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Sports: Hockey WC was a financial scam: Gill Pg 17 Error will slip through a crack, while truth will stick in a doorway.

— H. W. Shaw

IN BRIEF Pak wants custody of Kasab In an apparent bid to facilitate a meeting between their Prime Ministers at the SAARC summit, Pakistan on Sunday responded to India’s three dossiers given to it in February and asked New Delhi to hand over Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone terrorist captured alive during the Mumbai attacks. - (PTI)

Business: India to grow 8% Pg 12 despite inflation

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

India: Eight glam girls to live village life in latest reality show Pg 9

IpL sUMMIt CLAsH MAY Be NoN-stArter

Modi changes mind, decides to attend governing council meet stop press Board’s top brass may slap suspension notice ahead of meeting Modi PTI MUMBAI, APRIL 25

On a day of dramatic developments, the possibility of suspending IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi grew tonight in a bid to keep him away from tomorrow’s Governing Council meeting which he surprisingly decided to attend.

The embattled Commissioner, who is slated to chair the meeting, made an announcement today that he was changing his boycott decision but would seek written charges for him to reply, a move being seen as making it difficult for his detractors to remove him at short notice.

However, as the final match in the IPL was in progress, indications emerged that Modi could be suspended pending enquiry into the allegations of financial wrong-doings against him either late tonight or before commencement of the meeting at 10 am tomorrow at BCCI headquarters.

A Governing Council member said that his suspension was high on the cards though he could not give an indication as to when exactly it would take place.

Ending days of speculation, Modi today gave a new twist to the fast unfolding IPL drama by deciding to chair the meeting which he had earlier called ‘illegal’.

“I will attend and chair the meeting of the Governing Council as chairman and commissioner. I have issued the agenda

BCCI CHArGers v/s sUperKING MoDI MODI SETS THE RULES

The embattled IPL Commissioner made an announcement that he wants Council members to give their complaints in writing and backed by documentary proof.

WHY THE MOVE The agenda chosen by Modi appears to be a bid to block any discussion on serious allegations against him widely reported in the media over the past several days. That is because, it would be near impossible for the Governing Council members to provide documentary support since such documents are with the Income Tax and other investigative agencies.

TOSS OUT: IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi tosses the coin for the finals of IPL-3 at Mumbai. All eyes are now on the governing council mega clash on Monday – will the heads roll or tails wag?

to the Governing Council,” Modi wrote on his twitter page.

The single-point agenda itself was circulated to the media within minutes of his tweet. It asked the council members to give their complaints against him in writing and backed by documentary proof.

“On the agenda, will be a discussion on any complaints re-

Turbulence hits Emirates flight, 23 injured PTI KOCHI, APRIL 25

364 passengers and crew of a Kochi-bound Emirates flight from Dubai today had a narrow escape when the plane encountered severe turbulence over Bangalore region leading to injuries to 23 people on board.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation launched an inquiry into the incident that occurred at 8.50 am and grounded the aircraft.

Terming it as a “serious” incident, the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) said in Dubai that it has also launched an investigation and was coordinating with Indian civil aviation authorities.

The GCAA said 23 people, including three crew members, were injured, but the airline put the number at 20.

Most of the passengers in the flight were in a “state of shock and looked worried”, airport sources said.

The Boeing aircraft EK530 with 350 passengers and 14 crew members on board encountered a weather cloud at

35,000 feet over Bangalore region. A short period of heavy turbulence prior to descent into India caused minor injuries to about 20 persons, including a child, Emirates said in a statement.

The drop in altitude was minor — a descent of 200ft — and the aircraft landed safely, it said.

“An inquiry has been ordered into the incident. The DGCA is carrying out air safety investigation. The aircraft will leave the country only after it is certified,” Director General of Civil Aviation Nasim Zaidi told PTI in New Delhi.

One of the passengers, Biju Thomas (40), was admitted to the Little Flower hospital at nearby Angamally with a shoulder dislocation.

The sources said the pilots requested for medical assistance while landing at the International Airport here. About seven passengers were brought to the Amrita medical investigation room at the airport. Some had injuries on the scalp, eyebrows and pain in the neck.

ceived in writing from members of the Governing Council against the Chairman, other members of the Council and/or the Board of Control for Cricket in India,” Modi said in a statement.

“Members of the Governing Council have been requested to give all such complaints in writing with the requisite supporting documents at the meeting on

Velim tense as locals block fish trucks HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 25

Tension rent the air in Velim on Sunday night after agitated residents stopped fish transporting trucks holding them responsible for spillage and the slippery condition of the roads.

As many as five trucks were stopped by the locals, even as the Cuncolim police rushed to Velim to avert any law and order situation.

The residents questioned the police for not cracking a whip on the water spillage on the roads caused by the trucks transporting fish from the Cutbona fishing jetty to the fish mills across the state borders.

What has upset the locals was the fact that the Cuncolim police did not come on the spot when the locals intimated them on the water spillage, but made their presence felt only when the fish transporters called them on the scene.

Residents of Assolna, Velim, Cuncolim and Chinchinim had been complaining for too long about the water spillage from fish transporting trucks, but lamented over the inaction by law enforcing agencies, including the police due to the links (Continued on page 10)

Govt’s latest affidavit states closure of Dabolim airport HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 25

Call it a goof up or otherwise, an affidavit filed by the Goa government recently in the High Court has once again brought to the fore the question over the fate of the Dabolim airport once Mopa becomes a reality.

While PWD Minister Churchill Alemao has asked people not to be misguided by reports that Dabolim would closed in the event Mopa takes concrete shape, the Navelim Civic and Consumer Forum has now asked Alemao and the Goa government to file another affidavit in the High Court stating the continuation of the Dabolim airport under all circumstances in the future.

The Forum said the Goa gov-

ernment on March 9 this year filed an affidavit in the High Court in Writ Petition No 135/2010 in Sita Ram Satelkar and Others V/s State of Goa and Others which states on the closure of the existing airport at Goa for civilian operations on commissioning of the new airport.

“This affidavit was filed recently on March 9, 2010. Alemao

seems to be unaware of this affidavit and we need not specify as to who is misleading whom.

Though the decision to close down the airport was taken 10 years ago, the Forum members want to ask if any decision has been taken by the present government to retain the present airport at Dabolim. If so, then, kindly file it in the High Court so that the people of South Goa are assured of the continuation of Dabolim airport. Just because the Central government has sanctioned Rs 500 crore (whether it will be fully utilized is another question) is no guarantee that Dabolim will not be closed,” asserted Convenor of the Navelim Civic and Consumer Forum Joseph Vaz. (Continued on page 10)

the morning of April 26 to the Chairman and Commissioner, so they can be replied in full,” he added.

The agenda chosen by Modi appears to be a bid to block any discussion on serious allegations against him widely reported in the media over the past several days.

(Continued on page 10)

suspended

At the time of going to pres the Board of Control for Cricket in India suspended Lalit Modi from the post of Chairman and Commissioner of the Indian Premier League, after Chennai Super Kings beat Mumbai Indians in the final.

Modi was sent a showcause notice by the BCCI through email. He was also served a suspension letter by the Board and was suspended “pending inquiry” as the IPL chief.

A four-member panel, including Shashank Manohar, Arun Jaitley, Rajeev Shukla and Ratnakar Shetty redrafted the show-cause notice. According to information received, two emails were sent to Modi. One was the showcause notice ad the second email was sent directly by the BCCI president to Modi.

CAN MODI BE SUSPENDED? The Board’s constitution empowers its Disciplinary Committee “to inquire into and deal with the matters relating to any act of indiscipline or misconduct or violation of any of the Rules and Regulations of any player, umpire, team official, administrator, selector or any other person appointed or employed by the BCCI.” Pending an inquiry, the person would be suspended by the President from “participating in any of the affairs of the Board until final adjudication”. The adjudication should be completed within six months.

You heard it wrong, sir! I’m here for tap fixing and not match fixing.

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ILLEGALITIES

Curca Sarpanch admits to political interference HERALD CORRESPONDENT MERCES, APRIL 25

Curca Sarpanch Subhash Dias on Sunday publicly admitted that due to political interference, the panchayat was unable to act on illegalities in the village.

Sarpanch Dias made the statement at the gram sabha while replying to villager Manguesh Kuttikar’s question, who sought to know why the panchayat is hesitant to act on rampant illegalities despite his several pleas against the same.

Later speaking to Herald, Sarpanch Dias reiterated the fact that those who are indulging in illegalities use their political clout and pressurize panchayat authorities from taking any action.

Earlier, Manguesh Kuttikar informed that in the draft Regional Plan 2021, it was suggested that no construction activity should be allowed in orchards and forest areas. But, ignoring the same several construction activities are being undertaken in the village in areas which are notified as orchards and forest areas in the draft RP. He cited one example, where one person, despite being denied permission to set up a farm

ZP member overshadows Sarpanch!

HERALD CORRESPONDENT MERCES, APRIL 25

With Curca Sarpanch Subhash Dias admitting the interference of politicians in the panchayat affairs, it was no surprise then that the newly elected Santa Cruz ZP member Adv Suresh Palkar was having more say in the conduct of gram sabha meeting then the Sarpanch himself.

In fact, Adv Palkar was himself answering queries of the villagers and even suggesting solutions to the same.

When contacted, Sarpanch Subhash informed that it was at his instance that Adv Palkar was invited to take the dais at the gram sabha meeting and air his views to the villagers.

Adv Palkar, however, said that having been elected ZP member and due to the request of the Sarpanch, he sat on the dais, otherwise he would have been sitting among the villagers.

On his repeated replies to queries raised by the villagers, Adv Palkar said that he was only enlightening the villagers on the issues which were highly contentious and in no way was he trying to impose himself at the gram sabha.

He further said that being a Curca villager, he has always been in the forefront of discussing issues which are favourable or otherwise detrimental for the village and that today, too, it was no different. house, has begun construction villagers. of a bungalow in the area in Taking up the issue of Curca gross violation of all the rules spring, Manguesh said it is a and regulations in place. heritage of the village, which Manguesh also pleaded with needs to be conserved for future the panchayat to act on illegal- generation. He then repriities on its own and not to wait manded the panchayat authorto receive objection from the ities for ignoring the spring and

demanded that steps be immediately taken to restore the spring to its past glory, and making it a tourist spot.

Dilip Kuttikar suggested that water from the Curca spring could be har vested, which would benefit the villagers to a large extent and help in solving the water woes of the village.

Manguesh also moved a resolution urging the panchayat to use the area, which was earlier acquired by the government for Central jail, to develop sports infrastructure for the benefit of the village youth.

The issue of panchayat ghar was also hotly demanded and villagers suggested that the authorities immediately take steps to get a renovated premises for the panchayat, as the current premises is hardly enough to accommodate the panchayat staff and other officials.

On the issue of identifying a garbage disposal site for Curca, no clear consensus could be reached as the villagers were not in favour of allowing the site to be set up in the area, since they felt that the site would be used only for dumping garbage and not for treating the garbage.

Photo by Rozario Estibeiro Three persons were injured when a slab of a under-construction building behind the Goa Science Centre, Miramar collapsed on Sunday.

GOACAN calls for greater collaboration to combat malaria HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 25

Goa Civic and Consumer Action Network (GOACAN) has called for a greater collaboration among government agencies to combat malaria.

In a press note issued here, the GOACAN has said that there is a need for greater collaboration amongst government departments and corporations to combat malaria and other vector borne diseases so that an effective strategy can be adopted for Goa.

Kiosk near Raia Church gutted HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 25

The kiosk which was gutted in a fire at Raia.

Photo by Savio Dias

DM says will direct authorities to implement High Court order South Goa District Magistrate G P Naik stated that he would direct the concerned authorities to implement the High Court order to stop overloading of mining trucks plying via Quepem and Sanguem.

Naik convened a meeting of top officials on Saturday to direct them on the High Court order passed on April 22. Naik further stated that he would issue a notification on this order on Monday and direct all authorities to implement the order.

Meanwhile, narrating the sequence of events at the meeting convened by Quepem Taluka Mining Affected People’s Front

(QTMAPF) at Quepem on Saturday, John Fernandes stated that he was taking photos near the Quepem Cemetery, where there was a traffic jam.

“A police patrol jeep was parked at the site and two police officials were regulating traffic as one mining truck had a breakdown. Quepem police overlooked this and entertained the complaint filed by Faldessai and Pereira against Pobre and myself,” said John.

The QTMAPF claimed that the complaint filed against John and Pobre was concocted as the verbal recording on the mobile had indicated otherwise.

The QTMAPF further condemned the Quepem police for

failing to take action on the complaint filed by John, who was allegedly assaulted at the police station by one accused and a relative.

On Saturday, QTMAPF members reported the incident to the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police (South) and requested them to take stern action against the accused.

Meanwhile on Saturday morning, the District Magistrate convened a meeting of top officials to direct them on the High Court order passed on April 22. He further stated that he would issue a notification on this order on Monday and direct all authorities to implement the order.

overlaps and generating rapid action.

“The involvement of the village-based civic and consumer forums will be a boon to the ongoing campaign to prevent the spread of malaria and other vector borne diseases,” Martins further stated.

Further, the note adds, the recent findings from inter-sectoral discussions and site inspections have shown that the prevention campaign can get better results if the departments of labour, public works,

Penha-de-Franca gram sabha witnesses noisy scenes over illegal constructions

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 25

The Goa Union of Journalists (GUJ) has condemned the assault on Herald correspondent John Fernandes and Pobre Fernandes, who were assaulted by two persons on Friday.

It may be recalled that Herald’s correspondent John Fernandes and Pobre Fernandes were assaulted on Friday, when John tried to click photos of mining traffic congestion at Quepem.

John Fernandes and Pobre Fernandes later filed a police complaint against the accused, Prasad Faldessai and Eupociano Pereira with the Quepem police. Faldessai and Pereira later filed a counter police complaint accusing John and Pobre of blocking the mining traffic.

GUJ president Prakash Kamat today strongly condemned the incident and has demanded immediate action against the accused.

“The incidents against journalists have been increasing due to the inaction by the police,” Kamat said.

Rane stresses on proper utilisation of water source HERALD CORRESPONDENT VALPOI, APRIL 25

Speaker Pratapsing Rane unveils the plaque at Thane-Sattari.

Photo by Ashraf Khan

Such collaboration will ensure effective participation from village panchayats, municipal councils and voluntary organisations, GOACAN co-ordinator Roland Martins said in a press release.

GOACAN has welcomed the government’s acceptance of its roposal to set up block level committees under the chairmanship of the deputy collector to unify efforts at the taluka level to get better results from joint programs, sharing of data, identifying problems areas, avoiding

water resources, panchayats and municipal administration accept their specific role and contribution in the prevention campaign.

“Such an effort will result in budget allocation, review of licensing and data collection systems and better inspection and enforcement procedures,” Martins stated.

For the year 2010, GOACAN has proposed that at the village panchayat level collaboration be encouraged amongst the DHS promoted village health and sanitation committee, the PWD promoted village water supply and sanitation committee and the garbage management committee promoted by the department of science, technology an environment so as to make the malaria prevention campaign result oriented.

GUJ flays assault on correspondent

OVERLOADING OF MINING TRUCKS

HERALD NEWS BUREAU PANJIM, APRIL 25

A kiosk located near the Raia Church was completely gutted in a major fire in the wee hours of Sunday.

The total loss caused by the destruction of property was pegged at Rs 90,000. Margao Fire Services informed that they received a fire call at around 2.55 am today stating that a kiosk was engulfed in fire. A fireman said the entire kiosk belonging to Santosh Prabhu was in flames when a fire tender reached the spot, totally gutting the structure. The exact cause of the fire is being ascertained.

Further, the note adds, the recent findings from inter-sectoral discussions and site inspections have shown that the prevention campaign can get better results if the departments of labour, public works, water resources, panchayats and municipal administration accept their specific role and contribution in the prevention campaign.

Speaker Pratapsing Rane has stated that proper utilisation and precise management on availability of water source will enhance agricultural activity.

Rane was speaking at the foundation stone laying function for a flood protection wall at Harizan Wada, Dongurlim-Sattari.

“The government has spent Rs 5 crore in Sattari and about 13 bandharas were constructed. Water source is available in abundance in Sattari, but people must use it properly, added Rane.

He further said education and awareness in agriculture sector is the need of the hour.

Water Resource Department Chief Engineer

Nadkarni informed that the length of protection wall is 270 mts with a height of 3 mts and the tendered cost of the project is Rs 96,19,114.

“The flood protection wall was proposed along the Velus River bank at Harizanwada to protect houses. Every year during monsoon, the river overflows and water enters the village, thereby damaging many houses and agricultural property,” said the chief engineer.

“Besides, the flood causes constant erosion of the bank, which causes huge loss and with the completion of the project, it will be beneficial to 35 houses in the village,” he added.

Thane Sarpanch Prakash Gaonkar and Panch Suranga Naik also expressed their views on the project and highlighted various project undertaken by the irrigation department.

Residents argue at Penha de Franca gram sabha.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, APRIL 25

The Penha-de-Franca gram sabha on Sunday witnessed noisy scenes over illegal constructions and encroachments on open spaces in the panchayat area.

Raising the issue, Shekhar Vaigankar stated that lot of illegal constructions and encroachments on open spaces have been taking place in the panchayat area. He also sought to know whether the panchayat has granted permission for a bar and restaurant located in Ward No 8.

Panchayat Secretary M S Mardolkar clarified stating that as per their records, no permission has been granted for a bar and restaurant and the owner has been advised to submit the documents, if any, by April 30.

The residents complained that several mobile phone towers have been erected on the rooftops of the buildings and sought to know whether all the towers are illegal.

In his reply, Sarpanch Gopal Sawant clarified that there are altogether seven mobile phone towers in the panchayat area and some of the towers have been erected illegally.

“The panchayat has sent notices to the house owners who have permitted mobile phone companies to erect towers on their houses illegally, demanding

Photo by Anil Shankhwalker

Raising the issue, Shekhar Vaigankar stated that lot of illegal constructions and encroachments on open spaces have been taking place in the panchayat area. He also sought to know whether the panchayat has granted permission for a bar and restaurant located in Ward No 8. explanation from them,” said the sarpanch.

“The towers which are legal are paying the panchayat a sum of Rs 5,000 every year,” added the sarpanch.

Sarpanch Bhiku Sawant further informed that the amount of Rs 5,000 is very small considering the huge rent/fees being paid by the mobile phone companies to the house owners and hence the amount of fees should be increased by the panchayat.

Agnel Pereira said the presence of ward members is very important in the gram sabha.

“This has been emphasized in each and every meeting, but it appears that ward members are not serious about the gram sabha,” he added.

Milind Anvekar complained that no action is being taken on the resolutions adopted in the gram sabha and there is no point is taking resolution, if panchayat is not serious about the development of the village. Vrunda Borkar suggested that the road in Walkeshwada-Betim may be widened.

On behalf of the panchayat, Vinod Kumbharjuvekar presented the annual statement of accounts of Income and Expenditure for 2009-10. During financial year 2009-10, the panchayat has received total grant of Rs 50.86 lakh from the government. The panchayat has collected Rs 24.80 lakh by way of taxes and Rs 10.86 lakh by way of construction and other fees.

On the expenditure front, the panchayat has spent Rs 71.50 lakh on public works, Rs 13.04 lakh on administration and Rs 7.72 lakh on sanitation and public health.

“The house tax arrears have mounted to a staggering Rs 49.95 lakh,” Kumbarjuvekar told gram sabha members.

The gram sabha was held in the premises of Vidhya Prabodhini High School.

Earlier, Sarpanch Gopal Sawant welcomed the gathering, while Panchayat Secretary M S Mardolkar read the minutes of the gram sabha held in January.

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Meet calls for major change in State’s political arena Vows to change democratic governance

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 25

A meeting of Non-Governmental Organizations from across the State under the banner of People for Political Sanity (PPS) has called for a major change in Goa’s political arena and vowed to change the democratic governance by having total control over the elected MLAs with participation of the people.

Charging the ruling dispensation for functioning against the wishes and will of its people, the meeting underlined the need for the people to exercise their right to select candidates with vision for elections for the Legislative Assembly.

After much deliberations the meeting adopted a host of resolutions, calling for the immediate implementation of Special Status for Goa. Demanding the introduction of Lokayukta in the State, the meeting called for a ban on second term for the MLAs and reiterated the demand to enforce the right to recall nonperforming people’s representatives.

While calling for the introduction of Police Reforms Act, it has called for surprise checks by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau at all government offices.

Expressing concern over the illegal mining in the State, the

Santa Cruz picnickers meet watery grave HERALD CORRESPONDENT COLLEM, APRIL 25

A picnic ended in a tragedy when two persons from Santa Cruz drowned in Dudhsagar River near Signal Kond, Collem, on Sunday at about 12.30 pm.

According to Collem PI Manoj Mardolkar, a family from Santa Cruz had gone for a picnic at Signal Kond, Dudhsagar, where deceased Vaibhav Chandraksha Rane (26) and Yuvraj Jaganath Igal (24) went for a swim.

PI Mardolkar further informed that Rane and Igal were soon struggling in the deep waters. After family members cried for help, some locals rushed to the site and fished out both the bodies.

On getting the information from the locals, Collem Police Premanand Sawant, Pradeep Gauns, Hasan Patel, Parshuram Patil, Mukhesh Fal and Sandeep Naik rushed to the site.

Collem police have sent the bodies to GMC Hospital in Bambolim for post mortem.

Ornaments stolen from Arpora temple

Serve memos on JEs, MMC chief asks CO HERALD REPORTER MARGO, APRIL 25

The meeting organized by PPS at the Grace Church hall on Sunday. Photo by Sidharth Mehta

meeting called for the implementation of the Act properly and called upon the government to exercise control on the prices of food and basic amenities.

While lamenting the spurt in mega housing projects, the meeting called for a ban on the unplanned development projects.

A resolution was adopted to preserve the mountains, paddy

fields, forest, khazans, orchards, sand dunes, valleys, springs, communidade land and heritage sites.

Saying that Goan society is today fragmented along political and community based lines, the meeting lamented that net beneficiaries of the situation are surplus politicians who are out to plunder natural resources and amassing additional wealth to their means

of income.

The meeting was attended by the leaders and representatives of Goa Suraj, Popular Front of India, United Goans Welfare Front, Jai Damodar Association, Margao Seva Association, Goenkarancho Orixtt Avaz, Collective People’s Voice of South Goa, Maddel Citizens Forum, Bailancho Ekvott, Xetkarancho Ekvott, Colva Civic and Consumer Forum.

Sarpanch vows to save eroded Majorda-Utorda beach stretch HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 25

Soil erosion on the Majorda-Utorda stretch of the beach figured at the gram sabha of Majorda village Panchayat on Sunday with Sarpanch Visitation D’Silva promising the members to take up the work on a priority basis.

At the Sunday gram sabha, which was attended

by Benaulim MLA and Tourism Minister, Mickky Pacheco, members expressed concern over the beach erosion taking place at a fast pace and felt the authorities should intervene and save the pristine beach stretch from total destruction.

Sarpanch D’Silva informed the members the steps are taken by her with concerned authorities, including the Water Resources department to implement the beach protection measures.

She said the Panchayat would also solicit cooperation and assistance from the starred resorts to help protect the beach stretch. In this connection, the Sarpanch informed that a team of officials from the Water Resources Department will come down to Majorda on Tuesday to inspect the beach stretch and suggests measures.

The sarpanch said the panchayat would impress upon the WRD officials to implement the beach management plan a la Betalbatim already put in place by the government.

Tourism Minister Mickky Pacheco, who made his presence felt at the meeting at the invitation of the Sarpanch to hear the grievances of the villagers, promised all out help to the panchayat body to carry out development.

The minister told the panchayat to adopt res-

olutions on developmental projects and communicate the same to him to execute the projects.

He informed the members that the Tourism Department has funds to take up roads and other beautification projects and assured to utilize the funds for the village development.

The gram sabha complimented the local MLA for his decision to desilt the Tolleabandh Lake at his cost following the initiative taken by Adv Radhrao Gracias and Thomas.

Meanwhile, the absence of linesmen to attend to street lights maintenance figured at the gram sabha meeting. Agitated members pointed out that the street lights have been non-functioning in recent times, leaving several roads in darkness.

The Sarpanch agreed with the members and said the two linesmen working in the MajordaUtorda area are currently injured thus causing inconveniences to the villagers.

The gram sabha meeting also approved the annual budget estimates after deliberations on the proposals. The issue over recovery of tax arrears from the starred hotels also figured during the discussions, with the Sarpanch re-assuring the members that the arrears would be recovered from the hotels after following the due process of law.

The sarpanch also read out at the meeting the correspondence the Panchayat received from a starred hotel on the question of recovery of arrears and reiterated the Panchayat’s resolve to recover the amount earlier waived by the body after following legal process.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, APRIL 25

Gold and Silver ornaments worth Rs 1.5 lakh were stolen from Ganesh Temple, Arpora, early Sunday morning.

According to Anjuna Police PI Manjunath Dessai, the incident came to light when the temple sweeper went to the temple at about 6.30 pm. The sweeper immediately informed the temple committee members, who in turn lodged police complaint.

PI Dessai informed that the burglars entered the temple by break opening the back door of the temple. The burglars broke open the cupboard with the help of an iron rod. PI Dessai further informed that gold and silver chains, crown and cash of Rs 10,200, all worth Rs 1.5 were stolen. A dog squad was pressed into service. PI Dessai is investigating.

CONSTRUCTION LICENSES

People from far and wide came to buy fresh water lake fish at Curtorim on Sunday. Photo: Sidharth Mehta

Beeline for fresh water lake fish at Curtorim HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 25

Lovers of fresh water lake fish made a beeline to sleepy Curtorim village in the wee hours of Sunday for the much-sought after Chonak, Pitol, Khal and other varieties of local fish.

Sunday saw harvesting of fish at the main Curtorim Lake, opposite St Alex Church and at Ralloi Tollem, near Narrow Gate.

The rush for the local variety of fish was such that the catch got over within hours of the harvest.

Rui Menezes, who had bagged the rights to harvest fish at the main Curtorim Lake via auc-

tion, said natural fish such as Killapi, Pintoll, Daddi and other varieties was much sought after today.

He said that people came from as far as Panjim, Vasco, Curchorem besides many parts of Salcete to buy the fish. A kilogram of fish was priced at around Rs 50.

People were also seen in large numbers at the Ralloi Tollem, which was harvested for the first time on Sunday. This is the normal time of the year that the fresh water lakes in Curtorim are harvested for the fish – an activity which evokes response from far and wide every year.

The bitter row whether City Fathers are entitled to seek information on construction licenses from the Municipal engineers has deepened in the Margao civic body with the Municipal Chairperson asking the Chief Officer to serve memos on Junior engineers for their stand that they cannot place such information before the Council.

An agitated MMC Chairperson Savio Coutinho is believed to have put up a note to the newlyappointed Chief Officer Y B Tawde to issue memo’s to the Junior Engineers for their explanations that they cannot dish out information on construction licenses issued by them to the elected Councillors.

The latest development comes against the backdrop of the note from the outgoing C h i e f O f f i c e r, P r a s a n n a Acharya, which seeks to pain the councillors in bad light, by pointing out that certain councillors raised issue regarding construction only to settle for a consideration with the builders.

Asks MMC Chairperson, Coutinho: “How can a group of Junior Engineers conclude that information sought on the question of construction licenses issued to builders cannot be given to the Chairperson or the Councillors”.

It is learnt that the Junior Engineers in the municipal body had put up a note to the Chairperson saying that rules does not permit them to give information sought on the number of construction licenses.

The Junior Engineers are believed to have contended that the technical section issues the construction licenses and occupancy certificates based on the plan and completion certificates issued by the South Goa Planning and Development Authority.

The controversy arose after Coutinho in a letter to then Chief Officer Prasanna Acharya sought information on the number of construction licenses issued in the city and the compliance of conditions on infrastructure re-

Increase bundh length, urge Mayem locals HERALD CORRESPONDENT MAYEM, APRIL 25

Residents of Bhatwadi-Mayem have requested the Mineral Foundation of Goa to increase the length of the bundh by another 1.5 kms to avoid likely losses to 38 farmers residing in the area.

According to the residents, there is a canal located adjacent to the farms from Bhatwadi, which carries excess water from Mayem Lake to the farms, thereby benefiting the farmers.

However during rainy season, the excess water causes tremendous losses to the farmers every year. To avoid the losses, the farmers had requested the Mineral Foundation of Goa to undertake construction of a bundh adjacent to the canal and accordingly a 2-km stretch of bundh was constructed.

However, the farmers have claimed that the constructed bundh will not be sufficient to protect the farms of all the farmers and as such there is a need to increase the length of the bundh by another 1.5 kms to save the farms of 38 more farmers residing in the area.

An agitated MMC Chairperson Savio Coutinho is believed to have put up a note to the newlyappointed CO Y B Tawde to issue memo’s to the JEs for their explanations that they cannot dish out information on construction licenses issued by them to the elected Councillors. quirements such as waste disposal, parking etc.

Says Coutinho: “I want to make it very clear that I have not asked the technical section to route the files relating to construction license to my office. I understand that approving construction files is the domain of the technical section, but at least the elected representatives have the basic right to know how many licenses have been cleared in the last two years,” he said.

Coutinho said that when a common citizen can obtain the information via the Right to Information Act, it is surprising that the Municipal technical section does not want to dish out the information to the elected representatives.

On the row over the remarks by outgoing CO Prasanna Acharya seeking to blame Councilors for trying to settle with builders after raising issues over constructions, Coutinho shot back “The outgoing CO has only tried to divert the main issue, whether or not, the elected Councillors are entitled for information on construction licenses issued by the civic body.

If Acharya was sincere enough, he should have named the concerned councillor, instead of beating around the bush,” he asserted.

Woman found dead at Betalbatim

MARGAO, APRIL 25 (HR) -- The Colva has recovered a body of a 70year-old unknown woman lying in the fields at Betalbatim.The police said the tall thin built woman was wearing a green blouse.The body has been preserved at the mortuary and the police have requested the people to cooperate to identify and take possession of the body.

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GOA, MONDAY, 26 APRIL, 2010

Development lacking the desired speed: Shantaram

HERALD CORRESPONENT CANACONA, APRIL 25

Rajya Sabha MP Shantaram Naik has stated that coalition governments should not be seen as a hindrance in delivering its goods to the people.

