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Goa’s Heartbeat: Abhishek for Team Brazil Pg 14

The Voice of Goa — Since 1900 panjim, TUESDaY, jUnE 15, 2010

Business: Top officials hint at RBI tightening Pg 12

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Sports: Seniors will play to potential, says Dhoni Pg 13

‘Education aid to India blown on luxuries’ Britain shocked, orders immediate probe PTI LONDON, JUNE 14

IN BRIEF PM asks GoM on Bhopal to meet With the raging political storm over Bhopal gas tragedy showing no signs of abating, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh sought to do some damage control by directing the reconstituted Group of Ministers to meet immediately and prepare a report in 10 days.

The GoM, headed by Home Minister P Chidambaram, has been asked to assess the options and remedies available to the Government. It is expected to meet on Thursday or Friday. – (PTI) (Report on page 9)

25 drown in boat tragedy At least 25 people, mostly women and girls, drowned while around 17 others went missing when an overcrowded boat capsized in Ganga river in Ballia district in Lucknow.

“The boat carrying around 60 people sunk in Dubahar area this morning. Its occupants were proceeding to attend a function on the other side of the river”, Additional Director General of Police Brij Lal told reporters, adding, 17 people were either rescued by police personnel or safely made it to the shore. – (PTI)

‘Kandla Port polluting creek’ Anthropogenic activities at Kandla Port were contaminating water in its creek which could affect the marine sanctuary and national park there, a study by the NIO, Goa, said.

A conclusion to this effect was drawn by a study on ‘Influence of Anthropogenic Activities on Existing Environmental Conditions of Kandla Creek (Gulf of Kutch)’

by NIO scientists. – (PTI)

Shocked by reports of massive embezzlement in India in the use of millions of pounds granted as aid for education, Britain today promised “zero tolerance to corruption” and launched an “immediate inquiry”.

In a statement to PTI, the International Development secretary Andrew Mitchell said the allegations reported from India about widespread corruption in the use of British aid was “shocking”.

“These are shocking allegations. I have launched an immediate inquiry to ensure British aid money has not been misused. The new British Government will have a zero tolerance policy to corruption,” he said.

“When I took up this job a month ago I made a pledge to British taxpayers; they must know that for every pound of their money, we will get 100 pence of value,” he added.

Mitchell said he was reviewing “every single one” of the Department for International Development’s country programmes to ensure that Britain gave aid to where it was most needed, to help the world’s poorest people.

“But I want to go much further. This is why last week I announced a new independent aid watchdog - to scrutinise aid on the taxpayers’ behalf. In future we will also publish all details of the department’s spending

Drug dealer Dudu moves HC for bail HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JUNE 14

Israeli drug dealer David Driham alias Dudu has moved to the High Court seeking bail, pointing out to the anomalies in police panchanama conducted when he was raided.

In the bail application moved before the court, Dirham has said that he is innocent.

Dudu was arrested on February 21, 2010 for possessing narcotic substances at Anjuna by Anti Narcotic Cell. An offence under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act had been registered against him for possessing cocaine, heroin powder and charas.

The alleged drug dealer in his bail petition has said that the letter written by investigating Officer Sunil Gudlar to deputy superintendent of police (DySP) informing about the raid was fabricated. “ The covering letter addressed to DySP has such a wealth of factual material added (Continued on page 10)

Money for nothing…?

70 million pounds for Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan project had reportedly vanished.

Almost 14 m pounds spent on items and luxuries that had nothing to do with schools.

Officials throughout the country bought new cars with aid money.

17,754 pounds spent on 4 luxury beds while 3,803 pounds used to buy a computer.

ACs, faxes, photocopiers and 7,531 TVs bought despite no power supplies.

150,000 pounds paid into a mystery bank account with no reason given.

(According to a report in ‘The News of the World’ that quoted India’s Auditor General). on our website,” he said.

According to DFID figures, 24 per cent of Britain annual aid to India is earmarked for education. Reports in the British media about the corruption in India mentioned a figure of 340 million pounds in aid to a

schools project for children under the age of14.

One audit of money earmarked for the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan project found that 70 million pounds had reportedly vanished. A report in the ‘The News of the World’ quoted

Lyndon withdraws bail petition HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JUNE 14

Lyndon Monteiro, officer on special duty (OSD) to former tourism minister Mickky Pacheco today withdrew his anticipatory bail plea from Goa Bench of Bombay High court after he was asked to remain present during hearing of his plea.

Justice U D Salvi of Bombay High Court had directed Monteiro to remain present in the court for his anticipatory bail plea hearing, which has been postponed to June 17.

Monteiro’s lawyer, Amit Palekar, said that he has withdrawn the anticipatory bail plea and legalities are being examined to decide further course of action.

When the anticipatory bail application came up for hearing today morning, social activist and High Court lawyer Aires Rodrigues pointed out that there has been a circular of the High Court that any anticipatory bail has to be filed by the concerned

person.

“The provisions of law and High Court rules mandate that an anticipatory bail application can be filed under Section 438 of the Criminal Procedure Code only by the person anticipating arrest”, Rodrigues told the court.

Meanwhile, the Public Prosecutor (PP) Carlos Ferreira, too argued that the application was not maintainable as it was filed

by Monterio’s mother. He demanded that Monteiro be present for his anticipatory bail plea hearing.

Justice U D Salvi told Palekar, appearing on behalf of Monteiro that it was very glaring that the anticipatory bail application was not in accordance with the rules.

Palekar told the Court that he would take instructions whether to withdraw the anticipatory bail application and later Justice Salvi adjourned the matter to June 17.

Monteiro, who has been on the run since June 6, has been declared as co-accused in the (Continued on page 10)

Curtains down on fishing season Fear over manpower shortage looms HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JUNE 14

The hustle and bustle at the fishing jetties across the State finally went missing on Monday – a day before curtains come down on this year’s fishing season.

Hundreds of fishing vessels dropped anchor at the jetties, while the migrant labour have all headed to their native States.

But, mechanised boat owners appear a worried lot. In fact, many a boat owner is keeping their fingers crossed over the availability and arrival of crew members for the next fishing season, beginning from July 31.

Their fear stems from the fact that a large number of migrant labour working on the fishing vessels had left the State after last year’s cyclone left many labourers met a watery grave in the Arabian sea off Maharashtra coast.

The fact that the mechanised fishing industry were hit by a manpower shortage post cyclone has come to haunt the boat owners, forcing them to

Labourers carrying fishing nets at Cutbona jetty.

Photo by Santosh Mirajkar.

keep their fingers crossed over the availability of the manpower coming season.

Says Elvis Gomes, Executive member of the Cutbona Boat Owners Union: “Last year’s cyclone has left bitter memories in the minds of the labourers and their families. But, we are still hopeful that the labourers will return to the jetties for the new season. Let us wait and see”.

Other boat owners echoed

similar sentiments at the Cutbona fishing jetty hoping against hope for the arrival of the migrant workforce in time As is the normal practice, many a boat owner is believed to have paid advance money to their crew members, with the hope that they return for the new season.

Goa’s mechanised fishing industry is totally dependent on outside workforce to meet the (Continued on page 10)

India’s Auditor General as saying that that almost 14 million pounds had been spent on items and luxuries that had nothing to do with schools.

“Cash meant for kids’ education has been blown on luxuries.

We discovered that officials throughout the country had used it to buy new cars and in one instance aid cash was spent on four luxury beds costing a total of 17,754 pounds as well as a 3,803 pounds computer,” the report said.

Meanwhile, Human Resource Development Ministry sources in New Delhi said the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) scheme has a very robust financial monitoring system which includes an annual audit by chattered accountants empanelled by the CAG, concurrent financial review by Institute of Public Auditors of India, periodic performance review by the CAG and quarterly review with the financial controllers of states SSA societies.

Large amounts of money were shown to have been spent on schools that reportedly did not exist, while in some cases air conditioners, faxes, photocopiers and 7,531 colour television sets were reportedly bought despite there being no electricity supplies. The report said that 150,000 pounds was paid into a mystery bank account with no reason given.

It quoted a report by the Institute of Public Auditors of India that in Bihar children were (Continued on page 10)

Hospicio plays truant; doctor refuses autopsy HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JUNE 14

The Hospicio mortuary was back in the news once again for the wrong reasons. This time, however, there was no complaint of space constraint at the 18-unit mortuary, but the Hospital simply had no senior medico-legal surgeon to conduct a postmortem examination on Monday.

The hospital witnessed uproar this morning after relatives of the girl – murdered in Margao on Sunday – came to the hospital to take possession of her body, only to find no doctor to conduct the autopsy.

A lady medical officer, drafted by the Government to the Hospicio mortuary, declined to perform the autopsy on grounds that it was a murder case.

A relative of the girl maintained that they were called to the hospital at 9.30 am today to take possession of the girl’s body, but added that the postmortem did not take place even at 11.30 am.

Worse still, since there was no senior medico-legal surgeon, acting Hospicio Medical Superintendent, Dr Nasnodkar issued instructions to the lady medical officer to transport the girl’s body and get the post-mortem done by a senior doctor at the Goa Medical College and hospital mortuary.

This infuriated the relatives, who were left high and dry for no fault of theirs, since they were anxious to take possession of the body to perform the final

rites this evening.

The acting Hospicio superintendent informed that the lady medical officer had her own limitations in carrying out the postmortem of the girl’s body. “Since it is a murder case, it is in the fitness of things that the autopsy was done by a senior doctor”, he added.

The explanation failed to satisfy the agitated relatives, who demanded to know why the commonman is put to great hardships for want of a doctor.

“If the lady doctor is not authorised to perform post-mortem examinations, why is she appointed at Hospicio”, a member of the Hospicio Visiting Committee, Damu Shirodkar demanded to know.

Shirodkar said if the senior consultant, Dr Avinash Poojary is on leave, the acting Hospicio medical superintendent ought to have made alternate arrangements, adding that the girl’s family ought to have been told last night about the prevailing situation at the district hospital.

Showers drench Goa, Met warns of gusty winds HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JUNE 14

The much-awaited monsoon showers lashed the State early Monday even as the Met Department warned of heavy rains accompanied by strong gusty winds in next 24 hours.

“Rain or thundershowers accompanied by strong gutsy wind would hit parts of the State.

Some areas might also witness moderate to heavy rainfall in coming 24 hours”, Indian Meteorological Observatory incharge K V Singh said.

Predicting a good rainfall in the next two days, Singh said, “though the monsoon arrived late in the State, we expect good showers in coming days”.

Singh confirmed that southwest monsoon had advanced into Goa on June 10 but due to the weakening of monsoon currents, the State could not witness good amount of rainfall at the beginning.

From now on yellow cards for Ministers involved in bribes, corruption, links with mafia... and red cards for murder, rape, molestaiton...

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Mustifund school directed to hold back fee hike HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JUNE 14

Following a representation by the parents to the Education Minister Atanasio Monserrate with their grievances, the State government on Monday directed the Mustifund school management to hold back the fee hike of the primary students until further decision.

According to the parents, the Mustifund school management had raised the fee from Rs 550 to Rs 800 in April this year, during admissions to the new academic year.

“However, we were in for more shock when the school re-

opened. The management gave a notice that the fee has been increased from Rs 800 to Rs 1350 based on government recommendation,” a parent said speaking to Herald on condition of anonymity.

The management gave the reason that the fee hike was necessary for paying the teachers according to government scales, the parents stated.

The parents today met the education minister in his chamber, who assured them to take a decision in the matter by evening.

By evening the Education Department issued directions to the school to hold back the fee

hike.

“We have asked them to hold back the fee hike,” Education Director Celsa Pinto told Herald.

It may be recalled recently the government appointed committee had submitted a fee structure to be followed by all schools after complaints of heavy fees being charged by the private schools.

The education director said that the minister has decided to ask the committee to take a re-look into the fee structure.

“Until than we have asked the Mustifund management to refund the excess fee collected to the parents,” she stated.

Fee hike in unaided schools unwarranted, says AGUSPA HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JUNE 14

The All Goa Unaided Schools Parents Association (AGUSPA) has warned the Education department against playing with the sentiments and anguish of parents, who toil hard to educate their children and refused to be exploited.

The Association has also asked the Director of Education to scrutinise the statements of accounts submitted by these schools and further audit the same before granting any approvals as per the Goa School Education Act 1984.

Association Secretary Orlando Pacheco has accused the Education Department of adopting a casual attitude towards the concern of parents with regards to the matter of fee hike in the unaided schools in Goa. He said the circular dated 16th April 2010 issued to the schools with regards to the fees is misleading and bound to create confusion and has been issued without understanding the ground realities existing in the State and without any details or directions.

Association Chairman Nisser Dias has taken strong exception to the report filed by Deputy Director of Education Anil Powar to the government, stating that only a few parents have filed complaints on the fee hike. “The Deputy Director of Education

has made the statement inspite of several protests being raised from several quarters by parents.

This only goes to show that Powar is more inclined towards the school managements, which are usually headed by industrialists and businessmen and not the parents”, Dias said.

He said the fee of Rs 1350 pm for primary section and Rs 1800 pm for the middle and secondary section recommended by the Pednekar Committee and accepted by the Government is based on an assumption that there is an average of 25 students in the primary section and 30 students in secondary section per division or class after calculating the sixth pay scale salaries to teachers. “”In reality, however, there are almost 40 students per class or divisions in most of theses 148 unaided schools in the State which are usually English medium schools.

Therefore, the fees per month in most of these schools should be much less then the fee recommended by the Pednekar Committee and thereafter accepted by the Government”, Dias said.

He further pointed out that the fees will be much lesser then those proposed by some of these schools which had asked for approval to fees upto Rs 1800 pm month for primary section and upto Rs 2500 pm for

middle section and secondary section.

Meanwhile, Association President Orlando Pacheco has urged the teachers community who are to receive the salaries on par with Government teachers as per directives from the central government be vigilant and ensure that these schools who will be hiking the fees upto the set limit, as per the recommendation of the Pednekar Committee get their salaries as per the scale they deserve.

He further said the DoE should also ensure that the teachers are actually paid as per the scale recommended as the same will be collected from the parents.

The association has further appealed to the Education Minister and the State government to bring in legislation and enact an Act on the lines of Tamil Nadu Schools (Regulation of collection of fees) Act 2009, which was upheld by the division bench of the Madras High Court, dismissing all writ petitions challenging the validity of the said Act. The Association said such a law is necessary to put an end to the donation, capitation fees, profiteering and commercialization of education and exorbitant fees resulting in exploitation of students and parents by the managements of these unaided schools in the state.

‘NCP image will not be tarnished

by Mickky’s controversy’ HERALD REPORTER VASCO, JUNE 14

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Legislature Wing Chief and Revenue Minister Jose Philip D’Souza has claimed that the NCP’s image would not get tarnished by the controversy surro u n d i n g f o r m e r t o u r i s m minister Mickky Pacheco.

Speaking to media along the sidelines of World Blood Donor Day’s function organized by Heritage Institute of Hotel and Tourism at Vasco on Monday morning, D’Souza also said the NCP would retain all portfolios of the resigned minister.

“After the party high command decision, Pacheco resigned gracefully on moral grounds and he himself has asked the probe in the death of Nadia Torrado. These are his personal issues that will certainly not tarnish the party’s image,” stated the revenue minister.

When asked about newly sworn minister Nilkant Halankar, D’Souza said there will be no change in the portfolio, as it was earlier decided by the high commands of both the parties.

“The question of a compromise on portfolios doesn’t arise,” he added.

PSI case: cops file chargesheet HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JUNE 14

The Cuncolim police on Monday filed a charge sheet against accused Santosh Naik in the attempt to murder Cuncolim Police Sub-Inspector Prasanna Bhagat.

The police has cited around 16 witnesses in support of its case.

In this case, accused Santosh Naik was charged by the Cuncolim police for stabbing PSI Bhagat with a knife at Balli when a police team had gone to his house to arrest him in a criminal offense.

PSI Bhagat had sustained two wounds on his left groin and hand and was immediately rushed to Hospicio hospital, where he was treated for the stab wounds.

The incident had taken place on February 28 night.

Students squat on floor at Sanquelim school HERALD CORRESPONDENT MAYEM, JUNE 14

Believe it or not, students in some classes at Government Primary School (GPS), Vithalapur-Sanquelim are being made to squat on the floor due to lack of benches.

Speaking to Herald, PTA member Manasi Borkar said she had requested the education department to provide additional benches about six months ago to avoid the existing situation.

“However, my requests fell on deaf ears. Students are now facing acute problems.

In some classrooms, four-five students have to sit on one bench while in other classrooms students are compelled Students squat on the floor of the classroom due to lack of benches at Government Primary School, to sit on the floor,” said Vithalapur-Sanquelim.

Photo by Vishant Vaze Borkar.

The total strength of stu“The government should school due to which students call,” said Bakre. dents in the school is 263, look into the matter with im- have to answer nature’s call by The parents and teachers which consists of pre-primary mediate effect,” said a parent, the roadside. have requested the educastudents (31), Urdu medium Sajjala Awakhale.

“The worst affected are the tion department to provide (27), Std 1 (52), Std 2 (42), Std Another parent Sriram Bakre teachers, who cannot go in adequate facilities for the 3 (50) and Std 4 (61). said there is no toilet for the open places to answer nature’s school.

Shiv Sena demands text books availability to students immediately HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, JUNE 14

The Bardez unit of Shiv Sena has demanded that the Directorate of Education should make available all text books to students immediately and end the miseries of teachers and students.

The Shiv Sena has threatened to stage an agitation in the State with parents and teachers, if the Directorate of Education failed to make available the text books to students.

In a memorandum to the Director of Education on Monday, Vibhag Pramukh of Shiv Sena, Bardez, Philip D’Souza has stated that textbooks are one of the major teaching and learning resources used in the schools.

“Non-availability of text books on time hampers the academic activities of the students and schools. If students do not have access to the textbooks, it is not possible for the teachers to give homework for the students,” stated D’Souza in the memorandum.

“Besides, pressure on teachers also increases to complete the curriculum when books are not made available at the commencement of the academic year and consequently the students have to burn midnight oil to cope up with the studies,” he added.

The memorandum further stated that failure to supply textbooks to the students at the beginning of the academic year has become an annual event and misery.

“The woes pertaining to nonavailability of textbooks have plagued our education sector consistently for years together.

Yet the government does not appear to have taken any effective steps to solve this persistent problem,” said D’Souza.

“If the tenders were floated on time and the concerned educational authorities had taken up the matter with printers/publishers vigorously, then this problem would not have arisen. The availability of textbooks on time save teachers and students from

unnecessary pressures and stress,” stated the memorandum.

Security guard reported killed at Sanquerim

BICHOLIM (HC): A 55-year-old security guard from Jharkhand was allegedly murdered by his roommate over a petty quarrel on Sunday at about 10.30 pm.

According to reports, one Krishna Sahu from Jharkhand and Shankar Sharma (48) from Bihar, both security guards, were staying with three of their friends at Maina-Navelim, Sanquelim.

On Sunday, Sahu was sleeping on the floor with his legs towards Shankar, who was having dinner.

Enraged at this, Shankar asked Sahu to move his legs as he was having his food. This led to altercation between the two and Shankar hit Sahu with a wooden log. Sahu fell unconscious and was rushed to PHC Sanquelim, but died on the way to the hospital.

Migrants screened for malaria in Margao HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JUNE 14

Hazard a guess why the Margao Urban Health Centre witnessed a huge queue of migrant labourers on Monday morning.

Well, the monsoons have finally arrived and the Urban Health Centre has taken up the work of screening of migrant workers for malaria and health cards in right earnest.

Around 150 migrant labourers, besides women and children, made a queue outside the health centre this morning, waiting for their turn for malaria testing and vaccination.

Health officials led by the Health Officer, Dr Geeta Kakodkar attended to the migrants and even recalled the field staff to the office to meet the heavy rush of migrants.

As inquiries revealed that most of migrant labourers had no health cards, the health authorities noted down details of the workers, and have assured to provide the cards immediately.

Says Urban Health Officer, Dr Geeta Kakodkar: “Most of the labourers hailed from the eastern state of Orissa. The health

Migrants queue outside the Margao Urban Health Centre for malaria testing on Monday.

Photo by Santosh Mirajkar

officials tested them for malaria and administered them the treatment. The drive was part of the awareness drive undertaken by the health office during the monsoon season”.

She said the migrant labourers were vaccinated today and will be soon provided with the mandatory health cards by her office. “We have taken precau-

tionary measures to ensure that the malaria situation is kept a bay this season. The health office does not want to take any chances over the outbreak of vector borne diseases in the Commercial Capital”, she added.

The Margao Urban Health office has recently received a pat on its bag, right from the Chief

Centre-backed criteria will bring Goans in BPL list: Churchill HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JUNE 14

Blaming Mamlatdars and Block Development Officers for blocking his plan to include more and more Goans in the Below Poverty Line (BPL) list, Rural Development Minister Churchill Alemao has said the Centre has come out with new criteria which would help bring large number of Goans in the BPL category.

Alemao warned the RDA staff, especially from South Goa district, that he would crack a whip and send them home, if their performance continues to remain below par.

At the meeting with RDA officials and staff held here on Monday, Alemao announced that the Centre has relaxed the BPL norms which will now make it easy for economically backward Goans to get in the BPL list. “The Mamlatdars and BDOs had blocked our plans to bring more Goans in the BPL list on

Colva theft: maid held HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JUNE 14

The Colva police has arrested a maid servant in connection with the theft of gold ornaments and US Dollars all valued over Rs 1.5 lakh from the house of one Kenneth Saldanha, a resident of Colva.

The Colva police said that Saldanha complained that gold ornaments consisting of bangles, pear earrings, a pendant, finger ring, gold earrings, besides 1000 US Dollar were stolen from the house.

Based on the complaint from Saldanha, the Colva police arrested the maid servant and is being interrogated by the men-in-uniform.

The Colva police are investigating.

Bijapur man found dead

CALANGUTE (HC): A 25-year-old man from Bijapur was found dead at Sinquerim on Monday morning. According to Calangute police, Santosh Gangaram Rathod, residing at Khali Bhat, Sinquerim, was addicted to liquor and suspect that he may have died due to overdose, thus ruling out the possibility of murder. The body has been sent to Bijapur for final rites.

grounds the applicant does not fall in the category. But, the latest criteria will help people to be brought under the category”, he said.

The RDA Minister issued directives to the officials to ensure that more and more Goans are included in the BPL list to avail benefits under the Central schemes. “ There are some Sarpanchas, who have refused to approve names for the BPL families. Now, the rules are changed that the household owners can now take approval even from a Zilla panchayat member and other persons mentioned in the criteria”, he said.

The Minister asked the RDA Secretary to immediately write to the Mamlatdars and the BDOs on the refusal to clear the names under the BPL list and also call a meeting with them to solve the imbroglio.

He replied in the negative when suggested that the RDA department could not make

major inroads in the villages to bring the poor under the BPL list. “In Navelim village, there were only three people included in the BPL category. Now the figure has shot up to over 600.

Things are certainly improving, but more needs to be done. People should realise that a NREG card holder is automatically included in the BPL list”, he added.

Meanwhile, the RDA Secretary has called upon the officials and staff from South Goa to put in more efforts to ensure successful implementation of the BPL schemes. “The DRDA, north has initiated many steps. The staff in south Goa might have been working hard, but there are many inadequacies as per the records”, he said.

The Secretary said that auditors have questioned the poor implementation of BLP schemes in South Goa and called upon the staff to work with dedication and sincerity by bringing more persons in the BPL category.

Minister, Digambar Kamat to the Margao Municipal Chief Savio Coutinho for the sincere work put in to combat vector borne diseases in the city.

In fact, health officials said the sustained campaign by the Margao Health office has helped to keep the number of malaria and dengue cases under check in recent times.

Margao murder accused remanded HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JUNE 14

The accused arrested in the broad day light murder of the young woman in the city here on Sunday evening has been remanded to two days police custody.

Margao police station incharge, PI Santosh Desai said the accused Abhijit Patil was taken for medical examination to the Goa Medical College and hospital, Bambolim Monday morning.

When asked to throw light whether the accused was taken to Bambolim to ascertain whether he was in a disturbed state of mind, PI Desai said the accused made it appear that he was not in a proper frame of mind, adding that this is one reason why the accused was taken to the GMC hospital.

Meanwhile, the body of deceased girl M Shaikh was handed over to her relatives after a post mortem examination at the Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim.

Vasco Dy town planner reacts angrily to SDM directives Says hill cutting goes on regardless of TCP HERALD REPORTER VASCO, JUNE 14

The Deputy Town Planner of Mormugao taluka is reportedly irked with the order issued by the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) over hill cutting activities in Consua-Cortalim.

The recent ex-parte order of SDM Levinson Martins, asking the Town and Country Planning Department and Director of Mines and Geology to file compliance report and take immediate corrective measures over massive hill cutting activities in Consua-Cortalim, has annoyed both the departments for overlooking activities carried out beyond the prescribed permission by the company.

“Why were villagers quiet over the issue that was going on since 2008? Am I a crow to keep a vigil on hill cutting activities,” asked an annoyed Deputy Town Planner A P Diniji.

Though the order has been issued to the Town Planner, but the Deputy Town Planner, being a concerned department in Mormugao taluka, has been asked

to file compliance report to the sub divisional magistrate’s order.

In his compliance report, Diniji has claimed that the hill cutting has carried out regardless of TCP norms. He questioned the attitude of the villagers as to why they were quiet and got up suddenly after three years to complain about hill cutting activities.

It may be recalled that Pedro Fernandes of Consua had lodged a complaint with the Deputy Planner in March, 2010. Acting on the complaint, Diniji had lodged a police complaint, but the police are yet to establish the identity of the accused.

When pointed out that the Town and Country Planning Department in an order dated April 9, 2008, had issued permission to a company to excavate the hill and how he claimed that he was unaware who has cut the hill although complaint has been filed, Diniji said he has referred Fernandes’ complaint letter to Verna police to lodge complaint against unknown person, as no survey number was mentioned

in the complaint.

He further said he along with Executive Engineer, PWD, Anil Ringne has inspected the area and machinery would be deployed to take corrective measures as suggested by Sub Divisional Magistrate.

Interestingly, Martins’ order states the company names and survey numbers, while Diniji in its recent compliance report has also mentioned the company name, but till date police has failed to establish who has cut the hill though an offence has been registered under Section 17(a) of Goa Town and Country Planning Act. “We have written to different authorities after getting complaint and investigating the case,” said Verna PI Jivba Dalvi.

However, the monsoon has commenced and Sub Divisional Magistrate’s order has stated to take measures to save impending disaster within seven days, while Monday being the seventh day, only inspection has been carried while the work is yet to commence.

Lucky escape for Vasco local as house roof collapses HERALD REPORTER VASCO, JUNE 14

A 36-year-old man from Bogda-Vasco had a miraculous escape after the roof tiles of his house fell on him on Monday afternoon.

The incident occurred when Sunil Sakalkar was sleeping in one of the rooms of his house near El-Monte Theatre, Bogda-Mormugao.

Sakalkar has fractured to his leg.

Vasco fire brigade personnel informed that Sakalkar was alone in the room when the wall of an abandoned house located above his house collapsed on his room due to heavy showers.

Sakalkar, who was trapped in the debris of the roof tiles, was removed by his niece and the 108 ambulance later shifted him to a hospital.

Official from Mormugao Mamlatdar’s office has estimated the damage of about Rs 20,000. Mormugao MLA Milind Naik has asked his labourers to clear the debris to provide relief to the affected family.

It may be recalled that the thickly populated Bogda area, which is declared as landslide-prone zone by the government authorities few years ago, has seen such incidents during monsoon.

During last monsoon, about three cases of landslide were reported on the mountainous stretch of Tariwado-Bogda.

The damaged house at Bogda-Mormugao.

Photo by M Prabhav

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Firm run by Mickky suspicious: Crime Branch HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JUNE 14

Strongly opposing the bail application by the minister’s OSD in the High Court, Goa Police have raised suspicions about the firm Bresources Management S.A, run by former tourism minister Mickk y Pacheco, wherein Nadia Torrado worked as Accounts Co-ordinator.

