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The Voice of Goa — Since 1900 panjim, TUESday, FEBRUaRy 1, 2011 postal Reg. no. Goa 101 pRiCE Rs. 3.00

Goa’s Heartbeat: Bipasha Basu has a New Crush!

Pg 4 I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice.

—Abraham Lincoln

IN BRIEF

A passenger arriving from Cairo holds flowers and greets a relative, at the international airport on Monday as a special Air India plane carrying around 300 passengers from strife-torn Egypt landed in Mumbai.

2G probe panel submits report The one-man panel that went into the procedures for giving 2G spectrum between 2001 and 2009 is understood to have named former Telecom Minister A Raja and some officials close to him as being responsible for lapses in allocation of licences.

Retired Justice Shivraj Patil, who was appointed in November last year by Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal in the wake of CAG report that had found several lapses in 2G spectrum allocation, today submitted the report to the minister.(PTI).

Probe ordered into collision An Indian warship was badly damaged in a fire that engulfed it following collision with a merchant vessel off the Mumbai coast after which the Navy today ordered an inquiry and registered an FIR against the crew of the foreign vessel.

The ship is presently listing to port and has touched bottom,” a Defence spokesperson said.

The fire fighting that began last evening continued till about 1.30 pm today -- (PTI)

Business: Pesky calls: TRAI pushes Pg 12 deadline to March 1

(air Surcharge Rs 2.00) pages 16+4

Sports: Sreesanth in a Pg 16 new avatar

All is well in Goa, Guv tells House HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JAN 31

While Goa has been grappling with many pressing issues, Governor Dr S S Sidhu portrayed a rosy picture of the state of affairs while addressing the fiveday winter session of the Goa legislative assembly, which began today.

Focussing on the economic condition of the State, the governor in his 55 minutes speech, said “Inspite of the global slowdown the economy of the State has done well in all spheres and has achieved a gross State domestic product (GSDP) of 13.03 per cent at constant prices as against 9.46 per cent in the preceding year.

The tertiary and secondary sectors have registered growth of 20 per cent and 7 per cent respectively while primary sector has seen an increase of 6 per cent during 2000-10, he said.

The government has laid higher emphasis on developmental activities, which is demonstrated from the fact that annual plan size for 2010-11 was increased substantially by 21 per cent, he pointed out.

Speaking about law and order problem, the governor said the State has taken some innovative measures to prevent and detect crimes.

“The number of heinous crimes like murder, attempt to

THE ROSY PICTURE u

Gross State domestic product at 13 p.c.

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Annual plan size up by 21 p. c.

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Criminal cases down to 139 from 160 cases.

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8,77, 160 birth records and 5,96, 000 death records to be digitalised.

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Rs 600 crore revenue collected from major minerals.

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Three evening/shift courts proposed in South.

commit murder, dacoity, robbery and rape have shown a significant decrease from 160 cases during last year to 139 cases in

the current year,” the governor observed.

He further said besides strengthening of police force,

coastal security of the State has been beefed-up and strengthened further under the Coastal Security Scheme of the Central government.

Digitalisation of birth records of six talukas completed — Siddhu also highlighted about the ongoing digitalisation process of birth and death records. About 8,77,160 birth records and around 5,96,000 death records are expected to be digitalised.

Digitalization of 3,16,024 folios of birth records of six talukas – Canacona, Mormugao, Sanguem, Sattari, Bicholim and Pernem has been completed , he added.

Increase in mineral export –

The export of iron ore to different countries during 200910 was to the tune of Rs 45.68 millions while total revenue collection from major minerals for 2010-11 is expected to touch Rs 600 crore.

The governor also spoke about extensive afforestation under taken up by the government.

In 2010-11, 330 hectares land area has been covered under tree plantation including 85 hectare area under medicinal plants.

The governor also mentioned about e-services initiative of Directorate of Panchayats. It will enable the citizens to submit (Continued on page 10)

Two persons try to snatch girl in city HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JAN 31

Parents of an eighth standard student have complained to the Panjim town police that two unknown persons tried to grab their daughter on a motorbike when she was returning home at Mala on Monday afternoon.

The victim(14) told the police that while was walking her way home, two masked men tried to pick her on their motorbike.

In a brave act, the girl bit off one of the accused’s hand and escaped. She reported the matter to her parents after which a police complaint was filed.

Panjim police have registered a case under Section 354 (assault or criminal force on a woman with the intent to outrage her modesty) of the Indian Penal Code.

THE BIG SPLASH: Models pose as part of the "Indian Princess 2011" event at the Blue Ocean Resort in Ratnagiri on Monday.

Cipriano’s custodial death

Forensic doctor deposes, says impact of object caused death HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JAN 31

Head of Forensic Department of Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) Dr Silvano Sapeco on Monday deposed before the State Police Complaints Authority (SPCA) in the custodial death of Cipriano Fernandes.

The doctor has confirmed that Cipriano suffered two fatal head injuries.

“Injuries 6 (middle portion of the head) and 7 (left portion) were individually and collectively fatal in the ordinary course of nature. That is, impact by a blunt object had caused external and internal damage…” Dr Sapeco said in his statement to SPCA Chairman Justice Eurico Santana da Silva.

Sapeco and a team of forensic doctors had conducted postmortem on Cipriano’s body. The head injuries, he said, were within 0 to 36 hours prior to Cipriano’s death at GMCH. “…The impact of the blunt and elongated object over the head had caused external injuries 6 and 7, which in turn

caused internal damage to the brain in the manner of oedema (swelling) and venous (congestion) of the brain,” he added.

Quoting the sub divisional magistrate, Sapeco said that some witnesses said that a ‘nylon mill strap’ was used to

Suspended PI disagrees HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JAN 31

Suspended Police Inspector (PI) Sandesh Chodankar on Monday said that Moira resident Cipriano Fernandes did not suffer head injuries.

Chodankar appeared before the judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) Panjim that is hearing his petition seeking to cross-examine Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) forensic doctors who conducted the autopsy on Cipriano Fernandes’ body.

“The CT scan report does not show any head injuries on Cipriano. The deceased had undergone a CT scan and neurosurgery examination on January 8 that did not reveal head injuries,” Chodankar said adding that he has sought Cipriano’s medical information under the Right to Information Act. The suspended PI also stated that Cipriano’s clinical and final causes of death are contradictory.

He said that CT scan shows ‘celebro vascular accident’ as the cause of death whereas GMCH forensic doctors concluded (Continued on page 10)

allegedly assault the seafarer.

He said that the report on fatal head injuries is in consistence with the alleged assault.

SPCA has taken suo moto cognizance of the news report on the 38-year-old seafarer’s death on January 9. Justice Silva had directed its office to register the news report dated January 12 on Herald as ‘suo moto inquiry proceedings’ against Panjim police officers of gross misconduct.

Earlier, the forensic chief in his deposition before the judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) had stated that Cipriano was killed due to an injury by a sharp blunt object on the middle and left portion of his skull which caused an internal swelling of the brain.

“The cause of Cipriano’s death is due to sequelae of concussive head injury sustained as a result of cumulative effect of injury 6 and injury 7,” he said.

He died due to surface injuries with a blunt force on the skull, elbow, joint, right aspect of skull and left hand. A few other injuries were three days old.

NDPS Court notice to probe team HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JAN 31

The Narcotics, Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Court at Mapusa today issued a notice to the Special Investigating Team (SIT) after civil right activists complained Home Minister Ravi Naik was using the police force to threaten them into withdrawing or deleting a crucial name in the criminal complaint in the police-drug dealers nexus case.

Activist Kashinath Shetye said that the court issued a notice to the SIT to reply to their application by Monday when the matter will be next heard.

In an application before the NDPS court on January 24, Shetye and 12 others alleged that Police Inspector Sudesh Naik warned them to withdraw the name of one ‘Roy’ from the complaint.

“On or about January 12, 2010, Sudesh visited the applicants at their residences and asked them to withdraw the complaint or at least delete the name of “Roy”…Sudesh Naik claimed to be acting on the instructions of the home minister (government of Goa), Superintendent of Police Mangaldas Desai and Deputy Superintendent of Police Shamba Sawant,” the application read.

(Continued on page 10)

Meaty trip meets a dead end at Mollem HERALD CORRESPONDENT COLLEM JAN 31

Nine bulls, 64 pigs and 10 tonnes of meat, which were being taken to an abattoir in the State, were seized by Collem police at the Mollem checkpost in the wee hours of Monday.

Twelve persons have been arrested and six vehicles have been detained in this connection. This is the third major crackdown by organisations on the slaughter of animals in the last two weeks.

According to reports, animal welfare activists from the Akhil Vishwa Jai Sri Ram Gau Sanvardhan Kendra, the Bharat Swabhiman Goa, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Animal Rescue Squad (ARS)

The animals and meat seized by Collem police at the Mollem checkpost.

were alerted that six vehicles carrying the bulls, pigs and the meat were proceeding from Hubli and Bailhonga in Karnataka towards the State through the Mollem checkpost.

Acting swiftly, Bajrang Dal

member Kamlesh Bandekar, Bharat Swabhiman chief Sunil Gaonkar, other anti-cow slaughter activists Kamalakant Tari, Sandeep Pedenekar, Digambar Raut and Samir Joshi notified the Collem police.

The activists along with a police team were then stationed at the check post to intercept the vehicles.

“At about 3 am, six vehicles entered the check post. They included a Tata truck (KA-24-

3905) carrying nine bullocks Bolero pickups (KA-24-5915 and KA-49-864 ) carrying 64 pigs, Tata pickups (GA-03-K-0312 and KA-22-A-8149) carrying the meat, and another vehicle. The Collem police immediately seized the vehicles and its contents,” Collem Police Inspector Manoj Mardolkar told Herald.

Six persons — Muktam Daskir Sab Bepari, Salim Daskir Sab Bepari, Suresh Kallappa Torgal, Nabi Sab Mehaboob Makandar, Damodar Mallappa Kolkar and Dastgir Bade Sab Bepari, all from Belgaum — were arrested under the Goa Animal Cruelty Prevention Act. Six others — Mohammad (Continued on page 10)

Principal suspended for assault HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JAN 31

A high school principal has been suspended pending inquiry and issued a letter of reprimand following allegations of assaulting his student.

Management of the Anjuman Nurul Islam High School (ANIHS) issued headmaster Abdul Aziz Mulla’s suspension order for allegedly assaulting a 14-yearold student studying in eighth standard earlier this month.

Shaikh Shukur of the ANIHS said that the action was taken after an inquiry against the headmaster which was in response to a complaint filed by the student’s parents to the school management.

“Abdul has been suspended for assaulting the student on nose, face and back. He had bruises on his back and chest and bleeding of nose,” Shukur said in a press release.

The school management will be forwarding the matter to the State Education Department even as the former is also inquiring into two more assault allegations against the headmaster on two other students.

Adbul was also reprimanded for making false allegations that the school students would eat junk food and bunk classes to watch tourists near the Panjim church. A complaint in this regard was also filed at the Panjim town police station.

Banned, but sold in broad daylight

Despite the ban on the sale of gutkha, vendors openly display packets of the banned herbal concoction in Calangute.

Photo by Sachin Ambadoskar HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JAN 31

Even though Goa is the only State where sale of gutkha is totally banned, some of the shops in Calangute tinto are doing brisk business selling these packets of banned herbal concoction, thanks to the large number of migrant labourers and youngsters who patronise the area.

A look at the photo published in this paper gives one a fair idea of what the business is like.

Goa Shack Owners Welfare Society General Secretary John Lobo said he is witness to gutkha sale on a daily basis and that too in broad daylight.

Lobo mentioned there were some two to three shops close to Sarvesh Café in the area that had all brands of these packets.

The fact that gutkha is openly sold gives an indication that the packets continue to enter via the State’s porous checkposts, he stated.

Lobo, who runs a shack business at Baga, said the empty gutkha packets have become a menace as the same are found strewn on the entire beach belt.

“It is well-known that gutkha

packets are also sold by shopkeepers clandestinely and authorities have to find ways to catch them,” he mentioned.

However, Director of Food and Drugs Administration Salim Veljee said they wait for tips and information to raid shops selling gutkha. “We have conducted raids and the same will continue,” he claimed.

Goa Civic & Consumer Action Network (GOACAN) has been (Continued on page 10)

Not PPP!! This hospital runs under PPPPP basis. Private-Politicians Partnership with Public Paise.

OHERALDO

Pg 2

GOA

GOA, TUESDAY, 1 FEBRUARY, 2011

Churchill hits back at Damu for calling him corrupt Says financed Fatorda MLA’s film Jaagor HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JAN 31

A day after he was described as the root cause of corruption in the state, PWD Minister Churchill Alemao on Monday demanded to know from the BJP since when he became a corrupt man saying the same leaders were singing praises of him in the last Assembly.

Using the platform of a Self Help Group Haldi Kukum function near the Maruti Temple at Rumdamol village, Alemao demanded to know from MLA Damu Naik whether he did not find him corrupt while taking lakhs of money as donation from him for his film Jaagor.

“I find it difficult to understand that the same Damu who spoke well of me in the Assembly and is now painting me a corrupt man. He took money from me for his film Jaagor. Did he not realize at that time that the money he was taking was from corruption?” Alemao said and demanded that Damu should tell how he produced the film with a budget worth lakhs of rupees.

The PWD minister came down heavily on the Fatorda MLA for criticizing him for distributing rice, dal and oil from corruption money. “Who is Damu to tell me not to give

I find it difficult to understand that the same Damu who spoke good of me in the Assembly is now painting me corrupt.

He took money from me for his film Jaagor. Did he not realise then that the money he was taking was from corruption?

-- Churchill

these items to the poor and the down trodden. I have been doing this throughout my life as my conscience tells me to help the people in need. I don’t find anything wrong in my gesture,” he asserted.

Saying that the Fatorda MLA has tabled a question in the Legislative Assembly on the distribution of water tanks, Alemao said he has an answer to the question, but demanded to know from the BJP what they had done during their tenure to solve the water problems facing the people.

Referring to the criticism that Navelim has not witnessed any development in the constituency

in the last three and half years, Alemao said, “It is for the people to see and judge whether development has taken place or not in the constituency during my tenure. Besides the bridges, I tried to strengthen sanitation and water supply to the constituents. The development is there for everyone to see,” Alemao told the gathering and appealed to the people not to get misguided by false propaganda from the opposition.

“I don’t care for the leaders.

I only fear God and the people.

Only the people can decide whether I should continue to serve them or sit at home,” he added.

Nessai murder: teacher seeks anticipatory bail HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JAN 31

A teacher from Aquem-Baixo on Monday moved the South Goa Sessions Court for anticipatory bail in connection with the sensational headless murder case at Nessai.

Rashikant Gauns, a teacher by profession, approached the Court for bail apprehending his arrest in the case.

In his bail application, Gauns stated that he has been summoned by the Maina Curtorim police on February 1 in connection with the case and has apprehended his arrest.

Saying that he has his roots in Goa and will not abscond, Gauns feared that he would be harassed by police and prayed that he be granted anticipatory bail with necessary conditions.

The bail application will come up for hearing in the Sessions Court on February 1 afternoon.

Maina Curtorim PI Sidhant Shirodkar said the police would file their reply to the notice issued by the court.

He said Gauns was required by the police to answer certain queries related to the case, adding that the police would file appropriate reply in the court.

Meanwhile, the Maina Curtorim police are on the look out for the occupants of the Swift car which had reportedly taken away deceased Sultan Bellary before he was brutally killed and head severed from the body.

Former Margao civic chief lashes out at CM for ‘weakening’ Cong HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JAN 31

Former Margao municipal chairperson Johnson Fernandes has lashed out at Margao MLA and Chief Minister Digambar Kamat for ignoring senior and loyal congressman from Margao constituency for his personal advantage.

Johnson said that the chief minister should have set an example to other leaders by respecting loyal congressmen and that it is unbecoming of a chief minister to behave like an MLA. Saying that the chief minister is strengthening his position by destroying the Congress organization in Margao, Johnson expressed fears that Kamat may jump back to the BJP with his personal cadre as the later fears that loyal congressmen may create problems for him.

“Kamat is keeping his options open after the general Assembly elections due in 2012. If the Congress comes to power, he will remain in Congress but he will join hands with the BJP if that party comes

Kamat is keeping his options open after the general Assembly elections due in 2012. If the Congress comes to power, he will remain in Congress, but he will join hands with the BJP if that party comes to power.

-- Johnson Fernandes

back to power. Kamat is making BJP stronger day by day,” he added.

The former MMC chairperson has urged Central leaders and loyal congressmen from the State to pre-empt Kamat’s move, while congratulating all the loyal congressmen who boycotted Congress convention held in Margao on last Sunday.

“Kamat cannot fool the people of Margao every time and it is high time that the people of Margao showed him the way in 2012,” he added.

Fishermen confront MMC for losing case against MPT HERALD REPORTER VASCO, JAN 31

It may have been a High Court order on the writ petition of Mormugao Port Trust (MPT), but the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) was at the receiving end.

Nearly 50 fishermen on Monday confronted MMC Chief Officer Gopal Parsekar and the municipal engineer, accusing

them of failing to present their case strongly in the High Court.

Led by Goa Fishing Boat Owners Association (GFBOA) President Simon Pereira, other office bearers Michael Pereira and Roney D'Souza, the agitating fishermen were later joined

by Councilor Lavina D'Souza and Fiola Rego.

They sought to know why the MMC had failed to submit

Loutolim’s shipyards Smoke from train causes panic in Margao continue to face heat HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JAN 31

Illegal shipyards in Rassaim, Loutolim, continue to face the heat. At a heated gram sabha on Sunday, the subject was debated with some of the members divided over the issue.

There was quite a ruckus during the proceedings when a handful of gram sabha members from Rassaim, who have given their lands to the shipyards on lease and those who have set up stores, bars, restaurants, etc, in the vicinity, insisted even though these were illegal no action should be taken against them.

The reason being many families sustain themselves on these businesses where hundreds of migrant workers are employed. However, majority of the gram sabha members disagreed stating that even sex workers sustained their families on prostitution and it does not mean the businesses should be legalised. Hence, illegal shipyards operating in Loutolim had to be closed down, members reiterated.

Pointing to a blatant illegality, the

gram sabha grilled the sarpanch on how house No 40 was allotted to Vijay Marine Shipyard when in reality the panchayat records showed it in the name of St Joseph Chapel, Rassaim.

The gram sabha demanded to know how the said house number which was first issued at the time of assessment of house tax in the 70s could be issued by the Panchayat in 2005 to the shipyard, which, it maintained, had no approvals from any competent authority.

Moreover, it mentioned, the shipyard was not even situated in the vicinity of the chapel and could have been allotted the said house no as per rule only if it was situated adjacent to the chapel and if it had approvals from competent authorities.

The Gram Sabha unanimously resolved to revoke the house number issued to the shipyard and initiate The Verna-Karwar train stationed at the Margao railway station after a mechanical fault in steps to demolish the illegal structure. the motor.

Photo by Santosh Mirajkar It also demanded for an official deHERALD REPORTER lowing from the motor of the running Marpartmental inquiry to find out who MARGAO, JAN 31 gao-Karwar train here on Monday evening. was the sarpanch when the house Tension rent the air after smoke started bilThe incident occurred this evening when number was allotted.

someone spotted smoke billowing from the train when it reached near the Margao railway gate, causing a panic situation.

The train later chugged at the Margao railway station and the passengers headed to Karwar were made to alight at the station.

KRC’s Sr Public Relations Manager, Baban Ghatge told Herald that arrangement were made for the Karwar bound passengers to reach their destination by the Mangala express.

Replying to a question, Ghatge said that the train has started its journey from Verna heading to Karwar when smoke was seen coming out when it reached Margao. “After inquiry, it was found that the smoke emanated from the motor. The train is presently stationed at Margao and the mechanical fault will be rectified by the concerned people”, he said.

Ghatge said the incident appears to be a minor one and would be rectified by Tuesday.

Licences of two off-shore casinos cancelled Moti Dongor assault HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JAN 31

In an interesting development, the government today cancelled casino licences of two

off-shore casino vessels – Casino Royale and Arabian Sea King.

The termination letter, signed by Under Secretary (Home) V P Dangui, states that the vessels do not have Director General Shipping trading licence, which is mandatory under the Gambling Act. The order also states that the reply to the show-cause notices issued by the department to the operators was unsatisfactory.

However, Herald understands that Casino Royale was given until February 18 to submit the documents.

The earlier three month deadline ended on January 18, however, the Captain of Ports has granted them another ex-

tension of one month.

Officials in the Home department were unavailable for comments.

The officials of Casino Royale and the Arabian Sea King too refused to make any comment.

An official in the company said that all the related surveys of Casino Royale have been completed by DG Shipping and they are hopeful of getting all the necessary documents this week.

When contacted Captain of Ports James Braganza confirmed that his department has given an extension of one month to produce the necessary documents.

“The honourable court had asked us to meet the operators and give them time to produce

Indefinite Bicholim bandh from today HERALD CORRESPONDENT BICHOLIM, JAN 31

Residents of Velguem-Bicholim will resort to an indefinite bandh from Tuesday, to protest against the government's failure to honour its promises to the villagers.

The residents have been protesting against the poor condition of roads in the village.

It may be recalled that on January 14, the foundation stone for the road leading towards Gaowada-Velguem in Pale constituency was conducted amid much fanfare in the presence of Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, Speaker Pratapsing Rane, Pale MLA Pratap Gawas and other government officials.

The government had promised that the construction and hot mixing of the main road to Gaowada-Velguem would be

taken up immediately.

During the Gram Sabha on Sunday, the issue of the road came up for discussion and residents warned that if the contractor failed to start the road work within two days, they would block the entire traffic at Velguem.

Most of the 100-odd villagers present at the Gram Sabha blamed the contractor and MLA Pratap Gawas for the failure to undertake the road work.

The residents had decided that the chief minister and other authorities would be informed of the Bandh. Accordingly, a letter submitted by Velguem Sarpanch Geeta Haldankar and signed by the panch members along with about 100 villgers has been forwarded to the chief minister, MLA, PWD chief engineer and other government officials in Bicholim.

documents,” Captain Braganza said.

However, the CoP was quick to add that the extension was only for producing documents and nothing to do with the NoCs. “Their NoCs have expired almost a year back,” he said.

What is interesting to note is the timing of the order issued by the Home Department.

The DG Shipping had asked the government to act against the vessels in mid-2010 but the government was dragging its feet on the issue.

Home Minister Ravi Naik, who is already facing flake from all quarters perhaps, did not want to be caught in another controversy during the ongoing assembly session.

accused demand probe HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JAN 31

Terming the complaint of assault and rioting lodged against them as false and baseless, the accused in Sunday’s alleged attack on Ameen Bawar have urged the police to conduct a detailed inquiry into the so called attack case.

