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China against proposed Iran energy sanctions REUTERS WASHINGTON, APRIL 12

China has made clear to the United States and four other world powers that it dislikes a proposed ban on new investments in Iran's energy sector as part of a new round of UN sanc-

tions, diplomats said.

After months of delay, China reluctantly agreed to join the other permanent members of the Security Council and Germany -- a group often referred to as the ''P5-plus-one'' -- in New York last week to begin drafting a sanctions resolution against Iran for refusing to suspend its uranium enrichment program.

But the diplomats, who yesterday spoke on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that Chinese UN Ambassador Li Baodong indicated his displeasure at the proposals affecting Iran's energy sector during the 3-hour meeting with his US, British, French, German and Russian counterparts on Thursday. ''In general, the Chinese ambassador did not want to discuss specifics of the text,'' a diplomat said, referring to a US sanctions proposal that is the basis of talks among the six. ''The first meeting in New York was for an initial exchange of views on the US draft,'' the diplomat added. Another envoy confirmed his comments.

The Chinese did convey the im-

pression that Beijing had problems with the proposals regarding Iran's energy sector, a diplomat said. ''It was perceived that the Chinese do not agree with the energy proposals,'' one of the diplomats said.

Those proposals include a ban on new investments in Iran's energy industry, several diplomats have told Reuters. The U.S. draft

does not include a call for import or export restrictions on Iran's oil and gas industries, as some in the United States and Israel had hoped for, the diplomats said.

Li told reporters after last week's three-hour meeting of the six powers that it was ''a very constructive negotiation.'' He said the group planned to meet again this week.

FROM PAGE 1 Paedophile priests...

The document also confirms that the pope can intervene directly to defrock the worst offenders.

“In very grave cases where a civil criminal trial has found the cleric guilty of sexual abuse of minors or where the evidence is overwhelming,” the pope may issue a decree to remove him from the priesthood, it says.

“If the allegation has a semblance of truth the case is referred to the CDF,” its says, referring to the Vatican’s morals watchdog, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

“There is no canonical remedy against such a papal decree,’ add the guidelines, drawn from the church’s canon law and a papal instruction signed in 2001 by then Pope John Paul II. The decree on “serious crimes” was drafted by the CDF when it was headed by then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger — now Pope Benedict XVI. The Vatican announced Friday that it would post the guidelines as a way of helping Roman Catholic authorities deal with predator priests.

It said the guidelines, published in English only, were a summary of operational procedures that were set down in an internal CDF document in 2003.

Large-scale paedophilia scandals have rocked the Catholic churches of Ireland, Austria, the United States and the pope’s native Germany in recent months.

The pontiff, who turns 83 on Friday, has himself faced allegations that he failed to take action against predator priests both as head of the CDF and earlier as the archbishop of Munich.

On Friday he faced fresh charges that he dragged his feet over defrocking a predator priest in California.

The same day the Canadian Church was hit by revelations that bishops sought to hide a paedophile priest’s crimes by urging the Vatican not to promote him some 20 years ago.

Sleuths probe financial...

whether the suspended PI had fixed deposit accounts with them.

White ants: The Crime Branch has now found that some packets containing narcotic drugs that were placed in the ANC storeroom (malkhana) have been eaten by white ants. Besides, some sealed packets were found in unsealed condition.

It may be recalled that Atala, an alleged Israeli pusher, had on youtube said that the suspended police inspector Ashish Shirodkar was diverting drugs seized by the police back into market through him.

According to Crime Branch there is ground to believe that allegations levelled against the suspended cop are genuine.

Our sources said, muddemal seized during raids is kept in separate safe and the drugs received from the courts is kept in the godown.

However, the exhibits are removed from the go-down by policemen and therefore , what the accused Atala narrated in the video o website appear to be genuine, officials feel.

Meanwhile, Shirodkar today withdrew his bail application filed before High Court on Monday.

Five cops were suspended and put under arrest after their alleged links with drug peddlers came to light days after the expose of police-drug mafia links through a video footage of Atala on youtube.

While they filed for bail before NDPS (Narcotics, Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) Court in Mapusa, the court declined to decide their bail applications for want of jurisdiction following which they moved the High Court.

While deciding their applications, the High Court ruled that the NDPS Court has jurisdiction to decide bails pleas. The application of Shirodkar was placed for hearing today . However, he has the withdrawn application with a liberty to go before the NDPS Court.

Absconding cop Sanjay Parab who had filed for anticipatory bail before High Court has also withdrawn his application.

Vasco facility to...

too difficult to forecast the air quality.

“Setting up of station will help in understanding the immediate health hazards due to pollution in the state as well as its impact on the country. This programme (air quality forecast at an all India level) will predict the current level of air quality and its future projections well in advance. This would also help in taking suitable systematic measures to avoid health hazards,” Dr Beig explained.

He even added saying that the data will also reveal if air pollutants have an impact on the monsoon.

He said, though the Goa Pollution Control Board was monitoring the pollution level in the air it could not come out with actual facts thus restricting it from taking any further measures.

“Once we have a year long data, IITM will be in better position to offer different air cast facilities to the respective states,” scientist added.

Dr Beig lamented pollutants, such as oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, suspended particulate matter, black carbon and benzene, were a cause for serious concern all over the country. Exposure to these pollutants, he added, leads to problems such as increased respiratory symptoms, hospitalisation for heart and lung diseases and even premature death.

Explaining the process of air pollution forecasting, Dr Beig said that a numerical model would be relied upon. A control room would be set up at the IITM and the data would be transferred from all 20 different locations to the control room. Using this data, figures for the pollution level would be calculated.

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GOA, TUESDAY, 13 APRIL, 2010

40 militants killed in Pak Fighting intensifies in Orakzai, Khyber regions REUTERS HANGU, APRIL 12

Pakistani security forces killed dozens of Taliban in a counter offensive in northwestern Orakzai region today after an attack on a security checkpost, officials said.

The militants attacked the checkpost in Shirin Darra, about 10 km from the region's main town of Kalaya early in the morning, killing two soldiers. ''Initial reports suggest 35 to 40 militants have been killed,'' Khaista Rehman, a regional government official told Reuters.

A senior military official in the region confirmed the clash and the death toll, but there was no independent confirmation.

O r a k z a i i s o n e o f Pa k -

istan's seven semi-autonomous ethnic Pashtun tribal regions, known as the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), strung out along the Afghan border.

Pakistani security forces have stepped up assaults in the northwest over the past year, largely clearing militants from the Swat valley, northwest of Islamabad, and the South Waziristan and Bajaur regions on the Afghan border.

Fighting has intensified in recent weeks in Orakzai and the neighbouring Khyber region, where officials said militants who fled the earlier sweeps had taken refuge.

Military officials said a large number of militants, including foreigners, are believed to have

taken shelter in the remote Tirah Valley in Khyber.

MILITANT TRAINING CENTRES: Tirah is a forested, mountainous area on the borders of Orakzai, Khyber and Afghanistan and is a stronghold of the Lashkar-eIslam, or Army of Islam, a militant group linked with Pakistani Taliban.

Forty-five people were killed in an attack by security forces in the valley on Saturday. Militants said civilians were also killed in the attack but military officials denied that.

The main route for Western forces' supplies trucked from Karachi port to landlocked Afghanistan winds through the Khyber Pass and militants have frequently attacked convoys there.

The security forces' successes

Nepal scraps passport deal with India PTI KATHMANDU, APRIL 12

In a major climb down, the Nepalese government has scrapped a controversial deal with India for printing of Machine Readable Passport from a government security press, which led to Maoist calling off their nationwide strike.

The government decision came hours before the country's apex court was to hear the case and was announced by Communication Minister and government spokesman Shanker Pokharel after a cabinet meeting.

It was apparent that the government caved in to pressure by the Maoist who had termed the step as bowing to India.

"The government decided to accept the advice of the parliamentary committee which went into the matter and procured passports to the competitive bidding," Pokhrel said.

The government decision came

four days after the Supreme Court ordered the deal to be put on hold and summoned Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and his deputy Sujata Koirala to explain the decision before it.

Under the new International Civil Aviation rules, Nepal was to issue new machine readable passports to new applicants by April 1.

Nepal government had recently decided to award the contract of supplying MRP to Indian security press at a rate of USD 4 per copy through bilateral negotiations in order to get the

ultra-modern passport printed as soon as possible after the International Civil Aviation Organisation asked it to halt issuance of hand writ-

ten passports.

The decision to cancel the order came after Maoists announced general strike today to oppose the government's plan to get

the smart passports printed in Indian press.

As the government withdrew the decision to print the passport from India, the Maoists also withdrew their strike, the Maoist sources said.

A Parliament Committee had summoned Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal this week to furnish clarification regarding the issue of the decision to award the contract to the Indian security press to supply the passports.

Responding to the Parliament committee's query the Prime Minister had said that the decision was taken to award the contract to India keeping in view diplomatic and political relations.

After missing the deadline, the government has made a request to the ICAO to extend the time and allow the issuance of hand written passport for the time being.

over past year have eased fears that nuclear-armed Pakistan, a vital ally for the United States as it struggles to stabilise Afghanistan, was sliding into chaos.

Similarly, hopes for an easing of destabilising political wrangling were raised last week when the National Assembly unanimously passed a set of constitutional reforms curbing the powers of unpopular President Asif Ali Zardari.

Optimism has been reflected in Pakistan's stock market, where the main index is at levels not seen since 2008, supported by foreign buying. Net foreign portfolio inflows were 113 million dollar in March, the the second highest monthly inflow ever.

Chinese scholar finds Mr Death!

REUTERS BEIJING, APRIL 12

Unhappy with your name? Then spare a thought for those rare Chinese families who surnames mean ''zero'', ''ghost'' or even ''death''.

A man in China's southern province of Jiangxi has spent the last 20 years compiling a list of unusual family names, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Most Chinese people share a few common surnames, like Zhang, Wang, Li, Liu and Chen.

The Chinese expression for ''ordinary people'' literally means ''the old one hundred surnames''.

But Cheng Yinglian's interest was piqued after reading a newspaper many years ago and discovering a person with the surname Gui, meaning ''ghost'', CCTV said.

Those he has found include Ling, or ''zero'', Cu, or ''vinegar'', Miao, or ''second'' and Yi, or ''one''.

Superstitions related to names are still strong in China, and many parents go out of their way to give their children auspicious names which suggest they will grow up to be healthy, strong and rich.

Rj Ponande, 60, waits for customers at his pottery shop at a road side stall in Galle south of Colombo on Monday. Many Sri Lankans celebrating the Sinhala and Tamil Hindu New Year, on the 13th and 14th of April, traditionally return to their families in the villages with gifts.

N-proliferation: India to pitch for commitments PTI WASHINGTON, APRIL 12

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to pitch for strong commitments by individual countries and firm responses by global community against proliferation at the Nuclear Security Summit here today, amid fears about terrorists gaining access to atomic material.

Singh will join leaders of 46 other countries in discussing mechanisms to strengthen global initiatives for securing nuclear material and installations.

The two day Summit is taking place on April 12-13 amidst increasing apprehensions and concerns about the possibility of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal and material falling into the hands of terrorists.

While the Prime Minister is unlikely to directly refer to Pakistan in this context, National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon and Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao are expected to raise concerns regarding Pakistan at the official-level meetings.

Thai tensions seethe; protesters march streets REUTERS BANGKOK, APRIL 12

Thai anti-government protesters marched in Bangkok today, carrying empty coffins in memory of comrades killed at the weekend, as the country's worst political violence in 18 years sent the stock market down 5 per cent.

Saturday's fighting, some of it in well-known Bangkok tourist areas, ended after security forces pulled back late in the night. The capital has been calm since then, while authorities ponder whether to renew a potentially bloody crackdown on the month-long protests or make some concession to demands for immediate polls.

The clashes, in which 21 protesters and security personnel died and more than 800 were injured, prompted concern from ratings agency about Thailand's credit risk.

The ''red shirt'' protesters, mostly rural and working-class supporters of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra who was ousted in a coup in 2006, want Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve parliament and leave the country.

Thousands of them circled the city on trucks, scooters and ''tuktuk'' taxis, in a defiant mood after the army failed to eject them from one of two Bangkok bases where they have camped

out -- one in an upscale area, where big malls have had to shut. ''We will continue to rally until Abhisit is no longer prime minister,'' Jatuporn Prompan, a red shirt leader, told reporters. ''We are hearing they will shorten the conditions for the dissolution of parliament from nine months to six or three, but we won't engage in any negotiations on this,'' he said.

The Bangkok Post daily, citing unnamed sources, said Abhisit could dissolve parliament in six months, three months sooner than his most recent proposal.

He has to call an election by end-2011.

The red shirts see Abhisit as a front for the establishment elite and military who came to power not through the ballot box but through a parliamentary stitchup in December 2008 when the courts dissolved a pro-Thaksin ruling party.

The military brass is averse to allowing Thaksin's supporters back into power, but many in the ranks who come from the same social strata as the red shirts sympathise with them.

Re v e r e d K i n g B h u m i b o l Adulyadej, who has intervened in past crises, has been silent so far. The 82-year-old head of state has been in hospital since September.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (front R) and Polish ambassador to Russia Jerzy Bahr (front L) attend a ceremony of departure of the coffin of Polish President Lech Kaczynski at a military airfield near Smolensk, Russia.

Search on for remains, DNA tests to identify bodies PTI MOSCOW, APRIL 12

The search for the remains of passengers of the Polish President's illfated plane went on at the crash site in Smolensk today as grief-stricken relatives arrived in Russia for identifying bodies, most of which are dismembered beyond recognition.

Russia observed a day of state mourning for the victims, with flags flying at half-mast.

The investigators are still searching for the remains of the victims that could be scattered around the site or buried in the ground rather than in the wreckage of the plane, officials said.

Quoting a source connected with

the operation, Ria-Novosti said several fragments of bodies were discovered at the site yesterday after presumably all remains of the victims had been removed from the wreckage and sent to Moscow.

The Tupolev Tu-154 aircraft hit the trees in dense fog while attempting to land at a military aerodrome near Smolensk region of Russia on Saturday morning, killing all 96 people on board, including President Lech Kaczynski and the who's who of the Polish establishment.

According to investigators, the impact was so strong that the plane burst into small pieces with only a few relatively large

parts remaining.

As a special flight from Warsaw carrying the first batch of relatives of passengers arrived here overnight, Polish Health Minister Ewa Kopacz said most of the bodies were beyond recognition and "their identification required DNA tests".

The body of President Kaczynski was identified by his twin brother Jaroslaw and flown to Warsaw yesterday with full military honours after a brief ceremony on the tarmac attended by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

However, the bodies of his wife Maria and many other crash victims are yet to be identified.

Nothing so funny about North Korea's comedy show REUTERS SEOUL, APRIL 12

Stern, serious, socialist North Korea has carved out a spot in TV history for having one of the world's longest running comedy shows, despite it being mostly devoid of jokes for the decades it has been on the air.

The show now called ''It's So Funny'' is meant to uplift the morale of troops and extol propaganda about the virtues of serving under ''The General'' Kim Jong-il. Laughter is optional -- unless the soldiers in

the audience are ordered to do so.

The format of the show is usually a conversation between a man and a woman in military uniform, who sometimes sing, dance and try a little slapstick, but mostly avoid telling one-liners. ''Often, it is really hard to find the humour,'' said a South Korean official who monitors the North's official broadcasts. ''This type of show has been on since almost the beginning of the state's official pro-

gramming (in the 1970s),'' he said.

The latest version that came out in the past week extolled the virtue of beans, while avoiding any flatulence humour.

It opened with the man soldier saying to the woman soldier he feels better and looks more handsome because he has been taking medicine made from beans. ''If we soldiers see beans, we become happy,'' he said and laughs. ''If we farm in the way the General tells us, we will become happy,'' she said and laughs.

Few of the soldiers in the audi-

ence could be heard laughing.

There was one long send-up that did gather a few chuckles.

The two talk about how beanfed North Korean soldiers were able to fight off US imperialist troops during the Korean War. The women soldier, playing the part of an old woman, said beanfed troops including her husband had amazing strength on the battle field. ''But he died,'' she said.

The show concludes with the two delivering homilies on Kim Jong-il's military rule. ''He had tried so hard to fill the

people's tables,'' they say in tearful voices.

There is no room for irony in the performance shown on the reclusive state's only channel to a people who have battled chronic food shortages for decades due to the government's bungled agricultural policies.

Kim Yong, who defected from the North and became a TV personality in the South, said the actors on ''It's So Funny'' have immense talent but they are working with comedy vetted by propaganda experts and government censors.

Singh is expected to pitch for firm response to the challenges of proliferation and possibility of terrorists gaining access to nuclear material. He is expected to share India's apprehensions about terrorists acquiring weapons of mass destruction.

During the official-level deliberations, India will raise concerns about the possibility of terrorists gaining access to nuclear material in Pakistan.

The summit, an initiative of Obama, will focus on dangers posed by clandestine proliferation and illicit trafficking of nuclear material and the possibility of terrorists acquiring atomic material.

Ahead of his visit, the prime min-

China airport near Mt Everest to be ready by October PTI BEIJING APRIL 12

Chinese have said that the new airport built near the world's tallest peak Mount Everest in Xighaze in Tibet will become operational in October and would boost tourist traffic in the region, in a move that would enhance its reach closer to Indian and Nepalese border.

The airport being constructed at the cost of USD 71.7 million was also expected to boost tourist traffic to Xigaze where the Tashilhungpo Monastery headed by the Chinese appointed 11th Panchen Lama Gyaincain Norbu is located.

Construction of the Peace Airport in Xigaze prefecture began in April last year and would be completed in September, making its opening in October feasible, said Xu Bo, director of the Civil Aviation Administration's Tibet Branch.

The airport would be able to handle 230,000 passengers and 1,150 tonnes of cargos and allow 2,580 take-offs and landings annually by 2020, state run Xinhua news-agency reported.

ister said nuclear terrorism and proliferation of sensitive technologies are "legitimate concerns" which require "firm responses".

He emphasised the need for "highest standards of security" in the nuclear field to reinforce public faith in the benefit of atomic science.

Noting that nuclear energy was poised to play a growing role in addressing the developmental challenges of the present times, he said, "This will be possible only if we, as individual nations, and as a global community ensure the highest standards of security which reinforce public faith in the benefits of nuclear science."

OHERALDO

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BIZ

GOA, TUESDAY, 13 APRIL, 2010

TALK BUSINESS

Maggie’s Apparel opens at Navelim

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India poised to achieve 9-10% growth: PM PtI WASHINGTON, APRIL 12

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said India was poised to achieve 9-10 per cent economic growth but for this it required protection-free international climate.

During the meeting with President Barack Obama, Singh said, there was a need to "rewrite" the architecture of global economic system in

The store being inaugurated by Sharad Jadhav of Morarjee Textiles.

PANJIM (HBD) — Morarjee Textiles has opened an exclusive brand outlet (EBO) Maggie’s Apparel at Blue Bell, Ratwado, Navelim, recently.

Maggie’s Apparel owned by Avinash and Gale Godinho has been appointed as the authorised distributor for Goa and sells the premium La-Morale brand which is 100 percent Egyptian cotton formal shirt.

The store was inaugurated by Sharad Jadhav of Morarjee Textiles and blessed by Fr Lancy Mendonca.

Morarjee Textiles produces 100 % Egyptian cotton and has been supplying the fabric to well known brands such as Louie, Phillipe, Blackberry, Zodiac, Allen Solly and many more.

Morarjee Textiles has now decided to come out with its own 100 percent Egyptian cotton formal shirts brand “La-Morale” and soon to be introduced semi formals “Dernier Cri”. As an inaugural offer there is a special scheme of buy 2 get 1 free or a 25 percent discount on any shirt purchased.

Vodafone’s Zoozoo wins 3 awards PANJIM (HBD) – Vodafone Essar announced that its Zoozoo campaign won three accolades - two Gold and one Silver, at the Asia Marketing Effectiveness (AME) awards ceremony. The awards ceremony held in Shanghai, recognized the campaign’s success in meeting its objective and its overall impact in India.

Meanwhile, Vodafone Essar also announced that it has crossed the landmark of 10 crore subscribers in India. With this achievement, Vodafone Essar becomes world’s 5th operator with 100 million customers in a single country. Vodafone has also increased its market share to strengthen its position as India’s second largest operator in terms of revenue.

Starting with about 28 million subscribers across 16 circles in May 2007, Vodafone Essar today has 100 million customers and its footprint has extended to all the 23 circles in the country. This journey is a testimony of Vodafone’s success in a highly competitive and price sensitive market.

Around 60% of the company’s customer additions now come from upcountry areas. With a distribution reach of about 1.2 million outlets, Vodafone is well-geared to serve customers in the remotest corners of India.

United Spirits becomes 2nd largest spirits Co PANJIM (HBD) — United Spirits Limited (USL), the flagship company of The UB Group, announced that it has crossed the milestone of clocking a sales volume of 100 million cases for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010. This achievement makes United Spirits the world’s second-largest spirits company by volumes, dislodging Paris-headquartered Pernod Ricard.

The retail sales value of the spirits portfolio sales for the 100 million cases sold is Rs 30,000 crore. The 100 million cases contributed to government revenue of Rs 18,000 crore through excise and other levies.

With more than 100 million potential consumers entering the legal drinking age in the next 5 years, the opportunity for growth for it is tremendous. To this end, United Spirits has undertaken a capacity augmentation through a capital investment plan of over Rs 650 crore. The company recently acquired Tern Distilleries in AP and set up a Greenfield malt spirit plant in Nasik in Maharashtra. uBL: United Breweries Limited (UBL) also announced that in the financial year ended 31 March 2010 it has sold more than 7.8 million hectolitres of beer, which is equivalent to over 100 million cases. This represents a growth of more than 20% over the previous fiscal, and has been achieved even as UBL discontinued supply to Andhra Pradesh - the largest beer market in the country – for three months in the peak season.

LG to invest $18 b in green biz ReuteRs SEOUL, APRIL 12

South Korea's LG Group will invest $17.90 billion through 2020 to develop environmentally-friendly businesses and reduce emissions by 40 percent against 2009 levels, unit LG Corp said on Monday.

The group is South Korea's fifth-largest by assets and led by LG Electronics, LG Display and LG Chem. It will split the investment between green research and development and facilities to cut 50 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year by 2020, a statement from LG Corp said.

The investment aims to expand its production of energyefficient products and renewable energy businesses such as fuel cells and rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles, bringing revenue from such sectors to 10 percent of the group's total revenue in 2020, the statement said.

which the G-20 could play an important role.

Singh and Obama discussed a broad range of issues, including global economic crisis, follow up of G-20 meetings and food security and energy security.

The Prime Minister said he was convinced that the two countries could begin a new chapter in their relations, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao

told reporters while briefing on the meeting.

Referring to the global economic crisis, Singh referred to role of US in strengthening growth impulses in world economy particularly in developing countries in period after World War II and stressed that that experience should be repeated.

Talking about India's context, he said the country was

poised to achieve high economic growth of 9-10%, given the savings rate of 35% and investment rate of 37%. For this to happen, there was need for peace in the region, he said.

He also said that countries like India needed international environment that does not allow protectionist forces to gain ascendancy, Rao said.

Singh told Obama that "we should rewrite the architecture

Water purifier in consumer pack HeRALD RePORteR PANJIM, APRIL 12

TwinOxide International BV, the exclusive worldwide license holder, producer and distributor for TwinOxide and headquartered in The Netherlands, today launched their product in the Goa market in the form of a consumer pack.

Addressing the media, J P Swinkels, export director of TwinOxide International BV said, “TwinOxide is an ecofriendly, cost effective and efficient water purifier meant for the 21st century consumer.”

“The cost of purifying one liter of water works out to approximately 5 paise. In a vast country like India where public water distribution system might not match international standards, this product could have a huge market,” hinted Swinkels TwinOxide is now available as a liquid concentrate of a transportable, non-explosive two-component chlorine dioxide - providing safe and disinfected water compliant with European and American Standard for drinking water.

It is an advanced delivery system, providing 99.9% pure

The success of Singapore's first real estate trust offering this month has prompted talk that other similar, previously shelved, offerings are now being dusted off.

India's top real estate firms, DLF Ltd and Unitech Ltd may revive their Singapore IPO plans, banking sources said, while the Embassy Group is actively looking into raising funds in the city state.

Cache Logistics Trust raised $300 million after its IPO was priced at the high-end of an indicative range at a time when Asia's IPO markets have seen mixed success since last year's bull run. The stock rose 13 percent on its debut on Monday.

"Cache's success could point to a REITs proliferation in Singapore," one of the sources said. "Some of the Indian companies have been approaching bankers for the process," said the source, who asked not to be identified due to the sensitivity of the issue.

DLF had planned a $1.5 billion IPO, while Unitech had

sought to raise about $500 million for its IPO, but these were put on hold in 2008 due to the global financial crisis. DLF and Unitech are India's two largest listed developers.

"The (REIT) plan is still there," said a source at DLF, who declined to be identified as he was not authorised to speak to the media.

Singapore is the thirdlargest REITs market in Asia Pacific with a total industry market capitalisation of around $20 billion, ranking behind Australia and Japan.

The developed market makes it an ideal listing spot for companies in other Asian countries, such as India, where REITs are not allowed to be floated.

Timing for the possible Indian IPOs may be tricky, with another banking source in Singapore saying DLF needed to restructure its assets to package the right properties if it wanted to list its REITs. But sources say it's a matter of time.

For Unitech, its immediate

US would welcome suggestions of India as preparations for the next G-20 were underway. He mentioned common interest of both countries in seeing early conclusion of Doha Round of WTO talks.

Singh said, food security, energy security were other areas for cooperation especially since experience of India in these fields was very valuable and of relevance.

Glenmark settles row with Glaxo ReuteRs MUMBAI, APRIL 12

From left to right are Anvekar and Bhise of ABM-Enterprises along with Jeffrey Swinkles (export director TwinOxide International) and Dr Ghosh (Global Tech Director India).

chlorine dioxide solution in a 0.3% concentration without byproducts. A concept for water treatment, it will help disinfect water without wasting time or money. 2 drops of TwinOxide in 1 liter of drinking water can completely purify it. It provides purification with a total concept of safe water disinfection without the disadvantage of the traditional applications

of chlorine or chlorine dioxide.

Another significant advantage is the low contact time required for purification after TwinOxide is added to contaminated water. “TwinOxide takes about one minute of contact time to purify as compared to 30 minutes in traditional chlorine based methods,” said Dr Ghosh, global technical director, India.

Singapore a REIT listing magnet ReuteRs HONG KONG/SINGAPORE

of the global economic system.

In this context, G-20 could play an important role in ensuring that global economic recovery is sustainable."

He said the US was uniquely placed to work out a plan for sustainable recovery in a globally integrated financial system. There is synergy of interests between India and the US, Singh told Obama.

In response, Obama said the

focus was to spin off non-core businesses that include power, hotels, telecoms and special economic zones, media reports said in March.

Executives at DLF and Unitech say they have no immediate plans to revisit their Singapore IPOs, but sources say they've been keeping a close eye on Cache's public offering process.

Apart from the two, Bangalore-based Embassy is looking into raising $300-$500 million by floating its REIT in Singapore, after stalling plans during the financial downturn, sources said earlier this year.

A real estate investment trust (REIT) is a fund that invests in mainly commercial property and pays most of its rent to shareholders as dividends, which are usually higher than yields of government bonds and offer capital gains if property prices rise.

The average dividend yield of Singapore's REITs was 7.74 percent last year, according to property services firm CB Richard Ellis, much higher than the

country's average 10-year government bond yield of 2.3 percent.

On Monday, Suntec REIT's dividend yield was 8.31 percent, compared with Singapore's 10-year bond yield of 2.8 percent.

Ernst & Young said it expected the global market value of publicly-traded REITs to grow this year after rebounding to about $568 billion at end-2009 from $430 billion in mid-2009, partly due to renewed IPO interest.

Singapore is not alone in its REIT interest.

In neighbouring Malaysia, property company Sunway City said it planned to raise about 1 billion ringgit ($310 million), which could be the biggest REIT listing ever in the southeast Asian country.

During the property boom from 2006 to most of 2008, a slew of Indian developers were actively seeking to float their REITs in Singapore, but almost all shelved their plans during the global downturn.

On the environmental front, TwinOxide effect is negligible as the only residual product is a minute amount of harmless salt. The product is easy to transport by road, sea and air, is safe to handle and simple to apply, using standard available dosing equipment without the use of a reactor.

Twin Oxide will be available locally in the next few months.

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd said on Monday its unit settled a litigation with GlaxoSmithKline over patent actions on doses of atovaquone and proguanil hydrochloride, the generic version of GSK's Malarone malaria treatment tablets.

Under terms of the settlement, Glenmark Generics would be able to market and distribute the generic version of Malarone tablets under a royalty-bearing license from GSK in the third quarter of calendar year 2011, or earlier in certain circumstances, it said in a statement.

Malarone had sales of $56 million in the calendar year 2009 in the US market, it said.

Tata Steel sees demand rising 10-12% ReuteRs KOLKATA, APRIL 12

Tata Steel, the world's eighthlargest steelmaker, expects demand for steel in India to rise 10 to 12 percent in 2010/11, MD, Nerurkar said on Monday.

The Indian market accounts for a quarter of the company's global capacity of about 30 million tonnes.

BOARD@MEETINGS ABG Infra Blue Dart Mastek Bajaj Global essar Oil Bharat seats Infosys

Source: Indiainfoline.com

MF FUNDA IDFC MutuAL FuND has launched a new fund named as IDFC Nifty Fund, an open ended index linked equity scheme. The NFO price for the scheme is Rs 10 per unit.

The new issue is open for subscription from April 12 and closes on April 23, 2010.

The scheme offers two options namely growth and dividend option.

The minimum application amount is Rs 500 and in multiples of Re 1 thereafter.

The fund seeks to collect a minimum subscription (minimum target) amount of Rs 10 million under the scheme during the NFO period.