The reply filed by Crime Branch before Goa Bench of Bombay High Court, has mentioned that the business was to ‘cover something’.

“There was no formal and structural functioning. Everything seemed to be working in a personal fiefdom of Pacheco.

There were no meetings and decision of the Board of Directors,” the reply reads.

“The activities of the company are very suspicious and seems to be ‘cover’ for something else,” police added in their reply.

The investigations by Crime Branch have revealed that Nadia was the part of Pacheco’s company, Bresources Management Pvt Ltd. “Even though the deceased (Nadia), was an employee coordinator of his office, she never came to the office,” police said.

Claiming that Nadia and Pacheco had ‘intimate relationship,’ Police have said that they

have recovered a half burnt boarding pass which claims Nadia as ‘VIP/spouse of touris… ’ Further letters on this pass are burnt.

“Pacheco was the person who was present with the victim at all time during the treatment,” police said adding “he was present at Apollo Hospital, Margao, Jupiter Hospital, Mumbai and Apollo Hospital at Chennai and was closely monitoring visit of police officer and other persons”.

From the conduct, it is clear that he is an accused involved in this offence,” police said.

Police ‘reply’ before the High Court on Monday has strongly

opposed the anticipatory bail plea of Lyndon Monteiro, OSD to Pacheco and co-accused in case of death of 28-year-old Nadia.

Monteiro’s plea that the case is politically motivated, is been denied by Crime Branch.

Police said that this is a very sensitive matter wherein a young woman has died in very suspicious and mysterious circumstances.

“On the contrary, Monteiro being in very powerful position is hell bent on impending the investigations and creating hurdles in the efforts of police to unravel the truth,” Crime Branch said opposing the anticipatory

Churchill denies calling Goans ‘squealing pigs’ Offers to resign if statement proved HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JUNE 14

Strongly denying that he had ever called Goans as squealing pigs, the PWD Minister offered to resign both as an MLA and Minister if proved that he had made the statement.

“What I had said was that the NGOs are always crying when the government takes up devel-

opment and also when there is no development. I had never compared Goans to crying pigs.

I have no right to say that”, an agitated Alemao said.

The Navelim MLA said he would never call Goans pigs and accused his political opponent behind the campaign against him on the issue.

“If I have ever called Goans

pig, I am ready to resign as an MLA. What I had said was that in Goa, there should be a policy on housing as there are around 1000-2000 Goan builders and around two lakh workers employed in the construction industry. Everywhere, the NGOs demand a stop on the construction activity”, he said, adding “in Goa, Christians rear pigs and kill them. If we go to catch pigs to rear or kill them, they don’t know why they cry”.

In the same way, he said that the NGOs are crying even when the government tries to take up developmental project such as the bridges in his Navelim constituency.

He blamed his political op-

ponent from Navelim for writing letters to the Editor in the local papers. “Goans by and large know what Churchill has done for Goa. It is very difficult to get another Churchill. The sacrifice which I and my family made for the Konkani language, everyone knows. People will realise my contribution only when I leave this world”, Alemao added.

“Some people even came to Carmona with a pig. My supporters were agitated and disturbed over the false campaign, but I advised them not to react”, he said, and reminded his political opponents that only God and the people of Goa can finish him politically and termed his opponents as mere “samples”.

Prematurely retired govt staff seek resolve to demands

Threaten to go on hunger strike HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JUNE 14

The Goa Association of Prematurely Retired Employees of Government of Goa have decided to go on hunger strike as the State government has failed to pay heed to their impending demands.

In a memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister Digambar Kamat on Monday, the association has demanded that their demands be accepted within 15 days.

“We will have no option but to proceed on chain hunger strike indefinitely by talukawise representatives; in case the matter is not settled within a period of fifteen days,” the association said.

The chief minister is learnt to have assured the association to look into the matter.

The association memorandum says that the central Civil Services Vth Pay commission

1996 envisaged the age of superannuation to 60 (sixty) years to all government employees but the Goa Government retained the age of superannuation as fifty eight years (58) instead of sixty years (60).resulting in violation of the terms of Goa Daman & Diu reorganization act 1987.

Subsequently, the memorandum says, the age of superannuation was enhanced to 60 years vide in 1998.

“Again the superannuation age was reduced to 58 years in 1999 only to be raised to 60 years in 2007,” the memorandum says.

In view of the above, the memorandum says, 293 nos of representations of retired government servants at the age of 58 years were sent to the chief minister & The chief Secretary on October, 27, 2009 and second lot of 235 nos of such representations were sent to them on November, 11 2009 requesting monetary benefit for two years (incremental benefits, pay and allowances, pension and pensionary benefits) accordingly.

However, the association says, it is very much regretted to note that nothing is heard from chief minister and the chief secretary till date.

Nilkanth yet to be given portfolio HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JUNE 14

Even a week after he was formally sworn in as the minister, NCP’s Thivim legislator Nilkanth Halarnkar is yet to be given any portfolio.

Halarnkar was sworn in on last Tuesday, after former tourism minister Mickky Pacheco resigned from the cabinet following his questioning by the Crime Branch in Nadia Torrado death case.

Halarnkar has expressed his desire to take over as the Tourism portfolio saying he would put an end to the rave parties in the State if given a chance.

However, when contacted he said that it was the prerogative of the Chief Minister to decide on the matter.

The NCP too wants the portfolios of Tourism, Captain of Ports and Housing Board be given to Halarnkar saying they were with their party minister earlier.

When contacted Chief Minister Digambar Kamat told Herald a decision in this regard is yet to be reached.

“There has been no decision on the portfolio as yet,” Kamat told this reporter over phone.

He said he will discuss with the high command and take a decision soon.

bail plea filed by Monteiro.

“There has been systematic and sustained destruction of evidence and it appears that Mickky Pacheco and his OSD may have a very important role to play in destruction of evidence,” police said adding “there is every possibility that the applicant may further indulge in destruction of whatever evidence police is trying hard to retrieve. He is required for custodial interrogation for recovery of two mobiles, passport, laptop of the victim and empty Ratol paste tube, which are missing.”

Police have said that taking in view the statements of the witnesses, PM reports, circumstantial and scientific evidences, it is clear that Monteiro has been involved in the crime and is evading his arrest.

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s H o Rt tA K e s Computer Academy opened

‘Good attitude of priest matters to resolve problems in parish’ HERALD NEWS BUREAU PANJIM, JUNE 14

Sr Jennifer Crasto inaugurates Computer Academy at St Alex’s Convent, Calangute. Photo by Thomas Fernandes

CALANGUTE(HC): Superior General of Handmaids of Christ Congregation Sr Jennifer Crasto inaugurated the Computer Academy of the Congregation at St Alex’s Convent, Calangute, on Sunday.

Sr Crasto inaugurated the Computer Academy in the presence of St Alex Church, Calangute, Parish Priest Fr Carmo Martins.

Others present at the inaugural ceremony included Sr Amelia D’Souza, Sr Joanita D’Souza, Sr Lina Dias, Sr Tomacine D’Sa and Sr Perpetua Fernandes among others.

Sr Jennifer Crasto cut the ribbon to throw open the Computer Academy for the public, while Fr Martins blessed the premises and invoked God’s blessing for the commercial premises in interest of all concerned.

Sr Sunita has been entrusted the teachers’ job with variety of courses including Web Designing, Desktop Browsing, HTML, Multimedia, Accounting and Basic/Advance courses. Fro more details, contact the Computer Academy on 2914257.

Pediatric conference held

PANJIM(HND): The Goa Association of Pediatricians recently hosted the 8th National CME of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the NIO Auditorium, Dona Paula. This was the first time that a national event in pediatrics was held in Goa. National President of Indian Academy of Pediatrics Dr Deepak Ugra was the chief guest on the occasion. Dr Deepak complimented the Goa Association of Pediatricians for the progress made by them in the academic field over the last few years and also for achievement of several milestones in the health sector.

He also appraised the State government and Directorate of Health Services for their efforts in making Goa free from Polio cases, for the last 10 years and now, recommended the use of injectable polio vaccine.

The Conference was addressed by 30 eminent national faculty members and attended by 250 pediatricians from all over India. The highlights of the scientific topics discussed were, polio eradication in India, future perspectives, issues on recent vaccines, antibiotics, childhood diseases like malaria, dengue, chikungunya, pneumonia.

The National Pediatrics Infectious Diseases Chapter felicitated the organising chairperson Dr Virendra Gaonker, organising secretary Dr Nelly de Sa and treasurer Dr Sushma Kirtani, and scientific committee chairperson Dr Shivanand Gauns, for their commendable efforts in making this prestigious event a grand success.

Sanguem school re-opens

PANJIM(HND): Miracles High School and Miracles Primary School, Sanguem began the academic year 2010-2011 recently with a Eucharistic celebration, the theme being ‘Bloom, God loves you’.

Rev Fr John C D’Souza, Manager of Miracles High School and Rev Fr Michael Rebello, the Headmaster of the School were the main celebrants. The priests urged the students to bloom intellectually by developing their minds and to bloom spiritually by coming closer to God and to bloom morally by leaving behind what is bad and cultivating what is good.

During his homily, Rev Fr John C.D’Souza preached about the duties of the headmaster, the teachers, the parents and most of all, the students.

The liturgy was organized by Enid da Costa.

Advocacy workshop held

It is the good attitude of the Priest that matters to resolve administrative problems, stated a Pilar professor of theology, during the keynote address of the Inaugural year of the Pilar Theological College on June 11.

Pilar Professor Fr Kyriel D’Souza, who delivered the Lecttio Brevis, ‘Priest – A Steward of Community’ was referring to the recent accusations reported by media about administrative mismanagement made by priests.

Fr D’Souza, who is currently the Provincial Superior of the Pilar Society, said priests need the specific contribution of the laity not only for the organization and administration of the community, but also for faith and charity.

“A certain osmosis exists between the faith of the priest and that of the other faithful,” said Fr D’Souza.

Fr D’Souza noted the internal dangers to the priestly ministry with regard to bureaucracy, functionalism, democratization, planning which is more managerial than pastoral.

“Unfortunately in some circumstances, priests can be overwhelmed by structures which overpower them and are not always necessary, or which induce negative psycho-physical consequences detrimental for the

GU Registrar accepts SIO’s demand HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, JULY 14

The Students Islamic organization of India (SIO), Goa Zone submitted a demand letter to the Registrar of Goa University requesting an extension of the last date for submitting the application forms for the post-graduate courses from June 15 to a further date.

According to a press release, the delegation of SIO led by Anwar Khan, zonal president was assured by the Registrar, M M Sangodkar that the dates would be extended to June 18. the SIO had requested to extend the dates at least by 8 days, but the Registrar cited that the whole schedule of the admission would be disturbed as the entrance exams to the various departments is scheduled to be held on June 21.

The issue came to light as the final year graduation students have not received the statement of marks and other certificates from the university and the last date for submission of the application forms was announced on June 15.

Acting on the request of SIO, the registrar called a meeting of the examination section of the university and assured the delegation that the statements of marks and other certificates would be dispatched by the university on June 14 and would be made available to the students on June 15.

The delegation consisted of Shaikh Shoaib, Member ZAC, SIO Goa Zone and Zeeshan Khan of St Xavier’s College, Mapusa, representing the affected students, adds the press release.

Pilar Professor Fr Kyriel D’Souza delivers the keynote address at the Pilar Theological College.

spiritual life and for the very ministry itself,” Fr D’Souza said.

“It is both urgent and necessary to ensure unity among all ecclesial forces so as to respond effectively to the attacks currently being made on priests and their ministry,” he added.

Fr D’Souza stated that the most attractive image of a priest is ‘a Man of God for others’.

“Ven. Fr Agnelo D’Souza, who was humble, accountable and transparent even beyond office

hours, is a role model to priests,” he said.

Archbishop Emeritus Raul Gonsalves recalled the words of Pope Benedict XVI and affirmed that the priest is not a social worker, but a man of God. The prelate warned about the hermeneutics of discontinuity and rapture and called to choose the hermeneutics of continuity and reform.

In his inaugural address, Rector of the Pilar Theological Col-

Theatre skills required in child’s education: Rane

Speaker Pratapsing Rane releasing the Konkani books “Pashaan Pazaar”, written by Zilu Gaonkar and second edition of “Ani Ek Buto Fullo”, written by Dr Prakash Vozrikar at Forest Training School, Valpoi in Sattari taluka.. Also present are Shridhar Kamat Bambolkar, Abhay Jog, Dr Prakash Vozrikar, Zilu Gaonkar, Hanumant Chopdekar and Abhijie Gaonkar.

HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, JUNE 14

Speaker Pratapsing Rane released two Konkani drama books “Pashaan Pazaar”, written

by Zilu Gaonkar and second edition of “Ani Ek Buto Fullo”, written by Dr Prakash Vozrikar at Forest Training School, Valpoi in Sattari taluka.

Both the books are published

by Bhoomi Prakashan Saunstha of Sarvorshem, Sattari.

Speaking on the occasion, Rane said, education can be impacted by using theatre skills, if the learning is fun, no child would refuse education.

Rane congratulated both the authors and said the authors of this book are experts and experienced professionals in their respective fields. What is commendable is their sincere effort to make the subject comprehensible for the common man.

Highlighting the role of audience in drama hall, Shridhar Kamat Bambolkar said, theatre requires an audience. The physical presence of an audience changes the performance of an artist and automatically it inspires actors, and increases expectations. Public from Sattari taluka has proved it by gathering

Need to create awareness on blood donation: Kumar Dr Nandini Korgoankar, State Entomologist from Directorate of Health Service speaking on the occasion.

PANJIM(HND): Advocacy workshop on vector borne diseases was conducted by Primary Health Centre, Curtorim at Davorlim Panchayat hall recently. The work shop was inaugurated at the hands of the chief guest Maria Miranda, ZP member of Davorlim and Atul Verlekar, ex ZP member was the guest of honour.

Subhash Zore, health worker shared his experience in the field work of prevention and eradication of Malaria. Jose Antao, sanitary inspector urged people to maintain hygienic surroundings while the Health Officer, Dr Shashi Parkar in her presentation explained in details about vector borne diseases.

She stressed that the construction sites were the main breeding places and urged upon the builders to make health cards of labourers. She also promoted the use of insecticide treated bed nets and said rapid diagnostic kits were available at the sub-centre and PHC. Dr Nandini Korgoankar, State Entomologist from Directorate of Health Service briefed the gathering. There was an interactive session with audience, where in sarpanchas from nearby village were present. Krishna Pagui proposed the vote of thanks. The programme was compered and managed by Rajesh Arlekar.

Restricted water supply HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, JUNE 14

There will be restricted water supply to the entire Porvorim, Calangute, Saligao and Candolim areas on June 15 due to an accident at Assonora Water Supply line near Mapusa by-pass, which has caused damages to the pipeline which needs repair, says a press release.

HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, JUNE 14

Acting Chief Secretary Narendra Kumar said blood saves life as a result there is urgent need to create awareness on voluntary blood donation to the common man as the requirement of blood is high in the State.

Mr Kumar was speaking as the chief guest on the occasion of World Blood Donor Day at a function jointly organized by Goa State AIDS Control Society and Goa State Blood Transfusion Council at Seminar hall, Secretariat, Porvorim, on Monday.

Rajiv Verma, Secretary, Health was the guest of honour. Dr C P Das Acting Dean, Goa Medical Collage and Dr Rajnanda Desai, Director of Health Services were also present on the occasion.

World Blood Donor Day is observed as the birthday of Karl Landsteiner who discovered the blood groups which helps to save life of million of people in the world. Slogan of the day is “new blood for the world”.

Speaking further, Kumar said, blood donation is for a noble cause and asserted the need to focus on young generation and motivate them for voluntary blood donation. Private blood

lege Fr Anslemo D’Souza stated that peace with God, peace with Creation is the theme for the entire seminary year.

He informed that there are 41 students of theology, 5 deacons are exercising diaconate ministry, 19 students studying Philosophy in Nagpur, 10 doing their regency and 64 students doing their graduation in the Provinces.

Fr Walter Gomes, Vicar General and Chairman of Formation Commission, released the Handbook 2010-10 of the Pilar Theological College.

Dr (Fr) Jacob Theckanath, a biblical scholar, presently Executive Secretary of the Federation of the Asian Bishop’s Conference (FABC) Office of Evangelization was the moderator for the inaugural lecture.

Archbishop Emeritus Raul Gonsalves later presided over the solemn Eucharistic celebration in the Pilar Seminary Chapel.

As the church is formally closing the year dedicated to Priests on the solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Archbishop Gonsalves invited the people to continue to pray for the priests.

The ministries of Lector and Acolyte are the first step towards priesthood, stated Bishop Gonsalves, while conferring the ministries of lector and acolytes to 10 students of theology. These ministries precede the diaconate ordination.

donors should also be encouraged, Kumar asserted.

He also handed over keys of Blood Transportation Vans to Dr C P Das, Dean, GMC and Dr Rajnanda Desai, Director of Health Services on the occasion.

Rajeev Verma, Secretar y Health stressed the need to motivate women and students above 18 years for voluntary blood donation. More blood donation camps are being organized to achieve targets, he added.

Dr R G W Pinto, Prof and Head, Department of Pathology, GMC in his key note address reviewed the scenario of voluntary blood donation and said that the first Blood Bank was set up in Goa in 1952. Necessary measures are being taken for safety of blood donors and the patients.

Dr Pradeep Padwal, Project Director, Goa State AIDs Control Society briefed about blood donation programme and stressed the need to promote voluntary blood donation programme to increase blood donation units to cope up the blood requirement in the state.

Supriya Dinesh Sinari, a regular blood donor was also honoured on the occasion.

Dr N V Markande proposed the vote of thanks while Asha Vernekar compered the function.

Recruitment in Indian Navy HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, JUNE 14

Indian Navy has invited applications from unmarried male candidates for recruitment as stewards, cooks and topasses for MR/NMR 01/2011 batch in the Indian Navy. Last date for receipt of application is June 18.

Also, the Indian Navy has invited applications from unmarried male candidates for enrolment as sailors for Senior Secondary Recruits (SSR) - 01/2011 batch in the Indian Navy. Last date for receipt of application by them is June 16 for this post.

Further, applications are invited from unmarried male candidates for enrolment as sailors for Artificer Apprentice - 129 (01/2011) batch in the Indian Navy. Last date for receipt of application is June 18.

For details, interested personnel should download the advertisement from the Indian Navy website i.e. www.nausena-bharti.nic.in or contact Secretary, Department of Sainik Welfare, Panjim.

in large numbers at the Kala Academy, he added.

Hanumant Chopdekar spoke on the positive and negative aspects of the books.

Abhay Jog, well known director, and both the authors Zilu Gaonkar and Dr Prakash Vozrikar also spoke on the occasion.

Prize distribution for poetry recital competition was held on the occasion.

Earlier, Abhijeet Gaonkar of Bhoomi Prakashan welcomed the guest. Raghoba Pednekar proposed the vote of thanks, while Shyam Gaonkar compered the function.

upcoming events San Joao blast

PANJIM (HND): ‘Sao Joao Rain Dance Blast’ will be held at Soco’s Creative Farm Chinchinim on June 24, from 10 am to 10 pm.

Bands in attendance will be Alcataraz, Purple Rain, DJ Cynthia, DJ Nik besides Konkani entertainment Frog – by Ben Evangelisto & troupe and duo show by Agnelo & Fredy. Various competitions like fancy dress, San Joao queen, coconut breaking, etc will be organised.

For details contact Stanley Pereira on 9767239123.

Cookery, bakery classes

PANJIM(HND): A comprehensive course on low fat bakery and cookery classes will be conducted from June 21 by Fatima Moniz in Margao.

The course includes cakes with decoration, desserts (hot & cold), pies, tarts (sweet & savoury), breads, cookies, souffles, mousses and veg/non-veg dishes. The cuisine will be Portugese, Goan, Continental, Italian, Indian etc. Cooking without eggs will also be taught. For details contact Fatima on 2776035 or 9370275702.

Night school classes

MARGAO (HR): The Adult Education and Welfare Association, Vidhyanagar-Margao will conduct the regular night school classes for Std VIII and Std IX for drop out and employed students between 6 pm to 9.30 pm at Housing Board school, Gogol near the government primary school.

Chairman Luis Alex Cardozo said the school is conducting the night classes since last 10 years. He said students who are interested should contact the school on mobile No 0422059808.

The school is recognised by the Education Department and by the Goa Board of secondary and higher secondary education, Porvorim, Cardozo added.

Indian Academy of Cytologists gains affiliation to EFCS HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, JUNE 14

A General Body meeting of Indian Academy of Cytologists was held recently at Edinburgh. At this meet it was finalized that the Indian Academy of Cytologists has been affiliated to the European Federation of Cytology Societies (EFCS). The Indian Academy of Cytologists which consists of Cytopathologists and Cytotechnologists in India and has a membership of around 1400 can now interact with the European Societies.

According to a press release, the Indian Academy of Cytologists was represented by Dr R G Wiseman Pinto- Past President of IAC and Professor and Head of Dept of Pathology Goa Medical College and Hospital.

The EFCS was represented by all the members of the European Federation. The President of the EFCS is Dr Fernando Smith for Portugal and the Secretary is Dr Phillipe Vielh from France.

The Indian Cytopathologists can now gain access to the tutorials, CME’s and conferences being held in Europe. The Cytopathologists form Europe will also visit India when the IAC organizes its Annual National Conferences and CME’s.

The diagnostic terminology for reporting the FNAC of Thyroid is also being discussed.

The EFCS has a Eurocytology programme where the learners can learn Cytology, E-Scan which is a network of European Pathologists and Cancer Prevention Programs; there would be also exchange of doctors, technology, information and common clinical studies between IAC and EFCS, Dr R G Wiseman Pinto has been instrumental in the affiliation of IAC to EFCS. The events and journals of EFCS would be now available to the Indian doctors; similarly the journals and events of India would be available to the European doctors, add the press release.

TAG’s workshop at Vasco school

Statistics Day celebration HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, JUNE 14

The Department of Planning, Statistics and Evaluation is gearing up to celebrate Statistics Day on June 29 to commemorate the birthday of the great Statistician Professor, P C Mohalanobis.

The main highlight of the celebration will be a cultural programme at Kala Academy. The occasion will be graced by Chief Minister Digambar Kamat as the chief guest and other important dignitaries.

Besides this a quiz competition on “socio-economic perspective of Goa” will be conducted at Directorate of Planning, Statistics and Evaluation, Junta House, 4th lift on June 24.

All the Departments in Goa are requested to send a team of 2 officers/officials and confirm their participation by June 16.

The Department will also organize a blood donation camp on June 25 and the general public is requested to come forward at DPSE, Junta House and donate blood for a social cause.

Names of the blood donors should be confirmed latest by June 20. For details contact V B Saxena on 9850685080 or Supriya Henriques on 9822166669, says a press release.

The students of Desterro High School performing a skit on the occasion.

HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, JUNE 14

Tiatr Academy Goa (TAG) organized recently a workshop on tiatr at Desterro High School, Vasco in collaboration with the school authorities. 45 students of Standard IX and all the teachers of the school attended the workshop and actively participated in the proceedings.

Tomazinho Cardozo, President of TAG gave the history of tiatr in brief and explained about the correct traditional format of tiatr. He also gave detailed information about songs (Kan-

taram) which are an integral part of tiatr.

Anil Kumar, a veteran tiatr artiste dealt with the direction of tiatr and explained the participants the various aspects of direction such as acting, stage setting, background music, light effects, etc. The students of Desterro High School presented a small skit on the occasion.

The headmistress Sarojini Sousa welcomed and Jyoti Panchal, theatre art teacher proposed the vote of thanks.

POWER SHUTDOWN JUNE 15

MAPUSA: Between 9 am to 5 pm. Areas affected are Greenpark, Bastora Paliem, St Anthony Waddo, Monte Guirim, entire Guirim, Bodgini and surrounding areas.

JUNE 16

PANJIM: Between 9 am to 5 pm. Areas affected are EDC house opposite Talaulikar Hospital, Amina building, Bullet showroom, Maratha Bhavan building, Lar Milrock, Premevera Building, Panjim Hotel, Sindurg building, Syaz complex, Mahalaxmi building, Vijayalakshmi apartment, Mayfair hotel building and surrounding areas.

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Failure to remove mud could lead NGO ‘sniffs’ murder in Cotigao woman’s death to floods: Bicholim Dy Collector HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, JUNE 14

HERALD CORRESPONDENT MAYEM, JUNE 14

Bicholim Deputy Collector Narayan Gaad on Monday expressed strong concern over the PWD’s failure to fully remove the mud near the Bicholim River.

Gaad also expressed concern over the Water Resource Department’s (WRD) reluctance to remove the de-silted mud from the rivulet near Shantadurga High School, Bicholim, despite arrival of the monsoon. The deputy collector feared of possible floods if the mud is not cleared at the earliest.

The deputy collector on Monday inspected flood precautionary work undertaken by WRD and PWD to avoid likely floods in Bicholim.

After inspecting, Gaad found that the PWD had not cleared the mud completely from the basin of the Bicholim River, while WRD has not removed the de-silted mud from Bicholim rivulet near Shantadurga High School, which is

Bicholim Deputy Collector Narayan Gaad inspects Bicholim Bridge and other areas.

Photo by Vishant Vaze

the main spot for the possible floods.

Bicholim MLA Rajesh Patnekar, Bicholim Municipal Council Chairperson Satish Gaonkar, WRD Engineer Assagaonkar were also present

during the visit.

“Due to a cold war between the WRD and PWD, innocent villagers will suffer despite spending Rs 8 crore on the works,” they stated.

Meanwhile, former BMC

councilor Shashimkant Naik Halarkar has also expressed concern over the work and has accused the concerned authorities of undertaking desiltation work without taking into consideration people’ views.

After raising hue and cry into the mysterious death of Nadia Torrado, Savera President Tara Kerkar has now turned her attention to the death of a 28year-old woman from Cotigao.

Savera President Tara Kerkar has suspected that the woman, who was reported missing in mid-February and found dead seven days ago, may have been murdered.

On Monday, Kerkar submitted a memorandum to Canacona Deputy Collector in the presence of the woman’s brother, Padi-Barcem Sarpanch Dattaram Gaonkar and South Goa ZP Deputy Chairman Khushali Velip alleging suspicion in the death of Shubhangi Subhash Gaonkar.

“We demand that the police should change the case earlier registered by them as unnatural death to murder and investigate it accordingly,” stated Kerkar.

Kerkar stated that the woman, originally from Quepem, was married somewhere in 2003-04 and had no children out of the wedlock.

“Her husband used to assault her with blows, kicks and sticks, thereby torturing her physically and mentally, while she was also harassed by other family members as she did not conceive.”

“Even though she had reportedly gone missing since

February 16, 2010, neither her husband nor anyone from her husband’s family made any efforts to look for her or even filed a missing report with police,” stated Kerkar in the memorandum.

“It was by sheer chance that one of the nieces, who incidentally visited Cotigao, told her her brother that the woman was not seen at her husband’s house. The brother then filed a missing complaint of his sister on February 18,” states the memorandum.

“Incidentally on the same day, the woman’s husband reported sick and was admitted in a government hospital for a few days.”

“However, her husband didn’t think fit to file a police complaint or go in search of his missing wife. As soon as body was handed over by police, he cremated the body without even informing her mother’s family members.”

“How did he perform her last rites without informing her maternal family or even her brother, when he did not made a single attempt to look out for her or even file a missing police report, which incidentally was filed by her brother,” asked Kerkar, who met Canacona PI Raju Raut Dessai on Monday.

Giving other details of the circumstances and the suspicious manner in which her husband and his other family behaved in the entire episode,

Since inception, S Goa flying squad has issued 26 stop work orders HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JUNE 14

POWER-PLAY: The digging of roads for laying of underground electricity cables which continues even after the onset of monsoons put motorists at Adaovaddo-Majorda out of gear. Incessant rains saw the mud of the open drains being washed along the narrow roads posing grave danger to the lives of motorists.

