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O HERALD O

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Goa’s Heartbeat: Sonakshi lands on Maxim cover Pg 4 The wisdom of nations lies in their proverbs, which are brief and pithy.

—William Penn

IN BRIEF 2 suspected HM terrorists nabbed Two suspected Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists, masquerading as labourers, were arrested by the Himachal Pradesh Police in Kotla area in Kangra district of the hill State in the wee hours on Wednesday. The two, hailing from Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir. – PTI

Plane carrying 22 people missing A small passenger plane with 22 people on-board, including an American went missing soon after taking off from an airport in eastern Nepal, officials said on Wednesday. The Canadian-built Twin Otter aircraft belonging to Tara Airlines, a private company, lost contact with the control tower of the airport at Lamidanda in Khotang district. – PTI

Facebook founder wins Time award Overruling an overwhelming vote by its readers for arrested WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, Facebook co-founder Mark Elliot Zuckerberg was named as the ‘Person of the Year’ by the Time Magazine for “transforming” the way people connect around the world. Zuckerberg beat out WikiLeaks editor-inchief Assange, Afghan President Hamid Karzai and the Chilean miners to win the award. – PTI

Business: Policy for PSUs on global acquisitions — PM Pg 12

PM, PC, Karuna on LTTE hitlist!

PTI CHENNAI/NEW DELHI, DEC 15

After being virtually wiped out, terror group LTTE is trying to regroup and planning to target high-profile personalities like Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Home Minister P Chidambaram and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi in Tamil Nadu.

“We received an alert from a central agency about a possible threat to the Prime Minister, to the Chief Minister and his cabinet in Tamil Nadu and to several other VVIPs who may visit the State”, Tamil Nadu DGP Lethika Saran said.

Based on this information, she said, the State has been put on high alert and “we have strengthened the intelligence machinery to check if there is any truth in the matter”.

Saran said the State government would take all possible measures to ensure the visits of any VVIP to Tamil Nadu, in-

cluding the Prime Minister or our own Chief Minister, is carried on without any hitch”.

According to an intelligence input, some cadres of the LTTE, who escaped the wrath of the Sri Lankan Army during the allout operations in the island nation earlier this year, were trying to regroup in India and

CBI cracks 2G whip again Radia, ex-TRAI chief offices searched

PTI NEW DELHI/CHENNAI, DEC 15

In a crackdown as part of the 2G spectrum scam probe, CBI on Wednesday searched 34 offices and residences of corporate lobbyist Niira Radia, former TRAI Chairman Pradip Baijal, siblings of ex-Telecom Minister A Raja and an NGO linked to DMK MP Kanimozhi.

A CBI official claimed that some “incriminating documents” were recovered during the raids at 27 places in Tamil Nadu and seven places in Delhi and Noida. The premises of alleged Hawala dealers Mahesh Jain and Alok Jain alias Bobby, who are brothers, were also raided.

The premises of Kamaraj, Associate Editor of Tamil magazine ‘Nakkeran’ in Chennai, Raja’s brother and sister near Tiruchirappalli and Tamil Maiyam, an NGO in which Kanimozhi, daughter of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, is on the Board of Directors were among those searched. Kamaraj is considered close to Raja.

Tamil Maiyam, which describes itself as a registered Indian non-profit organisation, is headed by Rev Jegath Gasper Raj.

The investigating agency also swooped down on the premises of Raja’s auditor Subramanyam and also auditor of Kanimozhi’s mother Rajathi.

At Tiruchirappalli, CBI officials raided the residence of a private TV channel reporter G L Narasimhan, considered a close associate of Raja.

The raids come a week after the searches in the homes of Raja in Delhi and in his native place Perambalur and a number of others.

During the course of the day, the CBI also roped in Enforcement Directorate officials to probe whether there was a possible violation of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), sources in the investigating agency said.

Radia, Baijal, Jain brothers and the kin of Raja were questioned during the raids, the sources said, adding that the former TRAI Chairman had also been taken from his Noida house to his company, a subsidiary of Radia’s Vaishnavi Corporate Communications.

Giving details about the raids being conducted by the CBI, it’s Deputy Inspector General and spokesperson Bineeta Thakur said searches at the residential and official premises of several companies, their directors and Baijal were conducted as part of the follow up of searches conducted on December 8 in connection with the ongoing investigation into the allocation of unified access service licences.

planning attacks on top political leaders, particularly when they travel in Tamil Nadu.

The security agencies have taken the input seriously as former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by LTTE suicide squad members in the southern state in 1991.

Prime Minister Singh is likely to visit Tamil Nadu next month to attend some public functions.

“Though LTTE is now a weak force and all top leaders were killed during the Sri Lankan Army’s assault, attempts to regroup by some cadres is a disturbing report,” an official said.

Karan Singh turns down Chinese award PTI NEW DELHI, DEC 15

Apparently wary of being seen as pro-China, senior Congress leader Karan Singh on Wednesday refused to accept the ChinaI n d i a Fr i e n d s h i p A w a r d conferred by Premier Wen Jiabao on nine personalities from various fields.

Karan Singh, a Rajya Sabha member and President of Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR), did not turn up for the award function this evening where Wen honoured nine prominent persons including CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury for fostering Sino-India ties.

Sources said that Singh turned down the award as he felt that a Parliamentarian should not accept such decorations as he runs the risk of being seen as favouring one particular country.

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Sports: Not thinking too much Pg 16 about 50th Test ton

Jose Philip, Nilkhant vow support to coalition

The two NCP ministers Jose Philip D’Souza and Nilkhant Harlankar huddled with Congress leaders at the residence of GPCC General Secretary Vijay Sardesai at Margao.

Photo by Santosh Mirajkar HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, DEC 15

In an interesting political development, the two NCP ministers in the Digambar Kamat Cabinet – Jose Philip D’Souza and Nilkhant Halarnkar – were huddled with Congress leaders in M a r g a o l a t e We d n e s d a y evening, amidst reports that the NCP leadership may ask one of them to step down to make way for the return of Mickky Pacheco into the Ministry.

We have come to meet the Congress leaders to convey a message that I and Nilkhant are together.

The Congress is our coalition partner and there is nothing wrong in meeting them and conveying our sentiments.

- Jose Philip D’Souza

After the hour-long meeting at the residence of GPCC General Secretary Vijay Sardessai, Revenue Minister, Jose Philip D’Souza told Herald that both he and Tourism Minister, Nilkhant Harlankar are strong and will remain together. “We want to convey a message that both me and Harlankar are strong and united”, he asserted.

When asked what he implies by saying that they are strong, united and together, Jose Philip merely said “this means we are united. We will see”.

India, China not SPAT OVER FISHING RIGHTS Three fishermen allege assault, rivals: Wen Calangute MLA refutes charges PTI NEW DELHI, DEC 15

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Wednesday said India and China are not ‘rivals’ and that there is enough space for both the countries to develop and prosper, as their companies were poised to sign 16 billion dollars worth deals.

Seeking to shore up ‘fragile’ India-China ties, Wen arrived here on a three-day visit and struck a warm chord when he said “my visit in India is a journey of friendship and journey of cooperation.” China’s Ambassador Zhang Yan said on Tuesday that ‘special care’ is needed for the ‘fragile ties’ between the two Asian giants.

Wen, who will have summit talks with Prime Minister Man-

mohan Singh tomorrow, also rejected the oft made “dragon” and “elephant” comparison between China and India.

“China and India are partners for cooperation and not rivals in competition. There is enough space in the world for the development of both China and India and there are enough areas for us to cooperate,” he said addressing industry leaders of the two countries at a meeting organised by the apex chambers here in his first big engagement.

He said some people described China and India as economic competitors and likened them to a ‘dragon’ and an ‘elephant’.

“I don’t agree with such a view and I don’t think business people agree either,” Wen said.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, DEC 15

Even as three fishermen from Calangute- Candolim have claimed that they were assaulted

by Calangute MLA’s brother and seven others at Sinquerim jetty on Wednesday, Calangute MLA Agnelo Fernandes has refuted the charges.

In a complaint lodged with Calangute Police, three fishermen, Nazareth Lopes (Candolim), Reginald Silveira and Augustine Lobo, both from Calangute, have alleged that they were assaulted by Calangute MLA’s brother Lourenco Fernandes and seven others on the instigation of Calangute MLA Agnelo Fernandes.

COMPLAINT

Three fishermen have alleged that they were assaulted by Calangute MLA’s brother Lourenco Fernandes and seven others on the instigation of Calangute MLA Agnelo Fernandes.

DEFENSE

Calangute MLA Agnelo Fernandes refuted the allegations and said his opponents are making a political issue out of nothing.

He said one boat owner called him and informed that two persons are creating problems for the tourist boat owners.

Later, the Calangute Police directed the trio to Primary Health Centre Candolim for a medical test.

Addressing the media, the trio alleged that they were physically assaulted by the Candolim tourist boat owners on the instigation of the Calangute MLA.

Home Guards made to do domestic work!

VIBHA VERMA PANJIM, DEC 15

In what could be sheer misuse of Government machiner y, Home Guards (HGs), an elite force par with Police, are made to mop the floor at officer’s residences as part of their duty.

Herald’s inquiry under Right to Information has revealed that many HGs are performing odd job of sweeper, dhobi, cook, barber and even working at residences of police officers.

Alone in Vasco division, out of 72 HGs, two HGs – Maruti Shinde and Rafiq Bagwale work as ‘sweepers’ and Narshima Goramtla is ‘dhobi’, at Vasco police station from January 2008 onwards.

The rest are deployed for patrolling, traffic duty, security and picket and reserve duties at Vasco – Mormugao and Verna police stations, Vasco railway station, Sada sub-jail, Dabolim

ODD JOBS!

Herald’s inquiry under Right to Information has revealed that many HGs are performing odd job of sweeper, dhobi, cook, barber and even working at residences of police officers.

airport and other places.

The information further reveals that the profile of jobs of many HGs out of 130 HGs in the Margao division is shown as ‘emergency duty,’ which is vague as the kind of duty is not specified. The job profile is classified as ‘dhobi and other emergency duty’, ‘barber and other emergency duty’, ‘office and emergency duty ’, ‘sweeper and emergency duty’, ‘police station and emergency duty’, ‘driving duty’, ‘W/L station and emergency duty’, ‘office and emer-

gency duty’ and ‘traffic and emergency duty.’

Sources stated that other HGs in rest of the divisions also face similar humiliation, though some are lucky enough to have roles assigned as per HG Compendium of Instruction 2004.

One of the Home Guard rule says that they are ‘to promote communal harmony and give help to the administration in protecting weaker sections of the society’.

If this was not enough, the HGs are also deployed at resi-

dences of police officers and ministers for their domestic work.

Gopinath Parab, who joined the services in 1992 is presently deployed as ‘Orderly to police inspector Bicholim’ while Jaganath Gaonkar, another HG in Ponda division is posted at DySP Mohan Naik’s residence since 2008.

What is even more interesting is that certain HGs are made to work at residences of State top brass including Director General of Police, Inspector General of Police and Deputy Inspector General of Police.

DGP incidentally is also the Commandant General of Home Guards.

The information undersigned

by Company Commander John Aguair for Panjim division has revealed that HG Ramdas Dharne has worked in the house (Continued on page 2)

Narrating the sequence of events, the assaulted and other fishermen present at the site stated that the provocation for the assault was a mere erection of a display board by the Department of Fisheries, which had materialised after a (Continued on page 2)

The Revenue Minister declined to comment on reports that either he or Nilkhant would step down as per the wishes of the NCP leadership. But, when asked why they were huddled with the Congress leaders in Margao on Wednesday, Jose Philip said “We have come to meet the Congress leaders to convey a message that I and Nilkhant are together. The Congress is our coalition partner and there is nothing wrong in meeting them and conveying our sentiments”, Jose Philip said.

He said the coalition government is running smoothly, adding that not only the leaders of the two parties, but the general public are happy with the performance of the coalition government.

The meeting at Sardessai’s residence was attended by PWD Minister, Churchill Alemao, Urban Development Minister, Joaquim Alemao, Education Minister, Babush Monseratte, Panchayat Minister, Babu Azgaonkar, IDC Chairman Babu Kavlekar, Curtorim MLA Babu Kavlekar, besides, Jose Philip D’Souza, Nilkhant Harlankar and Vijay Sardessai.

The meeting assumes significance as it comes against the backdrop of the visit of NCP General Secretary Bharti Chawan to Goa, who is believed to have had a meeting with the Tourism Minister and other party leaders on Wednesday.

Churchill rallies behind ministers HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, DEC 15

Rallying behind the two NCP ministers, Jose Philip D’Souza and Nilkhant Harlankar, PWD Minister, Churchill Alemao has cautioned that he would not sit quite if the two ministers are dropped from the Digambar Kamat ministry.

Other Congress leaders, including Ministers offered their full support to Jose Philip and Nilkhant and urged the leadership of the two coalition parties not to disturb the status quo.

“I am fully behind Jose Philip D’Souza and Nilkhant Harlankar, If anyone tries to drop them, I (Continued on page 2)

Guys, you need to be more vigilant and proactive! Terrorists will take advantage of your reckless attitude.

OHERALDO

GOA

Pg2

GOA, THURSDAY, 16 DECEMBER, 2010

Churchill roots strongly for greater goa HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, DEC 15

Notwithstanding the row kicked up by his utterances over the merger of Karwar with Goa, PWD Minister, Churchill Alemao on Wednesday dwelt at length on the issue, even as Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat listened attentively as his Cabinet colleague rooted strongly for a Greater Goa. “I have only put across my suggestion taking account the vision of the great Konkani writer and Jnanpith award winner, Ravindra Kelekar on greater Goa. I am not bulldozing my way with the merger of Karwar and Supa into Goa, but is only bringing to light Kelekar’s vision for Goa and Goans to decide”, Alemao said, while addressing Margao students at the Fatima convent school at the Science Festival II organized by the Aquem Baixo Navelim social cultural Association.

“Today, Goa has 14 lakh population, which is increasing with 100 births every day. Just imagine the situation in the next 60 years if the current population trend continues in the future”, he added.

Saying that Karwar and Supa are Konkani speaking areas, he said that besides land, these areas play host to the Kaiga nuclear plant and the Sea Bird.

Alemao raised another moot point on the migration into the state from these two areas. “On the one hand, people are opposed to merger of these areas into Goa. But, people from these areas are settling into the state. Can anyone stop

n I have only put across my suggestion taking account the vision of the great Konkani writer and Jnanpith award winner, Ravindra Kelekar on greater Goa. I am not bulldozing my way with the merger of Karwar and Supa into Goa, but is only bringing to light Kelekar’s vision for Goa and Goans to decide.

-- Churchill Alemao these people from coming and settling into Goa”, he asked.

Incidentally, the Chief Minister who shared the dais with Alemao, however, preferred not to touch on the sensitive issue, which has kicked up a row of sorts in Karnataka and the suggestion did not find favour with Goan leaders.

Alemao was in Karwar last week at a function organized by a group at Sadashigad, wherein he was felicitated by the locals. In fact, the PWD Minister was given a rousing welcome in Karwar, right from the border, with the local group welcoming him at five different places with much fanfare.

Help maintain Margao clean, green, CM tells students HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, DEC 15

Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat on Wednesday sought a firm commitment from the students of city schools to keep the city clean and green.

He was speaking at the science festival II organized by the Aquem Baixo Navelim social cultural association at the Fatima convent high school, Margao.

The Chief Minister urged the students to think that the city belongs to them and help maintain the city clean and green. “It is sad that elderly people throw out garbage from their flats and apartments. This can be stopped only if the children force their parents to observe sanitation and dispose off the waste as per rules”, he said.

The Chief Minister along with the PWD Minister, Churchill Alemao, GPCC general secretary Vijay Sardessai, former MLA Farrel Furtado participated in Combating Climatic Change – Save Planet Earth Rally in the commercial capital.

In his address, PWD Minister, Churchill Alemao said that the garbage problem can be solved if each individual takes care of own waste. “But, instead of tackling this burning, what we find is

that NGOs oppose the developmental projects taken up by the government in the state”, he said.

Alemao said that the Chief Minister is a person who does not want to hurt anyone, but that does not mean that anyone can just come out and oppose the government projects.

He cited the instance of Singapore and added that things are not moving in the state as there are people around who misguide the populace due to vested interests.

GPCC General Secretary Vijay Sardessai said Goa is a tourist destination and underlined the need to tackle the burning issue head on, especially along the coastal belt.

In her address, Margao Municipal Chairperson Sushila Naik sought cooperation from the people of Margao to streamline garbage collection and disposal. She said the Margao civic body would soon launch a major drive with the support of the Chief Minister to bring about awareness amongst the people on the garbage front.

The function was coordinated by the ViceChairman of the Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary School, Farrel Furtado e Gracias.

4 held for looting truck driver HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARCEL, DEC 15

Ponda Police arrested four persons on charges of looting a truck driver at Kundaim in the wee hours of Wednesday.

According to Ponda Police, four persons, Yuvraj Yeshwant Korgaonkar of Caranzol, Paresh Chandrakant Gawde, Mithun Gawde and Khush Laxman Naik, all from Priol, intercepted a trailer (GA-03-T-7099), which was proceeding towards Ponda, near Kundaim Petrol Pump.

The accused allegedly assaulted trailer driver Mallapa Sajagiri and fled from the site after snatching cash of Rs 5,000 from the driver.

Police further informed that a passerby took note of one of the motorcycle number used by the accused and informed Ponda Police.

Ponda Police conducted a search and recovered the motorcycle at Bhoma and arrested all the four accused. Ponda Police PSI Sachin Panhalkar is investigating the case.

Carpenter dies in mishap HERALD REPORTER VASCO, DEC 15

A 26-year-old carpenter from Belgaum, but residing at Velsao died, after he was hit by a speeding Kulem-Vasco passenger train at Cansaulim on Wednesday morning.

According to Vasco Police PSI Samarnath Passi, Tasevale Imamshab Bashir was so passionately mingled in music that he did not hear the horn of the train. “Bashir was so much mingled in music that he was least concerned to hear the horn of the train, which cost him his life,” said PSI Passi.

Injured Bashir was rushed to Vasco in the same train and intimated the Railway Police about and incident and asked them to summon the ambulance. On reaching Vasco, Bashir was rushed to GMC Hospital in Bambolim, but he succumbed to injuries.

State not to install China-made radar HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, DEC 15

It’s official now! Goa will not install Chinamade radar at the Met Department’s facility at Altinho in Panjim and instead will wait for indigenously made radar.

Indian Metrological Observatory, Goa in-charge K V Singh said that China-made radar which is lying with them will not be installed although building for the same is almost completed.

“The indigenously made radar will be sent for Goa and procedure for the same is on,” he said refusing to elaborate on the reason behind shuttling out China radar.

He said that the building work for the

installation of radar is nearing completion.

“The top floor of the building is completed. Internal and other developmental works are pending,” Singh said.

The China made radar was sent to Goa this year and was expected to be installed before the monsoon season.

Sources stated that Union Defence Ministry’s concerns about installing Chinamade radar on the coastal stations had forced Goa to drop its plan.

“There are apprehensions that China has installed some chip in the radar, which can send all the information from the coast to the parent country”, he said.

Singh said that new radar would be in place before next monsoons.

The IMD -Mumbai had bought 12 Doppler weather radars in May, 2009 from Beijing Metstar Radar Cooperative Ltd, or Metstar, which were to be installed at places like Mumbai, Delhi, Agartala, Mohanbari, Paradip, Bhopal, Nagpur, Patna, Lucknow, Karaikal, Patiala and Goa. The officials now claim that Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) made radar would be installed at the Goa facility. But the exact date for the new equipment is not fixed.

Sources also disclosed that the radar at Mumbai, also a China-made one, was shifted to Delhi and BEL radar was being installed there.

He said that the minimum temperatures in the days to come will hover around 21 to 22 degree Celsius. “The temperatures have started rising,” he added.

December 14 recorded minimum 19.1 degree Celsius and the temperature got warmer on December 15 when it touched 20.5 degree Celsius mark.

Singh said that the change in wind pattern contributed for the chill in the air.

“Initially there was East and South westerly winds which were taking the moisture away. But later they were replaced by North westerly winds bringing in cold

from the Northern direction,” he said.

Goa is currently having North Easterly winds. “Coldness in the temperature will remain until there is northerly component in the wind,” he explained.

The Meteorological Department has said that partly cloudy weather will continue in the State due to high moisture content in the air.

The State had recorded maximum lowest temperature in last four decades on the night of December 12, 1981 when minimum temperature had touched 15.7 degree Celsius.

Goans can expect warm weather in days to come: Met dept HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, DEC 15

After a fortnight of chilly nights, Goans can expect much warmer weather in the days to come, Meteorological Department officials said.

The State recorded minimum temperature as low as 19 degree Celsius during last fortnight, which saw mercury scaling down. “The minimum temperatures started falling from December 5 and it touched 19 degree Celsius on December 13,” Indian Meteorological Observatory in-charge K V Singh said.

‘assess impact of sea level rise’ HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, DEC 15

Stating that the sea level is going to rise for centuries, world renowned environmentalist Dr Rajendra Kumar Pachauri asked Goa government to conduct a detailed assessment of what the rise can do to the State.

“In Goa, sea level is one of the aspects of the impact of climate change and we certainly have to adapt to it,” Pachauri said addressing Vasudeva V Sinai Dempo Memorial Lecture in Panjim on ‘Restoring respect for nature and economic development’.

He said that even if we reduce the emission of green house gases, which contributes to climate change, inertia in the system will let sea level rise not only for decades but for centuries.

“Therefore those areas which are fragile, which are low-lying and sensitive to eco-system are needed to be protected,” Pachauri, who heads inter-governmental panel on climate change, said.

The scientist stated that the zoning laws needs to be properly enforced so that the lives and properties can be saved. He added that the State will need to set up infrastructure in preparation for the sea level rise.

Pachauri, who is also Director General

of Tata Engineering Research Institute, said that Goa needs to do detailed assessment of what sea level rise would do to the State.

Taking a practical outlook of the situation prevailing in Goa, Dr Pachauri said that State having a fragile environment is subjected to large amount of tourism. “Therefore anything can happen over the years,” he said adding that State government needs to look at impact of this industry in totality.

He said that the units like mining, tourism and shipping has large externalities. “You will not be even aware of the impact that is being caused. If you have a small hotel the impact of that will not be confined to that particular area but it will be impacting all the vicinity,” he said.

The environmentalist said that in case of Goa, the time has come to look at the means by which we can redefine the growth or economic welfare.

He said that the sea level rise results in extreme events like floods, draughts and water precipitation. Mentioning about flash floods at Canacona, Dr Pachauri said that the event has made it obvious that such incidents are going to increase in frequency.

Stating that the climate change will impact the water availability, TERI chief said that our management of water resources

has to be changed. “In case of water intensive units, they should be asked to recycle water. Management of water is going to be a major challenge in future,” he added.

In his hour-long lecture, Dr Pachauri said that impact of climate change on the marine resources is significant.

About Goa, he said that some species of fishes that you were able to catch in vicinity of the State coast may migrate to other areas. “Even in case of Western Ghats, the threat of climate change is very serious. A rise by 1.5 Degree Celsius in the environment can force threat of extinction to 20 per cent of the species in this bio diversity hotspot,” he said.

The scientist said that Goa will also have to change its cropping pattern. “In case of Goa, the State will have to develop salt tolerant variety of crops and Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) has already started working on the project,” he added.

Earlier, Srinivas Dempo, trustee of Vasantrao Dempo Education and Research Foundation, welcomed the guest. M S Usgaonkar presented vote of thanks.

People from various walks of life including former chief minister Shashikala Kakodkar, Bal Bhavan Chairman Vijayadevi Rane and others were present on the occasion.

from page 1

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat along with PWD Minister, Churchill Alemao, GPCC general secretary Vijay Sardessai, MMC Chairperson Sushila Naik and Farrel Furtado e Gracias participating in a rally to keep Margao clean and green.

Photo by Santosh Mirajkar

Goa’s Centenary Assistance Scheme to help needy HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, DEC 15

On the occasion of centenary celebrations, institute ‘Assistencia’ in Panjim has introduced Goa’s Centenary Assistance Scheme 2010 for helping needy people across the State.

Institution member Fernando Ribeiro said that the scheme aims to spread assistance programs to different villages of Goa, especially where its need is more significant.

“The scheme will help persons without distinction of religion, caste or creed,” he claimed.

He said that the services are extended to the poor and destitute aged individuals in difficult financial situation to meet their day requirements, to families whose bread-winners by reason of age or health or other issues are not able to meet the basic needs of those dependent on them and to the other needy sections of the society.

It also intends helping children who need financial assistance for their schooling.

The scheme has been put to operation in partnership of the Society of St Vincent de Paul at

the grass root level with a Nodal Member from Assistencia to coordinate the implementation.

“This will cover more than 50 individuals/families in 12 villages in five talukas of Goa,” Ribeiro added.

The institution was started in December 16, 1910 at a public meeting in the city town hall of Panjim. It aimed at supporting financially destitute individuals/families, eliminating street begging by giving all required care including food, shelter and health care; and assistance to destitute/abandoned infants in terms of food, shelter and education.

Valuables stolen at Sangolda HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, DEC 15

Valuables worth Rs 1.40 lakh were stolen from a shop at Sangolda on Tuesday afternoon.

According to Calangute Police, some persons broke open the door and decamped with jewellery including Mangalsutra, earrings, etc, all worth Rs 1.40 lakh. PSI Lakxa Amonkar is investigating the case.

Churchill

Condemning the incident of instigation by the Calangute MLA, former Calangute sarpanch Joseph Sequeira said: “I did not even dream that the elected representative would instigate his people against the people who got him elected as MLA.” “Such an act will tarnish the image of the MLA and the Congress in Goa sending wrong signals to the local populace. The MLA has become a terror for Calangute villagers,” added Sequeira.

“The jetty at Sinquerim was infact inaugurated by the then minister Sanjay Bandekar when I was the sarpanch of Calangute in the interest of fishermen,” added Sequeira and urged the Congress government to initiate stern action against Calangute MLA. Calangute MLA Agnelo Fernandes however refuted the allegations and said his opponents are making a political issue out of nothing.

Elaborating further, Fernandes said one boat owner called him at about 10.30 am and informed him that two persons, Reginald and Augustine, are creating problems for the tourist boat owners and have intentions of attacking them with weapons.

“Accordingly, I rushed to the site along with Candolim Panchas Blaise Fernandes, Patrick Gonsalves and others. Sensing the tricky situation, I called the Calangute Police and requisitioned their force at 11.15 am to prevent any untoward incident,” stated the Calangute MLA. When informed that Saldanha and Sequeira have laid the blame entirely on him for such an instigation and that the Calangute MLA is terrorising the area, Fernandes refuted their charge and said that he does not care people who have been rejected by the people of Goa. “Infact, my brother Lourenco and others were attacked by the fishermen with weapons in regard to which they have lodged a complaint with Calangute Police. This issue is not a CalanguteCandolim issue as my opponents have made it to believe,” he added.

Calangute Police have sounded caution in the matter and PSI Mahesh Kerkar is investigating the case.

Fishermen

of IGP and DIG between January 2008 and July 2009 after which he was shunted to GRP Camp.

HG Santosh Gaonkar is working at the DGP house since January 2009 onwards even as the profile of work is not explained in the information copy.

Adding to the number of HG ‘workers’ at the residences of the influential police officers, one each HG cook, sweeper and gardener are posted at the residences of DGP and IGP since May 2009.

The information mentions their place of posting as ‘DGP (R) IGP (R) GRP Camp, Altinho.’ Furthermore, another HG was allotted to a High Court public prosecutor (name is not disclosed in the copy) in 2009. The Panjim division comprises of around 227 HGs. Speaking to SP (Home Guards) Vaman Tari said that since HGs are a voluntary organisation, they are deputed at places ‘according to their willingness.’

He claimed that they are not forced to carry out any tasks. “Infact, they chose their jobs whether it is in traffic, law and order, police stations, patrolling or even sweeping or moving files from one place to another.”

Another senior officer wishing anonymity said that since Goa Police lacks personnel to perform low-profile jobs, HGs are then roped-in.

DGP Bhim Sain Bassi and police spokesperson Atmaram Deshpande were however not available for comments.

will not keep quiet and watch the development. Don’t force me to create any problem”, Alemao warned.

Education Minister, Babush Monseratte fully supported the views expressed by the PWD Minister. “We are fully behind Churchill.

Whatever decision Churchill takes, we will back him on the issue”, Monseratte asserted.

Urban Development Minister Joaquim Alemao said the Congress leaders are fully behind Jose Philip D’Souza and Nilkhant Harlankar.

“Why should the duo be dropped. There are no allegations of scam against them. Both Jose Philip and Nilkhant are not tainted ministers”, Alemao asserted.

Panchayat Minister, Babu Azgaonkar told Herald that the presence of Jose Philip D’Souza and Nilkhant Harlankar in the Ministry has not caused any interference in their constituencies. “The coalition government is running very smoothly. There is no disturbance.

