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O HERALD O The Voice of Goa — Since 1900 pAnjim, friDAY, june 18, 2010

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Goa’s Heartbeat: Harrison Ford Business: Double-digit inflation finally marries Calista Pg 14 a worry — RBI Pg 12

Day One: Nilkanth gives up on raves Says can’t stop them immediately HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JUNE 17

Today’s Matches GERMANY VS SERBIA at 5.00 pm uSA VS SLOVENIA at 7.30 pm ENGLAND VS ALGERIA at 00.00 Am

IN BRIEF Pak wants army out of Kashmir Pakistan is expected to seek the withdrawal of the Armed Forces Act in J&K and the release of political prisoners to improve the ground situation in Kashmir during the upcoming Foreign Secretary-level talks.

Stating that getting more and more tourists to the State would be his priority, the newly inducted tourism minister, Nilkanth Halarnkar said it is not possible to stop the rave parties immediately though he would make all possible efforts to bring an end to it.

In his first press conference after taking over the portfolios of Tourism, Ports and Housing, Halarnkar said his priority would be to get more and more tourist to this scenic destination.

Pointing to the reports that Goa was fast becoming rape capital due to the crime against female foreign tourist in the state, Halarnkar said he does not believe in that.

“I do not believe that Goa is India’s rape capital,” he said adding “I want to assure the tourists coming here that they are safe.”

“They can come and peacefully enjoy their vacation,” he said.

In this direction, he said, his priority would be to set up the tourist force as soon as possible.

“New tourism security force will be in place soon, which will He who thinks himself wise, O heavens! is a great fool.

—Voltaire

FROM FULL SPEED TO FULL STOP? BEFORE MINISTRY: If given the ministry I would bring an end to rave parties, in which drugs are served in the coastal belt.

NOW: It is not possible to stop rave parties immediately.

Moreover, it’s the job of home ministry.

Govt to check punishment in schools PTI NEW DELHI, JUNE 17

HRD Minister Kapil Sibal today said tough guidelines will be issued to check corporal punishment in schools in the backdrop of a 13-year-old student in Kolkata allegedly ending his life after being caned by his principal.

Sibal has asked chairperson of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) Shantha Sinha to frame and issue tough guidelines to get rid of corporal punishment in schools.

“The children are very precious to us. They are the future of our country. No child should be subjected to harassment and thereby get demotivated and be pushed out of the system,” he told reporters here.

13-year-old Rouvanjit Rawla, a student of La Martiniere School in Kolkata, allegedly committed suicide after being caned by his principal.

Sibal said that the newly-enacted Right to Education Act prohibits corporal punishment.

He discussed the issue with the NCPCR chief yesterday.

“Because we have a provision in the Act, we can issue guidelines. We will be in fact in discussion with NCPCR for issuance of guidelines,” he said.

“We must get rid of corporal punishment. Children need to be included in the system. I think there is so much change in the methodology and the way we deliver education,” he said.

increase patrolling on the beaches,” he said.

On his comments that he would ban the rave parties in State, Halarnkar said “it is not possible to stop the rave parties immediately though he would make all possible efforts to stop them.”

A section of press (not Herald) had reported quoting Halarnkar that if given the ministry he would bring an end to rave parties, in which drugs are served in the coastal belt.

However, Halarnkar today said it was not possible to crack the whip at once.

“The rave parties cannot be stopped at once. It has to be done over a period of time,”

Halarnkar said.

The NCP leader said that the job to stop rave parties is of the Home ministry rather than the Tourism ministry. “The Home Department should stop them,” he said.

Halarnkar was inducted into the cabinet after Mickky Pacheco resigned following his questioning in the Nadia Torrado death case by the Crime Branch.

The Tourism Minister said the schemes implemented by former tourism minister Pacheco would continue.

“Government is a continuous process. The decisions once taken cannot be changed if minister changes,” he said.

Kanishka probe blames Canada

Mumbai air traffic control goes blind for 21 minutes

PTI TORONTO, JUNE 17

The final report into the 1985 Air India Kanishka bombing today recommended ex-gratia payment to the families of 329 victims, mostly of Indian origin as it blamed the Canadian government for its failure to prevent the country’s worst terrorist attack.

“A cascading series of errors contributed to our police and security forces” failing to stop the bombing, Justice John Major, the head of the Kanishka bombing inquir y commission recommended today, nearly 25 years after the tragedy.

Canadian authorities should have known that Air India Flight 182 was a terrorism target, Major said.

“The government needs to take responsibility to avoid further failure and to prevent a return to a culture of complacency,” said Major in his 3,200 pages report It called for an independent body to be created to recommend an appropriate ex gratia payment and to oversee its distribution, though it offered little relief to the families of those who were killed in the tragedy.

“This was the largest massmurder in Canadian history,” said Major, adding the “finest tribute” that could be paid the victims of the bombing is to create a rigorous aviation security system.

PTI MUMBAI, JUNE 17

For 21 minutes on June 15, the Air Traffic Control at the Mumbai airport lost all contact with 19 aircrafts either in the air or readying for take-off after a power cable got snapped during digging near the runway, in a major technical breakdown fraught with danger.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation and Mumbai International Airport Limited, which is modernising and developing the city airport, have instituted an inquiry into the incident, sources told PTI here today.

A 4-member probe team from Airports Authority of India (AAI) has already completed its investigation into the blackout incident and submitted its report to the Member (Operations), sources said.

“There was a total blackout

and the radar screen at the ATC went blank for 21 minutes precisely, making the controllers almost blind-folded,” sources said.

An underground power cable got snapped during the digging close to the runway resulting in a short circuit. Compounding the problem, the Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) system also tripped, they said.

The VHF communications system, which works on battery sets, also failed to work after the UPS tripped, sources said.

Consequently, flight operations were hit, sources said, adding there were 4 flights in the landing process while 15 were readying for departure when the incident had happened.

When contacted, spokesperson for Mumbai International Airport Limited said it has set up an inquiry.

Oz teenager charged with Indian’s murder PTI MELBOURNE, JUNE 17

A 15-year-old Australian boy was today charged with the murder of Indian student Nitin Garg, with the police saying there was no racial motive in the killing, which had sent shock waves back home.

The breakthrough in the highprofile case, which threatened to derail India-Australia ties, came when the homicide detectives knocked on the doors of the boy’s Melbourne home early this morning.

The teenager who cannot be named was produced before a Children’s Court after his arrest in a Melbourne suburb and was remanded to be held in custody till October. He will now be produced in court on July 8. Garg, 21, was stabbed to death while walking to work through a park.

priCe rs. 3.00 (Air Surcharge rs. 1.50) pages 18

Sports: It was not our day — Spain coach Pg 17 GOA REVOLUTION DAY: LOOKING AhEAD

Lohia Chowk – a memorial used as bazaar at Assolna

Fall from Grace

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JUNE 17

As the State is set to commemorate Goa Revolution Day — the day when Dr Ram Manohar Lohia gave a clarion call to Goans to fight against the oppressive Portuguese regime – the Lohia Chowk at Assolna played host to a weekly bazaar on Thursday.

This Chowk at Assolna – a short distance from the Panchyat ghar – was named after Dr Lohia after he spent four days in Assolna at the residence of freedom fighter and nationalist Dr Juliao Menezes, before he addressed a public meeting in Margao on June 18, now commemorated as Goa Revolution Day. That the maintenance of the Lohia Chowk leaves much to be desired is evident by the fact that the memorial lies in shambles, with the sanctity of the place thrown to the winds for want of upkeep and maintenance.

An agitated Minister for Water Resources Filipe Neri Rodrigues agreed on the need to maintain the sanctity of the memorial at all costs. “This place of importance certainly cannot play host to a weekly bazaar. Social and religious functions can take place on the Chowk, but not the weekly bazaar.”

‘Govt gave safe passage to Anderson’ PTI NEW DELHI, JUNE 17

Union Carbide Chief Warren Anderson was given a “safe passage” in 1984 following a decision taken in a day by the Home Ministry and the Cabinet Secretary, the then Foreign Secretary M K Rasgotra disclosed today, adding a new twist to the raging controversy over the Bhopal gas tragedy.

“I got in touch with the Home Ministry and I got in touch with the Cabinet Secretary. I told them what Gordon Streeb (the then deputy chief of the US mission here) had asked for and I waited for the instructions,” Rasgotra said following a request from the US Embassy categorically asking for a safe passage for Anderson.

His comments came on the eve of the meeting of the Group of Ministers to discuss various aspects of the fallout of the Bhopal court verdict in the gas tragedy case.

Raising its pitch, BJP accused the Rajiv Gandhi-led Congress government of “willingly and deliberately having conspired” to grant a safe passage to Anderson.

On its part, the Congress skirted questions on the then Congress government’s involvement on the Anderson issue.

The historic Lohia Chowk at Assolna (left) now a place for the weekly bazaar (below).

Photo by Santosh Mirajkar

It was Rodrigues who had set in motion the beautification of the Lohia Chowk nearly a decade ago at a cost of Rs 10 lakh. Sadly, absence of upkeep and importance left the memorial desecrated, with the area becoming a favourite resting place for stray cattle and dogs. “Things would soon undergo a change for the better.

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat has promised grants for the local panchayat for the maintenance of the Chowk,” Rodrigues said.

Incidentally, plans are now afoot to at least protect the

sanctity of the area where the memorial stands instead of the entire chowk, given the location of the adjoining business establishments.

Local Sarpanch Joaquim Pereira says the Panchayat would clean up the entire area after the weekly bazaar in view of Goa Revolution Day on Friday. He said the panchayat is ready to maintain the sanctity of the place, and recalled the recent assurances by the Chief Minister to earmark funds to the Panchayat body for maintenance of the memorial.

Mismanagement put KTC in crisis: Dipak HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JUNE 17

Dipak Dhavalikar, the incoming chairman of Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTCL), has said that large-scale mismanagement has spelt doom for the Corporation, which is running into financial crisis.

Dhavalikar, who is tipped off to be next KTCL chairman, is yet to receive the formal order from the state government.

“It’s utter misadministration by the management that has contributed for downfall of this corporation. My priority will be to work out solution for this mismanagement,” Dhavalikar told Herald.

He said that in order to bring KTCL out of financial crisis, the management and union need to work in coordination with each other.

“There is need to develop a good relationship between management and the union. Management alone cannot bring KTCL under profit. We need support and hard work from the workers too,” Dhavalikar, who is likely to take over KTCL charges on Monday, said.

When asked, whether strict action against erring conductors and drivers will help earn profit, Dhavalikar said that a strict ac-

tion minus motivation would land the corporation in more financial crunch.

“Along with strict action, workers need to be motivated and guided on various aspects of the Corporation. When we implement an action against irregularities, it becomes necessary to see that we encourage them when they work with efficiency,” he said.

Since last one month, the Corporation has injected several fiscal measures to imp ro v e t h e f u n c t i o n i n g o f (Continued on page 2)

It’s an entire package sir!! Portfolio comes along with blank resignation, anticipatory bail application, hide outs...

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Statements recorded in Nadia case

MARGAO, JUNE 17 (HR) -- As part of the ongoing inquiry into the death of Nadia Torrado, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Margao Agnelo Fernandes on Thursday recorded the statements of Nadia’s mother and the brothers.

Nadia’s mother Sonia and the two brothers were called by the SDM this morning, wherein their statements were recorded in connection with the death of the Loutolim woman.

Fernandes said that statements of the trio were recorded as part of the ongoing inquiry carried out under the Criminal Procedure Code since Nadia’s death occurred within seven years of her marriage. The deputy collector said that Nadia’s husband has now been summoned by him for recording his statement.

Asked to throw light on the second post mortem examination report, Fernandes said the viscera has been sent for chemical analysis and a final report would be ready only after the receipt of the findings of the chemical analysis.

The SDM, Margao came in the picture in the Nadia Torrado death case after women activists Tara Kerkar and Auda Viegas petitioned for a second autopsy. In fact, the SDM granted the request for a second post mortem after Auda pointed out that Nadia’s death has occurred within seven years of marriage. This disclosure had prompted the SDM to order the second post mortem, which forced the police to take possession of Nadia’s body just an hour before her scheduled funeral at Loutolim.

Mapusa Urban Bank employees’ demo HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JUNE 17

Mapusa Urban Co-operative Bank Employees Union will hold a demonstration in front of the bank premises at Panjim on June 19, at 3 p.m. The decision to this effect was taken at the executive committee meeting of the union held at Mapusa recently to review the developments as regards the long pending Charter of Demands as well as arrears of existing settlement.

MORE OBITUARIES ON PAGE 10

Now, minority panel takes up cudgels for Christians to bury the dead Calls for a detailed report from MMC HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JUNE 17

The National Commission for the Minorities seems to have taken serious note of the absence of burial facilities for the minorities in the Commercial Capital.

Days after the Minority panel rapped the State Government and issued directions to acquire land for a Kabrastan for the city’s Muslim population, the Commission has now taken up cudgels for the Christian community as well.

Following a complaint from the Parish Priest of Our Lady of Grace Church, Margao, the Commission has called for a detailed report from the Margao Municipal Council on the difficulties faced by the Christian community to bury the dead.

In fact, the Delhi-based minority panel has requested the civic body to file a report on the

matter for the consideration of the Commission within a period, not exceeding 21 days from the receipt of its letter.

Already in the dock over its inability to provide space for a Kabrastan for the city’s Muslim population, the Margao Municipal Council finds itself in a tight spot over the long-pending demand of the Christian community.

This is not the first time that the Grace Church has knocked the doors of the Margao civic body for space for a cemetery. In the absence of a cemetery of its own, the parishioners are forced either to approach the neighbouring Holy Spirit Church or the Navelim Church for burial of the dead.

In his petition to the Margao Municipal Council, Grace Church Parish Priest, Fr Cleto Pereira has requested the civic body to acquire sufficient Communidade or government land in and

around Margao to be used as a burial ground for the parishioners of the Church.

The parish priest has asked the civic body to look into the unanimous resolution passed by the Goa Legislative Assembly, which was moved by then and incumbent Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat during the tenure of former Chief Minister, Luizinho Faleiro.

In his petition, Fr Pereira recalled that the resolution to acquire and allot land admeasuring 99,513 square metres belonging to the Margao Communidade behind St Sebastian Church was passed unanimously by the House under the Chief Ministership of Luizinho Faleiro to fulfil the promises made to both the communities.

Incidentally, the National Minority Commission of Minorities had recently directed the Goa government to acquire suitable for a kabrastan for the Margao’s

Muslim community within six months and has asked for a progress report every month.

The minority panel had pulled up the State Government for failing in its statutory duty and constitutionally obligations to allot suitable land for a Muslim Kabrastan in Margao.

In fact, the commission has said it is not only a clear case of communal discrimination against Muslim minority community, but also a categorical case of harassments and illegal deprivation on one pretext or the other by the State Government. “The State Government has failed completely to carry out its statutory duty and constitutional obligations for allotment of suitable land for Muslim kabrastan even after passing of a resolution in Goa State Legislative Assembly way back in 1999”, the Commission had noted.

Sewage Water fountains add grandeur, beauty ‘fountain’ has to Margao municipal garden HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JUNE 17

Colourful water fountains added grandeur and beauty to the once neglected Margao Municipal garden, as Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat threw open the Aga Khan’s Children park in the municipal garden to the people of Margao on Thursday evening.

As the Chief Minister opened the plaque to mark the inauguration in the presence of Forest Minister, Filipe Neri Rodrigues, Damu Naik and the First Citizen MMC Chairperson Savio Coutinho, as many as 13 water fountains, including a ball fountain, started operating, much to the delight of the people around.

If Additional Chief Conservator of Forests, Dr Shashi Kumar is to be believed, one more fountain will operate later in the evening, especially designed for Children, where the tiny tots can come and play in the waters.

While addressing the gathering, Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat said that beautification of the Margao Municipal garden was part of his election manifesto and thanked the Forest Department for making his vision and the dream of Madgavkars a reality.

Going down memory lane, Kamat said he was a regular visitor to the Municipal garden in his childhood days and exuded confidence that children and senior citizens will benefit out of the garden beautification.

“Madgavkars have strong sentiments towards the Municipal garden. Once the PWD had pro-

MMC, garden contractor resolve row HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JUNE 17

The Margao Municipal Council and the garden beautification contractor have finally resolved their row, raising hopes over the resumption of work on the garden fencing.

The contractor has withdrawn the suit, seeking compensation of Rs 60 lakh from the Civic body in lieu of terminating his contract to beautify the Municipal garden.

Both sides are believed to have filed consent terms in the court, thus resolving all contentious issues.

Instead of paying the compensation, the Civic body has now allowed the contractor to modify the garden fence and display advertisements for a period of 15 years. In return, the contractor will pay an annual fee of Rs 40,000 to the Civic body, in addition to the annual advertising tax on advertisements displayed on the garden fence.

The MMC had entered into an agreement with the contractor in 1998 to beautify the garden, but the plan went haywire following protests from the local citizens. posed to cut down the size of the garden for road widening, but the plan was shelved due to strong protests’, he recalled and added “Our whole effort was to provide space for children and senior citizens to spend time in the garden. This we have achieved by spending Rs 40 lakhs”, Kamat added.

Both the Chief Minister and Forest Minister, Filipe Neri Rodrigues complimented the Forest officials to implementing the beautification plan sans expertise and consultants.

Rodrigues called upon the forest officials to ensure that antisocials are kept at bay and free the garden of illegal activities.

While welcoming the garden beautification, Fatorda MLA Damu Naik suggested to the authorities to identify all open spaces in the city and beautify them into small gardens.

Accepting the suggestion, the Chief Minister asked the Margao Municipality to conduct a survey and compile a list of all open spaces in the city for development into gardens and parks.

Margao Municipal Chairperson Savio Coutinho said the garden has been lying in shambles over the years and had notoriety for anti-social activities, and has expressed satisf a c t i o n o v e r t h e g a rd e n acquiring a new look on account of the beautification.

Diversion NH-4A action panel threatens to intensify stir HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARCEL, JUNE 17

Criticizing elected representatives, members of Diversion NH4A Action Committee have warned that their agitation demanding for NH4A diversion will be intensified, if their demands are not met.

Villagers affected due to the proposed four-lane NH4A had formed Diversion NH-4A Action Committee with a demand to divert road in city and villages without affecting houses and religious establishments.

The committee members at a press briefing in Ponda informed that as part of their action plan, they have conducted corner meetings, handed over memorandums to various State elected representatives and a protest rally was also led to the State assembly to highlight their issue.

“Failure of the State government to solve our issue has now compelled us to take aggressive steps,” warned the members.

Members further informed that the only demand they had put forth was for road diversion in villages and city. They claimed that the proposed four-lane will destroy village identities.

“We in democratic manner have done all things possible to highlight our issue, but it seems that the government is least bothered to look into our demands,” said Sunil Dessai, member of Diversion NH-4A Action Committee.

“But now the time has come for us to act stringently and we are determined to oppose it, come what may. We are not op-

posing four-lane, but what we want is road diversion in village areas,” said Dessai.

Another member, Akshay Khandeparkar, said: “Our MLAs are responsible to see which projects are beneficial to our State and its impact. But all have done nothing to know how the proposed NH4A four-lane will affect villages. It is only when public takes to street, politicians joins to support. Is any MLA doing what they are supposed to do?”

“The time has come for us to come on the road with our demand. Even if needed we will go aggressive on the issue,” he added.

Members further said they are not opposing the four-lane but want the road taken out of the village and city.

“No National Highway passes through cities or villages. This four-lane will surely divide our villages and Ponda city, which will demolish our social fabric,” said Sunil Dessai.

Says another member, Ashok Prabhu: “We have schools and colleges on the city outskirt.

Every time parents, students will have to pay toll. Even people from Curti will have to suffer.

This will surely add to the economic burden.”

The committee has organized a public meeting in Ponda on Saturday to discuss future course of action. Opposition Leader Manohar Parrikar, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane, North Goa MP Shripad Naik, Cumbharjua MLA Pandurang Madkaikar, former Aldona MLA Fatima D’Sa are among political figures who

will attend the meeting, including the people affected by the proposed NH-4A four-lane road.

CCP meet today HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JUNE 17

Important decisions like realignment of traffic in the city and renaming of Rua de Ourem road figure on the agenda of the Corporation of the City of Panjim’s meeting scheduled tomorrow.

CCP Mayor Caroline Po said that Rua de Ourem road would be named as Cosme Mathias Menezes Road, if all the corporators agree for the same.

The meeting will also discuss about the new traffic plan for the city, which will be taken up along with traffic police. The decision on revising the rent of various CCP premises allotted to people will also be taken.

The city fathers will also resolve on revising the sanitation charges levied on various establishments.

“For the first time, different categories would be made and they would be charged as per the quantum of left over generated by them,” a CCP official said.

The slaughterhouses and similar establishments will be charged Rs 80 per day as sanitation charges while others like vegetable vendors will have to shell out Rs 10 per day. This is likely to help CCP earn more revenue from the market.

Ambaji in its stink

BY HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JUNE 17

It was a day of water fountains in Margao on Thursday. While colourful water fountains added beauty to the Margao Municipal garden, just a kilometer away, a sewage chamber literally resembled a fountain, as sewage waters gushed out from the chamber, bringing to the fore the other side of the Commercial Capital.

Even as Chief Minister Digambar Kamat along with his cabinet colleague, Forest Minister, Filipe Neri Rodrigues inaugurated the 13 water fountains in the Municipal garden with fanfare, residents of Ambaji behind the proposed district hospital under construction had to contend with foul odour and nuisance from an overflowing sewage chamber in their neighbourhood.

In fact, inauguration of the 13 fountains in the heart of the city was no good news for these hapless residents, who had been running from pillar to post since the last one year to stop the sewage chamber overflowing with sewage waters in their place of habitation.

When Herald visited the site this evening, foul odour enveloped the area, indicating that the water overflowing from the chamber was indeed sewage mixed with rain water.

The residents bitterly complained that the ground reality had not changed for the better since the visit of the Chief Minister, PWD Minister, Power Minister and other politicians since the last one year.

What agitated them the most was the fact that the chamber has not been repaired till date as promised by the PWD, sewage during the last monsoons. Incidentally, the PWD had maintained that the chamber cannot be repaired until the construction of the compound wall by the contractor building the district hospital. “Why should the residents suffer form this sewage waste for no fault of theirs. If a single chamber cannot be repaired for such a long time, just imagine the situation in the city”, the residents lamented.

