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Private buses to go off roads today HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 14

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With the State government refusing to accede to their demands, the All Goa Private Bus Owners Association (AGPBOA) has decided to go ahead and pull out their buses from Friday.

The State government meanwhile has requisitioned buses from other States to make up for the shortfall.

Around 500 buses under the banner All Goa Private Bus Owners Association (AGPBOA) will go on indefinite bus strike from April 15, as the government has failed to accept their list of demands.

However, various sections of private bus operators have not shown interest towards the strike and have decided to run their business.

AGPBOA general secretary Sudip Tamanakar said that the association will go ahead with their proposed strike with or without the support of bus operators, who are not their members.

“They are beloved of RTO’s.

We are not going to force anyone but those who feel that we are fighting for genuine cause, are free to support us,” he said.

NO BACKING

“We have clearly said that ‘we will not support the strike’, as time and again going on strikes and taking passengers for ransom is wrong.”

— Bus owner The indefinite hunger strike called by the AGPBOA members, has entered into the third day today.

Though the Directorate of Transport office, housed at Junta House remained closed on Thursday to mark the birth anniversar y of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, the members preferred to hold a hunger strike in front of their office.

Meanwhile, the government has requisitioned around 75

buses from Karnataka and Maharashtra, to run on State routes. The Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTCL) will also be adding up 30-odd additional buses to their present operational fleet.

“We are well equipped to cater to the strike. But we don’t feel that it would be a success as almost 50 per cent bus operators, will run their business,” (Continued on page 12)

Corpus fund to aid social sector NGOs HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 14

The State government has decided to form a corpus fund to help non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working in the social sector meet up their financial requirements on a case to case basis.

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said that the fund will have contributions from corporate houses besides government funding.

“If any NGO in the State requires additional financial support, then the government will make available funds worth Rs 1 crore each. However, they will have to approach us with their specific schemes/proposals, which would be studied on a case to case basis,” Kamat said.

He said that the government has already approached several corporate houses, who have assured to provide financial assistance.

The chief minister was addressing the gathering on the occasion of implementation of the State government’s golden jubilee initiative of providing one time grants to various nongovernmental organizations in the State.

The Directorate of Art and Culture through its scheme, ‘Blessed Mother Teresa Grants

READY TO HELP

If any NGO in the State requires additional financial support, then the government will make available funds worth Rs 1 crore each.

However, they will have to approach us with their specific schemes/proposals, which would be studied on a case to case basis.

— Digambar Kamat to Institutions Working for Humankind Scheme-2011’ distributed Rs 25 lakhs each as one time grants to 29 NGOs across the State.

The government has also made a provision, where apart from these 29 recognized NGOs; other needy organisations will also be provided financial aid.

“The organizations will have to come out with some specific

projects, which would be scrutinized by the department before providing grants,” he added.

He said that the scheme was introduced in the State budget 2011-12.

Kamat said that the budget proposal was part of the golden jubilee year initiative, which envisages financially empowering organizations which are working for the welfare of the society.

Kamat said that the proposal of providing finances to NGOs was the State government’s attempt to recognize various social service institutions that have worked selflessly in this field for years together.

During the function, NGOs like Snehamandir, Sanjeevani (Ponda), Kasturba Matoshri Trust, Children’s Rights in Goa, Positive People, Sethu, Disha Charitable Trust, Mother Teresa Sisters (Panjim), Jan Ugahi, Lar de Santa Teresa, Jyot Society, Asha Deep (Vasco) and many others, based in various parts of the State, received financial help in the form of Rs 25 lakhs each.

Joint Secretary (Finance) Anand Sherkhane, Director of Industries, Trade and Commerce Sanjit Rodrigues and Director of Science and Technology Michael D’Souza were also present for the function.

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Goa’s Heartbeat: Beyonce turns Pg 4 sexy Egyptian Princess

Convention centre plan at multiplex shelved HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 14

Finally, the Goa government has apparently decided to roll back its decision to have a convention centre in the INOX multiplex courtyard.

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said that the State had shortlisted INOX courtyard as ‘one of the places to have a mini-convention centre.’

“It was not even a convention centre. It was a festival theatre,” he said adding that there are couple of more places identified, which are being considered for this project.

Kamat said that the festival theatre for holding ceremonies like closing and opening was planned at INOX. “But currently, we have not finalized the place. There are twothree more places, which are being considered now,” he said.

He, however, said that the State government can take up construction of a bigger convention centre of say 5,000 sitting capacity, somewhere else in Goa, in the near future.

The proposed convention centre was expected to house a festival auditorium, a media

Shocker: CISF’s poor fitness and training SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT PANJIM, APRIL 14

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which guards 58 airports across the country, including Goa’s Dabolim airport, has failed to meet quality parameters set by the Civil Aviation Ministry, says a government report. Not only do they flunk education parameters, but also fail in medical fitness, age requirement and aviation security training.

The report covers six airports – Goa, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Calicut, Coimbatore and Chennai.

(Continued on page 12)

UNFAVOURABLE

The proposal of the mini convention centre has been receiving strong opposition from residents of Campal. Even the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) had expressed its views against the convention centre near INOX fearing traffic congestion. centre, press conference hall, lounge and cafeteria. It will further provide two screening halls and an exhibition hall for hosting Film Bazaar.

The proposal of the mini convention centre has been receiving strong opposition from residents of Campal.

Even the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) had expressed its views against the

convention centre near INOX fearing traffic congestion.

The newly elected city M a y o r Ya t i n Pa re k h h a d strongly criticized the government move and had said that the corporation won’t be providing any sort of permissions for setting up the center.

Meanwhile, the State government, which had initially (Continued on page 12)

MMC lodges plaint against Jose Philip HERALD REPORTER VASCO, APRIL 14

Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) Chairperson Suchita Shirodkar on Thursday lodged a police complaint against Revenue Minister Jose Philip D’Souza for allegedly grabbing municipal land for personal purpose.

However, the complaint copy is attached with only a resolution, while other relevant documents justifying that the land belongs to MMC, Survey No 73 bearing Chalta number 124 have not been attached to the com-

plaint.

MMC has not submitted Form D and record from Directorate of Settlements and Land Records stating that the land has been transferred illegally in D’Souza’s name.

A resolution copy of Wednesday’s emergency meeting along with the complaint has been submitted to the Vasco police inspector. The copy has also been marked to the governor with a request to initiate appropriate action.

“We have accepted complaint (Continued on page 12)

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Tanker explosion in scrap yard at Fatorda leaves one dead

Deadline over, Khariwado locals to begin agitation HERALD REPORTER VASCO, APRIL 14

The ill-fated tanker in the scrapyard at Chandrawaddo that claimed the life of a labourer.

Photo by Santosh Mirajkar HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 14

In a tragic accident, a tanker explosion in a scrap yard at Chandrawaddo-Fatorda on Thursday morning left one person dead and two seriously injured.

The incident occurred at around 9.20 am when the trio was engaged in dismantling the empty tanker for scrap with a gas cutter when the tank exploded. So powerful was the explosion that the deceased Bilhu Pawar (32), a native of Sangli, who was on the tanker, was flung onto the main road after the iron lid burst open due to gas formation inside the tank.

Police said the trio was in the process in cutting open the tanker with a gas cutter without emptying the alcohol remnants inside the tank. “The tanker had three compartments and it appeared that the labourers did not empty the remnant before cutting the tanker body for scrap. The tanker exploded because of gas formation”, PI Desai said.

He said the scrap yard owner Ammanullah has been told to produce documents regarding the scrap yard. This evening, the police registered a case of negligence against the persons running the unit.

Truck driver thrashed for assaulting local, Cavrem tense HERALD CORRESPONDENT QUEPEM, APRIL 14

Tension flared up at Cavrem on Thursday, after a local and a truck driver were assaulted over the blocking of mining trucks by the locals on Wednesday evening.

According to sources, some truck drivers and owners were irked that their trucks were blocked by residents on Wednesday evening and later detained by Quepem police.

The truck drivers gathered at Cavrem on Thursday morning and confronted the villagers.

In the ensuing melee, one truck driver, Mariano Oliveira, allegedly assaulted one Gokuldas Velip of Cavrem, who sustained injuries to his face.

Irked with this, the angry villagers then allegedly assaulted Oliveira, causing him grievous injuries, who is presently admitted in a hospital.

Quepem police led by PI Sudesh Narvekar along with his team rushed to the site and brought the situation under control.

Sources informed that on Thursday evening, some truck owners/drivers from Ambaulim, with a grudge to take revenge on villagers for assaulting Oliveira, gathered near the Ambaulim Panchayat and targeted Cavrem villagers, who were proceeding towards Cavrem and vice versa.

It is learnt that the truck drivers/owners who had gathered near Ambaulim Panchayat allegedly assaulted two villagers from Cavrem and Maina. The situation was tense in the area till late Thursday evening.

When contacted, Quepem Police claimed that they have not received any complaint over the incident.

The incident brought to the fore once again the location of scrapyards in the urban areas and government’s failure to relocate them in the industrial zones as demanded by scrap dealers.

Agitated local residents staying in the vicinity of the scrap yard demanded an end to the activities. When Margao Municipal Chief Officer, Prasanna Acharya came to the spot, the residents drew his attention to the nuisance created by the scrap yard, with even the paddy fields left polluted by the waste.

Acharya assured the residents that action, if any, would be initiated against the scrap yards, as per law.

Local MLA Damu Naik who rushed to the spot said it is high time the government moves fast and relocate the scrap yards in the trade zones. He said the activity cannot be allowed at the cost of the local residents or labourers, adding that the BJP government had closed down a scrap yard in the Housing Board during its regime.

Replying to a question, Damu said the law is very clear that no scrap yard can operate in urban areas, adding that the government should expedite the issue of shifting the units ot the

industrial estaes.

When asked who is to be blamed for the tragic incident, the MLA said it was for the Margao Municipal Council to take action against the scrap yards.

“As per the government reply in the Assembly, around 381 applications from scrap yard deale r s a re p e n d i n g w i t h t h e government. Action ought to be taken expeditiously in the matter”, he demanded.

General secretary of the All Goa Scrap Dealers Association Syed Abdul Aziz held the government responsible behind the incident.

Aziz said the dealers have been after the government to solve the problem, but lamented that the government has been slow in addressing their long pending grievances of shifting the scrap yards to the industrial zones. “We have been fighting for our cause since 1999. Memorandums have been submitted to successive chief ministers since 1999, but in vain. The government was supposed to give us plots in the industrial areas within two months, but now it is nearly two years”, Aziz said, adding that the government has not initiated action against new scrap yards mushrooming across the state.

The Khariwado Affected People (KAP) is set to start its agitation from midnight, as the 48-hour ultimatum served to Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) chairman lapsed on Thursday.

The KAP has decided to start the agitation at midnight on Thursday.

About 250 trawlers from Vasco and an equal number of canoes from Vasco and Baina will join KAP in its agitation on Thursday midnight at Khariwado jetty. All the trawlers and fishcarrying vehicles have put on black flags as a show of protest.

Khariwado and port area will wear a deserted look on Friday, as fish vendors have already closed down their business activities to express solidarity towards KAP’s movement and failure of MPT and State government to resolve the Khariwado issue and stop the demolition sword hanging on fishermen’s head.

It may be recalled that two days ago, KAP had made a representation to MPT Chairman Mara Pandiyan to consider their plights and livelihood of fishermen, who are engaged in fishing activity.

Since the demolition of 66 houses along Khariwado, fishermen are living in fear, as the sword of uncertainty is hanging on their heads. Fishermen are seen running from pillar to post to save their structures.

When contacted, Goa Fishing Boat Owner Association President Simon Pereira refused to comment over the ultimatum served by KAP, but expressed anger over reluctant attitude of the State government and MPT to save fishermen’s structures.

It appears that KAP’s agitation would be similar to the one on February 10 2008 when entire operations were shut down for nearly three days.

Tourism Minister vows to clean Colva beach of filth HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 14

Filth, stench and foul odour greeted Tourism Minister, Nilkhant Halarnkar to world famous Colva beach on Thursday.

Apparently moved by the sorry state of affairs at the beach, Halarnkar promised to undertake a clean up of the beach within the next two-three days. He, however, has no plan to tackle the contamination of the Colva creek, saying he would pursue the matter with the health department and CRZ. “I will write to the health and CRZ and personally follow up the matter”, he assured, saying that he would try his best to clean up the beach on a priority basis.

Accompanied by PWD Minister Churchill Alemao, Colva Panchayat officials and villagers, the Tourism Minster saw for himself the pathetic state of the beach, with contaminated waters forming a lagoon right on the shore, emanating foul odour.

Valanka Alemao requested the Minister to sanction at least 10 mobile toilets to tackle sewage discharge in the creek. She further called for illumination of the Colva beach by requesting the Tourism Minister to repair the high mast lamp on a priority basis.

Acting Colva Sarpanch Anthony Mama Fernandes submitted a memorandum to the Tourism Minister demanding an immediate stop to the discharge of sewage waste in the creek.

He also requested the Tourism Minister for land to set up a health centre and take immediate action to repair and plastic the creek walls by plugging the outlet holes.

PWD Minister said the situation is really bad and has gone worse in the last two years.

Heritage lovers on Thursday have cried foul over the demolition of a heritage house in the conservation zone along the Abade Faria road in the commercial capital.

Historian and heritage lover Prajal Sakhardande has demanded to know how the Conversation Committee has granted the permissions to raze down the heritage house in the

n We condemn this action and protest against the demolition of the house --- Prajal Sakhardande conservation zone.

He told newsmen here this evening that the Goa Heritage Group has strongly protested against the permission

‘Malaria workers’ meet CM, inquire on regularisation HERALD REPORTER PANJIM APRIL 14

A delegation of striking former contract employees of the Director of Health services, who go by the name ‘malaria workers’ met the Chief Minister Digambar Kamat on Thursday.

They sought to know the progress of an assurance he had in the past given promising to regularise them.

The aggrieved workers who have been on an indefinite fast since April 7, have been camping outside the office of the Directorate of Health Services for the past eight days come rain or shine demanding that they be regularised.

The workers yesterday lay battered by the brief showers accompanied by thunder that lashed the city but their resolve has not been hit.

Childline Advisory Board holds review meet HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 14

Tourism Minister, Nilkhant Halarnkar inspecting the contaminated Colva creek on Thursday.

Photo by Santosh Mirajkar

Unveils plan to install changing rooms, toilets HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 14

There’s good news in store for tourists and visitors to the beaches.

I f To u r i s m M i n i s t e r Nilkhant Halarnkar is to be believed, the Tourism department is seriously toying with the idea of installing changing rooms and mobile toilets at the popular beaches along the coastal belt.

Halarnkar, who visited the Colva beach on Thursday evening, said the Tourism de“Anyone landing in the creek would surely die of any disease if urgent steps are not taken to decontaminate the waters”, Alemao added.

Meanwhile, the Tourism Minister accompanied by Churchill and Panchayat officials inspected the land acquired by the department for public utility purpose at Colva by displacing traditional fishermen.

partment has proposed to install the changing rooms and mobile toilets, adding that the department is taking the opinion of a consultant in that direction.

“It is sad that there has been no planning since the beginning. Goa is a tourist destination, but there’s no changing room along the beach belt for the benefit of the tourists and visitors”, he said, making clear that it is the duty of the government to make available the changing rooms.

Alemao drew attention of the Tourism Minister how the traditional fishermen were displaced from their area of operation and requested him to earmark a portion of the acquired land to carry on the traditional occupation.

The Tourism Minister has asked for the documents to study the matter in detail before taking a decision.

Demolition of heritage house protested Cyclist killed HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 14

The Goa Catholic Charismatic renewal trust presents ‘Thank you for the cross’ - an unique way of the cross featuring gospel band ‘Crosswinds’, on Thursday evening at Mary Immaculate Conception Church premises, in Panjim.

Photo by Rozario Estibeiro

granted by the Conservation Committee to demolish the heritage structure. “We condemn this action and protest against the demolition of the house”, he said, adding that the heritage lovers will chalk out the future course of action.

“We would not like to reveal our strategy, but certainly the heritage lovers would protest against the demolition”, he warned.

MARGAO (HR): A 65-year-old cyclist was killed in a road accident at Nuvem on Thursday.

Maina Curtorim police said that the deceased Narayan Tukaram Tuemkar, a resident of Kirbhat-Nuvem was proceeding on his cycle when he was knocked down by a Maruti car.

He was immediately shifted to Hospicio hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on this evening. The police are investigating.

The Childline Advisory Board on Wednesday held a meeting with various government departments and non-governmental organisations to bring up to date its functioning in the State.

Secretary of Women and Child Development V P Rao chaired the meeting at the Secretariat, which was attended by various government authorities and local NGOs. Issues pertaining to Childline membership protection and promotion in the State, Integrated Child Protection Scheme and Childline membership in the committees under ICPS Scheme, issue of identity cards for Childline staff, child friendly network, display posters for protection of children from abuse at beaches and hotels and to facilitate free excess to treatment in government hospitals and Primary Health Centres, were discussed at length.

“It’s a review meeting held twice a year on the activities of Childline,” Director of Women and Child Welfare Sanjiv Gadkar said.

Addressing media persons outside the official residence of the chief minister, Premdas Gaonkar revealed that the chief minister has convened a meeting on Monday and only then the government will take a decision.

“We called on the chief minister and asked him why there has been no action forthcoming on his past assurance to regularise us. He instead once again gave us an assurance that the issue will be resolved. He asked us to be present for a meeting on Monday with all stakeholders,” he said.

However despite the assurance from the CM they refused to withdraw the strike. They will again reconsider their decision after Monday’s meeting with CM. The workers have been de-

manding regularization of their service for over a year now their contracts with the government ended in June 2009.

“On January 27 this year, the health minister promised to regularize our service within a month. However, there is no development on the issue,” said Gaonkar.

The malaria workers used to function as surveillance workers, supervisors and field workers in the Directorate of Health Services. Some of them used to collect blood samples from suspected victims, collect the test reports and distribute antimalaria pills as required for every confirmed case of malaria and would return to the victims and hand out the medicines along with usage instructions.

Most of them used to earn a salary of Rs 2000 a month.

In an initiative to avert any untoward incident like fire in the educational institutions, Goa Fire and Emergency Services has trained 1226 teachers in ‘basic fire safety and evacuation drill’, in the last fiscal year.

Besides, 3343 candidates from Goa and outside have been trained in ‘general fire prevention and fire fighting course’ while 40 fire fighters from Arunachal Pradesh Fire Service are undergoing six months elementary course in genera fire fighting in Goa. Addressing a gathering to commemorate National Fire Service Day at its headquarters on Thursday, Director Fire and Emergency Services Ashok Menon said that the training would continue in three subdivisions this year as well.

It may be recalled that Herald on November 2, 2010 was

HERALD REPROTER PANJIM, APRIL 14

John Fernandes, who was recently bailed out in the 2009 Russian rape case, has approached the Supreme Court challenging the suo moto notice issued to him by the High Court of Bombay at Goa. John has reportedly sought anticipator y bail from the Supreme Court in the application which will be heard on April 15, Friday.

John’s counsel, Amit Palekar however said that they moved the Apex Court seeking clarification on its earlier order rejecting his bail.

Interestingly, High Court’s show cause notice to John on his bail order will also be heard on Friday.

The Division Bench on April 6 issued a notice on John asking him to show cause on why his bail should not be cancelled.

GSCW makes case for women police station in South HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 14

Members of the Goa State Commission for Women on Thursday have called for a setting up of a women police station in South Goa on the lines of the police station in north Goa. Commission president Azilda Sapeco told newsmen after inspecting the police stations of Canacona, Cuncolim, Colva and Margao that there’s an urgent to appoint minimum one lady police officer at each of the police stations in Goa to handle issues affecting women.

“We have inspected the police stations and taken into account the staff shortage and conditions of the cells for women.

We would compile a report and recommend measures to the government to improve the conditions of the cells for women”, she added.

Replying to a question, she said that examination of the Bicholim police station revealed that the cell was not in proper condition. “We immediately brought the pathetic situation to the notice of the authorities

Members of the Goa State Commission for women inspecting women cell of the Margao police station along with PI Santosh Desai.

Photo by Santosh Mirajkar

and got it rectified. That’s the reason we have undertaken this exercise for a first hand information on the condition of the cells for women”, she added.

Member Beema Naik said the Commission is ready to offer its assistance and help to amicably s o l v e p ro b l e m s a f f e c t i n g women. As far as criminal cases are concerned, we are ready to

Teachers given lessons in basic fire safety HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 14

John challenges HC notice in SC

n This training will have multiple effects. The department wants that schools should be prepared in case of any emergencies --- Ashok Menon first to report that the training would be imparted to teachers who would train other colleagues and students.

“This training will have multiple effects. The department wants that schools should be prepared in case of any emergencies,” Menon had said.

During year 2010-11, the department has attended 1586 fire and 2456 non-fire incidents and saved property worth Rs 57 crores. The fire fighters have saved 121 human lives and 258 animal lives during the same period.

To enhance the rescue ca-

pabilities of fire fighters, the department deputed three officers on a month long specialized training in UK on ‘Collapsed Search & Rescue and Medical First Responders Course’ while eight officers underwent intensified training in Disaster Management to Paramilitary Training Centres in Hyderabad and Madhya Pradesh.

Menon said that the proposal for 13 months wages to its employees is under active consideration with the government and that modern fire station building at Curchorem would be ready in 18 months.

A booklet ‘Guide for Fire Safety Precaution’ was released at the hands of chief guest Home Minister Ravi Naik in the presence of Chief Secretary Sanjay Srivastava. Fire fighters who performed exemplar y services during the last year were awarded medals.

go along with the police to solve disputes involving women.

Replying to a question, she said the Margao lock up is facing staff constraints since the cell caters to both Margao and Maina Curtorim police stations.

“The police stations require one lady police officer to handle cases affecting women”, she demanded.

BJP demands Babush’s ouster HERALD CORRESPONDENT MAYEM, APRIL 14

BJP activists on Wednesday staged a half-day ‘dharna’ near Chhatrapati Shivaji’s statue at old bus stand, Bicholim, to demand the dismissal of Atanasio Monseratte as education minister.

BJP activists included Bicholim MLA Rajesh Patnekar, MLA Anant Shet, youth leader Dr Pramod Sawant, Satish Gaonkar, BMC Councilor Balu Birje, Adv Manohar Shirodkar, Bhagwan Harmalkar, Gokuldas Halmalkar, BJP General Secretary Govind Parvatkar, Shankar Chodankar, Premnath Mayekar, ZP member Shilpa Naik and others.

Speaking on the occasion, Patnekar stated that the government has no right to rule the State as it has corrupt minister in its cabinet.

MLA Shet and Govind Parvatkar stated that it is matter of shame for the Congress government, who is bent upon supporting a person like Monseratte who is walking in the city openly with a liquor bottle in his hand.

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Pg3 GOA, FRIDAY, 15 APRIL, 2011

CM finally shows ‘dum’, asks Centre to intervene in ‘Dum Maro Dum’ HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 14

Bowing to intense pressure from the women’s organisation, Goa government has sought Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry’s intervention over the controversy surrounding Rohan Sippy’s upcoming movie ‘Dum Maro Dum.’ Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said that he has constituted a high level committee to watch the movie before its release on April 22.

“We have written to the Information & Broadcasting (I&B) ministry expressing concern over the movie, as it allegedly portrays Goa in a negative light.

The committee led by I&B secretary Rajiv Verma will watch the film and give its opinion to the State,” Kamat said.

A report in this regard will be submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification, which will decide the fate of the movie.

The committee also comprises of Inspector General of

Evasive Home Minister says he would watch movie Notwithstanding the public opinion against Dum Maro Dum, Home Minister Ravi Naik today dodged the media question and instead said that he would watch the movie with chief secretary Sanjay Shrivastava.

“I will watch the movie along with the chief secretary once it is released,” Naik told reporters. He was however quick to add that he would see the movie once the committee certifies it through its recommendations to the Centre.

He however declined to comment on whether he supports the movie ban or not. “I have not seen the movie trailers. I don’t know the issue,” he replied to a media question.

