26 Oct, Herald Publication Pvt. Ltd

Page 1_Layout 1 10/26/2010 12:41 AM Page 1

O HERALD O

Visit us at: www.oheraldo.in

The Voice of Goa — Since 1900 panjim, Tuesday, OCTOber 26, 2010 postal reg. no. Goa 101 priCe rs. 3.00

Goa’s Heartbeat: Liz Hurley looks stunning at 45 Pg 4 It is in the half fools and the half wise that the greatest danger lies — Lowell

IN BRIEF Sedition case against Geelani The Delhi Police may go ahead and file cases of sedition against the chief of the hardliner faction of the separatist organisation Hurriyat, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and also eminent author Arundhati Roy for allegedly spreading antiIndia tirade in Delhi last week.

Sources in Delhi Police revealed that they had sought a legal opinion on the nature of cases that can be levelled on the issue. – PTI

I-T sleuths raid K’taka BJP MLAs Amidst charges of horse-trading in Karnataka, Income Tax officials on Monday conducted simultaneous raids targeting seven ruling BJP MLAs and mining firms and in Bellary district. The premises of ministers and mining magnates G Janardhana Reddy and G Karunakara Reddy and minister B Sreeramulu came under the scanner of the I-T department. - PTI

Business: PM commits to reforms, pegs growth at 9% Pg 12

Shunglu panel gets 10-point charter PTI NEW DELHI, OCT 25

The Prime Minister-appointed Shunglu Committee will probe the “weaknesses” in management, alleged misappropriation, irregularities and wrongdoing in the conduct of Commonwealth Games among other things under a comprehensive 10-point Terms of Reference announced on Monday.

The announcement of the Terms of Reference (TOR) came even as Prasar Bharti rejected allegations of impropriety and defended the award of the Broadcasting rights contract for Commonwealth Games to UKbased SIS Live and said the selection of the company was made with the approval of I and B Minister Ambika Soni.

Unveiling the mandate for the two-member high-level committee, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) also said the CAG, CVC and other agencies will independently carry out their audit and investigations in accordance with their respective mandates on the Games and take action immediately on complaints.

GAMES SCAM Panel has been asked to give its report within three months.

Will recommend action on alleged misappropriation, wrongful conduct, “wasteful expenditure”.

To consider any complaint from public duly supported by documents.

The Committee headed by former Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) V K Shunglu will have as its second member Shantanu Consul, Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training, upon his retirement on October 31. Consul’s name was announced today. The panel has been asked to give its report within three months.

A PMO statement said the Committee will recommend ac-

tion on any matter that comes to its notice involving alleged misappropriation and other wrongful conduct and the agencies concerned will take “immediate action” as warranted under law. The Committee will also look into “wasteful expenditure”.

The Committee will also consider any complaint from any member of the public, duly supported by documents.

“The aim of the Committee is to reach logical conclusion,” Shunglu told PTI shortly after the Terms of Reference were announced.

Prasar Bharti CEO B S Lalli told reporters that due payment of service tax, which has become an issue, is the “legal responsibility” of the British firm SIS Live.

Rubbishing allegations of impropriety while finalising the contract or making payments to the company, Lalli said whatever payment has been made till date is according to schedule which has been approved at the highest level – that is the Information and Broadcasting Minister.

IFFI: Talak’s O Maria to be screened HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, OCT 25

Goan filmmaker Rajendra Talak’s film “O Maria” is one of the films selected for the Indian premier section, during the forthcoming International Film Festival of India.

The film was selected by a six-member jury headed by Malayalam filmmaker Shamaprasad.

The members selected three films after watching all the movies in the screening facility at Maquinez Palace, in Panjim.

O Maria is the fourth film of filmmaker Rajendra Talak, who has kept his record of premiering his movies every alternate year in the IFFI. The national award winning filmmaker had his movie Alisha premiered in 2004, Antarnad in 2006 and Sawariya.com in 2008.

O Maria is entirely shot in Goa and has internationally acclaimed musician of Goan origin Remo Fernandes composing the title song for it.

Veteran directors Amol Pa l e k a r ’ s M a r a t h i m o v i e Dhoosar and Ritupurno Ghosh’s Nauka Dubi are the other films which will be screened in the Indian Premiers section.

Palekar’s Dhoosar is shot in Goa and is featuring Smita (Continued on page 10)

Airport operations take a hit HERALD REPORTER VASCO, OCT 25

Most domestic flights were delayed at Dabolim Airport on Monday due to load restrictions imposed on commercial airlines, after the length of the runway was reduced following the accident on Saturday night.

It may be recalled that on Saturday night, an oil tanker car-

rying nearly 6,000 litres of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) turned on its side on the runway at Dabolim airport, disrupting air traffic.

Though the spillage was cleared by the naval personnel, restrictions on operation of jumbo jets flights have been imposed at the airport.

Airport Director D Paul Man-

ickam informed that the domestic airlines had normal operation on Monday morning on the reduced 6,900 ft runway.

“Navy has committed to complete the restoration work of the runway by October 27.

There are no large bodied planes arriving in the State till October 29, thus it will not affect any international flights,” assured

Manickam.

However, in the afternoon, which is considered to be a hectic time for operation with constant arrival of aircraft, most flights got delayed by half-anhour due to load restrictions imposed on the airlines, informed highly placed sources at the airport.

(Continued on page 10)

(air surcharge rs 2.00) pages 16+4

Sports: Sachin in ESPNcricinfo’s Test World XI Pg 16

MLAs want highway toll for locals scrapped HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, OCT 25

Amid calls from the Members of Goa Legislative Assembly, whose constituencies would be affected by the expansion of the National Highway 17, for scrapping of toll for the locals, the Chief Minister Digambar Kamat on Monday said that he would take up the issue with the Union Minister.

The Union Minister for Road, Transport and Highways Kamal Nath would be in Goa for the felicitation function of Commissioner of NRIs Eduardo Faleiro, tomorrow.

“At a joint presentation today by the committee, the legislators demanded that they need detailed information on the expansion plans,” Kamat told Herald after the meeting.

The chief minister also admitted that there were demands for scrapping the heavy toll for locals, which would be charged after expansion.

“The MLAs wanted the toll to be scrapped for locals to which I have assured them to take up the matter with the minister,” he said.

However, Kamat was quick to add that the minister would be attending a function and only if time permits he will discuss the issue or else will meet him in Delhi whenever he visits.

The MLAs, during the joint presentation by the committee which included officials of the National Highways Authority of India, Public Works Dep a r t m e n t , L a n d S u r v e y, demanded that proper plan-

Activists against new proposal HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, OCT 25

Timing its dissent with the arrival of Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Kamal Nath in Goa on Tuesday – National Highway Diversion Action Committee (NHDAC) has sounded a warning saying it will resort to agitation if the proposed fresh re-alignment suggested for NH-4A is not withdrawn.

Officer bearers of the NHDAC for NH17 and NH4A addressing a press conning be done for the expansion of highway.

Kamat also said that individual presentation to each MLAs would also be given by the committee from tomorrow so that they know how many structures exactly would be demolished in their constituency.

ference on Monday here stated that they are not happy with the fresh re-alignment proposed by the government wherein now 168 structures will be demolished as against earlier estimate of 569.

On October 23, the officials of PWD presented a fresh re-alignment to the representatives of NHDAC claiming to save 401 constructions while expanding Mollem–Panjim highway. In (Continued on page 10)

PWD Minister Churchill Alemao, Urban Development Minister Joaquim Alemao, Sports Minister Babu Azgaonkar, Power Minister Aleixo Sequeira, Deputy Speaker Mauvin Godinho, St Andre ML A Francis Silveira were present for the meeting.

K’taka ore ban may Of crops & harvest: politicos show the way affect Goa’s coffers HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, OCT 25

Cess collection likely to drop

by Rs 7-8 cr SHWETA KAMAT PANJIM, OCT 25

Karnataka government’s restriction on transporting ore across its State borders to Goa has drilled a hole into the expectation of Goa government earning revenue through transportation cess.

Goa had predicted Rs 15 crore as transport cess on ore from Karnataka, which is also named as Goa Rural Improvement and Welfare Cess (GRIWC), for the current fiscal. But the ban which came into force in June, this year has worked as an impediment.

Talking to Herald, Transport Director Arun Desai said that there will be a drop of at least Rs 7-8 crore in the cess collection due to the ban.

“Though the ban has been lifted now, the transportation of ore is yet to kick off. This year, we might hardly earn Rs 4-5 crore through ore from Karnataka,” Desai said.

The State government had

set a target of Rs 50 crore from total iron ore transportation, which includes Rs 15 crore projected from the ore transported from Karnataka and Rs 35 crore is a cess collection target from locally exported ore and tax on coal and coke which is imported through State’s major port Mormugao Port Trust (MPT).

Of these Rs 35 crore, the Transport department till date managed to collect Rs 13 crore.

The department expects the figure to rise further after rains withdraw.

“As the rains have extended its normal seasonal time, the ore transportation has affected.

Once the season gets over, it will start with full swing,” the director said.

The tax of Rs 50 per tonne is collected from the ore brought from Karnataka, which is later e x p o r t e d t h r o u g h M P T. Whereas, the transportation of ore within Goa state as well as cess on coal and coke is Rs 20 per tonne charged by Transport Department. “ The ore imported from neighbouring State to be supplied to sponge iron plants in (Continued on page 10)

Mahanand acquitted in another case HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, OCT 25

Alleged serial killer Mahanand Naik was on Monday acquitted in the rape and murder of Shakuntala Kavthankar in 2005.

North Goa District & Sessions Judge Nutan Sardessai acquitted him as the prosecution failed to produce concrete evidence proving his guilt under Sections 364 (kidnapping), 392 (robbery), 302 (murder) and 201 (destroying evidence) of Indian Penal Code.

Known as the “duppatta killer”, Mahanand, 40, has been charged with raping, killing and looting 18 gullible unmarried girls for one and half decade, between 1994 and 2009. This is his fourth acquittal in five cases so far.

(Continued on page 10)

Welcome to Salcete’s countryside, where politicians of all hues jostle to reach out to the farmers with free harvesters.

Whether the har vesters would ensure a rich harvest of votes for the political lot, only time would tell, with Assembly polls a year and half away, but certainly harvesters have found its way in the fields in a big way, with politicians bearing the expenses incurred on hiring the machines from across the border from Maharashtra and Karnataka.

What began in Nuvem around

A harvester working in the fields of Fatorda sponsored by GPCC general secretary Vijay Sardesai. Photo by Santosh Mirajkar

three years ago at the initiative

by ZP member Wilfred D’Sa, which later spread to Curtorim – once considered the granary

of Salcete – has now spread across Salcete, with politicians making sure the machines are made available at the door steps

of the farming community – virtually free of cost.

If Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco claims credit for being instrumental in bringing harvesters in the fields across Curtorim and neighbouring villages, his rival and probable candidate in Curtorim constituency, ZP member Domnic Gauncar has not lagged behind. The Raia ZP member has ensured that the harvesting machine was made available to the farmers right on time.

In the new Assembly constituency of Nuvem, harvesters have made their presence felt (Continued on page 10)

Hello, Instead of batting, bowling, fielding, is it fine if we just have swimming? We need to level the series, you see

OHERALDO

GOA

Pg 2

GOA, TUESDAY, 26 OCTOBER, 2010

Survey proposes study of Naroa’s habitats

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, OCT 25

The State may lose another one of its biodiversity hotspots if the authorities don’t move fast to take corrective action into the massive mangrove felling and hill cuttings on the banks of river Mandovi at Tottewada (Tontem).

While village sarpanch Laximan Malvankar has absolved himself of his responsibility by saying he was not the ultimate authority to take action against the fellers of the rich natural heritage, communication issued by the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority and the Forest Department to book the guilty has merely remained on paper.

At a time when environmentalists and activists have raised a banner of revolt against the felling of this pristine cover and fresh hill cuttings, a rapid survey conducted by two research fellows in July found the area to be indeed a rich bio-diversity hotspot.

The survey conducted by Nandini Velho and Umesh Srinivasan from the National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore, indicates the habitats in Tontem and the surrounding areas of Naroa are primarily mangrove forests along the waterways and secondary forest on the surrounding hills.

Velho and Srinivasan said they undertook the rapid survey on July 11, 2010, in response to claims that mangroves were felled in the area. The survey states to estimate the extent of

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, OCT 25

the mangrove felling, the two did a fixed-width transect of about 5 m one side of the river bank. It was estimated that 109 adult trees (approximately >30 cm girth at breast height) had been felled in the area.

The survey further observes that the habitats in Naroa support a large number of resident and migratory bird species and the site is close to the Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary on Chorao Island that has a very similar mangrove habitat.

Tontem itself has the potential to hold several bird species endemic to the Western Ghats that are found nowhere in the world, it adds.

The two claim they have recorded among several species the presence of the small sunbird (Nectarinia minima) in Tontem and the grey-headed bulbul (P ycnonotus priocephalus) around Tontem.

They also noted a breeding colony colony of baya weaver (Ploceus philippinus).

The survey states for several bird species of global importance, Tontem and the surrounding areas represent one of the last remaining habitats in Goa, a fact which should proper authorities concerned to preserve the area for posterity. A total number of bird species recorded were 35 during the non-migratory season.

Velho and Srinivasan point out that the 35 species recorded are of very preliminary in nature and represent a poor coverage of Tontem and the surrounding areas. We have no doubt more

Is mangrove felling for handling coal?

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, OCT 25

While there are talks of a dry dock on the banks of river Mandovi at Tottewada (Tontem) in Naroa village of Bicholim taluka, where extensive mangrove felling has occurred, the man at the centre of the controversy Capt Virendra Mehta continues to add he has no plans to build anything at the site.

Capt Mehta of Panjim-based Sea Scan Marine Services who bought property bearing survey Nos 8 and 9 where the mangrove felling has taken place maintains he is not responsible and said the pristine cover was destroyed some two to three years back much before he became the owner.

Residents claim Capt Mehta has assured them of jobs at his proposed project (a dry dock), but speaking to Herald he has denied the villagers’ claims and instead said he intends to use the property for agricultural activities.

Contrary to claims by the man, Shreepati Group, a Mumbaibased company had featured the Goa project on its website (dated June 29, 2010). The name of Sea Scan Services Pvt Ltd was also prominently displayed.

The project highlighted is a port facility for handling iron ore and coal cargo including shipbuilding at Naroa in Bicholim in an area of 2,00,000 sq mtrs. The status of the project states it is under planning stage.

When contacted today, Capt Mehta admitted the company name next to Shreepati’s was his and he was aware of this Mumbai entity. However, he denied of having anything to do with the company and the entire project. long-term surveys will lead to the discovery of many more bird species and other fauna in the area, they stated.

Besides bird species and a rich forest cover, the two recorded several direct and indirect evidence of other important faunal elements such as mangrove crabs, dog-faced water snake (Cerberus rhynchops) and a juvenile Bengal

monitor lizard (Varanus bengalensis).

The two have concluded their survey by proposing a comprehensive study to assess the biodiversity value of the disputed area.

Concurring with environmentalists, they have suggested an environmental impact assessment (EIA) by an independent scientific body.

BJP leader flays Centre’s handling of J&K problem

“Growth in tourism has led to lot of real estate developments in the State, which has led to increase in the number of commercial complexes, malls and buildings, a BJP youth morcha leader said here today.

Anurag Thakur, National President of the BJP Yuva morcha while addressing a press conference on Monday here said that same has been the situation with the Northern Indian tourist state of Himachal Pradesh which attracts a large number of foreign tourists.

“But this development doesn’t gel with local culture,” he said.

Thakur was in Goa as part of their campaign “India First” the concept adopted to create awareness among youth to think of “mother land” first.

Through their campaign the BJYM will also highlight current situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Replying to a question about “drug problem” in the state he said, the government should initiate serious measures if there exits police-drug dealer nexus and keep youth away from drag-

ons of drugs.

Local youth in Punjab have been affected by drugs, he said.

Talking about their campaign he said, emphasis will be laid on creating awareness about current situation in J&K, demand for rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits, implementation of 1994 resolution passed by the Parliament in 1994 claiming PoK and Northern territories.

Critisising Dr Manmohan Singh government over its handling of J&K issue, he said no serious efforts have been made to resolve the issue even as over

35 police personnel injured and 110 civilians died during more than 1200 cases of stone pelting that took place in the last four months.

The Congress-led government has failed the country on this account, he said.

He also criticized Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister of J&K who reportedly said that J&K is not part of India.

He questioned how anyone who takes oath of office under the Constitution of India can make such statement. & K is an integral part of India, he said.

Truck driver escapes unhurt

with major cases been booked in cities like Panjim, Margao, Ponda, and Mapusa.

In the first week of the drive, beginning from October 4, the department had checked 931 buses of which 611 challans were issued. While in its second week, the numbers of challans issued were 381.

The drive, which also received full support from the private bus operators in the state, bought revenue of Rs 7 lakh to the department through the fine collected in form of challans.

“Our aim is not to collect revenue but we want to bring discipline in the public transport system. We want more and more people to avail the benefits of this transport system in more better and safer way,” he said.

Meanwhile, the director has

A driver had a lucky escape, after the truck which he was driving dashed against an electricity pole at Farmagudi-Ponda on Sunday night.

According to Ponda Police, the truck was carrying plastic raw material from Verna Industrial Estate to Gujarat via Ponda.

The truck driver lost control over the vehicle and collided against the electricity pole at Framagudi Circle.

Police further informed that the electricity pole along with power lines came down and the driver escaped unhurt. Though the truck driver was absconding, the transport contractor claimed that the driver was safe and will surrender.

Meanwhile, shifting of electricity pole and repair work on the power line is expected to cost over Rs 12,000.

The Transport Department has claimed that the violation of law by private bus operators is on decrease by almost 20 percent since the drive against erring conductors and drivers is initiated.

The department, which has issued more then 900 challans in last two weeks feels that very soon public, will be able to enjoy a smooth and safe public transport in the state.

“Since the implementation of the drive, the number of cases booked by RTOs has gone down from 65 percent to 44 percent.

The number will decrease further,” Transport Director Arun Desai said.

The department till date has checked 1780 private buses,

said that passengers also need to play a crucial role to see that there is smooth functioning of the bus transport in the state.

“You cannot just blame drivers and conductors, passengers too are equally responsible for overloading and breaking the law,” Desai said.

When asked, Desai said that the passengers should insist for the ticket for the exact amount paid. He said that if conductor gives a ticket of higher or lower amount, than it should be rejected and department should be immediately informed.

The department has said that the aggrieved people can contact on the helpline numbers: Panjim -2438288, Margao 2741962, Vasco-2515100 and Ponda-2312749.

Fatorda man sentenced for molesting minor HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, OCT 25

Goa Children’s Court today sentenced 32-year-old man from Fatorda to 17 months imprisonment for molesting a minor girl by trespassing in her house in May 2009.

Dinesh Achary, who was convicted by the court last week, was sentenced for imprisonment by the court which termed his crime as ‘offence against the society.’

“The offence committed is against a child. It is by now settled that accused in these offenses cannot be let out with light punishment,” Goa Children’s Court President P V Sawaikar said in the order today.

The order added: “It is also an offense against the society and public should not have an impression that the accused are dealt with lightly. The accused should be dealt with stern hand

nThe offence committed is against a child. It is by now settled that accused in these offenses cannot be let out with light punishment. so that it acts deterrent to the other persons who tend to commit such offenses.”

According to the prosecution, on May 09, 2009 Achary had trespassed into victim’s house at Fatorda and molested her when her parents were sleeping next to her.

The accused was chargesheeted of (partly) striping the minor when she was sleeping with her mother on one side and her father and two sisters on the other side of the

same rented room on the fateful night.

Police stated that Achary entered the room by unlocking the door with the help of the open window. He was sharing accommodation with the victim’s family.

Achary was caught by victim’s father when he tried to molest the girl and was handed over to the police.

The court today convicted him on two counts – molestation and trespassing. While, he has been sentenced to one year imprisonment and Rs 1000 fine for trespass, the Court sentenced him to one-year and five month imprisonment and fine of Rs 5000 for offense under Goa Children’s Act 2003. Both the sentences will run concurrently.

The victim will be paid Rs 3,000 as compensation which would be recovered from the fine paid by the accused.

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, OCT 25

A week-long Vigilance Awareness Period – 2010 with emphasis on spreading awareness of corruption and to have an effective anti-corruption campaign, was kicked off today at KTC bus stand by the Vigilance Department.

Chief Guest for the function Vigilance Secretary M Modasir requested the people of Goa to report the department about any corrupt practices.

“Not just accepting bribe but bribing any person is also a crime. We request everyone to approach the department to file complaints of any offences including economic offences, corruption in daily life, personal life and other such related crimes,” he said.

An-hour long program was followed by a street play by Shrisha Creation Group of Ravon at Sattari on the subject ‘Awareness against corruption and an effective anti-corruption campaign.’ The play was performed at all important locations in the city, which will be carried forward to other parts of the state during the week.

Superintendent of Police (Anti-Corruption Branch) Bosco George, Additional Director Vigilance Sunil Masurkar, Vigilance Officer Shushant Tandel and others were also present for the program. Apart from other activities/ competitions being held throughout the state, Vigilance Department has organised two-hour debate on ‘Awareness against corruption and an effective anti-corruption campaign’ at Goa State Musuem on November 1.

Vigilance department has lost control over its officers?

HERALD CORRESPONDENT CORTALIM, OCT 25

Even as the Department of Vigilance obser ves "Vigilance Awareness Week", to create awareness on harmful effects of corruption amongst the public, the department's functioning and performance has come in for censure from Va s c o - b a s e d RT I a c t i v i s t Savio Corriea.

According to Corriea, the functions of the Directorate were to cause investigations into the complaints against public servants involving the issues of corruption, lack of integrity and misconduct, information obtained under RTI revealed that the anti-corruption watchdog had no control on disciplinary proceedings initiated by respective departments on its advice.

The Directorate was blissfully unaware of the progress of the departmental inquiries or the time taken to dispose them or penalties imposed on the tainted officials.

Correia states that his RTI queries have revealed some startling facts on the role of "Vigilance Officers" appointed by the Directorate in some departments.

It had no records at all on their working and ironically and the applicant was asked to seek the information from the respective departments.

Their duties include receiving complaints from general public, monitoring disciplinary and vigilance cases against staff of the department, conducting surprise visits into various sections and subordinate offices and identification of probable places of corruption and officials of doubtful integrity and those living beyond means.

These officers were not required to submit reports of work done in vigilance matters to the Directorate nor did they undergo any training or refresher courses in vigilance administration.

While the current list of "Vigilance Officers" in possession of the Directorate was outdated with many officers having been transferred or retired, only thirteen out of the 50-odd departments and PSU's had such officers on their rolls.

No surprise inspections were conducted by the Directorate during the period 01-04-2005 to 31-03-2010; like was the position insofar as inspection of works during construction stage was concerned.

The Directorate's performance of investigation and disposal of complaints received was far from satisfactory. Out of the 1393 complaints received during the last five years from 01-04-2005 to 31-03-2010, preliminary investigations into onethird (468) of these cases was

Meet on ore freight rate remains inconclusive HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, OCT 25

Transport dept reports less violations by bus operators HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, OCT 25

vigilance week begins

The meeting held to discuss the freight rate on the ore transported from the mines remained inconclusive today as truck owners and Mining company representatives could not come to a common decision.

Transport Director, Arun Desai, who heads government appointed committee to decide freight charges, said that truck owners and mining company representatives are now given time till November 9 to reach consensus.

Emerging from the meeting late evening, Desai told Herald that government will intervene in the matter again, only if both the parties do not come to a

common solution. “If they don’t agree than they will have to specify the reasons to the committee,” Desai said.

The representatives of mining firms including Chowgule, Fomento, Sesa Goa and Salgaoncar attended this crucial meeting held in Panjim.

The meeting was fall out of the warning issued by South Goa Progressive Truck owners association to strike the work if their demands are not met by October 24.

The truck owners are demanding hike in the freight rates following transport department’s drive against overloading. They have said that with limited tonnage allowed by the department, it is not feasible

for them to conduct the business.

Tr a n s p o r t D e p a r t m e n t sources stated that the freight charges are decided depending upon the grade of the ore and also kilometers of the transportation.

While some mining companies have agreed to revise the rates, others have refused to revise them. It is pertinent to note that even the revised rates are not acceptable to the truck owners.

Sources stated that the truck owners who have gathered under a common association have been demanding a rate of Rs 20 per tonne per kilometer as against the current rate of Rs 10 per tonne per kilometer.

3 arrested for assault HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARCEL, OCT 25

Ponda Police arrested three persons from Marcel on charges of assaulting a resident of Priol at Marcel on Sunday night.

Ponda Police has provided the names of the accused as Nitendra Naik, Nitesh Naik and Vasudev Naik for allegedly assaulting one Irfan Shaik.

However, all the three accused have been released on personal bond.

According to Ponda Police, accused Nitendra Naik had an argument with Irfan over parking at Marcel.

Later, all the three accused allegedly assaulted Irfan, who had to be shifted to ID Hospital in Ponda.

Police is investigating the case.

Worker dies in Marcaim estate

HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARCEL, OCT 25

Stop release of sewage, NGO tells MMC

still in progress.

Implementation of RTI Act by the Directorate also came in for criticism.

Correia alleged that suo-moto disclosure under Section 4 (1) (b) had not been made even five years after the en-action of the legislation while information available on the website was redundant.

Correia charged the Vigilance Directorate of resisting attempts by citizens to probe into its affairs.

"I was compelled to lodge a complaint of indiscipline and insubordination against a senior officer for refusing to comply with his superiors' instructions to furnish RTI information to me which is now pending before the Information Commission", he said.

Public perception of political interference in its working and that its actions are aimed only at low level corruption while high level corruption goes on unabated could be overcome by pursuing cases against the higher echelons.

The Directorate should identify the public as an important stakeholder and promote accountability and transparency in its working.

Correia also felt that there ought to be a paradigm shift from punitive vigilance to preventive and proactive vigilance management.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARCEL, OCT 25

Electricity department workers repair the damaged line at Farmagudi-Ponda.

Photo by Amresh Parab

Navelim forum opposes NH widening to 60 meters

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, OCT 25

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, OCT 25

The Green Goa Foundation has served a legal notice on the Margao Municipal Council to stop the illegal discharge of domestic sewage into the public drain along the NH-17 at Navelim-Margao within 30 days or threatened to file a petition in the high court.

In his notice, Green Goa Foundation Chairman Raison Almeida said the sewage waters have been causing pollution near the Kudchadkar nursing home along the NH-17, and blamed the builder for releasing the untreated water and sewage waste into public drain.

He pointed that though the Goa Pollution Control Board directed the Margao Municipal Chief Officer to take action, the discharge of domestic sewage into the public drain continues causing stink, putting the entire neighbourhood in grave danger.

The Navelim Civic and Consumer Forum has unanimously resolved to oppose the widening of the existing NH-17 to 60 meters, plus setbacks, which the Centre is trying to impose on the people of Goa, by using threats of diverting the highway.

Members said the destruction of Goa which was started by Konkan Railway will be completed by this Super Expressway which the Central Government is keen to take through the heart of Goa. They pointed out that the existing Highway could be widened to double lane with a width of 25 to 30 mts, which is sufficient for Goans. “No doubt, Super Expressways are required, but you can not pass them through our peaceful towns and villages”, members said, while regretting that this is one more attempt by the Indian govern-

nMembers said the destruction of Goa which was started by Konkan Railway will be completed by this Super Expressway which the Central Government is keen to take through the heart of Goa. ment to destroy the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Goa and amalgamate it into the Indian system.

They said the route is supposed to be handed over to a private firm on BOOT basis which entail Goans to pay Toll fee everytime they use the road.

Forum Secretary Joseph Vaz

said the house owners and other land losers along the proposed Western Bypass alignment passing through Navelim (Telaulim) most of whom are poor, have lived in their houses for generations and now are suddenly sought to be forcibly evicted.

He complained that no rehabilitation packages are offered to these “Niz Goykars” by the aam admi Government, whereas non-Goans are quickly offered free plots and compensations because of the vote banks.

Also the compensation offered is as low as Rs 8 per sq. mts, which is absurd and daylight robbery of our houses and properties, he added.

Some members suggested that since Navelim is fast developing area, taking the bypass through Navelim will cause lot of inconvenience to the residents.

A worker from Bihar died in an accident at an industrial unit at Marcaim on Monday at about 11.30 am.

According to Ponda Police, Mukeshkumar Satyanarayan Kamat, presently residing at Kundaim, was repairing the lift at a unit in Marcaim Industrial Estate.

Police further informed that due to probable mechanism failure, the lift came down and Kamat was crushed to death.

The body has been preserved in the morgue at GMC Hospital in Bambolim and a postmortem will be conducted on Tuesday.

PSI Deepak Pednekar is investigating the case.

Collem youth injured in mishap HERALD CORRESPONDENT COLLEM, OCT 25

A 20-year- old youth from Collem was injured, after the scooter which he was riding rammed into a compound wall at Pikalewadi, CollemMollem road, late Sunday evening.

According to Collem Police Inspector Manoj Madolkar, one Cladroy D’Costa was proceeding from Mollem to Collem on his Dio scooter (GA-O8-F-0577).

On reaching at a dangerous curve near Pikalewadi-Collem, D’Costa lost control over the scooter and rammed into the compound wall.

Collem Police HC Pralhad Mirashi rushed to the spot and shifted D’Costa to ID Hospital, Ponda, from where he was referred to GMC Hospital in Bambolim.

pg3:Layout 1 10/26/2010 12:14 AM Page 1

GOA

OHERALDO

Pg 3

GOA, TUESDAY, 26 OCTOBER, 2010

Margao Loksamiti takes strong objection to use of Rahul’s photo

NHAI has okayed flyover, says Mauvin HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, OCT 25

Pratima Coutinho’s election banner with Rahul Gandhi which has kicked up a row in Margao.

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, OCT 25

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi might not be aware that Margao Municipality is going to the polls on October 31.

But, the Congress leader is in the eye of a controversy over his photograph being used by a contestant in the fray – VicePresident of Goa Pradesh Youth Congress, Pratima Coutinho.

