22 May, Publication

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O HeRaLD O The Voice of Goa — Since 1900 panjim, SaturDaY, maY 22, 2010

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Business: Tatas complete Nano fire probe Pg 13

Sports: Somdev qualifies for French Open Pg 18

Where flowers degenerate man cannot live.

-- Napoleon

IN BRIEF Weak Laila pulls monsoon along With help from now considerably weakened cyclone Laila, south-west monsoon today moved a little further in the Bay of Bengal amid indications that it could hit Tamil Nadu first instead of Kerala.

“Southwest monsoon has further advanced today into some more parts of Comorin Area, some more parts of Bay of Bengal,” a weather office statement said. -- (PTI)

priCE rs. 3.00 (air Surcharge rs. 1.50) pages 18

Goa’s Heartbeat: Intimate scene only for English version ‘Kites’ Pg 14

Pollution board warns of epidemic in Colva HeRaLD RePORTeR MARGAO, MAY 21

sludge and unscientific dumping of solid waste in the open.

T h e B o a rd h a s re c o m mended that the inspection report be for warded to the Department of Tourism requesting to clear the solid waste dumped in their property opposite Silver Sands and also take necessary action regarding construction of soak pits in their property behind Silver Sands.

The report has recommended to the State Government and PWD to consider a sewerage scheme to ensure

C O LV A B E W A R E !

Holding that overflow from OBSERVATION: Overflowing septic tanks, soak pits, kitchen the septic tanks, soak pits, waste water, sullage water is being discharged into the Colva kitchen waste water, sullage creek, storm water drains, and fields sans treatment by hotels, water is being discharged into restaurants and eateries. the Colva creek, storm water RECOMMENDATIONS drains, and fields sans treatl Department of Tourism should clear the solid waste dumped ment by hotels, restaurants and in their property opposite Silver Sands. eateries, the Goa Pollution Conl The department should also take necessary action regarding trol Board has called for conconstruction of soak pits in their property behind Silver certed action by concerned Sands. departments to avoid the outbreak of a “potential epidemic” l State Government and PWD should consider a sewerage in the village of Colva. scheme to ensure proper treatment and disposal of sewage In its report on the situation and sullage water. in Colva to the Department of l Call for action against all such hotels, restaurants, eateries, Science, Technology and Envi(Continued on page 10) shacks, residential apartments and other commercial estabronment, the Board said the On Page 2: Directives issued lishments located in Colva village that are operating in a situation pertaining to the inmanner that is causing a health hazard in the vicinity. to Colva Village Panchayat discriminate discharge of sewage by various commercial establishments in Colva warrants immediately concerted action by all the concerned government departments.

The report said that some of the hotels having more than 25 rooms have not installed sewage treatment plant and have not obtained consent from the Board. It was also observed during inspection that some hotels are discharging waste water outside their premises without treatment.

It was also found during the inspections that the sewage treatment plants in some of the hotels were not in operation.

The report further said that unhygienic conditions are prevailing in the locality, restaurants and eateries due to stagnation of sullage water, RAISING A STINK: Colva creek…an outlet for dirt and sewage?

...slaps notices on 13 hotels HeRaLD RePORTeR PANJIM, MAY 21

The Goa State Pollution Control Board has issued show-cause notices to 13 hotels in Colva for violating the Hazardous Waste Rules and Air and Water Acts.

Chairman GSPCB Simon de Souza said three teams of the Board had carried out inspections of several eateries, hotels, restaurants and shacks on May 3 and 4 and these show-cause notices issued yesterday, May 20, were a result of the same.

He said some of the 13 hotels were found to be operating without sewerage treatment plants while some had the STPs, but the same were nonfunctional. A few of these were

HOTELS FACE THE MUSIC The erring hotels are given 15 days time to meet the requirements under the Hazardous Waste Rules and Air and Water Acts.

found operating generator sets without authorisation of the Board, he stated.

De Souza said during the inspection some of these hotels were caught releasing their waste in the Colva Creek and fields nearby. DG sets were being operated without obtaining the necessary air consent and emission reports were not prepared as required by the Board, he stated.

The GSPCB Chairman said the show-cause notices have been served through the Colva Police Station. “The hotels have

been given 15 days time to meet the requirements under the Hazardous Waste Rules and Air and Water Acts. After 15 days inspections will be carried out again and if there is no compliance from any of the 13 hotels then we will move for closure of these establishments,” he warned.

He informed 13 of the hotels were slapped with notices for flouting the Air and Water Acts and six among these were also found to be operating in contravention of the Hazardous Waste Rules.

The six hotels that were issued show-cause notices under the Hazardous Waste Rules for operating DG sets by violating Section 5 of the Environment Protection Act are: Hotel Bollywood, Vailankani Cottages, Colmar Beach Resort, Soul Vacation, Pearl Oceanique and C o l v a Re s i d e n c y o f G o a Tourism and Development Corporation.

The 13 which were caught violating Air and Water Acts are: Colva Residency (GTDC), Star Beach Resort, Pearl Oceanique, Soul Vacation, Hotel Bollywood, Colmar Beach Resort, Hotel Lucky Star, Colva Beach Resort, Longinhos Resort, Graciano Cottages, Vincy Beach Resort and Sea Coin.

Students in a jubilant mood after declaration of the CBSE XII results at a school in New Delhi on Friday.

Police-drug mafia link case

Model in Mumbai, ready for date with Goa cops HeRaLD RePORTeR PANJIM, MAY 21

Israeli drug dealer Atala’s former girlfriend and Swedish model Lucky Farmhouse has refuted Goa police claims that she can come to Goa only in August.

In an update on her website Lucky has said that she can come to Goa even tomorrow.

In an email interview, Lucky today said that she had told police that she is very much in Mumbai.

“I have told them that my next planned trip to Goa is in August,

SSCE results on May 27 HeRaLD RePORTeR PANJIM, MAY 21

Results of the Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) conducted by the Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education in March-April 2010 will be declared on May 27, 2010, at 11 am.

The Goa Board in a circular informed the results will also be available on these websites: w w w. e x a m R e s u l t s . n e t , www.rediff.com/exams, www.ind i a r e s u l t s . c o m , www.exametc.com, www.GoaEd u c a t i o n . n e t , w w w. s c h o o l s 9 . c o m a n d www.goaresults.nic.in.

Students will be able to view their results on SMS at 5676750, 56263. They can type gssc<space><seatno> 56767999 and see their result.

Man plays God, creates ‘artificial’ life agenCIeS WASHINGTON, MAY 21

Scientists announced a bold step on Thursday in the enduring quest to create artificial life.

They’ve produced a living cell powered by manmade DNA. While such work can evoke images of Frankenstein-like scientific tinkering, it also is exciting hopes that it could eventually lead to new fuels, better ways to clean polluted water, faster vaccine production and more.

Is it really an artificial life form?

The inventors call it the world’s first synthetic cell, although this initial step is more a re-creation of existing life changing one simple type of bacterium into another - than a built-from-scratch kind.

But Maryland genome-map-

Scientists produce living cell powered by manmade DNA l Experts call it the world’s first synthetic cell l A re-creation of existing life - changing a simple type of bacterium into another l First self-replicating species whose parent is a computer l

ping pioneer J Craig Venter said his team’s project paves the way for the ultimate, much harder goal: designing organisms that work differently from the way nature intended for a wide range of uses. Already he’s working with ExxonMobil in hopes of

turning algae into fuel.

“This is the first self-replicating species we’ve had on the planet whose parent is a computer,” Venter told reporters.

And the report, being published Friday in the journal Science, is triggering excitement

in this growing field of synthetic biology.

“It’s been a long time coming, and it was worth the wait,” said Dr George Church, a Harvard Medical School genetics professor. “It’s a milestone that has potential practical applications.”

Following the announcement, President Barack Obama directed the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues he established last fall to make its first order of business a study of the milestone.

“The commission should consider the potential medical, environmental, security and other benefits of this field of research, as well as any potential health, security or other risks,” Obama wrote in a letter to the commission’s chairwoman, Amy Gutmann, the president of the

but I can come earlier if they want that. If it’s very urgent I can come tomorrow,” she said.

Lucky said that she was waiting for them to ask me to come.

“I’m sure they know I’ve been in Mumbai,” she added.

Crime Branch which is dragging its feet to interrogate Lucky, who exposed police drug peddler nexus through spy cam, had said that the model was unwilling to come to Goa before August.

“We can go wherever she is.

We want her statement before

University of Pennsylvania.

Obama also asked that the commission develop recommendations about any actions the government should take “to ensure that America reaps the benefits of this developing field of science while identif ying appropriate ethical boundaries and minimizing identified risks.”

Scientists for years have moved single genes and even large chunks of DNA from one species to another. At his J Craig Venter Institute in Rockville, Md., and San Diego, Venter’s team aimed to go further. A few years ago, the researchers transplanted an entire natural genome — the genetic code — of one bacterium into another and watched it take over, turning a goat germ into a cattle germ.

Distribution of statements of marks/statements of marks-cumpassing certificates will be done on May 27 from 11 am to 1 pm to taluka-wise schools at the following institutes: Mormugao (St Andrew’s Institute, Vasco), Canacona and Salcete (Loyola High School, Margao), Quepem and Sanguem (S E S High School, Curchorem), Ponda (A J de Almeida High School, Ponda), Tiswadi (Progress High School, Panjim), Bardez and Pernem (Dnyanprasarak Vidyalaya, Mapusa) and Bicholim and Sattari (Progress High School, Sanquelim).

All the heads of the secondary schools have been requested to send their representative with a letter of authority to collect the results and statements of (Continued on page 10)

August,” Deputy Superintendent of Police (Crime Branch) Chandrakant Salgoankar had said.

The Crime Branch had also moved a file to clear trip of their officers to Sweden to take the (Continued on page 10)

Pak now blocks Twitter After blocking Facebook and YouTube, Pakistani authorities on Friday further widened the crackdown on websites with blasphemous contents by restricting access to popular social networking website Twitter. -- (PTI)

Poor Minister!! He rushed here with beautiful bouquet, didn’t know Laila is only a cyclone

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GOA, SATURDAY, 22 MAY, 2010

Cruise boats flush out sewage into Mandovi HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MAY 21

Inspections carried out by the Goa State Pollution Control Board of 12 cruise boats on River Mandovi operating from the Captain of Ports Jetty, here, revealed most of these were discharging their wastewater and sewage water directly into the river.

The inspections on the 12 cruise boats were carried out on May 12, 2010 after the Board received complaints alleging that the same were causing noise pollution and environmental pollution by dumping garbage under the Patto Bridge, discharging sewage in the river and dumping solid waste in the vicinity of the CoP jetty.

Besides, most of these were found operating without obtaining the necessary Water Consent and Air Consent and Hazardous Waste authorisation from the GSPCB. They were also found with noise levels above the permissible limits during the entertaining hours in the evening.

‘Schools asked to implement RTE Act ’ HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, MAY 21

Claiming that the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009 (RTE Act) has come into force with effect from April 1, Director of Education Dr Celsa Pinto has asked all schools to be geared up to implement the Act. She was addressing a gathering after inaugurating the seminar on ‘School Administration’ organised by the All Goa Government Recognized Unaided School Association at Porvorim on Friday.

“As per the RTE Act, existing schools which do not have proper infrastructure will have to improve infrastructure within three years, failing which their recognition will be cancelled,” said Dr Pinto.

“Permission and recognition to new schools will be given to those who have c o m p l e t e i n f r a s t r u c t u re .

Ever y school will have to form a managing committee and 75% of the members of the committee shall be parents.”

“The Act also stipulates that the school working hours will be increased from 5½ hours to 7½ hours, which means the school will be for a full day. All schools should welcome this change. In the Andaman, schools begin at 6 am and work for 7 ½ hours,” Dr Pinto added.

The education director informed that the main objective of the RTE Act is that every child in the country must get elementary education till Std VIII free of cost.

Curtorim local gets 5-year rap HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MAY 21

The South Goa sessions court on Friday sentenced a resident of Curtorim to five years imprisonment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

Additional sessions Judge P V Kamat also directed accused Minguel Fernandes to pay a fine of Rs 500 in connection with the death of Reshma Redkar two years ago.

The court had earlier held the accused guilty under section 304-A of the IPC instead of murder. The incident had taken place on May 15, 2008 when the accused had allegedly hit the victim on her head with a wooden rib in her shop.

Two among the 10 cruise boats belong to the Goa Tourism and Development Corporation bringing to light how the Government too was party to the environmental degradation of the river.

The cruise boats causing contamination in the river are: M V Paradise and M V Paradise II operated by M/s Paradise Ventures, M V Santa Monica and M V Shantadurga of GTDC, M V Princesa de Goa and M V Royal Cruise of Priyadarshini River Cruise, M V Coral Queen of M/s Aqua World, M V Swasti, of M/s Swasti Cruises.

During the inspection it was found that the sewage of M V Barcolento operated by M/s Coastal Ventures Pvt Ltd was collected and disposed at a municipal sewage treatment plant.

It was learnt it has also obtained Hazardous Waste authorisation and was in the process of seeking Water Consent and Air Consent.

The inspecting staff of the GSPCB learnt from a cruise

representative that M V Rose Royal of Priyadarshini River Cruise was not in operation as its NOC from the Captain of Ports had expired. They learnt from M V Swasti Vijaya of Swasti Cruises that the boat was using the toilet facilities only in case of emergencies.

M V Paradise, M V Paradise II, M V Santa Monica and M V Shantadurga were not able to quantify their waste water generation per day and a few of the 12 cruise boats had no documentation related to the disposal of the used oil generated on the vessels. It was learnt from some boats that the used oil was taken by the staff, but it wasn’t mentioned where it was taken and how it was disposed.

Chairman GSPCB Simon de Souza said they were in the process of issuing show cause notices to the cruise boats asking them to comply with the norms set by the Board and obtain the necessary permissions.

Suspects quizzed in girl shooting case HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MAY 21

The Cuncolim police on Friday brought for interrogations some persons from Panjim in connection with the girl shooting case.

Though a police team picked up the persons for questioning, Cuncolim PI Nelson Albuquerque said the persons were brought only for the purpose of interrogations and nothing concrete has emerged from their questioning.

“The police are probing into several angles. Till now, we are leaving nothing to chance and are pursuing the suspects named by the victim’s mother”, PI Albuqerque.

He said the police has so far recorded the statements of several persons, including the friends of the victim girl and her friend from Agassaim and Calangute.

The police, however, has not achieved any breakthrough in the case and is presently working on the leads collected so far.

Surla locals stop mining traffic for second day Stir suspended; meet with CM on Tuesday HERALD CORRESPONDENT MAYEM, MAY 21

Residents of Surla-Bicholim stopped mining traffic for the second day in succession, prompting government officials to rush to the site to address their grievances.

Angered that neither government nor mining officials had visited them when they obstructed mining traffic on Thursday, residents continued their agitation for the second day, paralyzing mining traffic along the route.

Deputy Collector Narayan Gad along with Mamlatdar Mr Desai later went to the site and interacted with the protesting villagers.

The government officials agreed to one demand of restricting mining traffic at certain times and have decided to stop mining traffic from plying in the area from 7 pm to 6 am, from 7 am to 8 am and from 1 pm to 2 pm.

Other demands of the vil-

Deputy Collector Narayan Gaad interacts with the agitating villagers of Surla.

Photo by Vishant Vaze

lagers like cleaning of the roads, diverting mining traffic along other roads and control of dust pollution have not been accepted by officials as yet.

Speaking to reporters, Vinesh Dhume, who is spearheading the agitation, said the agitation has been temporarily withdrawn till a joint meeting with villagers and mining companies is

convened with Chief Minister Digambar Kamat on Tuesday. “Our future course of action will be decided later,” said Dhume.

Meanwhile, local ML A Pratap Gawas, who visited the agitators, highlighted their grievances to the deputy collector and also spoke with the chief minister in this connection.

Work at Sonsodo on schedule: Fomento HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MAY 21

Fomento has asked the Margao Municipal Council not to arrive at conclusions about the targets and pace of work at Sonsodo without a proper verification and discussions with company officials.

In fact, the company has suggested to the Civic body to call a meting of both side to address all matters of concern, saying this would go a long way in actualizing the goal of commissioning the plant in the best possible manner.

A day after the MMC Chief Officer Y B Tawde raised queries on the delay in meeting the deadlines, Fomento reminded the Civic body that work of construction of the surface drain has already commenced on May 15 as per schedule.

Fomento further said a cur-

PI leaves for Mumbai to probe suicide attempt case HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MAY 21

Sanguem Police station incharge, PI Raju Raut Desai on Friday has left for Mumbai to investigate into the suicide attempt by the woman from Loutolim.

Sources in the know said that PI Desai left for Thana-Mumbai with the clear cut directions to investigate the suicide attempt by the woman and take the investigations to the logical conclusion.

What has given a twist to the investigations is the sudden decision by the Goa police to replace PI Sidhant Shirodkar with PI Raju Raut Desai.

Sources said that before the case was handed over to PI Desai, PI Shirodkar was dispatched to Mumbai and he returned back with a statement recorded by a local magistrate.

Woman drowns

HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, MAY 21

A 38-year-old woman from Ajmer-Jaipur drowned in the sea off Candolim on Friday.

According to reports, Darshana Goel was on a holiday in the State along with family members, when she drowned at the Candolim beach.

The body was later retrieved from the sea and was handed over to Calangute Police for an

PCB issues directives to Colva panchayat

Two hurt in mishap

drains and fields is stopped forthwith.

The Board has asked the Panchayat to further ensure that all solid waste generated by the village from hotels, restaurants, eateries, shacks, residential apartments and other commercial establishments is collected, treated and disposed off in accordance with the Rural Garbage scheme, 2005 and in accordance with the various orders of the High court.

The panchayat has been directed to submit an Action plan and time schedule with regard to the com-

Two persons were seriously injured when a truck loaded with laterite stones damaged a the wall of a roadside cross and fell on its side at Dodyal, Xelvona on Friday afternoon.

According to reports, the truck (GA-09-U-9398) was proceeding from Curchorem towards Margao via Chandor, when the driver lost control of the vehicle. Two persons, Amey Dessai and Vithal Dessai, who were seated at a nearby shop, were seriously injured when laterite stones fell on them. They were later moved to the Hospicio at Margao.

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MAY 21

The Goa Pollution Control Board has directed the Colva village Panchayat to take immediate steps to ensure that all water bodies in Colva village, particularly the Colva creek are restored to their original state by adopting environmentally sound measures.

The Board has directed the Colva panchayat to ensure that the discharge of sewage, sullage, kitchen waste water and septic tanks from hotels, restaurants, eateries into the Colva creek, water bodies and storm water

Woman dies in mishap HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MAY 21

A 40-year old lady pedestrian Laxmi shetye died in a road accident near the KTC bus stand here.

The deceased had sustained critical injuries after she was knocked down by a two-wheeler last night. She succumbed to her injuries today.

The Margao police are investigating the case.

pliance of the directions within a period of 15 days and warned of legal action under the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

Convenor of Colva Civic and Consumer Forum Judith Almeida has said the report has clearly asked the concerned departments to act fast before an epidemic breaks out in Colva village. She said the Forum would be compelled to approach the judiciary if the Colva Panchayat body and other authorities failed to comply with the directions of the Pollution Control Board.

Three cases of malaria detected in Vasco HERALD REPORTER VASCO, MAY 21

The Vasco Urban Health Centre (UHC) has detected three cases of malaria (vivax), even as seven teams of 35 UHC workers are keeping a tab on the thousands of migrant works in Mormugao taluka.

“Yes, we have detected three cases of malaria (vivax) at a construction site, where a large number of migrant workers are engaged in construction activities,” said Vasco UHC Dr Vikas Kuvelkar and added that all three patients were cured of the illness. “ We h a v e d i r e c t e d t h e builders to procure pumps to regularly pump out water from the storage tanks as these are potential breeding grounds for misquotes,” said Dr Kuvelkar.

He informed that nearly 38 construction sites in his jurisdiction are under observation as they have a large number migrant labour from Orissa, Jharkhand, Karnatak and UP. Seven teams of 35 workers have been on their toes undertaking various steps to control malaria, including anti-larva measures and fogging, at Chicalim, Dabolim, Baina, Sada and Kharewaddo.

In the last one month, the UHC teams have taken 100

slides per day and have issued nearly 320 health cards.

At a recent meeting in the municipal council, Dr Kuvelkar urged authorities take the corrective measures before the onset of the monsoon.

Dr Kuvelkar has expressed concern over a paddy field at Maimollem that has turned into a sewage dump for surrounding residential houses and commercial structures. “We have written to the deputy collector to de-silt the Mamollem paddy field,” added Dr Kuvelkar.

GPYC holds blood camp HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MAY 21

The Goa Pradesh Youth Congress on Friday held a blood donation camp at the Hospicio hospital to mark the 19th death anniversary of late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Chief Minister Digambar Kamat along with GPYC President Salkalp Amonkar were present during the camp.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that youth Congress has plans to form a blood donor’s club which will meet the blood requirements of patients in emergencies across the country.

nSaying that machinery deployment is completely the prerogative of the concessionaire, Fomento said the tentative bar chart clearly states that the machinery for sifting the existing dump will be installed

by May end., adding that the company is well within the time.

sory look at the bar chart

will show that the company is much within the schedules, adding that pressing of any panic button in this regard, thereby insinuating lapse on the company’s party is totally unwarranted.

Saying that machinery deployment is completely the prerogative of the concessionaire, Fomento said the tentative bar chart clearly states that the machinery for sifting the existing dump will be installed by May end., adding that the company is well within the time schedule in this regard.

Referring to the query raised by the Chief Officer vis-à-vis the trammels, the company said it has placed order for one presorting trammel with 30 Tones per hour capacity.

“This is the design capac-

ity to meet the requirements at the site. We fail to understand the basis on which you have stated that four trammels will be installed”, the company said.

On the draf t concession agreement, Fomento maintained that the draf t concession agreement was given to the company on April 20.

“There are several aspects i n y o u r d r a f t a g re e m e n t which need to be studied and amendments suggested.

This cannot be done in haste. That is the reason why we were asking for the draft agreement earlier”, the Company said, adding that concession agreement is ready and will be submitted to the MMC at the earliest.

MMC chief confronted over construction in paddy fields HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MAY 21

Farmers from Rawanfond and Navelim are again up in arms over the construction activity taken up in the fields opposing the Margao railway station.

A delegation of the agitated farmers called on the Margao Municipal Chairperson Savio Coutinho and confronted him over the construction activity in the fields. They demanded to know whether the Civic body has granted nay permission to undertaken the construction, wherein Coutinho replied in the negative.

The farmers vowed to oppose any construction work in the lush green paddy fields, saying that the government cannot allot the fields to the migrants at the cost of the Goan farmers.

They maintained that the SGPDA had rejected the file twice at their meeting, besides the Council and wondered how the construction activity can resume at the site without the permission of the authorities.

“We need not again emphasise that this area will lead to another colony of hutments coming up in virgin fields, which are being cultivated by poor Goan farmers, most of whom

Laterite stones dumped at the paddy fields at Rawanfond to carry out construction activity.

Photo by Santosh Mirajkar

are dependent on farming for their livelihood and that too at the entrance of the Konkan railway station”, the farmers added.

A farmer Cladias Dias said the government appears determined to give the fields to outsiders, but warned that the farmers will never allow the destruction of their fields.

He urged the Municipal Chairperson to issue a notice to stop the illegal construction immediately as per the procedure and powers under the Municipalities Act. Another farmer Cruz recalled that the chief Minister had promised to stop the work at the site and wondered when that the CM is trying to fool them. He pointed out that the

PWD have not yet issued any tenders for the fencing work and wondered how construction can commence at the site with police protection.

