1 JAN,2011 HERALD PUBLICATIONS PVT LTD

Page 1_Layout 1 12/31/2010 11:45 PM Page 1

O HERALD O

Visit us at: www.oheraldo.in

The Voice of Goa — Since 1900 panjim, Saturday, january 1, 2011 postal reg. no. Goa 101 priCE rs. 3.00

Goa’s Heartbeat: Celebrating New Year around the globe Pg 1 IN BRIEF 11,000 H-1B visas to US lying unused For the first time, about 11,000 H-1B visas, the most sought after by Indian professionals for working in the United States, has found no takers indicating a grim employment scenario in the country and the steep hike in the visa fee daunting the jobseekers. Of the 65,000 mandated H-1B visa slots, about 11,000 remains unused for qualified applicants for the fiscal 2010-2011, says the latest figures released by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). (PTI)

(air Surcharge rs 2.00) pages 14+8

India: Start your new year on Pg 8 a ‘no-honking’ note

NCP: Let Mickky be legislature leader HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, DEC 31

After an unsuccessful attempt at inducting Benaulim legislator Mickky Pacheco as minister into the State cabinet, the Nationalist Congress Party has written a letter to the Goa legislative assembly Speaker Pratapsing Rane to remove Jose Philip D’Souza and Nilkant Halarnkar as leader of legislature wing and chief whip of the party, respectively.

Top party sources disclosed National General Secretary of the party Peethambaram Master wrote the letter to the speaker asking him to assign both designations (leader of legislature wing and chief whip) to Pacheco.

Sources believe that this may be a new move of the party to

checkmate both D’Souza and Halarnkar who are yet to make up their minds to resign. Legal experts say many probabilities will arise out of this letter. The speaker is bound to accept the letter, but in the end the decision in the matter vests with him, they stated.

When contacted D’Souza said he knew about the letter via a message and he didn’t know anything else. “I haven’t heard

Babush names panel for CCP elections 55% new faces including 14 eves HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, DEC 31

Education Minister Babush Monseratte today announced his 30member panel for the Corporation of the City of Panaji polls with 55 per cent new faces.

The polls will be held in March 2011.

Interestingly, the panel includes 14 women candidates.

Despite Monseratte’s claims that tainted persons will not be included in the panel, persons l i ke U d a y M a d ka i ka r a n d Naguesh Kareshetty who have been allegedly involved in scams have found a place in the panel.

Those given the boot were controversial counsellor Daya Karapurkar, who was allegedly involved in many scandals in the CCP apart from Avinash Bhonsle, Melita Afonso, Anthony Pereira, Uma Naik, Susheela Naik and Oldwin Soares.

Mayor Carolina Po, Deputy Mayor Yatin Parekh, former Mayor Tony Rodrigues have

anything from any of the top national leaders and it is not right for me to say anything,� he mentioned.

Those in the party feel this political drama is denting the party’s image in the State. Chief spokesperson Trajano D’Mello too echoed similar views in a letter to the State President Surendra Sirsat, who received some tongue lashing from the former.

The party’s general secretary (administration) Rajan Ghate on Friday ridiculed D’Mello for disclosing the contents of his letter to the press. He accused D’Mello and Salim Sayyed, who also signed the letter, of the maligning the image of the party in Goa.

GREETINGS Herald wishes all readers, contributors, advertisers and distributors a Happy New Year 2011.

WE ARE OPEN TODAY The offices of the Herald will remain OPEN TODAY, hence there will be an edition of this paper dated 2 January. nd

been retained in the panel.

The 30-member panel include: Ana Lobo (Ward no 1), Nazareth Cabral (2), Margarida Coelho (3), Carolina Po (4), Rupesh Shirgaonkar (5), Bento Lorena (6), Regina Almeida (7), Domnic Fernandes (8) Nagesh Kareshetty (9), Dr Tosha Kurade (10), Kabir Makhija (11), Prasad Amonkar (12), Manuala Karapurkar (13), Yatin Parekh (14), Mangaldas Naik (15), Anjali Naik (16), Uday Madkaikar (17) Tony Rodrigues (18), Maria Fernandes (Continued on page 8)

Tourists throng Goa to usher in New Year HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, DEC 31

Fireworks erupt over the Sydney Harbour bridge during New Year's in Sydney on January 1, 2011. New Year revellers around the planet welcomed 2011 in a blaze of fireworks and parties, temporarily banishing the misery of extreme weather which has struck countries across the world.

CBI doubts role of Aarushi’s parents PTI NEW DELHI, DEC 31

The sensational Aarushi murder case took a new twist today with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) raising doubts over the role of Rajesh and Nupur Talwar alleging they had tried to influence the doctor who conducted the post mortem on their 14-year-old daughter in 2008, a charge rubbished by the dentist couple.

In its 30-page closure report submitted to a Ghaziabad court on December 29, the CBI said that Rajesh and Nupur had Aarushi’s room washed up after

asking the Uttar Pradesh Police to rush to the railway station to nab their domestic help — Hemraj – on May 16th morning.

Aarushi was murdered in the intervening night of May 15-16 in 2008 at the Talwar’s residence in Noida near Delhi.

The body of Hemraj was found on the terrace the next day.

Aarushi’s parents had tried to “influence� the doctor who conducted the postmortem in a Noida hopsital, the CBI said. “Its absolutely bizarre and absurd allegation by the CBI.

We are the one pushing for the investigations,� Nupur told Press Trust of India.

Accusing the CBI of “cover up� of the shoddy probe by the UP Police, she said that neither she nor her husband even knew where the post mortem was being conducted and that the police had taken over the crime scene early morning when the body of their daughter was found.

CBI said the dimensions of the wound on Aarushi’s head matched the dimensions on the golf club owned by Rajesh, (Continued on page 8)

Notwithstanding fears of terror strikes, hundreds of thousands of tourists ushered New Year on Goas’ beaches with parties being hosted past midnight in the State.

The roads leading to the coastal destinations were jammed since afternoon. The bumper to bumper traffic was witnessed in the BagaCalangute-Candolim beach belt.

Not just the coastal belt but the capital city too saw heavy traffic flow since evening.

It is estimated that around 75,000 tourists have descended in Goa to welcome the year 2011. “The hotel occupancy is almost 95 per cent. The tourist (Continued on page 8)

It’s not my fault, sir!! So far nobody came out to complain that cooling is malfunctioning.

PM: Start anew, dispel air of despondency PTI NEW DELHI, DEC 31

Against the backdrop of a series of scams, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh tonight pitched for a “new beginning� in 2011, saying the “air of despondency� should be dispelled as efforts would be redoubled to cleanse the governing processes.

In a new year message, Singh said it was time to take stock of the year goneby and of the challenges that lie ahead and asked people to have faith in democracy as it has the “capacity to deal with infirmities and shortcomings� through course correction. “Let us make a new beginning to the year. Let us dispel the air of despondency and cynicism,� he said while wishing the people a happy new year.

Assuring people that he and his government would work with renewed resolve for their welfare, he said, “We will redouble our efforts to deal effectively and credibly with the challenges of inflation, clearnsing our governing processes, national security and making our delivery system work for the aam aadmi.�

He underlined the need for believing in the “resilience of our democracy and its capacity to deal with infirmities and shortcomings through course correction.�

0 ' ' 4 ) 0 3 & $ " 4 * / 0 ] ( 0 " . " 3 3 * 0 5 5 3 & 4 0 3 5

OHERALDO

Pg2 GOA, SATURDAY, 1 JANUARY, 2011

GOA

CoP to stop registration of new barges for 3 months HERALD REPORTER VASCO, DEC 31

In a bid to regulate the number of barges along the inland waterways, the Captain of Ports (CoP) has decided to stop construction and registration of new barges in the State for a period of three months.

Welcoming the move, the Goa Barge Owner Association (GBOA) — the parent body of the barge industry in the State — has however stated that both CoP and GBOA should jointly verify other technical details so that purpose is served.

In its circular, the CoP has stated that the increasing numbers of barges plying in the rivers due to registration of new barges and congestion of the inland waterways has affected the safety of vessels in the river.

CoP Capt James Braganza has instructed that no permission will be given for new vessels from June 1, 2011 to Sept 15, 2011

CM assures to look into pay-scale benefits HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, DEC 31

The co-ordination committee of Goa Government Employees on Saturday said Chief Minister Digambar Kamat had assured it of constitution of a three-member committee grievance committee headed by Law Secretary Pramod Kamat to look into their grievances.

The committee, which is affiliated to the AITUC, has been demanding for extension of benefits of upgradation of pay scales for all left out categories/cadres of government employees and parity in retirement age.

The members of the committee explained to him the grievances after which they were assured of formation of the grievance committee.

and no plying permission shall be granted to barges in the state for those barges from neighbouring state, in order to have a control on the traffic density and safety of barges.

He further directed the GBOA and Goa Mineral Ore Export Association to identify the old and non-operational barges in order to scrap them to avoid the hindrance to other traffic along the inland waterways.

The CoP has, however, claimed that on expiry of one year from the date of issue of the circular, the CoP will regulate new construction and registration of new barges after carefully assessing and reviewing the situation in the state waterway.

The GBOA welcome the decision of CoP and stated that the CoP should permit new barges already in the process of construction.

“Both CoP and GBOA should verify four different aspects to effectively impose the

circular: If any Bank or Financial institutions has sanctioned the loan and first disbursal taken, if any MOU has been signed with any builder and advance paid which can be verified by bank statements of both owner and builder or if the approval of drawings already obtained. If construction commenced or equipments like engines, gearboxes ordered, for which advance is received,” GBOA President Atul Jadhav said.

The GBOA has demanded that since their association represents over 80 per cent of barges in the State, they should be allowed regulate the barge traffic.

“In order to maintain proper order and regulation, the government should ensure that all barges are members of the GBOA. Similar measures have been taken in West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Gujarat.

These measures have helped the respective governments to maintain the health of the trade in these States,” said Jadhav.

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat straddles yet another obstacle, this time at the 2nd beach polo exhibition match at Rajbag beach.

Transport Dept to give initial subsidy to ‘big’ buses

damu demands House dissolution HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, DEC 31

Launching a scathing attack on the Digambar Kamat government for the spate of burglaries and crimes, BJP spokesman and Fatorda MLA Damu Naik said the government should go for dissolution of the Assembly and fresh elections to secure fresh mandate of the people.

Speaking after distributing cheques to motorcycle pilots and gadda traders here on Friday, Naik blamed the entire government for the temple thefts, burglaries and the goondari at the Moti Dongor.

“I do not want to single out the Chief Minister or any other minister for the sorry state of affairs.

The entire government is responsible for the mess. The government should go for dissolution of the Assembly and seek mandate of the people”, he demanded.

He said that political interference is responsible for the dismal record on the law and order front and demanded dissolution of the Assembly.

Referring to the spate of thefts in the commercial capital, Naik said ‘just imagine that thieves had the audacity to run away with a bag containing valuables from a Church and the shocking incident of a woman being relieved of ornaments while on an early morning walk”. “What does this show?

The government is responsible”, he questioned

the sorry affairs on political interference in the police administration.

On gang war and violence raising its ugly head atop Moti Dongor, the BJP spokesman said the time has come for Chief Minister Digambar Kamat to take firm steps to ensure law and order atop the hillock.

“We are observing 50 years of Goa’s Liberation and we have now seen rising temple burglaries, chain and bag snatching on the rise, besides attack on women and children”, he said and reminded that it is the responsibility of the government in power to put things in order.

Replying to a question, Naik admitted that the Chief Minister should take responsibility for the happenings on Moti Dongor and called for restructuring of the mechanism if officials are found wanting in discharging their duties.

On the temple burglaries, Naik said that the BJP did not give an emotional touch to the issue by exploiting the sentiments of the public.

“But, things have turned from bad to worse.

The number of temple burglaries has touched 61. This has become a routine phenomenon. The BJP has displayed patience by not coming on the streets because of the intervening Christmas and New Year festivities”, he said and warned that the party will not sit quite if things does not fall in place.

Cave discovered in Siridao

Assembly to meet on Jan 31 HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, DEC 31

Governor Dr S S Sidhu has summoned the State Legislative Assembly to meet at Assembly Hall on January 31, 2011 at 11.30 am.

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, DEC 31

After facing an arduous task of tackling overloading of buses, the Transport Department has decided to give initial subsidy to only those buses with higher seating capacity.

Transport Department’s drive to weed out irregularities in public transport system, has failed to control overloading of buses, in spite of proper checks.

A proper study by the department over the concept has revealed that the number of high seating capacity buses has reduced drastically. The buses with 55 seats are now been replaced by 27 setters.

“You won’t find buses with high seating capacity anymore on the roads. Bus operators go for small buses with seating capacity of not more then 27,” Transport Director Arun Desai said.

He explained that a bus can carry 11-15 standing passengers and as such a high seating capacity bus can carry around 70 passengers while the number restricts to 40 in case of small buses.

“Hence the problem of overloading as well as traffic conjunction takes place,” Desai said.

Hence, the department has decided to give subsidy (for replacement) only for high seating capacity buses. “We are in process, where compulsion will be made to buy buses with 39 seats at time of replacement. Subsidy will be made available to only those, who follow the rule,” Desai said adding that with increase in number of seats, the overloading will reduce thus controlling traffic conjunction.

Transport Department pays Rs 2 lakh as subsidy on replacement of buses. As per the departmental records, since last several years, the operators are been opting for small buses at time of replacement.

“They call these small buses as city buses…they run faster… .the narrow roads restricts moment of big buses. They give a number of reasons,” Desai said.

“Overloading is something where you just can’t blame drivers and conductors. Public are equally responsible as everyone is in hurry to go to office, school, market or home,” he added.

The drive, which flagged off on October 1, 2010 has come out with some positive points like closing of doors while plying and non-consumption of alcohol and tobacco while on duty. The department till date has issue around 1000-odd challans.

Traffic snarls at Colva HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, DEC 31

Colva was plunged into utter traffic and parking confusion on Friday evening as thousands of domestic tourists headed to this popular beach in South Goa. Huge serpentine queues of vehicles were stranded on the road for want of parking on the last day of the 2010. Tourists complained of absence of accommodation as the tourist village was flooded by domestic visitors since the last three days.

The tourists –who came in their private vehicles and buses – were highly critical of the government for not making adequate arrangements for ve-

hicular parking. They pointed out that it is high time the government make the necessary arrangement for parking facilities near the beach.

Colva Deputy Sarpanch Anthony Fernandes said that the village witnessed parking and traffic snarls after the Tourism Department issued NOC for the use of its space for a function.

“This has further aggravated the parking problem this year”, he said.

The Colva police were seen trying to streamline the traffic and parking near the Colva square as they anticipated thousands of visitors later in the evening to celebrate the New Year festivities.

Prostitution: woman gets 7 years rI HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, DEC 31

Goa Children’s Court today sentenced one Ranjana Pathak to 7 years rigorous imprisonment for trafficking a minor girl from Bangladesh and pushing her into prostitution in 2004.

The accused has also been asked to pay compensation of Rs 50,000 to the victim and in default shall undergo imprisonment for one year.

The victim girl was of 14 years, when she was brought from Bangladesh to India by one Aarti alias Parveen and her husband Jitu through illegal channel. The victim was accompanied by two more girls from Bangladesh.

In a complaint to the Panjim police, the victim had said that Aarti had induced her to come to Mumbai on a false inducement to provide job in Dubai.

For the said purpose, Aarti had collected Rs 60,000 from the victim’s father.

“I was later handed over to one Rekha in Mumbai, where I was placed under illegal confinement,” the statement of the victim reads.

The victim was then taken to Ahmedabad and was forcibly introduced into prostitution. At Ahmedabad the victim was kept in the house of the accused,

where she was assaulted by the accused and her family members.

The victim informed court that Pathak forced her to have sexual intercourse with male customers against her wish and will.

The victim was rescued by Panjim Police in 2006, when she was in Goa with Pathak and her assistant.

Accordingly, the case was registered before Goa Children’s Court on November 3, 2006.

The accused was in custody from September 11 to October 13, 2006, before she was granted anticipatory bail.

Police then took the custody of the accused on December 28, 2010.

The accused, 40 years old in her statement has admitted that the victim had stayed with her in Ahmedabad but as a guest.

She however, said that she never forced the victim into prostitution and the allegations made by the victim are false.

Children’s Court President P V Sawaikar has charged the accused for offence under Sec 323 of IPC, Sec 342 read with 34 of IPC, Sec 366-A of IPC, Sec 8 of Goa Children’s Act 2003 and Sec 4 and 5 of Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956.

RPF commandos man bunkers at Margao Rly Station HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, DEC 31

The Railway Protection Force has strengthened its presence at the Margao Railway station by erecting sand bunkers to meet any security threat during the peak festive season.