Naik was speaking after laying the foundation stone for a laboratory and library block at Shri Mallikarjun Vidyalaya, one of the oldest institutions in Canacona taluka, run by Centro Promotor de Instrucao.

However, Naik stopped short of naming any particular government, either at the centre or in the State, both of which have coalition arrangements, but consented that development is indeed lacking in the desired speed.

The ground plus one library and laboratory block is constructed under MPLAD fund at a cost of Rs 25 lakh and according to Naik; this is his second project for Canconcars in his capacity as Rajya Sabha member.

I am against facilitating funds under MPLAD fund other than for general public benefit, but I feel sorry to say that none from Canacona have approached me with such proposals. Even though my quota for Canacona is over, I am still open to contribute from my MPLAD fund if any general public interest proposal is submitted.

Claiming that the State is presently reeling under some 78 major problems, including

Rajya Sabha MP Shantaram Naik lays the foundation stone for the library and laboratory block at Shri Mallikarjun School in Char-Rasta, Canacona.

Photo by Kathy Pereira

widening of National Highway (including long awaited bridges at Talpona and Galgibaga), expansion of Dabolim airport, new airport at Mopa, SEZ and CRZ, the MP said the government should ensure that progress takes place.

Naik, however, lamented at the functioning of the bureaucracy and strongly felt that the

Two educationists feted at Quepem HERALD CORRESPONDENT CURCHOREM, APRIL 25

Quepem Taluka level school complex committee recently felicitated its two members on their retirement from service.

OLM Poor High School, Tilamol, headmaster John Mendonsa and Quepem Assistant District Education Inspector B Agnelo Colaco were felicitated at a function organized at Borimol-Quepem.

Speaking on the occasion, former minister and Headmaster Prakash Shanker Velip said a good teacher hardly retires from social life, on the contrary he can serve better to the society after his super annotative retirement.

Quepem TLSCC President Deepak Dessai appreciated the contributions of Mendonsa and Colaco. “Their organizing skills

will be the guiding force for TLSCC activities in future,” he added. Mendonsa and Colaco were honoured with shawl, Shrifal and memento.

Musical evening

PANJIM(HND): Holy Cross Youth of Murda-Grande, Nuvem will organize their XVIth annual Traditional Musical Evening and Cultural Programme on the occasion of the feast of Holy Cross on May 3, at Murda Grande, Nuvem.

Bands performing are Blue Waves and Trix, besides dances, fancy dress competition will also be held. On May 4, Holy Cross Youth have organized a Konkani drama “Mhaka Ghodlam Tem” written and directed

by Comedian Ambe.

state should have its own IAS bureaucrat cadre, instead of depending on a common cadre involving several other states.

“It is because of their non-seriousness, development of our State is not upright, as most of them under-perform as they don’t have any love for the State,” said Naik.

In his address, Canacona MLA

Team to survey insurance sector

Konkani Cinema Day was celebrated at a function jointly organized by Dalgado Konkani Academy and Tiatr Academi at Tiatr Academy hall yesterday.

Menino Peres, Director of Information and Publicity was the chief guest while Dharmanad Verneker was the guest of honour.

Konkani cinema day is observed to commemorate the screening of first Konkani movie Mogacho Anvddo 60 years ago.

Bernatte Jerry Braganza who attended the celebrations inaugurated the photo exhibition on first Konkani movie and progress.

Speaking on the occasion, Peres Director of Information & Publicity said that the producers

MFG urged to increase bundh length HERALD CORRESPONDENT MAYEM, APRIL 25

Residents of Bhatwadi-Mayem have requested the Mineral Foundation of Goa (MFG) to increase the length of the bundh by another 1.5 kms to avoid likely losses to 38 farmers residing in the area.

According to the residents, there is a canal lo cated adjacent to the farms from Bhatwadi, which carries excess water from Mayem Lake to the farms, thereby benefiting the farmers.

However during rainy season, the excess water causes tremendous losses to the farmers every year. To avoid the losses, the farmers had requested the Mineral Foundation of Goa to undertake construction of a bundh adjacent to the canal and accordingly a 2-km stretch of bundh was constructed.

in Goa should seriously take their career in film production and produce standardized Konkani movies on the lines of “Amchem Noxib” and “Nirmon”.

The timely help by Goa Government in the shape of Goa film finance scheme is coming forward and said that revised scheme will be re-launched on April 28 at the hands of Chief Minister Digambar V Kamat.

Peres said that dedication and motivation to produce standard Konkani films so that all section in the Konkani society accept them as the true projection of the life.

Dharmanand Vernekar said that his experience in film production in Mumbai and other parts of the country will be utilized in producing quality films in Konkani. He asked the producers to have a cohesive approach and take the benefit of

HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 25

An all India survey in rural and urban areas is being undertaken through a network of number of research organisation under National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), to assess the insurance awareness level.

The findings of the survey would immensely help the IRDA in development and promoting efficiency of the insurance sector, evolving appropriate regulatory mechanism for policy holder's protection, dispute resolution mechanism and regulating the intermediaries.

All the concerned in this connection, are therefore urged to extend all possible assistance and prompt co-operation to the survey field team approaching them, in order to collect the necessary information in the questionnaire, so as to complete the work within stipulate time.

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat along with his senior cabinet colleagues recently reviewed the pre-monsoon works to be undertaken so that the people are not put to hardship on onset of monsoon.

The meeting which was held at the Secretariat discussed at length the various works to be undertaken and finalized a plan of action for the State administration.

Home Minister Ravi S Naik, Revenue Minister Jose Phillip D’Souza, Water Resources Minister Phillip Neri Rodrigues, Power Minister Aleixo Sequeira, Panchayat Minister Manohar (Babu) Azgaonkar, Acting Chief Secretary Narendra Kumar and other Secretaries to government deliberated in the meeting.

the film scheme to be launched by the Goa Government.

Tomazinho Cardozo president of Tiart academy said that Konkani cinema day should be celebrated at State Level and in this connection he had give a proposal to this effect to ESG. Premanand Lotlikar president of Dalgado Konkani academy proposed a vote of thanks. An exhibition of Al Jerry Braganza’s films was organized on the occasion arranged by Sergio Brangaza relative of Al Jerry Braganza.

A Konkani film “Nisha” produced by Neville Pereira which was screened on the occasion was well appreciated by the audience. Among those present were Teotonio Pereira ex-MLA, Yusuf Shaikh Konkani poet, Shirang Narvekar, Dilip Borkar and others.

HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 25

The State Ex-Cadets of NCC Association,(SENA), Goa will organize ExNCC Achievement Awards function in June to felicitate ex-NCC cadets who are doing well in the society in order to motivate the young NCC cadets to come up and excel in life.

This was decided at a meeting of the State Ex-Cadets of NCC Association,(SENA), held under the Chairmanship of its President, Adv Avinash Bhosle at India International Centre, Dona Paula recently.

A Screening committee was also nominated under the Chairmanship of Dr Edward D’Lima and comprising of members Adv Avinash Bhosle and Maj Venugopal Nair. Pradip Sawant was appointed the Project Manager for this important project.

Secretary of the Association Pramod Naik read out the memorandum and rules and regulations of the association and obtained signatures from the members. The members felt that the association be registered soon under the societies registration act.

Adv Avinash Bhosle expressed happiness that several ex-cadets have approached him for membership which is a good thing.

However he said every membership will be scrutinized by the managing committee of the Association.

Adv Bhosle mooted an idea for a NCC Bhavan in Goa where all battalions will be housed under one roof and some place will be give to the ex-Cadets keeping in line with the Gov-

nAdv Avinash Bhosle expressed happiness that several ex-cadets have approached him for membership which is a good thing. However he said every membership will be scrutinized by the managing committee of the Association. ernment of India’s police of keeping a bond with ex-cadets.

Bhosle said, he has received an offer from the Vice Chancellor of a Open University for a project with NCC cadets in Goa. He said it would be a unique educational project to taken up by the association.

Several projects were planned on the occasion which included organization of adventure activities for members and NCC cadets, motivating the young boys and girls to join the armed forces, conducting career guidance programmes, beach cleaning, Air Rifle and Air pistol shooting practices, organizing SSB coaching classes and others.

The meeting was attended by Dinar Singhbal, Dr Edward de Lima, Dr Subir Sansguiri, Pandurang Hegde, Pramod Naik and others.

Digambar reviews pre-monsoon works; state action plan finalised

HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 25

Konkani Cinema Day celebrated HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 25

Vijay Pai Khot lauded the MPLAD grant and said the improvement in the library and laboratory in Canacona would help stop the exodus of people to cities to ensure a high standard of education.

Earlier Centro Promoter de Instrucao President Vikas Dessai welcomed the gathering, while treasurer Anil Dessai later proposed the vote of thanks.

Ex-NCC ‘sena’ to felicitate cadets

Pissurlekar elected Keri society chief HERALD CORRESPONDENT MAYEM, APRIL 25

Chandrakant Pissurlekar was unanimously elected chairman of Keri Urban Co-operative Credit Society Ltd for 2010-15.

Pissurlekar was elected for the fifth consecutive term in the recently held elections.

Other office bearers elected are Sripad Naik (vice chairman), Arjun Gawas, Jaidev Gawas, Ramesh parodkar, Laxman Majik, Deepak Narvekar, Ramnath Gawas, Rajendra Gawas and Satish Pissurlekar (directors).

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman Pissurlekar said the society has earned a net profit of Rs 17.40 lakh for the last financial year and deposits have increased up to Rs 2.40 crore.

Kamat directed the State Administration that no stone should be left unturned to alleviate the sufferings and miseries that are caused to the people due the vagaries of nature. He said that the revenue administration should take all measures in advance so that the people are not put into hardship.

The Chief Minister has announced a plan of action after the threadbare discussion which is as follows: setting up of control rooms, identify low lying areas and make preparedness in case of calamities, issue warning signs and emergency notices, undertake felling of trees in dangerous position, desilt nullas in panchayat and municipal areas and revise state natural calamity relief and make preparedness for timely relief.

Both Collectors North and

South and concerned heads of departments attended the meeting.

The chief minister addressed another meeting held to review water supply position in the State which was attended by Chief Engineers of PWD, Water Resources and Power.

The chief minister directed that not a single village in the state should remain without supply of drinking water and asked the PWD and Water resources engineers to work hand in hand to supply drinking water even by laying additional pipelines in case of need. He said that in the places where water could not reach, the water tankers should be deployed.

“Water is basic necessity and I consider that it is my basic duty to supply this essential element of life” Kamat added.

foundation stone for Ozari bridge laid HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 25

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat laid the foundation stone for construction of bridge between Tharmas to Sangoawada, Ozari in Pernem. Panchayat Minister Babu Azgaokar and GSIDC ViceChairman Francisco Silveira were also present at the function.

Kamat said that the government is committed for the welfare of the common people and appealed to the people of the state to cooperate with the government endeavour to make Goa a model welfare state. He said, basic requirements of roads, water and power supply are being fulfilled and people are demanding qualitative change.

Speaking further Kamat said the government has been suc-

cessful to achieve notable progress and meet the aspirations of the people with the efforts put in by the panchayats minister tremendous progress is visible in Dhargal area and added that the proposed international airport at Mopa and sports city at Dhargal will accelerate the pace of development in Pernem, besides generating employment avenues to unemployed youths.

Azgaokar said that during last ten years many developmental projects like Chandel water treatment plant, Ozari-Pirna bridge, construction of various roads, communityy halls, hotmixing of roads etc have ben taken up in Dhargal area and sought cooperation from the villagersfor the proposed sports city.

Anjuna parishioners felicitate Fr Romualdo HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, APR 24

Parishioners of St Michael Church, Anjuna, felicitated their well-known son of the soil Fr Romualdo D'Souza on Friday for his meritorious service in the field of education.

Fr D’Souza was felicitated by Anjuna Parish Priest Fr Agapito D’Cunha in presence of Vagator Parish Priest Fr Edward D'Souza, Dy Chairman of Planning Commission Dr Wilfred D'Souza, Superior of St Michael's Convent Sr Pushpa and Anjuna Sarpanch Sandip Chimulkar and a host of dignitaries.

A large number of Parishioners of Anjuna were present on the occasion.

Congratulating the Padmashree awardee Fr Rumauldo D’Souza, Fr D’Cunha urged the parishioners to follow in the footsteps of its exemplary stars of the soil like Venerable Agnelo D’Souza.

Fr D’Cunha also had a word of praise for the sisters of St

Fr Romualdo D'Souza releases the souvenir of the St Michael's Church, Anjuna Souvenir in the presence of Dy Chairman of Planning Commission Dr Wilfred D’Souza and Anjuna Parish Priest Fr Agapito D’Cunha.

Photo by Thomas Fernandes

Michael School for their services in the field of education at An-

juna.

In his reply, Fr D'Souza ap-

preciated the gesture of the parishioners of Anjuna and

highlighted the importance of education.

“It is not titles like Padmashree that matters, but your willingness to do something to the society is more important. Today, education is a very valuable and it is the need of the hour to have a good society through value based education to the children with good ethics,” said Fr D’Souza.

Earlier, Fr D’Souza, Dr Wilfred D’Souza, Sandip Chimulkar, Fr Agapito D'Cunha and Sr Pushpa lit the traditional lamp to inaugurate the 10th Fellowship Week of St Michael's Parish, Anjuna.

The felicitation ceremony was followed by a cultural programme by the parishioners of Anjuna. Fr D’Souza later released the souvenir of the parish.

Collin Pereira compered the programme while Fr D’Cunha later proposed the vote of thanks.

S H O RT TA K E S Fair price shop

PANJIM(HND): Applications are invited form the interested parties residing in the locality of New Colony, Morlem Village Panchayat in Sattari Viz, Co-operative Societies of educated unemployed, registered Co-operative Societies, Educated 'unemployed, Scheduled Cast/Tribes, Freedom fighters, Physically handicapped and other having suitable premises, capital and reasonable business experience to run a Fair price Shop at Morlem.

Majority of the members of Co-operative Societies of Educated unemployed are necessarily required to be educated unemployed and should be on the live register of Employment Exchange for two years and they should be within the age limit of 18 to 35 year of each members.

Educated unemployment should have passed SSC through any recognized school in Goa State, and should be on the live register of the Employment Exchange at least for two years and should be within the age limit of 18 to 35 years. Besides, he should be completely free from encumbrance of studies.

No member of the family of the applicant should have authorization to run the Fair Price Shop in Goa State.

Medical camp at Kudal

PANJIM (HND): Vrundavan Hospital & Research Centre, Mapusa organized a free multi-speciality camp concerning diabetes & hypertension, gastroenterology, general surgery, cardiovascular & thoracic surgery, orthopaedics & ear, nose & throat ailments at Mahalaxmi Hall, Kudal-Maharshtra, recently.

The camp was organized in association with Shri Mahalaxmi Devasthan Prathisthan, Palye (Goa). Dr Ashok Sirsat is Managing Trustee for the Devasthan Pratisthan who has taken a step ahead for the camp.

The Camp started with lighting of lamp by all the present doctors, and a The patients attending this camp were examined

by Dr Digambar Naik, Dr Ashok Sirsat, Dr Irineu Pereira, Dr Ravish Kolwalkar, Dr Aruna Vishwanathan, Dr Sanjay Altekar, Dr Swati Divkar & Dr Sangeeta Raikar.

The patients attended this camp was offered by a free physical examination, a free Blood Sugar check-up for diabetic patients and free medicines.

More than 200 patients took advantage of the camp. They had detailed consultation about their health problems with specialists in the field. All the people had given blessings to organising committee & Vrundavan Hospital Team. A vote of Thanks was given by Tukaram Sirsat.

French classes

PANJIM: Communicare is offering a crash course that will be held from May 3 to 28. Classes will be held 3 times a week of hour and a half duration each at Campal. The preparation course will prepare students for their 10th and 12th std syllabus.

For more information, contact Nalini Souza on 9822586058.

Cookery, bakery classes

PANJIM: A comprehensive course on low fat bakery and cookery classes will be conducted from April 27 by Fatima Moniz in Margao.

The course includes cakes with decoration, desserts (Hot & Cold), pies, tarts (Sweet & savoury), breads, cookies, souffles, mousses and veg/non-veg dishes. The cuisine will be Portugese, Goan, Continental, Italian, Indian etc. Eggless cooking will also be taught. Contact Fatima On 2776035 or 9370275702

Retaining wall at Mayem

MAYEM(HC): Mayem MLA Anant Shet has stressed the need for all-round co-operation of all segments of the society, especially the villagers, to fulfill the dream of village development.

He was recently addressing the gathering after laying the foundation stone for the work of constructing 90 mtrs retaining wall and road widening at Kumbharwada-Mayem.

Mayem Deputy Sarpanch Suhasini Kinalkar, Sitaram Bale, Subha Shet and Uttam Shet were present on the occasion.

Restricted water supply BARDEZ PANJIM (HND): There will be restricted water supply on April 26 to entire Bardez taluka due to low voltage at Assonora water treatment plant caused by less power supply from Chandrapur(Maharashtra-Kolhapur) generator station due to no water at Chandrapur Hydraulic Plant.

PERNEM There will be restricted water supply on April 26 and 27 to entire Pernem taluka due to low voltage at Chandel wtare treatment plant.

POWER SHUTDOWN APRIL 26

PORVORIM: Between 9 am to 2 pm. Areas affected are Khana Khazana, PDA Colony, Tarun Bharat Multigraphics, Teen Builiding, O Coqueiro, Resicom, Gao scan centre and Gauri apartment and surrounding areas.

PORVORIM: Between 2 am to 5.30 pm. Areas affected are Britannia House, Gopal Nagar, Torda, Ramachowad t/c, Alto Torda and surrounding areas.

CHICALIM: Areas affected Holy Cross Colony, Assoi Dongri, MES college and surrounding areas, Chicalim VP. PONDA: Between 7am to 11am. Areas affected are Silvanagar, CMM, Market yard, Bholanath saw mill.

CORLIM: Between 9am to 2pm. Areas affected are PDA colony, Keni colony, Dhulapi and Mollar of Corlim village.

BICHOLIM: Between 9am to 2pm. Areas affected are Kasarpal, Sonar bhat, Falari Ladphem and surrounding areas.

APRIL 27

SANCOALE: Areas affected Pinky Shipyard, Robert Vales Shipyard, Marman Shipyard, Zorint, Sancoale and surrounding areas PORVORIM: Between 9 am to 2 pm. Housing Board, Kranti Nagar, Maruthi Temple, Journalist Colony, Pundalik Nagar, Sunjay School and surrounding areas.

PORVORIM: Between 2 pm to 5.30 pm. Torda, Vijay Nagar, Alto-Torda, Ganesh Temple, Torda, 20-Point Colony and surrounding areas.

PONDA: Between 7am to 11am. Areas affected are Haveli, Surekar Parkar, Nagzari, Antruj Nagar, Panditwada, Upper Bazar, Canara bank, Kaziwada, Super market, Bus stand, Police station, SBI, Goa state co-op. bank.

CARAMBOLIM: Between 9am to 2pm. Areas affected are Jyoti estate, Church wado, Calwado, Volwado of Corlim village, Saklem, Gausbhat, Khandir and Khalpore of Carambolim village.

BICHOLIM: Between 9am to 2pm. Areas affected are Pirna VP, Menkurem VP, Dhumasa VP, Amtane VP and surrounding areas.

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New school admission procedures worry parents HERALD CORRESPONDENT BELGAUM, APRIL 25

The meeting of the headmasters of English Medium schools that was called on April 19 by the Deputy Commissioner of Belgaum has taken the managements of the concerned schools by surprise.

The procedure of admission to the schools was discussed in the meeting. Questions have been also raised as to why school managements were not invited to the meeting.

Moreover, the district authorities have fixed the dates for displaying the list of selected children on May 15 and complete the admission procedure till May 22.

The unusual development has added to the plight of the parents because those who fail to secure admissions in the schools of their choice will certainly have no time left to look for admissions in other schools.

Considering the fact that against the intake of about 180 students, over 1,000 parents fill the admission forms. Thus considering the rejections, large number of parents will not have sufficient time to seek admission for their children in any other school of their choice.

Thus, the orders by the au-

thorities have put the managements of some English medium schools and the parents in jeopardy.

According to sources, Kindergarten admissions do not come under the preview of formal education. Moreover, the schools managed by Christian minorities have better procedure of good administration and there should be no interference.

In fact, the admissions to Kindergarten are done by the management as it does not form part of formal education.

It may be also noted that right to education speaks of children between 6 and 15 years from Std 1. Therefore, the department has no right to interfere with admission policy followed by the management in case of admissions to Kindergarten.

Secondly, these institutions belong to religious minority and unaided and therefore any interference goes against the rights guaranteed by Indian Constitution (30)(1), where the minorities have the right to establish and administer the institution of their choice.

It is learnt that Karnataka Government in its notification says that admission process in any school should start after April

1 every year. If this is the case, then how could district authorities use their power to determine the admission procedure in the minority schools, especially in the schools managed

by Christian minorities?

It is learnt that in Belgaum, certain officials in the education have their own quota for admissions and many parents come with recommendations which are to be questioned.

The heads of the institutions are put under tremendous pressure to oblige the officials’ recommendations which ultimately leads to bad reputation to the institution.

A member of management of one of the schools asked: “If the intake capacity is 180 and over 1,000 forms are issued to the parents, how can the school administration accommodate all the children?”

Thus many parents have voiced that the matter of admission and following of the policy of admission for Kindergarten should be left to the concerned institutions without any external pressure.

“It’s an injustice as it is only our schools that have been singled out by the authorities,” lamented some heads of Christian educational institutions.

Belgaum ZP takes up ecological sanitation HERALD CORRESPONDENT BELGAUM, APRIL 25

The Belgaum Zilla Panchayat has taken up an initiative to promote ecological sanitation in Belgaum district.

Identified as ‘Ecosan’, the new human waste disposal system apart from safeguarding human health and environment will also provide manure for agricultural and gardening purpose. Belgaum has become the first district in north Karnataka to implement this project.

Giving more details about Ecosan, ZP CEO Dr Ekroop Kaur said the Ecosan is sustainable and environment friendly.

“It is one of the best solutions for the growing contamination menace in villages and towns alike, as it recycles human wastes into rich fertilizer. This scheme has been already implemented in Bangalore Rural, Udupi and Raichur districts and is working successfully,” she said.

According to the ZP authorities, the Ecosan promotes good sanitation practices and prevents contamination of water and soil keeping the diseases at bay.

Now, sanitation task force for Mumbai!

PTI MUMBAI, APRIL 25

To ensure that sanitation projects are undertaken by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), its Standing Committee Chairperson Rahul Shewale has hinted at forming a special task force that would keep a tab in the implementation of these projects in the city.

The projects include erecting toilet blocks, reconstruction of dilapidated toilets, setting up of five sdtar hotels in 227 wards along the eastern and western express highways.

"In view of the long pending sanitation projects in the city, I propose for a sanitation special task force for Mumbai, especially, for this purpose that would keep an eye on these projects and ensure that they are completed on time," Shewale said.

Out of the 35,000 toilet seats to be built by the year 2011, only 1,538 seats have been built yet in the last five years since 2005.

Even the 35,000 toilet seats promised have taken a lifetime to come. When the project was envisaged, the demand must have been that of 35,000 seats but now the demand must have surely increased, Shewale said.

Quoting, the United Nations D e v e l o p m e n t P ro g r a m m e

Hubby held for wife’s death

Mani Ratnam and A R Rahman's much awaited music for "Raavan" was unveiled here last night amid spirited performances by Abhishek Bachchan and A R Rahman among others.

The highlight of the event was Aishwarya Rai, draped in a cream colour Saree with red embroidery, as the host to introduce the film.

One of the songs of the film "Beera Beera" launched last week as a teaser has already created a buzz.

Lyricist Gulzar and director Mani Ratnam also attended the music launch.

Recalling her experiences working on the film, Aishwarya said Mani Ratnam had given her a fair idea of his "Raavan" concept while shooting for "Guru" three years ago.

"For the song Nanna re, I was dancing in full abundance in the rain. Little did I know that Mani was in the process of making a decision, that I will be his new character Ragini for Raavan," she said.

Aishwarya said as Mani narrated Raavan to her, she was hooked on. "What is unique about Mani is that he draws you in his world through the narration," she said adding that Ragini is a unique woman and a strong

"Despite being given a budgetary grant of Rs 91 crore for setting up five-star toilets in all the wards, the project hasn't seen much progress on ground.

For reconstruction of toilets, Rs 20 crore has been allocated but not a single toilet has been taken up for renovation under this scheme," he said.

"Looking at the delay, I propose that a special Deputy Municipal Commissioner (DMC) be appointed to be in-charge of the task force, which will be headed by the Standing Committee Chairman and whose implementation report will be presented to the committee itself every three months," Shewale said.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT BELGAUM, APRIL 25

After intensive interrogation of the five suspected terrorists arrested in Hubli and Belgaum recently at an undisclosed location near Kalghatgi for the last two days, the local police handed them over to Bangalore crime branch on Wednesday.

The local police interrogated them throughout Wednesday to know whether they had any links with terror suspect Yasin Bhatkal.

According to sources, the five were also taken to a forest area at Kirvatti near Kalghatgi as part of their interrogation.

Governor of Maharashtra K. Sankaranarayanan addressing his speech at the prestigious Arya Vaidyan P. V. Rama Varier Memorial Brihatrayee Ratna Award to well known Ayurveda physicians Vaidya Vilas Nanal and Vaidya Ramesh Nanal at a programme in (Balgandharva Rangamandir) Pune, on Saturday night.

Elephant Census in South India UNI BANGALORE, APRIL 25

A two-day Census of Elephants in Southern States of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh will be held on May 15 and 16.

Karnataka Chief Wildlife Warden B K Singh told UNI that a team of 30 officials are preparing for taking up Elephant Census, which is a crucial link to save pachyderm. The Census would be held simultaneously in the four States.

“After Tiger census we are commencing elephant census,

Raavan music unveiled in Mumbai PTI MUMBAI, APRIL 25

sanitation schemes including setting up of five star toilets in each of the 227 wards, renovation and reconstruction of many old, dilapidated public toilets among others.

5 terror suspects handed over to CB

HERALD CORRESPONDENT BELGAUM, APRIL 25

Camp Police recently arrested a man in connection with the murder of his wife, who was found dead at her residence at Camp area.

According to Camp police, accused Narendra Kumar, who had lodged a complaint at the police station regarding the murder of his wife, was systematically trying to mislead the police.

However, CPI Arun Kolur and his team smartly interrogated Kumar, after which he has agreed to have murdered his wife, Rekha, allegedly due to some financial restraints.

Rekha (46) was found murdered at her rented residence.

She had married Narendra 14 years ago. The couple hailing from Hubli had moved to Belgaum six months ago.

After moving to Belgaum, he was allegedly involved in real estate business for which he had sold his wife’s jewellery. Rekha, an artist, was selling her paintings and embroidery work for living as Narendra had incurred heavy financial losses.

According to neighbours, the duo had frequent quarrels. The incident is said to have happened in a fit of rage.

Naredra, who approached Camp police, had given a misleading complaint stating that Rekha was allegedly murdered by burglars.

Meanwhile, Naredra Kumar who was produced in court has been reprimanded to judicial custody till April 30.

(UNDP's) Human Development Report of last year, that said there was a deficit of 64,000 toilet seats in the city, Shewale said, "Only 14 per cent of the toilets have some water."

"Outbreaks of malaria, leptospirosis, diarrhoea, dengue, and hepatitis are just some of the diseases attributed to poor water and sanitation facilities.

Dharavi has severe problems with public health, due to the scarcity of toilet facilities," Shewale said.There is a list of other

character which she personally can relate to. "This is the most challenging role of my career," Aishwarya said.

Aishwarya said Mani Ratnam was as real as he could get in "Raavan" and her look in the film was not that of a typical heroine.

"We shot with snakes, rabbits, leeches moving around us. This has been the best adventure experience", she said.

Speaking about shooting in two different languages back to back, the former Miss World felt dealing with languages is a challenging task and keeps one's faculties charged up.

Tamil star V ikram, who makes his debut in Bollywood with "Raavan", said playing Dev in Hindi "Raavan" and the title role of "Raavan" in the tamil version was challenging and tricky.

Clearing all speculations that all was not well between him and Abhishek during the making of the film, Vikram said Abhishek was the most witty, charming and co-operative co-star he has ever worked with. "AB is a live wire," he said.

Abhishek said Mani Ratnam had given a boost to his career whenever it was on a down slide. "As an actor, Mani helps me to behave badly and get away with it," he said.

two days on May 15 and 16 in elephant reserves.

“We are commencing in Mysore Elephant Reserve which is a crucial migratory link to these elephants,'' he added.

Karnataka Forest Department is conducting elephant census in Mysore Elephant Reserve, which, according to last Census has more than 5,000 elephants.

The Mysore Elephant Reserve is a crucial link in Nilgiri Biosphere in an area of around 6,000 sq km, a major biological hotspot in the world.

According to forest department sources, the census includes counting of captive elephants as recommended by the Elephant Task Force.

He said the enumerators would be given training on April 27, as suggested by the Elephant Task Force.

Replying to a question, Mr Singh said old methods such as dung count, block count and direct sightings would be adopted during the census. During the last census in South India, around 6,000 elephants were counted.

This Census is a run down for the National Census to be con-

Experts fear presence of more radioactive sources in Mayapuri PTI MUMBAI, APRIL 25

Fearing presence of more radioactive sources in Delhi scrap yard Mayapuri, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) plan to carry out a multi-pronged approach survey in the area. "But the scrap dealers and the people in the area have to cooperate with the authorities," they said.

So far eight victims have suffered in this month after exposure of radioactive material in Mayapuri. All of them are still in a critical condition with dangerously low platelet counts and depleted bone marrows. Besides this, thousands of people in the area now live in fear.

AERB officials said, so far the joint team of NDMA, AERB and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and Department of Atomic Energy crisis management has detected 11 sources of radioactive cobalt-60 from the Mayapuri scrap yard using `Teledetectors’.

"We have to carry out thorougher searches at the scrap yard, shop by shop, through close inspection and this is our proposal. This requires co-operation from scrap dealers as well as the colony people," a senior official of the team told

PTI. Local police officials are very cooperative but it was essential to rule out possibility of any source of radioactive material in the scrap yard for which the dealers and people have to cooperate with our team, he said.

Mayapuri is a junk metal capital of India and giant containers of scrap imported from various corners of the world arrive here without any check for radiation or any other lethal material at the Indian ports.