Earlier, soon after the conclusion of the national fire service day function held at Fire & Emergency Services department at St Inez, Naik was caught by the media whispering to the chief secretary saying, “Let’s go for the movie when it is released in theatres”.

The chief secretary reacted with a smile giving his consent to the minister’s proposal.

Police Sundari Nanda, Goa State Commission for Women chairperson Ezilda Sapeco, activist Bina Naik and Chief Executive Officer of Entertainment Society of Goa Manoj Shrivastava.

The movie starring Abhishek

Bachchan, Bipasha Basu, Deepika Padakone and others revolves around six Indians who meet in Goa and how their lives change forever once they get involved with the drug mafia.

While the PIL demanding

movie’s ban is being heard in the High Court, women’s organisation has already demanded to ban its release ‘ whose raunchy trailers have already hit the small and big screen.’

The commission in its police complaint demanded to take action against the movie makers for its offensive portrayal about Goa. Home Minister Ravi Naik, when asked, told Herald that the committee was formed on the backdrop of controversies including a police complaint.

In the letter to I&B minister Ambika Soni, the chief minister has said that the film’s trailers have raised apprehensions in the minds of Goan people that the film has highlighted Goa as a destination for only drugs and sex.

He has said in the letter that the ministry should impress upon the Central board of film certification to ensure that the state of Goa and people of Goa are not portrayed in a negative light and the sentiments of the Goan people are not hurt.

Satellite imaging to Princess removal deal: help protect sand CM, CS to decide today dunes, mangroves HERALD REPORTER PANJIM APRIL 14

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 14

Every inch of sand dunes and mangroves that are dotting Goa’s shoreline and river bodies would be now mapped with the help of satellite imaging.

Director of Science and Environment Michael D’Souza said that the department has already initiated process to map these ecologically sensitive spots, which are protected under coastal regulation zone.

The mapping is being done as a part of Coastal Regulation Zone 2011 notification.

He stated that the remote sensing technology would be used to map these crucial ecological landmarks. The exact mapping would be done by taking multiple satellite images, which will be superimposed on each other for a final version.

Officials stated that the existing sand dunes and mangroves will be mapped so that even a slight damage to them can be reported as a violation of CRZ norms.

“It is clearly said in the CRZ notification, that all the khazan lands, mangroves and sand dunes would be protected for ecological balance,” D’Souza said.

The notification with specific

provision for Goa reads, “the eco-sensitive low-lying areas, which are influenced by tidal action known as khazan lands shall be mapped.”

“The mangroves along such as khazan land shall be protected and a management plan for the khazan land would be prepared and no developmental activities shall be permitted in the khazan land,” it adds further.

These provisions also call for surveying and mapping of sand dunes, and Goa beach stretches along the bays and creeks.

Accordingly, the environment minister had issued direction for mapping the khazan lands as well as to protect mangroves around the state.

It may be recalled that as per the survey conducted by the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) it was said that around three hectares of mangroves would be sacrificed for expansion of National Highway (NH4) in the pockets of Banastarim and Chimbel.

Though, the highway expansion project is yet to kick off the directions have been already issued to the public work department to replant three times the tracts of mangroves that would be destroyed due to the expansion.

The Chief Minister and Chief Secretary are expected to take a final decision on the signing of the River Princess deal tomorrow, April 15.

Speaking to Herald, Director of Tourism Swapnil Naik reassured that there was no reason to worry about the signing of the agreement with M/s Arihant Shipbreakers Pvt Ltd and the delay posed no threat to the ongoing work.

“The CM (Chief Minister) and CS (Chief Secretary) will decide tomorrow on the agreement tomorrow. The file has already been approved by the Law Department, the Finance Department and also has the approval of the ex-AG (Advocate General).

They have given the go ahead,” he said.

He further said that the issue of the price of the scrap was not an issue any more as the rate of scrap was already mentioned in the tender.

“There is no question of opening the file again. The scrap rate was already mentioned in the tender floated,” he said.

It however remains to be seen if the tender is finally inked. The agreement was earlier expected to be inked this week, but for various reasons, one of which was the price of the scrap, it remained pending.

It may be recalled that the government had signed the work order even without the agreement being signed after facing flak for delaying in beginning the work.

The delay in signing of the tender is also keeping the scrap from being unloaded from barges at the Brittona Jetty.

The unloading which began on April 7, was stopped a day later by villagers led by Aldona MLA Dayanand Narvekar.

The work on the cutting of the ship meanwhile continues

Fire Services moots satellite fire stations in coastal areas HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 14

Goa Fire and Emergency Services Department has proposed to set up well-equipped Satellite Fire Stations in the tourist-centric coastal areas.

Director, Fire and Emergency Services Ashok Menon said that the urbanisation trend in the coastal areas has prompted the urgent need to provide fire cover on the beach stretch of Salcette, Bardez and Pernem talukas.

“It is proposed to set up Satellite Fire Stations with deploym e n t o f Q u i c k Re s p o n s e Vehicles with water mist technology,” Menon said while addressing a gathering to observe ‘National Fire Service Day’ on Thursday.

He said that the land space for the project would be identified in consultation with Goa Tourism Development Corporation and Tourism department.

The director admitted that the department is facing challenge on replacing the ageing fleet of fire fighting vehicles due to procedural problems.

“The matter of modification of the procedure is under ex-

n The urbanisation trend in the coastal areas has prompted the urgent need to provide fire cover on the beach stretch of Salcette, Bardez and Pernem talukas.

--- Ashok Menon amination of government and we hope to clear the backlog of ageing vehicles within the next two-to-three years,” he said in the presence of Home Minister Ravi Naik, Chief Secretary Sanjay Shrivastava and others.

The department is in the process of procuring three vehicles to add to the existing vehicle fleet. Menon stated that they have already procured two QRVs with water mist technology under the Central Plan Scheme of Strengthening of Fire and Emergency Services.

“We need to equip our department to combat fire fighting and life rescue in high rise buildings in major towns of Margao, Ponda, Vasco and Mapusa,” he

added.

Despite limitations and financial crunches, Menon claimed that fire services has lived upto its reputation of being dependable civil emergency force.

The director has contemplated procuring on priority 32 meters aerial ladder platform for Panjim and acquiring a Turn Table Ladder to be used in the narrow roads. For this, the department is allocated a whopping Rs 50 crore, for this financial year, which in total is Rs 200 crores in the five year plan.

Exactly a year ago, the department officials had admitted that it was unable to find land to set up a fire station or fire outpost along the extremely abuzz coastal belt of Goa, as a result of the booming real estate prices.

However, to counter the high real estate prices handicap, the department was looking at innovative technology and other methods.

National Fire Service Day is observed every year in memory of those who laid down their lives during the course of duty in saving lives and property.

at a healthy pace though is unlikely to be completed before the onset of the monsoons.

Sources from Candolim informed that the cutters have reached the crew cabins of the ship.

Savio expresses dismay at govt lethargy HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 14

Editor-in-chief of GoaChronicle.com Savio Rodrigues on Thursday has expressed shock that the government of Goa has decided to wake up on the Dum maro Dum case after the matter is reaching a conclusion in the high court.

“More importantly, I fail to understand the purpose of the committee travelling to Mumbai to view the movie, when it is going to be screened in Goa for the high court Judges”, he said, while addressing a press conference in the city on Thursday.

Rodrigues said he feels that the Committee is a biased and unbalanced selection aimed at pulling wool over the eyes of the people of Goa, adding that somehow it will not bring a realistic view on the movie, since it is not a balanced committee that will take into consideration every aspect of Goa.

GSCW for deletion of offensive item HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 14

The Goa State Commission for Women has said that they will demand deletion of any derogatory or offensive item in the film Dum Maro Dum. Commission member Beema Naik said the Committee appointed by the government would ask the authorities to expunge, delete or cut any derogatory item or remarks against Goan men or women in the film.

“Either the government should have stayed clear from the movie controversy or constituted a neutral committee of people such as TTAG, opposition party and MLAs who have raised this issue at the Assembly along with other prominent NGOs representatives and citizens of Goa”, he added.

He said that the government in forming the committee has not taken into account other political factions such as the BJP, Mickk y Pacheco, Nilkhant Halarnkar and Dayanand Narvekar and even government departments and associations who have raised grievances about this movie.

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‘Osho Ashram project will promote Barcem’s welfare’ HERALD NEWS BUREAU PANJIM, APRIL 14

Apologizing to the BarcemQuepem Panchayat for the delay in presenting their masterplan regarding the proposed Osho ashram project at Padi-Quepem, Swami Rajneesh has assured that the project would promote the welfare of the village.

In a letter dated April 12 to the Barcem sarpanch, Swami Rajneesh stated that they "apologize for delay in presenting our master plan, as we were consulting and understanding the Goa development laws and local conditions."

Swami Rajneesh has submitted documents of initial purposed master plan to the panchayat.

“We would like to state that this is our ‘initial proposed project master plan’ and will be subject to building rules and regulations as per guidelines of the Town and Planning committee with proper approvals.”

“Our project also bears in

n We would like to state that this is our ‘initial proposed project master plan’ and will be subject to building rules and regulations as per guidelines of the Town and Planning committee with proper approvals.

-- Swami Rajneesh mind the local village people which will create employment, children education, local handicraft development and medical aid for the villagers mentioned under the special community service which we have offered,” Swami Rajneesh said.

“Our vision is of goodwill and good intention towards all in the area and we hope that our presence will be valued and create positive development for all who live here," he added.

“Our development plan will take 3 years and will depend mostly on your help and support to move this project ahead and create jobs and employment and

earnings for all.”

Swami Rajneesh informed that their project work is of charitable nature and added that they offer most of their work and vision for free and for growth of human beings.

“We are also presenting our proposal to Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, the Town & Planning Board, Chandrakant Babu Kavlekar, members of the press and relevant government departments for their notice.”

“We hope you find our proposal in good light and approve the same at the earliest,” stated Swami in a letter to the Barcem sarpanch.

Cheques disbursed to vegetable vendors at Khola HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, APRIL 14

Quepem ML A Chandrakant (Babu) Kavelekar distributed over 100 cheques to vegetable vendors and beneficiaries of Rajiv Awas Yojna of Khola.

Most of the beneficiaries received first and second installment cheques from Kavelekar i n t h e p re s e n c e o f K h o l a Sarpanch Archana Velip and few other panch members in a brief function held at Quepem MLA’s office in the village.

As many as 57 cheques of Rs 2,500 and 25 cheques of Rs 5,000 each were paid as second and final installments to vegetable vendors and Rajiv Awas Yojna beneficiaries respectively.

Besides, Rs 5,000 worth of 19 cheques were also handed over as the first and final payment of fresh applicant of vegetable vendors on the occasion.

Khola Panchas Pandhari Prabhugaonkar, Prabhakar Vaiz and

Quepem MLA Chandrakant (Babu) Kavelekar hands over cheques to vegetable vendors and Rajiv Away Yojna beneficiaries at a function in Khola-Canacona.

Photo by Kathy Pereira

Prabhabakar Velip were also present for the function.

Meanwhile, hot-mixing of about 14 kms of internal roads in Khola is in final stages of completion.

It may be seen that Quepem MLA has stepped up his activities in Khola village after the area has been delimited into Quepem constituency for future elections.

Open drain impedes traffic in Cortalim HERALD CORRESPONDENT CORTALIM, APRIL 14

A newly built open water drain has reduced the width of the narrow road at Arvale-Japan Bazaar in Cortalim thereby causing traffic jams.

The open drain which has been built around 4 months ago is an impediment to the flow of traffic with two vehicles finding it difficult to pass simultaneously.

Admitting that the stretch of road is an impediment, Cortalim-Quelossim Sarpanch Anthony Miranda however blamed the contractor for keeping the drain open.

“I have made numerous requests to cover the drain but every time the contractor gives false promises and now he is not answering my calls,” Miranda told Herald.

“When I phone from unknown numbers, the contractor answers the call saying that he will cover the drain in two days

Youth made aware on environment protection HERALD CORRESPONDENT MAYEM, APRIL 14

Administrative officer of Dempo Charitable Trust Sunil Prabhudesai has suggested planting of more trees to make the younger generation aware of the need to protect the environment.

He was addressing the gathering during the induction ceremony of new members in Bharat Vikas Parishad’s (BVP) Bicholim office at Deendayal Bhavan Bicholim on Saturday.

BVP (Goa) General Secretary R L Bhobe, Krishna Pai Angle, Bicholim President Dr Guruprasad Kapadi and Secretary Parish Khanlolkar were present on the occasion.

While lauding the efforts of BVP, Prabhudesai said the Association which has strong base can easily create revolution in the world of following humanitarian principles.

BY HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 14

Social worker Romaldo Gonsalves has bagged the GonsalvesSparsh award for his excellent services to the people of the village of Raia.

He has been chosen for the award taking into account his past services in public life.

Sandcos Publications, catering in the field of language, literature and social work, is annually awarding a best personality of Raia village The award ceremony will be held on April 17 at the Margao Municipal Hall, Margao at 3.30 p.m. Curtorim M.L.A Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco will be chief guest for the ceremony while Vice President of Goa Konkani Akademi Vincy Quadros will be the guest of honour.

Romaldo Gonsalves is in the field of social service for the last 25 years since his young age.

He is helping villagers to avail government schemes, financial aid specially to the downtrodden and needy. He has started his carrier as social worker under the guidance of ex-minister Luis Alex Cardoso. Then he was elected to the Raia Village Panchayat and till date he is serving as VP Panch member.

He has worked under the able guidance of South Goa MP Mr. Francisco Sardinha, Commissioner for NRI Affairs Mr. Eduardo Faleiro and Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco. He has put his strength behind

HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 14

time,” he added.

When asked as to why the panchayat is shying away from taking action including black listing the contractor, Miranda said he had taken up with the PWD for necessary action against the erring contractor.

“We have also taken up the matter with Cortalim MLA Mau-

vin Godinho who has broached the matter with the PWD officials,” Miranda said.

Miranda further informed that the hot-mixing of road which has been tendered is getting delayed because of the open drain.

He feared that the hot-mixing may get delayed since the contactor may shift the machinery to some other site.

He also highlighted the need to retain the local language and culture and follow guidelines of Swami Vivekanand for prosperous India with green environment.

New members of BVP Dr Mandar Naik, Prashant Naik, Arun Naik, Mahabaleshwar Hegde and Santosh Patkar were adminis-

tered oath of office by chief guest Prabhudesai.

Dr Guruprasad Kapadi, Vice President Pravin Sawant, Secretary Parish Khanolakar and Treasu r e r S h i v a n a n d Pa l w e r e re-elected on the board.

V Vaze compered the function, while Pravin Sawant proposed the vote of thanks.

Social worker Romaldo bags Gonsalves-Sparsh award

Sardinha to celebrate b’day

The drain which has been left open causing traffic jams at ArvaleJapan Bazaar road in Cortalim.

Photo by Alvaro Colaco

Bicholim Bharat Vikas Parishad group along with Sunil Prabhudesai and others.

Photo by Vishant Vaze

South Goa M P Fr a n c i s c o Sardinha will be celebrating his 54th Birthday on Friday, April 15. He will be available at his residence at Curtorim from 9 am onwards. During his tenure Mr Sardinha has done tremendous development work throughout South Goa by utilising MP’s funds, says a press release.

opening an Anganwadi, Health sub-centre, recreation centre, childrens park etc in the village of Raia.

Presently he is associated with Youth of Barebhatt, Raia Sporting Club, Raia Welfare Association, Barebhat social and Aultural Association, Raia Schedule Tribes Forum, Snow Football Academy and other social organisations.

Mormugao port: Golden gateway

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BY RAjENDRA P PAiBiR

ormugao is one of the oldest ports on the west coast of India; and the golden gateway for commerce and trade in Goa. It commenced commercial operations on 15 April 1885; the first cargo ship was SS Westbourne. This day is observed as ‘Port Annual Day’. Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) was declared a major port on 2 December 1963. The Major Port Trust Act, 1963, was made applicable to the port and a Board of Trustees was constituted on 1 July 1964.

Before Liberation, the port had seven berths with an 800metre breakwater and mole.

There have been consistent improvements since then. Mormugao port now has six functional berths and five barge berths, a mechanical ore handling plant (MOHP), signal station round the clock, vessel traffic management system, tugs, transhippers, mooring dolphins and equipment to handle containers, oil and general cargo.

Ports play a major role in economic development. Thanks to MPT, Goa has exported iron ore and done other export and import business on a large scale, generating huge revenues and employment. The port has contributed significantly to Goa’s advanced socio-economic indicators.

Mormugao is India’s premier iron ore exporting port, accounting for 50 per cent of India’s iron ore traffic. It ranks among the Top 10 iron ore ports in the world. There has also been a

steady increase in liquid bulk and general cargo traffic, including coal/coke and alumina. The port is connected to both the Konkan Railway and the South Western Railway. The latter has taken up doubling of the Hospet-Vasco railway line for freight generated by various projects under implementation at the port. This will not only allow hassle-free movement of cargo, but increase the number of passenger trains.

MPT has a total of 11 berths.

A new Berth No:8 is under construction for handling liquid bulk cargo. Berth No:9 and the MOHP, which handles iron ore, is to be modernised. Berths Nos:10 and 11 are general cargo berths, handling coal/coke, alumina, containers, etc. Berth No:11 will soon be fully mechanised to handle coal, with covered storage facilities.

The port has six mooring dolphins. Two berths – one along the mole (270m) and another along the breakwater (450m) are under construction for cruise ships. The harbour provides sheltered anchorage instream for 20 ships in fair weather. Eight ships can be accommodated east of the breakwater round the year.

In its continuing endeavour for excellence, MPT is implementing quality management system ISO 9001:2008 and Environment Management System ISO 14001:2004. A record 50 million tonnes (mt) of cargo was handled 2010-11, surpassing the previous record of 48.85 mt.

Some of the developmental projects being executed and planned: (1) Construction of four-lane road from the port to Verna junction on NH 17, with a flyover from Gate No:9 to NH 17B near Baina Bay. (2) Strengthening of the breakwater mole.

(3) Construction of non-cargo berth along the breakwater.

(4) Coal terminal at Berth No:7 on PPP (DBFOT) basis.

(5) Development of 7.2mmtpa Iron Ore Export Terminal at the existing breakwater.

(6) Construction of RCC-piled retaining structure and reclamation east of Berth No:4.

(7) Construction of two berths in Vasco Bay. (8) Development of 4mmtpa Mechanised Coal Import Terminal at Berth No:11.

(9) Upgradation of Mechanical Ore Handling Plant.

(10) Uptopping type breakwater to the North West of the existing breakwater.

(11) Capital dredging for mooring area of 14.10-metre depth.

The natural, well-protected Mormugao port has been blessing for the Goan economy. It has extended tremendous infrastructural and financial support to industries, citizens of Goa and the country as a whole.

(The author is the Secretary – MPT)

UPCOMING EVENTS DKA function at Margao PANJIM(HND): Dalgado Konknni Akademi (DKA) will be organising its Annual Award function on April 15 at Ravindra Bhavan Conference Hall, Margao. On the occasion, Konknni Literary, Cultural, Journalism and Youth Awards will be presented. Besides this, awards of Konknni (Romi script) novel writing competition will be also presented on the same day.

PWD Minister Churchill Alemao will be the chief guest, while John Claro Fernandes, recipient of Goa. State Cultural Award and senior tiatrist will be the Guest of Honour. Shri Premanand A Lotlikar, President of Dalgado Konknni Akademi will preside over the function.

The Award function will start at 4.15 pm. All the members of DKA and Konknni lovers are kindly requested to attend the award function in great numbers.

Inaugural function at Mayem MAYEM(HC): Home Minister Ravi Naik will inaugurate the new Anganwadi building at Haldanwadi-Mayem on April 15 at 5.30 pm. According to PTA President Kashinath Mayekar, the building has been constructed by Mineral Foundation of Goa under Mayem Gram Nirmaan scheme 2010.

MLA Anant Shet, Mayem Sarpanch Vinita Gaonkar, Director of Child and Women Welfare Department Sanjeev Gadkar, S Sridharan of MFG, Sesa Goa’s Ritesh Sinha, Chowgule General Manager Ramesh Chodankar and PTA President Kashinath Mayekar will be present on the occasion.

The inaugural ceremony of Navchetna Women Co-operative Credit Society Mayem will be also held on the occasion at the hands of Ravi Naik.

Trekking to Himalayas slide show PANJIM(HND): Eco Treks Goa, an adventure group from Goa will be organizing its annual summer trek to the Himalayas as a result there will be a slide show on April 16 at 5: 30 pm at Don Bosco High School, Panjim for the public who are interested in learning more about the Himalayas and trekking there.

The trek is named as Shirgan-Tungu trek in the scenic area between Manali and Naggar region in Himachal Pradesh. The trek is held in association with Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF), due to which any participant working in Government/Quasi government or bank employee is eligible for a special leave. For details contact Durgadas Parab on 9422445444 or Olympio Almeida on 9096406113 for details.

Feni festival at Loutolim PANJIM(HND): Ancestral Goa (A centre for preservation of art, culture and environment) at Loutolim, is planning a collaborative effort to highlight the curative or medicinal values and Social importance of the famous ‘Feni’ through the organization of ‘Coco’Ju Fest’11’ at Big Foot, Loutolim from April 30 to May 2 between 9 am to 5:30 pm. The features of the festival are ‘ live demonstrations ’ of the processes involved in brewing feni, medicinal values of feni, tasting different types of feni, displays of arts and crafts pertaining to the products – coconut / cashew, traditional games and folk dances, agricultural aspects of coconut and cashew, art show, drawing and other competitions, says a press release.

Dr Carvalho's lecture in UK PANJIM(HND): Dr Varun Carvalho, a practicing dentist in Margao, will be speaking at the Destination Health show at The Olympia Centre at Kensington in London (UK). His topic will be 'The effective use of Lasers In dentistry.' He will speak on how lasers have revolutionised dentistry and the impact of lasers on modern day dentistry. The show, beginning from April 15 will be attended by top cosmetic professionals from over 100 countries. Dr Carvalho will be highlighting how dentistry has evolved in India to a world class level and how as a consequence of this, India is attracting dental tourism patients, says a press release.

Magnum packages to Canada HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 14

Magnum Holidays are offering all inclusive packages to Canada for IFFA 2011 for 6Nights/7Days from June 23 to 29 which will include 3 nights in Toronto, 1 night in Ottawa and 2 nights in Montreal.

According to a press release, the total package cost is Rs 2,25,000 per person (twin sharing basis) and includes, two main IIFA Events Tickets namely the Fashion Show and the Awards Night, Return Air Ticket to Toronto (Direct ex - Mumbai / Delhi), accommodation in 4 star hotels on twin sharing basis (Novotel or similar), All Inclusive package (meals, sightseeing and transfers), Visa and Insurance and a once in a lifetime chance to be a part of IIFA Awards.

According to the organisers all tickets for the IFFA events are fully sold out. Some tickets packages are available for Goan enthusiasts. For details contact Aquilla on 9011000356.

S H O RT TA K E Consumers Shoppee expo opened

Revenue Minister Jose Philip D’Souza inaugurating ‘Consumers Shoppee’ exhibition at Campal grounds, Panjim. Mayor Yatin Parekh, Association President, Prabhudesai, Gen. Secretary Manoj Gaonkar and other office bearers of All Goa FMCG and Telecom Distributors Association are also present.

PANJIM(HND): ‘Consumer Shoppee’ exhibition organized

by All Goa FMCG and Telecom Distributors Association was inaugurated at Campal grounds, Panjim, at the hands of Revenue Minister Jose Philip D’Souza.

Mayor PMC Yatin Parekh was the chief guest. BM Prabhudesai, President AGFTDA and Manoj Gaonkar, Gen. Secretary AGFTD was the guest of honour.

In this five day exhibition, many association members have participated and displayed their varied products and are offering discounts. Telecom companies and FMCG Companies have displayed their latest products on their respective stalls.

BM Prabhudesai, President of All Goa FMCG and Telecom Distributors Association said that even though the Association is new and this is the first year of exhibition, we are happy with the response we got from the participants. ‘Consumer Shoppee’ exhibition will remain open till April 18 from 10 am to 9 pm.