“They want to give the land to outsiders. But, we will never allow the government to destroy our fields. We want our fields back”, Dias asserted.

Cruz recalled that the chief Minister had told the Collector to stop construction in the fields 11 months ago, but lamented that work has begun once again at the site. “It appears the Chief Minister is fooling us. The government wants to fool Goans to rehabilitate migrants on our fields. We will never allow the government to succeed in this anti-Goan plan”, he asserted.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT CURCHOREM, MAY 21

The truck fallen on its side after damaging the roadside cross at Dodyal, Xelvona. Photo by Suresh Naik

Paltadacho Munis fails to attract crowd in Vasco HERALD REPORTER VASCO, MAY 21

It may have been an internationally acclaimed Konkani movie and its director may have been a son of the soil, yet the award-winning ‘Paltadacho Munis’ (The Man Beyond the Bridge) struggled to find takers in the port town.

On the very first day of its release in Vasco, hometown of director Laxmikant Shetgaonkar, barely seven-odd viewers were there to watch the film at the ‘El-Monte’ on Friday.

Various reasons are being attributed to the poor turnout – lack of publicity, lack of interest in regional moves in the port town and a reluctance to visit the ‘El-Monte’ due to limited infrastructure. “The film has been not publicized along the lines of other Bollywood movies,” said theater manager Francis.

“A daily show is being screened at 10 am and the film will be screened for one week, which incidentally is in the neighborhood of Shetgaokar at Bogda.”

He informed that the response to regional films has been dismal. “Only a few people turn up to watch regional films.

Recently, two Marathi film were

Security alert in Canacona over Judge’s presence HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, MAY 21

A poster of the award-winning movie ‘Paltadacho Munis’ is pasted at the El-Monte theatre in Vasco.

Photo by M Prabhav

screened and they had an average turnout. Two years ago, the Konkani movie ‘Padri’ was also screened and this too had only an average turnout,” said the theatre manager.

He was, however, optimistic that ‘Paltadacho Munis’ could attract a larger audience within the next few days. “It’s too early to comment on such an internationally acclaimed movie, since people are not aware that it was released today,” said Francis. ‘Paltadacho Munis’ is a film that captures loneliness, compassion and the eternal struggle against bigotry.

The film has won awards and praise all over the world and it was chosen to be the Best Nar-

rative Feature from among several Indian and other films at the 8th annual Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles.

The first-ever Konkani film to have won the International Film Critics Federation (FIPRESCI) prize for Discovery at the Toronto international film festival in 2009, the film was also listed as one of the 101 best films of the world to have released in 2009 in the 'Films 101' database.

Besides being the opening film in Indian Panorama section at IFFI 2009, ‘Paltadacho Munis’ was also listed in the competition sections at other prestigious international film festivals in Mumbai, Pune, Palm Springs (USA), Cairo and Hong Kong.

Is Canacona playing host to one of the topmost judges in the country?

If sources are to be believed, a senior judge of the Supreme Court is on a holiday in the State and is presently camping to attend a wedding in The Lalit, The Grand Resorts, Rajbag (Canacona).

Incidentally, what aroused suspicion was the presence of a helicopter flying in the area.

Some locals reportedly called the police station to inform them of a helicopter continuously hovering over residential and coastal areas.

Local police, who were apparently not aware of any high profile presence in the taluka, reportedly got active and a police jeep was seen patrolling the coastal areas.

It was at that time that the local police became aware of presence of central sleuths, apparently providing security cover to a judge of the apex court.

Unconfirmed sources informed that the judge is attending the wedding of a close relative in the starred hotel.

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GOA, SATURDAY, 22 MAY, 2010

Sonia’s schedule delays new Goa Sadan opening HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MAY 21

Goans visiting Delhi this holiday season will have to wait for some time as the new Goa Sadan premises is yet to be inaugurated thanks to the All India Congress Committee President and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

The new Goa Sadan building in Chanakyapuri was completed in the beginning of 2009 itself, however due to the delays in permissions from the DUAC and NDMC the building could not be inaugurated.

However, according to the top officials in the state Public Works Department all the required permissions were given to the building about two months ago but the gove r n m e n t i s v e r y ke e n o n inviting Sonia Gandhi for the

Stir over desecration of statues deferred HERALD CORRESPONDENT CURCHOREM, MAY 21

The working committee of the Guardian Angel Church, Curchorem, has deferred its proposed agitation to protest against the failure of the police in nabbing the miscreants responsible for desecrating statues in the church premises.

In a press note, convenor of the committee Benny Fernandes explained that the agitation had been deferred as the investigations have been handed over to the Special Investigation Team (SIT).

“While we appreciate this, we hope that investigations are conducted at the earliest. The government should also declare a reward to those providing details on the culprits behind the incident,” the press note states Angered over the desecration of the statues in the church premises, parishioners had threatened to stage an agitation, if the government failed to take action in the matter within a week.

inauguration.

“All permissions have been obtained for the building but the Chief Minister Digambar Kamat wants Sonia Gandhi should open the premises,” officials said.

Officials in the government said that Sonia is very busy with other engagements and as such she cannot give any date before August this year.

Ever y year thousands of Goans visit Delhi en-route to Manali and Shimla and other hill stations to get reprieve from scorching heat.

However, the old Goa Sadan building at the Amrita Shergill Marg is too small and often full and hence the Goans have to arrange costly accommodation elsewhere.

When asked by Herald for his comment Chief Minister Digambar Kamat rubbised

the claims that the State is waiting for Sonia’s appointment.

“There is no water connection at the Sadan still and how can we inaugurate the building,” he said.

The chief minister’s claim however was rejected out right by the PWD officers.

“The building already has water connection and apart from this it also has a bore well,” he said.

The official said we completed the entire construction work on the bore well water and the building has enough water for the guests, who stay here.

The new Goa Sadan is built at a cost of Rs 20 crore, has about 38 rooms along with a conference hall and swimming pool and is more spacious than the old building.

South M’rashtra beaches no threat to Goa: TTAG HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MAY 21

The relatively virgin beaches of southern coastal Mahar a s h t r a a re n o t h re a t t o beach tourism in Goa, at least not in the immediate future, a top tourism trade official Friday said.

Speaking to reporters President of the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) Ralph de Souza said that beaches like Malvan, Tarkarli, etc in south Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg district had a long way to go before they can be seen as a threat to Goa’s tourism pie.

“Good tourism does not mean scenic beauty alone. The place also has to have the right atmosphere and infrastructure, which presently south Maharashtra does not have,” de Souza said.

“They also do not have any major project (hospitality) project in the area. Even in terms of infrastructure, the roads and all are very small in that area,” de Souza said.

South Maharashtra, with its clean beaches coconut palmfringed beaches, like its neighboring state, has been positioning itself as a rival beach destination to Goa. However, de Souza admits that Goa may feel the competitive heat from its neighbour after a few years.

“Af ter sometime, when Goa gets saturated and people begin to move out maybe,” he said.

Goa, a major beach tourism destination in the world attracts nearly 2.4 million tourists annually, nearly 5 lakh of them being foreigners.

One killed in mishap at Anmod Ghat HERALD CORRESPONDENT COLLEM, MAY 21

A 23-year-old man from Navelim-Salcete died in a road mishap along the Panjim-Belgaum highway at Anmod Ghat, about 4.5 kms from the Mollem checkpost, on Friday evening.

According to Collem PSI Praveen Gauns, Sunil S Kulkarni was proceeding from Mollem to Belgaum on a motorcycle (GA-08-D6055), when he collided with an oncoming Maruti Omni car (GA-09-A-1824) at Anmod Ghat.

Autopsy report of MPT staff reserved HERALD REPORTER VASCO, MAY 21

The autopsy report on the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) employee Deelip Kalangutkar, who was found dead under mysterious circumstances, has been kept reserved by police as his viscera have sent for medical examination.

While initial reports suggest that there is no injury marks on the body, police sent the viscera for further tests to ascertain the nature of death. The body was later handed over to relatives

who performed the final rites in his native place at VeremBetim.

“As of now, there is nothing to suspect a case of murder, as there were no injuries on the body. However, to ensure that it is not a case of homicide, police is investigating in all possible angles,” a police source told Herald.

Verna police had found the body along the highway opposite the Toyota Showroom at Cortalim in suspicious manner on Thursday at around 6.30 pm.

2 charged for hill cutting HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MAY 21

The Maina Curtorim police has registered a case against two persons under section 17-A of the Town and Country Planning for alleged hill cutting in Curtorim village.

Police said the case was registered against one Francisco and Regina Fernnades.

Theft: the Maina Curtorim police has registered a case against two persons for decamping with Rs 30,000 and two mobiles from the company where they were employed with. The police are investigating.

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S H O RT TA K E S Vishwakamal’s coupon draw

PANJIM(HND): On the occasion of Silver Jubilee, M/s Vishwakamal Travels, Ponda, organized recently its 3rd quarterly coupon draw on May 16 in the hands of Mohan Amshekar (chairman of Goa Market Board), Vasudev Khandeparkar (retired agricultural officer), Shekhar Naik (Representative, Ponda for Lokmath) and Devendra Dhavaliker (Owner of Vishwakamal Travels). The prize winners of the draw are: 1st prize winner: Sunita Bhandari, 2nd prize winner: J C Pant from Crompton, Kundaim and Ulhas Verenkar from MRF has won the 3rd prize.

The consolation prize winners are Samiya Sollapur, Sanjay Chakraborty, Dr Arvind Kothe, Mayur Nadkarni and Uday Naik.

Suryaraj Rajgoli has been the one lucky train ticket winner.

Also among those present to witness the draw were C V Ananataraman, Rathanadeep Kurtari and Prashanti Sane and others. The next draw will be held on August 15, 2010.

Anjana excels

PANJIM(HND): Anjana Prabhu secured the 2nd place in XII Std Commerce examination held in March 2010. She stood second in the entire State by scoring 545 marks. She is a student of Mushtifund Higher Secondary School, Panjim and daughter of Krishna Prabhu and Sunanda Prabhu, Mangalore. First three top places in Commerce are from Mushtifund School, Panjim, says a press release.

Welfare of seamen stressed

The members of the newly-formed Goan Retired Seamen Welfare Association.

PANJIM(HND): The newly-formed Goan Retired Seamen Welfare Association has pleaded with the NUSI to look into welfare of retired seamen.

The association in a press release issued here has appealed to the NUSI for proper pension benefits, which are currently Rs 200 per month, as it is insufficient to meet a single day’s requirement.

The association President Ifrona Dias, General Secretary Peter Crasto and Treasurer Agostinho Fernandes have demanded pension benefits for widows as well and have expressed hope that NUSI will always strive for their welfare, says a press release.

CM’s darshan of ‘miracle’ Ganesh idol draws ire HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MAY 21

Goa chief minister Digambar Kamat’s much publicized rush for darshan of a ‘miraculously’ discovered antique Ganesh idol on Wednesday has invited the ire of a leading anti-superstition group in Goa. The convenor of the Goa chapter of the Eradication of Superstition committee Yadneshwar Nigalye has accused Kamat of acting irresponsibly and using state government machinery to promote superstition.

Nigalye was referring to Kamat’s visit to a home in Parra, 15 kms from here, where an ancient idol was discovered under the earth, after a 17-year-old girl ‘dreamt’ about its presence there.

“It is ridiculous of the chief minister to behave in this fashion. He is endorsing superstition using government money. How can Gods appear in your dreams and say there’s an idol under the floor of your house?” Nigalye, a renowned anti-superstition activist who has been conducting camps against superstitions and exposing fake ‘miracle’ conjuring religious leaders for several decades now, said.

The Department of Information and Publicity had Wednesday evening bombarded media organisations with official press

Restricted water supply to Salcete HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, MAY 21

Due to power shut down at Salaulim water supply treatment plant, there will be restricted water supply to entire Salcete and Mormugao talukas on May 23, says a press release.

Young and old throng Chicalim music fest HERALD CORRESPONDENT CORTALIM, MAY 21

Sobit Amchem Goem - the four-day festival of Goan music, dance and drama organised by Chicalim Youth Club at the panchayat ground, Chicalim drew a large crowd with young and the old thronging the venue.

The festival was a platform to the budding Goan youth and artists from the village and other parts of Goa to showcase their talent.

Prince Jacob who incidentally completed 25 years on the Konkani Stage kicked off the festival by presenting his new Tiatr ‘Aiz Hanv, Falleam Tum”.

Earlier, there was a drawing competition held for children which had 59 children participants. Children from Sunil Shet Music Classes also presented some songs while Magician Apollo thrilled the children with his magic show. The traditional brass band also made their presence at the festival.

On the second day there was a fancy dress for children, dance performances by Dr Martin’s ‘Dance Illusion’, Kanta Gaude Ani Sangathi presented their folk dances while the audience were taken to the good old days of Goa by Kepemchim Kirnnam with their mandos, dulpods and dekhni dances. Chicalim favourite Purple Rain then belted out their original hit Konkani numbers.

The third day saw Seby de Curtorim presenting his khell tiatrs while it was a feast for the lovers of Konkani songs with the likes of State Award Winner Marceline de Betim, Mario de

Participants perform the traditional Kunbi dance at the Sobit Amchem Goem – a four day festival organised by Chicalim Youth Club recently.

Vasco, Anil-Olga, Ben Evangelisto, Commedian Joana, Maria, Mil-Mel-Nel, Marcus Vaz singing Konkani songs. Later, Fortes Trio with Lulu belted out some lovely numbers including Lorna immortal hit songs which were well appreciated by the audience. Then Lace with Lawrie presented some sensational music.

The grand finale took place on May 9. The day started with the tabla and harmonium playing by village kids, Damodar Phadte from Curtorim came up with mind blowing fire show.

Mahila Mandal from Curti, Ponda performed a lamp dance which had the audience in awe followed by live music from Heaven Touch and India.

The Ms Chicalim Youth crown was won by Steffi Fernandes from Dabolim while Edward Miranda from Mapusa won the Mr Chicalim Youth 2010. The win-

ners were given Oven Toaster Griller each. The lucky winner of the Honda Dio bike was Bhisso Gaude from Assoi, Chicalim.

Earlier, the prize distribution for the drawing, fancy dress, inter-ward dance competition’s was held at the hands of the Chairman of the Club Mauvin Godinho in the presence of Club Members, Deputy Sarpanch Mary Mascarenhas and other dignitaries.

Special mementos were given to the players of the Senior and U-14 team along with their coaches. Ligorio Monteiro, President of the Club welcomed the gathering, Francisco Nunes, General Secretary presented the Club annual report while Roman Vaz the Club's Working President compered the function.

Earlier, the Festival was declared open by Ligorio Monteiro, president of the CYC.

Co-operative societies should seek women’s participation: Ravi HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, MAY 21

Minister for Home and Co-operatives Ravi Naik said cooperative societies should seek the participation of women and youth. Empowerment of women through cooperatives has been much talked about but we need to go a long way in making it a reality. Office bearers of the credit societies should give good services to the people, he added.

Naik was speaking at Kumbhajua in Tiswadi taluka, after inaugurating the fourth branch of Old Goa Urban Co-Operative Credit Society Ltd. Speaking further Naik said, the idea of cooperatives

should be imbibed in the minds of the youth. Educational institutions should conduct courses on cooperative sector so that youth can develop an understanding and appreciation of the cooperative movement in the state, he added.

Pandurang Madkaikar, MLA and who is also Chairman of the Old Goa Urban Co-Operative Credit Society Ltd, speaking on the occasion said a lot of facilities will be made available for the public in the vicinity of Kumbharjua.

Stress will be given on disbursement of loan upto one lakh to members of self help groups at low rate of interest, he added.

Madkaikar also assured the

people that, safe locker system will be made available for the customers. He lauded the work of General Manager Tulshidas Ghadi and said almost Rs 45 lakh profit was recorded during the last financial year.

Dhaku Madkaikar, ZP Member, Bajirao Sawant, Vice President, Samil Volvoikar, Secretary and Shashikant Vernekar, Tuls h i d a s Ku n d a i ka r, E u r i c o Menezes, Ramnath Rataboli, Damodar Phadte, Avdhoot Naik, all Directors and Tulshidas Ghadi, General Manager were present on the occasion.

Yashasri More proposed the vote of thanks.

n It is ridiculous of the chief minister to behave in this fashion. He is endorsing superstition using government money. How can Gods appear in your dreams and say there’s an idol under the floor of your house? notes and photographs of Kamat’s trumpeted visit to the Chodankar home in Parra, a small village in north Goa, where an old brass idol was found.

“The idol was found after the ‘divine’ appearance of the lord in the dreams of 18-year-old Miss Pooja alias Baby Chodankar daughter of Shri Jagganath Chodankar for the past several years. The lord apparently conveyed to her that he was suffocating underneath,” the DIP press note said.

“Digambar Kamat visited the residence of Shri Chodankar today morning (Wednesday) and had darshan of the Lord Ganesh and also made inquires about

the idol. He evinced keen interest in the ancient artifact,” the press note further states, adding that the idol was discovered, “the lord again visited her (Pooja) in her dreams and suggested that his temple should be built at the same place where he was found”.

Nigalye said that there is no scientific basis to divine communication in one’s sleep.

“There are scientific and psychological aspects involved,” Nigalye said, adding that it wasn’t the first time that Kamat had publicly endorsed superstition.

“Three years ago in his constituency, there was another ‘miracle’ in temple dedicated to Lord Vitthal at Margao, with reports that the deity’s hair had turned ‘white’.

“Thousands thronged there including this gentleman (Kamat). Kamat called it a chamatkar. Only after a while, it was discovered that the priest had poured curd on the deity’s head and had forgotten to wash it with water subsequently,” Nigalye said.

The activist said that the chief minsiter should draw a line between personal faith and using the state machinery to pander to superstition.

“Why government departments should be used to promote superstition like this,” Nigalye said.

Govt aiding farmers to increase output with technology: CM

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat inaugurating ‘Kullagor at Tonca, Caranzalem on Friday. Also present are Speaker Pratapsingh Rane, MLA and Chairman of GSHCL Deepak Dhawlikar, Director of Agriculture Satish Tendulkar.

HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, MAY 21

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said the Government was making all efforts to encourage farmers to take up farming with the use of appropriate modern technology and increase agricultural output.

Chief Minister was speaking as chief guest after laying the corner stone for a new office building named ‘Kullagar’ of Goa State Horticultural Corporation (GSHCL) at Tonca, Caranzalem on Friday.

Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly Pratapsingh Rane was the guest of honour.

Mapusa MLA refutes allegations over ODP HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, MAY 21

Mapusa MLA Francis D’Souza has refuted allegations by some members of Mapusa Merchant Association and some Mapusa councillors that he did not take interest in the Mapusa Outline Development Plan.

Briefing the media at Mapusa on Wednesday, D’Sousa stated that the Mapusa Outline Development Plan was notified in February 2009.

“Once the ODP is notified, no changes in the same can be made. Suggestions were sent to me and I made it a point to see that those suggestions were taken care of in the ODP,” said the MLA. “Even the All Goa Merchants Federation President Narayan Karekar had made a suggestion to me and this was incorporated in the ODP. The letter dated April 14, 2004 from the North Goa Planning and Development Authority Member Secretary seeking the council’s suggestion on the revised ODP was placed before the meeting of the Council on April 28, 2006. All 15 councilors were present at this meeting.”

“Hence, the arguments by some councilors that they were not consulted on the draft ODP

n Once the ODP is notified, no changes in the same can be made.

Suggestions were sent to me and I made it a point to see that those suggestions were taken care of in the ODP. are baseless. The municipal council is the ultimate authority to decide on the development of the town and not the MLA. It was the duty of the Mapusa Municipal Council to forward suggestions of the public to the Planning and Development Authority and got them incorporated in the ODP,” D’Souza added.

Commenting on the issue of vendors/hawkers in the municipal market, D’Souza said the problem could be solved by creating a ‘Hawkers zone’.

“It must be remembered that Mapusa Municipal Council gets more income from vendors/hawkers than mer-

chants in the municipal market.

There are in all 1,114 shops in the Mapusa Municipal Market, but MMC gets only Rs 5 lakh through rent from shopkeepers, while the yield through auction of Sopo is Rs 60 lakh every year,” he said.

“The chief minister has advised the Planning and Development authorities to formulate the development plan in regard to the infrastructure required for the towns within 60 days after consulting the concerned bodies. Once this development plan of Mapusa is prepared, 99% of the problems faced by people will be resolved,” D’Souza told reporters.

The Mapusa MLA also informed that three new transformers would be installed in Mapusa. “Once this is done, power fluctuation faced in some areas will be reduced considerably,” he said.

Commenting on the water supply, D’Souza informed that the Assonara treatment plant would release an additional 20 MLD water for Bardez taluka on May 30, the Statehood day.

“Once Bardez taluka gets this additional supply of 20 MLD water, the water problem will be solved to a great extent,” said D’Souza.

State pays tribute to Rajiv Gandhi

Speaking further Kamat said the government has increased the budget for Agriculture by 148 percent this year. Subsidy on farm equipments have been increased to 70 percent and that on drip irrigation to 90 percent with an intention to extend benefit to marginal farmers in State, he added.

He commended the work of Horticulture Corporation especially during the price rise of vegetables.

Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly Rane stressed the need to enact new rules for contract farming so that the land which is left uncultivated can be brought under cultivation through contract farming.

He also suggested measures to activate Forest Corporation for the benefit of people.

Deepak Dhawalikar, Chairman, GSHCL welcomed the guests. S S P Tendulkar, Director of Agriculture also spoke on the occasion.

Orlando Rodrigues, Managing Director, GSHCL, H Y Karapurkar, former Director Agriculture, Manisha Naik, Chairperson Social Welfare Board, Dhaku Gawade, Chairman Goa State SC and ST Corporation, Ashok Porab, ex-MLA were present on the occasion.

Nevil Alfonso, Manager (Farms), GSHCL compered the function, while Ashok Joshi proposed the vote of thanks.

upcOming EvEnTS Art of Living course

PANJIM(HND): The Art of Living course will be held at Mapusa from May 24 to 28 between 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm at Saddhana complex, Opp Old St Mary’s School, Mapusa.

The course will stress on Sudarshan Kriya, Pranayan, yoga, spiritual knowledge, meditation and achieve healthy body, peaceful mind and live stress free life. Interested persons should be above 18 years. For registration and details contact Ganesh Zantye on 9326123654 and 9421194343.

Se-Cathedral novenas

PANJIM(HND): The novenas for the feast of Our Lady of Three Necessities at the Se-Cathedral will be held from May 22 to 30. The masses will be held at 7:30 am and 4 pm.

The feast will be celebrated on May 31. On the feast day, the masses are at 7:30 am and the feast mass will be celebrated at 4 pm.

Trail to Cotigao sanctuary

PANJIM(HND): WWF-India, Goa state office will be organizing a nature trail at Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary on May 30. Interested participants should give their names to Nitin Sawant on or before May 27. Limited seats (40 nos), on first come first serve basis. Fees Rs 150 per head. For details contact 2465480/ 9822483535.

Workshop for Tiatr artistes

PANJIM(HND): Tiatr Academy Goa will organize a workshop for writers of scripts of tiatr and lyrics of songs on June 7 from 10 am onwards at TAG’s conference hall, Campal Trade Centre, Campal, Panjim. The workshop will deal with the correct method of writing in Konkani in Roman script.