Two bunkers have been erected in front the railway station and are being manned by armed RPF commandos. Similarly, the RPF have intensified checking at the railway station as a preventive measure. KRC Senior Public Relations Manager, Baban Ghatge said that security has been beefed up at the Canacona and Tivim railway stations. “The strengthening of the security arrangements is part of efforts to beef up measures at the railway stations in the state”, he said, adding that the Goa sector of the KRC had received around 47 armed personnel, of which eight each have been deployed at Canacona and Tivim stations, while the remaining personnel are maintained round the clock security at the Margao railway station.

2010: Goa had its share of shame on law and order front The man-made cave at Palem-Siridao.

HERALD NEWS BUREAU PANJIM, DEC 31

A man-made cave has been discovered in Palem-Siridao, prompting locals to demand the preservation of this age-old structure.

“This cave was in the thick bushes and was hidden for years. This cave was found when some real estate developers cleared the bushes to develop plots. The cave can now been clearly seen from the highway,” said J Shirodkar of Palem-Siridao, while speaking to Herald.

He informed that the cave is large enough to accommodate

about 15 people inside.

“The history of this cave needs to be unearthed. It is a treasure for Goans and this cave needs to be preserved by giving due recognition.”

“A similar cave also exists near Mangueshi along the Kundaim slope of the highway. The government needs to take immediate steps to preserve this cave,” Shirodkar added.

Shirodkar said he had informed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) about the discovery of the cave.

“ASI officials came yesterday and took measurements of the cave,” Shirodkar said.

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, DEC 31

In the run up to the golden jubilee celebration of its liberation from Portuguese rule, Goa had its share of shame on law and order front.

While the year started with one of the biggest arrest in form of International drug dealer David Driham alias Dudu, the year ended with a police officer being awarded with Chief Minister’s gold medal on Liberation Day who ironically is alleged of having links with drug mafia.

The award to Deputy Superintendent of Police Chandrakant Salgaonkar has not been taken in good taste with political parties alleging Government of shielding drug dealers.

BJP spokesman Govind Parvatkar even said that it speaks volumes of ‘the Congress-led Government’s character’.

After much bad press for the goof up in handling British teenager Scarlet Eden Keeling death case in 2008, the state saw police department stooping to the lowest level.

Seven policemen were arrested after their alleged involvement in selling drugs to Israeli drug peddler Yaniv Benaim alias Atala was exposed by Swedish model Lucky Farmhouse through her tapes shot on a spy camera, in February 2010.

Atala became household name within few days as one after another policemen including Police Inspector Ashish Shirodkar went to jail in the month of March.

Suspended police officials - inspector Ashish Shirodkar, sub-inspector Punaji Gawas, head constable Shaikh Hussain and constables Saish Pokle, Sanjay Parab, Sandeep Parab and Ramchandra Kankonkar are facing charges of corruption and conspiracy in the drugs case.

The Home Department plunged into shame as it was unearthed that over 200 kg charas stored in highly protected police locker went missing.

Crime Branch was assigned the job to investigate this case, which was of high-profile nature as Atala

was allegedly connected to Home Minister Ravi Naik’s son Roy. Much to the disgust of police force, Crime Branch too left so many loopholes in the entire case that Atala managed to get a bail and jump it too and all the seven policemen also breathed freedom.

The Bombay High Court at Goa passed severe strictures on the state police for handling the case ineffectively. But none of the police officers were penalised

year ender and the Home Ministry maintained that they have sought Interpol’s assistant to get Atala back in India.

The shame continued for the Crime Branch throughout the year when they again goofed up in investigating death of 28-year-old Nadia Torrado, friend of former Tourism Minister Francisco (Mickky) Pacheco.

Although police arrested Pacheco and made him to spend a fortnight behind bars, nothing seems to have worked for the investigation of this case. Crime Branch officials are yet to recover basic things like Nadia’s mobile and laptop, which they claim are missing.

Nadia had died a fortnight after consuming poison at her Fatorda residence in May 29, 2010. Her closeness to Pacheco created huge controversy and the minister had to step down from Digambar Kamat cabinet.

The minister is said to have spend several crores for her treatment at Goa, Mumbai and Chennai hospitals.

The expense also included chartered-ambulance to transport the lady from one hospital to another before she finally succumbed at Chennai Apollo.

Minister’s OSD Lyndon Monteiro, Nadia’s mother Sonia and her brothers also came under police scanner for allegedly destroying certain evidences linked to the death.

The year started with the shameful news of nineyear-old Russian girl being sexually abused at Arambol beach by two outsiders from Uttar Pradesh and Madhya

Pradesh.

The incident which occurred on January 26 reminded the world about Scarlet’s death whose bruised seminude corpse was found on Anjuna shore on February 18, 2008.

In case of the rape on nine-year-old Russian girl, police were prompt enough to prosecute both the accused. But Goa Children’s Court released them on benefit of doubt. Again, a question mark was raised on the kind of investigation; Goa Police have done in this case.

Throughout the year, South Goa-based politician John Fernandes remained behind bars after he was arrested in December 2009 for raping a Russian girl.

His frequent bail pleas stood rejected by the court, which has recently registered statement of the victim, who had gone to Russia to attend to her mother and came back to cooperate with the Court proceedings.

The major relief for the entire year was arrest of Dudu. The drug lord was arrested with cocktail of narcotics worth over Rs three lakh at Anjuna.

Dudu’s arrest had also exposed the nexus between drug peddlers and policemen but state police failed to follow up the matter. It also exposed how few journalists were on a ‘pay role’ of this drug peddler.

The Israeli drug baron remains to be behind bars in the narcotics case. He has been sentenced to mere two-day imprisonment for illegally staying in Goa while police have chargesheeted him under Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. The State Police also got a beating when serial killer Mahanand Naik who has been prosecuted in 18 cases of rapes, murders and robberies was acquitted in seven cases, this year.

He has however been sentenced to seven years imprisonment in the rape of his wife’s 23-year-old friend for three years between 2006 and 2009.

Naik was arrested in April 2009 in a case of rape of his wife’s 23-year-old friend after which he allegedly confessed to a series of offenses from 1994 to 2009.

OHERALDO

GOA

Pg3 GOA, SATURDAY, 1 JANUARY, 2011

Ensure no illegal activities at Arpora club: HC HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, DEC 31

The Bombay High Court at Goa today asked the concerned authorities to ensure that no activities contrary to law are carried out at the property wherein the popular night club, Club Cubana is operating

n

The petitioner’s advocate Rohit Bras De Sa has raised strong grievance with regards to activities sought to be conducted at the Survey No 44 of Arpora, wherein the Club Cubana is operating from.

from.

The order was passed by Justice FM Reis, after hearing the

writ petition filed by Devidas Simepurushkar.

The petitioner’s advocate

Rohit Bras De Sa has raised strong grievance with regards to activities sought to be conducted at the Survey No 44 of Arpora, wherein the Club Cubana is operating from.

De Sa submitted that the activities which are being carried out at Club Cubana are contrary to the provisions of law considering the material which has been produced before this court. He further submitted that the previous writ petition was withdrawn by fraud without disclosing the fact that it was filed in public interest.

Advocate SG Desai, appearing for respondents, submitted the petitioner has no locus as to file the above petition and the same is motivated as necessary permissions have been obtained by his clients. Considering the submission of the learned government advocate, the court asked the concerned authorities to ensure that no activities contrary to law are carried out in the said property.

Recently, the villagers of have protested against the opening of the night club at the property as it is close to a crematorium and also running on a residential property.

Governor, CM, Archbishop extend New Year greetings HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, DEC 31

Governor Dr S S Sidhu, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat and Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao have extended warm greetings and best wishes to people of Goa and Goans settled elsewhere in the world, on the occasion of New Year 2011.

The year 2010 was a peaceful year in Goa on law and order front and internal security environment, the governor said. The State continued to maintain its traditional peace and tranquility, which has proved useful for the overall development and tourism in particular, he observed further.

Governor has expressed hope that the year 2011 will also be another year of peace and harmony in the State.

The Chief Minister in his message said that like every new day, New Year dawns with new rays of hope and horizons. But since the State is celebrating Golden Jubilee Year of Goa’s Liberation, this year has special significance and the historic occasion has given new dimensions to the New

Narva-Divar ferry suspended for heavy vehicles HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, DEC 31

The ferry service along the Narva-Divar route will be suspended for four wheelers with effect from January 3, 2011 till the completion of repair work to Narva ramp, However, only passengers and two-wheelers will be allowed to cross and no three, four and six wheelers will be allowed for the above period.

ST PEDRO-DIVAR ROUTE: Due to urgent repair and widening of St Pedro ramp, the ferry services at St Pedro- Divar route will be temporarily suspended from January 5, 2011 till the completion of repair work.

However, one additional ferryboat will be diverted to ply at Old Goa-Piedade route in addition to two ferries already plying.

Public are requested to kindly take note of the same.

Year celebrations.

In the last 49 years, Goa has marched ahead on the path of progress and the achievements of the State are remarkable. However, without remaining complacent over the success, efforts are being made to scale new heights of progress and prosperity, he said.

HERALD NEWS BUREAU ADDS: “As the New Year of 2011 dawns upon us we raise our

hearts and minds to God in acknowledgement of His Providence which has guided humanity in the year gone by,” said Archbishop Ferrao in his message.

“It was an eventful year, which allowed us to deepen our experience of God amidst its ups and downs. As we welcome this one more year, may each one of us be aware that we are endowed with the sacred right to a full life, which

includes also its spiritual dimension.”

“Without this openness to the spiritual reality, the human person withdraws within himself, fails to find answers to the heart’s deepest questions about the meaning of life, fails to appropriate lasting ethical values and principles, and fails even to experience authentic freedom and to build a just society,” Archbishop Ferrao added.

OHERALDO

GOA

Pg 4

GOA, SATURDAY, 1 JANUARY, 2011

s h o rt ta k e s Vibgyor holds X’mas activities PANJIM(HND): The Vibgyor Charitable Trust held several activities during the festive season. Children Christmas Tree held at St Anthony’s Institute premises, Duler, Mapusa was well-attended.

Special prizes were given to the winners of various activities for the participants. Illeana D’Cruz, presently a top South Indian actress of Goan origin, residing in Bardez, was a surprise guest at the event. Santa Claus amused the kids with his speciality. Titos, Retreat N Style India Pvt Ltd, were few of the sponsors of the event.

Keeping with its byline, Colours of Society, the Trustees, on the eve of Christmas also visited the HIV infected children housed at Asro, Damedem, Acoi and the St Teresa’s of the Roses, Parra, a home for destitute children and distributed cakes and soft drinks.

The fund raising activities of Vibgyor Charitable Trust are held to support some of the deserving stratas of society. The Trust looks forward for public support.

Donations are exempted under Section 80G of the IT Act. Well-wishers/would be partners can contact the office bearers on 9225981727, 9403092294 or 9822168112.

Rangoli training workshop held BICHOLIM(HC): The Narve panchayat recently conducted a one-day Rangoli training workshop for villagers at the Community hall at Narve.

Siddhanti Arjun Parab was the resource person and about 70 women from the village took part in the workshop.

Speaking on the occasion, Narve Sarpanch Laxman Malwankar described Rangoli as an art which would be helpful to women.

“Rangoli is an art and it can be learnt with practice. In fact, Rangoli forms a vital part of many functions,” said Malwankar.

Siddhanti Parab provided details and demonstrations of the art. She also guided the women on colours and shades which would make the Rangoli look attractive.

New Uguem chapel panel formed SANGUEM(HC): The new committee of Our Lady of Piety Chapel at Uguem was given the charge of office on Monday at a function held in the Chapel premises.

Those elected to head the new committee are Fr Agapito D’Cunha (president), Silvano Fernandes (treasurer), Diogo Fernandes (attorney), Antonio Fernandes and Orlando Gomes (members).

Speaking at a function, Fr D’Cunha thanked the outgoing committee members for the work they have done towards the development of the Chapel and conducting religious activities in the right earnest.

Fr D’Cunha urged the new committee members to work with the same zeal as the outgoing members had worked and assured the new committee members of all support and cooperation in the conduct of various activities.

On the occasion, the newly constructed stage in the Chapel Hall was inaugurated by Sanguem Parish Priest Fr Patrick Luis and social worker Prasad Gaonkar.

As a goodwill gesture, Gaonkar had donated food items to all the households in Uguem village on the eve of Christmas.

The function was followed by a cultural programme presented by the villagers.

MP urges migrants to aid State’s progress HERALD REPORTER VASCO, DEC 31

S o u t h G o a M P Fr a n c i s c o Sardinha has appealed to the migrant community in the State not consider themselves as nonGoans and to contribute for the development of Goa with full spirit.

Sardinha was addressing a gathering during the 22nd annual festival celebration of Mugalkhod Mahaswamiji's successor Murgarajendra Mahaswamiji at Shri Shri Yellalingeshwar Mutt, Zuarinagar, Sancoale on Thursday.

"People have been shifting base to Goa since the last many centuries. Many from the migrant community have arrived in the State in the past few decades. I request that they should not consider themselves 'non-Goan' and should work for the development of Goa," said Sardinha.

Earlier, Chief Minister Digamber Kamat was felicitated by Murgarajendra Mahaswamiji.

S o u t h G o a M P Fr a n c i s c o Sardinha, Cortalim MLA Mauvin Godinho, South Goa District Collector G P Naik, former chief minister Luzinho Falero, GMC Medical Superintendent Dr Rajan Kunkolikar, DySP Deu Banaulikar, DySP Mahesh Gaonkar, Margao PI Santosh Desai, Accounts Officer Pravis Gomes, Chairperson of Social Welfare Board Manisha Naik, former

South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha is felicitated by Murgarajendra Mahaswamiji at Shri Shri Yellalingeshwar Mutt in Zuarinagar-Sancoale.

Photo by M Prabhav

G P YC P r e s i d e n t G i r i s h Chodankar and Mahila Mandal President Siddhawa Kattimani were also felicitated by Murgarajendra Mahaswamiji.

Sardinha thanked the people of Zuarinagar for given him a thumping lead during the last parliamentary elections and also appreciated the efforts of local MLA Mauvin Godinho.

The Shri Shri Yellalingeshwar Mutt is one of the biggest temples of the migrant Kannadiga community in the State.

Since the past 21 years, the three-day annual festival is celebrated at the temple with traditional fervour by people from all over the State and parts of Karnataka.

PWD’s negligence leads to water wastage at Bordem HERALD CORRESPONDENT BICHOLIM, DEC 31

The lethargic attitude of the PWD has led to the loss of huge amounts of water at Naiknagar in Bordem.

According to reports, a pipeline has burst at NaiknagarBordem since the last few days and water has been oozing on the road, much to the inconvenience of the public.

Bicholim Councillor Narayan Betkikar immediately contacted

the PWD for repairs, but even after a written complaint, the PWD has failed to repair the pipeline.

"We immediately contacted the PWD but even after three days they did not repair the pipeline and the water is being wasted" complained Betkikar.

When reporters contacted PWD Assistant Engineer Shet, he accepted the delay and said the file concerning the pipeline has been sent to higher authorities.

Newly formed Managing Committee President Siddhana Metti said that around 25,000 devotees from all over Goa and other parts of Karnataka would visit the temple to seek the blessings of Murgarajendra Mahaswamiji during the three-day celebration.

General Secretary Deepak Kattimani informed that cultural programmes, Bhajans and Nattaks would be conducted during the festival.

"Food will be offered to devotees during the celebration. This year, the committee has decided to invite political leaders and request them to build a community hall in the temple premises," said Kattimani.

Calangute p’yat undertakes major works to spruce up village HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, DEC 31

The Calangute Panchayat has undertaken different projects to spruce up the village, one of the most prominent areas in the State during the Christmas season and the New Year.

In a major cleanliness drive, the panchayat spent over Rs 1 lakh to make arrangements for parking places on the football grounds at Baga and Calangute.

The Baga football ground, which was full of bushes and garbage, was cleaned by workers with the help of heavy machinery, giving it a new look.

Calangute Sarpanch Alex Fernandes, former sarpanch Joseph Sequeira and local panchs Albert Fernandes and Laxman Porob Palyekar were personally supervising the cleanliness operations along with other officials.

"We were asked to clean the Baga football ground and illuminate it along with the Calangute football ground to making necessar y parking arrangements for the vehicles," Sequeira told reporters.

"However, we were surprised to receive a letter from Goa Handicrafts Rural and Small Scale Industries Development Corporation Ltd (GHRSSIDC) stating that they intend to organize an All India Handicrafts Exhibition Gandhi Ship Crafts Bazar 2010 at the Baga football grounds from December 22 onwards with 150 stalls."

"The decision of the

Sanguem municipal garden gets LCD TV

GHRSSIDC to have 150 stalls at the Baga ground appeared ridiculous as there would have been congestion of traffic along the busy route, thereby hampering the tourist season."