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O HERALD O

An important but aimless Bill

Vol No CXI No: 104 Goa, Friday, 15 April, 2011

Youth Congress & government jobs

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t is a remarkable experiment in democracy, especially in the context of India. By launching a mass membership drive of the Youth Congress (YC) all over the country, Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi wants to create the first institution in his party’s firmament that will actually elect its leaders. The YC aims to enrol millions of youth in the age-group of 18 to 35 years as members of the youth wing of the Congress party. The membership has a validity of two years, for which youth have to pay Rs15 as membership fee (Rs5 for SC/ST youth and women).

In many ways, it is a historic step. To curb the possibility of fraud, the Foundation for Advanced Management of Elections (FAME), an NGO headed by former Chief Election Commissioner James Lyngdoh, will independently audit the membership and election process, to ensure that it is impartial and participation is open to all.

Once the membership drive is complete, voters’ lists will be created and the election process for YC office bearers from the booth level upwards to the assembly constituency and parliamentary constituency level, as well as the state leadership level, will begin. Orientation and training sessions are to be held, to inform potential candidates about the election processes, and how they can become elected leaders of the organisation.

Rahul Gandhi must be congratulated for his determination to bring about such a colossal grassroots change in his organisation. He needs every encouragement to make this mammoth task successful. It needs to be emulated by other political parties too.

In Goa, the party leadership set a target of 75,000 enrolments during the membership drive, which ended on Tuesday. Among those most enthusiastic about the YC membership drive was Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, who set a target of enrolling 3,000 YC members in his own constituency, Margao.

While it is nice to see that the Chief Minister wants the ruling party to be infused with young blood, he may have completely overstepped the mark by asking young government employees to join the Youth Congress. Addressing a public meeting organised by the Youth Congress in Margao on Sunday, Mr Kamat said that government servants could join the Youth Congress, because “it is not a political party”.

His call was particularly addressed to the over 1,000 youth from Margao who have been recruited into government service. Is the Chief Minister hinting that all those given government jobs should join the YC? He has been challenged by Leader of the Opposition Manohar Parrikar, who warned government employees planning to join the YC that it is “very much a political set up, and those in government service cannot join political organisations”. Mr Parrikar is right. It cannot be construed that merely because it does not contest elections and claims to do social work, that the Youth Congress is a non-political organisation.

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OPINION

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the Goa Medical Practitioners Act 2004 is bereft of aims and objectives, says Dr GLADStoNE A D’coStA

n 5 April 2004, the Goa Medical Practitioners Act was notified in the gazette.

The purpose of the Bill was ‘to provide for medical treatment only by qualified medical practitioners and to stop unauthorised practice and medical treatment.’ ‘Medical Practitioner’ was defined as a person qualified and engaged in the practice of ‘modern scientific medicine, ayurvedic, unani, homeopathic and siddha systems of medicine, and registered in the state of Goa’.

The Act further specified that ‘No government doctor can apply for a licence nor shall be he be entitled for such a licence...as long as he remains in government service’.

The Act, therefore, had two main aims; first, to stop quackery, and second, to stop doctors in government service doing clandestine private practice. Regrettably, such an important bill was rendered impotent as it was passed without any discussion in the public domain by relevant stake holders or consumers. It was rammed through the Assembly by the government of the day, purely to score political points as ‘an achievement’ of the medical cell without much thought or deliberation. When the draft was sent to me unofficially for opinion, a number of comments were made; these were ignored because ‘we were in a hurry to get the bill passed’. The deficiencies were supposedly to be rectified in the framing of the rules, which normally provide the means to implement the provisions of the Act. Political mileage having been extracted, the Bill went into hibernation like so many before it, and no rules were framed for seven years. In June 2009, the gazette notified amendments to the Act (the rules having still not been framed). Pathology laboratories and Diagnostic Centers were included in the Bill and a clause introduced to make the provisions for Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules applicable. Rules were eventually framed, notified in July 2010 and came into effect in 2011; again without any consultation or discussion with the stake holders. As a result, all the original inadequacies persisted.

The Act states that practitioners of all systems of medicine, including allopathy, homeopathy, ayurveda, unani, and siddha be registered. Presumably, anyone practicing without being registered would qualify for the definition of a quack.

Walk the talk

ransport Director Arun Desai has refuted all the claims of the agitating bus owners. Pointing out that students have exams and the wedding season is on, he has warned the bus owners that the government will take stringent action if they go on strike. The Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) is in force, and any bus operators’ strike would be illegal.

However, will the political leadership allow Mr Desai to take his actions to their logical conclusion? Or will they intervene to let the bus owners off the hook? Talking tough and doing nothing is counterproductive. Officers must be given a free hand if the bus mafia is to be brought to heel.

Breakfast of Champions

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HiPPocrAtic oAtH What of a homeopath prescribing allopathic drugs? The Act, by remaining silent of this score, lost an opportunity to put an end to the menace of cross practice and terminate the endless debates on the subject. The Act states that applications for registration should be made to ‘the competent authority’. Neither the act nor the rules clarify who the competent authority is for licensing. This was pointed out at the drafting stage; the competent authority needed to be clearly defined and preferably include representatives from the DHS, and the appropriate Medical Councils. When an application for licence is turned down, an appeal may be made to the ‘appellate authority’. Again, neither the Act nor the rules specify who the appellate authority should be. It was suggested, at the time, that such authority should include the DHS Director, the presidents of the Medical Councils and the IMA, and the Dean of the Goa Medical College.

An application having been made to the ‘competent authority’ must be disposed off within 90 days and the decision communicated to the applicant within 30 days. If ‘no such communication is received within 120 days, the licence shall be deemed to have been granted.’ The purpose of this clause is presumably to ensure timely disposal of applications and to avoid harassment. However, it leaves a worrying loophole. It would be a simple

matter to ‘engineer’ a delay and establish a ‘deemed’ licence. The competent authority should be forced to explain the delay and penalised for each day of delay if no satisfactory explanation is forthcoming.

The Act bars a doctor in government service from applying for a licence. At the same time, all medical practitioners are under an obligation to treat a patient in an “extreme emergency.” The latter clause can be misconstrued and abused by falsely claiming cases to be emergencies. Therefore, in the event of an allegation of clandestine private practice, the onus of proving that the case was an emergency, should rest with the doctor. Further, once the emergency has been dealt with, there should be no further doctor-patient relationship for follow-up. In the event of an allegation of clandestine private practice being proven, this should constitute grave misconduct under the relevant Medical Council, with appropriate consequences.

Section19 (2) exempts a medical practitioner visiting Goa for “consultation, diagnostic and surgical procedures in a hospital or nursing home.”

In other words, a quack from Karnataka can visit Goa on a monthly basis and merrily practice here (as indeed some do) well insulated from the provisions of this Act. There must be a proviso that such exemption will always be subject to that

medical practitioner being duly registered in his own state and further has to seek at least temporary registration in Goa for the purpose of his visit. This would provide a mechanism for redressal in the event of a misadventure, and at the same time, ensure that patients continue to have access to visiting super-specialists.

Both the Act as well as the rules talk of minimum standards for establishments. However, nowhere are these standards defined, and more questions than answers arise. For example, what should be the minimum space between beds in a general ward to prevent unhygienic overcrowding? How many toilets should there be in each general ward in relation to the number of beds? What should be the prescribed nurse-patient ratio; what is the basic operation theatre equipment prescribed? There are many other areas on which the bill is silent.

Attempts at such regulation are not new. A nursing homes regulation bill was passed by the Goa assembly in 1986 under the tutelage of Shaikh Hassan.

No rules were ever framed and the bill died of “natural consequences.” Sushma Swaraj, as health minister directed all states to have in place a clinical establishment’s bill. As a result the State Health Minister directed the Goa Medical Council to produce a draft bill. This draft did not even make it past the law secretary’s desk. This time around, the issue has been resurrected because the center has produced draft rules for a central Clinical Establishments Bill 2007 to be adopted by the States. The question now arises whether the Goa should adopt the central bill of 2007 or stick with the State Bill of 2004. The Health Minister has indicated his preference for the latter option. The Leader of the Opposition has already stated that he will oppose any move to adopt the central Clinical Establishments Bill “as we already have our own bill.” The Goa Medical Practitioners Act in its present form, achieves very little by way of regulating either medical practitioners or clinical establishments; it needs extensive amendments.

Whichever bill is adopted, it should be drafted to achieve its aims and objectives; otherwise we end up with yet another worthless piece of paper; and that too, in a state trying to establish itself as a health care tourism destination.

(The author is a member, Executive Committee, Voluntary Health Association of India.)

Parshuram’s Paradise Lost

n my pre-teen years spent in Siolim, I remember there were mud roads with two deep ruts in which the Caminhao wheels fitted, with the hump in between. Two Caminhas operated between Taar and Mapusa. During the day, each made four doubletrips. For us youngsters, it was great fun walking to Mapusa over the Marna hills; it was quicker, shorter and free. Along the way, any number of springs (zhor) provided cool, mineral-packed water minus PET bottles. Bushes provided fruits of the season (kaantan, churna, zomgo…). So did trees – mango, zambul, cashew…!

Early morning, there was always fresh toddy (sur) for older men.

We were happy with tender coconut water. It was as if God had a special place in his heart for Goa; compensation for the loss of the Garden of Eden. The Maha Raan (Marna?) had its share of foxes, monkeys, snakes, fowl, boar, birds and the occasional leopard. I never saw a crow or a stray dog. No garbage – no scavengers. Everything was re-used, re-cycled or bio-degradable. No ecologists, environmentalists and other eco-warriors.

Wherever one walked, there was always a reminder of the Great Designer in the Sky. Igorz, Deul, Kopel, Khuris, Devsaar, a niche with some icon, a cave, an arrangement of stones; one never passed these places without an acknowledgement of The Presence.

Candles, flowers, uzvat and other offerings. Ubiquitous signs of

where we fitted in the universe. There was no identity crisis. That only comes with ‘progress’, ‘development’ and ‘modernity’, which bring in their wake pollution of land, water, air, mind and Soul.

Knowledge was empirical, not analytical. Conventional wisdom was revered; a beacon and a sure guide on the road of life. There was no problem with the story of Lord Parshuram, whose archery captured for us, from the clutches of the sea, a paradise on earth.

One that will survive thousands of years, if the custodians are willing to obey the laws of nature and accept a pre-ordained ecological niche. From Lord Parshuram we inherited fertile fields for growing paddy, vegetables, watermelons, chillies and what have you. The sandy soil, saline air and manure gave us the coconut palm with all its blessings. The seas and the rivers were our source of fish. So came our staple diet of fish, curry and rice. Now, we have sacrificed the real thing for a book of the same name – ‘Fish, Curry and Rice’ – on Goa’s disastrous road to self-destruction.

Very soon, it will be a gourmet delight only served in five-star hotels.

To preserve paradise on earth, we had the preserver, the enabler, the God of wisdom Lord Ganesha. He gave us things like Kamatponn.

Like the hundreds of kilometres of bunds with hundreds of sluice gates, all built with human and animal power. The khazans,

By Anthony Simoes

in my book, are a wonder of the world, a feat of civil engineering in the same league as the pyramids of Egypt. The pyramids attract awe and attention because they force onlookers to stare upwards.

The khazans on the other hand are walked upon and yet, for thousands of years, have sustained untold millions. The pyramids are monuments to the monumental egos of men who dreamt of being Gods. Symbols of slavery and cruelty. The aboriginal people of Goa saw the beneficence of nature in their lifestyles. They drew their sustenance from deep inside the red soil of Goa. They understood the biology, chemistry, medicine… of sustenance instinctively. It was only later that new earthly lords identified the ‘Fe’ in the soil that leached into the world’s best pineapples and cashews. And in their infinite greed, they killed the goose that laid the golden eggs. Mine-owning families simply ripped out the heart of Goa. They were followed by real estate lords, builder lords, tourism lords, drug lords, gambling lords, political demagogic lords, industrial lords, hotel lords and the educational lords of Goa University.

Now, we are in the final stage of decline. Rock bottom. We have become home to Lord Meghnad Desai of the Libyan School of Economics (LSE). When I wake up each morning, I say, “Good Morning, Lord!” Soon I may have to say, “Good Lord, it’s morning!”

Letters to the Editor Get it ratified now

against corruption.

Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco

Thank you Herald

With social activist and Gandhian, Anna Hazare having won a decisive battle, it seems that the anti-corruption drive in the country, has gained momentum. In this context, it is pertinent to note that India is notably absent in the UN convention against corruption which has a list of 140 countries. It is understood that India, which had signed the pact six years ago, forgot to ratify it ever since. The pact reportedly makes it easier to bring back assets illegally stashed in foreign countries and also monitor political funding and elections in the member countries. The government should show some spine in endorsing this initiative which will give it much more teeth to fight

100 Years Ago PRIMEIRO DIARIO NAS COLONIAS PORTUGEZAS

15 April 1911 Rules on primary education

It is approved by the local government with the sanction of Council of Public Education the rules towards the services entrusted to the Inspectorate and the Sub-Inspectorate of Primary education in this State.

Man gets lifer for murder

Was dispatched to rigorous life imprisonment an individual from Tivim murdered an old Hindu couple plainly out of greed.

Project approved

Reported that at the last session which took place at the Municipality of Nova Goa the Council approved a project for the construction of an edifice to undertake Lyceum curriculum.

Names submitted

Has already been submitted to the General Secretariat the names of persons who will constitute the Administrative Council for various agricultural corporations of this District for the next biennium.

Babluis Pereira, Pomburpa Thanks to Herald, for publishing my letter titled ‘High tension wires pose risk’ (Civic Forum, Herald, 4 April).

My letter has now galvanised the Parish Priest to think and act. Finally, the rot has been removed and, in addition, the Church ground is getting a facelift.

Divided, we will fall Glestone Fernandes, Cuncolim The struggle to include English as a MoI has turned out to be a mud-slinging affair, with Pacheco accusing Churchill of “double standards” and playing politics over the whole issue. Both these ministers along with Churchill’s brother Joaquim and a few others, pledge support for this common cause, but stay divided. Pacheco claimed he would have supported Churchill if he had supported the PTA’s demand for grants in English medium schools, this comment has raised a doubt in common minds: Are we fighting for grants or for English as a MoI? In our fight for a fundamental element in our children’s future, some may consider this as a stepping stone for a political career, but for many this is a ‘Satyagraha’, we need to be ‘Gandhians,’ at least for once. Divided, we will certainly fall.

Can Govt do this?

Bosco Vaz, Mapusa If the government is sincere in its dealings, then it should hold a judicial inquiry to find out how many of its employees are having private business in their spouses’ names. I know a dozen of government employees who take private contracts are LIC agents. They own other businesses too. If an inquiry is ordered to look into their disproportionate assets, many skeletons will tumble out of their cupboards. Will the government do this or do we need a local ‘Anna Hazare’ to unearth these illegalities?

Local ‘Hazare’ needed Anthony Dias, Margao It is less common knowledge that well-

Letter of the Day

Promote use of Konkani Eulalia D’Mello, Fatorda When Konkani was introduced as the Medium of Instruction in primary schools, I was pleased. Brought up on the outskirts of Mumbai, we spoke English at home and I was very keen that my kids got familiarised with the local language of Goa, so that they would not have any difficulty in communicating with the people we live with, like I have. Alas, after 21 years in Goa, my Konkani is restricted to salutary phrases.

In the last couple of years, I have searched bookstalls and publishers for good books and magazines on Konkani written in Devnagari script, because it is easy in terms of pronunciation. I thought it would encourage my kids to get close to the language, but sadly have found none. Why can’t the torch bearers of Konkani improve the availability of good literature, attractive books, websites, and magazines in Konkani?

How about organising discussions only in Konkani for those who want to get a feel of the language? Compared to Konkani, Marathi is much more advanced in terms of promoting their language and literature through developments in various media, and also for introducing variety and translations. Why would people to send their kids to a local language school when there is nothing much being done to promote and develop the use of the local language?

Right now, I am just doing what everyone else in my neighbourrhood is doing. I send my kids to an expensive English medium school! known social activist Anna Hazare built a village Ralegaon Siddhi in Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra.

This village is a self-sustained model village. Energy is produced in the village itself from solar power, biofuel and wind mills.

In 1975, it used to be a poverty clad village.

Now, it is one of the richest villages in India. It has become a model for self-sustained, eco-friendly and development in harmony.

Goa, with all its woes of mounting garbage, high corruption, deterioration in the standards of living, needs a man like Anna Hazare to restore its pristine glory.

Konkani let down Arwin Mesquita, UAE Salcete’s prominent politicians will be in UAE/Oman on a well publicised Konkani musical festival in April. Goans need to question if these respective politicians have actually helped improve the status of Konkani over the years, or have fooled them by using Konkani to get maximum political mileage;

so as to win seats and then continue with Goa’s destruction for selfish gain.

Wise decision Adv Rajeev Gomes, Margao I sincerely congratulate Dr Hubert Gomes for withdrawing from politics. Majority of the people of Goa are greedy, corrupt, selfish and at the least, indifferent, which explains why Goa consistently elects greedy, selfish, corrupt and dishonest representatives. The elected representatives are a true reflection of the corrupt Goan people.

These people rightly deserve their corrupt leaders. Greedy Goans will never change.

It is better to leave them to their ugly fate.

Dr Hubert has made a right choice. It is much wiser to dedicate time to one’s family than waste time on corrupt and susegad Goans.

Additions to write-up D A Fernandes, by mail With reference to the write-up ‘Let’s make

Goa an education hub: Kare’ by Bharati Pawaskar under your Movers and Shakers column (Herald, 15 March), we would like to indicate with reference to para 2 wherein it is stated that the first plant, DCI Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd., was started in 1971 at Margao, the following: The first three industrial licenses were issued to M/s Carter Wallace Limited, now Wallace Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd.; Leukoplast India Pvt Ltd now Beiersdorf (I) Ltd and Colfax Laboratories (India) Pvt Ltd. Production of these three units commenced in 1968.

Further, with regard to trading, the two trading companies in Goa i.e., Cosme Matias Menezes Pvt Ltd and Menezes and Cia were established in 1910, while Drogaria Salcette was established 22 years later in 1932.

I am a retired employee of Wallace Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd., who worked with them from 1969 to 2005.

Incorrect tenure Air Cmde P K Pinto AVSM (Retd), Director General, GCCI, Panjim This has reference to the article ‘Let’s make Goa an Education hub: Kare’ by Bharati Pawaskar (Herald, 15 March).

I would like to bring to your notice that Mr Kare was the President of Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry from May 1991 to June 1995, a period of four years and not six years as stated in the article.

Quit Dabolim Lawrence Fernandes, Sancoale Hats off to Anna Hazare, who showed guts, courage and determination and fought hard to make his dream come true. His sought to fight corruption and won the battle.

I am seriously thinking of following Anna Hazare here in Goa. My only demand would be to ask the Indian Navy Air Force to quit the airport at Dabolim and hand over the land to its original owners. Similarly, the “Ilha dos Morcegos” Bat Island and St George Islands should be returned back to the government of Goa, to whom they rightly belong. Will the true Goans support my fast unto death until we win?

Paths of Wisdom Qur’an: Same Sex Union

By Samir Khan “And remember when We send Lut (Peace be upon him) to his people and he said to them: ‘Do you realise that you practise an indecency of which no other people in the world were guilty of before you?

You approach men lustfully in place of women.

You are a people who exceed all bounds.’ Their only answer was: ‘Banish them from your town. They are a people who pretend to be pure.’ Then We delivered Lut and his household save his wife who stayed behind; and We let loose a shower (of stones) upon them. Observe, then, the end of the evil-doers.” Holy Qur’an (7: 80-84) “What, of all creation will you go to (fornicate with) the males, leaving aside those whom Allah has created for you as your mates. Nay, you are a people that has transgressed all limits. They said: ‘O Lut! If you do not desist, you will be one of those expelled (from our towns). ’ He said: ‘I am one of those who abhor your practice. My Lord, deliver me and my family from their wicked deeds.’

Then we delivered him and his family except an old woman who was among those that stayed behind. Thereafter, We utterly destroyed the rest, and We sent upon them a rain, an evil rain that fell on those who had been warned.” Holy Qur’an (26:167-173) Allah the Almighty created man and woman to propagate the human species.

For one to be sexually attracted to someone of the same sex is a deviation from this rule.

This is why Almighty Allah says in the Holy Qur’an with reference to the People of Lut, who were indulging in homosexual acts some 4,000 years back in parts of the present Palestine, “Of all the creatures in the world, will ye approach males, And leave those whom Allah has created for you to be your mates?

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. junior@herald-goa.com — Junior Herald; junioryouth@herald-goa.com — 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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GOA, FRIDAY, 15 APRIL, 2011

Socorro panch Sandeep in trouble as panel rules he isn’t Bhandari HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, APRIL 14

Socorro Panch Sandeep Arjun Vazarkar has found himself in troubled waters as the scrutiny committee for verification of caste system constituted as per the High Court has once again ruled that the panch does not belong to the Bhandari Naik community.

The Scrutiny committee has ruled that Vazarkar instead belongs to the Banne/Devli committee.

It may be recalled that one Rajesh Kauthankar had filed a writ petition before the High Court stating that Vazarkar, who belongs to Devli/Banne caste, had contested the panchayat election in 2007 from Ward 8 of the Socorro Panchayat, which was reserved for an OBC community candidate.

In the election, Vazarkar had defeated Rajesh Kavthankar.

Later, the High Court directed the OBC Scrutiny Committee to conduct investigations into the matter and submit its report.

The complainant, Kauthankar, had submitted that Vazarkar belonged to Devli/Banne caste, which does not fall within the Bhandari Naik community.

The scrutiny committee vigilance officer,

of which was PI Devendra Gad, after verifying the facts had ruled that Vazarkar did not belong to the Bhandari Naik community.

Vazarkar challenged the finding of the OBC scrutiny committee. The High Court had therefore granted Vazarkar one more opportunity as last chance to substantiate his caste claim with all relevant material before the scrutiny committee which was subject to payment of Rs 1 lakh by him to the High Court Legal Aid Services Sub Committee.

This time, the vigilance inquiry was conducted by P L Mapari (SDPO Mapusa II) who recorded statements of 17 persons and enclosed 38 documents alongwith his report.

Vazarkar had stated that he had studied in Kirti Vidhyalay School, Siolim, for two years. However, on verification of records it was found that there was no entry to show that Vazarkar studied in Std 9 and 10 in Kirti Vidhyalay School.

Gomantak Bhandari Samaj president in his letter dated September 5, 2010, had stated that caste certificate dated April 11, 2007, issued to Vazarkar stands revoked by the committee on the ground that Vazarkar’s

father was neither a member of Bhandari Naik community nor belonged to Bhandari Naik community of Goa. Vazarkar had claimed that Madeva Baboni Naique related to Shree Rudreswar Devastan, Harvalem, is his grandfather. During enquiry, it was revealed that Madeva Baboni Naique who belonged to Bhandari Samaj had expired on April 3, 1939, leaving behind his son Yeshwant Mahadev Naik, who expired on January 9, 1998.

Further, it was revealed that Panch Vazarkar had no relation at all with the Madeva Baboni Naique. It was also revealed that Vazarkar is the son of Arjun Mahadev Vazarkar and grandson of Mahadev Bablo Naique, who died on July 9, 1980 at Zoswado-Socorro.

Manohar Harishchandra Naik, paternal uncle of Vazarkar, and Sameer Manohar Naik, cousin of the panch, have categorically stated that they belong to Banae/Deuli community. Therefore, there cannot be two different castes in the same family.

Hence, after careful consideration of all the aspects and material on records, the committee has come to the conclusion that Panch Sandeep Vazarkar does not belong to the Bhandari Naik community.

Poinguinim woman accuses p’yat of bifurcating her house HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, APRIL 14

In an unusual case, a 73-yearold woman from Galgibaga has accused Poinguinim Panchayat of illegally dividing her house and allotting a part-house number 800 mtrs away, based on a fraudulent affidavit.

Victoria Barretto filed a complaint with the panchayat and several other authorities for misusing her house tax receipt.

She has also accused the panchayat of accepting a forged and deceptive affidavit, where her house number and her no-objection is sworn on her behalf for bifurcation of her house number.

