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POWER PLAY

SPECTACULAR OPENING TO CRICKET WORLD CUP 2011

International star Bryan Adams gave a rocking performance to set the tone for the Cricket World Cup 2011 that was ushered in with a grand opening ceremony in Dhaka.

The theme song ‘De Ghuma Ke’ sung by the trio of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy followed the return of the game’s showpiece event to the sub-continent after long hiatus of 15 years.

All the 14 captains came into the arena on decorated rickshaws with Australian captain Ricky Ponting coming in first followed by the other captains.

Desmond acquitted Mahanand for consideration other than judicial HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, FEB 17

The unexplained suspension of the South Goa District and Additional Sessions Judge Desmond D’Costa is now revealed officially.

The chargesheet accuses him of deciding serial killer Mahanand Naik’s acquittal ‘for consideration other than judicial’.

“By showing ugly and haste in acquitting the accused who was known to be a serial killer by not even examining the necessary witnesses in the case, you had shown lack of devotion to duty and acted in a manner unbecoming of a judicial officer,” the report reads.

Judge D’Costa was suspended on February 8 by a single line order which did not specify reasons behind action against him.

L awyers in large numbers protested against his suspension and struck work for couple of days. They even marched to the Bombay High Court at Goa Registrar’s office demanding to revoke his suspension.

Sources told Herald that the report against the suspended Judge also stated that crucial witnesses in the Mahanand case were not examined while also the accused’s confessional statement was ‘deliberately not considered’.

“The confessional statement

was showing that the accused has clearly confessed of having sex with Nirmala Amolkar by taking her at Verna plateau, in the bushes and strangulating her...Considering the fact that you are a senior Judicial Officer…you was supposed to be sensitive while conducting trial of this case”, the report by Principal Judge U V Bakre to Registrar I K Jain further read.

“However, you failed to examine witnesses and deliberately kept the confessional statement, panchanama of recovery, etc out of consideration, resulting in acquittal of the accused. Thus you acted negli-

Film on Goa under police scanner Dum Maro Dum may have more dum than expected

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, FEB 17

Apprehensive that Bollywood flick ‘Dum Maro Dum’, based on Goa’s underbelly will showcase the State in a bad taste, Goa police has demanded with the filmmakers to show them the promotional and all publicity footages before the release.

Reliable police sources confirmed Goa police has sent a letter to the director of the movie Rohan Sippy asking him to show the promotional and publicity materials before releasing the movie or its promotional events officially.

It is learnt the letter was apparently sent to the film makers on Tuesday morning.

Police spokesperson Superintendent of Police Atmaram Deshpande said that he was not in the know about the letter to Sippy. “No such letter from the police headquarters has been

sent as per my knowledge”, Deshpande told Herald.

The movie Dum Maro Dum, starring Abhishek Bachchan, Bipasha Basu and Deepika Padukone revolves around drugs, sex, etc for which Goa has been receiving bed press.

Sources said, “After British teen Scarlet Keeling’s mysterious death on Anjuna beach in 2008, the social conflicts between the Russian mafia and Goan locals and the drug nexus, Goa Government was apprehensive about any negative publicity”.

They mentioned the police wanted to perform this prior check to see how Goa has been portrayed to ensure that the same in no way affected the State’s tourism image.

The entire movie has been shot in Goa. It has Abhishek Bachchan playing a cop from the Goa police.

(Continued on page 2)

NCP ministers: unaware of any pact, says CM HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, FEB 17

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat today feigned ignorance on any settlement between the Congress and NCP high command at the Centre over the dropping of two ministers from the Cabinet.

The NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, during his visit to Belgaum last week, had told Herald that the Congress high command had agreed to drop two of his party ministers – Jose Philip D’Souza and Nilkanth Halarnkar to make way for Mickky Pacheco into the Digambar Kamat Cabinet.

Pawar was reacting to queries on the deadline set by the Mickkyled group in State NCP that had threatened to quit the party if their demands were not met.

(Continued on page 2)

gently and recklessly in showing ugly, haste and hurry in deciding the case which was not even from your file”, it added.

Judge Bakre had proceeded on sick leave from March 15 and had handed over the charge to Judge D’Costa during this period.

On February 14, lawyers, doctors and citizens from all walks of life gathered at Azad Maidan reiterating demand to reinstate the Judge. The meeting also passed a resolution demanding the “immediate withdrawal of suspension” and “immediate halt to victimization of the honest and upright judges (referring to Judge Anuja Prabhudesai also)”.

A breathtaking aerial cricket match, played horizontally on a building, and a dazzling display of fireworks kept the spectators spellbound.

Milk to cost more Price of high fat milk and standardised milk has been hiked by Rs 3, while toned milk will cost Rs 2 more per litre.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARCEL, FEB 17

Goa Dairy milk will be costlier by up to Rs 3 from February 21, with the Goa State Cooperative Milk Producers Union agreeing to the hike on Thursday.

Shortly after the board of directors meeting, Goa Dairy Chairman Madhav Sahakari informed reporters that the price hike was inevitable with a rise in milk prices in Maharashtra. “Milk prices in Maharashtra were increased by Rs 2.50 to Rs 3 since February 1. Despite this, we did not raise milk prices till now”, said Sahakari.

“However due to this hike

since February, Goa Dairy suffered loss of around Rs 2 lakh daily. At the board of directors meeting, we finally decided to increase the milk price by Rs 3 for high fat milk and standardised milk, while toned milk will cost Rs 2 more per litre”, he added.

With this revised price, a litre of high fat milk and standard milk will now cost Rs 37 and Rs 33 respectively, while toned milk will cost Rs 26 a litre.

“We procure 50 per cent of milk from Maharashtra and Karnataka, and from this month, the price of milk was raised from Rs 2.50 to Rs 3 (Continued on page 2)

Police goofed up on Atala extradition

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, FEB 17

Israeli drug dealer Yaniv Benaim’s (Atala) extradition process started on February 3, contrary to claims by Goa police they approached Peruvian authorities in early January 2011 seeking his custody.

The Israeli fugitive wanted in the infamous drug-nexus case was arrested by Interpol at Lima International Airport on January 8 after they found his name on the red-corner notice issued against him.

Ministry of External Affairs

(MEA) authorities told Herald that the State police faulted in their proceedings and asked for deportation instead of extradition, which delayed the process further.

Police spokesperson Superintendent of Police Atmaram Deshpande on January 19 had told reporters that diplomatic communication between India and Peru authorities was being used to expedite Atala’s extradition process.

But ironically, Goa police had sought Atala’s ‘deportation’ instead of ‘extradition’ which

messed up the process.

On January 10, Goa Government moved for Atala’s deportation through the Delhi CBI Interpol. After receiving communication from Goa, the Indian Consulate in Peru referred the matter back to MEA in Delhi to seek further advice as ‘deportation’ would be time-consuming.

“Even if his deportation order was issued, Atala would have been taken to the original port of embarkation in Israel. He would have been deported to (Continued on page 2)

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JD(U) calls for a viable alternative to Cong, BJP Pledges to fight for special status HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, FEB 17

Promising to take up the special status for Goa in the budget session of Parliament, the Janata Dal (United) has called for a viable alternative to the Congress and the BJP in the coming Assembly polls.

Party’s national general secretary Javed Raza told newsmen that Congress President Sonia Gandhi had promised special status for Goa during her election campaign in Goa during the 2009 Lok Sabha polls, but lamented that the Congress has failed to accord special status for the State till date.

“The Party demands that the UPA headed by Congress President Sonia Gandhi fulfil the demand of Goans for special status before the people come out on the streets to demand the status,” Raza warned.

Raza further urged the Goa government not to bulldoze with the highway project against the wish of the people of Goa without coming up with a rehabilitation policy for the displaced people. He demanded that the rehabilitation plan be placed before the people of Goa before taking up any work on the Na-

JD(U) national general secretary Javed Raza making a point at a press briefing.

Photo by Santosh Mirajkar

tional highway.

Expressing concern over the changes mooted by the government to the Regional plan 2021 against the wish and sentiments of the people of Goa, Raza said that the government should stick to the aspirations of the people and not effect changes to suit the builders lobby “The Janata Dal U will take up all these issues in the coming Assembly polls due next year.

The party will come up with its manifesto for the welfare and benefit of the locals,” he said, adding that the party has been returned back to power in Bihar under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar because of the welfare projects launched by the government.

Outlining his party’s plan for Goa, Raza said the party has drawn up an ambitious membership drive and to build up the party in the nook and corner of the state.

When asked specifically whether the party will have a tie-up with the BJP on the lines of similar arrangement in Bihar, Raza said that the party will first assess the political situation in Goa before taking any decision.

JD (U) Goa unit president, Filipe Pereira said the people of Goa are looking for a third viable alternative in Goa having experienced the functioning of the government by the Congress and the BJP. “We do not forsee any tie up with the any other political party in the state”, he added.

Stage set for pro-Desmond rally today HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, FEB 17

The stage is set for a rally cum public meeting in the Commercial Capital on Friday evening in support of the demand for the revocation of suspension of Judge Desmond D’Costa.

President of the South Goa Advocates Association, Anacleto Viegas said the rally will start from the District and Sessions Court at around 3.30 pm followed by a public meeting at the historic Lohia Maidan.

While demanding revocation of the suspension of Judge D’Costa, the Association has further prayed that the High Court not to accept the report of the inquir y officer appointed to conduct the inquiry against Judge Anuja Prabhudesai.

“The Association has asked the Chief Justice of India, Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, besides the President of India to complete the inquiry, if any, against Judge D’Costa within a period of 15 days,” Adv Viegas said.

He reiterated the demand for an inquiry against South Goa Sessions Judge Utkarsh V Bakre for allegedly filing a report against Judge D’Costa and for allegedly misleading the bar on the issue.

MMC gets Rs 10 crore grant-in-aid HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, FEB 17

Cash hit Margao Municipal Council will be richer by around Rs 10 crore – thanks to grant-in-aid provided by the government for various projects, including land acquisition for the kabrastan and garbage disposal at Sonsodo.

In fact, land acquisition proceedings – hit by failure to deposit funds with the land acquisition officer -- for the twin projects of Kabrastan and garbage disposal at Sonsodo is now expected to be expedited and taken to the logical conclusion.

For, the government has bailed out the Civic body by sanctioning an amount of Rs 3.1 crore to acquire admeasuring land 30,191 square meters at Sonsodo for the Kabrastan and another Rs 2.88 crore for the acquisition of 57,700 square meters of land at Sonsodo for garbage disposal.

These two projects were literally hanging fire, especially land acquisition for Kabrastan

There’s good news in store for the City Fathers as well. They can now look forwarded to execute many a development project as the government has finally sanctioned a grant of Rs 1.31 crore to the Civic body.

On the garbage collection and disposal front, the Civic body has received a grant of Rs 32 lakh as the operation and maintenance cost for day-to-day garbage in the municipal area, including the collection, transportation, segregation and disposal.

A senior Municipal officer informed that the orders for the grant-in-aid have been received by the Civic body on Thursday, adding that the funds will flow into the coffers within the next few days.

It is pertinent to note here that the Margao Municipal administration had to fall back on two fixed deposits to pay the employees salaries amounting to Rs 60 lakhs for the month of January.

GRANT-IN-AID Kabrastan – Rs 3.1 cr Garbage plant at Sonsodo – Rs 2.88 cr Development grant – Rs 1.31 cr Salary and DA grant – Rs 1.15 cr Octroi grant – Rs 1 cr Garage grant – Rs 5.98 lakh Day-to-day garbage collection Rs 32 lakh since the Municipality was told to first deposit funds with the land acquisition officer before going ahead with the proceedings.

The grant-in-aid provided by the government brings in good news for the Municipal employees as they can expected to receive the salaries of two months without any problem.

While the government has finally issued the order to release the grant of Rs 1.15 crore, the Civic body will now also receive the first installment of the Octroi grant of Rs one crore in the immediate future.

BPCL denies liability for Loutolim tanker mishap HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, FEB 17

Rejecting the deputy collector’s report that the Aviation Turbine Fuel tanker incident at AmboraLoutolim caused a loss of Rs 29 lakh, including damage to the Khazan fields, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd officials asserted that it is the liability of the transporters for safe carriage of petroleum products and that any loss or damage or accident if any is attributable to the tanker crew or the transporter.

Filing a reply to the show cause notice issued by the Chief Executive Officer, South Goa District Disaster Management Authority, Y B Tawde, BPCL officials further went on to say that the show cause notice has been issued under political pressure and for extraneous reasons.

Virtually abdicating its responsibility on the transportation of the Aviation Turbine Fuel

from Mumbai to Goa, the company said that the tanker is managed and run by a transport contractor and that it neither has any control over the staff of the transporter nor is liable for the act of the transporter and his crew. “Loss, if any, has taken place cannot be attributed to us. Hence, we are not liable for any damages whatsoever,” the reply stated.

The incident has occurred beyond the control of the company as such no negligence of any sort can be attributed to it, the officials said. Under the light of these facts attributing culpability to the company is false, he added.

The BPCL officials firmly denied the question of alleged spillage in the khazan land as well as into the field, adding the company has not committed any offence under the Environment Protection Act, 1986 and further

denied commission of any offence under the Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules, 1986.

“We are neither party to the spillage nor are liable for any spillage as alleged. We have taken all due precaution at our filling point at Mumbai while filling the product in the tanker.

It is then the responsibility of the tanker crew or the transporter for safe carriage of the product to the destination as occurance of the incident was beyond our control,” the reply asserted.

The company has called for withdrawal of the show cause notice and not to initiate any punitive action against the officials.

Tawde told Herald that he has asked BPCL official to furnish additional details on the tanker incident, while adjourning hearing of the case.

Residents of Vasco appear to be inhaling coal dust way beyond the permissible limits set by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB).

A recent assessment report of pollution in Vasco city and its surrounding areas up to Vaddem was prepared by Italab (Goa) Pvt Ltd Industrial Testing and Analytical Laboratories.

Italab had collected samples of ambient air collected on behalf of the GSPCB from December 8, 2010, to January 2, 2011.

"Yes, the pollution level is beyond the permissible limit and we will inform the court about it and we will issue appropriate directives to MPT," GSPCB Chairman Dr Simon D'Souza told Herald.

According to the report, Italab monitored emissions of minute particles from the coal dust called ‘Particulate Matter’ (PM) PM10 and PM2.5, which are based on its size.

For the PM 2.5 study, samples were conducted over a period of 25 days from December 8, 2010, to January 2, 2011, during a duration of 12 hours at five dif-

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, FEB 17

A total of thirty-eight nominations came to be filed on Thursday for the Corporation of the City of Panjm (CCP) elections on March 13. Today most of the candidates from the BJP panel filed their nominations, even as the NCP-supported group is likely to appear tomorrow to file their papers.

The BJP candidates who filed their nominations include Prabhakar Dongrekar – ward 4, Sheetal Naik – ward 5, Lotlikar Deodita Da Cruz filing nomination papers. Photo by Sachin Amdoskar S h w e t a – w a rd 7 , D u rg a -- ward 13, Nina Silimkhan -- ward 24, Shubhada Dhond – Keluskar -- ward 8, Kamat Sudin ward 16, Khandeparkar Nilesh ward 25, Shubham Chodankar – ward 9, Maya Joshi -- ward 10, -- ward 17, Deodita Da Cruz – w a rd 2 7 , N i v e d i t a N a i k Manoj Patil -- ward 11, Vaidehi -- ward 19, Shailesh Ugadekar Chopdekar -- ward 28, Pratima Naik -- ward 12, Bharati Heble – ward 23, Diksha Mayenkar -- Hoble -- ward 29, Ratnakar Fa-

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, FEB 17

After facing much criticism from civil rights groups, Government on Thursday reiterated micro-industrial zones and eco-tourism zones were created in the Regional Plan (RP) 2021 to contain migration within the State.

A senior Government officer said the concept of micro-industrial and eco-tourism zones in the RP-21 recommended in the backward talukas was an attempt to stop migration from one area to another in search of employment.

“Why a boy from Canacona should travel to Verna for employment? If we create job opportunities in his own taluka, he need not travel,” the officer, who is part of the State Level Committee (SLC) told Herald.

The officer said nearly half of the population from each taluka migrates to some other place in search of employment.

He said the RP 2021was a scientific

exercise. “The micro-industrial and eco-tourism zones were proposed keeping in view the existing population,” he said adding that there was a basis for every recommendation.

The Pilerne Citizen Forum (PCF) has chided the Government claiming massive land grab in the RP-21.

However, the officer, who chose to remain anonymous, disagrees with the contention of several civil society groups. “Every decision taken by the government has some scientific reason. If we have acquired huge tracts of land in some areas, there are instances where even after demands from the panchayats for more land under different zone, the proposals have been refused,” he claimed.

Giving an example, he said that Loliem panchayat wanted one-crore square metres land to be reserved for industrial purpose, which was turned down by the Task Force.

The officer stated that the State

Government will form a policy to decide on whom and how to allow the use of land.

Miramar flat burgled

Unknown men allegedly gained entry into the residential flat of one Chandrashekar Sawant at Miramar and robbed him of more than threelakhs of rupees.

The victim has filed a complaint with the Panjim town police that unknown men entered his flat through an open window of the kitchen and robbed documents and valuable including gold coins, a silver bar, cash and mobile phone all amounting to Rs 3.02-lakh approximately.

The robbery took place in the intervening hours of February 15 and 16. A case under section 380 (theft) of the Indian Penal Code ahs been registered agaisnt unknown men.

The four accused persons in the headless body murder case Jayesh Naik, Rajesh Naik, Govind Naik and Nitin Dicholkar have moved the court for bail.

The Bail applications were moved before the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Margao.

While confirming that the four accused has filed bail applications on Thursday, Maina Curtorim PI Sidhant Shirodkar said the police said the police will take an appropriate decision in filing the reply saying the JMFC court has no jurisdiction in hearing bail plea in a murder case.

Meanwhile, accused Jayesh Naik and his brother Rajesh has bee remanded to judicial custody after the expiry of their 14 days police custody Meanwhile, PI Shirodkar informed that the manager of the Shri Swami Samarth Temple at Rumdamol housing board on Thursday handed over the keys of the Swift Dzrire to the police.

tarpekar -- ward 18 and Rupesh Halarnkar ward – 30.

Independent candidates who filed their nominations are Hemlata Lotlikar – ward 7, Raju Naik -- ward 12, Shivdas Naik -- ward 14, Laxman Kharde -- ward 18, Sandhya Patil -- ward 20 and Laximi Kundaikar -- ward 25.

Former mayor Ashok Naik too filed his repeat nomination from ward 14. Gloria Po of the BJP panel filed repeat nomination from ward III. BJP- supported candidate Oscar Cunha also filed his papers from ward 26.

Another former mayor Tony Rodrigues too filed his papers again from ward 8.

Three panels, two journalists in race HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, FEB 17

The election to Corporation of the City Panaji (CCP) which will be held on March 13 is likely to get interesting. While the three panels -- one floated by Taleigao MLA Babush Monserrate, second supported by the BJP and the third panel floated by the Nationalist Congress Party will fight to win control over the CCP, two journalists have also joined the bandwagon of the CCP polls.

ferent places, Colaco Arcade, touched 125 micrometers.