"We have, however, denied permission for the exhibition considering the possibility of traffic congestion due to the inflow of Indian and foreign tourists during the Christmas season," said Sequeira.

"We have carried out the required illumination of the Baga football ground and are putting up tube lights all along the dark Baga Bridge for the safety of tourists and their vehicles," he

uPcoming events Acting workshop at Panjim PANJIM (HND): Film Craft Academy will hold a one-day ‘acting workshop’ on January 2, 2011 at TB Cunha Memorial Hall, Panjim, between 11 am to 5 pm.

The entry for the workshop is free. Participants will get an opportunity to learn various aspects of acting, body language, voice culture and difference between theatre and film acting.

Noted film maker Mahesh Rane will be conducting the workshop. For registration, can contact 9823080505, 9673869195.

Mando singing contest SANGUEM (HC): The first all-Goa Mando Singing Competition organised by Sanguem Jaycees will be held at Miracles Church premises, Sanguem on January 3, from 6 pm onwards. The first three winners will be awarded cash prizes of Rs 5000, Rs 3000 and Rs 2000. Further details of the contest are available with President of Sanguem Jaycees Sudesh Yeragi (Ph: 9823210032).

Essay competition for high schools

PANJIM (HND): Late Prabhakar Gaitonde Memorial Library and Vidyadeep Mandal will jointly organise an Inter-school Essay competition for High School of VIII and X std aimed at inculcating reading and writing habit among students.

The Schools wishing to participate in the competition will have to self conduct it by January 20 on any of the following subjects: English (Sea-shores of Goa), Hindi (Goa ki Pradushan Samasya), Konkani (Hanv Goencho Mukhamantri zalo zalear) and Marathi (Gomantakatil Paryatansthalem).

Essay should be of 250 words in 30 minutes. Schools have to select one best essay in each language and send them to organisers by January 30. For further information, schools may call 9881281242 or 9423882886.

Emiliano to perform live

PANJIM(HND): Goa’s famed musician Emiliano da Cruz, along with his trio, will perform live at a concert at the Curtorim New Year Fiesta 2011 on January 1 at the Curtorim Church grounds at 7 pm.

The programme, which is a presentation of the Parish Youth Association, also includes mimicry, folk dances and songs by some upcoming singers.

Sanguem Mayor Sanjay Raikar inaugurates the newly installed LCD TV at the Sanguem Municipal Garden. Photo by Alfred Fernandes HERALD CORRESPONDENT SANGUEM, DEC 31

Goa Pradesh Congress Committee(AICC) members along with AICC President Sonia Gandhi at the AICC 83rd Plenary Session held in New Delhi recently.

Goa Girls Battalion NCC camp at Mapusa concludes HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, DEC 31

The Annual Training Camp 2010 of 1 Goa Girls Battalion NCC was held from December 23 at St Anthony’s Institute and Orphanage, Duler, Mapusa.

During the opening address the Officer Commanding of 1 Goa Girls Battalion NCC and the Camp Commandant Lt Col Bhupesh Kumar reminded the cadets of the NCC motto-Unity and Discipline- and urged the 358 Girl cadets attending the camp to be committed and disciplined.

Training activities like drill, firing, weapon training map reading, health and hygiene, leadership and civil defense were held. Cadets participated in the cultural, sports activities like solo songs, group songs, solo dance, group dance, special talent competitions, quiz, volleyball and throw ball.

Lectures were also organised to make the camp interesting and informative.

Dr Pradip Korgaonkar informed the students on factors responsible for growth of malaria, and its prevention. He also demonstrated complete hand cleaning technique.

Home Guards and Civil Defence team under the leadership of Company Commander John Aguiar and Platoon Commander Suresh Patekar demonstrated

A junior commissioned officer demonstrating the use of a rifle to the girl cadets attending the annual training camp at St Anthony’s HS, Mapusa, organised by the 1 Goa girls battalion NCC on Thursday.

various rescue methods under emergency, stretcher drill, blanketing etc. Dr Shubada Johsi delivered a talk on ‘self discipline’. A team of Fire and Emergency ser vices under the leadership of Station Fire Officer Siddesh Kankonkar delivered a talk on ‘Fire Fighting’ followed by a demonstration on the ground on the use of fire extinguishers.

A cultural programme was held on Thursday evening with funfair. Acting Vice Principal of Dhempe College of Arts and Edwin Cortez was the special invitee. The students of St Marys HS Mapusa , Carmel College, Nuvem, NEI High School, Dhempe College, Miramar, Rosary College, Navelim, Government College, Quepem,

Shree Shanatadruga High School, Bicholim, Our Lady of Lourdes HS, Government College, Pernem, St Xavier’s College, Mapusa, Govt College, Sanquelim presented variety entertainment programmes. Secretary of State Ex-Cadets NCC Association (SENA), Pramod Naik, Members Pradip Sawant, Pralhad Mayekar and John Aguiar were present.

The Chief Guest for prize distribution was the MLA of Mapusa , Francis D’Souza. An inter company drill competition was held followed by a talk cum show on ‘Snaker’ by Amrit Singh. Nine Associate NCC Officers, two caretakers, eight PI staff, eight civilian staff and 358 cadets (both JW & SW) participated in this camp.

Ekta Utsav 2011 at Quepem HERALD CORRESPONDENT QUEPEM, DEC 31

Ekta Yuva Sangh, Quepem, will organize the two-day 'Ekta Utsav 2011' from January 1 at the Government High School at PadiQuepem.

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat will inaugurate the event in the presence of IDC Chairman and Quepem MLA Chandrakant Kavlekar, Director of Information Menino Peres and Barcem-Khedem Sarpanch Dattaram Gaonkar.

"During the two-day festival, various competitions on Traditional Folk Art and competitions for children and youth will be o rg a n i z e d , " s a i d U l h a s B Gaonkar, president of Organizing Committee of Ekta Utsav 2011 during a press conference.

"This year, the Ekta Yuva Sangh will organize a state-level seminar on Traditional Folk Art on January 1 at 10.30 am. This will be first seminar of its kind on traditional folk art," Gaonkar added.

Gram sabha at Chimbel

PANJIM (HND): Gram sabha of Chimbel Village Panchayat will be held on January 9, 2011 at 10.30 am in the Panchayat Office.

If anybody desires to submit any proposal for discussion or implementation, should submit the same in writing to the VP office by January 4 by 12 noon, says a press release.

added.

Commenting on the repair of main PWD roads in the village, Sequeira said: "We have been writing to the Public Works Department and have been taking up the matter time and again.

But the PWD is least concerned about the safety of the tourists or the local populace."

"We have, therefore, taken up the repairs of major roads in the village to avoid mishap due to the poorly maintained. Unfortunately, whenever we have plans to develop Calangute village, there is a lack of co-operation from the government departments," regretted Sequeira.

An LCD TV donated by Shrinivas V Dempo, Chairman of Dempo Group of Companies, was installed in the Sanguem Municipal Garden recently.

The newly installed LCD TV was inaugurated by Sanguem Municipal Council Chairperson Sanjay Raikar in the presence of other councillors.

The TV which is installed in the municipal garden replaces the old TV set and will be kept for public viewing in the evening hours.

It is pertinent to note here that since the time of the installation of the television, a large number of elderly people and

daily wage labourers are seen sitting in the municipal garden watching news and other entertainment programme during their leisure.

The installation of the television in the municipal garden has been a blessing in disguise as many daily wage labourers, who otherwise waste their time in idle activities, are now seen spending their time watching educative programmes in the municipal garden.

Chairperson SMC Sanjay Raikar thanked Dempo for donating the LCD TV for the Sanguem municipality and also for supporting other development activities in the municipal areas.

HIHT bags Award of Excellence

Fireworks display PANJIM(HND): The Serenade organized by Santa Cruz Parishioners to usher in the New Year on January 1 from 7 pm onwards will be followed by a display of fireworks at the Church compound, says a press release issued here.

Museum Week celebration PANJIM (HND): The Directorate of Museums will celebrate ‘Museum Week’ from January 3 to 7, which will be inaugurated

by Chairperson for Goa State Law Commission and ex Union Minister for Law Adv Ramakant Khalap, January 3 at 11 am. A temporary exhibition depicting cultural heritage of Goa will also be inaugurated on the same day.

Cruise liner makes stop in Goa PANJIM(HND): Passengers aboard UK cruise operator- All Leisure Group’s new Dubai to Colombo venture made a short stop in Goa before they headed South to ring in the New Year.

The MV Minerva, with 308 passengers in transit and 171 crew members, arrived in Mormugao from Mumbai on December 29 and left for Cochin early on December 31.

Owner Swan Hellenic provided its guests with constant entertainment during the 14-day cruise, which touched ports in Dubai, Mumbai, Goa and Cochin before ending in Colombo on 3 January 2011.

Yoga Shivir camp organised at Vasco Founder-President of HIHT D K Singh receiving the award at the hands of Minister of State for Human Resource Development, D Purandeswari.

HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, DEC 31

Heritage Institute of Hotel & Tourism has bagged the Award of Excellence during the IndoGlobal Education Summit 2010.

Over 150 international educational institutes and universities with more than 500 Indian institutions actively participated in the meet held recently at the J W Marriot, Hyderabad HIHT is a leading hotel management institution of Asia having branches in Agra, Shimla and Goa with more than 4500 students.

More than 10,000 students from all over the world were counselled during the summit held in December.

Major sessions on collabora-

tions in several academic fields and disciplines were held and all present highly acclaimed the extraordinary success and exponential growth of HIHT. Minister of State for Human Resource Development D Purandeswari, was the chief guest for the function. She shared her views on how Indian educational institutions like HIHT have been coming up rapidly to match the rigorous international standards.

Founder-President of HIHT D K Singh, attributed the achievement to relentless efforts put in by the Team HIHT along with its innovative training methodology of international standards and 100% training and placement records.

The Yoga Sadhaks at Navy Quarters, Varunapuri-Vasco with Prof Namdev Chopdecar.

HERALD REPORTER VASCO, DEC 31

Patanjali Yog Samiti organised a free Yoga Shivir camp for residents of Varunapuri Navy, Vasco.

The camp evoked good re s p o n s e f ro m t h e n a v a l personnel and their families as sadhaks (learners) were thought Asanas, Pranayama,

Mudras, Yogic jogging and Paramparik Dand Bhaithaks.

The Sadhaks were also given tips on Indian herbs, plants in the backyard and items available in the kitchen to cure common ailments.

Prof Namdev Chopdecar and Virendra Singh conducted the Yoga Classes.

Pg 5

GOA, SATURDAY, 1 JANUARY, 2011

OHERALDO

Pg6

www.oheraldo.in

O HERALD O

The Saraswats who Invented Goa

Vol No CX No: 329 Goa, Saturday, 1 January, 2011

A brand new year with compassion

A

rchbishop Patriarch of Goa and Daman Filipe Neri Ferrão has done well to point at the growing trend of supposedly democratic and representative institutions being used to foment religious and communal tensions, fuel communal divides and abet communal violence. His address, at the annual civic reception on the occasion of Christmas held at the Archbishop’s House on Wednesday, offered the hand of the Church in Goa to collaborate “in the building of a society that sincerely and genuinely promotes the dignity of the human being, religious freedom and cultural harmony, as well as peace and justice for everyone”.

These words are doubly significant in the context of events in neighbouring Karnataka, which is ruled by a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. Some years ago, it saw horrific communal violence against the peaceful Catholic community in the state by the stormtroopers of the Sri Ram Sene, the Bajrang Dal and other fascist outfits on the pretext of a leaflet released by a minuscule Protestant evangelist group.

Significantly, the government of the state did little or nothing to prevent the violence. Instead, police beat and arrested Catholic youth who resisted the violence.

Even more recently, the state has passed a draconian law banning slaughter of not just cows and calves, but of bulls and buffaloes as well. This has nothing to do with religion.

The Hindu religion may consider the cow to be holy, but certainly not the bull – which is used for ploughing fields – or the buffalo. The whole purpose of the law is purely to harass minorities which eat beef, like the Muslims, Christians and Dalits. Thankfully, the Karnataka Governor in a political masterstroke has referred the bill to the President of India for an opinion, and it is now stuck in limbo.

As the Archbishop said, the country and this state presently face a threat to their minority communities, even though the minorities do not represent any threat to the majority.

He has called not for any resistance or protest in this matter, but rather for an opportunity to conduct a genuine dialogue and promote mutual cultural enrichment. He pointed out that right from the United Nations to parliaments, legislative assemblies, municipal corporations and village councils like our panchayats, there are vast opportunities for people to sit at a common table and discuss matters of common interest, which contribute to the common welfare of humankind.

It is only when these very structures of participation become tools in the hands of a few to wield power over national and state communities, instead of being genuine community empowering instruments, that they cease to be the democratic institutions that they purport they are.

Without taking any names, the Archbishop slammed “large conventions” that take place, sometimes with the sole aim of disturbing inter-religious peace and harmony existing amidst citizens. He was probably referring to the alleged ‘Hindu Dharma Jagruti Sabhas’ that are organised by the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti in Goa. In these meetings, strident rabble rousing is the order of the day. Hinduism is falsely proclaimed to be ‘in danger’, and vitriol is poured on the minority communities, on the Congress government in Goa, and in particular on the Chief Minister of the state. Many of the speeches made at these meetings could easily attract criminal charges of causing disaffection among communities.

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat was present at the reception, along with a host of other dignitaries. He could not have failed to have heard the Archbishop Patriarch. There was no hatred or anger in his words; just a longing for communal harmony and a rebuke for those who sought to disturb it without any real cause. The next time there is a Hindu Dharma Jagruti Sabha, maybe the CM should ask for a report, and then take what action he feels is appropriate.

New Year resolutions Allwyn George, Carmona It is time to ring in the New Year and a time to make more resolutions. The common man will be forced to make a resolution to cut spending to keep up with inflation. The Government and its fat ministers have to make a resolution to serve the interests of the people rather than their own. The Sarpanchas have to listen to the views of the Gram Sabhas and not their bosses in power. The Goa Police have to oblige to the people’s complaints and not

100 Years Ago PRIMEIRO DIARIO NAS COLONIAS PORTUGEZAS

1 January 1911 Agriculture prevails in Goa

Is agreed by one and all that Goa is essentially an agricultural land where therein sustains its social and economic fabric.

‘Akbary’ regimen

The Governor of the State has appointed a Committee to formulate the renovation of ‘Akbary’ regimen which concerns the agricultural development.

Government and change

It is admirable that while the Government is propounding changes, it still follows the regimen of yore.

General Assembly Elections

Took place in the City the elections for the Managing Committee of Commercial Association for the year 1911 being elected Dr Antonio Maria da Cunha and Luis Guilherme Dias to be the Presidents of the General Assembly and of the General Assembly respectively.

Military and strikes

Although the Press Body from Bombay is mentioning insubordination amongst the Military and the strikes taking place in this territory, the Government issued a circular stating that it is absolutely erroneous in context.

OPINION

I

learning lessons from the past will only help save our identities, says tEotÓnio r. DE soUZA

put it on record in my autobiographical introduction to Goa to Me (1994) that as a child, till five or six years of age, I would only sleep in my grandma’s lap, listening to her tales that had a fascination for me. Among them were the stories of Addtulem and Biddtulem, two Saraswat mavxeo (aunties). The former built a house of wax and the latter a house of cow dung. These building materials rhymed well as mennachem and xennachem, but I do not remember having heard a complete story ever, and hence, how those structures fared when monsoon rains struck them! After the exhaustion of a day’s pranks it was too difficult to keep awake to listen to the tales till their very end. Besides, I knew there was nothing to lose because my grandma would start telling the story all over again the following night.

My grandpa Lam Jaku introduced me to reallife stories and would tell me how he often left the Portuguese revenue officers baffled during the triennial rice-field auctionings in the village.

His presence with his expertise in field measuring techniques was a must for his village co-ganvkars, who never trusted the government-backed intruders, who were prone to dupe them on such occasions.

Mind you, the intruders were not unknown outsiders, but village elites that held government jobs in the district municipality or as henchmen of the village regedor. A controversial book entitled The Invention of Goa (A Invenção de Goa in its original Portuguese version) seeks to explain the pragmatism of such elites that helped the consolidation of the Portuguese colonial rule. It is not an earth-shaking revelation because no foreign ruler has ever ruled long without the help of the insiders. The beauty of the new-found democracy is that we rule ourselves and often exploit our people with the help of the outsiders!

It is an Invention dedicated to aunties Carmita and Manuela, resident of Salcete, prominent as cradle of the native elites in colonial service, thanks to the spiritual assistance of the Jesuits and bamboozling by Inquisitors. We were told in a debate on Goa Research Net cyberforum that the study was inspired by Aristotelian rhetoric, even if the term Invention may be derived from the Latin invenire, meaning to find. Things that were found since ages by the natives get discovered and invented by the clever Europeans, and their orientalist and neo-orientalist disciples.

