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Sports: Fletcher India’s new cricket coach Pg 16 IN BrIef

Anybody can cut prices, but it takes brains to produce a better article.

— P. D. Armour

2G: ED to attach properties In more trouble for telecom companies involved in the 2G spectrum scam, the Enforcement Directorate told the Supreme Court that properties worth Rs 2,000 crore each of two firms will be attached soon. “Property worth Rs 2,000 crore each has to be attached relating to these companies”, senior advocate K K Venugopal, appearing for the ED, submitted. – (PTI)

Jilted lover beheads girl in college A teenaged girl student was beheaded in the campus of the prestigious St Xavier’s College, Ranchi by her jilted lover, police said. “Kusum Kumari (17) was beheaded with a sharp weapon in the campus of St Xavier’s College by a young man who was identified as Vijendra Prasad”, Superintendent of Police Sambhu Thakur said. Police said Prasad had the intention of committing suicide after killing her but was overpowered by students before he could do that. – (PTI) OF THE DAY

Husband, usband, wife wife or or H any ny other other person person seeking seeking sex sex confirmation confirmation of of the the child child before before birth birtth is is punishable unishable under under PC-PNDT P C-PNDT Act. Act.

D reccto ttoorraate te oof Hea eallth th SSeerrv Diire icceess ire rvviic ate off H Hea lth

World: Obama releases his birth certificate Pg 13

(air surcharge Rs 2.00) pages 16 + 4

Goa’s Heartbeat: Jennifer Aniston to Pg 4 spend millions on new home

WAR OVER PAC REPORT Cong, Opposition head for showdown PTI NEW DELHI, APRIL 27

An all out political war broke out today with the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) coming down heavily on the PMO, Cabinet Secretariat and faulting the Prime Minister in the 2G scam while the Congress and DMK hit back demanding Chairman Murli Manohar Joshi’s resignation.

Riled by critical comments against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the ruling coalition accused Joshi, a veteran BJP leader, of having “malafide intentions” to destabilise the Government after he circulated a draft report of the Committee which criticised the PMO and Cabinet Secretariat for not tak-

ing “corrective action”.

The report will be discussed tomorrow at meeting of the PAC which is likely to be stormy.

With the strength of the two sides delicately balanced in the 21-member committee, the role of SP and BSP, which have a member each on the PAC, will be important.

The PAC has seven representatives from the Congress, four from BJP, two each from AIADMK and DMK, and one each from Shiv Sena, BJD, JD(U), SP, BSP and CPI(M).

Joshi is keen on pushing the report before the term of the current Committee ends on Saturday. But the ruling coalition members are expected to stall

the report by seeking further discussion and calling more witnesses, including former Telecom Minister A Raja in a bid to prolong the process.

They may insist on a vote on the issue in tomorrow’s meeting. An indication was available when Congress member K S Rao said the ruling coalition has a majority in the PAC and “you will see it tomorrow”.

The report did not spare even Singh for “some unfortunate omissions” that led to the 2G spectrum allocation scam being dubbed by the Opposition as the biggest scandal in independent India.

The report also attacked the then Finance Minister P Chi-

What the draft report says…

The Prime Minister on January 3, 2008 wanting to keep the PMO at “arm’s length” seemed to have given an “indirect green signal” to Raja to go ahead and “execute his unfair, arbitrary and dubious designs”.

The then Finance Minister P Chidambaram recommended to the Prime Minister to “treat the matter as closed” instead of taking action against those responsible for loss to the exchequer. dambaram for recommending to the Prime Minister to “treat the matter as closed” instead

of taking action against those responsible for loss to the exchequer.

Court cracks whip on striking pilots PTI NEW DELHI, APRIL 27

Striking Air India pilots were today directed by Delhi High Court to return to work forthwith, as the management quickly terminated the services of six of their leaders and derecognised their union while Government said the airline cannot be held at “gunpoint.”

At least 40 Air India flights were cancelled till late tonight on the first day of the strike by its pilots causing enormous hardship to thousands of travellers.

Notwithstanding the Court order directing the agitating pilots to resume duties forthwith, leaders of the Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) made up of 800 pilots of the erstwhile Indian Airlines and spearheading the stir said “we

are continuing with our agitation as of now”.

The leaders, who are demanding a pay hike and better working conditions, said tonight they were in consultations with their legal team following the court order.

There were indications that t h e I C PA c o u l d m o v e t h e Supreme Court tomorrow, but the ICPA leaders said “we will take a decision after our legal consultations are complete”.

They were expecting to get final legal opinion by tomorrow morning.

Following an urgent hearing of AI management’s plea against the strike, Justice Gita Mittal of Delhi High Court barred the pilots from resorting to any kind of demonstration and directed them to report for work.

Konkani, Marathi to Mickky gets jail stay as medium!

JUNIOR ENGINEER ASSAULT CASE

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 27

l

Std I-IV to be retained as primary section

SHWETA KAMAT PANJIM, APRIL 27

In what could be bad news for legislators and parents lobbying to include English as medium of instruction, the Law Department which vetted the Right to Education (RTE) rules has retained Konkani and Marathi as the medium to be taught in schools.

Sources from Directorate of Education confirmed this development.

“We cannot change the sys-

tem. As decided, the Government will retain the existing system of primary education in mother tongue and upper primary education — Std V to VIII — in English”, an official said.

In the recently concluded Budget session of the Legislative Assembly, Education Minister Babush Monserrate had said that primary education in Goa will continue to be in the mother tongue.

“Presently, elementary edu-

l

Schools with proper infra can change to full-day

cation in the State is different from the rest of India, and is going on for the last 50 years”, Monserrate had told the State legislative Assembly.

The Government of late is under immense pressure from different sections of society over the medium of instruction.

The Government was also put on the backfoot after some of its own legislators were found lobbying for English. Thousands of parents had also supported

the issue.

Protests were also held by Bhartiya Janata Party and Bhartiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch, headed by former chief minister Shashikala Kakodkar, who unanimously demanded use of mother tongue at primary level.

Meanwhile, Government has also decided to maintain the existing system with Std I to IV being retained as primary section.

(Continued on page 8)

Former tourism minister, Mickky Pacheco on Wednesday found himself in the dock after a court of Judicial Magistrate First Class, Margao convicted and sentenced him to one year simple imprisonment in the Jr Engineer Kapil Natekar assault case.

JMFC, Margao Devidas Ke r ka r f u r t h e r d i re c t e d Pacheco to pay a fine of Rs 5000 or in default to undergo

one month’s simple imprisonment. If the fine amount was paid, the court ordered that it should be forfeited in the name of Government.

The court, however, suspended the sentence for a month to allow the Benaulim MLA to file an appeal in the higher court.

While the Court held Pacheco guilty under Section 353 of the IPC, he was acquitted of the charges of wrongful confinement and threats.

Judge Kerkar said the prosecution has proved that on July 15, 2006 at about 10.55 am in the office of the Minister for Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Pacheco slapped on the face of the complainant Kapil Natekar whilst he was performing his lawful duty, thereby causing hurt to him and committing an offence punishable under Section 353 of the IPC. In this case, the electricity (Continued on page 8)

I respect the order: Mickky HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 27

Soon after the JMFC pronounced the conviction and sentence, Benaulim ML A Mickky Pacheco told waiting journalists that he respects the order of the court.

The Benaulim MLA, who has been bracing up to float his own political party in the State, later told newsmen that (Continued on page 8)

Benaulim MLA Mickky Pacheco outside the Margao Old court building soon after the verdict.

Photo by Santosh Mirajkar

Nobody is above the law: judge HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 27

Devotees move the transparent casket containing the body of Sathya Sai Baba inside Prashanthi Nilayam in the village of Puttaparthi, on Wednesday.

Sathya Sai Baba laid to rest PTI PUTTAPARTHI, APRIL 27

Sathya Sai Baba, who had a phenomenal following across the globe with his message of universal love and brotherhood, was bid adieu at a solemn ceremony today when he was laid to rest at the very spot from where he used to meet and address his disciples for years.

The Sai Kulwanth Hall in Prasanthi Nilayam, the abode from where Sai Baba ran a spiritual empire, reverberated with hymns from the vedas and chants of “Om Sai Ram” as the last rites were performed by the Baba’s nephew R J Ratnakar.

The Kurnool Battalion of Andhra Pradesh Special Police presented a 21-gun salute as a

mark of respect to the spiritual leader for whom the government declared a state funeral.

Watched by a galaxy of political personalities including Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka chief ministers N Kiran Kumar Reddy and BS Yeddyurappa, Governors ESL Narasimhan and Shivraj V Patil, and hundreds of his followers, Sai Baba’s body was

A bleak future for these babies!

RTI info reveals 131 infants are HIV positive FREDDY REBELLO POINGUINIM, APRIL 27

TIDES TODAY High Tide: 0806; 2006 Low Tide: 0151; 1333

Their life was ruined even before they entered the world and they have been condemned to an uncertain future in their mother’s womb itself.

Official records from 2005 till 2010 availed under Right to Information reveal that there are 131 children born to mothers who had contracted AIDS. Moreover, there were two mothers with HIV who delivered twins.

The data of those women who had conceived with AIDS

faCts & fIGUres Many private clinics don’t report HIV positive cases to the Directorate of Health Services. l From April 2005 to December 2010, 4,340 patients were screened for ART eligibility. Of these 97 were children and 82 of them are alive on ART. l In 2008, 46 children were born to HIV positive mothers. In 2009, the figure was 58 while in 2010 it was 27. l

is only from Government hospitals.

It is learnt that many private (Continued on page 8)

laid to rest amidst chanting of “Sai” mantras.

Once the last rites were performed by vedic pandits, red curtains were drawn around 9:45 am and the process started for laying the body in a pit created at the spot in Sai Kulwant where he used to make his preachings for his followers for a number of years.

Sanquelim to Sakhali?

HERALD CORRESPONDENT BICHOLIM, APRIL 27

Sanquelim Municipal Council has asked North Goa Collector to rename Sanquelim town to Sakhali.

In a letter dated April 14, SMC Chairman Anand Naik has asked the North Goa Collector to rename Sanquelim to Sakhali.

“It was a unanimous decision taken by us during the municipal meeting to rectify the name of the city as the word ‘Sanquelim’ is a Portuguese word”, said Naik.

“Five villages of Harvalem, Gauthan, Parye, Karapur and Virdi form a Sakhali (chain) and we feel that it is the right word for the city”, added Naik.

Rejecting a plea by his lawyer Adv Srikant Nayak to take a lenient view and to release Pacheco on admonition, Judge Devidas Kerkar said that nobody is above the law and nobody can use his political power to commit illegal acts.

Judge Kerkar said the court cannot take into consideration the submission made by the defense that Pacheco has been convicted for the first time, saying the offense committed by the accused under Section

353 of the IPC is a serious offense.

“Maximum punishment shall be awarded to the accused in order to deter him not to commit such type of offense in future. Nobody is above the law and everybody has to obey the law and nobody can use his political power to commit illegal a c t s ” , J u d g e Ke r ka r o b served.

In his submission on the point of sentence, Pacheco’s lawyer, Adv Nayak submitted that the accused has not been

convicted at any point of time.

“Accused was a minister so also political leader in the state of Goa and he got respect from the public”, Adv Nayak said, while praying that the court take a lenient view at the time of granting sentence.

On the other hand, Assistant Public Prosecutor, submitted that maximum punishment be awarded to the accused as per the provision of law so that he will not commit such type of offences in future.

GOA

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GOA, THURSDAY, 28 APRIL, 2011

Mickky defies Churchill, opens Majorda subway HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 27

Taking the Churchill Alemao camp completely by surprise, Benaulim MLA Mickky Pacheco and his supporters on Wednesday morning inaugurated the long-delayed Majorda Sub Way, leaving his bete noire and PWD Minister fuming far away in Kuwait.

PWD Executive Engineer, Anil Ringe immediately lodged a complaint with the Colva police upon instructions from his political masters, but before the men-in-uniform could reach Majorda and stop the inauguration, the subway was already thrown open for traffic and pedestrians by the local MLA. The Benaulim MLA along with ZP members Nelly Rodrigues and Wilfred D’Sa, Majorda Sarpanch Visitation da Silva and panch members came to the Sub Way at around 11 am in a big group, wherein the foundation stone was blessed by a Priest. Later, speaking to newsmen, the Benaulim MLA said he thought of inaugurating the sub way along with the people as it was ready since the last three months.

He said work on the Rs 1.90 crore sub way should have been completed three years ago, and felt that PWD and its agencies should take care of water logging in the sub way during the monsoons. “I had proposed the bridge in 2003. Let us see the situation during monsoons, but it would be the responsibility of the PWD and its agencies to take care of water logging”, he said.

Lamenting that work on the sub way ought to have been completed three years ago, Pacheco said the work should have been completed long ago.

Moreover, he said it was nearly

Benaulim MLA Mickky Pacheco inaugurates subway in the presence of his supporters at Majorda.

Photo by Savio Dias

one month and half since list of names were asked by the authorities, adding that he thought of inaugurating the sub way with the local people.

Meanwhile, the Benaulim MLA has said the PWD Minister Churchill Alemao is obstructing the process of tendering road works in his Benaulim constituency to the tune of

Rs 14 crore.

He said the works have received all approvals from the government and wondered why the PWD is not tendering his work. ‘I have briefed the Chief Minister on the issue and I will again take up the issue with Kamat to direct the PWD Secretary ensure that basic ameni-

ties are made available to the people of Benaulim.

“I fail to understand why the PWD Minister is obstructing my development work. My family members are not contesting from Benaulim, but the PWD Minister should understand that I represent Benaulim”, he added.

It will be officially inaugurated: Churchill HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 27

Terming as “illegal” the inauguration of the Majorda Sub way

by Benaulim ML A Mickky Pacheco, PWD Minister Churchill Alemao has said that the sub way would be officially inaugurated by the government after work is completed in all respects.

A fuming Alemao demanded to know how the Benaulim MLA can inaugurate the Sub way before the government could officially throw open the road under bridge for traffic.

“The PWD had planned the

formal inauguration by inviting the Chief Minister Digambar Kamat and all other concerned persons. Now, the government would set a fresh date for the formal inauguration”, he said.

Alemao admitted that the PWD officials has lodged a complaint with the Colva police on the matter since the inauguration ceremony was illegal.

He also refuted Pacheco’s allegations of obstructing development work in Benaulim.

“People all over Goa have praised me for ushering in development work under the PWD. I have taken up so many projects in Benaulim”, he said, adding that whatever pending works in Benaulim would be taken up for the benefit and welfare of the constituency.

HC admits plea challenging acquittals in Tanuja murder HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 27

The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Wednesday admitted the criminal appeal petition challenging acquittal of two accused in the infamous 2002 Tanuja Naik murder case that had rocked the temple town of Ponda.

The Court has further ordered to issue warrants to both the accused, who are at their native places at present. North Goa District and Sessions Court had acquitted Rajnish Singh alias Raju Bhayam Bhagel and Ram Avtar Singh alias Ram in May 2009.

Kudem mining firm gets GSPCB notice HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 27

The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has issued show cause notice to a mining firm at Kudem in Sanquelim for conducting mining activity without following water and air pollution norms.

In a notice issued to J Srinivas of Noor Mohammad Ladji mines, the GSPCB has said that there are several complaints that ‘ore dumped at the plots are causing dust pollution and health hazard in the vicinity.’

The notice was issued on April 20, 2011. The pollution control board had directed the mining firm on March 18, 2010 to furnish the details of their activities, which they preferred to ignore and instead continued to operate.

GSPCB has said ‘as per their records, the mine has not obtained consent to operate the plot for stacking ore as required under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) act, 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981’.

The mining firm has been asked to show cause within 15 days ‘as to why appropriate action as per the provisions of the acts should not be initiated against them for operating in the plots without obtaining consent to operate.’

It can be recalled that earlier last month, the board had given 60 days ultimatum to 41 mines, operational in talukas like Sanguem, Sattari and Qupeme, to submit all the documents including forest clearance, wildlife clearance and other documents before applying for renewal of licences.

The state police had challenged the acquittal in December 2009 and finally, the petition was admitted today on April 27.

The matter which came up before the double bench of Justices S C Dharmadhikari and F M Reis is kept for final hearing in June.

Special Public Prosecutor R Rivankar contended that the lower Court totally discarded the evidences including the deposition of the eye-witness who had seen one of the accused running with the fire arms.

“Even the recovery of the fire arm from the accused has been turned down because one of

the panch witnesses to the recovery turned hostile. But the Court did not consider other panch-witness who was firm on his deposition,” Rivankar argued.

On July 15, 2002, 22-year-old Tanuja was shot dead by unknown persons at Caranzal-Marcaim when she was returning home. On August 7, 2006, the Crime Branch arrested Raju and subsequently arrested his accomplice Ram, both from Madhya Pradesh.

The police claimed that the motive behind the crime was robbery of a gold chain that Tanuja was wearing.

2 hours ordeal for 4-yr-old boy at Hospicio HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 27

Believe it or not, it took nearly two hours for the Hospicio hospital to attend to a four-year old boy at the Hospicio hospital on Wednesday evening.

The boy was taken to the hospital at around 7 pm after he complained of pain in one of his ears. However, instead of attending to him promptly by the Hospicio doctors, the patient was made to wait for two long hours at the hospital on the plea that the lady doctor was on her way to attend to the boy.

MMC Councilor Raju Naik, who also rushed to the Hospicio, expressed his anger over the very functioning of the hospital. “Just imagine a situation if the serious patient was brought to the hospital and the doctor his own time to come and attend to the victim”, he said, adding that the government should immediately devote attention to the functioning of the hospital.

“I am a witness to the incident since the boy happens to be hailing from my ward.

For two hours, the boy was not attended on grounds that the ENT doctor was on her way”, he said, while calling for toning up of the hospital services for the benefit of the common man.

Hubby gets remand for murder HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, APRIL 27

Ganpat Shetye, who was arrested by Mapusa Police in connection with the murder of his wife, has been remanded to seven days police custody for further investigation.

It may be recalled that on Tuesday evening, Ganpat Shetye, a native of Pernem but residing at Nachinola, was arrested by Mapusa Police on charges of murdering his wife Sneha.

Mapusa Police on Wednesday afternoon had produced accused Ganpat before JMFC and obtained a remand of seven days for further investigation.

When contacted, Sneha's father, Dilip Pednekar stated that his daughter Sneha had married Ganpat five years ago and were blessed with a son and daughter. “It was love marriage and since there was some opposition from his parents, both were residing with us at Nachinola. Sneha was working in a private firm at Panjim. She used to leave for office in the morning and return by 7 pm,” informed Dilip.

State to challenge Dudu’s bail HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 27

The Narcotics and Drugs Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Court, Mapusa on Wednesday dismissed the State’s application opposing the bail granted to Israeli drug dealer David Driham alias Dudu.

On February 3, Special Judge P V Sawaikar had ordered Dudu’s release after he spent over 11 months in custody, on condition of furnishing a personal bond of Rs one lakh and two local

sureties in like amount. The Court also restricted Dudu from leaving the State.

State representative Mahesh Amonkar said that they will now approach the High Court seeking to cancel Dudu’s bail.

During the hearing of the case, Adv Amonkar submitted to the Court that the Judge did not consider merits of the case although there was sufficient evidence against the Israeli for prosecuting him, as he was found with commercial quantity

of narcotics. On this ground, the State had approached the NDPS court requesting the cancellation of Dudu’s bail.

Raju Poulekar, counsel appearing for the alleged accused, argued that Dudu was granted bail on technical grounds and he abided by all his bail conditions.

A team of Anti Narcotics Cell, on February 21, 2010 arrested Dudu with several kilograms of narcotics near his rented bungalow at Anjuna.

HC stays SPCA probe in Cipriano’s death case

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 27

The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Tuesday ordered to stay proceedings of the State Police Complaints Authority (SPCA) in taking cognizance of offenses in the sensational Cipriano Fernandes death case.

The Division Bench comprising of Justices S C Dharmadhikari and F M Reis was hearing a petition filed by a suspended policeman Sandeep Shirvaikar challenging that SPCA has no right to take suo-motto proceedings in the matter.

In his petition, Shirvaikar also said that the SPCA has no power to record statements of witnesses under the oath. “SPCA has no power to punish but recommend departmental enquiry and direct filing of an FIR,” further reads the petition.

SPCA has taken Suo Moto cognizance of the news report on the 38-year-old seafarer’s death on January 9. SPCA chairman Justice Dr Eurico Santana

nCipriano, 39, a seafarer back on a holiday in Goa was arrested on January 7 after his lady friend Georgina complained against him of threatening her with a knife. Later he died on January 9 while being in the police custody. da Silva had directed its office to register the news report dated January 12 on Herald as ‘Suo Moto Inquiry Proceedings’ against Panjim police officers of gross misconduct.

The SPCA during its inquiry last month found that there was enough material suggesting direct involvement of eight policemen in the custodial death.

Cipriano, 39, a seafarer back on a holiday in Goa was arrested on January 7 after his lady friend Georgina complained against

him of threatening her with a knife. Later he died on January 9 while being in the police custody.

The crime branch is investigating the custodial killing, which has been confirmed by sub divisional magistrate’s (SDM) report.

Three officials – inspector Sandesh Chodankar, Sub Inspector Radhesh Ramnathkar and Shirvaikar were suspended for procedural lapses.

Meanwhile, the SPCA, in its order dated April 19 has prima facie found serious misconduct in the conduct of the Panjim police while investigating the case.

The SPCA was hearing a petition filed by an activist that Agassaim police inspector was not registering his case against the Panjim police staff on duty on the fateful day.

Justice Silva observed that police should have complied with the legal mandate and directions of the Supreme Court and get the case registered.

AITUC demands benefits for BSNL contract staff HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 27

In a sternly written letter, the All India Trade Union Congress has demanded that BSNL Goa ensure that employees contracted in the realm of construction and maintenance of telecom systems through various contractors be given the benefits of statutory labour welfare legislations.

“We wish to bring it to your kind attention that being the principal employer it is statutorily obligator on the part of the management of BSNL-Goa to ensure that these workmen are provided/extended the benefits of statutory labour legislations

such as Provident Fund, Employee State Insurance Scheme, Payment of bonus, payment of minimum wages, leave paid weekly off, holidays and payment of overtime for working on extended hours of work etc.,” the letter to the General Manager of BSNL reads.

They have demanded that unskilled workmen be paid Rs 224 per day, semi-skilled Rs 248 per day, skilled/clerical is Rs 273 a day and highly skilled is Rs 297 per day.

“These workmen employed under the BSNL – Goa are not paid the above wages as notified by the central government for the above categories of work,”

the letter reads.

The letter however stops short of threatening a strike or warning of any action if the BSNL management fails to comply.

Copies of the letter have been forwarded to the Union minister for Human Resource Development Kapil Sibal, General Secretary of the AITUC Gurudas Das Dupta, PF commissioner and ESI commissioner, both based a Panjim.

There are total of 350 workers employed under the BSNL for the works, who have found support of General Secretary of Goa State Committee of the AITUC, Christopher Fonseca.

NGOs hold solidarity meet at Cavrem HERALD CORRESPONDENT QUEPEM, APRIL 27

The Cavrem Adivasi Bachav Samiti in coordination with other NGOs from the State on Wednesday convened a solidarity meeting near Cavrem Primary School at Cavrem-Quepem.

About 300 villagers from Cavrem and other parts of Goa attended the solidarity meeting.

Addressing the meeting, Cavrem Adivasi Bachav Samiti President Nilesh Gaonkar claimed that all mining companies at Cavrem had obtained Environment Clearance from the Ministry of Env i ro n m e n t b y s u b m i t t i n g false and distorted Environment Impact Assessment Report, where they stated that there is no ST population.

“The villagers are planning to stop further mining in Cavrem and also to close down the existing one,” stated Gaonkar. “ The mining which has started in Cavrem about 4 years ago has destroyed agriculture, which is the lifeline of majority of the villagers. Presently, due to dust pollution people are con-

nThe way the police are supporting the mining transport appears as if they are operating the mining transport themselves.

The mining companies are constantly trying to divide the villagers.

-- Gaonkar stantly suffering from health problems which is not getting cure,” added Gaonkar.

“The way the police are supporting the mining transport appears as if they are operating the mining transport themselves. The mining companies are constantly trying to divide the villagers,” claimed Gaonkar.

Rajendra Kakodkar of Gav Rakhon Manch appreciated the people for their unity, determination and leading the agitation in a different way. He urged the villagers to remain united in their fight.

Rama Velip of Colomba Bachav Samiti stated that once

hills are destroyed for mining purpose, then water resources and forests would be destroyed.

He requested the villagers to file their objections to the Forest Policy notified by the government.

Zerina of Goychea Xetkaracho Ekvott said: “Nature is our mother, which nurtures us by providing water, air and our food.” She appealed the villagers to protect mountains, forest, water resources and agriculture for the well-being of future generation.

In his speech, GXE President Deelip Hedge blamed the State government for the mining mess in the State.

“To promote mining, the State Government is destroying the dairy industry, as both cannot go together,” he said.

Incidentally, while the meeting was in progress at about 6 pm, a loaded mining truck was stopped and sent back by the Cavrem villagers.

Other who addressed the meeting included Mahesh Gaonkar, Yetin Pai and others.

Goa govt to seek NCZMA’s help to tackle tar balls HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 27

Goa government has finally decided to seek intervention of National Coastal Zone Management Authority (NCZMA) to diagnose the crucial issue of tar balls appearing on the state’s beaches.

Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) Member Secretary Michael D’Souza said that the issue has been raised with the NCZMA, who in turn will seek help from their concern authority.

“We were incidentally in New Delhi, when this issue was reported by newspaper in Goa. The issue was discussed with NCZMA in detail,” D’Souza said.

The authorities were perplexed because the tar ball phenomenon that used to surface before the monsoons have suddenly started appearing in the summer season.

Recently the beaches like Varca and Benaulim in South Goa had faced this phenomenon.

Officials from Tourism Department said that the beaches were cleaned but with the high tide, the balls surfaced again on Saturday.

Illegal structures demolition delayed HERALD REPORTER VASCO, APRIL 27

Thirty-three illegal structures on a private land at Adarshnagar-Chicalim got a lease of life for two more weeks, after the encroachers asked Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) chief officer to grant them two weeks extension to vacate their houses on their own.

It may be recalled that on March 18, 2011, while dismissing on encroachers’ appeal, the urban development minister had asked MMC to demolish all the illegal structures, which had cropped up in a short span of time on a private land of one Mahadev Naik.

After Naik produced the order copy last month, MMC had set April 28 and 29 as the demolition date and had sought assistance from Demolition Squad and Vasco Police.

The municipal staff dealing with council’s legal matter informed that the encroachers had sought two weeks time from the chief officer and had requested him to extend the demolition date for the another two weeks.

“We are constantly cleaning the beaches by collecting these thick oily balls,” he said.

Last year, when such tar balls had arrived on the long stretches of Beaches, Nagpur based National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) was given the task to study the issue.

However, officials said that NEERI is yet to get back with the study report.

After the recent case, officiating director Science, Environment and Technology Lavinson Martins had written to the Indian coast guard to give the list

of the ships that had passed by the ocean during those days.

Martins had said that the releasing of oil in the sea is a serious offence and rough ships can be booked, if they are found guilty.

Indian coast guard (ICG) has the jurisdiction from the shoreline to 20 nautical miles, which is guarded by them.

Officials said that ICG can ascertain whether any ship has discharged the oil by checking ship’s log book, which has the record of oil present on the ship and other essentials of the vessel.

Farmers demand hike in purchase price of milk HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARCEL, APRIL 27

Members of Akhil Goa Dudh Utpadak Utkarsh Sanghatana on Wednesday met Goa Dair y Chairman Madhav Sahakari to demand a hike in the purchase price of milk.

Milk farmers said the Goa Dairy had hiked selling price of the milk by Rs 3 since February 21 after a rise in purchase price of milk in neighbouring states.

However, the State farmers from whom the dairy purchases milk were not given any rise.