The panchayat is now also accused of not issuing cancellation order as yet despite physical examination report after directions from higher authorities in that regards has proved the charges.

It all started, when Barretto, then 72 years, owner of House No 553 at Kolsar-Galgibaga on learning about payment of house tax for 2010-11 by an unknown person in November 2010 complained to the Poinguinim sarpanch that some unknown person without her knowledge paid her house tax and strongly suspected motive of unknown person.

“It is a ploy to claim rights of my house and property after my

death,” Barretto had stated in her complaint.

The new house number 553/1 is the new house number allotted to another person, who has reportedly constructed a new construction towards the beach in Galgibaga.

Elvina, daughter of Victoria, said: “Since then, we are running from pillar to post to stop the illegality committed by that person in connivance with the panchayat, till on higher authorities instruction, a report was prepared in February 2011 by a committee after physical inspection corroborating my mother’s claims as true.”

According to the report, the inquiry found from the documents/affidavit produced by the person of House no 553/1 to bifurcate House No 553 to House No 553/1 was false.

The report further stated that the complainant identified the signature on the affidavit submitted for transfer of house as not of hers and therefore fraudulent.

The panchayat also resolved to cancel the bifurcation of House No 553 to House No 553/1 in its monthly meeting on January 28, 2011, adds the report prepared in the presence of Poinguinim sarpanch and secretary, Extension Officer (P), BDO Canacona and Barreto.

De-notification of Dabolim land lauded HERALD CORRESPONDENT CORTALIM, APRIL 14

Chicalim Villagers Action Committee for Development (CVACD) has expressed its full support to Cortalim MLA and Deputy Speaker Mauvin Godinho in his fight against destruction of Goa in the name of development.

Hailing the de-notification of Dabolim land, the CVACD ridiculed Navy’s claims that the land was required for parking, when in reality the land was also meant to be used for residential flats for airport staff/CISF and worst still for aviation fuel storage tanks, says an e-mail.

According to CVACD, vast stretch of land next to Gate Gourmit at Dabolim had already been acquired for airport staff quarters.

Accusing the Navy of grabbing land in the name of development, it said that the land had been earmarked for parking in

the ODP which had already been notified.

The CVACD also demanded to know as to how many residents of Chicalim-Dabolim, Bogmalo or that purpose from Cortalim constituency had been employed by these central agencies who are demanding land in the name of development.

Even, contracts are being allotted to parties from Bombay, Bangalore, Delhi and other states other than to Goans, the release adds.

Aviation fuel has polluted wells, spring and fields at Bogmalo, petroleum products have shown up and polluted springs, wells, fields in Sancoale. Has any body owned responsibility?

The CVACD demanded to know as to who was responsible for the discharge of sewerage water at Assoi-Dongrim near airport polluting the spring with foul smell all over.

Asilo dumping sewage in open fields HERALD REPORTER PANJIM APRIL 14

Nearly eight days after residents of Mapusa backed by the Shiv Sena raised their voice against the Asilo Hospital Mapusa dumping of sewage in open fields, there has been little action from the authorities.

On April 5, based on a complaint filed by one Philip D’Souza, a Shiv Sena leader, the scientists of the Goa State Pollution Control Board had conducted an inspection of the scene.

However the report of that inspection is yet to be submitted for action.

“A complaint has been filed

and inspection has already been conducted. Once we receive the report we will issue necessary instructions,” Board Chairman Simon de Souza said.

According to Philip, the only action that has been taken so far is temporary.

“The septic tank that was earlier flowing near the residents of the neighborhood has been corrected by putting some mud near the broken wall outlet. The sewage now collects in the open of the Asilo compound,” he said.

“The other septic tank is still open and waste water from the hospital building continues to flow out in the open from a pipe,” he added.

Interestingly, Victoria’s daughter claimed that panchayat has suspiciously till date not yet issued any cancellation order, despite saying that complainant is informed orally and will be informed in writing in seven days, inquiry proceedings are therefore closed.

Meanwhile, Victoria has filed another complaint with Deputy Collector and SDO to investigate a gullible crime of forging her signature and panchayat’s involvement in partitioning her house number.

She had also complained that the panchayat has not yet issued cancellation of fraudulently issued partition house number to a third party without her knowledge or permission.

Copies of the letter dated are also addressed to home minister and the collector.

Sources claimed that Poinguinim Panchayat in the past had issued a demolition notice under CRZ to Victoria for a structure (bathroom) saying it exists in violation of CRZ-1991 rules, which was later resolved.

“But the same panchayat now issued a bifurcated house number of the same house for an illegal construction that has cropped up in recent times, 800 mtrs away and that too towards the beach coast,” informed sources.

Ramdev to visit Goa HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, APRIL 14

Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev will arrive on a two-day visit to Goa on April 25.

Addressing a press conference at Mapusa, Patanjali Yog Samiti (Goa unit) President Dr Suraj Kanekar informed that on April 26, Swami Ramdev will hold a free Yoga camp at Bodgeshwar Temple, Mapusa, from 5 am to 7.30 am.

“Thereafter, he will meet the press from 7.30 am to 8.30 am.

Swami Ramdev will be meeting members of Bharat Swabhimaan Trust and other invitees from 11 am to 12 noon and later will visit Adarsh villages in Pernem and Valpoi and address the villagers about the concept and plan of Adarsh village,” said Dr Kanekar.

Dr Kanekar further informed that on April 27, a similar camp will be held at the Gymkhana Ground near Sateri Temple, Curchorem, from 5 am to 7.30 am and thereafter an interactive session, after which Swami Ramdev will leave for Maharashtra.

Dr Kanekar said since the camp at Bodgeshwar Temple will be the only Yoga camp in North Goa, a large crowd is expected not only from North Goa but also from the border areas of North Goa. “Keeping this in mind, all arrangements have been made to conduct the free yoga camp smoothly. Though we will make the arrangements including providing mats at the venue in Mapusa and Curchorem, we expect the people to co-operate with the organizers. People, if possible, should bring a mat along with them on which they could sit,” he said.

Dhanraj Harmalkar, Anil Salgaocar and Ramesh T Naik were also present for the press conference.

3rd murder case initiated against Mahanand

CCP to regulate tree planting, cutting HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 14

In a major decision, the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) has decided to regulate all tree cutting and tree planting in public space within its jurisdiction, henceforth.

The corporation in collaboration with World W ide Fund (WWF) has also decided to create an inventor y of trees in public spaces in each ward. WWF would be provided with a map showing the limits of each ward.

“The trees would be listed as per the species along each road and each ward,” the press note released by the corporation reads.

The entire work is expected to be covered by end of April.

The decision was taken in the recently held meeting, which was attended by commissioner Elvis Gomes, Patricia Pinot, director of WWF Nitin Sawant, traffic cell and others.

Apart from this, the corporation has also decided to name and number all the listed trees for easy identification and necessary action l i ke p r u n i n g o f b r a n c h e s would be taken up.

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 14

Accused Mahanand Naik on Wednesday made his appearance in the South Goa Sessions Court in connection with the Deepali Jotkar murder case.

The accused made his appearance today before Sessions Judge today. The Court later adjourned the matter to April 29 for arguments before framing of charges against the accused.

This is the third murder case in which accused Mahanand Naik will be tried in the South Goa Sessions court. The accused has already been acquitted by the court in two murder cases and trial in the Deepali Jotkar murder case is expected to begin from next month.

APPOINTMENTS

INDIA

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Pg 10 GOA, FRIDAY•15 APRIL• 2011

Politicos against anti-graft movement: Hazare PTi AHMEDNAGAR, APRIL 14

Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare today charged "political and criminal forces" of trying to dilute the nationwide movement against graft by defaming and criticising the campaign for a comprehensive Lokpal Bill.

"Some political and criminal forces are afraid of recent awakening and huge support of the common man to the Jan Lokpal Bill. They are trying to create confusion and defame the movement to defuse the emerging people's movement for curbing corruption," Hazare told PTI from Ralegan Siddhi village, 40 kms away from here.

On criticism for reported remarks against political leaders, the social activist said that he never said that all politicians in India are corrupt.

"There are very few exceptions at all levels. But those exceptions can be honoured only if they too raise their voice

against known corruption in their close circles. Keeping mum on issues related to corruption is also silent support to corruption and such leaders who fall in that category are actually of no use for nation," he said.

The veteran also faced flak from the Congress and NCP for allegedly calling voters corrupt and dishonest.

To which, the 73-year-old Gandhian said, "Political parties and leaders are responsible for maligning the voter's character in this country. They usually earn

Kalam confers doctorate at Pune agencies PUNE, APRIL 14

“The world in the 21st century will be a knowledge based society with multiple opportunities. What worked yesterday, won’t work today. Educational Institutions will be the power house for knowledge”, said Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, the former President of India.

He was speaking at the 2nd Convocation ceremony of Dr D Y Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune. Dr Kalam (Former President of India) was the Chief Guest.

Present on this occasion were guest of honour, Tripura Governor Dr D Y Patil, Dr Vijay Bhatkar Chairman, ETH Ltd & former Director, CDAC and Dr P Venugopal Chairman, Alchemist Medical Division & the former Director of AIIMS, Dr Narendra Jadhav, the member of Planning Commission and Adv Ujjwal Nikam, Special Public Prosecutor, Chancellor, Dr P D Patil, Vice Chancellor Dr P N Razdan, Registrar B S Mane and others.

The Degree of Doctor of Science was conferred on Dr Vijay Bhatkar, Dr P Venugopal and the Degree of Doctor of Letters was conferred on Dr Narendra Jadhav, and Adv Ujjwal Nikam.

Speaking further, Kalam added, “Today Competitiveness is the key and is powered by research. Universities have to have the motto of teaching – research – teaching. Educational institutions are the breeding environment for creativity, and can inject team spirit and inculcate the sensitivity to customer needs. Value judgement should be introduced in education as ‘Values are everything today. Education with Value system is the need of the hour.

He congratulated the graduating students and further praised the teaching and research system followed at Patil, Vidyapeeth, Pune.

Dr Narendra Jadhav thanked Dr D Y Patil, Vidyapeeth, Pune to for giving him the honor and conferring him with the Doctorate. “I am very happy as this is for the first time I am receiving a Doctorate from such a reputed institution”, he said. He further added that everyone should try to reach the top position in whatever work they undertake.

lot of black money using power and distribute a little amount of it to voters in elections to grab sympathy for their corrupt practises."

"Is it possible today for candidates who are meritorious and possess good moral character and commitment to win an election without huge amount of black money," he asked.

Under attack for appreciating Gujrat Chief Minister arendra Modi and his Bihar counterpart Nitish Kumar, Anna said he only lauded their developmental efforts and has always condemned every communal riot including the one in 1984.

Hazare will leave for Delhi tomorrow to attend the first meeting of the draft committee for Jan Lokpal Bill on April 16.

He expressed his gratitude for the common man as well as all NGOs for their selfless involvement in the movement against corruption.

Omar dines at dhaba PTi JAMMU, APRIL 14

Leaving behind his security personnel, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah walked into a dhaba here and had dinner after a hectic day.

Abdullah, flanked by Minister of State for Housing Nisar Aslam Wani and his political advisor Devinder Rana, arrived in two vehicles without the Z-plus cavalcade and walked into Billu-DiHatti Dhaba to relish a meal comprising of kebabs, rista and other delicacies last night.

The Chief Minister ate like a common man at the dhaba.

Soon after dinner, he also had ice-cream from a nearby vendor, people present at the eatery said.

It was a hectic day for Abdullah as elections to six seats in the Legislative Council were held yesterday. The NCP-Cong combine won five seats.

Two held for theft in Belgaum HeRaLD cORResPOnDenT BELGAUM, APRIL 14

Belgaum Police on Tuesday arrested two persons within 24 hours of a theft of 580 gms of gold ornaments worth Rs 12 lakh.

According to police, Vishwanath Nagesh Sait, a jeweller from here on Monday morning complained of theft of ornaments in his workshop.

After primary investigations, a police team headed by Inspector Shankargouda Patil immediately left for Shimoga, the hometown of Sagar Subramani Revankar and Akshay Subramani Revankar, two brothers working for the jeweller.

Before the duo could abscond, the police arrested them and recovered entire stolen jewellery.

paramilitary personnel patrol at a closed market during a strike in Srinagar. A two days strike called by separatists in revolt-hit Indian Kashmir to protest against the killing of a leading Muslim cleric paralysed much of the region.

No dilution of India’s position on 26/11: MEA

PTi NEW DELHI, APRIL 14

India today said there was no dilution in its position that all those responsible for the Mumbai terror attack should be brought to justice expeditiously and the on-going dialogue with Pakistan will seek to address the country's terrorism-related concerns.

"It is our expectation that all those responsible for the Mumbai terrorist attack will be brought to justice expeditiously.

This position is shared by the international community at large, particularly those countries whose nationals were killed during this horrific attack," the Ministry of External Affairs said here.

Noting that India has embarked on a dialogue process with Pakistan with the aim of normalising relations, the ministry said, “This dialogue will naturally seek to address our terrorism-related concerns, particularly with respect to the Mumbai terrorist attack.”

This issue figured prominently in the recently concluded Home Secretary-level talks as also in various recent interactions with the Government of Pakistan, the official spokesperson said, adding, “Clearly, there is no dilution of our position in this regard”.

The remarks came in response to a question regarding the purported statement made

by Pakistani-American terrorist Tahawwur Hussain Rana in a US Court.

Rana, the Pakistani-Canadian accused in the Mumbai terror case, has claimed in court documents that his "alleged illegal acts of providing material support to terrorists -- were done at the behest of the Pakistani government and the ISI, not the Lashkar terrorist organisation."

Rana’s disclosures have brought to the fore India’s suspicion that the Pakistani government and the ISI had a role in the 26/11 carnage that left 166 dead.

Railways offers job to Arunima, PMO seeks report The announcement came after the young athlete said a small compensation would be of no help to her and that she needed a permanent government job.

"A few thousand rupees cannot last long. I have a full life to live and what I need is not small compensation but a permanent government job," 23-year-old Arunima said from her hospital bed in Bareilly.

Arunima alias Sonu lost her leg after she was pushed out of the Padmavat Express in Bareilly on Monday night by three men trying to snatch her gold chain when she was travelling to Delhi to appear for an examination.

As she lay on the tracks, another train ran over her left leg. She had fractures on her right leg and also suffered head injuries.

She said her dreams have been shattered. "My problem is that I won't be able to realise my dreams. I am thinking of how to fulfil my dreams," she said.

A case under section 307 ( a t t e m p t t o m u rd e r ) a n d

PTi NEW DELHI/BAREILLY, APRIL 14

Arunima Sinha, a National level football and volleyball player who lost her leg after being thrown out by robbers from a running train near Bareilly on Monday, will be given a job by the Railways which has promised all help for her rehabilitation.

"We are extending all help for her rehabilitation which includes a suitable job in Railways," Railway Board Chairman Vivek Sahai told PTI. Prime Minister's Office (PMO) sought a report from the Railway Ministry on the incident.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is away in Sanya in China attending the BRICS Summit, expressed "sadness" on the incident, sources said.

"Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed her concern about this unfortunate incident and ordered that all financial assistance be extended to ensure that proper medical attention is provided to her," Sahai said.

393(attempt to robbery) of the IPC has been registered against unidentified persons by the Government Railway Police.

"A high-level inquiry by a four-member team has been ordered to probe into the incident which will submit its report within a week time," Deputy Divisional Railway Manager (Moradabad) A K Singhal said after meeting Arunima at the hospital.

The committee would include commandant Railway Protection Force, divisional safety officer, divisional operating manager and engineer. Singhal gave her Rs 5,000 as immediate relief.

Sports Minister Ajay Maken announced Rs two lakh medical compensation and an immediate ex-gratia of Rs 25,000 for Arunima. Some NGOs have been approached to get her prosthetic leg, the Railway Board Chairman said.

The compensation will be given to her by the Railway Claims Tribunal. It will decide about the amount, he said.

‘Amul baby’ remark not an insult: Tharoor PTi NEW DELHI, APRIL 14

While the entire Congress went hammer and tongs against Kerala Chief Minister V S Achutanandan's "Amul Baby" remark against Rahul Gandhi, former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor says he does not find it insulting.

"Don't see why "Amul baby"=insult. Amul babies are fit, strong, focused on the future.

Symbolise white revolution which brought milk to the masses," Tharoor, one of the star campaigners for the party in Kerala Assembly elections, said on Twitter yesterday. Tharoor is a Congress MP from Kerala.

The party on the contrary had slammed Achutanandan for it.

Addressing an election rally in Kerala on April 9, Gandhi had taken a swipe at 87-and-a-halfyear-old Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan, saying if the LDF wins the coming Assembly polls, they (people) will have a 93-year-old chief minister by the next elections.

Hitting back at Gandhi, Achutanandan said the Congress leader came to poll-bound Kerala to campaign for `Amul babies’ as he was himself a `Amul baby’.

Reacting to it, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee termed the Kerala Chief Minister’s remarks as “uncivilised” adding “it speaks of the individual taste of the person and culture.”

Congress spokesperson Ab-

hishek Singhvi said “such type of comments are an insult to the youth community of India.

People who are about to become history in few days are insulting the youth of the nation through such comments.”

Endorsing the party’s line, Editor of Congress Sandesh Anil Shastri said, “Kerala CM’s reference to Rahul Gandhi as Amul baby is irresponsible. He seems preparing his bags for a relaxed retired life after May 13 (the day counting will be held for the Kerala elections.”

Congress’s Kerala unit had also ticked off the CPI-M stalwart for his comments.

In a statement issued in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala PCC President Ramesh Chennithala said, "Achuthanandan has lowered his stock himself by trying to ridicule Rahul Gandhi...it is quite unbecoming of a person holding a high position to run down a widely respected leader like Rahul Gandhi by using intemperate language,” he said.

This is not the first remark

by Tharoor in which he has taken a different stand from that of the party. His “cattle class” remark at a time when the party was advocating economy class travel for ministers and senior party functionaries as a part of austerity measures had kicked up a storm in 2009 soon after UPA 2 had come to power.

Tharoor was Minister of State for External Affairs then.

Foodalicious

Peanut Brownies Ingredients

2 cups - flour 1 cup - brown sugar ½ cup - butter 4 tbsp - milk ½ tsp - vanilla essence 1 - lemon 2 - eggs ½ cup - chopped peanuts 4 tbsp - castor sugar a pinch of salt

1

Method

The butter must be at room temperature and soft, so it is easy to mix in the sugar. Cream the butter, by whisking it in a glass bowl, and gradually add in the sugar while beating continuously.

1 How to Use Chopsticks

2

Separate the egg yolks and whites from each other, and keep them in two different containers. To separate the yolks, make a small hole in the top of the egg, and allow the egg white to drain out into a bowl. After all the white has drained, break the egg and store the yolk in a second container.

3

Returning to the butter and sugar mixture, beat in the egg yolks, milk and vanilla essence.

4 5

Stir in the flour. Spread evenly into a non-greased pan.

Beat the egg whites till they form soft peaks. Soft peaks are formed when the egg whites are beaten thoroughly till they become opaque and white. To check the consistency, lift the whisk out of the bowl. The mixture in the bowl should follow the whisk, and when it breaks off, a peak should be formed. However, the tip

2

of the peak needs to be droopy, and not stiff – thereby giving the necessary soft peaks.

6

Spread over the flour mixture in the pan. Combine both carefully, by folding the egg whites into the mixture below using a spatula. Sprinkle the peanuts and sugar on top.

7

Bake in a moderate oven of 350C for 40 minutes. To test the consistency, insert a clean knife into the center of the batter – if the knife comes out clean, the brownies are cooked.

8

Cut into bars while warm, and leave to cool on a wire rack.

3

Sathya Sai Baba’s condition stable PTi PUTTAPARTHI (AP), APRIL 14

Sathya Sai Baba, who has been undergoing treatment for multiorgan dysfunction, is in a relatively more stable condition of health today, doctors attending on him said here.

"All his vital parameters like heart rate, blood pressure, blood biochemistry values are nearly normal and stable," a health bulletin issued by A N Safaya, the Director of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, said. He is in a "relatively more stable condition of health," the bulletin said.

Though intermittent dialysis is still being conducted to assist

the kidneys, they are showing signs of improvement, it said.

"He still continues to be on assisted ventilation and intermittent slow hemodialysis is being conducted upon him to assist the kidneys, which are now showing signs of sustained activity," the bulletin said.

The doctors attending on him are satisfied with the stability of his health condition and his response, although slow, to the treatment being given to him, the bulletin said.

86-year- old Sathya Sai Baba was admitted to the hospital on March 28 following problems related to heart and respiration.

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BRICS demand global monetary shake-up, greater influence REUTERS SANYA, CHINA, APRIL 14

The BRICS group of emergingmarket powers kept up the pressure on Thursday for a revamped global monetary system that relies less on the dollar and for a louder voice in international financial institutions.

The leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa also called for stronger regulation of commodity derivatives to dampen excessive volatility in food and energy prices, which they said posed new risks for the recovery of the world economy.

Meeting on the southern Chinese island of Hainan, they said the recent financial crisis had exposed the inadequacies of the current monetary order, which has the dollar as its linchpin.

What was needed, they said in a statement, was "a broadbased international reserve currency system providing stability and certainty" -- thinly veiled criticism of what the BRICS see as Washington's neglect of its global monetary responsibilities.

The BRICS are worried that America's large trade and budget deficits will eventually debase the dollar. They also begrudge the financial and political privileges that come with

From left to right are Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev, China's President Hu Jintao, Brazil's President Dilma Rouseff, and South Africa's President Jacob Zuma pose before a joint press conference during the BRICS summit in Sanya, on the southern Chinese island of Hainan on Thursday. Leaders of five of the world's major emerging powers said on April 14 the use of force in Libya and the Arab world should be avoided, at a summit intended to showcase their growing global clout.

dence of emerging markets.

Burdened by heavy debt, the United States, the euro zone and Japan are struggling to shake off the lingering effects of the 2008 global financial crisis. Rich countries will grow 2.4 percent this year and 2.6 percent in 2012, the International Monetary fund forecast this week.

By contrast, less well-off countries have emerged relatively unscathed. The IMF is forecasting that emerging and

developing countries will grow 6.5 percent both this year and next.

"The quality and the durability of the global economic recovery process depends to a great measure on how the BRICS economies perform," Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said.

The leaders reviewed the global role of the Special Drawing Right, the IMF's accounting unit and reserve asset, which some experts believe could

grow into a partial substitute for the dollar.

But they stepped around the issue of whether the yuan should join the SDR, saying only that they welcomed discussion of the composition of the SDR's basket of currencies.

A member-country official said the group was split on whether China's currency, which cannot be freely exchanged except for trade and investment purposes, met the criteria for being part of the

SDR. "There is a need for a broadbasing of the international monetary system. The SDR is an instrument to do that, but we still have no unanimity on the inclusion of the Chinese currency in the SDR as of now," said the official, who declined to be identified.

The SDR now comprises the dollar, the euro, the Japanese yen and the British pound.

"India has said that the SDR is an accounting mechanism

used by the IMF, and countries such as Brazil have also said that this (the yuan) should be convertible first," he added.

Though keen on a more diverse global monetary order, Beijing has given no indication that it is ready to make the yuan freely tradable or to dismantle capital controls as the price for the prestige of being part of the SDR. BROAD-BRUSH TREATMENT Emerging economies have already won more say in the way the IMF is run, but the BRICS leaders said they were still under-represented.

"We ... agreed on the need for the reform of international financial institutions in order to promote a just economic order," South African President Jacob Zuma said.

On the hot topic of capital flows, the BRICS called "for more attention" to the risks posed by massive cross-border flows of money but went no further.

The group said the world economy, of which its members make up nearly a fifth, still faced headwinds.

"The developments in west Asia and north Africa, and the aftermath of the huge tragedy that befell Japan, have introduced fresh uncertainties in the global recovery process," Singh said.

BRICS discussed monetary reform, not yuan: China

No plans to include Indonesia

REUTERS SANYA, CHINA, APRIL 14

REUTERS SANYA, CHINA, APRIL 14

There is no proposal as to include Indonesia in the BRICS grouping, a senior BRICS official said on Thursday on the sidelines of a BRICS summit on the Chinese island of Hainan.

