25 Nov,2010 HERALD PUBLICATIONS PVT LTD

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Sports: Strauss & Co ready for Ashes opener Pg 15 ‘Qaeda’ bombing kills 23 Shiites A suicide car bomber killed 23 Shiites at a religious procession in Yemen on Wednesdy, an attack a tribal chief charged was a bid by AlQaeda to fan sectarian tensions in the already restive country. — (AFP)

Business: Telecom profits may dip due to norms — COAI Pg 13

Pernem, Canacona RP notified HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, NOV 24

Re g i o n a l p l a n s 2 0 2 1 f o r Pernem and Canacona which were finalised some days back were notified on Wednesday and by virtue of these notifications will automatically come into force for implementation immediately.

In the evening, Senior Town Planner T Puttaraju said the Gazette notification will appear in tomorrow’s edition as the same had been sent to the government printing press. Soon the Government will inform the public through newspaper advertisements regarding the same, he mentioned.

With this, the surface utilisation maps for Pernem and Canacona are ready. However, the policies framed will be ap-

Anybody may say anything, but for the first time in the country such a huge exercise of formulating the Regional Plan 2021 has been undertaken and the villages today have a document to debate about the developments in their areas.

- Chief Minister Digambar Kamat

plicable throughout the State even as taluka wise plans will be notified in a phased manner.

SLC members said the plans for Ponda and Sattari were almost ready and the same would be taken up for notification soon.

Earlier in the morning, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat announced to media persons in the presence of State-level Committee members the plans of the two talukas were in the

process of being notified and had been sent to the Law Department for the purpose of vetting.

Kamat said when he took over as the CM he had assured the people of preparing good regional plan by keeping their sentiments and suggestions by f o l l o w i n g a t r a n s p a re n t process.

He said anybody may say anything, but for the first time in the country such a huge ex-

ercise of formulating the Regional Plan 2021 has been undertaken and the villages today have a document to debate about the developments in their areas.

He said there were quarrels in the panchayats and gram sabhas over projects coming up in villages but one must not forget that the villagers have a document based on which they can talk.

The CM’s announcement about the notifications of the plans was followed by a detailed and systematic presentation on the plan by nodal officer for RP Sanjith Ro drigues.

SLC members Brian Soares, Dean D’Cruz and Charles Correia also interacted with media (Continued on page 10)

FAR rationalised for better control HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, NOV 24

The State-level Committee for Regional Plan 2021 on Wednesday said it has rationalised FAR (floor area ratio) for the State and hence there would be only VP1 and VP2 status with the former having FAR of 80 and the latter 60 but with certain conditions.

SLC member Brian Soares talking in between a detailed presentation on Wednesday explained that for better control in panchayats with VP1 status (where 80 FAR will be allowed) the FAR will automatically reduce from 80 to 60 for plots more than 4,000 square metres. Likewise for VP2 the FAR will reduce from 60 to 50

for plots more than 4,000

concerned. Further, in VP2 sta-

CoNTroLLED rEGULATioN!

There would be only VP1 and VP2 status with the former having FAR of 80 and the latter 60, but with certain conditions. l VP1 area, the FAR will automatically reduce from 80 to 60 for plots more than 4,000 square metres.

Likewise for VP2, the FAR will reduce from 60 to 50 for plots more than 4,000 square metres. l VP2 area, the height of a building will be restricted to 9 metres inclusive of stilts for parking. l VP2 area with plot size at 350 square meters and less, 80 FAR will be allowed. l

square metres, he stated.

He informed this was a policy decision wherein the SLC had tried to bring in controlled regulation as far as FAR was

tus where the FAR is 60 the height of a building will be restricted to 9 metres which is inclusive of stilts for parking, he mentioned.

Housing loan scam busted CBI arrests top LIC officer, 7 others

PTI MUMBAI, NOV 24

The CBI on Wednesday claimed to have busted a major housing loan racket with the arrest of CEO of LIC Housing Finance Ramachandran Nair and seven others including three top officials of public sector banks on charges of corruption and criminal conspiracy.

Apart from Nair, those arrested are Naresh K Chopra, Secretary (Investment), LIC, R N Tayal, General Manager of Bank of India (Delhi), Maninder Singh Johar, Director of Central Bank of India, Venkoba Gujjal, Deputy GM of Punjab National Bank (Delhi).

Rajesh Sharma, Chairman and Managing Director of Mumbaibased firm Money Matters Ltd and two of its employees – Suresh Gattani and Sanjay Sharma – were among those arrested, CBI said.

The officials allegedly colluded with the firm to sanction large scale corporate loans, overriding mandatory conditions for such approvals along with other irregularities.

In Delhi, the Finance Ministry said it was contemplating a departmental inquiry against the accused officials.

“The CBI has busted a racket

THE ACCUSED CEO of LIC Housing Finance Ramachandran Nair and seven others are Naresh K Chopra, Secretary (Investment), LIC; R N Tayal, General Manager of Bank of India (Delhi); Maninder Singh Johar, Director of Central Bank of India; Venkoba Gujjal, Deputy GM of Punjab National Bank (Delhi); Rajesh Sharma, Chairman and Managing Director of Mumbai-based firm Money Matters Ltd and two of its employees – Suresh Gattani and Sanjay Sharma. wherein a private financial services company, its CMD and other associates were allegedly bribing senior officials of public sector banks and financial institutions for facilitating large scale corporate loans,” the agency said.

“The officials of the firm acted as middlemen and conspired with Nair and other officials from the public sector banks and arranged large scale corporate loans, overriding mandatory conditions for such approvals with other irregularities, in the

year 2009,” CBI Joint Director (Western Region) P Kandaswamy told reporters in Mumbai.

The arrested public servants had received illegal gratification from the private financial services company, he added.

All the eight accused, who have been booked for conspiracy and other sections of Prevention of Corruption Act, were today produced before a special CBI court, which remanded them to CBI custody till November 29. The CBI has registered five cases in this regard.

CBI said that officers of top management and middle management of various public sector banks and financial institutions viz. Bank of India, Central Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, LIC and LIC Housing Finance Ltd were receiving illegal gratifications from the private financial services company who were acting as mediators and facilitators for corporate loans and other facilities from financial institutions.

“They were also gathering confidential business information from financial institutions,” it said.

Searches were conducted at various locations in Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Jaipur, Kolkata and Jalandhar.

However, he said in VP2 areas with plot size at 350 square meters and less, 80 FAR will be allowed.

HUGE DEMAND: The SLC members explained there was a demand for huge quantum of land in the RP which had been drastically cut down by them looking at further projections of population and other indicators.

Making his point Charles Correia said corruption necessarily need not be from top to bottom, but it could be from bottom to top. The demand for land before SLC was huge and we had a detailed analysis whether so much land was really required, he stated.

(Continued on page 10)

Burglars loot two temples in Quepem HERALD CORRESPONDENT QUEPEM, NOV 24

Burglars decamped with cash and gold and silver ornaments worth about Rs 18 lakh from Buthnath and Chandreshwar temples at Paroda-Quepem on Tuesday night.

According to police sources, the burglars entered the Chandreshwar Temple by removing the roof tiles and then opened the back door of the temple by removing the latch to make a way for other burglars, while in Buthnath Temple, the burglars entered the temple premises by breaking open the main door.

At the Chandreshwar Temple, burglars broke open two cupboards, a drawer of a table and two fund boxes with a booty of about Rs 7,000 cash, two rupdi (face cover) of Lord Chandreshwar (one each gold and silver) and a silver rupdem of Devi Mahalaximi.

Burglars then decamped with two rupdi (one each gold and silver) at the Buthnath Temple.

The burglars also decamped with other gold and silver ornaments worth Rs 17,93,000 from both the temples.

The incident came to light when the temple Pujari went to perform pooja at about 7.30 am on Wednesday. He immediately (Continued on page 10)

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Goa’s Heartbeat: Portrayal of film industry is wrong Pg 1

Nitish sweeps Bihar, wipes out Lalu, Cong V for ViCTory

We have no magic wand, but people’s trust. I will need to work harder than I did in the last five years and I will not hesitate to do it.

The outcome of the elections also proves beyond doubt that it was a victory for development and for the people of the State.

— Nitish Kumar

HOW THEY finisHEd

JD(U)+BJP 206 RJD+LJP 26 Congress CPI

01 Independents 06 PTI PATNA, NOV 24

Riding a massive wave on the theme of development, Nitish Kumar on Wednesday led the JD(U)-BJP alliance to a landslide four-fifth majority in the Assembly elections routing Lalu Prasad’s RJD-LJP combine and a weak Congress to return to power for a second consecutive term.

The scale of victory could be gauged from the fact that from 143 seats in the 2005 elections, Kumar’s campaign on the basis of his government’s performance helped the ruling alliance notch a spectacular tally of 206 seats in the 243-member House.

While Nitish Kumar’s JD(U)

In future, it will pay for the filmmaker to shoot in Goa with the State government toying up with the proposal of giving them tax rebate.

“We are trying to promote film shoots in Goa. Tax reimbursement scheme for the filmmakers shooting in the State is being worked out, where half of the tax amount would be reimbursed to the filmmaker after he produces the bills and film is ready,” Manoj Srivastava, Chief Executive Officer, Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG), announced during a day-long seminar.

Srivastava said that the State is in the process of forming the scheme which will be a major pull for the filmmakers to shoot in Goa. CEO was talking at the seminar on ‘India-The Big Picture’ or-

ganised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on the sidelines of International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2010.

Srivastava feels that the tax is going to be the biggest issue for the filmmakers in next three to four years. He said that the tax reimbursement scheme would be a success if Central taxes are relaxed at some level.

“I am echoing sentiments of Yash Chopra. The filmmakers would be largely benefited if Central taxes are relaxed,” Srivastava said.

Chopra during the inaugural of IFFI had said that the Central government had failed to support the film industry.

Srivastava said that it’s the duty of each State government to approach the Central ministry demanding to relax the Central taxes on films.

In-order to secure film industry, experts feel that the Central government need to form a special film body under the guidelines of eminent filmmakers, who have a proper knowledge of the film industry.

got 115 seats, its ally BJP secured 91. They had got 88 and 55 respectively in the last elections.

The new government will take oath on Friday at the Gandhi Maidan.

The 59-year-old Chief Minister, who is said to have brought change in governance in a State that had witnessed Lalu Prasad’s OBC empowerment politics, adopted a strategy of attracting Muslim votes even at the expense of earning BJP’s wrath at times by keeping Narendra Modi out of campaign.

This is the biggest victory in an assembly election anywhere in the country in the recent times and particularly in Bihar in 26 years when Congress got over 200 seats in 1984 riding a

Kiran Kumar Reddy new Andhra CM

PTI HYDERABAD, NOV 24

Kiran Kumar Reddy will be the new Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh after incumbent K Rosaiah resigned on Wednesday in a surprise move as the ruling Congress battles dissidence and prepares to tackle the potentially volatile issue of a separate Telangana State.

On a day of fast-paced developments, 77-year-old Rosaiah, the stop-gap Chief Minister who took over in the aftermath of Y S Rajasekhara Reddy’s death in September last year, resigned citing personal reasons.

Hours later, the Congress Legislature Party met and authorised party chief Sonia Gandhi, who named Kiran Reddy, currently Speaker of the Assembly,

Govt mulling tax rebate on film shoots HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, NOV 24

04

“Rather than appointing a government official on the committee, it needs to be headed by a person belonging to the world of cinema,” Srivastava said.

He was rightly supported by K AS movie makers Kalyan Mukherjee and other experts present for the workshop.

“Officials from Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, who are seating on top and has no knowledge of what is a film, need to be educated on what is a camera, a film, an actor and so on,” Mukherjee stated.

Earlier, giving the inaugural remarks, CII’s Goa State council chairman Naveen Kapoor said that the film industry should be made aware about the new shooting locations.

He also said that though Indian film industry has captive audience, there is a need for new market penetrations.

to succeed Rosaiah.

50-year-old Reddy hails from Rayalaseema region and was elected from Pileru constituency in Chittoor district.

After a brief meeting of the CLP, which authorised Gandhi to choose the new Chief Minister, top Congress emissaries Pranab Mukherjee, A K Antony, Veerappa Moily and Ghulam Nabi Azad met and discussed the issue with the Congress President.

“Congress President Sonia Gandhi has selected Kiran Kumar Reddy as the new leader of the Congress Legislature Party. He will be sworn-in tomorrow by the Governor as the new Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh,” Mukherjee said in a brief statement.

Out of the 156 Congress MLAs, over 140 MLAs attended today’s meeting and they unanimously passed a resolution authorising Sonia Gandhi.

At the meeting, a woman MLA Konda Sureka, a supporter of belligerent Congress MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, got up to raise the leadership issue but was persuaded not to do so.

Nallari Kiran Kumar Reddy, a four-time MLA and YSR loyalist, is the son of late Congress leader Amarnath Reddy.

sympathy wave after Indira Gandhi’s assassination. The House then had a strength of 324 in the undivided Bihar.

The Opposition was in tatters with RJD, which ruled Bihar continuously for over 15 years till 2005, reduced to just 22 seats from its 2005 tally of 54. Its alliance partner LJP led by Ram Vilas Paswan was down at 4 from 10 it had.

Congress, which gambled by going it alone with Rahul Gandhi as its spearhead in the campaign, failed to even retain its seats. It got only four seats.

RJD’s humiliation was complete when Prasad’s wife Rabri Devi, who was Leader of Opposition in the outgoing House, was defeated in both the constituencies she contested. Likewise, its ally LJP chief Paswan’s two brothers – Pasupati Kumar Paras and Ramachandra Paswan – were made to bite the dust.

The CPI, which had three, was down to one, while independents accounted for six. In the last elections, independents had won in 10 seats. SP, BSP and NCP, which had two, four and one respectively in the last elections, drew a blank.

Commenting on the poll outcome, 59-year-old Kumar said, “We have no magic wand, but people’s trust. I will need to work harder than I did in the last five years and I will not hesitate to do it.”

“The outcome of the elections also proves beyond doubt that it was a victory for development and for the people of the State.”

NRIs can now vote PTI NEW DELHI, NOV 24

A longstanding wish of millions of NRIs for voting right in India has come true with the Centre issuing a notification to this effect to enable them to exercise their franchise.

Parliament had in the monsoon session passed the Representation of People (Amendment) Bill, 2010 to allow NRIs to vote in Indian elections and now government has issued a gazette notification in this regard.

“Gazette notification has been issued giving voting rights to Non-Resident Indians,” Overseas Indian Affairs Minister told Lok Sabha, replying to a question.

CBI has taken over this skycraper only for scam investigations, with each scam on each floor.

OHERALDO

GOA

Pg2

GOA, THURSDAY, 25 NOVEMBER, 2010

Filmmakers demand tax rebate HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, NOV 24

The filmmakers at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2010 have asked for tax rebate claiming that the film industry pays upto 40 per cent of their earnings back to the government.

Independent producer and actor Sanjay Suri said that Indian films are overtaxed. “Almost up to 40 per cent of the revenue (earned by the films) goes in the government treasury,” he said interacting with the media at IFFI venue.

The producer, participating in a workshop on “Independent Financing” at National Film Division Corporation’s film bazaar, said that there is a huge list of taxes that are forced on the filmmakers eating into their earnings.

Suri is attending the festival to promote his film ‘I am’, which is scheduled to be released early next year.

The actor plays Abhimanyu who after years of sexual abuse in the hands of his stepfather ends up with a fear of commitment, ambiguous about his sexual preference reflected in the different coloured socks he wears, working up to a confrontation with his mother.

He blames his mother for his troubled past and ending up becoming a bit of a ‘user’ himself.

Interestingly, his stepfather in the film is played by filmmaker

Almost up to 40 per cent of the revenue (earned by the films) goes in the govt treasury...

Bollywood is the highest tax payer... (But) there is hardly any government support.

Anurag Kashyap who has admitted to being abused as a child.

Suri said that filmmaker is overburdened with taxes like VAT, stamp duty, income tax, service tax and many others which is killing the industry.

“Bollywood film industry is the highest tax payer,” he added.

Suri appealed Union Finance Ministry to look at this issue sympathetically.

“There is hardly any government support,” he lamented.

The filmmaker’s contention gels with the worry raised by veteran filmmaker Yash Chopra during IFFI inauguration who had said that the tax is increasingly becoming a concern for the Indian films.

“We are celebrating 100 years of Hindi Cinema in 2013 but we fear of disappearing with heavy tax burden,” he had said in the presence of Union Railway Minister Mamata Benerjee.

South delegation feels jilted at IFFI, protests HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, NOV 24

A delegation of South Indian film distributors and exhibitors held protests outside Kala Academy today evening alleging their films are not given importance in the on-going International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2010.

Members of Kerela Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) and Film Exhibitors Federation held protests when Chief Minister Digambar Kamat was attending a function at the festival venue.

“We are being distanced from the festival. They are not selecting proper films from South India even though there are several films which could have been selected for the festival,” KFCC member Subramanyam told reporters at the venue.

He alleged that south Indian filmmakers were not even treated properly during the inaugural. “Film Federation of India’s President L Suresh was not even invited on the stage to light the lamp,” Subramanyam, popularly known as ‘Evershine Mani’ in South India, said.

Liberty Bashir, President of Film Exhibitors Federation, said that festival organizers have committed gross mismanagement at the festival. “We find it difficult to get tickets. Theatres are half empty while tickets counters say

We are being distanced from the festival. They are not selecting proper films from South India even though there are several films which could have been selected for the festival. Film Federation of India’s President L Suresh was not even invited on the stage to light the lamp.

-- Subramanyam they are full,” he said.

The protestors later met Chief Executive Officer of the Entertainment Society of Goa Manoj Shrivastava, who assured them that the ticket issuance would be streamlined.

Subramanyam said that following their complaints, the organizers have assured to look into their demands. “From next year onwards, at least 30 per cent tickets would be reserved for us (South Indian),” he added.

ESG compiling list of cinematic places HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, NOV 24

Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) is working on a list of cinematic places including private properties, which would be rented out for the film shootings.

ESG, Chief Executive Officer Manoj Srivastava said that the entertainment society has recently begun with the process of listing all those interested properties and convincing people to rent out their properties for film shooting.

“Several organisations and individuals have approached us, who are willing to rent their properties for shooting,” he stated.

Srivastava was responding to a question raised by member of KAS movie makers Kalyan Mukherjee. He pointed out that Goa is lacking in promoting private properties

2 cricketers booked for abusing scribe HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, NOV 24

Panjim police today booked two cricketers – one playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the other in Ranji trophy -- for threatening and abusing a senior journalist. The incident occurred a few meters away from the police station.

The pair identified as Saurabh Bandekar (24), a reserve player with Bangalore Royal Challengers and Ranji player Rohit Asnodkar have been booked under sections 504 (abusing) and 506 (threatening) of the Indian Penal Code.

The journalist in his complaint said that the car driven by Saurab with Rohit on the next seat had obstructed the road by parking their vehicle in the middle of the road and was speaking on the mobile phone.

“I was heading to the International Film Festival of India venue when I honked at the car before me, which was parked a short distance from the police station on the middle of the road. After that, Sourabh instigated his colleague Rohit to handle me,” the journalist mentioned in his complaint letter.

“I was then abused and threatened by Rohit,” he further said.

Po l i c e I n s p e c t o r S a n d e s h Chodankar confirmed a complaint by the journalist and a cross complaint by the duo against first complainant for abuse.

especially Churches with ancient architecture.

“All though a film destination, shooting in locations like Churches has always been getting difficult in absence of permissions.

State has failed in opening up space of these beautiful cinema friendly locations,” Mukherjee said adding that there should be list of cinema friendly and cinematic properties.

“Next few months, we will be having exhaustive list,” ESG, CEO responded.

The debate was on, at the day long workshop on ‘India-The Big Picture’ jointly organised by Directorate of Film Festivals (DFF), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

When asked, Srivastava said that the regional filmmakers usually prefer locations

within their states and hence they don’t look at Goa. Adding further he said that several Marathi films are been shot in Goa but state don’t have any Malayalam and Tamil films being shot here. “We need to push our financial schemes in film producing regions outside Goa and we will be doing it,” Srivastava said.

CEO said that during last few years, Goa has emerged as one of the prominent film destinations with almost 600 days of shooting recorded during last financial year.

Experts like Rajesh Sharma, director general, Service Export Promotion Council, Junaid Memon, Nomad Films, Satish Fenn, line producer (Guru, Raavan) and mohan Krishnan, communication head were also present during the workshop, which was highly debated.

Property worth Rs 1.5 lakh destroyed in Saligao fire

Thousands attend St Xavier novena HERALD CORRESPONDENT OLD GOA, NOV 24

Thousands of devotees from all over the State flocked to Old Goa to participate in the nineday novena services in preparation for the feast of St Francis Xavier, which began at the Bom Jesus Basilica on Wednesday.

Devotees were seen in large numbers participating in the services, which began with the first mass in the pandal at 6 am, followed by masses at 7 am, 8.15 am, 9.30 and 10.30 am,

Reckless driver gets 7-day jail HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, NOV 24

Beware, rash and reckless driving may not just land you in trouble, but even in jail.

A 29-year native of Jharkhand realized the bitter truth when he was sentenced by the Special Judicial Magistrate S B Faria to seven days imprisonment for driving his truck in a rash and negligent manner, causing damage to an electric pole and a loss of Rs 3,200.

The incident occurred on November 20 when Arun Kumar was driving his truck GA 02 T 6815 dashed against an electric pole at Chandor.

After the Maina Curtorim police field a case against the accused, the Special Judicial Magistrate convicted the driver under section 184 and 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act and sentenced him to undergo seven days simple imprisonment. The accused has paid the fine of Rs 1500.

Former Saligao sarpanch Bholanath Ghadi Sankhalkar guides the Lobo family members, whose house was gutted in fire.

Photo by Thomas Fernandes HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, NOV 24

Property worth Rs 1.5 lakh was destroyed, after a house was gutted in a fire due to short circuit at Tabra Vaddo, Saligao, on Wednesday morning.

According to reports, a house belonging to Lobo’s family was in flames, destroying goods worth Rs 1.50 lakh. Mapusa fire personnel with the help of fire brigade dozed off the fire.

Calangute Police also rushed to the site.

Former Saligao sarpanch Bholanath Ghadi Sankhalkar,

who was alerted on the incident

by Calangute Police, also rushed to the site and helped in the rescue act to prevent further damage to the property.

According to the family members, they had left for shopping half an hour before the incident.

The neighbours, who noticed the fire, called the fire station for help. The fire brigade was immediately put into service to put off the fire. A gas cylinder was removed from the kitchen to avoid any mishap and further damages.

The house which was renovated

six years ago was totally painted dark due to the smoke and flames.

The wooden roof of the house was fully damaged, while tiles and glasses were broken.

The refrigerator was fully burnt to ashes with only the aluminum frames intact. The entire electrical wiring was gutted in fire. Except for the gas cylinder, all the household items in the house were burnt, but luckily the Lobo’s were in the process of shifting their belongings to another place and thus survived huge losses. Calangute Police is investigating the case.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, NOV 24

of Transport has increased it from Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000.

“We have now decided to come together and have a joint

meeting with the representatives of the motorcycle pilots, rickshaw owners, bus owners and all concerned involved in the transportation trade,” said Nanoskar.

“A joint meeting has been convened at TB Cunha Hall, Panjim, on Friday at 10 am to take a joint decision in the matter,” informed Nanoskar.

“We are not going to rest until the matter is amicably sorted out by the Director of Transport, who has been harassing the taxi owners time and again,” claimed Nanoskar.

3.45 pm, 5.15 pm and 6.15 pm.

“We had a huge congregation for the first mass at 6 am, while the other masses throughout the day had a normal turnout," Rector of Bom Jesus Basilica Fr Savio Baretto told Herald.

According to the Rector of Basilica of Bom Jesus Fr Savio Baretto, this year, the theme of the feast has been dedicated to Blessed Joseph Vaz, ‘Witnessing through Christian values into the footsteps of St Francis Xavier and Blessed Joseph Vaz.’

The Basilica Church would also hold masses at 5 am on Saturday and Sunday and on December 2 during the novenas due to huge crowd on these days.

This year, the feast mass will be concelebrated by Archbishop of Bombay Cardinal Oswald Gracious along with other priests from in and around the State.

When asked how things are being worked out for the next eight novenas, Fr Baretto said: “Today, there was a meeting

with the Collector. Though I was unable to attend it, I had sent my representative who discussed shortcomings like problems of sanitation, toilets and especially the problem of challenged people, who were finding it difficult to move in and around Basilica campus.”

“My representative also asked the Collector to work on the garbage problem, which was seen lying everywhere during the novena’s and feast day,” added Fr Barretto.

Ahmedabad firm to monitor setting up of Sonsodo plant tee found that Hyderabad-based Enviro Engineering Ltd could not qualify for the job since the company had participated in the tender to set up the plant. The third consultant also failed to qualify for its failure to submit the documents as per the Request for Proposal”, Kamat said.

Replying to a query, the Chief Minister said the high-power committee would now open the financial bid submitted by P U Asnani which would decide the question of consultancy fees.

“Let the financial bid be opened first, which would decide the question of the consultancy fees”, Kamat added.

Incidentally, the Margao Municipal Council had hand picked P U Asnani to evaluate the financial and technical bids of Fom e n t o a n d Ra m k y E n v i ro Engineering Ltd, who later gave his ruling in favour of the Goa

based company to set up the waste treatment plant at the dumping site.

Now that the high power Committee has settled in favour of Asnani to monitor the work of the garbage treatment plant, the Ahmedabad-based consultant returns back to the city to monitor the work of the very same company approved by him a couple of months ago.

When Herald contacted Margao Municipal Chief Officer Prasanna Acharya, he tried to keep the deliberations of the high powered committee under wraps saying the minutes of the meeting are not yet ready and finalized.

I n t e r e s t i n g l y, A c h a r y a presided over the Margao Municipal administration when the Civic body engaged the services of Asnani without inviting Expression of Interest.

Vigilance men get notice for not acting against land scam

Woman’s bag with Rs 39,000 stolen in bus

He alleged that the land was acquired at the instance of GHB for the purpose of housing projects of the Board but it has now been allotted to Nilkanth Halarnkar Trust.

“He (Chairman of the GHB) apparently in an effort to channel lands acquired for the projects of the GHB, to his own use, has chosen to abuse his position in power as Minister for Housing and Chairman of the GHB has made a show of allotting Trust which he heads…,” the letter to the Vigilance department and Director General of Police, read.

The complainants said that this has resulted a loss to the exchequer of more than about Rs 57-lakh. The complainants also pointed out that the Chairman allotted 23,000 m2 at a throwaway price of Rs 1000 per m2 which land is worth about Rs 4,200 m2, to an institute of hotel management and the ownership is not known. They have estimated a loss of Rs 7.36

HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, NOV 24

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, NOV 24

Tourist taxies to protest hike in tax The North Goa Tourist Taxi Owners have decided to protest against the decision of the Transport Department to hike passenger fees from the current Rs 150 to a whopping Rs 5,000, which is on par with the fees or tax of buses.

According to NGTTOA Secretary Vinayak Nanoskar, they had made a representation to the Director of Transport Arun Dessai to reduce the passenger fees or taxes hiked to Rs 2,000, but surprisingly instead of reducing the fares, the Director

Large number of devotees attending the first of the nine-day novena mass at a specially erected stage, at Old Goa, on Wednesday.

Photo by Rozario Estibeiro

Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Panjim today issued notices to State Vigilance officers in reply to an application by a social activist contending that the department did not registered a case on alleged land scam against a minister.

Vigilance Superintendent of Police Bosco George and Police Inspector are asked to appear before the Court on November 30 for reply failing which the Court said, it will decide the matter in their absence.

Social activist Kashinath Shetye had moved JMFC alleging that the police did not register his complaint wherein he alleged scam in conversion of Goa Housing Board (GHB) land at Colvale.

In a letter to Directorate of Vigilance, Shetye and 12 others alleged Chairman of the Housing Board Nilkanth Halarnkar of being involved in the scam.

