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Sports: Afridi vows Cup for Pakistan Pg 16 Better be despised for too anxious apprehensions, than ruined by too confident security.

—Edmund Burke

IN BRIEF

World: 65 killed in New Zealand quake, hundreds trapped Pg 11

(air surcharge Rs 2.00) pages 16+4

Goa’s Heartbeat: I shouldn’t have acted in 3 Idiots — Aamir Pg 4

Cops ‘escort’ jailbird to ice cream parlour

Talks with rebels: 12 Maoists freed 12 Maoists including hardcore rebel leader Sriramalu Srinivasalu were today released on bail as talks for safe return of abducted Malkangiri district collector and an engineer appeared to reach a decisive stage after another top Naxal Ganti Prasadam joined the negotiation process. — (PTI).

Pirates kill 4 US hostages Four Americans taken hostage

by Somali pirates off East Africa were shot and killed by their captors today, the US military said, marking the first time US citizens have been killed in a wave of pirate attacks plaguing the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. US naval forces, who were trailing the Americans’ captured yacht with four warships, quickly boarded the vessel after hearing the gunfire and tried to provide lifesaving care to the Americans, but they died of their wounds. — (PTI)

3 killed in police firing A cop was suspended and 25 arrested after an irate mob set a police station on fire in Bihar’s Kaimur district even as police opened fire on the protesters injuring three of them, official sources said. During their stir against the yesterday’s murder of trader Sunil Jaiswal, said to be the fourth such incident in Mohania in the past fortnight, the mob vented their ire on Mohania police station by setting it on fire and burning 10 vehicles, including a police jeep. — (PTI)

The undertrial Balesh Dessai (grey shirt) along with Vasco Escort Cell Police Constable Suraj Gaonkar (white shirt) at an ice cream parlour near Goa Shipyard Limited, Vasco, on Monday night.

at Sada Sub-Jail to an ice-cream parlour in the port town on Monday night.

The undertrial allegedly caught in the act is Balesh Desai, accused in the murder of Samir Mapari. Incidentally, Balesh is the cousin of former Curchorem legislator Ramarao Dessai.

Balesh along with the other accused, Rajesh Desai and three others, were arrested on

charges of murdering Samir Mapari at a farm house in SoliemCacora on October 31, 2007.

In a joint sting operation by Herald and a TV Channel at about 11 pm on Monday, Balesh was caught on camera enjoying ice cream at an ice-cream parlour along with Vasco Escort Cell Police Constable Suraj Gaonkar (PC 5673).

Two of Gaonkar’s colleagues — Pradip P Patil (PC 5259) and

bus vehicle (GA-01-G-2029) driver Shivananad Budhanoor (PC 5447) — were seen waiting outside the ice cream parlour near Goa Shipyard Limited at Vaddem-Vasco.

And it did not take a complex plan for an undertrial to get into an ice cream parlour. All that Balesh needed to do was to report “uneasiness and headache” at around 10 pm in the jail.

31 convicted in Godhra train burning case

PM decides to form JPC on 2G scam

heRaLD RePORTeR VASCO, FEB 22

He may have been an undertrial at the Sada Sub-Jail, but that does not stop him from savouring ice cream at a parlour in the port town and that too, with police security.

In a shocking expose, a Vasco Escort Cell team, entrusted to escort prisoners or undertrials to court or hospitals, was caught escorting an undertrial

PTI AHMEDABAD, FEB 22

Upholding the theory of criminal conspiracy, a Special Court today convicted 31 persons and acquitted 63 others, including key accused Maulvi Hussain Umarji, in the Godhra train carnage that killed 59 kar sewaks and triggered a mayhem in Gujarat that claimed over 1,200 lives, mainly Muslims, nine years ago.

After a less than two-year trial conducted inside the Sabarmati Central Jail here, Special Judge P R Patel accepted the conspiracy theory that contrasts the finding of a commission of enquiry appointed by former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad which had held that the burning of coach S-6 of the Sabarmati Express on February 27, 2002 was accidental.

The quantum of punishment would be announced on February 25 after hearing the 31 convicted under various sections of

the Indian Penal Code (IPC) like 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy).

Copies of the judgement were not given to the media which got gist of the order from counsels of both the prosecution and the defence.

Today’s judgement immediately sparked a war of words between Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) which is ruling Gujarat and whose Chief Minister Narendra Modi

earned a lot of flak over the large-scale violence.

The former Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) chief, who heads the special investigating team (SIT) that took over investigation into Godhra incident and other cases of post-Godhra riots, expressed satisfaction over the judgement.

Maintaining that the SIT would try to get justice in the other cases too, he hinted at challenging the acquittal in the train case in a higher court.

PTI NEW DELHI, FEB 22

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today announcing the decision to set up a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) into the 2G spectrum scam but the opposition said it lacked grace as it was being blamed for paralyzing the winter session of parliament.

Bowing to the opposition demand, Singh announced in both the houses of parliament that the government had taken the decision to form JPC as the country could “ill afford” disruption of the budget session.

Singh said a formal motion for constitution of the joint parliamentary committee would be moved soon.

“Our government believed that as all effective steps were being taken, we might have been able to persuade the opposition not to insist on a JPC. We could not succeed in spite of our sincere efforts,” he said in an identical statement in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

NCP mulls pulling rug under Kamat’s feet heRaLD RePORTeR PANJIM, FEB 22

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is toying with the idea of withdrawing support to the Digambar Kamat ministry and a final decision in this regard could be taken tomorrow, Benaulim legislator Mickky Pacheco said today.

Pa c h e c o , w h o m e t N C P supremo Sharad Pawar in Delhi

today, told Herald in a telephonic conversation that the NCP will take a final view tomorrow on whether to continue support to the Congress led government after the chief minister declined to accept their demand for dropping two ministers of the Sharad Pawar-led party.

“Pawar is agreeable to withdrawing support to the Kamat government but a final decision

will be taken tomorrow,” Pacheco said in a telephonic conversation.

Giving details of the meeting, Pacheco said, the meeting was fruitful and things are moving in the right direction.

“Things are working in the right direction. We have been asked to stay back in Delhi for another round of talks tomorrow,” he said, adding that NCP

General Secretary Praful Patel will also take part in the meeting tomorrow.

Pacheco said some important decisions on the future of the party’s Goa unit and its role in the State government would also be taken in the meeting.

NCP’s national leaders including A P Sangma and Nivedita Mane were present for today’s meeting.

Doppler radar may miss monsoon date again ShweTa KamaT PANJIM, FEB 22

The indigenously made Doppler radar planned to be installed in Goa might miss its date with this year’s monsoon too.

The Indian Metrological Department (IMD) in Delhi is still processing the proposal for the Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) radar for Goa after the Chinesemade radar was shifted out of state for security reasons.

IMD, Goa In-Charge K V Singh said that officials in Delhi are still working on the proposal for the purchase of a radar for the State.

He, however, said that the building at Altinho, where the radar would be installed, will b e re a d y b y A p r i l , 2 0 1 1 .

Singh said that the work has been executed by Central Public Works Department (CPWD).

It’s been more than two years now since the department is working on modifying the building. Since the announcement by Chief Minister Digambar Kamat over installation of radar in Goa, in 2009, the department has been grappling with licencing issues.

In the beginning, the department took almost a year to se-

lect a place for installation of the device and later decided to install it in the DWR building at Altinho, which needed modification.

As against 9 by 9 meters, the new building was modified to 15 by 15 meters as the antenna of the new radar is large.

By that time, the Chinese made radar was ferried to Goa via Mumbai in April 2010.

The department soon managed to get permission from the State public works and fire departments as well as from North Goa Planning and Development Authority (NGPDA) to install the gadget.

However, the Corporation of the City of Panaji, which was supposed to give the construction licence, sat on the file for more than two months. The file was released only after the issue of delay in installing the radar was raised in the legislative assembly’s winter session in December 2009. Later, Kamat assured that the radar would be installed by June, 2010. However, the department has failed to complete the pending construction work.

The department received a (Continued on page 10)

That was enough for the jailor to summon an escort staff along with vehicle, as there was a “medical emergency” in the jail. (Related report on pg 3) The escort staff along with a vehicle reached the jail within 15 minutes, even faster than a 108 ambulance would have taken to reach an accident site.

At about 10.25 pm, the accused, Dessai along with two police constables and the escort

vehicle left for the Chicalim Cottage Hospital, which is about 4 kms from the jail.

After a medical examination, the escort vehicle along with the accused left the hospital within 15 minutes.

With the “official work” now over, it was time for some unofficial outing.

Unaware that two reporters on a motorcycle were trailing the escort vehicle right from

Undertrial jumps off police vehicle, escapes on bike

Accused Michael Fernandes. heRaLD RePORTeR VASCO, FEB 22

In a dramatic escape, an undertrial, Michael Fernandes from Agassaim, jumped off a Escort Cell bus loaded with policemen and fled in a motorcycle at the busy Chicalim junction on Tuesday evening.

Fernandes (25) has been accused of 22 cases of thefts, robberies and dacoities in Goa and Maharashtra.

The escape not only suggests that it was a well planned move, it also exposes the lax security provided in escorting undertrials to courts and hospitals.

According to Vasco police, Fernandes jumped off the Swaraj Mazda bus (GA-01-G-2037) near the crowded Chicalim junction at about 5.45 pm, while the bus was retuning to Sada jail.

Fernandes fled on a Yamaha motorcycle (GA-07-H-1429), which was reportedly stationed at the junction.

The plot seemed well planned, as Fernandes was aware that the bus would slow down at the Chicalim junction at about 5.45 pm, due to peak hour traffic.

Police further informed that while one motorcycle rider was waiting at the Chicalim junction, another motorcycle rider, was constantly trailing the escort bus from Cortalim, alerting their counterparts.

As soon as the escort bus slowed down at the Chicalim junction, Fernandes jumped off the bus and fled on the motorcycle towards Panjim.

According to jail authorities, the accused was transferred from Mapusa judicial custody to Sada Sub Jail on December 24, 2010.

Sources in the Vasco Escort Cell informed that Fernandes along with five other undertrials were to be taken to court. Some were scheduled to attend the court in Panjim, while Fernandes was taken to Mapusa.

Sources informed that one undertrial was provided with two police escorts, thereby suggesting nearly a dozen policemen were present in the bus when (Continued on page 10)

Photos by M Prabhav

Chicalim, the escort vehicle stopped at an ice-cream parlour at about 10.55 pm.

Balesh and Gaonkar, alighted from the vehicle and proceeded straight to the parlour. They ordered for two cups of pineapple ice cream and a parcel of three ice cream cups.

To make sure he would not be caught in the act, Balesh quickly surveyed the premises (Continued on page 10)

Indians in Libya to be evacuated by air, sea PTI NEW DELHI, FEB 22

India decided to evacuate its nationals from strife-torn Libya numbering about 18,000 and is finalising arrangements to bring them back home by air and sea.

“Arrangements for air and sea evacuation of our nationals from Libya are being finalised,” Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said, as the crackdown against anti-government protests in Libya turned bloodier.

Rao, along with other top officials from other ministries concerned, held a meeting to work out the logistics of the evacuation process which has already got a nod from the political leadership, sources told PTI.

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GOA

GOA, WEDNESDAY, 23 FEBRUARY, 2011

Panel submits report to govt on Ganeshraj’s fake certificate HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, FEB 22

Krishna Gopal Shrivastava created a Guinness World Record by pulling a vessel with his teeth at Patto Jetty, Panjim on Tuesday.

Photo by Sachin Ambdoskar

Now, Goa to host ‘Gold Awards’ HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, FEB 22

After the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), even small screen stars will make their presence in Goa with State being considered as a venue for Indian Telefilms coveted ‘Gold Awards’.

The organizers of the awards have approached Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) to co-partner in hosting these annual awards which has been held since last three years.

The awards instituted by White Leaf Entertainment and Maverick Productions Private Limited are an annual event which has been held in cities of Mauritius, Dubai and Mumbai respectively for last three years.

ESG’s Chief Executive Officer Manoj Srivastava confirming the proposal from the organisers said that ‘it is still in the discussion state.’

Goa has been hosting IFFI 2004 and since then the destination has been looked upon as a place to host similar events.

ESG sources stated that Film and Television Producers’ Guild had approached the State to host Apsara awards. But the deal did not get through reportedly as ESG was ready to give infrastructure while organisers wanted some funding from the State too. Guild had proposed that Goa should be permanent venue for the event.

Minor nabbed with 30 stolen cell phones HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, FEB 22

In a major breakthrough in the spate of thefts in the Commercial Capital, the Margao police nabbed a minor boy and recovered around 30 cell phones stolen from a electronic shop last month.

The 17-year boy from Sanguem, who is a native of Jharkhand, was nabbed after police investigations revealed that he had lifted away 40 cell phones from City Electronics shop located on the Station Road, Margao.

“The police has so far recovered 30 mobiles and are hopeful of effecting 100 per cent recovery”, informed Margao PI Santosh Dessai.

He said the boy, studying in a school at Rivona, was nabbed after the cell phone users informed that they had purchased the sets from him. “While lifting away the phones, the boy had left behind the boxes. But, we maintained a track on a basis on the phone number, which yielded results”, PI Desai added.

The minor boy has been sent to Apna Ghar.

The incident had occurred on January 27.

Cinematography workshop HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, FEB 22

The Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) has organised a daylong workshop on cinematography at Maquinez Palace on February 26.

The workshop based on the theme ‘What is Your Shooting Format’ will feature different shooting formats on digital visà-vis to film. The workshop will also feature the output of digital media as well as film media on film prints. The entry is free and is on first come first serve basis.

Bid formation for fresh HSRP tenders begins HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, FEB 22

Transport Department has started the process of forming bids for the fresh high security registration plates (HSRP) tenders deleting controversial clauses.

Sources from the Transport Department stated that the fresh tender document has omitted contentious clause of compulsory operation in five countries.

“Apart from this, there are few other clauses which are been canceled by the department. The fresh bid document would be submitted to the State Government in next two days,” sources said.

Sources said that the department has identified around 18 indigenous vendors, who can be eligible for the bidding.

The State Government on January 27 had terminated controversial HSRP contract with M/S Shimnit Utsch Private Limited after government appointed committee sighted various irregularities in the contract.

The termination notice issued to the com-

pany mentioned that a company has done some changes in its Board of Directors (BoDs) without intimating the State Government.

The Government also stated that the company in its financial bidding had figured that a premium of 48 percent would be charged on plates.

The government while terminating the contract also stressed on the Apex Court order, which stated that the rates quoted by the company could be scaled down using Indian technology to Rs 469.

The contract, which received strong opposition from sections of society, was also terminated taking into account public interest.

Shimnit Utsch has now moved High Court, challenging the Government’s decision of terminating the agreement for installation of HSRP in Goa. In their petition before the Court, the company has said that the government decision to terminate the contract was due to public pressure.

The court has directed government to file reply

by February 25.

Poor quality forces GSHC to return veggies to wholesaler HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, FEB 22

Goa State Horticulture Corporation (GSHC) is facing problem of poor quality of vegetables forcing its wholesaler to take back the products.

The Corporation received several complaints in the last two days that the vegetables supplied at its Porvorim carts were not of good quality.

The complaints were only regarding lady fingers and potatoes.

The Sangli wholesaler who has been awarded a fresh contract to supply vegetables at Corporation’s 18 outlets in Porvorim had to take back the products.

“They are new and not aware about the vegetable quality we sell at our outlets. The quality they supplied to us was not up to the standards of Belgaum vegetables,” Corporation’s Managing Director Orlando Rodrigues told Herald.

Apart from wholesalers in other parts of Maharashtra, the Corporation has tie ups with few farmers in Sangli who are supplying their wholesale produce here.

As per the contract, the wholesaler has ensured to rectify the fault and supply quality vegetables from Wednesday onwards.

Earlier, the Corporation’s subsidised vegetable scheme had feared to hit a rock bottom after traders raised red flags in Belgaum. A brief violence, commotion and failed talks left Corporation in bad taste.

But suddenly, a group of farmers in Belgaum came forward to help out the sagging scheme.

The Corporation at the same time re-routed its supply from placed like Chikmangalore, Nashik, Kolhapur and other parts of Maharashtra.

The immense support by the farmers helped the GHSC to save its ambitious subsidised vegetable scheme from derailing.

Belgaum farmers have supported unconditionally and in return GHDC has reciprocated by paying them handsome money for their products. The supply is now without any middlemen and commission agents who escalated the prices of veggies.

Colva cops turn up late for bullfight HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, FEB 22

Colva police as usual reached late at the venue of a bullfight venue at the road junction leading to Sernabatim on Tuesday, while two buffaloes locked horns, leaving one badly injured at the end of the big fight.

The bullfight began at around 9 am, but the men-in-uniform were nowhere to be seen. Even when a police vehicle came close to the venue, the bullfight continued, with the buffaloes literally come close to the road.

The police are believed to have intervened only after the fight came to an end, and seized the injured buffalo, which was later taken to the Colva Police Station.

The police late arrested and released on bail one Aslam Beppari, believed to be owner of the injured buffalo. The police have registered a case under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act against Beppari and one Mario.

Till late this evening, the injured buffalo was still found tied near the police station and the police said the animal will be released upon orders from the court.

Discontentment brewing up amongst Fatorda Cong leaders HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, FEB 22

Simmering discontentment is brewing amongst senior Congress leaders from Fatorda over their neglect by the party leaders on party matters in the constituency.

These leaders are particularly sore that even Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat and newly-appointed Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President Subhash Shirodkar have virtually ignored their presence in Fatorda Constituency, while according importance to Vijay Sardessai.

A case in point was the recent party function held in Fatorda to welcome BJP mahila workers led by Shubada Naik into the party fold. The Chief Minister and the GPCC president along with PWD Minister, Churchill Alemao along with Sardessai were present in strength for the function, while prominent senior leaders were conspicuous by their absence.

Sources in the party said that party vice-presidents Luis Alex Cardozo and M K Sheikh were not invited, so was the case with former Youth Congress President Girish Chodankar.

Goa Pradesh Congress Mahila Chief, Monica Dias, who hails from Fatorda, was also conspicuous by her absence. While Sardessai had telephonically informed Monica about the function, sources said the Mahila Chief was never taken into con-

fidence by Sardessai or the Congress leadership though the function was intended to welcome women into the party fold.

Incidentally, the Sardessai camp has sought to defend the omission of the senior Congress leaders from Fatorda by saying that the function was pertaining to women and was not block level Congress convention.

Sources in the know said the senior leaders including former Minister, Luis Alex Cardozo have not taken lightly the way party leaders are being sidelined vis-à-vis party affairs in Fatorda. It is learnt that some of these leaders have decided to officially lodge their strong protest with party leaders, including the Chief Minister, GPCC president and party high command.

Interestingly, the Fatorda Block Congress was hit by dissensions in the run up to the 2007 Assembly polls as most of the senior Congress leaders had opposed nomination of Vijay Sardessai for the party ticket.

With Sardessai literally running the show in Fatorda with the blessing of the Chief Minister, the GPCC president and the Alemao brothers, it remains to be seen how the party leadership deals with the discontentment amongst senior congress leaders in the constituency before the simmering discontentment bursts into the open as was in 2007.

Education Ministry’s panel formed to investigate the fake birth certificate issue of Goa Cricket Association President Dayanand Narvekar’s son, Ganeshraj, has submitted its interim report to the government.

Sources stated that the panel headed by then Education Secretary P Acharya has said that the department cannot take action against Ganeshraj as police are already investigating into the matter.

Education Director, Celsa Pinto was not available for comments. Her office said that ‘madam will not speak to the media as there is Election Code of Conduct.’

The State Government in the first week of January had formed the panel headed by Acharya with three others including education director, members from the Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education on it.

The committee’s mandate was to check whether Ganeshraj got the admission by forged certificate and also to check whether he enjoyed undue benefit in academic with forged certificates.

Former GCA executive member Dr Shekhar Salkar had filed the complaint against Ganeshraj with Mapusa police and also with the Education Department citing that he had forged his birth certificates to get admission in school and also to

Two CCP nominations cancelled HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, FEB 22

Out of total 154 nomination papers submitted by the aspirants for the mayor and corporators’ posts in the forthcoming Corporation of City of Panjim elections, two nominations were cancelled after scrutiny on Monday.

Returning Officer and Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Sabaji Shetye, who scrutinised the papers, said that nominations of Durga Chari contesting from Wa rd N o 2 2 a n d A s h w i n i Chopdekar contesting Ward No 28 have been rejected.

While nomination of Durga who seems to be a dummy candidate - was rejected as she failed to produce the caste certificate, Ashwini’s nomination was rejected because she has not attained 21 years of age, which is mandatory to contest election.

The scrutiny will continue even on Wednesday. The Municipal Corporation election will be held on March 13.

While dates for filing nomination was from February 14 to 21 (excluding February 20 Sunday), scrutiny of nominations on February 22 and 23, the last date for withdrawing nominations is fixed on February 25.

Election Commission will release the list of contesting candidates with their respective symbols on February 26.

More than 13,000 Panjim voters will be going for polls on March 13 from 8 am to 5 pm.

Counting of votes will be done at Government Pharmacy College at Panjim and the results are expected on the same day.

BJP and Taleigao MLA Atanasio Monserrate’s panel will be contesting all 30 wards whereas NCP a week ago announced to contest 15 of 30 wards. Several independent candidates have also filed their nominations.

play under 15 cricket tourneys.

Reacting to the Education Department’s interim report, Dr Salkar said that Education Department officials have no guts to act against Narvekar’s political might. “If Goa University can take action against the professors responsible for MBBS marks scam then why action can’t be taken in this matter? In case of MBBS scam, there is a parallel case with Old Goa police but still university had its own inquiry and came out with the report,” he added.

Mapusa police had registered a case against Ganeshraj, his father Dayanand Narvekar, mother Sushma and others under Sections 465 (forgery), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating) and 471 (using as genuine a forged document) of IPC. Dr Salkar had alleged that Narvekar registered his son’s birth at two places - Pilerne and Mapusa.

The birth certificate issued by the Pilerne Panchayat states that Ganesh Raj Dayanand Narvekar was born on February 28, 1993, the birth registration was done in November 1994, and a live birth report was attached by Chodankar nursing home stating that Ganesh Raj was born at the hospital.

Another birth certificate was registered in January 1995, with the Mapusa Municipality, under Ganesh Raj Dayanand Narvekar, and showing the date of birth as February 28, 1993.

Recognising Dr Premanand S Ramani’s work for the past 22 years, Hungary’s postal services has honoured the Mumbaibased Goan neuro-spinal surgeon with a postage stamp.

BASS membership: Dr P S Ramani delivered a special lecture on the developments of Neuro Spinal Surgery in India at annual conference of British Association of Spinal Surgeons (BASS) in Edinburgh recently. Dr P S Ramani was felicitated by the President Dr Douglas Wardlaw and conferred honorary membership.

Dr Ramani was also presented with neck tie of the Association.

A special Scottish dress was presented to Dr Ramani.

Battle For Panjim -- WarD 11

The INOX parking space.

Photo by Sachin Ambdoskar

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, FEB 22

The convention centre proposed next to INOX multiplex has become a CCP election issue for the ward number 11, which is having BJP backed candidate, Babush panel aspirant and journalist Ashley do Rosario, contesting as an independent locking horns.

The recent move of the State government to have a mini-convention centre in the space meant for INOX parking has snowballed into election issue during the campaigning here.

“If I get through, I will put my foot down and oppose convention centre. We have lot of other priorities other than building convention centre which will add to the congestion,” BJP-backed Manoj Patil told Herald.

Besides Patil and Rosario, Babush Panel’s Sadanand Thakur, who is sitting legislator, is also vying for the ward again.

The ward covers areas of Campal parade ground till old secretariat, covering Kala Academy, Children Park, market, ferry point and other areas.

The locals here feel that the third phase of Panjim municipal market is incomplete, which needs to be taken up on priority. “CCP has utterly failed to maintain the market. There is unhygienic condition everywhere. The market portrays sorry face of Panjim,” said Patil.

Waste water discharge into Colva’s storm drains The Tourism Department was on Tuesday preoccupied with the ensuing Carnival festivities, while an inspection conducted by the Goa State Pollution Control Board of Colva’s storm water drains revealed discharge of waste waters by erring establishments.

Crying foul over the sorry state of affairs, with the concerned departments involved in a blame game, Colva Civic and Consumer Forum secretary Judith Almeida said the NGO has no option than to knock the doors of the judiciary to put a stop to the rampant discharge of sewage and waste water in the storm water drains, creek and water bodies.

The inspection began this morning, but the activists soon realised that the tourism officials were conspicuous by their absence. When Almeida called up senior tourism official Pamela Mascarenhas over her absence at Colva, she told the former that the officials were busy with the arrangements for the ensuing carnival festivities.

Colva acting sarpanch Anthony Fernandes and secretary Allaudin represented the village panchayat.

The brief before the GSPCB

HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, FEB 22

Proposed convention centre now a CCP poll issue

GSPCB inspection reveals...

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, FEB 22

Dr Ramani honoured with Hungarian postal stamp

officials was simple: To open up the slabs of the storm water drains and ascertain the extent of discharge of sewage and kitchen water into the water channel.

Judith pointed out that the situation has virtually gone from bad to worse, with no action forthcoming from the concerned authorities. While the hoteliers had maintained that they have complied with the guidelines set by the GSPCB, the activists demanded to know the source of the waste water flowing into the underground drains.

At one point during the inspection, the team spotted two underground pipes from a hotel discharging waste into the drain.

In another instance, sewage waters from a restaurant found its way into a creek. The GSPCB team noticed some cooking activity right near the Sulabh toilet block, indicating the hygienic conditions prevailing in and around the place.

“We are totally unsatisfied with the action taken by the authorities on the water pollution since the last one year. The only option now left for the NGO is to file a writ petition in the High Court”, Almeida said, adding “we doubt whether anything worthwhile will come out of this exercise.”

Sitting corporator Thakur when contacted refused to talk saying “I can’t talk now… will see some other day.”

A local and social activist Patricia Pinto said that convention centre next to Inox will spell doom for the locality. “INOX parking is the only decent and spacious lot in the city. It provides relief for the traffic congestion during events like IFFI. If that space is also occupied then it will add to the traffic chaos of the city.’’

Pinto said that there has been no regulation in the ward, which is a conservation zone. “Look at the tourist buses messily parked in the area.

It’s a situation of discomfort and chaos,” she said.

The houses being old structures are low floored and hence any disturbance affects them straightway.

She added that allowing shootings here add to the garbage woes and disturb the locals, who have inhabited here for ages.

Pinto, a former CCP corporator, said that their frequent pleas to sort out issues faced by ward have fell on the deaf ears of the officials. Not being able to help from their city fathers, the Campal locals association itself has put up the proposal and got it passed from the Public Works Department to lay underground cables and hot mixing of roads.

Raia to host convention of non-STs on Feb 27 HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, FEB 22

After a series of ST conventions in Curtorim constituency organized in association with local MLA Reginaldo Lourenco, Raia village is now bracing up to host a convention of non-ST people from the village on February 27 at 3.30 pm.

Organised by the Raia Villagers Association with the backing of ML A Lourenco, the convention will be attended amongst others by Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat, PWD Minister Churchill Alemao, besides a host of government officials.

Briefing newsmen, the Curtorim MLA said the convention is aimed at bringing about awareness amongst the non-ST population, including the OBCs on the various government schemes meant for the general category. “There will be one session totally dedicated to the schemes meant for the people in general”, he added.

Re p l y i n g t o a q u e s t i o n , Lourenco said that he was approached by the Raia Villagers Association for his support in organizing the convention for the non-ST population. “I was instrumental in organizing three ST convention during the last three years. When the Association approached me for the non-ST convention to help in popularizing

the schemes for the general category, I immediately agreed to the proposal”, he said.