MPT Institute, Laxmi Temple, Incidentally, this is the secnear Sai Narayan Apartment ond such report in recent a n d M o t h e r M e rc y H i g h times to confirm pollution School, Vaddem. levels in Vasco.

For the PM10 report, monEarlier, the assessment reitoring was done in three difport of National Environment ferent shifts for continuously Engineering Research Insti24 hours commencing from 10 tute (NEERI) submitted to am. the High Court in 2008, The PM 2.5, which is conpointed out that concentrasidered to be smaller size, as tion of coal pollution in they are smaller than 2.5 miVasco was beyond the percrometers (100 times thinner missible limits. than a human hair), are conNEERI had installed AAQM sidered to be hazardous, as units at six places in Vasco they can pass through the Manual coal handling operations at Berth 10 and 11 of MPT, which is Sai Narayan Apartment, MPT smaller airways, can stay in the a major source of coal dust pollution in Vasco. Photo by M Prabhav Institute, Laxmi Temple air longer and can travel far(Khariwada), Colaso Arcade, At the MPT institute, which is near ther. the sample collecting point from the op- Caldeira Arcade (Mestawada) and Mother The permissible limits for the smaller eration area of Berth 10 and 11, the con- Mercy High School (Mercy's Wada). AAQ PM 2.5 is upto 60 micrometers, while centration of coal emission of small PM samples collected from all the six places for the bigger PM 10, it is upto 100 mi- 2.5 has touched 441 micrometers and were beyond the permissible limit set crometers. the bigger PM10 has reached 611 mi- by CPCB and GSPCB. Italab's analyses has suggested that crometers.

The reports further stated that the avthe coal dust is beyond permissible limits erage Respirable Particulate Matter (RPM) At the Mother Mercy High School, at all the five sample collecting points, which is at the fag end from the operation concentration was found to be 275 specially near the operation area at Berth area, the concentration of coal emission mg/m3, which is alarming as compared 10 and 11 of MPT, where coal handling of small PM 2.5 was recorded as 104 mi- to standard 150 mg/m3 of CPCB and is carried out manually. crometers, while the bigger PM10 GSPCB.

Industrial zones to curb migration, says officer

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, FEB 17

38 file papers for Panjim polls

Rajan Narayan, editor of Goan Observer and Ashley do Rosario of Gomantak Times will contest from CCP wards -- II and XI respectively.

Rosario who will file his nomination from ward XI will engage in battle with Babush backed Kabir Pinto Makhija and Manoj Patil of BJP panel.

Narayan will face the contest from Cabral brothers – Babush backed Nazareth and Parrikar backed Nelson. It may be recalled

that Cabral brothers are crossing swords for the second consecutive time. Present sitting corporator Nazareth had defeated his brother Nelson, who was earlier elected Panjim Municipal Council (PMC) counsillor.

But it is learnt that the residents of La Marval colony at Dona Paula are planning to field their own candidate. So this will make a very interesting fight as the countdown for the last date of filing nominations February 21, approaches.

Vasco dust pollution beyond permissible limits: GSPCB HERALD REPORTER VASCO, FEB 16

Murder accused plead for bail

FROM PAGE 1

Milk to cost more

on buffalo and cow milk. Milk farmers will also get a Rs 2 hike on a litre and including the support price from Government, they will get around Rs 24 per litre”.

Since the last two years, milk prices have been hiked three times, following a similar price hike in neighbouring States.

Milk price was up by Rs 2 in September 2009 as well as in May and November 2010.

Sahakari admitted that the milk price had been precipitated by other factors.

“With the 6th pay implementation, there has been a 36 percent rise in salaries and even rising fuel prices added to the expenditure”, he said.

“Despite this, the economic condition of Goa Dairy is strong. We also spend Rs 50 lakh annually towards social obligations”, Sahakari said.

Sahakari also informed reporters that this year, local milk production had increased by over 5000 litres per day.

“Last year, local milk production was around 37,000 litres and it has now risen to 43,000 litres”, he said.

Sahakari admitted that the declining interest in dairy production was a matter for concern.

“Though we have around 18,000 members, only about 5,300 members are into dairy production.

The rest have left this business”, Sahakari said.

“More serious-minded people need to join this

Pollution under control: MPUA HERALD REPORTER VASCO, FEB 16

Claiming that they are yet to receive the Italab report, Mormugao Port User Association (MPUA) Consultant Shriram Nadkarni has, however, insisted that pollution levels are "very much in control."

The MPUA, which mainly comprises coal importers, has been assigned the task to monitor coal dust pollution at Berths 10 and 11 in the MPT. "We have not received the Italab report and it would be premature to comment on it.

However, pollution levels are very much in control as we have been regularly sprinkling water in port. Besides vacuum cleaner trucks, covering of coal stacks are very much in operation," Nadkarni said.

"To ensure that measures are taken by us to control coal dust pollution, samples are analyzed

by M/s Bhagwathi Ana Labs Ltd

from Hyderabad. Every month, the Ambient Air Quality monitoring report are prepared from three points, Mercy High School, Vaddem, Government High School, Vasco and Railway Traffic Management Office, Vasco.

"The ambient air quality report of M/s Bhagwathi in December 2010 suggests that pollution is under control at all three sampling points."

When asked if M/s Bhagwathi Labs is appointed on behalf of GSPBC, Nadkarni replied in the negative. "No, MPUS has appointed M/s Bhagwathi Labs for regular monitoring as this lab is also recognized by the Central Pollution Control Board," added Nadkarni.

Efforts to contact MPT Chairman Marapandiyan, MPT Secretary Rajendra Pai Bir and MPT PRO Karpe proved futile, as none of them were willing to comment in the matter.

business and there are various good schemes from the State Government. But I feel that the younger generation is not interested in this business”.

“There is no fast money and that could be the reason why very few people come forward towards dairy production. If Goa is to be self-sufficient, then dairy production has to rise”, he added.

Cops goofed up

Israel. His presence in India would have been impossible”, a MEA source said.

The MEA quickly rectified the whole process and asked for Atala’s extradition on February 3, a copy of which was faxed to Goa Crime Branch on the very same day.

Now, even if the extradition process has been moved after a delay of 37 days, Atala’s presence in India seems difficult.

MEA Joint Secretary P M Meena said that India and Peru do not have extradition treaty and that Peru is not a signatory of the United Nation convention against illicit traffic in narcotics and psychotropic substances.

Besides, the extradition formalities demand that an alleged accused should either be chargesheeted or wanted for case trial or should be a convict.

Unfortunately, none of these is found in Atala’s case.

Atala was arrested at Lima’s international airport after he arrived from Spain. On immigration check, he was caught on the basis of valid international warrant issued by India for his capture in police-

Corjuem man kills father in a fit of anger HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, FEB 17

In a shocking incident, a 43year-old man allegedly murd e re d h i s f a t h e r a t t h e i r residence in Podwal-Corjuem in Aldona on Wednesday night.

According to Mapusa police, the incident took place when the accused, Mario Borges, picked up a quarrel with his father, Francis (76).

Following his return from the Gulf many years ago, Mario was residing with his father and incidentally, Francis' wife had expired barely two months ago.

Police learnt that Mario and Francis would frequently quarrel on petty issues.

On Wednesday at around 9 pm, they started a quarrel and in a fit of anger, Mario allegedly struck his father repeatedly with a glass bottle on the head.

The accused then lifted a chair and hit it on the head of his father, killing him on the spot.

drug nexus case and overstaying.

Film under scanner

Director Tourism Swapnil Naik said Goa Government should indeed look into the matter, especially because the movie was shot in the State.

“Movies are considered to be true depiction.

There should be some control over the movies based on any sensitive issues. Since this one is based on Goan issues, the Government should make it doubly sure it is not an exaggerated portrayal”, Naik mentioned.

It is learnt that Sippy would personally fly down to Goa with the theatrical promos of the movie.

The film’s spokesperson told Herald that they are willing to cooperate with the Goa police, however, the movie trailers will be released in theaters on Friday.

“The movie was extensively shot in Goa. We are asked to show the movie footage but the request came in very late, as the movie trailers are ready to be out in theaters on Friday. Nevertheless, we are ready to show the movie footage to concerned authorities in Goa”, said the official spokesperson.

CM unaware of any pact

However, when this query was posed to the chief minister, he simply replied “I am not aware of any such development”.

“The Congress high command has not communicated anything like that and hence I cannot comment on it”, he stated.

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Police seek immunity for CM in criminal case HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, FEB 16

Goa Police on Thursday sought immunity for Government officials in a complaint filed by NGO Pilerne Citizens Forum (PCF) against the chief minister and others accusing them of cheating and criminal misconduct for introducing eco-tourism hubs or zones in the Regional Plan.

The Special Judge was hearing a petition filed by one Prakash Bandodkar accusing police of not registering a First Information Report (FIR) in the matter.

A group of around 50 social activists on January 21 had lodged a police complaint against state-level committee (SLC) headed by the CM, which notified Regional Plan 2021 recently.

“Under Section 121 of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1974, no suit or other legal proceedings shall be maintained against the Government, Planning and Development Authority or any of its officers or persons duly appointed or authorized by it in respect of anything in good faith done or purporting to be done under the provisions of the Act to the rules or

regulations made thereunder,” Panjim Police Inspector Ramesh Gaonkar said in his application to the court.

Gaonkar stated in his application that the complaint letter did not disclose any cognizable offense and hence it does not warrant registration of FIR. In his application, North Goa Superintendent of Police Arvind Gawas, who is also made a party to this case, backed the PI’s opinion. The Court has fixed the matter for final arguments on February 25.

Legal advisor to PCF Adv Yatish Naik said that the draft Regional Plan framed by the government Task Force never spoke about the eco-tourism hubs but suddenly the SLC included it in the notification.

“Even the Task Force did not speak about these zones, which were created at the places where lands have been already purchased by big companies,” Naik had told reporters.

He had also said that the documents obtained under Right to Information Act made it clear that these zones were neither recommended by Panchayats nor by the Task Force.

Bungalow burgled at Nuvem HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, FEB 17

In a daring daylight burglary, unknown miscreants burgled a bungalow at Cupem in Nuvem village on Thursday morning and decamped with gold ornaments, cash and two mobiles over Rs 1.5 lakh. The incident is believed to have occurred between 8 am to 2 pm when the three inmates of the house had gone out.

PSI Paresh Naik informed that the burglars effected entry into the bungalow by breaking open the door of the main door and laid their hands on gold ornaments such as two bracelets, a gold chain, three rings, cash of Rs 9500, besides two mobiles.

While the house owner Mahesh Balan has told the police that he would get back with the exact value of the stolen ornaments after consulting the jeweller, the police has put the value of the stolen goods at Rs 1.5 lakh.

The police immediately requisitioned the services of a sniffer dog and finger print expert, but could not obtain vital clues in the detection of the crime.

The police have registered a case of house breaking theft against unknown persons.

OHERALDO

GOA

Pg 4 Shimnit’s plea: Govt mulls punishing ore spilling trucks govt gets more Restraints on ore carriers from Redi time to reply HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, FEB 17

ernment’s decision to terminate the contract was due to public pressure.

“The termination is bad in as much as it is a premeditated notice issued on account of public outcry without considering the contentions raised in the reply to the show cause notice,” an extract from the voluminous writ petition filed by its representative in Goa Shushant Naik Volvoikar read.

State government on November 2, 2010 had issued showcause notice to the company asking ‘why the concession agreement signed on February 29, 2008 should not be cancelled’. Accordingly, the reply was filed within a fortnight, which was later forwarded to the Advocate General for scrutiny.

Director Transport Arun Desai was quoted as saying that the contract was terminated with Shimnit taking in account all the irregularities pointed out by the government appointed Srivastava Committee.

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, FEB 17

The Bombay High Court at Goa on Thursday asked the Goa Government to file a reply by February 25 to a petition filed by Shimnit Utsch Private Limited that challenged the Government’s decision of terminating the agreement for installation of High Security Registration Plates (HSRP).

Advocate General Subodh Kantak had sought time to file a reply to the petition, which runs into more than 500 pages.

Besides, the bench has refused to grant interim relief to the petitioner that challenged Government’s order to evict them form the present premise.

The Government had served termination order to the company on January 25, after which it asked the latter to vacate the Government premise. The matter is kept for next hearing on March 1.

In its application before the division bench on February 11, the company alleged the Gov-

Nessai murder: accused denied bail revealed that on January 9, accused Vivek told him that he had followed the deceased on his Chetak scooter upto PeddaBenaulim in the afternoon as directed by Rajesh and thereafter late in the evening at around 10 pm as per the instructions of Rajesh, he along with Vivek went to Pedda-Benaulim in his Maruti Van, the Judge observed.

“The case papers prima facie reveal active participation of the accused in the crime. Investigation is at the initial stage. The crime is heinous and prima facie well planned,” Judge Vijaya Pol said, while rejecting the bail application.

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, FEB 17

Terming the headless body murder case as most brutal, the South Goa Sessions Court on Thursday rejected the bail application moved by an accused Vivek Dhamalye, saying the accused is not entitled for bail when investigations is at the initial stage.

While rejecting the bail plea, Additional Sessions Judge, Vijaya Pol observed that the accused, as revealed from the case papers, especially the statements of Govind Naik and Gurudas Bandokar, took active part in the cold blooded murder.

“Govind in his statement has

Goa Government is contemplating on the possibility of canceling permits of mining trucks spilling ore on the road.

It is also toying with the idea of cancelling licences of mines that allow trucks to exceed their loading capacity.

In a meeting held on Thursday, the Chief Minister Digambar Kamat asked the Transport Department and the Mines Department officials to tighten their noose around such trucks.

Transport Director Arun Desai told reporters Government was trying to bring in legislation that will empower the department to cancel permits of trucks exceeding their prescribed capacity.

Desai admitted overloading has been a major headache for the department whose flying squad has booked 500 trucks since January 2011 for overloading. The director said time was ripe to take some tough steps against these operators.

Desai conceded that despite random checks and stringent action, ore carriers continue to violate rules. A truck is not supposed to carry more than 10.5 tonnes of ore.

He said that the issue would be discussed with the mining companies and truck operators, before taking any step.

The department has also demanded with the state government to explore the possibility of canceling licences of mines, who allow overloading of trucks at their end.

Desai said the CM had given them positive response in this regard. “When freight rates were hiked, truck operators had assured us that there won’t be overloading during regular trips,” the director said.

The spillage of ore on roads and the resulting and increasing accidents have been a major concern in the mining belts.

The government is working out on construction of mining corridors that would divert the truck traffic via alternate routes.

Desai today informed the department might also opt for the installation of CCTV cameras along the mining belts.

During the meeting, which was also attended director of mines Arvind Lolienkar, the CM suggested registration of mining trucks with the mines department instead of the transport department.

Earlier, last month, the transport department had made registration of mini n g m a c h i n e r y m a n d a t o r y. T h e department has also forwarded a proposal to the State Government calling for moratorium on mining trucks.

Guardian Angel Church, Curchorem (Sanvordem) will celebrate its annual 'Parish Family Day' on February 20 from 5.30 pm onwards in the Church compound.

Games and an entertainment programme will be organised on the occasion. Various western as well as traditional dances will be presented by the students of P.S. Convent Primary School, Catechist and the parish youth.

A Konkani Musical show has been arranged with well known Konkani stage artistes like Francis de Tuem, Andrew, Albert, Jr. Rod, Felcy, Elias, Andrea, Comedian Domnic, Luis Bachan ETC. A mimicry show by Sheikh Amir, fashion show, brass band by ace drumer Abdonio Rodrigues and his group and other professional bands will be in attendance, informed Parish Priest Fr James Torres.

Minister for PWD Churchill Alemao addresses the well-wishers of Parish Priest of Carambolim Church Fr Conceicao D’Silva, on the occasion of his birthday. A website www.jesusmaryministry.org was also launched.

Clinical evidence is strongest for heart disease and problems that contribute to heart disease, but omega-3 fatty acids may also be used for: • High cholesterol

• High blood pressure • Heart disease • Diabetes • Rheumatoid Arthritis • Osteoporosis • Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Where to find Omega 3 fatty acids?

1

All fish contain omega 3 fatty acids, but they are more concentrated in fatty fish such as mackerel, salmon, sardines and herring. The American Heart Association recommends eating fish at least 2 times a week.

2

Many commercial food products, such as bread and baked goods, yogurt and infant formula are now fortified with omega 3 fatty acids.

3

Other food sources of omega 3s include: • Soybeans and tofu • Some nuts and seeds like walnuts, flax seeds, and pumpkin seeds • Cooking oils such as flax seed oil, canola oil, and soybean oil • Some eggs, such as omega-3 enhanced eggs

1

Caution:

Cod liver oil is not a good source of omega 3 acids. It may cause toxicity in excess amount due to its high levels of Vitamin A and Vitamin D.

2

Men are best to avoid flax oil pills until more is known about flax's potential link with prostate cancer.

3

Because of the potential for side effects and interactions with medications, dietary supplements should be taken only under the supervision of a knowledgeable health care provider.

MPT issuing NOCs for ore exports HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, FEB 17

Officials of the Mines and Geology Department on Thursday said the process of issuing NOCs for the ore exported from Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) has began at a smooth note.

The MPT after much reluctance had agreed to make NOCs for the ore-laden shipments mandatory from February 1, 2011 onwards.

The department officials stated that in the last fortnight, 32 NOCs were issued by MPT as against 24 NOCs for vessels leaving Panjim port.

“I can say that the process is going on smoothly. The NOCs are issued within half an hour,” a senior Mines Department official said.

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat had introduced the NOC system in a bid to plug the revenue leakage through royalty on the ore exported.

MPT had initially showed reluctance to accept this new system. Union Shipping Ministry had to intervene and ask MPT to comply.

Mines and Geology department director Arvind Lolienkar said that the data of the ore exported and royalty paid is being matched on monthly basis.

He said that the fool-proof system in place leaves no scope for royalty loses. A senior officer said the NOCs are issued based on the challans produced by the mine owners. “Challans are authentication that the ore extracted is legal,” an official said.

NOTE secy quizzed over ‘misuse’ of funds HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, FEB 17

National Organization for Tobacco Eradication (NOTE) General Secretary Dr Shekhar Salkar was quizzed by a panel led by Chief Secretary vis-à-vis allegations made against him by Aldona legislator Dayanand Narvekar.

Dr Salkar deposed before the committee comprising of Chief Secretary Sanjay Srivastava, Director of Health Services Dr Rajnanda Desai and other officials.

Sources stated that Salkar claimed that the funds used for joint community tobacco cessation projects in four states were not from the state treasury.

In his written submission, Dr Salkar has said that NOTE has not received any subsidy from the State.

“However a grant of Rs 10 lakh was provided to us (by) Goa Government... in the year 2004. This amount was provided for carrying out awareness activities and

HERALD CORRESPONDENT CURCHOREM, FEB 17

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Uses:

Trucks carrying ore from Redi in Maharashtra to Amona will have to abide by certain restraints from Friday onwards.

Around 400 trucks ferrying ore between Redi to Amona will now have to drive keeping a distance of 100 metres between them to avoid jamming of roads.