The seven accused persons submitted a representation to the Margao police and DySP, Margao to inquire into the matter, claiming they have been falsely implicated by the complainant to settle scrores.

They claimed that they did not assemble at Arlem-Raia as alleged by the victim and com-

plainant, adding that the complaint is filed with ulterior motive in order to mete out harassment and to pressurize them to withdraw the complaint lodged against the complainant in the Moti Dongor attack. “The complaint filed against us before the Maina Curtorim police station was only to create evidence and tarnish our image in the society ”, the seven persons stated.

Accused Maqbool Sirsi said that he and Mardan Ali Sirsi were very much present at their residence last evening and added that the police should check their mobile location before initiating further action.

Churchill’s candidate elected to Benaulim Panchayat HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JAN 31

PWD Minister Churchill Alemao backed candidate emerged victorious in the bye-elections for ward No V of the Benaulim Panchayat.

David Santano Fernandes was declared elected after he defeated his rival Agnelo Joao Mateu Eleoterio Severes in a straight fight.

Returning Officer, Paresh Faldessai informed that while David polled 305 votes, Agnelo had to content with 245 votes.

Bye-elections to ward No V of the Benaulim village Panchayat was necessitated following the resignation of former Sarpanch Maria Fernandes from the membership of the Panchayat body.

PWD Minister, Churchill Alemao said the David was supported by his daughter Valanka

Accusing the chief minister for not taking up any landmark project in the State nor has come out with any schemes for the common man, Johnson said the chief minister has lost the confidence of the minorities in the State, who had throughout stood behind the Congress and dared Kamat to publicly outline the work he has done for the minorities.

He said that except for the air-conditioned toilet at the Margao Municipal garden, the chief minister has failed to transform Margao, adding traffic congestion, gang fights, Moti Dongor, Sonsodo is the order of the day.

The former chairperson further said he would soon launch ‘Save Congress’ movement in Margao to save the party from extinction.

Asked whether he is a member of the Congress party, Johnson said that he was earlier a member of the Save Goa Front, but later joined the Congress after the regional outfit merged with ruling party three years ago.

a Memorandum of Understating (MoU) signed in 1994 between GFBOA, MPT and state government, that had surveyed 194 structures, which would be rehabilitated first and later demolished.

Anticipating trouble in the council building, a police force was summoned to control the agitating fishermen.

Speaking to Herald, municipal sources said the MMC was not a signatory to the MoU that was signed between the MPT, GFBOA and the state government.

"As such, the MMC was not involved in the MoU and hence, it was the duty of the State government to present the MoU in the court," a source said.

CRIME BEAT Decomposed body found at Valpoi

Valpoi PI Shivram Vaigankar and a police at the site where the body was lying gin Nagve-Valpoi.

Photo by Ashraf Khan HERALD CORRESPONDENT VALPOI, JAN 31

A man believed to be in his mid-thirties was found dead near a rivulet, barely 50 metres from the Valpoi-Panjim highway at Nagve-Valpoi-Sattari on Monday evening.

According to Valpoi Police Inspector Shivram Vaigankar, an unknown person called up Valpoi Police to report a dead body lying at Nagve in Valpoi.

A police team rushed to the spot and found the highly decomposed body.

The police suspects that the man might have committed suicide as three empty packets of rat poison and a full packet (commando Rat poison) along with 2 water bottles in a plastic bag were found near the body.

Going by the clothes on the body, police believes that the deceased could be a native from another State. The body was later sent for an autopsy at the GMC hospital at Bambolim and investigations are in progress to identify the deceased.

Indictment filed in Mapusa murder HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, JAN 31

Mapusa Police has filed an indictment against Uttam Chawan before the Judicial Magistrate First class at Mapusa, in connection with the murder of a labourer in a flat at Peddem-Mapusa.

Chawan, who was arrested by the police on November 1, 2010, is presently in police custody at Mapusa.

It may be recalled that while counting of the votes of the Mapusa Municipal election was in progress, Mapusa Police received a call stating that a body was found lying in a pool of blood at a flat at Peddem.

The deceased, Devesh Verma, was fatally stabbed by the accused in the stomach.

In the 95-page indictment police examined about 50 witnesses in support of its case. Police Sub Inspector Rajesh Kumar conducted the investigations under the guidance of DySP Sammy Tavares.

Calangute police bust prostitution racket HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, JAN 31

The Calangute Police busted a prostitution racket late Sunday evening and arrested seven persons, including six eunuchs, besides rescuing a girl from a disco pub at Calangute-Baga.

According to Calangute PI Manjunath Dessai, the raid was carried out at 12 midnight based on reliable information. The six eunuchs along with a Mumbai girl were caught red-handed demanding money from customers.

The owner of the disco pub, Norman Socorro Azavedo (42) of Sangolda, was also arrested in this connection.

The raid was carried out in the presence of an NGO and DySP P L Mapari.

The girl has been sent to Apna Ghar, Merces, while the investigation is being carried out by PI Manjunath Dessai.

David Francisco Fernandes alongwith his supporters and Churchill’s daughter Valanka Alemao give a victory pose.

and South Goa ZP Chairperson Maria Rebello. “David’s victory showed that the people have supported the candidate backed by me, Valanka and Maria. We would usher in the development of Benaulim constituency as a whole”, Alemao added.

Meanwhile, the Returning Officer said that Mario Joao Pereira was elected the new Panch member of ward No V of Verna village Panchayat. In the byepolls, Mario polled 164 votes, while Victor Menino Fernandes polled 146 votes.

Ex-mamlatdar questioned HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, JAN 31

Mapusa Police on Monday recorded the statement of former Bardez Mamlatdar P M Borkar, in connection with the forged birth certificate of Ganeshraj Narvekar, son of Aldona MLA Dayanand Narvekar. With this, the police have so far interrogated 13 persons in the case.

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House cuts sorry figure on shorter sessions This govt’s sessions average 21.5 days per year, says Parrikar HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JAN 31

The Goa Legislative Assembly was on Monday told it needs to meet for an average of 30 days in a year, a time frame which has been stipulated for smaller states in the country.

Speaking in this regard Congress Legislator Dayanand Narvekar maintained that the report of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) was normally not amended and challenged.

Narvekar said the present Government since 2007 until now had not shown any transparency in functioning of all departments as it had always sought to cut down the Assembly sessions.

He said in the past, the sessions used to be longer and shared some of the statistics of average working days of the Assembly – 2001 (29 days), 2003 – (34 days), 2004 (34 days).

Narvekar said the present Government since 2007 has never exceeded 25 days in a given year consisting of 365 days. This is a mocker y of democracy, he added.

“To have debates pertaining

To have debates pertaining to the legislature, judiciary and executive, the three most important wings which sum up Government functioning, more time is needed.

-- Narvekar

to the legislature, judiciary and executive, the three most important wings which sum up Government functioning, more time was needed,” he asserted.

Cutting a sorry figure over the issue the Aldona MLA said including him the strength of the Indian National Congress in the House was of 20 members, so where was the question of curtailing the sessions. “I want an answer form the Government why the sessions are short,” he demanded.

BJP MLA Francis D’Souza observed that every time the BAC report was placed, the House is assured of longer sessions but the same never happens.

Democracy contemplates de-

bates on each and every issue affecting the State, he noted.

Supporting Narvekar on the issue, Opposition leader Manohar Parikar said there has to be a rule on the period of sessions in the House as this conduct of business after every six months for a small state wasn’t correct.

Parrikar observed that the Government should use sessions to correct and improve its functioning. “Responsibility and accountability will come when the House meets after shorter periods. There is a need to reconsider this decision of five-day sessions and meeting after long gaps,” he stated.

When Chief Minister Digambar Kamat defended the average days of the sessions had been 26 days in 2009, Parrikar intervened and corrected him by saying this Government averaged 21.5 from 2007 to 2010.

At this point, Kamat said he agreed the House needs to meet for at least 30 days as has been stipulated for smaller states.

However, he maintained, the sessions at the beginning of the year have averaged five days since 2000.

Parrikar ridicules Guv’s speech as directionless, error ridden HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JAN 31

“The Governor’s speech had no direction, it was full of errors but moreover, it did not portray correct picture of the State,” said Opposition Leader Manohar Parrikar while reacting sharply to Governor Dr S S Sidhu’s address to Goa Legislative Assembly on Monday.

Addressing a press conference immediately after the Governor’s address at Assembly Complex, Opposition Leader, said he was totally disappointed to hear Governor’s speech which was badly drafted.

He said that Governor ’s speech should give an indication of the direction the government’s developmental work would follow. But today’s speech of the Governor had none. “It had no direction, in fact, it gave wrong information.”

Referring to law and order problem, Parrikar said the statistics about fall in crime rate which Governor mentioned in his speech, was selectively given.

Governor’s speech should outline the direction the government would follow in developing the State. But today’s speech had no direction.

--Parrikar

The Governor’s speech had no mention of drug trade even as national media has time and again highlighted that Goa has virtually become a centre for movement of narcotics, he said.

He also took on the Governor for talking about the government’s achievement in the tourism sector.

“Goa has emerged as the most favoured tourist destination in the country for both domestic and foreign tourists,” stated the Governor in his speech.

However, Opposition Leader disputed this saying Goa’s share in the tourism sector has de-

House condoles Goa’s greats HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JAN 31

The House on the first day of the Winter Session was in for some light moments during the passing of condolatory motions when BJP MLA Vijay Pai Khot and Aldona MLA Dayanand Narvekar deviated from the usual and chose to do something different.

Khot had ever yone spell bound in the House as well as those watching from the gallery when he narrated two of the dialogues of noted stage personality of Goan origin Prabhakar Panshikar from the Marathi play ‘Toh Mee Navech’ (That’s Not Me).

Narvekar surprised everyone during his moment of paying tribute by singing a verse of legendary Hindustani vocalist Pandit Bhimsen Joshi’s devotional song ‘Indrayani Kathi’.

Besides Pandit Joshi and Panshikar, who passed away this month, the others condoled were literary greats Ravindrabab Kelekar, Dr Subhash Bhende and Narayan Surve and two political figures Sadashiv Marathe and Krishnanath Baburao Naik.

Apart from Khot and Narvekar, the others who condoled the deaths of these prominent personalities were Ramkrishna Dhavalikar, Dayanand Mandrekar, Ravi Naik, Laxmikant Parsekar, Rajesh Patnekar, Mahadev Naik, Dayanand Sopte, Babu Azgaonkar, Damu Naik, Victoria Fernandes, Manohar Parrikar and Digambar Kamat.

Many of the legislators while paying their condolences became nostalgic recounting the five different roles played by Prabhakar Panshikar in the play ‘Toh Mee Navech’ (That’s Not Me).

clined and the State’s name was nowhere in the top ten tourist destinations listed in an article published in Wall Street Journal.

A State like Bihar has experienced increase in tourist flow overtaking Goa, he said.

Further criticising Governor’s speech which talked about achievements of the government, Parrikar said, it’s not true that water supply situation in the State has become any better.

“Porvorim continues to face water shortage. Why go elsewhere, the Assembly complex does not have regular water supply,” he remarked.

Referring to growth of 13.03 per cent in Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) as against 9.46 per cent achieved during previous year, he said, it was all due to phenomenal increase in mineral ore export.

While the Governor in length spoke about developmental works taken up by the government, in terms of several projects, the former chief minister said the government has not studied socio-economic impact of many of the projects it has initiated.

Referring to government’s claim of rise in gainful employment, he said, Governor was vague on this aspect.

Overall, he said, the Governor’s speech did not give a true picture of achievements of the government.

Canacona police round up three youth from Sanguem for motorcycle theft HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, JAN 31

Canacona police has rounded up three youth from Sanguem in connection with a motorcycle theft in Canacona taluka.

While one youth is a resident

of Valkini-Sanguem, the other two belong to Tisk-Sanguem.

All three youth were earlier arrested by Sanguem police in a motorcycle theft case and on interrogation, they revealed their involvement in a similar

offence at Canacona.

Sanguem police had reportedly recovered two other motorcycles from the accused.

Police said the accused have been booked by Canacona po-

lice in the theft of a motorcycle at Bhatpal on January 11. They were produced before the Principal Magistrate, Juvenile Justice Board at Apna Ghar, Merces, and were later released.

In another incident, thieves

stole a motorcycle from a house at Bhatpal. The stolen motorcycle was later traced in a thick vegetation of an internal road at Mokhardmoll, but without the two tyres and lights.

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upcoming events Sunday ballroom classes PANJIM(HND): Dr Martin and his team would be starting the basic level classes for five consecutive Sundays starting from February 6 at Clube Harmonia, Margao, from 10.30 am to 1 pm. Students will get to learn Cha Cha, Jive, Salsa/Samba, Waltz, Foxtrot and Tango. For details contact 9823014397 or 2714818.

French basic course PANJIM(HNB): The Xavier Centre of Historical Research, (www.xchr.in) at Alto Porvorim, will organize a French Basic Course by a French teacher from Paris, from February 7 to April 20, from 4 pm to 6 pm ever Monday, Wednesday and Friday. For further details contact office: tel. 2417772.

Passport Adalat PANJIM (HND); Passport office, Panjim will hold a Passport Adalat on February 5, from 10 am to 1.15 pm. The adalat will be held at passport office, Passport Bhavan, Patto Plaza, Panjim. Applicants who have applied for passport and in which clear police report is received, but still pending for more than 30 days, are advised to register their public grievances in writing with the passport officer or through email: rpo.panaji@mea.gov.in on or before 3 February 2011.

The applicants are further advised to be present at passport office on the above said date with all original documents.

Yoga classes in Panjim PANJIM (HND): Saptarishi Kriya Yoga Academy, Vetalwaddo, Camurlim is offering yoga, pranayama, meditation course conducted by Yoga master Dr Pandurang Ravlu Gaonkar at TB Cunha hall, opposite Azad Maidan, Panjim, from 5 pm to 6 pm on all weekdays. Those interested may call 9923667716.

Original ID Proof needed for ‘Tatkal’ HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JAN 31

The Ministry of Railways will re-introduce the need for carrying original ID proof during railway journeys, with effect from 11 February 2011. Any one of the passengers travelling on the Tatkal ticket must produce any one of the following eight ID proofs in original during the journey: 1. Voter Photo Identity Card issued by Election Commission of India 2. Passport 3. PAN Card issued by Income Tax Department 4.

Driving Licence issued by RTO 5. Photo ID Card issued by central/state government 6. Student photo ID Card issued by recognised school/college, for students 7. Nationalised bank passbook with photo 8. Credit cards issued by bank with laminated photo If none of the passengers can produce original ID proof for ticket checking staff during the journey, all passengers on the ticket will be treated as ‘without ticket’ and will be charged excess fare and penalty as per rules. However, no ID proof is required to be produced at the reservation counter while booking the Tatkal ticket.

Low tourist arrivals affect tourism trade in Canacona HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, JAN 31

Cooks are aplenty, but the eaters are few. This seems to be the state of affairs for many tourism stakeholders in the ensuing season, who have set up restaurants and accommodations in Canacona’s coast.

“The low turnout of tourists, both foreign and domestic, is a matter of concern for many. Unless the inflow improves soon, it will be very difficult to recover the investment made by most people,” said CMC’s ex-councillor Diwakar Pagui.

People who have erected restaurants and accommodations on the entire Canacona coastline have been left high and dry, with only 30-40% of the expected tourist arrivals. This has severely hit the trade this year, informed sources.

“The season peaked only in Christmas week and the rush subsided within the first 3-4 days of the New Year. Many tourism entrepreneurs who invested heavily are left to face their fate as only a trickle of foreign tourists arriving in Goa frequents the State’s southern-most coast in Canacona,” complained the stakeholders.

“Most domestic groups come only for a visit and hardly occupy the accommodations or give business to restaurants for more than one occasion. They soon leave for other destinations, unlike foreign tourists,” said

n The low turnout of tourists, both foreign and domestic, is a matter of concern for many. Unless the inflow improves soon, it will be very difficult to recover the investment made by most people.

Dattaguru Dhuri, a local tourism entrepreneur.

The story is the same in every locality all over the taluka’s coast with only few entrepreneurs situated at prime locations are known to make their ends meet even before Christmas and until now.

Palolem is too struggling to live up amid tough competitions from the few visiting numbers, while some of the most dejected lot are located at Agonda beach.

This is one coastline in entire Canacona taluka which witnessed enormous tourism activities on its 3-km beachfront, while the turn up of tourists may have almost remained constant or have slightly increased past two years, but poorly felt insignificant to match with the increased scenario.

Other beach coasts at Galgibaga, Polem and few sprawling

Telephone bills counter inaugurated at Pernem HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, JAN 31

Speaker, Pratapsingh Rane has highlighted the importance of cooperative movement and said that the cooperative credit societies have helped to accelerate socio-economic progress particularly in rural areas of the State.

Rane was speaking at the inauguration of opening of counter of Bhagwati Cooperative to accept telephone bills at Nagzar in

Pernem in presence of Minister for Panchayats, Babu Azgaonkar.

Azgaonkar expressed happiness over setting up of the counter for accepting the telephone bills for the people in Nagazar, Shemecheadvan and surrounding areas.

President of North Goa Zilla Panchayat Pandurang Parab, Chairman Goa State Cooperative Bank Ramchandra Mule and Asst Registrar Coop Societies V B Devidas, also spoke on the occasion.

Understanding Technology Lesson 0: What is HTML? HTML Tags

HTML, which stands for HyperText Markup Language, is the predominant markup language for web pages.

HTML is the basic buildingblocks of webpages. A markup language is a set of markup tags, and HTML uses markup tags to describe web pages. Technically speaking, HTML is not a true computer language, as it is neither compiled nor interpreted. However for the ease of communication, it is referred to as a markup 'language'.

Hypertext Markup Language tags are part of the language that powers web pages and delivers instruction to your web browser to display the page information in more than just plain text.

Example: <B>text</B> (turns text into bold).

HTML tags are keywords surrounded by angle brackets like <html> and they normally come in pairs like <b> and </b>. The first tag in a pair is the start tag, the second tag is the end tag; which are also called opening tags and closing tags respectively.

This is the first in a series of HTML tutorials. Stay tuned on step-by-step guides on how to create your own webpages from scratch.

tourists stunts in Khola coast in the northern-side of Canacona taluka, which otherwise are known to receive its own quota of visitors, too have reportedly remained dormant this year.

It is feared that the crunch in foreign tourists has been felt due to last minute cancellation of several European flights due to unprecedented snowfall witnessed in those regions in December and onwards.

However, people are still keeping their fingers crossed, as many flights, reportedly scheduled in the coming months, while more chartered flights especially from European countries are expected to land in the State, will bring tourists then will help in making up with present shortfall.

“As more and more people turning to grab the seasonal pie, it is feared that abnormal growth in saturated tourist-related activities have compelled the stakeholders in sharing the income and most unsatisfied, rather than complaining of less arrivals,” informed a local politician, who don’t want to be identified.

“While locals running restaurants and tourist accommodations are complaining of slack season, restaurants and other related activities run by foreign nationals or even non-Goans (run in benami names and collaboration with basics provided by locals themselves) are seen normally doing enough business since the season started,” asserts the politician.

Retreat at Carambolim Church HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, JAN 31

All Goa special healing retreat for married couples will be held at Carambolim Church on February 4 by Fr Joseph Salema, Director of St Pius X, Pastoral Institute, Old Goa, for five consecutive Fridays, from 6:30 am to 12 pm.

Thomas Fernandes and his intercessory team will pray at the Blessed Sacrament for the success of the retreat for married couples. The retreat will begin at 7:30 am with the Rosary based on married life. From 8:30 am to 9:30 am, Dioginho D’Costa will give a talk and his own personal experience on married life. From 9:30 am to 10:30 am, Mario Fernandes and his Music Ministry will conduct praise and worship dedicated to married couples.

From 11 am to 12 pm, Fr Conceicao D’Silva, Agnes Fernandes will conduct the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament dedicated to the married couples and then Fr Conceicao D’Silva will pray over the married couples .

Fr Jose Roque Gonsalves, Parish Priest of Verna will be the main celebrant for the concelebrated mass where he will preach on theme “Kazari Bhav Bhoinnamni Mogan, Ekvottan ani Magnnean Nazarethchea Ghorabea bhaxen aplem kazari jivit sarchem”. From 6:30 pm to 12 pm, priests will be available for confession. Transport will be available from Margao near Fatima Convent, Bus Stand from 6:30 am onwards.

Youth urged to make India a better place HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, JAN 31

Educationist and retired professor Datta Naik has stated that it is the responsibility of the youth to safeguard the independence from external aggression and make India a better place to live in.

Naik was speaking after distributing prizes to the winners of Patriotic songs (group) singing competition organized by Penha-de-Franca Panchayat on the Republic Day at Brittona for the schools in Porvorim.

“India has achieved freedom through non-violence. With freedom comes power and with power comes responsibility and it the responsibility of the youth to safeguard this independence from external aggression and make India a better place to live in. Youth are the backbone of the country,” said Naik.

He further said India has got all the resources which if used judiciously can do wonders for the country.

“India has got the potential to become superpower. If the youths work hard and weed out corruption in the society, then there is nothing that can stop India to become superpower,”

said Naik.

Adv Gokuldas Naik stated that education is a must for every individual and the students should concentrate on their studies and become ideal citizens of the country.

“India got freedom because of the supreme sacrifices made by the freedom fighters. It is now the responsibility of the youth to preserve this freedom at any cost and make their country stronger,” said Naik.

ZP member Gupesh Naik also spoke on the occasion.

In the patriotic songs (group) singing competition (primary school category), Vidhya Prabhodini Primary School and Government Primary School were the winners.

In the high school category, L D Samant Memorial High School, Sunandabai Bandodkar High School and Dona Leonor Memorial High School were the winners, while consolation prize went to Chubby Cheeks Spring Valley High School.

The guests distributed the prizes to the winners.

Vinod Kumbarjevekar welcomed the gathering and compered the function, while Panch Visranti Dessai proposed the vote of thanks.

HTML Documents = Web Pages

The purpose of a web browser (like Internet Explorer or Firefox) is to read HTML documents and display them as web pages.

The browser does not display the HTML tags, but uses the tags to interpret the content of the page.

Prof Datta Naik addresses the gathering at Porvorim.

Photo by Anil Shankhwalker

s h o rt ta k e s Speaker distibutes cheques

A woman receives a cheque under Indira Avas Yojna from Speaker Pratapsingh Rane at Valpoi. Photo by Ashraf Khan

VALPOI(HC): Speaker Pratapsingh Rane recently distributed cheques to 78 beneficiaries of Indira Avas Yojna in Sattari taluka.