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, NOV 24

It’s official. Chief Minister Digambar Kamat-led high power committee on Sonsodo on Wednesday gave its stamp of approval for the appointment of Ahmedabad-based P U Asnani as the consultant to monitor the setting up of the waste treatment plant at the dumping site.

A meeting of the high-power committee chaired by the Chief Minister evaluated the technical bid submitted by the consultants and found that only the Ahmedabad based consultant qualifies for the coveted job.

Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat later told Herald that Asnani has qualified for the appointment as consultant to monitor work on the setting up of the waste treatment plant at Sonsodo. “When the technical bids were opened, the Commit-

NRI woman rescued from drowning at Colva beach HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, NOV 24

A 64-year old NRI from London, Pushap Soob was rescued by Dhristi beach management services at the Colva beach on Wednesday.

The woman along with her friend was swimming in a no swim zone around 500 meters right side of the Colva Tower. Suddenly, duty lifeguard Swapnil Farade observed that she was in distress and screaming for help.

Sources said that Lifeguard Shrikant Velip immediately informed the Colva Tower about the incident, while Swapnil reached near the drowning person with a rescue board.

Soob was placed over the board and safely brought on shore. The victim was comforted and handed over to her friend.

crores to the exchequer through the alleged illegalities.

MD REACTS: GHB Managing Director Melvyn Vaz has rubbished allegations leveled against the Board. He said that in the detailed lay out plan there are areas embarked for residential, commercial and institutional plots, housing open spaces and others. “…this embarked land in detailed plan is approved by the Board and the Government. Institutional lands have been allotted for institutions like Vidhya Pratishan Trust, PP Shri Loknatheertha Swami Maharaj Mah a y o g a Tr u s t a n d V i d h y a Prabhodini Trust,” he said in a press note.

The officer stressed that the plots were allotted at rate fixed and finalized by the Board and approved by the Government.

“We strongly deny the irregularities whatsoever and there is no loss to the exchequer whatsoever,” he said.

A bag containing cash and goods worth Rs 39,000 was stolen from a woman from Aquem-Margao, while she was traveling in a bus from Mumbai to Goa. In her complaint, Trisca Fernandes told Mapusa Police that some unknown person has stolen her bag containing goods and cash all valued at Rs 39,000.

The complainant further stated that she had left Mumbai by bus on November 23 afternoon. On reaching at Oras-Mahasrahtra at about 7.30 am, she found her bag containing laptop, digital camera, foreign currency, PAN card and ATM card missing.

Police Inspector Rajesh Kumar said since the theft has occurred in Maharashtra, they have registered the case and transferred it to the Oras Police station.

3 face NBW in Margao swords seizure case HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, NOV 24

The Court of Judicial Magistrate First Class, Margao on Wednesday issued non-bailable warrant of arrest against three accused in the sensational Moti Dongor swords seizure case.

The court issued the arrest warrants after the three accused were conspicuous by their absence in the court room when the matter came up for hearing this morning.

The court had reserved orders on the framing of charge against the nine accused charged by the Margao police for procuring the swords with the intention of fomenting communal tension in the city.

Incidentally, it is now more than two years since the swords were seized by the Margao police from an abandoned truck on Moti Dongor – days after the city was rocked by

communal violence.

Trial in the sensational case is yet to commence till date after the police delayed for more than a year to file the charge sheet in the court for want of government sanction under section 153-A of the IPC to prosecute the accused persons.

The case had hit the headlines and had caused embarrassment to Chief Minister Digambar Kamat as the seizure came not just days after the communal violence in the sensitive Rumdamol housing board and in Margao, but were seized from Moti Dongor considered the stronghold of the Chief Minster.

Moreover, some of the accused charged by the Margao police happened to be the supporters of the Chief Minister.

Court sources said the court has adjourned the case next month.

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Tourism Dept in dire need Vascoites badly of funds, laments Halarnkar miss IFFI gala HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, NOV 24

Tourism Minister Nilkhant Halarnkar has said the Tourism department is in dire need of additional funds to develop tourism infrastructure in the state and disclosed plans to revive the Food Festival.

During an informal chat with newsmen on a visit to the city, Halarnkar said he would call on the Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat with a plea for a hike in budgetary allocation for the Tourism Ministry.

Justif ying his stand, the Tourism Minister said that the state earns a revenue of around Rs 850 crore annually, adding that a significant portion of the revenue should go into the building of tourism infrastructure. “Right now, the budgetary allocation for the Tourism department is hardly Rs 45-47

crore. This financial allocation is insufficient to meet the requirements when the department has to look after the security force, besides the beach management. There’s hardly any funds left to hold heritage festivals in the state”, he added.

Coming out in support of the heritage festival planned for Margao and Fatorda early next year, the Tourism Minister said the Tourism department will submit a proposal to the Chief Minister to explore the possibility of holding such festivals in other parts of the state too.

“These festivals will only help to maintain the architectural heritage, but would help woo tourists to the state. The state faces competition from other tourist destinations such as Kerala and the state has to gear up to meet the future challenges”, he said.

Replying to a question, Halarnkar said he is not in favour of the involvement of the Tourism department in the maintenance of the historical forts in the state. When newsmen drew his attention to the Cabo de Rama Fort in South Goa which has been lying in ruins, the Tourism Minister said the historical forts, including the Cabo de Rama Fort need to be restored and maintained the archeological department. “The archeological department has funds at its disposal to take up such work. I am not in favour of the Tourism Minister involving itself with such works”, he added.

Meanwhile, Halarnkar said the Tourism department has decided to revive the Food Festival, adding that the government will hold the Food festival in February next year.

MMC dragging feet on erecting traffic sign boards HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, NOV 4

Hazard a guess why traffic changes notified by the district Magistrate, South are not put into effect in the Commercial Capital?

Well, the reason is simple: The Margao civic body is dragging its feet to provide the ‘No Parking’ sign boards necessary to implement the traffic measures.

If DySP, Traffic Gajanan Prabhudessai is to be believed, it’s now more than three months since District Magistrate, South, G P Naik had issued a notification for ‘No Parking’ areas across the city. However, the notification has remained just that for want of the sign boards from the Municipal body, he said.

As per the notification, it is the responsibilities of the Margao civic body to make available the sign boards and erect them in areas notified by the district magistrate.

One such spot where no parking of four-wheelers was notified by the district magistrate was the stretch between Royal Foods to Borkar super stores on the congested Pick-stand road.

Till date, however, four-wheelers continue to be parked along the road, adding to traffic congestion.

Four-wheelers continue to park on the pick-up stand road despite no parking notification for want of sign boards.

Photo by Santosh Mirajkar

Incidentally, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat had recently issued strict instructions to the traffic police cell headed by PI Prabodh Shirwaikar to ensure no parking of four-wheelers on the road near Royal Foods. The instructions, however, have also remained on paper with the traffic personnel acting as mute spectators on the pick-up stand road, while four-wheeler owners parking their vehicles right under the nose of the personnel.

Incidentally, when Herald contacted outgoing Margao Municipal Chairperson Savio

Coutinho to throw light on the delay in providing the sign boards, he said the Civic body had planned to allot the work of erecting sign boards to a private agency, but the move did not evoke the desired response.

He said that the Civic body was looking for sponsors for the sign boards since each sign board costs nothing less than Rs 2000.

It is not known what prevented Chief Officer Prasanna Acharya from taking a decision on making the sign boards to the traffic department in the last one month and half.

HERALD REPORTER VASCO, NOV 24

With the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) restricted to Panjim and Margao since the last two years, people from in and around Vasco have been missing the entertainment gala.

Live music, films on giant screen, food stalls and cultural programme at Baina beach have been sorely missed by the people of Vasco, as these programmes were earlier staged in the port town.

In 2008, the event was abruptly called off due to barbaric 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai, while in 2009, people who were anxiously waiting for the event was disheartened and the same has been repeated this

Seven shacks, 5 shops razed at Morjim HERALD CORRESPONDENT PERNEM, NOV 24

Seven illegal shacks and five shops of Lamanis selling clothes were demolished at Morjim and Kerim beaches on Wednesday.

The tourism department sent labourers and demolished five shacks at Temwado Beach and two shacks at Kerim Beach. The demolition squad also razed five shops of lamanis at Tembwado beach.

A Pernem police team was stationed to tackle any law and order problem during the demolition drive.

Assistant Director of Tourism Department J N Sangodkar, Pernem PSI Dattaram Ravul and Pernem Mamlatdar Bhushan Sawaikar were present during the demolition drive.

CALANGUTE: A 31-year-old taxi driver from Bamon Vaddo, Siolim, was found dead in a car at Calangute on Wednesday.

According to Calangute Police, Suvarn Salgaonkar was found dead in a car (GA-03-T7555) by the locals at about 10.20 am. The locals immediately informed the police.

The body was later sent for post mortem, while the cause of dead was withheld. The viscera have been preserved for chemical analysis. PSI Mahesh Kerkar is investigating the case.

year too.

“IFFI cultural event was a welcome feature at Baina beach to spent time along with the family, which has been missing for the last two years,” said Shashkant Naik.

“Live music, cultural event were fabulous that attracted large crowd,” said Naik.

Baina beach was centrally located for the people of Mormuago and Vasco and even people from Zuarinagar and other places used to visit Baina beach during the IFFI festival.

“IFFI cultural event had generated large response at Baina beach and it appears that people are missing it,” said Youth Cong re s s P re s i d e n t S a n ka l a p Amonkar.

Amonkar said IFFI cultural events have been stopped in all the 11 taluka. “It will be my initiate to convince the government that people from Vasco are missing the IFFI fun fare and the government resumes cultural events.”

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s H o Rt tA K e s Children’s Day observed

Canacona locals irked over supply of impure water HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, NOV 24

Children take part in a programme in Nachinola.

PORVORIM (HC): Children of Nachinola displayed their artistic talents on Children's Day at a function held at the SCAN club, Nachinola.

A Drawing and Rangoli competition was organized for the children in various categories.

About 34 children participated in the half-day programme, which included activities and games.

While 28 children took part in the drawing competition, six children took part in the rangoli competition.

All participants were also given a token gift for their enthusiasm and talents displayed.

Martin Noronha, ex-teacher (Art) from St Xavier's High School, Moira judged the various drawings and rangoli displayed by the children.

Thomas D'Souza and Urmila Gawas distributed prizes, mementos and sweets to all participants.

Residents staying in Canacona town have complained of contaminated water for the last 15 days.

“The colour of water which we receive in our house taps is reddish and we find it is also adulterated with foreign objects,” complained a resident Deepak Tubki.

Added another resident, Sushila Komarpant: “This is going on for almost two weeks, but PWD is yet to improve quality of water supplied to residential areas in the municipality.”

When contacted, a PWD official accepted there was indeed some problem in the storage tanks at the water treatment plant in Shristhal, but claimed the problem had been solved on Friday.

“One of the two storage tanks, which reportedly had

AAGMJ unhappy over stopping ‘Qurbani’ HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, NOV 24

A film poster painting exhibition by a Goan artist Shyam Tilve at the 41st International Film Festival of India held at Panjim.

ZIL for greener Goa

mud accumulation, apparently due to heavy turbidity during monsoons, at its bed was cleaned on Friday. Another tank was be taken up for dissemination on Saturday,” the official said.

When asked to justify how adulterated water was being supplied to residents for almost two weeks, the officil said: “Heavy presence of turbidity (mud) accumulated at the storage tanks resulted in the coloured water.”

Residents also complained that there was no water supply t h r o u g h o u t Fr i d a y. P W D sources, however, informed that rehabilitation work was taken up on the supply line from Chapoli dam.

“Besides, cleaning of the storage tank was also underway and hence, water supply was suspended for the day. But the supply was restored late Friday evening,” a source told Herald.

The Association of All Goa Muslim Jamaats (AAGMJ) strongly condemns the action of authorities who prevented Muslims from Qurbani (Slaughtering of Goats/Bulls) in Vasco on the occasion of Eidul Adha.

According to a press release, the Muslims offer Qurbani annually all over the world and India. It is the religious right and obligation of the Muslims and as such the authorities should be sensitive and careful in dealing with such a situation.

It should be understood that it is not a commercial activity but a religious ritual.

The press release further

states, in Goa, Muslims have been carrying out Qurbani at various places taking due care of hygiene and religious sentiments. The insistence of authorities asking Muslims to slaughter all the animals at government meat complex is not possible both logistically and religiously.

Besides the meat complex itself is highly unhygienic and devoid of any water and sanitation facilities.

Muslims in Goa are disturbed at the attitude of all concerned government authorities and seek suitable measures from the government so that the annual Qurbani can be carried at various designated places in the State, adds the press release.

Gas shortage irks Sanquelim residents HERALD CORRESPONDENT BICHOLIM, NOV 24

George Ninan, GM HR Zuari Industries Ltd, presents a Sintex waste management bin to Sancoale Deputy Sarpanch Ramakant Naik Borkar.

VASCO(HR): As part of its cleanliness drive and waste management, Zuari Industrial Limited (ZIL) recently provided ‘Vermi Composting’ unit and waste Sintex bins to the Sancaole Panchayat.

ZIL also carried out cleanliness drive from NH-17B towards Zhorint and to help local residents and Sancoale panchayat authorities, a waste bin from Sintex with a capacity of 3 cu mtrs was provided to centralize the waste, which was being dispersed all along the road.

ZIL is confident that with the civic bodies taking an initiative, the company will strengthen its efforts in all possible ways to make the place greener and cleaner.

Porvorim school students pay homage to departed classmate HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, NOV 24

Students of Vidhya Prabodhini High School, Porvorim recently assembled in the hall and observed minute's silence to pay homage to Sanika Upale, a Std V student who ended her life on Friday.

The death of Sanika Upale has shocked students and teachers, as they refuse to believe that an active and studious student like Sanika could have committed suicide.

Speaking to Herald, Headmistress Neeta Salunke said Sanika was a clever, smart and very active student.

“She used to participate practically in every school activity.

She was good in studies too. In the mid-term test, she had scored 60.5% marks. Hence, I cannot believe that such a student has committed suicide,” said the headmistress.

“To commit suicide, the person has to go in depression, during which only thoughts of suicide can come to the minds of the person. There was no reason for Sanika to commit suicide,” added Salunke.

“Police claim that that they have found a note in her house stating ‘she fears that her mother will leave the house forever if she fails in the examination’. The police should have verified whether this note is really written by Sanika,” said Salunke.

“It is wrong on the part of the police to presume that

Sanika has committed suicide on the basis of post mortem report given by doctors of GMC Hospital,” opined Salunke.

Describing Sanika as a courageous student, Principal Subhash Velingkar said he could not believe that she had committed suicide.

“The police should have ascertained the writing on the note they claim to have found in Sanika’s house before jumping to the conclusion that she has committed suicide,” added Velingkar.

“An NGO should take up this matter to find out factors responsible for the death of Sanika,” voiced Velingkar.

Addressing the students, assembled in the hall to observe a minute's silence to pay homage to Sanika, Principal Velingkar said suicide is a cowardly act and it is an unnatural termination or extinction of life.

“Human life is very precious to the society and the state. No individual has got the right to kill himself. Even an attempt to commit suicide is treated as an offence as per Indian Penal Code and is punishable by law,” said Velingkar.

“Ups and down do occur in life of every individual, but the person should not get disillusioned when he faces the problems in life and take a drastic step like suicide,” he added.

He urged the students to be brave and be prepared mentally to face the challenges in life and not get disheartened by failures.

Residents from Sanquelim on Tuesday confronted the local supplier of LPG cooking gas over its acute shortage since the last few days.

It may be recalled that residents from Pale, Surla, Kudnem, Amona and other surrounding areas in Sanquelim did not get cooking gas since the last three days. The residents were seen waiting on the road for the LPG pickups, but since the last few days it did not supply any cooking gas in the area.

As the matter became worse, some residents from Sanquelim and surrounding villages on

Tuesday marched towards the re-filling centre at Sanquelim along with empty cylinders and demanded to re-fill the gas. The residents sought to know why they did not get the cylinder since the last few days.

The owner tried to explain that there was a shortage of LPG gas in Sanquelim, but the agitated residents did not listen to his pleas. They waited outside the office claiming that they cannot cook food without the gas.

However, after much deliberation and assurance that the cylinders would be immediately made available to the public as soon as it arrives, the people dispersed.

It is learnt that three out of six filters recently installed at the 10 MLD Shristhal Water Treatment plant are not functional for many months and this has led to accumulation of muddy water in the water storage tanks.

Surprisingly, it is also learnt that the recently installed 10 MLD plant, as an additional treatment plant to the existing 5 MLD, is yet to be officially handed over to the PWD staff.

An official told Herald on condition of anonymity that the 10 MLD plant is to be maintained by a Delhi party for five years, as per a contract with the government.

“The Delhi party has installed the plant and has its own staff, including a plant in-charge, a chemist and other officials, while 2-3 local PWD staff have been deputed to keep a check on the plant round the clock,” the official said.

NSS camps help mould students: Patnekar HERALD CORRESPONDENT MAYEM, NOV 25

Bicholim MLA Rajesh Patnekar has stated that NSS camps are instrumental in creating the students as ideal citizens of tomorrow.

Patnekar was recently addressing the students during the valedictory function of seven days NSS camp of Government College Pernem in the premises of Shri Shantadurga Higher Secondary School, Bicholim.

Bicholim Municipal Council Deputy Chairperson Shashikant Halarnkar, PTA President Mahesh Sawaikar and Prof G Mendes were present on the occasion.

On the occasion, participated students expressed their views regarding the camp, who were later felicitated.

Prof Mendes guided the students. Geeta Shirodkar proposed the vote of thanks.

Mayem roads cry for attention

Workshop on RTI PANJIM (HND): Asha Human Rights Association (AFRRA) will conduct a Right to Information – RTI Workshop on November 27 from 10 am to 12 noon, at Asha Centre, Sweet Home Building, 1st Floor, Near Majorie Pharmacy, Opp Kenkre Hardware, Mapusa. Registration is Free. For details call 2256445/9822166876.

Friday Balcao PANJIM (HND): Friday Balcao the fortnightly discussion event to be held on November 26 will focus on understanding the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the context of Goa, from 4 pm to 6 pm, at the Goa Desc Resource Centre, No 11 Liberty Apartments Feira Alta, Mapusa.

Friday Balcao is open to all. For more information email goadesc@gmail.com.

RCCF general meeting PANJIM (HND): The Raia Civic and Consumer Forum (RCCF) will hold its monthly general meeting of consumers on November 28 at Our Lady of Snows HS, Raia, at 4 pm. The meeting will focus on various civic amenities and consumer issues.

ST/SC grievances meet PANJIM (HND): The meeting of the District level Vigilance and Monitoring committee constituted under the Chairmanship of the District Magistrate, South Goa, in pursuance of Rule 17 of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Rules 1995 will be held on November 30 in the Minister’s chamber, Collectorate of South Goa, Margao, at 11 am. For any grievances/complaints, SC and ST communities may contact the committee.

Urus at Betim PANJIM (HND): The Urus of Hazarat Mohammed Hamza Shah Dargah will be celebrated in accordance with following schedule: The Sandal Sharief will be held on November 27 at 6.30 pm and Langar Sharif and Mehfile Naat will be held on November 28 from 7.30 pm onwards at Dargah at Betim.

Devotees and others are invited to this programme.

All Goa Carol singing contest PANJIM (HND): El Shaddai Charitable Trust will organise its first 'All Goa Carol Singing Competition’ on December 13 at Goa State Museum Auditorium, Panjim Goa. For details call Joseph on 9823865662 or Cronio on 9273503050.

Meet at Guirim

Roads in Mayem in dilapidated condition. Photo by Samir Umarye HERALD CORRESPONDENT BICHOLIM, NOV 24

Roads in Mayem need urgent attention, even as the local MLA has urged the people to have patience for the next three months till the repair work is started.

According to sources, almost all the roads in Mayem panchayat area are in dilapidated condition, as huge potholes are formed.

The road from Mayem Polytechnic to Poira, which is also the shortest route for the people proceeding towards Mapusa, is in bad shape. To add to this, the PWD and other agencies have dug the road and the material is lying on the road since the last several months, causing hindrance to the public.

“Since last several years, the roads are not repaired and now almost all the roads in the panchayat are damaged and the

PWD has totally ignored this area,” stated former Mayem panch Kashinath Mayekar.

“This has caused several problems and accidents occur almost everyday,” added Mayekar.

When contacted, Mayem MLA Anant Shet admitted the fact that the roads in the panchayat have been damaged.

“We know that the roads are damaged and inaccessible, but we request the residents to bear with us as the money for repairs of the road is already sanctioned and the work will begin in the next three months,” assured Shet.

“Rs 3.25 crore has been sanctioned for roads from Bicholim to Tikhajan-Mayem, while another Rs 3.50 crore has been sanctioned for Bicholim-Poira road. The work of these roads would be taken up in January or February,” added Shet.

CALANGUTE(HC): The annual general body meeting of the Guirim-Sangolda Multi Purpose Co-op Service Society Ltd will be held at Guirim on November 28 at 10.30 am.

The agenda for the meeting includes reading and passing of the previous meeting, audit reports for the Society and Credit Counter for 2009-10, appropriation of profits including patronage fund, declaration of dividend for shareholders, progress of legal cases of the Society with the assistant Registrar Court and progress on proposal for collection of electricity bills by the Society-Credit counter.

Other matter on the agenda include amendment to the Society Bye-Laws like voting right to the shareholders, share capital for Board of Directors to contest elections and additional Para 63B Non-Agricultural Loans for public/clients, minimum charges for APL, Antodaya and BPL cardholders, extension of operational area, insurance policy for office premises, appointment of consultant/advisor to the Board of the Society besides other matters.

Society Chairman Major Victor Zuzart (Retd) will address the shareholders.

Workshop for writers COLLEM(HC): Hemad Barse Konkani Kendra, Dharbandoda, will organize a workshop for story and poem writers at Matoshri Anandibai Marate High School, Collem, on November 28 at 9 am.

Jayanti Naik and Nagesh Karmali will be the resource persons for the workshop and will guide the campers on topics like composing poems and writing stories.

On the occasion, an interaction session will be also held.

The concluding programme will be held at 5 pm. For details, contact Ramanath Gawde on 9420979010 or Vivekanad Nadkarni on 9423061328 on or before November 25.

Quiz contest at Bogmalo

Juliet elected Sarpanch of St Andre VP

VASCO(HR): As part of Indian Navy week celebration, the Indian Navy will organize ‘All Goa Inter School Quiz Competition – 2010’ at Naval Aviation Museum at Bogmalo on November 27 from 8.30 am to 1 pm.

Students from all schools in the State are invited to participate in the quiz competition. The Museum will be open for school children on the event day.

For details, contact on 2538774, 2585096, 2538774 and 9403960433 or 9503334202.

HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, NOV 24

Juliet Cardoso has been elected as Sarpanch of St Andre Village Panchayat of Goa Velha.

As an elected representative since 2007, Juliet has been doing a lot of wok for her ward.

She has been tirelessly working for the betterment of the society at large and her villagers.

Juliet is also being supported by the Pilar Fathers, a holy place where the relics of Fr Agnel are being preserved.

Juliet expresses her wish to serve the people of her village and implement the relevant schemes announced by the Government of Goa, for the benefit of the villagers. Whatever developments could be done for the villagers within the limits of the Panchayat, will be done, she says.

upcoming events

NSS camp focuses on e-waste HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, NOV 24

Juliet Cardoso being greeted by the Deputy Sarpanch Maria D’Souza after being elected as the Sarpanch of St Andre Village Panchayat.

Ponda panel wants govt to compensate farmers HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARCEL, NOV 24

The newly formed executive committee of Ponda Taluka Bharatiya Kisan Sangh has urged the State government to compensate farmers affected by unseasonal rains.

The members during the meeting expressed concern over sudden unexpected losses incurred due to the rains.

In a press note, members claimed that majority of the paddy cultivation has been destroyed and farmers are worried. A resolution was passed unanimously requesting the State government to expedite work to compensate the affected farmers.

The members also extended support to Anjala Kazi of Animal Welfare Society in her fight against an illegal animal slaughter activity at Vasco.

“Anjala Kazi did a commendable job recently, where an illegal slaughter house was closed,” states the press note.

The members also requested the authorities to initiate strict action against government officers, who have failed to take action against the illegal slaughter houses.

The meeting was presided over by newly elected president of Bhartiya Kisan Sangh, Ponda Taluka, Rohidas Naik. Other members elected are Tulsidas Naik (vice president),

Vithoba Dessai (taluka mantri) and Rang Naik, Anant Wadkar, Ulhas Chari, Deepak Velkaskar and Kalpana Maujekar (working committee members).

ACCF to meet

PANJIM(HND): The Aldona Civic and Consumer Forum will be holding its monthly Meeting on November 27 at 4.30 pm at the St Thomas Girls High School.

Among the issues to be discussed are: Draft Notification on CRZ – Letter written to Jairam Ramesh, Minister for Environment and Forests and other service related issues.

The Victor Medical and Research Foundation College of Nursing, NSS unit, recently organised a week-long NSS camp at the Government School, Davorlim. The core focus of the camp was on the increasing menace of e-waste in Goa. Ashley Delaney of Group TenPlus delivered a talk on e-waste management to educate the students on the basics of identifying types of e-waste: the environmental hazard it causes and ways to properly dispose it. Group TenPlus has set up a pioneering initiative for e-waste management in the state and has set up six collection centres for the purpose.

The students planned to conduct an e-waste collection drive.

On consecutive days, they went house-to-house and informed the locals on the hazards of improper disposal of e-waste, says a press release issued here.

POWER SHUTDOWN NOV 25

MAPUSA: From 9 am to 3 pm. Areas affected are VP Calangute, Candolim, Baga, Arpora, Nagoa and Parra village.

NOV 26

MAPUSA: From 9 am to 3 pm. Areas affected are Sport complex Peddem, Prudential Paradise, Sattadar complex, Kamat Galaxy and surrounding areas.

PARRA: From 9 am to 5 pm. Areas affected are Jackniwaddo, Brittowado, Lingabhat, Saliswado, Bokache Aradi, Fondawaddo, Abbaswaddo Canca, Sonarwado Verla, Freitaswaddo Verla, Parpoli Guirim, Sonvem, Kumayamarod Guirim and surrounding areas.

NOV 28

MAPUSA: From 9 am to 3 pm. Areas affected are Khorlim Xim, Babaji Hotel, Kashinath Building, Kole Ghati and surrounding areas.

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TVM demands probe into ‘land scam’ at Colvale

Tivim Vikas Manch President Kiran Kandolkar addresses a press conference at Mapusa.

Photo by Anil Shankhwalker HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, NOV 24

The Thivim Vikas Manch (TVM) has accused the Goa Housing Board of a scam in the allotment of plots in Colvale and has demanded an enquiry by the State government.

Addressing press persons at Mapusa, TVM President Kiran Kandolkar stated that though the GHB had fixed a minimum rate of Rs 3,500 per sq mtr for plots at Colvale, GHB allotted 3,000 sq mtrs to the Halarnkar Charitable Trust for Rs 1,600 per sq mtr.

“Goa Housing Board Chairman Nilkant Halarnkar has apparently abused his position in the allocation of plots at concessional rate to his Trust,” alleged Kandolkar.

“Since social activist Kashinath Shetye and others

have already written a letter to the Directorate of Vigilance demanding enquiry into the land scam, Halarnkar should resign from the post of chairmanship of GHB to enable the Directorate of Vigilance to conduct fair enquiry in the matter,” said Kandolkar.

Kandolkar claimed that the land was reserved for primary school. A charitable trust had constructed the building and started primary school, but in the same building, they are conducting BEd course and about 100 students have enrolled for it.

“The GHB has allotted a housing plot measuring 23,772 sq mtrs at a very nominal rate of Rs 1,000 per sq mtrs to an institute of hotel management for the construction of an institute.

