13 May Herald Publication

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O HERALD O The Voice of Goa — Since 1900 panjim, thurSDaY, maY 13, 2010

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India: John Abraham kisses director’s wife Pg 7 ’Tis the sunset of life that gives me mystical lore, and coming events cast their shadow before.

IN BRIEF Kapadia sworn in as CJI Justice Sarosh Homi Kapadia, who hailed from a poor family and had once worked as a class IV employee, was on Wednesday sworn in as the 38th Chief Justice of India. Kapadia, the senior most judge of the Supreme Court was administered the oath of office

by President Pratibha Patil at a brief function at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. – (PTI)

Death rap for Nithari convict Surinder Koli, a convict in the sensational Nithari killings case, was on Wednesday sentenced to death by a special CBI court here for raping and murdering seven-year-old girl Arti. The death sentence to 38-year-old Koli, a domestic help of businessman and accused Moninder Singh Pandher, was awarded by special CBI Judge A K Singh in the Arti case. – (PTI)

Pakistani arrested at US Embassy A Pakistani national, who was arrested at the American Embassy in the Chilean capital of Santiago with traces of explosives, has no link with the Times Square incident, US officials said. Muhammad Saifur-Rehman Khan, 28, whose visa was revoked a day before because of his apparent terrorist ties, has been handed over to Chilean authorities. — (PTI)

Business: RBI for gradual capital Sports: Parties during IPL took account opening -- chief Pg 12 toll on fitness -- Dhoni Pg 18

CBI cracks down on petrol adulteration

Raids places at Loutolim, Sancoale HERALD REPORTERS MARGAO/VASCO, MAY 12

As part of its nationwide effort to curb sale of adulterated petroleum products in the country, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday raids two places – one each at Loutolim and Sancoale — and seized petroleum products.

At Loutolim, the CBI raided the premises of Antonio Alvares alias Salu at and attached a tanker and around 19 barrels of petrol, diesel and oil from the site.

The tanker along with nine diesel barrels, five petrol barrels, three-four barrels of kerosene, 20 baggage of chemicals, besides five oil barrels were attached and later handed over to the Maina Curtorim police station.

Sleuths of the Central investigating agency descended at

The seized tanker and fuel barrels.

Salu’s residence this evening to conduct a raid along with personnel of the Maina Curtorim police station.

Sources in the know said the men working at the premises

Photo by Santosh Mirajkar

were taken by surprise as the CBI sleuths forced their way inside the premises, but soon realization dawned that the personnel were from the CBI. The raid which began at

Cameron takes over as PM PTI LONDON, MAY 12

Conser vative leader David Cameron, who favours a ‘new special relationship’ with India, took charge as Britain’s youngest Prime Minister in nearly 200 years, heading a coalition with the support of centrist Lib Dems, and vowed to put aside party differences and provide a strong and decisive government.

43-year-old Cameron, who ended the Labour’s 13-year reign, made Liberal Democrats leader Nick Clegg Deputy Prime Minister.

“This (coalition) is a five-year arrangement... and we will take decisions in the long term interest of the country,” Cameron said at a joint press conference with Clegg here today.

Clegg, also 43, said this is a government that will last.

“There will be bumps... but we are united.”

Earlier in the day, Cameron named part of his Cabinet, giving four more posts to Lib Dems, who came third in the May 6 general election which threw up a hung Parliament.

Conservatives were the single largest party with 306 seats in the 650-member House of Commons, while Labour bagged 258 and Lib Dems 57.

William Hague, a veteran Tory leader, will be the Foreign Sec-

retary while George Osborne will be the new Chancellor of Exchequer. 38-year-old Osborne becomes the youngest Chancellor of the Exchequer in 125 years.

Liam Fox will be Defence Secretary, Theresa May (Home Secretary), Ken Clarke (Justice Secretary) and Andrew Lansley (Health Secretary).

Lib Dems’ Vince Cable will be Business/Banking Secretary, Danny Alexander, Scottish Secretary; and Chris Huhne, Environment and Climate Secretary; while David Laws is tipped to be the Schools Secretary.

Besides five Liberal Democrats in the Cabinet, there will be around 15 other ministers from the party at the junior level.

“We have some deep and pressing problems,” Cameron, who heads the first coalition government in 70 years, said in

Delhi party eyeing Talpona for golf course HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, MAY 12

Coastal Talpona in Poinguinim is reportedly eyed by a Delhibased party for housing a golf course.

According to sources in Poinguinim panchayat, a Delhibased party has applied for issuance of licence to start a golf course at a sprawling coastal land, admeasuring over 80,000 sq mtrs in Talpona.

If sources are to be believed, the panchayat in its meeting has approved to issue a provisional NOC to the applicant for starting the golf course with certain terms and conditions.

However, local opposition is reportedly brewing over the move, saying the land for golf course comes under Coastal Regulatory Zone and something bigger is also on the anvil in the garb of starting only a golf course.

The locals alleged that once the golf course gets going, the party has plans to start a hotel on the adjoining hilltop.

Locals also alleged that when panchayat makes hue and cry if any common man applies for a construction licence or constructs anything including residential structure in CRZ areas, why same yardstick is not applied to this party.

When one of the panch was approached informing fears expressed by locals, the panch confirmed that an application was indeed received and panchayat in its last meeting had decided to issue a provisional NOC with conditions to comply with certain requirements.

Reliable sources informed that two of the prime conditions among several ones imposed by the panchayat while issuing provisional NOC (reportedly valid for six months) is that the party should first obtain NOCs from CRZ and tourism department (Continued on page 10)

We have to save them from entire nation, not just only terrorists....

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his maiden speech after arriving at the No. 10, Downing Street, flanked by his pregnant wife Samantha.

Earlier, a statement from Buckingham Palace said the Queen had requested Cameron to form a new government.

“The Right Honourable David Cameron accepted Her Majesty’s offer and kissed hands upon his appointment as Prime Minister,” it said.

Cameron, the youngest Prime Minister since 1812 when Lord Liverpool ran the government at the age of 42, identified the challenges before his government as a huge deficit, deep social problems and political system in need of reform. “For those reasons, I aim to form a proper and full coalition between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.”

Cameron, who visited India after taking over as the Conservative chief in 2006, has pledged to support its bid for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council.

His party’s manifesto says that the Conservatives will “work to establish a new special relationship with India, the world’s largest democracy.”

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh congratulated Cameron on his appointment and invited him to make an early visit to India.

around 4 pm only ended at around 9.30 pm.

When contacted, Maina Curtorim PSI Navlesh Desai said the raid was carried out by the CBI and that the local police had only given protection to the raiding party.

He said the Maina Curtorim police will register a case against Salu under the Essential Commodities Act. When asked whether the raiding party has unearthed any incriminating material from the premises, PSI Desai said the raiding party has claimed that five barrels of oil have been seized from the premises.

He said the raid is apparently being conducted following complaints from oil companies that petrol and fuel is allegedly available at the premises.

This is perhaps the first time (Continued on page 10)

103 killed in Libya plane crash AFP TRIPOLI, MAY 12

A Libyan plane arriving from South Africa disintegrated on landing at Tripoli airport today, killing 103 people but leaving an eight-year-old boy as the sole miracle survivor, officials said.

An official in The Hague said 61 Dutch citizens were killed while Libyan Transport Minister Mohammed Ali Zidan listed “Libyans, Africans and Europeans” among the dead.

Zidan told a media conference that an inquiry was under way to determine what caused the Afriqiyah Airways Airbus A330 to break up massively as it was landing, but he ruled out terrorism.

Libyan television showed teams of emergency workers sifting through the wreckage of the plane, which was scattered in a wide arc across the landing area.

“There were 104 people on board — 93 passengers and 11 crew members,” Zidan said, adding that the remains of 96 victims had already been recovered. There was only one survivor, an eight-year-old Dutch boy, he said.

“His life is not in danger,” Zidan said, adding that “the sole survivor” was in good shape in a Tripoli hospital.

Finally, cops contact Atala’s ex-fiancée HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MAY 12

It took the Crime Branch nearly two months to officially contact former girlfriend of Israeli drug dealer Yaniv Benaim alias Atala asking her to come and depose before the Goa Police against her former boyfriend.

Lucky Farmhouse, 33, the Swedish model, had told media persons that the Goa Police never tried to contact her at all.

Sources said the Crime Branch contacted Lucky only yesterday (May 11). It has asked the model officially to come to Goa with all the spycam videos she shot which allegedly show close links of police and politicians in the lucrative drug trade in the State.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Chandrakant Salgaonkar, who expressed helplessness said, “There is nothing we can do to get Lucky to Goa some time sooner even though the deposition was crucial in the case. We will provide her full security.”

Lucky, who said she knows the involvement of a politician’s son in the drug trade, told the media that the Goa Police never tried to contact her. But the police have continuously gone on the defensive stating they tried to contact the Swedish model but her mobile phone was not reachable.

The videos shot by Lucky showing Atala boasting of his links to Goan police and politicians had led to the arrest of six policemen, including police

inspector Ashish Shirodkar, who formerly headed the Anti-Narcotics Cell.

The model had shocking(Continued on page 10)

PSI arrested for drug mafia nexus HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MAY12

The spycam videos uploaded on youtube.com that revealed police-drug mafia-politician nexus in the State led to the arrest of another cop, a police sub-inspector earlier attached to the Anti-Narcotics Cell of Goa Police, who has also been suspended.

In a late evening development the Crime Branch arrested PSI Punaji Gawas for his alleged involvement with drug dealers as revealed by Israeli drug dealer Atala in a video that was uploaded by his former girlfriend, Swedish model Lucky Farmhouse.

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Mapusa bandh evokes good response HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, MAY 12

The Mapusa bandh called on Wednesday by All Goa Merchants Federation and Mapusa Merchants Association evoked good response, as shops remained closed during the day.

The Mapusa market wore a deserted look, as shopkeepers, fisherwomen, vegetable and fruit vendors observed total bandh in protest against faulty Outline Development Plan of Mapusa prepared by Town and Country Planning Department and other issues.

Shopkeepers in the vicinity of Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) market also pulled their shutters down and extended full support to Mapusa Merchants Association.

Earlier, the shopkeepers and fisherwomen staged a protest rally through the streets of Mapusa, which culminated at MMC. The morcha was stopped at MMC by the police.

Later, a delegation of merchants led by All Goa Merchants Federation President Narayan Karekar and Mapusa Merchants Association President Yeshwant Gaundalker met Chief Officer Dasharath Redkar, MMC Chairperson Roopa Bhakta and Municipal Engineer Vishnu Naik and submitted a memorandum.

Karekar told municipal authorities that rent hike, sign board tax and establishment fees revised upward by the MMC are unwarranted and unjustified in comparison to the facilities MMC provides for the merchants community.

“The 10% hike in shop rent

Sena members booked for unlawful assembly

Fomento says will honour commitments at Sonsodo

HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, MAY 12

Mapusa market wore a deserted look.

introduced by MMC in fact amounts to 30% hike considering the fact that the municipal lease agreement is for 3 years.

Therefore, the hike being exorbitant is not acceptable to the traders,” stated Karekar in the memorandum.

He further stated that there is no proper illumination in the market, thereby exposing the market to serious threats.

“Hawkers menace coupled with poor regulations of outdoor vendors/hawkers has converted the once famous market in Goa into a chaotic commercial hub,” stated the memorandum.

“With no maintenance of drainage, flooding of market

Photo by Anil Shankwalker

during monsoon has become a regular feature and with no proper plan for garbage collection and disposal, the market has become an unhygienic place,” added Karekar.

“The 20-metre wide road proposed in Mapusa Outline Development Plan should be scrapped,” demanded the Mapusa Merchants Association.

The Mapusa Merchants Association has also demanded that fish market complex should be completed before the onset of monsoon, de-siltation of all gutters and cleaning of all drains in the market before the monsoon to avoid flooding and better and sufficient parking

amenities in and around market.

MMC Chairperson Roopa Bhakta assured the merchants that she will convene the meeting of all the councillors by May 17 and place before them their grievances and demands and take necessary action.

Chief Officer Dasharath Redkar said as soon as the work of laying fire hydrants in the market is completed by PWD, MMC will hot mix internal roads in the market and then demarcate the hawkers zone.

“Work of new fish market will be taken up by Goa State Urban Development Agency within two months,” said Redkar.

Bull pulled out of storm water drain at Colva HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MAY 12

The gaping hole in the storm water drain at Colva which nearly took the life of a bull last night.

Photo by Santosh Mirajkar

Locals ‘delay’ erection of lifeguard towers at Agonda, Patnem beaches HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, MAY 12

While Palolem beach has finally got lifeguards and towers, beaches at Agonda and Patnem, already in scheme of things of the government, are not so lucky as yet, as some locals are reluctant to allow Dhristi to install lifeguard towers.

According to sources, due to intervention of some locals, erection of lifeguard towers at Agonda and Patnem beaches have been delayed, even though about eight lifeguards keep a watch on visitors entering Patnem beach.

It may be recalled that after a long wait, Palolem beach finally got lifeguards and a tower at the fag end of tourism season. But although it is in the scheme of things of government, other beaches continue to be deprived of these facilities.

If sources are to be believed, some locals, who otherwise want development of their beaches, are reportedly reluctant in allowing Dhristi, the lifeguard providing company, to establish its base in such beach areas.

According to sources, some residents at Agonda and Patnem beaches have reportedly turned away the contractors, who had come to erect lifeguard towers on the village beach.

Work of erecting a tower at Patnem is also under similar threat, although Canacona Municipal Council (CMC) sources claimed that the matter is resolved and tower will be erected soon.

It is learnt that initially five lifeguard towers were planned in Canacona taluka, however the plan was changed later and it was decided to have these towers one each at Palolem, Agonda, Patnem and Rajbag.

Sources informed that once initial works were

completed at Palolem, which nearing its completion in a few more days, the wielding party approached the site at Agonda beach.

However, the construction party was reportedly told to go away, when they attempted to lay the foundation base at the spot marked by village panchayat.

“The tower erection party was directed to different spots, who finally out of frustration left the village,” informed a villager.

When contacted, former Agonda sarpanch Jovi Fernandes informed that the panchayat had already granted NOC for Dhristi to erect lifeguard tower in the government property.

“We are told that some people have turned away the personnel, who went to erect lifeguard tower at the site. But no person from Dhristi or any contracting party approached us with the complaint,” said Fernandes.

“The NOC still holds and no one has a right to object placement of lifeguard tower in government land. People want tourism, but at the same time same people are blocking tourism-related developments, which is not a good sign,” added Fernandes.

The erection of lifeguard tower at Patnem has also run into similar trouble, with some people reportedly objecting placement of tower in the land proposed by CMC. “The matter finally stands resolved,” informed a municipal source, the fact which was also confirmed by few people at Patnem when this scribe visited the beach.

“However, the material continues to lie dumped at one the place, work on which will commence shortly,” assured some locals present on Patnem beach.

A bull had a miraculous escape when it suddenly landed in a storm water drain at Colva last night.

Sadly, while the bull was successfully rescued by the fire personnel after a long ordeal, the broken storm water drain only exposed the messy state of affairs in Colva, with the drain carrying sewage waters and emanating foul odour.

The bull apparently was moving over the drain in search of badam tree leaves, without realization that it would land inside the drain.

The fire brigade was immediately summoned at the site to rescue the animal in a life and death situation.

The animal was finally pulled out of the drain by the fire personnel with the help of a rope.

While the gaping hole in the drain bears the testimony that the bull had landed inside the storm water channel, the discharge of filth and waste water in the drain once again comes as an eye opener to the authorities to move on a war footing and plug the discharges of waste waters in the storm water drain.

Convenor of Colva Civic and Consumer Forum Judith Almeida said the way the drain has collapsed only shows the quality of work undertaken on the drain. “If it wasn’t shoddy work, then it would not have collapsed”, she added.

She said the Goa State Pollution Control Board had recently undertaken the exercise to inspect hotels and establishments to ascertain whether they have set up Sewage Treatment Plants and the report is awaited. “Why are the authorities not taking up suo moto action against the erring department. Why are they waiting for the NGOs and citizens to complain on such issues”, she added.

CLARIFICATION

The lifeguard tower material dumped at Patnem beach.

Photo by Kathy Pereira

With reference to the news item captioned “Watery grave for Nuvem Priest” dated May 9, the statement on the absence of life guards at the Galgibaga beach at the time of the tragic incident when Fr Thomas Fernandes died while rescuing two youngsters was wrongly attributed to Deacon Savio.

In the news item, it was inadvertently stated that Deacon Savio had demanded that the government take a serious look at the requirements of guards to man the beaches and also consider stationing the 108 ambulances in close proximity to the beaches to attend to emergencies.

Mapusa police on Wednesday booked an offence against members of Shiv Sena, Bardez, Vibghag Pramukh Philip D’Souza, Prashant Shet and eight others on charges of forming an unlawful assembly in Mapusa market on Tuesday.

Taking suo -motto cognizance of the reports that appeared in newspapers regarding eviction of nonGoan vendors and hawkers from Mapusa market by Shiv Sena activists, Mapusa police registered the complaint against D’Souza, Shet and eight others for forming an unlawful assembly in Mapusa market, resorting to violence and for throwing away the goods of hawkers and vendors, thereby causing loss to them.

The offence has been registered under Sections 143,147 and 427 read with 149 of IPC for unlawful assembly in the market without permission from concerned government authorities and rioting.

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MAY 12

Fomento has said that the company would honour all its commitments at the Sonsodo dumping site, including the capping of the site with tarpaulin before the onset of monsoons.

Fomento Chief Executive Officer for the Sonsodo site, Shridar Kamat has said the machinery requisitioned by the civic body for the screening and segregation of waste will arrive later this week. He, however, admitted that work on the waste treatment plant will commence only after the monsoons.

“Fomento is committed to all its commitments made to the high powered committee and the people of Margao. The site capping work would commence before the onset of monsoons and end within 4-5 days”, Kamat said.

He said the waste treatment plant will hopefully arrive at the site before this month end, but made it quite clear that actual work on the plant and

machinery would begin only after the monsoons.

On the controversial Draft Concession agreement, Kamat said that draft copy is being perused by the company officials and will be returned back to the civic body no sooner it gets the nod from the officials. “You have to tread a cautious path when one signs an agreement, more so when this agreement will be in force for a period 25 years”, he added.

A visit to the Sonsodo site revealed that earth moving machinery was at work to push the accumulated waste towards one side to make room for the daily dumping of waste.

Meanwhile, Kamat has said that Fomento has arranged an interaction with Margao citizens on Saturday at 5 pm. He said the purpose behind organizing the interaction is to convey to the citizens the company’s plans for the city on waste management and how the company expects the citizens to cooperate, especially on waste segregation at source.

Unprotected windows force Canacona CHC staff to tie patients to beds!

HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, MAY 12

Incomplete civic planning has come to the fore along with inadequate facilities at Canacona Community Health Centre at Chaudi, which reportedly compels its staff to tie patients to the beds, sometimes causing torture and even deaths.

According to sources, one Suhas Devidas (36) of ParicotoKhola was admitted in Canacona CHC for consuming excessive alcohol.

According to sources, since the patient began to behave violently at the withdrawal stage in hospital and finding no attendant of the patient to look after him, the hospital attendants reportedly tied the patient to the bed, fearing that he will jump out through the windows from the second floor male ward.

Sources further informed that the patient expired on Tuesday morning, reportedly still tied up to the bed.

Even though death while tied to the bed may be one of a kind incident, sources informed that this is not an isolated case where CHC hospital staff ties patients, especially alcoholics, to the beds.

Sources informed that fearing abnormal behaviour during withdrawal stage of admitted alcoholics and to stop such patients from jumping through unprotected windows of the second floor, the hospital staff ties patients to the beds.

“It is not that hospital staff is doing these acts out of highhandedness, but for the safety of patients the attending staff has to resort to such acts,” added sources.

“We have highlighted this practical problem to every visiting politician and higher ups, but no one takes any action to install grills to open windows, as many a times patients not in their normal senses attempts to jump out,” informed a nurse who does want to be identified.

Says another hospital attendant: “If such incident happens, then the authorities and politicians will blame hospital staff for being negligible towards patients. So far we have been successful in catching hold of many such persons on time, avoiding fallouts.”

“The intention of the hospital attendants may be need based and good enough, but the acts are sounding like tortures,” remarked a hospital visitor, who reportedly saw Tuesday’s death.

“Patients should be humanly attended after the withdrawal symptoms,” added the visitor.

Added another visitor, “Even today, I saw an alcoholic patient tied to the hospital bed.”

Interestingly, CHC is continuously dubbed as inadequately equipped with medical staff, equipments, facilities and even medicines, thereby causing hardships to patients and visiting patients.

Check if St Inez creek is affected by tidal waves: GCZMA to CCP HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MAY 12

The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) and committee led by Manohar Parrikar are all set to scrutinize the illegalities around the St Inez creek.

The GCZMA in a suo-motto letter to the Corporation of the City of Panjim Commissioner Elvis Gomes and to the Water Resources Department has asked to check if the creek is affected by the tidal wave movement.

“If it is, then, the CRZ rules will be applicable to the area and thereafter all the illegalities will be checked and demolished,” official from GCZMA said.

The official also maintained that if the creek falls under Municipal jurisdiction then no development will be allowed within 10 metres of the creek.

“If it comes under Taleigao Panchayat then the

area within 20 metres will be declared as ‘no development zone’,” official stated.

“We are waiting for Parrikar’s report over the creek and the illegal developments across the water body. The decision will come only after studying the report,” official added.

The sub-committee under Jawaharlal Nehru National Renewal Mission (JNNRM) will be holding a crucial meeting over the beautification of St Inez creek on May 18. The meeting will be followed by a site inspection deciding the fate of the creek whether to take up under JNNURMcentral scheme or not.

Parrikar on Monday had said that the inspection will be carried out before May 20. “If any illegalities are found then the matter will be recommended to the state level steering committee and the urban development ministry for further action,” he said.

Noted musician Errol no more HERAD REORTER MARGAO, MAY 12

A young city-based noted musician and son of the legendary Chris Perry, Errol passed away in the wee hours of Wednesday.

Family sources said that Errol passed away at

around 4 am in a city-based hospital after a brief illness.

Born in 1963, Errol had a love and passion for music and was running a music school in the city for the benefit of the young talent.

His funeral will be announced later.

CM urges officials to co-operate for development of Pale constituency HERALD CORRESPONDENT MAYEM, MAY 12

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat on Wednesday called upon administrative officials to provide wholehearted co-operation for the all-round development of Pale constituency.

He was addressing the villagers during the visit to village panchayats in Pale constituency.

Chief Minister Kamat was accompanied by Pale MLA Pratap Gawas, Bicholim Deputy Collector Narayan Gad, Mamlatdar Pramod Bhat, Kudne ZP member Fondu Sawant, Pale ZP member Laxmikant Parab and other government officials.

Speaking further, Kamat advised the officials not to put hurdles of rules and regulations to the people while clearing the files of providing basic amenities like roads, water and electricity

to the people.

Kamat assured the people of tackling mining dust pollution problem. “I am fully aware that it will be solved in a step-bystep manner after having faceto-face discussions with the mining lobby and other concerned departments,” he said.

Reacting to the queries raised by panchayat members about rash and negligent attitude of mining companies and truck owners while conducting mining activities, Kamat directed the panchayat to stop mining work with immediate effect in the area, where such things take place, as the panchayat authority is the supreme body.

Later, Kamat visited Kudne, Amona, Pale, Velguem, Surla and Sanquelim and heard the grievances of the people.

The villagers complained that

mining companies and truck owners are reportedly acting in a dominating manner and undertake excavating activities at any places as per their whims and fancies.

The villagers also complained that most mining companies have now resolved to employ non-Goans sidelining the locals due to which locals are refrained from getting employed. Chief Minister Kamat assured them to look into the matter.

Kamat also assured to provide financial assistance to farmers from Pale constituency, who suffered losses during the last monsoon.

He said he will hold a high level committee meeting regarding the solution of all the problems and would visit the constituency again.

Govt agencies get 10 days to complete digging HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MAY 12

The District Magistrate, South has issued directions to various government agencies to expedite and completing all works involving digging within the next 10 days or face action.

With the monsoons fast approaching, the District Magistrate G P Naik had a meeting with officials from the PWD, WRD, GSIDC, Margao Municipality and others wherein certain works were reviewed given the continuance of work at the site.

The four-lane Navelim Church-Fly over road was discussed in detail, wherein the Magistrate drew attention of the slow pace of work by the contractor. The contractor, however, conveyed to the Magistrate that work was held up because of the delay by the government agencies to plug flow of sewage waters from residential buildings onto the road.

Given the situation, the Magistrate has issued directions to the contractor as well as the Margao Municipality to work in tandem and plug the sewage discharge within the next three days.

Sources in the know said the Magistrate told the MMC that the civic body should take all possible measures, including deploying the night soil tankers to drain the sewage waters flowing onto the road to facilitate the contractor to expedite the work.

Naik later told newsmen that he had convened the meeting since most of the works undertaken by various government agencies remains incomplete and unattended.

“I have told officials of the GSIDC, WRD, PWD and MMC to complete the ongoing works before the monsoons. I have made it very clear that these works should be expedited since they are likely to pose danger to the public”, he added.

He said these agencies have been served 10 days deadline to complete the works, adding that 10 days should be adequate for the agencies to complete all works.

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CRRI roadmap on State’s traffic plan after rains HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MAY 12

The Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) will finally prepare a detailed roadmap on state’s traffic plan after monsoons.

The ambitious master plan of the roads which was supposed to be ready by November 2009 was hanging fire as the State

Russian minor’s rape: Court defers verdict HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MAY 12

In a dramatic twist in the Russian minor’s rape case, the Children’s Court on Wednesday was refrained from delivering its muchawaited judgement on account of the age of the main accused, even as the fast track trial was completed within three months of the incident.

What came as a cropper was the last-minute dispute of the exact age of the accused Aman Bhardwaj alias Amar Rajbhar who allegedly sexually assaulted the nine-year old Russian girl on Arambol beach on January 26. The age became the defining factor leading to the deferment of the judgement today.

What came as a revelation to the court was claim of the accused that he was 17 years old and not 20 as said by the prosecution. To a question posed by the President of the court D P Deshpande on his age the accused replied he was 17 and further claimed the birth record wasn’t available as the same had been destroyed when his house at Kasaila village in Uttar Pradesh caught fire.

The court was in a fix because the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act make it mandatory for conduct of an inquiry when such a claim of being juvenile is raised and as such the judgement has to comply with Section 7-A of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act.

n Sources from transport department confirmed that Rs 30 lakh has been handed over to CRRI, who will begin the work soon after the monsoon. The project worth Rs 60 lakh is scheduled to make recommendations on the State’s traffic vision 2030.

Government failed to pay the advance amount to CRRI as assured.

Sources from transport department confirmed that Rs 30 lakh has been handed over to CRRI, who will begin the work soon after the monsoon.

The project worth Rs 60 lakh is scheduled to make recommendations on the State’s traffic vision 2030.

“A team of six CRRI experts will be visiting Goa after the monsoon season for a period of 15 months,” sources said.

Sources disclosed that in the month of January, 2010, three CRRI road experts had visited

the State and held discussions with the Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, officials from the transport department, the traffic police and others.

“The traffic plan for Margao city will be on priority as it is most affected traffic conjunction city in the State,” sources stated.

The entire study is scattered over period of 15 months, of which 6 months were required for short term study, which will study the traffic timing, vehicles speed, flow of traffic, parking, length and the width of the road and other aspects. Rs 33 lakh would be spent on short term study.

Curchorem riots: Sharmad’s plea dismissed Nigerian held with drugs HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MAY 12

In a setback to BJP youth leader, Sharmad Raiturcar, the South Goa Sessions Court on Wednesday dismissed his plea to drop him as an accused in the 2006 Curchorem riots case.