Incidentally, the overflowing sewage chamber once again brings to the fore the state the underground sewage line passing through Fatorda section of the sewerage project. While PWD Minister, Churchill Alemao has called for a total replacement of the underground sewage line on the entire Fatorda stretch laid in the 80’s, the PWD is yet to complete work on assessing the condition of the underground line till date.

BJP meet HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JUNE 17

The Goa unit of Bharatiya Janata Party will have its first State Executive Meeting after formation, on June 20, at 9.30 am, at conference hall of Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industries, near Azad Maidan, Panjim.

The meeting will be presided over by Laxmikant Parsekar (MLA), who has been newly elected as the chief of the State BJP. V Satish, all India joint general secretary (organization) will attend the meeting.

Ponda, Mapusa outlets raided, 11 tonnes of mangoes seized HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARCEL, JUNE 17

Continuing its raids on illegal ripening of mangoes for the second day on Thursday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorities raided outlets in Ponda and Mapusa and seized 11 tonnes of mangoes.

According to Food and Drug Administration Director Salim Veljee, the FDA officials sealed three godowns in Ponda, two in Upper Bazaar and one at Curti, and one in Mapusa.

“In Ponda, the FDA officials seized about 10 tonnes of mangoes and 60 gms of calcium car-

bide, while one tonne of mangoes and 400 gms of calcium carbide were seized at Mapusa,” informed Veljee. Veljee further informed that samples have been taken and sent for analysis.

“Three persons have been detained in Ponda for interrogation under the Food Adulteration Act,” he said.

He further said the raid which started in the morning continued till late in the evening. FDA Food Inspectors Flavia D’Souza, Abel Rodrigues, Iva Fernandes, Nelson Fernandes and Shailesh Shenvi conducted raids at Mapusa and Ponda.

Racket just tip of ice berg, say Vasco fruit vendors HERALD REPORTER VASCO, JUNE 17

Fruit vendors from Vasco vegetable market have claimed that the racket, involving the use of calcium carbide to prematurely ripen mangoes, which was busted on Wednesday, is just a tip of an ice berg.

It may be recalled that Mormugao Deputy Collector and Vasco police had busted a racket involving the use of calcium carbide to prematurely ripen mangoes in the port town and had also seized about 12.5 tonnes of Neelam class mangoes from three different storehouses at Khariwado shore.

Local fruits vendors from Vasco vegetable market selling ripened local fruits like mankurad mangoes claimed that Neelam class mangoes are artificially ripened not in Vasco, but it has been going on in entire State.

“Banana ripening is a regular phenomenon, while wax-coated apples are easily available in Goa,” said the fruit vendors.

“Artificial banana ripening is going on regularly using some chemical near modern market in Vasco,” informed the fruit vendors adding that this has been going on for last many years and it is not a hidden fact that bananas are artificially ripened in Vasco.

However, the more interesting aspect disclosed by fruits vendors is that apples are coated with wax to improve their shine, as consumers prefer to buy shiny apples.

Food and Drugs Administration Deputy Director Salim Veljee informed that certain prescribed coating wax is permitted, but the type of wax presently used has to be ascertained.

He said earlier, they tested two-three places in Goa, but they could not found any waxing on apples.

PMC not to raze old municipal garden: chairperson to Samiti HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARCEL, JUNE 17

Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) Chairperson Pradip Naik on Thursday assured members of Jardin Bachao Samiti that the council will not go ahead with the demolition of old municipal garden.

It may be recalled that the council during its meeting had passed a resolution to build a multi-storeyed building with a terrace garden in place of the old municipal garden. However, the idea was opposed by Jardin Bachao Samiti.

With rising opposition, the council later decided not to go ahead with the project and passed a resolution in this regard.

The issue of old municipal garden demolition has once again came to fore, after Jardin Bachao Samiti members learnt that there were attempts to revise the plan to demolish the old municipal garden to give way for a multi-storeyed building with a terrace garden.

The Jardin Bachao Samiti members met PMC Chairperson Pradip Naik and Chief Officer, Jayant Tari on Thursday demanding not to demolish the old municipal garden.

“We have been assured by the chairperson that as long he is in the chair, he will not allow such a project. However, the chairperson said during a visit to Delhi, they have seen a terrace garden and they were very much impressed by it,” said Jardin Bachao Samiti, President Mario Coelho.

“The chairperson’s statements are contradictory and we don’t know whether to believe him or not,” added Coelho.

“We were also told that the file of the old municipal garden project has been forwarded to the PDA for change of zone from green to commercial. Chief Officer Jayant Tari has asked us also to approach the PDA requesting them not to convert the green zone to commercial. We are determined to oppose demolition of old municipal garden,” he said.

When contacted, PMC Chairperson Pradip Naik said: “There is no question of council going ahead with the idea as the council has already passed a resolution against the project.”

“We won’t go ahead with the project and I have assured the members that in no way the old municipal garden will be demolished. They are being misguided by some vested interest to create unnecessary issue,” added the chairperson.

FROM PAGE 1

Mismanagement put KTC in crisis: Dipak KTCL and to increase the revenue. Nearly four conductors have been suspended while in two cases inquires are on.

Dhavalikar said that he would require nearly two months to study the various causes for the financial crisis of KTCL. “Change cannot be brought overnight. These are matters that need to be studied and accordingly need to opt for measures,” he said.

“But the measures need to be strictly implemented and followed,” he added.

Dhavalikar believes that the Corporation cannot function without government support.

“I have already pointed out this to Chief Minister Digamber Kamat, who has assured to provide all sorts of help whenever required,” he said.

The implementation of Sixth Pay Commission recommendations has translated into additional liability of Rs 43 crore and monthly liability of Rs 1.3 crore for the Corporation, but Dhavalikar feels that it’s not a matter of concern.

“The Sixth Pay scale is must for workers. Loss or profit its part of business,” he said.

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GOA, FRIDAY, 18 JUNE, 2010

Khola locals red over govt plan to handover Cabo-de-Rama fort Rama fort, which also h o u s e s a c h u rc h , which the parishioners regularly visit.

Reacting to reports t h a t re c e n t l y a p peared in a section of press that the State government is perusing a proposal from Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) to handover two Cabode-Rama and Chapora forts for adaptive reuse, parishioners and other residents have strongly denounced governEntrance of Cabo-de-Rama fort. Photo by Kathy Pereira ment’s move of keeping them in dark.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, JUNE 17 “We don’t know about Chapora fort, but As government is observing the Revolution it’s not the same case with Cabo-de-Rama Day on Friday to commemorate peoples fort, which unlike other historical forts in uprising against foreign rulers in our State, the State or elsewhere, this fort has a church, the government faces a larger threat of rev- which caters to several parishioners residing olution from its own people over its re- in the area,” Khola Bachao Abhiyan (KBA) ported plan to hand over Cabo-de-Rama President Precopio Fernandes told Herald.

Cabo-de-Rama church Fabrica Treasurer fort to a central agency.

Parishioners of Cabo-de-Rama church and Peter Anthony Fernandes said: “This will residents of Khola have threatened a sus- be an unwanted interference in our religious tained struggle with the government, if the place, which we will not allow at any cost. government without their participation Let the government address our issue first goes ahead with the handover of Cabo-de- before it goes on to handover the fort to a

St Andre panch moves HC, seeks sarpanch’s disqualification HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JUNE 17

A panch member from St Andre Village Panchayat has filed a case against its sarpanch in Goa Bench of Bombay High court seeking to disqualify him under Panchayat Raj Act. Jagdish Bhobe, a panch from village panchayat of St Andre (Goa Velha) has filed a petition before the High Court stating that Andrew Pereira, sarpanch, was deemed to have been disqualified under section 12 (1) (d) of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994 but still continues as a member.

The applicant has stated that Pereira participated and voted in the meeting of the panchayat dated February 22, 2010 on resolution granting permission to the illegal construction carried out by himself (Pereira) and his mother thereby deriving pecuniary interest.

High Court bench today issued notices before admission to Goa Government, Village Panchayat of St Andre, Director of Panchayat and Pereira. The bench ordered hearing in this case after two weeks. Giving the chronology of events, the petition cites that on October 28, 2009, there was a complaint received by the Block Development Officer (BDO) from one Amar Silva regarding illegal construction by Pereira.

On October 28, BDO issues notice cum order under Section 66 (6) of Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994 to Pereira to stop the construction.

Subsequently on November 18, 2009, site inspection of the structure was conducted by BDO. Bhobe has said that although there was no proposal before the panchayat nor any resolution was adopted to permit the structure, the respondent, on November 25, 2009, forwarded files along with forwarding letters to Town and Country Planning Department, health officer and PWD for the approval of the illegal structure as a regularized structure.

The petitioner on December 12 petitioned Director of Panchayat under Section 50 (4) of Goa Panchayat Raj Act showing the anomaly.

Director had sought report from BDO who in turn seeks a report from panchayat secretary. On December 18, panchayat secretary sent a report which indicated that there is no proposal received by the office of the village panchayat and the acts of sarpanch are clear abuse of powers. Thereafter on February 4, 2010, show cause notice was issued by director of panchayat to sarpanch on the petition filed by Bhobe under Panchayat Raj Act. The petition points out that in the meantime, on February 4, 2010 sarpanch participated and voted at the panchayat meeting on resolutions concerning illegality of the construction carried out by himself and his mother thereby granting pecuniary interest.

Bhobe in the petition has said that again on February 22, 2010, Sarpanch participated and voted in the meeting of the panchayat on the resolution granting permission to the illegal construction.

“By participating and voting in the meetings of panchayat held on February 2 and February 22, sarpanch has derived pecuniary interest in violation of Section 55 (4) of Panchayat Raj Act therefore his seat as a member is deemed to have become vacant under Section 12 91) (d) of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994,” the petition reads.

Siolim restaurateur gets anticipatory bail HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JUNE 17

The Goa Bench of Bombay High Court today granted anticipatory bail to Menino Vincent Paul Pereira, who was booked by Forest Department under Wildlife Protection Act for possessing wild boar meat and turtle shells.

Justice N A Britto while granting the anticipatory bail observed that Pereira was called by Range Forest officer (RFO) twice to his office after a case was booked against him but he was not arrested.

“No satisfactory explanation has been given by RFO as to why the applicant was not arrested on the said two dates,” the bench ruled.

“Therefore, it would not lie in the mouth of the respondent (RFO) to say that the applicant’s custody is required,” the judge added. Pereira, who runs ‘O Papagaio’ bar and restaurant at Siolim was booked under Section 51 read with 9, 39 and 44 of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

A search by Forest Department at his restaurant on May 22, 2010 had found meat suspected to be of wild boar, three turtle shells and 47 bone pieces suspected to be of tortoise. Sessions court had rejected Pereira’s anticipatory bail on June 4, 2010.

“There is no dispute that applicant was present during panchanama and had even signed the panchanama,” the order read.

The court observed that the applicant attended RFO’s office on May 28, 2010 for the purpose of recording the statement.

The statement was recorded and yet he was not arrested.

Granting the anticipatory bail, the court ordered that the applicant shall be released on bail upon execution of Rs 20,000 with one surety in the like amount to the satisfaction of RFO. “In case required, the RFO may call the applicant for further interrogation of three days but not detain him beyond 6 pm,” the judge ordered.

central agency.”

Another Fabrica committee member, Rocozinho Fernandes, said: “We are not opposed to restoration and development of the fort without disturbing or effecting any changes in the archaeological, historical and heritage value, as stated in the press reports.”

“The press note also quoted a development commissioner and secretary (Archives) Narendra Kumar, but what we won’t permit is the restriction on parishioners from entering the fort precincts, which houses one of the historical church and the so-called ‘light and sound programmes’, which could disturb peace and tranquillity of the area,” said Fernandes.

The report says “government may initially organize ‘light and sound’ programmes, as is done in places like Red Fort, or host cultural programmes,” besides saying “that the government wants to put in place a proper law before going ahead with the project.”

Government’s intended plan to even go for amendments in Goa, Daman and Diu Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1978 to facilitate the government to undertake restoration, renovation, re-erection and reconstruction of ancient monuments and to put them in adaptive re-use, which locals fear that the amendment may be primarily used to counter people’ opposition at Cabo-deRama parishioners.

Vailankanni statue desecrated at Moira HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, JUNE 17

Vandals desecrated the statue of Vailankanni located on the pedestal alongside the Cross at the entrance of Moira village on the inter vening night of Wednesday and Thursday.

The statue, made up of Plaster of Paris, was found detached from the pedestal located alongside the Cross and thrown in the field.

As soon as Mapusa police received the information about the incident, DySP Sammy Tavares and PI Rakesh Kumar rushed to the spot. Tivim MLA and Tourism Minister Nilkant Halarnkar also visited the site and took stock of the situation.

Speaking to media, Tourism Minister Halarnkar said as per the information given to him by the police, the miscreants must have tried to decamp with the statue thinking that it was made of ivory and gold.

“But, when they discovered that it was made of Plaster of Paris, they broke it and threw it in the field alongside the road.

As the motive of the miscreants appears to be robbery, residents of Moira should not get disturbed by this incident and continue to maintain communal harmony,” said Halarnkar.

Controversial Nuvem playground project hangs in balance Govt yet to scrap proposal despite court order: inquiries HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JUNE 17

With the High Court setting aside the land acquisition process to acquire land admeasuring 50,000 sq mts for a village playground in Nuvem village, the very fate of this controversial project hangs in balance following the court order.

Inquiries with the Land Acquisition Office revealed that the government has not yet scrapped the playground proposal till date after the court ruling. Against this backdrop, the deputy collector, Margao said he will have no option than to go ahead with the land acquisition process under Section 5A of the Land Acquisition Act and start the inquiry afresh.

The High Court has set aside the notification issued by the Goa government under Section 6 of the Land Acquisition Act on the main ground that the Land Acquisition Officer had failed to examine the validity of an alternative site following a petition from the farmers and others against the mega sports project.

“I am aware of the High Court order setting aside the acquisition process. But, my office has not received any communication from the Goa Government or the acquiring department, Directorate of Sports to drop the land acquisition process”, maintained deputy Collector, Johnson Fernandes.

He said the High Court, while setting aside the land acquisition process, had ruled that the Land Acquisition Officer will be free to hold a fresh enquiry under Section 5A of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 in accordance with law.

While setting aside the land acquisition proceedings, the High Court said the Land Acquisition Officer completely ignored the specific objection and examination of alternate land cited by the petitioners.

The Court had held that the inspection report of the land acquisition office fails to reveal inspection of the alternative barren land, adding there is nothing to show that any thought was given to the expenditure that would be required to be incurred for filling up the low-lying paddy fields for making them suitable for the purposes for which the fields were to be acquired and to the effect such acquisition would have on natural drainages of the water in village Nuvem.

“The expenditure involved while adopting the low lying paddy fields for the public purpose – development of playground — by two metres mud filling therefore become relevant factor to be taken into account visà-vis the alternative barren land”, the court said, adding that the land acquisition officer, was therefore, under obligation to consider the specific objections by the petitioners.

The court had further held that perusal of the report under Section 5A reveals that that Land Acquisition Officer had completely ignored the specific objections, adding that examination of the petitioners could have possibly relieved the Land Acquisition Officer of the trouble to launch himself on “hunting expedition” in search of the alternatives.

‘Unfortunately, no thought was given by the Land Acquisition Officer to this tool of examination in the enquiry which he was obliged to conduct under section 5A of the Act. The fact clearly demonstrates that the Land Acquisition Officer rushed to the conclusions thereby reducing the said enquiry to a farcical level as contended by the petitioners. Obviously, therefore, such procedural impropriety must have been deemed to have impaired the decision making process of the government involved in issuance of notification under Section 6 of the Act.

“Police have been advised to conduct the investigation and book the culprits,” added Halarnkar.

Police Inspector Rajesh Kumar said the incident came to light at about 6.30 am on Thursday when some residents from Moira noticed the statue has been desecrated. They immediately informed the police about the incident.

“Upon receipt of the call, we rushed to the spot and started the investigations. We have obtained finger prints and also pressed dog squad into service, but could not get any clue,” said PI Kumar.

“We have registered the offence under Sections 379 and 295 of Indian Penal Code,” added PI Kumar.

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GOA, FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2010

s H o Rt tA K e s Rane to get NT award

PANJIM(HND): Speaker Pratapsing Rane will be bestowed with The Navhind Times Ex-NCC Achiever Award-2010 on June 30 at 10.45 am at International Centre, Dona Paula, says a press release issued by the President of State Ex-cadets NCC Association –Goa (SENAGOA), Adv Avinash Bhosle.

The function will be held in coordination with the Navhind Papers and Publications.

Rane is agriculturist and longest serving chief minister of the State. Chief Minister Digambar Kamat who was also ex-NCC cadet will be the chief guest . Commissioner for NRI Affairs, Eduardo Faleiro will be the special guest. Chief Minister was honoured last year as ex-NCC achiever with The Navhind Times Award. Pallavi Dhempo, Executive Director of The Navhind Times will be the guest of honour, while Nandini Sahai, Director International Centre will be the special invitee.

The selection committee is formed under the Chairmanship

CME on urology at GMC

Dr R G Wiseman Pinto, Dr Mahesh Gaitonde and Dr Madhumohan Probhudesai at the CME on Urology organised at GMC recently.

PANJIM(HND): The Medical Education Cell of Goa Medical College organised a CME ( Continuing Medical Education) Programme in Urology at the GMC Library Auditorium recently.

The visiting faculty was an alumini of Goa Medical College, Dr Mahesh Gaitonde who is now assistant Professor Division of Urology, Co Director of Endourology, Laproscopy, and Robotic Surgery Fellowship Programme Cicinnati University, Cincinnati Ohio, USA. Dr Gaitonde spoke on the topic Nephron Sparing Surgery for Renal Tumors.

The CME Programme was chaired by Dr R G Wiseman Pinto and Dr Madhumohan Prabhudesai.

Dr Gaitonde spoke on Renal Cell Carcinomas, The incidence, detection, and diagnosis, and different types of management.

He also discussed open surgery, laproscopic surgery, robotic surgery, ablation and wait and watch treatment of renal tumors.

The CME was attended by doctors in Goa and the Goa Medical Council gave accrediation for the CME programme.

Amlani on WIRC panel

PANJIM(HND): CA Kamlesh Amlani of Goa branch of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, has been co-opted as a member on ‘Career Counseling Committee’ of Western India Regional Council (WIRC) of ICAI. CA Kamlesh Amlani has been Past Chairman of Goa Branch of WIRC of ICAI, and has been a visiting faculty in various colleges, Goa University. He has delivered talks to students, professionals, Income Tax Department officials, and others at different forums on career counseling, direct and indirect taxes and information technology.

GUJ condoles Pednekar’s demise PANJIM(HND): The Goa Union of Journalists (GUJ) on Thursday condoled the sudden and sad demise of senior journalist and member of GUJ Gurudas B Pednekar on June 16.

A former Chief Reporter of the daily ‘Navaprabha,’ Mr Pednekar was a freelance journalist and an active member of GUJ. GUJ offers tribute and prays for his soul.

Damre bags CSIR Award

PANJIM(HND): Dr Samir Ravikant Damare of the National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, has been awarded the Young Scientist Award of CSIR in the field of Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean and Planetary Sciences. Dr Samir’s pioneering contribution in demonstrating presence of fungi in deep sea sediments and the role they play in this environment has acknowledged this contribution for the award.

He will be presented with a citation, cash prize and a plaque during the 68th Annual CSIR Foundation Day Celebration held on 26th September at New Delhi.

Dr Damare has 6 publications in peer-revived journals, etc and 1 patent to his credit.

GSC World Environment Day

PANJIM(HND): Goa Science Centre celebrated World Environment Day recently at its premises. Various programmes and competitions such as painting, poster, environment quiz, science shows and demonstrations, etc were organised at the Centre for children and general public on this occasion.

In the painting competition Bhargav Nalkar from Bathany Convent High School, Margao won the 1st prize while 2nd and 3rd prizes were won by Pauras Narvekar from Mushtifund Middle School, Panjim and Aishwarya Rath from Navy Children School, Vasco respectively. Two consolation prizes were also awarded to Saish Naingankar from Saraswat Vidyalaya, Mapusa and Smita Satardekar from Santa Cruz High School, St Cruz.

In the poster competition Aradhya Gaad from Saraswat Vidyalaya, Mapusa bagged the 1st prize, while Uddhavi Naik from Dr K B Hedgewar High School, Panjim and Omkar Hirloskar from New Goa G S Amonkar Vidyamandir, Mapusa bagged the 2nd and 3rd prizes respectively.

Two consolation prizes were awarded to Roven Fernandes from Mount Mary’s High School, Chinchinim and Sajith Nair from Mother of Mercy English High School, Vasco. In the quiz contest 1st prize was bagged by Shashwat Salgaonkar from Mushtifund High School, Panjim, 2nd prize was bagged by Jared D’Lima from Rosary High School, Miramar and 3rd prize went to Royston Braganza from Mushtifund High School, Panjim.

Two consolation prizes were also awarded to Harshana Borker from Dr K B Hedgewar High School, Panjim and Siddha Sandesh Prabhu Chodnekar from Dr K B Hedgewar High School, Panjim.

V N Joshi, Project Coordinator of the Centre, awarded the prizes to the winners at a valedictory function held in the Centre premises.

Chicalim residents’ demand for road ‘kept on hold’ HERALD REPORTER VASCO, JUNE 17

It may have been declared the second best village panchayat in the ‘A’ category, but Chicalim Panchayat seems to have ignored the plight of about 60 residents from Assoi-Chicalim who have been demanding a road for a number of years.

“I have been living with my family in the village since the Portuguese era, but till date only false assurance has been given that the road would be constructed,” complained an elderly resident, Taramati Gaude.

“During monsoon, it is very difficult to approach our residence, as the entire muddy stretch becomes slippery and wet. It is surprising to note that despite repeated pleas, nothing has improved till date,” added Gaude.

Another resident Antonetta Sequeira voiced her grievance in similar manner. “During monsoon, we have to face the brunt as the entire muddy stretch becomes slippery.”

“Only God knows how many more years the administration will take to start the work,” added Sequeira.

Sushma Narvekar, who had felt her presence in the panchayat along with other women, claimed that till date, only false assurances have been given to them that the work would commence.

“Since few portion of land from private landlords has to be acquired, it got delayed and now

The muddy road that passes from the bridge to Assoi-Chicalim left unattended.

Photo by M Prabhav

they have assured that the work will commence after six months,” said Narvekar.

“Since people have waited for so many years, we will wait for another six months and see whether the work will start or not,” added Narvekar.