This has raised eyebrows of

many and hence this transaction also needs to be investigated,” demanded Kandolkar.

“If the government fails to conduct enquiry into the affairs of GHB in regard to allotment of Colvale plots, then Tivim Vikas Manch will launch an agitation and force Tivim MLA Halarnkar to step down from the post of chairmanship of GHB,” warned Kandolkar.

President of Mahila Wing of Tivim Vikas Manch Sunita Cuchelker, Nadora Sarpanch Madhuri Mandrekar, Sirsaim Deputy Sarpanch Anand Temker, Colvale Panchas Devanand Naik and Xavier D’Souza, Nadora Panch Datta Redkar, Tivim Panch Sandeep Kavthanker and Revora Panch Arjun Kavthanker were present for the press meeting.

Garbage dumped near Mother Teresa’s statue in Mapusa HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, NOV 24

Garbage is being dumped in open spaces all over Mapusa and even spaces around religious structures or statues are not being spared.

The state in Mapusa has become such that people have now started dumping garbage at the feet of the statue of Mother Theresa near the Braganza building, opposite Kadamba bus stand.

The dump comprises kitchen and sanitary waste, plastic bags, empty bottles, etc. The garbage has been lying there for several days, but the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) is yet to take action to lift it.

The dumping of garbage at the feet of the statue of Mother Teresa may hurt the religious feelings of the devotees of Mother Teresa.

The statue of Mother Teresa is at the entrance of Mapusa town alongside the main road, which is being used by locals and tourists. The dumped garbage is not only causing discomforts to the people, but it also poses health hazard.

To add to the nuisance, dogs and cattle are seen feeding on the garbage, besides spreading

Garbage dumped near the statue of Mother Teresa in Mapusa.

Photo by Anil Shankhwalker

it to other areas. Further, decaying garbage create unpleasant odour.

Speaking to Herald, Shiv Sena Ad Hoc committee member Philip D’Souza said Shiv Sena has already written a letter to MMC chairperson and chief officer requesting to clear the garbage that is accumulated at the feet of the statue of Mother Teresa immediately.

“The Shiv Sena has also suggested to MMC not to allow dumping of garbage at the site, as it hurts the religious feeling

of the catholic community,” said D’Souza.

“The Mapusa town has now developed into a concrete jungle and the multi-storeyed buildings that have come up do not provide facilities for the disposal of garbage. It is for this reason, garbage is seen strewn everywhere in the town,” he said.

“It is sad that MMC is not bothered about cleanliness and hygiene, but do not forget to collect the house tax regularly from the residents and shopkeepers,” claimed D’Souza.

‘Oil spillage from BIE posing serious health hazard’ HERALD CORRESPONDENT BICHOLIM, NOV 24

About six families residing in the Bicholim Industrial Estate(BIE) have been affected by an oil spillage in the area.

According to a resident of the industrial estate in Bicholim, oil discharged from some units has come close to their residences, thereby posing a health hazard.

It may be recalled that residents from the industrial estate have been affected with the pollution problem since the last several years.

Some years ago, their wells w e re a f f e c t e d w i t h s o m e chemicals, as it got mixed with the water. Recently, some chemicals had also seeped into nearby open area and fields, and had also infected the cows.

“This time, it is oil spillage in the open area, which has come directly near our houses,” said Ashish Govekar from Industrial Estate.

“There are about six families affected with this and it might pose serious health hazard,” added Govekar.

“We contacted the IDC officers, but they are not ready

Ex-gratia of Rs 20K for highway-affected families HERALD CORRESPONDENT NEW DELHI, NOV 24

In addition to market prices for their land and compensation for houses, an ex-gratia amount of Rs 20,000 is being provided to each title holder project affected family as resettlement and rehabilitation assistance, Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways R P N Singh said in the Rajya Sabha today.

He was answering questions on highway projects in the country.

In respect of land acquisition for procurement of National Highways Development Project (NHDP) works, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is facing major problems specifically in states like Goa and Kerala, he said. Other projects have been affected due to delay in obtaining wildlife/forest clearances, in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Assam. Some states, like UP, Bihar, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu have not signed the Umbrella State Support Agreement.

In order to overcome problems affecting NHDP projects, six zonal offices, each headed by an Executive Director, have been created for coordination with state governments on pre construction activities. State governments have been requested to appoint their Chief Secretaries as nodal officers for NHDP works. Special land acquisition units have been set up to expedite land acquisition for NHDP works. Close coordination with state government officials is being maintained to resolve all issues, he said.

Madkaikar to oppose highway widening HERALD CORRESPONDENT OLD GOA, NOV 24

Cumbarjua ML A Pandurang Madkaikar on Wednesday said he would oppose widening of NHA4 in his constituency, if the State government does not clarify on issues of toll fees and on the number of houses to be demolished in his constituency.

“I will oppose widening of NH4A if the State government tries to demolish any of the houses in my constituency,” Madkaikar told Herald over the phone.

“In no way I will allow it. I also do not want my people to suffer with the problem of toll, which I will totally oppose, as I do not want my people to pay toll for the NH4A widening,” he stated.

“I will also ask the State government not to put up a divider along the NH4A route, which would pass through my constituency, as it will divide some parts of my constituency into two halves,” he said.

“The divider will also force my locals to take a long turn if they have to move from one place to another, especially in Corlim village,” added Madkaikar.

St Catherine feast in City HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, NOV 24

The Directorate of Accounts, Panjim will celebrate St Catherine feast in their office premises on November 25 with a Holy Eucharistic celebration at 8.30 am, all are invited, says a press release.

Seminar at Chowgule college HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, NOV 24

Water and oil spillage from Bicholim Industrial Estate.

Photo by Samir Umarye

to listen to our problem. So we demand that the government and the concerned au-

thorities should initiate action against the company,” he demanded.

Power consumers urged to clear dues MARGAO, NOV 24(HR)

Assistant Engineer, Electricity Santosh Lolyekar has urged Power consumers to clear all arrears by December 27 or face disconnection of power supply without further intimation. In a statement, the Assistant Engineer has requested the electrical consumers from the area of Raia, Loutolim, Sao Jose de Areal, Guirdolim, Gurtorim, Macazana, Nessai, Chandor, Camorlim and other areas under the jurisdiction of the electricity deparment, Sub-div-I Aquem to pay their outstanding dues by December 27 to avoid disconnection of their electrical connections.

A day-long state level seminar on “Emerging Trends in Organic chemistry” will be organized at the Chowgule college of arts and science on December 11 in the college auditorium.

Organised by the department of Chemistry, Prof Dr K G Akamanchi, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Mumbai will be the Chief guest for the inaugural function.

Scientists from NIO, Goa Dr N Thakur, Dr Sujata Kaisare will be the resource persons for the seminar.

The seminar will be attended by teachers, researchers, postgraduate students and industry delegates in the field of chemistry and pharmacy.

Newly devised sports policy boon for students: Azgaonkar HERALD CORRESPONDENT SANGUEM, NOV 24

Sports Minister Babu Azgaonkar said the newly devised sports policy has proved to be a boon for the students, as students who excel in sports at District, State, National and International level are given added marks for the participation in sport activities.

He was addressing the gathering after laying the foundation stone for the development of the Government Sports Complex at Sanguem on Monday.

Azgaonkar laid the foundation stone in the presence of Sanguem MLA Vassudev Meng Gaonkar, Sanguem Municipal Council (SMC) Chairperson Sanjay Raikar (Abuli), Vice Chairpers o n A n a l i n a Fe r n a n d e s , Councilors Deepak Marathe, Agnelo F G Da Costa and ZP member Navnath Naik.

Speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony for the second of the Sports Complex at Sanguem, Azgaonkar appealed the parents present for the function to give stress on their wards involvement in sport activities.

Sports Complex at Sanguem will be a prime place for the sports development programmes in the region,” claimed Azgaonkar.

Sanguem ML A Vassudev Meng Gaonkar complimented the sports minister for sanctioning funds for the development of the sports complex in Sanguem, which has been ignored by the government over the years.

SMC Chairperson Sanjay Raikar also spoke on the occasion.

Sports Minister Babu Azgaonkar along with other officials at the foundation stone laying ceremony for the second phase of sports complex development, Sanguem.

Photo by Alfred Fernandes

“The newly devised sports policy has proved to be a boon for the students even at SSC level as students who excel in sports at District, State, National and International level are given added marks for the participation in sport activities,” informed Azgaonkar.

In SSC exams held earlier this year, the students who secured highest marks was benefited with the sports policy and as such urged the parents to give all the desired boost for their

Meet on NH diversion postponed HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, NOV 24

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat on Wednesday informed that the House Committee meeting on Highway Diversion has been postponed to November 26, at 3 pm.

Kamat made this known to presspersons after a detailed presentation on the RP 2021.

However, the chief minister did not specify why the meeting was postponed.

The Highway Diversion issue has become of center of debate with the National Highway Diversion Committee opposing it tooth and nail and PWD Minister Churchill Alemao all for it.

Sources said the meeting was cancelled today because Opposition Leader Manohar Parrikar raised objections stating that there were no plans available for them to debate on the issue further.

Amend Mhadei Tribunal’s terms of reference: Naik SPECiAL CORRESPONDENT PANJIM, NOV 24

Goa Rajya Sabha MP Shantaram Naik has requested Union Minister for Water Resources Pawan Kumar Bansal that the centre should incorporate special terms of reference in the notification issued by it, appointing the tribunal to adjudicate the Mhadei river dispute.

The centre has issued a notification constituting a Tribunal headed by Supreme Court Justice J M Panchal, with Justice Vinay Mittal of the Madhya Pradesh High court and Retired Justice P S Narayana of the Andhra Pradesh high court as members.

In a letter to Bansal, Naik stated that Goa is not demanding a share in the water, but is basically opposed to the project on the grounds that if completed, it will destroy the ecology of the state and constitute a dangerous environmental hazard.

In these circumstances, one of the fundamental terms of reference in this case has to be

whether the Karnataka government should be permitted to construct the project, Naik has said in the letter.

wards to involve in sport activities during their scholastic career.

In the second phase of the sports complex development at Sanguem, Rs 2.28 crore will be spent to provide desired infrastructure development of the complex.

“In the coming years and after the completion of the second phase of the Sports Complex development activities, the

OHERALDO

OPINION

Pg6

www.oheraldo.in

O HERALD O

Hard-ly working bureaucrats

Vol No CX No: 295 Goa, Thursday 25 November, 2010

B

Biharis show the way

ihar has been synonymous with the very worst. But the ‘aam’ Bihari, however uneducated and downtrodden, has now shown that (s)he knows how to vote. Will the ‘niz’ Goenkar follow suit? Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (U)-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) combine has bagged a stunning 85 per cent of seats in the states assembly election, dumping the doughty Lalu Prasad Yadav in the dustbin of history.

But does this, as the experts on TV say, mark the victory of the politics of development over the politics of caste?

Not really. Crafty politician that he is, Nitish carefully carved out his caste combinations. He systematically eroded the Yadav caste base (20 per cent of the population) of rival Lalu Yadav, creating a special sub-quota for a special category called extremely backward castes or EBCs, comprising Kahars, Dhanuks, Kumhars, Lohars, Telis, Mallahs and Nais (32 per cent of the population).

He clipped the wings of Lalu’s dalit ally Ram Vilas Paswan of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) by creating a similar subquota among scheduled castes called Mahadalits; the Paswan community was left out. He also won over a section of Muslims by keeping Bihar free of communal riots as well as making extravagantly visible public gestures, dictating to his coalition partner, the BJP, that its most rabidly fanatic leaders – like Gujarat CM Narendra Modi and Pilibhit MP Varun Gandhi – were not to campaign in Bihar. The alliance with the BJP brought Nitish a part of the upper caste vote, particularly Brahmins.

But his development agenda applied a huge multiplier effect. Since he took over as CM, Nitish has concentrated on a few areas that have won him enormous goodwill, like law & order, roads and bridges, education, healthcare and power.

In the last five years, roads across Bihar have improved enormously, and hundreds of small bridges have been built.

Bihar’s cottage industry of kidnapping has been shut down.

Thousands of anti-social elements have been jailed, giving people a sense of security. He has encouraged the education of girls, providing them with free school uniforms and bicycles. He has restarted hundreds of abandoned schools and primary health centres. Villages that never, ever, got electricity now get power for a few hours a day. For Bihar, that is a minor miracle.

This has given his party a massive majority in every area in Bihar, even in the Yadav and Muslim strongholds that earlier voted en bloc for Lalu Yadav. In that very limited sense, this verdict transcends caste. The outcome has seriously diluted the long-prevailing excessive emphasis on caste, at least partly. This ‘unfinished agenda’ of very visible development has created real hope in the future, prevailing over the deeply entrenched cynicism of the Bihari voter.

Expectations will now be sky-high, and Nitish will, no doubt, face much greater challenges in his second term regardless of his huge mandate. But he has shown how the combination of inclusive and genuinely secular politics and a focussed agenda of good governance and appropriate development can upset established political equations. How long before Goa can hope for a similar prospect of change?

I

Great RP2021!

f the taluka plans for the border talukas of Pernem and Canacona, along with overall policy decisions are any indication, the prolonged three-year wait for the Regional Plan 2021 has not been in vain. The State Level Committee, after considering draft plans submitted by each panchayat in the state, as well as thousands of individual suggestions, has come up with a remarkable document. It is now for all Goans to extend their support to this plan and prevent vested interests from trying to sabotage it.

Greater Goa John M Vaz, Aldona PWD Minister Churchill Alemao is keen on bringing Konkani-speaking people from Karnataka to Goa. I would request him to first drive out the Rahejas and other such builders for whom he has allotted our land, and settle Karnataka’s Konkani-speaking people on the land.

These people are ‘zonkars’. They come every year to Goa to register their right in their respective comunidades, collect ‘zon’ (dividend) and go back. Churchill wants to bring in Karnataka areas for more land to satisfy his greed and make his advocate daughter the first Chief Minister of Greater Goa. Bab Churchill, please note. You may survive in Goa, but in Greater Goa you will not only lose your shirt, but make us all landless.

Why we’re proud Melwyn Rosario Fernandes, Nuvem I congratulate Dr Joe D’Souza (‘Richness of Portuguese connections’, Herald, 22 Nov).

We Goans would not be where we are if not for the Portuguese. If not for them, today Goa would have been a mere district of Maharashtra.

Sadly, another doctor and self-styled patriot has gone on record that it is an indisputable fact that the Portuguese subjected us to the worst human rights abuses during their rule. This is not at all true. We are grateful to the Portuguese for a unique blend of cuisine and culture, introducing the cashew fruit from which we get the world famous ‘cashew feni’, and for introducing us to the game of football.

100 Years Ago PRIMEIRO DIARIO NAS COLONIAS PORTUGEZAS

25 November 1910

Being the fourth centenary of Portuguese dominance over Goa, oHERALDo offices had a holiday, and there was no edition on this day.

Work culture is lacking in government offices, and no efforts are made to enforce accountability, says fReddY diAS Should we give hefty pay packets to our government officials without performance and accountability? And should we slant them in favour of the top bureaucracy’s perks like unlimited telephone calls, hard-to-exhaust petrol allowances, and above all, prime housing?

Public servants’ output is abysmally low. It takes a file between three weeks and several months to move from one desk to the next. Inefficiency and sloth afflict the government at every level. Therefore, there is a powerful case for improving efficiency and pruning unproductive jobs.

We need a more compact, efficient and capable government that can perform its legitimate duty of regulation in the public interest. The functioning of our government offices has for long been a matter of concern. So-called administrative reforms have not brought about any improvement.

Government offices continue operating under the weight of cumbersome procedures and multiplicity of rules and regulations, which contribute to an attitude of reluctance to assume responsibility and take proper decisions.

The government must cut flab – the vast number of idlers and shirkers. Jobs that are unproductive should be done away with. For instance, why can’t clerks carry files? If they did, fewer peons would be required.

But on the other hand, we need many more regulatory jobs – in environment, industrial safety, civic services and public health. Just 400-odd traffic police are responsible for the over 6 lakh motor vehicles that ply on Goan roads every day.

The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has insufficient personnel to carry out even routine checks for drug quality or food adulteration. The state is severely under-regulated in these areas.

Office timings are another matter. Official timings at government offices are supposed to be 9am to 5.30pm, with a lunch break of half-anhour. In actual fact, employees rarely reach office before 10am and few stay beyond 5pm. All efforts at enforcing punctuality have been futile. Some time back, the government was planning to introduce bio-metric electronic machines to record time and attendance. But this plan was promptly nipped in the bud owing to strong opposition from government servants, backed by the Goa Government Employees’ Association (GGEA).

Invariably, one finds only a few officials – mostly

Sound of Silence the senior ones – reach their offices at 9am. At lunch time, a sizeable number of office workers sit out in the open playing cards, knitting or just strolling about; the half-hour break gets very easily stretched. From 4:30pm onwards, long before official closing time, a number of staff – particularly women – can be seen standing at bus stops for transport home.

During office hours too, work performance comprises more of multiplying paperwork. There is an inherent dilatoriness, prompted largely by an attitude of avoidance of responsibility relating to the final disposal of the matter that is before the official. Productivity and efficiency have never been pursued as worthy objectives for attainment by government functionaries. A work culture is lacking, and no efforts have ever been made to enforce accountability. This is further compounded by a surfeit of holidays and leave concessions.

Let us look at the problem of holidays. Earlier, offices observed a six-day week, with only the second Saturday as a half day. Two decades ago, the five-day week was introduced, on the plea that it would enable workers to fulfil their social

Awakening senses

Facts of Life The art of seeing and feeling the marvels of the world around us lies in childlike wonder. The first quality that strikes one when one looks into the eyes of a child is its innocence and its openness; its lovely inability to lie, wear a mask or pretend to be anything other than it is.

Children are all around us. They represent about a quarter of the world’s population. They bring us joy, they bring us tears.

Nothing can be as important as our children. They are the future of our families and the world.

Children return a smile with equal grace and welcome. They live with humour and laugh, and sing and dance. Oh, it is beautiful to see them! A child enjoys the wonder of life in a simple, spontaneous splashing of play in the world.

They positively have happier and better things on their mind.

They are a source of light, a source of love. A child gives us new insights, freshness, a spirit of wonder.

A child’s day is filled with fascination, newness and wonder.

The desire to explore, to have an adventure, gives us all a natural awareness. But distinctions that were sharp to us as children

Like Dr Joe says, we are proud of our Hindu ancestry but grateful to our forefathers for accepting Christ’s message of universal love and brotherhood.

Que saudades!

A C Menezes, Chinchinim Our friends, the freedom fighters, would appear to have missed the significance of the visit of the Portuguese sailing ship ‘Sagres’ to Goa. That it evoked ‘saudades’ in quite a few individuals is not all surprising in a democratic set up.

Conquistador Afonso de Albuquerque entered the Mandovi River in 1510 with the sails of his ships fluttering in majestic glory. Though ‘Sagres’ has tall masts, its sails were neatly folded, both on entering and leaving Goa. It appears that ‘Sagres’ was making a statement signifying the quincentenary finale of the ‘gloriosa missao de Portugal’.

Highway ahoy!

Rosy D’Sa, Dramapur The Highway Diversion Committee’s meeting at Lohia Maidan, Margao saw a crowd of nearly 3,000 people applaud speakers who spoke for the protection of the environment and homes, and the necessity of a major district road instead of a highway, since Goa already has the highest density of road network in the country.

The people will decide for Goa, as the MLA went into hiding. A word of praise for the Goynche Xetkarancho Ekvott and village groups for organising a peaceful and disciplined meeting. What looked absurd were the gun-toting police.

Biblical realities Isha Fernandes, Margao The Bible seems absurd to modern thinkers and philosophers, who have convinced themselves that an unproven evolutionary theory prevails over the word of God (‘Reality of evolution’ by Paul Rodricks, Herald, 22 Nov). No scientist has all the evidence; which is why scientific theories change continuously.

But we have someone who has all the answers, because one thing that God cannot

and domestic obligations, which in turn would make them more efficient. This decision has, in reality, had the opposite effect. It has adversely affected work performance.

With the introduction of the five-day week, the closed days in offices have increased from 58 (52 Sundays and 12 half days) to 104 (52 plus 52). Then there are 18 gazetted holidays; two restricted holidays out of a list notified for this purpose; 30 days earned leave; 12 days casual leave and 30 days sick leave at half pay. Most holidays are based on religious considerations, to satisfy the sentiments of different sections of the society. Religious communities have been opposed to any move to reduce the number of these holidays.

There is also the unfortunate trend of declaring a holiday on the demise of any important personality. This practice needs to be stopped. Instead, flying the national flag at half-mast and observing silence for a couple of minutes in public offices should suffice to suitably mourn the demise of a dignitary.

Taking into account the gazetted and other

types of closed days observed in the government offices, a government servant normally enjoys 166 holidays (apart from sick leave of 30 days).

This means that government servants work at most for only just over half the days in a year.

It is widely felt that efficiency and productivity will undoubtedly improve if the number of holidays is curtailed. Religious festivals should preferably be treated as personal to individual employees in the spirit of secularism, and it should not be necessary to close down offices on such occasions.

There should be only three national holidays – Independence Day (August 15), Republic Day (January 26) and Mahatma Gandhi’s Birth Anniversary (October 2). The employees should be given a specific number of restricted holidays for religious festivals, but offices should operate on such days.

The introduction of the five-day week has brought about a decline in work activity, according to evaluation studies conducted in various offices.

It has also brought about a general public perception that work efficiency in government offices has suffered by this change.

In fact, the five-day week tends to get converted into a four-day week, as officials find it easier to go out on extended weekends, leaving early on Friday and returning late on Monday. When there are one or two holidays in the middle of the week, the entire week can be written off as far as serious office work is concerned.

Then there is the practice of payment of overtime for non-gazetted employees who put in time beyond the designated office hours. Various Pay Commissions have time and again recommended its abolition, but the practice has been allowed to continue. The arguments for continuing this practice are not tenable in theory, as most government offices are already overstaffed. But the reality is that if any work gets done at all, it is because around 25 per cent of the staff actually do all the work, by putting in extra hours. If overtime was done away with, would any work at all get done…?

These matters call for serious and immediate consideration. Corporate offices obviously cannot afford such luxuries and laxities. They work with the objective of achievement of work targets – a culture a very distinct from our government offices.

become blurred; we are numb to new stimulations, new ideas.

We do not see a loaf of bread as coming from a wheat field blown by the wind. The mangoes we buy seem to come from the market, rather than from a tree.

I have seen hundreds of bulbuls in my lifetime. You probably have too. But was the last bulbul you saw as fascinating, as alive as the first one that caught your attention as a child?

But how much of the innocence of childhood do you still retain; is there anyone today in whose presence you can simply and totally be yourself, as nakedly open and innocent as a child?

Re-learning the art of seeing the world around us is quite simple, although it takes practice and requires breaking some hard habits.

And ‘reclaim’ is the correct word. Most of us observed the wisdom that operates in flowers and trees and the whole of nature much more as children than we do as adults.

To think of it, our senses are not much to brag about. We cannot see as well as most birds, hear as well as bats, and when it comes to the sense of smell, a dog with a stuffy nose would put us to shame.

Fishermen show the way

Dr Shiv Prabhu, by email

The colourful farewell given by fishermen to the Portuguese ship ‘Sagres’ makes me wonder why all those who are regularly seen partying at Indo-Portuguese festivals, or at cocktail parties hosted by the Portuguese Consul General, did not openly voice their opinions? Are they scared, or do they move as per the wind?

Where were those who get ‘highest’ awards from the Portuguese President? Where were the Portuguese teachers; the students who get funds and go to Portugal? Where were the thousands of Goans – Hindu, Muslim and Christians – who obtain Portuguese passports? Where were the members of the Indo Portuguese Friendship Society; of the Semana Cultural Indo-Portuguesa? Were they hibernating?

I hope that the Consulate-General of Portugal in Goa and the Embassy of Portugal in New Delhi open their eyes to realise who the real Portuguese fans are. It’s not the elite and the so-called Brahmins, but the masses of Goa that love Portugal. Be it the Portuguese ship or the Portuguese team for the Euro or the World Cup, these are the people who daringly wave the Portuguese flag in the world’s biggest democracy.

It was touching to see how fishermen spent their own money to bid goodbye to ‘Sagres’, a scene that Mormugao will always remember. No foreign ship was ever given such a warm farewell. I hope the Government of Portugal gives each and every fisherman the highest civilian award from the Portuguese President.

What freedom fighters?

The first step in awakening senses is to fill our senses. Lift up your life and rediscover that wonderful child in yourself. To do so, you need to stop anticipating what you are going to see and feel before it actually happens. You love what you see fresh. You love what you are, constantly discovering anew.

The blocks are many, like the pressure of time and destination are blocks to awareness. Most of us have visually stuffed our surroundings into niches. The result is automatic vision, which strangles awareness and limits us to seeing only a fraction of what there is to be seen.

Grown-ups corrupt the innocence of childhood when they tell a child to imitate someone. The moment you make the child a carbon copy of someone else, you stamp out the spark of originality with which it came in the world. Only the adult human being is able to be one thing and pretend to be another!

Nature seems to unfold to people who watch and wait. Next time you take a walk, no matter where it is, open up and dive in.

Take in all the sights, sounds and sensations. Wander in this frame of mind and you will open a new dimension to your life.

Letters to the Editor

Letter of the Day

do is lie. There are many scientific and medical facts mentioned in the Bible that were not understood by man until centuries after the scriptures were written. This shows that the Bible contains advanced scientific truth.

By Marc de Souza

As we get ready to celebrate 50 years of ‘Liberation’, let us remember that the future of Goa is in the hands of ‘chors’, ‘crimidors’, and corrupt elements. What the Portuguese did not rob in 451 years has been robbed in the last 50 years.

Julius Fernandes, Ponda

The doc’s diddle

One hears a lot about fake freedom fighters.

I want to add a few facts. Many so-called Goan freedom fighters were criminals who were in prison for crimes like thefts, etc.

They became ‘freedom fighters’ only postDecember 1961.

Most of those in the Azad Gomantak Dal were not Goans. They had fought in the British army under Gen Montgomery against the Germans. The last Portuguese Governor of Goa, Vassalo e Silva, said once: “Non-Goans do not have the right to decide the future of Goans.”

The freedom fighters played little role in ‘Liberation’, as Goa was stormed by 40,000 heavily-armed Indian troops, air force and navy against 4,000 ill-equipped Portuguese ‘soldados’, one ageing warship and two civilian aircraft.

A renowned hospital is trying to reach out by opening centres of convenience. But the consultant reports half an hour late, and in the remaining schedule, makes mincemeat of about 20 patients. Devoting less than three minutes and charging Rs350 – is it one’s money’s worth? There is no opportunity for the doctor to understand the case history, or for the patient to get legitimate answers. A hurried perusal of reports, a prescription, and no noting of the diagnosis in the file; that is the experience.

Unsuspecting patients need to be spared of the cost escalation of avoidable drugs and unnecessary tests. Consultants must devote sufficient time to understand the patients’ history and answer their queries.

Nelson Lopes, Chinchinim

Need for ramps

Paths of Wisdom

Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco There are several physically challenged people in Goa who find it difficult to carry out simple personal daily tasks because of the apathy of the state government. Government offices, courts and other public offices need to be made disabled-friendly by providing ramps, so that they can move freely.

The state-owned Kadamba Transport Corporation (KTC) should introduce buses that the physically challenged and even senior citizens can enter without difficulty.

Places of worship should have ramps. The old, physically challenged and the sick spend more time in prayer.

What evolution?

Bernard Simoes, Dona Paula The Catholic Church has never accepted the theory of evolution (see ‘Reality of evolution’ by Paul Rodricks, Herald, 22 Nov).

It’s merely trying to avoid unnecessary conflict with the scientific community.

Quoting Popes does nothing to prove anything. The Theory of Evolution defies the fundamental laws of science. It is not science but a religion, whose followers are so bigoted that they refuse to see that science itself proves a young earth and universe, not an evolving one. The evidence is out there for anyone who cares to search, instead of blindly accepting the word of so-called ‘scientists’.