Even though Lusoleaks are not yet a new offshoot of the beleaguered Wikileaks, I came to

HistoricAl ExplorAtions know of a niecey (sic) leak circulating: It advised the aunties in Goa to avoid reading my Herald column. It would save them from headaches and depressions. A sound piece of advice that made the Portuguese Invention of Goa possible some 500 years ago and during centuries that followed.

The brilliant Invention of Goa in question, points out precisely to the Goan native elites that were pampered by the Portuguese colonial regime after they had been battered into submission as ‘willing’ collaborators. With their collaboration Goa could continue to be re-invented till Thy Kingdom come, had it not been for the

2010 – A year of scams

Tongue in Cheek

W

e are into the first day of a fresh new year 2011. The year also marks the beginning of a new decade. The year 2010 is now history. But for our country it has been a history of scams and scandals. There indeed were scams galore varying in size depending on the amount swindled from the public exchequer.

In a way it seemed that there was a race for the biggest scam of the year award which could ultimately be the biggest scam of the decade, of the century and of course of all time.

Till last year the big league of scams in India included the Bofors guns scam, Satyam scam, scams involving big bull Harshad Mehta, Ketan Parekh, Abdul Telgi of the fake stamp fame, and the UTI scam. Of these the biggest for several years was probably the Satyam scam involving Raju which was pegged at a whooping Rs14,000 crore. Internationally there were scams galore too. There was the Ponzi scam, The Maddoff scam and the Enron scam to name a few. Of course scams involve scamsters. And there have

follow instructions of the ministers. The government contractors have to improve the quality of their work. The teachers have to make a resolution to improve the quality of education they impart to our children to make them competitive enough.

Lastly, all of us have to make a resolution that we are going to serve our country better in the best way we can.

Business dictates media!

Samir Kelekar, Bangalore This refers to the article “Is media losing credibility (Herald, 31 Dec) by Bharati Pawaskar. I think the problem with the media is the business model. Since media has to depend on advertisements for survival, they dictate what is to be written and what is not.

One way out could be that people need to be charged more for an independent media outlet. People have to be told that it will cost to be independent. It doesn’t come free.

What’s your price?

M Fernandes, Benaulim I refer to PS Reddy’s letter ‘Ensure fact finding’ (Herald, 31 Jan) in reply to a news report ‘Wake up Goa police and smell the Coffee’ (Herald, 28 Dec) and quote his words “I am not agreeing specially with the report ‘Rs10 is all that you pay to evade border post checking!’ by Vibha Verma mentioning my name, who never contacted me or any official from the Head office.”

So, Mr Reddy, what is your price?

Let us unite!

Cdr Akeel Shaikh (Rtd), Dabolim I read the article by Raul Fernandes ‘If we do not stop the rot now, we are damned’ (Herald, 28 Dec) and am in complete agreement with you.

We the residents of Goa, must do something to ensure that our elected representatives do not forget the welfare of the State and its residents, once elected. I suggest that either your newspaper or an NGO organises committees, dedicated to monitoring the activities and achievements of politicians, and also key bureaucrats.

non-elites that protested with their feet into waves of emigrants into the neighbouring Indian regions, building up pressure that would ultimately lead to satyagraha movement and to the Operation Vijay.

Contrary to what some pro-colonialists continue to glibly represent as invasion, the conquest of Goa and its integration into India was deftly conducted with the help of about half a dozen high-ranking Goan commissioned officers from the three branches of the Indian armed forces, chosen for their strategic experience and ability to relate to the Portuguese colonial administration and its native collaborators in their native or

adopted lingo.

Thanks to Valmiki Faleiro, a brilliant investigative journalist, we can now identify each of those Goan officers, Catholics and Hindus, who served the nation. Three of them had their names assigned to Goan roads: Air V/Mshl Erlic W Pinto in Dabolim, Lt Col Sylvester M D’Souza in Sangolda, and Wg Cdr Clarence J D’Lima in Socorro. We get to know that nearly 70 per cent of these military officers were from the Saraswat Brahmin caste, mostly from Bardez, and with lesser number from Salcete.

I am itching to lay my hands on Valmiki Faleiro’s just released Patriotism in Action. I was lucky in the meantime to interview the author by internet and to get answers to my many queries.

He tells in the Prologue that he was provoked to write the book, partly to respond to taunts that described Goan Catholics as “unpatriotic and anti-national,” and as such deserved to be deported to Portugal.

This book responds not just to taunts of the fundamentalist Hindu politicians, but also to the politically naïve neo-orientalist rhetoric, disguised as brilliant piece of research.

As we close the year 2010 and enter 2011, we can cherish what Goa has gained from 450 years of Portuguese colonial legacy and its positive imprint upon Goa’s identity.

We cannot forget that all life implies a constant resistance to forces of death. There is no healthy growth in democratic politics without an effective opposition. Fifty years of liberation have woken the Goans sufficiently to the risks and challenges of democracy.

Nothing comes free, and costliest of it all is Freedom. If 450 years of colonial rule have not taught that to us, may God save us from worse kind of Inventions!

Knowing how inquisitive aunties can be, the lusophone tias in particular, they are likely to follow Oscar Wilde, who admittedly did not resist only to temptations, and continue looking out for my ‘Historical Explorations’ into the pre and post-Portuguese Inventions of Goa. Otherwise, they could be sorry to miss knowing that their ancestor Saraswats first invented Goa with the assistance of Parashurama, and in 1961 re-invented Goa as Catholic Saraswats in Indian military garb, short-circuiting a chimeric Portuguese Plano Sentinela at Vasco da Gama, with Afonso de Albuquerque in attendance: A dim finale for a grand overture by those pioneers of Portuguese Discoveries / Inventions.

been several of them in the year 2010. India is not a poor country.

It is a rich country but the wealth is concentrated in the hands of a handful of rich people.

Ours is a country where the divide between the rich and the poor is growing wider with each passing year. These scams have been responsible for the public money finding their way to the Swiss banks and other foreign banks. The year 2010 saw three major scams. There was the IPL scam involving 1,200 to 1500 crores. This just isn’t cricket and has Lalit Modi on the run.

The CWG involved irregularities to the tune of Rs8000 crore and all guns are pointing towards Suresh Kalmadi who in all probability has to spend sleepless nights. Then there was the Adarsh building scam which brought down a state Chief Minister. But by far the mother of all scams has been the 2G Spectrum scam which deprived the government coffers of a mind boggling 1.96 lakh crores in potential revenue.

By Adelmo Fernandes

This scam is making history in more ways than one. Thanks to the opposition party, it has paralysed the entire Parliament session.

The Opposition party is trying to implicate the Prime Minister of the country. There is a toss-up between an investigation by a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). One thing on the mind of every Indian is whether at the end of it all the truth will come out. Where does this leave the common man? Well one thing is for sure. It has left everyone gasping in belief.

The amount involved in the scam is probably more than the budget of the biggest state of the country. Why do people get involved in scams? How much money do some want to stack? Are these persons trying to save for another four generations down the line? We have probably not seen the last of the scams unfolding.

Who knows the 2011 could see bigger scams coming to light. We can only hope that we have seen the last of the scams.

Letters to the Editor Letter of the Day

Journalism or sensationalism?

Jehangir Gai, Consumer Activist, Mumbai

This refers to the article by Bharati Pawaskar, “Is media losing credibility?” (Herald, 31 Dec). It’s really sad that the journalism is no longer what it used to be. It’s now sensationalism and nothing more. This is because many of the important newspapers are directly or indirectly controlled by politicians owning or managing such media.

Certain senior journalists also want to curry favours from bureaucrats and politicians, and this result in conflict of interest, where vested interest prevails over journalistic values and ethics. The quality of journalists which are being churned out by colleges of journalism is not good. Many journalists can be bought over. If that fails, the next step is the PR agencies that contact the newspaper’s Advertising Department to get stories killed – here, advertising revenue weighs over journalistic values.

So, sadly, the Fourth Estate no longer helps in mobilising public opinion. It is only interested in reporting ‘masala stuff ’.

To start with, the committee/s should prepare a list of promises made by politicians, parties and the government. The committee/s should then organise, regular and time-bound meetings with the Ministers, MLAs and the Government departments attached to the ministries. The reports of these meetings should be published in your paper and a copy sent to all the Chairmen of these committees for follow-up and raising questions in the Assembly.

From elections to corruption, injustice and the power and tyranny of wealth and inefficiency of administration make life hell for a common citizen in the name of freedom is given to us.

In India’s present day socio-economic and political environment, the daily news media presents the height of corrupt practices of our politicians and bureaucrats currently rocking the Indian and Goa.

Tree of corruption

SND Poojary, Miramar

Socorro D’Souza, Fatorda Corruption is a tree whose branches are immeasurable length. They spread everywhere and the dew that drops from thence hath infected some chairs and stools of our authorities in Goa. In any part of India or Goa, one can get anything done through political circle, cash and muscle power the police. The truth is hard to take; there is a lack of transparency in India. The politicians, bureaucrats and the government employees at all level misuse their power. There is no respect for the law and the fear factor, because all in power are above the law or carry law in their pockets because it is lacking.

Opening Open Schools?

It has been reported in the press that the Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education wants to start open schools in Goa. I was once an observer appointed by the Open School Authorities at the X and XII examinations held at certain centres of open schools. The examinations were literally ‘open’; candidates openly indulged in malpractices, either with the connivance of the officials of the centres or, the authorities at the centres were unable to act against the candidates indulging in malpractices under their very nose. In one case, many unauthorised individuals assembled near the centre; the authorities entrusted with the conduct of the examinations could not do anything. Sometimes,

individuals unconnected with the examinations used to enter the examination halls.

I had sent detailed reports to the concerned authorities. I do not know what happened to the reports, but I was discontinued as the observer.

Thanks to ‘Godfather’ Agnelo AF Dias, Panaji On the beginning of the New Year, this is to appreciate the glorious Tiatr ‘Godfather’ which has crossed the 50th show mark.

Being a very simple and heart rendering story shown through the humble prospective of a Municipal sweeper aptly portrayed

by Salu de Loutolim, the play has highlighted the moral responsibility of the society towards the garbage issues and also enlightens us on the total lapse of the concerned authorities in creating social awareness towards the same. There is a play which has been used as a very entertaining medium to educate the general public on social issues and awareness.

Thanks to Comedian Agostinho for educating the general public on major social issues.

Virgin-birth Paul Rodricks, Caranzalem Bernard Simoes in his letter ‘Words of Wisdom!’ (Herald, 30 Dec) writing about Mary’s Annunciation and Immaculate Conception, invites attention to common parallel motifs of virgin-birth and mother- of-god, ‘Theotokos’, found in ancient pagan goddesses like Astarte, Hathor, Ishtar, Isis.

Mythological characters of Zoroaster, Mithra, Osiris, and Dionysus were believed to have been born to divinely impregnated virgins.

Like Mary, the Egyptian Isis, Madonna, (child Horus on her knee), was worshipped as ‘Our Lady,’ ‘Queen of Heaven,’ ‘Mother of God’ and so forth.

She likewise declared: “My name, my divinity, is adored throughout the world, in diverse manners, in variable customs and in many names...” Hieroglyphic images of Annunciation, Immaculate Conception, Birth and Adoration of Horus are depicted on the walls of Luxor Temple in Egypt.

Paths of Wisdom Samartha Ramdas A lighthouse

The birth name of Samartha Ramdas Swami was Narayan Suryaji Thosar. He was born on ‘Ramnavami’ in the year 1530 (Marathi), (1608 AD) in Jamb village on the banks of Godavari river. He was a firm believer in God and stood by his principles. He felt sad because people got stuck in the unending cycle of life and death. At the age of 11, he attained enlightenment. He started his spiritual journey soon after.

For next 12 years, he crisscrossed India and minutely observed condition of people. He realised that frequent floods, famines and attacks by fanatics had destroyed social life of people. Everyone was scared and depressed. Based on his experiences he wrote two books named ‘Asmani Sultani’ and ‘Parachakraniroopan’.

Ramdas Swami felt bad when he saw the society depending so much on fate and providence. He highlighted warrior’s role in society. Samartha Ramdas Swami established many study centres across the country. His teaching of patience and faith in the face of adversities helped people to deal with difficult conditions.

He understood the importance of the role of women in a harmonious society.

He encouraged women to participate in religious work and gave them positions of authority. He had 18 staunch women disciples. He strongly reprimanded an old man who was against women participation by saying that everyone came from a woman’s womb and those who did not understand their importance were not worthy of being called a man.

He abhorred distinction based on caste and creed. According to him, all human beings are equal. He was a true supporter of socialism and secular society.

His contribution to the field of literature is unparalleled. Dasbodh’, ‘Manache Shlok’, ‘Atmaram’, ‘Manapanchak’, ‘Anandavanbhuvan’, ‘Shivakalyanaraja’ and many more are relevant even today. Like a light house his teachings are guiding force in today’s troubled times.

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

GOA

Pg 7 GOA, SATURDAY, 1 JANUARY, 2011

Thin staff attendance hits Bring BJP back to power, functioning of Govt depts Savaikar urges party men HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, DEC 31

The last day of 2010 virtually saw most of the government employees proceeding on leave, leaving many a government department paralysed without any staff to attend to the public.

Take the case of the Margao Municipal Council. Believe it or not, the Accounts Section of the civic body was found locked for want of employees. Though the chairperson Sushila Naik and chief o f f ic er Pr a sa nn a A c ha r ya made their presence felt in the civic body, the staff, however, was conspicuous by their absence.

Similar was the case with the civic technical section as well as the taxation section, with hardly any staff around for the day. The cabin of the MMC municipal engineer was also found closed, while there was thin attendance in the technical section.

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, DEC 31

n Take the case of the Margao Municipal Council. Believe it or not, the Accounts Section of the civic body was found locked for want of employees. Though the chairperson Sushila Naik and chief officer Prasanna Acharya made their presence felt in the civic body, the staff, however, was conspicuous by their absence.

While civic officials attributed the absence of staff to year ending, with employees availing their leave, questions are raised whether any section or department can be closed on account of year ending.

The situation in the South Goa Zilla Panchayat was no better either. Zilla Chief Maria Rebello was conspicuous by her presence at the office in the morning hours, but she found to her surprise that only 2-3 employees turning up for work on Friday.

When contacted, Rebello said that the administration was left crippled for want of staff today.

Senior government officials said that employees have gone on leave on Friday not just it was year ending, but to take advantage of the weekend holidays on Saturday and Sunday.

Some of the employees are believed to have proceeded on short tours outside the State and are expected to return back to resume duties on Monday.

BJP leader Narendra Savaikar has urged party men to gear up to face the challenge to get the party back to power in the coming Assembly polls.

Addressing newly elected office bearers of the Fatorda unit of the BJP headed by Vasudev Virdikar, he said the party had twice won the Fatorda seat and the responsibility now lies on the rank and file to score a hattrick in the constituency.

“But, the bigger challenge before the BJP workers is to bring back the party to power in Goa. Everyone should work together to ensure that the party returns to power in the next polls”, he said.

Saying that this being an election year, Savaikar said the newly elected office bearers had an added responsibility on them to strengthen the party and face the coming polls.

Savaikar announced the names of the office bearers in the presence of Fatorda

Traffic chaos along road leading to Palolem beach HERALD COFRESPONDENT CANACONA, DEC 31

As hundreds of vehicles headed into the State via the Polem border, Goa police had a tough time regulating the flow of vehicles to and from Palolem beach since Friday morning.

Tourist vehicles arriving in large numbers caused a stir of sorts along the narrow Palolem road, forcing the police to erect barricades at the entrance point of the beach.

This forced tourist vehicles to make use of an abandoned field, nearly a kilometre from the beach, as a temporary parking lot.

Traffic was equally chaotic in the commercial town of Chaudi and Char-Rasta junction, with a number of inter-state vehicles

n Tourist vehicles arriving in large numbers caused a stir of sorts along the narrow Palolem road, forcing the police to erect barricades at the entrance point of the beach. stopping to enquire about the route towards Palolem beach.

Since Christmas, Palolem beach has been overflowing with tourists.

Many have been entering the sea and lifeguards have been on their toes to avert

any untoward incident.

Almost all coastal restaurants reported heavy turnout of customers throughout the day, as numerous midnight parties were lined up to welcome the New Year 2011.

The hotels in the area have been fully booked and some rooms have been rented out at 4-5 times the normal tariff for the five days.

Not taking any chances, armed policemen have been seen guarding several strategic points in the taluka, including the beaches and entry-exit points at Palolem, Agonda, Patnem and Colomb beaches.

Police bunkers have been erected at the main beach entrance at Palolem, Patnem and Agonda, besides a few other locations.

Fishing communities’ wait still continues HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, DEC 31

The fishing community had ushered in the 2010 with the sad memories of Phyan cyclone hitting them hard. When entire world was wishing for a new year, the fishing community was waiting with their hands folded for the government compensation and their wait still continues as the year wraps up.