In this case, Raiturcar had filed a revision petition before the Additional Sessions Judge P V Kamat against the order of a Fast Track Court which had allowed the application moved by the prosecution to add the name of Sharmad as an accused in the case.

Public Prosecutor, Pramod Hede had vehemently opposed the revision application saying

there is evidence on record which points fingers at the accused.

In his order dismissing Sharmad’s application, Judge P V Kamat said there is enough evidence on record to show the involvement of Raiturcar in the case.

The judge further said that the statements of PI Gurudas Kadam, then SP, South, besides then Quepem SDM shows the involvement of Sharmad in the riots.

With the court rejecting the revision application, Sharmad will have to stand for trial in the riot case along with 37 other accused, who have been charge sheeted in the case.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, MAY 12

A Nigerian national was arrested on charges of possessing illegal drugs at Calangute in the wee hours of Wednesday.

According to Calangute police, Nigozo Emmanuel Eze was arrested on charges of possessing Cocaine worth Rs 35,000, besides USD 1700 and Rs 11,140.

Following a tip-off, Eze was arrested by Calangute police team led by PI Nolasco Raposo, PSI Sherif Jacques, Subhash Malwankar, Shadab Shaikh, Luens Pereira, Datta Shirodkar and Santosh Govekar near St Anthony’s Chapel, Gaura Vaddo, Calangute.

He has been arrested under NDPS 21 (B) and remanded to seven days police custody. Calangute police is investigating the case.

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S H O RT TA K E S Visit to Sesa’s Lisboa gardens

‘Non-performing co-op society may be merged with others’ HERALD CoRRESpoNDENt VALPOI, MAY 12

S Vijay Kumar, IAS, Special Secretary, Ministry of Mines planting a sapling at the Lisboa gardens in the presence of Sesa Goa officials.

PANJIM(HND): S Vijay Kumar, IAS, Special Secretary, Ministry of Mines, recently visited Sesa Goa’s Lisboa gardens, Sesa Technical School and Sesa Football Academy – all at the Sanquelim reclaimed mine site. Mr Kumar planted a sapling at the Lisboa gardens.

He also visited the Codli mines wherein he witnessed mineplanning (modeling), mining operations, beneficiation processes, root trainer nursery, plantation activities and amongst other places. He was accompanied by A B Panigrahi, Regional Controller of Mines.

While appreciating Sesa’s efforts at Sanquelim, he stressed that such activities undertaken directly by the company gives it a better connect with the needs of the community, which can be addressed immediately, rather than a circuitous approach which invariably delays the impact on community.

He commented that ‘Sesa’s work in reclamation and particularly in CSR to develop Human Resources in and around the mining areas is an excellent example of what mining companies can do.

Vaz is YMCA chief

PANJIM(HND): P M Vaz, Chief Executive of the Manvin's Group was unanimously elected as the President of the Goa YMCA, Panjim for the year 2010-12.

The other members of the Board are Luigi Ferrao- vice president, Norman Mascarenhas treasurer, members - Adv Joseph Vaz, Elvis Gomes, Bryan Soares, Rajiv Aguiar, Roy Vaz, Sheldon Martins, Lawrence Rodrigues, Alvito D'Silva, Sheryl Afonso, Oswald Fernandes and Godwin Fernandes.

The Chairpersons for various committees, Finance Committee- Elvis Gomes, House and Program Committee- Adv Joseph Vaz, Website Committee- Sheldon Martins.

According to a press release, YMCA is one of the largest NGO in the world, involved in various social issues and programs such as street children, physical education, public speaking skills, day camps and outstation camps, aid awareness programmes etc.

Mr Vaz is one of the community's self made leading businessman, educated in law and is deeply involved in the upliftment of his fellowmen The Panjim YMCA is today proudly housed in its own YMCA international building at Campal.

Cultural melava organised

COLLEM(HC): Jambolim Mahila Mandal, Mollem, recently organized cultural melava in the premises of Mollem panchayat.

Panchayat Minister Babu Azgaonkar was the chief guest for the prize distribution function, while Dharbandoda ZP member Rashmi Lambor was the guest of honour. Mollem Sarpanch Govind Gaonkar, Deputy Sarpanch Janu Suzare, junior engineer Anil Gaonkar, Rajendra Dessai, Smita Gaonkar and others were present.

Speaking on the occasion, Azgaonkar congratulated Jambolim Mahila Mandal members for organizing various contests and programme.

Rashmi Lambor and Govind Gaonkar also spoke on the occasion.

Smita Gaonkar compered the function, while Shaila Faonkar proposed the vote of thanks.

‘Night ride’ at Panjim

Registrar of Co-operative Societies P K Patidar has stated that if any credit co-operative society in the State is found not performing well, then the society will be merged with any other society which is doing well.

The registrar was speaking as the chief guest during the inauguration of 4th branch of Sattari Urban Co-operative Credit Society Ltd at Housing Board, Sanquelim, recently.

“I have the power to merge any non-performing co-operative society with any other society which is doing better. In Goa, there are 120 co-operative societies, but some societies are not performing well. If public money is not properly managed, then it is a crime,” remarked Patidar.

Speaking further, Patidar congratulated the chairman and board of directors of the Society for the achievement in a short span of time.

“The Sattari Urban Society is consistently performing well and the health of the Society is

Applications invited for Khell Tiatr festival HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, MAY 12

Applications from institutions and groups are invited by Kala Academy Goa for participation in the Khell Tiatr festival, so as to reach the same at Kala Academy office latest by June 11.

In order to preserve and promote the rich Goan tradition of Khell Tiatr, the Kala Academy has introduced the scheme of Khell Tiatr Festival for the last four years.

The application duly typed on plain paper and addressed to the Member Secretary, Kala Academy, should contain all details such as name of the organization, title of the Khell Tiatr, producer, playwright, director, contact phone numbers and the detailed list of the artistes, technicians etc. supported with a typed copy of the script and the summary.

Khell tiatr scripts written by Goan playwrights and those retaining the characteristics and essence/flavour of traditional Khell Tiatr, will only be considered for participation in the festival. Preference will be given to professional groups who are actively and regularly engaged in performance of Khell Tiatr, besides amateur groups will also be considered on merit provided they are active and are trying to go into the tradition of Khel Taitr.

For details, Kala Academy has requested the interested groups to contact the programme and development section during office hours, says a press release.

CM lauds workshop for entrepreneurs HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, MAY 12

The members of the Goa Cycling Community seen at Miramar.

PANJIM(HND): Goa Cycling Community, an independent, citizen-run organization that advocates for cyclists and cycling in Goa, organized a night ride recently in Panjim. There were 14 riders with reflectors and cycles lights. The rally commenced from the New High mast at Miramar which proceeded through the city and returned back to Miramar.

The goal of Goa Cycling Community is to increase awareness, safety, and enjoyment of transportation, recreational and travel cycling. The rally was led by Joesph Rodrigues and was attended Kirit Maganlal, John Caldeira, John Aguiar, Pankaj Kudtarkar, Salvinus Vaz, Joshua Rodrigues and others.

Camp to formulate NPR HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, MAY 12

The Government of India has decided to create National Population Register (NPR) to issue Identity cards to each member of the family above 15 years who are residing in the coastal village in Tiswadi Taluka of North Goa District.

For this purpose, a camp for carrying out photography and finger Biometric for issue of identity cards will be conducted in the village panchayats of Goltim Navelim, Neura-o-Grande, Sao Mathias, Chorao and Carambolim as per the schedule given herebelow: On May 13 and 14 - Villages of Goltim and Navelim between 8 am to 7 pm at the church hall.

On May 13 and 14 at Neura-O-Grande, Malar village, Ambarim, Caraim between 8 am to 7 pm at Village Panchayat office.

On May 14 and 16 at Chorao, between 8 am to 7 pm, at village panchayat office.

On May 13 and 15 at Carambolim, between 8 am to 7 pm at village panchayat office.

All the people from the above said villages are requested to extend their full co-operation to the teams in capturing the photography finger Biometric for the purpose of issuing them identity cards, says a press release.

Entertainment Society of Goa launched a three day initiative to train entrepreneurs in the business of cinema recently.This workshop received overwhelming response with 45 participants from varied educational and financial backgrounds.

Present at the valedictory function was the Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, Vice Chairman EDC, Nitin Kuncolienkar, CEO of Entertainment Society of Goa Manoj Srivastava, MD of EDC Ramana Murthy.

The Chief Minister was very impressed that some of the participants from rural areas like Chapora, Cumbarjua, Pernem were availing such initiative.

Nitin Kuncolienkar also mentioned EDC’s support to help individuals with regards to term loan facility.

The initiative first of its kind in Goa seeks to train a work force and entrepreneurs who may like to start the business of rental for cameras, lights and cinema related accessories.

very good,” said Patidar.

Patidar further informed that his department has decided to provide computers to the good performing societies.

“Sattari Urban Society got ‘A’ Grade during auditing and the society will be given computer set very soon,” he added.

Patidar also offered the proposal of merging one non-performing society with Sattari Urban Society. He further disclosed that any society above 10% NPA (Non-performing asset) will be scanned and given directions as per the guidelines of RBI. Patidar said the co-operative department will stop registering such societies which get registered under ‘Multipurpose objects’ and then function as credit societies.

In his report, Sattari Urban Society Chairman Adv Yeshwant Gawas stated that the Society, which has over 5,000 shareholders, is running in profit.

He proudly announced that this Society obtained permission from the concerned authority to expand the area of operation

from Sattari taluka to whole of north Goa. “This Society also felicitates top rankers of SSC and HSSC from Sattari taluka, besides helping flood victims and needy students,” said Adv Gawas. He stated that the Society has deposits of over Rs 6.5 crore.

Sanquelim Municipal Council Chairperson Sunita Verekar congratulated the board of directors of Sattari Urban Society for their achievements and suggested that water and electricity bills payment counter be set up at the Society for the benefit of people. She also suggested keeping Saturday and Sunday as working days.

Others who spoke on the occasion include Vassudev Devidas (assistant registrar of Co-operative Society north zone Mapusa) and Chandrakant Gawde (MD Goa Marketing Federation).

Administrative Manager Laxman Gawas welcomed and compered the function, Krishna Gawas introduced the guests, while Farid Khan proposed the vote of thanks.

‘Summer festival’ opened at Vasco HERALD REpoRtER VASCO, MAY 12

Revenue Minister Jose Philip D’Souza inaugurated the annual ‘Summer Festival’ of Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) at Baina beach recently.

The inaugural ceremony was held in the presence of Mormugao MLA Milind Naik, MMC Chairperson Shekhar Khadapkar, Councilors Nitin Chopdekar, Arnold Rego, Kritesh Gaonkar, Seby D’Souza, Anita Chopdekar, Kashinath Yadav and businessman Rajan Bhosle.

The one-week ‘Summer Festival’ will feature various music events, cultural programme, competitions, dance performances by various dance groups from Goa, besides orchestra and bands from all over Goa. The event is being organized

by MMC in collaboration with VJT Arts, Margao.

Food stalls and amusement activities during the festival have attracted a large number of people, especially children.

Revenue Minister D’Souza congratulated the council for holding the ‘Summer Festival’ for the entertainment of people of Mormugao and said the council should not stop the festival.

Fish sculpture project linking fishing community opened at Calangute HERALD CoRRESpoNDENt CALANGUTE, MAY 12

Marking birthday celebrations of its Sarpanch Laxman Parab (Palyekar), Calangute Panchayat inaugurated various projects for the benefit of villagers of Calangute and surrounding areas.

The pet project launched on Tuesday was the fish sculpture round-about circle in front of St Alex Church, Calangute. The round-about circle has been given a face lift by Calangute Panchayat in collaboration with Hotel Goan Heritage, Gaura Vaddo-Calangute.

The fish sculpture comprising shark fish, salt fish and dolphin has been designed by Rajesh Salgaonkar.

Calangute Sarpanch Laxman Parab (Palyekar) inaugurated the fish sculpture in the presence of Hotel Goan Heritage (unit of Gulf Goans Hotels Co Ltd) General Manager Sidney D’Cunha, former Calangute sarpanch Joseph Sequeira, Panchas Sneha Salgaonkar, Subhash Salgaonkar and villagers of Calangute.

Calangute Sarpanch Laxman Parab unveils the fish sculpture in the presence of former Calangute sarpanch Joseph Sequeira and others.

Photo by Thomas Fernandes

Speaking to Herald, Sequeira said the panchayat decided to give a new face lift for traffic island in front of St Alex’s Church.

“Accordingly, giving due weightage to the large fishing community in our coastal belt, we thought of erecting fish sculptures at the traffic island,”

said Sequeira.

“There is lot of hard work in it and hopefully the work of the panchayat will be appreciated by one and all. It is not for the benefit of a single person, but it is done in keeping with our fishing tradition by the panchayat,” he said.

Fr Thomas Fernandes-an exemplar of Christ’s love Fr Alex D’Souza and Fr tomas Lobo, Mapusa

Y

ou don’t get to choose how you’re going to die or when. You can only decide how you are going to live”( Joan Baez) Yes, a lamp that burnt brightly in the vineyard of the Lord spreading the radiance of Christ-the star of stars was suddenly snuffed to join the millions of celestial stars in heaven, reminding us of how transient and brief is our life here on earth.

But a life that is ‘broken and shared’ to give life to others will always remain etched in the hearts of those whom Fr. Thomas Fernandes, the young and zealous priest from Colva served in the short stint that the Master had designed for him. Just as in life, so also in death, in him were exemplified the words of the divine master who proclaimed: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friend” (Jn 15, 13) Fr. Thomas was an epitome of joyful living and selfless dying. He was a ‘fully active, fully alive’ priest is how a close friend of Fr. Thomas sums up the life and ministry of this dynamic assistant Parish priest of Nuvem church.

Born in 1972, Fr. Thomas felt the call of God to the priesthood and after completing his studies at the patriarchal seminary of Rachol, he was ordained priest in the year 2002. He took his first assignment as assistant to the Parish Priest of Holy Cross parish, Quepem. His humble,

genial and ebullient nature stood him in good stead as the parishioners, particularly the youngsters would be seen drawn around him. After one year of training at the pastoral institute, Old Goa, he served as curate at St. Philip and James parish, Cortalim. After completing his four year term here Fr.

Thomas was appointed assistant to the parish priest of Jesus, Mary and Joseph parish, Nuvem where he was presently serving.

Wherever he went Fr. Thomas diffused the affectionate warmth and humble spirit of Christ. He was a sportsman to the core both during the years of formation in the seminary as well as during his priestly ministry.

He was one of the pioneers in the formation of the Diocesan priests’ football team and has played a pivotal role for most of the matches organized at the parish and diocesan levels. Even in the seminary days he dis-

played a rare quality of leading and like a cog in the wheel, keeping the group together. Fr. Thomas’ charism however was best seen in his reaching out to the youth, supporting and encouraging them in their dreams and bringing out their latent talents and gifts.

Mr. Nikita Fernandes from Assolna also shares similar sentiments with regard to Fr. Thomas when he says: “Fr. Thomas was a true shepherd, guide, mentor and counselor to the youngsters.

His magnetic personality shone especially in his openness and frankness.” Mr. Malcolm Teixeira who is a close friend and associate of Fr. Thomas’ had this to say: “Fr. Thomas was a humble soul, a loyal friend, and a true soldier of God. I have his memories in my heart which will linger on forever” Another youth by the name of Mr.Nicholas Rodrigues, a footballer considers him as a loving brother, very humble in nature and true servant of God. Fr. Thomas was all set to fly to Canada at the end of May to attend the priestly ordination ceremony of a close friend and had made all arrangements but…God in His divine plan willed that Fr. Thomas fly to the heavenly abode prepared for Him from all eternity to enjoy forever the beatific bliss. May God grant Fr. Thomas the radiance of His glory and a share in the resurrection of His Son whose unfathomable love Fr. Thomas strived to radiate in his life and ministry.

Precautions against vector borne diseases HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, MAY 12

The Directorate of Health Services have apprised the general public that with the onset of monsoon there is likely to be spurt in water borne, vector borne and communicable diseases like viral hepatitis (jaundice), typhoid, cholera, diarrhea, dysentery as well as malaria,

Japanese encephalitis, dengue, chikungunya etc in different part of the State.

According to a press release, the Directorate of Health Services initiates efforts by gearing up its machinery to meet any eventuality.

The public are advised to ensure that every sump and overhead tank of building is cleaned

before onset of monsoon and display the date of cleaning on the tank. Seal overhead tanks, Sumps and septic tanks and cover vent pipes with wire-mesh and make sure that they are mosquito proof. The wells must be cleaned of vegetation, shrubs and disinfected with bleaching powder, regularly. Replace old worn out water pipelines with new ones,

where sewerage facilities are available, get connected to it.

Use Mosquito bed-nets to protect one self from mosquito bites. Boil drinking water, milk for at least 15 minutes. Wash hands with soap and water before usage and before feeding babies and avail services of the health department in emergency situations.

upcOming EvEnTS Rangoli workshop

PANJIM(HND): The Directorate of Art and Culture, Government of Goa will be organizing a five days workshop on Rangoli designing at Swami Vivekanand Society, Panjim from May 24 to 28 from 10 am to 5.30 pm every day.

The participants will be trained by a professional Gunvant Manjrekar from Mumbai in the beautiful technique of Rangoli.

Applications are invited from the candidate who has knowledge of Rangoli designing specially in Portraiture and Landscape.

Applicants will be shortlisted according to experience in the field. In total, only 25 participants will be admitted in the workshop. The participants at the above workshop shall be selected on first come first bases. The application should accompany with the photograph of the Rangoli designed by the applicant.

The application forms are available in the office of the Directorate of Art and Culture, Panaji-Goa. The interested applicant should submit the application form duly filled to the Department of Art and Culture, 5th Floor, Shrama Shakti Bhavan, Patto, Panjim on or before May 18 during office hours.

Leadership course

PANJIM(HND): Leadership and public speaking course will be organized on May 22 from 10 am to 11am at Institute of Personality Development, Pinto chambers, Block ‘A’, 2nd floor and conducted by Prof Agnel Crasto, Director of the Institute of Personality Development, Panjim. The duration is of 5 days only. Those interested may contact Prof Agnel Crasto on tel no 2435838, mob: 9420818302.

Prayer service at Sancoale

PANJIM(HND): Holy Mass for the sick with special prayers for a miraculous healing will be held at the shrine of Bl Joseph Vaz, Sancoale on May 14. The service will begin at 7.45 a m followed by the Holy Mass at 9 am. The sick will be prayed over for a miraculous healing through the intercession of Bl Joseph Vaz, the Patron of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman.

Mass for the sick with special prayers for a miracle will be organized on every 2nd Friday of the month. People with all kinds of sicknesses are welcome for the service.

Friday Masses are as follows: 7 am and 8.45 am at the Sanctuary and evening Mass at the Oratory of Paternal House of Bl Joseph Vaz at 4 pm. Terminally sick are prayed over on every Friday from 10 am to 12 noon.

Childless couples, pregnant mothers and kids are prayed over on every 3rd Sunday of the month at 9 am.

Sunday Masses are held at the Sanctuary at 7 am and 9 am and weekday at 7 am. Priest is available at the Sanctuary on Wednesdays for confessions and spiritual guidance from 9 am to 12 noon, says a press release.

Vedic mathematical classes

PANJIM(HND): Siddharth Seva Pratishthan will conduct Vedic mathematics classes for those who wish to learn the easiest, shortest and magical techniques of solving mathematical problems, from May 17 to 22, between 5.30 pm to 7 pm, at Siddharth Bandodkar Bhavan, Opp Shri Mahalakshmi Temple, Siddharth Seva Pratishthan, 2nd floor, Panjim.

Readers may please note that as limited seats are available, admissions on first-come-first-service will be provided. Interested candidates can contact Parshuram Kerkar on 9270159090/9822170808/9764631590.

Personality development

PANJIM(HND): Siddharth Seva Pratishthan will be conducting ‘Personality Development Course’ for the students of 8th, 9th and 10th std. The tenure of the course will be from May 17 to 22. The timings are 9 am to 11:30 am. The topics to be dealt with are public speaking, music and theatre art.

The venue for the course is Siddharth Bandodkar Bhavan, Opp Shri Mahalakshmi temple, Siddharth Seva Pratishthan, 2nd floor, Panjim.

Those who are interested in joining can contact Shri Parshuram Kerkar on 9270159090/9822170808/9764631590.

Physically challenged inmates visit senior citizens HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, MAY 12

A group of twenty physically challenged inmates form Shri Veereshwar Punya Ashram, Davangere visited Senior Citizens of Recreation Centre Pedda Margao.

They were on tour of Goa and visited temples, churches etc before visiting the centre. They exhibited their talents in playing musical instruments e.g. tabla, harmonium and entertained sr citizens by singing devotional songs. Sr Citizens spent a wonderful evening and advised them to face all the challenges and come out with flying colors. The efforts of the authorities of Ashram were also complimented.

They left Goa with sweet memories and smile on their face. Lion Anil Gadvi, Lions Club of Margao planned for their tour in Goa, says a press release issued here.

POWER SHUTDOWN MAY 13 TALEIGAO: Between 9 am to 2:30 pm. Areas affected are Landscape Shire, Models Celebrity, Monteiro site, Madkaikar Nagar, Bhatlem area around Dutta Mandir and surrounding areas.

PANJIM: Between 9 am to 3 pm. Areas affected are El-dorado Plaza, Lar-Commercial, Old market and nearby surrounding areas.

BAMBOLIM: Between 9 am to 2 pm. Areas affected are New Cujira, Ohm society and surrounding areas.

VALPOI: Between 9.30 am to 5.30 pm. Areas affected are on Bhironda feeder and City feeder. Areas affected are entire Village Panchayat Bhironda, Village Panchayat Guleli and Khotode entire area of Valpoi Municipal Council.

MAY 14 CALANGUTE: From 9 am to 5 pm. Areas affected are Dongorpur, Naika waddo and surrounding areas.

TALEIGAO: Between 9 am to 2:30 pm. Areas affected are Esmeralda Complex, Vodlem Bhat and surrounding areas.

BAMBOLIM: Between 9 am to 4 pm. Areas affected are Mestabhatt, Carmichem Bhatt, Bhuttem Bhatt, Alua Hotel, Chamunda Enclave, Bondir, Football ground, St. Cruz V P Library and surrounding areas.

MAY 15 ASSOLDA: From 9.30 am to 2.30 pm. Areas affected are Amona, Avedem, Cottombi and Assolda.

TALEIGAO: Between 9 am to 2:30 pm. Areas affected are Csailem Bhat, Part of Cardozwaddo and surrounding areas.

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80 per cent cast votes in E-bike with battery Belgaum district p’yat polls cannot be called bicycle, rules HC PTI MUMBAI, MAY 12

Villagers standing in queue for voting at a village near Belgaum.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT BELGAUM, MAY 12

Elections to Gram Panchayat in Belgaum district were held on Wednesday, as several stray incidents of violence were witnessed in some parts of the district.

According to district administration, an average 80 per cent polling was registered in Belgaum district when preliminary reports from all the talukas came till Wednesday evening.

Deputy Commissioner J Ravishankar said the election in the district had been peaceful barring some petty untoward incidents.

Like never before all the political parties have taken the elections very seriously as all MLAs and leaders of all the political parties were seen rallying around the polling booth areas as a last ditch attempt to woo the voters.

According to sources, supporters of Congress and BJP entered into a fierce clash at a village in Hukkeri taluka late Tuesday night. However, timely intervention by police stopped the clash from getting worse.

It is learnt that police had a tough time in controlling a mob that went berserk due to rising number of people in the queue at a polling booth at

Shadow leather puppet play facing near death

Photo by Louis Rodrigues

Naslapur village. The police had to resort to mild lathi charge to pacify the mob.

Villagers of Mirwanatti, Hukkeri taluka, boycotted the election in protest against the failure of the government to take up developmental works in the village.

Mirwanatti is one of the most neglected villages with virtually no basic infrastructure. The villagers had urged the local administration to provide basic facilities in their village on many occasions but in vain. Unhappy over the continued neglect, the entire villager stayed away from GP elections.

Three girls drown PTI AHMEDABAD, MAY 12

Three girls died after drowning in an irrigation canal in Umargaon taluka of Valsad district of south Gujarat, police said here today.

The incident took place yesterday evening when the three girls - Neha Pagi (10), Nikita Pagi (5) and Raveen Dhapu (9) had gone for bathing in the canal outside their village Daheli in Umargaon, they said.

PTI KOCHI, MAY 12

Time constraints and pace of modern life have led to the near death of 'Tolpavakoothu', a slow-moving leather puppet shadow play of the Ramayana, which has enthralled generations of Keralites.

"Tolpavakoothu has lost audiences because it tells the story over several days and the performance is held only at koothumadams (exclusive halls built for the show)," M Lakshamana Pulavar, a leading artiste of the fading performing art, told PTI. He also felt that the slew of television programmes and cinema had to a certain extent led to lack of patronage of this art.

Tolpavakoothu, with its origins in Bhagavati temples in Palakkad district, is an peculiar ritualistic art form worshipped by the people of Kerala as the mother goddess. The play is performed from January to May in front of Bhagavati temple.

The Tolpavakoothu traditionally enacts Kamba Ramayana (a Tamil epic written by Kamban in the 12th century based on Valmiki's Ramayana in

Sanskrit,describing King Rama's life using a dialect of Tamil, with an admixture of Sanskrit and Malayalam.

The duration of the play ranges from 16 to 41 days. It is also believed that the goddess used to remain awake throughout the night and listen to the 'koothu'.

The story is told using over 75 intrinsically designed puppets made out of deer or buffalo skin. Musical instruments like 'ilathaalam', 'sankh' and 'chenda' are used during the enactment, as also the spoken word.

The puppets are moved by puppeteers behind a white screen against a background of 21 wick lamps. Shadows falling on the screen from behind create the illusion of a dynamic play. Words delivered in a stylised way supply the dialogues and the narration.

Scenes like Lord Rama breaking the bow before marrying Sita, Hanuman carrying Rishabadri with Mritha sanjeevani medicinal plants, fights between Bali and his brother Sugriva and Ram-Ravana are depicted with precision.

Man murdered by brother HERALD CORRESPONDENT BELGAUM, MAY 12

A 32-year-old man was allegedly murdered by his brother due to political rivalry during the elections on Wednesday morning.

According to reports, political rivalry between two brothers who were supporting different political parties ended with the death of Vitthal

Saudatti.

According to police sources, Vitthal was allegedly murdered

by Basavaraj and four of his friends in the wee hours of Wednesday.

The incident resulted in the boycott of polls at Bilkundi village in Gokak taluka, where the incident took place. A case has been registered with the Gokak police.

Police taking Lankan Tamils to TN PTI KOLLAM (KERALA), MAY 12

A group of Sri Lankan nationals picked up last week from a lodge here for staying in the country without valid travel documents, are being taken to a refugee camp in Tamil Nadu after completion of detailed questioning, police said today.

Police and Intelligence Bureau officials, who questioned them since Friday last, did not find them having any terrorist links, they said.

A member of the group,

Dennis alias Kumar was arrested on May 9 after he was found to have links with a local travel firm allegedly engaged in human trafficking.

The firm had offered to transport 38 Lankan Tamils, including five women and as many children, to Australia, sources said.

While some of them arrived here through the sea route from Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, others reached by flight through Kochi, the officials said.

Any vehicle which uses a source of energy can not be called a 'bicycle', the High Court has held in a sales tax dispute.

Division bench of Justices V C Daga and K K Tated held that for the purpose of taxation, what is popularly known as "Ebike"-- a battery-powered bicycle -- can not be taxed at the same rate as an ordinary bicycle.

Thane-based K K Rim Private Ltd had filed an application before the sales tax commissioner in 2007, contending that the bicycle produced by it, namely "Model Matrix" (also called "E-Bike Matrix"), should be taxed at the rate of 4 per cent, like ordinary bicycles.