The state Transport and Mining departments were instructed to keep a strict watch on these trucks by Chief Minister Digambar Kamat.

Transport Director Arun Desai said that the CM had seen these trucks zooming on the road leaving behind a trail of dust.

Kamat, during his meeting with the Transport and Mining department officials on Thursday asked them to issue notices to these trucks to follow certain instructions.

Desai said the Transport Department has now decided to keep a watch on these trucks for the next 15 days after issuing them the instructions. “If still the menace continues, we will take stern action against them,” he asserted.

Family Day at Curchorem

Foodalicious

Omega-3 fatty acids are considered essential fatty acids: They are necessary for human health but the body can' t make them -- you have to get them through food.

Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in fish, such as salmon, tuna, and halibut, other seafood including algae and krill, some plants, and nut oils. Also known as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), omega-3 fatty acids play a crucial role in brain function as well as normal growth and development. They have also become popular because they may reduce the risk of heart disease.

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, FEB 17

GOA, FRIDAY, 18 FEBRUARY, 2011

procuring information, education and communication materials,” he added.

NOTE spent an amount of Rs 38,840 for the purpose of displaying anti-tobacco message across the cinema theatres in the State. “The balance amount is still in the possession of our organization and it is reflected in the audited statement of the organization ending March 2010, as we could not conceive an appropriate plan for its optimum usage,” Dr Salkar has said in his submission.

He said that the funds provided by the State Government were not used for providing salaries to staff of NOTE. “NOTE has been operating with a staff strength of just two members and currently it is reduced to just one. The salaries are paid from the funds received from World Health Organization and are strictly within the guidelines mentioned in the APW,” Dr Salkar added.

GSHC outlets giving vendors tough time VIBHA VERMA PANJIM, FEB 16

Goa State Horticulture Corporation and some of the vendors in the State have common suppliers in Belgaum, as a result of which the latter feel their business is affected.

The reason for this is GSHC outlets sell vegetables at a subsidised rate. Traditionally, vendors decided their own market rates.

But the entry of the Corporation has changed everything for these vendors.

Francis Xavier Cardozo, one of the main vegetable wholesaler-cum-retailers in Panjim market, claims that “GSHC and we have common suppliers in Belgaum but customers are shying away from us after the Corporation began subsidising vegetables.

The State Government subsidises the Corporation but who will look after us? We are struggling to make our ends meet,” With hoteliers on his clients list, Cardozo, could be construed as a prosperous vendor, but that’s not the case. He complains of a straight 40 per cent dip in the business estimating his loss to be around Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 daily. He has been in business for the last 28 years.

Another vendor Daya Amonkar too has a complaint. “The purpose of granting subsidy on vegetables is to alleviate the financial burden of the common man, but the Horticulture Corporation ends up catering to commercial establishments like hotels. How

is that?” he observes.

He rues further, “They get subsidies and transportation charges from the government but we have to bear our own costs and also losses.” He claims to have lost at least 50 per cent of the business.

Corporation chairman Sankalp Amonkar disagrees. Sankalp Amonkar said, “Our scheme is for the benefit of locals. Allegations are levelled against us only because our scheme is hampering the business of those vendors who sell vegetables at a much higher price to their own people in Goa,” he said.

The vendors lament that they were suffering because of the absence of a union to push forward their grievances before the State Government.

Here, vendor Amonkar adds sarcastically, “If the Corporation is so concerned and was selling cheaper vegetables, it should also sell fish, the staple diet of Goans, at cheaper price.”

Amonkar fears that he might lose his major client, who has started procuring vegetables from the outlets of the Corporation.

Vendor Imtiyaz says customers don’t mind standing in queue to get cheaper vegetables from the GSHC outlets, but they don’t come to us. “We have no god fathers in the Government, but the officials of the Corporation have blessings of the Government,” he states. Imtiyaz claims his clients’ list has dropped by 75 per cent.

Where do cruise vessels dump garbage?

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, FEB 17

While the Corporation of the City of Panjim (CCP) has been successful in convincing residents and most of the business establishments in the city about the importance of segregation of garbage, it has had no luck with the Kadamba Transport Corporation (KTC) and cruise vessels plying in the river Mandovi.

The KTC as well as cruise vessels are not willing to segregate garbage at source and have their own arrangements for its collection. “As per the Solid Waste Management Act, segregation of waste at source is a must,” says Elvis Gomes, CCP Commissioner.

The CCP thus picks up segregated waste from the residents as well as hotels but does not collect any waste from the KTC Bus Stand and the cruise vessels.

“Cruise vessels have to have a system in place for collection and segregation before the CCP starts collecting their garbage,” adds Sachin Ambe, Assistant Engineer at the Corporation. However, KTC and cruise vessels find it more convenient to hand over their waste to contractors.

The KTC has engaged a contractor to clean the Panjim bus stand and its depot. It pays Rs 60,000 to 70,000 a month to the

contractor to keep the place clean. Despite this the bus stand appears filthy at any given time.

Cruise vessels or pleasure boats too have their own arrangements for collection and disposal of garbage as they are averse to CCP’s instructions that garbage has to be segregated before collection.

The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), which has been mediating between the CCP and the cruise vessels to work out a solution, has had not much success as cruise vessels are adamant on sticking to the contractor for the job. The contractor concerned seldom does the job properly.

It is not known what methods are used by contractors hired for disposing the garbage collected.

Questions are being raised on their disposal methods. Officials feel the garbage collected daily may be going into the sea. But it is difficult to keep tabs, they add.

G P Naik, Assistant Engineer KTC said as per their contract terms it is the responsibility of the contractor to collect and dispose off the garbage. He is unaware as to where the contractor is disposing the waste. The contractor was silent on this important aspect, he added.

The vendors justify that the higher price charged by them was to compensate for the expenses that are incurred to get the vegetables to Goa from far off places.

Another vendor, Munaf claims he was incurring losses to the tune of around Rs 8,000 daily. He too has lost his precious customers and is left with no option but to throw away the unsold perishable produce.

The vendors add that the government should now extend the subsidy benefits to them as well if it so dearly cares about the common man. “We will also be in a position to sell cheap vegetables if the government supports us,” Munaf adds.

The vendors are now hoping the government after understanding their problems would take note and make them partners in its scheme of things.

Novenas at Old Goa

PANJIM, FEB 17: Novenas at the Church of Holy Cross of Miracles (Khuris Milagre) Old Goa Boa Vista Hill are underway with way of the cross at 9.30 am then followed by mass at 10 am.

On 20th February (Sunday) there will be special prayers for all the students who are going to appear for their exams – college, XIIth, XIth, SSC, etc. Feast will be celebrated on 23rd February. On the feast day, masses will be at 7.00 am 8.15 am and concelebrated mass at 10 am.

Goa Shopping Festival underway at Campal

HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, FEB 17

Goa Shopping Festival, an exhibition of furniture and household products is underway at Campal Parade ground, Panjim, till February 21 from 10 am to

9 pm. Many reputed companies like Lotus Furniture, Sajawat Furniture, Mobilia Furniture, Prestige, Singer and others are taking part in this exhibition with a vast array of products.

POWER SHUTDOWN FEBRUARY 18

TALEIGAO: From 9.30 am to 2.30 pm. Areas affected are Machado cove, Manipal Hospital, Vainguinim valley and surrounding Dona Paula areas.

PANJIM: From 9 am to 5 pm. Areas affected are Gomantak Bhavan, Salgaokar building, Radha Krishna Building, Saawni building, Sanjeevani building, Janaki building, Vihar building, Madhuban building, St Inez Church, St Inez bandh and surrounding areas.

PANJIM: From 9 am to 5 pm. Areas affected are City Centre, Cedmar Apts, Govinda Building, Skylark Apts, Indiraprastha Building, Durga Chambers and surrounding areas.

OHERALDO

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Pg 5 GOA, FRIDAY, 18 FEBRUARY, 2011

Illicit distilling racket busted near Belgaum, 5 hurt

Motorcyclist killed at Mollem

Raid aimed at curbing illegal Belgaum-Goa trade

A motorcyclist was killed while the pillion rider was seriously hurt when the vehicle they were riding was knocked down by a bus at Kasavalium-Mollem on Thursday morning.

Collem police said the mishap took place at about 10.30 am when Gajanan Yeshwant Dhavane (21) and the pillion rider, Tanaji Balu Mane (21), both natives of Chandgad-Maharashtra but residing at Margao, were proceeding from Ponda to Belgaum on a motorcycle (GA-08L-6953).

The motorcycle was knocked down by a minibus (GA-09-T4003) at a dangerous curve at Kasavalium-Mollem. The impact was such that the motorcycle was destroyed in the mishap.

On receiving news of the mishap, a Collem police team rushed to the site and shifted the injured in a 108 ambulance to the I D Hospital at Ponda.

Gajanan Dhavane was, however, declared dead on arrival at the hospital, while Tanaji Mane was later shifted to the GMC hospital at Panjim.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT BELGAUM, FEB 17

In a dramatic raid aimed at curbing illicit liquor trade between Belgaum and Goa, an illicit distilling racket in the region was busted near Belgaum on Thursday.

The incident sparked off violent clashes between the offenders and the police, as five persons, including three journalists and two police officers, received minor injuries when the accused pelted stones at the officials and the police team.

The police had to resort to firing to bring the situation under control. Nine persons were arrested till late evening while several others who managed to escape.

The raid witnessed high drama as Karnataka's Minister for Excise Renukacharya personally monitored the raid and the seizure of 12,000 litres of illicit liquor worth Rs 5.5 lakh.

The confrontation took place at Karavi village, about 22 kms from Belgaum.

Condemning the illicit distilling racket, Renukacharya has warned of stringent measures against those involved in illicit liquor trade between Belgaum and Goa. "Apart from the illicit liquor trade, illegal trading of spirit and ethanol between Belgaum and Goa, which is also on the rise, will be also curbed," stated Renukacharya.

Acting on a tip off on Thursday morning, Renukacharya

Man found dead at Vasco HERALD REPORTER VASCO, FEB 17

A 51-year-old man from Sasmollem in Baina-Vasco was found dead in his friend's room at Maimollem-Vasco on Thursday morning.

According to Vasco police, Julio Fernandes (51) was found dead in one room, while his friends were asleep in another room.

Police informed that deceased was an alcoholic and had reportedly been heavily intoxicated prior to his death.

Police has denied any foul play in the death, but has, nevertheless, sent his viscera for an examination. Vasco police has registered a case of unnatural death and is investigating the case.

Excise Minister Renukacharya, SP Sandeep Patil and policemen engaged in destroying illicit liquor near Belgaum.

Photo by Louis Rodrigues

along with a few officials of the state excise department, a police team and a few journalists reached Karavi at around 10 am.

The team was heading towards the valley situated amidst a dense forest, where the illicit distilling of arrack was being carried out for several years.

Surprised by the raid, a group of about 100 (men, women, children and even elderly) who were engaged in illicit distilling, started abusing the team and began pelting stones at them.

Surprisingly, the police personnel along with the minister had to run for their life.

However, an armed policewoman and a constable fired about seven rounds in the air

to disperse the group which disappeared into the neighbouring forests.

Three DAR and two KSRP vans were rushed to the venue to avert a major conflict between the criminals and the police.

The minister was seen destroying the barrels, containers, tyre tubes containing arrack and other chemicals used in the illegal distillation.

The police also searched houses in Karavi, Hulyanur and Muttenatti villages, where a large number of villagers are engaged in the distillation of illicit liquor.

Superintendent of Police Sandeep Patil, Addl SP S H Gangareddy, Excise Jt Commissioner Prabhu Swamy and about 300

3 minors detained for consuming ‘whitener’ HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, FEB 17

Consumption of whitener ink by young migrant boys came to the fore once again in the Commercial Capital.

Three minors were rounded up by the Margao police following a complaint from a citybased NGO that they were consuming whitener at the old station road last night.

Sources in the know said the minors were first taken to the Hospicio and were subjected to medical examination, before they were shifted to the Apna ghar.

In fact, sources in the know say that consumption of whitener by minor migrant boys has reached alarming propor-

tions in recent times.

Says President of the New Market Traders Association Vinod Shirodkar: “We often find minor migrant boys involved in consuming whitener in and around the new market area the city. This is nothing new, but the activity has reached huge proportions amongst migrant children”.

The men-in-uniform too confirm the situation, but said that local NGOs should coordinate with the police in identifying the children before they are sent to Apna Ghar.

“There’s a need for a coordinated approach to the situation.

People involved in consuming whitener are all minor boys and girls,” agreed a police

Garbage dump along road side upset Benaulim locals HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, FEB 17

Residents of Benaulim cried foul over the dumping of garbage and waste along road side by a starred hotel on Thursday.

The residents believed that the waste has found its way in the village from a hotel in Colva reportedly owned by a politician.

A visibly agitated Benaulim Sarpanch Carmelina Fernandes informed newsmen at the spot that the garbage has come from a stared hotel in Colva. “It is confirmed that the garbage belongs to the starred hotel, we have complete proof of this fact”, she added.

The Sarpanch was highly critical of the authorities, including the district Collector, Mamlatdar and the police for failure to crack a whip against unscrupulous elements.

If the Sarpanch is to be believed, the police has even harassed the local youth for

Benaulim sarpanch Carmelina Fernandes and social activist Judith Almeida inspecting garbage dumped at a road side at Benaulim.

Photo by Santosh Mirajkar

maintaining vigil against waste dumping in the village.

“After being victimized by the police, the village youth are now in a fix how to deal with the matter. They have even landed in problem”, she added.

Colva Civic and Consumer

Forum secretary Judith Almeida, who came to the spot, said that the authorities are still to crack a whip against unscrupulous garbage contactors and hoteliers for disposing waste along the road side in Benaulim.

Illegal mining at Corlim shock locals

Illegal mining activity without the knowledge of property owners at Dhulapi-Corlim.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT OLD GOA, FEB 17

Residents of Corlim were taken by surprise when illegal mining activity was discovered by owners at a property in Dhulapi on Thursday evening.

The news of the illegal mining activity in Corlim shocked vil-

police personnel, including three DySP's, CPI's and PI's, were involved in the raids that continued till late evening.

Renukacharya has declared special awards to the police persons engaged in the raids. "The government will also award the officials who raided the illegal distilleries here," said Renukacharya.

Despite several raids conducted earlier, illicit distilling has prevailed in this region, which covers about 25 sq kms between Beglaum, Hukkeri and Gokak talukas.

Meanwhile, political leaders in the region have lauded the 'daredevil' role of Excise Minister Renukacharya.

lagers in the ward, as they could not digest the fact that mining activities were being conducted in certain areas of Corlim, with the local panchayat reportedly silent in the matter.

On learning that illegal activities were being carried out in his property, a property owner

went to the site on Thursday evening and caught red-handed a truck along with the driver carrying out illegal extraction in his property.

"This illegal activity is being carried out in our property," said Jayanath Dhulapkar, one of the owners of the property.

"This property belongs to our ancestors and we have been growing cashew nuts and jack fruits in this area. We were shocked to know that truckloads of mud were lifted from our property." he added. When asked if he had filed a police complaint in the matter, Dhulapkar said: "We have already filed a police complaint, but the police are telling us to get documents first instead of taking action in the matter."

official.

Meanwhile, the Market traders have pointed out that a number of young migrant boys and girls are found loitering in the market premises in the last few days.

Shirodkar pointed out that the traders have drawn attention of the Margao police to the presence of young migrant boys and girls in and around the market area.

“One of the girls was even caught with three mobile phones. After interrogation, it transpired that they were stolen ones,” he said, while demanding action by the Margao police against beggars and others moving suspiciously in the busy market area.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT COLLEM FEB 17

Hoteliers demand coins from SBI HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, FEB 17

The South Goa Hotel and Restaurant Owners Association has knocked the doors of the State Bank of India demanding availability of coins and currency notes of small denomination.

Association President C P Jaggi told newsmen that inconvenience is being caused to the owners on account of the acute shortage of coins and currency notes of small denomination.

In a representation to the Assistant general manager, SBI, Margao branch, Jagi said the shortage of coins and currency of small denominations is affecting members of the Association across the state, who are finding it difficult to carry out their day-to-day business activities.

“The non-availability of the coins and currency notes often lead to arguments with the customers”, adding that Association members are forced to resort to offering chocolates, candies or coupons to their customers in lieu of the coins”, Jagi added.

The Association has requested the Assistant General manager to take up the matter with the Reserve Bank of India and ensure that adequate quota of coins made available through designated branches of various banks.

History of Goa retold by Sharmila Kamat released HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, FEB 17

In the Golden Jubilee Year of Goa’s Liberation, Rupa Publications (India) Pvt Ltd, New Delhi, has launched a new book titled ‘Mango Mood’ by Sharmila Kamat.

This book chronicles the story of Goa, and India, in its recent past, as retold by a bemused yet indulgent Goan. Using mostly gentle, sometimes hard-hitting and insightful satire, it leads the reader through headline-grabbing incidents in recent times, using the medium of short satirical pieces.

While the first section ‘A Goan Pot-Pourrie’ deals with matters Goan, in the second half, ‘With a dash of Garam Masala,’ the cast expands to include personalities and events across India. The piece-de-resistance of the book is a history of Goa retold, from its birth at the hands of Lord Parashurama, through the Portuguese interlude, to its present-day status as the undisputed party capital of India.

Like the king of fruits whose soft exterior belies the hard core at the centre, the light-hearted account of headline news in Mango Mood conceals pertinent comments on hard realities in our society.

Besides, can there be a better symbol for Goa than the luscious, mouth-watering mango?

The gently satirical account of socio-political events in Goa is embellished with cartoons that bring alive the punch line of each story. The illustrations are done by Naguesh Sardessai, a wellknown illustrator and art critic based in Goa.

OHERALDO

Pg 6

www.oheraldo.in

O HERALD O

A requiem for antibiotics

Vol No CXI No: 049 Goa, Friday, 18 February, 2011

Of ducks & PMs

H

ow has Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s unprecedented live media roundtable with TV editors on Wednesday affected his image? The PM’s effort to directly address the allegations of corruption and mismanagement against his government, while admirable, may be too little, too late.

To his credit, the Prime Minister replied to even the most provocative questions with a rare candour. Accused of being a weak or ‘lame duck’ leader, he replied: “Whatever some people may say, that we are a lame duck government, that I am a lame duck prime minister, we take our job very seriously.

We are here to govern, and to govern effectively. Tackle the problems as they arise and get this country moving forward.”

Forthright and brave words, but they must be backed by action. His government avoided big scandals during its first five years in power, following which it bucked anti-incumbency to get re-elected with an increased majority in 2009. But it has been simply snowed under by a spate of scams recently, and he has been accused of not acting decisively enough to curb corruption in the highest echelons of power.

That Mr Singh was forced to deny that he is considering handing in his resignation shows not only the gravity of the scandals, but that his government’s decision-making has been practically paralysed in this second term. The last session of Parliament was scuttled by opposition protests demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) into the 2G telecom scam. In ordinary circumstances, such obstructionism by the opposition would have boosted the government’s image. But in this case, the breathtaking scale of the scams and the fact that the entire opposition – from extreme left to extreme right – was solidly united has seriously dented Mr Singh’s reputation. He is seen as a prime minister who could not or would not intervene to prevent the loot of the public exchequer by one of his ministers.