Entry load and exit load charge will be nil for the scheme.

Benchmark Index for the scheme is S&P CNX Nifty Index. The scheme will be managed by Tridib Pathak.

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SEBI order on ULIP on hold Both regulators to go to court

PTI NEW DELHI, APRIL 12

In a major relief to ULIP holders and insurance companies, government today stepped in to ensure that the business of selling equity-linked insurance plans can go ahead as before while the two clashing regulators have decided to approach the court for sorting out the dispute.

The Finance Ministry's intervention comes after the two regulators SEBI and IRDA clashed with each other over regulating the Unit Linked Insurance Products (ULIPs).

SEBI chairman C B Bhave and

Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) chairman J Harinarayan rushed to Delhi and held discussions with senior officials and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee before the two sides agreed to seek a "binding legal mandate".

"SEBI chairman and IRDA chairman today held discussions on jurisdiction over ULIP (Unit Linked Insurance Products).

"To resolve any ambiguity and to ensure a smooth functioning in the market, the regulators have agreed to jointly seek a binding legal mandate

LAUNCH PAD

Samsung unveils 3D eco system

PANJIM (HBD) -- To initiate consumers into the next dimension in entertainment through the immersive experience of 3D televisions, Samsung unveiled India’s first and largest range of 3D televisions.

From the award-winning 3D LED TVs to 3D LCD TVs and 3D Plasma+ TVs, consumers now have a choice of 10 television models across the three technology platforms, with different screen sizes (from 40” to 65”), to fit their individual entertainment preferences and lifestyle.

Consumers experienced the thrill of watching 3D content on their televisions for the first time on the Samsung 3D range on display at the venue.

In fact, Samsung is creating the 3D eco system in the country by launching its 3D Blu ray player BD-C6900, Blu-ray integrated home theater system HT-C6950 and 3D active glasses along with the Samsung range of 3D televisions. With a comprehensive 2010 lineup of 3D TVs, Blu-ray players and proprietary 3D glasses - Samsung is delivering on its vision to create a total 3D solution for home entertainment.

Samsung Full HD 3D TVs eliminate one of the barriers of 3D adoption – lack of content – by rendering 2D content into 3D with the push of a button. Furthermore, based on its global strategic alliance with DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc, Samsung is providing a first time, feature-length 3D Blu-ray version of DreamWorks Animation’s 2009 release, Monsters vs. Aliens (exclusive to Samsung products) along every Samsung 3D television.

The Samsung 3D LED television range is available in the screen size between 40” to 65”, priced in the range between Rs 1,30,000 to Rs 4,35,000; the 3D LCD series is available in the 46” and 55” screen sizes, priced at Rs 1,29,000 and Rs 1,86,900 respectively. The 63” 3D Plasma+ TV is priced at Rs 3,00,000.

Tata Docomo’s My Tunes PANJIM (HBD) -- Tata Docomo, the GSM brand of Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) Limited, has launched an innovative ValueAdded Service ‘My Song’ for all its post-paid and pre-paid mobile subscribers. The unique service, introduced for the first time in the country, is a reverse ring-back tone facility, wherein the caller gets to hear the tune that he sets for himself, instead of listening to the conventional tring-tring, or caller tunes set by the called party.

For subscribing to My Song service, customers can dial 543217 and personalize songs of their choice of different genres such as Bollywood hits, regionals, international, classical and funny tunes. As an additional benefit, subscribers can set a maximum of up to three different songs for calling different people. To access this service, subscribers will be charged 2 paise per second and the subscription charges will be Rs 15 for a period of 30 days for Rs 10 per song download for both postpaid and pre-paid subscribers.

Once the My Song service is activated, a user can keep a tab of all details of the service on the fly. Songs downloaded will be subscriber’s personal selection and will be played as a shuffle.

Adobe creative Suite 5 master collection MuMBAI (PTI) -- Adobe Systems Incorporated today announced the launch of Adobe Creative Suite 5 Master Collection, a breakthrough release of the industry-leading design and development software for virtually every creative workflow.

"The newly launched Adobe Creative Suite 5 Master Collection's breakthrough interactive design tools and omniture integration maximise impact of creative content and businesses around digital workflows," Adobe India's director-sales, Sandeep Mehrotra, said.

"CS5 was a highly anticipated release for the Indian market, home to a vibrant creative culture with the largest film industry in the world, one of the most awarded advertising industries, and including an ever-growing population of animation, design, music, architecture, gaming, publishing and outsourcing industries," he said.

With the launch of CS5, Adobe aims to provide the tools and innovative workflows needed to heighten the creative experience, streamline processes and help India build successful businesses in this very important sector, Mehrotra said.

Integrating online content and digital marketing optimisation capabilities for the first time, Creative Suite 5 Master Collection includes access to signature Omniture technologies, to capture, store and analyse information generated by web sites and other sources.

Adobe Creative Suite 5 Master Collection includes, in a single package, all of Adobe's renowned Creative Suite tools, such as Photoshop CS5, Illustrator CS5, InDesign CS5, Flash Catalyst CS5, Flash CS5 Professional, Dreamweaver CS5, Adobe Premiere Pro CS5 and After Effects CS5, he said.

By coupling online business analytics with our creative tools we're ensuring that publishers, designers and marketers can create, deliver and optimise beautiful, high-impact digital experiences across media and devices, he added.

from an appropriate court.

Meanwhile, status quo ante is being restored," Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee told reporters after the discussions.

When asked what could be the appropriate court, Finance Secretary Ashok Chawla said, "I believe the High Court." While the SEBI is headquartered in

Mumbai, IRDA is based in Hyderabad.

On Friday, SEBI banned 14 life insurance companies from selling ULIPs till they obtain registration from the market regulator. Within 24 hours, IRDA asked the companies to ignore the SEBI ban order and continue with business as usual.

...tussle is just Eco argument: expert PTI MUMBAI, APRIL 12

The tussle between two sectoral regulators -- SEBI and IRDA -- on the issue of ULIPs will generate some knowledge for both insurance firms as well as the watchdogs, a top financial sector expert said.

"This is a valuable issue highlighted by both regulators. It will unfold some knowledge for insurance firms as well as both regulators," ICICI Securities managing director and CEO Madhabi Puri Buch told reporters on the sidelines of an event here today.

Describing what was happening between the two regulators as "an economic argument", Buch said all players would have to ultimately follow the laid-down guidelines.

"It is an economic argument.

At the end of the day, we

should not forget that there is some guidelines we have to follow," she said.

Capital market regulator SEBI on Friday last banned 14 life insurance companies from raising funds through unitlinked insurance policies (ULIPs).

IRDA has, however, asked these companies to continue their business "as usual".

ULIPs are plans sold by life insurers where the money collected from customers is invested into equity and debt markets and returns are linked to the same. Their regulation has become a bone of contention between the two regulators.

The turf war concerns the nature of ULIPs which account for over 50 per cent of the total life insurance business in the country.

Feb factory output slips to 15.1% PTI NEW DELHI, APRIL 12

Industrial growth declined for the second month in succession to 15.1 per cent in February compared to the previous month's, on moderation in cement and steel output and may ease further in coming months due to the twin impact of stimulus withdrawal and monetary tightening.

Industrial growth, as measured by the index of industrial production (IIP), during the month came down from 16.7 per cent in January and 17.6 per cent in December, according to the official data released today.

"The (IIP) growth will moder-

ate in the coming months due to base effect and monetary policy tightening by the RBI. Overall, I expect GDP growth to be around 7.2 per cent in 200910," Crisil Principal Economist DK Joshi said.

"Capital goods and manufacturing led the growth which shows the economy is on an investment cycle. The growth could be sustained as it is consumption driven," Yes Bank Chief Economist Shubhada Rao said.

The growth at 15.1 per cent during February, however, is much more than 0.2 per cent recorded in the same month in 2008-09, the fiscal that witnessed the impact of the global

financial meltdown on the Indian economy.

The manufacturing sector, which is leading the economic recovery, recorded a growth of 16 per cent during the month, up from 0.2 per cent in February 2009.

The growth can be partly attributed to the low base of 0.2 per cent of a year ago. Stimulus packages that existed in the review month also helped post good manufacturing growth.

According to the IIP data, the consumer durables sector, which was particularly hit by global crisis, expanded 29.9 per cent in February, mining activity rose by 12.2 per cent and

electricity generation by 6.7 per cent.

For the first 11 months of the last fiscal, industrial output rose by 10.1 per cent against 3 per cent a year ago.

As many as 14 out of 17 industrial groups showed positive growth in February.

"The healthy performance of the industrial sector is likely to reassure policy makers that they can remove stimulus without disrupting the economic growth momentum," Moody's said. As per the use-based classification of the index, the capital goods and consumer durables sectors recorded a high-growth of 44.4 per cent and 29.9 per cent respectively.

Indians still shy away from investing in MFs: report mutual funds, according to a report.

The report on Mutual Funds Investments released by Research and analytics firm, Boston Analytics, suggests investors are holding back from putting their money in mutual funds due to their perceived

high risk and a lack of information on how mutual funds work.

The report is based on a survey of approximately 10,000 respondents in 15 Indian cities and towns as of March 2010.

Among respondents with

a high savings rate, close to 40 per cent of those who live in metros and Tier I cities cited such investments were very risky, whereas 33 per cent of those in tier II cities said they did not how and where to invest in such assets.

On the other hand, among those who invested, close to nine out of ten respondents did so because they felt these assets to be more professionally managed than other asset classes.

While non-investors cite “risk” as one of the primary

IT firms to report rise in demand; eye on Re

Ministries start talks on FDI in retail

GM to push India vendor base up

January it expected dollar revenue for 2009/10 to rise 1.8-2.0 percent, reversing its previous forecast for a first-ever fall.

Most brokerages expect the Nasdaq-listed Infosys to project 12-15 percent growth in dollar revenue in 2010/11.

Infosys, whose sprawling campuses in India have pizza and Subway outlets, golf courses and fitness centres for its tens of thousands of employees, is seeing a rise in outsourcing deal flows, its chief executive had said last month.

'JOKER IN THE PACK' The strengthening rupee, which rose 3.6 percent against the dollar in the March quarter after a 4.7 percent gain in 2009, higher wages and competition from global firms such as IBM, Accenture and HewlettPackard are key risks for the nearly $60 billion sector.

A Reuters poll last month showed the rupee climbing to 43.53 against the dollar by March 2011, up 3.1 percent on year. Indian services firms get more than half their revenue from the United States.

"The rupee could be a joker in the pack in the short to medium term," said Birla's Patil.

Wages at Indian outsourcers had been rising by 10-15 percent annually before the global slowdown, as they struggled to

The government has launched discussions between ministries about opening multi-brand retail to foreign direct investment, a politically sensitive issue, the Economic Times reported on Monday.

The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion has written to the finance ministry on the issue and is also in talks with the agriculture ministry about the pros and cons of the move, the paper said, citing an unnamed official of the department.

"The move to open up retail sector is part of the government’s strategy to plug gaps in the existing food supply chain and more importantly, help bring down the difference between farm-gate prices and retail prices, the report quoted the official as saying.

The department will soon circulate a discussion paper to build consensus on the issue, the report said.

India only allows foreign direct investment in cash-andcarry, or wholesale ventures, but not in multi-brand retail.

There are restrictions on foreigners in retail because of opposition from millions of small shopkeepers that are valuable vote banks during elections.

PTI BANGALORE, APRIL 12

Despite being available in the market for over two decades now with assets under management equaling Rs 7,81,71,152 Lakh (as of February 28, 2010), less than 10 per cent of Indian households have invested in

ReuTeRs MUMBAI, APRIL 12

A pick-up in global technology spending in 2010 will bolster the toplines of Indian outsourcers that get most of their revenue from exports, but a strengthening rupee and rising wages pose risks to profit margins.

Leading software services firms such as Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys Technologies and Wipro that manage complex computer networks and maintain technology operations for many of the Fortune 500 companies have revived hiring, signalling improving demand.

The focus of the quarterly earnings that start with trendsetter Infosys on Tuesday will be the growth forecast for 2010/11 that began on April 1, pricing trends and the IT budgets of their foreign clients.

"Fundamentally, things are improving. Pricing environment has stabilised, hiring is picking up and there's better visibility about volume growth," said Mahesh Patil, fund manager at Birla Sun Life Asset Management, which manages about $14 billion, including shares of TCS, Infosys and Wipro.

Infosys, which counts Goldman Sachs, BT Group and BP Plc among its clients, said in

Religare invests in Resonance PTI MUMBAI, APRIL 1

Milestone Religare Investment Advisors, a joint venture between Milestone Group & Religare Enterprises, today said it has invested Rs 60-crore in Resonance Eduventures.

Rajasthan-based Resonance Eduventures is one of the leading players in test preparation for the IIT-JEE and has grown rapidly in its 9 years of existence. This is the fourth investment in the last six-months by the India Build-Out Fund-I, a fund managed by Milestone Religare Investment Advisors, a press release issued here said.

"Education is a high-growth and relatively recession- proof sector, which is rapidly evolving. ," Milestone Religare Investment Advisors' Managing Partner, Rajesh Singhal, said.

keep staff from being poached by rivals such as IBM and Accenture who hire by the thousands in India.

Firms such as Infosys, who had frozen annual wage hikes in April last year due to the business downturn, are expected to raise the salaries for all its staff this month, putting pressure on their margins.

Brokerage Macquarie said in a report that currency and wage inflation would be key headwinds for margins in 2010/11.

TCS shares have risen 8 percent so far this year and those of Infosys are up 4 percent, compared with the 4 percent rise for the IT sector index. Despite the relatively modest stock gains, valuations are seen as somewhat rich.

Infosys trades at 24 times one-year forward earnings and TCS as well as Wipro at 23 times each, compared with the 11 times for IBM and 16 times for Accenture, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. "Valuations of the software stocks have run ahead of the growth expectations and if there isn't any major positive surprise in the earnings, I don't think these stocks will go up sharply from these levels," said Naresh Garg, a fund manager with Sahara Mutual Fund.

ReuTeRs MUMBAI, APRIL 12

PTI AHMEDABAD, APRIL 12

Auto giant General Motors today said it is planning to enhance its vendor base and increase the number of dealer outlets in India amid rising sales and the company deciding to start manufacturing Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV's) from its mother plant at Halol in Gujarat by 2011 end.

"We plan to increase our dealership network to over 260 by end of this year against 200 odd now, and also intend to have 300 service centres across India," President and Managing Director of General Motors India Karl Slym said on the sidelines of a function here.

The Halol facility is projected to operate in three shifts to cater to production of LCV's and the automaker plans to hire new suppliers for it as well. The facility at Halol has total production capacity of 85,000 units annually.

GM has proposed to seperate its products from the joint venture in China with Sanghai Automotive Industry Corporation Group(SAICG), and has chosen LCV's from that portfolio to be manufactured at Halol in Gujarat.

"The production of LCVs from the Halol plant is expected to commence by end of

reasons they do not invest in mutual funds, those who do invest cite the fact that they are “professionally managed” and “more diverse” most often as the reasons they invest in mutual funds versus other investments.

2011," Slym said adding "By then we expect to have a vendor base of close to 200 from the existing 150 odd supplier now."

"The Halol plant has already begun operating in two shifts and is producing close to 72,000 units annually," director and vice president Corporate Affairs GM P Balendran said.

GM's car sales in India surged by a whopping 130 per cent in first quarter of this year over the corresponding period last year.

"We have sold around 9,421 units in January, 11,111 units in February and 11,324 units in March this year," Balendran said.

As part of company's initiative to switch over to alternate fuels, GM's facility in India is expected to roll out its electric car model - Electric Spark- by end of this year.

"We are going to roll Electric Spark by the end of this year in a controlled manner so that we take learnings from that and later on expand it," Slym said.

GM has a joint venture with REVA for manufacturing electronic cars.

"We have a potential of 5,000 cars annually to begin with, but it all depends on the governmental support," Slym said.

Pottery transcends to virtual walls

PTI NEW DELHI, APRIL 12

Remember your earthen piggy bank when you were in primary school or the diya (lamp) you lit on Diwali? The use of pottery in the Indian household may seem to have declined but there is a revived interest of young generation in learning the art.

Mixing, wedging and trimming the clay, giving it a shape, then throwing it on a wheel and finally letting it dry seems fascinating and relaxing to the Gen Now. The increasing inclination of netizens towards pottery as gauged on social networking sites like Facebook and Orkut speaks about the popularity of the art among the youth.

Facebook and Orkut users have formed groups like 'Pottery', 'Pottery in India', 'I love pottery', 'Pottery treasure', 'Pottery snape' and 'revival of ancient pottery' to discuss

aspects, the art of pottery and places about learning the art.

Kanica Soni, a member of one such group of pottery lovers in India says, "It is the most relaxing thing you can imagine...getting messy at first seems yuck but eventually I think it gets to a very basic side of us and it feels good."

"I am surprised to see how more and more youth are curious and interested in pottery.

Whenever I use the net I find young people enquiring about how and where to learn pottery," says Dharmendra Bhanj of Mohenjodaro Antiques and Treasures, an NGO promoting selected ceramics, sculptures, jewellery and antique replicas.

"Pottery brings your creative side to the fore. It is a therapeutic hobby. Your likes and dislikes are shown in pottery...it reflects everything you feel," says Sapna Gurukar, who is the creator of 'Pottery in India' group on Facebook.

Sapna Gurukar who now owns a pottery studio of her own in a small village, 15 kilometres from Sakleshpur, where she also lives says, "I remember how I was eager to locate places where I could find clay and other pottery stuff and failed to find. It was then that I decided to form a group for pottery lovers."

Swapnil Peelnekar, a 31-yearold, who is member and creator of a pottery group on Orkut says, "We share knowledge, views amongst each other. I use this medium to let the youth know that I tutor the art...I have children as old as 5 and even married people coming to me."

Sapna Goel, a 20-year-old pottery teacher says, "I don't work on a traditional wheel but on an electronic one. Students above the age of 18 come to me to learn the art. It is just too fascinating to see deformed clay turn into some-

thing with a shape."

Goel, a BA sophomore studying 3D-Animation course says she learnt the art of pottery as a recreational activity but fell in love with it and decided to teach people.

"Definitely there are many people interested in learning pottery; people want the earth connection now more than ever. But the problem is that the potters are not around or near the people who want to learn. They are either in the outskirts or in less visited places," says Dharmendra.

Pottery comes in varied forms in India like Bankura pottery of West Bengal, Kagzi pottery, Blue pottery, Road side pottery and high end ceramic pottery. Porcelain, Terracotta and Ceramic are the three broad types available.

National award winning potter Harkishan says, "It is great that young students, artists are becoming interested in the art.

Colleges like NID, NIFT, Kala Centre and College of Arts have training centers to learn pottery. The art should live forever."

Harkishan, a resident of Haryana but based in Delhi since 1976, won a state award for contribution in pottery in 1987 and a National award in 1999. In 2008, the Handicraft Board, R K Puram, New Delhi gave him the job of training 10 young students.

"It is nice that young, educated class is turning to pottery. The people generally do not understand pottery…it is an art and not a commercial item," he says.

"Pottery is actually limited to a particular cast - the Kumhars.

They lack resources and proper training. We are trying to bridge the gap between the people who want to learn and the potters by making pottery more fashionable," says Dharmendra.

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GOA’S HEARTBEAT 50 Golden Episodes Who Do I Turn To? khait “ Jiv aslear bhik- magon Anonymous

“

Tuesday, 13 April, 2010

Anyone watching the worldwide Portuguese television network Rádio e Televisão de Portugal, more commonly RTPi will have heard of 'Contacto Goa'. Today, it completes 50 brilliant episodes. The Herald chats with the congenial founder Nalini Elvino de Sousa

BY NOMRATHA FERNANDES HERALD FEATURES ontacto is a great experience and these two years have been wonderful. I am completely satisfied with the work I do and what it has to offer,” says Nalini Elvino de Sousa, with an air of joy. Rewind to the beginning of it all. Her entrance to the show began in 2005 when RTPi set up in India.

She then worked from Mumbai. Upon a request from the Portuguese Consulate in Goa she shifted over.

“I had studied at the Goa University earlier and saw opportunity in the offer,” she says. The offer was great, the outcome, even better.

Covering Goan various aspects of Goan cultural heritage, history and tradition the show not only presents it well, but also digs deep

“C

into it, giving the watcher a complete idea of the topic in concern.

There is no dearth of documentary makers in Portugal, the country Nalini was born and brought up in. Why Goa? “I feel like a Goan, more than anything else,” she stresses, “and through my years here, I have found Goa has so much to offer to the filmmaker. When I feel I know so much on a topic, there’s a whole lot more to discover and I do that through this,” detailing her focus on Goa in documentaries. And what brought her down here? The Portuguese connection perhaps? “No, no!” she exclaims, with a slight frown, adding “it was love, girlie. I met my husband, got married and settled down in Goa.” She is a mother of two school going children, a son and a daughter and in her words has a “very cooperative husband whom I am very lucky to have.” His assistance in domestic dynamics has helped her tremendously.

The 50th airing of the show is accompanied by a workshop for aspiring, young filmmakers from Goa. Over a span of 10 days it will enlighten the participants about the basics of documentary making - script writing, pre-production, shooting, production and editing. “Fresh out of high school, students have little to no options with filmmaking. This workshop is mainly aimed at

that lot. Getting a one-on-one taste of it all will hopefully inspire them to explore their filmmaking dreams amidst parental pressure to become a lawyer or a doctor,” she emphasises.

The workshop will do more than just an introduction. These 28 lucky participants will also get an opportunity to soak their hands in the making of two complete documentaries. It is a complete package of learning and applying.

What are the topics chosen to be dealt with through the workshop? “Goa’s issues,” she says like a true documentary filmmaker should. “Major issues that are plaguing Goa today, anything that you hear on the news or read in the papers,” she adds. When being a part of the process of documentary filmmaking one automatically interacts with people and their issues, gaining a clearer picture of it. This closeness to the issue at hand allows one to deduce a solution – a large motive behind the workshop. “The youth have the most innovative of solutions to these problems, all fresh and different, ones that you or me would never have imagined, forget the authorities or the government. To add to that their method of portraying it is completely different from most adults, doubling its interest value,” Nalini says, strongly.

Nalini spends her time catching the many documentaries telecast on the major documentary channels. Reading is another passion and family time. “The visual media in Goa, has only begun. I don’t think we should pass any judgement so much as try to improve it,” she opines. Her suggestions are simple.

“A vast and myriad media course would do Goa great.”

With two years of a solid fan base in Goa as well as other parts of the world, Nalini wants to continue help uncover Goa’s beautiful culture and share it with its people and the world. “This feat has motivated me to do 50 more,” she says with a smile.

As for the future, she has collaboration with the local channels in mind. “By its very nature this is the type of material that should circulate amongst Goan homes and what better way than television,” she concludes earnestly stating her reasons. The channel is aired to 14 countries all over the world and has a viewer ship of 2 million people. Goa’s true picture is being portrayed to the world. Nalini wants to do more. She wants to take Goa to a wider audience through a world documentary channel, “… a Discovery, a National Geographic and the others you know…”

­H­O­R­O­S­C­O­P­E Things you do today will have a ripple effect -- be sure to think a few steps ahead. You can find all (21 Mar – 19 Apr) sorts of new tricks today, but only if you're trying to explore new territory, intellectually or physically. You should feel invigorated, and can get others to feel the same way.

Your selfless nature will be challenged. This time, grab what you want and hold on. You're the mas(23 Sep – 22 Oct) ter of compromise, but today you might have to give up more than you like. It's a good time to throw yourself into selflessness, as the greater good comes first for now.

You take things slowly by nature, so don't let others rush you. Go at your own pace. Someone you work (20 Apr – 20 May) or live with is having a hard time dealing with your energy right now -- but that is their problem, right? You may just want to remove yourself from their aggressive energy.

Possible health problems can be avoided by a new fitness routine. Start immediately. Things could (23 Oct – 21 Nov) get really ugly around the office or the home today, but you don't have to take part. In fact, you may want to set a good example by rising above it all for the time being.

Everyone is waiting for you to get things going -- you have their full trust.

Try to spend some qual(21 May – 21 Jun) ity time with your good friends today -- and make sure to keep an open mind! At least one of them is trying to get you to make a little change that is well worth making.

Sophistication is overrated. Call up your silly side and relive your childhood. Art and big ideas (22 Nov – 21 Dec) are filling your mind with great energy right now, so dive in deeply and see what you can find.

It's a really good time for you to explore your creative side while getting things done.

Just because your boss rubs you the wrong way doesn't mean you aren't valued. You may have to (22 Jun – 22 Jul) deal with someone who angers you beyond reason, but it's not such a bad thing. You almost certainly have to be the grown-up in the situation, and that comes easily to you.

Postponement is not the same as a failure! Delay things until you're ready.

Put aside some rela(22 Dec – 19 Jan) tively trivial appointment or meeting, because you need to focus your efforts on what is most important right now. If you're singleminded, you can get amazing amounts of work done!

Today, you will meet someone who will teach you to see the good in everyone. You need to (23 Jul – 22 Aug) follow your mood today -- wherever you're having fun is exactly where you are supposed to be!

It's a good time for you to try educating yourself about something interesting.

Make your point with less effort -- an informal suggestion can have a bigger impact. Live life how you (20 Jan – 18 Feb) want to live it -- you know exactly what that means! Your energy is quite active right now, and though you might ruffle one or two feathers, it's totally worth it for the satisfaction.

A feisty coworker is picking fights left and right.

Avoid the drama; focus on work. It's a good time (23 Aug – 22 Sep) for you to slow down -avoid taking drastic action, no matter how appealing it may seem. This is doubly true for financial matters, which require more finesse right about now.

Become too absorbed in the riddle of life, and you'll miss seeing the simple truth. You should (19 Feb – 20 Mar) get a big clue today -and your largest problem doesn't seem so big any more! Now is the time to make a move and try to solve the puzzle that has been baffling you for so long.

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email us at: goasheartbeat@herald-goa.com

Parenting

Pg14

BY CHRISTINA VIEGAS HERALD FEATURES t is with tremendous effort to stay cool that I pen this article after reading about one of the most barbaric incidents – the rape and murder of a 12-13 year-old Yemeni child. Yes, I say murder. But the forensic reports in Yemen say that the young girl died as a result of severe bleeding that was caused by excessive tears in her genital and anal area from forced sexual activity. The story will do the rounds for some time and be forgotten. What to do? A Tiger Woods or Sania Mirza makes for better, juicer media gossip. What will one gain in highlighting this barbaric issue?

Yet, as you read this story, two out of every three children in India are being physically abused. And majority of these abuses are done by persons known to the child or are in a position of trust and responsibility. Besides, there is gross under reporting of crimes against children.

Here in Goa, we are so complacent in our comfort zones saying, “Goa is a safe place for women and children.” When the tourism minister made a statement that Goa was the rape capital in India, there was prompt agitation from all quarters ridiculing the minister from tarnishing the image of our ‘good Goa’. Yet, why no agitation when the news broke out of a father having raped both his daughters; one even bore his child.

What about tarnishing and destroying of the lives of those innocent children? Do we need to hear about rapes happening everywhere and everyday that would label Goa as the rape capital for us to wake up?

There are children galore in this beautiful state silently suffering. And to think they are living under the same roof of their perpetrators makes our flesh crawl. And yes, sometimes or perhaps most times by their very own fathers.

Even as a very young mother, when the doctor puts a warm bundle in your arms for the very first time, there is a tigress trait that surfaces in each of us. You start loving your daughter or son with a protectiveness which is so fierce that is overwhelms you. Then, how can you allow your kids to be cuddled by drivers, gardeners, maids etc (even if and when they are genuine)? When it comes to your kids, you should not even trust your own shadow. To make matters worse, when children are moith lested, there is rigorous interrogation. Did penetration orld! W g w s ’ n a happen? What brought about penetration? Was it l u r k i n l would rather throw herself off a cliff than have a creep It is a m s digital? Yes, the child is raped all over again. And as alr ir e touch her. And that, love-making is love while ways, the victim is victimised in our country filled with dang , a g o even e r e rape is a violent crime! Stop telling your daughters to h t a majority of hypocrites. w y s urn submissive goats to men. Teach them to assert ever Now getting to marital rape! A television show hosted ously t band. be e n a themselves and aggressively protect themselves from t n s

by Kiron Kher illuminated the fact, that the majority of u spo h or kind of abuse.

Indian women are raped by their husbands. One monster e do anyUnfortunately, father h r s e h has been ingrained in the girls, s e even went to the extent of saying, “Woh mera haq banta n that any untowarditbehaviour at do e h towards them is always m w t hai!” which evoked an uproar among the audience. But y r u e B v e their fault.

The men always get away scot-free. s e e this is the gross reality of India. You want to scream, why b th w h e n supposed to t Then the melodramatic ‘suhaag raat’ is nothing does this happen? How can a man brutally rape his own but getting trapped with a stranger while he has wife? Or worse, someone rapes a child? What can we do ho are tors, turn ou w his night. Gender bias is so deeply ingrained in c to stop this? We can write about any other issue to wake c e t i r o the system that the discrimination begins right her pr t h e b a r b a up our authorities? But how can we protect innocent children from the time a couple plans a baby. Remember, e from getting raped or molested by their very own? to b ? it is meaningless to suppress your daughter and s r o “This situation is beyond my understanding,” says Dr t a then sit outside her room crying while her husperpetr Oscar Rebello, consulting physician and a persona who is band brutally beats and rapes her. Or as in the case of the Yemeni constantly fighting for what is right. He advises, “Like in the mother, go to the cops when it is too late – after you have involuntarily or West, we need to start talking a lot about these things. Disvoluntarily participated in the brutal death of your own baby. Like the Yemeni cussions on sex need to come out of the closet. There are no better people than the parents themselves to enlighten children on the subject child, there are hoardes of other girls who continue to suffer in our state and of safe sex, condoms, sexuality and this should be supplemented by the teachers.” country. Sometimes, the young mothers are pregnant and yet beaten and forced To caution children from paedophiles, Dr Rebello says, “We need to enlighten into sex by their husbands which results in miscarriage. Yet, at the hospital, yes our kids about what is the right touch and what is the vicious touch. It is with it is registered a miscarriage. And the man yet again, goes scot-free to continue touching that a lot of crimes are committed on the kids by the paedophiles.” The his demonic ways.