Admitting there are a large number of poor amongst the general category, the MLA said it is his responsibility to take various government schemes to the door steps of the deserving people.

Raia Sarpanch and Convenor of Raia Villagers Association Savio Gomes said the people had questioned them as to why there are no government schemes for the general category.

OHERALDO

GOA

Pg3 GOA, WEDNESDAY, 23 FEBRUARY, 2011

RP 2021 delay forcing industries out of Goa SURAJ NANDREKAR PANJIM, FEB 22

The delay in notifying the Regional Plan 2021 is costing the State dearly as industries are forced to move out of Goa due to non-availability of land for industrial purpose.

Goa’s noted industrialist Atul Pai Kane, former president of the Goa Small Industries Association, who has a small unit in Tuem industrial estate, had applied for additional plot for extension of his unit but the inability of the Goa Industries Development Corporation (GIDC) has forced him to set up a unit in Banda, Maharashtra, about 25 kms from Pernem.

The GIDC board meeting, held on Tuesday, was dominated by the issue. The members felt that setting up a unit at Banda also meant that around 200 persons from that area got employment.

“This is a major issue when the unemployment is such high in Goa the industrial units are moving out of the State only due to the inability of the GIDC to provide land for industrial units,” said a board member, who did not want to be named.

“This is just one example of Atul Pai Kane there are several other industrialists who are planning to move out. If this happens then what would be the future of Goan youth vis-à-vis employment?” he asked.

He further added that the corporation just does

not have any land for allotment to any industries.

When this reporter met the GIDC chairman Babu Kavlekar for his comments on the issue, he said the GIDC is trying its best to acquire land for industries.

“We have moved several proposals to the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department long ago but they haven’t given us clearance,” Kavlekar said adding “when we asked TCP for the reason the reply was the Regional Plan hasn’t been notified and hence they cannot clear the proposals.”

The chairman said there are several proposals for acquiring additional land for industrial estates recommended by the local MLAs at Pilerne, Tuem, Dhargal, Cumbharjua, Carambolim and Latambarcem.

Kavlekar added the board meeting decided that the issue should be taken up with the chief minister at the earliest.

“I will meet Chief Minister Digambar Kamat and take up the issue on priority,” he said.

The board members have demanded that the RP for industrial talukas should be notified on priority, Kavlekar said.

“The members opined that the TCP should clear the proposals of the areas where the industries are really needed and can provide employment to the youth,” he explained.

PAC to tighten noose around overloaded mining trucks HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, FEB 22

Goa Legislative Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has decided to tighten noose around the overloaded mining trucks by asking the Transport and Police Departments to get b a c k o n t h e i r t o e s f ro m Wednesday onwards.

PAC’s meeting held on Tuesday at Porvorim asked the Transport Department to start fining the trucks which are overloading while Police Department have been asked to provide police protection.

The committee led by Manohar Parrikar has said, “police inspector will be supervising the security cover given to the transport officials on their drive against overloading.”

The high level committee has suggested various short and long term measures that could be implemented to curb the huge quantity of minerals being exported without paying royalty and also menace on the road due to transportation mess.

Parrikar said that Comptroller Auditor General (CAG) in its report of 2005-06 had pointed out that there is huge royalty

pilferage on the exports of the ore.

The PAC meeting, which was attended by officials from mines, transport and district administration, has asked the concern departments to get back to it by Friday listing short term measures they have taken to curb overloading of mining trucks.

The residents of Sanguem and Cavrem, affected by mining truck movement, were also present for the meeting.

Parrikar said that the State will list out permanent measures by May, this year. “In the meantime, the departments have enough powers to curb the overloading,” he added.

Parrikar also suggested that the NOC from Mines Department should be made mandatory for the mining trucks. It was also felt that a proper legislation should be brought wherein, the lease holder should be held responsible for any violation by the contractor.

“Current mess is because of the constant competition between the mining contractors,” he said.

The district administration

has also been asked to ensure that there is sufficient gap between two trucks. Three trucks per two minutes should be allowed.

“This was special recommendation in case of those trucks plying from Redi in Maharashtra to Amona,” he said adding that district administration officials are also asked to discuss the problem faced by the locals here.

The meeting also recommended that the trucks should run at a speed of 20 kilometres per hour in the thickly populated localities. The PAC has also said that all the mining truck drivers should be registered with the Mines Department so that their antecedents are known.

“Also, those driving the trucks without valid licence would be identified,” Parrikar said.

Last week, talking to reporters Transport Director Arun Desai had agreed that the overloading has been a major headache for the department.

Each truck is supposed not to carry more than 10.5 tonnes ore.

Govt to compensate farmers HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, FEB 22

Agriculture Department has decided to pay compensation of Rs 15,000 per acre for the farmers affected due to natural calamities in the State.

For this, Goa Government has already sanctioned a corpus of Rs 2.13 crore under the Farmers Assistance Fund.

Agriculture Director, Satish Tendulkar told Herald that the distressed farmers are asked to contact their respective Zonal Agriculture Officers (ZAO) to complete formalities for compensation.

“The process has already started…farmers are advised to contact the ZAO in their respective areas,” he said.

The relief scheme will first give financial assistance to farmers affected by natural calamities in March 2008 and gradually it will cover farmers who suffered due to unseasoned rainfall in October 2009 and November 2010.

POLICE-DRUG MAFIA NEXUS

Notification to hand over cases to CBI issued on Feb 16: Govt HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, FEB 22

Contrary to its earlier claims, Goa Government on Monday said that notification to hand over the cases of police-drug mafia nexus to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was actually issued on February 16, 2011.

Under Secretary (Home) Vishwanath Dangi, in the affidavit filed before the High Court of Bombay at Goa said that State government had issued notification according consent to CBI on February 16, 2011.

“The State Government has issued notification dated February 16, 2011 according consent to the extension of powers and jurisdiction of the members of the Delhi Special Police Establishment to the whole of the State of Goa for the investigation into the crime registered with Crime Branch,” the affidavit reads.

Whereas, the government

Transport Dept issues notices to mining firms HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, FEB 22

Snubbed by Public Accounts Committee (PAC), the Transport Department on Tuesday issued notices to the mining firms asking to abide by the High Court directives on overloading of the trucks.

Talking to reporters, Transport Director Arun Desai said that short term measures as directed by the High Court through Writ Petition in 2009 have been served to the mining companies and truck operators.

“If we don’t find any reasonable change within 48 hours, the department will go very strong to implement all the provisions of Central Motor Vehicles Act,” Desai said adding that violations of the regulations will be reported to the High Court as contempt of court.

The court had said that if any truck engaged in the transportation of ore is found violating any of the measures three times in a year, the permit of the truck will be suspended.

As per the regulations for the mineral ore transportation in the State of Goa, the court has ordered, that the trucks loaded at dispatched point shall carry ore only to the extent of permitted capacity that is 10.5 tonnes for six wheelers. “The mining companies have been directed to have their own weighbridges at the point of loading itself and no truck bearing ore would be permitted to the leave the premises unless its weight is measured,” it adds.

The trucks are also been directed to move in a staggered manner with minimum of one minute gap per dispatch. The directions are also been issued restricting overtaking of one ore carrying truck by other truck carrying minerals. The speed limit has been also regulated to 30 kms in inhibited areas while 50 kms at other places.

“There shall be a gap of minimum 100 mts maintained between two trucks plying on road carrying mineral ore,” the measures reads adding that the time limit of the transportation shall be strictly maintained between 8.00am to 6.pm with one hour gap.

The department’s flying squad has booked 500 trucks since January 2011 for overloading. The truck operators are been fined Rs 2,000 for the first extra one tone while Rs 1000 for the rest per tonnes.

Prisoners are not allowed to visit or halt at any place: DySP HERALD REPORTER VASCO, FEB 22

A Police Escort Cell team may have been caught on camera escorting an undertrial to an ice-cream parlour, but the head of the Escort Cell insists that Cell teams are prohibited from taking undertrials to unauthorised places.

“There are strict instructions that Police Escort Cell teams should not take prisoners or undertrials to any other place, while they are being taken to court or for a medical checkup,” said DySP N C Raikar of the Escort Cell.

When told that an undertrial, Balesh Dessai, was caught along with a Police Escort Cell team at an icecream parlour, DySP Raikar said: “Such things are certainly not permitted as there are possibilities that the

KTCL yet to pay GIDC loan HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, FEB 22

The Kadamba Transport Corporation Ltd (KTCL), which is currently incurring losses, is giving the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) “a run for their money.”

According to the officials in the GIDC, the corporation on the directions of the State Government had granted a loan of Rs 10 cr to the KTCL in 2006.

However, even five years later the KTCL has failed to return even a single rupee back, officials said.

“The total amount payable as on date is Rs 12.5 cr with interest,” the officials said.

When contacted the GIDC chairman Babu Kavlekar admitted the loan was indeed granted to KTCL which has failed to return it back.

“We will take up this issue with the government as we had granted loan only on its directions” he stated.

KTCL Managing Director Venancio Furtado on the other hand expressed his helplessness in clearing the dues.

“Currently I cannot make any statement on the issue. I will take up the issue with the government and try to get some funds to clear the amount,” he said.

accused can take advantage of the situation and escape from custody.”

“Whenever prisoners were taken to court for a hearing or for a medical checkup, prisoners are not allowed to visit or even halt at any other place,” said DySP Raikar.

“It is, however, difficult to monitor minutely each and every act of the Vasco Escort Cell since the police inspector and DySP are based in the Panjim Headquarters,” he added.

DySP Raikar, however, assured to look into the allegations that a Vasco Escort Cell team was caught escorting an undertrial at Sada Sub-Jail to an ice-cream parlour in the port town on Monday night.

Earlier, Vasco Escort Cell In-charge PSI Gurudas Dessai confirmed that police constables, Suraj Gaonkar and

Pradip Patil, and escort vehicle driver Shivananad Budhanoor were on night duty as they had taken the accused, Balesh Dessai, to the Chicalim Cottage Hospital for a checkup.

“Police personnel are present on duty at the Vasco Escort Cell round-the-clock to meet with an emergency in the jail as often prisoners need to be escorted for a medical emergency,” said PSI Gurudas Dessai.

“Without court orders, prisoners or undertrials are not even allowed to talk to people when they are taken to court or for a medical examination,” he said.

However, police sources disclosed to Herald that influential undertrials have often visited family members and have even dined in restaurants, whenever they were taken to the court or for a medical check up with help of the Escort Cell.

had claimed of having requested the Centre to conduct separate investigation through the CBI into the alleged drug trade-police nexus cases in a formal communication to the Union Home Ministry in January.

NSUI legal representative Surendra Desai pleaded the court to monitor the investigation into the nexus cases.

While in one case seven policemen were suspended, arrested and released for having close links with Israeli drug lord Yaniv Benaim alias Atala, the second case involved spy cam expose wherein police sub inspector Sunil Gudlar was shown negotiating with two foreign women over the sale of drugs.

Chief Secretary Sanjay Shrivastava had addressed the two letters to the Union Home Ministry on January 21 and 31, respectively entrusting CBI to take over the investigations.

However, the notification according consent to transfer the

cases came only on February 16, 2011.

Advocate General Subodh Kantak requested the division bench to keep the case hearing pending till the Centre is made a respondent to this case.

“The area of investigation is wide enough that even a supplementary chargesheet can be filed in the case (referring to Israeli drug lord David Driham alias Dudu’s case, chargesheet of which is filed in the NDPS Court),” he added.

NSUI in its petition had also requested to hand over Dudu case to the CBI, which has not been considered by the State till date.

The matter is fixed for next hearing on March 10.

Sirsaim locals block M’rashtra mining trucks HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, FEB 22

Tension prevailed at Sirsaim on Tuesday, after residents blocked mining trucks from Maharashtra.

The agitated residents resorted to a road-blockade agitation near the near petrol pump in the morning, causing a traffic jam along the road.

Bardez Deputy Collector Dashrath Redkar, Mamlatdar Gaurish Shankhwalker and Mapusa Police Inspector Rajesh Kumar rushed to the site to bring the situation under control.

Deputy Collector Redkar requested the agitated villagers to withdraw their road blockade agitation, as it created problem for the general public.

OHERALDO

Pg4 GOA, WEDNESDAY, 23 FEBRUARY, 2011

S H O RT TA K E S Restricted water supply

PANJIM (HND): There will be restricted water supply to entire Bardez and part of Bicholim taluka on February 24 as shutdown is planned at Assonora Water Works for replacing 2.5 MVA transformer and VCB panel. The department regrets the inconvenience that may be caused to the consumers.

Pavan Sirohi, chairman Panjim branch of MBA–I receives award for meritorious services to the MES Builders Association of India at the hands of Bharat Bhasin, all India President MBA-I, at the 37th annual day function held at New Delhi recently.

Wedyn excels in Spelling Bee

Wedyn Noronha displays his trophy and certificate that he won

Emphasis laid on balancing positive, negative aspects of media HERALD NEWS BUREAU PANJIM, FEB 22

In view of the ever-changing face of media and innumerable opportunities available to students today, the School of Media Studies of St Xavier’s College, Mapusa, organised a one-day regional seminar on ‘The Changing Face of Media: Growth and Opportunities’ on Saturday.

Geno Foundation Executive Director Sagar Salgaonkar was the chief guest for the seminar.

In his address, College Principal Fr Walter de Sa laid emphasis on the need to maintain a balance between positive and negative aspects of the media since, like anything else, it has two sides to it.

“Media communication is indeed a great gift of god to humanity, but one must utilize these powerful audio-visual means effectively for the welfare of humanity and growth of the country,” he said.

“Misusing the powers of the media for personal gains or malicious intent can dis-

PANJIM (HND): Wedyn Noronha, a muti-talented 12 year old, resident of Gharse Tower, Panjim, did his parents Savita and Erlick Noronha, both PWD Engineers, proud by bagging the 7th place in the 3rd international championship of MaRRS International Spelling Bee Competition 2009-10, held recently at Nexus International School, Malaysia. Students from Asian countries of India, Malaysia, UAE, Singapore, Korea, China, Pakistan and Phillipines had participated in this event.

Earlier, Wedyn had won the first, third and eighth ranks in the North Goa District Interschool Championship, State Championship and National Championship of MaRRS International Spelling Bee Competition 2009-10, respectively.

Wedyn was also the first runner-up in the HDFC Life Spelling Bee- India Spells 2011, held earlier this month at Kala Academy, Panjim.

analyzed how new media is empowering the public sphere.

Israeli journalist, Aimee Ginsberg, spoke about the ethical responsibility of a journalist.

The theme for the second session was ‘Media Scenario in Goa – Post Liberation to Date’, where a number of speakers, including Frederico Noronha, shared their opinions with the students.

In the third session, journalists and resource persons like Alex Braganza (CEO, Broadway Advertising), Prasad Pankar (Fashion photographer) and Rishad D’Cruz (filmmaker from Cavendish College of Media Education, London) enlightened the students on the variety and versatility of career options available today in the fields of photography, journalism, PR, radio and advertising.

The seminar was a result of the joint efforts of the Department of Journalism and the Department of Mass Communication and Videography. Lecturer Nitin Volvoikar proposed the vote of thanks.

Minimal invasive surgery for piles HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, FEB 22

Dr Ashwin Porwal, a renowned procto-surgeon from Pune, now a visiting surgeon at Apollo Victor Hospital is among the few Indian surgeons to be selected for a new surgical procedure called Stapled Trans Anal Rectal Resection (STARR).

This procedure was invented

at the 3rd international championship of MaRRS International Spelling Bee Competition 2009-10.

rupt the stability of society and can also destroy communal harmony, causing great harm to individuals and groups alike,” he added.

Sagar Salgaonkar said today, media is playing an important role in how it shapes the future of India.

“India is the youngest market in the world and hence it is up to the youth to interpret data and channel it appropriately,” said Salgaonkar.

The chief guest released the souvenir of the seminar on the occasion.

The seminar comprised three sessions, the first session witnessed a number of eminent resource persons expressing their views on a diverse range of topics.

Raju Naik, Editor of Lokmat, spoke of the changes in media. Dr Fr Richard Rego of St Aloysius College, Mangalore, talked about ‘Community Radio as an alternative media, that is far more accessible and affordable’.

Oystein Krogsrud, a Norwegian journalist,

by the Austrian surgeon Dr Longo, for treatment of patients with piles and worse forms of constipation such as obstructed defecation which is more prevalent in women, but usually remains undiagnosed and untreated.

Minimally Invasive Procedure for Hemorrhoids (MIPH) piles assures minimum pain and discomfort for the patient. The hos-

pitalization period is just one day. It also assures quick recovery, enabling the patient to return back to normal work on the third day after getting discharged from the hospital.

Dr Ashwin Porwal is the first surgeon in Maharashtra to perform STARR surgery for constipation and is presently performing the maximum num-

bers of MIPH surgery for piles in the country.

He operated upon three patients for piles with the MIPH surgical technique at Apollo Victor Hospital in the last week of January. These patients are very satisfied with the surgical outcome. Dr Ashwin Porwal’s visits Apollo Victor Hospital on fourth Friday of every month.

State’s culture, people attract tourists: Ravi n Goa has a unique cultural heritage, rich Home Minister Ravi Naik has and lively and it is stated that the State has evolved known for several folk as a unique destination for tourists all over the world in festivals and terms of Goa’s vibrant culture performances. People and people. from many castes Naik was speaking after inaugurating the Sarvan Lokotsav mingle to provide the 2011 at Sarvan-Bicholim. The unique social mega cultural event was organrepresentation of Goa. ized jointly by Shyampurush --- Ravi Naik Devasthan, Sarvan Friends CirHERALD CORRESPONDENT MAYEM, FEB 22

cle, Shyampurush Cultural Organization and Sarvan Library.

Speaking further, Naik said people in Goa belonging to dif-

ferent caste, creed and religion have attracted others due to their hospitable nature.

“Goa has a unique cultural

heritage, rich and lively and it is known for several folk festivals and performances. People from many castes mingle to provide the unique social representation of Goa,” added Naik.

MLA Anant Shet also spoke on the occasion. District Youth Coordinator of Nehru Yuva Kendra Kalidas Ghatwal, Kudne ZP member Fondu Sawant, Karapur Sarvan Sarpanch Santosh Talkar, Shyampurush Devasthan President Shekhar Sawant, Sarvan Friends Circle President Dattaram Sawant, S a r v a n L i b r a r y P re s i d e n t

Umakant Sawant, Shyampurush Cultural Organization President Pundalik Sawant, exsarpanch Rayu Sawant, exdeputy sarpanch Devanand Sawant, Deshmukh Sawant and Govind Gunaji Sawant High School Headmistress Mal Alvares were present on the occasion.

Earlier, Home Minister Ravi Naik inaugurated the newly constructed Club House of Sarvan Friends Circle at Sarvan.

Shyam Gaonkar compered the function, while Sunil Sawant proposed the vote of thanks.

GMC hosts international conference in pathology A Little About Civics

What is the Gram Sabha?

T

he Gram Sabha is a meeting of all adults who live in the area covered by a Panchayat. Anyone who is at least 18 years of age and has registered as a voter is a de facto member of the Gram Sabha.

The members of a Gram Sabha elect a Sarpanch, who becomes the Panchayat President.

In a village, the Panchayat is divided into Wards, which are smaller areas to facilitate easier administration. Each Ward elects a representative known as the Ward Member.

These Ward Members, led by the Sarpanch, form the Gram Panchayat. Each Gram Panchayat remains in office for a period of five years, and presides over the Gram Sabha meetings.

Each Gram Panchayat has a Secretary, who is not an elected official but is appointed by the government.

The Secretary is responsible for calling the meeting of the Gram Sabha , and maintaining records of the proceedings.

The Gram Sabha is the key factor in ensuring the Gram Panchayat carries out its function responsibly, since the decisions are laid bare in front of the people they directly affect. The Gram Sabha prevents the Panchayat from misusing funds or favoring certain people. It plays an important role in keeping an eye on the elected representatives, and in making them responsible to the persons who elected them.

1 The

construction and maintenance of water resources, roads, drainage, school buildings and other common property resources. and local taxes.

collecting

3 Executing

government schemes related to generating employment in the village.

The Gram Sabha would receive its funds for operation from the following sources: 1 Collection

of taxes on houses, market places etc.

2 Government

schemes funds received through various departments

3 Donations for community

works.

Kerala Samajan opens office in Cortalim HERALD CORRESPONDENT CORTALIM, FEB 22

Verna Police Inspector Jivba Dalvi recently inaugurated the office of Kerala Samajan at Thana in Cortalim. On the occasion, the Samajan in association with the

Cortalim Primary Health Centre carried out a mosquito repellant spray in the worst affected areas of the village. Cortalim PHC Medical Officer Dr Mariano Godinho and the community members were also present.

UPCOMING EVENTS Phorum jewellery expo

PANJIM (HND): As winter gives way to summer, Phorum Jewels welcomes this bright season with yet another exhibition of the finest gold and diamond studded jewellery.

The glittering collection of necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings in intricate designs embellished with mesmerizing precious stones and diamonds, will light up Panjim on February 23 and 24, at Hotel Mandovi’s Rampon hall. The exhibitions will be open from 11 am to 8 pm.

CM to handover buses

PANJIM (HND): Chief Minister Digambar Kamat will handover 19 mini buses to the institutions at a function to be held in Ravindra Bhavan, Margao on February 23. Buses will be delivered under scheme titled ‘Indira Bal Rath’ launched by the government with the objective of providing transport facilities to the children of the scheduled tribe communities residing in remote areas of the State. Buses will be handed over in presence of Minister for Tribal Welfare, Filipe Neri Rodrigues.

DOST program at Xavier’s

PANJIM (HND): Developing Opportunities for Special Teens (DOST) is an inclusion programme for specially-abled teens to develop social skills conducted by TIES (Towards Inclusion Everywhere in Society) - a society of parents of children with special needs, with support from Sangath. Inclusion Saturdays - the socialisation sessions were held at St Xavier’s College, Mapusa in the academic year 2010-2011 as part of the programme. An open day event to showcase this program will be held on February 26 at St Xavier’s College Hall (entrance from gate 3), from 10 am to 11.30 am. This event is open to all.

CRG stages ‘Aami Fuluyam’ PANJIM (HND): Children’s Rights in Goa (CRG) is staging a play titled ‘Aami Fuluyam’ to be performed by children from its child activity centers at Dinanath Mangeshakar Kala Mandir, Kala Academy on March 7 at 5 pm.

‘Aami Fuluyam’ is a Konkani adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s ‘The Selfish Giant’. Tickets are available at Magsons Supercenter, Campal and at the office of CRG, Mapusa. Contact numbers: 9822983336 / 2263838.

IIE presentation

PANJIM (HND): The Institution of Engineers (IIE), Goa State Centre, in association with Electrical Department, Government Polytechnic, Altinho-Panjim, will arrange a presentation ‘Latest trends in electrical safety in industries’ on February 25 at auditorium of Govt Polytechnic, Altinho-Panjim, from 2 pm to 5 pm.

Dilip Sahakari, BE, MIE, Electrical Consultant; M Durairaj, M Tech, MIE, Advisor to MD, Salgaocar Group of Companies; Prof Sunita Sail, ME Prof and HoD, Government Polytechnic, will give presentations on the subject.

For further information call Dilip Sahakari on 9822164782 or Institution office on 2434686.

Corporate quiz

The Gram Panchayat would be responsible for the following heads:

2 Levying

GOA

Dr Jerzy Klijanienko, from Curie Institute Paris inaugurating the conference. Also seen are Dr R GWiseman Pinto, Dr Aileen Wee, Singapore and Dr Fernando Schmitt, Portugal.

HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, FEB 22

The Indian Academy of Cytologists in collaboration with the European Federation of Cytology Societies and the International Academy of Cytology organised an international conference in pathology at the Goa Medical College auditorium recently.

The faculty were Dr Jerzy Klijanienko, professor and head of pathology, Curie Institute, Paris, France; Dr Fernando Schmitt, professor and head and medical director at the Institute of Pathology and Immunology of Porto University, Porto-Portugal; Dr Aileen Wee, professor and head of pathology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Dr Arun Chitale, professor and head of surgical pathology, Bombay Hospital Institute of Medical Sciences and Dr K M Mohandas, Director, Centre for Cancer Epidemiology, Tata Memorial Hospital Mumbai and Head of the Department of Digestive Diseases and Clinical Nutrition, Tata Memorial Hospital Mumbai.

The conference was chaired and coordinated by Dr R G Wiseman Pinto. There were also 34 Oral Proferred paper presentations and 28 poster presentations.

The prize winners in the oral paper consultant category were Dr K Suseela, head of pathology, Indo-American Cancer Institute, Hyderabad; Dr Akhil Bansal, lecturer in pathology, J N Medical College, Sawangi-Nagpur and Dr K K Prasad, professor and head of gastrointestinal pathology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Chandigarh.

In the oral paper post graduate category, the prize winners were Dr S Rehman, post graduate student J N Medical College,

Aligarh Muslim University; Dr Nisha Sehrawat, post graduate student, R D Gardi Medical College-Ujjain and Dr Umang Patel, post graduate student, C U Shah Medical College, Surendranagar-Gujarat.

In the poster category for consultants the prizes were won by Dr M Suresh, Assistant Professor, Sri Ramachandra University Porur-Chennai, Dr R Chaudhary, Associate Professor, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences Lucknow and Dr M P Misra, Professor of Pathology, J K Cancer Institute, Medical College-Kanpur.

In the post graduate poster category the prizes were won

by Dr A Waghmare, post graduate student, B J Medical CollegePune; Dr Ankita Jaiswal, post graduate student, B R D Medical College-Gorakhpur and Dr Purti Agarwal, post graduate student, B J Medical College, Pune.

Dr Mohammad Zillur Rehman, Associate Professor and head pathology department, Chittagong Medical College, Chittagong-Bangladesh; Dr Hanan Alshamlan, Consultant Pathologist, Qatar; Dr Anju Pradhan, Assistant Professor in pathology, B P Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan-Nepal; Dr Khalil M Baba, professor and head of pathology, Sher-iKashmir Institute of Medical Sciences-Srinagar ; Dr Raje Nijhawan, professor of cytology and gynaecological pathology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and ResearchChandigarh and Dr N J Trivedi, former professor and head of pathology, M P Shah Medical College-Jamnagar and Dr S C Chawla, head of laboratory services, Apollo Hospital-Bilaspur were given special awards.

PANJIM (HND): Goa Institute of Management (GIM) in association with TATA Motors will hold the 11th edition of its annual corporate quiz ‘WIZBIZ’, on February 26 at its new, state-of-the art campus in Sanquelim. The quiz will be conducted by one of India’s leading quizmasters, Avinash Mudaliar.

A total of Rs 1,20,000 will be given out as prizes at the event.

With the aim of increasing the industry-institute interaction, the quiz is organized every year by MECCA, the marketing club at GIM. The event brings together members of the corporate world from diverse industries for an evening of fierce intellectual competition. It also provides the audience with an evening high on learning and enjoyment. To know more about WIZBIZ 20XI, visit www.wizbiz.co.in.

IGNOU program postponed

PANJIM (HND): On account of unavoidable circumstances, IGNOU Study centre 0802 at Dhempe College of Arts and Science will remain closed on February 27. The induction programme for under-graduate students scheduled for February 27 has been postponed to March 6 at 11 am.

NCBC’s public hearing

PANJIM (HND): The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) will hold a public hearing on February 24 at Seminary hall, Secretariat, Porvorim, at 10 am to examine requests for inclusion of any class of citizens as backward class in the central list of backward classes and hear complaints.

Castes/communities in respect of which public hearing is to be held are Teli (including Christian Teli), Shimpi (including Christian Shimpi), Christian Renders, Komarpant, Thakar, Satarkar, Chari/Mesta, Nadaf, Pinjar, Mansoori and Quraishi, Kasab, Kasai.