The PM’s candid replies to the questions posed might have won him plaudits, except for the fact that he offered no new measures to crack down on corruption. Consequently, many felt that he was unconvincing in his replies.

Congress leaders have, apparently, criticised Mr Singh for being “too defensive” in his approach during the meeting.

But did he really have any choice? He had only one weapon; that the Congress has taken quick action in corruption cases that involve its own party members, no matter how senior, while the opposition BJP’s Karnataka Chief Minister B Yedyurappa continues in the saddle despite serious graft charges.

But to go on the offensive with just that point would have seemed petty.

It is now for the party top brass to put their heads together and come up with a package of proposals to curb corruption and to try and recover money stashed away in tax havens abroad. Both Sonia and Rahul Gandhi have indicated that they are in favour of these measures, but their enthusiasm does not seem to be shared by other top leaders in the party.

Speed and Justice

O

n Tuesday, the Supreme Court took just 90 minutes to decide the appeal of Nithari serial killer Surinder Koli. It heard arguments on both sides and delivered its confirmation of the death sentence on the same day; possibly its fastest decision in a capital punishment hearing.

So what was wrong when Judge Desmond D’Costa did exactly the same in serial killer Mahanand Naik’s case? Except that since there was no evidence whatsoever, he acquitted him. Don’t judges get the same justice as the rest of us?

Patients are doing more harm by demanding antibiotics or changing them, says DR glADSTOne A D’cOSTA

T

he Lancet of 11 August 2010 reported that a bacterium resistant to all antibiotics had been identified and described the inherent dangers of such bacteria. The origin of the bug was stated to be, at least in part, in India and the opinion expressed that “NDM-1 is likely spread worldwide.”

The Lancet is not a journal to be taken lightly; but the resultant uproar in this country focussed largely on the organism being named after Delhi, thereby missing the wood for the trees. The serious implications of the findings were lost in the cacophony of protests that followed; but the noise had barely died down when a new threat emerged. Researchers from Spain have tied up with SGPGI, Lucknow, to study yet another resistant organism; this time, it was salmonella (with the rmtC gene), which can cause severe diarrhoea and death. Once again the organism was found in patients, most of whom had recently travelled to India. A further complication came from a Chennai study; an organism had been identified with both the NDM1 and the armA (which is similar to the rmtC) genes; which is serious, because the organism is also resistant to all known antibiotics.

Recently, there was a spurt of upper respiratory tract infections along the west coast, including Goa, which caused an irritating dry hacking cough which lasted in some cases, for weeks. Most physicians felt it was a viral infection, though to my knowledge, no specific causative organism was identified. Yet the sale of azithromycin (an antibiotic) in one pharmacy alone doubled between mid-December and mid-January, at the peak of such cases. This incident illustrates the attitude of both patients and physicians in their approach to the use of antibiotics. Patients expect a prescription for antibiotics, and often demand the same even when there is no justification for it; and physicians are more than willing to prescribe it to “keep the customer happy.” The process of identifying the cause of the infection is too time-consuming, expensive, and often inconclusive. Therefore, a best guess choice (often choices) is made by the physician. If there is no relief within a few days, either the antibiotic or the doctor is changed. Paradoxically, such overuse is often matched by under-use. If the patient feels better in a few days, treatment is stopped prematurely for financial reasons. Hence,

Paulo Mascarenhas, Panjim

School and college exams are just round the corner. Unfortunately, this year, there are several distractions for students, who will be appearing for the various examinations. The ICC cricket World Cup starts on the 19th of this month. The tournament is held in the sub-continent and India is one of the co-hosts. The dates of several exams clash with those of the matches. It would have been most appropriate, if the tournament was scheduled on different dates.

The XII class is considered very crucial. Unfortunately, in Goa, the XII class exams are on the same days as that of the carnival celebrations. Parents should see that their wards are not distracted and that they concentrate on their studies.

The Parish Priest, most Rev Fr Antonio Costa and the members of Fabrica of St Andrews’s Church, Vasco da Gama, have put into reality the beautiful teachings of Jesus Christ. He came forward to rehabilitate the distressed and depressed residents of Vasco da Gama and Kharivaddo, in the Church property, namely Saibininchem Bhat.

Well done. I hope the green signal from the concerned authorities will soon come.

The charity that you have put into practice will, no doubt, be a loving model to all mankind.

Comunidades’s new faces

Were appointed new members to be the integral part of the Administrative Council of the ‘Comunidades’ of Salcete, Bardez, and Quepem.

Value of Rupee

Was affixed for 321 Reis the value of Rupee in regards to Postal Order destined to Europe.

Contest for admn posts

Was thrown open to Public the contest for three administrative Posts in the District of Parana.

Hold elections for Council

The appointment of the new Council for the District of llhas has been adversely commented by the public at large But most of them most of them concur that new elections should be held as soon as possible.

Reinstate Judge D’Costa Zino Carvalho, Davorlim The suspension of Judge Desmond D’Costa is regrettable. Many have questioned the decision. The District judge should explain the circumstances surrounding the complaint to the High court, which resulted in the unfair suspension. One wonders why no appeal was filed. This is the sad reality.

It seems that there is no credibility in Goa’s judicial system.

Judge D’Costa was well known for his honesty, integrity and sincerity. He made an impact with his strong judgements. In all fairness, it is hoped that the suspension order is revoked, and Judge D’Costa is immediately reinstated.

Specious suspension Rupert Coutinho, UAE The suspension of Judge D’Costa has been severely reprimanded by many native Goans including lawyers, who have demonstrated in a peaceful manner. His ethics, honesty and dedication have been his distinguishing characteristic all along, and are impeccable.

The recent unprecedented act certainly raises the needle of suspicion on those shadows, who are out for revenge considering the fact that he has presided over high profile cases of alleged rape of a German minor and the Scarlett Keeling’s case at the children’s court. Therefore, the reasons for his suspension have to be thoroughly investigated. It would be very shameful if it is proved that Goans them-

search; the rest have abandoned the field for more lucrative markets. This is certainly not because of lack of knowledge, expertise or clinical material. Deep sea exploration has turned up organisms that existed, which we never knew about.

The explanation lies in the balance sheets. When a new antibiotic is introduced, it is patented, and restricted to difficult infections in an attempt to preserve its efficacy. Sales figures naturally remain suppressed, till the patent runs out or the physicians start overusing the drug against all rational recommendations. Further, when used judiciously, the drug is usually prescribed for short periods like a week or two. Compare that with a new anti-cancer or anti-diabetic drug; the drug is used widely as soon as it is introduced and for months, years, or the rest of the patients life. The sales returns for such drugs can be up to twenty times the sales figures for antibiotics. In short, it pays to research and introduce drugs for chronic diseases, rather than antibiotics; even though infections are more common than cancer, diabetes or heart disease.

The conditions under which penicillin was introduced were dramatically different from the FDA restrictions of today. Vancomycin resistant enterococcus infections of the bowel and urine, is thought to affect 26,000 hospital patients annually in the US according the Centre for Disease Control

and Prevention. However, research was abandoned because of inadequate sample sizes and clinical material.

Yet, when there are adequate financial incentives, there is no dearth of initiative, ingenuity or talent.

As a result of the anthrax scare in 2001, there was a huge spurt in research of anthrax, even though most practicing physicians have never seen a case in their entire clinical careers. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases spent $94 million in 2009, researching anthrax and plague; because they were potential agents of bioterrorism. In contrast, only $16 million was spent researching antibiotics for resistant infections. Such financial enthusiasm was feasible only because the government guaranteed purchase of any approved final product, as part of its counter-terrorism campaign.

If we are to prove Abdul Ghafur wrong, we will have to change our mind-set and implement what the BMJ terms “antibiotic stewardship programs”.

Our future survival depends on it because antibiotics will gradually get more expensive and have an ever decreasing spectrum of utility.

The initiative must come from both the physician as well as the patient. Prescriptions have to be more rational and evidence based. Numerous studies have established that between 20-50 per cent of antibiotic usage is inappropriate by virtue of the drug, dose, duration or redundancy. Public education programs must sell the concept that patients are doing more harm than good by demanding antibiotics, or changing doctors and/or antibiotics willy nilly. The authorities must come down more dramatically and heavily on unauthorised over the counter sales of scheduled drugs, whose unbridled usage contributes to the problem.

Finally, there must be adequate incentives provided for exploring alternative pathways for research, by the pharmaceutical companies such as tax breaks, increased patent period discretion and guaranteed sales to encourage continued research. There are newer pathways like using other organisms, just waiting to be developed.

Otherwise, we really will have to depend on cows’ urine in the foreseeable future.

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

He, she and IT

E

Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco

18 February 1911

the outburst by Abdul Ghafur in the Lancet “The overuse of antibiotics is embedded in our Indian gene. Why should we Indians worry? We can always depend on honey, yoghurt and cow’s urine. At any rate, within a few years, these products may be more useful than antibiotics!”

Antibiotic resistant infections cause an estimated 100,000 deaths annually in the US alone, and are predicted to rise even further. This alarming situation has developed within a span of 60odd years since penicillin was first introduced.

How is it that after the initial advantage in the battle against infections, we are now in danger of losing the war? After all, NDM-1, rmtC, and armA will join a growing list of resistant organisms headed by MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staph. aureus). In the past, resistant strains did not matter because research by pharmaceutical companies produced newer and more potent antibiotics. An estimated 200 new drugs were developed in 30 years, each more potent and toxic than the previous one.

Eventually hard economic realties hit the industry. In the period 1983-1987, 16 totally new drugs (as opposed to minor molecular variations) were approved. Since 2008, there have been only two. Only 5 of the 13 biggest pharmaceutical companies are actively engaged in antibiotic re-

very evening, as the sun dipped below the tree line near the governor’s palace, the Kevnem-Nagalli section of the Taleigao plateau used to turn into a pleasant locale for a cool, invigorating, healthy walkabout. This was 10 years ago.

There were large stretches of wilderness criss-crossed by narrow mud pathways going in all directions. The profusion of shrubs and small trees often made one lose one’s way, but just look at some landmarks in the distance and one found one’s bearings.

Across the Mandovi is the Reis Magos fort. Towards Altinho is the TV tower. And, of course, there is always the setting sun to the west.

Every so often one walked into a small vegetable patch. Some villagers from Kevnem or Nagalli had discovered a natural spring that allowed them to grow chillies, tomatoes… maybe even some Ragi. They had no title to the land or the water source, but it did not matter.

As one walked there was music in the air; with birds returning to their nests, but not before singing praises to the setting sun.

They thanked the sun for making photosynthesis possible. It grew their food and made branches on which they could build their nests. Clothing they did not need.

As the joker on Prudent Media would say, “Just Imagine!” It took a bird-brain to remind me of the most profound lesson of

Wonderful gesture

PRIMEIRO DIARIO NAS COLONIAS PORTUGEZAS

TIlTIng THe ScAleS

Breakfast of Champions

Std XII examinations

100 Years Ago

OPINION

the Sermon on the Mount: “Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Consider the lilies of the field; how they grow; they neither toil nor spin. Yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these!” Somewhere to the south, I could hear the rumble of traffic on the Dona Paula-Bambolim road, signalling the gradual encroachment of development, modernity and progress.

Then 2006 brought Dayanand Narvekar and his now infamous IT Park, all 280,000 sq metres of it. Out went the small vegetable growing plots, along with the small peasants.

A few months later, the Italian Empress of India came with her entire entourage, not to mention the ubiquitous SPG (Sonia’s Praetorian Guard?). The high command took their suitcases, while the Empress did a Julius Caesar: “She came, she saw, she concurred.”

The die was cast.

Once Daya got her stamp of approval, no one could stop him.

Up came a fancy stone perimeter wall costing Rs4 crore, to keep out the hoi-polloi and walk-abouters. Internal roads were 50 per cent wider than the main road outside! Street lighting was like the Panjim-Miramar road. Properties within were sold to real estate Mafiosi who wouldn’t know the difference between a car park and an IT park; between software, hardware and under-

Do not take people for a ride Teo Fernandes, Arpora

This is with reference to the issue of illegal buildings coming up in Nagoa-Arpora village. It is quite common nowadays to witness such illegal activities, maybe in the form of drugs, illegal land fillings and also, building houses or constructing concrete structures in low lying areas, but what seems to be disheartening is that these illegal activities are happening right under our very nose. The government says that all is fine.

The Governor portrayed a rosy picture of Goa, although on the flip side, it is not all that rosy and is becoming increasingly difficult for us to live here. Now, coming to the point of this illegal construction in a paddy field, I want to know how an NOC or permission was given to the concerned party to construct the house in a paddy field?

The panchayats was not bothered in demolishing the said structure, until the people intervened. I wish to congratulate the people of Nagoa and Arpora for their bold stand and for their agility in thwarting such illegal activities that go on in the village. People are watching everything. They must not be taken for a ride.

Assembly budget session John Eric Gomes, Porvorim A short sixteen-day budget session has been called with effect from 16 March 2011, during which the Goa Police bill 2008 and Lok Ayukta (anti- corruption ombudsman) bills are reportedly to be tabled. The public is unaware of the draft content of these bills. At the winter session, the body language and the demeanour of our elected representatives appeared like those of arrogant dictators, that showed scant respect for rules and laws, which are mandatory for all, in a democracy. The public must be permitted to peruse and their feedback is welcomed in formulating these important bills.

PM’s image, like detergent S N D Poojary, Miramar Interacting with the editors of the newspapers and the news channels at a press conference, PM emphatically stated that he would not quit. Of course, he won’t,

wear…

Then came a change of regime. Stop work! Suspended animation… The wilderness is now making a comeback. As the hoipolloi takes a detour, IT has become a public toilet for workers at nearby construction sites. One sees these poor people with their ‘lotas’ making a beeline through a small break in the wall, to this unintended facility. You wouldn’t want to be downwind of our IT Park, which is now an S-H-IT Park!

There is also a dangerous side-effect.

Robbed of 280,000 sq metres on the plateau, the real estate lobby is being placated with plots on the steep side slopes of the plateau, which are being clandestinely terraced. With plots come roads, water pipes and power lines. From the road you may see a single-level bungalow, but go inside and it is a posh split-level home that costs a bomb and gives an unrestricted vista, from Fort Aguada to the Verem Bay. Unfortunately, the ‘genius’ who began all this is also the architectural guru of the gang that wants to save the state from the TCP-builder nexus. No wonder Digu-bab operates RP2021 with such impunity. He knows that he can treat the words ‘Bachao’ and ‘Abhiyan’ with absolute and utter contempt.

Rajan Narayan will have to think again about who are the Monsters and who are the Rats.

Letters to the Editor

Letter of the Day

selves collude to subdue and suppress their honest and integral fellow men, who uphold the values and justice by their judgments.

By Anthony Simoes

and no politician does, unless forced. The Congress Party would not ask him to step down because the party benefits by keeping him in his post. He is pliable; he would not interfere, and would not assert his authority. The allies of the ruling combination also want him because he would allow them to run the government. And his clean image (has got some beating, of late) becomes a powerful detergent to wash off the dirt in the corridors of power.

PPF interest rates Jonas Correia, Aldona Almost all banks have increased the fixed deposit rates to 9 per cent and above for various periods. The EPFO has also announced an increase in its rates to 9.5 per cent. But why is the government not increasing the rate of the PPF accounts, which was reduced from 12 to 8 per cent for several years now? Alternatively, the government should abolish the lock-in period stipulation of 15 years, and allow people to close the account whenever they wish.

They will enable them to invest the monies in banks, where they can enjoy better rates of interest.

This suggestion will benefit the Aam

Admi a great deal, considering the prevailing high cost of living.

NOC clearance, a must Stephen Dias, Dona Paula Police clearance should be made mandatory for candidates who contest elections. This will avoid tainted candidates to be reelected once again. The election commissioner should see that such candidates are debarred from contesting the election.

This time in the forthcoming Municipal election, we see so many candidates who had been involved in all sorts of offences in the police stations, but they are still being allowed to contest the election. If such people get elected again, then it will be the same old story of strewn garbage all over, parking disorders, rapes, crimes, scams, illegal mining and illegal building construction. Panjimites will have to face the music all over again and the city will deteriorate only further.

Clean up…or else!

Lawrence Pinto, Panjim We must realise that the present CCP administration is full of corrupt, lethargic, manipulative officers and engineers who have not been transferred or absorbed by the CCP, as vigilance enquiries against them, while working for other governmental departments were on.

Nothing good will happen to Panjim, except the growing nuisance of garbage on roads, open urination, car washings and repair shops across the streets of Panjim without proper licenses or ethics. Without a commission here, no commissioner functions. Corruption in building licenses and scams is not a one-man show, as exposed in the Herald issue of 16 February 2011.

No good officer like Daulat Hawaldar would ever come to take over the reins of the corrupt administration. Panjim will continue to degrade, unless the new corporators bring in new officers with an unblemished record.

Letters should be 150 words or less in length, and should have the writer’s name, address and telephone number. The editor reserves the right to edit letters for size and readability, and to delete any personal attacks or libellous /objectionable matter.

Paths of Wisdom The Eternal Message

By Samir Khan Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless and greet him) was born in the 6th century in Arabia, to become the last ring in the golden chain of Messengers of Allah. He reconfirmed and renewed the eternal message of God to mankind to submit and surrender to Him and follow His Divine Guidance. This was the same eternal message (Islam) which was given to different generations of mankind at different stages of history by countless Prophets and Messengers, right from the first person, who was also the Prophet Adam to the Last Prophet Muhammad ( Peace be upon them all).

He was the greatest among the Messengers as his message is destined to guide mankind up to the end of the world. History has never known any other man whose influence has been so durable and pervasive on human thoughts and actions. He changed the fate of Arabia within a short span of 23 years of his Prophetic mission. Besides this, he gave permanent values and laid down firm foundations for the future course of human civilization. He was truly the greatest conqueror of ideas and the greatest revolutionary of all times.

His message was to liberate man from the tyranny of shirk (polytheism) and Godlessness. He enabled humanity to break the chains of superstitions and false notions.

His message was essentially to return to God and utilise reason. He led the revolt against false gods and false thoughts. He said that only God deserves to be worshipped and obeyed and there can be no obedience to anyone other than God in the disobedience of God. He waged a virtual jihad against tribal, geographical and racial prejudices and united the whole mankind on the basis of God-consciousness and human brotherhood. The barriers of prejudices and claims of superiority based on race and place were demolished by him in no time and the world, for the first time, witnessed the long period of true piety, human dignity and real equality.

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

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

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OHERALDO

INDIA

GOA, FRIDAY•18 FEBRUARY, 2011

Hunt on for kidnapped collector PTI

MALKANGIRI (Orissa), FEB 17

District Collector R V Krishna, who has been kidnapped by the Maoists, today remained untraced even as the authorities launched “back channel” efforts to seek the release of the IAS officer from the custody of the Naxalites.

In perhaps the first-ever abduction of an IAS officer in Orissa by the Maoists, the 30year-old district collector of Malkangiri was kidnapped last evening by a group of 50 Maoists when he was on a visit to the remote Chitrakonda area, a Maoist stronghold about 85 km from here, to attend a camp for local development, police said.