Model Matrix comes fitted with a battery, which can be used alongwith manual pedalling to run it. However, it had submitted a certificate given by Automotive Research Association of India, to the effect that it was not a motor-vehicle.

However, both the Sales Tax Commissioner as well as the Appellate Tribunal said that this product can not be deemed to be a bicycle, but would be taxed at the same rate as an electrical battery, i.e.

12 per cent.

The company filed appeal in the High Court.

The High Court upheld the argument of Sale Tax authorities, saying that "if a vehicle runs with the help of any energy then the same cannot be termed as "bicycle".

"For the purpose of charging sales tax we have to consider the plain meaning of bicycle in common parlance. In common parlance a bicycle is a pedal driven, human powered, single track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other," the court said.

The High Court also pointed out that if e-bike was to be taxed at 4 per cent, it would create a "anomalous situation" because electrical batteries per se were taxed at 12 per cent.

KLE University’s convocation on Saturday HERALD CORRESPONDENT BELGAUM, MAY 12

The first convocation of KLE University will be held at Dr B S Jirge Auditorium, JNMC Campus, Belgaum, on May 15.

On the occasion, the University will confer degrees, diploma and certificates to the gold medalists and the successful students, coming from India and abroad.

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Dr D P Agrawal will be the chief guest for the Convocation and will deliver the convocation address. Chancellor Dr Prabhakar Kore will preside over the convocation.

The KLE University was granted deemed university status by the Government of India (Ministry of Human Resource

Development) in April 2006.

Registrar of the University Dr P F Kotur said KLE University is the first deemed university in India to get accredited with ‘A’ grade by National Assessment & Accreditation Council (NAAC) under the new CGPA system.

Speaking further, Dr Kotur said under the guidance of MP and Chancellor of the University Dr Prabhakar Kore, the KLE University has earned international reputation and recognition in the field of academics and research by entering into Memorandum of Understanding with reputed universities and Iinstitutions, within India and abroad. At present, there are six constituent units under its ambit.

Gandhi statue broken at Chandrapur PTI NAGPUR, MAY 12

A statue of Mahatma Gandhi was found broken and brought down from pedestal at Chikhali village of Chandrapur district, police said.

The incident came to light early today when the matter was reported at around 0530 hours, they said. Tension prevailed in the area and soon police rushed to the spot.

A peace meeting of villagers

has been convened to defuse the tension and a search has been launched to look out for the culprit, Police Inspector S Reddiwar, told PTI. The situation is however calm, he added.

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Vast difference between real, fake encounter: Cong to BJP PTI AHMEDABAD, MAY 12

Congress party on Wednesday reminded the Modi government that "there is a vast difference between genuine and fake encounters and the state government has admitted that Gujarat police carried out fake encounter in Gujarat.

"The state government, in its affidavit and action taken reports (ATR) filed in the Supreme Court during the hearing in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh case, admitted that he was killed in a fake encounter by Gujarat and Rajasthan police and his wife Kauserbi was also killed by the cops," leader of opposition Shaktisinh Gohil said at a press brief-

ing here.

According to Gohil, the ruling party in the state now wants to politicise the issue of fake encounter which is being probed by the CBI as per the direction of the Supreme Court, which had shown displeasure over the way Gujarat police investigated the case.

Gujarat Congress president Siddharth Patel charged the BJP of politicising the Sohrabuddin case.

"Gujarat police arrested as many as 19 police officials including four IPS officers in fake encounter case of Sohrabuddin and Tulsi Prajapati, but the BJP was not bothered. Now with arrest of one IPS officer by the

Telgi gets 7 yrs rap for conspiring with police PTI NEW DELHI, MAY 12

A Delhi Court on Wednesday sentenced fake stamp paper scam kingpin Abdul Karim Telgi to seven years imprisonment for entering into criminal conspiracy with public servants, including a Delhi Police Inspector, during 1999 to 2001 to influence investigation into the cases.

Special CBI judge P S Teji also imposed a total fine of Rs 1 lakh on Telgi.

The court had on April 26 held him guilty of various offences including criminal conspiracy and giving false evidence under the IPC and other offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The proceedings of the court were held through video-conferencing as Telgi is now lodged in a Bangalore jail.

Telgi who is afflicted with HIV was told of his sentence by the judge through the video-conferencing.

According to CBI's chargesheet, Telgi had conspired with inspector Puran Singh, subinspector Gaurav Aggarwal, head constable Om Prakash and constables Sanjay Bajaj and Ratan Singh during 1999-2001.

Singh, who was then probing a case of fake stamps registered at Defence Colony police station in south Delhi, had been accused of taking bribes from Telgi.

The court is conducting proceedings relating to framing of charges against Singh and other accused in the case as they had pleaded not guilty and claimed trial.

The court fixed June 2 as the next date of hearing in the matter.

CBI, BJP is out with mischievious and baseless allegations against the investigation agency," Patel while responding to BJP's charges said.

He and Gohil emphasised that UPA, Congress or the Centre have nothing to do with the CBI investigation in the case which was ordered by the Apex Court.

It may be noted that BJP has alleged that the Centre is "misusing the CBI" in the Sohrabuddin case in order to disturb the Modi government in the state.

Today, BJP workers from across the state are holding protest and submitting memorandum to the district collectors in all the districts in the state.

Bangladeshi held in Delhi PTI NEW DELHI, MAY 12

A 22-year-old Bangladeshi national allegedly involved in at least 23 cases of burglary and vehicle thefts were arrested here, police said on Wednesday.

Mohd Masoom was apprehended from Pragati Vihar Hostel area when he was trying to dispose off a new computer set in a shop yesterday, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) H G S Dhaliwal said.

With his arrest, police have solved 23 cases of burglary, theft, snatching and vehicle thefts and recovered a flat screen HCL computer, gold chain, mobile phones, SIM cards, memory cards and a stolen motorcycle, the DCP said.

Masoom, who resides in Jama Masjid area, hails from Moted Paar village in Bangladesh's Bagerhut district. He could not produce any document of stay in India and hence has been prosecuted under Foreigners Act also.

Scientists mull on transforming nuclear waste heat into power PTI MUMBAI, MAY 12

The large amount of heat, generated from nuclear waste, that would be stored in geological formations few years from now on, can be utilised to generate electricity (power) using binary cycle technology similar to Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), according to scientists.

"Considering the high level waste in geological repositories as anthropogenic EGS source, suitable canister designs can be developed with built-in heat exchangers within the canisters. And in view of the amount of heat generated by a small volume of high level radioactive waste, the capability of small volume of waste to generate high amounts of electric power is quite possible," Prof D Chandrasekharam, Chairman, GeoSyndicate (an incubated company of IIT Mumbai) said.

Chandrasekharam, a Professor in Earth Sciences Department presented a paper titled 'Can Geological Radioactive Waste Disposal Sites Be Used as EGS Sites?' at the World Geothermal Congress 2010 held at Bali in Indonesia in the last week of April along with Varun Chandrasekhar, MD Geosyndicate.

In the present concept since the heat generated from the canister is removed constantly by circulating water/binary fluid, the thermo-mechanical properties and physico-chemical reactions of the formations hosting the canister can be controlled for long periods of time and the temperature of the canister can be kept at a constant temperature.

Thus, the power plants built over such repositories can be online continuously for periods of 50 years and above, Chandrasekharam told PTI. "Therefore, using nuclear waste, which will be stored in deep geological repositories, in the same way as it is done in Enhanced Geothermal Systems, in the near future could reduce electricity demand and supply gap," he said.

The temperatures around the canisters often reach 250 Celsius and above, and affects the thermo mechanical properties of the host rocks.

This is a major problem in disposing high level waste, which can be put the advantage of the people, he said.

Nuclear waste generated in nuclear power plants that contains medium to high levels of radioisotopes are disposed of in deep geological strata after placing the waste in canisters made of material that ensures no leakage and is resistant to chemical reactions, the scientists said.

Deep geological disposal concepts are all based on placing the waste canisters in specially engineered facilities deep (often 400-900 metres) underground in carefully chosen geological strata, they said.

John Abraham kisses director's wife AGENCIES NEW DELHI, MAY 12

Tyrewala is first Hindi film director to shoot a kissing scene between wife Pakhi and John Abraham.

Abbas Tyrewala is not the first Indian director to pair his wife with an actor. The legendary V Shantaram directed his two wives, first Jayshree and then Sandhya in films co-starring himself and other actors.

In Abbas's 1-800-Love, he has filmed a kissing scene between his wife (also leading lady) Pakhi and lead actor John Abraham. That's a first for a Hindi film director.

The film is an intense love story, the screenplay of which had been penned by Pakhi, when she was in college. She had a massive crush on John in those days and had written the film with him and herself in mind.

Says Abbas, "Pakhi and John share a tremendous chemistry on screen. And I'm glad! Imagine, if they looked incompatible or anything less than made for each other! What would have happened to my film?!" The trick for Abbas was to leave his wife at home when he came on the sets.

Privilege issue against Karuna referred to panel PTI CHENNAI, MAY 12

Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker R Avudaiyappan on Wednesday referred a privilege issue raised

by AIADMK against Chief Minister M Karunanidhi to the Privileges Committee and suspended six of its members for two days when they created ruckus for not being allowed to discuss the matter.

The privilege issue against Karunanidhi for his statement on the wealth case against AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa was raised by her party Deputy Leader O Panneerselvam.

Avudaiyappan did not allow Panneerselvam to speak as he referred the matter to the Priv-

ileges Committee after Karunanidhi said he was prepared to give his reply before it.

Avudaiyappan suspended Senthil Balaji, D Jayakumar, S M Velusamy, VP Kalairajan, L Ravichandran and G Hari for May 12 and 13 after they raised slogans denouncing him and Karunanidhi urged the Speaker to punish them.

The AIADMK members raised slogans against Avudaiyappan while staging a walkout for not being allowed to debate the issue. Later, the House adopted a motion to suspend them.

Avudaiyappan said there was no need to debate the issue.

Karunanidhi said when a priv-

ilege issue was raised against a member, it was being done only to be referred to the Privileges Committee and therefore requested the Speaker to refer it "setting aside rules and regulations".

The suspended AIADMK members faced action for "disrupting the proceedings and bringing disrepute", Avudaiyappan said.

Karunanidhi had on Tuesday said that Jayalalithaa should explain to the people why she had adopted delaying tactics in the Rs 66 crore disproportionate assets case against her, after the Supreme Court dismissed her plea seeking quashing of the case.

OHERALDO

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OPINION

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O HERALD O

Goa A Haven For Nefarious Activities?

Vol No CX No: 124 Goa, Thursday 13 May, 2010

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Sena, vendors and Mapusa

he Shiv Sena, as is its wont, continues to rake up emotive yet futile stands that could enable the party with a dubious reputation to make it to the headlines. Its latest media space-earning gambit is to demand that “non-Goan” vendors go packing from the Mapusa market.

The Far Right political party founded in 1966 by cartoonist Bal “Balasaheb” Thackeray, and currently headed by his son Uddhav, started off by demanding a bigger role for “Marathis” in Maharashtra. But within Maharashtra itself, there are regional resentments. It is felt that the Marathas of Western Maharashtra (from regions like Pune, Nashik, Sangli, Kolhapur, Satara, Ahmednagar and Solapur) gained while those from the Konkan (Bombay, Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg districts) and Vidharbha lost out.

In its early campaigns, the Sena targeted South Indians, later North Indians and a variety of others. When the ‘sons of the soil’ cause weakened, it shifted to joining ranks with the Hindutva cause. It allegedly orchestrated violence against the Muslims, and played a role in the Mumbai riots following the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992.

As it tries to grow beyond Maharastra and get a pan-Indian base, its attempt to play on simmering ethnic sentiments in Goa comes as no surprise.

For a party with roots in Bombay to demand the ouster of “non-Goan vendors” from Mapusa is ironic. But, going by experience, you can fool most voters for most of the time, more so if one takes up emotive issues and create a spin around them.

Leaving aside the Sena’s own reputation back in Aamchi Mumbai, the stand it has taken throws up interesting issues.

The Sena’s case is that due to the “non-Goan vendors”, the business of Mapusa merchants and Goan vendors has been “affected badly”. Why shed tears only for the merchants? What about the consumers and their interests?

Goa is known to be a rather costly, high-inflation State. Part of the blame should definitely go to vendors who overcharge.

Following the laws of supply and demand, if vendors from neighbouring areas bring in their products for sale at more competitive prices, the consumer would only be grateful. As it is, consumers are treated with contempt, with long siesta breaks and rude talk.

There are other issues that need to be considered here too.

What about the federal nature of our country, and the principle of reciprocity? If Mapusa asks for the ouster of “non-Goan vendors”, then would States and cities were Goans are settled be justified in demanding likewise? For a State which has had a long and rich history of outmigration, Goa needs to be careful before allowing a bunch of hotheads to pour oil in the fire for their own political, selfish interests. If it is “non Goan” vendors targeted today, tomorrow it could be “non-Mapusa” ones. We have already seen this happen, to everyone’s peril, in the war between taxi drivers of North and South Goa, and those at the airport.

This is not to suggest that there are no issues when it comes to inter-State migration, or that the average man on the road does not feel the pinch. Part of the problem stems from the fact that political parties — not just the Shiv Sena — are quick to scapegoat migrants for every conceivable ill.

At the same time, the genuine problems that are part of this trend need to be addressed. If the local administration is eager to undertake corrupt deals with those who have no local roots — it’s safer than dealing with someone who knows everyone else here — then let’s take upcorruption as an issue.

Likewise, there is more than an element of truth in the growing perception that local politicians find it convenient to build money-fuelled vote-banks of hapless and poor migrant workers. This helps controversial politicians to win elections they didn’t deserve to, sets off locals versus migrants, and then only allows parties like the Shiv Sena to appear like the good guys out to clear a mess which it actually wants to take advantage of in the first place.

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Corruption in Goa has reached its peak, in the last decade or thereabouts asserts FREDDY DIAS

he Union Home Ministry, New Delhi, has started compiling data regarding movable and immovable properties, shares and other assets held by the officers of central and state governments including Police, Customs, Port Trusts and other central and state undertakings.

The data collection has been extended to cover up even properties held by wives and other relations of the officers. ‘Goa’s laws consider husband-wife properties, as one entity!

The information collected from the Home Departments of various states, particularly through Vigilance Cells, is being computerized to keep watch over certain officials and politicians in connection with various allegations being made regarding the growing corruption in the public sector, even affecting the security of the Country.

In Goa, there is a law already in place, to book corrupt public men, including politicians.

Huge amounts of ‘black money’ laundering is being done in places like Goa, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore and Cochin in the western zone, whilst Kolkata, Hyderabad and Chennai in the eastern sector of the country. In the northern states, New Delhi has emerged as the big centre for black money laundering. It has come to the notice of the Union Home Ministry, that smugglers, drug peddlers, human traffickers, bootleggers and others in the underworld mafia, have close connections with the politicians, bureaucrats, police, customs officers in different states.

In Goa too, the information is being collected about the wealth of officers and politicians so that their underworld connections will be known.

A large number politicians, bureaucrats and other officers are being investigated for holding huge amounts of money and other assets in their own names and in the names of their close relatives, besides ‘benami’ holdings.

Corruption in the state government departments and some central government undertakings in Goa has reached its peak, in the last decade or thereabouts, and large sums of black money belonging to criminal elements from within the state and from outside, are being freely deposited in various banks, particularly co-operative banks, with the help of government functionaries in wanton violation of Income tax rules and regulations.

Huge amounts of money belonging to smugglers, drug peddlers, human traffickers and others

Sound Of Silence indulging in similar criminal activities, some criminals even being from New Delhi and elsewhere, besides those from Goa, are unlawfully kept hidden in banks and other financial institutions, which have been increasingly mushrooming in the State, in the last few years. The laundering of huge amounts of the black money in Goa is said to be the primary cause of the rampant corruption and constant instability in the governance of the State.

Realizing the phenomenon, the Union Government had sent a special team of revenue officials from Bangalore and Mumbai to investigate certain tax evasion cases and corruption matters in Goa that have come to the notice of the authorities in New Delhi. It is quite known that some residents of Goa have emerged as big financiers of Hindi films in Mumbai.

Besides, the large number of sophisticated cars and other fancy vehicles sold in Goa, is a clear indication that people are really moneyed. Most of these vehicles are registered in the names of relatives and friends, by the actual owners in a bid to avoid getting detected for tax evasion. This too has caught the attention of the authorities.

During the last few months, the special investigation team has unearthed large sums of money stacked in certain banks and financial institutions by politicians, bureaucrats, customs officers, police officers and even senior mem-

bers of judiciary, in their own individual accounts as well as in the accounts of their close relatives. In fact, the investigators have managed to collect a substantial amount of concrete material evidence by way of bank records and other relevant documents in a large number of specific cases wherein crores of rupees have been hidden in financial institutions, particularly the co-operative banking institutions, in violation of income tax norms and other laws and regulations, by people holding high positions in different departments of the state administration, including the judiciary.

Besides the large sums of unaccounted money stacked in banks and other financial institutions, some of these high-profiled individuals have cornered prime landed properties worth crores of rupees in various parts of Goa and other Konkan areas of Maharashtra. Investigation also revealed that general cases, of both criminal and civil nature, in various courts in the state, were not getting proper action due to corruption in the law-enforcement agencies, the bureaucracy and the judiciary.

In the recent years, the prices of land and other properties in Goa have shot up giving indication to the authorities that large amount of money is being invested by black money holders from other parts of the country and even

abroad in this tiny state. Officials of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), presently probing into the properties purchased by foreigners in Goa, have pointed out that majority of the 350 and odd properties were purchased in violation of Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).

According to ED officials, 50 companies with foreign directors and 300 and odd individual cases are being investigated for FEMA violations.

The investigators have not ruled out the possibility of money invested illegally from foreign tax havens to purchase properties in Goa in connivance with those at the helm of the state administration. Investigation is also being carried out to pin point whether the money invested in property purchase is part of proceeds of the illicit drug trade, which is the single most important source of black money generation in the state.

Meanwhile, during the last month or so, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested several officers of Customs & Central Excise (C&CE) in Goa for their involvement in under valuation of import duties on three imported consignments of M/s Adani Exports (now named Adani Enterprises) Ahmedabad, thus causing the government a loss of Rs 1.07 crores. The CBI initiated the action in connection with a criminal case registered on April 25, 2008, under Section 120-B read with Section 420 of the IPC and Section 13(2) read with 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, against ten officials of the C&CE and some private parties namely M/s Adani Enterprises, Ganesh Benzoplast Ltd, Mumbai, and a clearing firm M/s J.A.F. Leitao & Sons, Goa. The charge is that the ten C&CE officers in conspiracy with the private parties, dishonestly and by abuse of their official position, facilitated importation by undervaluing import duties during 2005-06, on two consignments of naphtha and one consignment of furnace oil. The scam detected was to the tune of Rs 1.07 crores, of which Rs 88 lakhs were in the form of excise tax evasion and the rest was regarding warehouse facilities. The CBI officials are, however, suspecting that the racket of undervaluation of import duties on importation of different consignments in Goa has been going on for quite a long time, and that the present case is Just a tip of a huge iceberg of corruption involving the C&CE officers in the State.

Mother nature’s treasures

Those were the days

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he grass is always greener between the bricks and stones, coming from the concrete cracks or right in the middle of the flower bed!

Ignoring this fact of life, we embark on the heartbreaking and back breaking adventure of trying to make lawns look like brightgreen indoor-outdoor carpeting. We try everything from weed killers to complete ground enrichment programmes. And what do we get for all our troubles? The opportunity to spend the lazy crazy evenings working to cut down what we have encouraged to grow up!

And that is only if our programming worked. If it did not work, in addition to mowing we also have to start enriching again, trying to “enhance” all that brown stuff that was supposed to turn green.

Somewhere it all seem to fit in with the well-publicized love for the green! And, as I said before, no matter what we do to it, the grass always grows best only in those places where we do not want it. Each blade of grass keeps thrusting up beside its neighbour, vying for footing, jostling for light, for sun-warmth as it prepares its seed sheath already to acknowledge its destiny. Between the

spears, purple ground-ivy weaves, claiming space. And golden dandelion-coins reflect the sun as they, too, crowd the grass for standing-room only. But may be this pre-occupation or occupation of grass growing is worth it after all. Even a 20-foot-square plot of grass supplies enough oxygen to keep an adult breathing. If combed that same lawn would contain millions of separate plants. It is frustrating to know that all these plants are busily pumping clean air and water into our atmosphere almost as fast as we are polluting it!

The abundance of sun and rain foster the growth of thousands of species or plants, flowers and trees, each with its own mechanism for survival. There are flowers which give off certain smell to attract insects to pollinate them.

So, as you cut the green grass, grieve over the brown and pull all that in between the stones, ask yourself if you work as hard as the grass does to replenish the air around you. Or have you been polluting it?

We have overwhelming evidence that we are in the midst of pollution crisis. Alarms have begun to sound. It has become more

By Marc de Souza

evident how many deaths are linked directly to the level of carbon emission in the air we breathe.

When I look into my heart I find several factors that block a more effective response to our suffering earth. I like our modern conveniences. But they cost us mightily in terms of the earth’s resources. Our squandering of natural resources and our abuse even of other humans in the process is part of our way of life. Changing it will be a vast undertaking.

First there is simple laziness and lack of attention. Laziness, negligence, rationalisation and fear are all habits of the heart that reveal how much is needed conversion. Conversion begins with little steps. Are you one of the brown-and-downers who never see the bright side? Or are you one of the sunny-side ups who cheer and encourage everyone else? Were you programmed to look at the dark side instead of seeing the light? No matter how your ‘roots’ were fertilized, it is never late to change. Human beings can reprogramme themselves if they really and truly want to do it.

I guess that is the secret of all success - really and truly wanting to do it.

Letters to the Editor Rethink on celibacy Michael Vaz, Merces It is heartening to realise that the Catholic Church is slowly coming to terms and is beginning to accept that the child abuse in the church hierarchy was a reality and not a fiction. It is unfortunate that in some of the European countries as well as in USA, Canada and Australia there were several cases of child abuse that remained concealed over several decades and even when some light was thrown on them every effort was made by the church to conveniently camouflage the facts.

It is a great step forward that the church while seeking forgiveness from the faithful for its acts has recognized that forgiveness cannot be a substitute for justice. Whereas we do acknowledge that such cases are in the minuscule, it would be right and just on the part of the church to do a thorough rethinking on its celibacy code, which has been underscored by various groups since decades, instead of plainly evading the truth.

100 Years Ago PRIMEIRO DIARIO NAS COLONIAS PORTUGEZAS

13 May, 1910 • From the pages of history it is found that in 1746 the Count of Assomar conquered the Fortresses of Bicholim and Sanquelim.

• The Bubonic Plague is gradually abating from its intensity at various places in India.

• The bacteriological laboratory at Mukhteshwar which was razed to the ground by a devastating fire last year, is being re-constructed.

• A fire took place at Candolim at the residence of a poor fisherman destroying nearly everything.

• The news which was published earlier regarding the relocation of the English medium school from Arpora to Parra has not confirmed as yet.

It is a good relief to the catholic community in our country that no such cases have been reported from any quarters in India.

Augment water supply Prof Robert Castellino, Calangute Local residents of Calangute, receive tapwater every alternate day. The supply is erratic and woefully inadequate for the requirements of an average sized family. As an important tourist centre, Calangute generates a lot of revenue, a small part of which may be set aside for augmenting water supply to the harried residents. Locals should not be equated with tourists, who rely on beer and Bisleri / bottled water to quench their thirst.

Proper guidelines needed Stephen Dias, Dona Paula The recent instructions by District Magistrate (DM) to all the hotel management in Goa that their guests, before check-in, should provide photo ID such as smart card, election card, ATM card or any other photo ID issued by recognized authority which can be accepted by the hotel management.

This order has come in wake of terror threat in the country, especially in Goa. Fine, but the order does not say in case the guests do not have the necessary photo identity card before check-in the hotel, whether they need to get the clearance from the local police or denied of check– in? There are lots of genuine tourists who do not carry with them any kind of photo ID card, and in that case Goa tourism will be affected. I agree that in the wake of terror attacks some proper instructions are needed to be issued, but who will seriously implement them? Whether there will be a register kept in the reception of the hotel with the xerox copy of the ID card as record proof, or whether any authority will scrutinize these registers from time to time?

Now, regarding certain photo identities mentioned by the DM, for example ATM, the banks do not issue with photo ID ATM card, and in that case how this can be accepted? Therefore, there should be proper guidelines and clear instructions to the hotel management in Goa, whether one star to seven stars or no star, should restrict

Letter of the Day Tackle naxals with iron hand

Er Jayesh Shrikant Rane, Mumbai

This refers to the report ‘No military action against naxals: PC’ (Herald, May 13). Really, it should be good news for naxals, but bad news for all Indians.

Day by day, the power of naxalists is increasing in India. In one month, they have targeted Chhattisgarh twice but the Union Home Minister P Chidambaram says naxalism is under control, when the reality is we are still debating how to control it. Please, Mr Chidambaram, tell us what your definition of naxalism is?

History which gives bad experience should not be repeated, but in case of India it is quite the opposite as history is getting repeated in case of naxalist, terrorist issues.

The past experiences have shown that our enemy is more alert than us. Now, it is high time, India acts fast and takes military help to tackle naxals. Since our enemies know very well they can’t win an open war against India, they are disturbing us through internal attacks.

When the problem of terrorism started, the Indian government was slow to respond to tackle it and now it has grown beyond control and become a headache for the people. This casual approach by the politicians is putting the lives of Indians at risk.

If a similar delay is caused in dealing with naxals, then they will get time to rebuild their network and the result will be similar to terrorism. Ones their network gets strong, then the losing of jawans’ lives will be a daily affair. It is high time India shows its enemy that this country is not a place for bloodbath. accepting the guests, and in case the photo identity card is not genuine, they could be asked to get NOC from the concerned police station.

In lieu of proper instructions from DM or having loopholes on ID cards may result accepting these guests or terrorists officially in the hotels in Goa.

Illiterate bus conductors!

Nelson Sequeira, by email Your newspaper report dated the May 11, quotes the General Secretar y Sudip Tamankar of all Goa Private Bus Owners Association as follows: Most of our conductors are illiterate and hence cannot read what exactly is been mentioned on the card. They see the card and charge half ticket. The stamps of our association or of KTCL will help them in identifying the valid cards.

The provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act clearly states that: A person of 18 years of age who has passed Std VIIth can apply for conductor’s license. Therefore no illiterate person is eligible for a conductor’s license.

Will the Road Transport authority kindly take note of Tamankar’s statement and take action against all persons working illegally as bus conductors?

India’s T20 shame Mauro Fernandes, Anjuna Shame, shame, shame, is the least one can describe India’s disastrous performance in the ongoing T20 Cricket World Cup. We could not even reach the semis and I reckon we played only slightly better than Afghanistan.

Let us accept that the Indian team is no world beater, but a fairly ordinary average team which can perform only on placid tracks. It is the media which has hyped the team to be among the best in the world.

On a slightly bouncy track at Bridgetown, our famed batting lineup simply crashed like a pack of cards against the Aussies and Windies pace attack. It showed our vulnerability against top class pace attack on fast tracks. To make matters worse our bowlers were simply slaughtered by the opposition.

Dhoni’s captainship has left a lot to be desired. It is inexplicable to elect to field after winning the toss when you are playing with only three frontline bowlers. And the worse thing to have happened to the Indian team in the last one year is Ravindra Jadeja cementing his place in the team.

One wonders what special he has done that he has been hardly left out of the playing eleven and I wonder why Irfan Pathan is out of the team when he is definitely a better all-rounder. Is Dhoni playing politics?