When contacted, Chicalim Sarpanch Raul D’Costa explained that since most of the land belongs to private landlords, the work has been delayed due to land acquisition process.

He blamed most of the predecessors for not taking up the

HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, JUNE 17

The foundation stone for reconstruction of Village Panchayat Ghar at Socorro will be laid by the Chief Minister Digambar Kamat on June 18 at 11 am in the presence of Adv Dayanand Narvekar, MLA of Aldona Constituency and other dignitaries.

GSIDC is leading the way in building quality infrastructure for the State of Goa, currently, GSIDC is in the process of building roads, bridges, hospitals, libraries stadiums, jetties, bus stands, Ravindra Bhavans, swimming pools, market complexes and other developmental projects.

Now, adding to this of works, GSIDC has taken up the work of re-construction of Village Panchayat Ghar at Socorro. The scope of work involves complete demolition of existing village Panchayat building and part demolition of existing compound wall, construction of new building with all facilities including landscaping and campus electrification.

Cow electrocuted at Mollem HERALD CORRESPONDENT COLLEM, JUNE 17

A milch cow was electrocuted after it came in contact with live electricity wires near the Mollem check post on Wednesday morning. The Cow owner, Nanda Vaman Gaonkar, claimed the cow was his only source of income.” I have suffered a loss of about Rs 25,000,” said Gaonkar.

IMA resolves to make Goa free from tuberculosis

TAG to hold meet of writers, directors HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, JUNE 17

Tiatr Academy Goa (TAG) will organize a meeting of writers/directors of tiatr on June 20 at 10:30 am at TAG’s Conference Hall, Campal Trade Centre, Campal, Panjim.

According to a press release issued here, TAG has observed that numerous tiatrs staged in recent times are not written, directed and staged as per the original format of the tiatr. TAG is of the view that the standard of tiatr must be developed, but this should not alter the original format which makes tiatr a unique form of drama in the country.

Therefore, TAG will explain the writers and directors about the exact format of tiatr and the types and nature of songs (kantaram) which also form an integral part of tiatr.

The need of having this meeting is to bring the exact nature of tiatr to the notice of writers/directors. Those writers and directors who produce their tiatr in the correct format only will be permitted to participate in the ‘Second Popular Tiatr Festival’ organized by TAG in this financial year.

Tiatr artistes particularly writers and directors of tiatr are requested to attend the meet, adds the press release.

issues and claimed that it was during his tenure about six years ago that the panchayat has taken a resolution to construct the road. However, the land acquisition file was lying with Mormugao Planning and Development Authority for nearly two years.

He assured that land acquisition process has been almost completed and the work will commence after the monsoon and it would be done in three phases, the 2.2-km road will be estimated at a cost of over Rs 1 crore.

Foundation stone for Socorro VP Ghar

The IMA team with private doctors at training programme at Bicholim.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT MAYEM, JUNE 17

The president and members of Indian Medical Association (IMA), Goa branch, have resolved to make Goa free from tuberculosis by taking the help of private doctors.

Addressing the workshop, which was organised at Primary Health Centre Bicholim in association with the State health department on Wednesday, IMA President Dr Shekhar Salkar said the IMA has vowed to provide all round co-operation to the government in making the mission a grand success.

He also informed that by or-

ganizing the DOTS programme, the State government has achieved a grand success in curing 85% TB patients.

“However, the mission needs more efforts to create awareness among TB patients,” said Dr Salkar.

Dr Salkar further said many TB patients do not complete their treatment, due to which the disease is not completely cured. “In order to avoid such things, IMA will put in special efforts,” he added.

Dr D’Sa said the government has also decided to train employees, who are working under the guidance of private doctors.

Photo by Vishant Vaze

“About 43 people from Bicholim taluka have been suffering with TB disease, including 25 in CAT-1, 10 in CAT-2 and 8 in CAT-3,” informed Health Officer Shivram Lotlikar.

Dr Vandana Dhume said: “In 2009, as many as 1,966 patients were detected with TB, while the number has been reduced to 566 upto March, this year.

The private doctors were guided by Dr Salkar, Dr Vandana Dhume and Dr D’Sa. Earlier, Dr salkar welcomed the gathering, while Dr Suresh Mandrekar proposed the vote of thanks.

upcoming events MCCF to meet on June 19

PANJIM(HND): The Moira Civic and Consumer Forum (MCCF) will organise its monthly general meeting of consumers on June 19 at 4 pm at the residence of Julie D'souza Sataporio, Moira next to Sataporio Chapel.

Among the issues to be discussed are Moira bridge, problems faced by vegetable vendors of Moira in Mapusa, flat owners, state of health in the village including focus on malaria and other vector borne diseases, World Anti-Drug Day, various service related issues like post office, PWD water supply, Goa Dairy milk, ration and kerosene and home delivery of LPG cylinders, banking, BSNL telephones and Cable TV will also be discussed.

Father’s Day at VLCC

PANJIM(HND): VLCC, Goa will be celebrating Father's Day at its centres at Panjim and Margao on June 19 and 20. All men are welcome to walk in to the Centre, with prior appointment, to avail of free weight loss sessions, health and fitness analysis and fitness tips, body composition analysis, and central obesity consultation. Call 2421429/30 or 2726806/07 for details.

Retreats at Carambolim

PANJIM(HND): Fr Conceicao D’Silva and his team will conduct retreats for all Goa Trawler Owners, Ramponkars, Magkars at Carambolim Church from 7.30 am to 1.30 pm, for 5 consecutive Fridays, starting from June 18.

All people from the fishing community irrespective of the religion are invited to attend this retreat. People can bring their fishing nets and other apparatus for blessing at the hands of Fr Conceicao D’Silva.

LESA to meet

PANJIM(HND): The annual general body meeting of the Loyola Ex-Students Association (LESA), Margao, will be held on June 20 at 11 am at Loyola School hall, Margao. The annual accounts will be presented on that day. Members should attend the same.

ESG to organise film appreciation course in State HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, JUNE 17

If you are a movie buff, it is an opportunity you should not miss, the Entertainment Society of Goa in collaboration with the National Film Archive of India (NFAI) and Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune will jointly organize the country’s most prestigious Film Appreciation Course, between July 3 to July 11. The classes for the week long course will be held at Maquinez Palace, Auditorium, Panjim, between 9:30 am to 9:30 pm.

As part of this initiative classics from both Indian and international cinema will be used for critical analysis and study.

The course is open to all who are interested in film studies/activities. The faculty arriving from Pune comprising of lecturers, film directors and other professionals would explain the essence of film making, art of cinematography, sound, editing, etc through the cinematographic works of critically acclaimed filmmakers.

The theoretical part also includes art and history of cinema, development of cinema as a medium of art and communication, the technical and various other aspects of the medium. The medium of instruction will be English/Hindi. A certificate will be awarded on successful completion of the course.

Applications forms are available at the office of ESG and can also be downloaded from the official website of the Entertainment Society of Goa i.e. www.iffigoa.org.

Last date for submission of forms is July 2, which should be addressed to the, Entertainment Society of Goa, Maquinez Palace, Heritage Precinct, D B Marg, Campal, Panjim, 403 001. The course fee is Rs 3000. The course fee for the members of Goa Cinephile is Rs 2500.

The Course is open for all individuals above 21 years of age.

The first batch of this course had invited and overwhelming response of 55 candidates from all over the country.

POWER SHUTDOWN JUNE 19

MAPUSA: Between 9 am to 5 pm. Areas affected are Bodgini, Navtara Hotel, Parra, Agnimorod, Parra tower, Jakni waddo, Arradi, Verla, Canca, Brittowado, Saliswado, Lingabhat, Lobowado, Fondaewado and surrounding areas.

18th June: 64 Years Ago SURESH WALVE

J

une 18 remains a red letter day in the chequered history of Goa's freedom struggle. It was on this day in 1946 that Dr Ram Manohar Lohia, a great nationalist and veteran freedom fighter, gave a call to the people of Goa to unite and fight against the colonial regime. The clarion call given on this day from the city square in Margao, now known as Lohia Maidan, gave a new inspiration to the nationalists and like-minded people to fight colonial rule. This historic event, on 18 June 1946, was beginning of a revolution that strengthened the freedom movement and gave a definite direction and mass character to the Goa's freedom movement.

The year 1946 is equally important for Goa as 1961, when we were finally liberated from 450 years of Portuguese yoke. This is because in that year, almost six-and-a-half decades back, on this very day, 18th June, the bugle for Goa's freedom was blown. And it was none other than Dr Ram Manohar Lohia, a Socialist leader, who was instrumental in this mass awakening.

This is the story narrated to me by the Late Laxmidas Borkar, an eminent freedom fighter and journalist, who was not only an eyewitness to the highly charged drama, but also a major player in it. Das Borkar, as he was known among his friends and relatives, accompanied Dr Lohia alongwith leg-

MASS STRUGGLE: Two photos showing part of the crowd on 18 June 1946

endary Dr Juliao Menezes from Hotel Republica to the venue in Margao where Ram Manoharji was to address the gathering at 4.30 pm.

It was a wet Tuesday and raining intermittently. The atmosphere was charged, and thousands of Goans had gathered near the court opposite the Church.

Dr Lohia was brought to the site by a horse driven cart, because engaging a taxi would have attracted the attention of the Portuguese police. They had made all the arrangements possible to prevent Dr Lohia from addressing the people. But to their dismay, Dr Lohia made it to the venue. As soon as he appeared, the large crowd erupted

with full-throated slogans: “Mahatma Gandhi Ki Jai, Ram Manohar Lohia Ki Jai...”

All of a sudden, Captain Miranda, who was the Administrator of Salcete, emerged on the scene and stopped Dr Lohia.

“Why have you come here?” he asked.

“I have come to address the people,” Lohia replied.

“You can't do that. There is no permission,” Miranda told him.

“I don't care for your fascist rule,” thundered Lohia.

And he turned to address the gathering. The Captain became furious. He pulled out his revolver and pointed it

towards Dr Lohia.

Everybody was watching this drama with bated breath. What would happen now, would he shoot…?

Dr Lohia quietly and firmly stood his ground. He pushed up the hand of the officer with the disdain he deserved.

The Captain became nervous. He didn't know what to do.

“Either you shoot me or arrest me,” Dr Lohia said. The confused Captain Miranda recovered from his shock and arrested Dr Lohia and Dr Menezes. He led them to a vehicle which transported them to the nearby nearby police station.

In the meanwhile, Dr Lohia had

handed over the written copy of his speech in English to a young ‘Satyagrahi’ – V N Lawande and asked him to read it out loudly to the gathering. The officer was so confused and flustered that he was not even able to confiscate the copy.

Vishvanath Lawande followed Dr Lohia’s instructions and read the speech loudly, to the cheers of the crowd. Miranda then returned from the police station and arrested Lawande, Borkar, Evagrio George, Nilkant Karapurkar, Vatsala Keertani and others.

But this move infuriated the crowd even further. The angry people then gathered in front of the police station and demanded the release of the freedom fighters. The crowd was so agitated that anything could have happened.

At a loss for what to do, Miranda requested Dr Lohia to pacif y the crowd, which he did. After Lohia spoke to them, the people dispersed. The next morning, Dr Lohia was made to leave Goa. But the torch he lit on 18 June 1946 served as a beacon to thousands of Satyagrahis till 19 December 1961.

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VPs need to form ward committees, says DoP

Sensitisation workshop on June 19 HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JUNE 17

Making an effort to impress upon the village panchayats to form ward development committees to collate data to be used for preparing village-level plans, the Directorate of Panchayats and Goa Institute of Rural Development & Administration (GIRDA) are organising a state-level sensitisation workshop for members of grassroots’ bodies at the Gomantak Maratha Samaj, here, on June 19, 2010.

The workshop will cover topics like ‘decentralised planning: concept and importance’ and ‘role and importance of district planning committees’ thus throwing light on participatory planning involving people. Associate Professors from the National Institute of Rural Development, Hyderabad Dr K Jayalakshmi and Dr M Sarumathi will cover these two subjects.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Director of Panchayats Menino D’Souza said

decentralised planning has failed to take off in Goa and hence no village plans have been prepared by the respective panchayats even though the district planning committees for both North and South are in place.

He observed the Planning Commission insists that village and district plans have to be prepared by the panchayats and zilla panchayats. Besides the Central Government is keen on building capacity of village panchayats to help them prepare their plans, he stated.

He informed GIRDA was the nodal agency which was working in close collaboration with the Directorate of Panchayats to train leaders at the grassroots levels by organising training programmes to help them plan better keeping the future in mind.

Assistant Director GIRDA Rekha Joshi said they had received funds to the tune of Rs 34 lakh towards capacity building of the grassroots’ bodies and major part of

the money was unutilised. Last year we adopted four villages, two each in North and South, but no one seems to be interested, except for Majorda which showed some promise, she informed.

The Director of Panchayats said there needs an effort to activate the ward development committees by every village panchayat. Similarly, the two district planning committees have to play an active role to prepare consolidated district plans which will culminate in a realistic and meaningful state plan, he stated.

D’Souza said after the sensitisation workshop Goa would adopt a roadmap for better participatory planning that will include enlisting of NGOs that would be willing to assist village panchayats and zilla panchayats help in preparing their plans.

The road map would be adopted so as to also include training of NGOs, ward development committees and district planning committee members.

Rains flood Mapusa market entrance, Kadamba bus stand HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, JUNE 17

The area at the entrance of Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) market and Kadamba bus stand have been flooded due to incessant rains that lashed the town

through the water, the filth splashed on the clothes of the public.

There was also water logging at the area, where Bicholim, Sanquelim, Valpoi and Sirgao busses are parked. The water logging has occurred as these roads are

The area at the entrance of Mapusa Municipal Council market flooded.

Photo by Anil Shankhwalker

on Wednesday and Thursday.

The filthy water that is collected at the entrance of the market made it difficult for the public to enter MMC market. As the ground has become slippery, people used to slip while wading through the water. When vehicles passed

not tarred in a proper manner.

The water instead of flowing down the drain gets accumulated on the bus stand.

The gutters at Kadamba bus stand are open and the nullah gets submerged in the rainwater, due to which people fall and

sustain injuries. It is apparent that KTC authorities have done nothing to prevent this nuisance. The Kadamba bus stand was flooded during the last monsoon and the public had a tough time while traveling.

Shiv Sena Bardez Vibhag Pramukh Philip D’Souza in a letter to the Kadamba Transport Corporation Managing Director on June 17, 2010, has blamed KTC authorities for the mess at the bus stand.

“We had predicted the problem of water logging in rains and had conveyed about it in our memorandum, which was submitted to the KTC on April 6, and yet the KTC failed to take appropriate action,” stated D’Souza in the letter.

“It is duty of the KTC to provide clean and safe bus stand for the traveling public, who are paying taxes to the government. Thousand of tourists visit the State during monsoon and the pathetic state of the bus stand paint a sorry image of Goa,” he added.

“The monsoon has just begun and the situation may get worsen in the coming months. The KTC authorities should, therefore, take necessary steps and attend the water logging problem on priority basis,” states the letter.

Governor, CM greet Goans on Revolution Day HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, JUNE 17

Governor Dr S S Sidhu and Chief Minister Digambar Kamat have extended warm greetings to people of Goa on the occasion of Goa Revolution Day. In his message the Governor says, “Goa Revolution Day has special significance not only for Goans but also the people of the entire country. For, it was on this historic day 64 years ago that the suppressed patriotic feelings of Goans had manifested into a mass revolution, which eventually saw the Liberation of this part of our country on 19th December, 1961.

“I deem it an honour to join the people of Goa today in paying tribute to the freedom fighters and all those, who facilitated the Liberation of Goa through their sacrifices, and homage to those great souls, who sacrificed their lives at the altar of Goa’s freedom. Goa’s Liberation has not come on a platter, While the great patriot, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia provided the leadership to

freedom loving Goans to publicly protest against the curbs on freedom of expression and liberty by the Portuguese regime on 18th June 1946, thousands of people from different parts of the country had subsequently made a common cause with Goans in their struggle for liberation from colonial rule,” he says.

“Goan freedom struggle is unique in several respects particularly because it lingered on well beyond 14 years after the country had attained Independence from British rule. Goa could not have remained isolated from the great spirit of democracy that was sweeping across the nation.

Needless to say, the Liberation opened the floodgates of development in this part of the country.

It is a matter of great satisfaction that Goa has made tremendous progress in different fields of activity since then,” he says.

“While celebrating the Goa Revolution Day it would be appropriate for all Goans to rededicate themselves to the high values of hard work, communal

harmony and unity so that they become instrumental for securing greater glory and prosperity to the State while working for the welfare of the nation,” he adds.

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat in his message says that Goa Revolution Day is celebrated to recall the saga of the struggle of the people of Goa for freedom.

It was on this historic day on June 18, 1946 the freedom struggle of Goa entered its last and f i n a l p h a s e w h e n D r Ra m Manohar Lohia, nationalist leader gave a clarion call to the people of Goa to unite and fight against the colonial rule from Margao.

The Chief Minister further says that on the occasion of 18th June celebrated as “Goa Kranti Din” 14 freedom fighters posthumous and living will be honoured who participated in the freedom struggle.

Let us on this historic day rededicate ourselves and work hand in hand with renewed zeal and vigour to achieve greater prosperity to the State and make it a model State in the country.

Citizens to protest proposed NH 17 widening HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JUNE 17

The Chairperson of National Highway 17(Porvorim) Action Committee, Fatima D’Sa said “Officially Porvorim is a village but today Porvorim is a Satellite town with Assembly complex, major government offices, major business centers, hospitals, schools / colleges, diagnostics centres, hotels, residential complexes, individual heritage houses, churches and temples.

People have these structures over 15-20 yrs and some are even more than 50 years old.”

The citizens addressing a

press conference today said that they are having sleepless nights ever since the Land acquisition notice was being published in newspapers in May. Citizens of Porvorim who will be affected by the four-laning of the National Highway 17 from Patradevi to Polem, under the banner of National Highway-17 (Porvorim) Action Committee have decided to protest destruction of Porvorim township for the project.

Speaking further Ms D’Sa said that more than 35 roads - tributaries from different panchayats join this main

road of Porvorim.

‘Drivers’ hinder MMCs hotel garbage collection scheme ‘BY HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JUNE 17

Three days before its implementation, Margao Municipal Council’s door-to-door hotel garbage collection scheme has run into rough weather.

The question as to who will drive the Municipal trucks with the hotel garbage has come as a stumbling block in the implementation of the scheme.

Municipal sanitary Inspector, Viraj Arabekar is believed to have drawn attention of the MMC Chairperson Savio Coutinho that the order appointing daily wage workers for garbage collection make no mention of the drivers to drive the Municipal trucks.

Arabekar has contended that rules does not permit daily wage workers to work as drivers, even as MMC officials maintained that the Civic body cannot appoint daily wage drivers as per an agreement the Civic body had with the Municipal workers Union.

This has put the Chairperson in a tight position, raising the pertinent question as to who will drive the trucks loaded with the hotel waste.

When contacted, the MMC Chairperson said the reasons cited by the sanitary inspector has no basis, demanding to

n The question as to who will drive the Municipal trucks with the hotel garbage has come as a stumbling block in the implementation of the scheme. know why the daily wage workers cannot drive the vehicles.

“We will find a solution to the imbroglio by tomorrow”, Coutinho said, while exuding confidence that the hotel door-to-door scheme would resume from Sunday.

Meanwhile, the city hotels and eateries has extended their support to the Municipal’s plan to collect door-to-door garbage from the hotels.; President of the Hotel Association, C P Jaggi said the hotel and restaurant owners will cooperate with the Civic body in the successful implementation of the scheme.

“We have only asked the Civic body to be punctual in collecting the waste and to charge them as per old rates”, he said, while extending cooperation to the Civic body on the issue.

OHERALDO

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OPINION

Pg8

www.oheraldo.in

O HERALD O

Government’s Recipe for Disaster

Vol No CX No: 156 Goa, Friday 18 June, 2010

I

Sex for sale?

t seems Goa’s police have enough on their hands looking for fugitive former Tourism Minister Francisco alias Mickky Pacheco and his close comrade-in-arms Lyndon Monteiro.

For, they seem most disinclined to look into the numerous sex services in Goa being offered by various websites to the world at large.

Yesterday, Herald carried a news report on the front page of websites offering so-called ‘escort services’ in the state.

The words on the websites, quoted in the report, leave little to the imagination. When a website says: “We have sexy Asian escorts including lovely Thai girls and Chinese babes,” surely they are not offering the services of business aides!

In the past two years, the reputation of this state has taken hit after hit, starting from the unfortunate death of British teenager Scarlet Keeling. It is not wise for a state that depends so heavily on tourism for its people’s livelihoods, to allow its reputation to slip like this. Especially when the Tourism Department says it projects Goa as a ‘family destination’; this is not the kind of publicity that will help its cause.

In the past year, especially, the number of British tourists coming to Goa has gone down steeply. Some of this decline may be attributable to the ongoing global recession, which has hurt Britain worse than many other countries. But far from being a dampener for tourism in Goa, the recession should have been an opportunity. The British pound has slipped against the Euro, making European holidays much more expensive for the British. Under such circumstances, a holiday in Goa, which ranks indisputably as the cheapest among British holidaymakers’ favourite destinations, ought to have become much more attractive, and brought more Britishers to Goa. Instead, their numbers went down.

If the Goa government doesn’t seem worried, it is only because the number of Russian tourists went up sharply, making up the numbers to some extent. But, had the numbers of British tourists, too, gone up, it would have given tourism a huge boost. For a tourist destination, its reputation matters more than anything else. And, the most effective promotion, as any businessman knows, is by word of mouth. Once tourists start to badmouth this state, Goa’s position as a premier destination for foreign tourists will be severely undermined.

That is why the government and the police must take these so-called escort services websites seriously. They say that they can provide girls for “every taste, desire and occasion – teenage college girls, models, actresses and professionals”.

This is no hoax. The Herald report lists addresses, telephone numbers and the prices they quote for the ‘services’ of the girls. These are easily verifiable.

Therefore, for senior police officers to say – and this is what the Goa Police spokesperson told our reporter – that the phone numbers and addresses given “could be fake”, without even checking up on them, is facetious, to say the least. To say that “escort services are not illegal in India” is talking around the point. We all know what ‘services’ an ‘escort agency’ offers. Can anyone seriously pretend otherwise?

Herald has done its homework thoroughly. The numbers given are not fake. They are working, and presumably still in ‘business’. It is for the police to move fast, before the culprits become as hard to find as Mickky Pacheco & Co.

