left friends are on the wrong side of history. I reiterate that”, he said in his first campaign meeting for the April 13 Kerala Assembly polls.

Singh said everybody was aware of the “damage” done to West Bengal by the Left Front by their more than three decades rule and they also failed to take Kerala forward.

“Under the LDF rule your state (Kerala) has not progressed as much as it could have and should have.”

While the interests of the common man were neglected under the Left rule, CPI(M) party workers gained at the cost of ordinary people, Singh said.

Assam looking for change: Patowary PTI NALBARI, APRIL 9

Opposition Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) president Chandra Mohan Patowary on Saturday said people were looking for a change in Assam, fed up with the tenyear rule of Congress.

“There are winds of change and the people’s mood is palpable. They want change”, Patowary told a huge public rally here.

“The opposition has got a very good chance to form the government as the people have realised their mistake of voting for the Congress”, he said.

“Corruption at all levels and price rise have hit hard the common man.. The government both in the state and the Centre are controlled by big businessmen”, Patowary, whose home district is Nalbari said.

“People are looking for relief from the corrupt reign of Tarun Gogoi and a wave of regionalism is flowing across the state”, he said.

In the event of coming to power, the AGP president said venture schools will be regularised and better irrigation facilities will be provided to the farmers.

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That old saying, how you always hurt the one you love, well, it works both ways - Chuck Palahniuk

Rewind a little to pre ‘O Maria’ days: Konkani cinema was stuck in the rut of a vicious circle. The filmmakers bemoaned the fact that the Goans did not venture out to the theatres to watch Konkani films. Whereas, the film buffs groused about the poor quality of films produced. Even today, most filmmakers cry hoarse for want of funds. A handful also point fingers at the dissatisfactory functioning of the Film Finance Scheme. The lament is that the funds do not reach the deserving filmmakers.

The very selection committee is questioned as inefficient members sitting at the helm. The members, on the other hand argued that in drafting of the scheme, when the mandate itself is defective, how can the members be blamed?

Amidst this vicious circle, what is sharply evident is the fact that there is a lack of passion and the go-getter attitude on the part of filmmakers. How many can openly claim that they have sincerely endeavoured in giving good Konkani cinema? Majority of the ones produced in recent times have been video films, mainly by directors and producers of ‘tiatr’, which lack aesthetics of quality films found in mainstream cinema. As for the movie goers, they are content with watching the English and Hindi films. They are appalled at the poor quality of Konkani films made. Can we blame them?

The few who patronise these films are the ones who want to keep Konkani cinema alive.

In such a scenario ‘O Maria’ stands out as a shining example of making a quality film and succeeding.

For Talak it is a case of vindication as film critics touted Shetgaonkar as a lone

A New Era for Konkani Cinema?

A still from ‘O Maria’

BY CHRISTINA VIEGAS HERALD FEATURES onkani cinema has been grappling to position itself among other regional cinemas of India and among world cinema. The first Konkani film, ‘Mogacho Anvddo’ was made six decades ago. Two other films followed: ‘Amchem Noxib’ and ‘Nirmonn’. Film experts vouch that the above stated films were honest endeavours by the filmmakers in terms of significant storytelling; they were fairly cinematic too. But all these releases were sporadic and did not engender dynamic filmmaking.

Yet, in the recent past, Laxmikant Shetgaokar brought a rare honour to the state – an international award! And this was followed

by Rajendra Talak’s ‘O Maria’. The film has no violence, no sex, no titillating item numbers and yet has completed 100 days and gone on to become a huge commercial success. And cinema goers are still crowding in to watch the film; more so on the weekends.

The film also garnered in heaps of praise in the House; there was also a debate on saving Goan identity and the need for a film institute in the state to nurture young talent. There were also discussions on the need for Konkani films to get exemptions and suggestions that the government should take the responsibility to screen them for some days. This even prompted CM, Digambar Kamat to appeal to Goans to take advantage of the film financing scheme of the State Government.

K

Over the decades, it was baffling to pinpoint the exact reasons for the pathetic state of Konkani cinema. Was it lack of quality films or apathy on the part of audiences?

But ‘Paltadacho Munis’ and ‘O Maria’ happened. Will these films herald a new era for Konkani Cinema?

Panning behind the scenes of the state of Konkani cinema in Goa

Aunddo Magacho

Nirmon

Sukhachem Sopon

example of a filmmaking genius. They even questioned the credibility of the national award winning Konkani films saying that these films bagged awards as they faced only a second other film for competition. But we won’t dwell on what some film critics had to say as every filmmaker (whether Hollywood, Bollywood or right here in Goa) asserts that they make films for the people and not for the critics.

There is no two ways that one has to feel the passion from within to create good cinema. All Goans are very talented but we need to first prove ourselves with good scripts before complaining about what the government is doing for us. We should remember that Konkani cinema was not born after the launch of the scheme; in the past, we had good films like ‘Amchem Noxib’ and ‘Nirmonn’ which substantiates the fact that the film culture in Goa is not new. Besides, when majority of Bollywood filmmakers are doing their every bit to portray Goa in bad light and cash in on the negative depiction, who better to make a good film showcasing the real Goa than a resident of Goa? Presently, Talak has every reason to celebrate the unique feat of his film; a Konkani film running in the theatre for a record 100 plus days. Here is hoping that Shetgaonkar and Talak have initiated the route to a new era in Konkani cinema!

Living his Dream through Tiatr Passionate about tiatr from a very young age, Katkulleancho Patxea or Comedian Agostinho has made it in the world of tiatr. His self-directed tiatr Police Part I, was well-received and completed 200 shows, which made him a happy man.

Here is more to the man

NIEM: Eleven Years of Dedicated Service to Event Studies

This event management institute, with a Limca Book record for being Asia’s first and best event college is calling out to Goan students (l to r) Mario Menezes, Monica Dias, inspector Sammy Tavares, drummer Jack Rebello, Katkulleancho Patxea Comedian Agostinho Temudo, Jerryton Fernandes and Manfa and proprietor Fabian Da Costa celebrate 200 shows of Police Part I

W

Amchem Noxib

BY RON FIDELIS e all learn from our experiences – some good, some bitter.

After picking on the life of Scarlet, the tourist who was raped and murdered in Goa, and her mother, thereby overshadowing the follies in this case in his blockbuster tiatr, Police, comedian Agostinho seems a wiser man and remorseful too, for his previous actions. “Whenever there is a gruesome death, murder, suicide, burning or something like that and even mothers, fathers, wives and relatives of the victims cannot bear the stink, it’s the police who finally pick up the pieces,” went a line from Police Part I. However, it was interesting to listen to his take on the police after hearing recent news reports. “Well, Police Part I was an attempt to encourage the public to have better ties with the police by understanding that they too are human and there are surely bad apples in every basket.” In this endeavour, he however ended up glorifying the police at certain points as well. “I may have gone a bit overboard there,” he sincerely admits, in retrospect.

“Now, it’s become very messy. I feel like I could come up with a whole tiatr based solely on their misdeeds,” he jokes. “But then again the bottom-line is that we can’t lose hope in the integrity and sincerity of many honest officers within the force as well,” he concludes.

Happily married to Jesmina Temuda from Chinchinim and the proud father of two boys and a girl, Agostinho is the eldest of four brothers and two sisters. For the man who is called Katkuleancho Patxai courteously

christened by Jerryton Dias when Agostinho’s tiatr Police Part I turned 200 in 2009, life has not been as easy. “I started with Suseg and have written nine tiatrs ever since, this last current one being Godfather. And although I do not have a story yet, I know the next tiatr will be called Public,” he divulges.

Like many more tiatrists, Agostinho too began with village shows. Later, slowly but steadily he started growing with it. “I first got my chance on the professional stage in a tiatr by Lino Dourado from San Jose de Areal.

It was a comedian’s role,” he recalls.

However after his success with Police, he has been accepted as an undoubtedly talented tiatrist and a worthy comedian. With nice storylines to his tiatrs and of course a generous touch of comedy from Agostinho himself, he is quite a hit with the present tiatr audiences. Undoubtedly then, although his tiatr Godfather did not receive any major accolades at the recently concluded Popular Tiatr Festival this year, he possibly had the highest audience count for this show amongst the rest.

After the death of his father Camillo Antonio Temudo in 1983 and then his mother Theresina Fernandes Temudo in 1985, Agostinho who studied at Rosary High School finally went on to take up a semi-government position as an office assistant. “Then came tiatrs and now I have just resigned from my job after 17 years. I have decided to dedicate my time to tiatrs. I can’t keep asking for leave all the time. It’s time I concentrate on just one thing,” he says.

HERALD FEATURES he National Institute of Event Management has entered the eleventh year of service to event teaching and has a Limca Book record for being Asia's first and best event college and was also twice nominated as India's top five institutes (from all fields) by the eminent Economic Times - Avaya Awards. The college is a dream place for a student who is passionate about events. It has elite faculty, professional workshops, training on best national and international events and five national level mega in-house events like Mr&Ms University, College Idol, etc, where students get hands on experience to do an event from start to finish.

NIEM students also get to do a mega event of their choice and a theme party, which is the best genuine event experience any event college in the world could give. The placement record of NIEM claims to be the best in the industry. The Dean Dr Hoshi Bhiwandiwalla who gave the concept of event accounting as a new subject in event studies is also credited for doing the highest research in events. The college has initiated a lot of programmes in research. NIEM students get a Diploma in International in Event Management in tie-up with South Australian Government's Regency Institute of Tafe.

NIEM offers three courses - the Diploma in Event Management (DEM) where you learn all about events at convenient timings, without affecting regular studies and on graduation begin a career in event management. According to the Dean, NIEM's DEM is the best high profile additional qualification a student can have.

Post Graduate Diploma in Event Management (PGDEM) gives a rock solid career in events either as a lucrative placement or the right start to open your own event company. Post Graduate Diploma in Advertising, Media and Events (PGDAME) is a high profile full-time course on event management with specialised modules on advertising, media and marketing. It has the high standards of MBA and all the ingredients of NIEM's unmatched training on national and international events. The course grooms a student to achieve managerial berths in event industry, and has no competition as Asia's best well structured study of the mega entertainment industry.

(For admissions and other details contact: NIEM. Ground Floor, Nandanvan, Corner of Vallabhbhai Rd, Vile-Parle (W), Mumbai-56. Tel: 26282928 / 26716676 URL: www.nicmindia.com)

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WHAT’S UP IN GOA??

A presentation and meeting on waste management, to be addressed by Clinton Vaz will be held on April 10 from 9am to 10am at Don Bosco Tech Institute, Fatorda.