The official, who declined to be identified, said that Indonesia, South East Asia's largest economy which is expected to grow at 6.3 to 6.4 percent in the fiscal year that ended in March 2011, meets all the criteria to be inducted into the BRICS grouping.

being the leading reserve currency.

"The world economy is undergoing profound and complex changes," Chinese President Hu Jintao said. "The era demands that the BRICS countries strengthen dialogue and cooperation."

In another dig at the dollar, the development banks of the five BRICS nations agreed to establish mutual credit lines denominated in their local currencies, not the U.S. currency.

The head of China Development Bank (CDB), Chen Yuan, said he was prepared to lend up to 10 billion yuan to fellow BRICS, and his Russian counterpart said he was looking to borrow the yuan equivalent of at least $500 million via CDB. "We think this will undoubtedly broaden the opportunities for Russian companies to diversify their loans," Vladimir Dmitriev, the chairman of VEB, Russia's state development bank, told reporters.

ALL DOWN TO THE BRICS The call by the BRICS for a new monetary order are not new.

But, coming hours before a meeting in Washington of finance ministers from the Group of Seven industrial nations, the traditional power brokers of the world economy, Thursday's communique showed the growing confi-

The five BRICS nations discussed reform of the international monetary system at a meeting in southern China on Thursday, but steered clear of the contentious topic of the Chinese exchange rate, a senior Chinese official said.

Wu Hailong, an assistant Chinese foreign minister, said the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa had also discussed the composition of the Special Drawing Right, the International Monetary Fund's unit of account.

"The yuan exchange rate was not on the agenda of this BRICS summit meeting, but the reform of the international monetary system is one of the key issues of the meeting," Wu told a news conference.

Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff has faced complaints at home from manufacturers and officials, who say China's cheap yuan currency is undercutting domestic production and that

China is soaking up Brazil's commodities such as iron ore, but not buying value-added products.

Still, the five BRICS nations took another step towards cementing their global influence on Thursday, calling for a broad-based international reserve currency system "providing stability and certainty".

"Trade settlement in local currencies among the five countries will promote trade and investment liberalisation.

It will lead to even closer business and trade ties among these five countries," Wu said.

On the issue of whether the BRICS would expand again to include other large, developing nations -- South Africa joined the summit for the first time this year -- Wu said there had been no concrete decisions.

"A fair number of countries have expressed interest in join-

Orra sale ends May 8 HERALD BUSINESS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 14

ing the BRICS. This shows that the mechanism is dynamic and attractive. At the meeting, the leaders discussed enlargement, and agreed that any decision will be made based on consensus of all members of the BRICS." Wu also played down any political rifts between the existing member states, made up of authoritarian regimes such as China and the vibrant democracies of India and Brazil.

"What's important now is to broaden consensus as much as possible and tone down differences, and start cooperation in fields where there is already consensus," he said.

"For those issues where there are differences, we will put them aside for the time being. We will not let those differences undermine solidarity and impede cooperation among BRICS countries."

Orra’s annual sale began on April 8 with discounts of up to 25% on diamond jewellery. Gold has discounts of upto 50% off on making charges of 22kt BIS Hallmarked gold jewellery.

Orra is known for its Belgian solitaires and innovative designs. An array of platinum jewellery too awaits you. The sale is on until May 8, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Trithiya.

Advance bookings for Akshaya Trithiya are being taken and Flat 50% off on making charges of gold bars and coins can also be availed.

The sale is on across 31 stores in 21 Indian cities.

US investors dive back into emerging markets REUTERS NEW YORK, APRIL 14

Emerging equity markets are looking increasingly sexier to investors, though it might be just that developed economies are losing their allure.

Leading US fund managers are putting a larger chunk of their money back into stocks in developing countries as growth forecasts for rich economies shrink.

They are betting policy makers in the developing world will win the fight against inflation and ensure healthy economic growth this year, which should support their equity markets.

"Investors are chasing performance by reweighting in emerging markets," said David Semple, who helps manage $33 billion at Van Eck Global.

"The equation is more balanced and tilted in favor of emerging markets."

Record inflows of nearly $4 billion have found their way into emerging equity funds in the past week, and a new batch of funds dedicated to the

asset class is hitting the market.

China and other Asian markets are enjoying the bulk of inflows as investors bet the Chinese central bank is nearing the end of its tightening cycle after successfully engendering an economic soft landing.

Latin America could be next, as soon as investors become more comfortable with inflation prospects for the region.

"Some people out there are still spinning a very bearish story on China. That's fine, they can live in their own little world. But in the real world, China is just fine," said Semple.

He added his fund had substantially reduced positions in China, but is gradually rebuilding it now.

Emerging equities had been underperforming their developed market peers since the beginning of the year until mid-March as the economic growth gap between the two markets narrowed.

At the beginning of the year, emerging economies

were expected to grow less as central banks started raising interest rates to fight inflation. Developed economies, on the other hand, were seen as a positive growth surprise for 2011.

As a result, the MSCI World stock index of developed countries rallied 6.45 percent since the beginning of 2011 until its Feb. 18 high, while its counterpart for emerging markets lost 2.55 percent.

BLACK SWANS APPEAR That situation started to change late in February as unforeseen unrest in the Middle East drove oil prices higher. Another unexpected event -Japan's earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis on March 16 -- became the final blow for the growth outlook for developed economies this year.

"This year has seen a number of so-called 'black swan' events," Michael Hartnett, Merrill Lynch's chief global equity strategist, said in a research note, referring to the theory that major historical events are often unforeseeable.

Fortis says to buy 86% in group firm SRL REUTERS NEW DELHI, APRIL 14

Hospital chain Fortis Healthcare said on Thursday it will buy an 86% stake in diagnostic services firm Super Religare Laboratories Ltd (SRL) for an undisclosed sum in a bid to expand its business verticals.

Both Fortis and Religare are controlled by billionaire brothers Malvinder and Shivinder Singh, but are different companies in the healthcare business.

The Singh brothers own 86% of SRL equity, a draft initial public offer document filed by Religare with the capital markets regulator, the SEBI, in February showed.

A Fortis spokeswoman said

in an e-mailed statement that only independent directors decided on the buyout of SRL, eliminating any corporate governance issues that could have come from a transaction within the group firms.

"The valuation shall be carried out by an independent, one of the top 4 firms in India and thus the transaction will be carried strictly at arm's length basis," the spokeswoman said.

The company also plans to raise Rs 16o crore via a pre-IPO private placement of 8 million shares.

Fortis executives could not be reached by Reuters for further comments on the transac-

tion, which essentially means a group firm is taking over another. Stock, commodity, currency, bond and interbank cash markets are closed on Thursday for a public holiday.

SRL, which is looking to issue 28 million equity shares at a face value of Rs 10 each, is awaiting comments from SEBI on its planned IPO, Fortis said.

SRL, which acquired diagnostics business of Piramal Healthcare for Rs 600 crore last year, was founded in 1996 and has a global presence with operations in UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, the Maldives, Tanzania and Zambia, its website showed.

As a result, Merrill Lynch cut its forecast for U.S. 2011 economic growth to 2.5 percent from a previous 3.1 percent. It sees the dollar weakening further against major currencies.

Emerging economies, on the other hand, are expected to grow 6.5 percent on average this year, the International Monetary Fund said on Wednesday.

Any downgrade in this growth outlook for emerging markets, possibly through more aggressive monetary tightening by central banks, could cause the kind of sell off in the sector which occurred at the beginning of the year.

For now, Merrill Lynch remains overweight on international equities relative to U.S. equities and prefers emerging markets to developed markets.

"One of the key reasons behind this stance is the weakness of the U.S. dollar," Hartnett said.

In fact, since a February 24 year low, the MSCI emerging market index has jumped over 10 percent, while its devel-

Crude prices retreat after brief rebound AFP LONDON, APRIL 14

Crude oil prices fell today after a brief rally the day before, as traders assessed the impact of high prices on global economic growth.

New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in May, fell 37 cents to $106.74 a barrel.

Brent North Sea crude for May delivery shed 48 cents to $122.40 in London trade.

"Sentiments are not as bullish as before and crude oil could continue to dip slightly, looking for support at $105 per barrel," said Ong Yi Ling, investment analyst for Phillip Futures in Singapore.

Swings in commodity prices are also a prime area of concern for the BRICS. China is the world's biggest importer of many commodities; the other BRICS members are major exporters of natural resources.

China hopes the group will be able to agree on a common stance on commodity price fluctuations at the G20 summit in the French city of Cannes in November.

The main aim of the BRICS is to forge a common emergingmarket negotiating stance on issues from climate change to world trade and to act as a counterweight to the West in settings such as the Group of 20 forum of advanced and developing economies.

The BRICS caucus is a work in progress. Thursday's brief meeting, held under tight security at a beach-front hotel, was only its third summit and the first to include South Africa.

The group brings together five countries that, though frequently united in their disinclination to do the West's bidding, are a political and economic mosaic.

"Our economic potential, political influence and our development prospects as an alliance are exceptional," Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said.

oped market counterpart has gained less than 2 percent.

Inflows into global emerging market funds, which have a broad investment mandate, reached an all-time high of $3.94 billion in the week ended April 6, according to EPFR Global.

Funds invested in Asia amassed $1.09 billion of that total, while those focusing on emerging Europe, Middle East and Africa attracted $631 million.

Latin America, however, got only $39 million in inflows, as investors want to see more progress in the fight against inflation in Brazil and other countries of the region.

"In a three-month view, there is still uncertainty to the inflation issue," said Young Kim, chief investment officer for Latin America at South Korea's Mirae Asset Global Investments, with $53 billion under management, $30 billion of which in emerging markets.

"So I'm not going to really hurry to come back to emerg-

ing markets. Obviously we should come back to emerging markets in the long term," he said, adding that he was looking for entry points.

Anticipating the growing investment in emerging markets, big money managers such as PIMCO, and Van Eck have launched funds dedicated to the asset class in the past few months.

PIMCO on Tuesday rolled out two new actively managed emerging market funds to take advantage of the attractive risk-reward trade-off versus US assets -- the Equities Emerging Markets Fund and Emerging Multi-Asset Fund.

"We believe many investors remain under-allocated to emerging markets," said Masha Gordon, a portfolio manager in PIMCO's London office who heads the firm's emerging markets equity portfolio team.

Van Eck launched an exchange-trade fund focused on Colombia in March and will launch another one dedicated to Russian small-cap companies this week.

‘Tsunami not to impact monsoon’ REUTERS PUNE, APRIL 14

Last month's devastating tsunami in Japan will have no impact on the progress of the June-September monsoon rains in India, a top official of the World Metrological Organisation (WMO) said on Thursday.

"Tsunami is a short-term phenomenon. Its occurrence in Japan will have no impact on the Indian monsoon," Rupa Kumar Kolli, chief of WMO's world climate applications and services division, told Reuters.

Kolli was speaking on the sidelines of the South Asian Outlook Forum, which should issue its agenda-setting consensus forecast for this year's monsoon on Friday.

Some Indian weather experts had expressed concern that the March 11 tsunami

Apple suppliers begin making white iPhones

REUTERS HONG KONG, APRIL 14

Suppliers to Apple Inc have begun production of white iPhones after a delay of almost 10 months, pointing to a launch date of within a month, two people familiar with the situation said on Thursday.

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd, flagship of Taiwan's Foxconn Technology Group, would assemble the iPhone, one of the people said. They declined to be named because the information was not public.

An Apple spokeswoman was not immediately available for comment, while calls to a Hon

Hai spokesman went unanswered.

Apple Senior Vice-President of Marketing Phil Schiller first said in a Twitter post in March that the white iPhone would be available for sale by Spring, which ends in May in the northern hemisphere.

The white iPhone would be available from AT&T Inc and Verizon Communications Inc by the end of April, Bloomberg News reported on its website, citing a person familiar with the matter.

Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs first unveiled the white version of the smartphone when the iPhone 4 was launched in June last year, but

it has been delayed because of a manufacturing issue that the company has not elaborated on.

Many telecommunications operators have been eager to sell the iPhone, hoping that the feature-jammed device will help boost data network use and increase revenue. For example, China Mobile Ltd, the world's biggest mobile operator, has been in talks with Apple for more than a year on distribution rights for the handset.

More than 16 million iPhones were sold in the last quarter of 2010, accounting for more than a third of Apple's sales in those three months.

could alter wind patterns over the Pacific Ocean and affect sea surface temperatures, impacting India's monsoon.

El Nino, a temperature rising phenomenon over the Pacific Ocean usually causes dry monsoon in south Asia, including India.

Ajit Tyagi, director general of the India Meteorological Department had said last month any significant effect of the tsunami could influence global climatic conditions.

India will give its first official forecast for this year's monsoon on April 19. The monsoon is crucial for India, which depends heavily on its agriculture sector to feed its 1.2 billion population.

B N Goswami, director of the state-backed Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, said this year's monsoon rains would be mainly driven by regional weather factors like inter-seasonal oscillations, heating pattern of surface temperature in mainland India and temperature gradients.

"We do not expect El Nino condition to influence Indian monsoon in 2011," Goswami said. "This means external conditions influencing Indian monsoon will not be strong this year."

BOARD MEETINGS Accel Front Indo Asian Fuse Mahaveer Infoway Biopac India Infosys Mastek Chandni Tex Intec Cap Shyam Star Gems Crisil Source: Indiainfoline.com

OHERALDO

12 GOA, FRIDAY, 15 APRIL 2011

WORLD

Japanese police launch search for tsunami victims near N-plant PTI TOKYO/FUKUSHIMA, APRIL 14

As workers at the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant continued to remove highly toxic water from reactors, hundreds of Japanese police personnel in protective gear today launched a massive search for tsunami victims in a 10-km zone around the radiationleaking complex for the first time.

A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.1 jolted northeastern Japan, more than a month after a magnitude-9 quake and tsunami left nearly 30,000 people dead or unaccounted for.

The undersea quake struck at 5.57 am local time at a depth of just 11.2 km, around 190 km east of Morioka on Honshu island, according to the US Geological Survey.

However, the workers at the Fukushima plant continued the difficult task of removing highly radioactive water from the basements of Nos.1 to 3 reactor turbine buildings.

The level of polluted water in the plant’s underground trench was found to be edging up again this morning after some 660 tonnes were pumped out, Kyodo news agency reported.

The removal of some 60,000 tonnes of contaminated water is vital to speed up the work to restore key cooling functions of the reactors lost in the March 11 twin disaster.

According to the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, the water level at the vertical part of a trench had increased by about 3.5 cm this morning from the level recorded yesterday. The level of the water is, however, 2.5 cm lower than just before the watertransferring mission started.

TEPCO is preparing to transfer more highly radioactive water into a facility for

nuclear waste disposal in the plant, which can accommodate 30,000 tonnes of liquid.

Hundreds of police personnel in protective white suit, for the first time searched rubble in areas near the plant for victims of last month’s tsunami.

Police launched the hunt for around 1,000 bodies believed to have been buried in the debris in areas close to the plant, amid falling radiation levels.

TEPCO also started looking into how to check the quake resistance of already heavily-damaged reactor buildings at the site in line with an order issued yesterday by the nuclear regulatory agency, in light of strong aftershocks from the March 11 quake.

To enhance preparation for dealing with tsunami waves triggered by aftershocks and other emergency situations, emergency diesel power or vehicle-mounted power sources are to be placed at higher ground, while backup units for water injection to the troubled Nos. 1 to 3 reactors are expected to be installed, according to the nuclear agency.

On April 7, the No.1 reactor of the Onagawa nuclear power plant in Miyagi Prefecture sustained a jolt greater than what it was designed to withstand during a strong aftershock, nuclear safety officials were quoted as saying by Kyodo.

Both the troubled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant and the Onagawa facility were hit by the March 11 quake and tsunami, but the latter has been largely under control with its key cooling functions being active.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said the central government will study ways to improve communication with local authorities and residents near the crippled Fukushima plant.

“We are looking into how we can properly

convey the information (to evacuees),” Edano said. “As communication (between the central and local governments) has not been sufficient, we need to take this seriously.”

His statement followed controversial remarks by Kenichi Matsumoto, a special adviser to the Cabinet, who quoted Prime Minister Naoto Kan as saying during a meeting that people evacuated from homes near the plant would be unable to return to their hometowns “for 10 or 20 years.”

Matsumoto later retracted his remark, while Kan himself said “I did not say that.”

Kan’s purported remarks also drew criticism from opposition lawmakers, with Tadamori Oshima, vice president of the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party, saying the Premier was “unqualified as a leader” if he had indeed made such a remark.

Natsuo Yamaguchi, leader of New Komeito, the country’s second-largest opposition party, said remarks should only be made after considering their impact on evacuees and local governments.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry said radioactivity above the legal limit was detected in fish caught off Fukushima prefecture and 11 types of vegetables grown in the region.

The ministry said it found 12,500 becquerels per kg, or 25 times the limit, of radioactive cesium in small fish called sand lances caught off Iwaki City, south of the Fukushima plant yesterday. It also discovered 12,000 becquerels, or 6 times the limit, of radioactive iodine in the fish, national broadcaster NHK reported.

The government yesterday banned the shipment of some shiitake mushrooms grown outdoors in eastern Fukushima after detecting radioactivity above the legal limit.

Pakistani relatives embrace Indian fishermen before they board a bus after their release from a Pakistani jail in Karachi on Thursday. Pakistan freed 89 Indian fishermen imprisoned for fishing and violating its territorial waters as the nuclear-armed rivals resume a fledgling peace process.

pak sets free 89 Indian prisoners PTI KARACHI, APRIL 14

Pakistan today set free 89 Indian fishermen as part of a process initiated by the two countries to speed up the release of people held in each other’s prisons for inadvertently crossing land and maritime boundaries.

The freed Indians were now on their way to the border city of Lahore from where they would head home to India.

China ‘committed’ Couples’ trysts at St Xavier to develop military site rile malacca govt ties with India PTI BEIJING, APRIL 14

Sounding upbeat over the resumption of defence exchanges with India, China today said it was “vigorously committed” to developing military ties with its “important neighbour” and was ready to resolve the visa row through friendly consultation.

Replying to a question on the resumption of defence exchanges agreed upon at yesterday’s meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chinese president Hu Jintao on the sidelines of the BRICS summit, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lie told a media briefing that China always valued military ties with India.

“India is an important neighbour of China. China is vigorously committed to developing military to military relations with India,” Hong said.After a considerable pause, India is set to restore full defence cooperation with China, with a high-level Indian military delegation expected to visit this country in June.

The decision to send a military delegation to China marks an end to the freeze on high-level defence exchanges by India after the then Northern Army Commander Lt Gen B S Jaswal was denied a proper visa in July last year for travel to Beijing because he served in Jammu and Kashmir.

“China always values our military exchanges with India and believes the two sides could proceed from the overall interest of bilateral relations, follow the principal of seeking a common ground while solving differences to promote sound and stable development of military relations,” the spokesman said.

The Indian decision comes amid apparent moves by China to reverse its two-year policy of giving stapled visas to people hailing from Jammu and Kashmir.

To a question on whether China has ended the policy of issuing stapled visas to Kashmiri residents in India, Hong said: “I would like to point out that for issues relating to people to people exchanges in our relations, we are ready to properly solve this issue through friendly consultation”.

The 18th century Dutch cannons displayed at the fort in Malacca.

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT PANJIM, APRIL 14

Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam is angry over reports that young couples have been having sexual trysts on the historical hilltops of St John's Hill and St Paul's Hill in Malacca, Malaysia.

Founded in 1571 by Portuguese conquerors, the hilltop site once housed the remains of St Francis Xavier, who was buried there in 1553 before his

body was moved to Goa. It has been recognised as a Unesco world heritage site. Tourists throng the sites, famous for these unique ruins and a breathtaking view of Malacca town.

But some spots at St John's Hill have been turned into a meeting point for young couples involved in sexual trysts. Joggers going up the hill have reported sighting dozens of used condoms strewn all round the historical site, including the fort

‘World’s first 3D porn film’ opens in Hong Kong

Pak jets kill 18 militants

been rated Category III in Hong Kong, which bars anyone under 18 from watching it.

“We are very curious,” she said. “It is the first time to see an X-rated film in the cinema. It should be very interesting.”

Another movie-goer said he snuck out of work to watch the movie.

“I’m catching the first show on the first day so I’ll be the first of my friends to see it,” said sales executive David, who declined to be identified in full.

Set in the Ming dynasty, the film chronicles the story of a young man who, after being introduced to the erotic world of an aristocrat, realises his ex-wife is the love of his life.

The film stars Japanese adult actresses Yukiko Suo and Saori Hara.

The movie will open in Taiwan on Friday and has sparked strong interest in many Asian markets, including Japan and South Korea, as well Europe and the United States, according to the producer.

Travel operators were reportedly organising moviegoing excursions to Hong Kong and Taiwan for tourists from mainland China, where strict censorship rules prevent any screening of the film.

“We are very pleased with

Pakistani jet fighters on Thursday pounded suspected hideouts in a Taliban-infested tribal district, killing at least 18 militants, administration and military officials said.

The air strikes targeted fighters in the Baizai area of Mohmand on the Afghan border, local official Maqsood Amin told AFP. The same area in the lawless tribal region was scene of a bloody clash last week in which military officials reported 50 militants and four soldiers dead.

“Jets and helicopters pounded Soran Darra town on Thursday and destroyed two hideouts,” Amin said. At least 18 militants were killed and 25 wounded in the raids, he said.

A senior military officer in the northwestern city of Peshawar confirmed that military planes participated in the attack.

Speaking on condition of anonymity he said the aircraft carried out several sorties and destroyed militant hideouts.

“We have reports that 15-20 militants died in these attacks,” he said.

Independent verification of the casualties was not possible because access of journalists and aid workers is banned to the area.

AFP HONG KONG, APRIL 14

Movie-goers flocked to see what is billed as the world’s first 3D porn film as it opened to packed cinemas across Hong Kong on Thursday, with some screenings selling out completely.

Loosely based on a piece of classical Chinese erotic literature, the $3.2-million Cantonese-language movie “3-D Sex and Zen: Extreme Ecstasy” features orgies, swinging and some very graphic sex scenes.

Curious movie-goers from all walks of life — office workers, retirees and students — formed long queues outside cinemas in the southern Chinese city, eager to catch an eyeful of steamy 3D action.

Many in the crowd were women and were not shy about watching the movie.

“I’m not normally much of a movie-goer, but this one is just too good to miss,” 32-year-old Justin Lai told AFP as she waited at a cinema in Causeway Bay, one of the city’s busiest entertainment districts.

“I’d like to see what 3D porn is like on the big screen.”

College student Yan Shek, 21, was also among the first to see the movie in a morning screening. The 113-minute film has

ticket sales,” Sharyn Yau, publicist for China 3D Digital Entertainment Ltd told AFP. “Last week, we heard that 7080 percent for this weekend’s tickets have already been sold. People obviously love the movie.”

But South China Morning Post film critic Paul Fonoroff was left rather underwhelmed by the romp, describing it in a review as over-long, one-dimensional and short on real passion.

“Perhaps the most ironic element is the script’s ostensible moral that sincere love is more satisfying than wanton promiscuity, a concept which, if truly put into practice, would cause ticket sales to go flaccid,” he wrote.

The movie is a remake of the 1991 film “Sex and Zen”, which is still the highest-grossing Hong Kong adult movie of all time.

“3-D Sex and Zen: Extreme Ecstasy” opens ahead of reported plans by other filmmakers to produce similar 3D porn movies.

Italian director Tinto Brass has announced he is to produce a 3D remake of his 1979 erotic film Caligula, while Hustler plans to release a pornographic spoof of 3D science fiction film Avatar, the top-grossing movie of all time.

AFP PESHAWAR, APRIL 14

where 18th century Dutch cannons are displayed. Locals also observed lovers gathering at the hill during nights.

Rustam has directed the local council to thwart these “undesirable activities”. He said the sites will be lit using solar-powered lamp posts, and a programme would be carried out very soon to clean up the area.

He also said enforcement agencies will be asked to intensify patrols.