Poisoning the King

I

t is known as the ‘King of fruits’. Mangoes are the absolute favourite fruits of Goans. We all take pride in the numerous indigenous varieties of quality graft mangoes in Goa, some of which are superior to the famous ‘Alphonso’. When unscrupulous traders use toxic chemicals to artificially ripen mangoes, they threaten the health of every fruit lover in Goa. Vasco Deputy Collector Levinson Martins and Vasco DySP Mahesh Gaonkar should be congratulated for busting this major racket in the port city. The culprits must be severely punished.

Dangerous overcrowding Stephen Dias, Dona Paula City restaurants and hotels in Panjim keep dozens of their employees in one apartment.

This gross overcrowding causes a nuisance and is a health threat to neighbouring flats occupied by locals.

A prominent restaurant in the market area was recently issued a notice by the Health authorities, because around 40 of their workers were living in one apartment, violating the norm of 20 cubic metres of space per person. This puts a huge load on water supply, sewage and garbage clearance services.

It could also lead to an epidemic. A few years ago, Panjim suffered from a jaundice

100 Years Ago

PRIMEIRO DIARIO NAS COLONIAS PORTUGEZAS

18 June, 1910 Dangerous Gutters

The newly repaired gutters at the “Novas Conquistas” are too deep and the excavations undertaken around the square of the hamlets, poses danger to the passersby and more so during the nights.

Botanical Study

A teacher and his 30 students arrived at Margao to undertake some analysis of plants to be submitted to the Botanical world of India.

Elections Cancelled

The elections for the General Body of the Temple “Morsa Devi” and its affiliates from Morjim which were announced earlier, was cancelled.

Salt Export

With the difficulties amounting over salt for export to British, the same is seen accumulating which is a serious loss for the State and to the owners of the Salt Pans.

people are vehement in their angst against the Government , but where is the justice, asks CaeTano de aBreU It is acknowledged that our Government is tendering lip-service to all and sundry. However, by putting on the mat their warped factors while simultaneously trying to consolidate over the grieving malfeasances of sorts, which is creating undue havoc amongst the law-abiding populace who voted for a clean and transparent government clubbed with earnest and genuine development works, is like shooting in the dark. However, pitifully consolidating all the aspects, the end is never in sight. Thus, it does make me wonder about the undesirable gimmicks that we are coping with as our Government is reaping the spoils and all at the cost of Aam Aadmi. And, yet, we are pondering over the seemingly ill-will impugned upon us by our elected representatives for no fault of ours.

Rationally there is the price rise factor which is non-relevant in the general context, as the people have already accepted the Sword of Damocles. However the BJP cadres who are in the process of recovering lost grounds, are trying the maximum to capitalize upon that folly swapping the Aam Aadmi. The BJP is equally to be blamed for that equivocal pun of action over the minds of people in general, unrealistically forgetting what they did while in power. In regards to the lost electorate, the BJP are trying to bring them into its fold, by stoking the circumstances with canards spewed like the frustrated identities, which in actuality they are. They overtly impart us with the hollowness in disguise which can be discerned with the IFFI 2004 scam perpetrated seemingly by Parrikar & Co. for which he is being chastised by the CBI. Presently the BJP is cozying up to the minorities. It is an up-hill task, considering that the same minorities are well onto their scheme of things as they do not trust the BJP. For, whatever it may take and to woo them is near impossible task unless some cash flow is made evident. Thus, they are quite contented with the present Government, never mind the frustrating debacle they are malaise with. The BJP is trying every stunt to acquire the reins of power after a disastrous debacle suffered during two consecutive elections and were drubbed for having no essence to reign over a Country where regionalism and factionalism is the order of day.

Nitin Gadkari may claim that Afzal Guru is Congress’ Son-in-Law; I therefore want to ask who the Uncle is? The other option could be, the crime being perpetrated during BJP’s tenure

View from my panVddo makes me wonder about the Paternity factor. Regardless, the BJP is spewing venom against the present Government which can be deemed as ranting out of frustration.

It is a forlorn conclusion the Congress Government in the State has deteriorated from bad to worse and seems to be unredeemable, giving no breathing space for the Aam Aadmi to raise its voice of discontent which could be relevant in the present circumstances.

To commence with there is the mining imbroglio. The Centre has issued specific instructions to curtail its activities. The mining leases are all in the hands of the powers-that-be, the reason therefore the mining activity is going unabated and there is no one to question the illegalities surrounding over that aura of invincibility.

The end result is that people are being maimed or killed or left penniless due to reckless digging of that low-grade ore compounded with reckless driving. People are vehement in their angst, but where is the justice? It is surreptitiously mentioned that our CM and some members from his ruling coalition are closely involved in that nefarious

The Spark of Life

Little matters

E

nthusiasm, is that zest for life that motivates us to do things wholeheartedly. Derived from the Greek word which means “in God”, enthusiasm is that special recognition of God’s presence in each of us. An enthusiastic person is cheerful, self-motivated and usually more efficient than others.

What should we be enthusiastic about? We have so many things to be happy and enthusiastic about. We can be enthusiastic about God’s great infinite love for us. Our lives are a gift from God. Why not be enthusiastic about how beautiful you are as a person? Each person is so unique with so many gifts and talents. Only when we try out something, we realize that we have a gift or talent to do it. So just imagine, you may not know even today about certain talents that you possess. And that’s because you’ve never tried it out! God’s blessings in our lives are so numerous, that sometimes we don’t even realize it.

Why not be enthusiastic about the people around us? Ooops! I hit a sore spot there, didn’t I? Why should we be enthusiastic about family members who nag and irritate us, the boss who

epidemic and a rise in malaria and chickungunya cases. The city fathers should closely monitor the work of the sanitary department and levy stiff penalties on commercial units that pack residential flats in Panjim beyond capacity.

Whither FDA? Jose Maria Miranda, Margao For quite some years now, we have been hearing of artificial ripening of fruits using chemicals that have serious adverse effects on the health of consumers. Our irresponsible authorities have been turning a blind to this, perhaps because the miscreants come from the migrant community, which enjoys special privileges in Goa. Vasco Dy Collector Levinson Martins needs to be commended for raiding the godowns where this process was on. One need not be surprised, however, if the miscreants go scot-free owing to pressure from the politicians.

The government should hold the Foods & Drugs Administration (FDA) to account, as there were already reports of such fruit ripening in the media. The health and lives of people are at stake. Anywhere else, the concerned department would have been immediately taken to task.

Fruits of sin Samir Khan, Mapusa This is in response to the news report ‘Mango ripening racket busted’ (Herald, 17 June).

Artificial ripening of fruit is rampant in India, especially in fruit producing states like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, etc. Though government agencies are aware of these illegal and harmful practices, they have failed to curb them.

This practice is banned under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, but violators are only liable to undergo six month imprisonment and pay a paltry fine of Rs1,000. Still, there are hardly any cases where traders or retailers have been booked.

Artificially ripened fruits can affect the neurological system by inducing prolonged hypoxia. Condemning all those who cheat in trade, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “He who cheats is not of us. Deceit and

activity, where the lure of money is the criteria for the devastation of our pristine land although I concur that being in Power has its own unassuming advantages which I presume is totally capitalized upon .

The PWD’s Head Honcho is promising the world on a platter. But his working format is not much to be desired, as can be seen from areas where work has been haphazardly implemented. Let not the sleeping dogs lie low as there are loads of discrepancies in the issuing of Tender documents where a fast buck amongst the Ministers seem to be the rational order, for which I am ruing about the choiceg a Congress Government in the State.

Our beloved Road Transport Authorities had promised to take immediate action against rash and erratic driving, but where is the action? Our transportation is incongruous with no traffic police to penalize the perpetrators and they can only be seen perhaps when their finances are down and the need to make heckles rise, arises.

Besides erratic road rules the people themselves with dearth of authority are parking the way they

want to, unconcerned about the pedestrians. The case in point being, the pavement of Joao de Castro’s road linking 31st January Road of Panjim is blocked with motorbikes belonging to the workers of Casino boats bottling the rightful pedestrian’s access. At such times where are the authorities to curb these malfeasances where even the sign-boards notices are not observed?

The Police Department seems to be on overdrive with the capture of criminals. However, it makes me wonder why the criminals are presented hooded while the Police personnel are basking in all of its glory. I agree about “until proven guilty” and everything, although I would like to see their faces, to forewarn me and be wary about them. Thus my moot question remains: If you are going to hide their faces then why the tamasha about their arrest?

The Government is always harping about jobemployment to Goans only, which in my world it is a pipe dream, for I can see in many prestigious places patronized by Goans, umpteen number of chinky eyed servers enjoying the gullibility of Goans with their ruckus Hindi while hogging solely at the cost of patrons, the Telly with Hindi Bollywood extravaganza, with which I for one do not agree, as our Culture is to be preserved and not destroyed which is just what seems to be happening. Thus, where is Government’s prevention of terror? I can clearly emphasize that Naxalism is stealthily gaining entry into the ambit of Goans, and what is Government doing about it? Should they contemplate enrolling them in the electoral process to secure their coveted seat, or should stringent laws be applicable to the trespassers irrespective that they may not vote in favour of seat retention. I have not forgotten the Margao incident where a truck with killing weapons was seized, and what the Government has done about it ... nothing except inscribing theirs name in the electoral roll.

About the erroneous behaviour of the Government I have just uttered my minor grievances, although there are many more which only time can tell. For now, I can safely state that the Goa Government is sliding downhill with no hope for redemption. Hence we should be forewarned and set the platter clean lest we come across the same people who will bulldoze their way through in the next elections. Thus my moot question is, should we follow the same recipe over and over again?

squeezes the life out of us, colleagues who harass us, nosy neighbours who talk about us out of our earshot or in our absence...etc.

Well, in certain cases, we don’t get to choose the people we interact with. We definitely can’t change them and their ways. But we can change how we react to them. You have a choice to be happy, sad or angry etc. No individual or circumstance can take that away from you. When we make an effort to be enthusiastic and happy in spite of people who are a thorn in our side, we brighten our own lives. We refuse to let others control our happiness! Enthusiasm is contagious and infectious. Sometimes, if you are lucky, the “thorn in your side” may actually turn into a “rose in your hand”!

As with any fire, the spark of enthusiasm needs care. But, how can we nurture this enthusiasm everyday?

Rest in God- It isn’t easy to be happy and enthusiastic in today’s world. But God is the source of joy, peace and strength. Talk to Him about any and everything because He is your best friend.

Forgive, encourage yourself and others. Settle any matter that troubles you. Forgive all involved and move on optimistically ex-

By Vanessa Lobo pecting good things. God himself has created you as a precious, valuable gem. If He didn’t love and care for you, you wouldn’t even be alive. You are beautiful to Him. Affirm yourself and give yourself a Pep talk. When someone is feeling low, give him/her a Pep talk too.

Refresh yourself. Work-related stress, bills to pay and everyday troubles of life leave us exhausted and discouraged. So take a break at least once a day. Go for a walk, read a book or listen to soothing music. Do something you enjoy.

Bless others. Share your happiness and enthusiasm with others.

The happiness we give away enriches our lives. Find ways to bless those around you (even the “thorns in your side”)- Focus on doing something to make at least one person happy each day. Present someone with a flower from your garden, phone an old friend, send a card, give your seat in the bus to someone etc. Surprise someone who least expects it and enjoy the look on their face!

If the flame of enthusiasm in your life is burning low or already put out, light it again. Spark up your life! It’s worth it!

Letters to the Editor

Letter of the Day

Whither Goan politics?

Richard Fernandes, Miramar

The warning signs have been ringing for some time now. Corruption, greed, hunger for power, and a wanton display of it, is the hallmark of the Goa we live in today.

Murders, such as the recent one in the news, are symptomatic of the people in power who use the power of the masses to inflict suffering and destroy the very fabric of a civilised culture.

The outcome is pretty much the same. Time will dilute people’s anger and dim their memory and, with the destruction of evidence, these criminals will go scot-free.

When are we as a society going to make our leaders more accountable for the decisions that affect public life?

Any Goan who has lived in Goa will tell you that corruption is now a deep-rooted phenomenon. Corrupt politicians, public servants and administrators tread side by side with our massive religious edifices (and structures) that tell a story of religious and community life and decency that is now extinct.

I sometimes wonder what sort of example these people are setting to their children.

How can they face their children, or have they become so desensitised that corruption is now treated as part of the mandatory job description, and they have rationalised their lives to believe that there is nothing wrong with this behaviour? fraud are things that lead one to Hell.”

Watch thy neighbour Peter Andrade, Vasco It is very shocking that fruit vendors in Vasco have been poisoning citizens. Why do we need terrorists when such poisoning happens in the local MLA’s neighbourhood?

Our MLA shows concern about coal pollution, but seems unaware of poisoning of his constituents by his own neighbours.

Khariwaddo is a place where fishermen live. Some migrants carry out nefarious activities here, resulting in increasing pressure and fodder for people like the Chairman of MPT, who is trying to throw out honest Goan fishermen.

Punish them!

Michael Carvalho, by email It was disgusting to read the news report ‘Mango-ripening racket busted in Vasco’ (Herald, 17 June). Is this another area of ‘modern’ development on par with megaprojects?

Goa was always considered a paradise with its natural beauty, and was well known

for its seafood wealth and lush vegetation.

The culprits need to get the harshest punishment.

Lying Squad Vincent Rego, Dubai The recently formed so-called Flying Squad is just to fool the people and distract their attention. Our CM is a real puppet lacking in power and guts. If he cannot manage the administration, he has no moral right to continue.

Unless harsh punishment is given to offenders, there will not be any change. Calling the number and stopping the illegality is not enough. Who has the time to keep an eye on every illegality happening around?

Let the government bring a law to ban hill cutting and land filling. Elected governments should do good, not loot and destroy Goa.

Whither governance?

John Eric Gomes, Porvorim The people are doing the government's job of reporting violations, hill cutting, destruction of fruit-bearing trees, illegalities like

road building for access to unapproved plots, etc. After much agitation, flying squads have been streamlined for action under District Collectors actively trying to do a good job.

However, stay orders are reportedly for only two days, during which the Town & Country Planning Dept (TCP) is expected to act swiftly and file an FIR. The illegalities continue after two days, because the TCP says it gives a notice returnable in 24 hours.

If this comes, they have to inspect and verify the permissions given and papers produced.

What happens if it does not come?

This nullifies all the people’s and flying squad’s efforts. At best, if there is no cover up, there is demolition with neither compensation nor punishment for the guilty.

What sort of governance is this?

Vulgar ads Gerardo Fernandes, Cansaulim The language used to advertise some socalled medical products for sex problems everyday on the back page of your newspaper is rather filthy and does not make pleasant reading.

As the newspaper is also read by children, the advertisers should be restricted from using such cheap language and vulgar pictures.

Behind the Kabrastan Arwin Mesquita, Abu Dhabi The Kabrastan issue should be a non-issue.

Every religious community has the right to bury their dead with dignity. The major concern here is that we run the risk of alienating our Goan Muslims, who are as Goan as Goan Hindus and Catholics.

In reality, the anti-Kabrastan chorus is an unfortunate fallout of the root cause – uncontrolled migrant influx – which is changing Goa’s demographics rapidly. Goans should address the root cause, which will prevent unnecessary controversies like the Kabrastan issue.

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 Be saved from the fire

By Samir Khan “ O you who have believed, save yourselves and your households from a Fire whose fuel shall be the men and the stone, over which shall be appointed fierce and stern angels, who never disobey Allah’s Command, and do as they are commanded”. Holy Qur’an (66:6).

The verse from 66:6 tells that a person’s responsibility is not confined to making efforts to save himself from the punishment of God, but it is also his responsibility that he should educate and train the members of his family, who have been entrusted to his care in the natural process of life also to become Allah’s favourite servants. And if some of the members of his family seem to be following the path to Hell, he should try, as far as he can, to correct them. His concern should not only be that his children lead a happy and prosperous life in the world, but more than that, he should be anxious to see that they do not become the fuel of Hell in the Hereafter.

In the Verse 25:65 the believers’ prayer for their own salvation and in the verse 25:74 their prayer for their wives and children has been cited: “Our Lord, make our wives and children true believers so that they practise righteousness and become a source of comfort for us.” Their prayer shows that the true servants of Allah are more concerned about the salvation of their beloved ones in the Hereafter, than the enjoyment of the world.

They also pray that they excel in piety, righteousness and good deeds; nay, they should become the leaders of the pious people so that they may lead them in the propagation of virtue and piety in the world.

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.

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Call Parliament session to discuss Bhopal issue: Joshi PTI LUCKNOW, JUNE 17

Accusing the Centre of acting under US pressure, senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi today demanded convening of a special Parliament session to discuss the Bhopal gas tragedy in the wake of "new facts coming up".

"There are several burning questions related to Bhopal gas tragedy case which need to be answered. In the wake of new facts coming up, a special Parliament session should be convened," Joshi told reporters here.

"Whatever facts have come up so far, it is very clear that the then Union and MP governments provided all facilities and safe passage to then Union Carbide CEO Warren Anderson to leave the country," he said.

Joshi claimed that after the Bhopal gas tragedy in December 1984, a case was also filed in the US court but subsequently

it was transferred to Indian courts.

"It should be probed why the case was not put on the trial in a US court. The lawyers in US were emphasising that the case should be put on trial in India as American law was stringent.

"Under what circumstances Indian lawyers agreed to transfer the case to India," he said.

He alleged that it is very clear from the facts that the then central government was deliberately protecting Anderson buckling under US pressure.

"Now Pranab Mukherjee has said Anderson was allowed to leave Bhopal as there was a threat to law and order situation. I would like to ask that whether there was any intelligence report in this regard or a case was lodged," the BJP leader asked.

He said it should be probed whether the plant set up in Bhopal was checked or not be-

fore allowing it to function.

"It should be probed that whether the plant set up by Union Carbide was new or old.

This is because developed countries use dirty techniques in developing countries and set up plants which are poisonous," he alleged.

Joshi claimed that the series of facts emerged indicate towards the role of then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

"On whose order (then MP chief minister) Arjun Singh acted at that time, because no CM would take such a decision without the consent of the Centre," he said.

He alleged that Nuclear Damage Bill was drafted keeping in view the "interests of the US capitalists".

"This law will help the US capitalists to carry out nuclear trade in the country, which is now strictly under government control," he said.

pM’s intervention sought in helping Bhopal gas victims PTI BHOPAL, JUNE 17

The Congress in Madhya Pradesh has appealed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to intervene in resolving all the outstanding issues related to the 1984 Bhopal gas disaster, which killed more than 15,000 people and affected the health of over five lakh persons.

In a letter to the Prime Minister yesterday, State Congress President Suresh Pachouri said even after more than 25 years of the tragedy, the gas victims continue to suffer.

Pachouri said he would like to submit relevant points before the Centre's re-constituted Group of Ministers (GoM) on the gas leak issue which is meeting in Delhi tomorrow.

A new action plan, which is under consideration of

Planning Commission for continuation of relief, rehabilitation (social and eco nomic) and additional measures, should be expeditiously approved, Pachouri stated.

The amount of monetary compensation to the gas victims should be enhanced and 350 metric tonnes of toxic waste, lying in the defunct Union Carbide factory premises, must be safely disposed of, the Congress leader said.

A mechanism must be devised for effective monitoring of different aspects of relief, rehabilitation, compensation and environmental impact, Pachouri said.

He said based on research on the long-term adverse impact of gas leak on the surviving victims and their progeny, effective medical care must be ensured for them.

BJp facilitated activities of Dow Chemicals in Gujarat: Cong PTI

NEW DELHI, JUNE 17

Under attack from BJP for the handling of Bhopal gas tragedy case, Congress today hit back by accusing that party of "facilitating the activities of Dow Chemicals" in Narendra-Modi ruled Gujarat.

"If any fingers are to be pointed, they should be pointed at BJP which took donation from Dow Chemicals. It's their government in Gujarat in which they have had colloborations with Dow Chemicals. They are facilitating the initiatives of Dow Chemicals in their states," Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari told reporters here.

To a question about reports of a US diplomat saying that the Ministry of External Affairs was involved in ensuring safe passage to Union Carbide India chief Warren Anderson in 1984, he said "since there is a GoM and it

With each vote turning crucial for the ongoing Rajya Sabha polls, the opposition Congress today demanded rejection of a NCP MLA's vote on charge of violation of election procedure.

NCP MLA from Dhenkanal Nabin Nanda while casting his vote allegedly showed his marked ballot paper to all present at the polling booth before dropping it into the box.

"We have already drawn attention of the returning officer seeking rejection of NCP MLA's vote," leader of opposition Bhupinder Singh told PTI adding that Rajya Sabha elections guidelines clearly mentioned that a voter was allowed to show his/her marked ballot paper only to the party's authorized polling agent alone. In this case, Nanda had shown his marked ballot paper also to others which was clear violation of election procedure, Singh alleged.

The ruling BJD, however, claimed that Nanda had not done anything wrong while casting his vote. "As the NCP MLA's vote is already dropped in the ballot box, there is no question of rejection," said BJD MLA Niranjan Pujari.

NCP, which earlier announced unconditional support to BJD candidate, had four MLAs in the Orissa Leg-

islative Assembly. "All the four of our MLAs today cast their vote," said NCP legislature party leader Amar Prasad Satpathy.

Each vote is crucial for the Rajya Sabha elections here as ruling BJD's third candidate Baishnab Charan Parida faced one short of the magic number 37.

BJD had 103 MLAs in the 147member Orissa assembly. While its first two candidates-Pyari Mohan Mohapatra and Sashi Bhusan Behera- were sure to get 37 first preference votes each, BJD's third candidate Parida would get only 29 first preference votes from within the party.

Therefore, Parida mostly banked on the four votes from NCP, one from CPI and three from Independent candidates.

"As it is a neck to neck fight, one vote will decide winner of the RS polls," said a senior BJD leader.

Meanwhile, Congress and BJP backed Independent candidate Tara Ranjan Patnaik was also facing problem as two MLAs (one each belonging to Congress and BJP) still remained missing.

Patnaik depended on 27 votes from Congress, six from BJP and four from Independent candidates.

As many as 125 of the total 147 MLAs had cast their votes by 1 pm. The votig will continue till 4 pm while results to be announced at 5 pm, an official said.

Evacuation notices on 876 buildings in Mumbai PTI MUMBAI, JUNE 17

BMC has issued evacuation notices to owners of 876 dilapidated buildings in the city, almost 90 per cent of which are in south Mumbai.