Radioactive cobalt-60 is a widely used radioisotope in industrial radiography, medical radiology, large food processing units and laboratories. The gamma rays emitted by it cause skin burns, cancer and death.

"The magnitude of risk to health depends on the quantity of cobalt60, length of exposure, distance from the source and whether the substance is inhaled or ingested," said a nuclear inspector of AERB adding that it takes nearly 5.27 years for it to lose radioactivity by even 50 per cent.

So far, the BARC, which has the waste disposal plant, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) and the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) or the NDMA had no control over such materials being shipped into India.

ducted in 2012.

Top class aquarium in City of Palaces UNI MYSORE, APRIL 25

The cultural capital of Karnataka and heritage city known for its tourist’s spots and becoming the hub of tourism will soon have a top class aquarium on the lines of the Marine World in Singapore if all goes well according to plans.

The aquarium complex, coming up at the 100-year-old

Mysore Zoo Karanji Lake Bund is nearing completion and is an attempt to develop new and novel tourist sites for the visting tourists to the city.

The work was being rushed to complete the project before the end of June.

Work on a fine structure was expected to be completed by October for the world famous Mysore Dasara.

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Ex-RAW official mulls suing Delhi cops for contempt PTI NEW DELHI, APRIL 25

A family continues to run from pillar to post and is now contemplating filing a contempt of court case against Delhi Police which failed to provide copies of the annexures of the chargesheet against a former RAW official despite a Supreme Court order.

The case dates back to June 2006 when Brigadier (retd) Ujjal Dasgupta was arrested by the elite Special cell of Delhi Police for allegedly violating the Official Secrets Act (OSA) by passing information to a US agent Rosanna Minchew.

Dasgupta, now 63, had asked through his counsel to the prosecution to provide him the copies of the documents and other annexures so that he could prepare his defence.

“Our first application was rejected by the lower court. We moved the Delhi High Court, which ordered the Delhi Police to provide us the documents within 10 days (till May 5, 2008),” said Gupta's sister Bandana Malhotra.

Their miseries did not end here as the family later got to know that the prosecution had moved the Supreme Court whichalso upheld the order of the High Court in February 23 this year. “... And we thought that our plight will end here but never knew what was in store for us.

It has been so since last two months. Either the CFSL is not able to provide us or the prosecution does not turn up,” she said.

Pramod Dubey, lawyer for Dasgupta, said they were waiting for this weeks' hearing and if the Delhi Police would be coming with another excuse, they would be moving for contempt.

Dasgupta was arrested under OSA on June 11, 2006 for alleged collection and dissemination of secret defence related information.

He was chargesheeted in October 2006 in which the Delhi Polices' Special Cell alleged that Dasgupta, at the behest on one Shib Shanker Paul, had illegally procured certain classified documents from his office at the National Security Council Secretariat.

Police claimed it had recovered three pen drives containing information about Project Anveshak, a software used by the RAW. According to the police, Dasgupta was not allowed to take the software or its populated contents outside the office. He was also not allowed to connect his official laptop computer or PC computer to an Internet connection. The project is related to security or defence matters of the country.

If the project or its details were passed on to an unauthorised person or foreign agent, it could be prejudicial to the safety or interest of the state.

In January 2007, Dasgupta filed application before the trial court seeking copies of all the documents prosecution has submitted in the chargesheet, including the copies of documents of pen drives, hard discs which was followed by a legal battle.

Man gets life for killing neighbour PTI NEW DELHI, APRIL 25

A city court has awarded rigorous life imprisonment to a man for bludgeoning to death his neighbour in 2007 following a petty dispute, saying it was not awarding the death penalty as “killing the killer” is not the sole remedy.

“Killing the killer is justified only when the self- preservation of society is in peril,” Additional Sessions Judge S C Rajan of a fast track court said.

“Undoubtedly, brutality is involved in every incident of murder, but that brutality by itself will not bring the case in the ambit of the rarest of rare case for awarding the death penalty,” the court said, adding life imprisonment would serve the purpose.

It rejected the prosecutor's plea that the convict deserved the death penalty as he was a menace to society.

The court also imposed a fine of Rs 7,000 on convict Raj Kumar, a resident of Harkesh Nagar in south Delhi, after holding him guilty under section 302 (murder) of the IPC. Two other co-accused, who were minors at the time of the incident, are being tried by the Juvenile Justice Board.

Victim Rajesh, hailing from Uttar Pradesh, had objected to the accused beating up a person on April 14, 2007 and it irked the convict who smashed his head several times with a dumbbell, killing him on the spot.

In a bid to destroy the evidence, the accused also buried the victim's body.

Later, an FIR was lodged by Harish Singh, the elder brother of the victim, who complained that his sibling went missing.

During the probe, it came to light that the victim was last seen alive in the company of the accused, who later confessed to his complicity and led the investigators to the recovery of the body.

As there was no eyewitness to the incident, the court relied on circumstantial evidence, saying the chain of incidents led to the conclusion that it was the accused who committed the offence.

“The murder in the present case is cruel and had been perpetrated in a very shocking manner ... the strongest circumstance to connect the accused with offence is that the dead body was recovered at his instance,” the court said in its judgement.

Mosquitoes immune to repellents: study PTI KOLKATA, APRIL 25

The preference for chemical repellents instead of using mosquito nets has made malarial mosquitoes immune, according to an expert in mosquito-borne diseases.

“Anopheles stephensi which spreads malaria in Indian cities has long become resistant to DDT, malathion and other traditional insecticides. Now they are showing resistance to widely used mosquito repellents too," Chief Entomologist of Kolkata Municipal Corporation Debasish Biswas told PTI on World Malaria Day today.

“Recent surveys show that 80-85 per cent of those who use mosquito repellents in liquid or coil form suffer from malaria, while it is only three to four per cent for those using mosquito curtains," Biswas, who researched mosquito-borne dis-

eases at the premier School of Tropical Medicine, said.

According to him, the mosquitoes have developed a mechanism which helped them bypass the efficacy of insecticides.

In the first phase of National Malaria Control Programme launched in 1953, DDT was extensively used which initially curbed mosquito growth. But mosquitoes soon became resistant to DDT after which other chemical-based repellents like malathion were used.

OHERALDO

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OPINION

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O HERALD O

Holistic View to Life And Living

Vol No CX No: 108 Goa, Monday 26 April, 2010

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Plaza hype

ype cannot replace efficiency. The truth of this is more than clear from the experience at Goa’s “Nariman Point”. Media reports have highlighted the problems faced by those located in what was meant to be a prestigious project for Panjim and for Goa—the Pato Plaza area.

Since the project was first envisaged many years ago, the big talk about building “Goa’s Nariman Point” today sounds hollow. The complex is in a pathetic state: there’s poor lighting, parking woes are rife, and monsoon flooding is a regular feature. Dust pollution and poor roads are other complaints.

Those with offices in the area complain of the accumulation of garbage and sewage, and even people falling into open gutters. The CCP has been dumping its garbage nearby. The area isn’t safe for women at night. Official action is slow in coming, and bureaucrats talk of taking decisions “at the next meeting”.

One needs to only go back in time to recall the hype with which Goa’s “Nariman Point” was planned and speedily built.

So, what really went wrong? Was it the planners’ fault? Did the politicians push for a decision because they saw personal benefit in it? Politicians love concrete projects, and converting field projects into areas for high-rise structures.

Or, was it a mix of both? More likely, the politicians pushed in a way that helped their selfish interests, while the officials just toed the line. As the doughty campaigner for secularism Teesta Setalvad is demonstrating right now, phone calls went out from the office of chief minister of Gujarat, and abysmal police inaction was the result. The problem of politicians interfering and officials falling in line is at the root of many of our woes.

The Pato fields were made into a “Nariman Point” with decisions taken in the 1980s and 1990s, times when political instability ruled Goa. While political stability is not necessarily a good thing in itself, the price of instability is that politicians can take just about any controversial decision, knowing fully well that they would probably not be held accountable in some years time. Some of these politicians were so adept in jumping from one side of the political fence to the “other”, that they earned immunity from all the major political parties that ruled Goa in recent times.

Pato is not the lone case. So many major government projects in recent years have been announced and set up, but the tall promises made have hardly come true. Is our new Assembly and legislature secretariat justified in size and grandeur? Does the Konkan Railway offer as many trains as were once promised, and is it meeting its cargo plans? Are our mega stadia and Ravindra Bhavans being used to the optimum? What about the grand plans promoted in other fields such as prawn hatcheries?

Pato Plaza is different because it is so visible to all those who enter Panjim. It also affects an influential segment of society, including the business class who invested in the area to their disappointment.

Other recent studies have called the Pato Plaza an “isolated entity” that is “alienated and deserted at night”. Though physically connected to the rest of Panjim, Pato Plaza is isolated from the city and its neighbourhood in terms of its activities. “The built form and its character is in stark contrast to its vicinity,” a recent study by the Ahmedabad-based The Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT) University had noted. Other problems it pointed to include the water logging in the monsoons; lack of connectivity between Fontainhas and Pato Plaza; and a lack of public participation in what becomes a ghost-town at night.

Much needs to be done before Goa goes about offering more tall talk and planning grand projects. It’s fine for politicians to promote new airports or another big stadium—and then gain from insider information or land deals themselves. The real test is whether such projects help the State, are run efficiently, and the cost is justified on the return on investment.

Dangerous coconut tree Pravin U Sardessai, Adpai A slanting coconut tree over live electrical wires has been giving the residents of Chicalim-Agapur in Ponda taluka sleepless nights. The situation is dangerous for pedestrians and travelers too. In case this tree collapses, it will definitely cause damage to life and property. With the monsoon season fast approaching, there is every possibility of the coconut tree falling over live wires. To assure safety, it would be appropriate for the local village panchayat to take the lead in cutting down this dangerous coconut tree in consultation with the landlord concerned. Safety needs to be assured in this regard at all costs. The panchayats needs to take up this important matter in hand at once for necessary relief on a permanent basis.

Goa being sold Hartman de Souza, Pune What is happening to Goa? Why don’t the forty persons charged with determining Goa’s future just pass a bill giving the coastal belt to the real estate and big hotel chains and the entire Western Ghats to the mining industry? I think it is time we get rid of this silly notion that our ministers, their boss and even the opposition have concern

I

t all started with comparing pregnancy with other biological functions in a woman by a “religious quack”. An attempt was made to impress upon the lay humanity that just as a woman carries out other physiological functions, she should accept pregnancy as a physiological routine and deliver the child, no matter what the reasons or adversities associated with that delivery are .

The dogma put forth is that human life is sacred and it is God given. It is God who is responsible for life and that a woman has no choice on abortions as it would lead to the murder of a ‘person’.

Then came another, that man is not a subject of scientific investigation to be examined by a myriad of scientists and that he has a transcendent destiny in the light of his purpose. Is there no need for medical tests? Must sickness be accepted as God’s will? After wild accusations made against science that it cannot interfere with Man since he is created in God’s own image, there have been more false views against science and scientists. However, the fact that witch doctors are deceiving peole in the name of God, is conveniently being ignored.

The self designated conman continues further, justifying his position by mentioning the happenings at the University, where fanatics like him from other religious groups also tried to assert that students from a minority college admitted to University, should be replaced by students from a college, as it was ‘their Government in power’ and admissions to majority community was their right and so they would dictate admission rules.

Subjectivity and emotionalism robs one of credibility, ensnares the distraught mind rabidly spewing venom against scientific temper.

Much more are is centred on giving the dog a bad name and shooting it. Talk about God given unalienable human rights and question why religious fanaticism is an issue in the debate! Then selectively promote human beings against scientific temper by creating a fear of the “unknown” and also creating God in their image. What do these self-styled godmen and con men achieve by attributing everything to God? We must resist this recipe for disaster.

That M.F. Hussain now lives in Qatar does not absolve us of the fact that he was manhandled

Science Versus Religion and his art condemned and vilified by Indian zealots, who then accuse him of betraying India by accepting Qatari citizenship..

It is the wearer who knows where the shoe pinches. In the name of God created by vested interest it isn’t right to make the woman suffer the consequences of unwanted pregnancies. We all know well that unwanted babies born out of ignorance, poverty and the consequences of women being way laid by fundamentalists in the name of God, have been abused and exploited.

Some print media may try to blackout news, where Godmen have abused dumb, deaf, or orphaned children and women in distress. The alarming increase in the rate of paedophilia by those advocating pro-life and celibacy is a matter of concern. But can we paint all pro-life activists negatively and wrongly accuse them of being catalysts for homosexuality. His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has already sent his letter to the entire Roman Catholic world to enlighten his flock, urging them to stand up against adversities.

Wise Counsed

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s a n d t r u c k -Smitha Bhandare Kamat

By quoting one stray incident on stem cell research manipulation, is there an attempt to suggest that an exception is the rule? Is the writer deliberately casting aspersions on everyone involved in religious services and condemning them as homosexuals just because few incidences of homosexuality in the corridors of the church have been revealed to the Pope?

The purpose of this article is not to defend science and religion, but to condemn the holierthan-thou attitude those that force dogmas instead of offering choices. We must work and grow in the interest of sustainable and holistic development of life on earth in all forms. Adversities and challenges are vital for growth and we have to stand tall to wipe out hypocrisy and deceit, especially by these self styled conmen, who have exploited religious institutions in the name of service. Just because one cheat has started an Non Government Organization (NGO) centred on flushing out funds in the name of the church, does it mean that society and the poor must

consider all NGOs bad?

One swallow does not make a summer. Women in Goa should not feel guilty and produce unwanted children to be left abused by homosexuals, who preach pro-life and do nothing. Rape and unwanted pregnancy does not offer respect or dignity to the life of helpless women, but furthers the cause of their misery, where in these unwanted and abandoned children are misused as domestics, in other forms of child labour and for sexual gratification.

Freddy Peats abused innocent children, in the name of God calling himself “Father”. There are many who preach pro-life and look after distressed migrants, who have been murdered in Goa by the abused homosexual migrants. That homosexual preachers of pro-life have been murdered does not suggest that all preachers are homosexuals, fuelling murderous tendencies in victims.

Today it is an ‘open secret’ in Goa that shelters for street children and the homeless are also happy hunting grounds for self-styled pro-life preachers, specialized in abuse of those in distress.

Even when it is banned, animals are killed. Why must we only restrict the pro-life movement to human embryos? Can human beings survive on earth without ecological biodiversity? Man has to stand up against those who have created God, Satan, fear of the unknown, concept of virtue and sin according to their personal sensibilities, and exploited the average mind by condemning scientific temper, which only invents or discovers laws of Nature and exposes those who attempt to falsely invent, create or discover God for their ulterior motives.

By making contrary statements, rambling incoherent phrases on male domination, mitosis, meiosis and asserting that God given rights cannot be infringed on, one cannot belittle our scientific temper, nor undermine the strength of democratic institutions. Now that the Supreme Court has validated ‘live- in- relationships’ the Prophets of doom will surely include the Judiciary as a target of their condemnation since their religious sentiments would be hurt, and as it would be against the will of God who considers only marriage as a sacred relationship! When you tell lies ten times, that lie becomes the truth. This is how fanatics operate as they do not have to prove or justify only, just preach and brainwash the masses and exploit them.

True Humility…

t's hard to be humble," says an old country song, "when you're perfect in every way." Very few people, actually think they're ‘perfect’ in every way. But it can still be pretty hard to be humble, especially when you live in a society that encourages competition and individuality. Even in such a culture, humility is an important virtue. Learning to be humble is of paramount importance.

Humility helps us develop into a good person and enjoy a deep or improve strained relationships with others. Being humble allows us to be honest with ourselves.

Remember, being humble has many benefits. Humility can help us be content in life. It can also help us endure bad times and improve our relationships with others. Humility is essential to be an effective learner. If you think you know it all, you won't be open-minded enough to seek new knowledge.

Humility is not about degrading yourself or putting yourself down or hanging your head in a false kind of shame. That's insecurity.

True humility means recognising and accepting our weaknesses and overcoming them with God’s help; really understanding ourselves, recognizing our gifts, abilities, and strengths and being grateful to God for them—and using these gifts to serve God and

for Goa. In ten years time, most will be spitting in their memory, such is the contempt they are being held in, and such is the levels of their shamelessness.

The non-political class is not to be spared.

We definitely need to forget this farce of ‘regulating’ mining, or even think of saving the rich forests and abundant water sources — still found barely 10 kilometers from Quepem town. Since some residents of Quepem, goaded by the opposition, protested against the 1,000 or so trucks passing through Quepem non-stop, the government, opposition, administration and mining industry promptly promised ‘regulation’ — a word in Goa that immediately connotes complicity.

Not that the problem will ever stop. Mining is the backbone of our politicians and everyone else wanting to make big money fast. Yesterday evening, John Fernandes, an advocate and journalist was roughed up by two mining contractors near the Don Bosco School, doing nothing more than recording the fact that mining has disrupted life. For his pains, he was roughed up by two other transport contractors inside the police station. Will anything happen? Doubtful!

Every morning, it is wonderful to see senior police inspectors and road transport officers directing mining trucks parked on a plateau at Takiar, created by a few thou-

Smile with Smitha

Subjectivity and emotionalism robs one of credibility writes DR JOE D’SOUSA

others. Being humble doesn't mean you can't feel good about yourself. Self-esteem is not pride. Both come from recognition of our own talents and qualities. The kind of pride that leans toward arrogance, is rooted in insecurity about ourselves. We judge others because it's a lot easier than looking at our own faults. Unfortunately, it's also completely unproductive and harmful. Judging others causes strained relationships; it prevents new relationships occurring.

Perhaps even worse, it prevents us from trying to improve ourselves.

We judge others always, without realising it. Try catching yourself when you’re judging another, and instead judge yourself and see how you could improve.

If we feel superior, we have no incentive to improve. Pretending to be humble isn't the same as being humble. Often people who pretend to be humble, seek praise. Some recognise this fact, although others are deceived. Even if you fool some, you won't derive the same benefits you would by practising real humility.

We should ask God’s help to grow in love and maturity and become more and more like Jesus in every way. We will then recognise that every good and perfect gift is comes from Above, from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like

Sports policy - why the delay?

Agostinho Antao, Guirdolim The Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education ahs finally recognised the efforts put by the sports persons by rewarding them with sports merit marks. But many state level associations recognised by the Sports Authority of Goa has failed to submit the list of players who represented Goa at nationals. As a result many sports persons have to return home without authenticated certificate from the Sports Authority of Goa office.

I request the Goa Football Association to submit the lists of players of various age groups, players who represented Goa which was not submitted till 12 pm on April 23, 2010. Kindly consider Manchester United Premium Cup as a national tournament as this year there were 32 teams from various States of India. The age group tournaments like U-14, U-16 conducted by the Goa Football Association will also be considered as taluka, district and state level and thus even these students participating in Goa Football Association tournaments are entitled for sports merit marks. I also request the Goa board to kindly extend the date to May 6, as the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs are yet to issue the necessary certificates of authenticity.

Will the director kindly look into this matter and also handover the participation certificates of U-16 school national games football team and also the Goa Football Association has not issued the U-15 boys football team participation certificate for the tournament held in Mumbai in the month of November ’09.

Hence I humbly request on behalf of a large number of sports persons to extend the date by a few days.

Activate Communidade Mrs Fernandes, St Mathias I would like to bring to the notice of Head of Communidade of Tiswadi, Deputy Collector, Government of Goa, that since the dissolution of communidade of ‘Malar’ 5

shifting shadows.

God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

Humility is necessary to be a true disciple of Jesus. Our attitude should be like Jesus Christ, Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God , something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross! Humble hearts seek grace, and therefore they get it.

Humble hearts yield to the sweet influences of grace, and so it is bestowed on them abundantly always. Humble hearts lie in the valleys where streams of grace flow, and hence they drink of them.

Humble hearts are grateful for grace and glorify God for it. Hence it is consistent with His honour to give it to them.

Most sins turn us away from God, but pride is a direct attack upon God. It lifts our hearts above Him and against Him. Pride seeks to dethrone God and enthrone itself. How can Christians fight against this sin and develop genuine humility? We need to develop humility and diminish the destructive pride in our lives. “A man's pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honour.”

Letters to the Editor

Letter of the Day

loads of mining waste that has no right to be dumped there. Never mind that a convoy of some four hundred if not more trucks are parked bumper to bumper from Cavorem village until the Forest Check-post. Even sadder that the check-post has a table where the transport contractor meticulously checks out each truck carrying 17 tonnes of soil on which, some months back, trees were growing on. This is Goa I guess, no need to worry about forests and trees and water, this is about mining, the backbone of a few families and companies and ministers and their friends. My old friend Remo wanted to drown this lot, that’s way too good for them.

By Arlette Azavedo

years ago, there has been illegal encroachments on communidade lands. The government and the communidade incharge should take steps stop such illegalities.

Rape of Comunidade land Socorro Fernandes, Nuvem The news reports captioned “Verna Communidade to seek probe into rubble extraction” (Herald, April 22) and “South Goa Comunidade land prone to encroachment” (Herald, April 16) make it amply clear that the authorities have failed miserably in their duty to protect Comunidade lands in South Goa. The district collectors and comunidade administrators are bureaucrats who are willing handmaids of their political bosses in the rape of Comunidade land.

The kind of illegal rubble mining and use of explosives at Verna could not have been possible without the blessings of local politicians. If the elected representative of the area is unaware of it, it could either mean

that he is turning a blind eye to the illegality or has lost control of his constituency. On one hand our elected representatives claim to be in charge of departments that are supposed to protect our environment and on the other they permit its blatant destruction of our land. I am also told that the Verna Plateau has been proposed as “Eco-sensitive Zone” by the RP 2021 Verna village committee. What an irony that the abuse of the environment at Verna was reported by your newspaper of April 22 which is the “World Earth Day”. I hope the perpetrators are brought to book. It is also high time that Comunidade are given more teeth to protect their lands and preserve them for the next generation of Goans.

Don’t label the clergy Auriel Ribeiro Sa, Mapusa The article ‘Clergy Sex Abuse and Celibacy’ (Herald, 17 April, 2010), gave readers a holistic view of the recent spate of accusations directed against our clergy. It is true that everyone fails; there will be a fall sometimes; but one cannot and should not over generalise it. For example, if in a household, one child strays, it cannot be said that the parents are deviant or that his siblings will follow suit. I have personally interacted with several priests who are the epitome of goodness and have sacrificed home, ambition, family life and material things on the alter of priesthood. We lift up our priests daily at mass, asking for God’s grace to flow into them and out of them into the community.

Christ did not condemn the adulteress, but instead questioned the men who were about to stone her to death and they were put to shame. We need to be more compassionate to combat the ever-increasing temptation to judge, condemn and criticise those who are serving God and us. It is not easy to be celibate. Let those who sit in the judgment seat practice it first, then point fingers at!

Letters should be 150 words or less in length, and should have the writer’s name, address and telephone number. The editor reserves the right to edit letters for size and readability, and to delete any personal attacks or libellous /objectionable matter.

Paths of Wisdom The Wish-Fulfilling Tree

by Sri Ramakrishna

Into a room full of children at play walked their uncle. Laughing at their antics, he asks them to go out to the massive banyan tree, which will grant their wishes. Hearing this, the children rush out, stand under the branches of the tree and make they wishes for toys and candy. Immediately their wishes are granted with an unexpected bonus: the exact opposite of what they wished for. With toys they get boredom; with candy, tummy aches.

Sure that something has gone wrong with their wishing, the children ask for bigger toys and sweeter candy. This too is granted with bigger amounts of the opposites. Time passes. They are now young men and women and their wishes change, for they know more.

They ask for wealth, power, fame, sexual pleasure. They get these, but also cupidity, insomnia, anxiety, and frustration/disease.

Time passes. The wishers are now old and gather in three groups under the all-encompassing branches. The first group exclaims, "All this is an illusion!"

Fools, they have learnt nothing. The second group says, "We are wiser and will wish better next time." Greater fools, they have learnt less than nothing. The third group, disgusted with everything, decides to cop out and asks for death.

They are the most foolish of all. The tree grants them their desire, and with it its opposite: rebirth, under the same tree.

All this while one child has been unable to move out of the room. Being lame, he was pushed down in the scramble. He watched his friends make their wishes, get them with their built-in opposites and suffer. Riveted by this, compassion welled up in him. He forgot to wish for anything for himself. In that moment of spontaneous compassion he became the liberated one.

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INDIA

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GOA, MONDAY, 26 APRIL, 2010

OPinionatED

Tweeting gone sour

By Freddy Agnelo Fernandes Mr. Shashi Tharoor, gave up his job at the UN and jumped into the sleazy jamboree called Indian politics, without knowing what he was getting into. As soon as his name was released by the Congress Party as their candidate, a lot of us became optimistic about the future of Indian politics. Here was a gentleman worthy of the top-notch job in Indian politics. Well educated, well-bred, intelligent; he carried himself with grace and poise. Above all, he was a person with a clean chit and without any blemish, a sight for sore eyes, compared to the, illiterate, egoistic, bulging out of shape, dumb-with- no- ethics, corrupt politicians that we have been used to seeing around.

Shashi Tharoor became an over night celebrity, the poster boy of the elite Indian fraternity. His accented English and his dexterity with words, and a perfect body language, made him stand out by a good distance from the teeming millions, a diamond in the muck or the coal mines of Indian politics, if I may say so.

But oh boy, were we wrong! Mr. Shashi Tharoor, had contested for the top UN job but lost. And all his experience at the UN did not do him any good in Indian politics, although highly regarded at the UN, he was made only a secondary minister in the Indian cabinet.

Ever since his advent into Indian politics, call it over confidence or lack of experience in the brutal world of Indian politics, he often suffered from the “foot- in- the- mouth disease” and was becoming more of an embarrassment, rather than an asset to the ruling Congress Party on a regular basis. Now to top it all, he got himself tangled in the IPL imbroglio. A pretty face or a damsel has not only been the cause of the fall of many empires and governments, but has brought powerful men down to their knees as well. History has been a witness to all these ever so callous intricacies.

Today, yet again we have seen the fall of an affluent because of the “Sundara Sunanda effect”. It’s not just cigarette smoking and tobacco chewing that is injurious to health. I am sure Tharoor and Modi know by now, just how dangerous, if not altogether lethal or fatal, tweeting is, as the two emperors have fallen form grace, victims of their own “tweeting”.

The resignation of Shashi Tharoor is just an act of relatively poor symbolism., Is Tharoor the only politician in the Parliament with a cross-connection? His entry into Indian politics has been a baptism by fire. In the Indian Parliament more than 40% of our politicians have criminal records and all the Parties are harbouring criminals, so asking tweeter Tharoor to resign doesn’t help the cause in any way, in order to clean our Parliament of the undesirables. It has to be fully fumigated and sterilized and the infected, quarantined permanently in cells.

Mr. Lalit Modi on the other hand, has been articulate and arrogant, in his quest for supremacy in the bureaucracy of Indian cricket. There is absolutely no doubt he is the man behind the successful vertical graph of fortune, of the BCCI, on this path he has been ruthless, crushed many ambitions and aspirations, not to mention egos and made a success for himself and for Indian Cricket. IPL his own creation and brain child, has already had three successful seasons and has become the most sought after entertainment.

The whole world is reeling under recession, but IPL is booming.

Values have gone up more than fourfold. But as it is said, a shining object always draws attention, so too the IPL. At the moment who is right and who is wrong, is not the most important issue, what is important is our National Security, why did the investigative authorities stay dormant for three years, even after knowing the amount of money that was being channelled into the IPL? Or is it just because some feathers have been ruffled in the ruling Congress Party, that this all out war against IPL and it’s agencies is being carried out? If in fact wrong organizations were involved in financial aspects of the IPL, aren’t we three years too late?

Special project to finger print criminals launched

9 Dalit kids rescued from bonded labour

Under Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and System (CCTNS) Project, which is a Mission mode Project under the National E-Governance Plan, every police station in the country is proposed to be provided with finger print reader for which Rs 15,000 has been earmarked for each of them.

Further, in select police stations finger print enrolment Facility is envisaged for which Rs 174.40 crore has been earmarked.

The CCTNS project will bring all 16,000 police stations in the country under a single network to counter terror challenges and it will become operational by 2011-12.

“The CCTNS will link each of the 16,000 police stations in India so that any of them can contact any other police station for any information,” the official said.

The States have appointed nodal officers for the project's early completion and all of them have signed MoUs with the Cen-

ERODE, APRIL 25

PTI NEW DELHI, APRIL 25

Aiming to create a database of hardcore criminals, the government has launched a special project in 22 states for biometric identification of such law offenders.

The Automated Finger Print Identification Systems (AFIS) for the purpose of identification of criminals has been introduced in 22 states and the Union territory of Puducherry last week, a Home Ministry official said.

Police stations have started taking finger-prints of all such criminals and kept them in a database which could be used by various law enforcement agencies across the country.

This would enable easy sharing of real-time information across police stations and districts at the state-level as well as national-level, thereby resulting in improved investigation and crime prevention and better tracking of criminals, suspects, accused and repeat offenders, he said.

PTI

AHMEDABAD, APRIL 25 As a grand tribute to father of nation Mahatama Gandhi on the golden jubilee of Gujarat, the state government has conceived to construct a magnificent Mahatama Mandir in Gandhinagar which will be built using pious water and soil brought from all over the country and world.

Nine Dalit children were among 1 5 p e r s o n s re s c u e d f ro m bondage by revenue officials from a brick kiln near here, district officials said.

Benjamin Prabhu, Revenue Divisional Officer, Erode said officials had acted on information that 15 persons of Kattuserry village in Nagapattinam district were being forced to work as bonded labourers in a brick kiln at Kalingarayanpalayam, 12 km from here.

The officials went to the kiln yesterday and spoke to the 15 persons, belonging to three families. One of them alleged that they were not being paid proper wages and that their children are suffering for want of education.

The officials registered cases under SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, Minimum Wages Act and abolition of bonded labour act against the kiln owner.The rescued were sent back to their native town after being given a part of Rs 10,000 to be granted as per government rules.

PTI BHOPAL, APRIL 25

l Eight year girl performing during culture programme at the Idea Play 3rd Rajasthan state level Abacus and Mental Arithmatci competition on Sunday in Jaipur

rial of the father of nation, but with the building of grand temple the void will be filled.

“Mahatma Mandir shall also be developed as an iconic tourist destination that will exhibit the life of Mahatma Gandhi,” a government official told PTI. The phase one of construction will house an international level convention centre, three big exhibition halls and small halls having conferencing facility, the official said, adding that the construction of the convention centre will attract an investment of Rs 150 crore and have a capacity of 5,000 delegates.