TAG aims at bringing uniformity in the writing of Konkani in Roman script among the tiatr artistes by organizing series of workshops to that effect. The first workshop will be conducted by Tomazinho Cardozo, President of TAG. Tiatr artistes interested in attending the workshop should confirm their participation by informing TAG by writing or through tel: 2230738/2230739 on of before June 4. TAG requests the tiatr artistes to take benefit of the workshop so that the standard of writing Konkani in Roman Script is improved.

Pentecost rally at Sancoale

PANJIM(HND): There will be a Pentecost rally organised by the Goa Service Team of Catholic Charismatic Renewal on May 23 from 9 am to 4 pm at the Sanctuary of Blessed Jose Vaz at Sancoale. The programme will include Praise and Worship followed by talks on the Holy Spirit, commitment and leadership. There will also be an Eucharistic celebration and infilling of the Holy Spirit, says a press release.

Fun cycling at Coco beach

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, GPCC(I) President Subhash Shirodkar, MP Francisco Sardinha and other office bearers and government officials taking oath on the occasion of ‘Anti-Terrorism Day observed at Rajiv Gandhi Medical complex, Bambolim.

HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, MAY 21

The 19th Death Anniversary of late Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India was observed as Anti-Terrorism Day in the State as in the rest of the country.

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat led the people of Goa in paying rich tributes to late Rajiv Gandhi at Bambolim and the Secretariat where he recalled the work of Gandhi leading India into a technology savvy country of the world. He mentioned that it was the dream of Rajiv Gandhi to turn the country into a super power and now the country is making its foray in that direction. He called upon the people of Goa to fulfill the ideals of Rajiv Gandhi, which he said will be a befitting tribute to him.

At the Secretariat, Kamat

administered the Anti-Terrorism pledge to the Secretaries and other Government employees to shun violence and all forms of terrorism and pledge to uphold and promote peace, social harmony and understanding.

At Bambolim, Kamat garlanded the statue of Rajiv Gandhi

accompanied by Subhash Shirodkar, President of Goa Pradesh Congress Party, Francisco Sardinha, MP, MLAs Francis Silverira and Victoria Fernandes and large number of Congress workers.

Kamat also garlanded a photo of Rajiv Gandhi at Congress Bhavan in the city.

Fingerlings released in Anjunem reservoir HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, MAY 21

The Directorate of Fisheries has released 1 lakh Fresh Water Fish Fingerlings of Rohu and Catla at the hands of Gonesh Koyu, Secretary, Fisheries at the Anjunem Reservoir. S C Verenkar, Director of Fisheries, Dr Shamila Monteiro, Dy Director of Fisheries and other members of the special commit-

tee setup to oversee the stocking of reservoir were present.

The Directorate has also stocked the Chapoli Reservoir, Amtane Reservoir and Mayem Lake with fresh water fish. This is done with a view to increase the fresh water fish production in the State. The project is being funded through the National Fisheries Development Board.

PANJIM(HND): The Goa Cycling Community after successfully conducting a fun cycle ride to Pomburpa spring last Sunday, has decided to organize another fun ride to Coco beach on May 23 for age group of 15 years and above. The Goa Cycling Community has appealed to all those having cycles and interested in fun cycling to join the ride at 7 am at the Panjim ferry pump, opposite Kantak Petrol pump. The participants are requested to bring their own snacks and water, says a press release.

POWER SHUTDOWN MAY 22

SIRSAIM: From 8 am to 2 pm. Areas affected are Sesa-Goa, Bander, Dhangarwado, Sirsaim, Cansa, Petrol pump, Volvonem, Poira, Sikeri and surrounding areas.

BRITONA: From 9 am to 2 pm. Areas affected are Britona, Virlosa, Haliwada, RND-slipway, Malim, Tourist complex, Ice factory, Malim and surrounding areas.

May 23

MAPUSA: Between 9 am to 3 pm. Areas affected are Shardha hotel, St Britto High School, New Goa High School, Mapusa clinic, Telephone exchange, Mapusa court area, Football ground Duler, Peddem, ITI, SFX High school and surrounding areas.

PANJIM: From 9 am to 5 pm. Areas affected are Nizmar centre, Yes Bank, Sujay building, HDFC bank, Bugde tailor, Phadte Arts, Bobby Saloon, Pastry cottage, Lar Milrock, Menezes building and surrounding areas.

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Nuem beach invaded by dead fish, tar balls

The Nuem beach shore infested with rotten fish and tar oil.

Photo by Kathy Pereira HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, MAY 21

Once a favorite picnic spot bordering Quepem and Canacona taluka, Nuem beach at Khola is now infested with dead fish and tar balls.

Foul smell emanating from dead fish washed ashore in large numbers at Nuem beach since the past several days have repelled picnickers and the stench has also caused immense hardship to residents in the area.

The beach is further vitiated as tar balls as well as some sticky black substance has been washed ashore.

“Earlier, the two tiny coasts at Nuem were favourite spots for several visitors, but now the dead fish as well as tar balls and

oily substance have spoilt the beach,” a visitor told Herald.

Such was the stench at the beach that some picnickers who has just arrived were seen immediately packing up to move away to another spot.

This is one of the many shores where people reside in close proximity to the beach and a protection wall has been erected between the beach and residential houses.

The village chapel is also situated in close proximity to the shore and the chapel surroundings, which has thick coconut plantations, is mostly used by picnickers for shade and playing games.

“Very often in the past, we have faced such a situation,

where dead fish was washed ashore in large numbers and the stink continued for several days.

We are told that the rotten fish w a s re l e a s e d i n t o s e a b y trawlers. The rotten fish have infested the beach and have also entered into the small rivulets, further contaminating our residential area,” a remarked a resident.

‘These boats also throw their burnt oil in the sea, which is later

washed ashore either in the form of tar balls or oily substance.”

Asked if any government agency has helped in cleaning the beach, the resident replied in the negative. “On all earlier previous occasion, no one has come to clean the beach. Neither has anyone come to the site to ascertain the reasons for such occurrences. We have been forced to live in such conditions,” lamented the resident.

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O HERALD O

Curbing Naxal Violence…

Vol No CX No: 133 Goa, Saturday 22 May, 2010

Quick-fix solutions

I

f the morgue at Hospicio has no place for the bodies of the dead, then we opt for portable morgue-and-hearse vans.

If the water supply system isn’t working in parts of Bardez (and elsewhere in the State), then it has to be water tankers.

Goa today is opting for a lot of quick-fix solutions. It doesn’t matter that the cost of these solutions is simply too high, that the “solution” won’t last long enough, or that it is simply not sustainable. Likewise, we are just ignoring the main problem, opting for temporary solutions, and carrying on with a business-as-usual approach. Indeed, this is a good way of bluffing ourselves.

This approach deeply reflects the populism of our times. As long as the citizen “feels good”, who cares? As long as some people can be fooled for some time.... This approach also gives us a hint that nobody really wants to take on the tough road, or face the difficult tasks which need to be done.

Quick-fix-ism, as an ideology, is catching on elsewhere too.

If the State’s apex hospital, the Goa Medical College, is suffering from a situation of near-terminal illness and mismanagement, then we ‘fix’ it by privatising part of its operations.

At least it looks good enough for some time.

If officials are unresponsive—and not doing their job as they’re supposed to—for instance when it comes to dealing with land-filling and hill-cutting, the “solution” is to set up a flying-squad. It would make a lot more sense to ‘fix’ the system itself, and make it deliver results as it should. Or is that too much to hope for?

Nothing is as serious as the water crisis in a State like Goa. With over 300 centimeters, or over a meter, of rain falling on average across the State, how can we even tolerate the idea of water shortages? Regardless of who has been in power, this situation has continued in Goa for quite some time now. Isn’t this an indicator of the extreme failure of our water distribution schemes, and our total neglect of traditional water-storing approaches? For some time, when funds were available, there was much talk about rain-water harvesting. But apart from the tall talk, it is not clear what exactly has come of that.

Quick-fix solutions continue in different spheres, and sometimes get an extended tenure for far longer than they should.

Mini-buses connecting Panjim to Margao and Vasco were needed due to the one-time weakness of the Cortalim bridge. This continues till today, and earns quick revenue for the Kadamba Transport Corporation. Commuter convenience is given a complete go by.

As long as quick-fix solutions are what we get, can we expect Goa to take the crucial steps it really needs to get ahead?

A

Raping, cheating

small news item this week gives a hint of an often overlooked change taking place in Goa too. A 26-year-old man has been arrested for being involved with a 24-year-old woman for the last seven years, promising her marriage, maintaining a sexual relationship, and then reneging on his promise. There was allegedly an element of blackmail involved too.

Our laws, many of which have their roots in colonial British times, are pretty strict and potent when invoked. But what role does the law play in times of fast-changing gender equations?

Women are more aware of their rights. There are support structures—both women’s groups and also laws too, both old and new—to help protect women. Sometimes they get shelter of the law, at other times not.

Men can no longer treat women like chattel, to be used and misused, at their wish and whim.

It is only fair that what was acceptable as normal yesterday should no longer continue today. Gender equations are undergoing a sea-change in our generation, and while womenfolk may end up feeling cheated, men too have to struggle to cope with changing times. Besides the law, can society itself re-negotiate what is acceptable in changing times and changing situations?

The Naxalites need to be dealt with an iron hand writes RAJU VERNEKAR

W

ith naxal attacks occurring unabated, it is time that the Central Government dealt with Naxalites with iron hand, instead of going in for “talks” with the Naxalites.

Only a full scale aerial combat seems to be the solution.

On Wednesday a CRPF Deputy Commandant and four men were killed in West Bengal’s West Midnapore district, whereas on Sunday last, the Maoists blew up a bus carrying locals and police officers in Dantewada district of Chhatisgarh. In the incident 24 civilians and 11 special police officers were killed and several others were injured.

The above attack (second in Dantewada) came a day before the start of the 48-hour bandh called

by Maoists in five states from Monday, to protest the security operations launched by the Centre.

In this attack a passenger bus, which was on its way from Sukma to Dantewada, was blown up

by Maoists near Chingavaram village, nearly 450 km from the capital city of Raipur, using an improvised explosive device with gelatin sticks.

Similarly on May 15, Maoists killed six persons including a village sarpanch by slitting their throats and then threw their bodies on the main road between Teregon and Unchpur in Manpur block in Chhatisgarh’s Rajnandgaon district. The rebels had apparently aimed to lay an ambush targeting the security forces rushing to the spot.

It may be recalled that on April 6, 2010, Maoist rebels killed 75 policemen/CRPF men in a jungle in Dantewada in Chhatisgarh, in the first major attack in Chhatisgarh.

A quick look at the turn of events in the last few months have proved that the Naxalites activities have grown manifold. On May 8, eight CRPF jawans were killed when Naxals blew up a bulletproof vehicle in Bijapur district of Chhhattisgarh.

On April 4, Maoists triggered a landmine blast killing 11 security personnel of the elite antinaxal force Special Operations Group (SOG) in Koraput district of Orrisa.

Similarly on February 15, last, 24 personnel of the Eastern Frontier Rifles (EFR) were killed when Maoists attacked their camp in Silda in West Midnapore district of West Bengal.

The year 2009 was also eventful since there have been continuous Naxalite attacks in almost every corner of the country. On April 13, ten paramilitary troops killed in eastern Orissa when Maoists attack a bauxite mine in Koraput district followed by attack in Jharkhand on April 22 in which the Maoists hijacked a train with at least 300 people

Tongue in cheek

T

Political Perceptions on board in Jharkhand and forced it to Latehar district before fleeing.

On May 22 the Maoists killed 16 policemen in the jungles of Gadchiroli district in Maharashtra followed by many attacks in June. On June 10, Nine policemen, including CRPF troops and officers, were ambushed by Maoists during a routine patrol in Saranda jungles in Jharkhand. On June 13, Naxals launched two landmine and bomb attacks in a small town close to Bokaro, killing 10 policemen and injuring several others.

On June 16, the Maoists killed 11 police officers in a landmine attack followed by armed assault.

In a separate attack, four policemen were killed and two others seriously injured when Maoists ambush them at Beherakhand in Palamau district.

This was followed by another attack on June 23, when a group of motorcycle-borne armed Naxal rebels opened fire on Lakhisarai district court premises in Bihar and freed four of their comrades including the self-style Zonal Commander of Ranchi.

The last July too proved horrific with as many as four attacks. On July 18 the Naxalites killed a villager in Bastar and in a separate incident torched a vehicle engaged in road construction work in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh. On June 23 a 40year-old tribal killed by Naxalites at Ettapalli taluka in Gadchiroli district. On July 27 six persons killed when Naxals triggered a landmine blast at Dantewada district in Chhattisgarh. Similarly a special police officer and another person killed

by Naxals in Bijapur district.

Again in September last, there were three attacks.

On September 4, Naxals killed four villagers in a forest in Aaded village in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district. On September 26, the Naxals killed BJP MP from Balaghat Baliram Kashyap's sons at Pairaguda village in Jagdalpur (Chhattisgarh). On Sept 30, the Naxalites set ablaze Gram Panchayat offices at Korchi and Belgaon in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra. In yet another attack on October 8, 17 policemen were killed when Maoists ambushed them at Laheri police station in Gadchiroli

district of Maharashtra.

In 2008 there were two major attacks. On June 29, 2008 the Maoists attacked a boat on Balimela reservoir in Orissa carrying four anti-Naxalite police officials and 60 Greyhound commandos, killing 38 troops. Similarly on July 16, 2008 the 21 policemen were killed when a police van was blown up in a landmine blast in Malkangiri district of Orissa.

Whether it is Chhatisgarh or any of the nine states facing the naxalite menace, the situation remains same and the outfits like Peoples War Group (PWG) and Maoist Communist Party play the main role of luring poor tribals.

As of now the Naxalite menace has been affecting 55 districts of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. In Maharashtra over 80 per cent of the tribals were killed in Naxal attacks in the last few years.

The Naxalites hail mainly from Andhra Pradesh and under the banner of the Peoples’ War Group (PWG). They operate through "Dalam" or a band of armed workers who go on inciting people to wage a war against the State. Among these Platoon Dalam, Tipagarh Dalam and Khobramendha Dalam are the most vicious. Besides, the CPI (Maoist) with armed cadres and a strong contingent of local supporters is also active in the states like Chhatisgarh and Maharashtra.

The Naxal attack has indicated that while our security personnel need better equipment and training, it has also proved that the efforts to bring the disgruntled elements in tribal community into the mainstream of the society have failed.

The tribals are caught in the crossfire between the police and Naxalites. While the Naxalites collect money in the name of revolution, government funds meant for tribal and rural development remain unspent or fall into the wrong hands. They also collect heavy ransom from different manufacturing units. They not only attack security personnel, but also attack the Panchayat Raj institutions indicating that they do not want people to taste political power.

Paramilitary men numbering 80,000 have been deployed to mount Operation Green Hunt by the Centre. They are receiving logistical support and training from the Indian Army. However, now it is the time that a full scale effort, should be launched if need be with the help of the Indian Air Force. Otherwise, the Naxalite attacks would be a regular feature.

When Cricketers Go Partying

he other day I was surprised to hear the Indian cricket captain M.S.Dhoni giving a silly excuse that their boys had too many parties during the IPL season so that they lost all the matches and finished last at the T20 World Cup in the West Indies. Unlike the Yuvrajs, the Harbajans and the Zaheer Khans of the Indian team, Dhoni is probably not a party animal and hence does not realize the need for the mind and the body to relax after a hard day on the field. And the Indian captain is talking of his players’ need to take care of their bodies. Mr. Dhoni we are talking of a man’s cricket team and not the woman’s team. A fit mind means a fit body and to get the mind in the pink of health there is nothing like going for late night parties (well that’s probably how our cricket players feel). So why should anyone question their integrity and their love for playing for their country? And who has the right to question our pampered cricketers about all those parties when they are paying from their own pockets (or is it the IPL bosses who are throwing those lavish parties)? Well it hardly matters. When

you have enough money to throw away why not party around with some of the most fabulous looking ladies around? Mr. Lalit Modi, the head of the party animals was seen in the company of an exMiss Universe. That is the type of beauty our cricketers get to keep company with during these parties. If the better-halves of these fattened cricketers are not complaining about all those ladies gyrating to the music at such parties, why should the Indian captain do so? It is rightly said that one man’s meat is another man’s poison. Or is it a case of sour grapes as far as Dhoni is concerned?

For some reason the Indian captain could not attend these parties.

So this was probably the best excuse he could give for India’s dismal performance at the World Cup. But then Dhoni is no saint himself. When at a press conference he was asked about what was more important for him, winning the World Cup or the IPL Trophy.

Without even a wink Dhoni said the winning the IPL was more important. It is true that our cricketers are attracted to money like bees are to honey. There is nothing wrong in receiving the prize

By Adelmo Fernandes

money after winning a tournament. The problem lies in playing for money. Comparing the performance of some of our trusted players at the IPL and the World Cup says it all. Yusuf Pathan was a hit at the IPL. At the World Cup he found it difficult to hit those sixes. The less spoken about Yuvraj Singh the better it is. If Yuvraj is the playboy of Indian cricket, Harbajan Singh is the poster-boy.

And what about Zaheer Khan? Well, given a choice all the three of them would rather walk the ramp than run those twenty-two yard between the wickets. It seems that all those cheerleaders gyrating to the music at the IPL seems to have a psychological effect on our cricketers. Lalit Modi may have brought entertainment to the cricket stadium. But all this at the expense of a good cricket match.

After the IPL ,our cricketers appear to have forgotten how to play the game. At the World Cup they would think twice before chasing a ball while fielding, leave alone diving for it. When it came to taking those catches, they seemed to have butter-fingers. While batting they looked dazed. Probably a hangover of the IPL.

Letters to the Editor CM should resign Julius Carvalho, Dubai-UAE Selfishness, greed and lies are major hurdles which Niz Goenkars are facing to safeguard the once great Goa of its land and culture.

And the CM’s revelation that he doesn’t need Goan votes is like a drop of nuclear bomb on Goans and to rub salt on Goans wounds another Ali Baba reveals that Goa badly needs large scale mega housing projects.

Instead of clinging to the CM’s chair desperately by giving free hands to his colleagues and bureaucrats to destroy Goa, Kamat should have immediately resigned from Legislative Assembly after disclosing that he does not need Goan votes to got elected. But this will not happen since this shameless, selfish, greedy and liar CM wants what Goa’s first CM Bhau could not fulfill

100 Years Ago

through the famous Opinion Poll, that is to finish Goa’s identity.

However, it will be great relief for Goans since for the next elections, the CM will not visit Goans in the middle of night to beg for votes but instead chew some paan and visit other States to bring migrants to vote for him.

Regarding mega housing projects, Churchill through his lies is trying to fool the same people who have elected him. It would have been much better for Churchill to reveal how much kicbacks, bungalows, flats he will receive from the builders lobby instead of lying that mega housing projects are low cost housing projects for common man and for Goans. And what does he mean by 1000 Goan builders? Does he mean to say that Rahejas are Goans? I think Churchill has lost his sense and he is unable to identify who are Goans and non-Goans and whether mega housing projects are for the rich or poor. Since age seems to be catching up with Churchill, it would better for Goa and Goans that he retires from politics.

Who is the liar?

PRIMEIRO DIARIO NAS COLONIAS PORTUGEZAS

22 May, 1910 • We are broaching from today the publication of a series of articles where we propound in harmony over all the questions relevant to the vitality of our Provinces in Goa on the socio-economic sense.

• The Honorable Counsel from Mozambique requested the Goa Government to halt the purchase of horses as requested, from the Central Government.

• The Registrars of the Comunidades of Taleigao and Navelim were mutually transferred.

• the prices of rice at Bombay market which is attributed to a rich harvest from the regions of Burma and Assam, came down sensibly.

• The Military Commander from the District of Satari reports that a Hindu gentleman from Sanvordem was brutally assaulted by his friends and expired a few days later.

Stephen Dias, Dona Paula When anybody, or rather public, approaches for some work in the government offices in Goa, one got to keep in mind three things: either he/she will be cheated by telling lies or the file will be missing, second he/she may be asked for a bribe that amounts to corruption and third, the concerned staff will not be available in his/her seat.

This is a very common picture in our government offices and now it is proved at the level of Chief Minister denying charges of allegations made by 5 female activists when they met him at the Secretariat in connection with the demands from the villagers groups.

Whom to believe, and who is the liar?

The CM says that he has witnesses with him and the activists’ delegation naturally will not carry witnesses as they are not allowed. Therefore CM wins the case not only because he has witnesses but also because he is a Chief Minister of Goa, a man of integrity. So, it is a pity for the activists to say they are right as they do not have proofs with them.

Now let us consider that the CM is right,

Letter of the Day

CM ‘bares’ it all

Joseph Pereira, Diwar

“I don’t need your votes”. Digambar Kamat has finally openly declared his inner thoughts. It is a very serious remark of a person holding such a highest office in the State. He does not need the votes of the Goans and likewise, the other existing ministers too. I humbly urge the people of Goa to rise up and fight for our rights and ask Digambar Kamat to step down. We can further appeal to Sonia Gandhi and ask her to intervene for this remark. We have elected him and he should be available to us wherever and whenever we need him. He is answerable to the people of Goa. It is easy to order police force into action to disperse the crowd. Today, Digambar used police force for the very people who elected him to power and gave that precious chair. I was told sometime back that Goan politicians have already made provision for their future votes. They no more depend on our indigenous votes. Migrant workers are taking place of the Goans and they alone will decide the future of Goa and what is good for Goa and the Goans. Goans have to be vigilant today itself or else, we will loose our total identification. and let us not bother about these allegations, but what is more important is, whether the demands made by the villagers are going to be solved by the CM? Let him give the answer openly and quickly in print media for the demands raised by villagers, or else he is a liar for drifting from the main issue. In future, any delegation meeting our CM or any other government officer should be allowed to carry witnesses or the best witness will be ‘on camera proceedings’.

Wastage of power Socorro E Cardozo, Varca As everybody knows, we are purchasing power supply both from Karnataka and Maharastra, but we misuse it by our own carelessness. There is no proper discipline to utilise power judiciously when it is a matter of just few minutes to switch on and off the street lights. But manning on the part of electricity department and their personnel is adamant, really erratic and irregular.

When the street lights continuously burn and are never switched off in time, it results in the tubes getting fused up and new replacement is required. There is one option to cut out the expenditure by installing auto-time switches for street lights, say from 6 pm to 6 am, which can be a huge power-saving exercise.

Presently, the voltage fluctuates by 6 in the evening and even the computer is not safe to run. Sometimes the voltage comes down to as low as 150 volts, when the target should be around 240 volts for domestic consumers.

It is also observed that when there are power shutdowns across Varca, Orlim the same is not published in advance in the newspapers. Hoping that the CM Digambar Kamat and Power Minister Alex Siqueira take note of the grievances and direct the concerned officials to rectify them at the earliest.

Wasting public money SND Poojary, Miramar As reported in the press, Corporation of the City of Panjim is going to lay an overbridge across the Miramar beach, near the Sharada Mandir School. It is also reported that the bridge is for the students of the above school. If it is true, it is rather puzzling that a public utility funded by the public exchequer at the cost of Rs 40 lakhs is meant only for a private institution. This logic would have some sense if the private school in question were to fund the project and used it exclusively for its students.

Near Sharada Mandir School, there are two higher secondary schools run by the

Dempo charity. If the bridge is meant only for the above mentioned school, these higher secondary schools and the general public would have no access to a public utility. Of course, there is no denying the fact, that the children of any school need safer passage; however, a public utility funded by government should be available to all, including the above school. In fact, there is a greater urgency to construct a footbridge near the Magson’s Superstore, Miramar, because crossing the road at this point is a nightmare.