The Indian team looked out of sorts and jaded. It was clearly the after-effects of the now infamous IPL. You just cannot play a world cup five days after the gruelling IPL without any practice matches. Honestly the IPL has not improved the standard of the game in the country. It has only filled the coffers of the BCCI and pockets of players and some individuals.

Fr Thomas: A shining star Fr Joaquim Fernandes, Aldona The news of the tragic death of Fr Thomas Fernandes, Asst Parish Priest of Nuvem Church, was a bolt from the blue. I couldn’t believe my ears when one of my friends phoned to me. After having accepted it as the will of God, all I could say was “The Lord has given, the Lord has taken away, Blessed be the name of the Lord”.

Fr Thomas though short in stature, yet he was tall in reaching out to others, for he has shed his blood to save the life of others. Ben Johnson, the Elizabethan Poet, in one of his poem, ‘The Oak and the Lily’ aptly describes the impact the lily flower creates on the society inspite of its short life span.

Without any exaggeration, Fr Thomas, in a nutshell, is like a lily flower without any guile, full of charm, energy, joy; all in all, purity and simplicity of lily flower personified.

In the present-day controversy-ridden cloudy atmosphere, where the integrity of the Priests is questioned in the recent past, the life of Fr Thomas emerges like a shining star dispelling the gloom of misunderstanding about priests and leaving behind him a trail of virtues and values for all the priests to follow.

Paths of Wisdom The King and the Sage

By Sri Chinmoy Once there was a king who was always fighting. One day he was seriously wounded in a battle. A sage passed by and touched him, and the king was cured. He wanted to give the sage a reward for saving him, but the sage didn’t want anything.

The king said, “I don’t want to be indebted to you.”

The sage said, “In the future I’ll ask for something. I don’t need anything now, but one day I’ll come.”

Months passed and the sage was praying to God one day for peace, light and bliss, when a desire entered his mind. For the past few months his cow had not been producing milk. “She’s old,” he said. “I’ll ask the king for a new cow.”

He went to see the king and found him in a temple. He was praying for more wealth and more fame.

The sage said to himself, “I won’t ask him for a cow. He’s a beggar like me.” And he turned to leave.

The king stopped him and said, “Sage, you saved my life. Please tell me what you want. I’ll give you anything.”

The sage said, “I pray to God and meditate. He is all I need. I don’t want to take anything from anyone in need.

You told me you took an oath that you would not be indebted to anyone. I, too, have taken an oath. My oath is that if anyone is in need, then I won’t take anything from that person. That’s why I won’t take anything from you.

You’re praying to God for material things. You’re begging for God to give you wealth and fame. So how can I ask anything of you? God has shown me that everyone is a beggar. So if I need something, I’ll get it from Him.”

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.

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opinionated The crisis in the Church

By Zenia Mascarenhas

T

oday’s clerical scandals are not because of mandatory celibacy nor are they because we do not have women priests. Rather they are the result of the negligence of the pastors for ignoring the prophecies of Fatima. The Third Secret of Fatima contains among other things the great “Apostasy” that will begin in the Church. Its very leaders, Cardinals, Bishops, Priests cause scandals within and without the Church, heretical statements are proclaimed and immorality practised such as homosexuality, paedophilia, abortion, contraceptives and divorce just to name a few.

These scandals we now face because Catholic laity and Catholic leaders have not fulfilled the requests of Our Lady of Fatima. The crisis in the Church has been mentioned in the The Third Secret Of Fatima The scandal in the Church is a clear sign that we are all being chastised. Because God is angry with his people, he has allowed these evil clergy men in among us. It is disturbing to consider that homosexuals successfully targeted the Catholic Church for infiltration. The scandal is a terrible thing, outrageous and we must protest against it at every level in the Church in public and in private. We must also do penance. Because we are not doing penance socially, publicly, many priests are not getting sufficient graces to be holy and enlightened to lead their flock.

The Gospel of (Luke 13:3) states, “Unless you do penance, you shall perish likewise”!

When God permits such a scandal it is a very positive proof that he is very angry with his people and is visiting his most dreadful anger upon them. In (Jer 3:14-15) he says, “Return, O ye revolting children and I will give you pastors according to my own heart”.

The scandal is a wake up call to each and every one of us to do penance. We have infiltration of all kinds of people into the priesthood because we have stopped doing penance. We do not pray and sacrifice enough for them.

We go along with our Religious leaders more than evident signs and miracles that god has given us through the Message of Fatima. The sin of our time is that the Message of Fatima is ignored.

Our Lady told Lucia that God would chastise the world in a terrible manner. The punishment from Heaven is imminent.

The chastisement is worse than any material chastisement.

This Apostasy is the consequence of people ignoring, not believing, disobeying and not fervently promoting the full Message of Fatima. The Most Holy Virgin told Lucia that Her Immaculate Heart is very sad because no one has paid any attention to her message neither good nor bad. The good continue on their way but without giving importance to her message. The bad not seeing the punishment of God actually falling upon them continues their life of sin without even caring about the message.

Pope John Paul II once said at Fatima that “the world has gone in the opposite direction of the one indicated by Our Lady of Fatima”.

It is time now that each one of us reforms ourselves spiritually.

Each person must not only save his soul but also the souls that God has placed in our path. We shall all be saved together or all be damned together. The Message of Fatima is a call to conversion and consecration. Jesus told Lucia that he wants to establish devotion to the Immaculate Heart of His Mother and place this devotion next to His Most Sacred Heart Devotion.

In 1975, Sr. Lucy said that God would punish the world in a terrible manner, even worse than the enslavement of nations by the communist tyrants. Her mission she said was not to tell the world of the material chastisements that are yet to take place if we do not amend. Her mission is to tell everyone that we are all going to hell if we do not amend.

Sister Lucy was silenced for 42 years with impossible restrictions so that she does not tell the whole Message of Fatima to the public even though it was consigned to her to give to the people. She was bound by ‘Holy Obedience’ to maintain her silence.

In (Apocalypse 12:4) we read that the dragon’s tail swept down a third of the stars of Heaven and cast them to the earth.

One-third of the stars here refers to one-third of the clergy who are the stars of Heaven have been dragged down by the devil and his co-workers- the Masons, Communists, Homosexual networks who are now working for the devil himself and not for God. What inflicts the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of His Mother Mary are the souls of religious going to hell.

When the Blessed Virgin visited Fatima, her messages were “Pray the rosary”, “Do penance” and “Consecrate yourselves to my Immaculate Heart”. She said, “My Immaculate Heart will be your Refugee, My Immaculate will be your comfort and the way it will lead you to God. Those that practice devotion to My Immaculate Heart will be as flowers placed by me before the throne of God”.

If anyone even needed the protection of the Immaculate Heart, it is you and I living in this perverse generation. If ever anyone needed to pray the Rosary everyday it is you and I living in this perverse generation. God help us all. The flame of our faith and the light of Fatima are still alive. We do not have to stand back helplessly and witness millions of souls sliding into hell. We were chosen to be here in this grave time of crisis in the Church and in the world. We were chosen to live in the era of the saving grace of Fatima. We are chosen to be Apostles for the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart.

Closer home the Blessed Virgin has visited Goa as Our Lady of Fatima in Batim to Yvetta Gomes a Canadian of Indian origin.

Last year on the 13th of May we all witnessed the “Eucharistic Miracle”, the “Miracle of the Sun” and the greatest of all miracles was that which followed the Miracle of the Sun. The apparition of the three shepherds in the sky, Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta and the appearance of Our Lady of Fatima holding the Infant Jesus, followed by the Holy family followed by Our Lady of Piety. My husband Colin captured it on our camera and I have distributed copies to one and all.

Our Lady of Fatima leads the way. We must obey her and support her by our prayers, sacrifices and by promoting devotion to Her Immaculate Heart. Avoid occasions of sin, bad movies and, pray the Rosary daily and wear the Brown Scapular. Obey the commandments of God and Percepts of the Catholic Church and support the two-thirds of the clergy who are good. Maintain the first five Saturdays of the month, go to confession, receive communion and keep Our Lady company for at least fifteen minutes reciting the Holy Rosary. Our Rosaries are all that she asks for all that she wants. The practice of saying the Holy Rosary will obtain the salvation of many souls.

St. Louis de Montfort in his book “Secret of Mary” has said that towards the end of time God will raise up great men full of the Holy Ghost and imbued with the Spirit of Mary, through whom this powerful Sovereign will work great wonders in the world. So as to destroy sin and to establish the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, Her Son, upon the ruins of the kingdom of this corrupt world and these holy men will succeed by means of this devotion. And in the End Her Immaculate Heart will Triumph!

The consecration begins on the 13th of July and the devotion is available in the office of the World Apostolate of Fatima. So why delay? What do we have to lose? Nothing. What do we gain? Heaven!

India concerned over thriving terror camps in Pak: Antony PTI NEW DELHI, MAY 12

India is concerned over thriving terror camps in Pakistan, but the bilateral talks between the two sides would continue, Defence Minister A K Antony today said.

"Still, more than 40 terror camps are working across the border still intact. It is a matter of concern to us. On that, Pakistan should take action to dismantle the terrorist outfits.

"That apart, dialogue will continue," Antony told reporters on the sidelines of a Defence Accounts Controllers conference here.

"Talks will continue. But at the same time, we are concerned about existence of more than 40 terror camps.

Pakistan must take sincere and strong action to dismantle terrorist outfits," he added.

To a query on the Defence Ministry appealing against a Delhi High Court order to accord permanent commission to women officers in the Army, Navy and Air Force, Antony said he would not "ignore" the views" of the armed forces on the matter.

He said after 60 years of India's independence, the government had in 2008 decided to accord permanent commission to women officers in seven streams of service in the armed forces for the first time.

" W e have taken another policy decision to include more streams (to provide permanent commission to women officers).

Before that there was no policy on this.

Also, I cannot ignore the view of the armed forces," he added.

On UPA-II completing one year on office, Antony said on the day the government completes one year, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would meet the media and talk about it.

Asked if a decision had been taken on the action against Navy Commodore Sukhjinder Singh, who had come under the scanner for his involvement with Russian women while posted in Moscow for Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier repair project, the minister said he was yet to receive the probe findings in the case.

BJP leaders court arrest protesting 'misuse' of CBI pTI NEW DELHI, MAY 12

Scores of BJP leaders and activists today courted arrest here while protesting the alleged misuse of CBI by central government.

Led by BJP Delhi chief O P Kohli and senior leader Vijay Goel, activists marched towards Parliament and courted arrest at Jantar Mantar where they held a public meeting.

Addressing the protestors Goel alleged that the UPA was "misusing" the CBI in giving clean chit to Ottavio Quattrocchi in Bofor's scandal and Jagdish Tytler in anti-Sikh riots.

He alleged that the government was not doing anything on the Rs 7,000 crore 2G Spec-

trum scam. "CBI is the only friend of the UPA government," he said.

"To save its government from defeat during the cut motions in the Lok Sabha, UPA asked the CBI to bring out files of Lalu Prasad, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati and coerced them to support the government," BJP National General Secretary and former MP Tawarchand Gehlot said.

He said misuse of CBI was tantamount to mutilating the Constitution.

BJP MPs had met President Pratibha Patil on May 7 and submitted a memorandum over alleged misuse of CBI by the government in the Sohrabuddin encounter case and against leaders facing disproportionate assets cases.

‘India not paranoid over China’ PTI NEW DELHI, MAY 12

Making it clear that India is not paranoid over China, Defence Minister A K Antony today said that Sino-Indian bilateral relations were improving and getting better, despite the border dispute.

"Nothing like that," was Antony's response to reporters' queries if the government was paranoid over China and if there was any problem or bad feeling about Beijing.

The government has taken a conscious policy decision to maintain "very cordial and friendly" relations with all the neighbours, he said while interacting with the media after inaugurating a conference of Defence Accounts Controllers here.

"In this context, we are trying to improve our relations with all our neighbouring countries and this includes China also. All are reciprocating well," he said.

Noting that Sino-Indian border disputes still existed, the Defence Minister said the two governments had evolved mechanisms to talk about these disputes.

appointments

appointments

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Russia may lift veil on N-arsenal REUTERS MOSCOW, MAY 12

Russia may lift the veil on its vast nuclear arsenal after a new strategic arms reduction treaty with the United States comes into force, a spokesman for Russia's foreign ministry said today.

The United States this month disclosed for the first time the size of its nuclear arsenal -- once a top secret figure during the Cold War with Soviet Union -in an effort to bolster non-proliferation efforts. ''We think that this step by Washington will increase transparency and consolidate trust between nuclear and non-nuclear states,'' Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Andrei Nesterenko told reporters.

FROM PAGE 1 CBI cracks down

that the CBI has raided the premises and seized barrels of diesel and oil.

Vasco reporter adds: The CBI team raided a place at Sancoale and seized petroleum products along with tanker, barrels and adulteration materials.

According to sources, while the team was raiding at Sancoale, CBI officers had to bear the brunt of the accused, who pelted stones on the officers.

The CBI team led by PI Rishi along with PS Surve, Anand Kolambkar, S C Malik and Sunil Satardekar raided illegal oil storage facility that houses two underground tanks in an isolated land belonging to Sancoale Communidade along the NH-17B, opposite Meta Copper factory, Sancoale.

Sources informed that two persons were operating the outlets in close proximity to each other on Communidade land at Sancoale.

The CBI team seized about 80 barrels of petroleum products, mostly furnace oil, while few barrels of petrol and diesel were buried in the ground to store oil illegally.

Interestingly, when the raid was going on, a tanker which had come to unload furnace oil also came under the scanner.

One youth was detained at the illegal oil storage facility. The youth is from Khariwado, Vasco and is suspected to be operating the illegal oil storage facility for his boss.

It is learnt that CBI has collected samples from all the seized goods, which would be sent for testing to ascertain adulteration of petroleum products.

The raid, which started in the afternoon, continued till late in the evening.

Atala’s ex-fiancée

revealed that one of her spycam videos had a leading politician’s son conducting transactions with drug dealers in Goa. The Crime Branch in an e-mail has now urged Lucky to cooperate with the police to find out if there was involvement of politicians in the narcotic drugs trade.

After Lucky uploaded the videos and the issue came to the press, Opposition Leader Manohar Parrikar raised the heat on the police by demanding the arrest of DySP Salgaonkar for trying to botch up the investigation to save a top politician. He demanded with the Government to handover the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Talpona for golf course

and simultaneously guarantee employment only to locals.

When growing objections of locals was cited to the project, panch and former deputy sarpanch Satish Painginkar opined: “If similar yardstick is applied to the applicants who wishes to operate shack restaurants on Galgibaga beach and if golf course applicant party meets all the conditions imposed in the grant of NOC, there should be no problem for the locals for playing host to a modern golf course.”

Another panch, who didn’t want to be identified, said: “If locals are provided preference in employment, I have no objection.”

If sources are to be believed, two panchas which includes a former sarpanch and deputy sarpanch, posed question in the last panchayat meeting as to why application of the party was not processed favourably, after which the panchayat reportedly decided to issue a provisional NOC to start a golf course in the village.

However, efforts to contact Poinguinim Sarpanch Tejaswini Daykar proved futile.

It is not known if panchayat has any plans to bring the issue and obtain gram sabha’s agreement before going ahead in granting a provisional NOC.

Lanka war panel lacks legal powers REUTERS COLOMBO, MAY 12

Sri Lanka's committee probing war crimes said today it does not have the legal power to investigate alleged rights abuses during the final stages of the South Asian nation's 25-year separatist conflict.

The committee of local experts, appointed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, said it has had trouble finding public officials identified in a US State Department report which blamed both sides in the war for committing rights abuses.

The State Department report released last year detailed possible atrocities by both government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during the final battle of the war last May and urged Colombo to investigate the allegations. More than 100,000 people died during the war.

Sri Lanka has a long history of inquiries into rights abuses that have largely failed to hold

anyone accountable.

SM Samarakoon, the head of the Sri Lankan committee, said his group did not have the same statutory powers as a commission of inquiry. Analysts say the committee was appointed only as an advisory body and its investigations have not been transparent.

“There are so many commissions of inquiry and committees appointed. None of the previous commissions or committees have given their findings to the public,'' said Bhavani Fonseka, a legal analyst at the Centre for Policy Alternatives in Colombo.

Samarakoon said the committee had not yet investigated allegations about the killing of captives or combatants who had sought to surrender, or other “disappearances”.

“However, the panel will endeavour to complete its inquiries and submit its findings and recommendations to the president by (the) end of July, 2010.”

Merkel faces anger in own party REUTERS BERLIN, MAY 12

German Chancellor Angela Merkel drew fire today from some leading conservative allies, rattled by humiliating losses in a regional vote, who accused her of failing to show leadership and set clear priorities.

Merkel has taken the blame for a 10 percentage point slump in support for her conservatives in Sunday's vote in North RhineWestphalia (NRW), Germany's most populous state, which has cost her majority in the upper house of parliament.

She also faced criticism for agreeing to an international $1 trillion package to protect the euro on top of a commitment to fork out some 22.4 billion euros for aid to debt-ridden Greece.

Although no one is seriously questioning her position, a clutch of senior conservatives expressed discontent with her government's record and said she had to show more mettle.

“Mrs Merkel, take the initiative,” said Stanislaw Tillich, Saxo n y s t a t e p r e m i e r. H i s comments were echoed by Stefan Mappus, Baden-Wuerttemberg state premier, who said there was broad discontent about the way Berlin governed in the last six months.

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US mulls designating TTP as terrorist outfit PTI WASHINGTON, MAY 12

The US is looking into legal formalities of designating Tehreke-Taliban Pakistan as a foreign terrorist organisation with a probe pointing to its involvement in the failed Times Square bombing, as clamour grows for recognising the outfit as a terrorist body.

"We are considering the question of designating the Pakistani Taliban (as a terrorist outfit).

Now it is the matter of meeting the legal requirements," Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs P J Crowley said. " ...there’s a deliberately or intentionally deliberate process that we go through, and it any group that is to be designated must meet very specific legal criteria, but it is something that we are considering in light of what happened," Crowley said, referring to the Times Square case.

A group of five influential Senators meanwhile asked Secre-

tary of State Hillary Clinton to put the TTP under the bracket of a foreign terrorist organisation as it has been involved in terrorist attack on American soil.

"We write to urge you to add the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, otherwise known as the Pakistani Taliban, to the State Department’s list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO)," the five Senators said in a letter to Clinton.

The Senators are Charles E Schumer, Kay Hagan, Kirsten Gillibrand, Robert Menendez and Frank Lautenberg.

Crowley, who said the administration, was looking very closely at the issue, however refused to give further details and refrained from giving out anything about the stage of consideration the issue is.

"It is a group that we have been focused on for some time, but I think in light of the Times Square attempt, it's something we're looking at very closely," the official said.

"I can't recite the history of this particular group but it has not been in existence for that long. But obviously it has come into sharp relief in light of Times Square bombing and this is something that we are actively considering," Crowley said.

The State Department spokesperson said there is a lengthy deliberative process that goes into designating an outfit as a foreign terrorist organisation. "...we are working through a process based on the criteria in the law," he said.

The letter written to Clinton said the Pakistani Taliban is a murderous organisation dedicated to killing civilians, harming US interests in the region, and has even taken credit for terrorist acts committed on US soil.

In a video recorded in April 2010, a representative of the Taliban in Pakistan indicated that it would make cities in the United States a "main target," the Senators said.

New UK government to have annual cap on immigrants PTI LONDON, MAY 12

Skilled professionals and students from India will find it more difficult to come to Britain as the new David Cameron government puts in place the Conservative party's immigration policy that seeks a drastic annual reduction of migrants.

The immigration policy of the new coalition government will put an annual limit and new curbs on migrants from India and other countries outside the European Union.

As per the understanding between the Conservative and Liberal Democrats parties, it is the Conservative policy that has been adopted by the new coalition government.

The Liberal Democrats' immigration policy of region-based migration and amnesty to illegal migrants in the UK for 10 years has been given up during the protracted negotia-

Afghan rebel group rejects exile offer REUTERS KABUL, MAY 12

An Afghan guerrilla group has turned down a draft peace proposal by President Hamid Karzai's government offering insurgent leader’s exile in third countries in an effort to end the nine-year-old war.

The Hezb-i-Islami (HIA) party led by a former premier Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, which runs a separate insurgency force from the Taliban against the government and NATO and US-led forces, said the offer was “completely unacceptable and out of question”.

An official for the party and member of its team which held an initial round of direct peace talks with Karzai in March, said the group still insisted on setting a withdrawal timetable for foreign troops before the start of any parley.

“The only way out of this imbroglio is the complete and unconditional withdrawal of the foreign occupiers from the country with a reasonable timetable which is already offered by HIA's leadership,” Qareeb Rahman Saeed said.

Bomb kills 3 in Baghdad REUTERS BAGHDAD, MAY 12

A bomb planted inside a grocery store in a mainly Shi'ite area of Baghdad killed three people and wounded 23 others today, police said.

Police said insurgents first killed the shop owner in front of his store in a popular market area in the Shula district of northwestern Baghdad and then detonated a bomb at the door of the shop when people crowded around the body.

The attack bore the hallmark of Sunni Islamist insurgents such as al Qaeda, who often target crowded, mostly Shi'ite areas.

Overall violence has declined sharply in Iraq in the last two years but a March 7 parliamentary election that produced no clear winner has fuelled tensions again.

Gunmen and bombers killed about 125 people on Monday in series of attacks across the country that included assaults on security checkpoints in Baghdad and car bombings in the southern oil hub of Basra and the southern town of Hilla.

tions that preceded the formation of the new government last night.

The overall goal of the Conservative party's policy is to reduce net immigration to the levels of the 1990s – "tens of thousands a year, instead of the hundreds of thousands every year under the Labour government".

The Conservative party's policy adopted by the new government says: "We will introduce an annual limit on the numbers of non-EU economic migrants allowed to work here, taking into consideration the effects a rising population has on our public services and local communities.

The limit would change each year to take into account the wider effects of immigration on society".

The policy also commits the new government to "introduce important new rules to tighten up the student visa system, which at the moment is the

biggest hole in our border controls".

To promote integration into British society, there will be an English language test for anyone coming here from outside the EU to get married, the party's immigration policy says.

The policy says: "Britain can benefit from immigration, but not uncontrolled immigration.

"Look at any aspect of life today and you will see the contribution that migrants have brought, and not just to the economy.

"We want to continue to attract the brightest and the best people to the UK, but with control on the overall numbers coming here".

7 children among 9 massacred in China

PTI BEIJING, MAY 12

Yet another deadly "social revenge" attack today shook China when a person armed with a kitchen cleaver slaughtered seven children, their teacher and her 80-year-old mother at a kindergarten school before killing himself in a northwestern village of the country.

The deadly rampage took place at about 8 am (local time) at the privately-run kindergarten in Linchang Village in the Shaanxi province when 48-yearold villager Wu Huanming, who apparently owned the school building, barged inside started hacking children.

Seven children - five boys and two girls - and their teacher 50year-old Wu Hongying were killed on the spot and Wu's mother later died in the hospital, the Shaanxi Provincial Emergency Response Office said in a statement. Eleven other children were injured, two severely. They are being treated in hospital.

Wu Huanming returned home after his gory killings and committed suicide, the statement said.

An initial police investigation showed that Wu had been unhappy after a property dispute with the teacher Wu Hongying.

Wu Huanming had rented out

his house to Wu Hongying to run the kindergarten, without approval from any government departments.

Wu Huanming demanded in April that his house should be vacated when the lease expired, but teacher said she hoped to return the property in June or July, during the school vacation, official Xinhua news agency

reported.

About 20 children went to the kindergarten this morning, Zhao Leji, Chief of the local Communist Party of Shaanxi said.This is the seventh such gory attack on schools in different places since late March, in which 18 children have been killed and over 80 others including few teachers injured.

OHERALDO

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What does Ambani verdict mean for Indian energy?

ReuTeRs NEW DELHI, MAY 12

The Supreme Court's Friday ruling in the dispute between the feuding Ambani brothers resolved a key uncertainty surrounding gas policy by affirming the government's right to set its price.

The judgment asserts gas is a national asset that is owned by the government, not the company that operates the field, until it is delivered to customers.

While the decision, in favour of Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries over younger brother Anil's Reliance Natural

Resources, brings clarity, it may deter investment from foreign firms which want complete freedom to market Indian gas.

The Supreme Court told the billionaire brothers the stateset price of $4.2 per million British thermal unit (mBtu) was binding on all, overriding a private deal between the two at about half the price, and asking them to renegotiate a new contract.

Below are questions and answers on the energy policy implications of the court's ruling.

WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF THE RULING ON ENERGY POLICY? The judgment brings clarity to

TALK BUSINESS

Renovated Norbert’s opens PANJIM (HBD) -- Norbert’s Fitness Studio opened to the public after being refurbished on May 7, 2010.

Designed to cater to two categories of people, those seeking a wholesome cardiovascular workout and those looking to solely build brawn, the gym now boasts of 2 separate facilities - a cardio training area and a strength training area.

An increased number of spinning bikes, ellipticals, and treadmills intertwined with a resistance training corner comprises the cardio facility at Norbert’s Fitness Studio, while international-standard weight training machines and dumbbells make up the strength training quarter at the gym.

The emphasis at Nobert’s is on exercise and fitness on the lines of preventive medicine. With a blend of exercise and balanced diet, workouts at Norbert’s Fitness Studio move away from the monotonous 1 hour “gymming” to the more serious and resultoriented regimes that help release endorphins, says a press release.

The regimes address decreasing the dosage of medication, strengthening bones, muscles and joints, improving flexibility, and ensuring overall wellness. With tailor-made programmes to suit a person’s current fitness and encouraging guidance, the monotony in work-outs is trimmed down.

Some of the popular programmes that one can choose from include the 9 weeks-9 kg weight loss, the 3 weeks-5 kg weight loss, body toning, Fit over Fifty, weight gain and personal training programmes.

Opening its shutters at 5.30 am and closing down at 10 pm, the gym has a 2-hour break between 2 and 4 pm.

Bhartia is new CII president PANJIM (HBD) -- Hari S Bhartia, co-chairman and managing director of Jubilant Organosys Ltd has been elected as the president of CII for the year 2010-11. He succeeds Venu Srinivasan as the new CII president.

A chemical engineering graduate of the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, Bhartia has been conferred distinguished alumni award by Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi in the year 2000. Recently, Hari S Bhartia he has been awarded the ‘BioSpectrumPerson of the Year’ 2009.

Bhartia's role in institutional work includes his role in various capacities with IIT, Delhi and IIT Kanpur as chairman of the Board of Governors, and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). He has been a member in several educational and science & technology programmes of Government of India.

B Muthuraman, vice chairman, Tata Steel, has been elected as the vice president of CII for the year 2010-11. A B Tech in Metallurgical Engineering from IIT Madras, he also holds MBA degree from XLRI Jamshedpur, and underwent an Advanced Management Programme from (CeDEP/INSEAD).

Muthuraman is recipient of several prestigious awards like distinguished alumnus Award, IIT Madras (1997),Tata B Muthuraman Gold Medal, Indian Institute of Metals (2002), CEO of the Year Award, IIMM (2002), National HRD Network Pathfinders Award 2004 in the CEO Category, CEO of the year, 2005, 2009 IIM-J R D Tata Award for ‘Excellence in Corporate Leadership, in Metallurgical Industries’ from The Indian Institute of Metals, besides many others.

Sensex settles 54 pts up on healthy industrial output PTI MUMBAI, MAY 12

The BSE barometer Sensex settled 54 points up on the back of a double-digit growth in industrial output for the sixth consecutive month in March, rebuffing the losses in Bharti Airtel due to concerns over rise in fee.

The 30-share index rose by 54.28 points, or 0.32 per cent, to close at 17,195.81 points. In choppy trade, the benchmark shuttled between 17,252.52 points and 17,028.08 points during the day.