Recently, we heard of how a tribal girl was eve-teased by a man. When her doctor is right - It is highly imperative to recognise that sexual harassment often begins at school. It has to be spotted, acknowledged and addressed at that stage. aged father intervened, the man assaulted him. This got the girl all enraged and Unless real gender justice is built into our educational system, we cannot hope to she hacked the man to death. She voluntarily went to the cops and surrendered herself and her weapon. Wow! Majority of our hypocrite Indians would have becounter the gender injustice that is still so deeply entrenched in our society.

As for marital rapes, here again educating the men through lots of discussion moaned the fact that the girl murdered her attacker. Perhaps even the cops from very young is vital says the doctor. He asks, “Why wait to attend a marriage would have tormented her. After all, we Indian women are supposed to be ‘Sati course only before marriage. This education can start right from time they attain Savitris’ enduring every crime, right? How dare a woman retaliates? Never mind puberty.” He asserts, “Let’s stop deluding ourselves that our children are not getting if a man is violent with her or rapes her.

When are we ever going to see stringent laws that will punish these monsters this information anyway. In fact, they would be getting in a very sketchy manner. appropriately? When can girls defend themselves and not worry about the reperSo, you be the ones to educate your children on this very important topic.”

Now while we hurl verbal abuses at the men who commit these barbaric crimes, cussions? Here again, most of these crimes are committed in the name of the ladies who silently condone these heinous acts are equal partners in the religion. It is the fanatic religious heads who oppose these bans on child marriage crime. It is unimaginable that a mother suppresses her daughter to suffer the or go to extremes in condoning martial rape. They consider it a man’s prerogative crime silently, while the father continues raping his daughter, or an uncle or any to consummate his marriage at any cost. The gravity of the situation demands other family member commits the crime. Right from age four onwards, you that child abuse in any form, sexual, emotional or mental, be placed on the need to inculcate respect for girls in your sons. Boys have to be taught that it is national agenda. And that we parents and educationists act right now. Otherwise, only when a girl loves a man that she contemplates about his physical touch. there will continue to be many more girls silently dying with ripped vaginas and And in love, the sexual act becomes pleasurable love-making. Otherwise, she rectums and dutifully covered up by their very parents.

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Kristen Stewart finally admits loving Pattinson

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at one point is the starting “Arriving point to another - John Dewey

Travel

ollywood actress Kristen Stewart cannot stop raving about her co-star Robert Pattinson and admits she feels strongly for him. “I love Rob because he always wants to be the best. He can be very childish. When Rob does something right or wins something he talks with a different, little voice - like a five-year-old,” said the ‘Twilight’ star.

“Rob is sexy, in a tortured artist way. This might be because he is British. He’s tall, looks like he is thinking all the time and is incredibly funny. I love the way he sings. It breaks my heart. And don’t you think he’s just gorgeous? Rob’s also a very bad liar, he just can’t do it!”

In fact, for her 20th birthday on April 9 this year, Kristen Stewart received a proposal from boyfriend Pattinson when the couple was in Budapest. While the two were abroad celebrating her birthday, Robert got down on one knee and asked Kristen for her hand in marriage.

But about this, Stewart said, “He asked me to marry him. As a joke, though. Well at least I think so.”

Well, apart from their sweet little love story, rumour has it that Pattinson may be the star of the upcoming Kurt Cobain biopic, which has been a project many have been awaiting.

Though fans would love to see K-Stew play the alt-rock ledend’s love, Cobain’s real life love Courtney Love gets to pick who’s to play her and it’s been heard that she is considering bombshell Scarlett Johansson for the role. It’s hard to picture her as a hot mess, but they work magic with today’s Hollywood makeup. Just think of Charlize Theron in Monster.

Rakesh Roshan wasn’t sure about Barbara for Kites E

ven as Hrithik Roshan’s sizzling chemistry with Mexican actress Barbara Mori has created enough buzz about their forthcoming film ‘Kites’, the actor’s father and producer Rakesh Roshan says he was initially hesitant to sign her on.When producer Rakesh Roshan and director Anurag Basu first met Barbara Mori for ‘Kites’ story narration in Los Angeles, the actress just had inch long hair as she had gone completely bald for her role in a Spanish film. She had just completed shooting for her film ‘Cosas Insignificantes’ (Insignificant Things) that spoke of the intricacies of human relations.

For her role, the Mexican beauty had shaved her head, because in the film, her screen son has cancer and is losing hair, so she expresses solidarity with him this way. Rakesh admits that when he saw his future heroine with only one inch long hair, he was hesitant to sign her on. “I was aghast,” admits Rakesh. I asked her how we would shoot with her six months down the line, but she was confident that her hair would grow or else she suggested that she would put hair extensions, he said.

Director Anurag adds, “Barbara looked beautiful in short hair too.”

I had an option to have her with short hair in ‘Kites’, but in our industr y actresses generally don’t have short hair.

So later when she came to India, we did some look tests with Barbara in short hair and also with hair extensions and she looked even prettier in long hair.

Lifestyle

Relationships

Sports

Business

Health

Art

Culture

Environment

GOA’S HEARTBEAT Tuesday, 13 April, 2010

WHAT’S UP IN GOA??

Documentary show Contacto Goa completes 50 episodes with its airing on April 13 and 14 on RTPi. To mark this feat a filmmaking workshop for aspiring filmmakers between the age of 14 and 17, organised by Lotus Group will take place for 10 days.

The annual exhibition of mixed media paintings on paper, ‘Innocent Strokes’ by 30 children of The Mango Tree Children’s Art School will open on April 14 at 5pm. It will remain open for public viewing till April 20 from 10am to 7pm. Call 2421311.

Tiatr Day, organised by the Kala Academy will take place on April 17 from 5:30pm onwards at the Kala Academy, Panjim.

Call 2420452.

The Free Pomburpa Spring Eco Summer Camp 2010, organised by the Mother of God parish, Pomburpa and the St Elizabeth High School, will take place till April 18 at the Pomburpa Spring, Pomburpa.

Call 9881344379 or 2295999.

‘Fulfilling Sushant’s Dream’, a photo exhibition of photojournalist Sushant Naik will be organised at the Kala Academy, Panjim will remain open till April 14 from 10am to 7pm. Call 2420452.

An art exhibition titled, ‘Quartet’ featuring 4 artistes is being held at the Kerkar Art Complex, Calangute till April 30. Call 2276017.

‘Goan Brew – High Spirits and Healing’, the Feni festivalwill take place on August 25. Call 9822151419, 9881533456 or 9822581232.

Jazz Goa’s first album is available free of charge at www.jazzgoa.com.

Sacred Dance Workshops with Akash Dharmaraj will be held at the Sunaparanta, Goa Centre for the Arts, Altinho, Panjim every Tuesdays and Fridays from 4 to 6pm for the next two weeks. Call 2421311.

pullulate

Function Noun Meaning 1 : germinate, sprout 2 : to breed or produce freely 3 : swarm, teem Example Sentence The bowl was pullulating with various kinds of fish, but they seemed crammed up.

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Entertainment

Travel

email us at: goasheartbeat@herald-goa.com

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Parenting

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Tiatr’s Jewels to be felicitated on World Tiatr Day HERALD FEATURES n a bid to recognise Goa’s pride, the jewels of our tiatr world, the Kala Academy, on the occasion of Tiatr Day on April 17 will be felicitating six senior tiatr artistes of Goa. The celebratory event will take place from 5:30pm onwards at the Dinanath Mangeshkar Kala Mandir, Kala Academy, Panaji and will have Eduardo Faleiro, NRI Commissioner as the chief guest while renowned tiatrist, Anthony Fernandes, popularly known as Roseferns, will be the guest of honour.

At the event, tiatr personalites Caetano Goes, Sebastiao Carvalho (Seby), Betty Naz, Roque Dias, Volley D’Mello and Anselm Gomes will be felicitated for their lifetime contribution to the tiatr stage, with a shawl and memento at the hands of Faleiro.

The felicitation function will be followed by a prize distribution to the winners of the 35th Tiatr Competition and the 8th Cantaram Singing Competition organised by Kala Academy during the year 2009-10. Tiatr artistes like Luis Bacchan and Domnic, Pitush and Agnel will present stage skits and C D’Silva and Group will present canto and cantaram.

The programme is open to all and Kala Academy has made a special appeal to the prize winners as well as the participating institutions and tiatr lovers to attend the function in large numbers.

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Pomburpa Eco Camp: Awareness for the People

BY RYAN AND RUSSEL D’COSTA HERALD FEATURES ith the sweltering heat overhead and the beginning of the vacations everyone is looking for that ideal recreation. Aiming at fulfilling just that, the Mother of God Parish, Pomburpa in collaboration with St Elizabeth High School have organised the Free Pomburpa Spring Eco Summer Camp 2010. The summer camp kick-started this Monday morning and will be on till April 18.

The opening day witnessed the inaugural function which comprised the lighting of the lamp by Father Walter D’Sa, principal of St Xaviers College, Mapusa and Father Santana Carvalho, parish priest of the Pomburpa Church.

As the day progressed, there was a lecture by Benhill Antao, a snake rescuer who demonstrated his skills with cobras and other snakes. The session not only provided interesting information about serpents but also guided the gathering on the actions that should follow the spotting of a snake. He said instead of panicking or killing the innocent reptile, one should either contact the Forest Department or the local snake handlers and rescuers who will capture the reptiles in the right manner and release it in the wilderness.

Mario Fernandes, project head, informs, “The festival is a means of creating awareness amongst people about the various social and ecological problems.

It is not enough to just build beautiful tourist spots. Measures should also be taken to preserve them. The Pompurpa Spring is an example itself,” he added.

The event witnessed a full house and had a participation of more than 200 students of St Elizabeth High School.

The camp promises to be plenty of fun. The events scheduled for the week are as follows, a paint exhibition and a workshop by Harish Sawant on April 13, a day with well known Goan tiatrist Jose Rose on April 14.

April 15 will see a session on biodiversity with Sujeet Dongre, 16 on food and drug administration by Alva Fernandes, a demo on vermi composting and recycling by Clinton Vaz on 17 and the last day will showcase the Sunday Fruit and Flower Fest by Minguel Braganza.

W

DAILY GROOK PEA SEA

by Francis Rodrigues wigs we dislike of hers and his, are those alike as.....toupees!

Instructions for Sudoku SUDOKU SOL 525 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

GARFIELD

Fashion

INGS

BY DOLCY D’CRUZ HERALD FEATURES oung art learners will display their mixed media paintings in an exhibition titled Innocent Strokes on April 14, 2010 at 5pm at Sunaparanta - Goa Centre for the Arts, Altinho.

Organised by the Mango Tree Children’s Art School, the exhibition will display paintings on paper by 30 students of the school. Curated by Deviprasad C Rao, this is the fourth year the annual exhibition is being organised by the school to give the students an opportunity to express themselves through art.

Aged between 5 – 14 years, students are introduced to art and have three years of art school experience. “All the participating children are students of Mango Tree Children’s Art School, an art education programme run by Sunaparanta. Children are the only learners who can learn very much, very fast.

This is an annual event wherein all children enrolled in the school exhibit works created during their learning process. Some students are in the first year and some are from the advanced batches. This school makes the students creatively conscious and this creativity remains with them even as they grow. No matter what profession they take up later, this creativity is never lost,” says Deviprasad C Rao, an artist, who runs the Mango Tree Children’s Art school.

The exhibition aims at showcasing the creativity that flows through each child from an innocent age. The imagery in each work conveys the power and originality of innocence.

This exhibition will be open till April 20, 2010, from 10am to 7pm.

Funny Quote “Parents were invented to make children happy by giving them something to ignore.”

– Ogden Nash

Pronunciation PUL-yuh-layt

CURR

Information Technology

Innocent Strokes to be Exhibited

LAFFS

WORD OF THE DAY

SUDOKU 526

A Paintball Tournament, organised by Splat, Goa’s first paintball arena in Anjuna is announced for the month of May. The age limit is 16 years and it is free and open to all. Call 9552929873 or 6451873.

A one-day multi-lingual literary festival for the youthwill take place at the Institute Menezes Braganza, Panjim on April 25.

It is organised by the Institute Menezes Braganza, Panjim. Call 2224143.

Karate classes for children and adults will take place every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6pm at the Goa College of Pharmacy, Panjim. It is conducted by Sensei Joseph Rodrigues. Call 9822166165.

Aparant Maand - an exhibition cum sale of exquisite handicrafts and allied items, organised by the Goa Handicrafts Rural and Small Scale Industries Development Corporation will take place at the Chatrapati Shivaji Maidan, Bicholim till April 18 from 10am to 9pm. Cultural programmes like dramas, orchestra and live demonstrations by handicrafts artisans will be organised on all days of the exhibition from 7pm to 9pm. Call 2513582.

A three-day residential camp, ‘AURA of Success’, conducted by the Global Academy of Meta Mind Management (GAMMA) will be held from April 23 to 25. E-mail hegde@gmail.com. Call 9096938269.

A talk on ‘Investigative Journalism: Emerging Challenges with Facts and Reporting’, organised by the International Centre Goa, Dona Paula will take place at the International Centre Goa, Dona Paula on April 14. Call 2452805-10.

A Marathi play ‘Jagadamba’, organised by the Kala Academy in collaboration with Avishkar, Mumbai will take place on April 18 at 6:30pm at the Kala Academy, Panjim. The cast include Rohini Hattangadi. Call 2420452.

Education

Interesting Feast Traditions at Siridao

Photos by Herald Features

Photos by JoeGoaUK

BY JOEGOAUK he intriguing semi-circular chapel with an ancient cave underneath in the beautiful village of Siridao recently celebrated its feast, the feast of Shirdona or Jez Nodrem (Jesus of Nazareth).

Besides the usual feast traditions one interesting tradition is the serving of free ‘pez’ in ‘maittuls’ or ‘matulls’, earthen bowl which cost Rs 20 each.

When standing at the chapel one will be presented with a breathtaking view of the Siridao beach in all its glory.

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Rear view of the chapel leading to an ancient cave

SOUTH POLE

‘Pez’ prepared in the massive brass utensils ready to be served

10:00 Sabki Laadli Bebo 10:30 Sasural Genda Phool 11:00 Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya 11:30 Behenein 12:00 Sapna Babul Ka ...Bidaai 12:30 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai 13:00 Tere Mere Sapne 13:30 Hamari Devrani 14:00 Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat 14:30 Behenein 15:00 Sajan Ghar Jaana Hai 15:30 Sapna Babul Ka ...Bidaai 16:00 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai 16:30 Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya 17:00 Sasural Genda Phool 17:30 Behenein 18:00 Sabki Laadli Bebo 18:30 Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya 19:00 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai 19:30 Sasural Genda Phool 20:00 Sajan Ghar Jaana Hai 20:30 Behenein 21:00 Sapna Babul Ka ...Bidaai 21:30 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai 22:00 Sabki Laadli Bebo

09:00 Aahat 11:00 Crime Patrol 11:30 Godh Bharaai 12:00 C.I.D 13:00 C.I.D Classics 19:00 Godh Bharaai 20:00 Pyaar Ka Bandhan 20:30 Jeet Jayenge Hum 21:00 Sukh By Chance 21:30 Crime Patrol

09:30 Jhansi Ki Rani

10:00 Choti Bahu 10:30 12/24 Karol Bagh 11:00 Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi 11:30 Pavitra Rishta 12:00 Do Saheliyaan 12:30 Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli 13:00 Jhansi Ki Rani 13:30 Pavitra Rishta 14:00 Choti Bahu 14:30 Do Saheliyaan 15:00 Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi 15:30 12/24 Karol Bagh 16:00 Yahan Main Ghar Ghar 16:30 Choti Bahu 17:00 Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi 17:30 Jhansi Ki Rani 18:00 Pavitra Rishta 18:30 Ghar Ghar Mein 19:00 Do Saheliyaan: 19:30 Choti Bahu 20:00 Jhansi Ki Rani 20:30 Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli 21:00 Pavitra Rishta 21:30 Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi 22:00 12/24 Karol Bagh 22:30 Do Saheliyaan

09:30 FIR 10:00 Maniben.com 10:30 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta ..

11:15 Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo 12:00 Lapataganj 12:30 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta…

13:00 Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo 13:30 Maniben.com 14:00 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta …

14:30 Lapataganj 15:00 FIR 15:30 Jugni Chali Jalandar 16:00 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta …

16:30 Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo 17:00 Gutar Gu 17:30 Lapataganj 18:00 FIR 18:30 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta…

19:00 Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo

HERALD CROSSWORD - 526

21:00 Frankenfish 23:15 Click 09:30 While She Was Out 11:15 Sea Beast 13:05 Quantum of Solace 15:15 Superhero Movie 17:00 Turner & Hooch 19:15 College Road Trip 21:00 Death Proof 23:10 Hitman

09:30 Madagascar 2 11:30 Hollywood One on One 12:00 Mortal Kombat 14:00 Drillbit Taylor 16:00 TMZ 16:30 Mean Machine 18:30 The Last Mimzy 20:30 TMZ 21:00 Madagascar 2 23:00 Looney Tunes: Back in Action

12:00 Chandni Chowk to China 15:55 Bade Miyan Chote Miyan 20:00 Teree Sang 23:30 Jawani Diwani

09:30 Dhokha 12:30 Sau Din Saas Ke 16:00 Janasheen 20:00 Zameer 23:00 Undefeatable

08:55 A Good Man in Africa 10:50 Interstate 60 13:10 In the Cut 15:55 xXx 18:50 Death of a President

11:00 Yaarana 15:00 IPL 3 Extraaa Innings 16:00 IPL 3 : Mumbai Indians vs. Delhi Daredevils 19:30 IPL 3 Extraaa Innings 20:00 IPL 3 : Chennai Super Kings vs. Kolkata Knight Riders 23:30 IPL 3 Extraaa Innings

08:00 Adharm 12:00 Balidaan 16:00 Kshatriya 20:00 Shahenshah

E N T E R TA I N M E N T 19:30 Lapataganj 20:00 Maniben.com 20:30 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta…

21:00 Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo 21:30 Jugni Chali Jalandar 22:00 Lapataganj 22:30 FIR 23:00 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta…

23:30 Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo

09:00 Geet 09:30 Rang Badalti Odhni 10:00 Dill Mill Gayye 10:30 Mile Jab Hum Tum 11:00 Jaane Pehchaane Se Yeh

11:30 Geet 12:00 Rang Badalti Odhni 12:30 Dill Mill Gayye 13:00 Jaane Pehchaane Se Yeh 13:30 Mile Jab Hum Tum 14:00 Geet 14:30 Rang Badalti Odhni 15:00 Dill Mill Gayye 15:30 Geet 16:00 Rang Badalti Odhni 16:30 Ssshhh.....Phir Koi Hai 17:30 Rang Badalti Odhni 20:00 Dill Mill Gayye 20:30 Jaane Pehchaane Se Yeh 21:00 Mile Jab Hum Tum 21:30 Geet 22:00 Rang Badalti Odhni 22:30 Jaane Pehchaane Se Yeh

11:00 CSI: Dead on Arrival 12:00 Masters of Illusion 13:00 The Amazing Race 14:00 Scare Tactics 15:00 Video Zonkers 17:00 Slamball 17:30 Criss Angel Mindfreak : Shark Cage Escape 18:00 Life on Mars : The Man Who Sold the World 19:00 Masters of Illusion 20:00 Cyril: Simply Magic : Singapore 21:00 So You Think You Can Dance 22:00 David Blaine : Magic Man

09:00 Two and a Half Men 09:30 Friends 10:00 Psych 11:00 Baywatch Hawaii 12:00 The Bold and The Beautiful 12:30 Prison Break 13:30 American Idol 14:30 Two and a Half Men 15:00 The Bold and The Beautiful 15:30 Psych 16:30 Friends 17:00 Prison Break 18:00 Baywatch Hawaii 19:00 Friends 19:30 Two and a Half Men 20:00 Psych 21:00 Friends 21:30 Two and a Half Men 22:00 Prison Break

09:00 TNA Xplosion 10:00 FIM Motocross World Championship 2010 : Mx1: Races 12:00 Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters 10:00 Supa Strikas 10:30 Golf Focus 2010 11:00 Score Tonight 11:30 TNA Impact

16:30 ICC Cricket Show 17:00 WWE: After Burn 18:00 Sports News 18:15 Cricket Classics : 3rd ODI: West Indies vs. South Africa 20:15 Goalfest 20:45 Real NBA 21:15 UEFA Champions League H/ls : Quarter Final 22:15 Sports News 22:30 WWE: After Burn

09:00 India : The Girl Who Cries Blood 10:00 Creative Vision 11:00 Jailed Abroad : Busted In Bali 12:00 In the Womb : Part 2 13:00 The Dark Side of Elephants 14:00 Lockdown : Maximum Security 15:00 Air Crash Investigation : Fire Fight 16:00 Nat Geo Junior: Big Bang 16:30 Nat Geo Junior : I Didn't Know That 17:00 Is it Real? : Vampires 18:00 Nat Geo Wild 19:00 Jailed Abroad 20:00 Mega Factories : Rolls Royce 21:00 Jailed Abroad

08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 11:30 12:00

English News Konkani News Marathi News Face-2-Face UDAAN Shahrukh Khan: King of Bollywood 12:30 Revolutionz 13:00 English News 14:00 Sangeet 15:30 Exam Fever 16:00 Konkani Tiatr Festival 16:30 Revolutionz 17:00 Kids Club 17:30 Panjimites 18:00 Konkani News 19:00 Marathi News 20:00 English News 21:00 Education Problem 21:30 Marine 22:00 English News 23:00 Talking Talkies 23:30 Fairyland 00:00 Ankur- Special Children’s Concert Note: Subject to change

Across 1- "Loser" musician; 5- On ___ with; 9- Ali _____ & the 40 thieves; 13- Laugh loudly; 14One of Chekhov's "Three Sisters"; 15- Bunches; 16- Appraisal; 18- Queue; 19Brooding hen; 20- Guardianship; 22- Facial expression used by Elvis Presley; 23Strong Australian horse; 2411th letter of the Hebrew alphabet; 26- Child's toy; 31Draft org.; 34- Unhearing; 37Fortune-telling cards; 38- Eye doctor; 42- Caterpillar rival; 43Poet Angelou; 44- Green shade; 45- Look up to; 47- McGregor of "Trainspotting"; 50Broadcasting; 53- Hebrew prophet; 57- Tooth surface; 61Musical composition; 62- Norwegian king; 63- Use of ideograms; 65- Trickery; 66Cheerful; 67- Complain; 68Den; 69- Gas burner or Sicilian volcano; 70- Cube creator Rubik; Down 1- Copper and zinc alloy; 2- Histological stain; 3- Brahmin, e.g.; 4Indonesian cigarette; 5- Chair part; 6- Michelangelo work; 7- Invalidate; 8- Hunting cat; 9- Sphere; 10- Inter ___; 11- Dull resonant sound; 12- To ___ (perfectly); 14Neighbor of Leb.; 17- Lab fluids; 21- Muse of lyric poetry; 23- Engulf; 25- Palm Pilot, e.g.; 27- Graffiti; 28- Journey; 29- Come up short; 30- Bluesy James; 31- Fizzy drink; 32- Raced; 33- Eldest son of

Noah; 35- Doc bloc; 36SOLUTION - 525 Lobby of a theater; 39- Part of TNT; 40- Wading bird; 41Legal science; 46- Complete; 48- Latin love; 49Generic; 51- Examine account books; 52- That is to say...; 54- Flavor; 55- Actor Hawke; 56- Decline; 57Hood worn by monks; 58"East of Eden" director Kazan; 59- Former French colony of north-western Africa; 60- At any time; 61Cpl.'s superior; 64- ___ roll;

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SPORTS

GOA, Tuesday, 13 April, 2010

Navelim enter last four HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, APR 12

Navelim Villagers defeated Adarsh Yuvak Sangh 2-1 to move into the semi-finals of Salgaocar Trophy inter-village football

tournament at Sporting ground, Saligao on Monday.

Navelim took time to settle down and forged ahead in the 17th minute through Sydney.

Changing over, Navelim doubled the lead through Standford Colaco in the 40th minute.

Down by two goals, Adarsh fought back and reduced the margin in the 46th minute.

Bhaki gets WIM norm

PANJIM (HSD) --Goa’s Bhakti Kulkarni completed her WIM norm to become Goa’s first Women International Master at KL Open, Malaysia.

Bhakti scored 4.5 points out of 9 rounds with a rating performance of 2206.

ICF derail SCR, MEG spikers win all-india volleyball

HERALD SPORTS REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 12

HERALD SPORTS REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 12

ICF, Chennai defeated South Central Railway (SCR) in a fiveset thriller in the second allIndia volleyball championship organized by Wilred Leisure Sports Club at St Alex church court, Curtorim on Sunday.

Having won the first two sets 25-20, 25-21, ICF took thing lightly in the third set when the railwaymen fought back doggedly and leveled the set scores wining the next two 2518, 25-21.

The decider was a see-saw affair with ICF’s Prabhakaran and Omninathan exerting fully to earn points from their hard smashes. Naresh and Santosh put up a valiant fight for SCR, but their rivals triumphed 15-9 in the decider.

Earlier, MEG Bangalore defeated a youthful Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu in a closely fought encounter 27-25, 26-24, 19-25, 25-15.

Vaddy Boys top

A smash by a MEG player being blocked by SDATN players at St Alex court, Curtorim on Sunday.

SDATN boys put up a spirited display against their senior, experienced opponents, with the first two sets being closely fought affairs. They never gave up and won the third set to raise hopes of a rally in the fourth, but it was inexperience that let

Anurag ahead HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 12

Vaddy Boys, Merces, who emerged champions in 1st All-Goa Cayman Islands Volleyball tournament defeating Riha Construction Boys, Margao 2-0, at Cayman Islands. Standing (l to r): Denzil, Sandeep, Agnelo, Jose, Rajesh, Wilson, Caitan and Angelo. Squatting (l to r): Tobias and Simon.

HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 12

Vaddy Boys, Merces scored a facile win over Riha Construction Boys, Margao 2-0 to emerge champions in 1st All-Goa Cayman Islands Volleyball tournament finals organised by Goan

entertainment forum, Cayman Islands, recently.

In the league, Vaddy Boys defeated Navelim Boys 2-0, Majorda Sports Club 2-0 and Riha Construction Boys 2-0. In the semi-final, Vaddy overcame United Boys, Cansaulim 2-0.

Verna oust Fr Agnel eslinda alemao soccer HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, APRIL 12

Verna Sports Club downed Fr Agnel Sports Club 13-12 via the sudden death to move into the quarter-finals of Eslinda Alemao

memorial football tournament organized by Sporting Club of Davorlim at Davorlim ground, on Monday. The teams were locked goalless at the end of the normal period.

With the scores remaining goalless, the tie-breaker system was enforced which also failed to resolve the impasse. The sudden death was resorted to.

Anurag Mhamal and Standrik Colaso shared 4 points each after the fourth round of State Chess Championship at Clube Tennis de Gasper Dias, Mira Mar, on Monday.

Anurag defeated former State champion Vasant Naik while Standrik beat Alfredo Menezes, who defeated Suhas Asnodkar in the third round.

Second place results (3.5 points each): Niraj Saripalli, Umang Kaisary. Third place (3 points each): Suhas Asnodkar, P.M.Kantak, Pranav Zantye Rishubh Naik, Rohan Ahuja, Vasant Naik, Nandini Saripalli, Bramhanand Kamat, Amogh Namshikar, Kapil Pawse, Ritviz Parab, Gauri Hadkonkar, Alfredo Menenzes, Akhilesh Rai, Shubham Sawaikar and Stadford Pereira.

them down ultimately.

Vinod, Surendra and Jaswant excelled for MEG while Raj Kumar and Dinesh Vikram were outstanding for SDAT. In the women’s match on Monday, South Central Railway beat St Joseph’s, Tamil Nadu 11-

HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, APRIL 12

All-India Wilred Leisure volleyball (women): Western Railway v. KSEB, 7.30 p.m; (men): Wilred Leisure v. SC Railways, 8.30 p.m.

Merces Volleyball: Oxdel Sports Club, Taleigao v. Vasco 6, Molloca court, Merces, 8 pm.

Calangute Panchayat Cup soccer (semis): Navelim Sporting v. Candolim Sports Club, Poriat ground, Calangute, 4.45 p.m.

Salgaocar Trophy soccer (quarters): Sangolda Lightning v. Nerul Sports Club, Saligao Sporting ground, 4.45 p.m.

GFA Taca Goa U-20 league soccer: Goa Velha Sports Club v. Sporting Clube De Goa, Duler ground, Mapusa; Musli Power Churchill Brothers v.

Sesa Football Academy (juniors), Tilak stadium, Vasco.

Eslinda Alemao soccer: Sao Jose de Areal v. Nuvem Sports Club, Davorlim grounds, 4.30 p.m.

Dempo Sports Club (Juniors) came from behind to defeat Salgaocar Sports Club Juniors 4-3 in a GFA First Division Taca Goa U-20 league match at Nehru stadium, Fatorda on Monday. Salgaocar led 3-2 at half time.

Salgaocar went into the lead in the 10th minute when captain Dawson Fernandes bulged the net after receiving a through pass from Gilbert Oliveira.

Ten minutes later, Salgaocar

25, 25-16, 17-25, 25-18, 15-8.

Naina shone for SCR. Jose Philip D’Souza, Revenue Minister was the chief guest and Fr. Mariano Dias assistant parish priest the guest of honour. Reginaldo Lourenco, MLA presided.