Chief Minister’s relief fund had assured the families of dead fishermen compensation to the tune of Rs one lakh each but hardly half of the promised amount has come and for the rest amount, the department has taken a rain check.

The fishing community leaders say post Phyan, the workforce availability has been falling short making their daily sea trips an arduous task. There are many who went to their states after the cyclone and yet to show their face again.

Just not the fishermen but the trawler owners who either lost their vessels or faced severe damage due to Phyan are also yet to receive the compensation.

Adding salt to their wounds, the monitoring agency – Collectorate returned back 33 proposals of Pernem and Bardez talukas that submitted the report in July.

The officials said that under such circumstances, according to the Centre guidelines only fishermen who own traditional canoes and traditional nets are eligible to get funds. They also claimed that the fisheries officials were asked to probe into losses because the claims made were too high.

Things are moving at snail’s pace. In an effort to ward off bad memories of the Cyclone, Fisheries department distributed wireless sets (Garmin Equipments) to more than 190 fishermen with 200 fresh proposals from other fishing jetties pending to get approval from the Central Government.

The safety device kit comprises of Global Positioning System (GPS), Very High Frequency (VHF) wireless sets and fish finders. The Rs 90-lakhs scheme promised to endure 75 percent of the total expense of the kit, each of which costs about Rs 70,000. Whereas, remaining 25 percent are to be borne by each of the trawler owners.

However, important equipment ‘distress alert transmitter’ is yet to find its place even though Union government approved to distribute among fishermen. To compensate against

this, for time being, the department has set up a control room, which transmits any cyclone or weather warning from the weather department to all fishing jetties across the state.

Following a 45 day long break in the fishing mid-year, fishermen had to face another calamity wrath and were issued several warnings against fishing.

Fisheries department issued ‘standing instructions’ and ‘alert’ against venturing into the sea for fishing quite a number of times in the year as the incessant rains continued to lash Goa till the starting week of December.

There are around 900 motorized canoes registered in the state. Of 1,150 registered trawlers, around 875 are in operation. Fishing overall did not pick up pace thus hampering arrival of fish in the market.

All these factors have resulted in atleast 80 percent drop in the fish catch. The challenge before

the jetties was indeed varieties fish catch, reduction of which degenerated revenue. While only mackerels’ catch boomed, it was sold off cheap at Rs 20 per kilo, its price last year was as high as Rs 70 per kilo.

year ender The problem-stricken jetties expected ample ‘Ribon fish’ and ‘squid’ catch via trawling and ‘King fish’, ‘Pamphlets’ and ‘Tuna fish’ catch via persuine nets.

To add to their woes, Goa’s biggest fish landing jetty – Malim alleged that Kingfish and Mackerals have run out of stock as a result of fishing by high-powered motor boats. They feared that trawlers with high-powered motors coming from Malpem, Mangalore and Kerela are hijacking local fishing and the Fisheries Department is yet to take action.

The fishermen alleged that the high powered motor boats

not only were overpowering fishing but also destroying small fish and eggs with the high-speed.

As the year was nearing end, the fishing community got a beating, literary, as one of its fisher folks was beaten up by a group of water sports operators allegedly backed by Calangute MLA Agnelo Fernandes over the use of Sinquerim jetty.

The incident occurred when a fisheries department official installed a board at the jetty stating that the jetty will be used by traditional fishermen. This was followed by an argument and altercation between the traditional fishermen and water sports operators.

While the police are investigating into a complaint and counter complaint, fisheries department is carrying out a parallel inquiry into the incident.

National Fish Workers Forum strongly criticized the incident.

The MLA is however denying charges.

n But, the bigger challenge before the BJP workers is to bring back the party to power in Goa. Everyone should work together to ensure that the party returns to power in the next polls.

ML A Damu Naik and others.

The office bearers are Vasudev Virdikar, President, vicepresidents Pramod Naik and Dilip Sonu Naik, general secretary Arun Phaldesai, secretaries Jyoti Upasani and Bharati A Naik and treasurer Sushma Velip.

The members are Custodio Silva, Shrikant Borkar, Sagun Manjrekar, Pratap Kamat, Supriya Shinde, Jairam Gawde, Vallab Raikar, Deepak Parwar, Shivani Raikar, Savio Rodrigues, Satish Gaitonde, Manoj Annulekar, Sarita Malvankar and Sugandha Bandekar.

In his brief address, Vasudev Virdikar said he would take along all the committee members and the party workers to further strengthen the organization and thanked outgoing President Durgadas Prabhudessai for leading the party with dedication and hard work.

OHERALDO

Pg 8

GOA, SATURDAY 1 JANUARY, 2011

INDIA

Gujjars demand Cong leaders intervention ahead of talks PTI JAIPUR, DEC 31

In a flip-flop after agreeing to hold talks with the Rajasthan Government on the quota issue, agi t a t i n g G u j j a r s o n Fr i d a y demanded the intervention of Congress leaders from the community before they proceeded for the third round of parleys aimed at ending their 12-day stir.

A 21-member Gujjar delegation was supposed to meet a committee of ministers comprising Energy Minister Jitendra Singh, Home Minister Shanti Dhariwal and Transport Minister B K Sharma here on Friday, but the protesters instead decided to seek the intervention of Gujjar leaders in ruling Congress

ahead of the negotiations.

“I said last night and today again that we are ready for the talks, but, before that, we want to know about the response of Congress leaders who are from our community, including Sachin Pilot, in resolving the issue,” Gujjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsala said at Pilukapura, the epicenter of the agitation, in Bayana in Bharatpur district.

“After getting their response and feedback about their party’s intention regarding the issue, we would send our delegation to Jaipur,” he said.

“There is no fresh development as we are waiting for a formal invitation from the government and response from the

Congress leaders of our community,” Roop Singh, Bainsla’s aide, said.

G S Sandhu, a senior IAS official and government emissary at Bayana said, “We have already given them (Gujjar leaders) invitation to meet the state ministers at Jaipur to discuss the issue. They also confirmed us this morning, but still there is no development and we are also waiting for their response.”

Besides five per cent reservation in state jobs, the community members are demanding release of Gujjar agitators from jails, withdrawal of cases against them and compensation to the families of those killed in previous agitations.

Artist Harwinder Singh Gill displays colouring pencils carved with New Year greetings on New Year's eve in Amritsar on Friday. New Year revellers around the planet will welcome 2011 in a blaze of fireworks and parties.

Killings of political Start your year on a ‘no-honking’ note workers in WB alarming: HM PTI NEW DELHI, DEC 31

PTI NEW DELHI, DEC 31

In the continuing letter war, Home Minister P Chidambaram has described the killings of political workers in West Bengal as “alarming” and said that the violence point to a virtual collapse of law and order in some parts of the state.

He also said he used the word ‘Harmad’ (hired killers) in an earlier letter because of its extensive usage in the media, but said he would use any other word to describe armed cadres if the West Bengal Chief Minister suggested one.

Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee had taken strong exception to the use of the “nasty” word ‘Harmad’ in Chidambaram’s letter last week. It is a word CPI-M’s principal opponent Trinammol Congress uses to describe the communist party’s cadre.

In a letter written to Bhattacharjee on Thursday, copy of which was released on Friday, Chidambaram said it was “not a happy situation” considering the level of violence in the state.

Chidambaram had yesterday sent two letters to Bhattacharjee, as a reply to the Chief Minister’s December 28 communication. Both letters

were faxed as well as sent by speed post.

“While you have put the number of CPI(M) cadres killed and injured at 69 and 723 respectively, according to our information they are 65 and 773 respectively. The figures are not very different. In fact, there is broad agreement on the numbers killed and injured.

“If our numbers are broadly correct in the case of CPI(M) cadres killed and injured, there is no reason to doubt our numbers regarding TMC and Congress cadres killed and injured.”

“These numbers have been gathered in the same manner and from the same sources.

Taken together, the numbers are alarming and that is why I said that they point to a virtual collapse of law and order in parts of West Bengal,” he said in the letter.

Agreeing with the Chief Minister’s view that the CPI (Maoist) has a significant presence in three districts of West Bengal and the challenge was how to contain them both administratively and politically and it was in that view that the Central government provided substantial support by deploying Central forces at your request.

Banners and posters pasted mostly on vehicles and petrol stations, reminding travellers that honking is an unnecessary evil, have become commonplace in the capital in recent years.

But the message, it appears, is yet to sink in completely.

For two years now, a handful of volunteers of the Earth Saviours Foundation have taken it upon themselves to remind the people of Delhi that even ‘dogs don’t bark without reason’.

For a third year in a row, the NGO with the support of the Delhi Traffic Police, will observe January 1 as a ‘No-Honking Day’.

It would use the first day of the year to drive home the point that unnecessary honking is a menace and that it shall have no place in a civilised society.

“Since January 1, 2008 when we first initiated this campaign, we have observed a change at least in the consciousness of people. Some, if not many, have started taking note of it and the traffic police have even registered a decline in noise pollution levels on roads,” said Ravi Kalra, Founder President of the Earth

Saviours Foundation.

Shubhankar Dey, a 24-yearold who works as a copy writer in a publishing company and has been riding a motorcycle for two years, says Delhi’s roads would be much more congenial if the unfriendly unnecessary honks are done away with.

“Reading these anti-honking messages behind vehicles, I realized there was actually so much unnecessary noise on our roads. People honk just for the heck of it,” he says.

Some people like Shubhankar, who though are still a minority in our chaotic capital, have even written back to the brain behind this campaign, expressing their solidarity with him.

“I keep getting loads of emails as our email id is drafted at the bottom of our campaign posters. Many of the mailers say that before this campaign took off, they had no idea that honking was an unnecessary menace,” says Kalra.

This year, the volunteers of the anti-honking brigade would take to the streets of Delhi on January 1, stopping vehicles and telling the drivers about how unnecessary honking made the city unlikeable.

NCW writes letters to

Yeddyurappa to meet Gov every fortnight Chidambaram, Moily PTI BANGALORE, DEC 31

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, who has been locked in a war of words with Governor H R Bhardwaj on allegations of corruption, on Friday said he would be paying a visit to the Raj Bhavan every fortnight to brief him on various issues concerning the government.

“No political significance should be attached to my meeting with the Governor. I invited him to deliver his address to the joint sitting on January six”, Yeddyurappa told reporters outside Raj Bhavan after calling on Bhardwaj.

The Chief Minister, who spent about 45 minutes with the Governor, who has been attacking his government, said he would be making frequent visits to Raj Bhavan to brief Bhardwaj on various issues concerning the government.

“I have decided to meet the Governor at least once in 15 days hereafter”, Yeddyurappa said.

Both Yeddyurappa and Bhardwaj have been locked in a war of words, particularly in recent weeks. The Governor had repeatedly sought answers from the Yeddyurappa Government on allegations of corruption and nepotism.

Resenting Governor’s frequent outbursts, the ruling BJP has accused Bhardwaj of being a “Congress agent” and demanded his recall.

PTI NEW DELHI, DEC 31

Terming the closure report filed by the CBI in the Aarushi murder case as “saddening”, the National Commission for Women on Friday shot off letters to the Home Minister and Law Minister seeking a re-look into the case.

“India today has advanced greatly in the field of science and technology and it will be unfortunate if the CBI the premier investigating agency of the country expresses its helplessness to find and nail down the culprits of a murder as gruesome as Aarushi’s,” NCW Chairperson Girija Vyas told reporters here.

She further said that no stone should be left unturned to solve cases like this to send message of deterrence that perpetrators of such crimes can never escape the long arms of justice.

Referring to the closure report as “saddening”, Vyas said she will request the Prime Min-

ister to look into the matter to take whatever steps that may be necessary in this regard.

“I have this morning also written to the Home Minister and the Law Minister in this regard,” she added.

14-year-old Aarushi was murdered in the intervening night of May 15-16 in 2008 along with their domestic help Hemraj, whose body was found from the terrace of the house.

After a detailed two-and-a-half year probe marked by botched up investigations, the CBI said it found it impossible to reach any plausible conclusion because of lack of concrete forensic evidence at the crime scene to nail the culprits and decided to close the case.

Meanwhile, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar on Friday said she was “worried” about the recent developments in the Aarushi Talwar murder case and that she wanted the victim to get justice.

AARUSHI CASE

Funds no constraint for Arunachal: HM PTI TAWANG (Arunachal), DEC 31

On a visit to this remote town on the Sino-Indian border, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Friday said funds would not be a constraint for development of Arunachal Pradesh, observing that the state shared a special place in the hearts of people of the country.

Chidambaram also said the Centre will always pay attention for the development of Arunachal at par with other developed states but advised the Dorjee Khandu government to take up need-based schemes as per people's choice.

“There will be no dearth of funds for this land-locked state.

But there must be clarity in all projects and schemes to be implemented,” Chidambaram said while addressing district officials in this Himalayan town.

“Arunachal shares a special place in our hearts and we will always pay attention for its development at par with other developed states of the country,” the home minister said. Tawang is home to one of the oldest Buddhist monasteries in the region.

Exhorting officials to properly monitor all projects in the state, the home minister stressed on maintaining accountability and transparency on funds spent.

From Page 1 Tourists throng inflow is tremendously good,” Tourism Director Swapnil Naik said adding that 75,000 tourists are holidaying in Goa as of December 31.

Sizeable number of foreign tourists have also arrived in the state. Naik said that Goa has received 288 chartered flights as of last week bringing in 58,000 tourists. “There are several of them who have arrived by direct flights,” he added.

Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) President Gaurish Dhond said that most of the hotels are full. “The high occupancy will remain for the next couple of days and later the occupancy rate will scale down,” Dhond said.

TTAG has said that the tourism season is not too bright in the State. “Travelling to Goa itself has become expensive. The air tickets are at an all-time high and also interstate buses have hiked up their fares,” Dhond said adding that holidaying in Goa may be economical but not travelling here.

Meanwhile, those who arrived in Goa encountered long traffic snarls in the coastal belt. “There is traffic congestion because existing roads cannot take the load,” Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Arvind Gawas said.

He said that 520 traffic policemen are posted in two different shifts in the North Goa coastal belt. “There is huge influx of traffic,” Gawas said.

The SP said that police were trying their best to smoothen the traffic within the available resources.

Babush names panel

(19), Krishna Shirodkar (20), Gangaram Kale (21), Hema Chopdekar (22), Rudresh Chodankar (23), Manda Shetye (24), Nameeta Mayenkar (25), Dennis Edward Jorge (26), Suraj Kandolkar (27), Sujata Haldankar (28), Vanita Fernandes (29), Vivinda Nagvenkar (30).

CBI doubts

adding it was handed over by the couple after intense grilling, a year after the incident. However, Nupur claimed that she was the one who produced the golf club on her own and that the CBI had never asked for it.

“The conduct of the parents has been suspicious,” the CBI, which has come under intense criticism in the wake of its closure report, said.

The report said Talwar was named as an accused but could not be chargesheeted becase of “insufficent evidence”.

Asked why the CBI had not proceeded against Rajesh and Nupur on the basis of their findings, senior CBI officials said that they could not zero in on any motive behind the murder. CBI could not proceed on the circumstantial evidence merely on the basis of conjectures.

About the three servants — Krishna, Raj Kumar and Vijay Mandal — the report said that they were found to be innocent during the investigations and hence the case against the trio should be treated as closed.

The report while detailing the case said there were no witnesses in the case other than the parents and Hemraj.

While the crime scene had not been preserved at all, the CBI, which took up the case on June 1, 2008, said things were pretty normal at Talwar’s residence till 10.30 PM on the fateful day as suggested in the video camera where some pictures had been clicked.

The father was hooked on the internet till midnight, the report said.

The CBI also highlighted the fact that it was unlikely that the murderer could have killed the victim and then wrapped her body properly in a bed sheet.

The report claimed that the dentist had asked UP police team to rush after Hemraj rather than giving them sufficient time to secure the scene of crime.

It also claimed that Rajesh had failed to immediately identify the body of Hemraj found on the terrace.

It mentioned that there was no forced entry into the house and even the door of Aarushi was like that of a hotel room which could be opened either from inside or with a key from outside. The keys of the room were with the mother of the victim, the report said.

The narco-analysis and polygraph tests of the dentist couple was “inconclusive”, it said.

On the role of servants, who have been given clean chit after the investigations, the CBI report said while one of them — Rajkumar (domestic help of family friend Durrani) — was at the railway station from 11:30 pm to receive Durrani’s wife and was accounted for till 1 am.

Krishna was detained from his residence by the UP Police while he was sleeping, the report said, adding there were eyewitnesses to suggest that he was all along at his home on that night.

The narco-tests of the three servants were also of “disputed nature”, the report claimed.

On the missing mobile phones, they said the cell phones which were claimed to have been destroyed by the servants were found activated within three months raising doubts about the tests.