The two NCP ministers have never interfered with the Congress constituencies. There should not be any disturbance to the status quo”, he said.

Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco said he strongly favours the status quo, adding that he cannot say what would happen politically if the status quo is disturbed.

GPCC General Secretary Vijay Sardessai said the people are by and large happy with the coalition government, adding that the meeting took place at his residence since the Congress is very much concerned about successfully running the coalition government.

The decision of the Congress leaders to rally behind Jose Philip and Nilkhant Harlarnkar comes against the backdrop of the recent threat issued by former Tourism Minister, Mickky Pacheco at his birthday celebrations that he and the NCP has the capacity to field candidates in all the 40 constituencies and form the next government.

Sources in the know said that a section of Congress leaders are of the firm opinion that both Jose Philip D’Souza and Nilkhant should quit the NCP and embrace the Congress in the event one of them is dropped from the Kamat Ministry.

prolonged fight by the fishing community.

Laying the blame entirely on the Calangute MLA, they alleged that the assault took place only after the Calangute MLA uttered the words “Tumi kitem kanknam ghalleant, moddat tankam, kiteak bhietat tumi Kongottkarank.”

“Later, one person took the pick-axe and broke the Fisheries department boat into pieces,” they stated.

Condemning the incident, Matanhy Saldanha of Ramponkarancho Ekvott said: “The display board was being put up by the Department of Fisheries with its officials led by Harmalkar on the instructions from Minister of Fisheries Joaquim Alemao, as the tourist boat owners were not permitting a smooth fishing activity of the fishing community and were blocking their access.”

“However, when the officials went to erect the display board, they were stopped by the Calangute MLA who instigated the crowd to assault the group of fishermen,” said Saldanha.

“The MLA should have infact intervened and ensured truce among the warring communities or groups, but he instigated them to attack. Therefore, I call upon the home minister to look into the matter on priority basis and initiate action in the matter before the matter goes out of hand,” added Saldanha.

“The display of board by the Department of Fisheries was a genuine demand by the fishing community,” he added.

Home Guards

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GOA, THURSDAY, 16 DECEMBER, 2010

Auto ride to cost 30% more n Similarly, taxis with and above 1500 cc engine will charge Rs 16 and Rs 18 respectively. The additional kilometres will help them to fetch Rs 10 and Rs 15 each per kilometre, whereas; super luxury taxis will charge Rs 28 for first one kilometre, with additional Rs 22 per kilometre.

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, DEC 15

Travelling by autorickshaw, taxis and motorcycles has become dearer in Goa with State Transport Department approving fare hike upto 30 per cent.

The State government through a fresh notification on Monday hiked the fare rates by almost 30 per cent, which has been implemented since December 13.

As per the new rates, people travelling by private motorcycles will have to shell out Rs 12 for the first kilometre as against earlier Rs 10 for the first three kilometres.

Further Rs 4 will be added for per kilometre.

At the same time, the pilots will ask for waiting charges of Rs 10 per hour or Rs 2

for each ten minutes.

In case of autorickshaw, people will have to pay Rs 13 for first one kilometre and Rs 10 for each additional kilometre. Not just this, luggage above 15 kg will be charged Rs 5 each along with waiting charges of Rs 15 per hour.

The government has also hiked fare rates for Yellow/black taxis, which will now charge Rs 14 for the first kilometre. With every additional kilometre, Rs 12 will be added along with waiting charges of Rs 25 and luggage charges of Rs 10 (above 15 kg).

Similarly, taxis with and above 1500 cc engine will charge Rs 16 and Rs 18 respec-

tively. The additional kilometres will help them to fetch Rs 10 and Rs 15 each per kilometre, whereas; super luxury taxis will charge Rs 28 for first one kilometre, with additional Rs 22 per kilometre.

The fare rates of Maxi cabs have also been revised.

In October, the associations like All Goa Autorickshaw Association (AGAA), Taximen’s Union (TU) and All Goa Taxi Unions Association (AGTUA) had submitted their fare hike proposal to the State Transport Authority (STA).

As the rates were last hiked in 2006, the STA decided to revise the rates. Accordingly, the Transport department was asked to prepare a detailed report on diesel prices, rates of spare parts and salary structure of 2006 and 2010 of autorickshaws and taxis operators.

“The operators will have to go as per the government rates. The violators will be strictly punished,” transport director Arun Dessai said.

The State government through a fresh notification under Goa Motor Vehicles Act, last month has hiked the permit fees of all the tourist vehicles registered under various categories. However, the hiked rates were strongly objected by the vehicle operators, who have served a notice to the government asking to withdraw the notification.

Copies of Dudu’s statement missing from chargesheet HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, DEC 15

In what may put Goa police in an embarrassing situation is that the copies of the statement made by the Israeli drug dealer David Driham alias Dudu is missing from the chargesheet.

Police sources said that the recorded statement of Dudu’s custodial interrogation is not enclosed in the 100-odd pages chargesheet filed by the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) submitted at Narcotics and Drugs Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Court on Monday.

An officer, on condition of anonymity said that since Dudu’s statement is not valid during the course of trial, it was decided not to incorporate the statement papers in the chargesheet.

It is learnt that Dudu has made sensational confessions during the course of his interrogation, which may even have names of influential persons involved in the drug trade.

Dudu (34) was caught red-handed with cocktail of narcotics worth Rs 3.81-lakh near his house at Anjuna in February 2010.

The ANC team seized from him 144 ecstasy tablets, heroin powder, cocaine, liquid LSD and charas from his possession. He was also found with Rs 5000 cash and a Santro car, which be-

longed to his local business partner. The car has been released to the owner.

Herald on Wednesday reported that forensic report of suspected drug sample of ‘ecstasy tablets’ was proved ‘negative’ by the Central Forensic Science Laboratory at Hyderabad.

Whereas, report of other suspected drug samples, which were found in commercial quantity with Dudu, were ‘positive for drugs.’

Not many may know that after Reserve Bank of India declined permission to ‘Dudu Division Import Export Pvt Ltd’ at Anjuna, the drug dealer traded garments in Anjuna flea market.

“Dudu had his men selling garments in the flea market. The counter sold imported and local garments,” said the source. Investigating Officer Police Sub-Inspector Sunil Gudlar was however not available for comments.

Dudu is presently lodged in Sada Sub-Jail. The chargesheet also mentioned that he carried out narcotics trade in Goa for the last 12 years from his rented premise in Anjuna.

Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Mapusa recently sentenced him to three years imprisonment for overstaying visa. He was arrested by Mumbai’s ANC in 2008 and earlier served ‘Leave India’ notice in 2006.

Sonsodo waste: MMC in a fix over payments to Fomento HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, DEC 15

The Margao Municipal Council finds itself in a quandary over the payments to be made to Fomento towards waste tackling at the Sonsodo dumpyard.

The civic body is faced with the dilemma whether to make the full payments of Rs 7.31 crore to Fomento in one installment or pay Rs 12 crore over the next 25 years going by the Net Present Value.

Civic officials said the Municipality can pay the amount of Rs 7.31 crore in one installment and save the civic body from paying an additional Rs five crore for the next 25 years.

However, on this count, questions are raised how the civic body can make the fully payments without obtaining guarantee from the company that they will perform at the site for

Transport owners to discuss permit renewal fee hike HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, DEC 15

The All Goa Private Bus Owners’ Association has called for a meeting on Friday (December 17) of all transport associations in the T B Cunha Hall, here, to decide on the further course of action into the hike in fees for grant of fresh permits and renewals.

The Government vide a notification in the official gazette had hiked the fees for grant and renewal of permits prompting the Secretary of AGPBOA Sudip Tamankar to call the Transport Minister and the Chief Minister to intervene into the matter. He also requested the State Transport Authority to take a sympathetic view of the situation.

AGPBOA had also made a representation along with the All Goa Tourist Taxi Owners Association and the All India Tourist Taxi Owners on November 29, 2010. It maintained some of the operators could not pay hike in renewal fees and had to keep their vehicles off road with the hope the Government would review the decision.

the next 25 years.

When contacted, MMC Chief Officer Prasanna Acharya said this delicate issue will be discussed threadbare with the municipal legal counsel Adv Nadkarni and work out a solution. He, however, clarified that the decision on the payments would be taken in a transparent manner, added that the draft Concession agreement would be placed before the Council for an appropriate decision.

‘The issue over the payments would be decided in a transparent manner. I will discuss this issue with the municipal legal counsel to ensure that the interests of the civic body are best protected”, Acharya said.

The issue has come to the fore after outgoing Municipal Chairperson Savio Coutinho has told the Chief Officer that work on the setting up of the plant at Sonsodo was awarded for an amount of Rs 7.31 crore, being the total project cost for a period of 25 years. He, however, has expressed surprise how the civic body can make payments to the tune of Rs 12 crores under the guise of the Net Present value concept.

Acharya said the civic body would obtain approval to the draft concession agreement from the municipal counsel and the same would be placed before the civic body for ratification.

29-yr-old woman hangs to death at Headland Sada HERALD REPORTER VASCO, DEC 15

A 29-year-old woman committed suicide by hanging herself in her flat at CHLD Colony, Headland Sada, Mormugao, on Tuesday evening.

According to Mormugao Police, Sulekha Suhash Naik hanged herself in her bedroom.

Police further informed that on one was present in the flat when Sulekha committed suicide and the reason is not yet known.

Mormugao Police has registered a case as unnatural death and is investigating the case.

HC clears way for razing 21 Sulabh toilets at Manora HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, DEC 15

In a case that has brought to the fore the functioning of the government and particularly the department of public works, the High Court of Bombay at Goa has cleared the way for demolition of about 21 Sulabh toilets constructed by the government at Manora, Raia.

In this case, one Lidia Barbosa had approached the Additional District Court Margao seeking the direction to demolition the toilets constructed

by PWD without her permission.

Incidentally, the District Judge had held that the PWD had constructed the Sulabh toilets without the permission of the landlady and in violation of the proprietary rights and ordered demolition and payment of compensation as damages.

The government preferred an appeal to the High Court against the order of the District Court. The appeal has been rejected with Justice N A Britto of the Bombay High Court holding that the defendants could not have constructed the toilets by encroaching upon the property of the plaintiffs without their permission.

The High Court has upheld their contention raised by Adv. C.A. Coutinho that the Sulabh toilets built by the government were per se illegal and rejected the government contention that the landlady had to file the suit against third parties for whose benefit the government built the toilets. The court further held that upon

encroachment into the property of the landlady without her permission the award of damages granted by the District Judge could not be faulted.

The PWD has been building Sulabh at various places under different schemes in recent times and number of instances of high handed action has come to light

Tyres stolen from garage at Xirfod

CURCHOREM, DEC 15(HC) -- Truck tyres worth Rs 69,000 were stolen from a garage at Xirfod-Curchorem.

OHERALDO

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GOA, THURSDAY,16 DECEMBER, 2010

Mauvin assures bridge at Velsao

s h o rt ta k e Fete held at Calangute church

A group of children participate in the Calangute fete.

Photo by Thomas Fernandes

CALANGUTE(HC): The Calangute Parish Youth conducted a two-day Calangute Fete at St Alex Church premises, to mark the Feast of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception.

On the first day, a Konkani Drama 'Pisollem' by John D'Silva was staged in the Church compound, while the second day was marked with a host of activities including a cultural programme. The Calangute Parish Youth members put up various games stalls, cultural programmes and competitions.

Various dance groups like the Floor Fillers, B-Boys, enthralled the large Sunday crowd.

The Calangute Parish Youth were led by its President Vicky Rodrigues and supported by Youth Animator Fr Clifford Cardozo, Parish Priest Fr Carmo Martins and his assistants.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT CORTALIM, DEC 15

Cortalim ML A and Deputy Speaker Mauvin Godinho on Wednesday assured the residents of Dando-Velsao that he would take up with the authorities to build a bridge to connect Mollo with the rest of the village.

Saying that the residents particularly the students have been facing hardship especially during the monsoon, Godinho said since the panchayat had managed to obtain NOCs from the land owners, it would now be easy to start with the formalities and assured to take up the matter with the authorities to build the bridge.

The villagers informed the MLA of the hardships they were facing in the absence of the road connectivity. “We are finding it difficult even to repair our houses since we have to physically carry the materials,” a villager lamented.

Giving them a patient hearing, Godinho told the villagers apart from the bridge, he would also ensure road connectivity from Dando (Velsao) to Issorcim and

Gomantak Vidhyala excels in story telling contest HERALD CORRESPONDENT COLLEM, DEC 15

Cortalim MLA Mauvin Godinho discussing with the officials regarding the proposed Dando-Mollo bridge in Pale-Velsao on Wednesday.

Photo by Alvaro Colaco

Hollant and also explore the possibility of road connectivity to Vasco.

“This will require CRZ clearance and it will be done. This proposed road will also give access to many land locked properties which will be beneficial to locals,” Godinho said.

Later, Sarpanch Olga D’Souza and others panchas also appealed to Godinho to ensure that the Dando-Mollo bridge is built which has been a long-pending demand of the residents.

Earlier, the MLA launched hot mixing works on two roads in Velsao-Pale and informed that about Rs 60 to 70 crore had already been spent on road works under planned and non-planned expenditure in Cortalim constituency.

Assistant Engineer, PWD, Diogo Pereira, PS to the Deputy Speaker Ligorio Monteiro, Issorcim Panch Lawrence Rodrigues and local residents were also present on the occasion.

Students of Gomantak Vidhyala Piliem-Dharbandoda excelled in the Sane Guruji Katha Mala’s story telling contest (Dharbandoda centre) organised in its premises recently.

The contest was organised in three categories, primary group (upto Std 4), higher primary (Std 5 to 7) and secondary group (Std 8 to 10).

In the secondary group, Namrata Manolkar and Prajakta Bacholkar (Gomantak Vidyalaya) and Anandibai Vaman (Marathe Vidyalaya, Tamsoda-Dharbandoda) won the first two prizes.

In the higher primary group, Ankita Naik and Riyaz Sayyad, both from Gomantak Vidyalaya Piliem, bagged the first two prizes.

In the primary group, first prize was won by Aswina A Prabhu (Government Primary School).

Narayan Chandagadkar, Ashok Tilve, Narayan Patil and Suresh Rane were the judges for the contest.

Over 2000 students to take part at Liberation Day function HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, DEC 15

Over 2000 students drawn from different High Schools in Goa will take part in the cultural programme to be presented on the occasion of 49th anniversary of the Liberation of Goa on December 19 at the main State level function to be held at Parade Ground Campal Panaji at 9.15 a.m, where the Chief Minister Digambar Kamat will hoist the natural tri-colour, review the parade and later address the people. He will also present awards to those who have rendered outstanding services in different fields.

Apart from the presentation of Cultural floats and Mass PT Drill there will be singing of Natural Integration songs in which 570 students from 13 High Schools will participate. The Ra-

jasthani dance to be presented on the occasion will see the participation of 450 students from ten High Schools.

About 575 students attached to 22 Bal Kendras of Bal Bhavan in Goa will present Gode Modni Dance where a total of 500 students of Old Goa Educational Institute and other neighbouring Schools from Old Goa will present “Tumko Ho Salam” fusion dance.

The March past will be presented by St Mary’s High School, Mapusa, Raoji Rane Memorial High School, Maulinge, Bicholim, Govt High School, Gaondongrim, Cancona, Vidya Mandir High School Chicalim, Mormugao Sateri Vidyamandir, Ibrampur, Pernem, KRSS High School, Savoi Verem –Ponda, Govt High School, Kalem Sanguem, St Tereza High School Ganapuga

Rai, Margao Salcette, New Education Institute, Curchorem Quepem, Our Lady of Lourdes High School, Sattari and Dr K B Hedgewar High School Panjim.

Subhash elected tenants panel chief

CME at GMC PANJIM(HND): The Department of Pathology Goa Medical College Bambolim will be organising a CME ( Continuing Medical Education ) Programme in Hematology on December 17 at 3 pm in the GMC Library Auditorium.

The faculty comprises of Dr M B Agarwal, Consultant Hematologist and Hemato Oncologist Bombay Hospital Institute of Medical Sciences, Lilavati Hospital and Breach Candy Hospital Mumbai and Dr V P Antia Consultant Hematologist, Breach Candy Hospital, Mumbai.

The topics to be covered include Multiple Myeloma, basic aspects, diagnosis, management and advances and Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome, Clinical features diagnosis, management and recent advances.The CME will be chaired and coordinated by Dr R G Wiseman Pinto. Goa Medical Council has given CME accreditation to this programme and is open to all doctors, says a press release.

Community festival at Curchorem CURCHOREM(HC): Over 4,000 students from various schools in Curchorem are expected to take part in a unique community festival on December 18 at the Government Sports Complex ground at 3 pm, on the eve of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Liberation Day. The programme, organised by the Curchorem Super School Complex - I and led by Smt C T Naik HSS, Curchorem, will involve the participation of about 4,000 students of all seven member schools, besides teachers, parents and the public.

The programme, especially designed for the Golden Jubilee Celebration, includes a mass drill, community singing, skit based on freedom struggle, folk dance and felicitation of freedom fighters. Speaking to reporters, President of the Super School Complex Vaman Bhadri said: “The struggle and sacrifice of freedom fighters for the liberation of Goa should be made known to the younger generation.”

“The main objective of this celebration is to involve and educate children about the liberation and imbibe a sense of patriotism to develop our state and country,” he added.

The Golden Jublie Celebration Day will be celebrated with patriotic fervour in the presence of Curchorem MLA and GTDC Chairman Shyam Satardekar, Guest of Honour and Director of Education Dr Celsa Pinto, Dr Narayan Dessai and CurchoremCacora Mayor Alifa Fernandes. Principal Bhadri has appealed all students, teachers, parents and the public to take active part in the Golden Jubilee celebrations.

Expo at Sanquelim MAYEM(HC): Progress High School, Sanquelim, will organize an exhibition based on Science and Art in its premises from December 16 to 19.

Nagraj Hinnekari will inaugurate the exhibition at 10 am.

The main purpose of organizing the exhibition is to create awareness among the students with regard to scientific aspects, besides hidden art, said Science teacher Vijaykumar Verekar.

The valedictory function will be held on December 19, where Scientist Dr Nandkumar Kamat will be the chief guest.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, DEC 15

Subhash Naik was elected as chairman of Sau Paul Cator Tenants Association, Salvador-doMundo. In the meeting held recently in Salvador-do-Mundo Panchayat Hall, other office bearers elected are Bhagirathi Chodankar (vice chairman), Raviraj Shet (secretary), Suresh Halarnkar (treasurer) and Raghuvir Naik (attorney).

upcoming events

SBI Loan mela in Panjim PWD Minister Churchill Alemao seen distributing Rs 10,000 as interest-free loan to Fair vendors at Goreswadi, Aquem Baixo, Navelim Panchayat at Margao. ZP chairperson Maria Rebello and others are also present.

PANJIM(HND): State Bank of India will be organizing its Annual Home Loan Mela on December 17 and 18 from 10 am to 8 pm at Don Bosco, Panjim. This will be a great opportunity to clients to avail the benefits of Home Schemes, says a press release. S Bhathacharya, AGM of State Bank of India, Panjim will be the chief guest and the event will be managed by Show Wizards, Margao. For details contact Shevani Naik 8806660166.

The mela will be inaugurated at 10 am on the first day.

Christian Gawdas give up on Mand due to ‘Parents should monitor religious criticism HERALD CORRESPONDENT QUEPEM, DEC 15

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Once the harvest season is over in the villages of Quepem and Sanguem talukas, particularly dominated by Christian Gawda Tribe, one would hear Dhalo songs being played by the Christian Tribal women folk on their traditional Mand.

Now, this has been a history, as since the last 15 years due to rampant criticism by religious priests on the ‘Mand’, which was one of the central place for performing different cultural folk dances/activities of the Gawda Tribe, resulted in destruction of the Mand.

It in turn resulted in wiping out different folk dances, folk songs like Dhalo, which was one of the important cultural festivals of the Christian Gawda Tribal women. This also resulted in wiping out the identity of the Christian Gawdas.

In Ambaulim/Deao of Quepem taluka, which are part of Ambaulim Church, consist of 10 small wards inhabited mostly

by Christian Gawdas.

In some wards, the Christian Gawda population is 100%, while in remaining wards the Gawda population is 95%. Each ward had its Mand.

Once the harvest season is over, preferably in October, the Gawda women folk of each ward used to play Dhalo on their traditional Mand during night.

In Copelabhat, once the harvest of Nagagal paddy field was done, the women folk of that ward used to play Dhalo on their Mand. The Dhalo festival was performed by the Gawda Tribal women to glorif y/pray the almighty or the nature for the harvest.

The Dhalo festival on the Mand was performed in odd days. On the first day of Dhalo, the wife of the ward Budwant (head of the village) used to light the lamp, which was kept in the middle of the Mand, and it was lighted every night till the Dhalo festival was over, followed by bursting of crackers.

The tribal women then used to gather on the Mand to play Dhalo. They used to stand in two different lines holding each one’s hands and then used to

sing different traditional songs.

If one listens to the song, each song is having a history and conveys a message to the villager. In the Dhalo songs, there is even reference of different trees/shrubs having medicinal importance.

The different folk dances which were performed by the tribal women during Dhalo festival include Dhalo, Fugdi, Palom, Moraile, etc. The village youth who used to gather to see the Dhalo used to play ‘Kolimandani’ in one corner of the Mand.

The Dhalo festival was held either for 3, 5, 7 or 9 days. On the last day of the Dhalo, a large number of villagers including male members from that ward used to gather on the Mand to participate in the closing ceremony, which was referred as ‘Mand Nivovop’.

Every member, who comes on the Mand used to bring paddy from their house. The paddy brought by the villagers were collected and then sold to the shopkeeper from the ward and in return sweets and puff rice (chirmuleo) were purchased which were distributed among all those present. In this way, the Dhalo festival of Gawda Tribals came to an end.

However, since the last 15 years, due to criticism by religious priests to the Mand calling it as a devil’s place and the cultural activities performed over their by the tribals were without studying its concept or without studying its importance for preserving the cultural importance of the Tribals.

No-trust against Mollem Sarpanch HERALD CORRESPONDENT COLLEM, DEC 15

A no-confidence motion has been moved against Mollem Sarpanch Govind K Gaonkar by five panchas in the seven-member Mollem Panchayat.

One panch member had resigned from the post some months ago.

The signatories to the motion accused the sarpanch of not taking them into consideration while taking any decision in the panchayat’s affairs.

wards’ performance’

HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, DEC 15

Dr Francisco Colaco said discipline is a key to success and hence parents should ensure that their children are well disciplined.

He was speaking as the chief guest at the annual prize distribution day of St Xavier’s College and Higher Secondary School, Mapusa.

“Parents should also monitor the performance of their children very closely, encourage them and boost their confidence. The parents should also limit TV viewing of their children and inculcate in them the habit of reading,” said Dr Colaco.

Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, Dr Colaco further said the destiny of the nation is designed within the four walls of the classroom and it is the duty of the teachers to mould the character and shape the future of the students.

They should act facilitators, moderators and performers.

In his welcome speech, Principal Dr (Fr) Walter de D Sa said through education, one should contribute to peace and build up a common brotherhood and people should be motivated to respect creation and all that ex-

ists on the planet earth.

Later, Dr Colaco released an Interdisciplinary Research Journal ‘Spectrum’ carrying research articles by the faculty of the College.

The annual reports of College and Higher Secondary School sections were read out by Vice Principal Ursula Barreto and HSS Principal Dr Elvis Gonsalves respectively.

Prizes to the meritorious students were given away by Dr Colaco and Prof Fernanda Colaco.

The variety entertainment programme consisted of Invocation Dance, Indian Classical Dance, English group song, a duet ‘Winds of Change’ Cheira Lisboa and a mime depicting the life of Blessed Joseph Vaz and Orchestra of Goa. A Konkani play ‘Ho Voso Ailo Koso’ and English play ‘My Wife’s Relatives’ were enacted

by HSS and College students respectively. A live crib presentation with Christmas Carols was acted out.

Lisel A Solanki and Eeshan Usapkar compered the programme, while General Secretary Salil Rao proposed the vote of thanks.

POwEr ShutDOwN DECEMBER 16

BARDEZ : On Torda feeder between 9 am to 3 pm. Areas affected are Britona, Virlosa, Haliwada, RND-Slipway, Malim, Tourist complex, Ice factory, Betim field T/C and surrounding areas.

BARDEZ: Salai feeder, between 9 am to 4 pm. Areas affected are Kadamba depo, Salai-Quitla, Ekoxim, Donwado, Britona, Manas and surrounding areas.

TALEIGAO: From 9 am to 4 pm. Areas affected are Purva Apartments, Martins Morod and surrounding areas.

COLVA: From 9 am to 3 pm. Areas affected are Pedda Benaulim, Canna Benaulim, Colva, Perseraulim.

BRITONA: From 9 am to 3 pm. Areas affected are Britona, Virlosa, Haliwada, RND-Slipway, Malim, Tourist complex, Ice factory, Betim field T/C and surrounding areas.

PORVORIM: From 9 am to 3 pm. Areas affected are Kadamba depot, Salai-Quitla, Ekoxim, Donwado, Britona, Manas and surrounding areas.

DECEMBER 17

Colva: From 9 am to 3 pm. Areas affected are Trinity Super Market, Colvado Laxmi temple.

DECEMBER 18

TALEIGAO: From 9 am to 4 pm. Areas affected are Adolf Morod, Padri Bhat and surrounding areas.

BETALBATIM: From 9 am to 3 pm. Areas affected are Seraulim, Betalbatim, Munghul, Pedda Benaulim, Pavasa Church.

OHERALDO

GOA

Pg 5

GOA, THURSDAY, 16 DECEMBER, 2010

Chelation Theraphy gaining popularity in State

Transport firm’s driver booked for misappropriation

“The medicines used in this therapy removes metals, excess deposits of inert calcium and cholesterol by which the blockages become soft and render minimum or nil impedance to blood flow causing free flow at blockages,” added Dr Dessai.

“This is an easy, economical treatment, less time consuming and without any side effects.

One of the therapy’s advantages is that one is required to spend only a couple of hours for each sitting and then carry on with his daily routine,” he said.

“Chelation Therapy treatment cost about Rs 60,000-70,000, whereas for Angioplasty or bypass surgery, the patient has to shell out anything between Rs 1.5 lakh and Rs 3 lakh,” said Dr Dessai.

Dr Dessai said heart disease can also be treated with External Enhanced Counter Pulsation Machine. EECP is high-tech and most useful and successful machine which works without medicines.

“With this machine treatment, 40% of the blood vessels in the dormant stage get opened and improve the blood supply to the heart by 40-45%.

This is called natural bypass and has been accepted by World Health Organization but not commonly practiced,” added Dr Dessai.

“This treatment does not remove the blockages, but it gives alternative supply which is enough to avoid scarcity of blood to the heart,” said Dr Dessai.

The Cuncolim police have registered a case of misappropriation against the driver of a transport company for the missing scrap items.

This follows a complaint lodged by the mange of a Vascobased company stating that the driver Ashok Pandey, a native of UP, went missing with the scrap after abandoning the truck at Dandeavaddo-Chinchinim.

In the complaint, the complainant stated that truck-load of scrap headed to the Cuncolim Industrial Estate after loading the goods from the MPT. However, the truck never reached the Industrial estate and upon inquiry revealed that the truck was abandoned at Chinchinim, but minus the scrap material, informed ASI Menezes.

The Cuncolim police have registered a case under section 407 of the IPC. Further investigations are on.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, DEC 15

Chelation Therapy, an alternative treatment to Angioplasty and bypass surgery of heart, is becoming more and more popular in the State.

Many patients who have undergone bypass surgery and Angioplasty visits Navjeevan Global Heart Center at Porvorim, which offers Chelation Therapy treatment.

Speaking to Herald, a patient from Vasco informed that Angioplasty was performed on him barely a month ago.

“After a month when I went for a medical check up, doctors told me that the pumping of the heart has dropped by 10% and was advised to get implanted an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) in my body which costs about Rs 5 lakh,” said the patient. Due to financial constraints, he preferred to go in for Chelation therapy.

Similarly, a woman from Cansaulim, who had undergone Angioplasty, had similar experience and hence she opted for Chelation therapy.

A retired government employee from Panjim, on whom bypass surgery of the heart was performed, is also undergoing Chelation therapy treatment at Porvorim.

Navjeevan Heart Centre Chief Dr Madhav Dessai said heart diseases can be treated by different combinations therapies.

“Advanced Allopathy can take care of cholesterol, oxygen, etc, but this treatment is temporary.

n Millions of patients are benefited every month in developing and developed countries.

Advance Chelation therapy can relieve cardiac complaints totally. This can help avoid bypass surgery and Angioplasty.

Therefore, we have to combine the medicine with Chelation, where there is metal poisoning inside the heart. This therapy is not practiced commonly in hospital though it is very much important,” said Dr Dessai.