HERALD CORRESPONDENTS PANJIM / MARGAO/ VASCO, APRIL 12

Dempo Sports Club defeated Sarvodaya Sports Club by four wickets in Goa Premier League cricket tournament at Panjim Gymkhana, on Monday.

In the second innings, Sarvodaya were bowled out for 126 in 48.2 overs. Darshan Mirsha topscored with 38, Vijayan Kapadi 37 scored for Sarvodaya.

For Dempo, Julius Fernandes claimed 4 for 35, Wadjee 3 for 7, Wadawada 2 for 24 and Amit Yadav 1 for 51.

In reply, Dempo scored 224 for 6 in 48.4 overs. Wadawada topscored with 60, Tadse 54, Ilyas 22 not out and Rahul Keni 38 scored for Dempo. For Sarvodaya, Advant Katkar claimed

2 for 62, Robin D’Souza 1 for 32 and Robin D’Souza 1 for 27.

In another match at Dr Rajendra Prasad stadium, Margao, Salgaocar Sports Club scored an eight wicket win over Al Fatah Cricket Club.

Needing 92 to win, Salgaocar achieved the target by scoring 94 for the loss of 2 wickets in 21.1 overs. Salgaocar’s Hemant Shetgaonkar 50 and Ninad Pawaaskar 17 remained unbeaten. For Al Fatah, Anoop Kolambakar was the most successful bowler claiming two wickets. With this win, Salgaocar have collected 10 points.

At Bits Pilani ground, Zuarinagar, Chowgule Sports Club defeated Goa Sport Academy by six wickets.

Israel helps Sesa to qualify HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, APRIL 12

Sesa Football Academy booked their place in the second round of 2nd Division I-League football after cruising to a 7-1 win over Simla Youngs at Dr. Ambedkar stadium, New Delhi, on Monday.

Sesa led 1-0 at the lemon break.

Sesa qualified after winning four matches out of five, with 12 points and still having a game in hand.

Israel Gurung scored four goals after being promoted to the centre forward position in the absence of injured Marcus Mascarenhas.

Israel opened the scoring in

doubled the lead when striker Dawson Fernandes outwitted a couple of defenders and punished Dempo goalkeeper Flann D’Souza with an adroit placement. Gilbert Oliveira inflated their tally in the 33rd minute after picking up a pass from Standly Fernandes.

In the 33rd minute, Terence Fernandes beat the Salgaocar goalkeeper with a right footer.

Dempo showed courage and determination in the remaining part of the opening session with captain Shallum Pires unleashing a volley which deflected off the

“Referees do make mistakes, just like anybody else, but I don’t want to comment on their performance in I-League,” affirmed Pune FC coach Derrick Pereira on Monday.

Reacting to his comments appearing on a popular football website, Derrick denied he had ever stated that his team was denied several penalties against Chirag.

Derrick denying that he had ever spoken about poor refereeing standards in India, stated that he was mainly concerned about his coaching assignment, and that he was not in the habit of normally reading newspapers.

“I don’t know if any incident in our match against Chirag warranted a penalty,” Derrick remarked but added that there was no consistency.

Derrick stated that he was totally misquoted by the website.

Dempo beat Sarvodaya; Salgaocar, Chowgule win

the 14th minute netting off a cross from the right wing. After the break Israel scored his second goal from close range for Sesa in the 52nd minute.

Four minutes later Gabriel Fernandes added his name to the Sesa scoresheet.

Gagandeep scored Sesa's fourth goal in the 65th minute.

In the 78th minute, Sesa’s Jaiganesh Goltekar found the net. In the 83rd minute Israel slotted past the rival goalkeeper.

In the dying minutes, Ugochukwu pulled one back for Simla while Israel rounded off the tally for Sesa.

Dempo edge past Salgaocar gfa u-20 league

No problems about refereeing, says Derrick

leg of a rival defender and caught the Salgaocar goalkeeper on the wrong foot.

Dempo put up a better show in the second half and were rewarded in the 51st minute when striker Joshua Vaz scored off a pass from Romeo Fernandes.

After equalizing, Dempo upped the ante and struck the match-winner in the 59th minute.

In the 63rd minute, referee Anjulo Fernandes denied Dempo a penalty when midfielder Jessel Carneiro was tripped inside the box by a Salgaocar defender.

Speaking to Herald, Sesa coach Clifford Chukwuma said: ''The boys made me proud. At half time I told them we needed a win to qualify and they should not be nervous. In the second half they responded well.''

In the first innings, GSA, who batted first were all out for 154.

In reply, Chowgule scored 162.

In the second innings, GSA were all out for 131 in 39.4 overs. For GSA, Sandeep D’Mello topscored with 25, followed by Rohan Belekar 15 and Rohit Choudhary 15. Robin D’Souza took four wickets, while Regan Pinto and Santosh Shinde claimed three wickets each for Chowgule.

Chasing 123 for victor y, Chowgule achieved the target in 32.1 overs. Vaibhav Naik topscored with 53, Rohit Asnodkar 24, Ryan D’Souza 14 scored for Chowgule. For GSA, Sahil Dhuri claimed three wickets while Ro h i t C h o w d h a r y t o o k a wicket.

Margao SC to felicitate players

MARGAO (HC) -- Margao Sports Club will felicitate its players for earning a promotion to the GFA First Division League 2010 –2011 at the hands of Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat on April 14 at Borda at 7.30 p.m.

GOA DIARY Cricket at Old Goa

PANJIM: The All-Goa floodlit cricket tournament organised by D’Star Cricketers Sports Club, Old Goa, will be held on April 22 and 23 at panchayat ground, Ella, Old Goa. The winners, runners-up and semi-final losers will receive Rs 10,000 and Rs 5,000 and Rs 2,500 respectively, besides other prizes. Details may be obtained from Dineshon 9890544092..

TAG annual meeting

PANJIM (HSD) – The annual general body meeting to elect the new executive committee of Taekwondo Association of Goa will be held on April 18 at TAG office, Nehru stadium, Fatorda, Margao. N V Kurade has been appointed returning officer.

U-16 girls cricket camp

PANJIM (HSD) – The Goa Cricket Association will conduct a summer cricket coaching camp for U-16 girls from April 11 at 7 a.m Venues: Sanguem and Curchorem, SAG Curchorem ground, contact: Vilas Dessai, 9623122038; Pernem, Viscount HS, Auja Gaunekar, 9823089875; Mashem, Nirakar ground, Dapot, Mashem, contact: Sudesh Prabhudessai, 9422058377.Vasco, SAG ground, Chicalim, contact: Kishori Haldankar, 9822687273.

Shiroda, Karai ground, Shiroda, contact: Megnath Shirodkar, 9764117155; Fatorda, SAG ground, Fatorda, contact: Sangeeta Manzrekar, 9822124606; Sanquelim, Municipality ground, contact: Sanjay Kanekar, 9326126466;Panjim SAG ground, contact: Anita Pai Kakode, 9423060971; Mapusa, Duler indoor nets, Desh Kinlekar, 9422062806.

Goa Maroons emerge champs HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, APRIL 12

Hosts Goa Maroons trounced CRC Chinchinim 5-1 to retain the prestigious Goan Overseas Association Rolling Trophy in the finals sponsored by Bassem International Trading Company (Charles D'Sa), and conducted under the auspices of Kuwait India Football Federation (KIFF) at MOH ground, Kuwait, recently. Goa Maroons led 3-1 at half time.

Making their first appearance in a tournament final for Goan teams, CRCC took time to settle down while Goa Maroons began on a positive note and kept mounting pressure on the CRCC defence.

Goa Maroons were rewarded in the 17th minute when an Elvis’ cross from the right flank was chested by Kennedy leaving Gaby to slot in from close range. Eight minutes later, CRCC should have been on level terms when Joywin’s header off a corner beat Goa Maroon’s goalkeeper Anthony but Goa Maroons captain Ian cleared the ball on the goalline.

The victorious Goa Maroons team which defeated CRC Chinchinim 5-1 to retain the Goan Overseas Association Rolling Trophy at MOH ground, Kuwait.

Eleven minutes later, Elvis, switching positions, firmly struck the second goal for Goa Maroons off a long ranger. Four minutes before the break, Kennedy’s cross from the left flank beat the CRCC defence,

leaving Gaby to tap in.

Changing over, CRCC began on a positive move and pulled one back through Edwin. Within minutes, Steven of Goa Maroons scored. Kennedy rounded of the tally for Goa Maroons in the

dying minutes.

Charles D’Sa, general manager of Bassem International Trading, who sponsored the tournament for the seventh consecutive year, gave away the prizes. CRCC received individual

trophies from Fidelis Fernandes, president, KIFF. Gabriel Fernandes received the man-of-the match prize. Raymond D’Sa, President, Goan Overseas Association proposed the vote of thanks.

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Roma sink Atalanta to overtake Inter

Man Utd cut short title race

REUTERS ROME, APRIL 12

Dimitar Berbatov of Manchester United reflects on a missed opportunity during the Barclays Premier League match against Blackburn Rovers and at Ewood Park in Blackburn, on Sunday.

l Portsmouth book FA Cup final date with Chelsea

AGENCIES LONDON, APRIL 12

Manchester United was held 00 by Blackburn to squander a chance to temporarily regain the Premier League leadership on Sunday while Portsmouth reached the FA Cup final by beating Tottenham 2-0 a day after it was relegated from the English top flight.

It turned out to be a good day for Chelsea, which stayed ahead of United in the league title race and then found out it would face Portsmouth—in financial administration and down at the foot of the Premier League standings—rather than fifthplace Tottenham in the May 15 cup final.

In one of the biggest shocks of the season, extra-time goals

by Frederic Piquionne and KevinPrince Boateng gave cashstrapped Portsmouth victory in a dramatic semi-final at Wembley.

While Portsmouth fans know

their team will be playing in the League Championship next season, they also know they will be returning to Wembley where their team won the FA Cup two seasons ago, coincidentally under current Spurs coach Harry Redknapp.

A victory would have put United a point ahead of Chelsea in the title race but Antonio Valencia and Dimitar Berbatov both missed chances at Ewood Park.

Chelsea, which now leads the league by one point, has the chance to go four clear of United by beating Bolton at home on Tuesday.

“It’s a blow, there’s no question about that, and it makes it really difficult to win the league now,” said United manager Alex Ferguson, whose team is trying to become the first to win the league title four times in a row.

“That’s a fantastic result for (Chelsea). They will be really delighted at that and they have a

home game against Bolton on Tuesday. They will be expected to win that of course. We needed to win today. We are a point behind Chelsea and they have a game in hand and that would take it to four points and it’s a big gap.”

W ithout 34-goal Wayne Rooney, who is sidelined with an ankle injury, United failed to dominate a mid-standings Blackburn side and its first clear chance did not come until just before halftime when Valencia broke clear only for Blackburn goalkeeper Paul Robinson to block his shot.

Berbatov had a good chance in the 80th minute when he was unmarked 15 meters (yards) out but shot straight at the ‘keeper.

Three minutes later, the Bulgaria striker, whose inconsistent form has made him unpopular with many of the United fans, fired wide from the edge of the area.

Deep into injury time, a halfchance fell to United rightback

Gary Neville but he pulled his shot wide with his weaker left foot.

Manchester City strengthened its hold on fourth place with a 5-1 victory over Birmingham.

Carlos Tevez stroked home a 38th-minute penalty and added a second when he touched in a header from Nedum Onuoha.

Emmanuel Adebayor made it three before he and Onuoha scored further goals to move City on to 62 points from 33 games. Tottenham has 58 from 32.

Without injured striker Fernando Torres, Liverpool was held 0-0 at home by Fulham to lose more ground on City in the race for fourth. Rafa Benitez’s sixth-place team now has 56 points from 34 games, with Aston Villa next on 54 from 32.

Wolves edged closer to safety with a 0-0 draw at home to midtable Stoke and is now six points above the relegation zone with four games still to play.

AS Roma took a big step forward in their drive for a surprise Serie A title when they beat relegation-threatened visitors Atalanta 2-1 to take the top spot from champions Inter Milan.

Mirko Vucinic's and Marco Cassetti's first-half goals put Roma on 68 points, one more than Inter, who drew 2-2 at Fiorentina on Saturday as their domestic form falters under the stress of reaching the Champions League semi-finals.

Third-placed AC Milan's title hopes diminished after they slipped four points off the pace with five games to go despite coming from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at home with Catania thanks to Marco Borriello's double.

The title race is far from settled but the leadership change still marks a remarkable reversal.

Inter had been in sole command since October and looked to be cruising to a fifth straight scudetto in mid-February when they led by nine points.

By contrast, Roma have rallied after they were in seeming disarray early in the season when Claudio Ranieri replaced Luciano Spalletti.

REUTERS LONDON, APRIL 12

The US owners of Premier British League Football team Liverpool are looking to sell the club and have appointed Barclays Capital to find a buyer, a source familiar with the matter said on Sunday.

American businessmen Tom Hicks and George Gillett are facing a demand to repay 100 million pounds ($153 million) of the club's 237 million pounds debt to its lenders, Royal Bank of Scotland and US bank Wachovia, in July.

That has prompted them to seek a buyer for the club, which has been English champions 18

REUTERS LONDON, APRIL 12

Real surrender top spot to Barca REUTERS MADRID, APRIL 12

Surprise package Real Mallorca stayed in the hunt for a spot in next season's Champions League when they won 3-2 at home to Valencia on Sunday to draw level on 51 points with fourth-placed Sevilla.

With seven matches remaining and four berths in Europe's elite club competition up for grabs, Mallorca are fifth, below Sevilla, who won 2-1 at Malaga on Saturday, due to an inferior head-to-head record.

Defeat for third-placed Valencia shrinks their lead over the chasing pair to five points and they are a massive 21 behind Real Madrid, who lost 2-0 at home to champions Barcelona on Saturday to surrender top spot to their arch rivals.

Mallorca were seen as likely candidates for relegation due to their financial difficulties but the Balearic Islanders have defied expectations and have now won 13 of their 15 home matches this season.

Gonzalo Castro set them on their way in only the sixth minute at a half-empty Ono Estadi with a deflected strike that Cesar Sanchez could only parry into the net yesterday.

Cameroon striker Pierre Webo doubled the home side's lead with a superb diving header in the 21st and Jordi Alba pulled a goal back for the visitors just after the break.

Valencia's Portuguese midfielder Manuel Fernandes had a torrid time filling in at centre back after an injury to Hedwiges Maduro and his attempted clear-

ance flew into the roof of his own net in the 63rd.

Mallorca looked to be cruising before Pablo Hernandez slipped the ball under Mallorca goalkeeper Dudu Aouate with four minutes remaining and Fernandes's night went from bad to worse when he clashed with Aritz Aduriz shortly after and was shown a straight red card.

Athletic Bilbao pressed their claim for a European place when they trounced Almeria 4-1 earlier on Sunday to climb to sixth, the second of Spain's two Europa League spots, on 48 points.

Javi Martinez scored either side of halftime, Fernando Llorente netted one and had a penalty saved and Igor Gabilondo was also on target before Pablo Piatti grabbed a late consolation goal for visiting

Almeria.

Europa League semi-finalists Atletico Madrid stay in 10th after they suffered a 3-0 drubbing at Espanyol and had Czech defender Tomas Ujfalusi sent off late on for a wild lunge on Juan Forlin.

Racing Santander moved six points clear of the relegation places after a 1-1 draw at midtable Deportivo Coruna and are 15th on 32 points, above Real Zaragoza (32) and Malaga (31).

Promoted Tenerife (26) and Real Valladolid (25), who drew 0-0 on Saturday in Valladolid coach Javier Clemente's first match in charge, are 18th and 19th respectively.

Xerez (23), making their La Liga debut, are bottom after Saturday's 1-0 home defeat by Getafe.

Pak’s Gul, Arafat may miss World T20 UNI LAHORE, APRIL 12

Just weeks before the start of the ICC World Twenty20 championship in the West Indies, Pakistan were bracing themselves for a double blow as the defending champions feared

losing pacer Umar Gul and all-rounder Yasir Arafat because of injuries.

According the 'The News', seamer Mohammad Sami and big-hitting opener Shahzaib Hasan are in line to be picked as replacements for Gul and Arafat

if they are dropped from the T20 squad. Gul is struggling to recover from a shoulder injury.

He got injured during the World T20 training camp here earlier this month. Skipper Shahid Afridi confirmed that Gul was yet to recover from the shoulder in-

jury but he was hopeful that the fast bowler would get fit in time to be a part of the squad. ''We are still awaiting a word from the experts on Gul and that whether he would be able to play in the Twenty20 World Cup,'' Afridi said.

Palermo and Sampdoria remain neck-and-neck in the contest for Italy's fourth and final Champions League place with 54 points a piece after victories over Chievo Verona and Genoa respectively.

Fabrizio Miccoli struck twice to help Palermo beat Chievo 31 at home.

Antonio Cassano's header in the 23rd minute gave Samp a 1-0 win in a city derby that started 15 minutes late because the team coaches were caught in traffic and was marred by fans clashing with police outside the stadium.

Troubled Juventus are three points behind in sixth after a 10 home win over Cagliari with Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini nodding home in the 35th.

Bottom side Livorno lost 2-0 at home to Udinese, with Gennaro Ruotolo's return to the dugout after Serse Cosmi was sacked failing to raise their forlorn hopes of survival.

Siena, one place above Livorno, came from behind to claim a 3-2 home win over Bari and boost their chances, although they are still six points behind Bologna in the safety zone.

REUTERS DOHA, APRIL 12

Valentino Rossi began the defence of his MotoGP world title with victory in the floodlit Qatar Grand Prix after Australian Casey Stoner crashed out early on.

The Italian took the lead on the sixth of 22 laps when Stoner, who had started on pole position and was chasing his fourth successive Qatar win, fell while holding a two second advantage.

From there Rossi controlled the pace, pulling clear of the pack only in the final few laps to win the night race at the Losail circuit by 1.022 seconds.

Rossi's Yamaha team mate Jorge Lorenzo worked his way through the pack to finish second.

The Spaniard, riding with stitches in his right hand after an accident in testing, took third place from Ducati rider Nicky Hayden on the 20th lap and then went up the inside of Honda's Andrea Dovizioso on the final lap to give his team the onetwo.

Hayden passed Dovizioso two turns from the end, but the Italian powered past down the front straight to take the final podium spot by .011 secs.

Barclays to oversee Liverpool FC sale

Smith is UK’s Davis Cup coach

Victor Valdes (left) and Carles Puyol (centre) of Barcelona celebrate after defeating Real Madrid in the La Liga match at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, in Madrid, Spain.

Montenegro forward Vucinic put them ahead on 12 minutes with the help of a blunder by Atalanta keeper Andrea Consigli, who allowed a powerful but direct shot to slip through his grip.

Cassetti headed in a Francesco Totti cross in the 27th minute as Roma extended their unbeaten league run to 23 matches yesterday.

Simone Tiribocchi capitalised on some poor defending to pull one back in the 53rd for thirdbottom Atalanta, four points behind Bologna, who blew a two-goal lead in a 3-2 home defeat to fellow strugglers Lazio.

Catania's Argentine forward Maxi Lopez stunned the San Siro by running on to Adrian Ricchiuti's threaded pass and steering the ball into the far corner in the 12th minute.

Lopez returned the favour with a cross for Ricchiuti to head home and make it 2-0 for the visitors in the 43rd before Milan came back strongly in the second half.

Forward Borriello headed in soon after the break and fired the equaliser 10 minutes from time but the hosts were unable to snatch a winner despite intense pressure in the closing stages.

Rossi starts season with win

British tennis officials have attempted to halt the country's international free-fall by appointing Andy Murray's former coach Leon Smith as the new captain of the Great Britain Davis Cup team today.

The 34-year-old Scot, who has been a coach for 16 years and who guided Murray through the junior ranks, was most recently the LTA's head of men's player development.

He succeeds John Lloyd, who resigned following Britain's defeat by Lithuania last month. ''Leon is the perfect fit for this important role at this stage in the development of British men's tennis,'' the Lawn Tennis Association's player director Steven Martens said on the LTA's website (www.ita.org.uk). ''He's a young British coach full of energy and passion, who's already proved he's a quick learner, and has the respect of the players.''

Smith will need to get to work quickly. Britain's next Davis Cup tie is a Europe/Africa Zone Group II playoff against Turkey at Eastbourne on July 9-11, where defeat would mean relegation to the lowest tier of the competition.

times and won the European Cup five times.

The Sunday Times had reported that Barclays would back a 300 million pounds ($458.8 million) refinancing at Liverpool that would lead to the sale of the Premier League club.

The newspaper said the bank is this weekend finalising a deal that will see it replace the club's current lenders, provide more money for manager Rafa Benitez to spend on players and install British Airways chairman Martin Broughton as chairman.

However, the source said it would be up to the new owner to make a decision over whether to refinance the club's debt. The

The Marylebone Cricket Club on Monday announced that it will sponsor the Test and Twenty20 series between Pakistan and Australia in England in July. It will be the first time in its 223-year history that the MCC will sponsor international cricket.

The MCC 'Spirit of Cricket' Test series, which will be a nonprofit making initiative, comes at a time when Pakistan, who will also be playing a Test and one-day series against England, has become a no-go area for international cricket following the terror attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore last year.

The first Test will be played at Lord's between July 13 and 17 and the second at Headingley from July 21 to 25. Two Twenty20

Benitez was quoted in British media on Sunday as saying Liverpool needs to bring in more players to compete and may even have to sell a few to be able to reinvest.

"It doesn't matter if it's four or five or three or five, the cost of a top class player is 15 or 20 million pounds. So with three or four players, you start counting and I think we need up to four new players," he said in The People.

"I don't think I will have to sell a big player, but it will depend on the investors so I cannot guarantee we won't have to sell. Our idea is to keep the spine of the team."

Only machinegun can halt Messi magic: Stoichkov REUTERS SOFIA, APRIL 12

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi is in such magical form that opposition defences would need a machine gun to stop him, said former European Footballer of the Year Hristo Stoichkov.

Messi's remarkable season continued when he set Barcelona on their way to a 2-0 win at Real Madrid in Spain's Clasico on Saturday, four days after the Argentine's brilliant four-goal Champions League haul against Arsenal. Stoichkov led Bulgaria to the semi-finals of the 1994 World Cup and his performances prompted Italy coach Arrigo Sacchi to say it would take a gun to stop him. ''Once they said they can only stop me with a pistol, but today you need a machine gun to stop him,'' former Barca striker Stoichkov told Bulgarian Trud daily on Monday.

The 44-year-old became a favourite at the Nou Camp for his aggressive approach to the game and his outspoken criticism of rivals Real Madrid.

Stoichkov was a key member of the ''Dream Team'' coached

by Johan Cruyff that won the Spanish league title four years in succession in the early 1990s. ''What to comment on the

Pak to face Australia at Lord’s, Headingley AGENCIES LONDON, APRIL 12

source also declined to comment on what price the club could be sold for or when a sale is likely to take place.

Liverpool Football Club was not immediately available for comment. Barclays Capital declined to comment.

The Sunday Times said Barclays, the main sponsor of the Premier League, will replace RBS and Wachovia, and provide the Merseyside club with additional capital.

Analysts had suggested Liverpool is worth 500 million pounds but the paper said Barclays is understood to believe it would fetch far more if given time to improve its trading.

matches will be played at Edgbaston on July 5 and 6.

"MCC is committed to the health of Test cricket, and by sponsoring the series and hosting the first Test, the club is supporting Pakistani cricket at a time when the country's Test calendar has been decimated," MCC's Australian secretary, Keith Bradshaw, said.

"We'll do whatever we can to help Pakistan. We have a role to play across the globe. We are independent and feel to some degree that we are the conscience of the game," he added.

Bradshaw refused to divulge how much money MCC is putting into the series, which also features a Test at Yorkshire's Headingley ground in Leeds, citing "commercial confidentiality", but insisted it is a "not for profit exercise" as far as his club is concerned.

game? Some were kicking like donkeys, others were playing football,'' Stoichkov said when asked to analyse the match at

the Bernabeu. ''Money doesn't play football.

Real's hundreds of millions were not enough for a single goal.''

Pg18

HE RA LD

SPORTS

GOA, Tuesday, 13 April, 2010

Deccan keep semis hopes alive Harmeet Singh celebrates the wicket of Robin Uthappa.

Robin Uthappa dismisses Andrew Symonds on Monday.

PTI NAGPUR, APRIL 12

Rohit Sharma struck a vital half century and shared 82 runs for the fourth-wicket with Mohnish Mishra (41) as title holders Deccan Chargers beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by 13 runs to stay afloat for a semifinal spot in the Indian Premier League here today.

Rohit (51 off 46) and Mohnish Mishra (41 off 30) resurrected the Deccan innings with the 60ball valuable partnership to

guide the defending champions to 151 for six after Dale Steyn (3/18) did the early damage with three quick wickets.

And then the Deccan bowlers rose to the occasion with RP Singh (2/21), Pragyan Ojha (2/22), Harmeet Singh (2/24) and Ryan Harris (2/34) sharing eight wickets among themselves to bowl out the Royal Challengers for 138 in 19.4 overs.

Rahul Dravid top-scored for Royal Challengers with a classical 49 while Robin Uthappa

Deccan Chargers: H Gibbs b Steyn 12, A Gilchrist c Uthappa b Steyn 0, T Suman c Taylor b Steyn 0, Rohit Sharma c Pandey b Vinay Kumar 51, Monish Mishra run out (Steyn) 41, A Symonds st Uthappa b Kumble 19, Ryan Harris not out 13, B Sumanth not out 6. Extras: 9. Total: 151for 6.

Fall of wickets: 1-1, 1-2, 14-3, 96-4, 131-5, 133-6.

Bowling: Dale Steyn 4-0-18-3, Vinay Kumar 3-0-191, Jacques Kallis 4-0-40-0, Anil Kumble 4-0-27-1, Virat Kohli 2-016-0, K Appanna 3-0-27-0.

Royal Challengers: Manish Pandey c Gilchrist b Harris 0, Jacques Kallis c Sumanth b Ojha 27, R Dravid c Sumanth b Symonds 49, Robin Uthappa b Harmeet 34, Ross Taylor b RP Singh 1, Virat Kohli c Sumanth b Ojha 3, C White c Symonds b RP Singh 4, Vinay Kumar b Harris 4, Dale Steyn lbw b Harmeet 0, Anil Kumble not out 2, K Appanna run out (R Sharma) 1.

Extras: 13. Total: 138 all out.

Fall of wickets: 0-1, 74-2, 95-3, 101-4, 104-5, 110-6, 134-7, 134-8, 137-9, 138-10. Bowling: Ryan Harris 3.4-0-34-2, RP Singh 4-0-21-2, A Symonds 4-0-33-1, Pragyan Ojha 4-0-22-2, Harmeet Singh 4-0-24-2.

Man-of-the-match: Harmeet Singh

made a breezy 34 off 20 balls.

Chasing the modest target, Royal Challengers did not have the perfect start as Ryan Harris struck in his and innings' first delivery for Deccan.

The Australian pacer found Manish Pandey fishing at a moving delivery, only to get a thick edge which Deccan skipper Adam Gilchrist obliged with both hands.

But then came in Rahul Dravid who looked in great touch. He opened his account with a copy book drive off Harris and then welcomed Andrew Symonds with two boundaries in his first over.

Harmeet also faced the brunt of Dravid's aggression as he hit the medium pacer for back-toback boundaries.

However, Dravid's 35-ball beautiful innings, which was studded with eight fours, was halted by Symonds just one run before the half century as the right-hander hit one straight to Sumanth at the long-off boundary.

Dravid's downfall seemed to have pumped Deccan as they picked three more wickets in consecutive overs to claw back into the game.

Ojha displayed some fine leftarm spin bowling and accounted

for two Bangalore batsmen -Jacques Kallis and Virat Kohli -during his four overs spell.

He first got the vital wicket of tournament's highest run-getter Jacques Kallis (25 off 37), caught by Sumanth and then had Kohli out in identical fashion.

RP Singh too picked up two crucial wickets to help his side's cause. The left-arm pacer disturbed Ross Taylor's timbers with a beauty of a yorker and then picked up Cameron White in his next over, caught by Symonds.

However, in-form Uthappa had other plans. Needing 39 off the last three overs, he clobbered Harris twice over the boundary to bring it down to 18 off 12 balls.

Lalit Modi's controversial tweets over the ownership structure of new IPL entrant Rendezvous Sports World (RSW) had led to a virtual showdown, with the Kochi franchise threatening to sue the IPL Commissioner for breaking the confidentiality terms.

Modi disclosed the names of the free equity holders in the l i t t l e - k n o w n R S W, w h i c h coughed up approximately Rs 1533 crore to bag the Kochi franchise, a move that put Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor in a spot of bother, as Sunanda Pushkar, the lady he is reportedly planning to marry, figures in the list.

Miffed by the disclosure, RSW threatened to send a legal notice to Modi and accused the IPL Commissioner of breaking the confidentiality terms.

The Kochi franchise also complained to Board of Control for

n Modi disclosed the names of the free equity

holders in the little-known RSW, which coughed up approximately Rs 1533 crore to bag the Kochi franchise, a move that put Shashi Tharoor in a spot of bother, as Sunanda Pushkar, the lady he is reportedly planning to marry, figures in the list. RSW threatened to send a legal notice to Modi and accused the IPL Commissioner of breaking the confidentiality terms.

Cricket in India president Shashank Manohar about Modi's indiscretion.

Modi wrote on his Twitter page that the free equity holders in RSW include Kisan, Shailender and Pushpa Gaikwad, Sunanda Pushkar, Puja Gulati, Jayant Kotalwar, Vishnu Prasad and Sundip Agarwal.

Media reports have said Tharoor is to marr y Sunanda Pushkar, a Kashmiri girl. Trained as a beautician, she runs a spa

Kaneria contemplates legal action against tabloid AGENCIES KARACHI, APRIL 12

Pakistani leg-spinner Danish Kaneria is contemplating legal action against the British tabloid, which has named him as one of the two Essex players currently under investigation by the police for "match irregularities" in the English county championship.