Call 9527463684 or 9890936828.

‘Children’s Theatre Workshop’ for boys and girls between the age group of 7 to 13 years, organised by Abhivyaktee will be held from April 10 to 17 from 9am to 1pm at the Club House, Government Colony, Patto-Panjim. Call 2423951 and 9422448494.

Salsa and Jive Classes, organised by Dance Illusions will start a new batch of dance classes.

It will be held on April 11 at 8pm in Margao, April 12 at 7pm at Vasco and April 13 at 7:30pm at Panjim. Call 9823014397.

The presentation of the Sahitya Puraskar for the year 2009 will be held on April 10 at 10.30am at the Kala Academy. Call 2420452.

A summer camp, organised

by Sunaparanta – Goa Centre for the Arts will be held from May 2 to 7 from 10am to 4pm at Sunaparanta, Altinho-Panjim. Call 2421311.

Summer thrill for kids and special kids will be organised on April 16 and 17 at Margao.

Call 9960431362.

Spot Audition for three state level competitions in solo and group dance, singing and essay writing will be held on April 11 at 5pm at the Goa Museum Hall, Patto, respectively.

Registration closes on April 12. Call 9404434878, 9822486204 or 9422438821.

‘PhotoFlare2011’, the annual international photography festival, organised by Sunaparanta - Goa Centre for the Arts and the GEC Photography Club will be held on April 9 and 10 at Sunaparanta, Altinho-Panjim. Registration is open. Call 2421311.

Biggest Summer Dance Camp, organised by Xtremers Dance Academy will be held from April 4 to May 28

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HOROSCOPE from 4pm to 8pm at Panjim, Margao, Ponda, Vasco, Colva, Bicholim, Porvorim and Mapusa. A free zumba fitness trial will be held on April 5 at 6.30pm at Don Bosco, Panjim. Call 9823712572, 09822170820 or 09823469258.

A summer workshop for children and teenagers will be held from April 12 onwards at Simply Ballroom Dance Studio, Alto-Dabolim. Registration closes on April 10. Call 9923323611, 9423057191 or 9822150348.

‘CARZ’, a one-day workshop on cars for kids by Rohan Coelho will be held on April 16 from 9am to 6pm at Sunaparanta - Goa Centre for the Arts, Altinho-Panjim.

E-mail info@sgcfa.org. Call 2421311.

‘Indradhanush’, a 3-day cultural festival, organised by the Ganga-Zuari Academy will be held from April 22 to 24. There will be competitions in the areas of dance, singing, essay and drawing.

Call 9822486204 or 9404434878.

Sacred Music Concert, organised by Fr Romeo Monteiro of Rachol Seminary will be held on April 11 at 6:15pm at Bom Jesus, Old Goa. Call 9850980374.

Learn rock climbing on an artificial rock climbing wall. Classes will be held in batches in the month of April and May as follows; April 11 to 15 and 18 to 22 and May 2 to 6, 9 to 13 and 16 to 20 from 3:30pm to 4:30pm at Zoswaddo, Soccoro. E-mail kimsabir@gmail.com or oliviacolaso@yahoo.com. Call 8975841178 or 9823128184.

A workshop on snakes will be held from April 23 to 24 at the Mhadei Research Centre, Chorla Ghats. Email ophidian_nirmal@yahoo.co.in. Call 09822586918.

An awareness programme on the recently advertised vacancies for junior scale post of Goa Civil Service, organised by the Saraswat Vidyalaya’s Sidora Caculo College of Commerce and Management Studies, Mapusa will beheld on April 14 from 9am to 4pm on the college campus

The world around you is open to suggestion right now, 21 Mar - 19 Apr and you have the right ideas.

Family matters take over early in the day, so you may as well write off other elements of your life for the time being. If you don't hear from someone close by noon, you may want to start checking in yourself.

Taurus Show a friend a new way of looking at their situation and you 20 Apr - 20 May will give them hope. You may not be up for a full-on dinner party, but any engagement featuring good food and good people is right up your alley today.

Grab lunch with a friend or head out for a tasty date!

If you want to Gemini put together an effective plan today, get opinions from every21 May - 20 Jun one. Your brain is perfectly suited for financial thinking today -- and not a moment too soon! It's not like your bank account is wildly overdrawn -- right? -- but you have a great opportunity now.

You may feel inspired to do something that raises a few eyebrows today -22 Jun - 23 Jul be daring. Your own issues are paramount right now, so focus all that energy inward. You may have to ignore a few pleas for assistance, which is never easy for you, but you can get back to them soon enough.

When a problem arises you'll see the clear solution immediately. Follow 24 Jul - 23 Aug through! Take the back seat today and let others hog the glory -- haven't you had enough for a while?

Even if you still hunger for adulation, you should score major points when you show your humble side.

Get with friends -- share some laughs and try not to take life 23 Aug - 22 Sep too seriously.

Family matters are taking over your mind today, and that is a good thing.

You may find that your energy is better spent on organizing a get-together than it is on work, school or other obligations.

Let go of your expectations today. Accept the rate at 23 Sept - 22 Oct which things are moving.

Your emotions are likely to get the better of you today -- but you can at least guide them in a positive direction. Even if you're furious with someone, you can tell them in a way that leads to a good solution.

Scorpio If faced with an emotional conflict today, don't rush forward to 23 Oct - 22 Nov be the aggress o r.

Yo u r hunches are golden today, so feel free to trust them implicitly and follow through when they tell you it's time to act. Remember to stay realistic, but it's okay to reach for more than you have.

Sagittarius Today, move

Capricorn Any sentence you start with 'Well, if I were you' should go 22 Dec - 20 Jan n o f u r t h e r t o d a y ! Yo u have to step up and take care of the business that is right in front of you today -- no procrastination! You shouldn't have much to worry about in terms of surprises or interruptions, fortunately.

Aquarius If you increase your exposure, you'll increase you chances of 21 Jan - 19 Feb finding a big clue. The simplest tasks seem practically impossible today, and you may have to give up in frustration after a bit. It's a much better day for relaxation than it is for hard work -- if you can afford the break!

Investigate new ways to communicate your ideas 20 Feb - 20 Mar t o d a y - - a n email ain't gonna cut it. You're in a good groove right now, and can have a good time doing almost anything -- so it might be the best time to get those chores done! You can smile your way through almost any task.

Aries

Libra

forward with false confidence, if you must -- but 23 Nov - 20 Dec just go forward!

People still seem to be in their own worlds today, so you may just want to take care of personal business and let them do the same. If you must collaborate, expect it to take more time and energy than usual.

Cancer

Leo

Virgo

Pisces

DID YOU KNOW? What is the official symbol of Australia?

taxidermy Pronunciation tak-si-dur-mee Function Noun Meaning : the art or process of preparing, stuffing, and mounting animal skins so that they have a lifelike appearance Example Sentence The museum offers outstanding examples of 19th century taxidermy at its very best.

LAFFS

The Coat of Arms of Australia is the official symbol of Australia. The initial coat of arms was granted by King Edward VII on May 7, 1908, and the current version was granted by King George V on September 19, 1912.

The shield is the focal point of the coat of arms, contained within is the badge of each Australian state. Above the shield is the seven-pointed Commonwealth Star, six points representing the original six states and the seventh representing the combined territories and any future states of Australia. The Red Kangaroo and Emu that support the shield are the unofficial animal emblems of the nation. They owe this recognition to the fact that they are native Australian fauna, found only on that continent, and likely chosen because they are the most well-known native Australian animals large enough to be positioned together in scale holding up the shield. It is often claimed these animals were chosen because neither animal can move backward, only forward, symbolising progress. In reality both animals can move backwards, but infrequently do. In the background is wreath of Golden Wattle, the official national floral emblem.

WIZARD OF ID

Funny Quote

“What is the difference between a taxidermist and a tax collector? The taxidermist takes only your skin.”

– Mark Twain DAILY GROOK DOUR HOUR

by Francis Rodrigues dr. jekyll's ball preserved his bride, 'twas known to all, as formaldehyde!

SUN MOON TIDES

GARFIELD

MIND BENDERS

Tongue Twister We surely shall see the sun shine soon Sunday 32° C | 24° C Dawn 06:03

Clear

Sunrise 06:25

Sunset Dark 18:49 19:11

Moon rise 11:17 Moon set High 01:28

—

21:00 Chup Chup Ke

10:30 12:30 14:25 14:55 17:05 19:05 21:00 23:15

09:00 11:15 13:30 15:30 17:30 18:00 21:00

Blue Streak When In Rome Opening Night Born to Raise Hell Bolt Labor Pains Prince of Persia The Myth

Two Brothers Cirque du Freak The King of Fighters Ghosts of Girlfriends Past Hollywood Buzz Watchmen The Informant!

08:30 11:30 15:00 19:00 22:30

10:30 12:20 14:35 16:55

Beverly Hills Ninja Perfect Stranger Celine Men in Black II

09:30 Women Against Violence (WAVE) Award 12:00 Munnabhai M.B.B.S. 14:30 C.I.D 16:00 C.I.D 17:30 C.I.D 18:30 C.I.D 20:00 Adaalat 22:00 Adaalat

18:55 The Second Jungle Book 21:00 Good Luck Chuck 23:15 Underworld: Evolution

10:00 11:30 15:00 16:00 19:30 20:00 23:30

IPL 4 H/ls Golmaal: Fun Unlimited IPL 4 Extraaa Innings Indian Premier League 4 IPL 4 Extraaa Innings Indian Premier League 4 IPL 4 Extraaa Innings

12:00 Gadar 16:00 Hungama 20:00 Mard 23:00 Comedy Circus Key Tansen

Navya Comedy Ka Maha Muqabla Superstar Buzz Anjaana Anjaani Maayke Se Bandhi Dor Garv: Pride and Honour Love U Zindagi Gulaal Comedy Ka Maha Muqabla Pyar Mein Twist Comedy Ka Maha Muqabla Love U Zindagi

Last ‘Riddle Me This’ Answer: He could not raise enough dough

Hanuman The Train Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam Kidnap Bad Company

13:00 Sivaji: The Boss 16:45 The Hero

10:00 11:30 12:30 13:00 16:00 16:30 19:30 20:00 21:00 22:00 22:30 23:30

Why did the lady throw butter out the window?