Dr Dessai further informed that at Navjeevan Global Heart Centre, they practice highly Advanced Chelation Therapy.

“Chelation is practiced in India for the last 20-25 years. It is practiced in over 76 countries all over the world.”

“Millions of patients are benefited every month in developing and developed countries.

Advance Chelation therapy can relieve cardiac complaints totally. This can help avoid bypass surgery and Angioplasty,” said Dr Dessai.

PWD Minister Churchill Alemao seen lighting a traditional lamp to mark the inauguration of tailoring classes at Goreswadi, Aquem Baixo, Navelim Panchayat at Margao. ZP Chairperson Maria Rebello and others are also present.

Crafts Bazaar ’10 inaugurated at Margao

Asha Kamat, wife of Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat inaugurating the 10-day Craft Bazaar at BPS Club.

Photo by Santosh Mirajkar

BY HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, DEC 15

Crafts Bazaar 2010 organised by the Andhra Pradesh Handicrafts Development Corporation got underway at the BPS Club, Margao on Wednesday.

The 10-day Bazaar was inaugurated by Asha Kamat, wife of Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat in the presence of the Assistant Director, Handicrafts, Bhagwan Shankar Mishra.

About 150 crafts persons from different states are participating in the even, displaying crafts, artistic textiles, pottery, wooden cutlery, Banaras sarees, Mysore silk sarees, The Patachitra paintings from Orissa, Dress sets and Kutch embroidery from Gujarath, Panchaloha Jewellery from Kerala, Terracotta Magic lamps from Maharashtra are on display cum sale at the Bazaar.

Bhagwan Mishra said the

main purpose behind organizing the carfts bazaar is to promote the crafts and artistic textiles of Andhra Pradesh by providing marketing facility and also to encourage other state artisans for their betterment.

Live demonstration in prominent crafts is organized in the Crafts Bazaar. The Crafts Bazaar is open for the public from 11 am to 9 pm daily and open on all public holidays.

‘Lukotshav-2010’ at Canacona ‘HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, DEC 15

A horde of competitions will take place in the Lukotshav-2010 at Canacona on January 7 and 8, 2011.

Addressing a press conference, Poinguinim MLA Ramesh Tawadkar informed that this year's annual Lukotshav will be organized

by Adarsh Yuwa Sangh, Gaondongrim-Cotigao, in association with

Balram Graham Vikas Saunstha, Amone-Poinguinim and Directorate of Arts and Culture, Goa Government.

The Lukotshav-2010 will be held at Moshifund-Amone in Poinguinim, at the same place where the eco-tourism park is taking birth at Canacona, the first of its kind the entire state of Goa. Several contests lined up at the Lukotshav-2010 include

road-shows, folk music with traditional musical instruments, solo singing, arti-competition, poetry recital, Dandiya, poster painting, quiz competition, Rangoli, drawing, patriotic singing competition, dance, monologue, essay writing, one-act play, traditional folk songs, Fugdi (only women), folk-dance (men and women) and a science project presentation.

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, DEC 15

Follow Gandhian path for good governance, says Kelekar HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, DEC 15

Noted freedom fighter and writer Gurunath Kelekar has said that good governance can become a reality in Goa only if the Gandhian path of moral values is followed in the political and social life.

“Goa has witnessed only material development in the last 50 years of Liberation from the Portuguese. Goa’s freedom from foreign rule was followed by self government, but what is equally necessary today is good governance, which can be a reality in the state if and only we follow the Gandhian path of moral values in our political and social life”, Kelekar asserted.

He said that much before Dr Ram Manohar Lohia gave a clarion call to Goans for Goa’s freedom struggle on June 18, 1946, Goans had organized themselves to build the freedom struggle by following the Gandhian path. “Goa was dear to Gandhiji’s heart. His correspondence with the Portuguese Governor of Goa is a testimony to the fact that Gandhiji was closely observing the developments in Goa. Gandhiji had never set foot on the Goan soil, but the Gandhian thought left a deep imprint on the Goan psyche and inspired thousands of Goans and the people of the rest of the country to plunge into Goa’s freedom struggle by following the Gandhian path of Satyagraha”, he said.

Kelekar was speaking to newsmen on the two-day visit of the Mahatma Gandhi’s grand daughter Usha H Gokani to Margao, beginning from December 18. Kelekar said that the visit of Gokani will strengthen the endeavour of Goan people to build up a society based upon moral values which is the essence of the Gandhian thought.

Gokani’s visit to Goa is to dedicate Mahatma’s autobiography in Konkani translated by Gurunath Kelekar to the Goan people, particularly to the Goan youth.

Kelekar said Gokani’s visit will be an occasion for Goans to introspect on what ails the Goan social life.

Babush confident of retaining hold over CCP HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, DEC 15

Will Taleigao MLA Babush Monserrate’s applecart be upset in the next CCP election?

With less than four months to go for the big battle to elect second body of the CCP, it appears that a tough contest is on the cards between Monserrate’s Panjim Development Front (PDF) and those backed by the BJP. Monserrate seems quite confident that his panel will come back to serve yet another term.

CCP was rocked by allegations of corruption against certain corporators from the ruling group during the last four-andhalf years.

While Monserrate had been tom- tomming in the past that non–performing and allegedly corrupt ones will be left out— it may be no surprise that they may be retained while some may be dropped.

But one thing is sure that panel members are jittery about their future prospects in the forthcoming election.

According to sources, there are speculations that the vociferous Avinash Bhosle may not be given a ticket. Other names that could not figure on PDF panel this time are Aldrin Soares and Melita Alfonso.

Another person who might be given a raw deal is ex-Mayor Tony Rodrigues.

When contacted Monserrate said, Rodrigues will contest from another ward but did not spell out his plan saying he is preparing to declare his panel on January 1.

I n t e r e s t i n g l y, R u d r e s h Chodankar who was elected on BJP-backed panel last time, switched sides recently and will be fielded by PDF panel. The PDF may field some new faces possibly in Ribandar, St Inez, Campal and Tonca.

The BJP too is not taking any chances even as sources claimed that it is yet to finalise its candidates.

Currently, there are eight BJPbacked corporators in the CCP. Few surprises could be thrown out from BJP side — there is a possibility that ex-mayor Ashok Naik will be in the race this time.

Independent corporator Surendra Furtado is also gearing up to give a tough fight. When contacted he said, he will field candidates in four-five wards.

There are also speculations that some NGOs might field candidates to make battle tougher for PDF panel, especially against the alleged corrupt corporators.

Finally, Mapusa Council repairs road near taxi stand

The road in front of Hindustan and Bharat Petroleum Pumps near Taxi stand at Mapusa before and after repairs.

Photos by Anil Shankhwalker HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, DEC 15

Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) has repaired the road in front of Hindustan and Bharat Petroleum Pumps near taxi stand at Mapusa on Wednesday.

It may be recalled that Herald had highlighted the pathetic condition of the road. Several potholes had developed on the road, due to which driving of vehicles, especially two-wheelers, became a hazardous task.

During the monsoon, the road gets flooded and it becomes even more difficult for the vehicle owners to drive the vehicles. Accidents had become the recurrent feature on the road.

Speaking to Herald, the vehicle owners opined that the repairs of the road carried out by MMC will not last for long.

“The road will be washed away in the monsoon and the condition of the road will be

back to square one. This road should have been hot-mixed,” said the vehicle owners.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena Ad-hoc committee member Philip D’Souza has thanked the Chief Officer of Mapusa Municipal Council for repairing the road and providing relief to the vehicle owners.

Recruitment in Navy

PANJIM (HND): Indian Navy invites applications from unmarried males for recruitment as Stewards, Cooks and Topasses for MR/NMR 02/2011 batch in Indian Navy. Last date for receipt of application is January 15, 2011.

N a v y i s a l s o re c r u i t i n g sailors for Senior Secondary Recruits (SSR) 2/2011 batch and the last date of receipt of application for this post is December 25.

Canape, Snax ‘n’ Sips opens new joint in Margao

BY HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, DEC 15

Canape, Snax ‘n’ Sips has started a new take away joint in the centre of Margao city near the Clergy Home, opposite Hospicio.

It will be owned and managed

by John Miranda and the new outlet will be open on all days from 10 am to 10 pm.

Canape Snax ‘n’ sips is an unique food boutique of international standard started by an young entrepreneur, Chirag Naik, who has studied baking science and technology in American Institute of Baking, Kansas, USA. This novel concept has been designed after a lot of research, by studying modern trends in food retailing.; Canape was started two years ago at Fatorda and evoked an overwhelming response from customers in and around Margao.

All the products of canapé are freshly made out of the finest

Proprietor of Canape franchise, John Miranda along with Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco, Datta Naik and others at the inauguration of the outlet.

Photo by Savio Dias

ingredients by expert bakers and chefs. The highest quality and hygiene parameters have been maintained, stated John Miranda.

He said that Canape has a wide product range of puffs, rolls, burgers, grilled sandwiches, pizzas, light appetizers,

pastries, desserts, Gateaux, sponges, cookies and hot and cold beverages.

Being a Civil engineer with management training, Chirag believes in the principle of “Less is more” and has no plans to open any more Canape outlets anywhere else in Goa.

OHERALDO

OPINION

Pg6

www.oheraldo.in

O HERALD O

Expensive military hardware

Vol No CX No: 314 Goa, Thursday, 16 December, 2010

F

A personal vendetta?

ormer Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) chairman Praveen Agarwal is indisputably the most unpopular port chief Goa has ever had. He managed to rub almost everyone the wrong way. This included not just politicians, but fishermen, the residents of Vasco as well as the people of all the villages whose land and waters he claimed in the name of the MPT. It culminated in an unprecedented public blocade of the port in protest against extremely high levels of coal dust pollution in Vasco. But the former chairman’s latest caper – he has alleged in separate letters to the controversial Chief Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) P J Thomas and the Secretary of the Union Shipping Ministry K Mohandas that officials of the Goa government have connived with six private five-star hoteliers to encroach on MPT land within 50 yards of the high tide line (HTL) – really takes the cake.

Mr Agarwal claims that according to a government of India notification, all property within 50 yards of the high tide line (HTL) that did not belong to private owners as on Goa’s Liberation Day, 19 December 1961, belongs to MPT. Even if such a notification exists, its legality is questionable. Land titles are a state subject. Whether millions of sq metres of land can, in a sweeping stroke, be appropriated without identifying it, remains to be seen.

The vitriol in Mr Agarwal’s actions goes much beyond the call of duty. He is not in the MPT anymore, and has no jurisdiction to make such a complaint. Second, why is he doing this on the eve of the year-long golden jubilee celebration of the Liberation of Goa? It sounds like a personal vendetta.

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat openly expressed apprehension that MPT’s massive developmental and expansion plans were being drawn up and executed without considering their fallout on Goa’s environment and people. If MPT went ahead with them, he said, it could adversely affect tourism activities in the state.

The land that Mr Agarwal says private parties and state government officials have connived to take over, he claims, has a market value of thousands of crores of rupees. But apart from naming six five star hotels, there is no effort to identify this land. Instead, Mr Agarwal says his charges “are based on the knowledge about facts gathered during the course of my posting as Chairman, MPT”.

He even claims the right to collect revenue from beach shack owners, saying they are set up on MPT land. He has demanded that an “impartial and unbiased group of senior officers of the central government” should look into why the state government is obstructing the MPT’s infrastructure augmentation projects.

There is something strange and suspicious about Mr Agarwal’s conduct. Not only is he no longer MPT chief, he has been repatriated out of the department itself, as he was on deputation, and has returned to his parent cadre, the Indian Revenue Service (IRS). He has no conection whatsoever with the port anymore, and should, to put things plainly, mind his own business.

Prices to go up!

On Tuesday, Bharat Petroleum (BPCL) on Tuesday hiked petrol prices by around Rs2.95 a litre. IndianOil (IOC) and Hindustan Petroleum (HPCL) will follow suit. The reason? International crude oil prices have touched $90 per barrel.

A three-rupee hike is extremely unkind.

Petrol is used not only by relatively well-to-do car owners, but by millions of ‘aam admis’ with two-wheelers, who will feel the pinch. Petrol is heavily taxed, and the government could have eased the common man’s burden by lowering these taxes. It has chosen otherwise. Unfortunately, there are still four years to go before the common man gets a turn to choose, in the next election.

Special Status dream Tulsidas Malkarnekar, Margao All along, our leaders have been telling us that the issue of getting special status for Goa is taken up and vigorously followed up with the centre. This is a blatant lie.

The Goa government is handling this issue in a very casual and pathetic manner, and assurances are given without any proper homework. CM now informs that his government does not know whom to approach at the Centre. It is reminiscent of his callous attitude.

It would have been a commendable task and a gift to Goans in this golden year of liberation to have achieved special

100 Years Ago

PRIMEIRO DIARIO NAS COLONIAS PORTUGEZAS

16 December 1910 Govt authorises Harbour works

It is reported that the Railways from Mormugao, with due authorisation of the Government is going to proceed with the works at the Harbour, to ease the berthing of the big ships so that they may unload the consignment more easily.

Appointment decrees

The Governmental Bulletin published the Decrees appointing Dr. Antonio Luis Gomes as the Portuguese Representative at Rio de Janeiro, and Dr. Guerra Junqueiro to represent the Republic at Bern.

Director General appointed

It is confirmed by the Republican Government about the appointment of Dr. Gomes Coelho as the Director General of Naval Forces.

Monarchists fill up posts

Were forwarded to the Supreme Court of Lisbon the plaints about some of the Posts in the Republican Government being filled with the Monarchists.

I

Could weaponisation of insects, be the next chapter in modern conflicts, asks ManeKa GanDHI

ndia has given yet another order for military equipment to France, England and Russia. The cost of these weapons, which will probably never be used, could have given us a road in every village and solar energy lighting in six lakh villages. It could give us food security, by raising the prices for farmers, and it could take care of the reasons that cause floods. But that is not as much fun as boys’ toys.

Are planes, guns, bombs and tanks the most effective weapons that humans have to wage war against each other? Apparently not. A non-fiction study called Six Legged Soldiers: Using Insects as Weapons of War by Jeffrey Lockwood shows how effective, armies made of insects can be, in times of war. Lockwood is an award-winning author and University of Wyoming professor. The book explores the history entomological warfare and bioterrorism.

Man has been weaponising creatures for centuries. When we learned how to pacify bees with smoke, we used hives as projectiles. We turned the potent toxins of some insects into deadly agents. Now, having mastered genetics gives us the power to transform insects into entirely new carriers of diseases. I’ve often thought that if a genocidal genius thought of a way to transmit HIV through mosquitoes, we would all be dead in ten years. For thousands of years clever generals have made insects their foot soldiers. There are three ways to wage entomological warfare. * Using poisonous insects, such as bees, to directly attack the enemy. * Infecting insects with a pathogen and dispersing them over the target areas. Any person or animal bitten by the insect gets infected. * A direct insect attack against crops using pests like locusts, borers, beetles to destroy agriculture and the economy.

Troops in the Middle Ages catapulted beehives and wasp nests into enemy strongholds. Roman historian Pliny the Elder records that, in the second century AD, inhabitants of the Middle Eastern fortress city of Hatra forced the Roman legions surrounding them to flee by dropping scorpions on them. In the 12th century, King Henry I of England ordered his men to launch ‘nest bombs’ into the middle of the Duke of Lorraine’s army in Normandy. By the 14th century, some European armies had created a vast windmill-like device that propelled hives. Then came the machine that threw rotting human corpses

DeaDlIer anD DIseaseD of victims of insect-born diseases.

In the 14th century, 75 million people died of flea-borne bubonic plague. The Black Death arrived in Europe after the invading Mongols under Emperor Janiberg catapulted flea-ridden corpses into the port of Kaffa on the Black Sea. People fled, carrying bacteria, rats and fleas throughout the Mediterranean. As recently, as World War II Japan’s Unit 731 used plague-infected fleas and cholera-coated flies to kill nearly half-a-million Chinese. This was the greatest military success in the modern annals of biological warfare.

Yunnan Province had become a nuisance to the Japanese. This region fed China with the supplies and arms they needed to resist the Japanese.

This route was an essential one for the Japanese leading from Burma into southern China. On 4 May 1942, Japanese bombers descended on the city of Baoshan and dropped a number of ceramic-shelled bombs.

The Yagi bombs thrown by the Japanese did not explode. The casing simply burst open. Inside was a yellow waxy substance with live houseflies with a slimy coating of cholera bacteria which promptly dispersed into the city. Three more bombings happened on May 5th, 6th, and 8th.

By June, cholera had spread into the Yunnan province and the Chinese army fled. The Japanese were free to divert thousands of soldiers to other

When I got lost

Facts of Life

G

etting lost is a lot like learning humility. After the initial shock, it can become not only virtuous, but a cheerful experience. I managed it once, many, many, years ago, in London. I found myself in a small square, lit by street lamps of many colours. People were sitting in little stalls, selling everything from perfume to crumpets. A woman wanted to sell me a pair of lace gloves, “For your young lady”, she said. I replied I had no young lady. But then, she smiled so sadly, I bought the gloves anyway.

Buying them, giving myself a commitment to love and be loved, was crazy and nice. But it was when I went down into the subway, to ask directions to my hotel, that I really started to enjoy being lost. The things I saw, things I would have never seen otherwise, were wonderful. As a hero who has exhibited grace under pressure, I traversed to the newsagent who sold me the Times. Then, at a hole-in-the-wall restaurant, I drank cappuccino and ate a croissant that had character, body and soul!

“The man who is weary of London, is weary of life”, said Dr Samuel Johnson. For this to be true, a man first has to find a place where he can get close to the heart of the city that gave Johnson,

status. It is very likely that this opportunity will be lost forever, unless we wake up and act and make our voices felt at the centre.

The manner in which the Congress party tackled corruption was again reiterated by Sonia Gandhi recently when she said that the Congress makes their tainted persons resign, while the BJP does nothing about it. She cited Karnataka CM Yeddyurappa’s case. She had made a similar statement after the Adarsh Housing Society scam hit the headlines.

Without going into the fact that the BJP is by no means pure in matters relating to corruption, there was no need for Sonia Gandhi to seek brownie points by saying that we are better than them.

Corruption is a national malaise and needs to be tackled at every level and on every front. Consider the Congress position logically now. No action has been taken on tainted leaders except their resignations.

Senior leaders should set an example not with cosmetic measures, but by serious deterrent action.

Kangaroos’ desperate ruse Pachu Menon, Margao There are suggestions that champion legspinner Shane Warne could make a shock Ashes comeback as Australia becomes increasingly desperate to find a way to win back the urn. It is generally seen that every side experiences a cyclic sporting decline.

That is precisely what is happening with Australia now! So heady have they become with success that a series of flops have made them jittery.

Australians are fighters to the core in the game of cricket. The rivalry between Australia and England, spans years of onfield animosity between the two countries.

However, the Aussies will try every trick in the book, to arrest their slump in the series. Recalling Shane Warne can thus be seen as a desperate ruse by the Kangaroos!

If he changes his mind and stages a comeback, it will be a proposition worth considering!

a reason for living. I have been listening for the heartbeat of London, since the first summer I came to those shores from Soho, around the corner from Foyle’s, I could hear it beating. The sound is like music, making me happier than I have been, in all my previous visits.

I saw an old flower woman sitting on a bench, her flower basket empty, but for one yellow rose. She had taken off her shoes and was rubbing her feet, on her face a beatific smile, to be done with the day’s hassles. From her, I bought the yellow beard rose. I saw a news vendor who had a coal-black beard that was all snowy white under his chin. From him I bought the evening edition.

Back to South Kensington, in the park outside our apartment, the grass was a colour of emeralds. And the leaves on the great shade trees were many splendoured things, challenging, really showing unexpected shades of green, depending on whether they were wind tossed or wet with rain or still - like listeners, when the birds sing their morning hymn, or indistinct in the twilight, when the falling shadows make them seem patch worked with dark-

Corrupt MPs

Francisco Z Goes, by email

Congress party comprised of great leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.

The latter did not tolerate mischief or indiscipline in the party and was a thorough disciplinarian.

In the Congress of today, it is difficult to find even ten per cent honest individuals in the party across India.

Manmohan Singh has also been pulled into the cow dung pond. He is honest, but there are many greedy boys in the party. In addition, Sonia Gandhi has welcomed most notorious black-listed persons with open arms. This has haunted the Congress nationwide.

In Goa, many of its MLAs are uneducated. Some are masters in the art of flip-flops.

Sonia Gandhi must clean up the Congress cupboard and discard the corrupt undesirables.

Ban ‘Ratol’

Food for thought

Stephen Dias, Dona Paula

Selavairam, by email

The news item of yesterday that a Curtorim girl died after consuming “Ratol” poison at the Hospicio is shocking. Consumption of the poison, meant for rodents, is on the rise in Goa. The FDA as well as the State Government should ban the sale of “Ratol” in stores across the state as it is easily accessible to the public.

There is so much unwarranted and unpleasant ado regarding the Portuguese by the ‘freedom fighters.”

Do they realise that they earned the privileges based on their empty status during colonial rule? The fact is, if it were not for the Portuguese, some of them would still be cooling their heels in the lockup for criminal offences.

There are several other Goans who were concerned about Goa in their own way and still are, but did not want to be thrust in the limelight, or on the list of freedom fighters. Goans have become extinct and are strangers in our own beloved motherland which has been trampled and plundered.

‘Freedom fighters’ should utilise their energy and time to fight for the rights of Goans.

Change of guard A C Menezes, Chinchinim In tiny Goa, land along the Mandovi/Zuari rivers and in southern Mormugao taluka seem to have become the cynosure in the eyes of various agencies like Indian Navy (aviation wing), MPT, KRC , industrial corporates and the builders lobby etc.

In a democracy like ours, the authority to control lands should have been vested in our elected representatives like MPs, MLAs, corporators/councillors, and village panchas. However, slowly but steadily, various governmental agencies like SLC, RP, PDA, ODP, TCP etc have been imposed, and will control village lands of Comunidades.

Bureaucrats from Delhi will become the sole licensing authority. If our CM and his cabinet minister are not careful in safeguarding land of the original Goans, a change of guard is a likely possibility.

By Marc de souza ness.

London can be a bitter disappointment, when you come here wanting to love the place as the great poets have described it, only to find yourself living in neighbourhoods too graceless to be lovable, crowded with storefronts and mattress factories made of red-brick.

In Soho, I was surrounded by people, as much at peace with the city, as Wordsworth was, on the early morning he saw London, still asleep, from Westminster Bridge. Earth, he felt, has nothing more fair to show than this city, which, in its active hours, was hidden from him under the smoke, grime and noise of the industrial revolution.

Coming out of the subway, finally in the right direction, I was greeted by a sky where only one star remained to be seen. God had not shut out all the lights in his house. He had left one to guide souls homeward, so none need get lost.

My treasures that night weren’t many. A pair of gloves, a rose, a newspaper, and memory of a smile, and a star’s light. But what is life made of, but such things?

Letters to the Editor

Letter of the Day

In defence of Congress S Kamat, Alto-Betim

fronts. Cholera killed 410,000 people, more than Hiroshima and Nagasaki. At the end of World War II, the General who organised this did not get prosecuted as a war criminal, and before leaving China, he released plague-carrying rats into the countryside.

He was pardoned and invited as a teacher to the US military. The US Government conducted research at their biological warfare laboratories at Fort Detrick, in Maryland. During the cold war, the US military planned a facility to produce yellow-fever-infected mosquitoes and produced an “entomological warfare target analysis” of vulnerable sites in the Soviet Union. In February 1952, during the Korean War, both China and North Korea accused the US of bombarding their populations with plague-infected insects. In turn, the Vietcong wired boxes of scorpions to trip wires in tunnels, during the Vietnam war at the end of the 1960s.

During the war, both Germany and France reared millions of Colorado potato beetles, for use on their enemies. During the 1940s, the British government, using the laboratory at Porton Down near Salisbury, began to look into the possible uses of salmonella food poisoning, carried by flies.

In 1989 the terrorists discovered the potential of insect warfare. A group calling itself ‘Breeders’ sent a letter to the mayor of Los Angeles claiming

to have released the Mediterranean fruit fly, in Los Angeles and Orange counties, and threatened to expand their attack to the San Joaquin valley, an important centre of Californian agriculture.

They demanded that the state government issue a ban on pesticides, failing which they would insure that California lost its fruit. The infestation was real – but it had the opposite effect, California doubled its pesticide spraying.

If terrorists wanted to kill people in the US, they could employ the West Nile virus or its cousin, Rift Valley fever. Discovered in 1931, this viral disease is spread by mosquitoes. In 1997, 200,000 Egyptians fell ill, of whom 2,000 lost their sight and 598 died of encephalitis. An outbreak of West Nile virus which began in New York city in 1999 spread to 47 states in North America, killing 654 people and leaving 7,000 ill.

If they wanted to destroy forests, the Asian long horned beetle, and the emerald ash borer can destroy all of them. If enough orchards were destroyed, entire economies would sink. According to Lockwood, “For a terrorist group with patience, a slow-motion disaster in ecological time, would be a perfect tactic against an enemy, that thinks in terms of days or months, but would suffer across the generations. Anyone, with a course in medical entomology, could build a simple trap and conscript a bloodthirsty army releasing yellow fever laden mosquitoes in the swampier parts of the USA like the Gulf coast.

Consider that a person with $100 worth of supplies, a set of simple instructions, and a plane ticket from an afflicted African nation could introduce the disease to the United States, with virtually no chance of being caught.

One malaria, Chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis or bubonic plague could bring India to her knees. Think about all the pandemics that have come out of nowhere: AIDs, H1N1, SARS, Dengue…

Could the weaponisation of insects be the next chapter in modern conflicts? Insects are the most destructive weapons available. They are cheap, simple, easy to sneak across borders, reproduce quickly and can spread disease and destroy crops with devastating speed. It takes one cola can of infected fleas to kill a few hundred people with bubonic plague and cause a country to panic.

One envelope of infected mosquito eggs dropped into the water of another country. Is any country prepared for an entomological attack? No.

Disgraceful freedom fighters Esmeraldo Luis, Carmona The pseudo freedom fighters should purify their heart first for the crimes they committed, and the illegal trades that they carried out during the Portuguese times instead of making the water impure that was already purified by the Portuguese ship Sagres III at Khariwaddo jetty, Vasco.

Did these pseudo freedom fighters do anything good for Goa? They only demand removal of anything Portuguese, be it roads and historical monuments. They have also demanded that the Portuguese consulate be shifted.

Government must not fall prey to the demands of the disgraceful freedom fighters.

Parliament logjam Robert Castellino, Mumbai The intransigence on the part of the ruling party and the opposition in the 2G spectrum scam has resulted in a logjam in parliament, the likes of which were never witnessed before.

Not that the opposition is to be solely blamed for sticking to its guns for a JPC probe into the scam. The common man would even go a step further, opting for something like Khap Panchayat justice, if that were a legal option. But whatever the reason, parliament should never be allowed to remain completely crippled.

There should be some mechanism to register such a strong protest, without having recourse to a complete shutdown of parliament.

Anyone listening?

Camilo D’Souza, Anjuna The garbage disposal scheme and its implementation should be handled by the Zilla panchayat as village panchayats may not be in a position to select a site for garbage disposal, within its jurisdiction.

The coastal panchayats along with the Zilla panchayat should collect garbage tax and fine people for dumping garbage. Why is the government not fining people for dumping garbage?

Animal pests like stray cows, dogs, etc., are found squatting on roads and public places. The owners, if any, must be fined and if there is no owner, they must be sold for the highest bidder in an auction conducted by Zilla Panchayat or the municipalities. These stray animals are a hindrance at night and a danger to life. There is an urgent need to keep the environment clean and safe.

Paths of Wisdom The Man and His Dog

By Sri Swami Sivananda A man went out for a walk with his lovely dog. He was very proud of the dog. It always went before him. This man had an umbrella in his hand. To show the people around him that his pet-dog would do anything for him, he made the dog carry the umbrella between its teeth. And it proudly walked before him, with the middle of the umbrella firmly caught in its teeth. Suddenly it began to rain. The man wanted to make use of the umbrella. But the dog was a hundred yards ahead of him. He ran towards it. The dog, not knowing why the master ran after it unusually, was frightened and ran towards the house at top-speed. The proud man was drenched to the skin, before be could reach the house and recover the umbrella.

The Jiva, blinded by pride and ignorance, entrusts its spiritual consciousness to the mind. For some time the mind seems to walk before and lead the Jiva; and the consciousness is there firmly held by the mind and the Jiva feels that it is safe. There is a heavy shower of miseries of mundane life and temptations of sense-objects. The dogmind with the umbrella of spiritual consciousness had parted from the Jiva and is separated by great distance.

If the umbrella of spiritual consciousness had not been entrusted to the mind (which incidentally, could not make real use of it), the Jiva could have protected itself from the rain of miseries and temptations. Now, the faster he runs forward to get relief from miseries and temptations, the farther this relief seems to recede.