The associations, organisations and/or individuals of the above mentioned castes/sub-castes/communities may appear before the bench of the commission and furnish all relevant information and express their views.

Bro Anil’s retreat

PANJIM (HND): Bro Anil of Salvation Ministry will conduct a retreat on March 3 at Emerald Lawns, Parra, from 10 am to 5.30 pm. The service will stress on the word of God, healing, deliverance, word of knowledge and prophecies. For further information, call 9226387098/9763553575. Free transport can be availed by calling 9823055659.

Salvation Ministry services can be watched on Rophe TV daily from 7 am to 7.30 am and 6 pm to 6.30 pm and on Saturdays from 9.30 pm to 10 pm.

POWER SHUTDOWN FEBRUARY 24 PANAJI: From 9 am to 2 pm. Areas affected are Gomantak Bhavan, Salgaokar building, Radha Krishna building, Saawni building, Sanjeevani building, Janaki building, Swati building, Vihar building, Madhuban building, St Inez Church, St Inez bandh and surrounding areas.

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CMC urged to aid people facing hardship in cremating dead HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, FEB 22

With families in Canacona town facing extreme difficulty in procuring firewood for cremations, the Canacona Municipal Council (CMC) could soon play the role of an undertaker.

At the CMC meeting on Tuesday, some councillors expressed concern as several families in the town were finding it difficult to cremate their dear ones due to acute shortage of firewood in the area.

Bhagatwada Councillor Ajay Bhagat reminded the officials that eight years ago, CMC used to stock sufficient firewood to meet the eventuality. He requested for resuming such a practice.

Councilors requested the civic body to make provision for cremation grounds in each of the 10 wards to ease difficulties faced by the people in distress due to death in their families.

The councillors also asked the council to finance the funerals of their individual ward members in case of financial difficulties of needy people.

Taking up the agenda further, the council decided to regularize house tax, go for re-tendering of municipal shops and erection of Shivaji’s statue at Chaudi.

Chaudi Councilor Hemant Gracias asked the council to stop issuing licenses for new kiosks

in Chaudi. He also asked the chief officer to take necessary action to remove all the illegal kiosks in the locality.

Councilors also called for floating a new tender for feast/exhibitions and separate it from the purview of municipal sopo collector.

CMC also discussed the issue of raising construction license fee from Rs 5,950 to Rs 9,000 as per objections raised by the Central Audit party.

Council was also asked to issue notice for recovery of Rs 6 lakh towards tax arrears from a starred hotel in the taluka and highlighted the need to collect slab-wise house taxes.

The administration agreed to achieve the target within a month’s time with the help of existing staff only.

CMC has unanimously decided to oppose government’s move to take over Konko island off Palolem beach, which the tourism department has reportedly eyed to develop an ecotourism project.

The councilors also gave a call to do away with scrap yards within the municipal limits as such activities tend to cause disturbances for the residents.

Interestingly, a calling attention remark by Palolem Councilor Simon Rebello to initiate suitable action to stop lamani’s illegal activities was abandoned

Parking fee collector may soon be out of job HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, FEB 22

When the Parking Fee collector allegedly began levying exorbitant fees at a parking lot in Palolem-Canacona, little did he realize that one of the aggrieved motorists would be the chief officer of Canacona Municipal Council (CMC).

Unhappy with the Parking Fee collector for overcharging motorists for using the parking lot, the CMC is now planning to scrap the tender process for collection of fees at the parking lot.

Instead, the CMC plans to engage its own personnel to collect the fees.

The issue came to the fore midway and that too without any decision.

The councilors were informed that CMC is fighting 34 litigation cases, of which 12 are filed by the civic body itself in various courts including Administrative Tribunal over illegal constructions and other matters, while 22 cases are filed by other litigants against CMC. Council was informed that an immediate ex-chairperson has

at a CMC meeting on Tuesday, when Ward 10 Councillor Jayashri Pagi displayed parking receipts to prove that the Parking Fee collector had collected Rs 50-100 instead of Rs 20-30 from vehicle owners at a Palolem parking lot.

Incidentally, CMC Chief Officer L S Periera backed Palolem councillor by saying that he himself had been a victim of the Parking Fee collector’s exorbitant fees, when he had visited Palolem in his private vehicle.

“I was billed Rs 50 for my car, while another Maharashtra-registered car was issued a receipt for Rs 100,” stated Pereira. filed a case against a sitting councilor against whom he lost the last polls from his ward and the ex-chairperson has made CMC also a party to the case.

The meeting was chaired by CMC Chairperson Ratnakar Dhuri. Deputy Chairperson Sandesh Gaonkar and most of the councilors were present. CO Pereria, municipal engineer Suhas Dessai and staff Santu represented the administrative side.

GIDC urged to repair Sanquelim market road HERALD CORRESPONDENT BICHOLIM, FEB 22

Sanquelim Municipal Council (SMC) and the people from Sanquelim have strongly requested the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) to repair the market road within a month.

According to reports, the entire road in the Sanquelim market has been dug for laying pipelines of the sewage treatment plant. The work is being undertaken by GIDC and since the last over two months, the work is left pending.

The entire stretch of the market is dug, causing hindrance to the people, especially the businessmen and the shop owners.

“The work is going on since last several months and the market road is dug and gutters are left open posing great hardship to the public,” said Vikas Pangam, a businessman from Sanquelim.

“Due to this, there is an adverse effect on our business and the promises made by the SMC have fallen flat,” added Pangam.

When contacted, SMC Chairman Anand Naik said they have strongly demanded the GIDC to complete the work by March 5.

“We are aware that the businessmen from the market area are having problem because of this. We have asked the GIDC to complete the work by the first week of March,” said Naik.

‘Eco-hotel’ on PPP model Goan sailor aboard termed a ploy to sell land hijacked ship is HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, FEB 22

Condemning the government’s plans to set up “eco-friendly hotel” as part of a PPP project at Baga, speakers at a meeting on Sunday evening warned the State government not to play with the sentiments of the people.

The speakers termed the PPP as a “Public Private Partnership of Politicians” to sell Goa for a price.

The leaders called upon villagers to remain united and not to allow ministers or MLAs to sell their land to land sharks.

Addressing the gathering, Aldona MLA Dayanand Narvekar was critical of Health Minister Vishwajeet Rane, Tourism Minister Nilkant Halarnkar and Goa Tourism Department Corporation Chairman and MLA Shyam Satardekar of their alleged intention to amass huge wealth under the PPPs, which he has failed to understand what it actually means.

“Chief Minister Digambar Kamat has been saying for the last three and half years ‘I have to study the matter’ whenever

Narvekar requested villagers of CalanguteBaga to remain united and never give up their prime land under the guise of PPP.

objections are raised by the people on various projects affecting Goa and Goans,” said Narvekar.

Narvekar also divulged government’s plans in selling the Mayem Lake, Kesarval Springs, among others, under the PPP model.

On the proposed Baga PPP project, Narvekar requested villagers of Calangute-Baga to re-

main united and never give up their prime land under the guise of PPP. Narvekar regretted that he had to share the platform against his own Congress government due to the arrogant attitude of the first-time ministers and MLAs. In his address, Saldanha criticized the Congress government for its desires to finish Goa as fast as possible by selling land to outsiders.

“We should now be alert citizens of Goa and never rely on the utterances of our MLAs who are out to destroy Goa at a price,” said Saldanha.

“PPP is nothing but a fast money making racket through hefty commissions for the ministers and MLAs and other officials,” charged Saldanha.

Siolim MLA Dayanand Mandrekar and Mapusa MLA Adv Francisco D’Souza urged the villagers to remain vigilant and never allow their land to be sold to non-Goans for petty gains and extended their full support in their stir to preserve their land.

Ambulances at Canacona CHC gather dust in parking lot!

HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, FEB 22

The lone Goan sailor Thomas Pereira on board the ship M V Sinin which was hijacked off the coast of Oman along with 22 crew members, including nine Indians, is safe, according to a communication received by MP Shantaram Naik.

Naik who has been in touch with Director General Of Shipping's Office, Mumbai regarding the fate of sailor Pereira and other Indians, received a communication through fax from Captain Harish Khatri, Deputy Director General of Shipping that, as per the information received on February 21, the crew of the vessel have been allowed to speak to their families and are reported to be safe.

Naik who is presently in New Delhi, contacted the wife of the sailor in Margao to confirm whether she had received a call from her husband and found, that in fact, she received a call to inform her that he was fine.

Naik said that he also met G K Vasan, Union Minister of Shipping, who assured him that the Directorate General of Shipping is monitoring the situation through Indian Navy and the owners of the Company.

Naik further said that D G

H’bad-Kolhapur trains to run for four days weekly

HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, FEB 22

Even as Chief Minister Digambar Kamat has allotted and inaugurated a new ambulance in the recent past, fear looms large that the two existing ambulances of Canacona Community Health Centre (CHC) will be pushed to a parking lot, making it even harder for patients.

According to Canacona Health Welfare Committee (CHWC) President Diogo Da Silva and other members who take regular rounds of CHC Canacona, the chief minister inaugurated the new ambulance in January.

He claimed that this ambulance was left unused until he met Health Officer Dr Vinod on Monday.

“The new ambulance, which was kept lying unutilized since its inauguration, was finally brought on the road for shifting patients to Margao on Tuesday, after I met the health officer on Monday,” informed Da Silva.

“But unfortunately, this seems to be at the cost of existing one, pushing it to the parking lot due to non-availability of drivers,” regretted Da Silva.

Da Silva further said when he approached CHC health officer, he was informed that of the available three drivers, one is utilised to drive official jeep, another for field visits and the third for ambulance.

Interestingly, when this correspondent visited CHC in the absence of health officer and contrary to what Da Silva said, a source informed that CHC in fact has five drivers and not three.

Source further informed that

safe: Shantaram

HERALD CORRESPONDENT BELGAUM, FEB 22

Ambulances parked behind Canacona Community Health Centre.

Photo by Kathy Pereira

including the newly allotted ambulance, there are three working ambulances, but all including the new one are poorly maintained and managed by the health authorities at Chaudi.

Besides, three more nonworking ambulances lying in the barracks have already gathered dust and rust, providing the sorry state of ineffective management, added the source.

“The services of a cleanercum-washer are hardly utilized to maintain cleanliness of these vehicles, while the concerned makes merry loitering around and hardly attends any work,” charged the source further.

To prove the point, the source further pointed out to the pitiable status of two stationed ambulances where vomit marks are still visible on window glass pane of the new ambulance.

The new ambulance was allegedly brought out only for one trip on Tuesday and thereafter stationed back at the spot.

“The petrol quota gets ex-

hausted within days of commencement of a month and the ambulances are pulled back to the parking lot, making the patients most sufferers, while at times, EMRI’s 108 ambulance is often requisitioned for shifting patients to Margao,” informed the source.

Sources further informed that instead of the new ambulance becoming an additional advantage to the needy patients, it is likely to push one more working ambulance to parking barracks, as one working ambulance is already in dormant stage along with three more non-working ambulances dotting the CHC’s parking lots.

Locals alleged that notwithstanding fund crunch for diesel and maintenances, few drivers are mostly lethargic in taking behind the wheels of ambulances claiming these vehicles are old and needs repairs, thereby compelling working vehicles to turn into parking lots to rust and gather dust.

The South Central Railway (SCR) has decided to run ‘Week Special Express Trains’ for four days in a week between Hyderabad 07143 and Kolhapur 07144.

The special train service commenced on February 17 from Hyderabad and the last train will leave Kolhapur on March 31. This train is convenient for Goans intending to travel Hyderabad as they can conveniently board the train at Londa.

According to a press release, enroute the train will depart Hyderabad at 11.30 pm every Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Enroute the train will run via Guntakal, Bellary, Hospet, Hubli, Dharwad, Londa (Wednesday - 4.28 pm), Belgaum - 5.30 pm and reach via Miraj to Kolhapur at 10.45 pm.

In its return journey, the train leaves Kolhapur every Thursday, Friday, Monday and Tuesday at 7.30 am. En route the train will run via Belgaum (11.23 am), Londa, Dharwad, Hubli, Hospet, Bellary, Guntakal reaching Hyderabad at 4 am next day.

The last train in this service will leave Hyderabad on March 30, while the last train from Kolhapur will leave on March 31.

Shipping, Mumbai got the information that the vessel owned

by M/s Irano Hind Shipping Company Ltd, of Teheran, Iran, lost control with their vessel since the day of hijacking. The vessel was en route from Fujaira to Singapore loaded with approximately 52000 metric tones of iron ore.

SMC’s agitation against CO gets backing from people HERALD CORRESPONDENT BICHOLIM, FEB 22

People from Sanquelim have expressed their support to the municipal council in its agitation against the chief officer.

The people at the public meeting have also opposed the move of the MLA and the chief officer to have ‘Aprant Maand’ in on the Bodke ground.

It may be recalled that Sanquelim Municipal Council (SMC) Chairman Anand Naik had accused Chief Officer Bhanudas Naik of pending bills of about Rs 1.40 lakh. The chief officer was also in the news for granting permission for ‘Aprant Maand’ on the Bodke ground even though there was another application for the March 4 event by a local sports club.

A public meeting was called by the Eagle Sports Club on the KTC bus stand Sanquelim which was attended by several prominent persons from Sanquelim. Some of the prominent among those who attended the meeting included former MLA Vishnu Rama Naik, former Sanquelim sarpanch Pravin Blegan, ex-chairman of SMC Vi-

jaykumar Verekar, ex-councillor Sunita Verekar and some other council members.

During the meeting, SMC Chairman Anand Naik highlighted in detail the current status of the council and said due to the high headed decisions of the chief officer, they are facing problems.

He also accused the MLA of supporting the chief officer and so the transfer file is still pending.

“We have already demanded with Chief Minister Digambar Kamat the transfer of the chief officer and the file is pending, as Pale MLA Pratap Gawas has asked to hold the transfer order,” alleged Naik.

“I’m holding this chair and am accountable to the people, but because of the chief officer all the works are left pending since the last six months,” claimed Naik.

“We are answerable to the people, but we cannot do anything without the approval of the chief officer as total administration of the SMC is handled by him,” stated Naik.

Naik further alleged that the the chief officer does not fall

in the cadre and is given the position based on political pressure.

“We will go on hunger strike if our demands are not met,” warned the chairman. The people strongly supported the chairman in case if they are planning to go on an agitation against the chief officer.

Speaking on the occasion, ex-MLA Vishun Rama Naik and others demanded that Bodke ground be reserved for the players.

They strongly opposed the move of the MLA of giving the ground to set up ‘Aprant Maand’ exhibition. They claimed that the exhibition should be organized on an alternate ground and should not be held on the Bodke ground.

Some speakers also stated that during a meeting with SMC, Speaker Pratapsingh Rane had suggested an alternate ground for setting up ‘Aprant Maand’ and that suggestion should be followed.

They suggested that the exhibition could be organized at Vithalapur or the Sanquelim Government College ground.

Youth urged to shoulder nation’s responsibility HERALD CORRESPONDENT MAYEM, FEB 22

Stressing on the need to make India a superpower, North Goa MP Shripad Naik has called upon the youth to shoulder the responsibility of the nation by setting aside evil feelings, thereby helping the society wholeheartedly.

He was addressing the gathering during the annual prize distribution and inauguration of computerization with LCD projector at Shri Shantadurga High School Bicholim on Tuesday.

Naik while highlighting the work of Shri Shantadurga High School declared financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh to the school from the MP Fund for various

causes.

On the occasion, meritorious students were distributed scholarships and awards.

Bicholim MLA Rajesh Patnekar, Sadashiv Walaulikar, Arun

Salkar, Gurudas Zantye, PTA President Arun Naik, former PTA president Vishant Vaze, HM Suresh Ghatwal and Ganesh Joshi were present on the occasion.

OHERALDO

Pg 6

www.oheraldo.in

O HERALD O

The Portrait of Denial

Vol No CXI No: 054 Goa, Wednesday, 23 February, 2011

O

Arabs opt for democracy

n the morning of 17 December last year, 26-year-old Tunisian roadside fruit seller Mohammed Bouazizi was going about his business in the small town of Sidi Bouzid when he was caught by a woman municipal official. He didn’t have a license.

She confiscated his weighing scale. Bouazizi knew he would have to pay a bribe to get it back; it had happened before. But this time, instead of meekly accepting the ‘inevitable’, he got angry with the official. She slapped him.

That’s how the Arab revolution began. With one slap.

Bouszizi ran to the municipal office, stood outside, and demanded his weighing scale back. They wouldn’t let him in. So he went to a petrol pump, filled up a jerry can with petrol, and went back to the municipal building. Bouazizi stood in the middle of the traffic on the road, poured the petrol over himself and shouted: “How do you expect me to make a living?”

He got no answer. So he lit a match.

It was this spark that lit two great revolutions. Four more are in progress. Bouazizi survived, but not Tunisia’s corrupt and ruthless dictator Zine Ben Ali. Spontaneous demonstrations to protest against the regime that forced Bouszizi to set fire to himself spread over the country in a matter of weeks, forcing the dictator who had ruled Tunisia with a iron hand for the last 30 years to flee.

It was a signal. In Egypt, huge, unending displays of people’s power, helped by an Army that maintained strict neutrality, forced strongman Hosni Mubarak to flee. Since then, people’s power has begun to rock Yemen, Algeria, Libya and Bahrain.

The rulers, especially in the latter two countries, have reacted with the use of extreme force against protestors.

Young people in the Arab world are angry at rulers that amass fabulous wealth for themselves and the small coteries that surround them, while keeping their people in abject misery. They want freedom. They want independence of thought. But most of all, they want better lives.

This change has hit the Arab world like a flash flood. It seems so quick. Yet, is it? For, the anger has been seething for over two generations now. And it is the new generation; the one that has global connectivity thanks to the Internet, which has finally decided to stand up and fight for the change it wants.

These are countries where the majority is young people, mostly unemployed, with little or no prospect of work. In Yemen and Algeria (like in India), half to two-thirds of the population is under 25. The rulers are old men clinging to power. The young want a better country than their parents grew up in.

In Libya, they have faced aerial bombardment to demand it. They want democracy. And, if Libya’s Col Muammar Gaddafi falls, no despot in Northern Africa or West Asia is safe, including in theocratic Iran. For, Gaddafi is different from other dictators. His government gives its citizens subsidised housing, education and food, and actively funds the country’s infrastructure, unlike others.

Western countries don’t quite know what to make of this revolution, since most of these dictators were their ‘close allies’, especially of the US (except for Col Gaddafi). But if it does not want these countries to opt for Islamic fundamentalism rather than secularism, the US needs to understand that a properly democratic Arab world is a safer world for all. The US cannot, as it did in Palestine, refuse to recognise the results of a free and fair election merely because an Islamic party like Hamas gets elected. To be effective, democracy must be free, fair and for real.

Vasco float parade Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco The population of Vasco has grown by leaps and bounds. During Carnival, Swatantra path is teeming with floats and surging crowds, leading to a minor stampede. It would be in the fitness of things if the float parade is diverted to F L Gomes road, and Swatantra Path is kept open to traffic. This will make movement of carnival floats much easier.

There is also ample space on this road for crowds to stand and watch the floats.

It will also solve the parking problem for vehicles, as most of them can be parked along Swatantra Path.

Harmful plastic bags Mahesh Kapasi, New Delhi Plastic carry bags are very harmful. Yet, all

100 Years Ago

PRIMEIRO DIARIO NAS COLONIAS PORTUGEZAS

25 February 1911 Swifter justice

The Council of Ministers appreciated the proposal for all the common courts to execute pending matters, without any privileges granted to the Court-atLaw.

New election law

The Council of Ministers from its last session said that they were busy examining the newly implemented Electoral Law.

Reforms approved

The Minister of Colonies has offered his ears for the reformation of services undertaken by General Administrative Directorate.

Oil exports

The Minister of Navy has approved the determination of Governor Couceiro de Costa in regards to mineral oils imported by the Customs authorities from this state.

OPINION

what has manohar Parrikar done for Panjim after being elected thrice, asks CAeTAno de ABreU

I

t takes a buffoon to choose a buffoon. This seems to be the order of the day, as there is no respite in the rot engulfing the poor sap (to be considered as another buffoon) that chose these buffoons to be in power. When questioned why (s)he chose to elect the buffoon, (s)he fumbles for a coherent answer, unable to clearly express his/her own helpless frame of mind as (s)he cannot even analyse his/her own misgivings, but rants about the failures of the government. The latter is happily ensconced in its own tabernacle, simultaneously taking the electorate for a jolly ride.

So who is the greater buffoon?

With assembly elections scheduled somewhere in 2012, I commence this series of articles in view of the misdemeanours of the government, which is in constant denial mode about the malfeasances perpetrated by its own operatives, irrespective that truth is lying dormant, so say the least, and the lie is for us to witness upon. This perpetuates the portrait of denial.

IITian Manohar Parrikar is unnecessarily shooting nonsensical barbs from the hip, stating that while he was in power, governance was crystal clear, like a babbling brook, and there was accountability all around. This could be, or it may not be; the answer lies in limbo. In my disagreement, I have the right to my own opinion, even though his RSS ideology stipulates that India is for the Hindus only and not for others.

Not surprisingly, he has antagonised the minorities. This should be condoned, though he feigned an attack of amnesia in not recognising the converts and the resident Muslims settled earlier, much before the RSS and Hinduism was conceptualised. As of now, they are more Indians than the buffoons propagating that vile philosophy. But many more buffoons still dance to Parrikar’s fiddle, claiming that he is honest and sincere to the core. So far, though, no one has opened his cupboard to see whether hidden skeletons will come tumbling down.

My moot question to Parrikar is: What has he done for Panjim after being elected thrice? He may rant about the honesty in his governance.

However, once out of power, what is he still doing to assuage the plight of his constituents? Why can’t he fight to set the record straight? Does he have to be in power for the rights of equality

View From my PAnVddo and pleasantness to the people who elected him?

From the grapevine, one hears that Manohar Parrikar is intelligent and competent to run the gauntlet (so they say), compared to the rest of his coterie, who spew nonsense for nothing.

When questioned, they spout the diktat of the RSS, which should be relevant to their context only, as there is nothing that a poor sap like me can do, except to lament over one’s abjuring fate.

I have yet to analyse my further apprehensions because Damu Naik, the MLA from Fatorda, is asking for dissolution of the Legislative Assembly.

He is being unrealistic. Dissolution will further deepen his own grave. With the portrait of denial amongst the cadre, including his own party, the electorate is becoming smarter by the day. What will his fate be when the elections are held, considering that people know he has not worked at all for his constituency except to spew nonsense?

It is rightly stated by the public, which is at

Let’s talk about the weather

Tongue in Cheek

I

n the past, what would one talk about when there is nothing to talk about? Well, as a general rule, one would talk about the weather. But in today’s world, we talk about the weather not because there is nothing much to talk about, but because it is the weather that we need to talk about for our very survival.

Indeed, Global Warming is a warning we need to take very seriously. Incidentally, the weather has a say on every aspect of our lives. It not only makes us feel warm or cold, pleasant or unpleasant.

In the near future, it will also determine how long we will survive on Planet Earth.

The biggest threat comes by way of an increase in the sea level.

It is understood that the signature taste of Assam tea could be changing, the apples from Himachal Pradesh may never be crunchy again and the Basmati rice that we produce may not be fragrant and actually be shorter; all this, because global warming will affect our key crops.

Indeed, we have played havoc with Mother Nature and now, we are facing the consequences. As far as the Meteorological Department is concerned, predicting the weather has now probably become the most difficult task on earth. Ironically, that is the only thing the department is required to do with some degree of pre-

kinds of commodities are sold in them.

Hot tea is and food is packed in plastic bags. Magazines are sealed in plastic envelops. Oil, shampoo, conditioner, washing soap, gutkha and paan masala are all sold in plastic sachets. Ready-to-eat items are sold in plastic bags…

It is necessary to put a blanket ban on the manufacture of plastic bags. People should be dissuaded from using them.

Then and Now Willie Severes, Majorda It was shocking to read that a newly formed committee headed by freedom fighter Flaviano Dias has demanded that roads with Portuguese names should be renamed after national heroes and freedom fighters. Right now, Goa is facing issues such as mining, mega housing projects, garbage, traffic chaos on the streets, bribes, drug lords; the list goes on… Our greedy and corrupt politicians are responsible for this mess.

Flaviano should look at what is ahead, not at the past. Tackling these vital issues, rather then changing street names. That is the mark of a true freedom fighter. That is what Goans need from you.

Overcautious news media?

the receiving end of this melodrama, that our assembly is filled with 40 thieves, barring none.

Their acts of omission and commission over the prevailing crisis speak volumes about the genre of governance, which is endemic.

What gives the government away is its constant denial syndrome. It might please a certain segment of the electorate, but not all. For the government, the prevailing price rise on essential commodities is trivial. Though people are slogging to earn a pittance, the government is objurgating from the rostrum that Goa is a land of milk and honey.

The reality is far from that implied.

Digambar Kamat at the helm of affairs pervasively utters that his government is absolutely honest and no hanky-panky is doing the rounds.

All that I can say is: “Go tell it to the marines.”

We the ‘aam admi’ can interpret the fallacy of the government, which is only spewing canards and not providing us basic essential necessities

– proper roads, not pot-holed ones; uninterrupted power supply; equal distribution of water; proper sanitation and hygiene; less garbage; health concerns managed proficiently and honestly, not what physicians prescribe; power to the farmers; education for all; efficiency by government employees to tackle grievances; and banning outsiders from buying our land.

Instead, the government is cosying up to people like Mickky Pacheco, who in my honest opinion is nothing but a deterrent in good governance.

It speaks volumes about the government, which indulges its operatives’ nefarious activities born of malafide intentions to amass wealth beyond redemption; resources that could have been utilised for the progress of the state and the people.

But no. The government largesse benefits its own operatives. Else, how can one justify the purchase of high-end cars for ministers and their acolytes? I have still to come to terms with the so-called coalition ‘mantra’, which is akin to complete paranoia; the NCP seems to be dictating terms to the Congress, forgetting that it is because of the Congress that they emerged victorious, not the other way round.

The government is ridiculous, in not practicing but only preaching honourable qualities. They claim to be earnestly working on development of the state. For me, it is the perfect foil of the portrait of denial.

Are the people of Canacona rightfully compensated after the deluge that devastated that pristine Goan province? Where are the promises of the government to fulfil the dreams and aspirations of the people? Are they implementing them or some useless paper just to look good for the media?

These are the few valid points to be considered by the electorate. The candidates will emerge only when they require your precious vote, with unhinged promises and material ‘baksheesh’. I recommend that they should be questioned point blank, before you succumb to cast your vote to whomsoever you please. Usher in governance that is effective to benefit Goa; not otherwise.

Or else, we will be in wings of despair, awaiting our tribulations. With the portrait of denial hovering over our heads, thanks to our representatives, I am requesting my Goans well in advance to think before they commit.

cision.

We, in Goa, have just come out of an extended monsoon and ploughed into a prolonged winter. We experienced rains even in December last year. We had an over-abundance of rains, which actually had a negative effect on our agricultural produce. Crops began to rot and the price of essential commodities like onions, began to sky-rocket.

John Ruskin said: “There is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.” That was probably an assessment of the weather in his times. Today, bad weather can really get bad. This was seen in the blizzard recently experienced in several European countries, especially in Poland, the UK and the US. It so happened that my elder son, who is studying in Scotland, has had to experience the coldest winter in the UK over 100 years.

Extreme weather seems the order of the day. If it is cold, it is freezing. If it is hot, it is boiling. And if it rains, well, it incessantly pours.