Goa Dairy sells about a lakh litre of processed milk everyday in the Goan market. Goa Dairy purchases half of the total raw milk from the neighbouring states.

On Wednesday afternoon, about 50 members of Akhil Goa Dudh Utpadak Utkarsh Sanghatana met Goa Dairy Chairman Madhav Sahakari and demanded for a price hike in milk purchase prices.

Members claimed that on two different occasions, the Sanghatana had approached Goa Dairy with the demand, but did not yield any result.

“When the dairy hiked milk price on February 21, we learnt from media reports that the farmers will also be given price rise from April 1. Since Goa Dairy didn’t act in the matter, we met the Goa Dairy chairman requesting him to look into the matter,” Akhil Goa Dudh Utpadak Utkarsh Sanghatana President Babu Komarpant said.

“We made another representation on April 25, but there was no specific assurance. However, we have gain come today with the same demand and wants to know why we have been neglected,” said Komarpant.

The members during the meeting demanded an assurance from Goa Dairy Chairman Sahakari, to which the chairman said that it will decided by the Board of Directors. Sahakari also informed that the decision of the board will be informed to farmers by May 31.

“Since the time I took over as board chairman, whenever there was a price hike, it was also extended to farmers, which was not happening earlier,” he said.

OHERALDO

GOA

Pg3 GOA, THURSDAY, 28 APRIL, 2011

We will continue with existing system of admissions: Jindal HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 27

Goa Medical College and Hospitals Dean Dr V N Jindal on Wednesday said that guidelines of Medical Council of India (MCI) for national entrance test are in the draft form and they would continue with the existing system as ‘state government has not informed them about any changes.’

Jindal said that they will hold Goa state entrance test for the MBBS as being done in the past years.

“We will continue with our existing system which has state level CET and for Post Graduation we take the merit list,” he said.

MCI in its recent decision has suggested that National Entrance Test should be made compulsory for students seeking admission in for graduate and post graduate courses in medical science.

The Draft notification has already been uploaded on the MCI website which will be notified in the month of August, this year.

nDr Jindal confirmed that the state government is yet to form the committee to study the matter. Chief Minister Digambar Kamat during the demands on the Health department had assured that a committee of experts would be formed to study the issue.

The medical fraternity in the state has said that the state government should give its opinion on the draft before it’s taken up for finalization.

“Once it’s finalized, then it will be difficult to modify and Goa will have to follow what central policy decides,” a senior doctor said.

Dr Jindal confirmed that the state government is yet to form the committee to study the matter. Chief Minister Digambar Kamat during the demands on

the Health department had assured that a committee of experts would be formed to study the issue.

As per the draft placed by MCI during ‘national meet on implementation of reforms in undergraduate and post graduate medical education, the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for Post Graduates (NEETPG) will be held from 2012. The same would be notified in August 2011 with applications collected from September end.

Candidates who have completed internship or those expecting to complete by March 31, 2012 will be eligible to take the examination.

The admit cards will be dispatched by middle of November 2011.

In case of national Eligibilitycum-Entrance Test for Super Specialties (NEET-SS) for 2012, the candidates who have completed post-graduation (MD/MS) or those expecting to complete postgraduate by June15, 2012 will be eligible.

The same will be notified in February 2012 .

GARD backs suspended doctor Praises her for saving life of mother HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 27

The Goa Resident Doctors Association (GARD) has come out in support of suspended senior resident doctor Vanita Pereira who was accused of botching up caesarean deliveries resulting in injuries to the baby and the child.

They have instead chosen to praise the doctor for her timely intervention, which has saved the life of the mother.

“In the said incident, the caesarean section was performed as an emergency at the 7th month of pregnancy in the interest of saving the mother’s life and uterus after taking an informed consent of the patient.

Since the patient had already

undergone a caesarean section in the past, she had a high risk of uterine rupture during this pregnancy which posed a great threat to her life. The situation was further complicated by baby’s pre-maturity, with an estimated weight of 900 grams), abnormal dorsoposterior position of the baby encountered on table and low lying placenta which separated promptly on giving uterine incision, leaving very little time for the operating surgeon to deliver the baby (within three minutes) to avoid baby’s death,” a press not released by President of GARD Dheeraj Lambor said.

“As it is a known surgical complication of the caesarean section in the literature, it does not

amount to negligence. We appreciate the sincere efforts of the concerned senior resident doctor to save the mother and the baby,” the press note reads.

The association has condemned the criticism, the doctor faced and has in the past threatened to go on a strike demanding that the doctor be reinstated.

Meanwhile, in a press release, GARD has said that the suspension of Dr Vanita Pereira would be revoked soon. This follows an emergency meeting with the Health Minister Vishwajeet Rane wherein GARD presented all the true facts of the case before the minister.

“The minister has assured us to revoke the suspension soon,” the release adds.

22-yr-old booked for rape HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 27

A 22-year-old youth was on Wednesday arrested for allegedly raping a teenaged girl at her residence, police said.

DySP Deu Benaulikar said that Shabbir Maulana Saab Walikar, a resident of Panjim has been arrested and remanded for custodial interrogation.

The victim girl (20), who lives on the outskirts of the city, was alone at home when the accused entered her house and raped her.

The incident is one month old.

According to the police, the victim and the accused were friends, and were supposed to tie-knot shortly.

“Families from both sides had agreed to the marriage. Few days later, the accused went on a vacation to his native in Bijapur (Karnataka) and severed contacts with the girl. She made repeated attempts to get in touch with him, but he ignored her, which prompted the girl to file a complaint,” the officer said.

The accused has been booked under section 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code.

MPT yet to receive ore from Karnataka HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 27

Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) has said that they are yet to receive ore from Karnataka although the Supreme Court has already lifted the ban on export of iron ore from the neighbouring state.

The exports of ore from MPT, which had faced a comparative slump af ter Karnataka ban, were expected to take off this month.

Traffic Manager’s office at the Port confirmed that they are yet to get ore from Karnataka.

“Don’t ask me why. I can just say that we are not getting the ore,” traffic manager reacted.

Supreme Court order had come as a respite for the mining firms in Karnataka, who were also exporting the ore through MPT besides several other ports in North Karnataka.

Of the total 50 odd million metric tonnes ore exported from Goa, almost eight mil-

Implement RTE soon: Kazi HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 27

Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has urged Goa Government to implement Right to Education (RTE) Act in the state as soon as possible.

Talking to reporters, Commission Chairperson Sameera Kazi confirmed that the letter has been forwarded to the government demanding immediate implementation of RTE in the state.

“The commission has been receiving several complaints from the parents that their kids are detained in the same standard,” she said adding that there were also complaints of few schools denying admissions for the kids.

Kazi said that government needs to take firm decision over implementation of this act, which will come as respite to many parents.

nKazi said that government needs to take firm decision over implementation of this act, which will come as respite to many parents.

“We have also come across the complaints that children’s are screened before admissions in the school, which is banned by the law,” she added.

The Education Department, which is planning to implement the act in phase manner has put up a proposal before the ministry that no student would be detained in the same class from first to eighth standard.

The RTE’s section 16 reads that, ‘no child admitted in the school shall be held back or expelled

St Augustine Tower: Activists decry restoration works VIBHA VERMA PANJIM, APRIL 27

Archaeological Survey of India’s (ASI) project to restore 16th century old St Augustine Tower has met with the skepticism by the local heritage activists, who have rued the concretization of this structure.

ASI’s Goa Circle has pulled up its sleeves to restore this tower which has crumbled thrice in past. But the heritage activists have said that ‘the way central government agency plans to restore will snatch UNESCO affiliation of this structure.’

ASI Superintendent Shivdas

said that they will be carrying out lime concrete flooring of this tower, this year, for easy movement of several lakh tourists visiting it. The experts have decided to concrete flooring where the movement of tourists is more.

The work would also include consolidation of the structure, which is located at Old Goa. ASI, which has been looking after upkeep of this tower, said that the structure has gone weak and it had collapsed under pressure thrice earlier. Shivdas said that the work proposed at this tower is a part of their continuous restoration process.

“We are strengthening the structure so that there is no further collapse. We have taken care to such an extent…” he said State level heritage activists, however, are wary of ASI’s moves.

Noted historian and heritage activist Prajal Sakhardande said that ‘the world heritage site cannot be destroyed in the name of renovation.’

“The activity by the ASI is a blatant destruction of the World Heritage monument and this would lead to de-recognization by the UNESCO,” he feared.

The ASI has said that they are treating St Augustine tower with utter care as they know the im-

lion metric tonne was from Karnataka as per the rough estimates.

While Goa Port is waiting Karnataka ore, as per the reports from the neighbouring state, after SC giving its nod for the export of iron ore accumulated at major ports, around 27,000 tonnes of iron ore was loaded and left for export to China from the New Mangalore port.

The lifting of ban are showing sign of recovery for many iron ore firms. Sesa Goa has announced that they expect their sales volume to go up anywhere from 15 percent to 20 percent, this year.

In the March quarter, the company went down by 21percent due to the ban of exports from the southern state.

In July last year, Karnataka banned shipments of iron ore from 10 of its ports in order to fight against illegal mining and a general need to keep raw materials within the state for local steelmakers to make use of.

portance of this place.

In the last fiscal year, the ASI team had cleaned the debris and consolidation of structures.

The incomplete work would re-start this financial year soon after they are allotted funds, Shivdas said.

The work last year also included pointing work (filling in the gaps between the bricks) and some missing portion of the walls were reconstructed.

The tower and the church were built in 1602 by the Augustinian friars who arrived in Goa in September 3, 1572. They founded a small convent on the hill and built the convent and the Church and completed in 1602.

With the religious suppres-

Two held at Dabolim airport HERALD REPORTER VASCO, APRIL 27

Immigration Police at Dabolim airport on Wednesday detained Nigerian and Tamilian in separate incidents, while they were trying to board flights to the Gulf with fake documents.

According to reports, the Nigerian, Ferdinand Luchi Onyeoziri, who had arrived in India on fake visa and residential permit, had landed in Hyderabad few days ago. However, he was detained while he was leaving the country from Dabolim airport.

While undergoing immigration clearance to board a Goa-Doha flight on Wednesday morning, the accused was caught as his visa and residential permit were found to be fake. Immigration Police detained Onyeoziri and later handed him over to Vasco Police.

Later in the afternoon, Immigration Police detained one more person from Tamil Nadu on charges of possessing a fake passport.

sion in 1835, the Augustinians deserted the church and the convent.

The latter was used for some time by the charitable institution of the Misericordia. The buildings fell into neglect resulting in the collapse of the vault on September 8, 1842.

The Government appropriated the property, selling the materials the following year.

The facade and half of the tower fell in 1931 and some more parts of it collapsed in 1938.

ASI’s Mini Circle conducted conservation work in the St. Augustine Church complex. The crevices found in the exposed walls, pillars and pilasters were consolidated. Water-tightening was also carried out on the exposed walls of the adjacent convent.

During the conservation work carried out by ASI’s Mini Circle, on one of the side altars of the St. Augustine Church complex, a burial chamber was discovered below the floor in front of the altar.

The chamber with a flight of five steps was built of laterite blocks and plastered in limemortar and had a vaulted roof.

A grave pit, which contained bones in three places, was found in the chamber which was also lime-plastered.

from school till the completion of elementary education.’ The department officials had said that ‘no detention’ policy envisaged in the RTE would be implemented in Goa, possibly from the forthcoming academic year.

With the implementation of this policy the criteria for the admission or promotion of a child would be based on age and not on merit.

OHERALDO

Pg 4 UPCOMING EVENTS GRA’s public rally PANJIM (HND): Goemchea Rakhondarancho Awaz (GRA) will organise a massive public rally on April 29 at 2.30 pm at Lohia Maidan, Margao, to give opportunity to the people of the State affected by the mal-governance to express their anger and press for corrective actions to redress chronic woes plaguing them.

Panelim feast on May 8 PANJIM (HND): Novena of Our Lady of Miracles Panelim Sao Pedro will start on April 29 at 6 pm. The feast will be celebrated on May 8. There will be only one mass on the Feast Day at 5 pm.

Priyanka Dance Academy function

PANJIM (HND): Priyanka’s Dance Academy, Mapusa will celebrate its 14th annual function cum ’Anandotsav’ on April 30 at Hanuman Natya Graha at 4:30pm. For entry passes, call 9657107721.

Language quiz PANJIM(HND): Communicare Cultural Centre will organise Kaleidoscope – a language quiz in Konkani, Hindi, Portuguese and French for the students of Higher Secondary Schools, where the final round of the Portuguese quiz will be aired on April 29 at 2 pm with repeat telecasts at 4 pm and 10:30 pm on Prudent. Quizmaster Clifton Afonso will take the four participating teams through a series of questions based on grammar, culture, and spelling skills.

The four participating schools for the second round of the Portuguese leg of Kaleidoscope are Our Lady of Rosary Higher Secondary – Dona Paula, Fr Agnel Multipurpose Higher Secondary School – Verna, Chowgule College Higher Secondary School – Margao, St Xavier Higher Secondary School – Mapusa.

Anti-rabies drive vaccination

CURCHOREM(HC): A free anti-rabies vaccination and free sterilization programme will be conducted at the Animal Care Centre in Curchorem.

Dr Jayram Dessai of the Goa Animal Welfare Trust, BansaiCurchorem branch, told Herald that healthy male and female puppies would also be available for adoption at the Animal Care Centre in Curchorem.

Further details of the programme are available with Dr Dessai on Ph: 2653677 from 10 am to 6 pm.

Speakers deliberate on insult to women through writings HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 27

Several representatives of women’s organizations and individuals deliberated on the increased trend of insulting women through different medium.

The members also discussed whether under the freedom of expression one can infringe on the rights of others.

The meeting took strong objection to the language and content of writers who violate the human rights of women. More particularly in case of persons holding positions and availing government grants.

In this context, the writings of the President of Goa Konkani

n The writings of the President of Goa Konkani Academy came in for critique. The meeting unanimously condemned his objectionable writings namely, the poetry “Cheddi” which is a local abuse in Konkani and the poetry itself is against commercial sex workers.

Academy came in for critique.

The meeting unanimously condemned his objectionable writi n g s n a m e l y, t h e p o e t r y “Cheddi” which is a local abuse in Konkani and the poetry itself is against commercial sex workers.

Former chairperson of Goa State Commission for Women Pramod Salgaoncar, academician

HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 27

Around 300 contract workmen employed by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL Goa) in its various divisions and exchanges all over Goa held a protest demonstration and Dharna at Kranti Circle, Opp KTCL Bus stand, Panjim, on Wednesday morning pressing their demands for immediate implementation of revised Minimum Wage, coverage under provident fund scheme, ESI scheme and implementation of other Statutory Welfare Labour Legislations.

According to a press release, the protest which was held under the banner of All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) was addressed by Com Christopher Fonseca, R D Mangueshkar, Suhaas Naik, Govind Pednekar and others, according to a press release issued here.

Though the Central Government has enhanced and revised the minimum wages of contract workmen vide Notification dated 25.03.2010, BSNL Goa Management still pays these

workmen much below the prescribed Minimum wage. BSNL Goa is now in the process of inviting tenders from various contractors for continuing these workmen who have been asked to quote for rates below the minimum wage prescribed by the Central Government.

BSNL being the principal employer is statutorily liable to ensure that these contract workmen are given benefits and welfare measures that they are legally entitled to under Labour Legislations. Despite the assurances of Minister for Human Resource Development and Union Minister for Telecom Kapil Sibbal, these contract workmen are denied the benefits of revised Minimum Wage and other Statutory Labour Welfare Legislations referred above.

The contract workers after holding demonstration at Kranti Circle, proceeded to the office of Asst Provident Fund Commissioner, at Patto, Panjim and handed over a representation demanding immediate coverage under Provident Fund Scheme for all the contract workmen.

What is a Tsunami?

How does the tsunami develop?

Everybody knows that what goes up must come down. This is particularly true for water which always likes to form a nice flat surface. So once the mountain of water has risen up the next step is for the sea to level itself out causing a tsunami.

W

Tsunami is a Japanese word meaning “harbor wave” that refers to a series of large ocean waves that hit a shoreline. These waves may be as long as 100 km and travel across the ocean at speeds of up to 800 kmh. There may be a constant stream of waves that that batter the shore between 10 and 60 minutes. Tsunamis are caused by sudden movements of the earth that take place under the sea. Often the most destructive tsunamis are caused by earthquakes but causes can also include volcanic eruptions, landslides or even a comet hitting the sea.

Radhika Nayak, and other women activists including Shaila Desouza, Tara Kerkar, Auda Viegas, Jyoti kunkolienkar, Sabina Martins, Hyacinth Pinto, Adv Swati Kerkar, Adv Shanti Fonseca, Adv Caroline Collasso, Monica Dias, Amol Morajkar, Afrose Shaikh, Suman Naik and others were present for the meeting.

NCP plans to aid SHGs

How do undersea earthquakes occur?

The earth sits on about a dozen tectonic plates. These are large floating pieces of hard rock that are constantly moving, and fit together around the world like a jigsaw. Undersea earthquakes occur when one of these plates rubs against another at a plate boundary. The two plates may get stuck, as the heavier plate tries to slide under the lighter one. This causes a build up of pressure in a process knows as Subduction.

As the heavier plate continues to slide beneath the lighter plate, it causes the lighter plate to bend downwards with the pressure. It reaches a point when the lighter plate can no longer take the intense pressure and suddenly snaps back up to the surface where it had been before. The incredible force of the Earth’s plate shooting upwards in the water causes huge rise in sea level and a vast body of water moves upward, very much like a huge mountain of water in the sea.

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As the mountain of water comes back down, it pushes the water that was underneath it outwards.

The force of the water moves through the ocean causing an underwater force that travels for hundreds of kilometers. The force of the water can reach speeds of up to 800 kmh as it surges through the ocean.

S H O RT TA K E S

HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 27

NCP Mahila Congress met at Porvorim office of Mahila Front on Tuesday.

The meeting was attended by NCP President Surendra Sirsat, Vice President Pandurang Raut, Mahila President Fermeena Khaunte, Goa Mahila Observer, Bharti Chavan and Ganjanan Naik Tari. Around 400 women participated in the meeting that was held to encourage Self Help Groups. It was informed that training will be conducted in bakery, jute bags, home science, poultry farms, dairy farming to help women to achieve self reliance.

Chavan elaborated on all schemes of State and Central Government, while Professor Surendra Sirsat praised the Mahila Wing President Fermeena Khaunte.

BSNL contract Maintain standard of workers hold dharna Konkani films: Talak

Natural World

e have all watched the devastation caused by the tsunami recently in Japan, and in Indonesia in 2004. So what exactly is a tsunami? And how does it happen?

GOA

GOA, THURSDAY, 28 APRIL, 2011

PWD Minister Churchill Alemao and wife Fatima along with Tony Gonsalves, promoter of Goan cultural shows in Europe, tiatr organiser Rafael and others on the occasion of staging of Daddy Hi Tuji Sun tiatr in Dubai, written and directed by comedian Sally. Fatima’s birthday coincided on the same day.

Yuva Gaurav award for Parab BICHOLIM(HC): The Shiksha Vikas Parishad (SVP) has selected Shrirang Arjun Parab from Bicholim for the prestigious State level Yuva Gaurav Award in the field of education for 2011.

The SVP is a State and National Awardee Teachers Association. Shrirang has been awarded for the same, as at the age of 16, he has completed his Masters Diploma in Computer Engineering, Software Developing, Hardware and Networking. He has also completed Diploma in Movie Editing and Diploma in 3D MAX. The award will be presented to Shrirang in October 2011 on the occasion of the 17th National Level Educational Conference to be held in Karnataka. The award includes shawl, shripal, memento and a certificate.

Hindi workshop organised Rajendra Talak, producer and director of Konkani film ‘O Maria’ speaks as the chief guest on the occasion of Konkani Cinema Day at TAG’s Conference Hall, Campal, Panjim, recently.

HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 27

“In order to improve the quality of Konkani films, the producers and directors must take the making of a Konkani film seriously so that the Konkani film maintains a certain standard” said Rajendra Talak, producer and director of one of the commercially successful Konkani film ‘O Maria’. He was speaking as the chief guest on the occasion of Konkani Cinema Day jointly organised by Tiatr Academy Goa (TAG) and Dalgado Konknni Akademi (DKA) on Sunday at TAG’s Conference Hall, Campal, Panjim.

Speaking further he appealed to all involved in the production of Konkani films to shed off the crab mentality and work together for the development of Konkani Cinema.

President of DKA, Premanand Lotlikar in his welcome speech stated that the sacrifices of the pioneer of Konkani Cinema A L Jerry Braganza who is known as ‘Father of Konkani Cinema’ for producing and releasing the 1st Konkani film ‘Mogacho An-

vddo’ in 1950, should not go in vain and that he should be remembered for his efforts to promote Konkani Cinema in difficult times.

Tomazinho Cardozo, President of TAG stated that Konkani Cinema has not become commercially successful not because all of them are below standard but because of the negative attitude of Goans towards Konkani cinema. If we love Konkani and love Goan culture, then it is the duty of every Goan to witness Konkani cinemas by paying tickets. When this attitude is imbibed in us then only Konkani Cinema will rise to greater heights. He also proposed the vote of thanks.

Earlier Rajendra Talak garlanded the portrait of A L Jerry Braganza as a mark of respect to the Father of Konkani Cinema.

Walter Menezes compered the function.

The formal function was followed by a cultural programme of songs from old Konkani Cinemas. The immortal songs were rendered by Socorro de Santa Cruz, Sonia Fernandes, Clarissa and Maria Cardozo.

Benefits of Internet visible in educational sector, says Rane

PANJIM (HND): Directorate of Census Operations recently conducted a Hindi workshop in its premises. Joint Director (official language) office of the Registrar, New Delhi, Dinesh Kumar Pandeya, was the chief guest while Devkinandan Pathak, Pradhyapak, Hindi Teaching Scheme, Panjim, presided over the function.

Pandeya, while speaking on the occasion, stressed on the implementation of official language Hindi in the day-to-day official work. He also talked on official language rules and regulations. Devkinandan Pathak given a lecture on Hindi grammar and also highlighted the importance of noting and drafting and letter writing.

Hindi translator Raghoba R Sawant, welcomed the guests and proposed the vote of thanks.

Piles cure at Apollo Victor hospital PANJIM(HND): Apollo Victor Hospital, Goa launched a new Proctology Clinic which offers services of a leading proctosurgeon Dr Ashwin Porwal from Ruby Hall clinic and Poona Hospital who is the first procto-surgeon in Maharashtra to perform the STARR surgery, a surgical treatment for chronic constipation. This surgery is performed through the natural route without any cut outside. Also the patient is discharged within 24 hrs and can join on duty from 3rd day.

Dr Ashwin Porwal has successfully treated over 450 hemorrhoid patients with the advanced and relatively painless surgical technique MIPH, popularly known as Stapler Surgery for piles.

Ashwin Porwal will be available for consultation on piles, prolapse and constipation on last Friday of every month at Apollo hospital, Margao, from 9 am to 11 am.

Two eminent Women Lions, Ezilda Sapeco, Chairperson, Goa State Women’s Commission and Nelly Rodrigues, chief of Goa Mahila Shakti Abhiyan felicitated for outstanding service to the community at the 35th Lion Ladies Axillaries District Convention of District 324- D2. Also present are Kiran Bhatkule, First Lady of District Ln Rita Maganlal, Leticia Belchoir, Sunita Sawant, Aurea Noronha, Aparna Palekar and Madhushree Timble

Funds for cultural institutions HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 27

What are the effects of a tsunami?

A tsunami causes considerable devastation to a country. It destroys every thing in its path and completely levels a country’s infrastructure. It is strong enough to move houses and cars, and even break bridges.

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Email Junior Herald at junior@herald-goa.com or join our Facebook fan page http://www.facebook.com/Herald.Jr. Our readers are invited to rave, rant, chat or even contribute. No message will go unanswered!

Speaker Pratapsing Rane releases a souvenir at Poriem.

Photo by Vishant Vaze HERALD CORRESPONDENT MAYEM, APRIL 27

Speaker Pratapsing Rane has stated that Internet has offered variety of benefits for the common man and the biggest benefit of it can be seen in the educational sector.

He was speaking during the function organised to release a souvenir by Parents Teachers Association of Shri Bhumika Higher Secondary School.

Highlighting the importance of Internet, Rane further said that educators can obtain learning material from the Internet.

“Educators can prepare courses online and deliver audio/visual information to the students. For instructors, it is a valuable source for reference material,” he added.

Rane stressed the need to provide WiFi connection to the schools and colleges in the State. He lauded the efforts of PTA committee members for their dedicated service for the betterment of Shri Bhumika Shikshan Sanstha.

Rane released the souvenir ‘Bhumika’ in the presence of Principal Dr Sadanand Hinde and PTA President Kashinath Majik.

Shivaji Rane, school manager, Shankar Chari, secretary, Tanuja Khanolkar, treasurer, Harsha Rane, Bhimrao Rane, Jackie Fernandes and other committee members graced the function.

Ratnadeep Verekar compered the function, while Bhimrao Rane proposed the vote of thanks.

Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi has made operational its scheme for the year 2011-12 for the grant of financial assistance to cultural Institutions engaged in training activities in music, dance, drama and in developing new theatre productions. It also provides for assistance to folk and tribal performing groups in various regions and supports works such as community singing, children’s theatre, research and survey in music, dance or drama, purchase of stage and other technical equipments.

Application forms should be submitted at the office of Kala Academy, Panjim, by May 25 so that the same can be forwarded to Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi by May 30.

The details of the scheme and application forms are available on Sangeet Natak Akademy’s websites www.sageetnatak.org and www.sangeetnatak.gov.in.

POWER SHUTDOWN APRIL 28

KUMBARJUA: From 9 am to 2 pm. Areas affected are Kumbarjua village, St Estevam village and Gaudalim.

SIRIDAO: From 9am to 2pm. Areas affected are Modlo waddo, Jeju Nazareth, Firguem Bhat, Sea view bar and restaurant, Zuari village.

DONA PAULA: From 9 am to 3 pm. Areas affected are Raj Bhavan, Marvel colony, Marvel village, Dona Paula and surrounding areas.

KERIM: From 9 am to 2 pm. Areas affected are VP Paliem and VP Kerim.

PORVORIM: From 9 am to 2 pm. Areas affected are Bhutki wado, Sangolda Morod, Mae de dues Sangolda and surrounding areas.

PORVORIM: From 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm. Areas affected are Porvorim Bazar, Waddem, Kharrem, Ticlo petrol pump and surrounding areas.

Pg 5

OHERALDO

GOA

GOA, THURSDAY, 28 APRIL, 2011

Kerosene subsidy for motorized canoes enhanced from this fiscal HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, APRIL 27

The motorized fishing canoes will net enhanced kerosene subsidy of Rs 30,000 from current financial year as against previous year’s Rs 18,000 subsidy per annum.

According to extension officer (fisheries) Anand D Mhalshi in Canacona BDO, the subsidy for purchase of fishing nets is also enhanced from Rs 8,000 to Rs 20,000 in the current financial year, besides financial assistances (subsidies) for purchase of new canoe (Rs 40,000), motorization of canoe (purchase of new motor) Rs 30,000 and other horde of existing benefits to fisher folks of Canacona.

According to Canacona BDO sources, there are approximately 4,000 fishermen families in Canacona alone eligible for various government benefits.

“Approximately, 369 fishing canoes are registered in Canacona taluka since the last 8 years,” sources informed.

Of which, 160 canoes are motorized, while 209 canoes are non-motorized (manually operated for sailing and other fishing activities).

Henceforth, each motorized canoe is eligible for kerosene subsidy of Rs 30,000 per year from the financial year 2011-12 as against the present Rs 18,000 (2010-11).

Mhalshi further informed that government is extending subsidy of Rs 40,000 each for new canoe construction (but only between the lengths of 26-36 ft).

Left out fishing community aggrieved HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, APRIL 27

Some aggrieved residents from Canacona have pinpointed government delinquency in clear violation of constitution of the country in implementation of various schemes meant for fishing occupation in the State.