Thus, O Man, commit not the folly of entrusting thy spiritual wealth and welfare to the defective mind.

It is most undependable. It will desert you in the time of trials. Learn to trust in the Lord alone. Make Him thy sole support.

Printed and published by Vinayak Pai Bir for and on behalf of Herald Publications Pvt Ltd. Printed at Herald Publications Pvt Ltd, Plot No: L-135, Phase II, Verna Industrial Estate, Verna, Salcete, Goa. Published at PO Box 160, Rua Sao Tome, Panjim, Goa - 403001. Editor-in-chief: Mr R F Fernandes. Editor: Ashwin Tombat (Responsible under PRB Act). Regd Office: St Tome Road, Panjim, Goa. Tel: 2224202, 2228083, Fax: 2222475 (all Editorial); 2230535, Fax: 2225622 (Advertising); Margao: 2737689. Mumbai Office: 16-A, Bell Building, 2nd Floor, 19 Sir PM Road, Fort, Mumbai - 400001 (Tel: 22840702/22844908). RNI No: 43667/83.

HOW TO CONTACT US: mail@herald-goa.com — For press notes, general queries. junior@herald-goa.com — Junior Herald; junioryouth@herald-goa.com — Careers. heraldmirror@herald-goa.com — Sunday Mirror. reporters@herald-goa.com — For Reporters. business@herald-goa.com — For Business news. editor@herald-goa.com — For Letters to the Editor. sports@herald-goa.com — For Sports news. advt@herald-goa.com — For Advertisements. 2day@herald-goa.com — For Herald 2day. tiatr@herald-goa.com — For Tiatr Reviews and Reports. Disclaimer: Except for the editorial above, articles and letters in Herald represent the views of the concerned authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Herald editor, publisher, and/or owners.

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GOA, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2010

OPiniOnatED

Parking for Panjim city

T

By SyLvESTER D’SOuzA

hese days, there have been lot of letters to the editors as well as an editorial in Herald stating that pay parking is the only solution to the traffic chaos in Panjim. Though pay parking is adopted in all countries and is a good way of controlling organised traffic, there are other avenues wherein traffic chaos in Panjim city can be eased and the city made problem free, for the next 25 years. I would like apprise citizens of Panjim of the following and also to those who come to Panjim to work or visit the city as a tourist. There are a number of public spaces, which can be opened up as parking areas.

Parking areas available in Panjim for implementation: 1. PWD garage near Don Bosco - 1200m2. 2. Junta godowns area - 1500m2. 3. Military garage - 3500m2. 4. Football ground (old Bandodkar ground) - 10000m2. 5. Patto area in between two bridges. 6 Proposed paid parking on 18th June Road. 7.

Proposed paid parking in market area. 8. Paid parking – other areas.

PWD garage near Don Bosco: PWD garage area was made available to CCP during the time of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and the tenure of Sanjit Rodrigues as commissioner.

For some time soon after, CCP vehicles were being parked there. Now, the place is unused and the old PWD sheds have been converted into a gyro. (UNISEX GYM). This area can be used for parking 50 cars and 100 motorcycles.

Junta godown areas: Junta godowns has a roof shed used partly as a civil supplies godown and a part of it is given on rent to a clothes outlet. During Parrikar’s tenure as Chief Minister, it was proposed that the godown would be shifted to Camara Bhat property of CCP and a parking lot be constructed comprising of a basement, ground plus one upper floor. This would accommodate about 300 cars in all, and at the same time, keep heavy trucks out of Panjim city. Since CM Parrikar was involved in the first IFFI, he had promised to take up the project later. Sanjit Rodrigues knew about this scheme but sadly, he was transferred. CCP has done nothing in the last three years to revive the project. And neither has Parrikar done anything.

Military garage: Apart from the military headquarters block, there is another block across the road which is being used for parking/washing/maintenance and looks pretty unoccupied.

The area of this block is about 3,500m2. This area is ideal for parking of cars and scooters for the Panjim market. This area on ground itself, can accommodate about 200 cars and scooters.

One more block comprising of military stores, canteen etc, is also available, but this could remain with the military. But, at least, the central block could be released by the military. There have been representations made by previous municipal councils to release at least one block but this has gone on deaf ears.

This has to be taken up at the highest level under the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Plan.

Football ground (Bandodkar ground: The football stadium was demolished (as it was unserviceable) by former CM Parrikar during the first IFFI festival. Friends and lovers of football want to revive the ground but after a brand new football ground done in Taleigao (Dr Remegio Pinto football ground) and another one coming up in the heart of Caranzalem, on land given to GFA by the Goa Archdiocese, football needs should be satisfied.

The aforesaid area of Bandodkar stadium could be turned into a huge parking zone for cars, bicycles, motorcycles and also for public transport comprising of open mini buses (like Cidade de Goa fun wagon) which will go to Kadamba Bus stand and back via city roads for the benefit of the people and tourists. Motorcycles, taxis, and bicycles that are on hire can also use this parking zone as a means to tour Panjim city.

Moreover, the new building expansion plans of the Kala Academy for which parking facilities are needed, could avail of this area as the roads in Campal get crowded whenever there is a function in the Kala Academy, Patto area in between two bridges: This area needs to be better organised with motor cycles and bicycles for hire, besides car parking and parking for outstation buses.

Pay parking on 18th June and market area: As reported in several newspapers by letter writers, editors etc., pay parking is a must, as double and triple parking with a driver at the wheel, is something unique to Goa and not found anywhere in the world. If pay parking is implemented, there will be no further hiccups and the need for lady traffic constables may never arise. They could be put into better use in other areas.

More and more areas should be identified for pay parking in properly designated and well designed parking slots. Citizens can then park their cars and shop for five minutes or five hours. The CCP, on its part, has to utilise the revenue obtained out of pay parking, to maintain the areas in a proper manner.

Needless to say, a clean and honest approach has to be adopted, sans any scams.

SC stays HC order on lawyer’s suspensoin PTI NEW DELHI, DEC 15

The Supreme Court today stayed the Madras High Court order directing suspension of advocate R K Chandramohan from chairmanship of the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry for allegedly attempting to influence a judge by taking former Telecom Minister A Raja's name.

A bench comprising justices D K jain and H L Dattu also stayed the operation of the High Court direction asking the Bar Council of India to initiate disciplinary action against Chandramohan.

The bench, which stayed the

operation of these two directions, posted the matter for further hearing in the first week of January.

The Madras High Court had on December 7 suspended from the bar the top lawyer who was allegedly involved in an attempt to influence Justice S Regupathy taking the name of Raja.

A division bench comprising Justice F.M.Ibrahim Khalifulla and Justice M.M.Sundaresh had said the status of Chandramohan shall stand suspended forthwith.

He should not be permitted to function as such pending disciplinary action by the Bar Council of India, the bench had said.

Antony talks tough on Adarsh PC reiterates Says scam-tainted will not be spared PTI NEW DELHI, DEC 15

Defence Minister A K Antony today said the government and the armed forces will not spare any person found guilty of wrongdoing in the Adarsh Housing Society scam in Mumbai.

"Whoever is found guilty will be punished. Nobody will be spared," he told reporters on the sidelines of an aerospace seminar here.

"Whenever there are allegations and they are proved, we take strong action. Whatever the allegation, the armed forces and the government is taking action.

No other agency takes this strong action. Only armed forces are taking strong action," Antony said.

He was asked about the alleged involvement of senior serving and retired officers from the armed forces and defence ministry in getting prime army land in upscale Colaba transferred to

There are two inquiries.

These investigations are going on. We will take whatever action is required. There will be no let up the private housing society.

"There are two inquiries by CBI and the Army to fix responsibility. These investigations are going on. We will take whatever

action is required. There will be no let up," he said.

"We want to maintain integrity.

We will not ignore it," he added.

The 31-storey housing society

Schools to have 3D-based learning PTI NEW DELHI, DEC 15

To help students get a better grasp over Science and Mathematics, a pilot project for 3Dbased learning solution was today launched by HRD Minister Kapil Sibal here.

3D graphics will be used to make the process of learning more easy and lucid for children with an emphasis on developing basic concepts of Physics, Chemistry, Biology as well as Mathematics.

Unveiling the project at Queen Mary's School here, Sibal said the aim would be to take the solution to every school in the country.

"I believe the old methodology of teaching must change and students should be equipped with the modern methodologies of learning," he said.

He said that in the next two years fibre optics will reach every school in the country.

Students will be exposed to 3D learning solution for at least one

period per week. The technology is tailor-made for class VI to XII. Teachers will be trained to use the solution which is expected help in enhancing the retention capacity of students.

Meanwhile, in a step towards ensuring transparency in school admissions, the Central Information Commission has directed the Delhi Government to ensure that all schools put up a display board carrying information about available seats for economically weaker sections.

The display board will be in English and Hindi and will include six important details: total number of seats in all classes in a school, total vacancies in all classes, total number of seats under EWS quota, seats available under the quota, total applications received under the quota, information about when EWS quota applications will be received and date by which the admissions will be given, the CIC ordered.

PTI IMPHAL, DEC 15

Militancy-related violence in northeastern states barring Assam and Manipur was subsiding, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram said today and appealed to all rebels to come forward for talks.

The Centre, he said, was working for solving problems of the northeastern states and stressed that peace was necessary for good governance.

Reiterating his call to militants, he told civil society representatives in interior Churanchandpur in Manipur that development in all fields would suffer if there was no peace.

Winding up his two-day visit, he said there was not much militancy-related violence in the state this year, but kidnapping of officials for ransom, extortion and crime against non-Manipuris by rebels were still continuing.

The Union minister also visited some designated camps of militant group Zomi Revolutionary Army which had earlier signed 'suspension of operation' agreement with the government under which operations against them by the security forces has stopped to enable to hold talks with the government.

Earlier, the Manipur government appealed to him for more central forces for security problems caused over the years by over 25 militant groups active in the state.

A high-level meeting between

APPOINTMENTS

Tibetan activists during a protest rally against Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to India, in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Yeddy to unveil proof on Cong, JD(S) regime scams PTI BANGALORE, DEC 15

Battling allegations of corruption and nepotism, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa today said he would soon release "documentary evidence" on scams during the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) regimes in the state.

"I am now ready with documents. The question crossing my mind now is whether I should release them before the Zilla and Taluk Panchayat elections or later", he told reporters here.

Yeddyurappa, who has been warned by the party top brass to mend his style of functioning, is under pressure to ensure BJP fares well in the December 26 and 31 polls to 30 Zilla panchayats and 176 Taluk panchayats, amid reports that his continuance hinges on the poll outcome.

"They (Congress and JD-S) are champions of land scams, de-

I am now ready with documents. The question crossing my mind now is whether I should release them before the Zilla and Taluk Panchayat elections or later.

-- B S Yeddyurappa notification of lands and illegal mining. But they are trying to project me as a major culprit by sowing poisonous seeds in the minds of people. They will never succeed", he said.

Yeddyurappa said the oppo-

sition parties had failed to prove charges of corruption against him.

The Chief Minister has come under sustained attack from the opposition, particularly JD (S), which released several documents on denotification of lands and allotment of lands by Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) and the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) to Yeddyurappa's kith and kin.

Yeddyurappa claimed Congress and JD (S) hurled charges against him fearing that if he was allowed to complete his term, it would spell doom for both the parties and BJP would emerge stronger.

On how BJP would face people in the panchayat polls when the government was reeling under scandals, he said "the scams will have no impact on the polls. Let the Opposition go before people with their allegations and we will fight on development plank".

Shia mourners clash with cops in Srinagar PTI SRINAGAR, DEC 15

Defying curfew, Shia mourners, forming part of Muharram procession, clashed with security forces at several places in Srinagar city, forcing the law enforcing agencies to fire tear smoke shells to restore order, officials said.

Groups of members belonging to the Shia community assembled at Chinkral Mohalla in Habba Kadal area, Budshah Chowk near Lal Chowk and Tankipora near Divisional Commissioner's office ignoring prohibitory orders, they said.

Initially, the police and paramilitary CRPF used batons to chase away the mourners but later fired several rounds of tear smoke shells to restore normalcy in these areas, they said.

had come up on a piece of land within the security perimeter of the naval establishments in Colaba and the Navy raised an alarm, stating that the high rise posed a grave security risk as all vital installations were easily visible from atop the 100-metre tall building.

A Defence Ministry probe had revealed that several serving and retired Army officers and Defence Estates officials had colluded with the private housing society to construct the building there.

Antony had last month asked the CBI to probe the case, even as the Army ordered a court of inquiry into the role of its serving and retired officers in issuing a No-Objection Certificate.

Asked about the ongoing probe into the Adarsh scam, Army chief General V K Singh said the force will act after the CBI provides more details of the case to it.

plea to ultras for dialogue

Mournerstake out a Muharram procession near Jehangir Chowk in Srinagar on Wednesday.

The officials said so far there was no report of anyone getting injured in the clashes.

Earlier, authorities imposed curfew in five police station areas of Srinagar city to thwart any attempt to take out Muhar-

ram procession following apprehensions that separatists might convert the religious gathering into political assembly.

Curfew was imposed in areas falling under Kothibagh, Maisuma, Kralkhud, Ram Munshi Bagh and Shaheedgunj po-

lice station areas of the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

The officials said the restrictions in these areas were imposed due to apprehensions that separatist groups might attempt to stage anti-national protests during Muharram processions today.

Before the onset of militancy, the Shia community of the city used to take out processions from Abi Guzar in Kothibagh and Guru Bazaar in Kralkhud police station areas which culminated at Dalgate in Ram Munshi Bagh area to mark the eighth day of the 10-day Muharram mourning period.

However, these processions were banned in 1990 as authorities feared that militants can attack the processions, which is led at many places by separatist leaders,

Raids too little, too late: BJP HERALD CORRRESPONDENT NEW DELHI, DEC 15

The Bhartiya Janata Party on Wednesday described the latest round of raids in the 2G spectrum scam probe as "too late, too little and sheer farce."

"Raids per se are no action as what matters is the charge-sheet while not even one additional FIR (first information report) is filed against those raided except for an old FIR registered 14 months ago," BJP spokesman Prakash Javadekar told a Press conference here.

He said nothing can come out of the CBI's farce of the socalled crackdown at homes and offices of corporate lobbyist Niira Radia, associates of former communications minister A. Raja and an NGO linked to DMK MP Kanimozhi in Delhi and Tamil Nadu.

Only a fool will keep records in home or office for the CBI to swoop over them after so many months of registering the case and as such the exercise is useless, unless a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) is set up to prod CBI ever y week on progress of the case, he affirmed.

Confronted with the BJP not cleaning its own stable of corruption in Karnataka, Javadekar shot back that the BJP government has already moved for constitution of a JPC-type panel of MLAs and MLCs to conduct the poll.

PETROL PRICE HIKE: The BJP decried the new hike in the petrol prices as unjustified and anti-people and demanded its immediate roll-back, debunking the government's claim of compulsion because of hike in the international crude oil prices.

Chidamabaram and Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh last night also discussed protection of national highways frequently blocked by hill-based militant groups or organisations on one pretext or the other, official sources said.

The meeting discussed steps to prevent bandhs and blockades on national highways and felt that there should more deployment of central forces along the two national highways -- Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati (NH 39) and Imphal-Silchar (NH 53), but it was not known what decision was taken, the sources said.

APPOINTMENTS

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27 asylum seekers killed in Australian boat mishap

Top US commander expresses impatience with Pak PTI WASHINGTON, DEC 15

Rescue workers attend to an asylum seeker boat off the coast of Christmas Island, Australia, following an incident, on Wednesday. Several people reportedly are feared dead after a boat carrying 70 asylum seekers crashed into the cliffs of the island.

PTI MELBOURNE, DEC 15

At least 27 asylum seekers were killed today after their wooden fishing vessel slammed into rocks on Christmas Island in the sea off the Australian coast.

The boat carrying up to 80 people crashed into jagged rocks near Flying Fish Cove about 6 am local time, according to media reports.

Forty one people have been rescued from the water and another person made it to the shore but initial reports are that 27 bodies have also been recovered, AAP quoted Australian

Customs and Border Protection as saying.

Doctors have warned there could be as many as 50 deaths.

The search and rescue operation was on, suggesting the number of people aboard the boat may be higher than earlier estimates.

"The rescue is being conducted in extremely difficult and dangerous conditions. The search and rescue situation is ongoing. The safety of all involved in this situation is the immediate priority," Customs authorities said in a statement.

"We will continue the search

until last light and review the situation and determine what further actions might need to be taken before first light tomorrow," the statement read.

In a statement, Customs said ongoing investigations would be conducted by the Australian Federal Police and the Western Australia Police, who will prepare a report later.

"Australian government agencies including the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service and Australian Federal Police continue to coordinate a search and rescue operation," it said.

Hours before Washington is set to release an assessment of war in Afghanistan, topmost US military commander has expressed "impatience" with Islamabad over its failure to clear militants from havens on the border with Afghanistan Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staffs made an unannounced visit to Pakistan from Iraq to meet Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kayani to press Islamabad to undertake a military operation to flush out Taliban and al Qaeda camps, located close to Afghan border, 'New York Times' reported.

Mullen's meeting with powerful Kayani comes hours before US is set to release a review of the war in Afghanistan, that is expected to say that Pakistan is turning a blind eye to militants sanctuaries.

"These sanctuaries are a priority in military-to-military relationship between US and Pakistan and our discussions", Mullen told reporters on board his special plane which flew out of Baghdad for an unannounced visit to Islamabad.

The US President's AfPak war strategy relies heavily on squeezing out Taliban insurgency from both sides of the border and the new White House assessment will point to safe havens in Pakistan as a weak link. "We have a sense of urgency about this operation as our forces are losing people on the other side", he said.

Suicide bombers kill atleast 38 in Iran AP TEHRAN, DEC 15

Two suicide bombers blew themselves up near a mosque in southeastern Iran today, killing at least 38 people at a Shiite mourning ceremony, state media reported.

The attack took place outside the Imam Hussein Mosque in the port city of Chahbahar, near the border with Pakistan, the official IRNA news agency said.

The bombers targeted a group of worshippers at a mourning ceremony a day before Ashoura, which commemorates the seventh century death of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson Hussein, one of Islam's most beloved saints.

The area of Iran is home to an armed Sunni militant group, Jundallah, or Soldiers of God, which has waged sporadic attacks to fight al-

leged discrimination against the area's Sunni minority in overwhelmingly Shiite Iran.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but the use of multiple suicide attackers to target Shiite worshippers is a tactic the group has employed in the past.

One of the attackers detonated a bomb outside the mosque and the other struck from inside a crowd of worshippers, state TV reported.

Forensic official Fariborz Ayati put the number of dead at 38 and said they included women and children, IRNA reported.

Mahmoud Mozaffar, a senior Iranian Red Crescent Society official, said emergency ser vices had been put on alert over the past few days because of anonymous threats, according to another news agency, ISNA.

In July, two suicide bombers blew themselves up at a mosque in the same province, SistanBaluchestan, killing at least 28 people. Jundallah said that attack was revenge for the execution of its leader, Abdulmalik Rigi, in June.

That strike in the provincial capital, Zahedan, also targeted Shiite worshippers during a holiday, the birthday of Hussein, the prophet's grandson.

Iranian officials claim Jundallah, which has operated from bases in Pakistan, receives support from Western powers, including the United States.

Washington denies any links to the group, and in November the State Department added Jundallah to a US list of foreign terrorist organizations.

The group has also targeted members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, the country's most pow-

dozens killed in Bangla fire AGENCIES DHAKA, DEC 15

Dozens of people were killed after a devastating blaze raced through a garment factory that supplies major multinationals such as Gap and JCPenney near Bangladesh's capital.

Many of the dead included trapped workers who jumped from the smoldering building engulfed by flames, witnesses at the scene said.

Fire official Golam Mostafa said the fire Tuesday started in a 10-story factory owned by local business giant HaMeem Group in the Ashulia industrial zone, just outside Dhaka.

It was not immediately clear what caused the blaze, and the government ordered an investigation.

erful military force.

In its deadliest attack, a suicide bomber hit a meeting between Guard commanders and Shiite and Sunni tribal leaders in the border town of Pishin in October 2009, killing 42 people, including 15 Guard members.

Drug traffickers and smugglers also are active along the barren frontier area of Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan and have launched attacks on security forces.

N Korea digging tunnel for nuclear test: report REUTERS SEOUL, DEC 15

North Korea appears to be readying for a possible third nuclear test as early as next March, a newspaper reported today, as a US politician travelled to Pyongyang with a message for the North to “calm down”.

US and South Korean intelligence have been watching the North's nuclear sites for any activity. Analysts say the North could use a test to try to gain leverage in international talks it is seeking and secure aid to prop up its destitute economy.

South Korea's Chosun Ilbo daily today cited an intelligence official from Seoul as saying a tunnel was being dug at the country's nuclear test site that could be completed in March next year, possibly heralding a new nuclear test. South Korea's foreign ministry said it was closely monitoring the site and said there was no concrete evidence to show the North Koreans were preparing for a third test.

The amount of earth removed

nThe amount of earth removed from the site in Punggye township, in a northeastern region of North Korea, indicated the tunnel was about 500 metres (550 yards) deep, half the depth needed for a nuclear test, the Chosun Ilbo report said. from the site in Punggye township, in a northeastern region of North Korea, indicated the tunnel was about 500 metres (550 yards) deep, half the depth needed for a nuclear test, the Chosun Ilbo report said.

“North Korea is digging the ground pretty hard ... at its two

Swedish prosecutors appeal against bail for Assange PTI LONDON, DEC 15

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange continues to remain behind bars as Swedish prosecutors have decided to appeal against the bail granted to him by a British court on strict conditions in a case related to charges of sexual offences.

District judge Howard Riddle had earlier granted Assange conditional bail on the requirement of a bond amount of 240,000 pounds, among other conditions to ensure that he does not flee the country.

The 39-year-old Australian, who was accused of sexual misconduct by two women in Sweden, is resisting an extradition claim by the country.

As part of the bail conditions, Assange must also surrender his passport, obey a curfew at a specified address, wear an electronic tag and report to a local police station every evening.

A number of high-profile individuals including Mick Jagger and Jemima Khan a r e w i l l i n g stand guarantee for Assange.

But he is now expected to remain in prison until the appeal is heard in the next 48 hours, and until 200,000 pound cash required up-front by the court is collected.

Assange, who has earned the wrath of the US for leaking a huge cache of secret diplomatic documents, has been imprisoned for a week now after he gave himself up to Scotland Yard here.

The WikiLeaks founder appeared in the Westminster Magistrate's court amid scenes of bedlam outside the court where his supporters protested to seek his release.

Assange denies sexually assaulting the two women in Sweden.

Speaking to reporters outside the court after the hearing, Assange's lawyer Mark Stevens said his client has been granted bail but the problematic condition is that it requires the payment of 200,000 pounds in cash, suggesting that it might take more time to gather it.

"That's an awful lot of money and its a pity that he can't use Mastercard or Visa in order to assist him to arrange that and in terms of that its clearly going to take us an inordinately long period of time to gather that together," he said.

Stevens said one of the reasons Assange had chosen to fight the case in the UK was his belief in British justice. "... and of course he has been encouraged in that today," he said after the court granted a bail.

Many demonstrators gathered outside City of Westminster Magistrates' Court for the bail hearing today. "It is a victory for common sense. If he had been refused bail, it would have meant the court had become a political arena," Author Yvonne Ridley said.

Nepal to probe former crown prince’s gun brawl AGENCIES KATHMANDU, DEC 15

Nepal's government has announced a high-level inquiry into a gun brawl involving former crown prince Paras and the son-in-law of the deputy prime minister after it emerged that the deposed royal was carrying an illegal firearm.

The 39-year-old controversial former heir to Nepal's throne, notorious for his quick temper and fondness for alcohol, has hit the headlines with a vengeance two years after the abolition of monarchy in Nepal and his self-exile to Singapore for picking a drink-driven fight with a fellow guest at an upmarket resort Saturday and firing several shots in the air.

As media outcry and political condemnation started pouring in, it was discovered Monday that the pony-tailed former prince did not have a licence for his pistol.

According to Laxmi Prasad Dhakal, chief district officer of Kathmandu, Paras' name is not among the over 13,000 licenced firearm owners registered in Kathmandu.

Carrying a gun illegally can fetch its owner a fine ranging from NRS 60,000-140,000 or a prison sentence of up to seven years or both.

After the victim of Paras'

wrath - Bangladeshi national Rubel Chowdhury, who is married to the daughter of Deputy Prime Minister Sujata Koirala said Paras had pointed the gun at his head during the dispute at the Tiger Tops wildlife resort in southern Chitwan district Saturday, lawyers said it could also be regarded as an attempt on life and could fetch upto 16 years in prison.

Though Nepal's weak caretaker government had initially turned a blind eye to the shooting, it was however forced to take token action after protests

by Koirala's Nepali Congress, the largest party in the ruling alliance, and the media outcry.

After a four-member police team had been sent to the resort to investigate, the home ministry said it had also formed a second probe panel headed by a deputy inspector-general of police.

However, till Monday, there was little indication that the government would dare take action against a member of the erstwhile royal family that, though stripped of all legal immunity after the abolition of monarchy in 2008, continues to wield formidable power still.

Paras, unshaken by the furore he had created, had moved to Pokhara city from Chitwan where he was billeted with his friends in another swanky re-

sort.

Chowdhury, who returned to Kathmandu Sunday with his wife Melanie and three and a half year old son, said Paras had got into a conversation with him at the Chitwan resort Saturday night. Initially, he seemed a "nice guy", Chowdhury said, till he began drinking.

Then a change came over the former crown prince who revealed his raw wound at having lost his chance to become the king of Nepal and being turned into a commoner.

Chowdhury said he accused the Koirala family of being instrumental in the abolition of monarchy and threatened to kill Chowdhury, his wife and son.

A media report also said the intoxicated Paras had also thrown a bottle at Chowdhury but failed to hit him.

Issuing a statement soon after the brawl, Paras said Chowdhury and his companion, an Indian, had insulted him, his family and his country, an allegation that Chowdhury denied.

"How could I insult Nepal?"

Chowdhury said. "I am married to a Nepali myself."

Paras' new escapade resurrects the ghost of the royal massacre of 2001 when King Birendra and nine more members of the royal family were killed in a hail of bullets in the tightly guarded

‘discriminatory’ N-regimes worries pak AGENCIES ISLAMABAD, DEC 15

Pakistan on Tuesday expressed concern over what it described as "discrimination" in nuclear export control regimes, saying it would never accept discriminatory treatment or any effort to "undermine" its strategic deterrence.

A meeting of the National Command Authority, which was chaired by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, said "policies and trends of selectivity, exceptionalism and discrimination" in strategic export control regimes "undermine the credibility of the existing non-proliferation regime".

The meeting, which was attended by key federal ministers and the three service chiefs, decided that "Pakistan will never accept discriminatory treatment" in nuclear issues and

major nuclear facilities,” a South Korean intelligence official was quoted as saying.

“At this rate, (the Punggye tunnel) will reach (the) 1 km that is needed for a nuclear test by March to May,” a separate intelligence source told the newspaper.

North Korea is also speeding up work on new construction at its main Yongbyon nuclear complex, where it revealed a previously unknown uranium enrichment facility last month, the newspaper quoted intelligence sources as saying.

South Korea's foreign ministry declined to confirm the details of the report, but said: “Nothing has been confirmed that would prove the North is preparing to conduct a nuclear test.”

The South's nuclear envoy, Wi Sung-lac, was in Moscow meeting with his Russian counterpart, in the same week that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met North Korean Foreign Minister Pak Ui-chun and chided him over the North's nuclear programme.

would reject "any effort to undermine its strategic deterrence".

Pakistan has repeatedly expressed concern at growing civil nuclear cooperation between India and the US and other Western countries.

It has called on the US to give it access to nuclear technology and to adopt a "non-discriminatory" approach for strategic export control regimes.

The US and other Western powers have so far ruled out a civil nuclear deal for Pakistan due to concerns about the clandestine proliferation ring run by disgraced scientist AQ Khan.

A statement issued by the military after the meeting of the National Command Authority, which controls the country's nuclear arsenal, said: "Pakistan will not be a party to any approach that is prejudicial to its le-

gitimate national security interests".

The meeting reviewed recent global and regional developments and their implications for Pakistan's national security.

The NCA said discriminatory policies related to strategic export control regimes are "detrimental" to international peace and security and are "inconsistent with the national laws and international obligations".

In an apparent reference to recent civil nuclear deals inked by India with countries like France, the statement said: "Revisionism based on strategic, political or commercial considerations accentuates asymmetries and would perpetuate instability, especially in South Asia".

The NCA claimed "peace and security are indivisible" and the goals of non-proliferation "could only be advanced by ensuring

equal and undiminished security for all states".

It added: "Regional balance and strategic stability in South Asia are indispensable for peace, sustained development and prosperity for the region and beyond".

As a nuclear weapon state, Pakistan is "fully cognizant of its responsibilities" and has established "effective and robust command and control structures and comprehensive export control and regulatory regimes," the statement said.