Global warming is not as pleasant an experience as a ‘house warming’. Ironically, the greenhouse effect is a result of the depleting greenery around us. The main culprits are Carbon Dioxide, Methane and Nitrous Oxide gases, which are also known

Parrikar should clarify

S Kamat, Alto Betim

Manohar Parrikar is one of the most overrated politicians in Goa. He has been MLA of Panjim for donkey’s years, but has not lifted his little finger to initiate any development in the city, except for the work during the 2004 IFFI. Major works like the Mala Lake beautification and the St Inez Nullah cleaning were left unfinished. There was a time when people hesitated to take their cars into Panjim, for fear of not getting parking. Nowadays, people are afraid to take their bikes into Panjim, for the same reason.

Parrikar, who has been MLA throughout this period, is now saying that he will work for Panjim’s development. Why? Only because of the CCP elections? What stopped him from working for Panjim all this while? This is a Rip Van Winkle act that every politician does before an election, only to again go to sleep soon after the voting has ended.

Mr Parrikar, how are you different?

Govind Kharangate, Sydney

We need to instrospect

It is about time the Goan news media takes some of the blame for the evils plaguing our Goan society. We just have not seen enough investigative journalism that can expose the truth, be it bribery or a scam, mega or small. On the other hand, I am bemused to find ministers being quoted for ‘vital’ issues like: “How school is a stepping stone of our career,” (Aren’t parents qualified enough to tell us that?) and how “X number of councillors from Y party filed for candidature in Z election.” Do we really need that kind of ‘news’? Some of the Marathi newspapers have really been a major disappointment in this regard.

Shouldn’t the news media instead go after cases that are relevant to the average Joseph, Jagan and Jane? We have major problems like drugs, land grabs, and shabby governance.

The media also needs to get popular opinion on key subjects, through reliable

We Goans blame outsiders for all the ills happening in Goa. In reality, Goans have to blame themselves, if not for all at least for most of the ills that plague Goa. Some points for introspection: (1) Goans who work abroad keep tenants who are migrants or not from the village.

Why? (2) Most tiatrs portray outsiders as villains and insiders as heroes. Who invites the outsiders?

(3) Many Goans want to work in European countries with Portuguese passports.

You can’t always get the best of both worlds.

(4) We elect 40 MLAs to rule this tiny state, then cry foul and accuse the very same people we elected. Who is to be blamed?

(5) Goans leave their homeland for greener pastures, and blame the migrants for occupying Goa! It is high time that we Goans do a thor-

Venan B Dias, St Estevam

as greenhouse gases.

But it is not only factories and power plants that belch out Carbon Dioxide, which is mainly responsible for the greenhouse effect. You and I are contributing in every little way to the effect.

The vehicles that we drive on our roads contribute to the increase in Carbon Dioxide in the air.

But probably the biggest cause for the greenhouse effect is deforestation. As per statistics, 34 million acres of forest land is destroyed every year. Incidentally, deforestation contributes about 25 per cent to global warming. Mark Twain had made a prophetic observation in a speech way back in 1897. He said: “Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it.” This is very true in today’s world.

But then, one might say, what difference can we make as individuals? To borrow the slogan of US President Barack Obama: “Yes we can!” The only thing necessary is the will. Every action we take everyday to reduce air pollution will go a long way to save our planet. Our politicians will only talk and talk about saving our planet. It is for each individual to do his/her bit for mother earth.

We are just about beginning to feel the effects of global warming.

So the time to act is now. Before it is too late…

Letters to the Editor

Letter of the Day

opinion polls and surveys. These can really shape the way the people rate the government. The government can use this data to fine tune its policies. That there is no such news around shows that the media is reluctant to engage the government or is just afraid of it.

By Adelmo Fernandes

these canines pose to commuters, and urge the authorities to remove them from the streets and house them securely.

Accept Language Act Ayres Sequeira, Salvador do Mundo Roman script Konkani protagonists who participated in the agitation to demand official status for Konkani feel backstabbed and cheated by the Language Act. This sentiment was expressed at the Third Konkani Roman Script Conference organised by the Dalgado Konknni Akademi on 19 February at Kala Academy.

But it is too late now, after 23 years, to cry over spilt milk and demand official recognition for Roman script Konkani. Instead, we should demand all the benefits given to Devnagiri Script Konknni and accept the Language Bill gracefully to show our dignity and integrity.

ough self introspection rather than blame outsiders for everything.

Goans and Konkani

Revolution a must The hearts of Goans bleed visibly. Even the existence of an honest and a forthright Judge is difficult on his own soil. Goa has been battered by every government which came to power.

We must get out of our susegado moods and bring a total revolution in the hearts and minds of all Goans, to form a strong Goan United Front and win the next election with a huge majority and serve the people of Goa.

It is apparent that upper class Goans and those who have migrated in search of greener pastures don’t give much importance to Konkani, or ‘shy away from it’, as Fr Conceicao D’Silva recently said. They are nothing but betrayers of their motherland and mother-tongue.

If Goans simply shy away from speaking and singing in Konkani just because English is an international language, they will soon be erased from the Goa map and will have to struggle for their identity in Goa itself!

We all have our roots. I hope and pray that Goans will value their language.

Goa-n to the dogs

Avoid corrupt people

Rocky Dias, Raia

Michael Vaz, Merces Street dogs chasing vehicles is a dreadful experience. Last week, as I was returning home one night, half a dozen street dogs chased my car. One of them even pounced on it, resulting in a scratch.

We were fortunate that the car windows were securely closed. If not, the infuriated canines could have even jumped inside.

Many people, in particular two-wheeler riders, become targets of their ferocity, resulting in accidents.

Dog lovers should see the dangers that

Paths of Wisdom

Augustus Alphonso, Vasco/Kuwait

Francis A Soares, Santa Cruz If our susegado Goans want to save our beautiful Goa, it is high time they stay away from corrupt politicians and corrupt clergy.

The former sell comunidade land in the name of development, and the latter sell Church property to builders in God’s name.

Is not the government and the Church of the people, by the people and for the people? Why do these corrupt leaders think it is their personal belonging? The best way to keep your family safe and peaceful is to stay away from such people.

Truth and the cauliflower

By Kalidas Sawkar The boy went to his teacher and asked: “What is the meaning of ‘The Truth’?”

The teacher said, “It is easier to explain truth with some examples. Let us go to the garden behind my home.” There, he picked up a cauliflower lying by a plant and said: “Truth is like a cauliflower, take it, and you will find the meaning of the truth.”

The boy looked intently at it, and carefully moved a small portion aside. He noticed that every big portion was like the smaller one, and that bigger divisions were made of smaller similar bulbs. Only the size differed. The boy had often eaten cauliflower at meals, but it had never struck him this; a part just like the whole.

He looked at the teacher enquiringly.

The teacher smiled and responded, “Truth is like this, smaller bulbs are just as the bigger ones, all having the taste and nutrients of the whole cauliflower.

Lookalikes too!”

Cauliflower, which interestingly looks like a human brain, is a product of nature in fractal design. Nature loves this design.

Electrons, which bring us electricity, move around atoms. Mother Earth, which carries all the matter in these atoms, moves around the Sun. The stars move around the galaxy, which moves around the center of the Universe. Another fractal pattern!

In fractals and in truth, size does not matter, ‘design’ does. There is no smallness about truth, just as in corruption; little or big does not matter. Smaller corruption accumulates into bigger scams…!

(Source: Kaliyug ki Kahanian)

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

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

Pg7

OHERALDO

INDIA GOA, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2011

OPINIONATED Environmental law and its protection

T

By arun r uPPoni

hese days, we often see how the Environment Ministry, headed by learned Jairam Ramesh closely examines environmental violations and promptly takes actions against the parties, disregarding the laws. The ‘Lavas’ controversy and the Navi Mumbai airport site dispute, taken place between Praful Patel and Jairam Ramesh earlier, for protecting the environment are the best examples to note.

Finally, the Environment Ministry agreed to give clearance, for constructing the airport.

But, in the ‘LAVASA’ case, the Ministry of Environment has slapped a heavy penalty, for not obtaining clearance from the Ministry, before carrying out the construction. In this case, the green norms are breached too. Moreover, the Ministry will demolish Adarsh society of Mumbai for the coastal zone regulation violations.

LEGISLATION: The Environment Protection Act (EPA) of 1986, defines environment as one, which includes water, air, land and human beings. Our Parliament already enacted water and air (Prevention and control of Pollution acts).

These two acts were enacted to prevent and control of water and air respectively. Further, the Parliament had gone a step ahead to amend Water Act of 1978, prohibiting discharge of poisonous, noxious and other polluting matters, not only into the well or river, but also into sewer or on land. The provision for complaint by citizens for criminal action against the offenders is enshrined in EPA. WHAT IS ENvIRONMENTAL LAW?: This law is a synthesis of principles and norms, generated by other laws. Apart from Article 21 (Right to life), the right to equality guaranteed under Article 14, has an impact on the environmental law.

Constitution has given to every citizen, a fundamental duty to protect environment. Moreover, the statute provides for better opportunities of public participation in environment decisions to avoid protracted legislations.

POLLuTION bOARDS: The Central and State pollution boards, established under water and air acts, control pollution.

Their negligence cannot be tolerated by the courts. In the UP Pollution Board vs Modi Distillery case, the SC had cracked down on the pollution board, for its negligence in not taking action against Modi distillery, for discharging noxious trade effluents and had upheld the prosecution of MD and others, awarded by the UP high court.

PATH bREAKING JuDICIAL PRONOuNCEMENTS: In Ganga river pollution case, the SC bench comprising justices Venkatramaiah and Kuldip Singh, in its judicious ruling, came down heavily on the tanneries, directing them to set up primary treatment plants, or otherwise, to stop their functioning.

Further, the judges had also fixed responsibilities on Kanpur Nagar Palika to improve its sewage system. Besides, the High courts were also directed not to grant stay of proceedings, to prosecute industrialists polluting the Ganga water.

PRESERvING TAJ MAHAL (TAJ TRAPEzIuM CASE): The Supreme Court had ruled that the pollution of sulphur dioxide, emitted by Mathura Refineries, is bound to create acid fumes after combining with oxygen, due to usage of coal/coke which could bring damage to Taj Mahal. The court further ruled that even the other foundries situated around Taj Mahal, should also stop using coal/coke that is heavily creating environmental nuisance and therefore, the Supreme Court had ordered Gas Authority of India to supply natural gas to such foundries to avoid getting dangerous fumes obtained by coal/coke that are harming the Taj. SHRIRAM GAS LEAK CASE: The public interest litigation was filed in the Supreme Court to close and relocate Shriram caustic, chlorine and sulphuric acid plants due to the deaths of some people in the thickly populated area of Delhi, due to a gas leakage.

The Supreme Court, comprising a five member (judges) bench, headed by Chief Justice Bhagavati, on the recommendations of the two expert committees (appointed by the Supreme Court) had permitted Shri Ram Pant, to restart on strict conditions, with a warning that the permission would be withdrawn, if the plant violated conditions put to them.

Law will take own course: Govt Gujarat govt says stand vindicated

PTI NEW DELHI, FEB 22

Government today reacted cautiously to the special court's verdict on the Godhra train burning case, saying the law will take its own course.

"The courts of law will take their own course...there are processes involved because definitely there will be an appeal filed in the High Court. Therefore, it is premature to comment on this," Law Minister M Veerappa Moily told reporters here.

He said it was necessary that the guilty behind the incident are punished. "Of course nobody can block the process of the courts of justice," he said.

Asked to react on the acquittal of main conspirator Syed Hassan Umarji, Moily said as a Law Minister he could not comment on the judgement of a sessions court.

"If there is any case, it is for the High Court to interfere, not for me," he said.

Asked to comment on the arrangements made by the Gujarat government to ensure peace against the backdrop of the verdict, Moily said there was nothing to compliment the state government about. "It is the creation of the state government itself," he quipped.

Home Minister P Chidambaram said he would not like to say anything on the issue before going through the judgement. Minorities Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid it was important to understand the "reason-

godhra verdict

PTI NEW DELHI, FEB 22

SIT satisfied with verdict

The Special Investigation Team, which was inquiring into the Godhra train burning incident, today expressed satisfaction with the verdict in the case. "I have a mixed opinion on the judgement. I am satisfied with the Godhra train burning verdict, but I am pained as so many lives were lost due to the incident," SIT Head R K Raghavan told PTI. ing" behind the judgement.

"How can we say the verdict is good or bad without understanding the reasoning," he said.

He, however, added that the series of events surrounding the incident have often raised question marks on the level of confidence in the state government.

"Only time will tell whether

PTI MUMBAI, FEB 22

Mammu wants to hang Kasab

Hangman Mammu Singh says that it is his wish to execute Pakistani gunman Mohammad Ajmal Kasab, who has been sentenced to death in the 26/11 case.

The 62-year-old hangman says he want to hang Kasab in public view, if given permission.

"Mammu jallad", as he is popularly known as, says hanging Kasab in public would send a strong message to the world that enemies of the country will meet a similar fate. -- (PTI) tar y confinement and expressed his desire to hear the proceedings by appearing in person.

Telangana bandh cripples life

the verdict will help increase the level of confidence," he said.

Gujarat government said the Godhra carnage verdict vindicated its stand that the train attack was a "pre-planned conspiracy" while the BJP alleged it had exposed the "nefarious designs" of the UPA regime.

Congress and the Left de-

However, his plea has been rejected a couple of times.

Kasab's lawyer Farhana Shah said she would meet him in a day or two in jail to inform about the details of the verdict and seek his instructions on filing appeal in the Supreme Court.

A Division Bench had yesterday confirmed the death sentence awarded to Kasab by the trial court. The court held him guilty of multiple murders, criminal conspiracy and waging war against the nation.

The Court had also dismissed Kasab's appeal against conviction and death sentence, saying the offences committed by him fell in the "rarest of the rare" category and not giving him death would send wrong signals as the crime committed by him was very serious.

PTI NEW DELHI, FEB 22

Paramilitary troopers stand guard during a strike in Srinagar on Tuesday.

Members of Samajwadi Party and BSP today clashed in the Lok Sabha and forced adjournment of the House for about an hour after the Mayawati government in Uttar Pradesh was accused of circumventing the democratic processes in the state.

During the Zero Hour, Dharmendra Yadav (SP) referred to the developments in the UP Assembly yesterday, saying the party has moved an Adjournment Motion to discuss the issue.

He alleged that the BSP government was using force to bulldoze its way by circumventing the democratic processes.

Tuskers’ menace haunts farmers along border HERALD CORRESPONDENT BELGAUM, FEB 22

With the dense jungles bordering Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra encouraging the movement of elephants, Belgaum Deputy Conservator of Forests Girish Hosur has claimed there are about 20 elephants moving in herds of four to five each.

According to Hosur, their movement is between Dandeli, Londa, Castle Rock, Chorla, Kankumbi, Jamboti and Tilari covering a distance of about 200 kms in three states.

“The issue was discussed at Belgaum during a recent meeting of the three senior most forest officials from three neighbouring jurisdictions”, Hosur said adding that

clined to comment on the verdict by a Special Court saying they would like to first study the judgement. But the Congress took the opportunity to again pin the blame on Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP leader Narendra Modi for the postGodhra communal riots that left over 1,200 people dead.

Charlie Chaplin grandson ties knot in K’taka PTI SIRSI, FEB 22

Iconic comic actor Charlie Chaplin's grandson Mark Joplin (60) married Tera Tiffani (52) over the weekend at Gokarna in Karnataka according to Hindu traditions.

The couple were dressed like traditional Hindu bride and groom, Rajagopal Adi, the priest who conducted the marriage ceremony, said.

Explaining that both Joplin and Tiffani have a common interest in Indian culture, Adi said Tiffani participated in the "Harikatha" and "Keerthana" with Joplin for several years.

They decided to marry as per Indian traditions and expressed interest in this regard to their friend Parameshwar Shastri, a hotel industrialist, who made arrangements for the wedding in his lodge at Kudle beach of Gokarna, Adi said.

SP, BSP members clash in Lok Sabha

PTI HYDERABAD, FEB 22

Normal life was badly affected in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh as the 48-hour bandh called by Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC) in support of their demand for early introduction of a bill for formation of a separate state, began today.

Schools, colleges, shops and commercial establishments remained closed and public transport remained off the roads.

People who arrived in the city from far off places at the Secunderabad railway station, headquarters of South Central Railway, and the Mahatma Gandhi bus station here had to face difficulties in reaching their destinations as city buses and auto rickshaws were not available.

Cong blames Modi

Congress declined to comment on the special court's verdict, saying it is "not aware of the content of the judgement", even as the party blamed Gujarat CM Narendra Modi for triggering post-Godhra communal riots. "We are not aware of the content...First we have to study the judgement," Congress spokesperson Jayanti Natarajan said.

Kasab withdraws into shell after HC verdict A day after the Bombay High Court confirmed the death sentence to Ajmal Kasab in the 26/11 terror attack case, the Pakistani terrorist has withdrawn into a shell and does not talk to any guards in Arthur Road Jail here, prison sources said today.

After hearing the verdict in the video conference room of the prison, Kasab returned to his cell and did not show any signs of being tense or feeling dejected. He did not talk to anyone and slept well after having dinner, the sources told PTI. In keeping with daily rituals, Kasab offered 'Namaz' before going to bed. In the past, Kasab has complained to the trial court as well as the High Court about being kept in soli-

new initiatives are necessary to control the encroachment of the tuskers as earlier attempts did not yield much results. “They proved to be smarter than the humans”, he added.

The farmers in Khanapur and Western Belgaum taluka who have already suffered heavy losses due to delayed rainy season are going through turmoil again due to the rising menace of the elephants that are encroaching in their fields and making merry on the lush green second crops.

While crops worth crores of rupees are being destroyed by the tuskers, thousands of farmers in the region are facing the question of their livelihood.

Though Karnataka Minister

BJP wants PM to clarify on Devas deal in Parliament

Officials on look out for poachers The existence of wildlife, especially some endangered species in the Western Ghats has been threatened, as the forest authorities have sensed the presence of poachers from northern India in these jungles.

In a recently convened meeting at Belgaum, the authorities have arrived at a decision of working in tandem to initiate preventive measures in this regard.

“We have taken a decision

to develop an inter-state rapport and exchange information if any challenging movement (of poachers) is felt in the forests bordering Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra,” DCF Girish Hosur told Herald.

Senior forest officials from Goa Ajay Misra, V Khawlhring including Belgaum CCF Ramchandra and forest officials from Kolhapur and Sindhudurg Range in Maharashtra were present for the meeting. -- (HC)

for Agriculture Umesh Katti tried to review the situation in the recently held KDP meeting at Belgaum, no concrete steps were ascertained to save the

farmers from the elephant menace.

Situated in the rich biodiversity region of the Western Ghats, Khanapur taluka bor-

dering Goa is known for as the paradise for many of the wild and rich species of flora and fauna.

The Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary set amid dense forests is known to house some extinct species of animals, birds and trees. Apart from Bisons, leopards pugmarks indicating existence of tiger have been also traced by the forest department in the forest region where the boundaries of three states meet.

Meanwhile, the menace continues to haunt the farmers in the region as rigorous initiatives must be initiated by the state authorities in this regard to avoid further complications that may lead to a man versus animal conflicts.

Yadav was expressing concern over the way certain bills were quickly passed in the UP Assembly yesterday amid din, ignoring protests from the entire Opposition.

He was supported by party members, some of whom rushed to the Well carrying placards reading "Loktantra ki hatyari sarkar ko barkhast karo (dismiss the government which has murdered democracy)."

BSP members immediately countered the charges against their government, leading to an uproar.

In the din, nothing could be heard and within minutes Speaker Meira Kumar adjourned the House for lunch.

Govt suffers from leadership, laments Oppn PTI NEW DELHI, FEB 22

In a sharp attack on government, the Opposition today accused it of suffering from "deficit" on account of "leadership" and "competence" and questioned Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's contention about "coalition compulsions" which it wanted to be explained.

Participating in the debate over Motion of Thanks to the President's Address, the Opposition faulted the government on the issue of corruption.

"India has never had it so bad in terms of governance. Today you have a government which, for the past three years, cannot control prices, it cannot provide this country either with the decision-making or with honest governance," Arun Jaitley said.

BJP today demanded that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh clarify in Parliament his stand on the ISRO-Devas multimedia deal for S-band allocation, alleging that he was directly responsible for the anomalies as the Department of Space was headed by him.

"The Devas scam is bigger than the 2-G Spectrum scam. We will raise the issue in Parliament next week. The Prime Minister is directly responsible for it as the Department of Space is under him. He should give a clarification in Parliament," Deputy Leader of BJP in Lok Sabha Gopinath Munde told reporters.

The BJP Parliamentary Party meeting discussed the issue and took the decision that the matter should be raised in the House next week.

The JPC issue was also discussed in the meeting with party leaders informing the MPs that constitution of the panel would be announced by the Prime Minister today.

Other issues like Common-

The Devas scam is bigger than the 2G scam. We will raise the issue in Parliament next week. The Prime Minister is directly responsible for it .

-- Gopinath Munde wealth Games scam, the Adarsh Housing society scam, price rise, internal security, ration scam in the army, black money stashed abroad, Chinese intrusions and functioning of the CBI will also be raised by the principal opposition in Parliament.

Harassment and killing of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan navy, Sabarimala stampede, Tiranga yatra and the treatment meted out to BJP workers by the government will also be raised by the party in Short Duration and Calling Attention motions in Parliament.

appointments

Pg10

OHERALDO

NEWS

GOA, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2010

New award for work on social upliftment PTI NEW DELHI, FEB 22

Industrialist Sitaram Jindal today announced the institution of a Rs five-crore award to recognise the "highest order" work of individuals and institutions engaged in the field of social upliftment.

The Jindal Prizes, instituted

by Sitaram Jindal Foundation (SJF), will be given to five persons ever y year and each awardee will get Rs one crore.

The SJF, a charity arm of Jindal Aluminium Limited, is primarily engaged in humanitarian service with focus on formal education, health and rural development among others.

T h e a re a s i n w h i c h t h e awards will be given are development and poverty alleviation, health including drugless healing, education with emphasis on moral upliftment, science,

technology and environment and peace, social harmony and development.

"The new venture is a humble effort to recognise work of the highest order in the social upliftment. I hope it becomes the catalyst of mindset change in youngsters to imbibe the virtue of social service," SJF Chairman D P Jindal told reporters here.

The awardees will be selected through a three-tier process and honoured at a function ceremony in October-November.

Details of the award are available at website www.jindalprize.org.

T h e n i n e - m e m b e r j u r y, headed by Justice J S Verma, includes prominent personalities like former ISRO chief K Kasturirangan, former NASSCOM president Kiran Karnik and eminent journalists B G Verghese and H K Dua.

Raja & Co seek bail; hearing on Thursday HERALD CORRESPONDENT NEW DELHI, FEB 22

The 47-year old former telecom minister A Raja will be moving an application for an "interim bail" on Thursday to attend Parliament that is in session while Swan Telecom promoter and DB Realty boss Shahid Usman Balwa and two others filed their bail applications on Tuesday before the CBI court that had sent them to the judicial custody in the 2G scam.

Special judge O P Saini posted the bail applications of Balwa, Raja's former personal secretary R K Chandolia and former retired telecom secretary Siddharth Behura for Thursday to hear together along with the bail plea of the former minister that his lawyer submitted to file by that day.

The lawyer said he is preparing papers for both "interim bail" and in the alternative permission to attend Parliament even while continuing in the judicial lock-up.

Raja may, however, miss the

opportunity to participate in the discussion in the Lok Sabha on Thursday on the resolution for formation of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) unless he gets the bail in early part of the day or the discussion spills over to Friday.

He has not yet moved any application to Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar to allow him to take part in the JPC resolution debate. "Let his request come, then I will consider," she said when asked about his request to join the debate. He wants to make a personal statement by way of participating in the debate on the ground that the issue in question relates to his tenure as the telecom minister.

Judge Saini, in the meanwhile, extended the judicial custody of Chandolia and Behura till March 3 so that they can be presented in the court along with Raja and Balwa who were sent to the judicial lock-up till that date.

Delhi as safe as any other city: PC PTI NEW DELHI, FEB 22

Dismissing reports of increase in incidents of crime in the National Capital, Home Minister P Chidamabarm today said data showed a decline between 2001 and 2010.

"Crime in Delhi has remained well under control... The crime rate per lakh of population, a yardstick generally followed world-wide to compare crime, showed a decline in Delhi from 392.66 in 2001 to 281.34 in 2010," he said in the Lok Sabha during Question Hour.

From these statistics, it cannot be concluded that crimes are increasing. But, in a big city like Delhi certain crimes are inevitable.

"Delhi is as safe as any other city in India," he said adding, "...we shall make endeavor to make it (Delhi) it more safe."

According to statistics provided by the government, the incidents of rape have showed a steady rise from 425 in 2009 to 458 in 2010 and in the month of January this year as many as 17 cases have been reported.

The government has implemented a number of schemes like 'eyes and ears' and 'toll-free' number for early reporting of crime, he said, asserting, "We coordinate with neighbouring

states like Har yana, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan to control the menace."

New initiatives are being taken to recruit more police personnel, increase number of vehicles provided to the police force and setting up more police stations among others, the Minister said.

The written reply by Minister of State for Home Affairs M Ramachandran said the Delhi police has taken various measures to check crime including steps taken to provide security to women and children.

Meanwhile, around 2,300 of the 17,000 children who went missing from the capital in the past three years are yet to be traced, the government said today.

According to statistics placed in the Lok Sabha during Question Hour by Minister of State for Home Affairs Gurudas Kamat, a total of 17,305 children went missing from Delhi between 2008 and 2010, while 2,366 are yet to be traced.

Quoting the figures provided

by Delhi Police, Kamat said 6,268 children went missing in 2008, 5,946 in 2009 and 5,091 in 2010.

"A total of 5,829 children were traced in 2008, in 2009 it was 5,336 and 3,774 in 2010," the Minister said.

From Page 1 Cops ‘escort’ jailbird ... to verify if there were any CCTVs in the parlour.

Satisfied that there were none in the parlour, Balesh pulled out cash from his pocket and paid for all ice-creams, thereby indicating that he had carried money when he left the jail.

After the ice cream, the escort vehicle crawled at about 20 kmph as it took nearly 20 minutes to proceed from Vasco to Sada junction at about 11.20 pm.

On reaching the Sada junction, instead of proceeding to the jail, which is barely 400 metres towards the left of the Sada junction, the driver took a detour and the vehicle proceeded towards the MPT head office. The escort vehicle reached the jail only at about 11.40 pm.

It was then that the two reporters confronted the escort vehicle driver who was panic-stricken and pleaded with the reporters not to report the incident.

When the reporters confronted police constables Gaonkar and Patil for comments, both of them jumped into the vehicle and sped away.

Doctors on night duty at the Chicalim hospital conformed that the escort police had brought one Balesh Dessai, who had complained of “loose motions”.

“We gave him an injection and prescribed some tablets. Within 15 minutes, they left the hospital,” a doctor said.

Records at the Vasco Escort Cell and Sada Sub Jail state that the accused, Dessai, was taken for medical examination by police constables suraj Gaonkar and Pradip Patil and driver Shivananad Budhanoor.

Undertrial jumps off... the accused jumped off the escort bus.

It is learnt that Fernandes is allegedly operating a gang in Goa and Maharashtra and Tuesday’s dramatic escape appears to have been hatched well in advance.

About seven months ago, three inmates from Sada Sub jail had escaped by drilling a hole in the toilet. Accused Hitler Fernandes, who had spent almost half his half in jail in connection with two murders, along with undertrials Abhijit Patil (27) and Seby Ferrao (23) had escaped from the jail. Abhijit Patil was later arrested in Mollem.

Doppler radar

major blow, when security reasons scuttled their plan. Being of Chinese-make , the Union Defence Ministry has cited security reasons for not letting this radar to be installed on the western coast IMD had then suggested installation of the BEL- made radar at the Goa facility.