The Margao Loksamiti has raised strong objections to what they termed as the “misuse” of Rahul Gandhi’s photograph in the banner of Pratima Coutinho, contesting from Ward No 16 of the Margao civic body.

Loksamiti spokesman Mohandas Lolienkar even went to the extent of saying that Rahul Gandhi had issued clear cut instructions to the party men not to use and misuse his photograph. “Rahul Gandhi’s photo-

graph has been used by Pratima in the Civic polls. This should not have been done as Gandhi had issued instructions in the recent past not to use his photograph in any way”, he said.

Pratima’s husband and MMC Chairperson Savio Coutinho has rubbished the complaint lodged by the Loksamiti on the use of Rahul Gandhi’s photograph on the election banner.

“What is the harm in using Rahul Gandhi’s photograph. The photograph with Rahul was clicked when he had visited Goa University. There is no harm in using the photograph on the banner,” Savio said.

The MMC Chairperson sought to know whether any candidate can use her husband’s photograph on the election banner.

Meanwhile, the Loksamiti has also taken objection to use of photographs of BJP leaders on

election banners of some of the BJP-backed candidates.

The Samiti has demanded an inquiry into the expenses incurred by the candidates on election offices opened in rented premises when the expenditure ceiling is around Rs 30,000.

Samit leader Prashant Naik said Pratima Coutinho’s election office is housed in a big office at Colmorod., adding that the election officials should inquire into the expenses of the candidate.

Meanwhile, taking exception to the announcement by candidate Bertha Cardozo that she is the consensus Congress candidate in ward no 2 of the Margao Civic body, the Loksamiti has asked congress leaders, Luis Alex Cardozo, Monica Dias, Girish Chodankar and M K Shaikh to clear the claim made

by Bertha Cardozo

A day before the visit of Union Surface Transport Minister, Kamal Nath to Goa, Deputy Speaker Mauvin Godinho has asserted that Goa certainly needs the highway, but cannot come over the houses of local people.

In fact, Godinho has demanded a fly over between Zuari Bridge to the Toyota fuel pump which would cost the National Highway Authority of Goa (NHAI) a whopping Rs 90-100 crore.

That’s not all. The deputy Speaker said that Goa being a small state with limit land resources, the NHAI should build the highway by constructing elevated roads wherever required.

“The MLAs have taken the stand that highway cannot come over the houses of the people.

The Chief Minister and PWD Minister have been vociferously pursuing the matter with the Union Surface Transport Minister. We will be able to save the house”, he said.

Hoping that the views expressed by the MLAs would be translated into action, Godinho hoped that Goans are not taken for a ride by the Centre. “The CM will pursue the matter with the Union Surface Transport Minister during his visit to Goa on Tuesday”, he added.

Expressing satisfaction that his suggestion for a fly over between the Zuari Bridge, Cortalim and the Toyota fuel pump on the Verna plateau has been accepted by the NHAI, Godinho said the people of Goa will not allow houses to go to make way for the highway.

Margao hotel burgled HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, OCT 25

Unknown miscreants barged into a city hotel here on Monday and decamped with three mobile phones and cash all amounting to Rs 77,000.

The Margao said a complaint to this effect was lodged by the hotel general manager, Arun Dharwadkar stating that unknown culprits entered into the hotel room and decamped with cash of Rs 25,000, besides the three mobile phones. The Margao police are investigating.

Meanwhile, a 60-year old woman ended her life by hanging at Davorlim last night. The woman was found hanging on a rafter.

The Maina Curtorim police have ruled out any foul play. Further investigations are on.

One assaulted for attending rally in Mapusa HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, OCT 25

A resident of Karaswado-Mapusa was allegedly assaulted for attending a rally, organized by Marlene D’Souza, who is contesting from Ward 4 of Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) on Sunday.

In his complaint, Digo Pinto told Mapusa Police that he had attended a rally on October 24 at the request of the candidate D’Souza, who is contesting Mapusa Municipal election (MMC) from Ward 4.

The complainant further stated that when he returned home after the rally, the accused questioned him why he attended the rally. The complainant replied him that he will attend the rally of the candidate, who will request him to attend.

Irked with Pinto’s reply, the accused got annoyed and allegedly abused and assaulted him, states the complaint.

Mapusa Police sent the complainant to Asilo Hospital for medical check up. After getting the report from the hospital, Mapusa Police registered the offence against the accused under Sections 323 and 504 of IPC. Head Constable D Pednekar is investigating the case.

Meanwhile, Marlene D’Souza, who is contesting from Ward 4, told Herald that on Sunday at 3 pm, as part of election campaign, she had organized a rally around the ward, in which over 150 people participated.

The rally covered a distance of over 6 kms, around Camarcazana, Acoi, Carraswado, Peddem and Billow and culminated at her residence at about 5.45 pm.

She further informed that after the rally, she received a call from one of her supporters that he was assaulted and punched on the face and stomach by one of the boys from the opposition camp and was warned with dire consequences if complaint was lodged with the police.

Deputy Speaker Mauvin Godinho releasing the Konkani tiatr book THAPOTT of Roseferns along with King of centuries Roseferns, Sucorrine and Agnelo Alcasoas at Ravindra Bhavan Kall, Margao on the occasion of Completing 30 years of Roseferns on Konkani stage.

Photo by Rozario Estibeiro

Tussle on cards for Ward 10 of Mapusa Municipal Council HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, OCT 25

An interesting tussle is on the cards in Ward 10 of Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) between Sandeep Falari and Neeta Gurudas Natekar.

I t m a y b e re c a l l e d t h a t Natekar had contested the municipal election in 2005 and was defeated by only one vote, polling 645 votes, while her rival candidate, Vaishali Falari, had secured 646 votes. She had demanded recounting of votes, but was denied.

She later appealed in the Session Court, where the appeal was rejected in September 2009.

She further went in appeal in the high court, but there was a delay in conducting the hearing.

The last hearing was held on October 11, 2010, by which time the date for fresh election was already announced. Hence, the Court set aside the appeal and Natekar could not get justice.

During this election, Sandeep

Falari, husband of Vaishali, is contesting the election against Natekar. Rupesh Korjuvkar and Hanuman Varang are the other candidates in the fray.

Falari is supported by BJP, while Natekar does not have official support of any political party, but a large number of Congress supporters are seen canvassing for her.

Natekar, who is confident of winning the election, said residents of Ward 10 are facing acute shortage of water. Hence, her priority would be to ensure that the residents get sufficient water supply every day.

“People residing in Laxminagar do not have toilet facilities. Further, there is no ambulance available for the residents. My focus will be to attend to the problems of the residents of my ward and also to strive for the betterment of Mapusa town,” she said. Falari appeared to be quite confident of winning the election by handsome margin of at least 400 voters.

“During the last municipal election, I had contested from Ward 9, while my wife, Vaishali, had filed her nomination from Ward 10,” he said.

“Hence, I could not concentrate fully on Ward 10, but even then my wife got elected. However, this time, I am visiting door-to-door and I have already completed two rounds of campaigning,” informed Falari. “Mapusa MLA Francis D’Souza has also campaigned for me. Hence, I am confid ent of victor y,” claimed Falari.

With regard to developmental work done in Ward 10, Falari claimed that during the course of last five years, works to the tune of Rs 1 crore have been done and works worth Rs 60 lakh are pending.

MMC fails to put an end to encroachments HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, OCT 25

When the High court passed an order directing all civic bodies to crack a whip against encroachments, residents of the Commercial Capital heaved a sigh of relief that the footpaths and pavements will be finally free of encroachments.

Sadly, it’s over a decade since the high court issued the order on encroachments, but obstruction in Margao markets and pavements is literally the order of the day. In fact, successive elected councils have failed to address the burning problem of encroachments, with the municipal authorities turning a blind eye to the menace.

A visit to the markets reveals the worst scenario, with traders en-croaching the passages by displaying their goods in violation of the high court order on encroachments.

Take note, the Margao Municipal has an army of market inspectors and workers to tackle the encroachments, but that has sadly not helped to clear the passages of the obstructions.

It is not out of place to mention here that market inspectors would touch the encroachments only upon an order from the Municipal Chief Officer instead of tackling the menace on a day-to-day basis, indicating the lack of will on the part of the inspectors to tackle the encroachments head on.

That even the fire services had in the past urged the Civic body to clear the encroachments and keep the passages free from any obstructions have not spurred the Civic body to tackle the issue head on.

Leave alone the Municipal markets, it is not uncommon to find the passages and footpaths in the nook and corner of the Civic body encroached upon by traders right under the nose of the market inspectors. Incidentally, the Civic body even lack a suitable place for storage of goods confiscated by the market inspectors during the encroachment drives. So much so, the entrance door of the Municipal building had to be closed for over a month earlier this year when goods confiscated during the drive were dumped at the entrance.

Cong, BJP gang up against Jose Philip candidates!

HERALD REPORTER VASCO, OCT 25

While the Congress and BJP may be at loggerheads in the State and at the Centre, they seem to have one common goal at the Mormugao Municipal Council polls -- to defeat candidates fielded by Revenue Minister Jose Philip D'Souza.

Such has been the desire to oust candidates backed by the revenue minister, that some BJP candidates have allegedly supported candidates backed by Congress heavyweight and Cortalim ML A Mauvin Godinho Mauvin Godinho and vice versa.

Incidentally, control over Wards 18, 19 and 20 in the newly formed Dabolim constituency is crucial to all three parties (Congress, NCP and BJP), as these three wards could easily determine the outcome of the

next assembly election in the constituency.

In Vasco constituency, where D’Souza has a major stake, his wife Neny and elder bother Pascoal will fight it out against husband-wife duo of Anil Chopdekar and Anita. “I don’t understand why Godinho interferes in my constituency. What is his interest?” asked Jose Philip D’Souza.

D’Souza alleged that supporters of Godinho and BJP are working against his candidates in Wards 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20.

“People are with me and it is the people who will decide and give a befitting reply to my rivals,” said a confident D’Souza.

Cortalim MLA Mauvin Godinho, however, refuted D’Souza’s allegation that his supporters are working with BJP supporters to defeat D’Souza’s candidates.

“If candidates are taking my name and using my goodwill to secure votes for their gain, why should I be blamed? Have you ever seen me campaigning for any candidates in any of the wards,” asked Godinho.

“If D’Souza had love for the people, he would not have promoted his family, as his wife and brother are contesting the election,” said Godinho.

BJP Spokesperson Rajendra Arlekar admitted that main purpose of the BJP is to defeat D’Souza’s candidates, but was quick to add that they had not joined hands with the Congress.

“If any one is supporting our candidates, then they are most welcome. But it is not true that Godinho and BJP are working together," said Arlekar.

Canacona MLA too joins campaigning HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, OCT 25

With campaigning for Canacona Municipal Council (CMC) reaching its pinnacle, Ward 3 (Mastimoll) is set for a straight fight, while voters in Ward 4 (Ponsulem) will be split between three serious candidates.

Interestingly, none of the candidates are leaving anything to chance, strenuously leading their supporters on a door-todoor canvassing.

On Sunday, Canacona MLA Vijay Poi Khot also stepped out and was seen canvassing in his parent ward of Mastimoll.

Mastimoll ward, in a one-toone fight, is the parent ward of Poi Khot, who out of little or no option fielded his close confidante Premanand Gaonkar, after reservation of this ward for ST community that demoralized at least half-a-dozen aspiring general category contestants. A woman is presently representing this ward.

The other contestant is one Sandesh Gaonkar, incidentally, a voter, imported from neighbouring Chaudi ward, allegedly by a few unhappy aspiring candidates over ward’s reservation, especially when there are not even 1% of voters belonging to ST community.

Incidentally, Mastimoll has the highest number of voters, 1,460 males (742) outnumber women (718).

Even though the overall enthusiasm among the electorate is missing, Premanand’s canvass-

ing group told Herald: “We are confident of polling 80% of the cast votes, besides we are taking a rally of over 400 voters on the last day of campaign.”

The group decried the opponent candidate as an outsider.

Even as other contestant Sandesh could not be reached for his comments, his supporters claimed that their candidate’s win is a forgone conclusion, as people are unhappy because of ST reservation, giving ultimate upper hand only to a lone family belonging to the community.

However, it will be indeed a daunting task for both the candidates and their close supporters to bring out maximum people to the polling booth to cast their votes.

In Ward 4 (Ponsulem), it will be a three-way battle for the seat, as the present incumbent in virtue of his being a mayor of the council, his prestige and position are also at stake.

Ponsulem has total strength of 1,133 electorates, males (570) and females (563).

CMC Chairperson Shamsunder Dessai, seeking re-election, was last time elected by a narrow margin of just two votes.

More importantly, his major concern is that his last time’ bitter opponent Mahadev Dessai, is also strongly back among the contestants.

The other major factor is that there is yet another strong contender in Wilson Fernandes, whose community holds a strong say in the ultimate win-

Cables theft hit phone services in Bicholim HERALD CORRESPONDENT BICHOLIM, OCT 25

The telephone and internet services in most parts of Bicholim city have been disrupted since the last five days, after some miscreants stole telephone cables worth Rs 8,000 from the Bicholim Bridge.

Most of the telephones in Bordem, including Naiknagar, Sudha Colony, Sharda Nagar, Vathadev and other adjoining areas are out of order since the last five days.

The problem started when this correspondent called tele-

phone department last Wednesday and complained about the problem. The concerned authorities assured that the personnel check the telephone, but even after several days, no one turned up.

However, it was only on Saturday that the department came to knew that there was a cable problem on Bicholim Bridge.

In view of Saturday, the work was left pending. However, the work started on Monday and the telephone personnel were seen working till late in the evening.

ner, which however, during previous municipal election was sufficiently exploited by rivals, are now poised for altogether tricky situation.

Two drown at Merces HERALD CORRESPONDENT OLD GOA, OCT 25

In a tragic incident, two brothers from Bamon Waddo, Merces, drowned in a lake at Voile BhatMerces on Monday evening.

According to Old Goa PI Francis Xavier Corte, the incident occurred when two labourers from Karnataka, Sadam (midthirties) along with his brother Nissar (25), had gone to bathe in the Voile Bhat Lake.

PI Corte further informed that Sadam accidentally slipped and fell in the lake. In a bid to save his brother, Nissar jumped into the lake, but both brothers drowned in the incident.

Old Goa Police rushed to the site and retrieved Nissar’s body at about 7 pm, while police were conducting search operations till late Monday evening to retrieve Sadam’s body.

Later, Old Goa Police sent Nissar’s body to GMC and registered a case as unnatural death.

Incidentally, both brothers had earlier carried out renovation work of the lake and were residing near the lake.

It may be recalled that the lake was recently renovated before the Ganesh festival, as the lake is being used during Ganesh immersion ceremonies.

OHERALDO

GOA

Pg 4

GOA, TUESDAY, 26 OCTOBER, 2010

s h o rt tA K e s Nikita wins spelling bee contest PANJIM(HND): Nikita Maria Menezes Gama of Manovikas EMS, secured the top position at the national championship of MaRRS International Spelling Bee competition 20092010 (category 4), held recently at Science City-Kolkata, winning accolades for the state.

She stood first from among the top stud e n t s w h o re p re sented their respective states. Nikita from Verna, had earlier topped the South Goa inter-school championship and the state championship of MaRRS International Spelling Bee held at Ponda.

Youth from Aradi-Bandh, Santa Cruz with a rescued 3 metre long python, which was later handed to the Forest department.

Retrospect of Francisco de Sa’s art PANJIM (HND): An exposition named ‘Retrospect’ of paintings and photography of Dr Francisco de Sa is being displayed at Casa de Goa in Lisbon, with themes/photographs from Portugal and its former colonies. Dr Francisco de Sa, who hails from St Estevam is an amateur photographer, ex-economist from BNU, author of several publications including the Viceroys of Portuguese India and Konkani-Portuguese dictionary, published recently, says a press release issued here.

HSSC seating arrangement for Mapusa centre HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, OCT 25

Seating arrangement of Mapusa centre for HSSC October Examination for Arts- 95001 to 95114, Commerce - 95116 to 95265, Science - 95266 to 95319 and Vocational - 95320 to 95339 has been made at Saraswat Vidyalaya, Purushutam Walawalkar, Higher Secondary School, Khorlim, says a press release issued here.

Breathing techniques workshop HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, OCT 25

A free workshop on ‘Correct Breathing Technique and Correct Breathing Exercises’ will be held on October 31 at Church Hall, St Inez Church, Panjim, from 6 pm to 8pm. Any person from age of 8 to 80 years may take part in the workshop, says a press release issued here.

CCPDF let down Panjim voters?

BINDIYA CHARI PANJIM, OCT 25

Five years ago in March 2006 they came with big bang riding high on “development agenda” to turn Panjim into paradise.

Dear voters, it’s time to join hands, unite and work together towards one aim, one goal “development and progress.” All this without a shade of partiality and discrimination, keeping all differences aside with the supreme interest of our beautiful city in mind, we promise “development and progress” to put up a vibrant Panjim we can be proud of, a city will be an exemplary role model to others to follow.

March 2006 -- Mesmerised Panjimites elected the whole panel -- Corporation of the City of Panjim Development Front (CCPDF) with a thumping majority.

October 2010 --- Today Panjimites appear “foolish” to have believed in CCPDF. The CCPDF not only failed to achieve its “agenda of development” but rather turned CCP into “fiefdom” as bunch of its corporators connived to “cheat and plunder “ Panjim and Panjimites.

With CCP scheduled to face election in few months time, in

March 2011, Herald examines performance – nah! non-performance of CCPDF during last five years vis a-vis “common development agenda” declared in 2006 by its patron Taleigao MLA and, Education Minister Babush Monserrate.

Basically, it promised to deliver on four counts – City Development Plan (CDP) as per National Urban Regional Mission, Environment Management (EM), Administrative Reforms (AR) and Maintenance Work (MW). But what’s the end result?

A big zero.

It promised to draw comprehensive city development in cooperation will all and to form ward committees to develop each ward and to draft development plans for each ward.

“Though some wards did see some development it was more to do with whims and fancies of corporators rather than actual requirement of the ward,” pointed out one of the corporators who did not wish to be named.

MAJOR SETBACK: The CCP is yet to get funds under Jawaharlal Nehru National Rural Development Mission (JNNURM). The development plans for city are in disarray with no funds to boot

to the development bill.

Revitalisation of St Inez Nullah -- complete freezing of a no construction zone along 5 mts of the nullah and develop this zone as a green area.

No revitalisation has taken place and though some cleaning of St Inez Nullah was done it was as a result of High Court directive. And the encroachers continue to reside along the nullah.

Total Sanitation Programme -- Failed Miserably -- Situation has worsened with many city residents have started renting places without sanitation facilities especially, in areas of Bhatlem and Caranzalem where a lot of new constructions are underway.

Waste Management System; with priority to keep the city clean failing miserably even five years later the CCP is undecided as to where it should locate its waste treatment facility. Former counsellor Patricia Pinto who has been in forefront in solving garbage problems says there is absolutely “no interest” on the part of existing body to address the problem.

“Moreover, system of garbage collection put in place by the earlier body is slowly breaking down as we garbage getting ac-

cumulated at many places in the city.”

Miramar-Dona Paula Promenade – Built but only on one side of the road.

Development of Dona Paula Jetty -- Initiated when Manohar Parrikar was the chief minister in 2004 but completed now.

Four-Lanning of St Inez road – Non–Starter. Traffic congestion is permanent feature of this road with inadequate parking spaces.

Footpaths constructed recently have further aggravated the problem.

Multipurpose Terminus -- a multipurpose terminus for good trucks with facilities of warehouse etc – Zero Mala Package; this include completion of the Mala Lake --- Zero Restoration of Panjim Muncipal Garden Only project which CCP has been able to complete but after much delay.

Panjim Municipal Market (PMM): One phase of the market is yet to be completed but chaos over relocation of stalls and shops continue whereas frauds committed in allotment of shops in the market continue to haunt CCP. Expansion of Kabrashtan – Zero Police Outpost – Zero Proper parking facilities yet to be provided.

No administrative reforms in CCP! HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, OCT 25

The Administrative Reforms (AD) was yet another “big promise” candidates of Corporation of the City of Panjim Development Front (CCPDF) dangled before Panjim voters in March 2006 municipal elections.

When we contacted CCP official to check what progress has been achieved on this count, he ruefully revealed that CCP has not seen any reforms in the last five years.

“The CCP corporators never broached up this topic at any of the meetings,” the official pointed out.

The list of AR included computerisation of all sections of the CCP. The CCP uses computers but only for typing. And computerisation is limited to only issuance birth and death certificates. Other AR it promised and eventually forgotten -Facelift to all offices and city halls – Performance Zero (PZ) Establish citizen facilitation centre – PZ Anti-encroachment squads with citizens participation -None. On the contrary, some corporators have been alleged to have encouraged encroach-

ments. Frame regulations , rules and guidelines to the corporation, incorporate Act, establish model bye-laws, signage regulation etc. There has been absolutely “no progress” on this front too, so also with respect to its plans to have reformation in property tax and accounting procedures.

Maintenance Works (MW) -Repairs and restoration of pavements, improvement of drainage, restoration of roads including interior and colony roads was part of its MW agenda.

But according to CCP officer these are more of routine works and mostly carried out by PWD. As far as its plans about traffic signages, directional signages, joint enforcement of traffic laws and multi-storey parking -- nonperformance is well demonstrated with “frequent traffic congestion” at many places in the city resulting out non-availability of adequate parking spaces. And it’s plan to have multi-storey parking has remained on paper.

Also, corporators have never given a thought to initiate measures to bring about “traffic discipline” in the city.

Assurance of environment management comes a cropper HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, OCT 25

The performance of Corporation of City of the Panjim Development Front (CCPDF) has been “absolutely pathetic” on Environment Management (EM). Five years later its assurance of EM appears as a big joke played on people of Panjim.

The city faced “planned environment devastation “during last five years than at any other time. High on its Development Agenda (DA) was Rain Water Harvesting (RWH) wherein it promised to conduct rainwater harvesting study along Altinho slopes and comprehensive execution to reduce run off, and control erosion and flooding.

Making use of Boca-de-Vaca spring water was also part of the project. Leave on implementation of RWH but residents of the area will vouch that they still battle flooding during incessant rains. So also, 18th June Road continue to have water

logging every time heavy showers descend on Panjim.

SAND DUNE FORMATION AT MIRAMAR BEACH -- Ironically, CCPDF worked for destruction of sand dunes rather allowing formation of sand dunes along Miramar beach.

Sand dunes were destroyed as part of beautification at Miramar and destruction stopped after some environment raised alarm. Under guidance from NIO scientist Antonio Mascarenhas an exercise was undertaken to facilitate sand dune formation along the Miramar beach.

“Sand dunes were seen forming after six months of this exercise however it was abandoned midway, “says a former counsellor Patricia Pinto.

Since then nothing more has been done to allow sand dunes at Miramar beach. “There has been no deliberated attempts to protect sand dunes except lone tractor employed at Miramar beach to push back sand

to arrest sand erosion, “ says CCP official who did not want to be identified.

AVENUE TREE PLANATION – It had promised to come out with a proposal in-ordination with NGOs/professionals to increase tree cover in the city.

But today the NGOs and environments are struggling to keep existing tree cover alive as some corporators are in a hurry to execute their “mission beautiful” by felling trees as elections are nearing.

“The tree cover in the city has dwindled as lot of avenue trees have been cut by various corporators but no more trees have planted during their tenure, “ adds Pinto exposing CCPDF of its double-speak.

HERITAGE PROJECTS -- this included restoration of Mala spring, revitalisation of St Thome, Fontainhas wards and establishment of heritage works.

Again, this has been a non-starrer.

Butterflies celebrate the sunshine by mating at Bambolim. The sun which made its appearance after a long wet spell augurs the mating season of the butterflies.

Photo by Willington Pires

School library should have section upcoming events on Konkani books: Dhavlikar Discussion on tiatrs HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, OCT 25

DySp Sammy Tavares releasing Bab Andrew’s new album ‘Gheyat Punn Diyet’ at Gomant Vidya Niketan, Margao during Mariano’s show ‘Soglleank Nomoskar’.

“Every school has to open one section of Konkani books in their library for the children as readership begins from the school level”, appealed Transport Minister, Sudin Dhavlikar, to the management of schools, while inaugurating the 10th book stall of Goa Konkani Akademi at Ponda, recently. He made this appeal in context of increased readership for the Konkani books, and notable increase in the publication of Konkani books.

President of Goa Konkani Akademi, N Shivdas, who

presided over the function, stated that shortly arrangement of selling Konkani books and issuing of library books will be done in this centre and books will be made available for the reference to researchers and students, according to a press release issued here.

Shivsena leader Damu Naik, appealed that Akademi should

house Marathi books along with Konkani books in this centre as this will increase Marathi readership too.

Avdhoot Kamat and Hanumant Chopdekar also expressed their views.

An eminent Konkani Poet, Ramesh Veluskar, was guest of honour N Shivdas compered and gave vote of thanks.

Drishti lifeguards save 12 TAG formulates new scheme ’Kolakarak Bhett’ tourists from drowning HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, OCT 25

Tiatr Academy Goa has formulated a new scheme ‘Kolakarak Bhett’ (Meet the Artiste) by which an eminent tiatr artiste will be invited for interaction with the public. The first special programme of this scheme will be organised on October 29 at 5 pm at the Conference Hall of TAG, Campal Trade Centre, Panjim.

A Veteran of tiatr stage, Jose Lawrence, popularly known as Master Vaz, 84 years of age, born at Mapusa in a family of dramaticians (tiatrists), has been invited for first such interaction.

He is the only living disciple of late legendary Minguel Rod and one of the few living artistes who have acted in the tiatrs staged by pioneers in the field n a m e l y Pa i T i a t r i s t J o a o Agostinho Fernandes, Saib Rocha, Dioguinho D’Mello, Kid Boxer and others.

Though he excelled in female roles, he has written and directed about 25 tiatrs. His outstanding tiatrs were ‘Bapui’, ‘Mhalgoddo Put Fulgoddo’ and ‘Ghoracho Divo’. He travelled

widely to stage tiatrs not only in the state but also other parts of India like Pune, Malwan, Vengurla, Sawantwadi, Belgaum, New Delhi and Daman. He also staged his plays in Karachi and in various cities of Africa such as Mumbasa, Nairobi, Nakuru and Kampala. He wrote and presented numerous folk plays on All India Radio, Panjim. He is a fine lyricist and has composed and sung thousands of songs through his lengthy carrier.

He was felicitated by Goa Konkani Academy for his lifetime contribution to tiatr on the occasion of centenary celebration of Goan Tiatr in 1992. Kuwait Konkani Heritage honored Master Vaz with an award for his dedicated service to development of tiatr. The United Club of Utorda bestowed on him the title ‘Pride of Utorda’. He was conferred the most prestigious Goa State Cultural Award in the year 2000 by the state Government.

All tiatr lovers and well wishers of Master Vaz may attend the function, says a press release issued here.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, OCT 25

Drishti Surf Life Team of lifeguards saved 12 tourists, including six Russian nationals, from drowning.

According to Drishti reports, two Russian women, Kage Smirnov (37) and Viara Zuara (32), were saved from drowning at Sinquerim by Drishti lifeguards Amir Gaonkar and Sachin Amre.

In another incident at Sinquerim, a Russian couple, Baronov Foutuneu (37) and Snolyaminova Olya (37), was saved by lifeguards Sanjay Yadav, Narayan Gawas and Sakharam Salgaonkar.

At Candolim, two Russians, Bezmaternykh Evgeniv (30) and Sirnikov Evgeniy (28), were rescued by lifeguards Krishna Shiddekar and Ganpat Gaonkar.

At Baga, Dishant Dayalani (21) from Aurangabad was rescued by lifeguards Prakash Gaonkar and Pratin Gaonkar, while Abdul Aziz (23) from Bangalore was rescued by lifeguards Uday Paryekar and Shekhar Gawas.

At Anjuna, Rajat Patel (42) from Pune was saved by lifeguards Shivaji Mahale and Pratap

Kerkar, while Jatin Karani (21) and Rawool Lala (21), both from Pune, were saved by lifeguards Rama Manikar, Mangesh Mahale and Pratap Kerkar.

At Benaulim, Ajay Kumar (28) from Mumbai was saved by Drishti Team.

Plastic Surgery conference HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, OCT 25

The 45th Annual Conference of the Association of Plastic Surgeons of India, APSICON_2010, on theme ‘Evidence based Plastic Surgery’ is underway upto October 29 at the Holiday Inn resort, Cavelossim under the Presidentship of Dr Mukund R Thatte. This annual meeting is the single largest gathering of plastic surgeons in the country where they exchange views on various subspecialties such as aesthetic surgery, craniomaxillo facial surgery, cleft lip and palate, genitourinary and cancer reconstruction, lasers, hand surgery, microsurgery and burns. The meeting will focus on ‘The Indian experience’ in Aesthetic and Reconstructive surgery.

PANJIM (HND): Tiatr Academy Goa (TAG) will organise a discussion of the performance of tiatrs of 36th Tiatr Festival organised by Kala Academy on October 28 at 10.30 am in the Conference Hall of TAG, Campal Trade Centre, Panjim.

The attendance is ompulsory for all those dramatic troupes which had applied for financial support from TAG. According to a press release issued here, TAG views such an appraisal an effective means to improve the standard of tiatrs.

Konkan Railway expo PANJIM (HND): Konkan Railway celebrated its 21st Foundation Day recently. To commemorate 20 years of its services, a photo exhibition has been organised upto October 26 at Sky Bus Station, above Health Unit, Opposite Madgaon Railway Station, from 10 am to 5 pm. Rare photographs of Konkan Railway depicting various phases of its evolution can be witnessed.

Also on display will be depiction of challenging facets related to construction phase and a glimpses of people behind its success, says a press release issued here.

Pranic Healing workshop PANJIM(HND): Dr Anjali Shackleton will conduct a Pranic Healing Workshop on October 27 and 28 at Defence Colony, Porvorim, from 10 am to 5 pm.

For details contact Dr Shackleton may be contacted on 2451080 or 9987062209.

Governor Dr S S Sidhu with the High Commissioner of Australia, Peter Varghese and Consul General of Australia in Mumbai, Steve Waters when the latter called on Governor at Raj Bhavan recently.