In related developments, Union Law Minister Veerappa Moily met CBI director A P Singh during which the senior police official briefed him about the case. The minister wanted the agency to take the case seriously.

Talwar’s counsel Rebecca John welcomed Moily’s statement saying “If the law minister has made a statement asking for an explanation from the CBI, we welcome that reaction.”

Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar also said that she was “worried” about the recent developments. “This is a important issue. We are worried about it...that a child was murdered and why she is not getting justice... we should think seriously,” she said.

The National Commission for Women shot off letters to the home minister and the law minister seeking a re-look at the case.

OHERALDO

Biz9:Layout 1 12/31/2010 9:18 PM Page 1

BIZ

Pg9

GOA, SATURDAY, 1 JANUARY, 2011

Grace Cardiac: upward growth graph BHARATI PAWASKAR

With pollution taking the centre stage health has become the first priority of all in today’s scenario of changing lifestyles.

People are conscious and cautious of their health and gladly spend on Medicare facilities. In the early days it was hard to receive prompt medical aid in times of emergencies, but thanks to hospitals and nursing homes, now it is brought to our doorstep. The availability of medical aid, hospitals, nursing homes and day care facilities has been reflected in the stress free mental makeup of common man who is sure of getting timely help, if and when, crises knock at his door.

But this has again given rise to steep competition and health care is not exception to the rule. ‘Keep upgrading’ is the mantra and no hospital denies this. Grace Intensive Cardiac Care Centre and General Hospital is one of those hospitals which believe in upgrading and adding to their facilities time and again.

In the heart of the city of Margao gracefully stands Grace Cardiac, a multi-facility hospital that caters to the various medical requirements of the public.

Commissioned on 20 August 2000, this spacious hospital boasts of owning and starting the first ICCU in the private medical aid business in Goa. In fact the sole motive behind Grace Cardiac was to cater to this utmost requirement and answering the cry of the hour it got going along with this unit 10 years ago. It’s been a long journey in a short span of time since then. Now they have all that is required to run a successful hospital.

Let us know about those two men behind this venture who jointly led the giant project ahead – Dr Sunil Ghode and Mahesh Mapxencar. Yes, these two childhood friends started this joint venture sharing the common interest of reaching out to the critically ill patients who needed ICCU. “Ten years ago no private hospital had this facility of ICCU. Only the Hospicio Hospital and Goa Medical College Hospital (GMC) had it.

And it was sad to see patients suffering and breathing their last before being shifted to either Hospicio or GMC. It was

Mahesh Mapxencar and Dr Sunil Ghode, childhood friends and business partners of Grace Intensive Cardiac Care Centre and General Hospital, Margao.

this urge to help those needy persons that motivated us to go for an ICCU,” says Dr Sunil Ghode while his business partner Mahesh Mapxencar asserts the fact, adding, “It was I who encouraged Sunil, my childhood friend, to go ahead with the project. Seeing him depressed one evening, I asked him the reason and he told me what was bothering him. I was at once convinced about the need of an Intensive Cardiac Care Unit at Margao that would go a long way in solving the medical need of those living in South Goa and so joined hands with Sunil immediately. Actually, it was a two-way compulsion for me. My friend and mentor Satish Timblo fell sick in May 1997. At that time there was no ICCU facility in Margao and due to emergency there was no other choice but to take him to GMC where he breathed his last. And at that time I felt the need to have an ICCU in Margao. So it was inner compulsion too, to go for it if my doctor friend Sunil insisted to have it to help those in the South who could not manage to reach GMC and breathed last facing an untimely death.”

But an expensive facility like an ICCU needs a lot of money to be pumped in and how that was possible, one wonders.

Mahesh, who is in the mining related business, has an answer. “We searched for a plot in the vicinity of Grace Nursing

Home, as Dr Ghode had to take care of his duties there. Luckily we got this plot in the main city area. Margao Urban Cooperative Bank lent a helping hand and soon the project began taking shape.”

“Initially it was a 30 bedded Super speciality hospital which

now has expanded to 65 beds with a medical and non-medical staff of 180. Besides ICCU we were the first to start a dialysis cell, too.

This kidney dialysis is approved by the Goa Government for Mediclaim. Now we have 24 hours services with X-ray digital, Multislice CT Scan, Gastroscopy, Colonoscopy, ERCP, Urology and Laproscopic Surgery Department. Our state-ofart ICCU and OT with Laminar Flow and centralised A/C, is well equipped with latest technology. Our casualty, trauma and orthopaedic care centre take care of the critical patients that come in at any odd hours.

And not to forget we have our own pathological laboratory and pharmacy that is open for 24 hours for in-patients as well as out-patients,” Dr Ghode updates us with the hospital

mechanism.

Today Grace has all that a hospital requires. With tests like Ultrasound, Echo Cardiograph Colour Doppler as well as Arterial, Venous, Carotid Vascular Colour Doppler, a patient’s condition is easy to read and required medical action is taken accordingly. Grace has ambulance facilities open for one and all. All kinds of surgeries are carried out here and care is taken of the cardiac patient till his condition is stabilised.

A well-managed canteen is attached to this hospital spread across 2000 sq ft area. They also have ABG machine for Blood Gas Analysis and do Computerised Stress Test to know the condition of the heart.

Life-saving ventilators are the soul of any given hospital.

These ventilators are expensive tools, delicate as well as complicated to handle and need experts to manage them. Grace has three ventilators as well as the expertise to take care of the patients on ventilator. They are needed in the ambulance while shifting a critical patient to GMC. “We also have high frequency MM5C with 9”11 TV C-ARM in the operation theatre and central monitoring, oxygen, suction and nitrous oxide system in all the rooms. These go a long way in stabilising the condition of the sick during and after surgery,” Dr Ghode explains.

IOB looks to raise Rs 1200 cr PTI HYDERABAD, DEC 31

L&T bags Rs 2500 cr projects PTI CHENNAI, DEC 31

Larsen and Toubro's Construction division firm the electrical and gulf projects has bagged a slew of projects worth Rs 2,503 crore from Transmission, substation and railway construction projects in the domestic and international markets during the third quarter of 2010-11.

In the domestic market the company has secured projects worth of Rs 1,516 crore which includes the 10x270 MW thermal power projects valued at Rs 290 crore for Indiabulls, Larsen and Toubro said in a filing to the BSE. A 765kV transmission line from Anta to Phagi and 220/132 kV Gas Insulated substation at Mansarovar from Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Ltd valued at Rs 375 crore was also secured by the company.

A 400kV transmission line in Chattisgarh for KSK Mahanadi Power Company Ltd valued at Rs 103 crore has also been bagged.

Midvalley eyes Rs 60 cr via IPO PTI MUMBAI, DEC 31

Chennai-based, Midvalley Entertainment Ltd, engaged in film production, distribution and exhibition in South India, plans to raise Rs 60-crore through an IPO. The company plans to issue equity shares of Rs 10 each for cash at a premium to be decided through book building process, aggregating Rs 60crore. The issue will open on January 10 and closes on January 12.

The company intends to spend Rs 15 crore by entering into screening agreements with 300 cinema theatres in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, Midvalley Entertainment's Company Secretary S N Madhavan said.

The company has also earmarked Rs 25.95 crore for renovation and up-gradation of cinema infrastructure with digital equipment and other related assets for select 100

screens in south India, Madhavan said.

The company proposes to renovate without any structural changes 100 select theatres where it had entered into screening agreements, he said, adding that the company has library of 650 films.

The company entered into film exhibition business in 2006. The company has entered into screening agreements with 46 theatres running under its banner as on June 2010.

The company has existing 5 screens in Andhra Pradesh, 7 screens in Karnataka and 34 screens in Tamil Nadu territory.

"We intends to add another 150 screens by June 2011 and 150

by June 2012, located in B and C class towns," Madhavan said.

The company also plans to spend Rs 12 crore in acquisition of company and acquisition of screening rights of company having similar line, range and objects business.

State-owned Indian Overseas Bank may raise USD 250-500 million through medium term notes (MTN) in the next six months, a top official said here today.

The bank is all set to raise Rs 1200 crore by way of Upper Tier II Bonds on a private placement basis, said its CMD, M Narendra.

An MTN is a debt note that usually matures (is paid back) in 5–10 years. They can be issued on a fixed or floating coupon basis.

"We are also examining raising medium term money. We may raise the amount in another six months. It may be between USD 250-500 million," he told reporters.

He said the board of directors of the banks recently cleared and accorded sanction for raising Rs 1700 crore by way of PNCPS (Perpetual NonCumulative Preference Shares) through Qualified Institutional Placements, Rs 250 crore by way of Tier I (Perpetual) Bonds, Rs 1000 crore by way of Lower Tier II Bonds and Rs 1200 crore by way of Upper Tier II Bonds on a private placement basis.

“Though I do not indulge in day-to-day working of Grace Cardiac, I do make it a point to visit the hospital once a while and discuss what is needed more, Says Mapxencar. “We have Psychiatry department too. We feel it is the need of the hour with so many persons suffering from stress and depression related illnesses. Also round-the-clock medical care is available for one and all with our in-house doctors and medical officers on duty for 24 hours. At the end of the day it is ‘healing the ailing’ that brings satisfaction to a person like me, who likes to remain behind the scene, but is prompt in extending a helping hand anytime,” turning philosophical Mapxencar is happy to announce.

In times when the soaring prices of medicines are expected to eat up into the profit margins of nursing homes and medical care facilities, running a multi-facility hospital is not a cakewalk. But here we find a doctor who feels, “patients staying a bit longer than welcome make us feel uneasy. We wish they should get well soon and bid us goodbye,” and a business partner who is concerned about the older generation, worried about the nuclear families with their patients getting admitted. Coincidently we have met two likeminded friends working together hand in hand for the betterment of the community.

“Nuclear families having old parents getting sick and need to be admitted in hospital is a bad scene,” says Dr Ghode, adding, “I cannot explain this in few words or brief sentences.

Our motto is ‘Love and Help’ and we do it to the maximum.

But I feel a real need of more centres and institutions to take care of such old patients who have few or no relatives of their own to look after them.”

Lastly Dr Ghode expresses his gratitude towards his team of doctors, patients and God. He says, “Our team of doctors is kind and helpful. With their help and cooperation God will help this institute to grow and nurture more patients. I sincerely feel that sick and ailing should follow the right medical advice and get cured, instead of falling prey to quacks and worsen their health condition.”

Tata dreams water as fuel for cars PTI BANGALORE, DEC 31

Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata's dream is to see cars run on water and he has invested USD 15 million in a start-up firm supporting research in the field, an eminent scientist said today.

Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Council to the Prime Minister Prof C N R Rao said one of his close friends and a professor in the famed Massechusetts Institute of Technology in the US has found a way to split water directly into hydrogen and oxygen.

"Ratan Tata has given him (the Professor) 15 million (US) dollars so that he (Tata) can own that company when it comes up," Prof Rao said.

"He (Tata) wants to invest in a company which will split water directly into hydrogen and oxygen," Rao said, adding, when any kind of water -- toilet water, rain water or sea water - can split to hydrogen and oxygen, then these components can be used for energy.

"And a dream of Ratan Tata is eventually cars will be run on water. My dream is also that," he said, referring to a recent conversation he had with the Tata Group Chairman.

Cruise liner makes stop in Goa PANJIM (HBD) -- Passengers aboard UK cruise operator All Leisure Group’s new Dubai to Colombo venture made a short stop in Goa before they headed south to ring in the New Year.

The M V Minerva, with 308 passengers in transit and 171 crew members, arrived in Mormugao from Mumbai on December 29 and left for Cochin early on December 31.

Owner Swan Hellenic provided its guests with constant entertainment during the 14day cruise, which touched ports in Dubai, Mumbai, Goa and Cochin before ending in Colombo on January 3, 2011.

Current account deficit up 72% PTI MUMBAI, DEC 31

India's current account deficit, representing net flow of income out of the country barring capital movements, surged 72 per cent to USD 15.8 billion in the July-September quarter over the same period last year.

The increase in current account deficit (CAD) during JulySeptember period this fiscal is due to higher imports.

This is largely on account of economic recovery and larger payments overseas for certain services, according to the data on Balance of Payments (BoP) released by the RBI. In the corresponding period last year, CAD stood at USD 9.2 billion.

The current account deficit, which includes deficit in external trade of goods, services, besides net investment income, stood at 2.9 per cent of GDP last fiscal, and experts believe that it will increase a bit to 3 per cent of GDP this fiscal.

However, if this trend continues CAD may turn out to be much higher than 3 per cent.

The net outflow of money on current account was, however, more than offset by inflow on capital account, despite moderation in FDI. Higher capital inflows were

due to higher investment in capital markets by foreign funds, external commercial borrowings by India Inc and external assistance, the data showed.

During July-September quarter, the foreign institutional investors put in USD 18.8 billion, while it was only USD 7 billion in the same period last fiscal.

However, foreign direct investment fell to USD 2.5 billion during July-September from USD 7.5 billion in the year-ago period. As external commercial borrowings among other overseas debts rose, India's external debt rose by 12.8 per cent to USD 295.8 billion.

With the country receiving more capital inflows than its deficit on current account, there was net accretion of USD 3.3 billion to foreign exchange reserves of the country.

CAD climbed because imports rose to USD 177.5 billion against USD 138.4 billion a year ago, as economy was on the uptick, reverting to high 8.9 per cent growth in the second quarter of this fiscal.

Though exports also rose to USD 110.5 billion from USD 82.6 billion, the much higher imports led to trade deficit widening to USD 66.9 billion from USD 55.9 billion.

Bosch expects Rev to touch Rs 9,000 cr in 2010 PTI BANGALORE, DEC 31

Bosch India's revenue for the year 2010 was expected to touch Rs 9,000 crore compared to Rs 6,000 achieved in the last fiscal, a top company official said today.

Bosch group, which operates in India through six companies plans to scale its investment from Rs 600 crore to Rs 750 crore every year in the next three years, Bosch India President and Bosch Ltd MD VK Vishwanathan said in a press conference here.

"During 2011, 2012 and 2013 we plan to invest about Rs 2300 crore" he said.

Bosch files applications for at least 15 patents every day and investing about nine per cent of its total revenues on R & D initiative.

"Bangalore is one of our top research base. About 7,000 engineers are working on cutting edge technology and energy projects", he said.

Bosch is contributing to the improvement of environmental standards introducing Euro III and IV technology, Vish-

wanathan said, but added "expansion of green technology is not contemplated from the existing level".

Bosch today kickstarted its 125th year celebrations by unveiling the anniversary insignia at a function held at its Bangalore facility.

Apart from the events to be held throughout the year focussing on associates, business, technology and innovation Bosch will also focus on promoting education as part of its social responsibility commitments, he said.

‘High growth sustainable’ PTI NEW DELHI, DEC 31

FSDC, the much-awaited financial stability body held its first meeting today and noted that the Indian economy will sustain high growth, with bright prospects of entering double digit expansion rate, but warned that currency manipulations by some countries may hit exports.

It also cautioned that India needs to rein in fiscal as well as current account deficits, and clear infrastructure bottlenecks to sustain high growth.

The high-level Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) met here under the chairmanship of Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee here. The meeting was attended by four financial sector regulators including RBI, SEBI and IRDA and the Finance Secretary, among others.

The Council expressed the concern that although advanced nations like the US are on the recovery path -- which augurs well for Indian exports - move by some countries to keep their currencies artificially low and taking protectionist steps may hit the country's outbound shipments.

"The general consensus (at FSDC meeting) was that the nation would be able to sustain its present level of growth and prospects are bright for attaining double digit figures," a Finance Ministry statement said here.

The challenges to continue on this trajectory of growth would include reducing the fiscal and current account deficits and fast tracking India's infrastructure projects, it added.

India's current account deficit, which measures the net

flow of income out of the country, barring capital movements, surged 72 per cent in the second quarter of this fiscal to USD 15.8 billion, according to RBI data released today.

According to another set of figures, released by the Controller General of Accounts, the Centre's fiscal deficit narrowed by 39.08 per cent yearon-year to Rs 1.86 lakh crore during April-November, 2010 on better-than-expected revenue from the sale of spectrum as well as robust tax collection.

As such, while fiscal deficit situation seems to be comfortable, the current account deficit is not.

FSDC assessed the signs of economic recovery in the West and concluded that 2O11 could see further improvement.

"US could see better growth in 2011. EU could also see positive growth though the sovereign debt crisis, but woes of some nations are a matter of concern. In the light of the projected economic recovery, India's exports are likely to improve," the statement added.

The FSDC meeting noted that the currency issues, as are being played out, could have implications for India.

"The effort to keep the value of currencies artificially low could have adverse impact on the competitiveness of Indian companies both within and without the country. If nations adopt protectionist measures, it could have serious implications for the world economy as a whole," FSDC said.

It added that the guidelines for the functioning of FSDC would be issued.