“In the second phase of this project we have proposed to develop a modern bridge connecting the phase one to it, and

an iconic salt mound like concrete structure housing a museum, library and research centre on Mahatma Gandhi,” he said.

A sculpture garden having intricately carved stone murals exhibiting the life of Mahatma Gandhi will be the star attraction of the second phase of development. There will be a heavy sloping green cover all over, the official said The second phase will also have a gigantic wind mill, the official said.

Gujarat came into existence in 1960 after Mumbai state was divided on the basis of language.

The State has drawn up grand plans to celebrate its golden jubilee and various programmes will be organised throughout the year.

Setting up of a multi-crore atomic power station in Madhya Pradesh hit a roadblock, with the locals of the Chutka area stalling the survey work for the project in tribal-dominated Mandla district, officials said.

A survey team sent by Madhya Pradesh Power Generating Company Limited (MPPGCL), the nodal agency of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), for setting up the proposed 1400 mega watt (MW) power project had to return last week unfinished following locals' resistance, MPPGCL Executive Director (Civil) A Shekhar told PTI. He said things will turn favourable for the survey once

families in the village for 40 to 45 days and undertake everyday tasks of the villagers such as milking cows, making cow dung cakes, cleaning the house, cooking food for the family and much more to prove to the villagers and the viewers that they are not just about glamour and style but also have the ability to live and thrive in the 'real' India - that they have it in them to be a true 'Desi Girl'.

Announcing the launch of the new reality show on Imagine, to be telecast on the channel on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 9 pm, the vice president of marketing, communications and brand management at NDTV Imagine, Nikhil Madhok says, “'not only will these divas have to adapt to village life but they will also have to compete with one another to win the hearts of the villagers.”

Talking to UNI, Nikhil said 'Desi Girl' was a part of the effort of the channel, which has earlier come up with path breaking shows like 'Rakhi Ka Swayamvar', 'Raaz pichle Janam Ka' and 'Rahul Ka Swayamvar', to take the concept of reality shows to an altogether new level. ''Desi Girl has a unique slice of 'real life' quality about it. During the course of the reality

show, these eight girls will be seen living in a real village, staying with the villagers and perform daily chores with them.

Just watching these ''city girls'', used to all the modern amenities, surviving in an environm e n t c o n s i s t i n g o f “ b a re essentials” - a table fan instead of an air conditioner, a small bulb instead of tubelights and chandeliers and a 'charpoy' (cot) instead of a cosy bed of their city homes - makes for interesting viewing,” Nikhil said.

Talking to UNI, the eight celebrity participants of the show, admitted that coming to terms with the harsh life in a village, which is far removed from the comfortable life in the

city, was difficult but that, slowly but surely they were coming to terms with the life there and had even managed to endear themselves to the village residents.

Said TV and film actor Roshni Chopra, ''life here in the village is in sharp contrast to our existence in the city. While in the city, we returned home at the wee hours of the morning, here in the village, one has to wake up at the break of dawn, at around 0300 to 0330 hrs. Infact, for the first five days, I felt I would not be able to stay here as, unlike in the city, I had to do everything here all by myself. However, I am slowly developing ability to

the locals were convinced that the project was not detrimental to their interest.

The locals demanded that the administration should hold talks with them in connection with the proposed 1400 mw atomic power station.

“We are holding talks with Mandla district administration officials and as soon as the situation turns conducive we are going to restart the survey work,” Shekhar said.

“We have already organised a gram sabha (village meeting) at Chutka, after we came to know that the survey team had to return following locals objections,” Mandla Collector K K Khare told PTI. He said that the locals were not opposed to the atomic power station, but they were

Concrete steps a must to protect birds: experts PTI AMRAVATI, APRIL 25

Concrete steps to conserve birds and wildlife are a must, felt the conservationists and experts here.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of two-day 11th Pakshimitra Sammelan organised by WECS, Zoology Department of Sant Gadgebaba Amravati University and Indian Science Congress Association, Amravati Chapter here on Friday, President of Wildlife and Environment Conservation Society (WECS), Dr Prabha Bhogaonkar said efforts should be made for concrete conservation of birds such as vultures, which are endangered species.

Senate member and former Amravati mayor, Milind Chimote regretted that he does not notice birds nowadays which were easily seen in his childhood days.

“Urbanisation killed trees in cities as well as habitats of birds.

It is necessary to do sensitisation of politicians and other policy makers to create alertness about nature conservation. Institutions like universities should not remain alien to society and show their social commitment by supporting such activities,” Chimote said.

Nature conservationist Kishor Rithe mentioned that movement of bird watchers and friends of birds are giving something concrete to the society. In such conventions, experienced should

Eight glam girls to live the village life in latest reality show UNI CHANDIGARH, APRIL 25 Putting “the rich and the famous” in settings far removed from their privileged existence and their “pampered lifestyle'” seems to be the latest trend in reality shows on the small screen!

After 'Big Switch', a reality show on Bindaas which had ten rich children give up their comfortable lifestyles to fulfil dreams of slum children, a new reality show on NDTV Imagine will witness eight glamour girls from the world of films and television give up their 'High Life' for a 'closer to reality' existence in a village of Punjab in Northern India in the race for the 'Desi Girl'.

'Desi Girl', a new reality show on NDTV Imagine, will have glamorous divas like Sambhavana Seth, Kashmera Shah, Roshni Chopra, Monica Bedi, Anmol Singh, Rucha Gujarati, Ishitta Arun and Aushima Sawhney transplanted in a real life village in Punjab called Sierra Majira in the battle to be crowned the ultimate 'Desi Girl'.

To be aired on NDTV Imagine from May 21, 'Desi Girl', based on a joint concept by NDTV Imagine and the BBC, will have the eight girls stay with four

A crow quenches its thirst at a road side tap during a hot day, in Jaipur on Sunday.

Locals shoo away survey team of atomic power unit

Gandhi temple to be built with water, sand “We have planned to build a grand Mahatma Mandir in the state capital, foundation stone for which will be laid on the golden jubilee day of Gujarat on May 1," Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi said.

The state government has asked Gujarati diaspora living in different states as well as the world to bring water of rivers and sand.

People from different villages and cities from all over Gujarat will also bring pious water and sand.

“People will continue bringing water and sand for next one month from May 1. This water and sand will be used in the construction of the memorial dedicated to Gandhiji,” he said.

State capital Gandhinagar, though named after Mahatma, so far lacked a befitting memo-

tre for the purpose.

However, Home Ministry officials conceded that erratic power situation in many parts of the country could hamper the successful implementation of the ambitious project.

“Once the CCTNS is completed, it will mark a quantum jump in country's ability to counter various challenges to internal security, particularly terror threats,” the official said.

Key objectives of the CCTNS project include creating platforms at state and central levels for sharing crime and criminal information and databases across states in the country.

It will also help in creating a platform for sharing intelligence across the states, across the country and across other Statelevel and central agencies.

Besides, it would facilitate improved service delivery to the public, access to police services in a citizen-friendly manner and provide alternative modes of service delivery such as Internet.

PTI

do the work here. In fact, some of the tasks here seem quite interesting.''

For film actress Monica Bedi, participating in 'Desi Girl' has been a unique opportunity to live life the way the earlier generations have lived.

“Though I was born in Punjab, my family shifted to Norway when I was just eight months old. I had heard from my father that people in a village are very simple. Staying in this village had helped me experience first hand the life my parents lived.

Within a short time, I fell in love with the villagers.”

“For these villagers, we are heroines but for me, these villagers are the real heroes as it is because of them that we get our food,” Monica said.

For TV actor Rucha Gujarati, the show is her attempt to prove to herself and to others that she could lead an independent existence.

“All through my life I have lived a pampered existence. Participating in the show was my attempt to explore if I could do all my work by myself. During the 15 days I have stayed here, I have also come to develop a deep bond with the villagers, who are lovely and very sweet,'' Rucha said.

For film actor Sambhavana Seth, the stay in the Punjab village has made her adept at speaking Punjabi.

The show, which will be aired across 21 episodes over seven weeks, will have one of the celebrity participants eliminated every week. The girl to be eliminated will be decided by the villagers.

The eight participants of the show, to be hosted by TV and film actor Rohit Roy, will be zeroed down to three in the final.

The winner of the 'Desi Girl' title will be based on SMS voting and the decision of the villagers, Nikhil said.

Talking to UNI, Rohit said his job was to act as an interface between the girls and the villagers.

“I am the link between the girls and the villagers and support them in their endeavour to come to terms with the village life. In a way, I am a ''friend, philosopher and guide'' to the girls, helping them in the process of attuning themselves to the harsh life of the village,'' Rohit told UNI. The show will be aired on NDTV Imagine on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2100 hrs.

impart knowledge with new people in the field of nature conservation.

Raju Kasambe of Bombay Natural History Society said seasoned bird researchers should bring new people into the fold through conventions.

He also demanded that forest owlet should be declared as the state bird of Maharashtra.

“Forest owlet is the rare bird and it is found only in few parts of Maharashtra.

being instigated by other people around with vested-interest.

“Believe me the locals of Chutka to be affected by the project will first get well-built houses and handsome compensation thereafter they will be asked to vacate their kuchcha places,” Khare said.

The project won't pose any health problem for the locals at all, the collector said.

He said that only small portion of area inhabited by locals was coming under the atomic project, adding it includes three villages with a population of 1800.

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Hamas cops rap Gaza hip-hoppers REUTERS GAZA, APRIL 25

Hamas police have broken up the Gaza Strip's first major hiphop concert.

The b Boy Gaza group had just started a lively dance set late yesterday in a crowded auditorium when police from the Islamist Hamas group that rules the Gaza Strip ended the performance with shouts of ''the show is over'', witnesses said. ''I told one of the policemen that rap meant respect for all people, but he didn't seem to be listening. He said it was an immoral dance,'' one of the dancers said.

Hamas officials said the performance, in a conservative enclave where most musical shows strike a

nationalistic note, was shut down only because organisers had not applied for a police permit for the gathering.

T h e Pa l e s t i n i a n C e n t e r for Human Rights said po lice confiscated cameras and tapes at the venue and arrested six of the performe r s . T h e y w e re re l e a s e d after signing a pledge not to hold further performances without police permission.

Hamas has denied accusations by Gaza human rights groups that it is trying to impose Islamic law in the enclave where 1.5 million Palestinians live. In public speeches, Hamas leaders have urged Palestinians to adhere to Islamic values.

Qaeda confirms deaths of leaders in Iraq: statement REUTERS LONDON, APRIL 25

Al Qaeda in Iraq has confirmed in a statement posted on the Internet that two of its leaders were killed in a joint raid a week ago by US and Iraqi troops.

The killings of al Qaeda's leader in Iraq, Abu Ayyub alMasri, and Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, the purported head of its affiliate, the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI), have been blamed for a series of apparent reprisal bombings that killed at least 56 people in Shi'ite areas of Baghdad on Friday.

The al Qaeda statement, posted on Islamist Internet fo-

rums and translated today by SITE Intelligence Group, quotes Abu al-Walid Abd al-Wahhab alMashadani, identified as the Sharia Minister of the ISI, as confirming that Masri, also known as Abu Hamza al-Muhajir, and Baghdadi were killed in a military operation on April 18 in Thar-Thar, 80 km northwest of Baghdad. ''The ISI Sharia Minister, Abu al-Walid Abd al-Wahhab alMashadani, informed that both leaders were attending a meeting when enemy forces engaged them in battle and launched an airstrike on their location,'' the statement said.

Iran Guards test missiles, warn enemies REUTERS TEHRAN, APRIL 25

Iran's Revolutionary Guards test-fired five missiles during war games in a waterway crucial for global oil supplies today, and a commander warned the Islamic Republic's enemies they would regret any attack.

Iran, which is locked in a dispute with the West over its nuclear programme, often announces advances in its military capabilities and tests weaponry in an apparent bid to show its readiness for any strikes by Israel or the United States.

The Guards' exercises in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz coincided with rising tension between Iran and the West, which says Tehran's nuclear work is aimed at making bombs. Iran denies this.

Last week, the Pentagon said US military action against Iran remained an option even as Washington pursues diplomacy and sanctions to halt the country's atomic activities.

Speaking on the drills' fourth day, Guards commander Massoud Jazayeri said Iran had

a deterrence plan which would make the enemy ''regretful'' if they launched any attack against the country, the official IRNA news agency reported.

He also reiterated Iran's position that foreign forces in the region should leave, apparently referring to the presence of US troops in neighbouring Iraq and Afghanistan. ''Those who came from (far away) to our region must leave, because we consider them as the enemy,'' he said.

Semi-official Fars News Agency said Guards' naval units fired five missiles at a target, without making clear if they were newly designed missiles. ''Despite the different places from which the missiles were fired, they all hit the target simultaneously and completely destroyed it,'' Fars said.

The missiles were surface-to-surface and surface-to-sea.

A second Guards commander, Brigadier General Ali Hajizadeh, said mass production of a new reconnaissance drone which was

UK Conser vatives issue election stalemate warning REUTERS LONDON, APRIL 25

Britain's Conservatives said a stalemate in next month's election would threaten the country's economy as polls showed the tightest election race in nearly 20 years was likely to produce no outright winner.

A surge in support for the Liberal Democrats has increased the prospect of a ''hung parliament'', with no single party in control, for the first time since the days of the global oil crisis in 1974.

The opposition centre-right Conservatives' once commanding lead in the polls has withered in recent weeks and they now lack the support needed to guarantee a return to power in the May 6 vote, after 13 years in opposition.

Five surveys to be published in Sunday newspapers put the Conservatives narrowly ahead of, or level with, the Lib Dems, with Prime Minister Gordon Brown's Labour Party third.

However, an Ipsos MORI poll for Sunday's News of the World

bucked the trend, saying support for the Lib Dems appeared to be on the wane, putting the party well down in third place.

The election race has been thrown wide open by the recent rise in support for the centrist Lib Dems following the strong performances of the party's leader Nick Clegg in Britain's first US-style live televised debates.

Conservative leader David Cameron focused a campaign speech yesterday almost totally on the risk he said a hung parliament would pose, particularly to the economy as Britain slowly emerges from the worst recession since World War Two. Polls say the economy is far and away the voters' biggest concern and the issue has dominated the campaign. ''We need to win this argument in this election campaign that a hung parliament isn't a change for the better, it would be a change for the worse,'' said Cameron, adding it would leave politicians ''bickering, horsetrading and arguing''.

Guantanamo prepares for Canadian captive’s trial REUTERS UNDATED, APRIL 25

A war crimes tribunal is to convene this week at the Guantanamo Bay US Naval Base in Cuba to decide what evidence can be used against Canadian captive Omar Khadr, whose trial will be the first at Guantanamo during Barack Obama's presidency. Here are some facts about the Guantanamo detention center and the tribunals. * The US military holds 183 captives at the detention center, down from 245 when Obama took office in January 2009.

Nearly 780 prisoners have been held there. * Obama missed his January 2010 deadline for shutting down the camp, in part because Congress blocked funding for a plan to move captives to a prison in the United States. His administration is still negotiating diplomatic deals to repatriate or resettle those cleared for release. About 30 prisoners w e re t o b e s e n t h o m e t o Yemen, but Obama suspended repatriations to that country after allegations that an al Qaeda affiliate in Yemen was behind a failed attempt to blow up a US airplane on Christmas Day 2009. * The detention camp opened in January 2002 to hold and interrogate foreigners captured after US-led forces invaded Afghanistan to oust al Qaeda and its Taliban protectors. Many

detainees were captured outside Afghanistan as part of the ''global war on terror'' launched in response to the hijacked plane attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001. * The Obama administration has designated six Guantanamo prisoners, including Canadian Omar Khadr, for trial by military tribunal and six for trial in US civilian courts. One of the latter group has been transferred to the United States – Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani of Tanzania is awaiting trial in New York on charges of conspiring in the 1998 bombings that killed 224 people at US embassies in Africa. The other five are accused of plotting the September 11 attacks and public outcry against moving them to the United States has forced Obama to reconsider that decision. * Only three trials have been completed in the Guantanamo tribunals – one through a guilty plea, one in which no defense was presented and one in a fully contested trial. Two prisoners were convicted of providing material support for terrorism, held for a few more months at Guantanamo, then sent home to Australia and Yemen. The third, a Yemeni, is serving a life term at Guantanamo for conspiring with al Qaeda, soliciting murder and providing material support for terrorism.

US senators postpone climate bill unveiling Reuters WASHINGTON, APRIL 25

One of President Barack Obama's top priorities – tackling global warming – suffered a severe setback when a fight over immigration derailed plans to unveil a compromise climate change bill.

A bipartisan group of senators led by Democrat John Kerry had been aiming to outline details of their climate change bill tomorrow.

That plan was canceled after Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a member of the working group, threatened to pull out if

Democrats pushed for a debate on an overhaul of immigration before doing the huge environmental and energy legislation yesterday.

Without Graham on board, efforts to pass climate control legislation could be doomed, as he was expected to work to win more Republican support for the bill.

Kerry later announced that ''regrettably, external issues have arisen that force us to postpone'' advancing the climate control bill, which also would have expanded US nuclear power generation and offshore oil drilling.

tested in the exercise would soon be launched, Fars reported.

On Thursday, Iranian media said the Guards successfully tested a new speedboat capable of destroying enemy ships.

The United States is pushing for a fourth round of UN sanctions on Tehran over its refusal to halt sensitive nuclear activities as demanded by the UN Security Council, including proposed moves against members of the Guards.

Israel, widely believed to have the Middle East's only atomic arsenal, has described Iran's nuclear programme as a threat to its existence and has not ruled out military action.

Iran, a predominantly Shi'ite Muslim state, has said it would respond to any attack by targeting US interests in the region and Israel, as well as closing the Strait of Hormuz.

About 40 per cent of the world's traded oil leaves the Gulf region through the strategic narrows.

Butcher of Beijing’s son to get promotion REUTERS BEIJING, APRIL 25

Li Xiaopeng, whose father former Chinese premier Li Peng is reviled by many as the ''Butcher of Beijing'' for his role in the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, will be promoted to a ministerial position, two sources said.

His move will cement the family's position as one of the ruling Communist Party's most powerful dynasties, and is another sign that jockeying has begun ahead of the 2012 Party Congress, where President Hu Jintao's successor will be named.

He will be promoted to gov-

ernor of the southern province of Hunan, two sources with ties to the leadership told Reuters.

He will replace Zhou Qiang, who will be Hunan party chief after his predecessor's move to restless Xinjiang.

Li Xiaopeng, whose name means ''Little Peng'', is currently vice governor of the coal-producing northern province of Shanxi. A governor holds a rank equivalent to a minister in China.

Now-retired Li Peng, as the adopted son of former Premier Zhou Enlai, is a ''princeling'', a term used in China to describe the children of incumbent, retired or late leaders.

From Page 1 IPL summit clash

That is because, it would be near impossible for the Governing Council members to provide documentary support since such documents are with the Income Tax and other investigative agencies.

“I have crossed bigger hurdles in my life, this will pass too. I have done nothing wrong. You are scared only if you have done something wrong. I have nothing to hide,” Modi said.

As soon as the news broke out that Modi would attend the meeting, there was hectic activity at the BCCI headquarters.

Earlier, the BCCI’s top brass was huddled in a meeting of its own at the Board headquarters here to fine-tune its strategy to sack Modi.BCCI President Shashank Manohar, Vice President Arun Jaitley, secretary N Srinivasan, Chief Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty, media and finance committee chairman Rajiv Shukla and IPL Vice Chairman Niranjan Shah met at the headquarters.

For the second day, efforts were made to persuade Modi to quit on his own as sacking him would have to be followed by an inquiry into the reasons which might throw up some more damaging revelations of murky financial dealings.

There were also talks about a couple of franchise owners being brought in to talk Modi into resigning after Sharad Pawar’s attempts at getting him to put in his papers failed.

His support base in the BCCI might be non-existent but Modi has found the backing of IPL franchise owners, who feel the league’s conceptualiser has become the victim of a media trial and deserves a chance to explain himself.

The extent to which Modi has been marginalised can be gauged from the fact that the Champions League Twenty20, of which Modi is the chairman, held a meeting without him and the entire BCCI top brass boycotted the IPL awards on Friday.

The Board’s constitution empowers its Disciplinary Committee “to inquire into and deal with the matters relating to any act of indiscipline or misconduct or violation of any of the Rules and Regulations of any player, umpire, team official, administrator, selector or any other person appointed or employed by the BCCI.” Pending an inquiry, the person would be suspended by the President from “participating in any of the affairs of the Board until final adjudication”. The adjudication should be completed within six months.

Velim tense as locals...

between the police, fish transporters and the trawler owners.

In fact, the contentious issue over water spillage was resolved a couple of years ago after the fish transporters were ordered by the authorities to install water tanks to collect the waste water, but the directions have been now thrown to the winds for reasons best know to the transporters and the Cuncolim police.

When contacted, Cuncolim police said a police team led by PSI Prasanna Bhagat has proceeded to Velim to take stock of the situation. PSI Bhagat sought a day’s time to resolve the issue with the union of the fish transporters.

The residents also contacted the local MLA and Minister for Water Resources Filipe Neri Rodrigues, who has reportedly promised the agitated residents to take up the matter with the fish transporters and the trawler owners.

Govt’s latest affidavit

Moreover, he said internationally accepted norms say that there should be a minimum distance of 150 nautical miles between two airports. “Also keeping two airports operational would be very difficult, given the traffic projections; and if private operators have to be brought in, the existing Dabolim airport will have to be closed down as in the case of HAL in Bangalore and Begumpet in Hyderabad,” he added.

He said the apprehensions of the residents of South Goa can be allayed if the government filed another affidavit in the High Court assuring the citizens of the continuation of Dabolim airport under all circumstances in the future.

Sources in the know said the Under Secretary, Revenue in his affidavit had mentioned about the report from the Union government prepared 10 year ago, stating that the Dabolim airport would be closed down when Mopa becomes a reality.

But, the PWD minister maintains that this report was prepared by the Centre around 10 years ago and things have changed now with Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi giving the green signal for the upgradation of Dabolim at a cost of Rs 500 crore.

But, NGO’s question as to how a senior government official could file a 10-year old report in the High Court as part of an affidavit if the political establishment has cleared upgradation of the Dabolim airport?

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HE RA LD

Pg11 GOA, MONDAY, 26 APRIL, 2010

Committee to probe ex-official role following Bhutto killing PTI ISLAMABAD, APRIL 25

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has set up a committee to ascertain within a week whether a top army official related to Pervez Musharraf had directed police officials to hose down the site where former premier Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in December 2007.

A statement issued by the Prime Minister's media office said Gilani has constituted a three-member fact finding committee headed by Cabinet Secretary Abdul Rauf Chaudhry to determine whether the then "Director General, Military Intelligence gave an order to police official(s) for washing (or) cleaning of the crime scene".

Maj Gen Nadeem Ijaz Ahmad, who is related to former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, was the head of Military Intelligence at the time of Bhutto's assassination.

Gilani directed the committee to submit its report to him "within seven working

days," the statement said yesterday.

The other members of the committee are Maj Gen Sajjad Ghani, Vice Chief of General Staff, and Fayyaz Tooru, Additional Chief Secretar y (Home) of KhyberPakhtoonkhwa province.

The move by Gilani came nine days after a report by a UN commission that probed Bhutto's assassination said the police's "actions and omissions," including the hosing down of the crime scene and failure to collect and preserve evidence, "inflicted irreparable damage to the investigation".

Since the UN panel released its report, police and civil officials have traded charges as to who was responsible for ordering the scene to be washed.

Rizwan Ahmed, who heads the state-run Punjab Emergency Services, has said the crime scene in Rawalpindi was cleaned on the direction of Saud Aziz, who was earlier police chief of the garrison city.

The UN panel's report quoted sources as

saying that Saud Aziz "did not act independently" in deciding the move.

"One source, speaking on the basis of anonymity, stated that CPO Saud Aziz had confided in him that he had received a call from Army Headquarters instructing him to order the hosing down of the crime scene," the report said.

"Another source, also speaking on the basis of anonymity, said that (Saud Aziz) was ordered to hose down the scene by Maj Gen Nadeem Ijaz Ahmad, then Director General of Military Intelligence," the report added.

Since the UN issued its report, the government has removed eight civil and police officials from active service.

It has also terminated the contractual service of Brig (retired) Javed Iqbal Cheema, who was the spokesman of the interior ministry at the time of Bhutto's assassination and had claimed at a news conference that she died after hitting her head on a lever in her bulletproof vehicle.

5 killed in Ethiopia explosion

REUTERS MAKELLE, Ethiopia, APRIL 25

Candidate for Malaysia's ruling National Front coalition, P Kamalanathan meets his supporters outside a polling station during the Hulu Selangor by-election in Hulu Selangor outside Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.

Malaysia PM, Anwar fight out key by-poll REUTERS HULU SELANGOR, Malaysia, APRIL 25

Voters turned up in large numbers in a tense by-election in a central Malaysian state on Sunday that is seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Najib Razak's economic reforms.

Vehicles crawled along roads to the rural enclave of Hulu Selangor in opposition-controlled Selangor state as the government bussed in flag-waving supporters.

Watched by about 1,000 police, a pro-government crowd faced off against supporters of Anwar Ibrahim's opposition alliance at many polling stations in this marginal parliamentary constituency that fell vacant after an opposition lawmaker died.

Analysts said the contest was too close to call, although anything less than a substantial majority may raise questions about Najib's leadership.

For Anwar, who is on trial for sodomy, a defeat would add to a string of setbacks that have seen a series of party defections. ''My family is divided over the

elections,'' said Yusoff Hashim, a 33-year-old graphic designer, after he voted. ''My father says we have to be loyal to the government because they helped us. I don't think it's true.''

By 0820 IST turnout was 26.3 per cent, according to the Election Commission. About 64,500 people are eligible to vote at this rural seat at the outskirts of the Malaysian capital.

Some voters also said they were unhappy with politicians' failure to address their biggest worries – taxes and incomes – in a campaign that mostly focused on opposition candidate and former law minister Zaid Ibrahim's alcohol drinking.

Alcohol is forbidden for Malays, who are Muslims and make up half of the 28 million people in this Southeast Asian country.

Although the election will not affect that balance of power, the government is keen to retake the seat in Selangor state that abuts the capital Kuala Lumpur and is Malaysia's richest.

Najib has hit the campaign

trail and handed out cash to Malay estate settlers, with promises of more to come, in an election that he dubbed a referendum on his first year in office as well as his New Economic Model that involves rolling back race-based affirmative action policies favouring Malays. ''Najib needs to win very big so that he builds up the momentum to take back the Selangor state from the opposition, if and when there is a general election,'' said Bridget Welsh, a Malaysia expert with Singapore Management University.

The premier's first year in office has been marked by strained public finances and delays in fuel subsidy reforms and a goods and services tax due to fears of a voter backlash.

The National Front has lost seven out of nine by-elections after its worst performance in 2008 polls. Mounting political tensions have dented investment. Outflows hit 61 billion dollar in 2008 and 2009, official data showed.

An explosion at a cafe in Ethiopia's northern region of Tigray killed five people and wounded 20 others, officials said, blaming the attack on neighbouring Eritrea. ''This is an attack by the Eritrean government to deliberately disrupt the upcoming elections,'' said Micheal Abraha, Tigray's administrator yesterday.

Ethiopia is scheduled to hold national elections on May 23.

The explosion on a market day in the town of Adi-Daero came only a day after two Eritrean rebel groups said they had killed 11 government soldiers in coordinated attacks on military camps in southern Eritrea.

Relations have been at an impasse since they fought a 19982000 war in which at least 70,000 people were killed.

Tornado kills 10 in Mississippi REUTERS

BIRMINGHAM, Ala, APRIL 25

A tornado nearly 1.6 km wide ripped through central Mississippi killing 10 people, including three children, and injuring dozens of others, state authorities said.

The tornado struck at least 13 counties, destroying scores of homes and trapping people inside, damaging businesses, blocking highways and knocking out power to thousands, said the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency yesterday.

Five people died in Choctaw County, four in Yazoo County and one in Holmes County, said Greg Flynn, spokesman at the agency.

Governor Haley Barbour declared a state of emergency after the first major US tornado of the year. ''It has done huge damage around Yazoo City,'' Barbour, who grew up in the city, told CBS television.

Participants dressed in ethnic costumes dance to mark the Loktantra Diwas or Democracy Day celebration in Kathmandu on Saturday. Nepal is celebrating the fourth anniversary of the reinstatement of democracy in the country, when former monarch King Gyanendra gave up absolute power following widespread protests.

Pak issues fresh threat to move WB PTI NEW DELHI, APRIL 25

Pakistan has issued a fresh threat to move the World Bank for arbitration over Kishenganga power project in Jammu and Kashmir, which it alleges violates the 1960 Indus Water Treaty.

Pakistan has issued the threat in a recent letter to India, the third such communication in last one year, official sources said.

In the letter, Pakistan has said the Indus Water Treaty, which governs sharing of six common river waters, is being violated by the Kishenganga project and it has the "right" to move the World Bank for arbitration, they said.

Pakistan's fresh threat comes after several rounds of bilateral talks failed to end differences over the issue.

Under the Treaty, World Bank is an arbitrator in disputes be-

tween India and Pakistan over sharing of river water and it can be invoked by either country.

Pakistan has been opposing construction of the power project on Kishenganga, claiming it violates the Indus Water Treaty, a contention rejected by India.

Work on the 330-MW project, capacity of which can be raised t o 9 9 0 M W, started in 1994 and Pakistan immediately protested, prompting talks between the two countries to resolve it.

Under the Indus Water Treaty, Pakistan has exclusive right over three of the common rivers – Indus, Jhelum and Chenab – while India has exclusive right over Sutlej, Ravi and Beas.

Kishenganga is a tributary of Jhelum river.

Pakistan has been alleging the diversion of flow will adversely affect its agriculture and hydroelectric project on river Neelam – as Jhelum is known across the border.

Following concerns about submergence voiced by Pakistan, India reviewed the project in 2006, converting it from a storage project to a 'run-of-river plant', which is a type of hydroelectric generation whereby the natural flow and elevation drop of a river are used to generate power.

The reviewed data was communicated to Pakistan in June 2006.