The officer was taken hostage after he went from the mega public interaction camp held at Badapada bordering Andhra Pradesh to inspect a culvert on a road nearby on a motorcycle along with two junior engineers and another person, Chitrakonda Tehsildar D Gopal Krishnan said.

While the collector and a junior engineer were held hostage, two others reached Badapada late last night with a letter and handed it over to senior officials, he said.

The Maoists have set a twoday deadline for the authorities

to fulfil their demands of a halt to anti-Naxal operations and release of jailed ultras. The exact location of the officer is being ascertained, Superintendent of Police Anirudh Singh said.

In Delhi, Home Secretary G K Pillai said, “He (Krishna) was abducted by the Maoists and they sent the engineer back with a chit asking for... their so called demands. The State government and other officers are working on this.”

Strongly condemning the abduction, Pillai said, “I don't think there is any need for any operation to release him. I am sure that the local support that he has and the State government will be able to negotiate and get his release.”

“I think it will take some time because the area is quite cut-off but back channel efforts are underway and I think it will take a few days but we are quite confident of getting him back,” he said.

Terming Krishna's abduction as “unfortunate”, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik made an appeal for his early release and said all options were being evaluated by the government which was closely monitoring the situation.

Chief Secretary B K Patnaik said the letter sent by the Maoists was apparently written by the abducted collector in his

I’m still an aspiring actor, says Hrithik PTI MUMBAI, FEB 17

Bollywood heartthrob Hrithik Roshan, who is making his television debut as a dance reality show judge, is looking forward to a successful inning on the small screen after his two previous films bombed at the box office.

“Only after biggest failures come biggest success,” Hrithik said, after his biggies --Kites' and Guzaarish-- failed to create magic at the box office.

“Its been ten years in the industry and I still believe, I am an aspiring actor. I still have to see and learn things,” said Hrithik, who made his debut in 2000 with Kaho Naa Pyaar Ha'.

The 37-year-old actorwill be seen as a judge on Star Plus' dance reality show 'Just Dance' alongside ace choreographers Farah Khan and Vaibhavi Merchant.

own handwriting. The letter demanded halt to anti- Maoist joint

operations, combing and release of all those lodged in jails.

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OBITUARIES GOA, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2011

Compensate land owners adequately: SC to Govt PTI NEW DELHI, FEB 17

The Supreme Court today came down heavily on the Government for failing to rehabilitate land owners in the country whose land have been acquired for construction of various dams and industrialisation.

A Bench of Justices G S Singhvi and Asok Kumar Ganguly said the Government which "granted exemption to the tune of Rs 1.25 lakh crore for Special Economic Zones" was fighting shy of providing employment to the landowners whose only source of livelihood had been taken away by acquisition proceedings.

"Unfortunately, the Land Ac-

quisition Act is being abused in the country. It was first enacted by the British in 1884. The white men have left but their legacy continues. The colonial mindset is continuing�.

"Most of them (land owners) are illiterate. They only know how to use the plough. Maharashtra and Andhra are famous for farmers suicides. They are fleeced by money lenders, middlemen and other outsiders", the Bench said.

The apex court made the remarks while asking Maharashtra Government to explain the number of land owners or their family members provided employment in return for the land acquired for Gosikhurda dam in the State's Vidharbha region.

Counsel for some of the land owners Somanath Padhan submitted before the Bench that the victims were without any source of livelihood after about 35.43 hectares of their land was acquired as early as in October, 1999.

It was pointed out that at the time of acquiring the land the State had come out with a circular to provide Government jobs in Group C and D posts to at least one member of the project affected persons /land owners.

Subsequently, on July 13, 2001, the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court directed the State to provide employment within three months to certain land owners who had moved the court.

The State filed a review petition claiming employment would be provided only after they fulfilled the rules which stipulated that prospective candidates have to obtain a certificate of displacement from the District Rehabilitation Officer.

OHERALDO

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WORLD

GOA, FRIDAY, 18 FEBRUARY, 2011

No change in Indo-Pak ties: US official PTI WASHINGTON, FEB 17

Despite the fact that leadership of both India and Pakistan have expressed their determination for talks with each other, the relationship between the two nations remains unchanged, according to a top US intelligence official.

“India's ties to Pakistan are largely unchanged. Both sides have stated their willingness to put all issues on the table and are committed to another round of talks at the foreign minister level at a date to be determined,” James R Clapper, Director of National Intelligence, said in his prepared testimony before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

“Senior Indian officials continue to call for progress in the prosecution of individuals charged with the November 2008 attacks in Mumbai, and remain concerned at the length of the process taking place in Pakistan. New Delhi, nevertheless, continues to underscore its desire for peaceful and stable relations with Islamabad,” Clap-

per said.

India, he said, is pursuing a robust foreign policy agenda, working to enhance ties to East and Southeast Asian nations, offering reciprocal visits with China, and hosting high level engagements in New Delhi by the US, French, and Russian Presidents in the last months of 2010.

Indian officials welcomed, in particular, the US endorsement of an eventual seat for India on the UN Security Council, and US commitment to support Indian membership in the four international export control regimes -- in a phased manner and consistent with maintaining the core principles of these regimes -- as India takes steps toward full adoption and implementation of the regimes' requirements, he said.

New Delhi, meanwhile, has been working to deepen its engagement with multilateral fora such as the G-20, East Asian Summit, and the climate change discussions in Mexico, Clapper said.

Indian officials, he said, have welcomed the international

Mubarak wants to die in Egypt:Report PTI CAIRO, FEB 17

Just a week after he stepped down as Egypt's undisputed ruler for 30 years, a severely ailing Hosni Mubarak “has given up and wants to die” in his home country and has rejected offers of asylum in other states, a top Saudi official has said.

The longtime Egyptian President Mubarak is “not doing well, but is refusing to leave his homeland,”a Saudi official told American network CBS. 82-year-old Mubarak, who is suffering from health problems, turned down Saudi Arabia's offer to visit the kingdom, saying he was determined to see out his days in Egypt, Al Arabiya quoted a Saudi official as saying.

Official confirmation could not immediately be obtained from the Saudi government.

In his last speech on state TV, Mubarak said he would not flee from the his country and vowed to die in Egypt.

A number of Egyptian newspapers on Monday reported that Mubarak went into a full coma on Saturday night at his Sharm al-Sheikh residence.

Egyptian daily Al-Masry AlYoum reported that soon after

moving to the resort, Mubarak who ruled Egypt for 30 years was gravely ill and had slipped into a coma.

But a pro-government newspaper denied the report and said the leader was in severe psychological condition and was declining treatment.

The Egyptian president had been in Germany for gall bladder treatment month's before the protests against him started.

Britain's Daily Telegraph quoting witnesses at the resort said that the former President may be suffering from cancer.

Mubarak spends more time within the confines of his new

community's commitment to remain in Afghanistan until the end of 2014. New Delhi continues to believe that a stable, friendly Afghanistan is crucial to Indian security.

Despite successful and attempted attacks on the official, commercial, and non-governmental Indian presence in Afghanistan, the government believes it has a mandate, from both the Indian and Afghan peoples, to continue civilian assistance programs and reconstruction efforts there.

India's open assistance programmes provide only noncombat aid, although the Indian media continues to discuss whether the country should also consider various capacity-building programs for the Afghan security forces as a means to bolster internal security, he said.

Clapper said India is closely watching a variety of issues that New Delhi believes will be of primary concern in 2011, to include questions about whether or how to reconcile Afghan Taliban, US, and ISAF views about

17 killed in Tanzania arms depot blasts

the current and future security situation in Afghanistan, and developments in efforts to foster civil society, a solid economy, and robust democratic processes.

New Delhi, he said, is likely to seek dialogue on these issues with a variety of interested nations. “he Pakistani government, however, remains concerned that India is using its presence in Afghanistan and its discussions with the US and other nations to develop policies that may be destabilising to Pakistan,”he said. “eanwhile, officials, media commentators, and members of the think-tank community in India are discussing the global implications of the simultaneous “emergence of India” and the “rise of China.”

“While underscoring the unique aspect of this twinned emergence of two substantial powers on the global political and economic stage, Indians have also noted that there is no inevitable clash between the two powers,” Clapper said.

Diplomat’s immunity case adjourned PTI

AGENCIES,

LAHORE, FEB 17

DAR ES SALAAM, FEB 17

A Pakistani court today adjourned till March 14 the hearing of a case regarding the diplomatic status of a US official arrested for gunning down two men after the federal government sought more time to furnish a reply in this regard.

Deputy Attorney General Naveed Inayat Malik, who represented the federal government at today's hearing, told Lahore High Court Chief Justice Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry that the Foreign Ministry needed more time to submit a response on the diplomatic status of US official Raymond Davis.

Khwaja Haris, the Advocate General of the Punjab government, told the court that the federal government alone could determine whether Davis has diplomatic immunity.

He argued that the Vienna Convention does not give blanket immunity to persons involved in heinous crimes.

Davis had been charged for murder by police, he remarked.

A series of blasts levelled arms depots at a Tanzanian army base and killed at least 17 people, Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda said Thursday, in the second such incident in two years.

The blasts, which the prime minister said also left at least 145 people wounded, went off inside the Gongo la Mboto army base in Dar es Salaam late Wednesday and destroyed several arms and ammunition depots.

“By this morning, there were 13 bodies at Amana hospital, two at Temeke hospital and two more at Muhimbili national hospital,” he told parliament in a session aired live on State radio.

Pinda said he had convened an emergency security meeting over the blasts and added that the country's armed forces were investigating the incident.

Pinda, who said the death toll could rise in the coming hours, added that some 4,000 people residing in the army base's vicinity fled their homes and had found shelter in a large stadium.

People shoot homemade fireworks named 'Xu Hua' at a dancing dragon in a centuries old tradition to celebrate the Lantern Festival in Taijiang county in southwest China's Guizhou province on Friday.

After hearing the arguments of the lawyers for the federal and provincial governments, Chief Justice Chaudhry said: “How can the court proceed further in the case till the foreign office tells us about his (Davis') diplomatic status?”

The chief justice subsequently adjourned the matter till March 14.

The High Court is hearing several similar petitions asking it to direct authorities to prosecute Davis.

An application was also filed today by lawyer Azhar Siddique to make former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi party to the case as he has disclosed that the Foreign Office was of the opinion that Davis does not enjoy “blanket immunity”.

Deputy Attorney General Malik also informed the court that Davis' name had been included on the government’s Exit Control List to bar him from leaving Pakistan.

Authorities were continuing a probe to determine whether Davis had diplomatic immunity,

Khwaja Haris, the Advocate General of the Punjab government, told the court that the federal government alone could determine whether Davis has diplomatic immunity.

He argued that the Vienna Convention does not give blanket immunity to persons involved in heinous crimes. he said.

Davis was arrested in Lahore on January 27 after he shot and killed two Pakistani men who he said were trying to rob him.

The US has insisted that Davis has diplomatic immunity and demanded several times that he should be released immediately.

Pakistan's top leadership, including President Asif Ali Zardari, have said that Davis' case is already in the court and will be decided according to the country's laws.

US President Barack Obama waded into the diplomatic row for the first time on Tuesday,

saying Pakistan should release Davis on grounds of diplomatic immunity.

The issue has taken PakistanUS relations to a new low and American lawmakers have warned that the detention of the official could affect civil and military aid.

The US has also postponed a trilateral meeting with Pakistan and Afghanistan scheduled for this month due to the row.

Davis is currently being held in Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore and police have accused him of murder in a chargesheet filed in a lower court.

The charge-sheet also rejected Davis' claim that he had acted in self-defence.

Former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who was not reallocated the foreign affairs portfolio during a recent shakeup of the cabinet apparently due to his stand on Davis’ issue, yesterday reiterated his contention that he believed the American does not have “blanket immunity”.

12 persons die in Vietnam boat disaster AFP HALONG CITY Feb 17

Twelve people, most of them foreign tourists, died today when their tour boat suddenly sank while they slept in Halong Bay, one of Vietnam's top tourist destinations, officials said.

A survivor recounted a frantic attempt to escape from below deck as the vessel went down abruptly before dawn in calm weather in the picturesque bay, renowned for its many limestone towers.

“Oh my God... The ship is sinking. We need to get off!”

George Fosmire, a 23-year-old American, remembered his girlfriend warning after the listing ship tipped her out of bed in their cabin.

Fosmire, his voice breaking, said he feared his girlfriend and another young woman in their cabin did not escape the rushing waters.

“The whole thing took between 30 seconds and a minute," said Fosmire, who managed to escape through a window.

I had to put my face to the ceiling to suck any air,” he recalled after he and other survivors were rescued by other boats in the area.

Riot cops storm Bahrain camp, 2 reported dead PTI MANAMA, FEB 17

Police storm an area near Lulu square, Manama, Bahrain on Thursday. Three demonstrators and a policeman were killed during police attacks on protesters in the Bahraini capital Manama who continued pushing the government for reform, witnesses said.

Berlusconi shows aplomb in face of charges that could end career AP ROME, FEB 16

Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi showed aplomb in the face of charges that could end his political career or land him in prison, saying he isn't worried about his impending prostitution trial or calls for his resignation.

It was the first public comment by the 74-year-old leader since he was indicted yesterday on charges he paid for sex with a 17-year-old Moroccan girl and then used his influence to cover it up.

He spoke shortly before holding talks and a working dinner with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, his first international meeting since the indictment.

Berlusconi has denied any wrongdoing, dismissing the accusations as “groundless” and the case as a “farce” and a

“shame.”

He has accused prosecutors of trying to topple his government. The p remier tod ay dodged questions about the case during a news conference on economic themes in Rome and, in contrast with recent days, did not go on the offensive to defend himself.

“Out of love of my country, I won't talk about this,” Berlusconi told reporters. “I can only say one thing: I'm not worried at all.”

Berlusconi also avoided the topic in remarks before a meeting with Medvedev, focusing instead on the close ties between Russia and Italy.

“I believe that I am a point of reference for Russia within the European Union, and I have personally tended to all of the relations that the EU has and will develop with the Russian federation,” Berlusconi said, em-

phasising his close personal friendships with Medvedev and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

The prostitution trial starts April 6 before three female judges, an ironic twist for the premier.

Italian women staged nationwide protests last week contending that the scandal and Berlusconi's view of women is degrading to female dignity.

The three judges were picked at random. The indictment marks a serious challenge to Berlusconi's grip on power at a time when the premier is weakened by an acrimonious split with an ex-ally.

It reignited calls for Berlusconi's resignation, with the opposition contending the scandal, with allegations of wild parties at the premier's villas with scantily clad women, has embarrassed Italy and damaged its

Russia to start production of new missiles UNI Moscow, Feb 17

Russia will start serial production of its next-generation S500 missile system in 2014, Aerospace Defence Strategic Commander Lt Gen Valer y Ivanov said today.

The S-500 air defence system will be able to track and destroy ballistic missiles with ranges of up to 3,500 kilometres. '”The S-500 air defence system is currently in development.

By 2014, it should enter into serial production,'' RIA Novosti news agency quoted Mr Ivanov as saying.

“This system will be able to defend territories at heights of up to 50 kilometres,'' he added.

Russia's aerospace defence troops currently use S-300 and S-400 systems.

New S-400 air defence missiles will be deployed at Dmitrov outside Moscow in March, Mr Ivanov added.

Riot police firing tear gas and rubber bullets stormed a landmark square occupied by antigovernment protesters today, driving out demonstrators and destroying a makeshift encampment that had become the hub for demands to bring sweeping political changes to the kingdom.

The main opposition group Al Wefaq said at least two people were killed in the pre-dawn assault on Pearl Square, which was littered with flattened tents, trampled banners and broken glass. There was no official word on deaths or injuries.

After police regained control of the plaza, they chased protesters through side streets and put a ring of vehicles around the area with blue lights flashing in the darkened city just as the dawn call for prayers rang out.

The blow by authorities

marked a dramatic shift in tactics. It appeared Bahrain's leaders had sought to rein in security forces after clashes Monday that left at least two people dead and brought sharp criticism from Western allies, including the US which operates its main naval base in the Gulf from Bahrain.

Police held back yesterday as tens of thousands of protesters crowded into the seaside square, dominated by a 300foot monument to Bahrain's history as a pearl diving center.

After the crackdown early today, protesters who were camped in the square described police swarming in through a cloud of eye-stinging tear gas.

“They attacked our tents, beating us with batons,” said Jafar Jafar, 17.

“The police were lined up at the bridge overhead. They were shooting tear gas from the bridge.”

APPOINTMENTS

Biz12:Pg12 2/17/2011 9:35 PM Page 1

OHERALDO

Pg 12 Food inflation falls to 11.05% PTI NEW DELHI, FEB 17

Food inflation fell to a twomonth low of 11.05 per cent for the week ended February 5 as onions prices moderated and pulses became cheaper, prompting Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee to assert that the rate of price rise will fall to a single digit in some time.

Food inflation fell by 2.02 percentage points for the week ended February 5 from 13.07 per cent in the previous week. "... In quite some time, food inflation will also be under single digit," Mukherjee said, adding that headline inflation will moderate to 7 per cent by March-end from 8.23 per cent in January.

Driven by high vegetable prices, food inflation has been in double digits for the past two months and had even crossed 18 per cent in the last week of December.

On an annual basis, prices of potatoes declined by 13.63 per cent, pulses by 5.88 per cent and wheat by 2.54 per cent in the week ended February 5.

However, on the whole, vegetables became nearly 24 per cent costlier during the week ended February 5. This was primarily on account of onions, which were 31.33 per cent higher during the week on an annual basis.

The spike in food prices, especially during December and January, has become a cause of concern for the government and it has taken several measures to tame it.

A Group of Ministers (GoM) on Food, headed by Mukherjee, met today to take stock of the situation.

Meanwhile, the decline in food inflation for the past two weeks prompted Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia to say the trend would continue.

TALK BUSINESS

Microsoft, Aptech tie up

PANJIM (HBD) -- Aptech Limited announced a strategic level global engagement with Microsoft Corporation Pvt Ltd. Aptech, with this new engagement, would be able to integrate the licensed Microsoft educational content to Aptech curriculum for assisting aspiring students in IT, IT professionals, software developers, businesses, and others, to gain skills and certifications on industry relevant Microsoft technologies and products.

With Aptech’s leadership in other world markets, this alliance would not only benefit India, but would also help in penetrating deeper into other emerging global markets like Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Africa, etc.

With this prestigious partnership with Microsoft, Aptech Computer Education ’ flagship career programs like ACCP, Smart Professional, etc will now have the latest Microsoft Technology Learning Content integrated into their course offering and hence lead to valuable Microsoft Certifications recognized globally.

Aptech and Microsoft with this partnership intends to train and certify over 1, 50,000 students by 2015 on leading Microsoft technologies. Both the companies through this partnership intend to reach out to other global markets and work closely to penetrate a larger audience through collaborative engagements.

BITS triumphs at Tata Crucible Goa round PANJIM (HBD) – Anand Shankar and Varun M of Birla Inst of Technology and Science College emerged winners of the Goa round of the 7th edition of Tata Crucible Campus Quiz 2011.

The quiz will now travel to 23 other cities in the country including the debut in Amritsar, Rohtak and Varanasi.