APPOINTMENTS

OHERALDO

Pg 10 Inflation spoils common man's palate in 2010 PTI NEW DELHI, DEC 31

The inflation devil returned to haunt the government struggling to steer the country towards a high growth trajectory, but most of all higher prices of edibles ranging from egg to milk and fruits to onions in 2010 ruined even the most unrefined palate.

The severity of inflation could be gauged only when the prices of onion, which shot up to Rs 70-80 a kg, is juxtaposed with the average daily wages of India's nearly 300 million informal sector workers -- Rs 100.

BIZ

GOA, SATURDAY, 1 JANUARY, 2011

Though statistically, onion and garlic prices account for only a small percentage of total inflation (0.177 and 0.06 per cent), the question roiling the common man would be -- what is the use of declining inflation numbers, if one cannot get a commodity as essential as onion at an affordable price.

Prices of some bulb vegetables -- onion and garlic -- went through the roof towards the end of 2010, spoiling all the gung-ho about moderating inflation and self-pat on the back by the Government for controlling prices.

Incidentally, the news of onion prices skyrocketing to Rs 70-80 a kg in retail markets came at a time when Prime Minister exuded confidence that inflation will come down to 5.5 per cent by March end from 7.48 per cent in November.

Onions turned extremely costlier due to damage of crops in Maharashtra because of unseasonal rains and hoarding.

With government swinging into action by banning onion exports and removing customs and countervailing duties on the commodity, the prices

calmed down to Rs 40-50 a kg, but garlic prices flared up and are ruling at about Rs 300 a kg.

Though statistically, onion and garlic prices form only small percentage of total inflation (0.177 and 0.06 per cent), the common man is going to ask -- what is the use of declining inflation numbers, if he cannot get as essential a commodity as onion at affordable price.

The extent of high prices could also be gauged from the fact that the Union Government has recently proposed minimum wage of Rs 100 for

unskilled workers. Suppose these workers get this much wage only, much of it would be shelled out in buying onions, garlic, tomatoes, whose prices also rose to Rs 35-40 a kg.

Similarly, rural folks get at least Rs 100 a day with a minimum guarantee of work for 100 days a year under the UPA's flagship programme NREGA. High onion prices has played a role in the defeat of Janata Party in the 1980 general elections and the rout of BJP in the Delhi assembly elections in 1998.

As of December 18, food in-

flation was at a high of 14.44 per cent.

The decline in headline inflation to 7.48 per cent in November from its peak of over 11 per cent earlier this year, however, brings no respite to the government or the RBI given the uncertainty over future prices, particularly global oil rates.

In fact, RBI in its recent review of monetary policy clearly stated that inflation remains its major concern, even though it refrained from hiking policy rates as the system was facing cash crunch.

Open retail for FDI: Assocham PTI NEW DELHI, DEC 31

Worried over rising food inflation, Assocham today suggested that the government should consider early opening of retail sector for foreign investors to bridge demand-supply gap.

"The prevailing restrictions in FDI in retail chains should be reviewed as such ventures (setting up retail stores) require large capital and considerable expertise," it said.

It said that though large business houses are taking initiatives to set up retail stores and are eager to invest in supply chains and storages "provided government makes suitable changes in agricultural marketing laws and enables them to invite foreign direct investors in their ventures".

The promoters of the chains, it said, would invest in huge retail stores and storage facilities

after picking up the products from centres near the farms.

"Assocham demands an early policy announcement," it said adding delivery of farm produce to sell at throwaway prices.

The government is considering to liberalise the politically sensitive multi-brand retail sector for FDI. A committee, which has evaluated the comments of stakeholders on the issue has submitted its report to the industry ministry.

It said that healthy supply chain connecting farmers and consumers will benefit both and in turn help in cooling food prices.

For the week ended December 18, food inflation rose to 14.44 per cent.

Currently, the government permits 51 per cent FDI in single brand retail and 100 per cent in whole sale trading. But FDI is prohibited in the multibrand retail.

Sensex surges 3k points in ’10 PTI MUMBAI, DEC 31

India's robust economic growth and record overseas investments helped the stock market add about Rs 12 trillion to investor wealth, as the BSE benchmark Sensex gained over 3,000 points during 2010.

As the stock market closed on a bullish note on the last day 2010, with a 120.02 point surge in Sensex today, the benchmark index rose by 3044.28 points for the entire year.

In the process, the total investor wealth, measured in terms of cumulative market capitalisation of all listed companies, rose to Rs 72,96,725.14 crore, from Rs 60,79,000 crore at the end of 2009. During the period, the Sensex rose from 17,464.81 points on December 31, 2009 to 20,509.09 points today.

Besides, during the decade ended today, the total investor wealth grew over 10-fold from about Rs 7,00,000 crore at the end of the year 2000. The Sensex registered nearly five-fold rise over the 10-year period.

"The barometer of Indian capital markets Sensex has moved up five fold from 4,000 to 20,000 in this decade and the FII investment, which was Rs 6,200 crores in the year

2,000, has surpassed Rs 1,00,000 crore in 2010," Unicon Securities VP Research Madhumita Ghosh said.

Market experts said the key driving forces behind the market rally this year, when the stocks rose by an average of over 17 per cent, were impressive FII inflows as also the continuing robustness of domestic economy, which inched closer to the 9 per cent annual growth level.

"In 2009-10, in lieu of the global meltdown Indian market showed better resilience due to stricter banking norms and robust domestic demand. We showed faster recovery and reverted to GDP growth of closer to 9 per cent in FY10," Globe Capital PMS Head KK Mittal said.

Sensex moves 120 points up MUMBAI: A benchmark index of the Indian equities market moved up 120 points Friday, the last trading day of 2010. Led by realty and banking stocks, broader markets too saw modest buying.

The 30-share sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 20,412.76 points closed at 20,509.09, up 120.02 points or 0.59 percent, from its previous close of 20,389.07 points.

It traded in a tight range, touching an intra-day high of 20,552.03 points and falling to intra-day low of 20,412.76 points.

At the National Stock Exchange 50-share S&P CNX Nifty closed 0.54 percent higher at 6,134.5 points.

Aban Offshor, 816, 824.5, 807.3, 818.45 Abb Ltd., 798, 802, 773.2, 795.85 Abg Shipyard, 403.25, 422.05, 403.25, 419.8 Acc Limited, 1077, 1085.5, 1056.2, 1075.6 Adani Enterp, 650, 655.15, 648, 649.9 Aditya Birla, 827.05, 845, 827.05, 841.45 Allahabad Ba, 225, 228, 223.2, 225.9 Alstom Proje, 692.95, 696.5, 683.05, 686.85 Ambuja Cemen, 144.5, 144.5, 142.3, 143.2 Andhra Bank, 148.55, 152.45, 148.5, 150.45 Ashok Leylan, 62.5, 64.25, 62.3, 64 Asian Paints, 2811, 2893, 2811, 2878.7 Axis Bank Li, 1336.75, 1358, 1331.9, 1350.1 Bajaj Hindus, 123.05, 123.05, 118.6, 118.85 Bank Of Baro, 902, 913, 892, 896.7 Bank Of Indi, 436.65, 459.8, 435.15, 451.6 Beml Limited, 999, 1048, 999, 1032.25 Bharat Elect, 1768, 1807, 1732, 1770.7 Bharat Forge, 377, 382.35, 374.05, 379.1 Bharat Petro, 661, 665.75, 654.45, 658.4 Bharti Airte, 354.45, 359.8, 352.05, 358.8 Bhel, 2344, 2363, 2315.05, 2323.7 Bhushan Stee, 469.45, 479.45, 464.5, 473.9 Biocon Limit, 418, 425.25, 417.65, 420.85 Bombay Dyein, 522, 532.7, 517.55, 523.45 Bosch Limite, 6282.05, 6350, 6270.05, 6300.35 Brigade Ente, 111, 115.8, 111, 113.95 Cairn India, 331.25, 336.4, 331.25, 332.75 Canara Bank, 650.3, 665.8, 649, 660.25 Central Bank, 173.6, 182.9, 173.6, 181.7 Century Text, 418, 430.5, 417.2, 428.15 Cesc Ltd, 364.9, 369, 362.6, 365.05 Chambal Fert, 90.7, 90.9, 88.5, 90.25 Chennai Petr, 254, 255, 246.1, 247.25 Cipla Ltd, 370.05, 371.9, 368.1, 369.8 Colgate Palm, 866.45, 879.8, 866.1, 869.85 Container Co, 1270, 1285, 1255.55, 1267.1 Crompton Gre, 308.9, 311.2, 307, 309.95 Cummins Indi, 775, 803.7, 767.2, 785.95 Dabur India, 100.2, 101, 98.65, 100.25 Deccan Chron, 108.3, 111.5, 108.3, 109.55 Dish Tv Indi, 71.5, 72.2, 70.65, 71.15 Divi’s Labor, 651, 652.5, 642.6, 646.85 Dlf Limited, 288.5, 295, 287.55, 291.95 Dr. reddy’s, 1685, 1687, 1656.35, 1662.85 Edelweiss Ca, 46.5, 47.6, 46.1, 47 Educomp Solu, 531.1, 535.8, 528, 531.75 Eih Limited, 114.5, 115.5, 113.5, 114.6 Engineers In, 331.4, 345, 328.2, 333.45 Essar Oil Lt, 137, 139.3, 136.2, 137.75 Essar Shippi, 111.5, 112, 108, 108.65 Exide Indust, 168.55, 169.5, 166.05, 166.9 Federal Bank, 397, 403.9, 394, 397.25 Financial Te, 914, 917, 891.55, 893.75 Gail (india), 510.5, 514, 507.3, 512.65 Gammon India, 168.4, 178.25, 168.35, 175.1 Glaxosmithkl, 2251.7, 2364.5, 2251.7, 2337.5 Glenmark Pha, 352, 365.55, 352, 362.1

Gmr Infrastr, 45.15, 46.3, 45.1, 45.9 Godrej Indus, 185, 192.8, 184.25, 191.05 Grasim Indus, 2320.05, 2350, 2311.05, 2342.7 Great Offsho, 399.75, 399.75, 385.05, 388.05 Gtl Infra.Lt, 43, 43.2, 42.6, 42.85 Gujarat Mine, 141.05, 141.9, 138, 139.7 Gujarat N R, 64.5, 66.7, 64.25, 65.45 Gujarat Stat, 117.55, 119.8, 116.3, 117.95 Gvk Pow. & I, 40.1, 41, 39.9, 40.55 Hcl Technolo, 456, 459.9, 454.25, 456.25 Hdfc Bank Lt, 2305, 2365, 2292.05, 2346.35 Hdfc Ltd, 728, 734, 718, 728.35 Hero Honda M, 1983, 2015, 1968.3, 1988.15 Hindalco in, 244.75, 247.9, 243.3, 247 Hindustan Co, 48.6, 49.75, 48.1, 48.95 Hindustan Ma, 70, 70.8, 68.25, 69.25 Hindustan Pe, 390, 393.8, 388.3, 391.65 Hindustan Un, 310, 315.8, 307.6, 312.9 Hindustan Zi, 1345, 1397.5, 1336, 1368.65 Housing Dev, 188.5, 195.8, 188.5, 194.95 Icici Bank L, 1136.65, 1148.2, 1135, 1145.1 Idea Cellula, 68.3, 70.15, 68.1, 69.55 Ifci Ltd, 65.5, 67.7, 64.1, 67.3 India Cement, 105.2, 109, 105.2, 108 India Infoli, 83.1, 83.9, 81.7, 82.15 Indiabulls F, 171.45, 175.8, 170.8, 174.15 Indiabulls R, 133, 140.25, 132.95, 139.25 Indian Bank, 246.75, 248.6, 244.2, 246.8 Indian Hotel, 94.5, 96.85, 94.5, 96.6 Indian Oil C, 340.1, 346, 337.5, 342.4 Indian Overs, 146.6, 148.45, 145.2, 146.6 Indus Dev Ba, 161.1, 165.5, 161.1, 165.05 Indusind Ban, 266.5, 270.8, 263.1, 264.85 Infosys Tech, 3433, 3451, 3405.15, 3442.75 Infra. dev., 179, 183.3, 177.3, 182.6 Ispat Indust, 23.45, 23.6, 23.15, 23.35 Itc Ltd, 173.85, 175.95, 173.65, 174.65 Ivrcl Infras, 127.35, 129.45, 126, 128.55 Jai Corp Lim, 219, 228.45, 218.05, 222.35 Jaiprakash A, 104.35, 106.9, 104, 105.85 Jet Airways, 738, 769, 735.2, 765.3 Jindal Saw L, 181.75, 183.35, 180.3, 182.35 Jindal Steel, 718.5, 728.9, 709.1, 712.05 Jsw Steel Li, 1179, 1184.2, 1164.5, 1177.05 Kotak Mahind, 445, 457, 445, 453.65 Lakshmi Mach, 2449, 2509.95, 2402.2, 2462.6 Lanco Infrat, 62.9, 64.2, 62.5, 63.45 Larsen & Tou, 1987, 2003, 1975, 1979.25 Lic Housing, 195.7, 197.95, 194.65, 195.4 Lupin Limite, 476, 484, 471.55, 482.45 Mahanagar Te, 53.5, 55.3, 53.25, 55 Mahindra & M, 774.35, 784.9, 774.35, 778.2 Maruti Suzuk, 1420.8, 1430.5, 1415, 1421.6 Max India Lt, 146, 148.45, 145.15, 147.6 Maytas Infr., 180, 184.55, 180, 182.1 Moser-baer (, 62, 64.5, 61.3, 62.4 Mrpl, 71.65, 74.1, 71.65, 73.35 Nagarjuna Co, 139.2, 141.9, 138.6, 140.7 Nagarjuna Fe, 34, 34.55, 34, 34.25 National Alu, 380.6, 396.6, 380.6, 393.15 Neyveli Lign, 131.9, 134.75, 130.55,

134.15 Ntpc Ltd, 201.65, 202.25, 199.6, 200.65 Oil And Natu, 1290.1, 1302.5, 1284.2, 1288.2 Omaxe Limite, 147.9, 149, 146.4, 147.85 Oriental Ban, 398, 407.4, 397.5, 405.3 Pantaloon Re, 365.85, 376.9, 364.05, 366.95 Parsvnath De, 54.7, 59.25, 53.65, 58.2 Petronet Lng, 124.6, 126.5, 123.5, 124.95 Power Fin Co, 307, 311.7, 305.25, 310.3 Power Grid C, 96.9, 98.5, 96.75, 98.3 Praj Industr, 86, 86, 83.25, 84.25 Punj Lloyd L, 107.9, 112.3, 107.5, 111.85 Punjab Natio, 1217.55, 1235.95, 1214, 1222 Rajesh Expor, 137.2, 137.2, 130.05, 132.1 Ranbaxy Labs, 590.5, 600, 586, 598.65 Rashtriya Ch, 99.6, 102.85, 99.6, 101.95 Reliance Cap, 661.5, 672.5, 658.8, 668.3 Reliance Com, 140.5, 146.3, 139.6, 145.35 Reliance Ene, 1129.1, 1148, 1129.1, 1148 Reliance Ind, 707, 732.65, 706, 717.1 Reliance Ind, 1058.05, 1066.5, 1053.2, 1058.7 Reliance Pow, 155, 159.7, 154.5, 158.15 Rolta India, 152.8, 156, 152.8, 154.7 Satyam Compu, 66.5, 67.8, 65.7, 66.15 Sesa Goa Ltd, 325, 330.7, 325, 328.55 Shipping Cor, 130.3, 131.9, 130, 130.7 Siemens Ltd, 811.9, 828.4, 806.85, 820.45 Sintex Indus, 182, 184.3, 179.1, 182.15 Sobha Develo, 327.85, 329, 317.15, 325.15 State Bank O, 2754, 2827.45, 2753.05, 2811.9 Steel Author, 181.3, 183.9, 180.6, 182.5 Sterlite Ind, 187.75, 188.85, 185.8, 186.65 Sun Pharmace, 484.8, 489.6, 479.05, 484.95 Sun Tv Netwo, 525.05, 528.6, 522.5, 525.9 Suzlon Energ, 55.35, 55.35, 54.1, 54.7 Tata Communi, 252, 257, 252, 255.05 Tata Consult, 1172.5, 1180, 1161.8, 1165.65 Tata Motors, 1306, 1315.9, 1296, 1308.35 Tata Power C, 1361.15, 1382.85, 1359.8, 1365.55 Tata Steel L, 675.2, 684.3, 672, 680.4 Tata Teleser, 19, 19.5, 19, 19.4 Tech Mahindr, 704.85, 709.9, 701.2, 702.4 The Ge Shpg., 342, 348, 337.95, 344.25 The Phoenix, 220, 226, 217, 222.8 Thermax Ltd, 872.5, 885, 850.25, 871.55 Titan Indust, 3544.8, 3638, 3536.1, 3594.95 Torrent Powe, 279.9, 283, 275, 276.4 Triveni Engg, 112.1, 113, 108.1, 110.95 Tv18 India L, 71.6, 72.8, 70.5, 71.1 Uco Bank, 114.2, 116.7, 113.55, 116.1 Ultratech Ce, 1063.1, 1087, 1060, 1084.25 Union Bank O, 345, 355.7, 341.7, 347.1 Unitech Ltd, 64.7, 66.6, 64.3, 66.3 United Phosp, 179, 179, 172.4, 172.95 Videocon Ind, 217.8, 221.3, 215.7, 216.65 Vijaya Bank, 96.5, 103.4, 96.3, 101.8 Voltas Ltd, 215.6, 219.7, 214.1, 217.7 Wipro Ltd, 488.05, 493.65, 486, 491.25 Yes Bank Lim, 310, 314.9, 310, 312.8 Zee Entertai, 142, 149.3, 142, 147.25

SPORTSPg 11 GOA, Saturday, 1 January, 2011

U-19 cricket team

HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, DEC 31

The DSYA has selected the following U-19 cricket boys team to participate in 56th National School Games in Chandigarh.