According to sources in Canacona BDO office, government is extending schemes and benefits only to OBC community members and no other community people (even though they have attained the fishing trade as part of their occupation) are eligible for these government doles.

“An OBC caste certificate besides a letter of confirmation from the fishing community association is prime necessity for any citizen of Goa to avail benefits of subsidy and schemes meant for fishing occupation,” informed the source at Canacona BDO. Interestingly, the same criterion is not followed by the State government if any citizens of Goa want to purchase fishing trawlers or enter into a large-scale mechanized fishing activity.

According to sources, the only criterion is that the applicant should be a citizen of Goa and no caste certificate or any association is required.

“Then, why discrepancy only to low income and hardworking common men ‘Aam Admi',” questioned sources.

Residents demanding the extension of these facilities to all who are already in trade or wants to enter fishing occupation, feel that the discrepancies of demanding OBC caste certificate and other related documents are untenable and unconstitutional in nature as any citizen irrespective of his caste or creed can earn his/her livelihood by adopting any occupation of his/her choice.

“So far, 37 fishermen from Canacona have benefited from the scheme in the last three financial years - 2008-09 (13), 2009-10 (11) and 2010-11 (13),” he said.

Mhalshi informed that 33 fishermen had also availed benefits

of Rs 30,000 each subsidy for canoes under motorization, for purchase of new motors 200809 (9), 2009-10 (13) and 201011 (11) and the scheme is still available for grabs.

Fishermen in the taluka are

Death for corrupt: Ramdev

also eligible for subsidy of Rs 20,000 enhanced from previous Rs 8,000 for purchase of fishing nets. So far, only 17 fishermen from Canacona have availed these subsidy benefits - 200809 (8), 2009-10 (6) and 2010-11 (3).

Sources in Canacona BDO however informed that there is a lukewarm claim for housing scheme to fishermen, where they get Rs 50,000 after completion of their house.

It is learnt that so far only four have reaped housing benefits and the poor response is reportedly attributed due to various CRZ restrictions, as the fishermen community houses are mostly situated on the taluka’s coastline.

Fishermen are also reaping the saving-cum-relief scheme benefits, where beneficiary has to pay Rs 75 per month for 8 months (Rs 600) and get Rs 1,800 in return and 1,500 fishermen from Canacona are benefiting from the scheme.

Besides, fishermen between 18 and 60 years can also benefit from group insurance scheme.

The returns are Rs 70,000 for accidental death and Rs 30,000 for natural death cases.

Government is also extending 75% subsidy for those fishermen purchasing insulated boxes for their day-to-day usage and the subsidy is eligible for purchase of boxes of capacity of 50 ltrs (for fish vendors), 100 ltrs (canoe holders) and 220 ltrs (to boat owners of 3 and 4 cylinders).

One arrested for assaulting Agonda women HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, APRIL 27

People participate in the Yoga at Curchorem.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT CURCHOREM, APRIL 27

Swami Ramdev along with his followers will stage an indefinite hunger strike in New Delhi from June 4, to press the central government to enact laws to check corruption and black money.

Swami Ramdev announced this during his Yoga camp at Curchorem on Wednesday morning.

The Yoga camp was held at Government Complex Ground, Curchorem, and was organised by Bharat Swabhiman Trust, South Goa. Thousands of people attended the camp which started at 5 am and ended at 7.30 am.

During the camp, Swami Ramdev demonstrated various Yoga positions, Asonas and Pranayama, which if practiced regularly, will keep one free from diseases and sicknesses, said Swami Ramdev.

“Yoga and Ayurveda maintains the body energy which keeps 99%

sickness away and avoids medicines. Black money, corruption and corrupt system are the illnesses of our country and in order to end this illness, enactment of stringent laws is the need of hour,” stated Swami Ramdev.

“A death sentence or life imprisonment should be the punishment for corrupt persons.

Only then will one stay away from corruption,” said Ramdev.

“I don’t want politics or prestige. But we have to save the country at any cost. The political system and the education system left behind education which will create right Samskaras on the children is to be imparted.

Rastra Dharma is above all dharmas,” said Swami Ramdev.

Interacting with media after the camp, Swami said presently about 10 crore people are involved is his movement which is going on throughout the country.

“Indirectly, it will be the in-

Newly purchased CCMC vehicles inaugurated

Photo by Suresh Naik

volvement of hundred crore people through indefinite hunger strike. We shall force the government to concede to our demands of enacting stringent laws to end corruption,” he said.

“Iron ore was the strength of Goa, but it has now become the weakness of the State,” he added.

He further said that as far as the work of Bharat Swabhiman Trust is concerned, Goa has become an ideal State.

Earlier, the camp was inaugurated by businessman and social worker Nilesh Cabral in the presence of several dignitaries.

Quepem MLA Babu Kavlekar, CCMC Chairperson Alifa Fernandes, Vijayan Menon of ACM and several other dignitaries sought blessings of Swami Ramdev.

Later, Swami Ramdev interacted with the donors and Yoga teachers and entertained their suggestions and heard the grievances.

CM to open Konkani Sammelan at Karwar HERALD CORRESPONDENT POINGUINIM, APRIL 27

Curchorem MLA Shyam Satardekar inaugurates the three new vehicles purchased by CCMC. HERALD CORRESPONDENT CURCHOREM, APRIL 27

Curchorem ML A Shyam Satardekar recently inaugurated the three vehicles purchased by Curchorem Cacora Municipal Council (CCMC).

The three vehicles include a luxurious car for the council, a van with crane and ladder to maintain street lights and a van to catch the stray dogs.

MLA Satardekar inaugurated the vehicles in the presence of CCMC Chairperson Alifa Fernan-

des, Vice Chairperson Baburao Fatto Dessai, councillors, excouncillors and citizens.

Speaking on the occasion, Satardekar said the much required vehicles are now with the council and hence all the councillors should unitedly work for the development of municipal area.

Councilor Pradip Naik said: “Though we have political differences with the ruling group, we are with them as far as development is concerned.”

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat will inaugurate the three-day 20th Akil Bharatiya Konkani Sahitya Samelan at SadashivgadKarwar on April 29 at 3.30 pm.

Various programmes in the field of art, culture and literature will be organised and the artistes will perform will be from Goa, Karnataka, Maharsthra, Kerala, Gujarat and other places of India.

Konkani Sanskrit Mandal of Sadashivgad-Karwar is the organizer of the mega event and they expect about 50,000 participants for the event.

According to the organizing Secretary Adv Ramkishna Naik, noted Konkani writers, poets and traditional artistes from all over the country will be on stage to show their talent and enlighten the people in preserving their rich culture and tradition of the Konkani-speaking people spread all over the world.

Canacona Police on Tuesday arrested a retired gram sevak on charges of assaulting a woman from Agonda.

In her complaint, Urmila Velip of Agonda told Canacona Police that she was assaulted by Shashi Naikgaunkar while she was returning from Devalaya cashew plantations which she had rented for this season.

According to sources, Velip, who reportedly suffered bruises and some injuries on her body, complained of unprovoked assault at an isolated spot by the accused.

Acting on the complaint, police arrested Shashi Naikgaunkar under Section 151 in connection with the assault. He was later released on bail bond on the order of SDM, informed Canacona PI Raju Raut Dessai.

PI Dessai further informed that Naikgaunkar during the course of investigation informed that he had caught hold and pushed Velip for stealing cashew nuts from his plantations and denied any sexual assault in the case as made out in some quarters.

However, it is learnt that Velip strongly denied the allegations and charged that she had not even gone closer to Naikgaunkar’s cashew plantations.

She said that she along with another girl was walking back to her home after daylong work in her rented cashew plantations when she was assaulted and pushed by Naikgaunkar simply on his wild imagination that she had stolen cashew nuts from his plantations.

Benaulim goldsmith duped at Mapusa HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, APRIL 27

Some culprits from Mumbai duped a goldsmith from Benaulim of Rs 18.50 lakh at Karaswada-Mapusa on Tuesday evening.

In his complaint, Dilip Vernekar from Benaulim told Mapusa Police that one Jagdish Govekar from Margao told him about a party from Mumbai who is selling gold cheaper than the market value, if bought in kilos.

Vernekar decided to buy one kilo of gold from the party at a price of Rs 18,60,000, the current market price of which is Rs 22,20,000.

“Accordingly, Jagdish Govekar contacted the Mumbai party and fixed an appointment at Mapusa on Tuesday afternoon,” stated the complainant.

Vernekar along with his colleagues arrived at Mapusa.

Jagdish Govekar contacted the party and informed him that Vernekar has arrived along with the cash of Rs 18.50 lakh and it was decided to meet at a ‘Dhabha’ near petrol pump at Karaswada.

Bethora resident dies from tree fall HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARCEL, APRIL 27

A 65-year-old man from KodarBethora died, after he accidentally fell from a coconut tree at Kodar on Tuesday morning.

According to Ponda Police, Baburao Gaude had climbed a coconut tree to pluck coconuts.

However, he reportedly lost his balance and fell on the ground.

He was rushed to ID Hospital in Ponda, where the doctors declared him dead. PSI Sachin Lokre is investigating the case.

“The representative of the Mumbai party alighted from his car and went to the ‘Dhaba’ where Vernekar was sitting alongwith Jagdish Govekar. The representative showed Vernekar a gold bar and also informed that remaining gold is in the car,” states the complaint.

“Satisfied with representative’s explanation, Vernekar handed over the bag containing cash and proceeded towards the car to collect gold from the Mumbai party. In the meantime, a Scorpio suddenly came in and stopped between them and the car,” adds the complaint.

“The representative of the Mumbai party entered the car swiftly along with the bag and fled from the site.”

Realizing that he has been duped, Vernekar later filed a complaint with Mapusa Police, who registered the complaint under Section 420 of IPC against unknown persons.

Meanwhile, Mapusa Police have detained Jagdish Govekar, who had fixed an appointment with the Mumbai party for sale of gold.

Mapusa Police on Wednesday produced Govekar before Judicial Magistrate First Class and obtained seven days remand for interrogation.

OHERALDO

Pg 6

www.oheraldo.in

O HERALDO Vol No CXI No: 117 Goa, Thursday, 28 April, 2011

Automatic pass = zero learning

T

he proposal of the Education Department, put up before the Ministry, that no student should be detained from Class I to Class VIII, may become a death sentence for standards of education, especially in government schools in Goa. The proposal is based on Section 16 of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, which reads: “No child admitted in the school shall be held back or expelled from school till the completion of elementary education.”

The Department’s proposal, to be implemented from next academic year, envisages examinations with a provision that there will be continuous evaluation of students. If a student is weak or a slow learner, (s)he will be subjected to remedial teaching. Teachers and school managements would be asked to take care of this policy.

In one deft swoop, the department has proposed sweeping changes to the present system, and with equal agility, has extricated itself from any responsibility. How’s that for killing two birds with one stone? But the question remains, who is going to be responsible to see that Goa’s children learn anything at all?

Let us see the results of the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) for 2010, facilitiated by Pratham, for the state of Goa. The survey shows that only 6.6 per cent of Std II students in Goa’s rural schools can read “a ‘story’ text with some long sentences of Std II level difficulty”. More alarming, over 15 per cent of Std VIII students cannot read at Std II levels!

As far as simple arithmetical abilities are concerned, nearly 15 per cent of students in Std V cannot do two-digit subtraction with borrowing, while over 40 per cent cannot do division of a three-digit number by a one-digit number.

In Std VIII, nearly 5 per cent of students cannot do simple subtraction, while over 20 per cent cannot do simple division (same tests as above).

This is despite the fact that 24.3 per cent of Std II students from government schools and 54.9 per cent of Std II students from private schools go for paid tuition classes. This percentage increases to 48.7 per cent and 57.4 per cent respectively in Std V. While it moves down to 37 per cent of Std VIII students in government schools, it shoots up to nearly 74 per cent of Std VIII students in private schools taking tuitions.

Obviously, parents are sparing no efforts or expense to educate their children. It is the schools that are falling short. Can we really expect that in the numerous and notorious ‘one-teacher schools’ in Goa, where a single teacher handles Stds I to IV, “the teacher will… assess the learning ability of each child and accordingly supplement additional instructions (training), if any, as required”?

The United States is struggling with an automatic pass system, which has resulted in high school students being unable to even read and write. Do we want to land in the same soup? Or are we going to be little more realistic and ensure that our children learn, by detaining them if they don’t make the grade even after remedial teaching?

I

No takers?

t appears that the Defence Services are not a preferred option for Goa’s youth. The National Defence Academy (NDA) – where army officers are trained – has not a single student from Goa in the current 124th batch. In fact, the last Goan was in the 120th batch. It’s time more of our young people made a bid for this great career opportunity.

OPINION

The air we breathe is toxic

Goa’s Pollution under control regulations has not prevented a rapid rise in pollution levels, says fReDDY DiAS

P

eople living in Goa’s urban and semi-urban areas besides those residing in mining localities face serious health hazards a plenty, because the air contains a variety of toxic gases whose effects are intensified during a dry season.

Officials from the Goa State Pollutions Control Board (GPCB) say that their periodic air monitoring had shown a high level of air pollution in the state, caused mainly by motor vehicular emissions and dust.

The Board measured the air quality index value (AQIV), an indicator of the daily levels of pollution.

From December 2010 till March this year, the AQIV in the state ranged from 170 to 200. An AQIV of above 100 is considered unhealthy.

Officials say the air is ‘very unhealthy’ and unlikely to improve till the monsoons. In a dry season, the air remains stationary and dust as well as other toxic pollution levels increase. At present, the air has high levels of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, benzene, etc. Most of these gases are emitted by motor vehicles.

Thousands of ill-maintained vehicles ply Goa’s roads, turning it into a virtual gas chamber. Poorly supervised construction sites and haphazard mining activities are constantly spewing dust into the atmosphere.

Various mining units that operate mainly during the dry season, contribute to the creation of harmful smoke and tremendous amount of dust pollution. As a result, a large quantity of gaseous and particulate waste constantly enters into the atmosphere.

GSPCB officials say rapid and unplanned urbanisation is turning the state into huge concrete slab, engulfing green areas and water bodies.

“When particulate matter falls on earth or wetlands, it gets absorbed quickly. But when it falls on concrete, vehicular movements make it airborne, this affects the respiratory system of people, particularly of children,” an official said.

Goa, with a population of more than 14 lakh people, is an environmental disaster zone. The State’s chock-a-block roads are clogged with approximately six lakh vehicles and that figure rises by 200 every day.

About 60 per cent of these are really to blame, since they spew more than their share of carbon monoxide and other pollutants into the already toxic air.

As a pollution-control measure, the Goa government laid down and implemented Pollution Under Control (PUG) regulations.

SounD of Silence PUG centres were opened in various places in the state, but pollution levels continue to increase rapidly. The primary reason for this is negligence on the part of vehicle owners.

The other reasons are the bogus certificates issued by the PUG centres to vehicle owners without actually checking the exhaust levels of the numerous tourist vehicles as well as the trucks that bring goods from various other parts of the country, that enter the state.

And the condition gets only worse, as the increasing levels of pollution in Goa has made the entire state akin to that of gas chamber.

Data available with the state health authorities, show that emissions from motor vehicles constitutes nearly 70 per cent of atmospheric pollution, which is the main cause of heart problems, asthma, bronchitis, TB and other serious ailments, including cancer.

The concentration of Total Suspended Particles (TSP) in Goa is rapidly increasing. The situation is especially dangerous for people living along the highways and in urban areas of Vasco, Margao Panjim, Ponda and Mapusa, and for those living in the Valpoi-Bicholim-Sanguem mining belt.

Regular surveys conducted by the health authorities on these people, reveal that they are prone to severe respiratory ailments.

The initial symptoms are a burning sensation in the eyes, a running nose, mild cough and persistent headaches which are soon followed by tightness in the chest, nausea, irritability and finally asthma.

Facts of Life

Lung damage is more dangerous fallout which can leave people unable to perform routine work.

In some cases, it can even be fatal.

An inkling of the menace is the steady rise in cases of asthma in Goa. Chest medicine specialists say that the average incidence of asthma is around 20 per cent.

According to officials of the state Health department, at some places, particularly in the porttown of Vasco and the mining areas, the incidence of asthma is about 25-30 per cent, while at other places, it is as low as 15 per cent.

An average yield of 15 per cent is still high compared to other states in the country, health officials say, The number of asthma cases reported at dispensaries and hospitals is also on the rise. At the Out Patients Department (OPD) of the Goa Medical College (GMC) hospital, 15 to 20 new cases with typical symptoms show up daily.

Most of them are due to vehicular pollutions.

Inhaling these pollutants also affects a person’s immunity, making them susceptible to allergies, which are also on the rise.

Studies done by the state Health Department and the GSPCB show that the content of benzene in the air is increasing.

It can lead to cancer and other immunological changes in a person. Ironically, the decrease of lead content in fuels is suspected to be the reason behind the increase in benzene content.

Benzene is the most disturbing item to add to the catalogue of Goa’s air pollution problem.

Travellers have to worry about the benzene they inhale, when they pass through clogged traffic junctions in the cities and towns, and even congested narrow arterial roads and by-lanes.

The findings of the studies show that levels of benzene are alarmingly high at almost all the urban areas of the state.

A known carcinogenic agent, benzene can cause cancer even when inhaled in small concentrations, over a long period of time.

It has been linked especially to leukaemia. Exposure to benzene has also been linked to damage to bone marrow, the nervous system and the immunological system.

Measurements were carried out at Panjim, Margao and Vasco in July (monsoon season) and in December (dry season) last year.

At Panjim, the benzene levels ranged from 100 parts per billion (ppb) to 560 ppb; at Margao, the levels were between 90 to 320 ppb; while in Vasco, the levels ranged from 100 ppb to a whopping 870 ppb. However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that benzene levels in the ambient air should be kept to below five ppb.

The concentration of benzene was measured in four-hour stretches from 8am to 12 noon and 4pm to 8pm on both the occasions - July and December, 2010.

The excessively high levels of benzene at Vasco, Panjim and Margao can be accounted to exhaust emission. In Vasco, another important source is Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) activities, inducting the handling and storage of large quantities of petroleum and other chemical products in the port town.

Benzene is said to be fairly stable in the atmosphere. It does not react quickly to other substances, so it is present in the air for a long time.

About 30 per cent of benzene in the air is due to motor vehicle emissions.

In monsoon season, with the temperature a moderate 28 degrees centigrade and humidity at a high of 85 per cent, the dispersal of the benzene in the air is poor. Dispersion is higher when the temperature is higher, the humidity is lower and when wind speeds are high.

Even pollution protection masks are not a total safe guard against this menace. Says an official of the Health Department, “If the filter components do not exist in the mask, then it is as good as tying a handkerchief around your nose. It gives a false sense of security. People should check the specifications of the mask.”

Saving the family

M

en and women were created equal, but shortly thereafter, things began to change and then came the fall, when Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden, and they moved out.

There were many things to learn from, many things to choose from.

Many options, good and bad. They sewed fig leaves together to make themselves loin-cloths. Adam had to learn how to build a shelter out of tree branches, how to kill a wild animal by hitting it in the head with a rock. To facilitate, he collected and kept sharp rocks at convenient places. He lit a fire by rubbing two stones, and also by rubbing dried sticks. He collected dried firewood and lots and lots of dried leaves.

It was hard, sweaty work. He tilled the soil from which he had been taken. Then he could relax and wait for a meal to be ready. Eve, on her part, had to learn how to decorate the shelter with tasteful touches, make curtains out of grass aid vines, and from animal skins, whipped up some slipcovers for those stone boulder chairs. Then she had to figure out what to do with that wild animal (the dead one - not Adam!). Without a gas cooker, a microwave or even a decent skillet,

Eve had to discover 365 ways to turn wild animals into interesting meals for the family. Their first-born was Cain, followed by Abel and so many others in steps! And then, there was all that leftover animal skin and bones. Back and forth her mind went. There was success, failure and everything in between.

So she had to get busy and make darling little bone earrings and fashion wild-animal skin into the newest styles of spring and fall. It was go, go, go. A trend was developing. The trend eventually lead to some wise persons observing that most religious thinkers have been men, because most men didn‘t had to wash their own socks. While a man is thinking deep thoughts, there is a woman trying to clean up his act.

Now take a weekend vacation for example. A woman occasionally takes one because she is sort of a slower learner and hardly learns from experience that two days away means two weeks catching up.

When a man takes a few days away for rest and relaxation, he returns home, unpacks his bag, throws the dirty laundry down the chute and continues his life as usual. When the woman returns home, there is

By Marc De Souza no place to set her bags to unpack them. Every flat surface in the kitchen is covered with dirty dishes.

Every flat surface in the family room is littered with newspapers, two-days-old mail and anything else that comes into the house, while she was gone. Every flat surface needs to be washed, tossed, refrigerated or rehabilitated. Are you a joiner? Or have you become disjointed. Women say men are non-organised and muddle along, wondering why they have become targeted for ridicule, just because they still believe in apple pie, mom and home cooking. Some are single, trying to actually keep the commandments when everyone around them is too liberated to approve of the old-fashioned behaviour.

Others are married, not ashamed to have made a lifelong commitment to one marriage, working hard to be good husbands and fathers, trying to provide financial and emotional support for the family; also doing odd jobs like mowing grass, taking out the garbage and dog, and serving time with the parish.

Come or go what may, to me, God and family come first, and in this troubled world, home is where a support group is needed most.

Letters to the Editor Discrediting CM

Chief Minister.

Tulsidas Malkarnekar, Margao

FORCE is a farce

The ministers in Goa Government are airing views in public which is in bad taste. It reduces the credibility of the government of whom they are a part. This gives a bad name to the CM. Earlier, one minister cast doubts on the working of CBI and now another minister is publicly accusing the chief secretary of Goa. The moment these bureaucrats do not entertain the whims of the ministers they become useless. If at all there was a genuine issue, the same should have been brought to the notice of CM in the cabinet meeting held on 28th instant.

The minister should have been sensible enough to adhere to ethics before airing the views which brings discredit to the

100 Years Ago

Allwyn George, Carmona Misleading and conflicting media reports from politicians and FORCE inaction has put parents into a quandary. Deadlines from FORCE and Mickky have expired without any end result or action. It looks like the parents are let down by FORCE and only fooled by certain politicians from Salcete. The same politicians are buying time as the next academic year will commence soon and everyone will forget the issue and FORCE will slowly fade away.

The same politicians will rake up the issue during the elections by promising to Save Goa from enforced Konkani medium to polarise Goans. With time running out, the struggle of FORCE seems to have become just a farce.

Radiation risk Roger Fernandes, Candolim PRIMEIRO DIARIO NAS COLONIAS PORTUGEZAS

28 April 1911 Election dates announced

Was affixed for sixth of June the date for the elections of Deputies and Senators to be held in Goa whereby all the citizens will be eligible to contest for which they independently will have to fill the necessary documents. Goa has only one electoral circuit.

Victim succumbs to cholera

On last Thursday came to pass away one individual from Vila de Mapusa afflicted with cholera.

Availability of dentist

The eminent dentist Dr Ariosto Felizardo Faleiro requested us to inform the public that from next month only he will be available at his residence at Corte de Oiteiro to render professional help.

BNU branch in Panjim

Has been installed in the Capital City the much needed branch of Banco Nacional Ultramarine.

This is with regards to the US nuclear submarine ‘USS La Jolla’ which has docked in Goa. A few months ago, our so-called “freedom fighters” had protested against the arrival of the Portuguese ship NRP Sagres which was on a goodwill visit. Why? Because, it was the Portuguese, eh? USS La Jolla is a nuclear powered submarine. A similar nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz was in India, and the people of Tamil Nadu protested against it. This was a protest for a good cause.

Where are the people of Goa and the freedom fighters? Don’t they realise the dangers of having a nuclear submarine docked in Goa? Or would they carry out the exercise of going to Khariwado and purifying the sea with Holy Water, after the submarine has departed?

Wise decision, but…

Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco In a major decision, Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTCL) has decided to take private buses on contract and run them on a trial basis from May 1. It is understood that the bus crew would be from KTCL and the buses would display the Kadamba logo. This is a win-win situation

Letter of the Day

Act with urgency

Mathew Oommen, Pune

Now that Olympic muddler Suresh Kalmadi is nabbed by the CBI and being incarcerated in jail for a few days in connection with the CWG scam, it would be worthwhile to ponder over the question of the Congress Party dealing with its leadership vacuum in Pune. Suresh Kalmadi has been elected from the Pune Lok Sabha constituency and he continues to be an MP, even though the Congress has suspended him from the party, the moment it learnt of his arrest. Already, the Congress workers in Pune seem to be agitated against corruption committed by Kalmadi and his acolytes.

There were reports that Congress activists damaged the room that was occupied by Kalmadi in the Congress office in Pune. It has to be seen whether Kalmadi would resign his membership in Parliament, in which case there could be a by-election. It has also to be seen how the scenario is handled, if Kalmadi refuses to resign his membership in Parliament.

The Congress Party in Pune cannot continue to support Kalmadi. Neither can it allow the situation to continue, leading to loss of face in Pune constituency. for all stakeholders. The KTCL will add revenue to its depleting resources. The private bus owners, who were crying hoarse over the financial losses being incurred, will also get a steady income. More importantly, commuters will heave a sigh of relief since private bus owners often go on strike.

However, KTCL should ensure that these private buses are road-worthy. In hindsight, it would be prudent if KTC purchases these private buses instead of taking them on rent.

Bury the past

Marcos Alemao, by email Like the Portuguese, India was ruled by the English for some 300-odd years. There are lakhs of freedom fighters in India who fought the English along with Mahatma Gandhi. However, India and Great Britain maintain good relations, post independence.

But in Goa, it is not understood as to why the so-called freedom fighters Naguesh Karmali and Prabhakar Sinari are against the Portuguese. Report entitled (‘Close two Portuguese institutes or face action : Freedom Fighters’, Herald, 27 April).

Today, Portugal is a democratic country and maintains good relations with its erstwhile colonies. The two institutions Fundacao Oriente and Institute Camoes are doing very good job

in Goa. They unite all the people of Goa. The association has embarked on a senseless mission to demand the closure of Portuguese Consulate in Goa.

Senseless diatribe D Justin, Panjim The Goa Freedom Fighters Association who are in cahoots with the corrupt Congress government say that ‘Those Goans who opt for Portuguese citizenship should not be allowed to Goa.’ The chamchas also said that if the government doesn’t close the two Portuguese institutes, then they will come on to the streets and prevent the Portuguese consulate from functioning.

The reality is that they should come on to the streets and fight the government injustice to the people.

Did these individuals ever realise why Goans opted for Portuguese citizenship and work abroad? The Goa government should thank the Portuguese government for allowing Goans to get Portuguese citizenship.

System addict Mahesh Kumar, New Delhi “Becoming a hero is of no interest to me. I work because I believe in working to improve a system. I can’t get away simply with writing

letters and complaining” says Rahul Gandhi.

Rahul is already a hero, even more than a hero, though not a ‘filmi’ hero. The rotten system can be improved by politicians only if they wish as they have the power, but sadly, the will is lacking, since they take advantage of a rotten system and a weak law. They do not wish to have strong laws; as otherwise, they will be caught in the trap of law.

Accord justice to all Jonas Correia, Aldona This refers to the letter ‘Justice needed’ by Elsa Borges (Herald, 26 April). I would like to state that whatever I have written in my letter ‘Govt ploy’ (Herald, 18 April) is based on facts and figures on the basis of interviews with government employees, MLAs and ministers.

The contract workers were employed for a specific purpose over a certain period unless it was envisaged in the contract that they would be absorbed in regular service.

What does the writer mean that new posts were created for them in various Health departments? You do not employ someone first and then create the post. What does this signify? And why only personnel from one constituency (and community) were taken? Aren’t citizens from other Goan constituencies worthy of employment? Is this democracy?

Finally, what about justice to the thousands of Goans some of whom are well qualified and enrolled in the employment exchange but await placements. Shouldn’t jobs be created for them too?