The Superintendent of jail in Malir, Ghulam Qadir, said that the 89 fishermen were released and sent by two buses to the city of Lahore from where they will be handed over to Indian authorities at the Wagah border crossing.

The fishermen were released just two weeks after the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan met in Mohali on the sidelines of the World Cup semi-final match between the two countries.

Their release was a follow-up to a meeting of the Interior and Home Secretaries of India and Pakistan in New Delhi last month. Both countries had exchanged lists of prisoners during the meeting of the Interior and Home Secretaries.

“The prisoners were released today and given some personal belongings, gifts and money to help them in their journey,” Qadir said.

Pak embassy Ouattara stamps authority official shot, on Ivory Coast wounded there are no more blockades,” he said, as UN peacekeepers and in Nepal President Alassane Ouattara French troops worked with the AFP ABIDJAN, APRIL 14

PTI KATHMANDU, APRIL 14

A Pakistani embassy official here was shot and wounded by unidentified motorcycle-borne gunmen, according to the police.

Muhammad Asim, a visa section officer, was shot as he stepped out of the embassy building at Basundhara in the outskirt of the capital.

His assailants, who were riding on a motorcycle, escaped.

Asim was rushed to the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) in Maharajgunj with bullet wounds in his stomach, police said, but described his condition as stable.

Police have launched investigations and rounded up over 100 suspects.

The shooting of the Pakistani visa officer comes after a recent wave of gun attacks in the capital by unidentified gunmen, fuelling concern over public security.

Last week Nepal’s Energy Minister was stabbed outside his house, just hours after he was appointed and recently an Indian trader was shot dead at New Road in the heart of the city.

British tabloid reporter arrested over phone hacking AFP LONDON, APRIL 14

A senior reporter at the News of the World was arrested on Thursday by detectives investigating phone hacking at Britain’s biggest-selling weekly newspaper.

James Weatherup is being questioned at a London police station, sources said.

He is the third person arrested since London’s Metropolitan Police reopened their investigation into claims that News of the World staff hacked into the mobile phone voicemails of celebrities and politicians to obtain stories.

The Sunday tabloid’s owners, Rupert Murdoch’s News International, issued a public apology last week for phone hacking and admitted liability in some cases, saying its actions had been “unacceptable”.

Actress Sienna Miller is believed to be among those offered settlements from a £20 million ($33 million, 23 million euro) compensation fund set up by the company.

But Miller is believed to want the full extent of the phone hacking revealed in open court and shows no sign of accepting a compensation payment and dropping her legal action.

In 2007, the initial police investigation into phone hacking at the News of the World led to the convictions and jailing of paper’s royal correspondent Clive Goodman and private investigator Glenn Mulcaire.

It emerged they had hacked into the mobile phone messages of Princes William and Harry to obtain information for use in stories.

Until the apology issued on Friday, the News of the World had continued to insist that Goodman and Mulcaire were acting alone.

Last week, police arrested chief reporter Neville Thurlbeck, 50, and 42-year-old Ian Edmondson, the former assistant editor (news).

The phone hacking scandal caused the tabloid’s former editor, Andy Coulson, to quit as head of communications for Prime Minister David Cameron.

Coulson had resigned as editor when Goodman was jailed but insisted he knew nothing of the phone hacking. He continues to deny wrongdoing, but said the continuing scandal was distracting him from his duties with Cameron.

stamped his new authority on Ivory Coast on Thursday, as troops formerly loyal to his ousted rival Laurent Gbagbo flocked to his banner despite ongoing violence.

United Nations peacekeeping chief Alain Le Roy told reporters in New York there was however still fighting and “quite a lot of looting” despite Ouattara’s victory over Gbagbo’s attempt to cling to power.

“There are still people with arms, it is still dangerous but

new government to restore order in the port city of Abidjan.

Ouattara’s forces captured Gbagbo on Monday after storming his Abidjan palace, finally ending a four-month armed stand-off that began when both men claimed to have won a disputed presidential election.

Ouattara’s victory has been recognised by the international community, and most countries have welcomed Gbagbo’s downfall, but troops from both sides have been accused of atrocities.

frOm page 1

Private buses...

Transport Director Arun Desai said.

The department has also decided to cancel the temporary permits of these buses, permanently, if they join the strike.

Claiming that the demands of the bus owners are illogical and many of their wishes have been passed by the government, Desai said that it’s been mandatory now for private bus operators to form their own society, as suggested to them in the past, which will help them to avail more benefits.

Of their various demands, the bus operators are been pressing for review in the 50 percent concession scheme granted to students.

They are of the opinion that several students use bogus identity cards, thus affecting their business.

Apart from this, the association is also demanding hike in the subsidy from Rs 2 lakhs to Rs 3.50 lakhs on purchase of bus. Permission for display of advertisement, use of automatic ticket machine (ATM), transfer of director transport along with ADTs, appointment of member on RTA, etc are other demands placed before the government.

Vasco reporter adds: Majority of the private bus owners in Vasco have refused to join the indefinite strike call of the All Goa Private Bus Owners Association (AGPBOA) on Friday.

According to reports, the AGPBOA representative visited Vasco on Thursday afternoon to seek support from Vasco bus owners for Friday’s meeting.

However, most bus owners refused to extend their support saying that it is not legitimate to take passengers for ransom to meet their demands.

“We have clearly said that ‘we will not support the strike’, as time and again going on strikes and taking passengers for ransom is wrong,” said a bus owner speaking on condition of anonymity.

He further said that when Kadamba is providing concession to students, private bus owners have to provide concession to the students, but there should be a mechanism to ensure that bogus identity cards are curtailed.

It is given to understand that buses plying along Headland Sada and Bogda routes are likely to go off the road on Friday.

Convention centre plan

proposed a mini-convention centre with around 2000 sitting capacity, seems to have given it a second thought, as for IFFI 2011 the preparations are underway to hold inauguration ceremony at Margao Ravindra Bhavan.

It was mentioned that renovation and upgradation should be accomplished before end of September 2011 so that the International Film Festival of India’s inauguration could be taken up there.

MMC lodges plaint

from Shirodkar. We will verify the facts in the compliant and register the complaint if the complaint is authentic,” said the Deputy Superintendent of Police Mahesh Gaonkar.

Shocker: CISF’s poor fitness

These belong to different security categories.

In education, standard operating procedures (SOP) say personnel of the rank of sub-inspector and above must be graduates. But the report reveals only 25 to 37 per cent compliance at these six airports. Constables should be minimum Std XII pass. But only 12 per cent meet this criterion.

On the medical fitness and age criteria – CISF personnel must be below 50 years – compliance varies between 75 to 88 per cent.

But most shocking is the percentage of those who have received aviation security training – just between 19 and 28 per cent!

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Pg 13 GOA, FRIDAY 15 APRIL, 2011

Ambedkar’s statue vandalised PTI BHADOHI (UP), APRIL 14

A statue of B R Ambedkar was vandalised by unidentified persons in Gwali village of Survaiya area here, leading to tension in the area, police said today.

The incident came to light when district panchayat member Shakuntala Devi reached the spot this morning with other villagers to celebrate Ambedkar’s 120th birth anniversary.

They found the head of the statue to be missing. Agitated with the incident, the villagers blocked traffic after which police was deployed in strength in the village and a new statue was installed.

Cops, courts go tough on drunken driving PTI NEW DELHI, APRIL 14

Over 5,000 people have been challaned in the city this year on charges of drunken driving with 798 landing in jail for the offence.

According to Delhi Police statistics, there has been a 250 per cent rise in prosecution in the first three months this year compared to the same period last year.

There have been 5,017 prosecutions this year as against 1,927 till March end in 2010.

831 driving licences have been suspended and 798 people have been awarded imprisonment.

Modi hits out at PM for not voting PTI GANDHINAGAR, APRIL 14

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today took a swipe at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for not voting in the recently concluded Assam Assembly elections.

"Today, when we are celebrating the birth anniversary of Dr B R Ambedkar, I am pained to learn that the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh did not vote in the Assembly elections in Assam," Modi said, speaking to reporters at a seminar at the Pandit Deen Dayal Petroleum University here.

"Ambedkarji gave us the Constitution, and the Constitution gave us the right to vote. To know that the Prime Minister did not vote in the Assembly polls is a very saddening act, for the people of the country," he said.

"It is even more saddening, on the birth anniversary of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar," Modi said.

The Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur are registered voters from Assam's Dispur Assembly constituency, where polling took place on April 11.

Pg 14

SPORTS

GOA, Friday, 15 April 2011

Siolim rout Adarsh, in finals rusi daver trophy HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, APRIL 14

Football Club of Siolim trounced hosts Adarsh Yuvak Sangh 3-1 to move into the finals of Rusi Daver Rolling Trophy inter-village football tournament organised by Adarsh Yuvak Sangh at Saligao Sporting ground, on Thursday.

The teams began on a promising note. Adarsh were the first to take the lead in the 10th minute through Merwyn Britto.

Siolim fought back and neutralised it in the 15th minute through Bradley Lobo.

In the last five minutes Adarsh stumbled as they conceded two goals. Sarvesh Shirodker and Dinar Pednekar netted for the winners.

GFA U-18 First Division: Dempo SC (Juniors) v. Sesa FA, Duler Stadium, Mapusa; Salgaocar SC (Juniors) v. Goa United Sports Academy, Poriat ground; Sporting Clube de Goa v. Betalbatim SC, Tilak Maidan, Vasco; Churchill Brothers SC v.

Brasil FA, Cansaulim ground.

Kick off 4 p.m.

Cruz memorial soccer: Mauricio and Sons, Betalbatim v. Farrari Boys, Varca, 3.30 p.m.; Kotigao Boys, Goa Velha v.

Youth of Colva, Carmona panchayat ground, 4.30 p.m.

Aldona Panchayat Cup soccer: St Domnick Savio, Calvim v. Guirim Youth CA, Calvim, Aldona, 4.30 p.m.

Rusi Daver soccer quarterfinals: Nagoa SC v. Candolim SC, Saligao Sporting ground, 4.30 p.m.

Nerul Cup soccer: Adarsh Yuvak Sangh v. Ambelim SC, Dr Gustavo Monteiro Stadium, Candolim, 4.30 p.m.

Daulat tricks for Cuncolim Union HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, APRIL 14

A fine hat-trick by young striker Daulat Dessai enabled Cuncolim Union to crush St Anthony’s Sporting Club 4-1 and enter the quarter-finals of All-Goa Conceicao Colaco memorial inter-village football tournament

organised by Shooting Stars Club of Colleavaddo at Assolna ground, on Thursday. The teams were tied 1-1 at full time.

St Anthony’s shot into the lead early when striker Nelson Gomes converted the spot kick after the opponent’s player handled the ball inside the rival penalty box

and the referee, without hesitation, awarded the spot kick.

Unfazed, Cuncolim turned the tables in a scintillating fashion when striker Rosario Carvalho neutralised the lead with a snap shot.

Crossing over, Cuncolim intensified their attacks with spirited striker Daulat Dessai being

1960 Rome football heroes insulted AGENCIES NEW DELHI, APRIL 14

At a time when Indian Sports Minister, Ajay Maken has expressed his desire to take Indian football back to its glorious past, the members of 1960 Olympics football team were insulted on Wednesday at a felicitation ceremony in New Delhi.

Immediately after handing over them a cheque of Rs 1.5 lakh each, the team members were asked to pay for their dinner at the International Youth

Hostel.

The incident shocked and infuriated the sportspersons who brought many laurels for the country in the 1950s and 60s.

Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports, Ajay Maken, who himself was present on the felicitation ceremony, apologised on Thursday after learning about the shabby treatment meted out to the former stalwarts.

“I apologise to the football

team members who had to pay for their food after the felicit a t i o n c e re m o n y, ” s t a t e d Maken.

The members of the 1960 team – captain P K Banerjee, Tulsidas Balaram, Chunni Goswami, Arun Lal Ghosh, S Narayanan, O Chandrashekhar, S S Hakim, Fortunato A Franco, S H Hamid, Simon Sunder Raj and the wives of late Peter Thanga Raj and D Kannan - were presented with a silver plaque, a shawl and a cheque of Rs 1.5 lakh each.

on a song. He beat the rival goalkeeper with a stiff grounder to increase their tally.

On the other hand, St Anthony tried their best and made a couple of forays into the rival territory but Cuncolim’s defenders were alert in thwarting them.

All charged up, Cuncolim re-

Fatorda Oratory enter semis HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 14

Don Bosco Oratory, Fatorda beat United Club of Utorda to sail into the semi-finals of Cavelossim Panchayat inter-village football tournament organised by Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim at Fr Druston and Wellington ground, Cavelossim. The score was 1-0 at the break. Oratory’s Vincent Barbosa opened the scoring.

Changing ends, Ashley netted just before the final hooter.

peatedly raided the Colva citadel with striker Daulat making merry, firing home giving no chance to the rival keeper.

Daulat added salt to Colva’s injury scoring his hat-trick in the dying minutes.

Daulat was adjudged man-ofthe-match.

Arpora Sporting Club got the better of Sai Avtaar, Anjuna 64 via the tie-breaker after a 11 draw to move into the quarter-finals of Nerul Cup inter-village football tournament organised by United Club of Nerul at Dr Gustavo Monteiro Stadium, Candolim, on Thursday.

Anjuna began on a promising note and shot into the lead in the 15th minute through Joseph Noronha off a Saprem Diukar corner kick.

Arpora fought back and restored parity in the 20th minute through defender Krishnant, who moved upfront to score beating Anjuna’s keeper Francisco.

In the penalties, Savio Pereira, Premanath Gadekar, A Fernandes, Rajesh Pomburpekar and Alister Lobo converted for Arpora while Shekar Kerkar, Cristopher D'Souza and Sangam Diukar were on target for Anjuna.

Earlier, a minute's silence was observed in memory of Anjuna footballer Auchut Chari.

HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, APRIL 14

The GFA U-18 First Division kicks off on Friday with eight teams participating. Matches will be played at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, Poriat ground, Calangute, Tilak Maidan, Vasco and Cansaulim ground.

No alternate jerseys, no football match HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, APRIL 14

The GFA U-16 match between Dempo Sports Club and Brasil Futebol Academia at Taleigao ground on Thursday, was postponed before kick off as both teams turned up in the same blue colour jerseys.

Neither team was willing to change, so the match had to be called off by the match com-

missioner.

Dempo were the home team and in normal circumstances would wear their famous blue jersey. But according to the Brasil coaching staff, Dempo had agreed to wear white for this fixture at the GFA’s managers meeting. Brasil further stated that the jersey colour that each team would wear were printed on the fixture list.

Yash’s fine knock for Sportsweek

Arpora Sporting in quarters HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, APRIL 14

8 teams for U-18 football

Darshan HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 14

A fine unbeaten knock of 71 by

Yash

Yash Prabhugaonkar and his 80 run partnership with Vassudev Kundaikar (52) enabled Sportsweek

CC beat Pollem CC by 7 wickets in Salcete Zone GCA 'A' Division match at Karai ground on Thursday.

Sportsweek won the toss and put Pollem in. Fine bowling by leg spinner Darshan Karekar (628), Aditya Ranjan, Vassudev and Kevin D’Costa 1 wicket each restricted the Pollem side for 161 for 9. Sandesh Naik (93) was the only batsman who countered the accurate Sportsweek bowling.

Sportsweek lost Showmik Angle (10) early but Chinmay Kurtarkar (17) steadied the innings with Yash for Vassudev to finish. Paresh Mandi, Deepak Pagi and Ramesh Naik captured 1 wicket each.

Mandopa rout Dicarpalim, enters semis HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 14

Mandopa Sports Club trounced Dicarpalim Sports Club 3-0 to seal their place in the semi-finals of 13th Immaculate soccer organised by Immaculate Conception Sports Club, Avedem, Paroda, at village panchayat ground, Avedem, Paroda on Citizens Club of Valpoi Boys and Seven Wonders, Mapusa, girls winners of 2nd All-Goa junior State level throwball championship organised

by Amateur Throwball Association, at Forest ground, Valpoi, recently.

The winners were richer by Rs 5,000 and a trophy. Twenty boys and 20 girls were selected for a camp to select the State team for Junior National championship in Chattisgarh.

Thursday. The score was 1-0 at the lemon break.

Mandopa went into the lead when Richard Costa punished the keeper with a deft placement after picking up a pass from his teammate in the 28th minute.

Crossing over, Alister Gomes netted a brace.

Goa kick-boxers excel

Vasco face Techno in crucial tie 2nd division i-league

HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, APRIL 14

In a must win encounter, Vasco Sports Club will lock horns with Techno Aryan Club in 2nd division I-league at Race Course Stadium, Tamil Nadu on Friday at 5 p.m.

Techno Aryan are currently

on 12 points having won all four of their matches and have not conceded a single goal. Vasco are on nine points from four matches.

Vasco captain Prajot Naik is back in the team after a twomatch absence following food poisoning, which is a big plus point. Queterio Pango comes in at right back to replace Remus Gomes who is suspended.

7 share lead in chess HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 14

Seven players shared the lead with three points each at the U11 State selections organised

by Rotary Club of Margao in association with the Goa Chess Association at Rotary Hall, Margao on Thursday.

The seven leading players at the end of the third round include Raj Aryan Kuvelkar, Nitish Belurkar, M Barath, Tatvesh Sawant, Anant Prabhudesai, Eeshan Gad and Shane Braganza.

Top seed Raj Aryan Kuvelkar got the better of Parth Kantak, Aniket Naik and Shane De Oliveira to garner full three

points at stack in his kitty. He meets Margao lad Tatvesh Sawant in his next encounter.

At the end of Round 2 in the girls section, six players Aishwarya Thorat, Akanksha Naik, Aditee Prabhugaonkar, Arpita Das, Riddhi Zantye and Pranali Desai are on two points each.

U-15 winner Aishwarya Thorat defeated Faiziya Khan and Prajakta Naik to share the lead with five others.

Earlier, the event was inaugurated by Ashesh Keni, president, Goa Chess Association. In all, there are 90 players including eight FIDE rated players participating.

GOA DIARY

Youth football at Campal

PANJIM (HSD) – The Australian Sports Outreach Youth Development Programme under the GFA will organise a youth football festival on April 16 at SAG ground, Campal, Panjim at 8 a.m.

Practice sessions will be held thrice a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 8 a.m. Boys and girls born on or after 1/1/2000 are eligible. Details may be obtained from zonal head, Rafael Pereira on 9422388260 or 9545535332.

SZ veterans cricket

PANJIM (HSD) – The GCA will organise South Zone Veterans Cricket Tournament on April 15, 16 and 17. Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Goa will participate.

Former test players like M Azaruddin, Noyal David, V Venkatpathy Raju, Tinu Yohanan and David Johnson are likely to participate, according to GCA. The finals are slated for April 17 at Panjim Gymkhana at 11 a.m. The prize distribution function will be held on April 17 at 4 p.m.

The medal winners alongwith club officials.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, APRIL 14

Kick Boxing Sports Association of Goa returned with a haul of five bronze medals from Junior and Senior National kick boxing

championships in Bhubaneshwar recently.

Goa finished 13th on debut.

Raymond Hilario was adjudged best technical fighter of the championship.

Medal winners: Below 48kg light category – Shahid Shaikh.

51kg senior category - Zabiulla Mulla. Below 71kg - Aryan Sharma.

Below 74kg - Asif Kavaloor.

Vithoba Dessai, president,

Kick Boxing Association of Goa alongwith secretary Farrel Martins congratulated the team for their splendid performance.

The team was coached by Aslam Shaikh.

Pg 15

SPORTS

GOA, Friday, 15 April 2011

Real stroll to book all-Spanish semis showdown with Barca

Real Madrid’s Portugese player Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with his teammate Emmanuel Adebayor after scoring against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane in London.

Schalke dispatch Inter to face Man Utd AGENCIES LONDON, APRIL 14

Real Madrid set up a titanic Champions League semi-final with arch-rivals Barcelona by beating Tottenham Hotspur 10 at White Hart Lane on Wednesday to complete a 5-0 aggregate victory.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored one of the softest goals of his career when Spurs keeper Heurelho Gomes allowed a long-range shot bounce out of his hands in the 50th minute and failed to retrieve the ball as it bounced agonisingly over the line.

Real, 4-0 up from last week’s first leg, were never in danger of suffering what would have been the biggest reversal since European club competition began in 1955 but needed to concentrate fully to keep a lively Spurs team at bay.

The closest Champions League debutants Spurs came to scoring was when Gareth Bale had a firsthalf goal ruled out because Luka Modric was offside.

Schalke 04 completed a stunning elimination of Champions League holders Inter Milan with a 2-1 second leg win and 7-3 aggregate victory on Wednesday to set up a semi-final with Manchester United.

Schalke, who crushed Inter 5-2 in Milan last week, dashed any lingering Italian hopes and secured their first last four appearance when Champions League record scorer Raul slotted in on the stroke of half-time for his 71st goal in Europe's top competition.

Inter equalised early in the second half when Brazil-born Italy international Thiago Motta

scrambled the ball over the line from close range.

With United coach Alex Ferguson watching from the stands, Benedikt Hoewedes raced clear to fire Schalke's winner nine minutes from time.

It was Schalke's fourth successive win since Ralf Rangnick took over as coach last month after the Bundesliga club parted ways with Felix Magath.

Inter needed a fast start but their early offensive moves were stifled by Schalke who pressed deep and forced Leonardo's side to chase after the ball.

The home side were content to wait for the quick breaks and Raul went close with a header after a quarter of an hour.

Inter responded with a fine Dejan Stankovic long-range effort that keeper Manuel Neuer p a l m e d w i d e b e f o re Ra u l stunned the visitors in the 45th minute after rounding keeper Julio Cesar.

Thiago Motta levelled four minutes after the restart from a Wesley Sneijder corner but defender Hoewedes finished the Inter off with a crisp low shot in the 81st minute.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY To our Dearest

ROQUE F. ESTIBEIRO

COACH GOA POLICE FOOTBALL TEAM WISH YOU HAPPY, HEALTHY AND LONG LIFE

With warm wishes from:-

FRIENDS OF COACHING STAFF Radha Publicity

pg 16_Layout 1 4/14/2011 11:56 PM Page 1

Pg16

Real stroll to book semis all-Spanish showdown with Barca Pg 15

Goa kick-boxers excel Pg 14

GOA, FRIDAY, 15 APRIL, 2011

Deccan end jinx, crush RCB

India to pocket $175,000 for top Test spot PTI DUBAI, APRIL 14

India will be handed USD 175,000 for finishing as the number-one Test side while also pocketing another USD 75,000 for finishing as second-ranked ODI team this season, the ICC said today.

India (128 points) has been sitting on top of the Test Championship table since December 2009. South Africa (127 points) will pocket USD 75,000 for ending in second position in the Test Championship table at the cut-off date of April 1.

Australia earns USD 175,000 for finishing on top of the ODI table with 128 points at the cutoff date. It has been occupying the number-one position on the ODI Championship table since leapfrogging South Africa and India in September 2009.

In the latest ODI rankings issued today, Australia has 129 points, eight points more then India's (121 points).

Deccan Chargers bowler M S Gony (2nd right) celebrates the wicket of MA Agarwal with teammates at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Thursday.

AFP HYDERABAD, APRIL 14

Deccan Chargers snapped their seven-match losing streak at their home ground with a 33 run crushing of Royal Challengers Bangalore in their Indian Premier League match here tonight.

Bharat Chipli first helped Deccan set up a big total of 175 for five with a blistering unbeaten 61 after being put into bat before the home side restricted RCB to 142/9 to break the jinx of not winning any of their seven previous matches at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium at Uppal here.

This was also Deccan's first win this season after losing their first two matches.

Pacemen Dale Steyn and Manpreet Gony grabbed three wickets each while Ishant Sharma took one for Deccan.

Sharma struck early for Deccan, having the dangerous Tillakaratne Dilshan caught behind in the second over for seven.

The experiment to promote tailender Zaheer Khan as a pinch hitter also flopped, with Steyn uprooting his middle stump with a swinging full toss.

Gony then removed opening batsman Mayank Agarwal and the in-form AB de Villiers to leave Bangalore reeling at 29-4 in the seventh over.