Paths of Wisdom

Goa is losing it Simao Savio, Calangute How can Goa attract high class foreign tourist? We can all see the sorry state of affairs of Goa. We, the people of Goa are responsible for ills that Goa is suffering today, from the educated illiterates to the uneducated illiterates, all flow with the same tide of ‘who cares’ attitude? There are few Goans who really have Goa close to their hearts and wants to see Goa restored back to its pristine glory. What has Goa to offer? Garbage, scrapyards, slums, hawkers on the beaches, beggars in hordes, drugs mafia, criminals and thieves in abundance in connivance with corrupt police to make matters worse. If one travels from the airport to any of the destination in the North or South Goa, one will see garbage thrown all over at regular intervals.

The government officials go on jaunts abroad but never have the foresight of improving Goa and its environment nor advising the government how to keep Goa clean. Certain people in the name of tourism want to destroy Goa as long as their coffers are filled, the future of Goa can go to hell.

High spending tourists want value for their money, not garbage and garbageminded people. They don’t want to come to see the ship stuck up at the Candolim shore which is responsible for the destruction of the coastline or labourers defecating in the pines and sand dunes and next to highways or railway tracks which the local authorities turn a blind eye to. If the Panchayats take cognizance of the ills that are affecting our daily life, perhaps we can stop the rot further and make Goa a beautiful tourist destination.

Humility and Hospitality (Luke 14:7–14)

7 Jesus noticed how some of the guests were choosing the best places, so he told this parable to all of them” 8 “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place. It could happen that someone more important than you has been invited, 9 and your host, who invited both of you, would have to come and say to you, ‘Let him have this place.”

Then you would be embarrassed and have to sit in the lowest place. 10 Instead, when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that your host will come to you and say, ‘Come on up, my friend, to a better place.’

This will bring you honour in the presence of all the other guests. 11 For everyone who makes himself great will be humbled, and everyone who humbles himself will be made great.”

12 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your rich neighbours – for they will invite you back, and in this way, you will be paid for what you did. 13 When you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind; 14 and you will be blessed, because they are not able to pay you back. God will repay you on the day the good people rise from death.”

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HE RA LD

INDIA

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GOA, SATURDAY, MAY 22,. 2010

Shift Posco site, CPI demands PTI BHUBANESWAR, MAY 21

Rejecting Orissa government's formula of excluding 300 acres of private land from the proposed Posco site area near Paradip, CPI today demanded that the entire site be shifted elsewhere and an official statement made about its overall impact on the state.

“Giving up only 300 acres of private land is a ridiculous idea.

This cannot be a solution. We want the whole project to be shifted from the area identified near Paradip,” CPI General Secretary A B Bardhan told reporters here.

Terming as “very disappointing” outcome of the meeting Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik held yesterday with four MLAs and lone CPI MP from Jagatsinghpur district, he said since some 4000 acre land is needed for the plant, leaving out only 300 acre private land in Dhinkia

village is meaningless.

Asking the government to shift the project site, Bardhan said it may be relocated elsewhere in Jagatsinghpur district itself or in areas bordering Puri district where displacement of people would be less.

The government should realise that it is not just a piece of land but involves livelihood of the people depending on fertile land and betel vines for generations, Bardhan said adding forest dwellers in the area cannot be uprooted in an illegal manner without holding proper gram sabhas.

Demanding a 'white paper' on the Rs 52,000 crore steel project, he said though it is billed as India's biggest FDI capable of creating jobs, government must publish details about its cost in terms of loss of land, minerals, water and its adverse impact on poor people.

Describing the chief minister's proposal for talks between protesters and Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) as opening of a small window, Bardhan said any attempt to acquire land or conduct survey for the proposed 12mtpa steel plant pending discussion would be opposed tooth and nail.

Asking Naveen Patnaik to step in for talks sparing some time if discussion with RDC fails, the CPI stalwart said leaders of o rg a n i s a t i o n s l i ke Po s c o Pratirodh Sangram Samiti (PPSS) who are opposing the project have expressed willingness to join discussion if invited.

However, a decision pertaining to Posco project would have to be taken at the level of the chief minister and not by RDC, he said asking the government to disclose contents of a report on the project given earlier by RDC. While mooting talks, the

state government must create a proper atmosphere for this by withdrawing charges against about 800 anti-Posco agitators, Bardhan said adding force should also be withdrawn from the area as locals have been staging protest in peaceful manner.

Dismissing chief minister's claim that the decision in yesterday's meeting wa unanimous, the CPI leader said the lone CPI MP Bibhu Prasad Tarai did not agree to the formula mooted during discussion.

Objecting to Patnaik's statement that Posco authorities would be requested to leave private land in Dhinkia, Bardhan said Posco does not possess any land and it is for authorities and government in Orissa to decide when, where and how much land to give, however small it may be.

Ministry to decide on Afzal's plea PTI NEW DELHI, MAY 21

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today said Union Home Ministry will decide on the file pertaining to Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru's mercy petition.

"The Home Ministry will decide on the issue...We have sent the file to Lt Governor for further action," Dikshit told reporters when asked about the next course of action regarding Guru's mercy petition.

She said the Lt Governor will put his view on the mercy petition and then the file will be sent to Home Ministry.

On Wednesday, the Delhi government had sent the file on Guru to Khanna, unambiguously backing the capital punishment for the convict. But at the same time, the city government had asked the Centre to take care of the law and order situation while carrying out the execution here.

Kasab gets a new iD in jail as Qaidi no C-7096 PTI MUMBAI, MAY 21

Ajmal Kasab, Pakistani terrorist sentenced to death in the Mumbai terror attack case, has got a new identity with the jail authorities labelling him as Qaidi No C-7096.

The number is allotted to maintain record of convicts and henceforth he would be referred as Qaidi No C-7096, jail sources said today.

Kasab has been placed in category 'C' prisons allotted to murder convicts. Those convicted for lesser offences upto three months imprisonment are allotted category 'A' while the convicts serving jail sentence of three months to five years are put in 'B' class.

Since Kasab has been given death penalty he would not have

to work in jail. Those serving rigorous imprisonment are given carpentry work or asked to prepare food for other inmates for which they get a small amount as remuneration.

The only job assigned to Kasab is to wash his dress as he does not have money left for laundry.

The 22-year-old Pakistani gunman, who came to Mumbai via sea route from Karachi along with nine members of Lashkar-e-Taiba to strike terror, feels lonely in jail, according to the sources.

“He has been eagerly waiting to meet his relatives and often asks the jail guards if anyone had come to meet him. Kasab spends most of the time in the cell sitting in a corner," they said.

Kasab usually gets up at seven in the morning and spends time

in reading books and Quran. He also performs namaz five times a day, the sources said.

Meanwhile, preparations are in full swing to send the copy of 26/11 judgement along with all documents, affidavits and statements of witnesses to the Bombay High Court for confirmation of the death sentence awarded to Kasab.

The other two accused in the 26/11 case Faheem Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed, who were acquitted by the trial court, continue to be in the Central prison at Arthur Road.

The Mumbai police would soon hand them over to Uttar Pradesh Police as the duo is wanted in another case registered against them in that State.

Kerala to have lotus temple by September HERALD CORRESPONDENT THIRUVANTHAPURAM, MAY 21

Come September 2010, and Kerala will have a lotus temple.

A 91-foot-tall structure designed in the shape of a lotus is nearing completion at Santhigiri Ashram on the city outskirts.

Dedicated to the ashram founder Karunakara Guru, the structure will be thrown open to public on September 12, the leader's birthday. "The lotus stands at the site of the parnasala where the guru lived and his body was buried after he attained salvation in 1999," ashram organizing secretary Swami Gururatnan Jnanatapasvi said. "It was just a one-room tenement. In 2000, his disciples decided to rebuild the parnasala into a blossoming lotus symbolizing the guru's message of universal spirituality, peace and fraternity."

Constructed in pristine white marble shipped from Rajasthan and special black granite mined in Karnataka, the parnasala is a visual wonder — it consists of 21 marble overlaid petals, 12 facing upwards and 9 downwards.

Almost 1 lakh square feet of m a r b l e t r a n s p o r t e d f ro m Makrana in Rajasthan was painstakingly cut into even-sized tiles before being cemented onto the RCC petals.

The edifice, with a diameter of 84 feet, is supported on 21

carved pillars. "Thinking up petal work was the toughest.

We managed it without using heavy machiner y. We used wooden moulds to give it the desired shape. The construction of each petal took almost six months.

The columns had to be built simultaneously so as not to tilt the balance," said project architect K Sukeshan. The project is estimated to cost Rs 30 crore.

Landscaping, library, lecture hall and other infrastructure will cost

another Rs 20 crore.

Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru was born in a humble poor family at Chandiroor, Cherthala.

Through relentless efforts, great sacrifices, strong conviction and endless perseverance, Guru completed the mission of establishing the Yuga Dharma of this time. Lakhs and Lakhs of devotees from different parts of the country and the world, irrespective of the differences and discrimination of caste,

creed, class, community, colour, country or culture have accepted the path of Karma and Dharma enlightened by Guru.

After fulfilling this mission, GURU merged into Adisankalpa in 1999. Guru's physical body was laid to rest at "Parnasala".

This marvel of unblemished white marble is being constructed at the Santhigiri Ashram, Pothencode to propagate the reverent kindness and love of Guru.

‘Heavy metal inputs polluting Ganga river’

Jaswant missing parent party

during winter and that of zinc during summer season. The overall concentration of heavy metals in water showed that zinc content was at a higher scale followed by nickle, chromium, lead, copper and cadmium," says the team which released the report recently.

Researchers included K Shubhashish and Richa Pandey from Centre of Advanced Study in Botany of Banaras Hindu University.

Due to heavy toxicity of heavy metals, contaminations have serious human health associated risks such as cancer and skin diseases besides memory loss.

The sites from where samples were picked were Adalpura, Bypass upstream, Bypass downstream, Samne Ghat, Ravidas Park, Assi Ghat, Dandi Ghat, Dashaswamedh Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat, Lal Ghat Laght, Raj Ghat upstream and Raj Ghat downstream.

The data indicates that although chromium and copper remained below their maximum admissible concentrations,levels of cadmium and lead in mid-stream waters at

NEW DELHI, MAY 21

PTI NEW DELHI, MAY 21

Atmospheric deposition of heavy metals emitted from vehicles and presence of industrial units adjoining the Ganges is adding to the pollution load on the river, researchers have found.

Inputs of metals such as lead, nickel and chromium arebeing added to the river in addition to the urban flushing and surface run off into it, says a team led by scientist J Pandey from Banaras Hindu University (BHU) which conducted investigations on a 20 km stretch of the river in Varanasi, a major pilgrim site in India.

During the study spanning from 2006-08 at 12 sampling stations along a 20 kilometre long stretch of the Ganga’s river with three sites selected at each station, the team found that mid-stream water of the river in the city was invariably contaminated by heavy metals such as cadmium, chromium, copper, nickel, lead and zinc.

“Highest concentrations of cadmium, chromium, copper, nickel and lead were recorded

No reason to celebrate: BJP HERALD CORRESPONDENT NEW DELHI, May 21

The Bhartiya Janata Party on Friday ridiculed the Prime Minister for celebrating his government's "all-round failu re " j u s t b e c a u s e h e h a s completed one more year in power.

“Despite rising prices, corruption, terrorism, naxalism and unemployment during the first five years of the UPA rule, it was voted back to power and hence the government is under illusion

that it is a mandate to it to indulge in doubling these menaces, BJP President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told a Press conference here.

He said all that the UPA-II government has to present as its achievements in the first year of rule is "a tale of corruption, conspiracy and contradictions. Recalling that he had called the UPA when it came to power in 2004 as "ulta pulta alliance," Naqvi said it has rather proved to be an "un-popular alliance."

five out of six stations were higher than their respective maximum admissible concentration.

It was found that except for zinc, other metal concentrations in water were recorded highest during winter followed by summer and rainy seasons.

“There is dearth of studies explicitly addressing the heavy metal contamination of fresh water resources, linked to atmospheric deposition. The present study is an attempt to investigate the magnitude of contamination of Ganga water at Varanasi in relation to atmospheric deposition of six important heavy metals,” say researchers.

The main sources of dispersion of these heavy elements into the atmosphere are urban - industrial emissions in adjoining areas. Vehicular emission is the main contributor to urban particulates, says the report.

“Re-suspension of the land deposited particulates could further substantiate atmospheric loading and deposition of heavy metals,” it adds.

PTI

Expelled BJP leader Jaswant Singh today admitted that he was missing his parent party and has not able to get over it.

“I spent 32 years (in BJP).

How can I get it out of my blood stream? But I do miss the (party) platform," Singh said in an interview to CNN-IBN. The Darjeeling MP's comments came at a time amidst reports of a thaw between him and BJP parliamentary party chairman L K Advani.

He had also travelled on the same aircraft as Advani to Jaipur to attend the funeral of former Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat last week.

The remarks immediately triggered rumours of him returning to the BJP fold after being out in the cold for nearly eight months since he was expelled from the party unceremoniously last August.

However, BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy said there was no such talk of Singh's return to the party.

"He had a very long innings with Bharatiya Janata Party. But as of now I am not aware of any such talks (for his return)," Rudy said.

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US, Egypt strive for West Asia Taliban blow up two ‘spies’ nuclear arms ban deal publicly; 11 militants killed ReuteRs UNITED NATIONS, MAY 21

The United States and Egypt are working to bridge differences on a proposed West Asia nuclear arms ban, an idea that could one day force Israel to scrap any atom bombs it has, UN diplomats say.

The US efforts to secure a deal with Egypt and other Arab countries reflect Washington's concern to win their backing for sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program by offering a concession over US ally Israel, even though Washington says such a ban is impossible without peace in the West Asia.

Western diplomats say that the success or failure of a month-long meeting on the 1970 nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) currently under way in New York hinges on the sensitive negotiations on an Egyptian proposal to hold a conference on establishing a zone free of nuclear arms in the Middle East. ''If we can't get a deal on the West Asia in the next few days, the NPT review conference will probably collapse,'' a Western diplomat told Reuters. ''It's

what happened in 2005.''

Another Western diplomat familiar with the talks was guardedly optimistic. Despite the appearance of a chasm separating the Arabs from the United States and the four other permanent UN Security Council members, ''informal conversations indicate the sides are not in reality too far apart,'' he said. ''The next few days will be critical,'' the envoy added.

NPT review conferences are held every five years to take stock of and assess compliance with the anti-nuclear arms pact.

They make decisions by consensus, which makes it difficult to reach agreements, since all 189 NPT signatories have a veto.

The last review conference in 2005 was widely viewed as a failure. It collapsed due to Egypt's outrage at the failure to move forward on the Middle East nuclear-arms-free zone idea and developing nations' anger at the United States for refusing to reaffirm disarmament pledges from 2000.

Both Egypt and the United States are eager to avoid another collapse. Cairo does not want to be labeled as a spoiler

again, while the United States wants an outcome that helps ratchet up the pressure on Iran and supports President Barack Obama's determination to move toward a world free of nuclear arms.

If there is no deal on the Middle East, envoys say, there can be no agreement on a final declaration that ''names and shames'' Iran and North Korea and acknowledges the disarmament steps the big powers have taken, which Washington and its allies want.

The United States and the four other countries allowed to keep nuclear arms under the NPT -- fellow Security Council veto powers Britain, France, China and Russia -- have been negotiating with the Arabs on the sidelines of the NPT meeting, which concludes at the end of next week, to secure a deal.

Egypt, which chairs the powerful 118-nation bloc of nonaligned developing nations, circulated a proposal to all 189 NPT signatories calling for a conference by next year on ridding the Middle East of nuclear arms in which all countries in the region would participate.

PtI ISLAMABAD/PESHAWAR, MAY 21

Taliban militants strapped explosives on the bodies of two men they accused of spying for US and blew them up in a public execution, as the Army killed 11 rebels in Orakzai and six surrendered ahead of a deadline to lay down arms.

Taliban carried out the execution yesterday in Datta Khel area of North Waziristan where the US authorities suspect that large number of top al Qaeda, Taliban and Haqqani network commanders are hiding.

"Masked Taliban gunmen strapped explosive devices to the bodies of the two alleged spies and blew them up before a big crowd," local police officials said.

The Taliban asked residents of two villages to gather at two specified spots in Datta Khel, located 25 km west of Miranshah, the main town in North Waziristan.

Dozens of armed Taliban fighters then brought the two men to the spots.

Taliban commanders initially

told the people that the two men, whom they described as US spies, would speak and confess to their involvement in several drone attacks.

Local residents were quoted by The News daily as saying that the militant commanders subsequently said the two men "were not in a position to speak" due to paucity of time and the fear of a drone strike.

Taliban frequently kidnap and kill fellow tribesmen in Pakistan's lawless northwest, but normally they slit their throats or shoot them, but locals said it was the first such killing.

The Taliban handed out the barbaric punishment as they fear that these "spies" pass on the information to the US which then deploys drones to attack their hideouts.

The two men were accused by the militants of being involved in a recent drone strike that killed 35 people.

Witnesses said body parts of the two men were scattered over a large area and could not be gathered for burial.

Taliban have killed dozens of tribesmen they have accused of spying for the US in the past few years but this was the first time that the killings were carried out in such a manner.

As Taliban were in action in North Waziristan where US is putting pressure on Pakistan Army to carry out a campaign, Pakistani troops stepped up the pressure on the adjacent Orakzai agency, killing 11 militants in a fierce encounter.

Taliban fighters stormed a check post in Dabori area of Orakzai agency. In the ensuing gun battle, eight militants were killed and two security men injured.

Officials claimed 15 militants were injured in retaliatory action by the security forces.

Three militants were killed in Swat district, where soldiers are conducting a combing operation to flush out rebels.

The militants were killed in Matta sub-division, a former bastion of the Taliban movement led by Maulana Fazlullah.

Their bodies were handed over to police, officials said.

US-China talks ‘Iran’s nuclear fuel Lag in Times Square swap deal does not suspect’s court to soothe, not address all concerns’ date defended solve troubles ReuteRs BEIJING, MAY 21

High-level talks between China and the United States next week will not bring big breakthroughs, but may help prevent destabilising breakdowns as the two powers grapple with North Korea and other contentious global troubles.

At their Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED) next Monday and Tuesday, Washington and Beijing will trade views on political and economic strains that earlier this year tripped up ties between the world's biggest and third

biggest economies.

Almost 200 Obama administration officials are flying to Beijing for the talks, led by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, and there will be plenty of US demands jostling for China's attention, including complaints about China's trade policies and yuan exchange rate.

But the results are likely to look more like a sketchy map for avoiding trouble, not a blueprint for solving specific problems, said Shen Dingli, a professor at Fudan University in Shanghai.

Taliban attack Afghan police base camp: officials ReuteRs KHOST, AFGHANISTAN, MAY 21

Suspected Taliban suicide fighters were engaged in a gun battle with Afghan police inside a base near the Pakistan border today, officials said.

Local officials in Urgun, in the southeastern province of Paktika about 200 km south of Kabul, said an unspecified number of Taliban fighters had stormed a police post after detonating a bomb near the entrance.

PtI WASHINGTON, MAY 21

The White House has said Iran's recent nuclear fuel swapping deal with Turkey and Brazil does not address all the concerns of the US and its international partners about Tehran's nuclear weapon program.

"While we acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of the Turks and Brazilians, I think it is important to understand that that agreement alone does not address or that proposal alone in its limited form does not fully address all of the concerns that the P5-plus-1 and the larger international community have with Iran's nuclear program," White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said at his daily press briefing.

"I think it's important to understand that the proposal that Iran says they've entered into now is less than what they agreed to eight months ago. They did not agree to, as they had in October, sit down with the P5-plus-1 to have a broader, fuller discussion about Iran's nuclear program," he said in response to a question.

Iran did not agree to provide unfettered access to its nuclear facilities, Gibbs said, adding the proposal does not

address in any form the increased enrichment that Tehran claimed it was undertaking to provide material for its research reactor.

Asserting that there are responsibilities that the Iranians have and that they must undertake, Gibbs said: "While the proposal that was outlined on Monday would be a step in the right direction because of the amount of lowenriched uranium that would be transferred -- again, assuming that the Iranians kept up their end of the deal, which has not – has almost never been the case -- we have had eight months of progression."

The progression has included increased enrichment, Gibbs said, adding the proposal, again, failed to live up to even what Tehran wanted to do eight months ago The White House spokesman appreciated the role played by Brazil and Turkey in this regard.

"I would again acknowledge the role that they played in trying to get Iran to live up to its obligations. I think the international community, by releasing the consensus of the P5-plus-1 after that, understands that there is more that has to be done," Gibbs said.

Remembering our vice-principal, Edna

A

dynamic, multi-faceted and colourful human being, Edna Ingrid Lobo's indomitable spirit and bold approach to life and all its nuances was what truly made her stand out. Her nerves of steel and sharp wit were also outstanding, as were her integrity of character and her ability to always fight the good fight!

As vice-principal of Mater Dei Institution and head of the Art department of the school, Lobo splashed shades of joy, wonder and warmth in each of our lives too. Her students can still vividly recall how they would peer through the garden shrubs if only to catch a glimpse of Lobo sitting at her desk and wish her a good morning. They would run to her when their spirits needed a boost, or sit with her if only to imbibe values and talents which, in this day and age, are fast disappearing. She would

reprimand them if they were wrong, pat them on the back when they strove towards excellence and always be there for them not only as a mentor, but also as a guide, and a friend.

Together with her sister and Principal of Mater Dei Institution, Cleta Lobo, she toiled unceasingly to make the school ten cuts above the rest and to impart not only education, but lessons in life to all her students. Thanks to these efforts, most of them stand in good stead today and are able to steer clear of all the chaos and confusion that the world is now riddled with.

As a month goes by since the passing away of Ms Lobo, we rejoice in her beautiful life. We smile as we recall all the joyous experiences we shared with her, and we believe that she will always surround us with her exuberance and love.

Malawi gay couple sentenced to 14 years in jail ReuteRs LILONGWE, MAY 21

A Malawi gay couple was sentenced on to 14 years each in jail after being convicted on sodomy and indecency charges, and Washington swiftly condemned the court decision as ''unconscionable.''

The couple, Steven Monjeza, 26, and 20-year-old Tiwonge Chimbalanga, were arrested after they got engaged in a traditional ceremony in late De-

cember. They were tried and found guilty earlier this week in a trial viewed as a test case for gay rights in the southern African country. ''I sentence these two ... to a maximum sentence because I want us to stop Malawian sons and daughters from copying the same-sex marriages which are un-Malawian and not in our culture and religious beliefs,'' Chief Resident Magistrate Nyakwawa Uisiwausiwa yesterday said.

ReuteRs NEW YORK, MAY 21

US investigators needed ''uninterrupted access'' to the suspected Times Square bomber in the two weeks between his arrest and court appearance, prosecutors said, seeking to explain the delay in bringing him before a judge sooner.

Faisal Shahzad voluntarily waived his legal rights – which include access to a lawyer, remaining silent and a court appearance within 48 hours of arrest -- every day, federal prosecutors said in a May 12 letter released on Thursday. ''Uninterrupted access to the defendant has been, and continues to be, critical to this process... to promptly verify with him the accuracy of information developed in the investigation,'' prosecutors said.

Shahzad, 30, appeared in court on Tuesday for the first time since his May 3 arrest to face five felony charges, including attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction and trying to kill and maim people. He faces life in prison if convicted.