The RTI twist Francisco A Soares, Santa Cruz The Right to Information Act 2005 is a very powerful tool for a citizen to collect information from various departments to stop corruption.

If information is not given within 30 days, one can appeal before the State Information Commission.

But there is no judge for the last six months in court rooms allotted. Who is to be blamed?

This arduous wait renders RTI seekers powerless.

Paths of Wisdom When the wind blew...

Years ago a farmer owned land along the Atlantic seacoast. He constantly advertised for hired hands. Most people were reluctant to work on farms along the Atlantic.

They dreaded the awful storms that raged across the Atlantic, wreaking havoc on the buildings and crops.As the farmer interviewed applicants for the job, he received a steady stream of refusals.

Finally, a short, thin man, well past middle age, approached the farmer. “Are you a good farm hand?” the farmer asked him. “Well, I can sleep when the wind blows,” answered the little man.

Although puzzled by this answer, the farmer, desperate for help, hired him.

The little man worked well around the farm, busy from dawn to dusk, and the farmer felt satisfied with the man’s work.

Then one night the wind howled loudly in from offshore.

Jumping out of bed, the farmer grabbed a lantern and rushed next door to the hired hand’s sleeping quarters.

He shook the little man and yelled, “Get up! A storm is coming! Tie things down before they blow away!”

The little man rolled over in bed and said firmly, “No sir. I told you, I can sleep when the wind blows.”

Enraged by the response, the farmer was tempted to fire him on the spot. Instead, he hurried outside to prepare for the storm.

To his amazement, he discovered that all of the haystacks had been covered with tarpaulins.

The cows were in the barn, the chickens were in the coops, and the doors were barred.

The shutters were tightly secured.

Everything was tied down. Nothing could blow away.

The farmer then understood what his hired hand meant, so he returned to his bed to also sleep while the wind blew.

(Source : Spiritual short stories)

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

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OHERALDO

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INDIA

opinionated MoI: Level-playing field needed

Y

J MARIO FERNANDES

et another controversy continues to plague Goa in the form of Medium of Instruction (MoI). Some in the government will be happy at the god-sent opportunity to deflect attention from their misgovernance and several acts of commission/omission. Expectedly, some have seized the opportunity to resurrect themselves from their political wilderness.

People with known communal leanings have disguised themselves, yet again in the name of cultural patriotism to force their agenda on an unsuspecting population - a section of which has been systematically sought to be marginalised by theses wolves for decades now. Yet we fail to see their nefarious game aptly played out by flinging the all-too-potent charge of being ‘anti-national’ on a community which seems to stick readily, given the past associations—perceived or real. The word itself is narrowly defined and understood for their political reasons. Or else it would embrace all these people at the helm of affairs, who have made fortunes at the cost of a pliable state-right before our Nelson-like eyes.

Joining this bandwagon of pseudo-intellectuals, counterfeit-educationists and fake-patriots are two catholic priests who, with due respect to them otherwise, I must say are farremoved from the ground reality and refuse to see that the education policy that they are so fond of has failed to miserably achieve what they claim to be in ‘the best interest of the child’ unless this convenient blindness is yet another attempt to perpetuate schisms within the Goan society –one for the affluent who merrily have opted for the English medium, and the other for the have-nots who are forced to enrol themselves in aided-schools. This new emerging class is not in spite of, but because of the prevailing system.

If they say conveniently quoting some UNESCO texts that the child’s interests are best served by educating him/her in the ‘mother tongue’, where is the place then for Marathi in this scheme? Can they honestly put their hand on their hearts and say that this MoI policy in Goa passes the test of their conscience? When it is acknowledged that 95 percent of the people in Goa speak or understand Konkani, would it not be a natural corollary to provide only Konkani as the MoI, given also its position as the official language of the state? If they do believe, then would they summon enough courage and demand in equal vehemence to implement only Konkani as the MoI and exclude all others - whether Indian or foreign in origin?

No other peripheral issues should be included on the table for discussion, including the specious argument of a language being integral to one’s faith. If a regional language, call it mother-tongue is necessary for the child’s self-esteem for a healthy growth, only Konkani language comes closest to fitting the bill. Marathi is divisive owing to its sectarian appeal, English may breed a snobbish attitude, other languages can generate parochialism and ghetto-isation and even alienation. The allinclusive language that qualifies for the MOI then is only Konkani as it unites all and has the power to bring about the much needed cohesiveness in the Goan society.

But by having given a choice of ‘regional’ languages to mask the ugly communal agenda, we have unwittingly created a system which has brought about a situation that we find ourselves in today. What was the rationale behind granting permission to start medium private schools? Did that not contravene the so-called UNESCO guidelines, now bandied about liberally to bolster their designs?

In the present scenario, given the unfair advantage enjoyed by those coming from the English medium the social, psychologically and the emotional stress heaped upon those joining them with a starting disadvantage is real and debilitating. It affects the child’s self-esteem. It demoralises, stifles his voice, impedes his progress and stultifies his growth. Only those who hail from a socially –advantaged sections with the benefit of a learning culture in their homes can afford to claim the contrary argument.

The rest poor and the marginalised continue to languish and limp on herded into the cattle class and remain voiceless content to reach an intellectual plateau. Perhaps it suits the political ‘masters’ to maintain this status-quo.

Given the circumstances, I feel that an honest, clear and a straight-forward move to settle the imbroglio would be either to have only Konkani as the MoI in the primary and to withdraw the permissions granted to other mediums or to universalise English medium in order to offer a level-playing field to all-irrespective of religion, status or ethnicity.

If that is not desired than the obvious option left is to open all medium to the grant grants and let the parents -who are the tax payers too - have the choice for the own children.

Nobody else is better suited to decide what is best for their own children. They too have the faculty of listening to their inner voice and make an informed choice.

It is infinitely better than allowing politicians and communal elements to take charge of education.

Dabangg, Robot bag maximum technical awards at IIFA

Pg 7 GOA, THURSDAY••28, APRIL 2011

78.3% voting in 3 phase of WB Assembly polls rd

PTI KOLKATA, APRIL 27

A total 78.3 per cent votes were cast during peaceful polling today in the crucial third phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections in 75 Assembly constituencies in three districts.

The fate of Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, Finance Minister Asim Dasgupta, Housing Minister Goutam Deb, Transport Minister Ranjit Kundu and nine other ministers was sealed in EVMs. Leader of the Opposition Partha Chatterjee, Kolkata Mayor Sovan Chatterjee, former FICCI Secretary General Amit Mitra and cinestar Debashree Roy were the other prominent candidates who contested in this phase.

With three phases, election was completed in 179 of the 294 Assembly seats.

The chief minister cast his vote at the Patha Bhavan School in Ballygunge, Trinamool Congress chief

n Former Lok Sabha speaker Somnath Chatterjee exercised his franchise at the Tirthabati Institution in south Kolkata, CPI(M) Politburo member Brinda Karat at Taratola and former India captain Sourav Ganguly at Behala.

Mamata Banerjee at the Mitra Institution in Bhowanipore and Union Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee at the Kamala Girl's High School in Ballygunge.

Former Lok Sabha speaker Somnath Chatterjee exercised his franchise at the Tirthabati Institution in south Kolkata, CPI(M) Politburo member Brinda Karat at Taratola and former India captain Sourav Ganguly at Behala.

The polling percentage might rise as reports from remote areas of South and North 24 Parganas districts were still awaited, the state's chief electoral officer Sunil Gupta told reporters here.

He said polling was 82.6 per

cent in South 24 Parganas district, 80 per cent in North 24 Parganas districts, while Kolkata (south) registered 63.5 per cent and Kolkata (north) 61.6 per cent.

Except for some stray incidents, polling was, by and large peaceful, he said.

The CEO said that three presiding officers and five polling officers were replaced in north Kolkata for flouting EC rules.

Additional CEO N K Sahana said that 16 presiding officers were replaced following complaints from Bagda, Bongaon, Gaighata and Bidhannagar in North 24-Parganas district.

Malfunctioning of EVMs was

Kanimozhi was ‘active brain’ behind Kalaignar TV: CBI PTI NEW DELHI, APRIL 27

The CBI has alleged that DMK MP Kanimozhi was an “active brain” behind the operation of Kalaignar TV and actively pursued with intermediaries and her party the reappointment of 2G scam accused A Raja as Telecom Minister.

In its 53-page chargesheet,

the CBI has alleged that during investigations, it found that in 2007, Kanimozhi along with other promoters incorporated Kalaignar TV after they left Sun TV network.

“She has also been in regular touch with Raja regarding the launching of Kalaignar TV and other pending works related to the TV,” the CBI,

which named her as an accused, claimed in the chargesheet.

The DMK MP was also an initial director of the company but resigned as her clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs was pending and that would have resulted in delay of launch of the TV, the CBI alleged.

Kashmiri schoolchildren walk past as Indian police and paramilitary soldiers take part in a mock drill in Srinagar on Wednesday. The initiative of training police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police force (CRPF) personnel in non-lethal ways of mob-control is to ensure that there is no collateral damage while dealing with stone-pelting protesters police officals said.

Centre empowered to decide Lokpal panel members, HC told PTI NEW DELHI, APRIL 27

The Centre today told the Delhi High Court, hearing a PIL seeking removal of Anna Hazare from drafting committee of Lokpal Bill on corruption charges, that it was its "prerogative" to decide the members of the panel.

"This (to decide members of the drafting committee of the Bill) is the sole prerogative of the government," Additional Solicitor General A S Chandhoik told a bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Sanjiv Khanna.

The court, after hearing brief arguments, reserved its order on the maintainability of the public interest litigation filed by NGO Anti-Corruption 'Jan Shakti' on the allegation that Hazare had indulged in financial malpractices in running his 'Hind Swaraj Trust'.

"I am not against the Bill but a corrupt person like Anna Hazare should not be there in

Shiney gets bail PTI MUMBAI, APRIL 27

PTI MUMBAI, APRIL 27

‘Band Baja Baraat’, ‘Dabangg’ and ‘Robot’ lead the IIFA technical awards winners’ tally.

The awards will be presented at IIFA Weekend in Toronto on June 25.Maneesh Sharma’s `Band Baaja Baaraat’ won the awards for Editing by Namrata Rao, song recording for Vijay Dayal’s Ainvayi Ainvayi and costume designing by Niharika Khan.

The Rajnikanth starrer ‘Robot’ walked away with Best Art Director for Sabu Cyril who had won this award at IIFA 2010 as well. ‘Robot’ also won the awards for Special Effects by Indian Artists and Makeup by Banu.

The Salman Khan-starrer, ‘Dabangg’ won an award for Choreography for the hit song, ‘Munni Badnaam Hui’ (choreographed by Farah Khan), and Leslie Fernandes who won for Best Song Recording.

The film also won the award for Best Action (S Vijayan).

The award for Best Cinematographer went to Sudeep Chatterjee for Guzaarish and Shankar, Ehsaan, Loy won the award for the Best Background Score for ‘My Name Is Khan’, while Pritam Das won Best Sound Recording for `Love, Sex aur Dhoka’.

Nearly a month after the trial court convicted him for raping his maid, Bollywood actor Shiney Ahuja was today granted bail by the Bombay High Court.

While granting him bail, Justice A R Joshi asked Shiney to furnish a bail bond of Rs 50,000.

The judge observed that his custody was not required for now as he had already been convicted but asked him not to leave the country without prior permission of the court.

Shiney was convicted by the sessions court here on March 30, and subsequently he filed an appeal in the High Court.

the drafting committee," senior advocate K K Sharma, appearing for the petitioner NGO, said.

"This is not a statutory body and, moreover, the bill has to be passed by Parliament. The membership of the committee is not a post and hence, qualification or disqualification has no relevance at this point of time," the bench said.

The NGO alleged Hazare was held responsible for misappropriation of Rs two lakh from the Hind Swaraj trust and the incident had occurred during the celebration of his birthday bash at his village Ralegaon-Siddhi in Maharashtra.

To buttress the arguments, the lawyer cited the report of a judicial inquiry led by former Supreme Court Judge Justice P B Sawant into the alleged financial bungling in the trust run by Hazare.

"This was not a report of a magistrate but of a retired judge of the Supreme Court," Sharma said.

APPOINTMENTS

reported from a few places which were promptly replaced, the CEO said.Gupta said that police recovered four live crude bombs from a mango orchard at Barasat in North 24 Parganas district.

The Trinamool Congress chief alleged that there were attempts at rigging by the CPI-M in some booths in the Jadavpur Assembly constituency of the chief minister and said the Election Commission had been informed.

She alleged that central paramilitary forces were rendered idle and the police asked to do their duty, slowing the polling process 'at the instruction of the chief minister'.

Reports from North 24 Parganas, quoting the police, said that a CPI(M) office at Bijpur under North 24-Parganas district was ransacked by miscreants and a CPI(M) polling agent injured outside a booth there.

Altogether 50 arrests were made.

Karunanidhi anguished PTI CHENNAI, APRIL 27

DMK did not walk out of the UPA alliance at the Centre today over the 2G issue and decided to fight the case legally.

After a meeting of the party's High-Level Committee, DMK President and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister expressed 'anguish' over inclusion Kanimozhi's name in the second charge sheet in the spectrum allocation case by CBI and said they would fight the issue legally to prove the their innocence of his daughter and the party in court.

'We will take legal steps to prove the truth', he told reporters.

Ever since the supplementary charge sheeting naming Kanimozhi as an accused was filed in a Delhi court on Monday, there has been speculation that DMK might adopt a hard line and could even think of quitting the Central ministry.

Asked whether Kanimozhi would appear before a CBI court at Delhi on May 6, where she had been summoned, he replied in the affirmative.

'She is not Jayalalithaa to ignore the court summons', he said in a reference to the AIADMK leader seeking exemption from personal appearance in the disproportionate wealth case against her in a Bangalore court.

Sangma’s detractors hold closed-door meet PTI SHILLONG, APRIL 27

With AICC observers indicating that the party was in no mood to change the CLP leadership in Meghalaya, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma’s detractors has held a closed-door meeting to decide on their future strategy.

APPOINTMENTS

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Pg 8 GOA, THURSDAY, 28 APRIL, 2011

13 rape accused freed from Pakistani prison PTI ISLAMABAD, APRIL 27

Thirteen men accused of involvement in the gang-rape of Mukhtar Mai – who became a cause celebre for her campaign for justice – have been freed from a prison in Punjab province after their acquittal was

upheld by Pakistan's Supreme Court.

The men, including members of a village council who had allegedly ordered the gang-rape of Mukhtar Mai in 2002, were freed from the Central Jail in Multan yesterday in the wake of the apex court's verdict.

EU nations summon Syrian envoys AGENCIES BRUSSELS, APRIL 27

Five EU nations have summoned Syrian ambassadors to condemn Damascus' recent violent crackdown on anti-government protesters, France has said.

Paris said the diplomatic action had been carried out jointly

by France, Britain, Germany, Italy and Spain.

Earlier, UN chief Ban Ki-moon condemned Syria for using tanks and live ammunition against the demonstrators.

There are reports of further shooting in the southern city of Deraa, where the rallies first erupted last month.

More tanks are said to be headed for city - where army troops attacked protesters on Monday.

More than 450 people across Syria have allegedly been killed

s i n c e t h e p ro - d e m o c r a c y protests began nearly six weeks ago.

The government of President Bashar al-Assad disputes the Western view that the demonstrations have been non-violent.

In a statement carried by the official news agency, it said it had sent troops to several cities on the request of citizens w h o w e re w o r r i e d a b o u t "armed extremists". Opposition leaders say the protests are peaceful.

Senior French diplomat Herve Ladsous met Syrian ambassador Lamia Chakkour on Wednesday, the French foreign ministry said.

It said that Paris expressed "firm condemnation of the escalation of the repression by Syrian authorities against the population".

Qaeda opposed killing Pearl: WikiLeaks PTI BOSTON, APRIL 27

9/11 attacks mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed was warned by a senior Al-Qaeda military commander not to kill Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl in 2002 and that he should be "freed" but the American was killed anyway, according to leaked WikiLeaks documents.

38-year-old Pearl, who was the South Asia Bureau Chief of the Wall Street Journal, was beheaded by his Pakistani captors in February 2002 after being abducted.

"A senior Al Qaeda military commander strongly warned Khalid Shaikh Mohammed not to kill Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl in 2002, cautioning him 'it would not be wise to murder Pearl' and that he (Pearl) should 'be returned back

to one of the previous groups who held him, or freed,'" a report in the Los Angeles Times said.

Quoting US military documents posted by WikiLeaks, the report said Mohammed told his US interrogators at Guantanamo Bay that he cut off Pearl's head anyway.

Former top Al Qaeda military commander Sayfal-Adl was "outspoken in cautioning Mo hammed against killing the reporter," the report said.

Mohammed, however, turned for guidance to another AlQaeda leader, identified as Sharif al-Masri, the group's chief financial officer, and the two of them "disagreed with Adl on this point."

Next, "Pearl was taken to the house of Al Qaeda's finance chief in Pakistan, Saud Memon, and murdered" there.

WORLD

FROM PAGE 1

Mickky gets jail engineer had alleged that Pacheco had slapped him on his face while performing his lawful duty and was also abused by the accused in filthy language in the Betalbatim office of the former Minister on July 15, 2006. The Benaulim MLA, however, had vehemently denied the incident.

In his 16-page order, Judge Kerkar said the entire testimony of the complainant has not been shaken in respect of the incident which took place in the office of the accused in respect of the assault. “The Ratio mentioned in the case AIR 1972 SC 975 is applicable in the present case as there is not interest of the complainant to implicate the accused in the present case. The complainant has deposed that the incident occurred in the office of the accused which took place on July 15, 2006”, Judge Kerkar added.

Pacheco’s submission to the court on political influence failed to convince the Judge. “It is the case of the accused that certain elected MLAs and Ministers of the ruling Government influence police officers of South Goa to rope him in the present case. However, no evidence is produced on record to support the same”, the Judge added.

Soon after Judge Kerkar pronounced the order in the open court at around 2.30 pm, Mickky along with his lawyer, Adv Srikant Nayak were huddled in the court corridor, with Adv Nayak briefing him on the order convicting and sentencing him in the case.

Though the incident of assault had occurred on July 15, 2006, the chargesheet against Pacheco was filed only in 2009 after social activist Adv Aires Rodrigues served a legal notice on the Chief Secretary to chargehsheet the MLA within 48 hours or face a petition in the High Court.

I respect the order: Mickky the court order will in no way affect his future political plans.

“I respect the order of the court. My lawyer will file an appeal in the Sessions court after receiving a copy of the court order”, Pacheco said and exuded confidence that he would come out clean. “I have full faith in the judiciary. I know what is my stand”, he added.

His lawyer, Adv Srikant Nayak later told newsmen that an appeal petition will be filed in the Sessions court at the earliest. “Since we feel there is no evidence as far as Section 353 of the IPC is concerned, we will approach the higher court with an appeal petition”, Adv Nayak added.

Konkani, Marathi to stay The Government is likely to approach the Ministry for Human Resource Development (HRD), with a request for provision to relax the clause of this legislation.

“We have already decided to maintain a status quo as regards the existing demarcation for the primary, middle and secondary sections”, the official said. classifies standard I to V as primary level, classes VI to VII as upper primary level, standards IX and X as secondary level and classes XI and XII as higher secondary level.

In yet another decision, the Education Department has said that any school in the State, equipped with proper infrastructure facilities can go ahead with the full time schooling system.

“The schools are free to change from half-day to full-day on their own provided they have the required infrastructure like building, class rooms, teachers etc”, the official said.

The official, however, said that atleast a year’s time would be required for the Department to make full day schooling compulsory across the State.

“If you want to have a school for full-day you require proper infrastructure. We have to conduct a study on each school, which is time consuming”, the official said.

A bleak future clinics don’t report these cases they are treating to the Directorate of Health Services.

According to one private medical practitioner, the figure could be much higher because the mothers don’t disclose that they have contracted HIV due to social stigma.

The names of the persons suffering from AIDS were not disclosed but a source in the Directorate of Health Services divulged that majority of HIV carriers are from outside Goa. The Goa State AIDS Control Society has set up two centers to take care of HIV/AIDS patients with two 10-bedded Community Care Centres one at Guirim (now temporarily shut down) and another at Cavelossim that are run

by NGOs and funded by Goa State AIDS Control Society.

These centres provide services required between hospital and home-based care.

The Government has set up crèches for infants having HIV and day care centres where infants are taken care.

To make less severe, without curing, reduce the pain (palliate) and terminal care for those suffering from AIDS, the government has set up Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) centre at GMC where free antiretroviral drugs are provided to those afflicted.

From April 2005 to December 2010, 4,340 patients were screened for ART eligibility. Of these 97 were children and 82 of them are alive on ART. To facilitate those on ART treatment, a link center is in operation at Asilo in Mapusa and Hospicio in Margao.

As many as 176 HIV positive are linked to Hospicio, while 74 HIV patients are linked to Asilo. From these 12 and 16 are children are linked to Hospicio and Asilo hospitals respectively.

As per data available till December 2010, 428 patients were put on ART and 24 children below 14 are battling for life.

The year 2008 had 46 children with their mothers HIV positive.

In 2009, it was 58 and in 2010 it was 27.

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Airlines hike fares to cash in on AI strike PTI MUMBAI, APRIL 27

Private airlines jacked up their fares by upto 50% on the Mumbai-Delhi sector in the wake of the strike by a section of AI pilots who are demanding pay parity and better working conditions. The Spice Jet MumbaiDelhi ticket was selling at Rs 6,255 today while the Bangalore flight fare was Rs 5,275, much above the normal range of Rs 3,000-4,000.

While low cost carrier Indigo is said to be charging Rs 6,234 for its Mumbai-Delhi afternoon flight, Jetlite fares for the same route stood at Rs 5,784.

Full-service carriers like Kingfisher and Jet Airways also followed suit and are cashing in on the market opportunity following the AI pilot's strike.

The Mumbai-Delhi King-

fisher flight is costing Rs 8,798 while Jet Airways hiked the ticket price to Rs 6,785. However, in a statement, Spice Jet denied any hike in airfares.

"The Spice Jet denies any fare hike. It has extended full support to passengers traveling on AI in minimising possible inconvenience to them due to the potential disruption they may face.

"Spice Jet teams across all airports have been asked to accept and accommodate requests from AI in this regard," a Spice Jet spokesman said.

About 800 pilots belonging to the erstwhile IA went on a strike demanding pay parity with Air India pilots and better working conditions, leading to cancellation of over 20 flights, including atleast 11 from Mumbai and disruption of many others by several hours.

LAUNCH PAD

'Smart' tractor from John Deere India

HYDERABAD (PTI) -- John Deere India, a subsidiary of US-based Deere & Company, and the leading manufacturer of agricultural tractors, has introduced a 'smart' tractor for the India market here.

The model model 5060E is powered by a fuel-efficient, threecylinder John Deere diesel engine- 3029T and is equipped with power steering and Tilt facility, said a senior company official.

With features like self-equalising oil-immersed disc brakes, sideshift gears, a mobile-charging point, electrical quick raise and lower hydraulic system (EQRL), it is easy to manoeuvre the tractor, the official said.

"The tractor is also equipped with modern electronics and provides information on critical parameters to the operator through its 5-in-1 multi-function LCD display and an array of gauges and indicators on its dash board," Narinder Ghuman, vice-president, sales and marketing, told media persons here today.

"John Deere is bringing advanced technology to farmers in India, helping them to be more productive and cost effective. This new 60-HP tractor model 5060E offers state-of- the-art features that help customers be more productive and cost effective," Ghuman said.

John Deere tractors has a market share of 7 per cent in overall India and 16 per cent in southern part of the country. The market is growing rapidly and as compared to last year the product sales has clocked a growth of 20 per cent.

"We are gradually increasing our sales, Ghuman said adding that Andhra Pradesh is a growing market."

Recently, John Deere set up a plant at Vadodara in Gujarat to manufacture micro-irrigation systems. These systems are already introduced in states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Tata Docomo’s Family Plans PANJIM (HBD) -- Tata Docomo has introduced a new plan MyFamily under the Keep It Simple, campaign. Post the successful launch of its new campaign ‘Keep It Simple’ and the innovative Roam Free Plans, TATA DOCOMO the GSM brand of Tata Teleservices Limited has launched exclusive ‘MyFamily Plans’ pooling offer for its postpay customers.

Launching 3 different variants under MyFamily offer, postpay customers can select any plan that suits their requirement. MyFamily Plans come with a host of benefits, available in a common “pool” like free airtime that can be used to make local and STD calls, free local and STD SMS and most important data usage that can be utilized for accessing 2G or 3G data services. What’s more!

Customers also get a CUG offer of free local calling.

There are 3 unique MyFamily Plans that are currently available namely; Small Family @ 999, Medium Family @ 1999 and Large Family @ 2999. Under these plans, customer can take upto 3 connections in the small family and upto 5 connections in Medium and Large Family. Under MyFamily Small Plan 999, postpay customers get free 3000 mins for local and STD calls, free 1000 CUG minutes to make local calls 500 free local or STD SMS & 512 MB data consumption. Under MyFamily Medium 1999 plan, postpay customers get free 6000 mins for local and STD calls, free local 1500 CUG minutes, 1000 free local or STD SMS and free 1GB data consumption. Under MyFamily Large 2999 plan, postpay customers get free 10000 mins for local and STD calls, free local 2000 CUG minutes, 1500 free local or STD SMS and free 2GB data consumption.

After consumption of free airtime in MyFamily plans customers will be charged 1p/sec for all local and STD calls. By availing this unique offer customers would get a single bill and thus a one stop solution for all family telecom needs with a single bill for greater convenience.

Fostering the brand customer relationship further, Tata Docomo has the facility for Free Delivery @ Doorstep concept that enables consumers to get their custom-fit Postpay connection delivered by simply calling Postpay toll free number 1800 266 0000.

Biz10_Pg12 4/27/2011 10:55 PM Page 1

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Indocos PAT grows by 48%

Assocham urges Karnataka to review mining leases PTI BANGALORE, APRIL 27

Leading chamber Assocham has asked the Karnataka government to undertake a detailed review of iron ore mining leases and highlight the needs of steel units before the SC-appointed Central Empowered Committee while framing new rules.

Mining should be moved from unorganised sector to organized if it is to be done in a legal, scientific and environment-friendly manner, it said.

But any interruption in supply of iron ore to steel industry would throw lakhs of employees out of jobs and their dependents would suffer, The Assocham said.

The mines in Karnataka supply iron ore to several large steel plants like JSW, Kirloskar Ferrous, Mukand Ltd and Kalyani Steels. The state also supplies raw material to units located in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and dozens of small and medium-sized sponge iron

Goldman Sachs downgrades RIL, Cairn PTI NEW DELHI, APRIL 27

Investment banker and securities firm Goldman Sachs downgraded Reliance Industries and Cairn India to 'Neutral', from 'Buy', on shrinking refining margins and regulatory issues.

The global firm, however, upgraded HPCL, ONGC and IOC to 'buy' list and retained the 'Neutral' outlook on other oil companies including GAIL, GSPL, BPCL and Oil India.

"We remove RIL from our Asia Pacific Conviction list and downgrade it to 'Neutral' from 'Buy' as we are concerned about lack of clarity on its sustainable growth drivers, implying limited scope of medium-term earnings surprise following 4Q results," Goldman Sachs said. The downside risks with regard to RIL, the report said, include "weak refining margin and low petrochemical margins".

units.

"Absence of iron ore supply would be a death blow to the steel industry which is already grappling with numerous other problems," said Assocham’s Secretary General D S Rawat in a communication to Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa.

One of the observations made by Lokayukta is that several mines entered into raising contracts and transferred mining leases without the state government’s permission in contravention of Rule 37 of Minerals Concession Rules 1960.

"There is apprehension that in case a conclusion is arrived at by the apex committee without studying individual agreements and makes a prima facie determination of illegality, it could result in wrongful closure of many mines," said Rawat.

Steel, iron and other industries have invested Rs 62,000 crore in the landlocked BellaryHospet region as it has abun-

dant availability of iron ore.