These measures are "fully compatible" with international best practices and global regimes, it added.

The NCA said Pakistan shares the goals of non-proliferation and is "prepared to work with other nuclear powers on an equal footing to advance these goals".

royal palace, paving the way for Paras' father Gyanendra to ascend the throne.

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GOA, THURSDAY, 16 DECEMBER, 2010

TALK BUSINESS

Goa celebrates India Corporate Week PANJIM (HBD) -- The Ministry of Corporate Affairs will observe December 14 -21, 2010 as India Corporate week on the theme “Sustainable Business” wherein events would be organised throughout the country in association with ICSI and other associated organization / institutions.

In Goa, the Registrar of Companies, in association with Goa Chamber of Commerce, the Institute of Chartered AccountantGoa Chapter of WIRC –ICAI and the Goa Chapter of Institute of Company Secretaries of India will celebrate the week with a full day seminar on “Sustainable Business and Good Corporate Governance” on December 16, 2010 at Hotel Mondovi, Panjim.

The seminar will be inaugurated by Manohar Parrikar, Leader of Opposition, in the presence of Dattaraj Salgaocar, industrialist, the Registrar of Companies, Goa and the heads of the GCCI, ICAI – Goa Branch and ICSI – Goa Chapter. Varun Sood, managing partner of M/s Capvent, Switzerland will deliver the keynote address at the inaugural function. The seminar will be addressed by eminent speakers like Navin Pasricha, chairman of the Columbus Circle Governance, Malaysia, S D Israni, CS, S D Israni Law Chambers, UK and S B Zaware, CA, Central Council Member ICAI.

GCCI for scheme to support traditional occupations PANJIM (HBD) -- Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry has welcomed the report on the Task Force committee chaired by Dr Nandkumar M Kamat, constituted by Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat to frame an appropriate scheme and package for protection and support for traditional occupations of Goa. Cesar Menezes, president of GCCI has congratulated the Chief Minister for constituting this committee and also to Dr Nandkumar Kamat for giving a detailed report with facts and figures on traditional occupations of Goa. According to the press note issued by GCCI, Micro Entrepreneurs in traditional occupations such as local pottery, local bread, salt production, toddy tapping, fireworks (fogeri), weavers, oil extractors, toy makers, local masons, lime makers, kankoncars, piddukkars, local sweetmeat sellers, local embroidery & costume designers, carpentry & Bamboo craft, coppersmiths, goldsmiths, cobblers, tailors, sculptors, & canoe builders need immediate Financial & Marketing support from the Government so that some of these occupations are not extinct and can be revived and ensured that they expand & flourish in near future.

All these Occupations not only create self employment to the owner but they also create employment in the various Villagers in Goa. Dr Nandkumar Kamat Committee has given a detailed action plan.

The Chamber also appealed to their members in the Tourism Industry to patronize Traditional Goan Products. The Media should also give wide publicity to Dr Nandkumar Kamat’s report so that Goans in general support these occupations by buying these products, says the press note.

The report is available on Goa Chamber's Website; www.goachamber.org under the caption: Scheme and Package for protection & support for Traditional business/Occupations of Goa.

CSR DEEDS

3rd CSR awards in Goa PANJIM (HBD) -- Green Triangle society and Ideaz Unlimited in association with GCCI has announced the third consecutive CSR awards in Goa. The organisers have invited industry in Goa to apply for the CSR awards for the year 2010 – 2011.

The awards include: Late Narsinha R Pai Raiker CSR excellence award and Late Manikant Hiralal Shah CSR excellence award in the form of annual rolling trophies for large scale and medium and small scale industries, who excel in all the 5 categories identified for CSR contribution.

Late Manikant Hiralal Shah gold medals to be awarded to those industries who excel in any of the 5 categories identified for CSR awards namely education, environment, community and social welfare, health and work place practices.

The details are available in the form of brochure and application form ( hard and soft copies) from November 20 at CSR Awards Secretariat, Green Triangle Society, C/o : Institute of Safety ,Occupational Health & Environment, Altinho, Panjim. Tel: 2232446 .

The deadline for submission of application form will be December 31, 2010 and the results will be announced by January 31, 2011.

The CSR Awards ceremony is scheduled to be on February 11, 2011 in Goa. The jury panel will be headed by the Chief Secretary of Goa State, Sanjay Shrivastava; Dr Dileep Deobagkar, vice chancellor, Goa University; A R Prabhu DGM RBI; Vishram Gupte, chairman Sangath and Kishore M Shah, director ideaz unlimited.

The evaluation and audits will once again be assigned to the Dept of Mgmt Studies,Goa University.

Sensex down 151 pts PTI MUMBAI, DEC 15

Hectic selling in financial and realty stocks ahead of RBI's monetary policy review halted the the three-day winning streak of the BSE benchmark index Sensex which closed down by 150 points today.

The 30-share Sensex of the Bombay Stock Exchange settled 151.42 points, or 0.76 per cent, lower at 19,647.77, after moving in the in negative terrain for most part of the day.

The National Stock Exchange's Nifty too came under pressure and ended at 5,892.30, down 51.80 points.

Policy for PSUs on global acquisitions soon: PM PTI NEW DELHI, DEC 15

In the face of scramble for acquiring assets in natural resources like oil, coal and mines by large multi-nationals, the government is working on a policy enabling PSUs to step up search for key raw material assets, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said today.

"In some sectors, there is also a need for our public sector enterprises to explore global opportunities.

In particular, we need to step up our search for raw material assets. The government is working on a policy to support our public sector enterprises in this effort," Prime Minister said, giving away awards to top performing PSUs here.

Talking to reporters on the

sidelines of the award function organised by the Standing Conference on Public Enterprises (SCOPE), Secretary in the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) Bhaskar Chatterjee said, the policy is expected to go to the Cabinet in the next two weeks.

"We have received comments from oil, coal and mines ministries... it would go to the Cabinet in the next 15 days," Chatterjee said.

The Prime Minister said the government was committed to a strong public sector in many areas of the economy.

He said enterprises like Air India and BSNL "are receiving the due attention of the government."

Both these companies are facing financial problems and strong competition from the private sector.

He said that the government was conscious of the need to ensure the highest standards of corporate accountability in the public sector.

"India is one of the few countries which have implemented the mandatory code of corporate governance in public sector. We have encouraged our central PSUs to adopt a robust and transparent management system".

In the backdrop of rising commodity prices and scarce natural resources, multinationals like Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton and ArcelorMittal are aggressively scouting for coal and other mineral assets around the globe mostly in Africa, the US and Australia.

State-owned Chinese firms have also been making strong bids for assets in crude and natural gas.

...PM for highest standard of accountability in PSUs PTI NEW DELHI, DEC 15

Facing criticism over scams involving private players in alleged nexus with policy makers, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today asked the public sector to ensure "highest standard of corporate accountability."

Addressing a gathering of heads of top PSUs, the Prime Minister said the government was committed to a strong public sector which has acquired vitality and was ready to face market scrutiny.

"We are also conscious of the need to ensure the highest standards of corporate accountability in the public sector. We are one of the very few countries in the world that have implemented mandatory code of corporate governance for their public sector enterprises," he said.

Giving away awards for best performances, Singh said the government has encouraged the PSUs to adopt a "robust and transparent Performance Management System."

Rediff unveils gaming section MUMBAI: Nasdaq-listed portal Rediff.com, today announced the launch of a gaming section on the website which combines features of social networking with gaming.

Though there are a variety of websites offering online gaming, the product offering is different because it has social networking features embedded, Rediff's Associate Director for Product Development, Prerana Nayak, told reporters here.

Aban Offshor, 712, 722, 701, 709.45 Abb Ltd., 790, 793.85, 772.2, 777.1 Abg Shipyard, 401, 407.7, 388.15, 394.5 Acc Limited, 1058, 1077.5, 1054.15, 1064.8 Adani Enterp, 633.45, 639.8, 625, 633.25 Aditya Birla, 766.95, 796.9, 766.95, 788.15 Allahabad Ba, 224.15, 225, 213.1, 214.55 Alstom Proje, 710, 716.1, 688, 692.9 Ambuja Cemen, 140, 140.5, 134.75, 136.1 Andhra Bank, 152.1, 152.1, 146.2, 148.75 Ashok Leylan, 69, 69, 65.1, 66 Asian Paints, 2741, 2749, 2700, 2711.2 Axis Bank Li, 1300, 1321, 1280.05, 1297.6 Bajaj Hindus, 109.45, 111.3, 106, 107.95 Bank Of Baro, 908.6, 918.5, 866.1, 883.15 Bank Of Indi, 445.5, 451.85, 433.75, 436.15 Beml Limited, 1001.05, 1023.9, 989, 991.8 Bharat Elect, 1712.6, 1749.95, 1651.05, 1730.9 Bharat Forge, 384.25, 394.35, 379.6, 389.5 Bharat Petro, 693, 721.9, 692.5, 703.35 Bharti Airte, 335.5, 342, 333.85, 339.7 Bhel, 2321, 2327.6, 2305, 2318 Bhushan Stee, 435.9, 448.45, 430.5, 440.15 Biocon Limit, 412.2, 416.95, 401.65, 403.45 Bombay Dyein, 495, 505.75, 481, 484.5

Batting for better incentives for PSU executives and workmen, the Prime Minister said "measures such as performance related pay will result in sound practices for better corporate governance, which is of critical importance in today's competitive environment."

Singh's remarks on corporate transparency comes at a time when questions are being raised on practices followed by some of the large industrial houses in influencing the policy making process of the government.

The estimated Rs 1.76 lakh crore 2G spectrum scam has highlighted the nexus between some industrial houses, politicians, bureaucrats and media persons.

The government is also facing a flak on other scams like Adarsh Housing Society.

Confident that the PSUs can face the global challenges, Singh said the government is working on a policy enabling them to search raw material assets around the world.

"In some sectors, there is

also a need for our public sector enterprises to explore global opportunities.

In particular, we need to step up our search for raw material assets.

The government is working on a policy to support our public sector enterprises in this effort," the Prime Minister said.

The policy is expected to go to the Cabinet in the next two weeks, Secretary in the Department of Public Enterprises Bhaskar Chatterjee told reporters on the sidelines of the SCOPE function.

"We have received comments from oil, coal and mines ministries... it would go to the Cabinet in the next 15 days," he said.

Emphasising that the government was committed to a strong public sector, the Prime Minister said enterprises like Air India and BSNL "are receiving the due attention of the government."

Both these companies are facing financial problems and strong competition from the private sector.

Commex eyes Rs 110 lakh cr turnover PTI MUMBAI, DEC 15

The turnover of the commodity exchange is expected to touch Rs 110 lakh crore in FY 11, a top regulatory authority said.

"The turnover of commodity exchanges is expected to be around Rs 110 lakh crore during April 2010-March 2011 period as compared to Rs 77.5 lakh crore registered in the previous year," Forward Markets Commission (FMC), chairman B C Khatua said.

Indian commodity bourses' turnover rose 53.4% on year to Rs 72 lakh crore in the first eight months to Nov. Bullion trade rose by 79.78% in value terms to Rs 32 lakh crore, and metals futures trade rose 66.56% to Rs 17 lakh crore Apr-Nov, while volumes in agri commodities rose by a little over 9%.

Still no access to product and services at BOP: Tata PTI AHMEDABAD, DEC 15

Seeking to address the issue of challenges to inclusive growth in emerging economies, Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata today said that at the Bottom of the Pyramid (BOP) people are still not having access to product and services, as they are still slightly beyond their reach.

"India is a country normally referred to the consuming markets of 253 million people. And when we analyse that market

Bosch Limite, 6299, 6299, 6180, 6198.65 Brigade Ente, 115.1, 115.7, 112, 113 Cairn India, 338.45, 339.55, 328.8, 331.3 Canara Bank, 675, 675, 637, 644.6 Central Bank, 184.5, 186.3, 175.15, 178.4 Century Text, 417, 426, 409.2, 413.3 Cesc Ltd, 372, 376, 366.05, 371.9 Chambal Fert, 82.8, 84.75, 80.55, 81.3 Chennai Petr, 232.2, 240.35, 232, 238.65 Cipla Ltd, 357.5, 359.6, 349.15, 354.5 Colgate Palm, 855.1, 861, 834, 842.3 Container Co, 1260, 1289, 1260, 1280 Crompton Gre, 325.6, 334.95, 324.1, 328 Cummins Indi, 764.95, 770, 754.9, 760.6 Dabur India, 100, 102.4, 99.6, 101.9 Deccan Chron, 107.25, 109.25, 103.9, 106.3 Dish Tv Indi, 68.2, 70.6, 65.85, 66.7 Divi’s Labor, 602.15, 604.4, 595, 600 Dlf Limited, 293, 293, 275.55, 278.15 Dr. reddy’s, 1825, 1831.2, 1776, 1791.1 Edelweiss Ca, 45.8, 48, 44.4, 45.15 Educomp Solu, 519, 522.95, 500, 502 Eih Limited, 116, 117.35, 113.2, 113.95 Engineers In, 332.9, 335.95, 330, 333.75 Essar Oil Lt, 133.6, 134.5, 129.05, 129.65

we see with the prosperity that India is enjoying today there is an upward movement of people into the consuming market," Ratan N Tata said.

"At the BOP, people are still not having access to product and services, which is still slightly beyond their reach," Tata said in the message.

"There is a need to serve broader base of pyramid. Innovation or technology can be used for redefining the products so that we can address the

Essar Shippi, 96, 97, 93.6, 94.1 Exide Indust, 165.7, 166.3, 161.7, 162.75 Federal Bank, 420, 420, 402.1, 406.05 Financial Te, 912.65, 949, 876, 885.3 Gail (india), 510.5, 510.5, 496, 502.5 Gammon India, 158, 172.5, 158, 167.75 Glaxosmithkl, 2180, 2218, 2180, 2193 Glenmark Pha, 369.5, 372.1, 351, 358.3 Gmr Infrastr, 47.6, 47.6, 45.85, 46.25 Godrej Indus, 181, 181, 173.4, 176 Grasim Indus, 2345, 2388, 2254, 2270 Great Offsho, 374.95, 379.95, 365, 370.15 Gtl Infra.Lt, 43.2, 43.25, 42.05, 42.55 Gujarat Mine, 133, 135.6, 128.6, 130.65 Gujarat N R, 56, 56, 53.8, 54.65 Gujarat Stat, 119.9, 119.9, 114.55, 115.6 Gvk Pow. & I, 39.75, 40.5, 38.75, 39.45 Hcl Technolo, 439.15, 450, 438.1, 448.4 Hdfc Bank Lt, 2230, 2230, 2150, 2162.9 Hdfc Ltd, 693, 695, 678.55, 685.45 Hero Honda M, 1706, 1740.9, 1559, 1621.55 Hindalco in, 225.35, 225.75, 219.75, 222.05 Hindustan Co, 46.15, 46.9, 44.65, 46.1 Hindustan Ma, 66.6, 69.3, 65.05, 65.65 Hindustan Pe, 412, 425.55, 407.25, 417.45

base of pyramid," he said.

In economics, the BOP is the largest, but poorest socio-economic group. The phrase BOP is used in particular by people developing new models of doing business that deliberately target that demographic, often using new technology.

Late C K Prahlad had identified dozen principles, as the building blocks of a philosophy of product or service development and innovation that reflects the realities of BOP markets.

Hindustan Un, 298.3, 300.9, 296.1, 298.75 Hindustan Zi, 1215, 1219.75, 1198.05, 1205.4 Housing Dev, 196, 196.85, 186.1, 187.2 Icici Bank L, 1102, 1108.7, 1071.1, 1078.7 Idea Cellula, 69.8, 70.8, 69.05, 69.9 Ifci Ltd, 61.95, 61.95, 58.1, 59 India Cement, 107.5, 109.45, 106, 107 India Infoli, 84.55, 85.8, 80.25, 81.4 Indiabulls F, 175, 175, 167, 169.15 Indiabulls R, 143, 143, 134.7, 136.4 Indian Bank, 263, 263, 244, 245.5 Indian Hotel, 93.7, 94, 92.5, 93.25 Indian Oil C, 389, 391.5, 378.5, 380.5 Indian Overs, 148, 148.45, 141.05, 142.85 Indus Dev Ba, 161.65, 162.3, 154.5, 155.8 Indusind Ban, 268.5, 268.5, 253.1, 255.65 Infosys Tech, 3146.7, 3209, 3146.7, 3203.45 Infra. dev., 176.3, 176.65, 170.5, 172.35 Ispat Indust, 20.95, 21.8, 19.85, 21.35 Itc Ltd, 166.7, 168.8, 166.5, 167 Ivrcl Infras, 126.85, 126.85, 124.1, 126 Jai Corp Lim, 213, 213, 204.5, 207.6 Jaiprakash A, 106.25, 107.05, 103.6, 104.25 Jet Airways, 771, 777, 731.3, 736.35 Jindal Saw L, 185.5, 188.45, 181.75, 184.75

Volkswagen ups its Polo price PTI MUMBAI, DEC 15

Vo l k s w a g e n , today announced an increase in the price of its Polo with effect from January 1, 2011.

This popular hatchback will witness a hike starting at 2.9 per cent, a press release issued here stated.

Neeraj Garg, Member of Board & Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Volkswagen Group Sales India, said "We have been faced with a constant rise in input cost over the past several months and have tried our best to absorb it.

However, in order to continue to maintain our quality standards that our customers expect from us we have had to increase the price by a small percentage."

However, customers who book the Polo until December 31, will be able to avail the car at the present prices, he said.

The Polo was launched in India in March 2010 and has already sold more than 17,000 units as of November 2010.

Manufactured in Volkswagen’s plant in Chakan, the Polo is the first locally-made Volkswagen model to be launched by the European automobile major in India.

Volkswagen currently offers the Jetta and Passat, assembled

Jindal Steel, 689.9, 689.9, 662, 666.2 Jsw Steel Li, 1157, 1185, 1144.15, 1160.15 Kotak Mahind, 467, 467, 444.1, 449.85 Lakshmi Mach, 2430, 2475, 2301.1, 2335.3 Lanco Infrat, 62.4, 63.95, 60.85, 61.2 Larsen & Tou, 1997, 2020, 1983.15, 1999.35 Lic Housing, 954.8, 954.8, 909, 917.95 Lupin Limite, 461, 461, 442.3, 448 Mahanagar Te, 54, 54.9, 52.6, 53.15 Mahindra & M, 757.15, 769.3, 747.1, 752.9 Maruti Suzuk, 1414, 1414.95, 1387.6, 1395 Max India Lt, 146.5, 147.95, 145.1, 145.4 Maytas Infr., 183, 184.2, 175.05, 176.5 Moser-baer (, 56.8, 56.95, 54.3, 54.75 Mrpl, 72, 72.9, 70.3, 70.8 Nagarjuna Co, 139.05, 142.9, 136.25, 137.25 Nagarjuna Fe, 30, 30.75, 29.1, 29.35 National Alu, 372, 374.95, 367, 368.85 Neyveli Lign, 129.6, 130.25, 125.5, 126.4 Ntpc Ltd, 199.9, 200.2, 194.65, 196.95 Oil And Natu, 1341.9, 1343.85, 1309.5, 1323.75 Omaxe Limite, 141.5, 142, 140.05, 140.9 Oriental Ban, 413.35, 417.5, 396.65, 401.45 Pantaloon Re, 387.45, 387.45, 359.05, 364 Parsvnath De, 51.8, 52.3, 48.2, 51.45

Petronet Lng, 129.4, 131.3, 125.1, 126.5 Power Fin Co, 332.8, 332.8, 315.55, 317.4 Power Grid C, 97, 97.3, 96.25, 96.65 Praj Industr, 71.2, 71.25, 68.75, 69.4 Punj Lloyd L, 109.8, 109.8, 104.05, 105 Punjab Natio, 1225.55, 1239, 1192.1, 1200.9 Rajesh Expor, 118.5, 118.65, 114.1, 116.05 Ranbaxy Labs, 565, 565, 546.55, 550.9 Rashtriya Ch, 97.4, 100.9, 92.75, 93.95 Reliance Cap, 660.95, 667, 638.25, 641.95 Reliance Com, 129.1, 131.75, 128.25, 129.35 Reliance Ene, 1208, 1208, 1120, 1120.88 Reliance Ind, 700, 717.9, 688.25, 692.3 Reliance Ind, 1054, 1064, 1036, 1053.9 Reliance Pow, 155.5, 158.25, 152, 154.2 Rolta India, 148.1, 149.35, 141.7, 143.45 Satyam Compu, 63.4, 66.7, 62, 66 Sesa Goa Ltd, 304, 305.75, 297.15, 299.5 Shipping Cor, 138, 139, 132.25, 132.6 Siemens Ltd, 788, 790, 772.15, 778 Sintex Indus, 193.5, 193.7, 185, 186.85 Sobha Develo, 326, 330, 314.55, 327.1 State Bank O, 2783, 2783, 2670, 2698.05 Steel Author, 183, 183.1, 176.55, 178.5 Sterlite Ind, 171, 173.6, 169.8, 171.3

in Aurangabad, for Indian consumers. Also available on sale now is the iconic New Beetle, the powerful SUV Touareg, the luxurious Phaeton, the New Polo and the Vento.

BOARD MEETINGS Nitin Fire Tantia Constr GTL Infra ONGC Texmo Pipes Source: Indiainfoline.com Sun Pharmace, 455, 457.1, 444, 446.45 Sun Tv Netwo, 538, 543.9, 530.5, 535.95 Suzlon Energ, 50.3, 50.4, 47.6, 48.2 Tata Communi, 252.75, 269.2, 249.7, 251.8 Tata Consult, 1085.1, 1108.4, 1081.5, 1103.65 Tata Motors, 1302.8, 1335, 1290.1, 1322.9 Tata Power C, 1301.55, 1329, 1292.05, 1316.85 Tata Steel L, 644.85, 652.65, 636.75, 642.75 Tata Teleser, 19.1, 19.25, 18.85, 19 Tech Mahindr, 677, 681.8, 661.95, 666.7 The Ge Shpg., 342.35, 345.1, 334.55, 336.5 The Phoenix, 219.5, 223.6, 217.1, 221.2 Thermax Ltd, 884.95, 884.95, 851, 853.1 Titan Indust, 3595.05, 3600, 3379, 3417.15 Torrent Powe, 279.7, 282.8, 278.1, 280.45 Triveni Engg, 106.45, 108.55, 104.5, 106.45 Tv18 India L, 68, 68.5, 65.85, 66.55 Uco Bank, 121.2, 122.25, 112.4, 113.85 Ultratech Ce, 1062.25, 1077.15, 1044, 1053.4 Union Bank O, 335, 338.75, 324.25, 326.25 Unitech Ltd, 63.45, 63.45, 61, 62 United Phosp, 166.35, 169.3, 164.5, 166.2 Videocon Ind, 217, 224, 216.15, 222.4 Vijaya Bank, 98.75, 99.4, 93.35, 94.5 Voltas Ltd, 235.1, 235.1, 223.05, 225.8

OHERALDO

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BIZ

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GOA, THURSDAY, 16 DECEMBER, 2010

Indirect tax collections at Rs 2.07 lakh cr AI, BSNL to get support: PM PTI NEW DELHI, DEC 15

The indirect tax collection rose by 42.3 per cent to Rs 2.07 lakh crore during April-November this year as compared to corresponding period last year, indicating uptick in economic activities.

"Last year’s collections of Rs 1.45 lakh crore during the same period constituted an achievement of 54.5 per cent of the overall target fixed for indirect tax collections for the year 2009-10," an official statement said.

In the current year, indirect

LAUNCH PAD

SBI Life extends range PANJIM (HBD) -- SBI Life has launched a series of products that include low premium traditional plan – Saral Life, Child ULIP - Smart Scholar and HNI-targeted – Smart Elite.

Catering to the savings and protection needs of mid-income segment, Saral Life – a traditional endowment plan is available at an affordable yearly premium starting from around Rs. 4,000. Facilitating quick issuance of the policy, the product is exempted from medical-examination. Customer can opt to pay premiums yearly, half yearly, quarterly or monthly mode.

A flexible Child Insurance ULIP, Smart Scholar allows to provide for child’s future needs like higher education, marriage and financial security. Customers can choose from a range of nine funds available, including an attractive option of innovative P/E Managed fund. Guaranteed loyalty additions during every third year is one of the most unique features of the product. The in-built feature of the Premium Waiver Benefit, ensures the premium continue to be paid by the company incase of an unfortunate event met by the premium payor, parent. Convenient Partial withdrawals to meet unplanned expenses, Switching options, Premium redirection and Accident Benefit are the other key features of this plan.

Catering to the investment and life insurance needs of HNI segment, Smart Elite offers policyholders the flexibility of pay single premium or premiums for limited terms, however, allowing them to stay invested and protected for a long term. Excellent allocation charge, zero premium allocation charge from 6th policy year onwards enhancing the fund value, benefit of Accidental Death and Accidental Total and Permanent Disability riders are other attractive features of the plan. Premium redirection, Partial Withdrawals and Switching option are the other key features of this plan.

BMW 520d now in India

PANJIM (HBD) -- The new BMW 520d has been launched in India.

The new BMW 520d delivers best-in-class fuel economy of 18.4 km/ltr as measured by Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) for Indian market specifications.

This has been possible by effective implementation of “Efficient Dynamics” which in simple words means getting more for less.

The new BMW 520d effectively embodies the principle of Efficient Dynamics by incorporating light weight construction technology, Brake Energy Regeneration and the advanced Electronic Power Steering technology.

Powerful aesthetics, dynamic performance and unmatched comfort make the new BMW 520d the most desirable modern executive sedan in its class. The new BMW 520d will be CKD (completely knocked-down unit) produced at the BMW Plant Chennai and the all India ex-showroom prices in INR are as follows. The new BMW 520d : ` 36,90,000 The new BMW 520d will be available in a range of ten paint finishes: Alpine White, Black Sapphire, Cashmere Silver, Deep Sea Blue, Havanna, Milano Beige, Space Grey, Titanium Silver, Imperial Blue Brilliant Effect and Sophisto Grey Brilliant Effect.

Individual upholstery designs in Dakota leather will be available in four colours: Black, Vento Beige, Cinnamon Brown/Black, Oyster/Black and Oyster/Oyster Dark. The following interior trims are available: Fine-wood Trim Ash Grain Brown and Fine-wood Trim Fineline Anthracite.

The new BMW 520d comes with a two-lire four cylinder turbo diesel engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine delivers a maximum output of 135 kW/184 hp as well as peak torque of 380 Nm at 1,750 rpm reaching its maximum output at 2,500 rpm. Acceleration from

Dhoni, Yuvraj autographed merchandise at The Loot PANJIM (HBD) – Available now at The Loot are personally signed bags from India’s popular cricketers, Mahindra Singh Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh.

These products are priced from Rs 650 onwards. These bags reflect the style and panache of Dhoni and Yuraj.

Jay Gupta, MD, The Loot said – “India being a cricket crazy nation, The Loot has tied up with these cricketers to retail their exclusive collection through its chain of stores across India.”

ING Life launches ULIP HYDERABAD (PTI) -- ING Life India today launched a new unique Unit Linked Insurance Product, which provides the customer the opportunity to participate in the equity market while protecting investments from its downside.

The new ULIP, ING Market Shield comes with unique benefits, allowing customers to maximize their returns and have adequate protection, said Rahul Agarwal, Chief Distribution Officer, ING Life India.

Talking to mediapersons here Agarwal said, "ING Market Shield is a one of its kind unit linked insurance product. It is designed such that our customers can benefit from market's upswaing due to high equality participation, but secures their investment from losses, when the market are volatile. The plan provides the customer a Guaranteed NAV throughout the term of the product and not just at maturity unlike most available products."

The product invests in both equity and debt is actively managed on a daily basis through a dynamic asset allocating technique, Agarwal said.

This process ensure maximum exposure to the stock market, while minimizing the downside risk and assures the Guaranteed NAV at all times through the term of the policy including death, surrender, partial withdrawals as well as Maturity benefit.

ING Market Shield also ensures highest equity exposure throughout the term of the policy, compared to other products, therefore its is expected to generate a higher return to customers.

For a premium paying term of 5 years the minimum payable is Rs 48,000 and for a premium paying term of 10 years or the entire policy term the minimum premium payable is Rs 36,000. The plan offers premium payment in the annual mode, and customers can choose their desired life cover ranging between 10 to 20 times the annual premium.

The product targets those investors who want to enjoy the upside of equity participation, while protecting their profits from marketing fluctuations, Agarwal added.

tax collections during April-November constitute 66.3 per cent of the overall target of Rs 3.13 lakh crore fixed for 201011. The indirect tax mainly constitutes customs, central excise and service tax.

The Indian economy is already on a recovery path, registering a GDP growth of 8.9 per cent in the first half of the current fiscal.

Similarly, the industrial output in October rose by 10.8 per cent on back of healthy performance of sectors such as automobile, electronic goods and power.