TIDES Low High Low High 08:28 15:44 21:17 —

D Tide timings are for Mormugao Harbour. For Panjim/Calangute add 20 mins. For Colva add 30 mins

09:30 Khana Khazana 10:00 Dance India Dance Doubles Lime Light 10:30 Idea Jalsa: Music for Soul 11:00 Dance India Dance Doubles 15:30 Movie 23:00 Kahani Ab Tak

10:00 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chashma 14:30 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chashma 15:00 Ring Wrong Ring 15:30 Ring Wrong Ring 16:00 Ring Wrong Ring 16:30 Gili Gili Gappa 17:00 Gili Gili Gappa

SUDOKU 830

Riddle Me This

14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00

Masters of Illusion Wipeout Most Daring Top Chef Wipeout Most Daring Masters of Illusion Top Chef Cloverfield

10:00 11:00 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 18:30 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00

Las Vegas American Idol Community Community Family Guy Family Guy Friends Friends Koffee With Karan Dexter Dexter Mr. Sunshine Raising Hope The Good Guys Desperate Housewives Koffee With Karan Detroit 187

IDIOT BOX 17:30 18:00 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00

FIR Papad Pol Papad Pol Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo Dost

23:00 Desperate Housewives

09:00 11:00 12:30 13:00 16:00

10:30 MAD VIII 11:00 Mr. Bean 12:00 Chhota Bheem Aur Krishna 13:30 Chhota Bheem Marathon 17:00 Mr. Bean The Animated Series Marathon 20:00 Barbie Christmas Carol 22:00 Takeshi's Castle 22:30 Bam Bam Bam Gir Pade Hum 23:00 FAQ 23:30 Pogo All Stars

10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00

08:00 Guinness World Records: Ab India Todega 13:00 The Burning Train 16:30 The Global Indian Film & Television Honours 2011 20:00 Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya

India's Magic Star India's Magic Star Superstar Buzz Action Replayy 17th Annual Star Screen Awards 2011 20:00 I Hate Luv Storys 23:00 Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani 23:30 Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani

House House Top Chef Most Daring

23:00 Guinness World Records: Ab India Todega

11:00 11:30 13:00 15:00 17:30 18:00 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 23:00

Zoom Box Let'z Go! Garama Garam Top 20 : Beat the Heat Let'z Go! Let'z Go! Planet Bollywood Business of Bollywood Soft Show Main Miss India Club Mix Let'z Go!

11:30 Masters Tournament 2011 H/ls 12:30 FIA F1 World Ch’ship Raceday 2011 13:15 FIA F1 World Championship 2011 15:15 FIA F1 World Ch’ship Chequered Flag 2011 16:00 Masters Tournament 2011 19:30 Masters Tournament 2011 H/ls 20:30 Hitz 21:00 TNA Impact 23:00 Masters Tournament 2011 H/ls 23:30 Masters Tournament 2011

14:30 Sportscenter Weekend 14:32 Uda National Dance Team Championships 15:00 Scorecast Sunday 15:30 Andalucia Tennis Experience 17:30 Super Sunday 17:55 Barclays Premier League 20:00 Super Sunday 20:25 Barclays Premier League 22:30 Asian Tour H/ls 23:30 Sportscenter Weekend 11:00 14:00 15:00 18:00 20:00 20:30 21:30

WWE: Specials WWE: NXT ATP 250 Series UEFA Champions League ICC Cricket World WWE: NXT WWE: Specials

09:00 ICC Cricket World Cup

2011 H/ls The Nation Celebrates India's Gamechangers Yuvraj Singh: India's Hero India's Road to Victory Ms Dhoni a Born Leader Sachin's World Cup Centuries 19:30 Yuvraj Singh: India's Hero 20:30 Ms Dhoni a Born Leader 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 18:00 18:30

10:00 A Traveller's Guide to the Planets 11:00 Mission Army 12:00 Dangerous Encounters 13:00 Nat Geo Amazing!

14:00 World's Deadliest Animals 15:00 Triumph of Life 16:00 Big, Bigger, Biggest 17:00 My Life Is a Zoo 18:00 Nat Geo Amazing!

19:00 Big Cats 20:00 Weird & Wonderful Hotels 20:30 Weird & Wonderful Hotels 21:00 Mission Army 22:00 Nat Geo Specials

06:00 Art of Living 06:30 Jazz Gospel Concert 07:00Classical Music 07:30Kids Club 08:00 English News 09:00 Amche Bakibab 09:30Wiz Biz Quiz 10:00 English News 11:00 C D’Silva special nite 11:30 Khadi Fashion Show 12:00 Flavors 12:30Pilar Annual Day 13:00 English News 14:00Success Mantra 14:30Kids Club 15:00Konkani Passion Play ‘Jivitacho Jivit to’ 16:00English News 17:00Konkani Mass 18:00English News 19:00Jazz Gospel Concert 19:30Wiz Biz Quiz 20:00English News 21:00Konkani Passion Play ‘Jivitacho Jivit to’ 22:00 English News 23:00 Konkani Mass 00:00Khadi Fashion Show 00:30Namah 2011 Note: Subject to change

Instructions for Sudoku 9 x 9 letter: To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in each of the nine vertical columns, in each of the nine horizontal rows and in each of the nine boxes

SUDOKU SOL 829

HERALD CROSSWORD - 830 Across 1- Soup implement; 6- Rascal; 11- Brief instant; 14- Betelgeuse's constellation; 15- Absorbent cloth; 16- Actor Linden; 17- Powerful defoliant; 19- Candle count; 20- Ring-shaped cake; 21- Armpit; 23- Deserter; 24- Tumid; 25- High-kicking dance; 29- Surplus; 30- Disney mermaid; 31- Single entity; 32Curator's deg.; 35- Adding vitamins, say; 39- Nav. officer; 40Skillfully; 41- Burgundy grape; 42- Swiss city on the Rhine; 44Upward trend; 45- Worker; 48Dr. of rap; 49- Head garland; 50Scorn; 55- Bro's counterpart; 56Indigent; 58- Conductor ___Pekka Salonen; 59- Battery terminal; 60- Puccini heroine; 61- Fam. member; 62- Eye sores; 63- Computer key; Down 1- Burden; 2- Jason's craft; 3- Mon ___!; 4Protracted; 5- Spellbind; 6- Swagger; 7- Cover; 8- Bristle of barley; 9- One million electrical units; 10- Small hammer; 11- Will, old-style; 12"The ____ has landed."; 13- Unsoiled; 18- Son of Judah; 22- Land in la mer; 24- Thorny; 25Beer buy; 26- Make ___ for it; 27- Bites; 28Brown-capped boletus mushroom; 29- Fishhook line; 31- Brown earth pigment; 32- Prefix for small; 33- Nourishment; 34- Chip in; 36Convenience; 37- Desire for food; 38- ___ the season...; 42- Person, slangily; 43- Places of contest; 44- Coffee dispensers; 45- Coherent light beam; 46- Licorice-like flavoring; 47Basic; 48- Prescribed amounts; 50- Give up;

51- Collar type; 52- Lion's share; 53- Brownish purple; 54- Boris Godunov, for one; 57- Bashful;

SOLUTION - 829

Lifestyle

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Health

Art

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h

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e n in p p a h ’ n ot ‘

g

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Sunday, 10 Apr 2011

Choir of Santa Cecelia to celebrate 400 Years of Rachol Seminary

Parenting

Pg3

MUSIC REVIEW

BY COLIN SAVIO COELHO colin.coelho@gmail.com

Connecting to an Unforgotten Bygone Era HERALD FEATURES or the past few years, the seminarians of the Rachol Seminary along with a few priests and members of the general public have been bringing forth their musical abilities to the Goan audiences.

This year too, the Choir of Santa Cecelia of the Rachol Seminary will be offering choral music lovers another musical offering.

The enchanting Rachol seminary is completing 400 years of its existence. “The concert this year will be on the same lines as before but with a little difference, as we are celebrating the fourth centenary of the sem-

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he evergreen pop singer has always entertained his audiences with some very popular hits. He continues to entertain even today, around 52 years after he first started with his musical career. He has a spirit that lives on. The voice is immediately recognizable. Cliff Richard has gone into another mould of singing with his Bold as Brass. This album has songs unlike any other album he has put before the world.

This album has a definite jazz touch and keeps the excitement going from beginning to end.

The voce forte of the man, who has been a favourite amongst many Goans as well, comes on very compellingly with the songs he sings in this album. Bold as Brass takes off with a 1920s darling in the US of A called Love Me or Leave Me. It was part of the Broadway play Whoopee and was sung by Ruth Etting. (Up the) Lazy River is another hit from the 1930s that Cliff Richard does great justice to with his voice. This track is a well established jazz and pop standard.

I’ve Got You Under My Skin is the next hit that is part of the album. This song written by Cole Poter went on to become a signature song for Frank Sinatra. The other tracks in the album include I Just Want to Make Love to You, a 1954 blues song written by Willie Dixon, They Can’t Take That Away from Me is a 1937 song by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin and made popular by Fred Astaire in the film Shall We Dance.

Originally written in the ‘moderately bright’ tempo the track Let’s Fall In Love is now presented in this album in the medium swing beat. Accentuating the optimistic is a vital way to happiness, is the message passed on by Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive. Teach Me Tonight is another golden oldie included in the album. Coming from the 1930s and 1940s era are popular tracks like Don’t Get Around Much Anymore, Night and Day, Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered.

This album provides a nice trip down memory lane. It would be a treat to jazz and blues lovers.

It is true pleasure to spend time listening to the music of the evergreen artist who connects us to the era where jazz and blues stood supreme.

inary this year,” says Father Romeo Monteiro of the Rachol Choir.

The 140-member choir is going to present compositions of classical music maestros along with some new compositions too. “We will perform songs like glory as well as some new compositions; I have composed a song titled, ‘Te Deum’. There will be compositions from other members as well. So we have a mix of old and new songs,” says Father Monteiro.

The concert will be in the majestic Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa on April 11 at 6:15 in the evening. It is free and open to all.

Glamour Galore at Goa Fashion Week Day - I Cherylyne Estibeiro’ Designs

M

HERALD FEATURES odels, designers and a lot of oomph, the first ever Goa Fashion Week kicked off on highly creative note. Designs from the various talented designers coloured the ramp in vibrant colours of blue, pink, green while the classic colours of black and white added charm to the evening.

Siobhan D’Silva and Cherylyne Estibeiro opened the show for the evening with their fresh designs. While Siobhan let her creativity lose with her collection of beachwear, club wear and chic dresses, Cherylyne on the other hand, treated the fashion buffs with some of her designs based on the old world charm of the 1960s and also the French styles. From the bikini tops and shorts to the elegant tube tops and dresses with fresh floral prints and bold polka dots, these two young women’s designs were a breath of fresh air, exuding the youth of these young designers.

