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India: Pamela urges PM to reject leather products Pg 12 Sibal gets Telecom HRD Minister Kapil Sibal was today given the additional charge of the Telecom Ministry by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. — (PTI)

Goa’s Heartbeat: Social networking may pose danger to e-mail Pg 1

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Sports: Bhajji does balle balle Pg 16

Delhi building crumbles, 32 killed PTI NEW DELHI, NOV 15

At least 32 people were killed and over 60 others injured when a four-storey building collapsed in a busy east Delhi locality tonight.

The building caved in at around 8.15 pm in congested Lalita Park area of Laxmi Nagar.

Some 60 people were rescued from the building but scores of others are still feared to be trapped, a senior police official said.

“32 people have been killed in the incident,” Delhi Health Minister Kiran Walia said. City Police Commissioner B K Gupta and medical officials said over 60 people were injured.

The injured persons and the bodies have been taken to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital, Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital and Hedgewar Hospital.

Finance Minister A K Walia said the foundation of the old building could have weakened due to the heavy rains in the

Rescue operation in full swing at the site where a four-storey building collapsed at Laxmi Nagar, Delhi.

monsoon season when water of the Yamuna river flooded the area.

Locals said some water was still there in the basement of

Vodafone told to deposit Rs 11,000 cr PTI NEW DELHI, NOV 15

British Telecom giant Vodafone, which is contesting the Rs 11,000 crore tax demand from the Income Tax Department, was today directed by the Supreme Court to deposit Rs 2,500 crore along with a bank guarantee of Rs 8,500 crore before it.

The company, which faced some tough questions by a Bench headed by Chief Justice S H Kapadia, was asked to deposit the amount within three weeks and a bank guarantee within eight weeks before the registry.

the building. Some residents also claimed that construction of an extra floor was going on when the incident took place.

Many of the i n j u re d w ere

labourers.

A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the incident, Delhi government officials said.

Huge mounds of concrete

slabs and rubble were seen all around as rescuers, helped by the local residents, faced a tough task extricating people from under the debris.

The building is owned by a cement businessman named Amrit Singh, police officials said adding, an adjoining building also faces the risk of collapse and people have been evacuated.

“The scale of the tragedy is unprecedented. I don’t think such a tragedy has taken place in Delhi in the recent past,” Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said.

Dikshit said it seems to be a “case of negligence” as the accumulated water in the basement for more than two months since the monsoon was not removed.

She said it will have to be inquired if it was an unauthorised construction and that appropriate action will be taken if any wrongdoing is found.

The probe team will take into all aspects of the construction as well as the incident, she said.

Minister demanded Rs 15 cr from Tatas to set up airlines PTI DEHRA DUN, NOV 15

Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata today said he did not enter the airline business as he was not comfortable with the idea of bribing a minister, as had been suggested by an industrialist.

Narrating the incident, Tata said, “I did not want to go to the bed knowing well that I set up an airlines by paying Rs 15 crore.”

(Report on Goa’s Heartbeat Page 5)

The State Cabinet has approved a proposal extending the validity of ‘One Time Settlement’ (OTS) scheme for payment of outstanding electricity dues, upto March 2011.

Two years ago, the government had approved OTS scheme for defaulting consumers of electricity charges having accumu-

lated arrears of upto Rs 20,000.

Later, members of the legislative assembly (MLAs) demanded to raise the maximum limits of outstanding arrears from 20,000 to Rs 50,000 in order to give the benefit to a large section of consumers.

Addressing a press conference after the cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said that the government has ex-

Cooperative movement gets a shot in the arm FROM OUR BUREAU NEW DELHI, NOV 15

The Government on Monday tabled legislation in the Lok Sabha to strengthen the cooperative movement in the country, making the multi-state institutions self-reliant, professional and democratic.

It also seeks to bring transparency in the cooperative societies by re q u i r i n g appointment of information officer and making a provision for appeal.

The Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill piloted by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal on behalf of Sharad Pawar, hospitalised in Mumbai, also empowers the central registrar to declare any cooperative as “sick” and set up an interim board for its revival and rehabilitation.

The Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill piloted by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal empowers the central registrar to declare any cooperative as “sick” and set up an interim board for its revival and rehabilitation.

The interim board shall be for maximum five years, but may be dissolved earlier if the registrar finds the cooperative becoming viable. A cooperative society will be deemed sick if its accumulated losses are equal

to or exceed total of its paid up capital, free reserve and surpluses and also suffered cash losses.

The Centre seeks to set up a Cooperative Rehabilitation and Recommendation Fund for helping out the “sick” cooperatives and all multi-state cooperative societies are required to credit 0.005% to 0.1% of its turnover, subject to a maximum of Rs 3 crore a year, as may be prescribed.

The statement of objects and reasons attached to the Bill says it will make the management of the cooperative societies more responsible to members. The Bill lays down accounting standards, special audit, constitution of audit and ethics committee and strengthened provisions relating to election of the board members.

Giving details, Kamat said, “Till date the government has been successful in recovering Rs 41 lakh from 645 consumers which was outstanding for years.”

REGULARISATION: The Cabinet today gave its nod of absorbing the 12 employees of the Sanquelim Village Panchayat into the Valpoi Municipal Council.

Yash Chopra to open IFFI

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, NOV 15

Renowned Indian filmmaker Yash Chopra will inaugurate the 41st International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2010, the Director of Film Festival announced here today.

Briefing media persons, Director of Film Festival S M Khan said that Yash Chopra along with other film personalities will be inaugurating the festival on November 22 at Kala Academy.

Last week, sources from Entertainment Society of India (ESG) had confirmed the presence of actor Ajay Devgan for the inaugural function.

(Continued on page 10)

Mhadei tribunal notification this week: CM HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, NOV 15

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat today said that the notification on the formation of the tribunal to adjudicate the Mhadei water dispute between Goa and Karnataka will be published by this week-end.

Speaking to reporters here, Kamat said that the Supreme Court took up the hearing on Mhadei today and the counsel for the Government of India said that the notification for the tribunal has been sent to the Cen-

tral Government for signature.

“The counsel informed the court that the notification will be published by Friday, November 19,” Kamat said adding “the

Supreme Court will now hear the case on Monday November 22.

The Water Resources Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues had informed the Goa Legislative Assembly that the Supreme Court recommended three names to the Centre with regard to the formation of a tribunal.

When asked whether the names were referred to Goa, Rodrigues told reporters that the Goa Government will consider the names suggested and will give its view to the Centre.

The CBI today stepped into the Commonwealth Games corruption muddle and arrested two sacked senior officials of the Games Organising Committee on charges of forgery and cheating relating to the Queen’s Baton Relay in London last year.

CBI arrested T S Darbari, former Joint Director General and Sanjay Mahendroo, former Deputy Director General here after it registered two cases in this regard and conducted searches at four premises including the OC headquarters here.

Both Darbari and Mahendroo are considered to be close associates of OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi.

CBI said the first case was registered under different Sections of IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act in relation to the award of contract to London based AM car and Van Hire Ltd

Rodrigues said that the Centre had earlier approved the formation of a tribunal for Mhadei dispute and had asked for recommendations of the Apex Court on the appointment of the president and members for the tribunal.

“Efforts are made and will be made in future to place grievances of the State before appropriate authorities, including the Apex Court, tribunal or the Centre, to protect the interests, resources and environment of the State,” he asserted.

at exorbitant rates.

The CBI has named Darbari, Mahendroo, OC Director Raj Singh, Director of transport firm Ashish Patel, and other unknown persons under sections 468 (forgery of court records and public documents), 471 (using forged documents as genuine), 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act. “It is alleged that the accused officials of OC in conspiracy with the transport firm and its Director awarded work to the said firm at exorbitant rates without following the standard tender process.

The work was awarded on the false premise that the firm was on the panel of Indian High Commission, London. Two emails were allegedly forged by the officials of OC to justify the selection of the firm,” a CBI spokesperson said while reading out a statement by the agency before reporters here.

Blast at Curtorim steel factory HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, NOV 15

(Continued on page 10)

– Ratan Tata

tended the scheme upto March 2011.

He said that the limit too has been increased from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh.

“Now as more consumers have been approaching the electricity department for settlement of their power bills under OTS scheme, the cabinet decided to extend it further,” he said.

PTI NEW DELHI, NOV 15

The Mormugao steel factory at Curtorim was rocked by a massive furnace blast on late Monday night, leaving a worker critically injured.

The blast in the furnace occurred at around 11.30 pm and the loud sound was heard over a distance of more than a kilometre.

Maina Curtorim PI Sidhant Shirodkar who rushed to the

A fellow industrialist had said: You are stupid people. The minister was asking for Rs 15 crore.

Why didn’t you pay the money? I did not want to set up an airlines by paying Rs 15 crore.

OTS for power dues extended HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, NOV 15

Kalmadi aides in CBI net

Sir! The one which you sent to the Centre is our football team formation plan, not the highway plan.

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GOA, TUESDAY, 16 NOVEMBER, 2010

Residents protest unhygienic activities in Margao fish market

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HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, NOV 15

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The SGPDA has directed immediate stop to fish cutting activity in the wholesale fish market, even as residents of Madel descended in the market on Monday morning to protest stinking environment and retail sale.

A s t h e re s i d e n t s b e g a n protesting with placards against the unhygienic conditions in the wholesale fish market, Fatorda MLA Damu Naik and SGPDA Member Secretar y Sanjeev Surlakar also rushed to the market.

Heated arguments were witnessed between a traditional fisherman and the fish merchants importing fish from across the borders over who’s responsible for the pathetic conditions and the dumping of thermocol waste in the market.

The Fatorda MLA later told newsmen that the situation in the market has worsened in recent times posing a nuisance and health hazard to the Madel residents.

He also demanded a stop the fish cutting activity in the wholesale fish market immediately and added that the matter would be raised at the next PDA meeting. “The system has collapsed in the market. Nusiance and foul odour is the order of the day. The water is contaminated, thermocol and plastic waste has become a nuisance to the residents�, he added.

Traffic change experiment in Margao to continue HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, NOV 15

Madel residents agitating against stinking environment at the SGPDA wholesale fish market.

Photo by Santosh Mirajkar

The MLA told the PDA member secretary to clean up the market and put a stop to the retail sale in the market.

SGPDA Member Secretary Sanjeev Surlakar said the PDA would issue instructions to stop fish market activity from Tuesday. “No one has the business to cut fish in the wholesale fish market�, Surlakar said.

When his attention was drawn to the retail sale of vegetable and other in the market, Surlakar reminded the contractor to crack the whip against unauthorized and illegal activity in the market and warned that the PDA would have to review the contract if the illegalities continue unabated.

Residents of Madel Purnanand Chari and Savio Dias

Canacona woman held for cheating HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, NOV 15

Mapusa Police has arrested a 24-year-old woman from Canacona on charges of cheating people.

In her complaint a couple of days ago, Apeksha Gaonker of Khorlim had told Mapusa Police that her friend, accused Sapna Gaonkar, had stolen her bag containing cash, chain and other items.

The complainant further stated that the accused had told her that she (Sapna) had taken it for her sister’s wedding, but the accused never returned the stolen items.

According to Mapusa Police, on Monday, another woman, Praffulla Vaigankar from Nachinola, filed a complaint stating that on November 11, the accused took her gold chain, worth Rs 12,000, on the pretext that she needs it for some function, but she did not return it.

Based on the information provided by complainant, Apeksha Gaonker, that the accused is in Mumbai, Mapusa Police left for Mumbai to nab the accused.

Mapusa Police nabbed the accused at Mumbai and brought her to Mapusa Police station on Monday and recovered chain from her. On Monday evening, police left for Margao to recover other stolen items.

Mapusa Police informed that the accused’s mother had filed a missing complaint of her daughter with Canacona Police, when her daughter was staying at Khorlim. PI Rajesh Kumar is investigating the case.

said the situation in the market has deteriorated over the year, posing a health hazard to the residents. “We demand that the authorities immediately put a stop to the nuisance by setting up a effluent treatment plant, drainage system. We are not satisfied with the prevailing situation�, they added.

The duo said they had invited ward Councilor Gonzaco Rebello, but he did not accompany the residents saying he was preoccupied with the Council meeting.

Chari warned that the agitation would continue and said the responsibility for any untoward incident arising out of the stir would be the sole responsibility of the authorities.

Ignoring the strike call given by the All Goa Bus Owners Association, the Margao RTA has resolved to further experiment with the traffic changes till the school reopens next week and a final decision would be taken by the transport panel on November 29.

Indicating that the authorities would not buckle under the threat of the strike on November 22, the meeting convened by the RTA, Margao commenced at 10.30 am in the absence of the aggrieved bus operators. And, when the bus operators finally made their presence felt for the meeting after 11 am, the RTA Chairman Johnson Fernandes point blank told the operators that the meeting has ended and reminded them that they were invited for the meeting at 10.30 am.

When contacted, Johnson told newsmen that there is not question of discontinuance of the traffic changes vis-Ă -vis the short distance route buses because of the strike call. “I have received a report from the DySP Traffic stating that the changes have helped in the decongestion of the city. But, the RTA wants to still experiment with the changes for a week after the city schools reopens after the Diwali vacation. The RTA will meet again on November 29 to take stock of the situationâ€?, he asserted.

On the All Goa bus strike call given by the bus operators on November 22, Johnson said he has orally communicated the threat to the District Magistrate, South to take appropriate action. “The authorities will decide whether to invoke the provisions of ESMA Act to meet the

strike�, Johnson said.

Sources in the know said the Chief Minister Digambar Kamat has personally approved of the traffic changes with the aim to decongest the heart of the city.

In fact, Kamat is learnt to have c o n v i n c e d P W D M i n i s t e r, Churchill Alemao that the traffic changes will not in any way affected the bus commuters from Davorlim, Housing Board, Navelim, but will help ease traffic congestion in the city.

The Chief Minister is believed to have taken personal interest in the implementation of the traffic changes and has issue stern warnings to the traffic personnel to help regulate the traffic in the city.

In fact, Kamat has directed the traffic higher-ups not to deploy traffic police personnel on the highways but instead put all the personnel in the city to regulate traffic in the city.

3 shops gutted in Assolna

Vasco school burgled HERALD REPORTER VASCO, NOV 15

Computers and other accessories worth Rs 1.4 lakh were stolen from Deep Vihar High Secondary School, Headland, Sada Mormugao, between Saturday evening and early Monday morning.

According to Mormugao Police, when the school staff opened the school on Monday morning, they found four computers and other accessories missing from the school.

Since the school was close for Diwali vacation, it was locked since Saturday evening.

Police further informed that some unknown persons damaged the window panes of the school to gain entry and fled away with the booty.

Burglars decamped with four monitors and some keyboards, but they could not carry it with them and left it abandoned on the school terrace.

Mormugao Police has registered a case against unknown persons and is investigating the case.

One of the shops that were destroyed at Assolna on Monday.

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, NOV 15

A major fire engulfed three business establishments at the Assolna market on early Monday morning, destroying property worth over Rs 12 lakh.

The fire originated in the grocery store and later spread to the adjoining laundry and cycle shop at around 7 am on Monday.