Also present are Secretary to Governor Narendra Kumar, Executive Assistant and Consular Officer, Australian Trade Commission, Joyce Pereira and Consular Assistant in Goa, Agnelo Godinho.

Workshop on IPR with focus on Drugs, Pharma HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, OCT 25

Confederation of Indian Industry in collaboration with Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and GoI will conduct a two-day seminar/workshop on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) with focus on Drugs and Pharma in Goa on November 2 and 3 at Hotel Mandovi, Panjim. Secretary Health of the state V P Rao, will be the Chief Guest.

The objective of the advanced workshop is to impart in-dept knowledge on nitty-gritty of IP regime with focus on select clusters for exploitation of rights granted through various IP to the best advantage of the Indian MSME's.

The 2-day workshop would also be an effective platform to develop a broad understanding of the need to integrate IP in innovation strategic business planning of an MSME. For registration, which is must, call John Fernandes on 9822982979/2422790/6, says a press release issued here.

power shutdown OCTOBER 26 PERNEM: From 9 am to 2 pm. Areas of VP Ozarim will be affected.

GUIRIM/PARRA: From 9 am to 2 pm. Areas affected are Jackniwaddo, Brittowado, Lingabhat, Saliswado, Bokache Aradi, Fondawaddo, Abbaswaddo, Canca, Sonarwado Verla, Freitaswaddo Verla, Parpoli Guirim, Sonvem, Kumayamarod Guirim, Vanciowaddo Guirim, St Anthony Waddo, Prexetwaddo, Agniwaddo and surrounding areas.

PERNEM: From 9 am to 2 pm. Areas of VP Ozarim are affected.

ASSAGAO: From 9 am to 3 pm. Areas affected are Anjuna beach, Priazwaddo, Dando flee market, Gaonkarwada, Pedem, Temba, Soarnatto, Monterwado, Mazalwado, Ximwado and surrounding areas.

ANJUNA: From 9 am to 3 pm. Areas affected are Vagator, Shapora, Zorwado, Chiwar, Kumbarwado, Sterling resort, Badem and Assagao Panchayat areas.

NEURA: from 9 am to 5 pm. Areas affected are Neura-o-Pequeno, Deubhat and surrounding areas.

OCTOBER 27 PERNEM: From 9 am to 2 pm. Areas of VP Dhargal will be affected.

OCTOBER 29 PERNEM: From 9 am to 2 pm. Areas affected are Khareband, Paraste in Pernem Municipal

OHERALDO

00page5:Layout 1 10/26/2010 12:12 AM Page 1

GOA

Pg 5

GOA, TUESDAY, 26 OCTOBER, 2010

KA’s Cantaram competition results declared HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, OCT 25

The results of Kala Academy’s 9th Cantaram Competition have been declared. George Gonsalves (Bhavarth - Decent solomale), Betty D’Cunha (Mai Paicho Mog - Decent solo-female), John E D’Silva and Clancy D’Silva (Sozmicai - Decent Duet), Nazario Pinto and Francisco Pinto (Bharat Mai - Decent Duo), Nacia Afonso, Joesan Afonso and Salvador Afonso (Visvas - Decent Trio), Lenzie Camilo, Michelle Camilo, Tresilla Camilo and Shirlie Camilo (Aam Admi – Decent Quartet), Kevin Paul D’Mello (Cazar-Comedy Solo Male), Steffi Pereira (Bandra Festak – Comedy Solo Female), Shenaya Pereira and Cameron Fernandes (Fokandancho Mog – Comedy Duet), Cosma Fernandes and Alexin Fernandes (Sharp Shooter – Comedy Duo) have bagged the first prize in their respective categories.

The competition was held recently at Kala Academy in which around 100 artistes participated in different categories.

Francisco Pinto (Chorunk Zaunchem Nam) and Camilo Rodrigues (Goeankara Ugodd Tuje Dolle) have bagged the second and third prize respectively in the Decent Solo-male category.

Nazario Pinto (Jezuvho Onbhav), Ronny Tavares (Tum Sudor Poilo), Salvador Afonso (Dusmankai), Josiah Rebello (Anv Nhoi Konnacho), Joesan Afonso (Zhaddam Amchi Girestkai), Cameron Fernandes (Orissak Christanvank Marle) and Vinney Mascarenhas (Goemcho Saib) have been selected for merit certificates in this category.

In the Decent solo (female) category, Madonna Almeida (Kuddo Mog) and Sandra S D’Souza (Mogacho Uzo) have bagged the second and third prize, respectively. Merit certificates in this category were awarded to Shalifa Pereira (Dekh), Juenila Almeida (Music), Andrea G D’Souza (Nirddukai), Micah Fernandes (Devachim Rochnam) and Nacia Afonso (Achar).

Lorna Fernandes & Alexinho Fernandes (Computer) and Ronny Tavares & Valency D’Souza (Konachi Chuk), have bagged the second and third prize respectively in Decent Duet category, whereas the merit certificate in this category has been awarded to Jasmine Rosario & Salvador Afonso (Kednaim Ieo).

In the Decent Duo category, Colisha D’Silva & Clancy D’Silva (Davo Mandament) and Nacio Afonso & Jasmine Rosario (Lhasun Marli) have bagged the second and third prize, respectively.

The merit certificates have been awarded to Custodio Cabral & Eldrin Viegas (Electronic Media) and Steffi Pereira & Filomena Afonso (Tiatrist Bhav) and Filipe Pereira & Domnik Cardozo (Tiatrist).

In the Decent Quartet category Peter Vaz, Benedita Fernandes, Maura Viegas and Gonsalo Piexote (TV Boreak Vapur) have been awarded the merit certificates.

Agnelo Fernandes (Calangute) and Salu James D’Souza (Mogan Kazar) have been awarded the second and third prize respectively in the Comedy Solo Male category.

The merit certificate in this category has been given to Vilas P Thali (Bail Deuchar). Micah Fernandes (Chedvamchem Nessop) and Shenaya Pereira (Kunnbi) have bagged second and third prize respectively in the Comedy Solo female category.

Hamlin Fernandes & Shirlie Camilo (Pulsar) and Basilio D’Souza & Sandra D’Souza (Pikleli Popai) have bagged second and third prize respectively in the Comedy Duet category.

The merit certificate in Comedy Duo category has been awarded to Steffi Pereira & Shenaya Pereira (Internet) whereas the merit certificate in Comedy Quartet has gone to Lenzie Camilo, Michelle Camilo, Tresilla Camilo & Shirlie Camilo (Share Market).

John D’Silva and Clancy D’Silva.

Shenaya Pereira and Cameran Fernandes.

Betty D’Cunha

Cosna Fernandes and Alexin Fernandes.

Lenzie, Michelle,Tresilla and Shirlie.

Nacia Afonso, Joesan Afonso and Salvador Afonso.

Nazario and Francisco.

Steffi Pereira

Kevin D’Mello

There was no competition held in Comedy Trio category.

OHERALDO

GOA

GOA, TUESDAY, 26 OCTOBER, 2010

Pg 7 Seminar on corporate governance organised HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, OCT 25

The Goa Chapter, ICSI jointly with the Western India Regional Council, ICSI, Mumbai recently organised a seminar on Corporate Governance and Corporate Compliances.

The chief guest President, ICSI, CS Vinayak S Khanvalkar, in his opening address, informed of the activities and initiatives of the Institute and the proposed Vision Plan 2020.

Registrar of Companies, Goa, Daman and Diu Sanjay Gupta, spoke on the compliances required to be made by Companies, particularly the Compliance Certificate under S 383 A of the Companies Act and the areas of concern and caution.

CS, Anil Jhumkawala made a detailed presentation on Corporate Governance, the relevance of adherence for industry standards to achieve good governance and its role especially in family owned businesses. This was followed by a panel discussion.

Khanvalkar also released the Members Directory of the Goa Chapter, ICSI. The programme was compered by Secretary of the Goa C h a p t e r, C S , D i v y a P a i Vernekar.

French etiquette and gourmet workshop HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, OCT 25

Alliance Francaise, Panjim, will organise French cuisine, etiquette and gourmet workshops starting from October 30, thereafter on every Saturday morning for 1 month (4 sessions per course) in Panjim.

Participants will learn technique of designing a menu from starters to dessert and to recreate popular French vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes like blanquette, gratin Dauphinois, couscous, quiche, crepes. Each session will have a French invitee who will demonstrate a culinary speciality of his region.

For details call 2420049/9922813950 or e mail alliance-fr@hotmail.com, says a press release issued here.

Symposium on coastal agriculture HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, OCT 25

Indian Society of Coastal Agricultural Research, West Bengal will organize a national symposium on Recent Outlook on Sustainable Agriculture, Livelihood, Security and Ecology of Coastal Region in collaboration with Dr Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli and Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (CSSR), Karnal from October 27 to 30 at Palmarinha resorts and Suites at Calangute.

About 150 national and international scientists, academicians, students and stakeholders are expected to participate, says a press release issued here.

KA’s one act play contest HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, OCT 25

The one act play competition at high school, higher secondary and college level, organised

by Kala Academy Goa will commence in the month of Decemb e r, a t t h e D i n a n a t h Mangeshkar Kala Mandir, Panjim.

The last date to accept the entries in the prescribed format is October 29, latest by 4 pm.

Participating institutions will have to pay a consolidated fee of Rs 50 as entry fee, irrespective of the number of one act plays, category-wise presented by the institutions.

The amount shall be paid during office hours between 10 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 4 pm in the accounts section of Kala Academy.

All the colleges/higher secondary schools/high schools desirous of participating in the said competition may submit their entries within the stipulated date on or before October 29.

Entry forms are available free of charge in the programme and development section of Kala Academy.

OHERALDO

OPINION

Pg8

www.oheraldo.in

O HERALD O

MBAs – Missionaries by Appointment

Vol No CX No: 270 Goa, Tuesday 26 October, 2010

R

Of research and reality

ecently, we read in ‘Herald’ about how Goa was the Indian state which had the least use of tobacco. We hope that the Goa-based National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication, better known as NOTE, has duly taken note. It can afford to give itself a quiet pat on the back and take things a little easier. However, all research is not always as reliable. This could be because it uses the wrong sampling methodology, as a result of which those it surveys are not representative of the population as a whole. Or, it could be because it structures the questionnaire wrongly, the respondents do not understand, and give inconsistent answers.

But, most often, it is because the people hired to do the survey are not supervised properly, there is no system for verification of response sheets, and the majority of responses are fudged by the surveyors.

One example is based on data from the central government; the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) to be precise. Released recently, it says that Goa is one of the two states in India with the least corporal punishment in schools. But Goa doesn’t stand first here; it’s second, with 34.25 per cent of children saying they faced corporal punishment, and 65.75 per cent saying they didn’t. The state that apparently ranks above Goa is, surprise, surprise, Rajasthan; with just 17.87 per cent saying ‘Yes’ and 82.13 saying ‘No’.

But this should not really come as a surprise. Data from the same survey led the WCD Ministry to create an uproar when it announced – on the basis of a survey it claimed was conducted among nearly 12,500 children, boys and girls, aged between five and 18 from 13 states. More than half of Indian children, it said, had faced sexual abuse! Do one in every two Indian children face sexual abuse? It sounds absurd.

But that did not stop the Ministry from going ahead and putting it down in black and white...

The larger the scope of the research, the more stringent, rigorous and meticulous it needs to be in terms of methodology, and the more carefully it must supervise the surveyors and backcheck to see that responses are not fudged. Even the best in the world can slip up. The latest controversy doing the rounds is a study on deaths from Malaria in India, published in ‘Lancet’, which is one of the world’s most respected medical journals. It estimated that Malaria causes around 205,000 deaths per year in India; 13 times the figure estimated by the World Health Organisation (WHO), which has rejected these figures as “implausibly high”. The problem, it says, is the methodology – ‘verbal autopsy’ – which is based on a description of symptoms by a family member. It is a reliable method for diseases with distinct symptoms, but not those with mixed symptoms like Falciparum Malaria.

Earlier, two of the study’s authors derived an estimate for HIV-related deaths in India using the same methodology, and got an estimate that was much lower than the official WHO figure.

Yes, even ‘Lancet’ can get it wrong, though it doesn’t happen very often. WHO’s indictiment of its Malaria paper ought to give a big boost to the Union Ministry of Health, which had lashed out at another paper recently published in ‘Lancet’ about the alleged ‘super-bug’ it christened ‘New Delhi’, which it said was resistant to most known antibiotics and was being spread through operation theatres in elite Indian hospitals that were catering to Westerners opting for cheaper surgery in India. While the authors defended their work as being based on ‘evidence’, the Indian government interpreted it as a conspiracy to scuttle the country’s fastgrowing ‘medical tourism’ industry. Even scientific research, it seems, is not unimpeachable. It must be seen in context of reality.

The Mhadei backlash P L Fernandes, Old-Goa

With reference to your editorial ‘Watch out for the Mhadei backlash’ (Herald, 25 Oct), it appears that some outfits tend to defy the due process of law. The insinuated threat is that future arm-twisting methods that could be applied with the support of their government, without due regard to the federal structure of our governing system and the judiciary. If worse comes to worst they will start harassing ethnic communities living in their region, and take the law in their hands. This has happened on other issues when they sought to differ.

Unity in diversity is in peril, and above actions need to be nipped in the bud.

‘One Day’ Fatorda shone Alic Alexander, Borda

I was extremely excited to hear about the One Day International Match that was to be held at Fatorda. Despite the fact that the game was literally a damp squib, the

100 Years Ago PRIMEIRO DIARIO NAS COLONIAS PORTUGEZAS

26 October 1910 Biggest Dreadnaught

The new Battleship of Class Dreadnaught according to the British Press is the biggest of its kind in the Naval Fleet.

Mariners protest march

Nearly 400 mariners marched through the City of Nova Goa requesting revocation of Port Authorities edict.

Macau shop opens in Goa

A branch of the Shop existent in Macau selling articles made in China and Japan was launched in the City of Nova Goa.

Apostolic privileges granted

7 years Apostolic Privileges granted to Altars consecrated to St. Brigitte from the Church of Sanquelim, the Church of St. Sebastian, Selaulim, and the Altar of Calvary at the Church of Arambol.

our youngsters have taken on the drudgery of the West to become cyber-coolies, says antHony J SiMoeS

O

n 8 September, I was visited at home by a young lady volunteer for Helpage India.

She produced her identity card and started on her prepared presentation. She was a resident of Bangalore, and was spending some time in Goa to help raise funds, apparently for old and destitute people in Goa. A mission of mercy that, she said, people like me should finance by signing up for a monthly contribution or a one-time donation.

Further enquiries elicited the information that she was an MBA working for a British MNC in Bangalore. She was on a week’s leave so that she could play Mother Teresa and save Goa’s elderly.

When I confronted her with the fact that Goa has the highest human welfare index in the whole of India, she was foxed. I suggested that she stay in Bangalore and help the millions living in their slums and on the streets.

Immediately she came-up with the ‘information’ that, according to a World Health Organisation (WHO) report, Goa has the highest incidence of aged parents and grandparents left to fend for themselves by their callous children. Of course, she did not have the report with her. I’m pretty sure that it’s a red-herring. Then came another spontaneous invention. She said: “Do you know that Goa has the maximum number of elderly who need a cataract operation but there are no young people in the family to take them through all the procedures? There is no one to help these elderly people in the pre-operative, operative/hospitalisation and post-operative treatment required!”

To me this sounds like a large-scale fundraising operation very cleverly orchestrated by some highly organised and systematic people, and the naïve young lady had unwittingly become an agent/facilitator for getting money from sympathetic and unsuspecting people. The young lady was very presentable and extremely articulate.

She had sacrificed a week’s leave from her work place and come all the way from Bangalore to volunteer to ‘save’ the elderly in Goa. I called the young lady naïve earlier because she seemed like a typical dreamy-eyed MBA who thinks she knows it all because she works for a foreign MNC in the IT space; a typical Indian

Accidental Activist

I

PolitiCally inCorreCt youngster who equates qualifications with education, not realising that in the Indian context, thanks to our crazy education system, the two are most often mutually exclusive. One of India’s tragedies is that those qualified are uneducated and those who are educated don’t have the means to get qualified.

After talking to this young lady for about 15 minutes it became quite clear that she did not have a clue about anything other than her job.

She had not bothered to read the WHO report she was relying on. She had been given a distilled briefing that there are too many elderly people in Goa who are destitute / abandoned and in need of a cataract operation. She had never been to Goa earlier, nor did she know anything about Goa. This starry-eyed young lady had clearly bought into the myth that India is already an IT superpower, that the 21st century would see India take its place at the G20 high table as the new power-house of the world economy. But if she could not see the ubiquitous and glaring poverty in the slums of Karnataka, then she has closed

Well done the mighty Goan warrior

want to introduce you to the mighty Goan warrior. The world knows the sossegado Goan. Hindi films have made the perpetually drunk Goan famous, and the hospitable Goan is touted by the tourist industry. But the Goan warrior? Claude Alvares paid tribute to him at the recently held GBA rally at Azad Maidan. He doesn’t look like much. In fact he looks like an ordinary man, but his powers are legendary. He has taken on the might of government, big business and emerged victorious. Even as the state of Goa disheartens us, perhaps it is time to remember that there is hope.

Battles have been fought and won. Here are some of the battles the Mighty Goan Warrior has emerged victorious from.

States across the country have been up in arms against SEZ’s.

Citizens have taken out rallies, faced up to police lathi charges and even police firing. But in only one state has the common man brought the government to its knees and managed to cancel 18 SEZ’s. You got it right – Goa. Four years ago the Goan warrior took on the full might of the state when he took to the streets demanding that the Regional Plan 2012 be cancelled. Never in the history of India has a Region al Plan been cancelled.

ODI changed the face of the town. The place was spruced up, dirt and weeds cleared, dividers and reflectors painted, well-swept streets, street lights actually worked, beggars and illegal vendors cleared, police were alert and well dressed... It only proves that improvements and repairs can certainly take place when there’s a will.

May the next National Games be held in Fatorda.

The road ahead for Dempo Irineu Gonsalves, Verna

2010 was the real GFA election where you could sense a seismic change in GFA. Both the candidates were sure of victory. But both Shrinivas Dempo and Peter Vaz had to wait until the last ballot was counted before Dempo was declared President of GFA by just 10 votes. Bravo to the 160 clubs. You have set the right trend. Some of the deadwood stayed in the GFA, taking shelter in the ‘panels’. The clubs have sounded a warning that the GFA should stay clear of murky politics. Shrinivas Dempo’s mission is to bring people together, not exclude old friends from the game, particularly Tonito Botelho. With Shrinivas Dempo’s entrepreneurial dynamism, there’d be funds to create wonderful competitions and training courses for youth. He should be a bulwark protecting football against the evils of in-fighting and too much politics. Football belongs to the people. It’s part of our culture, the social cement that holds us together.

Viva!

Toilets in Goa

Rodney de Souza, Assagao The filthy toilets in the Games village became world headlines and were later cleaned. The explanation given by the Secretary of the Organising Committee on different standards in India and abroad outraged us. But can we frankly say that the toilets at our railway stations and bus stands are of any desirable standard? Or for that matter, the staircases in our public buildings? Nearer home in Goa, where the situation is as bad as anywhere, can we do something to maintain the toilets in public places by acceptable standards? If so, let us begin with the toilets and staircases in Goa Government offices.

her eyes to the garbage, sewage and filth all around her. This is typical in a country where the people who clean are called unclean.

Just because India, particularly Bangalore, has over the past 15 years become famous for IT body-shopping and BPOs, she lives under the misapprehension that we have ‘arrived’. I had to tell her the truth; that the West had simply exported its drudgery and given it a fancy name.

We have been conned into believing that we are part of the global village and an important cog in the process called globalisation. Instead, we have become the hewers of wood and the drawers of water in the new global division of labour.

An entire generation of our youngsters has taken on the drudgery of the West to become cyber-coolies. History is repeating itself. Earlier, a colonial power used physical force and military superiority to turn us into a nation of coolies, clerks and shopkeepers. In 1947, they took their soldiers and their navies home, because the milch cow had gone dry and the manor back home was on fire; they had to lick the wounds of two world wars. A generation later, they came back as MNCs

to milk us once again with a combination of transfer-pricing and ‘brain-drain’.

This evolved into GATT and then WTO. The descendants of agricultural and industrial coolies became cyber-coolies. Because we are good mimics, we had no problem with this new, fast-track evolution. So Shyam became Sam and exchanged his kurta-pyjama for a shirt-pant-tie. Sushma became Suzy and her attire became western. Now Sam and Suzy have a limited-vocabulary American accent. They have turned day into night; to hell with the biological clock. How they deal with their forced dual personality; what impact it will have on their children; some psychiatrist should tell us. It might even open a whole new field in Psychiatry.

But coming back to Helpage India and the young lady, I wonder about the economics and cost-effectiveness of the operation. She loses her salary for a week. She spends money travelling Bangalore-Goa-Bangalore. She needs boarding, lodging, transport, laundry, etc, in a new place.

Who pays for all this? More important, how much of the money collected by her in her short stay actually reaches the destitute old people in Goa? Who is running this operation getting idealistic, starry-eyed, naïve MBAs to tramp the streets of Goa begging for money? How many projects do they fund in Goa? Or is it like the banks here, that collect their deposits in Goa but finance projects elsewhere?

Of late, this has become a trend. I have had similar visits from so-called MBAs working for Concern-India, CRY, etc, etc... Some claim they are getting field experience in the face of unemployment among MBAs following the recession.

One of them actually showed me his letter of appointment from L&T during campus-recruitment, which was then followed by a letter of disappointment from L&T, claiming that they were negatively impacted by the economic slowdown and forced to curtail recruitments.

And how is it that none of them has concrete information about what projects my money – if I choose to give any – will be spent on? Is this some sophisticated scam or are these MBAs on a mission of mercy like Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity?

DLF the biggest construction house in the country. Such is their clout that the owner recently got the PadmaBhushan. There is only one place in which a project of theirs hit a road block – and stayed stuck no matter what strings were pulled. Goa. This is only one of many such housing projects that the villagers of Goa successfully took arms against. Gated communities, mega projects, mega builders – they took them all on successfully. The IT Park at Dona Paula had sponsors in high places. And yet today it stands stalled – merely by the power of protest.

Across the country there was ferment when the new CRZ notifications came into place. But the Goan fisherman is the only one in the whole of India who has held onto his right to build a home by the seashore.

While across India money speaks and few win victories against big business, in Goa the Cidade De Goa was humbled by a Supreme Court judgement that ordered it to open access to the beach for the common man and to demolish the structures illegally built.

The government promptly came to the rescue with a special ordinance – but the story is not over.

Want to meet the mighty warrior? Attend a GBA rally. There

By Venita Coelho

they are – all the people who have fought the gravest of battles against the toughest of foes. They are your neighbourhood aunties, the old uncle down the road, mothers and fathers, school teachers, middle class men, clerks, housewife’s – they are the real aam admi.

Don’t mess with them! Their anger is great when roused.

At Thursday’s meeting they did not let the presence of three full vans of policemen stop them from heading for the Chief Minister’s residence. The Chief Minister hastily discovered that he had work to do elsewhere when informed that the GBA was on its way. They linked arms – all those ordinary people – and walked on. They were finally stopped at the steps of the Church by barricades, three rows of policemen with batons, and several vans more of standby policemen. You would have thought that the government was geared to tackle some deadly terrorists, not the ‘aam admi’ it keeps claiming to represent. But one can understand the fear of those in high places. They have seen what the Goan warrior can do.

There are many battles still, and the war is seldom completely won. But let us not despair. Today let us revel in our many victories.

Nowhere else in India has so much been accomplished by so few.

Well done the Mighty Goan Warrior!

Letters to the Editor Letter of the Day

Senior police need discipline

Socorro D’Souza, Fatorda

It is important that discipline in the police force be restored, by insisting that rules and regulations be observed, starting from the very top. Only then will ordinary policemen become more alert and dedicated to observance of law. Service rules do not permit officers to do private business and use official vehicles or modify police quarters for personal use. Police officials should use official cars for work. Wives and children should ride in them only when accompanying the husband to an official function. Today we see official police cars used for dropping and picking school children, or parked at the fish market or for grocery shopping / picnic / exhibition halls / private functions or touring relatives and friends around Goa. Officers keep extra police orderlies at their homes and use them for non-official work. Some officials retain these orderlies along with government flats and cars long after their retirement. The lowest-ranked policemen notice these transgressions and see them as licence for bending the rules. The trickle-down effect, on a body of men entrusted with the security of the life and property of citizens, is devastating.

Migrants first, natives never

D’Souza Ravi Ivo, Dubai

It was very pleasing to learn that villagers from Cortalim and surrounding villages forced the IDC to suspend the expansion plans for Verna Industrial Estate (VIE). This proves that political power is not to be forced upon the people of Goa in the face of People’s Power. VIE has not helped surrounding villages in the least. It would be appreciated if Voice of Villagers personally conduct a survey of the number of unemployed Goans from these villagers who can be accommodated in VIE. I’m sure we have a very rich talent pool with much higher education standards in Goa. Today even countries welcoming immigrants in large numbers first introduce systems to ensure that native citizens still continue to have higher preference over the expatriates. In Goa it is migrants first, natives never.

Goa industry flouts laws James Moraes, Cuncolim

When politicians at last realised that Goans are not employed by industrial estates, some industrialists commented that Goans are not qualified, and are not hard working.

The truth is industrialists, hoteliers and educational houses in Goa flout industrial and labour laws. They want employees to work for 16 hours a day for a pittance.

They compromise on safety standards, with no security benefits or performance-linked bonus. Literate Goans object to this but migrants have no choice. Industrialists should note that we Goans gave you cheap land, Goan tax payers have paid your subsidies. It is not the Goan employees who are not hard-working, the real culprits are the industrialists and politicians.

Robbery via mobile S K Agrawal, Panaji

Just like the victim P K Pal (Civic Forum, Herald, 25 Oct), I also began getting spiritual messages from Airtel and Rs. 30 were debited from my a/c. However, the brighter part of the story was that when contacted personally at Airtel office, I was given a telephone number for complaints and soon the amount was credited to my a/c. It did not cover the expense and time spent in contacting the Airtel office. TRAI is requested to make it mandatory for service providers not to send any messages, whether jokes or spiritual quotes or cricket score except bills to any of their subscribers.

CWG scam inquiry sham S. Kamat, Alto Betim

The CWG scam inquiry looks like it will go the way of all earlier inquiries in free India.

Nothing will be found and nothing will be done. First they are going after the small

things to show quantity of scam incidents rather than go for the large value items.

Secondly, they are going after visible private sector parties to show that they are acting against the defaulting persons. Finally they will bring in diversionary tactics by pursuing politically connected people of the Opposition like Sudhanshu Mittal. These three smoke screens will allow the main scamsters to escape scot-free.

Yoga is physical not spiritual

Dominic Mathews, by email

This refers to a piece, “Jesus Christ was the Greatest Yogi” (Goa’s Heartbeat, Herald, 24 Oct). Recourse to nonsensical reasoning is wrong and unacceptable. It was through the Holy Spirit the Incarnation of the Word took place in Mary’s womb (Cf. Lk 1:35) as the Son of God by His Divine nature, and the Son of the Virgin by the flesh. Therefore, one must not narrowly see Jesus’ suffering and endurance of unspeakable pain from a human perspective but accept in faith the work of Divine Providence in helping weak human beings bear pain and offer onesself as a living sacrifice in adherence to the Father’s will and not to ‘yogic sense’. Jesus has set us an example. St. Stephen was the first Christian stoned to death. Sts. Peter and Paul and many others have laid down their lives through the working of the Holy Spirit, and not because they were ‘superb yogis.’ Yoga is a physical not spiritual activity. Can Fr. John Ferreira specify where in the Scriptures Jesus practiced yoga and taught his disciples to do the same? Rather, Christ said, “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” (Mt 26:41).

… unto dust shalt thou return

Allwyn George, Carmona

The solution to all our man-made misery is if we realise the simple fact from the book of Genesis ‘Dust thou art, and unto dust shall thou return’. What we fail to realise is that no matter how much money, power and fame we acquire we cannot possess it forever as we are all simply mortals and someday we have to leave everything.

The world will be a better place to live in our lifetimes if everyone realizes this fact and treats our brethren with love and affection. We can have a world free of crime, greed, hunger, poverty and fear.

Paths of Wisdom Understand the message

By Sri Ramakrishna

In ancient India, there lived a certain wise king. One day a pundit (scholar and teacher) who had studied many scriptures and holy books came to the palace and asked to see the king.

“Your Majesty,” said he, “I should like it very much if you would permit me to teach you the Bhagavatam, the Holy Scripture on the life of Sri Krishna. I will not require an unreasonable fee.”

Now the king, a good judge of human nature, knew enough of that great book to realize that the pundit, scholar that he was, still had not understood what it says. Otherwise, why would he be coming to a king’s palace in search of wealth instead of seeking for the Lord in the depths of his own heart?

He said to the pundit: “I perceive that you have not fully mastered the Bhagavatam as yet. I will make you my tutor only when you have learned it well.”

As he went on his way, the scholar thought, “Why, I’ve been studying the book over and over all these years. How foolish the king is to say that I have not mastered it!” Yet, a seed of doubt had been sown in his mind. He carefully read the book again and again he applied to the king. This time too, the king repeated the same thing.

Mightily puzzled, the pundit reached home and shut himself in his room. He pored over the holy book day and night, and gradually the truth began to dawn on him. Then he began to see his own vanity and greed for the riches and courts of kings, and also for his own fame. Now he applied himself entirely to the worship of God and never thought once of returning to the king.

After a few years the king became curious and paid a visit to the pundit’s house. There he found a changed man, radiant with divine light and love. The king fell on his knees. “I see that you have now realized the true meaning of the Bhagavatam” he said, “I am ready to be your disciple if you will teach me.”