The Pakistani-American is accused of parking a vehicle containing a crude bomb in New York's Times Square on May 1, which failed to deto-

nate. He was arrested aboard a Dubai-bound jetliner two days later and at his court appearance on Tuesday was remanded in custody.

Law enforcement officials said Shahzad also had plans to target other New York locations including Rockefeller Center and Grand Central terminal.

After the failed Times Square attack and the arrest of a Nigerian man accused of trying to bomb a Detroit-bound plane in December, US Attorney General Eric Holder has opened the door to limiting the legal rights of terrorism suspects.

Republicans and even some of President Barack Obama's fellow Democrats have condemned giving socalled Miranda rights to terrorism suspects, saying it makes it harder to get vital intelligence.

Prosecutors said that Shahzad had ''without counsel, knowingly and voluntarily waived his Miranda rights and executed a written waiver of speedy presentment'' on each day since his arrest.

US law enforcement officials were pursuing leads provided by Shahzad, the prosecutors said in the letter, parts of which are blacked out.

From Page 1 Pollution board warns ... proper treatment and disposal of sewage and sullage water.

The Goa Pollution Control Board has said that action on part of all concerned authorities will solve the menace and problem thoroughly. The report has called for action against all such hotels, restaurants, eateries, shacks, residential apartments and other commercial establishments located in Colva village that are operating in a manner that is causing a health hazard in the vicinity.

SSCE results on May 27 marks on May 27 between 11 am to 1 pm. If the same is not collected by the heads of the schools through their authorised representatives on the said day the same will be available at the Board’s office on any working day.

The Board informed the proforma for verification of marks has been uploaded on its website and the same can be downloaded and photocopied. It mentioned the application forms for verification of marks in presentia and for supply of photocopies can also be downloaded from the same website.

Model in Mumbai...

statement.

When contacted, Salgaonkar today maintained that ‘Crime Branch has no information that the model is in Mumbai.’

Stating that so far there is no pressure on her not to depose before police, Lucky said that she has given her address in Sweden and telephone number to the police with an assurance to provide all possible support in breaking the police-drug peddler nexus.

Reiterating that son of a politician was hobnobbing with Atala, she said that the son used to come every day in Siolim and at evenings at Atala Coffeshop.

“Everyone knows him,” she quipped.

Lucky said that in Mumbai she is busy in auditions and meetings.

“I have got a second lead role in a small movie and a good agency wants to sign me. I’m very happy with that,” she added.

“I have shot two commercials for Micromax and one for a scooter,” Lucky said.

Seven policemen were arrested for their links with drug peddler after Lucky posted videos on YouTube.com showing Atala bragging about his friendship with police.

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Musharraf says he Thai PM offers olive branch to Red Shirts will be back in Pak to join politics AP BANGKOK, MAY 21

PtI WASHINGTON, MAY 21

Pakistan's former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, on a self-imposed exile for more than a year, has said he plans to return home to re-enter politics and did not rule out making a bid for Premiership.

"I certainly am planning to go back to Pakistan and also join politics. The question of whether I am running for president or prime minister will be seen later," Musharraf told the CNN in an interview last night.

"I have to launch myself politically, formally, which I haven't done," Musharraf said, adding that he is interacting with a lot of politicians, with the people of Pakistan and the Pakistani Diaspora in the United States and Britain.

"We run a parliamentary system there," 67-year-old Musharraf said. "So you have to -- your party has to win in the election. Then only do you decide to run."

"Basically, you are heading the party, you are running for the prime ministership," he said. "Because in Pakistan, the chief executive is the prime minister, not the president."

However, the former Pakistani dictator did not give exact time frame for his return, as clamour grows in Pakistan for allegations that he did not do enough to prevent the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

A demand has also been voiced to seek his clarification on the

controver sial National Reconciliation Ordinance which is currently u n d e r scrutiny of the count r y ' s Supreme Court.

Under the NRO, a number of Pakistani politicians and officials, including President Asif Ali Zardari, were granted amnesty from prosecution on corruption charges.

"I have taken a decision in principle to join politics and go back to Pakistan,... it (return) is related to the election in Pakistan. I am very sure of one thing, that, whether it's end-term elections or midterm elections, I will be there before those elections," he said.

"There's no sign (of mid-term election). If at all, it will be next year, maybe, 2011," he said.

Musharraf conceded that security would be one of the issues when he returns back home.

"Well, there are security issues. Maybe my wife and my family is more worried than I am.

But there are security issues, which one needs to take into consideration. And that is why I'm not laying down any dates for my return. I'm looking at issues there, but I do intend launching and declaring my intention formally sooner than later," he said.

South Korea vows caution over ship, North sees war ReuteRs SEOUL, MAY 21

South Korea said after a rare emergency security meeting today it would respond prudently to the sinking of one of its naval ships by the North, but Pyongyang warned the peninsula was being driven to war.

The South announced yesterday that it had overwhelming evidence a North Korean submarine had entered its waters in March and attacked the Cheonan corvette, killing 46 sailors in what President Lee Myung-bak called a ''military provocation''.

North Korea denied the accusation and said it was ready to tear up all agreements with the South, with which it has technically been at war for more than half a century. ''It was a military provocation and violation of the UN Charter and the truce agreement,'' Lee, whose 2-years in office have seen relations with the North turn increasingly frosty, said in a statement. ''Since this case is very serious and has a grave importance, we cannot afford to have a slightest mistake and will be very prudent in all response measures we take,'' his office quoted him as telling a rare emergency National Security Council meeting.

Lee is expected to announce his response early next week.

Defence Minister Kim Taeyoung said Seoul would work with the international community to come up with non-military sanctions against the reclusive state.

In the past, both sides had put a limit on their hostility. ''North Korea has surpassed these limits. For those acts, the

government will definitely make sure North Korea pays,'' Kim said.

Yonhap news agency reported South Korea and the United States were considering raising the alert status on North Korea as tensions build.

North Korea was typically defiant. ''From this time on, we will regard the situation as a phase of war and will be responding resolutely to all problems in NorthSouth relations,'' the North's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland said in a statement. ''If the South puppet group comes out with 'response' and 'retaliation', we will respond strongly with ruthless punishment including the total shutdown of NorthSouth ties, abrogation of the North-South agreement on non-aggression and abolition of all NorthSouth cooperation projects.''

Seoul has repeatedly said it would not strike back at the North, aware that would frighten away investors already jittery about the escalating tension on the divided peninsula.

Apart from international sanctions, there is little else it can do.

Economic relations have come to a near standstill since Lee became president, apart from a joint factory park just inside impoverished North Korea which now has to rely almost entirely on China, its only major ally.

North Korea has frequently threatened to attack Seoul but analysts say that, in the face of a much better equipped South Korean army backed by some 28,000 US troops on the peninsula, any major confrontation would be suicidal for the Pyongyang leadership.

Thailand's prime minister today promised an independent probe into "all events" surrounding the Red Shirt protests, and called for reconciliation to heal deep political divisions that led to widespread violence and 83 deaths in two months.

"Fellow citizens, we all live in the same house. Now, our house has been damaged. We have to help each other," Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said in a nationally broadcast address on television.

"We can certainly repair damaged infrastructure and buildings, but the important thing is to heal the emotional wounds and restore unity among the Thai people," the Oxfordeducated Abhisit said in an emotional speech that contrasted with his typical academic style.

Abhisit said authorities have restored order in Bangkok, where soldiers overran an encampment of Red Shirt protesters on Wednesday after a week of street fighting. The crackdown climaxed two months of violence, which left 83 people dead and

more than 1,800 injured.

He acknowledged that "huge challenges" lay ahead in overcoming the divisions, which he said can be achieved through a five-point reconciliation plan that he had announced earlier.

"That plan is based on the principle of participation, democracy and justice," he said. The plan includes economic and media reforms and aims to reduce social an economic divisions in Thai society, which the protesters had been railing against.

But he made no mention of new

elections, a key demand of the Red Shirts.

Earlier today, Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij said Abhisit's earlier offer to hold elections on Nov 14 was on hold until political passions have subsided and the security situation has stabilised nationwide.

"We need to make sure that emotions have cooled to the extent that candidates from all parties can feel safe in campaigning anywhere in the country. Frankly we would not feel safe doing that today," he told participants at a conference in Tokyo.

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Forex will not be hit: RBI PTI KOCHI, MAY 21

The declining value of Euro will not affect Indian foreign exchange reserves as Euro was only a small component in forex, RBI Deputy Governor K C Chakrabarty said today.

'We are not much concerned.Dollar is strengthening against all currencies, including Rupee. So there is no concern at the moment', Chakrabarty told reporters on the sidelines of a function here when asked if the Greek debt crisis affecting markets world wide would impact India.

'In rupee terms, our reserves are going up. Our major reserves are always in dollar. How we are going to manage the currency, it is not an issue of public debate', he said.

On lendings to MSME sector in Kerala, Charabarty said he was not happy.

TALK BUSINESS

MSMEs should not seek concessional credit PTI KOCHI, MAY 21

The Reserve Bank has instructed all banks to extend a helping hand to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, RBI deputy governor K C Chakrabarty said but asked the enterprises not to seek concessional credit.

'MSMEs should not to ask for concessional credit and units which are unviable and not creditworthy, should not be given credits', Chakrabarty said after releasing the India, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Report 2010 at a function here.

'What weaker people require is adequate and timely credit and not cheap credit.We are not in favour of subsidisng the poor'.

Banking business should be done at affordable price and Banks should be allowed to do

Visit Korea Year 2010–2012 initiative announced PANJIM (HBD) -- Korea Tourism Organization officially announced the celebration of the “Visit Korea Year 2010–2012” with one of the most popular tourist province of Gangwon-do and organized a tourism road show at Mumbai, recently.

The event emphasized destination Korea’s year round attractiveness for the Indian visitor showcasing the nation’s travel and hospitality options and the beauty and landscape of the Gangwon–do province.

Visit Korea Year 2010–2012 is a campaign inviting tourists from all across the world to experience Korea with offers for long stay visitors, welcome plan with mega events, Korea Grand Sale and tourist coupon service.

Korea has four distinct seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter. The destination’s spring season coincides with the Indian summer season. The most visited places in Korea are Seoul, Gangwon–do Province, Jeju-do island and Busan City.

Convention industry is also highly developed in Korea and it has hosted 293 international conventions in 2008. Korea is ranked as 12th country in the world of convention and Seoul is on 7th position. Korea also has top two world class theme park one is Lotte World and another is Everland. Incheon Airport is gateway to Korea which is ranked as number one airport in the world for five years in a row, acknowledged by Airport Council International.

Korea has a bullet train called KTX which runs over 300 kms per hour is also at 5th position in the world.

Gangwon–do province is Korea’s prime holiday destination with its capital at Chuncheon City and has 82% mountainous coverage and a 212 km coastline.

An MoU was signed between Kang ki Chang, the vice governor, Gangwon province and the three travel companies namely Mercury Travels, Thomas Cook and Hana Travels to promote Gangwon Province.

TTML wins Maharashtra 3G PANJIM (HBD) -- Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) Limited (TTML) has won the bid for 3G spectrum in the A Circle of Maharashtra with a bid value of Rs 1257.82 crore.

The win in Maharashtra (and Goa) gives TTML access to the 3G spectrum for the next 20 years, and in this region of over 100 million people with very high growth potential including in rapidly growing areas such as Pune, Nasik, Aurangabad, Vasai and Nagpur, TTML will now be able to further consolidate its position.

Tieto announces opening of delivery centre in Bangalore PANJIM (HBD) -- Tieto India, an IT service company providing IT, R&D and consulting services, announced the official opening of its new delivery centre in Bangalore. Tieto has focused its operations in India to two main sites – Pune and Bangalore.

By consolidating operations to these cities the company aims to optimize customer closeness and develop larger and more sustainable delivery sites in the country. The India operations are headed by Rajat Chauhan, country manager, Tieto India.

Sensex takes 74-point hit PTI MUMBAI, MAY 21

After plunging to its three-month low in early trade, the benchmark Sensex of BSE today regained three-fourths of losses but still ended lower by 74 points.

Tracking the sharp fall in the US markets overnight and resultant poor show by some Asian bourses, the Bombay Stock Exchange benchmar index Sensex in intra day nosedived by 332 points to 16,187.03 mark — a level last seen on February 19.

Brokers said FIIs, spooked by losses in the US due to rising job claims, heavily offloaded shares and shifted investments to safer bets like gold. However, the sentiment turned bullish by mid-session and the 30-share index managed to settle the day lower by only 74 points at 16,445.61.

business at appropriate rate of interest, he said.

'We will focus on rehabilitation of MSMEs. During global meltdown, some units will fail.

From RBI there is no policy gap. There are shortcomings and we have to collectively bridge this gap', he said.

India has over 600,000 villages. Even after 40 years of nationalisation, only 35,000 villages have access to bank services. 'We have a large-scale financial exclusion. MSME need to be made part of integrated planned growth', he said.

By March 2012, all villages

Hyundai campaign from May 23 PTI CHENNAI, MAY 21

with over 2000 population will have banking services and by 2015 all villages should have banking services and households should have bank accounts, he said. This has not happened since the last 40 years as technology was lacking, he said adding the MSMEs should also bring in appropriate cost effective technologies.

The state government and NGOs must act together and ensure that those who require help, get the help they need.

The Prime Minister has also appointed a task force to help the MSMEs, he said.

Reliance raises stake in Fame ReuTeRs MUMBAI, MAY 21

Anil Ambani group firm Reliance MediaWorks Ltd, with two others, has raised their stake in multiplex chain Fame India Ltd to 14.51 percent, as it battles rival Inox in a takeover battle, according to a stock exchange filing.

Reliance MediaWorks, along with group firms R-Capital and R-Capital Partners, acquired an additional 2.37 percent equity in Fame through open market purchases between Feb 22 and May 20, according to a filing made to the NSE.

Production and sale of counterfeit drugs is on the rise in rich and poor countries, with more unwary consumers buying them over the Internet, experts warned on Wednesday.

Fake or substandard versions of medicines are often hidden in cargos taking circuitous routes to mask their country of origin as part of criminal activity worth billions, they add.

"They put people at risk of harm from medical products that may contain too much, too little, or the wrong active ingredient and/or contain toxic ingredients," said Margaret Hamburg, head of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

"Counterfeiting is growing in complexity, scale and geographic scope," she said in a speech to the annual ministerial meeting of the World Health Organisation (WHO).

In wealthy countries, counterfeiting often involves "expensive hormones, steroids and anti-cancer medicines and pharmaceuticals related to lifestyle," a WHO report said.

But in developing countries, especially Africa, counterfeit medicines are commonly available to treat life-threatening conditions such as malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, it said.

Nigeria, referring to a case involving tainted teething syrup in Feb. 2009, said the consequences were often deadly.

"Only last year we lost 84 children in Nigeria due to fraudulent practices in some countries. It is lives we are talking about," Nigeria's delegate told the talks.

Margaret Chan, WHO director-general, said that illicit products had also increased the problem of drug resistance, including to vital anti-malarials and HIV/AIDS drugs.

"For a patient, any medicine with compromised safety, efficacy or quality is dangerous," she said.

Major generic drug makers India and Brazil, backed by health activists, charge that concerns about counterfeit drugs are being hijacked by pharmaceutical companies keen to protect their patents against legitimate generic com-

Jaypee Infra looks to double Rev to Rs 5,000-cr PTI MUMBAI, MAY 21

Jaypee Infratech Limited (JIL), a subsidiary of Jaiprakash Associates which listed on both the bourses today, is eyeing a doubling of its revenue by next fiscal, a top company official said.

JP Infra, which is constructing the 165-kilometre long Yamuna Expressway connecting Noida and Agra, is also expecting Rs 516-crore from toll collection in its first year of commissioning in 2012, the official said.

"We are aiming at a revenue of Rs 2,500-crore in FY 11 and in the next fiscal we expect to Aban Offshor, 670, 686.7, 650.05, 681 Abb Ltd., 816.5, 830, 816.5, 827.7 Abg Shipyard, 240, 246, 235.25, 242.65 Acc Limited, 830, 868.25, 825, 863.05 Adani Enterp, 580.1, 613.7, 580.1, 591.85 Aditya Birla, 740, 749, 722, 736.9 Allahabad Ba, 155.2, 159, 153.5, 156.75 Alstom Proje, 569, 582, 555.05, 575.85 Ambuja Cemen, 103.5, 107.9, 103.05, 105.65 Andhra Bank, 126, 127.9, 123.3, 126.9 Ashok Leylan, 58.6, 62.85, 58.55, 61.05 Asian Paints, 2023, 2076, 2012.2, 2021.6 Axis Bank Li, 1180.75, 1223, 1172.95, 1215.65 Bajaj Hindus, 100, 103.5, 98, 102.2 Bank Of Baro, 670.75, 686, 670.75, 682.2 Bank Of Indi, 324.7, 324.7, 310.6, 321.75 Beml Limited, 980, 1000, 965, 995.4 Bharat Elect, 1725, 1744, 1705, 1733.8 Bharat Forge, 255.55, 265.2, 255.05, 260.6 Bharat Petro, 552, 560.65, 542.25, 558.8 Bharti Airte, 259, 267.2, 252, 266.2 Bhel, 2271, 2302.7, 2252.7, 2289.15

Jet mulls sale-leaseback of 10 planes PTI MUMBAI/NEW DELHI, MAY 21

Premier private carrier Jet Airways is planning the sale and leaseback of 10 Boeing planes in the next few months, a senior official said today.

"We are planning sale and leaseback of 10 aircraft. However, we are awaiting clearance from the courts on the issue," Jet Airways Chief Commercial Officer Sudheer Raghavan said in Mumbai.

Sale and leaseback is a financial transaction where one sells an asset and leases it back for medium or long-term. Thus,

one continues to be able to use the asset but no longer owns it.

Raghavan said the airline has applied before the Mumbai High Court seeking its permission to enter into any sale and leaseback arrangement. The cases pertain to its dispute with Sahara India Commercial Corporation over the JetLite (erswhile Air Sahara) buyout deal of 2007.

Jet CEO Nikos Kardassis had

double it to Rs 5,000-crore," JP Infra's Chairman, Manoj Gaur, told reporters here.

In the long-run, JP Infra is eyeing a five-digit growth in revenue by 2015, he said.

The Rs 9,739-crore Yamuna Expressway was likely to be operational by 2011, he said.

"We expect to garner Rs 516crore in the form of toll collection in the first year of the commissioning of the Express Highway. We are confident that this revenue would increase in consecutive years," Gaur said.

The company has been able to sell 1.3-million sq ft land in its five integrated townships

Bhushan Stee, 1390.1, 1441.95, 1362.55, 1429.55 Biocon Limit, 275.05, 285.5, 272.55, 284.6 Bombay Dyein, 529, 529, 506, 514.15 Bosch Limite, 5000, 5000, 4900, 4912.2 Brigade Ente, 132.1, 136.5, 129, 134.65 Cairn India, 275, 284, 268, 277.55 Canara Bank, 416.95, 421, 410, 413.35 Central Bank, 145.05, 148, 143.05, 145.7 Century Text, 436.25, 447.9, 432.25, 443.05 Cesc Ltd, 374.65, 374.65, 361.5, 368.35 Chambal Fert, 55.75, 56.1, 54.3, 55.55 Chennai Petr, 250, 257.45, 250, 255.9 Cipla Ltd, 313, 324, 311.75, 316.6 Colgate Palm, 715.5, 715.5, 701.4, 703.8 Container Co, 1305, 1305, 1281.5, 1292.1 Crompton Gre, 228.1, 230.2, 222.6, 228.1 Cummins Indi, 555, 574.9, 547, 569.5 Dabur India, 182.2, 185.6, 181.3, 183.3 Deccan Chron, 130, 130.9, 122.15, 123.75 Dish Tv Indi, 36.4, 38.8, 36.05, 37.75 Divi’s Labor, 679, 698.65, 675, 690.5 Dlf Limited, 265, 270.35, 260.95, 269 Dr. reddy’s, 1310, 1334.75, 1280.05, 1310

which are coming up alongside the Expressway, despite a choppy market.

"In just 47 days between April and May, we have been able to sell 1.3-million sq ft of land as against 3.5-lakh sqft during the same period last year," Gaur said.

Jaypee Infratech today listed at a discount of nearly nine per cent at Rs 93 on the BSE as against its issue price of Rs 102.

Shares of Jaypee Infratech Ltd, after a weak opening on the BSE, fell by nearly 12 per cent to touch a low of Rs 90 in early trading.

Edelweiss Ca, 400, 412, 398, 410.15 Educomp Solu, 500, 500, 471.5, 484.9 Eih Limited, 116, 119, 113.5, 116.95 Engineers In, 356, 359, 315.5, 343.65 Essar Oil Lt, 126, 126, 120.4, 123 Essar Shippi, 80.25, 82.4, 79.65, 80.6 Exide Indust, 112.1, 115.9, 110.5, 112.4 Federal Bank, 312.9, 315.8, 304.4, 312.1 Financial Te, 1280, 1312.5, 1258.2, 1303.65 Gail (india), 437.1, 457, 432.15, 453.75 Gammon India, 189, 195.95, 185, 193.9 Glaxosmithkl, 2040.05, 2095, 2031.1, 2043.95 Glenmark Pha, 260, 263, 252, 261.9 Gmr Infrastr, 56, 57.6, 55.3, 57.4 Godrej Indus, 150, 155.25, 150, 152.95 Grasim Indus, 2498, 2499, 2401.6, 2452.95 Great Offsho, 439.9, 444, 430.15, 438.7 Gtl Infra.Lt, 37, 37.65, 36.4, 37.45 Gujarat Mine, 116, 117.8, 113.1, 115.05 Gujarat N R, 61, 61.5, 56.8, 57.15 Gujarat Stat, 89.95, 91.9, 89, 91.5 Gvk Pow. & I, 41.05, 42.4, 40.2, 41.55 Hcl Technolo, 358.4, 372.3, 349.1, 367.45

Hdfc Bank Lt, 1820, 1850, 1801.1, 1826.55 Hdfc Ltd, 2670, 2738.65, 2651.25, 2710.2 Hero Honda M, 1836.2, 1863.2, 1821.55, 1855 Hindalco in, 154, 154, 148.7, 151.65 Hindustan Co, 104, 111, 103.2, 109.95 Hindustan Ma, 67.4, 67.4, 65.1, 66 Hindustan Pe, 332.3, 355, 332.3, 347.2 Hindustan Un, 238.1, 238.1, 229.15, 230.7 Hindustan Zi, 915.85, 980, 896.3, 970.8 Housing Dev, 210.1, 216.4, 207.5, 214.35 Icici Bank L, 812.95, 839.05, 807.3, 834.8 Idea Cellula, 53, 53, 51.05, 51.9 Ifci Ltd, 49, 52.3, 48.7, 51.9 India Cement, 109, 115, 107.2, 109.25 India Infoli, 99.6, 100.5, 97.3, 99.05 Indiabulls F, 143.5, 150.9, 143, 146.05 Indiabulls R, 149.9, 157.35, 149.8, 153.7 Indian Bank, 207.5, 210.9, 205.4, 208.8 Indian Hotel, 105, 107.4, 103, 106.95 Indian Oil C, 325, 332.5, 320.5, 330.2 Indian Overs, 92.05, 92.75, 90.25, 92.5 Indus Dev Ba, 111.4, 111.9, 108, 111.4 Indusind Ban, 194, 194.6, 183.05, 185.6

petitors.

"What we object to is a group of private companies, with the help of the (WHO) secretariat, waging war in this organisation against generic medicines," Brazil's ambassador Maria Nazareth Farani Azevedo said in a speech.