Two fire tenders were pressed into service to bring the fire under control. Suspected short circuit is believed to be the cause behind the fire accident.

Fire Officer Gill De Souza the

fire completely gutted the grocery shop, besides partially damaging the cycle shop and the laundry.

Owner of the grocery shop, Krishna Vernekar said the three refrigerators along with the goods have been destroyed by the fire. He said goods were stocked in the shop because of the Diwali festival.

The owners were intimated over the fire incident at around 7 am, even as locals complained of the delay in the arrival of the fire brigade.

Former ZP member, Adv Gustavo Clovis da Costa said the

Photo by Santosh Mirajkar

fire incident should come as an eye opener to the government on the need to station a fire tender and an 108 ambulance at the nearby Cuncolim police station. “I understand the sentiments of the people for blaming the fire services for the delay, but the fact remains that Assolna is more than 10 kms away from the fire station. The only solution lies in stationing a fire tender and 108 ambulance at the Cuncolim police station to tackle fire incidents within the jurisdiction of the police station�, he added.

Tourists do a balancing act at Colva HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, NOV 15

Goa Government is busy in the UK to woo tourists in the state, but there seems no one to address the woes of tourists visiting world-famous Colva beach in the last few days.

It’s now nearly a week since waters from the Colva creek has changed its course on the beach.

Visitors are forced to cross the creek waters via a make shift culvert comprising of a wooden plank arranged by water sports operators.

Sadly, though the situation has put thousands of visitors to severe hardships and run the risk of falling in the contaminated creek waters, the tourist officials are yet to make their presence felt at the beach till date.

Domestic tourists, who spoke to Herald over the problems faced to enter the beach, said the government ought to have intervened by now and save them from the hardships.

Tourists wondered why the authorities are slow in resolving the problem when visitors come in thousands to Colva every day.

Water sports operators said

Tourists crossing the creek water to visit Colva beach.

they have made the stop gap arrangement by placing a wooden plank over the creek waters to facilitate the tourists to visit the beach.

Incidentally, the Colva beach has been crying for attention over the years, with the beach even lacking a changing room for the benefit of the tourists.

Photo by Sidharth Mehta

That’s not all. The authorities are yet to plug the discharge of sewage and other waste into the creek, contaminating the water body.

Many bore wells in Vasco go ‘dry’ HERALD REPORTER VASCO, NOV 15

Providing bore wells is one thing, but maintaining them is another.

To solve the problem of water scarcity, the Vasco PWD (water section) had dug 30 bore wells in and around Vasco. However, nearly half of the 30 bore wells have been neglected since the last many years.

Most of the abandoned bore wells are hand pump bore wells and few are submersible pump with overhead tanks.

As Headland Sada, located at the extreme end of Vasco, often faces short supply of water, the

department had provided 20 bore wells, mostly submersible pumps, while nearly 10 bore wells are in and around Vasco with hand pumps.

Ironically, the department has spent lakhs of rupees on digging these bore wells in different parts of Vasco, as the topography of the port town is at the tail end and thus water reaches from Selaulim water reservoir after supplying in Quepem and Salcete. “About 20 years ago, we managed to convince the then MLA Simon D’Souza and with his help, one bore well was dug at New Vaddem, which is in now

in a bad shape for the last 15 years,� said Caitan Agonda of New Vaddem. “Maintenance of the bore well was not carried out for last many years. People have also stopped using is, as they use it only when tap goes dry,� complained Caitan.

Says another resident, Ali R Angal: “A bore well was dug near the Maruti Temple at upper jetty to resolve water crisis. Initially for few days, the bore well functioned smoothly, but it is now lying abandoned for the last one decade due to lack of maintenance.�

Assistant Engineer M S Kunju also admitted that the bore wells

are in a bad shape. “But only 10 of the 30 bore wells are in dilapidated condition,� claimed Kunju. Kunju said of the 30 bore wells, 20 are at Headland Sada, of which 15 are submersible overhead bore well pumps, which are functioning smoothly. “Similarly, 10 bore wells are in and around Vasco area, of which five are in damaged condition,� informed Kunju. “As and when residents of particular locality complain, PWD carries out repair and maintenance work. Most of the bore wells that are in abandoned condition are hardly used by the people,� added Kunju.

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Don’t agitate against highway project: Sudin HERALD CORRESPONDENT POINGUINIM, NOV 15

Transport Minister Sudin Dhavalikar on Monday urged the people not to come to the streets and cause undue hardships by staging road-blockade agitations on the highway project.

He was addressing the gathering during the inaugural function of motorized boat to ferry people from Maxem to Galgibag.

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat and Minister for Transport and River Navigation Sudin Dhavalikar inaugurated the motorized boat.

Addressing the large gathering, Chief Minister Kamat stated that the Union government has been requested to exempt locals residing within a 40-km radius from paying the toll along the four-lane highway.

That apart, he has also demanded concession passes for daily commuters. Kamat said he has been prevailing with the Union government to take up the construction of Talpona, Galgibag and Zuari parallel bridges on priority.

“Union Minister Kamal Nath has responded positively and has shown keen interest to take the construction of these three bridges on priority,” said Kamat.

NIA submits reports to court in blast case HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, NOV 15

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday submitted to the South Goa Sessions court reports received from the Central Forensic laboratory related to the Margao bomb blast case.

The reports were handed over to the Sessions Judge, U V Bakre on Monday.

NIA Special Public Prosecutor, S B Faria confirmed that the NIA has submitted the CFL reports to the court on Monday.

“The reports relates to items attached by the investigating agency relating to the blasts”, he added.

The NIA had earlier submitted CFL reports to the court earlier this year relating to handwriting of one of the accused person, which had come positive.

Ceremonial send-off to ship HERALD REPORTER VASCO, NOV 15

Amid protests by freedom fighters and BJP for the arrival of Portuguese tallest training ship, NRP Sagres, fishermen from Khariwado-Vasco are all set to give ceremonial brass band send-off to the ship on Tuesday morning.

“The trawler owners have decided that as a mark of respect for great friendship tie between India and Portuguese, fishermen from Khariwado will give ceremonial brass band send-off to the ship,” said Goa Boat Owners Association President Simon Pereira.

Inviting the media for the event, Periera said the traditional brass band send-off is to further strength the Indo-Portugal friendship.

Meanwhile, since Sunday, the visitors, who had come to see the ship, were denied entry by security personnel at Mormugao Port.

Godfrey Gonsalves, who had come along with his friends from Borda-Margao, to see the ship on Monday morning was also denied entry by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

“We had carried our photo identity cards and other relevant documents to produce at the gate to gain entry, but despite that we were denied access,” complained Gonsalves.

While the shipping agent, Machado & Sons, Representative Milton Colaco said the entry to general public was stopped since Sunday due to security reasons.

“Initially for two days, people were allowed to visit the ship. The ship will sail on Tuesday at about 10 am to Egypt,” he said.

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, Transport Minister Sudin Dhavlikar and others takes a ride in a motorized boat from Maxem to Galigibag.

Photo by Freddy Rebello

Others who were present on the occasion were Canacona MLA Vijay Pai Khot, Poinguinim M L A R a m e s h Ta w a d k a r, Poinguinim ZP member Daya Pagi, former minister Isidore Fernandes, sarpanchas of Loliem and Poinguinim and others.

It may be recalled that there was a need for a bridge on Galgibag and Talpona River, which was a constant demand by the locals and the land was acquired to construct the bridges by the Union government about 30 years ago.

Upon construction of these two bridges, the road travel distance would have been shortened by over 12 kms, but the concerned authorities reportedly failed to prevail upon the Union government in Delhi for construction of these two bridges.

Then Union Minister of Highways Sripad Naik had visited Loliem with a team of officials and addressed the people that he will lay the foundation stone for the construction of Galgibag and Talpona bridges within three months.

Russian plane still grounded HERALD REPORTER VASCO, NOV 15

The Aerofloat Russian charter flight that suffered extensive damage due to a bird-strike still remains grounded at Dabolim airport.

It may be recalled that on November 11 morning, about 218 passengers, including 10 crew members, on board the Moscow-bound flight had a narrow escape, when the flight suffered a bird hit on the runway at Dabolim Airport.

All seven tyres of the aircraft had caught fire, after the pilot had applied emergency brake.

Besides, four blades of the engine propellers were also damaged in the incident.

Sources at the airport informed that hydraulic jacks to lift the aircraft is yet to arrive from Mumbai, while other repair works have been completed.

Sources further informed that initially, jacks were supposed to arrive from Russia in an Aerofloat flight, but this plan was cancelled, as jacks are available in Mumbai.

However, the scheduled flights are unable to transport the jacks from Mumbai because of their weight and they will now be brought to Goa via road.

“The jacks will arrive latest

by Tuesday and within two days, the flight will be fit to fly back to Russia,” said sources.

dog bite patients visiting Hospicio on the rise HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, NOV 15

Hazard a guess, on the nature of patients rushed to the Hospicio’s casualty last night.

Well, most of the patients, including a 7-year old boy and a woman, were victims of dog bites, reported from Margao and Salcete, indicating the worsening stray dog menace in the taluka.

At Chandrawado-Fatorda, a young boy and a woman were mauled by a stray dog on the prowl in the locality. The boy sustained injuries on his hands, while the woman was biten on her legs.

If Hospicio’s medical officer was to be believed, almost all the slots in the casualty were occupied by d o g b i t e v i c tims. Incidentally, it is not uncommon to find victims of dog bites standing in big queues in the OPD in the mornings. “ H o s p i c i o re g u l a r l y re ceives patients for anti-rabies vaccination. The victims are no longer confined to the commercial capital. We receive patients from Colva, Benaulim and other areas from the coastal belt”, informed a Hospicio doctor.

The situation is far worse in the commercial capital with the dog population increasing manifold over the years, with the Margao Civic body going slow in the Animal Birth Control Program.

In fact, though the Margao Civic body after a long delay

The 7-year old boy with the dog bite wounds.

Photo by Santosh Mirajkar

has put in place a dog shelter, the infrastructure fails to meet the growing requirements.

Even the NGO roped in to take up the ABC program have complained of irregular payments, even as the monthly amount of Rs 11,000 paid by the Civic body to the NGO hardly meets the basic costs.

Says the newly -elected Councilor Joseph Silva, representing Chandrawado-Fatorda: “The dog population has increased many times in Chandrawado and other areas. The government should find a solution to overcome the burning issue”.

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upCominG eVentS Fete at St Cruz PANJIM (HND): Santa Cruz Parish Youth Group, will organise a 3-days Fete from November 16 to 18 from 6 pm to 10 pm daily according to following schedule: On November 16, Vegetable Carving and Decorating Candles by youth from 6 pm to 7 pm; Musical Show by Jonny and his Trio from 7 pm to 8 pm; and Live concert by Olavo Rodrigues from 8 pm to 9 pm.

On November 17, Flower Arrangement and Face Painting by youth from 6 pm to 7 pm; Konkani show by comedian Domnic and African Dance from 8 pm to 8.30 pm; Dance Performance choreographed by Schubert from 8 pm to 9 pm; Band Open Highway in concert from 9 pm onwards. On November 18 Drawing Competition on theme Goan Art and Culture for youth in three categories of below 10 yrs, 10 to 15 yrs and 15 yrs and above from 6 pm to 7 pm; Play by Panjim Youth from 7 pm to 8.30 pm; Magic Show by ‘Sabas’ from 7.30 pm to 8.30 pm; Dance Performance by Snaden Shawn and Troupe from 8.30 pm to 9 pm; and band Lynx in concert from 9 pm onwards.

Food stalls will serve exotic food prepared by housewives and professional cooks. The youth group will handle the entire fete under the guidance of senior villagers headed by Parish priest of St Cruz Church, Fr Cristovao Caldeira.

National Press Day today PANJIM (HND): Department of Information and Publicity , Goa Editors Guild and Goa Union of Journalists will organise National Press Day on November 16 at Black Box Kala Academy, Campal, Panjim, at 9.30 am on theme Media in Globalisation and Competition: Challenges and Opportunities. Swati Deshpande from Mumbai will deliver the keynote address on the theme. Chief Minister Digambar Kamat will be the chief guest while Development commissioner and Secretary Information, Narendra Kumar will preside over the function.

Workshop for women PANJIM (HND): Dr Meenacshi Martins, a reputed artiste and a social activist, will guide the participants of the workshop on the theme ‘the role of women in art and culture’ on November 16 at the Conference Hall, Ravindra Bhavan, Margao at 10 am.

On the same day a mega musical concert of women artistes only, will be performed at the Pai Tiatrist Hall, Ravindra Bhavan, Margao at 3.30 pm where Antonette Mendes, a versatile singer and leading lady of tiatrs of yesteryears will be the chief guest.

Admission is free and complementary passes can be obtained from the counter of Ravindra Bhavan, Margao.

Night vigil at Pilar PANJIM(HND): The Goa Charismatic Team will organise a special night vigil at Pilar on November 16.

The night vigil will begin at 9 pm and end with a mass at 3.30 am on November17. The highlights of the vigil will be a talk given by Fr Patricio Fernandes, a well-known Jesuit retreat preacher. There will be a special slide presentation on the life of Mother Teresa. The concluding Eucharist for the night vigil will be celebrated by Fr Eusico Pereira, the Dean of Goa Velha Denary. There will be special prayers and anointing of the sick people on November 17 during the 4 pm mass. There will be no mass at 5.15 pm on November 17. Archbishop-Patriarch Filipe Neri Ferrão will preside over the Solemn High mass on November 20 at 9.30 am. The novena masses which started on November 11 will be held daily at 5.30 am, 6.45 am, 8 am, 9.15 am, 10.30 am, 4 pm, 5.15 pm and 6.15 pm (English). At the end of every Mass, there will be special prayers over the sick.

Dr Gomes plans football academy for Benaulim youth Warns of protest if SAG ground leased out

BY HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, NOV 15

After setting up of a Benaulim Community Centre in July last, candidate for the Benaulim Assembly constituency, Dr Hubert Gomes has disclosed plans to start a football academy for the youth of Benaulim and warned of a mass agitation if the Sports Authority of Goa leases its ground at Vaddi-Benaulim to a prominent South Goa based ILeague club, whose management has vast clout in political circles.

Dr Gomes also issued a stern warning to his political opponents not to intimidate his supporters saying that he would not going to take it easy any more.

“Benaulim is one village w h e re f o o t b a l l i s p l a y e d throughout the year. But, one hardly finds any players making it to the national team. Even the players do not find a place in the I-League teams as these teams import players from Africa, Manipur and other North

Eastern States”, he said, adding that his football academy project is to help train local talent to become national players in the next 10 years.

He said the proposed football academy would closely associate with NRI Antonio Mascarenhas, who has lend his helping hand by promoting three teams since the last many years.

Dr Gomes, however, said that this football academy project may face many a hurdle, including the decision by the SAG to lease the football ground at Vaddi to a prominent South Goa I-League team for 33 years. “Let me tell this government that this lease may take place only over his dead body. Where will our boys play if the ground is leased out to the I-League team.

The villagers will not mind if the I-League practices on the ground, but the lease is certainly not acceptable to the villagers”, he asserted and reminded that the era of Bhatkars have ended long ago.