Then it was time for another, more established, Goan designer, Monty Sally, to showcase his definitely bold designs with his collection, titled, ‘Surreal REM’ which had a collection of dreamlike sequences and designs, inspired by various dark as well as cheerful dreams, including mermaids, starfish and butterflies.

The final designer to showcase his designs was the international designer from South Africa, Haroun Hansrot whose collection was inspired by movies including the ‘Black Swan’. The final show included some beautiful evening wear in black, fuchsia and reds. The evening came to a close with cheers and toasts to the various designers.

Shiobhan D’Silva’s Designs Monty Sally’s Designs

Haroun Hansrot’s Designs

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Sunday 10 Apr 2011

Indian Animation has a Long Way to go: Ranvir Shorey

Tourism

Parenting

Pg4

Shania Twain

not struggling with Infertility

I

ndia has a huge market for animation films but the home-grown industry has to move beyond mythological themes, says talented actor Ranvir Shorey, who has just given the voiceover for the Hindi version of the 3D Hollywood film RIO. “India has a huge market for animation films, but it’s yet unexplored. Hollywood has a festival out of every release of the animation film that they do. It’s like a carnival for the grown-ups and for the kids,” said Ranvir.

“I don’t think we have managed that in the Indian film industry as yet,” he added.

“It’s like the egg and chicken story, you know. How is Hollywood coming out consistently with good products – right from Jungle Book in the 60s? They are cultivating animation and it’s not an overnight thing,” Ranvir said. “So we need to do something similar here. What’s happening is we locally produce either like a TV serial or like a Bollywood film with singing and dancing and not doing a good animation film of

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inger Shania Twain has rubbished reports that she is struggling from fertility problems. Online reports suggested that the singer, who married Swiss business executive Frederic Thiebaud in January, is privately struggling with infertility but her spokesperson denies this.

“This is absolutely not true,” stated the spokesperson.

The country singer is currently working on a documentary series titled Why Not? With Shania Twain which will debut on May 8. Twain will premiere her documentary TV show on the OWN Network (owned by Oprah Winfrey).

Twain already has one son Eja, 9, with former music producer husband Robert “Mutt” Lang.

it.”

He said there was need to improve the way animation was made here instead of blaming the audience. “Homegrown animation needs to improve... The audience is always ready for something good,” he added.

Production houses need to depart from Indian mythologies and create something new. “They always go for mythologies because it already has a popular base. They are so scared of having something completely different and original,” Ranvir said.

Prateik to stay away from promoting his Films

I

n an age where marketing and publicity is as important for actors as their performances on screen, young actor Prateik has decided to stay away from promotions and communicate only through his characters.

Sources close to the actor say that the 24-year-old son of late Smita Patil, who has proven his mettle as an actor with two strong yet understated performances in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na and Dhobi Ghat, is actually a very shy person.

Prateik often needs time to bond with a person before opening up completely and chattering away. In fact, often while interacting with media persons as well, Prateik comes across as someone reluctant to speak to the media, and someone who is arrogant.

However that is not the case, says a source close to Prateik.

“Prateik is an extremely shy boy. He needs time to break the ice, and thus he is not very forthcoming with the media.”

In fact, Prateik has decided that he’d speak through his work.

Elaborates the source, “Prateik has decided that he’ll speak through his characters, as it is his work that he is most passionate about and it is that aspect that he wants to focus on.”

A

Eva Longoria is Eager to have Kids

ctress Eva Longoria is eager to start a family and have children. The Desperate Housewives star, who split from husband Tony Parker last year after three years of marriage, said she would love to start a family one day as being a mother is something she’s always wanted.

“I want to have kids and be a mom,” she said.

Meanwhile, the actress seems to have found love again in Penelope Cruz’s younger brother Eduardo Cruz, though she admits she is not good at dating.

“I’m not very approachable. I’m not good with dating, I get really nervous. It’s probably strange that I’ve never been a dater. I’ve been married or in a relationship, and so this is going to be, you know, scary.”

Mobiles being used to Dogs likelier to bond Better with Male Owners explore Stratosphere

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pilot study about human-canine interactions has found that dogs owned by men, especially neurotic men, approach their owners more often than dogs of female owners. The findings add to the growing body of evidence that pet owner gender and personality may influence an animal’s social attraction to the person.

University of Vienna researcher Manuela Wedl, project leader Kurt Kotrschal and their colleagues observed and analysed how dogs and their owners interacted with each other during an experiment. Ten male and 12 female owners of male dogs were each asked to view 15 dog pictures that had been placed on the windows and walls of a room. They were also asked to write down three words that they would associate with each of these

pictures. This activity was just meant to keep the owners occupied because the researchers were more interested in what happened next.

As each owner carefully studied the pictures, the researchers allowed that person’s dog to enter the room. The study authors then noted how quickly the dog approached its owner and how long it remained close to the person.

Neurotic men with neurotic dogs (described as not confident and ‘anxious’ as well as ‘less vocal and aggressive’) appear to be magnets for each other, with dogs of such owners making a beeline for their human partner and staying close together afterward.

But it was also found that if a woman scored high in neuroticism, her dog would also tend to stay close by.

ngineering scientists at the University of Southampton have reached above the clouds in a first-of-its-kind experiment to develop new technologies that probe the stratosphere using an unmanned vehicle. The test flight was part of the ASTRA (Atmospheric Science Through Robotic Aircraft) project, and it demonstrated how a low-cost high altitude platform could be used to send a payload with atmospheric monitoring equipment into the upper atmosphere.

The balloon-borne aircraft harnessed the power of ‘cloud computing’ using an ondemand computing and storage resource, via the GSM mobile phone network.

Cloud computing refers to the delivery of computing resources and services on demand via the Internet.

University scientists worked with Microsoft and University spin-out company Segoz to develop a Windows Phone 7 application for on-board data logging and payload tracking. During the one-hour flight, the phone running the Windows Phone 7 operating system served as the on-board

data logger, tracking tool and communications relay. The phone streamed data to a cloud application built on Windows Azure, designed to continuously update the landing site prediction. The app running on groundbased phones had a ‘tracker mode’ so the ASTRA team were able to track the payload during its flight, over 70,000 feet high, enabling its safe recovery.

Dr András Sóbester, University of Southampton Lecturer and a Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellow, says: “We are excited that this constitutes a unique opportunity to collect important data that will give new insight into how the upper atmosphere affects Earth’s climate and environment, using affordable technology.”

The flight carried the payload through the tropopause and deep into stratosphere, where the temperature dropped below 50C. The phone and the rest of the equipment was protected by a high-grade foam enclosure. This ensured the reliable operation of the on-board electronics in such extreme environmental conditions.

Parents, Schools unintentionally contribute to Childhood Obesity

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study has found that parents and schools, which are the two biggest influences on children, may unintentionally contribute to childhood obesity.

Susan Terwilliger, clinical associate professor in the Decker School of Nursing at Binghamton University, had made the observation in her study of the problem.

“As a paediatric nurse practitioner I’ve taken care of children and their families for about 30 years, and I saw this huge increase in childhood obesity from 5 to 30 per cent over about a 10-year period when I was in the school-based health centres,” she said.

In researching childhood obesity, she found 70 per cent of the children drank between two and five sweetened beverages a day, 85 per cent watched between two and five hours of television a day, and 42 per cent ate two or more fast-food meals per week.

Editor –in-chief: R F Fernandes. Editor: Ashwin Tombat. Chief Editor-Features: Christina Viegas.

But these numbers, all hallmarks of childhood obesity, can be the unintended consequences of rational decisions. Children who are told by parents to avoid water fountains because of germs may instead drink sweetened juices. Fear of potential danger can prompt parents to restrict children’s play space to a backyard or inside the house. Schools sometimes trade gym class or recess for academics as they try to raise test scores. “One of the reasons fast food fits into a hectic schedule is that processed food, with its high fat content, literally slips down easily. And the quicker and easier it is to eat, the more you may consume,” Terwilliger pointed out.

“I now have 13-year-olds with type 2 diabetes,” she said. “Heart attack is the number one cause of death and stroke the number three cause, and diabetes and hypertension, both caused by obesity, contribute to both,” she added.

Regd Office: St Tome Road, Panjim, Goa. Tel: 6658512, 6658500, 2224202, 2228083. Fax: 2222475. Email: goasheartbeat@herald-goa.com.

Sunday, 10 April 2011

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WEEKENDplendour S

From Goa’s Soil Golden Flowers of Summer

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4

View Finder

Bookworm

Reis Magos Fort

inside/out (Review)

Gallant Sacrifice at the Inferno Interestingly, the tragedy of the sinking of the ‘Titanic’, killing 1,500 people on board, on April 14, 1912, and the blowing up of the ‘Fort Stikine’ on April 14, 1944, both occurred in leap years. A grim coincidence in fact! The Government of India designated April 14 as ‘Fire Services Day’, in memory of those brave firemen who laid down their lives for your tomorrow

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BY CYRIL D’ CUNHA t is routine work for the firemen to keep the brass fittings on their engines in shining condition and it was no different on that fateful day of April 14, 1944, in the then Bombay, as they stuck to this task diligently, joking and smiling with their colleagues at their respective fire stations, not knowing that it would be last task they would perform. They promptly responded to the clang of the bells and mounted their fire engines which sped on their way to the docks in south Bombay for the last time, on a journey of no return.

On reaching their rendezvous, they found they had walked into an ambush of exploding bombs and thick black and red smoke coming from the hapless 7,142 ton cargo vessel, ‘S S Fort Stikine’, berthed at the Victoria docks, which was carrying a load of 1,395 tons of explosives, including shells, torpedoes, flares, signal rockets, incendiary bombs, besides oil, cotton bales and gold bars packed in 31 wooden crates, each containing 4 of these ingots measuring 15” x 3” x 1.5”, weighing 12.73 kg and valued at between 1-2 million pound sterling. It was a volcano waiting to explode and devastate not only a vast area of the dock, but also the city, nearly half a mile in radius, killing hundreds of people and injuring an even greater number.

Windows of buildings 12 km away were shattered as civilians rushed out from their homes, thinking that their city was under siege, and made their way into open spaces like the grounds and other playfields for safety.

Meanwhile, the ‘Fort Stikine’ did not go out alone, but took with it 27 other vessels which had pulled in at the Victoria and Prince’s docks, either sunk or damaged. It was a scene of piles of tangled steel, badly mangled bodies, many beheaded, lying in a gory, solitary isolation and unrecognisable. The loss caused by the explosion was estimated at over a billion dollars.