Rane distributed the cheques at a function at Forest Training School Hall, Valpoi. Sattari Mamlatdar Satish Dessai, Joint Mamlatdar Trupti Rane, Block Development Officer Mudgaonkar and ZP member Humlo Gawde attended the function.

Bhirondem Sarpanch Udaysingh Rane welcomed the gathering, while Thane Sarpanch Prakash Gaonkar proposed the vote of thanks.

‘Kraftwork Nite’ organised

From left to right are Baba Rodrigues, St Agustine Panch; Jose Fernandes, organiser of Kraftwork’s Nite; Victoria Fernandes, Santacruz MLA and Principal of Don Bosco (Calangute), Savio at the 22nd Traditional Kraftwork’s Nite held recently.

PANJIM (HND): Kraftwork St Agostinho, St Cruz, in association with Kingfisher and Royal Stag presented its 22nd Annual Free Beat show ‘Kraftwork Nite’ recently at St Agostinho Ground, St Cruz with Goa’s leading bands Status 4, India, Brothers-in-Arms, Open Highway and DJ Kelly Crus. Cedric D’Costa compered the function that was promoted by Jose Fernandes in memory of his late brother Anton Joao Fernandes.

CME programmes organised

Dr Yuri Dias, Dr Dilip Amonkar, Dr Beryl De Souza, Dr George Barretto and Dr Wiseman Pinto at the CME programmes held at GMC recently.

PANJIM(HND): The Goa Medical College organised a series of Continuing Medical Education (CME) Programmes in the GMC recently. In the first CME Programme Dr Beryl De Souza, Consultant Plastic Surgeon, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and Imperial Medical School, University of London, UK spoke on Recent Advances in the treatment of Burns and Dr George Barretto, Consultant Gastrointestinal Surgeon, Univerity of Sydney, Australia spoke on the recent advances in Acute Pancreatitis. This CME was chaired by Dr R G Wiseman Pinto, Dr Dilip Amonkar and Dr Yuri Dias.

At the second CME Programme the faculty were Dr Pushpalatha Pai, Professor and Head of Pathology Department, Yenepoya Medical College, Mangalore and Dr Hansa Goswami, Professor of Pathology B J Medical College, Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The topics covered at the CME were lymphoma and glass slide seminars. This was chaired by Dr R G Wiseman Pinto.

At the third CME Programme the faculty were Dr Gilda Da Cunha Santos, Professor and Consultant Cytopathologist, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Canada and Dr Ramdas Naik, Professor of Pathology, Kasturba Medical College Mangalore. The topics covered were Lymphoma of Lung, Carcinoma of Lung, Neuroendocrine tumors of lung and metastatic carcinoma of thyroid and glass slide seminars. This CME was chaired by Dr R G Wiseman Pinto. All the CMEs were accredited by the Goa Medical Council.

Career guidance course held

Chitpawan Brahmins urged to aid poor people from community HERALD CORRESPONDENT MAYEM, JAN 31

Dr Pandurang Marathe has called upon the Chitpawan Brahmin community to use their strength to help poor and downtrodden sections of the community with the help of spiritual strength like lord Parshuram.

He was addressing the gathering during the annual get together and felicitation programme of scholar students organized by All Goa Chitpawan Brahmin Community at Yogeshwari Temple Kulan-Bicholim recently.

Sangh President Gurudas Mone, Narayan Fadke, Umakant Vaze, Vishnu Damle, Ramkrishna Garde, Shanu Vaze, Nilkanth Marathe, Prabhakar Marathe and others were present on the occasion.

Umakant Vaze (Nageshi), Kirtankar Ramkrishnabuwa Garde

(Pilgao), Damodar Barve (Surla), Shanu Vaze (Nagargao) and Vishnu Anant Damle (Dharbandora) were felicitated by Pandurang Marathe with a shawl, srifal and memento.

Students Aditya Marathe, Swati Kelkar, Bhargavi Kelkar, Shreya Kelkar, Pratiksha Barve, Anil Behere, Gayatri Joshi, Smita Mone and Ankita Joshi were also felicitated for their bright academic career.

Dr Aparna Pandurang Marathe was also felicitated for securing gold medal in Ayurvedic studies.

Chitpawan Sangh President Gurudas Mone informed the gathering about different projects.

Milind Joshi and Dhananjay Mone compered the programme and introduced the guests, while Nagesh Fadke proposed the vote of thanks.

Poet Mhadav Satwani guides SSC students during career guidance course at Valpoi.

Photo by Ashraf Khan

VALPOI(HC): Valpoi Sports Club-Dubai and Citizens Club, Valpoi, jointly organised a career guidance course for SSC students at Unity High School Hall, Valpoi.

Besides students of Unity High School, students from National High School Valpoi also attended the course. A special session was also arranged for the parents.

Mhadav Satwani, poet from Sattari, was the keynote speaker.

Valpoi Municipal Council Vice Chairperson Faimida khan and Unity High School Headmaster Mustufa Aga were the guests at the inaugural function.

VSC-Dubai Manager Atik Aga and Citizens Club Valpoi President Nasir Khan also spoke during the inaugural function.

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GCZMA assures action on Sancoale mangrove cutting

Killer dengue on the rise in Cortalim HERALD CORRESPONDENT CORTALIM, JAN 31

Cortalim village could soon be known for the notorious killer disease dengue, if steps are not taken to control the disease.

In an open letter by the Paediatric Department of the GMC, it has observed that a number of dengue fever cases have been reported in Cortalim area.

The letter comes days after a young student Jescio Fernandes from Novo Palmar, in Cortalim was diagnosed with dengue and was in a serious condition.

Fernandes, who survived the disease, has been discharged from the ICU and his condition has been reported to be out of danger.

When contacted, CortalimQuelossim Sarpanch Anthony Miranda admitted the serious of the issue. "The Medical officer had organized a meeting with the panchayat members and it was agreed to close the pig toilets and release all the waste in the soak pit, and treat their garbage. Residents have been given 15 days to comply," Miranda told Herald.

"We have already made announcements in the churches

2 found dead in Anjuna HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, JAN 31

Two persons were found dead in separate incidents at Anjuna on Monday. In the first incident, a Russian national, Vatau Sewmikui (40), died in the hospital on Monday, barely a day after he arrived in the State.

The Russian was hospitalized and was declared dead at the hospital in Anjuna. PSI Sinari is investigating the case. In another case, Nazir Das (42) a native of Srinagar but residing at Calangute, died while on way to the hospital in Anjuna.

PSI Chodankar is investigating the case.

Two injured at Usgao HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARCEL, JAN 31

Two persons were injured when a truck and a two-wheeler collided with each other at KeliniUsgao on Monday morning.

According to Ponda police, Jayant Waski and Vinode Dhawre were travelling on the two wheeler (GA-02-P-7862), when they were knocked down by a truck (GA-05-T-0717). The truck driver, Nirajkumar Singh has been arrested on charges of rash and negligent driving and was later released on bail.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT CORTALIM, JAN 31

n We have already made announcements in the churches and an announcement in the village on loudspeaker will also be done shortly. Those found violating the sanitary norms would have to face the consequences under the Health Act, including the disconnection of water and electricity. and an announcement in the village on loudspeaker will also be done shortly. Those found violating the sanitary norms would have to face the consequences under the Health Act, including the disconnection of water and electricity," Miranda added.

With Verna Industrial Estate being in close proximity to the village, Cortalim is fast turning to be home for migrants with almost every ward in the village having at least 50 percent migrant population.

Nova Palmar and Maddant, which have clusters of houses, have reported to be releasing sewage in public water drains.

In fact, the Health Officer Dr Mariano Godinho recently forced the residents living along the high storm nullah at Cortalim to stop

releasing sewage and waste water in the nullah and made them put soak pits in their property.

The doctor had also managed to demolish two toilets which were built on the nullah at Thana after disconnecting water and electricity to the structures even thought the authorities including the panchayat failed to take action against the structures.

Dr Godinho had also acted tough against various restaurants violating sanitary norms and also the industries coming up at the Verna Industrial Estate.

Ironically, the local MLA Mauvin Godinho's plans to have a state-of-the-art garbage treatment plant in Cortalim, was given a cold shoulder by a section of the villagers.

Pillion rider killed in road mishap at Bicholim HERALD CORRESPONDENT BICHOLIM, JAN 31

A 23-year-old pillion rider from Keri-Sattari died on the spot in a road mishap at Kudchirem-Bicholim on Sunday.

According to reports, the incident occurred at about 4.30 pm when two motorcycles collided with each other, killing Guru Gawas. Bicholim PSI T P Walke is investigating the case.

MMC’s ‘Chaka Chak’ initiative at Baina beach

MMC Chairperson Suchita Shirodkar along with Councillors Carlos Almeida, Shekhar Khadapkar, Daji Salkar, Tara Kerkar, Bavana Bhosle and Sunita Usgaonkar and official of Aquatic Sport Jayram N at Baina beach during the Baina beach cleanness drive.

Photo by M Prabhav HERALD REPORTER VASCO, JAN 31

The cleansing operation ‘Chaka Chak’ may have overlooked Baina beach, but Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) along with Mormugao Union of Journalist (MUJ) and Aquatic Sport Aquatic Sports Pvt Ltd lifted nearly three truck loads of garbage from Baina beach re-

cently.

In a joint initiative of municipal workers and Aquatic staff w h o w e re e q u i p p e d w i t h brooms, gunny bags, gloves and assorted tools to pick up plastics, papers, garbage strewn all over beach and liquor bottles, etc, cleared Baina beach during ‘Baina Beach Cleanliness Driver’.

However, the cleaning oper-

Ex-MLAs submit list of demands to Kamat

HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, JAN 31

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat felicitates former MLA Babuso Gaonkar at Gaondongrim-Canacona.

Photo by Kathy Pereira

Gaondongrim.

Kamat assured to look into the demands, while Forest Minister Phillip Neri Rodrigues, who was also given similar demands when he attended the Gramosthav-2011 at the concluding session in the evening, agreed to resolve issues in a phased manner.

Gaonkar submitted a 25-point demand on behalf of Gomantak Gaud Marath Samaj and scheduled tribes people of Goa in general.

ation commenced with MMC Chairperson Suchita Shirodkar herself taking broom in her hand to clear the dirt. She was assisted by Councilors Carlos Almeida, Shekhar Khadapkar, Daji Salkar, Tara Kerkar, Bavana Bhosle, Sunita Usgaonkar and officials of Aquatic Sport Jayram N and journalists from MUJ. “The initiative of MMC, MUJ and Aquatic Sport is to make Baina beach a habitat and happening place and we are pleased that workers of council and Aquatic Sports removed nearly three truck loads of garbage,” said Shirodkar.

Shirodkar wants the Aquatic Sports to extend its logistical support to MMC to maintain cleanliness on the beach.

Official of Aquatic Sport Jayram appreciated the joint initiative taken by these bodies to clean the beach. He urged MMC to help them to develop this beach and maintain cleanliness.

“We can assure that Aquatic Sports with MMC’s help will make Baina beach as good as other beaches to make place for people to come with their family and spend the whole day,” said Jayram.

2 rescued from drowning in State

HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, JAN 31

Two former legislators took advantage of Chief Minister Digamber Kamat's visit to Canacona taluka on Sunday to present him with a list of demands.

If ex-minister Isidore Fernandes submitted a three-point memorandum pertaining to local issues, former Marcaim MLA and tribal rights activist Babuso Gaonkar submitted an ambitious 25-point demand after chief minister inaugurated the one-day festival at Gaondogrim on Sunday morning.

Incidentally, Gaonkar was among those felicitated by the chief minister at the Gramosthav-2011.

Fernandes has requested the chief minister to resolve the issue of land 'Sanads' (i.e. land ownership) of Cotigao farmers and to solve the problem of declaring the critical wildlife habitat of Cotigao Wild life Sanctuary, which is likely to affect about 700 families.

The third demand pertains to providing employment to 25 families who would loose their land after construction of the 'Karvan', a mini tank (Dam) at

Taking cognizance of the alleged cutting of mangroves along the banks of river Zuari to pave the way for a controversial marina at Sancoale, the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) Member Secretary Micheal D'Souza has sought a report on the cutting of mangroves.

When Herald contacted him at his Saligao office, D'Souza informed that the approval from GCZMA was required under the new law.

"I have now text a message

They include filling up of vacancies earmarked for the ST within three months, reservation of plots/shed in IDC, besides plots of Goa Housing Board.

It has also been demanded to stop de-reservation of reserved posts, relaxation of age, qualification, physical standards, etc, establishment of tribal zone to give preference to ST's in all facilities, setting up of coaching classes/institutions for All India competitive examinations.

Two persons were rescued from drowning at Ashwem and Palolem beaches.

According to reports, a Russian woman Mila Usenko Bkrain (27) was rescued at Ashwem beach while she struggled in a no-swim zone despite warning from the lifeguards.

Bkrain was brought safely to the shores by the Lifeguards Siddesh Polgi and Vithoba Mandrekar.

In another incident at Palolem beach, Amit Singh (20) of Dharwad was rescued by Lifeguards Tukaram Pagi and Uday Gaonkar with the help of Jet-Ski Operators Manjunath and Kalpesh Pagi, while he struggled in the sea.

Cyclist hurt in Agonda accident CANACONA, JAN 31(HC)

A 12-year-old cyclist was seriously hurt after he was knocked down by a scooter at Agonda late Monday evening.

According to Canacona police, Kalpesh Dhananjay Dhuri was hit by the Honda Dio scooter (GA-09 T-3186) at Tambdem-Agonda.

Work on laying of pavers begins at Collem HERALD CORRESPONDENT COLLEM, JAN 31

Dharbandoda ZP member Rashmi Lambor recently inaugurated the programme of laying pavers in the premises of Ganesh Temple, Collem.

Former Dharbandoda ZP member Govind Sawant, Dr Rajendra Lambor, Gokula Pratistan’s Sagar Ganjekar and Nilkant Ganjekar, Gangesh Sonoskar, Dilip Gaonkar, Agnel

Diniz and others were present on the occasion.

The pavers will be laid around the temple and the funds for the project have been provided by the ZP office.

In his speech, Govind Sawant appealed to the people to co-operate for the development of the area.

L a m b o r a s s u re d re s i d e n t s f ro m Collem that she would take up de-

v e l o p m e n t a l w o r k s i n t h e re m o t e areas like Collem and surrounding areas.

Sagar Ganjekar of Gokula Pratistan said the anniversary day of Ganesh Mandir will be held on February 7 and has requested the contractor to complete the work of laying pavers at the temple.

Suresh Kolvekar proposed the vote of thanks.

to the Mormugao SDM Levison Martins for his report and thereafter I will file a criminal case," D'Souza emphatically told Herald.

When contacted, Deputy Conservator of Forest, South, Mahesh Kumar Shambu said he had already initiated action in the matter.

"The panchnama has been done, notices to various authorities including CRZ have been

issued and we on our part shall also initiate strict action," Shambu said tersely.

Asked about the status of earlier violations in the same matter wherein complaints were made to Forest Department about cutting of mangroves, the DCF said that he does not know what had happened in the past.

"But certainly action will be taken now if the party has been found violating the law," he said.

It may be recalled that large scale cutting of mangroves was done about two years ago which were stopped by the villagers. Also dredging of the River Zuari near the site for proposed marina was done which was

also successfully stopped by the villagers.

The company which is promoting the marina is also reported to have purchased large tracks of land near the proposed marina site thereby causing anxiety among the villagers.

OHERALDO

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www.oheraldo.in

O HERALD O

No small change

Vol No CXI No: 032 Goa, Tuesday, 1 February, 2011

Become a crusader against corruption

O

n Sunday, ordinary Indian citizens staged a civil uprising against corruption all over the country. It was Mahatma Gandhi’s death anniversary. No political party was involved. Neither the ruling Congress – which is reeling from a series of recent scams – nor the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) – which has skeletons tumbling out of its closets in Bangalore – were represented.

Instead, each of the venues of protest saw several hundred to several thousand ordinary citizens turn up on a Sunday to protest against corruption. The organisers were various NGOs, who have come together under the common platform of ‘India Against Corruption’. Goa too joined the crusade. Around 1,000 people gathered at Panjim’s Azad Maidan in the afternoon heat and marched on the capital’s streets in a three-hour show of determination to root out the cancer that is killing India.

The movement has many demands. These are bound to be different in each city that stood up to be counted. But the main demand is strengthening of anti-corruption laws. For too long, politicians and bureaucrats have got away with corruption. While departmental inquiries yield no results, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) at the centre and the Vigilance Departments and Anti-Corruption Bureaus in states are mere puppets in the hands of whichever party is in power.

What ‘India Against Corruption’ is demanding is the creation of an anti-corruption authority called the Lokpal at the centre, with a Lokayukta in each state, for speedy and effective prosecution of corrupt politicians and bureaucrats. At the centre of this demand is a new Lokpal Bill (the existing Lokpal Bill gives the Lokayukta only advisory powers in states). The proposed Bill has been drafted by former IPS officer Kiran Bedi, Former Chief Election Commissioner J M Lyngdoh, Karnataka Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde and crusader for a clean judiciary Adv Prashant Bhushan. Their recommendations will give the Lokpal and Lokayuktas the power to dismiss corrupt officials. The prosecution period will not extend beyond two years.

The Panjim meeting also demanded that all illegal mining be stopped immediately, and for action to be taken against officials involved in the illegal Special Economic Zone (SEZ) land allotments. Altogether, 12 resolutions were passed, including that the Goa Lokayukta Bill, which has been pending for more than seven years, be placed before the people, changed as per their will, and an ordinance promulgated within two months.

As we all know, these demands are likely to be completely ignored. Unless people are willing to fight for them, they are unlikely to see the light of day. So if you are fed up, angry and resentful about our public servants and government servants looting their masters (we the people) at will, don’t turn into a cynic. Instead, become a crusader against corruption. Next time there’s a protest, spare some time to attend it.

Black magic man

F

or all those politicians who thought that only the numbers on the floor of the Legislative Assembly could seat or unseat the man in power, here’s a new thought. Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on Monday claimed there was a “conspiracy” to eliminate him through… of all things… “black magic”!

Yedyurappa, who faces a potential criminal case for alleged corruption after Governor H R Bhardwaj sanctioned his prosecution recently, seems to be more afraid of the power of the occult than of the judiciary. Are dissidents in chronically unstable Goa now going to have one more weapon in their formidable political armoury?

I

Why are bus fares rising twice as fast as fuel prices? Does anyone care to find out, asks antHony SiMoES

n the quarter century I have spent in Goa, I have seen some rapid changes, slight changes, big ones, slow ones and no changes at all. I am reminded about them often, more so when I travel by bus. I could have seen bigger changes walking on our beaches, but – between the incoming tides, watersports, 300 legal shacks, 300 illegal ones, the River Princess, 2,000 beach beds and 6,000 umbrellas – there is hardly any beach left to walk on. What little is left has to be shared with pariah dogs, stray cattle, Lamanis, Telugu ear cleaners, beggars, ice-cream vendors and hordes of tourists.

To get to the beach I need to take at least two Goa buses. A bus journey, 25 years ago, meant crowded cattle class. One heard Konkani voices, abuses, political commentary, spiritual discourses, gossip, slander, philosophy, news and, without fail, Konkani songs over the music system. Today, on the same buses, Goans are gone. Instead of Konkani one hears Marathi, Kannada, Tulu, Malayalee, Tamil, Telugu, Oriya, Bengali, Urdu, Manipuri, Assamese, Nepali, Maithili, Gujarati, Punjabi, Marwari, as well as Hindi and its myriad dialects…

To make matters worse these Charlies all have mobile phones, which makes the music system redundant.

Many of them are itinerant labour, taking advantage of the seasonal nature of employment in our mining and tourism industry. During the monsoons they go back home to work as agricultural labourers. They speak survival Konkani with their own accents, and have adapted quickly.

One notices this in their attitude. They wait for the buses wherever it suits them, irrespective of where the bus stop is. Knowing the greed of our bus operators, they stop whenever and wherever they want by a wave of their hands.

In 1986, I paid 60 paise to travel from Mapusa to Panjim by cattle class. Today, it costs Rs10 for the same journey in the same cattle class; with the same pushing and shoving, the same stopwait-start driving, the same reckless speeding between stops. No tickets are issued and no uniforms worn even today. And who can the migrant worker complain to? The bus operator gives two hoots for locals. He takes his cue from the CM, who told Goan protestors: “I don’t need your votes.”

Between the ‘khas admi’ and the ‘bhaile’, the

Michael Vaz, Merces

There is no doubt that what Gandhiji is to the nation, T B Cunha is to Goa. Yet, while we pay utmost respect to Gandhiji and even remove our footwear while visiting his Samadhi, the T B Cunha memorial has become a public utility service.

People squat, sleep, spit paan, smoke, and do all sorts of undesirable activities at this place. Each time a public meeting is held at Azad Maidan, the memorial is abused in all possible ways, showing utter disrespect to the person whose remains are interred there.

It is cleaned only twice a year, when honouring martyrs. The government must ensure that the place is cordoned, guarded and lit, just the way a demand has been made made for the Shivaji ‘fort’ at Ponda.

Hopefully, the freedom fighters will back my suggestion. Or else, shift the memorial to another place.

It has become a fashion in our country to move at a snail’s pace. Sticking to deadlines and meeting targets has seldom been our way of functioning.

Just some months ago, the Commonwealth Games gave us so much adverse publicity for delays in execution of work.

Now on the eve of the Cricket World Cup, the ICC has cited delays in work at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata, and shifted the venue of the India-England fixture. The City of Joy, which hosted the Cup finals in 1987, has been deprived this time due to delays. Will we ever learn from past mistakes?

Social welfare boost

The Minister of Justice intends that all the assets of the now-abolished religious congregations should be exclusively dedicated to social regeneration works.

Wicker Maxim bags contract

The Foreign Minister in his speech, referring to the reorganisation of naval forces, said that the new war vessels – along with the Arsenal – will be built by the reputed company Wicker Maxim.

New election law

It was officially announced that the new electoral law has already been implemented.

BCCI run by idiots?

Phil Hilton, Colva After the CWG debacle, the Eden Gardens in Kolkata has lost the India-England game.

The BCCI had six years to ensure the grounds were up to standard and yet, three weeks before the World Cup starts, this happens.

The BCCI is the richest cricket authority in world cricket, but it seems to be run by idiots. I personally had to reschedule two flights and my match ticket, with a cancellation fee totalling Rs2,000. Will the BCCI reimburse me? I think not.

Find a better way Jane Dowse, England/Candolim I refer to ‘Arrogant foreigners in Goa’ by Christine Russon (Herald, 29 January). As a foreigner who truly loves Goa, for the right reasons – the climate, nature, people, culture and easygoing lifestyle – I choose to be in Goa just as many Goans choose to live in the UK or Canada.