Put Christ into Christmas Cajetan Peter D’Souza, Mumbai It is sad to see the festival of Christmas so glamourised by the ad-world. The word has been reduced to ‘Xmas’, which is literally and symbolically distasteful, as it ‘X’es out ‘Christ’ from Christmas, which is the birth anniversary of Jesus Christ; the most significant event in human history.

Commercialised Christmas has become just a day of enjoyment, merry making and dancing, forgetting that Jesus was born in a poor stable. We celebrate Christmas, but fail to place Jesus in our hearts and lives.

Wishing all readers a Happy and Holy Christmas. May Christ’s joy fill your heart and your life.

Oneness of mankind.

This is summed in the following statements of Baha’U’llah: “The world is but one country, and mankind its citizens” and “You are all fruits of one tree and leaves of one branch.”

The hope of humanity and the manifestation of World Peace are dependent on the acceptance of these simple statements. Until we acknowledge our differences within an understanding of our oneness, we will never live in peace on this planet.

Embrace the statement that: “The world is but one country, and mankind its citizens,” and add, “How can we manifest peace on earth, if we do not include everyone (all races, all religions, all nations, both sexes) in our vision of peace?”

It is important here to note that this is more of a social as opposed to a religious statement. There is nothing here about God. It is inferred, but what is being talked about is social justice and social equality. Since it uses the word “world” in its metaphor, it is not speaking about spiritual peace.

Moses also had a social message in the Ten Commandments; do not kill, steal, lie, commit adultery. But Moses tied these commandments to God, from whom he received them. Baha’U’llah did not incorporate God into the above statement; but it can be inferred.

(From: ‘The Bahai Faith’ by John WorldPeace)

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, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2010

Congress puts up a brace face, RJD stunned, Left disappointed

Sonia attacks Oppn for targeting PM PTI NEW DELHI, NOV 24

Yeddy gets his way, saves job PTI NEW DELHI, NOV 24

Love guru unveils dating tips PTI NEW DELHI, NOV 24

Congratulating JD(U)-BJP on their good performance, Brinda said, "We all congratualte Nitish Kumar for the victory in Bihar�.

A euphoric BJP termed the poll outcome as a victory of meritorious leadership over dynastic politics with a message for the future of Indian politics that a membership of a family or dynasty does not count.

Senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley said the election results have showed that politics of Bihar has changed and that "charisma or family" does not win elections, in an obvious attack on RJD chief Lalu Prasad and Rahul Gandhi who campaigned for Congress.

Describing the victory in Bihar as "unprecedented", party leader Sushma Swaraj said the election results indicated that only those governments will sustain which work for development.

"The message of the Bihar election is that the governments which work for people, which ensures development will only able to come back to power".

Sharing the view, BJP president Nitin Gadkari said the election results have made it clear that only "politics of development" worked in the country.

Launching a strong attack on Opposition, Congress President Sonia Gandhi accused them of targeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the 2G scam and described him as a man of integrity and a person "100 per cent above board".

She also attacked BJP for retaining B S Yeddyurappa as Karnataka Chief Minister and compared this decision with the Congress action in making Shashi Tharoor and Ashok Chavan resign from their posts in the wake of controversies.

Terming criticism of Singh as "absolutely shameful", Gandhi said they should learn lessons from the results of the 2009 elections when the Prime Minister won and Opposition lost.

Gandhi reminded the BJP that it had to pay a heavy price of trying to "destroy the image" of Singh during last LS elections.

26/11: solemn acceptance replaces anger

Govt, Opposition refuse to budge

Take up Lanka Tamils issue: MK to Krishna

met for the day.

In the Lok Sabha, even before Speaker Meira Kumar could take her seat, members belonging to BJP, Shiv Sena, BJD, JD(U) and SP were in the well demanding setting up of JPC. The Question Hour could not be taken up in view of the pandemonium but Harish Choudhary (Cong) started speaking on irrigation projects in his home state of Rajasthan. His was the first question listed for the day.

The JD(U)-BJP combine's march towards a landslide win in Bihar Assembly elections also found an echo in the Lok Sabha,

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today urged External Affairs Minister S M Krishna to take up with the Sri Lanka, the issues concerning the Lankan tamils, including the rehabilitation of 30,000 Tamils housed in camps, during his visit to Colombo.

In a letter to Krishna, the Chief Minister also urged him to talk to Sri Lankan authorities to ensure a decent and respectable livelihood to the res e t t l e d Ta m i l s a n d t h e construction of 50,000 houses for displaced Tamils.

PTI NEW DELHI/PATNA, NOV 24

Congress today put up a brave face over its disastrous performance in the Bihar polls saying the party will have to start from scratch in the state while a stunned RJD said it was baffled by the election results.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who congratulated Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on the landslide victory of the JD(U)-BJP combine, candidly admitted that her party was not expecting to make big inroads in the assembly polls.

"As far as our party is concerned, we did not have much hope. We took a deliberate decision not to work in alliance with other parties. Results obviously indicate that our party has to start from the scratch to rebuild itself and that is what we plan to do," Gandhi told reporters at her 10, Janpath residence while reacting to the Bihar poll results.

Congress spokesperson Manish Tewary said, "It was a difficult decision when we decided to go alone. By going alone the base which we had lost we would try to regain that...ultimately the position we have

B I H A R E L E C T I O N R E S U LT

BJP supporters celebrate the victory of their party candidate

taken will stand vindicated".

A shocked RJD supremo Lalu Prasad said he accepted the defeat with humility.

"I congratulate Nitish Kumar not the BJP for the success story... though we accept the people's mandate with humility, we will soon undertake a thorough review what led to such astonishing results," Prasad told reporters in Patna.

He said "now when people have reposed faith in Nitish Kumar, they will like to see that the promises made by Kumar be completed in a time-bound manner."

The CPI(M) said it was disappointed by the poll results. "Our number of seats have gone down in Bihar assembly... naturally we are disappointed," CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat told reporters outside Parliament.

JPC stalemate continues PTI NEW DELHI, NOV 24

The ninth consecutive working day of Parliament was wasted today as stalemate continued over the 2G spectrum issue with both the government and Opposition refusing to budge.

It was the repeat of scenes witnessed since the Winter Session began on November 9, with members of Opposition parties rushing to the well in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha to demand JPC probe into 2G spectrum scam.

Opposition members created uproar as soon as the Houses

with some BJP members raising 'Jai Bihar' slogans along with the now common 'We want JPC'.

The Opposition members were countered by those from the treasury benches who waved placards demanding the resignation of Karnataka Chief Minister.

Some Congress members almost rushed to the well with placards and raised slogans 'Book Bellary Brothers', 'Sack Yeddyurappa'. J M Aaroon Rasheed (Cong) was seen raising slogans against Yeddyruappa in the well, prompting Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal to ask him to retreat to the aisle.

UNI CHENNAI, NOV 24

Beleaguered Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, facing allegations of corruption and nepotism, yet again staved off a mounting challenge to his leadership as BJP today announced that he will continue in office.

"After consultations with senior party leaders and state leaders, the party has decided to continue with B S Yeddyurappa as Chief Minister of Karnataka," BJP chief Nitin Gadkari said in a statement that set at rest political uncertainty in the ruling party in the state.

Reading out the statement, party spokesperson Prakash Javedekar quoted Gadkari as saying that while the Commission of Inquiry appointed by the Karnataka government would go into the allegations of land allotment against him, the party was also requested by the Chief Minister to go into these or any other allegations. I shall take adequate assistance to look into the same, Gadkari said.

With Gadkari's statement, the 67-year-old leader, the first BJP Chief Minister in south, has successfully defied the party leadership which had veered round to

I was never asked to resign.

-- B S Yeddyurappa his removal in the wake of mounting allegations of land allotment to his family members and receipt of money from mining lobby and managed to have his way.

While reports emerged that the party was wanting him to make way for a successor, the Chief Minister had put up a defiance saying he would not resign. But yesterday, he changed his tone saying he will abide by the party leadership which was interpreted as a sign that he reached an understanding with the High Command that he may continue in office.

PTI MUMBAI, NOV 24

There is no outpouring of public anger, no frenzied cries for hanging Ajmal Kasab, no towering hoardings of martyred policemen in street corners that aroused feverish patriotism as Mumbai prepares for the second anniversary of the 26/11 terror attacks.

The outrage exemplified by shrill cries of "Hang Kasab" and "Death to Kasab" have given way to solemn acceptance of the tragedy despite an enduring sense of collective bereavement weakened in intensity with time.

This year again Mumbaikars will pay homage to their dead with prayer meetings, candle light vigils, a smart parade by

Navy cadets take part in a rehearsal infront of the Taj Mahal hotel in Mumbai on Wednesday.

the police force and renewed pledge to fight terror in the same undying spirit that saw it rise back to feet the morning after the 26/11 assault that sought to

bring it down on the knees.

"Last year, the clinking of glasses was pretty loud here. This year it will be louder, trust me," says Ratish, a corporate executive and

Well, he may not exactly be the charismatic superstar but a self-styled - guru in Mumbai promises to help those who tremble at the very thought of asking a girl out.

"I noticed in India there are a lot of match-making agencies but no coaching programs. This sort of consulting is readily available and quite popular in the US. I started the service about two months ago," says Vicky Kalwani.

The programs are designed only for men at the moment.

Giving some tips on how to strike a conversation with a girl, Kalwani says, "Start with small things if you want to know a girl. Paying her a compliment and trying to find about the book she is reading can help."

Right from how to approach a girl to the first date and afterwards, all the steps are included in the coaching.

There are three types of courses. A week's theory costs Rs 10,000, a month's practical course is priced at Rs 30,000 while a three months full dating course is worth Rs 90,000.

a patron of Leopold Cafe, the backpacker's favourite joint at Colaba.

It was here that fateful night of November 26 two years ago that the first bullet rang out from the Kalashnikov of a Pakistani terrorist that drowned the joyous clinking of glassware in cries of despair and death.

From the magnificent Taj Hotel playing host to the rich and the famous to the Cama Hospital tending to the sick and the dying, from little known Nariman House, a Jewish cultural and religious centre to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, an important cog in the machine that moves Mumbai -- all witnessed in helpless agony the violence unleashed by Kasab and his band of terror merchants.

OHERALDO

NEWS

Pg10

GOA, THURSDAY, 25 NOVEMBER, 2010

War on terrorism has not produced measurable results, says Pentagon PTI WASHINGTON, NOV 24

Violence in Afghanistan has reached an all time high, the Pentagon has warned, saying that efforts to marginalise Taliban capabilities including their safe havens and logistic support originating in Pakistan and Iran have not produced “measurable results”.

“The progress in war against terror in Afghanistan has been uneven with only modest gains despite a surge of United States and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) troops,” the United States Defence Department said in its latest report submitted to the Congress.

“The insurgency has proven resilient with sustained logistics capacity and command and control,” the report said, adopting a cautious tone in sharp contrast to more upbeat declarations from top officials and military commanders.

As the war department pointed out lack of action

The Pentagon report said that violence is at an all time high in the nineyear war, with incidents of combat up 300 per cent since July 2006. against Al Qaeda and Taliban hideouts, a State Department official said, "We have asked the Pakistan government to take steps in North Waziristan as we think that those are the places where they should take greater action against the sanctuaries for the Afghan insurgency,” a senior State Department official told reporters after the report was placed in Congress.

The sober account of the war in progress comes just ahead of a key White House review next month, in which President Barack Obama will take fresh stock of his forces' show in the war-torn country.

The Pentagon report said that

violence is at an all time high in the nine-year war, with incidents of combat up 300 per cent since July 2006.

It depicted an enemy, which has the support of Iran and continuing access to safe havens along the Pakistani border.

“Efforts to reduce insurgent capacity, such as safe havens and logistic support originating in Pakistan and Iran, have not produce measurable result,” the report said.

The Pentagon assessed that militant groups in federally administered tribal areas (FATA) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are part of a broader syndicate of extremist groups including Al Qaeda, Taliban, the Haqqani Network and Lashkar e Toiba (LeT) .

The report said these groups where capitalising on the 2010 floods by providing relief and other assistance to win public groundswell.

“Islamic charities linked to militant groups will continue to use national disaster to demon-

strate to Pakistanis their ability to provide aid and services that the government of Pakistan cannot provide,” it said.

A Defence Department official said, “It is important for Pakistan to go after insurgents and extremists and those who threaten their neighbours as well, and we are working with them to that end.”

A part of the report, which may make grim reading for mandarins in the White House and NATO, deals with the alliance's desire to set a time table for troop withdrawal.

The report said that Taliban draws strength from a belief among the Afghan people that the NATO forces would soon leave Afghanistan, clearing the way for Taliban victory.

Pentagon has cited the training of Afghan security forces as “one of the most promising areas of progress”, with the Afghan army and police touching recruitment goals in July, three months ahead of schedule.

29 miners feared dead after second NZ blast Reuters

GREYMOUTH (New Zealand), NOV 24

All 29 men missing in a New Zealand mine were presumed dead today after a “horrific” second blast tore through the colliery, plunging the country into mourning.

Police said there was now no chance of finding anyone alive, confirming the country's worst mining accident in nearly a century and prompting anguished scenes as distraught relatives wept, shouted and collapsed to the floor.

“There was another explosion at the mine. It was extremely severe,” superintendent Gary Knowles told reporters.

“Based on expert evidence I have been given...it is our belief that no one has survived and everyone has perished.”

Knowles said the explosion, whose cause was unknown, ripped through the Pike River

coal mine at 0667 IST today, five days after the initial blast trapped the 29 men, including two Australians and two Britons.

The victims of the blasts ranged from a 17-year-old on his first shift to a 62-year-old veteran.

High levels of toxic and combustible gases had stopped rescuers entering the mine in a remote area of New Zealand's South Island.

“I was at the mine myself when this actually occurred and the blast was horrific, just as severe as the first blast and we're currently now moving into recovery phase,” Knowles said.

District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn said the incident was the “darkest hour” of New Zealand's rugged West Coast region, a centre of the country's burgeoning mining industry based on exports to Asia.

FROM PAGE 1 Pernem, Canacona RP notified

persons in between the presentation and answered queries pertaining to several aspects of the RP. The Chief Secretary, Puttaraju and Chief Town Planner Morad Ahmad were also present during the presentation.

FAR rationalised In his detailed presentation today morning nodal officer for RP21 Sanjith Rodrigues explained how the SLC had cut down the huge demand for land in Morjim, Mandrem and other areas by releasing what was really required keeping in mind further growth projections.

In Morjim, the request was for 19,14,231 square metres of land, but the SLC released 6,28,297 square metres. The existing settlement area there is 20,33,849 square meters.

ECO ZONES: Rodrigues in his presentation said almost 80 per cent of the land mass has been demarcated as non-developable with Eco-I zone comprising 54 per cent and Eco-II 26 per cent.

“The basic mandate before the SLC was preserving Goa. RP isn’t just about mapping, but to see how Goa can grow,” he observed.

He said in RP 2001, which is the base for RP 2021, many of the eco-sensitive zones were shown as settlement areas. These settlement areas have been removed and retained as eco-sensitive where no developments can take place, he mentioned.

PROPOSALS: He said the SLC had proposed the gradual phasing out of mining in the State, to explore development internal waterways, growth hubs (in places like Pernem, Dharbandora and Balli), special centres and immediate broadening of the highways.

He explained in detail the separate corridors that would link the hinterlands of the State to the main highways. He said there was a proposal for the development of a film city in Ponda taluka.

POLICIES: Rodrigues touched upon the subject of policies for rationalisation of FAR, non-occupancy tax to curb second homes, stringent fees for conversions, eco and agro tourisms, solid waste management, making Goa a knowledge centre, micro-industrial zones, etc. Policies was a subject matter of research and debate and should be looked into, he noted.

SPECIAL CELL: He said the SLC would like the Government to create a special cell which will be responsible for coordinating the implementation of RP 21 to drive the plan so that it benefits the people at large.

CRZ: Rodrigues explained the CRZ line will be demarcated on the survey plans having proper survey numbers. This CRZ line will define how constructions will be allowed by following coastal laws in place, he stated.

STOPPING MIGRATION: He noted many of the places in rural areas were showing negative projections in terms of population.

“Over the years, the local population in certain villages is showing a declining trend. In the absence of development people will migrate to well-developed places. The RP 2021 intends to create the right infrastructure to stop this internal migration in the State,” he stated.

Burglars loot two temples informed the committee members, who in turn informed the police.

The police immediately pressed the dog squad and finger print experts into service, but could not get any clue.

A strong police team led by Quepem DySP Rohidas Patre, Salcete DySP Umesh Gaonkar, Quepem PI Sagar Ekoskar, Curchorem PI Bhanudas Dessai, Quepem PSI Rahul Dhamsheker along with their respective police team reached at the site to keep a vigil in the area.

Delhi police on Facebook PTI

NEW DELHI, NOV 24

Delhi Police is soon to hit the Facebook, taking a leaf out of the success of its traffic wing in the social networking website.

City Police Commissioner B K Gupta today said the force is planning to open an account in Facebook, one of the popular social networking sites, so as to help public to communicate with police.

"We need feedback from public. Our traffic wing is getting tremendous response," Gupta told reporters here.

OHERALDO

Pg11

GOA, THURSDAY, 25 NOVEMBER, 2010

Tensions run high as Koreas exchange threats PTI

INCHEON (South Korea), NOV 24

South Korea's troops were on high alert today as their government exchanged threats with rival North Korea following a frightening military skirmish that ratcheted tensions on the peninsula to new extremes.

President Barack Obama reaffirmed Washington's pledges to protect ally Seoul after the North shelled a South Korean island near their disputed border, killing at least two marines and wounding civilians in what UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called one of the “gravest incidents” since the end of the Korean War. South Korea vowed retaliation and today said it would strengthen military forces in the disputed western waters near the island of Yeonpyeong and to halt aid to the communist North, while the North warned of more military strikes if the South encroaches on the maritime border by “even 0.001 millimeter.”

South Korea sent two ships carrying 2,000 boxes of relief supplies to the stricken island today,

Coast guard official Kim Dongjin said. He said that about 340 residents escaping the island were to arrive at the port city of Incheon aboard a Coast Guard ship around mid-afternoon.

Images released by the local government and obtained through YTN television showed people huddled in emergency shelters, children wrapped in blankets, rows of destroyed houses with collapsed walls, blown out windows and charred roofs.

A man with a shovel walked through the rubble.

The skirmish began yesterday when North Korea warned the South to halt military drills near their sea border, according to South Korean officials.

When Seoul refused and began firing artillery into disputed waters but away from the North Korean shore the North retaliated by shelling Yeonpyeong, which houses South Korean military installations and a small civilian population.

Seoul responded by unleashing its own barrage from K-9 155mm self-propelled howitzers and scrambling fighter jets. Two

US carrier heads for island in the South Reuters INCHEON, SOUTH KOREA, NOV 24

An armed North Korean female soldier on border patrol stands amid the terrain of trees and branches near the shoreline of the Yalu River, some 70 kms north of Dandong in northeast China's Liaoning province which lies across the river from the North Korean border town of Siniuju on Wednesday Chinese state media coverage of the Korean peninsula shelling incident has avoided criticising Beijing's close ally Pyongyang and even said the episode showed North Korea's "toughness" after the reclusive communist state fired a deadly barrage of artillery shells onto a South Korean island on Tuesday in one of the most serious border incidents since the 1950-1953 war, sparking global condemnation of Pyongyang.

South Korean marines were killed in the shelling that also injured 15 troops and three civilians.

Officials in Seoul said there could be considerable North Korean casualties.

Shin Sung-hee, a fisherman, said he was mending his fishing net near a port on Yeonpyeong when he saw columns of black smoke and fire billowing from the hills.

“I couldn't think of anything. I just thought my wife would be in danger, so I rushed to my house,” Shin said.

His wife, Lee Chun-ok, said that when she fled her partly collapsed house, she saw black

smoke engulfing the town and fires erupting from nearby hills; a woman was crying on a bridge.

Her husband ran over and told her they had to escape, so they ran to a port and managed to get on a ferry with several hundred other people.

The US government called the North's barrages an outrageous, unprovoked attack, but sought to avoid any escalation and did not reposition any of its 29,000 troops stationed in the South.

Obama was expected to telephone South Korean President Lee Myung-bak to discuss the issue.

South Korean Defence Minister Kim Tae-young told lawmakers

today that the military will send reinforcements to five islands near the disputed sea border, but provided no details.

“South Korea maintains military readiness to deter North Korea's additional provocations,” he said.

Separately, South Korea said it was suspending promised aid shipments of cement and medicine worth 580 million won (USD 506,000), Unification Ministry spokesman Chun Hae-sung said.

The government also ordered eight civic groups to stop delivering aid worth 2.7 billion won (USD 2.3 million) to North Korea.

The top US military officer in South Korea, General Walter Sharp, condemned North Korea's "unprovoked" artillery attack in a statement today and called on the North to abide by the armistice that ended the 1950-53 Korean War. “These actions are threatening the peace and stability of the entire region,” said Sharp, who commands US forces in South Korea as well as the US-led UN Command.

The UN Command has called on North Korea to engage with it in high-level military talks to “de-escalate the situation,” the statement said.

Paul for probe into House of Lords conduct PTI LONDON, NOV 24

Non-resident Indian (NRI) industrialist Lord Swraj Paul, who has been suspended from the House of Lords for four months, has sought a public inquiry into the conduct of the House and its officers in dealing with the expenses issue, saying he was singled out for being a 'Brownite'.

“We need to get a proper investigation but we need a full inquiry, a public inquiry into the conduct of the House of Lords and its officers and why they acted in the way they did,” Lord Paul told the Islamic Channel last night.

Lord Paul, who quit as the deputy speaker of the house following his suspension for four months over his allowances claims, said “The authorities need to look at why different peers, even with bigger allegations about money, have been cleared with some excuse including the Lord Speaker herself, who was chairperson of the house committee when she was cleared.”

“What kind of fairness is that,” he asked, adding that every time they cleared somebody they changed the rules.

Describing the process adopted in dealing with the expenses issue as “absolutely disgusting, disgraceful” that completely lowered the privilege of the

house of Lords,” he said “We are a great democracy. This must be kept up.”

“Guilty must be punished but all guilty must be punished at the same level and not at the discretion of a small little committee consisting of people ... projecting themselves as great non-nonsense and great senior members of the House of Lords.

Otherwise why on earth some newspapers were promoting them? It was self-promotion and leaking them in between.”

Lord Paul said that he was singled out as he was a great supporter of former Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

He claimed that it was “a whole newspaper and some of the people in the Lords who joined together to try and malign me. I do not accept it.”

He said the Committee of Priv-

ileges which decided his case was “pressurized” and its Chairperson Baroness ManninghamBuller, a former Mi5 chief, "was pushing them to accept all her recommendations in full.”

Lord Paul said the privileges committee which heard him stated that "There is no dishonesty in my case, there is no bad faith, it is negligence, it is irresponsible.”

"Tell me any time in the history of the House of Lords somebody has been suspended for four months for negligence. It was pressurisation by Baroness Manningham-Bulleter which is absolutely undemocratic.”

“You are allowed to go for an appeal to a senior committee of larger number of people. But in this case, it is like a High Court judge giving a judgment and then stating if you appeal

against the judgment, I am going to resign. What the hell is democracy for. It is a disgrace,” Lord Paul said.

"So that is why I felt I believed even when we were fighting for freedom in India there was a sense of fairness in Britain.

There was no fairness only in the colonies. We believed that.

Now right in the place where democracy is supposed to be discussed, it has been abused," he said.

He said what the Lords should have done is what former prime minister Brown asked the Commons to do “that let's look at the expenses of all the MPs.” “The House of Lords should have done that and still they have not done that. All they did was 20 people, mostly Labour or almost all Labour except one Liberal, against whom there were complaints in The Sunday Times were taken to task.

“What the Sunday Times wanted was attack the Labour because they decided to support Conservative leader David Cameron," he said.

He said it has been admitted by the Lords authorities that the system of deciding allowances for house outside London was flawed.

“Right from 2009 they have been trying to have various committees look into the issue and found the system flawed.

Dial 80046342 toll-free for help in UAE PTI DUBAI, NOV 24

Help is now a phone call away for Indian workers who are in distress in this oil-rich country which is home to a large Indian expatriate community.

Claimed to be the first of its kind, the 24-hour help line is a toll-free telephone line 800 46342 which can be availed from anywhere in the United Arab Emirates.

The UAE has 1.75 million Indian population, the largest expatriate community in this country.

Business Offer

With an estimated 65 per cent of them being skilled and unskilled workers, making operational a grievance redressal centre was the need of the hour.

Officials said the helpline was started in this country as the demand here was the "highest".

Dubai was chosen for the launch of the project since it has the highest number of Indian expatriates in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Depending on the success of the initiative here, the ministry plans to launch similar centres

in other countries which have a big presence of Indian workers.

Last year, 800 Indian workers who were in distress were sent home from here, officials said.

President Pratibha Patil launched the Indian Workers Resources Center at a function at the India Club here last night, which apart from assistance would provide counseling, in financial, legal and psychological matters.

It will also manage a shelter home for runaway housemaids and deserted housewives.

Besides registering and mon-

itoring the grievance petitions, the center will also conduct awareness classes and counseling sessions for the needy Indians.

One-to-one counselling will be given by a panel of 14 experts from the centre. To facilitate easier interaction, seven different languages including Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi, Hindi and English could be used by the caller to talk to the counselors at the centre.

In addition to the toll free number, the centre will have a walk-in counter here and in Abu Dhabi to receive petitions directly from Indian workers.

Dental radiation therapy could cause cancer HERALD CORRESPONDENT NEW DELHI, NOV 24

Think twice before taking your child to a dentist's clinic for diagnostic radiation as it may cause cancer later in his life.

A New York Times expose shows how most dentists in the United States continue to use outmoded X-ray film requiring higher amounts of radiation despite a campaign mounted three years ago to protect the vulnerable children and adolescents by reducing diagnostic radiation to the levels absolutely necessary.

There is, however, no such

awareness campaign in India and as such the dentists continue to take the x-rays for even some small issues to make more money instead of the physical check.

The NYT report raises alarm at the orthodontists and other specialists embracing a new scanning device that emits significantly more radiation than conventional methods.

Designed for dental clinics, the device, called a cone-beam CT scanner, provides brilliant 3D images of teeth, roots, jaw and even skull.

This technology, its promot-

ers say, is a safe way for orthodontists and oral surgeons to work with more precision and to identify problems that otherwise might go unnoticed. But there is little independent research to validate these claims.

Instead, the cone beam’s popularity has been fuelled in part by misinformation about its safety and efficacy, some of it coming from dentists paid or sponsored by manufacturers to give speeches, seminars and continuing education classes, as well as by industry-sponsored magazines and conferences, according to records .

A US aircraft carrier group set off for Korean waters today, a day after North Korea launched artillery shells on a South Korean island, a move likely to enrage Pyongyang and unsettle its ally, China.The nuclear-powered USS George Washington, which carries 75 warplanes and has a crew of over 6,000, left a naval base south of Tokyo and would join exercises with South Korea from Sunday to the following Wednesday, US officials in Seoul said. “This exercise is defensive in nature,'' US Forces Korea said in a statement. ''While planned well before yesterday's unprovoked artillery attack, it demonstrates the strength of the ROK (South Korea)-US alliance and our commitment to regional stability through deterrence.”The move appeared aimed at reinforcing heavy pressure on China to rein in North Korea after the reclusive nation fired dozens of artillery shells at the South Korean island. Two South Korean soldiers were killed and houses set ablaze in the heaviest attack in the region since the Korean War ended in 1953. But Seoul was bustling as normal on a sunny autumn day, although develop-

ments were being closely watched by office workers on TV and in newspapers. Editorials stepped up pressure on President Lee Myung-bak to respond more toughly than he has to past provocations by the North and two small groups held antiNorth Korea protests.