More than 06 enthusiastic teams from across the region participated in this preliminary regional round reiterating the growing popularity of the Tata Crucible Campus Quiz among students.

Satish Srinivasa Murthy, unit head, Titan Industries Limited, Titan Time Products Ltd graced the occasion as the chief guest for the evening and awarded the winning team with a cash prize of Rs 75,000 along with other prizes.

The runners-up from Goa Medical College were awarded a cash prize of Rs 35,000. The winners will now compete with regional winners from 23 other cities at the national finals scheduled to be held in Mumbai later.

The quiz was hosted by the quizmaster Giri Balasubramaniam.

Loot founder bags award PANJIM (HBD) -- Jay Gupta, MD and founder of Loot has been awarded with ‘The Most Promising Entrepreneur Award’ of the Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards 2010 India.

This award is the fourth award for The Loot in the year 2010, which adds up to the total of 14 Awards so far.

The Most Promising Entrepreneurship Award is given to individuals who have shown promising achievements, tenacity and courage in business.

Sensex rallies 206 points PTI MUMBAI, FEB 17

The BSE benchmark Sensex rallied 206 points today to close at 3week high of 18,506.82, maintaining the winning momentum for the fifth session in a row, as food inflation dipped further and outlook was broadly positive in the overseas markets.

The BSE bellwether index has zoomed 1,043.78 points or 5.98 per cent in the past five sessions, making it one of the strongest winning streaks so far this year. Capital goods, banking and auto counters were in strong demand, while realty counters attracted profit-booking after smart gains.

Food inflation fell for the second straight week to a two-week low of 11.05 per cent for the week ended February 5.

BIZ

GOA, FRIDAY, 18 FEBRUARY, 2011

Single digit inflation soon: FM PTI NEW DELHI, FEB 17

Despite food inflation ruling in double digits, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee asserted the "actual" food prices have come down substantially for the week ended February 5, expressing confidence it would come to single digit "in quite some time". "...in quite some time food inflation will also be under single digit," the Finance Minister added.

However, Mukherjee cautioned that weekly and monthly fluctuations in inflation numbers "are always deceptive".

Mukherjee said the decline in food inflation should result in overall inflation going down over the next 1 or 2 months.

"I hope as I mentioned earlier, by March we able to reach overall inflation of 7 per cent," he said.

The headline inflation measured on WPI has also moderated, coming down to 8.23 per cent in January from 8.43 per cent in the previous month.

‘Declining trend to continue’ PTI NEW DELHI, FEB 17

With food inflation moderating for the second week in a row, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia forecast continuation of the declining trend.

"I am glad that (food) inflation has come down and I do expect that (the decline) would actually continue," Ahluwalia told reporters here. Ahluwalia said that the spike in food prices witnessed during Dece and Jan has been contained.

While he was confident that the declining trend in food inflation witnessed during the past two weeks would continue, Ahluwalia did not want to hazard a guess on the rate of fall.

Madhavashram to Manoshanti: 150 years

Madhav has left no stone unturned in helping the community at large in ways more than one. His sentiments are strongly vocal when he says, “I have been living a very hectic life all these years. Looking back I see what I missed, what I gained. So much is there to do, while so little done! In keeping my commitment towards the socio-political causes, I wish to spend more time serving the community in my own humble way. I believe, the soul is immortal and can never die. I can feel, my son Mahendra is still around. By helping kids of his age I feel I am serving him.”

BHARATI PAWASKAR

Long before the concept of ‘atithi devo bhav’ was adopted by the Government of India, hotels in Goa honestly looked after the needs of the strangers, students, travellers, state visitors, merchants and political leaders.

Madhavashram at Panjim has a glorious history of 150 years of serving tasty non-veg food and provide cheap accommodation (rooms and dormitories) to students of Goa Medical College and Pharmacy College during the Portuguese times.

Panjim had very few street lights and some students even studied under road lights near Jetty as there was no electricity at Madhavashram those days.

“Our grandfather Naracinha Dhond had a music and drama group – Natya Sanstha – of his own known as Madhav Sangeet Mandali. Fond of music and dramas, his tabla, harmonium and other musical instruments at Madhavashram were gutted into a fire that broke on 28 October 1951. I was born just 3 days after, on 31 October 1951. Madhavashram suffered losses twice due to fire,” says Madhav Manohar Dhond, proprietor of Shree Mahalaxmi Shakti Centre (IOC petrol pump) and the founder of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Goa. A partner in Hotel Manoshanti with his brothers, Madhav explains the reason behind the name – the initials of our parents Manohar and Shantabai are merged in Manoshanti. Synonymous with BJP in Goa, Madhavashram was the registered office of BJP in Goa till it had its office at Samadhan. Having a long association and standing in the party Madhav was instrumental in bringing the BJP concept to Goa way back in 1980s. He is the founder of BJP in Goa. He brought the charismatic leader in Bharatiya Janata Party – Atal Bihari Vajpayee – to Goa soon after BJP became active in the state. This writer remembers meeting Vajpayee at Dr Narcinva Kashinath Nayak’s residence at Aquem-Alto in Margao in early eighties. Madhav jokingly says, “I was the

Madhav Manohar Dhond with wife Madhavi at Manoshanti, Panjim.

driving force with Vajpayee (yes, young Madhav drove the car that carried Vajpayee places in Goa). Madhav’s political inclinations allowed him interact with top brass in BJP and other parties. His close affiliation with party leaders helped him groom into a socio-politically active person as the seeds of patriotism sowed deep in his soul right from childhood. Post liberation, as eleven-year old kid, Madhav registered himself as member of Rashtriya Swayansevak Sangh (RSS) in 1962. He was allotted responsible positions in BJP. Twice chosen as the General Secretary, once Vice-President, Madhav was also the Spokesperson of BJP in Goa. He helped with the publication of party mouthpiece ‘Sahas’ successfully for two years with the help from three main advertisers – Salgaoncars, Reliance and S Kumar.

Explaining how Manoshanti turned a home-cum-hotel, Madhav explains, “Though originally from Savai Verem, Dhonds shifted to Panjim for livelihood some decades ago.

It was our family home in Panjim where Manoshanti stands today. In 1989 the place was built up into a three-star hotel with its ground plus 7 floors in H shape structure. With 30 rooms, and a hall with 150 sitting capacity Manoshanti, is a leading three-star hotel in the capital city.

“Though Madhavashram is

given on lease now, running it always remained the centre of my activities till 2002 before venturing into petrol pump business at Caranzalem. My wife Madhavi, a SBI employee for 30 years, also lends a helping hand,” says Madhav. As the President of Indian Oil Petrol Dealers Association of Goa and Vice-President of Goa Petrol Dealers Association, he fought for the rights of petrol dealers and brought their problems to forefront, seeking solutions to many. Positive activism is his mantra.

How does he manage to handle so many things at a time? “Yes, I do run short of time. My activities and interests are varied – from politics to music and from playing tabla to speeches, from reading to travelling. I am workaholic,” says Madhav. His involvement in various fields is notable. He is trustee of Shree Mahalaxmi Devasthan Trust, where his father Manohar served as treasurer for 18 long years. Madhava was the member of South Western Railway Committee (DRUCC). He is member of BSNL Telephone Advisory Committee for three consecutive years. Social commitment is visible in his active involvement in Panjim Ambulance and Welfare Trust as well as Shree Mahalaxmi Seva Samiti. With the help of three ambulances the trust serves the sick. A member of Saraswati Mandir Managing

8.8% GDP growth next fiscal: CMIE PTI MUMBAI, FEB 17

India's GDP growth is expected to slow down to 8.8 per cent next fiscal (FY 12) from the impressive 9.2 per cent projected for this fiscal (FY 11), a leading economic think-tank said.

Growth in FY 11 has been powered by a rebound in the agricultural sector and a sharp pick-up in private consumption and this growth momentum is expected to continue next fiscal as well, it said.

For FY 12 when growth is expected to slow down, "the downside risks relate mainly to the poor rainfall and to the performance of the global economy," the Centre for MonAban Offshor, 592.1, 606.75, 587.1, 600.5 Abb Ltd., 661.05, 672.75, 656.2, 665.35 Abg Shipyard, 359.95, 371.2, 352.55, 369.5 Acc Limited, 999, 1004, 992, 997.2 Adani Enterp, 628.1, 634.7, 624.25, 627.85 Aditya Birla, 785, 807.5, 785, 803 Allahabad Ba, 206, 213.35, 204.5, 210.8 Alstom Proje, 565, 576.85, 562.25, 574 Ambuja Cemen, 121.9, 126.9, 121.5, 125.8 Andhra Bank, 147.4, 151.75, 145.9, 150.9 Ashok Leylan, 54.2, 54.45, 52.45, 53.3 Asian Paints, 2596.95, 2600.2, 2546, 2594.8 Axis Bank Li, 1348.85, 1348.85, 1292.05, 1317.5 Bajaj Hindus, 78.9, 79.95, 77.5, 78.15 Bank Of Baro, 907.9, 928, 905, 919.75 Bank Of Indi, 446.4, 454.15, 436, 448.2 Beml Limited, 669, 683, 665, 679.65 Bharat Elect, 1650, 1689, 1650, 1674.6 Bharat Forge, 317, 325, 312.55, 323.45 Bharat Petro, 605.9, 617.8, 592, 615.4 Bharti Airte, 332, 341.25, 325.6, 339.85 Bhel, 2055, 2089.95, 2031, 2082.05

itoring Indian Economy (CMIE) said in its latest review of the country's economy here.

Growth in the agricultural and allied sector, industrial sector and in the services sector and its segments is expected to decelerate, it said.

However, the construction sector is expected to fare better in FY 12 than in FY 11.

"Growth in the agricultural and allied sector is projected to decelerate to 3.1 per cent in 2011-12, from the 5.1 per cent growth estimated in 2010-11.

This deceleration explains the marginal drop in real GDP growth in 2011-12," CMIE said.

The industrial sector, including construction, is projected

Bhushan Stee, 404.2, 406.75, 397, 403.2 Biocon Limit, 343.75, 346.5, 337.25, 344.6 Bombay Dyein, 355, 369.9, 355, 358.3 Bosch Limite, 6033.5, 6079.9, 5981.2, 6011.1 Brigade Ente, 99, 101.5, 97.5, 98.1 Cairn India, 321, 321.5, 313, 319.6 Canara Bank, 589.9, 607.95, 581.15, 597.4 Central Bank, 157.9, 161.25, 156.65, 160.6 Century Text, 326.15, 344.8, 323.55, 343.15 Cesc Ltd, 297, 305, 296, 301.05 Chambal Fert, 75, 76.75, 74.25, 75.4 Chennai Petr, 202, 204.9, 200.25, 204.4 Cipla Ltd, 306, 307.2, 302.2, 305.2 Colgate Palm, 820.15, 830, 818.8, 824.85 Container Co, 1096.5, 1107.9, 1066, 1100.8 Crompton Gre, 263, 270.5, 258.4, 267.95 Cummins Indi, 664.05, 674, 660, 672.4 Dabur India, 97.05, 100.7, 95.25, 100.15 Deccan Chron, 77.5, 80.35, 77.25, 78.4 Dish Tv Indi, 63, 63.8, 62.55, 63.25 Divi’s Labor, 651, 656.9, 636.35, 645.6 Dlf Limited, 239, 241.3, 236.3, 237.7

to grow lower at 9.4 per cent as compared to the 9.5 per cent estimated in FY 11.

"Steel, cement, automobiles and petroleum products segments are projected to see a nine per cent-plus growth in 2011-12. Other industries like paints and varnishes, tubes and pipes, sponge iron, lifts and elevators, domestic refrigerators and transformers ar expected to do well too," CMIE said.

Industrial production growth will be driven by a rise in consumption and investment demand, it said.

Consumption demand will be driven by a rise in corporate wages, fresh employment gen-

Dr. reddy’s, 1516, 1536.7, 1508.65, 1525.85 Edelweiss Ca, 39.5, 40.4, 38.6, 39.25 Educomp Solu, 482, 510.8, 477.85, 506.9 Eih Limited, 104, 106.95, 102.25, 106 Engineers In, 293, 294.95, 288.1, 292.7 Essar Oil Lt, 111.1, 113.9, 110.3, 112.6 Essar Shippi, 88.4, 88.4, 86.55, 87.65 Exide Indust, 132.9, 132.9, 130, 130.1 Federal Bank, 384.7, 387.5, 381.05, 383.9 Financial Te, 843, 856.5, 838, 844.55 Gail (india), 457.9, 457.9, 451.6, 452.95 Gammon India, 122, 124.8, 118.5, 122.45 Glaxosmithkl, 2202.2, 2267.5, 2202.2, 2230.95 Glenmark Pha, 288, 296, 285, 289.2 Gmr Infrastr, 42.1, 42.7, 41, 41.3 Godrej Indus, 172.25, 176.5, 172.25, 175.3 Grasim Indus, 2320, 2349, 2310, 2332.75 Great Offsho, 279.9, 287.5, 278.05, 282.4 Gtl Infra.Lt, 38, 38.7, 37.25, 38.15 Gujarat Mine, 116.95, 119.8, 116.5, 117.35 Gujarat N R, 50.85, 51.8, 48.6, 49.1 Gujarat Stat, 96, 98.3, 95.5, 96.35

Gvk Pow. & I, 28.75, 29.25, 28.3, 28.5 Hcl Technolo, 473, 476.75, 465, 467.45 Hdfc Bank Lt, 2100, 2194, 2095, 2185.6 Hdfc Ltd, 630.1, 652.8, 628.5, 650.05 Hero Honda M, 1500, 1509.8, 1484, 1498.1 Hindalco in, 212, 214.35, 210.55, 211.4 Hindustan Co, 37, 37.5, 36.15, 37.1 Hindustan Ma, 63.2, 64.4, 62.65, 62.9 Hindustan Pe, 356.1, 359.9, 350, 355.55 Hindustan Un, 275.5, 276.5, 273.35, 273.95 Hindustan Zi, 1280, 1301, 1265.15, 1285.45 Housing Dev, 152, 153.1, 149.05, 150.25 Icici Bank L, 1047.85, 1070, 1036.15, 1057 Idea Cellula, 63, 65.7, 62.4, 65.15 Ifci Ltd, 54.7, 54.7, 51.7, 53.25 India Cement, 92.4, 94.35, 92.05, 93.3 India Infoli, 73.5, 76, 73.3, 75.4 Indiabulls F, 151.85, 153.95, 148.5, 149.65 Indiabulls R, 118.1, 118.2, 114.1, 114.65 Indian Bank, 214.25, 222.7, 211, 220.55 Indian Hotel, 80, 82.45, 78.6, 82.15 Indian Oil C, 330, 331.55, 324, 328.65 Indian Overs, 130, 137, 129.15, 135.15

eration and lower inflation while investment demand is expected to be buoyant, as more and more projects move into the implementation stage, it said.

Projects worth Rs 8-lakhcrore are scheduled to be commissioned in FY 12 as compared to Rs 3.5-lakh-crore in FY 11.

"This is expected to push up activities in the construction sector. The sector is projected to grow by 10.5 per cent during the fiscal, as compared to an estimated 9.5 per cent in 2010-11," CMIE said.

Growth in the services sector and its segments is projected to moderate in FY 12.

Indus Dev Ba, 136.85, 140.7, 136.1, 139.55 Indusind Ban, 225.3, 233.45, 223, 229.9 Infosys Tech, 3118.5, 3128, 3102.2, 3113.35 Infra. dev., 140, 146.8, 139.25, 145.65 Ispat Indust, 24, 24, 23.5, 23.75 Itc Ltd, 157.5, 158.9, 154.85, 158.45 Ivrcl Infras, 77.9, 81.8, 76.3, 79.55 Jai Corp Lim, 171.45, 171.5, 165.65, 167.2 Jaiprakash A, 90.95, 92.3, 88.1, 90.25 Jet Airways, 492, 514.4, 491.85, 507.55 Jindal Saw L, 210, 212.6, 208.25, 209.05 Jindal Steel, 674, 677, 664.35, 669.1 Jsw Steel Li, 900, 924.75, 894.35, 921.75 Kotak Mahind, 409, 414.85, 405, 411.85 Lakshmi Mach, 2200, 2200, 2170, 2189.6 Lanco Infrat, 39.95, 41.4, 39, 40 Larsen & Tou, 1666.9, 1700, 1636.95, 1695.45 Lic Housing, 193.9, 202.05, 190.2, 200.45 Lupin Limite, 419.9, 421.95, 412.5, 414.75 Mahanagar Te, 44.5, 45.5, 43.55, 45.15 Mahindra & M, 660, 673.5, 648.55, 669.55 Maruti Suzuk, 1218.9, 1239.95, 1215,

Committee, Madhav is the trustee of Shree Mahalaxmi Seva Samiti that helps the needy through Rotary Club by adopting economically backward children. Then there is Madhav’s own Mahendra Dhond Memorial Trust, established in 2002 in the name of his beloved son Mahendra who passed away young. The trust donates books, scholarships, free-ships, medicines or fees to children below 15. “We donated two wheelchairs in Khorjuve to two persons with polio, though they were above 15.

The needs of a challenged person are like that of a child’s,” says Madhav, better known as ‘medical man’ in Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra.

A multifaceted personality,

BOARD MEETINGS Andhra Bank New Horizon Allahabad Bank Pradeep Metal Allied Digit Nestle India Source: Indiainfoline.com

MF FUNDA JPMORGAN MUTUAL FUND (MF) has launched a new fund named as JPMorgan India Fixed Maturity Plan 400D Series 1, a close ended debt scheme with the duration of 91 days from the date of allotment of units. The NFO price for the scheme is Rs 10 for each unit. The new issue will be open for subscription from February 16, 2011 and closes on February 21, 2011.

The scheme offers growth and dividend option. The scheme would allocate 100% of assets in debt and money market instruments with low to medium risk profile.

The minimum application amount is Rs 5,000 and in multiples of Rs 10 thereafter.

The fund seeks to collect a minimum subscription amount of Rs 10 million under the scheme during the NFO period.

Entry and exit load charge for the scheme will be nil.

Benchmark Index for the scheme will be CRISIL Short Term Bond Fund Index.

The fund manager for the scheme will be Nandkumar Surti and Namdev Chougule.

IPO CORNER

Acropetal Tech IPO to open February 21

PANJIM (HBD) – Acropetal Technologies Limited, a 100% EOU certified company focussed on competency based verticals such as healthcare services, energy and environment services amongst others, proposes to enter the capital market on February 21, 2011, with public issue of equity shares of Rs 10 each in the price band of Rs 88 to Rs 90 per equity share for cash aggregating Rs 170 crore. The bid/issue period will close on February 24, 2011.

The issue is being made through a 100% book building process in terms of the Red Herring prospectus dated February 2, 2011 and the equity shares are proposed to be listed on the BSE and the NSE. The sole Book Running Lead Manager to the issue is Saffron Capital Advisors Private Limited.

The objects of the issue, as mentioned in the RHP are to finance the funds required for potential acquisitions; to set up a software development centre cum corporate office at Hosur Road, Bangalore; expansion and establishment of overseas offices in the US, UK, Middle east and South East Asia; part payment of term loans and additional working capital requirements. It has a presence in Dubai, UAE, through subsidiary Vision Info Inc.