A pre-monsoon survey conducted by Brihan Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said 876 buildings, including those owned by it, Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) and private individuals, are dilapidated.

Of the 876 dilapidated buildings, the civic body has identified 24 MHADA-owned buildings as the "most vulnerable". It has issued notices to owners of all dilapidated buildings, asking them to evacuate.

It has also identified five municipal schools as temporary shelters in each of the 24 wards in the city.

PTI NEW DELHI, JUNE 17

Paddy transplantation work in progress at village Udranna in Bhaderwah in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday.

Gujarat HC wants status report on Nanavati panel PTI AHMEDABAD, JUNE 17

The Gujarat High Court today asked the government to furnish status report on Nanavati Commission while hearing a petition seeking a direction for cross-examination of Chief Minister Narendra Modi and three others by the panel in connection with the 2002 riots.

A division bench of Chief Justice S J Mukhopadhaya and Justice Akil Kureshi adjourned the matter till June 25 after the government counsel sought time for collecting information from the Commission, whose tenure is to end on June 30.

The Commission probing the 2002 riots comprises retd Justice G T Nanavati and retd Justice Akshay Mehta.

The petition being heard was filed by Jan Sangarsh Manch (JSM), an NGO representing some of the post-Godhra riot victims.

The Nanavati Commission had told High Court during the last hearing in the matter on April 1, that its decision of September, 2009, of not summoning Modi was "not final".

Lawyer representing JSM, Mukul Sinha, had then requested the court that in case Nanavati Commission does not call Modi by June 17, then the Court could pass appropriate orders in this regard.

Modi has already been questioned in connection with 2002 riot, for over nine-hour by the Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) on March 27 following a complaint by one of the victims.

Nanavati Commission, in September last year had disposed of JSM's plea asking for summoning of Modi, the then home minister Gordhan Zadafia, health minister Ashok Bhatt and DCP Zone 5, R J Savani, saying they did not find justification in crossexamining them at that point of time for the purpose stated

by JSM. The Commission had said in the order that allegation that Modi Government aided and abetted 2002 riots made in JSM's application were vague and based upon wrong or unwarranted assumptions.

JSM had sought quashing of the Nanavati Commission's order in the Gujarat High Court and prayed that Modi and the three others be called for cross examination with regard to the 2002 riots.

A single bench of Justice K S Jhaveri dismissed its petition in November 2009 saying that the Commission had not completed its inquiry and still had power to summon Modi under section 8(b) of Commissions of Inquiry Act. Following this, JSM filed an

appeal before a division bench where it sought quashing of Commission's order and issuance of summons to Modi and three others for cross examination with regard to the 2002 riots.

Nanavati Commission, in September last year had disposed of JSM's plea asking for summoning of Modi and three others saying they did not find justification in cross-examining them at that point of time for the purpose stated by JSM. The Commission had said in the order that allegation that Modi Government aided and abetted 2002 riots made in JSM's application were vague and based upon wrong or unwarranted assumptions.

JSM had sought quashing of the Nanavati Commission's order in the Gujarat High Court and prayed that Modi and three others - the then home minister Gordhan Zadafia, health minister Ashok Bhatt and DCP Zone 5, R J Savani, be called for cross examination with regard to the 2002 riots.

A single bench of Justice K S Jhaveri dismissed its petition in November 2009 saying that the Commission had not completed its inquiry and still had power to summon Modi under section 8(b) of Commissions of Inquiry Act. Following this, JSM filed an ap-

HRA not a right, says HC PTI NEW DELHI, JUNE 17

A government employee is not entitled to claim house rent allowance (HRA) as a matter of right, the Delhi High Court has held, saying that it is compensatory allowance paid in exchange of accommodation facilities.

"HRA is not a part of pay but is a compensatory allowance in lieu of accommodation... and is not to be used as a source of profit. The moment the amenity is provided or offered, the employees should cease to be in receipt of the compensation which is given for want of it," Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw said in a recent judgement.

The High Court passed the order on a petition of MCD chal-

has been given the mandate, it will be appropriate to wait for its outcome than in-

dulging in speculation."

To a volley of questions that the GoM comprised of ministers who are said to be sympathetic to Dow Chemicals and even the Left have pointed it out, Tewari said "all the people, who are in GoM, are public figures, who are in politics for the last 25-30 years and it would be inappropriate to impute motive to anyone".

"The Prime Minister has the prerogative to constitute a GoM. He has done it in his wisdom...in a constructive manner, we should wait for the outcome", said Tewari to a pointed question of the Left crticism of GoM's members.

Asked about an internal report prepared by the legal cell which said Anderson would have been lynched had be been allowed to stay in Bhopal, Tewari said "the GoM will look into all related issues".

Interim compensation paid to Mangalore air crash victims

RS poll: Congress demands rejection of NCP MLA’s vote PTI BHUBANESWAR, JUNE 17

nIf any fingers are to be pointed, they should be pointed at BJP which took donation from Dow Chemicals.

It's their government in Gujarat in which they have had colloborations with Dow Chemicals. They are facilitating the initiatives of Dow Chemicals in their states.

n HRA is not a part of salary but is a compensatory allowance which is paid in lieu of accommodation and is not to be used as a source of profit. Whenever accommodation is offered to the employees, the employees have either to accept it or to forfeit the HRA and the management cannot be saddled with double liability viz to construct and maintain the quarters as well as to pay the HRA. -- High Court lenging the order of an Industrial Tribunal to pay HRA to its employees even though they were residing illegally in the premises owned by the civic body.

Justice Endlaw said that HRA is not a part of salary but is a compensatory allowance which

is paid in lieu of accommodation and is not to be used as a source of profit.

He also said that earlier the apex court had also set aside the Central Administrative Tribunal's order which had held that HRA is a part of wages.

Highlighting the challenges faced by the government in providing accommodation facilities to its employees in view of acute shortages of such facilities, the court said that the employer should not be overburdened.

"Whenever accommodation is offered to the employees, the employees have either to accept it or to forfeit the HRA and the management cannot be saddled with double liability viz to construct and maintain the quarters as well as to pay the HRA," it said.

It also allowed the civic body to evict the erring employees from the premises or recover rent or damages for use of accommodation if it was found to be in excess of the HRA entitlement under the law.

Telangana: panel interacts with over 100 groups PTI HYDERABAD, JUNE 17

The Srikrishna committee on Telangana issue has so far interacted with about 100 groups and over 1,000 people as part of its consultation process.

"I think we met about 100 groups and over 1,000 persons with whom we interacted. We are in the process of gathering information. We are sure that the train is progressing on time and reach its destination also on time," Srikrishna, Chairman of the panel, told reporters at the end of a three-day visit to the city.

The committee is mandated to submit its report by December 31 this year.

V K Duggal, member-secretary of the committee, said they would undertake field visits from next month and would like to complete the exercise by first week of August.

Duggal said the ruling Congress leaders are likely to meet the committee during the first week of July when the committee visits Hyderabad.

To a query, Duggal said the committee has already heard three different groups of TDP leaders.

When specifically asked whether party president N Chandrababu Naidu would meet the committee, Srikrishna said, "party president gave us the graphic description of two eyes and all that".

Bihar court summons Lalu, Paswan PTI MUZAFFARPUR (Bihar), JUNE 17

A local court today summoned RJD chief Lalu Prasad, his wife and Leader of the Opposition Rabri Devi, and LJP president Ramvilas Paswan in connection with a complaint charging them with causing destruction to public property during a state-wide bandh on January six.

Chief Judicial Magistrate Ramesh Malviya took cognizance of the complaint filed by advocate Sudhir Ojha who alleged that widespread destruction was caused to the public property in Muzaffarpur town and elsewhere during the shutdown called by the leaders.

Air India today said it has paid over Rs 14 crore as interim compensation to the next of kin of those killed as well as those injured in the May 22 air crash in Mangalore.

158 persons, including all the six crew members, aboard the Air India Express flight IX-812, were killed when the Boeing 737-800 aircraft from Dubai overshot the runway and plunged into a ravine. Eight passengers had survived the crash.

Of them, three injured were still in hospitals and the rest discharged.

The airline said all bodies recovered from the accident site had been returned to the relatives and a mass burial was carried out for the 12 bodies which could not be identified.

Interim compensation of Rs 14.06 crore has been paid by Air India as on June 11 for 159 passengers, including those injured, an official spokesperson said.

The payment for one remaining passenger is yet to be made as the next of kin were based in Dubai and certain formalities were still required to be carried out, she said.

This compensation was paid at the rate of Rs 2 lakh to each survivor, Rs 5 lakh for every deceased child and Rs 10 lakh each for every deceased adult.

In addition, Air India facilitated the payment of Rs 3.06 crore as compensation from Prime Minister's Relief Fund. An amount of Rs 2 lakh each was paid to the 151 death cases from the Fund and Rs 50,000 each given to the 8 survivors.

Meanwhile, the US firm,

Kenyon International, has commenced work at the Mangalore crash site and was carrying out disinfection, cleansing and identifying the personal effects of the deceased, the spokesperson said.

The 'Angels of Air India', a specially trained humanitarian assistance team drawn from different sections of Air India employees, continued supporting the family members and survivors and providing other logistic support, including ensuring issuance of death certificates and carrying out other formalities, she said.

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MORE OBITUARIES ON PAGE 2

US gets tough on N Korea

The world must send a strong message to North Korea that its provocative actions are unacceptable, a senior US diplomat said on Thursday after talks on how to respond to the sinking of a South Korean warship.

South Korea wants the UN Security Council to rebuke the North in a resolution imposing tough sanctions over the sinking of its navy corvette Cheonan in March, killing 46 sailors.

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CMie projects GDP at 9.2% PTI MUMBAI, JUNE 17

After two years of economic slowdown, the Indian economy is on the rebound with three key sectors - industrial, services and manufacturing - expected to fare well, leading to an over 9 per cent GDP growth in FY 11, a leading economic think-tank said.

With these three sectors projected to exhibit an improved performance this fiscal, the Centre for Indian Monitoring Economy (CMIE) has forecast that the domestic economy would grow at 9.2 per cent this fiscal.

The growth rate is expected to be around 2 per cent higher as compared to FY 10 when the domestic economy registered a 7.4 per cent growth, it said in its latest report.

"We expect Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to grow by 9.2 per cent in 2010-11 as compared to a 7.4 per cent growth in 2009-10," CMIE said in its report on the state of the domestic economy.

CMIE is maintaining a 9.2 per cent growth in 2010-11 since March this year, it said.

India's Central Bank has however, forecast an 8.2 per cent economic growth in FY 11.

According to CMIE, the Indian economy had grown by over 9 per cent between 200506 and 2007-08 and it is now returning to the same level after a two-year blip.

The report forcecasts a 9.6 per cent growth for the Industrial sector (including construction) this fiscal as against the 9.2 per cent clocked last fiscal.

"In fiscal 2010-11, growth in the manufacturing sector will be led by the food products segment, especially sugar and edible oil," CMIE said.

At the same time, acceleration in consumption and investment growth in the current fiscal would contribute to a higher growth in consumer durables and capital goods output, respectively, the report stated.

BSNL chooses Pyro for CTop-up deal PTI MUMBAI, JUNE 17

Mobile technology solutions provider, Pyro, today said it has won the contract from BSNL for implementing its Ctop-up solution on BSNL's Network, now on a pan-India basis.

BSNL is one of the leading telecom operators in India with over 60-million pre-paid and post-paid mobile customers.

Through Pyro's Ctop-up solution, BSNL's GSM and CDMA customers will be able to electronically recharge their prepaid account through BSNL's chain of over 1-million retailers as well as through BSNL's website, a press release issued here said.

Being a highly scalable platform, the system is technologically well equipped to handle the demands of the fast-growing Indian mobile market for the next 5-years, it said.

"We are pleased to have won the tender to offer PAN India Ctop-up solution to BSNL," Pyro's Chief Executive Officer, S M Reddy, said.

All eyes on RIL; Mukesh to unveil growth plans today PTI NEW DELHI, JUNE 17

Within days of a truce with younger brother Anil, Asia's richest man Mukesh Ambani will address shareholders of Reliance Industries tomorrow and is expected to announce mega investment plans, possibly in power and telecom sectors.

The cash-rich company has its options open to enter telecom, power and finance sectors that were hitherto no-go areas as spelt out in a separation agreement between the two brothers on June 18, 2005.

But, the non-compete pact was scrapped last month as part of a truce reached shortly after the Supreme Court ver-

dict denying cheap gas to Anil Ambani-led RNRL from Mukesh-run RIL on the basis of a family agreement.

The bonhomie has also led to speculation that RIL may pick minority equity in three companies, including Reliance Communications, led by Anil and that younger Ambani, along with his wife Tina and mother Kokilaben, would at-

tend the RIL AGM tomorrow.

Mukesh, 53, may use his address to RIL shareholders at Mumbai's Birla Matoshree auditorium, the first after the Supreme Court judgment on the bitter gas dispute, to spell out how the USD 2-3 billion of surplus cash the company is generating every year will be put to use.

Friday also marks five years to the day since matriarch Kokilaben Ambani brought about a family settlement, dividing the Reliance group empire between the two brothers.

What is keenly watched is whether Mukesh will make any comments on the dispute over pricing and supply of gas from RIL's KG-D6 fields to Anil Ambani Group's power plants.

Double-digit inflation a worry: RBI PTI MUMBAI, JUNE 17

The RBI today said that high inflation is a cause of worry for the central bank and it is willing to take policy actions as per the changing economic environment.

"Double-digit inflation is a cause of worry more than the external factors...it is not out of our estimates. If things change fast, there will be more measures depending upon the environment...

"The message is already there that we are moving from the accommodative policy. I cannot say when this will happen," RBI Deputy Governor K C Chakrabarty told reporters on the sidelines of a seminar here.

Wholesale prices based inflation provisionally rose to 10.16 per cent in May, entering double digits for the first time in nearly 20 months, and put pressure on the central bank to hike its policy rates.

Earlier this week, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said food inflation -- which is fuelling overall inflation – has started coming down a little bit and expected it to ease with a good monsoon and crop.

Food inflation stood at 16.12

per cent as of June 5. "So far as the monetary part is concerned, the Reserve Bank will look into it, will consider it," Mukherjee had said, indicating that RBI may tighten money supply even before its scheduled July 27 review of the monetary policy.

The Central Bank has already twice this year raised key pol-

icy rates to check food inflation from spreading to manufactured goods.

Asked whether the European financial crisis will weigh on RBI's policy decisions, Chakrabarty said while external shocks can claim some adverse impact on the economy, the RBI is more focused on containing high inflation in the

Food inflation declines PTI NEW DELHI, JUNE 17

Food inflation dropped marginally to 16.12 per cent for the week ended June 5 raising hopes that prices might go down further as indicated by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

A 0.62 percentage point decline in food inflation over 16.74 per cent in the previous reporting week would also ease pressure on the Reserve Bank to take immediate policy measures to tame rising prices.

The food inflation declined mainly due to softening of prices of fruits, vegetables and tea.

Mukherjee, earlier in the week, had expressed the hope that food prices would decline by mid-July in view of the likelihood of a good monsoon.

Monsoon accounts for 80 per cent of the annual rains the country receives. Nearly 60 per cent of area under cultivation is rain fed.

PNB aims to earn foreign revenue PTI HYDERABAD, JUNE 17

The country’s second largest public sector lender Punjab National Bank is on an international expansion spree to increase foreign revenue share.

According to Bank's Chairman and Managing Director K R Kamath, the bank aims to double the revenue from international operation by 2013.

The bank is set to raise USD 100 million loan to meet the expansion plans.

"Our foreign revenue contribution stands at three per cent.

We want to make it six per cent by 2013," Kamath told reporters here today.

The bank would be opening a subsidiary in Canada and a representative office in Sydney, Australia, besides upgrading its representative offices in

China and Norway. The bank also set to pick up 64 per cent stake JSC Dana Bank in Kazakhstan.

Presently the PNB operates in nine countries, with branches at Kabul, Dubai and Hong Kong, representative offices at Almaty, Dubai, Shanghai and Oslo, a wholly-owned subsidiary in the UK, a joint venture with Everest Bank in Nepal and Druk PNB Bank in Bhutan.

"It is very difficult to open a bank on foreign soil. It requires lot of capital. So we decided to acquire controlling stake. We want to tap market in that region before someone else does that," the banker said.

The bank will be spending close to USD 24 million to acquire the stake in the Kazak bank.

Banks should not take excessive risks’ PTI MUMBAI, JUNE 17

Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council Chairman C Rangarajan today said that banks should be discouraged from excessive risk taking to ensure a healthy financial system.

"There is no argument that the regulatory regime needs to be restructured...Excessive risk taking and leveraging by banks need to be discouraged by appropriate regulatory measures or controls," Rangarajan said at a seminar organized by Skoch Foundation.

Rangarajan also called for improvement in the country's corporate-bond market saying that this will help even small companies to raise adequate funds.

Buffett, Gates ask rich Americans to donate half their wealth PTI NEW YORK, JUNE 17

Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, two of the wealthiest people in the world, are urging rich Americans to pledge at least half of their wealth to charities.

Legendary investor Buffett along with Microsoft founder Bill Gates and his wife Melinda Gates are leading an initiative asking wealthy Americans to commit majority of their wealth for philanthropy.

"Now, Bill and Melinda Gates and I are asking hundreds of rich Americans to pledge at

least 50 per cent of their wealth to charity," Buffett has written in a letter titled 'My Philanthropic Pledge'.

The letter was posted on the website of 'The Giving Pledge' initiative, being led by the three of them. The US has more than 400 billionaires, according to the Forbes magazine.

Well known for his wise investment decisions, the 79-year-old Buffett is the chairman of conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway that has invested in diverse companies.

Sensex closes 154 points up PTI MUMBAI, JUNE 17

Extending its gains for the seventh consecutive session today, the benchmark Sensex closed 154 points higher on heavy buying at RIL and L&T counters, supported by firm European cues.

The Bombay Stock Exchange's 30-share barometer, which was inching upwards during the first half of the session, spurted after European stocks edged higher and closed at 17,616.69, up 153.82 points, or 0.88 per cent.

In the afternoon session, the Sensex took a hit and touched a low of 17,394.90 on rumours that a US brokerage firm has filed a USD 1 billion law suit against ICICI Bank. However, it recovered shortly thereafter as European markets opened in the positive.

BUFFET

GATES

"More than 99 per cent of my wealth will go to philanthropy during my lifetime or at death. Measured by dollars, this commitment is large. In a Aban Offshor, 712, 737.45, 707, 730.8 Abb Ltd., 857.55, 867, 857.55, 865.55 Abg Shipyard, 253.5, 258.8, 252.55, 255.45 Acc Limited, 864, 872.6, 857.05, 865.45 Adani Enterp, 541, 549.4, 540.45, 545.5 Aditya Birla, 770, 778.65, 761.25, 765.25 Allahabad Ba, 162.5, 162.5, 159.75, 162 Alstom Proje, 596, 605.05, 590.2, 600.1 Ambuja Cemen, 116.7, 117.4, 115.5, 117 Andhra Bank, 136.1, 136.65, 131.75, 133.6 Ashok Leylan, 62.8, 62.9, 60.8, 61.95 Asian Paints, 2335, 2398, 2305, 2368.35 Axis Bank Li, 1220, 1223, 1191.95, 1215 Bajaj Hindus, 114.5, 117.9, 113.45, 115.9 Bank Of Baro, 729, 729.5, 711.5, 714.25 Bank Of Indi, 330, 332.7, 325.15, 326.1 Beml Limited, 1006.5, 1020, 1001.25, 1013.75 Bharat Elect, 1836, 1844, 1809.75, 1816.7 Bharat Forge, 280.5, 284.5, 276.5, 283.75 Bharat Petro, 539, 542.95, 533.1, 535.4 Bharti Airte, 266.1, 269.5, 263.4, 267.1 Bhel, 2395.05, 2395.15, 2361.2, 2382.75

comparative sense, though, many individuals give more to others every day," the billionaire investor said.

In 2006, Buffett had pledged

Bhushan Stee, 1360, 1385, 1360, 1374.9 Biocon Limit, 313, 316.2, 308.45, 310.65 Bombay Dyein, 510.05, 515.9, 501.65, 504.85 Bosch Limite, 5550, 5784.9, 5512.1, 5578.25 Brigade Ente, 137.6, 140, 137, 138 Cairn India, 310, 310.1, 305, 306.8 Canara Bank, 425.5, 426, 418, 420.2 Central Bank, 145, 146, 143.15, 144.3 Century Text, 460, 462.85, 452.65, 458.2 Cesc Ltd, 380.1, 394.9, 380.1, 386.95 Chambal Fert, 63.7, 63.7, 62.4, 62.65 Chennai Petr, 250, 250.95, 242.1, 242.9 Cipla Ltd, 334, 336.25, 329.25, 334.65 Colgate Palm, 849, 849, 821, 823.25 Container Co, 1314.9, 1317, 1266, 1268.4 Crompton Gre, 257, 263.5, 254.1, 260.15 Cummins Indi, 594.7, 614, 590.1, 606.8 Dabur India, 190.95, 192, 188.05, 189.55 Deccan Chron, 131.25, 131.25, 126.4, 128.15 Dish Tv Indi, 43.5, 43.85, 42.65, 43.35 Divi’s Labor, 765, 779.8, 762, 770.05

to give all the stocks he owns in Berkshire Hathaway to philanthropic foundations.

Buffett said he has already distributed about 20 per cent of his Berkshire shares and would continue to "annually distribute about 4 per cent the shares I retain".

"At the latest, the proceeds from all of my Berkshire shares will be expended for philanthropic purposes by 10 years after my estate is settled.

"Nothing will go to endowments; I want the money spent on current needs," the letter noted.