Police are investigating allegations that two Essex players were involved in "match irregularities", the England and Wales Cricket Board said on Saturday.

'The Sun' named Kaneria as one of the two players who are under investigation, prompting an angry response from the spinner.

"I don't know from where they have got their information but I have spoken to my lawyer and we are contemplating to sue them for damages," Kaneria said.

and has lived in Dubai.

"A lot of you asking shareholders and events surrounding the Kochi team. I am compiling a note shortly and will put an official release soon," Modi wrote.

Modi hinted there is pressure on him not to reveal the details of who all owns Rendezvous.

"I was told not to get into who owns Rendezvous, specially Sunanda Pushkar. Why?" he said.

Modi's tweets could land Tharoor in fresh controversy, as the

AGENCIES JAIPUR, APRIL 12

IPL commissioner Lalit Modi gave state officials in Jaipur a piece of his mind for harassing the Rajasthan Royals' team management.

The officials had locked the Rajasthan team's temporary office at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, which angered Modi.

On finding the western block of the stadium, which housed their temporary office locked, the Rajasthan Royals team management had threatened to shift the IPL matches from Jaipur to another venue.

"My team and RR officials have been harassed by state officials.

Is this the way to hold matches in a state? That is why I have boycotted Jaipur matches," Modi wrote on his Twitter page.

"Top officials of RR were detained by authorities for most of the day yesterday. Very sad.

Very annoying for our fans that the people in charge at Jaipur treat people this way both our franchise and fans" said Modi.

Modi also expressed concern over the issue of black marketing of IPL tickets.

TODAYS FIXTURES Mumbai Indians v. Delhi Daredevils Mumbai, 4pm Chennai Super Kings v.

Kolkata Knight Riders Chennai 8pm

Modi in showdown with Rendezvous AGENCIES MUMBAI, APRIL 12

Harassment of Royals team management irks Modi

union minister had vehemently claimed that he has no financial stake in the Kochi franchise.

"All I did on my part was to offer encouragement, blessings and expert advise when required to the bidders.

Beyond that, I had no role to play. It's a group of business people and I understand it's a business decision," Tharoor had said.

RSW acted sharply to Modi and even disputed his claim that Sunanda has 18 per cent stake in the franchise.

According to sources, the Kochi franchise wants Modi to disclose the stake-holding pattern in other franchises like Rajasthan Royals and the Kings XI Punjab.

RSW sources claimed that Modi is interested in having Ahmedabad as one of the franchises for subsequent IPL seasons and is therefore creating problems for Kochi, which emerged the second highest bidder in the auction.

County players told to stay away from Facebook UNI LONDON, APRIL 12

England's county cricketers were warned against divulging personal information on social networking sites like ''Facebook'' before the season started because of fears that gamblers could befriend them to collude in corruption.

The warning came to light after two members of the Essex team became the subject of a police investigation into ''match irregularities''.

And a day after it was revealed, the county cricketers have been told to stay away from such social networking sites.

Some players are understood to have developed hundreds of contacts on ''Facebook'', many of whom they do not know personally.

Sania, Shoaib say 'Kabool hai', finally Sania's mother Nasima blesses the couple after the Nikah ceremony.

The Nikah ceremony was held in presence of very close relatives.

PTI HYDERABAD, APRIL 12

Indian tennis star Sania Mirza and Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik tied the knot today, ending days of controversy and drama surrounding their highprofile wedding that took place three days ahead of original schedule.

The 23-year-old Sania and 28year- old Shoaib originally planned to marry on April 15 but there was speculation that the date would be advanced after the tumultuous build-up.

"The nikah has now completed. Please pray for the couple," Sania's spokesperson Rucha Nayak told reporters here.

Decked in a red saree, which her mother Nasima wore in her nikah 25 years ago, Sania thus became the second wife of the Pakistani cricketer, who divorced his first wife Ayesha Siddiqui last week after much mud-slinging.

Shoaib, a former Pakistan captain, wore a black sherwani designed by Shantanu and Nikhil for the nikah ceremony held at hotel Taj Krishna.

The two families surprised everyone this morning by an-

PTI NEW DELHI, APRIL 12

Top seed Saina Nehwal is on her guard against a tricky draw but mixed doubles player V Diju is aiming for at least the quarterfinals of the Asian Badminton Championship starting tomorrow at the newly-built Siri Fort Stadium here.

Currently ranked sixth in the world, Saina has been been given the top billing in women's singles in the absence of Chinese players who occupy the top five places in world rankings but the Hyderabadi is in no mood to relax.

"It is not an easy draw. There are some Thai players who are good, also Zhou Mi is there. I am playing Porntip in the first round and I have lost against her in the past. Ofcourse I am a different player now," Saina told PTI.

Twenty20 skipper Shahid Afridi has backed the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) decision to impose strict punishments on seven senior cricketers following the national side's humiliation in the tour of Australia, and said it was 'a step in the right direction'.

Afridi, who was one of the seven cricketers penalised by the PCB, has been put on sixmonth probation and slapped a fine of Rs 3 million for his balltampering incident in the final ODI in Perth.

The T20 captain feels that if something suspicious is brewing within the team then the authorities have done the right

thing by taking such a tough stand.

He also believes the Board's stance would set an example before the young players to keep themselves away from disciplinary actions and focus completely on their performances. ''As far as other players, who are accused of infighting, many officials and players have recorded their reservations in front of the inquiry committee.

So, I think there is something suspicious and that is why these punishments have been meted out,'' Afridi said. ''The board cannot take any decision without pertinent cause and I am sure there is something in it. The board

"I know a lot of top Chinese players are not coming for this tournament. But it's ok, their absence doesn't bother me. I am no more afraid of Chinese shuttlers.

"I had a very good training session and my decision of skipping some tournaments is helping me to be at the peak of my game. I am able to work on my weaknesses and become stronger each day," she added.

India also have another top seed in the mixed doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and Diju and the latter is confident of reaching the quarters at least.

"I have seen the draw and I feel looking at it, we should reach the quarters at least. We in all probability will meet a Chinese pair there and from there on it will be tough," he said.

Besides Indians, the ABC will

ICC promises not to repeat 2007 mistakes PTI NEW DELHI, APRIL 12

International Cricket Council has learnt from the mistakes it made in the 2007 ODI World Cup and would lower the ticket prices to ensure that the Twenty20 World Championship doesn't prove to be another flop show in the West Indies, ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said here today.

Thanks to the expensive tickets, most of the 2007 World Cup matches were played bef o re s p a r s e c ro w d i n t h e Caribbeans and Lorgat said ICC would not err twice.

"We have learnt from the 2007 World Cup. Perhaps pricing of the tickets was the fundamental reason (behind low turnout) there. It was not really affordable for them.

The C a r i b b e a n s a re small communities and it was not affordable for them to buy tickets of all matches," Lorgat said.

Spelling out plans to woo the locals for the April 30-May 16 ICC World Twenty20, Lorgat said, "While

pricing of the ticket is key, we are also retaining the Caribbean flavour this time."

"Every territory has its own style and culture and we will encourage them to get involved in their own way. I'm hoping they would come out in full swing and there will be a party atmosphere all around," said Lorgat who was here to display the ICC World Twenty20 trophy.

The Twenty20 World Cup be-

might not be eager to leak out the evidence they have, but they have to set example and I think it is a step in right direction,'' he was quoted assaying by 'The Daily Times'.

Following an inquiry into the causes of Pakistan's disastrous tour Down Under, where it lost all the Tests, ODIs matches including the one-off Twety20, the PCB banned former captains Younus Khan and Mohammad Yousuf for indefinite period and imposed 12-month bans another former skipper on Shoaib Malik and pacer Rana Navedul Hasan besides fining Akmal brothers Kamran and Umar.

However, the Akmal brothers and Naved have already filed ap-

peals with the board against their punishments, while Yousuf hung his boots from international cricket in protest against the punishment.

On a query that if the board had any evidence against the players to take action, Afridi said, ''Obviously, how can you ban the likes of Younus, Yousuf, Naved or Shoaib without justifiable cause?''

The maverick all-rounder further said that PCB's action has re-grouped the team to work together for the Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies, which starts from April 30.

The Twenty20 skipper was also hopeful that his boys can overshadow the wrongdoings

of the past by retaining the World T20 title. ''For one and half months I have tried to keep the team together and tried to put it through to everyone that whatever wrong has been done by others is history, this is our chance to undo those wrongs,'' Afridi said. ''As a captain I am attempting to lift the self-confidence of the players and so far the camp has been productive,'' h e added.

Sania's family said.

The build up to their marriage was highly controversial due to Shoaib's 'first' marriage with another Hyderabad girl Ayesha.

Ayesha had alleged that Shoaib married her over phone before dumping her without a divorce due to her weight problems.

Shoaib initially denied the allegations and claimed that Ayesha duped him into a phone marriage by sending photographs of a different woman.

Ayesha went ahead and filed an FIR against Shoaib alleging fraud and criminal intimidation which led to the cricketer's passport being confiscated by the police.

The all-rounder agreed to divorce Ayesha after being pressurised by community leaders.

The FIRs were subsequently withdrawn but he is yet to get back his passport.

Sania is currently ranked 89 in the WTA chart and is out of action nursing a wrist injury.

Shoaib, on the other hand, is serving a one-year ban for indiscipline during Pakistan's tour of Australia earlier this year.

Top seeds Saina, Jwala-Diju India's best bets in ABC

gins just five days after the completion of the Indian Premier League III but Lorgat didn't see any harm in that.

"Last year too, IPL preceded the Twenty20 World Cup in England, which was reported as a successful event. I see IPL as great forerunner to Twenty20 World Cup," he said.

Lorgat also took the occasion to reiterate that there would be no separate window for IPL. "As I have said in the past, I don't envisage a window for IPL, which is a domestic event.

It's difficult to incorporate all

PCB's punishment was a step in right direction: Afridi UNI LAHORE, APRIL 12

nouncing through the spokesperson that marriage has been preponed.

The 'Mehandi' ceremony is now scheduled for tomorrow, 'Sangeet' on April 14 and the reception will be held on April 15 as scheduled, the spokesperson said.

All the papers were in place before the arrival of bride and the groom and the ceremony was over within five minutes and the 'Qutbah' was read by the head Qazi.

The couple married at around 1.15 pm immediately after Zohar prayers by head Qazi of Dar-ul-Qazzat.

Shoaib paid Rs 61 lakh as 'Meher' amount to Sania at the time of Nikah and also presented her a car.

According to family sources, the wedding was advanced due to the 'fatwas' being issued by various ulemas against Shoaib living in Sania's house before marriage which was termed as unislamic.

The Nikah ceremony was held in presence of very close relatives while lunch was hosted for about 500 guests, sources in

domestic tournaments. The Fu t u re To u r s P ro g r a m m e schedules only international cricket. In addition to that, IPL (governing council) has not sought any window," Lorgat explained.

The South African said he expects Twenty20 would open up new market for cricket but not at the cost of the game's two other formats.

see former Olympic and world champion Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia renewing his rivalry with reigning Olympic and three-time world champion Lin Dan of China.

Page 1:Layout 1 4/13/2010 1:49 AM Page 1

O HERALD O Visit us at: www.oheraldo.in

India: I have learnt who my real friends are: Preity Pg 14 It is possible to store the mind with a million facts and still be entirely uneducated.

—Alec Bourne

IN BRIEF Best Book prize

The Voice of Goa — Since 1900 panjim, TUESDaY, april 13, 2010

Business: SEBI order on ULIP on hold Pg 13

KNOT, AT LAST

Dasgupta wins Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Best Book British-Indian author Rana Dasgupta today won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for 2010 for his epic tale “Solo” set in Bulgaria. –– (PTI)

Sports: Modi in showdown with Rendezvous Pg 18

Full-day schooling on cards?

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 12

With the central government’s Right to Education (RTE) Act stressing on longer teaching hours per week, the possibility of longer schooling hours in Goa cannot be ruled out in the near future.

As the state is gearing up to implement the RTE Act, touted as a major reform in the education sector, various issues are being debated visà-vis the main features of the Act. The Education Department nonetheless, appears to be getting ready to implement

Paedophile priests must be turned in, says Vatican AFP VATICAN CITY, APRIL 12

Priest sex abusers should “always” be turned in to civil authorities, the Vatican said Monday in guidelines on handling paedophilia cases posted on its website.

“Civil law concerning reporting of crimes to the appropriate authorities should always be followed,” state the guidelines compiled from existing Vatican rules.

(Continued on page 10)

MATCH POINT: Sania Mirza and Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik tied the knot on Monday ending days of controversy and drama surrounding their high-profile wedding that took place three days ahead of original schedule. (Report on page 18)

priCE rs. 3.00 (air Surcharge rs 1.50) pages 18

RTE in the state.

The main question being asked is whether schools will have to have extended hours to the point of having ‘full day schools’ with timings such as 9 to 4 or so, as is being done in most parts of the country.

Incidentally, during the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regime, then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had suggested longer schooling hours which was as per recommendations made by top educationists. But the government had not gone ahead with it as

there was strong opposition mainly from school managements and teachers on the grounds that the schools had no proper infrastructure for a full-day school.

Going by RTE, the teaching hours may have to be seven and half hours. Per week, there will have to be around 45 teaching hours, sources said.

A minimum 200 days a year will be made instructional days for primary and 220 days for secondary, sources said.

The school management committee or the local author-

ity will identify the drop-outs or out of school children above six years of age and admit them in classes appropriate to their age after giving special training.

The Act makes it a right of every child to get education.

The Act makes it obligatory for the appropriate governments to ensure that every child gets free elementary education.

The Act mandates that even private educational institutions have to reserve 25 per cent seats for children from weaker sections.

Rein in LeT: Obama to Pak PTI WASHINGTON, APRIL12

After some plain speaking by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, United States President Barack Obama has leaned on Pakistan to rein in LeT. Singh, who met Obama here last night, emphasised that Pakistan needed to take “convincing action” against those responsible for Mumbai attacks.

Meeting Pakistan Premier Yousuf Raza Gilani a couple of hours after his discussions with Singh, Obama is believed to have asked him to bring the perpetrators of the Mumbai terrorist attacks to justice, saying this ac-

tion would be a positive thing in improving Indo-Pak ties.

Gilani replied in the affirmative when asked by reporters whether some action can be expected from Pakistan now that Obama is pressing it to bring those behind Mumbai attacks to justice.

“Certainly,” he said, adding “I am against terrorism and always of the opinion that those who are the culprits should be brought to justice.”

Briefing reporters on the 50minute meeting at Blair House between the two leaders, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said Singh made it clear that

“future of South Asia would be determined by the manner in which terrorism is tackled.”

The prime Minister also voiced apprehensions about misuse of US military supplies to Pakistan, prompting Obama to assure him that India’s concerns in this regard would be kept in mind while dealing with the issue.

The US President told Singh that Washington was “supportive” of India’s request for access to Mumbai attacks accused and Lashkar-e-Taiba operative David Headley and it was “working through legal systems” on the matter.

Sleuths probe financial deals of suspended PI HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, ARRIL 12

The Crime Branch which is investigating the police-drug mafia links, has seized a computer hard disc containing property details of suspended Police Inspector Ashish Shirodkar even as it says some packets of narcotic drugs were eaten by white ants in the Anti-Narcotic Cell storeroom (malkhana).

Enquiries revealed that financial transactions including finan-

Vasco facility to study ozone layer in Goa SHwETA KAmAT PANJIM, APRIL 12

The extent of the much feared ozone depletion over Goa will now be known to researchers through a facility planned to come up at Vasco.

Goa is one amongst the 20 stations, where the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune will spearhead the country’s first major initiative to predict ‘air quality levels on an all India basis.

Programme director and IITM scientist Dr Gufran Beig claims that this is the first time that an air quality forecasting programme is being carried out in India and Goa is part of it.

“20 different stations will be set up in different parts of the countr y in three different phases. In the first phase the stations were already set up at Pune, Udaipur and Hyderabad while in the coming days the same will be launched at Goa and Jhodpur,” Dr Beig told Herald from Pune.

The IITM will be setting up pollution monitoring stations at one of its branch- National Centre for Oceanic and Antarctic Research (NCOAR) in the next 15 days.

The project is a part of eleventh five year plan of Ministry of Earth Science, government of India, whose ultimate goal is to study the air quality well in advance.

“In Goa, level of ozone depletion was never studied before. This station will help in predicting the ozone concentration in the state and will forecast air pollution levels 24 hours in advance,” he said.

Dr Beig maintained that since there was no data on ozone level concentration in the stat before, it had become (Continued on page 10)

cial dealings were on the computer at Shirodkar’s friend’s residence at Caranzalem. After intensive interrogation, Shirodkar disclosed part of his financial dealings, sources said. Based on his statements, Crime Branch sleuths searched the house of his close friend where they found the matter on his computer. The computer hard-disk was attached and later sent to CFSL, Hyderabad .

The Crime Branch, the

sources said, is investigating into the income of the suspended police inspector and the investments he has made so far.

Obviously, they have set their eyes on the linkages with drug pushers.

It is learnt that the sleuths are in possession of some of Shirodkar’s financial transaction records.

The Crime branch has also written to some banks to verify (Continued on page 10)

Since Easter has gone by, now can we tell them to hold their demands till Christmas?

Pg2

HE RA LD

GOA

GOA, TUESDAY, 13 APRIL, 2010

Damu, Vijay turn the heat on hot-mixing at Borda

Fatorda MLA Damu Naik and GPCC general secretaryVijay Sardesai breaking sacred coconut separately as PWD Minister Churchill Alemao looks on.

Photos by Santosh Mirajkar HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 12

They jostled in full public view to claim credit for the commissioning of the road hot mixing work at Borda-Fatorda on Monday morning. In the end, both BJP MLA Damu Naik and Congress general secretary Vijay Sardessai broke the sacred coconut separately for the same work in the presence of PWD Minister, Churchill Alemao.

Caught in the crossfire was the PWD Minister, who had to oblige his close aide Sardessai and also take into account the sentiments of the BJP MLA. Alemao and the BJP MLA were reportedly involved in a war of words after Naik questioned him for his decision to inaugurate the hot mixing work in the presence of Sardessai.

The incident occurred this morning at Borda meters away from the St Joaquim Chapel. The GPCC general secretary Sardessai along with his band of ruling Councilors descended at the venue and was waiting for the arrival of Alemao to commission the work.

On the other hand, Naik along with his supporters stationed himself meters away from the site, and was eagerly waiting for the presence of Alemao for the commissioning of the hot mixing work.

Questioning Sardessai’s presence at the site, Naik wondered how the GPCC general secretary could claim credit for the work when all the homework was done by him. “Let Sardessai do the spade work and take credit, I have no problem. You just can-

not come on the scene and take credit for the work”, he said.

Naik later told Herald that the financial sanction and other procedure was completed by the PWD officials after persistent follow-up with the department.

“Any educated person can go to the file and see who has followed up the work with the Chief Minister and other officials”, he said.

During the war of words with the PWD Minister, the Fatorda MLA sought to know from Alemao what politics is going in his Fatorda constituency. “I told Alemao that I am the MLA representing Fatorda. I am not a defeated candidate”, he said.

Sardessai, on the other hand, later said the commencement of work shows the Congress government is responsive to the

aspirations of the common people. “The MLA, who is in the habit of usurping credit for any development that occurs in Fatorda needs to answer the people of Fatorda why he was responsible for stopping the construction of a Balwadi to cater to the needs of the poor students at Marlem in Borda”, he said.

Sardessai said the people of Fatorda are well aware who is initiating development in the constituency and who is ruling the state. My role in helping the poor and the needy in Fatorda by using my good offices with Chief Minister and PWD Minister cannot be erased by such petty gimmicks of the MLA of trying to falsely claim credit for development and gain cheap publicity in the bargain”, he added.

1994-96 structures within 50 mts not illegal HERALD CORRESPONDENT NEW DELHI, APRI 12

Notwithstanding the Supreme Court striking down an Environment Ministry notification reducing ban on seaside constructions from 100 metres to 50 metres from the high tide line (HTL), a division bench

headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan has now allowed not only completed but on-going constructions undertaken with due permissions under the nullified notification.

Though not many builders and individuals may benefit from the relaxation secured by a Goa builder, the judgement has an all-India implication on all coastal states as it accepts interpretation of the National Coastal Zone Management Authority (NCZMA) that such a relaxation is “applicable to all such cases in the coastal areas of the country.”

There may be a rush of many citing all sorts of permissions that they may have obtained from the local authorities like panchayats to build within 50 metres of HTL. They will get right to complete constructions even if they could not build anything but obtained the required permissions for construction before the Supreme Court struck down the 50-metre notification on April 18, 1996.

In one of the three judgements on petitions of the Goan Real Estate and Construction Limited delivered on March 31, copies of which were available only on Monday, the bench of Justice Balakrishnan and Justice J M Panchal held that its April 18, 1996 judgement on a petition of Indian Council for Enviro-Legal Action declaring part of the notification dated August 16, 1994 as illegal will not affect constructions started or permitted during the intervening period of 20 months.

The second petition of the company against People's Movement for Civic Action was dismissed as infructuous while the company's third petition to

transfer the movement's pending writ petition before the Goa bench of the Bombay High Court to the Supreme Court to be decided with the pending special leave petition (SLP) was rejected.

The case of the petitioner company, which had submitted plans back in 1993 for construction of a hotel and a residential complex on the land it owned close to river Zuari in Goa, was that the Supreme Court's judgement of 1996 neither specifically ordered demolition of existing structures nor issued directions on the ongoing constructions coming up as per plans sanctioned during the period when the said amending notification of April 16, 1994 was valid and in force.

The company sought clarification, pointing out that the Centre and the NCZMA had repeatedly upheld through three letters in January, February and May 2007 its claim that the 1996 judgement does not prejudice or affect either the completed or on-going construction.

The controversy arose because the Ministry of Environment and Forests issued a notification in 1994 amending its original Coastal Regulation Zone Notification dated February 18, 1991 reducing the "no development zone" on which no construction is permitted from 100 metres from HTL to 50 metres.

The Goan real estate company had originally obtained construction permissions for a project only beyond 100 metres, but it moved an additional proposal to the Panchayat of Curca, Bambolim and Talaulim in Tiswadi Goa to allow it to build 18 blocks between 50 and 100 metres.

The village panchayat referred the matter to the Town and

Country Planning Authority, which cleared the additional proposal on July 31, 1995 and the same day the panchayat sanctioned the company's plans and granted permission to construct.

The company lawyers argued before the apex court that the company had commenced construction in accordance with the new approved plans that were revalidated from time to time and claimed that they were valid till this date. Submitting that the 1994 notification allowing constructions up to 50 metres was declared illegal in 1996 but its operation was not stayed by the court or by the government, the company pleaded that the citizens were entitled to act as per the said notification and there was no illegality in such acts.

The company made out a strong case that notwithstanding the fact that part of the amending notification was declared illegal by the Supreme Court, all orders passed under the said notification and actions taken pursuant to the said notification would not be affected in any manner whatsoever.

The Supreme Court rejected the Centre's stand that the particular company would get benefit of interpretation while others would not get any benefit. It referred to a decision of NCZMA that the clarification given by the Environment Ministry in this regard is applicable to all such cases in the coastal areas of the country.

“Therefore, the plea that only petitioners have been favoured by the authority and, therefore, the petition should be dismissed cannot be accepted,” the judgement held.

6 saved from drowning in Calangute

‘Boundary dispute should not hinder action against illegalities’

HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, APRIL 12

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 12

Six persons were rescued from drowning by Dhristi Surf Life team in the coastal belt of Calangute.

Kumar Atmaram Malsure (18) and Raj (22), both from Bangalore, were saved from drowning

by Drishti Surf lifeguards Vithal Chorlekar and Gauresh Kalangutkar off Baga coast.

AccordingtoDhristireports,Malsure, whowasswimmingina‘no-swimzone’, was pulled by rip current when he shouted for help. Hearing Malsure crying for help, Raj swam across to help him, but he too was caught in the rip current and called for help.

Lifeguards Chorlekar and Kalangutkar immediately rushed to their rescue and brought them safely to the shores.

In the second incident reported at Baga, one Ashok (36) from Karnataka was saved from drowning and brought to shores safely by lifeguard Vithal Chorlekar.

Mohammad Salim (25) and Ganpat Monohar Salkar (30), both from New Mumbai, were saved from drowning by lifeguards Krishna Halankar, Vithal Chorlekar, Sagar Gaonkar, Gauresh Kalangutekar and Sagar Gaonkar with the help Jet Ski and rescue board also off Baga coast. In another incident at Calangute beach, Milton Abranches (17) from Sangolda was saved by SLSG lifeguards Nagesh Dholye and Krishna Halankar.

According to Dhristi reports, Abranches had panicked while swimming and called for help which was promptly provided by the Dhristi Surf Life Saving team.

Irrespective of dispute about boundary between villages of Calangute and Candolim both panchayats will have to act against illegal constructions that have been brought before High Court through a petition.

Hearing a petition filed by one Clifford Dias who alleged that large number of illegal constructions has been done in the jurisdictions of both panchayats -- the High Court on Monday made it clear that the dispute about boundary should not come in a way in taking action against illegal constructions mentioned in the petition. And both panchayat should proceed as per law in taking action illegal constructions alleged in the petition.

When the matter came up for hearing Adv Saresh Loltikar alleged that both panchayats have not acted against illegal construction even as constructions

William de Curtorim injured in mishap HERALD REPORTER VASCO, APRIL 12

Well-known tiatrist William Menezes, popularly known as William de Curtorim, was seriously injured after he met with an accident near the Verna bypass on Sunday evening.

According to Verna police, the accident occurred at about 6.30 pm when Menezes, who was proceeding towards his residence in his Hero Honda motorcycle, collided against a Hyundai Getz car (GA-09-A-1629) at Verna bypass. Menezes sustained multiple injuries and was later rushed to the GMC Hospital in a 108 ambulance.

Verna police has registered a case of accident and is investigating into the matter.

The condition of William de Curtorim who is undergoing treatment at Goa Medical College hospital was stated to be critical. As the news spread, many a stage artiste rushed to the GMC to enquire about his condition.

He was a big hit in many tiatrs for his hard-hitting witty songs laced with political masala.

Sources said the singer was earlier scheduled to fly to Dubai with Anil-Olga’s troupe on Tuesday.

n The High Court on Monday made it clear that the dispute about boundary should not come in a way in taking action against illegal constructions mentioned in the petition. And both panchayat should proceed as per law in taking action illegal constructions alleged in the petition. are made without obtaining licences from them.

The panchayats have not acted even though matter was

brought before Court three-four months back.

However, Adv V ivek Ro drigues submitted that it was not true. Apparently, there is dispute about boundary of two panchayats and as a result the panchayats are in a quandary over how to proceed. In the earlier hearing, the Court had directed director of panchayat to demarcate boundary between two panchayats.

The director of panchayat has now filed an affidavit saying that boundaries of two village panchayats are not shown in terms of survey numbers and proposal to demarcate boundaries as per sur vey numbers has been for warded to the govern ment.

Senior counsel Atmaram Nadkarni appeared on behalf of Calangute village panchayat whereas Adv Nitin Sardessai represented Candolim village panchayat.

Man found dead at Sernabatim HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 12

A unknown man was found dead in suspicious circumstances close to the Sernabatim beach at Colva.

Police rushed to the beach after receiving information that a body of an unknown man was lying in a pond close to the beach.

The unknown person is believed to be aged between 3540 years and has sustained injuries on his eyes and face.

The body was later sent to the Hospicio mortuary for post mortem examination.

Colva police investigating the death of the dead man at Sernabatim.

Photo by Santosh Mirajkar

Dhempe gets ‘A’ grade accreditation HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 12

Dhempe College of Arts & Science of Dempo Charities Trust has been accredited with “A” grade by the National Assessment & Accreditation Council (NAAC) Bangalore and it has also been recipient of ISO 9001:2008 certification.

Shrinivas Dempo, Chairman, Dempo Charities Trust declared at a press conference on Saturday here that the college has been awarded with “A “grade certification by NAAC on the basis of extensive criteria that include curriculum design and development, teaching, learning and evaluation .

Its factors that were counted in assessment of the college include research, consultancy and extension, infrastructure and learning resources, student support and progression, governance and leadership. This is the first college of Arts & Science to be established in post-liberation Goa. The college which has been always striving to achieve excellence thus merited an “A” grade with a CGPA for 3.12 on

nFactors that were counted in assessment of the college include research, consultancy and extension, infrastructure and learning resources, student support and progression, governance and leadership. This is the first college of Arts & Science to be established in post-liberation Goa. a four point scale.

LIMITIATIONS: However, he pointed out that college lacks certain things which have been pointed out by NAAC such as sports ground, no hostel facilities , small library etc.

There are limitations on ex-

tending infrastructure facilities due to land constraint, he said and they had also considered shifting college outside city limits.

In fact, 5 acres of land has also been acquired near Old Goa but there was opposition from some quarters , he said.

BAMBOLIM: The problem could be solved if its higher secondary schools are shifted outside the city .

We have applied to the government to accommodate our higher secondary schools in its proposed educational hub at Bambolim, he said.

Shifting of higher secondary schools will give us scope for expansion of infrastructure facilities, he said.

The college has also been awarded with ISO certification for its capacity in quality management systems for imparting quality education.

Also present for the press conference were Principal of the College, Dr Shrikant Deshpande, Dr Yasmin Modassir, Vice-Principal, Science and also Dr Isabel Vas, Vice-Principal, Arts.

Shop engulfed in fire at Margao

‘Bill for right Cultural institutions urged of way to to promote local artistes HERALD CORRESPONDENT fields’ has been observed that stress PORVORIM, APRIL 12 HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 12

Curtorim ML A Reginaldo Lourenco has assured the farming community that he would table a Bill in the next session of the Legislative Assembly for right of way to the agricultural fields.

This assurance was conveyed to the farmers by the MLA at a Hybrid Chili demonstration organized by the Goa Horticulture Corporation and Zuari Agro Chemicals Ltd at Raia this evening.