Speaker to get ex-NCC Achievers Award

Residents stop hill-cutting activity at Bandora

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JUNE 14

Twenty-six – That’s the total number of stop work orders issued by the flying squad in South Goa since Chief Minister Digambar Kamat announced constitution of the squads to check illegal hill cutting and land filling.

Thanks to the Village Groups of Goa, the flying squads were streamlined by the authorities to meet the requirements, even though sources in the know say the action initiated by the Town and Country Planning department is left much to be desired.

Deputy Collector, Margao Johnson Fernandes says the squad has so far issued a total of 26 stop work orders since the constitution of the squad.

“In Salcete alone, the squad had issued around 6-8 stop work orders either to stop hill cutting or illegal land filling. A couple of cases were also re-

ported from Mormugao Taluka as well”.

Sources in the know say it’s now left for the Town and Country Planning department to initiate action against the violators under section 17-A of the Town Planning Act. Incidentally, representatives of the Village Groups of Goa had last week bitterly complaint to Senior Town Planner Puttaraju over the inordinate delays by the Margao Town planner to lodge FIRs against the violators of the TCP Act. Puttaraju, however, sought to assuage ruffled feathers by asking the Town Planner, Margao to begin the process of lodging FIRs in all the 18 cases where stop work orders were issued by the flying squads.

As per Puttaraju’s instructions, the Town planners are mandated to complete the process of lodging FIRs with the police by coming Wednesday.

Fish vendors urge MMC to allow activity at old market Speaker of Goa Legislature Assembly Pratapsing Rane will be awarded The Navhind Times Ex-NCC Achievers Award, which will be presented on June 30, at International Centre, Dona Paula, at 4.45 pm.

The President of State Excadets NCC Association –Goa (SENA-GOA), Adv Avinash Bhosle addressing a press conference at the International Centre, Dona Paula said that Chief Minister Digambar Kamat who was also Ex-NCC Cadet will be the chief guest for the function.

Commissioner for NRI Affairs, Eduardo Faleiro will be the Special Guest.

Chief Minister Kamat was honoured last year as Ex-NCC Achiever with The The selection committee formed under the chairmanship of Dr Edward D’Lima has selected seven names for these achiever awards such as Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly and former Chief Minister Pratapsing Rane (Politics), Superintendent of Police Jose Allan de Sa (Goa Police Service), Director Sports Authority of India Roque Dias (Sports), Director Women & Child, Sanjeev Gadkar (Goa Civil Service), Adv. Ajitsingh Rane (Law), Former Superintendent of Police, Finton D’Souza (For his efforts to improve Civil Defence set up in the State), John Aguiar of Department of Information & Publicity ( Literature/Media).

Bhosle said that this was a motivational project which helps motive the young boys and girls to join NCC. NCC he said, helps the youths to make them strong and develop their personality. It brings positive qualities in the individual, he said.

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JUNE 14

Bandora villagers gathered in protest over hill-cutting activity.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARCEL, JUNE 14

Residents of Bandora-Ponda have stopped an ongoing hill-cutting activity, which is allegedly undertaken to construct a road for a proposed residential project at Navato Wado, Bandora.

According to the residents, the hill-cutting activities were undertaken during weekends and within a day shovel vehemently excavated earth and almost reached to the peak. However, the activity was stopped only after the residents contacted TCP’s flying squad, which visited the site and asked the contractor to stop the work immediately.

The residents have now demanded a stern action against the contractor and proprietor, who is learnt to be a local. The hill-cutting

work also allegedly axed many fruit-bearing trees.

“Our valuable fruit-bearing trees, including sandal wood trees, have been felled and I do not understand how such things are allowed, as the contractor freely destroyed our nature.

Authorities need to act on such cases or else what will remain is only a barren land,” said Shashi Nageshkar of Bandora.

In protest, about hundred of villagers, including Bandora Sarpanch Damodar Naik, gathered at the site.

Sarpanch Damodar Naik claimed that the panchayat did not give permission for hill cutting and assured the residents that he will not allow such illegality. However, Naik said the file pertaining to developing of plots in the area was ap-

Photo by Amresh Parab

proved by the TCP. “The file pertaining to plots was cleared few years ago, after the developer had acquired permissions from the Town and Country Planning Department. I don’t understand how the builder carried out such a massive hill cutting. We won’t allow such things in our panchayat jurisdiction,” said Naik.

Former Bandora sarpanch Shekhar Naik has urged the residents to stay united and not allow any more hill-cutting activity in the area.

“If people are united, then such activities can be nailed down and I urge the people not get carried away with political pressure. We must stand united to fight against such forces who are destroying our mother earth,” said Shekhar Naik.

One dies in Santa Cruz mishap HERALD CORRESPONDENT OLD GOA, JUNE 14

A 31-year-old native of Indore (MP) but residing at Loutolim died in a road mishap along the highway at Santa Cruz on Sunday evening.

According to police re-

ports, Victor Francis, a salesman for a mobile service network, was riding his TVS Victor motorcycle (GA-OA-H3112) from Panjim to Margao, when he went off the road and rammed into a tree near Luis and Co showroom at St

Cruz.

Old Goa Police said the rider sustained grievous head and spinal injuries and was shifted to the GMC hospital at Bamboim, where he breathed his last while undergoing treatment.

Fish and other vendors operating from the old fish market called on the Margao Municipal Chairperson Savio Coutinho and made a fervent appeal to him not to crack a whip against their activity.

They maintained that vendors engaged in the activity at the old fish market and surrounding area are mostly Goans and eke a living on the small time business.

They feared immediate crackdown by the Margao Municipal authorities as the vendors were issued a warning by one of the Market inspector to stop the activity or face action.

The vendors impressed upon the Chairperson that they have nowhere to go and appealed that they be spared from the imminent action.

The chairperson gave the vendors a patient hearing and assured to discuss the matter with the Chief Officer Y B Tawde.

Sources in the know said the market inspector issued the warning to the fish and other vendors to stop the activity with immediate effect. What suddenly made the authorities to stop the activity remains unknown, but sources in the know said it comes against the backdrop of the similar action initiated by the Civic body against illegal fish vending at the pick-up stand.

Incidentally, the Chairperson is believed to have questioned the Chief Officer over the decision of the market inspector to selectively target the fish vendors when the very same inspector has been found

n They maintained that vendors engaged in the activity at the old fish market and surrounding area are mostly Goans and eke a living on the small time business. wanting in his duties in clearing encroachments in the Municipal markets.

Sources in the know said the Civic body had in the past attempted to clear the fish vendors from the old fish market, but in vain.

Kerkar demanded that the woman’s husband, his mother and other siblings should be questioned by the police to bring out actual facts.

While speaking to scribes, Kerkar compared this case to that of Nadia’s death presently rocking the State.

According to Kerkar, police do not take cognizance of complaints lodged by the common man seriously and simply close

investigations into such mysterious deaths as suicide cases.

Meanwhile, according to Canacona police, the autopsy report conducted on the remains of the woman remained inconclusive, as the body was found in highly decomposed state.

However, her right arm has been preserved and will be sent for forensic analysis at Chennai, informed the police.

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INDIA

GOA, tuesdAy, 15 june, 2010

India asks Pak to shed sense of insecurity HERALD BUREAU NEW DELHI, JUNE 14

India on Monday called for evolving “creative solutions” to settle Kashmir problem, while urging Pakistan to “shed its insecurity” psyche and not see India’s growth in subjective or negative terms.

Addressing a close door session on Afghanistan—India— Pakistan trialogue organised by Delhi Policy Group (DPG), Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao admitted that a progress on Jammu and Kashmir was made on the basis of an understanding with Pakistan that boundaries could not be redrawn.

The text of Rao’s speech made public here stated that the idea of understanding was to make boundaries irrelevant and people on both sides of the LoC be able to move freely and trade with one another.

“Towards this goal, a number of cross-LoC CBMs were put in place, which included the opening of five crossing points on the LOC; introduction of triple entry permits; increase in frequency of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalkot bus services; starting of cross-LOC trade on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalakote routes through movement of trucks, etc,” she said.

Ahead of the series of IndiaPakistan engagements, Foreign Secretary Rao called for reaffirming the progress and building on achievements through complex negotiations and showing patience at the same

time. “On the way forward, we have to build on these achievements. We also have to reaffirm the progress made through complex negotiations and dialogue through patient and unsung effort whether in the composite dialogue or back channel diplomacy, during this period. We must seek creative solutions,” she told the conference.

Emphasising that as the two countries commence the exercise of overcoming the difficulties in the relationship, Rao said India seeks a stable, peaceful and economically progressing Pakistan. "Secondly, we sincerely desire peace with Pakistan. Thirdly, we have to learn to live with the asymmetries in our sizes and capabilities. Such differences of scale should not deter us from working with each other. Pakistan should shed its insecurity on these counts," she said, adding that India has exhibited a true restraint, despite "misguided and serious provocations".

She asked Pakistan to prevent the entry of radical ideology into the domain of religion, and, the consequent implications for peace and security between India and Pakistan, making differences over Kashmir even more difficult.

"Radical, terrorist forces are also increasingly battling for larger space in a deadly struggle that seeks to overwhelm moderate, democratic forces in Pakistani civil society," the Foreign Secretary said. "The writ-

ing on the wall must be seen," she said.

Terrorism as a continuation of war by other means and the use of terrorist groups selectively as strategic assets against India cannot and must not continue, she said.

"As an intrinsic part of the long-term vision of relations it desires with India, Pakistan must act effectively against those terrorist groups that seek to nullify and, to destroy the prospects of peace and cooperation between our two countries," Rao said in her address. She said the road ahead is a long and winding one. “But as fellow travellers, India and Pakistan must tackle the challenges of this rocky road with the belief that a secure and prosperous future vitally and crucially depends on our ability to do so."

The remarks come ahead of the meetings between the Foreign Secretaries this month and Foreign Ministers next month who have been directed by their respective Prime Ministers to work out the modalities of restoring trust and confidence in the relationship thus paving the way for a substantive dialogue on all issues of mutual concern.

Noting that geographical contiguity and shared history, ethnic and linguistic affinities, and similar developmental challenges have not induced an inevitable congruity between the interests of the two, Rao said "That is the tragedy of our relationship.

Home Ministry to raise own BRO for naxal areas HERALD BUREAU NEW DELHI, JUNE 14

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) is understood to have cleared a proposal for the Home Ministry to raise its own construction force alike the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for undertaking construction of roads and bridges in the Maoist-affected areas.

The Indian Army will provide its officers from the Corps of Engineers initially to build up the new organisation, the Home Ministry sources said.

The Corps is the backbone of BRO raised in 1960 to build and maintain roads in the border areas.

The initial proposal was to engage the BRO in the Maoistaffected areas but it was dropped after reviewing the big workload entrusted to it to construct a network roads on the borders of China to match the all-weather roads it has

built on the other side, sources said.

They said the CCS noted very poor road communication network in the tribal areas in the grip of the Maoist ultras.

Responsibility of building roads in the states rests with their public works department (PWD) who mostly engage private contractors for the job.

The CCS noted that the Maoists not only extract money from the contractors to allow their machinery in the areas under their control but also prevent construction of any roads in the sensitive areas.

Since the state governments do not provide the needed police protection to the contractors to carry out works, the CCS felt the Home Ministry should have an organisation that undertakes construction of roads and bridges on its own, without engaging the contractors, sources said,

pointing out that such an organisation will have own security apparatus to take on the Maoists if they obstruct the construction.

The budget for the organisation will come from the funds allotted by the Home Ministry to the state governments for development works in the Maoist-affected areas.

The organisation will be raised with the help of the officers of the Corps of Engineers with the BRO and engineers of the Central Public Works Department (CPWD). It will be headed by an Army General.

The Indian Army is opposed to take over the anti-Naxal operations on the ground that its personnel are not trained for civilian duties of a police force.

It is, however, not opposed to spare a sizeable number of engineers, both civilian and military, from BRO for the proposed organisations, sources added.

Jat leaders suspend agitation, water supply to resume to Delhi PTI GHAZIABAD, JUNE 14

Protesting Jat leaders, who had stopped water supply from here to Delhi demanding reservation in government jobs, today suspended their agitation after talks with government officials.

The agitation by Akhil Bharatiya Jat Sangarsh Samiti (ABJSS) in Muradnagar in Ghaziabad since last night had hit water supply across the national capital from the Upper Ganga Canal.

Almost all areas in South and East Delhi faced cuts in water supply due to the agitation by local BKU and Lok Dal leaders, Jal Board officials in Delhi said.

District Magistrate R Ramesh Kumar said that full water supply to Delhi will be restored in a day or two as two keys at the waterworks have been damaged by the protestors.

He told PTI that ABJSS leader Choudhary Yashpal Malik agreed to suspend the agitation after talks with representatives of the Central and state governments.

Officials said that the protesting leaders will hold detailed talks with the government representatives on the demand for reservation in government jobs and in higher education as also amendment to the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, to ban same gotra weddings in the Jat community.

Malik said that the agitation would be resumed if the talks failed to find a way out in a day or two.

The District Magistrate made it clear that security forces would remain deployed at the waterworks and nobody would be allowed to take the law into their hands.

Two major water treatment plants, Sonia Vihar and Bhagirathi, which get water from the Upper Ganga canal, could not function this morning due to non-supply of water. They cater to 40 per cent water requirements of Delhi.

Irrigation department said that water supply to Delhi may remain suspended for two days as the waterworks would need some repairs. Water, once re-

leased, takes at least five hours to reach Delhi.

Meanwhile, a burst in a major pipeline in Haiderpur also resulted in water cut in Palam and other neighbouring areas.

The pipeline burst yesterday and Delhi Jal Board engineers were working to restore the water supply, a senior DJB official said.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said she was very "disturbed" over the water crisis in the city and assured the people that all steps will be taken to restore water supply to the city.

Centre to send forces to remove Manipur blockade PTI NEW DELHI, JUNE 14

Taking a tough stand, the Centre today decided to send security forces to remove the 65-day-old blockade by Naga groups of the two national highways, which has created a severe shortage of essential commodities in Manipur.

"We have decided to send Central forces to remove the blockade," Home Secretary G K Pillai told PTI. National Highways 39 (Imphal-Dimapur) and 53 (ImphalSilchar), passing through Nagaland and connecting Manipur, have been blocked by different Naga groups since April 11 to protest Manipur government's refusal to allow

NSCN leaders T Muivah's entry into Manipur to visit his ancestral home.

Pillai said that the chief secretaries of Nagaland and Manipur will meet on Wednesday to review the situation there.

The economic blockade has pushed Manipur on the verge of a breakdown with stocks of all essentials commodities, including baby food and life saving drugs, almost drying up.

The All Naga Students' Association had launched the blockade to protest holding of elections to six autonomous district councils in the Hills which, it alleged, were given not enough power to carry out development works.

OHERALDO

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OPINION

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www.oheraldo.in

O HERALD O

The Changing Face of Goan Politics

Vol No CX No: 153 Goa, Tuesday 15 June, 2010

How to plug the transfer loophole

T

he central government has come up with a formula to prevent the big babus from pulling strings to avoid transfers. For all these years, Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) officers of the AGMU cadre would do anything − pretend to be ill, persuade their seniors to use their clout or even offer to work on deputation in the central government − to avoid being posted in the NorthEast, in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands or in Lakshadweep.

Now, things are changing.

AGMU is an abbreviation for the states − Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram and the Union Territories of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Delhi, Chandigarh, Puducherry, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli − that share the same cadre of IAS and IPS officers. Now, the Home Ministry has come up with a scheme that it hopes will force members of these two elite services to serve their mandatory tenures in Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and the Andaman & Nicobar (A&N) islands and Lakshadweep.

The AGMU states have been divided into three categories, in descending order of ‘desirability’ of posting. The ministry has now worked out the precise number of years that each IAS and IPS officer has to spend in each of the three categories of states and union territories, depending on the difficulty in serving in these places.

According to the new formula, IAS officers entitled to hold senior time scale posts can serve only six years in Delhi, and have to spend five years in ‘hard’ areas such as Arunachal, Mizoram and the Andamans. The remaining three of the 14 years that they generally serve in this scale can be in ‘Category B’ territories like Goa, Chandigarh and Puducherry.

According to the plan worked out, the first IAS and IPS officers to get transfers would be those who have spent a larger part of their careers in Delhi and the least tenure in hard areas. To make sure that officers don’t get to pull strings, the new norms require transfer orders at chief secretary or DGP/IGP level to be decided by the home minister. All other assignments are to be decided by the union home secretary.

A list of officers of the AGMU cadre is being prepared, and it will form the basis of deciding transfers according to the new rule. All that remains, we are told, is for Home Minister P Chidambaram to sign the new policy.

But doesn’t this story sound familiar? Doesn’t it sound like a situation much closer to home, where Goa government servants of every description use every trick in the book, and then some more, to avoid being posted away from the closest town or village from where they live?

Maybe the government, if it is at all really interested in the welfare of the ‘Aam Admi’, could implement a similar system for government employees in Goa, by categorising posts according to ‘hardship’ and ensuring that each employee spends at least a minimum number of years in each category. That would really make a difference.

Mumbai opts for Ro-Ro ferry

W

hile our kickback-focussed politicians continue to salivate over a Rs1,000-crore Vasco-Dona Paula sea-link bridge, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has proposed a Ro-Ro (roll over- roll off) ferry service from from Mumbai to Mandva, across the harbour.

The service will help people take their vehicles from Mumbai by boat, reducing the distance to Goa by three hours.

A fast Ro-Ro ferry from Panjim to Vasco would decongest National Highway 17, save fuel and speed up travel between the two cities. But what is practical and convenient for the public, doesn’t necessarily serve the interests of the politician…

‘Vishaka’ committees Auda Viegas, President, Bailancho Ekvott Both the assailant and the victim in Sunday’s daylight stabbing in Margao (‘Jilted lover stabs girl to death in Margao’, Herald, 14 June) were employed in a reputed hotel in the heart of the city. The girl was being harassed at her work place over a one-sided love affair, which eventually culminated in murder.

It is not known whether these hotels and commercial establishments have in place a policy to deal with sexual harassment at the workplace, as per the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court in the ‘Vishaka vs State of Rajasthan’ case. Had the employers nipped the problem in the bud, this gruesome murder could have been averted.

100 Years Ago

PRIMEIRO DIARIO NAS COLONIAS PORTUGEZAS

15 June 1910 Link Road It is impossible to transverse the road which from Verem links to Saligao. The authorities are requested to look into the matter.

Torrential Rains

After a torrid summer, it has begun raining torrentially over the Capital City.

Tiger Trapped A ferocious tiger is assailing the Village of Solpem to which the villagers, after two pairs of oxen were found seriously mauled, opted to lay a trap. However, only a hyena was found ensnared.

Treaty Discussion In the near future, a conference to be held at The Hague will discuss the new extradition treaty.

Why not think of bringing those who vote with no thought of stable governance to dock, asks Pachu mEnon

A

letter to the editor appearing in one of the local dailies correctly summed up the political scenario that is prevalent in the state today. The part where the writer describes his ‘foolish audacity’ to stand for an assembly election and the consequential snubbing by a well meaning neighbour, who had the cheek to inform him that in spite of being a good man he would not do ‘their work’, should come as an eye-opener to many who want to plunge into the political arena and change the whole system.

The “you scratch my back and I will scratch yours” tone with which every aspiring candidate is greeted and encouraged, leaves nothing to the imagination. When the electorate itself has no compunctions about expecting their elected representatives to promote corruption and nepotism, why should it cry foul when, in a sudden flash, their leaders are caught with their pants down, literally?

The initial period, when a newly elected member learns the ropes, is nothing less than an initiation into the mannerisms of ‘flowing with the tide’, graduating into devising flagrant ways of flaunting and bending the law of the land. The first stint in the house goes into cementing one’s place in the order of things – the alliances and loyalties that will decide one’s political future.

The growing power and the consequential riches gradually become addictive.

There are a few who appear to be in a hurry and intent on scaling the peaks in a jiffy. I would call these contenders ‘the by default’ members.

They are the dark horses in multi-cornered contests who triumph due to splitting of votes.

Unsure of an encore, a sense of insecurity drives them into acting insensibly. Some cling on purely on the strength of their bargaining power, others resort to muscle power.

Politicians have two ways of being noticed.

Some prefer working silently in the knowledge that as elected representatives they owe it to their constituents to strive for their welfare and betterment and, in the process, bring about allround development.

The others are seen hollering, threatening the

Political angSt government over unrelated issues. They thrive on scandals and controversies. Their money and muscle-power creates this arrogance. Though the later variety is more ‘visible’, it is the former that go on to become seasoned politicians, leaving a lasting impression on the state or national polity.

Goa is today agog with reports of the misdemeanours of former Tourism Minister Francisco ‘Mickky’ Pacheco. Mickky, very much like our dear Lalu, represented a new trend in politics. A macho, non-caring image; the top buttons of his designer shirts undone; sleeves rolled up and trendy sunglasses atop a balding forehead, he looked everything but the high-profile cabinet minister that he was.

His devil-may-care attitude almost always put him in spots of bother. He had a penchant for showing aggression in unusual ways. Every inch of his persona was an antithesis of the traditional politician. Why then should such a person be called a man of the masses; a leader who was, not once or twice, but three straight times elected

Five times, Why?

Question Everthing

A

fter World War II, Japanese plastic toys imported into Goa were scorned for their lamentable quality. The quality revolution, led by US experts Deming and Juran in the ’50s using statistical methods and quality management tools revolutionised manufacturing approaches in Japan and transformed it into a high quality powerhouse.

One of the quality management issues is to identify the root cause of a problem that typically differs from the immediate cause – a technique that does not require academic qualifications; Std X or XII will do –is ‘Five Times Why’, developed by Toyota and now an integral part of branded methodologies like Six Sigma. It consists of asking the question ‘Why’ five times. The number five is not cast in stone, and can vary. Take the following fictitious example: The MV River Princess drifts away from Panjim port’s outer anchorage during stormy weather.

Why #1: Why did the MV River Princess drift away? Because it was not properly anchored for stormy weather.

Why #2: Why was it not anchored properly? Because the pilot did not know it would storm.

Why #3: Why did he not know that? Because he had not consulted the weather forecast.

Why #4: Why had he not consulted it? Because he was thirsty and in a hurry to go for a drink.

Even though the immediate cause is inadequate stabilisation of

The District Magistrate should put in place a time-bound programme to ensure that all commercial establishments and hotels employing women should set up ‘Vishaka’ committees forthwith.

from his constituency? Isn’t the electorate at fault then?

Goan politics could well be described as a village (and, sometimes, city) where, at the drop of a hat, a dozen contestants stake claims for a party-ticket. Councillors and panchayat presidents, doctors and engineers – the increasing numbers of independents in the fray for every poll is an indication. A local TV channel very sarcastically mentioned that of one of the prominent villages in South Goa had the rare distinction of electing only ‘tainted candidates’ to the assembly for the past 30 years; a record of sorts. Some of the political big-wigs in the state love to court controversy; getting involved in scandals and scams is their main forte!

We whine about our own people turning marauders and plundering this wonderful land. Instead of accusing the politicians, why don’t we think of bringing those villagers to book who exercised their franchise without any thought for stable governance in the state? We elect them

the ship, the root cause is poor awareness of staff. The solution is improved training and a checklist of activities to be accomplished before disembarking.

Lately, Goa is being called the rape capital of India. Applying the ‘Five Times Why’ technique gives an unexpected answer: Why #1: Why is there a high incidence of rape in Goa? Because Goan men cannot control themselves.

Why #2: Why can’t they control themselves? Because they possess alarmingly high levels of testosterone.

Why #3: Why do they possess high levels of testosterone? Because their diet consists of aphrodisiacal foods.

Why #4: Why do they consume aphrodisiacs? Because they are traditional, highly prized, easily available.

Why #5: Why are they easily available? Because there is no law prohibiting them.

Unbelievable but true, it is the diet that needs to change. The eminent 16th century Dutch scholar and physician Bernard ten Broecke, better known as Dr Paludanus, who studied Indian fruits, states that roasted jackfruit seeds “increase lust, for which cause they are most used to bee eaten”. Further, he claims that cashew nuts “…being a little roasted are eaten in that sort, and used to provoke lust”. He relates that according to Serapio, bananas, which he calls ‘Indian figs’, “make men apt for leacherie”. So the consumption of bananas, roasted cashew nuts and jackfruit seeds

Letter of the Day

MPT: White elephant

Stephen Dias, Dona Paula

Errol D’Souza, Porvorim

Being a retired employee of the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Goa, I have been closely associated with active research carried out in the marine coastal ecosystem of Goa by the scientific community here. It was gratifying to read Dr Joe D’Sousa’s article ‘Goa coastal environment struggling to survive’ (Herald, 4 June). He has extensively studied and recorded the changes occurring in our marine environment owing to unplanned development during his tenure at Goa University.

The alarming rate at which our marine genetic biodiversity is dwindling from increased levels of pollution and haphazard growth of underwater constructions resorted to by the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) and commercial ventures is a matter of grave concern. Dr D’Sousa’s suggestion – that a monitoring squad should assess the damage to marine bio-productivity and fish stock owing to MPT expansion – is long overdue.

The sea link across the Zuari Bay connecting Dona Paula to Vasco, entry of cruise liners and boosting MPT cargo handling capacity beyond sustainable limits will lead to erosion of sand on our beaches and infest them with tar balls and coke particles.

Mangroves in our estuaries are rapidly vanishing. Rocky shores are emerging and the unscientific growth of MPT is threatening our livelihoods and our living.

Could the Goa government find out why not a single niz Goenkar is on the Board of Trustees of MPT? Goans must be on the MPT Board of Trustees, to safeguard the rights of our coming generations. Would Chief Minister Digamber Kamat care to listen to my appeal, read Dr D’Souza’s article, and act promptly in the interest of locals?

Improve courier service Irene Araujo, St Cruz I was surprised when my courier dated 10 May by Midway Adan (Mumbai) connected in Goa by Superfast Track courier reached me only on 19 May. How can it take a courier so long for delivery? My several enquiries to the office proved to no avail. One gentleman I spoke to cound neither understand my name nor the name of the place where I stay. Another actually disconnected the call as I was speaking. No one was in a position to help me.

The courier offices need to be wellequipped with efficient staff. Fluency in a variety of languages is a must to make their work easier while interacting with customers. They must have additional staff to cope with busy routines. Customers are put to inconvenience if the lone person is busy handling another client. Most important, staff need to be given proper guidance about how to deal politely with customers.

Give it to CBI Irineu Gonsalves, Verna The Crime Branch has ruled out the possi-

By Bernardo Elvino de Sousa needs to be urgently and immediately banned in Goa for men under 60.

A team chaired by Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, who is impartial since he does not depend on Goans’ votes, comprising the Ministers of Health, Home, Tourism and Goa Rajya Sabha MP Shantaram Naik – who has expressed strong views on the subject – will need to meet to apply the ‘Five Times Why’ technique to address this and other ills that afflict Goa, such as the MV River Princess that, in June, celebrates a decade of stability – a role model for Goa’s governments.

The discussions can be captured on CCTV – as suggested by the chief minister – and serve as a case study for the Goa Institute of Management. In order to keep a clear mind, they must avoid alcoholic beverages during these discussions and, since the law applies equally to everyone, they will not be allowed to nibble on roasted cashew nuts or eat bananas.

The honourable ministers, however, need not thirst during their deliberations and can indulge in a viable alternative – Dr Paludanus has only praise for another ubiquitous beverage: “This water being drunke, is very good against the heate of the liver and the kidnies, and cleanseth the yard from corruption and filthie matter.” He refers to coconut water. The honorable MP can be exempted; he is over 60.

The author can be contacted at: bedesousa.ch@gmail.com

Letters to the Editor

Violence: Modern trend?

The news item ‘Jilted lover stabs girl to death in Margao’ (Herald, 14 June) is shocking. But it is not the first time that such a gruesome incident has taken place in Goa or elsewhere.

Nowadays, there seems to be no time to sit down like civilised people and sort out problems; to say ‘sorry’. From road rage to family and property disputes and even love affairs gone sour, violence is the modern trend. Killing a human nowadays is like killing a fly; without a second thought.