OHERALDO

Pg 11

WORLD

GOA, WEDNESDAY, 23 FEBRUARY, 2011

65 killed in New Zealand quake, hundreds trapped

Rescue workers look for victims on the collapsed Pyne Gould Guinness building where people remain trapped after a 6.3 earthquake hit the city of Christchurch on Tuesday. (Right)A collapsed building lies over parked cars in the aftermath of a earthquake in Christchurch.

PTI MELBOURNE, FEB 22

At least 65 people were killed as a 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck New Zealand's southern city of Christchurch early today, crushing buildings and leaving hundreds of people trapped and screaming for help.

"The death toll I have at the moment is 65 and that may rise. So it is an absolute tragedy for this city, for New Zealand and for the people that we care so much about," New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said.

"It's a terrifying time for the people of Canterbury. We may

be witnessing New Zealand's darkest day," he said and described Christchurch - the nation's second-largest city – as "a scene of utter devastation."

Dozens were trapped under flattened buildings in the country's most devastating tremor in 80 years.

Bam ‘outraged’ over attacks on protesters in Libya PTI UNITED NATIONS, FEB 22

UN Secretary-General Ban Kimoon has expressed "outrage" at reports of pro-democracy protesters in Libya being shot at from war planes by security forces.

"The Secretary-General is outraged at press reports that the Libyan authorities have been firing at demonstrators from war planes and helicopters," said a statement issued by his office.

"Such attacks against civilians, if confirmed, would constitute a serious violation of international humanitarian law and would be condemned by the S e c re t a r y - G e n e r a l i n t h e strongest terms," it added. `The New York Times’ reported that on Monday security forces used fighter jets and live ammunition which witnesses described as "small bombs" on protesters in Tripoli.

The brutal crackdown was making it difficult for the protesters to continue the demonstrations against Muammar Gaddafi's 40-year-old rule.

"The world is watching the situation in Libya with alarm," US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a statement. "We join the international community in strongly condemning the violence in Libya."

Yesterday, Ban urged the Libyan leader to stop the "escalating scale of violence" in the country.

"The Secretary-General ex-

Bahrain king pardons political prisoners AFP MANAMA, FEB 22

Thousands of Bahrainis today joined the funeral of a slain Shiite protester as King Hamad ordered political prisoners freed in a new bid to end a standoff with anti-regime demonstrators.

Mourners chanted antiregime slogans as the funeral procession wound through Manama streets, while vast crowds of protesters converged on Pearl Square to demand the fall of the regime despite one of their demands -- release of political prisoners -- having been met.

Chants of "sit-in, sit-in, until the regime falls" reverberated across Pearl Square, the epicentre of anti-regime protests since February 14 which has now been turned into a tent city.

The Shiite-led opposition has called for a demonstration today afternoon in Manama, the first to be officially called for by political associations since protests started last week.

Key Libyan diplomats disown Gadhafi's regime AP UNITED NATIONS, FEB 22

Key Libyan diplomats disowned Moammar Gadhafi's regime and the country's deputy UN ambassador called on the long time ruler to step down because of its bloody crackdown on protesters.

The Libyan ambassador to the United States also said he could no longer support Gadhafi, and the ambassador to India resigned.

Almost all Libyan diplomats at the United Nations backed deputy ambassador Ibrahim Dabbashi's pleas to Gadhafi to end his 40-year rule and to the international community to intervene.

As diplomatic support for Gadhafi began to crumble, Dabbashi warned that if he doesn't leave, "the Libyan people will get rid of him." pressed deep concern at the escalating scale of violence and emphasized that it must stop immediately," said an earlier statement from the UN. "He (Ban) reiterated his call for respect for basic freedoms and human rights, including peaceful assembly and information," it said adding that he has been in close touch with key states about the Libya crisis.

Following the overthrow of leaders in Tunisia and Egypt, large-scale protests have erupted in several countries in the region including Bahrain, Yemen and Libya.

Human Rights Watch had put the figure of dead at least 223, but some other international rights groups said there could be up to 400 dead in the un-

rest.

US President Barack Obama has also condemned the use of lethal force against peaceful demonstrators in these three countries.

Reacting to the Libyan leader's explanation of the government's action, Ban said that the civilian population had to be protected under any circumstances.

"He (Ban) urged all parties to exercise restraint and called upon the authorities to engage in broad-based dialogue to address legitimate concerns of the population," the statement said.

The UN leader had a 40minute telephone conversation with Gadhafi earlier to press for an end to violence and a broadbased dialogue with the opposition.

The widespread damage came from a lunch-time tremor in the city of about 4 lakh residents which is still recovering from a powerful quake in September last year. However, that quake did not cause any fatalities but did weaken many buildings.

Saleh rejects demands to step down AP SANAA, FEB 22

Yemen's embattled leader today rejected demands that he step down, saying widespread demonstrations against his regime are unacceptable acts of provocation.

However, US-backed President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in power for three decades, offered to begin a dialogue with the protesters.

The proposal was quickly rebuffed as insincere by an opposition spokesman, and an influential group of Muslim clerics called for the establishment of a national unity government until elections can be held.

In another attempt to defuse anger, Saleh told a news conference that he has ordered troops not to fire at anti- government protesters, except in self defense. At least 11 people have been killed since protests erupted earlier this month, including a youth shot dead today, medical officials said.

The demonstrations in Yemen, the poorest Arab nation, are part of a wave of unrest that have swept across the Arab world in recent weeks and toppled autocratic leaders in Tunisia and Egypt.

Saleh's government was already weak before the protests, facing a southern separatist movement and disaffected tribesmen around the country.

Pak conducts court martial in Army HQ attack case PTI ISLAMABAD, FEB 22

The Pakistani military is conducting the court martial of seven men charged with involvement in a terrorist attack on the army’s headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi in 2009, a defence lawyer has said.

A brigadier is heading the trial that began on January 24 though the army has kept the proceedings secret. Inam-ur-Rehman, a lawyer for the accused, said civilians cannot be tried by court martial on such charges.

Rehman contended that only civilians accused of spying on Pakistan's military installations for an enemy state or of inciting a mutiny in the military can be court martialled, according to a report on the website of BBC Urdu.

A group of 10 suicide attackers stormed the army's General Headquarters in October 2009 and killed 11 people and held dozens of army personnel hostage for nearly 20 hours.

The attackers entered the GHQ complex after killing guards at the main gate.

Nine attackers were killed in an operation by commandos while one identified as Aqeel alias Doctor Usman was arrested in an injured condition. Army investigators arrested six more persons on the basis of information provided by Aqeel a few days after the attack.

These seven men are now being tried by the military court.

Aqeel's friend Imran, former army medical corps personnel, is among the suspects.

The others are Khaliq-urRehman, Usman Aaka, Wajid Mehmood, Muhammad Adnan and Tahir Shafeeq, all believed to be friends of Aqeel.

The prosecution has alleged that the six men were aware of the terrorist plan to attack the GHQ and had helped Aqeel.

But lawyer Inam-ur-Rehman said the military court has no jurisdiction to hear the charges framed against his clients.

He said he had told the court that nine of the 10 attackers were killed and that civilians were not involved in the attack.

Rehman also said no weapon was recovered from the accused and they could not be linked to the attack. He said the accused had been in the custody of the army's "secret agencies" and their relatives had not been informed about their whereabouts.

After relatives of the accused contacted human rights groups, they were included in the list of "missing persons" or people being detained without charge by security and intelligence agencies. Rehman alleged that he was not allowed to meet separately with his clients during the military court’s proceedings.

Five of the accused were among a group of `missing persons’ who were released on the Supreme Court’s orders a few months ago but security agencies arrested them again without informing the court.

Live video footage showed parts of buildings collapsed into the streets, which were strewn with bricks and shattered concrete.

Footpaths and roads were cracked and split, and hundreds of dazed, screaming and crying residents wandered through the streets as sirens blared throughout the city.

The TV footage showed onlookers clinging to each other and others bleeding and limping, many searching for loved ones and trying to reach trapped people.

People fled the city centre as emergency services rushed to the area to evacuate those trapped in buildings.

Local police said that there were multiple fatalities in the city, including an accident in which two buses had been crushed by falling buildings.

Christchurch airport was temporarily closed and police said they were evacuating the city centre as building frontages collapsed, with witnesses saying there were people trapped inside.

The city's iconic cathedral lost its spire and the six-storey Canterbury TV building was reduced to a smoking ruin due to the quake.

Eye-witnesses said rescue helicopters were pressed into service to lift survivors to safety from the rooftops of buildings where stair-

Earthquake in New Zealand Large-scale damage across Christchurch 300 km

Christchurch International Airport Hagley park

NEW ZEALAND NORTH ISLAND

Pyne Gould Guinness bldg Canterbury TV

6.3-magnitude quake Tuesday SOUTH ISLAND

Christchurch Cathedral

Hospital Opawa

Wigram Airport

WELLINGTON

Ferrymead Halswell

Christchurch

Lyttelton Dunedin 2 km

cases had collapsed, and emergency workers used giant cranes to pull office workers out of ruined city buildings.

"We had everything on our side in the last earthquake ...we're the polar opposite this time," the Prime Minister said.

Christchurch Mayor Bob

Epicentre

Parker asked residents to prepare for the worst and said there were between 150 and 200 people trapped in buildings across the city.

He declared a state of emergency for the city this afternoon, saying it was a "black day".

Davis performed surveillance missions for CIA: reports PTI WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD, FEB 21

US official Raymond Davis, arrested for gunning down two men in Lahore, was a CIA agent in Pakistan tasked with keeping a track on movements of Pakistani militant groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba, media reports said today.

British paper The Guardian said based on interviews in the US and Pakistan, that it can confirm that Davis, a former special forces soldier is employed by the CIA. It quoted a senior Pakistani intelligence official as saying that "it's beyond a shadow of doubt".

While the CIA declined to comment on the report, a New York Times report said quoting American officials that Davis was part of a covert CIA-led team of operatives conducting surveillance on militant groups deep inside Pakistan.

The Times said the CIA team in Lahore with which Davis was associated "was tasked with tracking the movements of various Pakistani militant groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba, a particularly violent group that Pakistan uses as a proxy force against India but that the United States considers a threat to allied troops in Afghanistan".

Lashkar-e-Taiba has been blamed by India for orchestrating the Mumbai terror attack that claimed 166 lives.

"For the Pakistanis, such spying inside their country is an extremely delicate issue, partic-

Three TN politicians deported from Lanka PTI COLOMBO, FEB 22

An MP and two other politicians from Tamil Nadu were today deported by Sri Lankan immigration authorities as they landed here to attend the funeral of LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran's mother, who died on Sunday.

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader and MP Thol Thirumavalan and others were deported back to India from the international airport here.

"They have been deported upon their arrival," former TNA MP M K Sivajilingam told PTI. It was not clear who are the other two leaders. "They (airport officials) didn't give any reasons for the deportation" he said.

Velupillai Parvathipillai (81), the mother of Prabhakaran, passed away on Sunday after prolonged illness at a government hospital in northern Sri Lanka.

ularly since Lashkar has longstanding ties to Pakistan's intelligence service, the Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence, or ISI," the paper said.

The disclosures may complicate US efforts to seek the release of Davis, who claims to have fired in self-defence when the two attempted to rob him.

State Department spokesman P J Crowley refused to comment on the issue during his press briefing in Washington today.

37-year-old Davis has been charged with murder after he shot at the two men who had pulled up in front of his car at a traffic signal on January 25.

The Times said Davis, a retired Special Forces soldier, carried out scouting and reconnaissance missions for a CIA task force, working

from a safe house in the eastern city of Lahore.

Earlier reports in the Pakistani media had suggested that Davis was a CIA agent, and the two Pakistanis he gunned down were working for the ISI, and were tasked to trail him.

In Islamabad, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said his government would deal with the matter without compromising national interests.

"You should not be worried.

There is a responsible government and it is working in the country's interest," he said, asked by reporters about Davis being a CIA operative. Davis was engaged in espionage and surveillance activities and was on a mission when the incident happened, claimed Punjab's law

minister Rana Sanaullah. Davis is now lodged in the Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore where additional security forces have been deployed.

The Obama administration has demanded the release of Davis contending that he is an "administrative and technical official" attached to its Lahore consulate and that he enjoys diplomatic immunity.

A petition relating to his diplomatic status is pending before a Lahore court. The next hearing is on March 14. The Guardian said the Pakistani government was aware of Davis's CIA status but had kept quiet in the face of intense US pressure.

Another report said Davis was hired on contract by the American intelligence agency and was not a regular staff.

The Times said that Davis' arrest and detention has "inadvertently pulled back the curtain on a web of covert American operations inside Pakistan, part of a secret war run by the CIA".

It said there has been a flurry of phone calls to Pakistan from CIA Director Leon E Panetta, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm Mike Mullen, to persuade Pakistan for his release.

"Mr Davis has worked for years as a CIA contractor, including time at Blackwater Worldwide, the controversial private security firm (now called Xe) that Pakistanis have long viewed as symbolising a culture of American gun slinging overseas," it said.

Pak to approach Brit agencies to extradite Musharraf PTI ISLAMABAD, FEB 22

Pakistan government will seek assistance from law enforcement agencies in Britain to extradite former President Pervez Musharraf to ensure his appearance in court in connection with a case related to former premier Benazir Bhutto's assassination.

The Federal Investigation Agency will submit the extradition request through the Pakistani High Commission in London and not Interpol as is customary though the matter is expected to be complicated as there is no extradition treaty between Britain and Pakistan.

"We have no extradition treaty with England. Therefore, we are writing through the Pakistani High Commission to UK for Musharraf's extradition," FIA prosecutor Muhammad Azhar Chaudhry was quoted as saying by The Express Tribune newspaper.

Chaudhry said the High Commission will send a summons to Mushar-

raf after consulting the home department of Britain, where the former military ruler has been living in self-exile since early 2009.

FIA chief Wasim Ahmad said his agency will pursue the extradition aggressively and leave no stone unturned to arrest the former President.

An anti-terrorism court conducting the trial of five suspects charged with involvement in Bhutto's killing recently reissued an arrest warrant for Musharraf

after investigators said he ignored repeated requests to cooperate with the probe into the assassination.

The court has scheduled the next hearing of the case for March 5 and asked prosecutors to present Musharraf on that date. Musharraf's spokesman Muhammad Ali Saif said the government's attempt to extradite Musharraf is futile and that he did not plan on cooperating with the investigation.

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OHERALDO

Pg 12 Inflation may touch 9% this fiscal: CMIE PTI MUMBAI, FEB 22

Inflation will average nine per cent in FY 11, as compared to 3.6 per cent in the preceding fiscal, a leading economic think-tank said.

“Unseasonal rainfall in October and November 2010 damaged production of some crops including onion. In addition, exports of cotton and sugar have been permitted. Incorporating all these factors, we estimate that inflation will average nine per cent in 201011, as compared to 3.6 per cent in the preceding fiscal,”

the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy(CMIE) said in its latest review of the country's economy.

Between April and December 2010, inflation was 9.4 per cent, as compared to 1.7 per cent in the corresponding period of 2009.

“Major contributors include fruits, milk, eggs-meat-fish, condiments-spices, raw cotton, fuel and power, textiles and basic metals, alloys and metal products," CMIE said.

The think-tank foresees inflation coming down to 8.1 per cent in the fourth-quarter of

the current fiscal, from 10.6 per cent in the first-quarter and 9.3 per cent in the secondquarter.

In the third-quarter ending December 2010, it was 8.3 per cent. (MORE) PTI “Looking at developments at the sectoral level in the remaining period of 2010-11, we expect that the year-on-year changes in WPI of food articles will be higher at 16.8 per cent, on account of higher inflation in milk, vegetables, fruits and eggs-meat-fish,” it said.

Likewise, inflation in the fuel group is expected to drop from 14 per cent in the first-quarter of 2010-11 to 10 per cent in the last quarter. In manufactured goods it is expected to drop from six per cent to 3.5 per cent, it said.

Among manufactured goods, inflation in food products, beverages, textiles, wood and wood products, chemicals and chemical products and basic metals will be lower in the last quarter of FY 11 than in the first-quarter ended June 2010, CMIE said.

BIZ

GOA, WEDNESDAY 23 FEBRUARY, 2011

ICICI Pru Life not keen on IPO: Bakshi PTI

Need to increase aam admi’s purchasing reach:Mukherjee

MUMBAI, FEB 22

PTI

Even as the sectoral regulator IRDA has said that IPO guidelines will be out within the next 45 days, leading private sector insurer, ICICI Prudential Life, today said it is not very keen on hitting the capital market soon.

“We are not very keen on going in for an IPO (initial public offering) as we don’t need to raise any capital now. We are, in fact, very well capitalised," ICICI Prudential Life Managing Director and Chief Executive, Sandeep Bakshi, told PTI here today. However, speaking at a roundtable on the last day of the 13th Global Conference on Actuaries here, he said, IPO will be good for the industry as it will help companies arrive at better price discoveries.

NEW DELHI, FEB 22

Amid expectations of some relief for the common man in the Budget, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee today said his government will have to take steps to increase his purchasing power.

“I will have to say that this is the effort which the government will have to make,” Mukherjee said in the Rajya Sabha during Question Hour.

He was responding to comments by JD-U member Shivanand Tewari, who suggested that the purchasing capacity of common man should be commensurate with economic growth.

Mukherjee said some inflationary pressure would be there in a growing economy.

“In a growing economy, it is very difficult to say that there will be no inflationary pressures... Some impact would be

there,” he said.

At the same time, from the consumer's point of view, “If I cannot increase his purchasing power, then, he cannot afford to buy products. Therefore, this is the exercise which we shall have to take up.”

In the run-up to the budget to be presented on February 28, there is an expectation that the Finance Minister could increase the exemption limits of income tax from the existing Rs 1.6 lakh per annum for men and Rs 1.9 lakh for women.

Mukherjee said a report of a committee of chief ministers on price rise is expected soon.

But States need to amend their market regulated acts to reduce the gap between the priceb being given to the producer and being taken from the consumer.

Food inflation, which hurts

the common man most is still ruling in the double digits despite some moderation in recent weeks.

However, Mukherjee, admitted the government cannot control the prices because of other external factors but can reduce its adverse impact on people by strengthening the public distribution system.

“If we increase the purchasing power of the people, which we should, and if we give more to the producers, to the farmers, which we shall have to give, some amount of inflation would (still) be there.”

But, he said, it is the responsibility of the policy makers and the government to ensure that the price rise is within a manageable level. Steps are being taken both by removing the supply constraint and by fixing the appropriate monetary policy, he added.

Delta Corp to buy majority stake in Marvel Resorts HERALD BUSINESS DESK PANJIM, FEB 22

Casino Royale owner Delta Corp is acquiring a majority stake in Marvel Resorts Pvt Ltd. It will spend between Rs36 crore to Rs54 crore to buy a 67 per cent to 100 per cent stake in the company. Delta will also assume the debt lying in Marvel.

Marvel owns approximately two acres in Panjim, and has approved plans for a five star hotel to be built on land. With the acquisition, Delta proposes to develop a land-based casino in the five-star hotel. It is acquiring the stake through its subsidiary Delta Hospitality and Leisure Pvt Ltd. Delta Corp recently raised

Rs285.48 crore through a mix of shares and equity convertible warrants issue to a group of individual investors, including Rakesh Jhunjhunwala and his wife.

Originally a textile firm, Delta has over the last two years become a hospitality, gaming and real estate player by demerging its textile busi-

ness to Arrow Textiles. Its largest shareholder is Zia Mody (a top corporate lawyer and daughter of Soli Sorabjee). She is married to Jaydev Mody, who is related to the Piramals, and has been engaged in the real estate business.

ICICI Ventures bought a 14.99 per cent stake in Delta for Rs82 crore at a price of Rs40.50 per share. Its holding has come down to just over 7 per cent, owing to subsequent issues and share sale in open market transactions. Other investors in the company include BCCL (through Brand Equity Treaties Ltd).

Delta Corp owns two offshore Casinos in Goa – Casino Royale and King’s Casino. It also has a substantial minority stake in Advani Hotels & Resorts, which owns the Ramada Caravela Beach Resort, and operates the offshore Casino Goa onboard MV Caravela.

Reddy Lab’s anti-cholestrol drug: 2nd trial PTI HYDERABAD, FEB 22

A new anti-cholesterol drug being developed by pharma major Dr Reddy’s Laboratories (DRL) is set to enter into second phase of trial in May, Chairman of the company Dr Anji Reddy said here today.

There are only two companies other than Dr Reddy’s developing a similar kind of drug, Roche and Merck and they have already entered into third phase of the drug trial.

The completion of phase-I implies that the company has already found the drug to be safe though the efficacy and other issues will have to be tested in the subsequent phases.

Sensex dips 142 points A weak global trend on concerns over rising oil prices because of increasing unrest in the Middle East pulled down the BSE benchmark Sensex by over 142 points to 18,296.16, but a spurt in the stock of market heavyweight RIL cushioned the fall.

Escalating political tensions in oil-rich Libya and fears of the unrest spreading in the region led operators and retail investors to book profits. Crude oil was trading near USD 94 a barrel in New York yesterday on supply concerns, as investors feared that global economic recovery could be affected by rise in its prices.

Besides, profit booking ahead of the expiry of February contracts on Thursday and caution ahead of the Union Budget on February 28 put pressure on the market sentiment. The Bombay Stock Exchange 30-share index remained in the negative terrain during the day in a range of 18,457.90 and 18,187.33 (PTI)

Aban Offshor, 561.6, 579.8, 552.3, 565.05 Abb Ltd., 664, 666, 656.55, 663.65 Abg Shipyard, 365.25, 368.05, 358.6, 363.25 Acc Limited, 995, 1014.8, 989, 1007.85 Adani Enterp, 625, 642.5, 620, 627.45 Aditya Birla, 788, 788, 767.15, 780.25 Allahabad Ba, 208, 208, 203.9, 204.85 Alstom Proje, 584.5, 584.5, 555.05, 563.7 Ambuja Cemen, 125.55, 128.65, 122, 123.85 Andhra Bank, 149.65, 149.65, 146.5, 147.7 Ashok Leylan, 50, 50.55, 49, 49.35 Asian Paints, 2562.05, 2562.05, 2500, 2510.1 Axis Bank Li, 1271.3, 1294, 1258, 1264.65 Bajaj Hindus, 71, 75.3, 71, 73.25 Bank Of Baro, 900, 900, 876.3, 881.65 Bank Of Indi, 445.9, 445.9, 433.5, 437.15 Beml Limited, 669, 685.5, 658.15, 663.95 Bharat Elect, 1670, 1675.05, 1650.55, 1656.9 Bharat Forge, 317.95, 320.5, 315.25, 316.55 Bharat Petro, 577, 577, 560.25, 570.25 Bharti Airte, 327.25, 334.5, 323.35, 330.5

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Hdfc Bank Lt, 2190, 2191.7, 2125.4, 2138.45 Hdfc Ltd, 643.8, 646.55, 636.05, 641.1 Hero Honda M, 1438, 1438, 1375.75, 1390.55 Hindalco in, 210, 214.55, 208.1, 212.2 Hindustan Co, 35, 36.9, 34.05, 35.35 Hindustan Ma, 63, 67.5, 63, 64.9 Hindustan Pe, 330, 332, 320.05, 321.9 Hindustan Un, 279.35, 281.8, 276.65, 280.3 Hindustan Zi, 1282, 1282, 1268, 1272.2 Housing Dev, 148, 156.7, 145.8, 154.75 Icici Bank L, 1026.7, 1033, 1015.15, 1027.1 Idea Cellula, 62.25, 62.3, 58.2, 59.85 Ifci Ltd, 51.45, 52.45, 50.65, 51.65 India Cement, 92.5, 94.45, 92.25, 93.6 India Infoli, 68, 70.1, 67.05, 69.1 Indiabulls F, 139, 146.45, 137.6, 142.75 Indiabulls R, 109, 111.1, 106.2, 108.35 Indian Bank, 219.25, 219.25, 214.05, 216.25 Indian Hotel, 81.6, 83, 79.8, 82.25 Indian Oil C, 314, 314, 303.35, 305.05 Indian Overs, 138, 139, 132.9, 133.65

Indus Dev Ba, 133.1, 135.2, 131.7, 133.6 Indusind Ban, 227.7, 238, 227.7, 234.05 Infosys Tech, 3140.2, 3167, 3114, 3141.85 Infra. dev., 143, 145.7, 137.9, 139.2 Ispat Indust, 23.2, 23.55, 22.8, 23.15 Itc Ltd, 157.9, 157.9, 155.5, 156.7 Ivrcl Infras, 73.4, 73.4, 70.05, 70.65 Jai Corp Lim, 147.35, 179.65, 147.3, 176.6 Jaiprakash A, 86.1, 87.5, 84.5, 85.65 Jet Airways, 463.85, 464.3, 432, 435.9 Jindal Saw L, 210, 210.5, 204.4, 206.9 Jindal Steel, 686, 689.85, 667.25, 672.8 Jsw Steel Li, 910.1, 919.9, 888.9, 901.5 Kotak Mahind, 409.9, 414.5, 401.05, 408.8 Lakshmi Mach, 2120, 2154, 2101.05, 2109.9 Lanco Infrat, 39, 40.7, 38.15, 38.7 Larsen & Tou, 1640, 1640, 1598.1, 1605.85 Lic Housing, 192.8, 196.9, 188.85, 191.95 Lupin Limite, 410, 417.55, 403.6, 411.9 Mahanagar Te, 44, 44.1, 42.85, 43 Mahindra & M, 644.9, 645, 631.05, 639.75

Maruti Suzuk, 1205, 1205, 1170.1, 1181.1 Max India Lt, 144.55, 147.3, 143.1, 143.55 Moser-baer (, 41.2, 41.95, 39.5, 40.1 Mrpl, 62.5, 62.5, 60.85, 61.2 Nagarjuna Co, 100.05, 103.75, 98.05, 100.85 Nagarjuna Fe, 28.7, 29.2, 28.25, 28.5 National Alu, 405.7, 414, 403, 410.95 Neyveli Lign, 102, 103.3, 100.1, 101.8 Ntpc Ltd, 175.6, 177.4, 174.5, 175.85 Oil And Natu, 277, 277, 267.55, 271.95 Omaxe Limite, 135.5, 135.5, 130.05, 132.1 Oriental Ban, 332.2, 336, 325.1, 332.3 Pantaloon Re, 270, 273.8, 263.5, 268.5 Parsvnath De, 31.1, 31.4, 30.4, 30.65 Petronet Lng, 117.1, 118.45, 113.05, 114.6 Power Fin Co, 239.8, 247.65, 235.15, 244.7 Power Grid C, 98.5, 98.9, 97.8, 98.45 Praj Industr, 70.95, 70.95, 68.1, 69.05 Punj Lloyd L, 70.1, 70.1, 67.1, 67.5 Punjab Natio, 1075.4, 1084, 1060.05, 1069.35 Rajesh Expor, 136.4, 139, 134.05, 136.4 Ranbaxy Labs, 508.9, 508.9, 486, 492.25 Rashtriya Ch, 84.1, 87.65, 83.55, 84.55

Reliance Cap, 448.35, 470.95, 444, 457 Reliance Com, 93.4, 97.5, 92.8, 95.05 Reliance Ene, 1079, 1081, 1074.99, 1078.75 Reliance Ind, 630, 717.5, 615, 705.6 Reliance Ind, 992, 1009.4, 979.25, 984.85 Reliance Pow, 114.9, 116.8, 112.75, 114 Rolta India, 146.35, 146.5, 142.3, 144.25 Satyam Compu, 60.5, 62.9, 60.25, 62.5 Sesa Goa Ltd, 306, 307, 298.55, 300.95 Shipping Cor, 106.5, 107.4, 104.35, 104.85 Siemens Ltd, 843.5, 845, 839, 841.8 Sintex Indus, 149.75, 151.35, 145.1, 147.85 Sobha Develo, 255.25, 262.9, 247, 256.4 State Bank O, 2774, 2777, 2714, 2727.3 Steel Author, 159.9, 159.9, 155.75, 156.35 Sterlite Ind, 164.85, 170.7, 163.85, 167.85 Sun Pharmace, 429.6, 429.6, 412, 416.45 Sun Tv Netwo, 404, 407.9, 390, 392 Suzlon Energ, 47.05, 47.05, 45.25, 45.75 Tata Communi, 211.4, 211.4, 207, 207.9 Tata Consult, 1122.65, 1147.7, 1120,

1138.75 Tata Motors, 1150, 1154, 1122.7, 1136.85 Tata Power C, 1250.5, 1250.55, 1218, 1237.1 Tata Steel L, 630.9, 631, 620.3, 624.35 Tata Teleser, 15.55, 15.75, 15.3, 15.65 Tech Mahindr, 675, 702.6, 668.3, 683.65 The Ge Shpg., 269, 270.05, 256, 258.15 The Phoenix, 175, 180.45, 170, 177.7 Thermax Ltd, 636.4, 636.4, 601.5, 604.4 Titan Indust, 3331, 3499, 3311, 3475.95 Torrent Powe, 226, 227, 220.1, 225.65 Triveni Engg, 84.15, 85.35, 83.1, 84.7 Tv18 India L, 77.5, 80, 77.5, 78.15 Uco Bank, 105.5, 105.5, 102.6, 103.45 Ultratech Ce, 958, 970.05, 933.05, 956.35 Union Bank O, 333.1, 333.9, 326, 326.95 Unitech Ltd, 34.8, 35.65, 34.35, 35 United Phosp, 138.5, 138.5, 134.05, 136.65 Videocon Ind, 190.2, 198.45, 185.25, 194.85 Vijaya Bank, 82.85, 82.85, 80.25, 81.15 Voltas Ltd, 169.95, 174.3, 166.9, 168.3 Wipro Ltd, 450, 460, 435.2, 444.8 Yes Bank Lim, 281, 283.05, 272.6, 275.05

OHERALDO

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BIZ

GOA, WEDNESDAY, 23 FEBRUARY, 2011

Quadros Suzuki Margao: Multiplying fast!