The IIP growth rate on the average stood at 10.3 per cent during the April-October pe-

MOIL to invest Rs 1,200-cr over 4-5 yrs PTI MUMBAI, DEC 14

State-run MOIL plans to invest around Rs 1,200-crore over the next 4-5 years for capacity addition and production of ferroalloy, a company official said.

"We plan to invest nearly Rs 1,200-crore over the next 4-5 years to up our production capacity of manganese ore to 1.5-million tonnes by 2016 from the existing 1.1-million tonnes. We would be investing nearly Rs 150-crore in the production of ferro-alloy for which we have entered into joint ventures with the Steel Authority of India (SAIL) and Rashtriya Ispat Nigam (RINL)," MOIL's chairman-cum-MD, K J Singh said.

The country's largest manganese manufacturer, made a handsome debut on both the bourses today as the scrip opened at a premium.

While it listed at a premium of 46.93 per cent on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), it opened at a premium of 50.66 per cent on the National Stock Excahnge (NSE).

While the price band was fixed at Rs 340-375, the scrip of the manganese ore major opened at Rs 551 on the BSE and Rs 565 on the NSE. The Nagpur-based company would be investing nearly Rs 770-crore for capacity expansion and would make an additional investment of Rs 50-60-crore for automation of equipments, he said.

riod.

The revenue collections from customs have increased to Rs 86,844 crore during April-November 2010, which is 67 per cent higher than the previous year’s collections of Rs 52,011 crore in the same period.

This constitutes an achievement of 75.5 per cent of the target of Rs 1.15 lakh crore for the whole year 2010-11, the statement said.

The mop up from central excise also rose to Rs 81,984 crore during the period AprilNovember 2010, an increase of 34.4 per cent over the previous year’s collection of Rs 61,020 crore during the same period.

"These constitute an achieve-

ment of 62.8 per cent of the target of Rs 1.30 lakh crore fixed for the current financial year 2010-11," the statement added.

As far as revenue collections from service tax for the period April-November 2010 is concerned, it stood at Rs 38,927 crore, an increase of 18.2 per cent over the previous year’s collections of Rs 32,927 crore during the same period.

The service tax collections made in the first eight months of the current financial year constitute an achievement of 57.2 per cent of the overall target of Rs 68,000 crore fixed for the full financial year 2010-11, it added.

After multi-billion dollar deals with US and French companies, Indian businesses are inking USD 16 billion worth deals with China's industry, whose representatives are accompanying Premier Wen Jiabao on his three-day India visit.

"The (investment and trade promotion) mission is scheduled to sign economic and trade agreement worth more than $16 billion with Indian companies," Wen said in the presence of Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma here. Addressing a gathering of Indian and Chinese Industry captains, the visiting premier said China is ready to work with India to increase the scale, and expand the scope of bilateral business cooperation.

With two-way trade between India and China poised to cross USD 60 billion this

PTI AHMEDABAD, DEC 15

Italian racing motorcycle manufacturer Ducati said that it would be launching its latest Diavel model in India by April 2011.

It would also be launching two more models of its superbike series 848 Evo and 1198SP in India by January next year, Ducati CEO, Asia Pacific, Mirko Bordiga said after inaugurating the company's third dealership outlet in the country here today.

"The Diavel model would be available in the European and American markets by January or February 2011. The same model would be launched in India by April next year, depending upon the time it takes to clear the necessary customs and other formalities," Bordiga said.

He said that the 1200 CC Diavel would be available in two variants, the base and Carbon S versions in India.

Bordiga said that Ducati plans to open dealership outlets along with service stations in 10 major cities across the country in the next one year.

Ducati India CEO Ashish Chordia said that they were targeting to sell over 300 units of the racing bikes in the next one year time.

"Since the launch of the Ducati in 2009, we have sold over 100 units through our two dealers in Gurgaon and Mumbai. We expect to sell

year, Wen said that during his meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh he would discuss ways to enhance it further.

"I will discuss with Prime Minister Singh, the ways to substantially increase our trade volume and set a new target in this regard," he said.

There is enough scope for expansion of the bilateral trade as it accounted for a mere 0.2 per cent of the world's total trade, he said, adding the two countries have completed a joint feasibility study for a regional trade agreement.

"Believing that this arrangement will benefit both sides, we look forward for the early launch of the negotiation process," Wen said.

On India's concerns on trade imbalance, he said China takes its "seriously".

"China takes seriously the trade imbalance between our countries and stands ready to

Special finance scheme for Nano PTI MUMBAI, DEC 15

In a bid to push-up sales, Tata Motors, today announced a special finance scheme by which a customer will get a loan in 48 hours, for its small car Nano.

Tata Motors Finance (TMF) will provide finance up to 90 per cent for the Nano, at easy rates. TMF, which provides customer finance for all Tata Motors vehicles, is present in all the 540 passenger vehicles outlets of the company, Tata Motors said in a statement here.

Last week, the company announced a four-year or 60,000 kilometre manufacturing warranty on its small car Nano to woo customers.

"The Tata Nano will now come with a four year/60,000 km (whichever is earlier) man-

Amid the demand from Civil Aviation Ministry for induction of Rs 1,200 crore as fresh equity into Air India, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the govt is actively considering helping the national carrier.

Along with the Air India, state-owned telecom firm BSNL is also likely to get the government support.

"Enterprises which are facing difficulties, such as AI and BSNL, are receiving the due attention of the govt," Singh said.

The PM was addressing an award function of the Department Public Enterprises and PSUs' body SCOPE here.

Ducati to launch Diavel model in India by April

Mirko Bordiga CEO of Ducati Asia-Pacific poses with a 1200 Multistrada motorcycle in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.

over 300 units in next one year.

Of this we are expecting sale of 40-60 unit from Gujarat itself," Chordia told mediapersons here.

Chordia said that besides motorcycles, they would also be selling the entire range of apparels and biking accessories at the dealer outlets.

When asked why the company chose Gujarat for its third dealership, Chordia said they saw huge potential motorcycle market in the state.

"Gujarat, though being price conscious, is a very value sensitive market, where people are ready to pay for quality products," he said.

Wen visit: Chinese Cos ink pacts worth $16 b PTI NEW DELHI, DEC 15

PTI NEW DELHI, DEC 15

ufacturer's warranty, at no extra cost. Besides being applicable on new deliveries, the warranty is also being extended to all existing owners of the car," the company said.

The company had said all new Nano customers will have an option to avail a comprehensive maintenance contract at Rs 99 per month.

"These benefits will further enhance the satisfaction of Tata Nano users," it said.

From a sale of 9,000 units in July, Nano deliveries fell in every following month and touched a low of 509 units in November. Sporadic incidents of the small car catching fire has made it difficult for the company to push Nano sales, despite a number of assurances through various campaign initiatives.

take further measures to facilitate the access of Indian IT products, pharmaceuticals and agro products to the Chinese market," Wen said.

India had a trade imbalance of USD 19 billion with China in 2009-10.

Agreements, which will be signed during Wen's visit include those between China Development Bank and Reliance Power, China Aluminium International Trading Co and Vedanta Aluminium Ltd, Bank of China and IDBI, Dongfang Electric Corporation Ltd and Abhijeet Projects Ltd. Indian industry signed USD 10 billion worth business deals with US companies during President Barack Obama's visit in November and followed it up with USD 13 billion dollar worth transactions with French business groups during President Nicholas Sasrkozy's visit earlier this month.

Rs 1 cr for CSR: BHEL PTI TIRUCHIRAPALLI, DEC 15

BHEL has said its special focus on Corporate Social Responsibility this year was strengthening infrastructural activities in educational institutions in villages in Tiruchirapalli and Thanjavur.

So far over 50 per cent of the budget had been spent to build and refurbish classrooms and toilet facilities in schools. Apart from this, employment opportunities are envisage envisaged for downtrodden women by imparting computer training to about 60 women Tuvakudi, Koothappar, Navalpattu and Krishnasamudram villages, P Nainar, General Manager, Human Resources (Tiruchirapalli) said at a function last night. After the eight week programme, BHEL would also install computers at Panchayat bodies, he said.

"We have been getting lot of demand from Gujarat, therefore we chose Ahmedabad to open our third showroom," Chordia added.

He further said that the company was also planning to begin the Indian chapter for Ducati Riding Experience (DRE), just like they have done for other Asian markets.

Ducati's dealership in Ahmedabad is owned by the Cama Motors Pvt Ltd. The company founded in 1926, began manufacturing of motorcycles after the world war II. It produces motorcycles in six segments that include Superbike, Desmosedic RR, Monster, Multistrada, Sport Classic and Hypermotard.

Saddled with the loss of Rs 5,551 crore in 2009-10, Air India is seeking induction of fresh equity to improve its balance sheet.

Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel met Plan Panel Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia yesterday in this regard.

Pg 14

SPORTS GOA, Thursday, 16 December, 2010

Bresources rout Salcete; big win for UC Nerul HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, DEC 15

Bresources Betalbatim Sporting Club trounced Salcete Football Club 3-0 in GFA under- 16 league at Rosary ground, Navelim on Wednesday. Beralbatim were leading 2-0 at the breather.

Betalbatim dominated from the word go and repeatedly raided the rival citadel. Their persistent forays into the rival territory paid off when striker Russel Vaz picked up the ball from his own half and unleashed a stiff grounder which crashed into the net.

Spurred by the early success, Betalbatim piled on the pressure and tormented the rival defence with well orchestrated raids and often caught the rival citadel on the wrong foot.

Salcete were a subdued lot as they failed to function as a unit and buckled under slightest pressure from the Betalbatim strikers.

Vishal Fernandes doubled the lead with a stiff grounder after

he received a through pass from Russel Vaz. Elvis Baretto headed in a flag kick taken by Quan Gomes in the dying minutes.

In U-14, St Christopher SC beat Goa United Sports Academy 1-0 with Anson Fernandes being the scorer.

Salgaocar Sports Club (Jrs) beat Vasco Sports Club 2-0. JESS VAZ scored a brace.

Salcete FC beat Raia 3-0.

In U-16, Saligao Sporting Club lost to United Club of Nerul 09. Johan Fernandes 3, Raj Tendulkar 3, Anson Fernandes 2, Kiran D'Souza scored.

Piedade Youth Association and Dempo Sports Club (Jrs) played a goalless draw.

Dicarple SC and Sirlim SC also were held goalless.

St Savio in semis

gouveia memorial soccer HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, DEC 15

St. Savio’s Sports Club, Calangute defeated PVC Parra by a solitary goal to enter the semi-finals of 5th Pio Jose Gouveia memorial soccer at Colvale ground, Wednesday.

Sarvanand Korgaokar scored the match-winner in the 68th minute.

Kingfisher Pro League: Vasco Sports Club v. Sesa Football Academy, Duler Stadium, Mapusa, 4 p.m.

GFA 2nd division: Cortalim Sporting Club v. Young Humourists Club, Tilak Maidan, Vasco, 4 p.m.

GFA U-16: Dunes SC v. Anjuna Gymkhana, Morjim ground, 4 p.m.

GFA U-14: Brasil Futebol Accademia v. Don Bosco Oratory Panjim, Agasaim ground; AA de Majorda-Utorda-Calata v.

Ave Maria Athletic & WA Musson ground, Majorda; Colmorod Ratwaddo SC v. Orlim SC, Rosary ground. Kick off 4 p.m.

5th Gouveia memorial soccer: FC Siolim v. Sirsaim SWC, Colvale church ground, 4.45 p.m.

POSH English High School annual sports meet, Rosary ground, 3 p.m.

Manovikas, Sarvajanik, Fatima, Angle, St Anthony, Carmel, St Xavier’s top l

Tallulah, Akshay, Tanvi, Meredith, Ranjeet, Angad, Desiree win individual titles

HERALD SPORTS REPORTER PANJIM, DEC 15

Manovikas English Medium, Margao with 19 points (U-14 boys), Sarvajanik Carambolim 16 points (U-14 girls), St Anthony’s Duler 18 points (U-17 boys), Fatima Convent 25 points (U-17 girls), S S Angle HSS Mashem 31 points (U-19 bpys), Carmel HSS Nuvem and St Xavier’s Mapusa 29 points each (U-19 girls) won the general championships at 35th State mini, secondary and higher secondary school athletics which concluded at Nehru stadium, Fatorda, Margao on Wednesday.

Fatima Convent’s Tallulah Braganza won two more gold today and tallied in all 25 points, the highest by any individual athlete.

She won the U-17 girls crown.

Following are the individual champions: U-14 boys Akshay Naik 13 points(Manovikas), U14 girls – Tanvi Vargaonkar 16 points (Sarvajanik), Meredith Botelho 16 points (Mary Immaculate Panjim). U-17 boys Ranjeet Tete 16 points (Govt Shigao Sanguem, U-17 girls Tallulah Braganza 25 points(Fatima). U-19 boys Angad Poingunkar 13 points (Angle), U-19 girls Desiree Pereira (St Xavier’s Mapusa).

Maria Rebello, Chairperson, Zilla Panchayat (South) declared the meet closed.The St. Theresa's High School (Raia) band was present.

Nelly Rodrigues, Zilla Panchayat Member presided.

Baptista D'Sousa, IAAA official appreciated the efforts of all officials and the DSYA in holding the meet successfully.

Dr. Susana de Sousa, Director of Sports and Youth Affairs welcomed. N. Tari, asst director (sports) proposed the vote of thanks.

John Fernandes and Lizette Camara compered.

Results: High jump U-14 girls: Nikita Gaud (Shikshasadan Priol), Ar-

sela Parsekar (St. Michael Vagator), Kashi Gaonkar (Govt Surla Satari).

4 x 100m relay: Manovikas, Bethany Convent Sao Jose de Areal), St. Michael Vagator.

400m U-14 girls: M e r e d i t Botelho (Mary Immaculate Panjim), Janice Gomes (Bethany Convent, Areal), Nirupa Gawande (Shreemati Velgem).

400m U-17 girls: Tallulah Braganz (Fatima Convent Margao), Ruchira Gawas (G.S. Amonkar Vidya Mandir Mapusa), Harshavi Naik(A. J. de Almeida Ponda).

400m U-14 boys: Vishal Diwal (Bethany), Nadeem Nawaz(Navy Children Vasco), Zaki Khan (Chubby Cheeks Porvorim).

Long jump HSS boys: Anand Singh Gurjar (A.V.P.M.S Curti Ponda), Angad S. Poinguinkar (R.M.S Margao), Gaurav Singh Parihar (Navy Children Vasco).

3000m U-17 boys: Amardeep Popkar (Shree Shantadurga Bicholim), Blasco Fernandes (St. Anthony's Assolna), Remsley Fernandes (St. Anthony Guirim).

Javelin throw U-17 girls: Richa Sawant(Mandrem), Shamine Rodrigues (Infant Jesus Colva), Josel y n R i b e i r o ( H o l y Fa m i l y Porvorim).

4x100m relay U-17 boys: Dada Vaidya Curti Ponda, Deepvihar Vasco, Navy Children Vasco. 200m U-14 boys: Akshay Naik (Manovikas), Nadeem Nawaz (Navy Children Dabolim), Zaki Khan (Cubby Cheeks Porvorim).

4x100m relay U-14 boys: Manovikas, Navy Children Dabolim, Don Bosco Panjim.

4 x 100m relay U-17 girls: Manovikas, Auxilium Caranzalim, MIBK Ponda.

Shot put U-17 boys: Ranjeet Tete (Govt Sanguem), Rahul Gawande(Shree Shantadurga Vid Pirna), Obed Dourado(Vidya Mandir Vasco).

3000m HSS girls: Priyanka Redkar(R & P Salkar Chorao), Karishma Velip (Pope John XXIII

Quepem), Dezmina D'Costa (Guardian Angel Curchorem).

Long jump HSS girls: Magdalan D'costa(Fr. Agnel Verna), Ashwini Gaude(Govt Sanguem).

Discus throw HSS girls: Desiree Pereira (St. Xavier's Mapusa), Leisanne Pinto(Don Bosco Panjim), Anuja A. Naik (Shree Kamleshwar Korgao).

Javelin throw HSS girls: Desiree Pereira (St. Xavier's Mapusa), Zelya Corera (Carmel Nuvem), Manita Dessai(Shiroda).

400m HSS boys: Sarvar Khan Nasir (Guardian Angel Curchorem), Abhishek Dhuri (Shree Shantadurga Bicholim), Dario Rodrigues (Don Bosco Panjim).

4 x 400m relay HSS boys: Navy Children Dabolim, Guardian Angel Curchorem, Don Bosco Panjim.

Hammer throw HSS boys: Hemal Khimsuria (Mustifund Panjim), Shidesh Pagi (S.S. Angle Mashem), Krishna Naik(S.S. Angle Mashem).

High jump U-17 girls: Nutan Kankonkar(Popular Goa Velha), Archana Velip(Tudal), Rima Gadekar(St. Michaels Vagator).

Triple jump HSS boys: Angad Poinguinkar(RMS Margao), Suvesh Velip(S.S. Angle Mashem), Amey Shetye(Vidya Prabodini Porvoprim).

Long jump U-17 boys: Anik Naik(St. Joseph's Convent Nagoa), Ranjeet Tete (Govt. Shigao), Navin Shirodkar (Assagao Union).

Triple Jump U-17 boys: Navin Shirodkar(Assgao Union), Soham Gurrella(Saraswat Vidyalaya Mapusa), Anik Naik (St. Joseph's Nagoa.

Hammer throw U-17 boys: Mayur T. Mane (Kamakshi Shiroda), Atish Haldkankar (Holy Cross Bastora), Neeraj Naik(Sarvajanik Carambolim).

Long jump U-17 girls: Jolainee Moses(Mary Immaculate Panjim), Sharadha Gaonkar (Murgaon Vasco), Jasmilla Kankonkar (K.B. Canacona).

10000m HSS boys: Sunil Velip (S.S. Angle Mashem Loliem), Neville Rodrigues (St. Xavier's Mapusa), Jabarson Michael(Fr. Basilo Andrade Majorda.

110m hurdles HSS boys: Dario Rodrigues (Don Bosco Panjim), Gaurav Parihar(Navy Children Dabolim), Mawrick Almeida (St Xavier's Mapusa).

400 m hurdles HSS boys: Sarvar Khan Nazir (Guardian Angel Curchorem),Mawrick Almeida(St. Xavier's Mapusa), Sanil Dessai(Guardian Angel Curchorem).

Long jump HSS boys: Anand Singh Gurjar (A.V.P.M. Ponda), Angad Poinguinkar (RMS Margao), Gaurav Parihar (Navy Children Dabolim).

200m HSS boys: Anand Singh Gurjar(A. V.P.M Ponda), Jagdish Kajiretti(St. Xavier's Mapusa), Gaurish Naik(Dr. Ambedkar Colvale).

200m HSS girls: Anthea Saldanha (Carmel Nuvem), Lara Soraiya(Par vatibai Chowgule Margao), Ashwini Gaonkar (Govt Sanguem).

200m U-17 girls: Tallulah Braganza(Fatima Margao), Ruchira Gawas (Amonkar Mapusa), Kaven Quadros (St. Theresa's Vasco).

200m U-17 boys: Irfan Shaikh (St. Anthony's Duler), Anik Naik (St. Joseph's Convent Nagoa), Jasbon Afonso (St. Ann's Institute Canacona).

General championship: U-14 Boys: 2nd place - Navy Children School, Dabolim - 10 points.

U-14 Girls: 2nd place - Mary Immaculate Girls Panjim - 16 points.

U-17 Boys: 2nd place - Govt.

High School, Shigao Sanguem 16 points.

U-17 Girls: 2nd place - Holy Family Porvorim.

U-19 Boys: 2nd place - St. Xavier's Mapusa, Navy Children Dabolim, Guardian Angel, all 17 points each.

St Xavier’s, Rosary’s emerge champs HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, DEC 15

St. Xavier’s College, Mapusa won the inter-college handball (men) championship defeating Shree Damodar College 17-12 goals while Rosary College, Navelim beat St. Xavier’s College 5-4 goals to win the women’s title.

Kirk Duarte scored 5 goals followed by Craig Menezes 4, Sangam Pednekar 2, Sriram Kalangutkar 2, Zein Shekh and Elroy Pinto 1 each.

For Damodar, Deitan Luis scored 6 goals, Azharuddin Shah 4.

Savira Pires scored 4 goals for Rosary while Natasha B scored 2 goals for Xavier’s.

Prof. Herwin Furtado, viceprincipal, St. Xavier’s College was the chief guest and gave away trophies and medals. Milton L Fernandes, asst. director of physical education and sports, Goa University presided.

Rosary College, Navelim winners of Goa University women’s handball alongwith Herwin Furtado, Milton Fernandes.

Actor’s career is like marathon: Panag

BY SAVIO MESSIAS VASCO, DEC 15

The Goa River Marathon being held on December 19 will have a bollywood star participation in Gul Panag. She, was a former Miss India and a popular actress and an athlete who has been supporting marathons and running for a cause around the country. Vasco Sports Club are very proud to have her support at the Goa River Marathon.

Panag spoke about the event. Excerpts.

Q. Did you take upto running or acting first and which gives you more pleasure ?

A. I have been running for fitness since school. Both acting and running give me pleasure. Acting stimulates the mind and running keeps you tremendously fit. To act a part in a movie, connecting with a large audience emotionally and to run a marathon with like minded crowd are both enthralling in their unique ways.

Q. Do you find time to run everyday since you must be having quite a busy schedule at acting and modelling ?

A. I cannot run every day for two reasons.

One is the lack of time and secondly running takes a toll on the knees and so one must have sufficient recovery between each run.

I do yoga and strength training between my running days.

Q. What motivated you to participate in the Goa Marathon ?

A. I holiday frequently in Goa, what better place to run and holiday together.

Q. How many marathons have you run in India ?

A. I have been running the Mumbai 21 km marathon for the last 7 years. This year

I also ran the Bangalore World 10 K and the Delhi Airtel 21 K. Q. Do you have a message for the runners and the youth participating in the marathon?

A. Yes, I enjoy the spirit of the marathon, it’s one of the few events where runners of all ages and various fitness levels run together. It’s unique as one can participate with the elite athletes. Those who are not running please come out and cheer us, a lot of us run for various causes and we really look forward to your encouragement.

Q. Do you think Goa has the potential to be a permanent marathon venue like the IFFI ?

And would you support us in future ?

A. Of course, Goa is an excellent travel destination. I see many more runners each year combining their run with a relaxing holiday.

Q. What would you have to say to budding actors from Goa? A. An actor’s career is like a marathon, it's long, treacherous, some stretches are

lonely and some have a cheering crowd encouraging you. In the end it’s not about coming first, but how much you enjoyed the run.

Q. Any message to the people of Goa. A. To all Goans: Come out and support your marathon. The feni will not run out, but the marathon will.

Meanwhile an awareness drive against throwing plastic in public areas was carried out in which six schools participated. Children from the school went around the city collecting plastic from the roads. The schools which participated were St. Andrew's School, Deep Vihar School, Government School Mangor, Municipal School, St. Joseph School and Busy Bee School. Government School Mangor won the competition. Vasco Club jerseys were given to all participants, along with certificates and trophies. Hemant Arondekar conducted the pro gramme.

The participation at the charity walk has been fantastic with over a thousand registrations which will continue till December 18 evening. Participants have been asked to collect their bibs from Vasco Sports Club premises, near Tilak Maidan on December 16 and 17 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on December 18 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Transport for participants on December 19 will leave from Mapusa Residency at 5.10 a.m., Panjim Residency at 5.30 a.m., Margao Residency at 5.30 a.m. and Vasco Residency at 6.15 a.m. Buses would return to their respective cities after the run and prize distribution ceremony. Detaila may be obtained from Vasco Sports Club on 2511333.

SPORTS

Pg 15

GOA, Thursday, 16 December, 2010

My focus is to save my job: Bhowmick n I’ve not thought beyond December 17 (the day of Dempo match) at the moment. Then we'll see. If I retain my job till the end of the first-leg (in I-League), then I'll answer whether we can win any trophy this season or not. I'm no astrologer, I can't say anything now.

AGENCIES KOLKATA, DEC 15

Roped in as Mohun Bagan’s technical director after the exit of S t a n l e y Ro z a r i o , S u b h a s Bhowmick said his first aim was to save his job before promising any long term success to the club.

Talking to reporters after taking charge as technical director of the club which has not won in three matches in the I-League, Bhowmick said, "My first focus is survival and existence."

He said he was not aware of his contract period. "I've not thought beyond December 17 (the day of Dempo match) at the moment. Then we'll see. If I retain my job till the end of the first-leg (in I-League), then I'll answer whether we can win any trophy this season or not.

I'm no astrologer, I can't say anything now," he said.

Bhowmick, who had been ap-

pointed as Rozario’s replacement

by East Bengal during a similar topsy-turvy phase in late 2008 only to be ousted later, pleaded for some time to settle down.

"Please give me some time. I won't term it a crisis moment, it's a difficult time and we'll have to work hard to come out of this," he said.

Refusing to comment on Mohun Bagan’s jittery start to the I-League and the initial phase of the season, Bhowmick said, "I've not seen their performance from any analytical point of view. I will just say that there is some mental pressure on the players."

"We will have to come out of this phase unitedly. There have been some problems like that of injury to our key players like Edeh Chidi among others.”

"I'll try to instill confidence in them. It's a proud moment for me. I was looking for a platform personally and this is a perfect challenge for me," Bhowmick said.

East Bengal, he said, had gone through a similar low after winning the Asean Cup in 2003 only to win the national league at the end of the season.

"We failed badly and I was about to lose my job. I still don't know why I was retained that time ... But we fought back and won the NFL (in 2003-04)," Bhowmick recalled.

Earlier announcing Bhowmick's appointment, Mohun Bagan General Secretary Anjan Mitra said, "He needs no introduction. At this time of crisis, we feel he is the right person to take the club out of this phase."

So far this season, the famed side under Rozario thrice lost to their main rival East Bengal to finish as runners-up in the Federation Cup, Mohammedan Sporting Platinum Jubilee Cup and Calcutta Football League (Premier Division).

Victory has continued to elude them in the I-League as well. After drawing with Pune FC (away), the side suffered consecutive losses to qualifiers HAL (home) and Churchill Brothers (away) in the I-League.

Rozario put in his papers after Mohun Bagan lost to the Goan giants.

Mohun Bagan face reigning champions Dempo Sports Club at home on December 17.

SAFF C’ship: India eves rout Lanka 7-0

Maradona on Blackburn radar

AGENCIES DHAKA, DEC 15

The Indian women's football team continued its rampaging form to thrash Sri Lanka7-0 and book a berth in the semi-finals of the SAFF Women's championship in Cox Bazar, Bangladesh.

After hammering Bhutan 180 in the opener, India recorded their second straight victory to march into the last-four stage of the event.

The rout started in the first half itself as India pumped in four goals to push their opponents to the back-foot.

They never allowed Sri Lanka to settle in the match after that and added three more goals to their tally in the second half.

Sasmita Mallick was once again the star as she scored a superb hat-trick (18th, 30th and 45th minute), while Pinky bagged a fine brace (51st and 60th minute).

Bala Devi (second minute) and Tababi Devi (49th minute) too got their name on the scoresheet by netting a goal each.

AGENCIES LONDON, DEC 15

Blackburn Rovers' owners on Wednesday dropped a bombshell when they admitted that they are considering former Argentina coach Diego Maradona to succeed Sam Allardyce.

Steve Kean is expected to stay in charge of first team duties until the end of the Premiership campaign.

Rovers owners Venky’s chairman Anuradha Desai said the club is seriously considering hir-

Vettori to miss T20s against Pak AGENCIES WELLINGTON, DEC 15

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori says he will miss his side's three Twenty20 cricket internationals against Pakistan later this month because of a sore back.

Vettori said on Wednesday he is to consult a specialist over the injury which has also prevented him playing in New Zealand's domestic

Twenty20 series.

He missed the first match of New Zealand's five-match one-day international series against in India earlier this month with the same injury.

New Zealand went on to lose the series 5-0, extending its losing streak in ODIs to 11 matches.

Vettori said he hoped to be fit for the first Test against Pakistan which starts in Hamilton on Jan. 7.

Indian tycoon Ambani backs new soccer league HERALD CORRESPONDENT NEW DELHI, DEC 15

India's richest man, Mukesh Ambani is backing the creation of a new professional soccer league in India to help lift the game's profile ahead of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Ambani already owns the most popular team in the Indian Premier League cricket series, the Mumbai Indians, led by cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar.

The 2010 World Cup in South Africa gave soccer a major boost in cricket-mad India, lifting the sport to second place in National popularity. There are now about 110 million television viewers watching soccer in India, compared with 83 million two years ago, according to industry monitor TAM. Ambani, executive chairman of Reliance Industries Ltd, earlier this year set up a joint venture with global sports marketing company IMG to promote sports and entertainment in India.

The 50-50 partnership, known as IMG Reliance, announced on December 9, would pay 7 billion rupees (about $ A158 million) to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for all commercial rights to football in India over the next 15 years.