Pyongyang said the firing was in reaction to military drills conducted by South Korea in the area at the time but Seoul said it had not been firing at the North.

US President Barack Obama, woken up in the early hours to be told of the artillery strike, said he was outraged and pressed the North to stop its provocative actions.

Although US officials said the joint exercise was scheduled before the attack by North Korea, it was reminiscent of a crisis in 1996 when then President Bill Clinton sent an aircraft carrier group through the Taiwan Strait after Beijing test-fired missiles into the channel between the mainland and Taiwan.

“An aircraft carrier is the most visible sign of power projection there is...you could see this as a form of pre-emptive deterrence,'” said Lee Chungmin of Yonsei University in Seoul.

Man jailed with intestines hanging out in Zimbabwe A Zimbabwean man awaiting trial for stealing motor cycles has been locked up in remand prison for months with his intestines hanging out after being shot in a police raid.

The accused appeared in court for a bail application this week, hobbling in pain and holding his protruding intestines in

appointments

a plastic bag, local media reported today.

A shocked judge ordered prison authorities to immediately take the man to hospital.

The man told the court he had failed to get medical help since his arrest in September. A prison spokesman said the man had been taken back to hospital at least twice but there was no doctor on those occasions, and he was receiving painkillers.

--Reuters

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GOA, THURSDAY, 25 NOVEMBER, 2010

MMTC’s gold fest 2010 to kick off in Goa HERALD BUSINESS DESK PANJIM, NOV 24

The Festival of Gold 2010 by MMTC is all set to begin on December 1, 2010 at the Great Hall, Hotel Fidalgo, Panjim.

The mega gold and jewellery show to coincide with IFFI 2010’s Goa Shopping Festival. supported by World Gold Council and Shuddhi Jewels, an MMTC – Gitanjali JV, the seven day exhibition promises to offer customers a bigger and unique opportunity to purchase larger varieties of jewellery with designs from many regions of India as well as

medallions and silverware all under one roof.

The exhibition is part of MMTC’s concerted efforts to provide quality, hallmarked gold jewellery to their customers in Goa. It has been MMTC’s continuous endeavor to try to improve its performance in order to meet the everchanging demands of its customers.

IIJS Signature moves to Mumbai HERALD BUSINESS DESK PANJIM, NOV 24

IIJS Signature is set to welcome a host of international exhibitors at its new location in Mumbai next year.

The event, organised by the Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council, is to be held from January 7 to 10 in the Bombay Exhibition Centre. The show started in Goa four years ago but the decision was made to move the event earlier this year.

According to the organiser’s website, Mumbai is “a venue that more appropriately reflects the growing importance, professionalism and size of the show [following its] phenomenal success in Goa.” The 2011 show will be open to international companies for the first time, which have been invited to exhibit alongside domestic exhibitors.

With 900 stalls, it will be almost double the size of previous Signature shows.

Despite attracting international exhibitors for the first time in its four-year history, the trade show will still have a predominantly local flavour with more than 400 leading Indian companies presiding over 850 stalls.

There will be a wide range of loose diamonds, precious gemstones, coloured gemstones, plain gold and studded jewellery showcasing the best of jewellery manufacturers.

The National Institute of Design has been enlisted to create the shell stalls, which will house all the segmented sections of jewellery.

For the first time, the show will run alongside the separately organised gems and jewellery event, Sparkle 2011.

Ajoy Bhattacharya, president of the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which runs the Sparkle show, told The Times of India that the IIJS show will have a positive impact on the gem show.

Tilaknagar buys Kesarval Springs HERALD BUSINESS DESK PANJIM, NOV 23

Tilaknagar Industries announced that it has acquired 100% stake in a Goa based distillery namely Kesarval Springs Distillers (P).

The company is operating in the alcoholic beverage industry. It manufactures Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL).

The stock had outperformed the market over the past one month till Nov. 19, 2010, rising 47.99% compared with the Sensex`s 1.99% decline. It outperformed the market in past one quarter, gaining 54.37% as against 6.13% rise in the Sensex.

Home loan scam spooks bank, realty stocks PTI MUMBAI, NOV 24

The BSE benchmark Sensex today slipped 232 points in a highly volatile trade, with banking and realty stocks taking a big hit on reports of an alleged housing scam.

Marketmen attributed the sharp decline in the stock market to the CBI raids at LIC Housing Finance and Central Bank of India offices in an alleged fake housing loan scam.

The Bombay Stock Exchange index Sensex finally settled the day at 19,459.85, down 231.99 points or 1.18 per cent. Yesterday, the Sensex had fallen by 265 points on global concerns.

Aban Offshor, 765, 775.5, 750.1, 755.4 Abb Ltd., 847, 864.5, 831, 841.6 Abg Shipyard, 433.5, 461.25, 430.1, 446.5 Acc Limited, 1005, 1013.8, 987, 995.75 Adani Enterp, 740.05, 749.45, 717, 725.85 Aditya Birla, 787.5, 789.6, 775.35, 782.75 Allahabad Ba, 258.8, 262, 248.1, 253.25 Alstom Proje, 692, 698.5, 680.05, 683.95 Ambuja Cemen, 143.7, 145.9, 139.8, 140.75 Andhra Bank, 172.4, 174, 167.05, 169.35 Ashok Leylan, 75, 76.75, 74.4, 74.95 Asian Paints, 2640, 2669, 2588, 2604.1 Axis Bank Li, 1428, 1430.95, 1370, 1384.8 Bajaj Hindus, 115.1, 119.95, 114.4, 116.05 Bank Of Baro, 966, 973.05, 901.65, 928.05 Bank Of Indi, 470.1, 481.45, 427.85, 448.65 Beml Limited, 1085.85, 1093.9, 1056, 1065 Bharat Elect, 1709, 1724, 1688.35, 1709.55 Bharat Forge, 368, 378.5, 361.25, 367.05 Bharat Petro, 705.4, 719.6, 692.5, 700.55 Bharti Airte, 331.8, 337.4, 330, 331.8 Bhel, 2268.25, 2288.4, 2185, 2197.75 Bhushan Stee, 492, 492, 470.1, 475.05

Biocon Limit, 394, 404.45, 390.05, 393.3 Bombay Dyein, 533.5, 547.85, 518.5, 523.85 Bosch Limite, 6392, 6481, 6375.1, 6452.75 Brigade Ente, 127, 127.9, 123, 125.1 Cairn India, 318, 321.85, 316.1, 317.65 Canara Bank, 775.9, 780, 677.2, 716.65 Central Bank, 215.95, 221.8, 191.4, 198.25 Century Text, 466.35, 470.5, 452.1, 454.7 Cesc Ltd, 367, 370.95, 364.2, 366.5 Chambal Fert, 88, 92.2, 87.4, 89.1 Chennai Petr, 236.95, 236.95, 228.9, 229.8 Cipla Ltd, 345, 347.85, 338, 340.7 Colgate Palm, 880.75, 904.5, 862.4, 875.8 Container Co, 1255.55, 1305, 1204.55, 1276.65 Crompton Gre, 333, 343.4, 333, 339.8 Cummins Indi, 778, 779.45, 756.1, 760.25 Dabur India, 94, 95.25, 92.8, 94.35 Deccan Chron, 120, 121.6, 115.5, 117.1 Dish Tv Indi, 71, 73.5, 68, 68.95 Divi’s Labor, 646, 654.05, 626.15, 630 Dlf Limited, 315, 322.8, 298.2, 304.05 Dr. reddy’s, 1761.15, 1813.45, 1761.15,

Mahindra Stallio rally flagged off

BOARD MEETINGS

MF FUNDA

Girish S Dalvi, assistant director of Transport (south) flags off the Mahindra Great Indian Ride rally in Margao on Wednesday in the presence of Viren Popli, senior vice president, Strategy and Market Development, Two Wheeler Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd and Sandeep Raikar partner of Sunraj Enterprises the dealers for Mahindra.

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, NOV 24

The Mahindra Stallio Great Indian Ride, a unique pan India rally presented by Mahindra 2 Wheelers and www.indiabikers.com was today flagged off from Goa by Girish S Dalvi, assistant director, RTO, Margao.

In addition to Goa, the rally will be flagged off from three other locations in India – Manali in the North, Gangtok in the East and Kanyakumari in the South from November 22 – 25, 2010.

Participants were selected on the basis of an online ‘Dream Jobs’ contest announced a few months ago on www.indiabikers.com.

The rally will see 20 bikers riding the Mahindra Stallio in an adrenaline charged journey across the length and breadth of India. The convoy will spread the message of safe riding as they pass through each destination. Prior to the flag off, the bikers attended a boot camp in Pune from November 15 to 18 where they were briefed on safe riding practices and attended sessions on motorcycle maintenance and team building.

“Traditionally, biking has always been associated with speed, dangerous stunts and machismo. However, it is also about fun, camaraderie and shared experiences, while staying safe. Through the Mahindra Stallio Great Indian Ride, we hope to reinforce the message

of safe riding to bikers across India which is also evident in our TV commercials currently on air,” said Gokhale, vice president of Mahindra Two Wheelers.

The 20 bikers have been chosen on the basis of their riding skills, passion and commitment and I am sure they will have some interesting experiences to share as they ride the Stallio through the country.

The 20 bikers will be divided into four teams consisting of five members each and will cover a total distance of approx 24,000 km. Their journey will culminate on December 22 at Nagpur, their final destination at the centre of India. En route, the riders will blog, take pictures and share their experiences of the trip and people they interact with, on www.indiabikers.com. Each team will have a dedicated support crew which will provide necessary assistance.

The 20 bikers have been selected from over 20,000 applications that were received by Indiabikers.com for the ‘Best Job in India’ which will allow them to pursue their passion over the six week odyssey. All their fuel, lodging, boarding, insurance costs, etc., have been taken care of by Mahindra. In addition, they will receive a stipend and requisite safety riding gear. As an added bonus, they will also get to ride their Stallios home at the end of the event.

Kenlighten user-base now in 100 countries HERALD BUSINESS DESK PANJIM, NOV 24

Kenlighten, a social leraning website maintained by Goabased management and technology services company – Mavenz, acquired the hundredth country in terms of user-base spread, when a new user registered from the American Samoa.

Kenlighten provides its members with a unique platform to not just share their knowledge and learn from each other, but also network without any restrictions and keep in touch.

Recently, Mavenz began releasing copyright expired content, available in the public domain, in streaming digital format for free subscription to its members.

To celebrate this milestone, Mavenz has announced an offer to reward its existing and new members who join the site on or before December 31, 2010.

More details about this program can be accessed by visiting the Kenlighten website.

1781.25 Edelweiss Ca, 55.9, 56.5, 52.85, 53.5 Educomp Solu, 615, 621.7, 585, 589.7 Eih Limited, 116, 116.85, 114.05, 114.7 Engineers In, 340, 340, 331, 331.7 Essar Oil Lt, 130, 132.95, 128, 128.75 Essar Shippi, 106, 108.2, 103.2, 104.1 Exide Indust, 165.95, 168.3, 159, 160.9 Federal Bank, 455, 472.5, 442.05, 448.2 Financial Te, 988, 988.05, 908.1, 918.05 Gail (india), 491.5, 493.8, 480.6, 485.35 Gammon India, 176.15, 178.95, 174.25, 175.75 Glaxosmithkl, 2255, 2274, 2201, 2208.5 Glenmark Pha, 353.45, 359.8, 350, 351.7 Gmr Infrastr, 49.8, 50.3, 48.8, 49.1 Godrej Indus, 204, 207.5, 197.15, 199.25 Grasim Indus, 2230, 2250, 2196.25, 2208.75 Great Offsho, 358.1, 387.4, 358.1, 373 Gtl Infra.Lt, 43.5, 43.95, 43.3, 43.4 Gujarat Mine, 140.9, 143.5, 137.15, 138.4 Gujarat N R, 59.8, 59.85, 57.05, 57.8 Gujarat Stat, 112.35, 114.65, 111.45, 112.3

Gvk Pow. & I, 42.25, 43.1, 41.9, 42.4 Hcl Technolo, 392, 396.5, 388.05, 390.5 Hdfc Bank Lt, 2354, 2373.9, 2289.95, 2311.4 Hdfc Ltd, 705, 705, 682.05, 688.3 Hero Honda M, 1968, 1970, 1919.1, 1931.4 Hindalco in, 211, 214.65, 206.2, 207.6 Hindustan Co, 57.6, 57.95, 54.9, 55.45 Hindustan Ma, 66.2, 69.5, 66.15, 66.7 Hindustan Pe, 457, 457, 430, 433.7 Hindustan Un, 300.05, 302.5, 298.1, 299.8 Hindustan Zi, 1156.65, 1187.9, 1151.15, 1158.5 Housing Dev, 216, 220.5, 201.7, 206.6 Icici Bank L, 1160, 1174.9, 1114.25, 1125.1 Idea Cellula, 71, 71.4, 69, 69.7 Ifci Ltd, 66, 69.8, 66, 67 India Cement, 111, 113.8, 107, 108.8 India Infoli, 111, 112.7, 105.9, 107.2 Indiabulls F, 196.4, 196.8, 176.5, 180.5 Indiabulls R, 170, 173.5, 159.2, 162.7 Indian Bank, 290.05, 297.9, 278.1, 281.9 Indian Hotel, 99.35, 99.85, 96.75, 97.6 Indian Oil C, 370.8, 371.8, 360.25, 362.15

Indian Overs, 180, 180, 149.1, 151.25 Indus Dev Ba, 176.7, 181.5, 169.5, 172.35 Indusind Ban, 288, 293, 277.6, 280.85 Infosys Tech, 3023.9, 3034.9, 2950.25, 2995.9 Infra. dev., 189, 193.95, 181.05, 185.5 Ispat Indust, 17.5, 17.6, 17, 17.1 Itc Ltd, 173.95, 174.25, 171.7, 173.7 Ivrcl Infras, 140, 140, 134, 135.6 Jai Corp Lim, 243.25, 253.8, 233.15, 238.15 Jaiprakash A, 123.5, 124.9, 120.6, 121.2 Jet Airways, 874.6, 910.9, 873.2, 886.4 Jindal Saw L, 200.5, 203.15, 193.35, 194.75 Jindal Steel, 656, 656, 637.6, 643.6 Jsw Steel Li, 1228, 1244.7, 1186, 1202.7 Kotak Mahind, 481.9, 485, 472, 475.8 Lakshmi Mach, 2600, 2670, 2600, 2626.4 Lanco Infrat, 65, 65.6, 64.1, 64.95 Larsen & Tou, 2037.1, 2040, 2001.1, 2016.9 Lic Housing, 1300, 1312.85, 1031.1, 1070.2 Lupin Limite, 484, 494.9, 481, 486.8 Mahanagar Te, 56.3, 57.5, 55, 55.65 Mahindra & M, 770, 797.85, 767.95, 784.65

AQUA LOGIST MRF Siemens Health Cerebra Integ MSK Projects Sungold Cap Glodyne Tech Reisix Tenr Kingfisher Air Shree Om Trades Source: Indiainfoline.com

SUNDARAM MUTUAL FUND has launched a new fund named as Sundaram Capital Protection Oriented Fund Series 2 - 3 Years, a close ended capital protection oriented scheme.

The tenure of the scheme is 3 years from the date pf allotment of units with capital protection at maturity.

The scheme`s portfolio structure has been rated as AAA (so)

by Crisil which indicates highest degree of certainty regarding payment of face value of the investment to unit holders.

During the NFO the scheme will offer units at Rs 10 per unit.

The new issue is open for subscription from November 22, 2010 and closes on November 30, 2010. The scheme offers only growth option. The minimum application amount is Rs 5,000 and in multiples of Re 1 thereafter. The fund seeks to collect a minimum subscription (minimum target) amount of Rs 10 million under the scheme during the NFO period.

Entry and exit load charge will be nil for the scheme.

Benchmark Index for the scheme is CRISIL MIP Blended Index.

Dwijendra Srivastava is the Fund Manager for Debt portion and S Krishnakumar is the Fund Manager for Equity portion of the scheme.

IDFC MUTUAL FUND has decided to revise the exit load structure for IDFC Ultra Short Term Fund with effect from November 24, 2010.

Accordingly, the exit load for all investment including SIP / Micro SIP / STP shall be 1% of the applicable NAV if redeemed / switched out within 31 days from the date of allotment.

RELIGARE MUTUAL FUND has approved November 26, 2010 as the record date for declaration of dividend under dividend option of Religare PSU Equity Fund.

The face value of per unit is Rs 10.

Rs 1.20 per unit shall be declared as dividend as on the record date under the scheme.

RELIANCE MUTUAL FUND has launched a new fund named as Reliance Fixed Horizon Fund - XVI - Series 4, a close ended income scheme with the duration of 367 days from the date of allotment.

During the NFO the scheme will offer units at Rs 10 per unit.

The new issue is open for subscription from November 22, 2010 and closes on November 25, 2010.

The scheme offers two options viz. growth and dividend payout option. The minimum application amount is Rs 5000 and in multiples of Re 1 thereafter.

The fund seeks to collect a minimum subscription (minimum target) amount of Rs 200 million under the scheme during the NFO period.

Entry and exit load charge will be nil for the scheme.

Benchmark Index for the scheme is CRISIL Short Term Bond Fund Index.

The fund manager of the scheme will be Amit Tripathi.

SBI MUTUAL FUND has announced that the daily dividend option is being introduced under the dividend option of Liquid Floater Plan of Magnum InstaCash Fund with effect from November 22, 2010.

The dividend declared under the daily dividend facility will be compulsorily reinvested. Also the dividend is subject to availability of distributable surplus.

FIDELITY MUTUAL FUND has launched a new fund named as Fidelity Fixed Maturity Plan - Series IV - Plan B, a close ended debt scheme with the duration of 94 days. The NFO price for the scheme is Rs 10 per unit. The new issue is open for subscription from November 24, 2010 and closes on November 25, 2010.

The scheme offers two options viz. growth and dividend option.

The minimum application amount is Rs 5,000. The fund seeks to collect a minimum subscription (minimum target) amount of Rs 500 million under the scheme during the NFO period.

Entry and exit load charge will be nil for the scheme.

Benchmark index for the scheme will be Crisil Liquid Fund Index.

The scheme will be managed by Shriram Ramanathan and Mahesh Chhabria.

TATA MUTUAL FUND has announced the revision of exit load structure for Tata Short Term Bond Fund with effect from December 1, 2010.

Accordingly, the exit load charge will be 0.50% if redeemed on or before expiry of 180 days from the date of allotment.

Maruti Suzuk, 1440, 1467, 1403.15, 1416.05 Max India Lt, 158.45, 161, 156.1, 157.9 Maytas Infr., 185.9, 187.9, 181, 183.1 Moser-baer (, 59.6, 60.4, 58.4, 58.8 Mrpl, 74.5, 75.8, 72.1, 74 Nagarjuna Co, 135, 137, 132, 134.1 Nagarjuna Fe, 34.5, 34.9, 32.6, 33.2 National Alu, 373, 380, 369, 370.6 Neyveli Lign, 150, 150, 138.5, 139.45 Ntpc Ltd, 181.6, 182.05, 177, 178.15 Oil And Natu, 1280, 1282.5, 1235, 1247.45 Omaxe Limite, 140.1, 144.9, 139.1, 141.85 Oriental Ban, 464, 472, 426.45, 438.5 Pantaloon Re, 442.75, 442.75, 412.6, 418.05 Parsvnath De, 61.1, 61.75, 57.7, 59.15 Petronet Lng, 117.95, 120, 115.05, 115.8 Power Fin Co, 346.7, 349, 335, 336.95 Power Grid C, 96.5, 98.25, 96, 97.1 Praj Industr, 73.6, 73.7, 72.15, 72.85 Punj Lloyd L, 112.2, 114.5, 110, 110.8 Punjab Natio, 1302, 1324.9, 1250.2, 1265.8 Rajesh Expor, 116.35, 118.5, 114.85, 116.75 Ranbaxy Labs, 572, 578.5, 557.2, 561

Rashtriya Ch, 118.25, 122.8, 110.35, 115.05 Reliance Cap, 691, 697.7, 670.1, 676 Reliance Com, 146, 148.35, 141.35, 143.65 Reliance Ene, 1170, 1190, 1165, 1170.13 Reliance Ind, 785, 795, 758.4, 765.7 Reliance Ind, 999, 1017.8, 986.05, 996.05 Reliance Pow, 170.25, 173.5, 167.1, 168.05 Rolta India, 173, 176.9, 171, 173.85 Satyam Compu, 70, 70.7, 66.85, 67.4 Sesa Goa Ltd, 328, 332.95, 322.1, 324 Shipping Cor, 155, 158, 145.2, 146.85 Siemens Ltd, 793.7, 805, 775.15, 789.65 Sintex Indus, 219.9, 219.9, 213, 214.7 Sobha Develo, 305.8, 312, 300, 301.95 State Bank O, 2955.55, 2976.1, 2814.3, 2851 Steel Author, 184, 184.7, 177.25, 178.65 Sterlite Ind, 172.9, 174.25, 168.15, 170 Sun Pharmace, 2283, 2304, 2254.7, 2273.35 Sun Tv Netwo, 479.5, 496, 479.5, 490 Suzlon Energ, 50.95, 51.65, 50.05, 50.4 Tata Communi, 286.9, 286.9, 277.55, 278.85 Tata Consult, 1025, 1034.5, 998.95, 1004.75 Tata Motors, 1216.1, 1260.7, 1205.1, 1218.85

Tata Power C, 1300.05, 1314.9, 1276.25, 1289.2 Tata Steel L, 613.5, 625.6, 612.5, 616.6 Tata Teleser, 20, 20.25, 19.75, 19.85 Tech Mahindr, 673.05, 682.7, 663.45, 666.6 The Ge Shpg., 370.5, 380, 366.65, 372.6 The Phoenix, 221.95, 222, 215.05, 218.8 Thermax Ltd, 880, 908.95, 862.5, 892.7 Titan Indust, 3773.85, 3830, 3691, 3720.05 Torrent Powe, 275, 283.1, 272.6, 280.25 Triveni Engg, 107, 109.85, 104.5, 105.85 Tv18 India L, 75.55, 77.95, 75.2, 75.8 Uco Bank, 148.5, 151, 139, 141.8 Ultratech Ce, 1124.8, 1139, 1115.2, 1126.3 Union Bank O, 374, 376, 354.1, 359.45 Unitech Ltd, 66.2, 68.8, 65.25, 67.1 United Phosp, 187.7, 188.95, 182, 183.2 Videocon Ind, 217, 228.95, 213, 225.85 Vijaya Bank, 105.8, 105.8, 99.05, 100.3 Voltas Ltd, 242.8, 247, 241.1, 243.2 Wipro Ltd, 418, 418, 406.1, 409.7 Yes Bank Lim, 324.1, 327.95, 315, 316.6 Zee Entertai, 144.7, 145.4, 139, 142.8

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LAUNCH PAD

Vermouth Rosso now made in India PANJIM (HBD) -- Associates Wines Pvt Ltd, based in Baramati in the Sahyadri Valley - an internationally recognized grape wine producing region of India has launched Vinee Vermouth Rosso a Grape Wine Beverage which is blended with aromatic herbs and spices.

D D Tupe is a farmer who started his enterprise into wine making after more than 3 decades of experience in producing Vermouths and Wines for international companies from France and Italy which earlier used to produce and bottled their brands in India.

In the recently held blind tasting session held at the recently held ITM (International Travel Mart) Vinee Vermouth received accolades and was appreciated by the Food and Beverage personnel as well as representatives of the Travel Industry.

This Indian made Vermouth came out with flying colours as a straight drink as well as a cocktail mix when it was compared to the other leading Vermouths of the world.

Tupe mentioned that he was launching and focusing on sampling his products first in Goa based on earlier sales patterns of leading Vermouth brands (specially the famous Italian Vermouth Rosso). Vermouth sales were highest in Goa. This sales volume is because of the international tourists visiting Goa as well as consumers in Goa being aware of Vermouths and Muscatels and other exotic spirits. The demand for Vermouth Rosso is also because it is used as a cocktail base by resorts and restaurants.

The USP of the brand is international quality product at a reasonable price.

Vinee Vermouth is a dark amber wine with a sweet nutty flavor and aroma with a delicate yet slightly bitter after taste. Vinee Vermouth is a beverage enjoyed chilled with spicy food. Vermouth Rosso is also used to make the popular cocktails like Martini and Manhattan. A 750 ml Vinee Vermouth bottle is launched at select liquor outlets in Goa and is retailed for less than Rs 300 per bottle.

Telecom profits may dip due to norms: COAI PTI HYDERABAD, NOV 24

Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) today indicated that profits of mobile telecom industry may shrink further on account of strict subscriber verification norms and levy of charges on erection of cell towers by the state governments.

Lack of infrastructure facilities in rural areas coupled with stringent norms of customer verification before providing services is a deterrent for mobile penetration in most parts of the country, COIA DirectorGeneral Rajan S Mathews said.

Operators spend crores of rupees on customer verification process. Right now in order to activate one customer it takes Rs 600-700 on a minimum.

Also, the state governments have started levying taxes on cell tower. In Delhi, till recently it was 50,000 per tower. It was further enhanced to Rs 5 lakh.

These are going to kill our profitability, Mathews said.

Some telecom operators are already incurring losses and the

situation may further deteriorate with the new development, he said.

"Net margins are currently at 8-10 per cent. This may drop by two-three pc. Some operators are already in negative."

Except one or two telecom companies, most of the operators reported dip in the net in Q2 this fiscal when compared to last year.

Bharti Airtel Ltd, India's largest mobile-phone operator, reported a 27 per cent dip in net profit to Rs 1660-crore the second quarter. Tata Teleservices Maharashtra Ltd reported a second quarter net profit of Rs97 crore, a decline of nine percent, compared to the Rs 107.9 crore net profit in the corresponding period last year.

Last month, the DOT draft norms circulated in consultation with the Home Ministry had asked all mobile operators to re-verify the documents of over 70 crore mobile connections in the country.

Recently Mumbai police revealed that 60 pc of prepaid

TRU4 Premium from TVS CHENNAI (PTI) -- Two-wheeler manufacturer TVS Motor Company today launched semi-synthetic 4stroke engine oil 'TRU4 Premium' offering better fuel economy, longevity of engine life and lower emission levels.

TRU4 comes with higher standard of certification from Japanese Automotive Standards Organisation - JASO MA2 and American Petroleum Institute-API SL, TVS Motor Company said in a statement here.

TVS TRU4 Premium is blended with highly purified water-white, high viscosity index base oils. It uses an advanced formulation technology for extreme thermal conditions to establish superior thermal stability both at high and low temperatures, it said.

The product is available in one litre and 900 ml packs and is priced Rs 235 per litre, the statement added.

Chemical Reactions

Natural Blue Fire

It's very easy to make blue fire. Here are a few of the ways you can make blue fire yourself.

Several metal salts burn with a blue flame, such as certain copper, arsenic, and lead compounds.

Antimony and lead are toxic, but you can use copper(I) chloride to produce blue fire.

The easiest way to make blue fire is to burn a chemical that naturally produces a Instructions blue flame. Most 1 Add a small types of alcohol amount of water to burn as blue fire, copper(I) chloride to dissolve the salt. If such as ethanol, you cannot find copmethanol, and isoper(I) chloride, it propyl alcohol. Natu- is possible to make ral gas also burns this chemical yourself. Copper(II) with a blue flame. chloride is more ials widely availr e t a M a) able, but it k d o v , l rum fue , t will burn with . e g e .

H e ( l, a blue-green ethanol (wood alcoho l o n ) flame. a l h o t h e o m ing alc nt) b e b m u t r a ( e r t ol l alcoh isoproy as g natural

Soak a flammable material 2 with the copper chloride solution. Good choices include sawdust or pinecones.

3

Allow the material to dry. When you light it or add it to a normal fire you will get blue fire.