It was just before 2 pm of April 14, the time when the first wisp of fire was noticed, when Capt Brinley Oberst, a British Army officer attached to the Indian Army Ordinance Corps, had taken a lunch break at his apartment in Colaba, and was informed that there was a fire aboard the ship. Heeding the call, he was out in a jiffy and heading for the Prince’s dock. Slight smoke coming from hold No 2 of ‘Fort Stikine’ was noticed and the urgent short blasts of whistles gave warning of the fire.

Meanwhile, the crew was pouring water in the ship’s hold, while fire engines from the Alexander Dock Fire Station at Frere Road and Carnac Bridge Fire Station were on their way to join in at putting out the fire. The firemen were not unduly

perturbed as they trained their hoses on the fire, but by 2.30 pm additional help was sought. As the fire was turning into an inferno, they suspected there was some impediment that was preventing the gallons of water from reaching the source of the flames under, turning the deck on which they were standing like a hot frying pan. The water was turning into steam and flames were now shooting up from the sides. A call to abandon ship was ordered, but it did not reach the ears of the firemen who were too busy with the task at hand. The clock tower at the Princess dock stopped at 4.07 pm when the ship blew up taking the gallant firemen and their machines with it. In one stroke, even the geography of the docks had changed with everything flattened, including the buildings in the docks, railway wagons, twisted railway tracks, sheds and godowns. Then at 4.36 pm, there was a second and even deadlier explosion in No. 4 hold which spewed the incendiary material almost a 1,000 yards from the site, hot pieces of metal piercing buildings and setting up fires far and wide. The two-year old ‘Fort Stikine’, along with its captain Naismith was blown to smithereens.

Even as the city prepared for the worse and the evening wore on to dusk and dawn of the next day, authorities concerned decided to let the fire be confined to the area of the blasts by ordering a ‘fire lane’ to be dynamited through the centre of the city. Norman Coombs, the last of the fire chiefs and an Englishman, defied this plan and placed his faith in the firemen, who saved the city from any further damage by their unrelenting fight to contain the fire.

The ill-fated ‘Fort Stikine’, leased from America, had left with a convoy of 20 other ships from the UK on February 24, 1944, with cargo bound for Karachi and Bombay and even a stowaway, who was eventually spotted, but made to work in the holds.

He had, sadly, made a wrong and deadly choice.

...contd on page 4

TAG and its Mission

T

wo years have passed since Tiatr Academy of Goa was established in 2009. Since then a lot activities did take place in the tiatr field. The activities were not only performance oriented but also of academic nature. The unique dramatic form called Tiatr, which will be completing 119 years of its existence on 17th of this month, needed such a boost very badly. The government of Goa, under the Chief Minister-ship of Shri Digamber Kamat, has definitely done a great service to the cause of tiatr.

Gift No doubt, it happened because of the demand from the tiatr lovers. In the past, many ministers and Chief Ministers assured many things but no one fulfilled the given assurances. The whole Tiatr fraternity, therefore, thanks Shri Digamber Kamat for his gift of Tiatr Academy for the lovers of Goan Tiatr.

Disgruntlement As soon as the formation of Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG) was announced by the Government, voices from disgruntled elements started surfacing. Their contention was that there was no need of a Tiatr Academy in Goa when Kala Academy existed in this state. They were of the opinion that Kala Academy could perform all the activities related to the Tiatr. According to them forming TAG was only a waste of money. I was not surprised at all at that outburst of those elements because it exploded due to jealousy and frustration. Nevertheless the government went ahead with its plans and TAG became a reality.

Success I would like to bring to the notice of the readers that Goan Tiatr has survived all odds in the past without any government support. In its 117 years of history, Tiatr has grown up with the whole-heated support from the tiatr lovers of Goa. Tiatr is the only dramatic form in Goa which is commercially successful. People flock to see tiatrs by paying tickets. Each tiatr is performed over hundreds of times in different parts of Goa. Tiatr is very popular in any part of the world where Goans are settled. Hence we see Goan Tiatr troupes being invited by Tiatr loving Goans in the Gulf countries, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, etc to stage their Tiatrs. Konkani or Marathi drama does not enjoy such a privilege.

Need Therefore Tiatr Academy of Goa was the need of the hour because the Tiatr needed scientific approach for its

On the Tiatr

Stage

BY TOMAZINHO CARDOZO development. If you look at the past, Tiatr which is an unique dramatic form of the soil of Goa, had never been taken seriously first by the dictatorial regime of Portuguese and then by the various democratically elected governments of liberated Goa. Other less important cultural forms of Goa have achieved more success than Tiatr due to financial support from various quarters. Yearly Tiatr Festivals organised by Kala Akademy since 1974, celebrations of 100 years of Tiatr in 1992 and Cultural Awards and financial assistance to tiatr artistes by Department of Art & Culture were the only government activities which supported the promotion of Goan Tiatr. Therefore an institution like Tiatr Academy of Goa was needed to bring about an all round development of Goan Tiatr.

Task Goan Tiatr should have been representing Goa on the national dramatic field but it has not yet achieved that status. The tiatr literature which is neglected not only by the authorities but by the script writers and lyricists themselves need to be encouraged and published in book form to preserve it for posterity. The standard of Tiatr in all its compartments such as script writing, composition of lyrics and music for songs, direction, acting, stage setting, light effects, background music, etc., needs to be improved. Tiatr needs musicians who know to read and write music. Nowadays there is a dearth of such musicians. Efforts are to be made to encourage youth to learn music particularly blowing instruments. There is an urgent need to encourage productions of tiatr by the villagers at village and ward level such that rural talents are identified and supported to flourish.

Children’s Tiatr needs to be encouraged and promoted. On a long term basis, setting up of a library and a museum of the history of tiatr should also be considered.

Conclusion To achieve all this, an institution like Tiatr Academy of Goa was needed. The government has done just that.

During the last two years TAG has seen that sincere efforts are made to improve the quality of tiatr in all respects. It is now up to the tiatr artistes in particular and tiatr lovers in general to participate actively in the activities of TAG and be an active contributor in the development of Tiatr.

(Email your feedback to: tomazinho.goa@gmail.com)

WEEKEND Splendour

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Pg2

Sunday, 10 April 2011

GOA’S FIRST AND ONLY GIP A Feni-licious Fill of Goan Spirit

BEAUTY & brains

‘Feni’ Season in Full Swing

BY DR NANDKUMAR M KAMAT

Colourful sights and fragrance of the present ‘Feni’ season. Hope the government and ‘Feni’ stakeholders captilise on the present season to the fullest, in reviving this sector

Why Marathas gave ‘Special Status’ to Goa?

I

t would have taken the Maratha army less than a week to conquer Goa. But not much happened after 1683. If the Peshwas hated Portuguese, then they would have applied the same yardstick which they had used at Vasai or Bassein. That campaign had ended Portuguese rule of 215 years in north Konkan. But they lost interest in conquering Goa. Why? Luso-Maratha history has many such diplomatic puzzles. The second “special status’ which Goa got in history was under the Portuguese, given unofficially by the Marathas in 18th centur y. They were merely imitating the Moghul policy of tolerating the small Portuguese trading and naval presence in Daman and Diu. But the same Moghuls had rudely expelled the Portuguese from Bengal in 1632. And what the Portuguese left behind? Besides dark memories of atrocities and slave trade, their contribution was the knowledge to make a kind of cheese which the Bengalis sweetened with sugar syrup and got their rosgolla.

Marathas under the Peshwas (1749 1818) continued a love and hate relationship with Portuguese in Goa and began playing a diplomatic and military ‘cat and mouse game’ to extract concessions. But when were they really serious in integrating Goa with their territories?

They viewed Goa as a “free port”- a sort of pre industrial Hong Kong on India’s impoverished Konkan coast. The correspondence published by Dr Shankar Kamat Mhamai from the famous international trading house of Mhamais in Panaji throws light on the “special status’ of Goa. Port of Goa was seen as a gateway to global goodies. The Portuguese were seen as importers of all types of novelties and sources of new knowledge. Magnetic compasses, field glasses, guns, gunpowder, wines, medicines, umbrellas and even cute Chinese dolls, colourful porcelain and probably fireworks; the real shopping list of Peshwas in Pune is still locked up in the dusty archives.

But in his annexure to the Marathi book published by Pune University, based on a famous series of lectures, Indo-Portuguese historian Dr

Photos by Herald Features

Versatality of ‘Feni’ demonstrated by Kazkar Feni

Feni Mojito 1and1/4 parts Cashew Feni 2 Apple Slices 2 tsp Sugar 4-6 parts of Apple Juice Method: Crush the apple slices with the sugar in the bottom of a highball glass.

Stir thoroughly and top with ice. Add the Cashew 'Feni' and apple juice and stir.

Garnish: Lemon wedge Glass: Highball

oil S s ’ oa G From

Pissurlenkar has categorically mentioned these exchanges. By early 18th Century, the Marathas had come around the view that the Portuguese presence in Goa was a necessary evil. Why? Because the major evil for them were the Moghuls, followed by the well trained British. Not having forgotten the kick which they had received in Bengal, the Portuguese were also interested in keeping away the Moghuls. So they developed expertise in diplomatic doublespeak. There were real strategic compulsions behind the Peshwa doctrine of special free port status for Portuguese estado da India. Two Goan army commanders – Bakshi Jiv abadada Kerkar and Lakhbadada Lad were in the service of the great warrior Mahadaji Shinde (Scindia) of Gwalior. They had bravely fought even the well trained British army at the battle of Wadgaon. But when it was question of liberating Goa, the Peshawa’s free port-special status for Estado da India doctrine prevailed.

Did the Peshwas trust Portuguese more than the British and French? Archival records show that this was possible.

Portuguese fully exploited the soft corner which the Peshwas had for them by using the services of Goan emissaries in Pune. Around this time, during the summer, the Peshwas in Pune would expect the carefully sealed baskets of choicest varieties of Goan Afonso and Fernandin mangoes presented by the Portuguese to them. Portuguese diplomat at Pune, Vithalrao Valaulikar wrote in 1792 to the governor in Goa to ban all private trade in mangoes from Goa to Deccan markets so as to increase the novelty and value of Goan mango varieties.

The Portuguese also introduced a system of special permits for private traders to export prized varieties of mangoes from Goa. No patriotic feelings get hurt if the name of the conqueror of Goa, Afonso de Albuquerque is virtually immortalised in the Afonso or Hapus variety of Mango. It truly belongs to Goa and we need to challenge any attempt of growers from Maharashtra to claim Geographical Indication of product (GIP) registration for Konkan’s Afonso mangoes. The mango diplomacy worked. The Portuguese knew that without the ‘special status’ doctrine, it would have been difficult for them to annexe the “new conquests” and expand the map of Goa to make it appear what it is today, with the baggage of history not leaving Goans like the old man in one of Sindabad’s voyages.