The agreement covers sponsorship, advertising, broadcasting, merchandising, film, video and data, intellectual property, franchising and new league rights. It also includes the branding and marketing of the Indian National team.

In its statement IMG Reliance said it planned to develop, operate and administer, a new professional football league in India.

As well, it said it would work with the AIFF to improve, popularise and promote the game, from the grassroots to the top level.

The AIFF said it recently, amicably negotiated, an early termination of its existing 10-year commercial arrangement with

GOA DIARY Cycle ride on L-Day

PANJIM (HSD) -- The Goa Cycling Club will organise a cycle ride on December 19 with 50 riders for 50 kms. Those interested may assemble at 7 a.m. at car park after the new Mandovi bridge, opposite bus Pune bus stand. There will be two groups of riders, A and B. Both groups will start together from Panjim and ride to Old Goa. At Old Goa the B group will stop and rest where juices and snacks will be served. The A group will continue the ride towards Pilar to complete the rest of the circuit. Once the A group returns to Old Goa, then both groups will ride into Panjim.

Riders must wear helmets and carry water/fluids, spare tubes.

Those interested may contact (Panjim) Haresh Korde on 9420721088/9766553054 or Terence on 9225580011.

Ponda - Ajay Dongre on 9823905756. Margao -Thomas on 9890000089. Mapusa - Prasad Pankar on 9822581232. Calangute - Mrinalini Kumar on 08805002514. Regiatrations close on December 16. Information may also be obtained from Brian on 9158880300.

Run for health on L-Day

PANJIM (HSD) – The Goa Senior Journalists Association will organise a run for health for U-15 children, senior citizens and senior journalists on December 18 from Azad Maidan to Campal Stadium at 8 a.m. Those interested may contact C S de Araujo, general seceratyry, on 9822766379 or 2903330.

Tie-breaker in Margao

PANJIM (HSD) – The 1st All Goa 3-a-side floodlit tie-breakar tournament organised by Old Market Boys will be held on December 18 at Holy Spirit Church ground, Margao from 9 p.m.

The winners will get Rs 6666a and the runners-up Rs 4444.

Spot enteries will be accepted. Details may be obtained on 9673593564 or 7798097371

State badminton tourney

PANJIM (HSD) -- The SAG State badminton championship organised by Goa Badminton Association begins on December 16 at indoor stadium, Campal. Players have been asked to report to the venue at 3.30 p.m for under-13, boys and girls, 4.30 p.m. for under-16 boys and girls and ladies, 6.30 p.m., for under-19, 7 p.m. for men and 8 p.m. for veterans.

U-16 girls cricket

PANJIM (HSD) – The GCA will organize the all-Goa D G Narvekar U-16 girls school tournament. Schools may contact Goa Cricket Academy, Porvorim upto January 15. Details may be obtained on 6514595.

State tug-of-war

PANJIM (HSD) – The Goa Tug-of-War Association will organise their first State tug-of-war championship for boys under-19 and under-17 on January 8 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Campal ground.

Details may be obtained from Sashikant Sardessai on 9850471688 or Tanuj Kinalkar on 9822032215.

n The 2010 World Cup in

South Africa gave soccer a major boost in cricket-mad India, lifting the sport to second place in National popularity. There are now about 110 million television viewers watching soccer in India, compared with 83 million two years ago, according to industry monitor TAM.

billionaire Subhash Chandra¹s Zee Telefilms, which has been televising Indian soccer since the mid2000s.

Indian media reports said Zee had sought 700 million rupees (A $15.8 million) in compensation.

IMG executive chairman Ted Forstmann said IMG Reliance was committed to making football a commercially exciting and successful sport in India. He said that with 1.2 billion people and a pool of incredibly talented athletes, it was a realistic goal for India to aim for a future World Cup berth.

But IMG Reliance will have its work cut out to lift India into World Cup contention. In the latest FIFA rankings, India rank 142 out of 201 football-playing nations, well behind Asian zone leaders Australia (No. 20), Japan (No. 30) and South Korea (No. 39). China, India¹s great political, economic and cultural rival in Asia, rank 89th on the FIFA rankings. In the Asian zone, which includes the Middle East, India rank No. 23 out of 46 teams.

Since 2007-08, the AIFF has operated the I-League, which took over from the moribund National Football League. For the 2010-11 season which began this month, the I-League has 14 teams, including three each in Goa, Mumbai and Kolkata, and single-city teams in New Delhi, Bangalore, Pune, Phagwara in Punjab State and Kozhikode in Kerala State.

The New Delhi team is the AIFF XI, a mixture of the India under-23 and under-19 teams that is designed to form the nucleus of India¹s 2018 World Cup

team.

Ambani is hoping that a new professional soccer league can replicate the popularity of the IPL cricket tournament, which despite the scandals surrounding its administration and franchise arrangements, has set the benchmark for crowd entertainment, marketing buzz and brand value in India.

Ambani¹s wife Nita, who does most of the high-level management and promotion of the Mumbai Indians cricket team, is also set to play a similar role with the football venture.

As a board member of the IMG Reliance joint venture, she said in the December 9 statement that her group was committed to developing platforms that would allow young Indians to make the most of their talent.

India has 3.5 million registered soccer players in 6540 clubs affiliated through State associations with the AIFF. The Indian National team has qualified for the next Asian Cup to be held in Qatar in 2011.

But infrastructure for the game in India is poor compared to cricket, where big corporate sponsors have poured hundreds of millions of dollars into the game in recent years, helping to take India to the No. 1 spot in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test rankings.

FIFA is giving the AIFF US $ 2 million to help in the floodlighting of football stadiums in Bangalore, Mumbai and Kolkata, but it is the 7 billion rupee (A$158 million) 15-year commitment by

IMG Reliance that will provide s o m e g r a s s ro o t s s u p p o r t through training and coaching facilities, along with ground upgrades.

Top European clubs such as Manchester United and Real Madrid are popular in India, and sports merchandise is becoming a growing revenue earner for them. As well, cashed-up Indian corporates have been eyeing the possibility of buying a European club, with Ambani and Subrata Roy¹s Sahara Group both believed to have looked at Liverpool this year before it was eventually sold to another group, US-based New England Sports Ventures.

The first successful Indian transaction took place last month, when the Pune-based poultry group Venky¹s, controlled by the family of founder Dr B.V. Rao, paid about A $37 million for the English Premier League club Blackburn Rovers.

ing the former Argentina coach.

"We thought about Maradona as a coach after we took over," she told The Mirror.

"Talks were at the initial stage then, but there is no development on that front yet.

For now, the current coach will be the manager till the end of the season.”

"There is no question of signing anyone for such a short time," she added.

Maradona has been keen to coach in Premier League and was linked with several top EPL clubs before.

Desai, a member of the Rao family, defended the company's decision to sack Allardyce, but also hoped that current Blackburn chairman John Williams would stay and give a helping hand in running the club.

"We do not mean anything

bad for Sam Allardyce but we feel that we need to take the club up in the league and grow," Desai was quoted as saying in the Telegraph newspaper.

"We want Blackburn Rovers to be fourth or fifth in the league or even better. It is nothing against Sam but we have a different vision looking forward

and we want the club to grow.”

"We had been talking to Sam in the past few weeks but he did not fit in with our vision for the club's future.”

"We wanted good football, wanted the games to be interesting and of course wanted to win and to have good players," she added.

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SPORTS

St Xavierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Rosaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s emerge champs Pg 14

GOA, THURSDAY, 16 DECEMBER, 2010 www.oheraldo.in

Jaidev or Umesh may earn first Test cap PTI CENTURION, DEC 15

Indian pace spearhead Zaheer Khan is unlikely to play in the first cricket Test of the threematch series against South Africa starting here tomorrow, skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said today.

"Zak has been our best bowler who has always led the bowling attack, whatever the conditions may be, whether it is a flat track or a seaming track," Dhoni said on the eve of the first Test.

"He is always one bowler who has done really well. It is a blow, but at the same time we have to see the longer picture. We

have to think about the World Cup also.

"We are so close to the World Cup, and any injury to any of your best 11 players may have a bigger impact, so that's also a bit of a concern. Till we are 100 per cent sure about his fitness and injury, we won't risk playing him," he added.

Zaheer is struggling with a hamstring injury and bowled only a few overs at the nets during the two training days here.

The Mumbaikar did some fitness drills with team physio Paul Close on the first day and donned the goalkeeper's role in a warm-up football match on the next day.

INDIA V. SOUTH AFRICA Dec 16-20 First Test Centurion, 2 p.m.

Dec 26-30 Second Test Durban, 2 p.m.

Jan 2-6 Third Test Cape Town, 2 p.m.

Jan 9 T20 Durban, 6 p.m.

Jan 12 First ODI Durban, 2.30 p.m.

Jan 15 Second ODI Johannesburg, 2.30 p.m.

Jan 18 Third ODI Cape Town, 2.30 p.m.

Jan 21 Fourth ODI Port Elizabeth, 2.30 p.m.

Jan 23 Fifth ODI Centurion, 2.30 p.m.

Pressure on India: Smith PTI CENTURION, DEC 15

Being the number one team in the world, India will be under tremendous pressure to maintain their consistency on hostile away conditions in the threematch Test series beginning here tomorrow, said South Africa captain Graeme Smith.

The left-hander was of the view that although Dhoni's men have tasted success over a period of time now, a good show in the

upcoming Test series against the Proteas will go on to prove their supremacy at the world stage.

"India has been successful over a period of time. But I think if you are number one in the world, you got to be consistently performing around the world.

There's no doubt about that. As much as you are strong at home, you need to be strong away from home too. So, I think that pressure is on India," Smith said on the eve of the series opener.

BCCI loses appeal against King XI AGENCIES MUMBAI, DEC 15

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday dismissed an appeal by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) against a stay order on the termination notice served to Indian Premier League (IPL) franchisee Punjab Kings XI, terming the notice as incorrect. The development comes a day after the court quashed the BCCI's termination notice against an-

other IPL franchisee Rajasthan Royals.

Expressing happiness at the outcome, Punjab Kings XI team's owners - industria l i s t N e s s Wa d i a and actress Preity Zinta - told mediapersons that their stand had been vindicated.

"We had always maintained that we were right since 2008. We support the BCCI and shall continue to do so to make I P L - 4 s t r o n g e r, " W a d i a added.

l Zaheer likely to miss opener

Dhoni said either Jaidev Unadka t o r U m e s h Yadav may earn their first Test cap if Zaheer happens to miss the opening Test tomorrow.

"If Zaheer can't play then either Jaidev Unadkat or Umesh Yadav may make Test debut. Same is the case with number 6 batting spot. Pujara is pushing for

that spot, but let's see. You have to wait till tomorrow morning," Dhoni said with a big smile on his face.

India didn't train on the eve of the match because it was raining in Johannesburg.

"We have had two big practice sessions and that is why we are ready for

the big battle. Gary Kirsten has got lot of experience of playing in these conditions and his knowledge is going to help us," Dhoni said.

"Overall coming season is going to be exciting as Indian team is going to play world cup and away tours like West Indies, England and Australia.

Playing in different conditions is huge challenge," he added.

Talking about pitch and weather conditions, Dhoni said the strip is damp at the SuperSport Park and toss would play a crucial role tomorrow.

"We saw pitch from distance

yesterday. It looked damp. Because of cloudy conditions pitch is going to remain like this. Thus toss will be vital," he said.

"Whoever wins the toss will get at least 60 per cent advantage of bowling 1st in the game. Not only pace and bounce but lateral movement is going to cause bit of worry for batters. I hope that our opening pair continues giving us good start," said the 29-yearold skipper.

Speaking about Sehwag he said, "There can be only one Sehwag. He never takes tension of the situation. He backs himself to play his natural game

I am not thinking too much about 50th Test ton: Sachin PTI CENTURION, DEC 15

Despite standing on the threshhold of history, champion batsman Sachin Tendulkar seemed unfazed by the media attention and the anticipation around his 50th Test century.

"I believe it is destiny. When it is destined to happen it will happen. I am not thinking too much about it. My focus is on preparation," Tendulkar said.

Should he score a ton in the threematch Test series against South Africa beginning tomorrow, the iconic batsman from India would become the first man in the history of Test cricket to get to the coveted landmark.

Tendulkar, however, preferred to focus on the match and not personal landmarks.

"For me one thing is very important and that is to get acclimatized to local weather conditions," Tendulkar said as world number one India prepare to face second best South Africa.

Humpy in semis AGENCIES TURKEY, DEC 15

Koneru Humpy secured a much-needed draw against China's Ju Wenjun in the second game of the quarter-finals to enter the semi-finals of the World Women's Chess Championship in Hatay, Turkey on Wednesday.

Humpy, who had made the semi-finals in the last edition of the championship too, will face Yifan Hao of China in the next match. Yifan had ousted the Indian in 2008.

The other Indian in the fray, D Harika was forced into another tiebreaker after she played out a second successive draw with Ruan Lufei of China.

"Preparations have been spot on and the lengthy practice session has given us that opportunity (to get acclimatized).

"We have had good net sessions under the guidance of coach Gary (Kirsten)," he said.

Tendulkar pointed out that like India, South Africa will also have their task cut out as the series heralds the beginning of the season for the Proteas.

"In South Africa, players and critics always talk about getting used to pace and bounce of wickets here. For them this is going to be the start of the season, so wickets are going to be a lot fresher," Tendulkar said.

Talking about conditions in the Rainbow nation, Tendulkar said that one has to be extra careful in a high-altitude belt like Johannesburg.

"While playing in Johannesburg you have to be extra careful. That is in high altitude area, so supply of oxygen is a bit of a problem," he said.

Saina pulls out of Indian Open AGENCIES HYDERABAD, DEC 15

The ongoing Indian O p e n Grand Prix b a d minton championship suffered yet another blow with top-seeded women's player Saina Nehwal pulling out due to an ankle injury on Wednesday morning.

The event, which had already seen quite a few pull outs including the second-seeded Kusumastuti on Tuesday, will

Pg16

My focus is to save my job: Bhowmick Pg 15

now miss the champion shuttler, who was obviously the biggest star of all in the fray by virtue of her World No. 4 ranking and being fresh from her Hong Kong Open win last Sunday.

"She had problem with her right ankle during a long rally in the Hong Kong Open. Apparently, she had swelling this morning after the training session. Though she was keen to play initially even if she is 50 per cent fit, it was decided not to take any risk and pull her out of the championship," said K. Ch. Punnaiah Choudhary, secretary (events) of Badminton Association of India.

PCB bars Facebook, Twitter for players

LAHORE (UNI) -- The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has banned players from using social networking websites while on tour after being left embarrassed by wicket-keeper Zulqarnain Haider's escapades on Facebook.

The national board said the step has been taken for the players' safety.

Pakistan team manager Intikhab Alam confirmed the players were told not to use social network sites as part of clauses in their contracts.

email at: sports@herald-goa.com

Anand in joint lead PTI LONDON, DEC 15

World Champion Viswanathan Anand was held to a draw by Michael Adams of England in the sixth and penultimate round but the Indian ace continued to hold joint lead at the London Chess Classic here.

Anand remained in the lead after Russian Vladimir Kramnik failed to bring home full points from a winning position against Magnus Carlsen of Norway in the 1,45,000 Euros prize money tournament being played on a roundrobin basis.

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Christmas

with Blessed Joseph Vaz

Fest korta ganv, punn Padr Vigarachem nanv -Anonymous

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful -Norman Vincent Peale

Chinese Man abducted 30 Years ago reunited with Parents

I

BY OSCAR DE NORONHA t had been prophesied, ‘Bethlehem in the land of Judah, you are by no means the least of the leading cities of Judah; for from you will come a leader who will guide my people Israel.’ In like manner, Joseph Vaz’s father is known to have recorded in his diary, that ‘… in time, he will be a great man’; and an elder is reported to have foretold that only time would reveal the pearl that God had entrusted to his parents.

Nativity accounts warm the cockles of our hearts. We love the feeling of joyous wonder and tenderness that they evoke; we love the reassurance they carry of God’s living presence in our midst. But so very often, all this for us ends at a point in time; on the other hand, for Joseph Vaz, Christmas was never a time of the year but a state of mind. His loving kindness ensured that the air would continually be filled with a genuine spirit of Christmas.

In our day and age, Christmas is sometimes considered a magically undisturbed holiday season. Yes, we are ready to ponder the great mystery of God becoming man – provided goodies and pleasant company are in place as a reward…! Woe to our world of instant gratification! How meaningful Christmas would be if we spared a thought for suffering humanity, if we too did our bit for the sick, the hungry, the lonely, the marginalized, the persecuted – with a good measure of Christian hope.

Joseph Vaz not only pondered but also lived the mystery of Christ’s Birth and, with due effort, that of His Passion, Death and Resurrection as well.

He lived life holistically, as a quintessential ‘Alter Christus’. This is obvious from the fact that his darkest nights of religious and political persecution often came at the joyful event of Christ’s birth.

Consider what happened under the anti-Catholic, Dutch Calvinist government at Jaffna in 1689. Joseph Vaz had arranged to celebrate the Christmas vigil mass at three different places, so as to reach out to a greater number of people. The secret was probably wormed out of some unsuspecting Catholic and the occasion found suitable for a priest-hunt. The venues were rounded up simultaneously: the soldiers upset the altars, profaned the images and arrested the faithful irrespective of age or sex. The next morning, while the entire Christian world resonated with ‘Gloria in excelsis Deo et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis’, the captives were paraded and scourged at the city fort. Most of them were later set free; but

Was the star sighted in the midday sky when Joseph Vaz was born in Benaulim; the self-same resplendent star that had heralded the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem centuries earlier? the eight who were not, died in prison, without reneging on their faith.

Kandy, 1691: No sooner had Joseph Vaz entered the kingdom than he found himself in the ‘Maha Hirage’ (Great Gaol), accused of being a Portuguese spy. This was a canard, but no Catholic had the courage to communicate with, much less intercede for him. When the rigour of his detention was relaxed after three months, Joseph Vaz quickly erected a little altar, with a crude crucifix in full view of passers-by, and sang the litanies of the Blessed Mother. This was an apt prologue to the mass that he would be permitted to celebrate on Christmas Night (and every morning thereafter), precisely two years after the Jaffna imbroglio. This time around there was no bloodshed; in fact the blood of the martyrs

had borne fruit!

These two stories give a fair idea of Joseph Vaz’s priest-hunt experiences, in all of which he eluded his pursuers like a Proteus. But no less poignant is the fact that right through Christmas 1710 – his last – he was laid up in bed with a severe pain in the ear, which he bore with exemplary fortitude.

Although growing weaker by the day, in the letter that he wrote on the eve of his holy passing away, he was as concerned about the future of the Oratorian mission he had founded in Sri Lanka as he was about his own final destiny. He had fought the good fight; he had finished the course; he had kept the faith. In his very own crib he now lay, gazing at the new and eternal Jerusalem.

Without a doubt, many of Joseph Vaz’s Christmases, entwined as they were with the Cross, were Christmases with a difference. Like the star of Bethlehem which had safely guided the wise men to Jesus in the manger, the star of Benaulim had zealously led men of goodwill to Christ…. And that is how Joseph Vaz himself eventually emerged as a shining star in our spiritual firmament!

Unique reunion: Wu Jiubing is embraced by his mother Li Shiqun

A

34-year-old Chinese man, who was abducted 30 years ago and sold at least three times during the period, has finally been reunited with his parents. Wu Jiubing from Chongqing was abducted in 1980 when he was just four years old.

His father, Wu Maosheng, worked as a carpenter in Hubei while his mother, Li Shiqun, raised Wu and his sister in their hometown in Chongqing's Yunyang county.

The family's life changed forever when Wang, a fellow villager, offered to take Li and the children to Wu in Hubei.

Wang took them to Xiangyang city in Hubei and told Li to leave the children with his friend in the hostel where the family was staying while he took her to see her husband.

His intention was to sell her to somebody in Zhongxiang city, police said.

As soon as Li found out what was going on, she escaped back to the hostel, but found that her son was missing. Her daughter, then six years old, was there.

Police were called but Wang would not tell them about the whereabouts of the boy.

He disappeared soon after, making further

investigation impossible.

Wu and his parents, now both in their 60s, met this weekend at a police station in Xiangyang, said a leading Chinese newspaper.

The parents burst into tears when they saw their missing boy again. They hugged him, crying, “We owe you, son.”

The abduction case resurfaced in May as part of an investigation into child trafficking gangs in Hubei. Police went to Wu's hometown and managed to track down Wang, now 58 years old. Wang told police he had sold the boy to a man, surnamed Tang, at a railway station. Police found that Tang later sold the boy to a woman, surnamed Liu, in Henan province. Liu then gave the child to one of her relatives who sold him to a colleague. Then, finally, the colleague gave the boy to a relative, police found.

When police found him December 4, the man, now 75, told them he had adopted a boy years ago and named him Qin Dongsheng.

Alerted by police, Qin Dongsheng took a DNA test which confirmed he was the missing boy - Wu Jiubing.

(Courtesy: IANS)

Community Radio in India, growing by Leaps and Bounds

T

he Indian government is tuning into community radio in a big way to reach out to rural and far-flung areas, with plans to help increase the number of such stations from the present 100 to 4,000 in the next few years, say officials. Run by educational institutions and NGOs, such radio stations cater to the local community and reach people within a 15 km radius of a station.

“The information and broadcasting ministry has already issued the first phase of license to 263 stations and out of that, 102 are operational,” said Indrajeet Grewal, head of the Community Radio Stations Cell in the ministry.

“To serve the cause of the community, their urgent needs, create awareness on all vital issues, underscore the life, culture and tradition of a community, these radio stations are being set up,” he said.

Around 800 educational institutions and NGOs across the country, including 42 from eight north-eastern states, have sought licenses for community radio stations.

Funded by the ministry, community radio stations are run for and by the people. Various programmes of local interest - folk songs, weather reports, agricultural talk shows etc form the content.

Grewal was speaking on the sidelines of a regional level three-day community radio awareness workshop-cum-seminar organised by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry in association with Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA) and Tripura (Central) University.

“The content of community radio stations is being specially designed keeping in mind the social, economic, cultural and educational aspirations of the community,” said Vipin Sharma, content development expert and media consultant.

“They cater to the interests of a certain area, broadcasting material that is popular with a local audience but is overlooked by existing more powerful broadcast groups,” he said.

In December 2002, the central government approved a policy to grant licenses for community radio stations to well-established educational institutions like the Indian Institutes

of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs).

“In 2007, the government after reconsidering all the aspects had decided to broaden the base by bringing non-profit organisations like civil society and voluntary organisations under its ambit,” said Grewal.

Anna University in Chennai owned the first community radio station in India and the Anna FM was launched February 1, 2004.

Northeast India has two community radio stations, both in Guwahati. The Krishna Kanta Handique State Open University, the only open varsity of the region, and Guwahati University have been running their stations for the past year.

The third CRS in the northeast will be launched by Tripura (Central) University next year.

“As Tripura University is situated in a rural area in western Tripura, the proposed community radio station would better cater to the needs of the adjoining locality,” said Arunoday Saha, university vice-chancellor.

Grewal said state agriculture universities, the Indian Council for Agricultural Research, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, registered societies, autonomous bodies and registered public trusts too are eligible to run these radios. The information ministry will also extend logistical help for setting the stations, apart from providing content writers and consultants.

“As per the instructions of the ministry, profit making organisations, an individual or a political party cannot apply for these licenses,” he said.

(Courtesy: IANS)

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Thursday, 16 Dec 2010

WHAT’S UP IN GOA??

Free workshop on stress management organised by Asha Counselling Centre will be held on December 18 from 3:45pm to 5:45pm at Asha Centre Hall, Mapusa.

E-mail trustasha@yahoo.co.in. Call 2256445 or 9822166876.

The 3rd All India Annual Art Competition and Exhibition 2010, organised

by Bhikuram Jain Foundation, New Delhi is open for entries. The exhibition and the award presentation ceremony will be held on February 12, 2011. Call the Kala Academy, Panjim on 2420452.

Techfest, the Annual International Science and Technology Festival of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mumbai will be held from January 7 to 9. It is open to students from all over the country. Registration closes on December 20. E-mail ronniephilip1991@gmail.com. Call 9969688761.

Festival of Carols, organised by the Kala Academy will take place on December 19 at the Kala Academy, Panjim. Call 2420452.

The Annual All-Goa Carol Singing contest organised by the Betalbatim Cricket Club will be held on December 18 at 5.30pm at Betalbatim. Call 9822104181.

‘Crazy Idea Competition’, organised by the Staff Club of the National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula is open for registration.

It will be held on the occasion of NIO Foundation Day. Visit www.nio.org/innovative ideas competition. Email crazyidea@nio.org.

The 20th Ranga Sammelan and Jeevan Gaurav Puraskar: Felicitation of Dr Ashok G Ranade for his contribution towards music will be held on December 17 and 18 at the Kala Academy, Panjim. Call 2420452.

Solo Dance Competition for under-16 year olds, organised

by Omkar Cultural Associ-

HOROSCOPE ation, Colvale will be held on December 30 at Kala Academy.

Registration is open. Entry forms are available at the Kala Academy, Panjim. Call 9673997188 or 9823306652.

Yoga sessions conducted by Hoor S Girglani are underway till December 18 from 6:30am to 7:30am at the International Centre Goa, Dona Paula. Call 9766015762 or 2451363.

‘Yatra’, a public art Installation

by Patricia Geraldes will be held on December 26 on the steps of the Immaculate Conception Church, Panjim. Call 2421311.

‘Blue Shores Silent’, a prison art exhibition is underway till December 24 at Sunaparanta – Goa Centre for the Arts, Altinho, Panjim. Call 2421311.

Charcoal Drawing Workshop conducted by Harshada Kerkar will be held from December 16 to 18 from 4pm to 6pm at the International Centre Goa, Dona Paula. Call 2452805 to 2452810.

India Corporate Week, organised by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs will be held from December 14 to 21 on the theme ‘Sustainable Business’. ‘Sustainable Business and Good Corporate Governance In Goa’, organised by the Registrar of Companies, in association with Goa Chamber of Commerce, the Institute of Chartered Accountant - Goa Chapter of WIRC –ICAI and the Goa Chapter of Institute of Company Secretaries of India will be held on December 16 at Hotel Mandovi, Panjim.

Sobit Safar, superlative Konkani songs, the album by Deep Karapurkar will be released on December 18 at 7.30pm at Alua Gardens, Margao.

Call 9422334391.

‘Lets Groove’, Lynx’s fourth album will be released on December 18 at Gavin’s, Verna. The Crimson Throne, a book

by Dr Sudhir Kakar will be launched on December 17 at 7pm at Literati, Calangute. Call 2277740.

Put your new ideas about life, love and especially your 21 Mar - 19 Apr wallet to work today. You have got to get your way today (even more so than on other days), but you shouldn't burn bridges -- they are sure to stay burnt. Draw on your tact reserves to keep people feeling friendly.

Taurus Move forward with plans -don't wait for everyone to 20 Apr - 20 May weigh in with their thoughts.

Your good energy is spilling out onto those you love, so it could well be a cuddle-fest at home or a spontaneous dance party with friends. Whatever happens, you can expect your bonds to strengthen.

You can see Gemini what needs to be done right now, if you'll only open your eyes 21 May - 20 Jun wider. You need to think things through today -- maybe poring over spreadsheets, maybe sitting in front of a pad of paper, but certainly taking into account all the info that has been coming your way of late.

There's a give and take going on with loved ones.

This thing will 22 Jun - 23 Jul work itself out.

You need to indulge your flair for original thinking today -- a weird problem that arises midafternoon or later demands it.

Once you settle on the solution, you should amaze your people.

Your ability to see through the haze of confusion will help 24 Jul - 23 Aug others solve problems. Try to avoid bureaucracy of all kinds today -- red tape is twice as sticky! If you fly under the radar, you should be able to avoid the worst of it, so make sure that you're as self-sufficient as possible.

Today it will be wise to stay in an objective mood. Do not 23 Aug - 22 Sep push your opinions. You are feeling somewhat more thoughtful than usual, which is really saying something!

You should be able to get to the bottom of a big problem if you let your mind have free rein.

Take stock of the blessings you have in your life today. Grat23 Sept - 22 Oct itude is illuminating. Your friends, neighbors and workmates are all backing you up today -- you can do almost anything with their support!

It's a really good day for you to show the world what you can really do.

Scorpio You want to do more, but you are powerless in this situation.

23 Oct - 22 Nov Let things unfold. Life is usually intense when you're around, especially on a day like today. You may find that your friends or family are wondering what, exactly, you're up to -- but not even you know for sure!

Sagittarius Stop yourself

Capricorn There's been a silence between you and a loved one -22 Dec - 20 Jan r e e s t a b l i s h contact today.

You need to keep yourself focused today -- but your good energy makes that much simpler. It's a good idea to close your door, turn off email or do whatever else it takes to stay on track.