(Tales and Parables of Sri Ramakrishna)

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

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

OHERALDO

Pg9

GOA, TUESDAY, 26 OCTOBER, 2010

opinionated

India, Japan to speed up talks on nuclear deal

Foreigners feel like pariahs I have read in disbelief what Hugh Gantzer had to claim about

By SvATAnTRA SARjAno

tourism in Goa through the article ‘Goa government asked to aim for value tourism, not hippies and backpackers’ (Goa’s Heartbeat, Herald, 20 Oct) and to say that it is just a huge pile of rubbish, will be an understatement.

First, what he says about Israeli people is patently false and smears of racism because in my long experience none of these young Israelis ever wanted to go for military service in the first place. Many of them escape to India just to avoid the long military period. The other as soon they are out of the army tend to forget all about it. They are in my opinion very peaceful and loving creatures, so much so that I've been singing with them Shalom Alahem…Shalom on many occasions.

Then there is the ‘hippies’ story and the infamous parties...

How is it that Mr Gantzer seems to ignore that most of our visitors, yes, English too, come to Goa mostly to see these hippies and to have a round of these ‘drug-parties’? He is calling for high spending tourism, as if people with money will want to bath in dirty water and lay in dirtier beaches!

So let's first clean up our beaches, our rivers, our roads and our attitude too, then we may can attract his so called ‘high spending tourists’!

Talking about Goans’ attitude, let me tell you the plain facts about it: if a foreigner like me – alas I'm still a ‘foreigner’ even if I've spent 33 years of my life in India – goes to buy something, even a simple chai the cost to you is five rupees, to me the cost is almost double. The same applies to vegetables, fish and even bread. Everything costs double for people like me. I am not even mentioning the rent I am charged on my house or that which my ‘foreigner’ friends are charged. It is simply double that which they charge you.

Let me tell you, it doesn't feel nice at all. On the contrary it makes us foreigners feel like pariahs, like a sub-class of people that have to be exploited wherever they go, whatever they buy.

That's what our government should do urgently – clean up Goa of its misery, and not to kick out our Flower Children because, whether you like it or not, they are the ones that have put Goa in the International Tourism map over 50 years ago.

We should make a monument to the guy photographed in your article – I know him, he is a truly great musician, and he well symbolizes the people that Mr. Gantzer would like to get rid off. For me only a monument in the biggest square of Panjim will give justice and eternal memory to them.

And to finish with the parties, I have indicated the solution long ago, but will anyone listen? We should simply legalize the parties. What does it mean? That the Tourism Minister should provide a piece on land designed just for these parties, a piece of land faraway from human habitations in a place absolutely deserted where music will not bother anyone, and rent this place to those that want to have a party for the little sum of 30,000 – 50,000 rupees.

It is viable, Mr Minister, it is practical, since Goa has plenty of abandoned areas, and it will be a sign of real understanding and of democracy, because to make an example, I never, meaning never, go to any party, but I'm ready to fight for the freedom of those who like to have it.

So, I'm ready to talk with our Tourism Minister any time he wishes, and explain him in detail what it means to legalise the party and to make on top some money for the State. I shall wait for your invitation.

PTI TOKYO, OCT 25

India and Japan today decided to speed up negotiations on a civil nuclear deal and formally announced the firming up of a free trade agreement that will lead to slashing of taxes up to 94 per cent over the next decade.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Japanese counterpart Naoto Kan held wide-ranging discussions on ways to push the strategic cooperation to a higher level with both agreeing that it was beneficial for the two countries.

In a statement to media after the talks, Kan said: "We agreed to speed up negotiations for civil nuclear energy cooperation, while seeking India's under-

Women purchasing bangles on the eve of the'Karva Chauth' festival in Amritsar on Monday.

Strategic cooperation on Obama’s agenda HERALD BUREAU NEW DELHI, OCT 25

United States President Barrack Obama has a full range of strategic cooperation in the field of economy, trade, defence, security, counter-terrorism and political coordination on his agenda during a 3-day India trip a day after Diwali from November 6.

A leftover of some of the intricacies of the civilian nuclear deal not yet tied up may also figure as the American suppliers are still reluctant to do business with India, though the senior U.S. officials giving the first overview of the issues on the card to the media here on Monday wriggled out saying it is part of a "continued process."

Alike the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), they too were tight-lipped on the exact itinerary of Obama during his visit while pointing out that he will cover the issues ranging from health to defence, clean energy to counterterrorism and trade to climate change in his talks to "unleash the true potential in all the field."

NEW RELATIONSHIP: They stressed that Obama is not coming as a donor as the U.S. now sees India as an equal

and "indispensable" partner and not one looking just for help.

Describing the Indo-US relations as "par-equal" and not that of a "donor-donee" any more, the officials said India is an "indispensable" partner of the US in 21st century and Obama's visit will highlight growth, strength and breadth of the US-India ties. They maintained that besides reflecting the growth in ties, the visit also reflects the personal relationship Obama and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh share. "This visit is about substance and it is about this friendship and partnership between the US and India," they said.

They said Obama administration was interested to build cooperation in space to provide advance warnings in agriculture sector and predict monsoon. The successful launch of Chandryan has convinced U.S. space policy makers about Indian capabilities

in integrating systems from varied sources, thereby boosting the prospects of synchronisation of U.S. and Indian space architecture for a potential solarbased space programme (SBSP).

Despite recession, US has projected bilateral trade with India touching the highest $50 billion this year. "Between 2004 and 2008, our two-way trade dou-

Cong invokes ‘national interest’ to rap BJP HERALD BUREAU NEW DELHI, OCT 25

The Congress on Monday invoked "national interest" to tell the Bhartiya Janata Party not to create obstacles in the work of the government-appointed Kashmir interlocutors "just for the sake of politics."

Party spokesman Shakeel Ahmed harped on the "national interest" repeatedly in the AICC press briefing, stating that the interlocutors have agreed to undertake a very sensitive and difficult task in the national interest, any adverse comments on it were not in national interest and the political parties should not overlook the national interest.

He was reacting to a sharp attack by the BJP on Dileep Padgaonkar, one of the interlocutors, stating in Srinagar on arrival on Saturday that a comprehensive solution of the J&K issue without Pakistan's involvement is not possible. The BJP wanted to know if the role of Pakistan was part of the interlocutors' brief or they were stepping beyond to advance the Hurriyat cause.

Ahmed, however, skirted pointed questions on Padgaonkar injecting Pakistan dimension, pleading that "the Congress is neither with or against what has been said." He said the party's only concern

was that needless statements create obstacle in the working of the interlocutors.

Asked repeatedly if Padgaonkar had stepped beyond what cannot be the interlocutors' brief, he quipped that the interlocutors have been given one year's mandate to work for the solution. As such, he said it will be "very premature" to comment on what they say when they have just started.

Only once the interlocutors give their report to the government and government considers and acts on it that the parties can comment, he added.

KARAT REALISATION: In an indirect dig at CPI(M) General Sec-

retary Prakash Karat "admitting" in a lecture in Cambridge that the Left could not change with time and committed blunders, Ahmed said the Congress appreciates that the leftists are at last admitting the historical blunders and hopes that they would not repeat them in future.

Asked to name the blunders, Ahmed said there were too many but he can recall at least three: Support to the Jan Sangh elements by backing the Janata Party government in 1977, again joining hands with BJP to support the VP Singh Government in 1989 and withdrawing support to the UPA government in 2003 and voting with BJP in Par-

liament to shoot down the nuclear deal with the U.S. A Congress veteran, however, said Ahmed should have cited three major blunders in the history of the Indian left, first in 1942 when it opposed the freedom movement, second in 1967 when it joined hands with the communal Jan Sangh for the first time in the Bihar government and third in 1989 when it sabotaged Jyoti Basu becoming the prime minister. The veteran wriggled out when asked if the CPI(M) opposing the emergency was also a blunder as nobody in the Congress is now even prepared to accept any reference to the emergency.

bled to $43 billion. There was some drop in 2009, but the way ahead is encouraging," the American officials said.

Also on his platter from India side will be the issues of the US export controls and outsourcing curbs that are affecting the Indians as there are expectations that Obama may ease them as a goodwill gesture during his firstever visit to India.

DEFENCE: Though both sides will discuss defence ties and iron out glitches in military purchases, there is hardly any possibility of conclusion of any defence deal, they hinted. This was also echoed by Defence Minister AK Antony at a press conference here on Monday.

India and the US are in talks to finalise a deal for 10 C-17 transport aircraft for the IAF estimated to be worth $5.8 billion. "The talks are in its final stages," Antony said in response to a query on

Couple hangs to death in Kashmir PTI JAMMU, OCT 25

A couple allegedly committed suicide by hanging themselves with to tree in forest belt of Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir after their families opposed their relationship, police said here today.

22-year-old Bansi Lal alias Bunty was in love with 20-yearold Santosh Kumari alias Goldy for over an year. The couple wanted to tie the knot but their families were opposed to their relationship, they said. The couple took the extreme step last night, they said.

Deliberate CWG probe mess to help culprits, says BJP

Ambani varsity in Bhopal HERALD BUREAU NEW DELHI, OCT 25

As a tribute to his father late Dhirubhai Ambani who started the international-standard Institute of Information and Communication Technology in Gandhinagr, the 48year old Anil Ambani is setting up Dhirubhai Ambani University at Bhopal.

Alike the Gandhinagar institute, the university's prime focus will be on imparting the same level of education in information and communication technology, offering graduation and post-graduation courses, Ambani disclosed.

His industrial ADA (Anil Dhirubhai Ambani) group is investing Rs 100 crores in the university that will come up on a 100-acre plot. The Madhya Pradesh Government has already issued a "letter of intent" (LoI) for the university project.

The Gandhinagar institute has established itself at par with the IITs (Indian Institute of Technology) for providing a host of foreign faculties and producing the new generation of IT experts who are lapped up by the industry even before they complete their education. Even a visit to the campus is an experience as you are ushered into an environment comparable to any top class western university.

standing of our country's sentiment" as a nation which faced nuclear bomb attack.

Singh, who earlier in the day said that he will not "force" Japan on the nuclear agreement because of its sensitivity, said, "Civil nuclear energy can be another mutually beneficial area of our cooperation."

Earlier in the day, Singh invited Japanese firms to participate in expansion of India's nuclear industry.

"We would hope that Japan will be India's partner in expansion of its civil nuclear industry for peaceful purposes. But I do recognise the sensitivity of the subject in Japan and will not therefore force the issue," he told a business luncheon meeting here.

HERALD BUREAU NEW DELHI, OCT 25

A boy giving final touches to earthen lamps ahead of Diwali in Amritsar on Monday.

The Bhartiya Janata Party on Monday accused the UPA government of deliberately making a mess of the probe into the Commonwealth Games (CWG) scams to help the culprits by putting five agencies on the job and demanded resignations first of Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and all ministers involved in the Games decisions.

"These agencies -- CVC, CAG, CBI, Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax Department -have started quarrelling and that gives time to the culprits to wipe out all evidences and make interrogators go round and round by claiming this or that agency has taken away the documents,"

BJP General Secretary Vijay Goel told a Press conference here.

Goel, who is also founder of Citizens Forum for Commonwealth Games and named with Secretary Kirit Somaiya by the BJP President to pursue the CWG scams, also announced launch of a separate email <cwgghotala@gmail.com> for receiving complaints on Games scams and irregularities.

He asked public and officials to provide inputs in this regard as a "national service," assuring that identity of the whistle blowers will be kept "totally secret."

He wondered if the culprits would be brought to book at all and recoveries made from them or their properties attached for recovering the money.

HC to view CCTV footages of Kasab, Ismael in terror acts PTI MUMBAI, OCT 25

CCTV footages showing Pakistani gunman Ajmal Kasab and his slain accomplice Abu Ismael committing terror acts at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (SCT) and surrounding areas will be screened in the Bombay High Court tomorrow.

Justices Ranjana Desai and R V More allowed the plea of government Counsel Ujjwal Nikam to play the CDs in the post lunch session tomorrow.

Nikam told the court that the CCTV footages provide clinching evidence of Kasab and his partner creating terror in important public places by killing people

mercilessly.

The CCTV cameras installed at the CST and outside the Times of India building (opposite CST) had captured Kasab and Ismael moving around with guns and firing at people.

At CST, Kasab and Ismael had opened fire at people who were waiting in the main hall for long distance trains on November 26, 2008, killing 52 and injuring 108.

The duo came out from the rear entrance of CST and got down from an over bridge near the Times of India building.

Their images were captured in CCTV camera installed there. The film shows

both of them moving around with guns.

Kasab had also fired shots at a photojournalist who was clicking photographs of the two terrorists from the second floor of the Times of India building. The photojournalist had ducked in time and escaped unhurt.

Both CCTV footages were screened in the trial court earlier. These will again be shown in the high court which is hearing confirmation of death sentence awarded to Kasab.

Nikam told the court that the AK-47 rifle, recovered from the Skoda car in which Kasab and his partner Abu Ismael were trying to escape after the 26/11

terror attacks, belonged to slain police officer Ashok Kamate.

Nikam said after killing Kamate and two other police officers, Kasab and Ismael took away the AK-47 rifle from Kamate. The duo then stole the Skoda car at gun point and sped towards Girgaum Chowpatty where they were intercepted by police.

Kasab had also told police in his confession that they had taken away Kamate's AK-47 rifle in the Skoda car. Besides, a police report established that the butt number of Kamate's rifle matched with the gun seized by police from the car, Nikam said.

the C-17 deal.

India is interested in buying 24 Harpoon missiles for its Air Force at an estimated cost of $700 million. Apart from these purchases, the two sides are also holding discussions for foundational agreements in areas such as communication interoperability, logistics support and geo-spacial fields.

The US officials believe Obama’s visit will give a major boost to the multi-dimensional engagement between the two major democracies of the world. ".... Not just talking about it, we need to see some things that are going to demonstrate that this relationship has pay-offs," said the US officials.

After the civil-nuclear pact between the two countries, the next big thing would be the "broader and deeper" relations which rest on the full range of strategic cooperation in the field of economy, defence, security, counterterrorism and political coordination among other areas, they said.

As regards the Kashmir issue, they made it clear that US policy has been very clear for many years on the conflict in Kashmir that it was not an issue for the US to take a role.

Jairam comes to rescue valley of flowers HERALD BUREAU NEW DELHI, OCT 25

Environment and Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh has sought to rescue the famed Valley of Flowers in Uttarakhand, threatened by a 23.4 Megawatt power project proposed in the Bhuidar valley on its very tip.

In a letter to Chief Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank,' he said: "Such a project would have

serious consequences for the wonderfully rich biodiversity in the area." He referred in this regard complaint of noted conservationist Chandi Prasad Bhatt engaged in preserving and protecting the Himalayan ecosystem.

Ramesh pointed out that earlier too there was a proposal to divert the Bhuidarganga waters for the Vishnuprayag hydel project that was dropped by the UP.

APPOINTMENTS

Pg10

GOA, TUESDAY, 26 OCTOBER, 2010

‘Modi’s magic need not work at every place’ PTI PATNA, OCT 25

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi is unlikely to campaign in the Bihar Assembly polls, senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj said today, suggesting that his magic need not work in "every place".

At the same time, Swaraj made it clear that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had not put any condition on the issue of Modi campaigning.

She said that it would be better if the "old arrangement" continued under which Modi had not campaigned during the 2005 Bihar Assembly polls and the 2009 general elections.

"Modi's magic and charisma have worked in Gujarat... but it is not necessary that everybody's magic works at every place.

"In Bihar, the magic of Nitish Kumar and Sushil Kumar Modi

is at work... and we are confident of our victory for carrying forward development," Swaraj told reporters here.

"Nitishji has put no condition before us whether or not Narendra Modi should campaign in Bihar. The decision who should or should not campaign in Bihar has been the sole discretion of BJP," she said.

On the recent statement of chief minister that the ideology of the JD(U) was different from that of BJP, she said, "If the ideology of both parties were similar, then both will have merged into one party.

"Kumar has been right in his stand that though the ideologies of the two parties are different, we have worked together keeping in view the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) for governance and delivered the goods," she said.

FROM PAGE 1 Activists against new...

the new re-alignment they also offered to reduce the width of the highway in populated area to 35 mts from 45 mts in order to save more constructions.

But labelling the fresh alignment as a “eyewash” Sunil Dessai, Convener, NHDAC said the proposed re-alignment has not yet been approved by National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).

He said the new alignment is of no use because even if some houses are saved — those houses will be exposed to noise pollution being adjacent to the highway. Also the structures bordering the highway will experience continues vibrations due to heavy load of traffic and fresh alignment “it will create more problems for the people.” he said.

He further said there’s no guarantee that the authorities will stick to fresh alignment and will not demolish more houses because the proposal has not been approved by NHAI yet.

Reduction in width from 45 mts to 35 mts in populated areas: Moreover, he said, reduction of width to 35 mts doesn’t fit into NHAI standards. “During presentation on Saturday at PWD office we questioned them on this and they confirmed that it is not in conformity with standards of NHAI.” Former Aldona MLA, Fatima D’Sa who is also part of the NHDAC said mere reduction of width will not serve the real purpose because basic idea of expansion of highways is to reduce traffic congestions. “Traffic congestions will continue even after expansion,” she said adding instead the government should go for alternate route.

The office bearers of the NHDAC also claimed that the government has not considered proposals submitted by them wherein they have recommended diversions excluding villages.

House Committee (HC): Exposing lethargy of the government on this issue, Dessai said, the HC appointed by the Goa Assembly in August, to study the problems related to the expansion of two NHSs has not met even once.

The NHDAC also alleged that the government is in a hurry to push the proposal of expansion of the NH to please the Union Minister who has set the deadline of October 31 for initiating the project.

He said, the government will not be able to go ahead with fresh alignment by this month end because land acquisition process has not been completed. “With new re-alignment the government will have to initiate fresh land acquisition at many places and even if the process is expedited it will still need, at least, six months time to complete the whole process,” he added.

Airport operations take a hit

“Despite load restrictions, there is no report of offloading of passengers,” said sources.

Sources further informed that most of the airlines are following the guidelines issued by Airport Authority of India (AAI) to reduce the number of passengers and to reduce the load of cargo in flights.

It is also learnt that the Navy has initiated an action against the errant fuel tanker driver.

O Maria to be screened

Tambe in its lead role. Marathi’s veteran actors including Reema Lagu, Upendra Limaye, Jyoti Subhash and Amruta Khanvilakar are also acting in the movie.

Ghosh’s Nauka Dubi, is a film on wife swapping and originally based on a novel by Rabindranath Tagore. Sen Sisters – Raima Sen and Riya Sen have played role of wives in this movie.

Of crops & harvest

in the fields across the coastal village and the villages of Verna and Nuvem. If MLA Mickky Pacheco distributed agricultural seeds to the farmers in Verna and Nuvem a couple of month ago, Loutolim MLA Aleixo Sequeira has made available harvesting machines to farmers in the villages of Betalbatim-Majorda, besides Verna and Nagoa in the last few days. Take note, the Power Minister is believed to have hired as many as five harvesters to ensure that they met the requirements of the farming community.

Free harvesting machines have also made their presence felt in Fatorda as well on the eve of the Margao Municipal polls. GPCC general secretary Vijay Sardessai – who has set his eyes firmly on Fatorda – commissioned free harvesters for the farmers of Chandrawado in the presence of Fatorda block Congress president Joseph Silva – contesting the Margao Municipal polls from Ward No 3. It is learnt that Sardessai’s rival and candidate Piedade Noronha has also procured a harvester for the benefit of the Fatorda farmers.

While three harvesters were seen engaged round-the-clock in Velim constituency represented by Water Resources Minister, Filipe Neri Rodrigues, sources said the harvesting machines have now been booked by Navelim MLA and PWD Minister, Churchill Alemao to meet the requirements of the farmers from Navelim constituency.

Says Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco: The harvesters are hired either from Devangare or Kholapur. I was instrumental in introducing the harvesters in a big way around 2-3 years ago”.

K’taka ore ban

the State is not taxed,” Desai stated.

There are 6 sponge iron units in the State which consumes ore as their raw material.

Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) Vice President Manguirish Pai Raikar said that though the Karnataka government has already declared that the ban on transportation is lifted, another issue has cropped in.

“I heard that there is another issue related to forest clearance which is now creating a hurdle on the transportation,” he said.

GCCI had actively intervened in the matter on behalf of Goan sponge iron plants that feared closure due to ban.

Roughly, Goa imports three million tonnes of ore from Karnataka while it exports 45 million tonnes, every year.

Mahanand acquitted

Sessions judge recently sentenced him to seven years imprisonment for raping and blackmailing his wife’s 23-year-old Shiroda friend in 2009.

In today’s acquittal case, he was prosecuted for kidnapping Shakuntala, 35, on December 30, 2005 and strangulating her with her own dupatta, at Kunkolien Mangueshi hillock, near Kundaim Industrial Estate.

He was present in the Court hall when the Judge passed the order.

Ponda police had recorded recovering a woman’s body during the same period from the spot, features of whom matched the victim. A case of unnatural death was then registered.

The victim was a house-to-house garments saleswoman, who hailed from Mayem village. She lived with her aged mother, five sisters and a brother.

Mahanand was chargesheeted of luring her with a promise of marriage and asked her to wear gold ornaments to impress her future in-laws. But he instead took her to an isolated spot and strangulated her.

According to the police, he confessed of killing and making money after selling Shakuntala’s ornaments.

Police said that Mahanand’s modus operandi was to flatter and befriend girls with marriage proposals and ask them to wear enough gold ornaments to meet his parents. He would either invite them to a place or pick them up and take them to secluded areas where he would strangulate the victims with their own duppatta.

After tasting three consecutive acquittals in the Bhagu Upaskar, Surat Gaonkar and Nirmala Amonkar rape, murder and robbery cases, Sessions Judge convicted him in the Shiroda case that spilled beans about his criminal activities.

OHERALDO

Pg11

GOA, TUESDAY, 26 OCTOBER, 2010

Karzai admits getting money from Iran aFP KABUL, Oct 25

Afghan President Hamid Karzai admitted on Monday that his chief of staff had received "bags of money" from Iran but insisted the payment was transparent and a form of aid from a friendly country. cash payments "are done by various friendly countries to help the presidential office and to help the expenses..." said Karzai at a press conference in Kabul. the New York times reported Saturday that Karzai's chief of staff, Umar Daudzai, has been receiving regular cash payments from Iran, which is trying to expand its influence in the presidential palace in Kabul. "the government of Iran has been assisting us with five or six or seven hundred thousand euros once or twice every year, that is an official aid," said Karzai.

"He (Daudzai) is receiving the money on my instructions," he added. the newspaper, citing unnamed Afghan officials said the payments total millions of dollars and go into a secret fund that Daudzai and Karzai have used to pay Afghan lawmakers, tribal elders and even taliban

Zambian leader pardons 473 prisoners agencies LUSAKA, Oct 25

Zambian President Rupiah Banda has freed 473 prisoners as part of the commemoration of the country's 46th anniversary of independence from Britain, the Zambia Daily Mail reported on Monday. the country's home affairs minister Mkhondo Lungu confirmed on Sunday that the Zamb i a n l e a d e r re l e a s e d 4 7 3 prisoners as part of the celebration of the country's independence, adding that the prisoners were freed from different parts of the country. the Zambian minister said a gazette notice would be issued on Wednesday and that it will contain the names of all the released prisoners. this year's independence theme is "consolidating our Independence through Food Security."

commanders to secure their loyalty.

"It's basically a presidential slush fund," one Western official is quoted by the paper as saying.

"Daudzai's mission is to advance Iranian interests." the times cited unnamed officials as saying the Iranian payments were intended to secure the allegiance of Daudzai, a former ambassador to Iran who consistently advocates an antiWestern line to Karzai and briefs the Afghan president every morning.

Last August, when Karzai wrapped up an official visit to Iran, tehran's ambassador to Afghanistan, Feda Hussein Maliki, brought to the presidential plane a large plastic bag filled with wads of euro bills and handed it to Daudzai, according to the report. "this is the Iranian money," the paper quotes an Afghan official as saying. "Many of us noticed this." the senior US envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, said last week that Iran had "a role" to play in Afghanistan and welcomed the Islamic republic's participation in international talks on the situation there held in Rome.

Russia to add 18 new vessels to Black Sea fleet

Belarus Prez promises fair elections

agencies MOScOW, Oct 25

Presidential elections in Belarus would be conducted in a strict accordance with the national and international laws, Belorussian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Monday.

"Belarus is preparing for a major internal political event, the election of the state head.

Being the incumbent president, I would like to assure you that I will do my best to hold the election in strict compliance with national laws and international standards," Lukashenko told foreign ambassadors in Minsk, as quoted by Interfax news agency.

He also said that political and business life of the country was opened, official Belta news agency reported.

"You could see everything with your own eyes," he said,

Russia planned to build up its Black Sea fleet based in crimea, southern Ukraine, by adding 18 new vessels within the next decade, the Interfax news agency reported on Monday.

"Under the 2011-2020 government armament program, the Russian Black Sea fleet will get 18 new vessels, including six Project 22350 frigates, six Project 677 diesel-powered submarines and two Project 11711 large landing ships," an official in Russia's navy command was cited by Interfax as saying.

Russia would also upgrade its Su-24M bombers and replace its Beriev Be-12 amphibious aircraft with modernized Il-38 antisubmarine aircraft by 2016, the unnamed official added.

On Wednesday, Russian and Ukrainian defense ministers signed a deal on issues concerning the fleet. Under the agreement, Moscow would inform Kiev annually "about the exact number of its personnel, equipment and weapons of the Black Sea fleet based in Ukrainian territory."

In April, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich and his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev signed an agreement extending the period of the Black Sea fleet's stay in crimea until 2042, with a possible extension for another five years.

October will become the longest month of the year when several countries across the globe will adjust their clocks one hour backward a week from now. "typically, clocks are adjusted forward one hour near the start of spring and are adjusted one hour backward in autumn," say experts from the State Metrology center which is mainly done on the last Sunday of March and on the last Sunday of October.

Sandford Fleming, a Scottish-

US singer Taylor Swift (centre) purchasing her new album 'Speak Now' at the Times Square Starbucks in New York City, on Monday. The album is on sale at Starbucks nationwide.

Blair’s eccentric sister-in-law loves being slave agencies LONDON, Oct 25

Former British prime minister tony Blair's sister-in-law Lauren Booth revealed over the weekend that she has converted to Islam. Booth, who is half-sister to cherie Blair and a catholic by birth, switched faith after a recent visit to Iran. A human rights campaigner and journalist, she works for Press tV, Iran's 24-hour English language international news channel.

Wikileaks founder Assange living a haunted life PTi NEW YORK, Oct 25

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange is living a haunted life fearing arrest and has been on the run following the release of nearly 4 lakh secret US military documents related to Iraq war on his whistle-blowing website.

39-year-old Assange checks into hotels under false names, dyes his hair, sleeps on sofas and floors, and uses cash instead of credit cards, often borrowed from friends, said 'the New York times', which has interviewed him. "they called me the James Bond of journalism...it got me a lot of fans, and some of them ended up causing me a bit of trouble," he was quoted as saying, expressing concern that UK may act against him if the US decides to prosecute him – an

option that is currently being explored.

"By being determined to be on this path, and not to compromise, I've wound up in an extraordinary situation," Assange said.

"When it comes to the point where you occasionally look forward to being in prison on the basis that you might be able to spend a day reading a book, the realisation dawns that perhaps the situation has become a little more stressful than you would like."

On the run again, Assange left Stockholm for Berlin and now is in London, according to the times, which reported that his bag and three encysted laptops disappeared on the journey from Sweden to Germany. the WikiLeaks founder also faces rape and molestation ac-

Clocks to go an hour backward on Oct 31 PTi MOScOW, Oct 25

agencies MOScOW, Oct 25

born canadian engineer and inventor had proposed worldwide standard time zones.

His gained support of the US government in 1883, and 26 countries signed the time zone agreement in Washington Dc in 1884.

A time zone is a region on Earth, more or less bounded by lines of longitude, that has a uniform, legally mandated standard time, usually referred to as the local time. time zones are adjusted seasonally into standard and day-

light saving(or summer) variants.

Daylight saving time zones (or summer time zones) include an offset (typically +1 hour) for daylight saving time. the daylight saving time idea was put forward by US statesman Benjamin Franklin. Nowadays, 110 out of 192 countries adjust their clocks twice a year.

Iceland is the only exception in Europe. However, countries located near equator never as tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Georgia, turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan do not follow it.

cusations by two women in Sweden, where he went to stay due to the country's strong laws protecting freedom of speech and expression. Assange, however, has maintained their relations were consensual and blamed a "smear campaign," possibly planned by the US government.

On Friday, his online whistleblower leaked nearly 400,000 secret US documents on Iraq war detailing graphic accounts of torture, killing of over 66,000 civilians and Iran's role in the conflict.

Earlier this year, the Australian computer hacker was catapulted into global spotlight when WikiLeaks released 92,000 secret documents that supported existing suspicions like Pakistan's ISI links with extremists and extra-judicial killings by US forces.

Japan, US ink ‘open skies’ agreement agencies

tOKYO, Oct 25

Japan and the United States inked an "open skies" agreement on Monday to further liberalize their civil aviation markets, local media reported.

Japanese transport minister Sumio Mabuchi and U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos signed the deal, which is expected to take effect in mid-November, according to Kyodo News report.

News of Booth's conversion surfaced after she was showcased at a rally here under the banner of Global Peace and Unity 2010, attended by several Islamic hardliners. It was a propaganda coup for those who militantly propagate Islam.

Booth (43), who has once figured in a reality television contest, told a section of British media, ``I had a delightful experience at a Muslim shrine in Iran six weeks ago. I now pray

Israel planning for nuke Iran

five times a day and occasionally go to a mosque. And I haven't had an alcoholic drink for 45 days.''

Booth now covers her head and neck with hijab when outside her home (and doesn't rule out wearing a burqa in future), no longer eats pork and reads the Quran every day. She conceded that her decision to convert might create a controversy. ``Every action sparks a reaction,'' she said.

cherie Blair, a practising catholic, and her husband tony, who converted from the church of England to Roman catholicism in 2007, were unavailable for comment.

Last month, Booth accused Blair of lacking impartiality in his current role as Middle East envoy.

Having earlier protested against Britain's involvement in the 2003 United Stated-led invasion of Iraq, she said her brother-in-law could not be a balanced negotiator be-

tween Palestinians and Israelis because he was prejudiced against Muslims.