Analyst said the market opened marginally up, but later fell into the negative zone after the reports that said the US is probing whether investment banking major Morgan Stanley misled investors about mortgage-derivative deals.

India's exploration policy, which aims to provide gas, a scarce commodity, at affordable prices to priority sectors such as power and fertilisers.

That may scare off muchsought investment in oil and gas in India, which imports about 75 percent of the oil it consumes.

WILL NEW DELHI CONTROL PRICING OF CRUDE OIL? No, because production sharing contracts assure international pricing for oil, for which the market is developed and international benchmarks are available. Firms such as Reliance Industries and Cairn Energy already sell crude to refiners at mutually agreed

RBI says did not intervene in forex mkt ReuTeRs MUMBAI, MAY 12

The Reserve Bank of India did not buy or sell dollars in the foreign exchange market for the fourth straight month in March, the central bank's monthly bulletin showed.

The rupee moved from around 46.09 per dollar levels at the start of March to 44.88 levels towards the end, helped by robust capital inflows of a net $4.4 billion.

The rupee's fortunes are closely linked to capital flows.

So far in 2010, foreigners have purchased a net $6 billion worth of local shares, adding to record inflows of $17.5 billion in 2009.

In 2009, the central bank sold a net $5.8 billion to prevent the rupee from depreciating sharply. For the 2009/10 fiscal year the central bank has been a net seller of $2.6 billion.

prices.

But the government can control distribution of crude oil as it is authorised to nominate which refiners buy crude.

WHAT DOES THE VERDICT MEAN FOR INVESTMENT IN EXPLORATION? Investors in the expensive and high-risk business of energy exploration want to sell natural gas at market-driven prices.

The judgment may discourage investment.

DOES THE VERDICT POINT TO UNIFORM PRICING OF GAS IN INDIA? Not necessarily. But the price set for the gas Reliance pumps from the D-6 block in the vast Krishna Godavari basin off

eastern India could become a floor price for future output.

When it reaches peak production, Reliance's output from the block will account for about half of the output in India.

India has several prices for gas depending on who produces it and the prevailing policy when output began. State firms such as Oil and Natural Gas Corp sell most of their gas at a state-set price which is less than half of what Reliance would get under the government price affirmed by the court.

Canada's Niko Resources, for example, sells gas produced from its west coast block at $6$7/mBTU, while gas from the

Panna/Mukta and Tapti fields in which Reliance, ONGC and BG hold stakes, also fetches a higher price than what Reliance gets from its D-6 gas.

But output from old fields is declining, while Reliance is expected to produce more gas from its discoveries. That could potentially make $4.2 per mBtu the floor price for gas pumped in future from Indian fields.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR GAS-FIRED POWER PROJECTS? New plants may be required to buy gas at the Reliance price.

With supplies from old fields declining and government control of gas prices curbing implementation of expensive techniques to enhance output,

RBI for gradual capital account opening: chief ReuTeRs MUMBAI, MAY 12

India will liberalise capital account gradually, keeping in mind lessons from the global credit crisis, and there are no plans to impose Tobin tax to curb currency speculation, the Reserve Bank head said.

"Our position is that capital account convertibility is not a stand alone objective but a means for higher and stable growth," Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Duvvuri Subbarao said in a speech, delivered at a conference hosted by the Swiss National Bank and the IMF in Zurich on Tuesday.

"As regards a Tobin type tax, we have not so far imposed nor are we contemplating one.

However, it needs reiterating that no policy instrument is clearly off the table and our choice of instruments will be

determined by the context," he said.

The speech was posted by the RBI on its website www.rbi.org.in on Wednesday.

Tobin tax is a transaction tax on currency conversions intended to curb volatility and speculation.

"We believe our economy should traverse towards capital convertibility along a gradual path -- the path itself being recalibrated on a dynamic basis in response to domestic and global developments," Subbarao said.

Foreigners have invested a net $6 billion in Indian stock markets so far in 2010, adding to record capital inflows of $17.5 billion in 2009. The inflow has helped the rupee gain about 2.7 percent this year, after rising 4.7 percent last year.

Subbarao said the central bank's preference was for longterm equity inflows, rather than short-term debt flows.

"Our policy has been quite stable," he said, referring to emerging economies that had opened up and then tightened rules when flows became volatile.

"Our policy on equity flows has been quite liberal."

Subbarao reiterated the exchange rate is not guided by a fixed or pre-announced target or band.

"Our policy has been to intervene in the market to manage excessive volatility and disruptions to the macroeconomic situation.

This volatility centric approach to exchange rate also stems from the source of volatility which is capital flows," he said.

FM admits poor yet to benefit PTI NEW DELHI, MAY 12

Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee today exuded confidence that the economy will surpass the IMF projections of 8.8 per cent in 2010 and 8.4 per cent the next year, but admitted the benefits of faster economic expansion is yet to percolate down to the poor.

"The IMF in its latest world economic outlook has projected that GDP growth to be

Aban Offshor, 1040, 1047, 1013.7, 1033.95 Abb Ltd., 690, 696, 676.8, 680.8 Abg Shipyard, 247.35, 251.8, 242.1, 245.85 Acc Limited, 890, 890.1, 875, 877.2 Adani Enterp, 584, 600.75, 564, 580.75 Aditya Birla, 780, 788.7, 757.05, 777.9 Allahabad Ba, 159.6, 165.9, 158.1, 164.3 Alstom Proje, 573.9, 581.4, 561, 576.45 Ambuja Cemen, 109.9, 111.95, 108.6, 109.65 Andhra Bank, 132.5, 134.7, 130.05, 133.95 Ansal Prop &, 91.9, 91.9, 88.6, 89.75 Ashok Leylan, 65.5, 68.2, 64.55, 67.15 Asian Paints, 2213, 2213, 2042, 2054.5 Axis Bank Li, 1231.3, 1298, 1231.3, 1289.9 Bajaj Hindus, 108, 111.9, 105.05, 109.7 Bank Of Baro, 698.2, 704.9, 684.25, 701.75 Bank Of Indi, 336.2, 337.9, 332.65, 335.7 Beml Limited, 1018, 1018, 990.85, 995 Bharat Elect, 1860, 1860, 1780.6, 1801.45 Bharat Forge, 264, 266.25, 254.6, 262.25 Bharat Petro, 543.5, 546.6, 535.1, 540.45 Bharti Airte, 284, 284.5, 259.85, 261.25 Bhel, 2391.1, 2399, 2351.7, 2373.35

8.8% in 2010, and 8.4% in 2011, and I expect even better performance," Mukherjee said.

For the 2009-10 fiscal, Mukherjee said, he expects the economy to grow by 7.2 per cent, the same as estimated by the Central Statistical Organisation in its advance estimate.

The final GDP numbers for FY10 will be released on Friday.

"This achievement is particularly significant, considering that we had an unfavourable

Bhushan Stee, 1585, 1602.9, 1549, 1589.8 Biocon Limit, 286.5, 289, 282.2, 286.05 Bombay Dyein, 546, 561.65, 541, 548.1 Bosch Limite, 5030, 5030, 4956.5, 4995.1 Brigade Ente, 140.3, 143.1, 137.7, 139.5 Cairn India, 297.25, 300.3, 293.3, 297.05 Canara Bank, 422.5, 427.7, 411.2, 425.5 Central Bank, 148.8, 148.95, 143.9, 146 Century Text, 478, 485.9, 468, 481 Cesc Ltd, 390, 399.75, 388.9, 395.65 Chambal Fert, 61.5, 61.9, 59.2, 59.75 Chennai Petr, 266.6, 269.9, 266.15, 268.8 Cipla Ltd, 315, 319, 313.9, 315.5 Colgate Palm, 736, 743.95, 730, 734.95 Container Co, 1329, 1349, 1296.1, 1301.8 Crompton Gre, 238.85, 243.45, 236.75, 239.95 Cummins Indi, 561.5, 578, 548, 570.5 Dabur India, 178, 178.9, 176.35, 177.15 Deccan Chron, 146, 148.75, 141.5, 145.5 Dish Tv Indi, 40.1, 40.25, 38.25, 39.1 Divi’s Labor, 691.1, 695.5, 680, 690.45 Dlf Limited, 297.4, 301.2, 291.5, 296.75 Dr. reddy’s, 1203.95, 1268.7, 1202, 1260.35

monsoon, which dampened the growth of the farm sector.

I expect strong growth in the current fiscal that stands to benefit from further improvement in business confidence," Mukherjee added.

Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia also said he does not think that 7.2% growth projection would have to revised downward. According to data released today, industrial

Edelweiss Ca, 407, 413, 405, 407.85 Educomp Solu, 635.5, 636.95, 613, 619 Eih Limited, 122, 126.9, 122, 125.3 Engineers In, 451.55, 457, 438.4, 441.05 Essar Oil Lt, 133, 134.25, 130, 131.75 Essar Shippi, 89, 91.75, 88, 89.45 Exide Indust, 119.3, 119.8, 116.1, 117.6 Federal Bank, 277, 280.8, 271, 279.1 Financial Te, 1440, 1451, 1382, 1395.6 Gail (india), 426, 432.9, 423.55, 431.7 Gammon India, 214, 218.5, 205.8, 208.95 Glaxosmithkl, 1991, 2064, 1991, 2057.75 Glenmark Pha, 276, 278.4, 273.25, 277.2 Gmr Infrastr, 59.5, 62.5, 58.55, 59.95 Godrej Indus, 151.65, 153.75, 150.05, 151.65 Grasim Indus, 2620, 2645, 2590, 2603.3 Great Offsho, 450, 454, 443, 449.7 Gtl Infra.Lt, 40.95, 41.5, 40.55, 40.95 Gujarat Mine, 129, 129, 124.4, 125.55 Gujarat N R, 78.5, 78.5, 74.5, 74.9 Gujarat Stat, 93.1, 94.75, 92.1, 93.25 Gvk Pow. & I, 43.1, 44, 41.95, 42.3 Hcl Technolo, 389.85, 394.5, 385, 392.8 Hdfc Bank Lt, 1949, 1981, 1949, 1974.9

Hdfc Ltd, 2796, 2799, 2751, 2779.05 Hero Honda M, 1899.9, 1936, 1885, 1900.95 Hindalco in, 170.25, 173.35, 167.15, 170.65 Hindustan Co, 120, 120.95, 114.45, 116.45 Hindustan Ma, 76.5, 79.15, 75.9, 76.3 Hindustan Pe, 330, 333.5, 322.5, 331.2 Hindustan Un, 239, 239.5, 236.1, 238.5 Hindustan Zi, 1124, 1125.9, 1101.4, 1112.8 Housing Dev, 247.95, 253.9, 244.35, 250.2 Icici Bank L, 922, 923.4, 906.1, 914.75 Idea Cellula, 59, 59.5, 54.25, 54.85 Ifci Ltd, 52.7, 53.5, 51.3, 52.55 India Cement, 114.25, 116.2, 112.95, 115 India Infoli, 104, 104.85, 100.85, 103.7 Indiabulls F, 153.9, 154.8, 149.7, 151.3 Indiabulls R, 158.4, 162, 156, 160.45 Indian Bank, 216, 218, 205.65, 213.85 Indian Hotel, 113.95, 115.5, 113.5, 114.75 Indian Oil C, 302.15, 304, 298.1, 301.6 Indian Overs, 93.3, 94, 92.1, 93.4 Indus Dev Ba, 118.5, 119, 115.6, 117.75 Indusind Ban, 179.55, 185.9, 177, 185 Infosys Tech, 2656, 2698.9, 2652.25, 2681.7 Infra. dev., 160, 164.1, 159.5, 163.25

growth stood at 10.4% during 2009-10, which analysts say will ensure 7.2% growth.

But Mukherjee admitted that the fruits of high economic growth are yet to reach the poor. "In the post-liberalisation phase, the govt realised that despite consistently achieving high level of economic growth, the benefits do not percolate (down) to the bottom layer of the masses," he said.

Ispat Indust, 18.65, 18.85, 18.2, 18.7 Itc Ltd, 252.5, 265.9, 252.5, 265.05 Ivrcl Infras, 172.5, 175.2, 165.7, 172.8 Jai Corp Lim, 244.9, 247.1, 236.25, 239.8 Jaiprakash A, 134.9, 134.9, 129.5, 130.9 Jet Airways, 514.8, 524.2, 510.05, 517.85 Jindal Saw L, 194.6, 197.45, 188.55, 195.15 Jindal Steel, 675, 675, 658.85, 668.3 Jsw Steel Li, 1205.05, 1236.6, 1187.15, 1232.7 Kotak Mahind, 750.9, 773.25, 747, 768.5 Lakshmi Mach, 1982.95, 1982.95, 1930, 1938.45 Lanco Infrat, 61, 62.1, 58.55, 61.45 Larsen & Tou, 1555, 1569, 1544, 1563.9 Lic Housing, 932.1, 953.9, 930.5, 951.2 Lupin Limite, 1812.5, 1812.5, 1741.3, 1781.25 Mahanagar Te, 68, 68.9, 66.4, 66.65 Mahindra & M, 562.5, 566, 536, 548.05 Maruti Suzuk, 1270, 1286.8, 1262, 1265.25 Max India Lt, 175.85, 175.85, 171.2, 172.6 Maytas Infr., 194.7, 198, 185.5, 194.9 Moser-baer (, 68.6, 69.45, 65.7, 67.15 Mrpl, 72.9, 75, 72.9, 74.65

production from new areas is the main local option to meet demand.

Gas makes up about 9 percent of India's energy mix, and is expected to rise to about 12 percent by 2030 as production grows.

About 10.5 percent of thermal power generation capacity is gas based. New projects will be fed either by imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) or local gas, the price of which will be fixed by the government.

DOES THE RULING HAVE ANY IMPLICATION ON LNG IMPORTS? No, as customers have contracted to buy LNG bought under a long term deal with Qatar. Companies prefer to import LNG from spot markets after entering into a firm contract with buyers.

Pg12 BOARD MEETINGS Aditya Ispat Graphite India Phoenix Intl Amrutanjan Health Precision Wires Andhra Petro Prime Inds Aplab Blue star Info Crompton Greav Koutons Retl subway Finance educomp sol Tata Coffee Megasoft Total exports Fenoplast Morepen Lab Veritas India Fert & Chem Trv MTNL Wall street Fin Gammon India Goldstone Infra Source: Indiainfoline.com

MF FUNDA ICICI PRuDeNTIAL MuTuAL FuND has approved May 17, 2010 as the record date for declaration of dividend under dividend option of ICICI Prudential Interval Fund - Quarterly Interval Plan I. The face value of per unit is Rs 10.

The quantum of dividend will be 100% of distributable surplus as on the record date.

ReLIGARe MuTuAL FuND has approved May 17, 2010 as the record date for declaration of dividend under monthly dividend option in institutional plan of Religare Active Income Fund. The face value of per unit is Rs 10.

The quantum of dividend will be 100% of distributable surplus as on the record date.

KOTAK MuTuAL FuND has approved May 17, 2010 as the record date for declaration of dividend under dividend option in retail and institutional plan of Kotak FMP 19M series 1. The face value of per unit is Rs 10.

The quantum of dividend will be upto 100% of distributable surplus as on the record date.

BIRLA suN LIFe MuTuAL FuND has launched an open-ended equity scheme called the India Reforms Fund.

The fund would invest in companies that are expected to benefit from the economic reforms, PSU divestment and increased Government spending.

The scheme intends to buy the stock on expectations of the reforms, and hold for the reform story to play out, unless there is a change in view pertaining to the stock or the sector, a release issued by Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund said.

The scheme would endeavour to remain invested in such sectors to capture the complete up-cycle ? from the announcement of reform measures to the time when the reforms are actually implemented and benefit the respective sector and stocks, Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund said.

The new fund offer opened for subscription on May 10 and will close on June 9.

PeeRLess FuNDs MANAGeMeNT COMPANY is planning to launch a hybrid fund focused at retail investors in the current quarter, according to its chief executive officer (CEO), Akshay Gupta.

The debt-intensive fund would aim at outperforming the returns from fixed deposits, post office deposits and other conventional savings instruments over a two to four years time horizon, he said.

Peerless would also launch, during July-August, a short-term debt fund, he said. ``We would launch this fund after the Credit Policy as we expect further tightening in key rates by the RBI in the policy,``Gupta said.

The company would look at launching its first equity scheme only after six months, he said. ``We see a 10-15% correction in the stock market and our launch of equity-oriented fund should coincide with the market upturn,``he said. ``We have set a target of garnering at least Rs 2000 crore AUM

by March 2011 and Rs 5000 crore in the next three years,” Gupta said. It targeted to break even in five years, he added.

Unlike the customary industry practice, Peerless would initially focus on tier III and IV towns and rural areas for selling mutual funds, Gupta said. This would be in tune with its strategy to tap the existing 8 million customer base of the parent company, he added.

Nagarjuna Co, 172.1, 174.35, 168.65, 172.1 Nagarjuna Fe, 31.8, 32.9, 31.3, 31.55 National Alu, 409, 414, 407.1, 411.25 Neyveli Lign, 150, 155.9, 150, 153.45 Ntpc Ltd, 204.5, 206.5, 204.05, 206.25 Oil And Natu, 1034.8, 1035.9, 1022.8, 1027.95 Omaxe Limite, 95.2, 95.5, 93.15, 94.45 Oriental Ban, 343.7, 351, 340, 348.6 Pantaloon Re, 398, 403.65, 395.05, 400.25 Parsvnath De, 116, 118, 107.15, 114.85 Petronet Lng, 85.5, 85.5, 82.5, 84 Power Fin Co, 276.05, 283.8, 275.5, 282.65 Power Grid C, 107.6, 107.65, 106.1, 106.85 Praj Industr, 87, 88.3, 84.05, 85.45 Punj Lloyd L, 150, 151.25, 144, 146.15 Punjab Natio, 1019, 1024.4, 1011.15, 1020.45 Rajesh Expor, 124.1, 125.25, 123.9, 124.5 Ranbaxy Labs, 461, 465.75, 451.8, 459.65 Rashtriya Ch, 83.45, 85.6, 81.6, 82.15 Rel. nat. re, 51, 51, 48.5, 49.4 Reliance Cap, 704, 706.4, 686.55, 690.2 Reliance Com, 147, 149.35, 142.4, 146.75

Reliance Ene, 909.1, 919.65, 900, 917.2 Reliance Ind, 809, 826.9, 798.8, 810.6 Reliance Ind, 1076.05, 1089.45, 1064.05, 1082.95 Reliance Pow, 145.25, 146.05, 142.5, 144.7 Rolta India, 176.6, 180, 174.6, 177.6 Satyam Compu, 89, 90.95, 72.95, 88.7 Sesa Goa Ltd, 401, 408.8, 396.6, 404.6 Shipping Cor, 166.8, 168, 164.3, 166.65 Siemens Ltd, 677, 690, 666.15, 671.05 Sintex Indus, 309, 313, 298.25, 303.45 Sobha Develo, 312.8, 324.8, 276.35, 321.1 State Bank O, 2290, 2339, 2282, 2324.2 Steel Author, 212.6, 214.25, 209.6, 213.15 Sterlite Ind, 735, 736, 715, 728.65 Sun Pharmace, 1540, 1590, 1534.4, 1564.95 Sun Tv Netwo, 425.4, 431.95, 420.25, 424.95 Suzlon Energ, 68, 68.75, 65.9, 66.9 Tata Communi, 257, 260, 253.45, 254.95 Tata Consult, 757, 767.95, 751.1, 759.45 Tata Motors, 795.1, 811.9, 791.5, 802.65 Tata Power C, 1315.25, 1359, 1315.25,

1350.6 Tata Steel L, 582, 588, 572, 584.45 Tata Tea Ltd, 1026, 1039, 1024.9, 1032.35 Tata Teleser, 21.3, 21.7, 20.65, 21 Tech Mahindr, 712, 741.9, 702, 734 The Ge Shpg., 295, 301.6, 290.4, 298.95 The Phoenix, 209.7, 212.5, 209.1, 211.75 Thermax Ltd, 687.5, 687.5, 655.05, 663.1 Titan Indust, 2123.6, 2204.4, 2100, 2168.75 Torrent Powe, 332.8, 334.65, 318.6, 326 Triveni Engg, 106.9, 108.65, 104.25, 106.8 Tv18 India L, 78.2, 79.5, 77.6, 78.6 Uco Bank, 70.4, 71.9, 68.6, 71.45 Ultratech Ce, 943.35, 975.5, 940.55, 967.55 Union Bank O, 292.9, 303.2, 290.25, 300.95 Unitech Ltd, 76.5, 78.85, 75.6, 77.6 United Phosp, 174.75, 177.3, 167.45, 170.15 Videocon Ind, 215.15, 217.35, 211.55, 216 Vijaya Bank, 55.8, 56.3, 54.15, 56.05 Voltas Ltd, 178.8, 181.5, 177.4, 179.65 Welspun Guj, 261.1, 265.4, 255.5, 264.3 Wipro Ltd, 672.75, 683.35, 666.25, 680.9 Yes Bank Lim, 276.7, 277.4, 266.4, 272.05 Zee Entertai, 278, 289.95, 278, 288.6

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Factory output grows 13.5% in March PTI NEW DELHI, MAY 12

Driven by manufacturing sector, industrial production recorded 13.5 per cent growth in March, making it over 10 per cent expansion in six months in a row.

Although the factory output declined marginally from 15.1 per cent in February, it is still good enough to ensure 7.2 per cent economic growth during 2009-10, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said.

Industrial growth as measured by Index of Industrial Production (IIP) during 2009-10 works out at 10.4 per cent against 2.8 per cent in the previous fiscal when the global slowdown hit the economy.

"March IIP numbers not going to impact the GDP growth estimates for 2009-10.

We are hoping that during 2010-11, we will close the fiscal with double digit factory output," Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said.

Manufacturing, which accounts for nearly 80 per cent of the IIP, grew by 14.3 per cent

during March. Mining recorded an increase of 11 per cent and electricity 7.7 per cent.

Referring to a slight decline in IIP in March compared to the previous month's, Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said, "These are minor fluctuations. We will review as to why some slowdown is there and we will go into the reasons at ways of intervention to correct it."

The economists expect the factory output to ease a little bit in the coming months due to the twin impact of withdrawal of stimulus packages and uncertainty about the global economic recovery.

"The risks in the global economies pose a threat to the factory output here. Going forward, we see some decline in the IIP figures as the low base effect wanes. As base effect turns adverse, we will see the growth coming into single digit," HDFC Bank Chief Economist Abheek Barua said.

The IIP numbers further reveal that 14 out of the 17 industrial groups showed positive growth in March. The

sectors, which witnessed negative growth were jute, textile products and wool, silk and man-made fibre textile.

Consumer durables, which was particularly hit by the global crisis, expanded 32 per cent in the month, while capital goods production rose 27.4 per cent. Consumer non-durables, which include FMCG goods like toiletries and cosmetics, however, grew a modest 3.3 per cent during March.

"There could be some months during the year when IIP may post a single digit growth on the back of strong base effect. We expect IIP to post 9.8 per cent growth for 2010-11 supported by both, consumption and investment demand," Yes Bank Chief Economist Shubhada Rao said.

During fiscal 2010-11, manufacturing sector output accelerated to 10.9 per cent from 2.8 per cent a year ago.

Mining output and power generation rose to 9.7 per cent and 6 per cent, respectively, from 2.6 per cent and 2.8 per cent, respectively, in the previous fiscal.

Nalco's plans R&D centre by mid-2012 PTI BHUBANESWAR, MAY 12

Aluminium major Nalco is set to establish a Research and Technology Centre here by the middle of 2012 to help augment growth of aluminium mining in the country.

The Navratna PSU has acquired 18 acres of land at Gothapatna on the ouskrits of the city to build its 'world class' research and tech centre, Nalco's CMD Srivastava said. ''Nalco will invest Rs 88 crore in the first phase of its implementation and once the centre is set up, we need not depend on foreign countries for technical support,'' he said.

To start with, the proposed research centre would work on alumina, aluminium and bauxite which could be extended to other fields, he said. Nalco had already undertaken at least 15 collaborative R&D projects with different research institutes, Srivastava said.

Some of the major R&D efforts that are implemented at Nalco are: development and production of different grades of speciality alumina and special types of resin for condensate polishing at refinery also development of in-line degasser.

Demand boosts DHFL Q4 net PTI MUMBAI, MAY 12

Mortgage lender, Dewan Housing Finance has posted a 55.6 per cent jump in its net profit for the quarter ended March 31 at Rs 41.75 crore as compared to Rs 26.84 crore in the same quarter last year on good consumer demand.

DHFL disbursed loans of Rs 3,865.56 crore in FY 10 as against Rs 2,240.54 crore in the previous year and has targeted to take the number to above Rs 5,000-crore in FY 11, its VC and MD, Kapil Wadhawan said.

"The outlook for the current year is positive as the demand is picking up in line with the recovery in the economy. We expect to maintain a 30 per cent growth in our disbursals this year," Wadhawan said.

Presently, DHFL has a total asset-base of Rs 10,000 crore and the company has a plan to grow this number to Rs 25,000crore over the next 2-3 years, he said. DHFL has a customerbase of around 2 lakh as of now.

The lender, which has also plan to float a housing finance

subsidiary targeting the low-income segment in a joint venture partnership with International Finance Corporation, has already approached the National Housing Bank for approval, Wadhawan said.

The joint venture, in which Dewan Housing will have around 80 per cent stake, is expected to become operational in the first half of this year, he said.

The JV would focus on States where low-income population is more, aims to disburse loans up to Rs 5 lakh, and would target those whose monthly income is as low as even Rs 3,500-Rs 4,000.

Kerala-based Muthoot Pappachan Group had also recently announced its plans to set up a home-loan subsidiary in the affordable housing segment.

Commenting on the capital raising plans, Wadhawan said DHFL has already secured the board approval to raise Rs 500crore equity capital in the near future.

The company plans to raise a total of Rs 5,000 crore in the current fiscal to support its business plans.

Shriram Transport Fin to raise Rs 500-cr via NCDs PTI MUMBAI, MAY 12

Non-banking finance company, Shriram Transport Finance, plans to raise up to Rs 250crore through Non Convertible Debentures (NCDs) with an option to retain over-subscription up to Rs 250-crore for issuance of additional NCDs, a top company official said.

The issue opens on May 17 and closes on May 31.

"The company wil use the amount to expand its business and repay loans. The issue may be closed on May 31 with an option to close earlier or extend up to a period as may be determined by the Board of Directors of the company," Shriram Transport Finance's Managing Director, R Sridhar said.

The company's current loan-

book stands at around Rs 30,000-crore, Sridhar said, adding the company is repaying between Rs 5,000-crore-Rs 6,000-crore every year.

The issue offers three options for investing in secured bonds and two for unsecured paper. The secured debt is rated 'AA-plus' by CARE and 'AA'

by Crisil while the unsecured debt is rated 'AA' by CARE and and 'AA' by Crisil.

JM Financial and ICICI Securities are lead managers to the issue and RR Investors Capital Services is co-lead manager.

"Shriram Transport Finance is the largest asset financing non banking finance company in the country," he said adding the company is growing around 20 per cent year-on-year.

"We are growing very fast

and will continue to grow in the truck financing segment.

We are currently growing around 20 per cent year-onyear and will continue to keep the same momentum in FY 11 also," Sridhar said.

The company had raised Rs 1,000-crore through NCDs last year.

"We will continue to raise money to expand our business in future through NCDs," he said.

The company currently has 7-lakh customers. Last year, it added 3.5-lakh customers.

"We are adding at least 3-4lakh customers every year. Our business model is very unique in the industry," he said.

In FY 10, the company's profit jumped around 42 per cent at Rs 874-crore as against Rs 612-crore last year.

Trade Ministry to review IIP

Cadila gets nod for H1N1 vaccine in India

NEW DELHI: The government will review the industrial sectors in which output growth has eased, Trade and Industries Minister Anand Sharma said on Wednesday.