Responding to a request made by a local farmer Raymond Rocha to make provision for right of way to take tractors and other machinery to the fields, Lourenco fully supported the suggestion and said he would table the Bill in the next Assembly session.

Stating that there are plenty of good artistes in Goa, who by sheer hard work acquired proficiency in their art, Deputy Director of Directorate of Art and Culture Ashok Parab said local cultural institutions should promote these artistes through their Sangeet Sammelans.

He was speaking as the chief guest at the 4th Manohar Madgaonker Vadhya Sangeet Sammelan organized by Camroon Creations in association with the Directorate of Art and Culture at Uskai-Paliem in Saturday.

“In most of the Sangeet Sammelans that are held in Goa, professional artistes from neighbouring states are invited to participate,” said Parab.

“In Sangeet Sammelan, it

is given on vocal music rather than instrumental music.

Hence the Cameroon Creations deserves special complements for organizing this unique ‘Vadhya Sangeet sammmelan’ and also encouraging the local artistes,” said Parab.

Saligao MLA Dilip Parulekar said the basic aim of the cultural institution who organizes the Sangeet Sammelan should be to promote young and upcoming talents.

“There is no harm in inviting professional classical singers to participate in the Sangeet Sammelans, but at the same time they should offer an opportunity for the budding local artistes to showcase their talents,” said Parulekar.

Pandit Vasantrao Kudnekar stated that there is no short cut to learn classical music.

The shop and kiosks that were gutted in a major fire at Margao today.

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 12 A major fire engulfed a shop and two kiosks at the old fish market area behind the Margao Municipal building in the wee

hours of Monday.

The incident is believed to have occurred at around 3 am and the fire has destroyed property worth over Rs six lakhs.

Margao Fire brigade rushed

Photo by Santosh Mirajkar

to the site and brought the raging fire under control. The two kiosks were totally destroyed in the incident The fast food shop Ambica is believed to have sustained a loss

of over Rs five lakh.

This is the second time in the last one month that the shop and the kiosks have been gutted in a fire.

The fire services are investigating the incident.

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Quepem locals flay Collector’s decision on mining trucks HERALD CORRESPONDENT QUEPEM, APRIL 12

Residents of Quepem on Monday strongly condemned the decision of South Goa Collector G P Naik to allow mining trucks to operate via Quepem town from 6 am to 6 pm.

The residents at the meeting here on Monday claimed that the decision was made without taking them into consideration.

They alleged that the Collector was not at all concerned about the problem faced by the people due to mining operations.

“Before taking such a decision by the Collector or the high level committee meeting at Quepem police station on Saturday, no villager opposing the mining nuisance was taken into confidence,” said the residents.

“In both the meetings, it was seen that some mining contractors and truck owners were falsely represented as locals,” claimed the residents.

Meanwhile, though the Collector in his order allowed mining trucks to operate via Quepem town from 6 am onwards, the trucks on Monday started its operations early, as the mining trucks reached Quepem market at 5 am.

The action of the transport operators was strongly condemned by the villagers present at the meeting.

It may be recalled that the truck operators and contractors at a meeting at Quepem police

Farmers exhorted to take up hybrid chilies HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 12

Chilies may bring back smiles on the faces of farmers, with chili production gaining ground in the state’s country side amongst the farming community.

If Horticulture Corporation officials are to be believed, the need to import chilies from neighbouring Belgaum may be a thing of the past if local farmers take to hybrid chili production in a big way.

Assuring all help and infrastructural assistance to farmer willing to take up hybrid chili production, Managing Director of Goa State Horticulture Corporation Orlando Rodrigues said the chili production can indeed be remunerative if taken up seriously by the farming community.

Says Orlando: “Chilies can be produced all round the year, both in monsoons and during the rabi season. There’s a big demand for chili production. We cannot get quality chilies in Belgaum. The farmers can rake in big profits by bringing more area under cultivation”. He promised infrastructural facilities such as construction of wells, pumps, fencing etc to make chili cultivation attractive to the farmers.

Curtorim ML A Reginaldo Lourenco said there will be no need to go to Belgaum for chilies if farmers takes to production at home. “Any farmer can earn good income ranging from Rs four lakh to Rs five lakh by cultivating chili on 4000 square meters of land”, he said.

Kenyan held for playing loud music HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, APRIL 12

A 31-year-old Kenyan national was arrested on charges of playing loud music at Colomb beach in Canacona on Sunday midnight and for overstaying in the country.

According to Canacona police, Micah Aloo Gumbi was arrested at a shack in Colomb while playing music as late as 12.15 am on Monday.

He was accordingly booked under Sections 7 and 10 of Madhya Pradesh Music Act, informed police. Gumbi was also found overstaying in India and accordingly was booked under Sections 3 (2) (a) and 6 (2) of Passport Entry Act. Canacona police further informed that he was produced before JMFC, who remanded him to four days police custody.

Police also informed that the accused was arrested by HC Ratnakar Naik and Sudesh Bhagat and further investigation is in progress under the supervision of PI Raju Raut Dessai.

‘Stringent rules to curb mishaps in mining belt’ HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 12

Overloaded mining truck passes in front of the Quepem RTO. Photo by John Fernandes

station on Saturday in the presence of Opposition Leader Manohar Parrikar, Quepem MLA Babu Kavlekar, Curchorem MLA Shyam Saterdekar and other top bureaucrats, had agreed and assured the public through electronic media that only 450 trips would be allowed to be operated per day via Quepem town.

Sources informed that on the first day on Monday of resuming transport, the total number of trips crossed 450 trips at 12 noon and by end of day, when they stopped its operations at about 7 pm, the total number of trips were over 1,000.

Though police, RTO and Traffic Cell were deployed to monitor the operations in Quepem, no action was taken against the overloaded mining trucks, which were in operation even after 6 pm, informed sources.

However, all the activities were closely monitored by the residents, who hoped that the situation after the tragic death of Satish Rivonkar will improve.

Some trucks were loaded upto the body level, while others were overloaded. When this was brought to the notice of RTO, who were present to monitor at Ambaulim junction, did not bother to take action.

At the meeting, the residents have decided to function under the banner ‘Quepem Taluka Mining Affected Peoples Front’.

They have also decided to agitate along with Opposition Leader Manohar Parrikar, who will visit Quepem on Wednesday. “Thereafter, the future course of action against mining transport irregularities will be taken,” added the residents.

The State Government has indicated that it is very serious about curbing accidents happening in the areas having concentration of mining traffic and stringent measures are in the offing.

The Advocate General Subodh Kantak on Monday told the Court that the government has planned to erect five check posts to monitor mining traffic in view of increasing accidents in the areas. In view of recent Quepem incident wherein one person was killed involving mining truck, he said the government has also decided to cancel permit of the trucks if found guilty of causing accidents.

As reported in the Herald today the South Goa District Magistrate has ordered erection of five check posts to monitor mining traffic in the Savordem, Curchorem, Tilamol, Ambaulim stretch of the road.

The district magistrate’s order will come into effect from tomorrow and will remain in force till May 31.

The court was hearing a petition filed by Rohidas Bhandari. Also a petition filed by South Goa Progressive Truck Owners Association is pending before High Court.

Illegal constructions in full swing on Panjim-Mollem highway HERALD CORRESPONDENT OLD GOA, APRIL 12

While the State government is still in the process of underlining the layout of four-lanning of the National Highway from Panjim to Mollem, there has been an increase in the number of illegal huts along the Kadamba Highway on PanjimOld Goa road in Old Goa. It is learnt that illegal huts, which are not even 5 mtrs away from the highway and constructed of coconut palms, are now being re-constructed with stones.

Sources informed that such structures exists even close to the Miraculous Cross at Old Goa, where locals resides in the illegal huts for years even though the local panchayat is least bothered to act in the matter.

The work of constructing permanents houses is going on in full swing, thereby flouting the norms of National Highway rules, where at least a space of 40 mtrs from the centre of the road has to be left from both the sides.

But houses are being constructed barely 5 mtrs from the NH-4 and that too near a sharp ‘U-turn’.

When asked how construction works of illegal huts was being carried out into a permanent structure, a local residing in the hutment area said they had taken permission from Old Goa panchayat to carry out the work. However, Old Goa Deputy Sarpanch Prakash Amonkar denied it.

“Old Goa panchayat has al-

Navelim ZP poll could give sleepless nights to Churchill HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 12

The outcome of the polls may not have any bearing on the South Goa Zilla Panchayat with the ruling group sitting pretty with a thumping majority.

But, bye-polls to the Navelim Zilla Panchayat constituency scheduled on May 9 certainly means much more for local MLA and PWD Minister, Churchill Alemao as the process of filing of nomination process gets underway before the Returning Officer from tomorrow.

Before elections for the Navelim seat were countermanded following the death of a candidate, the Churchill camp was virtually hit by a vertical divide with his two main supporters – Bishuth Themudo and Edwin (Cipru) Cardozo – jumping the fray.

In fact, the divide was not confined to the two candidates alone, but was clearly visible in the ruling Navelim Panchayat and down to the supporters of the PWD Minister. For instance, Navelim sarpanch Paul Pereira had come out strongly in support of Cipru, while the deputy Sapranch Ana Carneiro rallied behind his brother Bishuth as expected. With Alemao’s efforts to get one of the contenders withdraw from the fray coming a cropper, even the Pancha members were a divided lot, besides other supporters of the Navelim

Arguments to be heard in swords seizure case HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 12

A compound wall being erected close to the NH-4 along Old Goa Kadamba road.

Photo by Kanzil Rodrigues

ready served notices to all the people, who are involved in carrying out illegal activities near the Miraculous Cross. If required, necessary action will be taken,” said the deputy sarpanch.

“But as far as I know, there are some families who have been staying there for the last 18 years, but as the panchayat came to know that illegal huts are being raised with stones, the panchayat immediately served notices to all the concerned people with a copy to the concerned government authorities,” added Amonkar.

“If required, the panchayat will do the necessary process of demolishing the illegal struc-

tures,” stated Amonkar.

Raising concern over illegal huts being erected in a religious place, Director of Caritas Goa Fr Valerian Vaz said: “We have already reported the matter to the panchayat secretary with the copies to the Chief Secretary, Collector, Tiswaddi Mamlatdar informing about the issue and hope they will take action.”

When contacted, Tiswadi Taluka Mamlatdar A M Aruandekar said he has already directed the talathi to prepare a checklist on the matter.

“The talathi has already prepared the report, which he will submit to my office later today and then I will file my report to the Deputy Collector’s office immediately,” said Aruandekar.

Nearly five months after the Margao police filed the charge sheet in the sensational Moti Dongor swords seizure case, the Judicial Magistrate First Class has posted the matter for arguments before framing of charge against the accused persons.

The Margao police had on October 26 last filed the charge sheet against eight persons, charging them under section 120-B of the IPC for criminal conspiracy, forgery and for promoting communal tensions between members of the society.

The accused were also charged under the Arms Act. The accused charged in the case includes Bashir Shaikh, Mohammed Mohiddin, Floyd Coutinho, Jagdish Singh, Irfan Kachi, Shaikh Aslam, Shaikh Jalil and Shaikh Maqbool.

Proceedings in the case were delayed for some time after the Margao police could not serve the summons on accused Jagdish Singh at his Margao address. A team of Margao police was even dispatched to Belgaum to ascertain his whereabouts. Sources in the court informed that the summons were finally served on the accused and the matter is now posted for arguments before framing of charge. The police had claimed that the swords, 17 in number, were found concealed in a bag in an abandoned truck parked atop the hillock Investigations into the case late revealed that the truck found parked at Moti Dongor was in the name of one Amin Shaikh, who later turned out a fictitious person.

New tech to replace traditional fire fighting HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 12

The State Fire and Emergency Services has plans to procure new generation small-sized fire fighting vehicles which will be equipped with new technology of mist cannons besides raising motor-cycle response teams in the coastal areas.

“The water sprayed will be in the form of mist, which will be 200 micron thick. It will extinguish the fire and also save the water,” Ashok Menon, Director of Fire and Emergency Services told reporters.

He said that the fire tenders would be replaced with new sophisticated vehicles, smaller in size, mounted with the technology which will spray water-mist.

“It will have optimum usage of water and will be more effective in dousing the fire,” Menon said.

With vehicle population taking toll on the response time of the big fire tenders, the fire services has also decided to have these smaller vehicles which will have quick response.

Menon said that the vehicles would be procured from cen-

nWith vehicle population taking toll on the response time of the big fire tenders, the fire services has also decided to have these smaller vehicles which will have quick response. The vehicles would be procured from centrally sponsored scheme. “In the beginning, we will have two such vehicles.

-- Ashok Menon trally sponsored scheme. “In the beginning, we will have two such vehicles,” he added.

The fire and emergency department will maintain its old vehicles with traditional technology as it is expensive to convert them into a new system.

Tuning its response time, the services have also decided to have motorcycle-borne personnel, who will reach the spot quickly for the rescue.

“The fire fighters trained in basic life support will travel on motorcycles so that the help reaches faster. The fire tender, if required, can follow,” he said.

The fire services’ expansion plans in the tourist belt have hit a roadblock due to unavailability

of space to have the sub-stations.

“We are planning an outpost for Calangute-Candolim belt,” he said adding that space crunch is an issue to have sub stations in the tourism belt.

The services with 14 fire stations have also planning a sub station at Patto, Panjim for which EDC has offered to give the required land.

A 32-metre high aerial ladder platform would be stationed at Patton. Menon said that the department is in the process of buying the required ladder as the sky rise buildings with ground plus eight floors are cropping up across state’s cities.

Fire Service Day on April 14 HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 12

Goa Fire and Emergency Services will be observing the National Fire Service Day on Wednesday, April 14, 2010 to pay homage to the firemen martyrs who have laid down their lives during the course of duty, followed by a fire prevention week between April 14-20, 2010.

On national fire service day, April 14, 2010, a function will be held at the fire force headquarters, St Inez, Panjim, wherein wreaths would be placed on the firemen martyrs’ column by all ranks of the fire service personnel.

On the fire service day, live fire fighting and rescue demonstrations by fire personnel and an exhibition of fire fighting equipments would be held at 10.30 hrs at fire force headquarters.

During the fire prevention week, all the fire stations would be conducting various programmes and demonstrations to g e n e r a t e f i re safety awareness among the public.

MLA. And, with the State Election Commission announcing the bye-poll for the Navelim seat, all eyes are focused on the Alemao camp, with questions being raised whether the PWD Minister would prevent infightings amongst his supporters in the run-up for the elections.

Says Alemao: “I will again sit with the two candidates and try to work out a consensus between them and ensure that one of them withdraws from the fray”.

Alemao, who was due to leave for the National Capital in connection with the NH-4 four-lane highway, said that the matter would be resolved after his return to the state.

When contacted, Bishuth Themudo said he would take a decision after consulting his supporters. “There is still time to decide whether to contest or not”, said Themudo, a former ZP member from Navelim.

On the other hand, supporters of Cipru maintained that he would certainly contest the byepolls after having kicked off his campaign with much fanfare before the polls were countermanded.

Election officials informed that both Bishuth and Cipru need not file fresh nomination papers if they intend to contest the by-polls since they had earlier filed their papers.

Brit found dead HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, APRIL 12

A 38-year-old British national was found dead in his room at a guest house at Pintos Vaddo, Candolim on Sunday.

According to Calangute police, John James Willim Frame was found dead in the room of a guest house.

Police informed that the deceased was an avid book reader and was found dead in a reading position.

Calangute Police is investigating the case.

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ShOrT TAKES Book released

Locals say they are well versed with ‘newly discovered’ Khola temple HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, APRIL 12

Fr Mascarenhas signs copies of the book, after its release at Margao on Sunday.

MARGAO (HR): The third book of Fr Nascimento Mascarenhas of the “Follow me” series covering the Churches of Mormugao and Salcete was released on Sunday at the hands of Parish Priest of Holy Spirit Church, Fr Ventura Lourneco.

The book was released in the presence of Michael Mascarenhas, Fr Valmiki Dias, Fr Arnolf Mazarello and other dignitaries at a function held at the Holy Spirit Church here this morning.

Fr Nascimento thanked all the people for their support and encouragement to pursue his historical endeavours.

Speaking later, Fr Ivo Da Conceicao Souza, ex-professor of the Patriarchal seminary of Rachol and companion of Fr Nascimento in the seminary said what Msgr Francisco Xavier Gomes Catao has bequeathed us in the realm of history of the Church in Goa has been persistently carried out by Fr Nascimento.

This the third book in the “Follow Me” series, the earlier two books covering Bardez and Tiswadi respectively.

The book is made up of just four chapters. Chapter one is an introduction to the taluka of Salcete, Chapter two looks at the last Jesuits in Salcete during the time of Marquis of Pombal, while Chapter three offers a detailed look at the Rachol seminary and which celebrates its 400th anniversary of its founding this year.

Chapter four is the main section of the book that looks at every single Church and every Parish Priest that ever served there, in Salcete and Mormugao.

The three-part series (Follow Me) is a painstaking collation of information in diverse language and sources scattered across Portugal, Rome and Goa. Every fact has been carefully referenced. This will be valuable material for future historians, commented columnist Valmiki Faleiro.

Says ex-Rector of the Patriarchal Seminary at Rachol Fr Arnolfo Mazarello: “I appreciate his patient work, attention to detail and the accuracy and clarity of mind he displays in this book. I recommend its reading in every Parish Church of Goa”.

Aparant Maand opened PANJIM (HND): Aprant Maand - an exhibition cum sale of exquisite handicrafts and allied items, organised by the Goa Handicrafts Rural and Small Scale Industries Development Corporation was inaugurated by Pale MLA Pratap Gawas at Chatrapati Shivaji Maidan, Bicholim.

GHRSSIDC Chairperson Sameer Salgaocar, Bicholim Municipal Council Chairperson Rajaram Gaonkar, GHRSSIDC Directors Naresh Sawal, Digambar Naik and Prakash Gaonkar were present on the occasion.

Gawas appreciated the efforts of GHRSSIDC in promoting Goan handicrafts made by local artisans and exhorted the artisans to participate and make good use of all the opportunities made available to them by the corporation.

The timing of the exhibition is from 10 am to 9 pm. Cultural programmes like dramas, orchestra, etc and live demonstrations by handicrafts artisans is organised on all days of the exhibition from 7 pm to 9 pm. The exhibition will continue till April 18.

A resource person gives training to teachers at a two days teachers training program for teachers of St Mary’s High School, Ponda; St Anthony’s High School, Amblai, Panchwadi and Our Lady of Fatima School, Mapa. The training was conducted by Bharatiya Jain Sanghatana. The resource persons were Poorva Vete, Almeida and Vaishali Lall.

Eye check-up camp held

The “discovery” of an ancient temple at Soliem ward of Khola village may be news to others in the State, but locals claim they are well aware of the temple and even visit the site every Monday and on other major festivals.

In fact, some local residents were taken aback to read news reports in some vernacular dailies in recent times that an ancient temple has been discovered at Soliem.

When enquired, it is learnt that the place is well conversant with locals, as devotees from the village visit this ‘Ishwar Maheshwar Devul’ every Monday, besides, first perform rituals during Holi, Diwali, Tulshi Logn among few other festivals before performing it in the village temple (Laximi Narayan Temple, Khola) or at their respective residences.

A village elder told Herald that the Ishwar Maheshwar Temple may have been destroyed some 200 years ago, but locals still carry out all their rituals at the temple and regularly visit the place every Monday.

“Two statues, one of Ishwar Maheshwar and another of Ganapathi, are seen placed in

Panel formed to monitor vector borne diseases

PANJIM (HND): Lions Club of Ponda under the able leadership of president Sagar Sakordekar organised a free eye check-up camp at Wagle High School, Mangeshi.

Dr Rajesh Bhat and Dr Sandip Kerkar examined 124 patients, of which 29 were identified with cataract and 72 for spectacles.

The camp was inaugurated by district governor Dr Madhava Shetty. Dr Celso Fernandes and Anil Jain were the guests of honour.

Anil Jain has sponsored 10 cataract operations in memory of his father late L C Jain and Vishwas Shetty has sponsored 2 cataract operations. Shashidhar Naik was the project chairman.

Meanwhile, spectacles were distributed to 42 poor and needy patients at the hands of Raghuvir Desai at Wagle High School, Mangeshi. 14 economically backward patients have been selected for free cataract operations and health checkup.

the open, while two different lings are also seen amid the ruins of the temple. These deities and lings must be at least 500 years old,” informed the village elder.

However, the presence of two lings in one temple could not be explained and it is believed that this is the only second temple in Canacona taluka to have two lings.

The other temple is Shri Agondeshwar Temple, where two lings exists, one belonging to Shri Mallikarjun Devasthan, while the other one’s identity is unknown but devotees be-

lieve that the other ling is of Shri Nirankar Dev. Interestingly, this is not the only archaeological importance object noticed at the site, as about 20 mtrs behind this ruins, there is another destroyed construction, which locals calls ‘Pandava Cave’.

The size of the cave is in the width of 6 mtrs and has a length of about 15 mtrs, but the upper dome is seen destroyed. Even its doors are made up of Basalt stones (Pashni fator).

The Pandava cave is carrying huge basalt stones, while its walls have laterite bricks

Development projects launched in St Andre constituency

HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 12

The government has constituted a district coordination committee for North Goa, which will be headed by the Collector to monitor the diseases namely malaria, dengue, chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis and filaria (including MDA) under the National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme (NVBDCP).

The other members of the committee are Dy Director (NVBDCP), officer from Directorate of Municipal Administration, officer from Directorate of Panchayat, Directorate Women & Child Welfare, all health officers of CMC/PHC/UHC, NVBDCP health officer, epidemiological cell epidemiologist, DHS, medical superintendent of Asilo Hospital, Information & Publicity Department Information officer, State IMA representative, Deputy Labour Commissioner, State entomologist. The term of the committee will be for a period of 5 years from the date of its constitution.

The functions of the committee will be to take all administrative action and co-ordination aimed at management of serious cases in all medical care centres and undertake emergency vector control measures; to draw urgent plans of action and resource mobilisation in respect of medicines, intravenous fluids, blood products, insecticides, equipment and vehicles; to liaise with intersectoral committees to mobilise resources from non-health sectors, namely Urban Development , Ministry of Education, Ministry of Information, Legal Department , Water Supply, Waste Disposal and to interact with the news media and NGOs for dissemination of information related to health education related to health education and community participation.

J’khand man stabs friend

President Sagar Sakordekar, R G Desai and other lions along with recipients of free spectacles donated by the Lions Club of Ponda.

The two deities and two lings at Ishwar Maheshwar Devul SoliemKhola, Canacona at the ruins in temple.

Photo by Kathy Pereira

meticulously placed and built without using any other construction materials, giving a feeling that the construction should be from immortal period not known to any present generation.

Sources informed that God Shri Mahadev is the village God of Khola, while Betal, Kalpurush, Purgono, Maheshwar are some of its avtars.

The two statues are said to have greatest archaeological importance and valueless in the history of ancient treasurers.

Interestingly, a temple dedicated to God Laximi Narayan, recently rebuilt to a magnificent architectural works exists at Shiroti is at a distance of about 2 kms from the temple (Iswhar Maheshwar Devul) in ruins at Soliem-Khola, which is reportedly managed by Laximini Narayan Devalaya Samiti.

The Ishwar Temple is also under the care of Shri Laximini Narayan Devalaya Samiti, as also other places of worship in the village, informed sources.

Residents, including Khola Panch Pandhari Prabhudessai called for the healthy maintenance of this invaluable pieces of treasures for the posterity of future generations, and requested Archaeological department to do the needful.

VASCO (HR): A petty quarrel over a drink took a violet turn when a 26-year-old man from Jharkhand allegedly stabbed his friend near Morzadapai-Verna on Saturday night.

In a swift action, Verna police PI Jivba Davli arrested one Nelson Sarvant under section 307 of IPC on charges of stabbing his friend Alex Suri (24) of Jharkhand. The victim was seriously injured and was shifted to GMC Hospital in Bambolim.

According to PI Dalvi, the incident occurred when Sarvant and Alex, who were working as labourers at Verna Industrial Estate, had gone for a drink.

However while drinking they had a quarrel that turned into stabbing.

After the drink, Alex proceeded towards his room at Morzadapai, the accused followed him and allegedly stabbed Alex with a knife and brutally assaulted him with a rod and left him abandoned on the road.

UPCOMING EVENTS Workshop on internet

PANJIM (HND): Detroit Institute will conduct a workshop on internet skills from April 13 to 17. The workshop is aimed at helping participants with the internet, download information for projects, assignments, etc. They will also learn how to send emails, attachments, photos, work from home, banking on net, investments in stock markets and mutual funds, online chatting, using web camera and head phones, online shopping, booking railway ticket, hotel bookings, booking Inox tickets, recipes, download music and movies, yoga, free online games, search and apply for jobs in Goa, India and abroad.

The workshop will be held at Detroit Institute, Jose Falcao Road, near Mary Immaculate Conception Church, opposite Progress High School, next to Silimkhan Opticians, Panjim. For more information, interested may contact 9822131835.

Contact Goa episode

PANJIM (HND): Contacto Goa’s 50th episode will be broadcast on RTP international on April 13 at 1.15 pm and 7.10 pm and on April 14 at 6.45 am.

The best of Contacto Goa will be broadcasted which include highlight of chosen snippets from some of the older episodes.

This episode was directed and presented by Nalini Elvino de Sousa, edited by Prasheela Achrekar, photographed by Jude Fernandes, Nuno Oliveira, Sérgio Campos and Francisco Veres Machado with the collaboration of Rohit Phalgaonkar.

Further episodes of Contacto Goa will continue to be broadcast every 15 days, on Tuesdays at the same time, as given above.

Previous episodes of Contacto Goa can be found on the webpage of RTP at: http://ww1.rtp.pt/multimedia/index.php?tvprog=20155.

The Contacto Goa team can be contacted by e-mail at contactogoa@yahoo.co.in or nalini_portugal@yahoo.com.

Ambedkar anniversary

PANJIM (HND): The 119th anniversary of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti will be celebrated on April 14 at Dr Ambedkar Park, near KTC bus stand, Panjim at 9 am. KTC buses will be available from Torcem panchayat, Ibrampur panchayat, KeriPernem at Ravalnath Temple, Sattari at Thane, Vasco, Curchorem via Shiroda Parwarwado and Assagao at Ambedkar Nagar at 6 am.

Tiatr Day at KA

PANJIM (HND): Kala Academy will celebrate Tiatr Day on April 17 from 5.30 pm onwards at the Dinanath Mangeshkar Kala Mandir, Kala Academy Complex, Panjim.

Commissioner for NRI Affairs Eduardo Faleiro will be the chief guest and renowned tiatrist Anthony Fernandes (Roseferns) will be the guest of honour.

Six senior tiatr artists namely Caetano Goes, Sebastiao Carvalho (Seby), Betty Naz, Roque Dias, Volley D’Mello and Anselm Gomes will be felicitated for their lifetime contribution to the tiatr stage at the hands of the chief guest.

The felicitation function will be followed by prize distribution to the winners of 35th Tiatr Competition and 8th Cantaram Singing Competition organised by Kala Academy during the year 2009-10. Tiatr artistes Luis Bacchan, Domnic, Pitush and Agnel will present stage skits while C D’Silva and group will present canto and cantaram.

‘Laaz’ screening

PWD Minister Churchill Alemao launches development projects at Agassaim on Monday. Also present are Water Resources Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues, St Andre MLA Francis Silveira, ZP member Antonio Silveira and others.

HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 12

Various developmental projects aimed at augmenting water resources in the panchayat areas of Agassaim and Neura were launched by PWD Minister Churchill Alemao and Water Resources Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues in the presence of St Andre MLA Francis Silveira, who celebrated his birthday on Monday.

The projects taken up under Water Resources Department and which are estimated to cost Rs 3.41 crores included improvement to irrigation tank at Sulabhat, Agassaim, development of nallah from Dandi to Zuari Ferry Wharf at Agassaim and improvement to irrigation tank at Neura Church.

Some other people oriented projects launched by the PWD Minister were foun-

dation stone for culvert at Dandi-Agassaim, foundation for construction of community hall under RDA at Sulabhat and corner stone for St Peter’s chapel stage at Dandi.

Speaking at a function held at Sulabhat-Agassaim, Churchill said that the government will see that the work of projects for which the foundation stones are laid is completed in stipulated time. He told the people to support the government in taking up developmental projects.

Stating that tremendous work is done by the government in the area of roads, Churchill said in a democracy criticism gives inspiration to work better. He also told the people to rally behind their local MLA for further development of the village.

Water Resources Minister

Filipe Neri stressed the need to conserve water resources like lake and spring to meet water requirements. He said the government is committed for the development of the State and welfare of its people. “The work of the major irrigation tank, which was a long pending demand of the people of Sulabhat will be completed by 2011,” he added.

Francis Silveira said that he has been successful to take up works worth crores of rupees in the area of water resources and roads in St Andre and its peripheries and thanked the PWD and Water Resources Ministers for their support.

ZP Member Antonio Silveira, Agassaim Sarpanch Piedade Fernandes, Fr Johncia Colaco, Fr Eusico Pereira and Dr Anil Gharse were present.

Bandekar thanks CM, Churchill for works tendered in Canacona HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, APRIL 11

Former minister Sanjay Bandekar expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Digambar Kamat and PWD Minister Churchill Alemao for tendering some of the long-awaited repair and hot mixing of roads in Canacona taluka.

Pointing out to appearance of PWD tender notices for road works in Agonda and Khola, Bandekar sought to thank Kamat and Alemao for keeping to their given words and called for early completion of road repair and hotmix carpet works before the onset of monsoon.

“This will only minimize the toughest hardships people have to bear in case dilapidated roads are not attended

before the monsoons,” Bandekar told Herald.

“As monsoon is fast approaching, it is necessary that contractors complete these works, immediately,” he added.

Bandekar also requested for early sanctioning and implementation of remaining various road-related works in the entire taluka.