In a letter published in the Morning Star, a communist daily, she described participating in a rally in Iran where mothers reportedly wept over deaths in Palestinian cities like Rafah and Nablus. "Do you recognise these place names, tony?'' she asked. `` Israel has massacred children in all these cities in recent years,'' she reminded him.

Burj Khalifa cuts rental rates PTi DUBAI, Oct 25

agencies JERUSALEM, Oct 25

All those who aspire to experience living in Burj Khalifa have a reason to smile, as renting an apartment in the world's tallest tower will now cost less, say Dubai property dealers.

A studio apartment of around 560 square feet can now be rented at USD 24,502 a year, compared to USD 38,114.4 in the beginning of June this year. Asking price of a one-bedroom apartment is USD 32,669.51 while two bedrooms could be rented for USD 59,894.1 a year, say local advertisements.

Earlier, a one-bedroom unit ranged between USD 49,004.2 and USD 70,783.93 while two-bedroom apartment started at USD 81,673.7. Reports last week said that apartments in Dubai's most prestigious address are available at 40 per cent less rentals than when the building opened 10 months ago.

According to a local property brokerage firm, about 825 of the 900 apartments in the Burj Khalifa are still empty.

Emaar had sold 90 percent of the homes in the tower before the January opening. the building also has 144 Armani-branded residences, 37 floors of office space and 160 hotel rooms. It houses Armani's first hotel and an observation deck on the 124th floor.

Sales prices in the Burj Khalifa are down to around USD 816.73 per square foot, as opposed to the earlier peak of up to USD 2,722.4 per square foot.

According to September data, the Sales Price Index DubaiAll Residential fell 2.30 per cent from the previous month.

Sources in Israel's Foreign Ministry said the ministry has convened a committee to discuss " what to do if we wake up one day and the Iranians have nuclear weapons," local daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported on Monday.

"You prepare for a natural disaster even though you do everything in your power to make sure that it doesn't happen," a senior official who asked to be anonymous told the newspaper, adding "you have fire drills, even if you do everything you can to ensure that a fire never breaks out."

Along with the Foreign Ministry, the National Security council and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's inner security cabinet, including Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, also prepare government policy, the report said.

Cyclone Giri lashes western Myanmar PTi YANGON, Oct 25

A cyclone that struck Myanmar's western coast late last week damaged hundreds of homes and displaced thousands of residents but the government has given no official estimate of damages or casualties, residents and aid agencies said on Monday. cyclone Giri arrived from the Bay of Bengal on Friday evening with winds of up to 177 kph, lashing several areas of western Rakhine state including Myebon, Pauktaw, Myanaung, Ponnagyu

and Kyaukphyu. the coastal areas are populated by poor families living mostly in bamboo huts. three temporary camps have been set up in Kyaukphyu for more than 5,000 people by the Myanmar Red cross and the Social Welfare Ministry, said Andrew Kirkwood, the resident representative of aid group Save the children. the government has not yet reported the damage or casualties from the category 4 cyclone.

State-run newspapers did not mention the cyclone aftermath though they reported the visit

of the country's social welfare minister to Kyaukphyu.

Kirkwood cited reports that "70 percent of the buildings in Kayukphyu had their roofs blown off and Kyaukphyu hospital was badly damaged."

A resident from Kyaukphyu, Daw chit chit, who was contacted by phone, said that many homes had their roofs blown off and that many areas remained flooded. She said communications were cut over the weekend had been restored.

On Kyunthaya island, located between Myebone and Kyauk-

phyu, there were seven houses left standing from an original community of 622 houses, Kirkwood said. Myebone, which is north of Kyaukphyu, was also badly damaged and the local aid groups were on their way, he said. cyclone Nargis, which struck Myanmar in May 2008 and killed 130,000 people and destroyed 800,000 buildings, mostly on the southern tip of Myanmar's Irrawaddy Delta. the ruling military junta was widely criticised for what were called inadequate preparations and initial response to that disaster.

Key aide of Pak interior minister sacked PTi ISLAMABAD, Oct 25

Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has sacked Interior Minister Rehman Malik's key aide, who benefited from a controversial graft amnesty that was struck down by the Supreme court last year.

Sajjad Haider, the staff officer of the Interior Minister, was removed from his post yesterday in line with the apex court's order to dismiss per-

Pakistani rescue worker inspect the bodies of victims of a bomb blast, at a sufi Shrine of Hazrat Fareed Ganj Shakar, in Pakpattan, on Monday. At least five people were killed and dozen wounded, when a bomb planted on a motorcycle exploded outside the shrine.

6 killed, 15 injured in Pak blast PTi ISLAMABAD, Oct 25

A powerful bomb went off outside a Sufi shrine packed with devotees in a city in Pakistan's central Punjab province today, killing at least six persons, including two women, and injuring 15 others. two unidentified youths parked a motorcycle outside the gates of the shrine of Hazrat Baba Farid Gang-e-Shakkar, where some 300 people were present, in Pakpattan city and the blast occurred shortly there-

after at 6:20 am, witnesses said. they said the duo fled the scene after leaving the motorcycle there. two women were among the six dead, police and civil administration officials said.

Among the 15 injured also were eight women.

Several of the injured, who were in serious condition, were sent to hospitals in Lahore. the blast, which severely damaged the walls and parts of the shrine's structure, occurred near a spot where the sitting arrangement had been made for

women visiting the shrine.

Police said about 10kg of explosive was used in the blast.

Police evacuated the shrine, which was closed to visitors after the blast, and sealed off the area.

No group claimed responsibility for the blast, which was condemned by political leaders and top clerics. the taliban have been blamed for a series of bombings and suicide attacks targeting Sufi shrines in cities across Pakistan, including Lahore and Karachi.

sons who benefited from the National Reconciliation Ordinance from public offices. there was no official word on the development though sources confirmed that the premier had sacked Haider, who is very close to Malik.

Haider and Malik were both among the accused in several graft cases that were closed after former President Pervez Musharraf promulgated the NRO in late 2007.

Since it annulled the NRO last year, the apex court has been pressuring the government to take action against over 8,000 people, including President Asif Ali Zardari, who benefited from the graft amnesty. the government has so far taken action against only a handful of junior bureaucrats and officials and given no indication it will against others like Malik and Law Minister Babar Awan.

It has also ruled out action against

Zardari, saying the President enjoys immunity from prosecution.

Haider was restored in his government job in 2008 because of his links in the ruling Pakistan People's Party. the Prime Minister recently asked the Establishment Division to compile a list of people who benefited from the NRO and are currently holding public offices.

Sources said the list includes over 70 such people working in ministries and federal departments.

Biopiracy, the new threat to global food supply agencies NAGOYA, JAPAN, Oct 25

the world's largest seed and agrochemical corporations are filing hundreds of sweeping, multi-genome patents by saying they are developing "climateready" crops that will grow in a warmer world but they are actually making a bid to control global farming, the international NGO Etc Group charged here Monday.

A handful of multinational corporations are pressuring governments to allow what could become the broadest and most dangerous patent claims in history, warned the group while releasing a report on the subject at the UN convention on Biodiversity

being held here Oct 18-29. "these patents are the latest form of biopiracy," said Vandana Shiva, director of India's Research Foundation for Science, technology, and Ecology. "Farmers have bred seeds for drought, flood and salt tolerance over millennia. climate resilience ultimately depends on farmers' innovation, biodiversity and agro-ecological processes staying in the hands of farming communities."

Silvia Ribeiro of Etc Group warned: "the gene giants are stockpiling patents that threaten to put a choke-hold on the world's biomass and our future food supply. the breadth of many patent claims on climate

ready crop genes is staggering.

In many cases, a single patent or patent application claims ownership of engineered gene sequences that could be deployed in virtually all major crops - as well as the processed food and feed products derived from them."

Etc Group has identified over 262 patent families, adding up to 1,663 patent documents published worldwide (both applications and issued patents) that make specific claims on environmental stress tolerance in plants (such as drought, heat, flood, cold, salt tolerance).

DuPont, Monsanto, BASF, Bayer, Syngenta and their biotech partners account for 77

percent of the patent families identified. Just three companies - DuPont, BASF, Monsanto - account for over two-thirds of the total. Public sector researchers hold only 10 percent.

"In a desperate bid for moral legitimacy and to try to ease public acceptance of genetically modified crops, the gene giants have donated a few proprietary crop genes to poor farmers in Africa," said Ribeiro. "the quid pro quo is that developing country governments must facilitate market access for genetically modified crops and embrace biotech-friendly patent laws. It's an unacceptable tradeoff. In exchange for untested technologies, these govern-

ments are being pressured to surrender national sovereignty over intellectual property, biomass, and food."

"Governments meeting at the UN biodiversity summit must put a stop to the patent grab, yet another false solution to climate change. they should instruct their patent offices to reject or rescind all of these patents," said Etc Group's Neth Dano. "A fundamental review of all intellectual property claims in agriculture should be jointly undertaken by the cBD and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). these patents also clearly violate the FAO Seed treaty and its governing body must investigate and take action."

OHERALDO

Biz12:Pg12 10/26/2010 12:50 AM Page 1

BIZ

Pg12

GOA, TUESDAY, 26 OCTOBER, 2010

TALK BUSINESS

ICC names Castrol as official Performance Partner

PM commits to reforms, pegs growth at 9% PTI TOKYO, OCT 25

From left to right are Castrol Brand Ambassador John Abraham, A S Ramchander, marketing director, Asia Pacific Region, Ravi Shastri, Haroon Lorgat, ICC executive chief and Castrol brand ambassador Harsha Bhogle at the Castrol ICC Partnership announcement event.

PANJIM (HBD) -- The International Cricket Council (ICC) and Castrol, a leading lubricant company, announced an agreement that makes Castrol the official performance partner of ICC with a unique presence at all ICC cricket events for the next five years.

The agreement awards Castrol a worldwide rights package from 2010 until 2015 and will include the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, which will take place in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka, as well as all other ICC tournaments up to and including the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.

Castrol’s commitment to cricket is a significant addition to the company’s current portfolio of sponsorships, which includes the recently concluded 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, the UEFA EURO 2012 and the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

As the official performance partner of the ICC, Castrol will bring this system to the stadium audience of ICC’s premier cricket events like the ICC Cricket World Cup and ICC World Twenty20 as an index on the match day.

By appearing on the stadium replay screens at crucial points of the game, the Castrol Index for match days will fuel the audience’s passion and excitement in the game by updating them real-time on which team is leading and which players are the top performers at that point in the game.

Kaenat Enterprises shifts office to Miramar PANJIM (HBD) -- Kaenat Enterprises, a Goa-based five year old company headed by Amin Ladak, has moved into new office premises at Miramar.

Kaenat Enterprises provides support to MNCs wanting to establish their base in India, addressing the needs of mining, mineral processing, construction, earth moving and civil engineering space.

The company is lead by Amin H Ladak, the major partner, who is a professional engineer with a post graduate diploma in finance.

He is a Fellow of the Institute of Engineers. He has attended management development programmes at Administrative Staff College of India, Hyderabad, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. He worked for L&T at its various offices and works at Mumbai, Goa, Vizag, Bhilai, Bangalore, Pune lasting 21 years.

He has also worked for MNC’s including Svedala and Powerscreen.

He has set up his own consultancy in marketing and general management, along with this company.

Workshop on IPR with focus on drugs, pharma to be held PANJIM (HBD) -- Confederation of Indian Industry in collaboration with Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) and Government of India is conducting a 2-day seminar/workshop on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) with focus on Drugs and Pharma in Goa on November 2 and 3, 2010 at Hotel Mandovi, Panjim. V P Rao, Secretary Health Govt of Goa is the Chief Guest for the function.

The objective of the workshop is to impart in-dept knowledge to understand the nitty-gritty of IP regime with focus on select clusters for exploitation of rights granted through various IP to the best advantage of the Indian MSME's.

The 2-day workshop would also be an effective platform to develop a broad understanding of the need to Integrate IP in Innovation Strategic business planning of an MSME. Prior Registration is a must as seats are limited. For registration details contact John Fernandes at 9822982979 or 0832-2422790/6.

The topics to be covered at the workshop include Understanding various forms of IPR, Insight into International and National perspective on the importance of IPR in today’s world.

Sensex gains 137 points PTI MUMBAI, OCT 25

The BSE benchmark Sensex bounced back 137 points today, on healthy quarterly results posted by blue-chip companies and a clutch of positive economic data, coupled with firm global cues.

The 30-share barometer of the Bombay Stock Exchange ended the session at 20,303.12, higher by 137.26 points, or 0.68 per cent, with HDFC, RIL, TCS and Hindalco contributing the most.

During the session, Sensex climbed 286 points to touch a high of 20,452, but profit booking at the higher levels erased some of the early gains. On Friday, the index lost 95 points.

The National Stock Exchange’s wide-based 50-share Nifty Index too rose by 0.66 per cent to settle at 6,105.80.

Committing to carry out reforms to facilitate higher investment flows, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today expressed hope that the Indian economy will revert to high growth path of nine per cent from next fiscal and even achieve double digit expansion in coming years.

"It is my expectation that we will return to a 9 per cent growth path in 2011-12. I am confident that the strong fundamentals of the Indian economy will enable us to achieve our objective of double digit (growth) in the coming years," Singh said at business luncheon hosted by Nippon Keidanren.

He, however, admitted that there are challenges to recording such a high economic growth.

"I do not underestimate the many challenges we face in achieving such high levels of growth," the Prime Minister said.

Singh said his government is reforming both direct and indi-

rect tax system. Besides, reforms in financial sector, capital markets, education, skill development are being carried out to create favourable climate for investment.

"We are determined to continue the process of economic reforms that will create a favourable investment environment and facilitate higher investment flows," he said.

The Prime Minister hoped that there would be robust rebound in Indo-Japan trade and pegged it at over 20 billion dollars by 2012 from 10.3 billion dollars in 2009-10.

Singh said the current trade between the two countries is low as well as unbalanced.

India had trade deficit of over USD 3 billion during 2009-10 with Japan.

On specific reforms, Singh said, "We are continuing the process of reforms of both direct and indirect taxes and hope to unify in due course all indirect taxes into a single Goods and Services Tax (GST).

We are pursuing reforms in the financial sector, capital markets, higher education and skill

development."

Though global financial crisis did not have direct impact on Indian economy, its ripple impact slowed the growth to 6.7 per cent during 2008-09 against nine per cent in the previous three years.

The stimulus given by the government through cut in taxes and stepped up expenditure pushed up the growth to 7.4 per cent during 2009-10.

The growth further rose to 8.8 per cent in the first quarter of this fiscal. The Government has pegged the growth at 8.5 per cent this fiscal.

Efforts are on by the Centre to introduce GST from sometime next fiscal. In this connection, state finance ministers will meet Union finance ministry officials in Goa later this week.

The Government has also tabled Direct Taxes Code Bill in Parliament to replace the archaic Income Tax Act from April one, 2012.

Bills to reform pension system as well as private banking space are also being contemplated.

Emirates arm to enter India market AGENCY NEW DELHI/DUBAI, OCT 25

Luxury airline Emirates' travel and tour segment company Dnata World Travel Monday said it will enter the Indian market by the second quarter of 2011 and focus on the corporate travel sector.

'Initially focusing on bringing Dnata's expertise in the corporate travel sector to travellers in India, Dnata expects to commence operations by the second quarter of 2011,' the company said in a statement.

The company also plans to hire more than 100 employees for its two centralised travel service contact centres in Delhi and Mumbai.

'Unlike other regional ventures we have undertaken, we will not be have a local partner, but will be running the business and making the total investment ourselves,' said Abdulla Tawakul, senior vice president, corporate and regional network, Dnata Travel Services in Dubai.

The company, initially will also focus on corporate travel, meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions.

Feni to be exported to Australia HERALD BUSINESS DESK PANJIM, OCT 25

With global interest in India’s Food and Agricultural products growing Goa’s Feni and India’s only GI registered alcoholic beverage is also steadily going global.

Madame Rosa Distillery’s which bottles leading brands like Goan Treasure, Big Boss and PVV have exported a test load of Feni to LCBO Canada.

This market has been opened with a trial load of 192 cases of 12 bottles each with a special brand and label.

Madame Rosa Distillery has been aggressively endeavoring in promoting the Goan Spirit in select global markets with encouraging success in the USA, Sharjah and some countries in Europe.

According to Pratap Talwar of Amber Exporters, the importing associate from Canada “We were interested in the Limited Edition “Goan Treasure” Feni decanters. But because of the delicate decanters were at risk to breakage we got bottled a special label and brand with the Goan Treasure blend in it.”

To begin with in our next

Bharti to launch 3G soon

ANZ to open branch in Mumbai

PTI NEW DELHI, OCT 25

PTI MELBOURNE, OCT 25

Bharti Airtel today said it will launch the much-awaited 3G services before the end of this year, making it the third private operator in the country after Tata Teleservices and Vodafone to unveil plans for offering mobile broadband. Tata Teleservices has announced plans to launch 3G services by Diwali, while Vodafone has said it will launch the services by early 2011.

"Bharti Airtel will launch its 3G services before the end of 2010, to usher in broadband data revolution in the country," Bharti Airtel said in a statement.

3G mobile services will allow high-speed content download and broadband services.

Airtel had paid the highest Rs 12,295.46 crore (Rs 122.95 billion) for bagging 3G spectrum (radio waves) in 13 telecom circles.

Australia's leading Bank ANZ has been granted approval by the Reserve Bank of India, RBI, to open a branch in Mumbai during the first half of 2011, a media report said. To begin with, ANZ services will include trade finance, debt capital markets, cash and payments, and funding and hedging solutions, it added.

The approval for a foreign banking licence was granted after ANZ confirmed the location of the branch in WorliPrabhadevi, AAP said today.

The bank was given in-principle RBI approval in March.

ANZ chief executive for the Asia Pacific, Europe and Americas regions, Alex Thursby, said the banking licence will help ANZ to grow in India and towards the dream of becoming a super regional bank in the Asia Pacific.

IVRCL aiming to build overseas order book PTI HYDERABAD, OCT 25

IVRCL Infrastructures & Projects Ltd, a city-based infra company, is bullish on getting foreign projects and aiming to build an order book of 20 to 25 per cent from oversees market, a top company official said today.

The company said it bagged three projects worth approximately Rs 1,975 crore -– two from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Aban Offshor, 835, 843.5, 825.1, 828.6 Abb Ltd., 908.9, 919.9, 890.8, 913.2 Abg Shipyard, 363.65, 411.85, 363.65, 403.05 Acc Limited, 984, 1029, 974, 1024.55 Adani Enterp, 678.8, 684.5, 670, 674.05 Aditya Birla, 827.5, 839, 827.25, 830.95 Allahabad Ba, 253, 259.3, 249, 258.05 Alstom Proje, 792, 809.3, 789.95, 799.3 Ambuja Cemen, 140, 146.3, 140, 143.6 Andhra Bank, 181, 187.5, 181, 186 Ashok Leylan, 75.7, 76.35, 74.8, 75.05 Asian Paints, 2623, 2648, 2613, 2620.7 Axis Bank Li, 1467, 1490, 1460, 1464.55 Bajaj Hindus, 129.45, 131, 127.95, 130.25 Bank Of Baro, 985.7, 1006.95, 982, 987.05 Bank Of Indi, 540, 545, 518.15, 519.8 Beml Limited, 1147.05, 1147.05, 1128, 1130.15 Bharat Elect, 1779.95, 1782, 1770, 1778.7 Bharat Forge, 385.15, 387.7, 374.15, 376.75 Bharat Petro, 720, 729.05, 718, 723.3 Bharti Airte, 335.25, 341.5, 334.05, 337.2 Bhel, 2546, 2554.85, 2519.95, 2526.55 Bhushan Stee, 535, 541, 527.2, 533.75

and one from Nepal -- as mark of its first entry into international projects.

IVRCL bagged two water transmission projects worth Rs 1800 crore in Saudi Arabia and a Hydro-electrical project worth Rs 175 crore in Nepal.

"The company is hoping to get one more similar project from Saudi Arabia worth Rs 800 to Rs 900 core," E Sudhir Reddy chair-

Biocon Limit, 448.95, 448.95, 438, 439.15 Bombay Dyein, 620.2, 634.95, 620, 622.4 Bosch Limite, 6107, 6199, 6047, 6149 Brigade Ente, 139.95, 140.5, 137, 137.6 Cairn India, 337, 338.9, 334.45, 337 Canara Bank, 735, 744.9, 721, 725.25 Central Bank, 229.8, 242.5, 227.15, 238.7 Century Text, 502, 520.4, 502, 517.1 Cesc Ltd, 385, 385, 381, 382.3 Chambal Fert, 87.95, 89.1, 86.35, 87.1 Chennai Petr, 251.05, 252.45, 247, 248.55 Cipla Ltd, 345.2, 356.2, 345, 352.8 Colgate Palm, 867.1, 868.95, 855.1, 858.2 Container Co, 1316.9, 1317, 1291.1, 1299.75 Crompton Gre, 324, 324.9, 319, 322.05 Cummins Indi, 745, 750.15, 743.1, 747.55 Dabur India, 103.8, 104.5, 103.5, 103.85 Deccan Chron, 127, 130.65, 126.15, 128.85 Dish Tv Indi, 55.8, 57.9, 55.4, 57.3 Divi’s Labor, 715.9, 725, 707.25, 720.8 Dlf Limited, 365, 372.4, 364, 365.8 Dr. reddy’s, 1630.1, 1649.7, 1620.5, 1638.6 Edelweiss Ca, 65.85, 66.15, 63, 63.7

man IVRCL said.

Reddy said he looks at IVRCL's entry into the international projects initially through its core strength area, water sector and subsequently into other sectors.

"With this entry, the company has plans to build an order book of over 20-25 per cent from overseas projects, besides targeting diversification into new regions," he said.

"We are hoping to get one

Educomp Solu, 614.5, 621.25, 603.1, 605.95 Eih Limited, 132.5, 134, 132.05, 132.65 Engineers In, 355.5, 355.5, 349.25, 350.8 Essar Oil Lt, 151, 152.8, 146.85, 147.85 Essar Shippi, 114.4, 114.4, 110, 111.3 Exide Indust, 158.3, 158.9, 155.25, 156.35 Federal Bank, 480.8, 480.8, 471.8, 476.85 Financial Te, 1152, 1155, 1140, 1141.8 Gail (india), 507, 509.8, 502.3, 505.1 Gammon India, 199.9, 201.05, 198, 198.4 Glaxosmithkl, 2358, 2370.8, 2346.65, 2352.35 Glenmark Pha, 319, 323.8, 315, 319.25 Gmr Infrastr, 54.1, 54.2, 53.15, 53.3 Godrej Indus, 220.5, 221.5, 219.05, 219.65 Grasim Indus, 2260, 2294.95, 2260, 2273.9 Great Offsho, 395.1, 400.6, 389.7, 394.1 Gtl Infra.Lt, 45, 45, 44.25, 44.7 Gujarat Mine, 139.6, 140.3, 138.7, 139.55 Gujarat N R, 63.7, 64.9, 63.5, 64.5 Gujarat Stat, 124.95, 125.7, 123.05, 123.55 Gvk Pow. & I, 44.8, 44.95, 43.25, 43.55 Hcl Technolo, 418.55, 425.5, 417.35, 424.55 Hdfc Bank Lt, 2336, 2367.5, 2299, 2304.7

Hdfc Ltd, 700, 711.95, 695, 706.5 Hero Honda M, 1870, 1885, 1843.05, 1862.95 Hindalco in, 213.25, 223.7, 213.25, 221.2 Hindustan Co, 63.8, 64.2, 63.2, 63.55 Hindustan Ma, 73.35, 74.15, 72.8, 73.05 Hindustan Pe, 501.5, 504.5, 497.05, 501.15 Hindustan Un, 303.2, 308.4, 302.5, 306.3 Hindustan Zi, 1239.6, 1275, 1238.05, 1262.5 Housing Dev, 268, 270.95, 267.5, 269.2 Icici Bank L, 1138, 1157.9, 1135, 1142.1 Idea Cellula, 73.5, 73.9, 71.15, 71.6 Ifci Ltd, 74.4, 74.4, 73, 73.65 India Cement, 119, 122.6, 113.4, 116.15 India Infoli, 119.2, 119.4, 116.2, 117.95 Indiabulls F, 214.8, 221.8, 213.5, 217.5 Indiabulls R, 212.8, 212.8, 206.85, 210.9 Indian Bank, 305, 308.35, 301.25, 303.9 Indian Hotel, 100, 100.35, 99.1, 99.3 Indian Oil C, 435, 435, 425, 430.5 Indian Overs, 164.7, 164.7, 161.05, 163.25 Indus Dev Ba, 171.5, 173, 168.7, 169.45 Indusind Ban, 277, 278, 273.6, 274.8

more water project worth Rs 800 to Rs 900 crore in Saudi Arabia soon," Reddy told PTI adding currently they are looking at 10 more oversees projects in different parts of the world.

The company has been awarded a contract for construction of main civil works for Rahughat Hydroelectric Project, a 32 MW hydro electric power project in Nepal.

Infosys Tech, 3058.8, 3074.9, 3010.1, 3019.15 Infra. dev., 202.7, 207.3, 201.2, 206 Ispat Indust, 21.15, 21.4, 20.45, 20.65 Itc Ltd, 173.25, 173.4, 168.6, 169.15 Ivrcl Infras, 153.05, 155.9, 152.5, 153.15 Jai Corp Lim, 254, 255, 250.5, 251.35 Jaiprakash A, 126.5, 127.4, 124, 125.55 Jet Airways, 790, 802, 786, 790.5 Jindal Saw L, 229.4, 234.4, 221.95, 223.85 Jindal Steel, 712.75, 720, 707.5, 717.25 Jsw Steel Li, 1262.75, 1276.9, 1231.55, 1239.25 Kotak Mahind, 497, 504, 495.2, 502.05 Lakshmi Mach, 2836, 2865, 2745.5, 2769.25 Lanco Infrat, 67, 67.5, 66, 66.15 Larsen & Tou, 2030, 2045, 2018, 2034.65 Lic Housing, 1364, 1377.85, 1355.7, 1370 Lupin Limite, 444, 459.5, 443.25, 454.7 Mahanagar Te, 67.5, 70.95, 66.65, 70.45 Mahindra & M, 703.5, 720.25, 701.1, 714.7 Maruti Suzuk, 1504.9, 1525.9, 1500.2, 1507 Max India Lt, 170.5, 172.45, 167, 167.75

The Centre has provided the Line of Credit facility through EXIM Bank for the project.

The project is a run-of-river scheme with 6 km long headrace tunnel and a surface powerhouse, located in Myagdi district, west of Pokhara, Nepal.

The completion period is 42 months.

The water projects in Saudi are to be completed in 36 months, IVRCL said.

Maytas Infr., 195, 205, 195, 198.85 Moser-baer (, 69.5, 70, 68.3, 68.75 Mrpl, 83, 85.5, 82.55, 84.2 Nagarjuna Co, 154.8, 156.4, 151.4, 151.85 Nagarjuna Fe, 34.6, 34.95, 34.1, 34.25 National Alu, 402, 403.75, 398.5, 399.3 Neyveli Lign, 167.4, 169.15, 165.9, 166.7 Ntpc Ltd, 204.1, 209, 204.1, 207.55 Oil And Natu, 1360, 1362, 1343.8, 1346.85 Omaxe Limite, 151, 152.25, 148, 149.6 Oriental Ban, 495.05, 502.95, 487.55, 500.75 Pantaloon Re, 480.95, 483, 473.1, 474.2 Parsvnath De, 67.5, 69.3, 67.25, 68.8 Petronet Lng, 128.2, 129.9, 120.6, 121.7 Power Fin Co, 370, 379.3, 368.05, 375.35 Power Grid C, 107.1, 107.9, 103.35, 103.75 Praj Industr, 72, 72.3, 70.85, 71.2 Punj Lloyd L, 130.15, 130.65, 127.25, 127.75 Punjab Natio, 1336, 1354.9, 1335, 1350.85 Rajesh Expor, 108.5, 110.95, 108, 110.05 Ranbaxy Labs, 610, 616.9, 608, 612.2 Rashtriya Ch, 106.75, 107.2, 103.25, 103.85

container which we will send to Australia we are in the midst of developing a special export packaging to ensure we take the ‘Goan Treasure’ to satisfy the demand for Feni from the Diaspora Goan Australians.

Meanwhile, the Limited Edition Goan Treasure decanters are available at all leading vendors in Goa retailed at Rs 750 a decanter.