There is too much violence in movies and video games. This preys on the human mind. What is this hi-tech world coming to?

and spend the next five years complaining about their faults and errors; for siphoning millions into their private accounts at our cost.

But we are never heard cursing ourselves for that one thoughtless ‘electronic click’ that sealed our fates; we apparently do not even rue that tactless folly. An editorial in a leading daily went so far to state that “the irresponsibility of voters has got a lot to do with the political instability that has been the state’s longest surviving plague”.

How very true.

A newly inducted minister, a newcomer to mainstream politics, was overheard saying that he should not be called a greenhorn, as there is nothing called ‘inexperience’ in politics. According to him, the proximity of the people and years of public service is enough to qualify one as a thoroughbred. What logic!

We definitely have been flippant. An unwarranted caution when deciding on our representatives has quite often resulted in the same fare being dished out in different names. In spite of having a host of alternatives, we continue sticking to the ‘tried and tested’ ones. We cry for change, but have no ardent wish to contribute our mite – we would rather be led.

Discussions in pubs and taverns over a ‘quarter’ and disagreeing over the policies of the government serve no purpose, and will always be ‘tipsy arguments’. Purportedly, the best pastime today is to hurl abuses at politicians, those whom we have collectively ‘endorsed’ as our rulers, albeit in the comfort of our homes – for fear of the ‘sanctions’ they may impose upon us.

We relish the voyeuristic pleasures gained by peeping into their private lives. Insolence on their part could well be ascribed to their supreme confidence that their personal matters can never become public. Savouring the publicity afforded by the media, they appear to be least bothered by gnawing pains of conscience at the seriousness of the accusations levelled against them. Till such time that the elected representatives are forced to assume responsibility for all their acts of omission and commission, we, the general public, will continue to wallow in self-pity.

bility of Nadia consuming Ratol by mistake.

The main actor in the soap opera is on the run, and has once again unveiled his dark side. A man in public life should not run away. He should have stuck to his demand of judicial enquiry. By turning a fugitive, he has muddied the water.

What an irony! The man who termed Goa as the ‘rape capital of India’, who ensured that John Fernandes was jailed, is himself in hiding. But police need to show the same enthusiasm in investigating drug and excise scams. It would be in the fitness of things if the cases are handed over to the CBI.

For the people Eulalia A D’Mello, Fatorda Sajla Chawla’s middle, ‘The ugly power nexus’ (Herald, 14 June), is great. I couldn’t agree with her more. As a society we have meekly accepted and tolerated incompetent and corrupt leaders just because of their money and muscle power. We could definitely do with a Tehelka movement to nail and jail all corrupt politicians, policemen

and government employees.

But what about rich industrialists and businessmen, who can threaten and bribe these people? How does one bring them to task? Even common people today threaten to call up some minister they know when they want their work done.

It is our right to get our jobs done if we follow all the rules; why do we need ministers’ favours?

We need a police force and government that is of the people and for the people, not of the rich people and for the rich people.

Closer to home Glestone, Cuncolim Before 2 December 1984, everything seemed perfect in Bhopal. Then water entered tank 610 containing 42 tonnes of methyl isocyanate, venting toxic gas into the atmosphere and killing 20,000 people – eight thousand in the first week itself.

Lakhs of people suffer till this day.

In Goa, too, people living around industrial areas suffer kidney disorders and other ailments, including cancer. Like in the Mickky

Pacheco case, the government never takes action unless the people revolt. We would appreciate NGOs on women’s rights more if they step up to fight factories polluting Goa’s ground water, and the corrupt politicians that have sold Goa to them.

CM’s growing assets Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar Chief Minister Digambar Kamat may continue to live in his old flat in Margao even after becoming CM, but he also enlighten the people of Goa on the astronomical growth of his assets and those of his family and business associates, first after he became a minister and then over the last three years as chief minister.

Could this be the real reason why the government has kept the proposal for a Lokayukta to check corruption in cold storage?

Digambar Kamat may be India’s only chief minister who can be contacted on his mobile phone. But sweet words over the phone, without any concrete action, are no succour for the common man.

Goa needs Maoists?

Vincent Rego, Dubai Today, everyone calls Maoists as terrorists; but those who do so are fools. Maoists are fighting for tribals’ basic rights. They were not professional fighters, but mere adivasis.

Our adamant and reluctant government has converted them into guerillas.

Instead of finding the root cause of the problem, the government goes after Maoists. It does not want to listen to tribals nor solve their actual problems. Rather, it backs land sharks and business houses to encroach on their area; and the tribals are hell-bent to protect their sacred land from such destruction. What they are supposed to do? Just sit and watch…?

The same thing is happening in Goa. The government is not bothered to stop the destruction of our beautiful Goa. Illegal mining, hill cutting, land conversion, and mega projects are turning our villages into concrete jungles. Instead of stopping this menace, the government is encouraging it; until people take to the streets in protest.

The only difference is that Maoists protest with guns, while Goans protest with words.

Paths of Wisdom Gautam Buddha and the cruel butcher

There was once a Butcher who was a very mean and wicked man. Never in his life had he ever done any meritorious deeds. His job was slaughtering pigs and he loved it, often torturing them mercilessly before putting them to death. One day he got very sick and finally died, but before he died he suffered such agony that he crawled around on his hands and knees for days, squealing and grunting like a pig being slaughtered.

It so happened that the butcher’s home was within ear’s reach of the monastery where the Buddha and his monks were staying. When the bhikkhus heard the desperate squeals coming from his house, they assumed that the miserable butcher was at his cruel work again and shook their heads in great disapproval. The squeals and grunts went on for several days until, one day, they stopped just as suddenly as they had begun. The monks could not help but remark to each other how wicked and hard-hearted the butcher was for having caused his poor animals so much pain and suffering.

The Buddha overheard what they were saying and said, “Bhikkhus, the butcher was not slaughtering his pigs.

He was very ill and in such great pain that he was acting like the pigs he used to enjoy inflicting pain upon. His bad kamma had finally caught up with him. Today he died and was reborn in a woeful state of existence.”

The Buddha then exhorted his disciples to be alert at doing good, for anyone who did evil deeds would have to suffer for them. There was no way to escape from one’s evil deeds, he warned his disciples. Here he grieves, hereafter he grieves.

The evildoer grieves in both existences.

He grieves and he suffers anguish when he remembers his impure deeds.

(Source : Dhammapada Stories )

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GOA, TUESDAY, 15 JUNE, 2010

oPinionated World cup fever

By Kashyap Shinkre

F

IFA World Cup 2010, billed as the greatest sporting festival on earth, has begun. As football crazy Goans watch this sporting spectacle avidly live on TV, it is time to reminisce this wonderful tournament from a Goan perspective: It was in 1970, as a ten- year-old football fan that I became aware of the World Cup being held in Mexico. It was also the first time I heard about the greatest football player on earth, Pele, whose team Brazil, perhaps the greatest team in the history of the World Cup, won the tournament with ease. Unfortunately there was no TV coverage in those days and with India's pathetic communication network, we could get only sporadic news about the event. We would be regaled by the World Cup titbits by our own Gulfies and NRGs. Having watched the matches live in other parts of the world, it was an ideal opportunity for them to impress us with their knowledge.

This maiden event had created an everlasting bond with me, and it has grown stronger with successive world cups.

The 1974 World Cup was dominated by Holland, led by Johann Cruyff. But the hosts West Germany somehow managed to win the tournament. In 1978, the event was hosted by Argentina. I think we were fortunate to hear running commentary of the matches for the first time. Mario Kempes and Oswaldo Ardilles were the stars of Argentina, who were the winners that year.

Italy won the 1982 World Cup with the legendary goalkeeper Dino Zoff lifting the trophy. Unfortunately again, since TV came to Goa only in time for the 1982 Asian Games- a good four months after the World Cup. I remember some of us soccer fans going to Hotel Silver Sands in Colva where they were showing videos of those games. That was the first time I saw a World Cup match on the telly.

By 1986, the entire Nation was linked to TV. As the World Cup began, the sloth Doordarshan refused to telecast the matches live. There was a furious uproar in football crazy West Bengal with the CM threatening to beam the matches live independently. Bowing to the public pressure, the government was forced to intervene and for the first time we Indians were treated to live telecasts of the matches. And what a treat it was! We were fortunate to see the dazzling Maradona, scoring the infamous “hand of God” goal, and then within four minutes, “the greatest goal of the 20th century” against England. Needless to say Argentina lifted the trophy in 1986.

The 1990 and 1994 World Cup tournaments were mediocre in terms of the quality of football; with Germany led by Lothar Matthaus and Brazil led by their present coach Dunga,winning respectively. Who can forget the miss by “divine pony tail” Roberto Baggio in the penalty shootout in the final in 1990.

The only positive thing that came from these two World Cups, was the coming of age of Africa as the new emerging superpower of football on the world stage. It was a treat to watch the free flowing football of these abundantly gifted Africans.

In 1998, when France hosted the cup, we were treated to the sublime skills of Zinedine Zidane of France, then an unknown player plying his trade for Juventus in Italy, who became the superstar of the World Cup, scoring two goals in finals against the mighty Brazilians. It was also the mysterious seizure suffered by the Brazilian star Ronaldo on the eve of finals which made it all the more intriguing. The class of Zidane won the maiden cup for France that year.

Come 2002, for the first time the honour of hosting the World Cup was given to Asia, with Japan and South Korea jointly hosting the World Cup. We Goans who were used to watching the matches in the night, with the glass that cheers, had to watch these matches early in the evening, which again was a strange feeling. Brazil won the World Cup but our Asian hosts, both Japan and South Korea showed the world how far Asian countries had progressed by reaching the knockout rounds of the World Cup. The 2006 World Cup will be remembered more for the event other than pure football. The head butting of Italian defender Materazzi by Zidane in the final, for which he got the red card in the last match of his great career, will remain etched in our memory for a long time to come. Insipid Italy won the World Cup on penalties that year.

Back to 2010, for the first time an African country, South Africa, is hosting the World Cup. Which country will win the Cup this year is the question on the minds of all Goans. Football fever is already evident in Goa. This is the first time there are no clear favourites to lift the trophy.

We Goans have traditionally supported two teams; Brazil for their artistry and Portugal for obvious reasons. I can only say, let the best team win the Cup this year. But be sure; come World Cup and one is likely to see many bleary eyed Goans on the street, what with most of the matches scheduled to start only at midnight. Attendance will be poor in most of the offices; work will come to a standstill, with all talk hovering around previous day's matches. Flags of the favourite teams will be proudly flying high on the houses of the supporters.

Restaurants showing the matches live on giant screens will be filled to the brim. One has to be in Goa to know and experience this unique fever!

Films, games, books - Indian epic characters on a roll!

PTI NEW DELHI, JUNE 12

It seems that the Indian epics are the flavour of the season with new Bollywood releases such as "Rajneeti" and "Ravana," said to be loosely based on the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.

Films, television, theatre, fiction, comics, games ... various creatives are increasingly dipping into Indian mythology for inspiration, interpreting and adapting them into contemporary contexts.

Theatre artist Robin Kumar Singh, who has essayed stage roles of epic characters says," When we make a film, we cater to our audience which continues to remain fascinated by mythology. That is why directors want to make films on them."

The market is also flooded with books based on Indian mythology.

While Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's "The Palace of Illusions" retells the story of Mahabharata from Draupadi's view point, management author Gurcharan Das has used teachings of the epic to highlight everyday decision making.

Meanwhile, Karan Vir Arora's Vimanika comics has brought out graphic novels on "The Legend Of Karna" and "Dashaavatar."

"Readers have an interest in such novels. Even Tagore's Gitanjali has many modifications and the initial sales of such novels are very good," says Rajnaath, a senior salesman with a leading retail bookshop here.

On the small screen B R Chopra's magnum opus 'Mahabharata' and Ramanand Sagar's larger-than-life 'Ramayana' are still considered to be path-breaking creations in the history of Indian television.

A whole host of televison serials including animated versions of the epics have become popular with children. The animation industry in India has been quick to realise this trend and so a spree of animated movies have been released, besides several cartoon shows like 'Chhota Bheem' and 'Little Krishna'.

"Although I think that the old Mahabharata and the Ramayana are the best, these cartoons are a good way to teach children about our deities," says Karan Mehra, a software engineer.

Bhopal Gas tragedy: PM Over 100 Indians trapped in violence-hit Kyrgyz city asks GoM to meet PTI NEW DELHI, JUNE 14

With questions being raised over handling of the Bhopal gas tragedy, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today directed the Group of Ministers headed by Home Minister P Chidambaram to meet "immediately" and report to the Cabinet within ten days.

The GoM has been asked to assess the options and remedies available to the government in the light of the Bhopal court's verdict in the gas tragedy case.

"The Prime Minister has directed that the GoM headed by Home Minister and constituted to look into all issues relating to Bhopal gas disaster, may meet immediately to take stock of the situation arising out of the recent court judgement to assess the options and remedies available to the government on the various issues involved and to report to the Cabinet within ten days," a PMO spokesman said.

The GoM was reconstituted last week to go into a range of issues including the relief and rehabilitation of victims and their families.

Nearly 26 years after the disaster left over 15,000 dead, former Union Carbide India Chairman Keshub Mahindra and six others were sentenced to two years imprisonment.

After Union Carbide chief Warren Anderson was allowed to leave the country, the Opposition slammed the then Congress governments both at the Centre

Bhopal Gas victims plea to Obama for action against UCC PTI BHOPAL, JUNE 14

Seeking justice for the victims of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy of 1984, its survivors have started a signature campaign for a memorandum to be sent to US President Barack Obama against Union Carbide Corporation (UCC).

"Your (Obama) tough stand against British Petroleum for the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is worthy of emulation by other governments around the world and the same yardstick should be applied to the Bhopal Gas tragedy involving a US company," the memorandum, scripted by, Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Udyog Sangathan, an NGO working for the disaster victims, said.

"Your order that judicial process be allowed, both in the US and India to take their course in fixing responsibility of Union Carbide Corporation and individuals of the US, responsible for the Bhopal carnage is crucial to restore the subverted system of justice," it said.

In the memorandum, Obama has been asked to set in motion the process to make Dow Chemicals (now the owner of US-based UCC) to take the responsibility for liabilities, that includes cleaning up the toxic mess that remained dumped in the now defunct Union Carbide factory.

Following the pressure of US Reagan administration in 1984, Warren Anderson, the then CEO of UCC was sent back from India even though he was arrested after he was booked for toxic leak from the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) factory on December 2-3, 1984, it said.

"We are going to sent the memorandum to Obama shortly," the NGOs convenor Abdul Jabbar said. and the state on the issue.

Senior Congress leader Arjun Singh, who was Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister in 1984, faced flak from both within Congress as also other parties on the exit of Anderson.

Giving a new spin on why Anderson was allowed to leave the country, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee yesterday said Singh

had taken the decision keeping in view the prevailing law and order situation.

Though Mukherjee, like many Congress leaders, squarely put the onus of the decision on Singh, the then Madhya Pradesh chief minister, he said this was "thought necessary" as tempers were running high after the incident.

PTI NEW DELHI, JUNE 14

Over 100 Indians, a majority of them students, are trapped in Kyrgyzstan's southern Osh city, which has been hit by ethnic violence for the last three days leaving 113 people dead.

Official sources said the Indian mission was in close touch with those trapped in the violence-hit city as well as with the concerned authorities in that country, including their foreign ministry, to ensure safety of the Indian community.

Everything possible will be done to ensure the well being and safety of the Indians, the sources told PTI. They said the mission was monitoring the situation very closely.

Besides 113 deaths, as many as 1,400 people have been injured in raging violence in Kyrgyzstan as the interim government struggles

to stem the worst ethnic clashes since the end of the Soviet Union.

Interim Kyrgyz President Roza Otunbayeva's provisional government had over the weekend given security forces shoot-tokill orders to protect civilians, amid growing calls from foreign leaders and aid groups to end the clashes.

It tightened a state of emergency to a 24-hour curfew in the Osh region, where the violence erupted Thursday and extended the emergency rule across the country's entire southern Jalalabad region as fighting spread there.

The provisional government has struggled to impose order since coming to power during deadly riots that ousted President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and left dozens of people dead.

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said, "About 1 1 6 I n d i a n n a t i o n a l s a re

stranded in Southern Kyrgyzstan, due to the ongoing difficult law and order situation.

These include around 15 students in the city of Jalalabad and around 99 students, a professor and a businessman, in the city of Osh." "Our Mission was in close and regular touch with several of the Indian nationals, as well as with relevant departments of the Kyrgyz Government, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and security agencies," it said.

"Everything possible is being done to ensure the safety and well-being of the Indian nationals, within the constraints posed by the difficult ground situation," it added.

The Mission in Bishkek was monitoring the developments closely and additional steps would be taken as soon as the situation becomes more conducive, the ministry said.

Dozen Maoists possibly killed in Jharkhand encounter: Police PTI CHAIBASA (Jharkhand), JUNE 14

A dozen Maoists were possibly killed during the encounter in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum in which six security personnel were injured, a senior police officer said today.

"About a dozen Maoists were hit by the security forces and there is all possibility that they might have been killed, West

Singhbhum Superintendent of Police Akhilesh Jha said.

However, no body has been recovered, Jha said. The security personnel were injured near Bandgaon in the encounter which lasted for 24 hours.

He said a camp of the Maoists was demolished during the antiNaxal drive yesterday and 20 claymore bombs seized and destroyed.

All the injured security per-

sonnel were admitted to a hospital in Ranchi.

Self-styled Maoist area commander 'KP' and his comrades Anmol and Animesh were among the Maoists, who fired around 5000 rounds during the encounter, the SP said.

Meanwhile, the bandh has remained peaceful so far, Inspector General of Police V S Desmukh said.

Pak says will welcome India joining pipeline project PTI NEW DELHI, JUNE 14

A volunteer of Rashtra Sewika Samiti dressed as Rani laxmi bai during the final day of the 15-day regional training camp in Allahabad on Monday.

High Court rejects plea for de-sealing of mobile towers PTI NEW DELHI, JUNE 14

The Delhi High Court today refused to direct the MCD to deseal the mobile towers which were sealed by the civic body for not complying with its guidelines.

A vacation bench of Justice Manmohan Singh declined to give any interim relief to GTL Infrastructure, which filed the petition, saying that there is no urgency in the matter and it could be decided after vacation by a Division Bench before whom the case is pending.

The infrastructure company pleaded before the court that the towers should be de-sealed because MCD had no power to take such action and only Central government has power to do so.

The court, however, refused to pass any order saying that a similar petition is pending before a Division Bench and the case can be heard on July 8.

Earlier the court had, on June 4, stayed its order for constituting a committee of technical and medical experts to examine potential health hazards from over 5,000 mobile phone towers in the capital and refused to allow the MCD to seal 2,952 illegal towers in the city.

The court had on May 13 restrained the civic body from sealing illegal mobile phone towers after cellular operators approached it challenging the decision of the MCD to seal the towers of the operators who did not deposit the increased

n Earlier the court had, on June 4, stayed its order for constituting a committee of technical and medical experts to examine potential health hazards from over 5,000 mobile phone towers in the capital and refused to allow the MCD to seal 2,952 illegal towers in the city. fee of Rs five lakh.

The municipal body had started the sealing exercise following the expiry of the deadline for operators to apply for regularisation after paying the hiked amount.

MCD had said that out of 5,364 towers in the city, only 2,412 had requisite permission and the remaining 2,952 were illegal.

The MCD had on February 9 brought in a new policy on mobile towers revising the guidelines for cell towers and hiking the amount payable by the service providers to the MCD for installing a tower from Rs one lakh to Rs 5 lakh.

CPI-M backed farmers body to launch hunger stir PTI CHENNAI, JUNE 14

Continuing its offensive against Karnataka Chief Justice P D Dinakaran, facing land grab charges, a CPI(M) backed farmers' body today announced that it would go on a 48-hour fast on June 17.

Senior members of CPI(M), All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) and All India Agricultural Workers' Union (AIAWU) will participate in the strike, demanding the reclaim of 200 acres of land in Tiruvallur district, allegedly encroached by Justice Dinakaran and his family members.

CPI(M) Central Committee Member U Vasuki is scheduled to head the hunger strike, to be held in Tiruvallur district, B Tulasinarayanan, District Secretary of AIKS, told PTI.

dinakaran case The AIKS has been spearheading an agitation against the alleged land encroachment by staging protests including trying to forcibly enter the land located in Kaverirajapuram village (Justice Dinakaran's native village) in the district.

Impeachment proceedings, against Justice Dinakaran, are pending in the Rajya Sabha.

A day after sealing final pacts with Iran on a long-talked gas pipeline, Pakistan today said it will welcome India joining the project and will guarantee safe delivery of the fuel.

With New Delhi boycotting talks on Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline over pricing and security concerns, Iran and Pakistan yesterday signed government guarantees - the last of a series of agreements - that commits the Islamic republic to supply its eastern neighbour with natural gas from 2014.

"We have kept open the option of India joining the project (at a later date). We will welcome India (in the project)," Muhammad Ejaz Chaudhry, Additional Secretary in Pakistan's Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources, told PTI from Islamabad.

India fears terrorists may hold the pipeline hostage to their de-

mands and even cut supplies by blowing it to hurt the interest of world's second fastest growing economy. Also, it is upset with frequent changes in pricing of gas by Iran and has boycotted talks for almost three years now.

New Delhi has now proposed talks with Iran to sort out impediments but the two are yet to agree on mutually acceptable dates.

"We yesterday signed government guarantees, letters of comfort and condition precedents for the project," Chaudhry said.

Pakistan had in July last year signed a gas sale and purchase agreement and in March signed among other pacts a gas transportation agreement (GTA). The GTA, which has been notarised in Paris, provides for internationally acceptable transit arrangement for gas to be supplied to India.

"We will stand guarantee for safe delivery of gas (at PakistanIndia border)," Chaudhry said.

SC to hear PIL against marriage in same gotra PTI NEW DELHI, JUNE 14

The Supreme Court today declined to entertain a petition seeking its direction to government for amemdment in the Hindu Marriage Act (HMA) to prohibit weddings in the same clan (gotra).

A vacation Bench of Justices Deepak Verma and K S Radhakrishnan asked the petitioners to approach the High Court with their plea.

The p etitioners Naresh Kandyan and Sukhdev Singh had contended that medical science has proved that marriages among close relatives might lead to genetic disorders in the offspring.

The petition alleged the Environment and Forest Ministry has prohibited in-breeding even among animals and allowing same gotra marriages to exist among Hindus would play havoc with the fabric of the society.

"Although severe inbreeding depression in humans seems to be highly uncommon and not widely known, there have been several cases of apparent forms of inbreeding depression in human populations. As with animals, this phenomenon tends to occur in isolated, rural populations that are cut off to some degree from other areas of civilization," the petition said.

Pointing out that the same clan marriage has become the burning question for Haryana and National Capital Region, the petition said amendment in the Act was required for the pre-

nAlthough severe inbreeding depression in humans seems to be highly uncommon and not widely known, there have been several cases of apparent forms of inbreeding depression in human populations. As with animals, this phenomenon tends to occur in isolated, rural populations that are cut off to some degree from other areas of civilization. vention of honour killings as the same gotra wedding is valid in the law even though social custom prohibits it.

Contending that prohibition of marriage among people of the same clan was the customary right of all Hindus, the petitioners said the practice was violative of their fundamental rights under Article 25, 25(2) and 29(1) of the Constitution.

Of the 1,035-km length of the pipeline in Pakistan, only 100odd km would be exclusively for carrying gas to India while the rest would be transporting fuel for both Pakistan and India, he said, pointing that it was in Pakistan's own interest to protect the pipeline.

Iran will supply 21.5 million cubic meters a day of gas to Pakistan for 25 years. The deal can be extended by five years and the volume may be increased to 30 million cubic meters on Pakistan's request.

The Persian Gulf nation has so far constructed 907-km of the pipeline from the industrial hub Assaluyeh in southern Iran.

It will now start the second leg of the pipeline toward Pakistan, about 300-km in length, that will carry natural gas from Iran's South Pars field.

South Pars, which extends from Qatar's North Field, forms the largest known gas deposit in the world.

Gang involved in highway robberies nabbed PTI MADURAI, JUNE 14

Members of a gang involved in stealing of consumer goods worth crores of rupees from trucks after hijacking them on highways in the southern states has been nabbed here, police said today.

More than 50 cases were pending against the gang members who had stolen goods, including branded beverages, paint and cigarette cartons, from public carriers in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka in the last two years.

Five of the gang members, including kingpin Kosavapatti Ganesh, were arrested by a Madurai Rural Police special team near here last night, Superintendent of Police M Manoharan said. A hunt was on for the other three members of the gang who hail from Andhra Pradesh.

The special team was formed following series of complaints in Renigunta and Ananthapur in Andhra Pradesh, Hosur and Madurai in Tamil Nadu and Bangalore about the theft of goods.

The gang had stolen truck loads of health drinks.

Their modus operandi was to scale the back of trucks when the driver stops for tea or for a short nap. When the vehicle reached a deserted part of highway they would force the driver to get down and hijack it. In some cases, they had also driven away the trucks when the driver was sleeping near the vehicle.

After taking the goods, the gang used to abandon the vehicle, Manoharan said.

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North, South Korea to address UN over ship sinking Reuters SEOUL, JUNE 14

North and South Korea will address the UN Security Council separately today over the deadly sinking of a South Korean naval ship in March that has raised tensions on the Korean peninsula, an official said.

South Korea had been expected to brief the Security Council some time this week on an international investigation

into the sinking of the corvette Cheonan on March 26 that killed 46 sailors. Seoul has accused North Korea of torpedoing the ship.

North Korea asked Mexico's Claude Heller, the Security Council's rotating president, for a separate briefing session, South Ko re a ' s Fo re i g n M i n i s t r y spokesman Kim Young-sun told a briefing in Seoul.

“It's our understanding that

such an opportunity has been granted,” Kim said.

Mounting antagonism between the Koreas has worried investors, concerned about armed conflict breaking out in the region, and set off a diplomatic scramble on all sides to cool tensions.

Many analysts say neither side is ready to go to war, but see the possibility of more skirmishes in a disputed sea border off the west coast or along their heavily armed border.

South Korea accused the North of violating the spirit of a landmark joint declaration struck by then South Korean President Kim Dae-jung and North Korean leader Kim Jongil 10 years ago pledging peace.

That summit in Pyongyang

led to warming ties between the rivals, including a growing trade relationship that has since been put on ice.

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak cut aid to the destitute neighbour when he took office in 2008, demanding Pyongyang drop its nuclear ambitions. That move angered the North.

Chun said the North must admit to its role in the naval attack and apologise if it wants to see the ties reinstated.

Pyongyang has denied involvement in the Cheonan's sinking, saying accusations against it were part of a US-led conspiracy and threatening war if Seoul imposes sanctions.

A team of international investigators, led by South Korea's

military, said in May that a North Korean submarine torpedoed the ship, presenting evidence that included parts of the weapon recovered from the site of the incident.

Today, North Korea repeated its threat to blow up loudspeakers South Korea has set up at the border to broadcast anti-Pyongyang propaganda, keeping tensions on the peninsula at their highest in years.

The United States, the South's biggest ally, said Seoul may not seek a full Security Council resolution because of rising tensions after the sinking of the Cheonan. Seoul said it would hold discussions with its allies to ensure action was taken.

Beer tycoon aiming to be Venezuelan prez: Chavez Reuters CARACAS, JUNE 14

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez said on Sunday that one of the world's richest men and owner of a major brewery in the S o u t h A m e r i c a n c o u n t r y, Lorenzo Mendoza, was planning a US-backed presidential run.

Chavez, an avowed foe of US 'imperialism,' did not provide evidence to back the claim that the owner of Empresas Polar had political ambitions, saying only that the billionaire should think carefully before jumping into politics because the government controlled grain supplies.

“Lorenzo Mendoza wants to be president, and the Yankees are guiding him,” he said yesterday. “Polar depends on whether or not I sell it corn.”