Dr Gomes also announced his

Power cuts in coastal belt hampering tourism business

Villages of Saligao, Calangute, Arpora affected HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, NOV 15

The tourism business and residents are badly affected due to frequent power cuts in the coastal belt of Calangute.

“The government is doing nothing to improve the infrastructure of power supply and the developments of the last few days are proof enough. The aam admi has been badly hit due to frequent cuts in the power supply, damaging their electrical appliances and other electronic items,” Calangute Panch Vinayak Subhash Salgaonkar told Herald.

Salgaonkar was referring to

frequent power cuts Calangute has been experiencing since the last few days, thereby damaging electrical appliances of the common men and badly affecting the tourism business in the coastal belt of Calangute.

“Calangute village has been experiencing regular power cuts for the last few days. Arpora has also been hard hit with regular power cuts and at times plunging the entire village into darkness,” said Salgaonkar.

“On Friday night, residents of Saligao, Calangute and Arpora were badly affected due power cuts every minute. Arpora which houses a power station was

Mathematics

Vedic Mathematics: Using the Sutra VertiMultiplication cally and Crosswise we can multi- the three steps find ply any two numbers to- the number of units, gether in one line the number of tens and using this general the number of hundreds Vedic method. Suppose in the answer. we want to multiply 45 Let us compare this with the usual method by 63: of ‘long multiplica4 5 tion’.

4 5 6 3 6 3 1 3 5 2 8 3 5 2 7 0 0 4 1 2 8 3 5 a We write the num- Here we have two bers out as shown and lines of working before begin by multiplying we get the answer, we vertically: 5×3=15, have to remember to put so we put down 5 and the zero down on the carry the 1 as shown. right on the second line and there is no b Then we multiply memorable pattern as crosswise and add the there is with the Vedic two results: 4×3 + method.

5×6 = 42. To this we add the carried 1, so we put down 3 and carry 4 to the left.

c Finally we multi-

ply vertically on the left: 4×6 = 24 and adding the carried 4 we get 28 which we put down.

The simple pattern used makes the method easy to remember and it is very satisfying to get the answer in one line. It is also easy to see why it works:

Invention of zero

There was a time Aryabhatiya. It is not where the world existed clear where he was without a zero (0). It born, as there is no mention of his birthplace in his book. However, at some point during his life, he moved to Kusumapura, which roughly coincides to modern-day Patna.

is quite hard to imagine arithmetic calculations without this all important number.

After all, as there is a numeral describing all other quantities, there should be one to denote the concept of nothing.

Aryabhatta, an Indian astronomer Comments or queries? Bouquets or of yore, is the one brickbats? Talk to us! who came up with Email Junior Herald at junior@herald-goa.com or join the idea of the our Facebook fan page. Our zero. He was born readers are invited to rave, rant, in 479 CE; a fact chat or even contribute. No meswhich was deduced sage will go unanswered! from his book Contact Us:

ambitious project Garbage and Malaria free Benaulim 2013, exuding confidence of succeeding in the project with the help of environmentalist like Clinton Vaz and others. “If I get elected, I will push this project to become a reality. If I am not elected, I will help the next MLA to make the project successful.

Finally, Benaulim people should win”, he added.

Claiming that his political opponents have started threatening his supporters in Benaulim, Dr Gomes recalled that his opponents had threatened a group at the musical evening at Melan in Benaulim bordering Varca.

“This will not be tolerated. I have not complained to the authorities, because I am not afraid of these people. But, this will not be tolerated any more”, he added.

He reiterated that he is not contesting against anybody, but am contesting for the people of Benaulim to save the future the youth and the community.

Although Aryabhatta is credited with the discovery of the zero, there is no explicit mention of the term in his surviving treatises. However, because he has written extensively on the place-value system, there is an implicit understanding of the concept of a zero.

The lack of a symbol for the zero does not cast sufficient doubt on Aryabhatta’s involvement, merely because he did not use numerals at all. His treatises contained numbers in explanation form.

Aryabhatta is credited with a number of extraordinary discoveries, which changed the world of mathematics then, and have become integral components of mathematics now.

plunged into darkness at 2.30 am till 7 am,” added Salgaonkar.

“The government has surplus fund to spend on construction of drains or footpaths or poor quality public roads, which are less importance to the common people, but the government does little to improve basic requirement of power supply and water,” he stated.

“The government should seriously think of improving power infrastructure to bring some solace to the common people,” he added.

Some villagers from Calangute and Arpora also expressed their anger at the frequent power cuts for the last few days in the coastal belt of Calangute.

“We have been facing power cuts on regular basis and the electricity department is unable to do anything to keep a check on it,” said Anthony Lobo of Calangute.

Says Sanjay of Arpora: “The electricity department has been undertaking repairs and maintenance time and again, but same things are repeated time and again. Frequent and lengthy cuts are increasing day-by-day and I do not understand what the electricity department is doing.”

Ban on sale of items around Pimpalkatta demanded

BY HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, NOV 15

Margao New Market Traders on Monday called on the Margao Municipal Chairperson Sushila Naik and demanded a ban on sale of Diwali items in and around the Pimpalkatta area of the city.

Led by Association President Vinod Shirodkar, the delegation said that the Civic body had banned the sale of Diwali items last year and demanded that the implementation of the ban this year too.

On the other hand, Leader of the traditional Goan vendors Dilip Naik said that if the new Market are insisting on a ban on Diwali items, then the Civic body should ban sale of all items at the Pimpalkatta, except coconuts on Mondays.

He said the traditional vendors are ready to sell the items at the SGPDA market complex.

Case of forgery, cheating registered

BY HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, NOV 15

The Cuncolim police on Monday have registered a case of forgery and cheating against three persons in connection with the move to sell a residential flat at Navelim.

Acting Cuncolim PI Sidhant Shirodkar informed that the police have already arrested two women in connection with the case.

The police action comes following a complaint filed by the owner of the flat that the woman allegedly conspired to cheat the owner of the flat and had even obtained a loan from a nationalized bank with the help of forged documents.

He said the police are collecting evidence in connection with the case and is probing into the role of Notary and the manager of the nationalized bank. The Police are investigating.

Bakr-Id on November 17 HERALD NEwS DESk PANJIM, NOV 15

Bakr-Id will be celebrated on November 17 in Panjim. The association, Anjuman Nurul Islam, Panjim, has arranged Idd Namaz in the premises of Jumma Masjid, Panjim, as well as adjacent road upto Singbal Book House at 8.30 am, says a press release.

Rebello to head MMC market panel

BY HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, NOV 15

It’s official. Margao Municipal vice-chairperson Gonzaco Rebello would head the muchsought after Market Committee of the Civic body.

This was decided at a meeting of the Council on Tuesday morning, when Chairperson Sushila Naik announced that the vicechairperson is interested in occupying the coveted post.

Sushila’s announcement stopped further discussions on the subject, even as many a Councilor expected that a City Father, other than the vice-Chairperson, would head the market committee.

Incidentally, during the tenure of outgoing Chairperson, Savio Coutinho, the market panel was headed by Livramenta Barretto as part of the power sharing arrangement amongst the ruling group.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson told the Councilors that she would convene a special meeting of the Council to elect members of the Standing Committee, market committee, development committee and the sanitation committee.

In the meantime, Margao Municipal Chief Officer, Prasanna Acharya has told the newlyelected Councilors to submit a list of dustbins they required in their respective wards.

OHERALDO GOA, TUESDAY, 16 NOVEMBER, 2010

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OHERALDO

OPINION

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www.oheraldo.in

O HERALD O

Getting what we rightly deserve

Vol No CX No: 286 Goa, Tuesday 16 November, 2010

F

Resignation of a Raja

ormer Telecom Minister Andimuthu Raja finally resigned from his post on Sunday. This is a significant victory for the movement against corruption, which has just claimed former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and Commonwealth Games chief Suresh Kalmadi. However, even getting its coalition partner the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) to agree to Raja’s sacking has been such a struggle, that it seems most unlikely that the central government will agree to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into this infamous 2G deal, as the opposition is demanding.

Raja’s party, the DMK, is one of the largest partners in the ruling Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) coalition government at the centre, and its support is crucial for the government’s majority in parliament. So far, DMK supremo M Karunanidhi had stubbornly refused to even countenance the possibility of Raja’s resignation. However, a nationwide outcry in the matter, followed by embarrassing disclosures made by former bureaucrats combined with sustained pressure by the Congress party finally led to the Tamil Nadu satrap relenting and asking Raja to resign.

Contributing in no small measure was an open offer made

by Karunanidhi’s main rival Jayalalitha of the AIADMK, who urged the Congress to ditch the DMK, saying that she would mobilise 18 MPs to support the party in Parliament and ensure that the government did not fall. Raja’s individual importance to the DMK is in the fact that he is a scheduled caste leader, and alienating him could mean alienating his entire community.

That is why, even after asking him to resign, Karunanidhi released a statement saying that Raja was not guilty of any scam, and that the 2G spectrum allocation was made after “following all procedures”.

The facts, though, seem otherwise. In 2008, nine telecom companies were issued spectrum and licenses for second generation (2G) mobile phone services at Rs1,658 crore (less that $350 million) for all-India operations, which included 122 circle-wise licenses. This was done on a controversial ‘first-come-first-served’ basis. The cut-off date for applications was also arbitrarily advanced, and the basis for selection of allottees was completely opaque.

Much later, an auction for third generation (3G) services spectrum raised $15 billion (Rs71,000 crore) for the public exchequer. The auction for broadband services fetched over $8.5 billion (Rs40,000 crore). Based on these figures, the notional loss from Raja’s controversial allotment has been estimated at $38 billion (Rs1,76,000 crore) to the public exchequer.

And even though the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has revealed that Mr Raja ignored advice from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) as well as from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) that the 2G spectrum should be auctioned, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has himself defended Raja’s decision and said that all his telecom minister did was to implement a policy already in place; that no norms were flouted.

But the scam has its stories. Swan Telecom, a company with no experience, cornered licenses for 13 circles for $340 million (Rs1,598 crore), and then managed to sell a 45 per cent stake in the company to UAE’s Etisalat for $900 million (Rs4,250 criore). The stake sale valued the company (meaning the licenses and spectrum, since it did not have a single subscriber) at $2 billion (Rs9,400 crore). Another Johnny-comelately, Unitech, paid $365 million (Rs1,720 crore) as license fee, and sold a 60 per cent stake to Norway’s Talenor for $1.36 billion (Rs6,400 crore), making it a $2 billion company without a single subscriber.

Dubious companies got spectrum and licences worth thousands of crores for a fraction of their value. They then ‘sold’ it for a windfall. Public money for private pickings? Will we ever know how much the people of India lost?

Congress and corruption S Kamat, Alto Betim The AICC meet took stock of the CWG and the Adarsh Housing scams. Congress’s attitude towards corruption has been its bane. Every person stands to benefit. That explains the price rise in every Congress regime. A change in attitude and the party’s line on corruption must be made clear, so that the electorate knows what to do, come election. Media is controlled by Congress so that its scams are not reported. The public exchequer gets drained, as a result of scams. Government owes an answer on this to the general public.

Corrupt but not clean Jayesh Rane, Mumbai This refers to the report ‘Embattled Raja Quits’ (Herald, 15 Nov). The cycle of cor-

100 Years Ago

PRIMEIRO DIARIO NAS COLONIAS PORTUGEZAS

16 November 1910 Village feast

At the Church of Cortalim took place the Feast of Our Lady of Piety in honour of the moribund of that village.

Ministers arrested

Were arrested by the Spanish Authorities Teixeira D’Abreu and Metheiro Reymao, ministers in the Cabinet of Franco accused of complicity with him.

Suspected cases detected

The Health Delegate who was seen camping at Mormugao have declared that it is to clean the quarters where two suspect cases have been detected.

Newspaper Director dead

The Bombay Gazette reports that at Elvas there were more than 200 bodies and amongst them was the body of the Director of Newspaper ‘Portugal’, Fr. Lourenco de Matos.

Goans need to shed their pseudo nationalism, says Dr Joe D’souza

S

omething seriously is going wrong for Goa ths year. As the state emerges out to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of its liberation, Goa seems to be in an act of seize. MPT is going hammer and tongs, destroying at will the Mormugao bay and asserting its foothold over the picturesque Baina beach. As such, the copious dust pollution and the frightening petroleum oil depots and storage tanks were not enough of a problem for Vascoites. We are now under a serious threat posed by the Indian Navy, who will ultimately gain the Dabolim Airport, once the unwelcome and anti Goan Mopa airport is established. What is worse still, that after losing the precious Anjediva island for a song, due to the stupid decision of Ravi Naik, the present Goa government appears relaxed over the selfish approach of the Indian Navy of acquiring the two St. George’s islands off the coast at Mormugao in the grab of dubious security.

Fifty years down the line, after Goa was liberated from its colonial masters, the armed forces of our country seem to consider Goa as a favourite spot for a land grab operation. In the name of defence, prime Goan land is being captured, seized and exploited against the interest of the local people. The Adarsh land scam in Mumbai clearly reveals how bureaucracy, politicians and the defence forces cleverly manipulate our resources for their ‘personal interests’. Operation Vijay was meant to offer Goa to Goans and not to replace the Portuguese with the scamsters in the defence forces. Some television channels have glorified the armed forces, thus belittling the contributions of the common man of our country. Lots of prerequisites, concessions and amenities afforded to armed forces have induced them into greed and exploitation. Kargil widows do not require or deserve posh flats worth crores of rupees. Give them the sustenance and maintenance allowances together with the security of job and livelihood. Give dignity, not pseudo charity to war widows. Jobs, not flats are what Kargil widows deserve. Armed forces as of today are a disgrace to our country and need to be taught lessons in service and sacrifice before they fall as victims to terrorism due to their lethargy and greed, which is ever growing and disseminating amongst our glorified soldiers.

As a Panjimite for instance, I am unable to use

Issues Of COnCern the pavement around army buildings on the way to Panjim market, as security as well as gate sentries push and shoo away each and everyone, who dares to venture close to the army building, even if one seeks protection from rain by entering an army complex. As a one from Goa, I can understand and appreciate the sentiments and difficulties of the Kashmiri youth, with the presence of army in that state. The civilians in our country have done more than enough to laud and respect the contributions of the defence forces. But the overplay by the electronic media in particular, to only focus on army contribution and their problems, while ignoring the despicable state of penury of 400 million civilians, the poor of our country, who live under the open sky without even a decent meal, is highly objectionable.

Except those army personnel who chose to live on Himalayan slopes, the lives of civilians in our country in general and Goa in particular, is extremely strenuous and arduous. If the Indian nation is emerging economically strong, it is due to the hard work the civilian work force essentially consisting of our farmers, fishermen, construction labour and entrepreneurs. As such, the common

The power of prayer

Divine Assistance

A

nytime, heard of a prayer being the most powerful weapon in the history of mankind? Well, I truly believe it is. And that too, coming from a young bird who hardly fathoms the mysteries and the working of the world, is little too much for you readers to digest…heard a lot of old foggies saying that, never thought that a young birdie like me would be a staunch supporter of such an age-old belief is something that astounded me too.