"Shutting down of these industries will also cause loss of immense magnitude to the state exchequer," Rawat said.

Assocham said it fully supports the government in ensuring effective implementation of rules and regulations by adhering to systems and procedures as stipulated by various governmental agencies. "We would like to re-emphasise that a decision regarding closure of any mine should be done judiciously after investigating all aspects," he said.

Keeping in view the huge investments, employment of lakhs of workers, social responsibilities and dependency of industries on iron ore, Assocham requested uninterrupted availability of iron ore lumps and fines to meet industrial requirement while framing policies, he said.

Last month, Karnataka formed a team of officials to compile a detailed reply over issues raised by CEC on illegal mining in the state.

HERALD BUSINESS DESK PANJM, APRIL 27

In the fourth quarter FY 201011, Indoco Remedies Limited, a global pharmaceutical company, recorded a growth of 47.8% in the Profit After Taxes (PAT) at Rs 12.16 crore as compared to Rs 8.23 crore over the same quarter previous year.

The net revenues grew higher to Rs 120.44 crore as against Rs 108.87 crore over the same quarter previous year.

During the year ended March 31, 2011, the net revenues grew higher by 20.1% to Rs 478.47 crore from Rs 398.29 crore and the Profit After Tax (PAT) grew by 21.3% to Rs 51.05 crore as compared to Rs 42.09 crore previous year.

The un-audited results for the fourth quarter of the financial year 2010-11 were announced by the Board of Directors of Indoco Remedies Limited at their meeting held in Mumbai on April 27, 2011.

Commenting on the performance, Suresh G Kare, CMD

said, The financial performance for the quarter as well as for the year has been as per the expectations. During Q4 FY10-11, the International and API business performed very well.

The domestic formulation also performed well despite the domestic formulation industry facing challenges like sluggish prescription trends etc. There is a sense of satisfaction that during the past years, all the tactical streamlining carried out has brought the desired results.

Partnership alliances in the international markets with Watson and Aspen have placed Indoco on a firm-footing and the relationship with them is growing stronger. Looking ahead, Indoco aims on achieving a double digit growth on both domestic and international fronts.

India may route Iran crude payments via Dubai, Turkey PTI NEW DELHI, APRIL 27

After Germany's refusal to route its payments to Iran, India is exploring using Dubai or Turkey based banks as conduit for paying for crude oil it imports from the Persian Gulf nation.

"We are exploring if Indian oil firms can open accounts in banks like Dubai-based Noor Islamic Bank so they can undertake a direct transfer of money for oil they buy from Iran," a senior government official said.

Under the scheme being discussed, National Iranian Oil Co (NIOC), too, will open an account in a UAE or Turkey based bank to receive direct money transfer from oil companies.

"The mode of payment will be Euro," he said. "We have forwarded a list of banks to Iran... they have to choose the bank where both Indian firms and NIOC can open account."

However, Indian firms opening account in the UAE or Turkey bank will be subject to the Reserve Bank of India nod.

Last month, Germany under US pressure stopped accepting money from India for onward transfer to an Iranian-owned, Hamburg-based bank, towards payments for the import of crude.

India in February had begun clearing past dues for Iranian oil imports by making euro payments through Germanbased Europisch-Iranische Handelsbank AG (EIH Bank).

But EIH, which is owned by Iran, is a banned entity in the US, and Washington persuaded Germany to stop payments.

About 1.5 billion euro had been paid through EIH when Germany refused to accept any further payments.

This has resulted in outstanding payment of USD 2.8 billion as on March end towards Iran, which has continued to supply oil on credit.

The problem began after RBI in late December last year scrapped a long-standing payment mechanism used to pay for Iranian crude oil imports, which make up for 12 per cent of the nation's oil needs.

In February, the two nation's decided to route payments through EIH and Oil Minister S

Sesa plans steel plants in Orissa, Jharkhand HERALD BUSINESS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 27

Vedanta Group firm Sesa Goa today said it is looking at setting up small steel plants of 11.5 mn tonnes capacity in Orissa and Jharkhand.

"We have started looking at Orissa, where one of our group companies has an MoU for setting up a steel plant. We have started pursuing it with the state government," Sesa Goa MD and CEO P K Mukherjee said.

He said the company is also mulling a steel plant in Jharkhand, where it has a prospecting license for carrying out

mining operations.

"Mining is definite (in the state) and having a steel plant is also in our plans there. We are seriously looking at acquiring about 800 acres of land by the end of this year. That will show our intent that we are serious," he said.

When asked about the size of the plants, he said it could be of 1-1.5 mn tonnes.

Talking about Jharkhand plant, Mukherjee said that a decision on this can be expected after land acquisition there. "Having about 500 acres of land is the minimum requirement setting up a steel plant," he noted.

Asked about the Bellary Steel, whose acquisition by Sesa Goa has been challenged by the JSW Steel in the Supreme Court, Mukherjee said status quo is maintained as directed by the apex court.

Last month, Sesa Goa had acquired Karnataka-based Bellary Steel and Alloys (BSAL), put on the block by a consortium of lenders led by IFCI, for Rs 220 crore and its assets have also been transferred to the company.

However, JSW Steel-- an-

other bidder for BSAL-- challenged the bidding process in Supreme Court, following which the apex court directed the concerned parties to maintain status quo till next hearing.

Mukherjee refused to comment on Supreme Court hearings. He said the company will require about two months time to conduct a feasibility study for setting up a steel plant there, if it gets the decision in its favour.

Bellary Steel, earlier promoted by S Madhav and S Parvathi, had embarked on setting up an integrated 0.5 MTPA capacity steel plant, with provision it to 2 MTPA. It has 700 acres of freehold land in Bellary.

The project, however, could not be completed and ran into debt, following which the lenders consortium led by IFCI put it on the block for sale.

"Only after feasibility study we can talk about the size of the plant (in Bellary) or whether we will go for tie up or how much money we will be investing. Now it all depends upon the Supreme Court order," Mukherjee said.

Jaipal Reddy in early March made a statement to Parliament saying "pending dues of NIOC are now being cleared and as of March 1, 2011, payment of euro 1.5 billion has been made to the Central Bank of Iran".

But that was the last payment made to Iran as, soon after the news broke out, the US told Germany of the sanction conditionalities against the gulf nation for its nuclear policy.

Oil supplies from Iran have, however, not been affected and the Persian Gulf nation continues to sell oil on credit backed by corporate guarantee.

Reddy on March 3 stated in the Lok Sabha that "conse-

M&Ms mini van at Rs 3.2 lakh PTI MUMBAI, APRIL 27

Mahindra & Mahindra today announced the launch of Maxximo Mini Van, its next generation passenger carrier.

"Maxximo Mini Van will be developed at the company's state-of-the-art Chakan plant in Maharashtra. The vehicle is priced at Rs 3.2 lakh (Ex-Showroom BS3, Navi Mumbai), M&M's Automotive & Farm Equipment Sectors, President, Pawan Goenka said.

Maxximo Mini Van will compete with Tata Magic and Maruti Omni in the mini van segments. Targeted at semi urban and rural areas, the vehicle will be available at 230 dealers and 600 outlets across the country, Goenka said.

The company has spent Rs 130 crore to develop Maxximo platform and Rs 70 crore will go into setup of manufacturing line. The production capacity is 2000 vehicles per month, which can be ramped up at Chakan unit, Goenka said.

The Maxximo Mini Van has C2 CRDe diesel technology, alongwith superior pulling power of 25 HP and a top speed of more than 70 kmph.

quent to the withdrawal of the Asian Clearing Union (ACU) mechanism by the RBI with effect from December 23, 2010, all payments to Iran for import of crude oil have to be settled in any permitted currency outside the ACU mechanism".

India imports 12 million barrels of crude oil every month from Iran, which is the nation's second-largest supplier after Saudi Arabia.

The official said 21.2 million tonnes (MT) of crude oil was imported from Iran in 2009-10 fiscal.

These imports were undertaken by Mangalore Refinery (6.9 MT) Essar Oil (5.3 MT) Reliance (3.3 MT) Hindustan Petroleum (3.2 MT) and Indian Oil (2.5 MT).

IOC plans refinery in Karnataka HERALD BUSINESS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 27

India’s largest crude oil refining firm, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) is planning an investment of Rs 40,000 crore to set up a world-class greenfield refinerycum-petrochemical complex on the western coast with a capacity to process 18 to 20 million tonnes of crude oil per annum.

“We plan to set up a coastal refinery to capture the export market in future as also to strengthen our foothold in the domestic market,” chairman and managing director of IOC, RS Butola said.

Butola said while his company will continue to look at all possible areas for expanding business, refining and marketing of fuels will continue to dominate IOC’s portfolio of businesses.

“Refining and marketing is our core strength and we have to look at ways to expand our presence in these areas,” he added.

Polaris to venture into cloud computing PTI CHENNAI, APRIL 27

Financial technology company Polaris Software Lab would acquire 85 per cent stake in USbased digital identity authentication services provider, IdenTrust at an investment of USD 20 million for making its formal entry into the cloud computing services.

The Chennai-based company would make an investment of USD 20 million for the acquisition, according to Polar Soft-

Sensex falls 97 points PTI MUMBAI, APRIL 27

The BSE Sensex today fell about 97 points to close at 19,448.69 on lower-than-expected Wipro earnings and forecast as well as a continued slide in heavyweight Reliance Industries.

Wipro is another heavyweight company -- after Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) and Infosys -- to have posted fourth quarter earnings that have failed to enthuse investors.

Besides, brokers said reports that Goldman Sachs cut RIL stock to "neutral" from "buy" pulled down its scrip, which has the heaviest weightage in the 30-share Sensex.

They added that investors also booked profits ahead of monthly settlement tomorrow in the derivatives segment.

Aban Offshor, 678, 679.8, 665, 666.9 Abb Ltd., 836.95, 855, 833.25, 853.25 Abg Shipyard, 399.4, 404.6, 394.05, 397.35 Acc Limited, 1125.5, 1126.9, 1105, 1110.1 Adani Enterp, 644, 645.65, 631.15, 640.7 Aditya Birla, 871.25, 879.95, 865.3, 873.9 Allahabad Ba, 220.7, 223.35, 218.7, 219.85 Alstom Proje, 635, 656.7, 625.05, 635 Ambuja Cemen, 158.5, 159, 150.2, 150.95 Andhra Bank, 143.7, 145.9, 143.1, 145.5 Ashok Leylan, 55.7, 56.1, 54.8, 55.6 Asian Paints, 2677.95, 2679, 2651.1, 2667.85 Axis Bank Li, 1371.2, 1372, 1333, 1343.85 Bajaj Hindus, 81.3, 81.6, 79.55, 80.05 Bank Of Baro, 990.05, 993.5, 975, 990.3 Bank Of Indi, 485.4, 492, 484.1, 487 Beml Limited, 724.8, 729, 718.2, 720.9 Bharat Elect, 1838.85, 1859.9, 1825, 1833.25 Bharat Forge, 361.4, 364.35, 357.75, 361.1 Bharat Petro, 629, 637, 627.1, 631.45 Bharti Airte, 384, 388.2, 381.7, 385.15 Bhel, 2094, 2094, 2003.5, 2015.55 Bhushan Stee, 518.05, 520.95, 510, 513.85 Biocon Limit, 385, 390, 384.3, 385.65 Bombay Dyein, 410, 419.5, 405, 414.05

ware Lab Founder-Chairman Arun Jain.

Through this initiative, Polaris Software Lab will foray into the cloud computing space to offer financial technology solutions.

IdenTrust was founded in 1999 by group of financial institutions including Citigroup, Bank of America, Barclays, HSBC and Deutsche Bank.

It provides applications that use electronic identities that establish contracts, grant au-

Bosch Limite, 6650, 7015, 6630, 6970.2 Brigade Ente, 97, 99, 96.75, 97.15 Cairn India, 348.65, 349.1, 347.6, 348.15 Canara Bank, 655, 659.1, 652.35, 656.5 Central Bank, 141.95, 142.2, 139.5, 139.85 Century Text, 377, 383.7, 373.5, 375.5 Cesc Ltd, 312, 315, 310.1, 311.1 Chambal Fert, 86.2, 86.8, 85, 85.75 Chennai Petr, 231, 231, 227.1, 228.8 Cipla Ltd, 318.5, 320.2, 315.55, 319.35 Colgate Palm, 893.05, 902, 876.15, 885.45 Container Co, 1193.55, 1212, 1191.75, 1199 Crompton Gre, 280.8, 285, 280.8, 281.85 Cummins Indi, 697.95, 715.95, 685.5, 704.2 Dabur India, 103.5, 103.55, 98.7, 99.55 Deccan Chron, 86.55, 86.7, 83.65, 84.3 Dish Tv Indi, 70.4, 71.95, 69.5, 70.6 Divi’s Labor, 712.05, 725, 708.25, 716.2 Dlf Limited, 241, 242.45, 234.2, 234.85 Dr. reddy’s, 1671, 1690.1, 1660, 1666.35 Edelweiss Ca, 37.5, 38.15, 34.8, 36.95 Educomp Solu, 469, 479.45, 465, 476 Eih Limited, 87.8, 88.35, 85.2, 86.45 Engineers In, 297, 298, 294, 294.8 Essar Oil Lt, 138, 138.5, 135.1, 136.7

thority, support secure encrypted data and information storage and secure online transactions.

"Investment in US-based global leader in Trusted Identity Solutions uniquely positions Polaris to drive the most robust digital security infrastructure in the US and European markets", Polaris Software Lab Founder-Chairman Arun Jain said.

"With increasing dependency on the Internet, security solutions that incorporate

Essar Shippi, 101.5, 106.05, 101.3, 102.35 Exide Indust, 145.8, 146, 139.25, 140.3 Federal Bank, 430, 443.35, 430, 437.15 Financial Te, 896.85, 901.5, 885, 887.5 Gail (india), 485.5, 485.5, 475, 475.9 Gammon India, 121.85, 121.85, 117.1, 117.8 Glaxosmithkl, 2111, 2210, 2110, 2193.9 Glenmark Pha, 302.9, 307, 300.7, 305 Gmr Infrastr, 39, 40.25, 38.65, 38.85 Godrej Indus, 184.9, 190.25, 182, 188.4 Grasim Indus, 2515, 2529.8, 2452.35, 2471.95 Great Offsho, 278.8, 285.75, 272.2, 281.55 Gtl Infra.Lt, 36.5, 37, 36.35, 36.5 Gujarat Mine, 143.4, 143.9, 141, 143.3 Gujarat N R, 57.3, 57.3, 55.1, 55.5 Gujarat Stat, 102.9, 103.7, 102.2, 102.9 Gvk Pow. & I, 25.1, 25.6, 24.25, 24.35 Hcl Technolo, 519.95, 519.95, 513.85, 516.05 Hdfc Bank Lt, 2376, 2379, 2326.3, 2353.25 Hdfc Ltd, 721.5, 726, 716.2, 722.1 Hero Honda M, 1775, 1797, 1731.7, 1742.4 Hindalco in, 224.2, 224.75, 219.1, 220.05 Hindustan Co, 37.8, 37.85, 36.9, 37.15 Hindustan Ma, 64.3, 65.3, 63.3, 63.5 Hindustan Pe, 372.45, 378.7, 370.75, 375.1

In 2010-11, Reliance completely stopped using Iranian oil and in first six months a total of 8.9 MT of oil was imported from Iran, Reddy said.

Sources said as per the requirement of the German central bank, Deutsche Bundesbank (DBB) -- which had permitted payment in euros through EIH -- the entire oil bought from US-sanctioned Iran was certified.

First, the oil companies certified the crude oil they bought from Iran and payments that are due. This is being countercertified by the petroleum ministry. Furthermore, State Bank of India -- the banker which was routing the payments -also affixed its seal on the transactions.

identity management are a key element in any cloud offering. We believe that IdenTrust, being a proven provider of bank-grade identity authentication in 175 countries, will bring in the required expertise in this area,” he said.

Polaris would hold majority stake in IdenTrust, while USbased premier financial services company Zions Bancorporation would hold a minority stake in IdenTrust, it said.

Hindustan Un, 284, 287.75, 282.15, 283.5 Hindustan Zi, 149.2, 151.4, 146.25, 146.6 Housing Dev, 182, 182.3, 177.05, 177.65 Icici Bank L, 1127.95, 1128.5, 1102, 1106.85 Idea Cellula, 69.2, 70.5, 68.8, 69.2 Ifci Ltd, 53.7, 53.8, 52.75, 52.9 India Cement, 103, 104.4, 99.6, 99.9 India Infoli, 74, 74.55, 72.3, 72.65 Indiabulls F, 177.85, 179.4, 174.7, 176.3 Indiabulls R, 134.45, 136, 129.45, 130.1 Indian Bank, 247.5, 252.8, 245, 251.8 Indian Hotel, 88, 88.25, 86.35, 86.55 Indian Oil C, 334.7, 339.85, 332.35, 338.75 Indian Overs, 157.3, 159.75, 156.05, 156.65 Indus Dev Ba, 151.5, 152.25, 150.4, 150.95 Indusind Ban, 271.2, 272, 265, 266.1 Infosys Tech, 2945, 2964.65, 2942.5, 2953.15 Infra. dev., 156.9, 156.95, 151.65, 152.15 Ispat Indust, 23.35, 23.95, 23.25, 23.6 Itc Ltd, 192, 194, 191.25, 193.65 Ivrcl Infras, 86, 87, 84.6, 84.95 Jai Corp Lim, 182, 185.85, 179.75, 180.2 Jaiprakash A, 100.4, 100.5, 96.55, 97 Jet Airways, 499.2, 499.7, 484.75, 487.4 Jindal Saw L, 207.25, 209.2, 204.7, 206.85

IOC’s director, refining, BN Bankapur said that while the location of the coastal refinery is yet to be finalised, the possibility is that it will come somewhere between Mangalore and Goa. “The location will help in importing crude oils from various locations as the refinery will be able to process any variety of imported crude,” he said.

The proposed refinery is likely to come on stream by 2017-18, he added.

IOC is presently the leader in the refining sector and has a refining capacity of 66 million tonnes per annum.

The company, which controls 10 of the 20 refineries that exist in India at present, expects that its 15 mtpa refinery at Paradip will be commissioned by 2012, augmenting its capacity.

BOARD MEETINGS GCCL Infra Adarsh Plant Phoenix Mills GTL Piramal Glass Gujarat Cred Alfa Laval Gujarat Gas Polaris Soft Allied Digital Gujarat Pipavav HCL Infosystems Hexaware Tech ICICI Bank RPG Life ATV Projects Balaji Amin BASF India Jindal Capital Bata India JSL Inds Shree Digvijay Best & Crompton JSW Energy Shree Narmada Biocon Kansai Nerolac Birla Corp Kesoram Inds BOB BSL State Bank BikJpr LIC Housing Fin Crompton Greav TajGVK Hotels Digjam Mcdowell Hold Elgi Equipments United Brew Hldg Vijaya Bank Mundra Port Nagarjuna Fert Forbes & Co Garware Offsh Source: Indiainfoline.com

MF FUNDA AXIS MUTUAL FUND has declared dividend under Axis Income Saver Fund, on the face value of Rs.10 per unit. The quantum of dividend for distribution will be Rs 0.10 per unit. The fund has an investment objective to generate regular income through investments in debt and money market securities. The fund is managed

by R Sivakumar, Sudhanshu Asthana and Pankaj Murarka and is benchmarked against Crisil MIP Blended Index. The record date for dividend distribution is May 2, 2011.

EDELWEISS MUTUAL FUND has declared dividend under Edelweiss Absolute Return Fund, on the face value of Rs 10 per unit.

The quantum of dividend for distribution will be Rs 0.18 per unit.

Edelweiss Absolute Return Fund is an open ended equity scheme with an investment objective to generate absolute returns with low volatility over a longer tenure of time. The record date for dividend distribution is April 29, 2011.

IDFC MUTUAL FUND has declared dividend under IDFC Small and Midcap Equity Fund. The quantum of dividend for distribution will be Rs 1.50 per unit. IDFC Small and Midcap Equity Fund is an open ended equity fund which has the investment objective to generate capital appreciation from a diversified portfolio of equity and equity related instruments. The record date for dividend distribution is April 29, 2011.

Jindal Steel, 693.2, 696, 687.1, 693.1 Jsw Steel Li, 1000, 1008, 976.4, 982.15 Kotak Mahind, 464.05, 469.4, 454.6, 458 Lakshmi Mach, 2499.95, 2547, 2450.05, 2468.7 Lanco Infrat, 43.5, 43.75, 41.8, 41.95 Larsen & Tou, 1715, 1724.95, 1685, 1687.35 Lic Housing, 228.6, 229.75, 226.1, 228 Lupin Limite, 423.85, 427.3, 419.25, 423.55 Mahanagar Te, 48, 48.8, 47.65, 48 Mahindra & M, 759.85, 775, 758, 770.4 Maruti Suzuk, 1308.9, 1329.9, 1305.2, 1316.8 Max India Lt, 159, 165.2, 158.55, 162.6 Moser-baer (, 48.5, 48.7, 46.7, 47.1 Mrpl, 75.2, 75.85, 74.2, 74.7 Nagarjuna Fe, 31.95, 32.35, 31.2, 31.3 National Alu, 95, 95.4, 94.3, 94.75 Neyveli Lign, 114.8, 116.7, 112.5, 115.15 Ntpc Ltd, 186.15, 187.2, 184.8, 185.45 Oil And Natu, 306, 311.95, 305, 311.4 Omaxe Limite, 132.6, 134.5, 132.05, 133 Oriental Ban, 378.95, 378.95, 369.5, 372.6 Pantaloon Re, 276.7, 283.75, 270.5, 275.45 Parsvnath De, 45, 45, 43.5, 43.85 Petronet Lng, 139.9, 141.5, 132.8, 133.6 Power Fin Co, 229, 231.25, 225.15, 227.65

Power Grid C, 104.5, 105, 103.75, 104.35 Praj Industr, 80.9, 83.95, 80.55, 83.1 Punj Lloyd L, 72, 72.6, 70.7, 71 Punjab Natio, 1223, 1233.9, 1205.3, 1221.15 Rajesh Expor, 97.85, 98.4, 94.75, 95 Ranbaxy Labs, 473.95, 474.55, 465, 469.55 Rashtriya Ch, 85.25, 88.6, 85.1, 87.9 Reliance Cap, 593, 595.25, 580, 582 Reliance Com, 106.2, 107.2, 104.5, 105.15 Reliance Ene, 1109.1, 1114, 1109.1, 1110.01 Reliance Ind, 660.5, 671, 651, 652.85 Reliance Ind, 1005, 1009.1, 980.1, 986.1 Reliance Pow, 130.45, 130.7, 128.3, 129.1 Rolta India, 147.5, 147.5, 143.85, 145.6 Satyam Compu, 74.6, 74.9, 73, 73.25 Sesa Goa Ltd, 325.5, 326.6, 318.6, 320.1 Shipping Cor, 114.7, 115.45, 113.8, 114.25 Siemens Ltd, 867.9, 889.95, 844, 857.3 Sintex Indus, 174.9, 175.85, 171.7, 172.65 Sobha Develo, 307.05, 310.6, 296.55, 300.15 State Bank O, 2940, 2954.8, 2901.2, 2910.45 Steel Author, 168.45, 169.1, 165.3, 167.2 Sterlite Ind, 184.5, 186.3, 181.5, 182.85 Sun Pharmace, 447.95, 448.25, 440, 442.55 Sun Tv Netwo, 421, 432.6, 421, 428.35

Suzlon Energ, 55.2, 55.8, 54.05, 54.35 Tata Communi, 254.5, 255.65, 252.05, 252.65 Tata Consult, 1194.95, 1194.95, 1176.05, 1180.6 Tata Motors, 1259, 1272.8, 1246.1, 1249.5 Tata Power C, 1320, 1336.9, 1303, 1313.2 Tata Steel L, 630, 632.9, 619.05, 620.05 Tata Teleser, 19.25, 19.65, 18.8, 19.05 Tech Mahindr, 725.05, 728.7, 715.5, 718.35 The Ge Shpg., 291, 292.9, 287.35, 288.85 The Phoenix, 201.95, 202, 200, 200.5 Thermax Ltd, 655, 674, 655, 658.85 Titan Indust, 4169.9, 4199, 4109, 4124.25 Torrent Powe, 249.4, 250.1, 245.2, 248.1 Triveni Engg, 109.45, 110.8, 108.15, 108.8 Tv18 India L, 82.3, 85.9, 81.7, 84.7 Uco Bank, 116.5, 118.05, 116, 116.95 Ultratech Ce, 1070, 1071.15, 1045, 1060.15 Union Bank O, 342.75, 346, 342.1, 342.6 Unitech Ltd, 41.5, 41.7, 40.15, 40.45 United Phosp, 161.8, 162.9, 160.35, 161.7 Videocon Ind, 190.05, 191.5, 187.5, 188.6 Vijaya Bank, 92, 92.35, 90.6, 90.95 Voltas Ltd, 175.5, 177, 173.3, 174.2 Wipro Ltd, 448.8, 454.7, 444.4, 451.1 Yes Bank Lim, 317.1, 320.9, 313, 315.85 Zee Entertai, 131.95, 134.55, 130.55, 131.95

OHERALDO

Pg 13 GOA, THURSDAY 28 APRIL, 2011

Obama authorises $ 25 mn in aid to Libyan rebels PTI TRIPOLI/WASHINGTON, APRIL 27

Amid fierce fighting for control of the port of Misurata, US President Barack Obama has authorised USD 25 million in non-lethal aid to Libyan rebels, as leaders of 61 tribes across the strife-torn country demanded an end to Muammar Gaddafi's 41-year rule.

A United Nations team arrived in Tripoli today to probe allegations of human rights violations since the conflict began in February, close on the heels of reports that 68-year-old Gaddafi's forces, trying to retake Misurata from rebels, were indiscriminately shelling the city.

UN Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay had earlier said that what was happening in Libya "may amount to crimes against humanity".

In the first direct US aid to the rebels, Obama, in a presidential determination sent to Secretaries of State and Defence last evening, directed drawdown of up to USD 25 million in nonlethal commodities and services from the inventory and resources of any agency of the US

government to support key partners such as Libya's opposition Transitional National Council.

The move was part of efforts to protect civilians and civilianpopulated areas under threat of attack in Libya.

"The Secretary of State is authorised and directed to report this determination to the Congress, arrange for its publication in the 'Federal Register', and coordinate the implementation of this drawdown," the US President said.

Three people were reportedly killed yesterday in Libya as missiles slammed into Misurata port, a key point for those trying to escape to the rebel stronghold of Benghazi.

Misurata had been besieged by government forces for two months and parts of the city were without power and water.

Pro-democracy forces said the Libyan army had withdrawn from central Misurata under pressure from NATO air attacks, but fierce fighting was still going on for control of the city's port with the government forces unleashing a heavy bombardment on it.

Al-Jazeera said that though

Obama releases his birth certificate PTI WASHINGTON, APRIL 27

Seeking to put an end to a controversy over his birthplace, Barack Obama today released his birth certificate, which showed that he was born in the American state of Hawaii, making him constitutionally eligible to hold the office of US President.

With the release of his longform birth certificate, Obama and his team hopes to silence the conspiracy theorists who claimed he wasn't born in the United States.

Presidents and vice presidents, according to the US Constitution, must be natural born citizens of America.

The White House Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer displayed the green certificate at an off-camera briefing, and provided a copy of it to the reporters.

Soon after the White House released his birth certificate, Obama said, "We've had every official in Hawaii, Democrat and Republican, every news outlet that has investigated this confirm that, yes, in fact, I was born in Hawaii August 4th, 1961, in Kapiolani Hospital.

"We've posted the certification that is given by the state of Hawaii on the Internet for

everybody to see. People have provided affidavits that they, in fact, have seen this birth certificate. And yet this thing just keeps on going."

"Now, normally, I would not comment on something like this, because, obviously, there's a lot of stuff swirling in the press at any given day and, you know, I've got other things to do," Obama said.