Chan said that her United Nations agency would not be drawn into policing intellectual property (IP).

"The role of the WHO should be concentrating on public health, not on law enforcement nor intellectual property enforcement."

Research and developmentbased pharmaceutical companies say that counterfeit medicines pose a threat to patients and they are not driven by commercial interest in fighting the scourge.

There were 1,693 known incidents of counterfeit medicines last year, a rise of 7 percent, according to the Geneva-based International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) whose members include Bristol-Myers Squibb, Roche, GlaxoSmithKline and Sanofi-Aventis.

Kerala plans monsoon package

yesterday said "we have been successful in adapting to market realities and have been able to lease out excess capacity for medium term. As of May end, all of our excess wide body aircraft would have been leased out."

Raghavan, however, refused to divulge the funds that Jet planned to raise from the sale and lease back arrangement.

BOARD MEETINGS Indraprastha Gas Bharat Forge Central Bank Kamat Hotels NMDC Kinetic Motor sahara One Divis Lab Lumax Auto Tech Great eastern sh sun Pharma Adv Source: Indiainfoline.com

Counterfeit drugs on rise, pose global threat: WHO ReuTeRs GENEVA, MAY 21

Korean car maker, Hyundai Motor India would launch its 'Always Around' campaign for the fourth consecutive year from May 23.

The Hyundai campaign would provide free vehicle checkups for its customers at various locations. In 2009, around 85,000 Hyundai vehicles were screened at 6,000 locations, Hyundai Motor India said in a statement here.

This year's campaign would continue till December covering 6,5000 locations and Hyundai planned to reach 90,000 customers.Around 4,500 vehicles from 405 locations across the country are expected to attend the camp on the launch day, it said.

The campaign would offer 17 point oil checkup facility along with vehicle polishing in the outlets.

Hyundai Motor India currently makes six models of passenger cars at its Sriperumbudur manufacturing facility near here. The cars include Hyundai Santro, i10, i20, Accent, Verna and the Sonata Transform.

Pg12

MF FUNDA TATA MuTuAL FuND launched new fund named as, Tata Gilt Mid Term Fund, an open ended debt scheme investing predominantly in government securities. The NFO price for the scheme is Rs 10 per unit.

The NFO opens on May 20 and closes on June 17, 2010.

The plan offers two options - Growth Option and Dividend Option. Dividend option will further have quarterly dividend (payout/ re-investment) and periodic dividend (payout/ re-investment).

The minimum subscription amount is Rs 10,000 and in multiples of Re 1 there after. For additional investment by existing investor after the scheme reopens for ongoing transactions Rs 1000 and in multiple of Re 1 thereafter.

Exit Load: 2% if redeemed on or before 5 years from the date of allotment. Nil, if redeemed after 5 years from the date of allotment.

The scheme will be benchmarked against I-SEC Composite Bond Index. The fund manager for the scheme will be Murthy Nagarajan.

PRINCIPAL MuTuAL FuND has announced the appointment of PVK Mohan as Senior Fund Manage - Equity.

Mohan has over 16 years experience in equity research and fund management. In his previous assignments he has worked with IL&FS and IL&FS Mutual Fund, DSP BlackRock Investment Managers and ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company.

He has a degree in Electrical Engineering from REC, Calicut and a PGDM from IIM, Bangalore BIRLA suN LIFe MuTuAL FuND has extended the NFO closing date of Birla sun Life Capital Protection Oriented Fund series- 2 by 10 days. The NFO will now close on May 31, 2010.

Hence, the NFO of Birla Sun Life Capital Protection Oriented Fund Series-2 is open for subscription from April 21- May 31, 2010.

PTI THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, MAY 21

esCORTs MuTuAL FuND has approved May 27, 2010 as the record date for declaration of dividend under escorts Income Plan. The face value of per unit is Rs 10.

The quantum of dividend will be Rs 0.07 per unit as on the record date.

With the South West Monsoon expected to hit the Kerala coast soon, the state tourism corporation today announced special rainy season packages for visitors. The focus of the package would be "see and experience" rains, KTDC chairman Cheriyan Philip said.

Three schemes, ranging from five to eight days, have been designed under the package involving prime locations like Kochi-Bolghatty, Tea CountyMunnar, Thekkady-Aaranyanivas, Kumarakom-Waterscapes and Kovalam-Samudra.

L&T MuTuAL FuND TRusTee LIMITeD has appointed M R Mayya, well-known finance professional and former executive director of BSE as an independent director on its Board wef May 17, 2010.

M R Mayya, an MA in economics from Madras University was also founder chairman of BOB Capital Markets for 10 years till 2006. After completing MA, he entered into the Indian Economic Service in July 1958, and served about 18 years in the Forward Markets Commission regulating Commodity Markets. Mayya joined the Stock Exchange division of the Ministry of Finance regulating Stock Markets in February 1973. He became the Head of Stock Exchange division in August 1978. He joined Bombay Stock Exchange as an Executive Director in August 1983 and after working for about 10 years, he retired in August 1993.

With his vast knowledge and experience, Mayya was appointed as the Member of the Rating Committee of CARE for over 14 years till January 2008. He has also been Director of various Companies.

Infosys Tech, 2568, 2608, 2558.35, 2581.75 Infra. dev., 151, 153.7, 148.25, 151.5 Ispat Indust, 17.5, 17.6, 16.95, 17.45 Itc Ltd, 260, 274.3, 257.35, 271.3 Ivrcl Infras, 150, 157.35, 150, 155.95 Jai Corp Lim, 219, 220.9, 213.35, 216.85 Jaiprakash A, 111, 120.45, 108, 117.6 Jet Airways, 485.55, 494.7, 472, 485.45 Jindal Saw L, 179, 189.1, 176.35, 186.55 Jindal Steel, 610, 640, 607.1, 634.55 Jsw Steel Li, 1025, 1093.8, 1018.25, 1084.6 Kotak Mahind, 736, 759.8, 725.05, 740.25 Lakshmi Mach, 1851, 1868.5, 1820, 1828.9 Lanco Infrat, 57, 57.5, 54.25, 54.85 Larsen & Tou, 1630, 1630, 1592.5, 1608.55 Lic Housing, 925.6, 947.05, 920, 941.95 Lupin Limite, 1785, 1820.1, 1757, 1814.2 Mahanagar Te, 56, 56.7, 54.05, 56.4 Mahindra & M, 510, 541.9, 505.2, 538.35 Maruti Suzuk, 1176, 1245, 1170, 1238.55 Max India Lt, 170.55, 178, 170.55, 175.4

Maytas Infr., 184, 185, 172.1, 182.2 Moser-baer (, 56.5, 58.8, 54.55, 58.4 Mrpl, 68.05, 68.05, 66.25, 67.05 Nagarjuna Co, 158, 159.95, 155.05, 157.55 Nagarjuna Fe, 28, 28.45, 27.55, 28.3 National Alu, 398, 408, 387.35, 404.65 Neyveli Lign, 140, 140, 136.55, 139.25 Ntpc Ltd, 203, 204, 195.55, 196.2 Oil And Natu, 1034, 1127, 1034, 1094.75 Omaxe Limite, 89.7, 89.8, 86.5, 87.35 Oriental Ban, 318, 323.5, 313.4, 317.15 Pantaloon Re, 389.95, 394.2, 380.05, 383.85 Parsvnath De, 112, 116.5, 108.8, 112.5 Petronet Lng, 80, 84, 79.3, 83.2 Power Fin Co, 280, 290.5, 278.25, 288.65 Power Grid C, 101.15, 104.2, 100.35, 103.35 Praj Industr, 78.9, 81, 78, 80.4 Punj Lloyd L, 128, 133.3, 127.1, 131.95 Punjab Natio, 989, 996.85, 981.35, 990.2 Rajesh Expor, 119, 122, 119, 121.75 Ranbaxy Labs, 429.9, 429.9, 408, 416.6 Rashtriya Ch, 76.05, 76.3, 74.5, 74.95 Rel. nat. re, 43, 44.9, 41.2, 44.5

Reliance Cap, 615.5, 647.4, 611.1, 642.15 Reliance Com, 133.9, 134.45, 131.5, 133.25 Reliance Ene, 925, 945, 892.6, 906.92 Reliance Ind, 710, 715, 685.15, 705.55 Reliance Ind, 989.9, 999.85, 976.1, 995.55 Reliance Pow, 137.5, 139.5, 133, 138.75 Rolta India, 165, 173.25, 160, 171.8 Satyam Compu, 82.2, 82.9, 79.8, 81.55 Sesa Goa Ltd, 343, 345.1, 330.15, 340.65 Shipping Cor, 152.2, 156.7, 150.35, 155.5 Siemens Ltd, 668.1, 672, 653.7, 660.75 Sintex Indus, 280.05, 286, 278, 284.25 Sobha Develo, 288.5, 301.9, 282, 299.65 State Bank O, 2222, 2280, 2210.35, 2271.2 Steel Author, 195, 203.9, 194.75, 202.95 Sterlite Ind, 632.1, 647.75, 622, 641.65 Sun Pharmace, 1544, 1560, 1520, 1545.95 Sun Tv Netwo, 410, 413.75, 399, 407.2 Suzlon Energ, 58.6, 59.25, 56.45, 58.7 Tata Communi, 240, 243.85, 237.55, 240.95 Tata Consult, 710, 725.9, 685.25, 718.7 Tata Motors, 690, 714.3, 676.5, 709.85

Tata Power C, 1265, 1308.7, 1253, 1259.55 Tata Steel L, 497.5, 513, 487.3, 509.25 Tata Tea Ltd, 1090, 1102.9, 1065, 1098.15 Tata Teleser, 19.15, 19.65, 19.15, 19.45 Tech Mahindr, 657, 658, 632.6, 653 The Ge Shpg., 280, 280.05, 270.8, 275 The Phoenix, 204.3, 204.3, 192, 195.1 Thermax Ltd, 675, 685, 662.2, 680.55 Titan Indust, 2220, 2248, 2166.05, 2236.6 Torrent Powe, 320.25, 324, 315.75, 317.6 Triveni Engg, 91, 98.95, 90, 97.8 Tv18 India L, 73, 75.4, 72.15, 74.7 Uco Bank, 70, 71.45, 68.3, 71.1 Ultratech Ce, 935, 968, 916.15, 949.55 Union Bank O, 294, 297.9, 275, 290.25 Unitech Ltd, 68.3, 69.9, 62.25, 69 United Phosp, 165.2, 166.5, 160.25, 165 Videocon Ind, 201.1, 202.4, 197.4, 201.05 Vijaya Bank, 55.1, 55.75, 54.5, 55.45 Voltas Ltd, 178, 178, 172.7, 175.15 Wipro Ltd, 641.5, 648.2, 626.4, 641.7 Yes Bank Lim, 270, 271, 260.65, 265.4 Zee Entertai, 289, 295.25, 283.9, 287.6

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HE RA LD

BIZ

GOA, SATURDAY, 22 MAY, 2010

India eyeing more infra debt funds ReuteRs NEW DELHI, MAY 21

India is considering to launch debt funds of $5 to $11 billion each to help build highways and other large infrastructure projects in addition to a similar fund announced last week, a top government official said on Friday.

The country aims to spend about $500 billion in the five years to end-March 2012, to overhaul rickety infrastructure that has been a drag on growth for Asia's third largest economy.

Brahm Dutt, secretary at the road transport ministry, said the consensus among policymakers was to have a series of funds to finance the ventures rather than go for one $150 billion to $200 billion fund.

"The feeling is we should have many more funds of small, small size," Dutt, who was a participant at the meeting last week that decided on the fund plan, told Reuters in an interview.

The Planning Commission, which charts out five-year plans for the economy, last week said India would set up an $11 bil-

lion infrastructure debt fund by year-end that will help refinance high-cost debt.

"One of the views that emerged at the meeting taken by the deputy chairman (of the planning commission) was that we should not have a very large size omnibus fund," Dutt said.

FOREIGN, PRIVATE INTEREST India is considering doubling the investment figure in the five years from 2012, and has effected policy changes meant to facilitate greater foreign and private equity participation in the infrastructure projects.

The government allows 100 percent foreign direct investment in the road sector, but problems in land acquisition, stringent exit clause and a slow adoption of the toll-road model in India have made foreign investors largely stay away from the sector.

Dutt said road projects are "difficult" projects for various reasons, which is forcing foreign investors participate in them in consortium with Indian partners.

In December 2009, India amended the exit clause to

allow road developers to move out of a project after two years of its completion against the previous norm of 20 years.

Dutt hoped the change in the clause would encourage greater foreign participation in the sector, which he said has attracted interests from Deutsche Bank, Spain's Isolux Corsan and Malaysia's IJM. Capacity bottlenecks in the Indian economy, including poor infrastructure, are partly responsible for driving up headline inflation in India to near double digit levels.

India last year set a target of building 20 kms of roads a day and has increased the capital spending for the sector in the February's budget by 22 percent to about 222 billion rupees ($4.7 billion).

But the country's road-building is currently running only at 12 kilometres a day, which Dutt said is due to "limited" road projects that were awarded previously.

"It may happen by 2011/12...average will be much more than 20 km in 2012/13 and it will further go up in 2013/14," he said.

Uncertainty drove up 3G sale price: Bharti official PtI BANGALORE, MAY 21

Policy uncertainty drove up prices in the 3G mobile licence spectrum auction, apart from being the fact that it's a scarce resource, a top Bharti official said.

These two factors drove up prices on the "higher side", Rajan Bharti Mittal, Bharti Enterprises' VC and MD and group lead director of Bharti's Whole-

sale and Retail Business, told reporters here today in response to questions.

Asked to comment on "uncertainty" that he referred to, he said: "There is (are) only three slots today...when is the next slot going to come...when will the release happen...when more spectrum will happen...will we get more spectrum on 2G. I think these

are the issues still to be addressed".

On the industry concern of recouping the investment made on bagging 3G licence, Mittal said: "Allow us to roll out on 3G, then you can talk about it".

The auction concluded on Wednesday generating a revenue of Rs 67,710 crore for the UPA government, almost twice the expected amount.

Tatas complete probe into 'Nano' fire; say car safe PtI NEW DELHI, MAY 21

Tata Motors today claimed that its people's car was "absolutely safe", saying a probe into fires that gutted a couple of brand new 'Nanos' by an expert team found 'no manufacturing defects'.

"We have concluded a comprehensive investigation into the incidents of fire in two Tata Nanos. The investigation, conducted by a 20-member Tata Motors Group team and an independent forensic expert, has reaffirmed that the Tata Nano is a safe car...

"The investigations have also revealed that the incidents were not related," a Tata Motors' official said.

At the same time, the company offered to conduct preemptive checks on all 'Nanos' on the road, starting May 24, but clarified that this was not a recall.

Recalling the incidents, the company said that the fire in

March 2010, shortly after a customer took delivery of the car, may have been caused by a foreign object in the exhaust system that its expert team found.

In the other case that happened in April, it was concluded that the car that was being driven to the dealership caught fire possibly due to a ruptured fuel line.

Citing these findings, the official emphatically ruled out allusions that there were any manufacturing defects.

The probe team drew experts from across Tata Motors group, including the Nano project team, passenger and commercial vehicles businesses, the Engineering Research Centre, the Tata Motors European Technical Centre, and Jaguar Land Rover.

Besides, an independent forensic expert from the UK was part of the investigation, a company spokesperson said.

"It is important for us to reassure our customer base

which is why we are planning to conduct a pre-emptive diagnostic check on all the cars with customers," he said, emphasising that these inspections do not constitute a recall.

Delivery of Nanos began in July 2009 and since then, more than 30,000 cars have been sold in the country. The first composite plant for manufacturing Nano at Sanand in Gujarat is expected to be commissioned next month.

"The Tata Nano has undergone all the necessary validations before delivering to customers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; this includes more than 300 prototypes which together covered more than 2 million km of safe operation in all conditions," the company official said.

According to the spokesperson, "Each customer will be contacted personally for the check and we will be providing service free of cost, including additional protection, wherever required."

Executives see firms on hiring spree ReuteRs NEW DELHI, MAY 21

Corporate finance executives in India are willing to loosen the purse strings and hire more workers in 2010 on prospects of better economic growth, according to a recent survey.

The annual American Express/CFO survey of senior financial executives at large global companies said 85 percent of those polled in India are already adding or plan to add to their workforce.

"In general, respondents in India are more likely than their peers in other countries to say they expect their companies will begin hiring relatively soon -- by third quarter of 2010," the survey said.

The April survey of 479 senior executives across North America, Asia, Europe and Australia covered firms with revenues ranging from $500 million to $20 billion.

Nearly three-fourths of respondents in India, the world's second-fastest growing major economy, see firms raising capital expenditure this year with 89 percent also planning to sustain or increase business travel spending.

More than nine-tenths of the respondents from India expect a "sustained increase in demand for their companies' products and/or services" this year with 56 percent predicting a rise in demand in the middle two quarters of 2010.

Of those polled globally, 71 percent, the highest in the three years the survey was conducted, anticipate economic expansion for their countries, with India, Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore most optimistic about prospects for economic growth.

Two-thirds of those surveyed in India see regulatory barriers as a threat to their companies' expansion plans in the next 12 months, compared to 44 percent respondents from other regions.

India to see renewable energy revolution: Premji PtI BANGALORE, MAY 21

IT czar Azim Premji believes India is heading towards a "renewable energy revolution" -the kind witnessed in the mobile phone space.

Premji, chairman of New York Stock Exchange-listed, Bangalore-headquartered Wipro, argued that India today has a "very low, inadequate, semi-inefficient" installed base on the power generation front -- similar to telecom landline scenario prior to the cell phone revolution.

He said power capacity requirement in India is so huge that it would kick-start the renewable energy industry which

is enjoying "generous" Government incentives.

Drawing a parellel, Premji said the mobile phone revolution in India was triggered by lack of installed base in landline and the waiting period (to get connection) of two years.

Delivering an address on "Sustainability and Innovation" at the national executive committee meeting of FICCI here, Premji expressed dismay over climate change and strongly advocated checking "abuse of ecological balance".

"The most frightening thing is water management is not high on the priority of the Government", he said, and lamented lack of recycling of

...China to become innovation leader PtI BANGALORE, MAY 21

IT czar Azim Premji today praised the way China is being administered, and predicted that the future would witness low-cost innovations from the Communist country flowing into the global market in a big way.

"Don't underestimate China in terms of any opportunity that is coming up in the world," the chairman of the New York Stock Exchange-listed Wipro said while answering questions at an executive committee meeting of FICCI. "And China is probably the best administered country in the world today," added Premji, who earlier delivered an address on 'Sustainability and Innovation'.

Stating that China is doing some "incredible work" in the field of electric cars, Premji said that the country was "very innovative" with "fundamental R&D" in the solar energy space, and not just a "copycat".

He said that while China

does have the world's largest copycat industry worth almost USD 1 trillion, it has taken up work in areas such as software, automobile engineering and renewable energy as a national programme.

The world can expect China to increasingly cater to countries like India, Africa and even the United States, where customers are looking for highvalue products with cheap price tags, Premji said.

water.

Premji expressed anguish over degradation of water and said tap water is not potable.

Wells in villages are polluted with people falling sick. He said it's going to be a "national crisis" if the government does not take systematic measures on a war-footing to address the issue of water management.

While the government has "woken up" to increasing power generation following "political pressures" (from voters), "they have still not woken up adequately to the issue of water management", he said.

IRB Infra gets NHAI project ReuteRs MUMBAI, MAY 21

IRB Infrastructure Developers Ltd said on Friday that the company is the "selected bidder" for National Highways Authority of India's 114-km road project in Karnataka.

Financial details were not immediately available.

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GOA’S HEARTBEAT Art of Ventriloquism and Puppetry

Information Technology

Be what you are. This is the first step toward “becoming better than you are - Julius C Hare

“

This training centre will be one of it’s kind where people can learn about ventriloquism, different puppetry forms, intricacies of script writing, puppet making till the actual presentation of the show.

– Ramdas Padhye

“

Saturday, 22 May, 2010

“

Take your ego out of the equation, and the answer might appear right away. Try to avoid the (21 Mar – 19 Apr) temptation to over-criticize your friends or coworkers today -- cut them some slack! Sandwich any vital criticism in between healthy slabs of praise or positive sentiment.

Temptation has never been so enticing. Go ahead and indulge -- this once. Romance or friend(20 Apr – 20 May) ship are on your mind today. It's a really good time to make a good impression on someone new, but it might take some effort to seal the deal. Fortunately, you've got the energy for that.

A perfect solution exists.

It involves both of you learning to compromise.

Your good friends are up (23 Oct – 21 Nov) in arms over something, most likely, and while you may or may not care one way or the other, it's still a great time to show solidarity with them. After all, they do the same for you!

Sometimes making plans with friends is the fun part. Keep up the chitchat. Your to-do list (21 May – 21 Jun) could use a little love, so check it out and check things off of it. If it's all in your head, you should write it out, as organization is the key to getting things done today.

Lay in your supplies and make your preparations for your big plans. You are sure to lose some (22 Nov – 21 Dec) work today if you aren't extremely attentive to the details. It could be as simple as setting work to autosave, but more likely you need to make sure all your numbers add up.

Be aware of what's going on, especially if you're starting something new.

Try to get your friends to (22 Jun – 22 Jul) step up their efforts to take care of the small stuff -- the big picture should take care of itself, at least for today. If the numbers don't add up, though, there will be trouble.

Low key is the way to go. You can do so much if you keep your head down. You stumble on (22 Dec – 19 Jan) a secret this morning -probably nothing major -- and are almost compelled to follow up on it.

You may find yourself in some strange places, but it should all end well.

You've got a good friend.

In fact, you've got several. You're one lucky lion! Your head for fi(23 Jul – 22 Aug) nance is better than ever, and you should be able to calmly pore over pages of numbers and facts that didn't make sense to you just a few weeks ago. Make some big changes.

In order to be equals, you have to give someone a chance. Just do it. You need to watch out at work (20 Jan – 18 Feb) or in any financial transactions today -- people are looking out for themselves, and you need to do the same. It might not feel quite right, but when in Rome, do as the Romans do.

Minor glitches might lead to major mishaps unless you're careful. Be cautious. Few would accuse (23 Aug – 22 Sep) you of being disorganized, but that has never stopped you from improving your efforts to bring everything under control. Your amazing energy helps you make a real difference.

Don't count on someone to come through at the last minute. Do it yourself. You can't quite figure (19 Feb – 20 Mar) out who you need to deal with in order to get anything done today -- so maybe it's a good time to practice self-reliance! At least one person likes what they see when you start to go your own way.

Travel

Tourism

email us at: goasheartbeat@herald-goa.com

Parenting

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Says Mr Pandurang Dhawalikar, the GSHCL chairman.

The Goa State Horticultural Corporation Limited laid the foundation stone for its very own premises at ToncaCaranzalem last Friday. This changes the scenario for horticulture in Goa. Herald gets chatting with the chairman on the impact the centre would have for Goa’s farmers

c e s s fu ll y H a v in g s u c art of e h t d e s u ism and ventriloqu d if fe r e n t p u p p e tr y in h e r e b y t mediums, e art form reinventing th popular it and making masses, amongst hye is all Ramdas Pad i s o w n h set to open Mumbai institute in ll s o u t to to d a y. H e c a r to be part Indians all ove ique and of this un a r t fo r m . in te r e s ti n g Herald details

BY NOMRATHA FERNANDES HERALD FEATURES What is the biggest problem facing horticulture in the state?