(Email your feedback to: nandkamat@gmail.com)

21

BY MIGUEL BRAGANZA

Golden Flowers of Summer

I

t is difficult to write about other things when one is in the thick of organising the sixth Konkan Fruit Fest to be presented to the people at the end of this month, but I will try. To make things easier for myself, I will still focus on the tree that is bound to grab your attention if you pass one in flower this season: the Amaltas or the Indian Labernum that is botanically known as Cassia fistula. In Goa, we call it Bavo or Baya tree and most old timers know its medicinal uses.

This tree, belonging to the pod-bearing legume family Caesalpinaceae, is a native of India and is one of the most beautiful of all tropical trees when it sheds its leaves and bursts into a mass of yellow gold flowers like long grape-bunches. It has showy racemes, up to 2" long, with bright, yellow, fragrant flowers.

The flowers of Amaltas are bright yellow in colour, in axillary, pendulous, many-flowered lax racemes of 10 to 40 centimetres in length; five sepals, pubescent, green, ovate or oblongobtuse; five free corolla, short-clawed, subequal and reddish-veined petals. These flowers attract bees and butterflies. Flowers in this tree bloom from the months of April till October and the fruits of this tree are ripe from the months of December till April as per the local environment.

The leaves of this tree is paripinnate, with leaflets which are 3 to 8 pairs, markedly stalked, 5 to 15 centimetere in length and 5 to 9 centimetre in width, ovate or oblong, wedge shaped base and pointed tip, dressed with silvery pubescence when young. The compound leaf is usually 20 to 40 centimeter long and with petioles and rachis which are glandless.

Amaltas tree possesses grey coloured smooth bark. It can grow up to ten metres or about 40 feet tall. The wood is reddish, hard and heavy and it is used for making cabinets, inlay work, etc. The bark of the tree is rich in tannin and is sometimes used as a febrifuge to drive

out fevers. Cassia fistula bark is used in classical ayurvedic pharmacopeia to treat dermatoses of bacterial origin with no recorded side effects.

Many of these skin infecting bacteria are already resistant to penicillin, chloramphenicol and other antibiotics which are in common, and often unrestricted, usage.

The fruits are dark-brown cylindrical pods that are like smooth drumsticks. They are black or dark brown in colour, having a pendulous or cylindrical shape and it is usually 25 to 30 centimeter long. The diameter of the fruit or pod is 1.5 to 3 centimeter in diameter. It contains up to one hundred flat, brown seeds arranged like a stack of coins. The seeds of Amaltas are smooth, flat, small, light brown in colour. There are around 40 to 100 seeds in a pod or fruit, set in a sweetish black pulp. The pulp of the seedpod is used as a mild laxative. It is absolutely safe for pregnant women and heart patients of either or both genders.

It the last few days, we have been listening to a lot of ‘gas’ in Goa about UNESCO -supported pedagogy of the ‘Mother Tongue’ from those who manage primary schools that teach in English.

Amaltas fruit pulp offers a wonderful solution to flatulence. It is found to contain methyl anthroquinone or fistulic acid. Ether extracts of fruit pulp have been found more effective as bacteriostats against Staphylococcus than Chloramphenicol. Just heat the fruit pulp to a temperature that your skin can tolerate, say fifty degrees Celsius, and apply the paste around the navel in circular motion for about five minutes before turning in to sleep. You will be rid of your gas problems quicker than you can pick up the vernacular script.

Should you suffer chronic acidity problems, try this non-invasive, nonoral treatment every night for a month. There are ayurvedic practitioners who swear that your problem will not last any longer than that.

One can see the Amaltas in flower almost all over Goa from Pernem to Palolem. I have seen it often in full bloom en route to Palolem beach for Gudi Padva celebrations.

(Email your feedback to: braganza.miguel@gmail.com)

Across 01 - Pile; 05 - Copycat; 09 - Wreath of flowers; 12 - Car bar; 13 - Roofing items; 15 - Mouth bones; 16 - Milk source; 17 - Shout of exultation; 18 - Airline since 1948; 19 - Writer; 21 - Headset; 23 - Apply powder to oneself; 25 - Combining form meaning " dry"; 26 - Convened; 29 - Enclose; 31- Gambling state; 35 - Israeli submachine gun; 36 - Muzzle; 38 - Mum's mate; 39 - Feminist Lucretia; 41 - Chairman's hammer; 43 - Suspend; 44 - A Musketeer; 46 - Nairobi's nation; 48 - Baton Rouge sch.; 49 - Winged child; 51 - Singer Amos; 52 - Bruce ___ was a famous kung-fu movie star; 53 - ___ Little Tenderness; 55 - Frees (of); 57 - In fact;

61 - It spreads aromatic smoke; 65 - Fleshy fruit; 66 - Garlic sauce; 68 - In a bad way; 69 - Actress McClurg; 70 - Merchandise; 71 - Physical suffering; 72 - Part of RSVP; 73 - Chair; 74 - Blunted blade; Down 01 - Panama and bowler; 02 - Corp. VIP, briefly; 03 - Banned apple spray; 04 - Minor, in law; 05 - Man of royal blood; 06 - Actress Zadora; 07 - Fashion mag; 08 - Make less tense; 09 - Composer Schifrin; 10 - Actor McGregor; 11 - Archipelago part; 14 - Philosopher Kierkegaard; 15 - God; 20 - Sacks; 22 - Get ready; 24 - Frog sound; 26 - Shrub of the cashew family; 27 - Alchemist's mercury; 28 - One tenth, usually; 30 - Down-filled quilt; 32 - In the least; 33 - Compact;

34 - Dispute; 37 - Domingo, for one; 40 - Agonize; 42 - Lyric poet; 45 - Chapter of the Koran; 47 - Adjutant; 50 - Clause; 54 - AKA; 56 - Long-billed sandpiper; 57 - Gorillas, chimpanzees and orangutans; 58 - Basic monetary unit of Ghana; 59 - Follow; 60 - Long ago; 62 - Hit with an open hand; 63 - "Night" author Wiesel; 64 - Baseball's Sandberg; 67 - Meadow;

20

WEEKEND Splendour

Pg3

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Sunday, 10 April 2011

ANIMALWorld

Government ‘Policies’ for Wildlife

F

ew people distress me more than Jairam Ramesh, the Minister for Environment and Forests. For two years every animal/environment group and I have supported him because we believed him. Now we all realise that everything he says is a lie. He speaks very well, and is publicity crazy, so it is easy to fall for his ‘green’ language – but his track record is much worse than the last two ministers – Raja and Baalu. Mining licences are given easily, forest clearances have been given, “no go zones” have been made into mining zones, the nuclear plant which is going to destroy so much of land has been cleared, the Mumbai airport which will kill two rivers, one mountain and all the mangroves have been cleared, the last breeding site of vultures in Gujarat has been allowed to be destroyed for a tourist ropeway, Posco and Vedanta were ‘threatened’ and then mysteriously cleared, Mrs Indira Gandhi’s law on no construction on beaches which resulted in the Coastal Zone Regulation Act has been repealed, 85 tigers died last year and the new tiger count showing their increase is very suspicious – I am on the Project Tiger Committee from Parliament and not one suggestion made by anyone on the committee has been done in two years, no action has been taken on the railways after dozens of elephant deaths.

Jairam has a unique way of keeping NGOs quiet – he makes a committee out of them, tells them to draft some rules, look into some Act, come up with proposals… everybody works for months with great hope, then he does nothing or just the opposite. The Wildlife Act amendments that were worked on for months have been discarded. He has a typical modus operandi. Every time he wants to make some NGO quiet, he pretends to agree with them and to show his great commitment he has a press conference and puts the proposal made by the NGO on his Ministry website. This is supposed to be done only when some action – a law, a notification etc is being done in the next month. However, the proposal lies on the site for over a year and is withdrawn. But till then the hopeful NGO does not criticise him and the press keeps waiting for the legislation.

This is what has happened with the pet shop laws. In the last ten years, thousands of pet shops have spread through India.

They smuggle animals and birds in from other countries or poach them from the forests and sell them in black without a licence. Two years ago, the laws to control them were made and passed by the Animal Welfare Board. They were sent to the Ministry. Nothing happened. Then the Minister wanted my endorsement for some nonsense and in return for my keeping quiet he would pass the notification on the pet shop laws. To show his sincerity he would put them on the Environment Ministry website. I fell for this trick!! This was last April. The notification was put and taken off and put and taken off and put again. This will happen for as long as Jairam is Minister because, as he told me privately, he has no intention of doing anything.

In sheer despair, in December 2010, I wrote to the Revenue Department, the Central Board of Direct Taxes and the Minister of Finance. The letters are self explanatory: I am not sure the Ministry of Finance and the CBDT is aware of the sudden and huge spread of ‘pet shops’ across the country. These shops are technically given licences to sell animal food and accessories. But they sell the animals and birds themselves. Every market in Delhi for instance has a pet shop selling birds, dogs, fish, etc. Many of them have illegal species in them like turtles, monkeys, snakes, etc which they produce on order.

Most of their birds which they claim to be ‘exotic’ are artificially coloured Indian ones poached from the jungles. Even the ones that they claim to have imported – none of them have import licences.

BY MANEKA GANDHI

Dogs are coming in illegally by the thousands every week through airlines like Uzbeki Airlines because of an order given four years ago by the then Commerce Minister that two dogs could be brought in by anyone coming to India. These are brought by tourists, sold to breeders (ordered in advance by breeders, these tourists are simply professional couriers of dogs). They are not put on the passport and not taken out again. There is no quarantine and many are diseased. There are now hundreds of illegal breeders of dogs selling animals without paying any taxes. The entire sale is in black money with no receipts being given or taken. On an average, business of over 2 crores happens every week in Delhi alone. Lately, Nepal has also started smuggling dogs to India. A consignment of 50 dogs meant for India was caught a few days ago.

Breeders abound on the Internet selling dogs. They rarely give correct addresses and many have just phone numbers. Once you pay online, the animal is delivered to your door. It is a different matter that it usually dies in a week.

Thousands of people had written to the Ministry of Environment and Forests to make rules regarding the breeding and sale of animals, birds and fish. These rules were even put on the Ministry site in April/May 2010 but were withdrawn as the Minister was ‘approached’ by 22 groups of sellers, all of which are proven smugglers and have spent time in jail for selling wild animals and their parts – and continue to do so even though they are out on bail. The other group opposing any rules is the Kennel Club of India – a collection of dog breeders and sellers who earns lakhs of rupees from illegal sales and pays no taxes.