Pakistan had earlier moved the World Bank for arbitration on Baglihar power project, built on Chenab river in Jammu and Kash-

KISHENGANGA PROJECT

Britain apologises over papal ‘condoms’ document REUTERS LONDON, APRIL 25

Britain's Foreign Office apologised for a memorandum by a civil servant suggesting Pope Benedict should open a hospital abortion ward when he visits Britain this year.

The document, which was leaked to the Sunday Telegraph newspaper, also included the proposals that the pope should bless a gay marriage and launch papal-branded condoms when he comes to Britain in September.

The paper yesterday said the ideas, ridiculing the teachings of the Catholic Church against abortion and contraception, resulted from a ''brainstorm'' session. It said Britain's ambassador to the Vatican had expressed the government's regret to senior officials there. ''This is clearly a foolish document that does not in any way reflect UK government or FCO

policy or views,'' a spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said. ''Many of the ideas in the document are clearly ill-judged, naive and disrespectful.''

The paper said the proposals, drawn up by a junior civil servant in a memo headlined ''The ideal visit would see ...'', were circulated among officials in Prime Minister Gordon Brown's Downing Street office and at the Foreign Office.

The document, which had a cover note admitting that some of the plans were ''far-fetched'', also alluded to sex scandals involving paedophile priests in a number of countries by suggesting Pope Benedict should launch a helpline for abused children.

Other ideas included getting the pontiff to perform forward rolls with children to promote healthy living and even performing a duet with Queen Elizabeth, the Telegraph said.

The Foreign Office spokesman said no ministers had been shown the document and it was withdrawn when senior officials became aware of it. The individual responsible had been moved to other duties. ''He has been told orally and in writing that this was a serious error of judgement and has acc e p t e d t h i s v i e w, ' ' t h e spokesman said. ''The FCO very much regrets this incident and is deeply sorry for the offence which it has caused. We strongly value the close and productive relationship between the UK government and the Holy See and look forward to deepening this further with the visit of Pope Benedict to the UK later this year.''

Benedict's trip from Sept. 16 to 19 will be the first papal visit to Britain since 1982. He is due to meet the queen and the Archbishop of Canterbury, spiritual head of the Anglican Church.

mir. Pakistan was objecting to the design and height of the dam.

The Bank appointed a neutral expert, Richard Laffite who held separate discussions with representatives of the two countries and visited the dam site.

After thorough deliberations, the expert in February 2007 gave a go-ahead to the 440 MW project in Doda district with some suggestions for reduction in the dam height.

Last year, when Pakistan had threatened to move the WB, India's Indus Commissioner G Ranganathan had written to his counterpart Syed Jamaat Ali Shah emphasising that approaching the international organisation was not warranted as the matter could be resolved through bilateral talks, the sources said.

Pakistan is yet to respond to this invitation, they said.

Schoolgirls fall ill in suspected Afghan gas attack REUTERS KUNDUZ, Afghanistan, APRIL 28

Dozens of Afghan schoolgirls fell ill after a suspected poison gas attack on their school, local authorities said today, blaming the incident on the Taliban who oppose education for girls.

Provincial police chief Abdul Razzaq Yaqubi said about 48 girls and several teachers became ill suddenly and many collapsed after smelling poison gas at the school in the northern city of Kunduz, where there has been an upsurge in insurgent violence.

Yaqubi blamed the Taliban for the attack. ''I was in class when a smell like a flower reached my nose,'' said Sumaila, 12, one of the girls hospitalised after the attack. ''I saw my classmates and my teacher collapse and when I opened my eyes I was in hospital,'' she said.

Bangkok braces for unrest after peace plan rejected

A Buddhist monk walks at the site where anti-government "red shirt" protesters have gathered in the main shopping district in Bangkok on Sunday.

Reuters BANGKOK, APRIL 25 The Thai capital braced on Sunday for more unrest after the government rejected a peace overture from anti-government protesters offering to end increasingly violent protests in return for early polls.

The red-shirted supporters of ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra said they feared an imminent crackdown, and their leaders threatened more aggressive measures after rescinding an offer to end the protests if the government called elections in 30 days.

The stalemate rekindled fears of more unrest and a heavier toll on Southeast Asia's secondbiggest economy as more retailers shut their doors and tourist numbers dwindle.

About 500 km (300 miles) north of Bangkok, hundreds of ''red shirts'' formed a roadblock

in northeastern Udon Thani province and stopped a convoy of 150 police from heading to Bangkok to strengthen security operations, a local official told Reuters.

The police retreated but the red shirts continued to block the road, the official said, raising questions over whether Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva can exert full control over rebellious parts of Thailand as the deadly protests enter a seventh week.

The army is also having to deal with a rogue military element that supports the protesters and is allied with Thaksin, who was ousted in 2006 coup and sentenced to prison for corruption after fleeing the country.

Abhisit's six-party coalition government is under intense pressure from upper-class and royalist Thais to rebuff demands

from the mostly poor ''red shirts''. He stuck to an earlier offer to dissolve parliament and call elections in December, a year early. ''There must not be a precedent that allows intimidation to bring about political change,'' Abhisit said in his weekly television broadcast on Sunday. ''Thirty days is out of question.

I don't think this problem can be solved within 30 days.''

He said the red shirts' peace overture looked insincere, designed only to boost their image and could not be considered amid threats. The protests, he added, were taking a worsening toll on Thailand's economy, Southeast Asia's second biggest.

Hotel occupancy in Bangkok has crumbled to 20 percent from about 80 percent in February, squeezing an industry that supports six percent of the econ-

Sandstorm, snow close air link to China quake zone REUTERS BEIJING, APRIL 25

A choking sandstorm and heavy snow have severed a vital air link to the remote quake-hit Chinese county of Yushu, severely affecting relief efforts, state media said on Sunday.

An earthquake earlier this month in Yushu, high on the Tibetan plateau in

western Qinghai province, killed more than 2,000 people and left thousands of others homeless in freezing temperatures.

Yushu's airport, only opened last year, has been an important part of the rescue mission following the quake, enabling aid workers and supplies to bypass the 800 km (500 mile) road trip from provincial capital Xin-

ing, and helping in evacuations of the injured.

But heavy snow has closed that airport, and a sandstorm sweeping across northwest China has closed Xining airport, state news agency Xinhua said. ''All the six daily flights from Xining to Yushu were delayed,'' it quoted a Xining airport spokesman as saying.

''It is unknown when flights will resume.''

The dust has penetrated the terminal, covering chairs with yellow grit and stranding hundreds of rescuers, the report added.

Large swathes of China are often hit by dust or sand storms at this time of year.

The government has spent mil-

lions of dollars on projects to rein in the spread of deserts, planting trees and trying to protect what plant cover remains in marginal areas.

But the battle is being fought against a backdrop of rising average temperatures and increasing pressure on water resources after three decades of booming growth.

omy. Some hotels such as the Holiday Inn near the main protest site have shut their doors entirely.

Taking those losses into account, Abhisit said he would soon scale back the government's projection of 4.5 per cent annual economic growth this year. ''We will have to revise the growth rate again, especially after this month and last month, as we can see that the protests have had a big impact on tourism,'' he said.

Army chief Anupong Paochinda, sitting by Abhisit's side, sought to downplay signs

of a split in the armed forces, but he acknowledged for the first time some retired and active officers had joined the protest movement. ''Some of those involved in the deadly attacks are still in the military,'' he said. ''But on the division, any big organisation could have that.''

Bangkok, a sprawling city of 15 million people, has been on edge after grenade blasts three days ago killed one person and wounded 88 in a business district, an attack the government blamed on the red-shirts, who deny they were responsible.

OHERALDO

Biz12:SUNDAY-Pg-12 4/25/2010 7:26 PM Page 1

BiZ

Pg12

GOA, MONDAY, 26 APRIL, 2010

India to grow 8% despite inflation Agency waShinGTon, april 25

india and China will maintain high growth rates this year and asia will continue to lead the global recovery despite challenges of inflation and excessive capital flows, iMF officials say. india and China will grow at the rates of 8.8 and 10 percent respectively.

'By the end of 2009, output in most of asia returned to precrisis levels even in those economies that were hit hardest by the crisis. after the deepest recession in recent history globally, we know that asia is leading this global recovery,' anoop Singh, international Monetary Fund's Director of the asia and pacific Department said. 'in fact, activity in asia has rebounded fairly swiftly over the past year and in the first quarter of 2010.' while the pattern of recovery has varied in asia, 'both the more domestically-oriented economies such

Mutual Fund Scheme Name A

as China, india and indonesia as well as the moreexport-oriented economies are experiencing strong upturns,' Singh added. asked if rising inflation in South asia will pose a serious threat to the region's recovery, Singh said it is not surprising that inflation has begun to turn up as output gaps in much of asia have begun to narrow. 'we do expect output gaps to close this year in a number of economies including countries in South asia such as india,' he said noting there is a significant contribution to higher inflation coming from food and energy prices. reserve Bank of india (rBi) Governor Duvvuri Subbarao represented india at the steering committee of the 186-nation international Monetary Fund (iMF) in place of Finance Minister pranab Mukherjee.

'Current estimates are that real GDp had grown at 7.2 percent during the just completed fiscal year 2009-10, up from

Key to abbreviations: R Price: Repurchase Price; S Price: Sale Price; (D): Dividend; (G): Growth NAVs (Rs)

A

AIG India Equity Fund - Regular Plan (D) 12.26 India Equity Fund - Regular Plan (G) 12.26 Infrastructure and Economic Reform - Regular (D) 9.27 Infrastructure and Economic Reform - Regular (G) 9.27 AXIS Equity Fund (D) 10.56 Equity Fund (G) 10.56 Tax Saver Fund (D) 11.03 Tax Saver Fund (G) 11.03

B

Baroda Pioneer ELSS 96 24.66 Growth Fund (D) 28.35 Growth Fund (G) 50.34 Bharti AXA Equity Fund - Eco Plan (Bonus) 18.54 Equity Fund - Eco Plan (D) 14.05 Equity Fund - Eco Plan (G) 18.54 Equity Fund - Eco Plan (QD) 15.25 Equity Fund - Retail Plan (Bonus) 18.46 Equity Fund - Retail Plan (D) 14.01 Equity Fund - Retail Plan (G) 18.46 Equity Fund - Retail Plan (QD) 15.20 Focused Infrastructure Fund (D) 11.02 Focused Infrastructure Fund (G) 11.02 Focused Infrastructure Fund (QD) 11.02 Tax Advantage Fund - Eco Plan (D) 13.19 Tax Advantage Fund - Eco Plan (G) 24.24 Tax Advantage Fund - Retail Plan (D) 13.18 Tax Advantage Fund - Retail Plan (G) 24.18 Birla Sun Life Advantage Fund (D) 90.46 Advantage Fund (G) 154.57 Basic Industries Fund (D) 30.83 Basic Industries Fund (G) 102.74 Basic Industries Fund - Trigger Plan (D) 11.09 Buy India Fund (D) 23.41 Buy India Fund (G) 38.56 Commodity Equities - Global Agri Plan - Retail (D) 14.61 Commodity Equities - Global Agri Plan - Retail (G) 14.61 Commodity Equities - Global Commodity - RP (D) 12.60 Commodity Equities - Global Commodity - RP (G) 12.60 Commodity Equities - Global Metals -RP (D) 11.98 Commodity Equities - Global Metals Plan -RP (G) 11.98 Dividend Yield Plus (D) 14.15 Dividend Yield Plus (G) 75.37 Equity Fund (D) 73.09 Equity Fund (G) 259.93 Frontline Equity Fund - Plan A (D) 22.13 Frontline Equity Fund - Plan A (G) 82.10 Frontline Equity Fund - Plan B (D) 12.41 Frontline Equity Fund - Plan B (G) 12.41 India GenNext Fund (D) 13.96 India GenNext Fund (G) 21.48 India Opportunities Fund - Plan A (D) 19.69 India Opportunities Fund - Plan B (G) 54.05 Infrastructure Fund - Plan A (D) 13.49 Infrastructure Fund - Plan A (G) 17.36 Infrastructure Fund - Plan B (D) 12.46 Infrastructure Fund - Plan B (G) 12.98 International Equity Fund - Plan A (D) 8.73 International Equity Fund - Plan A (G) 8.73 International Equity Fund - Plan B (D) 9.06 International Equity Fund - Plan B (G) 9.06 Long Term Advantage Fund (D) 13.60 Long Term Advantage Fund (G) 13.60 Long Term Advantage Fund - Series 1(D) 12.20 Long Term Advantage Fund - Series 1(G) 12.20 Midcap Fund - Plan A (D) 25.48 Midcap Fund - Plan A (G) 108.61 Midcap Fund - Plan B (D) 13.71 Midcap Fund - Plan B (G) 13.71 Special Situations Fund (D) 10.07 Special Situations Fund (G) 10.07 Sweep Plan (D) 10.12 Tax Plan (D) 46.09 Tax Plan (G) 13.14 Tax Relief 96 (D) 83.29 Tax Relief 96 (G) 11.24 Top 100 Fund (D) 14.40 Top 100 Fund (G) 20.74

C

Canara Robeco Emerging Equities (Bonus) Emerging Equities (D) Emerging Equities (G) Equity Diversified (Bonus) Equity Diversified (D) Equity Diversified (G) Equity Tax Saver (D) Equity Tax Saver (G) F.O.R.C.E Fund - Retail Plan (D) F.O.R.C.E Fund - Retail Plan (G) Infrastructure (D)

6.7 percent during 2008-09,' he said. For policy purposes, the rBi has placed the baseline projection of real GDp growth for 2010-11 at 8 percent with an upside bias, he said as the committee held a day-long meeting as part of the regular spring gathering of the iMF and world Bank.

Subbarao said financial crisis played an important role, in both mitigating the adverse impact of the crisis and ensuring rapid recovery.

'The developments on the inflation front, however, are worrisome,' he said noting 'inflation, which was earlier driven entirely by supply side factors, is now getting increasingly generalised'. in view of the inflation risk, rBi had embarked on a calibrated exit from the expansionary monetary policy, while the central budget of 2010-11 has begun the process of fiscal consolidation by programming reductions in the revenue and fiscal deficits, he said.

17.29 14.28 20.65 23.28 23.25 51.14 19.96 24.24 12.06 12.05 17.57

Infrastructure (G) Multicap (D) Multicap (G)

22.06 13.63 14.69

L

L&T Contra Fund (D) Contra Fund (G) Global Advantage Fund (D) Global Advantage Fund (G) Growth Fund (D) Growth Fund (G) Hedged Equity Fund (D) Hedged Equity Fund (G) Infrastructure Fund (D) Infrastructure Fund (G) Midcap Fund (D) Midcap Fund (G) Multi-Cap Fund (D) Multi-Cap Fund (G) Opportunities Fund (D) Opportunities Fund (G) Tax Advantage Fund - Series I (D) Tax Advantage Fund - Series I (G) Tax Saver Fund (D) Tax Saver Fund (G)

9.99 9.99 7.08 10.21 16.93 35.83 9.19 12.96 7.69 7.69 22.18 38.43 14.61 18.32 18.71 42.72 14.74 20.06 14.28 15.37

D

DWS Alpha Equity Fund - Regular Plan (D) 16.36 Alpha Equity Fund - Regular Plan (G) 75.20 Alpha Equity Fund - Wealth Plan (D) 13.09 Alpha Equity Fund - Wealth Plan (G) 15.66 Investment Opportunity Fund - Regular Plan (D) 26.37 Investment Opportunity Fund - Regular Plan (G) 38.06 Investment Opportunity Fund - Wealth Plan (D) 13.17 Investment Opportunity Fund - Wealth Plan (G) 17.23 Tax Saving Fund (D) 13.01 Tax Saving Fund (G) 13.92 DSP BlackRock Equity Fund - Regular Plan (D) 48.03 Equity Fund - Regular Plan (G) 15.20 India T.I.G.E.R. Fund - Regular Plan (D) 18.85 India T.I.G.E.R. Fund - Regular Plan (G) 46.23 Natural Resources and New Energy - Regular (D) 12.94 Natural Resources and New Energy - Regular (G) 12.94 Opportunities Fund - Regular Plan (D) 27.21 Opportunities Fund - Regular Plan (G) 78.04 Tax Saver Fund (D) 12.04 Tax Saver Fund (G) 16.16 Technology.Com - Regular Plan (D) 24.35 Technology.Com - Regular Plan (G) 33.34 Top 100 Equity Fund - Regular Plan (D) 20.79 Top 100 Equity Fund - Regular Plan (G) 92.47

E

Edelweiss Absolute Return Equity Fund (D) Absolute Return Equity Fund (G) Diversified Growth Equity Fund - Plan A (D) Diversified Growth Equity Fund - Plan A (G) Diversified Growth Equity Fund - Plan B (D) Diversified Growth Equity Fund - Plan B (G) Diversified Growth Equity Fund - Plan C (D) Diversified Growth Equity Fund - Plan C (G) ELSS Fund (D) ELSS Fund (G) Nifty Enhancer Fund - Plan A (D) Nifty Enhancer Fund - Plan A (G) Nifty Enhancer Fund - plan B (D) Nifty Enhancer Fund - Plan B (G)

10.52 10.52 13.13 13.13 13.17 13.17 13.20 13.20 17.95 17.95 10.88 11.94 11.85 11.85

E

Escorts Growth Plan (D) Growth Plan (G) High Yield Equity Plan (Bonus) High Yield Equity Plan (D) High Yield Equity Plan (G) Infrastructure Fund (D) Infrastructure Fund (G) Leading Sectors Fund (D) Leading Sectors Fund (G) Power and Energy Fund (D) Power and Energy Fund (G) Tax Plan (D) Tax Plan (G)

14.77 76.94 12.85 11.30 12.83 8.91 8.91 10.89 10.89 14.15 17.64 11.58 49.35

F

Fidelity Equity Fund (D) Equity Fund (G) India Growth Fund (D) India Growth Fund (G) India Special Situations Fund (D) India Special Situations Fund (G) India Value Fund (D) India Value Fund (G) International Opportunities Fund (D)

20.00 31.61 11.00 11.00 15.52 17.12 10.65 10.65 12.29

Going forward, three major uncertainties cloud the outlook for inflation, Subbarao said.

'First, the prospects of the monsoon in 2010-11 are not yet clear. Second, crude prices continue to be volatile. Third, there is evidence of demand side pressures building up.' noting that problems in the financial sector were at the heart of the recent global crisis, the international Monetary and Financial Committee (iMFC) said in a communique that 'strengthening financial regulation, supervision, and resilience remains a critical but as yet incomplete task'. 'we agree to redouble efforts to forge a collaborative and consistent approach for a stable global financial system that can support the economic recovery.' The recent monsoon forecast will also lead to bringing down the current inflation rate and india is hoping for a better produce this year, unlike the previous year.

International Opportunities Fund (G) Tax Advantage Fund (D) Tax Advantage Fund (G) Fortis China-India Fund (D) China-India Fund (G) Dividend Yield Fund (D) Dividend Yield Fund (G) Equity Fund (D) Equity Fund (G) Future Leaders Fund (D) Future Leaders Fund (G) Sustainable Development Fund (D) Sustainable Development Fund (G) Tax Advantage Plan (ELSS) (D) Tax Advantage Plan (ELSS) (G) Franklin Asian Equity Fund (D) Asian Equity Fund (G) Build India Fund (D) Build India Fund (G) FMCG Fund (D) FMCG Fund (G) India Bluechip Fund (D) India Bluechip Fund (G) India Flexi Cap Fund (D) India Flexi Cap Fund (G) India High Growth Companies Fund (D) India High Growth Companies Fund (G) India Opportunities Fund (D) India Opportunities Fund (G) India Prima Fund (D) India Prima Fund (G) India Prima Plus Fund (D) India Prima Plus Fund (G) India Smaller Companies Fund (D) India Smaller Companies Fund (G) India Tax Shield (D) India Tax Shield (G) Templeton India Equity Income Fund (D) Templeton India Equity Income Fund (G) Templeton India Growth Fund (D) Templeton India Growth Fund (G)

12.29 17.49 19.48 8.41 8.41 11.22 16.13 10.71 31.68 8.91 8.95 10.97 12.04 10.61 13.31 10.09 10.09 11.80 11.80 34.29 54.64 39.05 195.06 15.11 29.83 12.46 12.46 14.33 29.82 49.29 264.23 27.33 203.54 12.80 13.82 31.10 189.15 14.56 18.75 54.26 115.34

H

HDFC Capital Builder Fund (D) Capital Builder Fund (G) Core & Satellite Fund (D) Core & Satellite Fund (G) Equity Fund (D) Equity Fund (G) Growth Fund (D) Growth Fund (G) Infrastructure Fund (D) Infrastructure Fund (G) Long Term Advantage Fund (D) Long Term Advantage Fund (G) Long Term Equity Fund (D) Long Term Equity Fund (G) Mid-Cap Opportunities Fund (D) Mid-Cap Opportunities Fund (G) Premier Multi-Cap Fund (D) Premier Multi-Cap Fund (G) Tax Saver (D) Tax Saver (G) Top 200 Fund (D) Top 200 Fund (G) HSBC Dynamic Fund (D) Dynamic Fund (G) Equity Fund (D) Equity Fund (G) India Opportunities Fund (D) India Opportunities Fund (G) Tax Saver Equity Fund (D) Tax Saver Equity Fund (G) Unique Opportunities Fund (D) Unique Opportunities Fund (G)

24.01 99.10 21.04 37.01 44.59 242.62 29.93 76.44 11.55 11.55 35.68 121.89 11.93 14.42 13.63 13.63 15.16 26.73 58.88 209.58 44.15 186.78 9.58 9.58 27.61 96.52 16.01 32.11 13.06 14.16 10.41 10.41

I

ICICI Pru Banking & Financial Services - Retail Plan (D) Banking & Financial Services - Retail Plan (G) Discovery Fund (D) Discovery Fund (G) Dynamic Plan (D) Dynamic Plan (G) Emerging S.T.A.R. Fund (D) Emerging S.T.A.R. Fund (G) FMCG Fund (D) FMCG Fund (G) Focused Equity Fund (D) Focused Equity Fund (G) Fusion Fund (D) Fusion Fund (G) Fusion Fund Series - II (D) Fusion Fund Series - II (G) Fusion Fund Series - III Retail Plan (D) Fusion Fund Series - III Retail Plan (G) Growth Plan (D) Growth Plan (G) Indo Asia Equity Fund - Retail Plan (D) Indo Asia Equity Fund - Retail Plan (G) Infrastructure Fund - Retail Plan (D) Infrastructure Fund - Retail Plan (G)

16.01 16.01 20.28 44.53 18.18 96.46 16.83 33.80 30.50 53.33 14.32 14.32 13.03 13.83 11.96 12.83 12.06 12.06 18.93 125.25 9.71 9.71 12.40 29.55

Indian Bank to target youth

3G licences bids reach Rs 79b ReuteRs new Delhi, april 25

Bids for one set of nationwide third-generation (3G) mobile spectrum licences reached 79 billion rupees ($1.78 billion), or 126 percent above the base price, on the thirteenth day of an auction, government data showed.

Seventy-six rounds of bidding had been completed by Saturday, the Department of Telecommunications said on its website.

The auction started on april 9 and is still on.

The base price for one set of pan-india licences had been set at 35 billion rupees.

The government will sell four such licences -- three from the auction and one set to the state-run telecoms firms who would have to match the highest bid price paid by the private opera-

Power (D) Power (G) Services Industries Fund (D) Services Industries Fund (G) Target Returns Fund - Retail Plan (D) Target Returns Fund - Retail Plan (G) Tax Plan (D) Tax Plan (G) Technology Fund (D) Technology Fund (G) ICICI Prudential R.I.G.H.T. Fund (D) ICICI Prudential R.I.G.H.T. Fund (G) IDFC Classic Equity Fund - Plan A (D) Classic Equity Fund - Plan A (G) Enterprise Equity Fund - Plan A (D) Enterprise Equity Fund - Plan A (G) Enterprise Equity Fund - Plan B (D) Enterprise Equity Fund - Plan B (G) Imperial Equity Fund - Plan A (D) Imperial Equity Fund - Plan A (G) India GDP Growth Fund (D) India GDP Growth Fund (G) Premier Equity Fund - Plan A (D) Premier Equity Fund - Plan A (G) Small & Midcap Equity Fund (D) Small & Midcap Equity Fund (G) Strategic Sector (50-50) Equity Fund - Plan A (D) Strategic Sector (50-50) Equity Fund - Plan A (G) Tax Advantage (ELSS) Fund (D) Tax Advantage (ELSS) Fund (G) Tax Saver (ELSS) Fund (D) Tax Saver (ELSS) Fund (G) ING C.U.B. Fund (Bonus) C.U.B. Fund (D) C.U.B. Fund (G) Contra Fund (B) Contra Fund (D) Contra Fund (G) Core Equity Fund (D) Core Equity Fund (G) Dividend Yield Fund (D) Dividend Yield Fund (G) Domestic Opportunities Fund (D) Domestic Opportunities Fund (G) Midcap Fund (D) Midcap Fund (G) OptiMix Multi Manager Equity Fund - Plan A (D) OptiMix Multi Manager Equity Fund - Plan A (G) OptiMix Multi Manager Equity Fund - Plan B (G) OptiMix Retireinvest Fund - Series I (D) OptiMix Retireinvest Fund - Series I (G) Tax SavFund (Bonus) Tax SavFund (D) Tax SavFund (G) JM Agri & Infra Fund (D) Agri & Infra Fund (G) Basic Fund (D) Basic Fund (G) Contra Fund (D) Contra Fund (G) Emerging Leaders Fund (D) Emerging Leaders Fund (G) Equity Fund (D) Equity Fund (G) Financial Services Sector Fund (D) Financial Services Sector Fund (G) HI FI Fund (D) HI FI Fund (G) Large Cap Fund (D) Large Cap Fund (G) Mid Cap Fund (D) Mid Cap Fund (G) Multi Strategy Fund (D) Multi Strategy Fund (G) Small & Mid-Cap Fund - Regular Plan (D) Small & Mid-Cap Fund - Regular Plan (G) Tax Gain Fund (D) Tax Gain Fund (G) Telecom Sector Fund (D) Telecom Sector Fund (G) JP Morgan India Tax Advantage Fund (D) India Tax Advantage Fund (G) India Equity Fund (D) India Equity Fund (G) India Smaller Companies Fund (D) India Smaller Companies Fund (G)

16.54 105.59 12.69 16.88 12.82 12.82 19.39 130.05 15.30 15.30 11.01 11.01 14.74 20.38 12.31 15.01 10.36 12.34 15.18 18.36 15.52 15.52 23.55 29.06 15.65 17.02 13.22 13.37 14.99 18.72 13.98 13.98 16.39 11.97 16.39 15.84 13.51 15.84 18.62 35.20 19.01 20.92 13.17 34.87 15.79 19.87 10.56 10.56 10.78 12.08 12.07 26.91 13.25 26.87 3.08 3.08 13.21 18.91 5.82 5.82 8.23 8.21 14.44 35.47 9.21 9.21 5.69 5.69 12.97 17.63 17.84 26.04 13.84 14.88 5.92 5.92 7.35 7.35 7.88 7.88 13.62 16.82 11.26 12.13 7.14 7.14

K

Kotak 30 (D) 30 (G) Contra (D) Contra (G) Emerging Equity Scheme (D) Emerging Equity Scheme (G) Indo World Infrastructure Fund (D) Indo World Infrastructure Fund (G) Lifestyle Fund (D) Lifestyle Fund (G) Midcap Fund (D) Midcap Fund (G)

30.31 96.11 18.09 20.67 11.36 11.36 7.36 7.36 10.42 12.03 16.33 23.47

Agency Chennai, april 25

To target the youth, government-owned indian Bank plans to open five fully automated branches this fiscal, an official said.

'The first such branch will be opened in our new corporate office (here) which will be inaugurated aug 15. The other branches will come up soon after that in Mumbai, Delhi, hyderabad and Bangalore,' TM Bhasin, the bank's chairman and managing director, said.

Declaring the bank's results for 2009-10, he said the ebranches will have multiple automatic teller machines for banking. planned as branches without human interaction, Bhasin said initially the ebranches will have a few people to guide the customers in using the machines.

Opportunities Fund (D) Opportunities Fund (G) Select Focus Fund (D) Select Focus Fund (G) Tax Saver (D) Tax Saver (G)

15.15 43.62 10.80 10.80 10.69 17.45

L

LIC Infrastructure Fund Series 1 (D) Infrastructure Fund Series 1 (G) MF Equity Fund (D) MF Equity Fund (G) MF Growth Fund (D) MF Growth Fund (G) MF India Vision Fund (D) MF India Vision Fund (G) MF Opportunities Fund (D) MF Opportunities Fund (G) MF Tax Plan (D) MF Tax Plan (G) MF Top 100 Fund (D) MF Top 100 Fund (G)

9.53 9.53 9.96 25.28 10.90 12.29 8.76 8.76 10.15 17.83 9.95 27.78 8.20 8.20

M

Mirae Asset Global Commodity Stock Fund - Regular Plan (D) Global Commodity Stock Fund - Regular Plan (G) India Opportunities Fund - Regular Plan (D) India Opportunities Fund - Regular Plan (G) Morgan Stanley A.C.E. Fund (Across Capitalisations Equity) (D) A.C.E. Fund (Across Capitalisations Equity) (G) Growth Fund (D) Growth Fund (G)

11.93 11.93 13.88 15.00 14.08 14.08 19.57 60.05

P

Principal Dividend Yield Fund (D) Dividend Yield Fund (G) Emerging Bluechip Fund (D) Emerging Bluechip Fund (G) Global Opportunities Fund (D) Global Opportunities Fund (G) Large Cap Fund (D) Large Cap Fund (G) PNB Long Term Equity Fund - 3 yrs - Series 1 (D) PNB Long Term Equity Fund - 3 yrs - Series 1 (G) PNB Long Term Equity Fund - 3 yrs - Series II (D) PNB Long Term Equity Fund - 3 yrs - Series II (G) Resurgent India Equity Fund (D) Resurgent India Equity Fund (G) Services Industries Fund (D) Services Industries Fund (G) Tax Savings Fund

15.66 21.22 23.87 30.16 16.05 16.05 19.57 26.43 11.32 11.32 11.50 11.50 12.42 87.39 12.54 14.14 74.25

Q

Quantum Long-Term Equity Fund (D) Long-Term Equity Fund (G) Tax Saving Fund (D) Tax Saving Fund (G)

R

19.66 19.50 19.55 19.56

Reliance Banking Fund (Bonus) 83.24 Banking Fund (D) 33.21 Banking Fund (G) 83.24 Diversified Power Sector Fund - Retail (Bonus) 81.40 Diversified Power Sector Fund - Retail Plan (D) 48.05 Diversified Power Sector Fund - Retail Plan (G) 81.40 Equity Advantage Fund - Retail Plan (B) 11.80 Equity Advantage Fund - Retail Plan (D) 11.80 Equity Advantage Fund - Retail Plan (G) 11.80 Equity Fund - Retail Plan (Bonus) 14.97 Equity Fund - Retail Plan (D) 14.97 Equity Fund - Retail Plan (G) 14.97 Equity Linked Saving Fund - Series I (D) 13.43 Equity Linked Saving Fund - Series I (G) 13.43 Equity Opportunities Fund - Retail Plan (Bonus) 32.10 Equity Opportunities Fund - Retail Plan (D) 22.68 Equity Opportunities Fund - Retail Plan (G) 32.10 Growth Fund - Retail Plan (Bonus) 75.74 Growth Fund - Retail Plan (D) 55.97 Growth Fund - Retail Plan (G) 456.58 Infrastructure Fund - Retail Plan (Bonus) 11.74 Infrastructure Fund - Retail Plan (D) 11.74 Infrastructure Fund - Retail Plan (G) 11.74 Long Term Equity Fund (D) 14.74 Long Term Equity Fund (G) 14.74 Media & Entertainment Fund (Bonus) 28.42 Media & Entertainment Fund (D) 20.43 Media & Entertainment Fund (G) 28.42 Natural Resources Fund (Bonus) 9.96 Natural Resources Fund (D) 9.96 Natural Resources Fund (G) 9.96 NRI Equity Fund (Bonus) 35.80 NRI Equity Fund (D) 21.30 NRI Equity Fund (G) 35.80 Pharma Fund (Bonus) 49.34 Pharma Fund (D) 36.80 Pharma Fund (G) 49.34 Quant Plus Fund - Retail Plan (B) 11.92 Quant Plus Fund - Retail Plan (D) 11.92

BOARD@MEETINGS

The bank will open around 190 branches across the country this fiscal, taking the total to over 1,940.