1228.05 Max India Lt, 149.4, 151, 148, 148.3 Moser-baer (, 43.25, 44.2, 41.8, 43.6 Mrpl, 64.1, 64.7, 63.5, 64 Nagarjuna Co, 105, 110, 103.2, 108.15 Nagarjuna Fe, 29, 29.35, 28.55, 28.85 National Alu, 407, 412, 405.1, 409.65 Neyveli Lign, 106, 109.15, 103.75, 107.8 Ntpc Ltd, 181.85, 181.9, 179.15, 180.85 Oil And Natu, 281.75, 281.75, 276.3, 277.85 Omaxe Limite, 137.2, 139.8, 134.5, 138.1 Oriental Ban, 335.95, 343, 335.2, 339.45 Pantaloon Re, 279.5, 287.8, 275.95, 285.75 Parsvnath De, 32, 32.3, 30.9, 31.7 Petronet Lng, 119.5, 119.5, 116.75, 117.2 Power Fin Co, 254.95, 263, 252.15, 258.65 Power Grid C, 98.6, 98.95, 98.25, 98.6 Praj Industr, 72.7, 74, 72.15, 72.6 Punj Lloyd L, 74.95, 76.25, 73.1, 75 Punjab Natio, 1103, 1116, 1098, 1107.4 Rajesh Expor, 139.3, 142.25, 137.5, 138.85 Ranbaxy Labs, 511.9, 517.55, 506, 512.2 Rashtriya Ch, 87, 88.35, 85.1, 86.55

Reliance Cap, 475, 486, 464, 478.45 Reliance Com, 97.5, 101.3, 96.75, 99.95 Reliance Ene, 1061.1, 1079.98, 1056.05, 1063.05 Reliance Ind, 625, 626.4, 603.1, 614.3 Reliance Ind, 947.85, 955.45, 936.25, 953.95 Reliance Pow, 121, 122.15, 119.25, 120.7 Rolta India, 148, 148.4, 145.1, 147.85 Satyam Compu, 63.55, 66.15, 63.1, 63.3 Sesa Goa Ltd, 310.7, 312.5, 307.1, 311.15 Shipping Cor, 112.6, 114.9, 111.2, 114 Siemens Ltd, 835.5, 849.5, 835.5, 843 Sintex Indus, 164.5, 164.5, 151, 155.8 Sobha Develo, 243, 271.35, 242.05, 266.2 State Bank O, 2752, 2788, 2740, 2780.55 Steel Author, 163.2, 167.85, 163, 165.95 Sterlite Ind, 164.35, 166.7, 162.8, 163.85 Sun Pharmace, 419, 429.45, 411.45, 424.45 Sun Tv Netwo, 432, 432, 402.2, 412.3 Suzlon Energ, 48.4, 50.85, 48.1, 50.45 Tata Communi, 210.1, 217.9, 210.1, 215.4 Tata Consult, 1105, 1114.45, 1092.4, 1109.2

Tata Motors, 1231.95, 1254.45, 1225.2, 1248.6 Tata Power C, 1285.05, 1298, 1263, 1287.1 Tata Steel L, 644, 657, 641.55, 655.1 Tata Teleser, 15.95, 16.4, 15.9, 16.25 Tech Mahindr, 645.25, 674.8, 639, 666.8 The Ge Shpg., 280.45, 286.85, 280, 283.9 The Phoenix, 185, 193.1, 181, 182.2 Thermax Ltd, 643, 650, 631.25, 645.85 Titan Indust, 3267.4, 3314, 3238, 3294.3 Torrent Powe, 228, 233.75, 228, 229.15 Triveni Engg, 84.5, 87.9, 77.1, 82.65 Tv18 India L, 81.1, 81.7, 79.5, 80.75 Uco Bank, 105.9, 109.2, 105.7, 107.7 Ultratech Ce, 936.05, 950, 936.05, 939.85 Union Bank O, 347.5, 353.5, 345, 349.1 Unitech Ltd, 38.1, 38.6, 36.6, 36.75 United Phosp, 145.8, 145.9, 140.55, 143.7 Videocon Ind, 203.9, 205.9, 200.3, 202.05 Vijaya Bank, 83.55, 85.55, 83.5, 85.05 Voltas Ltd, 178.7, 179.15, 175.1, 177.25 Wipro Ltd, 439.95, 439.95, 428.6, 432.05 Yes Bank Lim, 277.35, 283.95, 274.1, 282.1

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GOA, FRIDAY, 18 FEBRUARY, 2011

Dish TV aims over 3 lakh HD users PTI CHANDIGARH, FEB 17

Buoyed by introduction of the new high definition (HD) technology, DTH service provider Dish TV today said it aims to add over 3 lakh HD customers next fiscal, almost 60 per cent of the expected subscriber addition in the space.

"Out of the total addition of

Shankar Kirlapalkar, Treasurer for Goa Congress Party checking out furniture after inaugurating the Durian stall at the furniture exhibition at Panjim, recently. Also seen in the picture is Leslie Fernandes. On display was imported home and office furniture from Durian.

Whispering Palms, its GM bag awards

HERALD BUSINESS DESK PANJIM, FEB 17

Winning the awards for “The GM of the Year” and the “The Emerging Resort of the Year”, in India, Whispering Palms Beach Resort, GM, Jacob John said that it’s recognition which goes to the entire team at Whispering Palms Beach Resort, who have dedicated themselves to the challenges and ensure that all our guests are delighted and pampered with our hospitality.

The function was attended by over 300 hoteliers and eminent people from the hospitality industry from across the country.

Speaking to reporters on his return Jacob John said that such awards are truly a motivating factor and are a result of hard

work and dedication by every single member in the team.

This is the second time in a row that Whispering Palms has been nominated and won the awards.

Whispering Palms does a 90%

average occupancy throughout the year and has managed to show a steady 30% growth rate in revenues year on year despite the recession and volatile situation and a fierce competitive market.

L&T MF AUM at Rs 3,955-cr PTI MUMBAI, FEB 17

L&T Mutual Fund, which has completed one-year of operation, today said that its assets under management (AUM) has risen to Rs 3,955-crore as on January 31 from the Rs 2,245crore on February 28, 2010.

"This is significant as many fund houses have witnessed a decline in the net AUMs during this period while L&T Mutual Fund has witnessed steady inflows into its schemes month-onmonth," a press release issued here stated.

L&T Mutual Fund is the asset management arm of the USD 9.8-billion L&T group.

The company has added close to 4,000 new distributors

with a view to reach across to its investors.

The total empanelled distributor strength has risen to 10,430 in February 2011 from 6,552 in February 2010 and close to 50,000 new folios were mobilised

in the one year period. The fund had a folio-base of 1,09,037 as on February 28, 2010, the release said.

L&T Mutual Fund launched 19 new FMPs of varied maturities collecting Rs 1,934-crore.

5 lakh HD customers in DTH sector next fiscal, we expect to have major share of it at 3-3.5 lakh HD customers with the launch of 30 channels on HD platform," the company's COO Salil Kapoor told reporters here.

Dish TV, which is part of media conglomerate ZEE Group, also expects reaching break-even this year and jump in its average revenue per unit (Arpu) on the back of launching HD technology in DTH space.

"We are expecting to have positive cash flow in third quarter of 2011-12," he said.

Pg 14 GOA, Friday, 18 February, 2011

SPORTS

Steffi, Talasha bag bronze at Nat Games l Goa draw with Punjab

HERALD SPORTS REPORTER PANJIM, FEB 17

Steffi Cardoso won the bronze in shot put at the National Games in Ranchi on Thursday.

Goa bagged yet another bronze with Talasha Prabhu being the medal winner in 50m butterfly stroke. The toal number of medals won by Goa has gone to 10 in all.

Candolim’s Steffi, who is with the SAG, had a throw of 13.89 metres. This is the first me d a l i n a t h l e t i c s a t t h e Games.

Goa drew with Punjab 1-1 in the football championship with Agostinho being the s c o r e r. D e l h i d r e w w i t h Jharkhand in the other match.

St Andrew’s, Infant Jesus, Don Bosco advance HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, FEB 17

St Andrew's Institute, Vasco scored a solitary goal victory over Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Cortalim to move into the second round of Mahindra Youth Football Challenge U-14 school football tournament-cum-talent hunt.

St Andrew's scored the all-important goal through Baptist

Sancoale soccer

PANJIM (HSD) – Royal Boys of Sancoale will organise their 1st All-Goa 2-a-side soccer tiebreaker near Sancoale village panchayat on February 19 at 6.30 p.m. The winners and runners-up will walk away with Rs 10,000 and Rs 8,000 respectively. Spot entries will be accepted. Details may be obtained on 9049864458 or 9923185430.

Fernandes.

At Curtorim ground, Infant Jesus High School,Colva prevailed over Our Lady of Rosary High School, Fatorda 5-4 via the tie-breaker. In the penalties, D y l a n L o u re n c o , Ke e g a n Menezes, Snayden Rodrigues, Steward Rodrigues and Joseph Pereira converted for Infant Jesus.

Don Bosco High School, Panjim earned a walkover as Ideal High School, Taleigao failed to turn up. The match between Holy Cross Convent, Siolim and Our Lady of Grace, Bicholim will be played tomorrow.

7 teams for Bardez Zone 2nd Div l Laxmi Prasad, Saligao United excluded by GFA

HERALD SPORTS REPORTER PANJIM, FEB 17

The Bardez Zone Second Division football league will have seven teams, after Laxmi Prasad and Saligao United were kept out following a decision by the GFA Executive Committee here on Thursday.

The decision to keep Laxmi Prasad and United Saligao out was taken up based on the legal advise tendered by Adv Subodh Kantak as Laxmi Prasad

Moto cross training camp HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, Feb 17

The first-ever professional moto cross training camp will be held at Gomes Race Track, at Anna-Vaddo, Candolim, from February 18 to 28.

Alexander Ivanyutin arrived today and will hit the track tomorrow from 4 to 6 p.m.

Ashley Gomes stated that the professional rider has been flown down to train the official State team for the first round of the National MX Championship to be held on April 10 at Candolim.

had submitted their entr y much after the deadline for renewal while Saligao United were found to be the third team to be promoted when the rules provided for two only. In this case, Sesa FA and Penha de Franca were the promoted teams.

Tony Remedios, president of Saligao Sporting, who alongwith with six other clubs had appealed to the GFA that only 8 teams be allowed in the Bardez

Zone, said, “Our stand stands vindicated at last.”

Tony stated that the clubs had sought to know why nine clubs were being slotted to participate in the Second Division instead of eight clubs as approved at the Annual General Body Meeting and had demanded that the minutes of the Executive Committee meetings where the decision was taken to include Saligao United be made available to them.

Villroy stars for YB Tonca HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, FEB 17

Villroy D’Cruz netted a second half brace to round off a 5-1 victory for Young Boys of Tonca over Merces Sports Club in GFA’s Second Division at DSYA ground, Santa Cruz on Thursday. Tonca led 3-1 at half time.

In a free-flowing game, Tonca moved the ball around, kept possession and looked like they were enjoying themselves.

Merces chased from the beginning to end, without giving

up even after conceding the goals.

In the 12th minute, against the run of play Agnelo Cabral received a long ball and fired into the top corner.

Tonca found the equaliser in the 19th, when Reazer Dias received a pass from Joseph Rodrigues on the left flank and moved past his marker to shoot low and score.

Four minutes later, the Merces goalkeeper could not hold onto a firm shot from Paulwin D’Silva

Devendra Joshi (BPCL) was in great touch when he overcame former world billiards champion Pankaj Advani (ONGC) 3-2 to lift the PSPB billiards crown at indoor stadium, Campal, Panjim on Thursday.

Both players came up with century breaks one after the other to enthrall the Goan spectators with some scintillating display of World class billiards and super ball control. Locked at two games a piece, it was Devendra who triumphed in the end with an unfinished break

to take the final frame and the title of the ranking billiards event.

Saurav Kothari beat Shahbaaz Khan 2-0 to take the third spot in billiards.

In the billiards team championship, IOC beat fancied BPCL and OIL beat GAIL. Billiards results: Devendra Joshi beat Pankaj Advani (ONGC) 3-2 (150 (61) – 39, 88 – 151 (116), 151 (67,62) – 04, 0 – 154 (149), 151 (56, 93 UNF) – 115 (100).

Billiards team championship results: IOC beat BPCL (Aditya Mehta (IOC) 200 beat Manan Chandra (BPCL) 116, Devendra

Joshi (BPCL) beat Arif Akhtar (IOC) 200 – 188, Shahbaaz Khan (BPCL) lost to Dhwaj Haria (IOC).

ONGC beat OIL (Dhruv Sitwala (ONGC) 200 (84-79) – P Bhagwati (OIL) 09, Rupesh Shah (ONGC) beat J Chetia (OIL) 200 – 23).

Snooker team championship results: IOC beat OIL (4 -0) Rishab Pandya (IOC) beat J Chetia (OIL) 2-0, Dhwaj Haria (IOC) beat J K Malakar (2-0).

GAIL beat MRPL (4-0) Rahul Pateria (GAIL) beat Malatesh (GAIL) 2-0, Rachit Madan (GAIL) beat Naveen Shetty (20).

and Elvis Fernandes was lurking to tap in the rebound.

In the 35th minute, the Merces defence failed to clear the ball and Paulwin managed to score with a looping shot.

Twenty minutes into the second half, Villroy D’Cruz, who moved from defence into midfield, smashed the ball into the top corner.

Four minutes from the end, Villroy struck again with a volley which proved impossible for the Merces custodian to save.

Milagres up

Devendra lifts PSPB billiards title HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, FEB 17

Tony stated that it is unfair and illogical to blame the clubs for the delay in starting the Bardez Zone League. The main reason was the non-submission of the minutes of the two meetings, he added.

The GFA Executive Committee ultimately decided to go by the legal advise tendered by Adv Kantak and excluded Laxmi Prasad and Saligao United, thus making ethe league a sevenmember team affair.

HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, FEB 17

Milagres defeated St Savio Sports Club, Calangute by a solitary goal in Aldona Cup at Quitula ground on Thursday.

In the 65th minute, Jolan Fernandes passed to Mahoodor Salg a o n ka r a n d h e m a d e n o mistake with the finish.

Dr Susana de Sousa, director of Sports and Youth Affairs felicitating Avita Bandodkar, TSO, Ponda for securing a gold medal in M P Ed examination at Karnataka State Women University, College of Physical Education, Bijapur recently.

Police smash Da Cruz

PANJIM, FEB 17: Goa Police defeated Da Cruz 25-23, 26-24, 25-23 at All-Goa floodlit volleyball tournamentat Molloca court, Merces on Thursday.

Servern Cricketers triumph HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, FEB 17

Servern Criketers, Guirim won the All-Goa tennis ball cricket tournament organised by Parra Cricketers at Parra cricket round, Parra on Sunday.

The winners bagged Rs 4,000.

Sateri Criketers, Guirim emerged runners-up and had to be content with Rs 3,000. The semi-finalists took home Rs 700 and Rs 300 each. In all, 15 teams from all over participated.

A n a n d S a l g a o n k a r, e x sarpanch of Parra was the chief guest and gave away the prizes in the presence of guest of honour, Micheal Lobo, ZP member, North Goa; Pradip Arambolkar, president, Parra Criketers and Pradip Morajkar, social worker.

The captain of Servern Criketers receiving the winners trophy from Michael Lobo.

FIFA suspends Israel coach Fernandez AFP PARIS, FEB 17

GFA First Division: Salcete FC v. MPT, Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, Margao; Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim v. St Rock's SC, Cuncolim ground. Kick off 4 p.m.

GFA Second Division: Va d d y S C v. C l u b e S a o Minguel de Taleigao, Taleigao ground, 4 p.m.

Mahindra Youth Football Challenge: St Anthony’s HS, Guirim v. Assagao Union HS, Duler Stadium, Mapusa; Auxillium HS, Caranzalem v. Fr Agnel HS, Pilar, Don Bosco school ground, Panjim; Our Lady of Candelaria HS v.

Regina Mundi HS, Tilak Maidan, Vasco; Manovikas HS, Margao v. Mae Dos Pobres HS, Nuvem, Nehru outside ground, Fatorda Margao. Kick off 9.30 a.m.

Aldona Cup soccer: Nerul SC v. Sai Avtar SC, Anjuna, Quitula ground, 4.45 p.m.

Merces volleyball semi-finals: Haushi, St Cruz v. Crown Club, Molloca court, Merces, 8 p.m.

Israel national coach Luis Fernandez was suspended from all football activity with immediate effect by world governing body FIFA on Thursday, a FIFA source told AFP. The 51-year-old Spanish-born former French

international had been suspended FIFA said because of an outstanding judgement made against him in 2009 relating to Qatari team Al-Rayyan he had coached in 2005.

The Israeli Football Association (IFA) had said earlier on Thursday they had received an "official request" from FIFA to fire Fernandez.

Inter win over Fiorentina AFP ROME, FEB 17

Inter Milan kept up their title challenge with a hard-fought 21 victor y at Fiorentina on Wednesday.

An own goal from Michele Camporese gave the champions the lead before Manuel Pasquale's cross trickled over the line to restore parity.

But Giampaolo Pazzini struck the winner from close range to keep Leonardo's team in the scudetto hunt.

The victory moved them up to third in Serie A, five points behind leaders and city rivals AC Milan, and it was the perfect response after the criticism directed at the team in the Italian press after Sunday's 1-0 loss at Juventus.

In the day's other game, Brazilian Rafinha scored the only goal as Genoa claimed derby honours with a 1-0 win away to Sampdoria.

Reagan Pinto’s 119 not out off 124 balls with 10 fours and 1 six alongwith H H Gadekar’s 4 wickets was sufficient to give Goa a one-wicket victory over Andhra Pradesh in 1-day South Zone S S Pillay cricket tournament at Malppuram on Thursday.

Goa won the toss and elected to field. AP were 241 for 10 in 49.4 overs. Goa scored 245 for 9 in 49.5 overs.

AP: Y Venugopalarao 82 off 98 balls with 12 fours and 1 six, B Sumanth 58 off 82 balls with 6 fours, Deepak Kumar 28 off 29 balls with 2 fours, Shankar

HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, FEB 17

A solitary goal in the 70th minute was enough for the Goa U-15 team to defeat Kerala 1-0 in Mir Iqbal Hussain trophy, at Barasat stadium, Kolkata on Thursday.

Goa have now collected six points from two matches, but still need to win against Orissa in their final match, who also have six points and a greater goal average, to qualify for the semi-finals.

Pernem, Sateri win HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, FEB 17

Holy Trinity Higher Secondary School, Benaulim winners of State level inter-higher secondary tennikoit tournament organised by DSYA. Standing (l to r): Valencia D’Costa, Surekha Harijan and Mairiza Mascarenhas. Sitting (l to r): Claudine D’Sousa (chairperson), Isabel Fernandes (principal) and S K Jadhav (PE teacher). Squatting: Vaishali Kore and Reshma Kalaigar. They beat Shantadurga Higher Secondary School, Pirna.