Signed by the attendant, local registrar and Obama's mother, the birth certificate says that Obama was born at the Kapiolani Maternity and Gynecological Hospital at Honolulu in the island of Oahu in Hawaii at 7.24 pm on August 4, 1961.

"The President believed the distraction over his birth certificate wasn't good for the country. It may have been good politics and good TV, but it was bad for the American people and distracting from the many challenges we face as a country," Pfeiffer said.

"Therefore, the President directed his counsel to review the legal authority for seeking access to the long form certificate and to request on that basis that the Hawaii State Department of Health make an exception to release a copy of his long form birth certificate," he said.

Gaddafi's troops had left the city, everybody was under threat of shellfire. "The whole city centre has been destroyed and needs to be rebuilt."

The battle for Misurata has become the focal point of the uprising against Gaddafi.

Meanwhile, leaders of 61 tribes from across Libya sought an end to "dictator" Gaddafi's rule.

In a joint statement drafted in the rebel stronghold of Benghazi earlier this month and rel e a s e d b y Fr e n c h w r i t e r Bernard-Henri Levy, they reportedly demanded a "free, democratic and united" Libya.

Gaddafi's forces also shelled Berber towns in Libya's western mountains with artillery, according to rebels and refugees.

Al-Jazeera said the rebels claimed to have gained ground in their fight against Gaddafi's army after NATO's recent air raids.

According to Human rights groups, more than 1,000 people have been killed in the fighting.

In Washington, visiting British Defence Secretary Liam Fox said Gaddafi has become a "liability" for his people.

Gilani defends ISI, says govt backs the agency PTI ISLAMABAD, APRIL 27

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani today mounted a defence of Pakistan's ISI in the wake of reports that the US had listed it as a terrorist support organisation, saying the spy agency had the backing of his government for all actions.

"Wrong propaganda is being floated about intelligence agencies through newspapers. I want to tell them that the intelligence agencies are under the Pakistan government," Gilani said at an official function on the outskirts of Islamabad.

"And without the government, they can't do anything that goes against national interests. If the ISI has done something, they had our backing and we are with them," he said.

Gilani's remarks came in the wake of a warning by Admiral Mike Mullen, America's top military official, that the ISI's longstanding ties with the Haqqani militant network are at the core of US's strained and problematic relations with the Pakistan.

Secret documents leaked by WikiLeaks showed that the US military categorised the ISI as terrorist support group.

Japan’s royals visit tsunami-hit areas

PTI TOKYO/FUKUSHIMA, APRIL 27

Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko look at tsunami devastation from the Isatomae Elementary School in Minamisanriku, Miyagi Prefecture, on Wednesday. Japan's imperial couple made their first visit to the country's tsunami-ravaged northeast coast to comfort thousands of survivors still huddling in evacuation shelters.

UN war crimes report threatens peace efforts: Lanka REUTERS COLOMBO, APRIL 27

Sri Lanka on Wednesday said the publication of UN-appointed panel's report blaming it for thousands of civilian deaths at the end of its civil war threatens peace-building efforts and is motivated by the political agenda of "interested parties."

The United Nations on Monday published the findings of a three-member panel SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon appointed to advise him on "issues of ac-

PTI LONDON, APRIL 27

The Royal wedding cake described as "very romantic" is being given the finishing touches in a luxury cakes company led by an Indian-origin entrepreneur and his British wife.

Kishore Patel, 57, is the managing director of the Leicestershire-based Fiona Cairns Ltd., which is known for making cakes for the luxury market.

Hailing from Baroda, Patel is the husband of Fiona Cairns, 55, who has earned a reputation in luxury baking after being trained as a pastry chef.

Patel told PTI unassumingly: "It started as a hobby, a very common hobby, nothing un-

A tourist takes pictures of the Spanish Steps and Trinita' dei Monti Church in central Rome.

Rome’s hotels are in high demand this weekend as visitors descend on the Italian capital for the beatification of John Paul II, the Polish-born pope who died five years ago, Bloomberg reports.

The city's population will swell by about 1.1 million people from around the world, the story says. The ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 1.

Rooms, however, are still available and a special website has been set up for last-minute pilgrims seeking lodging.

Hotel comparison site Trivago says the going rate for a onenight hotel stay in Rome this

countability" from the 2009 end of Sri Lanka's 25-year war with the separatist Tamil Tigers.

"The public release of the report at this stage is divisive, and disrupts our efforts to reinforce peace, security and stability in Sri Lanka," the Indian Ocean nation's External Affairs Ministry said in a statement.

"It feeds into the political agendas of interested parties," the statement said.

Although the ministry did not identify those parties, Sri Lanka

has long accused rights watchdogs and pro-Tamil Tiger groups in the Diaspora of fabricating atrocities to discredit the government and shift attention from the Tigers' own crimes.

The panel, which did not have an investigator y mandate, blamed the victorious Lankan forces for killing thousands of civilians, and said there was "credible evidence" that war crimes were committed by both sides.

Ban on Monday said he could not order a probe, which the

panel recommended and Sri Lanka has refused as a violation of its sovereignty, without Colombo's consent or a decision from member states to push it ahead.

With Chinese and Russian support on the UN Security Council, Sri Lanka is unlikely to face any international probe, since it is not a member of the International Criminal Court in the Hague.

Since accusations arose at the end of the war in the first half

of 2009 that government troops were killing civilians in artillery bombardments, Sri Lanka has denied targeting non-combatants, although it has acknowledged some were killed.

The report was leaked in Sri Lankan papers earlier this month, and the government has called it fraudulent and biased.

It also said the world body was seeking to pre-empt the findings of its own Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC).

Indian touch to Britain’s Royal wedding cake!

Pope John Paul II beatification packs Rome hotels

AP ROME, APRIL 27

In their first visit to the tsunamibattered northeast, Japan's imperial couple today comforted survivors of the disaster, as authorities battled to tackle the atomic crisis at the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant where a woman worker was exposed to radiation exceeding three times the legal limit.

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko surveyed the devastated areas of Miyagi prefecture, one of the worst hit regions in the March 11 magnitude-9 quake and tsunami that left nearly 30,000 people dead or unaccounted for in Japan's northeast.

The imperial couple travelled to Miyagi on a Self-Defense Force (SDF) plane from Tokyo and were briefed by Governor Yoshihiro Murai on the damage caused to the prefecture, following which they flew by a helicopter to the town of Minami Sanriku to comfort tsunami survivors, national broadcaster NHK said.

During their visit to the devastated town, they bowed silently for the victims and then visited a local junior high school where about 200 residents had taken shelter.

The Emperor and Empress,

who offered their words of encouragement to the affected people, were cheered by the locals who offered flowers to them.

The royal couple had earlier visited evacuation centres in and near Tokyo.

According to the Imperial Household Agency, they will visit tsunami-ravaged Iwate prefecture on Monday and travel to Fukushima prefecture on May 11 to meet evacuees there.

The royal couple's visit to the devastated northeast today came amid hectic efforts by authorities to tackle the atomic crisis at the Fukushima nuclear plant.

Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), the operator of the plant, said that one of its woman employees at the crisishit facility was exposed to radiation doses exceeding three times the legal limit of 5 millisieverts in a three-month period, although she has not suffered any health problems, Kyodo news agency reported.

TEPCO also started increasing the amount of water being injected into the troubled No.1 reactor core as it prepared to flood the unit's primary containment vessel to cool the fuel inside in a stable manner.

weekend is $370 - higher than the $310 nightly rate currently being sought by hotels in London, where people are gathering for the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton on Friday, International Business Traveller reports.

The crushing demand means that some Rome hoteliers are trying to get away with doubling their prices - and more, Bloomberg says.

Police intervened, closing six hotels and issuing $438,000 in fines for tourist rip-offs and practices, the story says.

One hotel was found to have added eight beds to small rooms, Ansa news wire reported last week.

usual, but then we unlocked the potential and grew. Today we have nearly 90 people working in our company".

The design and details of the wedding cake ordered by Prince William and Kate Middleton remain a secret until April 29, the wedding day. Patel said he will wear "traditional English dress" at the wedding.

The company prides itself on being creative and – besides providing cakes for seasonal celebrations – ensures its fabulous handmade cakes reflect current trends. Fiona's treats have attracted celebrities such as Sir Paul McCartney and U2's Bono.

The company now supplies more than 750,000 cakes

Mubarak sons’ detention extended PTI CAIRO, APRIL 27

The detention of Alaa and Gamal, sons of Hosni Mubarak, has been extended by another 15 days by the public prosecutor, who has delayed shifting of the toppled Egyptian President to a prison hospital because of his health condition.

"Egypt's public prosecutor extended the detentions of Alaa and Gamal Mubarak, the sons of former President Hosni Mubarak, for 15 days," the staterun Middle East News Agency reported. Meanwhile, the prosecutor-general Abdel-Meguid Mahmoud announced that Hosni Mubarak will not be moved to a military hospital.

(mostly fairy cakes) a year to shops including Fortnum & Mason, and Waitrose.

Fiona Cairns Ltd began on Fiona's kitchen table 25 years ago, when Patel spotted the potential of his wife's beautifully crafted handmade cakes.

In 2001, he joined the company full time and the company moved out of their garden and into a state of the art bakery in Fleckney, Leicestershire, the heart of the English countryside.

An alumnus of Scindia School, Gwalior, Patel arrived in Britain in 1964 to attend boarding school, and met Fiona at university. He says he and his family – Fiona, son Hari-Kishore and daughter Tara – visit India every

year, particularly Mumbai and Baroda.

Fiona has been given detailed plans to create a multi-tiered traditional fruit cake after sending several samples for Prince William and Kate to try. Details are not forthcoming, but the cake is said to be lavishly decorated, with a floral theme, and will include the royal couple's new cipher.

The cake is also expected to feature four flowers of the home nations – English rose, Scottish thistle, Welsh daffodil and Irish shamrock. Kate also wanted the cake to feature around 16 different blooms and foliage for their meaning – known as the "language of flowers".

Fiona said: "It's multi-tiered, doesn't have colour – it's cream and white (icing) – and it's a traditional cake but also quite delicate and modern, all the tiers will have a different theme. I can't tell you what the recipe is exactly, but the brandy is very important, we always soak our fruits overnight to plump up the fruits."

She said: "There is the bridal rose which symbolises happiness, the oak and acorn – which is an architectural detail around the room where the cake will be.

Pg 14

SPORTS

GOA, Thursday, 28 April 2011

GSA triumph HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 27

Goa Sports Academy defeated Al Fatah by 85 runs to claim the Bandodkar Trophy T-20 League cricket organised by Panjim Gymkhana at Bandodkar ground, Campal, Panjim on Wednesday.

GCA set a target of 143 for 7 i n 2 0 o v e r s . Tu s h a r Narvekar (40), Regan Pinto (34), Sagun Kamat (31), Ryan D’Sousa (19).

Bowling: Sahil Dhuri 22 for 2, Sher B Yadav 28 for 2, Yogesh Chodankar 43 for 1, Shrinivas Phadte 15 for 1. Al Fatah were 58 for 10 in 13.1 overs. Sahil Dhuri (22) and Sher Yadav (11).

Bowling: Regan Pinto 8 for 3, Shekhar Reddy 9 for 2, Sharman Vaz 6 for 2, Ryan D’Sousa 23 for 1, Aditya Angle 6 for 1.

Following individual prizes were awarded: Best batsman – Sagun Kamat. Best bowler – Indrashekhar Reddy. Man-of-thef i n a l s – Re g a n P i n t o .

Man-of-the-series – Sahil Dhuri.

Nasaf hammer Dempo 9-0 l Uzbek team records biggest win in AFC Cup history

Mauricio Afonso who deputised for head coach Armando Colaco.

HERALD SPORTS REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 27

I-League holders Dempo suffered a humiliating 9-0 defeat at the hands of Uzbekistan's Nasaf Karshi in a Group A encounter of AFC Cup at

Dempo pip Oratory HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, APRIL 27

Goals from Neri Alphonso and Valerio Barretto gave Dempo Sports Club a 2-1 victory over Don Bosco Oratory, Panjim in GFA’s U-16 League at Don Bosco ground, Panjim on Wednesday.

Dempo led by a solitary goal at the breather.

Ahan Philip equalised for Don Bosco in the second session but the lead lasted barely two minutes as Valerio found the winner for Dempo.

In GFA’s U-18 Second Division on Tuesday, Goa Velha defeated CDJ Ribandar by a solitary Chatur Naik strike at Santa Cruz ground. Ave Maria AWC defeated Cuncolim Union 3-0 at Cuncolim ground.

Sam Satimaro, Domnic Rodrigues and Alison Fernandes netted for Ave Maria.

Davorlim Sports Club overcame Salcete Football Club 6-0 at Rosary ground.

Markaziy Stadion, Qarshi on Wednesday.

In one of the most horrible displays in Indian footb a l l h i s t o r y, D e m p o conceded five in the first half and four in the second.

Serbian striker Ivan Boskovic netted four goals for the hosts in a totally one-sided contest.

Nasaf collected a maximum of 12 points from four matches with four victories while Dempo remained on just three points with just one victory also after four matches.

Dempo play Al Tilal of Yemen on May 4 at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, Margao at 4 p.m. in their next match. The last match for Dempo, against Al Ansar (6 pts) will be played on May 11 in Pune at 6.30 p.m.

In another match Al Ansar lost

Pax of Nagoa in quarters HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, APRIL 27

Pax of Nagoa scored a hard fought solitary goal victory over Guirim Sports and Cultural Association to move into the quarter-finals of 20th V M Salgaocar Trophy inter-village football tournament organised by Saligao Sporting Club at Saligao ground on Wednesday.

The teams played well and had an equal number of scoring opportunities but their forwards failed to find the net. Nagoa netted the all-important goal in the second half through Clyde Coelho.

to Al Tilal 0-2 Nasaf Karshi boss Anatoly Demianenko hailed his side’s 9-0 demolition of Dempo that booked their place in the knock-out stage.

Ivan Boskovic scored four times, including a hat-trick, as Nasaf recorded the biggest victory in the history of the AFC Cup. After Dempo’s keeper Luis Barreto had been forced off through injury, the Nasaf striker began the rout in the 12th minute and claimed his second in first-half stoppage-time, in between which Andrejs Pereplotkins, Artur Gevorkyan and Ilkhom Shomuradov all found the back of the net.

Boskovic scored twice more in the second-half while Gevorkyan and Shuhrat Mirholdirshaev also found the target as Nasaf collected their fourth consecutive victory to

top Group A and seal their progression to the next round.

“First of all, congratulations to our fans with a great team game. The fans witnessed a large number of goals scored and got pleasure from the game,” he said.

“Our players will try to play the next matches at the same level. The most important thing is that after such a match, the players do not become conceited.

Each player played excellently.

The whole team played excellently.”

Dempo were without boss Armando Colaco after he was admitted to hospital with high blood pressure and assistant boss Mauricio Afonso felt the early injury to Barreto played a big part in the one-sided defeat.

“We knew that Nasaf are a very tough opponent, they are really strong team,” he said.

Nagoa enter finals HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, APRIL 27

Nagoa Sporting Club defeated Saligao Sporting Club 2-0 to move into the finals of Nerul Cup inter-village football tournament organised by United Club of Nerul at Dr Gustavo Monteiro Stadium, Candolim, on Wednesday.

The teams began on a promising note. However, it was Nagoa who could have forged ahead in the 15th minute but a Kalpesh Naik header kissed the bar and went out off a good cross by Adnan Beig.

Stanley D'Silva made amends for the miss and slotted home

a direct free kick in the 27th minute to help Nagoa take the lead.

Down by a goal, Saligao tried to level the score but their forwards failed to find the net. Nagoa could have doubled the lead in the closing minutes of the first half but Saligao keeper Felecian Sequeira effected a brilliant save off Gaurish Naik.

Changing over, Nagoa doubled the lead through Pradeep Chopdekar in the 45th minute.

Saligao tried their best to bounce back but their forwards ran out of ideas in front of the Nagoa goal.

Geno oust Siolim HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 27

Geno Sports Club defeated Siolim Cricket Club by 112 runs in ‘A’ Division match at GCA academy ground, Porvorim on Wednesday.

Geno set a target of 271 in 40 overs.

Kishor Sinare (106), Krishna Volvoikar (9), Aditya Naik (17), Nandesh Falari (31), Swapnil Pnadhan (50) and Govind Ghadi (40).

Bowling: Amiv Naik 8-1-36-1, Manoj Haldankar 7-0-63-1, Sushant Shirodkar 8-0-66-2, Amay Kandolkar 6-0-33-1.

Siolim were 159 in 38 overs.

Sudesh Naik (31), Manoj Haldankar (57), Amay Kandolkar (40).

Bowling: Dhondo Tulaskar 51-17-2, Sajit Rane 8-1-34-1, Krishna Volvoikar 8-0-30-1, Prathmesh Pawar 6-0-20-2, Nandesh Falari 1-0-9-1, Swapnil Pradhan 1-0-4-1.

GOA DIARY

Federation throwball selection trials

PANJIM (HSD) – The selections for Goa team for Federation Cup throwball championship will be held on Apil 28 at Nanus ground , Valpoi at 4 p.m. The Federation Cup will be held at Bharatpur in Rajasthan, on June 1 and 2. Details may be obtained from Sadic on 9422445067 or A R Khan on 9422446259. Meanwhile, the junior Nationals which were to be held in Chattisgarh in the third week of May have been postponed.

Holy Cross soccer tourney

PANJIM (HSD) – Chandor Sports Club will lock horns with Don Bosco Oratory, Fatorda in the inaugural match of 15th All-Goa Holy Cross inter-village football tournament in memory of Albert J Fernandes (ex-president, HCSC) from April 28 to May 14 organised

by Holy Cross Sports Club, Vodlemoll, Kakoda in association with Guardian Angel Sports Club, Curchorem. The winners will take home Rs 1,00,000 while the runners-up will have to be content with Rs 75,000.

“I thought before the match that we could lose. At the beginning of the match we lost our goalkeeper and the reserve goalie was not ready for the match. This was the cause of the massive defeat.” Reserve c u s t o d i a n S u b h a s i s h Ro y Chowdhur y took over the gloves and subsequently had to pick the ball out of his net nine times.

Despite the defeat, Dempo still harbour hopes of joining Nasaf in the next round even though they have just three points from four games. “To qualify from the group stage, we must win both remaining matches,“ Afonso said.

“Today Nasaf had impressive support from their fans, which also helped them to play a better game. I think that Nasaf are able to reach AFC Cup final.”

Infant Jesus HS trounced HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 27

Infant Jesus, Colva slumped to their second loss from three games, losing 0-6 to Sukantha Nagar Vidya Niketan, Kolkata in the inter-city leg of Mahindra Youth Football Challenge at Bala Gangadharanatha Swamy International Residential School ground in Bangalore on Wednesday.

Sharma, Pooblan leading HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 27

IM Himanshu Sharma (2393) of Haryana and Pooblan P (2285) of Tamil Nadu are leading with five points each out of five rounds in GVM All-India FIDE Rating chess tournament at GVM College, Farmagudi, Ponda on Wednesday.

IM Argyadip Das of West Bengal, Sohan Phadke of Maharashtra, IM K Ratnakaran of Railways, Guna Sekaran, Anirudh Deshpande of Maharashtra and Syed Anwar Shazuli of Tamil Nadu are with 4 ½ points each.

Goa’s Anurag Mhamal, Anirudh Bhat, Rishubh Naik and Amogh Namshikar are in third position with four points each after five rounds.

Top board results: IM Saptashi Roy of Railways lost to Pooblan P of Tamil Nadu.

Sayed Anwar Sazuli of Tamil Nadu drew with IM K Ratnakaran of Raiways.

Himanshu Sharma of Haryana beat Roshan Rangarajan of Maharashtra. Abhishek Kelkar of Maharashtra lost to IM Argyadip Das of West Bengal.

Snooker tourneys

PANJIM (HSD) -- The Cue Sports Association of Goa in collaboration with Clube Tennis de Gasper Dias, Miramar, Martins Pool Parlour, Navelim and Snooker City, Mapusa will organise three major AllGoa snooker junior and senior ranking tournaments during the summer vacations. The overall winners and runners-up based on the point system of all three ranking tournaments will represent Goa at 78th National snooker tournament for seniors and 3rd National snooker tournament for juniors in Chennai in July. The All-Goa Late Mohan S B Caculo memorial ranking tournament for seniors and juniors will be held at Clube Tennis de Gasper Dias, Mira Mar from April 30 to May 3. The All-Goa Martin Memorial ranking tournament for juniors and seniors will be held at Martins Pool Parlour, Navelim from May 14 onwards.

The All-Goa Snooker City ranking tournament for juniors and seniors will be held at Snooker City, Ansabhat, Mapusa from June 4. Details may be obtained from Nicholas D’Sousa on 9850464878 or Jagdish Badigar on 9823205512.

Soccer camp at Cortalim

PANJIM (HSD) – Cortalim Gymkhana will organise their football coaching camp for boys and girls between 8 and 13 from May 2 to 16 at Kurpavaddo ground, Cortalim at 7 a.m. Details may be obtained from Satish Keni on 9422062892, Dourado on 9158347305 or Peter Barretto on 9881348414.

Camurlim club inauguration

PANJIM (HSD) – The Camurlim United Sports Club will be inaugurated on May 30 at 7 p.m. An All-Goa floodlit tennis ball cricket tournament at Kajro ground, Vagalim will be held at 8 p.m. The winners will walk away with Rs 12,000 while the runners-up will take home Rs 8,000. Details may be obtained from Kishor on 9422443538, Sagar on 9923902890 or Sameer on 9822159137.

Sarzora SC meeting

MARGAO (HC) -- The annual general body meeting of Sarzora Sports Club will be held on May 1 at Assumpta Convent High School, Sarzora at 10 a.m.

St Anthony super soccer at Colva

PANJIM (HSD) – Wilred Leisure Sports Club will lock horns with Betalbatim Sporting in the inaugural match of St Anthony’s Super soccer organised by St Anthony’s Club, Colva at Directorate of Sports ground, Colva at 4.45 p.m. Other participating teams include Navelim Sporting, Ambelim SC, Cuncolim Union, Sporting Club of Davorlim, Don Bosco Oratory, Fatorda, Parish Youth, Nuvem, Rossman Cruz SC, Verna, Sao Minguel, Taleigao, St Savio SC, Calangute, Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim, Cana Benaulim Sporting, Guirdolim SC, St Anthony, Colva, Chinchinim SC and United Club of Utorda.

U-19 I-League: Churchill Brothers v. Salgaocar, Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, Margao; Sporting Clube de Goa v.

Dempo SC, Tilak Maidan, Vasco. Kick off 4 p.m.

4th Three Kings inter-village cup soccer: Cuncolim Union v.

Goa Velha SC, Dr T B Cunha sports complex, Cansaulim, 4.30 p.m.

St Anthony Festival soccer: St Anthony Club, Mapa v. Taligiao Boys, Banto ground, Mapa, Panchwadi, 4.30 p.m.

15th All-Goa Holy Cross inter-village soccer: Chandor SC v. Don Bosco Oratory, Fatorda, Vodlemoll, Kakoda ground, 4.30 p.m.

Crown Boys soccer: YBT, Tonca v. Jovinho XI, Calangute, Government School ground, St Cruz, 5 p.m.

Nerul Cup soccer semi-finals: Sangolda Lightning v.

Sodiem SCA, Dr Gustavo Monteiro Stadium, Candolim, 4.30 p.m.

V M Salgaocar soccer: Saligao SC v. St Sebastian SC, St Cruz, Saligao Sporting ground, 4.30 p.m.

10th All-Goa Guirdolim Panchayat Cup soccer: St Anthony SC, Assolda v. Carmona SC, church ground, Chandor, 4.30 p.m.

St Mathew soccer: St Caitan, Merces v. St Mathew, Azosim, St Mathew ground, Azosim, 5 p.m.

St Anthony super soccer: Wilred Leisure SC v. Betalbatim Union, Directorate of Sports ground, Colva, 4.45 p.m.

SPORTS

GOA, Thursday, 28 April 2011

United eye Champions Cup

Schalke 04 . . . . . .0 Man United . . . . . .2 AFP GELSENKIRCHEN, APRIL 27

Manchester United produced a devastating attacking performance to record a 2-0 win over Schalke 04 in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal on Tuesday.

Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, a reported United target, kept the three-time champions at bay almost single-handedly before quick-fire second-half goals from Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney brought United a deserved victory.

The result puts Sir Alex Ferguson's side firmly in the driving seat ahead of next week's return leg at Old Trafford, when they will seek to book their place in the Champions League final for the third time in four seasons.

Schalke upset defending champions Inter Milan in the previous round but the visitors' onslaught meant they were unable to cause Edwin van der Sar any real problems as the United goalkeeper kept his 50th clean sheet in the competition.

Neuer has been the subject of intense speculation since he announced he was not going to extend his contract but the

Schalke captain demonstrated why he is so highly sought after with a string of world-class stops in the first half.

The first, on three minutes, saw him brilliantly palm away a Ro o n e y c u r l e r, b e f o re h e plunged to his right to keep out a low Park Ji-Sung drive two minutes later.

United's best early chance fell to Javier Hernandez but, having beaten the offside trap from Park's pass, the Mexican international found his route to goal blocked by the imposing frame of the Germany number one.

Hernandez ruffled the side netting and flashed a shot across the face of goal before a stunning one-handed stop from Neuer prevented Giggs heading United in front.

It seemed only a matter of time before semi-final debutants Schalke buckled and Atsuto Uchida had to produce a tremendous block to deny Park after Neuer's save from Hernandez left the Korean with an open goal.

Neuer was at it again seconds from half-time, boldly racing from his line to deny Giggs, after Schalke had seen a penalty appeal rejected when Antonio Valencia nudged Alexander Baumjohann in the back beneath

a high ball.

A Rooney header from a Giggs free-kick prompted more acrobatics from Neuer early in the second half, while Giggs should have done better than blaze wide moments later after flummoxing three defenders with a cunning feint.

A rare sight of goal at the other end saw Jose Manuel Jurado slice a volley wide, before the breakthrough that United's first-half dominance merited finally materialised in the 67th minute.

Rooney bought himself space on the edge of the box by shaping to shoot and as the Schalke defence advanced to close him down, he slipped a pass through for Giggs to roll the ball between Neuer's legs.

The deadlock finally broken, United required just two minutes to stretch their lead.

Hernandez drove infield from the right flank before stabbing the ball to Rooney, who beat the exposed Neuer with a firsttime shot into the bottom-left corner.

Victory could even have been more handsome, had Patrice Evra's low shot two minutes from time not whistled narrowly wide of the right-hand upright.

Schalke's Brazilian striker Edu (behind, blue) vies for the ball with Manchester's Serbian midfielder Nemanja Vidic in Gelsenkirchen on Tuesday.

Clinical Stoke deepen Wolves’ drop fears

Stoke City's Trinidadian forward Kenwyne Jones (centre) scores at The Britannia Stadium in Stoke-onTrent, England on Tuesday.

Stoke 3 Wolves 0 AFP STOKE, APRIL 27

FA Cup finalists Stoke's fine run of form continued on Tuesday as they dealt a huge blow to Wolves prospects of staying in

No move to bring no-confidence resolution against Kalmadi PTI NEW DELHI, APRIL 27

The IOA officials may have been quick to appoint veteran administrator V K Malhotra as the acting president but there is no move to bring about a no-confidence resolution against Suresh Kalmadi who has been arrested on corruption charges.

The swift action to end Kalmadi's 15-year-reign as the IOA chief was taken yesterday by the senior officials in a meeting chaired by Malhotra himself, citing clause 13B of the constitution which empowers the vice-president to take interim charge in the absence of the president.

Malhotra will now call a meeting of the IOA Executive Board at the earliest in consultation with the Secretary General Randhir Singh to discuss the situation arising out of the arrest of Kalmadi.

Randhir, who reached Delhi last night, has gone to Jodhpur today and could not have a meeting with Malhotra though both have discussed the issue over telephone.