But the latest visa rumours – 3-month visa and 2 months out, will adversely affect people’s lives. There are no doubt some ‘undesirable’ foreigners, but I believe changing visa rules will have little effect on them.

As for arrogant, disrespectful, and I will add to that, selfish and greedy people, this is not limited to foreigners. There are good and bad in all societies. There must be more effective ways to prevent terrorism and weed out foreign law breakers.

bers are absentee landlords minting money in Saudi Arabia, Dubai, the UK, the US and Canada.

The Nepali has turned the garage into a ‘dharamshala’ for new Nepali migrants till they can find jobs and accommodation. He uses society water for running a laundry in cahoots with the landlady, who gets her pound of flesh. There’s nobody to question her or her son, who is a notorious High Court lawyer-cum-scamster. Her other son and his in-laws specialise in violating CRZ rules, running illegal beach resorts and shacks.

This kind of behaviour is replicated thousands of times all over Goa. And then we wonder how the ‘bhailes’ prosper. They have studied Goans well. They simply leverage our willingness-tostoop-to-any-level, and make a fast, dishonest buck.

Coming back to our buses, in 25 years fares have gone up by a factor of 17, while diesel prices have gone up by a factor of 8. Fuel costs account for just 50 per cent of bus operating costs. So why are bus fares rising twice as fast as fuel prices? Does anyone care? Our bus operators keep complaining about rising diesel prices. Yet

they burn up Rs2 lakh worth of fuel every day, idling their engines at unauthorised stops and bus stands, waiting for customers, in full view of the authorities.

Besides wasting fuel, they cause air pollution and damage their bus engines. But they are not worried because, ultimately, they pass on these costs to the commuter. The same goes for bribes paid in various departments. That is why bus fares increase at twice the rate of fuel price increases. And the ‘khaas admi’ does not travel by bus. QED. But why target our bus operators? They take their cue from the administration: ‘Jaise Raja, vaise praja’ is the name of the game.

A dozen years ago, the Chief Engineer of Goa’s Electricity Department filed an affidavit in the High Court saying that 40 per cent of the electricity available to the state earns no revenue, because of what he called transmission and distribution (T&D) losses. He explained that the existing conductors are old, and therefore inefficient. But he failed to mention that half these ‘losses’ were because of power theft by bulk industrial users in cahoots with his field staff, bureaucrats, technocrats and the power minister. And who do you think makes up for the deficit? The ‘aam admi’, obviously!

The PWD Chief Engineer, at about the same time, quite shamelessly filed a similar affidavit.

He said that only half the water supplied by the PWD was recorded in water meters. The rest, he said, was either given free to poor people through public taps or was lost due to ‘leakages’. Like the Chief Electrical Engineer, for some strange reason, he failed to mention large scale water theft with the blessings of his department personnel and the political patronage of the PWD minister.

Thanks to Goans’ proclivity for their own little scams, they are quite comfortable with this kind of individual and collective amnesia for all kinds of frauds and scams in the state.

Just imagine, for years ‘some people’ collected exorbitant parking fees at a non-existent car park in our capital city! I won’t be surprised if someone like Veenu Bansal starts renting office space to the Russian mafia inside the Police HQ in Panjim…!

Enough Corruption!

I

Jonas Correia, Aldona

1 February 1911

Goan ‘aam admi’ has become the proverbial meat in the sandwich. From CM to bus conductor, (s)he is treated with contempt and disdain.

The politicians invented vote bank politics instinctively, long before our political scientists discovered it. Go to Moti Dongor and you’ll think you’ve landed in Pakistan. Curchorem/Sanvordem feels like a ghetto transferred, box and dice and all, from Bhatkal. Some parts of Taleigao resemble a locality in Kathmandu.

These guys have monopolised both ends of the economic spectrum. You have the menial labour, and you have the casinos and the fancy hairstyling and ‘Ayurvedic massage’ joints. Both the latter provide fine cover for traffickers, pimps, prostitutes and politicians. Fortunately, we have a home minister who can assure us that Goa is drug-free…

We Goans have become victims of our own envy and pusillanimity. For example, a big bhatkar’s widow who’s rolling in wealth has illegally converted her garages into rooms and rented them out to a Nepali family. The apartment she lives in is part of a society in which the rest of the mem-

t was so good see Azad Maidan full. At every protest, getting a large enough crowd to make a point is always a problem. But on Sunday the point was more than made – over 1,000 people marched against corruption.

The march was part of a nationwide effort, led by the likes of Kiran Bedi, Swami Agnivesh and Anna Hazare. It was no mere show of strength, the demands were practical: Pass the Lokpal Bill in the next session of parliament. It creates a powerful anticorruption body called the Lokpal, which is efficient, transparent, and completely independent. To depend on the government to move against corruption is to ask the thieves to close the door after they have finished looting.

The sheer mind-numbing figures of the Commonwealth Games (CWG) scam have proved to be the tipping point. People across India are disgusted with the sheer scale of corruption. On Sunday, people stood up to say enough is enough – in Goa, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Pune, Kolkata and elsewhere. For the first time in years, a non-political rally in Goa drew a huge crowd.

Politicians should take note. We are a sending out a clear message that we are sick of the mess you have created; of the way you have looted us; of the way you are raping the state. Especially

Shame!

PRIMEIRO DIARIO NAS COLONIAS PORTUGEZAS

PolitiCally inCorrECt

The Accidental Activist

T B Cunha defiled!

100 Years Ago

OPINION

note; the gathering unanimously resolved that illegal mining be immediately stopped, and those behind it be sent to jail.

I have a personal list of people I would like to see in jail. Heading it are those responsible for reducing the process of creating a Regional Plan into a farce; for shoving in last-minute changes and additions, and for reducing the plan to a tool for various lobbies.

This is corruption of the worst order, because those responsible have corrupted the clear will of the people of the state.

Coming a close second are those responsible for illegal mining – the officials who turn a blind eye, the greedy mine owners who would happily swallow the state if they could, and the politicians who support them.

A special cell is reserved for those mine owners who rape the state and then pose as saviours by funding art-and-culture initiatives.

I don’t know whom they imagine they are fooling.

An entire block is reserved for corrupt government servants.

It’s thanks to them that children fall sick after midday meals, that over 40 per cent of assistance for the poor vanishes, that only 5 paise in every rupee of government schemes actually reaches the people it is meant for.

That’s the problem. If you put all of them in jail, you would run

By Venita Coelho

out of space. Corruption is so deep rooted, so part of the system, that to remove it means hacking out huge chunks of that system itself. But if that’s what it takes, so be it. India cannot continue the way it is going right now. The march clearly showed that the imperative for change is upon us. The numbers can no longer be ignored.

Someone once said: “The problem is not just that the politicians and rulers are corrupt; the problem is that the people are corrupt.”

You see that truth every day. Somebody has an illegal extension in their house, so they say nothing when the Panchayat overrules the Gram Sabha. Someone needs an illegal water connection, so they keep quiet when their neighbour puts up an illegal fence.

Trading favours and silent connivance among ordinary folk is the foundation on which the grand scaffolding of corruption stands.

There is one place to start the fight against corruption – at home. Get that permission, even if it takes three months longer than if you just went and buttered the Sarpanch. Refuse to give that bribe, even if it means that your papers will be delayed. Yes, it means inconvenience, extra effort and wasted man hours. But it also means that you are that rare person who personally stands by the truth. Go for that rally for sure, but to really fight corruption, begin right here at home.

Letters to the Editor Letter of the Day

‘Number Two’ syndrome

Subhash R Surlakar, Vasco

It appears that the ‘Number Two’ syndrome has totally infested our tiny state of Goa. Besides having two National Highways, two Railways, two Secretariat buildings and two bridges over the Mandovi river, there is also confusion about how many prominent Goans have a ‘double’.

It may be recalled that a few years ago, there was some confusion over two Vishwajeet Ranes, after one of them was fined for negligent driving in Margao by P I Dharmesh Angle. Today there is confusion over two Roys, at least one of whom is alleged to be a drug dealer, who was supposed to be encouraged by one of two Manohars in the Goa Legislative Assembly, according to Home Minister Ravi Naik.

Oh God, is there one more Home Minister by the same name? Because, it is on record that the original Home Minister of Goa Ravi Naik had declared to the media only a couple of months ago that there is no drug business going on in Goa! Anyway, the present enter-taint-ment should serve as a good moral-of-the-story for primary schoolkids: “To hide one lie, you need to go on telling more.” So better stick to the truth.

Arrogant foreigners?

Brian Morris, England/Aivao I am an English tourist who visits Goa every year for the past 15 years and stays up to five months. Not only do I live in a small fishing village with Goans, I eat, cook and socialise as a member of the family.

I shop and eat at local small restaurants and supermarkets, and support the local economy. My observations are that it is not issues with European tourists that is the problem, but class issues and Indian tourists that are of concern.

We European tourists have had to deal with many changes. The proposed threemonth visa will be detrimental to the Goan economy and restrict my visiting my dearest friends. The risk of terrorism does not come from European tourists.

I wonder if Christine Russon (‘Arrogant foreigners in Goa’, Herald, 29 January) is Indian, and so can visit her family as she pleases. Unfortunately, I will not be able to do the same, should the three-month visa come into force.

Get the facts right Rafael Pereira, Panjim I wish to advise Chandan D’Sa (‘A statue of

child Jesus with a beard’, Goa’s Heartbeat, Herald, 18 January) on two points: (1) He should not write without making sure of the facts. (2) He should be careful not to hurt people’s sentiments.

He should have first read about Michelangelo’s ‘Pieta’ (not Piety). It is not enough to ask people; they are not walking encyclopaedias.

In the sweeping statement: “Since liquor was served after the neighbouring Litany of Our Lady of Natal, most people preferred attending there,” the writer paints everybody in black, without understanding the history or the devotion of the place. This is not correct.

Commission agents!

Tulsidas Malkarnekar, Margao Political parties in power at the centre appoint their trusted soldiers as ‘observers’ for various states. It is well known that the ‘observer’ comes to the state with empty suitcases and returns with them full. Basically, they do the job of a ‘commission agent’, for keeping the state leaders in their chairs.

The recent example is in Karnataka, where all possible efforts are being made to topple the government. Unfortunately,

the mission is not accomplished, unlike here, as there are no turncoats, and the oversmart dissidents are entangled in court.

Politics has become a lucrative business, and one cannot do away with commission agents. It is a very sorry state of affairs.

Paths of Wisdom Instant enlightenment

By Osho

Action, please Lovell G Pinto, USA Kudos to ‘Herald’ for its sustained effort to obtain justice for Cipriano. A word of praise is in order for Kenneth Silveira and Grenville Dias who, despite threats to their lives, came forward to speak candidly.

It is sad and shameful that another local newspaper initially sought to portray this custodial death as one from natural causes, quoting so-called experts out of context.

Now that it is obvious that Cipriano died as a result of a head injury while in police custody, what is holding back the laughing stock of a Home Minister and the DGP from taking action against the errant cops?

Playschools of Goa Allwyn George, Carmona Government pre-primary schools have simply become redundant because of lack of children, while nurseries, playschools and private pre-primary schools have mushroomed in our state for only profit making.

Playschools do provide excellent opportunities for mutual adaptation among children. The government needs to upgrade their pre-primary schools with English as the medium, so that even the ‘aam admi’ can enrol their kids in English medium playschools.

The real hero A C Menezes, Chinchinim Since all constituencies of Salcete, together with two Ilhas constituencies – Santa Cruz and Santo Andre – voted overwhelmingly to reject the merger of Goa with Maharashtra, I am of the opinion that the Saxttikar should be honoured as the real hero of the Opinion Poll of 1967.

Chikanzenji was a poor monk who toiled hard for 30 long years for enlightenment. He had done all that he could to attain it. Tired of strictly following instructions, he gave up his search. He burned up all his books, left his master, dropped his spiritual practise and went to live in a ruined temple.

One day, as he was clearing weeds around the temple purposelessly, he threw a tile which clashed against a bamboo plant and broke. At that instant, spiritual enlightenment dawned on him; his thought process stopped and, with that sudden sound, he became enlightened.

Can one attain enlightenment in a single moment? It happens from within. It is just clouded by thoughts.

In the absence of thoughts, one is actually in one’s natural state.

The ego, which is responsible for all seeking – whether material, nameand-fame, or even spiritual – has to be dropped. All seeking involves thoughts, and only when thoughts are dropped can one be enlightened.

Enlightenment, therefore, is not something to be achieved, but that which exists as one’s natural state.

Unveiling the veil of thoughts makes one recognise one’s true nature and abide in it. It is, but an awakening.

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

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

OHERALDO

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NEWS

GOA, TUESDAY, 1 FEBRUARY, 2011

Centre planning single tribunal for inter-state water disputes HERALD CORRESPONDENT NEW DELHI, JAN 31

Peeved at the slow progress being made by various tribunals dealing with sensitive inter-state water disputes, the central government is contemplating formation of a single permanent body to tackle such cases.

“It takes years for the tribunals looking into water disputes to settle the matter. Water is precious,” Law Minister M Veerappa Moily said here. Maintaining that there was a need to “revisit” the system, as “the tribunals are not serving the purpose”, he said either a single tribunal should deal with all inter-state disputes or the matters should be handed over to the judiciary, to settle issues on a fast track.

The Minister did not say whether his ministry has received a request from the Water Resources Ministry to look into the legal aspects before a final

call is taken in the matter.

Sources in the Water Resources Ministry said a proposal has been floated to set up a permanent tribunal under the InterState Water Disputes Act, 1956, instead of several tribunals looking into different disputes.

The alternative idea is to amend the Inter-State Water Disputes Act and ask states to directly approach the Supreme Court with their cases.

While the Krishna Tribunal last month announced its verdict on the dispute between Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra, the Cauvery Tribunal (Karnataka vs Tamil Nadu) gave its final award in February 2007.

The Vansadhara Tribunal is looking into the water dispute between Orissa and Andhra Pradesh, while the Mhadei dispute between Goa and Karnataka is to be referred to a Tribunal very shortly.

Five Nepalese arrested for gambling SHIRISH B PRADHAN PTI

KATHMANDU, JAN 31

Nepal police today arrested five Nepalese for gambling, amid a crackdown on casinos where locals are barred from entering the gaming centres.

Casinos in Nepal are reserved for foreign tourists and the police has stepped up campaign to enforce local laws that makes it illegal for Nepalese to gamble.

The police arrested five locals from Casino Rad in Five Star Hotel Radisson in the capital.

According to the Nepalese law, the casinos operated in the premises of five star hotels are permitted only to allow foreigners and Nepalese nationals are not supposed to enter the gaming centres.

“It is illegal to allow Nepalese to gamble in the casinos,” an official said, adding it facilitates crime.

The police seized coins worth over Rs one lakh.

Indian nationals have been the main players in these casinos.

However, the casinos have been facing financial problems amid the economic downturn since 2008.

The situation has also changed with the decline in tourists due to a decade-long

n The police arrested five locals from Casino Rad in Five Star Hotel Radisson in the capital.

insurgency that ended in 2006 and opening up of casinos in Goa, Macau and other east Asian countries.

In effect, local visitors dominate the eight casinos operating in Kathmandu and two in Pokhara, the tourist hub of western Nepal. According to sources, more than 80 per cent of the visitors are now local players.

The police has intensified raids in the casinos for in last several months and scores of Nepalese have so far been arrested.

However, those arrested were released soon due to lack of strong anti-gambling laws in the country.

The police have also issued arrest warrants against five casino general managers, including Indian national Rakesh Wadhwa, who is known as ‘’Casino King’’ here as he manages five of the play centres in the capital.

He has been charged for tax evasion.

ISR’s seismic map to predict quake probability PTI AHMEDABAD, JAN 31

The Institute of Seismological Research (ISR) has prepared a new seismic zone map of India, for the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), which gives a more accurate picture along with probability and magnitude estimate of possible earthquakes in specific areas of the country.

“The present earthquake zoning map of the BIS has divided India into four zones, but our map, after a research work of over two years, will be more accurate and will be distinct as it will give probability of occurrences of quakes of certain magnitudes,” ISR Director General B K Rastogi told PTI. “The map prepared by us will be very helpful for special installations like nuclear power plants, dams and other installations of national importance like all industries, apart from helping domestic constructions,” Rastogi said.

The BIS has a seismic zoning map of India which divides the country into four zones from two to five. Zone five is the most dangerous and outside the Himalayan faults line. Only Kutch district of Gujarat falls in Zone five, while the rest of the country is divided into other three zones.

“The BIS was trying to prepare the new map for the last 13 years from 1997. Finally, they approached us three years ago and we prepared the zoning map after two years of hard work, studying data of 35,000 earthquakes that took place in and around India, the Director General said.

“This detailed study was very important along with the study of fault line in India to give probability of earth quakes that might occur in a particular area, with their possible magnitude,” he said.

Apart from predicting probability of earthquakes and their

possible magnitude the map prepared by ISR is more accurate. For example in the present BIS zone map, entire Kutch is shown in Zone five, while our map shows that the Southern Kutch is not in Zone five, Rastogi said.

This map will be of great help for vital installations as their life

n “The present earthquake zoning map of the BIS has divided India into four zones, but our map, after a research work of over two years, will be more accurate and will be distinct as it will give probability of occurrences of quakes of certain magnitudes.”

-- Rastogi is for more than 50 years, he said.

It will also help the construction industry, as it will tell them exact measures to be taken to secure their building and not overdo the strengthening work as the cost will escalate too much, Rastogi said.

Apart from earthquakes of India, studies on all those that were recorded in neighbouring countries were also carried for accurate preparations of the map as big quakes in Pakistan or China can affect us, he said.

Now the new map has been submitted to the BIS and their engineers will decide on how to put it in use, he added.

The ISR was established by Gujarat government in 2004 after the devastating 2001 Kutch earthquake, which killed more than 20,000 people.

Pg10

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INDIA

GOA, TUESDAY, 1 FEBRUARY, 2011

SC fumes over agitationists ‘browbeating’ govts PTI NEW DELHI, JAN 31

The Supreme Court today took strong exception to growing incidents of protestors and agitationists using “strong-arm tactics to browbeat governments” by blocking rail and road traffic.

The court said it cannot remain a “mute spectator” to groups using muscle power for taking the country to ransom and warned them of drastic steps for violating the rule of law.

The strong remarks were made by a bench comprising Justices G S Singhvi and A K Ganguly which was hearing a petition relating to the killings of Dalits in Mirchpur village of Hissar district in Haryana.

It was expressing its displeasure against members of the ‘khap’ (community) panchayats, which during their protest against the booking of some upper caste people in the Mirchpur Dalit killings case, had disrupted rail and road traffic causing huge loss to the exchequer.

“One group of people, who are having muscles cannot put people of the country to ransom. People have a right to transport,” the bench said asking the Railways and the Haryana government to assess their financial losses due to the disruption in rail and road traffic during the 11-day stir organised by 12 khap panchayats.

The bench directed the Northern Railway General Manager to instruct senior officials to file an affidavit quantifying the loss suffered by the Railways.

It also asked the Haryana government to evaluate and apprise the court about the loss suffered by the state exchequer and steps taken by it for free flow of road traffic.

The bench also issued notices to the Centre and the state government and sought their responses within two weeks.

While dealing with the matter, the bench also spoke about the recent agitation by the Gujjar community in Rajasthan which paralysed the rail and road traffic.

“In the last few years, we have been witnessing, for 30-40 days trains are being stopped in Rajasthan. Thousands of passengers were prevented from using the railway service. Governments behave as if they were subservient to the agitators, as if there was no government at all. If these reports are correct, You have to explain,” the bench said.

“Unless situation improves, we have to take very drastic steps.

Court cannot tolerate these persistent attitude of any community for destroying the absolute right of life of other communities.

Please mark our words,” the bench said.

“This court cannot remain a mute spectator to the show of muscles at the cost of constitutional principals. Unless rule of law prevails this court will take drastic steps, the kind of which was not seen so far. Muscle cannot prevail over rule of law. We want to know whether members of any particular community started using strong-arm tactics to browbeat the government,” it said.

Villagers had been protesting against the booking of 98 members of their community in the case relating to the killing of 70-yearold Tara Chand and his teenaged daughter Suman at Mirchpur village in Hisar on April 21 last year.

From Page 1 All is well in Goa

their various applications electronically.

Evening/shift courts – To eradicate arrears due to pendency of civil and criminal cases, South Goa district has proposed three evening /shift courts one each at Salcete, Quepem, and Sanguem taluka upon recommendation of the 13th Finance Commission, he said.

There were in all 10,104 civil and criminal cases pending in different courts of South Goa district as on December 1, 2010.

NDPS Court notice

The complainants have asked the police to probe the policedrug dealers mafia nexus which included “One Mr Roy, who has a substantial presence in the drug industry as a drug lord.” The complaint, however, does not mention Roy’s surname.

The applicants had requested the court to direct the SIT to probe into all persons named in their complaint letter including former Anti Narcotics Cell Superintendent of Police Veenu Bansal and “Roy”.

Sawant incidentally probed into the spy-cam video showing police sub-inspector Sunil Gudlar selling drugs to two foreign women – Ayala Driham and Zarina, both kin of jailed drug lord David Driham alias Dudu. Gudlar is presently under suspension even as SIT is conducting an overall probe.

Suspended PI disagrees

Cipriano’s final cause of death as ‘death due to head injuries.’

Chodankar argued that if Cipriano suffered head injuries then it would be after his admission in the GMCH where the deceased underwent treatment for 18 hours.

Cipriano, a 38-year-old seafarer, was on his two-month long vacation at his home town in Goa when he was picked up by Panjim police on January 7 evening.

He was arrested under ‘preventive measure’ after his woman friend complained against him of threatening her at her Caranzalem house.

The non- resident Goan who was employed as second cook in an European cruise ship succumbed on January 9 morning at GMCH with family members holding Panjim police responsible for his killing.

Meanwhile, Chodankar’s wife suffered a mild heart attack after two unknown persons trespassed into his ancestral house at Neugi Nagar on Sunday. She was immediately admitted to a private clinic after which she was discharged.

Chodankar asked for police protection as the two unknown person who entered the house on the pretext of repairing an electricity meter started searching for him.

He suspects Kenneth Silveira of Vasco and Jowett D’Souza of Colva for hatching a criminal conspiracy either to harm him and his family or to plant evidence against him relating Cipriano’s death.

Police are investigating the case under sections 452 (criminal trespass) and 120-B (conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code.

Incidentally, Kenneth is a crucial witness who claimed to have seen Cipriano being beaten in the police station whereas Jowett had filed a complaint with the Panjim police to register a first information report (FIR) in the custodial death.