The issue of land. Vast amounts of land in rural areas lie idle. A lot of this land belongs to ‘bhatkars’ who are not interested in cultivation. Renting it out to cultivators works to a certain extent but most consider it a burden and because of this have lost interest in cultivation. How can there be healthy cultivation when there are issues with the land?

R

You can create harmony anywhere you go. Go ahead and make beautiful music! Life is a little (23 Sep – 22 Oct) extra-crazy right now, but you can manage -- as long as you keep your head down when things are at their worst! Your good energy is still renewing itself, so hang on for one more day.

jagannath “ Aplo ath - Anonymous

Fashion

‘Now Farmers throughout Goa will have a Centre to bring their Problems to’

HERALD FEATURES amdas Padhye’s name is synonymous with ventriloquism and puppetry. For last 43 years, Ramdas Padhye has entertained generations through his unique wit and style. Be it films, television, short films, ad-films, stage shows and puppet plays, Ramdas has successfully used this art of ventriloquism and puppetry in different mediums, thereby reinventing the art form and making it popular amongst masses. His characters Ardhavatrao, Awadabai and the famous Bunny from the Lijjat Papad advertisement are still remembered by many people who have grown up watching them on TV. Now anyone can learn the intricacies of this art form at ICVP (Indian Centre for Ventriloquism and Puppetry).

Established under the auspices of Ramdas Padhye Foundation, Indian Centre for Ventriloquism and Puppetry is a training centre where people from all age groups can learn this art. And the USP of this training centre is that Ramdas Padhye and his wife Aparna will be personally teaching this art to all. Speaking more on this, Ramdas says “This training centre will be one of it’s kind where people can learn about ventriloquism, different puppetry forms, intricacies of script writing, puppet making till the actual presentation of the show.”

He adds, “Ventriloquism and Puppetry being an ensemble of different art forms, I plan to invite experts from different fields like theatre and music to teach my students. So it will be a complete training centre.”

There will only be 10 to 15 students per batch so that Ramdas and Aparna can give individual attention to each and every individual.

Ramdas informs, “ I want people to take this art seriously. Hence, batches will be conducted throughout the year. I will personally share 40 years of my experience with all. I will also show them the DVDs of some of the international ventriloquists and puppeteers so that they will know the extent to which this art is popular in western countries.”

Learning in this training centre would be a unique experience as Ramdas Padhye has specially designed this centre keeping the puppetry theme in mind.

This training centre is dedicated to Professor Y K Padhye who pioneered this art in India and from whom Ramdas learnt this art of ventriloquism and puppetry. Ramdas Padhye believes that his mission to propagate this art form will be fulfilled if students from ICVP become ventriloquists and puppeteers. He believes that the rare art of ventriloquism and puppetry will again be resurrected through ICVP. ICVP will probably be first such training centre in India which will impart training in this art.

­H­O­R­O­S­C­O­P­E

Entertainment

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Lifestyle

How can this be resolved?

This very land should fall into the hands of the government. It should be free to the cultivator.

How does the Corporation propose to improve the horticulture scene in the state?

Through its various schemes, through the introduction of a variety of hybrid techniques for more uncommon crops, through the formation of clubs for farmers, this is already happening. Here farmers are introduced to latest techniques in horticultures What changes with the setting up of this premise?

For the last twenty years we have had no centre.

With this office, we now have an official centre. All interactions regarding horticulture can be conducted from here. There will be a smooth flow of supplies to government institutions. Farmers throughout the state will have a centre to bring their problems to. Schemes will also be administered from here.

Since the young are hesitant towards horticulture what would you suggest to change that?

There is not enough education on horticulture in the state. That should be changed. By introducing horticulture to the young they will become more aware and see the potential in it.

Sizzling Intimate Scene only for English Version of ‘Kites’ T

On a parting note, what is the latest activity of the GSHCL? Right now, introducing the hybrid techniques for the cultivation of watermelon and green chillies in Goa! These are in great demand and the technique allows for them to grow within a shorter span of time.

he Hrithik Roshan- Barabara Mori starrer ‘Kites’ has hits the screens and creating sizzling ripples all over. There is a lot of talk about the sensuous and flirty scenes between the two actors, but the international version of the movie seems to have far bolder scenes than the ‘desi’ version.

The international one has a sizzling and intimate liplock between topless Barbara with Hrithik Roshan which is censored to the Indian audience. With Nandana Sen’s ‘Rang Rasiya’ already clearing off the censor with topless scenes, the question arises that do movie makers still doubt the maturity of Indian audience.

Payal Rohatgi, who is known for her ‘bold’ image says, “I think the Indian audience is not mature enough.

Men download images to gratif y themselves but movies are a different genre. Movies are meant for family watching and a raunchy promo will insure that family audiences don’t pull in. So movie makers are also vary,” Film critic Taran Adarsh says, “At the click of the button you can access information. Technology cannot be curtailed. Anything can be seen online even if you try to keep it away from film prints.”

As for the Mexican beauty, Barbara Mori who has mentioned numerous times that kissing onscreen is not a big deal for her, has also proved it with excellence.

Mori has done something so bold that the Indian actresses would dare to do ever. Rajesh Roshan seems to accept the fact that the scene would be difficult for the Indian audiences to digest and so only the international version of Kites will have the topless Barbara kissing bare-chested Hrithik that is censored for the Indian theatres.

As for Hrithik, it seems as he has moved over our ‘desi’ actresses after the Mexican Aphrodite came into his life through ‘Kites’. But what is startling is the fact that he not only considers her stunning, but he also vouches that she is the best actor he has worked with. So much for these stunning-looking actors and their sizzling chemistry!

No getting under the Knife for Megan M

egan Fox says that she believes that most women, who opt for plastic surgery, are suffering from insecurity issues.

The actress says young women should seek the advice from a therapist before going under the knife because the cosmetic procedure won't cure their insecurity.

The ‘Transformers’ star beauty is not against plastic surgery but feels that most women opt for it because they want a quick fix. “I would encourage anyone to first speak with a therapist, to try and figure out where this want comes from, because a lot of times it’s not related to your teeth or your nose or your chin; the surgery is not going to alleviate that insecurity for you,” said the 24-year-old star.

“If, then, you feel, this is something that I want to do, then do it. It’s amazing that we have the technology to do the stuff that we do,” said Fox, who has often featured in the most beautiful women list.

Interestingly, Megan herself has never admitted to having work done although many people have speculated about her facial features, most notably her nose and lips as well as her bosom. But, Megan’s fans consider her spectacularly beautiful even before; plastic surgery or not. They say, she looks hotter in candid photos with less makeup than when she does the red carpet.

Lifestyle

Relationships

Sports

Business

Health

Art

Culture

Environment

GOA’S HEARTBEAT Saturday, 22 May, 2010

WHAT’S UP IN GOA??

A workshop for tiatr script writers and lyricists will take place on June 7 from 10am onwards at the Tiatr Academy Conference Hall, Campal, Panaji. Registration closes on June 4, 2010. Call 2230738 or 2230739.

‘Paltadacho Munis’ or ‘The Man Beyond The Bridge’ is being screened till May 25 at 6pm and 8pm at the Maquinez Palace, Panjim. Call 2428111, 2428113 and 2428115.

An art exhibition by Ramesh Thorat and Sachin Naik will be open for public viewing at the Ruchika Art Gallery, Campal, Panjim till May 22.

Call 2464004-32 or 9850571283.

‘Mahila Melava’, a literary symposium, organised by Institute Menezes Braganza, Panjim will be held on May 22 at the Gomantak Maratha Samaj Hall, Panjim. The inauguration will be held at 10am. Call 2224143.

An art, craft and clay exhibition, organised by the Bal Bhavan, Miramar is being held till May 22 from 10am to 7:30pm at the Kala Academy, Panjim. Call 2420452.

An aptitude testing programme for the students of standard X, conducted by the Goa Education Development Cooperation will be held on May 22 at the Teachers Training College, Porvorim. Call 2411187 or 2411194.

A free dental check-up camp for children between the ages of 5 to 8 years will take place on May 23 at 10am at the Sneha Mandir Complex, Bandora, Ponda. It is being organised by the Sneha Mandir Bandora and the Indian Medical Association, Ponda.

‘Padmashree M Boyer Hanchea Kantarancho Ugddas’, a musical programme which will highlight mem-

kibitz

Meaning 1 : to chat; converse 2 : to look on and offer unwanted, meddlesome advice to others Example Sentence Philip hates it when his friends kibitz when he is trying to paint.

email us at: goasheartbeat@herald-goa.com

nadkarniassociates@gmail.com

Director: Anurag Basu Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Barbara Mori, Kangana Raut Rating: hrough Kaho na Pyar Hai Rajesh Roshan gave to Bollywood it’s dashing, macho looking best dancer actor, Hrithik Roshan .

And Hrithik performed with excellence proving that the amount of training given by his father Rakesh Roshan was worth gold.

Today, Hrithik is the heart throb of Bollywood with all the Khans put together.

Rakeshji has done it again! The first Bollywood crossover film into Hollywood Kites is a film worth a watch for the entire family; a treat to the eyes proving that all the hype about the film was well deserved.

Gambling with such a huge investment, Rakeshji has played his cards well and with a commitment to the Indian Film Industry. Anurag Basu as a director has done a splendid job with his production team by making a crisp and neat film. Once again Hrithik as an actor and dancer stands out and has carried the entire film single-handedly on his shoulder with very convincing support by none other than Barbara Mori.

Their chemistry together is a pleasure to watch on the big screen.

Shot on the rough and beautiful terrain of hot Mexico, the story revolves

SOUTH POLE

21:00 Chak Dhoom Dhoom

09:00 Dance India Dance L'il Masters 09:30 Jhansi Ki Rani 12:30 Dance India Dance L'il Masters 14:00 Pavitra Rishta 16:30 Hindi Feature Film 20:30 Keshav Pandit 21:30 Dance India Dance L'il Masters 23:30 Kahani Ab Tak

09:00 Chak Dhoom Dhoom 10:30 Maa Tujhe Pranam 12:30 Baghban 16:00 Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani 19:00 Mahavir Hanuman 20:00 Bhagya Vidhata

09:00 Laughter Dons 18:00 Masoom 21:30 Horror Nights 22:30 Rang Badalti Odhni 23:30 Laughter Ke Phatke

11:00 Csi 12:00 Drop Dead Diva : What If? 13:00 Top Che : The Last Supper 14:00 Wipeout Australia 15:00 So You Think You Can Dance : 16 Down to 14 16:00 Sports Crash 17:00 Top Chef : The Last Supper 18:00 Wipeout Australia 19:00 Chuck : Chuck Versus The Best Friend 20:00 Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde 22:00 Video Zonkers 22:30 Sony Style Tv Magazine 23:00 Fear Itself : Skin and Bones

09:00 V.I.P 10:00 The Bold and The Beautiful 12:00 Rendezvous With Simi Garewal : Shahrukh &

08:00 Dinotopia 09:00 Bardaasht 13:25 Jannat 15:00 D-War 20:00 Garv: Pride and Honour 23:50 D

09:30 Ladies Tailor 12:30 Badaltey Rishtey 16:00 Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaa 20:00 Zameer 23:00 Hidalgo

09:50 Punch-Drunk Love 11:50 Dead Man Running

14:10 Hellboy 14:35 Agent Red 18:30 Running Scared 21:00 Death at a Funeral 23:05 The Mothman Prophecies

09:00 Vaada Raha... I Promise 12:00 Meri Jung 16:00 Naya Jigar 20:00 Striker 22:40 Duplicate

08:00 Khosla Ka Ghosla 12:00 Viewers Choice 16:00 Pardes 20:00 All The Best

E N T E R TA I N M E N T Gauri Khan 12:30 Two and a Half Men 13:00 V.I.P 14:00 Desperate Housewives 15:00 Monk 17:00 V.I.P 18:00 90210 : Rats and Heroes 19:00 Castle : Little Girl Lost 20:00 Castle : A Death in the Family 21:00 American Idol 22:00 90210 : Girl Fight 23:00 V.I.P

08:30 TNA Sikander

Photos by Christina Viegas

MOVIE REVIEW

BY KESHAV NADKARNI

Kites

09:00 Beneath 10:45 10,000 BC 13:00 Iron Man 15:30 The Making of : Hairspray 16:00 Bats: Human Harvest 17:45 Hollywood One on One 18:15 Fool's Gold 20:30 TMZ 21:00 Iron Man 23:30 10,000 BC

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Your Chance to star in Upcoming Konkani Films

T

09:00 Aahat 10:00 C.I.D. Khatarnak Mujrim 13:00 Dil To Pagal Hai 17:00 Indian Idol 21:00 Comedy Circus Ke Superstars 22:00 C.I.D 23:00 Aahat

Parenting

T

Instructions for Sudoku SUDOKU SOL 558 9 x 9 letter: To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in each of the nine vertical columns, in each of the nine horizontal rows and in each of the nine boxes

09:30 FIR 10:30 Yeh Chanda Kanoon Hai 11:30 Gutar Gu 12:00 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta…

14:00 Bhabhi 17:30 Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo 19:30 Gutar Gu 20:00 Aayee Milan Ki Bela 23:30 Gutar Gu

Tourism

INGS

BY CHRISTINA VIEGAS HERALD FEATURES he hype and the buzz generated around the extravagant soiree of ‘I am She 2010 Miss Universe India Pageant’ preliminaries left most of the crowd a dejected lot on the final evening on May 20 where the 30 finalists strutted their stuff and were wished well for the upcoming grand finale on May 28, in Mumbai.

Suchitra Pillai compered for the evening. No one expected much from her.

But for an event of the profile of Ms Universe, it was disappointing to see the quality of the final 30 and it was even more shocking to see the panel of judges that comprised of insignificant people like Amrita Rao, Sandhya Mridul and Koena Mitra. Made many wonder on what grounds these non-existent entities were called to choose women who would represent India globally. As for the participants, the less said the better. In the past, the complaint was that we had beauties without brains. But here we had no beauty, no brains.

Okay, even if we hope for the far-fetched and imagine that they are really women of substance, all we got to see were immature women screeching and overtly hugging each. The superficiality reeked! There were sharp remarks from media guys, “The girls are all together from so many days. Even now, they are in a group. Yet, when one of them leaves and returns to the group, they are all screeching in excitement and hugging each other constantly. Why such superficiality? Who are they trying to fool?” Another quipped, “They are desperately trying to prove the non existent.”

Everyone who came up to deliver their speeches from host Suchitra Pillai to Sandhya Mridul to Amrita Rao to Koena Mitra strongly stated that Sushmita Sen was the one woman they admired in the whole world. Ironically, all of them had the same role model who happened to be the national director of the pageant.

The saving grace of the evening was Sushmita Sen who was her well cultivated charming self with answers such as, “Yes, I definitely like to have kids of my own. My biological clock is ticking, believe me.” When queried whether that meant marriage was on the cards, she wittily retorted, “I said my biological clock was ticking but I said nothing about marriage darling.”

And then charmingly she added, “Yes, I am like any other girl who always dreamed of that prince charming or night-in-shining-armour. I too want it.”

But statements like, “The 30 participants are my children, and I love them,” was too hard to digest.

The event promised to bring in the ‘who’s who’ of Goa. We always thought that meant Wendell Rodricks, Remo Fernandes, Mario Miranda, Mario Couto Aurora, Tomazinho Cardozo, and so on. Instead, media persons went around inquiring, Who?...who?...who?”

Though, the venue partner, Alila Diwa, Goa deserved some praise. The hospitality was excellent! As for the pageant, the superficiality reeked like in any other beauty pageant. Wonder when we will have pageants where women will truly be themselves and will have the courage to sincerely feel and say that a lady farmer or a lady constable or a lady conductor or self employed women are their role models.

DAILY GROOK SHAM GLAM

by Francis Rodrigues they sing and gambol the moody irish folk, for like their symbol 'tis just a shamrock!

08:40 All The Boys Love Mandy Lane 10:25 My Cousin Vinny 12:45 My Mom's New Boyfriend 14:45 Home Alone 16:50 The Proposal 19:00 Snake Eyes 21:00 Twilight 23:25 The Pink Panther 2

Travel

Photo by Andrew Pegado

GARFIELD

09:00 Sasural Genda Phool 10:30 Saath Nibhana Saathiya 13:00 Behenein 15:30 Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya 18:00 Sasural Genda Phool 21:00 Zara Nachke Dikha 23:00 Sasural Genda Phool

Fashion

P

“I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw that my bath toys were a toaster and a radio.”

– Joan Rivers

Function Verb

EN

PEN T HAP

Entertainment

HERALD FEATURES ereira Production’s producer Neville Pereira, producer of Konkani movie ‘Nisha’ which bagged the best audio album award (for songs from the movie Nisha) for Tiatr Academy Goa Konkani Song and Music Awards 2009, along with D’Costa Film’s producer Arnold D’Costa, producer of Konkani movies, ‘Kantt e a n t l e m Fu l l ’ a n d ‘ V i z m i t ’ a re o rg a n i s i n g auditions/screen tests for their new Konkani movies.

Required male/female singers, heroine/actresses and female dancers.

Those interested can come directly to the venue or contact Neville Pereira on 9822143281 or Arnold D’ Costa on 9822160939. The auditions will be held on Sunday May 23, 2010 at the Conference Hall of Tiatr Academy Goa, Panjim from 10 am to 6 pm.

Funny Quote

Pronunciation KIB-itz

CURR

Information Technology

Lacklustre Evening at Soiree of ‘I am She 2010’ Preliminaries

LAFFS

WORD OF THE DAY

SUDOKU 559

orable songs sung by the late M Boyer will take place on May 23 at the Ravindra Bhavan, Sanvordem.

It is organised by Konkani singer Andrew D’ Souza and the Tiatr Academy of Goa. ‘Fun Ride to Coco Beach’, a cycle rally will commence on May 23 at 7pm from Panjim. Call 9822166165.

A 6-month training programme for preschool teachers will be held every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from June to December 2010. Registration closes on May 27. E-mail reachus@sethu.in. Call 6513749.

‘Unbearable Lightness of Being’ and ‘Barry Lyndon’ will be screened on May 23 and 26 respectively at the Kerkar Art Complex, Calangute.

Call 9823030125, 9763104694 or 2268604.

Cutie Calendar Babies contest is open for entries. Registration closes on June 30. Call 9371703773.

‘Urinary and Renal Diseases’ a medical camp, organised by the Gomantak Ayurveda College and Research Centre, Shiroda will take place on May 22 from 10am to 2pm.

Call 2306309, 2306827 and 2307395.

‘Damselflies and Dragonflies’, a talk by Parag Ragnekar will be held on May 23 from 5:30pm to 7pm at Earthworm Eco Store, Porvorim. Email earthwormgoa@gmail.com. Call 2410871.

The Pageturners: Children’s Book Club will be launched on May 22 at the International Centre Goa, Dona Paula. A two-day workshop for children, on Roald Dahl will take place on May 22 and 23. It is organised by the International Centre Goa, Dona Paula. Call 2452805, 2452808, 2452809 or 2452810.

Education

09:30 Supa Strikas 10:00 Open De Nice Cote D'azur : Semi Final 1 11:30 Open De Nice Cote D'azur : Semi Final 2 13:00 V8 Supercars Championship Series 2010 15:00 Mobil 1 The Grid 15:30 Roland Garros H/ls 17:30 Open De Nice Cote D'azur : Final 19:30 Roland Garros 2009 Daily H/ls : Event 20:30 Roland Garros 2010 21:00 Best of Roland Garros 2009 H/ls : Mens Doubles Final: Dlouhy/Paes vs.

Moodie/Norman

22:00 Best of Roland Garros 2009 H/ls : Ladies Singles Final: Dinara Safina vs.

Svetlana Kuznetsova 23:00 Best of Roland Garros 2009 H/ls : Mens Singles Final: Roger Federer vs.

Robin Soderling

12:30 Football Asia 13:00 The Contenders : Netherlands 13:30 The Contenders : France 14:00 Hitz 14:30 Global Football 14:58 Sportscenter Weekend

15:00 Simply the Best 15:30 World Sport 2010 16:00 Sportscenter Week In Review 16:30 Goals of the Season 17:30 Review of the Season 18:30 Sportscenter Weekend 18:32 Football Asia 19:02 The Contenders : Netherlands 19:32 The Contenders : France 20:02 Sk Telecom Open H/ls 21:00 Hitz 09/10 21:30 Goals of the Season 22:30 Simply the Best 23:00 FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 South Africa

09:00 Moto GP H/ls : Gran Primo bwin-De Espana: Jerez 10:00 UEFA Champions League 2009/10 : Semi Final 2nd Leg: Lyon vs. Bayern Munich 12:00 UEFA Champions League 2009/10 : Semi Final 2nd Leg: Barcelona vs. Inter Milan 14:00 UEFA Champions League H/ls : Semi Final: 1st Leg 15:00 UEFA Champions League Magazine Show 15:30 WWE: Super Star 16:25 Moto GP 2010 Qualifying : Monster Energy Grand Prix De France: Le Mans 19:00 2010 South Africa Tour to West Indies H/ls : 1st ODI 22:30 UEFA Champions League 2009/10 : Final: Bayern Munich vs. Inter Milan

09:00 Nat Geo Specials : Afghan Star 10:00 World's Deadliest Animals : Africa 11:00 Most Amazing Moments : Closest Encounters 12:00 Nat Geo Women's Hour : Fashion Memoir 12:30 Nat Geo Women's Hour :

Fashion Memoir 13:00 Nat Geo Weekends : Mega Factories - Lamborghini 14:00 Nat Geo Specials : Afghan Star 15:00 Monkey Thieves : Beggar's Banquet 16:00 HDFC STD Life Spell Bee 2010 - Semi Finals 17:00 Apollo Flight of the Hawkz 18:30 Monkey Thieves : Cops and Robbers 19:00 Engineering Connections : Hms Illustrious 20:00 Nat Geo Weekends : Mega Factories - Rolls Royce 21:00 Focussed Frame : Wildlife Photographers 22:00 Nat Geo Explorer : Into The Lost Jungle 23:00 Apollo Flight of the Hawkz

07:00 Kids Club 07:30 Flavors 08:00 English News 09:00 Konkani News 10:00 Marathi News 11:00 Konkani Palkachim Noketram 11:30 HCN Smash Hitz 12:00 Goa A Wonderful Destination 12:30 Flavors 13:00 English News 14:00 Konkani Movie 15:30 Sangeet 16:00 Goa A Wonderful Destination 16:30 Flavors 17:00 Kids Club 17:30 Konkani Palkachim Noketram 18:00 Konkani News 19:00 Marathi News 20:00 English News 21:00 Konkani Songs 21:30 Talking Talkies 22:00 English News 23:00 Disha 00:00 Konkani Songs 00:30 Flavors 01:00 Art of living 01:30 Bhajan Note: Subject to change

around J ( Hrithik Roshan ) and Natasha ( Barbara Mori ) and their efforts to seduce the wealthy siblings ( Kangana and Nicholas Brown ) on individual levels and the appearance of their father ( Kabir Bedi ) as a villain and then the film going into a swirl of events which bring the two beautiful people ( J and Natasha ) together in a hot and torrid love knot, is what the film is about.

Though it is the same old love story, the crisp and torrid manner in which it has been presented, takes the cake. Cameraman Anayanka Bose, and editors Akiv Ali and Brett Ratner deserves an applause for their excellent work.

Director Anurag Basu along with his entire production team has taken Bollywood several steps closer to Hollywood and has to be congratulated for his valiant efforts.

So folks, finally the long awaited Kites has flown into the theatre skies with its beautiful colours and style of flying, now it is your turn to book your seats in advance to avoid last minute rush . Have a ‘Kiteful’ weekend till we meet again.