Aquarius To get anywhere today, you should keep following the 21 Jan - 19 Feb path of least resistance. You may find yourself at loose ends at several points today, so it's a good idea to bring a coin for flipping. It will not only help you make decisions but will keep you entertained while you wait for situations to change.

There's no time for hesitation. Do what you want to do 20 Feb - 20 Mar now or it might not happen.

You need to take it easy and try to just chill out somewhat today -- and many others have the same plans! It's just one of those days when you would rather hang out with friends and family than party all night.

Aries

Libra

from moving forward today.

You are right you 23 Nov - 20 Dec w h e r e need to be now.

You're stuck in the middle of a weird situation -- but resentment can't get you out of it.

The only answer is to just buckle down and take care of the tiny details that are in your way.

WORD OF THE DAY

Cancer

Leo

Virgo

Pisces

DID YOU KNOW? The adding machine

resplendent Pronunciation ri-splen-duhnt Function Adjective Meaning : shining brilliantly; gleaming; splendid Example Sentence As night fell, the little girl went into the garden and was mesmerised by the twinkling of the resplendent stars.

LAFFS

Since we only have 10 fingers to count on, eventually someone had to come up with the idea of an adding machine. One of the first of these was developed by Blaise Pascal in 1642. It had eight digits and was called the pascaline. On October 11, 1887, Dorr Felt received a patent for his comptometer. It was the first mechanical device that could add, subtract, multiply and divide simply by pressing keys. Since all the keys could be pressed simultaneously, a skilled operator could make the comptometer work faster than one of today's calculators.

WIZARD OF ID

Funny Quote

“One possible reason that I don't believe in fate is that I wasn't fated to.”

– Ashleigh Brilliant DAILY GROOK SIN WIN

by Francis Rodrigues if hell doth fill with errant clergy, there surely will be lotsa sinnergy!

GARFIELD

MIND BENDERS

SUN MOON TIDES

Tongue Twister Thursday 32° C | 21° C

Sarah, Sarah, sits in her Chevrolet.

When she shifts she sips her Schlitz, and when she sips her Schlitz she shifts.

Clear

High 05:41

Low 13:09

TIDES High Low 20:21 —

20:00 Yamraj Ek Faulad 23:30 Elaan 10:10 12:10 14:20 17:00 19:00 21:00 23:15

10:00 12:00 14:00 16:15 18:45 21:00 23:00

Rapid Fire Bruce Almighty The World Is Not Enough George of the Jungle The Keeper The Proposal Twilight

Twilight Zone Paul Blart: Mall Cop Fighting Role Models Footloose Rush Hour 2 Underworld: The Rise of the Lycans

08:00 My Name Is Khan 12:10 Dil Hai Tumhaara 17:15 Mera Farz

Until I am measured, I am not known, Yet how you miss me when I have flown.

High —

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

Last ‘Riddle Me This’ Answer: Stars

in Paris 18:50 Alex and Emma 21:00 Basic 23:10 Brooklyn Rules

08:30 Blackmail 11:30 Pyaasa Sawan 15:00 Chachi 420

08:30 12:30 16:00 20:00 23:45

Deewana Dost Yeh Kaisa Karz Deewane Huye Paagal Kudrat

19:00 No Entry 22:30 Gunaah

11:00 The Contract 13:00 America's Sweethearts 16:45 An American Werewolf

08:00 12:00 16:00 20:00

Phool Aur Kaante Devi Kalyug Aur Ramayan Loha

12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00

22:00 22:30

Ring Wrong Ring Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo Papad Pol Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Lapataganj Mrs. & Mr. Sharma Allahabadwale FIR Ring Wrong Ring Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Mrs. & Mr. Sharma Allahabadwale Gili Gili Gappa Papad Pol Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo Mrs. & Mr. Sharma Allahabadwale Lapataganj FIR

09:30 10:00 10:30 11:00

Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani Dhoond Legi Manzil Humein Rang Badalti Odhni Geet

15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 21:30

IDIOT BOX 09:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00 17:30 18:00 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 21:30 22:00 22:30

Sasural Genda Phool Tere Liye Saath Nibhana Saathiya Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya Behenein Gulaal Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai Tere Mere Sapne Hamari Devrani Maryaada ... Lekin Kab Tak? MasterChef India Chaand Chupa Badal Mein Gulaal Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya Sasural Genda Phool Saath Nibhana Saathiya MasterChef India Sabki Laadli Bebo Saath Nibhana Saathiya Sasural Genda Phool Chaand Chupa Badal Mein Behenein Gulaal Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai Tere Liye Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya

11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:30 20:00 20:30 21:00

Saas Bina Sasural Baat Hamari Pakki Hai Krishnaben Khakhrawala Tera Mujhse Hai Pehle Ka Baat Hamari Pakki Hai Krishnaben Khakhrawala Saas Bina Sasural Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa C.I.D Krishnaben Khakhrawala Baat Hamari Pakki Hai Best of Kaun Banega Crorepati 22:00 Saas Bina Sasural 22:30 Tera Mujhse Hai Pehle Ka

11:30 12:00 12:30 13:00

Pavitra Rishta Dil Se Diya Vachan Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli Bhagonwali

SUDOKU 733

Riddle Me This

Sunrise 06:54 - Sunset 18:07 Moon rise 14:04 - Moon set 02:11

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

Pavitra Rishta Dil Se Diya Vachan Sanjog Se Bani Sangini Preet Se Bandhi Yeh Dori...

Bhagonwali Apno ke liye Geeta ka Sanjog Se Bani Sangini Jhansi Ki Rani Pavitra Rishta Bhagonwali Apno ke liye Geeta ka Dil Se Diya Vachan Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Jhansi Ki Rani Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Pavitra Rishta Preet Se Bandhi Yeh Dori...

Sanjog Se Bani Sangini Mera Naam Karegi Roshan

11:30 Gutar Gu

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

Yeh Ishq Haaye!!

Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani Dhoond Legi Manzil Humein Rang Badalti Odhni Geet Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani Yeh Ishq Haaye!!

Dhoond Legi Manzil Humein Rang Badalti Odhni Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani Yeh Ishq Haaye!!

Dhoond Legi Manzil Humein Geet Yeh Ishq Haaye!!

Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani Dhoond Legi Manzil Humein Geet Yeh Ishq Haaye!!

Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani Dhoond Legi Manzil Humein Geet Rang Badalti Odhni

11:00 Breaking The Magician's Code 12:00 Minute to win it

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

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

CSI: Miami Step it Up and Dance Men 2.0 Criss Angel Mindfreak Minute to win it So You Think You Can Dance Breaking The Magician's Code Minute to win it Sports Crash David Blaine Minute to win it

Koffee With Karan Burn Notice The Bold and The Beautiful Two And A Half Men MasterChef Australia How I Met Your Mother Friends Two And A Half Men The Simpsons Burn Notice MasterChef Australia Koffee With Karan How I Met Your Mother Friends MasterChef Australia Burn Notice

11:00 Golf Up Close 11:30 Golf Focus 12:00 Judo World Championships Antalya 14:00 Barclays Premier League 16:00 Best of Roland Garros 17:00 AFF Suzuki Cup 19:30 Simply the Best 20:00 Best of Roland Garros 21:00 Score Tonight 21:30 TNA Ppv

09:00 10:00 11:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 17:30 18:00 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 22:00

Bwf Super Series H/ls ICC World Cup H/ls Black Mountain Masters Trick Shot Magic Bwf Super Series H/ls Goals!

Football Crazy Bpl Express Football Crazy Premier League World Sportscenter India Sportscenter Asia India Edition Road to the Final

ten-sports 09:00 Speed 09:30 Moto GP H/ls 10:30 UEFA Europa League 12:30 UEFA Europa League 14:30 Real NBA 15:00 Italian Serie A 17:00 WWE: Raw 19:00 UEFA Europa League 21:00 Speed 21:25 WWE: Raw

09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00

True Stories Creative Vision Big Cats Great Migrations Great Migrations True Stories Mega Factories Great Migrations Nat Geo Amazing!

Great Migrations Great Migrations Big Cats Super Factories Megastructures

07:30 Village Wise 08:00 English News 09:00 Konkani News 10:00 Marathi News 11:00 St. Thomas Annual Day 11:30 Been There Done That 12:00 HCN Smash Hits 12:30 Amche Bakibab 13:00 English News 14:00 Konkani Movie 15:00 Gospel 15:30 Health Watch 16:00 The Bike Ssscape 16:30 Fusion Concert 17:00 Kids Club 17:30 St. Thomas Annual Day 18:00 Konkani News 19:00 Marathi News 20:00 English News 21:00 Clown Fiesta 21:30 Been There Done That 22:00 English News 23:00 Village Wise 23:30 Success Mantra 00:00 Flavors 00:30 Talking Talkies Note: Subject to Change

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

SUDOKU SOL 732

HERALD CROSSWORD - 733 Across 1- Specks; 5- Slammin' Sammy; 9- Senator Specter; 14- Part of Q.E.D.; 15- Heroic; 16- Handle; 17- Actress Turner; 18- First name in country; 19- Actress Berger; 20- Fix deeply; 22Rare metallic element; 24Head lock; 26- Med. specialty; 27- Immoderation; 30- Esthetic; 35- Italian composer; 36- Get an A, say; 37- Hindu princess; 38- Jackie's second; 39- Jabber; 42- Bump off; 43- Conks out; 45- "East of Eden" director Kazan; 46- Detective Pinkerton; 48- Glad all over; 50- Understands; 51- Afore; 52- Fathers; 54- Hyundai model; 58- Agitate; 62- Rich cake; 63- Final Four org.; 65- Dies ___; 66- Chopper topper; 67- Chuck; 68- American space agency; 69- Abrasive mineral; 70- Church recess; 71- Delighted; Down 1- Sandwich shop; 2- Algerian port; 3- Strong taste; 4- Began; 5- Sequence; 6- Goes into business; 7- Bro or sis; 8- Rent-___; 9- Acquiescence; 10- Go in again; 11- Filmmaker Riefenstahl; 12- Famous last words; 13- Linguist Chomsky; 21- Bears the ictus; 23- "Siddhartha" author; 25- Science of bodies at rest; 27- Circumvent; 28- Adapted to a dry environment; 29- Weeps; 31- Dog star; 32Falls short; 33- Remove a covering; 34Property claims; 36- Hungarian sheepdog; 40- Tire (out); 41- Less common; 44- Loudvoiced person; 47- Enduring; 49- Blood vessel; 50- Lubricant; 53- Bridge declaration; 54French 101 verb; 55- Apparatus for weaving; 56- Commedia dell'___; 57- Organization to promote theater; 59- Caspian Sea feeder; 60-

Tabula ___; 61- Glass ornament; 64- Avoid responsibility, with "out";

SOLUTION - 732

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BOOKS TO BE RELEASED:

Rules for Writing in Roman Konkani at TAG HERALD FEATURES scholarly book, ‘Romi Lipient Konknni Borounchi Promann Rit’ written by eminent Konknni stalwart and Director of Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr (TSKK) Dr(Fr) Pratap Naik SJ will be released at a special function organised by Dalgado Konknni Akademi (DKA) on December 18, 2010 at 5pm at the Conference Hall of Tiatr Academy, Goa Campal Trade Centre, Campal, Panjim.

Dr Nandkumar Kamat, renowned scientist in Botany Department of Goa University will be the Chief Guest at the release while Vincy Quadros, Vice-President of Goa Konknni Akademi will speak on the book. Premanand A Lotlikar, President of Dalgado Konknni Akademi will preside over the function.

It has been observed that the writers of Konkani in Roman script write their writings without following one particular method. DKA hopes that the publication of this book will help the Konkani writers in achieving uniformity in writing Konkani in Roman script.

T

HERALD FEATURES he Sahitya Puraskar (Literary Awards) of the Kala Academy for the year 2009 has been declared to Paresh Narendra Kamat for his collection of poems ‘Shubankar’ in Konkani (Devnagiri and Romi Script) Section and to Radha Bhave for his collection of poems ‘Umaltana’ in the Marathi Section.

Pratapsing Rane, Chairman of Kala Academy has congratulated both the awardees for this honour. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 25, 000 each, memento and a certificate.

Altogether 14 books in the Konkani (Devnagiri and Romi Script) Section and 19 books in the Marathi Section were considered for the selection of the Literary Awards.

The selection committee for the Konkani Section consisted of Ramesh Veluskar, N Shivdas and Dr Prakash Vazrikar (Devnagiri books), whereas Father Feroze Fernandes, Willy Goes and Premanand Lotlikar (Romi Script) for the preliminary level.

Damodar Mauzo, Pundalik Naik and Vincy Quadros worked on the panel of the final selection committee in the Konkani Section (Devnagri and Romi script) and Ashok Naik Tuyekar, Lalita Joshi and Sumedha Kamat Desai worked on the panel of the selection committee in the Marathi Section.

The date for the award presentation function will be declared by Kala Academy very shortly.

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Thursday, 1 Dec 2010

Kamat and Bhave to receive KA’s Sahitya Puraskar

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‘Patriotism in Action’ at Goa Chitra HERALD FEATURES oa Chitra is hosting the book release of Valmiki Faleiro’s ‘Patriotism in Action’, a book about Goans in India’s Defence Services, on December 18, 2010 from 5:30pm to 7pm at Goa Chitra Amphitheatre.

The book launch would be preceded by a panel discussion on the subject by Dr Francisco Colaco, a Margao-based cardiologist to whom every issue of Goan concern is close to the heart; Col (Retd) John A A D’Souza who hails from a distinguished family from Assagao that provided, across generations, several illustrious commissioned officers to the defence forces of the country; Dr Savia Viegas, a PhD in literature who taught English at the Bombay University before retiring to her native Carmona and penning several books, besides indulging in painting; and Dr Dhillon Desai, a Germany-trained medical practitioner who established the very first hospital in Canacona Taluka and takes much interest in defence matters.

The discussion will be moderated by Frederick Noronha, one of Goa’s most versatile journalists who also dabbles in the cyber world and now offers a platform to authors under his alternate publishing venture, Goa 1556.

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ESG should take initiative to send films for film festivals: Talak R HERALD FEATURES ajendra Talak’s latest direction, ‘O Maria’ is going to hit five cinemas in Goa from December 19 onwards. The premiere show will be held on Sunday, December 19 at 6:30pm at Inox, Panjim. “The film will be premiered in the presence of actors Shernaz Patel, Sulabha Arya and Tiku Talsania and Goan artists and will be screened at Inox - Panjim, Nandi Cinema - Pernem, Osia and Cine Lata - Margao and Jai Malsa Ponda. All the shows will be tax exempted. We are planning to screen the film at Mumbai, Karwar and Bangalore in January,” informed Talak.

Speaking on Goan cinema, he said, “We should support Konkani cinema; we hope to get at least one lakh Goans to watch the film. It’s only if the audience supports Goan film makers that we will improve. I intend to take the film for the Palms Spring Film Festival, California but the dates clash with the screenings. My films have won five National awards but there is no agency which promotes the films and coordinates for film festivals.

ESG should take the initiative to send good Goan films for film festivals. I have been a jury member and have watched over 90 films in Marathi, Kannada and Telugu in 15 days and found Goan films really good. Out of the 30 films selected, eight were Marathi, while a Goan film was also selected. We might produce one film a year but we make good quality films.”

‘O Maria’ is a 146 minutes film directed and written by Rajendra Talak and produced by MB Creations, Goa with music by Remo Fernandes. The cast includes Shernaz Patel, Cory Goldberg, Sulabha Arya, Tiku Talsania, Meenacshi Martins, Aryan Khedk a r, Kevin

Stop giving the audience what they want: Pundalik Naik

D’Mello, Roseferns and John D’Silva.

The story revolves around Maria, a forty something single woman who is taking care of her paralysed mother while running a small restaurant and letting out rooms. Her brother and nephew get lured by the land buying offers but she stands adamant on saving the ancestral land. The film gives out a message to the audience to preserve our heritage and culture instead of selling our priceless land to outsiders. Shernaz Patel played her role very well like a typical Goan villager speaking fluent Konkani. Meenacshi played the role of a widow keeping up with her two sons. Kevin was good as a simple village boy helping his aunt and granny.

L’Amour returns with Two Mandd Sobhann Awards HERALD FEATURES mul Mainkar’s third Konkani album, ‘L’Amour’ was nominated in six categories at the Global Konkani Music Awards which was presented at Kalaangann, Shaktinagar, Mangalore on December 12.

The album has bagged two awards. They went to Ulfa Khwaja for ‘Paavsa Disaani’ in the Best Konkani Singer (Female) category and to Sacrifice Group comprising Chote Rahimat Khan and Amul Mainkar for two songs ‘Pausa Disaani’ and ‘Sapna Majhin’ in the Best Konkani Music Composer category.

One of the young artists featured in this album, Ulfa Khwaja sang for an album for the first time. The song was written by her sister Dr Tahura Khwaja.

The album ‘L’Amour’ consists of eight songs in Konkani, English and Hindi.

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Eleven Tiatr Veterans honoured Premanand Lotlikar, president inaugurating the workshop HERALD FEATURES f we wish to take tiatr to greater heights, then the writers and directors should not continue to give the audience what they want. Doing things differently and giving the audience what the writer or director wants can take any dramatic form including tiatr to greater heights,” said Pundalik Naik during his interaction to the tiatr artistes on December 14. Pundalik Naik was the resource person for the workshop on ‘Improving the Writing of Scripts of Tiatr’ organised by Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG) on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Pai Tiatrist Joao Agostinho Fernandes.

Pundalik Naik stated that tiatr is the most popular, and commercially, most successful dramatic form of Goa. Yet, it needs to be developed in various aspects in order to be on par with other dramatic forms of India.

In his presentation, Naik gave an insight of the process of script-writing and spoke extensively on various happenings in the society through which a writer can be inspired to script a play or any other literary form. He made a clear distinction between inspired writing, which is original in character and adaptation or re-writing which amounts to a depiction without any creativity. He said that a piece of writing with creativity can be called original writing.

Answering numerous questions from the participants, Naik expressed satisfaction over the interest shown by the participants in the workshop. He further stated that such an attitude from the tiatr artistes will definitely take tiatr to greater heights in the times to come.

Earlier, Roseferns, vice-president, TAG welcomed and Tomazinho Cardozo, president, TAG in his introductory speech stated that the tiatr fraternity will be highly benefited if they interact with artistes and dramatists from other stages like Konkani, Marathi, Hindi, English and others. He also said that the standard of tiatr cannot rise in isolation. Hence, there is need of wider interaction for the benefit of tiatr.

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(Left above) The eleven veterans along with CM Digamber Kamat and other dignitaries and (right above) CM, Digamber Kamat honouring Star of Arossim HERALD FEATURES leven tiatr artistes of yesteryears were felicitated by the Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG) at the hands of Chief Minister Digamber Kamat in a special function held on the occasion of birth anniversary of Pai Tiatrist Joao Agostinho Fernandes on December 14, 2010 at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao. The tiatr artistes felicitated are Master Vaz, Remmie Colaco, Maria Platilda Afonso e Dias, Anthony Inacio J D’Souza, John Gomes (Kokoy), Richard Rodrigues (Rico Rod), Alegre Antao alias Star of Arossim, Tony Sax, Fr Planton Faria, Antonio Moraes and Romaldo D’Souza alias Paul Rommy.

Speaking on the occasion, Kamat congratulated and thanked the 11 veterans of the tiatr stage for their voluntary and sacrificing contribution to tiatr. Addressing the awardees, he said, “You have worked selflessly for the preservation and promotion of tiatr in very critical circumstances. Hence,

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it is our duty to recognise your contribution so that the new generations are inspired to work for the development of tiatr the way you have done without any selfish interest.”

Tomazinho Cardozo, President of TAG, in his address disclosed that TAG has formulated about 30 different schemes which aim at developing each and every aspect of tiatr, its song and music. He also stated that this was all possible only because of the cooperation and financial help given by the Chief Minister.

Master Vaz, speaking on behalf of the awardees thanked the TAG and the Chief Minister for recognising their services to the most popular dramatic form of Goa, tiatr. He also said that there are many who need recognition and that he is confident that TAG will definitely honour them in the years to come.

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Thursday, 16 Dec 2010

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anveer Singh is well on his way to stardom after his impressive debut in Band Baaja Baaraat.on a three-film deal with Yash Raj Films, Ranveer has been signed for their upcoming project to be directed by Shaad Ali of Bunty aur Babli fame.

Ranveer earlier worked with Shaad Ali as assistant director; their association goes back 8 years. In fact, it was Shaad who introduced Ranveer to Yash Raj Films.

Apart from his budding film career, the youngster is also being linked to his BBB costar Anushka Sharma, so much so that the actress’s move from Yari Road to Bandra, Ranveer’s home ground, has been associated with their relationship.

But Anushka clears any misconceptions and justifies their friendship, stating, “We are buddies. We hit it off from Day 1 probably because we’re both not industry kids. As outsiders trying to find a foothold in the industry, I think we empathised with one another from the beginning.”

To emphasise that her relationship with Ranveer doesn’t go beyond camaraderie, Anushka reverts to her Shruti Kakkar pragmatism. “Pardon me for saying so, but real-life couples just don’t work on screen,” she says. While Anushka’s political correctness can be faulted, she does make a point. It happens to be the same point that Kareena often makes when explaining why she and Saif aren’t in any hurry to get married.

Anyway, a lot of girls smitten by Ranveer in Band Baaja Baaraat are going to be relieved by this bit of news.

ollywood stars Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds have called it quits after two years of marriage, they said in a statement. “After long and careful consideration on both our parts, we’ve decided to end our marriage. We entered our relationship with love and it’s with love and kindness we leave it,” their statement said.

Johansson, the 26-year-old star of films such as Vicky Cristina Barcelona and He’s Just Not That Into You, married Reynolds in September 2008. The 34-year-old Canadian native whose credits include Van Wilder and the upcoming Green Lantern, was previously engaged to singer Alanis Morissette.

A source was quoted saying that their marriage was strained by the time spent apart on films, while a popular entertainment magazine said they actually separated about six months ago.

Reynolds had said in an October interview that things had “changed” since he married Johansson.

“I’m a little more guarded, I think. I’m a little bit more wary of having my relationship turning into a soap opera,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dexter stars Michael C Hall and his wife and co-star Jennifer Carpenter also announced their split. They, too, were married for only two years. Carpenter stood by Hall’s side as he battled Hodgkin’s lymphoma earlier this year.

Sensual Sonakshi lands on Maxim Cover

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iven the ‘image’ of Sonakshi Sinha and her much talked about reservations on the silver screen, sensuality is one word that you would not like to associate with her... better still... would not dare to associate with her. But, the current issue of Maxim has just done that.

With the headline reading ‘Sensuality In Motion’, Sonakshi was sweet enough to confess that it was an amazing experience to see her ‘other side’.

And for those who felt that Sonakshi never knew the meaning of the term ‘sexy’, well, here is your answer. The term ‘sexy’, to her, means, excitingly appealing, without having to be provocative! For her, subtlety is sexy. And for all the lovers of the hit track mast mast do nain, she says, “My sex appeal lies in my eyes. More than shedding my clothes, it is about the expression for me.”

As for her bikini rumours, in her Twitter account, Sonakshi had commented that, although she had appeared in Maxim’s photoshoot in a black dress, she did not pose in bikini. Hence, she was shocked when a popular magazine featured an article related to her appearance in bikini for Maxim.

She commented: “These guys generally have their facts and figures right! Got the fact that I’m on Maxim right, but the figure (pun intended) completely wrong! Would’ve been smart if they checked out the magazine before writing whatever they felt like. It’s not about me anymore but about their credibility.”

Earlier, Sonakshi had declared that she won’t wear any revealing clothes only for publicity’s sake. So when the bikini photo appeared over the internet, it raised a huge interest among her followers.

But the actress sticks with her claims that the photo is a fake.

Nicole Kidman wants a Pet Snake

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ctress Nicole Kidman revealed on Conan that she raises alpacas on a farm in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband, Keith Urban. Alpacas are fluffy camelids native to South America. Kidman, 43, calls the animals “so pretty,” and divulges that her two-year-old daughter, Sunday Rose, loves them and walks them on a leash.

“We have alpacas on our farm because they’re so pretty,” Kidman said. “They have lovely long lashes. I think they’re really cool. I always wanted a mix of weird animals but that’s the weirdest we have.”

The actress also revealed to the late-night talk show host that she would like to add snakes to her animal farm.

After an initial rocky personal life, Kidman seems to be on the right tracks – A fulfilling and successful career, her choice of ‘weird’ pets and a loving family. Kidman has revealed that she is so in love with husband Keith Urban that she never spends more than three days away from him.

And the award-winning actress says the country singer even had to comfort her after working on her latest film gave her nightmares.

The Hours star reveals that she leant on Urban while filming new film Rabbit Hole, about a couple having to deal with the death of their four-year-old son.

The Aussie actress – who has two-year-old daughter Sunday with the 43-yearold singer – says playing the grief-stricken mum Becca made her ‘very grateful’ for her own life.

She said: “We had to talk it through. Keith was incredibly supportive through the whole thing… I had a lot of really bad dreams. Keith would hold me. I’d wake up and I’d be crying and that happened a lot.”

S Korean Inventor offers Men Virtual Love on iPhone

Praying helps you deal with Hard Times

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Parenting

Life couldn’t be Better for Ranveer Singh

Scarlett Johansson, Ryan Reynolds to divorce

raying really can bring comfort during tough times, a new study has suggested. Through the course of in-depth interviews with dozens of victims of violent relationships with intimate partners, Shane Sharp of the University of Wisconsin-Madison gathered an array of ways prayer helped them deal with their situations and emotions through coping mechanisms such as venting.

Those who were boiling with anger said they found a readily available listening ear. “If they vented their anger to that abusive partner, the result was likely to be more violence. But they could be angry at God while praying without fear of reprisal,” said Sharp.

During any interpersonal interaction, the participants are considering how they look through the other’s eyes. In the case of people who pray, they are considering God’s view.

“During prayer, victims came to see themselves as they believed God saw them. Since these perceptions were mostly positive, it helped raise their senses of self-worth that counteracted their abusers’ hurtful words,” said Sharp.

Prayer is also a handy distraction for some, the study found.

Simply folding hands and concentrating on what to say is a reprieve from the anxiety of an abusive relationship. The experience isn’t that much different from a conversation with a close friend or a parent, he said.

Sharp said, “I looked at the act of praying, of speaking to God, as the same as a legitimate social interaction. Instead of a concrete interaction you would have face-to-face with another person, prayer is with an imagined other.”

However, the consequences of prayer aren’t always positive.

“For some, through prayer they told me they learned to forgive their abusive partners, to let go of their anger and resentment.

“But that’s a double-edged sword. It’s good for those who are out of that violent relationship to let go of it to a certain extent.

But if they’re still in their violent relationship, it may postpone their decision to leave, and that can be bad,” he said.

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tressed out South Korean men without time to date can now at least pretend they have a girlfriend, albeit on their smart phone. Launched on November 30 by Nabix, a South Korean developer, the iPhone application ‘Honey it’s me!’ is warming lonely hearts with the voice of ‘Mina’, a 20-something virtual woman.

For $1.99, Mina will make video-calls four times a day, showering subscribers with a message of bliss from 100 available. With recorded messages such as “good night, sweet dreams”, Nabix said it would help subscribers feel someone cares for them and is consistently thinking of them.

According to Nabix, the application was downloaded 80,000 times on the first day alone.

An Android operating system version is expected to be launched this week and Nabix plans to provide the service in other languages, including Japanese.

A Good Night’s Sleep really can make you look Beautiful

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ant to look healthy and attractive? Well, all you need to do is a get a good night's sleep, suggests a new research. For the first time, say the authors, there is scientific backing for the concept of beauty sleep.

The study, led by John Axelsson from the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, investigated the relationship between sleep and perceptions of attractiveness and health.

The authors believe this research is important in today’s 24-hour society with the number of people suffering from sleep disorders and disturbed sleep on the rise.

Twenty-three participants between the ages of 18 to 31 took part in the study. They were photographed between 2pm and 3pm on two occasions, once after normal sleep and once after being deprived of sleep. Smokers were excluded from the research and no alcohol was allowed for two days prior to the experiment.

The photographs were taken in a well-lit room and the distance to the camera was fixed. During both photography sessions participants wore no make-up, had their hair loose (combed back if they had long hair) and underwent similar cleaning or shaving procedures. They were asked to have a relaxed, neutral facial expression for both photos.

Sixty-five observers, who were blinded to the sleep status of the subjects, rated the photographs for attractiveness and whether the individuals looked healthy/unhealthy or tired/not tired.

The observers judged the faces of sleep-deprived participants as less healthy, less attractive and more tired.

The authors conclude that the facial signals of sleep-deprived people affect facial appearance and judgments of attractiveness, health and tiredness.

(Trends Courtesy: Agencies)

Editor –in-chief: R F Fernandes. Editor: Ashwin Tombat. Chief Editor-Features: Christina Viegas.

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