Three policemen including Chodankar, Police Sub-Inspector Rajesh Ramnathkar and Head Constable Sandip Shirvaikar have been suspended for procedural lapses.

Meaty trip meets a dead end

Hamid Mulla, Mohan Sabappa, Pavanappa Chanappa Lamani, Madim Mullappa Charwade, Raju Karkappa Torgal and Narsappa Ramappa Karvi, all from Gokak- Belgaum — were arrested under Section 11D of of the act.

One driver, Mohammad Hamid informed the police that animals and the meat was regularly being transported into the State at least twice a week from Hubli, Bailhongal and Kittur in Karnataka.

Collem police is investigating the case.

It may be recalled that the ARS along with other organisations had recently raided a slaughter house at Pandavwado-Chorao and six persons had been arrested in this connection.

A few days later, the ARS along with Bharat Swabhiman Bicholim and Shiv Sena, Mapusa, rescued nine animals from a slaughter house at Duler-Mapusa. One person was arrested in this case.

Banned, but sold

very actively pursuing with the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) the clandestine sale of gutkha. Its Secretary Lorna Fernandes narrating through her experiences observed, “The sale of gutkha in Goa is rampant. One of the places I can mention here is the Mapusa market. We have been regularly following with the FDA about this place.”

However, she mentioned, “These vendors have a modus operandi.

They stack the gutkha packets in one particular kiosk from where it is supplied as and when demand arises.” We are well-known faces in the area, so whenever these vendors see us they alert the others, she added.

ajmer blast accused moves court against CBI PTI NEW DELHI, JAN 31

An RSS functionary, accused in Ajmer blast case, today moved a Delhi court seeking registration of an FIR against CBI and Tehelka magazine for making public right-wing activist Swami Aseemanand’s confessional

statement.

Devendra Gupta, against whom a charge sheet has been filed by the Rajasthan’s Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), moved the application before Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sanjay Bansal, who reserved his order on it till tomorrow.

Gupta alleged that Aseemanand’s confessional statement recorded by a Metropolitan Magistrate under section 164 of the CrPC was leaked by the CBI to Tehelka magazine in violation of law.

“The media coverage indicates a well-defined leakage that is authored with a design to insulting the judicial process .....

The leakage of court proceedings opened an additional forum of media trial to prejudice the mind of the court in violation of the rights of the accused in custody,” his counsel Anupam S Sharma and Sanjeev Nassiar submitted. Gupta is at present lodged in Central Jail, Ajmer.

In their brief submissions, the counsel told the court that the leakage of Aseemanand’s statement had given a handle to neighbouring Pakistan to press for their improper demands.

The deliberate leakage was tantamount to commission of offence under various provisions of the IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act.

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Pg 11

WORLD

GOA, TUESDAY, 1 FEBRUARY, 2011

Will Mubarak’s 30-yr-old rule end by Friday?

PTI CAIRO, JAN 31

US’ role in Egypt ‘shameful’: Venezuela AGENCIES

CARACAS, JAN 31

Egyptian protesters gave a call for a million people to pour onto the streets of Cairo tomorrow to put up a massive show of strength to force the beleaguered President Ho s n i Mubarak to leave the country by Friday.

Upping the ante to topple Mubarak, a coalition of opposition parties, including the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood also served an ultimatum telling the powerful army to choose between "Egypt or Mubarak", indicating that a decisive stage may be near as the death toll in the last six days of violence crossed 150.

Anti- Mubarak sentiments reached a feverish pitch, as thousands of protesters converged on Tahrir or Liberation Square - the hub of the protests in the heart of Cairo to make the call for a "million man march" tomorrow.

They waved placards that the time had come for the Army to choose between "Egypt or Mubarak" as they defied assembled tanks and armoured carriers backing heavily armed contingents of Army, police and secret police.

The call by so called 'April 6 Shabab Movement' came as an indefinite countrywide strike gripped the nation paralysing all essential services, including government offices, banks and trading centres.

As the oust Mubarak campaign gained strength, American and other world leaders ramped up pressure calling for an-orderly transition in the violence rocked country.

An Egyptian protestor holds a picture of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak marked with an X during a rally near the Egyptian embassy in Seoul on Monday. The protestors, Egyptians living in South Korea, supported demonstrations calling for Mubarak to step down.

The 'Shabab' movement which has been formed of all opposition groups and the leaders declared that the march would start from Tahrir or Liberation Square and was aimed at forcing Mubarak to step down by Friday.

The opposition also enforced a countrywide general strike today with most of major Egyptian cities, including the capital Cairo, Alexandaria observing a total shutdown.

As the confrontation between the protesters and the embattled President entered what appeared to be a decisive stage, thousands of foreigners began

a beeline to leave the country, with nations scrambling to send planes to fly their citizens out of Cairo's international airport, where complete choas existed.

On his part, 82-year-old defiant Mubarak told his new Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq to bring in immediate reform to stem the tide. His instructions to Shafiq were read out on state tv but had no discernible effect on protesters who vowed to continue their demonstrations until Mubarak steps down.

Terming the reforms as "too little and too late," the protesters continued their sit-in at the

Pakistan ahead of India in nuke race: report PTI

WASHINGTON, JAN 31 Pakistan has doubled its nuclear arms stockpile to 110 warheads, developing new weapons to deliver them and significantly accelerating production of uranium and plutonium for bombs to edge ahead of India.

Islamabad's nuclear weapons stockpile now totals more than 110 deployed weapons in a sharp jump from an estimated 30-80 weapons fours years ago, `Washington Post’ reported.

"Pakistan has expanded its nuclear weapons production capability rapidly", the Post quoted David Albright President of the Institute for Science and International Security as saying.

Albright said that based on accelerated production of plutonium and highly enriched uranium, Pakistan may now have an arsenal upto 110 weapons.

The non-government US analyst said that while continuing

to produce weapons-grade uranium at two sites, Islamabad has sharply increased its production of plutonium, enabling it to make lighter warheads for more mobile delivery system.

Pakistan's has developed a new missile Shaheen II, with a range of 1,500 miles which is about to go into operation deployment. The country has also developed nuclear capable land and air launched cruise missiles, the Institute said in a new report.

"The Pakistanis have significantly accelerated production of uranium and plutonium for bombs and developed new weapons to deliver them. After years of approximate weapons parity, experts said, Pakistan has now edged ahead of India, its nuclear-armed rival", Washington Post said.

The paper said while Pakistan has produced more nucleararmed weapons, India is believed to have larger existing stockpiles of such fissile material

for future weapons.

Dubbing Pakistan as one of the world's most unstable region, Post said an escalation of nuclear arms race in South Asia possess a dilemma for Obama Administration.

It said in politically fragile Pakistan, the Administration is caught between fears of proliferation or possible terrorist attempts to seize nuclear materials and Pakistani suspicions that the US aims to control or limit its weapons programme and favours India.

Quoting Pakistan's Defense attache at its embassy in Washington, Post said the number of Pakistani nuclear weapons are heavily deployed near its border with India.

The paper said that in December 2008, Peter Lavoie, US national intelligence officer for South Asia, told NATO officials that "despite pending economic catastrophe, Pakistan is producing nuclear weapons at a faster rate than in any other country in the world".

6 killed, 19 injured in Pak

Pakistani police officials examine the wreckage of a police vehicle after road side bomb blast in Peshawar on Monday PTI PESHAWAR, JAN 31

Six people, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police, were killed and 19 others injured when two police vehicles were targeted by a suicide bomber and a roadside bomb in this northwestern Pakistani

city today.

In the first attack, a suicide attacker struck DSP Abdur Rashid Khan's vehicle at an intersection on the busy Ring Road this morning.

The police officer, two bodyguards, a driver and another person in a car parked at the

site of the blast were killed, officials said.

Officials at the Lady Reading Hospital said they had received 15 injured people.

The condition of two of the injured was described as serious.

The bomber was waiting at the intersection.

The DSP was on his way to office when the bomber struck, police said.

DSP Khan had survived two attempts on his life in the Gulbahar area of Peshawar last year.

A short while later, another police vehicle was targeted with a roadside improvised explosive device at Tajabad area along the Ring Road.

A constable was killed and four policemen were injured by the powerful blast.

The bomb was triggered by remote control, officials said.

The vehicle was on a routine patrol.

Tahrir Square saying they would not budge till Mubarak resign.

As the focus shifted on the influential army for a smooth transition of power, protesters enforced a countrywide general strike.

Pro-democracy activist and Nobel Laureate Mohammad ElBaradei, who defied house arrest to join the protesters at the Tahrir Square last night, asked the embattled president to "step down today itself."

"It is loud and clear from everybody in Egypt that Mubarak has to leave today," ElBaradei said in an interview aired on CNN.

Hitler's headquarters to be tourist attraction AGENCIES KIEV, JAN 31

Ukrainian officials have unveiled a plan to turn the remains of Hitler' Eastern Front military headquarters into a tourist attraction.

The museum will be established by May 09, the anniversary of the Victory Day over Fascism.

The Wehrwolf headquarters, consisting of about 20 wooden cottages and barracks and three bunkers, are located some 12 km north of Vinnytsia in central Ukraine.

Construction started in September 1941 and was completed in April 1942.

More than 10,000 Soviet war prisoners and some 1,000 local citizens participated in the works and some 2,000 of them died.

Another 4,000 were shot dead.

The Nazis destroyed the site on abandoning the region. The underground parts of the complex were later sealed.

Venezuela’s firebrand leader Hugo Chavez accused the United States on Sunday of a "shameful" role in the Egyptian crisis and of hypocrisy for supporting, then abandoning strongmen round the world.

Chavez, Washington's leading critic in the Americas, said he had spoken to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad for a briefing on the protests in Egypt and elsewhere in the Arab world.

"In Egypt, the situation is complicated, Chavez said.

"Now you are seeing comments from Washington and some European nations. As President Gaddafi said to me, it's shameful, it makes you kind of sick to see the meddling of the US, wanting to take control."

The United States has urged an orderly transition to democracy in Egypt to avoid a power vacuum but has stopped short of calling on President Hosni Mubarak, an ally of three decades, to step down.

The socialist Chavez has generally cast himself as pro-Arab and opposed to the policies of Israel and the United States.

But in brief comments carried on state TV, he avoided any further specific comment on Egypt, saying only that "national sovereignty" should be respected.

Chavez scoffed at what he said was the United States' chameleon-like foreign policy.

"See how the United States, after using such-and-such a president for years, as soon as he hits a crisis, they abandon him. That's how the devil pays," he said.

Assange ‘dressed as old woman’ to evade CIA: book AGENCIES LONDON, JAN 31

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange disguised himself as an old woman in order to evade US intelligence officers who he believed were following him, extracts from a new biography revealed on Monday.

Further passages from 'WikiLeaks: Inside Julian Assange's War on Secrecy', written by Guardian newspaper journalists David Leigh and Luke Harding, also showed that the hacker did not know his biological father until the age of 27.

Assange gained international notoriety in November 2010 when his WikiLeaks website began publishing over 250,000 leaked US diplomatic cables.

The Australian-born hacker was in England at the time and became convinced that CIA agents were following him, despite "no obvious signs of pursuit”, the book claimed.

"You can't imagine how ridiculous it was," WikiLeaks's James

Seoul on Monday rejected North Korea's proposal to bring forward the date of military talks designed to ease months of tension, the Defence Ministry said.

The ministry said it was sticking to its original suggested date of February 11 for the preliminary talks, after the North over the weekend proposed bringing them forward to February 1.

It would be the first crossborder dialogue since P yongyang's bombardment of a border island on November 23 which killed four people including civilians.

The working-level talks, probably between colonels, are aimed at setting the date, place and agenda for high-level military dialogue.

But Seoul says the high-level

AGENCIES Muscat, JAN 31

Oman said it had uncovered a UAE spy network in the Gulf Arab state that targeted its government and military, the state news agency of the US ally reported on Sunday.

Neighbouring United Arab Emirates, a regional energy, financial and tourism hub that typically has had friendly relations with Oman, denied having links to any such network.

A regional security analyst found the allegations puzzling but suggested one possible motivation for such a network was

Shortfalls in the capabilities of Iraq's security forces could undo security gains after US troops leave at the end of 2011, a US watchdog said in a report published on Sunday.

The Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR) noted that while Baghdad's forces had made major improve-

ments, they suffered from poor logistics capabilities, and that corruption within the police and Army had hampered their development.

"This quarter, several US observers noted real or potential gaps in Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) capabilities that could affect its ability to lock in hard-won security gains," SIGIR said in its quarterly report.

It noted that according to US department of defence assessments, "both MOI (Ministry of Interior) and MOD (Ministry of Defence) security forces are behind in the attainment of Minimum Essential Capability."

Minimum Essential Capability refers to a standard that indicates that forces "can provide internal security and possess foundational ca-

pabilities to defend against external threats”.

Violence in Iraq declined as 2010 went along, with the number of deaths from attacks dropping for six consecutive months from July, though an apparent spike in insurgent activity in the past two weeks appears to have broken this trend.

All American soldiers must leave Iraq by the end of 2011,

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange on Sunday detailed a plan to release a deluge of secret documents should the whistleblower website be permanently shut down.

In an exclusive interview with CBS News’s `60 Minutes’, Assange said his group had a "system whereby we distribute encrypted backups of things we have yet to publish”.

"There are backups distributed amongst many, many people, 100,000 people, and all we need to do is give them an encrypted key and they will be able to continue on," he said. The WikiLeaks founder, who is currently under US criminal investigation over the leaking of hundreds of thousands of secret military reports and diplomatic cables, said the key would only be released as a last resort.

that the UAE wanted to know more about Oman's links with Iran.

"This is all ver y murky," Theodore Karasik, director of research and development and research at the Dubai-based Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis, said. "One possibility is that the UAE wants to know more about Iran-Oman relations because of Tehran and Muscat's long ties in security and military cooperation."

Oman's state news agency reported that its "security services uncovered a spying network belonging to the state security ap-

Malik welcomes Chidambaram’s remarks on Samjhauta blast PTI ISLAMABAD, JAN 31

Pakistan today welcomed Home Minister P Chidambaram's remarks about sharing the findings of the probe into the Samjhauta Express bombing, claiming that the level of cooperation on interaction on security matters had enhanced between the two nations.

Welcoming his Indian counterpart's statement in this regard, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said, "I welcome the statement of Chidambaram on Samjhauta Express investigations to be shared with Pak." Malik also sought permission for a commission to visit India to quiz persons linked to the Mumbai attacks on micro-blogging website Twitter this morning.

Since RSS leader Swami Aseemanand confessed earlier this month that Sangh activists were involved in the 2007 attack on the Samjhauta Express, Pakistan has been pressing India to share the findings of its probe into the train bombing that killed

nearly 70 people, including 42 Pakistanis.

Malik said Pakistan had "already proven its sincerity by supplying information on the non-state actors in the case of Mumbai blasts".

He contended that since Chidambaram's visit to Pakistan in June last year, "our interaction has enhanced the level of cooperation on security matters".

The Interior Minister did not give details about this cooper-

nThe ministry said it was sticking to its original suggested date of February 11 for the preliminary talks, after the North over the weekend proposed bringing them forward to February 1. meeting will only go ahead if Pyongyang takes responsibility for two attacks last year and promises no repetition.

Apart from the shelling, the South accuses the North of torpedoing a warship last March

with the loss of 46 lives, a charge the North denies.

The North also says its artillery attack on Yeonpyeong island, near the disputed Yellow Sea border, was a justified response to a South Korean drill which dropped shells into waters claimed by Pyongyang.

After months of fiery rhetoric, the North has changed tack this year and made frequent appeals for dialogue. The South has described most of the approaches as insincere.

It was unclear why the North wanted to advance the date for the working-level talks, to be held at the border village of Panmunjom. Officials quoted by Yonhap news agency said Pyongyang may be trying to resume high-level dialogue before the birthday of its leader Kim Jong-Il on February 16.

‘Gaps in Iraq forces’ may hamper security gains AGENCIES WASHINGTON, JAN 31

AGENCIES WASHINGTON, JAN 31

per the terms of a bilateral security pact.

The SIGIR report noted that the Iraqi Army "appears likely to fall short" in terms of logistics capabilities by the time US troops leave.

It added Interior Ministry forces "are expected to have gaps in funding, command and control, and logistical infrastructure through the time USF-I

Ball told the authors. "He'd stayed dressed up as an old woman for more than two hours."

Excerpts from the biography, published in the Guardian, exposed Assange's unusual childhood and his complicated parental situation.

"Julian's biological father John Shipton is absent from much of the record," the book explained.

"At 17, (Assange's mother) fell in love with Shipton, a rebellious young man she met at an anti-Vietnam war demonstration in 1970.”

"The relationship ended and he would play no further role in Assange's life for many years.

They had no contact until after Assange turned 25.”

"Later they met, with Julian discovering he had inherited his architect father's highly logical and dispassionate intellect. One friend said Shipton was 'like a mirror shining back at Julian'."

Assange's first brush with the law occurred in 1994 when he was charged with 24 counts of hacking.

Oman says it has bust spy network

South Korea rejects North bid to bring talks forward AGENCIES SEOUL, JAN 31

WikiLeaks founder warns of huge leak

withdraws”.

Meanwhile, the American training mission in Iraq told SIGIR that "corruption within the ISF has hindered development and led to the inefficient allocation of human and fiscal resources, as well as the absence of a requirements-driven planning process for the maintenance of security infrastructure and equipment."

ation on security matters.

At the same time, Malik noted that Pakistan "has repeatedly requested for the visit of the Judicial Commission to India to testify the statements of police officers & other witnesses".

"Delaying the Judicial Commission means delay in bringing culprits to justice. It will also weaken the case to the advantage of the accused," Malik contended.

"My request to India is to please expedite the visit of the Judicial Commission, as justice delayed means justice denied," he added.

Malik had said last year that it is necessary for the commission to visit India to interview several persons, including lone surviving attacker Ajmal Kasab, to take forward the prosecution of seven Pakistani suspects charged with planning, facilitating and financing the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Lashker-e-Taiba commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi is among the seven suspects on trial in a Rawalpindibased anti-terrorism court.

paratus of the United Arab Emirates, targeting ... Oman and the way its government and military work."

It gave few details but an Omani government official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, said a number of Omani nationals had been arrested, including some who worked for the government.

The Omani official said the arrests dated back about two months, but gave no other details. Oman's news agency ONA said the suspects would be sent to court.

Human error blamed for German train mishap AGENCIES BERLIM, JAN 31

German accident investigators began on Sunday probing the cause of a head-on crash between a regional passenger train and a freight train that killed 10 people and injured 40.

Interior Minister Holger Hovelmann warned against jumping to conclusions after the head of the regional government blamed human error as the likely cause of the crash.

Wolfgang Boehmer told journalists that the disaster late Saturday night was probably caused by one of the trains ignoring a red stop light on the section of single track where the crash occurred at high speed.

"It's likely the stop signal wasn't respected. It's not normal that two trains were running on the same track," Boehmer said.

Federal police official Ralf Krueger told a press conference however that accident investigators had yet to reach a conclusion.

appointments

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Pg 12 Pesky calls: TRAI pushes deadline to March 1 PTI NEW DELHI, JAN 31

Mobile subscribers looking for respite from unsolicited marketing calls and SMSes will now have to wait for another month, as telecom regulator TRAI has extended the date for implementation of guidelines to check the pesky calls to March 1.

The delay is on account of change in allocated series from '70' to '140' for telemarketers, who have now been given time till March 1 to adhere to the new rules on pesky calls.

"On January 31, 2011, DoT has communicated a fresh numbering series beginning with the number '140' in place of '70' number series. Communicating the same to all the access providers and carrying out the required changes would require time," TRAI said in a statement.

In view of the new series, telecom operators will have to

effect a number of technical changes like configuration of networks and putting in place filtering solutions to stop Unsolicited Commercial Calls (UCC).

"Therefore, the Authority is compelled to change the date of implementation of operationalisation of the 'Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations, 2010' to March 1, 2011," the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) added.

Earlier, it had set a deadline of January 1, 2011 for operators to implement the UCC or telemarketing guidelines. This was, however, extended to January 31.

As per the new order, customer preference registrations would begin from February 10, which would be effective within seven days.

Unlike the previous guidelines, which only provided for

a 'Do Not Call' Registry, the new regulations give customers different options to list under the 'fully blocked' category (Do Not Call Registry) or the 'partially blocked' category.

The second option will allow subscribers to receive SMSes in the categories chosen by them.

Meanwhile, the registration of telemarketers has started on January 15.

Operators, who were facing difficulties in implementing the filtering mechanism mandated

by TRAI, have been seeking extension of the deadline until March 31.

"However, TRAI did not grant this request but provided an extension only until January 31 for implementation of the filtering feature," said GSM operators lobby COAI Director General Rajan S Mathew.

That deadline, however, has now been pushed back by a month to March 1.

AV Birla to buy Columbian Chemicals PTI MUMBAI, JAN 31

The Aditya Birla Group today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Atlanta based Columbian Chemicals Company in a USD 875 million deal.

The Aditya Birla Group has bought equity of One Equity Partners, the merchant banking arm of J P Morgan Chase & Co, in Columbian Chemicals through its associates, Alexandria Carbon Black Company and Thai Carbon Black Company Limited along with SKI Investment, an Aditya Birla Group Company, Aditya Birla Group's chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla said. The group hoped to complete the deal by mid2011, Birla said.

The acquisition of Columbian Chemicals catapults Birla Carbon to become a leading player globally in this sector, by raising its annual production to two million tonnes.

Central Bank Q3 net up 31.68% PTI MUMBAI, JAN 31

Central Bank of India reported a 31.68% increase in its net profit for the Dec quarter at Rs 403.52-crore on the back of a whopping 96% rise in the interest income. The bank's net profit for the corresponding Oct-Dec period last year was Rs 306.44crore. The net interest income for the reporting quarter almost doubled to Rs 1,432-crore from Rs 730-crore a year-ago. Central Bank, which is planning to come out with a Rs 2,500-crore rights issue soon, was also able to widen its net interest margin to 3.45% from the 2.04% in the year-ago period.

However, poor conditions in the bond markets resulted in the bank's non-interest income dipping to Rs 250-crore versus Rs 364-crore year-ago, Chairman and MD, S Sridhar said.

The trading profit was down 75.87 per cent to Rs 43- crore during the quarter, Sridhar said, maintaining that the bank has registered a jump in its commission income.

Central Bank's fresh slippages also increased to Rs 797crore during the quarter from Rs 542-crore a year-ago while the provisioning for bad and doubtful debts rose to Rs 127crore from Rs 16-crore in the corresponding period last year.

Sridhar said a single account of an agrotech company resulted in the provisioning going up by Rs 77-crore and added that other banks also have an exposure to the account.