(Movie showing at Cine Samrat and Cine Ashok)

HERALD CROSSWORD - 559 Across 1- Nay sayers; 6- Coagulate; 10- Turkish honorific; 14Sierra ___; 15- Ornamental fabric; 16- Close with force; 17- Analyze a sentence; 18Fashion mag; 19- Cong. meeting; 20- Corpulent; 21Footfall; 23- Chop off; 25Friend of Fidel; 26- Monetary unit of Thailand; 29- Chess piece; 32- Harvests; 37- Hydrocarbon suffix; 38- Wanting; 39- Small tool for boring holes; 40- Obvious; 43- Condescending; 44- Like some history; 45- Go quickly; 46Aquatic mammal; 47- Actor Omar; 48- Friends; 49Metal-bearing mineral; 51Garden tool; 53- Announces formally; 58- Beg; 62- Joe; 63- Ill temper; 64- Delight; 65- Up and ___!; 66- Ale, e.g.; 67- Bird homes; 68- Decline; 69- Dies ___; 70Meat; Down 1- Mountain range in central Europe; 2- Tidy, without fault; 3Bull; 4- Affront; 5- Handle; 6Musical staff sign; 7- Composer Schifrin; 8- "Hundred," to nonmilitary types; 9- Molars, e.g.; 10- Kind of prof.; 11- Elation; 12Clasp for a door; 13- Early hrs.; 22- Story in installments; 24Agent; 26- Ezio Pinza, for one; 27- Concerning; 28- Serf; 30Alley ___; 31- Lowermost deck; 33- CPR specialist; 34- Hawai-

ian greeting; 35- Danger; SOLUTION - 558 36- Eye sores; 38- Gasoline; 39- Grind together; 41Adversary; 42- Dadaist Jean; 47- More spine-tingling; 48- Air rifle projectile; 50- Jewish scholar; 52Goes into business; 53Group of individual facts; 54- Level; 55- Approached; 56- Zeno's home; 57Shrivelled, without moisture; 59- Alleviate; 60- ___ boy!; 61- Writing table; 62Tooth-bearing bone;

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GOA, Saturday, 22 May, 2010

Cuncolim Union in quarters

HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, MAY 21

Cuncolim Union scored a fluent 3-0 win over Saligao United to

enter the quarter-finals of Atlanta Georgia Cup inter-village football tournament organised

by Enfermos Sports Club at

Rosary ground, Navelim on Friday. Cuncolim led 2-0 at half

time. Cuncolim made their intentions clear right from the word go and enjoyed total domination in both halves.

Cuncolim surged ahead in the 10th minute when Eknath Naik bulged the net after receiving a pass from Daulat Dessai.

Daulat doubled the lead for Cuncolim in the 21st minute when he unleashed a powerful shot which beat the rival goalkeeper hands down.

Cuncolim continued in the same vein after change of ends and consolidated further in the 45th minute when Shelford Pereira placed the ball into the far corner of the net.

Coca Cola finals today HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, MAY 21

Sirlim Football Club will meet Sai Avtar Sport Club in the first semi-finals while CDJ Ribander will lock horns with Young Strikers, Benaulim in U-16 Coca Cola Celebration Cup at Rosar y ground, Navelim, at 5 p.m. The finals will be played at 7.45 p.m.

In all, 48 village football clubs participated in the 7-a-side tournament. CDJ Ribandar were the first to qualify from Santa Cruz group, while Young Strikers qualified at Vasco, Sai Avtar were successful in Candolim and Sirlim FC from Navelim.

This is the first time that GFA have organised an inter-village tournament for a specific age group on a large scale. Coca Cola started the initiative to promote sport and healthy living among the younger generation.

ONGC down Sesa, enter I-League HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, MAY 21

Two first half goals from Badmus Babatunde and former India international Tarif Ahmed paved the way for ONGC’S maiden ILeague berth after they successfully overcame Sesa challenge 2-0 in a sixth round match at KSFA stadium, Bangalore on Friday.

ONGC thus became the first team to qualify for the next edition of the I-League after registering a fluent victory. They have

16 points from six matches, while HAL and Vasco will vie for the second spot in the seventh and final round.

Vasco will have to win their match against Mohammedan Sporting, while HAL just need a point against Sesa Football Academy.

ONGC continued their undefeated streak and started the match in spectacular fashion, when their Nigerian striker Babatunde picked A. Naresh pass to slot home the opener in the 4th minute.

On the other hand, Inacio Co-

laco right footer went over the woodwork as Sesa came close to level the terms five minutes later.

ONGC then, doubled their lead in the 18th minute after Tarif Ahmed dodged past two Sesa defenders to send his right footer to the right of custodian Jason D’Mello.

Mohammedan Sporting’s disaster performances led them to crash out of the qualifying race after they held Malabar United to a 1-1 draw.

Nerul in Novino Cup finals HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, MAY 21

United Club of Nerul defeated Candolim Sports Club 2-0 to enter the finals of Novino Lakhanpal Gold Cup inter-village football tournament at Dr. Gustavo Monteiro stadium on Friday. Nerul led 1-0 at half time.

The teams began the match on a promising note but it was Nerul who took an early lead in

Sodiem enter last four

nerul cup HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, MAY 21

Sodiem Siolim Sports Club trounced Anjuna Gymkhana 30 to enter the semi-finals of 17th Nerul Panchayat Cup inter-village football tournament organised by Nerul Sports Club at Nerul ground on Friday.

Sodiem forged ahead in the 30th minute through Mukund Shirodker off a Presticio Fernandes corner. In the 40th minute, Sodiem’s Dylan Noronha found the net off a Rakesh Vaigankar corner.

Down by two goals, Anjuna attacked the Sodiem citadel but a good try by Saprem Diukar hit the crossbar and went out of play. Raghu Shirodker rounded off the tally for Sodiem off a Rakesh cross.

the 5th minute through Michael Monteiro who headed home an Alex corner. Siden Monteiro could have doubled the lead for Nerul but Candolim goalkeeper David Rebello brought out a brilliant save. Wenseslav Rebello could have levelled the score for Candolim but the ever agile Nerul custodian Hensen D'Sa was equal to his task, saving a bicycle kick off Wenseslav.

Ambelim in semis

cuncolim union trophy

BY HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO MAY 21

Ambelim Sports Club edged out Betalbatim Sporting Club 6-5 via the tie-breaker to enter the semi-finals of 2nd All-Goa Cuncolim Union Trophy inter-village football tournament organised

by Cuncolim Union at school ground, Cuncolim on Saturday.

The teams were level 2-2 at the end of the regulation period.

Betalbatim took the lead in the 18th minute when Joseph Fernandes neatly found the net after receiving a pass from Joe Rodrigues. In the 24th minute, Betalbatim’s Joe Rodrigues doubled the lead when he unleashed a stiff grounder which beat the rival goalkeeper.

Crossing over, Ambelim kept themselves in the hunt for goals and finally reduced the margin when

Milagres advance HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, MAY 21

Milagres Sports Club registered a 4-3 tie-breaker win over St. Savio Sports Club Calangute to enter the quarter-finals of Sai Avtar Super Soccer Cup, organised by Anjuna Gymkhana at An-

Changing over, Candolim kept mounting pressure on Nerul defence but Roy Das missed the mark narrowly in the 35th minute. Candolim could have been on level terms with Nerul but a Joelit try hit the goalpost and rebounded into play. With time running out for Candolim, Nerul doubled the lead through Xavier Clemente off a defensive lapse.

juna ground, on Friday. There was no score at the end of the regulation period.

In the ensuing tie-breaker Agnel, Arvind, Anup, Ires, scored for Milagres, while Sarvanand, Francis, Rajkumar were on target for Calangute.

Maxwin Fernandes punished the rival goalkeeper with a snap shot.

With time running out, Donald struck the equalizer for Ambelim.

In the ensuing tie-breaker, Benny Silva, Clydon Silva, Tiburcio Fernandes and Romeo Fernandes scored for Ambelim while Desmond Fernandes, Jose Fernandes and Luis Rogtao converted for Betalbatim.

In the semi-finals, Ambelim will meet Don Bosco Oratory, Fatorda on May 26.

DBO edge past Areal eslinda alemao soccer HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, MAY 21

Don Bosco Oratory Fatorda registered a 1-0 win over Sao Jose de Areal to enter the quarter-finals of Eslinda Alemao Memorial Mandopa Football Tournament organised by Mandopa Sporting Club at Mandopa ground, on Friday.

The all-important goal was scored by Vincent Barbosa in the 20th minute.

Dilip elected Odxel chief HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, MAY 21

Dilip Diukar was reelected for the second consecutive time as president of Odxel Sports Club, Taleigao.

Other committee members:SureshShirodkar (vice-president), Anil Shirodkar (secretary), Deepak Diukar (joint secretary), Gurudas Shirodkar (treasurer), Ajit Shirodkar (joint-treasurer).

Ashok Kumar Agarwal, secretary, Yoga Federation of India and the resource person for yoga refresher course for referees being felicitated

by Subash Naik, president, Yoga Association of Goa in the presence of Indu Agarwal, chairman technical committee, Nagesh Chakasali, technical committee member and Navin Acharya, assistant secretary, SAG.

GOA DIARY 5-a-side soccer at Navelim

MARGAO (HC) – The All-Goa 5-a-side floodlit football tournament organised by Dialgona Sports Club of Navelim will be held on May 22 and 23 at Dilagona ground, Navelim, at 8 pm.

The winners and runners-up will receive Rs 5000 and Rs 3000 respectively. Spots entries will be accepted.

5-a-side soccer at Anjuna

PANJIM (HSD) – The All-Goa 5-a-side football tournament organised by Diesel Boys Anjuna will be held on May 22 and 23 at Tembi ground, Anjuna. The winners and runners-up will receive Rs 8,000 and Rs 5,000 respectively, besides other prizes.

Details may be obtained on 9657040688 or 8007531386

V’ball tourney at Odxel

PANJIM (HSD) – The 34th All-Goa volleyball tournament organised by Odxel Sports Club, Taleigao will be held from June 3 to 6 at Odxel, Taleigao. Details may be obtained from Dilip Diukar or Anil Shirodkar.

Kayaking expeditions

PANJIM (HSD) – Goa Kayaking will conduct its special river expeditions on May 23 at River Mandovi - Old Goa to Panjim bridgehead at 7 a.m. and river Zuari - Cortalim bridgehead to Sao Jacinto Island at 7 a.m. Details may be obtained from Goa Kayaking on 9422056037 or 2541715.

Cycling to Coco beach

PANJIM (HSD) - The Goa Cycle Club will organise a fun cycle ride to Coco beach on May 23 at 7 a.m. from ferry point, opposite Kantak petrol pump, Panjim. The event is open to all above 15 years. Details may be obtained from Joseph on 9822166165.

Soccer at Raia

PANJIM (HSD) - Raia Centre Boys of Bacbhatt and Gandhi Boys will organise their 6th Marshall Dias memorial soccer tournament on May 23 at Bacbhatt ground, Raia. The winners and runners-up will receive Rs. 5,000 and Rs. 4,000 respectively, besides other prizes. Participants from Bacbhatt, Gandhi road, Zorim, Uddo are eligible. Details may be obtained from Derick on 9822179234 or Glen Dias on 2776271.

Coca-Cola Celebration Cup semis: Sirlim FC v. Sai Avtar SC, 5 p.m; CDJ Ribandar v.

Young Strikers, Benaulim, Rosary ground, Navelim, 6 p.m. Finals, 7.45 p.m.

Cuncolim Union Trophy soccer semis: Union of Chinchinim Villagers v. Sao Miguel de Taleigao Sports Club, school ground, Cuncolim, 4.30 p.m.

Santa Cruz Youth Cup soccer quarters: Santa Cruz Youth v Bambolim Youth, Santa Cruz ground, 4.15 p.m.

Eslinda Alemao memorial soccer: DBO, Fatorda, v. SC Davorlim, 3.45 p.m; UC Benaulim v. Dramapur SC, Mandopa ground, 4.45 p.m.

Diago Vaz memorial veterans soccer: Ponda Veterans v. Customs Excise Veterans, Don Bosco ground, Panjim, 4.45 p.m.

Arpora-Nagoa Village Panchayat Cup soccer finals: Sangolda Lightning v. Sai Avtar, Anjuna, Salt Lake ground, Arpora, 4.30 p.m.

St. Anthony soccer: SCM Goa Velha v. Bom Jesus, Agasaim, Firguembhat ground, Goa Velha, 5 p.m.

Shooting Star soccer: Curtorim Gymkhana v. St. Ant h o n y, C o l v a , A m b e l i m ground, 4.30 p.m.

All-Goa 5-a-side floodlit soccer, Dialgona ground, Navelim 8 p.m.

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GOA, Saturday, 22 May, 2010

Mourinho looks to put one over old master Architect Xavi is key to Spain’s chances

REUTERS MADRID, MAY 21

Diego Maradona was asked in November which Spain player he would like to have in his Argentina side. ''Xavi,'' the 1986 World Cup winner shot back. ''Every time I see him play I am fulfilled.''

The 30-year-old Xavi is known as ''the master architect'' in his native country and was setting the standard for creative midfielders even before he led Spain to glory at Euro 2008.

Not many current players can match his composure on the ball or his slide-rule distribution and Barcelona's unprecedented haul of six trophies in 2009 would have been unthinkable without Xavi pulling the strings.

It was his weighted pass that sent Fernando Torres clear to score Spain's winning goal against Germany

in the Euro 2008 final and his floated cross that set up Lionel Messi to nod in Barca's second in the 2009 Champions League final. ''The successful playing style of Spain and Barcelona have a lot in common but the most important is the excellence both sides show in the construction of attacks,'' Spanish soccer magazine Don Balon wrote in January. ''And that is where Xavi shines. Football is a team game but the orchestra sounds a great deal better when a talented conductor is holding the baton.''

Born in the town of Terrassa near the Catalan capital, Xavi joined Barca's youth ranks at the age of 11 and broke into the first team in the 1999-2000 season after an injury to Pep Guardiola.

He already had one Spanish title winners' medal and has gone on to win another four, and feature in two Champions League finals. He was voted best player at Euro 2008 and came third in the 2009 FIFA World Player of the Year awards. ''Quick touches, slipping your marker, triangular interplays, one-twos, depth, pauses, rhythm, touch and go, I help you, I look for you, I stop, I look up, and above all I open up the pitch,'' is how he describes his trade.

REUTERS MADRID, MAY 21

Far more unites Bayern Munich manager Louis Van Gaal and his Inter Milan counterpart Jose Mourinho than their mutual desire to win the Champions League final on Saturday.

The 58-year-old Dutchman and 47-year-old Portuguese share a friendship dating back to when Mourinho was Van Gaal's assistant at Barcelona in the late 1990s, and Van Gaal still regards his young protege as a soulmate.

Whatever the outcome on Saturday, their friendship will remain intact, even though Mourinho would love nothing more than to put one over on his old Dutch master.

Van Gaal, speaking to re-

porters in the build-up to the final, said: ''Jose is my friend. He was a scout and interpreter at Barcelona and I made him my assistant.” ''In some things we are soulmates. We send each other text messages often. I'm looking forward to seeing him in Madrid.

I'd like us to give a joint press conference to show everyone how well we get along. Of course I know he wants to beat me on Saturday, but I want to beat him just as much.''

Mourinho init i a l l y w o r ke d under Bobby Robson at Barca as translator and assistant before Van Gaal gave him greater responsibilities.

A decade on from leaving Barca in 2000, he retains his admiration for the no-nonsense Dutchman, who has overcome a tough start in his first season in Germany to lead them to the League and Cup double this season.

''Bayern have a great team with a lot of quality. They have a great tradition in the Champions League and a great coach,'' Mourinho said. ''I learned a lot from Bobby Robson and a great deal from Louis Van Gaal as well. Nothing was left to chance, everything was programmed in great detail.''

Both men approach the game with a rare chance of joining exclusive company because one of them will become only the third coach since the competition began in 195556 to win the trophy with two different clubs.

Va n Gaal guided Ajax Amsterdam to victory over AC Milan in 1995, while Mourinho took Porto to the pinnacle of the European game with their 3-0 victory over Monaco.

Only Ernst Happel (Feyenoord 1970 and SV Hamburg 1983) and

Dilshan to captain for Zimbabwe tour REUTERS COLOMBO, MAY 21

Sri Lanka have named Tillkaratne Dilshan as captain after deciding to rest several senior players for their tri-series in Zimbabwe in June.

Normal captain Kumar Sangakkara, vice-captain Muttiah Muralitharan, former captain Mahela Jayawardene and fast bowler Lasith Malinga were all

Afridi for quick resolution

L AHORE: Maverick allrounder Shahid Afridi wants the investigations into match-fixing allegations surrounding Pakistan cricket to be wrapped up as soon as possible so that the national team can focus on the 2011 World Cup. ''The thing is that there is too much uncertainty because of all those allegations regarding match-fixing.”

rested for the three-nation tournament.

All-rounder Angelo Mathews, 22, has been appointed as Dilshan's deputy as Sri Lanka seek to trial young players ahead of the 2011 World Cup. India will also take part in the tri-series.

Squad: Tillakaratne Dilshan

(Capt), Angelo Mathews (ViceCaptain), Upul Tharanga, Thilan Samaraweera, Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Chamara Kapugedera, Suraj Randiv, Nuwan Kulasekara, Thilan Thushara, Ajantha Mendis, Jeewan Mendis, Dilhara Fernando, Chamara Silva, Thisera Perera.

Ottmar Hitzfeld (Borussia Dortmund 1997 and Bayern Munich 2001) have achieved the feat.

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ONGC down Sesa, enter I-League Pg. 16

GOA, SATURDAY, 22 MAY, 2010 www.oherald.in

GFA to adopt new Constitution in July n We are fully aware that in order to avail of benefits under AFC Vision Asia programme, we have to comply with certain requirements which include getting the Constitution on par with that of FIFA, AFC and AIFF. Besides, we have a strong State League, a well defined Youth Programme, several educational programmes and the grassroots. Most importantly we have the Government support.

-- Savio Messias, GFA secretary

BY JOVITO LOPES PANJIM, MAY 21

“Having already responded to Asian Football Confederation’s requirements, the Goa Football Association (GFA) will amend its Constitution to be in line with FIFA, AFC and AIFF in coming July,” stated Savio Messias, secretary.

“The GFA has already submitted the draft of the proposed new Constitution to AFC, which then offered its comments,” disclosed Savio, who pointed out that the members wanted further clarifications which are being sought from AFC. “The committee to draft the new Constitution has already held several meetings, most of which have been held on Sundays and other holidays. The final draft is ready although, we are still waiting for some details

from AFC for quite some time now,” explained Savio.

“We are fully aware that in order to avail of benefits under AFC Vision Asia programme, we have to comply with certain requirements which include getting the Constitution on par with that of FIFA, AFC and AIFF. Besides, we have a strong State League, a well defined Youth Programme, several educational programmes and the grassroots.

Most importantly we have the Government support,” elaborated Savio, whose commitment for Goan football administration is to be admired, much more so when he is working for free, totally in a honorary capacity, giving not only his time and energy, but even contributing with other resources.

“A special general body meeting will be called in July to adopt

the new Constitution. It is proposed to have one president who will have full powers like AIFF President Praful Patel, two vice-presidents (North and South Goa Districts), seven members each from North Goa and South Goa. The post of general secretary will be full-time, paid like general secretary Alberto Colaco, who will have wide powers and will be responsible to run the administration,” disclosed Savio.

“I know Tamil Nadu and Delhi faced problems and it is unfortunate that the AFC programmes had to be dropped. In the case of GFA, the AFC is keen to enhance the association’s existing organisation and programmes and we must fall in line with the AFC’s Vision Asia programme,” reasoned out Savio, who added that the AFC was seized of the matter on priority basis.

Pak’s Oz tour under ICC probe UNI LONDON, MAY 21

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has launched a probe into Pakistan's tour Down Under earlier this year over possible match-fixing.

ICC's outgoing anti-corruption chief Paul Condon said the Pakistan team may have deliberately lost the Sydney Test and Australia's dramatic win is a subject of ''live investigation''.

Earlier this week, a leaked video footage of the then Pakistan

coach Intikhab Alam and tour manager Aaqib Javed had suggested that match-fixing could be the reason for the team's poor performance during the tour.

While Cricket Australia (CA) has made it clear that its officials are not involved in any investigation, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt issued a statement, asserting that there was no foul play. ''The Australian tour chapter is now closed and we have finished our (internal) inquiry. We

have found no evidence of any match-fixing during the tour,'' he said.

Pakistan lost all three Tests, five ODIs and a T20 international during their Australia tour, and Condon said the rift within the team could also be a major reason for the debacle. ''It is a match and series that worried us, we spent a lot of time talking to the players and PCB. The challenge is finding where is the solid fact,'' Condon told mediapersons.

Somdev qualifies for French Open UNI PARIS, MAY 21

India's Somdev Devvarman made his way to the main draw of the French Open for the first time, after overcoming local lad Adrian Mannarino in straight sets 6-4, 6-1 in the final round of qualifiers here today.

Somdev, who had appeared in the US Open last August where he reached the second round before losing to 24th seed Philipp Kohlschreiber, has thus entered the main draw of a Grand Slam for the second time.

Rohan Bopanna and Aisamul-Haq Qureshi reached their third Tour level final of the season after clinching a three-set thriller against Leos Friedl of Italy and Serbian Dusan Vemic in Nice, France.

The Indo-Pak pair scored a hard earned 7-6 (5), 3-6, 10-8 win in the semifinals of the euro 398,250 clay court event.

They will next meet winners of the other semifinal between the pairs of Andreas Seppi/ Potito Starace and Marcelo Melo/Bruno.

SA pip Windies REUTERS NORTH SOUND, Antigua, MAY 21

South Africa beat West Indies by one run to win their twomatch Twenty20 series 2-0 today after an exciting final over.

South Africa could only make 120 for seven on a tricky track at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium with 20-year-old debutant David Miller making 33 from 26 balls and Johan Botha 23 from 22 as they recovered from 59 for five.

Jerome Taylor did the damage for West Indies with a spell of three for 14 from his four overs including the wickets of skipper Graeme Smith (15) and fellow opener Loots Bosman.

The home side suffered an early setback when their skipper Chris Gayle was trapped leg before by Dale Steyn without scoring.

Opener Andre Fletcher went for four before Dwayne Bravo and Shivnarine Chanderpaul put on 68 but at less than six runs per over.

However a late run-flurry put West Indies in with a chance, largely thanks to smart batting from Darren Sammy.

With 15 needed off the last over, bowled by Ryan McLaren, Sammy scrambled a two, edged a four and then ran four, with two

Afridi, Razzaq to retire from Tests UNI LAHORE, MAY 21

Senior all-rounders Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq are planning to announce their retirement from Test cricket next week in a bid to focus on next year's World Cup. The duo have not played Test cricket for Pakistan since 2006 and they are now convinced that it's time to retire from the longest format of the game. ''There is so much cricket this year and it would be best for me if I keep my focus on one-day cricket,'' Afridi told 'The News'. ''The World Cup is just about nine months away and I want to be in top form for the event.''

However, the Twenty20 skipper made it clear that he is yet to take a final decision on it.

Mourinho looks to put one over old master Pg. 17

''I'm still weighing my options,'' he said.

Both Afridi and Razzaq are expected to announce their decision after meeting with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ijaz Butt here next week.

overthrows, as South Africa appeared to lose their composure.

The South African tour of the Caribbean continues on Saturday with the first of five one-day internationals.

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