Guess, you need to experience it to believe it… deep and meaningful faith is not easy to come by in today’s competitive world. And especially among the younger generation dangerously treading still in their twenties (like me) is the proudest achievement of my life keeping aside my academic laurels and career accomplishments.

Guess, life has its most unusual methods of achieving its long sought process which is so frequently seen and natural among an older age group. Most grey haired people are spiritually inclined, with of course, a few exceptions that refuse to tread the path for they like sticking to their atheist philosophies, which have been ingrained in their hard core brains…

We humans often associate the act of praying with the elders and the holy order. However, prayers are the need of the hour… a must for everyone who qualifies to be called a human. With in-

ruption is detrimental to the development of the nation. But who cares? Evidence of corruption emerged among the ruling rank and file and the corrupt minister had to go. These babus always project themselves as a ‘Mr Clean’. Such ministers should be dismissed from the party forever. Government must seal their properties. It appears the current government is not serious in its efforts to contain corrupt ministers.

Shame Shame!

Esmeraldo Luis, Carmona It was shameful and disgusting on the part of the defeated legislator from Vasco namely Arlekar, sitting legislator Laxmikant Parsekar and a handful of BJP and RSS supporters who protested the arrival of the Portuguese ship ‘Sagres’ that docked in Mormugao on a goodwill visit to Goa. None of the above was born to see how the Portuguese ruled Goa. We Goans lived without fear and enjoyed a non existent crime rate coupled with good education during the Portuguese regime. It left an indelible mark.

The freedom fighters should not have welcomed them with black flags. The legacy left behind by them should be given due respect.

Will we ever learn?

Pradip Kamat, Atlanta, USA A record 1.76 lakh crore rupees were lost due to the stupidity and ignorance on part of a DMK politician and Telecom minister A Raja. He finally resigned despite attempts

by Manmohan Singh to protect him (an affidavit was filed on his behalf by the PMO in the Supreme Court).

Now, is his mere resignation enough punishment for the huge loss incurred?

Why shouldn’t he be jailed permanently?

The same applies to ex Chief Minister of Maharashtra Ashok Chavan of Adarsh housing scam fame. How is Soniaji and Co going to make good the irreparable loss incurred? Will we ever learn?

Missing electoral names Jesuin George Fernandes, Cansaulim My name has disappeared from the electoral

man is totally unaware; ex. army personnel enjoy enviable canteen, leisure and entertainment facilities unavailable to the civilian. Special discounts, waving off sales taxes, duties and the offer of purchase incentives and reservations allow army men to acquire properties, commodities, groceries including liquor at dirt cheap rates, which civilians can only dream about.

This has resulted in a series of scams like the Bofors, the coffin and the land grab fiascos, as seen in the multicrore land grab in Mumbai. Like in Kashmir, the people of Goa have to face the high handed and the elusive attitude of the armed forces. The Goan army men have done precious little to bring about better and a congenial approach amongst army men from all over the country, who have settled or are working in Goa. Why should there be so much of army presence in Panjim in particular? After acquiring properties in Merces, Verem, Vasco, Dabolim, Navelim, etc., army installations, canteens and hospitals should have shifted off from Panjim. If Goa Medical College, the oldest in Asia, was shunted to Bambolim, why is an annoying Panjim Army hospital, Signal unit and all the army paraphernalia allowed to

hinder civilian activities in the capital city? It was also the duty of Corporation of the City of Panjim, the 30 corporators together with the Commissioner of CCP to initiate a process of dialogue with defence officials as what belonged to the Portuguese Junta, 50 years ago is not the asset of the Defence forces, especially in urban areas like Panjim, after large stretches of civilian properties have been gifted for a song at Merces, Verem, etc., around Panjim in particular. While army personnel work systematically to acquire luxury, comfort, properties and facilities in a silly garb of security, the civilian administrative forces, especially the Goan bureaucracy, seems to afford a lackadaisical approach to ‘Camel in Arab tent’ approach of Indian Navy in Goa Today, Goa is a powerhouse of criminal activities with murders, thefts, burglaries and suicides showing a steep rise. Drunken army men crossing swords with the police is also common to a Goan civilian. Now, the biggest threat to Goan economy is the increased presence and the nuisance of excessive army presence all around Goa. The recent approach of the Indian Navy to acquire the Pequeno and the Grande islands off Mormugao, the only surviving leisure resorts left for Goans, with Anjediva in Navy’s pocket, would be the last straw on the camel back and the nail in the coffin of Goan way of life.

As such, the real estate lobby in Goa has already marginalised Goan identity and culture. Let the Navy not reduce our entertainment and relaxation facilities by making its presence felt in every nook and corner. Slowly but surely, Goans, specially our Catholic community, is sought to be marginalised. Zuari Agro Chemicals, BITS institute, MPT and now, Pinky Shipyard at Chicalim allegedly patronised by the local MLA of Cortalim is steadily changing the demography of Mormugao Taluka.

It is time for the Goans to shed their pseudo patriotism by allowing the army and the Navy everywhere in Goa and to check migrant influx or else, we would have no land left for Niz Goenkars of the future. Instead of reducing their presence after 50 years of Goa Liberation, the armed forces are bent on finding themselves more space and luxury in Goa. The locals must resist this land grab by the defence forces tooth and nail in the interest of posterity and quality life for the Goan.

creasingly changing lifestyles and seeping of Western influence, crimes are on a rapid rise. Corruption seems to have found its dark face in all those who fall prey to the greed of wealth. The ‘haves’ retain their dominant ‘haves-position’ while the ‘have-nots’ have to master the skills of earning their daily livelihoods. Different problems are seen rampant in today’s world…the youth are into drugs, alcohol or having a smoke with their gang. Parents are busy attending to their work schedules…and with both parents as working parents, the scenario reaches an ugly status. Lack of parental supervision and monitoring and very little emphasis on values among youth leads to a greater degradation of society, nation and the world in general.

With prayers said in in-depth faith, they can turn out to be the most potent tool ever. Even biological warfare or even nuclear armour cannot resist the ever-lasting effect of spiritual words. Little faith can go a long way in working miracles in one’s life. No question that if a person has great faith, he/ she will be able to brave any storms. Faith doesn’t mean that a person won’t encounter any obstacles… it just means that faith will manifest in you to such an extent, that it will control your whole earthly existence. I came across this saying, “When God leads you to edge of difficulty,

trust him fully. Only one of the two things will happen. Either He will catch you when you fall or He will teach you how to fly.” The significance of these words will hit all you readers, provided you are willing to cajole your own self in believing such art of spiritual living. Others might just discard it as a piece of ‘spiritual gibberish.’

This is a well known fact. There is no denying that the world is full of atheists, agnostics and theists, each one desperately trying to adhere to tenets of their philosophy. People can be categorised accordingly. There are those who are regular church-goers who preach as well as practice good values. There are others who are outstanding Christians who might follow the rituals and religious practices, but are shallow in their own faith. The last category comprises of obstinate humans who refuse to budge from their stance of ‘Religion is crap and God is a crutch that weak people lean on to.’

Great faith is difficult to come by. Even the greatest of leaders, successful persons or highly talented artists believe in supreme powers of the unseen or unheard (God). Many people pray in the form of bargaining or begging for a miracle… Just remember, God works in mysterious ways. An author once said, “When at night you cannot sleep, talk to the Shepherd and stop counting sheep.”

Letters to the Editor

Letter of the Day

Portuguese vs freedom fighter debate

Dr Oscar Rebello, Panjim

It is an indisputable fact that the Portuguese are the warmest, most generous and hospitable people in perhaps the whole of Europe. l It is an indisputable fact that for over 400 years, Goans were subjected to the worst human right abuses under Portuguese rule. These memories can never ever be erased; only forgiven. l It is an indisputable fact that just as today’s Muslims should not be held responsible for Babar’s sins, and all Hindus should not be blamed for the heinous acts of lunatic Hindutva groups in Gujarat and Orissa, the present Portuguese generation can’t carry the cross of their ancestors’ barbarism. l It is an indisputable fact that an entire generation of Goan freedom fighters sacrificed their youth so that we, the present generation, may walk free. No amount of pensions or doles can ever compensate for those sacrifices. l It is an indisputable fact that we identify ourselves as Goan Indians and not as Goan Portuguese (hopefully!). l It is an indisputable fact that cultural, economic and the one I love the most – bacalhao and porto ties with the Portuguese will continue forever, because people are always smarter than their governments. l It is an indisputable fact that one can either celebrate one’s mother’s enslavement 500 years ago or her liberation 50 years ago; not both! A wise Governor and a cunning Chief Minister read the writing on the wall. l It is an indisputable fact that RSS affiliates will rightly call for a boycott of the so-called 500-year celebration, but will never call for justice to Indian citizens butchered in Gujarat and Orissa, who were neither Pakistani nor Portuguese. l And lastly, it is indisputable that the present garbage dump called Goa, which stinks of corruption and avarice, is the creation of Goans, and certainly not a legacy of the Portuguese.

With so many indisputable facts staring in our face, do we need another cantankerous and ill-tempered debate that revives Goans’ historical divisive tendencies? Or do we require to break away from the past and forge a paradigm shift in thinking and ideas for our future generations – ideas based on economy and governance, on pluralism and tolerance, on law and order and selfless service? Let not the past prevent us from exploring a brave new future. l

roll.

When I confronted the village Talathi after checking the electoral roll, he sympathetically asked me whether I had been absconding for some time. The fact is that I have lived in my village continuously throughout the year.

I have a small question to ask the authorities concerned - Is there any accountability here?

By Charlane Pereira

Deleting names is a very serious matter and the official concerned should have at the least double checked. But do they care?

Apparently, this happens only in India and especially Goa.

Unjustified move Pachu Menon, Margao Reports state that Saudi Arabia is on alert

for a possible Al Qaeda attack during Haj. What is their justification in planning a terror attack during a religious journey that every devout Muslim is deemed to undertake during one’s lifetime? The desire to topple the kingdom’s royal family actually is the reason for such a devious plan.

Paths of Wisdom

Avoid uninhabited areas Santano Dias, by email Everybody is aware of the reason as to why Churchill Alemao speaks tough against NH opposition. I presume it is a matter of claiming commission. The people of Benaulim will dispense with him at the forthcoming election in Navelim or Benaulim.

The people of Goa do not oppose NH road widening, but they want it to be taken through uninhabited areas so that people’s livelihoods and houses can be saved.

Politics – A dirty game Cosme Cardoz, Siolim Politics is said to be a dirty game. It has reached its nadir in Goa. With most corrupt and unscrupulous politicians, their only aspiration is to occupy the precious ‘kodel’.

Politicians promise a lot in their election manifestos. After getting elected, all promises are broken. Voters would be well advised that there is a need to dump these 40 hungry wolves in the backyard. Let’s induct new faces into the legislative assembly so that they can wisely take care of their respective constituencies.

Colonial legacies Vincent Rego, Dubai We must not forget that British Raj had propelled Indians into the forefront in the field of education. This also spurred our advance into the English language and today’s technology hub.

Similarly, because of Portuguese rule, Goa got a unique identity. Discipline, honesty and strict law and order situation, was in force then.

Those who raise a hue and cry against the visiting Portuguese ship are hypocrites and bigots. We ought to be grateful to the Portuguese for bestowing a unique identity.

Teacher and Disciple

By Sri Ramakrishna

“Through restlessness — the restlessness a child feels for his mother.

The child feels bewildered when he is separated from his mother, and weeps longingly for her. If a man can weep like that for God he can even see Him. “At the approach of dawn the eastern horizon becomes red. Then one knows it will soon be sunrise. Likewise, if you see a person restless for God, you can be pretty certain that he hasn’t long to wait for His vision.

“A disciple asked his teacher, ‘Sir, please tell me how I can see God.’ Come with me,’ said the guru, ‘and I shall show you.’ He took the disciple to a lake, and both of them got into the water. Suddenly the teacher pressed the disciple’s head under the water. After a few moments he released him and the disciple raised his head and stood up. The guru asked him, ‘How did you feel?’ The disciple said, ‘Oh! I thought I should die; I was panting for breath.’ The teacher said, ‘When you feel like that for God, then you will know you haven’t long to wait for His vision.

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

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

7

S.F.X. HIGH SCHOOL, SIOLIM

Requires Trained DEd undergraduate (B.SC. or B.A.) Teacher to teach in the Primary Section (Konkani Medium) on regular basis.

Candidates appearing for the interview are required to be present at 9.30 a.m. on 23rd Nov. 10 with handwritten application and testimonials.

REQUIRE For A Resort in Candolim

1) Restaurant Manager 2) Restaurant Cashiers 3) Restaurant Captains 4) Restaurant Waiter 5) Barmen 6) Gardeners 7) Kitchen Utility Helpers 8) Front Office Assistants

Contact:

9822132075

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GOA, TUESDAY, 16 NOVEMBER, 2010

Work on Virdi-Amona bridge yet to commence

Senior journalists to be felicitated HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, NOV 15

Two senior journalists, Arun Bhatkande and Sharad Tendulkar will be felicitated on the occasion of ‘National Press Day’ on November 16 in Kala Academy Black box, Panjim, at 9.30 am.

Arun Bhatkhande has 30 years experience in journalism. He served as sub-editor, chief subeditor for Tarun Bharat, Sagar, Gomantak and is presently working for Pudhari as senior chief sub-editor.

Sharad Tendulkar started his career in journalism in year 1970 as a proof-reader with Gomantak and wrote side articles for Gomantak and Navprabha. He took VRS from Gomantak after 33 years of his service and joined Goa Times as Sub-Editor. Presently, he is working for Goa Doot as subeditor.

The National Press Day programme will be jointly organised by Department of Information and Publicity, Goa Union of Journalists and Goa Editors Guild.

Chief minister Digambar Kamat will be the chief guest and Secretary Information, Narendra Kumar, will preside over the function. Swati Deshpande, Editor (Law), ToI Mumb a i , w i l l d e l i v e r ke y n o t e address on the theme ‘Media in Globalisation and Competition: Challenges and opportunities’.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT BICHOLIM, NOV 15

Even after three years of laying the foundation stone, work of the Virdi-Amona Bridge is yet to be completed.

The villagers have demanded the concerned authorities to look into the matter.

It may be recalled that the foundation stone was laid on April 4, 2007, by then chief minister Pratapsing Rane in the presence of then power minister Digambar Kamat. All the formalities of acquiring the land were completed, but later it did not see the ray of light.

Sanquelim Municipal Council (SMC) has strongly demanded that the government should take up the work of Virdi-Amona Bridge, which will help the people from Sanquelim and surrounding areas.

“Since the last four years, government has not undertaken the work of the bridge and we can only see the foundation stone at the place,” SMC Chairman Anand Naik told Herald.

“The estimated cost of the bridge is about Rs 3 crore and if the bridge is completed, then people from Sanquelim will be benefited,” said Naik.

“If this bridge is completed, it will not only help people from Sanquelim and Bicholim, but also the people from Virdi, who would get a crematorium, which

The foundation stone laid for the construction of the Virdi-Amona bridge.