"Once the Secretary General (Randhir Singh) returns to Delhi, a date for the meeting will be announced. A notice of 15 days has to be given to the members", a top IOA official said.

The official said that there was no move as yet to bring about a no-confidence motion against Kalmadi. "As far as we are concerned, we now have a acting president. Kalmadi is not in the scene. No member has given us any notice about a noconfidence motion", the official said.

When contacted, Vice-President Tarlochan Singh said that there was no move to bring about a no-confidence motion against Kalmadi.

"We have not heard about such a move. No member has raised this issue as of now", Tarlochan told PTI.

the Premier League with a 3-0 win.

Goals by Trinidadian international Kenwyne Jones, Ryan Shawcross and the outstanding Jermaine Pennant easily saw off a woeful Wolves side, who are

second from bottom a point adrif t of safety with four matches remaining.

The hosts took the lead just after the quarter-hour mark as Jones headed home from a great cross by Pennant, who had

beaten a couple of weak challenges down the right flank.

Jones, a record signing for Stoke last August for £8million, wasted a better chance eight minutes later as Shawcross found him with a brilliant long pass but unmolested he shot well wide with just goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey to beat.

Stoke, though, suffered a potential hammerblow in terms of their FA Cup final hopes when winger Matthew Etherington man of the match in their semifinal demolition of Bolton - had to go off after suffering what looked like a hamstring injury on the half hour mark.

Etherington's injury follows those suffered by striker Ricardo Fuller (ruptured Achilles) and defender Danny Higginbotham (knee), with both of them al-

Saina crashes out l Sourabh upsets Sony

indian open AGENCIES NEW DELHI, APRIL 27

Top seed Saina Nehwal crashed out of the India Open Super Series badminton tournament after she went down 17-21, 19-21 to Japan's Ai Goto in the women's singles first round at the Siri Fort Sports Complex on Wednesday.

Saina was considered to be the hot favourite but the diminutive shuttler bowed down in the first round.

The 21-year-old ace, who was seeded top in the tournament, has also been troubled by an ankle injury for the past few months.

Meanwhile, young shuttler Sourabh Verma created the biggest upset of the day when he sent Athens Olympics bronze medallist Sony Dwi Kuncoro packing in straight games in the first round of the Indian Open Super Series in New Delhi on Wednesday.

The 20-year-old qualifier beat the former world number three Indonesian 2118 21-19 in a hard-fought 41-minute men's singles match.

Currently ranked 37th, Sony had also won the silver and bronze in the World Championship in Kuala Lumpur in 2007 and Hyderabad in 2009, besides winning the Indonesian, Japan Super Series and China Masters.

Sourabh won the All India Senior Ranking tournament held at Atul, Gujarat in February. This was his first major ranking title on the senior circuit. He also reached the quarter-finals of the Scottish Open in 2009.

Meanwhile, Ajay Jayaram too produced a gallant performance against world number one Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia before going down fighting 21-19 21-18 in a 37-minute match.

Up against Sho Sasaki of Japan, Anand Pawar fought hard before going down 1921, 21-17, 21-12 in another men's singles match.

Among other Indians, Akshay Dewalkar and Pradnya Gadre beat Japanese pair of Noriyasu Hirata and Miyuki Maeda 21-17 21-17 in the mixed doubles category but their colleagues were not so lucky as they crashed out of the tournament with contrasting defeats.

ready ruled out of the FA Cup final clash with Manchester City.

Stoke doubled their lead before half-time as Shawcross bundled the ball past Hennessey from a corner - cruel luck on the Welsh international goalkeeper as he had pulled off a superb double save in giving away the corner.

Wolves, though, could find no answers in the second-half either as they produced a listless performance worthy more of a side in midtable security than fighting for its Premier League survival.

It was no surprise when Stoke added a third in the 51st minute as the outstanding Pennant scored striking the ball home from a Jon Walters cross.

Pennant was to exit later to a deserved standing ovation as the match petered out.

Doosra can’t be bowled legally: Michael Holding AGENCIES BRIDGETOWN, APRIL 27

Pakistan's spinners have wreaked havoc with their doosras in the team's two victories over the West Indies in the ongoing ODI series but former Windies fast bowling legend Michael Holding has raised questions on the legality of the doosra.

The trio of Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Hafeez and Shahid Afridi have chipped in with impressive combined figures of eight wickets for 202 runs from 60 overs they have bowled so far in Pakistan's easy eight-wicket and sevenwicket wins in two matches.

Hafeez and Ajmal have managed to trouble the West Indies batsmen with their virtually unplayable doosras but Holding, who is now a renowned commentator had said that he was not convinced.

"My belief regarding the doosra is very clear, I don't think it can be bowled legally," Holding had said during the second ODI between Pakistan and West Indies in St Lucia.

Kohli impressed Not the kind of pitch with Kotla wicket we wanted: Sehwag AGENCIES KOTLA, APRIL 27

Royal Challengers Bangalore batsman Virat Kohli termed the Feroze Shah Kotla wicket as the best he has ever played on even as Delhi Daredevils captain Virender Sehwag declared that the track was not of his

liking after the home team's three-wicket loss in an IPL match in New Delhi.

"It's a good wicket. I haven't played on a better wicket here than this. Not just the batsman, it had something for the bowlers too," Kohli said after leading his team to a three-wicket win while chasing a competitive 161-run target last night.

But Sehwag was not too impressed. "The ball was not coming on to the bat. It's difficult to hit boundaries, until the ball is there to be hit. They cut a lot of grass, which we didn't want, but we have to carry on with whatever wicket we get," Sehwag said.

AGENCIES NEW DELHI, APRIL 27

Delhi Daredevils skipper Virender Sehwag said the pitch for Tuesday's match against Bangalore was not of their liking but blamed poor bowling for their threewicket defeat here on Tuesday.

Chasing 161 to win, Bangalore romped home with three balls to spare.

"The ball was not coming on to the bat. It's difficult to hit boundaries, until the ball is there to be hit. They cut a lot of grass, which we didn't want, but we

have to carry on with whatever wicket we get," Sehwag said after the match.

The Delhi skipper blamed

poor effort by his bowlers for the defeat.

"I think we gave too many boundary balls in the first six overs. They were not hitting boundaries but still they were getting boundaries because of our bad bowling.

"After they got 65 in first six overs, we came back well.

Morne Morkel bowled well, Yogesh Nagar took one wickets for us. At the end also we didn't bowl well," he said.

Sehwag admitted that they will be under tremendous pressure now in the tournament as they cannot afford to lose from here on.

"Pressure on Delhi now so hopefully we will do well in next games. We have to back ourselves and correct our basics."

Bhaichung in a new avatar AGENCIES KOLKATA, APRIL 27

Bhaichung Bhutia always had an element of surprise about himself, fooling defenders and goalkeepers with his clever moves as a striker. But he had a greater surprise in store for the spectators on Tuesday when he took the field against Sporting Clube de Goa as a Sikkim United defender.

And Bhaichung performed well in his new role even as Sikkim United drew 1-1 with the Goa club in their first match of the final phase in second division I-League at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, Shillong on Tuesday. Beikhokhei equalised for Bhaichung’s club seven minutes after Sporting took

the lead through Daniel Bidemi in the 27 minute.

Bhaichung paired with India International, NS Manju in the heart of defence and the duo complimented each other pretty well.

“It’s quite exciting to play with Bhaichung and mind you, he has a great sense of anticipation,” Manju said about his partner.

As a centre-back, Bhaichung adjusted fast and looked at ease as he kept the Sporting attacks at bay, much to the appreciation of the crowd. “I’m comfortable in my new role — as a defender,” Bhaichung said. “I need to be fully fit at the earliest. And I didn’t do badly either.

I was able to keep the two rival foreign strikers quiet,” Bhaichung said.

Pg 15 Fergie praises ‘finest ever’ Neuer AFP GELSENKIRCHEN, APRIL 27

Manchester United coach Sir Alex Ferguson poured praise on Schalke 04's Manuel Neuer after the Germany goalkeeper's defiant performance in his team's 2-0 Champions League defeat on Tuesday.

Neuer kept his side in the semi-final, first leg tie with a sequence of stunning saves in the opening period, only for secondhalf strikes from Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney to earn United a victory that scarcely reflected the extent of their dominance.

"In my time at United, it's probably the finest display of goalkeeping against us," said Ferguson of Neuer.

"I'm sure there have been other feats but tonight I saw a very good one."

Neuer -- a reported United target -- saved brilliantly from Rooney, Park Ji-Sung and Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez in the first 45 minutes, before racing out to deny Giggs shortly before half-time.

"There was a frustration towards the end of the first half when he made that final save from Ryan," acknowledged Ferguson.

"When that move broke down, our players started walking back and I sensed their frustration. I had to correct that at half-time.

"What broke the camel's back was Chicharito's goal that was offside (in the 50th minute). The players realised then that they could beat the guy. It wasn't easy."

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Fletcher fills in for Kirsten PTI MUMBAI, APRIL 27

Duncan Fletcher was today appointed India’s cricket coach to replace the highly successful Gary Kirsten, ending weeks of suspense on who will take over the high-profile job.

The 62-year-old former Zimbabwe captain, who coached England from 1999 to 2007 with mixed results, has been appointed for two years.

The decision to appoint Fletcher, whose name was doing the rounds as a possible successor to Kirsten, was taken at the BCCI’s Working Committee meeting here. The announcement came as a surprise as the BCCI had given no indication that it would name the coach today.

"Duncan Fletcher has been appointed as coach of the Indian cricket team for two years," BCCI Secretary N Srinivasan said in a release issued here.

Talking to reporters afterwards, Srinivasan said it was not yet clear whether Fletcher would be able to join the

team in time for the West Indies tour in June-July as he had prior commitments.

Eric Simmons, who was the bowling coach during Kirsten’s tenure, will continue in the same position, he said.

BCCI Vice-President Rajiv Shukla said the terms and conditions of Fletcher’s appointment would be the same as Kirsten’s.

"After a lot of thought and consultation, BCCI president and BCCI secretary placed Fletcher’s name before the working committee, which the committee ratified," Shukla said when asked why Fletcher was selected over other contenders.

According to BCCI sources, current England coach Andy Flower was also considered, but he was reluctant. Former New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming, reportedly one of the contenders, was not in the race, they said.

After quitting the England's coaching, Fletcher worked with the South African team as a batting consultant in

2008 and most recently this year before the World Cup. He joined New Zealand in a similar role during their tour of India last year.

Fletcher, who captained Zimbabwe during the 1983 World Cup and played just six

one-dayers during the African nation's pre-Test days, had mixed results as England coach.

The high points of his career were England's Ashes triumph over Australia in the home series of 2005, Eng-

land's first series win in West Indies in 36 years and the team earning the third spot in Test rankings.

Fletcher was the first foreigner to coach England’s cricket team. Known to be a task-master, he guided England to eight straight Test wins.

The biggest moment came in 2005 when England bested a star-studded Australian team to win the Ashes for the first time since 1987.

The Zimbabwean was honoured by Britain’s Royalty with an OBE. But later, England's form slid and his performance came under the scanner.

England managed to draw series in India and Pakistan but the 0-5 whitewash in the 2006-07 Ashes series in Australia led to widespread criticism of Fletcher, who refused to step down at that stage.

England’s early exit from the 2007 World Cup forced him to quit.

Fletcher, whose name was reportedly suggested to the BCCI by Kirsten himself, has a tough job on hands as the

Pune’s modest score of 141 for six with three balls to spare.

The victory was the fourth for the holders in seven ties, and their first away from home.

The win took CSK's tally to eight points and put them on the third spot on the table while the Warriors slid to their fourth straight defeat in six matches.

Two days ago CSK had beaten the Warriors by 25 runs by defending a small target of 142 on a slow pitch at Chennai's M A Chidambaram Stadium.

Chasing the modest target, CSK lost in-form Michael Hussey (19) in the fifth over, but 30year-old Badrinath and his Tamil Nadu team-mate Murali Vijay (31 in as many balls) stitched a crucial 61 runs in 7.1 overs for

the second wicket to lay the foundation for the comfortable win.

After Vijay's dismissal, Badrinath added 64 runs with Suresh Raina (34 not out in 25 balls with 2 sixes and one four), for the unfinished third wicket to push Chennai across the finish line at 144 for two in 19.3 overs.

Earlier, Pune skipper Yuvraj Singh returned to form with a fine unbeaten 62 to help Pune

Warriors recover from a poor start and reach a respectable 141 for six.

The left-handed batsman, who made 0 against Mumbai Indians and a slow 34 in 43 balls against CSK two days ago, started slowly before opening out to slam four sixes and three fours in 43 balls as the Warriors recovered from 41 for four to make a more challenging score after opting to bat.

n The 62-year-old former Zimbabwe captain, who coached England from 1999 to 2007 with mixed results, has been appointed for two years.

BCCI doubles WC cash prize PTI MUMBAI, APRIL 27

amiable South African has set a high benchmark and finished the stint with the World Cup win.

With Kirsten at the helm, India reached the top of Test rankings and number two in the ODIs. He gave up the job to spend more time with his family.

Bowing coach Eric Simons, who was today given an extension, said that it would be a great challenge for Fletcher to coach the Indian team.

Simons said he was looking forward to work with Fletcher and hoped that the former England coach would bring in new ideas.

"I am looking forward to working with him. I enjoyed working with (Gary) Kirsten, and I am sure Fletcher will bring in new ideas for the development of the team", Simons said.

"I think coaching the No.1 team in the world will be a real challenge for Fletcher,' said Simons, who was appointed the bowling coach in January 2010.

Amid speculation that Indian cricketers are unhappy with the prize money announced for their World Cup triumph, the BCCI today increased it from Rs one crore to Rs two crore each.

The BCCI, in its working committee meeting here, decided to increase the incentive to Rs two crore per player, which is still less than the Rs 5 crore each that the players had reportedly demanded.

"The cash incentive to the members of the World Cup winning Indian team has been increased from Rs 1 crore per player to Rs 2 crore per player," BCCI secretary and presidentelect N Srinivasan said.

The decision comes after speculation that several top Indian cricketers made an informal demand to the cricket Board to increase the reward money to Rs 5 crore instead of just 1 crore for winning the biggest cricketing event after 28 years.

Kings dominate Warriors again PTI MUMBAI, APRIL 27

Subramaniam Badrinath slammed his second unbeaten half century of the tournament to power defending champions Chennai Super Kings to a comprehensive eight-wicket win over Pune Warriors in an Indian

Premier League match at the D Y Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai today.

Badrinath, who scored a classy 71 not out for a losing cause against hosts Mumbai Indians on April 22, stroked his way to a fine 63 not out in 44 balls as CSK overhauled the

Pune Warriors: J Ryder c Anirudha b Bollinger 19, M Mishra c Jakati b Bollinger 2, M Pandey c Ashwin b Southee 10, M Manhas b Kulasekara 0, Yuvraj Singh not out 62, R Uthappa c Anirudha b Ashwin 31, M Marsh c Ashwin b Bollinger 11, J Taylor not out 1. Extras: 5. Total: 141 for 6. Fall of wickets: 1-22, 2-22, 3-28, 4-41, 5-83, 6-123. Bowling: N Kulasekara 3-0-26-1, D Bollinger 4-1-21-3, Tim Southee 4-0-33-1, R Ashwin 4-0-29-1, S Jakati 2-0-15-0, Suresh Raina 3-0-16-0.

Chennai Super Kings: M Hussey c Pandey b Kartik 9, M Vijay c Manhas b Ryder 31, S Badrinath not out 63, S Raina not out 34. Extras: 8. Total: 145 for 2. Fall of wickets: 1-19, 2-80. Bowling: A Thomas 3.3-1-24-0, J Taylor 4-0-27-0, M Kartik 4-1-27-1, M Marsh 1-0-7-0, R Sharma 4-0-270, Yuvraj Singh 1-0-10-0, J Ryder 2-0-21-1. Man-of-the-match: D Bollinger.

Ready Possession

Yuvraj first found an able ally in Robin Uthappa (31 in 22 balls) with whom he shared 42 runs for the fifth wicket to steady the Pune innings and then put on 40 runs with Mitchell Marsh (11) to guide his team beyond the 120-mark.

Doug Bollinger was the chief wrecker for CSK with fine haul of three for 21 that included a maiden over in which he took two wickets.

ACTUAL PHOTOGRAPH

Gambhir out to prove a point

Delhi Daredevils v.

Kolkata Knight Riders, 8 p.m.

Ishant scripts Chargers’ win PTI KOCHI, APRIL 27

Ishant Sharma bulldozed the Kochi Tuskers Kerala batting line-up with a sensational fivewicket spell as Deccan Chargers spanked the hosts by 55 runs in their IPL match here today.

Before Ishant's fiery spell, Chargers skipper Kumar Sangakkara had scored a defying 65 off 47 balls under pressure to help the side reach a modest 129 for seven after being invited to bat at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium.

The Chargers bowled out the hosts for 74 in 16.3 overs as Ishant produced one of the most memorable fast bowling spells in the history of the T20 league with incredible figures of 3-0-12-5.

Chargers badly needed a win as they had lost four of the six matches before and were sit-

ting at the bottom of the points table. Now they have jumped to the sixth spot. The track had helped the Kochi pacers as well but Ishant extracted the maximum help out of the juicy pitch as he hit the deck hard.

Ishant's was the third-best performance by a bowler in the history of tournament. Rajasthan Royals's Sohail Tanvir had recorded best figures in the inaugural edition in 2008 when he took six four 16 against Chennai.

Kochi had not scored even a single run off the bat and had lost four batsmen when they began their chase. Ishant was responsible for the mayhem as he ripped apart the rival top order by striking thrice in his first over, dismissing Parthiv Patel (0), Raiphi Gomez (0) and Brad Hodge (0).

Deccan Chargers: S Sohal lbw Singh 1, S Dhawan c Gomez b Singh 4, B Chipli c Sreesanth b Vinay Kumar 4, K Sangakkara c Patel b Vinay Kumar 65, C White c Jayawardene b Vinay Kumar 31, D Christian b Perera 9, DB Ravi Teja not out 8, A Mishra run out 0, MS Gony not out 0. Extras: 7. Total: 129 for 7. Fall of wickets: 3-1, 6-2, 20-3, 110-4, 110-5, 127-6, 127-7. Bowling:RP Singh 4-0-21-2, S Sreesanth 4-0-22-0, R Vinay Kumar 4-0-25-3, NLTC Perera 4-0-30-1, RAV Gomez 1-0-4-0, R Jadeja 3-0-25-0.

Kochi Tuskers Kerala: B McCullum c Sangakkara b Steyn 0, M Jayawardene c Sangakkara b Sharma 4, P Patel c Sangakkara b Sharma 0, R Gomez b Sharma 0, B Hodge b Sharma 0, K Jadhav lbw b Sharma 0, R Jadeja c Christian b Mishra 23, T Perera c White b Gony 22, R Vinay Kumar b Steyn 18, S Sreesanth not out 0, RP Singh b Steyn 0. Extras: 7. Total:74 all out. Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-1, 3-1, 4-2, 56, 6-11, 7-47, 8-73, 9-74.Bowling:D Steyn 3.3-1-16-3, I Sharma 3-0-12-5, D Christian 3-0-12-0, M Gony 3-0-19-1, A Mishra 4-0-12-1. Man-of-the-match: Ishant Sharma.

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Today’s fixTures

KKR will help them consolidate their position after back-to-back defeats at home against Kochi Tuskers Kerala and Royal Challengers Bangalore.

For Sehwag and Company, this will be a make-or-break match as they can't afford to lose too many having already ended second best on four occasions.

However, both teams especially KKR need to look at their team composition which might be a reason for their inconsistent performance.

If one looks at KKR, Eoin Morgan has been the weak link among the four foreign recruits. With Jacques Kallis, Brad Haddin and Shakib Al Hasan automatically selecting themselves, one would expect Brett Lee to make it to the playing XI at the expense of Morgan as the Kotla track now is offering some help to the pacers.

Easy

Kolkata Knight Riders captain Gautam Gambhir would be keen to prove a point by putting up a solid performance against his

old franchise Delhi Daredevils when the two teams square off in an Indian Premier League match at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium here tomorrow.

Gambhir, who got a cold shoulder from Daredevils during the Players Retention and auctions, will definitely want to make a statement and a captain's knock against his best buddy Virender Sehwag's side will be just perfect to do that.

The Delhi Daredevils management, which by now must have realised that they botched up big time during the Players' Auction, would certainly be regretting not retaining Gambhir.

On paper, the fourth-placed KKR can be termed as favourites against the Daredevils who are now second from last in the league table.

With only two points separating the teams (KKR now have 6 points to DD's 4), a win for

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Man gets Trendier yet Tender

BY CHRISTINA VIEGAS going in for funky jewellery, super-star sunglasses, huge belts etc.”

HERALD FEATURES Getting back to men’s changing priorities, n the recent times, it is observed that the new age man is going from tough and macho to tender and mellow. Recent studies on trends have revealed the heartening news for women is that acthat young men yearn for babies and will welcome an unexpected pregnancy cording to a recent study, 93 per cent of the than young women. He is emotional and will even shed a few tears when male participants said their role as a father was the most important thing in their lives. Attitude hurt or when moved but social mores prevent him from talking about it.

These days there are many papas who are more than willing to take a day off towards fatherhood have changed for the better to spend time with their child/children and they are not shy to tell their superiors with many men being doting fathers.

And while women welcome this about it. In fact, today, a doting dad is seen as “cool.” This comes as a relief that change they have parenthood does not only have to revolve around women; majority of whom have careers – right Today’s dad is a gym going a f e w sugfrom the ultra chic urban woman to the rural lady gathering in her pennies by working in man or one who is into sports three to four homes a day. There are many men to keep himself fit. While he in Goa who vouch that they would rather miss a party than miss picking and dropping their tucks in those irresistible kids from/to school, playing with them in the evening or putting the kids to bed with bedtime sweets, he is also keen to stories. knock off the calories. As for In fact, chat around with the women and the majority of them are interested in men who the unmarried young men gestions: whenever your partner is upset, in showing that talk about babies and display affection towards who are big time into big your being extra sensitive, never use the words, “Is it PMS again?” The women vouch that nothing riles them faster than them. It does not work when you nag your partner into fatherhood. But give him the chance muscles, it is enlightening to having guys think that any perceived moods swings are and you will be amazed to see his nurturing learn that most are out to brought on by PMS because that basically signals a lack of effort on a guy’s part to try to understand his woman. side. So, while we see this nurturing side of If you are feeling awkward pulling a girl’s chair out for her men coming to the fore more obviously, it is show their skin and our or opening the door for her, understand that even the most also interesting to see that they take more than extra care of their physical looks. Gone are the movies are only mirroring real independent woman appreciates it and feels special. It is vital to keep the spirit of chivalry alive. And never betray her days when daddies meant prosperous paunches life heroes trust, no matter what. Most women awow that taking their and receding hairlines.

Today’s dad is a gym going man or one who is into sports to keep himself fit. goodness forgranted is also often overlooked, but betrayal? Rarely! And never While he tucks in those irresistible sweets, he is also keen to knock off the consider her career second to yours. Women thrive on the respect and caring calories. As for the unmarried young men who are big time into big muscles, it given by men. And today, we have a good number of men doing just that.

So, it is out! The man who openly expresses his feelings and emotions is no is enlightening to learn that most are out to show their skin and our movies are only mirroring real life heroes. This despite, Goans being a conservative society. longer viewed as sissy. Rather, he is seen as someone who is brave to admit that According to college goers, “They even wear very transparent shirts that reveal he is capable of emotions. their whole torso. No more vests! And when it comes to jeans and trousers, most Ultimately, it would do good to remember that it does not really matter whether of them wear the low-waist ones. And often they wear designer underwear you are a towering Greek god with drop dead gorgeous looks, with a firm showing off their brand name at their waists.” handshake, pots of money, a winning smile, have a gift of the gab, close lucrative A decade ago, we considered men classy if they sported a smart crew cut, but deals, sail in luxurious yachts, anything. What a lady needs is a simple, humble, according to designers, today, even the hairdos have undergone a major change. beautiful soul, and a true courageous man who will stand by her at all times, Now crew cuts are considered a school boyish style by the young lads who go in never to betray her. And yes, elicit laughter from her even when those floodgates for their spiky look or long tresses or just clean shaven. Besides, men are also are open, as you tell her how precious those teardrops are.

I

Men’s Skin Care is Serious Business

The ABC of Goan Men’s Diet

BY DOLCY D’CRUZ HERALD FEATURES ealth is an important factor in a person’s life no matter what the gender. Every human being has to take special care when it comes to diet and the choice of food. In Goa, people have a vast range of fruits, vegetables and meats to choose from. Norbert D’Souza, proprietor of Norbert’s Fitness Centre has been advising men of different ages on the fitness regime and the intake of meals and the best ingredients for a fit body. As Goan men are getting more health and fitness conscious, Norbert gives a countdown on what is easily available in Goa and what is best for a man’s diet, “There are different diets based on whether a man is following a fitness regime or he regularly exercises. As a normal daily meal, egg is very important, followed by milk, one of the best muscle foods. Animal products with high proteins like chicken and lean red meat is also good. Almonds should be eaten on a daily basis. Broccoli is gaining popularity in the market and is a healthy vegetable. Whole wheat bread or locally available poe or chappatis are very healthy. Tomatoes come next in the list. Fruit is one of the best things to eat with apples, watermelon, papayas, oranges and bananas leading the list.”

Interestingly, eggs are one of the only foods that contain naturally occurring vitamin D and the right kind of fat.

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a pigmentrich antioxidant known as a carotenoid, which reduces cancer risk and cardiovascular disease while apples are known to be high in an anti-inflammatory flavonoid called quercetin, especially in their skins, which lowers the risk of developing lung cancer.

“Some of the main foods that should be consumed daily are eggs, milk and all fruits except custard and chickoos.

Meat with high fat content like pork and sausages should be eaten occasionally. Goans are getting health conscious and they choose their food while shopping as there is a wide range of choice in the market today. A poe has been around in Goa for years and is a healthy replacement for white bread.”

BY JANICE RODRIGUES HERALD FEATURES eauty has been synonymous with women for eons and cosmetic companies have tapped this far too much, focusing all their attention on women. But of late, the markets have turned their attention towards the male population, with the numerous cosmetic products flooding the markets, and with celebrities, from film actors to sports personalities, endorsing the brands, there is a definite upward curve in the ‘metrosexual’ male graph.

“Men have become very conscious about their skin and looks, there has been a rise in the number of men coming in for treatments and queries about their looks,” says Neomi Barneto of the Neomi’s Salon Chain.

Everyone wants to look good in today’s world and the boys today are leaving no stone unturned in attempting to get their look right. The act of stepping into a beauty salon earlier s e e m e d re stricted to women, but with the turn of the century, men appear comfortable doing the same. From massages to spa treatments, unisex beauty salons all over the state have a list of treatments for the man who cares to look and feel good, in fact, salons only for men are also on the rise. “They come in for facials, spa treatments, massages and waxing of the chest and back; we also have a lot of skin lightening products and procedures too,” says Neomi.

Everyone now wants to be another hunk like the David Beckhams, John Abrahams and Shahid Kapoors who endorse the various creams. But how far do these creams help in achieving the much desired fairer skin tones? “If you use the creams regularly you can see the difference over a certain period of time. But sometimes people don’t use them regularly and thus the effect is not known,” says Neomi.

Looking and feeling good has no age barrier and this is proven by the huge margin in the age group that come to get treatments. “Men from the age of 22 come for the waxing and the age group goes right up to 60 for facials and the like,” adds Neomi.

B

H

Does your Hug bug your Teenage Son?

BY NOMRATHA FERNANDES HERALD FEATURES esides anatomy, there is very little difference between little boys and girls. They both like playing in the park or with their toys, consuming copious amounts of chocolate or anything sour and getting all the hugs and kisses from their parents, siblings and friends. Then comes puberty, the changing years – when hormones seem to take over your life. When the answers are more than asked for and yet the questions remain unanswered. It is at this stage that most young people are conscious of everything.