In recent weeks, Chavez has frequently warned the tycoon

that he could nationalize the brewer and food maker in his economic war on the “bourgeoise.” He has already nationalized dozens of companies, including multibillion dollar oil projects.

“Careful Mendoza, he said on Sunday, “You'll end up with nothing.”

The attacks on Mendoza and what Chavez calls Venezuela's “parasitic bourgeoise'' seem to have the goal of rallying supporters against the opposition in the lead up legislative elections in September.

Mendoza, listed along with his family at number 125 on the Forbes Magazine world rich list, is a well-known public figure whose company is a central part of Venezuela culture, providing the nation's favorite beer and the most popular brand of flour to make corn 'arepa' patties, a

staple food.

Polar was founded in 1941

by Mendoza's grandfather.

The socialist president who has been in office for over 11 years is likely to run again in the next leadership elections in 2012. The elections for legislators in September are seen as an important test of support for opposition parties, who are running unity candidates but have no clear leader going forward.

Chavez has already nationalized some warehouses belonging to Polar and frequently threatens to take over more of the oil exporting country's main private employer. Many Polar workers oppose a government take-over and analysts think it would be a mistake for Chavez to tackle the company.

On Saturday, he said he was considering raising taxes on beer and cigarettes, and warned

Bomb blast in northern Iraq city, one dead Reuters MOSUL, Iraq, JUNE 14

A bomb exploded in a crowded market in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul today, killing one person andwounding 27, a police source said.

The attack occurred a day after a raid on Iraq's central bank in Baghdad by suicide bombers and gunmen in which 15 people were killed, and as parliament was due to convene in the capital for the first time since an inconclusive March election.

The police source said the bomb was planted in a wooden cart at a market in central Mosul, and appeared to target a police patrol. Two policemen were among the wounded.

Mosul, 390 km north of Baghdad, is on the frontlines of a longstanding feud between Arabs and minority Kurds over land, power and oil wealth. The region is also a hub for Sunni Islamist insurgents linked to al Qaeda.

Iraq is on high alert for insurgent attacks as parliament convenes for the first time since the March 7 election, which produced no clear winner.

Overall violence has dropped sharply since the all-out sectarian warfare of 2006-07. But casualties have risen since the vote, suggesting insurgents are trying to exploit the vacuum as political rivals vie for power.

China hits back at US on yuan

BEIJING: China's Foreign Ministry today hit back at fresh calls by the United States for Beijing to let the yuan currency rise in value, saying the yuan was not to blame for the US trade deficit with China.Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang was responding to a question about recent comments by US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner on its yuan exchange rate controls.

BP drugs may increase risk of cancer:study Reuters CHICAGO, JUNE 14

A widely used class of blood pressure drugs may slightly increase the risk of cancer, US researchers said on Sunday, and they are calling on US regulators to take a closer look.

They said an analysis of available data on drugs in the class known as angiotensin-receptor blockers showed yesterday patients were 1.2 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with a new cancer over four years than others who did not take the drugs.

Most patients in the trials (86 percent) took German drugmaker Boehringer Ingelheim's telmisartan, sold as Micardis, which has annual sales of more than 1.5 billion dollar.

“The increased risk of new cancer occurrence is modest but significant,” Dr Ilke Sipahi and colleagues from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland and colleagues wrote in the journal Lancet Oncology.

There were not enough data in the studies to say if individual drugs in the class raise the risk or if it is aso-called class effect shared by all such drugs.

Even so, Dr Steven Nissen, a cardiologist at the Cleveland Clinic, said in a commentary the findings were “disturbing and provocative, raising crucial drug safety questions for practitioners and the regulatory community.”

He said regulators need to look more closely at the risk of cancer with ARB use and that doctors should be more cautious about prescribing ARBs, and especially Micardis.

Privately held Boehringer Ingelheim defended the safety of its drug, saying in a statement its own ''internal safety data analysis of primary data contradicts the conclusions” of an increased cancer risk.

Nissen did a similar analysis that raised alarms about heart risks from GlaxoSmithKline diabetes drug Avandia.

Currently, there are no major safety concerns linked with taking angiotensin-receptor blockers or ARBs, which work by blocking receptors for angiotensin II, a hormone that increases blood pressure But a 2003 study in patients with heart failure did find that the drug Atacand, or candesartan, made by the

Anglo -Swedish firm AstraZeneca, significantly raised the risk of fatal cancers compared with a dummy pill.

Publicly available data Sipahi and colleagues did a so-called meta-analysis, pooling all publicly available data from randomized trials of ARBs published before November 2009.

FROM PAGE 1 Education aid reportedly being taught in open fields, because money had not been passed on for classroom repairs. In Muzzaffarpur they found that only £400,000 out of an allocated £1.1 million had gone to schools.

One woman involved in the widespread fraud has been accused of siphoning off up to 6 million pounds from the funds, even using 44,000 pounds of it to make a movie directed by her son.

“Auditors checking individual state accounts found sums up to 4.8 million pounds missing from the books,” the report said.

India is one of the largest recipients of British foreign aid.

HRD ministry sources said a recent post-procurement review of 800 sample contracts was done by the World Bank which showed only 0.6 per cent of diversion of funds were noticed. Wherever there is any diversion or mis-procurement, strong corrective action including filing of criminal cases have been done, they said.

Besides, annual audit report of SSA society are in public domain.

Bi-annual joint review missions are conducted in which Government of India’s nominee and representatives of SSA development partners including the World Bank, DFID and EU conduct depth review of the SSA goals, they added.

The DFID’s contribution to SSA is about two per cent of the total funds under the scheme.

Dudu moves HC for bail therein that it could only have been created subsequent to the accused being apprehended,” the petition filed before the High Court reads.

The lawyer representing Dudu has said that factually, there are inherent irregularities in the documentary evidence which go to the root of the matter and which create reasonable grounds for believing that the accused was not guilty of the offence for which he stands arrested.

Lyndon withdraws death of Nadia Torrado. Last week, the Session Court at Margao had rejected the anticipatory bail plea of Monterio. His plea for withdrawal of anticipatory bail will be heard tomorrow.

Meanwihle, former tourism minister Fransisco Mickky Pacheco today moved the Goa Bench of Bomaby High Court for anticipatory bail.

Pacheco in his petition has said that charges against him are politicaly motivated as he had raised the issue of involvement of senior politican’s son in the drug racket.

The former minister said that Nadia Torrado was his close friend and was helping in her treatment.

Pacheco, who has been declared prime accused in Torrado’s death, was earlier denied anticipatory bail by the Session Court Margao.

Curtains down

labour requirements onboard the fishing vessels. While boat owners would not mind engaging locally available tandels and aryamen, the migrant labour working as khalashis are an indispensable part of the fishing operations, leaving the boat owners with no option than to totally rely on the outside labour.

In fact, it is not hard to find boat owners heading to Orissa or Jharkhand, besides Karnataka and Andhra to hunt for the muchsought after labour.

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No Pak military victory in Orakzai: report Reuters PESHAWAR, Pakistan, JUNE 14

It was a classic case of military hubris: when Pakistan announced it has defeated Taliban militants in one of their major bases recently, it was a far cry from reality in the volatile Orakzai region.

Pakistani military analysts say the victory announcement – much like US P resident George W. Bush's 2003 “mission accomplished” moment -- was based on “miscalculations” as officers thought militants would flee the region after many of their bases were captured.

They said the declaration itself appeared to be an attempt to boost the morale of a public suffering from years of attacks, nearly constant military campaigns and few apparent results.

“The announcement looks good to the Pakistani public.

The public thinks it's an endless thing, especially in Orakzai. So they probably wanted to give the people some relief,” said retired general Talat Masood, a military and security analyst.

“It was for domestic consumption. But unfortunately,

this was not really the reality and their credibility is now in question. ''I think it was an honest misjudgement and some unnecessary exuberance.”

Orakzai is one of the major bases of the Pakistani Taliban, which are fighting both the Pakistani state and coalition forces in Afghanistan. The precarious situation in the region highlights the challenges the Pakistani army faces in battling insurgents.

Security forces last month captured the major militant stronghold of Djabori, some 60 km (37 miles) from Orakzai's main town of Kalaya.

Soon afterwards, the Pakistan army chief, Gen. Asfaq Kayani, flew to Orakzai on June 1 and declared victory over the Taliban there, saying it is winding up its offensive there as militants have been driven out of the region.

But just a day later, fierce clashes broke out in which 20 militants were killed.

“The situation is very dangerous in Orakzai. The militants are still controlling important mountains and they can stage a comeback,” said tribal elder Lal Jan.

On June 3, dozens of militants attacked a security checkpost in the region, killing six soldiers. The government said at least 30 militants were killed fighting them off.

Since then, clashes have taken place almost daily with government officials claiming that they were inflicting losses on the militants, almost all of which are unsubstantiated and disputed by militant groups.

Analysts say large casualty figures show that insurgents are still operating in big numbers in the region, despite the hits.

“The military operation is not yet over in Orakzai,” Rahimullah Yusufzai, a newspaper editor and expert on militant affairs said. ''I think they (the army) made the announcement of victory in haste.”

Residents say militants are still in control of large swathes of territory in Orakzai particularly its upper parts which now serve as a haven for militants from nearby Khyber and Kurram.

Militant threat remains Analysts say a victory in Orakzai would allow Pakistan to move troops to other hot spots like North Waziristan, a

major base for an Afghan Taliban network, and which the United States has been pressing for as it struggles to stabilise the country.

Pakistan, however, has yet to show an appetite to do so, given the volatile situation in Orakzai and elsewhere in the tribal belt.

Orakzai is one of Pakistan's seven Pashtun tribal lands in the northwest. Unlike the six other tribal regions, however, it does not border Afghanistan.

But the rugged mountainous territory provides a crucial link for militants operating in other tribal regions, as it borders the regions of Khyber and Kurram on the Afghan frontier.

Orakzai was the original base of Pakistani Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud before he moved to South Waziristan to take up the Taliban leadership after the death of his predecessor, Baituallah Mehsud, in a U.S. missile strike last year.

Pakistani security forces launched an offensive in the South Waziristan bastion of Mehsud militants in October.

The offensive was extended to Orakzai in March as many of the Mehsud militants who fled

the South Waziristan operation took refuge there.

Orakzai also borders Peshawar, Pakistan's main northwestern city, as well as the garrison town of Kohat. Pakistani security officials say many of the suicide and bomb attacks in both places earlier this year were orchestrated and executed by militants based in Orakzai.

After the military campaign in Orakzai, security officials say there has been a sharp decline in militant attacks in Peshawar and Kohat.

“The militants have been pushed to the remote valleys to make cities safer. This has largely been done. But they are still occupying positions in the countryside and these places have yet to be cleared,” a senior security official said.

However, analysts cautioned that these successes could be fleeting as militants have in the past shown the ability to regroup.

“The militants have been denied some space ... but in terms of number, manpower and strength they still have a lot of capacity,” militant affairs expert Yusufzai said.

Kuwait rejects US comments on jailed blogger Reuters KUWAIT, JUNE 14

Kuwait's foreign minister rejected US State Department comments about the case of a blogger on trial for allegedly insulting the country's ruler, a local newspaper reported today.

Daily Al-Anbaa quoted Sheikh Mohammad al-Salem al-Sabah as saying concerns expressed earlier this month amounted to interfering in Kuwait's internal affairs.

Blogger and journalist Mo-

hammad Abdul-Kader al-Jassem faces up to 18 years in prison if convicted, according to his lawyers. He was detained on May 11 after a complaint against him was issued by the office of the Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah.

“I cannot comment on a case being heard in court, but I can say we don't accept any interference in our internal affairs at all. Kuwait is a sovereign state with its own systems and authorities,” the foreign minister

said.

Jassem is also accused of spreading false news that could harm Kuwait's national interests, and inciting against the government. He and his family deny the accusations and say they are politically motivated.

On June 3, the US State Department spokesman, P J Corw l e y, t o l d Re u t e r s t h a t Washington has raised concerns about the case with Kuwait's government.

“The ability of citizens and journalists of any country to

Actress Jennifer Lopez and her husband parade king Marc Anthony make their way up Fifth Avenue during the Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York, New York, USA on Sunday.

Memphis, Red take US theater’s top honours vvMemphis," "Red" win at Tony Awards (4.3) Reuters NEW YORK, JUNE 14 Memphis, a romp that discovers the roots of rock'n'roll and Red, a play about artist Mark Rothko, took American theater's top honors at the Tony Awards held.

“Memphis” an original musical loosely based on Memphis disc jockey Dewey Phillips that features a rock, soul and gospel score, won best musical at the star-studded ceremony held at Radio City Music Hall yesterday that featured many Hollywood stars winning the stage's most prestigious honors.

“Red,” a production that stars British actor Alfred Molina as an intense, frustrated Rothko, won best play and won a total of six awards, the highest of the the night.

But Hollywood star Denzel Washington beat Molina to win best actor in a play for his role in a revival of the August Wilson play Fences.

“My mother always says, man gives the award, God gives the reward. I guess I got both tonight,” Washington, 55, said in his acceptance speech in his first Tony Award after winning

praise in a host of films.

Viola Davis won best actress for Fences for her role opposite Washington playing a long married couple. Fences also won for best play revival after it originally won best new play in 1987.

“La Cage aux Folles,” won the award for best musical revival while British actor Douglas Hodge who starred opposite Kelsey Grammer in the production that was transferred from London won the best performance by a leading actor in a musical.

'Moment of my lifetime' Catherine Zeta-Jones won best actress in a musical for her Broadway debut in the musical ''A Little Night Music.'' “I really do feel like Cinderella,” ZetaJones said on stage.

Outside, hundreds of fans lined the streets in the rain to catch glimpses of Hollywood names for the 64th Tony Awards.

Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson won for best featured actress in a play for her performance in a revival of Arthur Miller's “A V iew from the Bridge.”

“Being welcomed in this community has been an absolute dream come true,” she said.

Red also won best scenic design and best director of a play. ''This to me, is the moment of my lifetime,'' said Re dplaywright John Logan in accepting the award for best play, that also was a London transfer. English actor Eddie Redmayne won the best featured actor opposite Molina.

Memphis, which addresses U.S. race relations in the 1950s, won a total of four awards. Winning lyricist Joe DiPietro said backstage of the show's seven years in development, “even when it seems like it's not going to happen, you have to always believe or it's dead.”

Will & Grace actor Sean Hayes hosted the awards and shared the stage with punk rock band Green Day who performed songs from their album turned musical American Idiot in front of well-known figures who attended, including Cate Blanchett, Will Smith, Antonio Banderas and Jay-Z. The Tony Awards, which do not consider off-Broadway productions, are voted on by about 700 producers, actors and writers. They were established in 1947 and are named for actress, stage director and philanthropist

freely and vigorously discuss, debate and critique the actions of governments does not threaten national interests,” he said.

Kuwait has been a major ally of Washington in the Gulf since the US-led 1991 Gulf War.

Israeli cop killed in attack Reuters JERUSALEM, JUNE 14

Suspected Palestinian gunmen shot dead an Israeli policeman and wounded two others in an attack on their vehicle in the occupied West Bank today, police and an emergency service said.

“This was definitely a terrorist attack. It was carried out on an ordinary police vehicle and forces are now combing the scene,” said police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld.

There was no claim of responsibility from any Palestinian group for the attack near the town of Hebron in the southern West Bank.

The number of attacks and casualties in the West Bank has dropped markedly in the past few years. But last month armed Jewish settlers shot dead a Palestinian teenager near the city of Ramallah after he threw rocks at their car.

The last fatal attack on an Israeli was in February when a Palestinian policeman stabbed to death a soldier in the central West Bank.

Iranian aid ships head for Gaza Reuters TEHRAN, JUNE 14

Iran is sending aid ships to blockaded Gaza, state radio said today -- a move likely to be considered provocative by Israel which accuses Tehran of arming the Palestinian enclave's Islamist rulers, Hamas.

One ship left port on Sunday and another will depart by Friday, loaded with food, construction material and toys, the report said.

The boats would be part of international efforts to break Israel's isolation of the Gaza Strip.

“Until the end of the Gaza blockade, Iran will continue to ship aid,” said an official at Iran's Society for the Defence of the Palestinian Nation.

While Israel has long sus-

pected Iran, which rejects the Jewish State's right to exist, of supplying weapons to Hamas, Tehran says it only provides moral support to the group.

Israeli troops two weeks ago boarded a flotilla of Turkish aid ships heading to Gaza on May 31 and killed nine pro-Palestinian activists, most of them Turks.

Public opinion in Muslim countries was outraged by the killings. An official of the Iranian Red Crescent Society's youth organization said some 100,000 Iranians had volunteered as potential crew for aid ships.

OHERALDO

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GOA, TUESDAY, 15 JUNE, 2010

TALK BUSINESS

Airtel’s FoFe offer PANJIM (HBD) -- Bharti Airtel has launched various offerings for its customers to stay connected and be a part of Football FeverFoFe while on the move.

These services exclusively available only on Airtel include football match alerts, football quiz, Live scores, latest news, gossip, FIFA anthem, music and video ringtones, follow your favourite player, static and animated wallpapers, animated themes, games etc will be available through FOFE on SMS. Ramesh Menon, CEO Mobility, Mumbai, Maharashtra and Goa said, “Not restricted to only score alerts, we offer our customers all the details ranging from penalties, injuries, to half time scores and much more. Also, keeping each football fan glued to this service, we are providing interesting trivia on the top 20 players, their journey coupled with an exciting contest with weekly and daily winners. We hope with this unique initiative our customer feels a part of World Cup 2010.” For services like: Football Match-Day Alert: For activation dial *321*472# @ Rs 3 per match day.

Hall of Fame: It allows you to relive the magic of the top 20 footballers in the world. Get to know all about them on your phone daily – trivia, records, stats, claim to fame, controversies.

Top 20 footballers being showcased are: Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaka, David Beckham, Dider Drogba, Arjen Robben, Thierry Henry, Zlatan Ibrahimvoc, Diego Milto, Pelé, Maradona, Platini, Marco Van Basten, Fernando Torres, Ronaldo (Brazil), Franz Beckenbauer, Samuel Eto’o, David Villa, Carlos Tevez. For activation: SUB HOF to 54321 @Rs 1 per day Airtel Go! Go! Goal Contest: is a SMS based quiz contest on football. If you are a football fan and you know all about the teams, players, coaches etc the answer the questions correctly and get a chance to fly to the country you support during the world cup. Also there will be weekly winners who will stand a chance to win Nokia phones while daily winners can walk away with football merchandise. To participate, SMS C to 543210 (post subscription to Football Alerts) Airtel has also created a special WAP portal for the Football World Cup 2010 called Airtel Football Zone. Customers will get all the news, LIVE scores, stadium details, statistics, line-ups, gossip and stories on footballers and much more.

Radio Mundial, Onida partnership completes 21 yrs

Top officials hint at RBI tightening

MF FUNDA L&T MUTUAL FUND has announced entire distributable surplus as dividend on maturity of L&T Fixed Maturity Plan – Series 12 – Plan 91D – March 10 – II - Dividend Payout Option (the Scheme).

The Record Date fixed for the purpose of determining the list of unit holders and their eligibility to receive dividend is June 16, 2010. Payment of dividend in the Scheme is subject to availability of distributable surplus on the record date. The scheme matures on June 16, 2010.

PTI NEW DELHI, JUNE 14

The govt's top economic managers today dropped strong hints that the RBI may raise key policy rates to check spiralling inflation which has crossed the double-digit mark.

Such indications were given

by Planning Commission Deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, chairman of Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council C Rangarajan and Finance Secretary Ashok Chawla.

Annual inflation, measured by movement of the wholesale prices, rose to a heady 10.16 per cent in May, as per the provisional figures released today.

The final inflation figures for March too stood revised at 11.04 per cent from 9.90 per cent reported earlier.

"It (high inflation) is always a matter of concern," Finance Secretary Ashok Chawla said.

Though the RBI is slated to review its monetary stance on July 27, it may step in earlier in view of the soaring prices, which are hurting the common man. Earlier, too, the RBI had intervened before the scheduled policy reviews and revised key short-term lending and borrowing rates.

Ahluwalia too opined that "the only reason to tighten monetary policy is that if you feel that inflation has gone too high".

BIRLA SUN LIFE MUTUAL FUND has approved June 15, 2010 as the record date for declaration of dividend under dividend option in retail plan of Birla Sun Life Short Term Opportunities Fund.

The face value of per unit is Rs 10.

The quantum of the dividend will be Rs 0.1283 per unit as on the record date.

The AMC also approved June 15, 2010 as the record date for declaration of dividend under quarterly dividend option in retail and institutional Plan of Birla Sun Life Medium Term Plan. The face value of per unit is rs 10.

The quantum of the dividend will be Rs 0.1270 per unit for retail and institutional plan as on the record date.

The AMC also approved June 15, 2010 as the record date for declaration of dividend under quarterly dividend option in Liquid and PF plan of Birla Sun Life Gilt Plus Fund. The face value of per unit is Rs 10. The quantum of the dividend will be Rs 0.1280 per unit for Liquid Plan and Rs 0.0760 per unit for PF Plan as on the record date.

HDFC MUTUAL FUND has unveiled a new fixed term plan named as HDFC FMP 90D June 2010, under HDFC Fixed Maturity Plans Series XIII, a close-ended income scheme. The face value of the new issue will be Rs 10 per unit. The new issue will be open for subscription from June 11 and close on June 15, 2010.

The duration of the plan is 90 days from the date of allotment.

The plan shall offer two options - growth and dividend option.

Dividend option offers quarterly dividend option and normal dividend option with payout facility only. The minimum application amount is Rs 5,000 and in multiples of Rs 10 thereafter.

The fund seeks to collect a minimum subscription (minimum target) amount of Rs 10 million under the plan during the NFO period. Entry and exit load charge will be nil for the plan. Units of HDFC FMP 90D June 2010 will be listed on the National Stock Exchange of India. Benchmark Index for the plan is CRISIL Liquid Fund Index.

1 m AC Black cases sold HERALD BUSINESS DESK PANJIM, JUNE 14

Chandrashekhar Singh, operations head, Pune and Goa for Onida seen felicitating Dattanand Vernekar, proprietor, Radio Mundial, Margao on the occasion of completing 21 years of business relationship with Onida. Also seen is Sushil Kumar of Onida for Goa.

PANJIM (HBD) -- Radio Mundial, Margao has completed 21 years of business relationship with Onida (MIRC Electronics Limited).

Opened in 1957 by Prabhakar Vernekar, Radio Mundial today is managed by son Dattanand Vernekar. Popular as ‘Servicos de Radio Mundial’ in 1957, it used to sell and service Philips Radios apart from importing Pope Radios, the only dealer in Goa to have such a prestigious brand.

By 1982, Radio Mundial Margao was the first to start selling televisions in Margao. In 1984 son Dattanand after completing a diploma in electronics joined his father in the business.

The father-son duo started adding new brands and in 1989 they took the dealership of Onida (MIRC Electronics Limited) and until date has been a leading dealer for Onida in Goa. To mark 21 years of business relationship with Onida, a special function was held by Onida recently wherein they felicitated Radio Mundial owners Dattanand and his father Prabhakar Vernekar. The felicitation was held in the presence of top company officials along with Pune and Goa branch managers, Chandrashekhar Singh and others.

Singh congratulated Prabhakar and Dattanand Vernekar for the strong bond, praised the family for being No 1 in Goa and assured them full support from the company in future.

Singh also launched special scheme offer for the FIFA World Cup during the function ie 4 years warranty on purchase of Onida Colour TV and Onida LCD (World Cup to World Cup).

Rally in IT stocks, RIL drives Sensex to one-month high PTI

MUMBAI, JUNE 14 Stock market benchmark Sensex today climbed 273 points to settle at its highest level in more than one month on the back of a smart rally in IT stocks and RIL. Shrugging off concerns over double digit inflation, the 30-share barometer of the Bombay Stock Exchange rose 273.2 points, or 1.6 per cent, to finish at 17,338.17, a level last seen on May 3. This is the fourth straight day of gains for the gauge.

The bellwether opened higher and remained in the green for the entire session. Firm global cues, as well as a rush at IT counters, pushed the index to a high of 17,351.18 at the closing bell for trade.

The wide-based 50-share Nifty Index of the National Stock Exchange also ended 1.53 per cent higher at 5,197.70.

“Investor sentiment across the globe is very positive and domestic economic conditions are also bullish. Markets are taking a sigh of relief,” Networth Stock Broking CEO Girish Dev said.

IT major Infosys, which carries the maximum weight on the benchmark indices after RIL, zoomed 4.32 per cent to Rs 2,747.2 amid improving markets conditions in the West, from where Indian firms get most of their revenue.

“We saw good demand for IT stocks on renewed optimism that the US is on the right track, with TCS, Infosys and Wipro gaining,” said Geojit BNP Paribas Research Head Alex Mathews.

TCS rose 2.85 per cent and Wipro zoomed 4.13 per cent, propelling the BSE IT index to 5,351.98, up 3.69 per cent.

Brokers said that the market sentiment got a fillip after Fitch Ratings announced that it had revised the outlook on India’s long-term local currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to stable from negative.

AC Black Whisky sold 10 lakh cases across India in a short period of time. The whisky made from superior blend of imported scotch malts and fine select Indian spirits, is placed in the semi - premium IMFL segment. It is one of the fastest growing brands in the segment and is now being launched in Goa. The whisky has been distilled by Jagatjit Industries Limited who have a countrywide presence. A specially acquired plant in Goa bottles and blends

the whisky for the Goa market.

The AC Black is packaged in a unique triangular bottle with striking good looks. Positioned for the man with superior taste, and clean fun, the spirit of the whisky is summed up in the catch phrase "Kucch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai".

The philosophy governing AC Black is " Kucch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai", which is totally in sync with the modern generation. It breaks stereotypes. It has no fixed mould. It easily gels with the spirit of Goa and its taste for the exotic and free flowing lifestyle. It stands true

Now Tata Sky launches HD box PTI MUMBAI, JUNE 14

Tata Sky said that it has launched its Tata Sky High Definition (HD) service for Rs 2,599.

Tata Sky HD would be made available across the country.

The service will support the most advanced 1080i picture quality, 16:9 aspect ratio and 5.1 surround sound.

Tata Sky HD offering will include channels like National Geographic HD and Discovery HD. Many more channels like Star Plus HD, Star Movies HD Aban Offshor, 664, 670.4, 655.25, 662.85 Abb Ltd., 864, 864, 855.25, 861.1 Abg Shipyard, 251, 254.4, 250, 251.75 Acc Limited, 865, 867.75, 854.1, 862.85 Adani Enterp, 545, 546.75, 538.7, 542.3 Aditya Birla, 740, 825, 715.25, 780.4 Allahabad Ba, 164.9, 165.4, 162.2, 162.45 Alstom Proje, 602.9, 602.9, 594, 597.85 Ambuja Cemen, 115.85, 115.85, 114.55, 115.2 Andhra Bank, 137, 138, 135.55, 136.7 Ashok Leylan, 63, 63.5, 62.25, 63 Asian Paints, 2311, 2314.75, 2280.05, 2296.25 Axis Bank Li, 1251, 1262, 1240.25, 1256.5 Bajaj Hindus, 110.3, 115, 109.6, 111.8 Bank Of Baro, 731.55, 737.9, 729.75, 730.7 Bank Of Indi, 333.7, 334.5, 330, 332.25 Beml Limited, 1010, 1025, 998, 1013.7 Bharat Elect, 1737, 1772, 1737, 1765.75 Bharat Forge, 278, 279.9, 274.4, 276.85 Bharat Petro, 546.35, 566.35, 543, 563.15 Bharti Airte, 276.05, 277.8, 265.2, 269.1 Bhel, 2405.35, 2406.65, 2368, 2380.25 Bhushan Stee, 1366.8, 1389.5, 1360, 1380.35

and popular sports channels will also get added to the pack.

The other unique feature will be the blockbuster movies being shown in HD. The service will be launched with the movie 'Kites' being shown exclusively on Tata Sky in HD. All existing Tata Sky subscribers can now upgrade to Tata Sky HD and avail the HD Gold Pack for an entire year, absolutely free. All new Tata Sky HD subscribers would be offered the HD Gold pack for the first two months, absolutely free.