Speaking about the bank's annual results for FY10, he said the topline and the bottomline grew by 14.81 percent and 24.87 percent respectively.

'The bank posted a total income of rs 9,030.32 crore and a net profit of rs 1,554.99 crore last year as against rs 7,865.77 crore and rs 1,245.32 crore respectively during 200809. The bank did total business of rs 150,000 crore (deposits rs 88,228 crore, advances rs 62,658 crore,' Bhasin said.

Queried about the impact on the bank after the reserve Bank of india increased the cash reserve ratio (Crr), repo and reverse repo rates he said: 'around rs 215 crore has been sucked out of the system towards reserves.'

Quant Plus Fund - Retail Plan (G) Regular Savings Fund - Equity Option (D) Regular Savings Fund - Equity Option (G) Tax Saver (ELSS) Fund (D) Tax Saver (ELSS) Fund (G) Vision Fund - Retail Plan (Bonus) Vision Fund - Retail Plan (D) Vision Fund - Retail Plan (G)

11.92 22.83 29.29 15.09 19.36 43.11 41.87 256.71

R

Religare AGILE Fund (D) AGILE Fund (G) AGILE Tax Fund (D) AGILE Tax Fund (G) Banking Fund - Regular Plan (D) Banking Fund - Regular Plan (G) Business Leaders Fund (D) Business Leaders Fund (G) Contra Fund (D) Contra Fund (G) Equity Fund (D) Equity Fund (G) Growth Fund (D) Growth Fund (G) Infrastructure Fund (D) Infrastructure Fund (G) Mid Cap Fund (D) Mid Cap Fund (G) Mid N Small Cap Fund (D) Mid N Small Cap Fund (G) PSU Equity Fund (D) PSU Equity Fund (G) Tax Plan (D) Tax Plan (G)

Source: Indiainfoline.com

Select Midcap - Regular Plan (D) Select Midcap - Regular Plan (G) Select Small Cap Fund (D) Select Small Cap Fund (G) Select Thematic Energy Opportunities Funds (D) Select Thematic Energy Opportunities Funds (G) Tax Saver (OE) (D) Tax Saver (OE) (G)

17.19 137.54 12.73 12.73 8.46 8.46 11.30 42.16

T

6.36 6.35 7.26 7.26 13.66 17.61 11.54 11.55 11.87 15.35 11.87 11.87 11.58 11.58 8.32 8.32 13.12 13.12 12.76 12.76 10.18 10.18 13.27 16.03

S

Sahara Banking and Financial Services Fund (D) Banking and Financial Services Fund (G) Growth Fund (D) Growth Fund (G) Infrastructure - Fixed Pricing Option (D) Infrastructure - Fixed Pricing Option (G) Infrastructure -Variable Pricing Option (D) Infrastructure -Variable Pricing Option (G) Midcap Fund (Bonus) Midcap Fund (D) Midcap Fund (G) Midcap Fund (Growth Auto Payout) Power & Natural Resources Fund (D) Power & Natural Resources Fund (G) Star Value Fund (D) Star Value Fund (G) Super 20 Fund (D) Super 20 Fund (G) Tax Gain (D) Tax Gain (G) Wealth Plus - Variable Pricing Option (D) Wealth Plus - Variable Pricing Option (G) Wealth Plus Fund - Fixed Pricing Option (D) Wealth Plus Fund - Fixed Pricing Option (G) SBI Blue Chip Fund (D) Blue Chip Fund (G) Infrastructure Fund - Series I (D) Infrastructure Fund - Series I (G) Magnum Comma Fund (D) Magnum Comma Fund (G) Magnum Contra Fund (D) Magnum Contra Fund (G) Magnum Emerging Businesses Fund (D) Magnum Emerging Businesses Fund (G) Magnum Equity Fund (D) Magnum Equity Fund (G) Magnum FMCG Fund Magnum Global Fund (D) Magnum Global Fund (G) Magnum Midcap Fund (D) Magnum Midcap Fund (G) One India Fund (D) One India Fund (G) Shinsei Industry Leaders Fund (D) Leaders Fund (G) Sundaram BNP Paribas Capex Opportunities Fund (D) Capex Opportunities Fund (G) Equity Multiplier Fund (D) Equity Multiplier Fund (G) Financial Services Opportunities - Retail Plan (D) Financial Services Opportunities - Retail Plan (G) Growth Fund - Regular Plan (D) Growth Fund - Regular Plan (G) India Leadership Fund - Regular Plan (D) India Leadership Fund - Regular Plan (G) Media & Entertainment Opportunities - Retail (D) Media & Entertainment Opportunities - Retail (G) PSU Opportunities Fund (D) PSU Opportunities Fund (G) Rural India Fund (D) Rural India Fund (G) S.M.I.L.E Fund - Regular Plan (D) S.M.I.L.E Fund - Regular Plan (G) Select Focus - Retail Plan (D) Select Focus - Retail Plan (G)

Accentia tech gMM Pfaudler Allied Digit godrej cons Rain commodities Artheon Fin golechha glob Rajath Finance gujarat Ambuj ex Religare India Home Rs software Beryl Drugs Indiabulls Indoco Remedies shakti Pumps Bihar tubes Kirloskar Bros Mafatlal Inds cholamandalam Maruti suzuki tata Metaliks cJ gelatine nagarjuna Agrichm trent general Deep Inds nRc

16.85 26.69 29.05 77.48 12.41 16.97 12.84 17.47 29.12 19.77 29.12 29.12 13.20 13.20 12.03 12.03 11.07 11.07 15.15 33.98 19.42 19.42 18.81 18.81 12.44 14.27 10.53 10.52 16.40 24.28 25.90 56.45 16.62 37.48 30.52 40.45 23.10 28.98 51.85 17.50 22.82 10.94 10.94 10.68 10.68 13.58 25.70 11.19 13.72 13.59 17.10 11.47 85.81 11.72 38.32 12.30 15.58 9.98 9.98 12.57 13.80 12.49 32.15 11.10 85.68

TATA Capital Builder Fund (D) Capital Builder Fund (G) Contra Fund (D) Contra Fund (G) Dividend Yield Fund (D) Dividend Yield Fund (G) Equity Management Fund (D) Equity Management Fund (G) Equity Opportunities Fund - Plan A (D) Equity Opportunities Fund - Plan B (G) Equity P/E Fund (G) Equity P/E Fund - Trigger Option A 5% (D) Equity P/E Fund - Trigger Option B 10% (D) Growing Economies Infrastructure Fund - A (D) Growing Economies Infrastructure Fund - A (G) Growing Economies Infrastructure Fund - B (D) Growing Economies Infrastructure Fund - B (G) Growth Fund (Bonus) Growth Fund (D) Growth Fund (G) Infrastructure Fund (D) Infrastructure Fund (G) Infrastructure Tax Saving Fund (D) Infrastructure Tax Saving Fund (G) Life Sciences & Technology Fund (D) Life Sciences & Technology Fund (G) Mid Cap Fund (D) Mid Cap Fund (G) Pure Equity Fund (D) Pure Equity Fund (G) Select Equity Fund (D) Select Equity Fund (G) Service Industries Fund (D) Service Industries Fund (G) Tax Advantage Fund - 1 (D) Tax Advantage Fund - 1 (G) Tax Saving Fund Taurus Bonanza Fund (D) Bonanza Fund (G) Discovery Fund (D) Discovery Fund (G) Ethical Fund (Bonus) Ethical Fund (D) Ethical Fund (G) Infrastructure Fund (D) Infrastructure Fund (G) Star Share (D) Star Share (G) Tax Shield (D) Tax Shield (G)

13.88 14.86 15.33 16.27 20.82 29.25 12.86 13.86 22.59 80.79 44.94 39.38 39.82 11.35 11.36 12.05 12.05 37.64 18.60 41.42 22.36 33.96 17.09 17.09 35.26 66.22 16.36 17.39 36.78 92.69 44.25 61.68 19.54 24.35 14.76 14.76 43.19 39.75 39.49 15.05 15.04 21.83 16.37 21.85 14.48 14.43 36.08 51.25 19.29 32.54

U

UTI Banking Sector Fund (D) Banking Sector Fund (G) Contra Fund (D) Contra Fund (G) Dividend Yield Fund (D) Dividend Yield Fund (G) Energy Fund (D) Energy Fund (G) Equity Fund (D) Equity Fund (G) Equity Tax Savings Plan (D) Equity Tax Savings Plan (G) India Lifestyle Fund(D) India Lifestyle Fund(G) Infrastructure Advantage Fund - Series I (D) Infrastructure Advantage Fund - Series I (G) Infrastructure Fund (D) Infrastructure Fund (G) Leadership Equity Fund (D) Leadership Equity Fund (G) Long Term Advantage Fund (D) Long Term Advantage Fund (G) Mid Cap Fund (D) Mid Cap Fund (G) MNC Fund (D) MNC Fund (G) Opportunities Fund (D) Opportunities Fund (G) Pharma & Healthcare Fund (D) Pharma & Healthcare Fund (G) Retirement Benefit Pension Fund Top 100 Fund (D) Top 100 Fund (G) Wealth Builder Fund (D) Wealth Builder Fund (G) Wealth Builder Fund - Series II - Retail Plan (D) Wealth Builder Fund - Series II - Retail Plan (G) UTI-Long Term Advantage Fund - Series II (D) UTI-Long Term Advantage Fund - Series II (G) UTI-Transportation and Logistics Fund (D) UTI-Transportation and Logistics Fund (G)

22.53 37.08 12.82 13.89 14.26 28.78 12.66 11.16 43.30 48.99 16.15 37.98 10.40 10.40 9.22 9.22 20.36 35.74 13.72 14.81 12.38 12.38 22.39 30.06 34.55 51.41 13.01 24.35 28.04 34.36 18.85 22.17 27.00 14.72 15.70 15.20 17.40 13.34 13.34 15.02 24.60

Biz13:Layout 1 4/25/2010 11:07 PM Page 1

bIZ

HE RA LD

Pg13

GOA,MONDAY, 26 APRIL, 2010

Sensationalism rules the day The IPl was over yesterday, but the controversies it has generated will persist for a long time to come. last week taxmen the country over paid visits to several companies and offices. What were they looking for and what powers did they exercise? under the tax laws, there are two provisions that allow the tax department to visit business premises. The provision of survey allows the tax officers to visit a business premises during working hours to verify documents, to question assesses on their transactions.

In this case the objective was clear- tax men were on the lookout for the investments made in the buying of the various franchisees or the various teams. For the ownership of the different teams is structured on various levels of ownership with money coming in from different sources both in India and abroad.

For with the enormous amounts that the teams have been auctioned for, it is not just a simple investment – but involves different levels of investment from various sources.

Varied Investments This investment from different sources the world over has created problems of its own.

For in many cases the sources remain unknown.

While SEbI and other investigative agencies were worried about monies coming into the stock market in the form of PN’s or participatory notes, the fact that much of the funding of the teams were structured into several layers where n o questions were asked is rather intriguing.

Now after the Shashi Tharoor fiasco, enquires are being made into the identities of the persons who have bought shares into the various teams.

Preliminary investigations reveal that there are several layers of investments and much of these have come from the tax havens where no questions are asked regarding the source of the money or its colour.

IPL contracts Further there is the question of the various contracts given by the IPl – the advertisement, the sponsorship and the media contracts. Now that the murky dealing with the structuring of the IPl is before the parliament, the scope of the investigation has been expanded to cover all aspects of the functioning of the IPl. Even the investigating agencies are now aware of what they are expected to look for. How much will they find will be another question? a through probe is being conducted into all

E I D Parry to pick GMR stake

Agency MuMbaI, aPrIl 25 Indian sugar producer E I D Parry has agreed to acquire a majority stake in GMr Industries, the companies said in a joint statement on Sunday.

EID Parry will hold a minimum of 65 percent stake in GMr Industries, after a mandatory open offer required under Indian takeover regulations, the statement said.

GMr owns and operates three integrated sugar complexes in southern India.

The deal is in line with holding firm GMr Group's strategy to divest non-core assets and focus on infrastructure and energy businesses.rothschild was the sole financial advisor to GMr Group on the above transaction.

aspects of these contracts. after the investigation, an appraisal report will be prepared, that will be sent to the assessing department who will then begin to both reopen the assessments and make fresh assessments on the information sent by the investigative wing. of course after the assessments, there is the process of appeals at various stages. It will certain take another decade before the entire issues regarding payment of taxes is resolved.

To take another example, Harshad Mehta is dead nearly a decade ago, but his assessments are still before the Income tax tribunal.

Tax is not only troubling it can be time consuming!

The opening of the investigation into the functioning of the IPl has also certain fiscal implications. The finance bill has not been passed. The opposition sensing the differences between the Congress and their political partner the NCP, is waiting to bring a cut motion that will bring down the government.

The political stability of the government hangs on a thin thread supported by various parties who may decide to part ways with the ruling party thereby making for political instability.

Investigations With Parliament in session, the opposition parties also wish to have a part of the pie.

Their demand is to constitute of Joint Parliament Committee to enquire into the matter. as the representatives of the people they are entitled to have ringside information on what is happening. but has any parliamentary commission be able to do any more than produce a report that is laid on the table of parliament and nothing is further heard of the matter. Well, let us wait and see what happens in the coming week?

With parliament stuck over the IPl issue, nothing is being heard about the fate of the Finance bill. This important piece of fiscal legislation will be passed without much of debate.

The next year will see the introduction of the Direct Tax Code and the Goods and Services Tax. Will there be much discussion on these important pieces of legislation. It is sad that important fiscal legislation goes un discussed, but sensational issues such as the IPl get so much of public time and debate. but this is what democracy is all about.

So why complain!

(The author of the column is an Income Tax official.)

Agency KaTHMaNDu, aPrIl 25 Mumbai-based major Indian carrier Kingfisher airlines has begun its much-awaited flight to Nepal, becoming the third Indian airline to connect the two neighbouring countries.

Vijay Mallya, chairman and chief executive officer of the

group, flew to Kathmandu himself Saturday for the inaugural flight.

Kingfisher, which had flown more than a million visitors last year, will now run daily flights between New Delhi and Kathmandu.

In June, it will start direct flights between Mumbai and Kathmandu as well.

The Kathmandu flight coincides with the launch of two more Kingfisher flights to Dubai, from New Delhi and Mumbai.

Airtel World Sim to save on roaming Agency NEW DElHI, aPrIl 25

leading telecom operator bharti airtel Sunday launched the airtel World SIM for international travellers, using which customers can save up to 85 percent on international calls.

'This would enable outbound travellers to retain their local number and calls made on airtel India number are forwarded on the new airtel World SIM,' Director-Marketing of bharti airtel, Shireesh Joshi, said.'It costs a fraction of international roaming and customers save up to 85 percent on international calls,' he added.

India wants IMF to redefine role Agency WaSHINGToN, aPrIl 25

India has asked the International Monetary Fund (IMF) 'to reshape and redefine its role and mandate' in tune with the times to play a pivotal role in warning about future global crises and help foster strong and sustainable growth.

'Concerted and decisive actions by both advanced and emerging and developing countries helped the world to deal with an unprecedented financial and economic crisis,' reserve bank of India (rbI) Governor Duvvuri Subbarao told the steering committee of the 186-nation Fund Saturday. 'our response has strengthened international cooperation and instilled confidence that together we can secure the financial stability of the world and achieve sustainable economic growth,' he said as the committee held a daylong meeting as part of the regular spring gathering of the IMF and World bank.

Subbarao noted towards this objective, a number of significant and concrete steps

ReuTeRs DubaI, aPrIl 25

united arab Emirates banks are likely to face the brunt of the Dubai World restructuring impact in the second quarter after the central bank told lenders they are not required to book provisions until there is more clarity.

In a circular dated april 22, the central bank told local banks they "are not required to provision their related exposure to Dubai World".

It said it would "provide further guidance to banks concerning the treatment of Dubai World debt in their books". banks in the united arab Emirates have an estimated exposure worth of $15 billion to Dubai World, the state conglomerate that is holding debt talks with its nearly 100 creditors.

The central bank's circular allows domestic banks to avoid taking a full hit related to

Dubai World in the first quarter, analysts said. "once the banks accept the (Dubai World) proposal they will have to announce the accounting impact," said Deepak Tolani, a banking analyst at al Mal Capital. "It (Q2 headlines) could be negative," he said.

Some banks, have indicated they already started booking provisions against Dubai World debt despite the central bank circular.

"Irrespective of what the central bank said in its circular on Thursday, the bank is taking provisions in first quarter," said an official from an abu Dhabibased bank with exposure to Dubai World, who asked not to be identified. "under the restructuring, the bank is losing substantially on interest and that is what we are providing for," the official said. an executive at another uaE bank said: "We are booking some provisions generally but

also look at exporting ritz, Estillo and even newly launched Wagon r to countries where the demand for these cars emerges," he said. Presently, a-star model has a major share in Company's export portfolio, followed by alto and

Maruti-800, he said. Maruti Suzuki achieved robust growth in export by shipping 1.47 lakh units in 2009-10 against export of 70,000 units in 2008-09.

"We are also looking good growth in export segment this fiscal," he said.

on capacity expansion, Kalsi said the company had committed an investment of rs 1,700 crore at its Manesar plant to expand the production capacity.

"We intend to add capacity of 2.5 lakh units with this investment by 2012 in Manesar plant," he said. on being asked about adding more dealers, Kalsi said the company would open 160 more outlets this financial year across the country. Currently, it has 800 outlets pan-India. one of the foremost foreign entrants in the Country in the car segment, the premier car manufacturer was instrumental in ushering the designer car revolution in India which was then a very dormant marked until the entry of this Japanese major.

nothing specific to Dubai World in line with the central bank order. We will wait for further directions from the Central bank."

Dubai World recently offered creditors a 1 percent interest rate on two new tranches of debt as part of its restructuring plan, but it was rejected as too low. lenders are pushing for a better rate in order to limit the impact on their books.

Sheikh ahmed bin Saeed al Maktoum, the chairman of the Supreme Fiscal Committee of Dubai, said in a television interview on Sunday the proposal has been well received but still needs time to be finalised.

Emirati banks have already kicked off the first-quarter earnings season. until last week the lenders, their auditors and the central bank have been holding discussions on when to book provisions against their Dubai World ex-

have been taken with the substantial strengthening of the Fund, including refinements in its surveillance, the expansion of resources and the improvement of lending facilities. but a lot more needs to be done, he said, seeking organisational and governance reforms to vest the Fund 'with acceptability, legitimacy and independence'. reiterating India's call for at least a 7 percent shift in quota shares in favour of the Emerging Markets and Developing Countries (EMDCs), Subbarao said only such a substantial shift would better reflect current global economic realities and would enhance the legitimacy of the Fund.

'If the clarification and refocusing of the mandate of the IMF is to have legitimacy, it should follow and not precede a change in the governance structure, including quota shares reflecting the present and emerging global economic realities measured in the most appropriate manner rather than on the basis of an improved but still

flawed formula,' he said. 'looking ahead, the Fund will have a pivotal role in warning about future crises, strengthening the defences of its membership against potential threats to stability, mitigating the hardships brought on by crises if and when they strike, and in general, fostering a global environment conducive to strong and sustainable growth,' he said.

This will require the Fund to reshape and redefine its role and mandate so as to adapt to the requirements of changing times, said Subbarao, taking the floor on behalf of Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who represents bangladesh, bhutan, India and Sri lanka on the International Monetary and Financial Committee. 'a lot has been achieved towards a new-look Fund, but more needs to be done, and in particular, the organisational and governance reforms that are being envisaged to vest it with acceptability, legitimacy and independence,' he said explaining the matter.

Agency MuMbaI, aPrIl 25 larsen & Toubro ltd (l&T), a Mumbai-based engineering and technology company, is planning to launch a private equity fund to invest in power and road projects in India. The fund size is expected to be in the range of $300 million, reports bloomberg. The company is likely to bring in a Singapore-based partner in this fund.

The move is part of the company's plan to tap the high growth investment segment, as infrastructure will remain a priority with the government of India in

posure, one banker familiar with the situation said.

"The question was whether to account immediately for Dubai World, based on assumptions as the final outcome of the negotiations isn't clear yet, or wait until the next quarter when precise figures are available," the banker said.

First Gulf bank, the uaE's second-largest bank by market value, said on april 21 firstquarter net profit rose 23 percent, ahead of analysts' forecasts. abu Dhabi Islamic bank said on april 19 it may need to book further credit impairments in 2010, after posting a 9.3 percent rise in first-quarter net profit.

Emirates NbD and abu Dhabi Commercial bank, two of the local banks believe to be most exposed to Dubai World, are expected to post a 51 percent and 23.7 percent fall in firstquarter net profits respectively in coming weeks.

the next few years.

The announcement also follows some big ticket investments made recently by global private equity giants in the infrastructure space in India.

In one such investments in March this year, Morgan Stanley-led consortium has put in $425 million in asian Genco Pte ltd (aGPl), which has investments in Indian power generation assets and engineering services businesses.

SPIC to resume ops from May 1

In March, the government of India has announced its plan to double its spending on building utilities, roads and ports to $1 trillion (around rs 45,00,000 crore) in the 12th five year plan starting 2012-13.

The government is also expecting about 50% of this investments coming from private sectors. l&T is planning to invest the fund outside its group activities, the report adds

PTI

Agency TuTICorIN, aPrIl 25

MuMbaI, aPrIl 25

Southern Petrochemical Industries Corporation (SPIC) here will resume operations from May 1after a three year gap.

This was indicated by Dr a C Muthiah, Chairman of SPIC said here.

SPIC has remained closed since March 2007 as Indian oil Corporation had stopped naphtha supply and also because the unit did not have working capital. union minister of chemicals and fertilisers, M K alagiri will formally launch SPIC’s operations on that day. officials at SPIC have expressed their eagerness and are looking forward to its opening on May 1, which is celebrated as the labout day across the world. The re-opening will also generate job options for many.

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has signed a Memorandum of understanding (Mou) with the university of Sheffield, uK, in a bid to develop the 'Green logistics' concept in the country, a senior Sheffield university Professor said.

This is the first initiative by the CII to partner with a foreign university for knowledgesharing.

"In order to build capacity on 'Green logistics' across sectors, we have partnered with CII. With this Mou, we will organise different education and training programmes with workshops taking a few professionals from different sectors," The university of Sheffield Director (logistics and Supply Chain Management, lenny Koh

Van Heusen launches couture line

PTI

Agency NEW DElHI, aPrIl 25 Fashion brand Van Heusen has launched its exclusive couture line that will have the signature style of established fashion designers.

Van Heusen is the main sponsor of India's first Men's Fashion Week - Van Heusen India Men's Week (VHIMW) - which is being organised by the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI). The designers doing grand finale will be crafting an exclusive collection for the fashion brand.

This year, designer duo rohit Gandhi and rahul Khanna of label Cue have crafted their signature line for the fashion brand and according to them, it is a fantastic idea to make designer fashion available for the masses.

'People think that designer fashion is not accessible. It is a wrong notion and with the help of Van Heusen, we are trying to change it. So we are offering you fashion straight from the ramp to the rack,' rohit said at the launch of the Couture Van Heusen line.

The collection is based on the theme 'Hypernature' that the designer duo had showcase at the grand finale of VHIFW in September 2009.

So why did the line take so much time to hit the stores?

'Well it was a spring/summer collection and this was the best time to launch the line,' said Shital Mehta, Chief operating officer (Coo) of Van Heusen.

Mehta also pointed out that even though manufacturing of the garments has been done at their plants, the designer duo has seen the final product personally before it hit the racks.

'The line is not only designed by these designers, it also has their name on it. Hence they have made sure that quality of these products is perfect,' explained Mehta.

Mehta also hinted that from coming season, they will release couture lines based on seasons and will give also other designers an opportunity to craft more such lines.

'Well, the whole idea of this initiative is to help designers reach out to more people. So, while the grand finale designer will bring out exclusive collections with us, we will rope in more designers to churn out seasonal collections,' said Mehta.

This is not the first time that a fashion brand is teaming up with designers to turn out an exclusive line.

Wills lifestyle, the main sponsor of FDCI's flagship event - Wills lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW) - has been retailing the signature collections of the grand finale designers since 2006.

MuMbaI, aPrIl 25

Agency MuMbaI, aPrIl 25

The country's largest private lender ICICI bank reported a 7 percent increase in net profit in 2009-10 at rs 4,025 crore ($896 million) compared to rs 3,758 crore ($837 million) in the previous fiscal.

The bank's income, however, slipped 14.2 percent at rs 33,184.58 crore in the last fiscal, it said in a regulatory filing.

Net profit in the last quarter ended March 31 was 35.2 percent higher at rs 1,005 crore compared to rs 743.7 crore in the previous corresponding period while total income fell by 16.14 percent to rs 7,717.82 crore.

Net non-performing assets ratio came down to 1.87 percent on March 2010 compared to 1.96 percent in March 2009.

Current and saving deposits increased 34 percent to rs 84,216 crore and the capital adequacy ratio was 19.4%. The ICICI bank scrip ended Friday at rs 975.75, up over 140 percent from its 52-week low of rs 405.

It touched a yearly high of rs 1,009.50 on april 6. The board of the bank has declared a dividend of rs 12 per share.

quoting N Sivaraman, senior vice president for financial services.

The fund will help l&T to support its activities in infrastructure space that are coming to its fold, including some highway projects in Mumbai. l&T is primarily engaged in the technology, engineering, construction and manufacturing space.

The shares of the company were traded at rs 1,555.00, down by rs 15.90 or 1.01% at 12.54 pm in the bombay Stock exchange on Saturday.l&T has recently acquired DbS Cholamandalam after it became a forerunner for the bid.

CII inks MoU with Sheffield University

Yamaha to make India export hub Japanese automobile major, Yamaha, is planning to make India a hub for manufacturing its premium and deluxe bikes for overseas markets, a top company official said.

"We have enough infrastructure to manufacture premium and deluxe bikes for the international market.

We will manufacture premium and deluxe bikes for overseas markets from India. There is a huge demand in both the bike segments," India Yamaha Motor's National business Head, Pankaj Dubey said.

The company is presently exporting premium segment bikes like YZF-r15 and FZ series to Colombia, Sri lanka, Indonesia, Kenya, bangladesh and the Philippines.

The company's Indian unit supplied 66,904 bikes in fiscal 2010 to Yamaha's global operation compared with 38,639 units in 20082009, a jump of 73 per cent.

ICICI Bank net profits go up 7%

L&T to launch new infra fund

UAE banks may take DW hit in Q2

Maruti to explore new export markets aGENCY CHaNDIGarH, aPrIl 25 leading passenger carmaker Maruti Suzuki today said it would explore new overseas markets, including australia, Hong Kong, Taiwan to export its various models of a2 segment. "We will be now be looking at new overseas markets, including australia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, brunei, Nepal, Srilanka and South africa to tap the export potential in these countries," Company's Chief General Manager r S Kalsi said. at present, the company's export market is primarily concentrated in Europe, including France, uK, Germany, Italy, Netherlands. apart from this, Maruti also intends to widen the range of cars, which could be exported in potential markets. "We will

Kingfisher starts Nepal flights

said.

Initially, the Mou will work on sectors like ports, shipping, food and auto, she said, adding that after completion of education and other training programmes, a pilot project would be launched.

Commenting on this Mou, CII National logistics Council Member, b Sridhar, said that the CII was working closely on developing environmentfriendly supply-chain management systems through various initiatives.

The CII Institute of logistics having four main pillars of functioning include education, training, advisory and events and conferences to spread awaresectors," Sridhar said.

CII expressed happiness at the new partnership.

Integrated complexes in high demand PTI NEW DElHI, aPrIl 25

like integrated residential complexes, integrated commercial space developments are also taking roots in the country, a senior official of real estate consultancy firm Jones lang laSalle Meghraj has said.

"This is an emerging trend and a saleable one as well," Jones lang laSalle Meghraj Country Head anuj Puri said. Such projects house office space, fivestar hotels and retail area among other facilities. While brigade Group has already done such a project in bangalore, many more such projects are coming up in various parts of the country. "The developers'' margin in such projects are higher as compared to other projects," Puri said. bPTP ltd has launched a project, Capital City, in Noida, Nirmal lifestyle is doing such a project, Nirmal Galaxy, at Mulund in suburban Mumbai. bPTP's Capital City is spread across 21.17 acres and comprises 2.1 million sq ft of office space, one million sq ft of retail and entertainment space and 1.1 million sq ft of hospitality space.