Virat Kohli waged a lone battle, making a 51-ball 71 before falling to Gony. Chipli earlier

held the Deccan innings together with his quickfire 35-ball knock, containing five fours and three sixes.

Saurabh Tiwary (7), who was bought for a huge sum in the auction, disappointed once again as he top-edged a Mishra delivery for Sangakkara to take an easy catch.

Zaheer had given Bangalore a key breakthrough when he removed opener Shikhar Dhawan in the third over after skipper Daniel Vettori won the toss and elected to field.

Sunny Sohal (38) came to his team's rescue, putting on 50 runs with skipper Kumar Sangakkara who made a fine 36 before being caught by de Villiers off Johan van der Wath (1-30).

Deccan piled on 63 runs from the last five overs but Zaheer applied the brakes by removing JP Duminy (22) and Deccan's big

buy Daniel Christian in the space of five balls.

Zaheer finished with figures of 3-32 off his four overs.

Deccan Chargers: S Sohal c Tiwary b Ninan 38, S Dhawan c Vettori b Zaheer 11, K Sangakkara c de Villiers b van der Wath 36, B Chipli not out 61, JP Duminy c Kohli b Zaheer 22, D Christian lbw b Zaheer 0. Extras: 7. Total: 175 for 5.

Fall of wickets: 20-1, 70-2, 113-3, 168-4, 175-5. Bowling: Zaheer Khan 4-0-32-3, J van der Wath 4-0-30-1, S Aravind 3-0-26-0, D Vettori 4-0-29-0, R Ninan 3-0-34-1, T Dilshan 2-0-22-0.

Royal Challengers Bangalore: M Agarwal c Mishra b Gony 16, T Dilshan c Sangakkara b Sharma 7, Zaheer Khan b Steyn 0, V Kohli b Gony 71, AB de Villiers c Sangakkara b Gony 0, S Tiwary c Sangakkara b Mishra 7, C Pujara c Christian b Steyn 25, J van der Wath c Sangakkara b Steyn 0, D Vettori not out 3, R Ninan c Sangakkara b Christian 3, S Aravind not out 2. Extras: 8. Total: 142 for 9. Fall of wickets: 8-1, 162, 27-3, 29-4, 56-5, 118-6, 118-7, 130-8, 137-9. Bowling: D Steyn 4-024-3, I Sharma 4-0-21-1, M Gony 4-0-31-3, D Christian 4-0-22-1, A Mishra 4-0-41-1.

Man-of-the-match: D Steyn

Watson presence Tendulkar, Malinga loom a big boost for RR as big threats for Kochi ahead of KKR clash PTI MUMBAI, APRIL 14

PTI JAIPUR, APRIL 14

On a roll with consecutive wins under its belt, a confident Rajasthan Royals would be bolstered by the return of in-form Australian all-rounder Shane Watson when they take on an unpredictable Kolkata Knight Riders in an Indian Premier League match, here tomorrow.

Under wily Shane Warne, the Royals have started their IPL IV campaign in great style, comfortably defeating Deccan Chargers and Delhi Dare Daredevils by eight and four wickets respectively in their first two games.

And Watson, who was in destructive form against Bangladesh in the just-concluded three-match ODI series, will further strengthen Rajasthan's batting as well as bowling departments.

Watson scored a mammoth 294 runs against Bangaldesh, which included a whirlwind 185 not out in the second ODI including a world record of 15 sixes.

Rajasthan's batting has been the cornerstone of their victories in the opening two matches with South African Johan Botha playing the lead role with unbeaten knocks of 67 and 39.

Watson, in all probability, will replace Shaun Tait and open the batting along with ever-depend-

Today’s fixTures

Rajasthan Royals v.

Kolkata Knight Riders 4 p.m.

Mumbai Indians v.

Kochi Tuskers Kerala 8 p.m. able Rahul Dravid.

Warne is spoilt for choice as far as his foreign quota is concerned. Apart from himself, he has Tait, Watson, Johan Botha and Ross Taylor to choose from.

However, with only four foreigners allowed to feature in the playing XI, Warne has few problems up his sleeves as he himself, Botha and Taylor are certain to play tomorrow.

‘Aussies cannot waste talent like India’ AGENCIES SYDNEY, APRIL 14

Former India cricket coach and Australia's national selector Greg Chappell has said that his country does not have the liberty to waste talents like India, which has a rich reserve pool.

Fresh from his return to Boston Red Sox and the University of Texas football programme to tap into their expertise in identifying talented players, Chappell said, "We're not like India, we can't waste talent."

"They can have a few fall over and there will be someone there backing them up, but we don't have the talent pool they have, so we have to be a lot more efficient," he added.

Chappell also pointed out that Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey and Simon Katich are well aware of their role in the Australian team, which is going through a transformation phase.

After lining up on opposite sides in the memorable World Cup final earlier this month, Sachin Tendulkar and Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga, playing as a combined unit for Mumbai Indians, pose a major threat for a struggling Kochi Tuskers Kerala in an IPL match here tomorrow.

Tendulkar and Malinga have been in the forefront of Mumbai Indians' consecutive easy away wins over strong rivals Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bangalore, and the duo would be eyeing to carry on their impressive showing against debutante Kochi, who are yet to register a win in the event.

Tendulkar had been in sub-

lime form right through the World Cup and the Indian icon has carried on his supreme touch in the ongoing Indian Premier League, which has resulted in two comfortable wins for Mumbai Indians in the tournament so far.

Tendulkar has played the anchoring role brilliantly at the top of the order, and used his vast knowledge and experience to accumulate runs later on to come up with unbeaten knocks of 48 and 55.

Mumbai Indians top-order, in particular Ambati Rayudu who played a very good innings of 63 not out against Royal Challengers Bangalore, have given Tendulkar very good support.

The bowlers, led by the

unique-action Malinga, have also risen to the occasion in brilliant style to make it a superb allround display for Mumbai Indians, who have won both their matches with plenty of wickets in hand.

Malinga blew away Delhi with his toe-crushing and swinging yorkers for excellent figures of five for 13. Though he went for some runs in his second spell against Bangalore, his initial burst that got him two early wickets helped Mumbai restrict their southern rivals for a modest 140.

Others, including World Cupwinning Indian team members Munaf Patel and Harbhajan Singh, have also been on the dot for the Mumbai outfit.

SPORTS Contact us on: sports@herald-goa.com

www.oheraldo.in

Nadal, Fedex move into quarters monte carlo masters AFP MONTE CARLO, APRIL 14

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer moved closer to a fourth final meeting at the Monte Carlo Masters on Thursday as both posted straight-set third round wins to coast into the quarterfinals.

Third seed Andy Murray, meanwhile, drew jeers for drop shots against an injured opponent, with the Scot shunning the popularity contest in his 6-3, 6-3 defeat of French 16th seed Gilles Simon.

Friday's contest will come

against a surprise opponent after world number 82 Frederico Gil of Portugal stunned Gael Monfils 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 to leave French seeds 0-3 on the day.

To p s e e d Nadal, a consecutive six-time champion who is now unbeaten in 34 straight matches in the p r i n c i p a l i t y, maintained his traditional momentum to see off Frenchman Richard Gasquet 6-2, 6-4.

Three-time losing finalist Federer, the number two seed, was equally ruthless as he dispatched Croatian Marin Cilic 64, 6-3 in 71 minutes with a break of serve per set enough to see him through.

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GOA’S HEARTBEAT

What is Goa Promoting?

Sousta taka Deo posta - Anonymous

BY CHRISTNA VIEGAS HERALD FEATURES ikini babes make their presence once again in Goa tourism campaign. And this time, the eight million USD campaign features the high profile Russian model, Svetlana Stepankovskaya and Indian model, Alisha Pekha alongside Bollywood actress, Mahima Chaudhary. Interestingly, Goa Tourism last year banned bikini-clad women from its campaigns in a bid to promote the state as a family tourism destination.

According to Director of Tourism, Swapnil Naik, “The ad is aesthetically shot and also features other aspects of Goa as a tourist destination. The television ads are primarily shot for the European market and will be screened in the UK and Russia over the next few months as Goa prepares for its next tourism season. Travellers from Europe are mainly drawn to Goa because of its beautiful sunny beaches.”

Somehow, this has not gone down well with majority of the Goans spoken to. They assert that our government somehow, just cannot go beyond this obsession of promoting beach tourism. Interestingly, not one person spoken to had any problem with women wearing bikinis on the beach. The argument was that we in Goa are not prudish about such things. We are accustomed to seeing people in beach wear at the hotels and at the beaches. We have always been hospitable to visitors. But what is irking the residents of the state is that the Tourism Department is capitalising on using this particular imagery to bring in the tourists. Isn’t it understood that people on beaches do wear swimwear? Does the world need to be educated to wear swimwear on Goan beaches?

It is almost as if our planners are wary that if there is no woman with a bikini, the tourists will not be lured. Is only the bikini factor vital to bringing in the tourists? If yes, who are we attracting? Does it even matter that we have the most exotic landscapes, the most rustic and idyllic villages, bountiful springs and backwaters, rich cultural heritage, amazing water sport activities, and so much more? Won’t this side of Goa attract the right kind of tourists instead of the ones who thrive on voyeurism thereby engendering in the various crimes that have gripped the state in the recent past?

B

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To stop the flow of music would be like the stopping of time itself, incredible and inconceivable - Aaron Copland

‘Pongal’ and ‘Vaisakhi’

Celebrating at Home Away from Home Today, April 14 Goa will be witness to the twin celebrations of two communities, the Tamilians and the Sikhs. Along with their Goan brethren they will jointly celebrate the harvest festivals of ‘Pongal’ and ‘Vaisakhi’.

Herald finds out how the communities have adapted their celebrations, in their homes away from home

FATHER ROMAULD D’ SOUZA, educationist: “When our very Tourism Department has objected to the movie ‘Dum Maro Dum’ because of its negative portrayal of the state, then why are they bringing back bikini women in the promos? Is only the bikini factor vital to bring in the tourists? Why aren’t they investing in good infrastructure for tourism and promoting healthy institutions? For eg, 240 students from out of state study at the Goa Institute of Management annually. This is huge income to the state. Why not promote such educational institutions? We should promote the state as one where a lot of intellectual work takes place. Similarly, tourists should be drawn in for health tourism. Here surgeries are far cheaper than in the west and Goa is the ideal location for recuperation. In fact, there are better and cleaner beaches in other parts of the world vis-à-vis Goa’s beaches with its drainage and garbage problems. Yet, if the tourists are flocking here, it is obvious they are being shown a different side of Goa that attracts this kind of people.”

RALPH DE SOUZA, “I think getting a Russian model in the promo is a brilliant idea to promote Goa tourism in Russia. But I definitely feel, we need to go beyond beach tourism. We cannot just show the world the body of Goa which are the beaches; we need to show them our soul, which are the villages. Rigorous promoting of the hinterlands is required. We should stop telling the world that Goa is only about beaches.”

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SABINA MAR T “Women in G INS, Women & Social Act oa are doubly ivist: our very gove ex rnment that p ploited. First, by rominently po the bikini side rt wear, but wh of Goa; no one is against b rays y use this im ea voyeurism? In agery to pro ch mote th e la st G ra festival, there pe Escapade their G-strings. were Russian girls danci wine n mote Goa as a So, when our very planner g in s b proea ch d es tinat the gambling, alcohol and w ion primarily with omen, the outs exploit the situ id the image of G ation to the fullest. That is ers oan women is w doubly exploit hy ed.”

HERALD FEATURES ndians and religion have a symbiotic relationship, like a growing baby and a carrying mother. As a result, religious festivals are given prime importance on the list of priorities and usually beckon one home - to the family, to the community. It is considered a must for major religious occasions to take holiday and partake in the revelations. Each state has their holidays accordingly. What happens when one is living in another state, among a whole different community?

We learn that the celebrations continue, with as much fervour as otherwise.

Besides the ‘puja’ and religious bath, the essence of the Pongal celebrations revolves around the boiling of an assortment of ingredients with milk in a large clay pot over a set-up fire outside the house.

When the milk froths over the pot, shouts of ‘Ponggalo Ponggal’ fill the air and freshly harvested rice grains are filled in the pot. It is considered a good sign by Tamils to watch the milk boil over. The newly cooked rice is then offered to the Sun God in gratitude for the harvest. Later, it is served to the people present in the house or the temple in the midst of exchanging greetings.

Dr Padma Namba Iyer, originally from Tamil Nadu has been living in Goa for the last 22 years. She along with her family try to make Pongal celebrations as authentic as they can. “There is no space for a large fire or clay pot so we cook it in the kitchen, over the gas stove, with a lot of the same ingredients originally used,” she says. She is referring to sugarcane pieces, jaggery, cashew nuts and raisins. Not as elaborate or designer, rangolis are patterned in front of her house, and many others belonging to her community she informs. “We have rangoli competitions for children, which is a highlight,” she says.

While most members of the Tamil communities join the Tamil Sangam in the grand celebration of Pongal, which take place in the temple and later on the beach, a few like Dr Padma are content with the family feel of the celebrations. “It is not as grand as the celebrations at home, but it is fun and we enjoy it,” she says with confidence.

Two Gurdwaras, one in Vasco and another in Betim host the members of Goa’s minority Sikh population on Vaisakhi, also called Baisakhi. Vaisakhi too, is a harvest festival of the Sikh community and also commemorates the establishment of the Khalsa or the sacred baptism ceremony to the tenth Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh. Just like in their home state, Goa’s Sikh’s visit these holy places of worship with other members of the community. “After the forty-eight hour, non-stop fast, that begins one day before Vaisakhi, we visit the Gurudwara to listen to a lecture from the holy text. This is followed by tirthan or singing of songs and the distribution of ‘prasad’ to our neighbours,” he explains. The number of Sikhs living in Goa is a fraction of those in Punjab. As it is a community celebration, questions of its vivacity and community spirit come up. To which, Dr Indrajit Singh residing in Goa for the last forty years wishes for there to be a larger Sikh population, for he believes the more the merrier. However he goes to say, “The feel however is the same.” Applies to most Indian communities anywhere in the world. - NF

I

PRAMOD SALGAOCAR, Ex Chairperson of State Commission for Women, “I think this is a very short-sighted move on part of Goa Tourism. They seem to be so focused on promoting beach tourism which brings with it everything else like paedophiles, drug dealers, the shack problems, alcohol and all the related vices. They have never even tried promoting the hinterlands.

There is so much scope. This will bring in the good tourists who will also have healthy spending power. There is so much that Goa can be touted with: eco tourism, medical tourism, sports tourism, backwater tourism etc.”

NIKHIL DESAI, MD, GTDC, “I think it is high time people stop making a big hue and cry about bikini women on our beaches. This beach culture has been around in Goa for decades.

People from all over the world enjoy coming to Goa to relax on the beautiful beaches. I haven’t seen the tourism promo, but I definitely think there is nothing wrong in showing people enjoying on Goa’s beaches. I am sure the Department is very responsible in how they portray the state.”

Goan children should be motivated to play brass instruments: Andy Normans

BY DOLCY D’CRUZ HERALD FEATURES ohann Sebastian Bach said ‘There’s nothing remarkable about it. All one has to do is hit the right keys at the right time and the instrument plays itself.’ Andrew Normans, better known as Andy in the music circle has a different take on it. “Everything relies on the lips for a brass wind instrument and of course daily practice. The motivation by a good teacher is also very important. Once you play a brass wind instrument, the technique is the same,” says Andy moments after playing Nayi Nahi Yeh Baatein (from the film Parineeta) on his trumpet.

Andy Norman is the conductor of Cowes Concert Band (CCB), a brass band which performs regularly throughout the Isle of Wight in the UK. He was appointed Musical Director in 2005 when the Cowes Concert Band had just eight members. After efforts to bring out the best in the band, it now has twenty-eight members that play cornets, flugels, horns, baritones, trombones, euphoniums, percussions, drums and tubas. So what is the secret behind getting a whole band ready so quickly? “The brass band is a community band that is formed just for fun. It comprises of members between the ages of 10 to 80 years that meet once a week for practices. We play all sorts of musical genres from pop to marches to hymns. It is a very traditional music form and we perform in parks, gardens, churches and theatres. What attracted people to the band was the fact that we began going out with the initial members and other musicians noticed it. They saw the enthusiasm in our band and thought of joining. We don’t pay musicians and the concerts are free unless people want to give donations. If we play for a cause, then we give to.”

Andy has been in Goa for the past two weeks and had a half a day workshop organised by the

J

Guitar Guild Goa. It also had a few brass musicians from Goa. The workshop stressed on a one-on-one interaction between Andy and the musicians. “It was wonderful. It was nice to see the enthusiasm people showed and also gave a different perspective of looking at music. I was in Goa last year also and I worked with Agustinho D’Cruz on an instrumental CD and organised an open workshop which saw many participants. This year I wanted to have a different concept and focused on a small group. I wanted the musicians to correct their flaws and give them a push to perform well.”

Andy was taught by his father, Peter, presently a CCB librarian, then, a member of the CCW. “I was 11-years-old when I joined my father in the band. I have noticed a similar trend elsewhere also. We are taught to play music in school and maybe continue till college. But once we finish studying, we are getting a job, making a career, getting married and we lose touch with music.

Once our children start playing music, we return to our instruments again. The same thing happened with my father. He retired at the age of 70 and is now the band librarian, a very important duty as he maintains all the compositions which are handed out to each musician. Our styles are very different.” Andy is a composer, arranger and writes music for CCB. He has also contributed arrangements to the Panjim Open Philharmonic Orchestra (POP Orchestra.) He plays the trombone, the trumpet and the French horn.

Explaining the origin of brass bands in England, Andy says, “Brass bands originated in mining towns in England. After a hard day’s work, miners would prefer going for a drink. To avoid them for drinking, music would be played on the streets and the culture caught on. The trumpet and hornets, being the original instruments of brass bands were later modified with more valves.” “In Goa, the tradition is quite different. Here, children should be motivated to take on playing brass instruments. They should have good role models who play well. Children see keyboards, guitars, drums on TV and are excited to play it but once they take a liking for brass instruments they can play well with practice too,” concludes Andy.

Photo by Juvenal Braganza

While brass instruments are played across the globe, each tradition is different. Andrew Normans, conductor of Cowes Concert band gives Herald an insight into the musical traditions of England and Goa and the methods of playing a brass instrument

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Thursday, 14 Apr 2011

WHAT’S UP IN GOA??

Tiatr Day, organised by the Kala Academy will be held on April 17 at 5.30pm at the Kala Academy, Campal-Panjim. Call 2420456.

COCO’JU, the Coconut and Cashew Fest ‘11, organised by Ancestral Goa, Big Foot, Lotoulim will be held from April 30 to May 2 from 9am to 5:30pm at Ancestral Goa, Big Foot, Lotoulim.

Call 2777034.

Pundalik Naik Natya Mahotsav 2011 a 5day state level theatre festival and oneday theatre artists meet, organised by the Cricketer Shubham Naik Trust-Pundalik Naik Natya Mahotsav Committee will take place from April 12 to 17 at Shiroda, Sanguem, Canacona, Sattari and Mandrem-Pednem, the Committee’s centres in Goa. ‘Summer Hungama 2011’, a summer camp for lower primary, pre-primary and primary students organised by Ramcon Institute and the Junior Chamber International Vasco will be held from April 19 to May 3 at Janata Vachanalaya, Municipality Building, Vasco. It will also be held in the five centres of Vasco, Curchorem/Sanvordem, Fatorda, Cansaulim and Margao. Call 9730065677, 9766496277, 9096700377 or 9823869918.

A theatre workshop for children between the age group 8 to 16 years, organised by the Bal Bhavan, Campal-Panjim is underway till April 26 from 2:30pm to 5:30pm. Registration closes on April 13. Call 2226823 or 2223001.

‘Right To Information (RTI)’, is the topic of a workshop organised

by Asha Family Responsibilities and Rights Association, to be held on April 16 from 10am to 12.30pm at Grace Church Complex Hall, First floor, Margao. It will be conducted in Konkani and English. Email trustasha@yahoo.co.in

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H O R O S C O P E Call 2256445 or 9822166876.

‘The Mango Tree Art Camp’, organised by Sunaparanta – Goa Centre for the Arts will be held from May 2 to 7 from 10am to 4pm at Sunaparanta - Goa Centre for the Arts, Altinho-Panjim. Call 2421311.

‘Tuberculosis’, is the topic of the interactive session on the upcoming series on health co-organised by the International Centre Goa and Manipal Hospital Goa, to be held on April 16 from 4pm to 5pm at the International Centre Goa, Dona Paula. The speaker is Dr Haradatta Karande, Consultant Chest Physician, Manipal Hospital Goa. Call 2452805 to 2452810.

Classical Music Soiree will feature Rudolf Ludwig Kammermeier in a piano solo on April 15 at 7.30pm at Art Chamber, Calangute. Visit www.goa-art.com.

Call 9823217435.

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

Call 2421311.

‘Indradhanush’, a 3-day cultural festival, organised by the Ganga-Zuari Academy will be held from April 22 to 24. There will be competitions in the areas of dance, singing, essay and drawing. Call 9822486204 or 9404434878.

Classical guitar classes, conducted

by Devang Metha will take place this month in Chicalim, Vasco. Call 9673237501 or 6624942.

‘Mango Mania’ will be held from April 20 to May 20 from 11am to 11 pm at Cidade de Goa. Call 2454545.

Summer Thrill, a summer camp for children which will include activities like dance, handicrafts, kitchen-gardening, snack-making, crab-catching, fishing, trekking, etc will be held from April 25 to 30 and May 12 to 21 from 9.30am to 12.30pm at Varca. Call 9960431362

Some people don't know how to quit when they're ahead.

21 Mar - 19 Apr Don't make that same mistake.

Sometimes one day is much like the one that preceded it, and while you usually crave excitement, right now you are content with the same-old, same-old. Don't stir up any new trouble!

Taurus Your network of friends is in need of a recharge, so get 20 Apr - 20 May e v e r y o n e t o gether. Life is more fun today, though you may not be able to put your finger on what is behind it all.

Spoiler alert: It's your positive attitude, which is backed up by a healthy dose of positive energy!

Today you need Gemini a t l e a s t o n e positive end goal. Make sure you get some21 May - 20 Jun thing done! You should put off any important chats or messages involving family or close friends -- miscommunication is too likely today. It's not really anyone's fault, as there's just static on the lines.

Need a sign that you're doing the right thing? Look to your friends and family. Your 22 Jun - 23 Jul ability to really connect with others is peaking now, so make the most of it!

Whether you need to pitch a new idea at work or tell that hottie how you really feel about them, now is the time.

Set your priorities as early as you can. Try to stay focused in one direction.

24 Jul - 23 Aug Your financial dealings need some attention, and you've got the right kind of mindset to handle them gracefully. It may take longer than you want to sort them out, but you know the effort is worth it.

Collaboration can move mountains. Do what it takes to 23 Aug - 22 Sep make a healthy group dynamic.

Ding! You rack up another solid achievement today, though there was doubtless quite a bit of hard work that went into it. It's a time for celebration, so gather up the usuals and get to it!

Try to be openminded about a new aspect of living -- you'll 23 Sept - 22 Oct find the support you need. You are feeling rather perceptive today -- even more so than usual, which is really saying a lot! Someone new at work might be trying your patience, but you can see what's really going on with ease.

Scorpio Reach for the stars today, and be confident that you can 23 Oct - 22 Nov make big things happen. Big secrets are your specialty, and today, they're making your life even sweeter. Whether you just learned something juicy or you are having fun keeping something quiet, you are sure to enjoy yourself.

Sagittarius The scales of

Capricorn It's more about what other people are thinking and 22 Dec - 20 Jan feeling today - so ask them.

Your ability to handle complex information is quite strong -much more so than usual, and that's saying something. It's a great time to make detailed plans, but make sure to stick to them when the time comes.

Aquarius Keep mulling things over today and figure out which route 21 Jan - 19 Feb you really want to take. Try to be careful today -- especially when it comes to work or finances. It's not that anyone is out to get you (necessarily), just that it's much easier for you to miss important details.

Always remember that people want to be liked. Use 20 Feb - 20 Mar your charm to your advantage. You need to sweeten your relationships -- at least a little -- and your social energy is absolutely perfect for that. Dish out gifts and compliments all around and pay attention to the right people.