The bank's credit growth stood at 28 per cent for the quarter as against a mere 4 per cent rise in overall deposits.

BIZ

GOA, TUESDAY, 1 FEBRUARY, 2011

Gosalias: from bauxite to Big G BHARATI PAWASKAR

Both Big Gs are the shoppers’ stops in South and North Goa with sophisticated mall concept introduced for the first time to Goa and Goans by none other than Pravin Gosalia. Big G offers a pleasant, memorable shopping experience with comfort and luxury. Let us leave it to guess whether G stands for Goa or Gosalia, but one thing is sure: ‘Goa’ is very much in ‘Gosalia’. Just check the first two letters and the last one – Go-a.

Big G has much to offer and their logo rightly says – when at Big G, celebrate shopping.

The mall culture Gosalias brought down in 1995 in Goa is picking up fast with Big G opening its second outlet in the North at Panjim in 2010.

Margao Big G is a spacious seven storied complex fully air conditioned with a pure vegetarian restaurant, supermarket and a fast food court. It has a wide range of selectively chosen products, top brands, apparels, cosmetics, jewellery, fashion accessories, kid’s corner, you name it.

It has everything a mall offers its customers. The home and gifts department has a wide range of selective products and gifting ideas offering customers the luxury of shopping in comfort and style. With the overwhelming response and loyal patronage from customers coming regularly even from far north Gosalias were encouraged to open their next outlet in the capital city. Big G at Panjim is a world class experience and a shopper’s delight with its classy ambience, beautiful décor and the wide range of trendy, selective merchandise it offers.

How did this mall concept occur to Pravin? Opening his heart Pravin candidly con-

India demands full BlackBerry access PTI NEW DELHI, JAN 31

The government today said it will "insist" that Canadian-manufacturer of Blackberry provides solution to interception of Enterprise Mail, deadline for which ends today.

Noting that a decision would be taken soon on whether to allow the BlackBerry Enterprise Mail or not, Home Minister P Chidambaram said he expected that Research-in-Motion (RIM), manufacturer of the smart phones, would be able to find some solution.

"I think a decision will be taken today by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Telecom Ministry. I am not yet been briefed on the development in the last few days.

"As I said, like they have

Sensex falls further PTI MUMBAI, JAN 31

The BSE benchmark Sensex fell 68 points in a volatile trade to 18,327.76, even as late buying support in capital goods, power and refinery failed to check the decline for the fourth session in a row amid weak global cues and investor concerns on rising interest rates. Overall, the sentiment remained weak as foreign funds continued to pull out of Indian stock markets that are at nearly five-month lows.

Late recovery in stock markets was attributed by some marketmen to growth of 6.6 per cent in the six infrastructure industries in December, the numbers for which were released today, indicating that the Indian economy remains firm.

given us a solution to the Messenger service, we will insist that they give us the solution for the enterprise service too," Chidambaram told reporters after presenting monthly report of his ministry.

The BlackBerry had been given time till today to give a solution to the real time interception of its enterprise mail, but sources indicated that it could be extended by another fortnight or a month.

The comments from the minister came in the backdrop

Aban Offshor, 675, 680, 654, 669.35 Abb Ltd., 705.1, 747, 687, 732.35 Abg Shipyard, 357.9, 357.9, 339.55, 348.7 Acc Limited, 989, 999.9, 965.7, 991.65 Adani Enterp, 570, 576.4, 551.05, 564.2 Aditya Birla, 741, 761.75, 739.1, 750.25 Allahabad Ba, 200.5, 207.95, 197.35, 202.45 Alstom Proje, 560.15, 588.95, 540.5, 580.65 Ambuja Cemen, 125.1, 127, 123.5, 126.15 Andhra Bank, 137.75, 141.8, 134, 139.65 Ashok Leylan, 54.45, 59.35, 52.6, 58.95 Asian Paints, 2565, 2599, 2482.05, 2577.5 Axis Bank Li, 1232.05, 1262.8, 1228.65, 1242.2 Bajaj Hindus, 84.7, 84.75, 80.2, 82.05 Bank Of Baro, 817.6, 877.4, 811.9, 869.5 Bank Of Indi, 434.8, 445.45, 425.1, 439.1 Beml Limited, 880, 880, 857.05, 870.1 Bharat Elect, 1680.55, 1780, 1635, 1751.4 Bharat Forge, 339, 346.75, 333.25, 342.55 Bharat Petro, 623.3, 627.5, 603, 613 Bharti Airte, 322.15, 323.65, 311, 319 Bhel, 2125, 2232, 2116.55, 2218.55 Bhushan Stee, 391, 401.8, 375, 396.85 Biocon Limit, 340.05, 351.7, 335.7, 349.5 Bombay Dyein, 375, 392.9, 360, 387.25

of BlackBerry makers saying that providing solution to access its enterprise mail service is "not possible" and asserting that the issue was not unique to them and has to be dealt at an industry level.

"There is no possibility of us providing any kind of a solution. There is no solution, there are no keys to be handed...It's not possible to do so because the keys of the service are in possession of the corporate enterprises," RIM VP (Industry, Government and University Relations)

Bosch Limite, 6079.95, 6079.95, 5931, 6021.35 Brigade Ente, 94.1, 95, 88.35, 93.1 Cairn India, 324.5, 336, 321, 328.55 Canara Bank, 559, 610.45, 540.75, 602.9 Central Bank, 165, 174.35, 164, 172.15 Century Text, 326, 331.8, 316.95, 329.15 Cesc Ltd, 313.9, 315, 305.9, 307.95 Chambal Fert, 70.6, 72.2, 69, 71.85 Chennai Petr, 213.85, 214.8, 208.05, 213.15 Cipla Ltd, 334, 336.7, 326, 332.15 Colgate Palm, 840, 879.25, 805.25, 824.05 Container Co, 1220, 1239.9, 1190.05, 1205.5 Crompton Gre, 262, 284.8, 257.25, 278.55 Cummins Indi, 720, 740, 690, 732.65 Dabur India, 89.9, 95.45, 88.3, 93.7 Deccan Chron, 88.9, 93.15, 86.3, 92.2 Dish Tv Indi, 58.2, 60.6, 56.65, 59.1 Divi’s Labor, 613, 644, 609, 634.85 Dlf Limited, 218.9, 225.55, 214.35, 223.9 Dr. reddy’s, 1591, 1632, 1589.25, 1624.25 Edelweiss Ca, 38.5, 41.45, 37.5, 40.65 Educomp Solu, 474, 476, 452.8, 474.5 Eih Limited, 98, 106, 95.2, 105.05 Engineers In, 270, 284.5, 265, 282.3 Essar Oil Lt, 119.2, 122.9, 116.1, 121.8

Robert E Crow had said earlier.

Security agencies have been demanding access to all BlackBerry services as part of efforts to fight militancy and security threats over the Internet and through telephone communications. RIM encrypts emails as they travel between a BlackBerry device and its BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES).

Earlier this month, RIM had said that it has delivered the technology to monitor contents on its messenger service (BBM) and had asked the government to issue a directive to the operators to connect to its new automated service.

This new service will automatically render lawfully intercepted BlackBerry Messenger messages in a format readable

by Indian agencies.

Essar Shippi, 99, 99.8, 96.1, 98.8 Exide Indust, 125.8, 130.65, 109.6, 128.4 Federal Bank, 345, 366, 337.2, 364.2 Financial Te, 702.6, 717.7, 690.55, 709.35 Gail (india), 457, 478, 451.35, 470.95 Gammon India, 130, 152.7, 130, 144.15 Glaxosmithkl, 2280, 2289.7, 2220, 2284.65 Glenmark Pha, 305, 312.7, 296, 307.15 Gmr Infrastr, 38.9, 39.6, 38.05, 39.4 Godrej Indus, 170, 175, 167.45, 173.4 Grasim Indus, 2300, 2317, 2260, 2281.25 Great Offsho, 300, 305.5, 294.5, 299.55 Gtl Infra.Lt, 40.05, 40.7, 39.7, 40.3 Gujarat Mine, 119.2, 123.95, 116.85, 121.45 Gujarat N R, 59.5, 59.5, 55.85, 58.1 Gujarat Stat, 101.9, 103.4, 100.25, 102.1 Gvk Pow. & I, 31.7, 33.2, 31.3, 32.9 Hcl Technolo, 484.6, 493.7, 478, 490.75 Hdfc Bank Lt, 2042.7, 2063.45, 1996.2, 2047.3 Hdfc Ltd, 635.05, 641, 616.1, 628.35 Hero Honda M, 1630, 1650, 1591, 1633.1 Hindalco in, 220, 231.4, 217.4, 229.65 Hindustan Co, 37, 37.9, 36.25, 36.65 Hindustan Ma, 62, 62.9, 60.6, 62.45 Hindustan Pe, 361.1, 364, 350.1, 359.1

Late Shantila Khushaldas Gosalia, the pioneer of the Gosalia Group of Industries in Goa.

fesses, “I saw opportunity. The visiting dignitaries, tourists and Goans did not have the comfort and luxury of shopping under single roof like one does in big cities and abroad. That’s why I made this decision and was determined to make all the difference. The idea of Big G was conceived thus. We have intern a t i o n a l tourists visiting us regularly, but did not have a place where they could shop under single roof. Initially I was discouraged by many who felt I was making a big investment mistake. But I was ready to take the risk and am so happy today that I succeeded. Today my tried and tested formula has given courage to other investors and many such projects are in the pipeline.”

But who shops at Big G? Pravin’s better half Yogita has an answer, “We have all kinds of customers – NRIs, foreign tourists and locals. Our products are well priced and suit to all pockets. Prices do not vary and customers do not feel cheated as all products are tagged. Nothing is exorbitant; believe me, except our name – Big G!” Indeed, Pravin has created a niche for himself. He successfully runs his Bauxite

Pravin Shantilal Gosalia with wife Yogita, sons Mayur and Mitesh, daughters-inlaw Nirmala and Sangana, daughter Maushumi, son-in-law Milan and grand children.

mining business with his two young sons – Mayur and Mitesh. His eldest son Mayur assists him in retail ventures.

He looks after the Big G functioning and its future expansions.

Speaking high of his late father – Shantilal Khushaldas Gosalia, Pravin says, “It was my father’s hard work and business acumen that excelled him in all his ventures. Although he began small he almost touched the skies by the time he bid us farewell in 1973.”

Born in 1913 in Kathiawad in a Gujarati Jain business family, Shantilal’s adventurous and ambitious nature compelled him to leave Gujarat. He landed in Goa in 1940 laden with dreams to make his own empire on this distant land. Trading was his first venture before he tried his luck in iron ore. His first mine was in Sanguem.

Having highest mining leases and export licences he installed the first beneficiation plant. He had a large barge fleet and was first to import a transshipper – Gosalia Prospect. Innovative Shantilal always thought ahead of his time. Infrastructure upgradation remained his interest all the time. He created a niche for himself in the history of

mining in Goa. His dashing personality, vivacious and generous nature is spoken with a lot of respect and admiration even today.

The Gosalia’s philanthropist contributions and generous monetary assistance is well known. Their contribution to the social fabric of Goa is substantial. Education, sports, medicine, media, business, entertainment – most fields witnessed his philanthropic endeavours. Shantilal was a joint partner in Nav Gomant Prakashan, along with Timblos, and Salgaoncars. It published a Marathi daily ‘Rashtramat’ in South Goa that took a leading role during the opinion poll movement. Shantilal Sports Club, a prestigious football team, was sponsored by him.

He donated to Club Harmonia and BPS Sports Club. The Police Football Trophy was his baby and Gosalia Cancer Hospital at Dona Paula (now Manipal Cancer Institute) his brain child. He built two theatres – Vishant (Margao) and Prashant (Sanvardem) and established Manovikas School at Margao.

LIC crosses 2.5 crore policies PTI MUMBAI, JAN 31

Life Insurance Corporation said it has crossed the landmark 2.5 crore policies in the current year as of Jan 29. "LIC has completed 2,52,44,846 policies and received Rs 34,137.12 crore in First Premium Income in the current financial year," the country's largest insurer said.

LIC said adding that the new business under the new ULIP Plans as of January 29 stood at 1,098,663 policies generating a premium of Rs 5136.25 crore.

The Corporation's Endowment Plus, launched on September 20, 2010, has garnered 1,017,560 policies with a First Premium Income of Rs 4,804.12 crore, in just over 4 months, it said.

Hindustan Un, 270, 276.95, 266.4, 271.15 Hindustan Zi, 1258, 1267.8, 1214.05, 1257.4 Housing Dev, 138, 138, 128.6, 131.15 Icici Bank L, 998.9, 1030, 991.55, 1021.6 Idea Cellula, 68, 70.7, 68, 69.8 Ifci Ltd, 53, 54.25, 52.1, 53.1 India Cement, 98.3, 99.9, 96.35, 99 India Infoli, 74.5, 79.9, 71.65, 76.05 Indiabulls F, 143.1, 158.2, 142.25, 156.7 Indiabulls R, 120, 121.4, 117.05, 120.25 Indian Bank, 210, 215.15, 203.55, 210.45 Indian Hotel, 91.55, 93.7, 87.85, 89.9 Indian Oil C, 325.05, 339.8, 318.55, 336.95 Indian Overs, 128, 135.4, 123.6, 130.1 Indus Dev Ba, 139.2, 143.2, 136.25, 141.75 Indusind Ban, 210.1, 226, 205, 223.9 Infosys Tech, 3138.5, 3138.5, 3086.2, 3117.7 Infra. dev., 148, 150.5, 144.6, 147.25 Ispat Indust, 23.85, 24.75, 22.85, 24.55 Itc Ltd, 167.1, 167.9, 160.95, 162.6 Ivrcl Infras, 80.2, 82.9, 76.8, 80.15 Jai Corp Lim, 173, 175, 167.5, 172.05 Jaiprakash A, 86, 86.45, 82.5, 83.15 Jet Airways, 575.5, 578, 542.7, 554.1 Jindal Saw L, 205.3, 211.8, 201, 209.6

BOARD MEETINGS Gati AMD Inds Glenmark Pharma Gujarat Ambuj Ex Steel Strp Wheels Bank of India Blue Dart Syndicate Bank NMDC Parab Drugs Parshwanath Hou Uniflex Cables Falcon Tyres Punjab Comm Radico Khaitan Source: Indiainfoline.com

MF FUNDA PRAMERICA MUTUAL FUND, the Indian asset management venture of US based Prudential Financial, Inc (PFI), announced the launch of a new product offering for the Indian market - the `Pramerica Short Term Income Fund,` the fifth fund to be launched by Mumbai-based asset management company.

This open ended income scheme will be managed by Mahhendra Jajoo, executive director and chief investment officer - Fixed Income.

The scheme will be benchmarked against the Crisil Short Term Bond Fund Index. The NFO is priced at Rs 1000 per unit. The NFO opened for subscription on Jan 27, 2011 and will close on February 3, 2011. The scheme will re-open for continuous sale and repurchase on February 7, 2011.

Jindal Steel, 650, 674.8, 642.75, 663.25 Jsw Steel Li, 896, 913, 860.1, 905.5 Kotak Mahind, 378.9, 387.7, 369.45, 385.25 Lakshmi Mach, 2175, 2180, 2090, 2159.05 Lanco Infrat, 47, 50.15, 45.7, 49.8 Larsen & Tou, 1599.9, 1648.35, 1572.65, 1641.1 Lic Housing, 172.8, 182.4, 169.5, 179.85 Lupin Limite, 414.1, 426.9, 385.25, 421.9 Mahanagar Te, 48.05, 48.35, 46.85, 48.1 Mahindra & M, 679, 717.8, 677, 713.35 Maruti Suzuk, 1199, 1264.45, 1150.3, 1252.85 Max India Lt, 144.05, 146, 141, 145.35 Maytas Infr., 176.5, 177, 171.2, 175.4 Moser-baer (, 51.9, 52.25, 50.05, 51.2 Mrpl, 68, 68.35, 67.1, 67.4 Nagarjuna Co, 110, 113.9, 103.4, 112.7 Nagarjuna Fe, 26.5, 28.3, 26.5, 28.05 National Alu, 388.55, 398.9, 362.5, 393.05 Neyveli Lign, 106.75, 109, 105.6, 106.9 Ntpc Ltd, 189.6, 191.45, 187.5, 189.05 Oil And Natu, 1143.2, 1216.8, 1143, 1177.8 Omaxe Limite, 137.15, 138.55, 131.05, 132.55 Oriental Ban, 320, 336.75, 312.55, 330.3 Pantaloon Re, 281, 294.6, 271, 286.85 Parsvnath De, 47.8, 48, 46.25, 46.95

Petronet Lng, 126, 130.1, 121.75, 129.05 Power Fin Co, 247.2, 251, 240.55, 245.2 Power Grid C, 95.85, 98.4, 95.2, 96.55 Praj Industr, 74.8, 77.65, 73.55, 74.7 Punj Lloyd L, 95, 95.8, 90, 94.4 Punjab Natio, 1070.1, 1122.7, 1065.45, 1104.45 Rajesh Expor, 133, 134.9, 130.15, 134.1 Ranbaxy Labs, 532.45, 554, 524.15, 544.85 Rashtriya Ch, 79, 79.6, 76.55, 78.9 Reliance Cap, 534, 534, 517.5, 523.7 Reliance Com, 123.95, 124.4, 121.05, 122.65 Reliance Ene, 1019, 1112, 1012, 1078.08 Reliance Ind, 572, 582.8, 559.2, 568.65 Reliance Ind, 908.85, 928.85, 903.1, 919.3 Reliance Pow, 136, 136.7, 133.6, 135.1 Rolta India, 135, 136.45, 130.15, 134.4 Satyam Compu, 61.8, 61.8, 59.9, 60.15 Sesa Goa Ltd, 322, 330.5, 316.55, 326.1 Shipping Cor, 117, 117, 113.85, 114.25 Siemens Ltd, 830, 884.6, 830, 853.95 Sintex Indus, 140, 143.8, 137.8, 142.25 Sobha Develo, 258, 263.8, 252, 261.2 State Bank O, 2580, 2665, 2571, 2642.4 Steel Author, 157.65, 161.95, 155.7, 160.9 Sterlite Ind, 162.65, 166.3, 156.9, 163.95 Sun Pharmace, 428.05, 451.5, 428.05, 440.85

Sun Tv Netwo, 486.9, 498, 460.05, 488.2 Suzlon Energ, 49.45, 50.15, 48.7, 49.4 Tata Communi, 225.5, 234.15, 225.5, 233.05 Tata Consult, 1169, 1169, 1128.55, 1159.5 Tata Motors, 1115, 1159, 1112.1, 1147.05 Tata Power C, 1250, 1250.05, 1211.4, 1243.1 Tata Steel L, 621, 641.95, 618, 639.7 Tata Teleser, 17.45, 17.5, 17.1, 17.2 Tech Mahindr, 649.85, 655, 635.25, 650.95 The Ge Shpg., 309.1, 312, 305, 306.8 The Phoenix, 201, 204, 193.65, 200.15 Thermax Ltd, 663.3, 686.7, 649.8, 673.35 Titan Indust, 3452, 3623.8, 3407, 3601.1 Torrent Powe, 220.55, 231.75, 216.55, 225.15 Triveni Engg, 91.5, 95.5, 87.5, 92.05 Tv18 India L, 76, 77.85, 74.1, 76.75 Uco Bank, 105, 110, 103, 107.65 Ultratech Ce, 990, 1197.45, 971, 1002.8 Union Bank O, 315, 333.3, 311.7, 330.1 Unitech Ltd, 50.6, 50.95, 46.9, 48.05 United Phosp, 139, 140, 133.9, 136.1 Videocon Ind, 206, 207.9, 203.45, 206.8 Vijaya Bank, 89.5, 91.5, 88.5, 90.65 Voltas Ltd, 195.4, 197, 186.7, 192 Wipro Ltd, 425, 446.9, 424.6, 438.1 Yes Bank Lim, 255.1, 264.45, 249.9, 263.1 Zee Entertai, 113.6, 116.45, 112.6, 115.15

OHERALDO

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BIZ

GOA, TUESDAY, 1 FEBRUARY, 2011

Core industries may push up IIP PTI NEW DELHI, JAN 31

The output of the six core infrastructure industries grew by 6.6 per cent in December, 2010, vis-à-vis 6.2 per cent expansion in the year-ago period, driven by the robust performance of the crude oil and petroleum refinery sectors.

The December data for six industries -- crude oil, petroleum refinery products, coal, electricity, cement and finished steel -shows revitalised growth in these sectors following a slowdown in November, when output rose by just 3 per cent as against 5.9 per cent expansion in the corresponding period of 2009-10.

According to economists, the healthy growth in the month under review will have a positive impact on the December Index of Industrial Production (IIP), which is likely to be released next month.

"It (the December, 2010, figures) will push the industrial growth next month," credit ratings agency Crisil Principal Economist D K Joshi said.

HDFC Bank Chief Economist Abheek Barua concurred with this view. "The better core sector numbers would help the IIP recover from the lows of November, 2010," he said.

However, Yes Bank Chief Economist Shubhada Rao said that a big jump in next month's IIP is not expected because of the base effect.

"We do not expect a much

December, 2010, as against 1.1 per cent and 0.9 per cent expansion, respectively, in the same period last year, data released by the Industry Ministry today said.

big jump in the December, 2010, IIP number as the base effect of last year will wear off the sequential advantage of higher core sector growth," Rao said.

The core infrastructure industries have a weight of 26.7 per cent in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).

The IIP had sunk to an 18month low of 2.7 per cent in November, 2010.

Crude oil output registered significant growth of 15.8 per cent, while petroleum refinery output rose by 8.3 per cent in

While production of coal registered 3 per cent growth in December, 2010, finished steel output increased by 11.2 per cent. In December, 2009, coal and finished steel production grew by 1.2 per cent and 9.6 per cent, respectively.

However, electricity production slowed down in December, 2010, growing by just 4.3 per cent during the month as against 6.6 per cent expansion in December, 2009.

On the other hand, cement production declined by 2.2 per

Govt revises economic growth upwards to 8% PTI NEW DELHI, JAN 31

The Indian economy grew at 8 per cent during the financial year ended March 2010, higher than 7.4 per cent estimated earlier, driven by stronger performance in manufacturing and services sectors.

The higher expansion suggests that India is recovering fast from the impact of the global financial crisis, which pulled down the GDP to 6.8 per cent during the fiscal 2008-09, from over 9 per cent recorded in the preceding three years.

Although a higher growth in 2009-10 will have adverse statistical impact on the performance of the current fiscal due to high base effect, economists feel that 2010-11 will still record a growth rate of 8.5 per cent.