M

BHARATI PAWASKAR

eet him and you are impressed. He is Evencio Quadros, the Managing Director of Quadros Suzuki, Margao, having his showroom – Quadros Motors Pvt Ltd – just opposite Multipurpose School at Borda. He has interesting background and an ideal one to follow. Having passed out his MBA in 1995, at 27 Evencio started his business. His elder brother Lume Quadros was a Service Engineer in LML at that time. Evencio started servicing the vehicles of LML at his workshop in Curchorem. He saw to it that the customers are satisfied to the brim. The company was too happy with his performance. Evencio continued servicing LML vehicles for four years till the company offered him sub-dealership in 1999.

This came as a surprise to Evencio.

Thanking his stars he continued the loyal service to the company as well his customers.

And again a reward came his way. This time LML allotted him full-fledged dealership at Margao. So Quadros Marketing Co came into being in 2003. “We did good business. But as good or bad days do not last forever, we had a setback. LML pulled shutters down. With it our own company, Quadros Marketing Co went bankrupt. I had some 30 odd employees working for me. They were totally dependent on their jobs. My closing down the premises meant bringing 30 families on roads. I was upset, frustrated but kept my head cool. My employees had faith in me. They knew me and my style of working. Times were bad, but friends, family and well-wishers stood by my side. I discussed the situation with my employees and asked them to leave if they wished.

Some left; they had responsibil-

Evencio Quadros, MD, Quadros Suzuki Margao with his travel group. (Inset) Evencio Quadros.

ities of family. Some showed trust and did not leave. They stayed back. And I am sure they do not repent for their decision. Those who remained are flourishing today,” Evencio announces happily. Continuing the tale he tells, “As the good days go, the bad phase also passes away. I strongly believe – There is a win in every defeat.

Trust and patience bears fruits in the long run…”

Then God sent another opportunity for Evencio. “I got Suzuki offer,” says Evencio.

Suzuki was to allot dealership in Goa – in Panjim and Margao.

Three dealers from Goa were selected and one was Evencio.

Luck favoured him. Today Evencio and his brother both are with Suzuki. With his 20 years experience in service Lume is the Director – Service of Quadros Suzuki in Goa. Both brothers handle business independently.

“Total 30 applicants were selected for interview and finally three were finalised. I was

given dealership for Margao.

This was some invisible hand that helped me to come out of my bankrupt situation. I had huge loans to pay. I was amazed to find, my showroom was falling within the parameters of Suzuki rules. It met all the conditions for being eligible for the dealership. My ready infrastructure helped me get this prestigious dealership,” explains Evencio.

Suzuki has its plant at Gurgaon in Haryana. The production started in February 2005.

Today Suzuki is the most preferred two-wheeler in India, and especially in Goa. “My clients have to book 6 months in advance. The market is flooded with continuous de-

mand and the company is gradually increasing its annual production. Except for this production constraint we have no other problem,” says Evencio. In 2006-2008 annually Suzuki manufactured 1 lakh vehicles. Now 4 lakh vehicles per annum are produced. The demand is growing so in 2011 the production is expected to be 6 lakhs. This will be a growth from 6 per cent to 20 per cent.

Accessories like jackets, key chains, buckles, badges, caps, Tshirts, shirts etc branded from Suzuki are available at the showroom.

“I am exploring business avenues and sell branded accessories from Suzuki for reasonable prices. Why teens, even adults get fascinated by these and enjoy flanking,” says Evencio who has seen 33 countries including North and South America. He travels a lot. Visiting other countries allows him to tap business opportunities.

He is planning to diversify in other fields too.

“A Gas station is my first venture which has already commissioned in Ponda. My second project is corrugation unit is already in the pipeline. And as I have told you earlier, I have already started selling Suzuki accessories. These I collect from my trips abroad. That’s the reason I am always on my toes and keep my baggage ready. I am a traveller,” smiles Evencio with diversification plans in the offing.

“I have gradually expanded to other cities in Goa – with another showroom at Ponda in 2009. I inaugurated my third showroom on 24 January 2011 at Mapusa. Business is slowly multiplying, by God’s grace. I am happy,” says this self-made man. He still services his LML customers offering them exchange opportunities. Many of them were too happy to accept these and go for Suzuki. “We should keep your customers happy. Selling a product and denying the responsibility to repair it later is unethical in business. I believe in doing my business ethically,” he says.

With friends everywhere and no foes around Evencio thinks no evil of others. Strongly believing in Karma, he carries on his work honestly. An example is enough for anyone to understand his personality.

His Suzuki counterpart in Panjim is a close friend of him.

“We may be competitors in business. But after our office hours we regularly meet for a chat. We share a lot in common. During office hours we talk of pure business. There should be a distinguished mark between friendship and profession and better not mix it together. Friendship is a pleasure and a treasure. We should value it,” says Evencio. The world indeed would be a better place if all businessmen think in line with Evencio.

Pawar promises veg farms around cities

DELHI BUREAU NEW DELHI, FEB 22

Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Tuesday promised the Lok Sabha to come out with a plan soon for promoting vegetable farms within 50 kms of vicinity around cities with 10 lakh plus population to stabilise the prices.

He, however, made it clear in reply to a volley of questions led by Rashtriya Janata Dal firebrand Raghuvansh Prasad Singh that it is "impossible" for the government to buy and sell vegetables and fruits like wheat and rice to make them available at reasonable prices.

"Let me be honest. The government cannot manage business in perishable produces," he affirmed responding to the members putting him on the mat on why the government did not buy vegetables and Pavan Sirohi, Chairman, Panjim branch of MBA-I, receiving the award for meritorious services to the MES Builders Association of India – regd. at the hands of Bharat Bhasin, all India President MBA-I at the 37th annual day function held at New Delhi recently.

NSDL appointed registrar for UID HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, FEB 22

National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL), the first and the largest depository in India which serves more than one crore investors in Indian Capital Market and ranks amongst the top 10 depositories in the world in terms of assets in custody has been appointed as a Registrar by Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) for implementation of UID mission in India.

Registrars are departments or agencies of the Central Government/ State Government/Union territory, public sector undertakings and other agencies and organisations, who in normal course of implementation of some of their programs, activities or operations interact with residents. The Registrar is required to enroll residents following the protocols, standards, processes and guidelines laid down by UIDAI. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by NSDL and UIDAI today at New Delhi for appointment of NSDL as Registrar. B B Nanawati, Deputy Director General, UIDAI and Jayesh Sule, Executive Director, NSDL signed the MoU. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has been created as an attached office under the Planning Commission, Government of India.

Its role is to develop and implement the necessary institu-

tional, technical and legal infrastructure to issue unique identity numbers to Indian residents that can be verified and authenticated in an online, cost-effective manner and which is robust enough to eliminate duplicate and fake identities.

Over the five years, the Authority plans to issue 600 million UIDs. The numbers will be issued through various 'Registrar' agencies across the country.

NSDL maintains 11.4 million demat accounts holding securities valued at about USD 1.3 trillion (Rupees 61 lakh crore).

These accounts have more than 85% of securities held and settled in dematerialised form in India, indicating preference and trust the investors have in maintaining their assets with NSDL. These accountholders are serviced by 292 Depository Participants through more than 12,500 service centres across around 1,400 cities/towns in the country.

NSDL facilitates settlement of securities valued at around USD 2 billion daily.

After the successful implementation of the depository system, NSDL has also set-up and is managing the Tax Information Network (TIN) on behalf of the Income Tax Department, Government of India.

As a part of the TIN system, NSDL also services the applicants for issuance of Permanent Account Number (PAN) cards on behalf of the Income Tax Department.

fruits direct from farms.

Increase usage of composites will protect environment:Thakkar HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, FEB 22

The Indian composites industry has appealed to the government to increase the usage of composites in public and infrastructure projects to protect the environment at large.

Today, composites find applications in almost all industry sectors and, if the ministry wants, it can bring about the required changes to address the environmental issue at large, said Pradip Thakkar, Chairman, FRP Institute.

Thakkar said this at a press conference to announce the forthcoming event, ICERP 2011 to be held at Bombay Exhibition Centre, Goregaon, Mumbai from March 2 to 4. ``We as an industry want

that the Finance Ministry should exempt Composites products from excise duty and capital investments in composites products from Income Tax (100% depreciation),” added Thakkar. He further said that the Ministry of Commerce should include composites products and raw materials in its focused product scheme for exports, to benefit the industry at large.

Justifying his argument, Thakkar said that the present consumption in India is only 0.25 kg compared to that of USA which is 10 kg. This, he said, gives enormous growth opportunities for the existing players as also for the new entrants thereby providing employment in this labour intensive Industry.

Pg 14

GOA, Wednesday, 23 February, 2011

SPORTS Calangute down Salcete Signals, MPT in goalless draw HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, FEB 22

Calangute Association put up an impressive display to defeat Salcete Football Club 3-2 in GFA’s First Division League at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda on Tuesday.

The teams were tied 1-1 at half time.

Both teams dished out entertaining football in the opening session with Salcete enjoying a slight edge over their rivals.

Salcete created a scare in the very 2nd minute when striker Joshua Vaz unleashed a left footer which crashed on the horizontal off a measured pass from Alison Fernandes.

Calangute took time to settle down and once they found the rhythm, they called the shots.

They came close in surging

ahead but Calangute’s captain and striker Shadabe Shaikh who broke the rival shackles shot wide from handshaking distance off Aiken Dias.

Five minutes later, Calangute midfielder Stanley Coutinho fired a right footer but Salcete goalkeeper Presley Mascarenhas came to his side’s rescue.

Salcete regrouped quickly and nearly found success in the 35th minute but Francis Andrade’s flag kick hit the crossbar.

Calangute came near in resolving the deadlock in the 43rd minute when striker Shadabe, who received a through pass from Ligorio Alvares, beat the rival defenders but shot wide from five yards.

Calangute paid dearly for their misses as Salcete found success in the 43rd minute through Francis Andrade. They earned a free kick which midfielder Francis smashed, giving no chance to Calangute goalkeeper Agnelo Fernandes. But their joy was shortlived when defender Siddesh Simipuruskar

headed off a flag kick taken by Stanley Coutinho at the stroke of half time.

Crossing over, Calangute put up a better display with their forwards Shadabe Shaikh and Pedro Gonsalves working in tandem with midfielders Stanford Cardozo and Stanley Coutinho putting the rival citadel under tremendous pressure. The defence marshalled by Samir Chodankar and Siddesh did a fine job throughout the second half and gave little space to the rival attackers.

Salcete made it 2-1 in the 56th minute when Slegan Gracias found striker Joshua Vaz clear inside the box and the last named slammed it home.

Calangute piled on the pressure and were rewarded in the 55th minute when striker Shadabe sped past a rival defender as Salcete’s goalkeeper came out and allowed Shaikh to push the ball into the net to put his team on equal terms.

Calangute struck the matchwinner in the 67th minute following a free kick taken by Pedro Gonsalves. Salcete goalkeeper Presley let the ball slip from his hands and defender Siddesh Simipuruskar gently tapped it in.

Salcete had a couple of excellent chances to bounce back.

First, Francis Andrade spurned an easy chance with only the rival goalkeeper at his mercy.

Later, Valente Silva headed out with an open goal off a flag kick

by Sidroy Afonso.

Earlier, Frank D’Silva made a goalline save by heading the ball out when the goalkeeper was beaten off Stanford Cardozo’s snap shot.

With this win, Calangute Association collected 19 points from nine matches while Salcete have nine points from the same number of encounters.

At 3MTR ground, Navelim, Corps of Signals fluffed umpteen scoring chances and settled for a goalless draw with Mormugao Port Trust.

GFA puts off 2nd Div Bardez Zone ties l

Saligao Utd’s plea for Arbitration Tribunal HERALD SPORTS REPORTER PANJIM, FEB 22

The Second Division League (Bardez Zone) scheduled to start on February 24 has been postponed following Saligao United’s appeal to GFA’s Arbitration Tribunal.

A GFA press release issued

by Alvaro F F Pinho, acting secretary, here today has asked the concerned clubs to take note of the same.

This is the second time that the League has been postponed, the first following Saligao Sporting and Co’s appeal to the Executive Committee, which finally felt that it should be a 7-member affair, excluding Saligao United and Laxmi Prasad.

Being aggrieved with the GFA Executive Committee’s decision, Saligao United filed an appeal with the Arbitration Tribunal and hence the second

postponement which was announced by GFA today.

Saligao United officials felt that the GFA had undertaken the right decision in keeping the second draw in abeyance, till the full merits of the case are dealt with, especially when the Executive Committee itself was divided on the issue, of course with the majority of members being in favour of seven-member league. “That some members, although in minority, were still in favour of nine-member league so as to give all the teams and more players a chance to play and ultimately display talent and promote football, is significant, more so as Adv Subodh Kantak in his legal opinion also has touched on the same,” voiced a Saligao United official.

The case is likely to come up before the tribunal on February 28.

GFA’s Schubert upset with some members’ working

HERALD CORRESPONDENT PANJIM, FEB 22

The GFA local organising secretary (Salcete), Schubert Furtado expressed satisfaction in the organization of the I-League but was equally peeved at some of GFA’s Executive Committee members for their ineffective role in the conduct of the premiere competition at Nehru stadium, Fatorda.

“The I-League is in its second phase and it’s observed that if not all, many of the newly elected GFA Executive Committee members are not of much help during the matches at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda,” stated Schubert, obviously upset about the functioning of some of his colleagues.

“We have been elected for the cause of football and the I-League is not just another competition.

It has high status and the GFA is considered as the best organiser and everyone should be involved in it. There’s lot of work to be done before the match and on match days but normally it’s always the same two who have to ensure that everything is in order for the day,” an angry Schubert explained, without naming his colleagues.

The GFA members have

fought a fierce election battle last October displacing many prominent names but within three months it’s becoming quiet obvious that a few of these are there just for the sake of the coveted post.

“It should not be like that.

We are elected with a lot of faith by the clubs and there’s a big responsibility for each of us. The GFA has programmes throughout the season but the I-League is a prestigious issue. It has that magnitude and significance, and anything bad can be very detrimental and damaging. When everyone is engaged with any sort of duty it eases a lot of pressure but there are some members who prefer to occupy the VIP galleries and show off things.

This type of attitude does not justify one’s place in the GFA. It just only shows your position and exposes your commitment towards football,” pointed out out Schubert, on the inefficiency of the members before disclosing that losing candidates Jaju Fernandes and Diniz Sardinha would have been of much greater help to the local I-League Organising Committee of which a former Navelim sarpanch is the vice-chairman.

Some of the GFA executive member’s lack of intensity in their duties has thus been exposed even as the I-League is entering a crucial phase with all the three Goan teams in contention for the coveted title.

Arsenal Tata soccer in Panjim HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, FEB 22

GFA First Division: Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim v. Raia SC, Cuncolim ground; St Rocks SC v. Margao SC, Assolna ground. Kick off 4 p.m.

GFA Second Division: Young Boys of Tonca v. Vaddy SC, Taleigao ground, 4 p.m.

GFA U-14: Salcete FC v.

Guardian Angel SC, Don Bosco Oratory, Fatorda, 4 p.m.

Nagoa inter-village soccer inaugural: Union of Chinchinim Villagers v. Dicarpale SC, Nagoa panchayat ground, Salcete, 4.30 p.m.

Aldona Cup soccer quarterfinals: Rossman Cruz Nagoa SC v. Goa Velha SC, Quitula ground, 4.45 p.m.

Laxmi and Subha soccer: Calangute Association v.

Adarsh Yuvak Sangh, Nerul ground, 4.30 p.m.

St Rock Super Soccer: Curtorim Gymkhana v. Ambelim Sports Club, St Rock ground, Calata-Majorda, 4.30 p.m.

Arsenal Tata Tea Jaago Re Soccer Stars season 4 will take place in Goa at Don Bosco High School, Panjim on February 25 and 26 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Arsenal Tata Tea Jaago Re Soccer Stars, the national tournam e n t f r o m Ta t a Te a i n association with Arsenal FC, UK will conduct the scouting process which is likely to see more than 32 teams from various schools competing for the National finals.

The tournament will be a mix of league and knockout matches. The winning team will go on to compete in the National finals with 14 other finalists from different locations across the country.

Simultaneously, Jamshid Nassiri, tournament head scout will keenly observe the tournament with an objective to identify promising kids with exceptional talent in the game. 30 such kids from the 15 venues will be selected to be trained by Arsenal coaches both in India and in London. 16 of these kids will be selected and taken to UK to participate in the Arsenal International Soccer Festival.

www.oheraldo.in

Pg 15

GOA, WEDNESDAY, 23 FEBRUARY, 2011

Safety nod for Wankhede stadium AGENCIES MUMBAI, FEB 22

The revamped Wankhede stadium, which recently came under the scanner of the fire department for not following safety norms, received a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Mumbai Fire Brigade on Tuesday to stage World Cup matches.

"We have given NOC to the stadium. They have fulfilled all the fire safety norms at the stadium," deputy chief fire officer A N Shinde, who inspected the stadium with his team, said.

A team of fire officials conducted an inspection at the stadium this morning to check the fire safety mechanism. This was the fourth inspection conducted by the department.

"We have given them the compliance certificate. They can host matches. The stadium is safe and secure," Shinde said.

Last week, the Mumbai Fire Brigade had expressed displeasure over the fire safety system at the newly-renovated stadium, which will host three World Cup matches, including the final on April 2.

The department had found irregularities at the stadium, sprinklers at the stands and ventilation problem in the basement. The fire officials had given the lapses in writing to the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA).

Among the mandatory fire apparatus are water hydrants, internal riser system for the stands, no-smok-

ing indicators, fire alarms, extinguishers and others.

"The stadium had been issued an Occupation Certificate long back. So there was no question of withholding it. We had to verif y whether the changes made at the stadium are similar with the existing fire safety norms and then issue an NOC," Shinde said.

NOC is provided when the structure is adequately ventilated and has all the necessary preventive measures and systems in place, he said.

The Mumbai Fire Brigade will also provide fire engines, water tankers and manpower during the three days when the matches will be held at the stadium.

"We will provide fire engines and water tankers on a chargeable basis during all the three matches scheduled to be played at the stadium," Shinde said.

On Sunday, World Cup tournament director Ratnakar Shetty had allayed fears about safety norms at the stadium and said security would not be compromised while staging matches at the venue.

Apart from the World Cup's summit contest, the Wankhede Stadium, that went into the renovation mode soon after the conclusion of the Indian Premier League on June 1, 2008, will stage two league ties on March 13 (New Zealand v Canada) and March 18 (New Zealand v Sri Lanka).

Kenyan captain in injury scare AFP HAMBANTOTA, FEB 22

Jimmy Kamande was hit on the jaw during Kenya's net practice Tuesday but team officials said the skipper was in no danger of missing his team's second World Cup match against Pakistan.

"Kamande is fine and will be available for the match on Wednesday," media manager Arjun Vidyarthi told reporters. "Kamande was hit on the right jaw during a throw-in and that's forced him to miss the press conference."

Instead, veteran batsman Steve Tikolo addressed the media after the practice session in Sri Lanka.

The 32-year-old Kamande has so far played 82 one-day internationals, scoring 1,030 runs and taking 45 wickets with his off-spin.

India need a second IPL experience could be key: Windies spinner: Kumble Unless there is a dramatic improvement in the overall bowling and fielding, India, says ANIL KUMBLE, might have problems against teams with stronger and more consistent batting line-ups than Bangladesh.

I

t's still very early in the tournament, but India need to get their bowling sorted. If they are looking to use Sreesanth up the order, then he has to get them wickets; otherwise, they need to rethink their bowling strategy.

He was tr ying too much against Bangladesh and had a very poor game. Perhaps, his thinking was that with 370 on the board he could experiment somewhat. But this is the World Cup; you have to bowl smartly and not give away anything you can avoid giving away.

Munaf, actually, and Zak were very good examples of how a faster bowler needed to bowl -- you have to bowl wicket-towicket and make it so it's just not easy to score runs. If you frustrate the batsmen and put them under pressure, in this situation, they'll make mistakes.

I'm not sure what India's bowling strategy was and how bad

Nehra's sore back is, but they have to seriously look at getting a second spinner into the eleven.

Bangladesh is a decent team at home; young and enthusiastic, but they were not seriously expected to stretch India, which they didn't, thanks to the runs on board courtesy Sehwag and Kohli.

But unless there is a dramatic improvement in the overall bowling and fielding, India might have bigger problems against teams with stronger and more consistent batting line-ups.

Meanwhile, the other two games we got to see over the weekend went along expected lines, with New Zealand creating a few records against a Kenya looking out of their depth, and Sri Lanka, waltzing to victory against hapless Canada.

I've said this on air too, but I do believe that we should really look at giving only the two best associate teams an opportunity to play in something like the

World Cup -- so 12 instead of 14 teams. One-Day cricket isn't like the T20s, where it's not just about skill and it's much shorter, so Associate teams can compete much better.

At the same time, Associates also need to play some top-flight competition regularly, not just once in four years, to help them get quality experience and the confidence that comes with that experience. For that, the ICC needs to look at a sensible programme that uses two things: 'A' teams of top-level countries and geographical proximity.

I'll explain this. Most top countries, like India, Australia, England, Sri Lanka and South Africa, also have very strong second elevens, the A teams. Both benefit from this arrangement: Associates get quality opposition and A team players get the opportunity to turn out for their country in international competition.

St Sebastian pip St Mathew HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, FEB 22

Johan Gracias netted a brace which also included the winner to settle a roller coaster game as St Sebastian Sports Club, Santa Cruz edged out St Mathew Sports Club of Azossim 4-3 in GFA’s Second Division at Dr Remigio Pinto ground, Taleigao on Tuesday. The match was 3-3 at the lemon break.

It was the final match for both teams and St Sebastian collected ten points from eight matches, while St Mathew are relegated after finishing second from bottom with three points from eight games.

St Mathew got the perfect start as they raced into the lead

after just 53 seconds, when Salvador Gracias managed to outmuscle the defender and shoot past the St Sebastian custodian.

Ten minutes later, St Sebastian was back on level terms when the ball was cut back for Benoy Barretto to rifle into the top corner.

Johan Gracias gave St Sebastian the lead in the 21st as his shot beat the goalkeeper at the near post.

It took St Mathew just three minutes to find the equaliser when Sidney Gonsalves shot straight at the goalkeeper with a fierce drive which could not be kept out.

St Mathew took the lead for the second time in the match

as Dylan D’Cunha punted home in the 28th minute.

Two minutes before the interval, St Sebastian drew level again, as Francis Sapeco steered the ball over the line after the rival goalkeeper was beaten by a dipping shot from a distance.

The pace of the game dropped in the second half as both teams were tired, but it was St Sebastian who proved to have the extra burst of energy.

In the 65th, Johan latched on to a long clearance down the field and saw his shot hit the post on its way into the back of the net. St Mathew was beaten, but worked hard as a team and will surely come back stronger next season.

West Indies cricketers warm-up during a training session in New Delhi on Tuesday. South Africa takes on the West Indies on February 24.

AFP NEW DELHI, FEB 22

West Indies are determined to prove their World Cup doubters wrong, with vice-captain Dwayne Bravo saying the experience of playing in the Indian Premier League could be crucial.

Bravo said exposure to the IPL Twenty20 competition had helped a number of squad members become accustomed to sub-continental conditions, especially the slow nature of pitches they will face in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

"We have got five to six players in our current World Cup squad who took part in the Indian Premier League and are

Dr Santosh Patkar, principal, SV’s Sridora Caculo College of Commerce and Management Studies, Khorlim, Mapusa addressing the media on international conference on physical education and sports sciences from February 25-27 at NIO Centre, D Paula and pre-conference workshops on stress management at SAG hall, Campal on February 23 and Fitness and Aerobics on February 24 at Don Bosco College, Panjim being organised in association with SAG, NAPESS, Don Bosco College alongwith Narendra Kamat and Jayesh Churi as part of Saraswat Education Society’s centenary celebrations. In all, 500 outstation delegates are expected to participate. Photo: Rozario Estibeiro

Vasco Club bow out HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, FEB 22

Ten-man Vasco Sports Club bowed out after losing 1-2 to JCB Chattisgarh in the semi-finals of 6th Oil India challenge Gold Cup in Assam on Tuesday. The match was goalless at half time.

Nerul in semis

MAPUSA (HSR) -- Nerul SC entered the semi-finals of Aldona Cup soccer defeating Milagres SC 2-1 at Quitula ground on Tuesday. The match was 1-1 at the interval. Abdul Kadder opened the scoring in the 5th for Nerul.

Fifteen minutes later, Alvito Fernandes equalised. Siddarth Shirodkar shot home from close.

Koko was shown his second red card in the space of two weeks. Vasco’s other Nigerian import Julius Akipele managed to pull back a consolation goal for Vasco late in the game.

AGENCIES KOTLA, FEB 22

TODAY’S FIXTURES Marseille v.

Manchester Utd Inter Milan v.

Bayern Munich

of-the-match, Tasufeef who hogged the limelight scored an unbeaten 33 runs and helped his team to pile up at 14 for 3 in 17.4 overs. For Vijay, Gopal Chavan took two wickets for 19 runs.

Later, Iqbal XI beat Shantadurga Cricket Club by 45 runs.

A centur y by Salman Khan helped Iqbal XI achieve the target. He was well supported by J Yeshwant (32).