I am enclosing a single day’s perusal of the advertisements on the Net. If you would ask someone to list the pet shops in Delhi, it would be more than 500. I have personally had more than 100 raided and caught puppies that came from either the slums of Shadipur or the Uzbekis. You will find the same in any city in India.

I would be grateful if: a. The CBDT would ask the MOEF to make the rules immediately so that this sale could be taxed and rules made. b. If you could issue notices to all these tax evaders and have them arrested if possible. I am sure that they keep private books and several raids would show you the extent of the trade.

With regards Thank God someone listens!!! In March I read in the papers that the Income Tax Department had issued a directive to all its regional offices to visit breeders and pet sellers: “The Rs 500-crore pet business has come under the scanner of the Income Tax department.

According to the IT directive it has been noticed in recent years that pet shops have spread rampantly across cities. These shops are technically licensed to sell animal food and accessories, but they also deal in canines and exotic birds illegally. The order stated that it is suspected that a majority of these transactions are outside the tax net so appropriate action should be taken against them. According to a modest estimate there are an estimated 20,000 or more such breeders across the country.”

Do you want to do something for animal welfare? If you come across any pet shop, send me the name, address and owner’s name and I will forward it to the Income tax department. Jairam can go on playacting. Let us solve this environmental problem ourselves.

W E E K LY

(To join the animal welfare movement contact gandhim@nic.in)

H O R O S C O P E

Mar 21 - Apr 19

Apr 20 - May 20

May 22 - Jun 20

Even big, bad, bold you needs support at the beginning of the week. Since you're usually so self-sufficient, you might have to ask. By Wednesday and Thursday, you're probably ready to make a daring move. Go for it! If you're staying up late or partying on Friday and Saturday, be sure to make up for it with some healthy stuff, too. And on Sunday, use a little charm to get your desire, to get what you want!

Communication is favoured at the beginning of the week.

Get on the phone or online and share your feelings, and you'll get very nice responses. You could encounter somebody as stubborn as you on Wednesday or Thursday; think what you can accomplish if you join forces. On Friday and Saturday, you're looking lucky, and the chance for romance is looking good. Head out on the town with friends. On Sunday, excitement awaits in an unexpected place. Find it!

Being thrifty at the beginning of the week gives you a little extra for a future plan or splurge. Make your own lunch and make your own fun.

You're quick with ideas and have the stamina to carry them out around Wednesday and Thursday. Progress abounds! On Friday and Saturday, watch out for some sort of interference.

Be clear and concise. Sunday's stars send you extra sexiness now. Make the most of it!

Sept 22 - Oct 23

Just getting through your regular tasks may be tough at the beginning of the week. Keep at it, and look for better energy coming your way on Wednesday and Thursday. Now you're making progress, and looking so good doing it that others might just ask you what your secret is. Social time's favoured on Friday and Saturday, as is some lazing about. A couple of days of extra sexiness start on Sunday.

Oct 24 - Nov 21

Nov 22 - Dec 21

Dreams, intuition and other less-than-logical stuff figure prominently at the beginning of the week. Around Wednesday or Thursday, some real-world hassles require your attention; handling them calmly reduces the stress factor. Your karma gets a major boost if you step outside yourself and donate your time, money or expertise (or all three) to a good cause on Friday or Saturday.

And on Sunday, be extra patient with everyone -- including yourself.

A deeper, more meaningful level can be reached at the beginning of the week. Your core values are especially relevant now. You're a winner on Wednesday and Thursday and remember, you can't win if you don't play. Take a chance (maybe in the realm of romance!). Beware of imbalances of power on Friday and Saturday; anyone who thinks they're the boss of you could be problematic. You're extra articulate and very tuned on on Sunday -- speak up!

Jun 21 - Jul 22

Jul 23 - Aug 22

You may want to nest or play it safe at the beginning of the week, but there will be not-to-be-missed possibilities.

Welcome the new energy and make a new start. On Wednesday or Thursday, it might be time for a splurge.

Plans go nicely on Friday and Saturday, and you've got the ability to make others feel right at home, no matter where you are. Sunday brings a problem and an active, honest approach gets things going in the right direction.

Dec 22 - Jan 19

Aug 23 - Sept 21

You have a catlike sixth sense at the beginning of the week.

You'll definitely land on your feet now. Wednesday and Thursday look even better, with your personal heat turned up to sizzling. Energy, excitement, fun and fabulousness are there for the taking. Keep your expenditures to a minimum on Friday and Saturday; feed your mind instead of opening your wallet. On Sunday, the universe serves you sweetness, with a cherry on top. Revel in it.

Jan 20 - Feb 18

Conflict, opposition or limiting factors may come into play at the beginning of the week, and your response is everything. Use your powers of patience and flex your muscle of understanding. Wednesday and Thursday it could come in handy when you're asked to do something you'd rather not do. Friday and Saturday find a goal or two definitely within reach, and not just when it comes to work, either. On Sunday, the vibe is good for kicking off a new project.

Turn those organisational abilities toward planning a social event or a great date at the beginning of the week. You may be the underdog in a certain situation on Wednesday or Thursday, but somebody's pulling for you. Figure out who, and get some tips and support.

Friday and Saturday are great days to be you. The stars are on your side. On Sunday, don't commit. You'll want to stick with 'maybe' on any big decisions - at least for today.

Feb 19 - Mar 20

Even if you're off-balance at the beginning of the week, stick with your routine. Going through the motions has a therapeutic effect.

By Wednesday and Thursday, you can identify a contradiction, make a discovery and find a way to move forward that feels great. An interruption or delay could be a good thing now. You're not so much judging books by their covers as speed-reading on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, the stars send extra brains and curiosity your way.

You've got the power of love on your side at the beginning of the week -- platonic, romantic, altruistic and more. How will you use its mysterious forces? Wednesday or Thursday ask that you hone your concentration and be attentive to what's around you.

The most mundane things hold important keys now. You're rather analytical on Friday and Saturday, which may take somebody by surprise. Show your soft side, too. Sunday is all about sorting through old things to make way for new ones.

GRANDMA’S

Reis Magos Fort

BY SANJEEV SARDESAI

O

riginally built in 1490 by Adil Shah, it was later taken over by the Portuguese in 1551. Reis Magos Fort lies on the south eastern extremity of the tableland on the right bank of the Mandovi, in the province of Bardez, about two miles to the northeast of Fort Aguada and prominently visible from Panjim.

The construction of the Reis Magos Fort, surrounded by sturdy laterite walls studded with typically Portuguese turrets began in 1551 with the purpose of protecting the narrowest point, at the mouth of the Mandovi estuary and was probably completed in 1554, during the reign of Viceroy Dom Afonso de Noronha.

Even before Afonso de Albuquerque could conquer Goa, Reis Magos was a Muslim stronghold, controlled

by Adilshah of Bijapur. The fort was expanded on a number of occasions and re-erected in 1707 during the reign of Viceroy Caetano de Mello e Castro.

In times gone by, the Gaspar Dias Fort, which has since disappeared, was facing it from across the Mandovi River in Panjim.

Though far inferior in size to the fortress of Mormugao, yet standing on an eminence, it commands a splendid view all around and is ideally location at the gateway to North Goa’s resort belt. Moreover, while most of the forts have either kissed the dust or have been rendered unsuitable to habitation, Reis Magos is in the process of restoration.

The fort formerly accommodated viceroys and other dignitaries newly arriving from or en route to Lisbon, and in the early eighteenth centur y proved a stronghold in the wars against the Marathas, who were unable to overpower it.

VIEW Finder

Kitchen

BY LAWRIE COLACO

An Age-old Delicacy

A However, it was briefly occupied by the British army between 1799 and 1813.

Towards the east, at a little distance from it, flows a spring with an abundance of excellent water; at its base rises the Church of the Reis Magos, ascended by a beautiful flight of stairs. This edifice was built on the ruins of a pagoda or temple in 1550 by the Franciscans, with the sum allotted to them by the Government and bears a crown on its façade with the royal arms on its sanctuary and other places.

The pavement is dotted with inscriptions, the most important of which, found in the sanctuary, indicated the spot enclosing the remains of Dom Luis de Ataíde, Count of Athoughia, who twice held the position of Viceroy of Portuguese India and Goa. Known as the Royal Fort, it was where the political prisoners were jailed once, after its value as a defence structure had diminished. After Liberation, till July 2, 1993, the Reis Magos Fort was converted into a subjail, where under-trials were lodged. The steep pathway to the fort, blocked by a corroded gate, was covered with weeds and bushes.

The Reis Magos Fort, at one time of prime defence importance, today is being renovated and it is sincerely hoped that the people of Goa shall once again be in close proximity to a historic heritage of Goa.

The Reis Magos Fort (view from Campal)

s I watched a ‘nustekan’ in the market, she simply told me “dried fish was dried for the rains, as fish could not be got that time,” may be because of the fishing ban imposed or the rough seas that did not allow them to go fishing . Many people today use this preserve as a delicacy and is a all time favorite.

Ms Stephanie Couthino, lecturer in food production claimed, “Dry fish is one of the pallet stimulators like pickles and preserves. It also is very handy as you can use it for curry when fish is not available or simply because you prefer it dried.”

Fish is washed, salted and dried for many days in the sun, a lot of salt is used. Normally, grannies used rock salt but if unavailable, you can use iodized salt. While preserving the fish, you may keep it in a plastic air tight container and may omit keeping it in the fridge.

Don’t let moisture or water get in contact with the fish.

All fish could be dried and stored.

‘Bangdo’, ‘bombil’, Cod, ‘Surmai’ and other small fish are dried; tiny shrimps referred to as ‘ganbo’ is a delicacy.

‘Balchao’ is made from this. Dry fish is available at stores, 365 days.

However, after the rains, dry fish is sold at the festival fairs. Till next time, Bon Appétit and safe and healthy cooking

KISMUR (DRIED PRAWNS) INGREDIENTS: 2 cups cleaned dry prawns Lemon-sized ball of tamarind soaked in water 1 tsp chilli powder

1/4 tsp turmeric powder salt to taste 1 cup freshly grated coconut 1 large onion Oil for frying

Photo by JoeGoaUK

METHOD: Clean the prawns off the heads, legs and tails. Roast the prawns on a slow fire with two teaspoons oil. Keep stirring continuously and when light brown, take off the fire.

They will get crisp after a little while.