BOARD MEETINGS Hinduja Vent Hindustan Media Shriram Asset Allied Digital IBN18 Solar Inds Infomedia 18 Sterlite Inds Jindal Steel Swaraj Engines JSW Steel Tata Invest Tech Mahindra Birla Corp Blue Dart Marico Bosch TV Eighteen BSL Mount Everest Min Central Bank DCM Shriram Cons United Phos Deepak Fert NTPC Dena Bank Dish TV India Patni Computer Voltas Raymond HCL Infosystems Source: Indiainfoline.com

Rel. nat. re, 39.45, 40.05, 39.35, 39.6 Reliance Cap, 824.65, 833.95, 824, 826.15 Reliance Com, 179.5, 181.5, 177.2, 179.55 Reliance Ene, 1172.5, 1210, 1172.5, 1194.71 Reliance Ind, 872, 888, 870, 872.05 Reliance Ind, 1088, 1101.9, 1086, 1090.35 Reliance Pow, 160.1, 161.9, 160, 160.3 Rolta India, 167.8, 170.8, 164.3, 168.65 Satyam Compu, 82.4, 82.4, 81.1, 81.4 Sesa Goa Ltd, 348, 350.8, 335, 335.7 Shipping Cor, 180, 183.5, 179.15, 181.7 Siemens Ltd, 840, 856.15, 830.25, 839.3 Sintex Indus, 436.25, 439.4, 424.1, 425.5 Sobha Develo, 375.5, 382, 373, 375.05 State Bank O, 3209, 3252.4, 3208, 3239.2 Steel Author, 221, 221.9, 218.1, 219.05 Sterlite Ind, 170.8, 174, 170.2, 172.55 Sun Pharmace, 2154, 2157, 2129, 2137.75 Sun Tv Netwo, 519.85, 524, 515.2, 517.45 Suzlon Energ, 59.9, 60.2, 58.25, 58.7 Tata Communi, 318.05, 322.9, 316.35, 319.1 Tata Consult, 1043, 1072.95, 1037.2, 1066.95

Tata Motors, 1155.3, 1189.9, 1155.3, 1185.65 Tata Power C, 1440, 1440, 1407, 1413.6 Tata Steel L, 624.4, 630.8, 619.1, 620.25 Tata Teleser, 24.3, 24.55, 23.9, 24.35 Tech Mahindr, 767.7, 771.5, 761, 764.65 The Ge Shpg., 328, 337.4, 328, 335.7 The Phoenix, 245.15, 253, 244.55, 251.7 Thermax Ltd, 792, 797.85, 781.6, 784.45 Titan Indust, 3219, 3312, 3219, 3289.9 Torrent Powe, 316.8, 317.9, 310.15, 311.25 Triveni Engg, 118, 118.85, 116.7, 117.7 Tv18 India L, 85.7, 88, 84.2, 87.55 Uco Bank, 126.9, 132.4, 126.9, 131 Ultratech Ce, 1112.8, 1115, 1094.05, 1098 Union Bank O, 419, 419, 410, 411.35 Unitech Ltd, 89.2, 90.6, 89.1, 89.75 United Phosp, 215.25, 219.7, 208.95, 217.15 Videocon Ind, 267.2, 269.25, 264, 265 Vijaya Bank, 108.1, 109.85, 107.35, 109.05 Voltas Ltd, 241, 245, 235.2, 244.05 Wipro Ltd, 446.5, 450, 425.65, 430.35 Yes Bank Lim, 372, 374, 366, 372.35 Zee Entertai, 285.15, 286.85, 283.5, 284.7

OHERALDO

Biz13:Layout 1 10/25/2010 10:08 PM Page 1

Pg13

BIZ

GOA, TUESDAY, 26 OCTOBER, 2010

PM urges closer Japan ties for Asian growth REUTERS NEW DELHI, OCT 25

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday urged closer ties with Japan to bolster Asian economic growth, as Tokyo struggles to offset the risk of its growing dependence on giant rival China.

Trade and investment flows with India have been unspectacular as Japanese firms focused on business with China and Southeast Asia, but recent Sino-Japanese tensions have underscored the risk of reliance on China's dynamism to help Japan's stalled economy. India Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Prime Minister Naoto Kan were expected to agree later on Monday to hold annual ministerial economic talks and to expedite negotiations, begun in June, on a pact that would give Japanese firms access to India's fast-growing market, the Nikkei business daily said last week.

"I strongly believe that we can, and we must, synergise our complimentary stance to impart new momentum to Asia as well as global economic growth and prosperity," Singh, in Tokyo until Tuesday, told a group of business leaders from both countries.

Sino-Japanese relations deteriorated sharply last month after Japan detained a Chinese trawler captain whose boat collided with Japanese patrol ships near a chain of disputed islands in the East China Sea,

DHFL Q2 net up 149.18 % PANJIM (HBD) -- The Board of Directors of DHFL announced the un-audited results for the second quarter ended on September 30, 2010. DHFL net profit jumped by 149.18 % to Rs 58.04 crore for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 as against Rs 37.51 crore in the corresponding quarter previous year. The company registered a 123.69 per cent growth in PBT to Rs 112.83 crore for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 as against Rs 50.44 crore in the corresponding quarter previous year.

called Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China.

Concerns remain in Japan that Beijing is holding back shipments of rare earth minerals, vital for electronic goods and auto parts, following the dispute.

"Japan wants to cultivate India as a strategic partner to offset problems in its relationship with China," said Jeffrey Kingston, director of Asia studies at Temple University's Japan campus.

"Japan remains economically closely tied to China and will for the foreseeable future, but clearly, it behooves the Japanese government and businesses to hedge their bets," he added.

Trade between Japan and India, Asia's second and third biggest economies respectively, totaled 940 billion yen ($11.55 billion), four percent of Japan's trade with China.

ECONOMIC PARTNERS In September, Tokyo and New Delhi clinched a basic accord in September on an economic partnership agreement (EPA) to promote two-way trade and investment, concluding more than three years of wrangling over such sticking points as tariffs on Japanese car parts and tough checks on Indian pharmaceutical goods.

Singh said he hoped Japan's decision to treat Indian generic drugs the same as domestic products and finish approval procedures smoothly would create new business chances

for India drug companies including makers of generic medicines.

Japan has been stepping up efforts to strengthen overall ties with India, with the two countries agreeing on closer security cooperation in December 2009.

They also started talks in June on a civil nuclear energy deal that would give Japanese firms access to the rapidly growing market amid rising global competition.

Firms from countries such as the United States, France and Russia have scrambled for a foothold in India's civilian nuclear market, worth about $150 billion, after a 2008 U.S. nuclear accord opened global access to it.

But Japan, the only country to suffer a nuclear attack, wants the deal to make clear that Tokyo would halt nuclear cooperation if New Delhi conducted another test, Japanese media said, a stance India has so far rejected.

"As regards the tests, we have unilaterally declared a moratorium on explosive testing and we have no intention not to abide by that commitment," the Nikkei business daily quoted Singh as saying in an interview with Japanese media before leaving for Japan.

Singh also said the mining and refining of rare earth metals was another area in which the two countries could cooperate.

Sesa Goa plans $6.7 b steel plants REUTERS MUMBAI, OCT 25

Iron ore exporter Sesa Goa plans to invest up to Rs 30,000 crore to build steel plants in Orissa and Jharkhand, it was reported on Monday.

Sesa, a unit of London-listed Vedanta Resources , may tie up with a global steel producer for the projects, it was reported, quoting Sesa Goa managing director P K Mukherjee.

The company plans to set up a 5-million-tonnes a year steel plant in Orissa. Group firm Sterlite Industries had earlier signed a preliminary agreement with the state for the project.

Sesa also plans to build an up to 1.5-million-tonne steel plant in neighbouring Jharkhand, it was reported.

Sesa Goa officials were not immediately available for comment.

Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Kamal Nath is scheduled to arrive in Goa on October 26 for the felicitation of Eduardo Faleiro, Commissioner NRI Affairs, Goa on his having completed 70 years.

The felicitation of Eduardo Faleiro will take place at 4.30 pm on October 26 at the hands of Kamal Nath at the Talegiao

Community Hall. Speakers at the event are from a very diverse background and are testimony to the very broad appeal of Faleiro who was a five time member of parliament from Goa and the first Goan MP in the union cabinet handling various portfolios as Minister of State including external affairs, economic affairs, chemicals and fertilisers and others.

Corporate India today urged the Reserve Bank not to further tighten its key rates during its monetary policy review next month, on the ground that interest rates are already very high.

"Liquidity is tight...I think it would be desirable to pause for a little while before we take any further steps and I think the current situation warrants a pause," Larsen and Toubro's Chief Financial Officer, Y M Deosthalee, said after meeting RBI top brass.

RBI has hiked its key lending rates -- the repo at which it lends to banks and the reverse repo at which it borrows from them -- five times this year after the dust caused by global slowdown settled down and headline inflation numbers kept on increasing.

The apex bank says the calibrated hikes are a part of its efforts to tame inflation and necessary as the economic climate normalises. It is widely speculated that the RBI will hike its key rates by 0.25 per cent each in this policy.

Rate hikes have a direct impact on interest rates and the industry wants to borrow at lower rates to fund its projects.

The RBI will be coming out with its quarterly monetary policy review on November 2 and senior officials today elicited views from trade bodies, corporates and rating agencies for the same.

President of industry body, Assocham, Swati Piramal, also said that "(since) the interest rates are already high," the Chamber is against "further tightening" of the rates which was conveyed (to the RBI) today.

Rating agency ICRA's MD and chief executive, Naresh Thakkar, also said that the RBI should pause on rate hikes.

"Investment demand is showing some signs of a slowdown and overall, we are getting mixed signals. There is merit in waiting for things to clear," he said.

While asking the RBI not to jack-up rates, exporters' body, Federation of Indian Export Organisations emphasised the need for more steps to tackle

Wal-Mart sees progress in India REUTERS NEW DELHI, OCT 25

Wal-Mart Stores Inc sees progress in India opening up foreign direct investment in multi-brand retail, its chief executive officer said on Monday.

"I see progress," Mike Duke told reporters in India's capital city. "Feeling I get is very positive in the discussions we have had," he said, adding that the company and its joint venture would address their India plans according to the possible changes in India's foreign investment policy.

Wal-Mart, in an equal partnership with India's top telecoms group Bharti Enterprise, operates four cash-and-carry outlets in India and also supplies to retail stores run by Bharti.

India's $450-billion retail sector, with organised retail ac-

counting for just 6 percent, is largely closed to foreign firms and favours small stores, which provide livelihoods for hundreds of thousands and serve a market of more than 1 billion.

Duke said he was optimistic about Wal-Mart's business in the US for the upcoming Christmas season, adding that the company has taken steps to have a more positive shopping season compared with 2009.

Most top retailers such as Wal-Mart and Carrefour have been waiting for India to ease foreign ownership restrictions to begin retail operation.

India's current rules limit foreign direct investment in single-brand retail outlets to 51 percent, while retailers that carry multiple brands are restricted to cash-and-carry or wholesale outlets.

the volatility in exchange rate.

The Rupee has been steadily appreciating against the dollar on the back of record capital flows into India which has the potential to make the country's exports uncompetitive in the international market.

The RBI Governor had recently said that the central bank would intervene in the

India's exports shot up by an annualised 23.2 per cent in September, 2010, to a two-year high of USD 18.02 billion, but even faster import growth increased concerns over the country's widening trade gap.

The country is on track to surpass the export target of $200 billion for the current fiscal, Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said.

In the April-September period of the 2010-11 fiscal, exports aggregated to USD 103.30 billion, a 27.6% increase vis-Ă -vis the year-ago period.

"In the first six months of this year, we have done well.

We are on very much on track... to cross $200 billion," Sharma said.

Earlier, releasing the export-

AGENCY LONDON, OCT 25

Qatar has an interest in buying London auction house Christie's should the situation arise, the country's leader said.

Emir Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani said that he would not hesitate to bid for the auction house should the opportunity arise.

Qatar was building a museum to which Christie's, with its widespread connections, could contribute a great deal, he added.

Christie's has in recent years expanded its business in the Middle East, and Qatar is known to want to establish its status as a cultural nation in the region, the newspaper said.

Christie's was not immediately available for comment Monday.

But a spokeswoman was quoted as telling the Financial Times that no formal offer has been received.

The Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry have taken the initiative to form the felicitation committee and its convenors include Ramakant Khalap and Cesar Menezes.

The speakers include Sripad Naik, Member of Parliament, Subhash Shirodkar, President Goa Pradesh Congress committee and Christopher Fonseca, President Goa Trade and Commercial Workers Union.

Corporate India against rate hikes PTI MUMBAI, OCT 25

PTI NEW DELHI, OCT 25

Qatar keen to buy Christie's auction house

Kamal Nath to arrive for Faleiro felicitation today HERALD BUSINESS DESK PANJIM, OCT 25

Sept exports highest in 2 years at $18.02 bn

forex market if it feels the inflows are "lumpy".

Vodafone 1st Pvt player with 3G PANJIM (HBD) -- Vodafone Essar Ltd demonstrated its 3G services for its customers in India.

Marten Pieters, MD, Vodafone Essar, made the first 3G video call from Mumbai to Delhi.

Vodafone Essar is the first private telecom company in the country to showcase a 3G video call. Vodafone acquired 3G spectrum in 10 circles â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil

import figures for September, Commerce Secretary Rahul Khullar said the growth could be partly attributed to the low base in the previous year and increasing prices.

However, "this is the first month in which, for the last two years, exports this year are higher than 2008-09 and 200910," Khullar said.

India's exports were severely impacted due to the global economic slowdown and totalled only $14.6 billion in September, 2009. India's exports were valued at $15.8 billion in September, 2008.

After remaining in the red for 13 months in a row, exports have been growing since November, 2009. However, imports grew even faster, by 26.1% to $27.14 billion in Sept.

Cumulative imports in AprilSeptember, 2010, added up to USD 166.5 billion, translating into a massive trade gap of USD 63.2 billion during the sixmonth period.

In the first six months of the fiscal, imports of petroleum

and related items went up by 54 per cent, gems and jewellery by 21 per cent and engineering items by 41 per cent.

The trade deficit in September alone was USD 9.12 billion, the Secretary said. However, this was lower than the USD 13 billion deficit in August.

Except for iron ore, electronic items, man-made fibre and handicrafts, exports from other sectors, including gems and jewellery, engineering goods and apparels, witnessed growth.

Rupee not yet volatile: Sharma REUTERS NEW DELHI, OCT 25

The rupee cannot yet be called volatile, Trade Minister Anand Sharma said on Monday.

The local unit has appreciated close to 5% since the beginning of the year, part of a broad rise in emerging economy currencies as investors seek better returns in these markets. The flood of money into emerging markets is causing a major headache for policymakers who worry their surging currencies will hurt exports, stunting economic growth.

SPORTS

Pg 14

GOA, Tuesday, 26 October, 2010

Manohar Azgaonkar, sports minister, inaugurating the West Zone Badminton Championship in the presence of V. M. Prabhudesai, executive director, SAG, Richard Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Sousa, president, GBA, Narahar Thakur, joint secretary, BAI, organising secretary, Gaurish Dhond and Baburao Naik at Campal on Monday.

Gujarat shuttlers too good for Goa HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, OCT 25

Gujarat thumped Goa 3-1 in NRB Inter-State West Zone Badminton Championship at SAG Indoor Stadium, Campal, here

on Monday.

Results: Rahimatoola cup quarters (men): Vivek Ojha bt Floyd Araujo 21-17, 21-15; Govind Navelkar bt Tejas Shah 21-9, 21-13; Arvind Gangani and Vivek Ojha bt Govind Navelkar and Pankaj Naik 21-12, 21-18; Hardik Patel bt Sunny Sawant 21-15, 21-10.

Chadha Cup quarters (women): Chhattisgarh bt Goa 2-0. Juhi Devangan bt Anura Prabhudesai 2113, 21-7; Juhi Devangan and Sangeeta Rajgopalan bt Anushka Kuvelkar and Pranjal Chimulkar 21-14, 21-12.

Narang Cup quarters (boys): Chhattisgarh bt Goa 2-0.

Shreyansh Jaiswal bt Sharmad Mahajan 16-21, 21-8, 21-9; Shreyansh Jaiswal and Aditya Nair bt Sharmad Mahajan and Aniket Shenai 21-17, 21-9.

Shafi Qureshi Cup quarters (girls): Chattisgarh bt Goa 2-0.

Juhi Devangan bt Anushka Kuvelkar 21-18, 23-21; Juhi Devan-

gan and Deepali Gupta bt Anushka Kuvelkar and Pranjal Chimulkar 21-12, 19-21, 21-19.

Semi-finals: Narang Cup (boys): Gujarat bt MP 2-1. Tejas Shah 21-8, 21-15 lost to Anurag Thakkar 8-21, 15-21; Tejas Shah and Aamir Sumra bt Shyam Patidar and Azad Yadav 23-21, 2117; Aamir Sumra bt Azad Yadav 21-19, 21-16.

Maharashtra bt Chhattisgarh 2-0. Subhankar Dey bt Shreyansh Jaiswal 21-19, 21-13; Sarang Lakhanee and Bishal Das bt Shreyansh Jaiswal and Aditya Nair 21-17, 19-21, 21-11.

Shafi Qureshi Cup (girls): Gujarat bt Chhattisgarh 2-0. Anjali Rawat bt Juhi Dewagan 21-13, 21-13; Anjali Rawat and Nimmi Patel bt Juhi Dewagan and Tanvi Shukla 21-9, 21-7.

Maharashtra bt MP 2-0. Riya Pillai bt Khusbu Patel 21-15, 214; Sayee Purandare and Mansi Gadgil bt Rashi Bhalna and Khusbu Patel 13-21, 21-11, 21-15.

Ivana win, Riddhi held HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, OCT 25

WCM Ivana Furtado secured 4.5 points beating Biryukov Alice 1693 in the fifth round and WFM Rosales Pierina of Peru in the sixth round in U-12 girls at World Youth chess championship in Halkaidiki, Greece.

Riddi Zantye on 4.5 points drew with Adyasa Mahapatra of India in the fifth round and Badelko Olga of Bulgaria in the sixth round in U-8 girls.

WIM Bhakti Kulkarni, four

points, beat WFM Le hoang Tran Chau 2082 of Vietnam in the fifth round and drew with Grigorian Marine 2178 of Russia in the sixth round in U-18 girls.

Riya Savant, on four points, drew with Valeva Ana of Bulgaria in the fifth round and Moses Selina of Germany in the sixth round in U-10 girls.

Nitish Belurkar on four points beat Nizamov Bulat of Russia in the fifth round and Hoghmrtsyan Artur of Armania in the sixth round in U-10.

Ganeshraj to lead cricket team HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, OCT 25

Ganeshraj Narvekar will lead the State U-19 cricket team for Vinod Mankad Trophy from October 26 to November 2 in Goa. Other team members Amogh Desai, Srinivas Phadte, Rohit Naik, Sunny Kanekar,

Keenan Vaz, Darshan Misal, Sayyed Badiuzzama, Vithal Gawas, Vikas Shetty, Sherman Vaz, Nandesh Falari, Durgesh Prabhugaonkar, Yogesh Barde, Sachin Khokar.

Avinash Aware (coach), Kashinath Chari (assistant coach), Prajesh Parab (trainer) and Tracy Fernandes (physio).

Clinton, Alvito excel for Consua HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, OCT 25

Clinton Noronha and Alvito Fernandes netted a brace each to give Parish Youth, Consua a remarkable 5-3 victory over Patrong Sports Club in GFA's Third

Division at Tilak Maidan, Vasco on Monday.

Reagan Fernandes was also on the score sheet for Parish Youth. Anug Kavlekar, Jose Alfonso and Jeremy Menezes scored for Patrong SC.

Don Bosco outclass Navelim HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, OCT 25

Don Bosco Oratory got the better of Navelim Sporting Club 10 to enter the semi-finals of Lourdes soccer organised by United Club of Utorda at SAG ground, Utorda on Monday.

Don Bosco keeper effected an excellent save to keep the scoreboard blank.

Changing ends, Don Bosco took the lead through Vincent Barbosa from a neat pass by Ovilito Dias. The goal proved to be the match-winner.

Maina blank Fr Agnel HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, OCT 25

Maina Sports Club blanked Fr Agnel Youth Club, Paroda 3-0 to enter the finals of Sebastiao Rosario Dias memorial inter-village football tournament organised by Davorlim Sports Club at Zorivaddo, Davorlim on Monday.

Maina were leading 3-0 at half time.

The highlight of the day was a brilliant brace by Agnel Martins. Maina dominated the entire proceedings. Maina did not have to wait for long as striker Sertorio Monteiro punished the rival goalkeeper with a snap shot.

Maina doubled the lead when Agnel Martins scored with a stiff grounder.

Rossman up HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, OCT 25

Rossman Cruz Sports Club, Nagoa prevailed over Maina Sports Club 5-4 via the tiebreaker to march into the quarter-finals of Nagoa Cup football tournament organised by Rossman Cruz Sports Club at Nagoa ground on Monday.

The teams were locked goalless at the end of regulation period.

Agnel Martins rounded off the tally and completed his brace late in the second half.

Maina will meet Don Bosco Oratory, Fatorda in the finals on October 31.

Third Division football: Cross Boys v. Chicalim Youth Club, Tilak Maidan, Vasco; Jawahar Club v. Siridao SC, Taleigao ground. Kick off 4 p.m.

Vinod Mankad cricket U-19 trophy: Hyderabad v. AP, Porvorim; Karnataka v. Goa, Nehru Stadium, Fatorda; TN v. Kerala, BITS Pilani, Vasco, 9 a.m.

37th Candolim Panchayat Cup soccer: Pilerne SC v.

Calangute Association, Dr. Gustavo Monteiro Stadium, Candolim, 4.30 p.m.

4th All-Goa Late Eslinda Alemao inter-village soccer: Betalbatim SC v. Carmona SC, Navelim ground, 4.30 p.m.

Lourdes soccer Utorda: Verna SC v. United Club of Benaulim, SAG Utorda ground, 4.30 p.m.

Pg 15

SPORTS GOA, Tuesday, 26 October, 2010

Villarreal go to second spot AGENCIES MADRID, OCT 25

Villarreal moved into second place in the Spanish league thanks to a 2-0 victory over Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

Ruben “Cani” Garcia put Villarreal ahead after nine minutes as he poked Nilmar’s slick pass into the area past goalkeeper David De Gea to finish a quick counterattack.

Giuseppe Rossi’s impressive individual effort inside the area ended with the Italy striker tucking a shot inside the near post past De Gea to double the lead in the 52nd against a frustrated Atletico team.

Coach Quique Sanchez Flores was sent from the touchline during halftime for protesting a penalty appeal in the first half ’s final moments, when Sergio Aguero was tripped up inside the area while chasing the re-

bound from Diego LA LIGA Godin’s shot.

L u i s Fa b i a n o Osasuna ........3 Malaga ........0 e n d e d a t w o - Espanyol ......2 Levante ......1 month scoring drought with two Almeria ..........1 Hercules ......1 goals Sunday as Getafe ............3 S Gijon ........0 Sevilla beat Athletic Sevilla ............4 A Bilbao ......3 Bilbao 4-3 in a match marked by a Villarreal ........2 A Madrid ......0 dramatic last half Fernando Navarro’s sending off hour.

Luis Fabiano controlled Fred- in the 64th as Fernando Llorente eric Kanoute’s failed effort to headed Markel Susaeta’s cross score in the 35th minute for his into the bottom corner before scoring from the rebound of his first goal since August.

The Brazil striker then earned own saved penalty for his sixth a 45th-minute penalty that goal of the season.

“The game got crazy with Kanoute converted to deflate the Basque visitors, before rac- the sending off,” Sevilla coach ing past Athletic’s defense to Gregorio Manzano said. “But we reach Ndri Romaric’s long ball were better than Athletic.”

The frantic close saw Kanoute in the 62nd and tap a looping shot over goalkeeper Gorka step up for another penalty score in the 80th before Igor Gabilondo Iraizoz for 3-0.

But Athletic was given life by headed home Athletic’s third

deep into injury time.

Earlier, Iran internationals Javad Nekounam and Masoud Soleimani each scored to lead Osasuna out of the relegation places with a 3-0 victory over Malaga.

Nekounam converted a thirdminute penalty before Soleimani capped a good buildup with a thunderous volley in the 37th.

Carlos Aranda scored the in the 53rd for Osasuna to move up the standings.

Also, Espanyol stayed perfect at home and continued its good start to the season with a 2-1 win over Levante while Getafe beat Sporting Gijon 3-0.

On Saturday, Real Madrid routed Racing Santander 6-1, Barcelona beat Zaragoza 2-0 and Mallorca won 2-1 at Valencia, which has 16 points. Espanyol has 15 points and Sevilla 14.

Mallorca beat Valencia 2-1.

Duler Stadium, professionalism, floodlights top Dempo’s agenda immediate attention of Dempo.

A paid general secretary will be “I will seek Peter Vaz’s help to appointed soon. “Let me examcomplete the Duler Stadium ine the applications that we have project in Mapusa, received, or else we take up the floodwill have to adopt anlights installation at other selection Nehru Stadium, Faprocess,” Dempo torda, raise infrapointed out and structure, galvanise added that the adyouth development ministration has to be programmes and decentralised. professionalise the “The quantum of GFA administration. work undertaken durThese are among the ing the past 15 days list of priorities,” dis- Shrinivas V Dempo is just unimaginable. closed the newly elected presi- It was an enlightening experident Shrinivas V Dempo on ence, working for nearly 14 to Sunday.

16 hours non-stop and meeting Dempo, who will officially take all the football clubs. I have over the reins on Friday, when never worked this much in my the first meeting of the Executive own office, but it was a very reCommittee will be warding experience. held, spelt out his viI hope to meet with sion for further upliftthe clubs again,” exment of Goan pressed Dempo. football.

“We have to work “Floodlights must now as a united team be given top priority for scaling newer, and if I need be, I am greater heights. willing to contribute Every member has a with necessary firole to play and I nances, I am ever willwant to empower all Savio Messias ing to do so. We had to serve better under to shift our AFC Cup matches to the new constitution. And, most Hyderabad in the past and per- importantly, we have to move haps with the money we spent ahead professionally. We are acon that, it perhaps would have countable to all the clubs and been possible to get the flood- as such we must deliver on our lights,’ remarked Dempo. promises. The clubs have their Revamping the administration own strengths and we must and setting feeder offices is an- make their best use,” spelt out other area that has caught the Dempo.

HERALD SPORTS REPORTER PANJIM, OCT 25

Dempo was happy that all af- clubs. I have a vision which I filiated clubs turned up and ex- will share first with all in the Exercised their right to voting. ecutive Committee and in a Meanwhile, Savio Messias said spirit of coordination and cohe has demitted the operation see that office of general secunitedly and effecretary with immeditively we work for ate effect and that he further upliftment of would he handing Goan football,” Elvis over the charge to added.

Dempo on Friday.

Alirio Lobo, the afSavio, while expressfable secretary of ing his gratitude to Calangute Associathe 51 clubs who tion, who was elected voted for him yestert o t h e E xe c u t i v e Elvis Gomes day, and all his supCommittee for the porters stated that he would first time, said that he was incontinue to give his best for the debted to the Bardez and Ilhas cause of Goan football which clubs for electing him from North shall forever remain at the centre Goa District. “The completion of the heart. “I gave everything of Duler Stadium project will be for Goan football for the past my topmost priority so that the seven years and I am Bardez fans in partichappy that some ular can get better faclubs have apprecicilities and amenities. ated that against very The plans have alheavy odds and that’s ready been submitthe reward which will ted and we need to be cherished the do the follow up most,” signed off work,” Alirio said and Savio, who made himpointed out that this self available everybeing his maiden day during the past entry, he would conAlirio Lobo seven years, without tribute with all his receiving a single paise. might as well as that of Elvis Gomes, the senior vice- Calangute Association and all president, hailed the clubs from the clubs to take Goan football Salcete and Mormugao (South to a new level, of course with Goa) for reposing their confi- the backing of all in the Executive dence for second time in suc- Committee, he remarked. “It’s cession. “More work needs to time for work and action now be done and certainly there are as a great, collaborative team. very high expectations from the Team work is essential.”

Lazio beat Cagliari, keep lead minute equalizer for Inter after Stefano Guberti had put SampLazio extended its surprising doria ahead at the San Siro. It run at the top of the Serie A was Eto’o’s 19th goal in 16 table with a 2-1 win over Cagliari matches for club and country on Sunday, with Sergio Floccari this season. scoring one goal and setting up Lazio tops the table through another. eight rounds and in each of the Floccari found the net from last seven seasons the leader at the edge of the area in the 21st this point has gone on to win minute at the Stadio Olimpico the Italian league.

Lazio’s success SERIE A has provided a sharp Parma ............0 Roma ..........0 contrast with the of city rival Genoa ............1 Catania ........0 struggles AS Roma, which setLecce ............2 Brescia ........1 tled for a 0-0 draw Udinese ........2 Palermo ......1 at last-place Parma the new Serie A Chievo ..........2 Cesena ........1 in lunchtime fixture, a Lazio ..............2 Cagliari ........1 result which will inBologna ........0 Juventus ....0 crease pressure on embattled coach Inter Milan ....1 Sampdoria ..1 Claudio Ranieri.

Also Sunday, Juand then provided a pass that v en tu s f o r w a rd V in c en zo resulted in Stefano Mauri’s goal Iaquinta had a penalty saved in in the 53rd before Alessandro a 0-0 draw at Bologna.

Matri pulled one back for Juventus was awarded a conCagliari in the 59th. troversial penalty in the 34th Lazio has won six of its open- when Milos Krasic fell to the ing eight matches and has 19 ground after slight contact with points, four ahead of Inter Milan, defender Daniele Portanova. which drew 1-1 with Sampdoria, After vehement protests from and five ahead of AC Milan, Bologna, the hosts got some which visits Napoli on Monday. satisfaction when goalkeeper Samuel Eto’o scored an 80th- E m i l i a n o V i v i a n o s a v e d AGENCIES ROME, OCT 25

Man United win 2-1; Arsenal thrash City AGENCIES LONDON, OCT 25

Javier Hernandez filled in for the injured Wayne Rooney in style Sunday, scoring twice to lift Manchester United into a three-way tie for second place in the Premier League with a 2-1 win at Stoke.

Hernandez’s spectacular backward header and late winner took United to 17 points, the same as Arsenal and Manchester City.

Samir Nasri, Alex Song and Nicklas Bendtner scored to give Arsenal a 3-0 win at 10-man Manchester City to join its opponent five points behind leader Chelsea.

Liverpool beat visiting Blackburn 2-1 on goals by Sotiros Kyrgiakos and Fernando Torres, offsetting Jamie Carragher’s own-

Champion Fedex ties Sampras

Roger Federer beat Germany’s Florian Mayer 6-4, 6-3 to win the Stockholm Open on Sunday and match Pete Sampras’ total of 64 career titles.

Since 1968, only Jimmy Connors (109), Ivan Lendl (94) and John McEnroe (77) have won more singles tournaments than Federer and Sampras.

“It’s amazing that I’m there

where Pete’s ended his career on,” Federer said. “You never know when it’s your last one. That’s why you want to savor every tournament victory.”

In beating the 47thranked Mayer at Royal Tennis Hall, Federer won his third title of the year. The unseeded German broke serve in the seventh game before Federer started spraying winners to take the set. Federer showed glimpses of his best form in the second set, mixing power and finesse and ending the match in 63 minutes.

Federer, a 16-time Grand Slam winner, won his 50th match of the year Friday. He became only the fifth man, and the first since Sampras, to win 50 matches in at least nine straight years in the Open era.

the 21st minute for Ambelim.