In reply, Shantadurga scored 150 for 9. For Iqbal XI, Salman Ahamad was the most successful bowler claiming three wickets from 37 runs. Salman Ahemed was adjudged man-of-the-match.

Sangolda Lightning move into quarters CALANGUTE (HC) -- Sangolda Lightning scored a solitary goal victory over Saligao Sporting Club to move into the quarterfinals of 1st All-Goa inter-village football tournament for Laxmi and Subha memorial trophy or-

ganised by Nerul Sports Club at Nerul ground on Tuesday.

There was no score in the first half.

Sangolda scored the all-important goal in the 63rd minute through Agnelo Quadros.

Auxilium, Loyola, Infant Jesus, Assagao up HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, FEB 22

Auxilium High School, Caranzalem, Loyola High School, Infant Jesus high school and Assagao Union booked their place in the semi-finals of Mahindra Youth Football Challenge U-14 school football tournament at Tilak Maidan, Vasco, on Tuesday.

Auxilium, Caranzalem got the

better of Don Bosco HS, Panjim 4-1 on penalties. Karan Shirodker, Prajat Mandal, Anish Gauns and Jesus Rodrigues converted for Auxilium while Dyane Britto scored for Don Bosco.

Loyola HS, Margao scored a solitary goal victory over Regina Mundi HS, Vasco. The winner was netted by Rufflen Fernandes.

Infant Jesus HS scored a com-

"We know each ground in India is different and each venue is going to be different. But the track will support spinners and slow bowlers in the middle," said the 27-year-old all-rounder.

Bravo said South Africa were a strong team and the outcome of the match could hinge on getting away to a good start.

"South Africa is a tough, well-balanced and professional team. It's the team which I look up to and love to play against. A lot of my good performances have come against South Africa. Our guys are looking forward to the match," he said.

"A lot will depend on the kind of start

we get. It's important to preserve wickets for the middle overs."

He said South Africa did not have the strongest of records in the World Cup but they could not be taken lightly.

With two players - wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh and batsman Adrian Barath -- ruled out due to injuries, the Caribbean side will look to the experienced members of the squad for inspiration.

"Youngsters can fill the shoes of other players. They have got the big stage set for themselves. We have got some excited young players who are eager to perform.

They just can't wait for Thursday to come," said Bravo.

Security blanket for Kotla match

Babu Bros advance MARGAO (HC) -- Babu Brothers Sports Association, Balli and Iqbal XI moved into the quarter-finals of 2nd Babu Brothers T20 cricket tournament organised by Babu Brothers Sports Association at SAG sports complex, Fatorda on Tuesday.

Babu Brothers beat Vijay Cricket Club by 7-wickets. Bating first, Vijay were bundled out for 123 in 20 overs. A fine century by Damodar Lotlikar and Aditya Angle’s 47 runs laid the foundation for Vijay but that was not enough for Vijay to fashion their victory.

For Babu Brothers, Kevin D’Costa and Tauseef Jammadar claimed three wickets each. Man-

still associated with it," said Bravo, according to the Press Trust of India.

"They know the sub-continental conditions, so that exposure will come into play here in India," Bravo said after a practice session at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium in New Delhi ahead of Thursday's clash with South Africa.

"The South Africans have also got players like captain Graeme Smith and JP Duminy who have featured in the IPL so they also know about it (conditions)."

Players in the West Indies squad who have experience of playing in the moneyspinning IPL include Bravo and Kieron Pollard, Chris Gayle and Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

fortable 2-0 victor y over Manovikas HS. Dylan Lourenco and Sneeden Rodrigues scored for the winners.

Assagao Union got the better of Holy Cross Convent, Siolim 32 on penalties after a goalless draw. Tushar Mishra, Alton Nazareth and Pawan Dhargalkar scored for the winners while Sherwin Britto and Suheel Shirodker found the mark for the losers.

The Ferozeshah Kotla Stadium here, which will host four World Cup matches, has been turned into a virtual fortress with Delhi police personnel, gun-totting commandos and private security guards leaving nothing to chance ahead of Thursday's South Africa-West Indies clash.

International cricket has returned to Kotla following a oneyear ban imposed by the ICC after the India-Sri Lanka tie was abandoned in December 2009

due to unplayable pitch, and the Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA) officials are leaving no stone unturned to make the event a memorable one for the Delhittes.

The media is being frisked at multiple points before entering the venue. Metal detectors, DDCA officials and armed security guards are dotting the entryexit points.

Barring accredited ICC and DDCA officials, no one is allowed to enter the field inside the Kotla, where pitch

I’m missing ‘Sachin’, says dog-loving coach AFP NEW DELHI, FEB 22

South Africa bowling coach Vincent Barnes admitted on Tuesday he's missing Sachin - his dog Sachin that is, not the Indian batting superstar in whose honour he's named.

"Sachin is not here, I am missing him already," Barnes told the Midday

newspaper.

"Obviously I couldn't bring him along, what with all the travelling but there are enough people back home to take care of him."

Barnes named his dog after Sachin Tendulkar, his favourite batsman.

"He's a superman and is capable of anything."

curator Radhe Shyam could be seen working tirelessly in the middle of the lush green ground.

The central government's disaster management force has also been deployed in and around the stadium while Delhi police senior officials could be seen briefing hundreds of volunteers ahead of cricket's biggest extravaganza.

Guards hired from city's private security agencies were also seen conducting a mock drill.

“We have made tight security

arrangements and has put in place all the safety measures to avoid any untoward incident”.

The disaster management team is also here, we have got large number of volunteers whom we are briefing on daily basis. We have also heavily guarded the entry-exit points so that only accredited people can get access," said a Delhi police officer.

"We are expecting a large turnout for the matches and we are ready for the event," he added.

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Contact us on: sports@herald-goa.com

GOA, WEDNESDAY, 23 FEBRUARY, 2011

England toil hard for win PTI NAGPUR, FEB 22

TODAY’S MATCH Indian cricketers play a warm-up football game during a training session at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on Monday.

India will face England in Match 11 in Bangalore on Sunday.

Pakistan v. Kenya, 2.30 p.m.

Focus on batting in India’s net session PTI BANGALORE, FEB 22

The Indian cricket team on Tuesday had a strenous over three-hour net session mostly concentrating on batting at the M Chinnaswamy stadium here, ahead of their vital Group-B league match against England on Sunday.

Sachin Tendulkar, who underwent an MRI scan at a private hospital last

Sunday after feeling uneasiness on his knees during the Dhaka match against Bangladesh, had light weight training at the NCA gymnasium.

Ashish Nehra, who did not play in Bangladesh due to back spasm, also did some weight training.

Both Tendulkar and Nehra did not take to batting or bowling on Tuesday, though the former was seen coming

out to the net session area from the gym twice in between his weight training sessions.

Opening batsman Virender Sehwag, pacer S Sreesanth and spinner Ravichandran Ashwin also decided to stay back and did not join the team either at the gym or at the net sessions.

Yuvraj Singh also did not bat but bowled for about 20 minutes before

doing some stretching exercises.

Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni batted for more than about 30 minutes each at the nets, while Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh, who had a bit of bowling at the nets, also sharpened their batting skills by toiling at the nets longer than the regular batsmen.

Coach Gary Kristen was seen throw-

ing the ball from a distance to both Zaheer and Harbhajan. At times, Kristen walked up to the batsmen to advise them on certain batting techniques.

Eleven members of the squad arrived at the stadium at 2:20 pm and practised till 6:00 p.m.

The Indian team would be practicing from eleven on Wednesday morning at the smaller NCA Grounds.

Pressure nullifies India’s home advantage: Kallis AFP NEW DELHI, FEB 22

Perennial chokers they might be but South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis feels there is nothing called favourites in a big event like the World Cup and the huge pressure of expectation will nullify India's home advantage in the ongoing tournament.

Kallis said in World Cup no side can afford to take its opponent lightly, and the team which handles pressure at crunch situations, will run away with the coveted trophy.

"I don't think any team starts as favorites at the moment. A

Afridi vows Cup for Pak AFP HAMBANTOTA, FEB 22

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi vowed Tuesday to win the World Cup for millions of weary fans back home who lost out on the showpiece when their country became a no-go zone.

International cricket has been suspended in Pakistan ever since the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore two years ago which left eight people dead and injured seven visi t i n g players a n d

their assistant coach.

Pakistan was among the four co-hosts of the 2011 World Cup but the International Cricket Council was forced to move the matches in the wake of attacks.

"Not playing in our country is on our minds," Afridi said, ahead of his team's first match against Kenya on Wednesday.

"We feel for our nation, our people who are missing the World Cup. "I think this is the main

thing for us, so definitely we will try our level best to win, which is very important for us, and if we do that I hope some cricket returns to our country sooner than later."

Besides the

suspension of international cricket, Pakistan has also been hit by the spot-fixing scandal, which ended in lengthy bans on Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer, and other disciplinary problems.

Afridi admitted it was hard to keep the team in the right frame of mind against a background of such problems.

"It was difficult to keep the team settled in the beginning when we had all those issues," said Afridi, himself banned for two matches on charges of ball-tampering during a oneday match in Australia in 2010.

"We had to rebuild the team again but now a situation has come that our team is settled.

We now have such a combination that people have hopes that this team can do something," said Afridi, who took over as captain in July last year.

The Pakistan Cricket Board delayed in retaining him for the World Cup until he won his first one-day series in New Zealand earlier this month.

"It's difficult to be the captain in India or Pakistan with all that's happening, you have to make sacrifices. But my effort is always that I do well as captain or as player," said Afridi, who made his ODI debut against Kenya in 1996.

In only his second one-day match, he hit a world record 37-ball hundred - which still stands - against Sri Lanka in Nairobi.

"I love Kenya and Kenyans," said Afridi, when asked about his team's opponents.

"I don't think we will be relaxed when we face them and I would like to be playing at our full strength."

That meant express paceman Shoaib Akhtar will share the new ball with Umar Gul or Abdul Razzaq, with Wahab Riaz as fourth seamer.

Afridi and Mohammad Hafeez will lead the spin department.

lot of people are talking about India but we know how hard it is to play under pressure at home. That probably negates their home advantage," the 35year-old all-rounder told reporters during their practice session at the Feroze Shah Kotla, here, today.

"Ultimately it boils down to how you play in the group stage and once you reach the quarterfinals, semifinals, final, anything can happen. I think all the teams are evenly matched.

"The team which plays the best game under pressure will

Final online ticket sale scrapped AFP MUMBAI, FEB 22

World Cup organisers have scrapped plans for an online purchasing system for the World Cup final after it crashed on its opening day and will now arrange for a lottery instead.

None of the 1,000 tickets available could be sold on Monday after the system went down almost immediately after opening for business. Millions of fans tried to buy tickets for the April 2 final in Mumbai's newly-renovated Wankhede Stadium.

Tournament director Ratnakar Shetty told the AFP that the International Cricket Council has now decided to sell these tickets through an online draw system.

"They will very soon send out a date and time whereby people can apply online for the tickets," Shetty told.

Run-out on 28, Ponting smashes LCD PTI AHMEDABAD, FEB 22

Australian skipper Rick y Ponting smashed a LCD television, apparently in a fit of anger, in the team's dressing room here after he was runout against Zimbabwe, sources in the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) said today.

The incident took place immediately after Ponting was run out yesterday by a direct hit from deep wicket by Zimbabwe's Chris Meofu in the Group A clash between the two teams. The captain was run out on 28.

GCA said they have informed about the incident to the Australian cricketing authorities.

However, when contacted Australian media manager Lachy Patterson said he was not aware of any such incident.

come out on top," he added.

Asked about the chokers tag associated with the Proteas in ICC tournaments, Kallis said, "A lot is being made in the media about the chokers tag. But we players don't even think about it.

"Everytime the team loses, people say the team has choked.

But it is certainly not something which haunt us. We have a young team, 11 out of the 15 have never played in a World Cup. "So it doesn't bother us. We are just worried about playing good cricket."

Kallis, who is the numero uno all-rounder in ODI cricket with 11,002 runs and 259 wickets,

said he has completely recovered from his rib injury and will feature in the opening clash against the West Indies here on Thursday.

"So far, everything is going according to plan. I have been bowling for about a week. I am 100 per cent fit for the match.

"In fact, most of the guys are in good condition, raring to go.

The good thing is that we have all the 15 to pick from," he said.

Although South Africa boast of a good record against West Indies in recent times, the righthander said the match is evenlybalanced and the Proteas need to be on top of their game on Thursday.

The Netherlands all-rounder Ryan ten Doeschate's brilliant all-round effort went in vain as England huffed and puffed their way to a six-wicket win in a group B encounter of the World Cup here today.

Chasing a stiff target of 293, England batsman were made to work hard by a determined Dutchmen who were finally done in due to lack of big match temperament as Paul Collingwood and Ravi Bopara added a crucial 55 runs for the fifth wicket to win the match with eight balls to spare.

But no one can take the credit away from Ten Doeschate (119 and two for 47) who almost single-handedly threatened to take the game away from the Englishmen at the VCA ground in Jamtha here.

After their bowlers faltered, England openers started the chase in right earnest as Andrew Strauss (88, 83 balls, 9x4) played an out of character innings while Kevin Pietersen (39, 61 balls, 5x4). The England captain scored his 27th ODI half century off ony 34 balls with the help of nine boundaries.

Pietersen was the first to depart when he drove uppishly off left-arm spinner Pieter Seelaar to skipper Peter Borren at short cover. Strauss and Jonathan Trott (62, 65 balls, 4x4) then consolidated the innings for the second wicket adding 61 runs.

Strauss who looked good for sixth ODI century then mistimed a pull shot off Mudassar Bukhari's bowling to Tom Cooper stationed at square leg.

Trott and Ian Bell (33) didn't take too many risks in the middle overs as they were more intent on taking the singles and twos hitting the odd boundaries in between. They added 58 runs in 10.5 overs. Ten Doeschate once again came to the rescue of his team as he struck at the start of the batting Powerplays with Wesley Barresi effecting a brilliant stumping to send back Trott.

If that wasn't enough, he cleaned up Bell in the 43rd over to get his second victim. But Bopara and Collingwood then ensured there was no further collapse.

Earlier, Ten Doeschate’s superb century helped the Netherlands reach a challenging score of 292 for six in 50 overs.

The first cricketer from an Associate Nation to get an IPL contract (for KKR), Ten Doeschate during his innings of 119 (110 balls, 9x4, 3x6) showed why he is a quite a few notches above his colleagues in the Dutch team.

The ICC Associate Cricketer of Year was never in awe of opposition bowlers. He showed special fascination for the region between mid-wicket and deep mid-wicket as most of his scoring shots were hit in that particular arc. The three sixes (one each of Paul Collingwood, Kevin Pietersen and Graeme Swann) were a delight.

The Netherlands: A. Kervezee c Prior b Bresnan 16, W. Barresi st Prior b Swann 29, T. Cooper c Anderson b Collingwood 47, R. ten Doeschate c Bopara b Broad 119, B. Zuiderent c Collingwood b Swann 1, T. de Grooth b Broad 28, P. Borren not out 35, M. Bukhari not out 6. Extras: 11. Total: 292 for 6. Overs: 50. Fall: 1-36 (Kervezee), 2-58 (Barresi), 3-136 (Cooper), 4-149 (Zuiderent), 5-213 (De Grooth), 6-274 (Ten Doeschate). Bowling: Anderson 10-0-72-0 (2nb); Broad 10-2-65-2 (1nb, 1w); Bresnan 10-0-491 (1w); Swann 10-0-35-2; Collingwood 8-0-46-1; Pietersen 2-0-19-0.

England: A. Strauss c Cooper b Bukhari 88, K. Pietersen c Borren b Seelaar 39, J.Trott st Barresi b ten Doeschate 62, I. Bell b ten Doeschate 33, P. Collingwood not out 30, R. Bopara not out 30. Extras: 14. Total: 296 for 4. Overs: 48.4. Fall: 1-105 (Pietersen), 2-166 (Strauss), 3-224 (Trott), 4-241 (Bell). Bowling: Bukhari 9-0-541; Westdijk 7-0-41-0; Loots 9.4-0-74-0 (2w); Seelaar 10-0-54-1; Ten Doeschate 100-47-2 (1w); Cooper 3-0-23-0. Man-of-the-Match: Ryan ten Doeschate (NED).

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GOA’S HEARTBEAT

In an attempt to enter the Guinness Book of World Records and the Limca Book of Records, Krishna Gopal Srivastava and Babita Mishra pulled, with their teeth, the Princesa De Goa and the Royal Cruise, respectively. Herald chats with the daring duo

BY CHANDAN D’SA HERALD FEATURES ver heard of people who can tow tonnes of weight with their teeth? For duo, Krishna Gopal Srivastava and Babita Mishra from Madhya Pradesh, the task did not seem impossible at all.

In fact, they have quite a number of daredevil records in the bag. Their latest attempt took place right here in Goa. While Krishna, who has achieved feats like towing an air force fighter plane and a 300-tonne ship towed the Princesa De Goa, Babita, who has towed a river cruise and a loaded army truck over a substantial stretch, towed the Royal Cruise.

They both did it with their teeth alone.

‘The Tiger of India’, a moniker given to Srivastava after his pullingan-aircraft-with-his-teeth feat during the platinum jubilee celebrations of the Indian Air Force and ‘The Adventure Woman’, a title Babita received from the Indian Army after her feat of towing a loaded army truck in Ladakh are apt in each other company. The small group of people, who had gathered to watch the act, stared in disbelief at the performance.

Srivastava is strictly vegetarian, does not chew ‘paan’ or ‘gutkha’ and drinks a lot of water, apart from partaking in meditation and regular exercise. “I hail from a family of ‘pehelwans’ that reside in Datia, a small town in Madhya Pradesh, I thought of using my strength in acts like this.

In my first attempt, it came easily to me and after that there was no looking back. Now, I have five records in the Limca Book of Records. I have also received a certificate of appreciation from the Guinness Book of World Records,” Srivastava says with pride. As for the future, he has a lot of other plans in the pipeline including stopping a moving helicopter with his teeth and towing a 5,000 tonne boat cruise, also with his teeth.

Srivastava’s 16-year-old son Sahdev, surprises many by pulling an SUV

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with his teeth. Sahdev began at an early age, by pulling a van with his teeth at the age of just seven and a half. Although he wants to follow in his father’s footsteps, his calling is the army. His father continues to receive award after award from various governmental bodies. An important few are the Adhunik Bheem Award and Adhunik Gama Award. Besides awards, he features in television commercials too, those on herbal tooth powder.

Babita, who has been towing since 2007, found her inspiration through Srivastava. “I tried towing a Maruti Gypsy four years ago and was very happy after achieving it. My confidence booster came when I received the title of ‘The Adventure Woman’ two years later,” she says. A teacher by profession, she receives plenty of appreciation and motivation from her girl students. “I am able to achieve this because I meditate and have a lot of confidence in myself. I feel very happy and content when I hear the cheering of the crowd,” she adds. She is the first woman to achieve such a feat.

Her future plans include pulling a train engine..

The duo say they chose Goa over the metros because of the existence of boat cruises here. They added that Goa’s crowd participation is nothing like in other parts of India. “People come to such events here. This isn’t so in places like Mumbai. Everyone doesn’t seem to have the time,” says Srivastav. The cheering of the crowd plays a very important role in motivating us up, they both agree.

Nothing has been officially declared with members of the Guinness or Limca Book Committee but the duo are happy upon the completion of this feat.

Blind Sculptor recreates Untouchable Masterpiece

H

ere’s good news for Delhi Metro users. If you are bored of commuting alone and eager to find a match or make friends, there is a social networking site just for you.

The brainchild of 24-year-old management student Sameer Suri, the portal www.metromates.in is fast becoming popular among young Metro commuters.

“I was inspired by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. When I decided to create a portal, I wanted it to be unique and the very thought struck me when I was travelling in the Metro,” said Suri, a student of the New Delhi Management Institute.

Suri said the idea of creating an exclusive portal for Metro commuters came to his mind during his usual one-hour travel from Janakpuri to Saket on the Metro, characterised by stiff, poker-faced fellow commuters and a fleeting realisation of the loneliness and isolation of urban life.

The portal was launched in January and in less than two months, around 1,200 people have registered and 8,000 people liked the community on Facebook.

“It’s not just one among the many networking portals available on the net. It has its own set of users like Metro commuters. While signing up on the portal, we seek specific details like the route taken by a

person and the time usually a person boards and alights,” he said.

“Now, getting friends or a partner to date is easier for Metro commuters,” Suri smiled.

“After a person signs up, he or she is given a unique bluetooth code. While travelling, you’ll have to turn on your bluetooth device, and set a phone name to metromates.in/yourusername. After you do that, other metromates users will be visible on your (GPRS-enabled) phone,” he said. Besides these, one can also view other profiles, note down their profile names and type ‘metromates.in/(the other persons profile name)’ in the browser to connect with them and exchange bluetooth messages.

As many as 493 members have already registered on the Jahangir Puri-Huda City Centre route, which mainly carries college students. The Dwarka sector 21-Noida City Centre line has 444 members.

As many as 116 members have registered on the Dilshad Garden-Rithala route, 102 members on the Central Secretariat-Badarpur route and 47 on the Inderlok-Mundka route.

Most of the users are between 20 and 30 years and a majority prefer dating to making friends.

(Courtesy: IANS)

A Harmonious Blend of Two Contrasting Dance Genres A story told by mere delicate dance movements, contemporary dance is attracting many young minds in India. A genre of concert dance, Antara Majumdar will be performing contemporary dance along with Debjani Ghosh’s Bharatnatyam at the musical concert, ‘Thank You For The Music.’ Herald caught up with the two to find out about their genres of dance

W

hen blind sculptor Felice Tagliaferri was forbidden to touch one of Italy’s most famous statues, he decided revenge was best served not just cold but stone cold.

Tagliaferri, 41, spent two years creating his marble interpretation of ‘Cristo Velato,’ or ‘Veiled Christ’, a 1753 masterpiece that he has neither seen nor touched.

Giuseppe Sanmartino’s exquisitely detailed sculpture of the body of Christ lying wrapped in a fine shroud is one of the prime tourist attractions in Naples.

Bus loads of blind and disabled people from across Italy came to Tagliaferri’s studio near Bologna to take symbolic taps on his chisels. The result is a powerfully rendered life-sized Jesus that Tagliaferri punningly calls ‘Cristo (ri)Velato,’ or ‘Christ Revealed.’

“There are so many messages. One is that a block of marble isn’t ruined when it is lightly touched by expert hands,” he said.

“Second, the disabled are sick and tired of waiting for others to decide and tell them what they can and cannot do.”

In May 2008, Tagliaferri visited the Sansevero Chapel, eager to experience its famous ‘Veiled Christ’ in the only way a blind person can: by touching it. He was blocked, he said, first by a guard and then by the administration, despite his protests that he was a professional sculptor who would do no damage.

Now, he is savouring a triumphal return to Naples when ‘Christ Revealed’ begins a national tour at the Royal Palace from February 26 to March 13, 2011.

The Pope is expected to see it in Ancona on September 11. The statue will also travel to Messina, Rimini and Siena.

‘Christ Revealed’ started as a small clay model; sighted artists advised Tagliaferri how to position the body. He raised 16,000 euros ($21,910) through dinner-in-the-dark events and bought a 4,000-kg. (8,800-pound) block of Carrara marble that measured 1.9 metres long by 50 cm high and 1 metre wide (6.2 feet by 1.7 feet by 3.3 feet). He asked a friend to stretch out on top then measured the body.

(Courtesy: Reuters)

BY DOLCY D’CRUZ HERALD FEATURES his year, Namah, the new academy of music arts and Hindi, will present a musical concert - ‘Thank You For The Music’ - with a twist, quite literally.

Antara Majumdar, a contemporary dancer will make her debut for the concert by performing a fusion number with Debjani Ghosh on Februar y 28, 2011 at 6:30pm at the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao.

Antara is trained in Rabindra Sangeet and Hindustani classical music since she was eight-years-old. She learnt Bharatanatyam under Sri Vasundhara Sridaharan for five years, just three years short of her ‘arangetram’. “I have given several performances in Bharatanatyam and Indian folk during my year as a cultural ambassador to the Netherlands under the auspices of the Rotary International Youth Exchange Programme. During this same period, I took a liking to contemporary dance and started learning it earnestly. I have been training in it for the past year and hope to be accepted to one of the finer contemporary dance schools in Europe,” she says. Antara, whose family has settled in Goa, lives and works in Mumbai.

Regarding her performance for the evening, she adds, “I will be performing a contemporary dance solo first, and then a fusion dance with Debjani. I have been dancing contemporary since I was 16-years-old. I’m also learning Odisi now. For the show, I will concentrate on contemporary only.” After graduating from St Stephen’s College, Delhi University, Antara was teaching ‘Theory of Knowledge’

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for the IB Diploma at Good Shepherd International School in Ooty.

Though contemporary dance is slowly but surely making its way into India, through dance shows which inspire dancers, Antara explains the current situation, “Contemporary dance is very well appreciated in India as a style of self-expression which I use for my routine. The audience responds to the routine based on the style they like. There are lots of styles based on the pioneers of contemporary dance like Merce Cunningham, Martha Graham and Horton. I find contemporary dance something very personal and hope to establish an institute for it in Goa and Indian folk as well.

A school that can have secularisation and exchange programmes with other countries so that we can learn and teach various dance forms. I feel that Indian folk is significantly underexploited nationally and internationally, and should be included as part of dance syllabi across the country.”

Coming to Debjani Ghosh from Pune. She will dance the Bharatnatyam along with Antara in fusion style. “We will be performing on a six minute piece on ‘Blues Heaven’, a song from The Confluence album by Rahul Sharma and Richard Clayderman. The song is based on the santoor and piano music so I will dance on the santoor while Antara on the piano,” says Debjani.

Debjani is a student of the Goa Institute of Management and is in the state till the end of the course. “I have trained under Guru Uma Tilak at Kala Niketan for ten years. I am originally from West Bengal but when I am at home in Pune, I used to teach children Bharatnatyam for their annual programmes and especially during Durga poojas,” she says.

The concert will be held on February 28, 2011 and will also feature Jose Maximiano De Miranda (Maxie), Alcatrazz, followed by the Goa Institute of Management Choir from Sanquelim and the Namah Chorale.

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Wednesday, 23 Feb 2011

WHAT’S UP IN GOA??

Gandhi Shilp Crafts Bazaar organised GHRSSIDC is underway till February 27 at GTDC grounds, Baga. There will be a variety of entertainment programmes held daily from 7pm to 9pm. Call 2224478 or 2225328.

11th Saraswat Food Cultural Festival, organised by Goa Saraswat Samaj will be held from February 25 to 27 at the Panjim gymkhana, Panjim.

A free mammography camp will be held on February 23, 24 and 25 at the Valpoi Government Primary School, Valpoi and Rural medical dispensary, Guleli. Call 2375234 or 9404435460.

‘YEF Business Plan Competition 2011’ a business plan competition organise by the Young Entrepreneurs Forum (YEF) of GCCI will be held on March 12. Registration closes on February 24. E-mail gccigoa@gmail.com. Call 2782877/ 79.

‘International Year of Youth in the Goan context’, will be the topic of discussion at this session of Friday Balcao which will be held on February 25 from 4pm to 6pm at the Goa Desc Resource Centre, No11 Liberty Apartments Feira Alta, Mapusa. Email goadesc@gmail.com.

Comb quilling workshop will be held on February 22 and 24. Call 9881696445.

A trek, organised by Wildtrek Adventures will be held on February 27 from 2pm to 5pm. Call 8796418565, 9822155805 or 9822123458.

‘A Book of Memory: Confessions and Reflections’, the book by Sudhir Kakar will be released by Padma Shri award winning author Dr Maria Aurora Couto on February 25 at 7pm at the International Centre Goa, Dona Paula.