Dlf Limited, 278, 284.8, 275, 283 Dr. reddy’s, 1427.8, 1427.8, 1408.5, 1423.45 Edelweiss Ca, 428.9, 431.8, 420, 420.3 Educomp Solu, 530, 532.7, 518.05, 520.05 Eih Limited, 117.05, 122, 114.5, 119.6 Engineers In, 326.25, 328.9, 320.15, 323.1 Essar Oil Lt, 128, 129.4, 126.6, 127.7 Essar Shippi, 85, 91.45, 84.05, 89.1 Exide Indust, 125, 130.5, 125, 129.9 Federal Bank, 318.05, 326.55, 316.65, 323.05 Financial Te, 1313, 1334, 1304.05, 1313.7 Gail (india), 465.6, 476.8, 462.05, 475.15 Gammon India, 202, 208.8, 201.1, 203 Glaxosmithkl, 2098, 2117.3, 2071.8, 2096.7 Glenmark Pha, 271, 273, 268.25, 271.8 Gmr Infrastr, 56.45, 57.1, 56.15, 56.8 Godrej Indus, 154.25, 155.45, 151.4, 153.05 Grasim Indus, 1800, 1807, 1774.35, 1781 Great Offsho, 449.5, 449.5, 441.3, 447.4 Gtl Infra.Lt, 43, 43.9, 41.8, 42.4 Gujarat Mine, 128, 129.35, 125.4, 127 Gujarat N R, 59.5, 63.45, 58.9, 62.85

Gujarat Stat, 94, 95.4, 93.35, 94.2 Gvk Pow. & I, 40, 45.3, 40, 44.7 Hcl Technolo, 382.45, 390, 375, 385.65 Hdfc Bank Lt, 1983, 1999, 1968.05, 1996.1 Hdfc Ltd, 2848, 2956.95, 2848, 2932.75 Hero Honda M, 2005.55, 2010, 1970, 1983.75 Hindalco in, 145.95, 147.8, 142.35, 146.75 Hindustan Co, 117.5, 118, 114.8, 115.65 Hindustan Ma, 72.8, 73.9, 70.25, 71.3 Hindustan Pe, 345, 347.15, 341.2, 343.95 Hindustan Un, 255, 256.7, 248.55, 253 Hindustan Zi, 1015.75, 1021.5, 999, 1011.1 Housing Dev, 246, 248.85, 240.7, 246.3 Icici Bank L, 878, 891.9, 846, 883.85 Idea Cellula, 55.45, 55.9, 54.3, 54.7 Ifci Ltd, 54, 54.95, 53.7, 54.45 India Cement, 112.5, 114.25, 112.35, 113.35 India Infoli, 97, 99.2, 95.7, 97.1 Indiabulls F, 133.6, 141.65, 132, 139.45 Indiabulls R, 150, 150.7, 146.7, 149.9 Indian Bank, 226.05, 228.45, 218.55, 225.55 Indian Hotel, 101.65, 101.95, 99.35, 99.7

This year, Gates and Buffett were ranked as the world's second and third richest people, respectively, by the Forbes, which pegged Gates' wealth at USD 53 billion and Buffett's at USD 47 billion.

Buffett said the pledge to donate wealth would not affect his and his children's lives.

"They (children) have already received significant sums for their personal use and will receive more in the future....I will continue to live in a manner that gives me everything that I could possibly want in life," he wrote in the letter.

Indian Oil C, 334, 338, 330.05, 337.25 Indian Overs, 97.8, 102.5, 97.3, 101.85 Indus Dev Ba, 117.1, 117.8, 116, 116.7 Indusind Ban, 189.25, 195.1, 187.55, 192.65 Infosys Tech, 2776, 2783.8, 2736, 2764.85 Infra. dev., 162, 164.9, 160.05, 164.35 Ispat Indust, 17.3, 17.85, 17.2, 17.7 Itc Ltd, 291, 296.9, 289.15, 293.9 Ivrcl Infras, 182, 183.85, 180.15, 181.85 Jai Corp Lim, 267.85, 269.75, 261.2, 262.45 Jaiprakash A, 127, 131, 126.5, 130.3 Jet Airways, 524.2, 524.2, 507.5, 511.15 Jindal Saw L, 200, 204.9, 197.3, 201.8 Jindal Steel, 655.6, 669.6, 648.05, 665.5 Jsw Steel Li, 1057.4, 1062, 1036.5, 1049.1 Kotak Mahind, 759.75, 775.95, 753.1, 772.8 Lakshmi Mach, 1820, 2064.9, 1815, 2009.6 Lanco Infrat, 69.25, 69.5, 66.5, 68 Larsen & Tou, 1720, 1782, 1711, 1777 Lic Housing, 1004, 1007.3, 991, 999.15 Lupin Limite, 1880, 1899, 1867, 1879.9 Mahanagar Te, 61.5, 65.6, 61.15, 64.35 Mahindra & M, 625, 641.2, 625, 634.7

economy.

"International situation is not that volatile. Something has happened in Europe, it has not happened in US. It has some adverse implications. But I think more than that the domestic inflation will definitely be a matter of worry," Chakrabarty said.

The RBI, which started exiting its accommodative stance in October last year, is set to announce its quarterly review of the annual monetary policy on July 27 and is widely expected to hike its repo, and reverse repo rates on or before policy to check inflation.

Moving ahead, the apex bank's policy measures will depend on the economic environment and buying back of G-secs, announced last evening, was a part of the apex bank's efforts to ensure adequate cash flow in the market, he said.

RBI, yesterday, said that the government will prematurely buy back three types of bonds worth up to Rs 20,000 crore beginning Friday, as liquidity has come under pressure due to much higher 3G and broadband spectrum licence fees, and the first quarter advance tax.

RCom launches MobileNet PTI MUMBAI, JUNE 17

As a part of its value-added service offerings to its customers, private telecom operator, Reliance Communications, today launched a single data plan, MobileNet, which claims to provide hassle-free Internet access.

Through MobileNet, RCOM GSM and Reliance Telecom Limited (RTL) subscribers can now avail GPRS through multiple channels such as self-care (RWorld, SMS, USSD), erecharge, paper voucher, Internet, etc, a press release said here. Presently, RCom GSM/RTL subscribers can avail GPRS services through mobile, using different APN like RCom Wap (via RWorld) and connect phone to PC/ laptop /modem to browse internet using RCom Net (via NetConnect charges applicable).

"MobileNet GPRS plans will give customers Internet access on mobile as well PC/Laptop. The customer can use the MobileNet to access information, services and entertainment, much the same way as that on a PC," RCom Head (VAS), Anil Pande, said.

PoweR STRuGGLe iN AMuL’S PAReNT Co Chairman can't accept MD's resignation: GCMMF directors PTI VADODARA, JUNE 17

At least nine of the 13 directors of the Rs 8,000-crore Gujarat Cooperatives Milk Marketing Federation which markets Amul products, have questioned powers of the Federation Chairman Parthi Bhatol to accept resignation of Managing Director B M Vyas.

The directors on board of GCMMF from the affiliated dairies of the Federation, during a meeting held here yesterday, said the power to accept resignation of the Managing Director only vests with the board of directors and not with the Chairman.

The meeting was presided over by Ramsinh Parmar, Chairman of Kheda District Cooperative Milk Dairy, which also owns the brand Amul.

"All the directors have decided to submit a memorandum to Bhatol demanding convening of meeting of the Board of Directors for discussing Vyas's resignation," one of the Directors said on condition of anonymity.

According to one of these directors only three directors from Banaskantha, Ahmedabad and Panchmahals milk dairies cooperative union were absent

Maruti Suzuk, 1369, 1387, 1356.5, 1379.75 Max India Lt, 162.75, 164.5, 160.55, 161.85 Maytas Infr., 212.5, 221.3, 211.6, 216.45 Moser-baer (, 62.9, 62.9, 61.4, 62.25 Mrpl, 68.9, 70.05, 68.05, 69.25 Nagarjuna Co, 187, 190.9, 184.4, 189.4 Nagarjuna Fe, 30.4, 30.4, 29.75, 29.95 National Alu, 437, 446, 433.05, 435.7 Neyveli Lign, 155, 156.9, 154.1, 156.45 Ntpc Ltd, 201, 201.25, 198.2, 199.75 Oil And Natu, 1163, 1189.9, 1161, 1186.05 Omaxe Limite, 95.5, 97.8, 95, 96.25 Oriental Ban, 328.7, 336, 328.15, 333.05 Pantaloon Re, 422, 422, 415, 417.1 Parsvnath De, 125.95, 127.25, 125, 126.6 Petronet Lng, 80, 81.4, 78.1, 78.9 Power Fin Co, 293.5, 294.85, 287.25, 291.7 Power Grid C, 102.65, 103.35, 102.25, 102.85 Praj Industr, 79.7, 81.6, 78.7, 81.2 Punj Lloyd L, 127.9, 128.6, 125.7, 126.15 Punjab Natio, 1033, 1039.65, 1025.25, 1033.85

during the meeting held on Wednesday.

Majority of directors on federation board have opposed acceptance of resignation of Vyas by the Chairman, he said.

"Bhatol knows about it and that is why he is avoiding to convene board of directors meeting. We will not allow him to succeed in his "sinister design" and compel him to convene the meeting as per the cooperative Act," the director said.

Vyas had refused to step down from his post until the board accepted his resignation, which was tendered several days ago.

The move resulted into a showdown of sorts between GCMMF Chairman Bhatol and Vyas when the former asked the latter to step down. Vyas had handed over his resignation to Bhatol.

When Bhatol had called Vyas to his office last week, Vyas had refused to accept the Chairman's orders saying only the board could take a call on his resignation.

Several directors of the board want Bhatol to step down while he is determined to complete his second term, the board of director said.

Rajesh Expor, 77.75, 80.8, 77.65, 80.05 Ranbaxy Labs, 434.9, 444.5, 431.1, 442.7 Rashtriya Ch, 84.5, 85.5, 83, 83.75 Rel. nat. re, 68, 69.2, 66.75, 67.85 Reliance Cap, 755, 767.7, 749, 764.25 Reliance Com, 188.5, 193.35, 186.5, 191.7 Reliance Ene, 896, 906.96, 896, 902.92 Reliance Ind, 1004, 1032.7, 995.5, 1006.8 Reliance Ind, 1063.3, 1077, 1058.3, 1071.4 Reliance Pow, 175.05, 177.75, 173.1, 176 Rolta India, 168, 168, 165.25, 167.05 Satyam Compu, 87.3, 88.4, 85.75, 86.95 Sesa Goa Ltd, 354.5, 363.95, 346.5, 360.05 Shipping Cor, 163.85, 166.5, 163.3, 165.1 Sintex Indus, 295.25, 298, 286, 294.9 Sobha Develo, 296, 296.7, 285.75, 289 State Bank O, 2359, 2362, 2323.55, 2350.85 Steel Author, 198.5, 199.35, 196.5, 197.95 Sterlite Ind, 691.5, 698.9, 682.2, 694.85 Sun Pharmace, 1705.9, 1720, 1685, 1698.75 Sun Tv Netwo, 404, 405.5, 400.25, 402.4 Suzlon Energ, 57.5, 58.2, 56.5, 57.45

Tata Communi, 259.9, 265.75, 258.1, 260 Tata Consult, 777, 784.8, 763.7, 775.3 Tata Motors, 784, 805.5, 775, 802.2 Tata Power C, 1256.4, 1276, 1250, 1261.1 Tata Steel L, 486, 486.95, 476.45, 480.95 Tata Tea Ltd, 1128, 1158.8, 1121, 1144.4 Tata Teleser, 23, 23.4, 22.15, 22.85 Tech Mahindr, 725, 748, 725, 743.95 The Ge Shpg., 293.55, 295.9, 291, 293.85 The Phoenix, 215, 223.75, 214.75, 220.25 Thermax Ltd, 728, 729, 695.15, 710.35 Tv18 India L, 90.9, 91.15, 88.4, 90.85 Uco Bank, 80.8, 80.8, 78.6, 79.5 Ultratech Ce, 981, 994.9, 975, 982.85 Union Bank O, 306.5, 311.85, 304.3, 310.7 Unitech Ltd, 70.9, 70.9, 69.05, 70.2 United Phosp, 187.1, 194.2, 186, 189.5 Videocon Ind, 202.1, 203.7, 200.2, 202.1 Vijaya Bank, 57, 63.1, 57, 61.95 Voltas Ltd, 184, 190.65, 182, 188.8 Wipro Ltd, 409.6, 415.9, 403.2, 413.4 Yes Bank Lim, 279.45, 285.9, 279.05, 284.2 Zee Entertai, 303, 304.6, 298, 300.7

SPORTS

HE RA LD

Pg13­

GOA, Friday, 18 June, 2010

Lanka set sights on final l Take on Bangladesh today AGENCIES DAMBULLA, JUNE 17

Defending champions Sri Lanka will look to crush a beleaguered Bangladesh and enhance their chances of making the Asia Cup final when the two sides clash in Dambulla on Friday.

Four-time champions Lanka, who defeated Pakistan by 16 runs in their first outing on Tuesday, need one more victory to TODAY’A MATCH Sri Lanka v. Bangladesh, Dambulla, 14.30 IST virtually qualify for the June 24 summit clash.

For Bangladesh, tomorrow's clash has become a do-or-die contest as they are coming into the match after a six-wicket defeat against India and one more drubbing would be enough to spell their ouster.

Given their potential and the advantage of playing in home conditions, Sri Lanka are not likely to be troubled by Shakib Al Hasan's team.

Their bowlers, especially paceman Lasith Malinga are in superb form and a formidable batting line up makes them an outright favourite against the Asian minnows.

Considering that they are in the process of building the nucleus of their side for the 2011 World Cup, the defending champions would be tempted to play Suraj Randiv instead of the wily Muttiah Muralitharan, who was savaged by Pakistan skipper

Kumar Sangakara and Stuart Law during a training session in Dambulla on Thursday.

Shahid Afridi the other day.

Muralitharan bled 71 runs from his 10 overs, conceding as many as five sixes to Afridi, who made a blistering 76-ball 109, his first ODI century in four years.

Lanka could also possibly seek a change for Farveez Maharoof who looked far from impressive on his comeback. He failed with both ball and bat, apart from struggling to come down on the ball in the outfield.

Kumar Sangakarra has only

Oratory in semis HERALD REPORTER VASCO, JUNE 17

Don Bosco Oratory, Fatorda edged out Clube Sao Minguel de Taleigao 2-1 in an exciting quarter-final match to enter the semif i n a l s o f 3 7 t h B a n d o d ka r Memorial Soccer Tournament organized by Baina Sports Club at MPT ground, here on Thursday.

There was no score at the lemon break with a fine brace by enthusiastic Wilson Dias coming in the 42nd and 45th minutes.

Valente Silva, who operated from the right flank was instrumental in feeding Wilson on both occasions.

Substitute Gautam Kankonkar reduced the margin for Taleigao in the 52nd minute due to a defensive lapse past bewildered Don Bosco keeper Agnelo Furtado after Thomson Fernandes had done the spadework for Taleigao.

Don Bosco dominated the first half and missed the target on a couple of occasion as their forwards forced three corner kicks in quick succession. It was Taleigao keeper Jose Godinho

who thwarted Don Bosco Oratary’s Valente Silva, Benny Dias and Wilson Dias attempts.

After the change of ends Valente Silva, Benny Dias, Cliff Barreto and Wilson Dias moved in tandem in the Taleigao area and Oratory went into the lead through Wilson off a pass from Valente.

Three minutes later, again after accepting a long pass from Valente, Wilson completed the brace, as the ball was deflected

by Jose Godinho.

Taleigao lads fought back and were rewarded after Thomson Fernandes sent a pass to substitute Gautam Kankonkar who took advantage of a defensive lapse and shot home to reduce the margin.

Valente Silva of Don Bosco Oratory was given the man-ofthe match award at the hands of Navnath P. Naik, secretary, Baina Sports Club.

There will be no match on Friday. On Saturday, Saligao Sporting Club will clash with Nagoa Sporting Club in the third quarter final.

Chhavy, Austin awarded WSKF black belts

Austin Varella, Chhavy Sirohi, Joseph Rodrigues, Eunice D’Sa, principal, Sharada Mandir Junior School, Oscar Gonsalves, administrator, Sharada Mandir School and Nirmala Rebello, principal, Sharada Mandir High School.

HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, JUNE 17

Chhavy Sirohi and Austin Varella, Std VII students of Sharada Mandir School, Mira Mar, and trainees of Goa Shotokan Karate Do were awarded 1st degree

black belts at the 11th WSKFI camp and championship at Khandala, Maharashtra.

Chhavy and Austin were coached by sensei Joseph Rodrigues, 4th dan black belt, WSKF Japan.

Karnataka too good for Goa HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, JUNE 17

Goa U-19 went down fighting 0-3 to Karnataka in Dr. B.C Roy U-19 junior nationals second round at Mohan Bagan ground, Kolkata on Thursday. Karnataka led 2-0 at the breather.

Karnataka found the net thrice, taking their goal tally to a n i m p re s s i v e 3 0 i n f o u r matches without conceding a single goal.

Karnataka took the lead after just 10 minutes and Goa found themselves down by two goals within 20 minutes, not for the first time in this tournament.

Early in the second half Goa midfielder Jesvil D'Souza went out injured and was replaced by Lyndon Pereira.

Goa continued to push forward for a goal but with no luck and eight minutes from the end Karnataka put the result beyond doubt scoring their third.

Speaking to Herald, coach Lino Pereira said, "We have played four full 90-minute matches in the last seven days and this has clearly taken its toll on the players. We will regroup and come back stronger."

In the other match, Meghalaya lost 1-2 to Uttrakhand.

these aspects to look into, his Bangladesh counterpart has far too many issues to address. Not surprisingly Shakib Al Hasan has called on his boys to perform as a unit.

"We played well as individuals but not as a team. That is an area we need to improve on a lot," Shakib had said after Bangladesh's six-wicket defeat against India.

Emphasising on the need to unite and perform as a team, a visibly perturbed Shakib said,

"We need to climb one step ahead and put team performances together, only then can we win some games. That is the main area we have to concentrate on."

Shakib was happy with the performance of his openers, but was dissatisfied with the middle order batsmen who struggled against the Indian spinners. He was hoping that this could be sorted out at the team meeting before the match against Sri Lanka.

Davorlim edge past PY Nuvem HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, JUNE 17

Sporting Club of Davorlim huffed and puffed before gett i n g t h e b e t t e r o f Pa r i s h Youth of Nuvem 4-3 via the tie-breaker to enter the finals of 18th Super Soccer tournament organised by United Boys of Dando – Colva at St John Baptist ground, Dando – Benaulim on T h u r s d a y. T h e r e w a s n o score at the end of the regulation time.

Davorlim had a lion share of the exchanges with striker Venson Figueiredo and Rosebud Gomes troubling the Parish Youth defence with well-orchestrated raids. They tested the rival goalkeeper with snap shots but these yielded no results.

At the other end, Parish Youth tried to unsettle their opponents with Jose Colaco using the flanks.

Parish Youth came close to surging ahead but Joe Colaco muffed easy scoring chances with only the rival goalkeeper at his mercy as he ball o o n e d o v e r f ro m c l o s e range.

The second session saw the battle becoming livelier with both teams going all out in search of the elusive matchwinner.

In the tie-breaker, Rosebud Gomes, Bonnie Niasso, Venson Figueiredo and Jose Gomes were on target for Sporting Club of Davorlim.

Jose Colaco, Steven Baretto and Queitero Pango converted for Parish Youth.

Gouramangi in Melbourne HERALD CORRESPONDENT MELBOURNE, JUNE 17

After a a long visa delay, Gouramangi, after getting the all-clear from the Australian High Commission, finally reached Melbourne for his much awaited trial with Melbourne Heart FC. Gouramangi witnessed Melbounre Heart FC play a friendly match against a local club team which the Hearts won by a comfortable 3-1 margin.

Gouramangi will have his first session with the club tomorrow morning where he will join the team in some light training.

While Saturday will be a rest day, there will be another session on Sunday. The team will then depart for a week long camp to Gold Coast where Gouramangi will get the opportunity to test his skills against A-League team Brisbane Roar in a friendly. ‘’ I am looking to impress the coaches tomorrow," said Gouramangi ahead of his trial tomorrow, according to Lyndon Miranda.

Goa Ranji team HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, JUNE 17

Following players have been selected by Goa Cricket association (GCA) for the senior State Ranji team for the 2010-11 season.

Swapnil Asnodkar, Shadab Jakati, S.Sriram, Ajay Ratra, Robin D’Souza, Saurabh Bandekar, Rahul Keni, Amit Yadhav, Sherbahadur Yadhav, Advaith Katkar, Sahil Dhuri, Vaibhav Naik, Reagan Pinto, Anoop Kolambkar, Vidyadhar Kamat, Harshad Gadekar, Madhu Kamat, Vivian Castellino, Ninad Pawaskar, Rohith Asnodkar, Ryan D’Souza, Buddhadev Mangaldas, Aniket Dessai, Sagun Kamat, Rupesh Sarvankar and Hemant Shetgaonkar.

Players have been asked to attend the camp from July 1 at Indoor Academy, Porvorim at 2.30 p.m. and present two photographs. Details may be obtained from the GCA office.

18th Super Soccer semis: Betalbatim Sporting Club v.

United Boys of Dando – Colva, St John Baptist ground, Dando – Benaulim, 4.30 p.m.

Goa boys, girls triumph l Junior National Tennis Ball Cricket

HERALD CORRESPONDENT FAIZABAD, JUNE 17

Goa boys and girls emerged champions at 18th Junior National Tennis Ball Cricket Championships at Ambedkar Stadium, here on Thursday.

Goa boys defeated Chhattisgarh in the finals. Chhattisgarh scored 45 for 7 wickets in 10 overs. Tek Bahadur 3 wickets, Sarvesh Gaude 2. In reply, Goa scored the required runs in 7.3 overs. Mohsin Shaikh 17, Saiesh Shirgaokar 12. Man-of-the final:Tek Bahadur.

In the semis,Goa defeated Punjab. Goa 67 in 10 overs.

Mohsin Shaikh 42, Atish Sawant 13. Punjab 41 in 7.5 overs. Tek Bahadur 4 wickets, Rahul Satarkar 2. Man-of-the match: Mohsin Shaikh.

Earlier , Goa defeated Pondicherry (pre-quarters) and Maharashtra (quarter-finals).

Goa girls defeated Chhattisgarh in the finals. Chhattisgarh

49 in 8 overs. Dhanshree Gaude 2 wickets. Goa scored the required runs in 4.1 overs.

Dhanashree Gaude 24 not out, Dahanashree Naik 11. Girl-of the final Dhanshree Gaude.

In the semis, Goa beat West Bengal. Goa scored the highest score of the championship - 92 runs in 8 overs. Melissa 29, Dhanshree Naik 29. West Bengal 54 in 8 overs. Melissa Dias 2 wickets, Sharmila 2. Girl-of-the match Melissa Dias.

Earlier, Goa girls had defeated Rajasthan in the quarter-finals.

In all, 27 boys and 17 girls teams took part.

Goa boys and girls were runner-up in the last 17th championships held in Dehradun.