Data on Wednesday showed India's industrial output growth eased to 13.5 percent in March, more than that expected by analysts.

Cadila Healthcare Ltd said on Wednesday it has received approval from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) to market its H1N1 vaccine in the country.

Used to prevent the infection of swine flu, this eggbased vaccine named 'VaxiFlu-S' will be marketed by

ReuTeRs MUMBAI, APRIL 12

Vaxxicare, a division of the company, it said in a statement.

Indian drumakers such as Panacea Biotec and Pune-based unlisted vaccines maker Serum Institute are also close to launch an H1N1 vaccine in the country.

Out of the 139,466 people tested for swine flu symptoms in India since the

Carmakers to struggle to beat electric car doubt ReuTeRs PARIS, MAY 12

As much-hyped electric cars arrive in European dealerships, carmakers face an uphill struggle to change drivers' mindsets and convince them that running cost and emission advantages will compensate for a reduction in autonomy.

Analysts say that initial sales are likely to be sluggish and the genre will make only small inroads into the broader car market, posing a challenge to carmakers with plenty at stake, including Renault and PSA Peugeot Citroen.

Renault and Japanese partner Nissan are investing 4 billion euros ($5.1 billion) in an EV project and forecast the category will make up 10 percent of the new car market by 2020.

PSA, which is bringing partner Mitsubishi's iMiEV to Europe badged as iOn and C-Zero, sees EVs accounting for 5 percent of new car sales in 2020. Volkswagen , Europe's top carmaker, wants to be the industry leader in EVs by 2018, but is not launching its first electric car until 2013.

Analysts say the first hurdle for companies to overcome is the scepticism of drivers used to being able to jump into their cars and drive, without waiting for a battery to charge or having to stop to top it up.

Stephen Stradling, Professor of Transport Psychology at Edinburgh's Napier University,

said drivers would see giving up the autonomy and spontaneous mobility synonymous with an "automobile" as a barrier at first.

Nissan's Leaf, due to arrive in major European markets early next year, has a cruising range of 160 kilometres, while Peugeot's iOn and Citroen's C-Zero, on sale in Europe later this year, can drive around 130 kilometres on a full charge, compared with at least 500 kilometres in a small petrol-engined car.

Ensuring that electric cars look and handle like their predecessors would smooth the transition, said Stradling.

"People work in categories: at the moment there is a category called vehicles and a separate category called electric vehicles. Electric vehicles have got to be incorporated into the category of vehicles -- they need to be normalised," he said.

INGREDIENTS FOR SUCCESS HSBC analysts wrote in a report that they expected fully electric vehicles to account for 4.5 percent of the total light vehicle market by 2020 -- just 4.7 million vehicles out of a market of around 100 million.

Three factors are vital to the success of electric vehicles: awareness, infrastructure and government incentives.

Nissan is providing information to the regions, countries, cities and companies with which it has signed EV partner-

ships through a dedicated website, www.electricmobility.com.

"The first step is being able to educate people through conversations, media, our website.

The next big thing we want to do is give people the chance to test-drive the vehicle," said Nissan Europe's chief marketing manager for EVs, Tom Smith.

On Citroen's C-Zero website by early May, 7,500 curious private and business customers had signed up for a test drive.

Thierry Koskas, head of Renault's EV project, said: "When you ask people today they haven't really seen real EVs or they have the idea of golf carts."

In a bid to change this, Renault will get 500 cars on the roads in various European markets, before sales of the electric Kangoo and Fluence models start next year.

Public infrastructure, in the form of charging stations for EVs, will also be vital.

"To bring about a change in individual behaviours you have to make it as easy as possible - I don't need to expend too much personal effort to make this change," said Stradling.

Renault's Koskas agreed: "Visibility is key. Probably most people will purely recharge at home and they will very rarely use the plugs in the streets or car parks. But I think that simply seeing they exist will help the market to increase."

outbreak of the pandemic in the year 2009, about 23 percent have tested positive for swine flu, Cadila said in a statement.

"The development is positive for the company as India has a huge population of people aged above 60 years and below 15 years," a pharma sector analyst told Reuters over the telephone.

Amway eyes Rs 2500 cr turnover PTI CHENNAI, MAY 12

Direct selling Fast Moving Consumer Goods company Amway India is expecting to touch the Rs 2,500 crore turnover mark by 2012,a company official said.

'In the first quarter we grew by 32 per cent this year. Overall, we are expecting to grow by 25 per cent, that is compared to same number what we did last year...by 2012, we are expecting to touch Rs 2,500 crore', Amway India MD and CEO William S Pinckney said.

The company in 2009 reported a turnover of Rs 1,407 crore and was expecting to touch Rs 1,750 crore this year.

It should be around Rs 2,000 crore next year, he said.

Referring to the company's revenues, he said China leads with more than Rs 10,000 crore turnover while India is at the seventh spot.

The company would focus more on 'nutrition and beauty products' this year. 'We have added four more new lines at the manufacturing plant at Baddi (in Himachal Pradesh) particularly to focus more on nutrition and beauty', he said.

He said the size of Indian direct selling industry was Rs 3,330 crore and expected to reach Rs 5,328 crore by 20122013. Pinckney later inaugurated the first Amway India Enterprises Health and Beauty brand assessment centre in Tamil Nadu, which is also their ninth in the country.

"While Panacea Biotec is looking to sell the vaccine to the government, Cadila has a focus on direct domestic market. This would help company make early in-roads," another analyst said.

The market size for H1N1 vaccine in India in case of high-risk population was about 4-5 million doses, Pankaj Patel, chairman and

managing director of Cadila had told Reuters.

Cadila also plans to develop more vaccines against bacterial, viral and protozoal infections at its vaccine technology centre, it said in the statement.

At 11:32 a.m., shares of Cadila Healthcare were trading at 586 rupees, up 1.97 percent in a flat Mumbai market.

Bajaj Auto faces margin pressure ReuTeRs MUMBAI, MAY 12

Bajaj Auto, India's secondlargest bike maker, said maintaining profit margins at current high levels would be a challenge after reporting its profit more than quadrupled in the final quarter.

Bajaj Auto, which is planning to launch a super low-cost car with partners Nissan Motor Co and Renault SA in 2012, beat forecasts with a net profit of 5.29 billion rupees ($117.3 million) for the quarter to March, versus 1.3 billion rupees a year ago.

Its operating margin rose to 22.9 percent from 14.2 percent a year ago.

The rise in raw material prices in the fourth quarter had been negated to some extent by robust sales, Kevin D'sa, vice president, finance told Reuters.

However, raw material costs as a percentage of sales -which had risen to 69.3 percent in the fourth quarter from 66.2 percent in the first quarter of last fiscal year -- were still climbing.

"On the material costs, side there will definitely be an increase," he said. "If you take a longer term view and don't look at it quarter on quarter, the margin of 22.9 percent will be a challenge to maintain."

He said pressure on margins could be offset to some extent by higher margins from more powerful bikes such as the Pulsar and other high-end bikes,

and increased exports.

Apart from the Pulsar, Bajaj also sells the more popular 100-cc Discover brand. The two together are expected to sell about 1 million units a year in the near future, the company said without specifying a time frame.

In the March quarter the company sold 712,410 motorcycles, nearly double from a year earlier.

It also sells three-wheelers, and is taking the lead on developing, with Renault and Nissan, an ultra-low cost car to challenge Tata Motor's Nano as the world's cheapest auto.

Last month, larger rival Hero Honda reported forecast beating net profit of 5.99 billion rupees for the quarter but cautioned that rising commodity prices, inflation and interest rates could hit margins in future.

EXPANSION Anticipating improving demand Bajaj is spending about 2.5 billion to 3 billion rupees in the current fiscal year to expand its production capacity to 5 million units a year from 4.2 million now, D'Sa said.

Last year its capital expenditure was around 1 billion rupees.

In the current fiscal year, the company is aiming to sell 4 million vehicles, up 40 percent from the 2.85 million it sold last year. It is expected to sell 3.6 million bikes, up 44 percent from a year earlier.

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Thursday, 13 May, 2010

Here come the much awaited Results!

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at is st umbrella th Under the va Tae , o comes Jud martial arts that karate; sports kwondo and le of d to the peop have appeale vel professional le Goa, both at a gh u ro h amateur. T as well as an nd a ining camps the ample tra e th ips, what is championsh the disciplines in status of these finds out state? Herald

Martial Arts in Goa

A

The HSSC results are to be declared in another two days, filling the air with anticipation and sometimes, anxiety.

Herald takes a look at what these young students have to say about their results

BY JANICE RODRIGUES HERALD FEATURES he end of exams always brings with it a release from the stress of studies and loads of relaxation and fun… but one thing adds a bump to all the freedom and fun is the anticipation of examination results. Just the thought of it and you have students doing things they had not done in a long time, like praying. With the Std XII board exams results around the corner, the heat seems to be getting to the students.

Std XII is one of the most crucial years of education, as most of the professional courses are based on the performance in these exams. “For me, twelfth standard is a must, as based on these exams itself you can do further studies,” says Marika Vaz, who has answered her HSSC board exams this year. These are the same sentiments shared by a majority of the students in higher secondary, some people even taking it too seriously.

The nervousness and anticipation that builds up when the result dates are around the corner is simply unprecedented. Some people remember the way their mental tension lead to some physical ailments, like migraines or even diarrhoea. “I remember when I was waiting for my results there was utter chaos. We used to support each other saying that if one failed, the others would give him company. Though we were scared on the inside, we put up a humorous and brave front with the excuse of supplementary exams,” says Shiral Coutinho who answered his board exams around four years back. “I was sure of passing but the fear came as to how much I would get, and then accordingly where I would go for admissions. If I didn’t get this percentage then my chances of getting into this college would be nil, the tension of admission was more then the tension of the results itself,” says Randall Rodrigues.

Five years down the line, nothing seems to have changed; the anticipation still continues to reign as the students answer their HSSC exams. “Well I am very nervous, and I hope that I pass the exams, so that I can get admission in a good college and do my BCA,” says Robert from RMS Higher Secondary School, expecting a first class in his results.

The best way to beat the stress according to these students is to indulge in something productive, like Clyde, a student of the Fr Agnel’s Higher Secondary at Pilar, who says, “The best way I can divert my mind from the oncoming results is by getting involved in some work; like right now I’m involved in the parish youth programmes.”

Of course prayers seem to be the ultimate solace for those who answer exams and wait anxiously for the results. “Well, I tend to pray more when my results are approaching than any other time in my life, although I don’t use things like vows; I just pray that I get the marks I deserve,” says another student from the Fr Agnel’s High School.

Well, exams are over so the result is out of your hands. Just be positive and pray for a happy future. Be cool and all the very best!

T

­H­O­R­O­S­C­O­P­E If you've been thinking about going shopping for old furniture, why not go today? Push for your (21 Mar – 19 Apr) viewpoint a bit more aggressively today -- but expect pushback! If you can keep it all civil, you are much more likely to see your side carry the day. Smile and focus on the positive.

Maybe you and a pal should go professional.

Now is the time if you've ever entertained the (23 Sep – 22 Oct) thought. You're more social than many others, and today that turns into a serious strength. You may find that you need to call in a few favors in order to make it through the day, but that is what they're for, after all.

Who is just dripping with appeal? You, that's who! You are hot stuff!

You may feel a new (20 Apr – 20 May) burst of affection for someone close -- -maybe your mate, maybe a family member or maybe just a dear friend. Don't keep it to yourself -- let them know just what feel.

You're brave -- no two ways about it. What bravery do you need now?

For what? Expect some (23 Oct – 21 Nov) of your well-known intensity to escape today, leaving those nearby a little nervous -- which can work to your advantage. It's a good time for you to make sure you're in the right place.

Make sure you pay back anything you owe. Then make sure you get paid, too. You need to listen (21 May – 21 Jun) carefully to what your smartest friends are trying to tell you -- though they might not even realize they have a message for you! It's all in the tiny details, so think it over.

Sometimes you need to step close to a project to see just what the issue is. Though you are usu(22 Nov – 21 Dec) ally more comfortable with big-picture stuff, for now you're preferring to drill down and take care of the budget, data or other smallbore issues that have been making life weird.

Life's not always a picnic, but it could be. Buy a baguette and go to the woods. An original idea (22 Jun – 22 Jul) is worth a lot today, so think long and hard until you come up with something you're sure is new. You may need to break free of old habits in order to get there, though.

You are a loyal friend.

Your friends know and like that. That's what makes them loyal to you.

(22 Dec – 19 Jan) You need to deal with an issue that requires more than your usual standards of discipline.

See if you can handle whatever comes your way without pushing anything into the background.

You're good but don't showoff. Showing off isn't good. And you are good. Get it? Avoid the (23 Jul – 22 Aug) DMV or other bureaucratic strongholds if you can -- you are extremely susceptible to falling through the cracks right now. If you can wait just one more day, all should be well.

Some weirdness isn't finished yet! There's still something strange going on. There shouldn't be (20 Jan – 18 Feb) too much action today -but that can be okay. A little boredom never killed anyone, and it might give your mind the room it needs to wander freely and come up with new ideas.

Some soul searching will turn up all the right answers. Find the right question. You can tackle (23 Aug – 22 Sep) big problems today -- it's quite a bit easier than usual for you to tear them apart and make sense of their component parts. It may take time, but the wait is sure to be worth it.

A secret admirer might deliver something sweet. Is it chocolate?

Or healthier? This is not (19 Feb – 20 Mar) the time for extreme or abrasive behavior -- quite the opposite! Move away from people who are pushy or driving too hard and make sure that your own behavior is moderate.

BY NOMRATHA FERNANDES HERALD FEATURES mention of martial arts and Jackie Chan comes to mind. His moves seem to disobey most laws of physics and when woven into the storyline of a movie, it leaves the viewer awed and entertained.

Stepping into the real world, the undertaking of any one discipline of martial arts requires the following of a complete regimen which includes diet and regular practice. The students of martial arts in Goa, all go through this regime, on a daily basis, in the hope that they will qualify for a championship – state, national or international level. But what is the standard of martial arts training in the state? Is it up to the mark?

With the exception for taekwondo, the other two martial art disciplines need ample amounts of improvement. Gururdatta Bhakta, president,Goa Judo Association provides a few suggestions. “The authorities require to organise more inter-state and inter-district/region championships. There should be more interaction between martial art teams from Goa with those from the other states as well. All this will heighten the bar of competition,” he says. “This applies, all the more for Goa, as it is a small state. In most cases opponents have either competed against each other at a pervious tournament or are aware of their style. Stimuli should be increased for the standard of the art to improve and for personal development of each student as well,” Bhakta states. He also says teams and players should not be championship focused and should concentrate on the improvement of their skill.

A major problem facing the martial art discipline in Goa in current times is the lack of proper infrastructure. “Each discipline, by itself requires a separate training hall, dedicated especially to the sport with facilities to match. The halls provided are not scientific,” says Bhakta. This isn’t the case for Judo, Taekwondo or Karate where halls aer shared with other sports and practice sessions have to be limited or distrurbed. These difficulties are overcome on a short term basis, but “in the long run they hamper the growth and development of the players,” he adds. There is definitely an

Twilight and Harry Potter Wedding

Cleaning up Goa’s Garbage Issue

overlapping here. Bhakta also stresses on the need for sports counselling.

“Martial arts is not just physical, it involves a certain sense of discipline and mental strength, or that matter any sport. These aspects should be dealth with by sports counsellors, which sadly are not around.”

R D Mangueshkar, president of the Taekwondo Association of Goa which is celebrating 25 years of its existence speaks exuberantly of the achievements of the association in bringing home the most medals of the three martial arts. “The number of participation and medlas won is increasing by the year and on a genral level the standard of tae kwondo is good,” he says, later stating that there is much more to do for it to improve. “To begin with we need more coaches,” he says and goes on to second Mangueshkar with regard to training and infrastructure.

He states that one major threat to upcminhg tae kwondo talent in Goa are illegal taekwondo training schools. “There have been a rise in their number. Their charges are high and their trainging is flawed. More importantly they are not recognised by the Sports Association of Goa or the Taekwondo Federation of Indian” As for the number of students, there has been a rise over the past ten years, which is a positive sign of the spread of the sport, amidst cricket and football crazy Goa. For the sport to garner more women, Bhakta suggests training bodies in village schools. He also is happy with the new sports policy which allows educational institutions to provide a relaxation in school attendance to the player and also offers marks to those who excel at a sports. “This policy should be made known to every school in the state. It should be spread through the various panchayats of the various little villages,” he says.

In conclusion Bhakta says that martial arts don’t just call for competition like most other sports. “Humility and humbleness is what they teach you coupled with discipline both physically and mentally. The sport has a certain gracefulness to it.”

“For excellence, form a strong bond with the discipline of martial art you choose,” are his closing words.

BY DOLCY D’CRUZ HERALD FEATURES magine waking up one morning and noticing waste papers, broken glasses, plastic bottles, plastic bags and scrap pieces of metal scattered across your porch and compound. Scary isn’t it? Well, that certainly can happen tomorrow if we don’t take action today. An informational meeting, ‘Solution to Garbage issue in and around Panaji’ will take place on May 14, 2010 at 6pm at the International Centre Goa, Dona Paula where K D Sadhle, Chairman of Nirmal Vishwa, will explain the problem of garbage, informing about ways to deal with it without blaming anyone. lame for b e n o “The garbage problem is affecting not only cities but ld u o Whom sh n of also remote areas of Goa. We will be having a round tio ra e n e g t the rampan table conference where we will explain the Zero Garbage n a R a th e r th Programme which was started nearly six months back. g a rb a g e ? , g There will be a PowerPoint presentation showing the seriousness of this issue,” says K D Sadhle. finger-pointin wasting time ke vo e y Places are littered by everyone at some point of time. Instead of waiting for officials to take action, the programme a m e iv ct a getting pro encourages everyone to do their bit. “Each individual has to keep their surroundings clean. It is difficult for officials to g in ow s in the gr clean garbage when people litter different places at different points of time. So individuals who create it should also be some change g rin sh that litte able to clean it. I have noticed nallahs filled with garbage, even in villages,” says Sadhle with disappointment. mounds of tra l na io at rn “Nirmal Vishwa has signed a memorandum of understanding with an agency that will send its employees to collect te In he our vicinities. T garbage from different points in cities and suburbs of the state on fixed dates of the month. This waste will be segregated n o le p o e rms p and recycled in the state itself. Plastic will be recycled in Madkai while the remaining waste will be sorted out in different Centre info d n a e g ge garba parts of the state,” he explained. how to mana an e cl t n e “I expect people determined to solve the garbage issue to attend the meeting. There will be no discussions about m n ro keep the envi the issue but we will instead concentrate on tackling it from the grass root level.”

Y

I

oung love bloomed between a vampire and a wizard on the Harry Potter set! Eight months later, Bonnie Wright, 19, is set to wed Potter costar Jamie Campbell Bower, 21, who is also a member of the dreaded Volturi in The Twilight Saga.

Though their storylines don't overlap, the pair met while working on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows where Wright plays Harry's love interest, the red-headed Ginny Weasley.

Bower joined the Potter cast for the final installments of the series and plays the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald.

While Wright moonlights as a student at London's University of the Arts, her hunky beau is considered an up-and-comer in England.

Not only did he play Volturi vampire Caius in The Twilight Saga, but he also worked with Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

Dating rumours first surfaced in October, but the couple didn't confirm their status until February.

"It's not like we kept it a secret intentionally, but we didn't go around telling everyone either," Wright told People. "We met at a party, and we just really clicked straight away. He's a great guy and we just enjoy spending time together."

Now word is that he's proposed and she's said yes.

"We are all absolutely shocked and surprised and can’t believe that Jamie has asked Bonnie to marry him," a Potter set source told The Daily Mail. "They met on the set of the movie and Jamie fell for Bonnie really badly. He says they are completely in love. It all seems very whirlwind, but they both say it’s the real deal." The pair hasn't confirmed the big news and it bares mention that the "source" says they met onset, while Wright says they met at a party. Hmm...

One thing is for certain: Wright is sporting a flashy new bauble on her ring finger! The wedding should be one interesting affair, not to mention a paparazzi and tween dream.

Imagine having your special day toasted by the likes of Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Dakota Fanning, Clemence Poesy, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and maybe even Depp and Bonham Carter!What's more, by bringing together a host of wizards, vampires and maybe even a few wolves, the union may even bring peace to the Potter-Twilight rivalry.

One can only hope.

Another Charitable Feather in Salman Cap

B

ollywood star Salman Khan will be the brand ambassador of the IIFA Charity Initiative, which includes housing, literacy and rehabilitation measures for the people in the Northern and Eastern regions of Sri Lanka.

The initiative is part of IIFA Weekend being held in Colombo from June 3 to 5.

Addressing a press conference here, Salman, who runs the Being Human charity foundation, said he supported IIFA's initiative to build bridges with the Lankan people who have suffered hardships due to the decades-old war that ended last year with the military defeat of the LTTE. "I am happy to be the Ambassador for change and believe that it is crucial to make a difference and contribute to this worthy cause," the 44-year-old actor said.

A charity cricket match is being organised between Indian celebrities and Sri Lankan cricketers on June 4 as part of the 'Cricket for Change Project' under which former child soldiers will be rehabilitated.

The kids, who bore the scars of the ethnic conflict, will be educated and trained in cricket and get to participate as volunteers at the IIFA Weekend. The global organisation Habitat for Humanity, with which IIFA is working, is devoted to building simple and affordable housing and is already doing considerable work in Sri Lanka.

Actors Lara Dutta, Riteish Deshmukh and Boman Irani will once again host the IIFA Awards function on June 5.

Sri Lanka Deputy Minister of Economic Development Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena expressed confidence that IIFA, that showcases Bollywood to the world, will play a vital role in strengthening co-operation between India and his country.

Indian icons Rabindranath Tagore, Pandit Ravi Shankar and filmmaker Satyajit Ray were part of Lanka's culture and heritage as much as they were in their home country, he said.

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Thursday, 13 May, 2010

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ENT

ENIN P P A H

WHAT’S UP IN GOA??

‘Coconut Heritage Photography Contest’ a photography contest organised by the Heritage Jazz is open for entries till June 10. The entry forms are available at Champs and Big G, Margao and Champs, Magsons, the Don Bosco Oratory and the Gonsalves Mansion, Panjim. Call 2228010.

All Goa Quiz Contest for students on May 14 at 3:30pm to be held at Raghvendra Swami Hall. Call 9823580272.

‘Pinhole (match box) Camera’, a workshop for children between 7 to 15 years will be held at the Sunaparanta - Goa Centre for the Arts from May 13 to 15 from 10am to 1pm. It is organised by the Goa Center for Alternative Photography. Call 2421311.

‘School Administration’ a seminar, organised by the All Goa Government Recognised Unaided Schools Association will take place on May 21 from 9am to 1pm. Call 9822132182 or 9823158535.

‘Mahaquizzer’, a national level quiz, organised by the Karnataka Quiz Association and the Sunday Evening Quiz Club will take place on May 30.

Visit www.seqc.blogspot.com.

The ninth introduction to kayaking and training program 2010, organised by the Goa Kayaking and the Goa Tourism will take place from May 14 to 17 at the Vainguinim Beach, Dona Paula, Panjim. Call 9422056037.

E-mail goakayaking@gmail.com.

‘Mahila Melava’, a literary symposium, organised by Institute Menezes Braganza, Panjim will be held on May 22 at the Gomantak Maratha Samaj Hall, Panjim. There will be three discussions/symposiums – ‘Leadership in Women’, ‘Rudi/Parampara/Dharma Bhavana and Bailanchi Sanhyachi Shithi’ and ‘Live-in Relation’. Call 2224143.

LAFFS

WORD OF THE DAY

sarcophagus

Funny Quote

Pronunciation sahr-kof-uh-guhs Function Noun Meaning 1 : a stone coffin bearing sculpture, inscriptions 2 : Greek Antiquity a kind of stone thought to consume the flesh of corpses Example Sentence The Egyptian sarcophagus always atracts huge crowds.

SUDOKU 552

All Goa Marathi Film Singing Competition, organised by the Pratibha Friends Circle, Borim will take place on May 15 at 2:30pm at the Raghvindra Swami Hall, Borim. Call 9860410997.

The feast of the Holy Cross Shrine, Bambolim will be celebrated on May 16. The first mass will be held at 7:30am, the high mass will begin at 9am and the evning mass at 5pm.

‘Open Competition of Carnival Plays’, organised by HCN and Vandana Productions will take place on May 18, 19 and 20 at Pai Tiatrist Auditorium, Margao. Call 9822983541.

A summer experiential adventure camp, organised by Wildtrek Adventures will take place on May 29 and 30. Call 9822123458, 9822155805, 9422640141 or 9822988918.

A legal literacy camp will be held on May 15 from 3pm onwards at Vasant Bhavan Villa, Cumbharjua.

Drumcircle workshop for kids and adults, organised by Sunaparanta – Goa Centre for the Arts, Altinho, Panjim and Art Escape, Benaulim will be held on May 14 from 7pm to 8:30pm at the Sunaparanta, Altinho, Panjim.

Call 2421311.

Competitions will be held by the Indian Medical Association, Students Wing to mark the occasion of World No Tobacco Day on May 31. The last day to submit entries is May 31. Call 9860030131 or 9923568524.

‘Solution to Garbage issue in and around Panaji’, an informational meeting, will take place on May 14 from 6pm to 7:30pm at the International Centre Goa, Dona Paula. Call 2452805, 2452808, 2452809 or 2452810.

‘Konkani Classics Revisited’, Volume One and Two, the album will be launched by Tomazinho Cardozo, president of the Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG) at the Tiatr Academy Conference Hall on May 14.

“The trouble with jogging is that, by the time you realise you’re not in shape for it, it's too far to walk back.”

– Franklin P Jones DAILY GROOK BRIT TOILET

by Francis Rodrigues at loo w/out coins you be, simply shout "i need 2p!"

Museum of Christian Art to celebrate International Museum Day

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‘Olakh’ to be staged in Goa The Marathi play promises to be a new concept of theatre production style

HERALD FEATURES ala Academy’s Rangmel is presenting its new Marathi Play Production ‘Olakh’ on May 20, 2010 at 7:30 pm at the Dinanath Mangeshkar Kala Mandir of Kala Academy.

The play ‘Olakh’ is written and directed by Professor Rajiv Shinde, eminent theatre and film personality of Goa. The play is based on the day-to-day situation of a man searching his identity in the world. The play has beautiful scenic design, music, acting, dance, etc.

It is a new concept of theatre production style, for the audience to enjoy.

All theatre lovers and general public are cordially invited to witness the performances in large numbers. The show is open to all.

K

HERALD FEATURES he Museum of Christian Art, Old Goa will be celebrating International Museum Day on May 18, 2010.

As a part of this year’s celebration, the Museum is organising a week long exhibition (May 18 -25) of photographs of Old Goa by Goa’s photographer, Thomas Vaz. There will also be a short play by the Mustard Seed Art Company titled ‘The Name of the Game’, at the Museum, on May 18 at 6 pm.

For more details contact 2285299

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Cycling in the Dark amidst surprised Onlookers

HERALD FETURES n a bid to continue creating awareness on the benefits of cycling whether on a personal level or in protecting the environment, the Goa Cycling Community organised a fun ride in the night, within Panjim recently. Fourteen members of the troupe started off at the Miramar new high mast. They rode through the city via St Inez, 18th June Road, Panjim Church etc and returned to Miramar in an hour.

“It was basically to create awareness and have a lot of fun,” enlightened Joseph Rodrigues, founder of the cycling club. He continued, “We had a lot of surprised onlookers as we went around whistling along the way.”

The club will be organising another trip on May 16. Rodrigues informs, “We will be starting at 7 in the morning at the ferry point, Panjim and will proceed to Pompurba Spring.”