Achit Shigvan (Saraswat HSS, Mapusa), Mukund Bandodkar (Smt Nelly Aguiar HSS, Farmagudi), Kallal Maitra (Chogule, Margao), Mukund Patel, Chinmay Kurtarkar (RMS HSS, Margao), Nikhil Diugikar, Jaipal Mada

(Dempo HSS, Mira Mar), Hemant Oli (Regina Mundi, Chicalim), Atith Naik (Deepvihar HSS, Vasco), Balchandra Jadav (Government HSS, Baina), Tejas Belkhond (Mata HSS, Vasco), Deepak Yadav (Santa Cruz HSS), Basuraj Ambiger, Malliksab Sirur (MES HSS, Zuarinagar), Harshad Bandodkar (Wagle, Ponda), Suraj Nanji (Harmal HSS).

Participants report to Umesh Dicholkar, at DSYA office, Campal, Panjim on January 3, at 2.30 p.m.

Pg 12 GOA, Saturday, 1 January, 2011

SPORTS Loutolim SC in quarters fr agnelo soccer

HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, DEC 31

Loutolim Sports Club defeated Margao Sports Club 2-0 to book their ticket for the quarter-finals of Fr. Agnelo Youth inter-village football tournament, organised

by Fr. Agnelo Youth Sports Club, Cotombi-Paroda, at Village Panchayat ground, Avedem, Paroda.

Loutolim led 1-0 at the interval.

The teams dished out an excellent soccer throughout the match by attacking each others’ citadel, time and again.

Loutolim took the lead in the 17th minute through Roysin Fernandes after getting a pass from his teammate.

Loutolim increased their margin in the second half through Edwin Fernandes.

Pg 13

SPORTS Track set for Supercross at Telaulim today

HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, DEC 31

YMCT Entertainment and United Boys of Navelim are all set to host the all-India YMCT Supercross at Telaulim on January 1.

The tournament is approved by

GOA, Saturday, 1 January, 2011

the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI).

India’s best riders Vishal Barboge (Bangalore), Prince Singh (Delhi), Shyamlal Parsekar (Pune), Pinkesh Takur, Lokesh and Shenehal will be challenged

by Goan ace riders Javed Shaikh, Mohamad Kadar, Raju Fernandes, Shabudin, Rajesh, Mulla and

Joaquim.

The track consists of four single jumps, two double jumps, one table top, two mini table tops and four bumps.

The tournament is divided into foreign class, stock class and Indian expert class categories.

The highlight of the event will

be display of special stunts by international freestyle riders Revalt Dillon (USA) and Stephen Trudsan (Sweden).

Chief Minister Digamber Kamat will be the chief guest while Churchill Alemao, PWD Minister will be the guest of honour. Edwin Cardozo ZP member will be the special guest.

pg 14:Layout 1 1/1/2011 12:00 AM Page 1

Pg14

U-19 cricket team for Nat School Games selected Pg 11

GOA, SATURDAY, 1 JANUARY, 2011 www.oheraldo.in

In BrIef

Newlands track would favour batsmen: curator The pitch for the series-deciding third cricket Test between India and South Africa starting here on Sunday would favour batsmen and last all five days, according to the curator of the Newlands ground.

The series is currently tied 1-1 after India won the second Test in Durban by 87 runs, following the humiliating innings and 25 runs defeat in the first match in Centurion.

"The pitch won't change too much from previous years. The match will be played on a good pitch that will last five days," said Evan Flint, Newlands curator.

Dressing room respect valuable for me: Laxman He may not have got the same recognition like some of his illustrious teammates despite having bailed India out of trouble on a number of occasions, but V V S Laxman says the respect he gets in the dressing is more valuable for him.

"The biggest recognition for me is that my teammates know that in tough situation there is someone who can bail them out. As a matter of fact, even the opposition feels that you cannot be taken for granted," Laxman said.

Ganguly, Laxman increase price Former India captain Sourav Ganguly and the talented VVS Laxman have increased their base prices for the auction of the fourth edition of IPL which puts them in the top bracket with the likes of Brian Lara, Adam Gilchrist, Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble.

Ganguly and Laxman were originally put in the third bracket base price of USD 200,000 (appx Rs 92 lakh) but the duo have decided to put themselves in the highest base price bracket of USD 400,000 (appx Rs 1.84 crore).

Federer in Abu Dhabi final Roger Federer rallied from a set down to beat Robin Soderling 6-7 (3), 6-3, 6-3 Friday and reach the final of the World Tennis Championships.

Dempo down Sarvodaya HERALD SPORTS REPORTER PANJIM, DEC 31

Swapnil Asnodkar produced a man-of-the-match performance with his bat to ensure Dempo Cricket Club a five wicket win over Sarvodaya Royal in Goa Premier League T20 match at GCA stadium, Alto Porvorim, on Friday.

Batting second, Swapnil’s brilliant 89 from 38 balls and Ilyar Naroo scoring 20 in 10 balls gave them a win in just 10.4 overs scoring 142 for 5.

Sarvodaya’s bowling section tried their level best to bring down the batting line up with Shailendra Srigar and Darshan Misal taking two wickets and Narayan Kambli claiming one. But a strong partnership of 82 runs between Swapnil and Ilyaas saved Dempo as five of their batsmen failed to cross double figures.

Earlier, Sarvodaya managed to score 141 for five in 20 overs.

Rajesh Harikant (44), Robin D’Souza (37), Hemant Shetgaonkar (15), Aniket Dessai (15), Rohit Asnodkar (14) and Sumeet Chavan (13) were the top scorers.

In the bowling section, Harshad Gadekar claimed two wickets while Dinesh Naik, Shailesh Miskquin and Vipin Chauhan took a wicket each.

Fr Agnelo soccer: Loutolim SC in quarters Pg 12

Track set for Supercross at Telaulim today Pg 13

SPORTS Contact us on: sports@herald-goa.com

Discipline required to win decider: Dhoni

DBO Panjim win

in 2007. On that occasion, the match was also a series decider and South Africa's victory allowed them to clinch the series 2-1.

"The one thing I'm really consistent at is losing the toss.

Sometimes it can be really tough. It's always good to win the toss so you give your bowlers a chance if there's something in the wicket," Dhoni was quoted as saying by South African website Sports24.

This Test match will be significant as Proteas will be playing under coach Corrie van Zyl for the last time.

"He's a good man to have around and he believes in hard work. He'll be very difficult to replace," said the skipper.

Don Bosco Oratory, Panjim got the better of Brasil Futebol Academia 2-1 in GFA’s U-16 soccer at Don Bosco ground, Panjim, on Friday.

Don Bosco were leading 2-0 at half time. Don Bosco netted through Aahan Philltas and Ashton Mendes.

Crossing over, BFA secured their consolation goal when Shelton Fernandes shot on target.

PTI CAPE TOWN, DEC 31

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni feels that they need to be more disciplined in all three departments to win the seriesdecider against South Africa starting here at the Newlands, on Sunday.

The series is currently tied 11 after India won the second

Test in Durban by 87 runs.

"Our bowling, our batting and our fielding have to be at their best if we hope to win the next Test. We don't have much experience on these types of wickets, so it's a big challenge for the side. We know it doesn't always go our way and we last won a Test in South Africa in 2006 so everyone wants to perform re-

ally well," Dhoni said.

The captain said the win in the second Test match boosted the team's confidence.

"Whenever we lose a Test match, it has a big impact on the side psychologically. It was a bit of a worry for us to get 20 wickets but our bowlers did really well in Durban. Most of our bowlers are swing bowlers and

not naturally talented to bowl fast on flat wickets so it makes it difficult for us to bounce the batsmen out," he said.

The Newlands pitch is supposed to be more batsman friendly than the pitches for the first two Tests and a high scoring contest is very much on the cards.

South Africa have beaten India twice in Cape Town, most recently

GFA’s Golden Jubilee ends on a whimper

BY JOVITO LOPES PANJIM, DEC 31

The Goa Football Association (GFA), originally christened Associacao de Futebol de Goa completed its Golden Jubilee on December 22, 2009. There was just one celebration during the 2009-10 year to mark the big, historical event.

There were grandiose plans to commemorate the glorious 50 years, but it all fizzled out to just one day, lukewarm function in which the All Stars Football team was declared and felicitated and some clubs were provided kit by Urban Development Minister, Joaquim Alemao as he was the president at that time. That was the start and the end.

There were a series of programmes chalked out, like inviting Portuguese former star Luis Figo, exchange programmes and publishing a book, since the publication “The Grass is Green in Goa” released during the 40th year anniversary in 1999, was found to be a bit inaccurate in some places and did not contain all the facts

and figures. The updated version is the need of the hour and what better than the Golden Jubilee to publish the same.

If the big plans did not materialise, it was solely due to the lack of interest shown by most of the previous Executive Committee members, with some even labelling it as infighting within the members.

Be that as it may, the new GFA president, Shrinivas V Dempo has been critical that the GFA did not care to raise the toast to Goa’s leading association, which proudly occupies the pride of place in Indian football. It is good news that he is keen to make up for the lapse as he is reported to have stated, “I still maintain that the GFA erred in not celebrating the Golden Jubilee in a manner that was appropriate of such an occasion.”

Goa has rightly displaced Bengal as the topmost State, based solely on the performances by the State teams as well as the clubs which

have shown consistent performances against the once famous Bengal teams. Football is the only game in which Goans have excelled at the National level several times and in all formats of the championships, right from sub-junior to senior, with the clubs like Dempo and Churchill Bros showing a stranglehold at the National League on sustained basis of late and having gone to represent India at the Asian level.

Goa has emerged as a force to reckon with in Indian football, be it in administration, organisational capabilities and professionalism with three Goan clubs – Dempo, Churchill and Salgaocar fulfilling the AFC criteria, which has not been the case with the Bengal clubs.

Goa has emerged as a formidable power in India football. And hence, the need to celebrate it in style in a manner befitting the grand occasion.

It would have been ideal if at

least on December 22 last, a befitting celebration was organised, but having missed it, it is never late to commemorate GFA’s golden years as a tribute to all those who toiled to make it what it is today.

It is time to recognise specially those who gave their utmost, both on and off the field, and especially those who rendered selfless, dedicated voluntary services like Monte de Cruz, the personality behind Goa’s only stadium at Fatorda, who proved that Goa would have a stadium in record eight months time when some people had even termed it a pipedream, and several others like Dempo, Salgaocar, Churchill, Peter Vaz whose contribution for professionalism needs to be lauded. Then there are those whose indefatigable efforts at the administrative level have provided the necessary impetus.

I am sure that Shrinivas and the new Executive Committee will agree that it is better late than never. Remember, it pays to be a football player in India today. Certainly it could not have happened overnight.

Aslon ’trick gives CM steals limelight Areal 3rd Div title beach polo HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, DEC 31

Sao Jose de Areal Sports Club got the better of Siolim Sodiem Sports and Cultural Association 4-0 to claim the GFA Third Division play-off finals at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Friday.

Sao Jose de Areal led 1-0 at the break.

The highlight of the day was a brilliant hat trick by substitute striker Aslon Oliveira.

Areal dominated the proceedings and a goal in the 17th minute by Olfie Andrade set the tone as he capped a misunderstanding between rival defender and goalkeeper in the goal mouth and placed the ball to the far corner of the net.

Spurred by early success, Areal mounted pressure on the rival citadel and came close in increasing their tally but their forwards either shot straight into the rival goalkeeper or shot wide.

On the other hand, Siolim Sodiem tried their best to neutralise the lead and nearly level

terms but Prestonio Fernandes’ try missed the target narrowly.

Crossing over, Siolim Sodiem tried hard to come back into the game and fired a couple of shots which missed the mark narrowly especially Prestonio’s long rangers.

Baylan Fernandes nearly struck the equaliser but his try hit the crossbar and later Rudresh M met with similar fate much to the dismay of the Siolim supporters.

Aslon Oliveira who was a thorn in the rival defence struck thrice in the 73rd, 75th and 90th minutes to complete his hat trick.

Areal were richer by Rs 20,000 while Siolim Sodiem had to settle for Rs 12,000.

Dinesh Dessai, assistant manager, Nehru Stadium, Fatorda was the chief guest and gave away the prizes.

Sao Jose de Areal Sports Secretary Anthony D’Costa was delighted with the performance throughout the tournament and particularly the finals.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, DEC 31

It was the Chief Minister Digamber Kamat who stole the limelight at the 2nd Beach Polo exhibition match in two years held at Rajbag beach organised

by The Lalit Group of Hospitality, having an Intercontinental Resorts chain of hotels at Canacona and around the globe.

The beach polo played by some of the national and international players segregated as Lalit-Red and Lalit White teams for the second successive time in Canacona, which incidentally is also for the second time in the country however, remained drawn at 5-5 goals.

Playing the match in four chuckers of 7 minutes each duration, is participated by around eight players exchanging in-between sixteen horses.

At a time, each team has only two players mounted on horses, while the umpire also climbed

GOA DIARY 5-a-side football at Borim

PANJIM (HSD) – SFX SC, Borim will organise their 12th AllGoa 5-a-side football tournament on January 2, near Indian Overseas Bank, Borim. The winners will be richer by Rs 15,000 while the runners-up will pocket Rs 10,000. Other individual prizes will also be awarded and semi-final losers will take home Rs 2,000 each. Details may be obtained on 9822380139 or 9923824515.

Mini-marathon at Panjim

PANJIM (HSD) – Panjim Sports and Cultural Association on the eve of its 1st anniversary will organise a mini-marathon race (4 kms) for U-10 and U-14 boys and girls on January 2, starting from Azad Maidan, Panjim to football ground, Campal. Entries may be submitted to the president C S De Araujo on 9822766379/2903330 or general secretary Satish Vernekar on 9822953664 on or before January 1. Rs 2,000, Rs 1,000 and Rs 600 will be awarded to the first three winners of both the categories. Besides, the finals of the association’s six-day football coaching camp for boys and girls will be held on the same day at 11 a.m. and a football match between the ex-committee members and life members of the association will be at 5 p.m. Chief Minister Digambar Kamat will be the chief guest while Dr Susana de Souza, director of Sports and Youth Affairs and V.M. Prabhudessai, SAG’s executive director will be the guests of honour and Filipe Dias, exfootball referee and sports promoter will be the special invitee.

Veteran exhibition soccer: Curtorim Old v. Curtorim Gold, Curtorim ground, 4.30 p.m.

Annual sports, near the cross, Vaddy-Merces, 3 p.m.

U-14 exhibition soccer: Portais SC v. Quitula SC, Don Bosco school ground, Panjim, 4.15 p.m.

3rd Domnic D’Costa exhibition soccer:Married XI v. Bachelors XI, Cunchelim ground, 4 p.m.

All-Goa 2-a-side tie-breaker, organised by St Mathew’s Sports Club, near Azossim club, 7.30 p.m.

on a horse supervises the match.

Interestingly, this year, the match umpire was a young women, who reportedly herself a polo player Divyani Rao, who controlled the match successfully almost helped in controlling the tempers to avert some freak confrontations between both the teams.

Dr. Tony Singh playing with Lalit White, reportedly having experience of playing in 57 countries around the world, came only from the third chucker onwards and was a treat to watch as he took his team from the brink of defeats to a decent draw.

At the end of second chucker, Lalit Red were leading by 4-1, but Dr. Tony helped his team to score two goals, and assisted in another 2 to draw the level, as Red team increased their tally to 5 goals.

Internationals Jay Shergil, Balvir Singh Sandhu, Ranvir Singh Rathod, Dr. Pawansingh Kowali, Pritinder Singh and Navin Khanna were the other players doing the Lalit's Red and White Jerseys.

HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, DEC 31