That very same little boy who ran to hug you as soon as you got back from work is now thirteen years old and probably on the phone, or ‘chillin’ on Facebook’. Sometime after that, you are the one waiting at the door, to hug him on his big achievement at sports or studies. But the hug isn’t as long or tight as it used to be, though the shine in his eyes is as bright as ever. Then the next day before school, as you reach out to give him a good-bye hug, you see a hand waving in the distance – he has already left.

You notice this becoming a trend and wish for it to stop. But no need to worry. It is normal for pubescent boys to be embarrassed of overt displays of affection, especially from women, say psychologists. The teenage years are a search for an identity and independence for young boys, Dr Gracie Andrews, counsellor and psychologist informs. Through this search, feelings of consciousness spring up, when it comes to affection. It has to be made clear that affection is still sought after by these young boys, and simultaneously reciprocated in various other ways. “It is very important for parents to talk to their young sons about the changes – physical and emotional – that occur at this stage,” says Dr Andrews. There is a definite relation between a mother-son bond and his overall view of women, during his later years. If the much-needed talk doesn’t happen, these boys grow up to be men with twisted perceptions of love and affection.

As for your teenage boy, do not stop the display of affection. Maybe he won’t give back that much, but he loves it with all his heart.

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Thursday, 28 Apr 2011

WHAT’S UP IN GOA??

The Goa Liberation Golden Jubilee ‘Konkan Fruit Fest’, organised by the Botanical Society of Goa (BSG), the Directorate of Agriculture-Goa, the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP), ICAR-Goa, NABARD and Tiatr Academy of Goa will be held from April 29 to May 1 at the Promenade and the Art Park at Campal-Panjim. It will be inaugurated on April 29 at 10:30am.

COCO’JU, the Coconut and Cashew Fest ‘11, organised by Ancestral Goa, Big Foot, Lotoulim will be held from April 30 to May 2 from 9am to 5:30pm at Ancestral Goa, Big Foot, Lotoulim. Call 2777034.

Free public sessions on rhythmic breathing, organised by the Rhythmic Breathing Club, Goa will be held in the month of May. Registration is open. E-mail veebee200303@yahoo.co.in.

Call 9422443421.

Free Summer Special animation classes, organised by Arena Animations will be held during the course of May at MGM Animations Academy, Panjim. It will cover creative art and sketching and computer fundamentals. Registration is open. E-mail mgmanimations@gmail.com. Call 2225153, 9823013484, 9823611824, 9423885224 or 7709425857.

‘Food and Health Security through Home-grown organic fruits and vegetables’ will be the topic of discussion at the Friday Balcao. It will be held on April 29 from 4pm to 6pm at the Promenade and the Art Park at Campal-Panjim. Email to goadesc@gmail.com.

‘Fusion Musical Concert’ organised by Pilerne Sports Club to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Goa’s Liberation will take place on May 1 at 8pm on the Pilerne Football Ground. Call 9822164185, 9922050612 or 9822144767.

A workshop in bro-

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HOROSCOPE ken tile murals, facilitated

by Aadhi Vishal, organised

by Sunaparanta – Goa Centre for the Arts will be held from May 2 to 7 from 2pm to 7pm at Sunaparanta, Altinho-Panjim. E-mail info@sgcfa.org.

Call 2421311.

‘The European Influence in Goa and the German contribution to the Indo-Portuguese Trade in the 16th – 18th Centuries’, a presentation by Luis de Assis Correia will be held on April 29 at 5:30pm at Fundação Oriente, Fontainhas-Panjim. Call 2230728 or 2436108.

‘The Mango Tree Art Camp’, organised by Sunaparanta – Goa Centre for the Arts will be held from May 2 to 7 from 10am to 4pm at Sunaparanta - Goa Centre for the Arts, AltinhoPanjim. Call 2421311.

‘Prevention of Corruption and Lok Ayukta’, a workshop organised

by Asha Family Responsibilities and Rights Association will be held on April 30 from 4.30pm to 6.30pm at Grace Church Complex Hall, Margao. It will be conducted in Konkani and English.

Registration is free. E-mail trustasha@yahoo.co.in. Call 2256445 or 9822166876.

A workshop in cold ceramics facilitated by Ramdas Gadekar, organised by Sunaparanta - Goa Centre for the Arts, Altinho-Panjim is underway till April 30 from 2pm to 6 pm at Sunaparanta – Goa Centre for the Arts, Altinho-Panjim. Call 2421311.

‘Isha Engineering Peak of Well Being’, a 7-day, 3-hours programme on yoga and wellness, conducted by Isha Yoga Center Goa is underway till May 3 simultaneously at Lingayat Hall Margao and Salgaokar College of Law Miramar, Panjim. Call 9822100305.

The launch of the Porvorim branch of Norbert’s Fitness Studio will be held on April 29 at 6pm. Call 9822582022 or 9822120180.

You've got a lot of good karma points racked up -- today it's time 21 Mar - 19 Apr to cash some in. You need to stay aware of your frustration levels today -- they may spiral out of control if you're not extra careful. Someone close is trying to flag you down, so make sure you make time for them.

Taurus Approach things compassionately and with your defenses 20 Apr - 20 May down. It will create joy. Expect serious compassion coming from someone who's usually not all that empathetic today.

You may want to bring up your issues with the boss or someone else who's in a position to help out.

Your reputation Gemini i s s h i n i n g brightly -- so you have too much to lose by being 21 May - 20 Jun lazy. Your ideas are all pointing toward one thing: change. You know it's coming, and you know (more or less) what you want from it, so make sure that you are consciously guiding it as much as you can.

Don't think about things from a political angle -- just listen to your intu22 Jun - 23 Jul ition. Your ability to think big is one of your greatest assets, and right now, it's working overtime. That could mean you can't be bothered with little things like paying bills or doing chores, though!

Others might react emotionally to your choices, but that can't sway your 24 Jul - 23 Aug decision. You're not a skeptic by nature, though you can cast doubt with the best of them when the time is right -- like it is today. Ask big questions and make sure that you're able to accept the truth.

People around you will not be as organized as you, so step up take 23 Aug - 22 Sep a n d c h a r g e . Yo u may be the fastest moving person at work or with your friends, but that doesn't mean it's helpful to hurry others along. In fact, they may resent it so much that they just stop moving entirely.

A heated debate may create more than an intellectual 23 Sept - 22 Oct connection -like romance.

You're famous for keeping an open mind, but this kind of indecision is too much! You need to be firm, but it's hard when you keep switching between points of view. Choose one and stick with it today!

Scorpio Go for the romance today, even if you feel like you might 23 Oct - 22 Nov be acting silly.

Why not? If you can imagine it, you can bring it to life -- so get busy and make sure that you write down all your wildest brainstorms!

It's a good time to sequester yourself in a room with paper or a white board.

Sagittarius Keep abstain-

Capricorn Use your creative writing ability to let the people you 22 Dec - 20 Jan care for know how you feel.

You make a crucial advance on a big project today -- one that has been worrying you, most likely. You need to make sure that you're not resting on your laurels, as you still have far to go.

Aquarius Today, an authority will disrupt your plan.

Yo u m a y b e 21 Jan - 19 Feb misled by your bank account. If you've maxed your credit cards -- or even just one of them -you need to see that as a warning. Face up to the issue and deal with it immediately, as you have got what it takes to pay it down.

For a healthier life, you need to share your feelings -- no 20 Feb - 20 Mar matter what they are. You can be a huge help to someone in serious need today, and it should bring plenty of satisfaction along with it. See if your good energy is enough to handle the situation by itself.

Aries

Libra

ing from that vice, and soon you'll lose the 23 Nov - 20 Dec taste for it altogether. You've lost an important piece of paper that you need to track down immediately. The first step might be figuring out what is missing -- and that could take a serious investment of time and energy.

Cancer

Leo

Virgo

Pisces

DID YOU KNOW? The difference between a donkey, a mule and a hinny

mysophobia Pronunciation mahy-suh-foh-bee-uh Function Noun Meaning : Psychiatry a dread of dirt or filth Example Sentence Andrew learnt that the reason he felt terrible around trash was because he was suffering from mysophobia.

LAFFS

A donkey is a descendant of the wild ass. It is short, with long, floppy ears. The mule is a hybrid offspring of a male donkey (a jack) and a female horse. Most mules cannot procreate. The offspring of a female donkey (a jenny) and a male horse is called a hinny. Burro is another name for donkey. Mules are known for their stick-to-it nature and hence people who are stubborn are often referred to as mules.

The animals are tough, surefooted, and steady workers. Asses were first domesticated around 3000 BC, approximately the same time as the horse, and have spread around the world. They continue to fill important roles in many places today and domesticated species are increasing in numbers, but the African wild ass and another relative, the Onager, are endangered.

As beasts of burden and companions, asses and donkeys have worked together with humans for millennia.

WIZARD OF ID

Funny Quote

“There is a coherent plan in the universe, though I don’t know what it's a plan for.”

– Fred Hoyle DAILY GROOK ODE CODE

by Francis Rodrigues beethoven got pleasure from porridge as a boy, thus for this treasure he wrote 'oat to joy!'

GARFIELD

MIND BENDERS

SUN MOON TIDES

Tongue Twister Thursday 34° C | 27° C Dawn 05:51

Partly Cloudy

Sunrise 06:13

Sunset Dark 18:52 19:14

Moon rise 02:50 Moon set High —

Low 01:57

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What gets hotter as it gets colder?

TIDES High Low High 08:15 13:41 19:58

21:00 Ziddi

Three Men and a Little Lady The Rocker The World Is Not Enough Terminator 3 Bad Company Pineapple Express X-Men Origins

Hairspray Constantine Capitalism Flirting with Forty Flatliners Intolerable Cruelty The King of Fighters

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Last ‘Riddle Me This’ Answer: A chair

18:55 Anacondas 21:00 xXx 23:35 Hot Tub Time Machine

Jo Bole So Nihaal Patthar Aur Payal Alag Alag Lakshya Unbreakable

A Few Good Men The Foreigner Death Defying Acts The Benchwarmers

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Saajan Chale Sasural Indian Premier League 4 Billu Bachan: Ek Diljala IPL 4 Extraaa Innings Indian Premier League 4 IPL 4 Extraaa Innings

12:00 Real Don No.1 16:00 Kuch Tum Kaho Kuch Hum Kahein 20:00 Geraftaar

10:15 Kisse Pyaar Karoon 13:35 Jodi No.1 17:30 Barsaat

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Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Mrs. Tendulkar Papad Pol Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo Lapataganj FIR Ring Wrong Ring Mrs. Tendulkar Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Gutar Gu Gili Gili Gappa Papad Pol Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo Mrs. Tendulkar Lapataganj FIR

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Yeh Ishq Haaye!!

Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani Dhoond Legi Manzil Humein Yeh Ishq Haaye!!

Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani Dhoond Legi Manzil Humein

IDIOT BOX 10:15 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:15 18:00 18:30 19:00 19:45 20:30 21:00 21:30 22:00 22:30

Saath Nibhana Saathiya Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya Maayke Se Bandhi Dor Gulaal Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai Tere Mere Sapne Hamari Devrani Sapno Se Bhare Naina Chaand Chupa Badal Mein Navya Maayke Se Bandhi Dor Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai Sasural Genda Phool Saath Nibhana Saathiya Behenein Navya Saath Nibhana Saathiya Sasural Genda Phool Maayke Se Bandhi Dor Gulaal Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai Navya Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya

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Surya: The Super Cop Chhajje Chhajje Ka Pyaar Krishnaben Khakhrawala Saas Bina Sasural C.I.D C.I.D Classics Krishnaben Khakhrawala Chhajje Chhajje Ka Pyaar Surya: The Super Cop Saas Bina Sasural Kismat

Pavitra Rishta Chhoti Si Zindagi Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli Choti Bahu Pavitra Rishta

SUDOKU 845

Riddle Me This

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D Tide timings are for Mormugao Harbour. For Panjim/Calangute add 20 mins. For Colva add 30 mins

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A proper cup of coffee from a proper copper coffee pot

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Sanskaar Laxmi Chhoti Si Zindagi Ram Milaayi Jodi Sanjog Se Bani Sangini Shabaash India Pavitra Rishta Bhagonwali Apno ke liye Geeta ka Chhoti Si Zindagi Choti Bahu Jhansi Ki Rani Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli Pavitra Rishta Ram Milaayi Jodi Sanjog Se Bani Sangini Sanskaar Laxmi

11:30 Mrs. Tendulkar 12:00 Lapataganj

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Geet Rang Badalti Odhni Dhoond Legi Manzil Humein Rang Badalti Odhni Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani Yeh Ishq Haaye!!

Dhoond Legi Manzil Humein Geet Yeh Ishq Haaye!!

Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani Rang Badalti Odhni Geet Yeh Ishq Haaye!!

Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani Dhoond Legi Manzil Humein Geet Rang Badalti Odhni Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani

11:25 Most Daring 12:20 Guinness World Records New Zealand

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Leverage Criss Angel Mindfreak Fear Factor The Amazing Race Sports Crash Criss Angel Mindfreak Fear Factor Most Daring Leverage Guinness World Records New Zealand 22:50 Most Daring

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Community Family Guy Koffee With Karan Dexter The Bold and The Beautiful Friends Las Vegas The Good Guys Community Family Guy Dexter Las Vegas Koffee With Karan How I Met Your Mother The Simpsons Las Vegas Dexter

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Chhota Bheem Marathon Pokemon DP M.A.D Chhota Bheem Anpanman Breadman The Pink Panther Show Just for Laugh Gags Takeshi's Castle Just for Laugh Gags Bam Bam Bam Gir Pade Hum

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Fleet Racing Tour 2011 Golf Focus 2011 Nike Football Locker Room Ace 2011 WTA Barcelona Ladies Open Nations of Champions WTA Barcelona Ladies Open

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Paradise Regatta 2010 WTA Barcelona Ladies Open Full Throttle 2010/2011 WTA Barcelona Ladies Open

11:30 KIA X Games Asia 2010 12:00 Barclays Premier League 2010/11 14:00 Philippine Open 10-Ball Pool Championship 2011 17:00 Goals!

17:30 Football Crazy 18:00 KIA X Games Asia 2010 19:00 Football Crazy 19:30 Premier League World 20:00 Sportscenter India 20:30 Sportscenter Asia 21:00 Bpl Express 22:00 Sportscenter India 22:30 Sportscenter Asia 23:00 Goals!

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European Tour Weekly UEFA Champions League H/l WWE: Raw UEFA Champions League

07:00 Grace Abounds 07:30 Kids Club 08:00 English News 09:00 Pilar Care for Mother Earth 09:30 C D’Silva Special Nite 10:00 English News 11:00 Frame Box Animation 11:30 Mapusa Dance Competition 12:00 Netravali Trekking 12:30 Sunset Symphony 13:00 English News 14:00 Konkani Movie 15:00 Clown Fiesta 15:30 Pilar Annual Day 16:00 English News 17:00 Health Watch 17:30 Kids Club 18:00 English News 19:00 When Christ was Crucified 20:00 English News 21:00 Immaculate Heart of Mary 22:00 English News 23:00 Pilar Care for Mother Earth 23:30 Mapusa Dance Competition Note: Subject to Change

Instructions for Sudoku 9 x 9 letter: To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in each of the nine vertical columns, in each of the nine horizontal rows and in each of the nine boxes

SUDOKU SOL 844

HERALD CROSSWORD - 845 Across 1- Gymnast Korbut; 5- Moo ___ pork; 8- Con; 12- Tumbles; 14- Make ___ for it; 15- River in central Switzerland; 16- Staggering; 17Magic stick; 18- Some are pale; 19Ancestry; 21- Wading birds; 23- 10th letter of the Hebrew alphabet; 24Like some humor; 25- Native ruler of Tunisia; 26- Small flower; 30- Venomous snake; 32- Crude carrier; 33Diversify; 37- Latin I word; 38- Past tense of will; 39- Capital city of Western Samoa; 40- 1968 Diana Ross & the Supremes hit; 42- Sporting blades; 43- Dense; 44- Small rocky island; 45- Acknowledgment of debt; 48- Broke bread; 49- Billiards rod; 50- Goblin; 52- Ascribe; 57- Make-up artist?; 58- Baseball team; 60- Stom53- Dejected; 54- Area of 4840 square yards; 55ach woe; 61- A big fan of; 62- Feminizing suffix; 63Canvas shelter used on camping trips; 56- Gaelic lanRotates; 64- Hammer end; 65- Genetic material; 66guage of Ireland or Scotland; 59- B & B; Allot; Down SOLUTION - 844 1- Like some history; 2- Actress Petty; 3- Secluded spot; 4- "Hard ___!" (sailor's yell); 5- Ladies of Sp.; 6Attila, e.g.; 7- Bid lower than another; 8- River to the Moselle; 9- Biblical spy; 10- Aggregate of qualities that make good character; 11- Unordered; 13- Killer; 14- Agog; 20- Obtained; 22- Circular course; 24Earth; 26- Young horse; 27- Prom wheels; 28- Norwegian king; 29- Adjust to zero; 30- Make watertight; 31Godly love; 33- Communication medium; 34- Copycat; 35- A wedding cake may have three of these; 36New Orleans is The Big ___; 38- Bleach; 41- Converse; 42- Barely make; 44- Big ___; 45- Long Island town; 46- Express a viewpoint; 47- Component of organic fertilizer; 49- Native Canadian; 51- Golf club which can be numbered 1 to 9; 52- Editor Wintour;

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Photos by Siddesh Mayenkar

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HERALD FEATURES he workshop on cold ceramics facilitated by Ramdas Gadekar recently opened at Sunaparanta – Goa Centre of the Arts in AltinhoPanjim. The workshop saw a bunch of eager persons from all age groups come together to learn cold ceramic techniques.

Using a bottle as the base to create various embossed effects, they displayed their skill and talent and simultaneously learnt something new from Gadekar.

The workshop is underway till April 30 at Sunaparatana – Goa Centre for the Arts, Altinho-Panjim.

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Thursday, 28 April 2011

Getting Creative with Cold Ceramics

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Learning Difficulties highlighted at Workshop for Primary School Teachers

HERALD FEATURES eaching young children is not an easy job and teachers deserve proper support.

Sethu Centre for Child Development and Family Guidance recently conducted Class Act, a 4-day workshop for primary school teachers to promote learning and behaviour in the classroom. Over 50 teachers from all over Goa participated with great enthusiasm, despite the fact that it was their vacation time.

The topics addressed were learning difficulties, methods to promote reading including phonics and whole language, building of Mathematics and English competencies through learning by doing and respectful discipline in the classroom.

The programme was an interactive process, including group discussions, lectures and hands on exercises. Every teacher received a training manual which outlined the various teaching skills and methods. Adequate time was set aside for teachers to practice the new skills they had learnt. The feedback from the teachers was that Class Act gave them practical information and useful strategies needed to deal with behaviour and learning difficulties in the classroom.

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Photos by Siddesh Mayenkar

Summer Delights at Goa’s First Mall HERALD FEATURES he recently-opened Caculo Mall in St Inez has a hoard of activities for kids this summer. They began with clay sculpting which witnessed a bunch of kids twist and turn clay to come up with creative clay masks in different shapes and sizes.

The rest of the week will see other fun activities.

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Earth Day the Artistic Way HERALD FEATURES rt Escape, Benaulim celebrated Earth Day with a day filled with environment-related activities.

The event saw participation of around 25 children and 75 adults. Art Escape in collaboration with Contact Base was selected as one of the venues in India by the Earth Day network, A Billion Acts of Green. Earth Day at Art Escape began with an Eco walk around Benaulim followed by a Recycling Workshop with kids using waste material to make art, other objects as well as an exhibition of the products from the summer camp recycling workshop.

In a bid to promote a greener lifestyle, there also was a display of solar cooker, homemade solar hot water system, house hold compost bins, garden compost system and segregation bins systems, solar lamps and methods of reducing consumption of energy.

The afternoon session had a talk, presentation and sharing of ideas on simple solutions to waste management systems by Clinton Vaz. This was followd by a talk by Assistant Conservator of Forests (Margao), Ramesh Desai, followed by an interactive session.

A snake awareness presentation done by Suhail and Tarika Kiran on snakes found in Goa and how do identify a venomous from a non venomous snake began at 5pm.

‘Creatures of the Earth’ a play by Hartman D’souza, focusing on the mining issues of Goa and a photography exhibition on the mines of Goa took place at 7pm, followed by a presentation on ‘Why we should segregate garbage and methods of recycling wet and dry garbage’.

Films ‘Environment’, ‘Dirt’ and ‘The Garbage Trap’ were screened from 9pm onwards.

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Recyling

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Thursday 28 Apr 2011

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Ragini MMS will break few conventions: Ekta Kapoor

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he is busy flying in and out of cities as two of her films are up for release. While her actor-brother Tusshar Kapoor is concentrating on promoting his next film Shor In The City, producer Ekta Kapoor is busy promoting Ragini MMS – a film that, she promises, will break a few conventions.

“Ragini MMS is a horror film. It has been made on the lines of the Hollywood horror film Paranormal Activity. While makers of Paranormal Activity claimed that it was captured footage, Ragini MMS is shot in a way that it looks like it is captured footage. The genre of young horror hasn’t been explored in India and I wanted to do something different too.”

The story revolves around a couple that has been together for around five months and feel it is time to take the relationship to the next level. “On their weekend getaway, the boy decides to record their intimate moments. The biggest shock comes when the boy is checking out the recorded footage. In addition to the couple, there are visions of another person in the room who has participated in all that the couple was involved in,” explained a rather excited Ekta Kapoor. Another feather in Ekta’s cap is the fact that Ragini MMS will be released in both Hindi and Telugu.

Salman, Ajay help Sanjay Dutt beef up for Agneepath

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nce considered an inspiration for millions of fitness freaks, Sanjay Dutt has gradually lost the status of a fit actor. After being mocked by appearing to be overweight in films like Blue and All the Best, the man has decided to get back in shape as he is all set to play villain Kancha Cheena in Agneepath remake. And in this effort, his buddies Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn are going lend him a helping hand.

Sanjay Dutt, while shooting for a small role in Salman’s Ready, was given an exercise chart and a diet plan by the Dabangg star. Sallu seems to be going all out to help Sanjay beef up for his next role in Agneepath.

According to a source, “Sanju is religiously following Salman`s diet advice. If all goes well, when Sanju starts to shoot his portion as the baddie for Agneepath in May, he will be perfectly beefed up.”

Confirming the report, Sanjay said, “I had to do it for me and all my fans. I had to be in shape again, and want to thank Ajay (Devgn) and Salman (Khan) for me to get back.

Ajay inspired me to work out and get this look during the Rascals shoot in Bangkok. He is like a brother to me.”

Well, when there is someone as robust as Hrithik Roshan playing the antagonist, shaping up to perfection becomes all the more essential.

Jennifer Aniston to Jackman urges UK to live off One Pound a Day spend Millions on H New Home ugh Jackman is challenging people in the UK to live off £1 a day for five days. Jackman’s pledge comes as he fronts a charity campaign urging as many people as possible to take up the challenge to raise awareness of the 1.4 billion people living in extreme poverty globally.

Consider the price of a coffee these days and living on just £1 sounds like a stretch, but he believes it will get people thinking, and talking about it, which is the objective.

“I’ve been to Ethiopia and Cambodia, I’ve seen first-hand the difficulties people have but also how empowering it is when people get out of poverty,” he said.

The campaign ‘Live Below The Line’, run by the Global Poverty Project, runs from May 2 to May 6. Despite critics questioning whether the campaign will have any noticeable affect, Jackman is convinced it will raise awareness among governments and individuals.

He said: “There are three major pillars for change, aid protecting foreign aid at government level, trade and battling corruption.”

Jackman is aware of the cynics. Who is he, a wealthy celebrity, to be challenging people to live on the breadline?

He said: “Being in movies I have things given to me, clothes and luxuries. I’m fully aware that I live in this weird sort of bubble that is not realistic and I struggle with that question everyday. But I’m not coming at this as a celebrity. I’m coming at it as a 42-year-old man who met this team and just wanted to get on board.”

Men’s Hidden Intentions for saying ‘I love you’ before Women

People who travel frequently for Business have Increased Health Risks

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hile most people think that it is women who say ‘I love you’ first in romantic relationships, a new research has found that men were more likely to utter those three magic words first. Also, men admit thinking about confessing love six weeks earlier than their female partners.

Taking an “evolutionary-economics” perspective, the research concludes that gender differences in the timing and function of saying ‘I love you’ are related to whether a couple has had sex.

“Men may be more impulsive in the way they express love, but what love means to men and what love means to women may be very different,” said co-author Josh Ackerman, assistant professor of marketing at MIT Sloan School of Management.

In a series of surveys, researchers found that two-thirds of couples report that the man was first in confessing love.

Men also reported being significantly happier than women to hear ‘I love you’ one month into the relationship if they had not yet had sex, while women felt happier than men when they heard ‘I love you’ after the onset of sex in the relationship.

The researchers theorised that a pre-sex love confession may signal interest in advancing the relationship to include sexual activity, while women took ‘l love you’ post-sex as a signal of commitment.

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study has found that people who travel frequently for business increase the rates of poor health and health risk factors, including obesity and high blood pressure. Catherine A. Richards, MPH, and Andrew G. Rundle, DrPH, of the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University compared health risks for employees at different levels of business travel.

They used data on more than 13,000 employees from a corporate wellness programme. Close to 80 per cent of the employees travelled at least one night per month. Nearly one per cent were “extensive travellers” – on the road more than 20 nights per month.

Employees who did not travel at all were actually a less-healthy group. Compared to light travellers (one to six nights per month), nontravellers were about 60 per cent more likely to rate their health as fair to poor.

This may reflect a “healthy worker effect”, with employees who have health problems being less likely to travel. Otherwise, rates of lessthan-good health increased along with nights of travel. Extensive travellers were more likely to rate their health as fair to poor, compared to light travellers.

Other health risk factors showed similar patterns: obesity was 33 per cent more likely in non-travellers and 92 per cent more likely for extensive travellers.The same two groups were also more likely to have high blood pressure and unfavourable cholesterol levels.

Excessive Computer Use spurs Risky Behaviour among Teens

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xcessive computer use among adolescents can spur multiple-risk behaviour (MRB) like drug use, drunkenness and unprotected sex. “Since adolescents are exposed to considerable screen time – over 4.5 hours on average each day, they’re constantly seeing images of behaviours they can potentially adopt,” explains Valerie Carson, who led new research in this regard.

“TV and video games have more established protocols in terms of censorship, but internet protocols aren’t as established,” adds Carson, doctoral candidate in School of Kinesiology and Health Studies.

“Parents can make use of programmes that control access to internet, but adolescents these days are quite savvy about Editor –in-chief: R F Fernandes. Editor: Ashwin Tombat. Chief Editor-Features: Christina Viegas.

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ctress Jennifer Aniston is set to splash out $5.9 million on a luxurious New York apartment which comes with an 800-square foot terrace.

The Just Go With It actress is close to finalising a deal on the luxurious Manhattan property after deciding to relocate to the city from her current home in Los Angeles. Although the 1,200 square foot penthouse apartment has just one bedroom and one bathroom, it comes with an 800-square foot terrace with views of the New York Harbour to the Empire state building.

“I have been looking and looking and looking. I grew up here in New York City.

I miss it,” she said.

The property which is on the 18th floor of a pre-war building with a doorman, also has a new open-plan kitchen, dining room, living room, hardwood and poured concrete floors as well as four closets.

Courtesy: Agencies

technology and the internet. It’s possible that these types of controls aren’t effective in blocking all undesirable websites,” says Carson.

Researchers found that high computer use was associated with approximately 50 per cent increased engagement with a cluster of six MRBs, including smoking, drunkenness, nonuse of seat-belts, cannabis and illicit drug use, and unprotected sex.

One explanation behind this finding is that a considerable amount of advertising that used to be shown on TV is now being shown on the internet. In addition, computer usage by adolescents has increased considerably in recent years.

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