Chemical changes take place on the molecular level. A chemical change produces a new substance. Examples of chemical changes include combustion (burning), cooking an egg, rusting of an iron pan, and mixing hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide to make salt

Chemical vs.

Physical Changes

and water.

Physical changes are concerned with energy and states of matter.

A physical change does not produce a new substance. Changes in state or phase (melting, freezing, vaporizat i o n , condensation, sublimation) are physical changes.

Examples of physical changes include crushing a can, melting an ice cube, and breaking a bottle.

A chemical change makes a substance that wasn't there before. There may be clues that a chemical reaction took place, such as light, heat, color change, gas production, odor, or sound. The starting and ending materials of a physical change are the same, even though they may look different.

Contact Us:

Comments or queries? Bouquets or brickbats? Talk to us!

Email Junior Herald at junior@herald-goa.com or join our Facebook fan page. Our readers are invited to rave, rant, chat or even contribute. No message will go unanswered!

SIM cards were procured using fake documents in the city.

The COAI suggested the government that the Unique Identification card should be set as bench mark for the customer verification.

"Govt is trying to see what they can do. DOT and UID authority may coordinate in this regard for optimising the verification," Mathews said.

According to the data supplied by COAI, so far Rs 1,50,000 crore investments have been made into the industry with a subscriber base of 700-million. India is one of the lowest-tariff countries.

According to analysts, customer acquisition cost, due to Mobile Number Portability, which is set to roll out from November 25, is likely to rise as the acquiring operator (recipient) is unlikely to collect fees from the customer.

Edelweiss, a leading brokerage house (the recipient) will have to scrutinise the application and conduct the verification process for a cost.

BMW plans to up India investments German luxury car maker BMW proposed to increase its investments in India to Rs 1.8 billion by end of 2012.

The company, which commenced its Indian operations by setting up a production plant near Chennai in March 2007, has invested close to Rs 1.1 billion, BMW India said in a statement here.

-----PTI

Tata Power plans Rs 850-cr Capex PTI MUMBAI, NOV 24

Tata group company, Tata Power plans to add another 40,000-50,000 customers in Mumbai from now throughto-March 2011 and will invest Rs 850-crore till FY 12 to beef up generation, transmission and distribu-

tion, a senior company official said.

"We are eyeing a customerbase of close to 1,40,000 by March 2011. Presently, we have 85,000-customers and plan to add around 50,000 more by March next," Tata Power's executive director-Operations, S Padmanabhan, said.

Pg 14

SPORTS GOA, Thursday, 25 November, 2010

PY Nuvem enter finals

fr basilio soccer HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, NOV 24

Parish Youth Nuvem beat Nave-

lim Sports Club 4-2 via the tiebreaker to sail into the finals of Fr Basilio Andrade memorial soccer, at Musson ground, Majorda on Wednesday. There was no

score at full time.

In the penalties, Remy, Neves, Tony and Neville shot on target for Nuvem while Jason and Richard netted for Navelim.

Anthony, Besil star for Siolim Sodiem gfa 3rd division HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, NOV 24

Anthony Fernandes netted a hattrick as Siolim Sodiem Sports and Cultural Association thrashed Sangolda Lightning 71 in GFA’s Third Division playoff, at Duler Stadium, here, on Wednesday. Siolim led 2-1 at the break.

Siolim’s Besil Fernandes scored a brace in the last seven minutes to add to the goal dem-

olition.

Siolim kept possession of the ball well in midfield and attacked menacingly from the wings which put their opponents under a lot of pressure.

Sangolda did not look as fit as their opponents and struggled to close them down quickly enough, on the wide Duler ground.

In the 17th minute, Siolim’s Mukund Shirodkar rose unopposed in the rival box to head home from a corner swung in

by Raymond Alvares.

Within two minutes, Siolim doubled their lead when Anthony Fernandes darted in from the left side and netted past the Sangolda keeper.

On the half hour mark, Abdul Kadab Khan managed to pull a goal back for Sangolda when he curled in a spectacular free-kick which curled over the wall and surprised the rival keeper.

Early in the second half, Nikhil Naik missed a great opportunity to equalise for Sangolda when

he failed to make proper contact with Raymond’s cross from the left wing, which had the keeper fail to gather.

A few minutes later, Besil had put the ball in the net for Siolim, but the referee had already signaled for a penalty as he had been fouled. Anthony stepped up and slotted in from the spot for his second and Siolim’s third.

With 10 minutes to go, Anthony surged down the left and noticing the Sangolda custodian

well off his goal line, he shot the ball into his near post to secure his hat-trick.

In the 84th minute, Besil made the game safe after he tapped in a re-bounded shot which was initially saved by the Sangolda keeper.

By this point, it looked like Sangolda had given up. Siolim added two more in stoppage time with substitute Saish Goltekar scoring from a distance with a sublime chip, before Besil punted in Siolim’s seventh.

Davorlim book finals berth curtorim cup HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, NOV 24

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Sporting Club of Davorlim booked their place in the finals of Curtorim Villagers Cup intervillage football tournament organised by Curtorim Gymkhana with a fluent 2-0 win over Chandor Club, at Curtorim ground, on Wednesday.

All goals came in the first half.

Davorlim enjoyed the lion share of exchanges in both the halves and put their opponents on the defensive for a major part of the game. Davorlim opened the scoring in the 10th minute when striker Paxton Gomes punished the Chandor keeper with a rasping drive.

Three minutes later, Agnelo Colaco doubled the lead with a stiff grounder after he picked up the ball from Rosebud Gomes.

Stung by quick double blows, Chandor tried hard but were unable to find the mark.

Guirdolim, Sirlim draw HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, NOV 24

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Guirdolim Sports Club came from behind to hold Sirlim Sports Club 1-1in GFA’s U-16 league, at Cavorim ground, Chandor, on Wednesday. Guridolim were trailing 0-1 at half time.

Sirlim dominated from the start and went into the lead through Jonathan Cardozo in the 34th minute.

Changing ends, Guirdolim came back strongly and created many openings but rival defenders were alert in thwarting their attempts.

With time running out, Guirdolim’s Lenoy Carvalho judged the ball well and beat the rival keeper with a rasping drive just before the final call.

GOA DIARY

Mukund cricket tourney

MARGAO (HC) -- The Margao Cricket Club (MCC) will organise their All-Goa 12th Mukund Trikanand memorial trophy inter-school cricket tournament, on December 2, at Dr Rajendra Prasad Stadium, here.

The tournament is open to secondary schools only. Those born on or after 1/9/1994 are eligible to participate. Entry forms are available at MCC office. Last date for entries is November 26. Details may be obtained from V inod Dhamaskar on 9422443649.

Pre-varsity basketball

PANJIM (HSD) -- The following players have been selected

by Goa University for their preuniversity basketball coaching camp to be held at University court, Taleigao plateau from November 26. Kirk Duarte, Joston Britto, Sidney Missier, Dwane Gracias, Ryan Menezes, Sameer Shaikh, Denver Rodrigues, Roger Fernandes, Joshua Vaz, Linekar Raposo, Creig Menezes, Johan Braganza, Prateek Kondli, Salvador Rebello and Johnson Simoes.

Players may report to Agnel Dias at 3.30 p.m. with full kit.

Roddick loses to Berdych atp tour finals AGENCIES LONDON, NOV 24

Andy Roddick dropped to 0-2 at the ATP World Tour Finals on Wednesday after a racket-busting 7-5, 6-3 loss to Tomas Berdych in the season-ending tournament.

Roddick was annoyed by the advertising lights at the feet of the line judges in the second set. The lights occasionally flashed red while play was going on. An angry Roddick sent a ball high into the rafters, then smashed his racket on his foot, drawing a code violation from the chair umpire.

Cross Boys Sports Club, New Vaddem-Vasco, team promoted to GFA Second Division (Mormugao Zone) after topping their Third Division group alongwith Lovino Goes (club president), Prakash Naik and Lawrence Gomes (GFA executive members) and Sushil Diwakar (coach).

Bardez Veterans, Shivaji SA win

veterans football HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, NOV 24

A fine hat-trick by Allwyn h e l p e d B a r d e z Ve t e r a n s trounce Ponda Veterans 4-1 while Shivaji Sports Academy, Kolhapur prevailed over Salgaocar Sports Club 5-4 via the tie-breaker to move into the semi-finals of All-India Veterans football tournament jointly organised by PVC Association, Parra and Bardez

Veterans, at Dr. Gustavo Monteiro Stadium, Candolim, on Wednesday.

In the inaugural match, Bardez began in right earnest and shot into the lead through Bruno Coutinho. Allwyn later doubled the lead for Bardez.

Down by two goals, Ponda Veterans fought back and reduced the margin through Vincy.

Bardez led 2-1 at the break.

Changing over, Allwyn demol-

Maina move into semis eslinda soccer HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, NOV 24

Maina Sports Club scored a 3-2 win via the tie-breaker over Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim to march into the semi-finals of All-Goa 2nd Eslinda Alemao memorial inter-village football tournament, organised by Cuncolim Union, at Cuncolim ground, on Wednesday. The teams were locked goalless at half time.

Maina would have got the lead but striker Serino Noronha’s snap shot was beautifully thwarted by Cavelossim defender in the nick of time. Ten minutes later, Cavelossim nearly broke the deadlock following Alex Rodrigues’ chip from the flank where Raju Cardozo beau-

tifully nodded in but Maina keeper Bronson Sequeira came to his side’s rescue fisting the ball away.

Maina drew first blood in the 52nd minute when Agnelo Martins beat the rival keeper with a rasping shot after he received a through pass from Nickson Castana.

Stunned, Cavelossim went into the attack and neutralised the lead in the 64th minute when Serilino Gonsalves’ strong header found the rival keeper hands down off a cross taken

by Reagan D’Silva from the flanks.

In the ensuing tie-breaker, Peter Pereira and Agnelo D’Costa were on target for Maina while Alex Rodrigues was the lone scorer for Cavelossim.

ished the rival defence and netted two more goals to complete his hat-trick.

In the second encounter, hot favourites Salgaocar SC bowed out losing 4-5 to Shivaji SA, Kolhapur after a goalless draw.

In the penalty shootout, Chandrakant Naik, Shivaji, Patil, Amar and Shankar converted for Kolhapur while Roque, Lawrence, Alfred and Mario were on target for Salgaocar.

Saurabh to lead U-16 cricket team HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, NOV 24

Following is the Goa U-16 cricket team to represent South Zone at Vijay Merchant trophy to be held in Kerala from November 26 to December 14.

Team: Saurabh Dhavjekar (captain), Samar Dhubhashi, Shubham Naik, Vedant Naik, Ashutosh Natekar, Gopal Mahale, Shivam Mhapsekar, Vipul Deshprabhu, Harshad Bandodkar, Akhil Shetye, Aditya Parkar, Amulya Pandrekar, Lakshay Garg, Snehal Kauthankar and Mayur Pednekar.

Prajesh Naik, GCA official and Siddhesh Naik, manager will accompany the team.

Russel shines for Betalbatim gfa u-16

HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, NOV 24

A fine hat-trick by striker Russel Vaz enabled Bresources Betalbatim Sporting Club to thump Cana-Benaulim Sporting Association 5-1 in the GFA U-16 league, at St John the Baptist ground, Benaulim, on Wednesday. There

was no score at the breather.

Betalbatim dominated from the start and later striker Russel Vaz did well to strike thrice while Jaison Vaz scored a brace.

Simon Costa gave Benaulim their only consolation goal.

In another match, Guardian Angel Sports Club defeated Rossman Cruz Nagoa Sports Club 9-5 at Nagoa ground.

St Anthony’s advance bro eulalio vaz soccer HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, NOV 24

St Anthony’s Sporting Club, Colva beat United Club of Benaulim 1-0 to move into the quarter-finals of All-Goa Bro Eulalio Vaz memorial intervillage football tournament organised by Don Bosco Oratory at Don Bosco Oratory ground, Fatorda, on Wednes-

day. There was no score at the breather.

The teams did not exert pressure and as a result play was confined to the midfield.

Crossing over, St Anthony’s match-winner came late in the second half when Condrict Fernandes bulged the net giving no chance to the rival keeper.

Stung by the setback, Benaulim tried their best but in vain.

Goa to participate in National bodybuilding

The team along with Sanjay Patil, president GBBFA, Sanjay Raikar, Bappa Virdikar, Santosh Mapsekar and Ravi Desai.

HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, NOV 24

The Goa bodybuilding team which is participating in the 3rd National Level Bodybuilding Championship schedule on November 27 and 28 in Karnataka will leave on November 26.

Team: Satish Kunkolkar and

Vaman Chopdekar (55kg), Rama Bhat and Raju Teli (60kg), Gauresh Khandekar (65kg), Subhash Andrade and Babush Gaonkar (70kg), Rupesh Desai (75kg) and Vishant Gaude (80kg).

Coach Santosh Mapsekar and manager Ravi Desai will accompany the team.

The event is organised by Satish Sugars Ltd, Gokak under the Aegis of Indian Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (IBBF) and recognised by Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Indian Olympic Association. It is conducted by Karnataka Association of Bodybuilders (KABB).

Ganeshraj to head U-19 State cricket team HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, NOV 24

Following members will represent the State U-19 cricket team at U-19 Cooch Behar tournament from November 27 to 30.

Goa will meet Rajasthan and Vidharba in Rajasthan and Nagpur respectively.

Team: Ganeshraj Narvekar (captain), Amogh Desai, Shrinivas Phadte, Mahesh Mycherla, Vikas Shetty, Keenan Va z , D a r s h a n M i s a l , Prathamesh Gawas, Sayed Badiuzzama, Vithal Gawas, Julius Fernandes, Sherman Vaz, Yogesh Barde, Nandesh Falari

and Sachin Khokar.

Avinash Aware (coach), Kashinath Chari, (assistant coach), Santosh Satarkar (manager) and Ketan Bhatikar (physio) will accompany the team.

Players are requested to be present at Dabolim airport on November 25, at 11.30 a.m.

Kingfisher Pro League football: Goa Velha SC v. Sesa Football Academy, Tilak Maidan, Vasco, 4 p.m.

Third Division football: United Club of Telaulim v. St Anthony’s Colva, Curtorim ground; CDJ Ribandar v. Siridao SC, Taleigao ground; Nagoa SC v. Holiday SC, Arpora, Duler Stadium, Mapusa. Kick off 3.45 p.m.

U-14 football: A.A. de Majorda-Utorda-Calata v. Young Strikers, Musson ground, Majorda; Guardian Angel SC v. Salcete FC, Curchorem ground; Rossman Cruz Nagoa SC v.

Verna SC, Nagoa ground. Kick off 4 p.m.

Fr Basilio Andrade memorial soccer: SCC Loutolim v.

Margao SC, Musson ground, Majorda, 4.30 p.m.

All-India Veterans Cup soccer: Air India, Mumbai v. Sporting Clube de Goa, 3.30 p.m.; Golden Gunners, Mumbai v.

Raia Veterans, 4.30 p.m., Dr. Gustavo Monteiro Stadium, Candolim.

Bro Eulalio Vaz memorial soccer: Navelim SC v. Sao Jose de Areal SC, Don Bosco Oratory ground, Fatorda, 4.30 p.m.

Eslinda Alemao memorial soccer quarters: Chandor Club v. United Club of Benaulim, Cuncolim ground, 4.30 p.m.

Pg 15

SPORTS GOA, Thursday, 25 November, 2010

Lula denies WC delays AP BRASILIA, NOV 24

SC Braga’s goalkeeper from Brazil Felipe dos Santos (left) jumps for the ball with Arsenal’s Moroccan striker Marouane Chamakh during their UEFA Champions League football match at the Municipal Stadium in Braga. (Right) AC Milan’s Brazilian forward Robinho (centre) fights for the ball with Auxerre's French midfielder Benoit Pedretti (left) and Malian defender Adama Coulibaly during the UEFA Champions League football match at Abbe Deschamps stadium in Auxerre.

Arsenal stumble; Milan, Marseille march on REUTERS

LONDON, NOV 24

Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic hit the target for AC Milan yet again on Tuesday as the former winners took their place in the last 16 of the Champions League along with an inspired Olympique Marseille.

The pair qualified with a game to spare by taking runners-up spots in their groups after Milan won 2-0 at Auxerre and Marseille thrashed Spartak Moscow 3-0 to reach the knockout stages for the first time since they won the trophy in 1993.

Arsenal’s hopes of joining them were put on hold after the North Londoners, needing only a point to qualify, suffered a late collapse and lost 2-0 to Braga in Portugal.

Holders Inter Milan can secure a place in the knockout

Eto’o apologises

phase at home to Twente Enschede on Wednesday with former champions Manchester United and Barcelona also set to progress.

AC Milan had Ibrahimovic to thank once more as they beat Auxerre to go through from Group G, with the in-form Swede opening the scoring with his fourth goal in five group games.

“We tried our hearts out. It was a difficult match, a difficult venue. We can relax a bit in the last game”, he said.

The Italian side secured runners-up spot behind rampant Real Madrid, the nine-times European Cup winners who triumphed 4-0 at Ajax Amsterdam thanks to a brace from Cristiano Ronaldo and goals from Karim Benzema and Alvaro Arbeloa.

Real finished with nine men after Xabi Alonso and Sergio

Moscow ........0 Auxerre ..........0 P Belgrade ....0 Basle ..............1 Roma ............3 Ajax ................0 Chelsea ........2 Braga ............2 Ramos picked up a second booking for time wasting late on.

ARSENAL STUMBLE Marseille’s win in Moscow assured them of second place in Group F behind Chelsea, now the only team with a 100 per cent record in this season’s competition after beating Slovakia’s MSK Zilina 2-1 with a younglooking side at Stamford Bridge.

Spartak had failed to beat French opponents in Moscow in five previous attempts in the

kept the London side waiting until Daniel Sturridge equalised in the 51st.

Florent Malouda made it 2-1 four minutes from time.

Arsenal needed only a point to join their already-qualified Premier League rivals but imploded against opponents they had beaten 6-0 in their group opener. Brazilian Matheus scored both goals for Braga in the last seven minutes.

Shakhtar Donetsk seized the opportunity to push Arsene Wenger’s men off the top of Group H with a 3-0 win at Partizan Belgrade that left the Ukrainians on the verge of going through and condemned the Serbians to a fifth straight loss.

“We have to win the next

Marseille ......3 AC Milan ......2 S Donetsk ..3 Cluj-Napoca 0 Munich ........2 Real Madrid 4 MSK Zilina ..1 Arsenal ........0

Champions League and their hopes of success in the sixth had already faded before they lost Brazilian striker Welliton to a red card in the 64th.

While the Russians caved in, Zilina gave Carlo Ancelotti’s depleted Chelsea side an early scare.

The visitors, with just one goal in their previous four group matches and with 15 against, took the lead after 19 minutes through Babatounde Bello and

Strauss & Co all ready for Ashes opener AGENCIES

BRISBANE, NOV 24

REUTERS PARIS, NOV 24

Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto’o has apologised for headbutting a Chievo Verona player during their Serie A defeat on Sunday which led to the Cameroonian being given a three-match ban. ''I wish to offer my sincere apologies to all the people who could have been shocked and surprised by my unfortunate gesture last Sunday in Verona,'' Eto’o said through a statement released by his agent today.

Eto’o struck Chievo defender Cesar in his team’s 2-1 defeat in an incident that drew comparisons to the infamous headbutt by France's Zinedine Zidane on Italy defender Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final. ''My apologies go to all the protagonists of the game, to the referees who could not have seen this foul because it was out of their visual range, but also to all the Inter fans and to all those who love football,'' Eto’o added. ''My apologies also go to my coach and team mates, whom I leave for three Serie A games.

Finally, I ask forgiveness from president (Massimo) Moratti, who has always trusted me.''

Fabregas out for 2-3 weeks REUTERS LONDON, NOV 24

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas could be out of action for upto three weeks after injuring his hamstring in Champions League defeat by Braga, manager Arsene Wenger has said.

Fabregas was substituted in the 69th minute of the 2-0 loss in Portugal with his team mate Emmanuel Eboue also suffering a knee injury. ''Eboue will be out for a while and we will have to asses Fabregas today,'' Wenger told the club's website. ' It could be two to three weeks.

It is very disappointing because I had a hesitation to play him (Fabregas) before the match started. I took the gamble and it backfired on us.''

match,” said the Arsenal manager. “With these results, Shakhtar become favourites to win the group”.

Already-qualified Bayern Munich lost 3-2 to Roma at the Stadio Olimpico and lost their 100 percent record despite Mario Gomez scoring with two quick fire strikes in the 33rd and 39th to send them in 2-0 up at halftime.

Booed off at the break, Roma fought back with goals from Marco Borriello, Daniele de Rossi and substitute Francesco Totti who converted an 84th minute penalty for the winner.

FC Basel kept alive their slim hopes of getting out of Group E with a 1-0 win over Romania’s CFR Cluj.

The Swiss champions need a win at Bayern in their final game while hoping Roma lose at Cluj who are already eliminated.

England are relishing the prospect of ending Australia's 22-year unbeaten run at the Gabba in the first Ashes Test to make the best possible start to their campaign to retain the urn, captain Andrew Strauss said.

Determined not to leave hostages to fortune with his preseries utterances, Strauss again peppered his comments with caveats but there was no betraying his confidence on Wednesday in England's ability to win a series on Australian soil for the first time in almost quarter of a century.

"I think we have got a good opportunity, there's no doubt about it," he told a news conference on the eve of the start of the series. "We started the tour well, we're in a good place as a side, but at the same time we recognise it's a tough assignment, not many sides come out here and win.

"We understand the size of the challenge ahead of us, but we couldn't be in a better place mentally to take on that challenge.

"It's going to take a lot of good cricket ... guys are going to have to dig pretty deep. But I'm fully confident we have the

Australian captain Ricky Pointing (right) and England captain Andrew Strauss pose for a photo with a replica of the Ashes urn a day before their first Ashes Test cricket match in Brisbane on Wednesday.

players to do it."

Australia have not lost a Test match in Brisbane since the West Indies beat them in 1988 and England's last victory at the ground came in the 1986-87 Ashes series, the last the tourists won in Australia.

"It's a ver y strong home

ground for Australia but I think the prospect of maybe turning that record around excites us," he added.

"If the guys put their minds to it, it could be a very good start to the series to maybe overcome that record.

"In past years Australia have

really hit the ground running strongly in the first Test match, they've made a conscious effort to go hard on the tourists in the first Test.

"Conditions here are slightly alien to touring sides, especially touring sides that are a bit undercooked or underprepared."

Only miracle can save Kochi: KCA

AGENCIES THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, NOV 24

Noting that time is running out for the Kochi IPL team, Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) Secretary TC Mathews on Wednesday said that only a miracle could now save the franchise from getting the axe.

"We are not aware of any patch up. We do not think it is possible to solve in two or three days. A miracle should happen," Mathews said in Kozhikode.

"The differences in the Kochi IPL is yet to be solved. BCCI has given one months time for solving the problems and the time is running out," he added.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) last month gave a 30-day notice to the Kochi IPL consortium to sort out its internal differences and get its ownership structure in order.

However, the investor group of the consortium has reportedly not come to an understand-

ing with the promoters Rendezvous Sports World Private Limited and is likely to request the BCCI to let them withdraw from the franchisee.

A decision on the Kochi franchise will be taken after November 27, when their one-month deadline expires.

Detailing on the various developmental activities proposed to be undertaken by the KCA, Mathew said an international cricket stadium is proposed to

come up on an area of 23 acres at Edakochi in Ernakulam district.

The proposed Rs 350-crore International stadium was scheduled for completion in 2012, he said, adding the stadium itself would be built as per international specifications.

The project would include practice stadiums, indoor practice stadiums, a club house, swimming pools, tennis, badminton and squash courts, gymnasium, a marine and a parking facility.

Gerrard on right track after injury blow

AFP LONDON, NOV 24

Steven Gerrard is making good progress in recovering from the hamstring injury that will mean

he will be sidelined for up to a month according to manager Roy Hodgson. The midfielder picked up the injury while playing for England in the 2-1 loss to France at Wembley last week.

"He's straight into it and he's anxious to get back as quickly as possible," Hodgson said.

"He's not letting any dust settle but I don't think there's so much he can do at the moment.

"First of all he has to let the injury quieten down and then really start to work on it."

Hodgson also praised the work being carried out by Liv-

erpool's new medical team.

The sports science and sports medicine staff recruited in the summer have introduced pretraining exercises designed to prevent pulls and strains.

Only Gerrard (hamstring), Jay Spearing (ankle) and Daniel Agger (calf) occupy the treatment room.

Hodgson told Liverpoolfc.tv: "You've got to pay credit to the medical team. With Steven the muscle injury was not one provoked by us.”

"Daniel's is an unusual injury which could have come at any

time and Jay Spearing was unfortunate in that he fell awkwardly -- that could have happened at any time.

"Credit to the players - they're buying into the ideas and all the work we do to prevent injuries at the start of every day."

Hodgson said that midfielder Joe Cole was likely to come into contention against Tottenham on Sunday after a five-match absence with a hamstring injury.

"He had a good training session on Monday and was recovering from that on Tuesday," said the Anfield boss.

LESSONS LEARNED In 2006, England arrived in Australia in possession of the Ashes and with a confident nation expecting a series as close as that in 2005, only to be comprehensively beaten 5-0.

Lessons were learned from that experience, not least in raising expectations about series victories before a ball has been bowled.

"To think of the finish line now is naive at best and dangerous at worst," the England opener said. "There's so much cricket between now and then.

If you want to win this Ashes series, you have to earn the right to do it over and over again.

"I'm not looking at the finishing post now, I'm thinking about tomorrow and making a good start."

Strauss said there were no injury concerns for England and his players could not wait to get started on Thursday.

"We're standing here on the edge of it, the guys are very keen to get amongst it and get off to a good start," he said.

"A lot of people have spent a lot of money to come here and support us and we thrive on the idea that we could pull off something pretty special."

Sutil set to stay with Force India

AGENCIES BERLIN, NOV 24

Adrian Sutil has agreed a new deal in "principle" with Force India, according to the German's manager.

The German, though, has been linked to several rival teams in recent months with reports claiming he could replace Michael Schumacher should the German opt to quit Mercedes GP while others suggested that he is on his way to Renault.

However, it now appears Sutil isn't going anywhere as his manager, Manfred Zimmerman said he has agreed a new contract in "principle" with Force India.

Brazil’s president downplayed concerns about delays in preparations for the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Rio Olympics on Wednesday, insisting the country will be ready to host both events.

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said the preparations for the 2011 Military Games and the 2013 Confederations Cup also are on track.

“There are no delays either for the World Cup or for the Olympics,” Silva told a live online broadcast on Twitter. “We have the will, the money and the commitment, and everything is set for the best World Cup, the best Confederations Cup, the best Military Games and the best Olympics in the world.”

The president’s comments came two days after Sports Minister Orlando Silva warned that local officials must speed up work to upgrade the nation’s airports to avoid an “embarrassment” during the World Cup. “We made the decisions that we had to make and gave the money to the states so they can do their part,” the president said.

He also criticized FIFA for imposing “European standards” for the construction and the upgrade of stadiums for the World Cup. He specifically complained of the FIFA veto to Morumbi stadium in Sao Paulo, which has forced the city to build another venue to try to host the competition’s opening match.

“Morumbi is ready, it’s nonsense to discuss problems just because FIFA comes here with European standards,” said the president, an avid soccer fan.

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SPORTS

Arsenal stumble; Milan, Marseille march on Pg 15

Anthony, Besil star for Siolim Sodiem Pg 14

GOA, THURSDAY, 25 NOVEMBER, 2010 www.oheraldo.in

Tarundeep wins historic silver

l Mary Kom, Kavita end with bronze l Manpreet, Vijender make it to boxing finals

Tarundeep Rai of India releases an arrow during the men's individual archery final competition in Guangzhou on Wednesday.