I

‘Entertainment Week 2010’ at St Lawrence Chapel, Arrossim

Instructions for Sudoku SUDOKU SOL 551 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

BY RUSSEL D’ COSTA HERALD FEATURES t Lawrence Chapel Arrossim kick started its Entertainment Week 2010, with an All Goa Singing Contest on Sunday, May 9. The event had a tremendous response as participants from all over Goa sang their souls out with passion to win the honour of St Lawrence Voice of Goa. At the end of the melodious battle the top honour went to Clint Furtado from Benaulim, followed by Debbie Fernandes of Cansaulim grabbing the second place and Cielda Periera from Betalbatim with the third spot.

Shalini D’Souza from Cansaulim missed the third spot by a few inches and was a awarded a Consolation Prize along with Evola Couto from Nuvem who gave a tough fight for all the contestants. The participants were judged based on five key elements that were voice modulation, correct pitch, correct rhythm, clarity of voice and near to the original singing. The judges for the evening were Michael Gracias a renowned musician, actor and singer San Fernandes, Caitan Goes and Zenobia Pexiera.

The competition had two rounds, the first round being the Konkani round and the second being any language apart from Konkani. The competition had 26 participants from all over Goa, which also included three junior contestants less than the age group of 15. The participants had to first practise with the band and then perform. The band that rocked the evening was ‘Bright Talents’.

‘The Entertainment week 2010’ was organised by the Chaplaine of St Lawrence chapel Arossim, Fr Kevin Rodrigues along with the parishioners of Arossim. The compere for the evening was the young and dynamic Swiston Antao keeping the audience on their feet with his indescribable energy. The next day on the 10th, there was the Inter Ward Dance Presentation in which three wards participated namely, Piedade Vaddo, Falvaddo and Tottem. The next four days had the drama festival entertaining the Goan masses, starting off with Roseferns ‘Cholea London’ on the 11th and yesterday the 12th John D’ silva presented ‘Kuttumb’. Tomorrow, there will be Prince Jacob’s ‘Aiz hanv falleam tum’ followed by Milagrez de Chandor’s ‘Burgim korta paap maim pai dita zaap’ on the 14th and finishing off the ‘Entertainment Week 2010 in style will be Mario Menezes ‘Fatllea Poi’ on May 15.

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GARFIELD

SOUTH POLE

Photo by Samson Dias

10:00 Sabki Laadli Bebo 10:30 Saath Nibhana Saathiya 11:00 Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya 11:30 Behenein 12:00 Sapna Babul Kai 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 16:30 Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya 17:00 Sasural Genda Phool 17:30 Saath Nibhana Saathiya 18:00 Sabki Laadli Bebo 18:30 Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya 19:00 Saath Nibhana Saathiya 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 Kehlatai 22:00 Sabki Laadli Bebo

11:00 Godh Bharaai 11:30 Indian Idol 13:00 Godh Bharaai 13:30 Indian Idol 14:00 C.I.D Classics 17:30 Indian Idol 19:00 Sukh By Chance 19:30 Godh Bharaai 20:00 C.I.D Classics 21:00 Indian Idol

10:00 Choti Bahu 10:30 12/24 Karol Bagh 11:00 Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya

11:30 Pavitra Rishta 12:00 Do Saheliyaan 12:30 Yahan Main Ghar Ghar 13:00 Jhansi Ki Rani 13:30 Pavitra Rishta 14:00 Choti Bahu 14:30 Do Saheliyaan 15:00 Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya 15:30 12/24 Karol Bagh 16:00 Yahan Main Ghar Ghar 16:30 Choti Bahu 17:00 Agle anam Mohe Bitiya 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 21:00 Pavitra Rishta 21:30 Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya

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 Yeh Chanda Kanoon Hai 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 Yeh Chanda Kanoon Hai 18:30 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta 19:00 Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo 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

Parenting

09:00 The Amityville Horror 10:50 Scary Movie 12:35 Valkyrie 14:55 Just Married 16:55 Daniel Defoe's: Robinson Crusoe 18:45 The Magnificent Butcher 21:00 What's the Worst That Could Happen?

23:05 88 Minutes

08:00 Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day 10:00 You Got Served 12:00 Multiplicity 14:15 Glitter 16:30 Rocket Science 18:30 Superman 21:00 Paul Blart: Mall Cop 23:00 Cradle 2 the Grave

08:00 Krishna 11:50 Ghar Sansar 15:40 Dum 20:00 Bhootnath 23:30 Azur et Asmar

09:30 Strangers 12:30 Julie 16:00 Home Delivery 20:00 Hey Ram 23:00 Terror in the Deep

10:30 The Business 12:30 The Replacement Killers 14:20 Alex and Emma

16:20 Rules of Engagement 18:45 Finding Neverland 21:00 Drowning Mona 23:05 Terminator 3

08:30 Waqt 12:00 Koyla 16:00 Sangram 20:00 Tezaab 23:15 Cheeni Kum

08:00 Aflatoon 12:00 Kudrat Ka Kanoon 16:00 Race 20:00 Jaani Dushman

E N T E R TA I N M E N T 09:00 Ssshhh.....Phir Koi Hai 10:00 Dill Mill Gayye 10:30 Mile Jab Hum Tum 11:00 Rang Badalti Odhni 11:30 Geet 12:00 Jaane Pehchaane Se Yeh 12:30 Dill Mill Gayye 13:00 Mile Jab Hum Tum 13:30 Geet 14:00 Rang Badalti Odhni 14:30 Jaane Pehchaane Se Yeh 15:00 Khuddar 18:00 Laughter Ke Phatke 18:30 Jaane Pehchaane Se Yeh

19:00 Geet 19:30 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

18:00 Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles 19:00 Wipeout Australia 20:00 Ghost Adventure 21:00 Sports Crash 22:00 Top Chef

11:00 Numb3rs 12:00 Video Zonkers 13:00 Wipeout Australia 14:00 Criss Angel Mindfreak 14:30 Criss Angel Mindfreak 15:00 Video Zonkers 15:30 Video Zonkers 17:00 The Amazing Race Asia

09:00 Two and a Half Men 09:30 Friends 10:00 Monk 11:00 American Idol 12:00 The Bold & The Beautiful 12:30 Castle 13:30 90210 14:30 Two and a Half Men

15:00 The Bold & The Beautiful 15:30 Monk 16:30 Friends 17:00 Castle 18:00 90210 19:00 Friends 19:30 Two and a Half Men 20:00 Monk 21:00 Friends 21:30 Two and a Half Men 22:00 Castle

11:30 World Championship Raceday 2010 12:15 World Championship 14:15 World Championship 15:00 GP 2 Asia Series 2009/10 17:00 Global Football 17:30 Castrol Football Crazy 18:00 TNA Sikander 19:00 Goals!

19:30 Premier League World 20:00 Sports Mania 20:30 Ace 2010 21:00 Score Tonight 21:30 Mutua Madrilena Madrid

09:00 West Indies vs. Australia 10:00 India vs. Sri Lanka 11:00 New Zealand vs. England 12:00 India vs. Sri Lanka 13:00 West Indies vs. Australia 14:00 Pakistan vs. South Africa 15:00 Pakistan vs. South Africa 16:00 New Zealand vs. England 17:00 India vs. Sri Lanka 18:00 West Indies vs. Australia 19:00 Sportscenter India 19:30 ICC Cricket Crazy

08:30 UEFA Europa League 10:30 Football India 11:00 FIFA: Futbol Mundial

11:30 Coca-Cola Championship 13:30 UEFA Europa League 15:30 Football India 16:00 UEFA Champions League 17:00 WWE: Raw 19:00 Coca-Cola Championship 21:00 Football League Show 21:30 Football India 22:00 FIFA: Futbol Mundial

10:00 Creative Vision 11:00 Megacities 12:00 Megastructures 13:00 Dangerous Encounters 14:00 Most Amazing Moments 15:00 Monkey Thieves 16:00 Nat Geo Junior 17:00 Most Amazing Moments 18:00 Nat Geo Wild 19:00 Apollo Flight of the Hawkz 20:00 Taboo 4 21:00 Seconds from Disaster 22:00 Engineering Connections

08:00 English News 09:00 Konkani News 10:00 Marathi News 11:00 Campus Rocks 11:30 Talking Talkies 12:00 Konkani Songs 12:30 Flavors 13:00 English News 14:00 Goa a Wonderful Destination 14:30 Rose Garden 15:00 Sangeet 15:30 Face-2-Face 16:00 Save the earth 16:30 Flavors 17:00 Kids Club 17:30 Konkani Songs 18:00 Konkani News 19:00 Marathi News 20:00 English News 21:00 Straight Talk 22:00 English News Note: Subject to change

HERALD CROSSWORD - 552 Across 1- Banned apple spray; 5Turned right; 9- Cleft; 14Sled; 15- Italian resort; 16Concert venue; 17- Spahn teammate; 18- Purim month; 19- Wretched hut; 20- Minimize; 23- ___ Rosenkavalier; 24- 100 square meters; 25- Sampled; 29- Israeli dance; 31- Cabinet dept.; 34- Synthetic fiber; 35- Nota ___; 36- Winglike parts; 37Cause light to pass through; 40- Icicle site; 41- "My fault!"; 42- Doled (out); 43Coloring material; 44- Formicary residents; 45- Jewish girl; 46- Trident-shaped letter; 47- Battery size; 48Haphazard; 56- Singer Cleo; 57- Like some history; 58Actress Ward; 60- Femme fatale; 61- Hamlet, e.g.; 62Pitfall; 63- Give it ___!; 64Scorch; 65- ___ expert, but...; Down 1- Capp and Capone; 2- Hawaiian outdoor feast; 3- Not "fer"; 4- Tear; 5- Stared fiercely; 6Bird that gets you down; 7Dutch cheese, wrapped in red wax; 8- A small town; 9- North African desert; 10- Plain writing; 11- First name in jeans; 12- Don Juan's mother; 13- Story; 21Perfect places; 22- Seraglio; 25Carried; 26- Marshal; 27- Bond servant; 28- Accent; 29- Aids; 30- Burden; 31- Winged; 32-

Entrances; 33- Orchestra SOLUTION - 551 section; 35- Ink spot; 36Again; 38- Grecian architectural style; 39- That is to say...; 44- Acquiescence; 45- Lockup overseer; 46Languishes with longing; 47- Appliance brand; 48Ingrid's "Casablanca" role; 49- Neet rival; 50- Calamitous; 51- Fishing gear; 52Dies ___; 53- Italian wine city; 54- Division of a school year; 55- Dash; 59Mil. address;

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SPORTS

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GOA, Thursday, 13 May, 2010

Chinchinim Churchill go down fighting CRC, in quarters l Goan community boos referee for partial supervision

Qadsia...2 Churchill...1

BY HERALD REPORTER KUWAIT, MAY 12

Churchill Brothers went down fighting to Qadsia 1-2 and bowed out of AFC Cup championship in Kuwait tonight.

Qadsia were leading 2-0 at half time with both goals being scored through headers by Ahmed in 33rd minute and Hamed in the 42nd minute of a

free-kick Churchill should have reduced the margin in the 44th minute through a header by Odafa, but the referee surprisingly ruled it as off side.

The referee was booed by the strong Goan crowd since he blatantly favoured the Kuwait team.

Churchill put up a brilliant display and gave the Kuwait team a hard time.

Churchill came back strongly in the second half and reduced the margin in the 60th minute through captain

Hosts enter final st anthony’s super cup HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, MAY 12

Hosts St Anthony’s Club Colva entered the final proving their dominance in the tie-breaker against Parish Youth Nuvem, scoring a 5-4 win in St Anthony’s Super Cup football tournament, organised by St Anthony’s Club, at Colva ground, on Wednesday.

In an exciting match, best so far in the tournament, both teams dished out entertaining football skills.

St Anthony’s dominated the proceedings with the support of midfielders Nelson, Clifford alongwith Dhillon Fernandes.

Leslie also tormented the Nuvem defenders.

St Anthony’s Joao Fernandes’ shot was well saved by Nuvem goalkeeper Floyd Colaco at the stroke of half time.

In the second half, Nuvem mounted tremendous pressure on the rivals with veteran Jose Colaco and Remie Colaco dictating terms in the midfield.

St Anthony’s goalkeeper was outstanding in the goal making a brilliant save in the 45th minute.

At the end of regulation time, both teams failed to open an account.

In the ensuing tie-breaker, for hosts St Anthony ’s Nelson Gomes, Clyde Pacheco, Clifford, Dulio and John Barretto were on target while Neves Noronha, Jose Colaco, Remy and Daniel netted for Nuvem.

Now, St Anthony’s Club will battle against Betalbatim Sporting Club in the final scheduled on May 16.

Odafa who scored a splendid goal.

However, in the end a biased refereeing led to the downfall of Churchill.

The Goan crowd which came to support the Churchill Brothers team congratulated them for their splended porformance and felt that referee had denied them a sure victory if not a draw.

The Churchill Brothers defense played an outstanding match with goalkeeper Arindam coming up with some excellent saves.

With this win Qadsia have qualified for the quarterfinals.

Meanwhile, PWD Minister Churchill Alemao who is the patron of the team said that he would be taking up the matter of totally baised refeering with the AFC and FIFA more so as the three officials were all from Bahrain which is another Gulf countr y. If this trend continues Churchill stated that he will have to think about continuing in the future.

atlanta georgia cup HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, MAY 12

A first half strike by Dickson Costa helped CRC, Chinchinim to overcome Verna Sports Club 1-0 to sail into the quarter-final of All Goa Atlanta Georgia Cup inter village football tournament, organised by Enfermos Sports Club, at Rosary Grounds, on Wednesday.

The all-important goal came in the 30th minute when Dickson Costa fired home from close.

Stung by setback, Verna regrouped quickly and called the shots against the rival citadel but without any success.

Crossing over, Verna put a better performance and raided the rival citadel and were rewarded when Chinchinim defenders brought down Verna striker inside the rival box.

Referee awarded the spot kick. But the resultant spot kick taken by Anthony Fernandes was saved by Chinchinim goalkeeper Macroy Fernandes.

GCA puts stadium issue on backburner, for now HERALD CORRESPONDENT PROVORIM, MAY 12

Unless and until the Goa Cricket Association has all the permissions required from the concerned authorities it will not go ahead with the International cricket stadium at Tivim, stated President Dayanand Narvekar, at a press conference, here, today.

Narvekar made this statement in regard to Goa Foundation’s allegations in the High Court, alleging that the forest land is being used for the construction of cricket stadium.

He said, since the cost of constructions has increased immensely, the Association has decided to write to Board of Control for Cricket in India to increase grants for all the associations in India to Rs 100 crore from the existing Rs 50 crore for the construction of cricket stadiums.

Narvekar further mentioned that the election for the post of three ordinary members will be held on June 27. With this, the strength of the ordinary members in the GCA committee will be increased to 15. Further three ordinary members will be coopted.

The Goa Cricket Academy has become fully functional since December 2009, he added.

Meanwhile, in the summer coaching camps organised by the Association, around 600

Dramapur in quarters eslinda soccer HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, MAY 12

Dramapur Sports Club scored a solitary goal win against Fr Agnel Youth Sports Club, Paroda to move into quarter-finals of Eslinda Alemao memorial Mandopa Cup soccer, organised by Mandopa Sporting Club, at Mandopa ground, Navelim, today.

There was no score at lemon break.

The game began with a promising note, with both teams trying to take control of the proceedings. But still Fr Agnel had the upper hand in the later first half.

Crossing over, Dramapur played a game of well served passes to score the all-important goal through the boots of John Ferrao.

Calangute edge past Sangolda

lakhanpal soccer HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, MAY 12

Calangute Association got the better of Sangolda Lightning 2-1 to move into quarter- finals of Novino Lakhanpal Gold Cup inter-village football tournament, organised by Candolim Sports Club, at Dr Gustavo Montiero Stadium, on Wednesday.

Dominating the initial proceedings, Sangolda took the lead through Melvyn. Down by a goal, Calangute fought back to restore parity but a goal eluded them till the breather.

Changing over, Calangute dominated the proceedings and equalised through Francisco Fernandes. With scores level, Calangute fought well and snatched the winner through Cliff Fernandes. Down 1-2, Sangolda mounted pressure on Calangute defence but failed to score.

l Narvekar wants all clearance boys and 200 girls participated, which were held at 11 centers namely -- Sanguem, Curchorem, Pernem, Mandrem, Mashem, Vasco, Shiroda, Fatorda, Sanquelim, Bicholim, Panjim, Mapusa, Morjim and Colvale.

The GCA spent an amount of Rs 15.6 lakh for conducting the camps, which included ground hire charges, State coach’s remuneration, outstation coaching fees, cricket gear, balls kits, lodging and boarding and travel expenses of the coaches.

The GCA pooled in the resources of former Indian cricketer Raghuram Bhat for spin bowling, Vijay Bharadwaj for batting, Padmaker Shivalker for bowling and of Poornima Rao, women’s coach of repute, to train the junior and senior women’s probables.

They were ably assisted by the State coaches Rajesh Kamath, Avinash Aware, Collin Rodrigues, Anuradha Redker and Suraj Gawas.

The Association adopted a transparent and merit based selection process for all State probables of boys and girls.

At the Taluka level, the selection was carried out by the respective coaches and s u b s e q u e n t l y, G o a S t a t e coaches Rajesh Kamath and Avinash Vichare visited all the Taluka centers to unearth talent. Further, practice games were played and the performance was analysed.

Later, all the short-listed players were called at Academy ground, Porvorim and final se-

lection of 25 probables of each group were selected under the super vision of Academy Head Coach Raghuram Bhat. Prior to this, all the cricketers were given a fitness trial to evaluate their fitness level.

The names of t h e p ro b a b l e s under various categories: Boys Under 19 -- Ganeshraj Narvekar, Amogh Dessai, Darshan Misal, Reagan Pinto, Rohit Naik, Shrinivas Phadte, Mahesh Rao, Vikas Shetty, Kennan Vaz, Nitesh Jaiswal, Julius Fernandes, Sherman Vaz, Nandesh Falari, Yogesh Barde, Sachin Khokar,Vittal Gawas, Aditya Ranjan, Anup Vernekar, Kallol Maitra, Pratik Prabhu, Durgesh Prabhugaonker, Aditya Kesarkar, Sayeed Badiuzzama, Sunnykanta Gawde and Malik Shiror.

Boys under 16 -- Adhish Dessai, Snehal Khautanker, Asif Soudagar, Prathamesh Gawas, Gopal Mahale, Lakshay Garg, Shubam Benaulikar, Ashutosh Natekar, Saurabh Dhavjekar, Shubam Naik, Amulya Pandrekar, Vipus Deshprabhu, Vedant Naik, Devendra Tompe, Samar Dubhashi, Sohail Khawaja, Infancio Correia, Aditya Parker, Abhinav Marathe, Aman Talwalker, Shivam Mapsekar, Felix Alemao, Akhil Shetye, Mayur Pednekar, Rajat Shinde and Hrishikesh

Naik.

Girls under 16 -- Bhakti Naik, Vinavi Gurav, Sweta Rai, Raveena Korgaonker, Diksha Gawas, Pranita Korgaonker, Rupali Parab, Selvi Pradhan, Anuja Tari, Pooja Usapker, Aartin Naik, Sanjula Naik, Tanvi Salgaonker, Divya Naik, Nishigandha Manjrekar, Chinmaye Swar, Panchakshari Gaonker, Siddita Naik, Pratiksha Prabhu, Manjusha Dhuri, Bhedinee Naik, Pranita More, Yashica Sancoalker, Roopam Sancoalker and Ankita Raiker.

Women’s senior team probables -- Shika Pande, Marlene Colaco, Crista Souza, Teena Volvoikar, Shilpa Gawas, Krutika Naik, Nikita Malik, Bharati Gaonker, Dipti Parbab, Pratiksha Gadekar, Santoshi Rane, Salma Divkar, Vaishnavi Korgaonker, Sridevi Kaskar, Surat Gawas, Freeda Perreira, Reshma Rawal, Sunanda Yetrekar, Raveena Korgaonker and Roopam Sancoalker.

Ave Maria make it to semis coca cola cup HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, MAY 12

Ave Maria Athletic Club, Benaulim made it to the semi-final grade when they were locked goalless draw with Chandor Club in a Coca -Cola Under -16 Celebration Cup football tournament at Rosary Grounds, Navelim, on Wednesday .

With both the sides playing free flowing football and attacking the each other citadel but without success. Both goalkeepers, Terry Rodrigues of Ave Maria and Ivan Dias of Chandor Club were at their best.

Knowing well a win will afloat them in the semis, Chandor Club started the game in right earnest with their forwards taking potshot at the rival goal. But Terry Rodrigues stood tall denying any success to them with good anticipation.

Macklyoid Dias came close in putting Aver Maria into the lead

but Chandor Club goalkeeper was equal to the task and averted the danger with superb collection.

Crossing over, Ave Maria upped the tempo and raided the rival citadel on umpteen times with Ramsey came close in breaking the impasse but his try went wide from close range.

With time running out, Elvis Baretto of Ave Maria muffed a sitter with only Chandor Club goalkeeper at his mercy, he blasted wide from handshaking distance.

Earlier, Ave Maria defeated Dicarpale Sports Club 2-0.

Wellington Rodrigues and Elvis Baretto were the goal getters.

Chandor Club beat Dicarpale Sports Club 3-2. Ivan Pinto, Evelton Fernandes and Roster Dias netted for winners.

GFA Secretary Savio Messias, Treasurer John Dias, Asst Secretary Jaju Fernandes witnessed the matches.

Nerul SC in quarters cuncolim union trophy HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, MAY 12

Nerul Sports Club defeated St Rock’s Youth Club, Majorda 20 to advance into the quarterfinal of All Goa 2nd Cuncolim Union Trophy inter village football tournament, organised by Cuncolim Union, at school playground, Cuncolim on Wednesday.

Nerul were leading 1-0 at the breather.

Dynasheshwar put Nerul Sports Club into the lead midway in the opening session when he bugled into the net

after picking up a pass from Felix Baretto.

Spurred by the early success, Nerul nearly made it 2-0 but Clyde Dias muffed pen header.

At the other end, St Rock had their scoring chances but their forwards frittered away an easy sitters.

Crossing over, Nerul put up an improved display as their opponents did not showed urgency and Nerul strikers repeatedly raided the rival citadel with sharp raids and were rewarded midway in the second half when Abhijit Govekar made full use of rival defender lapse to punish the rival goalkeeper with an adroit placements .

U-19 I-League: Musli Power Churchill Brothers v. Dempo Sports club, Duler ground, Mapusa, 4.30.p.m.

Coca Cola Cup: Colmorod Ratwaddo v. Ambelim SC; Ambelim SC v. Sirlim SC; Sirlim SC v. Colmorod Ratwaddo, Navelim ground. Kick off, 4 pm.

Shooting Star soccer: Navelim Villagers v. Betalbatim Sporting Club, Ambelim ground, 4.30 pm.

Arpora-Nagoa Village Panchayat Cup quarters: Friends XI, Vaddem v. Nerul Sports Club, Salt Lake ground, Arpora, 4.45 p.m.

Lakhanpal Novino Gold Cup Soccer: Nagoa Sporting Club v. Sao Minguel Taleigao, Dr. Gustavo Monteiro Stadium, Candolim, 4.30 p.m.

XVIIth Nerul Panchayat Cup: Saligao Sporting Club v.

PVC, Parra, Nerul ground, 4.30 p.m.

Eslinda Alemao Mandopa Cup soccer: Carmona Sports Club v. Parish Youth Nuvem, Mandopa ground, Navelim, 4.30 pm.

Cuncolim Union Trophy soccer: Sporting Club of Davorlim v. Union of Chinchinim Villagers, school playground, Cuncolim, 4.30 pm.

Sub-junior tennis ball cricket championship, organised by Goa Tennis Ball Cricket Association, Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, Fatorda.

All-Goa and inter-ward light tennis ball floodlit cricket tournament, organised by GM Sports and Cultural Club of Khorlim, Saraswat Vidyalaya ground, Khorlim.

sports page 17:Layout 1 5/13/2010 1:09 AM Page 1

SPORTS

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GOA, Thursday, 13 May, 2010

Mahindra's Rafi, Steven, Ravanan to join Churchill PTI PANJIM, MAY 12

With the management decision to disband the team for the next season, Mahindra United players are the hot favourites amongst all the clubs in India.

The I-League is set to come to a close at the end of this month and with the transfer season just around the corner, the club officials are busy making phone calls to every nook and corner of the countr y to strengthen their team’s roster for the next season.

Churchill Brothers have been

the highest spenders so far as they have already signed up the top three from Mahindra United in the form of Mohammad Rafi, Steven Dias and D Ravanan.

Meanwhile, Churchill midfielder R Vashum is likely to join East B e n g a l w h i l e g o a l ke e p e r Arindam Bhattacharya and midfielder Ogba Kalu are in talks with Dempo SC. Apart from Churchill Brothers, another Goan club Salgaocar have also been busy in the transfer market. Now that their survival in the league is certain, coach Karim Bencherifa is doing

all he can to attract top players at his club.

Thoi Singh, Kalialaudeen and Sukhwinder Singh are also ready to complete their move to the Goan outfit. Air India defender Khelemba Singh, Syed Farid and Arnab Das Sarma have already pledged their alliance to Salgaocar.

Bagans have also netted this year's surprise goal poacher Muritala Ali despite stiff challenge f ro m E a s t B e n g a l . C h i r a g United's Kingshuk Debnath and Jayanta Sen are also set to join Mohun Bagan for the 2010-11

season.

Meanwhile, East Bengal have reportedly bagged Pune FC's Sunil Kumar, Air India's Ravinder Singh and Gurwinder Singh and Baljit Sahni from JCT to strengthen their team. Subhashis Roy Chowdhury of Mahindra United and Naseem Akhtar of Mohammedan Sporting are also on their list of transfer targets.

JCT's Nigerian midfielder Penn Orji has already penned a contract with East Bengal while they might offload Yusif Yakubu and Renedy Singh.

Armando now eyeing AFC Cup

PTI PANJIM, MAY 12

After steering Dempo to their fourth national title in six years, Dempo's coach Armando Colaco is now eyeing to win the AFC Championship.

"We have gained experience in playing in the AFC cup for the last many years and ours is the only Indian team to reach the

semi-finals of the AFC Cup. Now that we have qualified again after winning the ILeague we will concentrate ourselves to win the AFC cup," stated a jubiliant Colaco.

Colaco attributed their I-League success to the collective effort his boys have put up and coped up inspite of facing injury problems and playing with only two foreigners.

The loss against Mahindra United and later against Viva Kerala and Salgaocar had shattered our confidence. But I motivated my boys to believe in themselves and remain focus and they responded splendidly winning against Bengal's club Mohun Bagan and East Bengal in their own den which has been the turning point as it put us firm on course of winning the title winning six matches on the trot to win the title.

Now that we have won the I-League, our aim is to win the AFC Championship.

But with the AIFF imposing the rule that all players selected for the Indian team to play for the 2011 Asian cup will be not allowed to play for their respected clubs for any tournaments for the period of eight months, this will hinder our prospect in competing ourselves for the AFC cup as we have seven of our players representing the National team. This is absolutely ridiculous

as no where in the world the team is kept together for such a long period, even the players playing their respective country for the coming world cup are still playing for their clubs team, stated Colaco.

"I want to write to the Federation to allow our players to play for the AFC cup and the Federation Cup in the coming season after consulting our chairman of the Club, Srinivas Dempo," stated Colaco.

Colaco also was not happy with the AIFF changing rule of allowing only two foreign players and one Asian to play in the I-League in the coming season instead of three foreign players and one each of Asian and Person of Indian origin.

This will affect to the planning of the clubs for the coming season as some of the Clubs have already committed to signing of foreign players as per the existing rule and also our prospect in the AFC cup, stated Coalco.