Reagan, Gadekar star in Goa’s win over AP HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, FEB 17

Goa pip Kerala

Rao 8 off 18 balls with 1 four, S K Basha 8 off 23 balls with 1 four, A S K Varma 23 off 24 balls with 5 fours, A G Pradeep 2 off 3 balls, M Ajay Kumar 4 off 7 balls, T Atchuta Rao 6 off 4 balls with 1 four, V Lenin 6 off 5 balls with 1 four, T Vamsi Krishna not out 6 off 7 balls.

M Ajay Kumar claimed 3 wickets. Deepak Kumar took 2 while Atchuta Rao, S Basha and Y Venugopalarao took 1 wicket each. Extras: 10. Fall: 1-17, 2-17, 3-60, 4-172, 5-193, 6-204, 7-216, 8-223, 9-232, 10241.

In reply, Goa managed a solitary win wicket. Reagan Pinto not out 119 off 124 balls with

10 fours and 1 six, R V Keni 4 off 5 balls with 1 four, Swapnil Asnodkar 13 off 21 balls with 1 four, R D Asnodkar 10 off 24 balls with 1 four, A S Ratra 8 off 12 balls with 1 four, Shadab Jakati 19 off 28 balls with 1 four, Amit Yadav 31 off 45 balls with 1 four, D W Mishal 5 off 10 balls, S Dhuri 6 off 12 balls, G D Narvekar 2 off 3 balls, H H Gadekar not out 17 of 16 balls with 1 four and 1 six. H H Gadekar claimed 4 wickets each.

Shadab Jakati took 3 wickets while S Dhuri and Amit Yadav took 2 and 1 wicket respectively.

Extras: 11. Fall: 1-5, 2-27, 3-30, 4-42, 5-87, 6-153, 7-176, 8-189, 9-192.

Pernem boys and Sateri girls were victorious in the U-13 34th primary-middle school sports festival organised by DSYA at Peddem sports complex on Thursday.

Sateri girls defeated runnersup Pernem by 16 points. Bardez finished third after defeating Tiswadi by 23 points.

Pernem boys overcame runners-up Sateri by 32 points.

Bardez finished third after defeating Bicholim by 18 points.

Jude, Ajay in finals HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, FEB 17

Jude Menezes stormed into the finals in the U-18 boys singles category to set up a title clash with talented youngster Ajay Naik in GCCI Cup talent search All-Goa TT. Jude beat Jophilip George 11-3, 7-11, 13-11, 11-9; Ajay Naik won 12-10, 11-8, 11-9 over Joel Andrade.

In the U-12 boys semi-finals, Varun Naik beat Vaidik Srivastav 11-3, 9-11, 11-6, 11-2. Sidhant Sharma beat Akhil Kulkarni 117, 11-13, 8-11, 11-7, 18-16.

In the U-14 semi-finals, Anthony George beat Rutuj Sonawane 11-6, 12-10, 11-6 while Sidhant Parekh beat Kevin Gonsalves 11-7, 14-12, 13-11.

www.oheraldo.in

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GOA, FRIDAY, 18 FEBRUARY, 2011

Associate teams eager to show their worth

PTI MUMBAI, FEB 17

Amid reports that the ICC could make the next World Cup a 10-team affair, the four Associate teams -- Kenya, Netherlands, Canada, and Ireland -would be eager to show their worth.

Though there would be no burden of expectations on any of these Associate members, down to four from the previous edition's six, Kenya and Ireland have in the past shown that opposition teams cannot take them for granted.

While Kenya shocked everyone by

becoming the first ICC Associate member to reach the semi-finals in 2003, the Irishmen became the cause of Pakistan's first round exit in 2007 before making the Super Eight stage.

In fact, Kenya's six wins in 23 World Cup games betters Sri Lanka's four wins in their first 26 Cup matches and is more than the Test-playing Bangladesh's five wins in 20 games.

Playing their fifth World Cup, since making their debut in 1996, the Afican team has defeated higher ranked teams West Indies (in 1996), Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and a

Arsenal stun Barcelona AFP LONDON, FEB 17

Arsenal gave themselves a fighting chance of reaching the Champions League quarter-finals here on Wednesday, coming from behind to stun favourites Barcelona 2-1 in a pulsating encounter.

Two goals in the final 12 minutes from Robin van Persie and substitute Andrey Arshavin clinched a dramatic victory for the English Premier League side after Barcelona had taken the lead through a first-half David Villa strike.

The result means Arsenal -thrashed 6-3 on aggregate by Barcelona in last year's quarter-finals -- will carry a narrow lead into Camp Nou when the two sides meet in the second leg on March 8.

The thrilling finale capped a superb encounter at the Emirates as arguably the two most stylish sides in Europea laid on a feast of attacking football.

Arsenal started brightly and tested Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes after only five minutes, when a jinking run from Theo Walcott saw the ball transferred to Cesc Fabregas on the edge of the area.

The Spanish maestro flicked an exquisite pass to van Persie, whose angled half-volley from close range forced a good save from Valdes.

The threat of Lionel Messi was never far away however, and the Argentinian star drew a desperate challenge from behind from Alex Song after only seven minutes that earned the Cameroonian a booking.

Arsenal were given a huge let-off on 15 minutes when Messi was sent racing clear after an immaculate pass from Villa.

Messi committed Wojciech Szczesny with a magical feint and beat the Arsenal keeper with a delicate dink but the effort rolled just wide of the post.

Arsenal continued to live dangerously, and Andres Iniesta just failed to find Villa with another penetrative pass along the deck.

After numerous ominous warning signs for Arsenal, the opening goal duly arrived on 26 minutes.

Another eye-of-the-needle pass from Messi sent Villa racing clear and the Spanish World Cup star drilled a low shot beneath Szczesny.

Arsenal's players appealed for offside as boos rang out around

Shakhtar samba stars stun Roma AFP ROME, FEB 17

A trio of Brazilians gave Shakhtar Donetsk a shock 3-2 victory at Roma on Wednesday to put the Ukrainians in firm control of their Champions League second round clash.

Jadson, Douglas Costa and Luiz Adriano all found in the net in the space of 12 first half minutes to turn the tie on its head following Simone Perrotta's opener.

Jeremy Menez's second half strike ensured Roma retained a slight hope of triumphing following the second leg in Donetsk in three weeks time.

Roma finished the game to a cacophony of jeers and were even booed when they went to salute their fans after the match.

the Emirates, but Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli remained unmoved.

With Barcelona dominating possession, Arsenal's most promising moments of the half came on the counter-attack, where Walcott's pace regularly unnerved the visitors' defence.

The England international was at the heart of a lightning break on 29 minutes that ended with van Persie slicing his shot wide.

Arsenal breathed another sigh of relief on 38 minutes when Messi had the ball in the net, only to be adjudged fractionally offside.

A frenetic start to the second half saw both sides strugg l e t o c re a t e clear chances, although Arsenal were grateful when Laurent Koscielny -- magnificent throughout -- just managed to knock Pedro Rodriguez off-balance as he went clear on goal on 57 minutes.

Arsenal continued to probe for openings on the break however, and a sweeping move ended in a booking for Gerard Pique, who tripped Samir Nasri.

The booking rules the Barca centre-back out of the second leg.

Just when it seemed Arsenal's labours were to be in vain, van Persie conjured a goal out of nothing on 78 minutes.

Gael Clichy flicked a ball over the top and van Persie went clear wide on the left. Nothing seemed on but the Dutchman spotted daylight between Valdes and the Barcelona goalkeeper's near post and thundered home a rasping low shot.

With Barcelona suddenly rocking, Arsenal pressed home their advantage, and seven minutes from time their persistence paid off.

Another counter-attack saw Nasri burst clear down the right.

The Frenchman checked and weighed his options before picking out Arshavin, who had replaced Song, and the diminutive Russian swept in a majestic winner.

forfeit win against New Zealand (all during their dream run in 2003), besides the two victories against Canada in 2003 and 2007.

With their sole victory over Canada not enough to get them past the first round from a group also involving England and New Zealand in 2007, Kenya would be hoping for a better show this time around.

Placed in Group 'A', Kenya's fortunes will depend on the performa n c e s o f ke y p l a y e r s l i ke t h e experienced duo of Steve Tikolo, who has been coaxed to come out

of retirement, and Thomas Odoyo, the first player from a non-Test playing team to achieve the double of 1500 runs and 100 wickets in ODIs. They are the only two Kenyan cricketers who have featured in the team's previous four appearances in the tournament.

Besides, the 2003 leg-spinning hero Collins Obuya, who has since then reinvented himself as a batsman, and pacer Peter Ongondo would also have to play a crucial role for the team.

On the other hand Ireland, playing

in their second World Cup, would be eager to reproduce the form that saw them reaching the second round, ahead of the more established Pakistan and Zimbabwe, where they registered a 74-run win over Bangladesh, four years ago.

Though one of their trump cards in that tournament, Eoin Morgan, has shifted loyalties for England since then, the Irish side has received some sort of compensation in the form of Ed Joyce, who represented England in 2007.

The key for Ireland, placed in Group

B, would be their 26-year-old skipper William Porterfield, who will be expected to lead from the front while opening the batting, the O'Brien brothers -- all-rounder Kevin and Niall -- the highly-rated Paul Stirling and pacers Boyd Rankin and Trent Johnson.

The other two Associate countries -- Canada and The Netherlands who are placed in Group A and B respectively – are in their fourth World Cup each. Though they don't have any impressive results to show, both have had their moments under the sun.

With two wins - over Namibia and

Scotland - in 14 matches, The Netherlands' record is not impressive but they have shown the appetite for a fight in the limited opportunities they have got.

In 2010 ICC Associate Player of the Year Ryanten Doeschate, who averages 68.55 in 27 ODIs having scored 1234 runs in addition to scalping 48 wickets at an average of 20.93, they have got a genuine all-rounder, who was bought by Kolkata Knightriders for USD 1,50,000 during the IPL auction last month.

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GOA, FRIDAY, 18 FEBRUARY, 2011

Skippers in rickshaws as World Cup opens (Top) The 2011 Cricket World Cup mascot Stumpy arrives on a cycle rickshaw in Dhaka on Thursday.

(Centre) Sonu Nigam performs onstage as cricket captains from the 14 competing teams watch during the opening ceremony at Bangabandhu stadium in Dhaka on Thursday.

(Left) Mahendra Singh Dhoni arrives in a cycle rickshaw at the opening ceremony on Thursday.

AFP DHAKA, FEB 17

The opening ceremony of the World Cup got under way Thursday with the captains of the 14 competing teams paraded through Dhaka's historic Bangabandhu Stadium in colourfully draped rickshaws.

Protected by a sheet of bullet-proof glass, Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina watched as home skipper Shakib Al Hasan received a rapturous welcome from the packed arena as he arrived at the rear of the unusual parade.

The two-hour event, in which Ricky Ponting, captain of de-

fending champions Australia, led the sparkling three-wheeled procession, saw 3,500 performers putting on a show reflecting Indian, Sri L ankan, and Bangladeshi culture.

Indian singer Sonu Nigam and Bangladesh-based Runa Laila as well as veteran Canadian rocker Bryan Adams were the headline acts.

"I hope that the games will be memorable and exciting," said Sheikh Hasina.

"It gives me great pleasure to declare the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup open."

Dhaka has been spruced up for the World Cup as it seeks to

take advantage of a prime opportunity to rebrand a country often known only for devastating floods and cyclones.

The impoverished South Asian nation has spent more than $100 million to tidy up for the tournament it co-hosts with India and Sri Lanka, looking at the showpiece as the biggest event since independence in 1971.

Beggars have been paid to stay off roads, hawkers have been evicted from overcrowded pavements and buildings given a new coat of paint.

Efforts have even been made to reduce the infamous traffic

jams in the bustling capital.

Even though Bangladesh hosts just eight of the 49 matches at two venues, in Dhaka and the port city of Chittagong, the entire nation is in the grip of cricket fever.

"The World Cup has given us a great opportunity to show the world, particularly the global press, that we are not only a country of floods, cyclones or natural disasters," said Ramendu Majumdar, a top branding expert.

The 10th World Cup, which runs for six weeks, starts on Saturday when Bangladesh tackle favourites India.

In team’s slot war, Kohli has edge over Raina: Dhoni PTI CHENNAI, FEB 17

Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has a problem of riches to deal with ahead of the World Cup and he says in what is turning out to be a ‘slot war’ instead of a competition for places, Virat Kohli has an edge over Suresh Raina.

In an all-win campaign in the practice matches, Dhoni has had a chance to test players and he said Kohli could be preferred over Raina in the number four slot. Dhoni said he also wants Yuvraj Singh in the playing eleven for the event starting February 19.

"Major difficulty will come when Yuvraj gets going and scores one or two 50s, that will be the time we will be in a dilemma. The number four slot is very important for us. Right now it is a slot war. It is the number four slot where Kohli needs to bat with Gautam Gambhir at number three," Dhoni said after the 117 win over New Zealand in the second and final warmup match here last night.

"To perform to his potential, Virat needs to bat up the order. That is where Raina can score batting down the order as well and he has done very well batting at number five and six. So, it will be a slot war more than for a place in the playing eleven.

"Kohli is sort of a player who likes to spend little bit of time early and then go after the bowlers. Still, there is a bit of chance where Virat may get an edge over Raina seeing the current form he is in," he added.

Talking about importance of having Yuvraj in the team, Dhoni said, "What is important is we are playing with four bowlers. A part-time spinner is really important especially if it is a left-arm away going spinner. That really adds on to the bowling strength, that's the one big advantage he has got over others. Once he gets going, it is difficult to stop him (Yuvraj) from scoring runs."

Asked whether he is worried that Yuvraj has not been scoring big in recent times, Dhoni explained, "Today, he did not get an opportunity. It would have been nice for him if he had batted.

It is important to have runs under your belt. You may be talented but at the end of the day you need those 30 or 40 runs and then you start thinking positively. Then you look to dominate the bowlers."

"Positive thing about Yuvraj is once he scores, he scores through the series. Being a left-arm bowler, he has been contributing right from South Africa, he has been a big strength for the team. If we play with three seamers and one spinner or two seamers or two spinners, Yuvraj role becomes important.

"He gives us the odd breakthroughs required in the middle overs. That is a big asset he has got where he edges over the others. If all the batsmen are in good form, I do not mind one batsman out of form. But the amount of talent he has got I will back him fully. We are not playing with seven bowlers," said Dhoni.

On the decision to send Raina ahead of Yuvraj after he got himself promoted up the order, Dhoni said, "That was the decision taken by Gary (Kristen). I was in the middle (batting). Both of us were padded up. We wanted a left-right combination. Virat got out and that is the reason why I got promoted. If Gautam had been out, Yuvraj would have come in."

Akhtar dope-tested, fined for late night AFP DHAKA, FEB 17

Pakistan's mercurial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar was among three team-mates who were taken for random dope testing ahead of the World Cup, a official confirmed on Thursday.

A k h t a r, 3 5 , wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal, 29, and seamer Umar Gul, 26, were tested after a practice session on Wednesday by the International Cricket Council's drug inspectors, team manager Intikhab Alam told AFP. "These are normal procedures and players from every team will be tested," Alam said.

Akhtar, recalled for the World Cup after being out of action for a major part of the last three years due to a spate of injuries, tested positive for a banned

No Gilly, Warne, McGrath but we’re still top: Ponting PTI DHAKA, FEB 17

Australia may not have the big names of the past to boast off but they are still a strong team capable of making an impact in the World Cup starting on Saturday here, captain Rick y Ponting said today.

"There is no (Glenn) McGrath, Gilly (Adam Gilchrist) or (Shane) Warne but players in the current team are ideal and good enough for these conditions," he said.

"We are still the world number one-ranked side in the world in one-day cricket," said the captain of four-time world champion side.

Ponting admitted that his side were rusty in the first of their two warm-up games against India and South Africa but expressed confidence that they will pick up steam once the tournament starts.

Reverse swing to be Irritate opposition, equally important not your own team: as spin: Donald Dhoni to Sreesanth PTI CHENNAI, FEB 17

The sub-continental pitches are the happy hunting ground for the spinners but reverse swing will also play an equally important role in the Cricket World Cup starting on Saturday, New Zealand bowling coach Allan Donald said today.

"We always talked about the ball has to swing. It's not going to do it off the wicket and the ball has to swing. That's where reverse swing is a massive thing and a huge key for me in this Wo r l d C u p .

That's where games are going to be won and lost," Don-

ald told reporters at a press conference here.

"As we go along, bowlers should be able to reverse the ball at the end like doing it both over and round the wickets.

These (Kiwi bowlers) guys are still learning it we are trying to do it as quickly as we can. But in crucial games like this, India have shown us last night if you are slightly off the mark and you are going to get punished like what Dhoni did," said the former South African fast bowler.

Donald acknowledged that Indian spinners were in great touch in their two World Cup warm-up games and batsmen of other countries will have to find ways to counter them.

"Harbhajan Singh and other Indian spinners bowled well in the warm-up games. That's where India probably going to have an upper hand over a lot of people," he said.

PTI CHENNAI, FEB 17

The only people that S Sreesanth should ‘irritate’ on the cricket field are the opposition players, said Dhoni as he once again advised the temperamental pacer to remain within "boundaries".

"I am very specific to him and told him that he should not cross a few boundaries.

It is better that you do not cross those boundaries. If you want to irritate someone that should be the opposition and not your side," Dhoni said of the Kerala bowler, who has a reputation of losing his cool and coming up with animated gestures in the heat of the moment.

Dhoni said he has no issues with

Sreesanth's behaviour as long as he keeps the aggression within limits.

"Till he does both these things, I am really happy to let him do whatever he wants to do," he said.

Sreesanth was at his usual aggressive self in the two pre-World Cup warm-up matches that India won and he hit the headlines by getting into an argument with Australian skipper Ricky Ponting during one of the games.

However, in the second warm-up match against New Zealand, Dhoni said he was satisfied with the way the pacer conducted himself.

"I do not think there was much. I must say that bit of chit chat is always fine. It does not mean that whenever we play cricket such things does not happen," Dhoni said.

drug nandrolone in 2006.

There was further trouble for Akhtar after he and fellow paceman Wahab Riaz were fined 3,000 Bangladeshi taka (42 dollars) each for returning late from a private dinner on Wednesday night.

"We want players to follow team rules," said Alam.

"The two have been warned not to keep late nights in future."

Pakistan face England in a practice match in the Bangladeshi town of Fatullah on Friday, a game the ageing Akhtar needs to perform in to make the team for their World Cup opener against Kenya on February 23.

Akhtar did not bowl against Bangladesh on Tuesday with coach Waqar Younis admitting the fast bowler had yet to regain full fitness.

Raina almost misses flight AFP DHAKA, FEB 17

India's Suresh Raina gave his team anxious mo ments on Thursday when he overslept and missed the bus carrying the players to Chennai airport at the start of the World Cup journey.

Raina was absent when the squad left the hotel to travel to Dhaka where India clash with co-hosts Bangladesh in the tournament opener on Saturday.

The player rushed to the airport in a taxi and was able to join his team-mates just as they were boarding the chartered flight to Dhaka.

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, speaking to reporters in Dhaka, played down the incident.

"I was not worried because we have 14 other players in the squad to choose from," said Dhoni. "Anyway there is always someone to give a lift to a cricketer in India."

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