Biocon Limit, 304, 307, 301.6, 305.1 Bombay Dyein, 504.8, 519.8, 502.25, 511.15 Bosch Limite, 5065, 5087.95, 5035.3, 5075.75 Brigade Ente, 138.9, 140.6, 137.15, 139.2 Cairn India, 303.75, 305.9, 301.6, 304.85 Canara Bank, 426, 430.95, 420.25, 429.35 Central Bank, 151, 153, 143.7, 145.5 Century Text, 450, 463, 449.5, 460.25 Cesc Ltd, 371, 388, 371, 385.95 Chambal Fert, 60.75, 62.1, 60.5, 61.85 Chennai Petr, 260, 262, 257, 259.6 Cipla Ltd, 338.5, 341.65, 335.7, 340.3 Colgate Palm, 811.55, 831, 810, 822.35 Container Co, 1243, 1249.7, 1215.6, 1227.85 Crompton Gre, 246.9, 249.7, 245.1, 249.2 Cummins Indi, 590, 599, 585.15, 587.6 Dabur India, 192.7, 193.3, 190.85, 192.1 Deccan Chron, 126.9, 130, 124.55, 128 Dish Tv Indi, 42, 43.45, 41.4, 43.25 Divi’s Labor, 765, 768.05, 748.4, 753.65 Dlf Limited, 265, 266.05, 259.5, 264.4 Dr. reddy’s, 1439, 1439, 1379.6, 1411.55

to its philosophy i.e. unpredictable and mysterious. It promises to take you to places unimagined and give you a heightened ecstatic feeling. Yes Kucch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai. So expect the unexpected.

In the on going process of upgradation of quality and in our endeavour to introduce better quality products at affordable prices in India, JIL has recently launched the AC Black Whisky in the Indian Market. It promises to find a prominent place at many celebrations, parties and events all across Goa.

SBI buys 14% stake in SBI Capital

UTI MUTUAL FUND has approved June 16, 2010 as the record date for declaration of dividend under dividend option of UTI Master Value Fund. The face value of per unit is Rs 10.

The quantum of dividend will be 22.50% (Rs 2.25 per unit) as on the record date.

MUMBAI: Country's largest lender, State Bank of India has bought back its nearly 13.84 per cent stake in its investment banking arm--SBI Capital Markets--from Asian Development Bank, for an undisclosed amount.

This would make SBI Caps a wholly-owned subsidiary of State Bank.

SBI MUTUAL FUND has announced the revision of exit load structure for SBI Short Horizon Debt Fund - Short Term Fund, Magnum NRI Investment Fund - Short Term Bond Plan, Magnum Monthly Income Plan - Floater and SBI Dynamic Bond Fund. The changes will be effective from June 14, 2010.

SBI Short Horizon Debt Fund - Short Term Fund - Retail and Institutional Plan, Magnum NRI Investment Fund - Short Term Bond Plan and SBI Dynamic Bond Fund For exit within 90 days from the date of allotment, the exit load charge will be 0.25%. For exit after 90 days from the date of allotment, the exit load charge will be nil.

Magnum Monthly Income Plan - Floater For exit within 1 year from the date of allotment, the exit load charge will be 1%. For exit after 1 year from the date of allotment, the exit load charge will be nil.

Dhanalaxmi Bank, HDFC MF in tie-up

KOTAK MUTUAL FUND has announced the revision of exit load structure for Kotak Floater Short Term Fund. The changes will be effective from June 14, 2010.

Accordingly for redemptions / switch outs on or before 60 days from the date of allotment of units the exit load charge will be 1%. For redemptions / switch outs after 60 days from the date of allotment of units the exit load charge will be nil.

PTI MUMBAI, JUNE 14

Dhanalaxmi Bank said it has entered into an alliance with HDFC Mutual Fund for distributing the latter's financial products through its branches across the country.

"This alliance with HDFC Mutual Fund will help us provide quality funds to our customers and thereby provide more choices and opportunities for financial planning," Dhanalaxmi Bank's Head-Broking & Distribution D A Dhananjaya said in a statement.

Edelweiss Ca, 423, 440, 422, 425.45 Educomp Solu, 553.35, 560.9, 545, 551.1 Eih Limited, 117.45, 118.9, 117, 118.25 Engineers In, 323, 323.8, 317.5, 319.85 Essar Oil Lt, 127, 130.4, 125.2, 129.5 Essar Shippi, 85.3, 86.4, 84.8, 85.3 Exide Indust, 122, 124.05, 121.4, 123.25 Federal Bank, 332, 334.2, 327, 329.6 Financial Te, 1331, 1340, 1320.5, 1328.55 Gail (india), 463, 464.25, 457.45, 461.9 Gammon India, 193, 198.7, 193, 197.95 Glaxosmithkl, 2114.4, 2149, 2072, 2076.2 Glenmark Pha, 260, 265, 258, 260.5 Gmr Infrastr, 55.1, 55.7, 54.7, 55.45 Godrej Indus, 148, 152.8, 146.35, 152 Grasim Indus, 1820, 1839.4, 1791.8, 1804.8 Great Offsho, 453, 453, 446.25, 448.25 Gtl Infra.Lt, 38.1, 40, 38.1, 39.8 Gujarat Mine, 126, 127.7, 125.5, 126.4 Gujarat N R, 58.2, 59.6, 57.5, 58.25 Gujarat Stat, 96, 96.85, 94.25, 95.3 Gvk Pow. & I, 43.4, 43.8, 42.7, 43.25 Hcl Technolo, 372, 382.95, 369.9, 380.55

Hdfc Bank Lt, 1946.3, 1975, 1946.3, 1973.15 Hdfc Ltd, 2817, 2846.8, 2810.45, 2837.4 Hero Honda M, 2015.15, 2029, 1995.2, 2008.55 Hindalco in, 141.45, 144, 140.05, 143.25 Hindustan Co, 114.05, 116.15, 114.05, 115.8 Hindustan Ma, 71.5, 72.15, 70.8, 71.1 Hindustan Pe, 349.9, 363.4, 348.15, 361.65 Hindustan Un, 255, 259.4, 251.6, 255.45 Hindustan Zi, 975, 994.7, 975, 983.9 Housing Dev, 239, 239, 230, 235.4 Icici Bank L, 855, 859, 843.4, 853.65 Idea Cellula, 55.4, 55.4, 53.3, 53.85 Ifci Ltd, 56, 56, 54.15, 54.75 India Cement, 113.65, 113.7, 111.1, 113 India Infoli, 92.1, 94.6, 91.7, 93.3 Indiabulls F, 135.95, 137.2, 131.75, 134.1 Indiabulls R, 151, 151, 145.2, 148.1 Indian Bank, 230.5, 230.5, 227.65, 229.2 Indian Hotel, 100.35, 102.5, 100.35, 102 Indian Oil C, 317.7, 349.85, 317.7, 347.95 Indian Overs, 94.5, 95.6, 93.85, 95.45 Indus Dev Ba, 116, 118.85, 115.05, 117.6 Indusind Ban, 191.25, 195.8, 191.25, 194.3

BOARD MEETINGS Arman Fin Serv Hind Aluminium Royale Manor Chromatic India Mandhana Tilak Finance Cipla Nirav Comm Source: Indiainfoline.com Infosys Tech, 2650.1, 2758.85, 2650.1, 2746.4 Infra. dev., 164.3, 166.15, 163.1, 164.85 Ispat Indust, 17.05, 17.25, 16.95, 17.2 Itc Ltd, 282.7, 286.8, 281.6, 286.1 Ivrcl Infras, 179.5, 181.6, 178.25, 180.95 Jai Corp Lim, 225.5, 266.1, 225, 262.4 Jaiprakash A, 124, 124.75, 121.05, 123.45 Jet Airways, 501.95, 504.6, 492.15, 495.95 Jindal Saw L, 192.5, 200.5, 192.5, 199.65 Jindal Steel, 602.1, 651.5, 602.1, 649.1 Jsw Steel Li, 1046.9, 1051, 1037.15, 1043.75 Kotak Mahind, 762, 772, 759.35, 770 Lakshmi Mach, 1785, 1803.35, 1773.3, 1780.85 Lanco Infrat, 63.15, 64.5, 61.8, 63.8 Larsen & Tou, 1682, 1709.8, 1678.9, 1703.9 Lic Housing, 971.7, 981.85, 962.35, 978.3 Lupin Limite, 1872.3, 1887, 1841.9, 1849.6 Mahanagar Te, 53.9, 54.7, 53.45, 54.3 Mahindra & M, 606, 618.5, 602.25, 615.7 Maruti Suzuk, 1364, 1367, 1344, 1355.45 Max India Lt, 163.7, 164.4, 161.05, 162.45 Maytas Infr., 190, 194.65, 188.1, 193.45

ICICI PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND has launched a new fund named as ICICI Prudential Nifty Junior Index Fund, an open ended index fund. The NFO price for the scheme is Rs 10 per unit.

The new issue is open for subscription from June 10 and closes on June 21, 2010.

Presently, two options are available under the scheme namely growth and dividend option. The minimum application amount is Rs 5,000.

Entry load charge will not be applicable for the scheme. Exit load charge will be 0.25% if the amount sought to be redeemed or switched out is invested up to 7 days from the date of allotment, nil thereafter.

Benchmark Index for the scheme is CNX Nifty Junior Index.

The scheme will be managed by Kayzad Eghlim.

Moser-baer (, 61, 61.7, 60.15, 61.35 Mrpl, 67.3, 68.7, 67.3, 68.45 Nagarjuna Co, 188.9, 195.45, 186.05, 193.4 Nagarjuna Fe, 29.15, 29.5, 28.8, 29.25 National Alu, 423.5, 425.95, 419.9, 422.1 Neyveli Lign, 148, 153.8, 146, 152.3 Ntpc Ltd, 201.85, 201.85, 198.25, 199.95 Oil And Natu, 1205, 1205, 1174.2, 1197.1 Omaxe Limite, 97.25, 97.25, 93.65, 95 Oriental Ban, 329, 334, 326.1, 331 Pantaloon Re, 408.2, 426.8, 404, 422.85 Parsvnath De, 130.05, 132, 128.05, 128.65 Petronet Lng, 81.8, 81.95, 80.25, 81 Power Fin Co, 303.5, 303.85, 297.9, 298.9 Power Grid C, 102.95, 103.35, 101.7, 103.05 Praj Industr, 79.65, 79.9, 78.1, 79.2 Punj Lloyd L, 116.6, 117.7, 115.6, 117.3 Punjab Natio, 1037, 1056, 1031, 1049.65 Rajesh Expor, 78.15, 78.25, 76, 76.1 Ranbaxy Labs, 435, 441.5, 434.1, 438.55 Rashtriya Ch, 79.65, 81.75, 79.65, 81.15 Rel. nat. re, 52.95, 61.95, 52.15, 60.9 Reliance Cap, 690, 724.8, 685.5, 722.65

Reliance Com, 173.5, 179.9, 173, 179.1 Reliance Ene, 896, 908, 896, 907.57 Reliance Ind, 776.95, 913.8, 772, 900.35 Reliance Ind, 1054.9, 1070, 1049.1, 1063.5 Reliance Pow, 158, 170.4, 158, 167.95 Rolta India, 166.8, 168, 165, 167 Satyam Compu, 86.95, 89.6, 86.55, 89 Sesa Goa Ltd, 355.9, 356.95, 350.75, 353.75 Shipping Cor, 169, 169.05, 164.5, 165.25 Siemens Ltd, 723.8, 727.5, 719.2, 722.4 Sintex Indus, 285.5, 301.7, 285.5, 299.75 Sobha Develo, 283, 286, 280, 283.25 State Bank O, 2345, 2359.95, 2326, 2345 Steel Author, 199, 201.45, 197.2, 200.15 Sterlite Ind, 642.5, 657.7, 640.15, 652.9 Sun Pharmace, 1685, 1707.9, 1668.05, 1702 Sun Tv Netwo, 409.95, 422, 406.35, 408 Suzlon Energ, 54.15, 54.95, 53.5, 54.7 Tata Communi, 250, 250, 245.55, 246.95 Tata Consult, 763.35, 787.1, 758, 781 Tata Motors, 768, 772.8, 754.15, 760.25

Tata Power C, 1244, 1259.8, 1241, 1253.5 Tata Steel L, 476.1, 486.4, 475.55, 484.2 Tata Tea Ltd, 1109.7, 1132, 1105, 1111.65 Tata Teleser, 20.15, 20.35, 19.85, 20.2 Tech Mahindr, 730.1, 744.5, 727, 739.4 The Ge Shpg., 297.25, 298.85, 293.55, 295.7 The Phoenix, 200, 213.6, 200, 209.5 Thermax Ltd, 696.2, 702, 688.1, 694.2 Titan Indust, 2257.9, 2257.9, 2224.8, 2239.1 Torrent Powe, 345, 345, 332, 335.35 Triveni Engg, 92.45, 95.8, 91.45, 93.95 Tv18 India L, 88.5, 90.5, 88.05, 89.45 Uco Bank, 81.95, 83.6, 81.8, 82.6 Ultratech Ce, 965, 985.9, 965, 979.25 Union Bank O, 311, 314.7, 307, 308.35 Unitech Ltd, 68.8, 69.25, 67.2, 68.7 United Phosp, 186.8, 186.8, 183, 183.65 Videocon Ind, 204.1, 204.1, 200, 202.15 Vijaya Bank, 62, 62.7, 61.55, 62.05 Voltas Ltd, 189.8, 191.4, 186.6, 188.25 Wipro Ltd, 650.05, 675.9, 647.4, 674.2 Yes Bank Lim, 289, 289.85, 284.15, 286.7 Zee Entertai, 292.8, 298.45, 289, 297.45

SPORTS

HE RA LD

Pg13­

GOA, Tuesday, 15 June, 2010

Davorlim down Sao Jose Areal HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, JUNE 14

Sporting Club of Davorlim trounced Sao Jose e Areal Sports Club 3-1 to storm into the semifinals of 18th Super Soccer tournament organised by United Club of Dando at St John Baptist ground, Dando, Benaulim on Monday. They were leading 1-0 at the breather.

Davorlim dominated the proceedings with the Sao Jose de Areal defenders at the receiving end. Their domination paid dividends as striker Rosebud Gomes caught the rival goalkeeper napping after he received a through pass from Venson Figueredo.

Stunned by the early goal, Areal tried their best and re-

Goans Hockey affiliation ratified by Hockey India HERALD SPORTS REPORTER PANJIM, JUNE 14

Hockey India has ratified the affiliation given to Goans Hockey headed by PWD Minister Churchill Alemao at the special general meeting in New Delhi on Monday.

Farrel Furtdao, general secretary, Redento de Sousa, assistant secertar y and Dexter Pereira, treasurer and special invitee attended the deliberations.

Rossman advance

grouped quickly but the Davorlim defenders were alert and never allowed their rival to look at their goal.

Crossing over, Davorlim attacked the rival citadel with gusto and created many opportunities. They were rewarded soon after resumption when striker Venson blasted home from a long range try.

After double blows, Areal showed a sigh of revival and found the net as Shelton Dias slotted pas the rival goalkeeper with a snap shot off Mario Rebello.

Defender Piedade Colaco rounded off the tally in style after picking up a swift pass from Rosebud Gomes.

Sao Jose de Areal tried their best late in the second half but failed to get past the rival rear-

guard.

Yesterday, Parish Youth ,Nuvem beat Immaculate Conception Sports Club, Paroda 10 to storm into the semi-finals.

The teams displayed an attacking brand of football right from the word go with their midfielders and forwards working in tandem.

Parish Youth started off cautiously and took time to settle down, but once they found their rhythm they called the shots.

Immaculate Conception soaked the pressure and thereafter they tried their best to go into the counter-offensive but the Parish Youth defence was compact and showed fine anticipation and alertness as they came up with some timely tackles with Nuvem central defender Cristo Colaco

Constancio, Bruto da Costa for South African camp HERALD SPORTS REPORTER PANJIM, JUNE 14

Goa’s Constancio Manuel Rodrigues from Varca is among the 16 young and promising footballers identified from the CocaCola Mir Iqbal Hussain Trophy who is all set to participate in a week long training camp in South Africa, according to AIFF. Constancio is a Salgaocar Under-16 player.

Goa will have another representative in the squad – coach Francisco Bruto da Costa who is also from Salgaocar Sports

Club, monitoring the youth development programme.

They will attend the CocaCola International 2010 football camp in South Africa and would also get once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to watch the FIFA World Cup match between South Africa and Uruguay on June 16.

The players will also be participating in a competitive tournament which would include young footballers from countries such as Egypt, Mexico, Russian, Turkey, Vietnam and Guatemala.

REUTERS OVAL, JUNE 14

Rossman Cruz Nagoa upset CAC Cansaulim 3-0 in a fast paced encounter in Mae Dos Pobres Cup soccer organised by Nuvem Sports Club at Nuvem church ground on Monday Rekson Fernandes pumped in two goals and Ajay Marrorin netted the third for the Nagoa team.

In the second half, the CAC Cansaulim boys came with renewed ideas but they seemed to have forgotten their striking boots at home.

Football tourney at Orlim

6-a-side football at Valpoi VALPOI (HC) -- Dham-Dhoom Sports Club of Valpoi will organise their 3rd All-Goa 6-a-side football tournament on June 20 at Valpoi Municipal ground. Rs 4000 (winners), Rs 2000 (runners-up) will be awarded. Entries restricted to 16 teams will be accepted upto June 18. Details may be obtained from Riyaz Khan on 9423813254 and 9049075877.

Cycle ride

PANJIM (HSD) -- The Goa Cycle Club conducted a cycle ride for intermediate and advanced riders on Saturday.

Seven cyclists took part on a 20-km route which included the long and steep climb up to the Pilerne Industrial Estate. The route taken was Betim – Verem – Pilerne - Pilerne Industrial Estate – Saligao – Calangute - and back to Betim.

The riders who took part were Brian Sopher, Amey Kakodkar, John Caldeira, Vibhav Kamat, Haresh Korde, Delfim Correia Da Silva and Joseph Rodrigues.

India team for South Africa camp: Goalkeeper: Sukhpreet Singh.

Forwards: Samu Hembrom, Jatinder Singh, Sanjay Biruly. Defenders: Budhrai Soren, Lalunfela (capt), Mohit Kumar Rana, Constancio Rodrigues, Suhas Narayanaswamy, Clyde Cyril Fernandes.

Midfielders: Shobbham Basnett, Aavesh Rafiq Sheikh, Auto Xavier, Ijasali Kunnan, Nadeem Gulam Khwaja, Rupart Lamlang Mongrum.

Coaches: Francisco Jose Bruto Da Costa, Satheevan Balan.

Proteas crush hapless Windies

HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, JUNE 14

PANJIM (HSD) – An All-Goa 8a-side football tournament organized by Gumboot Boys of Orlim will be held at Orlim church ground starting from June 17. The winners will get Rs.15,000 and the runners-up Rs.10,000, bnesides trophies.

Te a m a m a y c o n t a c t o n 9764598349 or 9822153087.

being outstanding.

Parish Youth nearly broke the deadlock but Immaculate Conception goalkeeper Luis Dias blocked Jose Colaco’s snap shot.

Crossing over, Parish Youth put up a much better display and attacked the rival citadel but the Paroda defenders were alert in frustrating their attacks.

Immaculate Conception regrouped quickly and got their act together but hardly were allowed any chance to look at the rival goal.

With the match heading for the tie-breaker, Parish Youth made a last ditch effort and their efforts bore fruit when Jose Colaco punished the Paroda goalkeeper with a snap shot off a pass from Steven Barreto.

Bencia F Monteiro of Merces alongwith sensei Subash S Shirodkar (4th degree black belt WSKF and 3rd degree belt AIKF) who passed the first degree black belt of WSKF India conducted by chief instructor sensei S Chaudhury. She won a gold in kumite and a bronze in kata at 11th nationals. She is presently training at Santa Cruz.

South Africa completed a comprehensive 163-run win over West Indies in the dying stages of the fourth day of the opening Test at the Queen's Park Oval on Sunday to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

The Proteas faced stiffer resistance from the West Indies in their second innings but were still able to earn a day off as the home side were dismissed for 293 from 80.3 overs with 2.3 overs remaining in the day's play.

Chasing a highly improbably 457 to win, West Indies showed significantly more fight than they had done in their first innings when they capitulated for 102.

Captain Chris Gayle led from the front with a power-packed 73 from 106 balls with nine fours and one six while his deputy Dwayne Bravo entertained with 49 from 74 balls with four boundaries and a pair of sixes.

Goa meet Punjab at Salt Lake HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, JUNE 14

The Goa U-19 team will play their final first round match against Punjab at Salt lake stadium, Kolkata, on Tuesday.

The organisers have shifted the venue from the East Bengal ground as they fear heavy rains will strike tomorrow. The Salt Lake ground is an all-weather artificial turf.

Although Goa only need a

draw against Punjab to qualify they will be putting out their strongest line-up.

Speaking to Herald, Goa U19 coach Mario Aguiar said, “The boys are in fine spirits and are fully focused on the game.

We have not even been watching the World Cup matches, apart from checking on the results from time to time.”

If Goa make it through to the second round group stage, they

are likely to face Uttarkand, Karnataka and Meghalya.

After the second phase, two teams will qualify from each group for the semi-finals.

Goa probable line-up: Albino Gomes (gk), Raju Haldankar, Meldon D'Silva, Mario Lobo, James Fernandes, Brandon Fernandes, Allwyn Fernandes, Jesvil D'Souza, Edberg Sequeira, Myron Fernandes, Pandhari Chopdekar.

2 Goans for U-16 girls football camp UNI CHANDIGARH, JUNE 14

Former India junior captain Tanvi Bhargava of Chandigarh is among 44 probables girls invited to under-16 National coaching camp at SAI centre in Gandhinagar (Gujarat) from June 20 to July 31.

The selected probables have been advised to report for

the camp on June 19 along with their original birth certificate.

Josline Maria D”Souza (gk) and Salma Fernandes are the two Goan players selected for the camp.

Amisana Devi is the coach and Maniratan assistant coach.

Kruti Marolia has been attached with the camp as physiotherapist.

37th Bandodkar memorial soccer:St Savio SC, Calangute v. Saligao United, MPT ground, Vasco, 5 p.m.

18th Super Soccer quarters: Don Bosco Oratory, Fatorda v. Betalbatim Sporting Club, St John Baptist ground, Dando – Benaulim, 4.30 p.m.

MaedosPobressoccer:Ambelim SC v. Curtorim Gymkhana, Nuvem church ground, 4.45 p.m

Somdev, Prakash in Wimbledon qualifiers AGENCIES LONDON, JUNE 14

India's Somdev Devvarman and Prakash Amritraj Monday stormed into the second round of Wimbledon men's singles qualifiers.

T h i r d - s e e d e d S o m d e v, ranked 104th, registered a comfortable 6-2, 6-2 victory over France's 174th-ranked Guillaume Rufin. He next plays American Ryler Deheart, who was leading 6-0 when his opponent Daniel Smethurst of England retired.

US-based Prakash got the measure of 28th-seeded German Dieter Kindlmann 6-3, 6-4 and now awaits the winner of the match between Peter Polansky of Canada and Australian Marinko Matosevic.

Sania fails to make main draw

AGENCIES MUMBAI, JUNE 14

Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni believes India's senior players will play to their potential in the Asia Cup, starting in Dambulla on Tuesday, after being allowed some muchneeded rest.

Speaking at the launch of the Asia Cup Trophy, Dhoni welcomed the return of the senior players and hoped they would keep intact, if not enhance, their reputation.

“It is good to have all the senior players back. They have worked on their fitness. During the break they have also worked on their skills, which they couldn't have done during the season," Dhoni said.

“I am confident that they will perform to their potential," he added.

India had fielded a second string unit under Suresh Raina's captaincy for the tri-series in Zimbabwe, where the team finished last.

Dhoni, however, refused to be harsh on the youngsters who struggled in Zimbabwe, saying too much should not be read into their back-to-back defeats against Zimbabwe in the tri-series.

“We lost to Zimbabwe but we beat Sri Lanka. You have to understand that we have had fitness issues with our bowlers and we do not have experienced fast bowlers. The series in Zimbabwe has given us options in playing young fast bowlers.

“There is a huge difference between domestic and international cricket. Only by playing would our younger bowlers be able to bridge the gap. The series has given us an opportunity to play youngsters and prepare them for international cricket," said Dhoni.He deemed India

Dhoni rides a bicycle in Dambulla.

would be under pressure to win the Asia Cup. “When you are representing your country you are always under pressure to perform. This will be a tough assignment as it would not be easy to beat sides like Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The competition is bound to be tough," he said.

India, who will have six of their players arriving from Zimbabwe, will play Bangladesh on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara reckoned a triumph would help Sri Lanka in preparing for the World Cup, which is to be hosted in the subcontinent between February 19 to April 2 next year.

“The Asia Cup is unique and prestigious. We could take confidence from a triumph here to build the team and in preparation for the ensuing World Cup," said Sangakkara, who, for some queer reason, turned up in ca-

sual attire for the official launch of the tournament.

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, on his part, emphasised that every tournament is important for Pakistan.

“From now on every competition is important. We will keep our focus on this tournament to prepare for the World Cup. I can tell you that we haven't brought youngsters here on a holiday," said Afridi.

The Pakistan captain hoped that comeback pacer Shoaib Akhtar would perform as well as he prepared for the tournament.

“He has worked hard on his comeback. He wants to prove to everyone that he can perform as he did in the part. As a captain I hope he does well. It help Pakistan cricket," said Afridi.

Sri Lanka face Pakistan in their opening match tomorrow.

India to play South Africa at football World Cup stadium

Sri Lanka eye Asia Cup glory

AGENCIES LONDON, JUNE 14

Sania Mirza failed to make the singles main draw of the WTA Aegon International after losing in the third round of the qualifying event to Russia's Ekaterina Makarova in Eastbourne on Monday.

The eighth seeded Indian was beaten 4-6, 3-6 in 68 minutes by her unseeded opponent in the final qualif ying round match of the grass court event.

Sania saved six break-points in the first set but one break of serve proved costly as she conceded the lead.

In the second set she was successful in grabbing the chance to break, but also dropped serve twice in the process and bowed out.

AFP PRETORIA, JUNE 14

The Kingsmead cricket ground in Durban has become a camp for football fans in the city over the last few weeks, but next January the nearby football stadium will host a Twenty20 match between South Africa and India The game is expected to attract the biggest crowd to ever attend a cricket match in South Africa.

The Moses Mabhida Stadium is currently flooded with fans for the football World Cup but will transform into a cricket stadium on January 9, 2011 during India's three-Test and five-ODI tour that precedes the 50-over cricket World Cup. "The Standard Bank International Pro20 match at the FIFA World Cup 2010 venue, the Moses Mabhida Stadium, will take on a very special significance as it will be one of the main events to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Indians in South Africa," said Cricket South Africa (CSA) chief executive, Gerald Majola.

In a packed schedule running from this October to the World Cup in February, South Africa host three ODIs against an improving Zimbabwe side, before touring UAE to play Pakistan in five ODIs and two Tests during October and November.

The home series against India then begins less than a month later with teams competing for the Krish Mackerdhuj Trophy, named after the former CSA president and a pioneer of the first South African cricket tour to India in 1991. The series

AGENCIES DAMBULLA, JUNE 14

could decide who's ranked the world's best Test team and Graeme Smith, the South Africa captain, is desperate for the accolade.

“The No. 1 Test match ranking is also a massive honour in our great game," said Graeme Smith. "We have had a very good run in this format over the past two years with away series wins in England and Australia and two drawn series in India."

Following their memorable triumph in Australia in 2008-09, however, South Africa have struggled to maintain their consistency. They lost to Australia at home, before disappointing in the Champions Trophy they hosted in September and October 2009 and drawing at home to England soon after.

It culminated in coach Mickey

Arthur resigning to be replaced

by Corrie van Zyl and a new selection team, led by Andrew Hudson, being installed. There followed an encouraging tour to India in February this year, which was shared 1-1, and South Africa are now dominating a series in West Indies.