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CAREERS & EDUCATION

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Managing And Protecting Intellectual Property- II

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he first intellectual property law was passed in Venice in 1474 which protected the investor's interest against copying of their creation.

England soon followed suit to grant intellectual property rights to its inventor for a limited period. With increase in international trade, intellectual property theft was on the rise.

The Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property (1883) allowed individuals in one nation to obtain protection globally. The Paris Convention and the Berne Convention brought in the intellectual property regime that we understand today.

World Intellectual Property Organization(WIPO), the leading body governing Intellectual Property rights issues defines Intellectual Property as "Creations of the mind: inventions, literary and artistic works, and symbols, names, images, and designs used in commerce."

IP is not limited to, domains like Software, Architectural and Industrial design, Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Music, Literary Pieces. Intellectual property encompasses the entire gamut of intellectual inventions that cannot be quantified.

Intellectual property can broadly be sub-divided under two categories - Copyright and Industrial property.

Copyright includes primarily artistic and literary creations like Photography, Poems, Painting, Plays, Novels including films, music, photographs, performing arts, radio or television programmes, Architectural Designs, Music and Sculptors.

With the advent of the Internet and the developments in digital technologies, copyrighting of movies and music are in demand. But patenting and copyrighting is not only limited to entertainment industry because almost everything is at a risk of being replicated. Access to all important information has made IPR a must-have in the

Keep The Apprehensions Aside

By Caetano de Abreu

A

present world. There is an increasing need to control and stop intellectual theft because one company's brain drain is benefiting the other.

Industrial Property caters to c o m m e rc i a l d o m a i n s l i ke patents, geographical indications Industrial Designs, New Technologies, Processes and Methodologies and Trademarks.

Software piracy is one of the menaces that are taking place

ciency and professional integrity in the field the Patent Act has prescribed qualifications and norms for their registration.

Only those who satisfy that qualification and are registered under the Patent Act are allowed to practice as Patent Attorneys in India. They are legal advisors, specialist in their fields, who advise their clients regarding protection of their intellectual property and also perform the following on their behalf by: - Drafting of patent applications - Manage c o r re s p o n By Maria de Lima Pereira dence with the patent office on the in developing countries like Rus- objections raised sia, Vietnam, China, India and - Represent the applicant at other South Asian countries the hearings which are causing a huge loss - Filing opposition proceedto the software companies. ings Hence patenting becomes im- Defending the application portant for the software com- against opposition panies.

Patent Attorneys set up their Public Sector • Government agencies, R own consulting units similar to lawyers. An attorney’s regular & D units in Pharmaceutical Inday generally involves all those dustry, Cosmetics & beauty mentioned above and for main- product, all design departtaining certain standard of effi- ments/units, Agri based units,

law firms, research organisations, voluntary organisations, publishing houses, all media units, software industries.

Private Sector • Corporate houses hire intellectual property lawyers as in-house counsellors, various MNCs, Knowledge Process Outsourcing companies etc.

India is set to jump into the bandwagon of the global patent regime and national patent laws, thus needing a vast pool of people with expertise in patents, copyrights and trademarks. Generally speaking, intellectual property rights (IPR) is the current buzz in India. At the same time, the Indian market is facing a huge deficit of talent in the field with just 607 registered patent attorneys.

With the arrival of new patent regime, the need of skilled people to fight for a business’ or individual’s intellectual property would jump manifold to fight with the global business houses. A good patent attorney will have to lead businesses towards suitable research and development to always remain ahead of their rivals.

s I recall, I have written about new job opportunities that have arisen after the grim recession period which had half the world in a tizzy. As of now, it is like finding light at the end of a long tunnel earlier swathed in darkness, to quote there are windows of opportunities beckoning us so let us not pull down the shades.

We, in India, cannot forget that we are reliant on the moods and fancies of the Americans.

Thus some weeks back when USA President Barack Obama signed a healthcare overhaul, which extends medical cover to around 40 million uninsured Americans, a whole of new set steps were revealed and a new world of uninterrupted opportunities were left for us to choose from.

Sometime back a gloomy scenario was stamped on our faces while groping in the dark, which is now a thing of the past with manpower gaining access to opportunities galore, thus bringing the smile back on faces, which otherwise was recalcitrant.

There is a rosy picture lined in the market of employment with an upward trend showing the surge to denote that happy days are here again. It is not a small feat considering that a year back there was a downcast

By Shailee Sharma

H

British Kids, the concept PreSchool was born with the desire to nurture the child and lay a healthy foundation for a learned society.

British Kids has a vision to become the world leader in kids’ education by spreading its franchise network throughout the globe. We invite entrepreneurs to start our most promising and profitable franchise Pre-Schools in all over india. British Kids Pre Schools is inviting proposals for Franchises in all over India from Existing Schools, NGO’s, Educational Societies, Middle class segment peoples & Individuals. British Kids Pre School franchise ensures that that the

Mr. Roque D’Cruz, Principal of the Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition, Goa, throws more light on this profession.

Why did you join the hospitality industry?

A. This industry is all about people, interacting withy them and creating relationships with

By Christine Machado he curtain has fallen on yet another academic year. And while it entails joy and freedom for many students, others are confronted with the big question of ‘what next?’

Std X students face the decision of a choice of streams at college – Arts, Commerce, Science, Vocational. Std XII students need to decide about their degree subjects for further studies or vocational courses.

With career options increasing, making appropriate career decisions becomes tougher, and there students are confused further when advice comes from all quarters. While students should listen to advice, they should make the final decision, based on their aptitude, likes and dislikes. They should listen to the voice of the heart.

Today youngsters are lured by lucrative professions – where money is all that matters. While in a money obsessed world, salary should be given adequate attention, it should not be the basis of forming one’s decision. A job of convenience seems to be preferred over a job of one’s passion. There are highly talented individuals could have been stars, had they utilized their God gifted talent to the fullest. But they were too laid back to make the efforts and work towards making it big, coupled with the readily available profitable professions has resulted in our nation missing out some big names.

Success it seems is to be measured in terms of the size of one’s bank account as opposed to the happiness it is supposed to bring.

Yet, one cannot be said to be truly successful unless one experi-

T

the guests that often lasts a lifetime. I found this aspect very attractive and endearing .

How did you join this line?

A. When I was an aspiring student of Hospitality, we had the option of pursuing a three-year diploma course in Hotel Management. I joined this course at the Institute Of Hotel Management at Dadar in Bombay, now Mumbai . The course involved an extensive, hands-on approach to learning and mastering the trade.

How is this industry different from others?

A. Hospitality performs a very important role in the Tourism industry. At the basic level, it seeks to make the guest comfortable in a new environment- to make available to him quality food, decent accommodation and allied services to which he is accustomed. In today’s world, hotels compete to provide their guests with new levels of comfort. The industry is a very vibrant one requiring hospitality professionals to have a positive, proactive and helpful attitude.

Recession hasn’t affected this industry as much. Comment A. The hotel industry caters to society’s need of good food, accommodation and entertainment.

If one can provide all these at a reasonable price, there will be no dearth of business. That is why this industry has managed to adapt and endure the worst of the recession.

What is future of the hospitality industry?

A. Hospitality in India has a very brilliant future ahead. With increased globalisation, the guest is becoming more and more discerning. Thanks to the enduring relationship between the guest and hotelier, the levels of services being offered are improving at a very rapid rate. We can also expect to see hospitality turning more green and eco-friendly and sustaining local communities. two streams of energy, namely physical and mental, have a well planned development. The staff of the kids school franchise know that the children can absorb things easily and are constantly keen to acquire the knowledge. The feelings of the children are incidental or deliberate for every experience in their life. British Kids is India’s 1st Pre – School, Targeting Middle Segment of the Society and also British Kids presence in all Metropolitan CitesAcross India. Our system is unique in the sense that it has been carefully designed to ensure that every child is prepared to face the

ever-changing challenges of the society. The success of our dynamic institution can be attributed to its clear vision, systematic planning and coordinated approach to the role of its dedicated and committed talents. √ British Kids - Methods : L Play & Learn L Music – Songs, Dance, Movement Games and Instruments L Art – Hands on art Activities L Sports – Physical Sports & Play L Creative – Play – way methods.

L Self-help skills

The curriculum is formed keeping five essential elements: L Concepts L Skills L Attitude L knowledge L Action L Owned and Managed by highly qualified & most experienced management in the field of education with 20 + years of experience.

LOne time Initial Infrastructure Investment L For Establishing Pre / Play School Minimum 800 sft. Space only.

To discuss the Franchise Matters contact: 9701477375. visit the website: Britishkids.in , Communication Address : British Kids, British Grammar School Campus, Opp.Railway Station, Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh – 500025.

that employees should demonstrate more risk resilient appetite as it is safer to stay and wait for the companies to make up for the lost salary increases.

It is important to note that although the economy seems to be booming, a safety factor should be involved in order not to face again what faced earlier, which deep down I know is like talking to the winds in full gust as the euphoria has taken precedence over simple reasoning.

Nevertheless, what was perceived earlier as the pits it is smiling in the ambit of opportunities which is quoted that at least nine out of ten of the applicants can manage to secure a job within the realms of one's qualifications quotient as the ITs and BPOs sectors, which were dormant a notch of few years, are deploying its HRs to recruit fresh hands.

Industry experts say that it is not just the regulars like the Telecom, Health Care, Financial, and Hospitality sectors who are hiring newer entrants; the range of opportunities embraces sectors like Animation, Pharma, and Engineering, who are offering fresher and grander opportuni-

ties, not forgetting that sectors like Auto and its ancillary components, Banking/Finances/Insurance, and Real Estate are on major employment drive to fill in the vacancies that had resulted from down-sizing in the past and is looking forwards towards the future expansion plans. With the past experience overhauling the systematic method, the present hitch lies with the companies being focused on hiring people who will stay on, rather than those who switch jobs frequently. It is strategic to plan and hunt new talent, for long-time needs than the temporary ones lest the recession takes place once again then there is nothing that one can do about it.

I am not talking like a socialist. Neither am I a pragmatist, although I can safely say that it is far more interesting to work in earnest and save for a rainy day than slog over tiring shifts hampering one's health with no time to enjoy the fruits of labour in the long run, which to sum it up means Get a Life, as with new jobs security Life is not flickering away.

Listen To Your Heart

Choosing The Hospitality Profession ospitality management refers to management of hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, and other institutions in the hospitality industry.

Those interested opting for hospitality management as a career should opt to study about it, in order to start their careers on solid footing.

The hospitality industry is vast and very diverse. The management of such establishments is very challenging. Managers must be flexible to anticipate and meet a wide variety of needs. They must also be able handle tasks such as training employees, handling staff, etc.

Departments There are four main departments in the hospitality industry: • Food Production and Patisserie, Food and Beverage Service , •Front Office, Housekeeping etc.

Job opportunities •Hotels – Graduates can be appointed as Management Trainee or a Hotel Operation Trainee and move on to posts such as the Lobby Manager, Front Office Assistant, Housekeeping Executive, Restaurant Manager/Captain, Sous chef, Chef de Partie, etc.

•Airlines employ Hospitality Management graduates as Airhostesses, Flight pursers, Sales and marketing staff, Reservation counter staff •Hospitality and Industries need Dieticians and Catering Supervisors •Ship/Cargo Agencies employ Counter staff, Sales and marketing staff, Duty officers •Travel/Tour Agencies employ Reservation counter staff, Sales and marketing staff, Tour guides

notion, waiting for the pink slips even to the most adept and competent amongst the professionals, while as of now the job market is steadily rising and there seems no way to play the grump, as the blush of pink is gradually fading away to give rise to ruddy complexion with the recovery of economy which promises close to one million jobs.

There is a statement to claim

ences that sense of elation accompanying his/her achievement.

For it is said, ‘Success is not the key to happiness, but happiness is the key to success.’

Most individuals do have an inkling of what they want to do in life and what path to choose accordingly, thus sailing through this difficult decision phase quite smoothly. Some however face confusion in this regard. Aptitude tests and career guidance and counselling have been set up in order to help the confused and anxious teen make the best call. But ultimately the decision rests on the concerned teen’s shoulders. Only and he/she should receive support required to go forward with it.

For no matter the ridicule or opposition one faces when the decision is made, listening to your heart is what matters most and will without doubt ensure a successful happy ending.

Bitten by the Exam Bug

By Charlane Pereira xamination days are very stressful for most students.

Burning the midnight oil and being a night owl for the one-month exam period is not an easy task for any student.

Last minute Xeroxing of the most valued notes, calling up their teachers for academic difficulties and then taking the ‘meditative’ position for a last minute cramming job is the plight of most students. Students who stay up nights and are great fans of procrastination of regular study work have their fate sealed in one of the following categories: The nervous wreck: Any sane person will be stressed out at the thought of mugging loads and loads of information and feeding it in your human memory, and that too within a short time frame. Such a student will realize that confusion is inevitable. She/ he can’t remember correctly and the ‘damn’ examination is only an hour away after cramming up so much. The outcome is the student becomes nervous at the thought of examination and even may experience physiological symptoms like diarrhoea, fever, vomiting, etc.

The complete blank out-I remembered my college days… and this classmate of mine who had stayed up the whole night blanked out the next day for

E

exam. Thankfully, it was only the preliminary exams for TYBA. My sincere advice to students is don’t lose out on precious sleep! There are others who study word to word without grasping the meaning. The outcome being that if they forget one word/phrase, they tend to forget the rest of the answer to their bad luck. Read the matter,

eyed students yawning every five minutes or snoring in the middle of the exam!

‘It doesn’t matter to me’ attitude-There are students who have an indifferent outlook in life. It doesn’t matter to them whether they pass or flunk their exams. Girls are of the notion that they might marry some rich man and live on his earnings.

reread the matter, understand, try explaining it to your friend… . Check out whether you really know your subject matter.

The sleepy eyed: Losing hours of precious sleep is definitely not going to facilitate your academic performance; rather it will have a reverse effect. Your thought processes will be even more slow and even logical answers which you could have thought of when you were not so sleepy will be suppressed.

No supervisors would like sleepy

And the guys are only too content to spend their dad’s hard earned money. My sincere advice to you is think….think…think.

It doesn’t cost you a million to study… on the contrary; you may earn a million or so because of your education.

As you all know that procrastination of things that need to be attended urgently can lead to firing from the boss, reprimand from parents, scolding from the teacher, etc. When students are in either Std X, XII or

TYBA, they make a dire oath to themselves that they are going to commit themselves to studies and studies only. The younger student category might be a little successful at this task. However, the TYBA students have lot to tackle besides the examination bug- household responsibilities, part-time jobs, and relationships and break-ups (which are so common at that age). Then the big question of future career plans also pops up. Most of them seem undecided at the beginning of the year but at the end, their plans seem to going in the direction of wind. That is, a most common answer that I have often encountered is ‘Don’t know.’ It also depends on their academic performance and to a greater extent to what their friends will be doing (much to our surprise).

My advice to all studentsprepare well in advance for your exams, put in your best, think of your career plans. Going with the wind is fine as long as it makes you happy and if that’s where you want to be. Set targets and goals for yourselves.

A person roaming aimless is a man with no purpose in life. Believe in your capacities. Don’t pressurize yourself and don’t let others pressurize you. Stick to your plans with words of advice from reliable quarters. All the best!

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OHERALDO

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Goa Monday 26 April 2010

www.oheraldo.in

Wonderful! Wonderful!

Summer Holidays

By Marc de Souza

H

ere it is again - summertime has brought the end of the school year. This is a bitter-sweet period for parents and children alike.

The days will dwindle down to precious few. Yes, it will soon be over: The mosquito bites, swimming, sunburn,

sandy footprints, laundry full of grass-stains and soft drinks, ice-cream stains, and a worn-down spot on the carpet in front of the TV that has boundaries marked with ground-in potato chips and cookie crumbs. Ask any father who spends the summer with crab grass, a car

come when we were called, do what we were told and go along for a ride.

And then we had to go and grow up. All of a sudden we had to form our own conscience, make our own decisions about how we would live life, and pay the price if w e

heat boils, making reservation and sightseeing, picnics, ball games, weddings, feasts and dances. Soon it will be time to wave goodbye to the good old summertime and get back to the labour of school and work. It is not easy settling back, but settle back you must.

However, the idea of those hazy lemonade-drink days of summer is almost a thing of the past. Today, summer no longer means less work and more rest for most of us.

Today ' s vacations are sometimes harder work than work.

Ask any mother who spends the summer with a house full of wet swimsuits, muddy or

crammed with extra-noisy children on the way to a game in the balmy heat, and a bad case of tummy upset .

Was it always this much trouble to have fun? To swim and picnic and paddle, refresh and relax? No, it was not always this much trouble. And you know why?

We have all these glorious, embroidered memories of summer past when the living was easier, because in those summers it was our mothers and fathers who did all the work.

No wonder, summer used to seem lazier. Somebody else made the plans, packed the picnic basket and paid the bills. All we had to do was

made the wrong decision.

You were on your own: Fly! Crash! Sink! Swim! It was up to you. The free ride was over. Now it was up to you, to know and grow more, you had to do the work yourself.

When I completed my packaged education, much as I loved my parents, I was eager to go abroad. I felt poised on the brink of my life. I was crabby with waiting. It was a time loaded with ambiguous feelings and turmoil. Perhaps you too have the same feelings.

So remember this: Transitions are tough. And you are still a family, even if you now do not share the same bathroom.

By Caetano de Abreu

T

he world is in turmoil, with everyone trying to emphasize what is good for oneself, and nothing else matters. They are unconcerned that our Planet is in the doldrums and that only a miracle can save it from that dastardly ignominy which is hovering above us. Fortunately now, the world is gradually becoming aware of the realities and accepting the outcome of our vagaries which is by no means a small feat.

From times immemorial, or to quote the Holy the Scriptures, God created World in six days, leaving Sunday as the day of rest towards its own sustenance He devised for it a lifecycle for the creatures to survive in the harsh environment and be content with what Nature has provided. However Mankind also devised his own method of one-upmanship and commenced the devastation of the world against the precepts of Divine Justice.

Now Mankind is bitterly ruing for his follies, although it can be safely said it is never too late to repent and only knowing the right perspective is just about adequate in our quest for our own survival and simultaneously to save the world from total shambles. Parents are mainly instrumental in imparting a healthy education and there is nothing better than to tutor and patronize knowledge on the joys of dwelling on this lovely Planet

A SHIP Shenaya Pereira (8), Std III, Mary Immaculate Girls’ HS, Panjim

MY HOUSE Alisha K Pallekar(11), Std V, Mary Immaculate Girls’ HS, Panjim

MY DREAM CAR Glayden Faria (8), Std II, St Britto’s HS., Mapusa

Inculcate A Love For Nature

PEACOCK Gauresh Kankonker (10), Std V, St Andrew’s HS, Goa-Velha

Earth, with life ever abundant amongst the least significant things, like animal and vegetal kingdoms, not forgetting that some scientific theories prove that the petrified matter like rocks and stones have life too. Parents should play the ultimate role and teach their young wards the joys of saving our natural habitat.

I can safely state that Plants have life too which was first demonstrated in Calcutta, by Indian Physicist,

Atomic Research Centre discerns that the chanting of the Gayatri helped to reap a bumper harvest. Cleve Backster conducted experiments by using a Polygraph at the New York Police Academy and found that when live fish were cast into boiling water.

Plants showed emotion which was registered on the polygraph. Thus I can paradoxically utter that every living thing in the world is meant to be consumed and

world, where there is a joy beyond compare and no human hands can destroy its daintiness and grace except out of natural calamities where Nature leaves a trail of destruction in its wake which should be applied to Man created creations like huge housing complexes and the like where aestheticism is kept in the back seat while the grandeur of the nature is sublime in its own sensibilities, in which case I would suggest to plant

Plant Physiologist, and Founder of the Bose Research Institute Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose, as the Chhandogya Upanishad being the dialogue which enunciates the truth, and thus the experiments with plants it has been found that plants responds to love, rhythm and music.

At Rest New Way Ashram, Lonavla, experiments conducted in collaboration with the scientists of Bhabha

there is no two ways about it although our health prescription taboos us to eat meat and to indulge in vegetarianism which for me is nothing but hypocrisy as our wellbeing should be centred on us and not about what is prescribed.

Over the subject of inculcation I must admit I am not a vegan but I do love nature at its fullest as in the flower

more trees and dote on greenery to keep the noxious fumes at bay and live a healthy life, besides bringing the animals back to their ambit. It is said that as in many facets of life, the flashy and the impressive hog the limelight unknowing that there are many smaller animals whose plight is as precarious as any. There is a move to save the population

of dwindling tiger, the Asiatic lion, lion-tailed macaque, Gangetic dolphin, fishing cat, one-horned rhino etc., although we are clearly forgetting the much wanted species which enlightens our day with its chirping, cooing or hooting which birds in all of its omniscience glory.

It is endowing the presence of birds, in our early morning walks when ozone air that fills our clogged lungs to refreshen our over-taxed brains. However in the midst of our euphoria we tend to overlook that the bird population is dwindling too.

Now-a-days we can notice less and less the chirp of bulbul or a sparrow which earlier were teeming and somewhat very irritating, what we can see now are flocks of crows hovering down upon your garbage to peck and fly away. A host of common birds are all under threat and only we can save them from danger.

The method is not very intrinsic for we can make them feel wanted by strewing our niche roads with cereals and whatever the food necessitated by them besides creating birdbaths, a nest and whatever makes it desirable for their existence, not forgetting the re-creation of their natural habitat like trees and forests.

Is it very difficult?

A DINOSAUR Fayburn D’Souza (9), Std IV, St Joseph’s School, Sao Jose de Areal

TWO STAG Jonathan Fernandes (9), Std IV, Chubby Cheeks Primary School Pilerne

CINDERELLA & PRINCE CHARMING Fritzell Almeida (13), Std VIII, Assumpta Convent HS., Sarzora

NATURAL BEAUTY Shiamak Fernandes (8), Std II, Chubby Cheeks Primary School Pilerne

Colour Me ENTRY FORM MONGINIS Creative Me NAME: AGE:

STD:

Phone:

SCHOOL: HOME ADDRESS:

MONGINIS TWO BEST CREATIVE ME ENTRIES  Shenaya Pereira (8), Std III, Mary Immaculate Girls’ HS, Panjim wins a gift voucher of Monginis worth Rs. 125/-

 Gauresh Kankonker (10), Std V, St Andrew’s HS, Goa-Velha wins a gift voucher of Monginis worth Rs. 75/-

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Navelim in semis immaculate festival soccer HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, APRIL 25

Navelim Sporting Club downed Margao Sports Club 10-9 via the sudden-death to move into the semi-finals of All-Goa Immaculate Conception Festival football tournament organised by Immaculate Conception Sports Club at Avedem Panchayat ground, Paroda on Sunday.

After a barren first half, Franky Pereira broke the deadlock in the 28th minute when he slotted past the Margao goalkeeper

with a stiff grounder.

Stung by the setback, Margao piled on tremendous pressure on the rival citadel and were rewarded in the 33rd minute when Samson Pinto restored parity with a snap shot.

With the regulation period ending in a 1-1 draw, the tiebreaker was introduced which failed to end the impasse. In the sudden-death, Navelim kept their cool to emerge victorious.

Hanif Shaikh of Valpoi (Satari), who has been appointed observer of Throwball Federation of India.

He is the general secretary, Amateur Throwball Association of Goa. The appointment is in recognition of his services in organising the 19th Sub-Junior National Throwball Championship in Valpoi in which Goa girls emerged champs.

Betalbatim pip Young Strikers

CDJ Ribandar lift Ilhas Zone title

st anthony soccer

HERALD CORRESPONDENT MERCES, APRIL 25

HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 25

Despite being a man short for most of the time, CDJ Ribandar easily accounted for Carambolim SC 5-1 to win the Ilhas Zone in the first U-16 Coca-Cola Celebration Cup at Santa Cruz school ground on Sunday.

CDJ went into an early lead with Adrian Menezes hoodwinking the Carambolim defence and scoring past a stranded Dayesh Murgaonkar. Then, Keegan Bast doubled the lead for CDJ with his rasping drive as Carambolim goalie Dayesh could only watch in awe.

CDJ’s Aldair Figueiredo was then given the marching orders for his second booking of the match, which handed Carambolim a slight advantage.

Immediately, Carambolim should have equalized, but CDJ’s goalie Jonathan George effected an acrobatic save off Geovin’s free kick to keep the score 2-0 in favour of his side.

Carambolim, despite having a numerial advantage as Ribandar were a man short, could not

Betalbatim Sporting defeated Young Strikers, Benaulim 1-0 to move into the quarter-finals of St Anthony’s Super Soccer organised by St Anthony’s Sports Club, Colva at Colva ground on Sunday.

Betalbatim led 1-0 at half time.

In a largely attended Sunday crowd, both teams displayed attacking soccer right from the word go and kept the rival defenders busy throughout the match.

In the 22nd minute, Betalbatim took the lead through Denzil Rogtao off a fine cross from Everest Fernandes.

Changing over, Young Strikers mounted pressure on the rival citadel but were unable to find the target due to fine defending led by Desmond Fernandes of Betalbatim.

In the dying minutes, the match referee gave marching orders to Haston D’Costa of Betalbatim and Lionel Rodrigues of Young Strikers.

Joemax of Betalbatim was named the man-of-the match.

translate their advantage into goals and CDJ continued to dominate the proceedings.

Crossing over, Carambolim had a charmed life as Kashyap Keni’s try hit the post and rebounded into play.

And, just when it appeared to be a lost cause for Carambolim, Vinod Murgaonkar reduced the margin to give his side some chance of catching up with CDJ. However, the calm, cool and collected CDJ side upped the tempo and pumped in another three goals to take the match away from Carambolim. First, Keegan Bast scored to make it 3-1 and then Adrian Menezes scored twice to complete his hat-trick, to give CDJ a resounding 5-1 win.

Earlier, in the first semi-final CDJ Ribandar scored an emphatic 8-1 win over Piedade Youth Association. Adrian Menezes opened the scoring for CDJ, which, however, was nullified by PYA’s Joel Correia off a penalty kick.

Then, it was one-way traffic

CDJ Ribandar, winners of Ilhas Zone U-16 Coca-Cola Celebration Cup at Santa Cruz on Sunday.

Photo: Rozario Estibeiro.

for CDJ as they pumped in another seven goals. Adrian Menezes scored two more goals to complete his hat-trick, Dario Rodrigues too scored his hattrick and Keegan Bast and Kunal

was Don Bosco Oratory who went into the lead through Pierre Fernandes. But, Geovin and Myron Cardozo found the net for Carambolim SC to score a comeback win against DBO.

James, Beach Speedo advance

Narrow win for Saligao HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 25

Saligao United scored a narrow 6-5 win over Sodiem Siolim via the tie-breaker to move into the semi-finals of Sodiem Siolim super soccer tournament at St Anthony ’s church ground, Siolim, on Sunday. There was no score at the end of the regulation period.

In the tie-breaker, M A Francis, Trevor Dias, Christopher Fernandes, Amit Kararde and Joston Dias converted for Saligao while Rakesh Vaigankar, Prestonio Fernandes, Dylan Noroha and Dipesh Salgaocar scored for Siolim.

Shetty scored one goal apiece, to complete the rout.

The second semi-final turned out to be the best match of the day as Carambolim pipped Don Bosco Oratory 2-1. However, it

HERALD REPORTER VASCO, APRIL 25

The players of MEG, Bangalore receiving the Shirgal Trophy from Sports Minister, Babu Azgaonkar after beating SCR 3-1 sets in the finals of 1st all-India volleyball tournament organised by Shirgal SC at Dhargal court, Pernem on Saturday in the presence of V M Prabhudesai, Sarpanch Bhusan Naik, ZP Member S Harmalkar and organising secretary Jit at Dhargal, Pernem on Saturday.

James 7788 trounced Europe Connection in the inaugural match of Bogmalo beach soccer tournament organised by United Youth Club, Bogmalo, on Sunday.

The winners led 3-0 at the breather.

Vincy found the net for James in the 20th second. Vincy soon struck two more goals to complete his hat-trick.

Crossing over, James 7788 scored three more goals through the boots of Papa, man-of-thematch Vincy and Cosmi.

In the second match, Beach

Speedo defeated Friends of JamesI, 4-1. Man-of-the match Conny scored a hat-trick to give Beach Speedo a 3-1 lead at the breather.

Changing over, Cladio added his name in the scorers list while Alloy reduced the margin for Friends.

Earlier, the match was inaugurated by Cosmi Alvares, father of late James Alvares in the presence of Bogmalo Sarpanch, Urbano Rodrigues, deputy sarpanch Arun Naik, former sarpanch Laxman Kaulekar and United Youth Club of Bogmalo organisers, Selvy and Nelo D’Cruz.

In all, 32 teams are participating.

Vasco, Macasana record big wins taca goa 1st div HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, APRIL 25

Vasco Sports Club registered a 6-0 win over Goa Velha Sports Club in Taca Goa First Division League at Duler Stadium, here on Sunday. Vasco led 3-0 at the breather.

Goa Velha went into the match with ten men as the remaining squad did not turn up except for the reserve goalkeeper.

Vasco are currently fourth in the standings with six points from four matches while Salgaocar are leading with 12 points followed by Sporting Clube with 9 and Sesa are third with 8

points.

In the 34th minute, Freddy Faria converted a penalty for Vasco, after Goa Velha’s Pravin Jadav fouled Vasco’s Godfrey Rodrigues.

Two minutes later, Goa Velha’s custodian Soma Korgaonkar brought down Vasco’s Vishnu Singh. Godfrey Rodrigues scored the resulting penalty.

On the stroke of half time, Remedious Vaz fired the third goal for Vasco.

In the 64th minute, Freddy Faria found the net. In the 81st minute, Shawn Pereira scored off Freddy.

In the injury time, Freddy scored his third goal after head-

ing in from a corner kick.

In another match at Curtorim ground, Macasana Welfare Club thumped Aivao United Club 170. Macasana led 7-0 at the breather.

Striker Maswin Fernandes opened the floodgates by scoring in the 10th minute. He doubled the lead in the 23rd minute and went on to pump in two more goals in the 38th and 56th minutes.

Joel Niasso scored five goals in the 26th, 44th, 59th, 63rd and 88th minutes. Cammy Costa and Maclon Costa scored a brace each while Anthony Dias, Sheldon Costa and Cedric Coutinho scored a goal each.