PTI GUANGZHOU, NOV 24

Tarundeep Rai clinched a historic silver medal in archery while star boxer Vijender Singh, Manpreet Singh and three of his colleagues stormed into the men's boxing finals as India slipped to the tenth position on the 12th day of competitions in the 16th Asian Games here today.

Tarundeep had his moment of glory as he became the first Indian archer to win a medal in the men's individual event on a day which saw as many as six bronze medals coming India's way.

But the failure to win a gold resulted in India going down by two rungs to tenth position on the medals table.

The women's men and women's squash teams, woman boxers Mary Kom, Kavita Goyat and pugilists Suranjoy Singh and Paramjeet Samota accounted for the bronze medals.

With the addition of seven more medals, India's medal haul went up to seven gold, 13 silver and 26 bronze.

India had finished tenth on the medal rostrum in the last edition of the Games in Doha.

China maintained their supremacy atop the medals table with a stunning haul of 172-92-86 while South Korea (71-59-81) and Japan (36-66-74) were

Li Jinzi of China (right) competes with Kavita Goyat of India in Guangzhou on Wednesday.

in the second and third position re- also had little trouble in dispatching (75kg) lost to China's Jinzi Li in the spectively.

Nepal's Deepak Maharjan 7-1 and set up semifinals and settled for a bronze After the heart-breaking defeat of a final clash against Uzbekistan's Elshod medal. Kavita went down 1-5 to Li at the men's hockey team yesterday, the Rasulov. the Foshan Gymnasium. women's hockey team added to the However, Commonwealth Games Tarundeep turned out to be the hero gloom by finishing a disappointing gold medallists Suranjoy Singh (51kg) in archery with his silver medal feat. fourth in the bronze medal play-off and Paramjeet Samota (+91kg) had to In a closely fought contest, the Indian match, going down to Japan 0-1 via be content with bronze medals after archer lost to the Woojin Kim of South golden goal. losing in the semifinals in contrasting Korea 28-28 27-28 29-28 27-28 27-29.

India, who claimed the bronze four fashion.

Rai gave a vital lead to his opponent years ago in Doha, were buried by While Suranjoy lost 5-6 to China's in the last set as he shot an eight Keiko Manabe's 78th minute golden Chang Yong in a thriller-of-a-contest, pointer in his first attempt. And even goal after both the sides failed to break Samota was all at sea against Zhilei though the Indian made amends in the the deadlock in regulation time.

Zhang before the referee stopped the next two attempts by scoring nine It was a mixed day for Indian boxers contest midway through the third points each but those did not prove with four of them managing to storm into round and awarded the bout to the enough to halt the Korean. the finals and two of them losing their home favourite.

The other Indian in the fray, Rahul semi-final bouts. But Mary Kom's defeat Indian woman boxer Kavita Goyat Banerjee ended his campaign on a disin women's semi-final came appointing note as he as a huge disappointment for could not even make it the Indian contingent. to the quarterfinals after REUTERS Vijender outpunched Iran's he surrendered without GUANGZHOU, NOV 24 Mohammad Sattapour to posing much challenge cruise into the finals and keep Organisers at the Asian Games have confirmed a second athlete to Taipei's Chun Chia himself on course for a gold has been caught doping at the November 12-27 multi-sport event Sung. medal in the 75 kg category. in Guangzhou and have called a press conference for 1400 (1130 In squash, the women's Manpreet Singh also moved IST). team settled for a bronze ''There is no other information at this stage,'' a spokesman for medal in the Asian Games into the finals in 91 kg.

The 18-year-old Vikas out- the organisers said. after slumping to a 0-2 Uzbekistan judoka Shokir Muminov, 27, was the Games' first defeat at the hands of witted Uzbekistan's Hurshid Tojibaev 7-0 to make the fi- case and had his men's 81kg silver medal stripped last week after favourites Malaysia in the nals where he would be fac- returning a positive test for the banned stimulant methylhexa- semifinals here today. ing China's Qing Hu. Dinesh neamine.

The Indians were no

Second doping case confirmed

match for the higher-ranked Malysians as Anaka Alankamony was drubbed 0-3

by Wee Wern Low in the first tie before world number one Nicol Ann David defeated Joshna by an identical margin.

The men's squash team also had to be content with the bronze after going down to arch rivals Pakistan 0-2 in the semi-final.

Holders India stormed into the semifinals of the men's kabaddi competition along with their women counterparts after registering easy wins in their preliminary round.

India, who have grabbed every men's gold in the South Asia-invented game since its debut in 1990, drubbed Korea 37-19 to enter the last four and top the three-team Group A with four points.

Their women counterparts ran into the Koreans and crushed them 47-21 (20-11) to advance to the semis.

Indian men got the better of Qatar for the second time in the volleyball competition by beating them in straight sets during the 5-8 placement round at the Guangyao Gymnasium.

India, who scored a 25-23, 25-16, 25-17 victory in one hour and two minutes, would now play-off for the 5-6 positions on Friday, while Qatar has been relegated to the 7th-8th placement round.

Misbah helps Pak draw SA series weary fifth day pitch at Abu Dhabi Stadium, taking Pakistan to 153-3 after they were set a 354-run target in 82 overs.

Misbah added 87 for an unbroken fourth wicket stand with Azhar Ali, who made 28 not out, after South Africa threatened to run away with a victory taking three wickets in the space of eight balls soon after lunch.

But Misbah, leading Pakistan for the first time in Tests, in the company of Ali foiled the away side, finishing with 10 boundaries during his 140-ball matchsaving knock.

Ali, who hit three half-centuries in the previous three innings of the series, struck two boundaries and ably supported his captain.

South Africa had declared their second innings at 203-5 after batting for half an hour on the final morning, but ran out of time to enforce a result on a pitch which gave very little rePakistani captain Misbah-ul-Haq (right) hits a shot as South African sponse to the bowlers.

Pakistan, ranked sixth in ICC wicketkeeper Mark Boucher looks on in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

(International Cricket Council) AGENCIES finish the two-match series with- Test ranking, can take heart from ABU DHABI, NOV 24 their crisis-hit build-up to the out a result.

Misbah-ul-Haq played a captain's Misbah, who scored an un- series as they stopped Test's secknock of 58 not out to salvage beaten 76 in the drawn first Test ond best team from winning any Pakistan a draw in the second in Dubai last week, countered of the two Tests.

Pakistan, however, have still Test against South Africa and South African bowlers on a

Sangakkara hits ton on rain-hit day He was out shortly after lunch, caught by Shane S h il l in gf o rd o f f seamer Dwayne Bravo.

Sangakkara was 135 not out in 252 balls with 16 boundaries and a six. Prasanna Jayawardene was alongside him on 12. Angelo Mathews was caught beSri Lanka cricket captain Kumar Sangakkara (right) dives to avoid h i n d t o s e a m e r being run out by West Indies cricket captain Darren Sammy (left) Dwayne Bravo for 25. in Colombo on Wednesday.

Rain interrupted AGENCIES COLOMBO, NOV 24 play minutes before the scheduled tea Captain Kumar Sangakkara hit his 24th break, and the players were unable to Test century on Wednesday and shared come back out for the final session for 170 runs with Thilan Samaraweera to a second day.

Only 90 overs of play has been possipropel Sri Lanka to 294-5 before rain ended the second day's play of the sec- ble, half of the mandatory minimum ond cricket Test against the West Indies. overs for two days.

West Indies seamer Kemar Roach reSamaraweera made 80 including eight boundaries and a six to help rescue Sri turned best bowling figures of three for Lanka after it was reduced to 34-3 on 66 while captain Darren Sammy and Bravo picked up a wicket each. the opening day.

not won any Test series since beating the West Indies at home in 2006, losing their last six and drawing four.

Misbah said it had taken a team effort to keep South Africa at bay.

"This drawn series will build our confidence for the next series," said Misbah whose team next tour New Zealand for three Twenty20, two Tests and six oneday starting from late next month.

"We have lacked consistency in Tests, but in this series everyone chipped in with performances, which was good," said Misbah.

Stand-in South African captain Jacques Kallis termed the resultless series as frustrating.

"They were a frustrating two matches, but we can look back at some positive performances and go back home to take India next month," said Kallis of the three-Test, five one-day and one Twenty20 series at home next month.

Pakistan had raced to 66 without loss at lunch, but off-spinner Johan Botha provided the muchneeded breakthrough by trapping Taufiq Umer leg-before for 30, before Harris trapped Mohammad Hafeez (34) and Younis Khan (nought) in his next over.

South Africa could have got Ali out in one Morne Morkel over,

but wicket-keeper Mark Boucher hesitated to go for an edge when the batsman was on eight.

South Africa - led by Kallis after captain Graeme Smith injured his finger on Tuesday and was unable to take to the field - used five bowlers but failed to make any further inroads.

Resuming at 173-4, South Africa, looking for quick runs, added 30 in as many minutes before they declared the innings, giving their pace-cum-spin attack 82 overs to force a result.

Paceman Umar Gul removed Mark Boucher (15) in the second over of the day to check South African progress. Ashwell Prince remained unbeaten on 47, while Johan Botha finished with seven not out when the innings was declared.

Lef t-arm spinner Abdul Rehman, who hit a career-best 60 to save Pakistan from follow-on on Tuesday, finished with 3-81.

AB de Villiers, who hit South Africa's highest Test score of 278 not out, was declared man-ofthe-match.

South Africa won the preceding two-match Twenty20 series 2-0 and the five-match one-day series 3-2, a tour shifted to United Arab Emirates because of security fears in Pakistan.

Franklin to replace Ryder AGENCIES NAGPUR, NOV 24

New Zealand fast bowler James Franklin has returned to the Black Caps' One-day International squad in place of Jesse Ryder, who has been ruled out due to a calf injury.

Ryder had picked up the injury in the drawn first Test in Ahmedabad, and aggravated it further during the final Test match in Nagpur.

Pg16

Bhajji inspires Chawla to work on batting AGENCIES KANPUR, NOV 24

Inspired by Harbhajan Singh, who slammed back-to-back Test hundreds despite coming in at number eight, discarded Indian leg-spinner Piyush Chawla says he is also working hard on his batting to make his case for a return to the national side.

Feisty off-spinner Harbhajan was picked Man-of-theSeries in the recently-concluded Test series against New Zealand for his consecutive hundreds and fine bowling. India won the series 1-0 after two draws.

Chawla said he is trying hard for a comeback to the national team and is even improving his batting for the purpose.

"If Indian selectors find my performance worthwhile, then I can hope for a comeback for the 2011 World Cup in the sub-continent," the Uttar Pradesh bowler, who is here

for a Ranji Trophy match against Himachal Pradesh, told PTI-Bhasha.

Chawla said the Indian team needs a leg-spinner.

"I have been out for a long time now. I play Twenty20 and Ranji but I have to continue working hard to come back to the national side because playing at that level is a matter of pride," he said.

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Thursday, 25 Nov 2010

‘Bad Man’ for a Good Cause

L

Films to watch out for today...

Mummy And Me Director: Jeethu Joseph Cast: Archana Kavi, Kunchako Boban Language: Malayalam Country: India RunningTime: 117 minutes Venue: INOX Screen II Time: 10am

Adi Mimamsa Director: A K Bir Cast: Neena Gupta, Mohan Gokhale Language: Oriya Country: India Running Time: 109 minutes Venue: Maquinez Palace I Time: 3pm

Iphiginia

Director: Michael Cacoyannis Cast: Tatiana Papamoschou, Irene Papas, Kostas Kazakos Language: Greece Country: Greece Running Time: 127 minutes Venue: INOX Screen IV Time: 11.45am Awards: Belgian Femina Award, Best Film Award and Best Leading Actress Award at Thessaloniki Film Festival

Theja Director: Nilantha Hapanweera Cast: Srimal Wedisingha, Sujani Menaka Dahanayaka Language: Sinhala Country: Sri Lanka Running Time: 99 minutes Venue: INOX Screen I Time: 11pm

where there was fluctuating electricity and sand blowing all the time, but he put up with it without complaint,” added Nila Madhab. He is happy that the film was featured in the Indian Panorama section as the festival travels to different states and a wide audience will watch it. Plans are also being made to distribute the film to village panchayats so that every village and school can see the film.

Hars Mayar, the young actor who plays Gulshan’s son, said, “I didn’t bother about the film when I accepted it, I just wanted to come on TV. Previously, I had worked in theatre and have also done singing and dancing besides acting.”

The breaking news was when Gulshan Grover accepted that he will be working with Hollywood actress Salma Hayek in an upcoming film, The Driver, directed

by Bill Duke. “I will be playing Salma’s husband in the film. It is great getting an offer from Hollywood.”

Speaking about his Hollywood experience exclusively to Herald, Gulshan quipped, “There I get paid in dollars, here in Indian rupees. Bollywood meri Maa hai, aur Hollywood aunty hai jo chocolate deti hai.” But on a more serious note he added, “Hollywood is more systematic and it gives an extension to my career.”

Commening about goa, Gulshan said that he finds the people here very warm and welcoming. He added that he has another special connection with the state: “My first wife Filomina was from Goa that is the reason I have a special bond with Goa.” The two have a son, Sanjay.

I Am Kamal also stars French theatre personality, Beatrice Ordeix as Gulshan’s love interest.

BY CHRISTINA VIEGAS HERALD FEATURES hen you are sitting opposite a genius, Mani Sir, it is only natural to be a bundle of nerves. As I hurriedly leaf through my diary for a fresh page (through scribbling by my little boy) simultaneously telling the filmmaker that, as a child, I have watched his very first film, Pallavi Anu Pallavi (Kannada) though released way back in 1983, he scrutinises me in detail and asks, “Your kid did that artwork?”

Only then, I realise that my son’s scribbling is artwork indeed. I quickly apologise, “He is very young Sir, he doesn’t understand this is his mama’s important diary,” to which the filmmaker says, “No, no! Let him be! That’s his expression!”

Wow! No wonder there is an air of awe and respect when we interview directors like Mani Sir and Madhur With 12 awards from international B h a n d a r k a r. are truly festivals, multiple National Film These marvelous filmAwards, nine Filmfare Awards and makers who are obmany other cinematic credits, the constantly serving people. prolific filmmaker, Mani Ratnam is No wonder they script out their credited for having revolutionised characters to perTamil film industry and altering the fection.

In fact, if you look profile of Indian cinema. In an exclusive back at Mani Sir’s right heart-to-heart with Herald, he displays characters from his first film, that truly greats are always simple and Pallavi Anu Pallavi, where the protaghumble, letting their work talk onist is a single mom and how a young man comes into her life, to Mouna Ragam which is about friction between a married couple and the lady’s love story of her past, to Nayagan with Kamal Hassan (which was dubbed by many as the Indian Godfather) and Thalalpati with Rajnikanth and Mamooty (a relationship between a local don and slum king) or Anjali which is about an autistic child and how she changes the lives of people in the colony, or Bombay, based on the HinduMuslim riots after the Babri episode, you cannot ask for better characterisation or better actors than who were cast in those roles. Such is the sheer master class of Mani Sir. Whether his films were average or went on to become huge hits, they were thoroughly enjoyed by the people. And most importantly, they were different films.

The director always walked down an original path. He was a trendsetter in many ways. But the ever humble human being dismissively says, “There were always trendsetters in films.

Guru Dutt, Bimal Roy and so many more did just that. Even today, we have some very good films by directors like Madhur Bhandarkar and others. It is not just me. I believe that we can make sensible films and yet gain commercial success.”

Mani Sir had a long association with music legend, Illaiyaraja whose soul-stirring, tunes were a vital aspect of his films. Then with Roja, the filmmaker gave us another young music legend, A R Rahman who is an integral part of Ratnam’s films till today. No wonder all the films made by Mani Sir have excellent music. Was/is this a conscious decision to stick with the best of yesteryear and the best of today? The casual reply is, “There is never a conscious decision when you interact with the best. It just flows. We always had a lot to contribute towards each other and that’s how the long association happened.”

Galileo)

Director: Nithiwat Tharatorn Cast: Pom Chutima Theepanarth, Toey Jarinporn Joonkiat Language: Thai Country: Thailand Running Time: 129 minutes Venue: INOX Screen I Time: 7pm

W

Photo by Christina Viegas

His Tamil film, Ravananwas screened on Tuesday. Is he a disappointed man since he believed so much in the film and yet received flak from the film critics? The nonchalant reply is, “I don’t make films for critics. I make them because I believe in them. I still feel Ravanan was one of my best films. I don’t dwell on the brickbats, I quickly move on to my next venture.”

And what is next in the pipeline? Smiling, he says, “I’ve started penning my script.” He feels it is premature to divulge any information as right now, he is only crafting the script. Nothing else has been decided.

Is he hurt that often only the Hindi film industry is portrayed to the world as Indian film industry? Again the humble reply of a confident man who lets his work do the talking, “When you make a good film, no one or nothing can keep it in the hiding. So, I would not bother about what is being portrayed and instead concentrate on making good cinema. I have always enjoyed global success.”

And what stirs those creative juices? He says, “It is very difficult to pinpoint. Rather than dwelling on an idea, what is more important is how you execute that idea. For a filmmaker, it is a constant struggle to convert an idea into a successful script.” Mani Sir is happy with the progress of IFFI in Goa. On a parting note, he says, “Goa has given the festival a focus. What matters in a film festival, is the good choice of quality films, nothing else.

And Goa is doing very well on that front.”

BY CHRISTINA VIEGAS That brings us to her role at IFFI’10: international jury member. She emSays one of India’s best actors, Revathy Menon phasises, “I hate to judge anything or anyone and when it comes to a film HERALD FEATURES who is very irked that the Indian Film Industry festival, it is so challenging. There are some great films lined up. But I itting opposite a renowned actor like Revathy can be quite unnerving but her confident demeanour is portrayed as only Hindi films. Down in Goa, would like to tell the filmmakers that the final result is arrived at after an and friendly mannerisms easily rub on you and she is on the international jury for IFFI’10. Herald individualistic assessment by the members and then a mutual consent.

So, you don’t have to be disheartened if you don’t win. Everyone makes soon, I feel comfortable and we get into a highly gets an exclusive with this fiery lady a film because at least one person has believed in it.” charged conversation. This is the actress who That brings us to her directorial debut, Mitr, which garnered her an stormed into the silver screen at the tender age of award for Best Director (for an English film) in the National Awards. Really 16 years in her first film, Man Vasanai (Tamil) and walked away with the Filmfare Award in Tamil, for Best Actress. The beautiful smile lights up her pretty face as she coos, “Oh! Like all little girls, I was in seventh impressive! Is it harder for a lady to be at the helm of affairs? The reply is, “To be honest, I have never heaven. And what made it even better was that I shared the stage with Jayaprada, Lakshmi, Suhasini and faced gender-bias because I have always been strong and stood my ground right from my very first film.” Then lady suddenly gets more animated as she says, “One thing that really irks me is that India my absolute favourite, Smita Patil. I ensured that I sat next to her throughout the awards night.”

It is not easy for a 16 year-old to adapt to a world where the local media brought out shock stories always portrays our film industry as only Hindi films. This is so unfair to the beautiful Eastern films, if she was seen speaking to an opposite-sex member for even 10 minutes. Did the adaptability of an Gujarathi films, Malayalam and so many more regional films. Even at the IFA Awards, it is all about Hindi films and actors. So, they need to rename it to Hindi Film Awards, seriously!” army man’s child help? She elucidates, “Perhaps! Children The lady is absolutely right! Now we get to a lighter topic, her name. How come she was re-christened who have parents in the army are generally more adaptable Revathy when her actual name is Asha? I was launched and independent. My parents always allowed me to make SOME OF REVATHY’S FILM GREATS

by Bharatiraja whose leading ladies’ names my own choices. And that’s why even when the mistakes started with ‘R’ whether Radhika, Rati or Radha. happened, there were no regrets. The decisions were all He was superstitious about the same. That’s mine.” how Revathy came about. I sulked for two days With a career spanning almost 22 years, predominantly back then, but now I’m perfectly fine.” of soaring success, she surely cannot have many regrets.

It is time for her screenings that have been Five Best Actress Filmfare Awards for few of her films in preponed. She has to rush and her parting mesTamil, Telugu and Malayalam, a National Film Award, Tamil sage to readers is a plea, “Please try to avoid Nadu State Film Award and Karamveer Puruskar are her watching new movies on DVDs. Come to the film laurels. She affirms, “Awards are great. Everyone wants theatres, so we get encouragement and also this only helps the economies of the an award. Anyone who disagrees is just politely trying to trade as films are an expensive business.” say, ‘I wish I had won, but I didn’t, so…’”

Photo by Christina Viegas

‘Our Portrayal of Indian Film Industry is Wrong’

S

Dear Galileo (Neetarm

Magical Moments with Mani Sir

Photo by Rozario Estibeiro

BY DOLCY D’CRUZ HERALD FEATURES ooking at Gulshan Grover juggling media persons’ queries one after another with a huge smile on his face came as a surprise to many who know him only as the ‘Bad Man’ of Bollywood. Making a complete U-turn in cinema, Gulshan will be seen on screen in his new film, I Am Kamal, playing a simple dhabawalla who discourages his son from studying. “In the film, I am telling my son that our lives revolve around the dhaba; cleaning, cooking and serving people. But it is the boy’s determination to get educated that is shown in this film.” The film is produced by the Smile Foundation, an NGO working for the cause of children’s education.

I Am Kamal, directed by Nila Madhab Panda is based in the desert regions of Bikaner in Rajasthan and tells the fictional tale of a young boy who is excited to study and along the way gets acquainted with a young prince from Rajasthan. It is about their friendship and how the father deals with his son.

“Every child in India has the right to education and we wanted to send out this message in a subtle way. Instead of choosing pathos and dark cinema, we thought of telling the story in the form of a fairy tale. Rajasthan was perfect with its colours and princely life; just what we needed for the film. We aimed at sending out a message to the masses and the money collected will be given for the children,” said Nila Madhab Panda.

So how did Gulshan Grover fit the role? “Gulshan suited the role perfectly.

There was a small hotel at the shoot

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Thursday, 25 Nov 2010

WHAT’S UP IN GOA??

One Day Workshop on Packaging of Processed Foods for cottage, micro, small and medium Entrepreneurs will be held at Vivanta by Taj - Panjim on November 26. It is being organised by The Indian Institute of Packaging.

The 3rd All India Annual Art Competition and Exhibition 2010, organised by Bhikuram Jain Foundation, New Delhi is open for entries. Registration closes on November 30. The exhibition and the award presentation ceremony will be held on February 12, 2011. Call the Kala Academy, Panjim on 2420452.

‘Our Cultural Diversity’, a workshop for in service school teachers up to the age of 48 years, organised by the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training, New Delhi will be held from December 1 to 11. The schools intending to depute their teacher can visit the Department of Art and Culture, Patto, Panjim. Call 2438103.

Solo Dance Competition for under-16 year olds, organised

by Omkar Cultural Association, Colvale will be held on December 30 at Kala Academy.

Registration is open. Entry forms are available at the K a l a A c a d e m y, P a n j i m . C a l l 9673997188 or 9823306652.

Festival of Carols, organised by the Kala Academy will take place on December 19 at the Kala Academy, Panjim. Call 2420452.

The 20th Ranga Sammelan and Jeevan Gaurav Puraskar: Felicitation of Dr Ashok G Ranade for his contribution towards music will be held on December 17 and 18 at the Kala Academy, Panjim. Call 2420452.

‘Crazy Idea Competition’,

HOROSCOPE organised by the Staff Club of the National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula is open for registration. It will be held on the occasion of NIO Foundation Day. Visit www.nio.org/innovative ideas competition. E-mail crazyidea@nio.org.

‘The UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the context of Goa’ will be the topic at this Friday Balcao session. It is to be held on November 26 at the Goa Desc Resource Centre, No11 Liberty Apartments Feira Alta, Mapusa. It is open to the general public.

E-mail to goadesc@gmail.com.

Display of Creative Craft projects to motivate and encourage both young and old is organised by a Crafting personality Frenzie Gonsalves at Hotel Paulino, Margao on November 27 and 28 from 10 am to 7 pm. Call 9850295442.

The IFFI Shopping and Food Festival ’10 will have various activities through all the participating shops on November 26 at Panjim and November 27 at Margao.

The Street Dance Competition will be held at the Fidalgo Square on November 25.

Baby Olympics will be held on November 28 at Fidalgo for mothers of babies.

The egg-drop challenge will be held sometime during the week.

Call 9011931607.

‘Konkani Cinema’ will be the topic at the lecture to be held on November 25 from 2pm to 3pm at the Sunaparanta – Goa Centre for the Arts, Altinho, Panjim. It is part of the lecture series, IFFI 2010 at Sunaparanta.

This talk will be given

by Rajendra Talak, the director of ‘O Maria’.

Call 2421311.

You're starting to recognize the huge opportunities around 21 Mar - 19 Apr you -- so act on them! Try to let your gut reactions guide you today, even if they seem to be edging you closer to a situation that seems difficult or uncomfortable. This is one of those days when your instincts know best!

Taurus You'll have a lot of spare time today to organize, relax, reand 20 Apr - 20 May g r o u p socialize!

You're at your very best when you've got all the basics taken care of, and that should be true today -- or at least achievable! Make that your first priority if need be, then relax and enjoy life.

Your ideas are Gemini a s g o o d a s theirs. Beat them to the punch and make yours hap21 May - 20 Jun pen now. How does your budget look? You may need to deal with some surprising setbacks in cash flow or unexpected expenses, but that shouldn't stop you for long.

If anything, your creative ideas may be fantastic!

The darkness of recent days will be leaving you as new ideas light your 22 Jun - 23 Jul w a y t o d a y.

Other people's emotions start to make more sense today. In fact, you may get a key new insight into someone close who has seemed really confusing -- or confused -- lately.

Share with them!

People are relying on you to sort the good from the bad.

24 Jul - 23 Aug They trust your instincts. Not everything you do has a conscious explanation. You may need to get your friends to help you somewhat today; otherwise you could find yourself much farther out than usual.

Friends are not all in sync with you today -spend more 23 Aug - 22 Sep time with those who are. Your social energy is maxed out, so enjoy it! This is not the time to stay in to clean house or work late -- you've got to mix it up with old friends and new faces.

Parties, nightclubs -- anything that works for you.

Usually it's wise to let go of things that aren't really 23 Sept - 22 Oct under your cont r o l a n y w a y.

Progress may be incredibly slow today, but at least you're not moving backward! Try not to worry too much about where you are in relation to your deadlines, as better energy is on the way.

Scorpio When you say you're going to do something, you do it unfail23 Oct - 22 Nov ingly. Still, at the moment, you can absolutely count on whomever you ask for help to say and do the right thing and to keep a promise. Once they've given their support, you'll want to actually deliver your thanks for it.

Sagittarius Yo u r c o n f i -

Capricorn D o n ' t p u s h past other people's limits. Respect the fact 22 Dec - 20 Jan that they need t i m e . Yo u r home life needs some adjustment -- are you up for making the first move? It's a really good time for you to tackle some new improvement projects or for sitting down with your mate to hash things out.

Aquarius You must take extra measures to make sure all details 21 Jan - 19 Feb a r e t i e d u p neatly today.

Let Alexander the Great be your inspiration today as you deal with a seemingly endless series of fine details. When faced with the impossible-tountie Gordian Knot, use your sword to slice through it

A deadline is looming, so things should be well on their 20 Feb - 20 Mar way to being done by today.

You are the perfect entertainer today, though you don't necessarily thrive on the adoration of crowds. You can make anyone feel relaxed and engaged, so make sure that you're paying attention to the right folks

Aries

Libra

dence has been growing, and today it will 23 Nov - 20 Dec get another surprising boost.

This is no time for half measures. You need to make yourself crystal clear when dealing with friends or colleagues -and you need to take any project to its logical conclusion, no matter what.

WORD OF THE DAY

Cancer

Leo

Virgo

Pisces

DID YOU KNOW? This star started of as a pied piper of sorts!

enspirit Pronunciation en-SPIR-it Function Verb Meaning : to infuse life into; enliven Example Sentence The president of the employee welfare committee delivered a motivating speech to enspirit the members dejected by the new unfair policies of the company.