Photo by Samir Umarye

they are lacking now,” said Naik adding “A land owner has already promised a land for the crematorium if the bridge is completed.”

The bridge will minimize the distance between Marcel and Sanquelim and will benefit areas of Sanquelim, Virdi, Maulingtad, Vazri and Karapur.

“This bridge will be helpful for the people of Virdi, as the distance between Marcel and the village will be about 3 kms as against now, which is 18 kms,” said Vasudev Sawal, a local.

“Again if this bridge materializes, then the local youth would also get some business as the traffic would be diverted from this village,” said Sawal.

Former Sanquelim sarpanch Vithal Kamat also supported the idea and said the government should look into the matter.

“The project is standstill and the government has totally forgotten about it. The government should think over this and also try to meet the demands of the public,” he said.

Poinguinim farmers From juice extractor to deputy chief at CMC plan mechanical Sources informed in the past, transplantation he was reportedly harassed by HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, NOV 15

HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, NOV 15

In order to bring high yield for the farmers in the region, agriculturists meet at Poinguinim planned 10 acres of Rabi cultivation with the help of transplantation machinery on experimental basis.

The meeting was attended by about 50 farmers of Poinguinim, who took keen interest in the talks given by experts to increase paddy yield and lower cost if implanted mechanically, rather than manually.

Quepem Zonal Agriculture Officer Shivram Gaonkar informed the farmers that agriculture department has tasted success in an experiment at Quepem village during last rabi season.

“During the last Rabi cultivation, 10 hectares of paddy field was transplanted using mechanized machinery acquired by the government and the results are encouraging. It gave good yields and also reduced the cost of cultivation by 50 per cent,” Gaonkar told the farmers.

Speaking on the occasion, Canacona ZAO Rajesh Gaonkar said government has plans to conduct similar exercise on experimental basis at Poinguinim and accordingly again 10 hectares will be cultivated with the help of machinery and other mechanized tools.

The meet was presided over by Jagdish Faldessai, a farmer from Poinguinim.

“Interested farmers can buy the paddy saplings from the nursery raised by selected contractors,” farmers are told.

The only requirement is the preparation fields for cultivation, while per acre cost is Rs 6,000, including transplantation, while one hectare cost Rs 16,000.

Kirtan Mahotsav at Sanquelim

Youth prepare for the boat competition during the Tripurari Pournima festival at Sanquelim.

Photo by Vishant Vaze HERALD CORRESPONDENT MAYEM, NOV 15

The annual Kirtan Mahotsav will be held at Vithal Mandir, Vithalapur-Sanquelim, from November 16 to 20, followed annual Tripurari Pournima on November 21.

The Tripurari Pournima is a festival of light and lamps that marks the end of Diwali festival.

Addressing a press conference at Sanquelim, President Arun Naik said Tripurari Pournima celebration is organized in association with the Art and Cultural and Information and Publicity Department, every year.

Naik further informed that Kirtan will be delivered by Hari Bhajani Pandit Chintamani Nimkar, Pune, at 7 pm everyday. Gopal Kala will be also celebrated on November 19 at 10 am and Kirtan Mahotsav will conclude on November 20.

A boat competition will be organized on November 21, day of Tripurari Pournima.

A Srikrishna Poojan has been

organized at Pimpal Ped at 10 am, followed by procession of Lord Krishna at 4 pm, accompanied by Dindi Pathak from Banda-Maharashtra.

Deepdaan will be performed

by Suhasini women at 7 pm.

Pandit Prabhakar Karekar and Asha Khadelkar will perform songs programme from 7 pm to 9 pm, Sarango release programme, followed by boat competition at 11 pm and Tripurasura Vadh at 11.30 pm.

Winners in the boat competition will be given cash prizes of Rs 25,000, Rs 20,000, Rs 15,000, Rs 10,000, Rs 7,500 and five consolation prizes of Rs 2,500 each.

Besides, 20 selected boats will be given Rs 1,000 each, while each participating boat will be given honorarium of Rs 500. The entry fee for the boat competition is Rs 100.

Those interested in taking part in the boat competition may contact Arun Naik on 9422388873, Sameer Desai on 9923119009 or Vyas Javdekar on 2365856/9823742906.

For Mastimoll Councilor and new deputy chairperson of Canacona Municipal Council, Sandesh Gaonkar, it is a dream ladder climbing exercise from a simple juice extractor to a councillor and then to a more authoritative position of deputy chairperson.

Gaonkar, a ST community member, is the resident of Chaudi ward and with his mother and wife among other siblings earn his livelihood by operating a juice extracting machine.

He carries his trade with the help of his mother and wife operating his business on other side of the road, but right in front of the municipal administrative building.

the municipal authorities, often threatening his livelihood and most of the time survived at their mercy.

When news broke out that Mastimoll is reserved for ST community, few aspiring candidates suspected Canacona MLA’s (home ward) hand in the ward’s reservation for ST community, where except for one household (reportedly having just three voters) it has no other ST residents/electorate.

It was at that moment that more than few benefactors became realistic and approached Sandesh Gaonkar, who incidentally is a resident of neighboring Chaudi, to contest from Mastimoll ward.

from pAge 1

Yash Chopra to open IFFI “This year, a group of eminent film personalities will be felicitated during the inaugural function as well as at the closing ceremony of IFFI,” Khan added.

The director said that IFFI since long had been felicitating various film personalities during the festival.

“However, the process was discontinued seven to eight years back,” he stated.

The 10-day-long festival, beginning from November 22 will screen 70-80 films in the Cinema of the World Section.

“This time record number of 450 entries came for this section.

The jury members, comprising 20 eminent persons from the industry were confused as all the movies sounded the best,” Khan said adding that 15 films from different countries including three Indian films will be competing for International Competition Section.

As Orissa is celebrating 75 years of its cinema, Khan said that the State’s film industry will be the focus for the festival.

Prominent films from this State along with the filmmakers will be making their way to IFFI,” he stated.

Talking more on the festival, the director said that IFFI, this time will be hosting two master classes by Oscar Award winner Resul Pookutty on ‘sound and technology in cinema’ on November 27 and by actor Boman Irani on ‘acting in cinema (comedy in Hindi cinema)’ on December 1.

Khan, who took a review meeting of IFFI, expressed happiness over the preparations.

“There has been perfect coordination between ESG and Directorate of Film Festivals (DFF)…everything is going on a smooth note,” he said.

ESG, CEO Manoj Srivastava during the press conference briefed on Shopping and Food Festival, jointly organised by ESG and Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI).

“The Shopping and Food Festival will embody the spirit of IFFI with the perfect mix of fun, entertainment and great cuisine,” he said.

The two host cities for the festival-Panjim and Margao will have a grand inaugural on November 19 (Margao) and November 21 (Panjim).

During the festival, extensive discounts ranging from 20-30 percent will be offered at 200 retail establishments and restaurants.

“This year, not just IFFI delegates but every Goan will be able to avail the benefit of this festival,” the CEO said.

Blast at Curtorim factory

MSL factory said a worker named Dinkar Kochrekar was injured in the blast and was immediately rushed to the Hospicio hospital for treatment.

He said the police have ordered the factory management to stop the production till the concerned authorities a thorough probe into the furnace blast.

PI Shirodkar informed that the police would write to the agencies, including the Factories and Boilers and the fire services to conduct an inquiry into the blast.

Residents of Curtorim also rushed to the factory site after the neighbourhood was rocked by the blast. Sources said the villagers initially were taken aback by the loud sound and it was only later that realisation dawned that the furnace blast had taken place at the MSL factory.

The police are conducting further investigations.

This is the second furnace blast witnessed in recent times, the last one being reported at the Cuncolim Industrial Estate, which has killed a couple of workers, besides leaving around 50 workers injured in a massive furnace blast.

11 APPOINTMENT

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Oppn fire continues despite Raja’s exit six minutes and then their deputies adjourned them for the day in as many minutes as the pandemonium did not die down.

Raja, who quit Sunday night in deference to DMK supremo M Karunanidhi’s directive “to avoid embarrassment to government and for harmony in Parliament, did not turn up as he was reportedly denied permission to give explanation a resigning minister is allowed as a practice.

Karunanidhi took the decision when Raja was on flight from Chennai to Delhi after ruling out the resignation and the same was conveyed to him as soon as he landed here, making him to drive down straight to the PM’s house to submit his papers.

Chidambaram asserted that the demand for a JPC probe into the CAG report was not justified as once tabled in Parliament, the report goes to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) headed by senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi to act upon it.

BJP President Nitin Gadkari ridiculed the government for making Raja a sacrificial goat as a cover up. CPI(M) member Sitaram Yechury said a “meaningful JPC probe” was needed as “it will not only investigate the scam but set up rules and benchmarks for the future as the JPC in the Harshad Mehta scam did.”

Parliament continues to be on fire with the Opposition not relenting on the demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into scams.

Resignation of Telecom Minister A Raja it sought for the 2G spectrum scam and a 3-day recess did not blunt its tempers.

Both the Houses were shut for the third consecutive sitting on Monday with only a token of business transacted amid pandemonium by members parked in the well.

DMK supremo M Karunanidhi made Raja resign Sunday night only to let Parliament that was stalled by the Opposition on 2G scam as otherwise both Raja and DMK stressed it did not amount to an admission of guilt, but the strategy did not work.

Buoyed by resignations of first Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and then Raja, an aggressive BJP mobilised all Opposition parties, barring the Left, to insist that resignations by the culprits are no end of the story. It wants a JPC probe followed by criminal cases to punish all those making money in the spectrum scam, Mumbai’s Adarsh Society scam and a series of the Commonwealth Games.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was to make a statement in the Lok Sabha in a bid to rerail Parliament that has not transacted any business since

the winter session began last Tuesday, but he chose to keep off as he would not have been heard because of the pandemonium.

All the same, the government carried through motions of pushing some of its business as Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee tabled the second supplementary budget of Rs 44,945.52 crore in both the Houses and introduced two Bills in the Lok Sabha.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Bansal introduced the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Bill on behalf of Sharad Pawar, who is hospitalised in Mumbai, and Home Minister P Chidambaram introduced a new Enemy Property (Amendment and Validation) Bill, withdrawing an earlier Bill brought in the last monsoon session.

The controversial leaked report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) on the 2G scam has been sent by the President to the Home Ministry and as such it may be tabled in Parliament as early as on Tuesday or on Thursday when it meets after Wednesday’s holiday for Eid. Both the Houses witnessed the Opposition members entering the well, shouting slogans of “we want JPC” as soon as the day’s sitting began for the Question Hour. The Speaker and the Chairman adjourned the respective Houses up to noon within

Govt staff killed

by Maoists in Orissa

Advani hails Obama not harping on Kashmir

HERALD CORRESPONDENT NEW DELHI, NOV 15

PTI BHUBANESWAR, NOV 15

A government employee was killed by Maoists in Malkangiri during a bandh called by them in the district and neighbouring Koraput on Monday in protest against killing of four rebels recently by security forces.

Armed rebels struck at the house of Dama Madkami (26), a peon in Kalimela block office, about 45 km from here in the early hours and took him along with them to an unknown place, police said.

Madkami’s body was later recovered from a road at nearby MV-105 village with his throat slit, they said.

He was apparently eliminated by the ultras on the suspicion of being a police informer.

A handwritten poster recovered from the spot indicated that the Maoists suspected the victim to be a police informer.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT NEW DELHI, NOV 15

Bhartiya Janata Party veteran leader Lal Krishna Advani has hailed United States President Barack Obama’s address to Parliament on November 8 as “really superb, both in content as well as in its style of delivery”.

“For all Indians, what he said was important, and heartening.

But what he omitted to say, I think, was no less important.

There was no mention of the word Kashmir in his speech,” he noted in his latest blog penned on Sunday.

He said no word on Kashmir is significant since it is the same Obama who had remarked in the course of his election campaign in 2008 that “working with Pakistan and India to try to resolve the Kashmir crisis in a serious way” would be among the critical tasks of his administration.

In his Central Hall speech the US President lauded India’s great civilisation, its pluralism and its d e m o c r a c y. H e s p o k e o f Vivekananda, of Gandhi, of Tagore and Dr Ambedkar. He said he looked forward to India becoming a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Advani noted.

He pointed out that when Sushma Swaraj (Opposition leader in Lok Sabha) met Obama, she told him emphatically that the impression common Indian citizens have about US attitude towards this part of the world is that “for Washington, Pakistan is an ally, India is a market.”

Prithviraj hails WEF centre in Mumbai HERALD CORRESPONDENT NEW DELHI, NOV 15

Maharashra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan on Monday welcomed the World Economic Forum’s desire to set up its first regional centre outside Geneva in Mumbai.

In a meeting with the forum’s CEO Klaus Schwab, who is here for a 3-day India Economic Summit organised by his organisation, Chavan hoped its proposed centre in Mumbai will help India build its cordial relations internationally.

“Sure that the forum’s regional office would work in the direction of improving India’s economy in general and that of Maharashtra in particular, we would be positive to land all possible support,” Chavan was quoted telling Schwab.

Shepherds sell their livestock on a roadside ahead of the Muslim festival Eid al-Adha in Bangalore on Monday. Eid al-Adha, which commemorates Abraham’s acceptance of God’s command to sacrifice his son Ismail, falls on the 10th of Dhul al-Hijja on the Islamic calendar.

HC seeks Delhi govt’s reply to case against Geelani, Roy PTI NEW DELHI, NOV 15

The Delhi High Court on Monday issued notice to the city government seeking its response as to why criminal case should not be registered against hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, writer Arundhati Roy and Delhi University professor S A R Geelani for allegedly making anti-India speeches.

Justice Hima Kohli asked the

Sudershan’s remark will affect Sangh: RSS PTI JALANDHAR, NOV 15

The statements made by former RSS chief K S Sudarshan about UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi will affect the Sangh, the Punjab unit of the party said on Monday.

“In my view Sudershanji’s remark is not correct, it will affect the image of RSS. It may bring losses to Sangh,” RSS Punjab chief Brijbhushan Bedi said.

He said RSS had already distanced itself from these remarks as RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat had made it clear that it does not represent the views of the organisation.

Bedi alleged that for minority appeasement some political parties used words like ‘Hindu terrorism’ or ‘Saffron terrorism’ to defame the Hindus and the nation.

government to file its response to a petition seeking criminal prosecution of Geelani and others under the charge of sedition and other offences.

The court passed the order on a petition seeking initiation of criminal proceedings against them.

Advocate Sugriva Dubey, appearing for the petitioner, submitted that the government should be directed to take action under Section 124 A IPC

(sedition). “ The freedom of speech alone never includes the freedom of propagation of ideas against national interest and one has to ensure that speeches should not be allowed to be made only for the purpose of provoking innocent people,” Dubey submitted while referring to the speeches made by Geelani and others in the capital on October 25.

The advocate alleged that Roy,

in her speech, had said that Jammu and Kashmir is not an integral part of India and that she had called upon the youth of the state to make sacrifices for Kashmir.

The court, after hearing his submissions, issued notice to the Delhi government and asked it to file its response by January 27 when the matter would be taken up for further hearing.