Ambelim pocketed Rs 20,000 while Dando had to be content with Rs 15,000 and the runnersup trophy.

Individual prizes: Best goalkeeper Binni, Ambelim. Best striker John, Colva. Best half Tibusio Fernandes, Ambelim.

Best defender Antonio Fernandes, Colva. Best player Clayton D'Silva, Ambelim.

PWD minister, Churchill Alemao was the chief guest and gave away the prizes in the presence of Navelim ZP member, Edwin Cardozo and sarpanch, Rosy Barretto.

Stockholm Open

Daulat, Myron shine for Cuncolim HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, OCT 25

Cuncolim Union thrashed Dicarpale Sports Club 4-0 in the inaugural match of late Eslinda Alemao soccer at Navelim ground on Monday. Cuncolim were leading 2-0 at the break.

Cuncolim opened their account in the ninth and doubled the tally in the 14th minute. Both goals came through Daulat Dessai.

Changing ends, Cuncolim’s Myron Fernandes netted another two goals to seal his team’s fate. Dicarpale tried hard but all in vain.

Chubby Cheeks Spring Valley High School, Alto-Porvorim, winners of U-14 Bardez Taluka inter-school basketball girls tournament.

AGENCIES STOCKHOLM, OCT 25

Ambelim SC clinch Telaulim Panchayat Cup HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, OCT 25

Ambelim Sports Club beat United Boys of Dando, Colva 10 to claim the Telaulim Panchayat Cup at All-Goa inter-village football tournament at Panchayat ground, Telaulim.

Samsom Fernandes scored in

St Clara’s High School, Assonora, winners of North District U-16 boys handball organised by PYKKA along with Headmistress, Sr Margaret D’Sousa and coach-cum-PE teacher, Raj Gawas.

goal. Bought this month by the parent company of the Boston Red Sox, Liverpool (2-4-3) remains in the relegation zone in 18th place.

Hernandez won the match for United in the 86th minute with a close-range tap in but his opening goal was far more memorable.

The Mexico striker leaped to flick the ball with the back of his head past Thomas Sorensen before the goalkeeper could move.

Arsenal leads United and Manchester City on goal difference after its first win in four meetings with City, although the home side still had chances despite Dedrcyk Boyata’s fifthminute red card for bringing down Marouane Chamakh when he was through on goal.

Churchill Alemao giving away the Telaulim Panchayat winner's trophy to Ambelim SC captain.

Iaquinta’s spot kick.

Iaquinta had come on in the 22nd for Brazilian-born Italy forward Amauri, who appeared to have an injury. Viviano has been filling in as the Italy goalkeeper while Gianluigi Buffon recovers from back surgery.

Elsewhere, French forward

Cyril Thereau scored his first Serie A goal in injury time to give Chievo a 2-1 win over Cesena and move the Verona club into fourth place, one point behind Inter and Milan.

In other matches, it was: Genoa 1, Catania 0; Lecce 2, Brescia 1; and Udinese 2, Palermo 1.

pg16:Layout 1 10/26/2010 12:22 AM Page 1

SPORTS

Champion Fedex ties Sampras Pg 15

Gujarat shuttlers too good for Goa Pg 14

GOA, TUESDAY, 26 OCTOBER, 2010 www.oheraldo.in

Gambhir, Ishant in, Yuvraj ignored AGENCIES MUMBAI, OCT 25

Left handed opener Gautam Gambhir and paceman Ishant Sharma returned after injury layoffs as the national selectors on Monday announced a full strength 15-member Test squad for next month's series against New Zealand.

Gambhir and Ishant, who had to sit out of the second and final Test against Australia at Bangalore because of injury, have recovered sufficiently to be named in the squad, which has no new faces.

While upcoming batsman Cheteshwar Pujara has been retained, two other youngsters Abhinav Mukund and Jaidev Unadkat have been left out of the team announced by the BCCI after a meeting of the selection committee here.

Out-of-form Yuvraj Singh again failed to find favour in the Test squad, with the selectors opting for Suresh Raina and Pujara as the middle-order batsmen, both of whom have done reasonably well when provided with the opportunity.

The team, to be captained by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, has three fast bowlers in Zaheer Khan, S Sreesanth and Ishant and three specialist spinners comprising Harbhajan Singh,

SQUAD FOR• KIWIS•TESTS Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Virender Sehwag (vice-captain), Gautam Gambhir, Murali Vijay, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Suresh Raina, Cheteshwar Pujara, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, S Sreesanth, Pragyan Ojha, Amit Mishra.

Amit Mishra and Pragyan Ojha.

The Indian batting order looks formidable as it has stars like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Virender Sehwag, who have all been in fine nick in recent times.

The return of Gambhir, who was laid low by a knee injury, means that opener Murali Vijay will have to sit out of the series commencing November 4 in Ahmadabad.

"The team has performed extremely well against the Australians in both the Tests and one day series, particularly the Bangalore Test. Our junior players have gelled well in the middle-order with the seniors. Our bowlers have done a remarkable job.”

"Going by this, we have

picked the team for all the three Tests. I am confident that our players will continue their victory march," BCCI Chief Selector Kris Srikkanth told reporters in Chennai.

"Our bench strength has come good and it was there for all to witness. This is a good sign for Indian cricket. Like it is said that the best player win, I must say let the best team (India) win," Srikkanth said adding the team for the one-day series will be picked later. Dhoni did not attend the meeting but he was consulted over phone by the five-member selection panel.

The focus during the series will clearly be on batting icon Tendulkar, who needs just one more century to complete 50 Test centuries in his illustrious career.

The champion batsman has been in tremendous form this season, winning the ICC Cricketer of the Year award for the first time in his over two-decadelong career.

While Ahmadabad will host the first Test, Hyderabad (Nov 12-16) and Nagpur (Nov 20-24) will stage the two other matches.

The Test series will be followed by five one day series -Guwahati (Nov 28), Jaipur (Dec 1), Vadodara (Dec 4), Bangalore (Dec 7) and Chennai (Dec 10).

Raina is innocent: Dhoni UNI SURAT, OCT 25

Indian cricket captain M S Dhoni today came out in support of his team-mate Suresh Raina, facing allegations of having relations with bookies, saying it was all baseless and said even investigations conducted by the BCCI could not find anything against him.

Dhoni, who was in the city to inaugurate a five star hotel 'The Grand Bhagwati', told reporters ''Raina is a good player and of what I know of him he can never indulge in such activities'.

He said the Sri lankan Cricket

Board, BCCI and ICC have completely investigated the matter and could not find any proof against Raina.

Dhoni said the team was well balanced but 'we need a few good bowlers to bridge the gap'. ''There are good batsmen in the team, with lot of energy and enthusiasm. New boys are coming into the team and are continuously improving their game, with the guidance given by seniors. Some improvement is needed in bowling department as it is always a cause of concern for us'', Dhoni said.

Sachin in ESPNcricinfo’s all-time Test World XI

RR move HC against termination PTI MUMBAI, OCT 25

Indian Premier League team Rajasthan Royals (RR) today filed a petition in the Bombay High Court, challenging BCCI’s decision of terminating its franchise agreement.

BCCI had terminated the agreement with the inaugural champions on October 10, saying it had changed the shareholding pattern without informing either the Board or the IPL Governing Council.

"We have tried to meet with the BCCI to understand the basis for the termination, which was received without notice. We do not understand what we have done wrong, and it is therefore our duty to the fans of the IPL, our employees, our players and our partners to pursue the matter.”

"The matter is expected to be listed this Wednesday. We would not like to state anything further since the matter is sub-judice," an RR spokesperson said in a statement.

The BCCI had terminated the agreements of two franchises -- Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab -- for alleged irregularities in their ownership pattern.

The winners of inaugural IPL, Rajasthan Royals team is seen as close to the suspended IPL commissioner Lalit Modi, whose brother-in-law Suresh Chellaram has stake in the team.

AGENCIES MUMBAI, OCT 25

Sachin Tendulkar was the only current cricketer named in ESPNcricinfo's all-time Test World XI which did not include Australian captain Ricky Ponting and the likes of Brian Lara, Glenn McGrath, Sunil Gavaskar.

Tendulkar has been chosen at number four batting position along with legends like Don Bradman, Vivian Richards, Garry Sobers and Shane Warne.

Others in the World XI, dominated by Australians and West Indians, were Jack Hobbs, Len Hutton, Adam Gilchrist, Malcolm Marshall, Wasim Akram and Dennis Lillee.

Gavaskar and Lara found themselves in the second World XI along with Barry Richards,

George Headley, Wally Hammond, Imran Khan, Alan Knott, Bill O'Reilly, Fred Trueman, Muttiah Muralitharan and SF Barnes.

Ponting was not in any of the two teams, the same as McGrath and India's World Cup winning captain Kapil Dev. The jury comprised one former captain from each of the top Test-playing teams -- Ian Chappell, Clive Lloyd, Tony Greig, Duleep Mendis, Ali Bacher, Intikhab Alam, John Wright, Ajit Wadekar -- and four cricket historians and writers.

Warne, Gilchrist and Akram were the other players from the last two decades to make it to the XI, which featured seven players who made their debuts after 1970.

Four Australians, three West Indians, two Englishmen, an Indian and a Pakistani make up the XI. Three players were unanimous choices, figuring in the first XIs of each of the 12 members of the jury (each juror was asked to pick a first XI and a second) -- Don Bradman, Garry Sobers and Shane Warne, each of whom got the maximum points possible in the exercise, 60. Tendulkar followed with 51 points.

The biggest surprise the XI threw up was the gap between

We should not take Kiwis lightly: Bhajji PTI KOLKATA, OCT 25

New Zealand might have suffered a 0-4 thrashing at the hands of Bangladesh, but India should not take them lightly in the upcoming three-Test and five-ODI series, according to seasoned off-spinner Harbhajan Singh.

"We should not think that we can beat New Zealand easily just because they have lost 0-4 to Bangladesh (in the recent ODI series). We have to stay focused," Harbhajan said on the sideline of a promotional event here.

Harbhajan also said that now

Pg16

they were a confident bunch after their the Test and ODI series wins over Australia.

"We are very high on confidence. We have done very well against the Aussies. We are really looking forward to the New Zealanders' challenge. If we play to our potential we can win the (three-Test and five-ODI) series against New Zealand also," he said.

Te r m i n g t h e r e s u l t o f Bangladesh-New Zealand series "shocking", Harbhajan said the country has improved their performance over the last couple of years.

"I did not watch the series, but it was a little shocking.

Teams should now be very careful of Bangladesh. They can be a really dangerous side," he said.

"It shows how much the Bangladesh team has improved. They are playing better cricket now," Harbhajan said of the bottom-ranked Test side, who has climbed to the ninth spot in ICC ODI ranking after their success at the New Zealand series.

Harbhajan feels the Aussies struggled to get the combination right after the seniors left the side.

Warne and Muralitharan, the two leading wicket-takers in cricket history. Muralitharan made it to the World Second XI, tallying 34 points fewer than Warne.

The closest battles were for one of the opening spots and for number five. Gavaskar lost out to Hobbs by one point and Headley by two to Richards.

Hutton (47 points) partners Hobbs at the top. They are followed by Bradman, Tendulkar, Richards and Sobers. While there was no competition to Sobers for the all-rounder's spot, Imran (19) narrowly edged out

Keith Miller to make it to the Second XI. Gilchrist beat Alan Knott to the wicketkeeper's spot by eight points. The next closest contender was Kumar Sangakkara, who got nine points.

The bowling positions were all decided by handsome margins. Three of cricket's most highly rated fast bowlers - Dennis Lillee, leading with 48 points, Wasim Akram and Malcolm Marshall (in addition to Sobers, who could bowl leftarm fast, spin and chinamen) - accompany Warne.

Lifestyle

Relationships

Sports

Business

Health

Art

Culture

Environment

Education

Information Technology

Entertainment

Fashion

Travel

Tourism

Parenting

GOA’S

Tuesday, 26 Oct 2010

HeartBeat

‘We don’t glorify Him, We kill Him’

Is the unanimous voice echoed by revelers, all around Goa, who are engrossed in preparing the famed Narkasurs, which is an exclusive and delightful tradition only in Goa. It is interesting to learn that the residents of the state enjoy a unique bonding and camaraderie during this period

BY CHRISTINA VIEGAS HERALD FEATURES ittle boys are seen scouting around in residential complexes for collections. Whispering and giggling they stand outside doors. “Narkasur!

Narkasur!” the combined whispers get loud, as they plead for donations.

“What? Didn’t I give you money an hour ago?” a harassed housewife shouts, but the little lads chorus, “No aunty, it was to a rival group, down the road.” Yes, this is pretty much the scene, these days. The scaffolding for innumerable Narkasurs, at street corners, have already started coming up. And, soon they will evolve into giant monsters looming over passersby.

Drive around in the state and you will be thrilled to see different kinds of effigies of the demon put up. The little girl or boy in you will leap to the surface and get you all excited to discern the effigies, each carved around a theme. You cannot help but get out of your vehicle to admire and freeze photographs of the ominous demons. The enormous dummies, stuffed with fire crackers, are at their element a day before Diwali. Painted luridly in shades of black, red or green they hold menacing weapons in their massive arms. The huge head, which is usually split with a grin, has a lolling tongue between two enormous fangs. Often, the mean giant is accompanied by its miniature versions, holding similar weapons and, as usual, these small little imps look more naughty than nasty, unlike their giant master who is mostly terror but yes, with a streak of geniality.

Dwell on the creativity of these youngsters making the effigies and you will be bowled over.

Among the many interesting ones over the years, one effigy dressed like a terrorist was quite interesting – the demon was all swaddled with the robe of a terrorist and even his face was intriguingly covered with a black cloth, with only evil eyes exposed as he sat waiting with a huge missile in his arms. Another bunch of effigies, all like ‘pehlwans’, stood grinning evilly in a clearing amidst thick growth of trees and shrubs, and mind you, eerily waiting to wring the neck of anyone who got close. Though most of them were fitted with the readymade masks for faces, the effigies which really stood out, were the ones where even the face was hand made. Last year, one particularly huge guy at St Inez was snarling away, waiting to attack, while another was grinning very wickedly in contentment with blood dripping off his mouth, as he tore a dead human in his wicked hands. Then you suddenly hear the creaking noise of an old swing in motion and you jump as you realise that a huge demon is enjoying a good rocking; grinning all the while, as he waits to attack. I mean, you find a Narkasur everywhere – peering from bushes, on a swing, in between houses, on a tree, everywhere.

And yes, we come to be most interesting part: the filthy monster is always given a perfect frame which can give a complex to the males sweating it out in gyms. What got me laughing was one particular effigy with his six packs prominently and intricately drawn out. You just have to marvel at the broad shoulders, the well toned arms and legs, the potent pose, everything. All in all, a

L

Sushravya promises an Evening of Rhythm and Ragas Classical music lovers will be in for a treat at the fusion of the sitar with the flute at Sushravya. Herald speaks to Ustad Chhote Rahimat Khan about the concert and how playing ragas differs from other forms of music

BY DOLCY D’CRUZ HERALD FEATURES he rhythmic ragas have the ability to sooth the stormiest of minds and anything done to promote this art in Goa is most welcomed. Doing just this is Manzil Studio in association with Prabhu Moni Group of Companies with ‘Sushravya’, an Indian classical music concert to be held on October 31 at Kala Academy, Panjim.

The concert will comprise vocalist Aarti Nayak with a solo and the duet of Ustad Chhote Rahimat Khan on the sitar and Sameer Rao on the flute accompanied

by Pandit Ravindra Yavagal on tabla.

A raga literally means a colour or hue but can also signify beauty, harmony and melody. One of the melodic modes used in Indian classical music, raga is a series of five or more musical notes upon which a melody is made. In the Indian musical tradition, ragas are associated with different times of the day, or with seasons. Indian classical music is always set in a raga.

As Ustad Chota Rehimat Khan rightfully says, “Raga has its own personality. You can play Ragas throughout the day but there is a certain time for a particular raga and you cannot play anything at any time. The entire day is divided into eight categories or ‘prahars’ each consisting of three hours. For example, Raga Lalat is played only in the morning; Raga Madhuvanti is played in the afternoon while Raga Yaman is played only in the evening. Even for a concert, if the time has passed that raga has to be changed and the Raga suitable for the time has to be played. Based on Aarti’s solo, we will have to play the raga. It will be an on-the-spot performance as we cannot practise on the piece in advance.”

He further adds, “As musicians, we always practise our music individually. Performing ragas are very difficult as we have to completely involve ourselves in the music and even participate and coordinate with the other musicians on stage. I will be performing my duet with Sameer Rao, a flutist from Mumbai and will be accompanied on the tabla by Pt Ravindra Yavagal. Aarti will perform for about 45 minutes to one hour, followed by our performance for one and a half hour. I cannot say which raga we will play as it all depends on the time of the performance.”

Ustad Chhote Rahimat Khan belongs to the seventh generation of sitarists in the musically rich family. He took to the sitar at the age of ten and was trained rigorously by his gifted father, the late Prof Abdul Karim Khan. A head faculty member for the Sitar instrument at the Kala Academy, Ustad introduced the Sitar in Goa in 1979 and has been training students to play the sitar for the past 25 years.

On the other hand, Sameer Rao is a young flutist nestling around the famous Vrindavan Gurukul started by the flute maestro Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia. Sameer represents the youngest generation of musicians or flutists who are into classical music and is venturing out to make a musical career for himself.

Aarti Ramrao Nayak, a young representative vocalist in her twenties hailing from a musical family, took to music at a tender age of six and was guided by her father, Pt Ramrao Nayak.

Endowed with a melodious voice spanning all the three octaves, she is known for pure and aesthetic presentation of ragas, ‘taan’ patterns and ‘layakari’. Pt Ravindra Yavagal was initiated into music by his father Late Sri Ramachandra Yavagal at the age of four. He is one of the most sought after tabla players of the country and has been recognised both as a soloist and as a sensitive accompanist.

T

Vagachem chambddem koleak ghalear vag zata?

- Anonymous

email us at: goasheartbeat@herald-goa.com

We m u s t l e a r n t o l i v e together as brothers or perish together as fools - Martin Luther King, Jr

demon with superb definition!

Chat around with the excited youngsters immersed in preparing the effigies and they happily coo, “We start making the effigy at least 15 days before Diwali, on Saraswati Puja.

We use bamboo to give him structure and fill it in with sack cloth and cover him with newspaper.

Then we paint him and dress him on the eve of Diwali.”

Somehow, the themes around which they are building the demon are shrouded in mystery as Photo by Rozario Estibeiro the lads are hopeful of winning the Narkasur competitions held across the state and therefore, they don’t want their ideas stolen. But I sniff around and gather information that there might be a huge monster, pushing down the bridge that collapsed at the Common Wealth Games. Creative and symbolic or what! I mean, they have actually used the demon as a symbol of corruption at the CWG. Yet, we have spoilt sports complaining about or planning to disrupt this delightful Goan tradition. The youngsters inform, “People against this tradition fail to realise that all of us, involved in this whole frenzy, are aware that he is the demon signifying evil. We acquire a special thrill in hitting him with bamboo sticks, kicking him and finally burning him. What better way to show victory of good over evil, than by burning this monster.” Chat with the older generation and they opine, “Contributions from people for putting up Narkasur, heralds the beginning of preparations for Diwali. Funds raised are all in good spirit and there is never an element of imposition on the public. Further, a lot of effort goes into the making of the effigy and it brings the local youth together. And there is a lot of bonding.”

Yet, amidst all this frenzy, the steady burning lamp takes precedence over other things and remains the constant symbol of an illuminated mind. And it is vital to note that during the course of making the effigy and finally consigning it to flames, the lads enjoy awesome amity. And even more interesting is the fact that the residents of the state enjoy themselves irrespective of the fact that they come from various religions. In fact, many of the leaders of the groups had Christian names. They inform, “We get together and enjoy ourselves, that’s what matters. It doesn’t matter whether we are Christian, Muslim or Sikh.”

Perhaps, the groups who oppose Narkasur, should understand that the Goans are always different and this is what makes them so lovable. The opposing organisations need to see for themselves, that the lads dance and revel in absolute harmony. So, what is the harm if they thrill in carving the monster and finally batter him and burn him? As long as there is perfect peace and joy amongst one another. An important lesson in today’s world of politically motivated communal violence! And trust the Goans to teach the world ‘communal harmony’ with their deeds and not just meaningless words!

Today, National Flags will be unfurled

by Kashmiri Pandits

K

ashmiri Pandits will unfurl national flags and organise functions on October 26 across the country to celebrate the accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India, 63 years ago.

“National flags would be unfurled, ‘deep malas’ would be taken out besides other celebrations on October 26 to mark the state’s Photo by PTI merger with India,” said Agni Shekhar, founderconvenor of Panun Kashmir. He said seminars would be organised in Jammu and Delhi on the day to “expose the conspiracy to distort” the accession.

Noted filmmaker and activist, Ashok Pandit lauded the youth for shouting down the likes of Arundathi Roy and Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

“Government is forcing our youth to do what the authorities should be doing,” he said.

Indian Students spend Delightful Day with Pakistani Counterparts

W

hile the Indo-Pak political relationship remains edgy; nothing deterred a delegation of Indian students and teachers who spent an eventful day in Islamabad, Pakistan.

The delegation visited the Pak capital under the IndoPak Peace Project for Education between the Sanjan Nagar Public Education Trust (SNPET), Pakistan, and the Millennium School, Amritsar, India.

Early in the day, scholar Arifa Zehra addressed the students and shared her experiences with them. She shared the lessons she had learnt from her life with the students who keenly listened to her and asked her questions.

Students eagerly participated in poster-making activity. Indian and Pakistani students made different posters on the topic of friendship and peace in groups.

Students of kindergarten presented a puppet show, too.

Afterwards, the students were taken to watch Ajoka Theatre’s play ‘Dara’.

Seema Gupta, a teacher, said students were very keen to come to Pakistan and to meet their Pakistani friends. She maintained that students got mixed up with each other and were enjoying here.

She said it was only through progressive communication and understanding

each other at a human level rather than politically that we could shun the negative propaganda and strengthen our relationship.

Gurupdesh Singh, a standard seven student, said that he had made new friends in Pakistan.

He said that he had watched Lahore only on Pakistani TV channels and loved the fact that he was right here. He maintained that he, along with other Indian students would visit the historical places of Lahore. Samash, a standard eight student, said the visit had cleared many misconceptions regarding Pakistanis and she now understood that all the negativity was negatively reported.

(Courtesy: ANI)

Lifestyle

Relationships

Sports

Business

Health

Art

Culture

Environment

Education

GOA’S HeartBeat

Information Technology

Entertainment

’ INFO ‘N ZONE F UN

Fashion

Travel

Tourism

email us at: goasheartbeat@herald-goa.com

Tuesday, 26 Oct 2010

WHAT’S UP IN GOA??

A Mega Musical Extravaganza organised by Buyao Theatres Goem will be held at the Pai Tiatrist Auditorium, Ravindra Bhavan, Margao at 6pm on October 28.

36th Tiatr Competition, organised by Kala Academy, Panjim is underway at the Kala Academy through the month of October. Call 2420452.

Training cum demonstration camps in agriculture and home science, organised by Farmers Training Centre, Ela, Old Goa will be held in three villages.

The camps will be held on October 25 at Orlim, Salcete, on October 26 at Barcem-Shirlem and on October 28 at Collem. The agriculture camps will be held in the panchayat halls while the home science in the anganwadi centre.

Free public dental check-ups, organised by Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited and the Indian Dental Association (IDA) will be held in Margao throughout October as part of Oral Health Month 2010. SMS her/his postal pin code to 5676725.

‘My dogs are afraid of the sound of Diwali fire crackers….are yours too?’, a discussion on the topic of the Safer Festivals That Include Our Animals organised by International Animal Rescue will be held at the Earthworm Ecostore, Porvorim on October 29 at 5:30pm. E-mail earthwormgoa@gmail.com. Call 2410871.

The Great Goan Photography Contest, organised by Goan Shutterbugs in memory of the late Laxmikant P Kudchadkar is open for registration. The contest is divided into three categories, Enchanting Goa, Spirit of Goa and Go Going.

Contest forms can be downloaded from www.goanshutterbugs.com or collected from Click Photography School, Margao, Supply’s India, Panjim, Calizz, Candolim or CMYK Academy, Mapusa. Registration closes on November 15, 2010.

Parenting

Pg2

HOROSCOPE Call 9822151419, 9881533456, 3250000 or 9822581232.

‘Our Cultural Diversity’, a workshop for in service school teachers up to the age of 48 years, organised by the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training, New Delhi will be held from December 1 to 11. The schools intending to depute their teacher can visit the Department of Art and Culture, Patto, Panjim. Call Tel.: 2438103.

Workshop on Pictorial Warning and the Role of the Media will be organised by the Voluntary Health Association of Goa (VHAG) on October 30 at Caritas Holiday Home, St Inez, Panjim, from 9am onwards. Call 2221012, 9604174127 or 9594628415.

‘Life in Pastels’ an exhibition

by Nilesh Bharti will be held till October 28 from 9am to 8pm at Gallery Gitanjali, Fontainhes, Panjim.

Call 9823253361 or 9823572035.

Art Exhibition of Ganjifa paintings, curated by Kavita Shah, will be held from October 25 to 29 at the Kala Academy, Panjim. Call 2420452.

India’s First Citizen Journalism Course, a certificate course by the JM Foundation for Excellence in Journalism in association with the Goa Union of Journalists (GUJ) will be held from November 12 to 14 at the Inspectorate of Factories and Boilers (IFB), Altinho, Panjim. Call 94224 43093, 2409490, 9822122436, 098209 85853 or 9822179125.

A series of CME’s, organised by the Goa Medical College and Indian Academy of Cytologists will beheld on October 28, 29 and November 1. The second CME will be an operative workshop. It is organised by the Goa Medical College and the Goa Ophthlmological Association. The CME’s will all be held at the Goa Medical College, Bambolim.

Call 2458718.

You should not be afraid to jump in and take the lead today.

21 Mar - 19 Apr E v e r y o n e wants you to.

Communication is much smoother today, so make the most of the tools you've got.

It's a really good day for showing colleagues what's going on -- there's brainy energy to go around for everyone.

Taurus The world is feeling harsh right now -crawl inside 20 Apr - 20 May your shell and look inward.

You're feeling a little unsure of yourself today -- but it's a good thing! You're letting go of some aspects of your personality that have been holding you back, so expect some serious progress soon.

Your broad perGemini spective on issues gives you insight -- share it with others 21 May - 20 Jun t o d a y. Yo u r communication style is making life a lot more interesting for you and your people. In fact, your vibrant energy is the hit of any party or other social gathering, so make sure that you hit a few.

This may be a major turning point in your life. Look to your family for 22 Jun - 23 Jul support.

You've got to make sure that you're working through all your tasks today -- otherwise, things are sure to get a little crazy!

Your energy is perfect for clearing your desk or making life easier in other ways.

Hold on to what you've earned today.

Make sure you 24 Jul - 23 Aug keep what you have close.

You're better able to express your ambitions today. It's a really good time for you to step up and tell the boss -or whomever -- what you really want. Show that you really mean it, too!

Let things take their course.

And if a relationship or idea 23 Aug - 22 Sep f a i l s , i t w a s meant to.

You've got to be stone-cold today. That doesn't mean forcing toddlers to cry for fun, but it might mean saying no to an extremely determined child.

Your logic is impeccable, so go for it.

Do you feel g o o d ? Yo u should! Today, be proud of 23 Sept - 22 Oct every accomplishment you reach. Someone at work or in your circle of friends needs you to hear them out -- and you can get just as much from them. It's a good time for you to sit down and share. What comes next could be huge!

Scorpio See the dots?

Today is the perfect day to connect them 23 Oct - 22 Nov and create a clear picture.

One tiny detail is all it could take to ruin your day -- or to make it ten times brighter!

Keep your eyes open and make sure that you watch for anything that seems odd or somewhat out of place.

Sagittarius Take a look at

Capricorn It's up to you to make things work they way they need to 22 Dec - 20 Jan today -- you can do it! You're feeling somewhat flighty today, but it's not such a bad thing.

In fact, you may want to see if your work can handle you taking off for a bit, as things might start to get a little crazy inside soon!

Aquarius Finally, things are going to ease up a bit and you'll have 21 Jan - 19 Feb the extra time you need. Your love life is still super-charged right now -- so if it doesn't seem that way to you, get out there and make something happen! You need to make sure that you're better equipped for romance.

Set some time aside today for planning your next great ad20 Feb - 20 Mar venture. Be extravagant.

Can you stay put all day, or at least minimize your commute? That's optimal for you now, as movement is somewhat inauspicious. The good news is that you can be quite productive in one place!

Aries

Libra

what -- or who -- embodies your goals and 23 Nov - 20 Dec follow it to success. You are the one in charge today, whether that is formally acknowledged or not. You've got to give it your all if you want things to get better, though that may entail some after-work time.

WORD OF THE DAY

Cancer

Leo

Virgo

Pisces

DID YOU KNOW? India was home to numerous Dinosaurs

noisome Pronunciation noi-suhm Function Adjective Meaning 1: offensive or disgusting, as an odour 2: harmful or injurious to health; noxious Example Sentence Christopher almost fainted when he got a whiff of the noisome smell reeking from the rotten cheese kept on the table.

LAFFS

Though widely separated today, India and Madagascar were once connected throughout much of the Mesozoic Era and shared similar dinosaur faunas. The list of dinosaurs whose remains have been recovered from India include Alwalkeria, Barapasaurus, Indosaurus, Indosuchus, Isisaurus, Jainosaurus, Jubbulpuria, Kotasaurus, Laevisuchus, Lametasaurus, Lamplughsaura, Ornithomimoides, Orthogoniosaurus, Pradhania, Rahiolisaurus, Rajasaurus and Titanosaurus. Of these, the Alwalkeria is a genus of basal saurischian dinosaur from the Late Triassic of India. A small bipedal omnivore, remains of Alwalkeria have been recovered from the Maleri Formation of Andhra Pradesh.

WIZARD OF ID

Funny Quote

“I never forget a face, but in your case I’ll be glad to make an exception.”