LAFFS

Renowned American actor, producer, screenwriter and director Warren Beatty (born March 30, 1937), famous for films such as Bonnie and Clyde and Bugsy, actually started off catching mice! Brother of actress Shirley McLaine, Beatty was encouraged to act by the success of his sister and hence at age 17 he decided to work as a stagehand at the National Theatre in Washington, DC. It has been rumoured that the theatre had been plagued by rats and the actors pressed theatre management to hire an official rat-catcher.

Young Beatty, desperate for a job in the theatre, landed the role. Of course, following this, the lad, a star football player in his school, turned down 10 football scholarships after graduation and enrolled in drama school. The rest, of course, is history.

WIZARD OF ID

Funny Quote

“Lisa, Vampires are make-believe, like elves, gremlins, and eskimos.”

– Homer Simpson

DAILY GROOK MADE MAID

by Francis Rodrigues noah's legendary ark was made of ol beams, but dear joan of arc was maid of orleans!

GARFIELD

MIND BENDERS

SUN MOON TIDES

Tongue Twister I wish to wash My Irish wristwatch.

Chance of Rain Thursday 34° C | 23° C 20% chance of precipitation

Riddle Me This

Sunrise 06:42 - Sunset 18:01 Moon rise 21:27 - Moon set 09:48 High 01:13

Low 06:57

TIDES High 11:59

Low High 18:44 –

D Tide timings are for Mormugao Harbour. For Panjim/Calangute add 20 mins. For Colva add 30 mins

09:30 11:40 14:05 16:15 18:25 20:30 21:00 23:05

Franklyn Valkyrie The Recruit The Thomas Crown Affair Barbershop 2 Opening Night Coyote Ugly Old Dogs

09:45 12:00 13:45 16:45 19:00

Only You The Uninvited Disclosure Dead Birds You Don't Mess with the Zohan 21:00 The Ghost and the Darkness 23:15 The Glass House

11:30 15:50 20:00 23:30

08:30 11:30 15:00 19:00 22:30

Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani Masti Mr. & Mrs. Khiladi SBO Gold

Devi Maa Patthar Aur Payal Humjoli Dor Hindustani

Tere Mere Sapne Hamari Devrani Maryaada ... Lekin Kab Tak? MasterChef India Kaali: Ek Agnipariksha Gulaal Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya Sasural Genda Phool Saath Nibhana Saathiya MasterChef India Sabki Laadli Bebo Saath Nibhana Saathiya Sasural Genda Phool Chaand Chupa Badal Mein Behenein Gulaal Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai Tere Liye Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya

12:00 Saas Bina Sasural

11:30 13:40 16:10 18:30 21:00

08:00 12:00 16:00 20:00

Click Erin Brockovich Point Break The Hoax The Da Vinci Code

Aaj Ka Krantiveer Aaj Ka Mujrim Sangram Om Shanti Om

08:00 Jab We Met 12:00 Anari 16:00 Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi!

20:00 Bhrashtachar

08:15 Ishq Vishk

13:00 13:30 14:00 4:30 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 22:30

Last RMT Answer: Play the Piano until you find the right key, unlock the door, and leave.

Take the baseball bat and swing three times. Three strikes and you’re out!

Take the saw and saw the table in half. Two haves make a "hole" (whole) and you crawl out.

09:40 Balls of Fury

12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 20:30 21:00 22:00 22:30

10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 18:00

SUDOKU 715

The part of the bird that is not in the sky, which can swim in the ocean and yet always stay dry.

Tera Mujhse Hai Pehle Ka Baat Hamari Pakki Hai Saas Bina Sasural Tera Mujhse Hai Pehle Ka Baat Hamari Pakki Hai Saas Bina Sasural C.I.D Baat Hamari Pakki Hai Kaun Banega Crorepati Saas Bina Sasural Tera Mujhse Hai Pehle Ka

Sanjog Se Bani Sangini Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Pavitra Rishta Dil Se Diya Vachan Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli Jhansi Ki Rani Pavitra Rishta Sanjog Se Bani Sangini Preet Se Bandhi Yeh Dori...

Dil Se Diya Vachan Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Pavitra Rishta Dance India Dance Sanjog Se Bani Sangini

16:30 17:00 19:00 19:30

22:00 22:30 23:00

Gutar Gu Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Papad Pol Mrs. & Mr. Sharma Allahabadwale Papad Pol Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo Mrs. & Mr. Sharma Allahabadwale Lapataganj FIR Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta

11:30 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00 17:30

Yeh Ishq Haaye!!

Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani Dhoond Legi Manzil Humein 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

20:00 20:30 21:00 21:30

IDIOT BOX 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 21:30 22:00 22:30 23:00

12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00

Mera Naam Karegi Roshan Dil Se Diya Vachan Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Jhansi Ki Rani Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli Pavitra Rishta Preet Se Bandhi Yeh Dori...

Sanjog Se Bani Sangini Mera Naam Karegi Roshan Pavitra Rishta

Gutar Gu Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo Papad Pol Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Lapataganj Mrs. & Mr. Sharma Allahabadwale 15:30 FIR 16:00 Papad Pol

18:00 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 21:30 22:00 22:30 23:00

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 Yeh Ishq Haaye!!

Dhoond Legi Manzil Humein

10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 16:00 16:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00

Criss Angel Mindfreak Top Chef) : Miami Finale Part 1 Minute to win it CSI: Miami : In Plane Sight So You Think You Can Dance Minute to win it Whacked Out Sports So You Think You Can Dance Minute to win it Sports Crash The Amazing Race Asia Minute to win it

10:00 10:30 11:00 12:00 13:00 13:30 14:00 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 20:30 21:00 21:30 22:00 23:00

Friends Modern Family Koffee With Karan Lie To Me The Bold and The Beautiful Modern Family MasterChef Australia How I Met Your Mother Friends Modern Family The Simpsons Lie To Me MasterChef Australia Koffee With Karan How I Met Your Mother Friends MasterChef Australia Whose Line Is It Anyway?

Lie To Me Modern Family

10:00 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals 13:00 Max Power 2010/11 14:00 Barclays Premier League 2010/11 : Bolton Wanderers vs. Newcastle United 16:00 Mercedes Benz Tour Highlights Show 17:00 TNA Impact 19:00 Score Tonight 19:30 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals 21:30 TNA Ppv : Victory Road

10:00 Road to the Final : WCL Div 5: Jersey 10:30 PBA Tour : PBA Tournament of Champions 12:00 Barclays Premier League 2010/11 : Blackburn Rovers vs. Aston Villa 14:00 Judo World Championships Antalya 16:00 Korean Ladies Open 17:00 Goals!

17:30 Football Crazy 18:00 Bpl Express : Birmingham City vs. Chelsea 19:00 Football Crazy 19:30 Premier League World 20:00 Sportscenter India 20:30 Sportscenter Asia 21:00 World Cup Upsets :

Australia vs. South Africa 22:00 Epic Encounters : Final 2003 23:00 Sportscenter India 23:30 Sportscenter Asia

07:30 17:00 19:00 19:30

Asian Games 2010 : Day 13 WWE: Raw European Tour Weekly Barclays ATP World Tour Finals : Singles RR 21:30 La Liga H/ls 22:30 WWE: Raw

12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00

Inside : The Tiger Trade Wild Russia True Stories Big : Airbus A380 Wild Russia Nat Geo Amazing!

Super Factories : UPS Air Crash Investigation Nat Geo Wild : Hyena Queen Mega Builds : Future Trains Megastructures : World's Tallest Tv Tower

07:30 Village Wise 08:00 English News 09:00 Konkani News 10:00 Marathi News 11:00 Health is Wealth 11:30 Tatoo Programme 12:00 Sagres 12:30 Life is to Live 13:00 English News 14:00 Murder 14:30 Fairyland 15:00 Blooming Buds of Disha 16:00 Old Goa Novena Mass 17:00 Kids Club 17:30 Health is Wealth 18:00 Konkani News 19:00 Marathi News 20:00 English News 21:00 HCN Fine Tunes 21:30 Clown Fiesta 22:00 English News 23:00 Old Goa Novena Mass 00:00 Village Wise 00:30 Success Mantra 01:00 Art of living 01:30 Success Mantra 02:00 Kids Club 02:30 Village Wise 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 714

HERALD CROSSWORD - 715 Across 1- Toothed wheels; 6- Destiny; 10- Attack a fly; 14- "West Side Story" song; 15- Grad; 16- Military force; 17- Adding vitamins, say; 20- Boxer Laila; 21- Brit's bottle measure; 22- Pulitzer winner James; 26- Underwriter; 30Way of extracting gold; 34- Get there; 35- Article in Le Monde; 36- Skye cap; 38- Rough and disorderly; 39- Mantric syllables; 40- Eagle's nest: var.; 42- Conductor ___-Pekka Salonen; 43Guadalajara gold; 44- Takes by theft; 45- Raising of a number to a power; 49- Subterfuge; 50Memo heading; 51- Bluffer's ploy; 54- Buddhist temple; 56- Informally; 64- Distort; 65- Actress Petty; 66- Baffled; 67- Skater Lipinski; 68- Canoeing body; 69- Get ready to drive; Down 1- Baseball execs; 2- Seine contents; 3- Dadaist Jean; 4- Tear; 5- Room in a casa; 6- Starvation; 7- Bass, e.g.; 8- Large cask; 9- CPR expert; 10Literary ridicule; 11- Court order; 12- Cupid; 13Actress Daly; 18- Exclude, remove; 19- Actor Baldwin; 22- Without ___ in the world; 23Marked with wavy lines; 24- Cerumen; 25- Children's author Blyton; 27- Ice cream type; 28- Coffee dispensers; 29- Fish eggs; 31- Climbing vine; 32- Make taut; 33- Mariner; 37- Intervening, in law; 39- Mine finds; 40- 7th letter of the Greek alphabet; 41- Abominable snowman; 43- ___ roll; 44- Biblical mount; 46- Monetary unit of Ghana; 47- Above; 48- College area resident; 51- Corrosion; 52- "Diana" singer; 53- Bakery worker; 55Exactly; 57- Building add-on; 58- Extinct bird, once found in New Zealand; 59- Sitcom planet;

60- Salt Lake City athlete; 61- Compass dir.; 62Monetary unit of Romania; 63- Mouth, slangily;

SOLUTION - 714

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Thursday, 25 Nov 2010

Photos by Rozario Estibeiro

Georgian Films take the Spotlight

BY JANICE RODRIGUES HERALD FEATURES eorgia has gained the country focus at this year’s IFFI. The section was inaugurated in the presence of the Ambassador of Georgia, Zurab Katchkatchisvili along with Nana Janelidze, the screen writer of the of the opening film Monanieba (Repentance). The other movies to be screened in the course of the festival include Udzinarta mze (The Sun of the Sleepless), Ambavi Suramis Tsikhitsa (The Legend of Suram Fortress), A Trip to Karabakh and Pirosmani.

Georgian cinema has won worldwide acclaim and is considered sharp in style and imagery yet savage, innovative, energetic and at the

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same time rooted in literature, the arts and cognition. Although the cinema had a setback when the country got independence 20 years back, the film makers are striving to regain the excellence they once had. “The cinema of the 60s right up to the 80s is considered the golden years of Georgian cinema, but we do hope to have a brighter future in the coming years,” said Nana Janelidze. In a hope to achieve its former glory, Katchkatchisvili said he would try his best to facilitate the co-productions between Georgia and India. “Georgia is a small but very diverse country; I can dare to say that Georgia is not less beautiful then Switzerland and film makers are welcome to conduct shootings in the locales of the country,” he said.

Janelidze highlighted the fact that although Georgian cinema has created a huge impact in the film world, their films are relatively shot on low budgets. “We have no funding agency and have a production of as low as about three films a year. There is not much wide distribution of films but they do have a quality in them that is recognised by the world.”

When asked whether she is aware of any Indian film makers, Janelidze replied, “Oh yes, I like the movies of Satyajit Ray, they are very similar to the movies made in Georgia.” Further enlightening about the similarities between the cinema of the two countries, she added, “The storytelling is very much similar, the way the emotions are portrayed are similar, there is a lot of warmth and soul in both the cinemas.”

Georgian cinema has been known for its satirical comedies, but off late there seems to have been a shift in genre. “The films earlier were satires on the political scene in the country, but now there are more dramas being made, dramas about the little problems of little people. These problems seem little but eventually they are the big problems ailing all the people,” added Janelidze.

Photo by Rozario Estibeiro

Rajkumar Hirani happy to watch 3 Idiots Again HERALD FEATURES he highest grossing Bollywood film of all time, 3 Idiots was screened yesterday at this year’s festival. The afternoon screening saw key members that were behind the creative aspects of the film. They were acclaimed director of the film Rajkumar Hirani, screenplay writer Abhijat Joshi, lyricist Swanand Kirkire and editor Ranjeet Bahadur.

All four were handed over bouquets of flowers before the start of the film and Hirani was asked to address the audience. With a large smile he looked up at the audience and said, “The number of people out here is pleasantly surprising to me.” He went on to add, “I’m happy to be here. We are all happy to be here. This only takes us back to December 25 – the day the film was released.” Almost a year has passed since that date and Hirani mentioned that, “It has been awhile since I’ve seen the film, so it’s good that I’m seeing it again.”

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HERALD GETS AN EXCLUSIVE SHOT

Mr India – A True Story of Strife, Spirit and Victory

BY DOLCY D’CRUZ HERALD FEATURES ne of the Manipuri films s c re e n e d f o r t h e I n d i a n Panorama was Mr India, a documentary on the life of K H Pradip Kumar Singh, an HIV positive person.

As life has always been unjust to HIV positive people, Pradip wanted to stand up for this cause and motivate others to do the same. The documentary by Haobam Paban Kumar was screened on November 23 at the 41st International Film Festival of India.

Addressing the media, Haobam Paban Kumar, the director of the documentary, said, “Mr India is Pradip’s struggle to get to where he is and his celebration of life. I studied at the Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute in Kolkata and my friends supported me in making this documentary. Even the camera was given to me for two years by a friend. I did the editing along with one of my friends from the film institute.

The idea of the documentary was to support the cause and to present a good film in the market.

With the money, we helped Pradip with his nutritional supplements which come up to nearly Rs 40,000 per month. The film was accepted in a lot of film festivals and that led to it being presented here at IFFI.” Pradip, who won the Senior Mr Manipur title in the 60-kg category in the All

Parenting

Pg3 Photos by Rozario Estibeiro

O

Manipur Body Building Association in 2007, added, “I wanted to show the world that a HIV positive person can do everything possible. Never be broken hearted, we should have hope in life. It is a fight against discrimination and social stigma. I was detected with HIV in the year 2000 but I revealed it to the world after winning my Mr Manipur title in 2007. HIV is spread in Manipur due to drugs coming in from Burma or though mother to child transmission. I wanted to be a role model and tell others not to give up. I have been continuing with my exercise even after the doctors warned me and I am still fine so I recommend others also to exercise.”

Speaking exclusively to Herald, Haobam said, “I have been making documentaries since 1999, even before I could join the Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute. Two of my films are being screened at IFFI 2010, AFSPA 1958 which won the Golden Lotus and Mr India which has also won national awards.”

Speaking about the difficulties faced in bringing the real life emotions on film, he said, “The most challenging part of the film was bringing in the true spirit of Pradip. He is the person who the film is about. So far, I have done several films in Manipur only. I want to know myself well first and then delve into other cinemas. There is nothing new in cinema, what works are real life stories.”

His upcoming film is Nubi Shabi which is based on women impersonators. “It is a film on sexuality and I hope to present it at IFFI next year.”

The Magic of Cannes in IFFI 2010

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or those film-lovers who could not make it to Cannes, Cannes Kaleidoscope 2010 brings to IFFI a not to be missed opportunity.

The picks include those from Cannes Awards, Official Competition Uncertain Regard and Director’s Fortnight.

D Des Filles en Noir (Young Girls In Black) by Jean Paul Civeyrac D Somos Lo Que Hay (We Are What We Are)

by Sabina Guzzanti D Outrage by Takeshi Kitano D Route Irish by Ken Loach Certified Copy by Abbas Kiarastami D A Screaming Man by Mahamat Saleh Haroun

CORNICE ACTIVITIES

D The Tree by Julie Bertucelli D The City Below by Christoph Hochhäusler D Adrienn Pal by Agnes Kocsis D Film Socialism by Jean Lun Godard It’s time to sit back and enjoy the visual treat that comes calling from Hungary, Germany, UK, France, Japan, Switzerland, Australia, Mexico and Belgium.

Batman comes to town (below)

Sparing some hours for ‘3 Idiots’ screening: Rajkumar Hirani Photo by Christina Viegas

Our friend is missing! Members of the international jury, Sturl Gunnarsson, Jerzy Antczak, Revathy Menon and Oliver Pere, all geared up for the day’s screenings

My last night in Goa: Dr D Ramnaidu with a crew member at party held at Casino Pride (left)

Journey to Goa was tiring: Riya Sen

Stay away from me: the snarling gorilla (below)

Photos by Rozario Estibeiro

Basking in the limelight: Crew members of Tere Bin Laden

Bad Boy of Bollywood still remains trendy(above)

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Thursday, 25 Nov 2010

Film Bazaar - Day 2

FILM REVIEW Cast: Aamir Khan, R Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, Boman Irani Director: Rajkumar Hirani Language: Hindi Section:

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he film 3 Idiots without any doubts lives up to everybody’s expectations as an eye-catching film that tells the tale of three students who believe in ‘I’ll Do It On my Terms’.

The film begins with an interesting premise; two buddies who graduated together embark on a journey in search of their lost friend, Rancho, a bright, yet free-spirited student with a unique charm that convinces people to follow their dreams.

3 Idiots, on first look, tells the story of the three friends and their unique lives, but bringing to fore various student-related subjects such as ragging, peer pressure, parental pressure and student suicide, and

bouncing from past to present, peppered with humour and realistic anecdotes, the film also gives a more complex message on the universal truth of following one’s dreams and believing in oneself, no matter what.

The hit producer-director combination of Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Hirani who carry the critical and box office successes of the Munnabhai sequels coupled with the marvelous performances by the entire cast, especially Aamir and topped with the essence of Chetan Bhagat’s ‘Five Point Someone’, the inspiration for the film, 3 Idiots is one classy film to catch. The music too is a plus point of the film.

After the ideologies of Jaadu Ki Jhappi and Gandhigiri, this film has made All Izz Well a mantra that will be on the lips of many for years to come.

Monanieba (Repentance)

Cast: Avtandil Makharadze, Zeinab Botsvadze Dato Kemkhadze, Ya Ninidze Director: Tengiz Abuladze Language: Georgian Section: onanieba (English: Repentance) is a Russian film that was completed in 1984. This political parable about the evils of totalitarianism set box office records when it was released in Moscow.

Avtandil Makharasdze stars as the power-hungry mayor of a small Russian town. When his dreams of establishing a workers’ paradise clash with the traditionalism of some Christians and the individuality of a painter and his wife, the mayor uses cunning and deceit to trample them into the ground. After the mayor dies, the artistic couple’s daughter defiles his memory by digging up his corpse. Members of his family must then come to terms with his legacy of violence and hate.

Director Tengiz Abuladze uses melodrama, satire, and surrealism to attack the malevolence of dictators who profess to serve the will of the people but really desire nothing more than the rewards of raw power. Monanieba celebrates the ethical values of religion and the cultural values of art as alternatives to the dehumanising excesses of tyranny. Although a bit too didactic in its messages, this film offers a bold critique of Stalinism in Soviet history.

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BY VIBHA VERMA HERALD FEATURES ay two of the NFDC Film Bazaar saw renowned actor and independent producer Sanjay Suri delivering a talk on ‘Raising Independent Finance’ and the hurdles a production team faces when in financial crunches. He shared his experience while making his latest flick I Am, which is based on four social issues. The film highlights sensitive issues like displacement, which he explained citing that in 1990, nearly three lakh Kashmiri-Hindus had to flee due to problems back in their state. The other social issues highlighted in his film are child abuse, single mothers who consider husbands a burden and gay rights.

“Like any other filmmaker, independent filmmakers face challenges of producing films. We had a theme but studios were not ready to accept us as firstly we faced finance problems and secondly, there were no big actors in our film,” he recalled. This prompted the teams to resort to independent financing by sourcing funds form their own pockets, families, friends and maybe NGOs. It was also challenging as the film team was yet to be formed including production team, marketing, actors, and others. A team was somehow formed and interestingly, it expanded to 401 co-producers from 30 cities across the world. “We had a lot of volunteers and students helping us in the project. We told them that we don’t have money but we can certainly share credits. We sourced a lot of volunteers and talents via social medium,” Suri added.

The final hurdle to the newly formed team was getting people to make the film, and then they turned to social networking sites. He said, “We thought that the best and most inexpensive medium to reach out was through social networking sites. Through this, we not only promoted our film but had earlier located a fresh young composer who is among three other wellknown composers of our film.”

Among other issues, the team also found a way to combat finance issues by raising f u n d s t h ro u g h p e r s o n a l means. “We asked our volunteers to stop spending money on weekend activities. They cooperated and the contribution came from minimum Rs500 to Rs2000 and even Rs5000,” he said. 20 NGOs are also associated with this film.

Suri believes that I Am will reach to a wider audience and get good response as ‘all have anchored their emotions to make the movie.’

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Locarno opens Doors to Indian Filmmakers HERALD FEATURES he Festival del film Locarno, a Swizz Film festival has announced opportunities to the aspiring or established filmmakers to achieve a co-production with the festival through the Open Doors program. ”Through the Open Doors program, we would like to assist the directors of the select films from India,” said the artistic director of the Locarno film festival, Olivier Pere.

The Film Festival of Locarno which is known for its discoveries, in case of new trends, directors and actors. It has already hosted some of India's well known filmmakers including Ritwik Ghatak and Mani Ratnam and even Lagaan was screened at the Festival. “In a bid to facilitate the strong friendship between the Indian filmmakers and Locarno, we at the Open Doors invite writers and filmmakers to help them interact with the filmmakers on the international scene,” said Pere.

The Open Doors section of the festival facilitates this trend of reaching out to other countries with focus on a particular country, and the year, 2011 will focus on India. “The registrations for the Open Doors program are open, and will remain open till the end of March and the results will be announced in the month of May,” said Nadia Dresti, head of Locarno’s Industry Office.

The registrations can be done online through the Festival website www.pardo.ch and should be submitted along with the script of the film. The final short-listed 12 films will get the chance to participate in the co-production workshop to take place during the 64th Festival del Film Locarno. At the end of the workshop, the best project will get a funding of 35,000 euros to help in production.

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Nouka Dubi opens A Indian Premier Section

Photo by Rozario Estibeiro

3 Idiots

Sanjay Suri shares I Am Experience

Parenting

HERALD FEATURES ce Bollywood director Subash Ghai and Riya Sen were at the world premiere of eminent Bengali director Rituparno Ghosh’s latest celluloid offering, bilingual Hindi-Bengali, Nouka Dubi (Boat Wreck). It took place at the Kala Academy on November 24. Besides making a world premier it also was the opening film of the Indian Premier Section at IFFI’10.

Starring Bengali cinema’s famed actor Prosenjit Chatterjee, the movie also has Jisshu Sengupta, Raima Sen and Riya Sen. “This role is different from most others. Starting with the time of the shoot itself,” Riya smiled. She added, “I and my sister do not share screen space at all in the movie, as thought off. We rarely even met on the set though she did come to meet me a few times.”

The film is based on the work of Rabindranath Tagore’s Nouka Dubi, a short story from ‘Galpa Cuccha’ a collection of stories published in 1912.

“I’ve always admired Tagore’s work and this time I thought I would pay him a tribute, through Rituparno,” said Ghai The entire cast, producer, director and crew were supposed to be present at the screening but could not, it was learnt. “Rituparno had a very bad leg injury and cannot make it,” said Ghai.

The movie is slated for its worldwide release by the end of January 23, 2011.

Targeted Breast Ultrasound effective for Women under 30

Young Indians hooked to Social Networking Sites

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new study has suggested that targeted breast ultrasound should be the primary imaging technique used to evaluate focal breast signs and symptoms of disease in women younger than 30.

Researchers at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance in Seattle reviewed all ultrasound examinations performed for focal breast signs or symptoms in women younger than 30 from January 2002 through August 2006.

They confirmed outcomes with biopsy results, 24 months of ultrasound surveillance or linkage with the regional tumor registry.

“The overall incidence of breast malignancy in our study was 0.4 percent,”" said lead author Wendy B DeMartini.

“The sensitivity of ultrasound in detecting breast malignancy in our study was 100 percent, because all cancers were sonographically identified. Thus, there were no false-negative exams for which the addition of mammography would have added diagnostic value. Our negative predictive value (NPV) was 100 percent,” she added.

“The high sensitivity and NPV of ultrasound in our investigation substantiates its application as the primary imaging technique in young women with focal breast concerns,” said DeMartini.

E

ighty-five percent of the country’s younger population is ‘hooked’ to one or more social networking sites on the internet, says a survey by TCS, an IT solutions provider in the country, with Orkut being the leader as it is preferred by 71 percent and is followed by Facebook at 65 percent.

“India’s youth seamlessly move from fixed to mobile internet, spending more time online than ever before and have embraced social networks but in a very Indian way,” the survey said.

The company polled over 10,000 school going children between the ages of 12-18 in 11 cities across India during 2009-10 to understand the emerging trends amongst this important group.

According to the survey, at 65 percent, internet ranks high as a pastime, followed by sports at 56 percent.

Similarly search engine, Google enjoys a following of 85 percent of the ‘Gen Nex’ when it comes to sourcing information on the net. Wiki is second at 77 percent.

The survey says that the mentality of those studying abroad seems to be high but many school children are also considering the values of studying in India as well.

When it comes to making a choice of profession, IT emerges as a leader with 81 percent going for it and is followed closely by Engineering at 80 percent and Media and Entertainment at 66 percent.

And even at a relatively young age, India’s school children are thinking about new skills and salaries when they consider future careers, it revealed.

“Nearly half of India’s total population is under the age of 20 and classified under the youth category. This sizeable generation is already shaping the country and will play an incredibly important role in the direction that the nation takes next,” said TCS Vice President, Head, Global Human Resources Ajoy Mukherjee.

“We plan to use these findings to understand the next generation better and it will help us not just to find the best students, but also guide us as to how and what we communicate with them. This is the new, socially connected India that is important for all of us to better understand,” he said.

Supermodel image has faded over the years, say models

T

here was a time when people would swoon over ramp models, but over the years the magic seems to have faded. Industry insiders agree that the image of supermodels has diminished due to overexposure.

“I agree the image has somewhere faded away, and partially because there are so many new faces that look great all the time now. There are so many institutes that focus on grooming, bringing the X factor in the limelight and giving a platform to showcase it,” said model-turned-actress Yana Gupta.

“Models like Milind Soman, Madhu Sapre, Dino Morea, Aishwarya Rai, John Abraham Sushmita Sen made it big and had a longer shelf life in the industry contrary to existing models,” Yana added.

Echoing the same sentiments, new generation model Sahil Salathia said: “The (supermodel) concept is no more alive. Ten years down the lane, the whole era of Madhu Sapre, Milind Soman has vanished.

The craze and excitement at that time for models was exceptional, just comparable to that for actors and actresses.

“But now they have become so approachable that their value has seen a visible downslide,” Salathia added.

Milind Soman himself claims that in his time they had monopoly on the business.

“I think models were big and were much better 'in my days' - we had a monopoly on the business. Which now has become a regular and not so hyped profession," said Milind.

“These days the profession has become so approachable that any individual who looks decent and has a good built can get a portfolio clicked and make it big in the industry. But the fact is that this approach has made it common, earlier it was not so much over exposed and this is one of the reasons which puts it down,” said Yana.

But Milind maintains the scope for male models has widened with increasing number of fashion weeks.

(Trends Courtesy: Agencies)

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