"The growth rate of 8 per cent in the GDP during 2009-10 has been achieved due to high growth in manufacturing (8.8 per cent), financing, insurance, real estate & business services (9.2 per cent), transport, storage and communication (15 per cent), community, social and personal services (11.8 per cent)," the official data showed.

"We had projected the GDP growth rate for the current fiscal at 8.5-8.7 per cent. With the upward revision in the FY'10

Per capita income at Rs 46,492 PTI NEW DELHI, JAN 31

Per capita income of Indians grew by 14.5 per cent to Rs 46,492 in 2009-10 from Rs 40,605 in the year-ago period, as per the revised data released by the government today.

The new per capita income figure estimates on current market prices is over Rs 2,000 more than the previous estimate of Rs 44,345 calculated by the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO).

Per capita income means earnings of each Indian if the national income is evenly divided among the country's population at 117 crore.

However, the increase in per capita income was only about 6 per cent in 2009-10 if it is calculated on the prices of 2004-05 prices, which is a better way of comparison and broadly factors inflation. Per capita income (at 2004-05 prices) stood at Rs 33,731 in FY10 against Rs 31,801 in the previous year, the latest data on national income said.

The size of the economy at current prices rose to Rs 61,33,230 crore in the last fiscal, up 16.1 per cent over Rs 52,82,086 crore in FY'09.

Based on 2004-05 prices, the Indian economy expanded by 8 per cent during the fiscal ended March 2010. This is higher than 6.8 per cent growth in fiscal 2008-09.

GDP numbers, we expect the GDP of FY'11 to be in the lower end of the range," ICRA Economist Aditi Nayar said.

The Indian economy is projected to grow at 9 per cent in the current fiscal. It grew at 8.9 per cent in the first half of the current financial year which ends in March. In addition, the GDP growth estimate for FY2008-09 has been revised marginally upward to 6.8% from the previous estimate of 6.7%.

Agriculture sector growth recorded 0.4 per cent growth in FY2009-10 after witnessing a 0.1 per cent decline in FY200809, the data showed.

The 8 per cent growth

clearly shows that stimulus provided by the government through excise duty and service tax cuts have yielded results, as the manufacturing which bore the brunt of the slowdown, posted 8.8 per cent growth in 2009-10 against over 3 per cent a year ago.

The country's per capita income grew by 14.5 per cent to Rs 46,492 in 2009-10 from Rs 40,605 in the year-ago period.

The new per capita income figure estimates on current market prices is over Rs 2,000 more than the previous estimate of Rs 44,345 calculated by the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO).

cent in the month under review, whereas it had expanded by 11 per cent in December, 2009.

During April-December, 2010-11, the six core industries registered average growth of 5.3 per cent, compared to 4.7 per cent expansion in the same period last year.

During the first nine months of this fiscal, the output of the crude oil sector grew by 12 per cent, as against a 1.1 per cent contraction in the same period last fiscal.

Growth in coal output slowed to 1 per cent in April-December, 2010-11, from 8.4 per cent in the corresponding period last year.

Growth in electricity and cement production also slowed to 4.5 per cent and 4.4 per cent, respectively, during the first nine months of the ongoing financial year, from 5.9 per cent and 11 per cent in the same period last year.

The data further showed that petroleum refinery output expanded by 1.6 per cent during the nine-month period – as against a 1 per cent contraction in April-December, 2009 - and finished steel production by 7.3 per cent, compared to 3.6 per cent growth in the corresponding period of the previous year.

Siemens to pay $1.4 b to up India stake REUTERS MUMBAI, JAN 31

Siemens AG will spend about 1 billion euros ($1.4 billion) to raise its stake in its booming Indian subsidiary Siemens Ltd, it said on Monday.

Siemens said in a statement on Monday it planned to raise its stake to 75 percent from about 55 percent, offering 930 rupees per share or a 28 percent premium to Friday's closing price.

"Siemens is expanding its stake with the aim of further developing its business in India," the statement said.

The offer sent Siemens Ltd shares up by more than 18 percent to 867 rupees by 0832 GMT. Siemens shares fell 0.4 percent amid a 0.8 percent drop in the blue chip Dax index.

The conglomerate is enjoying strong growth in business in emerging markets, with new orders from India alone up 160 percent in the latest quarter, boosted by infrastructure and power technology demand.

Siemens Ltd India had revenue of around 1.5 billion euros and profit from operations of around 200 million in 2010.

The move follows that of Swiss rival ABB Ltd, which last year raised its holding in its Indian subsidiary to 75 percent, paying $1 billion for the stake.

Ramesh clears Posco but with 60 more conditions PTI NEW DELHI, JAN 31

After putting it on hold, Environment Ministry today granted conditional clearance for South Korean major Posco's USD 12 billion steel mill project in Orissa which also includes a captive port, setting 60 additional conditions.

Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh sought categorical assurance from the Naveen Patnaik government stating that the Forest Rights Act (FRA) has not been violated in the land acquisition process for the single biggest foreign direct investment project in India comprising a steel mill, a captive power plant and a minor port.

"Environmental clearance for the steel-cum-captive power plant is being accorded with 28 additional conditions over and above stipulated in the original environmental clearance of July 19, 2007," Ramesh said in his order.

"The environmental clearance for captive port is being accorded with 32 additional conditions over and above stipulated in the original environmental clearance of May 15, 2007," the order signed by the Minister said Ramesh inked the final approval for diversion of 1,253 hectares of forest land for the

project with the assurance from the state government that those claiming to be dependent on or cultivating the land in the project area do not belong to the other traditional forest dwellers (OTFD) category under the Forest Rights Act, 2006.

"Final approval of diversion of 1253 hectares of forest land for the Posco project would be granted as soon as this assurance of the state government is received by the MoEF," the Minister said.

Forest rights activists had claimed that the state government had violated the FRA by contending that the project area was free from non-tribal and other traditional forest dwellers (OTFD).

In August last year, Environment Ministry had directed the Orissa government to stop land acquisition for the project.

The step was taken on the basis of a ground report submitted by a three-member committee set up by the Environment and Tribal Affairs Ministries.

"Undoubtedly, projects such as that of POSCO have considerable economic, technological and strategic significance for the country," Ramesh said.

At the same time, the Minister also adopted a middle path to ensure economic growth

and also maintain green balance, saying, "laws on environment and forests must be implemented seriouly."

The Ministry put the project under scanner in October last year after three of the four members of a review panel, headed by former environment secretary Meena Gupta, recommended that initial permits given to the company be cancelled as it found flaws in its impact on the environment.

However, Gupta's report had suggested that additional conditions could be imposed to the existing clearances after carrying out a comprehensive and integrated Environmental Impact Assessment for both the steel plant and its captive port.

The state government and Pohang Steel Company (POSCO), signed an MoU on June 22, 2005 for setting up an integrated steel plant of a total capacity of 12 million tonnes per annum at Paradeep in Jagatsinghpur district.

The plant would be located on the north-western bank of the Jatadharmohan river creek, 12 km south of the Paradeep Port requiring a total of 1620.496 hectares of land of which 1253.225 hectares is forest land and would affect eight villages in Erasama block of Kujang Tehsil.

Onion subsidised ends today PTI NEW DELHI, JAN 31

With a sharp fall in onion prices in the retail market to Rs 30 per kg, the government today decided to end the subsidised sale of the kitchen staple from tomorrow in the national capital, but it would continue to monitor the situation to prevent the recurrence of the crisis.

A high-level meeting, which was convened by Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, also decided to discontinue the 30 per cent subsidy that the Centre was offering to farm cooperatives for subsidised onion sale from tomorrow, sources said.

Food minister K V Thomas, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and senior officials of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Affairs ministry participated in the meeting.

"Since onion prices have started coming down in Delhi and other cities, it was thought that the subsidised sale of the vegetable was not needed from tomorrow," a source said.

Onion prices have declined to Rs 30 per kg from a peak of Rs 70-85 per kg as on December 20-21. "We reviewed the market scenario of onions and other vegetables. The meeting expressed pleasure over easing of prices of onions in the national capital," Dikshit said.

Every 1% interest hike cuts SME profits 14%: Crisil PTI MUMBAI, JAN 31

Every one per cent increase in interest rates would lead to an average decline of 14 per cent in SMEs' profits, a report released by Crisil said.

According to the report, the decline in profits could be even 25 per cent or more in case of some SMEs. "One-fifth of the enterprises evaluated could face erosion of 25 per cent or more in their pre-tax profit levels, the report released by Crisil said.

The CRISIL study covered 3,234 SMEs with sales turnover ranging from Rs 1-crore to Rs 500-crore and included manufacturing, trading and service companies in 30 industries across 20 states, a press release issued here stated.

The study found that every one per cent increase in interest rate would result in an average decline of 14 per cent in the profits of SMEs. The study draws heavily on Crisil's deep understanding of the sector and the insights gained while assessing the credit risk profiles of over 17,500 SMEs, it added.

According to Crisil's MD and CEO, Roopa Kudva, "this is the first time that deep analytical insights on small companies are being made available in India; Crisil’s effort will pro-

Gold premiums highest since ’04 REUTERS SINGAPORE, JAN 31

Premiums for gold bars were at their strongest level since at least 2004 on Monday on tight supply, short covering before the festive season in India and China as well as physical buying driven by the deadly protests in Egypt, dealers said on Monday.

Gold bars were quoted at a premium of $4 an ounce to the spot London prices in Hong Kong, its highest level since Reuters began compiling the data in 2004, up from $3 last week. .

Physical dealers have seen a pick up in demand in recent weeks ahead of the Lunar New Year later this week and the wedding season in India in February, although any increase in cash gold prices also triggered selling from speculators.

"There's a lot of interest from India, but it's just that we can't meet their demand. Everybody is snatching the available stocks," said a dealer in Singapore. "We are seeing some light selling from Thailand, but there's also buying at lower levels."

Spot gold fell $4.45 to $1,333.85 an ounce on Monday, having posted its biggest gain in eight weeks on Friday on buying related to fears the deadly chaos in Egypt could spread throughout the Middle

‘Mkts likely to be choppy this year’ PTI MUMBAI, JAN 31

It is likely to be a volatile year for the equity markets following rise in interest rates and high inflation, DSP Merrill Lynch today said.

"The market is going to be choppy this year with flattish returns of about 15-17 per cent due to rising interest rates, high inflationary pressures and slowdown in IIP among others," DSP Merrill Lynch (a subsidiary of Bank of America) Head of India Research, Jyotivardhan Jaipuria told reporters here.

This will be more of a year of consolidation, he added.

On sectoral performance, he said, information and technology, pharmaceuticals and other sectors, which are converged on global growth, are likely to do well.

On the domestic front, he said, banking is likely to give good returns in short term.

However, capital good and infrastructure are going to be better bets for long term.

Talking about fund flows from Foreign Institutional Investors this fiscal, he said, it is going to be less than USD 29 billion last year.

"The FII's flow is likely to be at around USD 16 billion in FY 12, as the money will go into commodity related markets following rise in commodity prices," he said.

East.

Gold should build on last year's stellar gains in 2011 to hit record highs, boosted by low interest rates, dollar weakness and lingering worry over growth in major economies, a Reuters poll showed.

Premiums for gold bars in Singapore remained firm at $3 an ounce, also their highest since at least 2004, partly driven by demand from top consumer India ahead of the wedding season, when parents give gold jewellery to their daughters.

India's January gold imports are seen rising on softer prices and as food inflation boosts farm incomes, fuelling demand for the precious metal, a poll showed.

"My clients offered to buy gold bars at $5 premium, but I have no gold. Nowadays, gold is booked and sold even before they leave the refinery," said another dealer in Singapore.

"There's some selling back in the gold market, but the premiums are still high. I do see light selling by the Thais too, but one consumer just called to sell me back the gold in transit."

Looking ahead, dealers expected steady purchases from India before the wedding season, while some consumers in Hong Kong could be stocking while waiting for the market in China to reopen after the Lunar New Year.

mote a better understanding of the SME sector."

In the study sample, 2,200 companies were very small with sales of less than Rs 20crore.

Over half of these small companies had low levels of debt (debt-equity ratio below 1), making them less vulnerable to interest rate hikes than their more leveraged peers, the release said.

Similarly, SMEs that are more

capital-efficient, as measured

by Return on Capital Employed (RoCE), are less vulnerable to an interest rate hike. 52 per cent of the companies in the sample have a high RoCE (exceeding 15 per cent), and the impact of interest rate increases on these companies would be minimal, the report said.

Pg 14

SPORTS

GOA, Tuesday, 1 February, 2011

Rosary, St Andrews win HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, JAN 31

Progress HS, Sanquelim, Bicholim defeated St Joseph’s HS, Pernem 5-1 in the first round of North District boys U-17 football organised by DSYA at Peddem sports complex on Monday. Sanquelim led 2-1 at half time.

Alwyn Cardozo netted a brace, while Jason Vaz, Ganesh Kapoor and Faisal Depari also scored for Sanquelim. Shubam Chinthdroji punted in a consolation goal for St Joseph’s.

Ideal English HS, Palkyel, Pernem triumphed over Shivaji Raj HS, Kholpe, Sal Bicholim in U-17 North District boys kho kho finals.

In the girls finals, Ideal English de-

featedGovernmentHS,Surla,Bicholim.

Don Bosco HS, Panjim defeated St Clara’s HS, Assnora in boys U17 handball North District finals.

In the girls finals, Our Lady of Rosary HS, Dona Paula overcame St Clara’s HS, Assnora.

St Andrew’s HS, Goa Velha were victorious in boys U-17 volleyball North District finals, defeating Lourdes Convent HS, Saligao.

In the girls volleyball finals, St Thomas girls HS, Aldona beat St Theresa HS, Candolim.

The first place teams will now go for the All-Goa finals, while the runners-up will battle against the South runners-up for the third place.

St Rock squeeze past Signals HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, JAN 31

An injury time strike by striker Columban Noronha gave St Rock’s Sports Club, Fatrade their first win after they scored a narrow 1-0 win over Corps of Signals in GFA’s First Division League at Varca ground, on Monday. There was no score at half time.

Corps of Signals enjoyed a slight edge over their opponents in the opening session with their forwards and midfielders working in tandem to put the rival citadel under tremendous pres-

sure.

Corps of Signals nearly broke the deadlock in the early moments but Pankaj Gurkha muffed an open sitter with only the rival goalkeeper to beat, when he shot wide from the five yards zone.

At the other end, St Rock’s did not show urgency and seldom troubled the rival defence.

After quarter of play, there were a few attempts at the rival goal, as a result the remaining period was restricted to the midfield.

Crossing over, Corps of Sig-

nals showed better application and went all out in search of an elusive match-winner and created many scoring chances with their forwards repeatedly raiding the rival citadel but without success.

Corps of Signals nearly found success midway but Pankaj was the worst culprit as he shot wide in an open goal off a pass from Budi Bahadur.

With time running out, Corps of Signals were desperate and were in cry late in the second half but striker V Nghara spurned the easiest chance as the rival

keeper came charging off.

With the match heading for a barren draw, St Rock’s made last ditch efforts and bore fruits in injury time when striker Columban Noronha picked up the ball from Melvin Fernandes and beat his marker and beat the rival keeper with a snap shot to the loud applause from the Fatrade supporters.

With this win, St Rock’s Sports Club collected four points from seven matches while Corps of Signals suffered their third defeat and have a tally of seven points from seven matches.

Zulfa Goa Diamond triumph HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, JAN 31

Zulfa Goa Diamond B-Human defeated Zulfa SSC 2-0 in the recently concluded GFL-2011 Kassim Usman Khan champions football tournament organised

by Valpoi Sports Club in Dubai, UAE on Friday.

The following individual prizes were awarded: Man-of-

the-match - Shaikh Abdulla. Best player of the tournament - Asad Khan. (both Goa Diamond BHuman). Best goalkeeper Mohsin Bepari (Zulfa SSC).

In the first semi-finals, Zulfa B-Human defeated Karama 32 Warriors and drew with Valpoi SC in the league stage. They defeated Sanquelim in the quarter-finals and Bicholim in the

semi-finals.

In the second semi-finals, Zulfa SSC got the better of Sayeem Cargo and Vasco Shareef Boys in the league stages. In the quarter-finals, Zulfa SSC beat Kakeez Brothers and JTGT in the semi-finals.

In all 13 teams participated.

Kasim Usman Khan was the chief guest and gave away the prizes.

The Cortalim dojo under sensei Sanjay Naik bagged three silver and two bronze medals for Goa at the recently concluded 28th JKAI Nationals in Panjim. Austral Baiju won a silver in U-8 kumite. Liston Coutinho won a silver in team kata and a bronze in team kumiti U-16 boys. Clayton Afonso won a silver in team kata and a bronze in team kumiti U-16 boys. The others who participated included Pravesh, Seliston, Rayson, Tejas, Gautam, Esha, Melrio, Soham, Arun, Liston, Austral, Clayton and Wellace.

Kassim Usman Khan giving away the winners trophy to the captain and manager of Zulfa Goa Diamond B-Human team.

GVM beat Dempo HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, JAN 31

GFA First Division: Raia SC v.

Salcete FC, Raia ground, 4 p.m.

GFA Second Division: Dempo SC (Juniors) v. Agasaim YC, Taleigao ground, 4 p.m.

GFA U-14: Young Strikers v.

Sarzora SC, Dando ground; Cortalim Gymkhana v. Dabolim YC, Tilak Maidan, Vasco. Kick off 4 p.m.

3rd Wilred Leisure soccer: Varca SC v. Verna SC, Curtorim ground, 4.30 p.m.

GVM's College, Ponda beat S S Dempo College, Panjim by 4 wickets and entered the second round of inter-college cricket championship.

Dempo won the toss and decided to bat first. They scored 157 for 5 in 20 overs. Govind Kundagiri was the top scorer with 55. Suyog Chowgule (47), Anish Shet (14) and Atul

Kankonkar (13). Vashist Bhati 223, Pratik Prabhu 1-19 and Vikrant Prabhu (1-31).

GVM's College scored the required runs in 19 overs with 4 wickets in hand. Amey Sawant scored 63 not-out. Sarvesh Dhargalkar (20), Vikrant Prabhu (16) and Vishwajeet Phadte (14) contributed to their victory.

Khwaja Attar took 2 wickets for 25 runs, Sameer and Govind 1 each.

Navelim move into quarters HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, JAN 31

Navelim Sporting Club defeated Nerul Sports Club 2-1 to enter the quarter-finals of 3rd Wilred Leisure Cup inter-village football tournament organised by Wilred Leisure Sports Club at Curtorim grounds, on Monday. The teams were tied 1-1 at half time.

Nerul were the first to strike rhythm and made positive forays into the rival territory and troubled the rival defence with well orchestrated raids. They came close in surging ahead but their forwards either shot wide or

shot straight into the safe hands of the rival keeper.

Nerul shot into the lead in the 25th minute when striker Radhakrishna Dessai’s smart header beat the Navelim keeper hands down off a falter from Julius D’Costa.

However, their joy was shortlived when veteran Domnic Cabral neutralised the lead with a stiff grounder.

The second half saw both the teams showing urgency in their approach and there was plenty of action at either goal.

Navelim took over their reins

and raised the tempo with their forwards firing salvo but without success. They were rewarded when striker Joseph Dias struck the match-winner with a blistering shot giving no chance to the rival keeper.

Stung by the setback, Nerul tried their best but failed to get past the rival defenders.

Navelim also had scoring chances but their forwards shot wide from hand shaking distance.

Joseph Dias of Navelim and Julius D’Costa of Nerul were awarded the best player award respectively.

Sr citizens meet held HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, JAN 31

Around 300 senior citizens enthusiastically participated in 3rd All-Goa Senior Citizens Sports Meet organised by Forum for

Senior Citizens of India in association with the Sports Authority of Goa at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, Margao on Sunday.

Eduardo Faleiro, Commissioner for NRI affairs was the chief guest and spoke on the occasion. He called upon voluntary organizations such as the Forum for Senior Citizens of India to take advantage of the different schemes promoted by the Union Ministry for Social Justice and Empowerment. “One such scheme formulated by the ministry is an intergrated programme for the elderly,” stated Faleiro.

The event was held in two categories for men and women in the age group of 60 to 65 years and 60 and above.

The participants competed in indoor and outdoor activities.

The senior citizens of South Goa excelled in volleyball, football and tug-of-war.

“I congratulate the senior citizens forum and SAG for successfully organising the 3-day sports meet and especially for creating awareness about the need for good health and fitness among the elderly. A 30-minute walk for five days a week will definitely do a lot of good,” Faleiro concluded.

Diago D’Sousa, secretary, Senior Citizens Forum was also present.

Eknath Naik, president, Senior Citizens Forum, Margao welcomed.

Narayan Dessai, vice-president proposed the vote of thanks.

Gonsalo Tavares, 87-year-old retired football referee displaying the Goa Football Referee’s Association’s bulletin of achievement and activities at a fund raising Konkani drama ‘Futtleli Boxi’ by Mario Menezes on January 8 at Kala Academy alongwith Babli Mandrekar (GFA), Gregory Estrocio (general secretary), Nicholas Fernandes, Benjamin Silva (chairman referees association) and Mario Menezes. Gonsalo was the first recipient of the financial assistance given by the association. The cash will be given annually to old and retired referees who are in need of financial assistance.

Eduardo Faleiro giving away trophy and certificates to a winner at the sports meet.

Models Eagles, Fomento Flamingos, Harbour Blues, GBA Super Riders, Caculo Chargers, Fallary Warriors, PBC Panthers and Welfits Twisters representatives alongwith V M Prabhudesai, (Executive Director, SAG) in the presence of Richard D'Sousa (president, GBA), Roy Athaide (NIS coach) and Sandeep Heble (secretary) at the inaugural of the second edition Pro Badminton League, organised by Panjim Badminton Club in association with SAG at indoor stadium, Campal, Panjim. The semi-finals are scheduled for February 2 and the finals will be held on February 3 at 5 p.m. PBC president, Sarfraz Sheikh welcomed. Sandeep Heble proposed the vote of thanks

Pg 15

SPORTS

GOA, Tuesday, 1 February, 2011

BCCI still to release prize money AGENCIES MELBOURNE, JAN 31

Champions League Twenty20 organisers have not paid the teams and players prize money to the tune of USD six million and the Indian Cricket Board was responsible for it, a report said on Monday.

Federation of International Cricketers' Associations chief executive Tim May said that the Champions League Twenty20 organisers had failed to honour its commitments to pay prize money totalling USD six million.

"Given that the 2010 event

concluded in September, we are increasingly frustrated and disappointed that the prize money still has not been paid by the organisers to teams and players," May said.