Chennai’s Mohan Chunkath, winner of 7th All-India Scrabble Open, receiving the trophy from Gurudutta Bhakta, GOA secretary and president, Servulo Barros and Mukesh Adhia, at Padre Conceissao College of Enginnering, Verna on Sunday.

Mohan wins scrabble tourney HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 25

Former World Scrabble champ i o n s h i p p l a y e r, M o h a n Chunkath of Chennai won the 7th All-India Scrabble Open at Padre Conceissao College of Enginering (PCCE), Verna today.

In all, 39 players participated in the two-day event.

Mohan notched up 11.5 points with a spread of 808. Pune’s Udayan Grover, with 11 wins

Altar Servers of Our Lady of Merces Church, runners-up at All-Goa Altar Servers football tournament organized by VCDC at Saligao Seminary ground.

Customs enter veteran semis HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 25

Customs and Central Excise, Goa registered a 2-0 win over Margao Veterans to move into the semi-finals of 10th Salgaocar memorial veterans soccer tournament organised by Prime Sports Club, at Nagoa ground on Saturday.

Customs should have got the opening goal in the 20th minute

as striker Francis Dias put Domnic inside the box but Margao goalkeeper Luis Fernandes brought off a fine save pushing away the stiff grounder.

Margao soon conceded a goal in the 21st minute when midfielder Verissimo, who was unmarked on the edge of the box, received a Frankie pass and placed the ball beyond the reach of Luis.

Changing over, Customs doubled the lead through Frankie, who finished off a low cross from Daniel Noronha.

Earlier, Francisco L ume Pereira, ex-football commentator and Leslie D'Silva, Deputy Commissioner Customs and Central Excise were introduced to the teams by secretar y, Boaventura Leitao.

Cuncolim up HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 25

Cuncolim Union scored a facile 20 win over St Anthony Sports Club, Colva in Holy Cross soccer tournament organised by Holy Cross Sports Club, Kakoda, on Sunday.

Cuncolim led 1-0 at the breather.

In the 31st minute, Cuncolim Union took the lead when Ryan Colaco slotted past the rival goalkeeper.

Changing over, Jerenomio Fernandes found the net in the 49th minute for Cuncolim. Earlier, Astrofio Pinto of Cuncolim was penalised for foul play.

Candolim win HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 25

Candolim Sports Club scored a comfortable 2-0 win over Penha de Franca Sports Club to move into the quarter-finals of 17th Pilerne Panchayat Cup inter-village soccer tournament at Maddanim ground, Pilerne on Sunday.

Francis Rebello scored both goals for Candolim.

In another match on Saturday, Saligao United scored a facile 41 win over United Club of Nerul to move into the quarter-finals.

Saligao led 1-0 at the breather through Christopher D’Souza.

Nerul restored parity in the second session through John Vaz. Martin Fernandes, Pravin Jadev, Nester Dias scored for Saligao.

and a spread of 1244 had to be content with second place while Douglas Lobo from Goa had to settle for third place with 10 wins and a spread of 1219.

The other prize winners: Carolann Pais (Mumbai), Nakul Prabhu (Mumbai), Sanjoy Gupta (Bangalore), Martin de Mello (Bangalore), Jacky Fernandes (Goa), Lennie D’Souza (Bangalore) and Charles Carneiro (Delhi).

PWD Minister, Churchill Alemao, Patron of Churchill Bros presenting a club memento to Ajai Malhotra, India’s Ambassador in Kuwait on the occasion of Goan community get-together at India House, Kuwait on Sunday. Churchill is in Kuwait for the Churchill Bros – Kuwait SC AFC Cup match to be played on Wednesday, in which Churchill need just a draw to top the group. If Churchill lose, then they will finish runner-up and will play the pre-quarter final match in Kuwait on May 12. If Churchill draw or win, Churchill will play in Goa on May 12.

Photo: Peter Figueiredo

Sodiem Siolim super soccer (quarters): Sai Avtar, Anjuna v. Adarsh Yuvak Sangh, Saligao, St Anthony’s church ground, Siolim, 4.30 p.m.

17th Pilerne Panchayat Cup inter-village soccer: Nerul SC v. Nagoa SC, Maddanim ground, Pilerne, 5 p.m.

Taca Goa U-20 soccer: Dempo SC (juniors) v. Musli Power Churchill Brothers, Duler stadium, Mapusa, 4.15 p.m.

Holy Cross soccer: Goa Velha SC v. UC Nerul, Vodlemoll Kakoda, 4.15 p.m.

James Alvares memorial beach soccer: Mix Friends, Cortalim v. Jack Devil; Friends of James-II v. Blessed Father Joseph Vaz, Bogmalo beach.

Kick off: 4.45 p.m.

2nd All-Goa Mount Carmel festival volleyball: H a u x i s B a n d v. P o n d a Gymkhana, PMC volleyball court, Tisk, Ponda. 7.30 p.m.

St Anthony’s super soccer: Varca SC v. Sporting Club of Davorlim, Colva ground, 4.30 p.m.

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Benfica move closer to title portuguese league AGENCIES LISBON, APRIL 25

Benfica routed 10-man Olhanense 5-0 on Saturday to close in on the Portuguese league title.

Oscar Cardozo had a hat trick and Angel Di Maria and Pablo Aimar also scored as Benfica took advantage of Delson’s red card in the ninth minute to stay unbeaten since early February.

Benfica has 73 points to move nine clear of Braga, which must win at Naval on Sunday to keep its chances alive.

Also, Radamel Falcao scored two goals as FC Porto kept alive its hopes of finishing second after trouncing bottom-table Setubal 5-2 for a seventh straight victory. Porto has 62 points.

Cardozo’s third-minute penalty got Benfica rolling before Olhanense was reduced to 10 men with Delson’s second booking.

Juventus keep CL hopes alive

Salomon Kalou of Chelsea celebrates as he scores their first goal during the Barclays Premier League match against Stoke City at Stamford Bridge in London.

serie a AP MILAN, APRIL 25

Chelsea leapfrog Manchester Utd EPL STANDINGS TEAM 1. Chelsea 2. Man Utd 3. Arsenal 4. Tottenham 5. Aston Villa 6. Man City 7. Liverpool 8. Everton 9. Birmingham 10. Sunderland 11. Blackburn 12. Fulham 13. Stoke 14. Bolton 15. Wolves 16. Wigan 17. West Ham 18. Hull 19. Burnley 20. Portsmouth

M 36 36 36 35 36 35 36 36 36 36 36 35 35 36 36 36 36 36 36 36

GD P 61 80 53 79 39 72 26 64 16 64 27 63 28 62 10 57 -9 47 -6 44 -16 44 -3 43 -11 43 -25 36 -23 35 -34 35 -18 34 -41 28 -41 27 -33 16

AP LONDON, APRIL 25

Salomon Kalou scored three goals and Frank Lampard two as Chelsea beat Stoke 7-0 to stay a point ahead of Manchester United in the Premier League title race on Sunday, while Burnley was relegated after one season in the top flight.

The pressure was back on Chelsea after United beat Tottenham 3-1 on Saturday. But two strikes by Kalou and Lampard’s penalty put Carlo Ancelotti’s team 3-0 up by halftime. Both scorers plus Daniel Sturridge and Florent Malouda added more goals in the second half.

Chelsea has 80 points and United 79 going into their last two games of the season, and Ancelotti’s team now has a much better goal difference should they wind up level. Chelsea visits Liverpool and hosts Wigan, while United goes to Sunderland and welcomes Stoke.

“I thought 7-0 was a fair score-

line because of the chances we created and how we played,” Frank Lampard said. “The goal difference is to our advantage now but we still have to go and win our last two games.”

Aston Villa and Liverpool both won to improve their chances of clinching a Champions League spot for next season.

James Milner fired home a disputed penalty as Villa beat neighbor Birmingham City 1-0. while Steven Gerrard scored two of Liverpool’s goals in a 4-0 win at next-to-last Burnley.

Villa’s penalty was awarded in the 83rd minute when Roger Johnson brought down striker Gabriel Agbonlahor. Several Birmingham players argued with referee Martin Atkinson that Johnson had played the ball first but the official gave the spot kick, which Milner drove home.

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish, who confronted Atkinson after the game about the penalty decision, was convinced it was not a foul.

“It was a great tackle, simple,” McLeish said. “It was a bad mistake by the ref. He was not up with the play. It was a great touch by Roger Johnson. He’s made a name for himself in the Premier League with tackles like that.”

Villa manager Martin O’Neill, whose team guaranteed at least a place in next season’s Europa League, was just as sure it was a foul.

“There’s no dispute about it, it’s a penalty kick,” he said. “I’ve seen it back since and it’s a definite penalty.”

The victory lifted Villa into fifth, level on points with fourthplace Tottenham and above Manchester City but having played a game more than both.

Tottenham lost 3-1 at Manchester United on Saturday and City drew 0-0 at Arsenal.

Maxi Rodriguez and Ryan Babel hit the target after Gerrard’s two strikes early in the second half to keep Liverpool in the hunt for fourth.

Although Liverpool stayed seventh, it is only two points behind Tottenham and Villa and a point behind City. Next weekend, Man City hosts Villa, Tottenham welcomes Bolton and Liverpool is at home to Chelsea.

Three days later, City takes on Tottenham.

Promoted through the League Championship playoffs last season, Burnley is now guaranteed to go down along with last-place Portsmouth. Hull appears almost certain to join them as it is six points behind 17th-place West Ham with two games to go, and with a much inferior goal difference.

Mikel Arteta scored an injurytime penalty as Everton came from behind to beat Fulham 21. Erik Nevland put Europa League semifinalist Fulham ahead after 36 minutes at Goodison Park.

n I thought 7-0 was a fair scoreline because of the chances we created and how we played. The goal difference is to our advantage now but we still have to go and win our last two games.

-- Frank Lampard

Two goals from V incenzo Iaquinta and a penalty by Alessandro Del Piero gave Juventus a 3-0 win over Bari on Sunday that keeps alive its Champions League hopes.

The victory lifted Juventus to four points behind fourth-place Palermo, which occupies the final Champions League spot in Serie A. Fifth-place Sampdoria could overtake Palermo if it beats AS Roma later Sunday. Napoli is now behind Juventus following its 0-0 draw at home to Cagliari.

Alleging that the recently held World Cup was a big financial scam, former IHF chief KPS Gill today demanded an inquiry by the government ''so that tax payers should know how their money was squanderd''.

Talking to mediapersons here this afternoon, Mr Gill also lashed out at the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) describing it as a disgrace. ''The way IOA has acted in recent times, in regard to the affairs of Hockey, is a digrace for an organisation which is supposed to represent Olympic movement in India,'' Mr Gill said.

Mr Gill said according to reports a whopping Rs 15 crores were spent on the 12-nation World Cup here in FeburaryMarch. ''We held a 12-nation Asia Cup in 2007 in Chennai, in which same number of officials and same number of FIH personal and delegates were involved and

we spent Rs 87 lakhs and in less then three years. The IOA supervised World Cup which cost Rs 15 crores,'' he said.

He asserted that no such body as Hockey India exists and quoted Government of India's submission before the court in February that it has not derecognised IHF. ''There is no General Body of Hockey India and even government does not recognise it,'' he pointed.

He was very harsh on the IOA, saying that it has damaged the game in the country. ''The IOA stand changes from month to month and if one compiles all its statements regarding the affairs of Hockey, it will even beat the imagination of the well known bolloywood writers.''

Mr Gill said a PR company was involved in World Cup and according to media reports the same company is dealing with the Commonwealth Games organising committee. ''What reports I have read in

media, most of the sponsors for the Commonwealth Games are state owned institutions like SBI, ONGC, SAIL, Air India etc and the same company is earning a 15 per cent ''Sweat'' money (commission) without doing any thing''.

He lambasted the IOA for what he called a 'Breach of Trust' -- ''the International Hockey Federation (FIH) signed a contract with Indian Hockey Confederation (IHC) which was terminated without adequate reasons in June 2008 and then IOA signed a contract with FIH which was a clear breach of trust and criminal misappropriation''.

He announced that AGM of the IHF held early this morning was attended by the 17 state units and 11 sent their letters of support.

He said the IHF will hold the Nationals in June and July. Prior to it, there will be zonal tournaments and two teams from each zones will qualify for the main Nationals which will be

Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik came closest to making a breakthrough but Cagliari goalkeeper Federico Marchetti was in inspired form, making a number of fine saves.

Juventus began slowly and did little to threaten Bari’s goal.

Del Piero and Mauro Camoranesi worked hard to try and create an opening, but Claudio Marchisio’s weak shot from the edge of the area summed up Juventus’ early chances.

Also Sunday, it was; Bologna 2, Parma 1; Fiorentina 0, Chievo Verona 2; Genoa 1, Lazio 2; Livorno 3, Catania 1; Udinese 4, Siena 1.

Italy in final fed cup REUTERS ROME, APRIL 25

Fed Cup holders Italy again showed their sum is greater than their parts after easily dismissing the Czech Republic and storming into another final today.

World number 15 Flavia Pennetta, who has never threatened in the individual grand slams, displayed her special attachment to the team competition by defeating Petra Kvitova 7-6 (7-3) 6-2 to give Italy an unassailable 3-0 lead in the semi-final.

Italy, with no great tennis tradition, lifted the Fed Cup in 2006 and 2009 and have now reached four finals in five years. Only a brave gambler would bet against them beating the United States or Russia in November's final.

Detractors have alleged that Italy's Fed Cup success is largely down to other countries not prioritising the team event given tennis is usually such an individual pursuit.

Americans Serena and Venus Williams did not even make themselves available for last year's final and top names continue to pull out on a regular basis.

However, Italy captain Corrado Barazzutti believes his team's dedication and passion should be highlighted instead of the flaws in the tournament. Elena Dementieva and Melanie Oudin won their opening singles matches to leave the Fed Cup semi-final between Russia and the United States tied at 1-1 in New York.

Oudin gave the hosts a perfect start yesterday when she recorded a 6-3 6-3 win over Alla Kudryavtseva before Dementieva leveled the tie at the indoor hard court in Birmingham, which kept the players away from the storms battering Alabama.

The Olympic champion, ranked sixth in the world, defeated Bethanie Mattek-Sands 6-4 6-3 set the stage for a tense final day that will begin with her reverse singles rubber against Oudin.

Benfica's Pablo Aimar, from Argentina, shoots to score Benfica’ fifth goal during their Portuguese league soccer match with Olhanense at Benfica’ Luz stadium, in Lisbon, Portugal.

Aulas defends Govou AP PARIS, APRIL 25

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has backed the club’s troubled player Sidney Govou after the winger was linked to a suspected prostitution ring.

Govou and his France teammates Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema have all featured in newspaper reports suggesting the trio had alleged sexual relations with an underage prostitute operating out of a trendy Paris club.

Speaking in a television interview Sunday, Aulas said Govou has been unfairly exposed in the affair “because nothing has been held against Sidney Govou, he has only been interviewed as a witness” and Aulas is convinced of the player’s “good faith.”

Govou hopes to play in the second leg of the Champions League semifinal against Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

Don’t doubt me: Kaka AGENCIES MADRID, APRIL 25

Real Madrid playmaker Kaka has issued a plea to the clubs’ supporters not to doubt the injury which has kept him out of action in the past few weeks.

Sections of the Spanish media suggested that Kaka was fully fit but was simply not being used by coach Manuel Pellegrini, who preferred to utilise Rafael van der Vaart.

However, in an interview with AS, Kaka asked the Los Blancos faithful to believe him when he says he could not play, saying “I have lived many years in the world of football, but the worst moment has been when people doubted my injury.

“I am much better now, but I have to keep working. I played for 15 or 20 minutes, and my fit-

ness is slowly improving.”

Kaka made his return as Real Madrid maintained the pressure of Barcelona by defeating Real Zaragoza 2-1, and it was the former AC Milan player who arrived to net the crucial winning goal.

He was delighted to have made a scoring return, stating, “This has been a very special night for me, after a lot of criticism. The best way to answer them is to do it on the field.”

n I am much better now, but I have to keep working. I played for 15 or 20 minutes, and my fitness is slowly improving.

Super sub Kaka keeps Real on Barca’s heels

Anand beats Topalov AGENCIES SOFIA, APRIL 25

World champion Viswanathan Anand played brilliantly to defeat Veselin Topalov in the second game of the World Chess Championship in Sofia, Bulgaria, on Sunday.

The scores are now level 1-1 in the 12-game title match, Topalov having taken the lead

Hockey WC was a financial scam: Gill UNI NEW DELHI, APRIL 25

Di Maria took advantage in the 18th before Cardozo took his league-leading goal tally to 24 with strikes set up by Di Maria in the 54th and 56th.

Aimar added the last in the 79th.

Colombia striker Falcao gave Porto the lead after 14 minutes and Maicon made it 2-0 with his header in the 41st.

Henrique cut the deficit in half with a goal in the 51st but the four-time defending champion got back on its way to the easy win seven minutes later when Freddy Guarin converted a pass from Hulk.

Fernando Belluschi made it 4-1 in the 71st before Henrique and Falcao both scored again in injury time. Falcao has 23 goals in his debut season.

In Sunday’s games, Leixoes plays Academica, Nacional faces Pacos Ferreira and Leiria welcomes Sporting. Guimaraes plays Belenenses on Monday.

Rio Ave and Maritimo drew 0-0 on Friday.

played here in Delhi.

n Former IHF chief KPS Gill today demanded an inquiry by the government ''so that tax payers should know how their money was squanderd.

on Saturday after wininng the opening game.

Anand thus goes into the first rest day on Monday with a psychological advantage and the satisfaction of having played a marvelous game. "I am happy with my play and I thought that I played fairly accurately," said Anand after the game.

The Indian ace started with the Queen pawn opening, a Catalan opening, which was a bit complex and difficult for the general chess enthusiasts to follow. The commenting Grandmasters were also divided in their opinion on which player had advantage in the opening.

After the rapid flurry of moves on Saturday in the opening stages, both players were on the slower side in Game 2. Topalov looked better in the opening stages but Anand played a patient game.

Anand had sacrificed a pawn in the opening and Topalov's pieces appeared to have greater mobility.

The early exchange of queens on the 15th move was a bit surprising since it was at Anand's invitation and he was a pawn down.

Anand made a few unexpected moves and slowly seemed to be improving his position.

Topalov's 25th move to get into Anand's territory to exchange a knight for a bishop was dubious and the Indian started looking better. Anand spent too much time on the 29th turn and had just 19 minutes to Topalov's 38 minutes to complete the stipulated 40 moves before the first time control.

Real Madrid’ Kaka celebrates after scoring the winning goal against Zaragoza during their Spanish first division soccer match at La Romareda stadium, Zaragoza.

la liga REUTERS BARCELONA, APRIL 25

Kaka came off the bench after six weeks out injured and produced a clinical finish from Cristiano Ronaldo's assist to keep Real Madrid hot on the heels of leaders Barcelona in La Liga.

After Barca's nervy 3-1 win at home to basement side Xerez in the earlier kickoff on Saturday, Brazil's World Cup-bound playmaker Kaka struck eight minutes from time to fire Real to a nail-biting 2-1 victory at 10-man Real Zaragoza.

Substitute Raul put Real

ahead after 50 minutes and in a heated atmosphere at Zaragoza's Romareda stadium the home side had defender Matteo Contini sent off soon after following a clash with Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain.

Promoted Zaragoza, two points above the relegation places in 16th, fought back to level at 1-1 through Adrian Colunga in the 62nd minute before Kaka saved the day for big-spending Real.

The result lifted Manuel Pellegrini's side to 86 points with four matches remaining, one behind Barca.

Kaka, who replaced Fernando

Gago with 15 minutes remaining, has been sidelined with a lingering groin problem.

His extended absence has led to accusations he lacks commitment to the team he joined from AC Milan for about 67 million euros (90 million dollar) in the close season. ''The best thing I can do is answer (my critics) on the pitch,'' Kaka, who will be key to Brazil's bid for glory in South Africa, said in a post-match TV interview. ''I ask the Real Madrid fans to believe in my injury,'' he added. ''I am not hurt (by the criticism), I know that things are like that in football.''

SPORTS

Pg 18

Chelsea leapfrog Manchester United Pg. 17

CDJ Ribandar lift Ilhas Zone title Pg. 16

GOA, MONDAY, 26 APRIL, 2010

www.oherald.in

Chennai ‘Super Kings’

Suresh Raina celebrates after catching Saurabh Tiwary at DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai on Sunday.

AGENCIES MUMBAI, APRIL 25

The DY Patil stadium was stunned into silence soon after midnight. The men in yellow went berserk in the middle as MS Dhoni's captaincy had overshadowed the bravado of Sachin Tendulkar in the big final on Sunday. The Super Kings came up trumps by 22 runs in what was a cracker of a game.

Suresh Raina set Chennai up with a brilliant half-century and chasing 169, Sachin Tendulkar's determined knock kept Mumbai in the hunt for a long time before Dhoni's master moves and a super effort in the field gave the clear advantage to Chennai.

But, they had to survive a Kieoran Pollard avalanche that threatened to steal the game but Dhoni was not to be pipped for the second time in an IPL final.

Tendulkar, who had five stitches on his right hand three

days ago, played a magnificent innings under pressure as he kept the Chennai bowling at bay and till the time he was in the middle, Mumbai knew they had an upper hand.

Tendulkar along with Abhishek Nayar (27 off 26) put on 66 runs for the second wicket,

but once Dhoni ran out Nayar, the game was in the balance.

However, two runs short of a well-deserved half-century, Tendulkar played a false shot and Murali Vijay accepted the catch gleefully.

Tendulkar's 48 came off 45 balls that had seven boundaries.

Chennai Super Kings: M Vijay c Tiwary b Fernando 26, M Hayden c Rayudu b Pollard 17, S Raina not out 57, S Badrinath c Malinga b Fernando 14, MS Dhoni c Fernando b Z Khan 22, A Morkel run out (Rayudu) 15, S Anirudha not out 6. Extras: 11. Total: 168 for 5.

Fall of wickets: 44-1, 47-2, 67-3, 139-4, 157-5. Bowling: Harbhajan Singh 4-0-30-0, L Malinga 4-0-33-0, Z Khan 4-034-1, D Fernando 4-0-23-2, K Pollard 4-0-45-1.

Mumbai Indians: S Dhawan cDhoni b Bollinger 0, S Tendulkar c Vijay b Jakati 48, A Nayar run out (Dhoni) 27, Harbhajan Singh lbw b Raina 1, A Rayudu run out (Morkel) 21, S Tiwary c Raina b Jakati 0, JP Duminy c Jakati b Muralitharan 6, K Pollard c Hayden b Morkel 27, Z Khan run out (Ashwin) 1, L Malinga not out 1, D Fernando not out 2. Extras: 11. Total: 146 for 9.

Fall of wickets: 1-1, 67-2, 73-3, 99-4, 100-5, 114-6, 142-7, 142-8, 143-9. Bowling: R Ashwin 4-1-24-0, D Bollinger 4-0-31-1, A Morkel 3-0-20-1, M Muralitharan 4-0-18-1, S Jakati 3-0-26-2, S Raina 2-0-21-1.

Man-of-the-match: S Raina

Sehwag’s advice prompts Warner to set sight on Test UNI MELBOURNE, APRIL 25

An advice from swashbuckling Indian opener Virender Sehwag has convinced Twenty20 batting sensation David Warner that he can make into the Australia's Test squad in the next two years. ''He said you have to play as much cricket for your country,'' Warner said. ''He said you'll be playing Test cricket in the next two years and you'll be taking over my record of most runs in a day. He has scored something like 284 runs in a day and said he wanted me to get 300. ''It put a smile on my face and it's a challenge for myself. I want to play Test cricket,'' the hard-hitting left-handed batsman was qouted as saying by The Sunday Telegraph.

Warner further added that Sehwag told him that he can play aggressively in longer form of the game as the field placements in Tests will provide the Australian enough chance to play his shots. ''Sehwag said in Tests you can play all your shots and if an opposition is 0-100 off 15 overs

in a Test, you'll have them run off their feet,'' Warner said. ''I said it's a good philosophy to have and if I can open the batting in first-class cricket for NSW, I'll play my attacking role but also knuckle down when the time comes. ''If I can play a quarter of the Tests 'Punter' (Ricky Ponting) has played I'll be happy.''

With the IPL now over for D e l h i D a rd e v i l s f o r w h i c h Warner plays, Australians now head to the West Indies for the Twenty20 World Championship and Warner said the ODI world champions stand a good chance of grabbing the first World Twenty20 title. ''I reckon we have got the team to go through and win it,'' he said. ''We've got four quicks who bowl over 150km/h plus and we'll be playing on wickets that don't bounce during the day. ''Spin is also a key in Twenty20 cricket, and we have two of them (Nathan Hauritz and Steven Smith), (Dave) Hussey can bowl part-time, and obviously 'Pup' (Michael Clarke) as well,'' he added.

Shoaib sought Rs 35 million for rights to cover his walima?

AGENCIES KARACHI, APRIL 25

Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik has reportedly demanded a whopping Rs 35 million for the rights to cover his reception and walima ceremony in his hometown Sialkot af ter his wedding to Indian tennis star Sania Mirza.

Shoaib asked his private security guards to keep the media away from both ceremonies as none of the TV news channels had agreed to cough up the huge amount demanded by the cricketer and any deal was not yet struck, Dunya News channel reported.

The channel claimed it had obtained an invitation card for the walima to be hosted by Shoaib in Lahore's Pearl Continental Hotel on April 27 by paying Rs 10,000 (about USD 125) to a relative of the cricketer.

On the other hand, the administration of Pearl Continental Hotel has asked journalists to

leave the premises.

Dozens of reporters, especially those from TV news channels, have been thronging the hotel since the couple arrived there two days ago.

"The hotel administration took the step on behalf of Shoaib," journalist Hina Farooq claimed.

Shaoib has already requested the government of Punjab province to provide the couple and his guests from India "foolproof" security.

Shoaib and his brother-in-law Imran Zafar have criticised the media after Sania and her mother Nasima Mirza were jostled and pushed by an unruly

crowd after reaching the Pearl Continental Hotel.

The incident brought tears to Sania's eyes.

"Please spare us," was the request from both Shoaib and Zafar.

"For God's sake, leave us alone. You are trying to fix cameras in our rooms," an angry Zafar shouted at the media.

Before leaving for Sialkot, Shoaib, Sania and her parents and relatives visited the shrine of Hazrat Ali Hajvary Data Ganj Bakhsh and offered prayers.

Meanwhile, Sialkot district police chief Waqar Ahmed Chohan said an official order on serving only one dish at wedding receptions will be enforced in letter and spirit.

"We will not allow even Shaoib to violate the ban," he said.

The Punjab government introduced the one-dish rule for weddings and receptions last year as part of a series of austerity measures.

Harbhajan Singh's promotion up the order did not work as he fell for one. Saurabh Tiwary (zero) and JP Duminy (six) buckled under pressure. Mumbai surprised everybody by keeping Kieron Pollard in the dugout till the end.

When Pollard walked into the middle, 55 runs were needed off just three overs. But Pollard relished the situation it seemed as he launched into Doug Bollinger to pick 22 runs. Mumbai looked to pull off a miracle stage but Albie Morkel bowled a super over as Ambhati Rayadu (21 off 14) and Pollard (27 off 10) both fell.

Mumbai needed 27 runs in the last over, and that was never going to happen with Bollinger bowling to the Mumbai tail. Mumbai Indians ended up with the score of 146-9.

Earlier, the whole of Mumbai breathed a sigh of relief as Sachin Tendulkar walked out to the middle for the toss but it was MS Dhoni who had the luck with the toss as Chennai elected to bat for the crucial game.

Raina plonked an unbeaten half-century to set the Mumbai Indians a challenging 169-run target. After keeping a tight lid on Chennai for the first half of the innings, Mumbai slipped at the death as Raina went berserk to hit 57 not out off just 35 balls.

Mumbai bowlers kept Chennai in check but Matthew Hay-

den (17 off 31) and Murali Vijay (26 off 19) were off to a sedate start. Vijay smashed two sixes before Dilhara Fernando snared him in the eighth over. Chennai scored at less than six-runs-aover for most part of their innings.

Hayden's vigil in the middle when he miscued Kieron Pollard and soon Subramanium Badrinath too fell in a similar fashion.

Chennai were in tatters at 67-3 in the 12th over.

But when you have MS Dhoni on the other side, expect the unexpected. Dhoni launched a brilliant counterattack to shift the momentum. The skipper blasted two sixes, one of which was a sensational one-handed flourish in his 15-ball 22. Raina too turned on the heat from the other end as the duo smashed 72 runs off just 45 balls to set up Chennai.

Mumbai did themselves no favour by dropping Raina twice (on 12 and on 28) in two overs, which proved decisive in the end with Mumbai running the Chennai total close.

Suresh Raina was declared the man-of-the-match.

Meanwhile, embroiled in a raging row with IPL chairman and commissioner Lalit Modi, top BCCI functionaries, including president Shashank Manohar and secretary N Srinivasan skipped the Indian Premier League's summit clash at the DY Patil Stadium here today.

1

2

1) Sahid Kapoor seen in action during the closing ceremony of IPL III. 2) Bipasha dancing on the title track of her movie 'Race' to set the pulse racing for the spectators.

3) A dancer seen performing at the closing ceremony.

Glitzy closing ceremony PTI MUMBAI, APRIL 25

A sparkling closing ceremony, splashed with glitz and glamour preceded the IPL summit clash between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings here today.

The 40-minute long ceremony at the DY Patil Stadium was choreographed by the Oscar-winning composer AR Rehman.

Though embattled IPL chairman and commissioner Lalit Modi was present at the venue, he did not address the capacity

crowd -- about 55,000 -- and the ceremony was purely a dance and music show.

Re h m a n e n t h r a l l e d t h e packed gathering by belting out his mega-hit songs -- Chale Chalo from the movie 'Lagaan', 'Vande Maataram' and ended with Oscar-winning 'Jai Ho' from Slumdog Millionaire.

There were other brief dance numbers performed by Bollywood stars Bipasha Basu and Shahid Kapoor.

Bollywood diva Bipasha danced on the title track of her

3

movie 'Race' as she set the pulse racing for the spectators while Shahid Kapoor did his bit, shaking his legs to a song from his movie on the makeshift stage erected on the ground.

Before the ceremony, Modi spoke to the official broadcasters about the success of the Twenty20 league.

Modi tried to show that he was not perturbed by his confrontation with the BCCI top brass and even spoke about the brand new auction for the next season.