Aries

Libra

luck are tipping in your favor -just about any23 Nov - 20 Dec thing is a safe bet. You need to handle authority figures with respect today -- much more so than usual. It's in part because they are extra prickly, and in part because your own natural instinct is to antagonize them.

Cancer

Leo

Virgo

Pisces

DID YOU KNOW? The hardworking and laziest animals!

jimjams

Bugs haul the most weight compared to their body. Rabbits are the busiest, reproductively. A mother rabbit’s gestation period lasts only about 30 days. In one breeding season, a female rabbit can give birth to more than 30 kits and produce as many as 800 children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Birds commute the farthest. The Arctic Tern in its 30-year lifetime, a tern will fly over 1.5 million miles, approximately the same distance as three round trips to the moon.

The Slackers are Koalas who sleep the longest, 22 hours a day, on average. Sloths rest the most, sleeping 18 hours a day and they move so slowly. Hippos are the most chill. They spend up to 18 hours a day in the water relaxing and then get up at night just to gulp down 88 lbs of grass. While a yawning hippo may seem tired and lazy, it’s actually angry and trying to scare you away by baring its teeth.

Pronunciation JIM-jamz Function noun plural Meaning 1: jitters Example Sentence Just the thought of walking up to the podium to give a presention, gives Paul the jimjams.

LAFFS

WIZARD OF ID

Funny Quote

“You have to stay in shape. My grandmother started walking five miles a day when she was 60. She's 97 today and we don't know where the hell she is.”

– Ellen DeGeners DAILY GROOK SPORTS SHORTS

by Francis Rodrigues great mike tyson now rarely talks, jst keeps playin' u know...ex-box!

GARFIELD

MIND BENDERS

SUN MOON TIDES

Tongue Twister Thursday 33° C | 25° C Dawn 06:00

Silly Simon’s sitting in a shoe shine shop.

Where he sits he shines, and where he shines he sits.

Clear

Sunrise 06:22

Sunset Dark 18:49 19:11

Moon rise 15:08 Moon set High —

Low 01:21

02:59

17:30 Chalte Chalte 21:00 Barood 23:45 Lohpurush 10:30 Confessions of a Shopaholic 12:40 The Princess and the Frog 14:45 Law Abiding Citizen 17:00 Quick Gun Murugun 19:00 Another 48 Hrs. 21:00 Danny the Dog 23:05 Double Team

12:45 14:45 16:45 19:00 21:00 23:15

What is it that when you take away the whole, you still have some left over?

TIDES High Low High 07:21 13:19 19.53

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

Run, Fatboy, Run Kickboxer Snakes on a Plane Missing in Action Two Weeks Notice Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

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

11:45 14:00 16:45 18:50

Kala Sona Sau Din Saas Ke Pratighat Operation Dumbo Drop

The Water Horse Red Cliff The Air I Breathe Gothika

Last ‘Riddle Me This’ Answer: A river

21:00 Rambo IV 23:15 Anacondas

10:00 Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hai 14:00 IPL 4 H/ls 14:30 IPL 4 H/ls 15:00 Mr. Natwarlal 19:00 IPL 4 Extraaa Innings 20:00 Indian Premier League 4 23:30 IPL 4 Extraaa Innings

08:00 Ek Hi Bhool 12:00 The Don 20:00 Bhai

09:50 Kyaa Kool Hai Hum 14:00 Golmaal Returns

14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 21:30 22:00 22:30 23:00

Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo Lapataganj FIR Ring Wrong Ring Mrs. Tendulkar Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Gutar Gu Gili Gili Gappa Papad Pol Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo Mrs. Tendulkar Lapataganj FIR Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta

11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:22 13:44 14:06 14:28 15:00

Geet Yeh Ishq Haaye!!

Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani Dhoond Legi Manzil Humein Yeh Ishq Haaye!!

Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani Dhoond Legi Manzil Humein Geet Rang Badalti Odhni Dhoond Legi Manzil Humein

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

Navya Saath Nibhana Saathiya Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya Maayke Se Bandhi Dor Gulaal Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai Tere Mere Sapne Hamari Devrani Sapno Se Bhare Naina Maryaada ... Lekin Kab Tak? Navya Maayke Se Bandhi Dor Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya Sasural Genda Phool Saath Nibhana Saathiya Behenein Navya Saath Nibhana Saathiya Sasural Genda Phool Chaand Chupa Badal Mein Maayke Se Bandhi Dor Gulaal Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai Navya Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya

12:00 13:00 13:30 14:00 14:30 17:00 20:00 20:30 21:00 22:00 22:30

11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00

Surya: The Super Cop Chhajje Chhajje Ka Pyaar Krishnaben Khakhrawala Saas Bina Sasural C.I.D CID Top 50 Cases Krishnaben Khakhrawala Chhajje Chhajje Ka Pyaar Surya: The Super Cop Saas Bina Sasural Kismat

Sanjog Se Bani Sangini Pavitra Rishta Chhoti Si Zindagi Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli Choti Bahu Pavitra Rishta Sanskaar Laxmi

SUDOKU 833

Riddle Me This

14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 17:30 18:00 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 21:30 22:00 22:30

11:30 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30

Chhoti Si Zindagi Preet Se Bandhi Yeh Dori...

Sanjog Se Bani Sangini Shabaash India Pavitra Rishta Bhagonwali Apno ke liye Geeta ka Chhoti Si Zindagi Choti Bahu Jhansi Ki Rani Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli Pavitra Rishta Ram Milaayi Jodi Sanjog Se Bani Sangini Sanskaar Laxmi

Mrs. Tendulkar Lapataganj Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Mrs. Tendulkar Papad Pol

15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00 17:30 18:00 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 21:30 22:00 22:30 23:00

Rang Badalti Odhni Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani Yeh Ishq Haaye!!

Dhoond Legi Manzil Humein Geet Yeh Ishq Haaye!!

Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani Rang Badalti Odhni Geet Yeh Ishq Haaye!!

Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani Dhoond Legi Manzil Humein Geet Rang Badalti Odhni Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani Geet

10:30 11:25 12:20 13:15 14:10 15:05 16:00

Top 20 Countdown Most Daring Masters of Illusion Leverage Criss Angel Mindfreak Fear Factor The Amazing Race

16:55 17:50 18:50 19:55 21:00 21:55 22:50 23:50

Top 20 Countdown Criss Angel Mindfreak Fear Factor Most Daring Leverage Caught on Camera Most Daring Fear Factor

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

Community Family Guy Koffee With Karan Dexter The Bold and The Beautiful Friends Las Vegas The Good Guys Community Family Guy Dexter Las Vegas Koffee With Karan How I Met Your Mother The Simpsons Las Vegas Dexter

10:00 10:30 11:00 12:00 16:00 18:00 18:30 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 22:00 22:30

Takeshi's Castle Chhota Bheem Mr. Bean Chhota Bheem Marathon Pokemon M.A.D Chhota Bheem Anpanman Breadman The Pink Panther Show Just for Laugh Gags Takeshi's Castle Just for Laugh Gags Bam Bam Bam Gir Pade Hum

10:30 Sports Max 11:30 Chinese Badminton Super League H/ls 12:30 FIA F1 World Championship 2011 H/ls 14:00 Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters 22:00 Inside Grand Prix 22:30 Mobil 1 The Grid

11:00 Asian Tour Golf Show 11:30 Asian Tour

15:30 Sec Women's College Gymnastic 17:00 Goals!

17:30 Football Crazy 18:00 Asian Tour H/ls 19:00 Football Crazy 19:30 Premier League World 20:00 Sportscenter India 20:30 Sportscenter Asia 21:00 Bpl Express 22:00 Sportscenter India 22:30 Sportscenter Asia 23:00 Goals!

08:30 ATP 1000 Masters 2011 14:30 Mobil 1 The Grid 15:00 UEFA Champions League 2010/11 17:00 WWE: Raw 19:00 FIFA: Futbol Mundial 19:30 UEFA Champions League 20:30 La Liga 2010/11 H/ls 21:30 UEFA Europa League H/ls 22:30 WWE: Raw

09:00 ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 14:00 ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 19:00 2008 Commonwealth Bank Series H/ls 21:00 ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 H/ls 22:00 India Edition 23:00 2011 Commonwealth Bank Series H/ls

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

Creative Vision Big Cats Nat Geo Amazing!

World's Deadliest Animals True Stories Mission Army Fight Science Nat Geo Amazing!

Wild Safari Week I Didn't Know That I Didn't Know That Nat Geo Wild Engineering Connections Megastructures

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

SUDOKU SOL 832

HERALD CROSSWORD - 833 Across 1- Coil; 5- Franklin D.'s mother; 91836 siege site; 14- Other, in Oaxaca; 15- Play thing; 16- Bucolic; 17- Learned; 18- Easy stride; 19Bert's buddy; 20- Sympathy; 23Hydrocarbon suffix; 24- Silent assent; 25- Big step; 29- Jet-assisted takeoff, acronymically; 31Compass dir.; 34- Woody vine; 35- Hungarian sheepdog; 36Counterfeit; 37- Reticent; 40- Observed; 41- Organization to promote theater; 42- Hermit; 43Possessed; 44- Aware of; 45- Like expressionless eyes; 46- Black bird; 47- Genetic material; 48- Eschewal of the concrete; 56- Island in the East China Sea; 57- Cries of discovery; 58- Banned apple cal foot; 54- Swerve sharply; 55- Floor coverings; spray; 60- Sign of spring; 61- Hindu princess; 62- 59- Emeritus: Abbr.; Silent; 63- Mother of Isaac; 64- Tolkien tree creatures; 65- Of the highest quality; SOLUTION - 832 Down 1- Base; 2- Auricular; 3- Estimator's phrase; 4Composition in verse; 5- Slat; 6- "______ by any other name…"; 7- Thick cord; 8- Copycat; 9Playground retort; 10- Sensational; 11- Florence's river; 12- Common street name; 13- Corrida cries; 21- Woman in charge of a household; 22Caper; 25- Partly melted snow; 26- Fungal infection; 27- Ran swiftly; 28- A party to; 29- Cabal; 30Inter ___; 31- Lower legs; 32- Rescues; 33- Abrasive mineral; 35- Football kick; 36- Portico; 38Craze; 39- Detective Pinkerton; 44- Attack; 45Mystical knowledge; 46- Baffled; 47- Cheerful; 48- Latin I word; 49- Vamp Theda; 50- Agitate; 51- Attention; 52- Word of comparison; 53- Metri-

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Thursday, 14 Apr 2011

Photos by: Rozario Estibeiro

Young Talent Galore at Apna Ghar Prize Distribution

Tourism

VP Rao Work and play makes for a very bright day: The visibly happy students enjoying a variety of activities

Parenting

Pg3

City Teenagers hold Summer Camp for Village School Kids

HERALD FEATURES he recently inducted Culture Club of Goa from the village of Salvador Do Mundo along with eight students of the Vasantrao Dempo Higher Secondary School, Miramar-Panjim participated in a summer camp with a difference. While the activities were similar to most summer camp activities, the campsite was a pre-Portuguese school located in the village of Serula that dates back to approximately ninety years! Organised by the Club the camp informally recruited these HSS students. Upon their willingness and fervour for the concept, members of the Club provided on-the-spot training to the HSS students, who then self-conducted the camp for the young ones. Chrissie Gomes, Ashley Fernandes, Ashweta Mamlekar, Siddesh Vasta, Avishya Shetty, Mayura Ashok, Aishwarya Nunes and Reagan D’Costa all got a chance to have first-hand practical experience of conducting a summer camp for the little ones of the school.

The school students participated in a variety of activities and played indoor games. Each child was handed over a certificate of participation, hand designed by Avishya Shetty. Through the course of the camp Mario noticed that the school students, who are children of migrant parents, mostly from the neighbouring states knew more than just the language of their state, rather, an assortment of languages, picking up from their school-mates who belong to various communities. “The only people who couldn’t understand a thing were the few Goans present who only knew Konkani, English and Hindi. With people moving to the city, the future of the Goan village is at stake of losing its identity,” Mario points out.

“We were amazed at the young people’s reactions. We found out that they long to be a part of such activities but do not know where to go,” Mario says. More camps are scheduled he says and volunteers are welcome to sign up. The aim of such camps, Mario informs is to connect the young from the city to the grassroots and cement a relationship for further activities that are constructive to village schools and their students.

These very school students participated in a former event organised by the members of the then unformed Club; the ‘Pataleicho Fest’, informs the Club’s event co-ordinator, Mario Fernandes, who goes ahead and adds, that “this camp was our way of returning the favour.”

There will be a follow-up to this camp, to be held on May 15 in Salvador Do Mundo. An eco-friendly, village picnic, which will be multi-cultural in nature, will be held too. – NF

T

Farida Dias HERALD FEATURES uvenile delinquents, who are given a guiding hand, can prove to be relatively stable human beings. This was witness at the recent performance of the children of Apna Ghar, at the Kala Academy’s Black Box. The event was organised

by SCAN-India in collaboration with the Directorate of Women and Child Development, Goa. The children, mostly juvenile delinquents and runaways, were trained for three months in various fields, and were awarded certificates for the same.

Prior to the distribution of certificates, the children put up various performances from dances, to a skit and the younger ones enthusiastically recited some nursery rhymes.

The skit was a rendition from the life of one of the young inmates of the house. It showed how children are pushed to anti-social behaviour and where then guided and came to be in Apna Ghar.

The Extreme dance group also performed two dance sequences, while the girls of Apna Ghar put on their dancing shoes to move to numbers like Dance Pe Chance and Zubi Dubi. They were then joined by the boys to perform to the football world cup anthem, Waka Waka.

The walls of the Black Box were decorated by the various items the children had prepared, from jewellery to flower arrangements and various show pieces, thus exhibiting the various skills the young ones had learnt during their stay at Apna Ghar.

J

Audrey Pinto, Matthew Curien, VP Rao, Sanjeev Gadkar, Pramilla Fernandes

Children from Apna Ghar singing Hum Honge Kamiyaab

Wines Fred Fernandes, a talented 10-year-old violinist from Salvador Do Mundo showcased his skills to the pleasantly surprised children who had never laid their eyes on a violin before Skit depicting the scenes from the life of the children Photos by John Lino D’Mello

Dancing to the tunes of Zubi Dubi

Musical Operetta shows Other Side of Mother Mary HERALD FEATURES hen Christ was Crucified’ an English musical operetta was recently staged at Kala Academy’s Open Auditorium Hall and at the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao. Young talented actors from across Goa showcased their skills while brilliant singers rendered their voices to songs that made great narrations. The script was based on the life and struggles of Mary and the realisation of the soldier who crucified Jesus. The two-hour programme showed the other side of Mother Mary, not just as the mother of Jesus.

The script was written and directed by Father Noel Menezes and music arranged by Ignatius Rodrigues, Frazer Pacheco, Boney Alex, Grayston Vaz and Aurvile. The act was co-ordinated by Ramina Mendonca and choreographed

by Darryl and Raquel of Floor Fillers. The main singers for the musical were Acacio Pereira (former member of India band), Reniy Dias, Joanne Fernandes, Lulu Fortes, Trisca Fernandes, Silvia Fernandes and Kay D’Souza. The backdrop visuals were created by Sianora Marques and the light and sound by Assis.

The operetta was organised in aid of Eco Mission for the Goa Province of the Society of Pilar.

‘W

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Thursday 14 Apr 2011

Reid still loves Estranged Wife Katie Price

Tourism

Parenting

Pg4

Sonam shocked to be linked with her ‘Brother’ Rana

S

onam Kapoor is apparently shocked about the latest rumours that link her up with actor Rana Daggubati, whom she considers her brother. Rana, has been linked to a number of girls down South, but has never admitted to having a girlfriend. Even though he is yet to make an inning in Bollywood, he has already been linked with a few actresses there. It began with Bipasha (Basu) and now, Sonam.

Sources reveal that Kapoor met Rana at politico Milind Deora and film producer Pooja Shetty’s wedding reception. And after exchanging numbers and a lot of texting each other, the two became close friends.

“Sonam made Rana her brother in the first few meetings. Soon after they lost touch, and for the last one year Sonam has not met Rana. She doesn’t want to clarify anything but she’s upset with the way gossip is being churned out and this, despite Rana knowing about the nature of relationship,” says a source.

Kapoor and Rana’s connection go back a long way.

Rana is the son of producer Suresh Naidu and the nephew of south actor Venkatesh. Anil Kapoor has worked in several of D Ramanaidu’s (Suresh Naidu’s father) films and the two families are quite close. So it came to no surprise when the two were linked.

A

ctor Alex Reid is still in love with estranged wife Katie Price and sings love songs to remind himself of the good times they spent together.

Reid, who split with Price after less than a year of marriage in January, is “moving on” from their relationship but still has strong feelings for the 32-yearold beauty.

“I’m regrouping myself. I’ve got to level the wings before I land the plane, so to speak. I still love Katie and so many people have said I was crazy, but I just sing that old Dean Martin song, ‘When the moon hit your eye like a big pizza pie, that’s amore’,” said Reid.

The 35-year-old still finds it hard to be separated from Katie’s children and still thinks about the “fun times” he spent with them. “It’s really tough. I don’t know what to say. It kills me. I was playing with my nephew the other day. He’s the same age and they all used to play together. I like Katie’s kids a lot, but I’m trying to focus on the positive memories.

When I was training this morning I kept thinking about all the fun times we had and that’s the best way I know to get through this,” he said.

Abhishek Bachchan swapping Roles Again

N

ot many know it, but actor Abhishek Bachchan has for the second time taken on a role not originally meant for him.

The character of a cop in his upcoming film Dum Maaro Dum, directed by Rohan Sippy, was first supposed to be played by Telugu star Rana Daggubati. “When Rohan came to me with this film, he wanted me to play the role of DJ Joki, the role that Rana is playing now,” said Abhishek.

“But when I read the script, I told him that I want to do ACP Vishnu Kamath’s role instead, because I felt I would be able to do that role better and Rohan agreed.”

“I liked the attitude of this character. I liked the way he tackled situations in life and that’s the reason I did it,” said the actor. Earlier, when he was offered Bluffmaster (2005), in which he co-starred with Riteish Deshmukh, he was to play some other role than the one he eventually did. “A similar thing happened during Bluffmaster. Originally, I was doing Riteish’s part and then we changed and I did the part that I finally did and we got Ritiesh for the part I was supposed to do initially,” said Bachchan junior.

There is another similarity between Bluffmaster and Dum Maaro Dum. Abhishek has lent his voice for a song in Dum… - again like Bluffmaster. The song is called ‘Thayan thayan’.

“The idea to have a song in my voice in the film is something Rohan and I both came up with. There’s a scene in the film, which allowed for a song and we both decided why not do another song after Bluffmaster,” said Abhishek, who added, “But the challenge this time was that my character in this film is not the kind who will sing a song. This is a very intense character. In this the challenge was how do we justify this character coming up with a song”.

Radcliffe will remain Harry Potter for Fans

B

ritish actor Daniel Radcliffe admits he will never be able to give up his Harry Potter image, but says it wouldn’t bother him much as long as directors do not see him like that.

“There will be some people who will always see me as this character, I know that and understand that. That’s fine. As long as they are not casting directors and film makers, hopefully it won’t hold me back. That’s my attitude,” said Radcliffe.

The 21-year old actor, who played the schoolboy wizard for 10 years, admitted that he took the role for granted as he got to do so many exciting stunts and scenes while shooting the series of films.

“One thing I took for granted over the 10 years was that I was playing an action hero. You don’t get to do that in any other line of performance. I got to slide 40ft down a roof, I got burst out of a ring of fire. I got to do some really cool stuff. I probably won’t get to do that so much anymore,” he said.

HTC overshadows Nokia at Smartphone Launches

T

he scale of the challenge facing Nokia in the all-important smartphones market was underscored on Tuesday when a powerful new handset from Taiwan's HTC overshadowed two new models from the Finnish giant. HTC, the world's fifth-largest smartphone maker, launched HTC Sensation, offering an entire library of movie and TV shows via a wide screen, with a fast 1.2GHz processor which is particularly important for services such as games.

Nokia, which dumped its once-dominant Symbian software earlier this year after falling behind Apple in the high-end handset market, launched two new models in a bid to stem customer defections while it works on a new offering. The Nokia phones will run on an improved Symbian software, with new icons, better text input, faster Internet browsing and a refreshed Ovi Maps application, while the company develops its new devices using software from Microsoft. “The new HTC Sensation phone reflects the mountain Nokia needs to climb to close the hardware and software gap with its rivals," said Ben Wood, research director at CCS Insight. “On the day Nokia unveils the 600Mhz X7 'entertainment phone' it has been trumped by HTC's Sensation which has a dual-core 1.2Ghz processor.”

Nokia's new chief executive Stephen Elop dropped Nokia's Symbian software in February, saying the company would instead use Microsoft's unproven technology, after he described it as a burning platform in a widely leaked internal memo.

Elop said the Symbian technology was no longer good enough for the future of the world's largest phone maker by volume.

Are Slim and Trim Women Happy?

W

hen college-age women looked at magazines that only included images of women with thin, idealised body types for five straight days, their own body satisfaction improved, according to a new study. However, the boost in body image came with a catch. Those women whose body satisfaction improved the most were also more likely to report that they engaged in dieting behaviors such as skipping meals or cutting carbohydrates during the course of the study.

That suggests these women may be inspired by the images they view and become momentarily hopeful that they can improve their own body shape and possibly even achieve the same thin-ideal bodies they see in the magazines, said Silvia Knobloch-Westerwick, coauthor of the study and associate professor of communication at Ohio State University.

“The media are saturated with images of idealised body shapes, which may make viewers and readers aspire to achieve the same,” she said. “But it is a losing battle.

Women are motivated by these fitness and beauty magazines to try to attain these supposedly perfect bodies, and may even get a short-term body image boost when they start dieting. However, research shows that most diets fail and they are eventually going to be back being unsatisfied with their bodies,” she added.

The results contradict hundreds of previous studies suggesting that the media obsession with promoting ideal bodies only damages women’s satisfaction about their weight and their body.

The study appears online in the journal Communication Research and will be published in a future print edition.

Editor –in-chief: R F Fernandes. Editor: Ashwin Tombat. Chief Editor-Features: Christina Viegas.

‘Silver’, ‘Gold’ and ’Slim’ Cigarettes misleading many Smokers

F

or decades, experts have warned that all conventional brands of cigarette present the same level of risk to smokers, including ‘mild’ and ‘low-tar’ brands. However, despite these warnings, a new study has revealed that many smokers in Western countries still believe that cigarettes labelled ‘silver’, ‘gold’ and ’slim’ are less harmful than others.

Researchers polled over 8,000 smokers from Australia, Canada, the UK and the U.S. Approximately one-fifth of those smokers incorrectly believed that ’some cigarette brands could be less harmful than others’.

False beliefs were highest among the US smokers.

The current study showed that smokers base their perceptions of risk on pack colour, believing that ‘silver’, ‘gold’ and ‘white’ brands are less harmful to smoke than ‘black’ or ‘red’ brands. The reason for those beliefs may lie in the history of cigarette branding.

Cigarettes used to carry labels like ‘light’, ‘mild’, and ‘low tar’, and in some places they still do. But in over 50 countries cigarette manufacturers are no longer allowed to use those labels because they are misleading. In some cases, cigarette manufacturers simply changed their ‘light’ cigarettes to ‘silver’ and ‘gold’ brands — for example, Marlboro Lights has become Marlboro Gold. A significant percentage of smokers now seem to equate those colours with low-risk cigarettes.

Smokers in the study also revealed false beliefs that slim cigarettes are less harmful, cigarettes with harsh taste are riskier to smoke than smooth-tasking cigarettes, filters reduce risk, and nicotine is responsible for most of the cancer caused by cigarettes.

David Hammond, one of the researchers on the study, said that the study provides evidence for further regulation.

“The findings highlight the deceptive potential of ‘slim’ cigarette brands targeted primarily at young women. The findings also support the potential benefits of plain packaging regulations that will soon take effect in Australia, under which all cigarettes will be sold in packages with the same plain colour, without graphics or logos,” he said.

The study is published in the current issue of journal Addiction.

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