Home Minister, Ravi Naik, Dr. Susana De Souza , Diretor of Sports and Youth Affairs, V.M.Prabhudessai, ED, SAG, Bruno Coutinho, Jt. Director SAG, Kanta Naik, Ropesh Naik, Uday Dangui, Zogusso Naik of

Merces and other members of GTBCA, SAG coaches have congratulated the teams on their superb showing.

The teams were trained by Ajinkya Naik and Nilesh Naik of SAG .

The teams will return on June 20 at 7 a.m.

Pak match crucial: Gambhir AGENCIES DAMBULLA, JUNE 17

India opener Gautam Gambhir said their next Asia Cup fixture against arch-rivals Pakistan in Dambulla on Saturday will be a battle of nerves and the team which will handle pressure better on the given day will come out triumphant.

"It is going to be a do-or-die match for Pakistan. In situations like these they are quite unpredictable. Whoever holds their nerve will win that game," Gambhir said.

Sports

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GOA’S HEARTBEAT

Education

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is a bane. We are all but “Communalism one and the same - Anonymous

“

Relationships

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dis sarona, vauradeak “ Allxeak rath pavona - Anonymous

“

Lifestyle

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Romance of Tourism

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Pg14

Picnic in the Rains Though sanctuaries, lakes, waterfalls and springs make ideal picnic spots, with the sunny weather behind us, heading outdoors seems out-of-question. This International Picnic Day, June 18, Herald finds out whether bad weather should kill a picnicker’s spirit

between Two Heavenly Abodes

BY CHRISTINA VIEGAS HERALD FEATURES here is an element of romance when you spot a hip Goan girl being escorted into a houseboat, on the dreamy Dal Lake, by a Kashmiri photographer draped in his intriguing Pathani suit. In minutes, she’s out dressed in the traditional Kashmiri outfit, replete with the traditional footwear and jewellery, all ready to strike a pose for the Kashmiri lad. There is laughter, camaraderie and unspoken bonding. So what, if both speak different languages, eat different food, dress differently and follow different routes to one Almighty? There is just one vital aspect to this magical moment: tremendous human bonding!

Yes, a group of youngsters from Goa have holidayed in Srinagar to discover that the Kashmiris are absolutely hospitable, helpful, hardworking and just like you and me in every aspect. Businessman Gilbert Fernandes enlightens, “They were so warm and hospitable and went out of their way to help us in enjoying our holiday. They welcome tourists with open arms as they rely largely on tourism for generating a sound income.

They are craving for a financially sound life. They are happy that 90 per cent of the tourists come from states all over India. Only 10 per cent come in from other countries. They happily told us, ‘Who needs the foreigners when we have the Indians coming in?’.”

Listening to the various means through which they generate income through tourism is interesting. We are told that the ideal place to live in is not in a hotel room but in an exotic houseboat on the Dal lake. Gilbert informs, “The tourists shell out anything between Rs 1,500 to 3,000 for a double-occupancy room on the houseboat, exclusively for lodging. It is heavenly to live in one. And then there is expenditure on food, travel, sightseeing, shopping etc.” Expounding further he says, “All the trading is carried out on boats on the lake.

You will see supermarkets on boats, sale of vegetables and fruits, Kashmiri items like shawls, linen, handicrafts etc, sold on the boats plying the lake.” Weaving an element of mystery, Gilbert says, “In fact, one morning, just as it was day break, a young flower seller was calling out from his boat saying he had exquisite flowers and seeds and an album which had documentation of the various flowers.”

Doesn’t that sound dreamlike?

There is good revenue also got from the boat taxis which ferry tourists from their houseboats to other boats or to land. Even the photographers ply around on their small houseboats encouraging tourists to dress in the traditional Kashmiri outfits for instant pictures.

An adventurous appendage to the holiday was a ride up the mountains in Gulmarg. Gilbert enlightens, “We traveled in cable cars right up to the mountains. Though we went in the summer, it was freezing up there. It was an awesome sight to see so much of skiing and frolicking around in sleighs between the Kashmirs and tourists.”

Interestingly, the cable cars are procured from the same company in France which supplies cable cars to Switzerland. Gilbert informs, “That way, safety standards are first class.” Another beautiful feature of the valley is the number of lush green, flowering gardens and parks.

Here again, people turn out in large numbers with their families.

Quiz our Goans about the scrumptious Kashmiri cuisine and we are told, “The cuisine is called ‘Wazwan’. There are ample mouth-watering dishes. A lot of Basmati rice forms their staple diet and this is incorporated in their various ‘pulaos’ and other rice preparations.”

T

Tourism

email us at: goasheartbeat@herald-goa.com

Friday, 18 June, 2010

What happens when lovely people from two lovely states meet?

There is a song in the air, only the two can hear. Herald chats with a handful of Goans who holidayed in Kashmir to debunk the myths that surround the intriguing Kashmiris

Travel

­H­O­R­O­S­C­O­P­E News about a health concern will make this a positive day. Focus on living well. You need to (21 Mar – 19 Apr) deal with a few too many details today -- it may be kind of a nightmare! The good news is that your mental energy is up for a challenge, so roll up your sleeves and get to work.

Your powers of perception are impressive -share your keen insight completely. Your friends (23 Sep – 22 Oct) need you to listen today -- so hold on to that good advice, no matter how much you think they need it. By tomorrow, you should be able to come back to them with a fully formed plan.

Are you showing them all the affection you feel?

Holding hands isn't just for kids! Your affection for (20 Apr – 20 May) your friends is really showing today -- so much so that you may accidentally find yourself flirting with someone you shouldn't be! Walk it back with a smile or a shrug.

Secrets are potentially explosive information -treat the one you hold with care. Confide in a (23 Oct – 21 Nov) friend today -- even if your secret is really just a dumb old story. Sometimes bonding involves shared risk, and letting them in on your past even a little can be a very big deal.

Don't have a hard time communicating with family. Just remember they love you. Your good (21 May – 21 Jun) advice is all loaded and ready to go -- now you just need a target! Kids are obvious choices, but you've probably got a few needy friends in reserve for helping out now and then.

Dealing with authority is hard, especially when they know less than you. Be safe. You have (22 Nov – 21 Dec) to take care of business today -- otherwise, you're sure to fall behind. Details can get overwhelming, but only if you try putting them off. Things can get a lot better.

Communication skills have never been stronger. Make your point and sell your ideas.

(22 Jun – 22 Jul) Your attention to detail is quite important today, so make sure that you've got your reading glasses, that extra shot of espresso or whatever else it takes to help you focus on what's vital.

Start planning a trip, date, or wedding. Tiny details fit together perfectly now. Someone (22 Dec – 19 Jan) rushes up to you with some seriously hot gossip -- and you know just what to do with it. You may find that your social energy is driving you in a new direction, but you don't mind at all.

Take a good hard look at your finances ... and revise your upcoming plans. You can't seem to (23 Jul – 22 Aug) rev yourself up to get things done today -- so take a step back and let your mind clear itself.

It may take a while for you to get there, but soon you should be able to party with the heartiest.

Your slick business savvy may be fading. Deals are trickier than you think. Try to be a little more careful (20 Jan – 18 Feb) with friends and family today -- they are sure to be more sensitive to perceived slights and insults. Things should get better pretty soon, but for now, you need to chill.

It's a great day to get organized and tidy up.

You'll find some fun surprises! It's another great (23 Aug – 22 Sep) day for getting organized -- so make sure that you've got the time for it. You've certainly got the energy, thanks to a steadily growing wave that pushes you in the right direction.

Even though you want to help, a friend's troubled relationship is their own issue. You may (19 Feb – 20 Mar) come across as too critical today, especially in the workplace. Try to keep all your criticism constructive, but if you must slag something or someone, try to do it as gently as you can.

A Goan girl dressed in traditional Kashmiri clothes with a Kashmiri photographer(in the lead photo) ‘Dum aloo’(boiled potatoes with heavy amounts of spice), ‘tzaman’ (solid cottage cheese), ‘rogan josh’ (lamb cooked in heavy spices), ‘yakhiyn’ (lamb cooked in curd with mild spices), ‘hakh’ (a spinach-like leaf) etc are some of the delicacies.

Gilbert adds, “There is this famous preparation of minced meat balls as big as cricket balls in tomato curd curry called ‘rista-gushtaba’ which is awesome.”

During the entire holiday, our Goans didn’t give a thought to mil-

Here are just some of the many picnic spots Goa has to offer FORTS Terekhol Fort Chapora Fort Aguada Fort Corjuem Fort Reis Magos Fort Naroa Fort Mormugao Fort Rachol Fort Cabo-de-Rama Fort

LAKES Mayem Lake Carambolim Lake Netravalli Lake

SPRINGS Vhoddli Zhor and Dhakti Zhor, Narora Pomburpa Spring Divar Spring Mottant Spring Kesarval Spring Loutolim Spring

WATERFALLS Arvalem Waterfalls Dudhsagar Waterfalls

SANCTUARIES

A Kashmiri lady croons across the river as she taxis to and from her houseboat and (above) a trader conducting his sale on the river itancy as they felt secure throughout. Gilbert elucidates, “Even during our lonely road-drive from Jammu to Srinagar (10 hours up steep mountainous terrain), we felt totally safe as there was the presence of the army everywhere. They are doing an excellent job in protecting the entire area. In fact, over the last two years, tourism has been on a real high. Militancy has been under control. We really have to credit the army for this; and also the people who have become more aware and are prompt to report any untoward incidents.”

Interestingly Gilbert enlightens, “During our stay there, a newspaper did a survey to check what people felt about their status. Only 2 per cent voted for wanting Pakistan to take over Kashmir. About 35 per cent wanted India to look after Kashmir and the majority wanted an independent Kashmir.”

Kashmir still remains what the Mughals called it: Paradise on Earth. Once there, you will gasp with many breathtaking moments!

And the yearning of the common persons is only for peace and harmony between both sides of the border. And their plea to all of us is for more people to come forward and holiday in Kashmir which will directly improve inter-relations and the quality of their lives.

Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem National Park Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary

OTHER Sacred Groves, Bambar, Satari Taluka Cumbarjua Canal Japanese Garden, Headland Sada, Vasco Arvalem Caves Salaulim Dam Pandava Caves, Aquem

BY NOMRATHA FERNANDES HERALD FEATURES ou’ve closed the cover to that container full of steaming ‘pulao’, neatly placed the sandwiches in a box, tightened the lid to the flask, and amidst the joyful chatter it begins to rain. Anti-climax!

Looking around at the glum faces, you wish you’d never planned this in the first place. Picnic and rain were never meant to be in the same sentence.

But hold on, why cancel now?

You’ve come so far. You might as well tweak your idea of a picnic and take a chance right around now.

The beach is usually a picnicker’s haunt.

With the monsoons making it rather inaccessible to have a picnic, searching for another picnic spot adds excitement to the planning of a picnic in the rains, and exploring this new spot, piles it on. The element of novelty surrounds such experiences. Plenty of such lesser coveted spots are situated in Goa’s hinterland, especially waterfalls, springs and lakes. The very spots one should be, as they are enhanced by the monsoons.

One eager picnicker from Mapusa says she would love to head out to one of the various springs in the state, starting with the Pomburpa spring, which overflows with natural beauty. “A visit to a spring is something else. Everything seems so perfect about it. It’s cool, fresh and clean and the sounds of the surrounding chirping birds are glorious,” she says.

Why head to another spot? You could have a new experiences at your old picnic spot as well. As it begins to drizzle on your picnic, no worries, seated on your picnic mat, open the umbrella over your head and watch the raindrops powder your feet. If it gets heavier find a cosy spot amongst a few trees and admire the dark gloomy clouds, gusts of wind and pouring rain. Moments like these scream for a rain dance. You’re here, you came to have fun, so close that umbrella, gather your picnic party and feel the happiness as you skip about in the rain. The spontaneity of it all is what is beautiful about picnics in the rain. The next time, visit another spot and make sure you keep several spots in mind. When you’ve had enough of one, move to another and witness how the rains have beautified it.

“A trek to a distant, remote village, a visit to a fort, a spring or a rundown archaic structure are definite picnic spots in the rains,” says Diedre from Calangute who went on a trek to Valpoi and a picnic to

Y

Sound Mayhem this Monsoon!

Music gets a new meaning in the monsoons, especially during the ongoing 2010 FIFA World Cup

BY CLARON MAZARELLO hile the air outside is filled with the rhythm of the rain, not to forget the croaking of the frogs, those watching the World Cup indoors are “treated” to the sound of the Vuvuzelas, which sounds more like a cacophony of a thousand ‘ganjeels’.

It does appear that spectator sports are getting revolutionised; apart from Club Gaspar Dias doling out Vuvuzelas for prizes for the most colourful dresser at their World Cup screenings, another newer hotspot in the capital, a health based concept run by a doctor called Viva Goa (behind Bal Bhavan) is promoting the sport. Incidentally, a plot of land opposite this venue filled

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with beach sand is currently hosting mini tournaments like tie-breakers, volley ball et al, all throughout the rains, just to avoid couch-potatoism. As for South Goa, we have Pearls Oceanique at Colva with Brett Lee as their brand ambassador who just left last week after doing a Friday bash alongside the screening.

With more screens coming up even at Cuba at Palolem, Art Escape at Benaulim and Poco Loco’s at Baga; venues where screens were unheard off earlier like Lava Lounge at Vasco will host a Michael Jackson tribute show this Saturday followed by a Sunday pre San Joao bash. A change from the football fever all over is the one that might turn many bathroom singers into stars – the ‘Karaoke Voice of Goa 2010’. While in the north the venue would be Down The Road on June 20 and 27 (Sundays), in the south, this will take place at Fiplees, Benaulim on June 18 and 25 (Fridays).

The track to look out for this week given the anticipation of many Sao Joao bashes June 24, would be ‘Andale’ by Stereo Palma (nicknamed ‘hard rock sofa mix’, yet another old track remixed) and a new house mix of Shakira’s ‘Waka Waka’ that D Ryan will perform at this pre-Sao Joao bash alongside DJs Navin, Sa, Joel and Claudio at Praia Lounge across the Mandovi this Saturday.

Harrison Ford Finally marries Calista Flockhart T

he long-term couple, Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart, have finally made it legal, tying the knot on Tuesday in a ceremony at the governor's mansion presided over by Governor Bill Richardson in Santa Fe, officiated by New Mexico's Chief Justice Charles W. Daniels. Ford, 67, and the 45-year-old ‘Brothers & Sisters’ star got engaged in early 2009 after more than seven years together.

But maybe, understandably, Ford wasn’t quite ready to take the plunge again, having already been married twice.

He and first wife, Mary Marquardt, spent 15 years together, and then he and Melissa Mathison were married for 21 years.

The couple’s representative confirmed that Ford, the star of the ‘Indiana Jones’ and ‘Star Wars’ films, tied the knot with 45-year-old Flockhart. Ford is currently filming ‘Cowboys and Aliens’ in New Mexico. He reportedly proposed to Flockhart on Valentine's Day last year. The Hollywood couple, who met at the Golden Globe awards in 2002, are parents of Flockhart's nine-year-old son Liam who was adopted as a baby. Liam was also in attendance at the wedding.

This is the third marriage for Ford who has four other older children and two grandchildren, and the first for Flockhart who played the title role in the quirky TV legal sitcom ‘Ally McBeal’ from 1997 until 2002.

fort Aguada and loved it immensely. “I get to witness a whole new side of Goa,” she declares. Goa shows you one side of her beauty in the summer and an entirely different one in the rains. Just like Diedre, go ahead, discover it.

The Alemao’s from Caranzalem head out to Amboli, Mollem, Mayem lake, Chorla Ghat and Arossim during the rainy season.

“Remote areas like these offer a peaceful atmosphere. Something uncommon with picnics spots in the summer,” says a member of their family.

Somewhere serene, with cool weather, a good view, gushing stream or still lake and plenty of trees for as long as the eye can see is her idea of the ultimate monsoon picnic spot. Proof enough to open your mind that picnics are a monsoon phenomena too and quite riveting as well. For that matter even a sumptuous meal in your balcony counts as a picnic. The entertainment could include a few jigsaw puzzles or card games and a photography session or two. Adding your imagination to it can brighten the worst of rainy days.

“It is the stuff you do on a picnic that decides its ‘fun’ quotient, especially with the games you play - the more spontaneously thought-of, the better,” says a Porvorim resident. She found the Dudhsagar waterfalls simply breathtaking. Says Deidre, “Once you get there begin exploring the place, take in its beauty, that’s what makes these kind of picnics even more fun that perhaps just sitting in one spot.” To it, cites a Panjimite resident, “Utimately it is the people you are with that decides the fun quotient.” They all have the same point; the fun factor on a picnic goes beyond just the locale or its weather conditions. The drive there is something I would state as another factor that adds to picnic enjoyment. It’s about the journey, not the destination as they say!

As you get back home, having enjoyed the entire day you realise that a picnic in the monsoon is more than just a downpour of rain, but of emotions as well.

Lifestyle

Relationships

Sports

Business

Health

Art

Culture

Environment

GOA’S HEARTBEAT Friday, 18 June, 2010

WHAT’S UP IN GOA??

‘A new world…VISION 2050’, a creativity contest on graphic designing on the subject, will be held on July 10 and 11. Registrations close on June 28. Call 9423885224 or 2225153. Visit www.mgmgoa.com.

A football exhibition displaying various aspects of the football world cup since 1930 when the first football world cup was held will take place till July 11 at Gaunsawaddo, Mapusa.

A 2-week Free Monsoon Dance Workshop for Children and Adults, organised by Xtremers Dance Group is being held till June 26 at Margao, Panjim, Ponda and Mapusa. Call 9823712572 or 9823469258.

A vehicle rally will take place on June 18, Goa’s Revolution Day. It will be flagged off from the house of Dr Juliano Menezes in Assolna at 2:30pm. The event is held in the memory of Ram Manohar Lohia and Dr Juliano Menezes.

Fourteen freedom fighters will be honoured on June 18, Goa Revolution Day at the Azad Maidan, Panjim.

A function to commemorate Goa’s Liberation Day will take place on June 18 at 4:30pm near the Parra village panchayat. It is organised by the All Goa Freedom Fighters Forum for Social Justice.

‘Tocar y Luchar’ (To Play and to Fight), the film, will be screened on June 19 at 5:30pm at the Xavier Centre of Historical Research, Porvorim. Call 2417772 or 2411971.

A free legal aid clinic will be held by the Goa State Legal Services Authority, Panjim once a month. It will take place on June 19 at 10:30am at the Mediation Centre, Altinho, Panjim. Call 2421169.

The State Youth Award 2009-2010 conferred by the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs has invited applicants.

Applications should be filled at the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, Campal, Panjim. Registration closes on June 18 at 5pm.

The examination of International Cer-

oscitant

10:00 Crime Patrol 11:00 Indian Idol 14:00 C.I.D 16:00 C.I.D Classics 19:00 Comedy Circus Ke Superstars 20:00 Mahi Way 21:00 Seven 22:00 C.I.D 23:00 Aahat

10:00 Choti Bahu 10:30 Keshav Pandit

11:00 Star One Horror Nights 12:00 Jaane Pehchaane Se Yeh 12:30 Dill Mill Gayye 13:00 Mile Jab Hum Tum

email us at: goasheartbeat@herald-goa.com

Parenting

Pg15

Photos by Chiquitita D’ Souza

Herald captures shoppers getting ready to combat the next few months of rain

Time to test your bargaining skills: Young girls looking through raincoats on sale

Trial Time:A man ‘tries’ his luck To wade through theRains: Slippers on Sale

SOUTH POLE

10:30 Keshav Pandit 12:00 Dance India Dance L'il masters Lime Light 12:30 Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli 13:00 Jhansi Ki Rani 13:30 Pavitra Rishta 14:00 Choti Bahu 14:30 Dance India Dance L'il Masters 16:00 Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli 16:30 Choti Bahu 17:00 Kahani Ab Tak 17:30 Jhansi Ki Rani 18:00 Pavitra Rishta 18:30 Ghar Ghar Mein 19:00 Choti Bahu 20:00 Jhansi Ki Rani 20:30 Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli 21:00 Pavitra Rishta 21:30 Dance India Dance L'il Masters

Tourism

INGS

Get Wet Go!

GARFIELD

10:30 Saath Nibhana Saathiya 11:00 Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya 11:30 Behenein 12:00 Sapna Babul Ka ...Bidaai 12:30 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai 13:00 Tere Mere Sapne 13:30 Hamari Devrani 14:00 Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat 14:30 Behenein 15:00 Sajan Ghar Jaana Hai 15:30 Sapna Babul Ka ...Bidaai 16:00 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai 16:30 Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya 17:00 Sasural Genda Phool 17:30 Saath Nibhana Saathiya 18:00 Tere Liye 18:30 Sabki Laadli Bebo 19:00 Saath Nibhana Saathiya 19:30 Sasural Genda Phool 20:00 Sajan Ghar Jaana Hai 20:30 Behenein 21:00 Sapna Babul Ka ...Bidaai 21:30 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai 22:00 Tere Liye 22:30 Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya

Travel

I

Instructions for Sudoku SUDOKU SOL 581 9 x 9 letter: To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in each of the nine vertical columns, in each of the nine horizontal rows and in each of the nine boxes

12:00 Dance India Dance L'il masters Lime Light 12:30 Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli 13:00 Jhansi Ki Rani 13:30 Pavitra Rishta 14:00 Choti Bahu 14:30 Dance India Dance L'il Masters 16:00 Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli 16:30 Choti Bahu 17:00 Kahani Ab Tak 17:30 Jhansi Ki Rani 18:00 Pavitra Rishta 18:30 Ghar Ghar Mein 19:00 Choti Bahu 20:00 Jhansi Ki Rani 20:30 Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli 21:00 Pavitra Rishta 21:30 Dance India Dance L'il Masters

Fashion

BY CRISTINA ESTEVES n today’s society there are many among the Goans who have gained recognition and fame for the struggles encountered towards freedom of the oppressed and the downtrodden. But there still are other unknown, silent heroes, who have sloughed tirelessly fighting to seek justice and truth only to go down in history without any due and worthy acknowledgement.

One among them is late Prof Carlos da Cruz hailing from Chandor, Salcete, who courageously treaded the thorny path in order that the weaker sections of the society may enjoy true freedom and live in dignity.

Agnelo Fernandes, under the banner of Manfil Film Production, has recently released a Konkani documentary film highlighting the history and rich contributions of this unknown hero.

The documentary brings to light the birth of Carlos da Cruz in Chandor, his childhood struggle and thereafter his rich contribution as a professor and public persecutor among the less fortunate people.