Break the prawns into two to three pieces each depending on the size. Chop the onions finely. Mix together the coconut, chilli and turmeric powder, tamarind juice and salt thoroughly.

Just before serving, add the prawn pieces and chopped onion and mix well once again. Do not add prawns before hand as they will get soft. Onion may be roasted in a little oil if preferred to raw.

Note. This kismur can also be prepared from dried shrimp or mackerel or any other dry fish. Please take note when use fish , please remove the fish bones and cut into inch sized pieces.

(E-mail your feedback to sanscritic@sify.com) Email your feedback to: foodiegoa@gmail.com

WEEKEND Splendour

email us at weekendsplendour@herald-goa.com

Pg4

Sunday, 10 April 2011

Indian IT Industry to add almost Two Lakh Jobs in 2011

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a Foi Randstad Employment Survey conducted a survey of employment opportunity in the country. Its objective was to understand the employment trends in the organised sector for the quarter of October 2010 to December 2010 and the likely scenario from January to June 2011. The results…

For the second successive year, more than one million new jobs will be created in India’s organised sector in 2011, led by the healthcare sector, but there will be no attractive pay hikes for those in harness, states a survey on employment opportunities released recently. The Indian IT industry is expected to add 1,83,000 jobs in 2011, says the Ma Foi Randstad Employment Survey.

The study is based on the sample survey conducted for about 650 companies across different sectors of the economy. The feedback was gathered from the top HR personnel or from top management of the companies who could share the current and the likely scenario regarding employment related issues. The major parameter captured in the survey is the change in hiring pattern and employee strength. Another dampening factor is that there will not be any attractive compensation package for freshers as the wage bill hike across sectors for 2011 is pegged between 8.82 per cent and 12 per cent, it said.

According to the survey, around 1.6 million new jobs will be created in 2011 on the back of capacity expansion by companies.

As per the survey conducted amongst 650 companies across 13 industry sectors in eight major cities, the healthcare sector

is expected to create 2,48,500 new jobs. Forty-six IT and ITES companies were part of the survey. Sectors like real estate, hospitality and manufacturing of non-machinery products together would create 2,23,400 new jobs.

“The estimated wage bill hike across the sectors will be in the narrow band as most companies are under margin pressure,” said E Balaji, managing director and CEO, Ma Foi Randstad.

The survey said IT and ITES sectors have remained as one of the major job providers during the fourth quarter of 2010.

The responses from the surveyed companies suggest that the sector will keep growing in 2011 as well.

According to NASSCOM, the IT-ITES industry is India is one of the largest employment generators in the organised sector, creating jobs for over 10 million people both directly and indirectly.

The spread of the IT-ITES sector to the tier II and tier III cities has further widened the growth potential of the sector thereby generating more employment.

Increase in number of rural BPOs has also contributed to the sector’s role in increasing employment across the country, according to the survey. However, the process of geographical dispersion of the industry is being adversely affected by the non-extension of the STPI scheme and attendant tax incentives, it added.

It also said that increase in lateral job shifts among employees within the sector has resulted in substantial increase in the salary levels, for the new hires, as well as for existing employees.

(Courtesy: CyberMedia News, with inputs from IANS)

B O O K

TOMES...

ON THE SHELF -----------------------------------------------------------inside/out

Author: Various authors Price: Rs 195

-----------------------------------------------------------BY CYRIL D’CUNHA hen you think of Goa, you no longer have the asli Goan in mind. Ask any person who is a recent addition to the state’s population and you will get the drift. Apart from its original tradition, the over 450 years of Portuguese rule added to the salt and spice of the land to produce a flavour not seen in any part of India.

The bailo (outsider), bitorlo (insider) variant in its society is of no consequence to the 29 authors, who go by the name of Goa Writers group, when they pen their experiences, some in perspective, and others in fascination of belonging to a society that is at once warm and significantly relaxed.

These writings could be described as diaries of a mix of memories, immediate thoughts and humour in fast and clean prose. These primarily light pieces touch on everything from ‘things in the old days’, to social philosophy and nostalgia, to experiences big and small, which in the modern context sets up one in a situation where one gets a feeling of being blindsided by the truth.

We have the noted novelist of Goan origin, now settled in Canada, Ben Antao, who brings out the boarding school flavour, with a dose of the flirt, lust and sex, when speaking of Margarita. In contrast, we have the multi-talented Isabel de Santa Rita Vas, who wonders that maybe, there’s something about walking as an art, as she confesses that for her, it is ‘my thing’ and said poetically at that.

For the slightly seriously minded, there is a universe which is like a Moebius strip, where its inside is its outside and viceversa.

With a fascination for encountering cyberspace, writer Frederick Noronha speaks of how he tasted his first experience in communication on the net. If you think riding a motorbike is inane, then Kornelia Santoro explains the thrills that go with it. Vidyadhar Gadgil is another writer who, though he has lived in Goa long enough to call it home, yet feels like an outsider among the Goans. Pamela D’Mello, better known as a journalist, takes you to a classroom atmosphere, and the ubiquitous teacher, while Sheela Jaywant writes about expat Shambu.

Among the other writers are Cecil Pinto, Melinda Coutinho Powell, Mario Coelho, Mafalda Mimoso, Vivek Menezes, Aimee Ginsburg, Sucheta Potnis, Himanshu Burte, Veena Gomes-Patwardhan, Amitav Ghosh, translation of Damodar Mauzo’s Konkani piece, Tony de Sa, Rosalyn D’Mello, Wendell Rodricks, Fatima da Silva Gracias, Prava Rai, Savia Viegas, Victor Rangel-Ribeiro and the editors of the book inside/out, Helene Derkin Menezes and Jose Lourenco.

The book has been published by Goa, 1556 in association with Goa Writers.

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W O R M

...CONTD FROM PAGE 1

...Gallantry at the Inferno At Karachi, the ship unloaded the cargo of RAF planes, explosives and ammunitions and filled the space with new cargo of cotton, timber, lubricating oil, sulphur and other combustibles.

Safety measures normally taken, when ships carrying such deadly, inflammable material are not allowed in the docks unless in extreme cases, were thrown to the winds due to the exigencies of war, and for which they paid a very heavy price.

All this happened in the height of World War II, with the fast advancing Japanese almost on the door-steps of Burma.

Was this an attack by them? The people of Bombay were in fright, not being able to know the nature of the cause. The raging inferno and thick black smoke had darkened the skies which could be seen over miles and many families with their bread-winners working in the docks at the time were anxious to know what happened to them. There was no way to find out or even establish contact. In the midst of this gloom, there were many others who were literally hit by ‘gold’ from the skies, adding a bit of irony to the whole scenario. It took them

a while to realise that it was too good to be true to find themselves in possession of the precious metal. It took almost three days to restore sanity and control the fire. Six months later, the debris was cleared with thousands labouring hard and the docks once again made ready for use. The government of India designated April 14 as ‘Fire Services Day’, in memory of those brave firemen who laid down their lives for your tomorrow.

Interestingly, the tragedy of the sinking of the ‘Titanic’, killing 1,500 people on board, on April 14, 1912, and the blowing up of the ‘Fort Stikine’ on April 14, 1944, both occurred in leap years. A grim coincidence in fact.

The Bombayite has earned the admiration of all for their resilience in adverse circumstances, be it during the floods, riots or terrorist attacks, when they have risen to the occasion and worked shoulder to shoulder to overcome any hardship they had to suffer. It was then as it is now and there is no reason why it will not be so in the future too.

Places

TRAVEL

A Lazy Weekend at Lakshadweep

BY ARVIND PINTO ith the sweltering sun burning down your skin, most Goans think of the cool waters of the sea.

Though Goan sands have been taken over by tourists, leaving scant options for the people of this state, should you yearn for a beach like the quiet of yesterdays, Lakshadweep is a place worth visiting, for the islands there have many aspects that are now missing on Goan beaches – emerald waters, no plastic bottles strewn on sands, no hawkers selling cheap trinkets and no unwarranted paid massage offers. But for those who love to experience the waves lapping on to the sand, watch the golden globe at eventide dip into the darkening waters or listen to the chirping of the birds, Lakshadweep is just the place for you. This archipelago off the Kerala coast has 36 islands, several uninhabited with tribes who have maintained their distinct way of life and culture.

Lakshadweep Islands remain isolated, being around 300 kilometres from the Kerala coast where rough weather for several months precluded easy passage from the mainland.

Many of the islands are uninhabited hence becoming nesting places for migratory birds and animals. Tourists have two options – a ship – the Tipu Sultan that plies from Cochin harbour, bookings can be made online; or a 45 minute flight from Cochin to Agatti.

Agatti has a scenic airstrip, offering glimpses of turquoise waters on either side as your 20-seater airplane drops altitude to descend onto the runway. The tin shed of an airport makes you feel like you have landed at a deserted Samoan island. From Agatti, tourists are led to boats for another hour’s journey to Bangaram through waters that change from deep blue to coral green!

Bangaram is teardrop shaped covered with a coconut foliage so thick that one scarcely

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sees the earth. This island has been leased to the Casino group that run the resort. The landing is on the eastern side, where the resort is situated. As our boat approached the shore, the resort had spread out a large banner that read ‘welcome back’. It made you feel special. Our welcome drink was coconut water that we sipped while being told about the rules of the house – the food timings, the activities. Activities on the island are limited; a yoga teacher, a walk around the island to a fresh water lake, and a lending library stacked with books left by departing tourists.

But for those interested in water sports, the resort is a treasure trove. You can take a boat to some deserted islands, try your hand at fishing, learn scuba diving, go snorkelling to view some of the rare coloured corals in creation. The experience is distinct for everyone; for me it was an hour of sublime wonder to gaze at the shoals of angel-fish, sturgeon and guppies pass by, with the occasional sting ray and eel hide amidst the dark corals that

covered the seabed.

Evenings of the island are equally exciting. Happy hours bring folks together over drinks that are paid for separately while the buffet spread consists of fresh fish cooked before you together with plenty of Kerala delicacies.

Yes, life on the island is lazy; you can lounge around, play volleyball with the staff, go kayaking or simple gaze into ocean. But for those who enjoy the beauty of the calm and peace of solitude, Bangaram is indeed Paradise!

(Email your feedback to: arvind_pinto@yahoo.com

Editor –in-chief: R F Fernandes. Editor: Ashwin Tombat. Chief Editor-Features: Christina Viegas. Regd Office: St Tome Road, Panjim, Goa. Tel: 6658512, 6658500, 2224202, 2228083. Fax: 2222475. Email: weekendsplendour@herald-goa.com.