Including the two recently tendered works worth over Rs 8.50 crore in Agonda (widening and strengthening beach road) and Khola (hotmix carpet of various roads), Bandekar informed that construction of a by-pass road to Shri Mallikarjun Temple, Shristhal (costing Rs 56 lakh) and Parvem-Dessaiwado via Padribhat (Agonda) (worth Rs

54 lakh) are already issued with work orders to contractors but work is not yet undertaken.

Bandekar however lamented that there is considerable delay on the contractors part to execute the allotted works, which brings lots of discontent among the residents.

He further informed that contractors either fails to collect work orders or even after work orders are served, fails to execute keeping several works pending.

Bandekar called on Kamat and Alemao to blacklist contractors who failed to take work orders or have not commenced works in spite of taking work orders for future works.

PANJIM (HND): Critically acclaimed film ‘Laaz’ will be screened at Maquinez Palace, Auditorium I on April 17 at 6.30 pm. The film is directed by Manju Borah and was selected as the opening inaugural film for the Indian Panorama section in 2005.

Synopsis: Drama set in rural Assam. The film narrates the story of a clever but poor girl, who is responsible for looking after the household when her mother dies.

Goa Cinephile Members are cordially invited for the screening of this thought-provoking film. Non members can also attend the screening on payment of Rs 50 on the spot.

IMA course at SMRC

PANJIM (HND): The disaster management cell of the Indian Medical Association-Goa State, will organise an advanced course on international trauma and life support, for the medical practitioners.

The course will be conducted by the GVK EMRI from Hyderabad, and has the accreditation by the American Heart Association, and will be held on April 17 and 18 at SMRC's Salgaonkar Medical Research Centre, Chicalim. The trainers are Dr Dnyaneshwar Sheike of the EMRI and his team of six doctors.

The course is targeted for resident doctors, casualty medical officers and those who manage trauma and mass casualties, doctors from the mines and the industries. The first batch of forty doctors will receive the training in this first course of its kind in Goa. This course will be followed by one day course for the instructors, who will be selected depending on their performance at the ITLS Course. On successful completion of the instructor course, they could act as instructors for training of the doctors locally.

Doctors, who would like to get the training in the second course could kindly give their names to Dr D B Bhandare on 9823037909 or Dr Vallabh Dhaimodkar on 9422438155.

The disaster management cell of the Indian Medical Association-Goa State, is also planning a course on basic trauma and life support in the near future. This course is targeted at training the nurses, paramedics, NSS volunteers, fire services and police force in the basics of life support.

The dates of this course will be decided as per the response from the participants. Interested parties could contact the President or the Secretary on 2314463 or 2312148.

Basic English course

PANJIM (HNB): The Detroit Institute will conduct an English Fluency and Basic English course in Panjim from April 14 to April 24 and from May 3 to May 13.

The English fluency course is aimed at helping participants to be fluent and confident in English, while the basic English course is aimed at students overcoming grammatical mistakes and increasing their vocabulary. There is no age bar, no qualification required for this course. Each participant will be given a certificate.

The course will be conducted at Detroit Institute, Jose Falcao Road, near Mary Immaculate Conception Church, opposite Progress High School. For further details, contact Ph: 9822131835.

POwEr ShUTDOwN APRIL 13 MERCES: Between 9 am to 2 pm. Areas affected are Waddy, Firguem Bhatt, CL Naik Apartments and surrounding areas.

PONDA: From 9 am to 2 pm. Areas affected are Sapnapark, Prabhunagar, Mhalsa Curti, Avappa Temple.

BICHOLIM: From 9 am to 2 pm. Areas affected are Shovolkarwada, Manaswada-Mulgao, TIP colony, Bagwada-Mulgao, Parwada Assonora and surrounding areas.

BICHOLIM: From 9 am to 5 pm. Areas affected are Kalika Temple-Kasarpal, Deulwada-Kasarpal, Nanoda, Ussap, Bhatwadi, Kamat Crusher, Gavalwada, Zarapkar Crusher and surrounding areas.

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Queues witnessed along Police use mild force road linking Ponda-margao to disperse group of Muslims

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 12

Traffic personnel manning traffic at Borim.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARCEL, APRIL 12

With the authorities undertaking hot-mixing of the entire stretch of 14-km road connecting Ponda and Margao, there has been serpentine queues of vehicles along the NH4A road since the last few days.

As the road work is in progress, the junior engineer of PWD (roads work division 15) has accused commuters and locals of trying to assault him on duty, besides abusing him. He also said people do not cooperate.

“Every five years, we undertake hot-mixing of the National Highways. During the work, we have to close one lane to undertake work. But lesser coop-

Photo by Amresh Parab

eration from the public is hampering our work,” said Chanda Parwar, JE, WD-15 (NH), PWDroads.

“Few commuters and even locals abused me and even tried

hot-mixing work to assault me. This is unacceptable and I already informed about it to my superiors. If such things continue, then how should we work,” asked Parwar.

Even the traffic police have accused commuters for being impatience that results in traffic jam. Traffic police said reckless two- and four-wheeler drivers

are creating problem on the route, especially when the road work is underway.

“People do not have time to wait even for a minute. Everyone wants to reach early. Their impatience causes other road users to suffer. Even the roads here are narrow. People should understand and co-operate,” said Achala Gawas, LPSI, Traffic CellPonda.

The PWD has widened the road at accident-prone ‘bythakhol’ zone and has constructed a traffic island. The road work is done, but dividers and signboards are still yet to be installed. Commuters hope that restructuring of the ‘bythakhol’ junction will ease traffic and reduce accidents.

People have lost faith in Kamat govt: Parrikar HERALD CORRESPONDENT MAYEM, APRIL 12

Criticising the State government for not acting seriously over issues like price rise, water problem, mining, etc, Opposition Leader Manohar Parrikar has stated that the Kamat-led government is not at all functioning and people have lost faith in the government.

He was speaking during a felicitation function of Latambarcem ZP member Shilpa Naik.

The programme was organized by residents of Mencurem at Ravalnath Temple, Mencurem.

Bicholim MLA Rajesh Patnekar, ZP Shilpa Naik and Sarpanch Nakul Naik were present on the occasion.

“People have made up their mind to bring the BJP in power.

The Kamat government has failed in all the aspects and now it is the time for the people of Goa to think in what way they can come out of the crisis that the government has created,” he stated.

Opposition Leader Manohar Parrikar felicitates Latambarcem ZP member Shilpa Naik.

Photo by Vishant Vaze

“This government will not sanction more funds to the ZP as there is no proper planning and ZP members should continuously work for the betterment of their villages,” said Parrikar.

On the occasion, Parrikar felici-

tated ZP member Shilpa Naik. MLA Patnekar also spoke on the occasion.

Jaywant Naik welcomed the gathering, while Ganesh Degvekar proposed the vote of thanks.

BJP campaigns against price rise in Canacona HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, APRIL 12

BJP workers led by party’s South Goa Chief and Poinguinim MLA Ramesh Tawadkar launched signature campaign against price rise of essential commodities in Canacona taluka on Saturday.

Tawadkar accompanied by few party functionaries mingled with weekly bazaar shoppers at Chaudi convincing vendors and shoppers and collected 1,200 signatures on a single day when the campaign stretched to two sessions.

Interestingly, most vendors even without asking questions, went on a signing spree after Poinguinim MLA moving along in the bazaar explained the motive for collection of signatures.

Only few when approached were seen not interested and went on their way to buy provisions, but a good number of shoppers willingly signed on the papers supplied by the BJP workers.

“Hope our signatures will help to reduce the escalating costs of essential commodities,” was the hope expressed by few shoppers.

BJP’s Canacona General Secretar y Sanjay Komarpant, Poinguinim General Secretary Daya Gaonkar, panchas and party functionaries Mahesh Nail (Poinguinim panchayat), Vishant Gaonkar (Gaondongrim), Ganesh G a o n ka r ( Sh r is t h a l ) , Tu l o

The Maina Curtorim police used mild force to chase away a group of persons at the police station following a group fight between two groups of Muslims over the question of Sunni and Tablique at the Housing Board on Sunday afternoon.

Maina Curtorim PI Sidhant Shirodkar informed that the 20 persons came to the police station after the police arrested five persons following complaints and cross complaints lodged with the police. “The police has to use mild force to disperse the group to tackle the law and order situation”, he said.

Giving details of the incident, PI Shirodkar said an engagement between a Muslim boy and girl was scheduled this evening and as such a request was made the Maulana of the Housing Board

mosque to solemnize the engagement. “According to information, the maulana was told by the committee to solemnize the engagement if the party belonged to the Sunni sect. However, when the party came for discussion this afternoon at the Mosque, an altercation ensued between the two groups”, PI Shirodkar said.

He said the police has arrested one Nanyasaab Shaik, Abdul Karim sheikh, Aspak Sheikh, Mustaq Sheikh, Noor Mulgeri under section 151 of the Cr P C as a preventive measure following complaints and cross complaints.

The Maina Curtorim police is keeping a close watch on the situation in the sensitive housing board area as a precautionary measure. All the arrested persons are still in police custody, PI Shirodkar added.

Saligao Sarpanch finds it tough to stop disputed construction HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, APRIL 12

He may be the sarpanch, yet Saligao Sarpanch Bholanath Ghadi Sankhalkar found it impossible to take action on a disputed construction in his own village along the Saligao CHOGM road.

According to reports, one Anthony D’Souza, who has allegedly bought a property at Saligao, began construction of a compound wall.

With government authorities enjoying the weekend holidays, Prallahad Arondekar notified Calangute police about the matter and accused D’Souza of trespassing into his property.

Arondekar sought immediate intervention for stoppage of work. However, Calangute police did not look into the matter and the work continued on Sunday.

Later, Arondekar decided to seek Saligao Sarpanch Sankhalkar’s intervention, who resides in the close vicinity of the construction. The sarpanch asked Calangute police to stop the work, but the letter sent by him had little or no impact and the construction work of a compound wall continued late in the evening and was ready in all respects.

Speaking to Herald, Sankhalkar said the construction of a compound wall in the property belonging to Arondekar was brought to his notice and being weekend holidays, they approached Calangute police for their intervention.

“However, the response of Calangute police was not very encouraging and the construction continued,” said the sarpanch.

“Calangute police PI Nolasco Raposo asked me to give a letter and the documents of the property for them to act, but, surprisingly, Calangute police failed to carry out its duties,” stated Sankhalkar.

“Anthony D’Souza has tres-

passed into the property belonging to Arondekar by constructing the compound wall, which also comes in the way of setback for PWD road,” alleged the sarpanch.

“D’Souza also wanted to demolish the Cross near the property, but he was stopped from doing it by the locals,” he alleged further.

When contacted, Calangute police PI Nolasco Raposo said: “We are not the authority to initiate action in private property matters. Tomorrow, we will be taken to task for meddling in private properties.”

“The sarpanch should approach the Block Development Office for the stoppage of work, etc, in private properties. We are however authorized to initiate actions in the matters like filling of paddy fields or constructions, etc,” added PI Raposo.

Asked Sankhalkar: “If police does not come in the way of disputed constructions during weekend holidays, who is the authority to approach for help?”

“If no prompt action is initiated in the matter, tomorrow this can lead to more such constructions everywhere,” he added.

However, efforts to contact Block Development Officer proved futile.

When contacted, Anthony D’Souza denied having encroached into the property of another person.

“I have all the papers to prove that the property belongs to me. When sarpanch and Prahalad Arondekar were asked to produce original papers to prove themselves, they could not do so in front of Calangute Police PI Raposo,” added D’Souza.

D’Souza also denied his intention of demolishing the Cross next to his property and alleged a malafide campaign by the sarpanch to tarnish his image and to silence their voice on his illegalities in Saligao.

Provision in budget for monuments maintenance: CM HERALD CORRESPONDENT CURCHOREM, APRIL 12

People signing the papers of BJP-sponsored signature campaign at Saturday’s weekly Bazaar in front of CMC building, Chaudi.

Photo by Kathy Pereira

Gaonkar, functionaries Tulo Gaonkar, Anand Velip and others were some who accompanied Tawadkar on signature campaign.

BJP is collecting maximum signatures to be sent it to President protesting against the rising prices of essential commodities.

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat has stated that the government will make special provision in the budget for the maintenance of monuments and celebrations of birthdays of national heroes.

Kamat was addressing the gathering at Shivaji Chowk, here, after unveiling a full-sized horse-ridden statue of Shivaji at Shivaji Chowk.

Speaker Pratapsing Rane, MP Shantaram Naik, Curchorem MLA Shyam Satardekar, CCMC Chairperson Maruti Naik, former chief minister Shashikala Kakod-

Shivaji’s statue installed at Curchorem HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 12

The lifesize statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji riding on a horse was installed at Shivaji Choukh in Curchorem at the hands of Chief Minister Digambar Kamat in the presence of Speaker Pratapsingh Rane, PWD Minister Churchill Alemao, MP Shantaram Naik,

Sanguem ML A Vasudeo M Gaonkar, former Chief Minister Shashikala Kakodkar and local MLA Shyam Saterdekar.

Speaking on the occasion, Kamat said that Shivaji was an ideal leader and therefore the statue of this great leader will help inspire the youth of the area. He also expressed happi-

ness that Shivaji’s statue has been installed in Curchorem and assured his full support and assistance to the organisers.

Pratapsingh said that Shivaji could build a strong empire because of his determination and added that unemployed youth who are frustrated due to unemployment, should emulate him.

kar, guest speaker Fr Francis De Britto, Dr Prakash Prabhu Dessai, former chairperson Rohidas Vast, Adv Vallabh Dessai and others were present on the occasion.

To mark the birth century year of King Shivaji, the Rastriya Jagruti Dal, Cacora, had organized a three-day function ‘Shivotsav’ at Curchorem.

MP Shantaram Naik said the administrator should possess ‘Maratha Spirit’ like Shivaji to solve the problems of the people.

In his speech, Speaker Rane said: “The statue of Shivaji will be a source of inspiration to the younger generation.”

CCMC Chairperson Maruti Naik, ML A Satardekar, Mrs Kakodkar, Fr Britto and others also spoke on the occasion.

M Mayachar from BagalkotKarnataka, who had made the statue, was felicitated on the occasion. A Souvenir Gaurav Granth was released by Chief Minister Kamat.

Prizes were distributed to the winners of the competitions organized during the three-day celebration.

A woman with a child kisses the statue of Jesus of Nazareth, at Siridao on the feast day on Sunday.

Photo by Rozario Estibeiro

Basic amenities on priority: Shet HERALD CORRESPONDENT MAYEM, APRIL 12

Mayem MLA Anant Shet has assured residents of OnaMaulingem, Bicholim, to look after all-round development of the village in terms of providing basic amenities on priority basis.

He was addressing the residents recently after the foundation stone laying ceremony of a 1,100 metre-long water pipeline at Ona-Maulingem, which will be laid at a cost of Rs 4 lakh.

Ona-Maulingem Panchas Madhu Naik, Rajendra Usapkar and Tulshidas Gaonkar were present on the occasion. Besides, locals including Prakash Gaonkar, Mahadev Gaonkar, Mohan Ekawade and Ashok Gaonkar, PWD engineer D K Shet was also present.

MLA Shet cautioned the members from the opposition group not to usurp the credit of development works, which are undertaken by him, and advised them to support for the all-round development. of

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Cobalt-60 not from any hospital DeLHi BUReaU NEW DELHI, APRIL 12

A top nuclear scientist heading a dozen experts hunting source of the deadly Cobalt-60 that nearly killed a scrap dealer here last week ruled out its origin from any hospital where it is used in treatment of cancer patients.

"This is not from any hospital because the cancer therapy machines and other medical equipment use cobalt pencils or

radioaCtive leak pellets while the material we detected in Delhi is in the shape of a wire, says Dr S K Malhotra of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) from Mumbai.

He suspects that the radioactive isotope may have come as industrial waste from some foreign company as the scientists have ruled out it originating in the industrial waste generated in India.

"It is essentially industrial

waste, but not locally generated.

The highest probability is that it is part of the industrial waste imported from abroad, most likely from international scrap markets. How this made it through the customs check is something for police to investigate. The customs officials are trained to detect radioactive material," Dr Malhotra affirmed.

In India, the Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology under the Department of Atomic Energy is the sole supplier of cobalt-60 and other radiation sources for use by industry and hospitals. The board follows a strict regime of supplies, monitoring and retrieval mechanism to ensure safe use and disposal of radioactive waste.

Any institution wanting cobalt-60 has to get a licence for procurement from the board and it is required to approach the board again when the material loses it radioactive strength and needs to be disposed off. The institution gets new source only when the earlier procured material is disposed, sources underlined.

PM's gag order to cheer up Chidu DeLHi BUReaU NEW DELHI, APRIL 12

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has got a gag order issued to all ministers through the Cabinet Secretary in response to a sulking Home Minister P Chidambaram sending in his resignation complaining about the ministerial colleagues not allowing him a free hand and attacking him for the Maoists' massacre in Dantewada last Tuesday.

Chidambaram had reportedly taken a bunch of press clipping to the Prime Minister to show his hurt at some of the ministers and a top AICC official (general secretary Digvijay Singh) were making all sorts of statements as if he were at fault for the Dantewada killings.

Sources said the PM sought to pacify him by directing the Cabinet Secretary to write to all ministers on his behalf that they should not speak out of turn, unless the issue relates to their ministry.

Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar sent the letter to all ministers, with copy to secretaries of all ministries and departments, stressing that "Prime Minister has now desired that regarding all matters related to

Left WIng Extremism including the recent incident of Dandewada, the Ministry of Home Affairs will be the nodal Ministry for interaction with media and articulation of Government position."

He stressed that this was in continuation of a letter he had dashed off on January 28, 2009, "conveying the decision of the Prime Minister that in respect of issues considered to be sensitive by him, one Ministry/Department will be designated as a nodal Ministry as a single point for interaction with media and accurate articulation of the action taken being contemplated

by Government as well as stance adopted by Government."

"It is recalled for ready reference that this nodal Ministry will also make suitable arrangement for regular interaction with media in coordination with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, to brief them on important developments. Ministers and secretaries and senior officials belonging to other departments may advise the media to seek information and clarification from the nodal Ministry whenever questions are asked on such issues," the letter added.

BJP protests at German embassy as MPs label Modi ‘Hitler’ DeLHi BUReaU NEW DELHI, APRIL 12

A Bhartiya Janata Party delegation led by its vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi demonstrated before the Germany embassy, protesting against a delegation of its MPs dubbing its Chief Minister Narendra Modi as dictatorial like Hitler after a 2-day visit to study condition of minorities in Gujarat.

They submitted a memorandum to the embassy officials, demanding an apology from their government. The memorandum also took strong exception to the delegation questioning a law enacted by the Gujarat Assembly prohibiting religious conversions by monetary lure or material incentives.

Party spokeswoman Nirmala Sitharaman later told reporters that the embassy officials distanced themselves from the reported derogatory remarks of the delegation, telling the delegation that they were "utterly shocked." The delegation sought an unconditional apology from the embassy.

"Such remarks are ab-

solutely unacceptable and we will issue clarification sooner," Nirmala quoted the embassy officials, claiming that the German MPs may not have been correctly reported but all the same they will send the memorandum to the German Parliament.

Modi has already shot off a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to direct the External Affairs Ministr y to summon the German ambassador to seek explanation and demand an apology.

The BJP delegation also protested at the German visitors claiming that Modi continues to be a persona non grata in whole of Europe since after the 2002 carnage in Gujarat. In the memorandum, the delegation pointed out that Modi had travelled to United Kingdom and Switzerland post-2002 and had no occasion to seek a visa after that.

The German delegation consisting of MPs is currently touring India on behalf of Missio, a Catholic non-governmental organisation (NGO).

I have learnt who my real friends are: Preity Zinta agencies NEW DELHI, APRIL 12

I have learnt who my real friends are: Preity ZintaBollywood actress Preity Zinta, whose Indian Premier League (IPL) team Kings XI Punjab has not been performing well this season, says she has learnt to accept failures with a smile.

"This year is special! I have learnt more about myself

than ever in the past. I learnt to accept failure with a smile and (with) my head held high," Preity posted on her Twitter page.

First, the actress broke off with her boyfriend, Bombay Dyeing scion and Kings XI Punjab team co-owner Ness Wadia, last year and then her team hasn't been scoring well in the T20 tournament.

OHERALDO

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OPINION

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O HERALD O

Legal Struggle of Sugar Price Muddle

Vol No CX No: 97 Goa, Tuesday 13 April, 2010

Rest and recreation?

R

ecently, the Mormugao port authorities have been quoted outlining plans for developing Goa as a centre for rest and recreation (R&R) for soldiers. Assuming the port authorites were understood right, and not misquoted, then they had better be clear about what their plans are, and take the State into confidence before pushing for anything, the consequences of which may go well beyond the port and its earnings.

Experiences of Far East Asian countries with R&R bases are only too well known, for a region like Goa to plunge headlong into the same without careful consideration. Military R&R bases have become another name for centres of prostitution.

This has been true in Okinawa Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines. Not just that, the R&R centres have affected government policies, and worsened political repression and economic inequalities. Police corruption, debt bondage and worsening of gender equations are part of the picture.

"Where there are soldiers, there are women who exist for them," is a know saying. Contrary to common assumptions in the West, prostitution is not "part of Asian culture", as has been pointed out. Yet, demand creates its own supply. Books like 'Let the Good Times Roll: Prostitution and the U.S. Military in Asia' have carefully documented this issue.

With West Asia -- from Afghanistan to Iraq -- getting caught up badly in military conflict, Goa is strategically located and probably suits the interests of the globe's only superpower. Tiny Goa, which has been kicked around like a football only too often in colonial times, needs to think carefully and closely about what it wants to get into.

Cycling to school

G

oa's government has announced that it is to soon distribute around two hundred cycles to students from the Gouly (sometimes called the Dhangar) community. This community, notes the government, lives in the hilly and remote areas of talukas like Sattari, Sanguem, Quepem and Canacona. Transport is not easily available.

This makes sense. Rather than subsidising computers to the children of the rich and middle-class, distributing cycles to the deprived section of society could indeed empower them. Such initiatives are necessary; though far from sufficient.

P. Sainath, noted developmental journalist, writes about how cycles have created a social revolution among neo literature women in places like Pudukkottai in Tamil Nadu. This in one of India's poorest villages.

To yield results, though, such schemes need to be worked out with dedication and consistency. Some years back, cycles were distributed to eight standard girl students through the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, under a scheme worked out by Luizinho Faleiro, when he was in power. Nothing is known about it at present, and the scheme has probably been discontinued.

How effective has such schemes been? Have their impact been studied? It is not enough to go just by hunch. A closer look at the State budget shows that just Rs 5 lakh has been allocated for purchasing the bicycles for the Gouly student scheme, with another Rs 2 lakh to "other charges".

Obviously, the government will need to find other ways of ensuring accountability in its transactions, beyond the lowest-tender approach. Likewise, after handing out the cycles, Goa would do well to ensure that it helps train a string of cycle mechanics, so that they can keep these useful vehicles in a state of repair.

With changing times, the once humble cycle mechanic who played such an important role in our rural (and urban) areas is hardly visible nowadays. There are no cycles available for hire by the hour, as was once possible.

Most citizens seem obsessed with motorised, private transport.

But there are also changes at the corner. Panjim has its own cycle club. Some entrepreneurs have been working to promote cycle tours among tourists -- with audio-guides and what not thrown in.

Indeed, the cycle could be a tool for empowerment in Goa too, why not. But more needs to be done for that to happen.

W

The Government must maintain price structure of essential commodities writes PRABHAKAR KULKARNI

hile farmers producing food grains and other essential commodities should get a fair price based on their cost of production, common customers are also expected to get these commodities at reasonable prices.

The recent commotion against inflation in general and the hike in the prices of sugar and dal in particular, have brought to the fore a very vital issue of maintaining price structure of essential commodities that is fair to both, producers and consumers.

But market forces are much more powerful. So much so that, prices of commodities brought into market through chain of wholesalers and retail traders, ultimately decide the price structure and both the Union and state governments seem to have failed to control the market forces with proper and clear legislation without any lacuna or scope for defensive strategy in favour of the chain of traders who can store stocks, and after creating a sort of artificial scarcity, can pour it in various markets at various cities and towns in the Country.

The bulk sugar quota is for sweet products.

Out of the total production of sugar about 63 percent is used for various sweet products mostly produced by companies in the corporate sector while only 37 percent is preserved for consumers’ consumption. Levy sugar is distributed through the public distribution system which is not foolproof and there is no guarantee that ration card holders will get their commodities in fair price shops. Periodic raids on shops and vehicles carrying commodities from ration shops to the private market indicate that the system needs urgent corrective force in order to check flow of controlled commodities to open market.

Wholesale sugar merchants in the country purchase sugar at auctions from sugar mills in both private and co-operative sectors and purchasing prices are mostly calculated on basis of trends in future trading and what sugar mills expect in view of what price they are expected to pay to sugarcane farmers. Sugar stocks purchased by wholesalers, is kept in the premises of the concerned sugar mills with some written agreement and statutory provisions in order to save transport cost as also to spare some time required to assess a suitable period to bring the stock into the market when prices will soar and the profit-margin will be quite good.

There is a shelter of collateral management.

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Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco

Augustus Alphonso, Vasco-da-gama

The other day I was travelling from Bangalore to Goa by KTC bus. The inter-state bus ( GA-01-X 0502) was in a very poor condition. Some of the seats were in a state of disrepair. The glass panes made a shattering noise while the bus was on the move. The bus was almost in shambles which cut a sorry picture for the Goa state transport when it was parked at the Bangalore bus station. It is understood that KTC has introduce Volvo on the Pune route. Why not extend this service on the other inter-state routes? One way to improve the health of the Kadamba Transport Corporation is to introduce modern buses which can make travelling long distances a pleasant experience.

I really don't know why all the concerned Electricity Department linesmen are ignoring the entire stretch of road in South Goa (from Margao, Khareband up to Mobor and from Queeny Nagar - Zuari Nagar up to Mobor) as many street lights are out of order for a long time.

Such negligence is not tolerable. Will the Electricity Department please wake up from their sleep and do their job effectively. Such stupidity and negligence is disgraceful.

13 April 1910 l

The Times of India reports that the Counselor of Goa entrusted Mr. Vasco de Carvalho, a City Surveyor, to put a plan for regional farming.

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The Small Pox pestilence raised its ugly hood at the seaside station of Quegdevelim which this year is teeming with bathers.

l

l

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As the hearsay goes very important measures are expected to be undertaken by the Government. It is confirmed that Government employees are working in earnest at the Secretariat.

The Belgian anarchist Sipido accuses as his accomplice the shoemaker Meert, who has already been detained.

Due to the introduction of Lee-Enfield rifles in the Indian Army, all the rifles of Mark IV system which is currently employed, are going to be withdrawn.

Bill flaws Asif Hussain, Vasco The efforts of many human rights activists and various NGOs, who had opposed the Communal Violence (Prevention, Control And Rehabilitation of Victims) Bill in its present form seems to have paid dividends as Sonia Gandhi has written to Law Ministry officials stating that few clauses in the bill are weak. She also forwarded to ministry officials the representations made by many NGOS expressing their objections to the bill especially that it does not make the police, administration or state authorities accountable for the outbreak of communal violence and the failure to control it. Let us all hope that the much needed bill with the suggested changes does get passed before the year end.

Good scheme Stephen Dias, Dona Paula The Social Welfare Department has taken a wonderful step in providing some incentives by acquiring cycles for the Dhangar students from Quepem, Sanguem, Satari and Bicholim talukas as an attempt to encourage education among the children.

This sort of scheme probably could be extended to other villages including major city schools in a phased manner.

As per the rough estimate, the cost of each cycle cost is around Rs.3000.The problem may arise about the maintenance cost of cycle, which perhaps will be more than the cost of bus fare for the students frequenting the school regularly and if that is so, it may not be economical for students going by

and clients of the company are getting all the facilities to control market forces which ultimately decides price structure of commodities.

In view of the services provided by the NCMSL the sugar traders who have purchased sugar at auctions and kept it in stocks are protected under statutory provisions and risk management system.

This company is committed to protecting the stock in a stipulated period within which it is accepting responsibility besides being collateral in banks’ finance against stocks of agricultural commodities in legal possession of wholesalers or relevant companies dealing with the commodities.

There’s the matter of legal struggle. When raids were carried out, the main legal basis was the crisis of scarcity of sugar in the market and the hike in prices consumers had to face.

In a crisis period the state government is legally entitled to raid the stocks kept beyond 30 days within which the stock should be brought in market so that prices decrease. But the defence on behalf of wholesalers is the abolishment of the licence Raj in 2002 and therefore subsequent invalidity of state government orders. Besides, under the Union government’s order of 1952, wholesalers are allowed to stock sugar for six months.

But according to the state government’s order of 1955, the stock should not be maintained beyond 30 days. After the legal arguments both on

The Real Estate Barons

hen I first began looking at properties in Moira, the rate was Rs.600 per square metre. Five years later it Rs 30003500. This increase has left the ordinary Goan gasping and owning a house is entirely out of his reach. Thus it is not the locals booking houses in the unending concrete boom. They are mere spectators as real estate barons move in, pay incredible prices and then hawk their projects to people worldwide. The Goan struggles to manage his ancestral home and fight the temptation to sell it as the prices rise.

The scam is very simple. After years of colluding with big business and pushing projects on prime estate through, the government found itself stumped when the people stood up and objected to the RP2012. In that disastrous regional plan the powers that be had taken business as usual one step forward and marked swathes of prime land to be converted to settlement – too bad if minor things like forests and eco sensitive areas stood in that space. But the people forced the RP2012 to be revoked. Then along came RP2021 –which marked huge areas ‘eco sensitive’ and ‘no development’ and left a window open for villages to opt for lesser building

No lights

PRIMEIRO DIARIO NAS COLONIAS PORTUGEZAS

When the Maharashtra government’s supply department carried out raids at various places in the southern Maharashtra it was disclosed that wholesale traders in Delhi, Kalkota, and Ahmedabad and Maharashtra have stored their sugar stock in godowns under special protection of the National Collateral Management Services Ltd. (NCMSL) which was formed in 1956 and is governed by an independent Board of Directors. The promoters and shareholders of this company are reputed organizations and nationalized and even foreign banks which indicate that both the company and its clients like wholesale traders can get adequate financial support and credit against sugar stocks as also other stocks of essential commodities. The company’s objectives are: 1) To provide integrated trading and supply chain services.