When asked in the event of National Coach Bob Houghton resigning as coach, if given a chance to coach, would you fill the gap, Colaco answered "let AIFF contact me first then I will cross the bridge when it come". Many in the AIFF has doubted my abilities to coach the National team, but now that I have created history to win the National title for the fourth time in six years for Dempo it has answered to my critic," stated Colaco.

Sporting, Viva draw 1-1 u-19 i-league HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, MAY 12

Sporting Clube de Goa and Viva Kerala drew 1-1 in the U-19 Ileague tournament, at Duler stadium, here, on Wednesday.

There was no score at Lemon break.

This match leaves Sporting Clube with seven points from three matches after winning their first two encounters. This is viva’s third draw, and accumulated three points after three matches.

Sporting Clube’s striker Pritam Ningthougam being suspended, Stephene Barretto started the game up front with Joston Pereira.

During the first half Joston changed to the left wing and also dropped deep into the left back position allowing Adwin Lucas to overlap him on the wing. Tactically this worked for Sporting Clube as Viva started to defend higher up the field.

Viva managed to break Sporting Clube’s rhythm on a number of occasions by closing in on their opponents quickly and were also very physically strong flying into tackles.

In the 6th minute, Jayan shot for Viva Kerala but it was easily saved by Sporting Clube’s goalkeeper Koushik Ghosh.

On the half hour mark, Sporting clube’s Valerio Rodrigues curled the ball passed the wall

with a free kick, but it was just wide of the mark.

In the 57th minute, again captain Valzinho Fernandes’ crossed from the right and Joston Pereira was in the right place to head into the net.

Four minutes later, Viva caught Sporting Clube on the break. Viva striker Jayan played the ball through for Britto, who chipped the ball over the Sporting Clube custodian Koushik Ghosh for V iva’s equaliser.

With six minutes to go Pranav crossed for Viva, but Britto headed over.

The match was delayed by 20 minutes awaiting the arrival of the medical assistance.

Da Cruz spikers triumph HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJM, MAY 12

Da Cruz Mala, Panjim won the All-Goa Mount Carmel festival volleyball tournament organised

by St. Cruz Gymkhana, Ponda recently. They beat Goa Police Sports Club 25-22, 25-14, 2523 in the finals.

The winners received Rs. 10,000 while the runners-up took home Rs. 7,000.

Other awards: Best defender – Pradeep, Goa Police; Best smasher –Yeshwant, Da Cruz; Best lifter – Rupesh, Goa Police.

Home Minister, Ravi Naik was the chief guest. Also present were Rajesh Vernekar, Pradeep Naik, chairperson, PMC, Ponda, Vincent Fernandes, vice-chairperson PMC, Daniel Rodrigues, Shyam Sunder Tari and Luis Pires.

Sai Avtaar in last four nagoa-arpora panchayat cup HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, MAY 12

Sai Avtaar, Anjuna proved their prowess against United Club of Nerul 4-1 via tie-breaker after both the teams were involved in a 1-all draw at full time to move into semi-finals of NagoaArpora Panchayat Cup 2010 inter-village soccer, organised

by Arpora Sporting Club, at Salt L a ke g ro u n d , A r p o r a , o n Wednesday.

Dominating the proceedings, Anjuna deservedly took the lead in the 28th minute of play through Saprem Diukar off an Achit Chari move. Saprem tapped the ball over the onrushing Nerul Keeper.

Changing ends, Nerul fought back and dominated the proceedings and restored parity within 10 minutes of play through Charles D'souza off a Xavier Clemente corner.

With both the teams on level terms, the match was decided on penalties. Sai Avtaar prevailed over United Club of Nerul by 3-0. Fausto Lobo, Shekar Kerkar and Saprem Diukar converted for Anjuna. Anjuna Keeper Francis Mascarenhas saved two spot kicks.

Nadal, Federer in 3rd round madrid masters AGENCIES MADRID, MAY 13

Rafael Nadal advanced to the third round of the Madrid Masters with a 6-4, 6-3 win against Ukrainian qualifier Oleksandr Dolgopolov Jr. on Wednesday.

Nadal broke early to take control of the first set, although Dolgopolov pressured the Spaniard’s serve in the second with some blistering groundstrokes.

A superb forehand down the line by Nadal gave him a breakpoint that he converted to go 4-3 up in the second. Dolgopolov saved a match point serving while trailing 3-5, but Nadal still broke to close out the match.

In the women’s draw, fourthseeded Venus Williams beat Francesca Schiavone of Italy 36, 6-1, 6-2 to move into the fourth round.

Nadal was in the Madrid Masters after wins in Monte Carlo and Rome. The 2005 champion and 2009 finalist is hoping to extend the record of 17 ATP

UNI KUALA LUMPUR, MAY 12

Saina Nehwal squandered a one game lead before surrendering to world number one Chinese Yihan Wang as Indian challenge came to a disappointing end with none of their shuttlers managing to win a single match in the quarter-finals of the Thomas and Uber Cup here today.

While the Indian men went down to Indonesia 3-0 in the Thomas Cup, their female counterparts were trashed by an identical margin by China.

Parupalli Kashyap fought hard against Taufik Hidayat in the men's singles to draw level after two games but the Indonesian

did well to edge out the Indian 17-21 in the final game of an evenly matched contest that lasted just over an hour.

World number five, Hidayat gave Indonesia the lead in the first match of the men's singles with a 21-12, 10-21, 21-17 verdict against Kashyap.

Arvind Bhatt was hardly a match for Simon Santosa who thrashed the Indian 21-8, 21-10 without much problems.

Indian men's doubles pair of Sanave Thomas and Akshay Dewalkar were handed a 16-21, 17-21 defeat by the Markis Kido and Hendra Setiawan.

In the women's section, Saina carried a lot of Indian hopes but the world number one Wang

International Olympic Committee has threatened to take ‘protective measures’ against India if the Sports Ministry does not put on hold its regulation that seeks to limit the tenures of sports bosses in the country till its meeting with the IOC. In a letter to Sports Minister MS Gill, IOC National Olympic Committee Relations Director Pere Miro welcomed the government's proposal for a dialogue but said the regulation should not be implemented till then.

"In order to further discuss these issues openly and resolve this matter amicably, we would be very pleased to accept your proposal and to organise a meeting as soon as possible in Lausanne," Miro wrote, saying he was instructed by IOC President Jacques Rogge to write on his behalf.

"Nevertheless, until this dialogue is established, it is our understanding that the guidelines which you have issued will not be imposed in a mandatory manner on the organizations of the Olympic Movement in India.

proved too good for her as the Chinese overpowered her rival.

Saina took the lead in the first game (21-14) but Wang came back strongly in the next and drew parity with a 21-11 win.

Both shuttlers went neck and neck in the final tussle but eventually it was Wang who emerged victorious to win the battle 1421, 21-11, 21-18 in 56 minutes.

In the other women's singles match, Sayali Gokhale was descimated by Xin Wang 10-21, 14-21.

Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponappa also ended as losers as the Indian wonen's doubles pair went down 8-21, 11-21 to Chinese duo of Jin Ma and Xiaoli Wang.

Anand’s win very special: parents PTI CHENNAI, MAY 12

Elated after their son retained his World Chess Championship title, Viswanathan Anand's parents today said the win is very special as the Indian tamed challenger Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria in his own backyard.

"It is a special moment for us on many counts. Firstly, we are thrilled that no player had won the title so many times as Anand.

Winning the title in 2002 and retaining it since 2007, Baba (as

The victorious captain of Da Cruz, Mala, winners of All-Goa Volleyball Championship receiving the cash prize from Home Minister Ravi Naik at Ponda.

PTI NEW DELHI, MAY 12

World Tour 1000 titles that he shares with Andre Agassi.

“He’s very unusual and very difficult to play against,” Nadal said of the 21-year-old Dolgopolov, the youngest player in the top 100 at 62. “He’s very fast with his shots and he has a fast serve too.

“It was an important victory for me because for a moment the match wasn’t under control.”

Nadal next plays American John Isner, who beat Santiago Giraldo 1-6, 7-6 (6), 6-2.

Earlier, Andy Roddick withdrew ahead of his second-round match against Feliciano Lopez because of illness. Lopez defeated replacement Oscar Hernandez 6-1, 6-2, who missed

India crashes out of Thomas, Uber quarters

Anand is affectionately called by his parents) is the greatest player. We are sure that he will continue to rule the roost at highest levels in the game," the champion's parents, Viswanathan and Susheela, told PTI here.

Anand retained his crown by wrapping up the final game against Topalov in Sofia.

Viswanathan said the triumph shows that his son is mentally very strong.

"Right from his young days

he always ventures to take challenges," he said.

Anand's mother said she was delighted result after all the problems that he was forced to confront prior to the tournament. Anand had to travel by road to compete in the world championship as air traffic had been disrupted due to volcanic ash over Europe.

"We were still very hopeful of his triumph because he has always been focused on his work from younger days," she said.

qualifying for the main tournament.

In other matches, Spain’s Nicolas Almagro upset fourthseeded Robin Soderling of Sweden 6-4, 7-5 to set up a meeting with Juan Monaco of Argentina; Ernests Gulbis beat Mikhail Youzhny 7-6 (2), 6-4; Stanislas Wawrinka advanced when Leonardo Mayer retired while trailing 6-4, 4-2.

In a women’s second-round match, seventh-seeded Jelena Jankovic beat fellow Serb Ana Ivanovic 4-6, 6-4, 6-1.

On Tuesday, defending champion Roger Federer defeated Benjamin Becker of Germany 62, 7-6 (4) to reach the third round.

Terry gets foot injury ahead of FA Cup final AGENCIES LONDON, MAY 12

Chelsea captain John Terry injured his right foot in training on Wednesday, putting him in doubt for Saturday’s FA Cup final against Portsmouth.

The club said he took a knock in training and went to a hospital for a precautionary scan on his right foot.

Chelsea did not elaborate on the severity of the injury but said the central defender left the training ground “walking freely” in a protective boot. It expected the results of the scan on Thursday.

The injury has happened three days after the team captured the Premier League title with an 8-0 victory over Wigan and Terry hopes to be fit to collect the most famous domestic cup trophy in the world on Saturday and become the first Chelsea captain to complete the league and cup double.

Chelsea, which scored 103 Premier League goals and is the defending FA Cup champion, is an overwhelming 16 favorite to beat Portsmouth, which finished last in the Premier League and has been relegated.

India suffer 2-5 defeat against Malaysia in Azlan Shah PTI IPOH (MALAYSIA), MAY 12

IOC asks Gill not to implement regulation till meet

Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand to Oleksandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine in Madrid, Spain on Wednesday.

A lacklustre India suffered a disappointing 2-5 loss against Malaysia in a round-robin match to slump to their first defeat in the Azlan Shah Cup h o c ke y t o u r n a m e n t h e re today.

Despite the loss, India still topped the seven-team table with 10 points and they will have to beat Egypt in their last fixture on Saturday to make it to the summit clash.

Malaysia, on the other hand, jumped to the second spot with eight points after today's win, their biggest-ever against India.

Malaysia sounded the board through Mohamed Amin Rahim (27th and 48th minute), Te n g k u A h m a d Ta j u d d i n

(39th), Mohamed Razie (41st) and Nasir Azreen Rizal (60th minute) while the Indian marksmen were Danish Mujtaba (44th) and Ravi Pal Singh (67th).

India needed to beat Malaysia to secure their place in Sunday's final but they seemed complacent throughout the match.

The Indians looked rusty and lacked the cohesion and flair which they exhibited in their 43 upset over world champions Australia in their previous match.

Indian midfielders Gurbaj Singh, Prabodh Tirkey, Arjun Halappa, Danish Mujtaba and Ravi Pal Singh were unable to foil the Malaysia turnovers, thereby adding pressure to Sardar Singh, Dhananjay Mahadik

and rookies Rupinder Pal Singh and Amit Prabhakar in the defence.

If that was not enough, there was lack of understanding among the forwards, comprising captain Rajpal Singh, Mandeep Antil, Tushar Khandekar and Shivendra Singh. To add to it, Sar vanjit Singh turned out to be a flop show yet again.

However, credit must go to Malaysia for their effective marking and anticipation as they dominated the proceedings in the midfield with intelligent short passes.

Their wingers Tengku Ahmad Tajudin and Shahrun Nabil worked tirelessly setting up veteran Azlon Misron and Tajol Rosli, much to the Indian discomfort.

Sports Ministry hits back at IOC’s double standards UNI NEW DELHI, MAY 12

The Sports Ministry today hit back at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for maintaining double standards saying that ''what is eminently desirable for the IOC, need not be followed by the NOCs themselves''.

The IOC had sent a letter to Sports Minister M S Gill accepting his proposal for a dialogue in Lausanne over the raging issue which limits the tenure of the top bosses of the National Sports Federations (NSFs) and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

But the IOC had made it clear to the Sports Ministry that it should not impose any guidelines on the NSFs or the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

Injeti Srinivas, Joint secretary, Sports Ministry wrote back to the IOC President Jacques Rogge in which he claimed that the world body has changed it rules on the tenures and age limit of its office bearers but does not wish to implement the same on the National Olympic Committees (NOC). ''You have in your own organisation changed your internal rules in 1999, in order to have a reasonable age limit of 70 years, a maximum presidential term of 12 years, and an office bearer's term of 8 years, to be followed, by a break. ''Your present position, seems to indicate, that what is eminently desirable for the IOC, and has been put in place by the votes of the NOCs, need not be

followed by the NOCs themselves, and they may continue to have office bearers, of unacceptable lengths of tenure, going on to advanced ages,'' Srinivas wrote.

The Sports Ministry had issued guidelines that no officials would be allowed to hold the post of a president in any of the NSFs or the IOA for more than 12 years.

The guideline also puts a cap on the age limit of 70 years on the office-bearers of the sports bodies.

Rattled by the stipulations, the top bosses of the various NSFs including IOA chief Suresh Kalmadi rejected to follow the guidelines and said the Sports Ministry does not have a right to challenge their autonomy.

Srinivas said it was a ''strange practice'' by the IOC that it allows the NOCs to function as they want. ''Surely, the IOC, while not directing, could in the interest of world sports, and the good management of NOCs, advise them to consider the IOCs practice. ''You have indicated, that therefore, the sole interest you have, is to let them function as they may, elect as they will, and the national governments, or the courts of the countries, should not restrain them, or guide them, in any manner whatsoever. This is to say the least, a very strange position,'' he added.

Earlier on May 10, National Olympic Committee relations department director, Pere Miro had written to Gill

against implementing any of guidelines before the scheduled meeting at Lausanne. ''In order to further discuss these issues openly and resolve the matter amicably, we would be very pleased to accept your proposal and organise a meeting as soon as possible in Lausanne,'' Miro wrote in his letter. ''Nevertheless, until this dialogue is established, it is our understanding that the guidelines which you have issued will not be imposed in a mandatory manner on the organisations of the Olympic Movement in India.

Otherwise, we would unfortunately be obliged to consider the protective measures provided for in the Olympic charter,'' he added.

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SPORTS

Churchill go down fighting Pg. 16

GOA, THURSDAY, 13 MAY, 2010

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Nadal, Federer in 3rd round Pg. 17

www.oherald.in

India eliminated from T20 WC England take on Lankans in first semis l

PTI GROS ISLET (ST LUCIA), MAY 12

Sri Lanka sink India with last ball six

Chamara Kapugedera of Sri Lanka celebrates after hitting the winning runs at the Beausejour Cricket Ground on Tuesday.

PTI ST LUCIA, MAY 12

India crashed out of the Twenty20 cricket World Cup after being handed a five-wicket defeat by Sri Lanka in their final Super Eight match here, completing a disappointing hat-trick of losses for Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men in the mega-event.

After putting on 163 for five, India needed to win yesterday's crunch match by at least a 20run margin to give themselves an outside chance of sneaking

into the semifinals.

However, Sri Lanka ended India's hopes with their thrilling win. Chamara Kapugedara hit a six off Ashish Nehra in the last ball of the 20th over as Sri Lanka made 167 for five after a wobbly start.

Sri Lanka qualified for the semifinals as runners-up from group F after Australia beat the West Indies in the other Super Eights match. The Lankans will play England in the semifinals.

India, the 2007 champions, were going great guns initially as

England's new-found consisthey were 90 for one in 10 overs and brought their team back in the tency will be pitted against Sri but could muster only 37 runs in hunt.

Lanka's characteristic flair when the last five overs and the total Sangakkara hit Pathan for two the two teams clash proved insufficient in the end. sixes in the 14th over, picking up in the first semifinal Suresh Raina top scored for 16 runs to turn the heat on the of the Twenty20 India with a 47-ball 63 and Gau- Indians but Vinay Kumar struck World Cup here totam Gambhir contributed 41 again by removing the Lankan morrow. after Mahendra Singh Dhoni skipper.

England's display won the toss and opted to bat.

The fortunes were fluctuat- in the tournament Chasing the target, Angelo ing but Mathews and Ka- has been a revelation of sorts Mathews (46) played a gem of pugedara were not ready to with Paul Collingwood and his an innings for Sri Lanka under throw in the towel and hit their men winning all three Super pressure and with his skipper bats at everything the Indians Eight stage matches with conKumar Sangakkara (46) knit a threw at them. summate ease. valuable 56-run partnership for Mathews and Kapugedara With their maverick top order the fourth wicket. kept getting boundaries and the batsman Kevin Pietersen returnThe start of India's defence latter's two sixes off Piyush ing to the ranks after a brief could not have been better as Chawla in the penultimate over break to watch the in-form Mahela Jayawardene (4) brought Sri Lanka close to win. birth of his first and Sanath Jayasuriya (0) were India captain Dhoni handed child, England's batback in the dugout by the end the ball to Nehra and Math- ting order would of second over. ews swung the bat splendidly have a formidable Tillkaratane Dilshan (33) and the result was a six over look about it. though was unperturbed and long-off in the first ball. A few Pietersen has been smashed Nehra for three fours runs came from singles and in sensational form and extracted 13 runs from twos. but even without him, England Harbhajan Singh's first over.

Mathews ran himself out in the hardly broke a sweat as they upDilshan looked like taking the fifth ball, leaving Kapugedara to ended New Zealand to prove that match away from India but Yusuf score three runs off the final ball they don't rely on an individual Pathan got rid of the dangerous and his colleague finished it in or two to see them through.

Lankan, having him caught at style, smashing a six over covers.

In Craig Kieswetter and square India: D Karthik c & b Malinga 13, G Gambhir c Sangakkara leg by YuTODAY’S MATCH b Malinga 41, S Raina c Jayawardene b Thushara 63, MS v r a j Dhoni not out 23, Yuvraj Singh c Jayawardene b Thushara 1, 1st Semi-final Singh.

Y Pathan c Kapugedera b Perera 13. Extras: 9. Total: 163 for B u t Sri Lanka v. England 5. Fall of wickets: 1-30, 2-96, 3-144, 4-147, 5-163. Bowling: India could A Mathews 3-0-29-0, NLTC Perera 3-0-15-1, T Thushara 4-09 pm h a r d l y 41-2, L Malinga 4-0-25-2, S Randiv 3-0-25-0, T Dilshan 2-0-14-0, S Jayab r e a t h suriya 1-0-12-0. easy as Sri Lanka: M Jayawardene c Pathan b Nehra 4, S Jayasuriya c Karthik S a n - b Vinay Kumar 0, T Dilshan c Yuvraj Singh b Pathan 33, K Sangakkara b g a k ka r a Vinay Kumar 46, A Mathews run out (Nehra) 46, CK Kapugedera not out and Math- 37, NLTC Perera not out 0. Extras: 1. Total: 167 for 5. Fall of wickets: ews batted 1-4, 2-6, 3-49, 4-105, 5-161. Bowling: A Nehra 4-0-44-1, R Vinay Kumar with deter- 4-0-30-2, Harbhajan Singh 4-0-35-0, Y Pathan 3-0-23-1, P Chawla 4-0mination 28-0, Yuvraj Singh 1-0-6-0. Man-of-the-match: A Mathews.

Parties, travelling during IPL took a toll on fitness: Dhoni

BCCI to investigate India’s debacle AGENCIES NEW DELHI, MAY 12

India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni refused to blame the IPL for the team's Twenty20 World Cup debacle but conceded that after-match parties and hectic travelling during the glitzy league did take a toll on the players' fitness.

"Most of the players were fit and fresh. Players also need to be smart, not only about cricket but about other things going around in the IPL. We have to respect your body and give some time for it to recover because there is more to it than playing matches. Attending parties and travelling takes a toll," Dhoni said after India's five-wicket loss against Sri Lanka yesterday that knocked them out of the event.

The defeat was also India's third successive in the Super Eights stage, a disappointing low for the inaugural champions.

Dhoni said the six-week-long IPL was in itself not responsible for the debacle.

"Our performance does not

have anything to do with IPL," said Dhoni.

"I wouldn't say the IPL was a set back for our preparation. In fact, it has helped us in match preparation for the World Cup. It has thrown up players like (Suresh) Raina, Rohit (Sharma), (Ravindra) Jadeja, (Pragyan) Ohja and (Amit) Mishra. It has groomed a lot of talent."

Dhoni rejected criticism of the team and said he is least affected by what is said about it.

"As Far as the sloganeering goes, I am not bothered about that. We try and do our best.

We play for our country and we are more respectful to our country than those who do these sort of things. They can do whatever they want to," fumed Dhoni.

He said Indian had done their best although the results have not been too good.

"Whenever we go out there we try to do well. But you won't do well every time. We tried our best and did whatever we could have, but we still ended up being on the losing side," said Dhoni.

The Cricket Board on Wednesday said it is awaiting a report from the team management on India's debacle in the Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies before taking "corrective measures".

BCCI spokesman Rajiv Shukla said Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his men, who could not make the semi-finals following their defeat to Sri Lanka last night, put up a below-par show in the Caribbean resulting in their ouster from the tournament.

"The team did not perform as per the Board's expectation. The overall performance was not that impressive," Shukla said.

"Once we receive the team management's report corrective measures will be taken to ensure that something like this does not happen in the future," Shukla said.

Shukla, however, dismissed the suggestion that IPL fatigue led to the team's flop show there.

"The international calendar is always very hectic. There are back-to-back matches, back-toback tournaments. Now also two-three tournaments are lined-up. So we really cannot say that (fatigue is the main reason)," Shukla told Times Now.

in, it is the most disappointing," Shastri said.

"At times you can be stubborn and stick to your ideas but he might want to be a little more flexible in future," he said.

To buttress his case, Shastri referred to India's last night's match against Sri Lanka, which Dhoni's men managed to lose despite a great start to their innings.

"Only 73 runs were scored in the last 10 overs despite having nine wickets in hand. There is no explanation for that. Tactically Yusuf Pathan should have come up in the batting order," said Shastri, who felt India needed to see beyond the current set of players.

"Selectors will have to look

for Twenty20 players who can play in all kind of conditions," he added.

Dhoni tried to provide an explanation for the team's jaded look in the tournament, saying IPL post-match parties and the travelling took its toll on his teammates.

Former India captain Mohd Azharuddin felt the same but he said that cannot be cited as an excuse.

"Obviously if you stay up the whole night, it would affect you.

Players should be responsible enough. The game is more important than the parties. Excuses like these cannot be given after you lose," he said.

"For a player, cricket should

come first and everything else is secondary," he added.

Member of India's 1983 World Cup winning squad Madan Lal, however, was rather annoyed at Dhoni for making "silly excuses".

"I don't think that's a reason.

Who was forcing them to attend these parties? They could have said no. I don't think they should say all this. These are silly excuses," he said.

"Fact is they had gone there to win the World Cup and they just weeren't good enough," he added.

Former chief selector Syed Kirmani said "there was complete lack of application and concentration" from Indian players and they cannot complain of fatigue after crashing out.

PTI ST LUCIA, MAY 12

Stop making excuses: ex-players PTI NEW DELHI, MAY 12

Former players today slammed the Indian cricket team for its humiliating exit from the Twenty20 World Cup, attributing the debacle to skipper MS Dhoni's poor tactics, IPL fatigue and the players' failure to cope with rising deliveries.

Otherwise a Dhoni admirer, cricketer-turned-commentator Ravi Shastri had no doubt that the debacle in the Caribbeans was Dhoni's worst outing as the Indian captain and he advised him to be more flexible in his approach.

"It's hard to put a finger on the exact reason but of all the tournaments Dhoni has led India

Australia knock Windies out, set up semis clash with Pak PTI ST LUCIA, MAY 12

Steven Smith returned an impressive 3 for 20 at St Lucia, on Thursday.

Australia knocked out hosts West Indies with a comprehensive sixwicket triumph in their final Super Eight match, setting up a semifinal clash against Pakistan in the Twenty20 World Cup here.

Set a paltry target of 105, Michael Clarke's men romped home with 3.4 overs to spare yesterday.

Man of the Match all-rounder Steven Smith starred with the ball for Australia, picking up three wickets for 20 runs in his four overs, before David Warner (25) and Brad Haddin (42) guided the team to the target after a few hiccups.

Opting to bat after winning the toss, the West Indies were dealt an early blow when Dirk Nannes bowled in-form skipper Chris Gayle (4) off the innings'

Michael Lumb, England have an opening pair which scores at a brisk rate and with Pietersen, set to return at Ravi Bopara's expense, and Collingwood to follow, their batting line-up is quite capable of laying the foundation for a big total.

In the middle order, the exciting Eoin Morgan, Luke Wright and all-rounder Tim Bresnan have the penchant to assert themselves early which suits the team.

Their bowling department also has the necessary variety.

Bresnan and his new-ball colleague Ryan Sidebottom have more often than not given the early breakthrough while Stuart Broad has been among the wickets as well.

In the slow bowling department, Michael Yardy has been parsimony personified while Graeme Swann has struck regularly.

England's might notwithstanding, it is not going to be a cakewalk against the Sri Lankans

second delivery.

The other opener Shivnarine Chanderpaul (24) departed soon when a miscued shot off Mitchell Johnson's bowling was caught by David Hussey.

In his 18-ball cameo, Chanderpaul struck four boundaries.

His departure triggered a collapse and the hosts were reduced to five for 60.

Ramnaresh Sarwan, the highest scorer for the team with a 31-ball 26, just didn't get enough support at the other end.

W i t h w i c ke t s t u m b l i n g around him, he could not give the acceleration which the West Indies needed desperately.

For Australia, Hussey sparkled in the only over he bowled as he picked up two wickets conceding just three runs. Johnson also finished with reasonably

good figures of two for 22 in his four overs.

Australia's chase got off to a flier courtesy Warner, who was his usual destructive self. The opener smashed a 12-ball 25, studded with four fours and a six, before being caught at slip

by Gayle off Jerome Taylor.

Shane Watson (5) departed in the very next over and Clarke's run out by Dawyne Bravo after a rather slow 24-ball 16 created some anxiety in the Australian camp.

But Haddin and Hussey (10) ensured that things went off smoothly for their team thereafter as they guided it to 109 for four in 16.2 overs.

Australia have played Pakistan in the preliminary stage of the tournament and had won that match.

who are high on confidence after sneaking through to the last four stage.

Unlike England, consistency has not been Sri Lanka's strong point in the tournament and even after beating India, they had to wait for an Australian triumph over the West Indies before a semifinal berth could be theirs.

The islanders, however, would take heart from their success against India, especially with Tillakaratne Dilshan returning to form and youngsters like An-

gelo Matthews and Chamara Kapugedera coming to the party.

Captain Kumar Sangakkara also looked in fine touch against India and he would hope Mahela Jayawardene, who had a brilliant run in the tournament before it was punctuated by two poor outings, to hit form tomorrow.

In Lasith Malinga, Thissara Perera and Angelo Mathews, they have quite a potent attack and Sangakkara would expect them to trouble the English batsmen tomorrow.