“There have been a lot of encouraging signs about our away performances in India and West Indies, although there is still plenty of room for improvement," said van Zyl. "The upcoming series against Zimbabwe, Pakistan and India form an important part in developing an upward curve because a winning run is the best way to build confidence, and confidence is the key to ultimate success. That ultimate goal for this season is the ICC World Cup in February."

Sri Lanka will be hoping home advantage can propel them to victory in the upcoming Asia Cup in Dambulla.

The hosts will get the fournation one-day tournament underway against Pakistan on Tu e s d a y, w i t h I n d i a a n d Bangladesh also hoping to challenge for top honours.

After their victory in the recent tri-series with Zimbabwe and India, Sri Lanka will head into the competition full of confidence.

Kumar Sangakkara has been brought back to captain the team, although veteran batsman Sanath Jayasuriya and spinner Ajantha Mendis were surprise exclusions for the squad.

“Sanath has not had a decent run lately. We sidelined him after considering his performances over the past one year," chief national selector Aravinda de Silva said. “The decision to leave Mendis out was tactical."

With next year's World Cup also being held on the sub-continent, all four sides will be looking to gain a psychological advantage.

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has hinted that he will be using the Asia Cup to experiment with different line-ups ahead of the 2011 tournament.

He said: "This is the time, with eight to 10 months to go for the World Cup, when you can make a few changes.”

“Once we get closer, we want to play with a fixed side and give them more exposure, get them more used to the conditions."

Vuvuzelas on their way to Premier League?

AGENCIES LONDON, JUNE 14

The cyclists who took part in Goa Cycle Club ride.

Seniors will perform to potential: Dhoni

The great vuvuzela debate looks likely to run well beyond the World Cup final, after organisers yesterday urged international fans to export the horn to their own countries and the Premier League said it would welcome them in England.

South African organisers today mounted a stout defence of the vuvuzela despite the World Cup organising committee's chief executive Danny Jordaan saying he preferred the sound of singing and would continue to monitor the situation.

As one bookmaker began taking bets on which Premier League club would be first to sell vuvuzelas in their team's colours, a spokesman said there was nothing in its rules that would stop supporters taking

them into grounds.

A Premier League spokesman said: “Nothing in our rules specifically prohibits musical instruments from being brought into grounds as these matters are dealt with at a club level. It will be down to stadium managers, in consultation with supporters groups, to determine what is appropriate."

A spokesman for the local organising committee said the horns were here to stay and called on visiting supporters to take them home and introduce them to their own footballing culture.

The loud drone of the vuvuzela has sparked an international debate, with broadcasters inundated with complaints and arguments raging on radio phone-ins.

But South African organisers said today vuvuzelas are an im-

portant part of the country's footballing culture and will not be banned unless rules forbidding fans entering the field of play with them are flouted.

“There has never been any consideration to ban them. The history of the vuvuzela is ingrained in the history of South Africa," said a spokesman.

“They emanate from the horn used by our forefathers to call meetings. The vuvuzelas are used to express the feelings about the game itself." He pointed out that the instrument had been adopted by international fans, with the noise of vuvuzelas dominating matches involving European countries too.

“Let us not make this a South African instrument alone. The vuvuzela is now an international instrument. People will buy

them and stuff them in their suitcases and take them home," he said.

But some South Africans believe that there have only been so many complaints from overseas because the vuvuzelas are being blown indiscriminately by first timers rather than in unison to reflect the ebb and flow of the game, as is the case at South African Premier League matches.

The organising committee spokesman attempted to draw a line under the debate. “This is a world event hosted by South Africa. As our guests, please embrace our culture and the way we celebrate," he said.

“We should close this discussion now. We have been talking about it for a year and it will never end. You either love them or you hate them. We in South Africa love them."

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tovear bhakri “ Taplelea bhaza - Anonymous

who says sunshine brings happiness “ Anyone has never danced in the rain - Anonymous

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Tuesday, 15 June, 2010

DIVINE HEALING

Crushed but only for Fragrance

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Pg14

It’s the Time to Rain Dance

It is during intense suffering that our true character is built. A good example is the legendary thorn bird who sings the sweetest ballad just once in its life – while dying among the thorns

BY CHRISTINA VIEGAS HERALD FEATURES hree days ago, it was the birth anniversary of my precious but deceased first born baby girl. At 11:50 in the night, (the time of her birth, carved on my heart forever), it got excruciating. Promptly, I reached out to friends and supportive colleagues for comfort through SMS. While beautiful and thoughtful messages poured in, one particular message soared through my soul: “Let your baby girl get all the happiness we sought but never found, let her be always miles away from all the grief we fought to keep away but could not.” Moved to tears, it propelled me into deep thought of how it is we, the ones left behind, who truly suffer as we relive the past, again and again and again. It is we who get shrouded in grief and continue to die hundreds of deaths during every single moment of pain, as we hold on and never let go. We argue, “How dare anyone tell us to move on? I don’t want to!”

The stirring SMS thrust me into the past: In your early 20s when most women are building their careers, treading into marriage or cradling their first born with soaring dreams for their kids, I was at the ICU where the doctors had just proclaimed my two-year-old baby girl dead. Just then, incidentally, from the room opposite, there were gasps of relief as an aged lady embraced her sixty year old son, who was just proclaimed out of danger. One mother gained her son back, though well into the twilight years of his life, while I stood utterly empty, with my life changed forever, as the furious rain continued to pelt down in the wee hours of that cold third morning of October. Oh! The semantics of life! Inexorably, it was hard to keep the faith during a tragedy as this.

I quickly sought solace at my baby girl’s grave. Looking up at the pristine white angel statue, I spent copious earth shattering grieving moments. Almost a year went by with me frequenting the grave in an unhealthy manner.

Washing the statue, incessantly highlighting the wordings on the tombstone which I poured forth from my heart, sprinkling petals etc became a regular ritual. I nursed my grief to the exclusion of everything else. When told to restrain a bit by my hubby, I tearfully argued back, “For others, it is just a grave with just another body. For me it is the place where I left my tender baby’s body which I bathed, lo tioned, fed and cherished. If I find peace here, why should it bother others?”

Sitting still, staring intently at the main door day after day, for someone to bring her back, crushed me hundred times over. My raving and sparring with God got me nowhere, or so I thought. Till a special bonding with a sensitive journalist friend came as a real godsend. I was introduced into the world of orphans, abandoned aged people and the marginalised.

More than an introduction, it was more of a revival, as memories of visiting orphans, old people and spastic children during school days came flooding back. In the convent, when our revered nuns had instilled those very important values, I was just a little carefree, happy girl more than willing to help, but after the death of my baby, the visits held more meaning.

For two whole years, I had left my baby’s toys, clothes and other stuff untouched in her room like a shrine, waiting for her return, but after meeting

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­H­O­R­O­S­C­O­P­E Things may be coming to a head. Be bold, be brave and you can face anything. The morning (21 Mar – 19 Apr) sees you reacting to old news -- maybe incredibly old news -- but you should be much more sanguine this afternoon. In fact, you may see it all as just a big distraction and flush it.

Obey the urge to flutter like a social butterfly.

People want to see you more. Try not to worry (23 Sep – 22 Oct) too much about your progress or lack thereof this morning -- you've got to deal with more pressing issues later in the day. They may be lovely, actually, as your social energy is really shining!

Although judgment falls in your favor, you're not the only righteous one involved. Your emotional (20 Apr – 20 May) security is like a warm blanket this morning -- you may not want to get up and face the day!

Once you're out there, some weirdness at the office or with friends confirms your suspicions.

You're not where you want to be, but that's no career crises. Be patient and wait. Your energy (23 Oct – 21 Nov) levels are rising through the morning, though you may expect a little bump or two in the afternoon. Try to get done as much as you can before things start to get weird!

Unless you're talking to like-minded people, your dry wit will be misinterpreted. Deal with mun(21 May – 21 Jun) dane stuff like budgets and task lists this morning before all the good social energy floods in and overwhelms you this afternoon.

You can't balance your checkbook at a party!

Generosity guides you today -- unconsciously, you'll be giving everyone gifts. Try harder than (22 Nov – 21 Dec) usual to achieve greater depth with your mate or your career path. It's a good time for you to fire things up, especially later in the day when your pilot light is burning bright!

Just because you have money now doesn't mean you always will.

Plan for your future. This (22 Jun – 22 Jul) morning promises a new beginning, and you should be feeling fine. By this evening, your energy may have pushed you in some new, extravagant direction -- so don't resist at all!

Nothing is going to happen unless you get the ball rolling. If you want this, begin. Concentrate (22 Dec – 19 Jan) on the home front -- at least during the first half of the day!

Business crises may pop up later on, and you will be glad that you have everything sewn up with friends and family then.

The glory may not go to you, but in your heart you know you are a huge success. Let your sub(23 Jul – 22 Aug) conscious mind take over -- at least for a while. Later in the day, your good energy takes over and might push you in a bold new direction, but it requires a bit more conscious effort.

Creativity will carry you through any power struggle. Find ways to work around them. Try to push (20 Jan – 18 Feb) beyond the little details that are getting in your way this morning, if you can; this evening should present a lovely new opportunity. Move beyond your boundaries!

A wrench is thrown into your plans. Don't waste time being angry -- roll with it. It's essential for (23 Aug – 22 Sep) you to spend extra time with people today -- they are all looking out for you, and you should feel a great wave of energy as you absorb their smiles and breezy emotions.

Too much is going on that you don't know about -- keep your opinions to yourself. Your en(19 Feb – 20 Mar) ergy is so potent this morning that you leave a wake of smiles behind you everywhere you go. Later on, you need to chill out a little and let others take the lead, if they're up for it.

ding nsoons sen With the mo r to d o o rs , e it h e e v e ry o n e in and ge or work school, colle s a e, here i back hom will activity that recreational in n ve e t your fee keep you on e c n a d tt e n d in g th e ra in . A p e ke e rain will classes in th pbeat our moods u

I

the orphans I found the courage to give it all away. After kissing each and every toy and piece of clothing, I tearfully gave away her stuff but with the only consolation that the poor orphans would be benefiting. Yet, when it came to giving away her mattress, I lay on it and sobbed, “I chose this particular red colour as it was her favourite colour. Her touch and baby fragrance is still here. How can I give this away?” I remembered her thrilling in delight as she mouthed, ‘Rud car, rud car’ each time we got into our car then.

My hubby reasoned, “If you keep her bed, you will only suffer and not heal, but by sharing it, you will be comforting one of those poor innocent kids abandoned by their very parents.” That was all I needed to hear to make the very difficult but right decision.

We need to understand that it is healthy to grieve as we acquire some very important lessons in life during this devastating period. Yet, it is absolutely easy to slip into some unhealthy patterns where we ignore the vital present and live in the past. A tiartrist who lost his two-year-old son two decades ago elucidates how his wife lost herself into incessant, unhealthy grieving. She never recovered. My second daughter had once asked me, “Mama, why have you only recorded my birth date in my baby book?” Remembering my deceased daughter’s baby book which I had enthusiastically and painstakingly documented, I felt utterly ashamed. This is one kind of wake up call.

Similarly, on All Souls Day or other important occasions, it is great to wash and decorate the graves and respect our deceased loved ones as it gives us immense peace, but it is more important to reach out and help the living who are bound by unfortunate circumstances. A brave lady who lost her husband in an accident once told me, “Each time you help someone in need, you will heal a little bit.”

Death teaches us that when God crushes us it is only to extract our true fragrance. Death brings us closer to love and life and to the realisation that each of us has been entrusted with the lifelong job of loving and nurturing life, not giving up on it. There is a lot of love to go around. When you understand that death is inevitable, you will realise what a gift it is to be alive! And to love and live in the present!

Abhishek Bachchan for Team Brazil T

BY DOLCY D’CRUZ HERALD FEATURES t’s raining!! Raindrops finally falling on your face and the feeling of a new life all around you; a satisfaction that the scorching hot days are at last behind. The first thought is to get out and dance in the rains amidst the growing greenery and fresh look of nature all over you. But dancing in the rain is not always possible and soon one will be sitting by the window pane and watching the raindrops with hot cup of coffee. Well, the rains surely cannot dampen our spirits especially of Goans who love to dance no matter what season.

Xtremers Dance Group is organising a two week free monsoon dance workshop for children and adults from June 14 to June 26, 2010. Xtremers Dance Academy was founded and is run by Abhishek Soman. He is assisted by his partner and dancer Raul Damai. Abhishek says, “The main aim of the workshop is to make people feel more comfortable and fun while dancing till they get a feel of it. We have organised the workshop in four batches, three includes children who will be taught Bollywood and Hip Hop and one is for Latin Ballroom dances like Salsa, Bachata and Meringue. The children’s first batch begins from age 3-7, the next are from age 8-14 and the third batch is from 15 and above. The Latin batch is open to all.

The workshop began in Panjim and Margao on June 14 and will begin in Mapusa and Ponda on June 15. For the Latin batch, we will teach the basics of Latin ballroom dances with a few trademark steps.” The first children’s batch will be at 4pm, followed by a 5pm batch, and the last batch for children at 6pm. The Latin dance batch is from 7pm.

Xtremers Dance Academy was formed almost two years back and the instructors currently with the academy are Raul Damai, Jegatha M (Jags) and Rani Chopra, each expert in their own forms of dance. “Each of the instructors are proficient in their dances but overall we are all capable to

he whole world is now in the possession of the football world cup mania, with everyone rooting and supporting their team.

Abhishek Bachchan has proclaimed that he is a big football fan and an ardent supporter of the Brazilian team, since he could remember. Abhishek will next be seen with his wife Aishwarya Rai in Mani Ratnam’s ‘Raavana’ and is not so sure whether he will be able to make it to a live match, this world cup. He thinks that this year the world cup is quite unpredictable and each team consists of very capable players.

There is also a serious case of injured players, which does nothing but add to the unpredictable. So all we have to do is wait and watch to see how the matches go.

Abhishek is planning to attend the finale on July 11, revealed his father and Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan.

‘There is keenness for a group that wishes to be there (World Cup) in the midst of it all to feel the punch of entertainment and game. My home enthusiasts, well just one, Mr Abhishek Bachchan has expressed his absolute desire to be there for the final,’ Amitabh posted on his blog.

“I know where this is coming from. A World Cup final in Los Angeles many years ago between Italy and Brazil what a dream match had instigated such interest. And we all just got up and left for the United States of America to attend this great pairing off. Then it was I (who) had suggested that we go, now it is Abhishek that is doing so,” he added.

take a class if someone is absent. We have the knowledge of the basics of dance.

This monsoon workshop is a session to regroup and follow-up of the recently concluded summer camp. The classes will be held on alternate days like Panjim and Margao will have classes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while Mapusa and Ponda will have classes on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday,” informs Abhishek.

“A frequent norm that is followed by majority of ballroom dancers is that they attend the basics and they think it is enough knowledge to dance on the dancefloor. Unlike other dance academies in Goa, we focus on musicality and theory of dance. It is more important to know leading and partnering techniques and how to dance according to the beats. I have noticed several people who go to the dancefloor and dance to the wrong beats just because they have learnt the steps. We bring out the common mistakes that take place on the dance floor through our workshops,” says Abhishek.

When asked about how he feels when he sees his students shaking a leg on the dance floor, he says, “I feel great especially if the student is dancing very neatly and without any mistakes. We teach a few show moves but I recommend students not to try it at a formal occasion as they is a space constrain.” Besides the workshop, Xtremers Dance Academy all teaches other forms of dance like Argentine tango, cha cha cha, jive, waltz, foxtrot, and tango.

While there is a boom in the dance programmes on television, there are a lot of dance forms which were unknown to the Indian audience. With more options, children seem to be the more enthusiastic learners. “Children are fast learners, they watch dance shows like Dance India Dance, Boogie Woogie and they come to class and say I want to dance like that dancer, teach me the steps. They have a bigger window. Some parents bring their kids a month before the auditions for some national TV programmes and a month is not enough to train a student to perfection.”

The venues for the dance workshop are Caritas Complex, St Inez, Panjim; B M Hall, Borda, Margao; Commun i d a d e Hall, opposite Milagres Church, Mapusa and Sumit Sh o p p ing Co mplex, opposite Hotel Menino, Ponda.

Marilyn Monroe’s Pink Satin Gown auctioned for 213 Thousand Pounds

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he Marilyn Monroe gown dubbed ‘the most important Hollywood dress ever’, featured in a huge auction of famous film props and costumes, where it fetched 213,000 pounds (approximately Rs 14, 619, 560).

Marilyn wore the pink satin gown as the gold-digging Lorelei Lee in one of cinema's most memorable song and dance sequences, ‘Diamond's are a Girl's Best Friend’ in the 1953 classic ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’. It was copied by Madonna in the music video of her song, ‘Material Girl’.

The Profiles In History Auction, where the dress was sold, also saw 1,500 landmark items going under the hammer. They called it ‘the most important film dress to ever come to an auction’. The gown was the highlight of the sale and also featured Monroe’s test footprints and signature, set in cement from outside Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.

The auction, one of the biggest ever held in Hollywood, is set to raise about two million pounds.

Also up for sale were the famous Wicked Witch of the West hat worn by Margaret Hamilton in ‘The Wizard of Oz’, the holy grail from ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade’, the personal script used by Harrison Ford in ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ and Darth Vader's lightsaber from ‘Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi’, among others.

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GOA’S HEARTBEAT Tuesday, 15 June, 2010

balletomane Function noun Meaning : a devotee of ballet Example Sentence Balletomanes across the country eagerly bought tickets to the ballerina’s final performance.

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Poornima Patil

Pg15

“I grew up with six brothers. That’s how I learned to dance - waiting for the bathroom.”

– Bob Hope DAILY GROOK DUDE SUBDUED

by Francis Rodrigues many a bossy lassl of men they rode, would sadly class ‘em as...sub-dude!

Vaishnavi Pai Cacode

Wondrous Art of Underprivileged Children HERALD FEATURES he Gonsalves mansion recently played host to an art exhibition that jointly displayed the art works of underprivileged children and artists Unnati Singh and Salvador Fernandes.

The works of the children hung on the outside walls of the house, all through the balcony and the artists, on the inside.

Together, the artists brought plenty of mythical elements to their works through a profusion of colours and intricate details. They mixed dark colours with light and used in it almost every shade. The people in the pictures were exuded deep emotions and the painting style, especially the thick blobs of paint in areas on the canvas enhanced the painting.

The speciality of this exhibition was that the artists worked together with the underprivileged children. Unnati Singh reveals that she had children working beside her on her very canvas and was inspired by their creativity. She says, “Our motive was to expose them to beautiful things, to bring out their talents, to help them deal with life.”

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Photos by Chiquitita D’ Souza

Instructions for Sudoku SUDOKU SOL 578 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

Variety of Artistic Themes at ‘Works on Paper II’ HERALD FEATURES orks on Paper II’, the art exhibition featuring N Sachin, P Conrad, P Charudatta, S Vasudev and S Querozito was recently inaugurated at the Tamarind Art Gallery, Calangute.

The exhibition displays a variety of artistic themes, styles and mediums.

It will be open to the public on all days except Mondays till July 11 from 10am to 6pm at the Tamarind Art Gallery, Calangute.

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GARFIELD

SOUTH POLE

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

10:00 Godh Bharaai 10:30 Maan Rahe Tera Pitaah 11:00 Baat Hamari Pakki Hai 11:30 Indian Idol 13:00 Godh Bharaai 13:30 Baat Hamari Pakki Hai 14:00 Maan Rahe Tera Pitaah 14:30 C.I.D 16:00 C.I.D Classics 18:30 Maan Rahe Tera Pitaah 19:00 Maan Rahe Tera Pitaah 19:30 Godh Bharaai 20:00 Maan Rahe Tera Pitaah 20:30 Baat Hamari Pakki Hai 21:00 Indian Idol

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

10:15 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta….

11:15 Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo 12:00 Mrs. and Mr. Sharma Allahabadwale 12:30 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta….

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

14:30 Mrs. and Mr. Sharma Allahabadwale 15:00 Lapataganj 15:30 FIR 16:00 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta…

16:30 Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo 17:00 Mrs. and Mr. Sharma

Parenting

The splendid display of footwork and visual expressions in the invocatory prayer “Stuti”, followed by “Chatuspadi” where the dancers presented their longing to be with the beloved touched the audience immensely.

“Alaripu”, an invocatory item symbolic of offering prayers to Gods, Guru, eight directions and welcoming the audience followed by the “Jatiswaram” by the five dancers was truly entertaining.

Tanya Keni

Funny Quote

Pronunciation ba-LET-uh-mayn

CURR

PEN T HAP

HERALD FEATURES ance lovers from Margao were treated to some beautiful performances of five young students of Kalangan, Margao in the “Bharatnatyam Arangetram” titeld “Shyam Bavari”. The five young dancers Vaishnavi Pai Cacode, Tanya Keni, Poornima Patil, Chandni Asolkar and Shruta Pai, enthralled the audience with their performances choreographed

by Gold Medalist dancer Lalan Dessai.

LAFFS

WORD OF THE DAY

SUDOKU 579

2580106.

‘A new world…VISION 2050’, a creativity contest on graphic designing on the subject, will be held from July 10 onwards. Registrations close on June 18. Call 9423885224 or 2225153.

Visit www.mgmgoa.com.

A 2-week personality development workshop, conducted by the Detroit Institute , Panjim will begin on June 24 at the Detroit Institute, Panjim. Call 9822131835.

‘Joga’, an indoor mini Futsal (football) competition, organised by SpaceKraft Media Solutions will take place on June 26 and 27 at the Don Bosco Oratory, the Don Bosco High School Panjim. Registration is open at the Don Bosco Oratory Office. Call 9823117259 or 2221402.

‘Nokia 5233 Indoor Football Fever 2010’, a corporate indoor football tournament, organised by Radioactiv Entertainment in association with Nokia will be held every Saturday and Sunday for the next four weeks at the Don Bosco Oratory, Don Bosco High School, Panjim. There will be a variety of entertainment programmes. Call 3292219.

Live screenings of the football world cup are on till July 11 at the Caravela, Taj Holiday Village, Sinquerim. Call 6645858.

Vishwakamat Travels will be celebrating 25 years on July 2 at the Sungrace Gardens, Ponda. There will be a variety of entertainment programmes.

Call 9822126654.

A vehicle rally will take place on June 18, Goa’s Revolution Day. It will be flagged off from the house of Dr Juliano Menezes in Assolna at 2:30pm. The event is held in the memory of Ram Manohar Lohia and Dr Juliano Menezes.

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Splendid Performances at ‘Shyam Bavari’ Bharatnatyam Arangetram

WHAT’S UP IN GOA??

A 2-week Free Monsoon Dance Workshop for Children and Adults, organised by Xtremers Dance Group is being held till June 26 at Margao, Panjim, Ponda and Mapusa. Call 9823712572 or 9823469258.

‘Works on Paper II’, an art exhibition featuring 5 artists, N Sachin, P Conrad, P Charudatta, S Vasudev and S Querozito is being held till July 11 from 10am to 6pm at the Tamarind Art Gallery, Calangute. It will be open on all days, except Mondays. Call 9822481481 or 6514796.

‘Art Event 2010’, organised by the Society for Promoting Arts, Culture and Education and supported by the Directorate of Art and Culture will be h e l d t i l l M a r c h 2 0 11 a t t h e Bartholomeu’s School Hall or at the Dayanand Bandodkar High School.

Call 9922898694 or 9850871608.

The 23rd annual Anti-Tobacco Exhibition, organised by the Tuberculosis Association of Goa will be open to the public till June 30 at the Tuberculosis Association of Goa, Nizari Bhavan, Panjim. Call 2434673.

Creative Collective, Sunaparanta’s first InStudio workshop is headed by Patricia Geraldes. An interactive session will take place on June 16 at 6.30pm at the Art Lounge, Sunaparanta, Altinho, Panjim. Call 2421311.

A month long blood donation drive, organised by Goa State AIDS Control Society (GSACS) and Goa State Blood Transfusion Council will take place in the entire month of June. Call 9922353445.

‘NACLIN 2010’, the 4 day 13th national convention on knowledge, library and information networking will be held from June 15 at BITS Pilani, Goa Campus. Visit www.naclin.org. Call 2580314, 2580101, 2580303 and

Education

08:40 The Librarian: The Curse of the Judas Chalice 10:30 Happy-Go-Lucky 12:50 City Hunter 14:55 Thomas Crown Affair 17:05 Tortured 19:15 Superhero Movie 21:00 Joy Ride 2: Dead Ahead 23:00 The Fearless Hyena

12:00 Kung Fu Panda 14:00 Lorenzo's Oil 16:45 The Last Mimzy 18:45 TMZ 19:15 Amusement 21:00 Kung Fu Panda 23:00 The Time Machine

08:15 Khuddar 12:00 Daraar 16:10 Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya?

20:00 Hum Hain Kamaal Ke 23:00 Jimmy

09:30 Dhokha 12:30 Devi Maa 16:00 Hey Ram 20:00 Lajja

09:40 Interstate 60 12:00 The Quiet American 14:05 Point Break

16:25 Fun with Dick and Jane 18:25 Hollywood One on One 18:55 Reservoir Dogs 21:00 Bulletproof Monk 23:15 Hollywood Ending

08:30 Joru Ka Ghulam 12:00 Naksha 16:00 Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar 20:00 International Khiladi 23:40 Sanjog

08:00 Virodhi 12:00 Mother India 16:00 Jallaad 20:00 Rocky

E N T E R TA I N M E N T Allahabadwale 17:30 Gutar Gu 18:00 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta…

18:30 Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo 19:00 Lapataganj 19:30 Mrs. and Mr. Sharma Allahabadwale 20:00 Maniben.com 20:30 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta…

21:00 Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo 21:30 Mrs. and Mr. Sharma Allahabadwale 22:00 Lapataganj

10:30 Mile Jab Hum Tum

11:00 Laughter Dons 12:00 Dill Mill Gayye 13:30 Geet 14:00 Rang Badalti Odhni 14:30 Jaane Pehchaane Se Yeh 15:00 Pyaar Diwana Hota Hain 16:30 Star One Horror Nights 19:00 Geet 19:30 Rang Badalti Odhni 20:00 Dill Mill Gayye 20:30 Jaane Pehchaane Se Yeh 21:00 Mile Jab Hum Tum 21:30 Geet 22:00 Rang Badalti Odhni

11:00 Csi

12:00 World Records Smashed 13:00 Criss Angel Mindfreak 14:00 Top Chef : Zoo Food 15:00 Whacked Out Sports 15:30 Video Zonkers 17:00 The Amazing Race 18:00 Leverage 19:00 World Records Smashed 20:00 Masters of Illusion 21:00 So You Think You Can Dance

10:00 30 Rock 10:30 The Simpsons 11:00 V.I.P 12:00 Friends

12:30 Castle 13:30 America's Got Talent 14:30 Scrubs 15:00 Desperate Housewives 16:00 The Simpsons 16:30 Friends 17:00 Castle 18:00 V.I.P 19:00 30 Rock 19:30 The Simpsons 20:00 90210 21:00 Friends 21:30 Scrubs 22:00 Castle

09:30 Engine Block 2010 10:00 FIA F1 World Championship Raceday 2010 10:45 FIA F1 World Championship 2010 Main Race 12:45 FIA F1 World Championship Chequered Flag 2010 13:30 NBA Finals 09/10: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics 14:00 Engine Block 2010 16:30 Korea Match Cup 2010 17:00 Best of Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships H/ls 18:00 TNA Impact 20:00 Supa Strikas 20:30 Golf Focus 2010 21:00 Score Tonight 21:30 Wimbledon Official Film 22:30 Supa Strikas 23:00 US Open Championship Official Film : 2009

11:00 2010 FIFA World Cup Matchday H/ls 13:00 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa : Group Match: Serbia vs. Ghana 15:00 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa : Post Show

15:30 Sportscenter Express : South Africa 16:00 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa : Pre-Show 16:50 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa : Group Match: New Zealand vs.