Call 9765404391 or 2452805-10. E-mail prog@incentgoa.com.

Crystal healing workshop, conducted by Kamal Sethna will take place from February 23 to 26 from 9.30am to

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HOROSCOPE 5.30pm at the Crown, Panjim. Registration closes March 5. Call 9960806655.

‘Trio Brouwer-Akihary-Bhattachary’, a musical event will be held on February 26 at 8pm at Goa Chitra, Benaulim. Call 2772910 or 6570877.

‘Political System of Germany and India: A Comparison’, will be the topic of the lecture and interactive session by Professor Clemens Herbert Jürgenmeyer. It will be held on February 24 from 6pm onwards at the International Centre Goa, Dona Paula. Call 9765404391 or 2452805-10.

E-mail prog@incentgoa.com.

‘Chhota Scientist’, a state level science competition for students of Std VI to VIII on February 26, organised by Shiroda Higher Secondary Institute, Shiroda and the Department of Science and Technology, Government of Goa will take place on February 26 at the Old GMC, Panjim. Registration is open. Call 9890505069.

‘Right to Information’, a workshop organised by Asha Family Responsibilities and Rights Association and Calangute United (Social and Cultural Club) will be held on February 26 from 10:30am to 12:30pm at St. Alex Church Complex Hall, Calangute, Bardez. E-mail trustasha@yahoo.co.in. Call 2256445, 9881064985 or 9822166876.

‘Effects of promoting obscenity and sexuality for tourism’, a workshop organised by Asha Human Rights Association (AFRRA) will be held on February 26 from 3.30pm to 6pm at Institute Piedade Hall II, Panjim. Email trustasha@yahoo.co.in. Call 2256445 or 9822166876.

‘Beethoven: Heiligenstadt and Beyond’, the film will be screened on February 26 at 6.30pm at Sunaparanta - Goa Centre for the Arts, Altinho, Panjim. It will be followed by a musical performance.

Call 2421311.

Fado evening will be held on March 1 at 8pm at Alfama, Cidade de Goa, Dona Paula. Call 2454545.

Evaluate some recent developments in your life -- take stock 21 Mar - 19 Apr o f w i n s a n d losses. An uncomfortable situation this morning -- maybe a face-off - could escalate if you let it, but you are far better off just walking away. It's one of those days that rewards discretion and prudence.

Taurus You are in the middle of quite a tango today -do not be afraid 20 Apr - 20 May to step on toes.

Yo u c a n g e t pretty jealous when the mood hits you, and today it might be heading your way at great speed! Let it wash over you and try to keep from acting on it, as you know it'll be gone soon.

Wander in and Gemini out of intriguing situations. Walk on the unexpected side.

21 May - 20 Jun Yo u h a v e a hard time just going along with other people's demands today, even if your sweet nature is put into play. It may be a good time to make a break with one of the tyrants in your life.

Get back to the basics today.

Tone it down and remember that sometimes less 22 Jun - 23 Jul i n m o r e . Yo u need to make a big decision -but it can wait, right? If not, you may need to get some good advice, because your positive feelings are tearing you between your choices in a way that's hard to break out of.

Your internal dialogue is silent -- no one else hears it unless you voice it.

24 Jul - 23 Aug Your family is more important than ever right now, so make sure that you're helping them get where they need to be.

Someone close to you is looking for answers, and you may be able to help.

Tr y i n g f o r something possibly unattainable will do you 23 Aug - 22 Sep good. Take direction from others -- they know what they're talking about for once!

You may hear some great advice or learn the secret to your latest frustration, so keep your ears open and your mouth shut.

Trust someone with your feelings today -- the good, the bad, 23 Sept - 22 Oct and the vulnerable. It's the perfect time to get ready for spring cleaning. Your hoarding instincts are ebbing, so you can clean out those closets or the attic ruthlessly. You may be able to finance a vacation if you sell it all smartly!

Scorpio Spend more time with less conventional people and give 23 Oct - 22 Nov yourself some surprises. Your inner power is off the charts right now, so put it to good use! Whether at work, in your love life or just cleaning the gutters, you should find everything a little easier to pull off.

Sagittarius Making a new

Capricorn You will master every little (unpleasant) surprise that 22 Dec - 20 Jan comes your way today. Socializing is enhanced today, and you can have a great time while advancing one or more of your interests. Love, career and family can all benefit from making new connections today.

Aquarius If you're down now, you don't have to stay down. You're 21 Jan - 19 Feb a b l e t o r i s e .

Your ambitions are out in the open today, or at least they are more obvious to you. That could cause some conflicting emotions, but you ought to be able to make a difference with your friends anyway.

Let go of old grudges and move beyond the fear of not 20 Feb - 20 Mar being perfect.

It's harder than usual for you to reach decisions today, but it's not because you're uninformed. Quite the opposite, really -- you may have information overload, at least for today.

Aries

Libra

beginning in an old situation isn't always easy to 23 Nov - 20 Dec do. Talk things out. It's a really good time for you to investigate your inner workings. If that means meditation, go for it, but it could be as simple as taking a long walk and asking yourself some big questions.

LAFFS

Cancer

Leo

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DID YOU KNOW?

Funny Quote

“A signature always reveals a man's character - and sometimes even his name.”

–- Evan Esar DAILY GROOK SWIFT UPLIFT

by Francis Rodrigues cry not at any obstacle each day presents u with, life is a great hurdle but you'll get over it!

WORD OF THE DAY

Whom is the Oscar award named after?

The Academy Award is informally known as the Oscar. The root of the name Oscar is contested. One legend is that Bette Davis named the Oscar after her first husband, Harmon Oscar Nelson. Walt Disney thanked the Academy for his Oscar as early as 1932. Another claim is that the Academy’s Executive Secretary, Margaret Herrick, first saw the award in 1931 and made reference to the statuette’s reminding her of her ‘Uncle Oscar’ (her cousin Oscar Pierce). The trophy was officially dubbed the ‘Oscar’ in 1939 by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. The Oscar statuette weighs 6 3/4 pounds, and stands 13 1/2 inches high. The first Academy Awards ceremony was held on May 16, 1929, at the Hotel Roosevelt in Hollywood to honor outstanding film achievements of the 1927/1928 film season. The first Best Actor awardee was Emil Jannings, for his performances in The Last Command and The Way of All Flesh.

WIZARD OF ID

chameleon Pronunciation kuh-MEEL-yun Function Noun Meaning 1 : a small lizard whose skin changes color according to its surroundings 2 : a person given to often expedient or facile change in character Example Sentence At the summer resort, Fred acquired a reputation as a social chameleon.

GARFIELD

MIND BENDERS

SUN MOON TIDES

Tongue Twister Which witch wished a wicked wish?

Wednesday 32° C | 20° C Dawn 06:34

Clear

Sunrise 06:56

Sunset Dark 18:41 19:03

Moon rise 23:51 High 01:42

Low 08:18

TIDES High Low 15:02 20:25

High —

17:30 Don 21:00 Sapoot Scary Movie The 6th Day Fanboys Remember the Titans Christmas with the Kranks White Chicks Pearl Harbor

11:30 15:00 19:00 22:30

Last ‘Riddle Me This’ Answer: Meat

18:20 Erin Brockovich 21:00 Black Book 23:45 Bound

Patthar Aur Payal Main Hoon Rakhwala Tathastu Raising Helen 12:00 16:00 20:00 23:45

10:15 Throw Momma from the Train 12:00 The Lord of the Rings 15:45 The Chronicles of Riddick 16:30 Pirates of Silicon Valley 18:45 The Tale of Despereaux 21:00 Yes Man 23:15 Treasure of the Four Crowns

10:25 12:30 14:25 16:20

13:00 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00 17:30 18:00 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 21:30 22:00

Tere Mere Sapne Hamari Devrani Sapno Se Bhare Naina Maryaada ... Lekin Kab Tak? Chaand Chupa Badal Mein Maayke Se Bandhi Dor Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya Sasural Genda Phool Saath Nibhana Saathiya Behenein Sabki Laadli Bebo Saath Nibhana Saathiya Sasural Genda Phool Chaand Chupa Badal Mein Maayke Se Bandhi Dor Gulaal Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai Tere Liye

13:00 Kismat 13:30 Krishnaben Khakhrawala

Muqabla Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke Meri Jung Police Wala

2 Days in the Valley The Second Jungle Book Butterfly on a wheel Mega Snake

08:00 Karz 12:00 Khilona Bana Khalnayak 16:00 Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge 20:00 Heyy Babyy

09:40 Yes Boss 13:45 Bade Ghar Ki Beti 14:00 14:30 15:30 19:00 20:00 20:30 21:00 22:00 22:30

12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00 17:30 18:00 18:30 19:00 19:30

Saas Bina Sasural C.I.D C.I.D. Khatarnak Mujrim Khotey Sikkey Krishnaben Khakhrawala Baat Hamari Pakki Hai Maa Exchange Saas Bina Sasural Kismat

Apno ke liye Geeta ka Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli Choti Bahu Pavitra Rishta Sanskaar Laxmi Sanjog Se Bani Sangini Ram Milaayi Jodi Bhagonwali Apno ke liye Geeta ka Choti Bahu Jhansi Ki Rani Pavitra Rishta Bhagonwali Apno ke liye Geeta ka Dil Se Diya Vachan Choti Bahu

SUDOKU 790

Can you name three consecutive days without using the words Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday?

Moon set 10:34

D Tide timings are for Mormugao Harbour. For Panjim/Calangute add 20 mins. For Colva add 30 mins

10:10 12:00 14:35 16:30 18:50 21:00 23:15

Riddle Me This

20:30 21:00 21:30 22:00 22:30

Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo Mrs. Tendulkar Lapataganj FIR

12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00 17:30 18:00 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 21:30 22:00

Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani Dhoond Legi Manzil Rang Badalti Odhni Geet Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani Yeh Ishq Haaye!!

Dhoond Legi Manzil Humein Rang Badalti Odhni Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani Yeh Ishq Haaye!!

Dhoond Legi Manzil Humein Geet Yeh Ishq Haaye!!

Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani Dhoond Legi Manzil Humein Geet Yeh Ishq Haaye!!

Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani Dhoond Legi Manzil Humein Geet Rang Badalti Odhni

IDIOT BOX 20:00 20:30 21:00 21:30 22:00 22:30

12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00 19:00 19:30 20:00

Jhansi Ki Rani Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli Pavitra Rishta Ram Milaayi Jodi Sanjog Se Bani Sangini Sanskaar Laxmi

Lapataganj Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Mrs. Tendulkar Papad Pol Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo Lapataganj FIR Ring Wrong Ring Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Mrs. Tendulkar Ring Wrong Ring Papad Pol

12:25 13:20 14:15 15:10 16:05 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00

12:00 13:00 13:30 14:00 15:00 16:00 16:30 17:00

Got to Dance Reaper Wipeout Sports Crash Top 20 Countdown Top Chef Wipeout Got to Dance World Records Smashed Criss Angel Mindfreak India's Minute to Win It

Burn Notice The Bold and The Beautiful Two And A Half Men The Bachelorette Detroit 187 Two And A Half Men The Simpsons Burn Notice

18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00

The Bachelorette Koffee With Karan Detroit 187 The Bachelorette Burn Notice

11:00 12:00 12:30 13:00

Mr. Bean: The Animated Chhota Bheem Kumbh Karan The New Adventures of Hanuman Anpanman Breadman Chhota Bheem Mr. Bean: The Animated Coji Coji Hagemaru MAD VIII Chhota Bheem Anpanman Breadman Just for Laugh Gags Takeshi's Castle Mr. Bean

13:30 14:00 16:00 17:00 17:30 18:00 18:30 19:30 20:00 21:00 22:00

10:00 ICC Cricket World Cup 22:15 ICC Cricket World Cup

09:13 16:30 17:00 18:00 20:00 20:30 21:00

National One Day Cup The Contenders Bpl Express ICC World Cup H/ls World Cup Superstars Sportscenter Asia ICC World Cup H/ls

10:30 14:30 15:30 19:30 20:30

UEFA Champions League WWE: Bottom Line ATP World Tour 500 WWE: Bottom Line ATP World Tour 500

11:00 11:30 12:00 13:00 14:30 22:15

The Fourth Estate The Contenders ICC Cricket World Cup Cricket Extra - ICC Cwc ICC Cricket World Cup Cricket Extra

10:00 Creative Vision

11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 19:30 20:00 21:00 22:00

Triumph of Life Nat Geo Amazing!

India Caught in the Act Situation Ciritical Huge Moves Nat Geo Amazing!

Great Migrations I Didn't Know That I Didn't Know That Great Migrations World's Toughest Fixes Dangerous Encounters

06:00 Art of living 06:30 Pilar Care for Mother Earth 07:00 Revolutionz 07:30 Bike SSScape 08:00 English News 09:00 Amazing Fusion of Dance Beats 09:30 Angos Musical Show 10:00 English News 11:00 Kids Club 11:30 Clown Fiesta 12:00 Flavors 12:30 Geo Natal Fashion Show 13:00 English News 14:00 Pilar Care for Mother Earth 14:30 Bike SSScape 15:00 Revolutionz 15:30 Art of living 16:00 English News 17:00 Amazing Fusion of Dance Beats 17:30 Angos Musical Show 18:00 English News 19:00 Clown Fiesta 19:30 Varuna 20:00 English News 21:00 Santa Cruz Mando 21:30 Health Watch Heart 22:00 English News 23:00 Bike SSScape 23:30 Geo Natal Fashion Show 00:00 Flavors 00:30 Clown Fiesta 01:00 Art of living 01:30 Angos Musical Show 02:00 Varuna 02:30 Amazing Fusion of Dance Beats 03:00 Revolutionz 03:30 Santa Cruz Mando 04:00 Pilar Care for Mother Earth Note: Subject to change

Instructions for Sudoku 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

SUDOKU SOL 789

HERALD CROSSWORD - 790 Across 1- Room in a casa; 5- French friends; 9- Exec's degree; 12Et ___; 13- Aspect; 15- Wading place; 16- Copycat; 17- Lobby of a theater; 18- First name in jazz; 19- Woman's bedroom; 21- Plant-eating aquatic mammal; 23- Hindu princess; 24Charged particle; 25- Sullenly ill-humored; 28- Heliopsisshaped design; 33- Not proper; 34- Drill a hole; 35- Pith helmet; 36- ___ who?; 37- Red cosmetic; 38- Derelict; 39- New Mexico art colony; 41- Additional; 42- Finnish name of Finland; 44- Stand astride; 46Raved; 47- Cornfield sound; 48- Actress Olin; 49- Turnpike; 53- Absorb; 57- French 101 verb; 58- Dupe; 60- Debatable; 61- Agitate; 62- Equip; 63- Poet Pound; 64- Barrett of Pink Floyd; 65- Spahn teammate; 66Antlered animal; Down 1- Swedish auto; 2- Iams alternative; 3Place; 4- Paradrop; 5- Relative by marriage; 6- New Zealand aboriginal; 7- Very cold; 8Appear; 9- Shed feathers; 10- Chadic language; 11- Winglike parts; 14- Apprentice; 15- Goober; 20- Kiln for drying hops; 22- San Francisco's ___ Hill; 25- Thin fogs; 26- ___ a time; 27- Sharp-edged instrument; 28- Immerse; 29- Exhort; 30- Automaton; 31- Foam; 32- Shy; 34- Cotton seed pod; 37- Brown seaweed; 40- Chocolate cake; 42- Squealed; 43- Without weapons; 45- Black bird; 46Fame; 48- Vive ___!; 49- Pianist Myra; 50___-bitty; 51- Grating; 52- Cravings; 54-

Exude; 55- Achy; 56- Celestial body; 59Palm Pilot, e.g.;

SOLUTION - 789

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Wednesday, 23 Feb 2011

Children’s Creativity to go on Display at KA

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FROM DREAMERS TO ACHIEVERS

Business Competition to provide Platform for Budding Entrepreneurs

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HERALD FEATURES he Children Painting Exhibition organised by the Kala Academy will be held from February 24 to 27 at the Art Gallery, Kala Academy, Panjim. The inaugural function is scheduled for February 24 at 4.30pm at the aforesaid venue.

The prize distribution function will be held immediately after the inaugural function at 5pm at the Black Box. The Kala Academy had organised the Children Painting Competition at eight regional centres on December 7, 2010 in which around 1,900 children gave their participation.

Altogether 50 works have been selected for prizes and merit certificates which will be displayed in the exhibition. Besides, some works have been recommended by judges only for display in the exhibition.

The Academy has appealed to the prize winners, their parents, other participants and the art lovers to attend the inaugural and prize distribution function. The exhibition will be on public view from February 24 to 27 between 10am to 7pm at the Art Gallery, Kala Academy.

HERALD FEATURES he Young Entrepreneurs Forum (YEF) of Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industries (GCCI) has organised a business plan competition titled ‘YEF Business Plan Competition 2011’ targeting aspiring entrepreneurs. The competition is the first step to encourage budding entrepreneurs to explore the power of commercialising their ideas.

In order to participate in the contest the idea has to be presented to YEF as a Business Plan. A distinguished panel from Goa's business community will judge the submitted business plans. The Top 5 Business Plans selected will be presented at an event e-posium to be held in Panjim on March 12. Being in the Top 5 could potentially open up avenues for aspiring entrepreneurs to seek mentors, training and funding to transform these ideas into viable businesses.

This competition is open to all students as well as professionals as it hopes to spark the entrepreneurial spirit and provide a platform for innovative ideas and enterprises.

Due to a very encouraging response the last date for submission of these plans has been extended to February 24. Requests from students of various colleges who are answering internal exams led to this decision. In order to participate in the contest the idea has to be presented to YEF as a Business Plan and emailed to gccigoa@gmail.com.

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Finding Solutions to ...Plant Problems

BY EULALIA A D’MELLO n a lovely garden in Margao, on a Sunday morning, some 40 people got together to find solutions to their plant problems. An inspiring video of the home-grownorganic food revolution in Cuba following the petrochemical crisis set the mood off for the interactions.

The video clip was followed by a talk by Miguel Braganza of the Organic Farming Association of India (OFAI) about the cocktail of chemicals that has trickled into our plates and surroundings in the name of progress. He also spoke on the green revolution of India which promises more food but instead gives us dead soil, polluted food and polluted waters, linking it to the rise in present day common diseases.

The garden of Valmiki and Daisy Faleiro, passionate plant people has a variety of fruit trees including the Fig, Adama, Carambola and the Rambutan. Medicinal plants and some seasonal Miguel describes the miraculous adulsa vegetables were meticulously labelled and described for the event. Solutions to various plant problems, especially fungal problems, were given by Miguel Braganza, solutions that would be accepted in organic farming. This followed by a small sale of organic products.

One still hopes though that there could have been at least one traditionally organic farmer there to guide us regarding the various traditional natural practices of farming and plant protection that we might have lost thanks to the introduction of market induced and agricultural science induced practices. Nevertheless with people being aware of the dangers of food sprayed with pesticide and the ground pollution caused by chemical farming they are eager to work in sync with nature to grow their own food.

The programme ended with a fun video on how to compost using the ‘khamba’, the composting unit that is finding a place in many Goan homes. Organised by Green Essentials, the workshop is one of the events whose collection will go towards the Konkan Fruit Fest.

I

Photos by Chandan D’Sa

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N I N R U T ONE

Scratching and spinning: DJ Ashton

Chiling and Sipping: Invitees filling their glasses while chilling at the bar (above)

Sara and Aashna Katwani (above) Mumbai Duo: Abhinav and Pankhuri (above)

Dr Anupama Kathyayni and Tanya

Rajendra Talak Goan filmmaker, Aniket Vishwas and Pallavi

Bert Nowitzki and Dr Otto Maz Schaefer

The Portuguese presence: Director of Institute Cameos, Dr Delphim Pereira

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Wednesday, 23 Feb 2011

SRK gets tattooed for Deepika?

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Kate Moss to turn wedding into art exhibition

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he D tattoo on SRK’s arm have got people thinking... Saif Ali Khan may have inked Kareena on his arm, but the latest one to be showing off his love is Shah Rukh Khan who has been sporting a prominent D tattoo on his forearm these days. He is constantly being asked whom the alphabet is for, and SRK at his wittiest best, replies “Deepika Padukone!”

Of course, Deepika has reason enough to be flattered.

However, the D denotes SRK’s love for Don 2. His character in the Don sequel has D tattooed on his arm. And the D is meant to denote Don! The tattoo is obviously not a permanent one, but Shah Rukh says he likes it, although a permanent tattoo is not a part of his to-do list right now. However, most of his contemporaries like Sanjay Dutt, Saif Ali Khan, Ajay Devgn, Arjun Rampal have permanent tattoos showing off their love and faith. dding is set to SRK on the other hand, likes to odel Kate Moss’ we ition because hib keep it clean. look like an art ex d British artist ite the model has inv y works of art t her wack Tracey Emin to pu e big day. th g rin nce on display du supermodel and fia cey ld -o ar -ye 37 e Th Tra l pa ld to dly porte Jamie Hince have re r controversial installaEmin, known for he work at the reception r tions, to display he ptials, reports femalenu to celebrate their r first.co.uk. at Tracey will put he “Kate has agreed th all over the wedding mp unusual artistic sta d,” said a source. rre ba lds ho no th t her – wi y permission to pu ’s ce Tra en giv “She’s let So . fit er she sees artwork up wherev e watching the bride ar aling hope the guests of the limelight-ste d. rather than some adde he d,” ye pla dis pieces that will be

M

H

ollywoodLife claims in its report that Zoe Saldana is pregnant. The site claims that they arrived at the conclusion after looking at the ‘signs’. The website reports that the actress looked pregnant when she was spotted at the New York Fashion Week last week.

It reported that Saldana was sporting “what looks to be a baby bump… She has no new projects lined up for the year. Hmm… we smell a pregnancy announcement!”

After series of examinations in the report, the website concluded that in fact Saldana was pregnant.

As it has now turned out, that particular report is false. The rep of the actress has denied the report that Saldana is pregnant.

The actress would begin another Star Trek production this summer and it is highly unlikely that she would have such a schedule, if indeed she was pregnant.

A rep of the actress straightened things out when she spoke to GossipCop. The report has some strong rebuttal of the HollywoodLife report and quotes the rep as saying that, “Yet again HollywoodLife got it wrong.

She’s not pregnant.”

Saldana was reportedly having wine at a restaurant at the time that HollywoodLife claims that she was seen with the bump.

a n a d l a S e o Z Pregnant?

I shouldn’t have acted in 3 Idiots: Aamir Khan

H

e won hearts with his portrayal of an engineering student in blockbuster 3 Idiots and Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan says the only reason he decided to act in the film was that its subject was education.

“I shouldn’t have acted in 3 Idiots as in no way do I look like an 18-year-old.

The only reason I did the film was because it was about education,” said Aamir.

The Rajkumar Hirani-directed film is the story of 3 students in an elite engineering institute reeling under pressure from the current educational system to excel in their career.

The 45-year-old actor has been passionate about the cause of education ever since he made Taare Zameen Par, the tale of a dyslexic child’s struggle to cope with the existing norms of education. “Cinema has the ability to reach out to people and more films upholding this cause should be made,” said the actor.

Besides education, Aamir is also associated with the cause of malnutrition. “All these issues are linked,” he said. He is also working with the Women and Children Welfare Ministry as well as the UNICEF for the betterment of malnourished kids.

The actor was in Delhi to launch the book Colours of my Rainbow by Himani Verma, which chronicles the charitable work of Salma Ansari, wife of the Vice President of India, Hamid Ansari.

“It is very inspiring to see Ansari and her organisation trying to reach out to these children. Contribution in the field of education is one of the most important things to do,” said Aamir, who flew down from Germany where he was a jury member at the Berlin Film Festival.

High Cholesterol and BP in Middle Age linked to Early Memory Problems

A

Finding True Love linked to Biological Temperament

new study has found that middle-age men and women who have cardiovascular issues, such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure, may not only be at risk for heart disease, but for an increased risk of developing early cognitive and memory problems as well.

For the study, 3,486 men and 1,341 women with an average age of 55 years underwent cognitive tests three times over 10 years. The tests measured reasoning, memory, fluency and vocabulary.

Participants received a Framingham risk score that is used to predict 10-year risk of a cardiovascular event. It is based on age, sex, HDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, systolic blood pressure and whether they smoked or had diabetes. The study found people who had higher cardiovascular risk were more likely to have lower cognitive function and a faster rate of overall cognitive decline compared to those with the lowest risk of heart disease.

A 10-percent higher cardiovascular risk was associated with poorer cognitive test scores in all areas except reasoning for men and fluency for women.

“Our findings contribute to the mounting evidence for the role of cardiovascular risk factors, such as high cholesterol and blood pressure, contributing to cognitive problems, starting in middle age,” said Sara Kaffashian, study author, French National Institute of Health and Medical Research in Paris. The study will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 63rd Annual Meeting in Honolulu from April 9 to 16, 2011.

F

inding true love is a lot more dependent on our biological temperament that steers us towards a particular personality type, rather than a matter of chance, says a new study.

Helen Fisher, visiting associate professor in anthropology at Rutgers University in the US, seems to have uncovered the key to why some relationships work and others do not.

After a study involving nearly 30,000 people, Fisher believes that attraction is closely linked to the chemistry of your personality type and how it matches - or clashes - with that of your chosen partner.

“There will always be magic to love, but knowledge is power,” says Fisher. “If you know who you are, what you seek and how you and others love, you can capture that magic, find and keep real love, and make your dreams come true.”

Fisher’s research indicates we can be divided into four very different personality types - explorers, builders, directors and negotiators.

They are based on the way our body produces and reacts to the brain chemicals dopamine and serotonin, and the hormones testosterone and oestrogen.

If dopamine tends to dominate your personality, Fisher believes you will have a tendency to seek novelty. People in this group are termed explorers.

When serotonin dominates, the guiding personality traits tend to be calmness, loyalty, a fondness of rules and facts, and order. Because this group tends to be skilled at building social networks, she calls this group, builders.

Those with high levels of testosterone (whether male or female) fall into a section called directors because they are direct, decisive, tough-minded, exacting and good at strategic thinking. Finally, personalities dominated by the hormone oestrogen (again, this affects men and women) are dubbed negotiators because they are highly imaginative and empathetic, with great verbal and social skills as well as being adept at connecting disparate facts.

Fisher believes we are all a combination of two personality types, but one will dominate, influencing our behaviour - including our choice of mate, according to her book ‘Why Him? Why Her?’.

THINK AND DRIVE

Car that can be controlled by Driver’s Thoughts

G

erman engineers have created a car, the direction and speed of which can be overridden by the driver’s thoughts. The practical implication could be cars for people with disabilities that prevent them from driving regular cars. The semi-autonomous Volkswagen Passat has been christened “MadeInGermany,” reports New Scientist.

It’s fully capable of driving itself or interfacing with other interesting control systems like the iPad or iPhone. And the car can perform 360-degree obstacle detection and sense a car in front from its fenders up to 200 metres away, using laser radars, microwave radars and stereo cameras.

To test how the driver’s thoughts will control the car, Raul Rojas at the Free University of Berlin in Germany and his colleagues got a volunteer to wear Editor –in-chief: R F Fernandes. Editor: Ashwin Tombat. Chief Editor-Features: Christina Viegas.

an off-the-shelf mind-control headset containing 16 electroencephalogram (EEG) sensors.

A software development kit allows users to train it to sense brainwave patterns indicative of certain thoughts.

With the car, the user trained an on-screen cube to move left on a screen when he wanted to turn left, and vice versa.

“Our test drives showed that there is only a slight delay between the intended command and the actual reaction of the car. This is, of course, a demonstration and is not roadworthy yet - but in the long run, humanmachine interfaces like this could have huge potential in combination with autonomously driven cars,” the team say on their website.

Courtesy Agencies

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