According to the documentary, Carlos was not only an intellectual at school, but as he grew up, he equally had the flair for writing articles and rightly criticising the educational system prevailing during that period. Due to his intellectual abilities, he is claimed to be the first person to start the night school in Goa and cater to the educational needs of the weak and the underprivileged. He published two newspapers, namely ‘Oriente’ and ‘Sandalcao’. He was keen to give justice to the poor adivasi people.

Noted personalities like Ivo Conceicao da C Souza; ex-professor of Rachol Seminary; Tomazinho Cardozo, President of Tiatr Academy; Armando Pereira, colleague of Carlos da Cruz and freedom fighter/ex-administrator; Anil Kumar, actor, writer/director have shared some of their thoughts in the documentary about the unheard of hero.

The documentary of the silent conqueror is a worthy initiative by Agnelo Fernandes to create awareness among the Goans, especially among the educated youth, inspiring them to follow in his footsteps.

“My Grandmother is over eighty and still doesn't need glasses. Drinks right out of the bottle.”

– Henny Youngman DAILY GROOK BAND STAND

by Francis Rodrigues was a multi-instrumentalist with a manner big and grand, and so on the wedding-list he was the one man banned!

EN

PEN T HAP

Entertainment

The documentary ‘Unknown Greatest Freedom Fighter, Prof Carlos Da Cruz’ is the story of one among thousands of freedom fighters who dedicated their lives to Goa’s freedom struggle. Today, on Goa Revolutionary Day, the state salutes such patriots

Funny Quote

Pronunciation OS-i-tuhnt Function Adjective Meaning 1 : yawning, as with drowsiness; gaping 2 : drowsy or inattentive Example Sentence Dark skies and heavy rains tend to evoke an oscitant mood in people.

CURR

Information Technology

Remembering Goa’s Unsung Heroes this June 18

LAFFS

WORD OF THE DAY

SUDOKU 582

tification of Portuguese as a Foreign Language has been announced open by the Institute Camoes, Panjim till June 18. Call 6647737 or 24202237.

Statistics Day will be celebrated on June 29 at 10am at the Kala Academy, Panjim. It is being held by the Department of Planning, Statistics and Evaluation to commemorate the great statistician P C Monalanobis. There will be a quiz competition on the ‘socioeconomic perspective of Goa’ and a blood donation camp on June 24 and 25, respectively at the Directorate of Planning, Statistics and Evaluation, Panjim. Registration for the blood donation closes on June 20. Call 9850685080 or 9822166669.

Free coaching classes for IIT-JEE, AIEEE and CPT, IPCC and CA will take place in the next few days. Call 9545477884 or 6514096.

An eco-friendly Sao Joao will take place on June 20 from 11am to 2pm at Gangoz, Salvador do Mundo. Call 9881344379.

Person-centred therapy of Carl Rogers will be taught in a 5-weekend course conducted by the Anthony deMello Institute on June 19. Call 9960286839 or 2735839. E-mail cliffadmi@gmail.com.

A taluka level interschool elocution competition, organised by Pratibha Friends Circle will take place on June 18 at 3:30pm at the Raghavendra Swami Hall, Borim. The topic is ‘18th June, Krantidin’. Call 9825580272 or 2333012.

The 4th All Goa Bhajan Workshop, organised by Panvelkar Kala ani Sanskritik Mandal and the Department of Art and Culture, Goa will be held from June 18 to 20 from 10am to 5:30pm at the Old Goa gram panchayat Hall, Old Goa. The opening ceremony will take place on June 18 at 10am.

Education

08:55 Make It Happen 10:50 Turner & Hooch 12:50 Winners and Sinners 15:00 Species 17:05 Chaos Theory 18:55 Barbershop 21:00 Armageddon 23:55 My Best Friend's Girl

08:00 Gothika 10:00 Superman IV: The Quest for Peace 12:00 Iron Man 14:30 Life Without Dick 16:30 The Immortal Voyage of Captain Drake 19:00 Superman IV 21:00 Iron Man 23:30 The One

08:00 Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin 12:00 Masoom 16:00 Vijaypath 20:00 Zameen

Tiatr Review

BY HERALD FEATURES s a dead leaf falls and a new one comes to life, over the years we have seen many a talented tiatrist pass away leaving behind voids which cannot be filled but also evoking inspiration in many talented newcomers.

These beginners step into the world of Konkani theatre eager to follow in the footsteps of their seniors. Brother Onasis D’Cruz, with his maiden tiatr ‘Tiatr Suru Zata’, is one of them.

The tiatr starts with a powerful opening chorus melodiously sung by new kid on the block, Cyril Almeida. The play begins with a scene in the cemetery where two burials take place. The story recounts, through flashback, the lives of the two dead persons, their involvement with each other and the wrong they do to go up in life by playing with the lives of innocent people. The playwright has balanced his play well by conveying to the audience, through the life of various characters, the guilt of mercy killings, murder committed through abortions, corruptions in politics, greed for money as well as the hazards of smoking and drinking.

The play has a good script with impressive dialogues and some special scenes and projections that simplify certain scenes. The director has extracted great performances from all artistes, old-timers as well as new faces. Newcomers, Abigail, Clancy and Suzeta impress the audience with their brilliant performances. Fatima as the old abandoned mother keeps the audience spellbound till the climax while Soccorina has delivered her stylish dialogues well through her acting. Anil Kumar adds the icing to the play with his perfect act as the rich corrupt man. Locelan, who has to his credit the experience from his previous works, does a balancing act of the

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16:10 Evening 18:35 Dark Blue 21:00 Havoc 22:55 Vampires: Los Muertos

09:30 Terror in the Deep 12:30 Page 3 16:00 Hindustani 20:00 Malamaal Weekly

08:30 Dostana 12:00 Dil 16:00 Traffic Signal 20:00 Tezaab: The Terror 23:15 Ekka Raja Rani

08:00 Ricochet 10:00 Hilary and Jackie 12:20 Identity 14:15 Ballistic: Ecks Vs. Sever

08:00 Janam Samjha Karo 12:00 Shola Aur Shabnam 16:00 Badhaai Ho Badhaai 20:00 Heyy Babyy

12:00 Destination Truth 13:00 Scare Tactics 14:00 Sports Crash 15:00 Whacked Out Sports

15:30 Video Zonkers 17:00 So You Think You Can Dance 20:00 Destination Truth 21:00 Sony Style Tv Magazine 21:30 E Buzz 22:00 A Knight's Tale

11:00 America's Got Talent 12:00 Friends 12:30 Castle 13:30 90210 14:30 Scrubs 15:00 Desperate Housewives 16:00 The Simpsons 16:30 Friends

HERALD FEATURES

‘Tiatr Suru Zata’ addresses Social Evils of Today’s Times

E N T E R TA I N M E N T 13:30 Geet 14:00 Rang Badalti Odhni 14:30 Jaane Pehchaane Se Yeh 15:00 Laughter Special 19:00 Geet 19:30 Rang Badalti Odhni 20:00 Dill Mill Gayye 20:30 Jaane Pehchaane Se Yeh 21:00 Mile Jab Hum Tum 21:30 Geet 22:00 Rang Badalti Odhni

Back to School: School items are back on display at the begining of the academic year

17:00 Castle 18:00 90210 19:00 30 Rock 19:30 The Simpsons 20:00 Friends 20:30 Rendezvous with Simi Garewal : Saif Ali Khan & Amrita Singh 21:00 America's Got Talent

12:00 Roland Garros 2010 H/ls 13:00 US Open Championship 2010 : 1st Round 16:00 US Open Championship

17:00 Roland Garros 2010 H/ls 18:00 Score Tonight 18:30 TNA Sikander 19:30 US Open Championship H/ls 20:30 Inside Racing 2010 21:00 Score Tonight 21:30 Wimbledon Official Film 22:30 US Open Championship 2010 : 2nd Round

09:30 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa: Cote d'Ivoire vs. Portugal 11:30 2010 FIFA World Cup Matchday H/ls 12:30 Premier League World 13:00 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa : Brazil vs.

DPR Korea 15:00 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa : Post Show 15:30 Sportscenter Express : South Africa 16:00 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa : Pre-Show 16:50 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa:Germany vs.

Serbia 19:00 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa : Link Show 19:20 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa: Slovenia vs.

USA 21:30 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa : Post Show 22:00 Sportscenter India 22:30 Sportscenter Asia 23:00 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa : Pre-Show 23:50 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa : Group Match: England vs. Algeria

09:30 Zimbabwe Triangular ODI 11:30 Motorsport Mundial

12:00 JK Tyre Baja SAE India 2010 12:30 Moto GP H/ls : Gran Premio D'Italia Tim: Mugello 13:30 World of Athletics 14:00 Bintan Triathlon 15:00 2010 South Africa Tour to West Indies H/ls 17:00 WWE: Smackdown 19:00 ICC Cricket Show 19:20 2010 South Africa Tour to West Indies

09:00 Air Crash Investigation : Air Hijack (IC 814) 11:00 Dangerous Encounters : Deadliest Snakes 12:00 Nat Geo Specials 13:00 World's Deadliest Animals 14:00 Taboo : Proving Ground 15:00 Stuntmen of Bollywood 16:00 Nat Geo Junior : Big Bang 17:00 Most Amazing Moments

07:00 Kids Club 07:30 Flavors 08:00 English News 09:00 Konkani News 10:00 Marathi News 11:00 Go Agro 11:30 An Evening with Parishioners 12:00 Talking Talkies 12:30 Flavors 13:00 English News 14:00 Konkani Movie 15:30 Talking Talkies 16:00 Kids Club 16:30 Flavors 17:00 Khell Tiatr 18:00 Konkani News 19:00 Marathi News 20:00 English News 21:00 Khell Tiatr 22:00 English News 23:00 Straight Talk 00:00 Frame Box Animation Note: Subject to change

wayward youngster. Piedade, Calado de Verna and Jose de Velim lend good support. Jane, Gabby and Kenny provide the humour with great enthusiasm.

The director sings ‘xinkuia’ to give a lesson and a trio by Gabby, Locelan and Fatima, a duet by Jose de Velim, two solos by Anthony de Velim and Calado give a message on the Holy Bible. But the best part of the tiartr is the mind blowing rendition of the beautiful duet ‘Fulgoddem’ by Cyril with Suzeta which is worth your money.

The music, arranged by Josinho and Father Armino Fernande, with his mandolin and acoustic guitar, was worth listening to. Overall, the tiatr is a good family entertainer with a social message.

HERALD CROSSWORD - 582 Across 1- Portico; 5- Disconcert; 10- Queue; 14- Monarch; 15- Foot bones; 16- Draft classification; 17- Variety of amphibole; 19- Keats creations; 20- Fungal infection; 21- Live; 23- Automobile shelters; 26- Situated on the side; 27- Gave a speech; 28- Colorless flammable gas; 29- Passion; 30- Danger; 31- IV units; 34- Duo; 35- Pertaining to song; 36Cease; 37- That, in Tijuana; 38- Stinking; 39- Paris divider; 40- Scottish sheep dog; 42- Distant; 43- Ogle; 45- Sailor; 46- Stupid; 47Numbers game; 48- Let ___; 49- Formal admission into society; 54- Entrance; 55- Handle; 56- Golfer Aoki; 57- Sea eagles; 58- Person who dresses stones; 59Wagon; Down 1- Jamaican popular music; 2Involuntary muscular contraction; 3- Thunder Bay's prov.; 4Mixing device; 5- Did penance; 6- Bundles; 7- Horne solo; 8Concorde, e.g.; 9- Priestly; 10Relax; 11- Aimlessness; 12___ lift?; 13- Art supporter; 18Chad neighbor; 22- Bibliography abbr.; 23- Flip out; 24Hand woven wall hanging; 25Dating material; 26- Sensa-

tional; 28- Contradict; 30- SOLUTION - 581 Minor, in law; 32- Fable; 33- Nuremberg trial defendant; 35- Dark pigmentation; 36- Symptomatic; 38- Bloodsucking insect; 39- Simmons rival; 41Commands; 42- Allotted amount; 43- Slip; 44Teacher; 45- Maxim; 47Falsehoods; 50- Teachers' org.; 51- This ___ stickup!; 52- Boat propeller; 53- "As if!";

Pg16

GOA,Friday, 18 June, 2010

Casillas’ girlfriend blamed AGENCIES PRETORIA, JUNE 17

England manager Fabio Capello caused a stir when he banned the WAGS from attending the World Cup -- and after Spain's shock opening defeat against Switzerland yesterday he could have been forgiven for thinking his stance was justified.

While pundits gave credit to the Swiss defensive display and Spain's lack of penetration in the final third, many in Spain are blaming the defeat on the partner of Spanish goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas, Sara Carbonero.

Casillas was partly to blame for Gelson Fernandes's winning goal in the 1-0 victory and fin-

French offers vuvuzela-free broadcasts AP PARIS, JUNE 17

Sara Carbonero

Iker Casillas

gers have been pointed at Carbonero, a journalist at a Spanish TV station, who prior to the game and in the warm-up was filming footage to camera behind Casillas' goal.

She then asked the goalkeeper, "Well, how did you manage to muck that up?" in her post-match interview.

Many Spanish fans have been angered by her presence in

South Africa, fearing it could prove a distraction for the goalkeeper and prove a destabilising influence within the squad.

Carbonero, who spoke to Casillas in a post match interview, was asked by her own TV station, Telecinco, about her influence. She replied: "Can I destabilise the team? I think it is nonsense."

The Spanish beg to differ.

A French cable TV channel is offering vuvuzela-free broadcasts for all matches at the World Cup, using frequency-separating technology to block out the trumpets’ buzzing drone while letting other sounds come through.

Canal+ TV says the system was first tested on Tuesday.

Cyrille Linette, the TV’s head of sport, says the sound was “nearly perfect” for when Argentina beat South Korea 4-1 on Thursday.

The technology, based on splitting frequencies, reduces the vuvuzelas’ buzz but allows other crowd noises and commentators’ voices to be heard.

It is developed by Audionamix, which works on sound effects for the cinema industry.

The company that provides the broadcast feed for the World Cup has doubled its audio filters to reduce the buzz.

A soccer fan from Divar Island, Freddy Ferrao, on driver’s seat, displaying teams jerseys, flags, mascot, World Cup Trophy on his car.

Photo: Rozario Estibeiro

I, coach to account for flop: Eto’o AFP PARIS, JUNE 17

Cameroon captain Samuel Eto'o warned on Wednesday that he and under-fire coach Paul Le Guen will be held to account if the African giants suffer a World Cup meltdown.

Cameroon got off to the worst possible start in South Africa, losing their Group E

opener 1-0 to Japan.

"At the end of the World Cup, Paul must answer to the officials.

And me, as a player and captain, I must do the same," the Inter Milan star told Canal Plus television.

Eto'o failed to make an impact against Japan where he was deployed out on the right instead of his traditional central attack-

ing position.

"I played where the coach wanted.

I gave it everything and I tried to put my teammates in good positions to do their job.

"I am the best scorer in the history of t h e Cameroon national team because I play in a certain position.

But if the coach says 'Samuel, you

can help the team in this position,' then I believe it's something I must do."

Cameroon next face Denmark in Pretoria on Saturday where they must win to keep alive their hopes of making the last 16.

Wife kills hubby for watching WC AP JOHANNESBURG, JUNE 17

A South African man who wanted to watch a World Cup football match instead of a religious programme was beaten to death by his family in the northeastern part of the country, police said on Thursday.

David Makoeya, a 61-yearold man from the small village of Makweya, Limpopo province, fought with his wife and two children for the remote control on Sunday because he wanted to watch Germany play Australia in the World Cup. The others, however, wanted to watch a

gospel show.

“He said, ‘No, I want to watch soccer,”’ police spokesman Mothemane Malefo said Thursday. “That is when the argument came about. In that argument, they started assaulting him.”

Malefo said Makoeya got up to change the channel by hand after being refused the remote control and was attacked by his 68-year-old wife Francina and two children, 36-year-old son Collin and 23year-old daughter Lebogang.

Malefo said he was not sure what the family used to kill Makoeya.

CL better than WC: Sneijder REUTERS JOHANNESBURG, JUNE 17

The quality of football in the Champions League is far better than that on display in the first round matches at this year's World Cup, Netherlands playmaker Wesley Sneijder told reporters today. ''So far the favourites didn't show what they are capable of and only Germany really impressed,'' said Sneijder who arrived at the finals having won the Champions League with Inter Milan. ''I think everyone has to get used to the circumstances, like the ball and altitude, and it all will start from now on.'' ''Besides that I enjoyed watching count r i e s l i ke N o r t h Korea and New Zealand playing their games, but then you realise the Champions League is far b e t t e r, ' ' h e added.

Inter's treble was the first by an Italian club and Sneijder is now desperate to add a fourth winners' medal to his haul as the Dutch bid

to become world champions for the first time after twice finishing runners-up -- in 1974 and 1978.

After a season at Inter under Jose Mourinho, who has since departed for Real Madrid, Sneijder is now part of a close Dutch squad, though he is in touch with several of his club colleagues playing for Brazil, Argentina, Serbia, Ghana and Slovenia.

The 26-year-old was not surprised by the outstanding goal scored by Maicon for Brazil in their opener against North Korea, when the defender scored from an almost impossible angle.

Pg17

GOA, Friday, 18 June, 2010

It was not our day: Spain coach

AFP DURBAN, JUNE 17

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque said he was "cross" at his team's

shock 1-0 defeat to Switzerland in their opening World Cup game here on Wednesday.

And while the maiden defeat

at the hands of the Swiss in 85 years of fixtures was an "obstacle", he remained optimistic for the two group matches to come, against Honduras in Johannesburg on June 21 and Chile in Pretoria four days later.

The Spanish dominated open play, totalling 63 percent of ball possession and 42 minutes of actual playing time compared to the Swiss team's 37 percent and 25, but fell to a snatched counter-attack goal from Gelson Fernandes in the 51st minute.

"We tried to play," Del Bosque said. "They played very far back and tried to counter-attack. They defended very well.

"We were playing to win and this victory has escaped us," he said, adding: "We may not have shown our true personality as a team."

Del Bosque acknowleged that it was not a great start to the tournament for one of the joint favourites alongside Brazil, who beat North Korea 2-1 in their opening game.

"It's not a good sign to start off in this way but we have an obligation to cope with that and face the next two games trying to win.

"That'll be our goal for the next two matches."

Del Bosque added: "Of course, you can lose in football, but I feel we'll try to get even. We must really give everything. It's pointless standing there with our heads hanging low. The next matches will be good."

The coach admitted that lady luck had played her part in the defeat, Spain's first ever against Switzerland in 19 games dating

back to 1925.

"Someone had luck against Spain today," he said. "Despite Switzerland having a chance of a second goal late on, for the remainder of the match we spent our time trying to score."

Spain, revitalised by replacement strikers Jesus Navas and Fernando Torres after a non-eventful first-half, had a hatful of chances in the second period, David Villa going closest with a shot coming back off the woodwork.

"We could have scored but today was not our day," said Del Bosque.

"We're in our first match.

Today has offered up an obstacle, but we'll try and surmount that in the course of the next two games.

"Nobody's spoken about the final or becoming world champions."

IN PICS A Paraguay fan in action during their match against Italy.

Deco apologises for criticising Portugal coach AGENCIES JOHANNESBURG, JUNE 17

Portugal midfielder Deco has apologised for questioning coach Carlos Queiroz's tactics in their opening draw with the Ivory Coast.

The playmaker was replaced

by Tiago after an hour in the 0-0 stalemate with the African side in Tuesday's Group G opener in Port Elizabeth and made his feelings clear after the match.

"Why was I replaced? You have to ask the coach," he had told reporters. "I felt good. He told me to go to the right wing, which I have never done in my career as I am not a winger, then he took me off," added the disgruntled Brazil-born player.

"The way we approached the game in the second half was not right, betting on the direct style was not the best solution," he added.

However, on Wednesday the Portuguese Football Federation issued a statement in which Deco clarified his comments.

"I've never had a problem with the coach and it was not my intention to question his leadership and decisions," he said, adding he was just frustrated at being taken off.

Queiroz is expected to include Deco in his lineup against the mysterious North Korea on Monday despite the incident.

Portugal ask FIFA to cancel Ronaldo yellow card AGENCIES JOHANNESBURG, JUNE 17

South Africa supporters with their faces and hair painted cheer during their match against Uruguay.

Argentine supporters cheer prior to the start of the match.

Argentine supporters kiss a replica of the trophy.

A supporter of Argentina, wearing a mask and a hat painted in Argentina's colours.

Portugal have asked FIFA to cancel the yellow card Cristiano Ronaldo received in the World Cup game against the Ivory Coast, saying the forward merely tried to walk away after being tripped and insulted.

Ronaldo and Ivory Coast right back Guy Demel clashed off the ball in Tuesday's Group G match and were both booked by Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda.

"The Portuguese player was tripped and pushed near the Ivory Coast penalty box. As soon as he got up, he was surrounded by his opponents and then pushed and insulted," the Portuguese Football Federation said in a statement.

"Given these facts, there is a disparity in the showing of the cards, once the African player, who committed a foul received a yellow card, and the Portuguese player who simply tried to walk away from the situation received the same punishment," it added. Television images showed Ronaldo also shouting at Demel and other players before being booked.

According to FIFA's rules for the World Cup, a player receives a one-match suspension after a second yellow card.

Portugal play North Korea on Monday and then face Brazil four days later.

WC website smashes records AFP JOHANNESBURG, JUNE 1

German supporters watch the match on the big screen.

A USA fan supports her team during their match against England.

The official website of the World Cup in South Africa registered a record 265 million page views in a single day on Tuesday, football's world governing body FIFA said on Wednesday.

The page views on www.FIFA.com were accessed by nearly 10 million users.

The match between five-time World Cup winners Brazil and North Korea on Tuesday helped boost traffic to the site, which is partly supplied by Agence France-Presse.

The previous daily record for the site was 250 million views on June 22, 2006, when eventual winners Italy beat the Czech Republic in their final group game at the World Cup in Germany.

The site is well on the way to beating the total of 48 million unique users for the entire four weeks of the 2006 World Cup.

One-match ban for Cahill

JOHANNESBURG (AFP) -- FIFA on Thursday confirmed that Australian midfielder Tim Cahill will be suspended for one match after being given a straight red card in the World Cup match against Germany last weekend. The Everton star will miss the Socceroos' match against Ghana in Rustenburg on Saturday, but will be available for selection for the match against Serbia in Nelspruit on June 23, FIFA said.