Two complaints have already

Belgaum taluka, Chikkodi seek merger with K’taka HERALD CORRESPONDENT BELGAUM, NOV 15

A number of villages in Maharashtra neighbouring Athani, Chikkodi and Belgaum taluka are now seeking a merger with Karnataka.

In several villages, Maharashtra government allegedly did not even provide water and bus facilities for many decades.

In recent times, this is allegedly because Karnataka Government has implemented several major water projects in these Marathi-dominated areas in Karnataka. However, some of the villages which are predominantly occupied by people speaking Marathi are still fighting for the merger of their villages with Maharashtra.

While several pro-Marathi leaders on the border are struggling since the reorganization of states for the merger of, what they call, the Marathi-majority areas of Karnataka with Maharashtra.

According to Karnataka Co-

Compassion for society greatest qualities of human being: Kher

operative Minister Laxman Savadi, who hails from Athani, villagers in at least 25 villages of Maharashtra on the border are prepared to see their areas in Karnataka.

Savadi said villagers of Maharashtra on the border are impressed by the infrastructure provided by the Karnataka government to most of the Karnataka’s rural areas on the border.

“Villagers on the other side want the same basic infrastructure to be provided to their areas and said that they are ready to join Karnataka if similar infrastructure is provided to their areas. They have admitted their desire to see their areas with Karnataka to me,” said Savadi.

One of the most-neglected Athani taluka, which is located on Maharashtra border, has seen drastic development in most of its rural segments in the past few years.

“Besides water and electricity, the state government provided most of the basic infrastructure

to the 22 villages which are located close to Maharashtra border,” said Savadi.

“Before the establishment of basic infrastructure, villagers of all these 22 villages was demanding for the merger of their areas with Maharashtra,” added Savadi.

A major water supply project has been implemented to overcome drinking water scarcity in these 22 villages and several projects for irrigation of dry lands of Athani taluka implemented.

In the last two years, Savadi said the rural areas affected by the recurring floods on the border have also been provided with the entire needed infrastructure and setting up of power stations and laying of roads has been completed here.

“Looking at the way the state government worked to make all these long-neglected villages problem-free, the villagers of Maharashtra on the border are eager to be part of Karnataka,” he said.

Pamela urges PM to reject leather products PTI MUMBAI, NOV 15

Actor Anupam Kher felicitates Dr Prabhakar Kore and Asha Kore in the presence of Siddeshwar Mahaswamiji, Channabasaveshwar Swamiji, Shivanand Kaujalgi, Umesh Katti and others.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT BELGAUM, NOV 15

Cine actor Padmashri Anupam Kher has stated that compassion for the society and accepting ourselves the way we are, are some of the greatest qualities of a human being.

The National Award winning actor and eminent film actor, who was in Belgaum on Monday, was speaking at a function that was organised to felicitate KLES Chairman Dr Prabhakar Kore on completion of 25 years of his chairmanship of the society.

The 95th foundation day of the society was also observed on the occasion.

“Every institution is recognised by its leader, Dr Kore, who is so compassionate about everyone in the institution and who has learnt the art of giving over the years of his public life, certainly epitomises the KLE Society,” Kher ascertained in his speech filled with humour and wit.

“Dr Kore’s legacy will be carried on for many years to come,”

he added.

Appreciating Dr Kore’s qualities as the leader, Dr Kher said silence speaks much more loudly.

“We are surrounded by corruption. It is only when you are loved and respected and the people stand by you,” Kher emphasised endorsing Kore’s popularity and his staying as the chairman of the enormous institution like KLE Society which has grown in leaps and bounds under Dr Kore’s vision.

In his reply to the felicitation, Dr Kore reminisced his 25 years as the chairman of the society and said the honour goes to thousands of members of the KLES family who have been tirelessly striving in the field of education and health for the betterment of the society.

“Many stalwarts have made great sacrifices, many personalities irrespective of their caste and creed have made huge donations, the members of the management committees and

staff has thrived tirelessly for the success of KLE Society,” Dr Kore acknowledged in his speech.

Stating that the KLE Society has made several advancements in the health and education arenas at national and international level, Dr Kore said the society has already purchased lands in Mumbai and New Delhi and will soon have its institutions there.

“From 211 institutions, we must work to multiply it in thousand institutions,” Dr Kore said adding that every village in the region should be given an opportunity of quality education.

“The society also takes pride in stating that from all India, its students are excelling all over the world,” he informed.

District in Charge Minister Umesh Katti, Siddeshwar Mahaswamiji, Siddaram Swamiji and President of the KLE Society in their speech highlighted accomplishments of the society under the chairmanship of Dr Kore.

Hollywood star Pamela Anderson, who will enter a TV reality show this week, on Monday shot a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, urging to reject all leather products.

Pamela in a letter to Singh said, “I am calling on person in India and throughout the world to join me in rejecting all leather products in order to help put an end to animal suffering. I am asking every individual never to buy leather shoes, bags, jackets, belts or anything else made of animal skin.”

Pamela is an active member of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has taken up several causes for protecting animal rights.

“Illegal slaughterhouses operate with impunity throughout the country and municipal slaughterhouses have failed to follow the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. The government has also failed to set up any effective scheme whatsoever to address this crisis,” the Baywatch star said.

India’s laws prohibit animals from being crammed onto vehicles in high numbers, ban handlers from smearing chilli seeds into cows eyes and breaking their tails, hacking animals into pieces while still conscious, yet all this continues to go on, she said.

Leather products made from Indian animals are sold in stores worldwide. The two top buyers of Indian leather are the European Union and the United States.

Meanwhile, Hollywood star Pamela Anderson, who is all set to captivate the audiences

as she enters the TV reality show Bigg Boss house this week, wants to soak in Indian ethos.

been filed in the lower court against the Hurriyat leader and others for making anti-India speeches.

A metropolitan magistrate had on November 10 decided to record pre-summoning evidence of the complainants who have sought prosecution of the three speech-makers.

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US, West ignored LeT threat before 26/11: report PTI WASHINGTON, NOV 15

Prior to the 2008 Mumbai attacks, the US and Western countries quietly ignored the threat potential of LeT, despite having enough intelligence against the terrorist outfit and repeated assertion in this regard by India, according to an investigative report.

This was primarily because the Pakistani leadership -- ISI and army in particular -- were successful in convincing the West and US, which relied heavily on Islamabad on the war on terror in Afghanistan -- that LeT was solely focussed on India, including Kashmir, and had nothing to do with al-Qaeda and Taliban, the report by investigative American journalist Sebastian Rotella said.

As a result, LeT went on to develop itself as a potent threat not only to India but also to the US and European countries, said the report published

Bangladesh to slaughter 15 million animals for Eid AFP DHAKA, NOV 15

Bangladesh will slaughter a record 15 million animals Wednesday on Eid al-Adha, the second biggest Muslim festival, officials said.

There had been fears that an outbreak of anthrax among livestock, which spread to more than 600 people, would disrupt the festival, which sees Muslims commemorate Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son to God. "I've visited dozens of cattle markets. The supply of animals is huge and sale is also going on briskly," livestock department spokesman Mosaddek Hossain told AFP, adding that the number of sacrifices would set a record.

Saiful Islam, head of the Leather Goods and Footwear Exporters Association of Bangladesh, which buys the hides after the slaughter, estimated 15 million animals would be killed this year.

"The supply this year is very good. We have estimated five million cows and nearly 10 million goats will be sacrificed this Eid," he said.

Islam said Bangladeshi Muslims would also slaughter more than half a million buffalo and sheep and thousands of camels imported from the Indian state of Rajasthan.

"Thanks to the Eid, Bangladeshi exporters don't have to worry for supply of raw hides," Islam added.

The authorities have deployed veterinary doctors in cattle markets across the country to ensure animals are free of anthrax, a lethal bacterium that exists naturally in soil and can be transferred to humans.

jointly in 'The Washington Post' and 'ProPublica.Com', an independent, nonprofit newsroom that produces investigative journalism in the public interest.

The Bush Administration and western nations like Britain and France appeared convinced by the Pakistani argument and kept their eyes off the LeT all this while during which the terrorist outfit went on a hiring spree of foreigners like David Headley and planned attacks like those in Mumbai.

"It is a story of a militant group that used political clout and support from Pakistani security forces to develop global reach and formidable tradecraft," the investigative report said, citing investigators and court documents.

"It is also a story of how, despite a series of warning signs, anti-terrorism agencies were caught off-guard when Lashkar (-e-Taiba) escalated its war on

the West with a 2008 attack on Mumbai that targeted Americans, Europeans and Jews as well as Indians," Rotella wrote.

The investigative report said that in 2006, US counter-terrorism agencies still viewed LeT primarily as a threat to India.

"But Headley's mentor, Sajid Mir, had widened his sights to Western targets years earlier. Mir, a mysterious Lashkar chief with close ties to Pakistani security forces, had deployed operatives who had completed missions and attempted plots in Virginia, Europe and Australia before being captured," Rotella wrote citing investigators and court documents.

A French court had issued arrest warrant against Mir, now considered a mastermind of 26/11 attacks, some two years before the Mumbai terrorist attacks. But Pakistan did not respond, nor did the French government exert

enough pressure on the then Musharraf regime to take action against Mir, which many believe is an army officer.

"In October 2006, two years before the Mumbai attacks, (Jean-Louis) Bruguiere (of France) issued an arrest warrant for Mir that was circulated worldwide by Interpol. There was no response from Pakistan," said the investigative report.

Jean-Louis Bruguiere is France's top counter-terrorism magistrate, who had spent three years investigating Mir after one of Mir's French operatives, Willie Brigitte, was arrested in a foiled bomb plot in Australia. A Paris court convicted Mir in absentia and sentenced him to 10 years in prison in 2007.

Nonetheless, Bruguiere says most Western investigators he dealt with continued to view LeT as a regional actor confined to South Asia.

"For me it was a crucial case, a turn-

ing point," Bruguiere said, "because of what it revealed about the role played

by Pakistani groups in the global jihad and about the role of the Pakistani security forces in terrorism. We had the impression that Mir was protected at the highest levels of the state."

In summer 2007, Bruguiere met at the White House with a top security adviser to the then President George W Bush. The French judge shared his fears about LeT and his suspicion that Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf was playing a "double game."

Rotella wrote that Bruguiere said the White House official, whom he declined to identify publicly, did not seem convinced.

"The US government is a huge machine," said Bruguiere, who is now the European Union's envoy to Washington in efforts against terrorism financing.

"It's difficult to make it change course," he was quoted as saying.

Suu Kyi aims for peaceful revolution AGENCIES RANGOON, NOV 15

Two days after being freed from house arrest, pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has said that her aim is for a peaceful revolution in Burma.

Speaking to the BBC at the headquarters of her National League for Democracy, she said she was sure democracy would come to Burma eventually, although she did not know how long it would take.

She said she would take any opportunity to speak to ruling generals.

Her release came six days after Burma held its first election in 20 years.

Aung San Suu Kyi's party won the last election overwhelmingly but was never allowed to take power.

This poll was won by the biggest military-backed party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), but denounced by the West as being neither free nor fair.

The BBC's World Affairs editor, John Simpson, said several security officials watched the in-

Aung San Suu Kyi holds a bunch of flowers before addressing supporters outside the headquarters of her National League for Democracy party in Yangon.

"I think it's quite obvious what terview from across the street better. at NLD headquarters but did not "I don't want to see the mili- the people want; the people just intervene. tary falling. I want to see the want better lives based on seAung San Suu Kyi said she did military rising to dignified curity and on freedom."

But the pro-democracy leader not want the junta to fall but to heights of professionalism and also said she hoped for a nonchange and serve the country true patriotism," she said.

violent end to military rule.

"I think we also have to try to make this thing happen... Velvet revolution sounds a little strange in the context of the military, but a non-violent revolution. Let's put it that way," she said.

The 65-year-old also confirmed that she was not subject to any restrictions on her freedom.

But she said that she was fully prepared to take the consequences if the military government decided to lock her up again for what she said or did.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner has spent 15 of the past 21 years in detention. She was released on Saturday when her latest period of house arrest expired.

On Sunday, thousands of jubilant supporters gathered to hear her speak, as she urged Burmese people to unite.

The most senior American diplomat in Burma, Charge d'Affaires Larry Dinger, told the BBC the US wanted to encourage reconciliation between the Burmese government and Ms Suu Kyi but no more.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has stunned US officials by making a direct contradiction to US military policy in the war-torn nation, demanding a significant reduction in military operations against the Taliban.

In a sign of further strain in his relationship with the US, Mr Karzai said he wanted US troops to reduce their presence on Afghanistan roads and end "terrible" night raids by special operations forces on local homes.

Senior Republican senator Lindsey Graham yesterday said he was "just stunned" by Mr Karzai's remarks.

Senator Graham said the Afghan leader's concerns were never raised during their discussions.

Speaking on US-based ABC News, the senator said the counter-insurgency strategy led by the top US commander in Afghanistan, General David Petraeus, was moving in the right direction. But it would need a

AFP PLUMSTEADVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA, NOV 15]

As Sarah Palin solidifies her life in the spotlight with her own reality show launching Sunday, speculation has reached fever pitch: will she remain merely a media phenomenon or rise to president of the United States?

The former governor of Alaska burst onto the national stage like a supernova in 2008 when Republican presidential nominee John McCain plucked her to be his running mate.

Despite being mocked during the campaign for her lack of foreign policy experience, she held America's attention after her election defeat, becoming a celebrity force that now threatens to swamp other candidates.

But as Palin openly flirts with a 2012 White House bid to oust a slumping President Barack Obama and become the first female commander in chief, many observers stress she could remain one of the country's most influential -- if polarizing -- conservatives, even if she never runs.

"She has a very powerful role to play," Michael Franc, vice president for government relations at the conservative Heritage Foundation think-tank, told AFP. "She has something almost no one else in this country has right now: she can drive a national debate with merely a tweet," he said, referring to Palin's propensity to fire off commentaries, foreign policy nuggets and mini-critiques of Obama policy on Twitter or Facebook.

"The question everyone is asking is, how will she use it?"

To her advantage, clearly.

Palin, 46, commands massive

speaking fees, reportedly as high as 100,000 dollars.

She has managed to keep an astonishingly high profile despite avoiding what she calls the "lamestream media."

Her daughter has pushed her way into American living rooms too. Bristol Palin has been a fixture on the hit show "Dancing with the Stars" for the last several weeks.

The ex-governor's reality show will complete the human diorama. "Sarah Palin's Alaska" will feature her family fishing, kayaking, bear-watching and chilling in their tiny hometown of Wasilla.

Her political action committee has reportedly raised more money than all but one of the potential Republican White House contenders.

And several of the upstart Tea Party movement candidates she endorsed romped to victory in last week's elections, leaving observers convinced she could play kingmaker, anointing whom Republicans choose to challenge Obama.

"The Republicans smell blood in the water and that's going to push a lot of candidates in," said political science professor Daniel Shea of Allegheny College.

"She has a very devoted following and would be able to move those voters behind a different candidate."

Even though she is the poster child for polarized US politics, said Shea, and her prospects would be "slim at best," he believes she could run.

She has teased several audiences recently about a possible presidential bid.