Slovakia 19:00 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa : Link Show 19:20 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa : Group Match: Cote d'Ivoire vs.

Portugal 21:30 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa : Post Show 22:00 Sportscenter India 22:30 Sportscenter Asia 23:00 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa : Pre-Show 23:50 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa : Group Match: Brazil vs. DPR Korea

ten-sports 12:30 Premier League 07:00 MUTV: Kids Club H/ls : Burnely 07:30 Flavorsvs. Man United 08:00 English News 13:00 Premier 09:00 MUTV: Konkani News League 10:00 Marathi News vs. Man H/ls : Wigan Athletic 11:00 Campus Rocks United 11:30 Remo Songs 12:00 Motorsport HCN’s Smash Hits 13:30 Mundial 12:30 Flavors 13:00 English News 14:00 14:00 Zimbabwe Kids Club Triangular ODI 2010 : 2nd T20 14:30H/ls Rose Garden 15:00 Snaden Shawn Dance 16:00 16:00 WWE: Remo Experience Song 16:30 Flavors 17:00 WWE: Khell Tiatr 17:00 After Burn 18:00 Konkani News 19:00 Marathi News 18:00 ICC Cricket Show 20:00 English News 21:00 Khell Tiatr 18:30 Real NBA 22:00 English News 23:00 Straight Talk 19:00 Ascot : Summer Day 1 00:00 Royal St Andrew’s Festival 23:00 After Burn 00:30 WWE: Flavors Note: Subject to Change

HERALD CROSSWORD - 579 Across 1- Demote; 6- Puts in stitches; 10- Employs; 14- ___ New Guinea; 15- Drug-yielding plant; 16- Israeli dance; 17- Not proper; 18- San ___, Italy; 19Coffee dispensers; 20- Come to terms; 21- Lies in wait for; 23- Hosp. workers; 25- Bass, e.g.; 26- Pierce with a knife; 29- Attention-getter; 32- Throw up; 37- Center of activity; 38Conclusion; 39- Lady of Spain; 40- Arterial plaque deposit; 43Relax; 44- Fishing gear; 45Cornerstone abbr.; 46- Made a mistake; 47- Destiny; 48- 1975 Wimbledon winner; 49- Tina's ex; 51- Cartoon dog; 53- Glad all over; 58- Paces; 62- "So be it"; 63- Small brook; 64- Open and close the eye; 65- Currency of Turkey, and formerly of Italy; 66- Bhutan's continent; 67- Lofty nest; 68- Type of rock, briefly; 69- Word of comparison; 70- Tendency; Down 1- Capital city of Western Samoa; 2- Sudden explosive noise; 3- On ___ with; 4- Majestic; 5- Consumed; 6- Franklin D.'s mother; 7K-6; 8- Burrowing marsupial; 9Capital of South Korea; 10- Nope; 11- Achy; 12- Sea eagles; 13- Airline to Oslo; 22- Cuts off; 24- Soup utensil; 26- Oil source; 27Teacher; 28- Detest; 30- Radical '60s org.; 31- Pelvic bones; 33Lennon's lady; 34- Hebrew prophet; 35- Whiskey type; 36-

Flavor; 38- Accept as true; SOLUTION - 578 39- Passover feast; 41- Compass pt.; 42- Destiny; 47- Talisman; 48- Deer horn; 50Gold measurement; 52- Convocation of witches; 53Chieftain, usually in Africa; 54- Atlantic mackerel; 55Hang-up; 56- Bones found in the hip; 57- Extended family unit; 59- Green land; 60Nabokov novel; 61Timetable, for short; 62- High mountain, as found in central Europe;

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Ban vuvuzelas: Bhutia AGENCIES KOLKATA, JUNE 14

India captain Bhaichung Bhutia on Monday said the use of vuvuzelas trumpets should be

banned during the ongoing FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa as it creates an ear-shattering experience.

“It's really disappointing to watch the World Cup matches with such irritating noise by vuvuzelas. It should be banned, it is difficult for anyone on the pitch to concentrate. A lot of players also don't like them," Bhutia told reporters on the sidelines of a promotional event.

The 'Sikkimese sniper' also voiced his concern on the use the new high bouncing World Cup ball, something that has irked Algeria coach after their 0-1 loss to Slovenia on Sunday.

Bhutia said even England ace striker Wayne Rooney had struggled to tackle the fast and bouncy ball. “If you see the trend of the matches this time around, very less number of goals have been scored so far... Only Germans have scored a 4-0 win over the Aussies.”

"All good teams have struggled with the ball. The problem is it's ver y fast. I saw Rooney struggling to get control of the ball at least twice (in their match against US that ended 1-1). Even Argentines struggled (against Nigeria)," Bhutia said.

The inspirational striker, faced with questions about the standard of Indian football and its inability to make it to the World Cup, regretted that people, including in the Parliament, raises the issue only once in every four years.

“We must work on the field, develop the infrastructure, a sporting culture beside talking big. Why ask this question every four years?" Bhutia said.

Messi voted best footballer on Earth AGENCIES JOHANNESBURG, JUNE 14

FIFA rules out vuvuzela red card

AFP JOHANNESBURG, JUNE 14

FIFA on Monday ruled out a ban on the vuvuzela horns which have been driving some players and broadcasters mad at the World Cup, as the makers revealed they had designed a toned-down version.

After the chairman of the tournament's South African organising committee had said he would consider a ban on the tuneless trumpets, football's governing body issued a swift rebuttal at a daily press briefing.

"Vuvuzelas will not be banned f r o m t h e s t a d i a , " F I FA spokesman Stan Schaffner told reporters. He said FIFA and the organising committee had given "clear statements" against a ban.

His comments were intended to draw a line under speculation that the horns could be shown the red card, sparked by an interview given by organising

committee chief Danny Jordaan.

Asked by the BBC if a ban was an option, Jordaan said: "If there are grounds to do so, yes."

"We have asked for no vuvuzelas during national anthems or during stadium announcements. I know it's a difficult question," he added, saying that "we're trying to manage the best we can."

The organising committee is a branch of FIFA and is ultimately subordinate to the sport's governing body.

Jordaan's comments came after complaints from players and broadcasters who said their commentators are struggling to make themselves heard above the noise which has been compared to a hornets' nest.

A recent survey found the sound emitted by a vuvuzela was the equivalent to 127 decibels -- louder than a drum's 122 decibels, or a referee's whistle at 121.8 decibels.

Ronaldo won't worry over Drogba threat AFP MAGALIESBURG, JUNE 14

Argentinean ace striker Lionel Messi has emerged the favourite among the England fans who want to see the Barcelona superstar in action, despite their team trying to end their 44 years World Cup drought.

Messi was the clear winner in a poll to name the best footballer on Earth, with 39 per cent support.

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo came second with 15 per cent support, followed by England's Wayne Rooney with 13 per cent.

The exclusive survey for The Sun also reveals that Messi is the favourite to win the Golden Boot as the top scorer in the tournament, followed by Rooney and Spanish striker Fernando Torres.

The survey also revealed that just one in 25 football fans expect England to lift the trophy in South Africa.

Cristiano Ronaldo played down his mouth-watering World Cup clash against Didier Drogba on Sunday, insisting that Portugal must not get distracted by the challenge posed by the Ivory Coast star.

The two sides clash in a crucial Group G match at Port Elizabeth on Tuesday just before pool rivals Brazil meet North Korea in Johannesburg.

"We know all about Drogba, he's a great player," said Ronaldo.

"But we can't get preoccupied by him. We must concentrate on our team, our tactics and our ambitions. That's the only way to win."

Portugal endured a troubled qualifying campaign, having to come through a two-legged play-off against Bosnia-Hercegovina to make sure of their place in the finals.

But Ronaldo insists those troubled times are behind them as the 2006 semi-finalists target a place in the knockout round.

"The most important thing is to get to the second round and if it's as group winners, that would be better," said the 25year-old Real Madrid star.

"If not and we have to play Spain, there will be no need to fear them. Spain are one of the favourites for the World Cup, but we are not scared of anyone.

We are going to play to win, or try to win."

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo was the latest World Cup star to voice unease about the trumpet, telling reporters that it affected players' focus.

"It is difficult for anyone on the pitch to concentrate," the Real Madrid star told a press conference.

"A lot of players don't like them, but they are going to have to get used to them."

Following the welter of complaints, makers of the horns have come up with a quieter version. " We h a v e m o d i f i e d t h e mouthpiece, there is now a new vuvuzela which will blow noise that is 20 decibels less than the old one," Neil van Schalkwyk, a partner at Masincedane Sport, told The Star newspaper.

"We hope to sell these at park and ride areas and public viewing areas," added Van Schalkwyk, whose company owns the vuvuzela trademark.

FIFA a corrupt organisation: Col Gaddafi AGENCIES LIBYA, JUNE 14

The 2010 World Cup is the first to be hosted by an African country, but this feat doesn't impress Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi, who has hit out at FIFA for being a corrupt organisation.

"FIFA is a corrupted organisation. They have a monopoly position in the world of football and are saving billions of dollars.

Additionally, they are supporting modern slavery," Gaddafi was quoted as saying by reporters.

"FIFA should financially support countries that want to host the World Cup instead of making it exclusive for rich countries. In this way, poor countries will never ever see the World Cup on their soil.

"I've always said that the reigning champions should host the next version of the World Cup and that FIFA should pay all expenses.

They have the money to do this, but don't want to spend it."

Most searched player on Riot police fire Google AGENCIES JOHANNESBURG, JUNE 14

Portuguese football player Cristiano Ronaldo has been named

by Internet search engine Google as the most sought after World Cup player.

As the World Cup gets underway in South Africa, the interest in players taking part is also heightened, but Ronaldo, 25, has garnered the most attention.

"In search, the winning player is already clear: Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese team captain and talented forward," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted the Internet giant as saying in a blog post on June 11.

stun grenades at WC pay protest AFP DURBAN, JUNE 14

Police fired rubber bullets and stun grenades to break up a protest by hundreds of stadium staff unhappy at their wages on Monday in the first major unrest of the football World Cup. The protests in Durban broke out around midnight after the match between Germany and Australia as around 400 stadium staff protested what they said was a pay cut from 250 rand (33 dollars) to 190 per day outside the main gate.

Come on, it's time to Diski!

AGENCIES PRETORIA, JUNE 14

Forget famous goal celebrations such as 'The Robot' by Peter Crouch and 'The Dive' by Juergen Klinsmann, here comes the South African 'Diski dance'.

The Diski dance, which is performed through heading and kicking an imaginary ball, may be a goal celebration to watch in this World Cup. South Africa's Siphiwe Tsha-

balala and his team mates displayed this distinctive dance when they celebrated his goal against Mexico in the opening World Cup game on Friday.

The dance is already popular on YouTube and many soccer fans may want to learn the moves.

Even South Africa's President Jacob Zuma has learnt the Diski dance which could surpass Cameroon Roger Milla's iconic corner flag dance celebration in

the 1990 FIFA World Cup. US actor John Travolta performed the dance shortly after landing his Boeing 707 at Lanseria airport, north of Johannesburg, on Wednesday morning.

Goal celebrations are now part of the biggest sporting event and players plan them in advance just in case they find the back of the net.

The Robot goal celebration was so popular that England fans were dismayed when Crouch declared he "wouldn't be doing it any more unless England won the World Cup." Another popular celebration is 'The Snort' by Robbie Fowler reacting to claims that he was a cocaine addict by sniffing imaginary cocaine off the lines on the pitch.

The word Diski is a township slang for soccer and may also describe the local style of football which focuses on dribbling and other tricks.

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England problems mount as King faces knock-out AFP RUSTENBURG, JUNE 14

Fears Ledley King's World Cup may have come to a premature end mounted on Monday when England team officials admitted they could not say when he would return from injury.

An adductor muscle (groin) problem has already ruled the

Tottenham defender out of England's second group C match, against Algeria in Cape Town on Friday, and there are fears that, given that he suffers from a chronic knee condition which prevents him from training normally, the lay-off will be significantly longer.

An England spokesman denied that King was definitely out of the tournament but acknowledged that the squad's medical team were still uncertain of when he would be ready to return.

"Ledley has a groin muscle strain. He will be assessed on a day-tod a y b a s is, "

the spokesman said.

King suffered the injury in Saturday's 1-1 draw with the United States, which has increased the pressure on Fabio Capello's squad to win Friday's encounter with the Algerians.

The 29-year-old joined his team-mates at the start of Monday's training sessioin at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus, but after listening to Capello's pep talk, departed immediately to continue his rehabilitation work in the swimming pool.

Ashley Cole and Wayne Rooney, who suffered a knock on the ankle in the match against the Americans, were also unable to train but England officials played down their injuries, insisting both players would be fit to face Algeria.

The injury to King has cast doubt on the wisdom of Capello's decision to include a player who rarely plays two games in a week for his club in his

squad for an intense, monthlong tournament.

King was brought to South Africa on the back of his outstanding form for Spurs in the second half of the Premier League season, initially as a backup for first-choice centrebacks Rio Ferdinand and John Terry.

That changed when Ferdinand suffered a freak injury in England's first full training session in South Africa and England fans' worst fears were confirmed when Capello was forced to substitute King at half-time on Saturday evening.

His replacement, Jamie Carragher, looked short of pace and, after being booked for one late challenge, was fortunate not to be sent off for checking Jozy Altidore's run late in the game.

Carragher, 32, looks likely to start against Algeria, given Capello's limited alternatives.

Matthew Upson was the main back-up for Ferdinand during the qualifying campaign but struggled for form towards the end of a difficult season with West Ham while King's Tottenham teammate, Michael Dawson, called up following Ferdinand's injury, has yet to play in a full international for his country.

AFP WARSAW, JUNE 14

A football fan cheers before the Group E first round 2010 World Cup football match Cameroon versus Japan on Monday.

Netherlands supporters cheer prior to the start of the Group E first round 2010 World Cup football match Netherlands v. Denmark on Monday.

AFP SEOUL, JUNE 14

Sales of condoms jumped fivefold in South Korea as fans celebrated after the nation's football players rose to the occasion in their opening World Cup game against Greece.

About a million red-shirted fans nationwide, including 200,000 in Seoul, packed boulevards, stadiums and parks on Saturday to cheer the side's 2-0 win over Euro 2004 champions Greece.

The biggest winners were convenience stores and fried chicken outlets as fans took to the streets, the JoongAng Daily reported Monday.

It said Bokwang Family Mart chain stores saw a near doubling of sales in spots where fans had gathered.

Stores in residential areas also did well as those tuning in at home bought three times the beer and more than twice the number of snacks.

After the game, fans in celebratory mood bought five times more condoms than during the team's lacklustre 2006 World Cup performance, the paper said.

Poles enjoy reflected glory of Podolski, Klose

IN PICS

Cheer leaders dance during the Group E first round 2010 World Cup football match Netherlands v. Denmark on Monday.

Sales of condoms rise as S Korea celebrate win

A supporter of Japan blows a vuvuzela, a large coloured plastic trumpet, as he cheers for his team playing against Cameroon on Monday.

Poles basked in reflected glory on Monday after Polish-born Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose both scored in Germany's 4-0 drubbing of Australia in their opening World Cup match.

"A massive game for the duo from Poland," thundered the sports daily Przeglad Sportowy, plastering its front page with a photograph of Podolski hugging Klose.

"Polish goals in South Africa," headlined the newspaper Polska, adding that "Germany's strong thanks to Poles from Silesia".

Podolski and Klose, who hail from southern Poland, emigrated to neighbouring Germany as youngsters.

With Poland failing to qualify for the World Cup, the German strike duo are the next best thing to home players for Polish fans.

Podolski and Klose often speak to each other in Polish, and in past matches Polish viewers have enjoyed spotting Klose mouthing Polish expletives after he missed shots.

The relationship with Polish fans is a love-hate one, however. The duo turned Poles into nervous wrecks during the 2006 World Cup and

Euro 2008, when twists of fate drew Germany and Poland together.

Adding an extra edge is the fact that Podolski, 25, is the Poland player-that-got-away.

At 18 he contacted the Polish football association, the PZPN. He got the brush-off, he has said -- just like Polish-born Germany midfielder Piotr Trochowski.

Klose, now 32, was never tempted by Poland.

To avoid losing such foreignbased talent in the future, the PZPN has set up a unit that scouts the world's Polish diaspora.

Tearful Cahill laments ‘harsh’ red card REUTERS DURBAN, JUNE 14

Australian hard man Tim Cahill was reduced to tears by his dismissal in the 4-0 loss to Germany in their World Cup opener and said Bastian Schweinsteiger had made too much of the challenge.

Cahill clattered into the Germany midfielder in the 56th minute of the Group D encounter, staring in disbelief as Mexican referee Marco Rodriguez brandished the red card. ''It was a devastating blow to me and my career,'' he told reporters yesterday, choking back the tears. ''I think I merited a yellow card, the referee's decision was too harsh. ''Schweinsteiger made a meal of the incident. That's why the referee issued a red card. I can understand him. It was to their

Loew hails Germany’s slick passing game

AFP DURBAN, JUNE 14

Germany coach Joachim Loew pinpointed his team's slick passing game and nose for attack as the keys to their dominant 4-0 thrashing of Australia in their World Cup opener Sunday.

The Germans dominated the Socceroos, with man-of-thematch Lukas Podolski, Miroslav Klose, Thomas Mueller and Brazil-born striker Cacau all getting on the scoresheet.

Mueller and Mesut Oezil in particular were particularly ruthless in exposing a leaden-footed Australian defence with their neat interchanges down the right flank.

The victory leaves Germany top of Group D, Ghana having

Zidane critical of France team AGENCIES KNYSNA, JUNE 14

Lukas Podolski (left) and Miroslav Klose (right).

advantage. That's football.''

Australia were already 2-0 down by the time Cahill received his marching orders but the Everton midfielder said Australia being reduced to 10 men had distorted the final scoreline. ''I think all the credit goes to Germany,'' he added. ''They played well, they dominated us throughout the encounter and they deserved to win. But the score was too hard on us.''

Socceroo captain Lucas Neill refused to blame his team mate for the defeat. ''They were the better side,'' he said. ''Yes, Tim had a red card but he cannot be held responsible for us losing the game. It was a collective responsibility. ''Now we are left with no choice but to win the remaining two games in this round, it's not going to be easy but we'll have a try.''

Mexican referee Marco Rodriguez hands a red card to Tim Cahill.

Former France captain Zinedine Zidane says Raymond Domenech “is not a coach” and that “there is no teamwork” among the French players at the World Cup. France drew its opening group game 0-0 against Uruguay, and Zidane sees little hope for improvement. “ T h e h a rd e s t t h i n g i s that there is no teamwork.

They didn’t play together and it was more a case of individual efforts,” Zidane said on Canal plus television Sunday night. “The players m u s t take responsibility f o r themselves, move themselves.

Y o u have to be straight with each other.”

Zidane scored twice when France won the 1998 World Cup final and helped France win the European Championship in 2000, but he may be best remembered for getting ejected in the 2006 World Cup final after headbutting Italy’s Marco Materazzi in the chest. France went on to lose the game on penalties.

Domenech was the coach in 2006, yet Zidane has little faith in him.

“He’s not a coach. He picked his squad and he has to make them play together,” Zidane said. “You must put your ego to one side and work together.

Teamwork is the most important thing, and that’s not what we saw during the (Uruguay) match.”

beaten Serbia 1-0 in the day's other game.

"We dominated the whole match, from the beginning to the end," said Loew.

"Australia were rather defensive so we tried to change the pace a bit, we tried to go deeper with Podolski, Klose, Oezil, Mueller and Sami Khedira, using low balls and inter-passing.

"It created problems for the Australian defence. Australia defended with 10 players. You can't go through that, you have to build it up through a passing game.

"The way we set up attack and the passing game is something we're worked on over the last couple of years. Using unused space: a precondition to playing well.

"We were also good on the

ball and created some beautiful goals."

But Loew said that it was not all a clean bill of excellence.

"There's still some room for improvement. The defence was excellent under the high ball, but we could have closed down the space betwen defence and midfield a little quicker," he said.

"As far as our attacking play and counter-attacking go, I'm very happy."

Loew added that German supporters should not get "euphoric" at the result, warning that the team would face tougher opponents than the Socceroos.

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Honda races past Lions

MORE SPORTS ON P 13, 16, 17 Own goal prolongs Danish agony AFP JOHANNESBURG, JUNE 14

CHEER UP BUDDY TO WAKA WAKA…:Netherlands supporters cheer prior to the start of the Group E first round 2010 World Cup football match Netherlands vs. Denmark at Soccer City stadium in Soweto, suburban Johannesburg.

Previews Pressure on Brazil to vanquish N Korea AFP JOHANNESBURG, JUNE 14

The extraordinary crush of media and fans' expectations has exerted even more pressure on Brazil to get off to a flying start against North Korea in their World Cup opener here on Tuesday.

Such is the unrealistic demands heaped on the five-time world champions not only to win but in style that coach Dunga and his players are under excruciating scrutiny to produce the goods against the Asian minnows at Ellis Park Stadium.

Brazil go into their Group G match expected to come away with three points against the reclusive North Koreans in their first-ever encounter.

Brazil are ranked number one and North Korea, playing their first World Cup since their sensational debut in 1966, come in at 105, so the gulf between the rivals is monumental.

Dunga remains defiant in the teeth of the hostility. "If we have to get down and dirty to win then we will - the important thing is to win," he said.

The North Koreans go in with nothing to lose against the redhot favourites, although there is a steely belief within the squad that they can prove an irritant to Brazil.

Portugal upbeat "He is feeling better and better each day," said Eriksson. Ronaldo Two of the world's finest foot- was refusing to get too excited about ballers were set to grace the testing himself against one of the World Cup stage here on Tues- potential stars of this tournament. day as Portugal open their cam"We know all about Drogba, paign against top African hopes he's a great player," the Real Ivory Coast.

Madrid 'galactico' said on Sunday.

Cristiano "But we can't Ronaldo and Di- TODAY’S MATCHES get preoccupied dier Drogba will New Zealand v. Slovakia, by him. We must be the inspiraconcentrate on 5 p.m. tions for their our team, our sides as they Ivory Coast v. Portugal, tactics and our look to sidestep 7.30 p.m. ambitions. a forecast last That's the only Brazil v. N Korea, 16 clash with way to win."

European 00.00 hrs Portugal are champions and missing Manchescup joint favourites Spain.

Manager Sven-Goran Eriksson ter United winger Nani, who suffered is hopeful his walking wounded a collarbone injury last week ruling him out of the competition. warrior will make it.

AFP PORT ELIZABETH, JUNE 14

All Whites on big stage AFP RUSTENBURG, JUNE 14

New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert is confident that his players will not be struck by first night nerves as they seek to make World Cup history against Slovakia on Tuesday.

The All Whites are appearing in the finals for only the second time and, having lost all three matches in Spain in 1982, are still looking for a first point on football's biggest stage.

"There are a few nerves, a sense of anticipation," admitted Herbert. "But that is not a bad thing. The players are very focused on what they have to do."

Regarded as one of the weakest squads in the tournament, New Zealand will have their work cut out containing a talented Slovakia side that is making its first appearance in the finals as an independent nation.

Slovakia, who qualified by topping a group that included highly-rated neighbours the Czech Republic and fellow qualifiers Slovenia, go into the match quietly confident of starting their campaign with a win, according to midfielder Vladimir Weiss.

"We saw the New Zealanders play against Serbia," the Manchester City player said.

Denmark’s run of outs against European rivals Netherlands has stretched to 43 years after their 2-0 loss in Group E at the World Cup at Soccer City here on Monday.

The clinical Dutch, with official man-of-the-match Wesley Sneijder running the midfield, have not lost to the Danes in regulation time since their 3-2 reverse at a European Championship qualifier in 1967.

Technically, the Danes have since beaten the Netherlands, but that was after penalties following a 2-2 draw after extra-time in the semi-finals of Euro 1992.

It was an own goal from Dutch-based defender Simon Poulsen which sent the Netherlands on their way just after halftime and sealed by Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt five minutes from the end.

Poulsen gifted the Dutch the lead within a minute of the restart when the left-back, who plays his club football for AZ Alkmaar, headed into his own goal.

Out of nothing Arsenal's Robin van Persie left goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen stranded away from the goalmouth and crossed only for Poulsen's header to hit teammate Daniel Agger's back and dribble into the unguarded Danish goal.

Poulsen, playing in only his sixth international, saved a certain goal when he hooked clear van Persie's effort off the line in the final minutes, but the damage had been done.

Kuyt made the game safe for the Dutch with his 85th minute effort after Sneijder had put substitute winger Eljero Elia clear and his dab home hit the post for the Liverpool forward to slam home.

A supporter of Italy cheers for her team before the start of their 2010 World Cup group F first round football match against Paraguay at Green Point stadium in Cape Town.

Italy rally to hold Paraguay AP CAPE TOWN, JUNE 14

Antolin Alcaraz scored with a header in the 39th minute in Paraguay’s first attempt on goal to give the South Americans a surprising 1-0 lead at half time, but defending champions Italy bounced back to record a 1-1 draw in their Group F opener at World Cup. Alcaraz soared above Fabio Cannavaro and Daniele De Rossi to head a free kick from Aureliano Torres past goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

The goal came against the run of play with Italy having the best of the action, playing with confidence and poise that belied their troubled preparation campaign.

Italy got back on level terms in the 63rd minute, but goalkeeper Justo Villar will have to take the blame for that one. Simone Pepe whipped in a corner from the left and Villar completely missed an attempted one-handed punch away, allowing Daniele De Rossi to bundle in from close range.

Paraguay happily fell back in defense, stifling Italy’s close passing game through the center. It left the near capacity crowd of 64,100 at Green Point Stadium craving open chances until Alcaraz struck.

Italy were without the services of star midfielder Andrea Pirlo through injury, and the veteran was replaced by Riccardo Montolivo.

Marcello Lippi went with Vincenzo Iaquinta, Alberto Gilardino and Simone Pepe in attack. Domenico Criscito got the nod at left back.

Japan's midfielder Keisuke Honda (left, back) shoots the ball and scores past Cameroon’s goalkeeper Souleymanou Hamidou during their Group E first round 2010 World Cup football match at Free State stadium in Mangaung/Bloemfontein, on Monday.

Netherlands.......2 Japan................. 1 Italy.....................1

AFP BLOEMFONTEIN, JUNE 14

Japan beat a lacklustre Cameroon 1-0 in Bloemfontein on Monday through a Keisuke Honda goal to notch their first ever World Cup victory on foreign soil.

It was also a belated birthday present for Honda, who had turned 24 on Sunday.

The Blue Samurai, struggling for goals in the run-up to the tournament, took the lead in the 39th minute and held on for the remainder of the match despite increasing pressure from the African side in the second half.

Neither side looked capable of breaking the deadlock in a scrappy first half in which clear chances were in short supply until Daisuke Matsui manoeuvred the ball onto his left foot and delivered an inswinging cross from the right.

Denmark...........0 Cameroon........ 0 Paraguay............1

The ball somehow eluded several Cameroon defenders and the unmarked Honda stabbed it past the despairing dive of Hamidou Souleymanou to give Japan the lead.

Four minutes after the re-start Cameroon went close to an equaliser when Eric Choupo Moting fired wide following good work on the right by Inter Milan star Samuel Eto'o.

It was the first significant contribution from three times African player of the year Eto'o, who struggled to make an impact on the game after being deployed in a deep-lying role.

Despite a more open game in the second half, the goalkeepers remained relatively untroubled in the early stages.

As Cameroon continued to press for an equaliser they threw on Achille Emana, Mohamadou Idrissou and veteran Geremi but could still not find a way past

the dogged Japanese defence.

Japan came close to doubling their lead as time ran out, with substitute Shinji Okazaki, on for Matsui, hitting the post after a fierce shot by captain Makoto Hasebe was parried by Souleymanou.

With just five minutes remaining Stephane Mbia let fly with a thunderbolt from 25 yards that rattled the Japan crossbar but they could not find a way past Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima.

Pierre Webo got his foot on a cross as the clocked ticked down but Kawashima made a fine scrambling save.