– Groucho Marx

DAILY GROOK ABILITY POSSIBILITY

by Francis Rodrigues do musical cats possess agility? i think that's a paws ability!

GARFIELD

MIND BENDERS

SUN MOON TIDES

Tongue Twister Tuesday 31° C | 23° C

Something in a thirty-acre thermal thicket of thorns and thistles thumped and thundered, threatening the thoughts of Matthew the thirty year old thug

Chance of Rain 20% chance of precipitation

Riddle Me This

Sunrise 0628 - Sunset 1810 Moon rise 1813 - Moon set 0627 High 12:40

D Tide timings are for Mormugao Harbour. For Panjim/Calangute add 20 mins. For Colva add 30 mins

11:20 Mere Baap Pehle Aap 15:35 Barsaat 20:00 Welcome 08:40 10:40 12:55 14:50 17:00 19:00 21:00 23:10

Why can it be said that Sunday is the strongest day of the week?

TIDES Low High Low 06:20 11:32 18:19

Righteous Kill Marley & Me Commando X-Men Origins: Wolverine Charlie Bartlett 100 Feet Quantum of Solace Chain Reaction

09:15 12:00 14:45 17:00 19:00 21:00

The Usual Suspects Angels & Demons Inkheart The Pagemaster Event Horizon You Don't Mess with the Zohan 23:15 Angels & Demons

08:30 11:30 15:00 19:00 22:30

Sadhu Aur Shaitan Tirchhi Topiwale Rishi Corporate Hindustani

Last ‘Riddle Me This’ Answer: Wedding ring

14:25 16:20 18:45 21:00 23:10

12:00 16:00 20:00 23:45

Bandidas Sniper 2 Welcome to Sarajevo Alex and Emma S.W.A.T.

Aur Ek Ilzam Khoon Bhari Maang International Khiladi Bhabhi

15:00 Mrs. & Mr. Sharma Allahabadwale 15:30 FIR 16:00 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta 16:30 Papad Pol 17:00 Gutar Gu 17:30 Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo 18:00 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta...

18:30 Papad Pol 19:00 Gutar Gu 19:30 Mrs. & Mr. Sharma Allahabadwale 20:00 Papad Pol 20:30 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta 21:00 Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo 21:30 Mrs. & Mr. Sharma Allahabadwale 22:00 Lapataganj 22:30 FIR

09:25 Sense and Sensibility 12:05 Hitch

12:00 Mother India 16:00 Chori Chori Chupke Chupke 20:00 Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani

08:00 Banarasi Babu

12:00 Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani 12:30 Mano Ya Na Mano 13:00 Rang Badalti Odhni 13:30 Geet 14:00 Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani 14:30 Mile Jab Hum Tum 15:00 Geet

IDIOT BOX 11:30 Behenein 12:00 Sapna Babul Ka ...Bidaai 12:30 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai 13:00 Tere Mere Sapne 13:30 Hamari Devrani 14:00 Maryaada ... Lekin Kab Tak? 14:30 MasterChef India 15:00 Kaali: Ek Agnipariksha 15:30 Sapna Babul Ka ...Bidaai 16:00 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai 16:30 Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya 17:00 Sasural Genda Phool 17:30 Saath Nibhana Saathiya 18:00 MasterChef India 18:30 Sabki Laadli Bebo 19:00 Saath Nibhana Saathiya 19:30 Sasural Genda Phool 20:00 Chaand Chupa Badal Mein 20:30 Behenein 21:00 Sapna Babul Ka ...Bidaai 21:30 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai 22:00 Tere Liye 22:30 Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya 23:00 Kaali: Ek Agnipariksha 23:30 Maryaada ... Lekin Kab Tak?

12:00 Saas Bina Sasural 12:30 Tera Mujhse Hai Pehle Ka 13:00 Baat Hamari Pakki Hai 13:30 Saas Bina Sasural 14:00 Tera Mujhse Hai Pehle Ka 14:30 Baat Hamari Pakki Hai 15:00 Saas Bina Sasural 15:30 C.I.D 20:00 Tera Mujhse Hai Pehle Ka 20:30 Baat Hamari Pakki Hai 21:00 Kaun Banega Crorepati 22:00 Saas Bina Sasural 22:30 Tera Mujhse Hai Pehle Ka

12:00 Dil Se Diya Vachan 12:30 Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli 13:00 Jhansi Ki Rani 13:30 Pavitra Rishta 14:00 Sanjog Se Bani Sangini

14:30 Preet Se Bandhi Yeh Dori...

15:00 Dil Se Diya Vachan 15:30 Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya 16:00 Dance India Dance 18:00 Sanjog Se Bani Sangini 18:30 Mera Naam Karegi Roshan 19:00 Dil Se Diya Vachan 19:30 Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya 20:00 Jhansi Ki Rani 20:30 Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli 21:00 Pavitra Rishta 21:30 Preet Se Bandhi Yeh Dori...

22:00 Sanjog Se Bani Sangini 22:30 Mera Naam Karegi Roshan

12:00 Gutar Gu 12:30 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta 13:00 Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo 13:30 Papad Pol 14:00 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta 14:30 Lapataganj

15:30 Rang Badalti Odhni 16:00 Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani 16:30 Mile Jab Hum Tum 17:00 Geet 17:30 Rang Badalti Odhni 18:00 Dill Mill Gayye 18:30 Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani 19:00 Geet 19:30 Rang Badalti Odhni 20:00 Dill Mill Gayye 20:30 Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani 21:00 Mile Jab Hum Tum 21:30 Geet 22:00 Rang Badalti Odhni 22:30 Dill Mill Gayye

12:00 Breaking The Magician's Code 13:00 Ncis: Los Angeles 14:00 So You Think You Can Dance 15:00 The Amazing Race 16:00 David Blaine 17:00 Criss Angel Mindfreak 18:00 Charmed 19:00 Breaking The Magician's Code 20:00 World Records Smashed 21:00 So You Think You Can Dance

22:00 Minute to win it

12:00 MasterChef Australia 12:30 Whose Line Is It Anyway?

13:00 The Bold and The Beautiful 13:30 How I Met Your Mother 14:00 Friends 14:30 The Simpsons 15:00 Best of Koffee with Karan 16:00 How I Met Your Mother 16:30 The Simpsons 17:00 Lie to Me 18:00 MasterChef Australia 18:30 Whose Line Is It Anyway?

19:00 How I Met Your Mother 19:30 The Simpsons 20:00 Best of Koffee with Karan 21:00 MasterChef Australia 22:00 Lie to Me

09:30 Asian Tour Golf Show 10:00 Barclays Premier League 12:00 FIA F1 World Championship Highlights 13:30 Simply the Best 14:00 Barclays Premier League 16:00 TNA Xplosion 17:00 Motorsports : Petronas 17:30 Engine Block 2010 18:00 TNA Impact 20:00 Intercontinental Rally Challenge 20:30 Golf Focus 21:00 Score Tonight 21:30 TNA Impact 23:30 Hitz

10:00 PGA Europro Tour 12:00 Barclays Premier League 14:00 Euro Asia Allstars Cup 17:00 The Monday Night Verdict 18:00 2010 Winter X Games 19:00 Premier League H/ls 20:00 Sportscenter India 20:30 Sportscenter Asia 21:00 Bpl Express 22:00 Sportscenter India 22:30 Sportscenter Asia 23:00 Premier League H/ls

10:30 Italian Serie A 12:30 Moto GP H/ls 13:30 Asian Festival of Speed

14:30 Football League Show 15:00 La Liga H/ls 16:00 FIM Speedway World Cup H/ls 17:00 WWE: After Burn 18:00 Zimbabwe Tour of South Africa H/ls 20:00 La Liga 22:00 Motorsport Mundial 22:30 WWE: After Burn 23:30 Serie A Show 11:30 Dutch League 13:30 Serie A Show 14:00 Football League Show 14:30 UEFA Champions League Magazine Show 15:00 La Liga 17:00 LFC TV 20:00 La Liga H/ls 21:00 Serie A Show 21:30 Football League Show 22:00 FIFA: Futbol Mundial

11:30 Australia Women's Tour of England H/ls 12:30 Natwest Women's International T20 H/ls 13:30 Cricket's Greatest Upsets 14:30 Prince of Trinidad Prog 15:00 Boycott's Best 16:00 Carlton Series ODI H/ls

07:30 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00

Quiz English News Konkani News Marathi News Konkani Palkachim Noketram 11:30 Trip to Dudhsagar Waterfalls 12:00 Success Mantra 12:30 HCN Smash Hits 13:00 English News 14:00 Konkani Movie 15:00 Bhakti Sangeet 15:30 Trip to Dudhsagar Waterfalls 16:00 Health Watch 16:30 Tatoo 17:00 Kids Club 17:30 Care for Mother Earth 18:00 Konkani News 19:00 Marathi News 20:00 English News 21:00 Success Mantra 21:30 Fusion Concert 22:00 English News 23:00 Quinton Sings Again Note: Subject to Change

SUDOKU 689

Instructions for Sudoku 9 x 9 letter: To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in each of the nine vertical columns, in each of the nine horizontal rows and in each of the nine boxes

SUDOKU SOL 688

HERALD CROSSWORD - 689 Across 1- Diana of "The Avengers"; 5Beginning; 9- Wanting; 13Purim month; 14- Fantasy genre; 15- Got on; 16- Actress Ward; 17- Hickory-nut; 18- Children's author Blyton; 19- Confection of Turkish origin; 21Turkish title; 22- Metal containers; 23- Eye layer; 25- "Night" author Wiesel; 27- Reduce; 31Lively intelligence; 35- Able was ___...; 36- Some nest eggs; 38Make amends; 39- Metal-bearing mineral; 40- Horn-shaped bone; 42- Loss leader?; 43Layers; 46- Dodge model; 47Belgian river; 48- Lead astray; 50- Muskets collectively; 52Pit; 54- Implement; 55- Goblet part; 58- Island of Denmark; 60Remove cargo; 64- Calculus calculation; 65- Betelgeuse's constellation; 67Algerian port; 68- Chime; 69- Enjoyed; 70- Resembling a red, say; 71- Eye sore; 72- Exploit; 73- Heroic adventure tale; Down 1- Impetuous; 2- Brain wave; 3- Audacity; 4Printing plate; 5- "___ Ventura" was played by Jim Carrey; 6- Director Vittorio De ___; 7- Old enough; 8- End; 9- Maxim; 10- Mrs. Chaplin; 11- Thor's father; 12- Cincinnati club; 14Wedge-shaped; 20- Hail, to Caesar; 24- Greek physician, son of Xenon; 26- This ___ stickup!; 27- Tumults; 28- Causing goose bumps; 29Cornered; 30- Seraglio; 32- Way to cook; 33Bury; 34- Weeping; 37- Muzzle; 41- Defective; 44- Fossick; 45- Biol., e.g.; 47- Light tones; 49Envelop; 51- ___-Tiki; 53- Eagle's nest: var.; 55- Droops; 56- Horse's gait; 57- Start of a counting rhyme; 59- Greek goddess of victory;

61- Horne solo; 62- "Consarnit!"; 63- "Orinoco Flow" singer; 66- Brit. lexicon;

SOLUTION - 688

Lifestyle

Relationships

Sports

Business

Health

Art

Culture

Environment

GOA’S HeartBeat

h

Education

Information Technology

e n in p p a h ’ n ot ‘

Entertainment

Fashion

Travel

Tourism

g email us at: goasheartbeat@herald-goa.com

Tuesday, 26 Oct 2010

Goa’s Konkani Lovers in for a Musical Treat

A

HERALD FEATURES musical treat for Goa’s Konkani music lovers will present itself in the from of a mega musical extravaganza organised by Buyao Theatres Goem to be held at the Pai Tiatrist Auditorium, Ravindra Bhavan, Margao from October 28, 6pm onwards.

As a tribute to the founder of Buyao Theatres, Goem, Ulhas Buyao, nearly half an hour of the programme will be dedicated to him with his son Siddhanath Buyao singing some of his father’s evergreen songs including ‘Channeache Rati’, ‘Mungllurachea Xarant’ besides other songs.

The show will also have popular artistes from the Konkani stage. Singers like Anthony San with his daughter Clarissa, playback singer Nephie Rod, writer and singer Lawry Travasso, Xavier Gomes, Francis de Tuem, Peter and Roshan will all give performances.

Interestingly, singers like Marcus Vaz, Steffi, Willy and Master Benzer will be making their appearances for this show. Besides, Prince Jacob, Comedy Supremo Humbert, Sally, Brian and Ben promise to keep the audience in splits with the staging of comic skits.

Buyao Theatres, Goem will also be releasing ‘Buyao Rocks Konkani’, its thirteenth album. It is a fusion of peppy Western beats including rock, with Indian rhythm. The songs on this album are penned by lyricists Shridhar Kamat, John Aguiar and the late Goem Shahir Ulhas Buyao.

Attractive spot prizes and also a prize for the lucky ticket are bound to give the audience the worth for their money when they attend the show, which going by the artistes performing, will be remembered for a long time to come.

After this function, Siddhanath Buyao is leaving for Dubai as part of Peter-Roshan’s troupe to stage their popular tiatr ‘Goem Soddun Pavlem Ghanttar’. Siddhanath said the trip to Dubai will give him the opportunity to explore the Gulf market for sales of his new album.

Siddhanath sings two songs in the tiatr. A little known fact is that ‘Goem Soddun Pavlem Ghanttar’ begins with his voice, as he sings the popular ‘Deva Mhojea Deva’ Siddhanath Buyao composed and originally sung by the late Ulhas Buyao.

Parenting

Pg3

Konkani Film Tum Kitem Kortolo Aslo? releases in Kuwait

HERALD FEATURES ith a number of firsts to its credit such as the first Konkani film to be directed by a woman, the first Konkani film to be made with an entirely Goan cast and crew and the first Konkani film to use professional choreography, the first Konkani film to use an orchestra of 35 Goan musicians and the first Goan film with a Dolby-sound, ‘Tum Kitem Kortolo Aslo?’ was released in Kuwait on October 22, 2010.

At the launch, a brief glimpse on the film production provided by actor-director-producer Sharon Mazarello and Wilson (Wilmix) Mazarello highlighted on the experience of filming, production and post-production. “We are happy to have been approached by our Goan friend, Domnic Araujo, to have the film’s release in Kuwait. We are delighted by the tremendous response and coverage given to us in Kuwait’s prominent English dailies,” said a beaming Sharon.

T-Bush, the Kuwait-based award winning film producer-director raised a valid point at the ensuing discussions. His contention was that it is imperative to develop the Konkani film standard and to produce more outstanding movies in Konkani. “I want the market to change and to demand more Konkani films which make profit. Konkani film producers should be looking more into the economics and must aim to get the returns back from their investment. This dream will come true only when the Konkani lovers will demand rich cinematography, story, direction, music and choreography, he said.

W

Representing the tiatrist fraternity in Kuwait, comedian Philip Pereira, who has been associated with Wilson Mazarello and other Goan directors on the tiatr stage since the mid 1980s wished Shamaz Films (Goa) all the best and curiously questioned Sharon if she will give up acting on Konkani stage?

Instantaneously Sharon responded that though she will be concentrating on film production, she will be happy to continue with the stage in the free time she gets. To that, Wilson added: “We have our love for tiatr and will continue it in the future.”

The film is scheduled to be released in Goa on October 28 at Maquinez Palace, Panjim and OSIA, Margao.

The happy couple: Sharon and Wilmix (top) and key members of the organising committee (left)

Photos by Goan Shutterbugs

Muskaan

takes a Successful Step in Breast Cancer Awareness

BY DOLCY D’CRUZ HERALD FEATURES he Taleigao Community Centre was a happening place on October 23 as it was the meeting point for the numerous Sunset charity walk volunteers.

Dressed in white and black t-shirts with pink ribbons pinned to them symbolising Pink October, the International Breast Cancer Awareness month, the volunteers first had a brief talk on breast cancer awareness and self examination by Dr Sharmila Sardessai Correia, a cofounder of Muskaan, a trust for persons with cancer.

She informed, “Early detection is very important. 90 percent of the cases detected during self examination are not malignant. It is important to look at the mirror and check the size, shape, colour of the breast skin and any changes that are noticed should be checked thoroughly with the doctor.”

Babita Agarwal, a survivor and co-founder of the trust was also present. She said, “When I came to Goa, I had difficulty in getting the materials I needed like breast

T

prostheses and post mastectomy products. We formed the trust to create awareness, promote early detection and help survivors fight the long battle even after treatment like social stigma and suffering. When we started the trust we had just 35-40 survivors, now we have grown to a big number.”

Melanie Chowgule, present for both, last year and this year’s walk, commented, “It is just getting better. This year, there are twice the people, twice the fun and activity.” The programme began with the talk with live music and food stalls. Get Fit India had also set up a stall and were demonstrating exercises.

Pavithran Nambiar, General Manager of Goa Marriott Resort

Dr Sharmila SardesaiCorreia and Babita Agarwal, co-founders of Muskaan

36th Tiatr Competition 2010-11 - Day XVIII KUSVO R E V I E W

BY RON FIDELIS ronically, Alfred Nobel after whom the world peace prize is named was the inventor of dynamite, an explosive material that kills millions. Similarly however, Kusvo begins with a scientist (Rupesh Jogle) getting an award from the President for his work on contraception that has a pro-stance by the Indian government’s standards.

Interestingly, in reality, Kusvo’s script originated from a paradox. An employee of a pharmaceutical company where i-pills and contraceptives are currently very popular with the youth, Conceisao Fernandes, the playwright had got into this paradox due to the teachings of his Catholic religion, which says the opposite. Further inspired by Father Victor Ferrao’s talk on genetic engineering, this play simply lays down all possible points for and against contraception from every concerned angle. And no, it does not have a definite answer despite all scientific and moral evidences.

Since the scientist’s father had seven sisters and five brothers, three out of which died due to starvation, the scientist is thus hooked on to his father’s idea of a single child so that their upbringing does not become a burden. Looking at the big picture, his valid point about India overpopulating without any concern for nourishment is firmly seconded by newcomer Suzeta Pereira who plays his sister-in-law. Incidentally, her character signifies views of the current generation who would rather use contraception and avoid abortion.

Growing up in an age where contraception is an accepted option, she reasons that only if one can afford it, must they give birth to a child or else they should satiate themselves via other means. The scene when she slams her driver for asking an advance of his salary for his pregnant wife’s medical expenses was well done

by Pobre who plays this driver. Arguing for his vindictiveness about having a baby anyways for simply procreative reasons and stating that he only asked for his own hard earned money, the driver walks out of his job instead. And even though the girl’s point is more reasonable, the audience clapped for the driver.

Drawing such lovely intellectual analogies and thus carefully treating the intelligent quotient and emotional of

I

the audiences, the tiatr sure provoked thought. The doctor disclosing how cruelly and mercilessly he has to end the lives of foetuses, then finally breaking down and calling himself a murderer, was also nicely done by Nazario Pinto.

Of the two stances here, the play ends with the scientist succumbing to a pro-life stance ultimately reasoning that nature’s way of things should not be hindered as much as possible. His stance changes when his medicines are sabotaged at the manufacturing and distribution level thus failing in its purpose and leading many to go back to the doctor to physically abort, rather than use these contraceptives. A nice line here is, ‘science never fails humans but humans can fail science’.

A good thing about the tiatr here is that the writer has not got over-opinionated with religion and slammed the younger generation for their ideologies towards contraception. In all fairness, this stance however cannot be imposed on the youth.

While the previous show had his pupil Paklo, Kusvo had veteran drummer and Paklo’s teacher Abdonio nurture the cantos and cantarams in this play. With him accompanied with beats like soul, slow twist, samba, bosanova, disco, foxtrot, 2/4 foxtrot, great waltz and foxtrot/shuffle, the singers could not have asked for better backing from Agusto de Panchwadi’s band.

More on the lines of infotainment, this tiatr was put up by the newly formed Ami Daizi from Fatorda that performed for the first time in this competition.

Lifestyle

Relationships

Sports

Business

Health

Art

Culture

Environment

GOA’S HeartBeat

Education

Information Technology

t r en ’ n ‘ m a l g

Entertainment

ds

Fashion

Travel

email us at: goasheartbeat@herald-goa.com

Tuesday, 26 Oct 2010

Ankit Fadia plans Novel, Movie on Cyber Terrorism

H

Pg4

W

It’s another Baby Girl for Matt Damon

H

ollywood actor Matt Damon and his wife Luciana have become proud parents of a baby girl. The couple, already raising three children, welcomed the girl Stella Zavala Damon in New York.

“Mom and baby are both healthy. The whole family is thrilled,” Damon’s representative said.

Damon, 40, and Luciana, 35, wed in 2005 and have two children together, Isabella, 4, and Gia, 2. Luciana also has a daughter, Alexia, from a previous marriage.

Damon who had appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman earlier this month talked about the upcoming birth. When asked if he minded being surrounded by girls, Damon said “It’s great; I grew up with a brother so it’s a whole different world. There’s a lot of princess outfits, not for me though.”

He also talked about his girls’ distinct personalities. “There are huge differences amongst the girls, kids are amazing like that, same parents, same environment but they’re all different.

And with each one it becomes exponentially more complicated,” he said.

Damon may be a family man but he still manages to balance his daddy duties with his work.

Amongst other projects, he’s currently appearing in Hereafter, where he has once again paired up with director Clint Eastwood.

hen asked if Indian women filmmakers need government subsidies like in Sweden, eight emerging women directors in unison replied ‘No’, with an underlying message of ‘we do fine by ourselves, thank you’, at MAMI’s 12th Mumbai Film Festival.

There cannot be any more proof of woman power than this, where the nation’s filmmakers have moved away from seeking patronage to being their own person, proud of their identity as filmmakers without being singled out as women.

Asked whether women were looked as weak just because they cry, Zoya Aktar replied, “If I’m the director, it’s my party. I will cry if I want to. I will be in all my hormonal glory. I’m not going to be embarrassed by it. As a man, you have chosen to be part of my set, so you handle it, boy.”

The obvious question of sexism was raised.

Anusha Rizvi put it into perspective by saying that it was not just a phenomenon for the film industry but was a common occurrence in every industry globally.

“In workplaces, men have two ways of dealing with women, quiet flirtation or outright condescending. So you have to figure out how to deal with it. Beyond a point, there is no point talking about it,” said the co-director of Peepli Live.

Rajshree Ojha, the director of Aisha, had the audiences in splits when she narrated her experiences of making the film. “Everybody was shouting. There were a lot of hormones. The men were very scared of the women on the sets,” she said.

Talking about stereotyping, actor-director Nandita Das said “They expect you not to be able to handle the pressures that comes on the set as a director. There is definitely a thing of labelling women.”

Moderated by journalist Nandini Ramnath, the stage was electrified with the cumulative intelligence and wit of these fantastic women.

Liz Hurley looks Stunning at 45

E

lizabeth Hurley recently stepped out for dinner looking stunning in a tight bandage dress. The outfit shows she won’t succumb to the bodily fears of getting old and see things ‘go south’.

The 45-year-old is most remembered for donning Versace’s daring safety pin dress in 1994. It was later voted the greatest red carpet gown of all time in 2008.

Showing she hasn’t lost her touch, the model is still able to wear jaw-dropping attire and not look a day older than she did 15 years ago.

Despite insisting she has never undergone any surgery, Liz has incurred mass speculation over whether she has indeed had a breast augmentation and botox thanks to her fuller upper half.

Do you know the Carbon Footprint of your Gadget?

G

oogle has recently invested $5 billion on an offshore wind farm project in a bid to reduce the company's carbon emissions.

The MacBook 2010 produces 9 grams of carbon dioxide (CO2) per hour while the product is idle. The average 60 watt light bulb produces 48.4 grams of CO2 per hour.

Apple, which has a company footprint of 9.6 million tonnes, claims to have reduced the MacBook's carbon emissions by 12 percent over the last four years despite investing the machines with greater power.

Some reports have suggested that 7 grams of CO2 is produced per Google search, making two searches roughly the equivalent of boiling a kettle (15g of CO2).

However, there was a lot of controversy around these figures, which, in fact, derive from the power of the computers used to perform the searches. Google claims that actually a simple one-hit search produces only 0.2 gram of CO2. It was estimated in 2009 that more than 200 million Google searches are performed every day.

A 34-37 inch plasma-screen TV used for 6.5 hours daily will use 264 watts of power, the equivalent of 269 kg CO2 per year. A normal LCD TV produces 215 kg of carbon a year.

Every minute spent on a mobile phone is estimated to produce 57 grams of CO2. And for those who talk an hour a day, a year’s usage is equivalent to the same amount of emissions as flying from London to New York one way (125 million tonnes CO2). Utilising a landline phone uses one-third of the power it takes to make a call on a mobile phone.

New Version of ‘Kama Sutra’ a Guide for Wholesome Life

o more descriptions of adventurous lovemaking. A new version of the Kama Sutra, the ancient Indian book known as the ultimate sex manual, will now be updated as a text-only ‘lifestyle guide for the modern man and woman’.

Instead of the erotic drawings and sexual illustrations that have accompanied various translations of the ancient Hindu text, the new edition will be a text-only pocket-sized handbook, described as a ‘classy’ manual ‘covering every aspect of love and relationships’, says a leading UK newspaper.

The new version, written by A N D Haksar, an Indian scholar and a leading translator of Sanskrit texts, will include chapters with headings such as ‘Making a Pass’, ‘Why Women Get Turned Off ’, ‘Girls to Avoid’, ‘Is he Worthwhile?’, ‘Getting rid of him’, ‘Easy Women’, ‘Moves towards sex,’ and ‘Some Do’s and Don’ts’.

‘Kama’ does mean ‘the desire for sensual pleasure’, but in contrast to popular theory, only one of the Kama Sutra’s seven books is dedicated purely to sex.

The second and longest book outlines tips on how to enhance sexual pleasure and provides detailed descriptions of intricate sexual positions.

Haksar was quoted as saying, “The common perception of the ‘Kama Sutra’ is that it is only about sex, but any honest reading of the book shows that it is about lifestyle and social relations between human beings. My effort with the new translation has been to stay as close as possible to the original text but to present it in a contemporary language which reflects the contemporary issues within the book.”

Alexis Kirschbaum, the editorial director at Penguin said the new version of the book, to be published in February, would be “less pornographic, and more a lifestyle guide for the urbane and modern gentleman and woman”.

The six other sections of the book deal with social etiquette and good-living, courtship, marriage, extramarital relations, mistresses and courtesans and advice on how to enhance one’s physical attractiveness.

The book also includes relationship advice for women, such as avoiding men who talk too much or who have ‘breath which smells of crows’.

Editor –in-chief: R F Fernandes. Editor: Ashwin Tombat. Chief Editor-Features: Christina Viegas.

Parenting

Women Power calls the Shots at Film Fest Forum

e is a master at ‘ethical hacking’, has authored 14 books and is all of 25. And now Ankit Fadia is all set to pen a fictional novel on cyber terrorism which he hopes to convert into a movie some day.

“I am writing a fiction novel on cyber terrorism. Depending upon the response to the book, I plan to turn it into a movie. I have spoken to some production houses; let’s see how it shapes up,” Fadia said.

The young cyber security expert, who was even consulted by the US authorities to decode an encrypted e-mail sent by associates of Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden feels the Indian audience has woken up to cinema related to national security.

“I think after a film like A Wednesday, Indians have woken up to issues like cyber security. Cyber security as a subject has not been touched too often.

But through my novel and film, I would like to show how there will be cyber wars instead of wars with AK47s, how people will not be able to withdraw cash from ATMs due to cyber hassle. These are some of the elements that I am putting in my book,” he added.

At present, Fadia is busy with his MTV show apart from working as a consultant on cyber security with various companies, government bodies and security agencies in India and abroad.

He has also started a unique computer security training and certification course known as the Ankit Fadia Certified Ethical Hacker program.

N

Tourism

Forever Young More Men opting for Botox

W

rinkles, forehead creases, crow’s feet, bunny lines... these are worrying lines, and not just for the women. An increasing number of men are going in for anti-ageing treatments like Botox in order to look good.

Statistics reveal that the age for treatment for men starts as early as 35. “The reasons include the increasing pressure to look good as well as premature wrinkles due to high stress levels,” say health experts.

“An increasing number of men between 35 years and 60 years are opting for Botox procedure to fight the signs of ageing. Over the past five years, the demand has increased almost 200 percent,” informs Navin Taneja, director of the National Skin Institute in New Delhi.

“The majority of men are executives between 40 and 45 years. For men at the top management level, their job profile is such that they always have to look fresh and good, and with so much stress and hard work, often frown lines appear on the face. A lot of such men are coming to us and asking for removing the frowns,” he added.

Botox is a natural, purified protein that relaxes wrinklecausing muscles, giving the face a rejuvenated and youthful appearance. “The protein called Botulinum type A (Bot-A) is injected in the facial muscles, which stretches them and reduces wrinkles and sagging skin. The effects last for about 6-8 months,” said Mumbai-based dermatologist Satish Bhatia.

Women too are one of the reasons why men are paying attention to their appearance, doctors say. “With women becoming conscious about their appearance with growing age, many men are going for the treatment to complement their partners,” Taneja said.

Ankit Tondon, 40, who works as a senior relationship executive at a private bank, said, “I had started developing wrinkles due to high stress levels. I work in an area where it is important to project a happy and cheerful look, so I decided to undergo the treatment,” he said.

However, the treatment also has some side-effects like allergy, though cases are rare.

So what precautions should be taken after a Botox treatment?

Not bending forward or lifting objects from the floor, regular facial exercises prescribed by the doctor, and facial massages for at least a week after the procedure are essential, doctors say.

Also, men above 60 who take aspirin and want to go for the procedure, should stop taking the drug four to five days prior to the treatment.

“Botox will continue to be popular as people look to fight signs of ageing,” said Meenakshi Agarwal, a Mumbai-based cosmetic surgeon. Asked if there is any difference in the procedure for men and women, she said except for more units of Botox required for men, the procedure is similar and the cost for the treatment starts from Rs6,000, varying according to the number of units used.

Regd Office: St Tome Road, Panjim, Goa. Tel: 6658512, 6658500, 2224202, 2228083. Fax: 2222475. Email: goasheartbeat@herald-goa.com.