At a fundraiser this week at a Christian school in Plumsteadville, Pennsylvania, she bounded on stage and asked a young singer: "Would you like to sing that at an inauguration?"

Palin quickly followed that with a qualifying "not necessarily mine," but most in the audience didn't hear her -- they were too busy roaring their approval.

New wave of violence threatens peace, Israeli official warns AGENCIES JERUSALEM, NOV 15

A senior Israeli intelligence official has warned of the dangers of renewed attacks on Israel by Hamas militants based in the West Bank and a wave of violence from Jewish extremists, both of whom were trying to derail peace negotiations.

Security services were concerned about violence from hardline settlers in the West Bank against Palestinians and Israeli security forces, the source said. "This is a big danger. So far it is not terror attacks but we know that it can come very fast to terror attacks."

Settler violence has stepped up over recent months, including attacks on mosques and the destruction of Palestinian olive groves. Some actions against Palestinians have been dubbed "price-tag" operations, in retaliation for the Israeli government's freeze on settlement construction.

A renewed moratorium on building in West Bank settlements, which could be agreed by the Israeli security cabinet this week, and progress in peace talks would provoke further attacks

by Jewish extremists, warned the source, whose briefing was on condition of anonymity.

At the same time, Hamas was mak-

ing "big efforts to rebuild its infrastructure in the West Bank to carry out attacks in Israel. This is a very dangerous development we are facing," he said.

According to intelligence gleaned from the interrogation of militants arrested after the shooting of four settlers near Hebron on the eve of the opening of peace talks in Washington in September, Hamas was "planning a wave of very big attacks in Israel in order to foil the peace process".

Israeli intelligence also had evidence that Hamas was behind recent rockets fired from Egypt on the Red Sea resorts of Eilat in Israel and Aqaba

in Jordan.

The past four years has seen a steep decline in attacks, attributed to the separation barrier built in much of the West Bank, a security crackdown by the Palestinian Authority and doubts among Palestinian militants about the costs of armed struggle.

In Gaza, the source said, Hamas was more constrained after the three-week war in 2008-9, although it was making "very big efforts to build up military capabilities" by smuggling weapons from Egypt through tunnels under the southern border of the Gaza Strip. It possesses rockets with a reach of up

to 50 miles, capable of hitting Tel Aviv, he said.

Egypt should be making more effort to prevent weapons being transported through the tunnels, he said. "Egypt is a sovereign state with a peace agreement with Israel. It is not doing enough to stop the smuggling of weapons.

"We can show photos of Egyptian soldiers located less than 20 metres from the opening of a tunnel, and the tunnel is operating under his eyes, under his control, and nobody is doing anything about it.

"Egypt could stop all smuggling of weapons in 24 hours if it wanted to,

Cut attacks on Taliban: Karzai

AGENCIES KABUL, NOV 15

Rising US media star Palin hints at 2012

further three years to work beyond the nominal date of July 2011 set by President Barack Obama to start a US troop withdrawal.

"I would just add this," Senator Graham said. "If we cannot use night raids with our Afghan partners, then that's a big loss in terms of gaining security."

The demand to scale back USled operations in Afghanistan, made by Mr Karzai during an interview with The Washington Post, is a direct contradiction of the strategy General Petraeus has said is essential to making gains in the nine-year conflict.

The US only recently completed an increase in its military presence, boosting forces above 100,000 after Mr Obama approved a 30,000 troop increase in December.

In his interview, Karzai said: "The time has come to reduce military operations. The time has come to reduce the presence of, you know, boots in Afghanistan… to reduce the intrusiveness in daily Afghan life."

The Afghan President also highlighted what he called the "problem" of night-time raids.

"They have to go away," he said. "The Afghan people don't like these raids. If there is any raid, it has to be done by the Afghan government within the Afghan laws. This is a continuing disagreement between us."

Karzai said he was speaking out in the hope that his candour could help the grudging relationship with the US. But his comments also appeared to reflect the delicate balance at this stage of the war.

but there is not enough motivation."

He blamed corruption among Egyptian security forces in the Sinai. There was no possibility of reconciliation between Hamas, which controls Gaza, and Fatah, dominant in the West Bank, in the next few years, the source said.

"Hamas will not allow Fatah back to the Gaza Strip, Fatah will not allow Hamas back to the West Bank. Even though they share the same Palestinian identity, they are in many aspects two peoples. It will be very hard to unite them into one people and one state. This is one of the biggest problems of the peace process."

Eight killed, 90 hurt in China fire AGENCIES BEIJING, NOV 15

Mount Merapi volcano spews ash as a villager collects her valuables from the ruins of her house at Kali Tengah village in Sleman, near Yogyakarta on Monday. Mount Merapi volcano, on the outskirts of Yogyakarta city in central Java, began spewing searing hot gas and ash clouds more than two weeks ago, and has killed 194 people, disrupted flights and displaced more than 320,000 people.

Fire has engulfed a high-rise apartment building under renovation in China's business centre of Shanghai, killing at least eight people, injuring more than 90 and sending some residents climbing down scaffolding to escape.

A witness said building materials caught fire, then spread to scaffolding and then to the 28-storey building, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.

A firefighter said people were still trapped in the building, but he did not know how many.

A building resident identified as Mr Zhou said he and his wife were sleeping in their 23rd-floor apartment when they smelled smoke. He said they climbed down the scaffolding for four storeys before being rescued by firefighters.

At one point helicopters could

be seen hovering over the building, and witnesses said at least one resident was rescued, but thick smoke hampered further efforts.

More than 80 fire trucks were called to battle the blaze, Shanghai state television said, and streams of water could be seen flowing into the building, which appears to be gutted.

The city government said in a statement that 100 people were rescued, but it was not clear if that included the 90 people Xinhua said were hurt in the fire.

A doctor at Shanghai's Jing'an Hospital said more than 20 seriously hurt people had been admitted for treatment.

The state-run news website Eastday.com said a construction worker called Qian who escaped from the 28th storey said crews were installing energy-saving insulation when the fire occurred.

Dissidents quit Berlusconi govt Show nuclear plans peaceful, AGENCIES ROME, NOV 15

The disintegration of Silvio Berlusconi’s centreright coalition government has moved a step closer with the resignation of four senior officials loyal to leading dissident Gianfranco Fini – a move likely to lead to early general elections.

Andrea Ronchi, minister for European affairs, together with Adolfo Urso, deputy industries minister, and two under-secretaries – once jokingly dismissed by Mr Berlusconi as the “four cats” – sent their letters of resignation on Monday morning.

The resignation of the four officials, members of Mr Fini’s new Future and Liberty party, completes a process that began in July when the prime minister’s People of Liberty party expelled Mr Fini, a long-time ally, and some of his sup-

porters for dissent.

“The treachery is consummated,” said Maurizio Sacconi, welfare minister and Berlusconi loyalist, commenting on the resignations.

Opposition politicians renewed their calls for Mr Berlusconi, 74, to step down, making capital out of the latest scandal surrounding the prime minister’s controversial private life involving a teenage Moroccan disco dancer.

Mr Berlusconi, midway through his five-year term, has said he will only quit should he lose votes of confidence that he wants to table in the senate and lower house. Italy’s parties are broadly agreed that a final showdown in parliament should only follow the passing of the 2011 budget which starts its passage in the lower house on Tuesday and should complete its approval in the senate by mid-December.

China, Russia tell Iran

AGENCIES BEIJING, NOV 15

The West suspects Iran of seeking nuclear weapons in a major threat to international security under the guise of a civilian research program. Tehran says its long concealed uranium enrichment drive is aimed only at generating electricity.

"The three foreign ministers recognize Iran's right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy," they said in a joint statement released on the Chinese foreign

ministry's website (www.mfa.gov.cn) after a meeting in China's Wuhan city.

"At the same time, Iran should restore the faith of the international community of the totally peaceful nature of its nuclear activities," they added.

"The only path to resolving the Iran nuclear issue is through dialogue, negotiations and other such peaceful methods."

European Union foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton

wrote to Iran's chief nuclear negotiator on Friday accepting an offer to meet in Europe early next month to discuss Tehran's nuclear program.

Following consultations with the six world powers which she will represent -- the United States, Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany -- Ashton wrote to Saeed Jalili accepting the offer of a meeting on December 5, but suggested Switzerland or Austria as the venue.

Pg 14

SPORTS GOA, Tuesday 16 November, 2010

Goa University win HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, NOV 15

Goa University won the West Zone Inter-University football (men) championship organised

by Rani Durgavati V ishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur.

Goa lead the table with six points followed by Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya four points, Mumbai University four and

Laxmibai National University of Physical Education two.

Goa beat Mumbai University 1-0 in their first encounter.

Arnold Cardozo scored for Goa. In the second match, Goa beat LNUPE 3-0. Arnold Cardozo, Gary D’Mello and Ramino Estricio scored. Goa lost their third match to hosts, University Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya 0-2.

Odafe tricks for Churchill HERALD REPORTER VASCO, NOV 15

Churchill Bros’ reliable striker Odafe Okolie was on a rampage as he struck four against Faria Sports Management in their resounding 7-0 victory in GFA Professional League at Tilak Maidan, here on Monday. They led 3-0 at the break.

Friends Sporting triumph

In a complete one-sided encounter, Odafe stole the show scoring a hat-trick. Brian Mascarenhas, Nicholas Fernandes and Lenny Rodrigues were the other scorers.

Odafe struck his hat-trick in the first half and it included two penalties which Churchill within 25 minuets. In the 16th minute

a foul was committed by a Faria defender and nine minutes later a Faria defender handled the ball in the box.

Odafe completed his hat-trick in the 36th minute.

After the change of ends, Churchill were more aggressive, as they scored four more goals to make the situation hopeless for Faria.

Brian Mascarenhas scored in the 48th minute, while Odafe scored yet again in the 63rd minute.

Two minutes before long whistle Faria conceeded two more goals. Nicholas Fernandes scored in the 89th minute and a minute later Lenny Rodrigues completed the tally.

Cris Boys Curchorem triumph

HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, NOV 15

Friends Sporting Club, Carambolim beat Sunshine SC 3-0 in the finals of Friends Exhibition soccer match series organised

by Friends Sporting Club, Carambolim at Carambolim Panchayat ground, Carambolim on Monday.

Friends Sporting Club, Carambolim, winners of Friends exhibition soccer match series.

The score was 1-0 at half time.

Friends opened their account through Bosco Gonsalves.

Changing ends, Derryl D’Souza converted off a free kick.

In the last ten minutes, Friends scored their final goal through Frankie Mascarenhas.

Benzy Gonsalves, Friends SC took the best player of the tournament prize while Suraj Mulgaonkar, Sunshine SC claimed the upcoming player award.

Maria Mascarenhas, Special Judicial Magistrate, North Goa was the chief guest and gave away the prizes. Also present were Kundan Bomkar, panch, Dinesh Usgaonkar president, Sunshine SC and Rosario Dias, president, Friends SC, Carambolim.

Calangute up

Mickky Pacheco handing over the cash prize and trophy to the winners of Fr. Gervasio Pinto memorial football tournament organised by Angel Boys at Curchorem on Sunday.

HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, NOV 15

Cris Boys, Curchorem prevailed over UB-40, Colva 1-0 in the finals of Fr. Gervasio Pinto memorial football tournament organised by Angel Boys, Curchorem at Figueiredo ground, Curchorem. There was no score at the interval.

With a few minutes remaining for the final call, Cris Boys took their golden opportunity when Nelson Mascarenhas converted

the corner kick off Mario.

Following individual prizes were awarded: Best goalkeeper Mohammed Shaikh (Holy Cross, Voddlemoll). Best promising player Victor (Cris Boys). First scorer of the final and man-ofthe-match Nelson (Cris Boys).

Best defender Herculas (UB-40).

First goal of the tournament Erron (Mendes Bros). Best disciplined team Mendes Bros.

MLA, Mickky Pacheco was the chief guest and gave away the

prizes in the presence of guest of honour Shyam Satadekar, MLA, Curchorem constituency, Curchorem-Cacora Municipal Council chairperson Alifa Fernandes, CCMC councilors Rocha, Pradeep, Pushkal, Patercia and former GPYC general secretary, Paul Carvalho.

Earlier, John D’Costa, former president, Guardian Angel SC, Curchorem, welcomed. Danny Carvalho, general secretary, Angel Boys compered and later proposed the vote of thanks.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, NOV 15

Crowd pullers Calangute Association defeated Football Club of Siolim 2-0 to book their place in the finals of 4th Bardez Cup inter-village football tournament organised by United Club of Nerul at Dr. Gustavo Monteiro Stadium, Candolim on Monday.

There was no score at half time.

At the start, the teams began on a cautious note but failed to break the deadlock at half time.

Changing over, Calangute shot into the lead in the 10th minute through a Francisco Fernandes header off Sherwin Lobo cross. Down by a goal, Siolim tried to bounce back with Ryan D'Souza working overtime but their forwards failed to score.

Calangute doubled the lead through a power packed shot

by Bruno Coutinho which crashed into the nylons giving no chance to the rival keeper.

Dempo U-16 football team winners of All-India U-16 invitational youth cup organised by Mumbai Football Academy at Chowgule ground alongwith head coach Armando Colaco, U-16 coach Mathew D'Costa, assistant coach, Mauricio Afonso, Camilo Gonsalves and Babu Arolkar. They defeated Bresources Betalbatim 1-0. Nerry Alfonso scored the winner.

Verna Panchayat champs Kingfisher Pro League football: Vasco SC v. Sporting Clube de Goa, Duler Stadium, Mapusa, 4 p.m.

Third Division football play-off: Youth Club of Manora v. Sports and Welfare Club Zaino, Curtorim ground, 4 p.m.

U-16 football: Rossman Cruz Nagoa SC v. Sarzora SC, Nagoa ground; Salcete FC v.

Betalbatim SC, Rosary ground.

Kick off 4 p.m.

Fr Basilio Andrade memorial football: Baina SC v. Davorlim SC, Musson ground, Majorda, 4.30 p.m.

Anjuna-Caisua Panchayat Cup soccer quarters: Candolim SC v. Nerul SC, Chapora ground, 4.30 p.m.

Eslinda Alemao memorial soccer: CAC, Cansualim v.

Chandor Club, Cuncolim ground, 4 p.m.

Verna Panchayat football team.

HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, NOV 15

Verna Panchayat beat Velim Panchayat 3-0 to emerge South Goa champions under PYKKA football championship.

Earlier, at the block level, Verna Panchayat defeated Nagoa Panchayat 1-0 and Cortalim Panchayat 2-0. At the District level, Verna beat Shiroda Panchayat 2-1, Benaulim Pan-

chayat 2-0 and Sarzora Panchayat 2-0.

T h e Ve r n a t e a m w a s guided by coach Umer Mutawalli and manager Prabhakar Velip.

Fatima Convent HS, Margao winners of U-14 District Level basketball defeating Presentation Convent HS, Margao 32-4. Standing (l to r): Rachel Raposa, Gayle Gomes, Jesida Fernandes, Leandrie Rodrigues, Viella Rodrigues, Muriel Gracias, Dielle Martins. Sitting: Sr. Regina Greta, principal, Lina Shirgaonkar, SAG basketball coach. Squatting: Claudia Gomes, Conceicao Fernandes, Franzila Rodrigues, Rhea Rebello (captain).