"Despite numerous requests for clarification of when the prize money is to be paid we continue to be met with a lack of certainty as to the timing of payment and a general lack of regard to the players' concerns," May was quoted as saying by 'The Australian'.

Cricket Australia, one of the three boards running the event (besides BCCI and Cricket South Africa), said that player payments were the responsibility of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, the majority shareholder.

May, a former Australia Test

off-spinner, claimed that the Team Participation Agreement stipulating that participation fees must be paid no later than 20 days after the completion of the event.

"It was unacceptable that three of the most financially affluent cricket boards in the world can seemingly sit on their hands for four months with no apparent sense of obligation to

pay this prize money in a timely manner," May said.

A CA spokesmen also claimed the states and the Australian Cricketers Association had been kept fully informed of the late payments from the Champions League.

"It relates to issues in India with the manner the telecaster made its payment to the BCCI. It should be resolved in the next fortnight," the spokesman

said.

According to the report, Indian officials claimed that the telecaster had taken a portion out for tax and paid it directly to the government, but the BCCI is arguing that it is a tax-free sporting organisation.

A second installment from the telecaster will be used to pay the prize money, it said.

Holy Rosary face Deepvihar HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, JAN 31

Joao Estrocio,who claimed a gold, three silver and a bronze medal at the recently concluded Veer Savarkar 2nd Inter-State age group swimming competition in Kolhapur. He secured medals in 50m butterfly, 100m freestyle, 100m backstroke and 50m freestyle butterfly.

Salcete Taluka champions Holy Rosary Convent will meet Mormugao winners Deepvihar High School, Vasco in the finals of U17 girls South Goa District interschool football tournament organised by Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs on February 3 at SAG sports complex, Fatorda.

In the semi-finals, Holy Rosary Convent scored a comprehensive 8-0 win over Canacona Taluka winners Tudal HS. Lifa Tavares struck four goals including a hat-trick.

Vailanka D’Sousa netted three while Jodina Barretto scored one goal.

Quepem Taluka winners Guardian Angel HS will clash with Ponda Taluka winners Government High School, Sadar, Ponda in the finals of U-17 South District boys inter-school football tournament organised by DSYA at Nehru outside stadium, Fatorda.

In the first semi-finals, Guardian Angel HS prevailed over Sanguem Taluka winners, Miracles High School, Sanguem 4-1 via the tie-breaker. There was no score at full time. In the

tie-breaker, Jovial Coutinho, Russel Vaz, Alington Fernandes and S a n i t o C o l a c o s c o re d f o r Guardian Angel while only Elton Pereira scored for Miracles.

In the second semi-finals, Government High School, Sadar scored an identical 4-1 win via the tie-breaker over Mae Dos Pobres HS, Nuvem.

Simon Colcao gave the lead to Mae dos Pobres while Vikram Singh equalised for Ponda.

In the tie-breaker, Omkar Jadhav, Zikone Laishran and Vikram Singh scored for the winners while only Simon Colaco scored for Mae dos Pobres.

Pakistanis want Afridi as skipper AGENCIES KARACHI, JAN 31

In a public poll conducted by a leading media group in Pakistan, national team's one-day captain Shahid Afridi has got overwhelming support from the people to lead the side in the 2011 World Cup, starting from February 19.

The Express media group had conducted a poll in which they asked people who they thought

should lead Pakistan in the World Cup -- Afridi or Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq. The results published on Monday showed that an overwhelming majority of 94 per cent feel that Afridi is the best choice to lead Pakistan in the mega-event, while Misbah, who recently led Pakistan to their first Test series win in four years, got just six per cent votes.

HERALD SPORTS REPORTER PANJIM, JAN 31

Goa created history at 5th Commonwealth Taekwondo championship bagging three gold, three silver and two bronze in Chennai on Sunday. Overall,

India set a record winning 21 gold, 23 silver and 45 bronze.

The Goa contingent will arrive at dabolim on Febraury 1 at about 3 p.m. on February 1, stated State Taekwondo Association president R D Mangueskar.

Calangute for Aurangabad HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, JAN 31

The State PYKKA winners, Village Panchayat of Calangute will represent Goa at the football Nationals in Aurangabad from February 3 to 6.

The team comprises Rakesh Ambi, Vivek Kalangutkar, Charlston Pereira, Clifton Fernandes, Agnelo Fernandes, Alister Fer-

nandes, John Fernandes, Prajyot Kerkar, Carlos Lobo, Deepak Gop, Ashwyn D'Sousa, Pariston Fernandes, Francis Silveira, Abhishekh Laxman and Alister Fernandes.

The team is being coached

by Deggie Cardozo, Marcelino Pereira and Sebastiao Noronha (SAG). The team will leave on February 1.

BAFF prevail over Parra HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, JAN 31

Two heading goals from Somesh Chopdekar gave BAFF a 3-1 victory over Clube Athletic de Parra in GFA’s U-16 League at Bicholim ground on Monday. Parra led 10 at the breather.

Parra dominated in the first half and took the lead through Axel Crasto.

After the change of ends BAFF picked up pace and managed to equalise through Sitesh Chopdekar. Somesh scored the two goals later on.

Carrom tourney at Ribandar

PANJIM (HSD) – The Goa Carrom Association in collaboration with the Sports Authority of Goa will organise their State carom championship for juniors (U-14) and sub-juniors (U-18) boys and girls and senior men and women at Government Primary School, opposite St Ajuda Church, Ribandar. The junior and sub-junior events will be held from February 5 to 7 while the senior’s event will be held from February 12 to 14. Participants may get along their age proof. Details may be obtained from Sameer Verenkar on 96378770708, Nandita Chari on 9923634669 or P M Chari on 9823850155.

Dicarpale Sports Club, winners of Reira soccer tournament organised by Saligao Sporting alongwith Elvis Gomes, Darryl Pereira at Saligao.

The captain of Verna SC receiving the trophy and cash purse from Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco, MLA in the presence of GFA senior vicepersident and CCP Commissioner Elvis Gomes, Fr Cipriano Da Silva, GFA senior Executive Committee member Anthony Pango and Peter Cardozo.

HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, JAN 31

The Goa U-15 team that will participate in the second round of Mir Iqbal 33rd subjunior Nationals in Kolkata, West Bengal from February 14, kicked off their camp at Duler Stadium here on Monday. The team is being trained by Seby Rodrigues and Gajanan Kambli.

The players had qualified for the second stage last November in Seoni, Madhya Pradesh.

The boys are being

housed at Duler Stadium, but will only train there in the evenings due to ground availability. In the mornings they will use alternative venues such as Anjuna ground or the Tivim ground.

Gajanan Kambli has informed that they will be playing a friendly match with Tivim XI on Wednesday.

Five of the twenty boys were excused from the first day of training, but will join the team on Tuesday.

Goa shine at C’wealth Vasco down Goa Probables were playing against Vasco for taekwondo tourney the National Games team.

GOA DIARY

The winners of 2nd all-Goa cycle supercross organised by Sirvodem United Football Club (SUFC) at Sirvodem on Sunday in memory of Rixon Das Navis. Special category below 6 years -1st Prithvi Naik, 2nd Peter Sequeira. Sub-Juniors -1st Amir Shaikh, 2nd Asif Shaikh, 3rd Javed Sayed. Juniors - 1st Fazal Shaikh, 2nd Afrid Shaikh, 3rd Nadeem Shaikh. Seniors -1st Rohan Raikar, 2nd Joaquim D’Silva, 3rd Hyder Shaikh.

Mohsin Haroon Ahmed (president), Fouad Aziz Shah (secretary) were the coordinators with with the track being designed by Abrar Shaikh, Mohammad Umer, Asif Sayed, Mohammed Hasim and Aman Shaikh. The chief guests were Zarina Shah (ex vice-chairperson, MMC), Allan Sequeira, (National motocross and supercross champ),Vijaya Sheldekar (president of Mahila Mandal, Margao).

U-15 camp kicks off

HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, JAN 31

A second half brace from Savio Fernandes gave Vasco Sports Club a 2-0 victory over the National Games probables XI, at Duler Stadium on Monday.

Amazingly four of the Vasco first team players, which included Prajot Naik, Joel Seq u e i r a , J o y Fe r r a o a n d goalkeeper Milagres Medeira

Vasco coach Gavin Araujo remarked, “My reserve players always give a very good account of themselves when they come into the side, but I also give credit to my opponents, they are a talented bunch and as the training goes on they will improve as a team.”

Goa squad for Nat Games HERALD SPORTS REPORTER PANJIM, JAN 31

Goa will finally participate in the much, much awaited 34th National Games to be held in Jharkhand from February 13-26.

It will be a 93-strong contingent participating in eight disciplines, with the SAG coughing up Rs 15 lakh. The SAG will bear the entire expenditure, TA, DA and kit.

Goa has qualified in football (men), boxing, taekwondo, s e p a k t a k r a w, a t h l e t i c s , wrestling, shooting, swimming with only boxing and taekwondo being the ones which

bagged medals in the last Games. Boxers Santosh Harijan and Sonya Parab, the medallists will also be part of this year’s squad.

The Games were awarded to Jharkhand in 2003 and were originally scheduled for 2007.

The dates were postponed a record six times for want of infrastructure, but that’s the way that the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) functions in the country.

The next two Games have been allotted to Kerala and Goa, but no dates have yet been fixed.

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Pg16

Zulfa Goa Diamond triumph Pg 14

GOA, TUESDAY, 1 FEBRUARY, 2011

SPORTS

BCCI still to release CLT20 prize money Pg 15

Contact us on: sports@herald-goa.com

www.oheraldo.in

ICC confirms Bangalore as India-England match venue PTI NEW DELHI, JAN 31

n There will be an inspection

The ICC today approved BCCI's proposal to hold the India-England Cricket World Cup tie at Bangalore after Eden Gardens was stripped of the right to host it and said the match will be held on the scheduled date of February 27.

The Indian Cricket Board had yesterday recommended Bangalore as the alternate venue after the ICC decided to shift the match out of Eden Gardens after an inspection team of the world body had found the stadium to be under-prepared for the tie.

"The ICC today confirmed its decision to relocate the venue for the India v England match in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, which had been originally scheduled for Eden Gardens in Kolkata on 27 February. It will now take place in Bengaluru on the same date," the ICC said in a media release.

ICC Chief Executive Officer Haroon Lorgat

of Eden Gardens on February 7 to assess progress ahead of remaining three scheduled fixtures in Kolkata said with today's decision to re-locate tie, the stakeholders can now start working on the logistics to hold the match in Bangalore.

"The BCCI has responded to the ICC nominating Bengaluru as its preferred alternate venue for the India v England match, a recommendation the ICC agrees to.

"This decision now clarifies and gives us certainty over the fixture. We can now work with our various partners and stakeholders to make sure that match – along with the rest of the tournament – is all it should be,"

Lorgat said in the statement.

The world body said an inspection team will visit Eden Gardens to assess the readiness of the stadium for the remaining three matches of the World Cup. "There will be an inspection of Eden Gardens on February 7 to assess progress ahead of remaining three scheduled fixtures in Kolkata," the statement said.

"In a letter to the BCCI yesterday, the ICC outlined a schedule of works that needed to be carried out at Eden Gardens ahead of the ground's other scheduled fixtures on 15, 18 and 20 March. As such, an inspection team will visit Kolkata again on 7 February to assess progress in line with that schedule," it said.

The three other matches alloted to Eden Gardens are South Africa vs Ireland (March 15), the Netherlands vs Ireland (March 18) and Zimbabwe vs Kenya (March 20).

Eden was our main venue: Harbhajan PTI KOLKATA, JAN 31

With Eden Gardens no longer hosting a World Cup match featuring India, off-spinner Harbhajan Singh today said he is really disappointed that they would not be able to bowl at the historic venue to the roar of spectators, which makes the ground really special.

The ICC today confirmed its decision to relocate the venue for the India vs England match to Bangaluru after rejecting BCCI's appeal to reverse its decision of dropping the venue for the February 27 match yesterday.

Harbhajan, who has some great memories of Eden Gardens including a hattrick that helped India put a halt on Australia's 16 Test wins in 2001, today said he would personally miss playing at the venue.

"I don't know why it has happened and I can't do anything about it. Obviously we are disappointed... Bahut yaadein hai

Fulham crush Tottenham fa cup

AGENCIES LONDON, JAN 31

Fulham crushed Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday.

In the most one-sided result of the day, high-flying Tottenham suffered a four-goal mauling at Craven Cottage, their heaviest ever defeat to Fulham.

A disastrous opening 15 minutes saw Spurs concede two penalties—both converted by Danny Murphy—and captain Michael Dawson redcarded.

Shambolic defending allowed Brede Hangeland to make it 3-0 on 23 minutes before Moussa Dembele scored a fine individual effort on halftime to pile on the agony for Spurs.

Eden ke saath (I have a lot of fond memories with Eden Gardens)," Harbhajan told PTI. "It was our main ground. Not playing at the Eden Gardens will be a big disappointment for us. It's one of my favourite ground in India.

"It's one of the oldest stadiums in India... The structure, the way the stadium is built makes it really beautiful. I have some great memories of the Eden Gardens. It's always been

very lucky ground for us and also for me, that itself makes it really special," he added.

He referred to the epic Test against Australia where not only he got a hattrick, but VVS Laxman struck an epic 281 to script a historic win against the world champions.

Harbhajan said the crowd atmosphere makes it a memorable experience in Eden Gardens.

"The crowd makes it really special. No other ground can match Kolkata in terms of the number of people turning up for the match. Even in Mumbai (Wankhede) a lot of people come to see the match, but it's almost double in Eden Gardens.

You literally feel the noise," he said.

Fellow off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin echoed Harbhajan's lines and said: "I will miss playing in there. It has got electrifying atmosphere which is the best in India. Definitely, I am disappointed and feeling a little sad from inside."

AGENCIES THE NETHERLANDS, JAN 31

Five times winner Viswanathan Anand had to be content with a second place finish following a draw with Ian Nepomniachtchi of Russia in the 13th and final round of 73rd Tata Steel Chess in Wijk Aan Zee, The Netherlands.

The World Champion could draw a big consolation from the fact that he would be the number one ranked player all over again as the results here proved that he will be overtaking world number one Magnus Carlsen of Norway in the next rating list.

Hikaru Nakamura of United States owns the title after drawing his final round game with Wang hao of China.

For the record, Nakamura tallied 9 points in all, half a point more than Anand in this category-20 super tournament played between 14players.

la liga TUESDAY Sunderland v. Chelsea Arsenal v. Everton Man Utd v. Aston Villa West Brom v. Wigan

WEDNESDAY Birmingham v. Man City Liverpool v. Stoke Blackburn v. Tottenham Blackpool v. West Ham Bolton v. Wolverhampton Fulham v. Newcastle

PTI KOLKATA, JAN 31

As he gears up to live the dream of being in a World Cup squad, young Indian off-spinner R Ashwin says he is trying all he can to be of more utility by improving his batting and, more importantly, learning to handle pressure which "gets easily" to him.

"I'm trying my best to be an asset to the side. I'm working hard on my batting and want to be a utility man for the side so that I can be a real asset to the side. Pressure gets to me easily.

I am working hard to be calm in a pressure-filled situation," Ashwin told PTI in an interview.

The 24-year-old player's rise from obscurity to rank among the top spinners in two years time is no fluke but Ashwin says he is not quite sure whether he would actually get a chance to play in the World Cup. "I'm not overly-excited or thinking of figuring in the playing XI in the World Cup. I don't know if I have a chance to make the playing XI. I will do whatever is there in my hands," Ashwin said.

Anand finishes second, regains top ranking The American not only performed way beyond his rating of 2751 but also finished ahead of the world's top four ranked players.

Anand got the better position with his black pieces but could not find a breakthrough AS Nepomniachtchi simply got an impregnable position in the endgame arising out of a Sicilian defense game.

The Indian ace settled for a draw in 37 moves.

"Disappointing," Anand said after the final results were out.

"When I reached a plus-four score (four wins and rest draws), I felt I was well on my way to a final victory but Hikaru just kept winning, picking up six points in a row, which was quite amazing.

"But I'm not unhappy; it's difficult to be unhappy with a plus-four score. It's a pity I didn't manage to win the tournament but I think I performed above my rating, which isn't bad at all," the World Champion said.

Real suffer shock defeat FIXTURES

I will have to be calm during WC: Ashwin

AGENCIES MADRID, JAN 31

Real Madrid’s La Liga title hopes suffered a huge blow with a surprise 1-0 defeat at Osasuna on Sunday which left Jose Mourinho’s side seven points adrift of leaders Barcelona.

Villarreal closed to within six points of Real in third place when Giuseppe Rossi’s spectacular goal gave them a 1-0 win in a pulsating encounter at Espanyol.

Osasuna’s Javier Camunas broke the deadlock against

Real with a shot off the post in the 62nd minute of a typically bruising battle in the intimidating Reyno de Navarra stadium.

Mourinho responded by throwing new loan signing Emmanuel Adebayor into the fray, but they were unable to score against a side who had not won in their previous eight games.

Real’s second defeat of the season left them on 51 points from 21 games, seven behind champions Barca who won 3-0 at Hercules on Saturday to notch up their 15th consecutive victory.

Udinese down Juventus serie a

AGENCIES MILAN, JAN 31

Udinese climbed above Juventus in the Serie A table with a 2-1 victory at the Stadio Olimpico.

Claudio Marchisio opened the scoring for the hosts against the run of play after an hour, but Cristian Zapata levelled seven minutes later.

Alexis Sanchez earned Francesco Guidolin's side all three points five minutes from the end before red cards were shown to Juve's Leonardo Bonucci and Sanchez in the final minutes.

Sanchez was causing problems for the Juve defence and Bonucci was sent off for a late foul on the Udinese forward in the 87th minute.

Sachin key to India success: Sandhu AGENCIES MUMBAI, JAN 31

The form of Sachin Tendulkar will play a decisive role for India to lay their hands on the World Cup, feels former player Balwinder Singh Sandhu.

Sandhu, a member of the 1983 World Cup winning side, said the batting maestro will give away everything in the quadrennial tournament as it probably might be his last.

Sandhu said: "Tendulkar would be totally

focusing on this World Cup. He is aware this might be his last chance to win the trophy as for the next edition he may be mentally fit but may not be physically there."

"He will give more than 100 percent and would be keen to perform well. He will also be a great inspiration for other players in the team."

"Tendulkar will also not allow the team to take things lightly, like Sunil Gavaskar did in 1983. His work ethics are amazing."

Sandhu also said the current lot led by

skipper MS Dhoni is far superior in terms of talent and experience to the side that won the World Cup 28 years ago.

He said: "When it comes to talent, the current Indian team is way ahead of us. For example, in terms of ODI experience, a player like Tendulkar has alone played more matches than all of our team members put together."

"Then there are excellent players like Yuvraj Singh, Yusuf Pathan and Dhoni, who can singlehandedly change the course of the game."

ICC’s decision Sree in a new avatar l Dedicates song to WC team unfavourable and unfortunate: Dalmiya PTI KOCHI, JAN 31

AGENCIES MUMBAI, JAN 31

C A B p re s i d e n t J a g m o h a n Dalmiya on Sunday termed ICC's rejection of BCCI's appeal to reconsider its decision to take away India-England cricket World Cup match from Eden Gardens as "unfavourable and disappointing".

The experienced cricket administrator, however, said that the stadium will be cent per cent ready before the February 7 deadline, when an ICC inspection team travels to Kolkata.

"It was not a favourable decision. It is unfortunate. I still strongly feel that it should have come back to Eden. I don't know why they have taken this decision. I am still hopeful that we should get the match," Dalmiya said.

The ICC on Sunday formally conveyed to the BCCI about its inability to hold the India vs England World Cup match at the Eden Gardens on February 27 and the BCCI recommended Bangalore as the alternate venue

for the match.

The historic 100,000 capacity stadium lost the right to host the crucial tie after failing to meet the completion deadline for renovation work.

Asked about the delayed construction work, Dalmiya said, "Overnight we can't do magic.

We had asked for February 7 deadline and if you come on that day, you will see the venue will be ready."

"On February 7, the venue will be 100 per cent ready.

There will be an ICC inspection team visiting on February 7.

We will show them that the venue is absolutely ready," he said.

The BCCI, at the behest of the Cricket Association of Bengal, had appealed to the ICC to extend the completion deadline for the tie to February 7.

Even West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee threw his weight behind the cause. The lobbying for the Edens also saw Dalmiya calling on Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee. But all efforts went in vain with the ICC on Sunday rejecting BCCI's appeal.

Asked if there is any political vendetta behind the decision, Dalmiya said, "Please don't ask me this question at this point of time because I have three more matches to host.

I don't want to say something which will affect hosting the remaining matches.

Unsold IPL players’ fate to be decided on Feb 4 AGENCIES MUMBAI JAN 31

Hopes of playing in the fourth edition of the Indian Premier League still float for former India skipper Sourav Ganguly and Wasim Jaffer, with the T20 League's governing council calling for a meeting in Mumbai on February 4 to decide on the unsold players' fate.

No franchise showed interest in purchasing Ganguly at his base price of US $400,000 during the auction on January 8 and 9.

The likes of Jaffer and VRV Singh were also among those who were shunned by the franchises.

"A governing council meeting called on February 4 would discuss the issue of unsold players like Ganguly. Kochi has expressed interest to purchase him outside the auction and the IPL has asked the franchises about their views on the issue," reliable

sources said.

The IPL, in a letter to all the franchises, has said that a request has been received from franchises that subject to them having sufficient balance on the salary cap to pay at least the reserve price of the relevant player, they should have the opportunity to sign unsold Indian players from the auction.

The letter from IPL CEO Sundar Raman further said "the auction regulations were clear that players not taken in the auction could only play in IPL 2011 as replacement players. Before the Governing Council deliberates on this issue, I wanted to get your view on this issue and if your franchise is agreeable to: a) Permit franchise to buy any unsold Indian players from the auction b) The player can be bought only at his reserve price".

Raman has said franchisees should send their views a day before the GC meeting.

He might have missed the bus for the Cricket World Cup, but Indian speedster S Sreesanth as dedicated a song for the good show of the team in the quadrennial mega event starting on February 19.

Sreesanth sang a Hindi number written by himself -- 'Hello Sher Banke Tu Jung lad le' (fight the battle like a lion) during a curtain raiser show of his S-36 band (S for Sreesanth and 36 is his lucky jersey number).

The other song was a romantic number in Tamil -- 'Anbulla Azhake'. The show was held at

the Jose Thomas Performing Centre here last night.

He also danced to a number from Hindi f i l m 'Kaminey'.

Sreesanth anchored, sang and performed for the audience who were only too happy to see the cricketer in a new avatar, his brother-in-law and playback singer Madhu Balakrishnan and Deepak Warrier, both members of S-36 band, told PTI.