2) To provide comprehensive and effective collateral and risk management services.

3) To provide linkages for growers and traders with spot and future markers.

4) To provide accurate and incisive market intelligence and advisory services.

5) To provide credible and low cost testing and certification services.

6) To create safe and liquid warehouse receipts, market and promote commodity financing.

These services indicate that wholesale traders

The accidental activist

Rickety bus

100 Years Ago

Price Pains

behalf of state government and the concerned wholesalers, in lower Courts only some cases were won by the government. Hence the government has gone in appeal in the High Court on the cases lost, and the Court recently ordered that the confiscated stock approximately worth Rs.70 crores be handed over to the wholesalers and relevant traders as sugar is a perishable commodity but with the condition to pay some amount as security until the High Court issues a final order in the case.

As some stock belongs to sugar dealers from other states though stocks were stored in southern Maharashtra, how much of the released sugar will actually be brought into the open market and what will be the impact on the current price situation is a matter of detailed scrutiny and consumers’ experience in various areas in the country.

The Union government’s import-export policy is also a vital factor and needs proper assessment before the actual decision so that while farmers and producers need not suffer, consumers too will also get sugar at affordable price.

There is a need to review all relevant laws and rules. The whole issue seems to be a matter of interpretation as laws and rules are unclear and there is some lacuna in legislation and relevant orders issued by both by the Union and state governments. Lack of clarity and scope for interpretation seems to be favourable either to government authorities or traders or wholesalers with the result that common consumers are facing the price fluctuations controlled by market forces.

While the Agriculture Ministry is committed to providing reasonable prices to farmers for their agricultural commodities in general and sugar in particular, the Commerce Ministry is expected to keep due control on market forces in general and hoarding strategies in particular so much so that common consumers are not exploited by higher prices and maximum profit by traders whose middle sales management is unavoidable. But the margin profit should be reasonable. There should also be transparency in these dealings so that profit margin is clearly visible instead of concealed as seems to be in the current transactions. The Union government is therefore expected to review all laws and rules controlling essential commodities and revise them (with relevant collaboration with similar laws by state governments) in larger public interest.

FAR if they so wished. No wonder nobody is interested in passing RP2021 into law. And in the meantime, while the Chief Minister tries to make up his mind whether the RP can be ready in six months or not – there is a wonderful new scam in town. It’s called PPP – Public Private Partnership. It’s touted to be for the benefit of the common man. Private parties approach the government to go into ‘partnership’ on projects. The government has a wonderful loophole in Amendment 16 and 16A that it made last year to the TCP Act. The amendment basically states that any project can be declared a ‘government project’ by the powers that be. It can then be cleared and fast tracked – even if it falls outside the Regional Plan.

So if you want land cheap simply go into partnership with the government, have them declare your project a ‘government’ one make them, as your all powerful partner, just acquire the land that you have your eye on. Since your project falls outside the Regional Plan, you can grab any kind of land that you want, it’s all for the ‘public benefit’. Remember the ‘Food Park’ project at Quitol? The government acquired prime land on a plateau declaring that it was for a food park which would bring jobs to Goans and do all sorts of good

Stench too much to bear

Suresh Raikar, Alto Dabolim

It is the right of citizens to have a clean and green environment. At South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) market complex, over the years, garbage generated by meat, fish, fruit, vegetable and other litter is dumped in an open place, touching the precincts of District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum. The garbage here is decaying, on it animals are feeding and mosquitoes are breeding. The unbearable stink permeated by the heaps of decayed garbage, has been filling the corridors, court rooms and adjacent court offices.

I am a practicing lawyer here. Indeed! It is sickening to breathe in such a polluted environment. The remedial measure to do away with this health hazard is drastically to forbid the vendors from throwing the garbage in the present location. Instead, the municipal council should provide them with large garbage bins those will be placed away from the consumer court.

All vendors of the SGPDA market complex should be compelled to make use of the garbage bins to be emptied periodically by the municipal garbage collectors. The vendors then will not litter and pollute the environment of the court precincts. Let the elected representatives know that “Right to fresh air is an integral part of right to life” and abate the above continuous public nuisance immediately.

Churchill's anger

things for the economy. The exact same land then appeared on a website selling second holiday homes to British tourists. Having problems finding a ‘public purpose’ to tag to your project? No problem. Amendment 16 and 16A also declares that land can be acquired for one purpose and then changed to another purpose without the government giving an account to anyone. While we struggle to close the doors on disaster by getting a decent regional plan passed, they are left open by amendments made to the TCP Act. An act that the governments own committee has said is obsolete and needs to be replaced. What does the TCP act govern? Land use. As long as an outmoded Act with helpful loopholes exists – the biggest and most powerful estate agent is your own government.

Only the common man cannot hire him. Only private parties with really big projects that roll the mega bucks need apply. Real estate is the name of the game. The biggest real estate agent is grabbing as much of prime Goa as he possibly can.

It is crucial to put pressure on the Government to pass RP2021.

And as crucial to force the government to cancel Amendment 16 and 16/A and work towards replacing the TCP Act.

Letters to the Editor

Letter of the Day

cycle. Therefore the social welfare/education department should initiate certain expenditure in regards to maintenance of cycles and release necessary funds to schools or give them under a contract basis and streamline the procedure/system. In order to alleviate other students from the lower grade, I am sure that the Education Minister, Atanasio Monserrate will explore possibilities by providing assistance or subsidy to all schools in the state by acquiring two mini buses or one bigger bus to each school, which will certainly benefit the students and thus encourage education scenario in the state.

By Venita Coelho

The AIFF should also display the same enthusiasm and pass tougher punishment on referees guilty of showing prejudice. Coming to the domestic football league, it has been my observation that the top clubs including Churchill Brothers have been the beneficiaries of referees dubious decisions because of the influence the clubs exert on the association. Some referees have in their mind that it is the birth right of a top club to beat the minnows. They have killed domestic league because of this attitude.

How sad for the team to have played brilliantly and still know that they haven’t won because the referee cheated them.

Irineu Gonsalves, Verna

Cong a failure

This has reference to the news item “Churchill raps Alberto on letter issue”,( Herald, April 11). Better late than never, the AIFF decided that the ongoing controversy involving Churchill Brothers’ patron Churchill Alemao deserve some attention.

Alberto Colaco, General Secretary, AIFF shot a letter to Alemao after his recent outburst against match officials and referred him to the disciplinary committee. There is nothing wrong in doing that.

The Congress government in Goa has destroyed and failed to protect Goa. It has destroyed the communidade lands and sold it to SEZ for its personal greed. It has destroyed most of the agricultural cultivable lands of the farmers in the name of development.

The shores of Candolim beach are destroyed due to the presence of River Princess, which the government failed to remove with empty promises.

Marcos Alemao, Varca

The entire Sonsoddo near Curtorim is destroyed by dumping garbage, which the government failed to solve the problem of garbage due to infighting for under hand commission.

Now finally, it is destroying the heritage building of historic events which are required for the future generation. These are tricks of the Congress government to make fast money out of it (Times of India, April 7 April). Serkara, what else you want to do?

Paths of Wisdom

Keep an eye Dominic Fernandes, Baga Titos is required to demolish its construction in the 200 metres CRZ zone. The High Court should believe this, only if the entire demolishment is videotaped. For years now the influential people in Calangute and Candolim have got away with all kinds of illegalities. The VPs of these constituencies are notorious for providing misleading data to the High Court. All demolishments are eyewashes, wherein , within a few days time a bigger structure is constructed. If the demolishment is stayed, then all other structures must be regularized by the GCZMA. If the demolishment goes ahead, we will believe that the law of the land has been upheld and it was not just a waste of the High Court’s time.

Barbarism Blossom Cabral, Nagoa Shivers run down my spine when I read about the spate of crimes that are plaguing our country today.

Murders, rapes and arson have become the order of the day. Destruction and dissension also are like two sides of a coin, so to speak.

Reading such news makes one’s day frustrating and fighting away the blues is now become a Herculean task. Nothing seems to be more disgusting than such barbarism.

Letters should be 150 words or less in length, and should have the writer’s name, address and telephone number. The editor reserves the right to edit letters for size and readability, and to delete any personal attacks or libellous /objectionable matter.

Abandonment is an awful poverty

By Mother Teresa One day I visited a house where our sisters shelter the aged. This is one of the nicest houses in England, filled with beautiful and precious things. Yet there was not one smile on the faces of these people. All of them were looking towards the door.

I asked the sister in charge, “Why are they like that? Why can’t you see a smile on their faces?” (I am accustomed to seeing smiles on people’s faces. I think a smile generates a smile, just as love generates love.)

The sister answered, “The same thing happens every day. They are always waiting for someone to come and visit them.

Loneliness eats them up and day after day, they do not stop looking. Nobody comes.”

Abandonment is an awful poverty.

There are poor people everywhere, but the deepest poverty is not being loved.

The poor we seek may live near us or far away. They can be materially or spiritually poor. They may be hungry for bread or hungry for friendship. They may need clothing, or they may need the sense of wealth that God’s love for them represents. They may need the shelter of a house made of bricks and cement or the shelter of having a place in our hearts.

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: Ashwin Tombat (Responsible under PRB Act). Regd Office: St Tome Road, Panjim, Goa. Tel: 2224202, 2228083, Fax: 2222475 (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. junioryouth@herald-goa.com — Junior Herald & Careers. heraldmirror@herald-goa.com — Sunday Mirror. reporters@herald-goa.com — For Reporters. business@herald-goa.com — For Business news. editor@herald-goa.com — For Letters to the Editor. sports@herald-goa.com — For Sports news. advt@herald-goa.com — For Advertisements. 2day@herald-goa.com — For Herald 2day. tiatr@herald-goa.com — For Tiatr Reviews and Reports. Disclaimer: Except for the editorial 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.

OHERALDO = =

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GOA, tuEsDAy, 13 ApRiL, 2010

OPinionatED Oh Goa, my Goa !

BY DR BELINDA VIEGAS-MUELLER It is with an extremely heavy heart that I sit down to write this. Today my husband was brutally assaulted by four goons.

Total strangers with no obvious motive other than a lust for violence and the desire to inflict pain and injury. Cycling to Palolem, he turned off the highway when he is forced off the road by a red car. He cycles on. However, not satisfied with this show of might against a lowly cyclist, the car turns and comes back. It is a lonely stretch. The four toughies (strength in numbers) get out and after a brief argument start hammering him with fist blows and kicks. They are, after all, 4 to 1!

They knock him to the ground and stamp on him viciously, aiming mainly for his face and head. Again and again, the blows and kicks from all sides continue unabated. When he tries to break free, they pick up heavy granite stones which they hurl at him. Then leaving him bleeding and crumpled our dashing super-heroes drive away. It is only because of his helmet (which is totally smashed) and his strong physique that he is alive. He lies there for 45 minutes. People pass by, but not one bothers to help or even call for help.

Is this the new Goa? The total meaninglessness of the attack and the sheer brutality has left me appalled and flabbergasted.

I am left pondering. What is it that makes four human beings mercilessly attack another human being with no apparent motive?

Are we losing our very basic humanity?

That is the most frightening aspect of it all – the apparent descent into our baser animal nature.

This leads me to other thoughts. About our society that seems increasingly to breed such heartless beasts. Home grown local me. Sons, brothers, husbands, fathers.

When I read the daily papers – rapes, murders, violence and assaults on the rise, I wonder how many such brutal incidents occur daily without ever being reported or registered. The alarming number of road traffic accidents caused by reckless driving. The rampant corruption that has spread its filthy claws into every nook and corner of out beautiful state. The fast dwindling respect for our fellow men. The ultimate loss of our basic values as human beings. The totally callous attitude towards pollution and the environment.

Is this the new Goa? Because this is a Goa I no longer recognise. This is not the Goa of my forefathers. This is not the Goa I have known and loved. The Goa I longed to return to.

What I see and experience is a Goa that is rapidly transforming itself from the peace loving, tranquil paradise it once was into a ruthless jungle where only might is right. A Goa, where values and decency, respect and tolerance, kindness and conscience are being steadily strangled and murdered.

Sacrificed at the altar of money, ego, power and greed. A Goa where right has become meaningless and all that matters is brute strength.

But frightening as it already is – is this only the beginning?

Sadly, I believe so. The writing on the walls of our society is already clear. Young school children boldly shouting abuses to total strangers. The look of frustration and rage becoming commonplace in the eyes of our youth. The look of hatred.

Dangerously combined with the look of utter disdain and the knowledge that they are protected by powerful godfathers.

It is clear that Goa is seething with a seismic negativity that threatens to engulf and destroy life as we have known it. Unless we all do something about it. And soon. Wake up Goa and smell the blood. Before it is too late.

Rajasthan govt invites Gujjar leader for talks PTI JAIPUR, APRIL 12

The Rajasthan government has invited for talks Gujjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsla, who is demanding a five per cent quota in state jobs for his community.

A CMO spokesman said last night that Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has invited the Gujjar leader for talks to resolve the matter and the message has been communicated to Bainsla, who is leading a march on the issue, through the District Collector of Karauli Neeraj Pawan.

Energy Minister Jitender Singh, who is the government intermediary in the matter, also appealed to the Gujjars to maintain peace and harmony in the state.

Amid tight security, hundreds of Gujjars led by Bainsla took out their march from Gudla village, 400 km from here, yesterday afternoon.

Authorities made tight security arrangements with thou-

sands of armed policemen, including RAC jawans, being deployed on either side of the highway, he said.

Bainsla had last month decided to undertake a march to Jaipur if the Gujjars' demand for reservation was not met by March 26. However, it was postponed following government's invitation to hold talks.

Bainsla had said on Saturday that the deadline of April 1 for Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot to fulfill the promise he made on quota for Gujjars had expired.

"As the entire quota bill was stayed in the High Court, the Gehlot government has assured to take care of the community by reserving five per cent vacant seats for us," Bainsla said.

Gujjars had held a sit-in demanding five per cent reservation for especially backward classes (Gujjars, Banjara, Gadia Luhar, Raika and Rebari) on March 23 at Gazipur in Dausa district.

Any IAF use to fight Naxals must avoid collateral damage: Naik PTI ALLAHABAD, APRIL 12

Asserting that it was always ready to face any challenge to the country's internal security, the Air Force today said any decision on use of air power to tackle the Naxals must follow a clear strategy to minimise collateral damage.

At the same time, he said his personal view was that the armed forces were not required to fight the Maoists.

"We have the capability to conduct strikes with utmost precision. However, it must be understood that if a 250 kg bomb is dropped at a spot, its impact will be in a radius of at least 800 metres and that may affect many people who may not themselves be insurgents", Air Chief Marshal P V Naik told reporters here.

"If at all a situation arises where the use of Air Force becomes inevitable, there has to

be a clarity on the magnitude of the force we are supposed to use so that the collateral damage is minimum.

"After all, we are dealing with our own people in our own territory", the IAF chief said.

Replying to a query, he said, "So far we have not been approached by the Home Ministry for any type of help in combating Naxalites".

To another question, the Air Chief Marshal pointed to an interview to a news channel during which he had said that armed forces were not yet needed to fight Naxals. "I personally still hold the view," he said.

"We would, however, like to add that even though not involved in active combat, the Indian Air Force has done its bit by conducting reconnaissance of Naxal-infested areas and sharing the inputs with the gov-

ernments concerned", he said.

He, however, replied in the negative when asked whether the IAF had provided the Chattisgarh government with any inputs prior to the Dantewada massacre and, said, "We had deployed UAVs in the tribal state a couple of years ago and provided inputs at that time.

"Those inputs could not have been of use at this time as at present we are not conducting any reconnaissance in that region," he said.

"It also needs to be understood that the reconnaissance by our UAVs will have some limitations. It can give information about a number of people gathering at a spot but it cannot tell you whether it is a group of armed insurgents or ordinary tribals and villagers.

"Moreover, aerial survey may not be possible in dense jungles as the devices cannot see through a canopy of trees,

bushes and shrubs", the IAF chief said.

Asked about media reports of the possibility of intelligence leak which could have resulted in Dantewada massacre, Naik said, "I am neither aware of such reports nor do I have any idea of leaks".

To a question about the situation in India's neighbourhood, he said, "We are not involved in an arms race. We upgrade ourselves with regard to what are the needs of our country and not what type of weapons Pakistan or China are acquiring".

Naik was in the city to inaugurate a four-day Station Commanders' Conference being held at the Central Air Command headquarters here in which commanders from units located in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand and Bihar are taking part.

Oz police say no foul play in Indian’s death PTI MELBOURNE, APRIL 12

Australian police probing the death of an Indian national in Sydney does not suspect any foul play but is awaiting the autopsy report on the body, which was found on a roadside.

The body of Dharmendra Singh, the young Indian hailing from Punjab was found in Sydney early morning yesterday.

According to official sources, Singh who was having drinks with his friends on Saturday night left the venue but was found dead near his friend's house.

Sources told PTI that autopsy of the body will take place tomorrow to determine the cause of his death.

Meanwhile, police has denied any foul play into the incident and said they were investigating the case, the source said.

The police has confirmed that a body of an Indian national was found on South Street in Granville and that a report had been prepared and sent to the coroner.

A police spokesman said the death did not appear suspicious.

"From what can see there is no suspicious circumstances... there is nothing that is escalating this further," the spokesman said.

"Police have no concerns over the nature of the incident and we are ensuring all the medical protocols are done," he said.

The spokesman said he could not reveal the suspected cause of death which was being investigated by senior police and forensic officers.

He said the investigation had followed strict protocol and a preliminary finding had been sent to the coroner.

Over 100 cases of attacks on Indians have been reported since the last year in Australia, mostly in Victoria with one death.

BSP stays away from meeting on bringing cut motion PTI NEW DELHI, APRIL 12

BSP today stayed away from a meeting of 13 Left and other Opposition parties, held here to chalk out a strategy for bringing a cut motion on the finance bill in the Lok Sabha and to pressurise government over price rise issue.

The BSP had been invited to the meeting, but nobody from the party turned up for it.

Prominent leaders from the 13 parties who attended the meeting, that started a short while back, include V Maitreyan (AIADMK), CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat and his party colleagues Sitaram Yechury and Basudeb Acharia, INLD chief Om Prakash Chautala, SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, CPI leaders Gurudas Dasgupta and D Raja.

Apart from these, Debabrata Biswas of Forward Bloc, T J Chandrachudan and Abani Roy (both from RSP), RJD chief Lalu Yadav and his party leader Prem Chand Gupta, RLD leader Ajit Singh, TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu and his party colleague Yerran Naidu, JD(S) chief H D Deve Gowda and BJD's Arjun Charan Sethi, were also present in the meeting.

According to sources, during the meeting, the parties could also consider launching a nationwide protest against the government's "failure" to prevent rise in prices of essential

commodities, probably a 'Bharat Bandh' (nationwide general strike) in the last week of April.

A cut motion, which is also being contemplated by these parties against the finance bill, puts to test the strength of the government in the Lok Sabha.

If the motion is adopted, it amounts to defeat of the government on a money matter and it has to resign.

The second phase of the budget session is beginning on April 15 in the shadow of the Dantewada massacre bringing unprecedented concern over the Maoist menace that saw Home Minister P Chidambaram offering to resign.

The meeting is also significant as it is for the first time that these parties are making a common cause on the issue of price rise since the Congressled UPA came to power for the second time in May last year.

Left parties, which are spearheading the move, are working towards a strategy so that the entire Opposition, including the BJP, could vote on a single cut motion in the Lok Sabha.

The parties want the government to rollback the increase in customs duty on crude oil and the excise tax on petroleum products.

The Left leaders, including Prakash Karat, have said the idea of convening the meet was not to topple the government.

K’taka CM rules out revival of Cong, JDS in near future Former cricket captain Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi with his lawyers for the hearing in the Black buck hunting case in Special Environment Court, in Faridabad on Monday.

HIV infection among injecting drug users declining in Nagaland PTI KOHIMA, APRIL 12

There has been a marked decline in the rate of infection among Injecting Drug Users in the state and more HIV/AIDS-stricken people are coming forward to avail of care offered by government agencies, a study has revealed.

The study, carried out by the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) and NGOs working for HIV/AIDS patients, however, rings alarm bail on the increasing use of assorted oral drugs or pharmaceutical drugs among young people, including school children, throwing a fresh challenge to the state, The trend also revealed that HIV infection among Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) had shown a drastic reduction following massive awareness drive, but more and more cases of spread of the disease through heterosexual route and parent to child transmission was increasing that now encompasses all strata of the society.

According to NSACS data, the state witnessed a drastic decline in the number of IUDs from 1980s and 90s and at present there are an estimated 27,774 of them in Nagaland today.

The NSACS is the nodal agency in the state to coordinate among the government’s care and support infrastructure and over 40 NGOs and community organisations.

The NSACS is now implementing the third phase of National AIDS Control Programme (NACP-III) in Nagaland, one among the six high HIV prevalence states in the country with the prevalence rate of 1.20.

Under the NACO’s intensive targeted intervention programme and harm reduction strategy, 14 drop-in centres run by NGOs are now functioning in the state providing counseling to drug users who are now coming forward voluntarily to avail of services from NGO workers.

As per records, HIV transmission through needle syringes (IDUs) was about 12 per cent in 2007-08 and it came down to 5.8 per cent in 2008-09, and among the IDUs too the prevalence rate was about two to three per cent.

The NSACS attributed the reduction of HIV infection among IDUs to harm reduction strategy where it advocates for safe behavioural change and expansion of services through drop-in centres.

It claimed 30 TI projects targeting high risk groups such as IDUs, female sex workers, gays, truck drivers and others have helped control the spread to general population.

Dimapur based Bethesda Youth Welfare Society, an NGO dealing with the problem of drug abuse, has found that at present the commonly used drugs in Nagaland are pharmaceutical drugs like Spasmo Proxyvon, Pravosa, Nitrosum and Diazepam.

Besides the oral drugs, the young people, including school children, were now taking inhaled drugs like adhesive, paints and petrol along with alcohol, said Longshi, programme manager of the Society’s drop-in centre.

“When we started TI programmes, the number of IDUs must have been around 8,000 at Dimapur but now it is estimated at around 2,000,” Longshi said.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT BELGAUM, APRIL 12

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa has said that the tremendous response BJP is getting in the state, including the one in BBMP elections, is a clear indication that Congress and JDS, which are down and out, will be unable to ‘lift their heads’ for another 15-20 years in the state.

At a BJP programme at Mahatma Gandhi Bhavan in Belgaum on Sunday, Yeddyurappa said the state had been struggling to cope with a number of problems before the BJP came to power due to the pathetic administration of the previous governments.

“The current power crisis is the result of the previous Congress government’s failure to work on power supply projects. The BJP government is committed to improve power supply in the state effectively within the next three years and efforts are being made to generate enough power to meet the state’s requirements through different sources,” he stated.

Yeddyurappa said the present power crisis in the state would be overcome to a considerable extent by next month, as the government was working out alternatives to generate power from different sources in the next few weeks.

He said his party had been able to win the BBMP elections due to series of developmental

works carried out in Bangalore after his government came to power.

“The party had been getting a strong response to all its conventions being held in view of panchayat elections,” he said adding that the party would come out with big success in the coming elections.

“Belgaum has been a strong fort of BJP for several years now. The party is confident that the district would give ‘elephant power’ to the party in the coming panchayat elections,” he said.

The chief minister announced that the government was all set to hold the winter session of the state legislature in Suvarna Soudha being built at Halga, near Belgaum, after December.

“The work on Soudha is going on at a brisk pace and is likely to make way for the much-awaited legislature session sometime after December.

The government is keeping a regular watch on Soudha construction to ensure that by December, the building is ready for the winter session,” he said.

On the occasion, Chief Minister Yeddyurappa also said the ‘World Kannada Meet’, which had to be postponed on several occasions due to various reasons, would be held in Belgaum in January.

Prior to the mega events, he said, Belgaum would be developed at par with Bangalore.

Half of bio-medical waste not Over 10% rise in number Cong toiling hard to make Rahul’s of suicides in Gujarat rally success in BSP stronghold disposed of properly: study PTI NEW DELHI, APRIL 12

As questions remain whether the radioactive isotope that made it to a scrap dealer's shop here came from hospital waste, a study has found that half of bio-medical waste in the country is dumped along with municipal garbage.

The study said that only half of the total hospital waste generated in the country is treated in accordance with rules.

Out of 4,20,461 kg of waste generated each day, only 2,40,682 kg is treated, according to a study by Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Lucknow.

As many as 14,959 hospitals who have been identified as defaulters have been served show cause notices, it said.

Investigators are groping to find the source of the Cobalt60 that was found in the scrap dealer's shop in Mayapuri a few days back.

The leak of the nuclear material has affected six persons

including the scrap dealer who may require a bone marrow transplant after exposure to radioacative radiation.

"Presently 50-55 per cent of bio-medical wastes is collected, segregated and treated as per Bio-medical Waste Management Rules," the IIM report said. The rest is dumped with municipal solid wastes posing a risk to human and environment health, it added.

Out of 84,809 hospitals, only 48,183 are either using common bio-medical waste treatment facilities (which are 170 in number) or have engaged private agencies.

Giving details of the facilities at the hospital, the study points out that there are 391 incinerators, 2562 autoclaves, 458 microwaves, 145 hydroclaves and 6047 shredders in operation.

Generally bio-medical waste is classified into infectious waste and non-infectious waste categories. If infectious waste is not disposed off scien-

tifically, it could contaminate non-infectious waste, threatening local community.

The Biomedical Waste Management Act, 1998, mandates hospitals to handle their wastes in an environmentally and scientifically sound manner.

The IIM which conducted the study on behalf of the environment ministry to evaluate the performance of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) points out that number of Common Bio-medical Wastes Treatment Facility (CBMWTF) has to be increased manifold.

The incineration of infectious medical wastes is mandatory for hospitals in the country, but many hospitals either do not have this facility or the machines are lying idle.

"Presently there are 157 facilities which are not adequate to handle all bio medical wastes generated. CBMWTF is to be set-up under Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode," the report says.

PTI AHMEDABAD, APRIL 12

The number of suicides in Gujarat has risen by 10.5 per cent in 2008, as compared to 2007, with housewives constituting the highest percentage, according to a National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report.

The recently published report titled 'Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India-2008' said the number of suicides in Gujarat has increased to 6,165 in 2008 from 5580 registered in 2007, an increase of 10.5 per cent. The all-India average was recorded at 2.2 per cent.

Out of the 6,165 suicides in 2008 in Gujarat, 1,744 (28.3 percent) were housewives.

Gujarat, where 4.9 per cent of the total suicides in the country took place in 2008, stands eighth in the list of state after West Bengal, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh, where high suicide rates were recorded.

Dr G K Vankar, Head, Psychiatry Department at B J Medical College, told PTI, "Suicide is a

complex phenomenon with depression and stress being major factors responsible for it. We believe that those who commit suicide 80 per cent of them are suffering from depression and related disorders."

"Women are taking up dual responsibilities now a days... like working and also taking care of home and children which adds up to the stress.

Also, among housewives, there are number of factors-- social, economical and psychological which could lead to depression, stress and result in suicide," Vankar said.

City-based sociologist Prof Edwin Masihi said that societal pressures are a major factor contributing to the stress among the young men and women.

"Housewives face traditional problems like not being able to conceive a male child, dowry and other forms of harassment, while the working women find it difficult to adjust into a joint family where she has to perform many roles," Masihi said.

UNI LUCKNOW, APRIL 12

All preparations for AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi's rally on April 14 at Ambedkar Nagar are underway despite the Mayawati government putting obstacles to derail it, UP Congress president Rita Bahuguna Joshi said today.

In an interaction with UNI, Ms Joshi said, ''The Congress has never bowed to such undemocratic pressure from any quarters and the people of the area will give the BSP a befitting reply on the day.''

Gandhi is slated to address the rally and launch ten 'Sandesh Yatras' which will cover every assembly constituency of the state during the next nine months.

The Congress has selected the region, which is said to be the turf of the ruling party and axis of the backward class, to launch its Mission 2012 for UP assembly elections and commemorate 125th year of the party.

However, on the same day,

the BSP is also holding a country-wide agitation to oppose the women reservation bill, and a small rally will be held in the adjacent ground in Ambedkar Nagar, which might lead to some bickerings between the two parties.

The Sandesh Yatras, which will tour 403 assembly constituencies in 71 districts, will be addressed by senior party leaders.

The second phase of the Sandesh Yatra will commence on October 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and conclude on November 14, Pt Jawaharlal Nehru's birth anniversary, in Allahabad.

Earlier, the Congress used to enjoy the support of Brahmins, Dalits and minorities. However, Dalit shifted their support to the BSP after the Babri Masjid demolition incident in 1992, political observers said.

To regarner the Dalit support, the Congress has chosen the birth anniversary of Dalit icon Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar to flag off their much-talked

about rally, they added.

Notably, the BSP holds a rally on this day every year.

Earlier, a flutter was caused in the political circles over missing photograph of Dr Ambedkar in the Congress' posters.

The party then released fresh posters with photographs of Gandhi-Nehru family, Jagjivan Ram, Dr B R Ambedkar, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad.

The Congress rally has attracted controversy since the day of its announcement with the party leaders alleging that the BSP leaders were using all their might to prevent the rally.

Party's legislator Ishwar Chandra Shukla, who is camping in Ambedkar Nagar, alleged that the BSP ministers and leaders were forcing police and transport officials not to give road permits to the public vehicles used by the Congress on the rally day.