SPORTS GOA, Tuesday, 16 November, 2010

Pg 15

Ivana collects 50 ELO points HERALD SPORTS REPORTER PANJIM, NOV 15

World youth chess silver medallist (U-12), Ivana Maria Furtado

returned here on Sunday after collecting 50 ELO points in all which will push her tally to 2001 rating points by January next

l Ranked No 1 in Asia and India in U-12

Number one Portugal’s GM Galego Luis offering a draw to Ivana Maria Furtado at Figueira de Foz, Portugal.

year.

Ivana participated in the world event in Greece and later in an international tourney at Figueira de Foz in Portugal. In each of these events she garned 25 points each.

The Our Lady of the Rosary, Dona Paula school student, who is the Dempo Goodwill Ambassador is the lone Goan to have won a medal at each world level event which she is participating since 2006. In the first two years she won the gold twice and later in 2009 and 2010 she bagged a silver each. Besides, she had also won the gold in team event in 2008.

Ivana’s superlative performances had made her as the world number 9 in under-11 category.

At Asia and India level, she en-

Talasha sets golden record

HERALD SPORTS REPORTER PANJIM, NOV 15

Goa’s swimming sensation Talasha S Prabhu rewrote history books yet once again as she was declared fastest swimmer at National Schools Games in Sholapur as she set a new record in 50m freestyle with a timing of 27.63 seconds on Monday.

The Dhempe Higher Secondary student and Dempo Goodwill Ambassador won the second gold in under-19 category and erased the old record set by Aditi Malavika of Karnataka whose timing was 28.03 secs set in 2009.

Talasha, undoubtedly, has the best ever credentials in Goa’s swimming history.

Sagun to lead Goa in Ranji HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, NOV 15

Sagun Kamat will lead the State Ranji team for their third match against Jharkhand at GCA indoor stadium ground, Porvorim from November 17 to 20.

The other members of the team - Vidhyuth Shivaramakrishnan, Vaibhav Naik, Regan Pinto, Ajay Ratra, Rahul Keni, Robin D’Souza, Shadab Jakati, Harshad Gadekar, Amit Yadav, Sher Bahadur Yadav, Saurabh Bandekar, Sahil Dhuri, Ryan D’Souza. Rajesh Kamath (coach), Sarvesh Naik (assistant coach), Sanjeev Gaonkar (manager), Danny Pereira (physiotherapist) and Prabhakar B (trainer).

Swapnil Asnodkar is injured.

PY Nuvem advance HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, NOV 15

Parish Youth Nuvem entered the quarters of Fr Basilio Andrade memorial football tournament defeating Pax of Nagoa 5-4 via the tie-breaker at Musson ground, Majorda. There was no score during regular time.

Nagoa Sporting in semis HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, NOV 15

Nagoa Sporting Club trounced Sangolda Lightning 3-0 to move into the semi-finals of AnjunaCaisua Panchayat Cup inter-village football tournament organised

by Chapora Yuvak Sangh at Chapora ground on Monday.

Nagoa shot into the lead in the 17th minute through Nandan Simepuruskar. Sangolda tried to equalise but their forwards failed to score.

Changing over, Kalpesh Diukar doubled the lead for Nagoa in the 36th minute while Pramod Mardolkar rounded off the tally in the 57th.

joys the top number one ranking.

Ivana, who has been rightly called Goa’s chess prodigy has kept both Goa’s and India’s flag flying very high on a sustained basis.

In Portugal, Ivana drew the admiration of world rated senior players and her draw with Grand Master Galego Luis, who is Portugal’s top rated number one, left everyone speelbound. She was the only Indian player to have been invited for the Portuguese tournament and at 11, was the youngest girl.

Ivana’s father Ely, who dons the mantle of manager, told Herald that the two events had provided rich and fullsome experience which was possible due to the financial assistance provided by Shrinivas V Dempo, chairman of Dempo Group of Companies. “The tournament in Portugal pitted Ivana against world rated players, Grand Masters and International Masters, WIMs and NMs, much more senior and highly experienced players than Ivana which was the most rewarding factor.”

Ivana with the silver trophy and medal in Greece.

Man Utd scrape draw

pg 16_Layout 1 11/16/2010 12:14 AM Page 1

SPORTS GOA, TUESDAY, 16 NOVEMBER, 2010 www.oheraldo.in

In BrIef

Chelsea stunned Chelsea's lead at the top of the Premier League was cut to two points after Nedum Onuoha's stunning goal set Sunderland on their way to a shock 3-0 victory at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Asamoah Gyan and Danny Welbeck added to Onuoha's effort as Chelsea keeper Petr Cech conceded his first league goals at Stamford Bridge since March and the Blues suffered their heaviest home defeat since April 2002.

Chelsea had suffered the blow of losing captain John Terry to injury the day before the game.

Pg16 Bhajji does balle balle Dempo win U-16 title Pg 14

lFirst 8th batsman in Test to slam back-to-back tons PTI HYDERABAD, NOV 15

Harbhajan Singh smashed his way into the record books by becoming the first number eight batsman in the history of Test cricket to hit back-toback tons even as the second Test between India and New Zealand headed towards a tight finish here today.

After Harbhajan propelled the hosts

Soderling tops Robin Soderling signalled his intentions for the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals when he claimed his maiden Masters title with a clinical 6-1, 7-6 defeat of local favourite Gael Monfils in Paris on Sunday.

India bag silver, bronze PTI GUANGZHOU, NOV 15

The cueists turned out to be the saving grace by bagging a silver medal as the fancied shooters came a cropper on a disappointing third day of competitions in the 16th Asian Games which saw India slip to the seventh position on the medals table here today.

Royals, BCCI take dispute to arbitrator AGENCIES MUMBAI, NOV 15

Rajasthan Royals and BCCI on Monday agreed to take the dispute over the IPL franchisee’s contract termination to an arbitrator.

Rajasthan Royals moved the Bombay High Court last month after the BCCI terminated the contract with them for the IPL. However, at Monday’s hearing Rajasthan Royals’ lawyer Janak Dwarkadas told the court that both the parties have decided to solve the dispute through arbitration as per their contract terms.

He also said that justice B N Srikrishna would be the sole arbitrator.

Justice S J Vazifdar adjourned hearing till November 18.

Another IPL franchisee Kings XI Punjab has also challenged termination of regulation of its contract with BCCI. Kings XI's lawyers told the court on Monday that his client too is seeking resolution of dispute through arbitration and the franchisee would be willing to accept arbitration before Justice Srikrishna.

The court then posted the matter of Kings XI for hearing on November 18.

With the addition of just a silver and bronze medal, India took their overall medals tally to one gold, four silver and three bronze to drop to the seventh spot on the roster after being in the fifth position on the first two days.

Powerhouse China expectedly did the bulk of the gold collection to consolidate their position atop the table with a tally of 53-20-19 while South Korea (18-13-17) and Japan (13-25-23) were in the second and third position respectively.

It was a heart-breaking day

for the large Indian contingent with star shooters like Gagan Narang and Tejaswini Sawant failing to come to terms with the windy conditions at the Aoti shooting range while the performance at the other venues also left much to be desired.

The performance of the snooker team comprising Yasin Merchant, Sneh Aditya Mehta and Brijsh Damani, who gave India their fourth silver, and the bronzewinning effort of the men's tennis team were the highpoints of an otherwise dismal day.

Gayle puts WI on course REUTERS GALLE, NOV 15

Former captain Chris Gayle cracked a century off 116 balls as West Indies continued to pile on the runs on the first day of the opening Test against Sri Lanka today.

Gayle's maiden Test hundred in the subcontinent took West Indies to a healthy 238 for one wicket at the tea interval with the flamboyant batsman unbeaten on 145, scored off 157 balls with 19 fours and six sixes.

Partnering Gayle in an unbroken second wicket stand of 128 was debutant Darren Bravo, who added a far more sedate 32 runs to the total.

The afternoon session belonged to the tall left-hander, who flayed the Sri Lanka bowling to all parts of the ground in an effortless display of batting on a placid pitch.

He moved from 83 to his 13th Test hundred in a matter of five balls, smashing Ajantha Mendis for a four and two sixes in an over that cost the spinner 18 runs.

Pak battle against SA AGENCIES DUBAI, NOV 15

A record third wicket partnership of 242 runs from South Africa's Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis left Pakistan with a mountain to climb on day four of the first Test on Monday.

Amla's 118 not out and Kallis's unbeaten 135 helped South Africa declare its second innings on 3182, while Pakistan was left needing another 342 runs to win at stumps. The partnership was South Africa's highest for a third

wicket against Pakistan, surpassing the 207 in Lahore in 2007 between Kallis and Graeme Smith.

At close, Pakistan had reached 109-2 in its second innings at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Past statistics are not encouraging for its hopes of victory.

The most Pakistan has managed in the fourth innings of a Test match is 341-9 against West Indies in 1988, while its highest successful run chase was 315-9 against Australia in 1994.

India stand chance to win WC: Brett Lee

BY CHARLES D’SOUSA MARGAO NOV 15

After bowling cricket fans over with his on-field performances, Australian cricketer Brett Lee is all set to rock Goa, as he gears up for a musical performance with well known musician Micky Vawdon.

Herald caught up with Brett Lee at Colva on Sunday as he disclosed his career plans for the IPL 4 and World Cup. Informing host nation India have a good chance of winning the upcoming World Cup with the home advantage, Brett Lee said that Sri Lanka and Australian squads were equally competent to be in the race for the title.

Excerpts from the interview: Q: Elaborate about your Goa visit.

Lee: It’s my second trip to Goa and I am with the music group to perform at three venues across India. So far we have covered Mumbai and now we are in Goa. It’s really a nice place as it is quiet and it’s nice to relax. I am looking forward to the trip.

Q: What’s this change to music?

Lee: We had made this plan a long time back when I spoke to my music partner Micky Vawdon and we decided to do this overseas international tour. We were in touch with Pearls Uhh, who have made it possible for us to do the tour. I am really looking forward to perform this month.

We are really excited to be in Goa. Q: Australia’s performance is on the decline. Your comments.

Lee: Yeah. From the Australian

Ivana collects 50 ELO points Pg 15

Photo: Rozario Estibeiro

cricket team point of view, this side has not had a great season over the past couple of months, but now we hope to turn it around. There has been a plenty of talk over the captaincy issue but I don’t have a problem with that. Ricky Ponting is our leader as he has a wonderful record back in Australia. I am sure when the Aussies come back here we will have a close series.

Q: Any World Cup favourites?

Lee: Well I think if you see the World Cup fixture any team at any time and at any place could get a chance to win the World Cup which is great thing.

India obviously has a great One day side. On the other hand, Sri Lanka is very tough along with the Australian side.

Q: Does India have an advantage being the hosts?

Lee: Yeah, I think India will definitely have a home ground advantage. It’s obviously a very tough place to come from out-

side India and play cricket because of the wickets obviously.

Q: Your take on Dhoni’s captaincy.

Lee: I think they have had some great couple of months and have played some really great cricket.

Q: So what’s next on the cards?

Lee: Right now I am concentrating on my trip where I am going to play with the band before I get back to Sydney later this month. I will start to play some cricket again. I am really focused on my cricket. I want to be in the IPL 4 and I want to be in the World Cup. Q: After TV commercial ads, any plans for the Bollywood films?

Lee: Yeah, it may happen in the future. I think to be in the Bollywood film you need a lot of time, may be 60-70 days in India. At the moment I am very busy and focused on my cricket, but there is possibility in the future.

Q: Any plans for a cricket academy?

Lee: Yeah, there has been a lot of talk about the potential of having a cricket academy but we need to have more meetings.

So we have to see good opportunities to hope for a fast bowlers cricket academy to come up.

Q: How are you going to spend your short trip in Goa? Lee: Well on the beach I guess. Just relax as I really enjoy Goa as it is a wonderful spot. A few months back I was here and I had some real good time on the beach. This time I want to meet some locals as well.

to a challenging 472 with a blistering unbeaten 111 off 114 deliveries, Brendon McCullum led a strong New Zealand riposte by notching up his sixth Test century, which helped his side finish the day at 237 for the loss of four wickets.

The New Zealanders gained a lead of 115 runs at stumps, on day four, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.

After being at receiving end of McCullum's onslaught, Indian bowlers, however, struck late in the day to give the hosts a slight edge going into the final day.

At close, McCullum was going great guns having scored 124 off 177 deliveries, while giving him company was Kane Williamson, on 12. With Williamson for company, McCullum would ideally like to bat atleast an hour after lunch in order ensure that the Black Caps are in the safety zone.

New Zealand 1st innings: 350 India 1st innings: (overnight 436-9) Harbhajan Singh not out 111, Zaheer Khan c Arnel b Southee 7, Pragyan Ojha run out 0, S Sreesanth lbw b Vettori 24. Extras: 14. Total: 472 all out.

Fall of wickets: 1-160, 2-160, 3-184, 4-259, 5-311, 6-326, 7336, 8-355, 9-367. Bowling: Chris Martin 29-6-87-1, Tim Southee 33-8-119-3, Brent Arnel 24-5-79-0, Daniel Vettori 49.4-7-135-5, Kane Williamson 7-0-31-0, Ross Taylor 1-0-9-0.

New Zealand 2nd innings: Tim McIntosh c sub (Pujara) b Ojha 49, Brendon McCullum not out 124, Martin Guptill c Dhoni b Ojha 18, Ross Taylor b Sreesanth 7, Jesse Ryder c Dhoni b Raina 20, Kane Williamson not out 12. Extras: 7. Total: 237 for 4. Fall of wickets: 1-125, 2-174, 3187, 4-221. Bowling: Zaheer Khan 4.3-1-12-0, S Sreesanth 17-3-70-1, Pragyan Ojha 25.3-8-60-2, Harbhajan Singh 23-2-79-0, Sachin Tendulkar 2-0-7-0, Suresh Raina 3-0-7-1.

Earlier in the day, Harbhajan slammed an unbeaten 111 off 116 balls and his 105-run partnership for the 10th wicket with Sreesanth helped the hosts take a first innings significant lead before Daniel Vettori castled Sreesanth to put the brakes on India's first innings.

Vettori, who bowled nearly 50 overs, finished with impressive figures of five for 135, while Tim Southee took three for 119.

Resuming at an overnight score of 434 for nine, the duo of Harbhajan, who was unbeaten on 85 at stumps on the third day, and Sreesanth racked up 36 runs in quick time that saw the off-spinner getting to the coveted landmark.

The landmark was touched when Harbhajan tucked off his hips a Tim Southee delivery, in the seventh over of the day.

As he pumped his fists in joy, his teammates in the dressing room gave him a standing ovation as crowd clapped and whistled for the man Rahul Dravid described as the "new Gary Sobers."

The spinner also thanked Sreesanth who defied the visitors for 115 minutes, which saw him take some blows on his body.

Harbhajan started from where he had left off on the third day, slamming Vettori for a straight six over the long-on.